The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1845-06-20

4
interior of the country, through
which ships of.war could pass in sc.
curity without molestssion from oul
guns or soldiery. The same reason
controlled the location of the Wei.
land canal. The first plan termina-
ted the work in the Niagara river
But it was discovered that while this
would answer all the purposes o
trade and commerce in peace, il
would expose their ships to the at
tacks from the American shore il
war. This consideration induced {
change of location through the int.
rior of Upper Canada remote from
the American line. These canal:
enable the British to spread THEN
fleets over the whole chain of the
Northern Lakes, and put all the
towns and cities on the American
shore, from Sacketts Harbor to Chi
cage, at the mercy of the enemy
In view of these facts, who car
doubt the purposes of their construc-
ton, that they were designed as
war measures-and offensive war al
that? This country engaged in wa,
with Great Britain-thc whole line
of lakes in the possession of the enc
my, what is to become of all our
steam boats and vessels-produce
and observation-disclosures and cities
upon the Lakes? This is grave
question, addressing itself, in the
spirit of patriotism, to the govern
ment and people In behalf of the
lives and property of the citizens,
and the honor and integrity Of the
country. No portion of this rcpub-
lie should be thus exposed to the
ravages and subject to the tender
mercies of any rival powcr-and es-
pecially one whose Jealousy of our
growth has engendered relentless
hostility to our future progress.
There is a remedy for these evils,
plain and simple-adequate and eff
ficient-and it is the duty of the
government to apply it promptly and
without delay. The means which
have given them power, will give
us the acknowledgement, the exclu-
sive control of the whole chain of
Lakes. Let our government inter-
pose canal against canal-ships a.
gainst ships-Navy yards against
Navy yards, and the work is done.
Open a ship canal from Lake Michi-
gan to the Illinois and Mississippi
rivers, and the whole American fleet
can pass from the Gulf of Mexico
into the Lakes; then establish Ma
Wy yard at Chicago for the construc-
ton and repair Of ships, and fortify
the straits of Mackinaw till they
shall be as impregnable as Gibralter,
allowing no enemy to pass or repass,
and the joint occupation of the Nor
thern Lakes, unlike that of Oregon,
can be terminated without a years
notice! With the straits of Macki-
nav closed against the enemy, but
open to the free ingrcss and egress
of our own ships, Lake Michigan,
with all her ports, bays and inlcts,
would constitute grand harbor for
our vessels, inaccessible to the foe
by water or land. All its shores be-
ing within our own territory-dense-
ly peopled with hardy, brave and
patriotic population, possessing with.
in themselves the means of support
and defence, would form, like the
walls Of China, an impossible bar
rler to the approach of the enemy.
Your Navy yard at Chicago-your
vessels upon the stocks-your de-
pots of coal, provisions and arms,
would be as secure as within the
walls of fortress.
That too would be the most con-
venient point, and easy of access
rom the interior, with materials of
construction and supplies for the
orces. Beef, pork, wheat, flour, ev-
cry description of provisions, exist
n abundance in the immediate vicin-
ty, and now find their way there as
he natural depot for shipment.
Lumber of the finest quality in the
world and of any desirable amount
md all the varieties used in the con-,
'truction of vessels, except live oak
s to be had upon the immediate
banks of the Lake, and in the midst
If inexhaustible water power and in
Vulnerable mills. Live oak, it is
veil known, is only to be found on
he Gulf of Mexico, principally in
louisiana and Florida, and can be
'rought up the Mississippi and ILL
lois and through the canal to Chica-