The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1863-05-29

Maj. Gen, Curtis on the SHIP Cans

The following comprehensive and States
maulike letter from Gen. Curtis presents
the subject of the Ship Canal IN very
clear end conclusive msnnerrV II Is Pc
culariy valuable as presenting the views
of our most distinguished military leader,
and able Statesmen in the Valley OF the
Mississippi. The letter shows especially
10 most striking manner the value OF our
Ship Canal to Missouri and Iowa, and
their agricultural interest west of the Miss
issippi:
HEADQUARTERS DEPT MIssoURI,l
st. Louis, May 9, '63.
GESrLKxEs--I am in receipt Of your
favor of the 99th ult. inviting me to at
tend the Convention which will convene
on the Cd proximo, "to cooperate in such
measures as shall tend to promote the de-
velopment. security aud unity cfthe whole
country"
Your object is to promote the great idea
of uniting the waters of the Mississippi
with those Of the Lakes and the st. Law
renee and Hudson by such channel as
will secure profitable and commodious nav
igation for boats.
The interests involved are 30 vast, and
the difficulty to overcome 80 smxif, nm
not surprised at the zeal manifested TO Sc
cure an immediate effort to accomplish
the success Of the work. II is only to en-
large works already constructed. 1t is nj
matter of doubtful experiment or novel in
tricacy. The enlargement of canal anc
the construction of dam or two on the
Illinois River, with suitable locks, car
be readily estimated and Boon accomplish
ed.
When this is done, the great rivers o.
the West will all receive new and won
derful augmentation of their commercM
consequence. Grain and cattle that now
find no market, or must be nearly exhaust
ed in value by transportations and ship
ments on railroads, viii then find sucf
certain and cheap eonyeyances to the
ocean, through healthy climates, as &c
nearly double their value at home. Thi:
will stimulate the increase, and railroads
will not be impaired, as they will still have
more than they can do in carrying through
light freight that seeks more rapid
transit
But it is not in my power in this letter
to even present the leading elements o.
such an enterprise 1t Is proper to press
the matter now, because the work is o.
great national and military Importance
and our people are now more than ever
sensible Of the necessity and importanc,
OF our great national organizations and th.
certainty and reality OF war. Every linl
that binds US as a nation, will now receiv,
special consideration. The commercia
union contemplated by you is therefore
one Of the great ideas incident 10 our terri
Jle revolution. We see new necessities
and new objects Of pursuit All natura
and artificial combinations deserve and re
ceive new inspiration. The subject of uni
ting the Mississippi and the lakes is now
easily comprehended, and l cordially sp
prove and will earnestly advocate any
reasonable plans to accomplish your sue
cess.
As other cares will not enable me I,
attend ut your Convention, avail mysel
OF this means Of informing you Of m,
hearty cooperation, and my thanks 70
the honor of your invitation to be presen
on the occasion.
| have the honor to be, gentlemen,
Your very ob't serv't,
S. r. Curtis, Ma. Gen.
To Messrs. l. N. Arnold, James Robb
4. @. Sherman and others, Commute,
etc.