Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1861-06-06

The attention Of the General Government
| Is at last being directed TO this leland as
the most suitable point In the West for the
establishment Of q Nstionat ArmoFy; few
words relative 70 II, therefore, will not be
,unimportant, Situated on the Upper Rap
| ids, based on limestone rock and not liable
| to overflow during Tie highest waters ever
known on the Upper Mississippi, covered
| in part by 6ne growth Of timber, very
healthy, with a rich and productive soil,
surrounded BY the most besntiful scenery
in the valley Of the Mississippi River with
river communication both north end south
railroads stretching in 8 direct line TO the
Bast and radiating in all directions through
our common country, iRexhaustible mines
of coal aud lead in the Immediate vicinity,
beds Of iron ore near by, provisions Of all
kinds cheap and abundant; everything
seems to designate il as the most favorable
point that the Government could have Sc
lected for the establishment Of public man
ufactories. +Haf
Rock Island is two and 6ve-eighths miles
In length, With q breadth varying from
three.eighths to seven-eighths Of fs mile. It
contains within q fraction Of SEQ acres, l59
Of which belong 70 Mr.. Geo. L. Davenport,
Of. this city, 80 to Mr. D. B. Sears Of Moline,
and the balance, nearly 702 acres, to the
General Government. The reserve of Mr..
Davenport is situated near the lower part
of the Island, there being between ninety
and one hundred acres below II, About
fifty acres Of Mr.. DaVenports land is under
oultis ation; and improved With good build
ings aud orchards. This he wishes to re-
serve, but the balance he will sell to the
Governmenti if desired at q fair price. Mr..
Sears land Is mostly under cultivation, and
the imp ovements embrace one of the most
complete grist mills in the whole country,
together with dwelling house, warehouses,
ETC., that cost him an aggregate Of $50 000
This he will dispose Of to the Government
if wished, at cost with interest added.
This Is the present condition Of the
Island. There are thirteen squatters on it
yet; one, with whom we conversed, has
about 6fty acres enclosed and cultivated,
but freely acknowledges the tenure by
which he holds his lands to be very inse-
cure, and that he expects to have to yacate
at the option Of the Government
Rock Island is singularly formed, there
being o natural depression in the middle of
it throughout the entire length, rendering
sAO SSA1bAhoSl VI . OosANA = WI = Va NoA4-
paratively little expense. The amount Of
head, or fall, obtained st Moline is six and
half feet;i by means Of this canal the wa
ter could be brought down TO the lowerend
Of the island-where everything seems to
favor the construction Of the public works
and its entire length be applied to ms
ehinery either side Of the canal. If still
more power be desired, By the construction
of wing dam along the shore to Camp
bells island, adistanoe Of three and a half
miles, and which could be done at little ex-
pense from the loose rock In the immediate
vicinity, a head Of twelve feet could be OBJ
obtained. In attestation Of this fact we
refer to the report of 0gi'vie, who made
the survey under the auspices Of the Gov
ernmsnt in the fall Of 1S4I. fit be desi-
rable to make this ship canal, We, are as
sured BY gentleman Of enlarged expert
enee in this kind Of business, that it san
be done for just oRe-eighth of the cost Of
the canal at Louisville, and that he will be
willing to take heavy contract on the
work at his estimate. Two locks of ten
feet cash would allow the largest class
steamers TO pass safely, and thus avoid the
perils Of the rapids in low water and the
danger of the bridge at high water, The
Ohio river at Louisville is subject to food
rise Of sixty feet here the heaviest rise
known in the Mississippi was only fourteen
feet Davenport Gazetts. -
From the above data it will be seen that
Rock Island is not only admirably situated
for an Armory, as to location, supply and
transportation, but that if desirable heavy
income can be realized By reptage Of water
power and tranfer Of vessels. II