Erie Canal Commission
Encyclopedia
The New York State Legislature appointed in 1810 a Commission to Explore a Route for a Canal to Lake Erie, and Report which became known as the Erie Canal Commission. Before 1817, the reports were submitted by the Commissioners Appointed to Provide for the Improvement of the Internal Navigation of the State, from February 1817 on the actual term Canal Commission was used, and its members titled officially Canal Commissioner. Besides, in 1817 a Canal Fund and Commissioners of the Canal Fund, and in 1826 a Canal Board, of which both the Canal Commissioners and the Commissioners of the Canal Fund were members, were created, and the term Canal Commission was applied sometimes to any of these bodies.
The Erie Canal Commission at first proposed the route for the Erie Canal
, then organized the project and its funding, and then oversaw the construction which was completed in 1825. Afterwards the canal commissioners were minor state cabinet officers (from 1844 on elected by statewide general ballot) responsible for the maintenance and improvements of the State Canals.
The office of Canal Commissioner was abolished by an amendment ratified in 1876, and their responsibilities were taken over by the Superintendent of Public Works
in February 1878. The Canal Fund and the Canal Board were abolished in 1905.
expanded into western New York and the Northwest Territory, the Great Lakes
became an essential part of the system of waterways, on which merchants did most of their shipping. The easiest way from the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean
and Europe
was by way of the St. Lawrence River, but this was controlled mainly by the French from Canada. After examining the Mohawk River
, a canal from the Great Lakes to the Hudson River
was proposed. In addition to the control of shipping in North America, the United States would successfully tie the western territories to the eastern states, thus creating a more unified nation. This was an enormous undertaking, so it became necessary to appoint a Commission to oversee the entire project.
The origins of the Commission can be traced back to two men: Thomas Eddy
and Jonas Platt
. Eddy was the Treasurer of the Western Inland Lock Navigation Company, which had been established in 1792 with the purpose of developing a navigable route up the Mohawk River to Lake Ontario
. When he found his company in financial trouble, he drew upon the idea first proposed by Joshua Forman (member of the New York State Assembly
from Onondaga County
in 1808) of building a canal, rather than trying to navigate the rivers. He turned to his friend Platt, then a State Senator
and leader of the Federalists in New York, and the two of them decided to propose the creation of a small group of highly influential commissioners to explore two possible routes of a canal – one to Lake Ontario and one to Lake Erie. They would report findings to the New York State Legislature after their expedition to the west. In order to get permission for this commission, Platt and Eddy knew that each man had to command a certain amount of power and respect, but the whole group had to be politically balanced between Federalists and Democratic-Republicans. On March 13, 1810, Platt presented his project for a bipartisan Canal Commission to the State Legislature, and received overwhelming support. On March 15, the State Legislature appointed Federalists Gouverneur Morris
, Stephen Van Rensselaer
, William North
and Thomas Eddy
, and Democratic-Republicans DeWitt Clinton
, Simeon DeWitt and Peter Buell Porter
a commission to explore a route for a canal to Lake Erie
, and report.
was President of the Commission, the title was mainly ceremonial because all the members looked to DeWitt Clinton for leadership. All of the members except Van Rensselaer and Morris, who traversed the whole state by carriage, traveled up the Mohawk River and as far west as possible by water, where they met two amateur surveyors, James Geddes and Benjamin Wright. From there, they traveled the final one hundred miles from Lake Seneca to Lake Erie by carriage. DeWitt Clinton kept a journal for the entire journey, in which he closely documented their adventures.
After much deliberation, the Commission turned their findings into a report that they submitted in March 1811. Rejecting Porter’s ideas of running the canal either to Lake Ontario, or through his lands to Lake Erie, the commissioners decided that the canal had to run straight to Lake Erie. Otherwise, the St. Lawrence River would still be a primary route of transportation and the West would not be connected to the East. They also rejected Morris’s proposition of a natural waterway created by the overflow of Lake Erie in favor of an entirely artificial waterway. The final and most important section of the report demanded public financing and control of the canal by the State of New York. Citing past failures such as Eddy’s company, and George Washington
’s Patowmack Company, the Commission stated that such large endeavors were too expensive for private financing.
and Robert R. Livingston
to the Commission. Fulton had developed the first steamboat that ran along the Hudson River
and Livingston was his business and engineering partner. It also gave the commissioners $15,000 to finance further activities and granted them permission to take all the necessary steps to finance the entire project. On June 19, 1812, the Commission was empowered to purchase the rights, interests and estate of the Western Inland Lock Navigation Company.
Eddy and Fulton looked for engineers to design the project. De Witt and Van Rensselaer sought land cessations for the path of the canal. Livingston, with the help of Clinton, devised a plan to secure national assistance. Morris and North looked for the best way to borrow money. The largest duty, however, was assigned to Clinton and Morris, who went to Washington, D.C.
, to solicit aid from President James Madison
and the Federal Government. Unfortunately, after failing to obtain any funds from the government, their situation only got worse with the War of 1812
.
Finally, after the United States
made peace with Great Britain
, officials could turn their attention towards the canal, which they did in a public meeting in New York City
on December 3, 1815. The board sparked interest by emphasizing the benefits the city would receive from the canal. Despite minor setbacks, the meeting was a huge success. Even though President Madison vetoed a bill that provided funding for one quarter of the canal, the Commission convinced the State Legislature to go ahead with construction.
, Myron Holley
and Samuel Young
Commissioners to Construct a Canal from the Hudson River to Lake Erie and Lake Champlain. Ellicott was well informed about the lands in western New York as well as being an agent of the Holland Land Company
, which donated 100,000 acres(400 km²) to the Erie Canal project. Holley, a State assemblyman, was a supporter of Clinton and government-financed public improvements. Young had written A Treatise on Internal Navigation - A Comprehensive Study of Canals in Great Britain and Holland.
