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FERGUS' HISTORICAL SERIES, No. 18. 
 
 CHICAGO 
 
 River-and-Harbor Convention 
 
 AN ACCOUNT 
 
 OF ITS 
 
 - ORIGIN AND PROCEEDINGS 
 
 BY 
 WILLIAM MOSLEY HALL, 
 JOHN WENTWORTH, SAMUEL LISLE SMITH, 
 HORACE GREELEY, THURLOW WEED; 
 
 TOGETHER WITH 
 
 Statistics Concerning Chicago; 
 
 BY 
 
 JESSE B. THOMAS, and JAMES L. BARTON. 
 
 COMP a IJR^FY, ROBERT EZR^ii.-'S 
 
 CHICAGO: 
 
 FERGUS printing COMPANY. 
 1882. 
 
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1882, by 
 
 FERtius Prtnting Company, 
 
 In the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C. 
 
 •2 « 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 It. may seem strange to the reader that the Proceed- 
 ings of the River-and- Harbor Convention are pubHshed 
 over thirty-five years after it adjourned; but the reason 
 is a simple one: Nothing approaching a complete account 
 of what took place during the sessions of that important 
 body has ever been given to the public before. The mere 
 journal was put into pamphlet form for circulation, and 
 two or three speeches were distributed by the gentlemen 
 who delivered them, but no one until now has undertaken 
 the task of collecting these documents together and 
 embodying them in a book. At the time the Conven- 
 tion was held the Whigs were endeavoring to supplant 
 the Democrats. Both sought to make political capital 
 out of the event, and to this fact is attributable the mea- 
 gre official report of the work done, only such things as 
 would glorify the Whigs, who controlled the organization, 
 being put into the record. Democrats who participated 
 in the deliberations were, in a great part, ignored; and, 
 in self- protection, had printed separately the speeches 
 they made. There have been many inquiries recently 
 about the Convention which did so much for the North- 
 west, especially for Chicago, and to supply the needed 
 information, this volume was compiled, all it contains 
 being reliable. And in it, the originator of the Conven- 
 
 ivil67385 
 
4 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 tion, William Mosley Hall, Esq., now living in Stamford, 
 Conn., tells the story of its inception. Being a Democrat, 
 the Whigs deprived him of the glory to which he was 
 entitled, but, at this late day, the people of Chicago and 
 the West will not fail to appreciate his labors and thank 
 him for what he did. 
 
 The introduction of the newspaper articles, resolutions, 
 etc., are intended to shpw the public feeling existing at 
 that time throughout the North- West, and the deep inter- 
 est taken in the subject of Internal Improvements. 
 
 Mr. Hall's Resolutions and Speech on "A National Rail- 
 road to the Pacific" — the first public speech on this subject 
 — predict what did happen, and outline how such a road 
 sJionld have been built. 
 
 The addition of the reports of Horace Greeley, editor 
 of the New- York Tribune, and Thurlow Weed, editor of the 
 Albany Evening Journal, stating what they saw and heard 
 in this vicinity; together with the statistics of Jesse B. 
 Thomas of Chicago, and James L. Barton of Buffalo, will 
 . be appreciated by our future historians, and treasured by 
 our old settlers and their descendants. 
 
 No little exertion has been made to correct the list of 
 Delegates as printed in the Con\'ention pamphlet, an 8vo. 
 of 79 pages. To many inquiries no answers were recei\ed ; 
 and to those who responded promptly, and to other contrib- 
 utors, the compiler desires to express his grateful acknowl- 
 edgements. 
 
 Chicago, February i6, 1882. 
 
CORRESPONDENCE. 
 
 LETTERS FROM WM. MOSLEY HALL 
 
 Stamford, Conn., Nov. 14, 1881. 
 My old and much esteemed Friend: 
 
 By mail of yesterday I was in receipt of a copy of "Early Chi- 
 cago — Fort Dearborn,'' with your compliments, containing inter- 
 esting information and a capital portrait of Hon. John Wentworth; 
 for which, please accept my sjncere thanks. % ^ ^ 
 
 Referring to your efforts to keep alive the early history of Chi- 
 cago, I have seen nothing about the great advertisement which I 
 rightly claim the credit of originating in 1846. The first meeting 
 for the great River-and-Harbor Convention I called at Rathbun's 
 Hotel, N. Y., Sept. 28th, 1846, when Wm. Duane Wilson, of 
 Milwaukee, was called to the chair, and Robert Fergus, of Chica- 
 go, and Thomas Sherwood, of Buffalo, acted as Vice-Presidents, 
 and William M. Hall, of Buffalo, and E. D. Burr, of Copper 
 Harbor, were appointed Secretaries; and thus the grand scheme 
 was launched, and the New- York and Eastern papers were unani- 
 mous in advocacy of the movement. 
 
 And now comes in a point in the history of the affair which is 
 unknown to any but myself; as I know of no one living who was 
 cognizent of what transpired between. our meeting in New York 
 and the decision of where the Convention should be held. St. 
 Louis, Pittsburg, Detroit, Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Buffalo were 
 all anxious for the honor. To say that liberal temptations were 
 intimated to me, to change my original preference for Chicago, 
 would be drawing it mild. I had traveled several thousands of 
 miles at my own expense, and, though poor, I represented large 
 
6 CHICAGO RIVER-AND-HARBOR CONVENTION. 
 
 commercial, Lake, and River interests in the West and South, 
 and with the assurance of the Mayor and others in authority that 
 my actual expenses (amounting to $576.00) should be paid, I 
 continued my efforts in favor of Chicago, even after a meeting 
 had been held in St. Louis in my absence, declaring that the 
 Convention would be held in St. Louis. It is sufficient to say to 
 you that I have never been in receipt of a dollar for all my outlay 
 although the Mayors John P. Chapin and James Curtiss promised 
 to call the matter up before the City Council, and if that failed to 
 raise it by subscription. 
 
 The meeting of that Convention raised the-value of Chicago 
 property at once, and was the starting point of its unheard of 
 prosperity, until overtaken by the disastrous fire of 187 1. No 
 man of intelligence, who was a citizen of Chicago at that time, 
 and is alive there to-day, can deny this proposition, and I believe 
 if properly presented, there is enough of the old stock left to do 
 justice to one who cheerfully devoted his time to their common 
 interest. 
 
 This, my old friend, is a simple statement of facts, and it grieves 
 me to recite them. Justice demands of Chicago the prompt pay- 
 ment of that obligation. 
 
 Your death report of the old settlers since May 27th, 1879, i^^' 
 cludes many with whom I have enjoyed pleasant hours, which I 
 look back upon as a fitful dream : 
 
 "And so 'twill be when we are gone, 
 That tuneful peal will still ring on, " 
 
 and the earthworms' slimy broad will soon hold high carnival over 
 all that remains of us I This is the unalterable decree, and we 
 should meet it like "one who wraps the drapery of his couch 
 about him and lies down to pleasant dreams." 
 
 My health is not. good — am troubled with indigestion. Does 
 Mrs. S. Lisle Smith still Hve? Please let me hear from you again. 
 Truly your friend, 
 
 WM. M. HALL. 
 
 To Robert F'ergus, Esq., Chicago, 111. 
 
LETTERS FROM WM. MOSLEY HALL. / 
 
 Stamford, Conn., Nov. i6th, 1881. 
 My dear Fergus: 
 
 Yours of the 14th just received. I have not time to say more, 
 at this time, than that I will give you what you desire as soon as 
 I can, and will forward it — out of which you can select what is 
 required for publication. I thought it strange that I was ignored 
 or forgotten in your elaborate early history of Chicago. 
 
 My faithful old wife yet lives to comfort me. In haste, 
 I am your friend, 
 Deos y Libertad, — Santa Anna. WM. M. HALL. 
 
 Stamford, Conn., Nov. i8th, 1881. 
 My esteemed Friend: 
 
 I send you to-day, by Adams Express, a package, out of which 
 you may be able to gather some desirable information. Some of 
 it, of course, -is not pertinent to the business of the Convention, 
 but upon the 28th page of the "Old Sailor's Story"* you will see 
 that I had some experience before the mast on the briny deep, as 
 well as the sterile sands of South Africa, among the Hottentots, 
 long before I visited the prairies of Illinois, although I passed 
 through Chicago in 1832. 
 
 You will also observe that I repubUshed my speech at the Chi- 
 cago Convention, t with other matter of National importance. It 
 is sufficient to say that the Tehuantepec enterprise cost me $30,- 
 000. I rode over the Isthmus and returned on a "muel," and, 
 () Moses, what a country ! The wilds of Soudan is a paradise in 
 comparison. The $2 note on the Eagle Bank of New Haven 
 cured me of banks and banking early in life — I prize it for its 
 
 * "The Old Sailor's Story; or a Short Account of the Life, Adventures,, 
 and Voyages of Capt. Gurdon L. Allyn. Including Three Trips Around the 
 World. Written by Himself, in the 79th and 80th years of his age. Nor- 
 wich, Conn., 1879." 
 
 + " Speech of Wm. M. Hall of New York, in Favor of a National Railroad 
 to the Pacific, at the Great Chicago Convention, July 7th, 1847. Also, A 
 Review of the Tehuantepec Route; embracing the famous Garay Grant, SIoo 
 Contract, and other Routes and Plans. New York, 1853." 
 
8 CHICAGO RIVER-AND-HARBOR CONVENTION. 
 
 antiquity only.* Indeed, every thing I send you I wish to pre- 
 serve, and were it not that I feel grieved at the ingratitude I have 
 been subjected to by those from whom 1 had a right to expect 
 better treatment, and that as far as lies in your power to see me 
 righted you will do so, I would not consent to send them. 
 
 It was my intention to make Chicago my home and my grave, 
 but the result of my efforts for the benefit of that City determined 
 me to leave, and, with a heavy heart, I sought another field for 
 future labors. Thank God there is no blot upon my escutcheon, 
 I stand rectus in curia before the world. Like yourself, I am not 
 rich, but again like yourself, my conscience is void of offence, and 
 though both may be passed by purse-proud pirates with a sneer, 
 they may learn in time that a sneer is often the tribute that fear 
 pays to a power born of superior intellect. "But something too 
 much of this" — and I will pass to Serial No. i6. 
 
 I have perused it with great interest. The speech of Hon. 
 John Wentworth in answer to the great copperhead from Ohio 
 [Vallandigham], in 1864, Avhen the Government was trembling in 
 the balance for existence, was a masterly effort, and would to God 
 the principles there presented were engraven upon the hearts of 
 the whole people to-day, and transmitted to future generations. 
 It fairly dwarfs such democrats as my friends W. W. Eaton, Thos- 
 H. Seymour, James H. Gallagher, and others in this section, who 
 at that very time were shedding crocodile tears for men who first 
 perjured themselves, and then throttled the best Government on 
 earth, to sustain an institution gangreened with crime, and a 
 
 * On one of the pages of Mr. Hall's scrap-book, sent in " package " referred 
 to above, is pasted the note : "L 2. No. 662. The Eagle Bank of New Haven 
 promise to pay to E. Whitney, or bearer, on demand, Two Dollars. New 
 Haven, 4th July, 1822. Geo. Hoadly, Pres't. F. B. S. Rossiter, Cash'r." 
 
 Under the Note is written : "My dear Son, — This note is the first paper 
 money your father ever earned. It was paid him by Deacon Samuel Barstow 
 of Columbia, Ct., for riding horse to plow between corn, at three dollars per 
 month, in the summer of 1822. The Bank failed, and left [your] father with- 
 out shoes to attend school that winter. I feel the loss to the present day. 
 
 WM. M. HALL. 
 
 "To E. Allan Hall, * 
 
 Stamford, Ct., Nov. 14, 1869." 
 
LETTERS FROM \VM. MOSLEY HALL. 9 
 
 stench in the nostrils of the civiHzed world. I repeat, Mr. Went- 
 worth, as he stated, was imbued with genuine Democracy from 
 the Jefferson-and-Jackson school, regarded it as something which 
 could not be bought, sold, or bartered, because the objects of a 
 Democracy, while it secures to enterprise and talent their rewards, 
 is to equalize the benefits of heaven to all, and the act which 
 would avowedly confer special facilities for the amassment of 
 enormous wealth on any body of men, is in derogation of its own 
 comprehensive scheme. "And them's my sentiments." I cast 
 my first vote for Gen. Jackson and last for Gen. Hancock, but 
 when my flag was assailed, I dismissed poHtics. Please bear my 
 kind regards to "Long John.'' That speech went to the marrow, 
 and entitles the author to the respect of every man who is a lover 
 of his country and law. Please acknowledge receipt of package, 
 and believe me, your friend, 
 
 VVM. MOSLEY HALL. 
 
 You state that you have sent to St. Louis for Edward Bates' 
 speech at the Convention, I think you will fail to find it any- 
 where, from the fact that he had no notes when he made it, and, 
 if my memory serves me, there were no stenographers present. 
 Enoch E. Camp, of New York, reported for the New-York Her- 
 ald, and 1 think the Neiu-York Tribune. Schuyler Colfax was 
 one of the secretaries. The Rev. Flavel Bascom, who was born 
 within two miles of where I was born, was on the platform while 
 I delivered my speech. Does he still live? 
 
 My faithful old forty-two-year partner sends you a present of 
 my picture, taken during a cold s?iap, some twenty years after the 
 River-and-H arbor Convention ; she says that it is as good as John 
 Wentworth's, but I do not — his is a capital likeness. 
 
 Does James A. Marshall still five? And Joshua L. Marsh? I 
 again plead excuse for all mistakes in my manuscript, as I have 
 written while suffering from indigestion, and if you have ever 
 been thus afflicted you will know the difficulty of arranging ideas. 
 However, you can improve it if you like. If the "wolf" was en- 
 tirely out of sight, I would pocket a "hundred" and go to *' Pole- 
 cat." How would you like to see me walk into your sanctum? 
 I * 
 
 % 
 
lO CHICAGO RIVER-AND-HARROR CONVENTION. 
 
 If I was there, I could do much to aid your Serial that I caiit 
 not do on paper. And what a trifling sum for a few men there 
 that we have contributed to make rich. But let us content our- 
 selves that "all's well that ends well,"' and that Ciod is just, and 
 retribution certain ! An Revoir^ 
 
 W. M. H. 
 
 P. S. — I forgot to mention that my speech was the first public 
 speech roer made in favor of a National Raihvay to the Pacific. 
 
 Stamford, Conn., Nov. 17th, 1881. 
 Robert Fergus, Esq., Chicago, 111. 
 
 Dear Sir: — Your esteemed favor of the 14th inst. is at hand 
 and it affords me pleasure to respond to your request. 
 
 From 1 845 to 1 848, the writer was the agent, in the South and 
 West, with headquarters at St. Louis, of the Lake Steamboat As- 
 sociation, running lines of steamers between Buffalo and Chicago. 
 Connection was made by Frink & Walker's Stage-Line, and, sub- 
 sequently, by packets on the Illinois-and-Michigan Canal with 
 Illinois-River steamers to St. Louis. 
 
 At the close of the season of 1846, before leaving St. Louis for 
 Buffalo, where I then resided, it occurred to me that inasmuch as 
 the press of St. Louis had taken such a lively interest in the com- 
 merce of the great Lakes, it was incumbent on me, as the repre- 
 sentative of the above-named Association, to make some appre- 
 ciative recognition of its valuable services, and carried out that 
 idea by giving an editorial dinner. At that entertainment was 
 Col. A. B. Chambers, of the Missouri Republican, Col. Chas. 
 Keemle and Joseph Field, of the St. Louis Rci'eille, and several 
 others, whose names are now forgotten. 
 
 During the repast, the subject of river-and-harbor improvements 
 was broached, and the Convention, previously held at Memphisr 
 where Mr. Calhoun sought to make the Mississippi River an arm 
 of the sea up to that place, was discussed, until finally Col. Cham- 
 bers remarked that although the Democracy of the country was 
 generally opposed to improvements of the kind desired in the 
 
LETTERS FROM WM. MOSLEV HALL. II 
 
 West, he thought that if a properly-directed effort was made, irre- 
 spective of poHtics, it would receive the endorsement of the press 
 generally throughout the country, which would arouse Congress to 
 favorable action. Furthermore, turning to me, he said, ''there is 
 no one that I know of better qualified to move actively in the 
 matter than yourself; and we of St. Louis will do all we can to 
 aid in the movement." After thanking him for the compliment, 
 [ suggested that a Convention be held somewhere in the West at 
 a future day, which was unanimously accepted. The next day, I 
 left for home, by the way of Chicago, where I remained two or 
 three days, and, while there, laid the proposition before R. L. 
 Wilson, Dr. W. B. Egan, S. Lisle Smith, and several others, who 
 were delighted with the idea, and pledged Chicago to its support. 
 Thus encouraged, I stopped at Detroit, and found Oliver New- 
 berry, Capt. E. B. Ward, and many more alive to the movement, 
 and Cleveland was no less anxious for a Convention. At Buffalo, 
 I found Millard Filmore, E. G. Spaulding, John, William, and 
 Robert HolUster, H. M. Kinne, Jas. L. Barton, and all the com- 
 mercial men of the city, Chas. M. Reed, of Erie, included, also 
 the press had heard of the movement and were alive to its success. 
 
 I called at Rochester, Syracuse, Utica, Albany, Springfield, and 
 Boston, where I laid the subject before Anson Burlingame, who 
 rendered substantial aid by giving it wings through the Boston 
 Journals. Providence, Hartford, and New Haven received due 
 notice of coming events, and at New York I made a stand, for 
 the purpose of setting the ball in active motion. 
 
 There I w-as fortunate enough to find Wm. Duane W ilson, 
 Robert Fergus, and a few other western gentlemen, and we held 
 a meeting at Rathbun's Hotel, September 28th, 1846. [See the 
 action of that meeting on page 18.] 
 
 From this time to the following summer, meetings were held 
 throughout the Country for the appointment of delegates to a Con- 
 vention. There was great anxiety manifested by several western 
 cities to secure the Convention, and St. Louis ignored the recom- 
 mendation of the New- York meeting entirely through her Cham- 
 ber of Commerce by claiming the Convention for herself. This 
 
12 CHICACJO RIVER-AND-HARBOR CONVENTION. 
 
 claim, however, was abandoned after several communications be- 
 tween Col. Chambers and myself, and my original plan was 
 adopted. 
 
 When the Convention assembled, there was an effort on the 
 jjart of John C. Spencer, of Albany, T. Butler King, of Georgia, 
 and a few others, to give it a political turn, but that movement 
 was checked at once, and Edward Bates, of Missouri, who had 
 long before retired from politics, was chosen to preside, and most 
 satisfactorily and eloquently did he perform the duty. (I regret 
 to say that in consequence of a fire, I am unable to give the en- 
 tire proceedings of the Convention, or the letters and documentary 
 evidence of the temptations offered me to swerve from my origi- 
 nal intention of holding the Convention at Chicago.) 
 
 After the River-and-Harbor business was concluded, the Con- 
 vention resolved itself into Committee of the whole, with Horace 
 (ireeley in the chair; when I appeared before it, and advocated 
 my resolutions in favor of a National Railroad to the Pacific, in 
 opposition to Carv^er and Whitney's schemes. (See copy of same 
 herewith.) 
 
 The foregoing is a plain and truthful narrative of the great 
 River-and-Harbor Convention, held at Chicago, 111., July 5th, 
 1847, which can not be successfully controverted by any human 
 being on top of the green earth ; though I am not surprised that 
 there are men in these degenerate days who would filch honors 
 for themselves which of right belong to another, when, at that 
 day, men high in authority and society violated their solemn and 
 oft-repeated pledges, which left the author of the great enterprise 
 and their sudden advancement to wealth to seek remuneration 
 for his labor and ouday wherever he chose to look for it! In- 
 deed, I was looked upon by many as a "loony," and fit subject 
 for a straight-jacket, because I contended that a railroad to the 
 Pacific was practicable! Thank God, time has vindicated my 
 prescient opinion, and I regret to record that not one ot the pio- 
 neers of that immense work ever received a farthing, or the privi- 
 lege of carrying a hod or wheeling a barrow, as a day -laborer, 
 upon the work ! 
 
LETTERS FROM WM. MOSLEY HALL. 1 3 
 
 Capital, cold, grasping, unyielding capital corrupted the servants 
 of the people, and thus secured to itself, in all the subsidies, a 
 territory of land equal to all New England, New York, Pennsyl- 
 vania, Ohio, and Illinois thrown in ! Better that a hne of earth- 
 quakes, topped out with burning volcanoes, ran along the entire 
 range of the Rocky Mountains, than that such a monstrous mo- 
 nopoly, created by "placing money Avhere it would do the most 
 good," should be tolerated in the Republic. Those things will 
 not, nor can not, come to good, and by reference to my Resolu- 
 tions you will find I was of the same opinion on the 7th day of 
 J illy, 1847. 
 
 Hoping that 1 have not wearied your patience, and that your 
 coming serial will be as interesting and valuable as the last, I 
 remain. 
 
 Your friend, 
 
 WM. MOSLEY HALL.* 
 
 P. S. — Bro. Fergus, you will take note that I was never six 
 months at school in my life. There were no Gamaliels or Sheri- 
 dan Knowles about when I rubbed the shell from my head, so 
 you and your editors must not criticise too closely. Alter, shape, 
 or arrange this communication as you deem politic or proper, so 
 that you do not lose sight (of which I have no fear) of the main 
 fact — The Original. 
 
 * Born in Hebron, Tolland Co., Ct., April 20, 1812. 
 
14 CHICAGO RIVER-AND-HARBOR CONVENTION. 
 
 COMMENTS, REPORTS, AND EXTRACTS. 
 
 VETO OF RIVER-AND-HARBOR BILL. 
 
 The following are the Lake items in the Bill that received Mn 
 Polk's perogative of a veto, [Aug. 3d, 1846]: If "His Excellency '^ 
 should ever visit the "Northern Lake Route," these will, in all 
 probability, be pleasant places for him to stop at and visit — viz.: 
 
 Port Ontario Harbor, . .$io,cx)0 
 ()swego Harbor, . , 10,000 
 
 Big-Sodus Bay, Lake Ontario, 5,000 
 
 Little- Sodus Bay, 
 Genessee River, 
 Oak Orchard Harbor, 
 Dredge Boat, Lake Ontario, 
 
 and St. Lawrence River, 
 Buffalo Harbor, 
 Dunkirk Harbor, . 
 Erie Harbor, 
 Grand- River Harbor, 
 Ashtabula Harbor, 
 Cleveland Harbor, . 
 Huron Harbor, . 
 
 5,000 
 
 20,000 
 
 7,000 
 
 Sandusky City, . . $14,000 
 River Raisin, . . . 13,000, 
 Lake Erie, Dredge Boat, 30,000 
 St. Clair Flats, . . 40,000 
 Grand- River Harbor, on 
 
 Lake Michigan, . . 10,000 
 Mouth Kalamazoo River, 20,000 
 St. Joseph Harbor, . 10,000 
 
 Michigan City Harbor, 40,000 
 Racine, Little Fort, South- 
 port, Milwaukee, Chicago, 
 Dredge Boat, in all . 80,000 
 Hudson River, above and 
 
 below Albany, . 75, 000 
 
 20,000 
 15,000 
 15,000 
 40,000 
 10,000 
 10,000 
 20,000 
 5,000 
 
 "It would seem die dictate of wisdom under such circumstances 
 to husband our means and not waste them on comparatively un- 
 important objects." 
 
 Thus discourses James K. Polk, in his veto message on the 
 Harbor Bill, and the sentiment is an insult to the country. "Hus- 
 band our means" forsooth. Are not millions being squandered 
 by this same James K. Polk for the invasion of Mexico and the 
 extension of slavery? Are not steamboats being bought and 
 chartered daily, at enormous prices, to enrich his favorite- prodi- 
 gals? Are not the Treasury doors unbarred whenever the '^open 
 seseme''^ is whispered by the slave-driver? And yet Mr. Polk out- 
 rages the intelligence of the people, his masters, by claiming, when 
 a pittance is asked for a great Northern interest, that we must 
 "////^(^rt!//^/ our means I" That the object for which tve ask them is 
 comparatively unimportant ! 
 
 Does not Mr. Polk know that, independent of the immense 
 wealth that is afloat upon the Northern Lakes, human life is risked 
 in its care; and does he call that existence which he jeopardizes 
 and trifles with, in his narrow-minded cringing to the South, an 
 unimportant object? As he answers to his country for his care of 
 the former, so let him answer to his God for the peril in which, by 
 
COMMENTS, REPORTS, AND EXTRACTS. I 5 
 
 his acts, he places the latter — in abandoning them his protection 
 upon the Lakes when the storm rages. 
 
 Verily he shall have his reward when he answers at the Bar. — 
 Chicago Daily Jour7ial^ Aug. 12, 1846. 
 
 "Some of the objects of the appropriation, contained in this 
 bill, are local in their character, and lie within the limits of a sin- 
 gle State ; and though in the language of the bill they are called 
 harbors^ they are not connected with foreign commerce, nor are 
 they places of refuge or of shelter for our navy or commercial 
 marine on the ocean or lake shores." 
 
 Such is the reasoning upon which James K. Polk attempts to 
 sustain his Veto of the Harbor Bill, because appropriations are 
 made for places, with which there is, as he asserts, no foreign com- 
 merce, and are not used as places for shelter for our navy or com- 
 mercial marine. His real hostility to the Bill can not be concealed 
 by such a. shallow subterfuge. The objects of improvement lie 
 north of Mason and Dixon's line, and would benefit the North 
 and West, whose growing prosperity is hateful to the slave-owners 
 of the South. The lives and property of the freemen of the 
 North, her free laborers, sailors, and those passing to and fro upon 
 her great Lakes and Rivers, are of no concern to the Government. 
 They live and labor in a portion of country which is out of the 
 pale of its care and protection. The lives of an hundred or two 
 of hardy mariners, and a few millions of property are of no con- 
 sequence in the eye of James K. Polk, when weighed against a 
 Virginia abstraction, or that idol of the South, negro slavery. 
 Three times already has the whole policy of this Government 
 been changed at the command of the South, all its business broken 
 up and deranged, because the slave-owner was jealous of the 
 prosperity of the free States. They Avere rising in prosperity, 
 growing rich in commerce, agriculture, manufactures, and great in 
 intelligence, whilst the South, with the curse of slavery upon her, 
 was standing still or going backward. And shutting their eyes 
 to the real cause which produced such results, they attributed it 
 all to what they were pleased to call partial legislation, and they 
 have demanded a change, and every change has brought the same 
 results, and ever will, until slavery be at an end, and the energy 
 of free hands and minds shall raise this country to that position 
 for which Nature intended her. 
 
 All other pretenses of objections to the Harbor Bill are idle 
 and vain. The North can and will be no longer hoodwinked. If 
 no measures for protection and improvement of anything North 
 or West are to be suffered by our Southern masters, if we are to 
 
ID CHICAGO RIVER-AND-H ARBOR CONVENTION. 
 
 be downtrodden, and all our cherished interests crushed by them, 
 a signal revolution will inevitably ensue. The same spirit and 
 energy that forced emancipation for the whole country from Great 
 Britain will throw off the Southern yoke. The North and West 
 will look to and take care of their own interests henceforth. They 
 will deal justly by the South, but at the same time they will see 
 that they have equal justice, and that the power to oppress shall 
 not again be entrusted to men who have shown themselves to be 
 slave-holders, but not Americans. 
 
 For what was Government instituted, if not to protect the lives 
 and property of the governed? And because a portion of the 
 governed happen to live in a part of the Union where every man 
 is free, where the chain and the slave-driver are unknown, are 
 their lives and property to be left to the merciless fury of the 
 winds and the waves? We shall see. The spirit of freedom yet 
 lingers around Bunker Hill, Bennington, and Saratoga, and there 
 are children, yet living, of the fathers whose bones are bleaching 
 there. They have ever been willing to allow more than justice to 
 their Southern brethren, l)ut they will not allow them to be their 
 masters — they will have justice. The fiat has gone forth — South- 
 ern rule is at an end. — Chicago Daily Joiu'nal^ Aug. 19, 1846. 
 
 The Lake Country. — In a few years the trade and commerce 
 of the Lake Country will nearly equal that of the Atlantic. When 
 the various arteries to the main channel shall have been opened 
 — especially when the boundless West shall have poured in her 
 tribute through the lUinois-and-Michigan Canal, the increase in 
 the amount of produce will be immense, and the tonnage on the 
 Lakes will increase in proportion, Through this channel, most 
 probably, the States and territories bordering on Lakes Michigan, 
 Huron, and Superior, including the copper region, will be supplied 
 with the necessaries and luxuries of life from the tropical regions; 
 thus creating an entirely new era in the commerce of the West. 
 
 At the present moment, the commerce of the Lakes exhibits evi- 
 dence of a gigantic increase. It is known, says the Cleveland 
 Plain Dealer^ that the first steamboat which reached Mackinac 
 was in 1819; and in 1826, steamboats navigated Lake Michigan. 
 In 1833, there were on the Lakes 11 steamers, which cost $360,- 
 000, and which conveyed, to and from the Lake ports, 61,485 
 passengers. In 1834, there were 18 steamboats in the trade, 
 which cost $600,000. In 1845, the following vessels navigated 
 the Lakes, above the Falls of Niagara: steamboats, 52, 29,500 
 tons; propellers, 8, 2500 tons; brigs, 50, 11,000 tons; schooners, 
 270, 42,000 tons. Total, 380; 76,000 tons. The cost of the 
 
THE CALL FOR NEW-YORK PRELIMINARY MEETING. 1/ 
 
 construction of these vessels was $4,600,000. In the same year 
 there were on Lake Ontario 7 steamboats, 8 large propellers, and 
 100 brigs and schooners. The tonnage is estimated at 8000 tons. 
 The navigation of the Lakes is critical, and requires a great 
 improvement in light-houses, beacons, buoys, harbors, etc. Dur- 
 ing the last five years, more than four hundred lives have been 
 lost, and last fall, during the boisterous weather, 60 lives were lost, 
 36 vessels were driven ashore, 20 became total wrecks, 4 foun- 
 dered, the loss of property was estimated at $200,000. In 1845, 
 not less than 1,500,000 barrels of flour passed over the Lakes, 
 and 250,000 passengers. At the present time, the commerce of 
 the Lakes may be fairly estimated at $100,000,000 per annum. 
 This is an evidence of what the commerce will be which is now 
 in its infancy, and which calls for the fostering hand of Govern- 
 ment for its protection. The Lakes, from their peculiar position, 
 require not the presence of armed agents of Government for the 
 protection of the commerce that is borne upon their surfaces. 
 All they require is a shelter for the mariner from the effects of the 
 strife of the natural elements, not from the ill effects that too gen- 
 erally succeed a wrangling among nations. But even this boon 
 has been denied by the enlightened! statesmanship of James K. 
 Polk, who interposes his Veto to the construction of that shelter, 
 because he wants the money for the Mexican Warl Justice in 
 such cases may well turn aside and weep for the neglect. — C/n- 
 ^ago Daily Jourtial^ Aug. 31, 1846. 
 
 From (Jhicaijo Daily Journal, Sept. 17, 1846. 
 
 Who is James K. Polk? Answer ye 54°- 40" Crusaders. 
 Answer ye, betrayed and insulted Pennsylvanians. Answer ye, 
 friends of internal improvements. Answer ye, long-suffering 
 claimants of National Justice. Answer ye, Hard-Currency " Demo- 
 crats." Answer ye, advocates of Freedom. Answer ye, friends 
 of peace. Who is james k. polk ? — Portland Argus. 
 
 THE CALL FOR NEW-YORK MEETING. 
 
 North-Western Lakes and Rivers. — A meeting of all those 
 who reside on the borders of the North- Western Lakes, now in 
 this City, and others interested in the improvements of the har- 
 bors on those Lakes, will be held this evening at Rathbun's 
 Hotel, at yYo, o'clock. It is hoped that Western men, particular- 
 ly, will attend without fail, as matters of great importance will be 
 brought up for consideration. — N.-Y. Herald, Sept. 28, 1846. 
 
1 8 CHICAGO RIVER-AND-HARBOR CONVENTION. 
 
 PRELIMINARY MEETING IN NEW YORK. 
 
 [From the New- York Herald, Tuesday. Sept. -Jy, 1846.] 
 
 NORTH-WESTERN LAKES AND RIVERS. 
 
 A respectable and influential meeting of leading Western men^ 
 and others interested in the improvement of the harbors on the 
 above-named Lakes and Rivers, was held last evening at Rath- 
 bun's House [Broadway], and was numerously attended. 
 
 At 7^ o'clock, Wm. Uuane Wilson, Esq., of Milwaukee, was- 
 called to the chair, and Robert P'ergus, Esq., of Chicago, and 
 Thomas Sherwood, Esq., of Buffalo, acted as Vice-Presidents. 
 Wm. Mosley Hall, Esq., of Buffalo, and E. D. Burr, Esq., of 
 Copper Harbor, were appointed Secretaries. 
 
 The Chairman, on taking the chair, said he would call the 
 attention of the meeting to the following article, from the C/n- 
 cago Daily J^oumal, [Tuesday, Sept. 15, 1846 ]: 
 
 ["The Lakes and Western Rivers: — The St. Louis Republi- 
 can, in commenting upon the expression of public feeling in the 
 West on the subject of the President's last veto of the River-and- 
 Harbor Bill, takes the ground that the men in office should be 
 convinced by the moral force of the popular will that this Govern- 
 ment was framed /^r the benefit of the people — that the benefits and 
 assistance they have a right to expect they ivill exact from their 
 agents, and, after reviewing in an able manner the whole ground, 
 makes the following suggestions, to which] we call the especial at- 
 tention of those in the Lake interest, as a matter of the first 
 importance to their commercial welfare, and worthy of their most 
 attentive consideration. 
 
 "The pres.s, in States bordering upon the Lakes, will, of course, 
 speak out on this subject: 
 
 " 'With due deference to the opinions of others, as to the most 
 effective means of obtaining and embodying the opinions of the 
 great mass of the people residing within the valley of the Missis- 
 sippi and the basin of the Lakes, on this subject, we venture to 
 make the following suggestion, and ask for it a candid considera- 
 tion, and the attention of the press throughout the country — 
 
 " 'That a Convention of delegates from every State, county, and 
 district within the country designated, be held at some convenient 
 point, say at St. Louis, to embody and express the views of the 
 
PRELIMINARY MEJCTIXG IN NEW YORK. 19 
 
 mass on this subject, as well as to consider and act upon any 
 other subjects legitimately connected with it. 
 
 " 'We have not the space to-day to pursue the subject as well as 
 we desire, and to show why we prefer this to any other method 
 proposeci We, therefore, content ourselves at this time, with 
 submitting the proposition, and hereafter shall state some of the 
 reasons which influence us in favor of it. It may, however, be 
 proper to remark that the proposition is made at the suggestion 
 of many citizens of the West, of this vicinity and other places; 
 and if favorably received by the people to whom it is addressed, 
 and St. Louis should be selected as the place of holding the Con- 
 vention, nothing will be wanting which can contribute to the 
 comfort of the delegates in attendance, or to a careful considera- 
 tion of the subject. As to the proper time for the meeting of 
 the Convention, various opinions have been expressed. 
 
 "'Some are in favor'of holding it during this fall; others at an 
 early day next spring. Individually, we prefer the latter proposi- 
 tion. If held in the spring, after the navigation of the Lakes and 
 Rivers is fairly opened, the facilities for traveling would be greater, 
 and the delegates from all quarters would have the means of see- 
 ing and forming some idea of the vastness of the commerce and 
 the interests involved. No one who has not seen something of 
 the carrying-trade of the Lakes and of the Mississippi, in the full 
 tide of its spring flood, can form a correct conclusion as to its 
 extent. This evidence would be furnished to all the delegates 
 who might travel to this point by water. As to the time, how- 
 ever, we should be glad to hear the suggestions of others.'" 
 
 "We fully concur with the St. Louis Republica?!^ in reference to 
 'the most effective means of obtaining and embodying the 
 opinions of the great mass of the people,' on this interesting and 
 important subject. Such a Convention, representing the varied 
 and mighty interests of the great valley of the West, will un- 
 doubtedly be productive of the most beneficial results. The only 
 danger to be apprehended is, that aspiring demagogues, or hack- 
 neyed politicians, may endeavor to give a political bias to the 
 deliberations of that body, or may attempt to shape its action in 
 such a manner as to secure some ulterior political advantage. 
 Such an assemblage ot men should be free from any political bias 
 — it should be a union of all those interested in this most impor- 
 tant subject, who, although differing fundamentally on the other 
 great political topics of the day, agree on the absorbing question 
 of future justice to the West. Its only aim should be, not to 
 obtain or secure political capital for either of the great political 
 parties that divide our country, but fearlessly to set forth those 
 
20 CHICAGO RIVER-AND-HARBOR CONVENTION. 
 
 cardinal principles of public policy^ in reference to appropriations 
 for our Rivers and Harbors, in support of which the united West 
 will rally with ardent enthusiasm. Every attempt, therefore, to 
 give to the action of the Convention a political direction, will 
 defeat the great object in contemplation, and, therefore, should 
 be indignantly frowned upon. Let such a Convention be held, 
 and let that Convention proclaim, not mere general principles, 
 which astute politicians can when necessary qualify or evade, but 
 let it set forth in detail, certain definite a?id specific appropria- 
 tions, which that body, representing the varied interests at stake, 
 shall deem necessary for the present security and future prosperity 
 of the West; and let each of the delegates pledge themselves 
 hereafter, to support no man for the Presidency or for member of 
 Congress, who will not unreservedly commit himself in favor of 
 these measures, and the work is done. Neither of the great 
 political parties will [dare to] nominate a candidate for the Presi- 
 dency or for member of Congress, against whom will be arrayed 
 such a moral power of united and enlightened public opinion, [and 
 we shall hear no more of 'vetoes,' or of such hair-splitting obstruc- 
 tions as the difference between 'salt water and fresh,' in reference 
 to appropriations absolutely necessary for the protection of our 
 rapidly-increasing commerce.] 
 
 "In reference to 'time,' we should think the 4th of July, A. D. 
 1847, 3. sufficiently early day, and whilst we have no disposition 
 to be captious about the 'place' of holding the Convention, we 
 think Chicago has claims that can not with propriety be over- 
 looked. Its central position at the head of the vast Lake -trade, 
 and its intimate connection with the Lake-and- River interests, 
 seems to point it out as the most convenient and appropriate 
 place. It stands a connecting link between the different channels 
 of communication, and we believe that more of the interests 
 involved will be accommodated by the selection of Chicago, than 
 in the choice of any other place with which we are acquainted. 
 We are willing that a majority of those interested should decide 
 this question, at the same time promising in advance, that if Chi- 
 cago is honored by the selection, every effort will be made by her 
 citizens, to extend to the delegates from abroad a hearty Western 
 welcome. 
 
 " What say our friends of Milwaukee, Detroit, Toledo, Cleve- 
 land, Oswego, Buffalo, and other places in interest upon the Lakes, 
 to our suggestions?" 
 
 The following were appointed a committee: — John A. Brown, 
 of Milwaukee, Morgan Bates, of Detroit, G. M. Atwater, of Cleve- 
 
PRELIMINARY MEETING IN NEW YORK. 21 
 
 land, Geo. R. Babcock, of Buffalo, and A. Haraszythy, of Wis- 
 consin, who retired and drafted resolutions — pending which 
 
 Colonel Charles King, being called upon, addressed the 
 meeting, and stated that the important question before the meet- 
 ing was one which should not be viewed as a party question — 
 God had done everything in those harbors, and little was left for 
 man to do. Mr. King, after glancing cursorily at the great natu- 
 ral advantages which are presented in the rivers and lakes in the 
 North-West, went on to say that the improvements which had 
 hitherto been made, were dealt out with a niggard hand. The 
 Constitution contained no provision to restrict an improvement in 
 the rivers and harbors, and he felt thoroughly convinced that if a 
 convention of delegates, uninfluenced by politics, should meet 
 some time next summer at Chicago, or in some other Western city, 
 no doubt existed but they could accomplish an object which was 
 so desirable, and in which all should feel a deep interest. The 
 trade of the great inland Lakes, they saw was carried to the salt 
 water, solely by means of British enterprise, and internal coloni- 
 al improvement. He did not mean to derogate from the British 
 in having made such efforts; but he complained of the absurd 
 dealings in abstractions and scruples, which it would seem influ- 
 enced themselves at home. After detaiHng the innumerable ad- 
 vantages to be derived from such a project as contemplated by 
 the meeting — 
 
 The Committee here reported the following resolutions: 
 
 Whereas, the great and rapidly-increasing trade and commerce 
 of the Western Lakes and Rivers, which at the present moment are 
 more than one-half of the foreign commerce of the country, and 
 fully equal in amount to our coasting-trade, should command the 
 protection of our National government; And whereas, it is of the 
 first importance to have a concert of action of the friends of this 
 great interest in order to present it to our National legislature in 
 a proper light. Therefore, 
 
 Resolved^ That we heartily approve of the recommendation of 
 the Western press, for a Convention of all the interests involved 
 in Lake-and-River navigation, proposed to be held in the summer 
 of 1847. 
 
 Resolved^ That we recommend Chicago as the most suitable 
 point for holding said Convention, and the 17th of June next as 
 the most favorable time. 
 
 Resolved^ That we view the commercial interests of this great 
 State, and the Atlantic States generally, closely identified with 
 those of the Western Lakes and Rivers, and we cordially invite 
 
22 CHICAGO RIVER-AND-HARKOR CONVENTION. 
 
 their cooperation, expecting to see them all fully represented in 
 the proposed Convention. 
 
 Resolved^ That we view with the highest gratification the interest 
 already manifested in this City favorable to the proposed Conven- 
 tion; and that we hope soon to see a hearty response by them to 
 this important movement. 
 
 Resolved, That we pledge our individual exertions to secure a 
 general attendance and representation of interest in this Conven- 
 tion, from the communities where we severally reside. 
 
 Resolved, That we tender our thanks to those of the press of 
 this City who have lent their columns to favor the objects of this 
 meetmg; and we earnestly call upon the press generally to keep 
 this subject before their readers, and to publish the proceedings 
 of this meeting entire. 
 
 Mortimer M. Mowbray, Esq., (late Attorney-General of Wis- 
 consin), seconded the resolutions, and trusted that the subject 
 would be made a question for the ballot-box. After briefly advo- 
 cating the objects of the meeting, he concluded. 
 
 A committee was here appointed to carry out the objects of 
 the meeting. The following are the names of the committee : — 
 
 Chicago — Wm. B. Ogden, S. Lisle Smith, Geo. W. Dole. Mil- 
 waukee—Byron Kilbourne, W. D.Wilson. Detroit — Augustus]. 
 Porter. Cleveland^ — J. W\ Allen. Buffalo — James L. Barton. 
 St. Louis — David Chambers. 
 
 The following resolution, offered by Mr. Burr, was then put 
 and carried: — 
 
 Resolved, That the thanks of this meeting be tendered our wor- 
 thy host, who, ever alive to Western interests, in his usual spirit of 
 accommodation, has obligingly furnished us the gratuitous use of 
 his rooms. 
 
 The meeting adjourned. 
 
 [From the Chicago Daily Journal, Tuesday, November 10, 1846J.] 
 
 Meeting of the Citizens of Chicago, for the Purpose 
 OF Making Arrangements for the Western Convention: 
 — The undersigned committee, appointed by a meeting of West- 
 ern men, held in the City of New York, for the purpose of mak- 
 ing arrangements for the North-Western Convention, to be held 
 in the City of Chicago, on the 17th day of June, A.D. 1847, re- 
 spectfully request a meeting of the citizens of Chicago, at the 
 C.ourt-House, on Friday evening, Nov. 13, at y}4 o'clock, for the 
 purpose of making suitable arrangement for the appointment of 
 the necessary committees of arrangements, correspondence, etc. 
 
PRELIMINARY MEETING IN CHICAGO. 23 
 
 As Chicago has, with great unanimity, been selected as the 
 place for the assembling of this important body of Western men, 
 it is hoped that every effort will be made on the part of her citi- 
 zens to have the Convention fulfil the great objects for which it 
 will be convened. 
 
 Wm. B. Ogden, ) 
 
 S. Lisle Smith, Committee. 
 
 CjEO. W. Dole, ) 
 
 [From the Chicago Journal, Monday, Nov. 16, 1846.J 
 
 NORTH-WESTERN HARBOR- AND -RIVER 
 -CONVENTION. 
 
 At a public meeting of the citizens of Chicago, held at the 
 Court -House on the evening of the 13th instant, pursuant to a 
 call made by the Committee appointed at a meeting in New 
 York, for that purpose, to make the preliminary arrangements for 
 liolding the above Convention in this City, the coming season, on 
 motion of William B. Ogden, Esq., the meeting was organized 
 as follows : 
 
 MARK SKINNER, Esq, President. 
 
 Eli B. Williams, Benj. W. Raymond, Vice-Presidents. 
 
 Geo. W. Meeker, Mahlon D. Ogden, Secretaries. 
 
 S. Lisle Smith, Esq., on behalf of the Committee appointed 
 by a meeting in New York, to make arrangements for a North- 
 AVestern Convention, to be held at Chicago, stated the objects of 
 the meeting, Whereupon, on motion of J- Young Scammon, 
 Esq., the following Committee was appointed to report upon 
 Resolutions : 
 
 J. Young Scammon, Isaac N. Arnold, Norman B. Judd, 
 who reported the following, which, on motion of Hon. David L. 
 Gregg, were unanimously adopted : 
 
 Whereas, The subject of a great North-Western Convention, 
 for the purpose of uniting interests in reference to the widely-in- 
 creasing commerce of the Northern Lakes and Western Rivers, 
 and declaring the opinions of the public, and diffusing information 
 in regard to the necessary appropriations for the protection of 
 lake-and-river commerce, has been agitated by the public press 
 throughout the country; and whereas Chicago has been with great 
 unanimity designated as the proper place for holding such Con- 
 w^ention, therefore be it 
 
 I. Resolved^ That the citizens of Chicago, feeling deeply inter- 
 ested in the subject of appropriations by the General Government 
 
24 CHICAGO RIVER-AND-HARBOR CONVENTION. 
 
 for the improvement of the navigation of Western Lakes and 
 Rivers, and in the advancement and protection of Internal com- 
 merce, Avill most cordially cooperate in all proper and suitable 
 measures for the attainment of these objects. 
 
 2. Resolved^ That we are greatly indebted to the press through- 
 out the country, for the unanimity with which, unsolicited by us^ 
 they have designated Chicago as the place for holding the pro- 
 posed Convention, and that we will endeavor to manifest our 
 appreciation of the honor thus conferred, by our zeal and efforts 
 to advance the patriotic purposes for which the Convention will 
 be convened. 
 
 3. Resolved^ That the peculiar location of Chicago, at the ter- 
 minus of lake navigation and at its nearest point of junction with 
 the river commerce, points to it as the natural place for the hold- 
 ing of a Convention, affecting the interests of both the Lakes and 
 Rivers ; and that it might be impracticable to comply with the 
 request of the St. Louis Chamber of Commerce, that the said 
 Convention be holden at the latter City on the loth of May next, 
 for the reason that the navigation of the Lakes does not always 
 open in season to enable those gentlemen who would be desirous 
 of traveling by the lake route, to the Convention, to avail them- 
 selves of it for this purpose. 
 
 4. Resolved, That we sincerely regret the action of the St. Louis 
 Chamber of Commerce in reference to the subject of the proposed 
 Convention, believing that the almost unanimous expression ot 
 the press in favor of Chicago, and the action of the meeting in 
 New York, should determine the question in favor of this City, 
 especially as the South-West have already held a Convention (at 
 Memphis) to advance river and peculiarly Sotith- Western interests; 
 and we deem it but just that the North-West should assert its 
 claim, free from all prejudice, to have this Convention held within 
 North-Western borders, at the same time trusting that St. Louis, 
 having with us a unity of interests, will see nothing unreasonable 
 in this determination. 
 
 5. Resolved, That a North-Western Convention, having in view 
 the improvement of the navigation of Western rivers and the 
 advancement of Internal commerce by the General Government,, 
 be held at Chicago, on Monday, the 5th day of July, A.D. 1847; 
 the Committee, appointed at the meeting in New- York City, hav- 
 ing learned from the corresponding members elsewhere that the 
 day designated at said meeting is too early, and that the day above 
 designated meets their approval. 
 
 6. Resolved, That we consider the exigencies which have called 
 this Convention as of no trifling import; bounded by no sectional 
 
CHICAGO COMMITTEES. 25 
 
 prejudices or partizan predilections; and in view of the object for 
 which we are convened, it is with the utmost confidence that we 
 call upon the People, and States, Counties, Cities, and Towns 
 interested in Lake-and-River commerce to second our efforts in 
 this behalf by such decided action in the premises as will secure 
 for the Convention a general attendance. 
 
 7. Resolved, That a cordial invitation is hereby extended to all, 
 without distinction of party, who feel interested in the improve- 
 ment of River and Lake navigation and in the advancement of 
 the Internal Commerce of the country, to assemble in our City 
 on the first Monday of July, A. D. 1847, to consult upon the best 
 means to secure those appropriations absolutely necessary for 
 their development. 
 
 8. Resolved, That a Committee of seven be'appointed by the 
 Chair as a Committee of Correspondence. 
 
 9. Resolved, That a Committee of seven be appointed to pre- 
 pare a call for the Convention, and an address to the people. 
 
 10. Resolved, That the chair appoint a Committee of one hun- 
 dred to act as a general Committee of Arrangements. 
 
 11. Resolved, That the proceedings of this meeting be published 
 in the Chicago papers, and that the editors of all papers who are 
 in favor of the objects of the proposed Convention be requested 
 to copy the same; and that the Committee of Correspondence be 
 requested to publish the same in circular form, for distribution. 
 
 The following is the appointment of Committees under the 
 resolutions : 
 
 ON THE ADDRESS. 
 
 John Wentworth, Pat'k Ballingall, Grant Goodrich, 
 J. Young Scammon, George Manierre, Isaac N. Arnold, 
 Richard L. Wilson. 
 
 OF CORRESPONDENCE. 
 Norman B. Judd, Samuel J. Lowe, Wm. L. Whiting, 
 Geo. W. Meeker, Thomas Hoyne, Elisha W. Tracy, 
 William B. Ogden. 
 
 MARK SKINNER, President. 
 
 Eli B. Williams, Benj. W. Raymond, Vice-Presidents. 
 
 Geo. W. Meeker, Mahlon D. Ogden, Secretaries. 
 
 COMMITTEE OF ARRANGEMENTS. 
 Wm. B. Ogden, Zebina Eastman, John Murphy, 
 
 Benj. W\ Raymond, Wm. Rounseville, Joseph E. Brown, 
 
26 
 
 CHICAGO RIVER-AND-HARBOR CONVENTION. 
 
 Chas. Walker, 
 John H. Kinzie, 
 Francis C. Sherman, 
 John P. Chapin, 
 Alexander Loyd, 
 Walter L. Newberry, 
 Alanson S. Sherman, 
 Justin Butterfield, 
 Augustus Garrett, 
 (ieo. W. Dole, 
 Jesse B. Thomas, 
 James H. Rees, 
 Laurin P. Milliard, 
 
 David M. Bradley, 
 Nathan C. Geer, 
 Marcus C. Stearns, 
 Asher 'Rossetter, 
 John King, Jr., 
 Ira Couch, 
 Wm. L. Whiting, 
 Walter S. Gurnee, 
 Cyrenius Beers, 
 Jabez K. Botsford, 
 Stephen F. Gale, 
 Chas. E. Peck, 
 Valentine A. Boyer, 
 
 Edward H. Hadduck,Jacob D. Merritt 
 Elisha S. Wadsworth, Albert G. Hobbie 
 Robert C. Bristol, 
 Almon Walker, 
 Hibbard Porter, 
 Dr. Philip Maxwell, 
 Gurdon S. Hubbard 
 Chas. McDonnell, 
 
 Geo. A. Gibbs, 
 Jas. H. Rochester, 
 Joel C. Walter, 
 James Peck, 
 James Carney, 
 Theron Pardee, 
 Eli B. Hulburt, 
 David Humphreys, 
 Albert Neely, 
 Hiram J. Winslow, 
 Thomas A. Robb, 
 (^ieorge F. Foster, 
 Allen Robbins, 
 John S. Wright. 
 
