The pilot and transcript. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1840-1841, 1840-12-03
IOWA TERRITORY

THE UPPER MIssIssIPPI.-We have pub
iished several articles recently, noticing the
rapid progress OF settlements in Wisconsin and
Iowa Terrific. les. The country bordering the
Upper Mississippi, north of the mouth of the
Illinois, appears from all accounts to be very
favored region. 1t is filling up with wonderful
rapidity, and for the most part with the better
class OF farmers, The selection of it as their
future homes, evinces their judgment. Those
who there pitch their tents, will sow their seed
in 10 barren SOIL
The Gazette has within the past three or
four years contained frequent accounts of the
country in the vicinity of Rock Island, from
correspondents at Stephenson. Illinois, and
Davenport, Iowa. These towns are situated
on either side ofthe Mississippi river, opposite
each other, and have sprung up within three or
four years from small settlements to smart little
towns. Among the evidences they now present
of advancement, is neatly printed and well
edited newspaper, the first three numbers of
which have reached us. 1t is entitled the cup
per Mississippian," and in its editorial columns
speaks out plainly and sensibly in support
of William II. Harrison, and Administrative
Reform.
The second number contains notice of Da-
venport, in which place it is stated that about
fifty houses have been erected the past sea son.
II nOlcl SouC0 bsIioitC A1OuSCS
has also been erected during the same time.
This is built of brick, and is said to be the larg-
est and most splendid hotel, with one excep-
ton, on the Mississippi above st. Louis. By
recent vote, it has become the scat eff justice
of Scott county, Iowa, and its inhabitants are
preparing to put up handsome court house
and other public buildings next spring. Da-
venport is a Cincinnati Colony, and we doubt
not she will do credit, in the far wilderness, to
her queenly parent Stephenson is the seat of
justice Of Rock Island County, Illinois, and is
said to have the finest court housein that State
1t has also population which, uniting Yankee
ingenuity with western enterprise, will make
the NEST of its favorable position, and push it
along rapidly but safely in the career of extern
sion and improvement.
There are but few new towns in the United
States, more eligibly situated than Stephenson
and Davenport, The health of the district OF
country around the far famed Rock-Islahd, the
idol place OF Black Hawk, is we'll known, and
the fertility Gifts soil is very seldom surpassed
even in the Mississippi Valley. The Island,
which lies between the two towns, is retained
by the United States Government, which has
determined to erect an extensive arsenal upon
1T as soon as an appropriation can be obtained
for that purpose, and looks to its further i'm
provement at no distant day 1t contains an
area of between eight and nine hundred acres,
and has water power equal it is supposed to
that of Rochester, New York, which is suscep-
tible of easy and cheap improvement. Iron
and Lead ores, and good stone COAL are album
dant in the neighborheod; and this fact, taken
in connection with its great manufacturing cap
abilities, renders ita conspicuous .point, with
reference to the National Armory about which
the Government has been talking for number
ofyears past.--Com. Gag.