Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1845-12-23
LAKES UARBORS AND RIVER
IMPROVEMENTS

IIl NOV EN-
The recent Report Of the Secretary Of
War, Gov. Marcy, contains the following on
the important subject of Lake Harbols and
the improvement Of Rivers.
The lakes were almost entirery desti-
tue of Natural labors. Navigation upon
them was exposed 10 imminent perls and
not unlrequenlIy attended witt frighful loss
Of life and property With the settlement
and growth OF the western country, the
commerce. upon these inland seas has rap
idly increased, and It's es.ina ed annual u
mount now exceeds in value tue cniile ex-
potts o. the products and manufactures Of
the United States TO all foreign counties.
An interest Of this magnitude, daily aug
menting, in which SO many States, and So
large potion our citizens participated,
t naturally commanded the attention of Con-
gfess, and properly received is fostering
care, Safe harbols were much needed; and
a system OF Improvements, with 4 view to
| poWde them, was commenced in lt2l.-
The total amount expended upon these
harborS is $2,8GI,!Gi. The objects to
which these appropriations have been APP
phi Land the amounts Of them from IS 4
TO the p cscnt time, are specified in the an
neXcd report, together with an estimate Of
the tu!ther sums rcqu red for the ensuing
fiscal year. The works, so far as they have
been prosecuted, give abundant assurance
that the anticipated advantages will, in the
| crd, be realized 10 the fullest extent Ii
may be proper 10 remark that these improve
monts are not withcu, benefi, in military
point Of view. Should ii ever become nee
ossary to have a naval force upon these
! lakes the numerous and commod.o Gus hlr-
bors thus provided by the al Of the gov
| eminent will contribute 10 lis safety and sue
cessfnl operations. Besides, there are now
employed in tie commerce Of these lakes a
great number Of large-s zed and stOutly-bullt
! ste; mors, which would not have been pa-
ced there by individual enterprise, but for
| the safety and accommodation afforded by
these harbors. In case of public emar-
gency, these steamers can be eXpedltously
converted into effective vessels OF war, and
rendered subseryent to military operations.
Nor arc the economy and facility of trans
porting troops, munitions OF war, and sup
! plies, to be overlooked in estimating the
publ C advantages Of The lake improvements.
1t is also sal! that our best seamcn are those
who have been !ia.ned in the navigation of
our lakes.
The number Of lake harbor improvements
authorized by law is twenty SIX. Good
harbors have been made where none exist
ed before; and the expenses OF construction
have not in the whole exceeded the est-
mates prospecively presented. These re-
suits give assurance that the plans were Ju-
dciously conceived, and the work economl-
caly and skiIfjlly executed.
The public usefulness of the improve
ments will be better appreciated, when it
is considered that by means of them most
dangerous navigation has been rendered
comparatively safe. A large shipping
interest has been created upon our
lakes and facilities andl shelter afforded
to a commerce now estimated at one hum
died of millions of dollars annually, and in
creasing with surprising rapidly, in which
| six States are directly, and all sections OF
the county incidcntly interested.
Now is it scarcely less important in COM
mercal or military point of view, that tho
helping hand ofimprovement should be eX-
tended TO the natural avenues for conveying
the abundant productions Of The West 10
the gulf Of Mexico and the Atlantic coast
the Ohio and the Mississippi on the one
side, and the Hudson river on the Cther.-
The progress Of the work on the two for
mer rivers, having for lis main object the re-
moval of distractions, has been in meas
urc, suspended during the past season.
means not having been provided at the last
session Of Congress for that purpose.
Looking 10 the vast interests subscrycd
by this improvement, and 10 lis unqueston-
able public character, scarcely doubt is en-
tertaned that it will be resumed. EST.
mates for its further prosecution are there.
fore submitted in the acco mpanying report
of the chefoftbo typographical engineers.
In the same report will also be found an G.
laborate and interesting exposition Of the
present condition of the Hudson r.ver; ofits
importance in regard 10 commerce aud to
military movements, as one of the main av
enues Of communication from the western
States 10 the sea.boaa, and The channel
through which considerable portion ofthe
trade between these States and the Atlantic
must necessarily pass; Of the q fficuli'es
which now embarass It's navi2 alton In the
vicinity of Albany; of the success OF former
expenditures, land the plans and probable cost
Of further improvements, called Tor ny 50
many and such important public conSide IA
lions.
That PAT, of The report which biings mo |