Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1846-07-28
FOX RIVER IMPROVEMENT.

AT Mass Meeting Of the citizens of the
several counties upon the Valley of the
Fox River, held in the village of Roches-
ter, Wisconsin,; on the 10Th day Of July
inst, for the purpose of cooperating
with the citizens of Illinois in their az.
tempts TO make Fox River navigabe by
means of slack water navigation, pursuant
TO public notice PREVIOUSLY given, Hon.
WIN. BERRY was called to the Chair.
and ALBEIT G.. COLE, Of Burlington,
appointed Secretary.
The object of The meeting having been
stated by the chair
On motion E. Perkins, Esq, commit
tee Of five were appointed by the chair, to
make Report TO the meeting as to the ex-
pedencv of responding TO the calls of the
citizens Of Illinois, in their attempts TO
make the said Fox River navigable.-
Whsroupon the chair appointed E. Perkins
Esq, Richard Ella, N. Il. Norton, Samuel
Chapman and Phlo Bclden, as such COM
mttee, who having retired for that purpose,
IN short time returned and presented to
the meeting, through their chairman, E
Perkins, the following Report
Your committee do respectfully recon-
mend hearty response to the calls of Kane
and Mcfienry mass meetings, held in June
last, requesting the CO operation Of the citi-
zens living i'll the Valley of the Fox River
and west Of it, in Wisconsin, in the effort
TO make this river Eavigable for steamboats,
drawing moderate depth of water, (say two
feet,) whereon a heavy and profitable
business may be done from the junction at
Ottawa 10 the forest districts in Wisconsin,
near 40 miles.
From this river or from Muskego lake 10
some point on Lake Michigan, less than 30
miles, lateral canal (f practicable, and if
not railroad would open great thorough
fare OF cheap and expeditions communica-
ton 10 ST. Louis, where most of the heavi-
est articles Of merchandise may be purchas-
ed cheaper than in New York. On said
river any person can put his small or large
boat, or raft, for the towing of which there
will be abundant competition.
And we urge the adoption of the senti-
ments expressed in the reports of those
meetngs--that this improvement is practi-
cable and expedien. being within the means
Of those who are 10 be benefited thereby,
both in the State and Territory, as it will
greatly enhance the value Of al surplus pro-
duce and real estate west of Fox river, by
cheapening the transportation Of all mer-
chardise, lumber and produce passing TO
and from Lake Michigan by this route,
which will be a nett saving to the grower of
produce, and consumer merchandise and
lumber, to the value of two.thirds of pres
emit cost of transportation; which will amount
20 sum sufflcieni,upon every load equal in
weight 10 40 BUSHES of wheat, to purchase
two acres OF land at Government price. Ii
is ascertalned that 400,0 0O bushels of wheat
were raised in McHenry county in the yoar
lS45, and we doubt not that this saving in
transportation 10 those benefited would de-
fray the whole expense of making the i'm
provements, were it to be done yearly, for
on this river there will be no rock excava-
ton, and but little of earth, except to re-
move sand bars and perhaps to maxi some
cuts across the windings of the river. TO
shorten distance. We shall need no EN-.
bankments-no acqueducts-no cuyerfs-
no towpaths-( and bridges the public must
erect)-no locks around draws, for there
too the owners must work to remove OBJ
structions upon navigable streams; and this
they are willing and anxious to do, with
such contributions as may be offered 20 them
Tor this purpose, when by concert Of action
bis great entefnTise can be Effected II