 Patrick Duffy, 
 Haines H. Magee, 
 Anton Getzler, 
 William Jones, 
 William E. Jones, 
 Leroy M. Boyce, 
 Isaac H. Burch, 
 George Smith, 
 Alexander Brand, 
 John H. Dunham, 
 John B. F. Russell, 
 Nelson C. Walton, 
 Chas. Follansbee, 
 Alonzo Huntington, 
 James H. Collins, 
 Henry L. Rucker, 
 Henry Brown, 
 Richard K. Swift, 
 Wm. H. Brown, 
 Henry W. Clarke, 
 
 Philip F. W. Peck, 
 Anthony Johnston, 
 Jason Gurley, 
 John Frink, 
 Alfred Cowles, 
 Martin O. Walker, 
 Hamilton Barnes, 
 Chas. M. Gray, 
 Peter L. Updike, 
 Peter Page, 
 Jacob R. Bates, 
 John Gray, 
 John Gage, 
 Samuel Hoard, 
 George Davis, 
 Wm. B. Egan, 
 James Curtiss, 
 Chas. H. Larrabee, 
 Joseph H. Gray, 
 Lewis C. Kercheval, 
 Dr. John W. Eldridge, 
 Dr. Levi D. Boone, 
 Jas. H, Wood worth, 
 Horatio G. Loomis, 
 Dr. Daniel Brainard, 
 John Calhoun, 
 Lewis AV. Clark, 
 James Fennerty, 
 Capt. A. H. Squier, 
 Wm. Rickcords, 
 John Rogers, 
 Robert D. Sherman, 
 Silas B. Cobb, 
 Azel Peck. 
 
 ADDRESS OF THE CHICAGO COMMITTEE. 
 
 The high prices of freight, taken in connection with the loss of 
 life and property upon the Western waters last season, caused sev- 
 eral public meetings to be held in various sections of the country, 
 for the purpose of devising the best means of remedying those 
 and other evils of which the great mass of the people interested 
 in commerce were complaining. At all these meetings, the pro- 
 
ADDRESS OF CHICAGO COMMITTEE. 2/ 
 
 priety of holding a convention at some convenient point was dis- 
 cussed and universally concurred in. 
 
 In consequence of Chicago having been generally nanied as 
 the proper point, its citizens called a meeting, named the fifth of 
 July as the appropriate time, and chose the undersigned a com- 
 mittee to draft an address, setting forth the objects of the Con- 
 vention. 
 
 The movers in this matter have been, from the first, like the 
 undersigned, of entirely different politics, and, so far from there 
 being, even in the remotest degree, any politicar design in the 
 contemplated Convention, one of the chief objects of it is to call 
 together for a common object the men of all parties, and to con- 
 vince the people every where that the improvements desired are 
 not now, never have been, and never should be, connected with 
 'party politics^' in the ordinary use of that term. Such a connec- 
 tion would, in the minds of all interesteci, have a very deleteri- 
 ous tendency. It can not be denied that there is a predisposi- 
 tion among all politicians to support the measures of a chief 
 magistrate of their own party, and hence we have seen Western 
 representatives, originally supporting harbor and river improve- 
 ments, and elected upon express pledges to do so, finally vote to 
 support a veto of bills providing for that purpose, and assigning 
 as a reason therefor that it was their duty to sustain an executive 
 of their own selection, even though it be in express opposition to 
 the wishes and interests of their constituents. Repeated instances 
 of this kind must eventually give this question somewhat of a 
 political cast, which the undersigned and all who cooperate with 
 them would seriously regret. 
 
 The construction of harbors upon our Northern Lakes, as well 
 as upon the Atlantic, with the improvement of our great rivers, 
 where commerce is of a national character, necessarily involves no 
 questions of party difference. They are matters that must interest 
 all parties, as they do all classes, alike, and harbor and river 
 bills have been supported by the ablest men of both the great 
 political parties which divide this country. This subject has 
 never entered into any presidential canvass, since each party has 
 always taken it for granted that the candidate of the other was 
 above suspicion upon a matter of such preeminent importance. 
 The first Congress that ever assembled under the present Con- 
 stitution, many of whose members helped to frame it, passed a 
 law defraying all expenses which should accrue after the 15th 
 of August, 1789, in the necessary support, maintenance, and 
 repairs of all light-houses, beacons, buoys, and public piers, erected, 
 placed, or sunk, before the passage of this act, at the entrance of, 
 
28 CHICAGO RIVER-AND-HARHOR CONVENTION. 
 
 or within any bay, inlet, harbor, or ports of the United States, 
 for rendering the fiavigation thereof easy and safe. General Wash- 
 ington signed this bill; and bills for the continuance of such 
 works were also successively signed by Presidents the elder 
 Adams, Jefferson, and Madison. The first Lake Harbor Bill was 
 signed by Mr. Monroe. He never raised the constitutional ques- 
 tion, nor do the Congressional debates of those days show that 
 any members of either branch of Congress made any distinction 
 between salt and fresh water improvements, or between foreign 
 and domestic commerce. All at that time were acknowledged 
 alike deserving the fostering care of the General Government, 
 as they also were during the administrations of the younger 
 Adams, General Jackson, and Mr. Van Buren. Though remark- 
 ably scrupulous as to the extent to which the power to construct 
 works of internal improvement should be exercised, General 
 Jackson and Mr. Van Buren signed bills for the improvement 
 of rivers and construction of harbors to the amount of $7,800,000, 
 and the two bills signed by General Jackson in 1836, contained 
 no less than eighty-nine items, and the bill of 1837, no less than 
 fifty-nine. After the General Government has expended upward 
 of seventeen millions of dollars for works of internal improve- 
 ment, and mostly in the old States, by the consent and support 
 of the very framers of the Constitution and their cotemporaries, 
 and by men, too, of all political parties, there can now be but 
 little consideration due the cry that 'it is unconstitutional,' or the 
 plan of a single political party to extend the advantages of such 
 works to the new States, and to such portions of the old States as 
 have thus far been neglected. 
 
 Thus disposing of the constitutional and the political question, 
 the friends of harbor and river improvements arrive at the only 
 one which can rightfully be raised, and that is merely the ques- 
 tion of necessity. Is it necessary to protect our domestic as 
 well as our foreign commerce? Shall we protect the lesser 3n^ 
 neglect the greater? For the past three years, petitions have 
 been presented to Congress in vain: senators and representa- 
 tives in Congress have spoken in vain. The present Secretary 
 of War, in his official reports, has recommended in vain; and 
 the whole topographical corps has estimated in vain. Our bills 
 have invariably been vetoed, and we have been unable to secure 
 two-thirds of the popular branch. Confident that there is wanting 
 a knowledge of the necessity of these improvements among the 
 people or their representatives, since all efforts at success have 
 failed, it has been thought that digefieral convention and consulta- 
 tion, with personal observation, might do much for us. There 
 
CHICAGO committee's ADDRESS. 29 
 
 is not a State in the Confederacy but that touches the lakes, the 
 ocean, or the great rivers of the West. The lakes hne almost 
 our entire northern frontier, and separate us from a foreign coun- 
 try; and the rivers, Hke arteries, run through the whole coun- 
 try, constituting an extent of navigation sufficient to reach round 
 the globe. 
 
 These great waters, for whose safe navigation this Convention 
 is called, are soon to be united by the completion of the Illinois 
 and Michigan Canal. The commerce of Boston, of Philadelphia, 
 of Baltimore, of New York,, of New Orleans, Cincinnati, St. Louis, 
 and, indeed, of the whole country, thence becomes in a great 
 measure connected. It has a common interest, and no injury 
 could, and the greatest advantages fuight rise from a common 
 consultation. It is a notorious fact that statements, during the 
 pendency of harbor and river bills before Congress, are made on 
 the highest personal authority, which never would be made if 
 the authors had any personal observation of the great inland 
 waters of this country, or could realize the necessity of the mil- 
 lions whose lives and property are jeoparded by them. Dele- 
 gates in attendance will not only have the advantages of their 
 own observation to take back with them, but they can profit 
 others meeting them here by a consultation as to the best means 
 of redressing existing wrongs. Having done this, they can im- 
 part the proper feelings to their neighbors, and thus aid in arous- 
 ing the people to take this matter into their own hands, and see 
 that their chief interests are no longer neglected. It is- confi- 
 dently hoped that a more intimate acquaintance with the claims 
 of these great waters, formed by men congregated for this special 
 purpose from all parts of the Union, will result in sufficiently 
 convicting and awakening the public mind to secure the con- 
 stitutional majority, should a harbor bill ever again be vetoed. 
 This Convention is designed to be one of free discussion, and 
 it is hoped that the opponefits as well as the friends of lake and 
 river improvements will attend, and more especially since it is 
 generally beHeved that they have only to see for themselves in 
 order to be convinced that these demands, coming from all our 
 great waters, are founded in justice. 
 
 Although the construction of harbors and the improvement of 
 rivers will be the prominent subject before the Convention, yet, 
 whatever matters appertain to the prosperity of the West, and to 
 the development of its resources, will come properly before it, 
 and all plans and suggestions will be freely entertained. The 
 committee invite a general attendance from all sections of the 
 Union, and tender, in behalf of their fellow-citizens, the hospitali- 
 
30 CHICAGO RIVER-AND-HARBOR CONVENTION. 
 
 ties of* the City of Chicago to such as, impelled by a common 
 interest, see fit to honor them by their presence on the occasion. 
 
 John Wentworth, 
 
 George Manierre, 
 
 J. Young Scammon, \- Committee. 
 
 I. N. Arnold, 
 
 Grant Goodrich, 
 
 [From the Buffalo Express, March 22, 1847.J 
 
 [BUFFALO] RIVER-AND-HARBOR MEETING. 
 
 On Saturday evening, a meeting of the Citizens of Buffalo was 
 held for the appointment of Delegates to the Convention to be 
 holden at Chicago, on the 5th day of July next. The night was 
 exceedingly rainy and inclement, but notwithstanding the weather, 
 the Court-House was well filled, and a deep interest in the subject 
 manifested. The meeting organized by calling the Hon. E. G. 
 Spaulding to the chair, and appointing S. T. Atwater and H. 
 M. Kinne, Esqrs., Secretaries. 
 
 The Chairman returned thanks to the meeting for the honor 
 conferred upon him by making him chairman of so respectable 
 and so important a meeting of the citizens of Buffalo. He did 
 not deem it necessary to make any extended remarks in the way 
 of explaining the objects for which the meeting was assembled, as 
 it was well and generally understood throughout this City. He 
 said that the large attendance, under the circumstances, gave cer- 
 tain evidence that a deep feeling of interest prevaded the citizens 
 of Buffalo upon the subject of River-and-Harbor improvements. 
 He had no doubt that all felt the necessity of some prompt and 
 decided action in regard to the measure, and that the Convention 
 proposed to be held at Chicago would be well attended. For 
 the purpose of securing that object, this meeting had been con- 
 vened. 
 
 The Hon. N. K. Hall moved that 1 committee of five be 
 appointed to draft resolutions expressive of the sense of this meet- 
 ing. The Chair announced Messrs. N. K. Hall, F. P. Stevens, 
 O. G. Steele, T. M. Foote, and O. H. Marshall as said com- 
 mittee. 
 
 H. P. Darrow, Esq., then moved that a committee of five be 
 appointed to select persons to represent this City in the Conven- 
 tion at Chicago on the 5th day of July next. 
 
 Clark Robinson, Esq., then moved that the number be fixed 
 at fifty. 
 
 Gen. H. B. Potter thought that twenty-five would be as many 
 
BUFFALO PRELIMINARY MEETING. 3 1 
 
 as would be likely to attend. — He stated that Rochester ofily sent 
 that number. 
 
 Mr. Robinson thought that fifty here to twenty-five at Roches- 
 ter, was scarcely a full proportion, in regard to the size, commerce, 
 and interest of the two cities. He thought the number should be 
 increased instead of diminished. 
 
 The Hon. Millard Fillmore thought the proposed number 
 none too large, but he would prefer that only those should be 
 appointed who would probably attend. He would rather see a 
 full attendance at Chicago, than a large array of names on paper 
 with a small attendance there. 
 
 J. McKay, Esq., could not see the force of the objections 
 urged by the. gentleman opposing the large number proposed. It 
 was important that Buffalo should be fully and ably represented 
 in the Convention. She had a deep interest in the subject, and 
 should be promptly represented. 
 
 The Hon. E. G. Spaulding was of opinion, from what he 
 understood of the feeling abroad in this City, that more than fifty 
 persons were not only willing, but desirous to attend the Conven- 
 tion, and he thought all who desired to attend should be allowed 
 the opportunity. 
 
 The resolution was then passed fixing the number of delegates 
 at fifty. 
 
 Messrs. H. P. Darrow, H. B. Potter, Clark Robinson, E. 
 A. Maynard, and Richard Sears were then appointed the com- 
 mittee to nominate delegates. 
 
 The Hon. M. Fillmore was then called for, and addressed the 
 meeting in a very appropriate manner. He urged upon the meet- 
 ing the importance of prompt and efficient action in behalf of the 
 cause of our inland harbors and rivers. We had designed giving 
 his remarks at greater length, but have been induced against our 
 wishes to desist. He gave way that the committee on resolutions 
 might make their report. 
 
 The Hon. N. K. Hall, from the committee on resolutions, 
 moved the following report: 
 
 Resolved^ That the commerce and navigation of the great 
 North-Western Lakes and Western Rivers eminently deserve the 
 attention, encouragement, and protection of the National govern- 
 ment. That the commerce of the Lakes, now nearly equal to the 
 export trade of the United States, will soon, by its rapid increase, 
 equal the entire foreign trade of the Union, while that of the 
 Western Rivers already surpasses our foreign commerce; and that 
 this inland commerce, by its importance, value, and extent, and 
 the number interested in its prosecution, will soon force upon the 
 
•32 CHICAGO RIVER-AND-HARBOR CONVENTION. 
 
 general' government the performance of its constitutional duty to 
 provide for the improvement of the navigation of our great lakes 
 and rivers, and the construction of safe and capacious harbors 
 on our great inland seas. 
 
 Resolved, That while more than six millions of dollars are annu- 
 ally appropriated for the construction of light-houses, breakwaters, 
 and harbors on the Atlantic coast, and the maintenance of a navy 
 for the security and protection of our foreign commerce, it is neither 
 wise nor just to refuse moderate appropriations for the protection 
 of the commerce of our rivers and lakes, and the preservation of 
 the lives of the hardy mariners who navigate these waters. 
 
 Resolved, That the commerce and navigation of the great lakes 
 and their connecting rivers, and of the Mississippi and its princi- 
 pal tributaries, are equally deserving the fostering care and pro- 
 tection of our government. That we regard these great channels 
 of communication, extending for thousands of miles into the 
 interior of the country, bordering on more than half the States of 
 the Union, affording an easy and cheap communication to millions 
 of acres of land belonging to the general government, and thus 
 adding immensely to the value of our national domain, as so 
 entirely national in their character and benefits, as to put forever 
 at rest all questions in regard to the constitutional power and duty 
 of Congress to make apj^ropriations for their improvement. 
 
 Resolved, That we can not appreciate the force of the arguments 
 advanced by those who admit the right to make unlimited appro- 
 priations for the protection of our foreign commerce, and yet 
 deny the power of Congress to make appropriations for the pro- 
 tection of the commerce between the States, especially as the 
 Constitution, in the same sentence, gives to Congress the power 
 to regulate commerce with foreign nations and among the several 
 States, and also gives the power to provide for the common 
 defence and general welfare of the United States: That while 
 these great lakes and their connecting rivers separate us from the 
 territories of Great Britain — while we have upon them not only 
 the merchant vessels of our own and foreign merchants, but the 
 national vessels and revenue cutters of our own and a foreign 
 government— with ports of entry, collection districts, custom 
 houses, and collectors, and while the courts of admiralty extend 
 their jurisdiction over these Lakes and those employed in their 
 navigation, we can see no ground for distinguishing between the 
 commerce of the Ocean and that of the Lakes. 
 
 Resolved, That the thanks of the millions more directly inter- 
 ested in our inland commerce, and of the whole country, are due 
 to those members of Congress who, by their votes, have twice 
 
BUFFALO RESOLUTIONS AND DELEGATES. 
 
 33 
 
 ])assed bills making appropriations for harbor and river improve- 
 ments. 
 
 Resolved^ That to secure to those interested in the commerce 
 and navigation of the Great Lakes and Western Rivers their just 
 share of the annual appropriations for the protection of commerce 
 and navigation, it is only necessary that they should unite in pur- 
 pose and effort in favor of such appropriations as are not only dic- 
 tated by a wise policy, but required to distribute equally to the 
 North and West as well as to the South, the benefits conferred by 
 the action of the government of the Union. 
 
 Resolved, That in view of its tendency to promote united and 
 iiystematic action on the part of those interested in the commerce 
 of the Lakes and Rivers of the North and West, we heartily 
 approve of the call for the Convention, to be held at Chicago on 
 the 5th day of July next, and deem it expedient for the citizens 
 of Buffalo to send delegates to that Convention. 
 
 Resolved, That a Committee of Correspondence, to consist of 
 seven members, be appointed by the Chair, whose duty it shall 
 be to correspond with persons in Albany, New York, Boston, and 
 other cities and sections of the country, and invite the attendance 
 of delegates at the said Convention. 
 
 Resolved, That the said committee be also authorized, in behalf 
 of the citizens of Buffalo, to invite the State Officers and Canal 
 Commissioners of the State of New York to attend that Conven- 
 tion; and that it shall also be the duty of such committee to act 
 as an Executive committee to make arrangements to secure for 
 such officers and the delegates to such Convention, suitable pas- 
 sages, berths, and accommodations on board the steamboats from 
 this City to Chicago at the most reasonable rates at which they 
 can be procured. 
 
 Mr. Darrow, from the Committee on Delegates, reported the 
 following names: 
 
 Millard Fillmore, 
 Wm. A. Moseley, 
 Heman B. Potter, 
 Samuel Wilkeson, 
 John Hollister, 
 James L. Barton, 
 E. G. Spaulding, 
 Nathan K. Hall, 
 John L. Kimberley, 
 Henry M. Kinne, 
 Geo. P. Barker, 
 
 3 
 
 Isaac Sherman, 
 Orlando Allen, 
 (jeo. R. Babcock, 
 Philo Durfee, 
 Geo. Coit, 
 Geo. W. Tift, 
 Isaac S. Smith, 
 Thos. M. Foote, 
 Samuel T. Atwater. 
 C. C. Bristol, 
 E. A. Maynard, 
 
 S. S. Jewett, 
 J. O. Br ay man, 
 R. C. Palmer, 
 Thos. C. Love, 
 James McKay, 
 Wm. T. Miller, 
 Elijah Ford, 
 Geo. C. White, 
 A. D. Patchin, 
 Benjamin Bidwell, 
 Geo. B. Walbridge, 
 
34 CHICAGO RIVER-AND-Hx\RBOR CONVENTION. 
 
 Sheldon Thompson, Silas Sawin, I. T. Hatch, 
 
 Geo. B. Webster, Horatio J. Stow, M. Kingman, 
 
 George Palmer, Oliver Biigbee, R. H. Heywood, 
 
 Jas. C. Evans, O. G. Steele, Dean Richmond, 
 
 John M. Griffith, H. K. Smith, F. P. Stevens, 
 
 Clark Robinson, Wm. Williams, I. A. Blossom, 
 
 Bela D. Coe, Wm. Ketchum, Peter Curtiss, 
 
 Wm. M. Hall, Seth C. Hawley, T. T. Sherwood. 
 
 R. H. Maynard, 
 
 J. McKay, Esq., moved that the delegates be authorized to 
 add to their number and appoint substitutes. 
 
 Mr. G. W. Bull solicited aid from the meeting to pay a balance 
 due the printers for printing the work of James L. Barton, Esq., 
 relating to the commerce of the Lakes. This, of course, had the 
 usual effect of such things, and the people began to move off, but 
 about $20 was received, which still leaves a balance of some $70 
 yet due. 
 
 Mr. Wm. M. Hall then addressed the meeting upon the sub- 
 ject before it, and closed by offering the following: 
 
 Resolved, That the Executive Committee be requested to invite 
 the citizens of St. Louis and Cincinnati, as well as the citizens of 
 all other cities and towns on the Mississippi and its tributaries, to 
 meet us in Convention, at Chicago, on the 5th day of July next. 
 
 On motion of T. C. Love, Esq., who appeared a little impa- 
 tient, the meeting then adjourned sine die. 
 
 FFrom the Laporte-County Whig (Michigan City, Ind,), April »>, 1S47.J 
 
 RIVER-AND-HARBOR MEETING. 
 
 At a meeting of the citizens of Michigan City, held at the Com- 
 mon Council Room, on Wednesday, the 7th of April, for the pur- 
 pose of appointing delegates to the Chicago River -and -Harbor 
 Convention, and for the transaction of such other business as- 
 might be deemed expedient. John Francis, Esq. was appointed 
 President and Thomas Jernegan, Secretary. 
 
 On motion it was voted to raise a Committee of seven to draft 
 resolutions expressive of the sense of the meeting, and report the 
 same at an adjourned meeting: — and J. G. Sleight, T. Jernegan. 
 AV. H. Goodhue, C. B. Blair, E. Folsom, W. W. Higgins, and J. 
 R. Wells were appointed. 
 
 On motion the meeting adjourned to meet again on Thursday, 
 the 29th April. 
 
 Pursuant to adjournment, an adjourned River-and-Harl)or 
 
MICHIGAN -CITY PRELIMINARY MEETING. 35 
 
 Meeting was held at the Common Council Room, on Wednesday, 
 the 29th of April, and was called to order by the Chairman, and 
 the proceedings of the last meeting read. Mr. Jernegan, from the 
 Committee on Resolutions, then reported the following Preamble 
 and Resolutions. 
 
 Whereas Congress has power, under the Constitution, to "regu- 
 late commerce with foreign nations and among the several States; 
 and, as one of its first acts in 1789, made provisions for the light- 
 houses, beacons, buoys, piers, and other public works on the har- 
 bors, bays, inlets, and navigable waters of the United States; — 
 and whereas the several States, in forming our Constitution, 
 deprived themselves*of this power for the express purpose of con- 
 ferring it upon, and making its exercise the duty of Congress; and 
 whereas the construction of such works is beyond individual 
 ability; and whereas a large majority of the people, every Con- 
 gress and each President (except John Tyler and James K. Polk), 
 have unhesitatingly believed in the constitutionality and exped- 
 iency of constructing such improvements; and whereas the Gen- 
 eral Government has derived a very large portion of its revenue 
 from public land situated on or about the Lakes and Rivers, 
 deriving their value and being readily sold from the fact of Gov- 
 ernment having commenced, and a belief that she would complete 
 the public works upon our inland 'Mediterraneans,' and the great 
 arteries of commerce; and whereas the commerce of these great 
 waters already doubles our foreign imports and exports — furnish- 
 ing a great portion of the latter, thereby replenishing tl)e national 
 treasury and conducing largely to the general prosperity of the 
 Nation, and, hence, equally entitled to the governmental protec- 
 tion extended to other works of general and national importance ; 
 and whereas the people of the North-western, Western, and South- 
 western States, composing a majority of the States of this Union, 
 can not be equal participants of the disbursements, protection, 
 and benefits of government, without the construction, improve- 
 ment, and repairs of public works upon the Lakes and Rivers, 
 therefore — 
 
 Resolved^ That we have witnessed, with surprise and regret, the 
 will of the people, the decisions of Congress, and the principles 
 and practice of every President, from Washington to Harrison, 
 thrust aside by the arbitrary and unjust use of the veto power. 
 
 Resolved, That we consider the veto of River-and-Harbor bills, 
 upon mere grounds of expediency, and in opposition to almost 
 unanimous votes in the Senate and large majorities in the House, 
 as neither in accordance with a courteous regard for the opinions 
 of the coordinate branches of government, with the genius of our 
 
36 CHICAGO RIVER-AND-HARBOR CONVENTION. 
 
 institutions, or the doctrine of equal rights, which, Hke the dews 
 of heaven, dispense its blessings equally upon all. 
 
 Resolved^ That, believing the construction and improvements of 
 harbors on the seaboard and lakes, and the removal of obstruc- 
 tions to the navigation of our rivers to be, permanently, works of 
 general and national importance — indispensable for the protection 
 of our immense commerce — as harbors of refuge to the storm- 
 driven mariner, and an ark of safety to those who 'go down to 
 the sea in ships,' and important in providing a nursery for the 
 hardy seamen who may at any time be called upon to defend 
 our 2500 miles of lake coast from the attack of a foreign foe — we 
 deem it the duty of the people to unite in the adoption of such 
 measures as will secure appropriations for these great objects. 
 
 Resolved, That without these improvements, the people of the 
 Lakes and Rivers are unjustly deprived of an equal participation 
 in the protection and benefits of Government. 
 
 Resolved, That the paramount importance of this subject 
 demands the union of all political parties to assist in obtaining by 
 all suitable means, justice to these great interests; and that we 
 deprecate the mingling up of this great question in any way with 
 the issues of the two great political parties, not only as untrue 
 issues in fact, but as directly calculated to defeat the very objects 
 we are striving to obtain. 
 
 Resolved, That we are opposed to the election of any man, for 
 President or Vice-President of the United States, who does not in 
 .some satisfactory manner frankly avow himself in favor of signing 
 such River-and-Harbor bills as do not overstep the landmarks of 
 the Constitution, and have been sustained, or their principles 
 sanctioned, by our Congress, our Presidents, and the People. 
 
 Resolved, That we will vote for no man as Representative in 
 Congress who does not approve of such bills. 
 
 Resolved, That we cordially approve of the call for a River-and- 
 Harbor Convention at Chicago, on the 5th of July next, and 
 believe that the union there of men of all parties, sacrificing all 
 party feeHngs on the altar of the public good, and seeking by all 
 constitutional, just, and expedient means to secure to the great 
 West those objects which her rapidly-increasing numbers will soon 
 enable her constitutionally to obtain, must speedily result in 
 accomplishing, or, at least, hastening the period when our birth- 
 right to equal privileges and protection shall be fully restored. 
 
 On motion, the above resolutions were unanimously adopted. 
 
 The Hon. C. W. Cathcart, who was present, was then called 
 upon, and in a short speech, gave a concise history of the pro- 
 ceedings of the friends of River-and-Harbor improvements during 
 
CHICAGO WHIGS' LETTER TO DANIEL WEBSTER. 3/ 
 
 the two last sessions of Congress, showing that every effort had 
 been made to induce the President to sign the bill. The speaker 
 remarked that no appropriations could be expected during the 
 present administration and thought there was but little probability 
 of a two-thirds' vote in the House. He closed his remarks by 
 suggesting a remedy for this evil. 
 
 On motion, it was voted to choose delegates to the Chicago 
 Convention; and 
 
 J. R. Wells, Edward D. Taylor, J. Francis, 
 
 E. Folsom, J. S. Carter, J. R. Bowes, 
 
 E. H. Noyes, W. H. Goodhue, J. Wendover, 
 
 C. B. Blair, J. G. Sleight, Jonathan Burr, 
 
 W. R. Bowes, Thomas Jernegan, J. Barker, 
 
 were chosen. 
 It was then moved and carried, that said Committee have 
 power to fill vacancies. 
 
 On motion, E. Folsom, G. Ames, J. R. Wells, J. G. Sleight, C. 
 B. Blair, J. S. Carter, W. R. Bowes, T. Jernegan, and J. Francis, 
 were appointed delegates to the LaPorte-County River-and-Har- 
 bor Meeting, to be held at Laporte, on the 12th of June next, and 
 report the proceedings of this Meeting. 
 
 Voted, That the proceedings of this meeting be published in the 
 Michigan- City Neivs and Laporte- County Whig. 
 On motion, the Meeting then adjourned. 
 
 John Francis, President. 
 Thomas Jernegan, Seeretary. 
 Michigan City, April 2g, 1847. 
 
 [ Chicago Evening Journal, Friday, July 9, 1847.] 
 
 A LETTER TO HON. DAN'L WEBSTER, FROM SOME 
 OF HIS PERSONAL FRIENDS IN CHICAGO. 
 
 Chicago, May loth, 1847. 
 
 Hon. Daniel Webster — Dear Sir: We have lately seen it 
 announced, in the National Intelligencer, that it is your intention 
 to return home, from your "long-projected tour through the 
 Southern States, by way of the Great Lakes," and we avail our- 
 selves of this opportunity to express to you our hope that you 
 will honor this City by a visit. 
 
 Whilst it ever affords our citizens sincere pleasure to welcome 
 distinguished citizens of other States, who may honor them with 
 their presence, rest assured, dear Sir, that to no one will a more 
 
38 CHICAGO RI VER- AN D-H ARBOR CONVENTION. 
 
 sincere and hearty vvelcome be extended, than to the "Great 
 Defender of the Constitution." 
 
 A large portion of our inhabitants claim New England as their 
 birthplace, and have ever been taught to honor and revere New- 
 England's most gifted son. They feel proud of that name and 
 fame that have shed a halo of glory around our common country, 
 and they are anxious to testify, in a suitable manner, their respect 
 and gratitude for those faithful and laborious services, rendered 
 in the Nation's Council during a long life of untiring devotion to 
 the public good. To recapitulate those services would be but to 
 recite the history of the country for the last thirty years, so inti- 
 mately have they been connected with the welfare and true inter- 
 ests of our people. 
 
 In you, Sir, the Great West has ever found a faithful friend. 
 Your comprehensive patriotism, bounded by no narrow horizon," 
 has ever been devoted to the prosecution of measures tending to 
 develop the resources of this young and growing section of our 
 land. No illiberal jealousy — no contracted sectional feelings 
 has ever actuated you in the discharge of your public duty. 
 "The country — the whole country — and nothing but the coun- 
 try," has ever been your motto; and the interests of this young, 
 free West, have ever been the objects of your constant care. 
 
 An opportunity will be presented to you to witness the growth 
 of our State, since you last honored us with a visit in 1837. Ten 
 years, which effect but few changes in the Old World, completely 
 alter the face of a new country. Since your last visit, our popula- 
 tion has nearly quadrupled; our commerce has greatly increased; 
 the various branches of mercantile and mechanical business have 
 been vastly augmented; and our borders have been filled with 
 thousands of the honest tillers of the soil, who, by their industry, 
 have improved and adorned this Prairie Land. To you it will 
 doubtless be gratifying to view this magical change. 
 
 Beside, on the 5th of July, a Convention of Western men 
 assemble in our City to deliberate on the interests of this young 
 empire— interests which have been wantonly sacrificed by the 
 hair-splitting abstractions of the Southern politician, now, unfor- 
 tunately for us, at the head of our government. In such a 
 council we desire to hear your voice. Your enlarged experience, 
 your profound statesmanship, your gigantic intellect, your high- 
 toned patriotism, will do much to aid us in our consultations 
 and efforts; and may we not hope that they will be devoted, on 
 that occasion, to the advancement of our prosperity? The West 
 is not ungrateful, and will surely remember any sacrifices made in 
 her behalf 
 
DANIEL WEBSTERS CHICAGO FRIENDS. 
 
 39 
 
 Again assuring you of a hearty Western welcome, and with the 
 tender of our sincere personal regards, we remain, with senti- 
 ments of profound respect, 
 
 Samuel Lisle Smith, 
 Justin BuUerfield, 
 Isaac H. Burch, 
 James M. Adsit, 
 Elisha W. WiUard, 
 Tames A. Smith, 
 Wm. W. Saltonstall, 
 John P, Chapin, 
 Silas B. Cobb, 
 James E. Bishop, 
 William Blair, 
 iRichard L. Wilson, 
 Edward H. Hadduck, 
 Charles E. Avery, 
 Henry R. Payson, 
 Oeorge A. Robb, 
 C. W. Appleby, 
 James Peck & Co., 
 -George C. Drew, 
 John H. Dunham, 
 Tarleton Jones, 
 Joseph W. Shoemaker, 
 R. Hamlin, 
 Nathan C. Geer, 
 John P'ilkins, 
 Charles L. Wilson, 
 John B. F. Russell, 
 Arthur G, Burley, 
 Michael A. Neff, 
 John King, Jr., 
 Nathaniel P. Wilder, 
 Charles Burley, 
 Lewis W. Clark, 
 George W. Dole, 
 iSamuel N. Stebbins, 
 
 William E. Stimson, 
 W. S. Harkinson, 
 Edward K. Rogers, 
 John C. Williams, 
 Samuel W. Goss, 
 Arche Kasson, 
 Haines H. Magie & Co., 
 James W. Steele, 
 Giles Spring, 
 Sidney Sawyer, 
 Joseph W. Hooker, 
 Justin Butterfield, Jr.. 
 John A. Brown, 
 Buckner S. Morris, 
 David Humphreys, 
 Theron Pardee, 
 Wm. Hull Clarke, 
 George W. Meeker, 
 George Steel, 
 Augustus L. Jacobus, 
 Charles R. Vandercook, 
 Allen Robbins, . 
 Leroy M. Boyce, 
 H. C. Lawrence, 
 Ephraim C. Stowell, 
 Asher Rossiter, 
 John S. Wright, 
 David S. Lee, 
 Robert Stuart, 
 Isaac Hardy, 
 Samuel Edward Davis, 
 Wm. Gooding, 
 Joseph Keen, Jr., 
 Wm, H. Brown, 
 Alfred Cowles, 
 
 Yours, etc. 
 
 Raymond, Gibbs Sc Co., 
 Thos. B. Carter & Co., 
 Benjamin F. Taylor, 
 Archibald Clybourn, 
 John Parker, 
 Cyrenius Beers, 
 Wm. L. Whiting, 
 Samuel Nickerson, 
 Charles G. Archer, • 
 Joseph T. Ryerson, 
 Andrew Blaikie, 
 George W. Taylor, 
 Chas. B. King, 
 E. H. Burdsall, 
 John Rogers, 
 John H. Kinzie, 
 John W. Ransom, 
 Henry Stecker, 
 Edward I. Tinkham, 
 John Brinkerhoff, 
 Thomas B, Penton, 
 Smith J. Sherwood, 
 Samuel B. Collins & Co., 
 Thomas Whitlock, 
 Samuel J. Surdam, 
 W. Wait Smith, 
 Alfred Dutch, 
 J. P. Brittain, Jr., 
 Thomas Church, 
 JacoVj Russell, 
 Stephen F. Gale, 
 Alexander Brand, 
 Aaron Gibbs, 
 Adoniram Judson 
 
 Woodbury. 
 
 IChicago Evening Journal, Monday, J nty 5, 1847.] 
 Delegate Meetings. At 8 o'clock this morning : —The Illi- 
 nois Delegations meet at the Tent on the Public Square; the 
 New- York Delegations at the Court-House; the Missouri Dele- 
 gations at ICO Lake Street, Peck & McDougalFs office (up stairs); 
 the Ohio Delegations at the Sherman House. 
 
 Delegates to the Convention. — The different Delegations 
 will form for the procession with the New-England States on the 
 right, and by seniority in order, with the Territories on the ex- 
 
40 CHICAGO RIVER-AND-HARBOR CONVENTION. 
 
 treme left, being designated as follows, by order P. Maxwell^ 
 Marshal: Maine, yellow; New Hampshire, white; Vermont, greeny 
 Massachusetts, red: Rhode Island, purple; Connecticut, scarlet; 
 New York, crimson; New Jersey, pink; Delaware, blue; Mary- 
 land, lilac; Virginia, brown; Pennslyvania, Drab; North Carolina, 
 orange; Ohio, red and white; Michigan, blue and white; Illinois, 
 red, white, and blue; Wisconsin, yellow, white, and Green; Iowa,, 
 blue, scarlet, and brown; Missouri, white and scarlet; Kentucky, 
 white and green; Tennessee, crimson and yellow; Georgia, orange 
 and lilac; Indiana, brown and red; Florida, yellow, drab, and 
 pink; Mississippi, purple and white; Louisiana, blue and yellow; 
 Arkansas, green and orange; South Carolina, brown and pink; 
 Texas, scarlet, blue, and green, * '^ * Delegates will find 
 a member of the Committee of Arrangements in attendance at 
 the Sherman House to furnish them with badges. 
 
 Order of the Day for 5th of July. — Marshal of the day 
 — Band-^ Cleveland Artillery — Other Military — Marshal — Band 
 — Mariners — Marshal — Band — Fire Department — Marshal — Ju- 
 diciary and Civil Officers — Clergy — Mayor and Common Council 
 — ^ Ex-Mayors — Marshal — General Committee — Committee of 
 Arrangements — Committee of Reception — Societies and Orders 
 of Chicago— Marshal — Band — IlHnois Delegations. 
 
 The procession of escort will assemble and form as follows, 
 precisely at 9)^ o'clock, at the signal of a gun. Cleveland Artil- 
 lery and other Military, Sailors, and Mariners, in Water Street, 
 right resting on Michigan Ave.; Fire Department in Lake Street; 
 Judiciary and Civil Officers, Clergy, Mayor and Common Council, 
 Ex-Mayors, and Committees, on Randolph Street; Societies and 
 Orders of Chicago, on Washington Street; Illinois Delegation on 
 Madison Street. The Marshals will assemble on the old Garrison 
 Ground. 
 
 The procession will move at 10 o'clock, at the signal of a gun, 
 filing into a line on Michigan Avenue; pass through Monroe vSt. 
 to Wells, through Wells to Lake St., through Lake to Michigan 
 Ave., resting at the Public Square, to take in escort the foreign 
 delegations, then proceed west upon Madison to State St., north 
 on State to Lake St., west on Lake to Clark St., south on Clark 
 to Public Square. 
 
 The foreign delegates are requested to assemble at Public 
 Square [Dearborn Park], on Michigan Ave., at 10 o'clock, or be- 
 fore the return of the procession of escort, and form by States. 
 
 Philip Maxwell, Marshal. 
 
CHICAGO'S FIRST GREAT DEMONSTRATION. 4 1 
 
 [From the Chicago Evening Journal^ Tnesd&y, July 6, 1847.] 
 
 FIFTH OF JULY. 
 
 A GREAT, a glorious day has gone down — a day which chil- 
 dren's children will remember, when the actors that took part^ 
 and the hands that indited, are cold and motionless; as a day 
 when party predilections were obliterated; when sectional inter- 
 ests were forgotten; when from eighteen free and independent 
 Sovereignties, men came up to the achievement of a noble work, 
 united their voices in one grand harmony, for the promotion of 
 an object demanded alike by the most enlightened self-interest, 
 the most liberal view, and indeed by common humanity. 
 
 The scenes which have lightened the eyes and gladdened the 
 hearts of our citizens, are no idle pageant that shall vanish with 
 the day, and leave no trace behind — no gathering for political or 
 temporary effect — no indignant convocation for the mere indul- 
 gence in invective— no effervescence of feeling, that shall expend 
 itself in empty resolves, be the wonder of the hour and then for- 
 gotten, but an occasion upon which great and startling facts — 
 facts embodied in figures that can not lie, are to be presented — 
 facts in which the farmer, the artizan, and the merchant, the 
 manufacturer, and the operative, the capitalist in Boston, the 
 sailor before the mast, and his family at home, are all proportion- 
 ably and deeply interested — facts involving the history of the 
 country, from that hour when the hardy pioneers left New York 
 behind them, or crossed the heights, and pierced the dense forests 
 of Pennsylvania in quest of "the better land" that was at last dis- 
 closed to them all cleared and ready for the furrow. 
 
 A demonstration Hke that which we have witnessed today, 
 causes us to think better of our race than we were wont — to 
 rejoice that there are questions upon which men of every political 
 bias and of every sectional interest can meet as one great brother- 
 hood, speak with one harmonious voice, and act as one man. 
 But to the pageant. At an early hour, the streets were thronged 
 with strangers, the gray-haired and the young, the matron and the 
 maid, the hope and promise of a coming day, and the veteran of 
 his three score and ten; flags were flying from every steamer and 
 sail-vessel in port, blasts of martial music swelled ever and anon 
 upon the air, and the deep notes of artillery boomed over the 
 prairie and the Lake. Joyous faces were everywhere, and heaven 
 itself smiled upon the scene. At nine o'clock, the roar of cannon 
 and the roll of drums announced the hour for the formation of the 
 procession. The Fort, Water, Lake, and Washington Streets 
 were alive with the military, the fire-companies, and the civic pro- 
 
42 CHICAGO RIVER-AND-HARBOR CONVENTION. 
 
 cession. Column after column and line after line, away they 
 moved to the rendezvous; banner after banner, band after band, 
 host after host. It was a glorious, almost a sublime spectacle; 
 worthy the times ere Babel left the world. —Five thousand men — 
 Jive thousand freevc^Qw in solid column moving on, not to carnage, 
 but to the expression of a great truth, the pleading of a great 
 necessity, the arguing of a great cause. 
 
 Never was the birthday of our National Independence more 
 befittingly celebrated than on this day — to give freedom and tone 
 to the pulse of commerce — to cheer the mariner on his airy 
 shrouds — to brighten the homes and the hopes of thousands. Is 
 there, can there be a nobler cause under which freemen can rally 
 in behalf of the State? That vessel with sails all set, and signals 
 flying to the breeze, drawn by eight horses and manned through- 
 out by sailors, bore a banner eloquent of the object of this Con- 
 vention. It was a sea roughened by storms, that lifted the waves 
 to the very heaven in the distance, but hard by was a Harbor 
 where "the winds and the waves lay together asleep," and a light- 
 house lifting its star of joy and hope upon the rocky cliffs. Over 
 all was inscribed the significant words, "What we want." Ah! 
 that ship "Convention" had a speech and an argument that 
 appealed to the eye and reached even to the heart; and we are 
 sure that it will not be the fault of the body of Delegates now 
 assembled, if many a gallant craft does not plough these inland 
 seas and nobly breast the storm, in the good hope of a light to 
 guide it, and a safe harbor at last. 
 
 First in the procession and immediately foliowing the Marshals, 
 were a part of the Cleveland Light Artillery, a soldierlike, splen- 
 did corps, and an honor to the "Buckeye State." They were fol- 
 lowed by the Montgomery Guards, a fine company of forty -five, 
 composed of our own citizens, tastefully uniformed, and indebted 
 in a great degree to the energy and perseverance of Capt. Wm. 
 B. Snowhook for their organization. The Guards were followed 
 by the company of horse under the command of Richard K. 
 Swift. Then came the good ship "Convention," under a cloud 
 of canvas, drawn by eight horses and completely manned. Then 
 the Chief Engineer, Stephen F. Gale, Esq., accompanied by his 
 assistants and succeeding them, a train that would do honor to 
 an older city than our own Chicago. A beautiful banner of silk 
 preceded them, bearing the expressive motto, "Protect our Com- 
 merce and we will protect your dwellings." On they came— ^ 
 "Hope" Hose, Number one, and forty in number, uniformed and 
 with banners — "Rough-and-Ready," Bucket Co., 30 strong — \o\ 
 a banner, "Stay the destroyer" its watchword — Hook-and-Ladder 
 
DESCKIJ'TIOX OF THE PROCESSION. 43 
 
 Company, No. i came glittering on, full forty more. A band of 
 music, and the "Fire King'' [Engine Co., No. i,] wheels into 
 view. A broad and carpeted platform, elegantly ornamented, 
 ])ore the engine. Wreaths of flowers decked the polished shafts 
 and a bower of evergreen in front, a sort of miniature Eden, was 
 graced by the presence of three young ladies arrayed in white. 
 The occupants of this beautiful structure, though not the queens 
 of fire, might well have been mistresses of a gentler flame. Six 
 horses, gorgeously caparisoned, were attached to this elegant 
 vehicle, and the Company, fifty-six in number, filed on in its wake. 
 Still on they came — "Metamora," No. 2, full fifty strong, with 
 white waving plumes and banners, their engine drawn by six 
 horses. Their fine uniforms, blue frocks fringed with red, forming 
 a beautiful contrast with the white array of the company of the 
 '•Fire King." And yet ''the long line comes gleaming on" — the 
 Spartan phalanx [Niagara,] No. 3, in full force, admirably uni- 
 formed and equipped to do good service against the Destroyer. 
 ^'Red Jacket," [No. 4,] fifty in number, their engine decked with 
 festoons of flowers and silken banners, drawn by twelve gray 
 horses, caparisoned with crimson trappings and guided by twelve 
 blacks, in the gay turbans and full costume of the land of harems 
 and song. 
 
 Now a brass band immediately preceding the Fire Wardens 
 and Aldermen with their appropriate badges. Again music, fol- 
 lowed by the Illinois Delegations, 600 strong, with banners. The 
 'Blue,' the 'Red," the 'Red and White,' Delaware, the old Bay, 
 and the Buckeye State wheel into line. The good old land of 
 rocks and hills and 'steady habits,' the Empire State, and the 
 woods of the. old Quaker sent up their representatives to swell 
 the host. Indiana, the 'Peninsula," Iowa, and the 'orange and 
 lilac' followed on and so they came, from eighteen sovereignties, 
 full five-thousand strong. 
 
 It was a noble, a soul-inspiring spectacle, and as it thronged 
 our streets and filed into our public square, it was a glorious 
 exemplification of the great truth that the hope of our republic, a 
 holier order of liberty than the Gothic or old Corinthian, an order 
 of heaven's own architecture, lies with a free, intelligent, and 
 independent people. 
 
 It was a display, such as the West has never before beheld, but 
 we value it not for the badges, and banners, and pageantry — not 
 for its array of military or its blasts of music, but for the com- 
 munity of interest and of feeling that it indicated, thus gathering 
 from every quarter of a Republic, wide as the New W^orld and 
 coCnprehended by two oceans — gathering here at the hithermost 
 
44 CHICAGO RIVER-AND-HARBOR CONVENTION. 
 
 extremity of the great Lake chain, the trading-post, the very out- 
 post of civilization — no, no, not that, for that was Chicago of 
 1 812 — but at the city of sixteen thousand, the Chicago of today, 
 in itself a glorious exponent of the triumph of enterprise, but at a 
 sacrifice how fearful, over the perils incident to our River-and- 
 Lake navigation, in seas without harbors, in rivers fretful as the 
 porcupine, with dangers — befitting monuments of the fortunes, 
 and the lives that have perished upon and aow lie beneath them 
 — a triumph over influences constantly retarding and impairing 
 honest and honorable enterprise — over dangers more imminent, 
 and necessity more imperative, which each returning year has 
 brought with it — and yet, notwithstanding all these influences, 
 extending as they do, back through what of the West has become 
 matter of history, and binding, as they do, with links of iron, the 
 free scope of enterprise, chilling with their manacle touch, every 
 department of our internal Commerce, and by the loss of life 
 through the dangers that throng our waters, and rise like the mists 
 from their surface, festerifig in many a living heart, yet it has 
 become what it now is, the pride and the mart of Northern Illi- 
 nois, but at what a sacrifice of treasure and of life ! 
 
 These counteracting influences are the data upon which, we 
 suppose, the Convention will be called to act — we say to act^ for 
 words are not always but "empty air," and the united voice of 
 such an assemblage, going forth to the world, and reaching the 
 ears of Government, the articulate "voice of many waters," is a 
 great act, and will not, can not be disregarded. It is for this, we 
 say, that the far-reaching and radiant influences of this meeting 
 can neither be traced nor estimated, nor the responsibility of its 
 actors too carefully weighed. While in every respect it is an 
 important trust committed to the Delegates, demanding decision 
 and energy tempered with prudence, guided by judgment, enlight- 
 ened by experience, and hallowed by a true devotion to the best 
 interests of the whole country, in one respect it is a solemn trust. 
 
 We are not about to speak of the wail of orphanage rising like 
 the dirge of complaining waters; or the weeds of mourning, that 
 would, if recalled from the past, sadden and darken the noonday 
 — we are not about to specify a single one of the thousand inter- 
 ests involving human happiness, that are interwoven with this 
 great but simple question, the improvement of our Harbors and 
 Rivers, but feebly to comprehend them all in the words of 
 another: "It is a solemn occasion, because the deeds of today 
 are not the deeds of today." 
 
 The questions to be brought before the Convention, then, are 
 momentous but by no means intricate. As was truthfully and 
 
CHICAGO IN 1847. 45 
 
 beautifully said of England's great architect, in speaking of the 
 numerous and noble monuments he had left to perpetuate his 
 name, "would you see the tokens of his fame — look aroundr so 
 with equal truth it may be said, that through the last thousand 
 miles of their journey hither, the Delegates to this Convention, 
 from whatever quarter they came, had but to ''look aroimd' to 
 behold the theme of their deliberations stretching away, far as the 
 eye could reach — everywhere the Lakes, everywhere the Rivers, 
 and everywhere the West. 
 
 While we were penning this last sentence the fire companies of 
 Chicago were promenading our streets in a torch-light procession. 
 Beautifully emblematic of the hopes of the great West, which, if it 
 ever achieves a triumph, must conquer by inater, and only then, 
 when the true relations of that West to the whole Union, are 
 clearly revealed in the full and unclouded light. 
 
 CHICAGO IN JULY, 1847.— POPULATION, 16,000. 
 
 City Officers, — Mayor, James Curtiss; Aldermen, ist Ward : James H. 
 Woodworth, Peter L. Updike; 2d Ward: Dr. Levi D. Boone, Isaac Speer; 
 3d Ward: Benj. W. Raymond, Dr. John Brinkerhoff; 4th Ward: Robert H. 
 Foss, Chas, McDonnell; 5th Ward: Jas. Sherriffs; 6th Ward: Asahel Pierce, 
 Andrew Smith; 7th Ward: Elihu Granger, Charles Sloan; 8th Ward: Wm. 
 B. Snowhook, James Lane; 9th Ward: Wm. B. Ogden, Michael McDonald; 
 City Clerk, Henry B. Clarke; Attorney, Patrick Ballingall. 
 
 PuHLic Schools. — Agent, Wm. H. Brown. Inspectors, Wm. H. Brown, 
 George W. Meeker, Wm. Jones, Wm. E. Jones, Dr. E. McArthur, Charles 
 McDonnell, Samuel Hoard. Clerk, George W. Meeker. 
 
 Schools. — District No, i and 2, "Dearborn," Madison St., bet. State and 
 Dearborn, built in 1844. Principal, Albert W. Ingalls; Assts., Miss H. B. 
 Rossetter, Miss Ferguson, Miss M. C. Durant, Miss A. M. Day. 600 scholars. 
 
 District No. 3, "Scammon," West Madison Street, bet. Union and Hal- 
 sted, built in 1846. Mr. and Mrs. C, J, Ballard, Teachers, 300 scholars. 
 
 District No. 4, "Kinzie," Ohio Street, cor. N. LaSalle; built in 1845. 
 Principal, Alden G. Wilder; Assistants, Miss Mary A. Kent, Mrs. Mary E. 
 Warner, Mrs. Lamb. 500 scholars. 
 
 Churches.— Bethel (Sailors'), N. Dearborn St., Rev. T. Wilcox, Pastor. 
 
 Church of the Evangelical Association (German), Wabash Avenue, N.-E, 
 comer Monroe Street; Rev. Jacob Cobb, Pastor. 
 
 First Baptist, Washington Street, S.-E. corner LaSalle. 
 
 First Methodist, Washington St., S.-E. cor. Clark; Rev. C. Hobart, Pastor. 
 
 First Presbyterian, Clark St., S. of Wash'ton; Rev. Flavel Bascom, Pastor. 
 
 German Lutheran, Indiana St., near N. Wells; Rev. Augustus Selle, Past'r. 
 
 New Jerusalem (Swedenborgian), worship in old Common-Council Room, 
 Saloon Bldg, S.-E. cor. Clark and Lake Sts. ; Rev. Joseph K. C. Forrest, Past'r. 
 
 Tabernacle Baptist, LaSalle, bet. Rand, and Wash. , Rev. Wm. H. Rice, Pastor. 
 
 Second Methodist, Canal, bet. W, Rand, and Wash, ; Rev, S. Bowles, Pastor. 
 
 Second Presbyterian, Randolph St., bet. Clark and Dearborn; Rev. Robt. 
 W. Patterson, Pastor. 
 
