Weekly miners' express. (DuBuque, Iowa) 184?-1849, 1848-11-07
DUBUQUE AND KEOKUK RAIL
ROAD


from taking any notice Of the laudable ef-
forts which have been, and are now be-
ing made at Dubuque and other Points on
the line, for the survey ola Rail Road
from Dubuque TO this City and which, if
may Judge from the spirit manifested by
those who are moving in the matter, is
likely to be accomplished, Our silence
on the subject has not been the result Of a
lack of interest in The commencement and
progress to completion. While we cannot
conceive tina! the completion Of the pro-
posed work will prove Of any material
advantage 10 our city, we think that eve
ry assistance possible should be given to
the proposed improvement. 1t must be
confessed, that while our city maintains
its present relative position to all other
towns in the State, no work Of public
nature is requisite to render her, at no
distant day, the Queen Of the Upper Mis-
sisslppi, but that is no reason why her CT
tizens should refuse to lend helping
hand in the promotion Of the interests Of
less favored regions FOUR State. Expe-
rience has fully shown that the Mississippi
pi river above this point cannot be relied
upon with safety for the conveyance Of
the products Of the upper country to mar
ket, the consequences Of which are plain.
ly to be seen in the many beautiful situa-
tlons in the upper country, now in their
wild and natural state, which would have,
ere this, been in high state Of cultiva-
ton, were there ample conveniences for
the conveyance Of their surplus products
to market. But few years ago, and
since we claimed the proud appella,ion Of
citizen Of Iowa, our steamers on their
downward trips were laden exclusively
with lead, the products Of but small dis
trict of the upper country, and in ascend
ing the river their cargoes was exclu-
sively confined to the indispensable arli-
ces of food, clothing, &c, for that region.
But mark the change 1T is now no I'M
usual sight to see from fifteen to twenty
barges heavily laden with wheat, flour,
pork, lard, corn, oats, and divers other
articles, the products of the northern re-
giou, seeking market in the less pro-
ductive regions Of the south and east. We
will admit, that from the peculiar location
of our city, the construction of Rail
Road will reduce the amount necessarily
contributed to the wealth Of this section
of country upon the quantity shipped, but
it will give an impetus to the trade Of the
upper country, which will so increase bu-
siness, tina; a larthing upon one hundred
dollars will be greater advantage than
all that which is now received for the
great amount Of labor necessary to be
performed in the transportation of mate
rails Of commerce over tine Rapids. Tho
Rail Road, in our opinion, instead OF ma
king the trade Of the Upper Mississippi
less, would greatly increase it. Does the
question arise in the mind of any one as
to how it can fail to reduce it? If so, we
will tell them. By the commencement Of
a Rail Road, under such guaranty Of
completion as TO inspire confidence in the
general mind, will create rush for farms
and locations in the vicinity of the line,
so, before it can possibly be completed,
the increase Of trade on the river will be
such that instead Of the number of vessels
now engaged on the river being compe-
tent for the trade thereof, two will be en-
ployed where but one is now amply sur-
fcient. Our State is but just now begin
ming to develope it's resources, so bv the
assistance Of art in bringing her now re.
mote regions Of easy access to market, we
shall soon find the back country blooming
like garden Of roses, and all branches
Of industry thriving. 1t is foolish IDEA
in some hereabouts, and many others at a
distance, that the prospects Of our city
are too b|ighted by any improvements
that ecu be made, and were it otherwise
we should Pity the heart that was so small
in generosity as 20 wish to see the whole
upper country suffering for want Of a lit
tie improvement which might interfere
in small degree with the growth and
prosperity Of Keokuk. But as we sat
down not for the purpose Of descanting
upon rail roads or our county, we will
proceed to the performance Of The task
without further ceremony. In almost ev-
cry county on the line, meetings have
been held 10 further the object. We sec
by the last number Of the "Express,' at
Dubuque, that at a meeting held in that
city on the 18th inst, in which many OF
the sterling inhabitants participated, an
association was formed, and method OF
obtaining means devised, as the second
article Of association declares, for the
purpose Of securing "the immediate sur
vey Of the route through Dubuque county
and 10 aid in accomplishing the speedy
construction Of Rail Road from Dubuque
to Keokuk on the route recommended in
the Memorial OF our last General Assem-.
bly, TO Congress"
Other counties will doubtless Join, and
we suggest to cur citizens the propriety
Of adopting, at an early day, measures to
secure the cooperation of our county in
the work.-[Dispatch, of Oct. &c. rsE4-
EXTRA PAY TO VoLUNrEERs--Maj Wal,
ker, Paymaster Of this Department, has
received instructions to pay, as rapidly
as possible, the Extra Pay due to the Vol.
unteers in Col. Doniphan's Regiment oil
Cavalry, those commanded by Col. Will.
Jock, the Battalion of Light Artillery.