Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1845-01-13


ute TO arrest any unwise legislation on this
subject.
The particular vans of the Territory,
which may claim your attention, are within
your own knowledge, and require no sIg-
gest:ons from me: SHALL contont myself,
therefore, in referring TO some general sub
Jecis, aud presenting them. as briefly as
possible, for your consideration. In regard
to many of these, you can do no more than
to memorabilia Congress for such aid, as
their merits en:ilc them TO receive, and the
necessities of the Territory require.
1t has been the policy Of the country, and
1t Is in accordance with the spirit of our
political institutions, TO rely on the militia
for defence on great and sudden cmergen-
cles. With an extended frontier, and with
different tribes of Indians within our limits,
II seems to me that more efficient organ-
cation of the militia is necessary for our
protection. would not recommend TO al
ter the present system, so as 10 make it bur-
densomc TO the people, but merely render
II efficient for the exigenc;es illltmay arse.
AT present we have no sufficient returns of
the numerical force of the militia, 10 enable
us 10 receive from the General Govern
Inent the quota Of arms to which we should
otherwise he entitled, The remedy for the
evil suggested is left TO your better judy
men'.
No portion Of the Union is more advan-
ia geously situated for an extended & con-
omical system oc Internal Improvements
than this Territory; and during its minority,
the General Government ought TO make lib
eral appropriations for that object. The
same liberal,y which has been extended to
other portions Of the country, would be
sufficient TO accomplish all that we could
desire. These improvements have here
toforc been blough, to the notice Of the
Legislature by my predecessors, and mos;
cordially recommend them t. your consic-
Grafton. The one which, in my Jud &C.
ment, requires your early attention, Is the
improvement oil the navigation Of the Fox
and Wisconsin rivers. 1t seems as if ma
ture designed them as great public tho
roughfare, and bat little effort Oh this part
of man is necessary 10 its accomplishment
In this Improvement great national interest
are involved; AMI the general Government
for lis own convenience, in peace and war.
ought TO undertake it without delay. A
bill for this purpose passed the Sen,te OF
The United States, at its last session, by an
almost unanimous vote, after the most full
and ample discussion of its merits, but was
losl in the llous, of Representatives Tor want
IF sutiicen, time to act upon it. 1t is TO be
hoped that it vii. receive the favorable &C
lion of Congress at its present session.
The interests of the Territory seem i'm
pcriously 10 demand the construction Of a
railroad, or other communication from some
suitable point on Lake Michigan to the
Mississippi river. Much difference Of opin-
ion seems 10 exist, as to what II shall be,
and how il is TO be accomplished. There
is general impression that the constr uc-
lion ef the Milwaukee and Rock River
Canal, which was intended to connect those
waters, is abandoned. 1t remains TO be
seen what shall BE- substituted for it. This
is Il question for your determination. Tha,
something ought TO be done, no one can
doubt would only add, that if there
should be any legislss We action on this sub,
ject, care should be taken that no injustice
be done TO the settlers and occupants of the
Canal lands"
In this conncxion invite your attention
TO the subject of rolds generally, and to
other chlnEels of iniercommun;cation
am we'll awire th,t in new country, it re-
quires considerable time to mike the roads
even passlbly good. Nevertheless, very
much depends on the character of The pop
ulaiion, and sill more on right direction
being given to the public mind, whether the
importance Of having good roads occupy a
large or smll shire of pablo attention.
The farmer Justly regards it as a matter OF
the highest concern, that he should SO man.
age his farm, as 10 enable him TO reap abun-
dant crops. But, what are the crops worth
beyond the wants of his own household, il
he has no mlrket for his surplus, and how
can he have a marke', if his distance from
the point to which il would naturally 60, and
the condition of the roads be such, as to
mike the price he receives less than fail
remuneration for his labor? Does this not
render his surplus valueless, and thus take
from him all motive for growing more than
his own wants require?
The Territory, Tor Inc want OF adequate
revenues of its own, must rely on the Gene
raj Government for means to construct the
principal channels of i1telcommunlcat!on
whether by roads or canals. The United
States, as the great land proprietor, can vel
afford 10 advance the means required And
the Evorable action of Congress should be
invoked for such objects. Portions of the
Territory, it is believed, are we'll adapted &c
the construction of plank roads. These
roads have been in use for long time in
Russia, and have more recently been intro
duced into Clnada. 1t is worthy of cons!d
Grafton, how far they may be profitably con
structcd through the ,iinbered regions o
Wisconsin.
The commerce of Lake Michigan is IA
p;dly increasing. Additional harbors are
required for the protection of property and
the lives of those engaged in lis navigation
Appropriations have been made by Congress:
fol the construction of harbols at Miwau
kie, Racine and Southport, and will nc
doubt be continued TO their completion
There is still Il long line of coast from Mil
: waukic 10 Green Bay, where appropriation;