The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-06-21
COMMUNICATIONS.

The following has been transmitted TO US from
Rochester, New York, with request 10 publish it,
II seems TO illustrate the necessity OF members of the
| Government being on their guard against the dan
| gers Of erroneous information
To ne Editor Of The Madisonian.
SiR have had put into my hands to-day, letter
from gentleman who is Spectator in town lots and
| now at Washington. The writer says he has failed in
getting his point recommended by the Government as
being eligible point for hsrbor than the
OF Southport, on Lake Michigan, in w. t. near the
spot in which he is interested the War Department
has decided in favor Of the latter place from the report
Of the Engineer But that he has bit upon new plan,
IN which, he succeeds he viii make twenty thousand
dollars He says he has started the report that the i'm
provement OF the Southport Harbor is all speculation,
and that ne has agreed with gentleman write let
ter this subject, and have published that will
r this idea IN the minds Of Congress and says too,
ne has no doubt this will prevent any final action OF
Congress on the subject this session and that in
the presumption law passes, he shall Immediately pro-
cure town plat for his place, and has doubt he can
sell lots TO large amount, at the East this
Continuing, he says furthermore, that he supposes the
people at Southport will be furousy mad at their de-
feat this session. but that the fools have be
thankful TO him, they did but know il, the plan
they have proposed is TO give away sell all their town
except an piece ard that they to pay $3.50
for, and the proceeds to be expended by the
Government in improving their harbor-wheress, IN
their bill does not pass this session, they will get
title their town at 81 rs cts per acre, while the po
sition Of their place is SUCH the Government will be
obliged improve their harbor protect the
Of the State Speculation carried to this extent, Mr..
Editor consider an outrage upon the community and
for 10 remain silent upon this subject would render
me highly criminal and subject me 70 the most sincere
censure Of the whole west know nothing Of the adj
| vantage Of Southport, by personal knowledge; but
have understood from good authority that ts position
upon the Lake in commercial point Of view, is highly
favorable, is already place Of extensive business and
that its merits have been determined by survey OF Its
harbor by the Government and that the War Depart
ment strongly urges upon Congress the importance OF
its immediate improvement. reside in Michigan and
have earthly interest the Improvement OF harbors
on the west side Of Lake Michigan except that which
is blended with thousands OF Others in the ownership
Of steamboat stock In this respect do acknowledge
that feel deep interest and the are very obsi-
Gus, fact Of public notorety, that the rum
GUS consequences attending the navigation OF Lake
Michigan very great for the want Of harbors TO run
into in Of heavy and severe gales, which are
very frequent upon this Lake
The plan proposed by the citizens OF Southport, to
procure titles to their lots upon which they have erect
cd buildings, and the improvement Of their har-
bor understand the same course as was pursued by
the Government in relation to Galena, and several
other important towns. which located upon the
public lands the Mississippi, in Wisconsin Terrific
ry. If this be true, the conduct Of these individuals
opposing the improvement Of this harbor is still more
aggrayating II extremely hard that they shall
not be allowed help themselves because it nterieres
with private speculation.
cannot believe that Congress win be influenced by
any such extraordinary efforts made by them, or for
persons against the public good, especially when they
have official reports Of their own officers on this sub
ject.
There are several points upon the west side Of Lake
Michigan brought TO the special notice Of Congress,
and their improvement harbors strongly urged
hope there will be favorable disposition on the part OF
Congress and protect the commerce Of this
Lake-the losses annually are very great
Very respectfully, yours,
JOSEPH GADCOMB.