On April 19, 1817, the State Legislature created the Canal Fund and the Commissioners of the Canal Fund which were ex officio the Lieutenant Governor
, the State Comptroller
, the Attorney General
, the Secretary of State
, the State Treasurer
and the Surveyor General
(until 1847).
The New York State Constitution of 1821 provided for the creation of a Canal Board which was established in 1826. Members of this Canal Board were ex officio the Commissioners of the Canal Fund, the Canal Commissioners (until 1878, then succeeded by the Superintendent of Public Works), and the State Engineer and Surveyor (since 1848).
The Commissioners of the Canal Fund and the Canal Board remained in charge of the control of the Canal System until 1905.
. Recognizing Hart’s political allegiance, the Bucktail majority of the State Legislature elected a Clinton opponent, Henry Seymour
, in 1819 to succeed Hart.
The Commission slipped even further out of Clinton’s control in 1821, when the Bucktail-controlled State Legislature passed a bill that provided two million dollars in funding for the canal, as well as the appointment of an additional commissioner. As Governor of New York, Clinton had to sign the bill so he was not seen as blocking the necessary funds. The Bucktails promptly elected William C. Bouck
, another staunch Clinton opponent.
A heavy blow to Clinton came on April 12, 1824, when his opponents succeeded in ousting him from the Commission. Despite words of support in the State Assembly, they voted him out and Clinton stepped down after being a commissioner from the beginning and its president since 1816. A wave of indignation over the politician's short shrift with the man who was recognized as the driving force behind the construction, Clinton was re-elected Governor of New York in November 1824, and had the great satisfaction to preside over the inauguration of the completed Erie Canal on October 26, 1825.
Until 1844 the term of the commissioners was indefinite, the Act of May 6, 1844, established a four-year term, the Constitution of 1846, a three-year term.
Until 1844, vacancies were filled by concurrent resolution of both houses of the State Legislature, or - during the recess of the Legislature - temporarily by the Governor.
From 1845 on, vacancies were filled temporarily by the State Legislature or, during the recess, by the Governor, and a substitute was elected at the next State election if there was a remainder of the term.
The Erie Canal Commission at first proposed the route for the Erie Canal
Erie Canal
The Erie Canal is a waterway in New York that runs about from Albany, New York, on the Hudson River to Buffalo, New York, at Lake Erie, completing a navigable water route from the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes. The canal contains 36 locks and encompasses a total elevation differential of...
, then organized the project and its funding, and then oversaw the construction which was completed in 1825. Afterwards the canal commissioners were minor state cabinet officers (from 1844 on elected by statewide general ballot) responsible for the maintenance and improvements of the State Canals.
The office of Canal Commissioner was abolished by an amendment ratified in 1876, and their responsibilities were taken over by the Superintendent of Public Works
New York State Department of Public Works
The office of Superintendent of Public Works was created by an 1876 amendment to the New York State Constitution. It abolished the canal commissioners and established that the Department of Public Works execute all laws relating to canal maintenance and navigation except for those functions...
in February 1878. The Canal Fund and the Canal Board were abolished in 1905.
Origins of the Erie Canal Commission
As the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
expanded into western New York and the Northwest Territory, the Great Lakes
Great Lakes
The Great Lakes are a collection of freshwater lakes located in northeastern North America, on the Canada – United States border. Consisting of Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario, they form the largest group of freshwater lakes on Earth by total surface, coming in second by volume...
became an essential part of the system of waterways, on which merchants did most of their shipping. The easiest way from the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean
Atlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's oceanic divisions. With a total area of about , it covers approximately 20% of the Earth's surface and about 26% of its water surface area...
and Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
was by way of the St. Lawrence River, but this was controlled mainly by the French from Canada. After examining the Mohawk River
Mohawk River
The Mohawk River is a river in the U.S. state of New York. It is the largest tributary of the Hudson River. The Mohawk flows into the Hudson in the Capital District, a few miles north of the city of Albany. The river is named for the Mohawk Nation of the Iroquois Confederacy...
, a canal from the Great Lakes to the Hudson River
Hudson River
The Hudson is a river that flows from north to south through eastern New York. The highest official source is at Lake Tear of the Clouds, on the slopes of Mount Marcy in the Adirondack Mountains. The river itself officially begins in Henderson Lake in Newcomb, New York...
was proposed. In addition to the control of shipping in North America, the United States would successfully tie the western territories to the eastern states, thus creating a more unified nation. This was an enormous undertaking, so it became necessary to appoint a Commission to oversee the entire project.
The origins of the Commission can be traced back to two men: Thomas Eddy
Thomas Eddy
Thomas Eddy was an American merchant, banker, philanthropist and politician from New York.-Early life:...
and Jonas Platt
Jonas Platt
Jonas Platt was an American lawyer and politician from New York. He was a member of the United States House of Representatives.-Life:...
. Eddy was the Treasurer of the Western Inland Lock Navigation Company, which had been established in 1792 with the purpose of developing a navigable route up the Mohawk River to Lake Ontario
Lake Ontario
Lake Ontario is one of the five Great Lakes of North America. It is bounded on the north and southwest by the Canadian province of Ontario, and on the south by the American state of New York. Ontario, Canada's most populous province, was named for the lake. In the Wyandot language, ontarío means...
