Low Bridge Ahead

Some economic historians attribute the growth and prosperity of the city of New York to the successful completion of the Erie Canal in 1825. Others disagree, citing the importance of the “Cotton Triangle” whereby the Port became the financial and trade intermediary between the producers of “King Cotton” in America’s Southland and the rapidly growing textile industry of England. This thesis examines the publicly initiated role of entrepreneur assumed by the citizens of New York state through their legislature and personified by their Governor DeWitt Clinton. It also considers the facts and statistics that champion the school of thought which held “Old Erie” superior to “King Cotton” in assessing the importance of events leading to New York’s ascendency. As the reader navigates the Canal packet boat, his/her way along the waterway avoiding the hazards occasionally encountered, the author, acting as boatswain, cautions “Low Bridge Ahead.”