Maumee express. [volume] (Maumee City, Ohio) 1837-1838, 1837-05-06
For the Maumee Express.
FOOT OF THE RAPIDS.

Illinois, is now attracting attention and
assming just Importance in the public
estimation. lis but few years since
this region has been much known. Pre-
vious to the late war, and, for part of the
period since that event, it was inhabited
by several tribes of Indians, who gained
their substance by hunting, fishing and
the cultivation of corn on the islands in
the river, and the rich bottoms back
from it. The Indian has gradually re-
ceded before the tide of emigration,
which, for few years past has rapidly
set in; and every thing in this region
now indicates the vigor Of Its growth
and its future Importance. Let any can
did man take the map ofthe country and
view the position of this valley-let him
ascertain the excellent quality of its soil,
the resources of wealth, and the elements
Of greatness imbeded in its bosom, and
contemplate the facilities of intercourse
with other parts Of the nation already in
agitation and progress, and he will at
once be convinced ofits prominence and
of the certainty and rapidity Of its
growth, at no distant day, to be one
of the richest portions of the Union.-
Here, in time not far hence, will be con-
gregated vast population, industrious
and happy-here will be seen the ele-
gancies and here be enjoyed the luxu-
ries oflife. The free and unfettered en-
terprise ofour citizens will bring to light
and turn to account the resouces of this
valley, so magnifciently fashioned and
abundantly enriched by the hand of ma
ture.
In the nature of things, there must be
particular points in this region, which,
from the advantage of location, will be-
come more prominent than others, and
bear away the palm of prosperity; such
point, it must be obvious.to the least
observing, and the most short-sighted,
will the FooT OF THE RAPIDS become.
Look at the central position-the rich
country surrounding 1.-THE immense
amount Of water power which will be
there brought into requisition, and the
channels of communication which must
there come to a focus, and its destiny is
easily read, a canal is in progress, pas
sing-a4rough the fairest portion of the
states of Ohio and Indiana, connecting
this point with the navigable waters Of
the Wabash--another is in a state of
forwardness uniting this place with Gin
cinnati. Railroads are in contempla-
ton or progress extending east, SOUTH
and west, bringing into this immediate
vicinity places Of importance on the
Ohio river, and the Ohio canal, and link
ing us to the Atlantic cities themselves.
This place is the great thoroughfare by
land between Buffalo and Detroit, and
through here will pass the railroad COM
munication which in a few years will
connect the Hudson river with the up
per lakes and the Mississippi. When
the canals in progress shall be completed,
a vast amount of water power incident
to their construction will be Afforded
On that part of the canal leading to Gin
cinnati, already constructed, there is a
water power, which may be applied to
hydraulic machinery, capable of opera
ting $50 pairs of mill stones, four and
half feet in diameter, a considerable part
ofwhich is already occupied. On the un-
finished portion Of the line still larger
amount Of power will be obtained. Wa
ter privileges in this case do not come
alone, for they are necessarily connected
with the advantages Of canal navigation.
Before many years then, we may expect
to see canal navigation and a succession
of manufacturing and commercial es-
stretching from the Ohio
river. at the city Of Cincinnati, to the foot
ofthe rapids of the Maumee, a distance
of about two hundred and fifty miles,
through a country unsurpassed for fertiI- \
ity of soil, and together with its natural
andartifcial advantages holding out in
to emigrants, not to be found
N any other section of widely extend
I'd confederacy.
The fertility and resources of this val
ey cannot long remain unknown. Nor
will the advantages to be obtained, in a
manufacturing and commercial point of
,iew, at the foot Of the rapids long be un-
discovered or neglected. The current
If public opinion, which by interested
md designing men, have been turned to
'oints below, is already fast setting fur
her up stream-and when the mists
reated by interest and misrepresenta-
ion shall have passed away, it will be
cen and acknowledged that the head of
avigation on the river, is the point de-
lgned and fixed by nature for the most