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

I
Should this take pace, there woulG
seem TO be little reason to doubt the sui
dciency of water for all purposes. And
when we consider the agricultural capaci
lies of the vast REGAIN whose products
may be borne upon this canal, and the
facilities Afforded for the manufacture oil
-four. and other articles in connection
with the navigation, we look upon TIL:
general arrangement for the creation OF
hydraulic power, as having an intimate
connection with the business of the canal
as well as with the increas Of population,
and the advancing value of the lands.
We are aware that ii must take time ia
accomplish great ends, But it would not
seem to us extraordinary if the mill pow
er on the banks of this canal should prove
to be a focus into which the wheat upon
this long line Of navigation should centre
from great distance, to be manufactured,
and then reshipped for market; nor
would it be deemed remarkable if il
should create other branches Of business,
alike favorable to the revenue and the
prosperity ofahe canal. Whatever course
may be pursued, however, in regard to the
Calumet, the power from Juliet, south
ward on the line, will be quite equal up
on the old plan.
We will not 90 into any estimate of
the magnitude OF this power, but content
ourselves with Observing, that at several
points ii Is capable of being made very
great, as the waters Of lhree large rivers
may be commanded. In urging The ne
cesSly Of securing thesc feeders, we take
things as we find them, and do not intend
thereby TO approve or disapprove of the
original policy of combining diversity of
Objects IN the enterprise. But we cannot
east our thoughts forward into the future,
without feeling the conviction, that this
walcr-power will eventually cover the
banks OF this canal, with grea, popula-
ton and business. Even this considera-
ton, however, would not induce us TO re-
commend the construction of an expensive
feeder, If we did not believe lha, the bes,
interests of all concerned demands a sup.
ply Of water which will be ample under
any contingency that may occur.
Having stated folly the original plan Of
operations, and the notifications propo-
sUd, it now remains for us to make known
the conclusions which we have reached
by our investigations. We are then OF
opinion,
FIRST, That the lands reserved, and
laid out into city lots at Chicago and La
Sale, if brought gradually into the mar
ket, as the increased population demands
them, will be a valuable source OF revenue.
Second, That as much money has been
expended in preparing sites Tor the en-
ployment of hydraulic power, and as the
value Of the town lots from i.ockport To
Juliet inclusive, are chiefly dependent
upon It's introduction, the completion Of
the arrangement will be good economy.
Ihird, That all the feeders which have
been proposed ough, to be constructed, as
they will create a great and valuable by
draulic power, which, when brought into
use, will add to the business and revenue
of the canal, as well as promote the in
crease of capital and population.
iowih, That although we have not the
presumption 10 estimate in dollars the
value of property dependent upon as many
contingencies as this is, yet it appears to
us, that It's location, the arrangements
made in regard to it, aud in lis connection
with navigation, are all circumstances
well calculated to invite population and
capital to the banks of the canal and it
seems to us that it can scarcely fail 20
have an important value, if managed with
judgement and sagacity we therefore
give 1t as our opinion, that it constitutes
substantial item Of property pledged,
aud may be safely regarded as having an
intrinsic importance, which will keep
pace with the growth Of The country that
may be realized.
In addition TO the general map Of the
canal territory, we had prepared in con-
noAion with it, maps seyoralIy Of the city
Of Chicago, and the towns of Lockporl,
Ottawa, aud La Sale, exhibiting the man
ncr in which they are laid ont, and both
the lots sold and unsoId. They are to.
gother in one cover, numbered eight.
Having now disposed of the lands,
town lots, aud hydraulic power, it re-
mains to offer such remarks as seem to
be important IN regard TO the
CANAL, AND IT'S PROBABLE IN.
COME.