The Erie Canal Author:Samuel Hopkins Adams Most likely the Erie Canal would never have been built but for strong-minded De Witt Clinton. He saw the wisdom of it, and nothing could weaken his determination. So on July 4th,1817, digging for the canal was finally started at Rome, New York. — How it was carried through to success is told in this exciting book by a writer who was an authority ... more »on the Erie Canal. As a boy, Mr. Adams often heard his grandfather tell about his journeys on the canal, and about the men who built it.« less