The U.S. Treasury issued this 1,000 dollar note around 1880. The center of the note features an inset portrait of DeWitt Clinton (1769–1828), who during his career served as mayor of New York City, governor of New York, and New York state senator. The note depicts explorer Christopher Columbus in his study at the left. The back shows the obligation and the Roman numeral M, for 1,000, with the text printed vertically on the left. DeWitt Clinton spent much of his tenure as governor urging development of a canal that would bridge the commercial markets between western Lake Erie and the eastern Hudson River. While critics called it “DeWitt’s Ditch,” the Erie Canal turned out to be a stroke of economic genius. It reduced the cost and risk of shipping goods and brought welcome revenue to New York City from canal toll fees. The New York politician’s prestige was so great that his likeness appeared on the 1,000 dollar note.