The Illinois free trader. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1840-1841, 1840-06-26
MISCELLANEOUS.
The Great West.

A few days ago we had occasion to
speak Of the advantages which this coun-
try enjoyed over England and France, in
point of territory and natural resources,
by way of showing how absurd was the
idea of cur constant dependence upon
those countries for commercial life and
prosperity. Since then come statistical
information has come in our way, in re-
ference 10 that portion of the republic ly-
ing west of the Allegheny mountains md
embraced within the the "Valley of the
Mississippi" Many people residing in
the Atlantic states, and devoting their at
tention, almost exclusively to the affairs of
the thousand cities that line the shores,
and lift their gli,tcring spires to heaven,
from Maine to Florida, have but faint
idea of the mighty regions of the West
They think Of it as a new and unimport-
ant section of the Union, as yet wild, UNI
cultivated, and thinly settled. TO correct
these erroneous views, as well as to con-
firm our former observations of the real
wealth, power, and independence of our
country, we will adduce few simple facts
in regard to this portion of it. For some
of these we are indebted TO an article in
the New York Review.
In that valley, embracing the twelve
states and territories, lying west of the
Allcganies, together with the western
\ parts of Pennsylvania and Virginia, there
are one million four hundred thousand
square miles, or eight hundred and ninety
six millions OF acres; while Great Britain,
with all it's islands, contains only eighty
eight thousand square miles, or iitly-six
and a half millions of acres. The largest
portion of this wide domain is doubtless
capable of cultivation and thick settlement
But suppose we make most Liberal de-
duction, and say that one third of it only
will answer for this purpose, we have then
an area about seven times as great as all
the available land of England, Ireland,
Scotland, Wales and the islands. When
we look at ii more closely, we find it,
from the highly cultivated fields of Ohio
and Indiana, TO the barren prairies of Mis-
souri,, and from the wild rice swamps of
the North to the cypress swamp of the
South, fertile beyond example, level or
slightly undulaiing, and accessible in cv-
cry direction. Through this rich country
the Mississippi, Missouri and Ohio rivers
roll their majestic currents, receiving the
contributions Of thousand other streams
of less magnitude, but many Of them nav
igable for large vessels. The agricultur-
ist, standing in his farm house door a
thousand miles from the salt water, may
see his produce ailoat OH its way TO New
York or Europe. -Four complete lines OF
: railway and water communication are al
ready in operation between the interior OF
Ohio and the ocean; a fifth viii soon be
completed. Il also appears from the re-
port of Mr.. Msther, geologist Of that state,
that il confirms as much bituminous coal
IL d good quality, and easy Of access, as
III England and yales, ia shis respect he
thinks il no richer than western Pcnnsyl-
yania, western Virginia and kentucky;
Indiana, Illinois and Missouri, judging
from what is already known, are doubt
less undcslsin 70 a great extent, by the
same great mineral treasure. Immense
bads of iron orr are found in various sec
lienxu hie1 hnrs a|sssdy beer