Gov. Dewitt Clinton of New York, Tells his Story of Digging the Erie Canal to the Great Lakes

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My name is DeWitt Clinton, and I spent my life working to make New York the center of commerce and progress in America. You may not have heard my name, but if you’ve ever seen the Erie Canal, you’ve seen my greatest achievement. Some people laughed at my vision, calling it “Clinton’s Ditch”, but I proved them wrong. Let me tell you my story.

I was born on March 2, 1769, in Little Britain, New York. My family was involved in politics, and from a young age, I knew I wanted to serve the people and shape the future of our country. I studied at Columbia College, became a lawyer, and quickly moved into politics, serving as a U.S. Senator, Mayor of New York City, and eventually Governor of New York.

During my time in office, I realized something important—transportation was the key to America’s future. In the early 1800s, it was slow and expensive to move goods across the country. Roads were poor, rivers didn’t connect the right places, and businesses struggled to get their products to market. That’s when I had an idea: a massive canal that would connect the Great Lakes to the Hudson River, allowing goods to travel all the way to the Atlantic Ocean.

Most people thought it was impossible. They said, "A canal across hundreds of miles of wilderness? That’s crazy!" Even President Thomas Jefferson dismissed it as a waste of money. But I didn’t back down. I pushed and fought for my vision, and in 1817, construction finally began on what would become the Erie Canal.

It took eight years, thousands of workers, and over 360 miles of digging, but on October 26, 1825, the canal was complete. I personally poured water from Lake Erie into the Hudson River, symbolizing the connection between the West and the East. And just like that, New York became the most important trade center in America. Goods that once took weeks to transport could now be moved in days, at a fraction of the cost. Farmers, merchants, and businesses thrived, and New York City became the economic powerhouse it is today.

I didn’t live to see all the changes my work created—I passed away on February 11, 1828—but my vision reshaped America. The Erie Canal helped spark the Industrial Revolution, inspired more canal projects, and even led to the development of railroads.

If there’s one lesson I want you to take from my story, it’s this: big dreams often face big opposition—but persistence can change the world. People doubted me, but I saw the future, and I made it happen. Never be afraid to fight for an idea that you believe in. Thank you for listening.

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