 St. Mary's (Catholic), Wabash Ave., S.-W. corner Madison; Very Rev. 
 Bishop Wm. Quarter, V.G., Rector. 
 
46 CHICAGO RIVER-AND-HARB(.)R CONVENTION. 
 
 St. James Episcopal, Cass, nr S.-W. cor. 111. ; Rev. I'.zra B. Kellogg, Rectoi". 
 
 Trinity (Episcopal), Madison Street, near and west of Clark. 
 
 Unitarian, Washington St., bet. Clark and Dearborn; Rev. Wm. Adam, P'r. 
 
 Universalist, Washington St., bet. Clark and Dearborn, (opposite the Uni- 
 tarian, and east of the First Methodist); Rev. Samuel P. Skinner, Pastor. 
 
 Fire Department. — Chief Engineer, Stephen F, (iale; ist Asst., Chas, 
 E. Peck; 2d Asst., John H. Kinzie. 
 
 "Fire- King" Engine Co., No. i; Motto, Fro bono Publico. Organized 
 Dec. 12, 1835. Foreman, Cyrus P. Bradley; Asst., Ashley Gilbert; Clerk and 
 Treasurer, George R. Bills; Steward, Joel C. Walter. 
 
 "Metamora" Engine Co., No. 2. Organized Dec. 14, 1837. P'orman,^ 
 Sandford Johnson ; Asst., Clerk, and Treasurer, Peter L. Voe. 
 
 "Niagara" Engine Co., No. 3; Motto, Semper Promptus. Organized Nov. 
 24, 1844. Foreman, Gurdon S. Hubbard; Asst., George F. Rumsey; Clerk, 
 Geo. H. Rankin; Treasurer, Benj. L. T. Bourland; Steward, Geo. F. Foster. 
 
 "Red-Jacket " Engine Co., No. 4. Organized Nov. 23, 1846. Foreman, 
 Francis T. Sherman; Asst., Delos N, Chappel; Clerk, Oscar F. Lowe;. 
 Treasurer, James J. Langdon; Steward, Charles V. Dodge. 
 
 "Excelsior" Engine Co., No. 5. Organized Nov. 23, 1846. Foreman, 
 Alanson S. Sherman; Asst., Charles Morton; Clerk, John Link. 
 
 ."Philadelphia" Hose Company, No, i; Motto, We strive to save. Organ- 
 ganized Jan. 30, 1845. Foreman, J. K. Webster; Asst., Wm. O. Snell; 
 Clerk, Ebenezer M. Gustine; Treas., J. Johnson; Steward, Thomas Cann. 
 
 "Rough-and- Ready" Bucket Company. Organized Sept. 7, 1841. Fore- 
 man, John Atkinson; Asst., Charles S. Perry; Clerk, Wm. T. West. 
 
 Institutions. — Chicago Lyceum. Constitution adopted Dec. 22, 1835. 
 
 Young Men's Association. Organized Feb. 6, 1841. 
 
 Mechanics' Institute. Incorporated Feb. 23, 1842. 
 
 Rush Medical College. Pres., Wm. B. Ogden; Sec'y, Grant Goodrich; Treas., 
 Mark Skinner, Chartered 1837; erected 1844. N. Dearb. and S. of Ind, Sts, 
 
 University of St. Mary's of the Lake, Superior St., bet. Wolcott and Cass;, 
 buildings erected in 1845-6, cost $i2,ocx3. Rev. Jeremiah A. Kinsella, Prest. 
 
 Newspapers and Periodicals. — C/iicai^^o Democrat, (Democratic), morn- 
 ing, daily and weekly (Tuesday). Hon. John Went worth, editor and pro- 
 prietor; 107 Lake St.J (building new office at 45 LaSalle St.," Jackson Hall.") 
 
 Chicago Evening Jounial, (Whig), daily and weekly (Monday). Richard L. 
 Wilson and Nathan C. Geer, Sal'n Bldg,8.-E. cor. Lake and Clark Sts,, 3d floor, 
 
 Cofumeicial Advertiser, (Whig), morning, daily and weekly (Wednesday). 
 Alfred Dutch, editor and proprietor; 98 Lake Street. 
 
 Chicago Tribune, (neutral), morning, daily. James Kelly, John E. 
 Wheeler, and Joseph K. C. Forrest, editors and proprietors; 159 Lake St. 
 
 Gem oj the Prairie, (neutral), weekly (Saturday). Published by Tribune. 
 
 Better Covenant, Universalist, weekly (Thursday). 
 
 Herald of the Prairies, Presbyterian, weekly. Rev. James B. Walker and 
 Benj. F. and Wm, WorraJl; Wells Street, north of and near Randolph. 
 
 People's Friend, German, weekly, Robert B. Hoeffgen and Mueller; 
 
 43 LaSalle Street. 
 
 Western Citizen, (Liberty), weekly. Zebina Eastman, 63 Lake Street, 
 
 Liberty Tree, (Abolition), monthly, Zebina Eastman, 63 Lake Street. 
 
 Prairie Farmer, Agricultural, monthly. John S. Wright and J. Ambrose 
 Wight, editors and proprietors; 171 Lake Street. 
 
 Illinois Medical and Surgical Journal, bi-monthly. Drs. Jas. V.Z. Blaney, 
 Daniel Brainard, and John Evans, editors. Robert Fergus, publisher, 37 
 Clark Street, Saloon Building. 
 
 Post-Ofeice. — 50 Clark Street, Hart L. Stewart, Postmaster. 
 
PROCEEDI NGb 
 
 OF THE 
 
 CHICAGO RIVER-AND- HARBOR CONVENTION, 
 Monday, July 5TH, 1847. 
 
 At a meeting of the Delegations from different parts of the 
 Union, to a Convention held at Chicago, pursuant to public no- 
 tice, on July 5th, 1847, for the purposes named in the Call of 
 said River-and-H arbor Convention, the following proceedings 
 were, had : 
 
 The several Delegations having assembled in the Public 
 Square [Dearborn Park] on Michigan Avenue, were escorted by 
 a procession composed of the Volunteer Military and Fire De- 
 partments and citizens to the Pavilion prepared for their recep- 
 tion, in the Court-House Square. Upon their arrival, they were 
 [called to order by Dr. Philip Maxwell, Marshal of the day, and] 
 welcomed by the Hon. Jas. Curtiss, Mayor of the City of Chicago. 
 
 In conformity to the instructions of the General Committee of 
 nine, "consisting of 
 
 James 1.. Barton of Buffalo, 
 John W. Allen of Cleveland, 
 Augustus S. Porter of Detroit, 
 Wm. Duane Wilson of Milwaukee, 
 Byron Kilbourne m 
 
 William B. Ogden of Chicago, 
 Samuel Lisle Smith u 
 
 George W. Dole h 
 
 A. B. Chambers of St. Louis, 
 
 appointed by a meeting of citizens from several of the Western 
 and North-Western States, held at Rathbun's Hotel, in the City 
 of New York, on the 28th day of September, 1846, William B. 
 Ogden of Chicago, Chairman of said Committee, and on their 
 behalf, moved that James L. Barton of Buffalo, take the Chair 
 temporarily, for the purpose of organizing the Convention, which 
 was carried by acclamation. 
 
48 CHICAGO RIVER-AND-HARBOR CONVENTION. 
 
 On his further motion, A. B. Chambers of St. Louis, and Hans 
 Crocker of Milwaukee, were appointed Secretaries pro tern. 
 
 Mr. Barton, on taking the Chair, returned thanks for the honor 
 conferred upon him, in calling him to preside temporarily over 
 the deliberations of the Convention. 
 
 By request of the President, the Rev. Dr. William Allen of 
 Northampton, Mass., opened the Convention with prayer. 
 
 Rules for Organizing and Voting. 
 
 S. Lisle Smith of Chicago, on behalf of the General Committee, 
 laid before the Convention the following propositions, for their 
 consideration and decision - said propositions being recommended 
 by said Committee: 
 
 "ist. The States shall be called over, and the Delegations, 
 through one of their number, shall report a written list of the 
 names of the Delegates in attendance from each State and Terri- 
 tory, giving their locality as far as practicable. 
 
 "2d. A Committee of one from each State and Territory (to 
 l)e designated by the Delegation,) shall be appointed to report to 
 the Convention, officers for its government, rules for its conduct, 
 and the order of its business. 
 
 "3d. Upon a division being called for, on any question, the 
 Delegation of each State and Territory shall be entitled to cast 
 the vote of the State or Territory, according to its representation 
 in the Federal Government — Territories to be entitled to four 
 votes. 
 
 "4th. Each Delegation is requested to appoint one of their 
 number, to respond to the Chair, in casting the vote of their 
 State or Territory," 
 
 The question being propounded by the Chair, "Shall the re- 
 commendation of the Committee be adopted by the Convention," 
 David Dudley Field of New York, moved to amend the third 
 proposition, by adding thereto the following: 
 
 "And the vote of each Delegation shall be taken by Ayes and 
 Noes; and in reporting the same to the president, the person 
 announcing it shall announce, also, the state of the vote." 
 
 A division having been called for, the vote was first taken on 
 the first proposition, and it was adopted. 
 
 The second proposition was also adopted. 
 
 The third proposition coming up, Mr. Field's amendment was 
 carried, and the proposition, as thus amended, was adopted. 
 
 The fourth proposition was also adopted. 
 
 On motion of Solon Robinson of Indiana, the reports of Dele- 
 gates were postponed until after the permanent organization of 
 the Convention. 
 
PROCEEDINGS. 49 
 
 Committee to Nominate Permanent Officers. 
 
 The States were then called over alphabetically, to designate 
 the Delegate who should represent them on the committee to 
 nominate permanent officers for this Convention, and to recom- 
 mend rules, etc. 
 
 The following States answered, and named committee-men, 
 as follows: 
 
 Connecticut — John A. Rockwell, Michigan — John Biddle, 
 Florida — John G. Camp, Missouri — Albert Jackson, 
 
 Georgia — Thos. Butler King, New Hamp. — Francis S. Fiske, 
 Indiana — Samuel C. Sample, New York — John C. Spencer, 
 Illinois — Robert Smith, N. J. — Littleton Kirkpatrick, 
 
 Iowa — N. L. Stout, Ohio — Robert C. Schenck, 
 
 Kentucky— T. H. Crawford, Pennsylvania— A. G. Ralston, 
 Maine — M. A. Chandler, Rhode Island— Edw'd Seagrave, 
 
 Massachusetts- Artemas Lee, S. C. — Thos. L. Halsey Cross, 
 Wisconsin — Marshall M. Strong. 
 
 On motion of John C. Spencer of New York, this Committee 
 were required to meet at the Court-House, for the performance 
 of their duties, at 3 p.m., this day. 
 
 On motion [of H. N. Wells of Wisconsin,] the Convention ad- 
 journed, to meet at 4 p.m. 
 
 Afternoon Session — 4 p.m. 
 
 The Convention met pursuant to adjournment, James L. Bar- 
 ton, president pro tem., in the Chair. 
 
 The Committee to nominate permanent officers, prepare rules, 
 etc., not being prepared to report. Rev. Wm. Allen of Massachu- 
 setts, Hon. Thomas Corwin of Ohio, and Horace Greeley of New 
 York, responded, in brief addresses, to the calls made upon them 
 by the Convention. 
 
 Report of Committee on Officers, Etc. 
 
 John Biddle of Michigan, from the Committee appointed to 
 report the names of permanent officers of the Convention, pre- 
 pare rules of conduct, and report the order of business to be 
 observed, made the following report : 
 
 Your Committee met at the Court-House at 3 p.m., and ap- 
 pointed John Biddle of Michigan, chairman, and A. G. Ralston 
 of Pennsylvania, secretary. The roll being called, the members 
 were found to be present. 
 
 On motion, it was resolved that 
 
50 CHICAGO RIVER-AND-HARBOR CONVENTION. 
 
 EDWARD BATES of Missouri, 
 be nominated to the Convention, for its presiding officer. 
 
 VICE-PRESIDENTS: 
 
 John H. Brockway of Conn., WxM. Woodbridge of Michigan, 
 John G. Camp of Florida., N. W. Watkins of Missouri, 
 
 Thos. Butler King of Ga., Erastus Corning of N. Y., 
 E. W. H. Ellis of Indiana, Littleton Kirkpatrick of N.J. 
 Chas. S. Hempstead of 111., Francis S. Fiske of N. H., 
 Judge G. H. Williams of Iowa, Gov. Wm. Bebb of Ohio, 
 M. A. Chandler of Maine, Andrew W. Loomis of Penn., 
 Wm. T. Eustis of Mass., Hamilton Hoppin of R. I., 
 
 John H. Tweedy of Wisconsin. 
 
 secretaries : 
 
 Schuyler Colfax of Indiana, Peter McMartin of N. J., 
 Nelson G. Edwards of III, Wm. J. Otis of Ohio, 
 Aaron Hobart of Mass., Frederick S. Lovell of Wis., 
 
 David A. Noble of Michigan, Henry W. Starr of Iowa, 
 Francis U. Fenno of N. Y., A. B. Chambers of Missouri. 
 
 Charles King of New Jersey, moved to strike out the name of 
 Edward Bates of Missouri, as the presiding officer, and insert the 
 name of Thomas Corwin of Ohio. 
 
 Mr. Corwin immediately arose, and peremptorily and positively 
 decHned serving, under the circumstances. 
 
 Mr. King thereupon withdrew his motion. 
 
 The question recurring, upon concurring in the nominations 
 of the Committee for permanent officers, it was decided in the 
 affirmative, and the officers, as given above, were therefore 
 elected to the offices designated in the Committee's report. 
 
 The President-elect, Edward Bates of Missouri, being con- 
 ducted to the chair, addressed the Convention in» an appropriate 
 speech. 
 
 RULES FOR THE CONVENTION. 
 
 The Committee then made a further report [through Robert C. 
 Schenck of Ohio,] recommending the following rules of conduct, 
 order of business, etc., to the Convention: 
 
 I St. Resolved, That the Convention shall be governed, in its 
 deliberations and action, by the ordinary rules of parliamentary 
 law — provided that no Delegate shall speak more than fifteen 
 minutes at one time, on any question. 
 
 2d. Resolved, That a Committee of seven be appointed by 
 the President of this Convention, to prepare and publish, as 
 soon as convenient, an address, on behalf of this Convention, to 
 the People of the United States.'" 
 
 * This Address may be found in Wheeler's Hist, of Cong., V^ol. II, p. 304. 
 
PROCEEDINGS. 5 1 
 
 3d. Resolved^ That a Committee of two from each State 
 and Territory represented in this Convention, be appointed by 
 the President, to prepare and report such resolutions as they may 
 recommend to be adopted by this Convention. 
 
 4th. Resolved, That an Executive Committee be appointed, 
 of one member from each State and Territory represented in this 
 Convention, to be selected by the respective Delegations, whose 
 duty it shall be to prepare a memorial to Congress, embracing 
 the views and purposes of this Convention, with proper statistics 
 to sustain them; and to urge upon the attention of Congress 
 such subjects of improvement as may be most urgent, proper, and 
 expedient; that the said Committee shall appoint such sub-com- 
 mittees, for the collection of statistical information as they may 
 deem expedient and necessary; that the said Executive Com- 
 mittee be, and it is hereby, directed, for more convenient and 
 concentrated action, to appoint a sub-committee to attend the 
 next session of Congress, to present the said memorial, and to 
 promote its success; that the said Executive Committee be, and 
 it is hereby, directed to call, at such time and place as it may 
 consider most convenient, another Convention, to which the said 
 Committee shall rej^ort its proceedings and progress ; and, if 
 imsvccessfid in obtaining the aid of the Government to carry out 
 the beneficent purposes of this Convention, to report the causes 
 of its failure, in order that such future Convention may take such 
 more efficient action in the premises, as may be deemed necessary 
 to command success; and further, that such projects of improve- 
 ment and such statistical information as may be presented to this 
 Convention, be referred, without debate, to the said Executive 
 Committee, for its deUberate consideration and action. 
 
 The question recurring, "Will the Convention concur in the 
 report of the Committee, and adopt the resolutions introduced 
 by them?" 
 
 J. Young Scammon of Illinois, moved to lay the above report 
 on the table, and that they be printed. 
 
 A division of this motion being called for by Horace Greeley 
 of New York, Mr. Scammon finally, after debate, withdrew his 
 motion. 
 
 The first resolution finally passed. 
 
 The second resolution coming up, it was finally, on motion of 
 S. Treat of Missouri, laid on the table. 
 
 The third resolution coming up in order, Joseph Stringham of 
 Buffalo, New York, moved to lay it on the table, which motion 
 was rejected. 
 
 Norman B. Judd of Illinois, moved to amend, by providing 
 
52 CHICAGO RIVER-AND-HARBOR CONVENTION. 
 
 that the Committee shall be designated by the Delegations of the 
 States and Territories, instead of the presiding officer; which 
 motion was, after debate, rejected. 
 
 The question recurring on the original resolution, it was, after 
 further debate, adopted. 
 
 Before considering the fourth resolution, the Convention ad- 
 journed till to-morrow (Tuesday) morning, at 9 a.m. 
 
 List of Delegates. 
 The following are the names of the Delegations from the dif- 
 ferent States represented, as handed in by the respective Delega- 
 tions, to the Secretaries, according to the instructions of the 
 Convention: 
 
 CONNECTICUT. 
 
 ELLINGTON. 
 
 John H. Brockway, 
 Sol. Pitkin. 
 
 NORWICH. 
 
 [ohn A. Rockwell, 
 Joel W. White, 
 Cxardner Green. 
 
 GRISWOLD. 
 
 Horatio Willes. 
 
 VERNON. 
 
 Norman O. Kellogg. 
 
 FLORIDA. 
 
 John G. Camp. 
 
 GEORGIA. 
 
 Hon. Thos. Butler King 
 William B. Hodson. 
 
 INDIANA. 
 
 I.APORTE COUNTY. 
 
 Hon. Gustavus A. Rose, 
 John P. Early, 
 Sutton VanPelt, 
 Samuel E. Williams, 
 Hon. Chas, W. Henry, 
 Wm. D. Shumway, 
 Hon. Andrew L. Osborn, 
 Joseph Orr, 
 James Forrester, 
 A. H, Robertson, 
 David Garland Rose, 
 Jonathan Burr, 
 Gustavus A. Rose, jr., 
 William Taylor, 
 William Rudolph Bowes, 
 
 Benjamin Rush, 
 Hon. Silvanus Evarts, 
 Dr. Daniel Meeker, 
 Franklin Buren, 
 Luther Mann, 
 E. M. Low, 
 Addison Ballard, 
 Capt. M. Miller, 
 James S. Stewart, 
 Lyman Blair, 
 Alden Patrick Bowes, 
 John Andrews, 
 Joshua S. McDowell, 
 William Hawkins, 
 John B. F^ravel, 
 Hon. John M. Barclay, 
 G. T. Harding, 
 Jacob G. Sleight, 
 , Charles W. Henry, jr., 
 Capt. Ely, 
 George W. Haines, 
 George W. Allen, 
 Benajah Stanton, 
 Edward H. Noyes, 
 Truman H. Best, 
 John Millikan, 
 Franklin Thwing, 
 George Ames, 
 Samuel Organ, 
 Hon. Franklin W. Hunt, 
 Edward Vail, 
 Hon. Samuel Stewart, 
 Willys Peck, 
 J. Hunt, 
 B. Salsbury, 
 A. H. Markham, 
 Noah Francis, 
 Myron H. Orton, 
 
 Chauncey B. Blair, 
 Manlius Brown, 
 William Henry, 
 William B. Gustine, 
 Reynolds Couden, 
 Jacob vS. Carter, 
 G. W, Kipp, 
 Temple Windle, 
 Henry Lusk, 
 A. Loomis, 
 Alva Mason, 
 Lazarus Whitehead, 
 Capt. Abner Bailey, 
 Benjamin P. Walker, 
 Thomas D. Lemon, 
 William J. Walker, 
 Hon. Wm. W. Higgins, 
 James Wendover, 
 Oscar A. Barker, 
 Stephen Holloway, 
 Nathan Holloway, 
 William Clark, 
 Elam Clark, 
 Thomas Jernegan, 
 (j. LI. Andrews, 
 Wm. LI. H. Whitehead,. 
 John Hayden, 
 M. Barber, 
 Howell Huntsman, 
 G. Pruntney, 
 George C. Havens,. 
 I. Ford, 
 Judson Sawin. 
 George L. Andrew, 
 L. Bradley, 
 Samuel Harvey, 
 J. Vardeman, 
 E. Presston, 
 
PROCEEDINGS — LIST OF DELEGATES. 
 
 53 
 
 Calita Preston, 
 
 J. Cooley, 
 
 J. Coplin, 
 
 Franklin D. Evarts, 
 
 Plenry Willets, 
 
 Anson Wait, 
 
 John Walker, 
 
 James Lemon, 
 
 Marcellus Hawkins, 
 
 G. W. Haines, 
 
 J. J. Brown, 
 
 Conrad Everhart, 
 
 John Lemon, 
 
 Stephen Oaks, 
 
 Alex. H, Robinson, 
 
 Geo. B. Roberts, 
 
 William Cummins, 
 
 Rev. Francis P. Cummins, 
 
 Seth Brown. 
 
 ST. JOSEPH CO. 
 
 Hon. Samuel C. Sample, 
 Hon. Harris E. Hurlbut, 
 Hon. Thos. S. Stanfield, 
 Hon. William Miller, 
 Schuyler Colfax, 
 Henry Johnson, 
 Charles M. Heaton, 
 Augustine P. Richardson, 
 John W. White, 
 Benjamin F. Price, 
 William G. Norris, 
 Edmund P. Taylor, 
 John Listenberger, 
 Samuel M. Chord, 
 John T. Lindsey, 
 George S. Harris, 
 Matthias wStover, 
 Christopher W^. Emerick, 
 Benjamin F. Miller, 
 Dr. Louis Humphreys, 
 Alonzo Wilson, 
 John Ryan, 
 Samuel P. Hart, 
 Alonzo Delano, 
 William Riggin, 
 Nelson Ferris, 
 Lot Vail, 
 
 Able A. Whitlock, 
 Oliver T. Niles, 
 Rolent T. Curtis, 
 Benjamin Wall, 
 William Ruckman, 
 Danforth Richmond, 
 James Davis, 
 
 Nathaniel Wilson, 
 William Wilmington, 
 Charles N. Ryan, 
 Dr. R. Pierce, 
 Thomas D. Vail, 
 John M. Terrill, 
 Dwight Deming, 
 J. P. Jones, 
 Dr. John A, Henricks, 
 Shelem Crockett, 
 Jonathan Crews. 
 
 ALLEN CO. 
 
 John HaigK, jr., 
 James W. Cushman, 
 W^allace B. White. 
 
 Jay Mix. 
 
 CARROLL CO. 
 
 W. H. Shaw. 
 
 PORTER CO. 
 
 William Cheney, 
 John Herr, 
 John S. Wallace, 
 John Dunning, 
 fohn R. Skinner, 
 Tohn C. Ball, 
 Willys P. Ward, 
 Joseph Brown, 
 Ruel Starr, 
 Henry Buell, 
 Henry Eusch, 
 John Eusch, 
 Ellis Sergeants, 
 Thos. A. E. Campbell, 
 David White, 
 Nathaniel Campbell, 
 William Tainter. 
 
 MARSHALL CO. 
 
 A. G. Deavitt, 
 
 Hard, 
 
 Howe, 
 
 Hiram Griffin. 
 
 LAKE CO. 
 
 Solon Robinson, 
 John W. Dinwiddle, 
 A. F. Brown, 
 William Clark, 
 William B. Rockwell, 
 Timothy Rockwell, 
 David Turner, 
 
 Thomas Clark, 
 Henry D. Palmer, 
 Henry Wells, 
 William C. Ferrington, 
 David K. Pettibone, 
 C. McCord. 
 
 LAGRANGE CO. 
 
 John B. Howe, 
 John W. Demming, 
 T. J. Spaulding, 
 William Martin, 
 S. P. Williams, 
 Jonathan Woodruff, 
 Delavan Martin. 
 
 TIPPECANOE CO. 
 
 Samuel A. Huff, 
 James Demming, 
 T. T. Benbridge, 
 S. H. Hazard, 
 Zebulon Baird, 
 J. L. Reynolds, 
 J. H. Williams, 
 Hon. Daniel Mace. 
 
 ELKHART CO. 
 
 Nelson E. Marston, 
 Thomas G. Harris, 
 Erastus W. H. Ellis,. 
 John Htzpatrick, 
 A. N. Harscall, 
 John Cook, jr., 
 Dr. M. M. Latta, 
 W. Earle, 
 H. H. Hall, 
 Sewall Thompson, 
 Calvin Martin, 
 John Simonton. 
 
 FOUNTAIN CO. 
 
 Dr. Fraley. 
 
 WAYNE CO. 
 
 Charles Suffims. 
 
 ILLINOIS. 
 
 BOONE CO. 
 
 Sidney Avery, 
 James L. Loop, 
 A, D, Bishop, 
 Henry Loop, 
 James Crosby, 
 W. F. Giddings, 
 Samuel Longcor, 
 
54 
 
 CHICAGO RIVER-AND-H ARBOR CONVENTION. 
 
 A. Persels, 
 i>. Carpenter, 
 Simon Peter Doty. 
 Joel Walker, 
 R. B. Hurd, 
 Thomas Hart, 
 F. B. Hamlin, 
 S. S. Whiteman, 
 William Stewart, 
 Oliver Hale, 
 Daniel Howell, 
 W. Smith. 
 
 HUREAl' CO. 
 
 Daniel Radcliff, 
 Cyrus Langworthy, 
 Robert E. Thompson, 
 Arthur Bryant, 
 Joel Doolittle, 
 Roland Moseley, 
 Cyrus Bryant, 
 Roland P. Moseley, 
 S. L. Bangs, 
 Selby Doolittle, 
 John Martin, 
 Dr. George R. Ames, 
 Dr. William Converse, 
 Christopher C. Tallett. 
 
 BOND CO. 
 
 J. W. Fitch, 
 S. Colcord, 
 P. G. Vauters, 
 J. D. Lansing, 
 
 COOK CO. 
 
 Matthias Lane Dunlap, 
 Homer Wilmarth, 
 John Hill, 
 D. Adams, 
 James Michie, 
 John B. Witt, 
 Wesley Polk, 
 Wilson McClintock, 
 Samuel Vial, 
 Henry Carrington, 
 Theodorus Doty, 
 J. Gates, 
 [oseph Filkins, 
 J. H. Martin, 
 A. Luce, 
 Wm. Hopps, 
 S. M. Salsbury, 
 Milo Winchell, 
 
 John Shrigley, 
 Silas W. Sherman, 
 
 Burlingame, 
 
 William H. Davis. 
 
 CITY OF CHICAGO. 
 
 Hon. James Curtiss, 
 
 Hon. Wm. B. Ogden, 
 
 George W. Dole, 
 
 John H. Kinzie, 
 
 Grant Goodrich, 
 
 Thomas Church, 
 
 Ebenezer Peck, 
 
 James H. Collins, 
 
 Anton Getzler, 
 
 Hon. Buckner S. Morris, Jonatlian Young Scammon 
 
 Hon.Alanson S.Sherman, Sidney Sawyer 
 
 Charles McDonnell, \Vm. L. Church, 
 
 Charles Walker, john Ryan, 
 
 Hon. John P. Chapm, Hon. John Wentworth, 
 
 Richard Lush Wilson, Capt. John B. F. Russell, 
 
 Dr. Wm. Bradshaw Egan,Hon. Augustus Garrett, 
 
 Hon. Wm. H. Brown, jgaac Cook, 
 
 John Rodgers, 
 Judge Henry Brown, 
 Walter L. Newberry, 
 John J. Brown, 
 Dr. John Brinkerhoff, 
 Hon. Alexander Loyd, 
 William Jones, 
 Charles M. Gray, 
 Eli B. Williams, 
 Wm. L. Whiting, 
 Samuel J. Lowe, 
 Frederick Hagerman, 
 Cyrenius Beers, 
 Wm. B. Snowhook, 
 George W. Meeker, 
 
 James Carney, 
 Mark Skinner, 
 Daniel McElroy, 
 Justin Butterfield, 
 John M. Wilson, 
 John S. Wright, . 
 Thomas Hoyne, 
 Asher Rossetter, 
 
 James A. McDougall, 
 Henry B. Clarke, 
 Mahlon D. Ogden, 
 Samuel Hoard, 
 Jacob Russell, 
 Walter S. Gurnee, 
 Obadiah Jackson, 
 Isaac H. Burch, 
 
 Hon. Benj. W. Raymond, j^hn B. Turner, 
 
 Hon. Jesse B. Thomas, E^gha Winslow Tracy, 
 
 Hon. Isaac N. Arnold, 
 Norman B. Judd, 
 Samuel Lisle Smith, 
 Giles Spring, 
 
 Geo. A. Gibbs, 
 
 Allen Robbins, 
 
 Hon. Francis C. Sherman, 
 
 James A. Smith, 
 
 Gurdon Salton. Hubbard, j)j. Charles Volney Dyer 
 Stephen F. Gale, 
 
 Hiram J. Winslow, 
 Joel C. Walter, 
 Theron Pardee, 
 Thomas Richmond, 
 James Peck, 
 James H. Rochester, 
 Edward PI. Hadduck, 
 Capt. Robert C. Bristol, 
 Henry R. Payson, 
 Samuel N. Stebbins, 
 Cyrus Bentley, 
 Richard Jones Hamilton, 
 James H. Woodworth, 
 Hugh T. Dickey, 
 Dr. Daniel Brainard, 
 
 CARROLL CO. 
 
 R. W. Roust, 
 Wm. Halderman, 
 John Rinewalt, 
 Semple M. Journey, 
 E. Chamberlin. 
 
 DEKALB CO. 
 
 J. Easterbrook, 
 Samuel H. Lay, 
 C. Potter, 
 G. I. Latham, 
 B. Easterbrook, 
 David Merritt, 
 John L. Arnold, 
 
PROCEEDINGS — LIST OF DELEGATES. 
 
 55 
 
 Alex. "R. Patton, 
 Thomas Geo. Beveridge, 
 Lyman Bacon, 
 L. Marion, 
 Richard Garrett, 
 Jerome B. Carpenter, 
 Edward Devine, 
 James Hall Beveridge, 
 William French, 
 Daniel N. Boyd, 
 Roswell Frye, 
 
 B. Harris. 
 
 DU PAGE CO. 
 
 James F. W. Wight, 
 
 Nathan Allen, 
 
 Selinus Milton Skinner, 
 
 John Granger, 
 
 Chas. Bingley Hosmer, 
 
 Alymer Keith," 
 
 Stephen J. Scott, 
 
 Michael Hines, 
 
 John J, Riddler, 
 
 John Thompson, 
 
 Thomas Andrews, 
 
 Asa Knapp, 
 
 Russell Whipple, 
 
 Daniel M. Green, 
 
 Charles R. Parmelee, 
 
 Walter Blanchard, 
 
 S. Davis, 
 
 A. Hills, 
 
 Rev. P'rancis A. Hoffman 
 
 Samuel D. Pierce, 
 
 A. Dudley, 
 
 Julius M. Warren, 
 
 Wm. Smith, 
 
 W. C. Todd, 
 
 Capt. Hammond, 
 
 J. A. Smith, 
 
 E. Gilbert, 
 
 W. Jones, 
 
 John Stolp, 
 
 C. Hunt, 
 Nathan Loring, 
 Albin Lull, 
 
 H. C. Cobb, 
 P. R. Torode, 
 J. 'J'allmadge, 
 T. Hubbard, 
 M. Stacy, 
 J. Hackett, 
 Horace Brooks, 
 J. C. Hatch, 
 
 B. Hobson, 
 Wm. G. Strong, 
 Robert Nelson Murray, 
 
 C. N. Fox, 
 Allan Mcintosh, 
 John J. Kimball, 
 W. Fitch, 
 
 D. Crane, 
 G. Roush, 
 
 Dr. David Hess, 
 John Sargent. 
 
 GREEN CO. 
 
 John Orr, 
 James D. Fry. 
 
 GRUNDY CO, 
 
 John Hooper, 
 Dr. A. F, Hand, 
 Richard Dunn, 
 Patrick Kelly, 
 George H. Kiersted, 
 Charles O. Hale, 
 Dr. Thomas M. Reed, 
 Thomas J. London, 
 A. G. Barber, 
 Wm. E. Armstrong, 
 Henry Norman, 
 Wm. P. Rogers, [U.S.N. 
 L. W. Claypool, 
 John McNeills, 
 J. Claypool, 
 , Henry Starr, 
 
 E. P. Seelev, 
 E. H. Little, 
 Dr. Huy Daniels, 
 Daniel W. Edgarton, 
 J. M. Craig, 
 Barton Holderman, 
 Leander Newport, 
 Perry A. Armstrong, 
 L. Wilkes, 
 
 H. Hyslop, 
 Philip Rose, 
 John M. Clover, 
 Isaac Hoyt, 
 James Cromer, 
 J. B. Moore, 
 James Kelly, 
 Salman Rutherford, 
 W. L. Perce, 
 P. Hynds, 
 Charles H. Gould, 
 Jet. Crotty, 
 
 Robert Peacock, 
 John G. Chambers, 
 J. M. Gurnsey, 
 H. McTagne, 
 M. P. Wilson, 
 M. D. Pendergrast, 
 Samuel Ayres, 
 Dr. J. Daggett, 
 J. W. Rutherford. 
 
 HANCOCK CO. 
 
 G. Edmonds, jr. 
 
 IROQUOIS CO. 
 
 W. Thomas, 
 
 C. Thomas, 
 N. Wilson, 
 John Young, 
 Isaac Williams. 
 
 JO DAVIESS CO. 
 
 Charles S. Hempstead, 
 Thomas C. Browne, 
 Thomas Drummond, 
 William Hempstead, 
 George M. Mitchell, 
 Terah B. Farnsworth, 
 James Carter, 
 Elihu B. Washburne, 
 E. S. Seymour, 
 Henry B. Truett, 
 Benjamin H. Campbell, 
 Charles R. Bennett, 
 John L. Slaymaker, 
 M. Haslitt, 
 William Bothwell, 
 W. Goodwin, 
 Lorenzo P. Sanger. 
 
 KENDALL CO. 
 
 J. Morgan, 
 W. W. Grant, 
 K. Makiney, 
 S. A. Roberts, 
 S. B. Hopkins, 
 John Robinson, 
 Horace Winchell, 
 
 D. B. Jewell, 
 S. Drow, 
 
 M. Shaw, 
 T. M. Mudgett, 
 L. C. Allen, 
 J. H. Hayden, 
 A. Wolcott, 
 W. A. Blane, 
 
56 
 
 CHICAGO RIVER-AND-IIARBOR CONVENTION. 
 
 C. Dowd, 
 J. H. Hubbard, 
 Norman Dodge, 
 A. S. Reynolds, 
 
 A. B. Smith, 
 W. P. Boyd, 
 J. S. Petger, 
 L. B. Judson, 
 
 C. B. Chapin, 
 William Briggs, 
 
 D. Tole, 
 R. Walton, 
 
 D. Ashley, jr., 
 J. A. McClellan, 
 J. Grimvvood, 
 
 B. W. Barnes, 
 S. B. Craw, 
 
 L. E. McClellan, 
 
 D. I. Johnson, 
 G. H. Higley, 
 
 G. D. Richardson, 
 
 E. Morgan, 
 |. Gleason, 
 
 ']. A. W. Buck, 
 L. D. Brady, 
 R. N. Matthews, 
 
 A. If. Ives, 
 
 S. A. Taubling, 
 
 E. Darnell, 
 
 G. W. Hadden, 
 James Scott, 
 S. Burris, 
 William Toobs, 
 Isaac Hatch, 
 
 B. A. Culver, 
 L. Bristol, 
 
 A. Ives, 
 T. Ryan, 
 
 F. B. Ives, 
 J. Luce, 
 
 G. Ryan, 
 W. Ives, 
 J. Evans, 
 
 C. Talman, 
 A. Looker, 
 J. S. Ives, 
 
 G. Stevenson, 
 A. D. Newton, 
 
 D. Nefif, 
 
 D. M. Wisner, 
 F. Misner, 
 A. P. Black, 
 John Collins, 
 Garret Collins, 
 
 S. C. Collins, 
 
 C. Lacey, 
 
 A. Z. Taylor, 
 W. R. Cady, 
 Charles McEwen, 
 Henry McEwen, 
 Griffin Smith, 
 W. B. Field, 
 A. McClaskie, 
 L. Hills, 
 
 George Hollenbeck, 
 Thomas G. Wright, 
 W. Cowdry, 
 W. N. Davis, 
 
 D. J. Townsend. 
 
 KNOX CO. 
 
 R. B. Tripp, 
 Chauncey S. Colton, 
 A. B. Gardner. 
 
 KANE CO. 
 
 John F. Farnsworth, 
 Orville Everest, 
 Geo. H, Stevens, 
 Thomas Scott, 
 A. F. Stevens, 
 Horace Town, 
 John VanNortwick, 
 J. Massingham, 
 J. W. Churchill, 
 Thomas Spray, 
 
 D. Wheeler, 
 Wm. B. West, 
 J. Derby, 
 
 F. Baker, 
 
 N. B. Spaulding, 
 
 Rev. Flavel Bascom, 
 
 A. Rawson, 
 
 C. B. Gates, 
 
 E. W. Austin, 
 M. P. Houck, 
 L. H. Applebee, 
 S. C. Hapgood, 
 A. S. Bush, 
 Timothy C. EUithorpe, 
 J. W. Hapgood, 
 
 J. M. Elithorpe, 
 
 A. White, 
 
 A, Edwards, 
 
 A. Yates, 
 
 J. Brown, 
 
 Nathan H. Dearborn, 
 
 Samuel S. Jones, 
 
 Charles A. Brooks^ 
 Dr. I. S. P. Lord, 
 John Wilson, 
 Edward R. Allen, 
 A. Hayden, 
 Timothy Baker, 
 Daniel D. Waite, 
 Alex. H. Baird, 
 
 0. C. Baird, 
 George Ferson, 
 Robert Ferson, 
 James Ferson, 
 Ira Minard, 
 
 J. Danford, 
 
 John J. Chambers, 
 
 Dr. David Millington, 
 
 John More, 
 
 Frank H. Alexander, 
 
 Elisha Freeman, 
 
 E. Mead, 
 
 E. Wilcox, 
 
 Wm. C. Kimball, 
 
 N. Williams, 
 
 P. Sylla, 
 
 George W. Raymond, 
 
 Luther Dearborn, 
 
 George H. Merrill, 
 
 John Ranstead, 
 
 A. Walker, 
 
 1. Stone, 
 E. Ballance, 
 J. Kimball, 
 A. Hadlock, 
 A. Raymond, 
 R. L. Yarwood, 
 S. H. Hamilton, 
 J. Tefft, 
 
 W. H. Hubbard, 
 A. Hadlock, 
 E. Gifford, 
 J. W. Waldron, 
 J. Wilson, 
 J. H. Andrus, 
 J. C. Derby, 
 John Oatman, Sr. 
 
 LEE CO. 
 
 Silas Noble, 
 R. B. Loveland, 
 T. Murphy, 
 D. Frost, 
 
 Fender, 
 
 W. W. Welch, 
 Jacob Doan, 
 
PROCEEDINGS — LIST OF DELEGATES. 
 
 57 
 
 W. Wright, 
 George A. Ingalls, 
 William W. Heaton, 
 W. Leaman, 
 
 A. L. Porter, 
 E. B. Baker, 
 T. Brown, 
 
 J, M. Johnson, 
 Veranius Ells, 
 John H. Page, 
 
 B. Stewart. 
 
 LA SALLE CO. 
 
 Madison E. Hollister, 
 John G. Nattinger, 
 George Mann, 
 Lucien B. Delano, 
 Jesse Dickey, 
 George H. West, 
 Isaac Abrahams, 
 
 C. H. Noble, 
 Harvey Leonard, 
 Churchill Coffing, 
 William Chumasero, 
 George W. Gilson, 
 Henry S. Bebee, 
 John C. Champlin, 
 Milton H. Swift, 
 Lorenzo Leland, 
 Arthur Lockwood, 
 Robert Rowe, 
 William Richardson, 
 Giles W. Jackson, 
 Levi Jennings, 
 
 S. Jennings, 
 John Armour, 
 William W. Lowe, 
 W. G. Webb, 
 Eri L. Waterman, 
 John Morris, 
 T. B. Elliott, 
 J. Pestland, 
 Richard Cody, 
 A. Johnston, 
 John B. Preston, 
 David L. Hough, 
 John S. Mitchell, 
 J. B. Rich, 
 Wm. Cogswell, 
 Joseph Avery, 
 Joseph Hall, 
 *M. Newman, 
 Jeremiah Pembrook, 
 N. Springer, 
 
 4* 
 
 Champlin R. Potter, 
 Rev. Charles V. Kelly, 
 Charles H. Sutphin, 
 N. Knickerbocker, 
 Z. I^ickinson, 
 C. Dickinson, 
 Burton Ayres, 
 John l^itus, 
 John D. Olmstead, 
 E. NefT, 
 
 John V. A. Hoes, 
 George B. Macey, 
 Marshall Havenhill. 
 
 LAKE CO. 
 
 James McKay, 
 Isaac Hopkinson, 
 13eecher Hitchcock, 
 Edward S. L, Bachelor, 
 Dr. Milton Bacon, 
 Dr. David Cory, 
 Daniel O. Dickinson, 
 W. Oilman, 
 O. T. Denney, 
 Edward O. Ely, 
 Mordecai J. Brown, 
 Ira Porter, 
 Robert Douglass, 
 Dr. Hezekiah Joslin, 
 Josiah Moulton, 
 Saul H. Flinn, 
 Hiram Butrick, 
 Augustus B. Cotes, 
 Samuel M. Dowst, 
 Dr. Robert W. Clarkson 
 Lorenzo Hinkston, 
 Dr. Moses Evans, 
 Charles O. Walters, 
 Moses P. Hoyt, 
 John O'Connell, 
 John A. Tyrrell, 
 James Young Cory, 
 Wesley Munger, 
 Wm. Finn. Sheppard, 
 Jabez B. Porter, 
 David Ballentine, 
 Charles Richards Steele, 
 Elijah Middlebr'k Haines, 
 Elisha Peyre Ferry, 
 S. Howe, 
 
 Chris. Columbus Taylor, 
 John T. Clark, 
 Robert C. VanRensselear, 
 Nathaniel P. Dowst, 
 
 Wm. A. Boardman, 
 E. Winchester Hoyt, 
 DeWitt Spaulding, 
 Isaac R. Lyon, 
 Capt. Crawford, 
 Franklin Smith, 
 Francis Fenelon Munson, 
 Wm. C. Tiffany, 
 Volkert Peter 
 
 VanRensselear, 
 Dr. David Kellogg, 
 Thomas Darling, 
 Dr. Jesse H. Foster, 
 Alva Trowbridge, 
 De La Fayette Clark, 
 James H. Trader, 
 Reuben D. Dodge, 
 Truman Hibbard, 
 Dr. Parley Dickinson, 
 Joseph Wood, 
 Thomas H. Payne, 
 Israel A. Jones, 
 Jacob T. Devoe, 
 David H. Sherman, 
 George Thompson, 
 Samuel S. King, 
 Alvan Truesdell, 
 Jehiel Compton, 
 Benjamin Welch, 
 James Lindsay, 
 Robert Carroll, 
 David Whitney, 
 Peter C. Schank, 
 Jeremiah Q. Morrill, 
 Isaac H. Smith, 
 Timothy B. Titcomb, 
 James Kapple, 
 Daniel Martin, 
 Levi Marble, 
 Elijah Huson, 
 Leonard Gage, 
 Jonathan Wood, 
 George Morill, 
 Isaac J. Smith, 
 Richard Huson, 
 George Ely. 
 
 MADISON CO. 
 
 Hon. Robert Smith, 
 Hon, Nathaniel Pope, 
 Hon. David J. Baker, 
 Simeon Ryder, 
 Benj. T. Long, 
 Hon. Wm. F. DeWolf, 
 
58 
 
 CHICAGO RIVER-AND-HARBOR CONVENTION. 
 
 Moses G. At wood, 
 Nelson G. Edwards. 
 
 MARION CO. 
 
 Uriel Mills. 
 
 MORGAN CO. 
 
 R. B. Hatch. 
 
 MCHENRY CO. 
 
 Serrill P. Hyde, 
 Thomas Stephens, 
 C. H. Ames, 
 Lucian L. Crandle, 
 Anson Sperry, 
 Harry Mclntyre, 
 John W. Dennison, 
 Wm. F. Combs, 
 Amos B. Coon, 
 Truman S afford, 
 Charles H. WiUiard, 
 Daniel Stewart, 
 Cornelius Lansing, 
 Thomas M. White, 
 Joel H. Johnson, 
 Wm. Sloan, 
 Ithream Taylor, 
 Elzaphan I. Smith, 
 Neill Donnelly, 
 Phineas W. Piatt, 
 Derrick C. Bush, 
 Alvin Judd, 
 Joseph Green, 
 Ira C. Trowbridge, 
 John Brink, 
 Henry M. Wait, 
 John B. Parsons, 
 H. W. Hart, 
 Benjamin Douglass, 
 Henry Petre, 
 R. H. Mooney, 
 James T. Pierson, 
 Col. James M. Strode, 
 Beman Crandel, 
 Benjamin M. Peirson, 
 Major F. Erwin, 
 J. D. Ames, 
 James D. Kellog, 
 Christopher Walkup, 
 P. La Dow, 
 Jonathan Dyke, 
 John L. Douglass, 
 John F. Gray, 
 Alexander H. Nixon, 
 Robert B. Tuttle, 
 
 Avery A. Gates, 
 Anthony Overacker, 
 Abraham Reynolds, 
 C. Mease, 
 Joshua J. Barwick, 
 Chauncey Beckwith, 
 Starr Titus, 
 Sidney Condict, 
 Wm. Mead, 
 Albert Chamberlin, 
 Silas Griswold, 
 John Vasey, 
 David Baker, 
 Nathan H. Foster, 
 
 Allen Sisson, 
 
 And'w Jackson Haywood, 
 
 Alonzo C. Diggins, 
 
 Daniel Blair, 
 
 A. Darley, 
 
 Peter McMahon, 
 
 John Fritz, 
 
 Henry T. Rice, 
 
 Eli Henderson, 
 
 Alexander Dawson, 
 
 Newell Colby, 
 
 Arad Sly, 
 
 Hosea B. Troop, 
 
 Stanton M. Thomas, 
 
 Rodolphus A. Hutchinson Wm. Gwing, 
 
 Wm. H. Stewart, 
 Thaddius B. Wakeman, 
 Orson Diggins, 
 George W. Danna, 
 Frank Wedgewood, 
 Neri M. Capron, 
 Abraham Shaver, 
 Ira Nurse, 
 Bela H. Tyron, 
 Wm. A. McConnell, 
 Elias P. Sampson, 
 Wm. Stewart, 
 Darius P. Sampson, 
 Amos Cogswell, 
 Oliver H. P. Gougin, 
 Enos W. Smith, 
 Chas. H. Russell, 
 Fred. W. Smith, 
 S. Steele, 
 John E. Mann, 
 S. Perry, 
 Henry D. Huff, 
 Edwin A. Lay, 
 J. Brown, 
 Wm. Allen, 
 Martin L. Huffman, 
 Wm. Terry, 
 Asher M. Renwick, 
 Carlisle Hastings, 
 Edwin W. Hibbard, 
 
 B. Smith, 
 George T. Kasson, 
 Edwin Stringer, 
 
 C. Potter, 
 Wm. Sponable, 
 Andrew Purvis, 
 Edwin Terrill, 
 
 Dr. Ward Burley [Mason], 
 Wm. T. Potter, 
 
 J. Potter, 
 
 Silas S. Pettit, 
 
 y. Hairn, 
 
 Capt. Silas Chatfield [ 1 8 1 2] 
 
 Wm. L. Reynolds, 
 
 Spencer Flanders, 
 
 Thomas Carr, 
 
 George Harrison, 
 
 Wm. Barnes, 
 
 R. Piatt, 
 
 David Goff, 
 
 C. H. Burland, 
 
 Wm. C. Gunning, 
 
 J. G. Botter, 
 
 Truman Dutcher, 
 
 Nelson Diggins, 
 
 Hermon N. Owen, 
 
 A. R. Gray, 
 
 Martin Thrall, 
 
 Hiram Hazard, 
 
 Alfred Negus, 
 
 James M. Judd, 
 
 Lake W. Belcher, 
 
 Algernon C. Belcher, 
 
 Frederick W. Belcher, 
 
 Christopher C. Kelley, 
 
 Alonzo Piatt, 
 
 George H. Grififing, 
 
 Robert W. Stewart, 
 
 John Donnelly, 
 
 David Kelley, 
 
 Charles E. Bromley, 
 
 Wesley Diggins, 
 
 Joseph Golder. 
 
 MONROE CO. 
 
 Kincannon. 
 
PROCEEDINGS — LIST OF DELEGATES. 
 
 59 
 
 OGLE CO. 
 
 John Killebee, 
 James V. Gale, 
 S. S. Crowell, 
 Dauphin Brown, 
 Silas St. J. Mix, 
 David Lewis, 
 James Swan, 
 Albert ¥. Brown, 
 Henry Wheelock, 
 Alfred Helm, 
 Samuel Wood, 
 E. Payson Snaw, 
 George Toney, 
 Phineas Chaney, 
 
 B. L. Beach, 
 Peter Wertz, 
 Clark Wait, 
 
 D. M. Coolbough, 
 John Ryder, 
 
 C. S. Marshall, 
 Augustus Ankney, 
 George Murphy, 
 Wm. G. David, 
 Wm. M. Bary, 
 W. A. House, 
 Charles C. Royce, 
 Lyman Morgan, 
 Willard P. Flagg, 
 Chester K. Williams, 
 Henry A. Mix, 
 
 B. Hiestand, 
 John Rice, 
 A. Q. Allen, 
 Henry Sharer, 
 Henry Haire, 
 James Johnston, 
 Clark Biggais, 
 Morgan Jewell, 
 Alex. Beire, 
 Benj. Langley, 
 P>ederick Wagoner, 
 Isaac Rice, 
 Samuel Fouts, 
 M icier Seyster, 
 Riley Paddock, 
 John Etnyre. 
 
 PIKE CO. 
 
 Z. N. Garbutt, 
 H. T. Mudd, 
 Benj. D. Brown, 
 Jonathan P^oye James, 
 S. Bamard, 
 
 John Webb, 
 Henj. Norris, 
 M. P. Mace. 
 
 PEORIA CO. 
 
 Charles Balliard, 
 p:iihu N. Powell, 
 John H. Rankin, 
 Isaac Underbill, 
 G. W. Willard, 
 Capt. Thomas Baldwin, 
 Theodore Adams, 
 Isaac Hamblin. 
 
 ROCK-ISLAND CO. 
 
 J. W. Dwing, 
 P. Gregg. 
 
 RANDOLPH CO. 
 
 Cornelius S. Whitney. 
 
 SANGAMON CO. 
 
 Dr. E. H. Merryman, 
 Hon. Abraham Lincoln, 
 Fred. Doyle. 
 
 SCHUYLER CO. 
 
 Robert S. Blackwell, 
 Lewis D. Erwin, 
 Charles Farwell, 
 Francis E. Bryant. 
 
 STEPHENSON CO. 
 
 Martin P. Sweet, 
 
 Hon. Thomas J. Turner, 
 
 C. Waterman, 
 John H. Addams, 
 John K. Brewster, 
 Alfred Caldwell, 
 Frederick A. Strockey, 
 
 D. Kryder^ 
 John Lerch, 
 John Miller, 
 J. A. Davis, 
 H. Davis, 
 L. Preston, 
 
 S. J. Giddings, 
 S. Scott, 
 F. Foley, 
 John Goddard, 
 D. A. Knowlton, 
 L. Grileard, 
 John A. Clark, 
 J. Replogle, 
 W. P. Belknap, 
 
 A. Dennis, 
 
 C. A. Sheets, 
 H. Tarbox. 
 
 TAZVVELL CO. 
 
