1849, pages 380-1,) that upon the completion of the work under his charge, freight may be shipped up the Mississippi river to Keokuk, thence up the Des Moines to its forks, and hauled thence by wagon to Council Bluffs, on the west side of the Missouri river, in the Nebraska Territory, at a less cost than it can be, or that it is now, shipped direct up the Missouri river. Now if this be the fact-and it seems to be clearly established as such-freight on the Missouri river must be reduced, or otherwise that whole upper region of country will be accommodated through some interior channel of transportation. From St. Louis, via St. Charles and along the dividing ridge between the two rivers, we traverse a series of beautiful prairies, and finally Grand Prairie; pass adjacent to immense beds of coal and numerous salines and minerals of various kinds; and it is known, from various official sources, that large districts of country containing valuable deposits of lead and copper ore exist in the North-western Territory, between the Missouri river and Lake Superior. Another fact worthy of note is this, that a railroad can be built from St. Charles to St. Paul, or to Selkirk's on the north Red river, without crossing a single stream of any size; and the course, at the same time, throughout the whole distance, be very direct. It may be asked, where would water be obtained for the supply of locomotive engines? We would answer, by the way side, from ponds made in the head of hollows by embankments made in the construction of the work. There need be no apprehension of meeting with insurmountable obstacles on the line of our route, as it has been examined and surveyed at different places with a view to the construction of public works across it, and at nearly right angles to all the breaks of contiguous streams. No one has heard of impracticabilities at right angles to our route; much less then may we anticipate meeting with difficulties when running lengthwise the main ridge itself. As regards the fertility and productiveness of the soil throughout our proposed line of road, we have the judgment of early travelers, and the verdict of intelligent practical farmers. We will not refer back to the judgment of those travelers-Long, Nicolet, and others, in this case, for we know that much land in the west and south, which was, in early times, considered thin and next to worthless, have proved to be, under the management of experienced farmers, the very best wheat yielding lands in the west, and so of cotton lands, in the south. The best proof of the fertility of the soil, then, is the great rush of emigrants to the country; and we never hear them murmurall contented-they have the best land, the healthiest place in the country, and fewer musquitoes than any of their neighbors. In view of all that we have said upon this subject, let us bear in mind that here we are in the centre of the Union, and that high duties devolve upon us. We cannot do without the North, the South, the East, or the West. We were once-not five years ago the extreme West: but not so now. The West has receded and fallen back upon the shores of the Pacific Ocean; 'there it lingers a while, hesitating whether or no it shall pass over to China-ere long it will be there! In conclusion, we mean to urge the importance of the peoples' taking this matter in hand, and petitioning the Legislature for a charter, and memorializing Congress for a donation of land to be applied to the construction of the road. Iowa is moving, and will meet us at the northern line of Missouri. But we shall be told by many, that this work will and must be constructed after a while, but it is too soon to move in it; the country is too new-in short, that "it is time enough yet!" Alas! this "it is time enough yet!" is the syren song which the evil genius of man has often sung, and is still whispering into the ears of many lost and undone sinners, let us not listen to it but while we are young-in our youth, prepare for the great work. But look back and call to mind the mighty strides our country has made within the last few years, and reflect that by next year, or a few years more at most, we shall be much farther advanced, and shall feel that age has not crept, but rushed upon us as a country, and we shall be old. Just think of the rapid strides our own State is making in population, wealth, and the development of its resources. If this will not suffice, look beyond it, into the State of Iowa, and her minor sister, Minnesota. Two years ago and St. Paul was in the bushes-she now numbers about two thousand inhabitants, and is building steamboats above the Falls of St. Anthony, and setting them afloat on what is there known as the Upper Mississippi river. The country is rapidly filling up with an energetic population, and Minnesota Territory will soon be asking for admittance into the