. When he found his company in financial trouble, he drew upon the idea first proposed by Joshua Forman (member of the New York State Assembly
New York State Assembly
The New York State Assembly is the lower house of the New York State Legislature. The Assembly is composed of 150 members representing an equal number of districts, with each district having an average population of 128,652...
from Onondaga County
Onondaga County, New York
Onondaga County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 467,026. The county seat is Syracuse.Onondaga County is part of the Syracuse, NY Metropolitan Statistical Area....
in 1808) of building a canal, rather than trying to navigate the rivers. He turned to his friend Platt, then a State Senator
New York State Senate
The New York State Senate is one of two houses in the New York State Legislature and has members each elected to two-year terms. There are no limits on the number of terms one may serve...
and leader of the Federalists in New York, and the two of them decided to propose the creation of a small group of highly influential commissioners to explore two possible routes of a canal – one to Lake Ontario and one to Lake Erie. They would report findings to the New York State Legislature after their expedition to the west. In order to get permission for this commission, Platt and Eddy knew that each man had to command a certain amount of power and respect, but the whole group had to be politically balanced between Federalists and Democratic-Republicans. On March 13, 1810, Platt presented his project for a bipartisan Canal Commission to the State Legislature, and received overwhelming support. On March 15, the State Legislature appointed Federalists Gouverneur Morris
Gouverneur Morris
Gouverneur Morris , was an American statesman, a Founding Father of the United States, and a native of New York City who represented Pennsylvania in the Constitutional Convention of 1787. He was a signatory to the Articles of Confederation. Morris was also an author of large sections of the...
, Stephen Van Rensselaer
Stephen Van Rensselaer III
Stephen Van Rensselaer III was Lieutenant Governor of New York as well as a statesman, soldier, and land-owner, the heir to one of the largest estates in the New York region at the time, which made him the tenth richest American of all time, based on the ratio of his fortune to contemporary GDP...
, William North
William North
-Life:He was the son of John North, who commanded Fort Frederick in 1751, and Fort St. George in Thomaston, Maine, in 1758. He moved with his mother, Elizabeth North, to Boston, Massachusetts....
and Thomas Eddy
Thomas Eddy
Thomas Eddy was an American merchant, banker, philanthropist and politician from New York.-Early life:...
, and Democratic-Republicans DeWitt Clinton
DeWitt Clinton
DeWitt Clinton was an early American politician and naturalist who served as United States Senator and the sixth Governor of New York. In this last capacity he was largely responsible for the construction of the Erie Canal...
, Simeon DeWitt and Peter Buell Porter
Peter Buell Porter
Peter Buell Porter was an American lawyer, soldier and politician who served as United States Secretary of War from 1828 to 1829.-Life:...
a commission to explore a route for a canal to Lake Erie
Lake Erie
Lake Erie is the fourth largest lake of the five Great Lakes in North America, and the tenth largest globally. It is the southernmost, shallowest, and smallest by volume of the Great Lakes and therefore also has the shortest average water residence time. It is bounded on the north by the...
, and report.
Expedition and Survey to Determine the Best Route
In June 1810, the commissioners were prepared to head west to survey the land to determine a possible route for their canal. Though Gouverneur MorrisGouverneur Morris
Gouverneur Morris , was an American statesman, a Founding Father of the United States, and a native of New York City who represented Pennsylvania in the Constitutional Convention of 1787. He was a signatory to the Articles of Confederation. Morris was also an author of large sections of the...
was President of the Commission, the title was mainly ceremonial because all the members looked to DeWitt Clinton for leadership. All of the members except Van Rensselaer and Morris, who traversed the whole state by carriage, traveled up the Mohawk River and as far west as possible by water, where they met two amateur surveyors, James Geddes and Benjamin Wright. From there, they traveled the final one hundred miles from Lake Seneca to Lake Erie by carriage. DeWitt Clinton kept a journal for the entire journey, in which he closely documented their adventures.
After much deliberation, the Commission turned their findings into a report that they submitted in March 1811. Rejecting Porter’s ideas of running the canal either to Lake Ontario, or through his lands to Lake Erie, the commissioners decided that the canal had to run straight to Lake Erie. Otherwise, the St. Lawrence River would still be a primary route of transportation and the West would not be connected to the East. They also rejected Morris’s proposition of a natural waterway created by the overflow of Lake Erie in favor of an entirely artificial waterway. The final and most important section of the report demanded public financing and control of the canal by the State of New York. Citing past failures such as Eddy’s company, and George Washington
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
’s Patowmack Company, the Commission stated that such large endeavors were too expensive for private financing.
Response to the Report
In response to this report, on April 8, 1811, the State Legislature passed the first of many laws relating to the canal. The bill added Robert FultonRobert Fulton
Robert Fulton was an American engineer and inventor who is widely credited with developing the first commercially successful steamboat...
and Robert R. Livingston
Robert Livingston (1746-1813)
Robert R Livingston was an American lawyer, politician, diplomat from New York, and a Founding Father of the United States. He was known as "The Chancellor," after the office he held for 25 years....
to the Commission. Fulton had developed the first steamboat that ran along the Hudson River
Hudson River
The Hudson is a river that flows from north to south through eastern New York. The highest official source is at Lake Tear of the Clouds, on the slopes of Mount Marcy in the Adirondack Mountains. The river itself officially begins in Henderson Lake in Newcomb, New York...
and Livingston was his business and engineering partner. It also gave the commissioners $15,000 to finance further activities and granted them permission to take all the necessary steps to finance the entire project. On June 19, 1812, the Commission was empowered to purchase the rights, interests and estate of the Western Inland Lock Navigation Company.
