Iowa news. [volume] (Dubuque, Upper Mississippi Lead Mines, Wisconsin Territory) 1837-1841, 1838-04-14
From the Wisconsin Democrat.
Address TO the People of Wisconsin.

territory, OF the early commencement and pro
secut'on of general system Of internal i'm
proyement, the people Of Brown county, at 3
meeting TOR the purpose of taking the subject
mo consideration, appointed the undersio NED
committee to prepare an address, calling the
attention OF the inhabitants of the territory to
the objects contemplated, so that some etficien,
steps may be taken to secure their ACCOMPLISH
ment; and that general understanding and a
concert OF action in relation to those improve
ments which are most essential, may be OBJ
'a'ned' It is respectfully proposed that the peo-
PIE OF me different counties Of The Territory.
elected delegates propor'ioned to their represcn-
Ita'ion IN The Legislature, to attend cenven.
lioi'' 70 be held at the city of Madison, on the
first Monday Of June next
The COMMITTEES believe it necessary TO nd.
dress but lew arguments to the people of Wis.
,consin TO convince them Of the necessity of
some action, and speedy ac,icn, in regard to
we important measure contemplated, as
means OF more fully developing our extensive
natural resources, and opening now and GER
tain channels 10 prosperity and wealth. The
general interests OF the territory demand that
some step should be taken, in order ,ha, the
advantages OF commercial intercourse may be
secured to every section; and certainly no
great object in view, could be pursued, than
for the people TO meet in convention .-fulIy
canvass the merits Of proposed improvements
---decideupon aud unite lor the accomplishment
OF The most imporant--and give to their repre-.
sentailves in the Legislature and delegate in
Congress, such Instructions, as that the plain.
| " expressed wishes Of the people may be car
RED Into effect, as far as possible, by Lenisla-
tive action.
work OF paramount importance, is the o.
pening OF communication from the Lakes 10
The Msslssippi; and the connected navigation
OF the Fox and Wisconsin would appear to be
the most practicable and best method of ac-
comprising II. The Improvement Of the ma.
vlgal'on oil the Fox would be attended with but
'riiling expense, IN comparison with the mag.
nltudc OF the object TO be attained. Rapids six-
iecn miles In extent, commencing al the Grand
haka'n, and extending, but with frequent in
terrup'ions 10 Lake Wianebago, are the only
Obstacles to be snrmonulcd: aud this might be
done by the construction OF few locks in the
rivers bed, or by canal from the foot of Grand
kakalin 10 tho foot OF Lake Wlnnebaoo, dis.
lance OF but seven miles and a quarter, thro'
rich and beautiful body of land, covered with
ilonrlshing and heavy growth of oak, hicko.
ry. beach, sugar-maplc, and bass-wood. The
difference of elevation between the two points
TO be united by canal is about one hundred
feet. which would render the conslrnc.ioa Of
several locks necessary TO surmount il. Ma
teras Of the best quality arc found in alum
dance on and near tho proposed route: timber
OF superior quality is at hand. and stone Of va.
nous kinds---linestone, sandstone, and an eX.
cellent free stone are abundant. 1t has been
| proposed also as practicable means of avoid.
ing the obstacles in the Fox, TO make rail
r. al from La Fontainc to Lake Winnebago.
The committee are not prepared to decide what
mode OF Improvement in this particular, would
be most feasible, but Of Ills they feel assured,
that there are few works Of equal importance
in the west. and none more easy of accom-
plishmen', if but the proper course be pursued,
/ i; Is vel known that the Wisconsin river has
been navigated by STEAMBOATS, IS far up as the
Portage, and to connect the navigable waters
OF the Fox with this river, needs but the con-
strnc'lon Of a canal one mile and a quarter in
length, through portage, over which, intimes
ofhieh water, loaded boats have passed. These
then, are the only Improvements necessary TO
effect the connexlon o, The Lakes with the Mis-.
sissippi, via. Green Bay, the Fox and Wis-
consin. The committee deem it not improper
briefly 10 dwell upon the general character of
the country along this route---the important re-
suits that will flow from its improvements
and the means wllcrewilh 10 effect il:
For-agricultural and manufacturing purpos.
to the greater part Of that long tho Fox river.
tlliy, and can oe very easily cleared and nut
under cultivation. The variety of falls and "a.
pids, which, in following the rivers channel
from Grand KakaIin TO Lake Winnebapo, are
to be met wish al1c.a. ..a;rr power u,,s,,rpas,.
ed IN any part of the Territory, or indeed In
any part OF the Union. An intelligent writer
must be admitted that it does not require a
stretch of the imagination TO predict that the
time is not distant when this portion Of the Fox
river valley will vie with any part of New
England in its manufactures: Soon cotton cal,
be brought to this valley as chcaply as it can
be transported 10 New England, and we can
supply as valuable return cargo. There is,
perhaps, no better Woodworking country than
this territory affords" There are large Sec
tons covered with noble forests Of pine: and
many saw mills arc already in active operation.
II would be snperfuons TO dwell much, in de-
tail, upon the character of this country suffice
IL TO say. that II combines every advantage,
but that OF commerce, necessary 10 render GER
tain lis ultimate prosperity and importance.
The results that will fow from the accom-.
plish1nent OF this improvement needs no pro.
phelic spirit TO loretel. The ficb, adacen,
country would be opened 10 the enterprize Of
the emigrani; it would soon become settled by
popuaioi.--i,s fertile sol, wouM
be turned to'ne.use for which nature desipneJ
tits manufacturing facilities wonid be inn
proved; and the banks of the Fox ard WIS.,
consii. wh:cs, are now comparative sali.udes
would IN few years be dotted with thriving
and ropulous towns, aud smiling farms. The
upper Mississippi country, the lake country,
and the intermediate country would alike en-.
Joy the benefits. A direc. communication TO
eastern markets would be opened for the rich