Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1821-07-31
From the Phiianthvohist.
THE SANGAMO COUNTRY.

THE SANGAMO COUNTRY.
The trade carried on here, is pretty
much the same as in Ohio, Indiana,
Kentucky, &c. the exports will chiefly
consist Of such articles as are sent from
those states, and New-Orleans will be
the grand mart where the surplus pro-
duce, particularly the heavy and bulky
articles, will, for some years to come,
be disposed of ST. Louis, however,
will in time become an important COM
mercial and manufacturing place, and
from its advantageous local position, will
command large share of the trade of
the surrounding country situated near
the confluence Of three of the noblest
navigable rivers in America, and having
the mineral district on one side, and one
of the most extensive fertile regions in
the Z. States, on the other, it must rise
| to wealth, and increase in business as the
country progresses in Improvement AS
the Mississippi river affords complete
steam boat navigation from thence to its
mouth, at all seasons ofthe year, except
when it is INSTRUCTED by ice, ST. Louis
may, at no very distant period become
in measure independent of New-Orleans,
by exporting and importing directly to
| and from the Atlantic Cities, the West
| Indies, Europe &c. and whenever this
shall be effected, great part Of the trade
| above the mouth Of Ohio, will centre
| there.
A proposition was introduced in the
Illinois legislature at the time of its last
setting to unite the waters ofthe Illinois
river with those of lake Michigan by
canal: this will probably be done in a
| lew years, and in that case a very profit
able trade will be carried on between the
| inhabitants of Illinois and those of the
city oil Newly York: when this shall take
place, q portion of the capital in the
hands of the latter, may be expected to
| find its way out, and be vested in various
establishments, manufacturing and mer-
camille, throughout the country; this will
enhance the value of property and be a
source of wealth to the proprietor ofIand.
The expence of the canal will not be SO
great, as TO deter an enterprising people
from making it, when the situation of the
country through which it will pass is
considered; the land there, is very low
| and fiat, and in the spring season, when
| he waters are high, it is so completely
| minded, that, boats OF twelve and fifteen
tons are frequently taken through without
unloading. AT St Louis, l became &C
quainted with several persons who had
AIKEN boats across, and one man, in par
| ticular, who had gone several times.
From the mouth of the OHIO to St.
Louis, the distance by water, is about
1870 miles; from thence TO the mouth oil
Illinois IS; thus far, and for several
hundred miles further up the Mississip
pi, there is good steam boat navigation
at all times when the river is open. The
Illinois, also, is sufficient for the heaviest
steam boats great part of the year, and
for large keels at all times, distance OF
$50 or 200 miles, and for small craft,
nearly to its source: it is one of the,
most beautiful streams TO navigate in,
Western America its current is very
gentle, it waters clear and transparent,
and is free from ripples, sandbars, sc.
From the foregoing it will be preceiv-
ed, that the Sangamo country lies but
about 800 miles above the mouth of the
Ohio river, and from the superiority OF
navigation sc. it possesses decided adj
vantage over the different parts OF Ohio,
Indiana, and Kentucky, especially in re-.
gard to the New-Crleans trade, for while
the merchants of the latter states are
" waiting for rise of water" those ofIl-
linois are floating the bosom other ma
icsiic streams, animated with the cheer
ing prospect of arriving at the place OF
destination " before the market is glut-
ted" and the price of commodities con-
sequently reduced.
1t seldom happens that those who
perform the important task of pioneers
in the wilderness, are persons OF the
most polished manners, or that they
generally possess the rehnements of edu-
cation in high degree. A frmness
ofresolution, courage undauntcd, good
portion of bodily strength, and an un-
wearied industry, are much better cal
culated to enable them to attend to the
duties of their station, than knowledge
of the sciences, polite mode OF express
sion or great prediction for cc.ver-
sation; it is mostly the labouring class
of people that first settle in new coun-
try, hence it may be inferred that socie-
ty will for some time continue to be
rather uninvitins to those who have been
accustomed to move in the fashionable
circles, and to witness scenes of gaiety
and amusement. The country in cues
ton, is mostly settled by people of the