The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-02-12


commencing to dsvelope its great resources and
to connect by \ network of railroads, the nav
iQable streams with all the Atlantic States
This system Of interommuncation, having for
it's great trunk the Ohio and Mississippi rivers,
lshing In their course thirteen OF the States Of
the Union, and passing through the centre Of
the valley, must greatly increase the number OF
steamboats,, aud the commerce Of the country.
With these facts, the citizens OF the West pre-
sent their petitions, and ask the present Con-
gress to provide means for improving the OBJ
structions to navigation in the Ohio and Misss-
slppi rivers; but more especially TO authorize
the construction of another canal around the
falls Of the Ohio, where the greatest impedi-
ment to navigation occurs, and which is formed
by the projection Of ledge, or bed Of lime
stone rock entirely across the river, extending
about one mile, over which, the river Is increased
in velocity, and causes rapids, with a fall Of
twenty five feet within that distance, thus rem
derng this part OF the stream impossible for
steamboats, except during floods of the river
which occur in the spring and fall
These rapids are now passed by the "Louis-
Vile and Portland" canal, work which was COM
menced in 1925, and completed in 1881. In
this Improvement the United States became
partner with private company, for the purpose,
u
commerce, but which has most signally failed
in accomplishing the purpose for which it was
constructed.
The locks Of this canal are but 1876 feet in
length, and although they might have been use
full in 1875, it is now found that the most profit
able boats for navigating the Ohio and Missis-
sippi rivers are required to be constructed Of
much greater length than the locks; conse-
quently, such boats are confined to the naviga-
ton below the falls and can run above Louis
Vile only when f.eshets occur to pass them over
the rapids thus the trade and commerce Of the
upper Ohio labors under great disadvantages,
and embarrassing delay with every trip Of the
larger class Of boats. The canal is also def
Gent in depth and width, as boats cannot pass
each other, and are frequently obliged to dis
charge freight to reduce their draught of water
to the corresponding depth in the canal, which
often causes delay of one or two days, at
heavy expense to the shippers and owners Of
boats The unfortunate location of the canal
is another objection. The entrance being at an
eddy, the accumulation of sediment from the
water OF the river requires constant removal by
a dredging machine, and after high water this
obstruction causes great delay in passing boats
Great caution and skill are also required to
steer boats into the entrance of the canal at the
head of the falls to avoid the rocks which form
the rapids of the river. In short, the whole
work is insufficient in point of size, and made
quate to the present requirements OF commerce
In other words, the trade of the river has long
since outgrown the dimensions of the canal,
and another suited to the commerce Of the coun-
try is indspensably necessary
The petitioners advert also to the unjust ex.
actions Of toll which have been levied for the
l.
sum of two millions Of dollars sum more than
double the cost of the canal; in which the gov
eminent has participated as the principal pro-
prietor.
Memorials to Congress for the last ten years
have been repeatedly presented, praying for re-
lief, and although these petitions set forth the
facts, and proved by correct data, that steam
boat of three hundred tons burden, plying be-
tween Cincinnati and st. Louis, making regular
trips, and paying the lawful toll of fifty cents
per ton each passage, would amount to 6 per
cent on the cost Of the boat; and if six years in
the trade, the amount Of toll would equal the
original cost of the vessel. Still year after
year the abuse has been continued. 1t must
therefore be admitted that the Western people
have exhibited great forbearance in submitting to
this tax, and yet, it does not form the principal
objection, and would still be paid cheerfully if
the canal were adapted to the passage of such
vessels as are required in the trade between
Pittsburg and New Orleans.
Another inducement for more spacious canal
around the falls is, that in a case of war, which
would render unsafe the shipment Of the pro-
duets of the South by the mouth Of the Missis-
sippi to the Atlantic States, the cotton and su-
gar would then be thrown upon the interior
channels, and pass up the Ohio river, where it
would meet with delay of months in passing
the falls. For it will be seen by calculation,
that the tonnage of the sugar and cotton crop
Of one year would require two such canals as
the present one to be in constant operation for
the passage of these two staples of the South.
Now, upon what grounds do these petitioners
claim the aid of the United States?
They justly claim that the whole Union is
deeply interested in the navigation of the West
ern waters. That this proved by the immense
commerce of the West, which is now sought by
every avenue tina. can be constructed from the
Atlantic States to intersect the lakes and rivers
of the valley of the Mississippi They claim
that the government being the largest land
ed proprietor would receive the greatest
benefit from the increased value Of land. They
also state that the proceeds Of sales of the pub
lie domain within the Western States has
amounted to more than one hundred millions of
dollars. That these sales have been made by
the enterprise and industry of those who set
tied on the wild lands, prostrating the forests
and building upcities and villages, consequently
bringing into market large disricts-thus build
ing up an internal empire by their own exertions
They claim that the West has not received a
tythe OF the appropriations which they were
justly entitled to receive, and of more than one
thousand millions of dollars which the govern
merit has used in expenditures, very small
portion has reached the West, on the contrary,
large sums have been yearly avished to build
up other national improvements, and no objec-
tons were made by the West Western mem
bers have given their votes freely for the i'm
provement of Eastern rivers, whilst the United
States was receiving from toll gatherer at the
falls of the Ohio, an enormous tax for passing
natural impeachment in the river, which is beyond
the control Of individuals, OF States, and exclu
sively under the jurisdiction Of the general gov
eminent.
Let a more enlarged and liberal spirit be diff
fused by this Congress, Let the government