Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1862-05-13
The Illinois and Michigan Ca
nal EnIarEnua ul -----.-

Committee on Roads and Canals, in the
House of Representatives. made the fol-
lowing report, which was laid ON the table
in order to be printed:
The Committee on Il rads and Canals, to
whom were referred various memorials and
petitions asking for and enlargement Of the
Illinois aud Michigan Canal, having had
the came under consideration. report:
The committee have carefully examined
the bill aud report made to this House by
the Committee on Military Affairs, and
and give TO both their sanction aud appro-
val
The committee, without going into any
extended argument on the subject, sub
nit the following brief summary of the
reasons for their approval: The two great
channels of commerce from tie interior 70
the ocean, and from the ocean to the iute-
rior, are by tho great lakes ard the Missis-
sippi. The value Of the commerce of each
Of these great channels has been estimated
at from four to FIVE hundred millions per
annum.
There is a short portage from Lake Mich
igan 20 that point on the headquarters Of
the Illinois where it can be made naviga-
BILE fer atont thirty miles. By cutting
through this portage and improving the
river. you have a ship canal from the lakes
to the Mississippi. By this short canal
these vast channels If water communica-
ton, the lakes and the Mississippi, are
connected by steamboat communication,
and all that portion Of the continent lying
/ east Of the Mississippi and south of the
| great lakes and River ST. Lawrence be
! comes an island
This work has been already more than
half accomplished by the State Of Illinois
aided by small land grant from C,ngres:
made as early as 1927.
Illinois has expended over six million,
Of dollars on this work, which was com
pleted in 1913. 1t now yields an annua
revenue Of about $500 600. This wUul,
be very largely increased by the improve
ment of the llinois river.
Illinois offers this canal and its revenue
to the United States, on condition tina
Congress will provide the means Of enlarg
ing it, so as to pass gunboats and vessels o
war from the lakes to the Mississippi an
the ocean, and from the Atlantic and Gul
Mexico to the lakes.
This is necessary, as a military measui
to place US on an equal with Great Britain
She has already constructed canals whic
enables her TO pass gunb0ats from tn
ocean and St Lawrence to the Lakes.
We are to day utterly delenceless again.
iron clad gunbOats which she could brin
from her navy-yards in England throug
these canals and thus the vast commerce
of the lakes, and the great agriculture
products of the West, and the wealth {
the lake towns, would be at the mercy
these gunbuats.
We are prohibited, by treaty, from cor
structing gunboats or armed vessels on tn
lakes. Enlarge the lInois and Michiga
} Canal as proposed, AID the gunbnats an
mortarboate which have contributed {
greatly to the success Of our arms in Ill
valley of the Mississippi could be transfe
red at once to the lakes.
Had this canal been enlarged at III
breaking out Of the rebellion, the nav,
resources and power CT The country woul
have been much greater than it was tn
200 vessels and Is 000 sailors DOW shl
up on the great lakes would have cen ;
the disposal of the G 'verrment. With nj
mechanical and manufacturing facilities
; the lake cities, with the ship timber. ir,l
and other materials on the likes, guubna
would have been made ready months ear
lier than they we're, and ere long this III
same skill and val.r which have won N
, great victories st Fort Donels, n. I-Iai
No 10, and Pea Ridge. would have carrie
our flag in triumph to New Orleans: ii
val ey of tho Mississippi would have bee
entirely reclaimed aud the rebellion sur
pressed.
Your committee, from q careful eansid
Grafton, are clear in their Judgment TIM
had this ship and steamboat canal been
existence during the yast year, it woul
have saved TO the Treasury, in the trans
| pOriatior yf troops, arms, ordinance, an
munitions. and in chelpening and fac l,ta
ing the building If gnnbaats, and in email
ling the armies to have commenced orera
tons in he field ea'lirr. more than O,
Hundred millions Of dollars The vaIue
this work, in commercial ont of vieV
can scarcely be exaggerated, and its y.!l
. Will be constantly lncreas NJ with the ar,
gress OF our country in population, acri
! culture c'mmerce and manufactures
r 1t Is believed that this WORK NAV now
n properly characterized as military. cYn
, / mercial, and political necessity. |; wi
benefit every section. TO New En,lan
, it will lessen the irrice # Cd, to Ne
r York aud Pennsylvania it will give in
:. creased trade and cummerce. and To III
E West 1t Will cheaper every article nf d.
. nestle or foreign manu- 'acture. Il wi
|, bind SUI closer The lakes and the Vale
of the Mississippi. and make the East an
, West ne in destiny forever.
; The only objection which has been sue
gesteu to this work, is its supposed dra
upon an already overburdeoed treasury.
This objection the Committee have car,
fully considered, anu believe that the in
terest N It's cost will be Promptly paid b
the tolls of the canal, aud thar .aose tol
Will provide sinking fund which viii 9
an curly day discharge the principal. an
thus this great national work free alwsy
Tor the military purp, ses Of the Govern
ment) having paid for itself, would be
come free to the vast and constantly 10
ereasing commerce of the lakes and III
Mississippi. 1t would save to the North
west IN single year like the mast /
iesseoing the cos. of transportation of il
staples, more than its entire cost.
would, the day IT was completed. add
the taxable property Of the nation a
amount The taxes upon which, under m
vending tax BILL would more than paw III
Interest on its cost. The COMMITTEES. "a
these aud other reasons, earnestly recon
mend the measure TO the favorable actio
of the House.
COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS.