First work on it began in a city called Rome.  
A man named Canvass White went abroad to scout out ideas for this project.  Samuel Wilkeson worked vigorously to ensure his city would benefit from this project.  Commemorative boxes celebrating its completion had the words "Seneca Chief" stamped on them.  Jesse Hawley advocated for this project under the pseudonym Hercules while in jail.  Workers on this project invented a device with a wheel on an endless screw gear attached to a chain which allowed one man to quickly (*) remove a tree.  Many workers on this project died at Montezuma Marsh.  First work on it began in a city called Rome.  The Wedding of the Waters celebrated the completion of this project, which became profitable two years later with toll revenue.  For 10 points, name this brainchild of Dewitt Clinton which connected New York City to the Great Lakes.
A man named Canvass White went abroad to scout out ideas for this project.  
Erie Canal 