Bloomington herald. [volume] (Bloomington, I. T. [Iowa]) 1840-1849, 1842-02-11

SOUTH w WESTERN NAvIGATIoN.-Our con-
ceptlons are every day awakening more fully
TO the important and intimate connection Of
| the trading interests between N. Orleans and
The towering city Of St. Louis, bond of union
| already vibrating with loud pulsations from
one place to the other. Our great Southern
mar, feels sensibiy every fucination Of trade
which takes place upon the far bluffs of Mis-
sonri, and the high commercial prosperity of
81. Lonis is acknowledged to be by no means
an inferior aid in building up the wealth Of
New Orleans. We feel, therefore, in meas
ure, called upon to second the efforts of the
ST. Louis journals in calling legislative atten-
ton to the stats Of our upper navigation. We
feel presen:iment that the subject must soon
develop considerable interest TO our readers, at
least that large class Of them who from day
| to day are imperatively reminded Of the mat
ter by their continuous commercial negotia-
tions with the West; all Of which are mate
rally affected by the state of navigation above.
| The upper Mississippi, in its presen, condi-
| ton, is the greatest wet blanket upon the spr-
it and enterprise Of the West tina, may be con-
ceived. or could possibly exist. The cry for
relief is already swelling in the West, and
| shall we not lend OUT echoes to promulgate
the sound! Yes; and let our united voices
coningle in roar, loud as the surge Of broad
spread Mexico, that shall, even like the surg
ing sea-shel, buzz in the ears Of Congress
until proper action is taken upon subject Of
such magnitude. We beg The attention of
our readers, and particularly those of all states
bordering the Mississippi, to this all-impor-
tant matter. It needs only to be placed clear
ly before public comprehension, and meetings
must take place, from which will springI a
successful Congressional! petition. Our ma
jeslic Mississppi--navigable for 2l0O miles
Its srunsnvr -v"sy -quaffvd Wy ITO dsofu'uuev
-waterinGtsfe most productive and beautiful
country in the Notwithstanding seven of the
finest states in tire great Union-bearing a
| greater commercial burden upon its bosom
than all the other rivers to be found upon the
| map can this noble stream continue to pine
| beneath neglect Of government Not for we
cannot immagine government ambitious Of The
| reproach that must assuredly fellow such SUI
| plneness.
One quarter the money that has been spent
upon the Delaware Breakwa,er, OF the Rapids
OF Connecticut River, or upon the improving
Of Charleston harboT, would make our Immense
channel ofthe South West perfectly navigable
| and safe even in the worst seasons of low wa
| ter. Will it not at once be seen what favor
able effect this would make upon the trade in
| Western produce! illinois, alone, can victu-
al the whole United States Beef, bread,
beans, potatoes, and a vast amount Of the sur
plus produce or this prolific and fertile state
is driven to Chicago, and so across the lakes.
The lead, from Illinois, Wisconsin and Iowa,
flies our market by the same route, and it may
not be long before the actual necessity OF an o.
pening will drive operators in that article to
transport it by railroad to Chicago from Gale
ma, for even now considerable quantity goes
by Wagons.
Those upper rapids are dreadful drawback
upon the lead trade, when canal or railroad
| would fix the thing exactly. Lead is an arti-
| Gle that wont pay to handle 1t much, being
heavy. A boat loading with lead at Galena
or Dubuque. after shipping her cargo once,
must unload again at the rapids, TO pass the
must scrape through herself, reload, and, strug-
Cling through this tedious and wre,ched de-
| lay, land her cargo, al last, at st. Louis. The
| mere expense Of this extra handling at the rap
+, ids would turn in handsome profit to the OPP
| orator.
There are but two very bad places In the
| Mississippi between ST. Louis and the mouth,
| and at these there is sometimes only six feet
water, when there is ten everywhere else.-
This forces boats engaged in the trade to load
| ealy 10 such depth, while, If these obsruc-
tons were removed, they could ship full and
profitable cargoes, without risking accident or
detention.
The presen, agitation Of The subject is not
going to fall again into neglect, until result
! is obtained that we think cannot but take
shape favorably TO the wishes Of the immense
section of country SO deeply interested. Inc
| Western editors should push on vigorously,
as they seem determined to do, and awaken
the mass Of the people into lively action; for
| we feel persuaded the effort need but be
well and properly made, TO obtain from Con-
qress an appropriation every way equal to the
magnitude Of the proposed object.-New Or
leans Picayune.