 Peter Menard, Jr., 
 
 D. Briggs, 
 W. Cromwell, 
 W. S. Maus, 
 R. W. Briggs, 
 S. Rhodes, 
 Dr. Perkins, 
 W. Parker, 
 
 J. Chandler, 
 J. S. James, 
 G. W. Shair. 
 
 WHITESIDES CO. 
 
 N. G. Reynolds, 
 W. R. Cox, 
 D. B. Crook, 
 W. K. Whipple, 
 W. S. W. Wasson, 
 A, Crook, 
 Col. J. Holmes, 
 C. E. Fitch, 
 
 C. S. Deming, 
 W. W. Gilbert. 
 
 WINNEBAGO CO. 
 
 D. S. Haight, 
 Anson S. Miller, 
 S. G. Amor, 
 
 Thos. D. Robertson, 
 Wm. Hulin, 
 Spencer Post, 
 Chas. H. Spafford, 
 O. Jewett, 
 J. A. Wilson, 
 Jason Marsh, 
 Martin Crawford, 
 C. F. Miller, 
 Goodyear A. Sanford, 
 Wm. A. Dickerman, 
 R. R. Comstock, 
 Jesse Blinn, 
 J. B. Peterson, 
 Austin Colton, 
 S. Leach, 
 C. A. Huntington, 
 J. M. Wright, 
 J. B. Johnson, 
 Samuel Cunningham, 
 Horace Miller, 
 
6o 
 
 CHICAGO RIVER-AND-HARBOR CONVENTION. 
 
 Cyrus Miller, 
 E. M. Miller, 
 W. P. Dennis, 
 H. Barross, 
 
 D. Corey, 
 
 M. H. Regan, 
 Dr. Carpenter. 
 
 WILL CO. 
 
 Isaac Scarritt, 
 John Miller, 
 Samuel Whallon, 
 T. E. Towner, 
 Amos C. Paxson, 
 Horace Boardman, 
 Robert Freeman, 
 Matthew C. Boughton, 
 Reuben W. Smith, 
 John Barber, 
 Leander Clifford, 
 Thomas G. Sprague, 
 Samuel Goodrich, 
 L. S. Buffum, 
 Luther Smith, 
 Robert Strong, 
 Hiram Warren, 
 Warren W. Boughton, 
 S. R. Rathbone, 
 Amasa S. Thoma^;, 
 Robert Clow, 
 Stephen Carpenter, 
 A. Williams, 
 M. Cavenor, 
 L. Warner, 
 A. B. Mead, 
 H. Williams, 
 John Lush Wilson, 
 Peter Stewart, 
 Hamilton D. Risley, 
 J. L. Young, 
 FranUin Mitchell, 
 Samuel G. Baldwin, 
 
 E. S. Strong, 
 H. M. Gilbert. 
 D. A. Watson, 
 J. Gutterson, 
 Henry Althouse, 
 Edmund Allen, 
 J. M. Johnson, 
 Jonathan Barnett, 
 V. Lamb, 
 Hiram Norton, 
 Nicholas Brown, 
 H. Hitchcock, 
 
 A. Davis, 
 Charles Wood, 
 J. W. Safford, 
 Norman Northrop, 
 Samuel Gushing, 
 Willard Wood, 
 Albert E. Bishop. 
 John E. Hewes, 
 L. Hewes, 
 Enoch Dodge, 
 
 A. P. Grung, 
 S. W, Cooper, 
 J. E. Phillips, 
 E. Grung, 
 Wm. R. Starr, 
 E. Cole, 
 David Haner, 
 
 Chapin, 
 
 H. Sprague, 
 
 H. E. C. Barrett, 
 John Kile, 
 Moses H. Cook, 
 S. Whipple, 
 H. A. Deen, 
 Joseph Campbell, 
 
 B. Boardman, 
 W. Hewes, 
 B. Brooks, 
 
 E. Baker, 
 W. Keeney, 
 Wm. Gooding, 
 L. Newton, 
 John L. Hanchet, 
 Joel Manning, 
 Geo. F. Greer, 
 John W. Padduck, 
 Gen. lames B. Turney, 
 E. E."Bush, 
 Norman L. Hawley, 
 Edward B. Talcott, 
 Jacob Fry, 
 George W. Geddes, 
 Daniel Wallev, 
 J. N. Brownell, 
 S. P. Cooper, 
 S. Baker, 
 J. B. Culver, 
 Thomas Shepperd, 
 Isaac Benham, 
 Hyram Shepperd, 
 John Shingle. 
 
 IOWA. 
 
 BLOOMINGTON. 
 B. S. Olds, 
 N. L. Street [Stout], 
 Adam Ogilvie, 
 Suel Foster, 
 J. A. Green, 
 H. Q. Jennison, 
 G. Olds. 
 
 WASHINGTON CO. 
 
 Norman Evertson. 
 
 BURLINGTON. 
 
 Henry W. Starr, 
 
 Judge Geo. H. Williams. 
 
 DAVENPORT. 
 
 Robert Mcintosh, 
 George B. Sargent. 
 
 KENTUCKY. 
 
 VERSAILLES. 
 
 H. C. Blackburn, 
 T. H. Crawford. 
 
 MAINE. 
 
 F. B. Stockbridge, 
 M. A. Chandler. 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS. 
 
 Wm. T. Eustis, 
 
 George Horatio Kuhn, 
 
 Samuel Phipps, 
 
 John Cleveland Proctor, 
 
 Benj. B. Mussey, 
 
 Chas. Wentworih Upham, 
 
 Wm. Whitwell Greenough, 
 
 Thos. Greaves Cary, Jr., 
 
 Wm. Lawrence Green, 
 
 Philip J. Aubin, 
 
 Hon. Elisha Hunt Allen, 
 
 George A. Fiske, 
 
 J. E. Reed, 
 
 G. L. Drinkwater, 
 
 Geo. Girdlev Smith, 
 
 Aaron Hobart, 
 
 Anson Burlingame, 
 
 Ward Healey, 
 
 N. H. Hartwell, 
 
 Henry Loring, Jr., 
 
 Joseph H. Buckingham, 
 
PROCEEDINGS— LIST OF DELEGATES. 
 
 6i 
 
 John L. Hunnewell. 
 
 FRAMINGHAM. 
 
 Benjamin Wheeler, 
 
 TEMPLETON. 
 
 Artemas Lee. 
 
 NORTHAMPTON. 
 
 Rev. Dr. Wm. Allen. 
 
 ABINGDON. 
 
 Joseph Hunt. 
 
 NEW BEDFORD. 
 
 Richard Williams. 
 
 WARE. 
 
 Eleazer Porter. 
 
 MICHIGAN. 
 
 ALLEGAN CO. 
 
 Henry H. Booth, 
 DeWitt C. Chapin,. 
 Dr. Abram R. Calkins, 
 Wm. B. Kibby, 
 Dr. Ela Sawtell, 
 Stephen A. Morrison, 
 Chas. R. Wilkes, 
 Jabez Chadbourne, 
 James G. Carter, 
 A. S. Wells, 
 Otis R. Johnson, 
 A. B. Noyes, 
 Frederick Plummer, 
 John R. Kellogg, 
 Joseph Fisk. 
 
 BERRIEN CO. 
 
 A. C. Day, 
 F. A. White, 
 J. Cathcart, 
 W. Harrington, 
 J. Higby, 
 
 B. H. Bertrand, 
 T. G. Bond, 
 
 B. Wheeler, 
 
 F. Field, 
 
 J. H. Hoppin, 
 
 P. P. MaiUard, 
 
 H. B. Hoffman, 
 
 A. Dolph, 
 
 Isaac Vandeventer, 
 
 J. Groves, 
 
 'Henry Vanderhoof, 
 
 W. Harrison, 
 
 E. G. Adderly, 
 
 S. Webber, 
 
 H. W. Griswold, 
 
 George H, Hunter, 
 
 S. Waterman, 
 
 I. M. Stuart, 
 
 T. L. Stephens, 
 
 George Kemmel, Jr., 
 
 Rufus W. Landon, 
 
 E. D. Wilson, 
 
 H. H. Barnes, 
 
 J. M. Piatt, 
 
 J. B. Fitzgerald, 
 
 B. C. Hoyt, 
 Calvin Britain, 
 Jabez G. Sutherland, 
 Dr. Lucius Abbott, 
 John Witherell, 
 
 Dr. Tolman Wheeler, 
 
 S. C. McDowell, 
 
 S. A. Raymond, 
 
 H. Jones, 
 
 A. S. Andrews, 
 
 H. Cronkhite, 
 
 H. Compton, 
 
 A. P. Pinney, 
 
 Curtis Boughton, 
 
 A. S. Preston, 
 
 N. B. Milford, 
 
 W. Pearle, 
 
 W. Compton, 
 
 E. D. Wilson. 
 
 BRANCH CO. 
 
 Henry C. Gilbert, 
 
 Louis T. N. Wilson, 
 
 A. L. Porter, 
 
 D. R. Cooley, 
 
 S. Perkins, 
 
 D. S. Williams. 
 
 CASS CO. 
 John Clark. 
 
 CALHOUN CO. 
 
 Charles Dickey, 
 Charles T. Gorham, 
 Robert Cross, 
 
 C. B. Pratt, 
 P. Updike, 
 
 F. Bostwick, 
 H. Halsey, 
 H. Camp, 
 
 G. Vail, 
 
 W. C. Rowley, 
 
 S. S. Nichols, 
 
 W. M. Campbell, 
 
 Chester Buckley, 
 
 Elijah L. Stillson, 
 
 A. Noble, 
 
 Walter W. Woolnough, 
 
 H. Marsh, 
 
 G. G. Teers, 
 
 J. B. Mason, 
 
 J. L. Balcom, 
 
 F. S. Clark, 
 
 Marvin Hannahs, 
 
 J. Crowell, 
 
 C. Waldo, 
 
 L, Grant, 
 
 S. Fitch, 
 
 L. Campbell. 
 
 CHIPPEWA CO. 
 
 John N. Ingersoll, 
 
 E. G. Seymour, 
 A. P. Edwards, 
 J. B. Martell. 
 
 HILLSDALE CO. 
 
 A. P. Hogarth, 
 J. K. Kinman, 
 M. B. Couch, 
 S. W. Smith, 
 J. A. Laird, 
 H. Baxter, 
 Walter W. Murphy, 
 L. Russell, 
 J. W. King, 
 George C. Monroe. 
 
 JACKSON CO. 
 
 Orson W. Bennett, 
 L. W. Witherell, 
 Austin Blair, 
 Geo. Thompson Gridley, 
 
 F. A. McArthur. 
 
 KALAMAZOO CO. 
 
 Gen. Justus Burdick, 
 Mitchell Hinsdill, 
 Theodore P. Sheldon, 
 W. L. Booth, 
 Marsh Giddings, 
 P. P. Acker, 
 W. Price, 
 J. Fuller. 
 
62 CHICAGO RIVER-AND-HARBOR CONVENTION 
 
 KENT, IOWA, AND 
 
 OTTAWA COS, 
 
 Rix Robinson, 
 Nathan H. White, 
 I. Brocket, 
 Wm, Clancey, 
 Warren P. Mills, 
 Robert M. Collins, 
 Frederick Hall, 
 
 B. T. Hall, 
 
 C. Elvert, 
 F. Sloan, 
 
 Chas. P. Babcock, 
 John W, Squire, 
 Daniel D. VanAllen, 
 Charles H. Taylor, 
 Wm. M. Ferry, 
 Hermon Terry, 
 Wm. B. Hill, 
 J. T. Davis, 
 Lucas Robinson, 
 A. S. Dane, 
 Geo. M. Mills, 
 Charles W. Taylor, 
 Amos Norton, 
 Henry Pennoyer, 
 Wm. Bemis, 
 Julius C. Abel, 
 Carlos Abel, 
 Dan Velsey, 
 T. Mortimer Smith, 
 I. E. Parker, 
 Dwight Rankin, 
 Hiram Rathbun, 
 James Davis, 
 Wm. H. Godfroy, 
 James M. Nelson, 
 Henry R. Williams, 
 Geo. C. Evans, 
 Alfred X. Gary, 
 Myron Harris, 
 Silas G. Harris, 
 George Roberts, 
 Benj. Smith, 
 James Dalton, 
 Peter Dalton, 
 E. Waite, 
 Amos Roberts, 
 John Ball, 
 John Colton, 
 W. Arnold, 
 Grosvenor Reed, 
 Louis S. Lovell, 
 George S. Isham, 
 
 Stephen Monroe, 
 Thomas W. White, 
 Capt. Henry Miller, 
 Capt. Warren, 
 W. Lasley, 
 John A. Brooks, 
 
 F. Hopkins, 
 Clark B. Albee, 
 M. M. Eastman, 
 A. I. Douglass, 
 Berrin Minahan, 
 Geo. C. Morton, 
 Charles Mears, 
 I. Baird, 
 
 Jacob W. Winsor, 
 Wm. G. Flenry, 
 Wm. H. Withey, 
 Harry Eaton, 
 Board man Noble, 
 Hiram Hinsdill, 
 Geo. L. Norton, 
 James M. Kidd, 
 
 G. W. Taylor, 
 William Carr, 
 S. T. Gleason, 
 O. Train, 
 
 Wm. H. Tanner. 
 
 MACOMB CO. 
 
 Richard Butler. 
 
 MONROE CO. 
 
 James Thornton, 
 John Burch, 
 W^ V. Miller, 
 J. B. Mann, 
 W. A. Noble, 
 David A. Noble, 
 F. F. Fifield, 
 James Darrah, 
 
 F. B. VanBrunt, 
 
 D. S. Bacon, 
 John Darrow. 
 
 SAGINAW CO. 
 
 James Fraser, 
 Dan H. Fitzbugh, 
 Hiram L. Miller. 
 
 ST. JOSEPH CO. 
 
 L. Baxter, 
 
 G. Kellogg, 
 Joseph E. Johnson, 
 Joseph R. Williams, 
 
 E. Stephens, 
 
 Abraham C. Prutzman. 
 
 ST. CLAIR CO. 
 
 S. Morse, 
 
 H. N. Munson, 
 
 Rev. Oliver C. Thompson, 
 
 W. Cox, 
 
 Daniel B. Harrington, 
 
 M. S. Gillett, 
 
 J. M. Kelsey, 
 
 William L. Bancroft, 
 
 T. Luer. 
 
 VAN BUREN CO. 
 
 D. O. Dodge, 
 Isaac W. Willard, 
 S. Darling, 
 
 E. G. Cox. 
 
 WASHTENAW CO. 
 
 Wm. S. Maynard, 
 Volney Chapin, 
 G. Loomis, 
 C. Clark. 
 H. Becker, 
 C. Thayer, 
 Dwight Webb, 
 G. VanHusen, 
 J. Luddington, 
 Dorr Kellogg, 
 E. Becker, 
 E. C, Loomis. 
 
 WAYNE CO. 
 
 Gov. Henry P. Baldwin, 
 Zachariah Chandler, 
 Wm. Woodbridge, 
 John Biddle, 
 Alpheus S. Williams, 
 Ebenezer J. Penniman, 
 Henry Fralick, 
 Wm. N. Stevens, 
 Thomas P. May, 
 Julius A. Austin, 
 Asher S. Kellogg, 
 Isaac Featherly, 
 Oliver Newberry, 
 Richard Hawley, 
 R. C. Bradford, 
 J. N. Eldred, 
 Alexander H. Newbold, 
 Austin Wales, 
 P. A. Ladue, 
 Ezra C. Seaman, 
 J. W. Walker, 
 beWitt C. Holbrook, 
 
PROCEEDINGS— LIST OF DELEGATES. 
 
 63 
 
 Thos. C. Sheldon, 
 H. G. Miller, 
 Junius H. Hatch, 
 John L. Whiting. 
 
 MISSOURI. 
 
 ST. LOUIS. 
 
 Hon. Edward Bates, 
 Fletcher M. Haight, 
 Robert Simpson, 
 Wm. Simpson, 
 Charles Keemle, 
 Joseph M. Converse, 
 N. E. Janney, 
 
 D. B. Moorehouse, 
 H. S. Coxe, 
 
 J. Clemens, Jr., 
 John G. Priest, 
 Thomas Allen, 
 Lewis V. Bogy, 
 Samuel Treat, 
 A. L. Paul, 
 G. B. Mann, 
 V. Stailey, 
 A. H. Guild, 
 A. B. Chambers, 
 Milton Knox, 
 
 E. R. Mason, 
 W. T. Essex, 
 James S. Robb, 
 J. Thockmorton, 
 N. J. Eaton, 
 
 J. Bredill, 
 Wells Colton, 
 J. G. Powers, 
 T. H. Warren, 
 T. Baldwin, 
 W. P. Fisher, 
 T. Yeatman, 
 Judson Allen, 
 John Segarson. 
 
 CAPE GIRARDEAU CO. 
 
 Gen. Nat. W. Watkins, 
 
 T. B. English, 
 
 E. W. Harris, 
 
 R. Guild, 
 
 R. Sturdivant, 
 
 A. Jackson, 
 
 Chas. A. Davis, 
 
 Joseph Wm. Russell. 
 
 MARION CO. 
 
 J. H. Kibbey. 
 
 BENTON CO. 
 
 N. C. Shepard. 
 
 GALLAWAY CO. 
 W. A. Bennett. 
 
 NEW HAMPSHIRE 
 
 Francis S. Fiske, 
 J. T. White. 
 
 NEW JERSEY. 
 
 PASSAIC CO. 
 
 Roswell L. Colt. 
 
 ESSEX CO. 
 
 John Taylor, 
 Charles King. 
 
 MIDDLESEX CO. 
 
 Littleton Kirkpatrick. 
 
 HUDSON CO. 
 
 Peter McMartin. 
 
 MORRIS CO. 
 
 Freeman Wood, 
 Thomas L. King, 
 Joshua A. Black. 
 
 NEW YORK. 
 
 NEW-YORK CITY. 
 
 Jas. DePeyster Ogden, 
 David Dudley Field, 
 Philip Hone, 
 Horace Greeley, 
 John Peck, 
 James Brooks, 
 Edwin E. Burr, 
 N. B. Smith, 
 Julius Wadsworth, 
 Augustus Whitlock, 
 John R. Peters, 
 James O. Sheldon, 
 George M. Atwater, 
 Edward J. Faile, 
 Levi Beardsley, 
 Wm. Burger, 
 Amasa Wright, 
 James O. VanBergen, 
 Cyrus Backus, 
 R. J. Vandewater, 
 Horace Belsler, 
 M. A. Nixon, 
 Chas. P. Williams, 
 
 Elanson Frask, 
 Robert Olcott, 
 D. R. Bacon. 
 
 ALBANY, 
 
 John Canfield Spencer, 
 . Thurlow Weed. 
 ' John Quintard Wilson, 
 
 Erastus Corning, 
 
 Edwin C roswell, 
 
 John Knower, 
 
 John L. Schoolcraft, 
 
 Thomas L. Green, 
 
 LeGrand Smith, 
 
 Wm, S. Gregory, 
 
 Lawson Anesly, 
 
 Wm. White, 
 
 Andrew White, 
 
 D. V. N. Radcliff, 
 
 sacket's harbor. 
 Leonard Dennison. 
 
 ORLEANS CO. 
 
 Henry R. Curtis, 
 Lyman H. Phillips, 
 Seth S. King, 
 Wm. Stead, 
 Eri Wood, 
 Roswell Clark, 
 
 E. D, Bacon, 
 
 F. Doty, 
 Paul B. Torry. 
 
 MONROE CO. 
 
 James K. Livingston, 
 Hamblin Stillwell, 
 Wm. Brewster, 
 Theodore B. Hamilton, 
 Isaac Butts, 
 Dr. Hartwell Carver, 
 Nathaniel Rochester, 
 Alexander Mann, 
 James H. Kelly, 
 S. R. Colvin, 
 Alex. Ely. 
 
 CHAUTAUQUA CO. 
 
 George W. Patterson, 
 Samuel A. Brown, 
 A. Puree, 
 A. H. Walker, 
 Henry A. Prendergast, 
 E. S. Garnsey, 
 John Davis, 
 
64 
 
 CHICAGO rivp:r-and-harbor convention. 
 
 Lorenzo Parsons, 
 H. Brigham, 
 James McCling. 
 
 ONTARIO CO. 
 
 Walter Hubbell. 
 
 NIAGARA CO. 
 
 Alfred B. Judd, 
 Luther Wilson, 
 Wm. G. McMaster, 
 Ira Gregory, 
 Jonathan Bell, 
 Amos S. Tyron, 
 Daniel Hall, 
 Freeman J. Fithian, 
 Charles Evans. 
 
 ONEIDA CO, 
 
 John H. Edmonds, 
 Wm. Osborn, Jr., 
 Alex. Seward, 
 O. B. Mattison, 
 John E. Hinman, 
 John F. Seymour, 
 John Bryan, 
 E. F. Showmard, 
 John G. Crocker, 
 C. C. Bacon, 
 Henry Sherrill, 
 Harrold H. Pope, 
 Alva Mudge, 
 Wm. R. Osborn, 
 S. N. Dexter, 
 Delos DeWolf, 
 Heman Ferry, 
 Elakim Elmer, 
 James E. Sherrill, 
 J. C. Miker. 
 
 CATTARAUGUS CO. 
 
 Job Bigelow. 
 
 ST. LAWRENCE CO. 
 
 ■ M. Ogden, 
 Wm. Bacon, 
 G. W. Shephard, 
 Samuel Dix, 
 Jos, H. Buckingham. 
 
 LIVINGSTON CO. 
 
 Gen. Micah Brooks, 
 Sidney Sweet, 
 George N. Williams, 
 Charles Shepard. 
 
 CHENANGO CO. 
 Ira Wilcox, 
 Walter M. Conkey, 
 James Clapp, Jr. 
 
 WASHINGTON CO. 
 
 John Hillibert, 
 Horatio G. Sherman, 
 Morgan Heath, 
 Moses Cowen. 
 
 WYOMINCt CO. 
 
 Isaac C, Bronson, 
 Samuel S. Blanchard, 
 Daniel S. Curtiss, 
 Calvin P, Bailey, 
 Wm. J. Chapin, 
 Peter Lawrence, 
 Lewis B. Parsons, 
 A. S. Green, 
 Walter Howard, 
 James L. Enos, 
 Josiah Hovey. 
 
 CAYUGA CO. 
 
 Darius L. Cole, 
 John T, Hunter. 
 
 SENECA CO. 
 
 Arad Joy, 
 
 Wm. A. Sackett, 
 
 Erastus Partridge. 
 
 ONONDAGA CO. 
 
 Lewis H. Redfield, 
 James Manning, 
 Patrick H. Agan, 
 Thomas G. Alvord, 
 Jesse McKinley, 
 J. F. Smith, 
 Samuel Lamed, 
 James C, Griswold, 
 Wm. H. H. Smith, 
 J. L. Gage, 
 Jasper Smith, 
 Frederick Benson, 
 Moses Hinckley, 
 Theodore Sanford. 
 
 RENSSELAER CO. 
 
 Gen. George R. Davis, 
 Day O, Kellogg, 
 Daniel Gardner, 
 Bela Barber, 
 Wm. H. Warren, 
 
 James Sherry, 
 A. B. Elliot. 
 
 GENESEE CO. 
 
 Heman J, Redfield, 
 Trumbull Cary, 
 Wm, Server, 
 George W. Lay, 
 Heman Pomeroy, 
 Benjamin Pringle, 
 Samuel C. Holden. 
 
 [BUFFALO] ERIE CO. 
 
 Wm. A. Mosley, 
 Samuel Wilkeson, 
 James L. Barton, 
 Elbridge G. Spaulding,. 
 Hon. Nathan K. Hall, 
 Bela D. Coe, 
 Wm. Mosley Hall, 
 Orlando Allen, 
 James O. Brayman, 
 Thomas M. Foote, 
 Cyrenius C. Bristol, 
 Elisha A. Maynard, 
 Wm. Ketchum, 
 Mahlon Kingman, 
 Thomas C. Love, 
 George C. White, 
 Frederick P. Stevens,, 
 Peter Curtiss, 
 Wm. Hollister, 
 Horatio Shumway, 
 Thaddeus W. Patchin, 
 Joseph Stringham, 
 Henry Weisser, 
 Stephen G. Austin, 
 Isaac J. Hathaway, 
 George H, Bryant, 
 Sidney Shepard, 
 Ralph Earns worth, 
 LIunting S, Chamberlain, 
 John Patterson, 
 Lorenzo K. Haddock, 
 John F. Porter, 
 James G. Brown, 
 Birdseye Wilcox, 
 Wm, Laverack, 
 Samuel Fursman, 
 John R, St. John, 
 George W. Clinton, 
 Henry Randall, 
 Capt. Oilman Appleby, 
 Daniel N. Barney, 
 
PROCEEDINGS— LIST OF DELEGATES. 
 
 65 
 
 James Murray, 
 Benjamin Burdett, 
 Seth C. Hawley, 
 C. S. Chase, 
 Orrin P. Ramsdell, 
 Samuel M. Chamberlain, 
 Chas. R. Gold, 
 Daniel G. Marcy, 
 Amasa T. Kingman, 
 C. Litchfield, 
 Joseph Dart, Jr., 
 Walter Gary. 
 
 Alvin Bronson, 
 Sylvester Doolittle, 
 George Fisher, 
 Patrick Smyth, 
 H. H. Coats, 
 J. B. Penfield, 
 Hiram Davis, 
 Amos Wright. 
 
 OHIO. 
 
 COLUMBUS. 
 
 Gov. Wm. Bebb, 
 A. S. Chew, 
 John Woods, 
 A, B. Buttles, 
 W. S. Sullivant, 
 D. Tallmadge, 
 Theo Tallmadge. 
 
 CINCINNATI. 
 
 R. Buchanan, 
 Hon. James Hall, 
 Hon. John C. Wright, 
 Wm. Green, 
 W. S. Johnson, 
 Darius Lapham, 
 Robert S. Dean, 
 L. A. Hena, 
 Stanley Mathews, 
 S. C. Parkhurst, 
 John F. Hunt, 
 Joseph Ross, 
 Maynard French. 
 
 HURON CO. 
 
 George S. Patterson, 
 John B-. Wilbur, 
 D. G. Branch. 
 
 S. F. Taylor, 
 Clark Wagoner, 
 J. D. Smith. 
 
 NEWARK. 
 
 Wm. Stansbury, Jr. 
 
 OHIO CITY. 
 
 Reuben Lord, 
 Luke Risley, 
 E. L. Stephens, 
 Wm. W. Pratt, 
 Henry L. Whitman, 
 Wm. Hortnass, 
 A. D. Elliott, 
 J. H. Sims, 
 Lyman Crowe. 
 
 PERRYSBURG. 
 
 Elijah Huntington. 
 
 MAUMEE CITY. 
 Horatio Conant, 
 Charles Coatsworth 
 
 Pinckney Hunt. 
 
 TOLEDO. 
 
 y. W. Scott, 
 Charles O'Hara. 
 
 HAMILTON, BUTLER CO. 
 
 John Hittell, 
 Wm. H. Miller. 
 
 WARREN CO. 
 
 Gov. Jeremiah Warren, 
 Gov, Thomas Corwin, 
 A. H. Danbury, 
 John M. Milborn. 
 
 MORGAN CO. 
 
 James L. Gage. 
 
 LORRAINE. 
 
 Dr. Luther D, Griswold 
 
 connp:aut. 
 J. Reed. 
 
 XENIA, GREEN CO. 
 
 Dr. Joshua Martin, 
 Wm. Mills, 
 R. McBartney, 
 J. W, Merrick, 
 Dr. W. Grimes, 
 
 H. P. Gallaway. 
 
 DAYTON. 
 
 H. G. Phillips, 
 Robert C. Schenck, 
 E. W. Davies, 
 John W. VanCleve, 
 Edward P. Smith, 
 R. R. Dickey, 
 Henry B. Perrine. 
 
 LAKE CO. 
 
 Hon. Aaron Wilcox, 
 Peleg P. Sanford, 
 Solomon S. Osborne, 
 'John H. Moseley, 
 Benjamin Adams, 
 J. H. Howe, 
 L. P. Converse, 
 Chas. A. Moseley, 
 Roland Moseley, 
 L. C. Howard, 
 Joseph S. Mount, 
 H. C. Gray. 
 
 CLEVELAND. 
 
 Josiah A. Harris, 
 Samuel Williamson, 
 Wm. F. Allen, 
 S. Sage Coe, 
 Joseph W. Gray, 
 Irad Kelley, 
 Samuel Holliday, 
 Samuel O. Mathews, 
 David L. Wood, 
 Wm. H. Hayward, 
 J. Walworth, 
 Wm. E. Lawrence, 
 Wm. L. Standart, 
 H. Geer, 
 George Kelley, 
 Wm. Gowan,. 
 H. Smith, 
 L N. Fitch, 
 James Barnett, 
 H. Palmer, 
 Wm. PL Potts, 
 Wm. W. Pickersgill, 
 George M. Atwater, 
 Martin B. Scott, 
 Wm. J. Otis, 
 Albert G. Lawrence, 
 E. Tracy, 
 E. G. White, 
 
66 
 
 CHICAGO RIVER-AND-HARBOR CONVENTION, 
 
 F. W. Morse, 
 H. A. Sheldon. 
 
 SANDUSKY CITY. 
 
 E. Cook, 
 John C. Camp, 
 Rice Harper, 
 Abner W. Porter, 
 Wm. Townsend, 
 Isaac A. Mills. 
 
 PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 PHILAnELl'HIA. 
 
 SOUTH CAROLINA. J. C. Dowse, 
 
 CHARLESTON. '^^^er Caldwell, 
 
 Dr.Thos. L.Halsey Cross, ^j^;:;/ Smilh!"^^' 
 
 WISCONSIN. 
 
 RACINE CO. 
 
 Philo White, 
 Dr. Bushnell B. Cary, 
 Horace T. Sanders, 
 Matthew B. Mead, 
 Thomas Jackson, 
 Marshall M. Stronof, 
 
 Hon. Joseph R. Ingersoll, r^ufus S. King, 
 
 Chas. S. Wright, 
 Nelson Pendleton, 
 Levi Blake, 
 Capt. Gilbert Knapp, 
 Capt. Seth Johnson, 
 Henry Smith Durand, 
 George S. Wright, 
 Dr. Elias Smith, 
 John Ramsdell, 
 
 Hon. Andrew W. Loomis, Seneca Raymond, 
 
 Henry Sterling, 
 
 A. G. Ralston, 
 Elliott Cresson, 
 C. E. Spangler, 
 J. H. Harkness, 
 Charles E, Davis, 
 J. A. Davis, 
 Hugh Campbell. 
 
 PITTSBURG. 
 
 C. O. Loomis, 
 W. J. Totten, 
 Nicholas Voeghtly, 
 Joseph R. Henderson, 
 T. J. Bigham. 
 
 ERIE. 
 
 Hon. John B. Johnson, 
 J. C. Marshall, 
 Murray Whallon, 
 E. Mehaffey, 
 W. W. Dobbins, 
 B. F. Sloan, 
 Wm. Nicholson, 
 J. W. Witmore, 
 Joseph M. Sterrett. 
 
 CRAWFORD CO. 
 
 J. Stuart Riddle, 
 Gilbert D. V. Shattuck. 
 
 CHESTER CO. 
 
 Isaac A. Pennybacker. 
 RHODE ISLAND. 
 
 PROVIDENCE. 
 
 Edward Seagrave, 
 Hamilton Hoppin, 
 John F. Chapin. 
 
 Dr. Edwin Everett, 
 Wm. B. Rogers, 
 James O. Titus, 
 Philander Judson, 
 Richard E. Ely, 
 Hiland S. Hulburd, 
 George W. Taggart, 
 Ira A. Rice, 
 Silas C. Chapman, 
 Joseph Bishop, 
 Edwin Gould, 
 Sidney S. Dickinson, 
 Dr. Orville W. Blanchard, 
 James H. Hall, 
 M. Folsom, 
 James E. Lockwood, 
 Dr. Samuel W. Wilson, 
 Sam'l Carey Tuckerman 
 Edward F. Sexton, 
 Harry Griswold, 
 James Puffer, 
 Jeremiah Hagerman, 
 J. Scudder, 
 Wm. H. Waterman, 
 Reuben N. Norton, 
 Horace N. Chapman, 
 James A. Griswold, 
 Edward Bliss, 
 Consider Heath, 
 John Dexter, 
 
 R. W. Benham, 
 Cyrus Udell, 
 Francis Paddock, 
 George W. Jackson, 
 David McDonald, 
 Elisha Raymond, Jr., 
 Robert Gather, 
 John Dickson, 
 James N. Killip, 
 Clark W. SpaflFord, 
 Henry-F. Cox, 
 Ira Hurlbut, 
 Lucas Bradley, 
 Edwin A. Robey, 
 Daniel Slauson, 
 Nelson Slater, 
 Albert H. Blake, 
 Lucius S. Blake, 
 Henry Sherman, 
 Wm. Thos. Richmond, 
 Salmon F. Heath, 
 Henry Bryan, 
 Joseph S. Grandy, 
 Nicholas D. Fratt, 
 Marcus Weed, 
 C. I. Hutchinson, 
 Charles Durkee, 
 Hiram Tuttle, 
 Geo. Kimball, 
 Samuel Hale, 
 Daniel Hugunin, 
 Michael Frank, 
 Chauncey Davis, 
 Oscar F. Dana, 
 Vinal Danels, 
 David Blish, 
 John H. Nichols, 
 Richard B. Winsor, 
 Quartes K. Lee, 
 Joseph V. Quarles, 
 David Crosset, 
 Henry B. Hinsdale, 
 Epaphro Seymour, 
 Theodore Newell, 
 Sereno Fisk, 
 Volney French, 
 W. Ward Wheeler, 
 Sylvender Baldwin, 
 H. H. Titcomb, 
 E. Sprague Elkins, 
 
PROCEEDINGS — LIST OF DELEGATES. 
 
 (>7 
 
 E. Treadwell, 
 Seth Doane, 
 \Vm. Bone, 
 Wallace Mygatt, 
 John Noble, 
 David W. Holbrook, 
 James M. Stryker, 
 Dr. John Parker, 
 Richard G. Barrows, 
 Wm. Henry Smith, 
 L, B. Richardson, 
 George W. Harris, 
 Dr. H. E. Hall, 
 John D. Kingsland, 
 Frederick S. Lovell, 
 John V. Ayer, 
 George S. Willis, 
 Samuel Kepigne, 
 Nathan Hawley, 
 Alfred W. Doolittle, 
 Michael Holmes, 
 John B. Gillson, 
 Alvin B, Tobey, 
 
 A. P. Cronin, 
 
 Hon. Peter D. Hugunin, 
 David Walker, Jr., 
 
 B. W. Farnam, 
 John S. Bloom, 
 Alexander H. Peters, 
 Isaac George, 
 
 A. P. Allen, 
 
 Wm. B. vSlocum, 
 
 Charles Latham Sholes, 
 
 Thomas D. Bond, 
 
 A. Morgan, 
 
 P. Ebenezer I^omeroy, 
 
 L. Chapin, 
 
 Walter Prosser, 
 
 Joseph PI. Hackley, 
 
 Harvey Durkee, 
 
 Reason Bell, 
 
 Sam'l Franklin Comstock, 
 
 Geo. W. Brandt, 
 
 Russel Smith, 
 
 Samuel Holmes, 
 
 George W. Boardman, 
 
 George N. Cobb, 
 
 Wm. E. Waite, 
 
 Wm. H. Fifield, 
 
 L. Newberry, 
 
 L. B. Kinney, 
 
 G. L. Rider, 
 
 Charles C. Sholes. 
 
 MILWAUKEE CO. 
 
 Wm. Duane Wilson, 
 Hans Crocker, 
 John H. Tweedy, 
 Thomas L. Ogden, 
 Dr. Benj. McVickar, 
 Alanson Sweet, 
 John B. Smith, 
 Lester H. Cotton, 
 Robert H. Strong, 
 Dr. Erastus B. Wolcott, 
 John Anderson, 
 Dr. Jas. P. Greves, 
 Daniel Wells, Jr., 
 Herman L. Page, 
 Leonard J. Farwell, 
 John King, Jr., 
 Haven Powers, 
 John S. Fillmore, 
 John E. Cameron, 
 Henry Miller, 
 Wm. Brown, Jr. 
 Dr. John B. Dousman, 
 Dr. George W. Mygatt, 
 Henry M. McConnell, 
 Jacob P. Rapelje, 
 Lewis J. Higby, 
 Alonzo F. Cady, 
 John Webb, 
 Anson Eldred, 
 Chas. E. Jenkens, 
 Tertelleus D. Butler, 
 Increase Allen Lapham, 
 Benjamin Church, 
 John G. Barr, 
 Dr. Thos. J. Noyes, 
 Emanuel M. Shoyer, 
 Louis Franchere, 
 Lewis Ludington, 
 Harrison Ludington, 
 Charles Ludington, 
 John Y . Rague, 
 John Hustis, 
 Jas. B. Crass, 
 Alexander Mitchell, 
 Mosfes Kneeland, 
 Gideon P. Hewitt, 
 Henry C. Heide, 
 Wm. W. Brown, 
 John W. Medbury, 
 Nathaniel S. Donaldson, 
 George D. Dousman, 
 Dr. Charles Wandesly, 
 
 David Merrill, 
 Uriah H. Persons, 
 Allen W. Hatch, 
 Benj. H. Edgerton, 
 Morgan L. Burdick, 
 Wm. A. Hawkins, 
 John White, 
 Cicero Comstock, 
 Ambrose Ely, 
 George T. Fowler, 
 Richard Hoppin, Jr., 
 Levi Blossom, Jr., 
 Abel Hawley, 
 Dr. Edwin S. Marsh, 
 James Kneeland, 
 Orlando Alexander, 
 John T. Bradford, 
 Henry K. White, 
 Alonzo Blossom, 
 Eli C. Kellogg, 
 Edward D. Holton, 
 John S. Pardee, 
 Charles H. Hurd, 
 Clark Brookins, 
 S. M. Dorfield, 
 George E. H. Day, 
 Sylvester Pettibone, 
 Wm. Brown, 
 Henry Sivyer, 
 Charles Mears, 
 Cyrus D. Davis, 
 Levi Hubbell, 
 Sidney L. Rood, 
 Charles Jones, 
 Charles Crane, 
 Gen. Rufus King, 
 Wm. M. Cunningham, 
 Daniel W. Bayles, 
 Chas. F. Ilsley, 
 Jonathan Myers, 
 Thomas H. Williams, 
 Thomas Smith, Jr., 
 Andrew N. Dixon, 
 Ezra Lowell, 
 Frank B. Putnam, 
 Peter G. Jones, 
 Edwin Palmer, 
 James Christie, 
 Archibald P. Allen, 
 Horatio N. Wells, 
 Alexander Matherson, 
 Francis Randall, 
 Wm. Bonnell. 
 
6S 
 
 CHICAGO RIVER-AND-HARBOR CONVENTION. 
 
 JEFFERSON CO. 
 
 Ira Miltimore, 
 Lyman E. Boomer, 
 T. J. Carmichael, 
 Eli Petay, 
 
 D. Foster, 
 Alonzo S. Horton, 
 Robert Barry. 
 
 SHEBOYGAN CO. 
 
 Henry K. Conklin, 
 
 B. F. Lee, 
 
 E. Oilman, 
 W. Wampter, 
 W. Smith, 
 H. Camp, 
 
 H. L. Newberry, 
 J. B. Cole, 
 S. B. Ormsbee, 
 Samuel Daniels, 
 Wm. P. Gorsline, 
 Elihu S. Thorp, 
 
 D. Burhans, 
 J. Maynard, 
 
 E. H. Howard, 
 A. V. Fryer. 
 
 WAUKESHA CO. 
 
 Wm. Blake, 
 John Howell, 
 
 C. Dansmer, 
 R. W. Wright, 
 W. D. Baker, 
 J. L. Benne, 
 
 A. Steeling, 
 T. Stockson, 
 J. Polham, 
 O. Haseltine. 
 
 WALWORTH CO. 
 
 A. A. Hemmenway, 
 E. Elderkin, 
 Sewall Smith, 
 N. H. Harwood, 
 
 E. H. Ball, 
 
 F. Y. Howe, 
 Henry Whitney, 
 Wm. Boardman, 
 
 E. Eastbrook, 
 A. Hastings, 
 Wm. Berry, 
 Augustus Smith, 
 Charles Hibbard, 
 J. C. Mills, 
 
 C. Bellows, 
 Wm. R. Beld, 
 W. A. Blanchard, 
 
 F. K. Pheonix, 
 
 C. H. Sturdesant, 
 M. Taggart, 
 
 D. I. Broadway. 
 
 WASHINGTON CO. 
 
 Wooster Harrison, 
 Solon Johnson, 
 Wm. H. Bayhes, 
 Thomas W. Smith, 
 
 G. W. Foster. 
 
 WINNEBAGO CO. 
 
 J. D. Doty. 
 
 FOND-DU-LAC CO. 
 
 N. P. Talmadge. 
 
 SAUK CO. 
 
 James Maxwell. 
 
 ROCK CO. 
 John M. Keep, 
 Edward D. Murray, 
 L. P. Haney, 
 Lucius Geo. Fisher, 
 Hazen Cheeney, 
 D. Fargo, 
 Jesse Moore, 
 George F. Winch. 
 
 COLUMBIA CO. 
 
 Henry Merrill, 
 Joseph Kerr. 
 
 LA FAYETTE CO. 
 
 Wm. S. Hamilton, 
 Samuel Young. 
 
 DODGE CO. 
 
 Charles H. Larrabee, 
 Wm. M. Larrabee, 
 L. H. Jackson. 
 
 GRANT CO. 
 
 Wm. B. Biddlecomb. 
 
 Second Day, Tuesday, July 6th, 1847. 
 
 At 9 A.M. the Convention met pursuant to adjournment, Hon. 
 Edward Bates of Missouri, president, presiding. 
 
 The minutes of yesterday's proceedings being read, were 
 amended, and as amended, accepted. 
 
 The Delegates from Rhode Island and Kentucky reported that 
 their reports were ordered on file. 
 
 The President announced the following as the Committee on 
 Resolutions, appointed' under the resolution of yesterday: 
 
 Connecticut — N. O. Kellogg and Joel W. White, 
 
 Florida — John G. Camp, 
 
 Georgia — Thos. Butler King and William B. Hodson, 
 
 Illinois — Jesse B. Thomas and David J. Baker, 
 
 Indiana — Daniel Mace and Andrew Lawrence Osborn, 
 
PROCEEDINGS. ' 69 
 
 Iowa — GrORGE H. Williams and N. L. Stout, 
 Kentucky — H. C. Blackburn and T. H. Crawford, 
 Maine — M. A. Chandler and F. B. Stockbridge, 
 Massachusetts — George H. Kuhn and Artemas Lee, 
 Michigan — Wm. Woodbridge and Calvin Britain, 
 Missouri — John D. Cook and Fletcher M. Haight, 
 New Jersey — RoswEi.L L. Colt and Charles King, 
 New York — John C. Spencer and Alvin Bronson, 
 Ohio — ^JoHN C. Wright and Joseph W. Gray, 
 Pennsylvania — T. J. Bigham and J. C. Marshall, 
 Rhode Island — Edward Seagrave and Hamilton Hoppin, 
 Wisconsin — N. P. Talmadge and J. D. Kingsland. 
 
 Anson Burlingame of Massachusetts, resigned as a member of 
 the Committee on Resolutions, whereupon the chair substituted 
 the name of Artemas Lee. 
 
 Daniel Gardner of New York, presented resolutions which were 
 referred. 
 
 Thomas Allen of Missouri, moved that all resolutions and 
 reports presented to the Convention be referred to the Commit- 
 tee on Resolutions. Carried. 
 
 Resolutions were presented by Robert S. Blackwell of Illinois, 
 which were referred to the Committee on Resolutions. 
 
 A Resolution was presented by John R. St. John of New 
 York, which was referred to the aforesaid Committee. 
 
 Resolutions, three in number, presented by Wm. Mosley Hall 
 of New York, were referred as above. 
 
 A letter from Capt. I. T. Cleveland of Howard County, Mo., 
 giving statistics of the commerce of the Missouri River, was 
 referred to the aforesaid Committee. 
 
 Thomas Allen of Missouri, in behalf of the Missouri Delega- 
 gation presented the following letter from Hon. Thomas H. Ben- 
 ton, which was read: 
 
 St. Louis, yune 20th, 184'j. 
 
 To Messrs. Wayman, Crow^ Edward Wd/s/i, J-ames E. Yeatman, 
 
 and others, a Committee, etc.: 
 
 Gentlemen : — In my brief note addressed to you on my return 
 from Jefferson, I expressed the gratification I should have felt in 
 going with the St. Louis delegation to the Chicago Convention, 
 and made known the reason which would prevent me from having 
 that pleasure. 
 
 The lake -and -river navigation of the great West, to promote 
 which the Convention is called, very early had a share of my 
 
70 CHICAGO RIVER-AND-HARBOR CONVENTION. 
 
 attention, and 1 never had a doubt of the constitutionaUty or 
 expediency of bringing that navigation within the circle of internal 
 improvement by the federal government, when the object to be 
 improved should be one of general and national importance. 
 
 The junction of the two great systems of water which occupy 
 so much of our country — the Northern lakes on the one hand, 
 and the Mississsippi River and its tributaries on the other — 
 appeared to me to be an object of that character^ and Chicago 
 the proper point for effecting the union ; and near thirty years ago 
 I wrote and published articles in a St. Louis paper in favor of that 
 object, indicated, and almost accomplished by Nature herself, and 
 wanting but little from man to complete it. Articles in the St 
 Louis Enquirer, of April, 1819, express the opinions which I then 
 entertained, and the ^reporf of that period, published in the same 
 paper, to the Secretary of War, by Messrs. Graham & Philips, in 
 favor of that canal (and which '' report' I wrote), was probably the 
 first formal communication, upon authentic data, in favor of the 
 Chicago Canal. These gentlemen, with Mr. John C. Sullivan, of 
 Missouri, having been appointed by the Secretary of War to run 
 a line from the south end of Lake Michigan to the Mississippi, I 
 proposed to them to examine the ground between Chicago and 
 the head waters of the lUinois River, with a view to the construc- 
 tion of a canal by the federal government. They did so, and, on 
 their return to St. Louis, submitted all their observations to me, 
 and hence the publications in the newspapers, and the report of 
 the Secretary of War. I mention this to show that my opinions 
 on this subject are of long standing, and that the nationality of 
 the Chicago Canal, and, of course, the harbor at its mouth, are 
 by no means new conceptions with me. But I must confess I 
 did not foresee then what I have since seen — the Falls of Niagara 
 surmounted by a ship-canal, and a schooner clearing from Chicago 
 for Liverpool. 
 
 The river navigation of the great West is the most wonderful 
 on the globe, and, since the application of steam power to the 
 propulsion of vessels, possesses the essential quahties of open 
 navigation. Speed, distance, cheapness, magnitude of cargoes, 
 are all there, and without the perils of the sea from storms and 
 enemies. The steamboat is the ship of the river, and finds in 
 the Mississippi and its tributaries the amplest theatre for the dif- 
 fusion of its use and the display of its power. Wonderful river ! 
 Connected with seas by the head and by the mouth — stretching 
 its arms toward the Atlantic and the Pacific — lying in a valley 
 which is a valley from the Gulf of Mexico to Hudson's Bay — 
 drawing its first waters, not from rugged mountains, but from the 
 
PROCEEDINGS — LETTER FROM SENATOR BENTON. /I 
 
 plateau of the lakes in the centre of the continent, and in com- 
 munication with the sources of the St. Lawrence and the streams 
 which take their course north to Hudson's Bay— draining the 
 largest extent of richest land — collecting the products of every 
 clime, even the frigid, to bear the whole to market in the sunny 
 South, and there to meet the products of the entire world. Such 
 is the Mississippi ! And who can calculate the aggregate of its 
 advantages, and the magnitude of its future commercial results? 
 
 Many years ago, the late Governor Clark and myself under- 
 took to calculate the extent of the boatable waters in the Valley 
 of the Mississippi: we made it about fifty thousand miles, of 
 which thirty thousand were computed to unite above St. Louis, 
 and twenty thousand below. Of course we counted all the infant, 
 streams on which a flat, a keel, or a batteau could be floated, and 
 justly, for every tributary of the humblest boatable character helps 
 to swell, not only the volume of the central waters, but of the 
 commerce upon them. Qf this immense extent of river naviga- 
 tion, all combined into one system of waters, St. Louis is the cen- 
 tre, and the entrepot of its trade; presenting even now, in its 
 infancy, an astonishing and almost incredible amount of com- 
 merce, destined to increase forever. It is considered an inland 
 town. Counting by time and money, the only true commercial 
 measure of distances, St. Louis is nearer to the sea than New 
 Orleans was before the steam tow-boat abridged the distance 
 between that city and the mouth of the Mississippi. St. Louis is 
 a seaport as well as an inland city, and is a port of delivery by 
 law, and has collected $50,000 of duties on foreign imports during 
 the current year, and with a liberal custom would become a great 
 entrepot of foreign as well as domestic commerce. With the attri- 
 butes and characteristics of a seaport, she is entitled to the bene- 
 fits of one as fully and as clearly as New York or New Orleans. 
 
 About twenty years ago, I moved in the Senate and obtained 
 an appropriation for a survey of the Rapids of the Upper Missis- 
 sippi: it was probably the first appropriation ever obtained for 
 the improvement of the upper part of the river. About twenty- 
 five years ago, I moved, and succeeded in the motion, to include 
 the Missouri River in a bill for the improvement of Western rivers: 
 it was the first time that river had been so included. Thus, on 
 the important items of the Chicago Canal, the Rapids of the 
 Upper Mississippi, and the Missouri River, I was among the first 
 to propose to include them within the circle of internal improve- 
 ments by the federal government. I have always been a friend 
 of that system, but not of its abuses; and here Hes the diflftculty, 
 and the danger, and the stumbling-block to its success. Objects 
 
72 CHICAGO RIVER-AND-HARBOR CONVENTION. 
 
 of general and national importance can alone claim the attention 
 of the federal government, and in favor of such objects I believe 
 all the departments of the government are united. Confined to 
 them, and the Constitution can reach them and the treasury sus- 
 tain them. Extended to local or sectional objects, and neither 
 the Constitution nor the treasurer could uphold them. National 
 objects of improvement are few in number, definite in character, 
 and manageal3le by the treasury; local and sectional objects are 
 innumerable, and indefinite, and ruinous to the treasury. Near 
 twenty years ago the treasury was threatened with a demand for 
 two hundred miUions of dollars for objects of internal improve- 
 ment, then applied for, and many of them of no national impor- 
 ,tance. The enormity of the sum balked the system; and so it 
 must be again, if the proper discrimination is not kept up between 
 local and national subjects. It is for Congress to make that dis- 
 crimination; the President can not: he must reject or approve 
 the bill as a whole. Here, then, is the point at which the friends 
 of the system in Congress must exert all their care and vigilance. 
 No arbitrary rule can be given for the admission or exclusion of 
 proper objects; but really national objects admit of no dispute, 
 and, confined to them, I apprehend but little danger of losing a 
 bill, either from executive vetoes or for want of votes in Congress. 
 Very respectfully, gentlemen, your friend and fellow-citizen, 
 
 Thomas H. Benton. 
 
 On motion of Daniel Gardner of New York, the foregoing let- 
 ter was referred to the Committee on Resolutions. 
 
 Thomas Allen of Missouri, in behalf of the Missouri Delega- 
 tion presented a report on the commerce and navigation of 
 the Valley of the Mississippi; and also that appertaining to the 
 city of St. Louis, considered with reference ' to the improvement 
 by the General Government, of the Mississippi River and its 
 tributaries; being "A Report, prepared by authority of the Dele- 
 gates from the city of St. Louis, for the use of the Chicago Con- 
 vention of the 5th of July, 1847," which was referred to the same 
 Committee. 
 
 The President called on Henry W. Starr of Iowa, one of the 
 secretaries, to read the other letters received from invited guests. 
 The following letters were then read : 
 
 Letter from Silas Wright. 
 