Union. Burlington, in Iowa, fifteen years ago was in the bushes, and now has a population of about 5000. Keokuk, six years ago, in the woods, has now a population of some 3000. Fort Des Moines, just out of the bushes, has a population of 1500. Be sides these, there are numerous other towns and villages, containing from eight to fifteen hundred citizens. These northern brethren have need of an outlet at all seasons of the year, to our southern markets. The northern part of Iowa, Minnesota, and the same latitude on the Missouri river, are closed in by ice and low water from four to six months in the year-by ice from the first of December to sometime about the first of April, and the upper Missouri river by low water several months in ..the year. Now in view of all these things, let us see to it that the Legislature, next winter, grant a charter for a railway from St. Louis to the northern boundary of the State. No doubt a more favorable charter can be obtained at this coming session than can be a few years hence; therefore, the more necessity of moving in the premises at once. Another consideration which renders an early move in this matter of much importance is, that our interests may be represented at Washington City during the next session of Congress, and pray them to grant us two or three millions of acres, to be applied to the construction of the road. This, to many, may seem to be a very extravagant sum; but when we reflect that the State of Missouri contains 43,123,200 acres of land; that the first sales were made in or about the year 1818, and that there still remains on hand, unsold and unappropriated, the aggregate sum of 29,186,000, there is nothing alarming about it, the more especially when our politicians at Washington have become possessed of such an intense degree of liberal and tender feeling for the masses, that they propose to give away all the public lands to individuals who may become actual settlers. Now this appears to us as a radicalism sprung upon the country without giving the people time or opportunity to take it in hand. They should do so, and consider and dispose of the matter themselves. And while on this subject we have an idea to advance, or rather a claim to put in. It is this: should the public lands actually be donated to settlers, instead of being given to the States in which they lie, to be devoted to internal improvement and education, then we hold that every settler who has purchased land of the government, and paid for the same, has a just claim on the government for the money paid; and even this will not place the first settlers on an equal footing with those who may receive land without pay at the present day; for the first settlers have undergone all the privations of a frontier lif —came in without roads, or markets; had the Indians to drive back and conquer; the fo: ests to subdue, and the country to open and build up. Yes, we hold it to be good doctrine, and sound justice, that the early settler has a more valid claim to his equal portion, than the soldier of 1812 in the war with England, has to his equal portion with the soldier of 1847, who served in the war with Mexico. All men will fight for fame, especially if well paid in cash and land. But you might beat the drum and play the fife for a month, and not a single volunteer could you get, who, for the sake of glory, would turn out and cut down the forests, break up the prairies, and bring into cultivation the frontiers of the country. This subject should be taken in hand by the sovereign people, and disposed of in their own way and manner, as may best subvserve the great interests of the country. Quantity. COMMERCIAL STATISTICS. TABLE SHOWING the QUANTITY AND VALUE OF WHEAT AND FLOUR EXPORTED FROM THE UNITED STATES TO ALL COUNTRIES, DURING THE YEAR ENding JUNE 30, 1849; COMPILED FROM THE ANNUAL REPORT OF THE REGISTER OF THE UNITED STATES. Whither Exported. Sweden and Norway. Danish West Indies. FLOUR. Quantity. Value. Barrels. Dollars. WHEAT. Value. Dollars. 288 The total value of Wheat and Flour exported to all countries, during the year ending June 30, 1849, $13,037,430; of this, $6,377,993 was experied to England Scotland, and Ireland. STATEMENT, Showing the quantity and value of Indian Corn, Corn Meal, and Rye Meal, exported from the United States to all countries, during the year ending June 30, 1849. Whither Exported. Swedish W. Indies... Danish W. Indies Hanse Towrs. Hanover ...... INDIAN CORN. CORN MEAL. Bushs. Dolls. Bbls. Dolls. RYE MEAL. Quantity. Value. Bbls. Dolls. 995 2738 7.992 56 160 70 Scotland Ireland ..... 345,316 214.845 Gibraltar ....... Mauritius. .4,191,284 2,636,381 .... 13,257,309 7,966,369 405,169 1,169,625 64,830 218.248 Total value of Indian Corn and Corn Meal exported during the year endirg June 30, 1849, $9,136,094; of this, $7,587,114 was exported to England, Scotland, and Ireland. |