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Porter, Augustus.

To Capitalists and Manufacturers [with] Map of Niagara Falls and Village. Showing the Location of the Proposed Hydraulic Canal and Reservoir.

Niagara Falls, New York: January, 1847. 4to circular (25.5 x 20.2 cm). 4 pp., map, 18.9 x 22.5 cm plus margins.

A scarce circular issued by one the earliest settlers and developers of Niagara Falls, including a fine map of the Niagara river, the Falls, its neighboring village, and a proposed canal.

In pursuit of increased and more convenient use of the “inexhaustible source” of water power at Niagara Falls, pioneer and entrepreneur Augustus Porter (1769–1849) here appeals to capitalists and prospective manufacturers to build a navigable canal. The map, drafted by civil engineer P. Emslie of Buffalo and dated December 1846, shows the proposed hydraulic canal stemming from the east bank of the Niagara River just above the Falls, proceeding south-east through the village of Niagara, then “terminating on the high bank about half a mile below” the Falls. Porter notes that the canal—three-fourths of a mile long—will cost approximately $30,000 to construct and provide a sufficient capacity of “water power for at least sixty run of mil stone.” It is noted that the river is unaffected by floods and droughts, and the point where the canal will be supplied with water will be entirely free from obstruction by ice. Porter offers to sell the right to construct and use the canal—and so much land as may be desired—to anyone who will undertake its immediate construction or will put their capital towards the project.

Along with his brother Peter, Augustus Porter was one of the first white landowners at Niagara Falls. Goat Island, which lies at the foot of the Falls, was among his properites. Porter “was a pathfinder and pioneer in the promotion and development of the power of the Niagara River and in those things which have made this city great. He was an engineer, a lawyer and a business man, as well as statesman. He built the first mills to use Niagara power [and] promoted the then great project of the construction of the hydraulic canal.”—oakwoodniagara.org

OCLC records only 3 copies.

REFERENCES: Judge Augustus Porter at oakwoodniagara.org

CONDITION: Very good.

Item #4909

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