In 1817 Congress did pass an act providing for the funding of a canal for New
York but President James Madison, a Jeffersonian Democrat, vetoed the bill. That same year DeWitt Clinton, a Jeffersonian Democrat, was elected to the
governorship of New York. Clinton was a strong supporter of the canal. With
Governor Clinton's support a bill was passed which provided for the construction
of two canals. The Western Canal, later called the Erie Canal, was to connect
Lake Erie with the Hudson River. The Northern Canal was to connect Lake
Champlain with the Hudson River.
York but President James Madison, a Jeffersonian Democrat, vetoed the bill. That same year DeWitt Clinton, a Jeffersonian Democrat, was elected to the
governorship of New York. Clinton was a strong supporter of the canal. With
Governor Clinton's support a bill was passed which provided for the construction
of two canals. The Western Canal, later called the Erie Canal, was to connect
Lake Erie with the Hudson River. The Northern Canal was to connect Lake
Champlain with the Hudson River.