The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1847-07-27
LETTER FROM Gov. WRIonT. T.
CANTON, Nav 81, IML

"AON3 "A"y "a, AVf$
GENTLEMEN N:-Your circular inviting me
to attend Northwestern Harbor and,River
Convention" to be assembled at Chicago on
the first Monday of July next, was duly re-
ceived, forwarded by Mr.. Whiting of your
committee.
My attention had been previously called
to the subject by the invitation of friend at
your city, to attend the Convention, and gen.
erously rendering me quarters in his family
during its sittings. was forced, from the
state Of my private business, TO inform him
that could not make the journey at the
time named; and the period which has elaps-
ed since declined his invitation has only
tended TO confirm the conclusion pronounced
to him.
Were it possible for me to attend the pro-
posed convention, without an unreasonable
sacrifice, should most gladly do SO, as my
location gives me strong feeling in refer
ence TO the prosperity and safety Of the COM
merce Of the Lakes. The subject of the
improvement Of the Lake Harbors is one
which my service in Congress has rendered
somewhat familiar 10 me in legislative as
,ect, while my personal travel upon the two
over Lakes has made the necessity forthese
improvements manifest to my senses.
am aware that questions of Constitution
al powers have been raised in reference to
appropriations Of money by Congress for the
improvement of the Lake Harbors. and am
we'll convinced that honest men have sin
cerely entertained strong scruples on this
point; but all my observation and experience
have induced me 10 believe that these scru-
pies, where the individual admi,s the power
TO improve the Atlantic Harbors, arise from
the want of acquaintance with the Lakes and
the commerce upon them, and an inability to
believe the facts in relation to that COM
merce when truly stated. 1t is net easy for
one, familiar with the Lakes and Lake Com
merce, tofeaize the degree ofincredulity as
to the magnitude and Importance of both,
which is found in the minds of honest and
well informed men residing in remote por-
tions Of the Union, and having no acguain-
tance with either; while do not reco!lect
an instance Of member Of Congress, who
has travelled the Lakes and observed the
commerce upon them, within the last ten
years, requiring any further evidence or ar
gument to induce him 10 admit the constitu-
tional power, and the proprety of appropria-
lions for Lake Harbors, as much as for those
of the Atlantic coast. have been of the
opinion, therefore, that to impress the minds
Of the people Of all portions of the Union
with realizing sense Of the facts as they
are in relation TO these inland seas and their
already vast and increasing commerce, would
be all that is required TO secure such appro-
priations as the state of the National Treas
ury will, from time to time, permit for the
improvement of Lake Harbors. mean the
improvement ofsuch Harbors as the body Of
Lake commerce requires for its convenience
and safety, as contradistnguished from the
numerous applications for these improve.
ments, which The various conflicting local in
terests upon the shores of the Lakes may
prompt; and make this distinction because
my own observation has shown that applica-
tions for Harbor Improvements, at the public
expense, are made and passed, within dis
tances Of a very few miles, and at locations
where, from the natural position Of the Lake
and coast, good Harbor al either point would
secure 10 the commerce of the Lake all the
conveniences and safety of duplicate i'm.
proyements. Much of the difficulty of OBJ
tanning appropriations grows out ofthese con.
ficting appropriations and the sternness with
which all are pressed as necessary to Lake
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