Iowa news. [volume] (Dubuque, Upper Mississippi Lead Mines, Wisconsin Territory) 1837-1841, 1838-04-07

The following is a copy of the Memorial
drafted by committee appointed for that pur-
pose at the Rail Road meeting held in this
place on the Goth ull. which has received &c.
neral signature in this place.
To the Honorable the Senate and House of Re-
personalities of the United States, in Cong
gress assembled
The memorial Of your petitioners, citizens
Of the Territory Of Wisconsin, respectfully .e-
presents
That the connexion of Lake Michigan with
the Mississippi River, at or near the Borough
Of Du Buque, by means Of Il Rail Road, 10 be
located upon the most eligible ground within
the Tcrrtory--is subject Of such vastimpor-
lance not only TO the entire population Of Wis
consin. but TO the American Nation generally,
as to warrant the confident belief that your ho-
norable bodies will, without hesitation, grant
US the object of our respectful and but most
earnest prayer, by Immediately appointing an
Engineer TO locate route in conformity with
the foregoing proposition and report thereon.
Your petitioners will only enumeratc a few
Of the facts that might be adduced to prove be-
You'd the possibility of doubt, the unparalleled
claims which we humbly conceive the present
subject to possess upon your favorable consid-
GRAFTON and regard Indeed, SO obvious do they
appear, that it would seem almost insulting
the perception o! the most superficial observer,
to offer single argument in their support, bu,
Tor the circumstance that her remote position
and recent existence, have as yet operated to
render Wisconsin comparatively unknown,
and consequently unapprecia,ed by the other
portions Of our noble Republic.
The entire length Of the Lake Michigan and
Du Buque Rail Road would only be about one
hundred and fifty miles. passing over coun.
try so admirably adopted by nature for its con
struction, as not to require single plain upor
which locomotive power would not be mos
advantageously applied. The wholelne would
lie through rich and healthy agricultural dis
trict, besides embracing the most valuable
portion Of the u. States Lead Nlines---wh,s
its western terminus would be situated in theil
very centre, and at a point nearly 500 miles
below the head of steamboat navigation upon
tho ..Father of Waters" and consequently
commanding very large portion of the ful
trade.
This Road would pass Madison City, the
4 Capital of Wisconsin, besides several thriv.
ing towns and villages, and would constitute
a permanent link in the great chain Of direct
steam communication between the extreme
East and Far West, which the determined
spirit of American enterprise has decreed shall
speedily connect the waters of our two opposite
ocean.
Some idea of the present and prospective
extent of the business between this region and
East, may be deduced from the fact that with
/ in little more tina. eight months Of last year.
the total number of steamboat arrivals and de-
partures at the port Of Du Buque amounted to
no less than Seven Hundred and Seventeen,
transporting our lead and furs to and merchan'
die from the Eastern market by the clrcultons
and comparatively dangerous route Of N. Or.
leans, instead of the direct and safe one which
the proposed rail road would render available.
Your memorialists conclude by simply oh.
serving farther, that they are fully convinced
their prayer will b granted, ifalone in con-