Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, W.T. [i.e. Wis.]) 1843-1844, 1843-05-06
THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER AND VALLEY
From the Baltimore .9mericcn.

In 'ne report maze ov Mr.. Barrow, oil Louisiana,
from the Committee on Commerce in the Senate
of the United States, during the late session. SONS
statistics are given relative to the trade and resour-
ees of the Mississippi river and valley. Ii may be
worth while TO recapitulate some of these, since
is altogether probable that many Of us in the At
lantc States are really .unacquainted with the &C.
tual extent and growing greatness of that vast re-
gion whose productiveness, yet in its eafly stages
is now supplying and must continue III still greater
degree TO supply the materials of a commerce al
ready great and likely to become unequalled in
rchness, -xaEiety, and amount.
The area of the Mississippi valley includes some
Ave. or six hundred thousand square miles, watered
by about twenty great tributaries OF its chief stream.
The soil of this immense region is fertile, and
stretching from the twenty-nnth degree of latitude
up TO the orir. seventh, it yields in lavish alum
dance almost every variety of production necessa-
ry TO human wants.
The extent of practicable steam navigation with
i'll these limits is not more than twenty thousand
miles Fifty years ago, the mighty streams afford
ing these facilities glided through unbrokon forests
or wild pranies. Painted savages stood upon the
banks and saw their grim features in the water;
the only vessel that skinned their surface the
bark canoe. AT present the region comprises nine
States and two Territories, with a population OF
near seven millions.
Before the introduction of steam navigation,
which dates upon tina waters of the Mississippi a.
bout 1917, the trade of the Upper Mississippi aud
Missouri scarcely existed; and the whole upward
commerce OF New Orleans was conveyed in about
twenty targes, carrying about one hundred tons,
and making bu, one trip year. Each voyage in
those days was about equivalent 10 all East India
OF China voyage now. On the upper Ohio, about
one hundred and fifty keel boats were employed,
each about thirty tons burden; they made trip 10
and flo between Pittsburgh and Louisville about
three times year. The entire tonnage of The
boats moving in the Ohio and lower NJ Mississippi,
was then about $500 tons. In 1884 the steam
navigation of the Mississippi had risen to %.
boats. and tonnage of 80, 600, while about 10000
persons were estimated to be employed'n the trade,
either as crews, builders, woot-cutteTs, leaders
Of the vessels
In 1912 the navigation was as foows:-Therc
were 400 steamers, averaging each 200 tons, and
making an average tonnage of $4,000; so that it
has good deal more than doubled in eight years.
Valued at $50 the ton, they cost above Sl.000,QO0,
and are navigated by nearly $1,000 persons. al 30
TO each. Besides these steamers. are about 1000
fla, boats, which cost each Sl00, are managed by
five hands apiece, Cor 10000 persons,) and maks
an annual expense of 81 ,308,000 The estimated
annual expense of the steam navigation, including
Is per cent. for insurance and 20 per cent. for
wear and tear, is $l3,6 900. II in 1884 they
employed an aggregate of 10000 persons, they
must now employ at least 10000.
The steamers running from New Oheans 10 the
more distant points in the great valley, make from
eight to fifteen trips year; while those carrying
the trade from Pittsburgh, Cincinnati and Louis
vile, 20 ST. Louis perform some thirty annual trips
Others between still nearer ports, and make
more hoquent voyages. AT an average of twenty
voyages year, the collective annual nefght OF
these steamers Gu the western waters would be | y
$780, 900 TONS II 1900 fat-boats, each of rs tons
to Iah ttuin al frat,
of the navigation on those waters exceeds two mill
lions of tons.
The value of the downward trade to New Orle-
ans s estimated at Sl20,000,00G annually; the up
ward or return trade is estimated at 500, O00,090.
Thus the entire value of the commodities convey
ed on the waters Of the Mississippi. amounts, upon
the best estimates, 10 the enormous sum Of tlco
hundred and tlceaty millions Of dollars per alntst
This amount is but thirty millions less Than the en-
tire value of the foreign trade of the United States,
exports and inpoits, in l64l
This vast trade has grown up and expanded nj
little or no expense 10 The nation IN the way OF IA
clitating or protecting it In behalf Of our foreign
commerce, tie Government builds gh; houses and
fortihcations, prepares harbos, maintains anavy,
and regards it in the negotiation of Treaties. The
report presents strongly the claims Of internal
western trade to the attention of the Government.
At ITS prodgious rate Of growth, it must out
I
of The fertile lands of The great Mississippi valley
is yet occupied; the resources of that immense
| gion are comparatively untouched. What viii no,
the next ten years exhibit in new developments Of
National wealth in that quarte
An appropriation of one million of dollars is
asked By the committee for the improvement Of the
navigation of the Mississippi and it's principal til
bitarfes. The annual losses on these rivers
age as much as the amount here called for II is
further stated, that the amount paid for insurance
on the western steamboats, alone. without inc luding
their cargo.s, s equal TO the proposed appFopra-
zion; and great part of the amount thus paid is
required on account Of the dangers Of the navisa-
ton.
Ii was not in vain that these forcible representa-
tinns were made to Congress An appropriation
was voted for removing distinctions from the west
em rivers; bat the amount, we believe, was less
Than the sum asked for by the Senaie's committee.
/ 1t will no doubt henreforh be par Of the policy
/ OF the Government 10 take due OF the vast
inland trade OF the country, as well as Of oar for
eign commerce.
How TO FIGURE UP A WING VIcToRY.-By the
folio @ing chain Of reasoning the Jonesboro' Wing
makes Out wing victory in Monroe county, Ton. /:
"a Mr.. swan, OF the democratic party, has bsen
convicted Of murder in the FIRST degree, III Monroe
county, 10 this State, and sentenced be hong BY
| Iuds. Scott. And Mr. Burton was elected TO the