The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1844-05-31

this canal the medium Of great ana per-
manent trade.
The southern and northern routes must
necessarily become competitors Tor the
trade, upon this immense line OF naV'ga,
lion; and the point where the ground
will be undsputed, will depend upon the
kind of merchandise and the charge Tor
freight. Some productions Of the norm
will be in constant demand at the south
while some productions Of the south viii
find an unfailing market in the north, but
those commodities which are destined to
reach Underwater, will take that direction
which will promise the greatest prohl'
The northern will he most esteemed
for provisions and bread smis, as the
heat of low attitudes is found 10 be pre-
judicial. The extensive mills in Canada
and New York, for the manufacture oI
-four, will have also their influence on the
market of wheat, and tend 10 draw It III
that direction. This influence viii also
be felt in greater force when mills shall
be erected on the canal, and the gram be
reduced TO -four before ii is shipped upon
the lakes when works Of this KIND shall
be put in successful operation, it IS not
improbable, that wheat from the Missouri
and the Upper Mississippi viii fluid It's
way up the Illinois river, to he turned m
10 -four, before it receives lis final dcSlln-
alton.
II is supposed, and not without grounds
for the opinion, that the territory along
the canal, and large portion Of the pop
ulation upon the lakes, will be supplied
with sugar and other groceries Irom 81
Louis, New OrIcans, &c; perhaps the
amount of this trade may be over cslma-
ted, but we see no reason to question the
fact. that it will be large.
The scarcity Of wood will also make
coal a great article Of commerce, an album
dance Of which exists upon the Illinois
river, and il has also been discovered near
the canal at Ottawa.
We have already stated the facts, that
the territory bordering upon the canal,
and large portion of the valley OF the
Mississippi, is deficient in timber and
lumber for building, fencing materials,
&c., while much of the region bordering
on the lakes will afford abundant supplies.
The trade in this article through the ca.
nal, must necessarily be great, as well as
that in salt, which will be derived chiefly
from the manufactures in New York.
Present indications favor the opinion,
that the supplies Of merchandise purchas.
cd in the northern cities, will find their
way through the canal, and descend as
low as St. Louis, before they will meet
decided opposing current Of trade.
II the trade in provisions and flour Is
drawn through the northern route for any
considerable distance south and west Of
the canal, and the trade in lumber and mer-
chanIize is drawn from regions north Off
to supply the prairie districts, il is mani
fes, tia, the transportation must soon be
large, and, eventually, equal to the anti,
cipalions Of tie most sanguine cacula-
tors.
We are not willing 10 assure the bond
holders that the suggestions here thrown
gu, will be realized, as the trade of tlns
region does, and will luclua,e, Until time,
experience, and capital shall impose upon
it more fixed and determinate laws. We
have collected considerable information
in regard 10 its present action and the
charges for freight; but believing that i'm
proyemeni III transportation, as well as an
increase of population and Of wealth, will,
by their combined action, work changes
which cannot DO fully anticipated, We
have thought that this evidence, while i
might aid in forming opinions, oughtby nc
means TO be received rs conclusive as III,
influences and advantages Of The canal vii
be impeTfectly understood, until they art
felt.
We may add, further, that the popula
ton OF Illinois in 1920 was SIS 600; il
1880, $4,000; in 1910, 100000; anC
it would seem TO be sale TO estimate IT.
annual increase at about ten per cent II
the northern portions, the increase vii
equal this, unless the ratio established b,
pas, experience shall fail.
!, seems to us more satisfactory TO talk
this broad, comprehensive view of ne'
country and its resources, and to draw
from tie facts such conclusions as the,
seem TO us to justify, than 10 attempt
weigh and estimate the present ability
sustain great and expensive work llk
the canal. We would not, however, hay
it inferred from this course of reasoning
that the present population and bushes
have been overlooked or undervalue,
Should the trade passing through ihl