 Canton, 31st May, 1847. 
 Gentlemen : — Your Circular inviting me to attend a " North- 
 western River-and- Harbor Convention," to be assembled in Chi- 
 
PROCEEDINGS— LETTER EROM HON. SILAS WRIGHT. 73 
 
 cago, on the first Monday of July next, was duly received, for- 
 warded by Mr. Whiting, of your Committee. My attention had 
 been previously called to the same subject by the invitation of a 
 friend, at your City, to attend the Convention, who generously 
 tendered me quarters in his family during its sitting. I was forced, 
 from the state of private business, to inform him that I could not 
 make the journey at the time named, and the period which has 
 elapsed since I declined his invitation has only tended to confirm 
 the conclusion pronounced to him. Were it possible for me to 
 attend the proposed Convention without an unreasonable sacrifice, 
 I should most gladly do so, as my location gives me a strong feel- 
 ing in reference to the prosperity and safety of the commerce of 
 the lakes. The subject of the improvement of the lake harbors is 
 one which my service in Congress has rendered somewhat familiar 
 to me in a legislative aspect, while my personal travel upon the 
 two lower lakes has made the necessity for these improvements 
 manifest to my senses. I am aware that questions of constitu- 
 tional power have been raised in reference to appropriations of 
 nibney by Congress for the improvement of lake harbors, and I 
 am well convinced that honest men have sincerely entertained 
 strong scruples upon this point, but all my observation and exper- 
 ience have induced me to believe that these scruples, where the 
 individual admits the power to improve the Atlantic harbors, 
 arises from the want of an acquaintance with the lakes and the 
 commerce upon them, and an inabiHty to believe the facts in rela- 
 tion to that commerce, when truly stated. It is not easy for one 
 familiar with the lakes and the lake commerce, to realize the 
 degree of incredufity, as to the magnitude and importance of both, 
 which is found in the minds of honest and well-informed men, 
 residing in remote portions of the Union, and having no acquaint- 
 ance with either, while I do not recollect an instance of a member 
 of Congress who has traveled the lakes and observed the com- 
 merce upon them within the last ten years requiring any further 
 evidence or argument to induc'e him to admit the constitutional 
 power and the propriety of appropriations for the lake harbors as 
 much as for those of the Atlantic coast. I have long been of the 
 opinion, therefore, that to impress the minds of the people of all 
 portions of the Union with a realizing sense of the facts as they 
 are in relation to those inland seas, and their already vast and 
 increasing commerce, would be all that is required to secure such 
 appropriations as the state of the national treasury will from time 
 to time permit, for the improvement of the lake harbors: I mean 
 the improvement of such harbors as the body of the lake com- 
 merce requires for its convenience and safety, as contradistin- 
 5* 
 
74 CHICAGO RIVER-AND-H ARBOR CONVENTION. 
 
 guished from the numerous applications for these improvements 
 which the various competing local interests upon tlie shores of the 
 lake may prompt, and I make this distinction because my own 
 observation has shown that application for harbor improvements 
 at the public expense are made and passed within distances of a 
 very few miles, and at locations where, from the natural position 
 of the lake coast, a good harbor at either point would secure to 
 the commerce of the lakes all the convenience and safety of dupli- 
 cate improvement. Much of the difficulty of obtaining appropria- 
 tions grows out of these conflicting applications; and the sternness 
 with which all are pressed, as necessary to the lake commerce, 
 impairs the confidence of strangers to the local claims and inter- 
 ests in the importance of all. 
 
 It is the duty of those who urge these improvements, for the 
 great objects for which alone they should be made at the expense 
 of the Nation, viz., the convenience and safety of the lake com- 
 merce, to be honest with Congress, and to urge appropriations 
 only at points where these considerations demand them. The 
 river improvements constitute a much more difficult subject, and 
 the connection of them with the lake harbors has often, to my 
 knowledge, fatally prejudiced the former. There are applications 
 for improvements of rivers about which, as a matter of principle 
 and constitutional power, I have no more doubt than about the 
 harbors upon the lakes or the Atlantic coast, and there are those 
 which, in my judgment, come neither within the ]3rinciple nor 
 the constitutional power ; but draw a line between the two classes 
 of cases I can not. I have witnessed numerous attempts to do 
 this, but none of them have appeared to my mind to be very 
 sound or very practical. The facts and circumstances are so very 
 variant between the various applications, that I doubt whether 
 any general rule can be laid down which will be found just and 
 practical; and I think the course most likely to secure a satisfac- 
 tory result, with the least danger of a violation of principle, would 
 be for Congress to act separately and independently upon each 
 application. There has appeared to me to be one broad distinc- 
 tion between these cases, which has not always been regarded, 
 but which I think always should be. It is between the applications 
 to protect and secure the safety of commerce upon rivers, where 
 it exists and is regularly carried on in defiance of the obstructions 
 sought to be removed, and in the face of the dangers they place 
 in its way, and those applications which ask for improvement of 
 rivers, that commerce may be extended upon them where it is 
 not. The one class appear to me to ask Congress to regulate 
 and protect commerce upon rivers where commerce in fact exists, 
 
PROCEEDINGS — LETTERS. 75 
 
 and the other to create it upon rivers where it does not exist. 
 This distinction, if carefully observed, might aid in determining 
 some applications of both classes, but is not a sufficient dividing 
 line for practical legislation, if it is for the sentiment of the prin- 
 ciple upon which all such applications should rest. I use the 
 term "commerce" in this definition, as I do in this letter, in its 
 constitutional sense and scope. 
 
 I must ask your pardon, gentlemen, for troubling you with so 
 long and hasty a communication in reply to your note. It is not 
 made for any public use, but to express to you very imperfectly 
 some of my views upon the interesting subjects you bring to my 
 notice which I shall not have the pleasure of communicating in 
 person, and to satisfy you that 1 am not indifferent to your 
 request. 
 
 Be pleased to accept my thanks for your polite invitation, and 
 believe me your very respectful and obedient servant, 
 
 Silas Wright. 
 To Messrs. N. B. Judd and others. Committee, etc. 
 
 Letter from Henry Clay. 
 
 Ashland, May 241/1, 184'j. 
 
 Dear Sir: — I received your letter, accompanied by the circu- 
 lar of the Committee, requesting my attendance at the North- 
 western River-and-Harbor Convention, proposed to be held at 
 Chicago, on the first Monday in July next. Cordially concurring 
 in what is announced to be the object of the Convention, I should 
 be happy to assist in the accomplishment of it, if it were in my 
 power; but I regret that I can not conveniently attend the Con- 
 vention. 
 
 Wishing that its deliberations may be conducted in a spirit of 
 Jiarmony, and that they may lead to good practical results, I am, 
 with great respect, your obedient servant, Henry Clay. 
 
 E. W. Tracy,. Esq. 
 
 Letter from Martin Van Buren. 
 
 Lindenwald, May 21st, 184'j. 
 My Dear Sir : — I thank you kindly for the obliging terms in 
 which you have been pleased to communicate to me the invitation 
 of the Committee to attend the North-Western River-and-Harbor 
 Convention, and beg you to be assured that you do me but jus- 
 tice in assuming that I am by no means indifferent to its objects. 
 Having visited most parts of your interesting country, and wit- 
 
^6 CHICAGO RIVER-AND-HARBOR CONVENTION. 
 
 nessed, with admiration and high hopes, its peculiar capacities for 
 improvement, I can not but wish success to all constitutional 
 efforts that have that direction. Regretting that it will not be in 
 my power to comply with your request, I beg you to make my 
 acknowledgements to the Committee for this proof of their 
 respect. 
 
 I am, very respectfully and truly yours, M. Van Buren. 
 
 E. W. Tracy, Esq. 
 
 Letter from Lewis Cass. 
 
 Detroit, May lyt/i, 1841. 
 Dear Sir : — I am much obliged to you for your kind attention? 
 in transmitting me an invitation to attend the Convention on 
 internal improvements which will meet in Chicago in July. Cir- 
 cumstances, however, will put it out of my power to be present at 
 that time. 
 
 I am, dear sir, respectfully yours, Lewis Cass. 
 
 Letter from Thomas P. Curtiss. 
 
 Boston, May 77, 184'j. 
 W. L. Whiting, Esq., Chicago. 
 
 Dear Sir: — I have received the invitation to attend a Conven- 
 tion in your City on the 5th of July. Nothing of a like character 
 could interest me more than this, and I wish it could be within 
 my power to be present. My engagements with the City of Bos- 
 ton as one of the Commissioners, to introduce water from the 
 country, compels close attendance until it is finished. 
 
 Here in Boston we are in the habit of observing whatever of 
 public improvement is contemplated in every, the most distant 
 region of our country, and none with more interest than that 
 which involves the safety and facility of internal intercourse, 
 whether it be towards our own New England or by the more 
 roundabout way of the Rivers — all tends to the general good of 
 ALL. Wishing you great success, 
 
 I am, dear Sir, yours, 
 
 Thomas B. Curtiss. 
 
 Letter from Joseph Grinnell. 
 
 New Bedford, igth Jimc, 184'/. 
 My Dear Sir: — I thank you and the Committee for your polite 
 invitation to attend the Convention, to be held in Chicago on the 
 5 th of next month. If I can leave home, I shall be with you, to 
 
PROCEEDINGS — LETTERS. 7/ 
 
 do whatever may be in my power to press upon the country the 
 vital importance of improving, in every way possible, our Harbors 
 and Rivers, and in all ways to facilitate and cheapen transporta- 
 tion. You are authorized to pledge my vote on all occasions for 
 these purposes, when they are combined in one bill, so that all 
 parts of the country are fairly dealt by. 
 
 With great respect, your obedient servant, 
 
 Joseph Grinnell. 
 W. L. Whiting, Esq., Chicago. 
 
 Letter from Bradford R. Wood. 
 
 Albany, N. Y., 2 2d June^ 1847. 
 
 Gentlemen: — I regret that neither in compliance with the invi- 
 tation of the Committee, nor as one of the delegates from this 
 City, shall I be able to attend the River-and-Harbor Convention 
 about to assemble in your City, on the 5th of July next. The 
 course pursued by myself on the River-and-Harbor Bill in the 
 29th Congress, is the best assurance I can give that I shall not 
 look with indifference on the proceedings of that Convention. 
 That no appropriation was made by the last Congress, for the 
 improvement of the Harbors of the Lakes, is, you are aware, no 
 fault of mine. Nor can I forbear the reflection, that while war 
 (however originating) is waged, ostensibly to obtain indemnifica- 
 tion and the payment of a doubtful debt, practically, I fear, to 
 extend slave territory, at the cost of hundreds of millions of 
 money, and thousands of lives, unless it shall soon terminate, no 
 appropriations, however small, could be obtained, to save from 
 destruction on our Lakes, property worth far more than all that 
 Mexico ever justly owed, to say nothing of hundreds of lives 
 sacrificed every year, for want of safe and accessible harbors. 
 I remain, very truly, yours, etc., 
 
 Bradford R. Wood. 
 To Messrs. John Wentworth, Wm. B. Ogden, and others,. 
 
 Committee, etc. 
 
 Letter from Alpheus Felch. 
 
 Ann Arbor, Michigan, yune 28th, 1847. 
 Dear Sir: — Your favor inclosing an invitation of the Committee 
 of Correspondence, to attend the River-and-Harbor Convention 
 about to be held at Chicago, came duly to hand. Business 
 engagements, which can not be postponed, will put it out of my 
 power to be present with you on that occasion. The interest 
 which Michigan has in the safe and convenient navigation of the 
 
yS CHICAGO RIVER-AND-HARBOR CONVENTION. 
 
 Great Lakes, and the improvement of the Harbors, without which 
 it can never be attained, will insure the cooperation of this State 
 and its representatives in support of all judicious appropriations 
 for that purpose. 
 
 With my acknowledgments to your Committee for the kind 
 attention which prompted their polite invitation, and with senti- 
 ments of respect, 
 
 I am, my dear Sir, your ob't servant, 
 
 Alpheus Felch. 
 W. L. Whiting, Esq., Chicago. 
 
 Letter from George P. Barker. 
 
 Buffalo, Maj> jist, 1847. 
 To George W. Meeker, Esq. 
 
 Dear Sir: — I am honored with the receipt of your favor, inclos- 
 ing an invitation of a Committee of Correspondence, to attend a 
 North-Western River and-Harbor Convention, to be held at your 
 City on the first Monday in July next. I would gratefully ac- 
 knowledge the honor conferred by this invitation, and sensibly 
 appreciate the very flattering manner in which you have been 
 pleased to communicate it. Ever since the subject of this Con- 
 vention was agitated, I have felt a deep interest in its success, 
 and strongly desirous that it should be in numbers and spirit all 
 that its great, and as yet unmeasured, objects demand; and I 
 have hitherto promised myself much pleasure in visiting this very 
 interesting portion of the West, and in meeting, on such an occa- 
 sion, so many of those whose sagacious enterprise have so aston- 
 ishingly developed her mighty resources, and upon whose present 
 efforts its future destiny is so much dependent; but I fear I shall 
 be compelled to forego the gratification of these anticipations. 
 
 My health has been such for the last year that I have been 
 advised by medical counsel that an immediate visit to salt water 
 is indispensable; should their determination be followed, it will 
 of course be out of my power to be at the Convention. In such 
 an event, however, I shall have the consolation of knowing that 
 there will be many there who better understand the great inter- 
 ests involved in the objects of the Convention, although I would 
 hardly concede that there would be any one more determined to 
 sustain them. 
 
 With respect for the Committee, whose invitation you did me 
 the honor to send, and for yourself personally, 
 
 I have the honor to be your ob'd't 
 
 Geo. p. Barker. 
 
PROCEEDINGS — LETTERS. 79 
 
 Letter from Washington Hunt. 
 
 I.OCKPORT, N. Y., June 26, 1847. 
 
 (;entlenien — I had the honor to receive your letter, dated ist 
 May, inviting me to attend the North-Western River-and-Harbor 
 Convention, which is about to assemble at Chicago. 
 
 I had hopes to be able to avail myself of your friendly invita- 
 tion, but private engagements compel me most reluctantly to 
 relinquish that intention. Whilst I am deprived of the satisfac- 
 tion of participating personally in the deUberations of the Con- 
 vention, you will permit me to assure you that I shall regard its 
 ])roceed:ngs and results of the day with the deepest interest. 
 'J'he rapid growth and expansion of our Western Commerce make 
 it important that the country will, for any length of time, submit 
 to that unfortunate course of poHcy which has caused the Gov- 
 ernment for some years to disregard its powers and deny its 
 obligations to this regard. 
 
 Whether considered with reference .to the federal revenues, 
 the increase of our foreign trade, or the prosperity of the country 
 at large, the safe, easy, and unobstructed navigation of our Lakes 
 and Rivers is an object of national concern, as important and 
 legitimate as the regulation of our commerce on the ocean. 
 
 It is to be hoped that the entire subject may be presented to 
 the public, on the present occasion, enforced by an array of facts 
 and arguments which shall effectually silence partisan clamor, 
 and expose the absurdity and barrenness of these narrow abstrac- 
 tions which would constrain the government of the United States 
 to close its eyes to the actual ])rogress and destiny of the country. 
 
 I have been gratified to observe that "all distinctions of party" 
 are banished in this great popular movement. 
 
 The protection of the Lake -and -River Commerce is one of 
 those practical questions, of pervading interest and general con- 
 cern, which ought never to have been forced into the arena of 
 |)arty struggles. It is too large a subject to be reduced to a party 
 aflfair, and exposed to the chances of political fluctuation. It 
 requires a strong, united, and emphatic expression of public sen- 
 timent to separate the subject from its unnatural connection with 
 ])arty politics. That separation will, I am persuaded, be among 
 the first and most valuable results of the Convention. Nothing 
 is wanted but an unequivocal demonstration of the popular will 
 to elevate the question above the reach of partisan combinations, 
 thus disarming, at once and forever, that political hostility which 
 has proved so fatal to the cause of public improvements. Let us 
 have a final divorce of our great navigating interest from all mere 
 
8o CHICAGO RIVER-AND-HARBOR CONVENTION. 
 
 party test-words and theories. The time has come when pubHc 
 men and aspirants for popular national honors must cease to 
 sport with those grand national objects which you now seek to 
 advance. In considering the general policy of improvements in 
 the navigation of our Great Lakes and Rivers, I hope the Conven- 
 tion will not fail to turn its attention to the importance of opening 
 a communication, suitable for large vessels, between Lake Michi- 
 gan and the Mississippi ; and another around the Falls of Niagara, 
 connecting Lakes Erie and Ontario by means of a ship-canal. 
 These two links, added to the great chain which Nature has fur- 
 nished, will open a complete line of ship navigation from the St. 
 Lawrence to the Gulf of Mexico — w^atering in its course the soil 
 of fifteen States of our confederacy ,%nd securing a direct chan- 
 nel for foreign commerce to every inland State, as well as to the 
 States whose are watered by the Atlantic or the Ciulf 
 I am, gentlemen, with great respect, 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 Washington Hunt. 
 
 A communication w^as received from the city of Detroit, trans- 
 mitted by the Common Council of that City, which in accordance 
 with the preceding resolution, was referred to the Committee on 
 Resolutions, without reading. 
 
 On motion of Daniel Gardner of New York, it was resolved 
 that all the letters read or received be entered upon the record 
 and printed. 
 
 On motion of Hon. John Wentworth of Illinois, Resolved^ That 
 if there be any letters addressed to the Committee, the Secretary 
 shall obtain them, to be read to the Convention and entered upon 
 the minutes. 
 
 The unfinished business was then taken up. The Fourth Reso- 
 lution presented by the Committee on Rules, and spread at length 
 on the record of yesterday's proceedings, was taken up and read. 
 
 On motion of H. J. Redfield of New York, the said resolution 
 was laid on the table. 
 
 On motion of Mr. Carver of Illinois, it was Resolved^ That 
 when any Delegate rises to address the Chair, he shall announce 
 his name. 
 
 On motion of the same gentleman, it was Resolved, That 
 States who had not reported yesterday should have the privilege 
 of appointing a vice-president of this Convention. 
 
 Andrew Stewart of Pennsyvania, and David Dudley Field ot 
 New York, being severally called upon, addressed the Convention 
 on the subjects connected with the objects of this Convention. 
 
PROCEEDINGS— CONVENTION RESOLUTIONS. 8 1 
 
 On motion of Jason Marsh of Illinois, it was 
 
 Resolved, That the Delegates to this Convention are pained at 
 the expression of ill-feeling evinced this morning during the time 
 that David Dudley Field of New York, occupied (by invitation) 
 the stand; and in future pledge themselves to regard the rights 
 of all members of the Convention, who confine themselves to the 
 rules prescribed and passed by this Convention. 
 
 S. Treat of Missouri, offered the following resolution : 
 
 Resolved, That no proposition or remarks, not directly con- 
 nected with recognized River-and-Harbor improvements of a 
 national character shall be entertained by this Convention. 
 
 On motion of Wm. Mosley Hall of New York, the said reso- 
 lution was laid on the table.* 
 
 Abraham Lincoln of Illinois, being called upon addressed the 
 Convention briefly. 
 
 Resolutions of the Convention. 
 
 John C. Wright of Ohio, from the Committee on Resolutions, 
 presented the following for the consideration of the Convention, 
 which were read by Charles King of New Jersey: 
 
 The Convention submit to their fellow -citizens and to the 
 Federal Government the following propositions as expressing 
 their own sentiments and those of their constituents : 
 
 I St. That the Constitution of the United States was framed 
 by practical men, for practical purposes, declared in its preamble, 
 "To provide for the common defence, to promote the general wel- 
 fare, and to secure the blessings of liberty;" and was mainly de- 
 signed to create a government whose functions should and would 
 be adequate to the protection of the common interests of all the 
 States, or of two or more of them, which could not be maintained 
 by the action of the separated States. That, in strict accordance 
 with this object, the revenues derived from commerce were sur- 
 rendered to the general government, with the express understand- 
 ing that they should be applied to the promotion of those com- 
 mon interests. 
 
 2d. That among these common interests and objects were, 
 ist, foreign commerce, to the regulation of which the powers of 
 the States severally were confessedly inadequate; and, 2d, inter- 
 nal trade and navigation, wherever the concurrence of two or 
 more States was necessary to its preservation, or where the ex- 
 pense of its maintenance should be equitably borne by two or 
 more States, and where, of course, those States must necessarily 
 have a voice in its regulation ; and hence resulted the constitu- 
 6 
 
82 CHICAGO RIVER-AND-HARBOR CONVENTION. 
 
 tional grant of power to Congress, " to regulate commerce with 
 foreign nations and among the States."' 
 
 3d. That, being thus possessed of both the means and of the 
 power which were denied to the States respectively. Congress be- 
 came obligated, by every consideration of good faith and com- 
 mon justice, to cherish and increase both the kinds of commerce 
 thus committed to its care, by expanding and extending the 
 means of conducting them, and of affording them all those facili- 
 ties and all that protection which. the States individually would 
 have afforded had the revenue and authority been left to them. 
 
 4th. That this obligation has ever been recognized from the 
 foundation of the government, and has been fulfilled, partially^ 
 by erecting light-houses, building piers for harbors, breakwaters 
 and sea-walls, removing obstructions in rivers, and providing 
 other facilities for the commerce carried on from the ports of the 
 Atlantic coast; and the same obligations have been fulfilled, to a 
 much less extent, in providing similar faciHties for "commerce 
 among the States," and that the principle has been most emphati- 
 cally acknowledged to embrace the Western Lakes and Rivers, 
 by appropriations for numerous light-houses upon them, which 
 appropriations have never been questioned in Congress as want- 
 ing constitutional authority. 
 
 5th. That thus, by a series of acts which have received the 
 sanction of the people of the United States, and of every depart- 
 ment of the Federal Government, under all administrations, the 
 common understanding of the intent and objects of the framers 
 of the Constitution, in granting to Congress the power to regulate 
 commerce, has been manifested and has been confirmed by the 
 people, and this understanding has become as much a part of that 
 i?istrument as any one of its most explicit provisions. 
 
 6th. That the power " to regulate commerce with foreign na- 
 tions, and among the States, and with the Indian tribes," is on 
 its face so palpably applicable in its whole extent to each of the 
 subjects enumerated, equally and in the same manner, as to ren- 
 der any attempts to make it more explicit idle and futile; and 
 that those who admit the rightful application of the power to for- 
 eign commerce in facilitating and protecting its operations, by 
 improving harbors and clearing out navigable rivers, can not con- 
 sistently deny that it equally authorizes similar facilities to "com- 
 merce among the States." 
 
 7th. That "foreign commerce" is dependent upon internal 
 trade for the distribution of its freights, and for the means of 
 paying for them, so that whatever improves the one advances the 
 other, and they are so inseparable that they should be regarded 
 
PROCEEDINGS — CONVENTION RESOLUTIONS. S^ 
 
 as one. That an export from the American shore to a British 
 port in Canada is as much foreign commerce as if it had been 
 directly to Liverpool ; and that an exportation to Liverpool neither 
 gains nor loses any of the characteristics of foreign commerce by 
 the directness or circuity of the route, whether it passes through 
 a custom-house on the British side of the St. Lawrence, or 
 descends through that river and its connecting canals to the 
 ocean, or whether it passes along the artificial communications 
 and natural streams of any of the States to the Atlantic. 
 
 8th. That the general government, by extending its jurisdic- 
 tion over lakes and navigable rivers, subjecting them to the same 
 laws which prevail on the ocean, and on its bays and ports, not 
 only for purposes of revenue, but to give security to life and 
 property, by the regulation of steamboats, has precluded itself 
 from denying that jurisdiction for any other legitimate regulation 
 of commerce. If it has power to control and restrain, it must 
 have the same power to protect, assist, and facilitate; and if it 
 denies the jurisdiction in the one mode of action, it should re- 
 nounce it in the other. 
 
 9th. That, in consequence of the peculiar dangers of the 
 navigation of the Lakes, arising from the want of harbors for 
 shelter, and of the Western Rivers from snags and other obstruc- 
 tions, there are no parts of the United States more emphatically 
 demanding the prompt and continued care of the Government to 
 diminish those dangers, and to protect the life and property ex- 
 posed to them; and that any one who can regard provisions for 
 those purposes as sectional or local, and not national, must be 
 wanting in information of the extent of the commerce carried on 
 upon those lakes and rivers, and of the amount of teeming popu- 
 lation occupied or interested in that navigation. 
 
 loth. That, having regard to the relative population or to the 
 extent of commerce, the appropriations heretofore made for the 
 interior rivers and lakes, and the streams connecting them with 
 the ocean, have not been in a just and fair proportion to those 
 made for the benefit of the Atlantic coast; and that the time has 
 arrived when this injustice should be corrected, in the only mode 
 in which it can be done, by the united, determined, and persever- 
 ing efforts of those whose rights have been overlooked. 
 
 nth. That, independent of this right to protection of "com- 
 merce among the States," the right of "common defence," guar- 
 anteed by the Constitution, entitles those citizens inhabiting the 
 country bordering upon the interior lakes and rivers to such safe 
 and convenient harbors as may afford shelter to a navy, whenever 
 it shall be rendered necessary by hostilities with our neighbors ; 
 
 I 
 
84 CHICAGO RIVER-AND -HARBOR CONVENTION. 
 
 and that the constructions of such harbors can not safely be 
 delayed to the time which will demand their immediate use. 
 
 1 2th. That the argument most commonly urged against appro- 
 priations to protect "commerce among the States," and to defend 
 the inhabitants of the frontiers, that they invite sectional com- 
 binations to insure success to many unworthy objects, is founded 
 on a practical distrust of the Republican principles of our Gov- 
 ernment, and of the capacity of the people to select competent 
 and honest representatives. That it may be urged with equal 
 force against legislation upon any other subject, involving various 
 and extensive interests. That a just appreciation of the rights 
 and interests of all our fellow-citizens, in every quarter of the 
 Union, disclaiming selfish and local purposes, will lead intelligent 
 representatives to such a distribution of the means in the treasury, 
 upon a system of moderation and ultimate equality, as will in 
 time meet the most urgent wants of all, and prevent those jealous- 
 ies and suspicions which threaten the most serious danger to our 
 confederacy. 
 
 J 3th. That we are utterly incapable of perceiving the difter- 
 ence between a harbor for shelter and a harbor for commerce, 
 and suppose that a mole or pier which will afford safe anchorage 
 and protection to a vessel against a storm, must necessarily im- 
 l)rove such harbor, and adapt it to commercial purposes. 
 
 14th. That the imposts on foreign goods and the public lands 
 being the common heritage of all our citizens, so long as these 
 resources continue, the imposition of any special burden on any 
 portion of the people, to obtain the means of accomplishing 
 objects equally within the duty and the competency of the (Gen- 
 eral Government, would be unjust and oppressive. 
 
 15th. That we disavow all and every attempt to connect the 
 cause of internal trade and "commerce among the States" with 
 the fortunes of any political party, but that we mean to place that 
 cause upon such immutable principles of truth, justice, and con- 
 stitutional duty as shall command the respect of all parties, and 
 the deference of all candidates for public favor. 
 
 John C. Wright of Ohio, in presenting the report of the Com- 
 mittee and moving its adoption, made some brief remarks, inform- 
 ing the Convention that the Committee had been unanimous in 
 recommending the propositions presented by him in their behalf 
 
 John C. Spencer and Daniel Gardner of New York, addressed 
 the (^^onvention in support of the propositions. 
 
 David Dudley Field of New York, objected to adopting the 
 ])ropositions as a whole; and thereupon, on motion of Jesse B. 
 
PROCEEDINGS — CONVENTION RESOLUTIONS. 85 
 
 Thomas of Illinois, it was resolved that the vote be taken on 
 them separately. 
 
 The first, second, third, and fourth propositions were adopted 
 unanimously. 
 
 The fifth proposition coming up, David Dudley Field of New 
 York, moved to strike out all after the word "people," which 
 amendment was rejected, and thereupon the propositions were 
 adopted as reported by the Committee. 
 
 The sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth, eleventh, twelfth, 
 and thirteenth propositions were then severally and unanimously 
 adopted. 
 
 The fourteenth proposition coming up in its order. It was 
 suggested by Mr. Stimson of New York, and moved by John C. 
 Spencer of New York, to strike out "imports on foreign goods 
 being taken mainly from the pockets of the consumers,' and in- 
 sert the following, "revenue derived from imports on foreign 
 goods, belongs to the people," which motion was agreed to and 
 the proposition as amended was adopted. 
 
 The fifteenth and last proposition was then taken up and unani- 
 mously adopted. 
 
 John C. Wright of Ohio, from the Committee on Resolutions, 
 submitted the following resolution : 
 
 Resolved^ That for the purpose of making known to Congress 
 the principles and views of this Convention, and the important 
 facts connected with the subject of its deUberations, a committee 
 of two from each State and Territory be appointed by the Presi- 
 dent to transmit the proceedings of this Convention to the Presi- 
 dent of the United States, and to both Houses of Congress, and 
 to communicate to them such information as the committee may 
 be able to collect, to guide intelligent and just legislation. And 
 that such committee be requested to collect accurate information 
 of the nature and extent of the trade and commerce of the Lakes 
 and navigable Rivers, and the amount of the losses of lives, prop- 
 erty, and vessels by storm, for the want of adequate harbors, or in 
 consequence of obstructions in the navigable Rivers of the 
 United States and the condition of our harbors. And that such 
 committee be authorized to appoint such sub-committee as may 
 be deemed necessary to carry out the objects of this resolution. 
 
 The question being taken on the resolution, it was unani- 
 mously adopted. 
 
 H. J. Redfield of New York, submitted the following resolu- 
 tion, and moved its adoption : 
 
 Resolved^ That it is inexpedient to embark in any system of 
 
86 CHICAGO RIVER-AND-H ARBOR CONVENTION. 
 
 Internal Improvement without a previous amendment of the Con- 
 stitution, explaining and defining the precise powers of the Fed- 
 eral Government over it, assuming the right to appropriate money 
 to aid in the construction of National works, to be warranted by 
 the contemporaneous and continued exposition of the Constitution, 
 its insufficiency for the successful prosecution of them must be 
 admitted by all candid minds. 
 
 Which, on motion of Thomas C. Love of New York, was laid 
 on the table. 
 
 Thomas Butler King of Georgia, being called upon, addressed 
 the Convention, and then on motion the Convention adjourned 
 till to-morrow morning, at 9 o'clock. 
 
 Third Day, Wednesday, July 7TH, 1847. 
 
 At 9 A. M. the Convention met pursuant to adjournment, Hon. 
 Edward Bates of Missouri, President. 
 
 The session was opened with prayer by the Rev. Wm. Allen 
 of Massachusetts, at the request of the President. 
 
 On motion, the reading of the minutes of yesterday's proceed- 
 ings was dispensed with. 
 
 Robert S. Blackwell of Illinois, moved for adoption a resolu- 
 tion, which, after modification by request of members present, 
 read as follows: 
 
 Resolved, That the members of the General River-and-Harbor 
 Committee, appointed at the meeting held in the city of New 
 York in September last, residing in Chicago, be, and they are 
 hereby, authorized and requested to contract for, and superintend 
 the pubhcation and distribution in pamphlet form, and of the 
 number of copies they may see fit to have printed. 
 
 The resolution was adopted. 
 
 Wm. Green of Ohio, moved a reconsideration of the last vote. 
 Carried. 
 
 John C. Spencer of New York, moved in lieu of Mr. Black- 
 well's resolution the following : 
 
 Resolved, That the proceedings of this Convention, after being 
 duly authenticated by the officers thereof, be published in pam- 
 phlet form, by a Committee of three residing in Chicago, to be 
 appointed by the President, and be circulated freely throughout 
 the Union. And that the expense of such publication and all 
 expenses incurred by the Committee appointed to transmit the 
 said proceedings to Congress in the transaction of their duties, 
 be defrayed by contributions from the different places which have 
 
PROCEEDINGS — LETTER FROM DAN. WEBSTER. 8/ 
 
 sent delegates to this body, to be collected in such mode and in 
 such proportions as the said Committee shall direct. 
 
 The said modification was adopted. 
 
 The President appointed as the Committee under this resolu- 
 lution, S. Lisle Smith, George W. Dole, and Wm. B. Ogden. 
 
 The following letter from Daniel Webster was then read, re- 
 ceived with 3 cheers, and ordered to be spread upon the minutes: 
 
 Marsh FIELD, ywie 26, 1847. 
 
 Gentlemen : — I am quite obliged to you for your very kind 
 and respectful letter, addressed to me at Nashville, inviting me 
 to attend the Chicago Convention. If my health had allowed me 
 to continue the journey, which I was then prosecuting, it would 
 have brought me into the North-West in time to have been with 
 you the ist of July; but being compelled, by illness, to abandon 
 the purpose of getting over the mountains, it was, of .course, not 
 in my power to attend the Convention. 
 
 You speak, gentlemen, in terms of too much commendation, I 
 fear, of my efforts in the cause of Internal and Western Improve- 
 ment. I can only say that these efforts have been earnest, long- 
 continued, and made from the single desire of promoting the 
 great interests of the country. Of the power of the Government 
 to make appropriations for erecting harbors and clearing rivers, I 
 never entertained a particle of doubt. This power, in my judg- 
 ment, is not partial, limited, obscure, applicable to some uses and 
 not applicable to others, to some States and not to others, to some 
 rivers and not to others, as seems to have been the opinion of 
 gentlemen connected with the Memphis Convention. For one, 
 I reject all such far-fetched and unnatural distinctions. In my 
 opinion, the authority of the Government, in this respect, rests 
 -directly on the grant of the Commercial power to Congress; and 
 this has been so understood from the beginning, by the wisest and 
 best men who have been concerned in the administration of the 
 Government; and is consequently general, and limited only by 
 the importance of each particular subject, and the discretion of 
 -Congress. 
 
 I hope the Convention may do much good, by enforcing the 
 necessity of exercising these just powers of the Government. 
 There are no new inventions, nor new constructions, or qualifica- 
 tions of the Constitutional power to be resorted to; there is no 
 new political path to be struck out. It is simply for the people 
 to say, whether prejudice, party prepossessions, and party opposi- 
 tion shall at length give way to fair reasoning, to precedent and 
 experience, to the judgment of the great men who have gone be- 
 
88 CHICAGO RIVER-AND-HARBOR CONVENTION. 
 
 fore us, and to those momentous considerations of public interest, 
 which now so imperatively call on Congress to do its duty. 
 I am, Gentlemen, with much regard, 
 
 Your obliged friend and fellow-citizen, 
 
 Dan. Webster. 
 To Messrs. S. Lisle Smith, Justin Butterfield, I. H. Burch, 
 and others. 
 
 Wells Colton of Missouri, moved that the several reports and 
 other documents presented to the Convention, be printed with 
 the proceedings thereof, but at the suggestion of Jesse B. Thomas 
 of Illinois, modified the motion, so that such reports and docu- 
 ments be referred to the Executive Committee. Thus modified,, 
 the motion was adopted. 
 
 Wm. Mosley Hall of New York, offered three resolutions re- 
 lating to the subject of "a Railroad from the States to the Pacific," 
 which, after being read, were, on motion of Gov. Wra. Bebb of 
 Ohio, laid on the table by a unanimous vote. [See page 91.] 
 
 The President announced the following named gentlemen as- 
 composing the Executive Committee, authorized to make known 
 to Congress the principles and views of the Convention, etc., 
 under the last resolution reported by the Committee on Reso- 
 lutions : 
 
 Abbott Lawrence, Boston, I Massachusetts 
 
 John Mills Springfield, f ^^^assacUusetts. 
 
 John C. Spencer, Albany, | ^^^^, y^^^ 
 
 Samuel B. Ruggles, New York, J 
 
 James T. Morehead, Covington, i j^^ntuckv 
 
 James Guthrie, Louisville, j 
 
 Jacob G. Sleight, Michigan City, ( Indiana 
 
 Zebulon Baird, Lafayette, j 
 
 Thomas Allen, St. Louis • Missouri. 
 
 Joseph M. Converse, St. Louis, ) 
 
 Alexander Duncan, Providence, \ -duq^^ Island 
 
 Zachariah Allen, Providence, f 
 
 George C. Stone, Bloomington, ( Iowa 
 
 Wm. B. Ewing, Burlington, / 
 
 James Hall, Cincinnati, 
 
 Joseph L. Weatherly, Cleveland, 
 
 Thomas W. Williams, New London, ) /-„„„„,..• ..f 
 
 Philip Ripley, Hartford, ^ L^onnecticut. 
 
 Ohio. 
 
 T. J. Bigham, Pittsburg, j Pennsylvania. 
 
 John B. Johnson, Erie, j -^ 
 
PROCEEDINGS — EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. 89 
 
 Rufus King, Milwaukee, ) Wisconsin 
 
 Cyrus Woodman, Mineral Point, J 
 
 Thomas Butler King, Savannah, ( Ceorda 
 
 Wm. B. Hodson, Savannah, j ^ ° ' 
 John G. Camp, Florida. 
 
 If P.*" A^ m^kI'^^'m' C°n^t^n""«' I Michigan. 
 David A. Noble, Monroe, J ° 
 
 Charles Jarvis, Surry, I Msime 
 
 George Evans, Gardiner, j 
 
 David J. Baker, Alton, \ jji^j^Q-g 
 
 Jesse B. Thomas, Chicago, j 
 
 Charles King, Jersey City, I ^ . 
 
 Littleton Kirkpatrick, j ^^ ^^^ ^ ^'^^^>^- 
 
 James Wilson, Keene, [ ^^^ Hampshire. 
 
 John Page, J ^ 
 
 John R. St. John of New York, moved a reconsideration of 
 the resolution authorizing an Executive Committee : which motion 
 was, on motion of Isaac Butts of New York, laid on the table. 
 
 Judge Henry Brown of Illinois, offered a series of resolutions, 
 relating to the free navigation of the River St. Lawrence, and the 
 state of the Erie Canal, which, on motion of John C. Spencer of 
 New York, were laid on the table. 
 
 Gen. N. W. Watkins of Missouri, oifered the following reso- 
 lution : 
 
 Resolved^ That the thanks of the Convention be presented to 
 the citizens of Chicago, for the hospitaUty and kindness extended 
 to the members during their sojourn in this City. 
 Which was unanimously adopted. 
 
 On motion of Hon. Thomas Corwin of Ohio, it was unani- 
 mously 
 
 Resolved, That the thanks of this Convention are due, and are 
 most cordially tendered, to the Hon. Edward Bates for the able, 
 dignified, and courteous manner in which he has discharged the 
 duties of President of this Convention. 
 
 On motion of Solon Robinson of Indiana, it was 
 Resolved, That the original record and papers of this Conven- 
 tion be placed in the hands of the Mayor of Chicago, after the 
 close of the Convention, to be preserved among the archives of 
 the City. 
 
 A motion having been made to adjourn the Convention sine 
 die, the President (Mr. Bates) rose, and, before putting the ques- 
 tion, addressed the Convention in a speech which was frequently 
 interrupted by vehement applause, and greeted at the close with 
 nine enthusiastic cheers. 
 
90 CHICAGO RIVER-AND-HARBOR CONVENTION. 
 
 The question on the motion to adjourn being then put, was 
 carried, and thereupon the President pronounced the Convention 
 adjourned without day. 
 
 EDWARD BATES, President. 
 
 John H. Brockway, N. W. Watkins, 
 
 John G. Camp, Erastus Corning, 
 
 Thomas Butler King, Littleton Kirkpatrick, 
 
 Erastus H. W. Ellis, William Bebb, 
 
 Charles S. Hempstead, A. W. Loomis, 
 
 G. H. Williams, Hamilton Hoppin, 
 
 M. A. Chandler, John H. Tweedy, 
 
 William T. Eustis, Francis S. Fiske, 
 
 Wm. Woodbridge, Vice-Presidents. 
 
 A. B. Chambers, Peter McMartin, 
 
 Schuyler Colfax, William J. Otis, 
 
 Nelson G. Edwards, Frederick S. Lovell, 
 
 Aaron Hobart, Henry W. Starr, 
 
 David A. Noble, Secretaries. 
 Francis Upton Fenno, 
 
 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE. 
 
 Immediately after the adjournment of the Convention, it was, 
 on motion of Solon Robinson of Indiana, 
 
 Resolved, That Horace Greeley of New York, be requested to 
 take the Chair and that this Convention now be resolved into a 
 Committee of the Whole. 
 
 Short addresses were made by Gov. Wm. Bebb of Ohio, Hon. 
 Andrew W. Loomis of Pittsburg, Penn., Gen. Levi Hubbell of 
 Milwaukee, Wis., Samuel Lisle Smith of Chicago, 111., Anson Bur- 
 lingame and Hon. EHsha H. Allen of Boston, Mass., and Horace 
 Greeley of New York, on general matters connected with the 
 cause which brought them together. 
 
 Wm. Mosley Hall of Buffalo, N.Y., was then called upon and 
 arose to respond, but gave way for the dinner-hour adjournment, 
 (i p.m.). Adjourned to 3 o'clock. 
 
 Afternoon Session, 3 p. m. 
 On reassembhng, Mr. Hall took the floor, and after alluding to 
 the rapid increase of population and wealth of the West, and the 
 objects of the Convention — (of which he was originator) — occu- 
 pied the earnest attention of the audience for upwards of an hour 
 in advocating the construction of a "National Railroad to the 
 Pacific," in accordance with the plan of Geo. Wilkes of New York, 
 
RESOLUTIONS INTRODUCED BY WM. M. HALL. 9 1 
 
 and in opposition to the private schemes of speculators. He was 
 frequently interrupted by the acclamations of the vast audience. 
 On concluding, the re-reading of his Resolutions, presented to the 
 Convention, was called for, and, after being read, were submitted 
 and adopted by a unanimous vote. And then, at 5 p. m., the 
 meeting adjourned without day. 
 
 A Railroad from the States to the Pacific. 
 
 RESOLUTIONS OF WM. MOSELY HALL. 
 
 Resolved, That we believe a Railroad from the States to the 
 Pacific to be practicable, and ultimately calculated to be of im- 
 mense benefit to the United States and its citizens; that with 
 these convictions, we recommend an early survey of the entire 
 line by the general government, and that its final construction 
 and control be confided to sworn Commissioners, selected by the 
 State Legislatures, or elected by the people of the various States, 
 whose equitable distribution of the benefits and patronage of the 
 work among the citizens and laborers of the whole country may 
 ]>revent it from becoming a political engine or a speculating mon- 
 ster. 
 
 Resolved, That we further recommend that the said Railroad 
 may commence at some point on the line of the Missouri River, 
 and from thence run westward to the Pacific, over territories 
 under the jurisdiction of the general government; and that one of 
 the earliest measures in connection with the said work be to guard 
 the lands, along the said line of the pro])osed route, from falling 
 into the hands of speculators, to the future exclusion of the supe- 
 rior rights of the workmen on the road. 
 
 Resolved, That the said Railroad, when finished, be open to 
 all the world; and that its revenues be kept down at the lowest 
 rates adequate to the "current expenses of attendance and repairs. 
 In this connection, we heartily recommend the National Project 
 of George Wilkes, of New York (embracing and enforcing the 
 above views), to the favorable consideration and report of the 
 Committees of Congress, to whose preliminary examination it 
 now stands referred; and subsequently, to the favorable action 
 of the two branches of the National I^egislature, to whom the 
 reports of those committees must be made. 
 
92 CHICAGO RIVER-AND-HARBOR CONVENTION. 
 
 SPEECH OF WM. MOSLEY HALL OF NEW YORK. 
 
 Mr. President:— In urging these resolutions upon the favorable attention 
 of this Convention, I am actaated by a sincere belief that their affirmative 
 decision will insure results of more importance and greater of advantage to the 
 country than will perhaps attend the decision of any other question that may 
 come within the deliberations of this body. 
 
 Though comparatively a new idea, the subject of a Railroad to the Pacific 
 has already been extensively agitated throughout this country; and, indeed, 
 so wide an impression has it already made, that I doubt if there be a gentle- 
 man within the sound of my voice who has not given the proposal a share of 
 his attention. As, however, the notice conferred upon it by many may not 
 have extended to an examination of its complete practicability, or to a due 
 calculation of its great national advantages, it may be well to consider both. 
 
 The great benefits the proposed work will confer upon the country at large, 
 and particularly upon that portion of it in the name of which we now assem- 
 ble, are susceptible of easy demonstration. We have but to take a glance at 
 the map of the world to appreciate in a moment the remarkable advantages 
 of our geographical position among nations; and to perceive, at the same 
 time, that this gi'eat work will place it in our power to enhance that position 
 into one, not only of commercial preeminence, but of absolute maritime 
 command. Stretching perpendicularly almost from pole to pole, our favored 
 continent lies midway between the two great Oceans. On the east, Africa 
 and civilized Europe confront it with their three hundred millions of inhabit- 
 ants, while its western coast looks out upon Asia and the Polynesian groups, 
 which, together, are said to teem with six hundred millions more. For ages, 
 it was supposed that these two faces of the Old World were confronted with 
 each other on the opposite shores of one vast ocean, without the intervention 
 of any hemisphere between, and nearly fifty-five centuries elapsed ere man 
 became bold enough in science, and sufficiently reliant upon the conformation 
 of the earth, to plunge into the unknown abyss and to seek to unite them by 
 stretching the white thread of his rudder upon the ocean billow in a direct 
 westward line. That line was at length commenced, however, in the fifteenth 
 century of the present era; but we have seen the Pioneer of Destiny, when 
 half-way to his aim, strand his first hopes in the still brighter future of the dis- 
 covery of the New World. Though defeated in his attempt to pursue a direct 
 course to India by the interposing barrier of this continent, Columbus still cher- 
 ished the hope to find some central avenue which would let him through into the 
 Pacific at an advantage over the old routes; and when he died, the great commer- 
 cial nations took up the enterprise which he had left undone. The efforts of 
 all, however, resulted only in the repeated proof of their futility, and till this 
 day the long-sought-for western route still ends where it was left by the great 
 Genoese in 1492. 
 
 These repeated explorations, and the tremendous expenditures which they 
 involved, were made, nevertheless, upon the basis of rational calculations. A 
 substantial experience had proved that whichever nation should forestall the 
 world, in possession of the shortest route to the riches of the East, would win 
 the diadem of commerce and wield the sceptre of the seas. Hence, the great 
 struggle of contending powers for the last four centuries, and the proposal of 
 the most sanguine even to cleave the continent itself to accomplish the design. 
 Indeed, of latter years, though Britain, with commendable enterprise, still 
 despatches her exploring squadrons to the North Pole in the hope of attaining 
 the object even through the Frigid Zone, it has generally been conceded that 
 the direct "westward passage" could only be accomplished by the separation 
 of the Isthmus in the Gulf of Mexico. While, however, this opinion was 
 
NATIONAL RAILROAD TO THE PACIFIC. 93 
 
 strengthening itself upon the successsve reports of every new expedition, a 
 mighty reformer came upon the field — a reformer, destined not only to over- 
 throw all theories of physical resistance, but to grapple with the great globe 
 itself, to crush the mountains with a conqueror's step, and make the rugged 
 wilderness more humble to its purpose than the cringing sea. Men paused in 
 their ordinary speculations to wonder at the terrific progress of this young 
 Titan of the latter day. They saw him pluck out the forests, tear up and 
 fling aside the seated hills, and with the rejoicing sons of progress in his train, 
 make way into the body of the continent with the step of a bridegroom going 
 to his chamber, or a prince to occupy his throne. It was then that the grand 
 thought burst simultaneously upon several minds that this mighty agent, who 
 had already made one-half of the continent subject to his power, could also 
 pierce, with equal ease, the other half, and consummate in favor of the new 
 people, for whom he had already done so much, the brilliant hope which had 
 so long possessed the imagination of mankind. The fancied advantages of 
 the Isthmus were forgotten or despised, and the most reluctant were ready to 
 concede that, if the railcar could sail upon the surface of the land with more 
 speed, more safety, and less cost than the ship could navigate the ocean, there 
 was no further need to seek for straits or permeating gulfs to enhance the 
 peril and delay, or to limit our advantages by a tedious deviation to some 
 narrow point. 
 
 I have said, Mr. President, that the idea of applying steam and the railway 
 as the agents to complete the Asiatic route which they had already half per- 
 fected across the body of the continent, burst simultaneously upon severa 
 minds; and I repeat the assertion, with direct reference to those who have 
 sought to usurp the thought for other purposes than those of a legitimate 
 pride or a justifiable ambition. 
 
 The truth is, Mr, President, the man does not live who can come upon this 
 floor and claim the original conception of a Railroad to the Pacific. The 
 thought was the natural and inevitable sequence to the progress of steam; 
 and though by no means general at first, was for a long time as common to 
 the silent speculations of the intelligent as was the idea of applying the new 
 agent to the ocean. The fact is, sir, that, previous to the years 1842-3, all 
 was vague speculation on this subject. We had neither population nor ascer- 
 tained ports upon the western ocean; and the man who could, under such 
 circumstances, have gravely urged the government to undertake a railroad 
 across two thousand miles of tei-ra incognita, filled, as it was thought, with 
 "Antres vast and deserts idle," would have been treated as a visionary; or, if 
 he had talked of undertaking it by himself, he would have incurred the danger 
 of a straight-jacket. 
 
 The practicability of a grade for a railroad over the broad and gentle surface 
 which intervenes between the Missouri River and the great South Pass, and 
 the almost equal facility of its continuation beyond that point in angular 
 diversions either north or south to the Pacific, appears to be too well estab- 
 lished to require that I should detain the Convention by the .recapitulation of 
 of evidence upon that subject. The high authority of the surveys of Col. 
 John C. Fremont,* and the abundant superaddition of testimony of several 
 intelligent private travelers, many of whom are known to members of this 
 Convention, would seem to render such a task, at this time, a work of super- 
 erogation. It may be well, nevertheless, for the purpose of freshening our 
 thoughts upon this important branch of the subject, to take a brief glance at 
 the general topography of the region under consideration. 
 
 * Fremont's report, which was the first satisfactory demonstration of the facility of the Pass 
 and the route, is dated "Washington, March i, 1843." 
 
94 CHICAGO RIVER-AND-HARBOR CONVENTION. 
 
 From the Missouri River the traveling distance is estimated at two thousand 
 miles. This immense stretch is divided into two vast sections of nearly equal 
 width, the one commencing at the Missouri River sloping upward to the South 
 Pass, and the section beyond it declining downward to the sea. The highest 
 point in the line is at the Pass, in the centre, which is 5,490 feet above the 
 level of the starting point upon the Missouri, leaving but an average of six 
 feet to the mile to overcome. The greater part of this ascent varies but from 
 2 1-2 to 9 feet to the mile; two hundred miles has but an ascent of from 16 to 
 17 feet to the mile; while but a single piece of eighteen miles has a rise of 42 
 feet to the mile. It will be seen, therefore, that the whole of this first vast 
 section sweeps so gradually to the Pass, that the traveler upon its surface can 
 not distinguish between the true and apparent level; and the culmination at 
 the Pass itself is so imperceptible from the gradual flow and intermixture of 
 the plain, that even the practiced eye of an engineer could not detect it with- 
 out the assistance of his instruments. The slope westward from the dividing 
 point descends in much the same gradation to the western ocean, but, though 
 it is more capricious in its variations, its feasibility for a railway grade is 
 equally testified to, and, indeed, has been familiarly demonstrated by the fact 
 that it is regularly traveled by the emigrants with their loaded teams. To 
 say that such a route as this is not feasible for a railway grade, is to deny the 
 simplest capacities of science; and to assume that because the road is unpar- 
 alleled ill continuous extent, it is too gigantic for human enterprise, is to 
 insult the spirit of the age. 
 
 This, sir, is the road to India! This is the great " western passage " for 
 which contending nations have struggled for centuries, and I am the less 
 inclined to marvel while gazing with awe upon the mighty revolutions it fore- 
 shadows, that there have been those who have confounded its stupendous 
 promise with the simplicity of its character, and condemned it as too grand 
 for hope. 
 
