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Important 1825 Autograph Letter Signed (ALS) by William Howard of Baltimore, written to noted Civil Engineer James Shriver, discussing the Potomac River surveys and federal appropriations that led directly to the creation of the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal. Also includes a note about Howard’s scientific invention of an ether thermometer sensitive enough to measure the heating power of moonlight.
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Chesapeake & Ohio Canal Origins
This 3-page letter, dated Baltimore, December 9, 1825, sits at the very heart of the internal improvement debates that produced the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal (C&O Canal).
Howard reports that he attempted to get the Potomac survey line made, but the appropriation had run too low, reflecting the exact financial difficulties that stalled early planning of the C&O Canal.
He writes to James Shriver (1794–1827), whose 1823–24 Potomac and Monongahela surveys became the foundation for the C&O project.
Howard contrasts the stalled Potomac survey with his recent visit to the New York Canal (Erie Canal), which had just opened in October 1825, underscoring the rivalry between New York and Maryland over canal supremacy.
He mentions the upcoming Maryland Canal Convention, noting his father and brothers were delegates, but doubting progress due to dir="ltr" style="margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0;">---
Other Key Details
References Gen. Simon Bernard (1779–1839), Napoleon’s former engineer, who was overseeing federal canal and fortification planning. Bernard wanted Howard to work in the Washington office that winter.
Notes fellow engineer A. Moore, publishing survey reports in the National Intelligencer.
Mentions appointment of Mr. Clinton as an assistant — likely connected to DeWitt Clinton, the driving force behind the Erie Canal.
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Scientific Note of Interest
On the address panel is an extraordinary annotation about Howard’s scientific work:
> “Dr. Wm Howard invented a Thermometer filled with the vapor of Ether the sensibility of which was so acute that the heating power of the lunar ray could be measured by it.”
This elevates Howard’s profile beyond canal work, placing him in the world of early American science and instrumentation.
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People of Note
James Shriver (1794–1827): Civil Engineer; his Potomac survey formed the basis of the C&O Canal. Died young, making related correspondence rare.
William Howard (1793–1834): Son of Revolutionary War hero and Maryland Governor John Eager Howard; active in canal promotion and scientific pursuits.
Gen. Simon Bernard (1779–1839): Napoleon’s engineer, later central to U.S. internal improvements.
DeWitt Clinton (via “Mr. Clinton”): Governor of New York, Erie Canal champion.
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Physical Description
3 pages, folded stampless cover with Baltimore Dec 9 circular date stamp in red.
Addressed to: James Shriver Esq., Civil Engineer, Union Mills, Fayette Co., Pennsylvania.
Original red wax seal intact (animal impression, possibly hound or lion couchant).
Condition: Expected folds, some age wear and tape reinforcement, but fully legible.
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Value & Collecting Significance
This is not a routine personal letter but a primary source at the birth of the C&O Canal project, referencing the Potomac surveys, federal funding, rivalries with New York’s Erie Canal, and the role of top engineers like Shriver and Bernard.
With the added scientific note on Howard’s ether thermometer, this letter crosses into both engineering history and early American science.