Eddy and Fulton looked for engineers to design the project. De Witt and Van Rensselaer sought land cessations for the path of the canal. Livingston, with the help of Clinton, devised a plan to secure national assistance. Morris and North looked for the best way to borrow money. The largest duty, however, was assigned to Clinton and Morris, who went to Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, to solicit aid from President James Madison
James Madison
James Madison, Jr. was an American statesman and political theorist. He was the fourth President of the United States and is hailed as the “Father of the Constitution” for being the primary author of the United States Constitution and at first an opponent of, and then a key author of the United...
and the Federal Government. Unfortunately, after failing to obtain any funds from the government, their situation only got worse with the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
.
War of 1812 and aftermath
With the outbreak of war, Van Rensselaer became the Head of the New York State Militia, and Clinton ran as the Federalists presidential candidate opposing James Madison and the war. In addition, despite allowing the Commission to create a fund for financing the canal in 1812, the State Legislature repealed the act in 1814, rendering the commissioners essentially helpless.Finally, after the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
made peace with Great Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
, officials could turn their attention towards the canal, which they did in a public meeting in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
on December 3, 1815. The board sparked interest by emphasizing the benefits the city would receive from the canal. Despite minor setbacks, the meeting was a huge success. Even though President Madison vetoed a bill that provided funding for one quarter of the canal, the Commission convinced the State Legislature to go ahead with construction.
New Appointments to the Commission
On April 17, 1816, the State Legislature passed a bill that provided more funds for the project, and appointed Van Rensselaer, Clinton, Joseph EllicottJoseph Ellicott
Joseph Ellicott was an American surveyor, city planner, land office agent, lawyer and politician of the Quaker faith.-Life:He was the son of Joseph Ellicott ....
, Myron Holley
Myron Holley
Myron Holley was an American politician who had a large part in the construction of the Erie Canal.-Life:...
and Samuel Young
Samuel Young (New York)
Samuel Young was an American lawyer and politician.-Life:In 1813, he was Moderator of the Board of Supervisors of Saratoga County....
Commissioners to Construct a Canal from the Hudson River to Lake Erie and Lake Champlain. Ellicott was well informed about the lands in western New York as well as being an agent of the Holland Land Company
Holland Land Company
The Holland Land Company was a purchaser of the western two-thirds of the western New York land tract known as the Phelps and Gorham Purchase. This tract was known thereafter as The Holland Purchase...
, which donated 100,000 acres(400 km²) to the Erie Canal project. Holley, a State assemblyman, was a supporter of Clinton and government-financed public improvements. Young had written A Treatise on Internal Navigation - A Comprehensive Study of Canals in Great Britain and Holland.
On April 19, 1817, the State Legislature created the Canal Fund and the Commissioners of the Canal Fund which were ex officio the Lieutenant Governor
Lieutenant Governor of New York
The Lieutenant Governor of New York is a constitutional office in the executive branch of the government of New York State. It is the second highest ranking official in state government. The lieutenant governor is elected on a ticket with the governor for a four year term...
, the State Comptroller
New York State Comptroller
The New York State Comptroller is a state cabinet officer of the U.S. state of New York. The duties of the comptroller include auditing government operations and operating the state's retirement system.-History:...
, the Attorney General
New York State Attorney General
The New York State Attorney General is the chief legal officer of the State of New York. The office has been in existence in some form since 1626, under the Dutch colonial government of New York.The current Attorney General is Eric Schneiderman...
, the Secretary of State
Secretary of State of New York
The Secretary of State of New York is a cabinet officer in the government of the U.S. state of New York.The current Secretary of State of New York is Cesar A...
, the State Treasurer
New York State Treasurer
The New York State Treasurer was a state cabinet officer in the State of New York between 1776 and 1926. During the re-organization of the state government under Governor Al Smith, the office was abolished and its responsibilities transferred to the new Department of Audit and Control headed by the...
and the Surveyor General
New York State Engineer and Surveyor
The New York State Engineer and Surveyor was a state cabinet officer in the State of New York between 1848 and 1926. During the re-organization of the state government under Governor Al Smith, the office was abolished and its responsibilities transferred to the Department of Public Works which was...
(until 1847).
The New York State Constitution of 1821 provided for the creation of a Canal Board which was established in 1826. Members of this Canal Board were ex officio the Commissioners of the Canal Fund, the Canal Commissioners (until 1878, then succeeded by the Superintendent of Public Works), and the State Engineer and Surveyor (since 1848).
The Commissioners of the Canal Fund and the Canal Board remained in charge of the control of the Canal System until 1905.
Political Struggle: Clinton vs. the Bucktails
The project was soon caught up in politics, with either party attempting to receive the credit for the construction, and the Bucktails struggled to gain control over the Commission, still firmly held by Clinton in 1817. In 1818, Ellicot resigned from the Commission citing poor health, and to replace him, Clinton appointed one of his strongest supporters Ephraim HartEphraim Hart (NY politician)
This page is about the New York State Senator, for the New York City merchant see Ephraim HartEphraim Hart was an American politician from New York.-Life:He was the son of Thomas Hart This page is about the New York State Senator, for the New York City merchant see Ephraim HartEphraim Hart...
. Recognizing Hart’s political allegiance, the Bucktail majority of the State Legislature elected a Clinton opponent, Henry Seymour
Henry Seymour (Commissioner)
Henry Seymour was an American merchant, banker and politician from New York.-Life:Born in Litchfield, Litchfield County, Connecticut, Seymour was the sixth child and fifth son of Major Moses Seymour , a politician who served as an officer in the American Revolution, and his wife Molly Seymour...
, in 1819 to succeed Hart.
