The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-03-28
From the NeiU York PCSt.1
A GREAT WESTERN PRO IEnT

STEAM CANAL FROM LAKE MICHIGAN TO THE MISSISSIPPI
RIVER.
The present attitude OF Louisiana towards the
states lying northward upon the Mississip river
has attracted attention to project considerably
discussed few years since. She claims to
belong to foreign sovereignty. Within her ter
rltory lie the mouths Of the Mississippi and she
now holds with her troops the forts which command
them.
The project referred to is the connecting Lake
Michigan with the Illinois river by steamboat
navigation. 1t was seriously considered at the
west several years SINCE but the want of means to
carry it into effect has for time prevented any
active Efforts in its behalf Capitalists prefer
making investment in enterprises which promise a
return IN the shape of semi-annual dividends They
are slow in expanding money upon works which,
though certain to enrich large districts of country
may not return to them an interest on the outlay
steamboat navigation between the Mississippi
and the great lakes might not at once produce to
US sufficient to afford the capitalist his interest
while it would add untold millions to the value Of
the West, and multiply the commerce of her cities
and the city of New York. Ifpossble il should
be perfectly free. If this cannot be- it should be
as lightly encountered With charges as possible
Inc value OF such navigation can hardly be over
estimated.
For about twelve years there has been canal
connecting Chicago with the Illinois river. Its
capacity is only sufficient for the canal boats which
level Is supplied with water by pumps. Such
canal, with the necessity of having the property
carried upon it transhipped at each term mus, and
connecting with the Illinois river, which, during
portions of the summer season is two low for steam
boat navigation, can never command a very extern
sve traffic. The proposed connection would be
quite another affair. 1t contempates navigable
channel for the steamboats, which are used on the
Mississippi and the propellers which navigate the
lakes, and supply of water to the Illinois river at
all times. thorough cut of hundred feet
wide and eight feet deep from the river three mil
from its mouth in the city of Chicago, through
the dividing ridge to the Illinois river, would draw
from the lake stream sufficient for these purposes
at the dryest season. 1t is estimated that such
canal can be constructed for four million dollars
All the steamers navigating the waters of the great
ives tern valley could then freely pass into Lake
Michigan at Chicago, and proceed without break
ing bulk or other interruption directly to the New
York canals, Buffalo and Osweg0.
MORE TROUBLE AMONG THE CoAsTERs.-A coastiug
vessel from port in Florida fell into the Collect
or's bands yesterday, on the charge of not having
proper clearance. The captain pleaded that be
could not get clearance, such as would be salts
factory to the Collector of New York, from the
authorities at the Flordan port; but he was never
theless fined $500, as the statute directs in such
cases; and, rather than forfeit his vessel, paid it,
We hear that the steamer Bienvile, of the New