decision of the Council of Revision, which held the power of
veto, was in doubt
The Erie Canal was born in the Act of April 14, 1817, but the
decision of the Council of Revision, which held the power of
veto, was in doubt. An anecdote related by Judge Platt tends to
prove that fear of another war with England was the straw that
broke the camel”s back of opposition. Acting-Governor Taylor,
Chief Justice Thompson, Chancellor Kent, Judge Yates, and Judge
Platt composed the Council. The two first named were open
opponents of the measure; Kent, Yates, and Platt were warm
advocates of the project, but one of them doubted if the time was
ripe to undertake it.