The Commission slipped even further out of Clinton’s control in 1821, when the Bucktail-controlled State Legislature passed a bill that provided two million dollars in funding for the canal, as well as the appointment of an additional commissioner. As Governor of New York, Clinton had to sign the bill so he was not seen as blocking the necessary funds. The Bucktails promptly elected William C. Bouck
William C. Bouck
William Christian Bouck was an American politician from New York. He was the 13th Governor of New York from 1843 to 1844.-Life:...
, another staunch Clinton opponent.
A heavy blow to Clinton came on April 12, 1824, when his opponents succeeded in ousting him from the Commission. Despite words of support in the State Assembly, they voted him out and Clinton stepped down after being a commissioner from the beginning and its president since 1816. A wave of indignation over the politician's short shrift with the man who was recognized as the driving force behind the construction, Clinton was re-elected Governor of New York in November 1824, and had the great satisfaction to preside over the inauguration of the completed Erie Canal on October 26, 1825.
List of Canal Commissioners
The number of commissioners varied over the times:- The original bi-partisan commission had 7 members (1810–1811).
- 9 members, the original ones, Fulton and Livingston (1811–1813)
- 8 members after the death of Livingston (1813–1816)
- The new commission had 5 members (1816–1821)
- 6 members after Bouck was added (1821–1824)
- 5 members after Holley resigned (March–April 1824)
- 4 members after Clinton was removed (1824–1833)
- 5 members after Hoffman was added (1833–1836)
- 6 members after Baker was added (1836–1844)
- 4 members after Clark and Hooker were legislated out of office (1844–1847)
- 3 members under the Constitution of 1846 (1848–1877)
- 2 members remained in office pending the appointment of a Superintendent of Public Works (1878)
Until 1844 the term of the commissioners was indefinite, the Act of May 6, 1844, established a four-year term, the Constitution of 1846, a three-year term.
Until 1844, vacancies were filled by concurrent resolution of both houses of the State Legislature, or - during the recess of the Legislature - temporarily by the Governor.
From 1845 on, vacancies were filled temporarily by the State Legislature or, during the recess, by the Governor, and a substitute was elected at the next State election if there was a remainder of the term.
| Name | Took office | Left office | Party | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gouverneur Morris Gouverneur Morris Gouverneur Morris , was an American statesman, a Founding Father of the United States, and a native of New York City who represented Pennsylvania in the Constitutional Convention of 1787. He was a signatory to the Articles of Confederation. Morris was also an author of large sections of the... |
March 15, 1810 | April 17, 1816 | Federalist | |
| William North William North -Life:He was the son of John North, who commanded Fort Frederick in 1751, and Fort St. George in Thomaston, Maine, in 1758. He moved with his mother, Elizabeth North, to Boston, Massachusetts.... |
March 15, 1810 | April 17, 1816 | Federalist | |
| Simeon De Witt Simeon De Witt Simeon De Witt was Geographer and Surveyor General of the Continental Army during the American Revolution and Surveyor General of the State of New York for the fifty years from 1784 until his death.-Life:He was one of fourteen children of physician Dr... |
March 15, 1810 | April 17, 1816 | Dem.-Rep. | |
| Thomas Eddy Thomas Eddy Thomas Eddy was an American merchant, banker, philanthropist and politician from New York.-Early life:... |
March 15, 1810 | April 17, 1816 | Federalist | |
| Peter Buell Porter Peter Buell Porter Peter Buell Porter was an American lawyer, soldier and politician who served as United States Secretary of War from 1828 to 1829.-Life:... |
March 15, 1810 | April 17, 1816 | Dem.-Rep. | |
| DeWitt Clinton DeWitt Clinton DeWitt Clinton was an early American politician and naturalist who served as United States Senator and the sixth Governor of New York. In this last capacity he was largely responsible for the construction of the Erie Canal... |
March 15, 1810 | April 12, 1824 | Dem.-Rep. | removed by State Legislature |
| Stephen Van Rensselaer Stephen Van Rensselaer III Stephen Van Rensselaer III was Lieutenant Governor of New York as well as a statesman, soldier, and land-owner, the heir to one of the largest estates in the New York region at the time, which made him the tenth richest American of all time, based on the ratio of his fortune to contemporary GDP... |
March 15, 1810 | January 26, 1839 | Federalist/Clintonian | became a Clintonian when the Federalist Party disbanded; died in office; longest-serving Canal Commissioner (almost 29 years) |
| Robert R. Livingston Robert Livingston (1746-1813) Robert R Livingston was an American lawyer, politician, diplomat from New York, and a Founding Father of the United States. He was known as "The Chancellor," after the office he held for 25 years.... |
April 8, 1811 | February 26, 1813 | Dem.-Rep. | died in office |
| Robert Fulton Robert Fulton Robert Fulton was an American engineer and inventor who is widely credited with developing the first commercially successful steamboat... |
April 8, 1811 | February 24, 1815 | Dem.-Rep. | died in office |
| Charles D. Cooper Charles D. Cooper Charles DeKay Cooper was an American physician, lawyer and Democratic-Republican politician.-Life:... |
1815 | April 17, 1816 | Dem.-Rep. | |
| Joseph Ellicott Joseph Ellicott Joseph Ellicott was an American surveyor, city planner, land office agent, lawyer and politician of the Quaker faith.-Life:He was the son of Joseph Ellicott .... |
April 17, 1816 | 1818 | resigned | |
| Myron Holley Myron Holley Myron Holley was an American politician who had a large part in the construction of the Erie Canal.-Life:... |
