communication. I fear, however, on mature reflection, that they
will be liable to serious objections, and ultimately more
expensive than a canal. They must be double, so as to prevent the
danger of two such heavy bodies meeting. The walls on which they
are placed must at least be four feet below the surface, and
three above, and must be clamped with iron, and even then, would
hardly sustain so heavy a weight as you propose moving at the
rate of four miles an hour on wheels. As to wood, it would not
last a week; they must be covered with iron, and that too very
thick and strong. The means of stopping these heavy carriages
without a great shock, and of preventing them from running upon
each other (for there would be many on the road at once) would be
very difficult. In case of accidental stops, or the necessary
stops to take wood and water &c many accidents would happen. The
carriage of condensed water would be very troublesome. Upon the
whole, I fear the expense would be much greater than that of
canals, without being so convenient."*

* John Stevens, "Documents Tending to Prove the Superior
Advantages of Rail-Ways and Steam-Carriages over Canal
Navigation" (1819). Reprinted in "The Magazine of History with
Notes and Queries", Extra Number 54 (1917).


Stevens, of course, could not convince the commissioners. "The
Communication from John Stevens, Esq.," was referred to a
committee, who reported in March: "That they have considered the
said communication with the attention due to a gentleman whose
scientific researches and knowledge of mechanical powers entitle
his opinions to great respect, and are sorry not to concur in