, 1840-11-28

where the levels and soundings only remain
10 be taken. .
The survey for a Rail Road from St. Lou
is TO the Iron Mountain resulted in the at
tainment of a rout passing very centrally
"through the Mineral Region" as prescribed
by the legislature. The very broken and
irregular country over which this improve
ment is compelled to pass, will make its con.
struction so very expensive as to afford little
reason to expect any pecuniary remuneration
10 the State for capital it might invest in this
enterprise.
The examination of the Merimec River has
shown that that stream cannot be improved,
so as to admit of navigation without resort
to a connected series of locks and dams
which would be expensive in their construc-
ton, and which from the great fall in the
stream, would be SO frequent as to render
the navigation Of little value by. reason of
the delay and expense they would occaslon;
and connected with the extremely tortuouS
course of the river. would e!!ectually pre-
clude the use of steam on its waters. An
independent canal, with its levels so ad luSted
as to afford the greatest manufacturing facili-
ties, appears TO be the best and indeed the
only proper kind OF improvement for the
valley of this stream; but from the rugged
nature of its banks. the cost of such a work
will be too great TO afford any prospect OF
sufficient remuneration TO the State. to in
duce it at this time 10 engage in the enter
prise.
The improvement Of Salt Rriver can be
effected by a connected series of locks and
dams, but at too heavy an expense (compar-
al ,-I,b H. b.,.r,,, l. l f. Al.
Improvement TO Justify the undertaking-the
estimate is about four hundred thousand dol
lars. In connection with this subject it is
proper TO call attention 20 the fact that dams
have been and others are being constructed
by individuals across this stream without anv
provision for the passage of boats. Salt
River has been recognized as a navigable
stream by the general government and also
declared to be so by positive enactment of
the legislature Of this State, and it is but rea-
sonable that individuals in the erection of
their dams, should be compelled to So CON
struct them as not 10 obstruct its navigation.
From the survey of the Usage River ii
has been ascertained that it can be readily
improved, so as TO afford a certain naviga-
ton for boats of an hundred tons burthen
uuiiiS III tulICS vi OiulililN lU!l "dlpT. Oh
93l miles. The cost of this Improvement is
estimated to exceed but little ifany 100000.
North Grand River, it is ascertained can
be made navigable for steam boats of light
draught from its mouth to the iorkS-a dis
lance of siXty-nine miles, at the estimated
expense of about twenty thousand dollars.
From the forks to a point on the west fork
opposite Gallatin in Davis county a distance
OF forty one miles, there is too little water
to warrant the attempt to make the natural
channel Of the river navigable.
1t thus appears that 231 miles of steam
boat navigation of the Usage. and sixty-ninc
OF Grand River, making in all 800 miles, can
be elected by the expense Of about $4,000.
a sum when compared with the extent and
Importance Of these improvements. al,ogeth-
er Inconslderable, did the financial condition
OF cur State at the present time Justify the
expenditure; this however will be for the le
glsiature to determine. The amount aDpro-
prlated At the last session for the purpose of
conducting the reconnolsances and s~urvevsI
OF the several projects alluded to, has been
expended with the exception of a small al
mount remaining in the hands of the COM
The loan was obtained from TIE
JAIN vi lne Slale Oh MISSOURI, upon the
terms of the act Of Assembly. and the bonds
OF the State nave been issued for the amount.
A geological examination has been made
OF tho valley CT the Usage, by which much
valuable information has been obtained, as
to the character Of the soil, and the forma-
lion and arrangement of the rocks. The ex-
Of depc.ites Of coal, and a very ge-
,eral diffusion Of ores Of lead and lion has !
'een 40 ssccrtained with certainty.
A sectional map Of the State faithfully CO.
bed from the surveys made by the general 4;
is in the course of construction. {
when completed, will not only be Of a
,reat value to every citizen, but will also af- I
ord TO the legislature in i,s lie ,~isla.ion upon t
Dads and improvements, and in its arrange a
nent of counties the means of correct and {
lehnite information. n
feel it my duty to call your attention to r
ne course pursued by various Insurance
Companies in the city Of St. Louis, that have i
zen chartered by the legislature. If | am r
DIRECTLY informed (of which | entertain no il
oubt whatever) they have been engaged in o
very ramifcation Of the system of banking d
nth The evcaptiop NJ icsu,,o -oJ .,