April 17, 1816 | March 30, 1824 | Dem.-Rep./Clintonian | resigned |
| Samuel Young Samuel Young (New York) Samuel Young was an American lawyer and politician.-Life:In 1813, he was Moderator of the Board of Supervisors of Saratoga County.... |
April 17, 1816 | February 22, 1840 | Dem.-Rep./Bucktails Bucktails The Bucktails may refer to one of two organizations that were particularly characterized and identified by the wearing of a bucktail in their headgear.... |
|
| Ephraim Hart Ephraim Hart (NY politician) This page is about the New York State Senator, for the New York City merchant see Ephraim HartEphraim Hart was an American politician from New York.-Life:He was the son of Thomas Hart This page is about the New York State Senator, for the New York City merchant see Ephraim HartEphraim Hart... |
June 18, 1818 | March 24, 1819 | Dem.-Rep./Clintonian | appointed by the Governor in place of Ellicott until the election of a successor by the State Legislature |
| Henry Seymour Henry Seymour (Commissioner) Henry Seymour was an American merchant, banker and politician from New York.-Life:Born in Litchfield, Litchfield County, Connecticut, Seymour was the sixth child and fifth son of Major Moses Seymour , a politician who served as an officer in the American Revolution, and his wife Molly Seymour... |
March 24, 1819 | May 1831 | Dem.-Rep./Bucktails Bucktails The Bucktails may refer to one of two organizations that were particularly characterized and identified by the wearing of a bucktail in their headgear.... |
succeeding Hart, elected by the State Legislature in place of Ellicott; then resigned |
| William C. Bouck William C. Bouck William Christian Bouck was an American politician from New York. He was the 13th Governor of New York from 1843 to 1844.-Life:... |
March 21, 1821 | February 22, 1840 | Dem.-Rep./Bucktails Bucktails The Bucktails may refer to one of two organizations that were particularly characterized and identified by the wearing of a bucktail in their headgear.... /Dem. |
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| Jonas Earll, Jr. Jonas Earll, Jr. Jonas Earll, Jr. was an American politician. He was a U.S. Representative from New York from 1827 to 1831.-Life:... |
May 1831 | February 22, 1840 | Democratic | appointed by the Governor in place of Seymour, then elected by the State Legislature on January 9, 1832, to succeed himself |
| Michael Hoffman Michael Hoffman (congressman) Michael Hoffman was an American lawyer and politician. He was U.S. Representative from New York from 1825 to 1833-Personal life:... |
April 4, 1833 | May 6, 1835 | Democratic | resigned |
| Heman Judd Redfield Heman J. Redfield Heman Judd Redfield was an American politician from New York.-Life:... |
May 9, 1835 | Democratic | elected by the State Legislature in place of Hoffman, but declined to take office | |
| John Bowman John Bowman (New York politician) John Bowman was an American lawyer, banker and politician from New York.-Life:He was the son of John Bowman and Ann Drake... |
May 1835 | February 22, 1840 | Democratic | appointed by the Governor in place of Redfield, then elected by the State Legislature on January 9, 1836 to succeed himself |
| William Baker | May 25, 1836 | February 22, 1840 | Democratic | |
| Samuel B. Ruggles Samuel Bulkley Ruggles Samuel Bulkley Ruggles was an American lawyer and politician from New York. He was a member of the New York State Assembly in 1838, and a Canal Commissioner from 1839 to 1842 and in 1858. As a large landholder, he donated the land for the creation of Gramercy Park in New York City... |
February 18, 1839 | February 8, 1842 | Whig | elected by the State Legislature in place of Van Rensselaer |
| David Hudson David Hudson (New York) David Hudson was an American lawyer, writer and politician from New York.-Life:He was the son of Asa Hudson and Mary Hudson... |
February 22, 1840 | February 8, 1842 | Whig | |
| Simon Newton Dexter Simon Newton Dexter Simon Newton Dexter was an American merchant and politician from New York.-Life:He was the son of Andrew Dexter, the first American manufacturer of cotton goods.... |
February 22, 1840 | February 8, 1842 | Whig | |
| Henry Hamilton Henry Hamilton (New York) Henry Hamilton was an American lawyer and politician from New York.-Life:In 1806, he removed from Herkimer County, New York to Schoharie, New York, and taught school. He studied law, and was admitted to the bar. In 1816, he married Maria Lawyer .He was District Attorney of Schoharie County from... |
February 22, 1840 | February 8, 1842 | Whig | |
| George H. Boughton George H. Boughton George Hezekiah Boughton was an American politician.-Life:The family removed to Canandaigua, New York in 1795.... |
February 22, 1840 | February 8, 1842 | Whig | |
| Asa Whitney Asa Whitney (canal commissioner) Asa Whitney was an American manufacturer, inventor, railroad executive and politician.-Life:... |
February 22, 1840 | February 8, 1842 | Whig | |
| Stephen Clark Stephen Clark (NY treasurer) Stephen Clark was an American politician.-Life:He lived at Albany, New York. On February 4, 1818, he married Pamelia Fay , and they had five children... |
February 8, 1842 | May 6, 1844 | Democratic | legislated out of office by Act of May 6, 1844 |
| James Hooker James Hooker James Hooker was an American lawyer and politician from New York.-Life:... |
February 8, 1842 | May 6, 1844 | Democratic | legislated out of office by Act of May 6, 1844 |
| Benjamin Enos Benjamin Enos Benjamin Enos was an American politician.-Life:... |
February 8, 1842 | February 3, 1845 | Democratic | legislated out of office by Act of May 6, 1844 |
| George W. Little George W. Little George W. Little was an American politician from New York.-Life:He lived in Otsego County, New York.In February 1842, he was elected by the New York State Legislature a Canal Commissioner, and was in office until February 3, 1845... |
February 8, 1842 | February 3, 1845 | Democratic | legislated out of office by Act of May 6, 1844 |
