Ypsilanti sentinel. [volume] (Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich.) 1843-1900, 1847-07-07
Grand Rapids, Michisan---Its
Growth, Business, &c.
DRrRorr. June Is. ls47.

VA eAnA UhdPANSe MACM1SAHss
Growth, Business. &c.
Correspondence of the N. Y. Tribune.
DETROIT, June Is, lS47.
Since my last letter to you on my return trip
from the West, l have had the pleasure of be-
ing witness to some incidents SO truly charac-
teristic of the universal Yankee nation, that, for
once, can confidently promise you in future
letter something more than s'decidedly rich;''
for the present contentlng myself with slight
sketch of what | have made up my mind to be
the spearpoint, in a business view of the interi-
or of Michigan
The last few weeks have been spent bv me
in what is termed the Grand River Valley lin
which the capital of the State is now leca ted, J
ana and business leading me to the mouth of
Grand River, l necessarily passed through the
village OF Grand Rapids en- route, where was
induced Tor short time to Ieman to inform
myself correctly of the many advantages said
TO be possessed by this town over any other
west OF Detroit, and which by many, it is con-
ndently asserted, will in a few years rival De-
trolt herself. The population exceeds some
what 1900 in number, and was not little
surprised at the difference in the apparent en-
ergy of the business men of the place. as COM
pared TO many of the towns of the South and
Southeast. The river at Grand Rapids be-
comes broad and powerful stream, far exceed
ing in capacity the Genesee in our own State
and not so subject to exceeding low stages of
water, and thereby affording one of the ueru
best water powers in the State or Union, if pro-
perly improved; but as the canal is now situa-
ted, 1t certainly is shabby concern, and can
hardly be entitled to the name of a hydraulic
power, Notwithstanding there are situated upon
it two Touring mills, two foundries, and various
other establishments incident to the developing
resources of the mighty West.
Hon. Lucius Lyon, now Survey orr General
at Detroit, has erected buildings for the manu-
facture of salt. and sunk a salt well some 700
#. from which water is procured, which Yields
from 80 to so bushels per day by boiling and
evaporation. l regard this, however, more as
an experiment than as satisfactorily exhibit
ing the real capacity for manufacturing salt
agree with DIR. Houghton, the late and much
lamented State Geologist, that the Grand Riv-
er Valley contains sufficient saline water to
supply the whole West with this article, if pro-
perly and sufficiently developed.
While at the Rapids l had the pleasures of
attending the laying of the corner-stine of the
Episcopal Church, it being erected with much
spirit and in hansome style by the contractors,
and which viii. be, no doubt, not only a good
ornament to the village bat one of the finest
buildings of the kind in the whole western por-
ton of the State.
1t SO happened that the week | passed at
the Rapids was during the sitting of the Cir
cult Court, Chief-Justice Ransom presiding
Judge, and by the invitation of an acquaintance
made my way to the Court House to see how
justice was dispensed here, as in my peregria-
atoms farther West had seen some amusing
cr0 af f.,I,o al
House was filled, and from the interest mani
tested by the audience | concluded some i'm
portant matter was before the Court: which
proved to be the case, as the attention of the
Court had been called to an application for ex-
GLIDING from the Bar two of its members on
charges of malpractice. The charges were
read and applications filed; whereupon the Judge
very properly took occasion to remark, in strong
terms, upon the dsrepute to which not only
Courts of Law, but the Bar generally, had fall
len, by reason of unworthy members being ad-
mltted TO the privileges of professional men,
The remarks were entirely just, and did honor
to the man who uttered them, standing as he
does among the first, jnrists, and one, if not the
very best Judge of the State, and there de-
nouncing practices tending to degrade pro-
fession which, be it said, that for long years he
has honored. The Criminal Calendar, learned
would present at the ensuing Term formida-
able array.
| would here take occasion to remark that
this village is becoming notorious for transac-
tons not at all reputable to her citizens; and
unless strenuous efforts is made by all good
and true men interested in the welfare and
good repute of that certainly beautiful village,
it will soon become in so notorious disrepute
that persons seeking home at the West will
avoid it as they would the leprosy. hope my
remarks will give no offence to any one of the
very many gentlemen whose acquaintance
was happy to make while there; but would
most earnestly and sincerely say, and as one
who wishes well to this unprecedented -four
ishing town, that unless you take efficient means
to effect radical and thorough reform in this
matter. your village will soon suffer what it
will take years to redeem. Yours, sc.