New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1847-07-16

Leffer from Hon. Washington Hun.
LOCEPoEr. June u. II.

LoCgFOEr, June ~. l.47
GENrLENES / had the honor 70 receive your
letter dated Let May inviting 10 attend tn North
Western Hsrb0r and River Convention, which 10 about
70 assemble ~ Chicago.
Ihad hoped 20 be able 70 avail myse Of your friendly
invitation, but private engagements eonpe ne mostre
lucisnsy % relnquish that intention. While ] an de-
prived Of the satisfaction Of participating personally In
the deliberations Of the Convention you viii permit
10 you that shall regard s proceedin.. and re-
suits % the day with the deepest interest The rapid
growth and expansion II our Western Commerce make
IL improbable that the country will for any length Of
time submit % that unioriunat course OF policy which
has caused Cover for some yesrs N discard
Is powers and deny its obi cations IN tnis regard
Whether considered With reference 70 the federal rev
the increase Of our foreign trade or the prospect
~ OF the country large he safe easy aud unobsruci
ed cation Of our Lakes and Rivers "a 40 object Of
national concern As important and Legitimate A. the reg
uisti0n Of our commerce on the ocean.
lie % be hoped that the entire subject may be pre-
scented TO the public on the present occasion enforced
by array Of facts ana arguments which shan eurctua
ly silence parts clsmOr and expose TIRE aosrrdy and
barrenness Of those narrow ADstrseuons which would
constrsin the Government Of the United states 10 close
s eyes 20 the actual progress and destiny OF the country
have been grsrihed 10 observe that all distinctions
Of party bsnshed in this great popular movement
The protection of the lake and river commerce Is one
Of those practical questions OF psryading interest and
general concern which ought never 10 nave been forced
into the arena OF party struggles u IL too large sub
Jet Dc reduced party affair and exposed 30 the
chances OF political huctustion. It requires strong
separate the subjec, from s unnatural connection with
party politics That separation will am persuaded be
among the FIRST and valuable results Of the Conven
ton. Nothing is wanted but an uDequivocal demoustra
t0n Of the popular will % elevate the question shove the
reach of partisan combinations thus dlsarmng ~ once
and forever, that political hostility which hes proved 50
fatal q the cause a public improvement Let ui have
ns divorce 81 great navigating Interest from All
mere party words and theories. Ine time has come
when public men and aspirants for popular National
hOnors must cease 10 sport with those grand National
objects which you seek - advance Ia considering
the general policy OF improvements 10 the navigation OF
lakes and and rivers nope the Convention will not
fail b. turn IL 10 the importance of OPenine
communication suitable for large vessels between Lake
Michigan and the Mississippi and another around the
Falls Of Niagara connecting Lakes Erie and Ontario by
Of ship Canals. These two links added 70 the
great chain which Nature has furnished, will open
complete line of ship navigation from the s. Lawrence
10 the Gulf Of Misunderstanding In IT, course the soil OF
fifteen States OF COnfederacy, and securing direct
channel for foreign commerce 10 every inland state rs
well 20 the States whose shores wstered by the
Atlantic or the Gulf am. gentlemen. with great re-
spect your obedent servant, WASHINGTON HUNT
To n JuDp T. w Tracy &c sc