| Jonas Earll, Jr. Jonas Earll, Jr. Jonas Earll, Jr. was an American politician. He was a U.S. Representative from New York from 1827 to 1831.-Life:... |
February 8, 1842 | October 28, 1846 | Democratic | second term; legislated out of office by Act of May 6, 1844, re-elected to a two-year term; died in office |
| Daniel P. Bissell Daniel P. Bissell Daniel Perez Bissell was an American physician and politician from New York.-Life:He lived in Moscow, Livingston County, New York.... |
February 8, 1842 | December 31, 1847 | Democratic | legislated out of office by Act of May 6, 1844, then re-elected to a four-year term, then legislated out of office by the Constitution of 1846 |
| Nathaniel Jones Nathaniel Jones (representative) Nathaniel Jones was an American banker and politician from New York.-Life:... |
February 3, 1845 | November 1, 1847 | Democratic | elected in November 1844 to a two-year term; the Constitution of 1846 extended his term until December 31, 1847; then resigned |
| Stephen Clark Stephen Clark (NY treasurer) Stephen Clark was an American politician.-Life:He lived at Albany, New York. On February 4, 1818, he married Pamelia Fay , and they had five children... |
February 3, 1845 | December 31, 1847 | Democratic | second term; elected in November 1844 to a four-year term; legislated out of office by the Constitution of 1846 |
| John T. Hudson John T. Hudson John T. Hudson was an American politician from New York.-Life:He lived in Buffalo, New York.In November 1846, he was elected on the Democratic and Anti-Rent tickets a canal commissioners... |
December 3, 1846 | December 31, 1847 | Democratic | appointed by the Governor in place of Earll to fill the vacancy |
| Thomas Clowes Thomas Clowes Thomas Clowes was an American lawyer and politician from New York.-Life:... |
November 15, 1847 | December 31, 1847 | Whig | elected by the State Legislature in place of Jones to fill the vacancy |
| Nelson J. Beach Nelson J. Beach Nelson John Beach was an American surveyor, businessman and politician from New York.-Life:... |
January 1, 1848 | December 31, 1849 | Whig/Anti-Rent Anti-Rent War The Anti-Rent War was a tenants' revolt in upstate New York during the early 19th century, beginning with the death of Stephen Van Rensselaer III in 1839.... |
elected in November 1847, drew the two-year term |
| Jacob Hinds Jacob Hinds -Life:In 1826, he married Almira Waldron , and they had five children, among them Franklin Hinds, Harrison Hinds, Mary Katherine Hinds and Minerva A. Hinds .... |
January 1, 1848 | December 31, 1850 | Whig/Anti-Rent | elected in November 1847, drew the three-year term |
| Charles Cook Charles Cook (New York) Charles Cook was an American politician from New York.-Life:... |
January 1, 1848 | December 31, 1851 | Whig | elected in November 1847, drew the one-year term; then re-elected to a full term |
| Frederick Follett Frederick Follett Frederick Follett was an American journalist, newspaper editor and politician from New York.-Life:He was the son of Frederick Follett .... |
January 1, 1850 | December 31, 1855 | Democratic | two terms |
| John C. Mather John C. Mather (New York) John Cotton Mather was an American politician. In 1853, he was the first person tried by the New York Court for the Trial of Impeachments.-Life:... |
January 1, 1851 | December 31, 1853 | Democratic | impeached by the State Assembly in 1853, acquitted by the New York Court for the Trial of Impeachments New York Court for the Trial of Impeachments The Court for the Trial of Impeachments, and the Correction of Errors was established by the New York State Constitution of 1777. It consisted then of the Lieutenant Governor of New York , the Chancellor, the justices of the New York Supreme Court and the members of the New York State Senate... |
| Henry Fitzhugh Henry Fitzhugh Henry Fitzhugh was an American merchant, businessman and politician from New York.-Life:... |
January 1, 1852 | December 31, 1857 | Whig | two terms |
| Cornelius Gardinier Cornelius Gardinier Cornelius Gardinier was an American politician from New York.-Life:He married Jane Quackenbush Cornelius Gardinier (b. 1798 Johnstown, then in Montgomery County, now in Fulton County, New York ) was an American politician from New York.-Life:He married Jane Quackenbush Cornelius Gardinier (b. 1798... |
January 1, 1854 | December 31, 1856 | Whig | |
| Samuel S. Whallon Samuel S. Whallon Samuel S. Whallon was an American merchant and politician from New York.-Life:About 1812. his family removed to Mayville, New York... |
January 1, 1856 | July 6, 1858 | American Know Nothing The Know Nothing was a movement by the nativist American political faction of the 1840s and 1850s. It was empowered by popular fears that the country was being overwhelmed by German and Irish Catholic immigrants, who were often regarded as hostile to Anglo-Saxon Protestant values and controlled by... |
died in office |
| Charles H. Sherrill Charles H. Sherrill Charles Hitchcock Sherrill was an American lobbyist and politician from New York.-Life:He was the son of Darius Sherrill and Mary Sherrill... |
January 1, 1857 | December 31, 1859 | Republican | |
| John M. Jaycox John M. Jaycox -Life:He lived in Syracuse, New York. He was a wholesale grocer and co-owner, with John A. Green, of the Syracuse Courier.He was a Canal Commissioner from 1858 to 1860, elected as a Hard on the Democratic ticket in 1857. In 1860, he ran for re-election on the National Democratic ticket but was... |
January 1, 1858 | December 31, 1860 | Democratic | |
| Samuel B. Ruggles | July 1858 | December 31, 1858 | Republican | appointed by the Governor in place of Whallon to fill vacancy |
| Hiram Gardner Hiram Gardner Hiram Gardner was an American lawyer and politician from New York.-Life:He was admitted to the bar and commenced practice in Lockport in 1822.... |
January 1, 1859 | December 31, 1861 | Republican | |
| William I. Skinner William I. Skinner William I. Skinner was an American politician from New York.-Life:He was the son of Josiah Skinner. He lived at Little Falls... |
