was encouraging.  It was a period of rapid growth and marked improvements.  The subject of closer communication with the interior early became a vital question.  Turnpikes, controlled by corporations, were the principal avenues over which country produce, lumber, firewood, and building-stone found their way to the little metropolis.  The cost of entertainment at the various country inns, the frequent tolls, and the inevitable wear and tear of teaming, enhanced very materially the price of all these articles.  The Middlesex canal was the first step towards the solution of the problem of cheap transportation.  The plan originated with the Hon. James Sullivan, who was for six years a judge of the Supreme Court of Massachusetts, attorney-general from 1790 to 1807, and governor in 1807 and 1808, dying while holding the latter office.

A brief glance at the map of the New England States will bring out in bold relief the full significance of Sullivan’s scheme.  It will be seen that the Merrimac river, after pursuing a southerly course as far as Middlesex village, turns abruptly to the north-east.  A canal from Charlestown mill-pond to this bend of the river, a distance of 27-1/4 miles, would open a continuous water-route of eighty miles to Concord, N.H.  From this point, taking advantage of Lake Sunapee, a canal could easily be run in a north-westerly direction to the Connecticut at Windsor, Vt.; and thence, making use of intermediate streams, communication could be opened with the St. Lawrence.  The speculative mind of Sullivan dwelt upon the pregnant results that must follow the connection of Boston with New Hampshire and possibly Vermont and Canada.  He consulted his friend, Col.  Baldwin, sheriff of Middlesex, who had a natural taste for engineering, and they came to the conclusion that the plan was feasible.  Should the undertaking succeed between Concord and Boston, the gradual increase in population and traffic would in time warrant the completion of the programme.  Even should communication never be established beyond Concord, the commercial advantages of opening to the market the undeveloped resources of upper New Hampshire would be a sufficient justification.  Accordingly, James Sullivan, Loammi Baldwin, Jonathan Porter, Samuel Swan, and five members of the Hall family at Medford, petitioned the General Court for an act of incorporation.  A charter was granted, bearing date of June 22, 1793, “incorporating James Sullivan, Esq., and others, by the name of the Proprietors of the Middlesex Canal,” and on the same day was signed by His Excellency John Hancock, Governor of the Commonwealth.  By this charter the proprietors were authorized to lay such assessments from time to time as might be required for the construction of the canal.