Erie Canal Tidbit - Ep. 672: Van Buren

 Martin Van Buren (1782–1862) initially opposed the Erie Canal as part of a political, anti-Clintonian faction* (the Albany Regency) that labeled it the "Ditch of Iniquity". Despite this, he later supported the project in 1817 as a New York State Senator, recognizing its economic value, though he remained cautious about federal involvement in such infrastructure projects. 

As a leader of the "Bucktails" faction, Van Buren frequently opposed Governor DeWitt Clinton’s ambitious infrastructure plans in the early 1810s.  Van Buren ultimately supported the 1817 legislation that secured funding and began construction of the Grand and North canals.  Van Buren argued in 1817 that duties on salt and auctions provided an abundant, secure source of revenue to manage the debt created by the canal, supporting the project's financial viability. While it may be suggested he preferred canals over railroads to protect specialized jobs, his views focused on the broader, long-term economic and constitutional impact of infrastructure. 

Even in his presidency, Van Buren believed that internal improvements like the Erie Canal were best handled by individual states (like New York) rather than the federal government.  By his 1837 inaugural address, Van Buren acknowledged that canals and steamships were transforming the nation, linking remote areas and strengthening economic dependency. 

*Initially Anti- George Clinton but also grew as an opposition to the political career and policies of DeWitt Clinton.

Images:

1. Daguerreotype of Van Buren by Mathew Brady, c. 1849–1850: Mathew Benjamin Brady - Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Yale University

2. Map of Western and Northern Canals of New York State c. 1829