January 1, 1860 | December 31, 1865 | Democratic | two terms |
| Benjamin F. Bruce Benjamin F. Bruce Benjamin Franklin Bruce was an American politician from New York.-Life:... |
January 16, 1861 | December 31, 1861 | Republican | elected by the State Legislature to fill vacancy caused by the death of Samuel H. Barnes Samuel H. Barnes Samuel Howe Barnes was an American politician from New York.-Life:He married Harriet Pellet and they had six children.... who had been elected on November 6, 1860, but died on November 13 |
| William W. Wright William W. Wright William Westwood Wright was an American politician from New York.-Life:He married Mary L... |
January 1, 1862 | December 31, 1863 | Democratic | succeeding Bruce, elected for the remainder of Barnes's term |
| Franklin A. Alberger Franklin A. Alberger Franklin Augustus Alberger was an American businessman and politician from New York.-Life:... |
January 1, 1862 | December 31, 1867 | Union National Union Party (United States) The National Union Party was the name used by the Republican Party for the national ticket in the 1864 presidential election, held during the Civil War. State Republican parties did not usually change their name.... |
two terms |
| Benjamin F. Bruce Benjamin F. Bruce Benjamin Franklin Bruce was an American politician from New York.-Life:... |
January 1, 1864 | December 31, 1866 | Union National Union Party (United States) The National Union Party was the name used by the Republican Party for the national ticket in the 1864 presidential election, held during the Civil War. State Republican parties did not usually change their name.... |
second term |
| Robert C. Dorn Robert C. Dorn Robert C. Dorn was an American politician from New York. In 1868, he was the second person tried by the New York Court for the Trial of Impeachments.-Life:He lived in Schenectady, New York.... |
January 1, 1866 | December 31, 1868 | Republican | impeached by the State Assembly in 1868, acquitted by the New York Court for the Trial of Impeachments New York Court for the Trial of Impeachments The Court for the Trial of Impeachments, and the Correction of Errors was established by the New York State Constitution of 1777. It consisted then of the Lieutenant Governor of New York , the Chancellor, the justices of the New York Supreme Court and the members of the New York State Senate... |
| Stephen T. Hayt Stephen T. Hayt Stephen Thurston Hayt was an American politician from New York.-Life:... |
January 1, 1867 | December 31, 1869 | Republican | |
| John D. Fay John D. Fay John Doane Fay was an American civil engineer and politician from New York-Life:... |
January 1, 1868 | December 31, 1873 | Democratic | two terms |
| Oliver Bascom Oliver Bascom Oliver Bascom was an American businessman and politician from New York.-Life:... |
January 1, 1869 | November 7, 1869 | Democratic | died in office |
| George W. Chapman George W. Chapman George W. Chapman was an American lawyer and politician from New York.-Life:He was born in Saratoga County, New York and lived in Ballston Spa, New York. In 1862, he was Supervisor of the Town of Milton... |
November 1869 | December 31, 1871 | Democratic | appointed by the Governor in place of Bascom to fill vacancy, then elected for the remainder of Bascom's term |
| William W. Wright William W. Wright William Westwood Wright was an American politician from New York.-Life:He married Mary L... |
January 1, 1870 | December 31, 1872 | Democratic | second term |
| Alexander Barkley Alexander Barkley Alexander Barkley was an American politician from New York.-Life:He was the son of James Barkley and Margaret Barkley .... |
January 1, 1872 | December 31, 1874 | Republican | |
| Reuben W. Stroud Reuben W. Stroud Reuben W. Stroud was an American civil engineer and politician from New York.-Life:He began his engineering career as assistant to John B... |
January 1, 1873 | December 2, 1875 | Republican | died in office; son-in-law of Benjamin F. Bruce Benjamin F. Bruce Benjamin Franklin Bruce was an American politician from New York.-Life:... |
| James Jackson, Jr. James Jackson, Jr. (New York) James Jackson, Jr. was an American businessman and politician from New York.-Life:He was a member from Niagara County of the New York State Assembly in 1864.... |
January 1, 1874 | December 31, 1876 | Democratic | |
| Adin Thayer Adin Thayer Adin Thayer was an American politician from New York.-Life:He was the son of Adin Thayer and Mary Thayer. He married first Eliza D. . He married second Fanny A... |
January 1, 1875 | December 31, 1877 | Democratic | No successor was elected at the previous State Election, but Thayer's term was deemed to have expired, and he was not holding over until the appointment of a Superintendent of Public Works. |
| Christopher A. Walrath Christopher A. Walrath Christopher A. Walrath was an American merchant and politician from New York.-Life:He lived in Oneida, Madison County, New York.He was a director of the First National Bank of Oneida when it was first organized in 1864.... |
December 1875 | February 8, 1878 | Democratic | appointed by the Governor in place of Stroud to fill the vacancy, then took office for his elected term, then legislated out of office, office abolished and responsibilities taken over by Superintendent of Public Works New York State Department of Public Works The office of Superintendent of Public Works was created by an 1876 amendment to the New York State Constitution. It abolished the canal commissioners and established that the Department of Public Works execute all laws relating to canal maintenance and navigation except for those functions... |
| Darius A. Ogden Darius A. Ogden Darius Adams Ogden was an American lawyer and politician from New York.-Life:... |
January 1, 1877 | February 8, 1878 | Democratic | legislated out of office, office abolished and responsibilities taken over by Superintendent of Public Works |