Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1866-1869, 1868-02-26
Tennessee River Improvement. Cir
cuIaF,
CHATTANOOGA, Feb. 20, 1866


CHATTANOOGA, Feb. 20, 1868.
SIR:-We beg leave to call your attention,
and earnest cooperation of yourself and
the enterprising citizens of your town and
county, in the enterprise, now inaugurated,
to improve the Tennessee River. To this
end, Convention is called to meet at Chat
tanooga, Tennessee, on the third Wednesday
C18th) of March next, at which time the
presence of delegates from your immediate
section are especially invited, or, in case
you cannot furnish representative, it is
requested that you send to the Chairman
proxies to secure your representation and
that you hold preliminary meetings and
give such expression in aid Of the enter
prise as will enable the Convention to
further the interest Of our section Of country.
Invitations have gone GU. to all the princi-
pal points on the Tennessee River, from
the extreme eastern counties of Tennessee
to Paducah, Kentucky, and the adjacent
cities of st. Louis, Louisville aud Cincin-
natl, as we'll as to New Orleans. and Mem
phis, with view Of concentrating, on that
occasion the wisdom and energies of the
people, and especially those along the line
Of this river.
The Government Of the United States,
through the War Department, has just fin
ished a survey of the Tennessee River,
from Chattanooga to its mouth, with de-
sign Of removing the distractions to navi-
cation, at the Muscle Shoals" and the
Suck" which are the most formidable
With the removal of these distractions
the Valley of the Tennessee will be placed
in immediate communication with the Ohio
and Mississippi Rivers. 1t is believed the
advantages of proposed measure are so great
that it only needs such a popular demon
stration as is designed to be effected at this
Convention, to induce Congress to make
the necessary appropriations. The Gov
eminent of the United States has hereto
fore expended large sum of money in
removing these distractions, and in build
ing a Canal, which remains only to be
completed The advantages to be derived
by this section Of country from the opening
Of navigation, cannot be computed, as it
will afford q new and cheaper outlet for the
vast mineral and agricultural products OF
East Tennessee, and return at greatly re-
duced cost. the products of the Tropics, and
the manufactures of the North and West,
4hAralaxz increasing the ability of the aeopla
to such an extent as viii moro than COM
pensate the Government for the trifing
appropriation required. We, therefore, re-
quest that you present this Circular to the
Honorable County Court of your county,
or to the Municipal authorities of your city
or town, and have appointed delegates to
this Convention. We also invite the candid
cooperation, in every possible way, of ev-
cry citizen.
We are assured that delegates to and
from this Convention will be passed over
the respective railroads at half fare.
Trusting that you will give this matter
immediate and earnest attention, and that
the people of your section will be fully
represented in this Convention, we remain,
Yours, Respectfully,
W. P. RATHRURN, Chairman.
ToMLINsoN Fort, Sec.
7. R. STANLEY, john L. DIVINE
R. K. BYRD, II. T. PARISH,
7. ]. CARLILE, P. D, SIMS,
J. W. JAMES