Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1841-12-28
REPORT
OF THE MILWAUKEE AND Rock RIVER
CANAL COMPANY.

he work on the CdUdl from NdIiUuS
causes has not progressed during The past
season with so much energy and etfect.as
it was hoped it would from the favorable
action of the Legislature during lis last
session; and it is to be sincerely regretted
that the work should have been retarded,
and the patriotic intentions of the Leglsla-
ture defeated by obstacles unnecessarily
interposed from quarter the most unlock
ed for.
Owing to the want Of funds, which it
was hoped would be supplied through the
means Of loans, which it was understood,
had been negotiated, but have only to
small extent been made available, the COM
pany have not thought it eXpedlent TO let
any contracts, during the present season,
in addition to those formerly made, except
in one case, where the security OF the work
in question required it as measure Of
safety and protection. This was the guard
lock at the dam in the Milwaukee river,
which is required to secure and perfect the
dam itself, as we'll as that portion OF the
Canal below the dam extending to the town.
This portion Of the Canal is in state
Of forwardness, nearly approaching TO
completion, and a considerable part of 1t
quite finished. The dam required but
small comparative expenditure TO complete
it, and the guard lock is SO far advanced
as to render it safe for the wnter-.Eoth
works will probably be completed by the
first day of January next, as will also the
greater part Of the excavations and en-
bankmcnts throughout the entire section of
the Canal now under contract; and it is
in contemplation to let the water into this
part Of the canal early in the ensuing
spring.
1t was the design Of the Canal Company
TO put under contract this fall or early IN
the winter, the western section Of the Ca
nal, including about seven miles Of the line
at the western termination, haG 1t not been
for the difficulties above referred 10, rela
! tive to the loan, which have been so inter-
posed as to prevent them from carrying
out that design. AS now situated nothing
can with propriety be done in that respect,
without further action OF the Legislature,
but the Company nevertheless stand ready
to place the work under contract, if desr-
ed so to do by the Legislature, and as soon
as the Canal fund can be made available to
cooperate in that measure.
The amount which has been paid by the
Company, including all expenditures from
the commencement Of the first survey up
to the present time, is twenty-five thousand
and sixly-three dollars and flty-one cents,
as will be more fully shown by reference
to the accounts IN detail on the books Of
the Company.
The number and grade Of officers and
their compensation in the employ Of the
Company is the same as at The date OF their
last annual report to which reference is
made, in case the Legislature should desire
further Information on that point.
1t is a question involving much uncer-
tsinty, if not extreme difficulty, for the
Company to determine what course topur-
sac during the ensuing year in their ope-
rations which would tend most cflectuaIly
to carry forward the work and meet the
Just expectations Of the county. Owing
to the multifarious difficulties with which
the Company have had to contend. coming
both from officers Of the Territory and
from individuals hostile to the Canal, the
Company have come to the conclusion
that the present system offers but little
beneficial results; and that some different
arrangement in the control of the Canal or
Of the Canal fund arising from the sale Of
the Canal lands, had better be devised by
the mutual assentof the parties interested.
The control Of both in the same hands can
be much more efficiently brought TO bear
on the work than to have them div .ded as
under the present system.
The Canal Company, therefore, IN order
that there may be something tangible for
the consideration and action Of the Legls-
aturc, will propose,
lst, That the Territory take the control
of the work and let it be conducted entirely
by Territorial officers, refunding TO the
Canal Company the amount by them ex-
pended agrecably to the terms of the char
ter, and pledge the faith of the Territory
for the completion Of the Canal within the
time limited by the charter Of the Company
or
I'd. That the Territory authorize the
Company to take charge and dispose of
the lands granted to the Canal, and apply
the proceeds to the construction Of the ca
nal; the Company giving suitable security
for the faithful application of the fluids de-
rived from that source, and held accOunta-
bic to the Legislature annually at every
regular session, and all their transactions
to be subject at all times TO Investigation in
detail, by any authorised committee ofthe
Legislature, or by any officers dul y au-
thorzed TO make such Investigations by the
Legislature.
The Company are willing to make such
an arrangement on the basis of either Of
the foregoing propositions. as will secure
the just rights of the Territory. the settlers
on the Canal grant and of the Canal Com
Company; and they leave the option with
- I o-;el,.uro IN deteruine which they