Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1841-01-12
PUBLIC MEETING.

| sin, pursuant to public notice, on the ninth
day of January A. d. lS4l. Hon. Charles
Durkee was chosen President, and O. F.
Dana Secretary.
The following resolutions were success
lively proposed 10 the meeting and unan
mously adopted -
ResolUed. That the interests Of Com:
merce on Lake Michigan and the future
prosperity Of the people Of this Territory
are intimately connected with the construc-
ton of Harbors on the western shore Of
the lake.
Resoleed, That the General Govern
ment cannot withhold from US our just
claims without violating their implied faith
and protection towards US as a territory.
Resotced, That in view Of the sum Of
twelve hundred thousand dollars which has
been paid into the national treasury by this
land district, we have right to ask that in
return We may receive an appropriation
sufficient to construct harbor at South
port. !
Resolred, That while appropriations
have been granted to light houses at diffe-
rent points on this lake which have far less
claims in point Of population, commerce
and convenience, we cannot but feel that
our position has hitherto been overlooked
and dsregarded.
ResOlred, That committee Of seven be
appointed to present our claims TO each
member of Congress by statement Of the
prominent facts in relation TO our claims
for an appropriation. the same being first
reported to this meeting.
Whereupon the following gentlemen
were appointed as said committee to wit:
M. Frank, Samuel Hale, Jr. f. S. Sill,
Chaunsey Kellogg, A. w. Benham, K.
Wheeler, and O. Foster. The committee
after conference returned with the follow
ing report, which being read was unahi
mously adopted as the sense Of the meet
ing.
THAT interest and prosperity Of the peo-
pie eff this Territory and the safety Of hu-
man life, of commerce and Of property on
Lake Michigan requires the immediate
construction of a harbor at Southport ade- {
quate 10 the protection Of the shipping and |
the wants of trade on Lake Michigan have
been repeatedly shown by actual surveys
and scientific investigations.
The town of Southport is situated on the |
western shore of Lake Michigan So miles
north of Chicago. In point Of population
during the past two years its growth in
commerce, business and population has
been unsurpassed by any other town in
Wisconsin. The country in the vicinity
OF Southport has more dense population
than that in the vicinity Of any other town
on the western shore of the lake; and from
the locality Of the town, large and al
ready we'll settled country embracing the
northern counties in the State of Illinois
DON roach Southport by travelling y less
distance than any other point on the Lake
where harbor exists or where harbor is
in contemplation.
The number Of arrivals at Southport du-
ring the last season of navigation were as
follows; Steam Boats, 1877; Schooners, 10;
Shops and briggs, 4; Ships, 2; making a
total of 100 arrivals during the last year
OF these the Steamboats, were all of the
largest class which navigate the Lakes
Steam boats and other vessels arriving at
Southport, are obliged TO cast anchor off
the town and discharge and receive their
frelghts ana passengers, at hazard, by the
means Of boats or lighters, which are fur
nishcd by the town and attended with great
expense to the citizens. In addition TO this
the people of the Territory are subject to
pay extravagant freights during the fall
months OF the year owing to the danger
and uncertainty Of navigation. This tax
falls heavily upon thu citizens nor can il
be remidied while our shore is destitute of
harbors.
The site for the proposed Harbor at
Southport is formed by Pike c. reek, and
deep channel within the bar, which it is
said by the early explorers and natives of
the country was once the channel Of Pike
River. This channel contains from IL to
IA feet depth of water, extending a suffic-
lent distance to amply accommodate all the
vessels which in any emergency might re-
qure, and efIectually shelter them from
weather. An abundance Of
timber suitable for the construction Of piers
is found at convenient distance.
The commerce Of Lake Michigan is ra-
pidly increasing and has already assumed
an important rank. The growing neces-
sites of the west add yearly to the CONNER
cial business Of this Lake. The whole
western shore Of the Lake north of Chica-
go Is WHoiiy Unprotected Oy any natural |
or artificial place of safety for vessels du-
ring storm in consequence Of which the
of the Lake is daily exposed in
the season navigation, land great amount
of property is annually destroyed and ma
ny valuable lives lost.
During the last two years upwards Of
twelve hundred thousand dollars have been {
paid into the United States Treasury thro'
the medium Of the Land Office in this Dis {