Research

Scope and Content Note

B0227-94: This accretion consists of letters sent to the office of the State Engineer and Surveyor requesting publications or information on the state's canal system, and subsequent transmittal correspondence referring the requests for response by canal officials. Very few responses are included.

The correspondence dates from the time when Frank M. Williams was State Engineer and the Barge Canal was about to open. Thus it provides particular insight into early interest in, and advocacy of, the Barge Canal. The letters may constitute some of the raw material compiled in series A1275, State Engineer's Monthly Reports.

The majority of requests apply for issues, reprints of articles, or accompanying data (such as maps of canal routes) found in the Barge Canal Bulletin or reports of Barge Canal commissions or other offices. Letters come from state, federal, and local governments, other departments of New York State government, private companies, libraries, and private citizens. Correspondents include special deputy or assistant state engineers (such as Noble Whitford, William B. Landreth, D.B. LaDu, and chief clerk R.G. Finch).