 This, sir, is the road to India! for it will be perceived, by the time it has 
 stretched to its Pacific outlet, fraternal lines from every branch of the Atlantic 
 slope will converge together to give it an iron grasp of welcome on the banks 
 of the Missouri, which, branches starting thence on equal terms to nearly 
 equal distances, both east and south, will whistle their portions of its Asiatic 
 freight in radiating lines to every part of our vast semicircular border — from 
 East port to the Crescent City. Thus, then, do we settle the great problem 
 which has so long puzzled the subtlest genius and most daring energies of 
 man. Starting from the ports of China, we sail across the placid western 
 ocean in twenty days. Embarking next upon the bosom of the land, we 
 double our speed and glide across the vast width of the continent in six days 
 more, and, with ten days left to fill the race, roll out our Indian treasures on 
 the shores of Europe. There will be no more crossings of the equator — no 
 more tedious and perilous weatherings of the Capes. The whole human 
 family, thirty-nine fortieths of whom lie north of the equator, will pursue a 
 direct intercourse with each other around this civilizing belt, and the navies of 
 the world, recalled with commerce to the common line, will have little else to 
 do than drowsily look on at the happy bustle which condemns them to worth- 
 lessness and to decay. On the Atlantic, the smallest powers, protected by 
 the general equality, will enter into generous competition with the greatest, 
 while on the Pacific we shall reign alone and be the common carrier for all. 
 From our new cities on the western coast will launch the ships with which no 
 nation will be able to compete by sending rival bottoms round the Capes, 
 while in the centre of a row of bustling ports will sit one giant mart — the 
 mistress of the West — the modern Tyre. 
 
NATIONAL RAILROAD TO THE PACIFIC. 95 
 
 Internally, the benefits of the road will be commensurate with its exterior 
 and national advantages. The dull silence of the wilderness will give place 
 to tlie sharp buzz of population; towns and thrifty villages will spring up 
 all along its line, and the adjacent wastes, challenged to production by the 
 increased demand, will wave with wheat and corn. The West will then be 
 relieved from its dependence on the Atlantic slope. Its grains will go direct 
 to immense markets of its own, while its pork, its lard and butter, unable 
 heretofore to make two crossings of the torrid zone, will proceed without fear 
 of harm to their destination in the temperate latitudes, without approaching 
 the equator. 
 
 It may seem strange, Mr. President, that with this brilliant destiny before 
 us — a destiny which extends its promise alike to every portion of the Repub- 
 lic — there should be those who agitate the almost obsolete idea of the Isthmus 
 route. I can hardly bring myself to believe, however, that a project so un- 
 wise and so at variance with our true interests can be seriously entertained ; 
 but if it be, I think I may venture to advise its ostensible proposers to aban- 
 don it at once. The close-calculating, straight-ahead spirit of our people will 
 never be content to circumnavigate half the continent by a perilous route, 
 when they may go safely straight across it; nor will they consent to the expend- 
 iture of some fifty millions in a foreign country and for foreign benefit, when 
 the same amount may be spent among our own people, and secure an avenue 
 within our own control. I have said fifty millions, Mr. President, for it will 
 be seen that to the small, good-looking estimate for the Mexican canal, must 
 be added the advantages we shall be obliged to resign in the treaty with 
 Mexico, to secure from a nation so jealous in regard to territory a right of 
 way which they will be so reluctant to concede. 
 
 "But if we should conquer and possess the route?" some gentleman may say 
 in reply. Well, Mr. President, if we should conquer on until we come to South 
 America, I would still lock up the entire line of coast from permeation, and 
 thus insure the course of trade to the direct and consistent parallel of 42". 
 Why need we deviate an inch to follow the ocean, when the land will serve 
 us better? Why wish to pitch and toss upon the billows, at the rate of ten 
 miles the hour, when we can more safely sail at the rate of thirty and forty 
 and fifty upon the land? Why put to sea on the Atlantic, to strain almost 
 side by side with Great Britain for the same point, and there wait with her 
 and with the whole crowd of commercial customers, our turn to be admitted 
 through ? 
 
 It has been said, however, that the West will not be forced to the Atlantic 
 coast, but will send its commerce down the Mississippi, and push it through 
 into the Pacific by the Isthmus route. Well, so it may; but if it does, it must 
 send it through sweltering heats and torrid latitudes, and who shall say that 
 the returns of Asiatic stores will get back and ascend the Mississippi with the 
 same facility? Who shall say that the West will then carry for any but 
 herself ? The Northern railroad will roll the golden stream of commerce by 
 their doors, but the Mexican canal will confer this advantage upon others, 
 and while it does so, will not only deprive the West of its promise of the 
 carrying-trade, but open a passage in the continent to slip through foreign 
 bottoms to compete with western ships upon the western ocean. * 
 
 *It may be said that they will not be able to compete with us in this way; b' t it must be 
 borne in mind, that when this road is opened, the shortness of the canal-passage around the 
 world will increase the carrying capacity of the commerc'al marine trebly bey on i its wants. 
 What before took from four or five months to accomplish, will then require but thirty-six 
 days; consequently, one-third the number of ships can do it. Europe would therefcre send 
 her id'e bottoms into the Pacific, at the mere cost of navigating them. 
 
96 CHICAGO RIVER-AND-HARBOR CONVENTION. 
 
 Why, sir, this is the rival passage; insignificant, it is true, if the railroad be 
 built, but calculated to postpone the railroad and its advantages indefinitely, 
 and to oblige the United States to maintain, in common with the other pow- 
 ers, tremendous fleets on the pestilential coasts of the Gulf to preserve the 
 integrity of the Grand Canal. Reflect, sir, for a moment, and tell me if, in 
 time of war, we could always hope to remain masters of this passage, or at 
 any rate if we could remain so without cost. This, sir, alone would be enough 
 for me to reject the Isthmus project. We have had enough of war. The 
 world is sick of armies and navies — their pompous shows, their fripperies of 
 rank, their despotic inequalities — and the masses of all nations wish to grasp 
 each other by the hand. It is the interest of a republic, as well as its duty, to 
 aid these aims and foster this fraternal spirit. The railroad will do the whole. 
 It will promote an intercourse that will be its own protection, and the posses- 
 sion of the ponderous gates of commerce which we shall hold on either ocean will 
 enable us, by the mere lifting of our finger, to command peace throughout the 
 world ! Peace, or the exclusion of the brawler from the highway of the 
 nations ! 
 
 This, sir, I conceive to be our proper destiny, and these are a few of the 
 reasons why I claim the route which our Government can control and which 
 will insure to the nation the largest portion of advantage. 
 
 With these remarks I shall leave this portion of the subject, but it is not 
 proper that I should conclude it without stating my entire disbelief of the 
 rumor that the strange project of a Mexican canal can be seriously contem- 
 plated by our Government. If such a rumor emanates from the Government 
 at all, I am rather inclined to regard it as a cabinet feeler, the whole object 
 of which is to test the public mind as to how far it will answer to "enlarge 
 the boundaries of freedom" in a southerly direction. Indeed, I am disposed 
 to ascribe it to any thing, rather than believe that an administration, which 
 is so extremely sensitive on the constitutionality of National Improvement, 
 should risk burning its fingers by dipping its hands into the treasury of the 
 State, to build a foreign improvement, by foreign hands, in a foreign country, 
 for foreign benefit. 
 
 Having satisfactorily ascertained, Mr. President, the perfect practicability 
 of a direct and speedy commercial highway from ocean to ocean across the 
 broad longitudes of this continent, and having also satisfied ourselves of the 
 advantages it will confer upon the country, it now remains for us to ascer- 
 tain in what manner it may best be done. 
 
 There are two methods which have been proposed for the construction and 
 control of this work. One of these propositions is that the road be constructed 
 and owned by private persons for private benefit, and the other that it be built 
 and held by the Government for the benefit of the whole people. The national 
 proposition, which I have taken as the basis of these resolutions, is the pro- 
 posal of George Wilkes of New- York City; and the proposition that it shall 
 be chartered into a private monopoly on the one hand, and made the subject 
 of a monster contract on the other, are the respective schemes of Dr. Hartwell 
 Carver of Western New York, and Mr. Asa Whitney of Connecticut. I 
 mention them in this connection, that we may examine them in order. 
 
 Mr. Carver claims to be the very first man who ever dreamed of a railroad 
 across the Rocky Mountains, and under this impression has suddenly woke 
 up and hurried on the heels of Mr. Wilkes and Mr. Whitney, to demand that 
 the Government should hold its hands from touching the work in its own 
 behalf, and to insist that the rewards and privileges, which Mr. Whitney 
 angles for, belong to him, the petitioner, by a prior right of thought. Actu- 
 ated by this spirit, he asks Congress to give him "and his associates" an 
 exrhtsiz'e a.nd perpeiua/ cha.v\.er to run a railroad from Lake Michigan to the 
 
I 
 
 NATIONAL RAILROAD TO THE PACIFIC. 9/ 
 
 South Pass, with branches from that point, through California to San Fran- 
 cisco, and through Oregon to the mouth of the Columbia. He asks, also, a 
 like •exclusive charter for an electric telegraph over the same route. He 
 further asks Congress to give him, in fee simple, a belt of land for the track 
 over 3000 miles long; and as an incident to this portion of his demand, he 
 requires stone from the public quarries, timber from the public forests, and 
 iron and lead and other metals from the public mines. He proposes to avail 
 himself of the public mines to the greatest extent, by establishing monster 
 foundries, at various portions of the route, for the manufacture of the rail and 
 other metal works required for the road, and of course for the supply of the 
 populations that would grow up alongside and beyond it. These are the 
 moderate requirements of Dr. Carver's petition, so far as the details of the 
 road are concerned, having finished which, the Doctor winds up by asking the 
 Government to sell to him "and his associates" eight millions of acres of the 
 public lands, at the government price of $1,25 the acre. These 8,000,000 of 
 acres are to be selected by the Doctor, at pleasure, out of any public lands 
 within thirty miles of the line, but instead of paying money for them, like any 
 other purchaser, he offers only "scrip," or stock of the road as it becomes 
 finished, remarking, with a really amusing complacency, that this scrip, issued 
 by himself "and his associates," will be "really better than cash down, as no 
 one can tell how much above par it may be when the road shall have been in 
 operation a few years .'''' Unfortunately for Dr. Carver, there happens to be a 
 complete absence in the Constitution of the United States of any provision 
 authorizing the Government to become a party to a stock-jobbing speculation, 
 by taking fluctuating scrip in payment for the People's property. I will not 
 stop at present, Mr. President, to examine all the odious features of Dr. 
 Carver's scheme, as they will come sufficiently in view under the examina- 
 tion of the congenial project of Mr. Whitney; but I may as well add that he 
 denounces both Whitney's and the Ciovei*nment plan, and with much spirit 
 declares that if Congress refuses to grant him his requests he will appeal to 
 the People — "the common people," as he calls them — to come out and sustain 
 him. 
 
 Mr. Whitney proposes to build the road on a contract, the provisions of 
 which will be found to be still more exorbitant than those of Dr. Ca-ver's 
 charter. He is not satisfied with asking land enough for the track, but asks 
 the Government to grant him a strip of the public domain stretching from the 
 lower point of Lake Michigan in Illinois for 2400 miles to the Pacific Ocean, 
 and for such deficiences as may exist in this strip, by reason of lands already 
 sold out of it, he asks an equivalent in an equal portion of unsold lands in 
 other places, so that he shall be sure to have, at any rate, the full amount of 
 92,160,000 acres. On this capital of the public domain, with the forests and 
 the quarries and the mines thrown in, he agrees to go to work and build a 
 road, selling the land to produce the means, but retaining for himself and his 
 heirs all that remains unsold after its completion. He offers then, in relation 
 to the subsequent management and control of the work, if Government will 
 allow him to charge one-half per cent per ton a mile for freight for long dis- 
 tances (and his own price for short ones); 20 cents the bushel for Indian corn; 
 $1,25 the barrel for flour, and half the usual railroad price for passage, during 
 the first twenty years after its completion; to carry, in consideration thereof, 
 the public mails, troops, and munitions of war, free of charge; and also to 
 alloii) Congress, after that date, to make an alteration in the tolls. 
 
 Strange to say, these enormous and unparalleled demands were favorably 
 reported on by a committee of the Senate, who, on the 31st of July, 1846, 
 brought in a bill of six sections of the most remarkable character, each of 
 which may be said to evince the influences under which it was gotten up, by 
 
 7 
 
98 CHICAGO RIVER-AND-HARBOR CONVENTION. 
 
 the fact that it helps to give Mr. Whitney much more than he asks. It is 
 true the second section pretends to provide that the work shall belong to the 
 Government as fast as it is done, but the mockery of the phrase is shown hy a. 
 "provided always," which winds it up, and which conditions, that if Mr. 
 Whitney "and his associates" shall at any time before or iafter the completion 
 of the road pay, or secure to be paid, sixteen cents the acre for the granted 
 land, then and in that case "the lands, the road, the machinery and all ^ shall 
 belong to him and his associates, and their successors forever. " The plain 
 English of this manoeuvre seems to be, that the title to the vast domain was 
 thought better in the way of purchase than as a naked grant, and in this view 
 there could be but little objection for a wealthy company to pay, or agree to 
 pay, at their own convenience, sixteen cents the acre, for what would cost all 
 other purchasers from five dollars to five hundred dollars the acre, cash down. 
 The same section accepts of the proposal to carry the Government stores free 
 of freight, but in its magnanimity it exacts no conditions from Mr. Whitney in 
 relation to his other customers, but allows him "and his associates" to tax the 
 internal trade and foreign commerce of the nation according to their conscience 
 and their pleasure. The third section of the bill empowers him to enter into- 
 contracts with States and companies to help him build the road. This is an 
 important provision, for it enables him to supply himself with convict labor 
 from the States and to contract with land companies to furnish him with 
 troops of bonded serfs. The fourth section is devoted to glossing over the 
 grant, and restricts him from receiving the immense windfall except in install- 
 ments of five miles (by sixty) at a time, for every ten miles of rail laid down,^ 
 the proceeds of the remaining fives along the railroad being held as a fund, 
 subject to his order, when required by him to build the road along the unpro- 
 ductive portion of the route beyond the Missouri. This imposing condition 
 only applies to the rich lands this side of the Missouri, however, and so far 
 from being a restriction, is only a guarantee in his favor, for it merely obliges 
 him to be prudent in throwing his good lands into market, and, after leading 
 him in a shower of gold to the banks of the Missouri, enables him to draw 
 and appropriate all the glittering savings which the friendly restriction had 
 garnered against waste or raisappropriaiion. He may then either put these 
 millions in his pocket and leave the work for Government to finish, or, if he 
 be a man of really comprehensive ambition, he can go on and lay out the bulk 
 of his previous gains to secure a still more monstrous harvest in the future. 
 The fifth section, like the second, lets Mr. Whitney off more easily than he 
 asks in his petition, for, instead of the Commissioners to assist him in selling 
 the lands and signing the titles, which he there so plausibly expresses himself 
 willing to submit to, it only provides for one Commissioner, whose salary is to 
 be paid by Mr. Whitney himself, whose indefinite duty it is to see that every 
 thing goes right, and to report to Congress once a session — the existence of 
 his office, be it borne in mind, depending entirely upon his reporting that 
 every thing does go right. The sixth section performs the last service for Mr. 
 Whitney "and his associates" by removing the objection which mechanics 
 and laborers might have to enter his employ, by the provision that if he fail in 
 his enterprise and leave them in the wilderness without employ, they shall be 
 entitled to preemption rights to the land, and be subject to pay the United 
 States only the minimum price for the acres. These are the preemption rights 
 for his laborers of which Mr. Whitney has made such an ostentatious display, 
 but which, as they only accrue in case of his breach of contract, and their dis- 
 charge, can hardly be considered as tempting to the laborer, or magnanimous 
 on the part of Mr, Whitney. The bill then winds up without requiring any 
 guarantees from Mr, Whitney "and his associates," or establishing any penal- 
 ties against them for the non- performance of their contract. 
 
I 
 
 NATIONAL RAILROAD TO THE PACIFIC. 99 
 
 These, Mr. President, are the true features of the monster speculating project 
 which Mr. Whitney has for the last year been misrepresenting to the country 
 as a plan in which he asks for nothing for himself. In reply to this, sir, I 
 would merely remark, that if to receive a sweep of territory larger than the 
 domain of eight sovereign States, with a railroad in its centre and an ocean 
 front of sixty miles, comprising Oregon City, the mouth of the Columbia, and 
 five or six smaller harbors ; if to possess the contracting powers and patronage 
 of an emperor, and to hold the commerce of the world at the mercy of his 
 tariff or tolls, be in Mr, Whitney's estimation nothing, t think it highly neces- 
 sary that Congress, and the People, and this Convention, if he should appear 
 before it, should ascertain, before they confer any favor or power upon him, 
 what may be his idea of the mean circumference of something. 
 
 I will not denounce this scheme as infamous, Mr. President, but I do 
 denounce it as exorbitant, as sordid, and as dangerous in the extreme; more 
 monstrous as a monoply, if carried out, than even the British East -India 
 Company, and liable to place our foreign commerce, our domestic trade, and 
 our common interests at the mercy of the secret legislation and the secret 
 political influences of a set of foreign stockholders, whose votes and whose 
 views would be very likely to be predominant in a private corporation of this 
 character. I denounce it as false in its pretensions, if not fraudulent in its 
 motives, and, instead of being calculated to enlarge the capacities of the West, 
 as directly tending to blast its fields with withering land speculations, and 
 to inflame the mind of the whole Nation with a delirium for stock, equal to 
 the fatal intoxication of the South -Sea bubble or the famous Mississippi 
 scheme, which in the beginning of the last century prostrated P>ance and Gt. 
 Britain in financial ruin. 
 
 It is no argument for me, sir, nor for this Convention, that these individuals 
 and their plans have been treated in some quarters with public favor, or that 
 they have made great personal efforts to be successful in their aims. Their 
 anxieties and their endeavors must rank with those which men institute to 
 benefit themselves, and the expression of bodies who have not hesitated to 
 declare them both original projectors, without inquiry into the matter at all, 
 only go to show that men who could be so easily deceived as to points of fact, 
 are still more likely to have been misled upon matters of judgment. These 
 results of management and these gimcracks of expression do not weigh with 
 me, sir. I stand here a free man, on the basis of my own mind, and I am 
 determined not to have my individual opinions forestalled or trodden out, by 
 the moccasin -footed approaches of any insidious and deceptive speculations 
 whatever. 
 
 Happily, sir, in every unjust exercise of the human thought, there live inher- 
 ent weaknesses which if seen in time are fatal to the calculations of the sub- 
 tlest schemers. Such in this case are the undue aims of the monster private 
 projects, and such particularly is the fatal obstacle which the Indian title offers 
 to them both. The land asked for by Dr. Carver and by Mr. Whitney does 
 not belong to the United States in fee, though it claims a particular jurisdic- 
 tion over it. It is the property of independent nations known as the Indian 
 tribes, whose right to the soil is perfect, and who can not be dispossessed 
 except by treaty or by conquest. Now, though the United States might be 
 disposed to grant to Mr. Whitney or Dr. Carver such public lands as are its 
 own, it can not undertake to give them what belongs to its neighbors. It 
 must first possess before it can dispose, and a very simple knowledge of the 
 constitutional powers of the Government will inform us that it has no right to 
 pledge the exercise of the sovereign attributes known as the war -and -treaty- 
 making powers for a private object and as the incident of a private charter. 
 
lOO CHICAGO RIVER-AND-H ARBOR CONVENTION. 
 
 The Indian who is driven from his hunting-ground must be located upon other 
 and equally spacious fields of chase. The Great Father must not drive his 
 red children from the graves of their ancestors and the forests which have sup- 
 plied them and their little ones with food, without a compensation. If he 
 takes from them 92,000,000 of acres for the railroad he must give them the 
 same amount of territory somewhere else. He must likewise give them a lib- 
 eral consideration to consent to the exchange; he must defray all the expenses 
 arising out of the transmigration and he must send his captains and his men 
 of war to supervise the exodus. I am conjuring no imaginary obstacles, Mr. 
 President, neither am I drawing upon any vague and illusory ideas of philan- 
 thropy. I am pointing to a condition of things which the United States have 
 always recognized as just, and as necessary upon the assumption for actual 
 use of Indian territory, and I again insist that the Government has no right to 
 drive out these nations to consumate a charter to a corporation, or to enter 
 into an immense and expensive diplomatic operations with the tribes, to make 
 good a special grant to an individual for individual purposes. 
 
 The Government may, however, enter into these arrangements in its own 
 behalf; but though this may not be considered in itself a sufficient reason that 
 it should do so, it places it superior to objectior.s which will prove insur- 
 mountable to all other parties, at least for a long period of years. 
 
 The idea that Government has not the constitutional capacity to authorize 
 and to build this road over its own territories, is a fallacy which has perhaps 
 but few sustainers except among those interested in the private schemes; but 
 the hostile quibble is shot with very little force, by those, who in another 
 breath and to conceal the heinousness of their own designs, ostentatiously 
 stipulate that '•''the road, the machinery and all,^'' shall belong to the Govern- 
 ment in case they fail to perform some of their gingerbread conditions. Now, 
 Mr. President, if the Government can seize and possess the road, and finish 
 and control it, in case it is first plundered and deceived, it surely can do so 
 without incurring the danger of such mishaps; and I think it will appear 
 equally plain that if the Government has the capacity to furnish to others all 
 the means for its construction, it is perfectly capable of retaining and disburs- 
 ing them itself in behalf of the Nation. 
 
 It is hardly necessary, Mr. President, that I should undertake to vindicate 
 to this Convention the power of Congress to appropriate funds and to under- 
 take a national improvement of this kind, but as constitutional incapacity has 
 been charged, it may be well to show that the enterprise under consideration 
 stands aloof from the scope of any and all of the objections which have been 
 conjured up from time to time against a liberal exercise of the inherent powers 
 of the Government, in the way of expenditure for national objects. It is not 
 liable to the opposition preferred against improvements within the boundaries 
 and between the several States, for it lies beyond the States, on the vast prairie 
 ocean, and in the language of our resolutions, only runs accross the territories 
 under the sole jurisdiction of the General Government. Neither can it be 
 objected that it is sectional in its character, as its advantages would plainly be 
 general and common to the whole Nation. 
 
 It has but two exact precedents in the way of expenditure that I now bear 
 in mind, and these are the purchase of Louisiana from France, and Florida 
 from Spain. These countries were paid for out of the national treasury under 
 the clauses of the Constitution which empower Congress "to make regulations 
 of commerce" and to "adopt measures for the general welfare and provide for 
 the common defence." Neither were within the States, but their acquisition 
 was plainly so valuable to all alike, that the Nation willingly consented to the 
 liberal construction of the clauses which sanctioned their purchase from the 
 common fund. The purchase of Louisiana particularly, gave the greatest 
 
NATIONAL RAILROAD TO THE PACIFIC. 10 1 
 
 satisfaction, because its acquisition was necessary to secure a national outlet 
 for the productions of the great valley of the Mississippi, and in this view it 
 is the exact parallel to the National Railroad to the Pacific. The rule that 
 authorized the expenditure in the first case, doubly justifies a similar outlay in 
 the present one, for while the acquisition of Louisiana only secured an avenue 
 to a single section of our broad dominions, the National Railroad will open a 
 new highway to the whole country and the whole world. It comes, therefore, 
 more completely within the commerce clause than even Louisiana; and as a 
 military road for the transportation of troops to Oregon and California, or 
 munitions for the arsenals and fleets that must guard the integrity of our inter- 
 ests in the western ocean, it presents stronger claims upon the provision for 
 "the general welfare and common defence," than both Louisiana and Florida 
 together. But in addition to these general constitutional authorizations, Mr. 
 President, we find a special warrant for the work in the clause which empow- 
 ers Congress "to establish post-offices and post-roads." Under this provision 
 there has recently been authorized by the General Government a monthly mail 
 by steamers through the Gulf, and overland, across the Isthmus to Oregon and 
 California; and who shall say that a government which has a right to lay out 
 routes upon the ocean under the post -road clause, has not an equal right to 
 build a railroad across the land, for the better accomplishment of the same 
 purposes. 
 
 Thus fall the hypercritical objections to the constitutionality of the national 
 plan; and the further quibble that Government has no right to engage in such 
 a scheme of revenue or speculation, also finds the ground, by the condition of 
 our third resolution which requires that its revenues be kept down to the 
 measure of its current expenses, in the way of attendance and repairs. 
 
 The truth is, Mr. President, the national plan comprehended in these reso- 
 lutions, is the only constitutional, as it is the only safe and feasible project of 
 the three that are now before Congress; and the only thing which takes the 
 color of an objection to it at all, is the expense it may occasion to the Govern- 
 ment at the present time. This objection, however, will be found upon 
 examination to be much less formidable than might be supposed, and when 
 compared with Mr. Whitney's enormous demands upon the national fund, will 
 appear absolutely trifling. According to the estimate of Colonel Abert, the 
 accurate head of the Topographical Bureau at Washington, this load may be 
 built for $20,cxx) per mile, or twenty per cent less than the average cost of the 
 other railroads of the country, in consequence of its superior facility of gi-ade. 
 This estimate applied to the 1950 miles lying west of the Missouri, makes an 
 aggregate of $38,600,000 for the whole work; whereas, if Mr. Whitney build 
 it on his proposed terms it will cost us in the first place 92,000,000 acres for 
 him, as much more in compensation to the Indians whom he dispossesses, 
 and heavy outlays in cash down to induce the bargain and to secure the peac- 
 able transmigration of the tribes. I leave the difference of these two vastly 
 different projects to the intelligence of this Convention; and I also leave it to 
 their intelligence to say, whether a sum, which in the language of the plan of 
 Mr. Wilkes, "is but little more than half larger than that cheerfully incurred 
 by the single city of New York for her Croton aqueduct, shall be an obstacle 
 to a work, which will render all the nations of the earth our commercial tribu- 
 taries. " 
 
 Though $38,600,000, Mr. President, is the deliberate estimate of an official 
 inquirer of known scientific accuracy — made with direct reference to the whole 
 character of the route, and in view of all the usual contingencies, we will place 
 the cost at the liberal maximum of $50,000,000. This sum, expended at the 
 rate of ten millions per year for five years, will be the entire cost of the work, 
 and the period named will, probably, be the entire time required to complete 
 
102 CHICAGO RIVER-AND-HARBOR CONVENTION. 
 
 it. When, therefore, we compare these calculations with their consequent re- 
 sults, and take into consideration at the same time that the highest sum named 
 is less than has been cheerfully incurred by the country for a single year of 
 war, I think the opposition on the ground of expense may be withdrawn. 
 
 The plan upon which it is proposed by Mr. Wilkes that the Government 
 shall construct and control this road, has been ably developed by him in a 
 printed memorial of considerable length, but as its points and characteristics 
 are briefly and comprehensively given in a letter addressed by him to the 
 chairman of a committee of Congress to which numerous petitions in its favor 
 from various parts of the country were referred, I will save the time of the 
 Convention by introducing a copy of that paper. I do this the more willingly 
 as it develops the honorable ground upon which its projector stands, and I 
 beg the Convention to mark the contrast between its pretentions and its senti- 
 ments, and the claims and the aims of Dr. Carver and Mr. Whitney : 
 
 " New York, gth January, 1847. 
 
 '■'•Dear Sir, — In taking the liberty of addressing you on the subject of my 
 Memorial for a National Railroad to the Pacific, now before the Committee 
 of which you are chairman, I trust I may be excused by the engrossing interest 
 which the subject holds in my attention. I have been deprived of this privi- 
 lege for some time by a severe illness, but I now take the first opportunity to 
 add a few words upon one or two points before any final action be taken in 
 the premises. 
 
 " It may not be improper at the outset, for me to say to a committee whose 
 attention I am about to request, that I do not appear before them as the 
 advocate of any personal interest, or as the claimant of any special credit. I 
 merely claim, as may perhaps many others, the separate inception of the idea 
 of a Railroad to the Pacific, independent of any other mind, and to have 
 dwelt upon it with enthusiasm as a means of national greatness, long before 
 Mr. Whitney broached his private scheme. Beyond that I claim nothing, 
 save the possession of a sincere desire to see the grand design so carried out as 
 may result most largely to the happiness of our own country, and to that of 
 the whole world. It is with these views that I have assidously devoted myself 
 to the advocacy of the National Project for the last three years, and it is to 
 these motives that I must trust for an apology for this intrusion upon your 
 committee. 
 
 "The main points of my proposal you will find to be: ist. That the road 
 be built and owned by the Government. 2d, That its construction and con- 
 trol be confided to sworn Commissioners, to be appointed by the State Legis- 
 latures or elected by The People of the various States. 3d, That it start 
 from the line of the Missouri River, in the vicinity of the parallel which strikes 
 the South Pass, and thence run westwardly over territories under the jurisdic- 
 tion of the General Government. 4th, That its revenues be confined strictly 
 to the measure of its expenses of attendance and repairs, and that it be open 
 to foreigners and their merchandise on the same terms as to our own citizens, 
 — the latter result to be secured by regulations of debenture, returnin_g all cus- 
 toms charges on such merchandise on its reshipment. Lastly, that it be built 
 out of the public treasury without any allotment of the public lands for sale 
 for that purpose. This latter consideration I regard as of the utmost impor- 
 tance, and is one of those on which I desired to express myself more fully than 
 I had space to do toward the close of my memorial. 
 
 "I believe that any measure that would subject the public lands to the reach 
 and appropriation of speculators, or indeed that would dispose of them to the 
 hands of any but actual settlers, would be highly unpopular, and would excite 
 a wide and determined opposition throughout the country, I think therefore 
 
NATIONAL RAILROAD TO THE PACIFIC. IO3 
 
 Ihat the most just as well as the most satisfactory disposal of these lands, 
 Avould be to insert a provision in the Bill recommendinc; the road (if such 
 should be the decision of the Committee), securing to each laborer or mechanic 
 who shall have worked upon it for one year, one hundred acres of land, along 
 or contiguous to the line. This regulation, instead of making a few rich men 
 richer, would make prosperous landholders of the most deserving poor, and 
 while it conferred a priceless population on the West, would perform the 
 highest achievement of Republican philanthropy, by elevating labor to its true 
 importance in the social scale. " 
 
 These, Mr. President, are the views which I have introduced into these 
 resolutions, and this is the sublime project, which, whenever developed in 
 contrast with the private schemes, has won the selection of all unbiassed 
 minds. I have, therefore, but little doubt that every member within this 
 arena will make a like recognition of its generous superiority, and decide in 
 favor of a plan capable of conferring the benefits of the "westward passage" 
 upon the country, without depressing labor or plundering the people of the 
 soil; and capable of guaranteeing the civil and financial integrity of the work, 
 by national guardians elected from every State, whose various politics and 
 equal claims to local favor, will secure the work from an invidious distribution 
 of its patronage, or from concentrated political action. 
 
 In soliciting for this question the just expression of this Convention, I desire 
 them to bear in mind that upon the weight of their decision may depend the 
 ■choice of Congress, first between two lines of policy : one of which will confer 
 the commerce of the world upon its proper latitude, and confide the mastery 
 of the oceans and the new avenue to our sole control; and the other of which 
 will divert it to a remote and torrid region for the advantage and the rivalry 
 of others, and the conversion of the surface of the Gulf, into the common 
 battle field of all the navies of the earth. I desire them to bear also in mind 
 that upon their expression likewise may depend the selection of two plans, 
 one of which will fall upon the West and her rising hopes like a withering 
 curse; bli^jhting her whole domain with ruinous land speculations; enmeshing 
 and enslaving every acre with financial ties; cursing her social state with mon- 
 ster monopolies and degraded labor; and rendering the prosperity and per- 
 sonal independence of every man whose foot shall fall west of the Great Lakes, 
 at the mercy of a company, the enormous wealth and gigantic influence of 
 which will stand without a precedent in the history of the world. 
 
 The national plan, on the other hand, will guarantee the soil from sudden 
 and wholesale purchase, and preserve it for the homestead of the settler; it 
 will recognize its honorable workers as men and not as serfs; and it will pay 
 them in honest coin and in unshackled land instead of round jackets, shoes, 
 and "orders" upon huge corporation groceries. It will not establish monopo- 
 lizing foundries to crush out the hopes of individual enterprise, nor will it con- 
 demn the land to waste through the continual transfers of infesting land-com- 
 panies; but it will draw in upon the rich and yielding soil, thousands and tens 
 of thousands of enterprising emigrants whose unfettered competitions will chal- 
 lenge its generous bosom to production, make solitude vocal with the songs 
 of contented labor, and confer upon the rising West a class of free, intelligent, 
 and substantial husbandmen, who will be the chief pride and the chief depen- 
 dence of the country. 
 
 These, Mr, President, are the sublime and patriotic views in favor of which 
 I nov^ask this Convention to decide; and the opposite and narrow aims to be 
 found in the private schemes, are the blighting evils of which I conjure them 
 in the name of their country, in the name of the West, and by all things 
 sacred to a patriot and lover of his kind, to beware ! 
 
I04 CHICAGO RIVER-AND-HARBOR CONVENTION. 
 
 PiTTSFORD, Monroe Co., N. Y., 
 June 2jd, 1 87 1. 
 
 My Dear Sir: — Your kind and good letter of the 17th inst. came duly to> 
 hand, and was read with much pleasure I do assure you. My old and long- 
 cherished friend. Dr. Haight,* and your Hon. self, and my humble self makes 
 a trio of three of nature's noblemen, which, as Kit Carson told me many years 
 since, " makes a full team, and a horse to let. " 
 
 I have known the Doctor from a boy, and his father before him. 
 
 There are two kinds of noblemen, as I have classed the human family,, 
 blooded noblemen and nature's noblemen, and of these two classes I always- 
 gave the preference to nature's noblemen, for they were certain while the others 
 were uncertain. 
 
 But, sir, after all, 'tis from high life high characters are drawn — drawn, and 
 a saint in silk is twice a saint in laivn. I can say truly and in presence of my 
 God, that I have always meant to be honest, and give every man his due, and 
 therefore spoke the truth to Dr. Haight in reference to you as helping in the 
 Pacific Railroad, which, as you very truly say, is really one of the most sub- 
 lime and grandest national impi-ovements of the age. Hurrah for our side 
 and nature's noblemen. 
 
 Did I tell you that the Hon. W. H. Seward wrote me two letters before he 
 left on his last long tour, inviting me to accompany him? I met him at San 
 Francisco the last time I was in California. He had been out to Alaska,, 
 thence to Oregon, and came up from Portland to San Francisco, and I called 
 on him several times, and he called on me at the Cosmopolitan Hotel after he 
 got better — he was quite sick and feeble when he first arrived, 
 
 I have been much pleased at the flattering reception Seward has, and is- 
 still receiving, wherever he goes. 
 
 Did I tell you that the Prince of Wales drank my health last summer at 
 the close of an address he delivered at the dedication of a college in England ? 
 He said, "I will close by drinking the health of my particular friend. Dr. 
 Hartwell Carver." When he was in Montreal, I was at Saratoga Springs,, 
 and I went over and staid a week, and he became much attached to me. I 
 have written his mother three letters and have had one from her which I 
 would not take ten thousand dollars for. I attended her birthday in Londoi> 
 in 1832. I am now only 83 years old. 
 
 Give my kind regards to Dr. Haight, and tell him to write me. You must 
 write often and much. I am old, and can not write readily or often. 
 
 Sir, I am most truly yours, 
 
 Hartwell Carver. 
 
 For Wm. Mosley Hall, Stamford, Conn. 
 
 V 
 
 * Nathaniel D. Haight. M.D., since deceased; and when he died, Stamford lost an honored 
 citizer, and the poor an inestimable friend. — W. M. Hall. 
 
LETTER FROM JOHN M. BOTTS. IO5 
 
 APPENDIX 
 
 The following letter from the Hon. John M. Botts, was 
 addressed to the Committee of Correspondence, but was not 
 read to the Convention. It was, after the adjournment of the 
 Convention, published by the newspapers in connection with the 
 proceedings : — 
 
 Richmond, yune 12, 184"/. 
 
 My Dear Sir: — Your letter of the 12th May, accompanying 
 an invitation from the Committee on Correspondence, "to attend 
 a North-Western Harbor-and-River Convention, to be held in 
 Chicago, on the first Monday in July next," was duly received, 
 and its not being answered at an earHer day, arose from the ear- 
 nest hope I had indulged (notwithstanding the distance from 
 home) that I should have been able to accept the invitation, and 
 to have been with you on that interesting occasion in person, as 
 I shall be in feeling and in principle. I am sorry, however, to 
 say that just now it seems to be altogether impracticable. 
 
 Nevertheless, at a future day and upon a different theatre, I 
 hope to have it in my power to render you more efficient aid than 
 I could in your proposed Convention. For the subject of these 
 National Improvements I have no morbid sensibilities, 1 labor un- 
 der no Constitutional difficulties, and I indulge no metaphysical 
 abstractions; for, in my judgment, we should have bestowed very 
 unmerited eulogy upon the wisdom of the illustrious dead, the 
 framers and builders of that godlike instrument to which our 
 Government owes its existence, if they had neglected to confer 
 upon the Representatives of all the interests, of all the people in 
 the land, the power to protect the property and lives of those 
 same people, by removing obstructions to navigation, construct- 
 ing Harbors, and erecting Light-Houses, as well within our own 
 territory as beyond it — as well upon the River-and-Lake naviga- 
 tion as upon the High Seas — as well upon the Mississippi as upon 
 the Lakes — and as well upon the shores of Lake Michigan as 
 upon the Atlantic coast, provided the '-'' commerce among the several 
 States^'' in the language of the Constitution, should render it 
 
106 CHICAGO RIVER-AXD-HARBOR CONVENTION. 
 
 necessary and expedient — that they did not neglect, but fully pro- 
 vided for the exercise of this indispensable power, is clear to my 
 mind, and how much more it would have become an enlightened 
 and civilized Government, and how much more our individual and 
 national property would have been advanced by the expenditure 
 of the untold millions in the accomplishment of such works, than 
 for the indiscriminate and wholesale slaughter of a defenceless 
 and unoffending race of semi-barbarians, w^hose chief cause at last 
 (as will be found) consisted in owning territory that ^^miist be 
 acquired'' under the guise of ^^Indef?inity,'" is a question that time 
 will determine, and that the people of all classes, and of all par- 
 ties, will have an opportunity of understanding and appreciating 
 before we get through with, and recover from, the effects of this 
 horrible and most unnecessary and iniquitous war. 
 
 Yet it is pretended that He who can make war, after two bloody 
 battles have been fought, communicate its existence to Congress, 
 and thereby himself escape the responsibility ; who can, through 
 his subordinates, annex territory and dismember empires, and 
 establish civil governments, succor in citizens by the wholesale, 
 require them to take an oath of allegiance to the United States, 
 try them by a drum-head court-martial, and hang them up in six 
 hours as rebels or traitors, make laws for, and collect customs in 
 Mexico, when by the Constitution it is declared that " Congress 
 shall have power to make rules concerning captures on land or ivater," 
 when all this can be done with impunity by the one-man power, 
 the people are to be cheated out of their rights and dearest in- 
 terests, under the shallow pretence that that same one man can not 
 find constitutional warrant for affixing his signature, either to a bill 
 passed by the representatives of the people for the payment of 
 what they recognized as a just debt due from the Government, 
 or for another, making appropriations for their own means, for 
 the general improvement and interests of the country, and for 
 the protection and preservation of American life and property ; 
 if our Constitution were fairly susceptible of such a reading, what 
 odium would it bring upon its authors, and who would be satis- 
 fied to live under it another day? 
 
 Without undertaking to decide what does, or what does not 
 constitute an ''Inland Sea,'' as the term is not to be found in the 
 Constitution, nor yet in the celebrated resolutions of '98 and '99 
 — which are of more importance with some of our distinguished 
 statesmen, I have no hesitation in expressing it as the firm con- 
 viction of my mind, that the navigation of the Northern and 
 Western Lakes and Rivers is entitled to the fostering care of 
 Government, and that the interests of that region of country im- 
 
APPENDIX — LETTER FROM JOHN M. BOTTS. IO7 
 
 peratively demand it; and I sincerely hope the day is not distant 
 when it will be obtained. 
 
 I should despise myself if I were capable of occupying a posi- 
 tion in public life with views so narrow and contracted, as not to 
 see and be wilHng to administer to the wants of every section of 
 our ever-to-be-cherished Union, with as free and liberal a hand as 
 I would to that where my own more immediate interests were 
 concerned — No ! sections of the country have no influence over 
 my mind in giving construction to sections of the Constitution. 
 
 As this letter is designed as an answer to the Committee as well 
 as yourself, you will be pleased to hand it over to them and oblige 
 
 Very truly yours, 
 
 John M. Botts. 
 
 S. Lisle Smith, Esq., and through him to the Committee. 
 
 The following letter, from Hon. Daniel Webster, was received 
 by the Committee of Correspondence on the day after the 
 adjournment of the Convention : — 
 
 Marshfield, June 26, 1847. 
 
 Gentlemen : — I had the honor to receive, some weeks ago, 
 an invitation signed by you, as a Committee of Correspondence, 
 to attend a "North-Western River-and- Harbor Convention," to be 
 assembled at Chicago, on the first Monday in July, without regard 
 to distinctions of party. If circumstances had allowed me to ful- 
 fill my purpose of being in the Western country at this season of 
 the year, I should have complied with that invitation. But events 
 occurred to defeat that purpose. 
 
 Understanding that I should not be able to be present, sev- 
 eral gentlemen, elected to the Convention, have expressed a wish 
 that I should, nevertheless, communicate my sentiments upon the 
 important objects which have called them together. A willingness 
 to comply with that wish, as well as a desire to treat with just 
 respect the invitation received from you, induces me to address 
 to you this letter. 
 
 The improvement of North -Western rivers and harbors has 
 become an interesting subject, not only from the augumented 
 business and population of that part of the country, but also from 
 recent legislative and political occurrences. I do not understand, 
 however, that the North-Western harbor and river improvements 
 are to be the exclusive objects, of that description, which shall 
 engage the attention of the Convention. I take it for granted that 
 those who propose the Convention regard such improvements, all 
 over the Union, as standing on the same ground of constitutional 
 
I08 CHICAGO RIVER-AND-HARBOR CONVENTION. 
 
 authority, and the same principles of pubhc poHcy. Although 
 the necessity of making and improving harbors, and for the clear- 
 ing out of rivers, may be felt to be most pressing at the present 
 moment on the North-Western frontiers, and the greatest disap- 
 pointment felt in that quarter at the recent and repeated failures 
 of measures adopted by both houses of Congress to provide for 
 such necessity, yet it hardly needs be remarked that the West and 
 the South-West, and the South, the North, and the East, are all 
 deeply interested in the fate of such measures. The question is 
 general, not local. It affects every part of the country, and every 
 State in the Union. Any proceedings, therefore, of conventions, 
 or other pubHc bodies, called to deliberate on such subjects, and 
 to express opinions either on points of constitutional law or pubhc 
 policy, must, to meet my concurrence, be as broad and compre- 
 hensive as the questions themselves. They must be such as are 
 fit to be adopted by the government for the good of the whole 
 country, and the equal advancement of the interests of all its parts ; 
 and I have entire confidence that no more limited or restricted 
 construction of constitutional power, and no narrower or more 
 local view of public policy, will receive the sanction of the Con- 
 vention now about to assemble. 
 
 Gentlemen, it is an easy task to communicate to the Conven- 
 tion my opinions upon the subjects which are to engage its atten- 
 tion. I have only to refer to my public conduct, to the measures 
 which I have supported, and to my public speeches in and out of 
 Congress for the last twenty years. Full extracts from these 
 speeches I shall now proceed to transcribe. Although this may 
 not be the most interesting or attractive mode of presenting my 
 opinions to the Convention, it will, at least, be attended with one 
 advantage: it will show that my opinions, whatever they are, are 
 not of recent adoption. They have not been recently espoused 
 by me in consequence of any new degree of favor or popularity 
 attaching to the cause of internal improvement. On the contrary, 
 they have been steadily maintained for a long course of years, not 
 only against able and ingenious argument on the opposite side, 
 but also against the most powerful party influences, and the most 
 vehement denunciations of their alleged tendencies toward con- 
 solidation. 
 
 Nineteen years ago, that is to say, in June, 1828, it pleased 
 the citizens of Boston to give me a public dinner. On that occa- 
 sion I made a speech containing the extracts which I now tran- 
 scribe from a printed volume : 
 
 ''Another subject, now becoming exceedingly interesting, was 
 in various forms presented to Congress at the last session, and in 
 
APPENDIX — LETTER FROM DANIEL WEBSTER. IO9 
 
 regard to which, I believe, there is substantially a general union 
 of opinion among the members from this commonwealth. I mean 
 what is commonly called internal improvement. The great and 
 growing importance of this subject may, 1 hope, justify a few 
 remarks relative to it on the present occasion. 
 
 "It was evident to all persons of much observation at the close 
 of the late war, that the condition and prospects of the United 
 States had become essentially changed in regard to sundry great 
 interests of the country. Almost from the commencement of the 
 government down near to the beginning of that war, the United 
 States had occupied a position of singular and extraordinary 
 advantage. They had been at peace, while the powers of Europe 
 had been at war. The harvest of neutrality had been to them 
 rich and ample, and they had reaped it with skill and diligence. 
 Their agriculture and commerce had both felt sensibly the benefit 
 arising from the existing state of the world. Bread was raised by 
 our farmers for those whose hands were otherwise employed than 
 in the cultivation of the field, and the seas were navigated by our 
 sailors for account of such as, being belligerents, could not safely 
 navigate them for themselves. These opportunities for useful 
 employment were all seized and enjoyed by the enterprise of the 
 country, and a high degree of prosperity was the natural result. 
 
 "But with general peace a new state of things arose. The 
 European states at once turned their own attention to the pur- 
 suits proper for their new situation, and sought to extend their 
 own agricultural, manufacturing, and commercial interests. It 
 was evident that thenceforward, instead of enjoying the advan- 
 tages peculiar to neutrality in times of war, a general competition 
 would spring up, and nothing was to be expected without a strug- 
 gle. Other nations would now raise their own bread, and, as far 
 as possible, transport their own commodities, and the export-trade 
 and the carrying- trade of this country were therefore certain to 
 receive new and powerful competition, if not sudden and violent 
 checks. It seemed reasonable, therefore, in this state of things, 
 to turn our thoughts inward to explore the hitherto unexplored 
 resources of our own country, to find out, if we could, new diver- 
 sifications of industry, new subjects for the application of labor at 
 home. It was fit to consider how far home productions could 
 properly be made to furnish activity to home supply; and, since 
 the country stretched over so many parallels of latitude and lon- 
 gitude, abounding, of course, in the natural productions proper to 
 each, it was of the highest importance to inquire what means 
 existed of establishing free and cheap intercourse between those 
 parts, thereby bringing the raw material abounding in one under 
 
lOO CHICAGO RIVER-AND-H ARBOR CONVENTION. 
 
 The Indian who is driven from his hunting-ground must be located upon other 
 and equally spacious fields of chase. The Great Father must not drive his 
 red children from the graves of their ancestors and the forests which have sup- 
 plied them and their little ones with food, without a compensation. If he 
 takes from them 92,000,000 of acres for the railroad he must give them the 
 same amount of territory somewhere else. He must likewise give them a lib- 
 eral consideration to consent to the exchange; he must defray all the expenses 
 arising out of the transmigration and he must send his captains and his men 
 of war to supervise the exodus. 1 am conjuring no imaginary obstacles, Mr. 
 President, neither am I drawing upon any vague and illusory ideas of philan- 
 thropy. I am pointing to a condition of things which the United States have 
 always recognized as just, and as necessary upon the assumption for actual 
 use of Indian territory, and I again insist that the Government has no right to 
 drive out these nations to consumate a charter to a corporation, or to enter 
 into an immense and expensive diplomatic operations with the tribes, to make 
 good a special grant to an individual for individual purposes. 
 
 The Government may, however, enter into these arrangements in its own 
 behalf; but though this may not be considered in itself a sufficient reason that 
 it should do so, it places it superior to objectio;-,s which will prove insur- 
 mountable to all other parties, at least for a long period of years. 
 
 The idea that Government has not the constitutional capacity to authorize 
 and to build this road over its own territories, is a fallacy which has perhaps 
 but few sustainers except among those interested in the private schemes; but 
 the hostile quibble is shot with very little force, by those, who in another 
 breath and to conceal the heinousness of their own designs, ostentatiously 
 stipulate that '■'■the road, the machinery and all,^^ shall belong to the Govern- 
 ment in case they fail to perform some of their gingerbread conditions. Now, 
 Mr, President, if the Government can seize and possess the road, and finish 
 and control it, in case it is first plundered and deceived, it surely can do so 
 without incurring the danger of such mishaps; and I think it will appear 
 equally plain that if the Government has the capacity to furnish to others all 
 the means for its construction, it is perfectly capable of retaining and disburs- 
 ing them itself in behalf of the Nation. 
 
 It is hardly necessary, Mr. President, that I should undertake to vindicate 
 to this Convention the power of Congress to appropriate funds and to under- 
 take a national improvement of this kind, but as constitutional incapacity has 
 been charged, it may be well to show that the enterprise under consideration 
 stands aloof from the scope of any and all of the objections which have been 
 conjured up from time to time against a liberal exercise of the inherent powers 
 of the Government, in the way of expenditure for national objects. It is not 
 liable to the opposition preferred against improvements within the boundaries 
 and between the several States, for it lies beyond the States, on the vast prairie 
 ocean, and in the language of our resolutions, only runs accross the territories 
 under the sole jurisdiction of the General Government. Neither can it be 
 objected that it is sectional in its character, as its advantages would plainly be 
 general and common to the whole Nation. 
 
 It has but two exact precedents in the way of expenditure that I now bear 
 in mind, and these are the purchase of Louisiana from France, and Florida 
 from Spain. These countries were paid for out of the national treasury under 
 the clauses of the Constitution which empower Congress "to make regulations 
 of commerce" and to "adopt measures for the general welfare and provide for 
 the common defence. " Neither were within the States, but their acquisition 
 was plainly so valuable to all alike, that the Nation willingly consented to the 
 liberal construction of the clauses which sanctioned their purchase from the 
 common fund. The purchase of Louisiana particularly, gave the greatest 
 
NATIONAL RAILROAD TO THE PACIFIC. 10 1 
 
 satisfaction, because its acquisition was necessary to secure a national outlet 
 for the productions of the great valley of the Mississippi, and in this view it 
 is the exact parallel to the National Railroad to the Pacific. The rule that 
 authorized the expenditure in the first case, doubly justifies a similar outlay in 
 the present one, for while the acquisition of Louisiana only secured an avenue 
 to a single section of our broad dominions, the National Railroad will open a 
 new highway to the whole country and the whole world. It comes, therefore, 
 more completely within the commerce clause than even Louisiana; and as a 
 military road for the transportation of troops to Oregon and California, or 
 munitions for the arsenals and fleets that must guard the integrity of our inter- 
 ests in the western ocean, it presents stronger claims upon the provision for 
 "the general welfare and common defence," than both Louisiana and Florida 
 together. But in addition to these general constitutional authorizations, Mr. 
 President, we find a special warrant for the work in the clause which empow- 
 ers Congress "to establish post-offices and post-roads." Under this provision 
 there has recently been authorized by the General Government a monthly mail 
 by steamers through the Gulf, and overland, across the Isthmus to Oregon and 
 California; and who shall say that a government which has a right to lay out 
 routes upon the ocean under the post -road clause, has not an equal right to 
 build a railroad across the land, for the better accomplishment of the same 
 purposes. 
 
 Thus fall the hypercritical objections to the constitutionality of the national 
 plan; and the further quibble that Government has no right to engage in such 
 a scheme of revenue or speculation, also finds the ground, by the condition of 
 our third resolution which requires that its revenues be kept down to the 
 measure of its current expenses, in the way of attendance and repairs. 
 
