decision of the Council of Revision, which held the power of
veto, was in doubt. An anecdote related by Judge Platt tends to
prove that fear of another war with England was the straw that
broke the camel's back of opposition. Acting-Governor Taylor,
Chief Justice Thompson, Chancellor Kent, Judge Yates, and Judge
Platt composed the Council. The two first named were open
opponents of the measure; Kent, Yates, and Platt were warm
advocates of the project, but one of them doubted if the time was
ripe to undertake it.

Taylor opposed the canal on the ground that the late treaty with
England was a mere truce and that the resources of the State
should be husbanded against renewed war.

"Do you think so, Sir?" Chancellor Kent is said to have asked the
Governor.

"Yes, Sir," was the reported reply. "England will never forgive
us for our victories, and, my word for it, we shall have another
war with her within two years."

The Chancellor rose to his feet with determination and sealed the
fate of the great enterprise in a word.

"If we must have war," he exclaimed, "I am in favor of the canal
and I cast my vote for this bill."

On July 4, 1817, work was formally inaugurated at Rome with
simple ceremonies. Thus the year 1817 was marked by three great
undertakings: the navigation of the Mississippi River upstream