The New York herald., 1863-06-05
THE GREAT CANAL CONVENTION.

FTeposso Canal System from the Misshs-
sippa 60 the Atlaatic-Ths Several
Protscts-Csnalisatf0n OF the Illinois
Hiver from Hts Mouth to La sslle-En-
iargement OF tho Illinois snd Michh-
| gan Cenai-Construction OF I Canal
from Michigan City to ToIedo-Eniarx-
ing the Locks or the Erie ana Oswego
Canals-Canal Around the Fails OF NJ
agara-Their Commercial, Social and
Military Importance-RivaI and Con.
nicting Interests, sc.
OUR CHICAGO CORRESPONDENCE
CHICAGO, I'LL, May 81, 1868
had little idea, before my arrival here this morning.
Of the immense interest attached the great Canal Con-
veusson which assemblies In this city Tuesday next
the I'd Of June, do suppose that It's Importance e
any more appreciated by the pablo large than II was
BY your correspondent. But End the city ovcrruu
with delegates to from oil parts Of tho free States SO
that the hotel accommodations extensive excellent an
they attsrly inadequate for the mutades that
1oekng here In attendance the Convention IL
would appear that the railroad interests OF the counpv
have 70 those Of the moreod fashioned bue
incacuasy more chcient, system Of canal ooamsnica-
ton
The object which this Convention prcyoses TO itself s
10 operate through tho public opinion and o,hev
wise upon the general government TO induce II TO under
take stupendous system of internal improvement, COM
prisng the following great works. viz -
FaThe Improvement Of tho navigation OF The illinois,
river from ts mouth, in the Mississippi, abovsAlton to-
its present highest navigabe point at La Sale-a distance
running nearly due south os 220 miles
Second-The enlargement Of the present IMnois and
Michigan Canal from La Sale to Chicago.
These two projects form IN reality but one, the esti-
mated cost OF which Is S13, 500 O0O
Third-1he enlargement OF tile locks Of Erie and
Oswego canals OF New York such dimensions as will
admit the passage OF ironcad Faboats, twcn five feet
six feet six inches Of water Tho estimated c5st of the
latter work is $S 500 600.
This Far the orginstors of the Convention pro-
here which propose to 20 still further aud to ask the
general government TO complete this great system canal
cjmmunicaton by the following works.
Fourtt-The construction OF q canal from point
the southeastern shore of Lake point
the western shore Of Lake Ere-say romMchgan City to
Toledo This would obvinte the tedious and dangerous
navigation up Lake Michigan, through the Straits Of
Macknaw, down Lake Huron, and through the st Clair
Flats 10 Lake Erie. This would be Immense under
taxing and do not know whether any estimate has been
made OF its expense. II would probably
mlions but glance at the map will show necessity
great link In the chain and believe the topography
OF the country Is very favorable to the construction Of
such work
Finally TO complete the under taking there should be
around the Falls Of Niagara, ~ connect Lake Erie
with Lake OntariO and TO render American
entirely Independent OF the famous Weana Canal which
being Canadian SOIL cannot be relied upon
for our commerce or for military operations.
A report drawn up by Mr. J. W. Foster Chairman Of
the Chicago Committee Satistcs--which is TO be pro
sented National Convention elucidates the social
commercial and military advantages that would result
from the completion OF the first three works. and OF
course those advantages would be incacuaby augment
by the construction Of the two last mentioned
Some OF the statistics may be here quoted
table of the agricultural products OF the eight grain
growning States-Oho, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, WIS
tho ten ending In ls6o the following increase IN
such products