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 most eligible and direct route, and that a Charter to incorporate a Company to execute this work be obtained as early as practicable." On February 28, 1827, a charter was granted by the Maryland legislature; it was confirmed by Virginia on March 8, and by Pennsylvania February 22, 1828. Mr. Thomas resigned the presidency of the Mechanic's Bank to give his whole attention to the affairs of the enterprise.

A unique situation now presents itself to the historical inquirer. On the one hand we find the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Company, under the presidency of Charles F. Mercer of Virginia, chairman of the Committee of Roads and Canals of the National House of Representatives, backed by a capital of over three and one-half million dollars, ready to proceed in building a canal through the Potomac Valley from Washington to Cumberland; on the other hand is the new rail road company called the Baltimore and Ohio Rail Road Company, with Mr. Thomas at its head, backed, in 1828, by four millions of dol-