Du Buque visitor. [volume] (Dubuque, Lead Mines, Wisconsin Territory) 1836-1837, 1836-10-26

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CH1cAGo.-As there is no town in
the west advancing more rapidly in
population and wealth than the one
which composesthe subject of this brief
sketch, and as its present prosperous
condition, and its brilliant prospects
have excited the astonishment Of all
and the incredulity of many in its ulti-
mate stability, it may crafty the curl
osity of the readers of the western Ii
terary Journal to have some definite
idea of its location and prospects.
Chicago is situated on the west bank
of Lake Michigan, at that precise point
on the great chain of northern lakes,
which is most nearly approached by
the Mississippi River. The Illinois
River, which fertilizes valley unsur-
passed in extent and richness Of soil by
any in the United States, through one
of its branches approaches within ten
miles of Chicago.-Through its whole
sourse, from near the junction of the
two streams, by which it is formed to
its mouth, navigation is unimpeded-
and when connected with the waters of
the great chain of lakes by the Illinois
and Michigan canal, whose commence
ment was celebrated on the fourth of
July last, line Of internal communi-
cation between the waters of the At
lantic and Mississippi will be compile
ted which must be the vehicle of vast
commerce, bearing the mineral and a.
gricultural resources of one of the most
fertile regions of the union, to an cas-
tern market, and recompensing the pro-
Queer Of the west with the comforts
and luxuries of other and distant climes.
Chicago, it will be seen by reference
to the map, will be the thoroughfare of
this commercial intercourse; and while
in one direction it looks aver Tho .ni-
ling Aries and waving slopes of the
Illinois and upper Mississippi valleys,
and receives their products to facilitate
their transmission, in another direction.
it welcomes the returning freight that
is destined for the same section Of coun-
try.
For the purpose Of establishing
communication with the upper Missis-
sippi, a company was chartered for con-.
structing railroad from Chicago to
Galena, at the last session of the legis-
lature, which will, beyond doubt, make
this the direction for the products and
supplies of that region. The fact is as
eertained, and to certain degree now
acted upon, that the section Of country
between Galena and st. Louis, includ-
ing those places. cannot be supplied as
cheaply and speedily by any route as
the one contemplated for the railroad.
Already great quantities of merchan-
die, during the last and present season,
have been transported through this
place to St. Louis and other towns bor-
dering on the Mississippi, notwithstan-
ding the labor and expense of overland
carriage. The same is also the case
with towns on the Wabash River
Vincennes, Terra Haute, sc.
A harbor is IN the course ofconstruc-
ton by the U. States Government.
which will afford free access to vessels
OF the largest class, and shelter the nu-
merous craft that begin already to viii
ten the lake.
The population Of Chicago is about
1850. The surrounding country Is
highly fertile, and fast filing up with
industrious and enterprising settlers
from the eastern states. There are a.
90Ht fifty storessin the place, filled with
every variety of merchandise to Be
found in the eastern markets; four for
~arding houses; eight public houses;
two printing Offices; two book stores |;
one steam mill; one brewery, and twen-
y-hve mechanic shops. Mechanics
are in great demand, as are also the
materials Of their trade. Thew. obtain
Sc to So per day. During the last
season the whole number of arrivals At
this port was 255, from opening Of ma
vigation to the 28th November. The
amount Of tonnage was A ,444 tons, des-
timed entirely to places south and west
OF US, not including that intended to
supply this placeand surrounding coun-
ny, nor the great mass Of fall goods.
fourteen or fifteen vessels of every size
are frequently here at once; and seldom
.sss than four or FIVE steamboats, from
100 hkes, visit, US every week,