Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1849-10-18

WHEREAS, the object of this convention composed
OF delegates from the Valley oft Upper Missis.
sippi, is to procure an appropriation for the re-
moval of the distractions to the navigation of the
Rapids, so as to procure a free navigation for
Steamboats,. and other water crafts; and whereas
the surveys and experiments Of Lieut. now Maj.
Lee, demonstrate the practicability Of securing
this by excavating and widening the channel Of
the Upper and Lower Rapids; and whereas we
believe this to be speedy and economical mode
Of removing those distractions and whereas an
expensive and thorough survey ofthe Rapids, hav-
ing been already made and money having been
appropriated by Congress so as to secure the COM
mencement Of this work anc whereas we believe
that large majority OF the people Of the Upper
Mississippi are in favor Of excating and widen
ing the channel Of the Rapids therefore,
RESOLVED, That our Senators and Representatives
in Congress be requested to their influence in
obtaining at an early day adequate appropriation
to remove the distractions to the navigation in the
Mississippi river, and that they urge upon that body
the imperative necessity of making provision to Sc
cure the completion Of this improvement during the
next year.
that the obstructions presented on the upper and
lower rapids Of the Mississippi river are in the
highest degree detrimental to the vital interests of
the whole country watefcd by the Upper Mississippi
and its tributaries.
Rcsolped, that the great landholder OF the coun-
try lying in this and the adjacent States and Terri
tories the direct benefits to the United States from
this Improvement, would far overbalance the expen-
ditures incurred thereby.
Resolved, further, that such improvements are
works which concern the people Of the whole UNI
Aerse and as work of national importance should
be affected at the national expense.
Resofued, that they urge upon Congress the adop-
ton of the plan already commenced and indicated
in the report of Lieut. now Maj Lee, ofthe Corps Of
Engineers, for the improvement of the Lower rap
ids of the Mississippi river and such other plan as
may hereafter be deemed practicable for the inn
rrovement of the Upper rapids of the said river
basing the amount Of appropi iaton the estimates
Of said Lee, with the addition of the extra expense
to be incurred necessarily in the purchase Of such
boats and machinery viii be requisite in recon-
mencing the work.
Resolred, that with the knowledge he possesses
of the work to be done, and the manner Of doing it,
and in consideration OF the confidence we have in
his ability, our Senators, &C., and Representatives
in Congress, are hereby requested to recommend
the re-appointment of Maj. Lee, in the prosecution
of this work.
Reso'ved, that we view the removal OF these OBJ
structions as national work, acknowledged to he
such by all parties, and we hereby further request
our Senators and Representatives. in Congress, to
urge upon that body the reasonableness and neces-
sty Of making the appropriation asked for by sep
arate and distinct bill, thus placing this desirable
Improvement on its own merits. g..
On motion the report was accepted:
Mr. Langworthy, Of Dubuque, moved to adopt re-
port.
Judge Rorer, OF Des Moines, owed to amend, by
adopting the report, and that the resolutions be
sidered severally and adopted-the amendment be-
ing accepted by the mover Of the res olution, the
motion was adopted.
The suggestions of the committee were taken up
and adopted.
The committees contemplated by the suggestions
were then appointed as follows:
Finance committee-Messrs Edwards, Sanders,
Cossett.
Committees on ssstis.ics-a1e..r. Ewing. starr,
Mason.
Committee on Petitions-aIessrs Johnson, Starr,
Espy. Rorer, Butler.
Judge Mason of Burlington, addressed the con-
vention followed by W Starr, Esq.
The committee on Finance reported the sum of
$50, necessary to pay for the printing contemplated
and the amount was collected instanter.
Convention then adjourned until O'Clock.
7o'cLocx, P. M.-The convention met, and being
called to order was addressed by Col. Curtss of
Keokuk, Judge Rorer of Des Mones, Col. Buford Of
Rock Island, Espy of Fort Madison. and Price of
Davenport.
Motion was then made and carried to adopt the
Preamble and Resolutions offered by the committee.
The following resolution was then offered and
adopted -
Resolved, That committee of five be appointed
whose duty it shall be to transmit printed copy of
the proceedings of the convention, the Governors
Of the states of Missouri, Illinois, Wisconsin and
Iowa, and the Governor of the territory of Mime.
sofa with request that the same be by them laid
before their respective Legislatures of those states
and said territory.
The chair appointed said committee as follows:-
Messrs Rorer, Mason, Starr, Edwards and Corse.
On motion Of Johnston,of Fl Madison,
Resolved, that the thanks of this convention be,
and hereby are, rendered to the Presidents and
Secretaries of the same, for the competent manner
in which they have discharged the duties Of their
several stations.
The convention adjourned, sine die.
by order of the convention.
c. H. PERRY, President.
ALFRED SANDERS, and others, Secretaries.
The Public Money, on the 24,h ult.,
was deposited with twenty-seven assistant
trcasurers and repositories. The whole
a,no,,nt tbou IN donoS IL N ,y,s 60 1SE Q1O