Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1822-08-17
ron THE SPECTATOR.
Great Road from YandaHa 10 Lake
Erie.
Mn. WARREN,

i1Sht reasonably be PRIOR supposed, that a
barrel of -four is worth as much at Detroit as
at New-Orleans-that the territory of Michi-
gan and the north part of the state of Ohio are
settling very rapidly-and that the New-York
Canal will in short time be completed. From
the relative commercial advantages attending
the shores of Lake Erie, the settlers in that
section OF the country must always have
great superiority over the inhabitants of ILL
nos, in the sale of those articles of produce
which will not bear the expense of land trans
portation, or which are perishable in the eli
mate OF New-orleans. The low price of our
corn, wheat, pork, and beef, when compared
with the present prices of these articles on the
eastern seaboard, is an evidence of this fact
The New-York prices current quote corn at
IS to 80 cents-wheat 81 IS TO 81 SO per
bushel, and other articles in the same proper
ton.
With soil most abundanty productive, we
are laboring under severe distress, and every
ton, is therefore eagerly greeted as calculated
to produce happy revolution in our affairs.
The great national road was for long time
the theme of every tongue but the canal be-
tween Lake Michigan and the Illinois river
has now usurped the sway; and amid the
bright anticipations of the benefits which the
canal IN ten on fifteen years is to CONFER minor
calculations for immediate profit are entirely
overlooked; and schemes combining present
practicability with general utility, are, in the
eyes OF these Missionaries, too unimportant to be
formed.
But were the great national road already ex-
tended to Missouri, and were the tide of
eastern emigration not turned, the advantages
it would confer on the citizens of Illinois
would be extremely limited. 1t would indeed
be one source of wealth to the state, but it
would be a very small source indeed. The few
thousand dollars which might be left along the
road by travellers would dwndle into an in
considerable pittance if dilfused among the
mass Of the people but as the farms adjacent
to the road would always more than supply
the demands for produce created by travel.
ling, none, except this narrow belt of inhab-
tants along it, and ofthe towns through which
it passed, would have any positive augmenta-
ton OF their pecuniary receipts. So with re-
gard TO the canal. The inhabitants Immediate
~ bordering on our navigable streams might
have better demand for their corn and wheat
than at present, but as it would require near
iy triple the distance of water carriage,
when compared with that raised on the shores
Of Eric, to transport il TO market; and as that
section Of the country is sufficiently productive
TO supply all the demands that could be made
at New-Nork, it is highly probable that we
could gain nothing by competition, should we
feel disposed TO enter The lists.
But these reflections will more forcbly ap.
ply TO The great majority of inhabitants who
must always reside in the interior Of Illinois
%, 80 or so miles from any navigable stream
The raising of tobacco, cotton, fax, and
hemp must afford to all this population then
principal pecuniary revenue, should the canal
and national road both be mpleted.-sheep
and cattle, and live stock generally, which can
transport themselves 10 The nearest valuable
market, must engage the attention of those
who from habit or inclination shall continue to
raise surplus ST wheat and corn, and il is for
the benefit OF such persons more particularly
that wish to propose road from Vandalia to
the southwestern corner of Lake Erie. The
road can be cut through with comparatively
little expense. The distance will pot be
greater than that of the road between Phila.
delpha and Pittsburg. Live stock can be dri-
ven to the lake during the summer and au.
tumnal months, and find their provision along
the road. The price Of transportation thence
to New-York is very triflng. freturns should
be preferred in merchandise they can be made
with much more speed and safety than can be
| calculated upon IN importations from Phila-
delphia, by the way Of Pittsburgh and down
the river Ohio, OF by New-Orleans up the Mis-
sissippi. A visit to or from the city of New
York would not require more than Is or II
days. Emigration would proportionably be
promoted. Above all, the advantages attend
ing such road can speedily be obtained, if
we determine to have it made. Should YOU
think it advisable, this subject may in future
number receive more detailed examination.
II SAoak Greek Farmer.
ST. LOUIS, AUGUST 7.