, 1859-01-20
MICHIGAN LEGISLATURE,

Pro9rkss Of Busintss-A tkort S<aion-7ze
HoAcnd Colony improvement Of Black llis-
tr Hdrbor-Ho2l1nd Htthod Of mailing Pitrs
Intersting 5dcts, etc.
Correspondence Q. the Press and Tribunal
LAHsts0, Jan, Is. 1s39.
A considerable amount Of loca! legislation
has already been accomplished, and aside from
the appropriation bills now in the hands Of the
different committees. there il nothing of local
importance even before the Legislature Of this
State. A spirit OF economy appears to rule,
and in accordance with it, there il some talk of
m adjournment in the course Of about t1o
weeks; thus narrowing down the session, from
its opening to its close, to about four weeks
l had very interesting conversation today
with Mr. Roost, Of the Holland Colony, who is
now here, asking some assistance at the hands
Of the Legislature, for the opening Of the hsr-
bor at the mouth Of Black River, on the western
shore Of this State, in Ottawa County, where
their colony il mainly located. Two years ago,
despairiug Of getting an appropriation from the
genera! government to aid them in opening
their harbor, they were authorized by the Leg
islsture OF the State, to levy tax on them
selves for this purpose. This they accordingly
did, aud with about S, 900 80 raised, have con-
structed some 700 feet Of good, substantial pier
vork-that is, SIS feet on the north side and c35
feet on the south side Of the mouth Of their
harbon This work is 10 curious and novel to
us Americans that must try and give you some
idea Of it. The whole work, below the surface
of the water il constructed Of brush and twigs,
tied together in bundles Of six to eight inches
in diameter. These bundles, in turn are tied
together into rafts OF from GO to 50 feet in
length, 80 feet wide, and about or 4 feet in
thickness, and then noated to the place selected
for the pier, and then sunk to the proper place
with stone ballast, aud secured By wooden
stakes The stone are then removed if the ws-
ter is not too deep, and smother rafs prepnred,
Of the same size, and sunk 50 ss to rest upon
the top of the first, aud second in the sane
It is then covered with atone to about three or
four feet in high on the outer side of the pier,
and slopes to just above tho surface Oh the in.
ner side. To me this is eertainly q novel mode
Of constructing piers, as, presume it must be,
to most Of your readers.' Mr. Roost informs
me that most, il not all, Of the piers and break
water In Holland aye built after this plan,
some IF which have stood for centuries. 1ts
cost ia Insignificant in comparison 10 any eYer
Jet constructed il. this country.
It is the design Of the citizens at the colony,
to extend these piers, 30 that the one on the
north side Of the channsi shallbe about $50 feet
,n,length, aud tho ono on the south side about
7sD fest This will give them 4 channel Of II
teet in depth, and open into the finest harbo,s on
the lAkea- have seen 1t, and can speak from
personal observation. The lake Ut the mouth
Of Black River, and which forms the contemplat-
I'd hArbor, Ia beautiful sheet Of water, six
miles in length, and from one to one and = half
miles wides and from Is to 80 feet deep. The
banks are bold aud high, and on that portion
where tbs town stands, thers is depth Of 90
feet Of water within the same distance OF the
th ore.
The Hollanders, a. \ class, are industrious,
temperate aud' frugaI and will carry through
this undertaking if any people CAD. Thus, one
more port will b thrown open 10 Chicago trade
and enterprise; for thither ia The tendency.
f1NrNsCLAR.