Detroit Gazette (Detroit, MI), 17 Dec. 1829, page 2

The first Vessels from Lake Ontario.--To the surprize of the citizens of Buffalo and Black Rock, the lake schooners Ann & Jane, of York U.C., and R.H. Boughton, of Yorkstown, arrived in our harbor on Wednesday last, having on board the enterprizing projector of the Welland Canal, William Hamilton Merritt, with a company of gentlemen. The British vessel led the van. The locks were passed on the 30th of November, just five years from the commencement of the important work. The question is not, whether this work will increase or diminish the receipts of the Erie Canal; we trust that we possess too much national pride to complain of the success of a rival work, began by our neighbors before ours was completed. Its progress to its termination is now flattering, and the news we now communicate, that of the passage of vessels from Lake to Lake, surmounting the declivity which causes the fall of the Niagara, must be cheering indeed to the stockholders, and gratifying to the inhabitants of Upper Canada.

Both vessels passed into the Black Rock basin through the sloop lock,and were saluted by the steam-boat Henry Clay, and cheered by the citizens. On their arrival in our harbour, they were met with bursts of applause and honored by discharges of artillery from the park. The gentlemen passengers then repaired to the Eagle Tavern, where they were greeted by many of our villagers, who called to shake the hand of the navigators of the Deep Cut!

The passage of the first vessels was to have taken effect, by a notification of the W.C. C. Directors, 24th ultimo; but owing to the storms and unfavorable state of the weather, was postponed. The zeal of the projector and persevering agent, could not be satisfied with a "postponement on account of the weather," so he and the gentlemen who accompanied him made the attempt; and, after cutting ice, in some places three inches thick; ascending thirty two locks at the mountain; passing the deepest of all "cuts;" locking down into the Welland river, sailing down that river, and touching at Chippewa; stemming the strong and broad current of the Niagara; and, finally, the Black Rock harbor, which has been blamed beyond measure, opened its arms and gave the "tars of Ontario" a glorious hug.

The success of our neighbor's may give an impetus to our national or state governments or a body corporate in making a cannal [sic] or rail-way from the Niagara river at Schlosser, to the same river, at Lewiston.

Truly, the bold features of the enterprizes of the New World, throw those of the Old, far in the shade.