Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1849-07-13
From the Buffalo Express.
NORTHERN WISCONSIN.

NORTHERN WISCONSIN.
| Perceivinp that the steamboat Michigan is
up for second trip to Green Bay, on the Sec
ond of July, we are reminded Of a long post
poned intention to say something of the great
change in the course of trade which it looks
probable will follow from the improvement
| of the navigation of the Wisconsin and Fox
/ Rivers, whose outlet in Lake Michigan i S at
Green Bay. The State authorities are now
/ letting the contracts for several locks and
dams on the Fox River, and those not ready
I to be let are being surveyed and prepared for
contract. The excavation between the Wis
consin and Fox Rivers, at Fort Winebago,
and the locks at that place, are now under
contract. A powerful floating steam dledge,
the engines Of which have been constructed
| in this city, and will, we understand, be sent
up in the Michigan is far advanced in its con-
struction, and Will be employed in removing
any bars that may obstruct the navigation Of
either river.
The means to carry on the work are obtain
ed from some 400, 900 acres of land. given by
Congress for that purpose, and there seems to
be no doubt that the appropriation will be suf-
ficient, SO that the work, when completed,
will be without incumb rance Of debt; and as
the Constitution of Wisconsin is very rigid
1 in its provisions against the creation Of debt,
/ 1t is reasonable to expect that tolls viii be
imposed upon property passing the rivers or
locks, for the purpose of meeting payment Of
interest Oh fuudal debt.
So far the estimates made by the Engineer
have proved to be faithful, and contracts have
/ been invariably taken at less than mis- figures.
4 spirited competition exists on the two sides
| of Fox River, between Lake Ninebago and
| Lake Michigan, (where all the heavy work is)
between owners Of property, for the location
/ . - IL 4 Il
river, so much so. that at Depere the owner
! of the property on the east side of the river
has agreed TO construct the lock for nothing.
This will produce a large saving to the I'M
provement fund, and leaves no doubt of its
completion. Indeed, II appears to one fami-
lar with the Fox river between Lake Winnie
I bago and Green Bay, as if the improvement
/ Of the water power on that river, and It's con-
nection with the lake navigation and with the
vast and fertile agricultural region west Of 1t,
would compel the owners Oft the property there
to make dams and locks required at their own
| expense, ifgovernment should neglect to pro-
vide the means.
/ hree years from this spring is the time
allotted for the completion of this work; but
the public mind is becoming impatient of de-
! lay, and seeks an earlier use Gifts advantages,
and may press its earlier completion. Until
/ it is completed entire, the common course of
trade will continue in its present channels, for
the policy OF the State has been to construct
the whole work together, so that no section
shall use it earlier than another. But the at
tention of the people at the west has been
turned to this channel of communication and
they are beginning to use it already A steam
boat now runs regularly up and down the
Wisconsin, and viii be able in year from
now to pursue her course through the canal
at Fort Winebago, and down the Fox River
into Lake Winebago, al Oshkosh, and with
in thirty miles of Green Bay. The class of
boats used in this navigation is the same as
that which passes the rapids of the MISSISSIPPI
pi, between Galena and St. Louis; so that
Lake Winnebago at Oshkosh will be in init
mate connection with the Mississippi at ST.
Louis and Galena. A portage Of ten miles
will serve TO unite this navigation with that
OF Lake Michigan, twenty miles up the Fox
Rlver, until the rocks around the principal
rapids are being constructed.
The advantages of this route to emigTants
are apparent and decided. The distance to
Green Bay is less than to Sheboygan, with
the advantage that at the former place you
have safe, easy, and cheap landing in all
weathers; while at the latter. in bad weather;
you cannot land at all and the charges for
dockage are the subject of complaint. A G..
bay, the connexion with the interior will be
by steamboat navigation while at Sheboy-
gan, the communication Is over the most exc
cradle roads In the world. Nearly all the
public lands now taken in Wisconsin are In
the Green Bay lanl district consequently
nearer to that place than to any other land Of
fee.
The typographical features of the country
IaveTsed by the Fox and Wisconsin rivers
are remarkable. The Wisconsin rises far at
the North. near the lake of the Woods, and
becomes navigable 40 miles from its mouth.
At Fort Winebago It changes its course from
south, to a south-westerly Direction. At this
place the Fox river, after running from its
head in nearly parallel direction to the Wis
conslE, also devIates TO north-easterly course.
SO that the two rivers, in their new course,
from prolonged line, the one of the other.
About 100 miles from Fort Winebago, the
Wolf river enters the Fox. This is the main
river, and truly noble stream Il. too, rises
tar 70 the north, and Is naylgable by steam