 The truth is, Mr. President, the national plan comprehended in these reso- 
 lutions, is the only constitutional, as it is the only safe and feasible project of 
 the three that are now before Congress; and the only thing which takes the 
 color of an objection to it at all, is the expense it may occasion to the Govern- 
 ment at the present time. This objection, however, will be found upon 
 examination to be much less formidable than might be supposed, and when 
 compared with Mr. Whitney's enormous demands upon the national fund, will 
 appear absolutely trifling. According to the estimate of Colonel Abert, the 
 accurate head of the Topographical Bureau at Washington, this road may be 
 built for $20,cxx) per mile, or twenty per cent less than the average cost of the 
 other railroads of the country, in consequence of its superior facility of grade. 
 This estimate applied to the 1950 miles lying west of the Missouri, makes an 
 aggregate of $38,6oo,o(X) for the whole work; whereas, if Mr. Whitney build 
 it on his proposed terms it will cost us in the first place 92,000,000 acres for 
 him, as much more in compensation to the Indians whom he dispossesses, 
 and heavy outlays in cash down to induce the bargain and to secure the peac- 
 able transmigration of the tribes. I leave the difference of these two vastly 
 different projects to the intelligence of this Convention; and I also leave it to 
 their intelligence to say, whether a sum, which in the language of the plan of 
 Mr. Wilkes, " is but little more than half larger than that cheerfully incurred 
 by the single city of New York for her Croton aqueduct, shall be an obstacle 
 to a work, which will render all the nations of the earth our commercial tribu- 
 taries. " 
 
 Though $38,600,000, Mr. President, is the deliberate estimate of an official 
 inquirer of known scientific accuracy — made with direct reference to the whole 
 character of the route, and in view of all the usual contingencies, we will place 
 the cost at the liberal maximum of $50,000,000. This sum, expended at the 
 rate of ten millions per year for five years, will be the entire cost of the work, 
 and the period named will, probably, be the entire time required to complete 
 
112 CHICAGO RIVER-AND-HARBOR CONVENTION. 
 
 Gentlemen, five years after the expression of these opinions, 
 that is to say, in July, 1833, I had occasion to repeat them in 
 substance in an address to the citizens of Pittsburg. Extracts 
 from that address, taken from a printed volume, I take the liberty 
 to insert: 
 
 "Gentlemen, your worthy mayor has alluded to the subject of 
 internal improvements. Having no doubt of the power of the 
 general government over various objects comprised in that denom- 
 ination, I confess that I have felt great pleasure in forwarding 
 them, to the extent of my ability, by means of reasonable govern- 
 m.ent aid. It has seemed strange to me, that, in the progress of 
 human knowledge and human virtue (for I have no doubt that 
 both are making progress), the objects of government should so 
 long have been principally confined to external affairs, and to the 
 enactment of the general laws, without considering how much may 
 be done by the government, which can not be done without it, 
 for the improvement of the condition of the people. There are 
 many objects, of great value to man, which can not be attained 
 by unconnected individuals, but must be attained, if attained at 
 all, by association. For many of them, government seems the 
 most natural and the most efficient association. Voluntary asso- 
 ciation has done much, but it can not do all. To the great honor 
 and advantage of your own State, she has been forward in apply- 
 ing the agency of government to great objects of internal utility. 
 But even States can not do everything. There are some things 
 which belong to all the States, and if done at all, must be done 
 by all the States. At the conclusion of the last war, it appeared 
 to me that the time had come for the government to turn its 
 attention inward; to survey the condition of the country, and par- 
 ticularly the vast Western country; to take a comprehensive view 
 of the whole; and to adopt a Hberal system of internal improve- 
 ments. There are objects not naturally within the sphere of any 
 one State, which yet seemed of great importance, as calculated to 
 unite the different parts of the country to a better and shorter way 
 between the producer and the consumer, to be also of the highest 
 advantage to government itself, in any emergency. It is true, 
 gentlemen, that the local theatre for such improvement is not 
 mainly in the East. The East is old, pretty fully peopled, and 
 small. The West is new, vast, and thinly peopled. Our rivers 
 can be measured, yours can not. We are bounded, you are 
 boundless. The West was, therefore, most deeply interested in 
 this system, though certainly not alone interested even in such 
 works as had a Western locality. To clear her rivers was to clear 
 them for the commerce of the whole country; to construct har- 
 
APPENDIX — LETTER FROM DANIEL WEBSTER. II 3 
 
 bors, and clear entrances to existing harbors, whether on the Gulf 
 of Mexico or on the lakes, was for the advantage of that whole 
 commerce. And if this were not so, he is but a poor public man 
 whose patriotism is governed by the cardinal points ; who is for 
 or against a proposed measure according to its indication by com- 
 pass, or as it may happen to tend further from, or come nearer to, 
 his own immediate connections. And look at the West I Look 
 at those rivers — look at the lakes —look especially at Lake Erie, 
 and see what a moderate expenditure has done for the safety of 
 human life and the preservation of property in the navigation of 
 the lake, and done, let me add, in the face of a fixed and ardent 
 opposition!" 
 
 Gentlemen, I pass over what I have said on other occasions 
 in support of measures for river-and-harbor improvements, and in 
 defence of the grounds, of right and policy, on which I suppose 
 such measures to rest, and I come to certain recent and most 
 interesting occurrences. 
 
 It is well known, gentlemen, that a bill for the improvement 
 of harbors and the navigation of rivers passed both Houses in 
 July, 1846. This bill was disapproved by the President, and his 
 veto message, as it is called, was sent to Congress on the third 
 day of August. 
 
 This message, the first of its kind transmitted to Congress by 
 the present President of the United States, may well be supposed 
 to have been drawn up, not only with care, but also upon consul- 
 tation with his usual advisers, the heads of departments, whose 
 concurrence and support it no doubt received; at least it is not 
 known that any dissent was expressed in the cabinet, or by any 
 of its members; and its doctrines were supported by a majorit}- 
 of the President's friends in the House of Representatives, when 
 the bill was again put to the vote there, according to the forms of 
 the Constitution. It was lost, of course, by the want of concur- 
 rence of the votes of two-thirds of the members. 
 
 This veto message, as it is the most recent, may also be 
 regarded as the most authentic exposition of the principles and 
 opinions of those leading politicians who are opposed to grants of 
 money for improving harbors and rivers, and for works of similar 
 character. 
 
 The message is in everybody's hands, and has, of course, 
 been universally read. It is not my present purpose to comment 
 on it, except so far as to show in what light its doctrines and its 
 character struck me, and how widely it differed from my own 
 opinions. 
 
 Three or four months after the defeat of the Harbor Bill by 
 
114 CHICAGO RIVER-AND-HARBOR CONVENTION. 
 
 the veto message, on the 2d day of December, 1846, I made a- 
 speech to a meeting of merchants and other citizens of Phila- 
 delphia. On that occasion, so interesting a matter as the loss of 
 this bill could not but attract attention. From my printed 
 speech, delivered before that assemblage, I transcribe the follow- 
 ing extracts: 
 
 "Let us contemplate for a moment the Mississippi. This 
 noble and extraordinary stream, with seven or eight millions of 
 people on its banks, and on the waters falling into it, absolutely 
 calls for harbors, for clearing out rivers, for the removal of sfiags, 
 and other obstacles to safe navigation. Who is to do this? Will 
 any one of the States do it? Can all the States do it? Is it the 
 duty appropriate of any State, or any number of States? No, no, 
 we know it is not. We know that unless this government be- 
 placed in the hands of men who feel that- it is their constitutional, 
 authority and duty to make these improvements, they never will 
 be rnade, and the waters of the Mississippi will roll over snags,. 
 and snags, and snags for a century to come. 
 
 "These improvements must come from the government of the 
 United States, or, in the nature of things, they can not come at 
 all; and I say that every steamboat that is lost by one of these 
 s?iags — every life that is sacrificed — goes to make up a great 
 account against this government. Why, what a world is there I. 
 What rivers, and what cities on their banks! Cincinnati, New 
 Orleans, St. Louis, Louisville, Natchez, and others that spring up 
 while we are talking of them, or, indeed, before we begin to speak 
 of them — commercial marts, great places for exchange of com- 
 modities along these rivers, which are so many inland seas, as it 
 were! And what! the general government no authority over them 
 — no power of improvement? Why, that will be thought the 
 most incredible thing, hereafter, that ever was heard of. It will 
 not be believed that it ever had entered the head of any adminis- 
 tration that these were not objects deserving the care and atten- 
 tion of the government, i think, therefore, that the Harbor-Bill, 
 negatived by the President, raises a vital question. This question, 
 was put in Congress, it has been put since, it was put at the polls. 
 I put it now to be the question, whether these internal improve- 
 ments of the lakes and rivers shall be made or shall not be made;, 
 and those who say they shall not be made are right to adhere to 
 Mr. Polk, and those who say they shall be made, and must be 
 made, and they will have them made, why, then, they have the 
 work in their own hands, and they, being a majority of the people, 
 will do it. 1 do not know that we of the East and North have 
 any especial interest in this, but I tell you that we of the East 
 
APPENDIX — LETTER FROM DANIEL WEBSTER. II5 
 
 think that we have an especial interest in it. 1 have thought so, 
 at least, ever since I have been in Congress, and I believe all my 
 associates from Massachusetts have also thought so. We think 
 we have an interest— an especial interest — in manifesting a spirit 
 of liberality in regard to all expenses for improvements of those 
 parts of the country watered by the Mississippi and the lakes. 
 We think it belongs both to our interest and our reputation to 
 sustain improvements on the Western waters." 
 
 Now, let us not be carried away by a vague notion that the 
 Constitution of the United States has no power to make internal 
 improvements, and therefore does not authorize expenditures on a 
 harbor. We are speaking of things, not by any general name, not 
 by classification or classes, we are speaking of things by phrases 
 descriptive of the things themselves. We call a harbor a harbor. 
 If the President of the United States says that is a matter of inter- 
 nal improvement, why then I say that the name can not alter the 
 thing the thing is a harbor. And does not every one of these 
 harbors touch navigable waters? Is not every ane of them on the 
 shore of the sea, bay, gulf, or navigable river? and are not the 
 navigable waters of the ocean, the gulf, and bays, and rivers, are 
 they not all for commercial purposes, out of the jurisdiction of the 
 States, and in the jurisdiction of the United States? 
 
 How can it be said that these are within the particular juris- 
 diction of the States? Wherever the money is so expended, it is 
 expended within the jurisdiction of the United States, and for the 
 purposes conceded to it by the Constitution, that is to say, the 
 regulation and protection of commerce. 
 
 But now let us go to the origin of this power. Let us appeal 
 from the opinions of the President of the United States to the 
 written text of the Constitution, and let us see what that is. The 
 power of the government of the United States in this respect is 
 expressed in the Constitution in a very few words. It says that 
 Congress shall have p07ver to regulate commerce ivith foreign nations, 
 and among the several States, and with the Indian tribes! 
 
 The whole force is concentrated in that word, "regulate." 
 Well, Mr. Polk himself admits that the word regulate, as applied 
 to facilities for foreign trade, does extend to the making of bea- 
 cons, piers, and light-houses; but his whole message attempts 
 to run a distinction between foreign trade and trade between the 
 States. 
 
 But the power over each is given in the same clause of the 
 Constitution, in the very same words, and is exactly of equal 
 length and breadth with the other. If one is denied, both are 
 denied; if one is conceded, both must be conceded. It is 
 
Il6 CHICAGO RIVER-AND-HARBOR CONVENTION. 
 
 impossible to separate them by any argument or logical process 
 worthy of the statesman's mind. It is wholly arbitrary, I say, 
 without the least foundation, to say that Congress may make 
 provision for a harbor accommodation for foreign commerce, 
 and not for domestic trade. Is the latter not as important as the 
 former? Is not the breakwater at the mouth of the Delaware 
 Bay as important for the trade of Philadelphia with New Orleans 
 as with Liverpool? and so everywhere else? Is not our coasting- 
 trade one of the largest branches of our maritime interest, and 
 can we yet do nothing for that? 
 
 It is strange that any man should entertain the idea that such 
 a distinction could be drawn. I have before me a long list of 
 acts of Congress, of a good deal of importance, as I think, tend- 
 ing to show that the President is mistaken when he speaks of the 
 acquiescence and approbation of the people in opinions adverse 
 to Harbor improvements. The opinion both of Congress and 
 the people seems quite the other way. 
 
 Gentlemen, I now propose to quit this question. In the free 
 discussions that have taken place on it, in and out of Congress, 
 the argument is exhausted. The question is, Whether we are 
 convinced, and whether we are to stand up to our convictions? 
 The question is, Whether the great West, so important a part of 
 the country, bearing its share of all the common burdens, is to be 
 struck out of all participation in the benefits which are bestowed 
 upon other portions of the Union? I think not. The question 
 is put already. I expect to hear an answer to it from the ^torth, 
 North- West, and the South. But, then, I do not rely upon con- 
 ventions at Memphis, at St. Louis; I do not rely on resolutions. 
 I rely on the disposition of the people to understand what their 
 constitutional rights are, and then to take care that those con- 
 stitutional rights shall be fairly protected, by being intrusted to 
 proper hands. 
 
 But, before I entirely leave this part of the subject, I must 
 say a word upon an important report made to the Senate at the 
 last session, by a committee to whom the resolutions passed by 
 the Memphis Convention were referred. A distinguished Senator 
 from South Carolina (Mr. Calhoun) was chairman of the Commit- 
 tee, and framed that elaborate report. So far as he admits any 
 thing done by Congress to have been rightfully done, and admits 
 any degree of authority in Congress to do what has not yet been 
 done, I concur with him. The rest I reject, for I do not think 
 the distinctions taken by that eminent man are sound. I regret 
 that it is my misfortune to differ with him. 
 
 The report proposes, I may state in brief, that where a river 
 
Al'I'EXDIX — LETTER FROM DANIEL WEBSTER. II7 
 
 divides two States, or only two States are concerned, these two 
 States must make the necessary improvements themselves. I do 
 not agree with that; I do not suppose that it is any matter of 
 consequence whether the necessary improvements are connected 
 with two States, or four, or only one. 
 
 It is not a question of location — it is a question of public 
 importance. Look, for instance, at that portion of the North 
 River which runs between two shores, both of which belong to 
 New York'. There, I suppose, the power of Congress over Gov- 
 ernor Marcy's overslaugh farm, as it is called, is as perfect as it 
 is to make a similar improvement further down, where the river 
 divides the States of New York and New Jersey. The distinc- 
 tion attempted, as it strikes me, is a distinction without a differ- 
 ence. 
 
 Well, having thus alluded, in the most respectful manner, to 
 the report of the Committee of the Senate, and not having time to 
 discuss its propositions at any considerable length, I will now, by 
 way of conclusion, give you my opinion on all this question of 
 the power of making harbors. In my opinion, Congress has the 
 power to make harbors on the rivers and the lakes, to the full 
 extent to which it has ever proposed to exercise such power. 
 
 That, whether these proposed harbors be judged useful for 
 foreign commerce, or only for commerce among the States them- 
 selves, the principle is the same, and the constitutional power 
 given in the same clause and in the same words. 
 
 That Congress has power to clear out obstructions from all 
 rivers suited to the purposes of commerce, foreign or domestic, 
 and to improve their navigation and utility by appropriations 
 from the treasury of the United States. 
 
 That, whether a river divides two States or more than two, or 
 runs through two States or more than two, or is wholly confined 
 to one State, is immaterial, provided its importance to commerce, 
 foreign or domestic, be admitted. 
 
 For instance, the North River is a navigable, tide-water river 
 for many miles, while running entirely within the territory of the 
 State of New York. Yet I suppose the removing of obstructions 
 in this part of the river is as fully within the power of Congress as 
 the removing of obstructions in the other parts of the river, where 
 it divides New York from New Jersey. 
 
 I think it wholly immaterial whether a proposed improvement 
 in a river for commercial purposes be above or below an actual 
 existing port of entry. 
 
 If, instead of clearing out the rocks, and in that manner 
 improving the channel of a river, it is found better to make a 
 
Il8 CHICAGO RIVER-AND-HARBOR CONVENTION. 
 
 canal around falls which are in it, I have no doubt whatever of 
 the power of Congress to construct such a canal. I think, for 
 instance, that Congress has power to purchase the Louisville 
 Canal around the Falls of the Ohio, and that it ought to exercise 
 that power now, if the work can be purchased at a reasonable 
 price; and that the canal should then be free to all who have 
 occasion to use it, reserving such tolls only as should be suffi- 
 cient to keep the works in repair. 
 
 It seems to me that these propositions all flow from the nature 
 of our government, and its equal power over trade with foreign 
 nations and among the States, and from the fact resulting from 
 these powers, that the commerce of the United States is a unit. 
 
 I have no conception of any such thing as seems to be 
 thought possible by the report of the Committee of the Senate, 
 that is, an external commerce existing between the two States, 
 carried on by the laws and regulations of their own, whether 
 such laws and regulations were adopted with or without the 
 consent of Congress. 
 
 I do not understand how there can be a Pennsylvania vessel, 
 built, manned, and equipped under Pennsylvania laws, trading as 
 such Pennsylvania vessel with New York or Maryland, or having 
 any rights or privileges not conferred by acts of Congress ; and, 
 consequently, that the idea is unfounded which supposes that 
 when only two States are interested in the navigation of a river, 
 or its waters touch only the shores of two States, the improvement 
 of such river is excluded from the power of Congress, and must 
 be left to the care of the two States themselves, under an agree- 
 ment which they may enter into, with the consent of Congress, 
 for that purpose. 
 
 In my opinion, the provision of the Constitution which for- 
 bids a State from entering into any alliance, compact, or agree- 
 ment with another State, without consent of Congress, can draw 
 after it no such conclusion as that, with the consent of Congress, 
 two States ought to be bound to improve the navigation of a river 
 which separates their territories; and that, therefore, the power of 
 Congress to make such improvements is taken away. A river 
 flowing between two States, and two States only, may be highly 
 important to the commerce of the whole Union. It is sufficient 
 to say that the whole argument is founded on the notion that the 
 Constitution prohibits more than two States from entering into 
 agreements, even with the consent of Congress. 
 
 This is manifestly untenalile. The Constitution extends as 
 fully to agreements between three, four, or five States, as between 
 two only, and the consent of Congress makes an agreement 
 
APPENDIX — LETTER EROM DANIEL WEBSTER. I IQ 
 
 between five as valid as between two. If, therefore, two States 
 can improve rivers with the consent of Congress, so can five or 
 more, and if it be a sufficient reason for denying the power of 
 Congress to improve a river in a particular case, that two States 
 can themselves do it, having first obtained the consent of Con- 
 gress, is an equally valid reason in the case where five or ten 
 .States are concerned. They, too, may do the same thing with 
 the consent of Congress. The distinction, therefore, between 
 what may be done by Congress where only two States are con- 
 cerned with a river, and what may be done in cases where more 
 than two are so connected, entirely vanishes. I hold the whole 
 doctrine of the report of the committee on this point to be 
 unsound. I am also of the opinion that there is no difference 
 between the power to construct a pier and the power to construct 
 a harbor. I think that a single pier of itself affords a degree of 
 shelter and protection from winds and seas; that two parallel 
 piers make a harbor; and that, if one pier may be rightfully con- 
 structed, it is no extravagant stretch of constitutional power to 
 construct another. In fine, I am of opinion that Congress does 
 •constitutionally possess the power of establishing light-houses, 
 buoys, beacons, piers, breakwaters, and harbors on the ocean, 
 the Gulf, the lakes, and the navigable rivers; that it does consti- 
 tutionally possess the power of improving the great rivers of the 
 country, clearing out their channels by deepening them or remov- 
 ing obstructions, in order to render navigation upon them more 
 safe for life and property; and that, for the same reason, Congress 
 may construct canals around falls in rivers, in all necessary cases. 
 
 All this authority, in my opinion, flows from the power over 
 •commerce, foreign and domestic, conferred on Congress by the 
 Constitution : and if auxiliary considerations or corroborative argu- 
 ment be required, they are found in two facts, viz.: ist. That 
 improvements such as have been mentioned, whether on the 
 ocean or the Gulf, on the lakes or the rivers, are improvements 
 Avhich, from their nature, are such as no single State, nor any num- 
 ber of States, can make, or ought to be called on to make. All 
 idea of States undertaking such improvements is, in my opinion, 
 preposterous. And, in the second place, as all the revenues 
 •derived from commerce accrue to the general government, and 
 none of it to the States, the charge of improving the means of 
 •commerce and commercial intercourse, by such works as have 
 been mentioned, properly devolves on the treasury of that gov- 
 ernment, and on that treasury alone. 
 
 1 shall not trouble you, gentlemen, with any farther reference 
 to opinions expressed by me on the subject of Harbor-and- River 
 Improvements. 
 
I20 CHICAGO RIVER-AND-HARBOR CONVENTION. 
 
 Every successive year, and, I rnay say, every successive 
 month, strengthens and confirms these opinions, and I feel now. 
 as I have always felt, that in the end they must prevail, and that 
 end, I think, approaches. At the last session of Congress, a 
 Harbor bill, similar in principle to that of the preceding session, 
 passed both Houses of Congress, but it passed within the last ten 
 days of the session ; the President saw fit to retain it, as he had 
 the power of doing, without approving or returning it, and, of 
 course, it did not become a law. I suppose there is no doubt 
 that the repeated loss of this great measure, by the refusal of the 
 executive government to co-operate in it, has been the immediate 
 cause of the calling of the Convention at Chicago. I wish all 
 possible success and favorable results to the deliberations of that 
 Convention. It may, I trust it will, do much good. It may 
 hasten the triumph of a cause which is most assuredly destined 
 to triumph. A great majority of the people are satisfied that the 
 power to make these improvements does exist in the government 
 of the United States, and that it is the bounden duty of the 
 government to exercise that power. The will of the people is 
 ascertained, it can not be doubted, and it will prevail. Not to 
 mention other cases, I ask if any one imagines that an enlight- 
 ened community will long consent that the shipping and commer- 
 cial accommodations of the City of Buffalo shall be pent u}) 
 in the narrow dimensions of Buffalo Creek? or does any one 
 suppose that any government, or any administration, can receive 
 any support and confidence, which refuses all Harbor Improve- 
 ments to the City in which the Convention is now to assemble? 
 Chicago, a commercial place of recent origin, is already a large 
 city. It is the seaport of IlHnois. It is now accessible by 
 vessels from the Atlantic Ocean. It is also on a great line of 
 internal communication from Boston and New York to New 
 Orleans; shall it have no convenient harbor? Shall it be able 
 to afford no safe refuge for property and life from the storms 
 which vex the lake? 
 
 You have been pleased, gentlemen, to call a Convention 
 without regard to the distinctions of party. I am glad of it. I 
 am glad to find that it is believed that persons belonging to a 
 party which heretofore, as a party, has strenuously opposed 
 Harbor Improvements, are now ready to join in measures for 
 their support. I have no doubt that this is true. I have no 
 doubt, especially, that among the younger part of our fellow- 
 citizens, who have not been, in times past, hopelessly committed 
 on these subjects, a just and unprejudiced opinion is fast making 
 its way. The truth is, that of the two great parties which have 
 
APPENDIX — LP:TTER FROM DANIEL WEBSTER. 12 1 
 
 divided the country, one has been for Internal Improvements^ 
 and one against them; but in this latter party individuals have 
 been found, principally, I believe, from the Western and North- 
 western States, who have voted for such improvements, and 
 thereby created a majority in their favor in the House of Repre- 
 sentatives, against the general voice of their party, and against 
 the wishes and vetoes of the executive government Broad and 
 deep as has been the division of parties, yet these individuals 
 have felt constrained, by a sense of duty and a clear conviction 
 of what the public good requires, to reject the force of party ties, 
 and vote with their opponents. This conduct is patriotic and 
 honorable, and, I hope, will be imitated by others. Indeed, I 
 should rejoice to see that which has so long been a party ques- 
 tion become a national question, and a question which shall have 
 but one side to it. I should rejoice to see no difference of 
 opinion on a topic of such vital and general interest. This, 
 however, I may perhaps not see; but I shall see, I am sure, the 
 cause of Internal Improvement triumph by decided majorities. 
 I shall see the Lake Harbors improved, and new ones constructed;. 
 I shall see the noble rivers of the West cleared of their obstruc- 
 tions; I shall see the great internal interests of the country 
 protected and advanced by a wise, liberal, and constitutional 
 exercise of the powers of the government. 
 
 In laying this communication before the Convention, I pray 
 you, gentlemen, to tender to its members my personal regards, 
 and I pray you also to accept for yourselves my respects and 
 good wishes. Daniel Webster. 
 
 To Messrs. N. B. Judd, E. W. Tracy, Thomas Hoyne, Wm. B. 
 Ogden, S. J. Lowe, G. W. Meeker, and W. L. Whiting, Committee. 
 
 The remarks of Mr. Spencer of New York, on the introduction 
 of the report of the Committee on Resolutions, contain the only 
 formal exposition of the views of the Committee which were 
 presented to the Convention, and are necessary to a full under- 
 standing of some of the propositions submitted. With the advice 
 of numerous Delegates, the Committee on the publication of the 
 proceedings have concluded to insert those remarks in the Ap- 
 pendix, believing they would thereby render an acceptable service 
 to those interested in the subject, and would not depart from the 
 spirit of the resolution appointing them. 
 
 They are informed by Mr. S. that in preparing them for the 
 press, he has adhered as closely as his memory would permit to 
 the chain of argument presented to the Convention; but that he 
 has amplified with such illustrations as he thought would be use- 
 
122 CHICAGO RIVER-AND-HARBOR CONVENTION. 
 
 fill, and which he was prevented from presenting to the Conven- 
 tion by the state of his health and by his unwillingness to detain 
 the Delegates. 
 
 Remarks of John C. Spencer. 
 John C. Spencer of New York, rose after the reading of the 
 report of the Committee on Resolutions, and addressed the Con- 
 vention substantially as follows : 
 
 After thanking the members of the Convention for the cordial 
 and flattering welcome they had given him, Mr. Spencer said he 
 would not abuse their kindness by protracted remarks beyond 
 what the occasion seemed to require. Some of the propositions 
 reported required explanations, while others contained assertions, 
 the proof of which should be exhibited before they were sanc- 
 tioned by this meeting, and the general result of the whole series 
 should be stated and illustrated. This duty he would now under- 
 take. 
 
 He would assume thsCt every one who heard him was ac- 
 quainted with the language of the Constitution of the United 
 States; instead of quoting it, he should, in most instances, merely 
 refer to the clause bearing upon the matter under consideration. 
 The question which he should first examine related to the consti- 
 tutional power of Congress to appropriate the common funds ot 
 the people of this Union to the improvement of the navigation of 
 the lakes and navigable rivers of the interior, so as to facilitate 
 the existing commerce among the States, and to open new ave- 
 nues and channels for that commerce. 
 
 A stranger, unacquainted with the disputes which have arisen, 
 would be struck with surprise at the existence of a doubt whether 
 any human government could be so badly constituted as to be 
 incapable of applying the means at its disposal to the protection 
 and maintenance of any essential interests of the community for 
 whose benefit it was instituted. 'J 'he exchange among themselves 
 of the products of a people inhabiting different climes, cultivating 
 different soils, and employed in occupations of almost infinite 
 variety, would naturally be supposed to be the very first object 
 of any government established by sach a people. That exchange 
 being dependent wholly upon the facilities of transportation, the 
 end to be attained can be effected only by creating or improving 
 such facilities. To suppose a government framed deliberately by 
 a people in such manner as to deprive it of a power possessed by 
 every other government on the face of the earth — a power to enable 
 its citizens to reach a market with the products of their industry, 
 and to return with the exchanges of other portions of their country 
 
APPENDIX — REMARKS OF JOHN C. SPENCER. I 23 
 
 and of foreign lands — would be imputing a degree of fatuity to 
 our ancestors — to the strong heads and full and brave hearts that 
 carried us through our revolutionary struggle, which no descend- 
 ant of theirs ought to be willing to acknowledge; and yet this is 
 our precise condition in relation to internal trade, unless the 
 power referred to is vested in the federal government. I speak 
 now of. that internal trade which is described in the Constitution 
 as "commerce among the States," and which requires for its regu- 
 lation the concurrence of two or more States The prohibition 
 in that instrument, that "no State shall enter into any treaty, 
 alliance, or confederation" (section 10, article i), would appar- 
 ently interpose an insuperable obstacle to any preliminary treaty 
 to secure the necessary concurrence. There is an apparent con- 
 flict between this and another prohibition of the same instrument, 
 that "no State shall, without the consent of Congress, enter into 
 any agreement or compact with another State" (same article, 
 section 2, sub.). This last clause, however, can not be supposed 
 to have intended that any States could, by compact, even with 
 the assent of (Congress, exercise jurisdiction over subjects already 
 expressly vested exclusively in that body. Thus it can not be 
 that two or more States could by compact regulate commerce 
 with foreign nations; and especially for the reasons which will 
 subsequently appear, the framers of the Constitution could not 
 have been willing to throw such an apple of discord as to allow 
 them to regulate commerce among the States; a power which 
 was carefully withheld for most powerful reasons. It doubtless 
 refers to those agreements which execute themselves, and do 
 not look to future cooperation, which would be an alliance. 
 Questions of boundary, or relating to common fisheries, or other 
 common property, might with propriety be amicably settled by 
 the States interested. But still the assent of Congress was 
 required as a check upon any attempt to "form an alliance or 
 confederation." As any agreement to regulate commerce among 
 themselves would necessarily require an alliance for their com- 
 mon protection, such an agreement would fall within the abso- 
 lute prohibition of the Constitution. And if it fell within the 
 other clause, which it does not, still the independent power of 
 the ^State is effectually denied by requiring the permission of 
 Congress. But the views already presented, it is presumed, 
 sufficiently show that it is impossible there could be even a 
 contingent concurrent power over a subject that from its nature 
 required exclusive control by the general government. We may 
 safely conclude, therefore, that all power over foreign commerce, 
 or commerce among the States, is absolutely prohibited to the 
 States. 
 
124 CHICAGO RIVER-AND-HARBOR CONVENTION, 
 
 Since, then, it has been shown that the power in question 
 ought to be possessed by some one of the two governments 
 under which we live, and that it is not vested in the state gov- 
 ernments, we are furnished at the threshold of the inquiry with 
 the fair presumption that it does exist in the federal government. 
 An investigation of the history of the debates in the Convention 
 that formed the Constitution affords the most satisfactory evi- 
 dence that the power was intended to be given to that govern- 
 ment in the broadest amplitude declared by the propositions 
 under discussion. Whoever reads those debates will find that 
 the power to lay and collect imposts, given to Congress, and the 
 denial of that power to the States, except for special purposes 
 (and even then to pay the proceeds to the national treasury), 
 were considered in connection with the power to regulate com- 
 merce, and that the limitations of the latter were intended to 
 correspond exactly with the former; in other words, that by the 
 clause to regulate commerce it was intended to give to Congress 
 an authority commensurate with the means, and to impose a 
 duty in the application of those means correspondent with the 
 objects which it was supposed the several States would seek to 
 promote if they retained them. 
 
 The ground on which it was proposed to vest in Congress 
 the exclusive power to levy imposts were, ist. To secure a uni- 
 form rule by which foreign trade would be governed; 2d. To 
 prevent conflicts among the States; 3d. To obviate the danger 
 of the Atlantic States taxing the Western and interior States, by 
 imposing duties on goods passing through them, in order to pro- 
 mote their own interests at the expense of their neighbors; and it 
 was particularly mentioned that there was danger of the Atlantic 
 States opposing the improvement of the navigation of the Missis- 
 sippi. This last view was pressed particularly by Gouverneur Mor- 
 ris, a delegate from New York. Mr. Clymer, from Pennsylvania, 
 objected to the grant of all the revenues derived from imposts to 
 the federal government, because he thought "the encouragement 
 of the Western country was suicide on the part of the old States.'' 
 This discussion, and particularly the last remark, indicate, with 
 the clearness and force of concentrated sunbeams from heaven, 
 the objects and motives of the men who formed our Constitution. 
 They had themselves passed through the perils of the Revolution, 
 and the equal perils of the Confederation. They knew what were 
 the future dangers to be apprehended. They were unwilling to 
 subject their t)ffspring and their brethren, who should emigrate to 
 the West, to the tyranny and oppression of the. old States; but 
 determimed, in the spirit of liberality which common suffering 
 
APPENDIX — REMARKS OF JOHN C. SPENCER. I 25 
 
 had produced, that the American people, whether at the West or 
 at the East, should be one — one out of many — one out of many 
 in interest, one in affection, in protection, and one in glory and 
 honor. They resolved, by an overwhelming vote, that the reve- 
 nues derived from imposts should be placed, in trust for the 
 whole, in the hands of the general goverment; and to enable it 
 to apply those and all other general funds, they gave to the same 
 government the power "to regulate commerce with foreign nations 
 and among the States"; and the occasion and manner of giving 
 this power, as well as the arguments for and against it, demon- 
 strated what they meatit by "commerce among the States." 
 
 There are other facts and occurrences in the debates which 
 confirm this conclusion; but I am unwilling to detain you by 
 cjuoting them, and prefer to let the great incident which has been 
 quoted stand out in all its strength and force, as a landmark of 
 the Constitution. 
 
 In seeking for the meaning of the framers of the Constitution 
 in the use of the term, "regulate commerce," w^e have a right to 
 interpret it as it has ever been understood in all treaties, laws, 
 and public documents; and that interpretation has universally 
 given to the word "regulate" the utmost latitude of power, and 
 the most complete control of the subject, which any other word 
 or set of words in the language can impart. In this sense it was 
 familiar to those who thus used it. 
 
 Another source of construction is to be found in the acts of 
 the government, particularly when it was composed of those 
 wise and good men who had been members of the Convention. 
 Exactly one month after the government began under the Con- 
 stitution, namely, on the 7th of April, 1789, an act was passed 
 by Congress, and approved and signed by Washington, "for the 
 establishment of light-houses, buoys, beacons, and public piers," 
 which directs that such of the said works as had been constructed 
 by the States should be maintained by the federal government ; 
 and it authorized a new light-house. The further history of legis- 
 lation on those subjects I propose to give in the language of a 
 departed president. General Jackson, in his message of Decem- 
 ber, 1830: "The practice of defraying, out of the treasury of the 
 United States, the expenses incurred by the establishment and 
 support of light-houses, beacons, buoys, and public piers, within 
 the bays, inlets, and harbors, and ports of the United States, to 
 render the navigation thereof safe and easy, is coeval with the 
 adoption of the Constitution, and has been continued without 
 interruption or dispute." 
 
 Such, then, are the facts of the case ; such has been the 
 
126 CHICAGO RIVER-AND-HARBOR CONVENTION. 
 
 unvaried construction of the power to "regulate commerce." To 
 what respect and confidence is it entitled? I prefer again to give 
 you the answer in the language of General Jackson, in his mes- 
 sage returning the Maysville-Road Bill: "For although it is the 
 duty of all to look to that sacred instrument (the Constitution) 
 instead of the statute-book, to repudiate at all times encroach- 
 ments on its spirit, which are too apt to be effected by the con- 
 juncture of peculiar and facilitating circumstances, it is not less 
 true that the public good, and the nature of our poHtical institu- 
 tions, require that individual differences should yield to a well- 
 setded acquiesence of the people and confederated authorities 
 in particular constructions of the Constitution on doubtful points. 
 Not to concede this much to the spirit of our institutions would 
 impair their stability, and defeat the objects of the Constitution 
 itself." I do not quote this because it is new or extraordinary, 
 but because, coming .from such a man, whose heart was always in 
 the right place, whatever may have been the errors of his head, 
 who will not be suspected of any disposition to latitudinarian 
 doctrines, it may be received with more confidence by many than 
 if the same sentiment had been quoted from other eminent states- 
 men and writers.* 
 
 We have now seen the construction given to this power "to 
 regulate commerce" in its applicatian to harbors on the rivers of 
 the Atlantic coast. We claim the same construction of the same 
 power in favor of harbors on the interior lakes and navigable 
 rivers, upon the ground that such harbors are necessary to "com- 
 
 At a subsequent period of the proceedings of the Convention, a delegate 
 offered a resolution declaring the necessity of amendment to the Constitution, 
 to enable Congress to make appropriations for "internal improvements;" and 
 stated that it was taken from the same message of General Jackson, in relation 
 to the Maysville Road, w^hich has already been quoted from by Mr. Spencer. 
 To which Mr. Spencer replied that the message referred to was the veto of a 
 bill making appi-opriations for a local turnpike, and that it was in reference to 
 such internal improvements that General Jackson deeemed an amendment to- 
 the Constitution necessary, but that his suggestion was not intended to apply 
 to appropriations for objects connected with commerce among the States. 
 
 In further illustration of the point of difference, it is proper to observe^ 
 that in his message of December, 1830, General Jackson states explicitly that 
 he should not withhold his assent to bills making direct appropriations for 
 light-houses, beacons, piers, etc., upon navigable rivers and harbors within 
 collection districts established by Congress, and where, of course, ports of 
 entry would be located. The existence of a collection district, established in 
 good faith, would be evidence of foreign commerce, or commerce among the 
 States, being carried on from the ports of such district, so that vessels would 
 be registered, or enrolled, and licensed there. And thus it will be seen that 
 his idea of the meaning of the power to regulate commerce among the States 
 was really the same with that maintained in the remarks of Mr. Spencer, and 
 in the propositions of the Convention. 
 
APPENDIX— REMARKS OF JOHN C. SPENCER. \2J 
 
 merce among the States.'' There is nothing in the terms of the 
 grant to justify any difference; and the only question is, What is 
 "commerce among the States?" I have endeavored to show 
 what the framers of the Constitution intended, and what must be 
 comprehended within the term, in order to carry out their design 
 of applying the means derived from imposts to the equal benefit 
 of the interior States; and that, unless the power to improve the 
 means of commercial intercourse between two or more States be 
 given to the federal government, it exists nowhere. The infer- 
 ence, then, seems irresistible and conclusive, that such power is 
 vested in Congress, and that its limitations are to be found in 
 those provisions of the Constitution which forbid alliances be- 
 tween States, or, in other words, that where all authority on the 
 given subject is denied to the States, by denying to them the 
 modes of action essential to its exercise, or where no one State 
 has the requisite jurisdiction over the locality, or over the inci- 
 dents essential to the contemplated improvement, then it results, 
 of necessity, that the authority must be exercised by the general 
 government. Again, as expressed in the second proposition 
 reported by the committee, wherever the expense of the under- 
 taking ought to be equitably borne by two or more States, it 
 would be fairly within the scope of the power given to Congress. 
 Still, the contemplated undertaking should be such as to form a 
 link in the chain of communication between two or more States. 
 Every improvement or facility to commerce must necessarily be 
 local ; a light-house or a pier must be at some place, and that 
 place must be within some State or Territory. Its locality in 
 Itself does not necessarily determine its purpose; that is to be 
 ascertained from the circumstances of its position in reference to- 
 communications between and among different States. And a 
 sound judgment, aided by common honesty, will encounter no 
 greater difficulties in determining upon the facts of the case, 
 what is the fair and legitimate purpose of the proposed improve- 
 ment, than such as must be met in legislating upon any subject 
 within the competency of Congress; and, being thus eminently 
 and peculiarly a question of fact, its determination appropriately 
 belongs to the legislative department of the government, which 
 possesses the means of ascertaining the facts. But, in truth, the 
 disputes respecting the extent and limitation of this power have 
 been theoretical rather than practical, and have arisen from deal- 
 ing more with words than with things. Let it be our object to 
 bring the discussion back to the few elementary principles and 
 the plain facts upon which alone it should be considered. 
 
 There are some collateral facts and considerations to strengthen 
 
128 CHICAGO RIVER-AND-HARBOR CONVENTION. 
 
 and confirm the conclusion that the power to "regulate commerce 
 among the States" authorizes appropriations for the improvement 
 of harbors and the navigation of rivers in the interior, when such 
 improvements fall within the limitations already mentioned. One 
 of these is the fact that the federal government has established 
 light-houses at various points on the lakes and at the mouths of 
 rivers emptying into them, and that this has been done without 
 a murmur of objection from any quarter, in or out of Congress, 
 of any want of constitutional authority. This authority can be 
 derived only from the power to regulate commerce, for there is 
 no other that has any connection whatever with the subject. 
 The authority to exercise exclusive legislation over places ceded 
 by the States for forts, magazines, and other needful buildings, is 
 not an authority to erect such buildings, but proceeds on the 
 assumption that such authority already existed. It therefore gives 
 no power for the building of light-houses; but it does contain 
 a most important implication, namely, that Congress may author- 
 ize the erection of forts, magazines, and other needful buildings, 
 although no explicit power for that purpose is to be found in the 
 Constitution. The practice of the government from its founda- 
 tion, "without interruption or dispute," under the power "to dispose 
 of and make all needful rules and regulations respecting the terri- 
 tory and other property of the United States," has a conclusive 
 bearing upon the question. Under this power money and land 
 have been appropriated to construct roads, clear out rivers, con- 
 nect streams, and in various ways to improve communications 
 through the territories; and one of the latest acts of the kind 
 appropriates land to the amount of $700,000 to connect the 
 Wisconsin and Fox Rivers. Now, it is very true that the federal 
 government, as a great land proprietor, is bound to enhance the 
 value of its own property by improvements, and it would be 
 monstrous if it did not possess the power. Still we are bound to 
 inquire, In what part of the Constitution is such power found? 
 It is to be found only in the clause quoted, "to make needful 
 rules and regulations;" for a grant of money from the treasury for 
 such purposes can not, without violence to all reasonable con- 
 struction, be considered an act under the power "to dispose of" 
 the territory or other property. 
 
 Another consideration in favor of the construction for which 
 we contend, arises from the acts of the federal government in 
 extending its jurisdiction, for other than revenue purposes, over 
 the interior rivers and lakes. I have never heard a doubt ex- 
 pressed, and certainly none was intimated in Congress, of the 
 constitutionality of the act of I'SsS, to provide for the security of 
 
APPENDIX — REMARKS OF JOHN C. SPENCER. 1 29 
 
 the lives of passengers on board of vessels propelled by steam. 
 By this act, steam vessels navigating the sea, or the lakes Cham- 
 plain, Ontario, Erie, Huron, Superior, and Michigan, which are 
 specifically named, or any bays, lakes, rivers, or other navigable 
 streams of the United States, are required to be inspected by 
 officers appointed under the authority of the United States, and 
 to take out licenses from them, and are subject to forfeiture and 
 heavy penalties for violating the provisions of the law. No one 
 will doubt the wisdom, nay, the obsolute necessity, for such a law, 
 a necessity arising not only from the ignorance and recklessness 
 of those having charge of steam vessels, but a still stronger neces- 
 sity that such a law should be passed by the federal government, 
 and enforced by its tribunals, arising from the utter inability of 
 the States separately to regulate the subject. And here is a 
 remarkable instance and proof of the extent which must be given 
 to the power ''to regulate commerce among the States," in order 
 that the general government may fulfill the duties and perform 
 the functions for which it was created. 
 
 A similar instance is furnished by the more recent act of 
 1845, giving jurisdiction to the district courts of the United 
 States in matters of contract and tort, "arising in, or upon, or con- 
 cerning steamboats and other vessels of twenty tons burden and 
 upward, enrolled and licensed for the coasting -trade, and at the 
 time employed in business of navigation and commerce between 
 ports and places in different States and Territories, upon the lakes 
 and navigable waters connecting such lakes.'' Here is a descrip- 
 tion of commerce among the States essentially like that for which 
 we contend, and here is an assertion of the authority of the 
 United States to exercise admiralty and maritime jurisdiction 
 over that commerce. The difficulties and embarrassments expe- 
 rienced by the United States courts in enforcing contracts, and 
 punishing wrongs and trespasses made or committed in the cases 
 described, are familiar to professional men; and it is equally well 
 known that the State courts were totally inadequate to afford anv 
 remedy in that class of cases. And this law may also be cited 
 as a most happy illustration of the extent of the meaning of the 
 power under which it was enacted, of regulating commerce among 
 the States. 
 
 There are other instances of the exercise of similar jurisdic- 
 tion, particularly the laws requiring hospital money from mariners 
 navigating the lakes and interior rivers, but it is not deemed 
 necessary to dwell on them. 
 
 Here, then, we take a position which we believe to be im- 
 pregnable. By these acts, the absolute necessity of which is 
 9 
 
I30 CHICAGO RIVER-AND-HARBOR CONVENTION. 
 
 undeniable, the federal government has asserted, and rightfully 
 maintained, its jurisdiction over that "commerce among States" 
 which we contend is within the grant of the power of Congress. 
 This jurisdiction has been actually exercised by its courts, with- 
 out question or dispute, and no one has had the hardihood to 
 question the constitutionality of these laws. 
 
 If, then. Congress may thus regulate commerce among the 
 States in these various modes, by what authority and under what 
 pretext shall its power be circumscribed to these modes, and 
 prevented from operating in any other mode of regulating the 
 same commerce? Those who would maintain such a limitation 
 of the power of Congress must be driven to the point of denying 
 the constitutionality of the .laws quoted, and thus rendering our 
 whole form of government "a mockery, a delusion."' And to the 
 federal government have we not a right to say, you have gone 
 too far in regulating commerce among the States to recede from 
 your position, or to justify you in refusing to advance in the same 
 line, as far as the exigencies of the subject and the paramount 
 interests of the people require. You are precluded by your own 
 acts. You have acknowledged this commerce among the States 
 to be a national subject; you have "regulated" it as such in vari- 
 ous modes, and, to be consistent, you must proceed in your regu- 
 lation to afford the necessary facilities to that commerce, or you 
 must renounce the jurisdiction you have assumed, and leave the 
 citizens of the United States in a worse condition than that in 
 which they were at the adoption of the Constitution. 
 
 Here, then, I rest the argument in favor of the power of Con- 
 gress to regulate our internal commerce by granting it facilities 
 to the full extent already indicated. Such a power is absolutely 
 necessary to the well-being of any people; it is not possessed by 
 the States; it ought to be vested in the federal government; the 
 framers of the Constitution intended so to vest it; the government 
 itself has received and exercised it with the sanction of the whole 
 people, in a manner that defines its extent; and the whole legis- 
 lation of Congress upon the most important rights and interests 
 of the citizens must be overturned, and the direst anarchy and 
 confusion must ensue, if the principle be abandoned. 
 
 But I am not disposed to leave our adversaries in possession 
 of ground which they have appropriated to themselves, as I be- 
 lieve, unwarrantably. They vindicate the appropriations made 
 for the improvement of harbors and rivers on the Atlantic coast, 
 on the ground that it is legitimately within the power to regu- 
 late commerce with foreign nations, because such commerce is 
 national, and they deny this character to commerce among the 
 
APPENDIX — REMARKS OF JOHN C. SPENCER. 131 
 
 States. But we maintain that whatever subject is within the juris- 
 diction of the federal government, is, by the very fact, national ; 
 that the union of the States is national, not only in its relations 
 to foreign countries, but equally so in its relations to the several 
 States; and it would by no means follow that a subject ceased to 
 be national by its want of connection with our foreign commerce. 
 The conclusion does not flow from the premises; but the premises 
 are unsound. Foreign commerce consists of two parts, imports 
 and exports, and, ex vi termini^ exports not only constitute a por- 
 tion of foreign commerce, but are the elements by which alone it 
 can be conducted. 
 
 Upon what principle will you stop short in the protection of 
 foreign commerce — at the wharf at \Ndiich your exports are put on 
 board a ship bound to a foreign port? Is not that cargo as much 
 an export while it is descending a navigable stream to reach the 
 wharf as it is when it arrives there? and if the same cargo is 
 obliged to be transported over our great lakes, to be carried to 
 its destined wharf, is it therefore any less an export? and does it 
 lose its character by being transmitted down a river emptying 
 into a lake for the same purpose? 
 
 Again : When does an importation from abroad lose its char- 
 acter of an import in a commercial sense? Is the hogshead of 
 molasses, or the bale of woolens, any less an import at Cleveland, 
 where it is broken up and retailed, than it was at New York, 
 where it was entered at the custom-house? 
 
 The truth is, internal trade is but the extension of foreign 
 import, distributing its freights. And it is also the beginning of 
 our foreign exports; and, practically, they are one and the same, 
 and any discrimination in the protection of the government to 
 one in exclusion of the other, is as absurd as would be a law to 
 protect the body by cutting off all nourishment; and a dispute 
 between them would be equal, in point of reasonableness, to a 
 ([uarrel between the arm and the hand. 
 
 Our simple, plain, and precise ground therefore is, that the 
 same considerations which justify and require appropriations for 
 facilitating foreign commerce are equally applicable to internal 
 trade, embraced in the term "commerce among the States." 
 
 The propositions submitted by the Committee state that there 
 are peculiar dangers in the navigation of the lakes from the want 
 of harbors, and of many of our rivers from snags and other 
 obstructions. To such an audience, and at such a place as this, 
 it would be a mere waste of time to dwell on these dangers. But 
 as these remarks may reach others not so well informed, allow 
 me to make some brief quotations from a report of the brave, 
 
132 CHICAGO RIVER-AND-H ARBOR CONVENTION. 
 
 gallant, and lamented Captain Williams, who fell so nobly at the 
 taking of Monterey, made by him in 1842, to the chief of the 
 Topographical Bureau : 
 
 "Chicago," he says, "is the only harbor on that lake (Michi- 
 gan), the shores of which comprise a development of coast of 
 about nine hundred miles. Milwaukee affords no shelter for 
 vessels during a storm, and even in calm weather it is difficult 
 of access. At the mouth of Kalamazoo River, a large ship (the 
 Milwaukee) was driven from its moorings, where it was taking in 
 a cargo of wheat, and wrecked in the vicinity, with the loss of 
 nine of her crew. Thus, from the time a vessel leaves Chicago, 
 she has no place of shelter till she reaches the northern outlet of 
 the lake at the Straits of Mackinac, or by taking refuge under the 
 lee of the islands at the northern part of the lake. After passing 
 the Straits of Mackinac, proceeding ^eastward, we enter Lake 
 Huron, which extends tv\^o hundred and twenty miles in a south- 
 westerly direction, yet upon the whole coast there is not a single 
 harbor construction effected." 
 
 We all know the difficulties of the flats in the St. Clair River, 
 which so seriously impede navigation, and which can be so easily 
 made navigable. 
 
 From the head of Lake Erie to Buffalo, a distance of three 
 hundred and thirty miles, there is but one place of security for 
 vessels during a gale, and that is at Erie, where they may lie 
 under the lee of the islands. All here know that vessels, during 
 storms, have been driven back to this place for the whole distance 
 from Buffalo, in consequence of the hazards of entering the nomi- 
 nal harbors on this lake. 
 
 Captain Williams remarks that there is greater danger in 
 navigating the lakes than the ocean, because "upon the lakes 
 there is at all times a dangerous proximity of coast, upon which 
 vessels are liable to be thrown in a long-continued gale, while on 
 the ocean there is room to drift until the storm be over." The 
 only remedy is obviously harbors with spacious entrances? 
 
 Not having accurate information of the details, I can only 
 allude in general terms to the immense losses of vessels and 
 property, and the destruction of human life, which annually 
 occur, particularly during the latter part of the season of navi- 
 gation. I have heard it estimated that the value of property 
 thus lost, in five years, would improve all the harbors on the 
 lakes to the necessary extent. This is, in itself, sufficiently 
 afflicting; but what shall we say of that neglect which consigns 
 to watery graves the gallant sailors whose exposure to accidents 
 is always so great and imminent? I will not trust myself to 
 
APPENDIX — REMARKS OF JOHN C. SPENCER. 1 33 
 
 speak on this point, for fear that I may forget the decorum due 
 the occasion. But I commend it to the consideration of all who 
 have human sympathies. 
 
 The danger of the navigation of the Mississippi and its tribu- 
 taries are so notorious and so appalling, that I need but thus 
 briefly allude to them. 
 
 The consideration of these dangers in the navigation of the 
 lakes leads to the mention of another and undoubted source of 
 power in the federal government to provide harbors of shelter on 
 these lakes. No one can say how soon the elements of discord 
 may convert into belligerents the nation whose citizens and sub- 
 jects reside on the different sides of those great waters; and 
 when the shock of arms comes, as many suppose it must come, 
 the contest there must be carried on by ships and steamers. 
 How can that contest be urged without harbors for the shelter 
 of our navy? It is not necessary to suppose that the stars and 
 stripes may be pursued by superior force, but it is indispensable 
 that the vessels which bear them aloft should have places of ren- 
 dezvous, and refitting, and refuge against gales and storms. The 
 harbors required for sitch a purpose can not be constructed in a 
 day; and when the time arrives for their use, it will be too late 
 to prepare them. Does not ordinary prudence require that the 
 power to maintain a navy should be promptly exerted in view of 
 possible events, and especially when the interests of commerce 
 so imperiously demand their immediate construction? 
 
