The Minnesotian. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1851-1852, 1852-04-10

institutions Of learning and religion, and
marts of commerce are dotting its banks,
even though the smoke of the red mans
wigwam yet ascends in the visible back
ground. But there, midway between us
and St. Louis, lie the Rock River Rap
ids, and further down those of the Des
Moines. There is the tone thing" which
divides the commerce of the two extremes
of this valley. which, from geographical
position and community of interests,
should not thus be cut asunder. Give
us then, sir, a few hundred thousands to
blow these rocks out OF the channel of
our river-which you must acknowledge
is national highway-and we will 60
for Mr.. Collins Mail Line, and any reas-
enable and necessary number of light
houses in your distric, that you may ask.
We might not have adverted TO this
question at this time, had we not Glanced
at the moment to peruse speech recent
ly delivered in the House of Representa-
tives, by Hon. Lewis D. Campbell, of
Ohio, a native - Buckeye and a true
son of the West in all his feelings, judg-
ment. impulses and actions. 1t is enti-
tied, presidential Platforms, Internal
Improvements, the just Demands of the
Mississippi Valley and the Inland Lakes" "
We must make few extracts. After
summarily settling the point as 10 which
Of the greet political parties has, and which
has not, been the steady advocate Of West
ern interests, he goes on TO say:
l desire to submit few words in re-
gard to the great interests, as we'll as the
rights, Of the Mississippi valley and the
commerce of the inland lakes. l desire
to call the attention of the committee to
few facts, which it may be we'll to con-
slider in connection, as well with our leg
islation upon these land bills, as with 9TH
er propositions which in their proper or
der will be presented. The late census
shows that in that valley there are now
upwards of ten millions Of people, whose
interests are intimately connected with
the improvement OF the great commercial
That inland commerce o.
this country has become matter of the
deepest national interest, and is entitled
to the fostering and protecting care of ma
tional Legislation. To prove its impor-
lance, a few general statistics must suffice
for the present. During the last summer.
the statistics of this inland commerce were
taken under the authority of the Treasury
Department. The statistics of what is
termed the exterior commerce have also
been taken. From this official data pre-
sent the following facts, promising with
The statement that, prior 10 the year 1871,
the entire commerce OF the Mississippi
valley was carried ON in a few keel-boats,
and in that year the first steamboat in the
waters Of that = Father of Rivers" WAS
launched at Pi,tsburg.
On the first OF July last, the steam ma
rine Of the inland lakes and rivers Was
1865 steamboats,, the average tonnage Q.
which was 2O4 ,6l3 tons, being all excess
Of $4,000 tons over the entire steam ma
rine OF Great Britain and her depende,-
cies. The capital invested in these YES
sells is upwards Of $l5,CO0.OOO, and the
number of persons employed regularly is
about $4,000. The number of passen-
gers "to and fro" upon the various in
land lines during the year en.iing June
81, 1851, was about 100000.
The exterior steam marine which is fos-
tered and guarded by national legislation,
including the Atlantic and Pacific steam
ers and prole'lers, comprises, OF steam
boats and vessels, only 625, with an aver
age tonnage OF PIP, 800 tons. These facts
OF themselves present at once the most
powerful argument to prove that the sys-
lem Of legislation which has so long neg
lected the internal commerce OF the couIl-
ny should be speedily reformed.
The annual commerce Of the Missis-
siPpi valley amounts 10 about $3OO,OOO,-
coo.
Frior to the year 1s4s, the number of
steamers destroyed by disasters OH the
Mississippi and lis tributaries was 469.
The losses on the inland lakes and riv-
ers in the year ending July l, 1851, were
o. vesse.s-35 by tempest, and 80 by
snags.
The number of lives lost by disasters
OH the rivers during that year was 628;
ard | am informed on good authority, that
from one point on the Mississippi, may
be seen the wrecks oil sixteen steam
boats.
Notwithstanding the importance of this
great inland interest, and The great sacri-
flee Of property as well as of human life
resulting from the partial Legislation OF
Congress, there are those representing
the interest Of the sea-board, on this floor.
who are eterna'ly amoring about The par
tally to the West. Ii Missouri asks the
benefit OF donation Of land, which would
in the end cost the General Government
nothing, the cry is raised against her for
plundering the Old States. If Kentucky
asks that she NAV have The beneti, or soma