The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-01-01
LETTER FROM CINCINNATI.
Canal around the Falls-Interests the Great West
KOssuth Invited to Cincinnati-Irish Exiles' Meet

KOssuth Invited to Cincinnaii-Irish Exiles' Meet
ing, &c.
CINCINNATI, December l6, 1851
To the Editor of the National Era.
A vigorous movement is in progress, by the
steamboat owners merchants, and others in
terested in St. Louis, Louisville, and this place
to have the distractions to the navigation of
the Ohio river at the falls removed 1t is well
known that the Louisville and Portland canal
only partially overcomes these difficulties, being
too contracted to admit large boats, such as
are now built and the tolls being so heavy as
to be burdensome. This has, to some extent,
it is said been rendered necessary by the great
cost of the work, which though only about two
miles in length, was, from the nature of the
rocky ground, OF difficult construction, and has
numerous locks, This toll has long been
general ground of complaint and petitions to
both Houses of Congress are now in circulation,
asking that the Government will purchase all
private stock in the present canal, and abolish
the tolls, making the passage free; and thatan
appropriation may be made, sufficient to con-
struct another on the opposite side of the river
capable of receiving the largest vessels built on
the Western waters The locks in the present
canal admit boats no larger than 1875 feet in
length, and of 700 tons burden, while steam
boats of from $50 to 300 feet are now fire.
quently built. In my last letter, spoke of a
new steamer building here, of 300 feet Since
that, ! have seen Il description Of one of yet
grander dimensions building at Louisville, of
345 feet length.
The memorial of the Cincinnati Chamber of
| Commerce presents some valuable statistics in
urging the Importance of this subject 1t APP
bnt 40 pf roll IN no
twenty years the present canal has been in ope-
ration is S2,l99, 1898, of which it is estimated
that Cincinnati pays 100000 annually. 1t is
shown that S65,OOOO0O insyalue of commerce
passes the Falls annually and is affected inuri-
ously by the insuiciency of the canal, high tolls
extra treghts extra insurance, and damage
aud loss. The commerce of the Ohio and
Mississippi rivers is rapidly increasing; every
year adds to the resources and trade of the
Great West and policy looking with COM
prehenslve aim to It's prospective wants ought to
be pursued. The memOralsts hold this enter
prise to be one of national interest, and look TO
Congress as having the right to remove the OBJ
structions complained Of 1t is shame that
while millions of money are yearly expended
by Congress for the protection and extension
offOreign commerce. commercial agents abroad
breakwaters, lighthouses, &c, for our Eastern
harbors the Western rivers and lakes should
have been 10 long neglected
q see it stated that the bids lately made for
furnishing and setting the marble alone for the
addition to the Capitol at Washington vary
from 81 100000 to S2300,00O, and that the
whole cost of the improvements will be about
five millions While such sums are spent in
decorating the Capitol of Republic, the Gov
eminent is too poor to spend one-half the sum
IN removing the absolute implements to the ma
tons commerce. Whatever may be the result
OF these applications it is certain that were
correct and liberal views Of the wants of the
mighty West to prevail with our Legislators,
and PresIdentmaking and political squabbling
to take up less of their time, to the neglect of
the substantial interests of the country they
would be granted
Our City Council has passed resolution in
vitlng kossuth to visit the city, and through
committee have sent q letter assuring him of
cordial welcome. Two public meetings of the
citizens have been held for the same purpose
the last, at the Hall of the Mechanics Insti-
tute, ON last Saturday evening, was large and
enthusiastic one. 1t was addressed by w. Nj.
Cory, Bellamy Storcr, Cassus NJ. CLAY. and
others The resolutions were read by Judge
Hoadlcy and are strong in approval and eulogy
OF kossuth. An additional resolution was
adopted declaring rs the sense of the meeting
that the true policy of the United States was
TO adopt the principles of non-intervcntion, as
dehhed ~ The letters and speeches of Louis Kos
SUN There can be no doubt that, should
kosSuth visit ny, he will receive most enthusi.
astlc and heartfelt welcome by all parties and
classes except the priests and leaders (not tho
members) in the Roman Catholic Church
meeting has been held here in behalf of
the Irish exllcS, Smith Brien. Mitchell. Mea-
CHER and others, A memorial TO the President
has been adopted, setting forth in clear. digni.
ned, and iorcible language, the reasons for the
request and asking him to interfere with the
British Government for their release This
document is now in circulation, and it is
thought that ten thousand signatures TO it may
be obtained
-FOUR correspondent CURRENrE CALAMo has
| gwen very truthful account of the improye
ments OF few years past in our city, but has
not told nay he truth, | feel tempted 10 en-
large upon the subject and pursue the work he
mas commenced but must defer it for some fu.
ture time >"
ms is the coolest day this winter. At G
a. VI the mercury stood at degrees belo,p
zero and all day it has been but few degrees
above The canals of course are tightly
closed, and Ice forming in the river. which for
week or two past has been nj a good nayi.
gable stage IL will soon fall.with such weather
as this and shippers are busy sending away
their goods, for fear of continued and severe
freeze. Yours p
The State debt of Kentucky is s5,724,so7.