Iowa territorial gazette and advertiser. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa Territory [Iowa]) 1840-1846, 1842-12-17
PUBLIC OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES Ma.

n large and respectable EeelinS was
held in the Court House, in Burlington,
Iowa, on Saturday, Dec. IL. 1912, for
the purpose Of taking into consideration
the subject Of memorializing Congress
about removing the distractions in the
Western rivers. The meeting was call.
ed 10 order by D. Hendersho,t, Esq.
Whereupon, on motion the Hon.
CHARLES Mason was appointed Chair
man, and JAMES G. EDWARDS, Secretary.
The Chairman then announced the Oh.
ject Of the meeting in brief and per.
tinent address.
On motion Of George Partridge. Esq.
Committee offive was appointed to draf!
and report memorial, expressive Of the
wishes Of the Meeting. Geo. Partridge,
Henry w. Starr, VIM. B. Ewing, ]. D.
Learned and David Rorer, Esqrs. were
appointed said Committee. The Com
mi,tee retired, and after short absence
submitted the following Report -
TO The Honorable the Senate and House
Of Representatives IN Congress rs.
sembled,
Your Memoralists, the citizens Of the
city Of Burlington and Territory o: Iowa,
appeal to you in behalf Of Il great pub.
lie interest. and with the firm convc-
ton that they can look to no other source
for aid and relief.
They would respectfully represent to
your honorable body that Burlington is
silua,ed~on the Mississippi river, abou,
$50 miles north of s, Louis, and forty
miles above tile lower Rapids of the
Mississippi river; known as the Des
Moines Rapids OF the Nlississippi,) aud
tina, said Rapids are caused by chains or
ribs Of rock extending latiludinally across
said river, and interrupsing the free ma
yiga,ion OF the same for about twelve
mites up and down that something has
been already expended by government in
removing the distractions and the opin-
ion Of competent engineers is ascertain
ed that the whole may be accomplished
al a small eXpence.
! Your memorlalis,s further represen,
that above these Rapids the navigation
Of the Mississippi, is almost uninter.
rup,ed and good through lis whole course
to the falls Of st Anthony, distance OF
seven hundred miles, (with the single
exception Of the Upper or Rock river
Rapids.)
The Lower Rapids, however interpose
an almost impossible barrier to Steam
Boat navigation. except at what is called
a high stage OF water. Above this city
and ON the river are the nourishing and
thrifty towns of Bloomington, Daven.
port, Rock-lsland, Galena, Dubuque and
Prairie-Du Chien-and around them on
either side extends a vast Territory
embracing the finest portions Of the State
Of Illinois, the Territories Of Iowa and
Wisconsin, and III all respects the most
valuable portion Of the public domain,
Astounding in every feature Of agricultural
excellence and mineral wealth, together
with boundless resources for the lumber
trade, from the Chippewa. the Black. the
S, Cloix and other rivers, tributary to the
Mississippi.
Your memoralists further represent
that great proportion Of The lands along
this river and above the Lower Rapids
are extensively settled by thrifty and
enterprislng population, which is rapidly
increasing by emigration from every
quarter OF our common country. That
The exports Of agricultural products and
OF lead and lumber, are already very
! ggrea. and our resources for all of them
unbounded; bu. our only markets are al!
81 Louis, New Orleans and Intermediate
ports and our only channels Of commune
cation with them, the Mississippi river.
Yet such are The delays, distractions and
disasters inlerposed by these Rapids that
our commerce with our only markets is
almost entirely Gu! Off for near three
months Of the navigable season Of every
year; and this too during those portions
Of the year most favorable to our COM
merce. In addition TO this the risks Of
navigation are greatly increased. The
losses OF boats and cargoes are frequent /;
and the price of freight is nearly doubled
in consequence Of this obstruction
ouI lHCuIUIIdIiStS WOuIu IuTtllcT Te.
present that this ncreasedprice OF lreigh,s,
almost amounts to an embargo upon lis
commerce, that even in high stage Of
water The charges for freight from Bur-
linglon TO New Orleans, a distance OF
400 miles, is FIFTY per cent higher than
from the foo. Of the Rapids, only IS
miles below this port,-,ha. this tax falls
upon all our exports and imports, thus
operating as all onerous duty upon all We
consume of the products of other States
and countries, and at the same time cut
ting off all profit upon such staple pro-
ducts as we have TO give in exchange.
| And in the opinion Of your memoralists
the counties bordering upon the Upper
Mississippi cannot long remain prosper
Gus unless this impeachment iii its naviga-
ton be overcome.
| Your memoralists wonld further rep
resen, that, If this obstruction were re-
moved the prblic lands upon the Upper
Mississippi which constitute the falrest
and most attractive portion Of the public
domain. would be greatly enhanced in
value thereby, and rendered much more
saleable, and your memoralists believe
the work to be Of SO great public concern
and such general interest, as imperative.