Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1851-01-09

receive 2Lca fetl:.DtC CFtlcts@t ~ t-S-t
| clarac,er. as may ne presented b. tie
state authorities and as nlany or tine iands
were surveyed AZ dry seasons, all tie land
Of that character is not represented on the
plat of survey This being an important
grant, and should you deem 1t OF sufficient
Importance to the interests OF the State
TO have all these lands ascertained, L would
recommend that authority be given the
| Executive to have the necessary examln-
atlons made. and the means placed at his
! disposal to meet the expenses TO be incur
red
The Improvement of the Fox and Wis
consin rivers is progressing as rapidly as
the limited means, arising from the sale of
the lands granted by Congress for this OBJ
! ject, will admit
The Portage Canal and Locks, the Rap
lde Croche the Rapide des Pierre, and the
Rapids at Lake Wiunebago it is expec
ted viii all be completed and ready for
navigation at the commencement of next
/ season
The amount of excavation by the dredge
boat, required for the Improvement of the
upper Fox river, has far exceeded the O.
riginal estimates of the Chief Engineer
and Board of Public Works This sec
ton Of the Improvement could not have
been affected without its aid, and it has
answered all that was claimed at its con
struction. It is now within three or four
miles of the Portage, andsSwill reach that
point early next season.
A portion Of the dam at the Rapide
! Croche was carried away by the ice du-
ring the last winter, and the lock pits at
the Rapide des Pierre is required to be
sunk deeper, to secure at all times sufi-
cient depth of water.
Whether the situation Of these works
! is the result of fortuitous circumstances.
or the want of the exercise OF proper iudg-
ment Oh the part of the officers having
/ them in charge, | cannot now inform you
The Board of Public Works in whom |
have the utmost confidence, have been in
structed by me to give the causes Of these
accidents a searching investigation
The rapids at the Grand Chute and the
Cedar Rapids, were placed under contract
IN May last, and the works commenced
with rigor and their estimated cost So GOO
dollars OF this grant 1928 2I-l00
acres have been selected, approved and of
fered for sale The sales Of these lands
are as follows
( Sold in 1919 up to Jan. IS, 1850, 45,S9l-
! I4-l00 acres for SO, Il9 dollars and 50 cts.
Sold in 1850 up to Dec. p, 1850, 42.4Sl-
/ 90-l00 acres for 50, l6l dollars and 20 cts
Making the number of acres sold So
! 373 0i-l00, and leaving unsold 44,352
! l7-l00 acres, q considerable portion of
which is supposed to be waste aud unsafe
able
Of this sum 1924 dollars and 63 cts
was expended during the year l849 and
38I49 II cts in 1850 to September I'd,
( the date of the last report
In consequence Of the lands now selec-
ted and in market not selling readily, the
Board of Public Works suspended the
prosecution Of the work ut the Grand
Chute and Cedar Rapids, until the prior
contracts were completed or the residue
of the grant could be made available
The action of Congress necessary to
enable the residue of the grant TO be Sc
lected, has not been had The aid of the
representatives Of this State. in behalf of
this object, has been solicited and it is
believed that Congress will pass the re-
! qUiSl1e act at It's present session.
The Board are actively engaged in exam
lining into the situation and condition of the
Improvement and making up their annual re-
port showing the transaction Of this branch of
the Public service during the year, which
when received will be transmitted to you.
The raPid;ty with which the Fox river val
! ley has been settled, by an enter priSing and III
dustrious people, and the increased commerce
upon this stream since the commencement of
/ the work, has demonstrated its value as a
channel Of internal communication TO q large
section of our State. 1t commends itself,
therefore, to your favorable consideration.
/ 1t will be your duty to elect the Board of
! Public Works and the Stale Land Officers
as the terms of service of the present incun-
bents expire during your present session.
I The act of Congress authorizing the people
of this State to form a Constitution and State
Government, grants to the State all Salt
Springs not exceeding twelve, with six sec
tons of land contlgl Gus as may be 10 each, TO
be selected within one year after the admission
Of the State.
( As Salt Springs have not been discovered in !
the State, these lands have not been selected -
other States having had the benefit Of siin
lar provision, it is just that we should be the !
recipients of the liberality Of Congress to an |
equal extent, although we may have no Sail
Springs. Your Memorial Is therefore urged |
asking Congress TO change the grant, dlrec.
ting an equal quantity to be located for the use /
of the State, without reference to its saline |
character.
The enumeration Of the inhabtasts Of the /
State has been completed, under the direction /
of the National Government, copies of whjct |
have been filed 5y the Marshal in tine ono,
# the Secretary Of State, abstract Of whtc /
accompanies his report
the population OF the State on the Isl u |
June was 305, sos.
The returns Of this census, presents a graz
flying view Of the prosperity and growtl o
our State in every department OF industry anu |
enterprise.
The Cons tuition declares that the legisla- /
ture shall apportion and district anew the mem |
beTs Of the Senate and Assembly at their frs |
session after each enumeration Of the inhah |
itants made under the authority Of the STAT
or the Unlied States. Your NOTICE IS directen |