Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1852-01-13
sAULT STE. MARIE CANAL.

the Court House in that city, to take measures
to agitate the subject of the proposed Ship Ca
nal around the Falls of st. Mary, and to appoint
committees TO circulate memorials through the
State of Ohio, asking Congress at its present
session, to make the requisite appropriation for
the completion of this important work.
Strong resolutions, declaratory of the wants
of the great mineral region bordering on Lake
Superior, and explanatory of tho immense inter-
ests to be subserved by the speedy construction
of this great work, were reported by Col. Cha's.
Whittlesy, than whom there is no man more ia
miliar with the subject, and whose knowledge
has been acquired by actual residence, and ex-
ploration. The following are the resolves re-
ferred to, which were unanimously adopted:
RESOLVED That the examination and practical
working of the mines on Lake Superior, within
the last few years, have conclusvely shown them
to be the richest deposites of Copper and Iron
known. That they may be made sources of
great individual and national wealth, is ques-
lion already solved provided the obstruction to
free navigation, between Lake Superior and the
lower waters be removed, by the construction
of ship canal at the rapids of Sault Ste. Marie
2. That this obstruction to navigation between
the Lakes, although not absolutely destructive
of the Copper interests is generally prejudical
to them, and is almost fatal to the iron interests
of that region.
8. That inasmuch as the people of the United
States own more than nine-tenths of all the land
on the south shore Of Lake Superior, they, as
the landlords of the country, would derive great
benefit from its increased value; and that it is
not only the duty, but the interest of the Gov
eminent to adopt any reasonable proposition
that shah tend to- develope the resources of that
region.
4. That no enterprise Of the day, except the
construction Of the Great Pacific Railroad, will
open to sale and settlement, so great an amount
Of public lands, as the completion Of this work.
5. That this Canal will open free navigation,
from the head Of Lake Superior to the waters
of the Atlantic; and that, by the aid of the riv-
er navigation, existing Canals and Railroads, all
the States and Territories of the Union will be-
come the recipients of the wealth of this great
mineral region, and that in particular, the Terri
tory of Minnesota, in which the people hold near
ly all the land, will find this the best channel to
market
6. Tha: this is national work and especially
deeply concerns the States Of New York, Penn
sylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and
Wisconsin, and the Territory Of Minestoa-now
collectively nearly ten millions of
people.
7. That we believe the general government
should forthwith provide for the construction of
an adequate ship Canal at Sault Ste Marie, by
an appropriation of money for the purpose or,
by the assignment OF 4 quantity Of land, in the
Lake Superior land Districts, sufficient for the
construction of the work, and embracing also the
right of way across the Rapids.
8. That in view Of the sufferings of the inhab-
49,. g 4 II II
tention of provisions and supplies, at the barri-
er of Sault Ste Marie this fall, we feel called up
on to use our utmost exertions to prevent rep
etilion OF the evil; that the eight thousand mi
ners belonging in that region, may rest assured
OF our sympathy and support, and that no eXer-
lions will be spared by us, to open speedily this
great highway.
9. That our delegation of Senators and Rep
in Congress, from the State of Ohio,
be respectfully requested to do whatever may |
n them lie, TO aid in the work.
10. That we earnestly recommend TO our fell |
ow citizens of Buffalo, Rochester, Oswego, Og-
lensburg, Erie, Pittsburg, Sandusky, Toledo,
Detroit, Chicago, Milwaukee, and all the other
AXE towns, to take up this subject, and co-ope-
ate with us, in pressing it upon the attention
If Congress, and that the President of this meet
ng forward copy Of these proceedings to the
authorities of each Of these places respectively.
OF the influence of the proposed Improvement
ipon the vast region lying north west of Lake
superior, including Minnesota Territory, Col w.
emarked, "that we had been accustomed to
onsider the effect Of Il ship canal into Lake Su-
'erior, upon the copper and iron interests alone
n fact, one of its chief effects will be felt upon
'linesota Territory, beyond that lake. From
AXE Superior to the wheat regions of Minnesota l
he distance is not as great as that from Michi-
an to the wheat grounds of Iowa. Lake Su- J
erior furnishes the natural outlet for wheat
nd corn from Minnesota The grain region of ,
nat country lies much nearer to the Eastern
larket, by the way Of Lake Superior, than by 2
he way of the Mississippi and across lake Mich
yan. There has been some talk of Railroad
ON that wheat region 800 miles down the :
Mississippi, and 200 miles from thence to lake
lichigan. Now, q Railroad from the Mineso- !
an wheat and corn district to lake Superior :
oud be only 200 miles in length The facil- +
les OF transportation therefore, by the upper b
ute are much greater than by the lower route. 6
his is an important reason for urging the con- .
ruction of Ship Canal to Lake SUPERIOR u u
inesota demands such an outlet now for her
ain. How much more will she demand it G.
ON year to year,as her territory becomes more g
nsely populated and that her healthy location s.
ID her fertility will induce very rapid imm- :,
alton no one can doubt" b.
The Deonle Of Mich;oop ,yboeo Sor,tor,,,l M