The Illinois free trader and LaSalle County commercial advertiser. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1841-1843, 1841-10-08

remote regions Of the Union. The old
States will then be called, as we are now,
"a section of the United States" The
Atlantic and Pacific oceans will then be
considered almost equal-distant for com.
mcrcial purposes, from the centre of the
country, and be used, perhaps, equally
alike IN our commerce.
No earthly power can arrest the tide
of emigration TO the West. The natural
advantages of the country, and the free
and equitable Governments formed in it,
cause this emigration, and it cannot be,
by legislation, or otherwise, prevented,
while man has the power to choose be-
tween barren and fertile land.
There is no county on the globe equal
to the West in combining together iertil-
lty of soil with the vast extent Of country.
1t will average three thousand miles in
diameter in every direction, and is by
nature closely connected together. 1t is
bounded on the east and west by large
mountains, and on the north I'd south
by the lakes and the main ocean. 1t is
all watcrcd by the Mississippi, and streams
flowing into that river; its fertility Of soil
cannot be cquallcd. This rigion of coun-
try contains great variety of climate, so
that the productions of the soil are al
most of all descriptions and character
In it are also found in great abundance all
useful and necessary mineral productions,
These advantages, together with the
timber and prairlcs interspersed in the
Ear West" make this country the most
desirable for man of any other.
There is at this time an industrious
and hardy population of more than five
millions of souls in the West. We have
in Illinois 426,634 souls. They are
scattered over a large extent of country,
and have vast frontier exposed TO an
enemy in time of war. The lake frontier,
rs well as on the ocean to the south,
would be liable to an attack from the
enemy, and the Indian warriors on the
west amount to at least $4,000.
One other consideration will also show
the propricty of establishing an armory
on the Western waters, and that is, the
expense OF transportation from the Eastern
armories TO the West, will save a cons-
derablc item III the value of arms. This
expense will be saved by having the arms
made near the place they may be used.
The next consideration, Mr.. Speaker,
Is the location of the armory. The pro-
posed amendment of Mr.. SUMMERS gives
the power to the President to cause sur
vcys and examinations to be made
throughout the whole Western country
and from that region TO select the most
suitable point.
There arc many sites suggested by
members, and many, no doubt, are good.
But | can say from experience, that ii is
almost impossible to make the selection
i'll Congress. tried in every possible
manner of legislation to make the selec-
ton of the site of commercial hospital
at the mouth Of the Ohio, and could not
succeed. Every other point near it was
proposed, and the result was, no place
could be selected in the bill.
This same result would take place, |
have no doubt, if Congress made the
attempt to locate the armory.
In every Western State, doubt not, a
good site could be selected; but it must
be acknowledged that the nearer the Mis-
sssippi a suitable place can be selected,
the better it will be for the public. The
Ohio river i. not navgable more than one
half the year, and the small streams flow
ing into it, still less time. The Missls-
sippi is always navigable, except short
time in the north it is obstructed by ca,
Arms made on this river can be transport
ell south or north too great distance, in
a very few days. The celebrated steam
boat Missouri, made voyage from New
Orleans, stemming the Mississippi cur
rent, in four days and some hours to ST.
Louis, in Missouri. This shows at once
the facility with which arms can be trans
ported on this river to the frontiers.
Gentlemen talk about iron ore in Ken
lucky, Pennsylvania, &c. can inform
them that the iron mountains in Mis-
souri, present more iron ore to the eye,
than is seen in all the Eastern states toge-
,her. No one can get clear of iron orc in
the West. Great quantities exist in the
state of Illinois, and an overbalanclng guam
tity Of stone coal. venture nothing in
saying that in none Of the Western states
exist such great quantities of coal as are
found in Illinois. The water power to
propel machinery is also great in Illinois,
All over the states it exists to common
extent; but in the north, no country can
surpass it. The Illinois river, near Otta-
wa, falls over rocks many feet, forming
what is called "The Grand Rapids" The
water power at this one place would pro.
pei all the machinery in the United States
used in the manufacture of arms. The
canal nj ork mort and other nl,rcs will