 The amount of the trade carried on upon the lakes west of 
 Buffalo has been the subject of some inquiry by Colonel Abert, 
 the distinguished and very able chief of the Topographical Corps, 
 in pursuance of a suggestion which I made to him when we were 
 officially connected. In his last report on the subject, made 
 November i, 1845, he estimates, from returns made to him, that 
 the import and export trade of the various ports on the lakes was 
 $100,000,000. This estimate does not include Lake Ontario nor 
 Lake Champlain. 
 
 The President of the United States, in his msssage of Decem- 
 ber, 1846, states the value of all the exports of the United States 
 at $102,141,893. 
 
 It is by such comparisons only that we can form an idea of 
 the vast amount of this portion of our internal commerce. Is it 
 not an interest demanding, in tones which can not be disregarded, 
 the equal and just protection of the government? 
 
 From a very able statistical report furnished us by the dele- 
 gates from Missouri, we learn that the amount of cargoes received 
 at New Orleans, in 1846, from the upper country, transported on 
 
134 CHICAGO RIVER-AND-H ARBOR CONVENTION. 
 
 the Western rivers, was $77,193,464, and that the number of 
 steamboats running up the Western rivers during the same year 
 was 1190, whose aggregate value was more than $16,000,000. 
 
 These statistics, imperfect as they necessarily must be, give 
 us some idea of the mighty torrent of trade which is rushing from 
 the fertile and boundless West to satisfy the wants of man, and 
 to exchange for the products of other climes. 
 
 Can any one be so infatuated as to suppose that this vast 
 rolhng volume can be impeded by the mere caprice and whims 
 of visionaries, who seem to be reading the stars while the world 
 is running past them? 
 
 One of the propositions reported complains of the dispropor- 
 tion between the appropriations made to improve the facilities of 
 commerce in the harbors, rivers, and bays of the Atlantic coast, 
 and those made for similar purposes on the interior lakes and 
 rivers. 
 
 A report of Colonel Abert, made to Congress in December 
 last, of all the appropriations made since 1806 for roads and 
 the improvement of harbors and rivers, shows an aggregate of 
 $17,199,000, of which $2,861,964 were for the harbors of the 
 lakes and the improvement of the rivers at the North-West — 
 about one-sixth of the whole. It is needless to speak of the 
 gross inequality of this apportionment of common funds to those 
 who know the vast and teeming population which is occupied or 
 interested in the navigation of the Western lakes and rivers. 
 
 You were doubtless surprised at one of the propositions 
 reported, which contains such an obvious truth that it is scarcely 
 required to be stated. It is that which declares our inability to 
 distinguish between a harbor for shelter and one for commerce. 
 This is introduced to meet an idea of Mr. Calhoun in his report 
 to the Senate of the United States on the memorial of the Mem- 
 phis Convention, in which he admits the constitutional power of 
 Congress to appropriate money for a harbor for shelter, but denies 
 its power to aid a harbor for commerce. It is impossible here to 
 give you the process of reasoning by which he arrives at this 
 result. It is one of the instances in which a brilliant genius has 
 made captive all common sense. A habit of theoretic speculation, 
 indulged until it has obtained the mastery of all other faculties, 
 has rendered this gentleman, who, with all his errors, is one of 
 the jewels of the Nation, so impracticable as a statesman and a 
 legislator. The committee propose to meet his speculation with 
 a plain matter of fact, for which they appeal to the common sense 
 and ordinary observation of all men. 
 
 Another idea of Mr. Calhoun's, contained in the same report, 
 
APPENDIX— REMARKS OF JOHN C. SPENCER. 135 _ 
 
 seems also, to the committee, to demand some notice. It is, 
 that with the assent of Congress a law may be passed by one 
 State, or by two States, imposing a tonnage duty on vessels 
 arriving at or departing from a port or harbor for its construction 
 or improvement. 
 
 Observing merely in passing that it is difficult to perceive 
 how a tonnage duty can be levied on vessels to raise the means 
 of constructing harbors before there is any harbor or any vessels 
 entering it, the committee have deemed it be^t to meet the idea 
 by showing its. injustice. We claim that the common funds of 
 the Nation, being contributed by all the people and belonging to 
 them, and the proceeds of the sales of public lands, are held in 
 trust for the equal and common benefit of all. And maintaining, 
 as we do, not only the power, but the duty of the federal govern- 
 ment to apply these funds in a just and fair proportion to the 
 improvement of interior rivers and harbors, we hold that we can 
 not be called upon to put our hands in our pockets, and, by the 
 addition of special burdens upon ourselves, perform the work of 
 the government, so long as it has our common resources in its 
 hands. If we are compelled to contribute our private means to 
 a public, general, and national purpose, we shall find other means 
 of doing so than by laying burdens on a trade already sufficiently 
 discouraged by the neglect, of those whose duty it is to cherish 
 and foster it ; and we submit the proposition simply that such a 
 special burden would be unjust and oppressive. 
 
 The propositions before you have been drawn and presented 
 in the spirit of harmony, with the. desire of exhibiting plain and 
 practical principles as a common ground on which all may con- 
 scientiously and consistently unite. They are broad enough to 
 •cover the ground necessary to attain the objects for which we 
 have assembled, and are yet so limited, by carefully abstaining 
 from any other terms than those employed in the Constitution 
 itself, as not to give color to vague and indefinite construction. 
 The entire unanimity with which they have been reported by the 
 most numerous committee yet appointed by this Convention, 
 furnishes in itself strong evidence that they are adapted to our 
 case, and have taken positions which will meet the united and 
 cordial assent of this vast assembly. 
 
 The following letters were received by members of the Corres- 
 ponding Committee, and were not read to the Convention, but 
 have since been handed to the Publishing Committee, who, as a 
 matter of record, embody them in the proceedings of the Con- 
 vention : — 
 
136 CHICAGO RIVER-AND-HARBOR CONVENTION. 
 
 Detroit, July jd, 1847. 
 Gentlemen : — My public duties will not admit of my attend- 
 ance at the Chicago Convention, and I am restrained from ex- 
 pressing my views of the constitutionality and expediency of con- 
 structing Harbors, and removing obstructions to commerce on our 
 Lakes and Rivers, by the consideration that I am a member of an 
 independent department of the Government, whose province it is 
 to give, in the last resort, a construction to the Constitution. 
 With the expression of an ardent desire for the attainment of the 
 great objects of the Convention, I am. Gentlemen, 
 
 Your friend and fellow- citizen, 
 
 John McLean. 
 George W. Meeker, N. B. Judd, Wm. B. Ogden, E. W. Tracy,, 
 and S. J. Lowe, Esqrs., Committee, etc. 
 
 Detroit, May 20th, 1847. 
 
 My Dear Sir : — I have had the pleasure to receive your very 
 friendly letter of the loth instant, transmitting to me an invitation 
 from the Chicago Committee of Correspondence, to attend a 
 North-Western Harbor-and-River Convention, to be assembled in 
 that City on the first Monday in July next, without regard to 
 distinctions of party. 
 
 I understand the objects of the Convention to be to promote 
 the improvement of Lake-and-River Harbors, to secure the safety 
 of Lake-and-River Navigation, on the navigable waters of the 
 United States, and to urge the passage of laws through Congress, 
 making appropriations for these purposes so essential and invalu- 
 able to the advancement of our commercial prosperity in these 
 immense and expanding north-western regions. 
 
 In this great object, and in the requisite measures for its 
 accompHshment I most cordially concur. It is the peculiar duty 
 of the General Government, it may be said to be their exclusive 
 right and power, to promote and protect the commerce and navi- 
 gation of our magnificent inland seas. They alone have authority 
 to regulate the commerce, to collect imposts, duties, and taxes,. 
 on these waters ; and I am incapable of comprehending upon what 
 just national ground they can, compatibly with their constitutional 
 obligations, refuse to exercise the power. We must persevere, 
 amidst all the discouragements we have to encounter, until we 
 triumph in this great cause. These were my sentiments in the 
 Senate; they are my sentiments now; they will continue to be 
 my sentiments forever. 
 
 I deeply regret that the approaching term of the Circuit 
 
APPENDIX — LETTER FROM W. S. ARCHER. 1 3/ 
 
 Court of the United States, and my official and professional en- 
 gagements during its continuance, will prevent my attendance at 
 the Convention. I pray, however, that its proceedings may be 
 guided by the patriotism and wisdom which distinguish the North- 
 west, and that they may result in the signal advancement of the 
 benificent objects for which it is to assemble at your prosperous 
 City. Indeed, upon these points no doubt is entertained. 
 
 My cordial thanks are due to the Committee for their obliging 
 invitation, and to yourself personally for the exceedingly kind 
 terms with which its transmission was accompanied. All the 
 friendly feelings disclosed in your note are gratefully reciprocated 
 by Your friend and fellow-citizen, 
 
 John Norvell. 
 
 George W. Meeker, Esq. 
 
 Amelia, Va., yuly 26, 1847. 
 
 Gentlemen: — Your invitation to me, to attend the ''Harbor- 
 and-River Convention," at Chicago, on the first Monday of the 
 present month, owing to my absence from home, did not reach 
 me in time to receive an answer before the meeting of that 
 Assembly. Conceiving the design of the invitations issued on 
 this occasion to pubhc men at a distance, to have been, not so 
 much to procure their attendance, as to elicit their opinions on 
 the interesting subject of the purposes of the Convention, I have 
 deemed it not too late, through the medium of the acknowledg- 
 ment which I owe for the honor of your invitation, to express my 
 sincere concurrence in those purposes. 
 
 Of the importance of the objects sought to be accomplished, 
 or of the disproportion of the expense required, to their value, 
 there can, I presume, be but one opinion; the sole diversity of 
 opinion relating to the constitutional difficulty, as regards the 
 authority of the Government to execute the works proposed. On 
 this point, I have to say in the fewest words that regarding the 
 power of the Federal Government as unquestionable to expend 
 the public money on objects conducive to commerce between 
 States of the Confederacy, I can see no just ground for distinc- 
 tion, in this respect, between Fresh Water or Tide Streams, Lake 
 Harbors or Ocean Harbors, which are or may be rendered really 
 subservient to these ends. 
 
 In this view, I have, whilst a member of the Senate of the 
 United States, given my vote for the appropriations proposed for 
 the improvement of the Mississippi and its tributaries. I have 
 withheld my vote at the same time from the Harbor bills pre- 
 sented, because I had, on every occasion, cause to entertain the 
 
138 CHICAGO RIVER-AND-HARBOR CONVENTION. 
 
 belief that subjects had found insertion in the Bills by what is 
 .denominated log-rolling and jobbing, which had no just title to 
 their place from their intrinsic utility, and I could not conceive 
 any object of value enough to authorize the sanction of such an 
 abuse, and the mischief of introducing it as an example and a 
 precedent. It has been with regret that I have been constrained 
 to yield to the paramount force of this objection. 
 
 You will, I am sure, appreciate justly the motives to this late 
 reply to your letter, and I beg you to believe me to be 
 
 With much respect, yours, 
 
 W. S. Archer. 
 
 Messrs. Judd and others. Committee. 
 
 Abraham Lincoln, the only Whig representative to Congress from this 
 State, we are happy to see is in attendance upon the Convention. This is his 
 first visit to the commercial emporium of the State, and we have no doubt his 
 visit will impress him more deeply, if possible, with the importance, and in- 
 spire a higher zeal for the great interest of River-and-Harbor improvements. 
 We expect much from him as a representative in Congress, and we have no 
 doubt our expectations will be more than realized, for never was reliance 
 placed in a nobler heart and a sounder judgment. We know the banner he 
 bears will never be soiled. — Chicago Journal, July 6, 1847, 
 
 Fallen. — It becomes a melancholy duty to chronicle the death of one of 
 our oldest citizens, Samuel Lisle Smith. He expired at his residence, on 
 Sunday last, [July 30, 1854, aged 37,] snrrounded by his family and friends. 
 
 The departed had lived among us for a period of sixteen years, and his name 
 is ineffaceably associated with the growth of our City, in which he experienced 
 a peculiar pride, and over which his brilliant talents shed a lustre. The mem- 
 ory of the eloquence of the gifted orator will not soon fade from the pubhc 
 mind, which he could sway at times as with the wand of a magician. The 
 rememberance of his virtues will ever live in the hearts of those who com- 
 muned with him as a friend. For those who mourn the suddec rupture of the 
 most tender ties, there is no language to express their grief; how applicable 
 to their case is the following beautiful passage which fell from his own lips 
 but a few days since, in speaking of the death of James H, Collins, [July 14, 
 
 1854.]: 
 
 " There is no styptic to staunch the artery of domestic love now bleedmg. 
 There is one and only one Comforter. To Him let us commend the widow 
 and the orphan, that to them he may give beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for 
 mourning, and the garments of praise for the spirit of heaviness." — Chicago 
 Democratic Press, August 5, 1854. 
 
 Jesse B. Thomas, late Judge of the Supreme Court of Illinois, and one 
 of the most distinguished men of the West, died in Chicago on Feb. 21, 1850, 
 and the Democrat of the 22d, says : 
 
 He had been for some days suffering under an attack of erysipelas, which a 
 short time previous to his decease assumed the malignant form. He was con- 
 scious of his dissolution from the commencement of the attack, and accord- 
 ingly set himself to prepare his temporal affairs in anticipation of his departure. 
 
 Judge Thomas was in the 44th year of his age. He leaves a large and in- 
 teresting family, and, we are happy to learn, through his exertions, in easy 
 circumstances. 
 
HORACE GREELEY'S REPORT. 
 
 [From tHe Kew-York Semi-Weekly Tribune, Saturday, July 17, 1847.] 
 
 The Great River -and -Harbor Convention at Chicago — Railroad to 
 
 the Pacific— Internal Improvements and Party Politics, Etc. 
 
 Editorial Correspondence. 
 
 Chicago, Illinois, July 5—4 P.M. 
 
 Chicago has been filling up with Delegates to the People's Convention for 
 the last ten or fifteen days, but it was not until Saturday that the pressure be- 
 came burdensome. When we arrived, on the Oregon, at sunrise, yesterday 
 morning, there was scarcely a spare inch of room in any public house save in 
 a few bedrooms long since bespoken. But the citizens had already thrown 
 open their dwellings, welcoming strangers in thousands to their cordial and 
 bounteous hospitality; the steamboats, as they came in, proffered their spacious 
 accommodations and generous fare to their passengers during their stay; and 
 though four or five boats full freighted came in yesterday, and two more, with 
 a thousand or fifteen hundred each, came in this morning, I believe there are 
 none left in doubt as to their chance of shelter to-night at this present writing. 
 At all events, the people of Chicago have earned a noble reputation for hospi- 
 tality and public spirit. 
 
 The grand parade took place this morning, and, though the route traversed 
 was short, in deference to the heat of the weather, the spectacle was truly 
 magnificent. The citizens of Chicago, of course, furnished the most imposing 
 part of it — the Music, the Military, the Ships on wheels, ornamented Fire 
 Engines, etc. I never witnessed anything so superb as the appearance of some 
 of the Fire Companies with their Engines drawn by led horses, tastefully 
 caparisoned. Our New- York Firemen must try again : they have certainly 
 been outdone. 
 
 I think New York had some 300 Delegates on the ground — among them, 
 John C. Spencer, J. Depeyster Ogden, Thurlow Weed, James L. Barton, Seth 
 C. Hawley, George W. Patterson, Alvin Bronson, John E. Hinman, etc. 
 From New England the number present is smaller, but still considerable; I 
 notice among them, Hon. John A. Rockwell, of Conn., Hon. Elisha H. Allen, 
 now of Boston, etc., etc. From New Jersey there are 6 or 8; from Pennsyl- 
 vania I think 50 to 100; among them Hon. Andrew Stewart. Senator John- 
 son, of Erie, etc. ; from Ohio, the number may not be much greater, but 
 among them are Hon. Tom Corwin, Gov. Bebb, Ex-Gov. Morrow, Hon. R. 
 C. Schenck, Hon. John C. Wright, etc. P>om Georgia, there are at least 
 two here, and one of them is Hon. Thos. Butler King; there is one even from 
 South Carolina; Indiana, Missouri, and Iowa are well represented; Michigan 
 and Wisconsin have a large regiment each, while Northern Illinois is here, of 
 course, en masse. A judicious estimate makes the number present to-day 
 20,000 men, of whom 10,000 are here as Members of the Convention. 
 
 The morning was very hot, and the Procession, though not long in its course, 
 was long in getting in motion — of course, the waiting was tedious; though we 
 had a pleasant square on the Lake shore to form in and something of a breeze 
 to temper the sun's fervor. But for a gentle shower last evening, the day 
 would have been extremely dusty; it was sufficiently so as it was. The after- 
 noon is more breezy and pleasant. 
 
 The citizens had provided a spacious and beautiful tent, about 100 feet 
 square, pitched in an open square near the centre of the City, radiating from 
 a tall pole in the centre, and well provided with seats. It holds about 4000 
 persons comfortably. The rest of the gathering were constrained to look in 
 over the heads of those seated. 
 
I40 CHICAGO RIVER-AND-HARBOR CONVENTION. 
 
 [Mr. G. here gives an account of the preliminary organization of the Con- 
 vention, but this part of his letter was anticipated by our Express.] 
 
 On reassembling in the afternoon, the Convention was briefly addressed by 
 Rev. Mr. Allen, of Mass., mainly on the influence of the Puritans of New- 
 England on the settlement and character of the great West. When he had 
 closed, a very general call was made for Hon. Thomas Corwin, of Ohio, which 
 could not be stilled. Mr. Corwin was finally sought out in the body of the 
 Convention, and conducted to the stand by Hon. John Wentworth. Although 
 coming to the stand reluctantly, Mr. C. addressed the Convention for nearly 
 an hour in his own inimitable manner on the relations and relative character 
 of the Puritans, so eloquently eulogized by the preceding speaker, and the 
 people of the West— on the wants and just demands of the West — the absurd 
 folly of considering Harbor Improvements on salt water Constitutional and on 
 fresh water not so— the mighty strides of the West to greatness and dominion, 
 and the certainty that she who now implores will soon be in a condition to 
 command, etc., etc. The vast assemblage was electrified by this admirable 
 effort. H, G. 
 
 SECOND DAY. 
 
 CmcyVGo, July 6, 1847. 
 
 The attendance at the sessions of the Convention to-day has been very nu- 
 merous, indicating undiminished interest. The first business was the appoint- 
 ment of a Committee of two Delegates from each State represented to draft 
 and report Resolutions expressive of the general views and commendatory of 
 the objects of this vast deliberative body. 
 
 Various propositions, which were offered, were referred to this Committee, 
 which immediately retired to the Court House to enter upon the discharge of 
 its duties. 
 
 In its absence, the letters of Hon. Thomas H. Benton, Henry Clay, Silas 
 Wright, Martin Van Buren, Lewis Cass, Gov. Felch, of Mich,, Hon. B. R. 
 Wood, of Albany, Hon. Joseph Grinnell, of Mass., etc., etc., were read. 
 These I dispatched you in proof-slips last evening, and I hope they will have 
 reached you in advance of this. The shortest and most significant of these is 
 that of Gen. Cass, who is content to say he can not (/. e. will not) come, with- 
 out the least expression of sympathy with the objects or desire for the success 
 of the Convention, The letter excited much astonishment, and was read 
 twice at the urgent call of many Delegates. The general expression of senti- 
 ment thereupon, though not boisterous, was by no means flattering to Gen. 
 Cass. Messrs. Wright and Van Buren's letters, especially the former, though 
 full of qualifications and reservations, wore a favorable aspect, and were re- 
 ceived with hearty cordiality. Mr. Wood's letter is the gem of the collection. 
 Its straight-out advocacy of Harbor-and-River Improvements, without equivo- 
 cation or compromise, and its plain-spoken denunciation of the objects and 
 character of the present War on Mexico — coming from a Loco-Foco Member 
 of th^last Congress, who has had the best public and private opportunities 
 for observing the machinery by which that war was got up and is sustained, I 
 hope it will be every where read and heeded. The letters, having been delib- 
 erately read, were ordered to be printed along with the proceedings of the 
 Convention. It having been understood that a characteristic letter had been 
 received from Hon. John M. Botts, of Virginia, a very urgent and general 
 demand was made for its production and reading; but it appeared that it was 
 a private letter, though referring to the meeting and objects of the Convention, 
 and that the gentleman who received it had seen fit to withhold it from 
 the Committee, as possibly calculated to give offence to some portion of the 
 
HORACE GREELEYS REPORT. 14I 
 
 Delegates present. It will doubtless be published after the adjournment of 
 the Convention, and will be every where current. It is said by those who 
 have seen it to be particularly spicy. 
 
 Hon. Andrew Stewart, of Pa., was next called out, and niade a vigorous 
 and animated speech in favor of Internal Improvement generally, on compre- 
 hensive grounds and in the most catholic spirit. It was perhaps a little too 
 plain and thorough-going for the weak stomachs of some present, who had but 
 recently begun to profess friendship for Internal Improvement, and who did 
 not wish to lose caste with their party while desirous of doing something for 
 the people. It pleased right well a majority of the Convention, but brought 
 up in opposition Mr. David Dudley Field, of our City, who favored us with 
 an able and courteous speech in favor of " Strict Construction " and of such 
 River and Harbor Improvements only as are consistent therewith. He was 
 sharply interrogated by different members, and, in reply to their questions, 
 denied the right of the Federal Government to improve the navigation of the 
 Illinois River, since that River runs through a single State only, or of the 
 Hudson above a poi't of entry ! The Convention, or rather a portion of its 
 members, manifested considerable impatience during the latter portion of this 
 speech, which is to be regretted, for Mr. F. was perfectly courteous, not at 
 all tedious, and fairly called out by the speech of Mr. Stewart. For my part, 
 I rejoiced that the wrong side of the question was so clearly set forth. When 
 he had concluded, the Convention adjourned to dinner. 
 
 In the afternoon, Hon. Abraham Lincoln, a tall specimen of an Illinoian, 
 just elected to Congress from the only Whig District in the State, was called 
 out, and spoke briefly and happily in reply to Mr. Field. As he closed, the 
 Committee came in, and through its chairman, Hon. J. C. Wright, reported 
 a series of fifteen Resolutions, which were read by Charles King, of N. J., and 
 advocated in a most able and interesting speech by Hon. John C. Spencer, of 
 New York — a constitutional argument, evincing deep research and great power. 
 They are as follows : [We published these Resolutions in our last, under the 
 title of " Declaration of Sentiments. "] 
 
 These Resolutions having been read and accepted, Mr. D. D. Field very 
 fairly objected to the last clause of the fifth resolution, affirming substantially 
 that the "common understanding" of the Constitution, through a long series 
 of years, " has become as much a part of that instrument as any one of its 
 most explicit provisions." This ought to have prevailed,, but it did not — Mr, 
 vSpencer suggesting that it was almost a literal extract from Gen. Jackson's 
 Maysville Veto Message. A motion to amend the 14th resolution, which was 
 thought to affirm anti-Tariff doctrine, prevailed — though the objection seemed 
 to me rather superfluous. The resolutions were then adopted — the other thir- 
 teen with absolute unanimity. A sixteenth resolution, proposing the appoint- 
 ment of an Executive Committee, to transmit the proceedings of this Conven- 
 tion to the President and to Congress, to collect and publish facts calculated 
 to enforce the views of this Convention, etc. This resolution was unanimous- 
 ly adopted. ^ 
 
 Hon. Thomas Butler King, of Ga., was now urgently called out, having 
 declined a call to speak until the resolutions should be adopted, and made a 
 most admirable speech in favor of River-and- Harbor Improvements, and In- 
 ternal Improvement generally. It was really a great speech, thoroughly 
 National in its spirit, and looking to the benefit of each section through the 
 good of all. I do hope this excellent speech will be reported, for I am sure it 
 Avill be generally read and approved. When he had closed, Gov. Bebb, of 
 Ohio, was called for, but did not appear, and the Convention {(>%, o'clock) 
 adjourned to 9 A.M. to-morrow. H. G. 
 
142 CHICAGO RIVER-AND-HARBOR CONVENTION. 
 
 THIRD AND LAST DAY— RAILROAD TO THE PACIFIC, &c. 
 
 Chicago, 111., July 7, 1847. 
 
 To-day has been mainly devoted to speaking and hearing, with the transac- 
 tion of such minor business as was left unfinished yesterday. A Committee of 
 two from each State to collect and prepare evidence of the importance and 
 urgent necessity of River and Harbor Improvements, as also to lay before the 
 President and each House of Congress the proceedings and resolves of this 
 Convention, was appointed by the Chair, on the suggestion of the Delegations 
 from each State. I believe the two members from our State are John C. 
 Spencer, of Albany, and Samuel B. Ruggles, of New York. The printing of 
 the proceedings in pamphlet form, with such reports and documents as should 
 be deemed advisable, was also ordered. Resolutions of thanks to the Presi- 
 dent were moved by Hon. Thomas Corvvin, and adopted with enthusiastic 
 unanimity; so was a vote of thanks to the citizens of Chicago for their courte- 
 ous hospitality and kindness to the Delegates generally. But the Convention 
 came together thoroughly resolved that no topic should be entertained which 
 might mar the harmony and hearty unanimity with which the Resolutions of 
 the Grand Committee had been received and adopted yesterday; so that suc- 
 cessive efforts to get before it the project of a Railroad to the Pacific, the Free 
 Navigation of the St. Lawrence, etc., etc., were promptly and decidedly 
 thwarted by the undebatable motion to lay on the table; and at about 11 
 o'clock A.M., being the first practicable moment, a motion to adjourn was 
 made, seconded, put and carried by an overwhelming vote. 
 
 Previous to putting the question, however, the President of the Convention, 
 Hon, Edward Bates, of Alissouri, returned thanks for the honor done him in 
 a speech which took the Convention completely by surprise — so able, so for- 
 cible, and replete with the soul of eloquence. I will not attempt to give an 
 account of this wonderful speech, of which I regret to know that no full notes 
 were taken. No account that can now be given will do it justice. In the 
 course of it, Mr, B. remarked that when he emigrated, in 181 2, to the French 
 village of huts called St. Louis, which has now 50,000 inhabitants, he was 
 obliged to hire a guard against hostile savages to accompany him across the 
 unbroken wilderness which is now the State of Illinois, with a civilized popu- 
 lation of 600,000 freemen. — His speech was greeted at its close by the whole 
 Convention rising and cheering long and fervently. 
 
 The Convention was now adjourned pro forma, but instantly reorganized as 
 a Committee of the Whole on the State of the Union, when Gov. William 
 Bebb, of Ohio, was constrained to come forward. In a brief speech, he for- 
 cibly set forth the just subordination of all physical and material to mental and 
 moral improvement — to the diffusion of Intelligence, the purification of Morale, 
 and the Melioration of the Social condition of Man. Vain, said he, will be 
 all your Canals and Railroads, your River-and- Harbor Improvements, if the 
 condition of the Toiling Millions be not thereby or therewith sensibly melio- 
 rated — if there shall still be constrained to delve twelve to fourteen hours per 
 day for the bare necessaries of physical life. I hold, said he, that this need 
 not and ought not to continue — that Society may be so revised that ten or 
 eight hours' faithful labor daily will secure to every industrious man or family 
 a fully supply of the necessaries and comforts of life, so that each may have 
 ample leisure to devote to the cultivation and perfection of his Moral, Social, 
 and Intellectual powers. Let us never forget that this is the great end of all 
 physical improvement, and that such works as we are met to urge upon the 
 attention of our rulers and fellow-citizens are essential only as conducive there- 
 to. — [Gov, Bebb's remarks were warmly and generally responded to by the 
 thousands present; two-thirds of whom were doubtless Whigs; for, though 
 
HORACE GREELEY S REPORT. 1 45 
 
 the principal editors respectively of the N. Y. Express, Utica Gazette, and 
 Buffalo Com. Advertiser, with one of the editors of the Courier &" Enquirer, 
 were among those present at the Convention, it doth not appear that their 
 journals have ever been much circulated or pondered in this part of the coun- 
 try. Should they see fit hereupon to read Gov, Bebb out of the Whig party, 
 it will be necessary to have their bull of excommunication copied into some 
 journal or journals circulating Westward, or they will hardly have the desired 
 effect.] 
 
 Hon. A. W. Loomis, of Pittsburgh, Pa., Gen. Levi Hubbell, of Milwau- 
 kee, Wis., S. Lisle Smith, of Chicago, 111., Anson Burlingame, of Mass., 
 (late of Mich.), Hon. E. H. Allen, of Boston, Mass., and H, Greeley, of 
 New York, were called out in succession, when each briefly and acceptably 
 addressed the vast concourse. The speech of Mr. Smith, of this City, regarded, 
 as an oratorial effort, was the best of the many good speeches made here with- 
 in these three days. It was beautiful, thrilling, highly poetic, enchaining and 
 enrapturing the audience. I will not attempt to sketch it. Mr. Allen's re- 
 marks were very happy, in a very different vein — these two affording striking 
 illustrations of Western and Eastern popular speaking respectively. 
 
 Mr. Wm. M. Hall, of Buffalo, N. Y., next rising to advocate a series of 
 resolutions offered by him concerning the proposed Railroad to the Pacific, 
 the Committee of the Whole (i P.M.) adjourned over to 3 o'clock, at which 
 hour the meeting reassembled and listened to a long and forcible argument of 
 Mr. Hall against the respective plans of Mr. Whitney and Dr. Carver for 
 constructing the great Pacific Road,* and in favor of the counter proposition 
 that the Railroad shall be constructed and owned by the Nation, its directors 
 being chosen by the people of the several States, the lands along the route 
 withheld from the clutch of the speculator, etc., etc. When he had con- 
 cluded, the meeting, after some desultory discussion, adopted his resolutions, 
 with a preamble explaining that this was the act of a Mass Meeting of citizens 
 at Chicago after the adjournment of the River-and- Harbor Convention. — And 
 then (5 P.M.) the meeting adjourned without day. 
 
 — Thus has met, deliberated, harmonized, acted, and separated, one of the 
 most important and interesting Conventions ever held in this or any country. 
 It was truly characterized as a Congress of Freemen, destitute of Pay and 
 Mileage, but in all else inferior to no deliberative body which has assembled 
 within twenty years. Can we doubt that its results will be most beneficent 
 and enduring? H..G. 
 
 INTERNAL IMPROVEMENT AND PARTY POLITICS. 
 
 Chicago, Thursday, July 8, 1847. 
 
 The great North-W^estern Convention has completed its labors and ad- 
 journed — its members are now wending their several ways homeward; its 
 deliberations and acts are on record, and are, or soon will be, before the peo- 
 ple, by whom I trust they will be generally and thoughtfully considered. 
 Those who were not present can not see, but may imagine, the feverish and 
 incessant anxiety manifested that nothing done or said in the Convention should 
 seem to wear a party aspect, be dictated by party considerations, or obnoxious 
 to party prejudices — the continual, unsparing disparagement of party ends 
 and operations, and the exertions on all sides to bury party ties and feelings 
 in oblivion. If to be a partisan and to be a thief had been synonimous, Party 
 could hardly have been more studiously descried and reprobated. 
 
 This was partly right and partly wrong. Whoever manifests zeal for River- 
 
 ♦ Wm. M. Hall's Resolutions and Speech will be found at page 91. 
 
144 CHICAGO RIVER-AND-HARBOR CONVENTION. 
 
 and- Harbor Improvements, or labors to promote their construction and mag- 
 nify their importance, for the sake of Party — to subserve the interests of Party 
 — acts a sinister, unworthy part, deserving severe reprobation. " Let every 
 tub stand on its own bottom. " But this labored renunciation and denunciation 
 of Party seem to me neither just nor honest. If there be any man who regards 
 Party but as a means of advancing sordid and selfish ends, that man does well 
 to seem ashamed of Party when he appears as the advocate of any enterprise 
 looking to ends of general and enduring beneficence. Let me for one, how- 
 ever, be understood and recorded as not less uniformly zealous, consciencious, 
 open and ardent in my politics than in anything else whatever. I very wil- 
 lingly strike hands with political opponents who may agree with me in favor- 
 ing this or any other good work, and in all sincerity say, " While on this sub- 
 "ject we will put aside and forget our partisan differences : we will remember 
 "only that we are fellow-citizens ardently desiring a liberal and systematic 
 "improvement of our Rivers and Harbors." This is right, honest, practica- 
 ble. But if any one chooses to manifest his zeal for River-and-PIarbor im- 
 provement, or anything else, in any such language as this — "Politics and 
 " Party differences are all folly, nonsense, insanity — 'the madness of the many 
 "for the gain of the few' — we i-enounce and repudiate Party as an idle or un- 
 " clean thing,"— I beg that it be understood that he speaks for himself and 
 those who agree with him, and not at all for me. 
 
 •Nor can I even assent unqualifiedly to the doctrine of one of the Resolu- 
 tions reported by the appropriate committee and adopted by the Convention, 
 deprecating all association of the subject of River-and- Harbor Improvements 
 with Party Politics. I have already stated what I understand to be the truth 
 in this direction. But suppose one of the great parties which divide the 
 Country be proved to manifest an inveterate and radical hostility to the Im- 
 provements in question — a hostility tempered only by considerations of local 
 necessity and to the extent of such necessity — while its antagonist approves 
 itself, through a long series of years, the steadfast and efficient champion of 
 such Improvements, is it just or honest to say, " Party Politics have nothing 
 to do with this matter : Vote for one party or the other as prejudice or fancy 
 " may dictate— it will be all the same as far as Rivers and Harbors are con- 
 "cerned?" I do not so understand it. Doubtless, many an individual will 
 virtually say, " Though I want the Rivers and Harbors improved, I shall still 
 " act and vote with the Party I well know to be mainly zmfavorable to such 
 " works, because of other and paramount considerations" — this is every man's 
 own business, and, wise or unwise. Conventions can not meddle with it. But 
 he who says that this River-and- Harbor question stands utterly aside from the 
 general Politics of the Country speaks for himself, and in pointed opposition 
 to my understanding and convictions. 
 
 P'or who that reads the leading journals of the day — not to mention the 
 journals of Congress— can be ignorant that the elemental notions and popular 
 maxims of one of the great parties of our time evince the most radical and 
 invincible hostility to all such undertakings by Government as that of River- 
 and- Harbor improvement? "The worl;i is governed too much"— "The best 
 Government is that which governs least" — "Zflw,?s /z/;v" ("Let us alone,") 
 etc., etc. — does anybody that has eyes pretend to shut them to the bearing of 
 these maxims on such topics as those which have occupied the Chicago Con- 
 vention? Undoubtedly, there are individuals of the Loco-Foco party who on 
 this, as there are some who on other subjects, act earnestly in opposition to 
 the' spirit and obvious dictate of these maxims — for instance, Hon. John 
 Wentworth, M. C. from this District, of whom, said in substance, Mr. Cor- 
 win in his speech on Monday : 
 
 " This subject unites men most opposed in Politics — for instance, the Hon. 
 
145 
 
 -Member from Northern Illinois and myself. When we two agree in favor of 
 a public measure, it must be right. He is among the most zealous and thor- 
 ough champions of these Improvements, and not at all troubled with Consti- 
 tutional scruples in regard to them. He may be considered even latitudinous 
 on the subject, which [glancing round at 'Long John's' ample proportions] is 
 probably owing to his longitude. He goes his length. " 
 
 True : But has anybody ever heard of a Loco-P'oco representing a District 
 not specially interested in such Improvements, who went his length for them? 
 If anybody knows the whereabouts of that unicorn, let him be trotted out. 
 
 No man can read even the letters addressed to this Convention, in answer 
 to invitations to attend it, without being struck with the palpable difference 
 of tone and spirit which separates the statesmen of the two great parties. On 
 the Whig side all is frank and unqualified — as for example, Mr. Webster's 
 characteristic letter which was only received here on Tuesday night, and the 
 reading of which yesterday called forth three spontaneous and hearty cheers 
 from the Convention. Nobody is left to guess at the position of Mr. Webster, 
 or will read his letter twice to learn what it means. Turn from this to the 
 letters of eminent LocoFoco statesmen, beginning with that of Gen. Cass, 
 long a citizen of the West, a U. S. Senator from harborless Michigan, and an 
 aspirant to the Presidency, via South Carolina. Did mortal man ever before 
 see such a letter from one who is by position and was by profession friendly 
 to the objects of the Convention? It was listened to with hardly less aston- 
 ishment than indignation. I was forcibly reminded by it, with "a few more 
 of the same sort, " of an anecdote I lately heard of the renowned battle-field 
 of Bladensburgh, which a lanky, lop-sided Marylander, who saw the affair, is 
 in the habit of showing and illustrating to visitors (not often Americans) for a 
 consideration. A British officer was lately his customer, and, on examining 
 the ground where our militia stood — or rather did n't stand — he could not con- 
 ceal his surprise at the historic suddenness of their departure. " Why, " in- 
 quired he, "how came your countrymen to run away in such numbers from 
 such a position as this?" "Why," replied Maryland, rather puzzled by the 
 directness of the query, '•'■they didnt seem to take no interest.'''' Ditto of Gen. 
 Cass and company. 
 
 Turn from this to the letters of Silas Wright & Co., who form the other 
 wing of the Loco-Foco array. These appear to be really desirous that some- 
 thing should be done for Rivers and Harbors, but extremely fearful withal that 
 the expression of this sentiment will compromise their Political orthodoxy. 
 The critical navigation on which they are embarked may well awaken them 
 to sympathy for the mariners on our Western Lakes and Rivers. How cau- 
 tious! how full of reservations and qualifications! Gov. Wright is careful to 
 tell us that he has a deep local interest on the right side of the Improvement 
 <^[uestion, and he is very careful also to exhibit his fears that too much will be 
 done in the way of improving Rivers and Harbors. The ship of State must 
 be well supplied with anchors ere she is sped upon that perilous coast. Mil- 
 lions on millions are annually voted without hesitation or scruple to maintain 
 armies and armaments, forts and navies; nobody expresses fears that our Con- 
 stitution or our Liberties will be periled by that : but a few thousands squeezed 
 out semi-occasionally for purposes really, palpably, enduringly beneficent — 
 these suffice to throw into hysterics even those who profess to be favorable to 
 the objects thus promoted. We must take care — look sharp — watch narrow- 
 ly, or the Constitution will be subverted and Freedom crushed by the building 
 of a few piers and the clearing out of the channels of certain rivers! Was 
 ever such a cause of apprehension conjured up before? 
 
 But look at Gov. Wright's timidly suggested limitation to River Improve- 
 ments. They must be confined to Rivers and part§ of Rivers whereon Com- 
 lO 
 
146 CHICAGO RIVER-AND-HARBQR CQ-NVENTION. 
 
 merce already exists, and not extended to those previously unsusceptible of 
 navigation. For instance, the Red River of the South- West is (or v^^as) utterly- 
 obstructed by the famous Raft not far above its mouth, and, of course, so lonj^ 
 as that absolutely prevented all navigation above Shreveport, its removal was- 
 unconditional. But if it had only been half as injurious as it really was — if 
 it had not utterly prevented navigation, but allowed small, hardy steamboats 
 to work through or dive under and thus vanquish it, then it might do to let the 
 Government pull it in pieces and remove it! Its extreme injuriousness affords 
 the reason for preserving it, in deference to the immortal " Resolutions of '98,'^ 
 and in view of the fact that nothing is said of the Red -River Raft in the 
 Federal Constitution. I believe it is one of Dryden's heroes who in a stilted 
 drama paradoxically exclaims, 
 
 "My wound is great because it is so small," 
 oti hearing which a wag in the pit sung out, 
 
 "Then 'twould be greater were it none at all." 
 
 Gov. Wright has evidently studied logic and constitutional law in this 
 school. 
 
 In the same mistaken spirit, Mr. David Dudley P'ield of our City, when 
 arguing before the Convention in favor of a "strict construction" and display- 
 ing the ^wful perils of latitudinarian views and policy on this subject being 
 asked, " Do you consider an appropriation for the improvement of the Illinois 
 River Constitutional?" — "Does it not run through more than one State?"' 
 was his Yankee answer. "No! No!" responded a hundred voices. "Then 
 I do not consider it Constitutional, " was his response. Now the principle 
 here aimed at may be sound, yet the application be flagrantly blundering. A 
 river may be wholly in one State, yet its navigation be immensely important 
 to a dozen — as the Hudson, for example — while another may run through two 
 or more States, yet its navigation be far less important to any or to all. Thus 
 the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal, only a few miles long, lying wholly 
 within the limits of the smallest State in the Union, is plainly a work of great 
 National importance; while the Delaware and Hudson, ten times as long, and 
 penetrating two great States, is palpably local in its character and uses. 
 Mr. Field's distinction is ill taken and worthless. 
 
 "But do you hold that the Hudson may be Constitutionally improved?"" 
 was the next question. '■'■ Belcnv a Custom- Hotise it may," replied ^Ir. Field. 
 Here was revived in essence the very distinction between salt and fresh water 
 improvements which Mr. F. had just before most emphatically repudiated! 
 And is it not a most fallacious and irrational distinction? Consider its prac- 
 tical effect in filling the country with inland Custom-Houses — at St. Louis, at 
 Albany, at Pittsburg, etc. — to the pernicious multiplication of offices and the 
 sensible increase of our public burdens. Who can seriously regard it as more 
 Constitutional to improve the Ohio with a Custom-House at Pittsburg than if 
 the goods had paid duties at Cincinnati, Louisville, or even New Orleans? 
 Who does not see that the doctrine here enunciated makes the improvement 
 of our rivers subordinate entirely to the raising of revenue, while the facilita'- 
 tion of commerce and the promotion of National well-being are made the 
 merest incidents of the taxing power. Instead of raising revenue for purposes 
 of general benificence, we tolerate such purposes as incidental to the raising of 
 revenue. I protest. 
 
 "But may the Government make a Harbor at Chicago?" Mr. F. was asked. 
 "Was there any Harbor here already?" he queried in turn. Here is Mr. 
 •Wright's distinction again. But just consider it for a moment. Suppose 
 there had been originally a dozen perfect Harbors on the southern coast of 
 Lake Michigan, with half^^ dozen needing some work to render them safe and 
 
TIIURLOW weed's REPORT. 147 
 
 accessible, these latter being needed only for local accommodation, might not 
 their improvement have been very fairly deferred to local and personal enter- 
 prise, on the ground asserted by Col. Benton that they in truth •' harbored 
 nothing but the interests of their owners?" Now take the actual case of the 
 entire coasts of Lake Michigan, nine hundred miles in extent, and covered 
 with commerce, yet without a single natural harbor or place of refuge for 
 vessels in a storm, who can doubt that the construction of one or more Har- 
 bors is imperatively demanded by considerations of National and general well 
 being? No matter if they have to be made entirely — scooped out of the 
 shifting sands and fortified by expensive piers — the very fact that they must 
 be expensive puts them beyond the reach of private enterprise or local exer- 
 tion. The greater the natural deficiency — the necessity for Harbors being 
 obvious and conceded — the more palpable the necessity and thus the Consti- 
 tutionality of National interposition. 
 
 I must close abruptly, being summoned to the day's journey before me. 
 Will not each considerate reader follow out the train of thought suggested and 
 draw the fitting conclusions? * H. G. 
 
 THURLOW WEED'S REPORT. 
 
 [From the Albany Evening Journal, "Wednesday, July 14,1847.] 
 A Trip to Chicago — Lake-and-Harbor Convention — A Run through 
 the Lakes— Niagara Falls — "Maid of the Mist" — Captain Van 
 Cleve and his "Cataract," Etc. 
 
 From the Editor. 
 
 Steamboat Empire, June 30, 1847. 
 
 I am alloat, for the first time, on Lake Erie, in that magnificent Steamer, 
 the Empire, Capt. Randall, who had steam up and was waiting the arrival of 
 the cars. In ascending to her beautiful saloon, we found some three hundred 
 ladies and gentlemen grouped around upon sofas, divans, etc., as luxuriously as 
 on board of our own splendid Isaac Newton and Hendrik Hudson. Immedi- 
 ately Capt. R. commenced working his vv^ay, by slow and tortuous movements, 
 out of Buffalo Harbor, the insufficiency of which, for the vast commerce of 
 these inland oceans, forcibly impressed us with the importance of the Conven- 
 tion about to assemble at Chicago. That Convention will, by its delibera- 
 tions, it is hoped, awaken not only the whole American people, but their 
 Government, to the magnitude of an interest that has heretofore been almost 
 entirely neglected, saving the people from the mortification and the Govern- 
 ment from the disgrace of again seeing the implements and the materials pre- 
 pared for the construction of Lake harbors, sold at "pubHc vendue!" 
 
 At least two-thirds of our cabin passengers are Delegates to the Conven- 
 tion. These, however, are but the stragglers of an army of delegates that had 
 left Buffalo earlier. The number of delegates, therefore, will be legion. Our 
 great commercial metropolis, though deeply interested, will, I fear, be but 
 feebly represented. The only Delegates with us, from New York, are Mr. 
 Brooks of the Express, and Edwin Burr, Esq., a friend with whom I traveled 
 in Europe, and with whom it is always pleasant to meet. Very few of the 
 large number of Delegates appointed have appeared. Albany has shown 
 more spirit, though her delegation is not as large as was expected. Hon. John 
 C. Spencer, Mr. Croswell, and Mr. Thomas L. Greene are here, bringing up 
 our rear guard. Gen. Davis is, I believe, the "sole representative" of the 
 city of Troy. • 
 
148 CHICAGO RIVER-AND-H ARBOR CONVENTION. 
 
 July I. 
 
 We have a calm, delightful night, and at sunrise was a few miles above 
 Conneaut, Ohio, gliding rapidly along some six miles from the shore. At 8 
 o'clock, nearly three hundred passengers were seated in the Empire's spacious 
 saloon, to an ample and well-served breakfast. 
 
 During the forenoon, our friend, Seth C. Hawley of Buffalo, called our 
 attention to a circumstance which was particularly unpleasant to American' 
 eyes, and which proved, far more conclusively than argument or even figures 
 can prove, the impolicy and wretchedness of our " Financial System of Forty- 
 Two. " The eye, at a single glance, took in a commercial fleet, consisting of 
 fifteen sail, all from Cleveland, and the neighboring ports, and all heading 
 directly for the Welland Canal. 
 
 We reached Cleveland at i o'clock, where we lay an hour, which hour we 
 improved by riding, first through its busy, bustling streets, and then along one 
 or two of its broad avenues, adorned with tasteful mansions, surrounded by a 
 profusion of fruit trees, shrubbery, and flowers. Cleveland, as the outlet of 
 the Ohio Canal, is fortunate in possessing an accessible, safe, and "snug" har- 
 bor. The fact that since the opening of navigation 1,300,000 barrels flour, 
 and 1,200,000 bushels wheat have been shipped at Cleveland "speaks for 
 itself. " 
 
 Hon. John W. Allen, a former Representative in Congress, and one of the most 
 useful, as well as one of the most deservedly esteemed, citizens of Cleveland, 
 with several other Delegates from that town, joined us. Mr. Allen, after 
 completing his law studies at Oxford, Chenango Co., came to Cleveland in 
 1825, in a schooner of less burthen than an Erie canal-boat, and landed in a 
 yawl on the beach, there being then neither harbor nor dock there. 
 
 In the afternoon, we passed in view of the scene of Perry's sanguinary naval 
 battle and glorious victory. It commenced only a few miles south of the 
 mouth of the Detroit River, near a group of islands known as the Sisters, the 
 respective fleets drifting, during the action, several miles toward Put-in- Bay. 
 Gen. Proctor, with Tecumseh and several British officers, stood on a point at 
 the mouth of the Detroit River, below Maiden, watching the progress of the 
 battle. 
 
 We entered the river at % past 8 o'clock p. m., and at yi past 10 was along- 
 side of the wharf at Detroit, having traveled from Albany to Detroit (nearly 
 700 miles) in fifty-oxe hours! We are, they tell us, the only persons who 
 ever performed the journey between Albany and Detroit in so short a time. 
 
 We lay but an hour at Detroit. Mr. Corwin and Gov. Bebb of Ohio, left 
 Detroit this morning for Chicago, in the Steamer Oregon. 
 
 This evening, soon after tea, the saloon was arranged for dancing, and the 
 hours were passed very pleasantly in the mazes of the cotilion and the whirl- 
 ings of the waltz, 
 
 July 2. 
 
 The officers of the boat held a council of steam yesterday, which resulted 
 in a determination to attempt a moonlight flitting over the "St. Clair Flats," 
 a point of navigation which corresponds with our " Overslaugh " in its worst 
 state, before its obstructions were partially removed. This is a feat not 
 attempted with large vessels by night, and bets were made against its success. 
 An experienced lake captain maintained that we should go through, saying 
 that whatever " Bartholomew, " our sailing-master, " does not know of that 
 channel is not worth learning. " 
 
 I'he difficult passage was reached about 2 o'clock p. m. The boat felt her 
 way carefully along the winding channel until all the worst points were passed, 
 when, just before reaching deep water, where two stakes had disappeared, she 
 struck, and lay "hard agrougd" until 6 o'clock this morning. 
 
THURLOW weed's REPORT. I49 
 
 At S}4 o'clock this morning we came alongside a dock upon the Canada 
 shore to " wood. " An hundred-and-six cords of wood (hickory, maple, beech, 
 and oak) was seized by the deckhands, steerage passengers, etc., and soon 
 transferred from the dock to the boat, and at 12 o'clock we were under way. 
 I learn that the Empire, in a single trip, consumes over 600 cords of wood. 
 This requires for each trip the clearing up of over ten acres of well-wooded 
 land! The wood which was taken on board to-day cost $1 per cord. 
 
 The St. Clair River is the trunk through which the waters of Lake Huron 
 discharges itself into Lake Erie. It is a broad, beautiful river, looking out 
 on either side upon a rich, fertile soil, and most of the way, on the British 
 side particularly, the water and the land presenting a surface so even that an- 
 other puncheon of water would apparently overflow the land. There is a 
 current of something less than four miles an hour running through this outlet 
 for the mighty Huron. The country along the St. Clair River, strikes me as 
 a most desirable residence. To-day, at any rate, everything looks bright and 
 smiling. St. Clair is the principal village. Here commences the pine-timber 
 region, for the sawing of which steam-mills are numerous. Here, too, is the 
 gigantic frame-work of a steamer, building by Capt. Walker, that is to be the 
 Leviathan of the Lakes. 
 
 Early this morning, we passed the Steamer Illinois, Com. Blake. She is 
 owned by my old friend, Oliver Newberry, whose intelligence and enterprise 
 is associated with all the improvements of this New World. 
 
 Passing out of St. Clair River into the broad and deep Huron, and stretch- 
 ing along an arm of the State of Michigan which helps to form Saginaw Bay, 
 you begin to comprehend something of the vastness of the West. Visions of 
 the coming greatness and grandeur, and of the ultimate destiny of this conti- 
 nent, fill the mind with amazement. That America is to be the "seat of 
 empire, " and that too at no distant day " is a fixed fact. " A wisdom above that 
 of man has prepared for the inhabitants of worn-out, impoverished, and over- 
 burthened Europe, a fresh, fertile, primeval land, whose virgin soil and grace- 
 ful forests will wave over millions of people. Those who are here are but the 
 seeds of an emigrant population which are destined to multiply indefinitely. 
 I say let them come, for there "is ample room and verge enough" for all. 
 And in their labor, developing the riches of the earth, consists the elements of 
 national prosperity. 
 
 July 3- 
 
 We had another calm, beautiful night, and Lake Huron, this morning is 
 scarcely moved by a ripple. The evening was again passed in conversation 
 and dancing. And here let me say a word about the mode of "killing time." 
 I had heard much about gambling on the Lakes. But if this habit continues, 
 the Efnpire's passengers form an exception to the rule. The time, so far, has 
 been most rationally appropriated. Many volumes of " cheap literature " have 
 been devoured. Lakes, harbors, and river improvements have been freely dis- 
 cussed. But cards seem to have gone out of fashion. 
 
 We reached Mackinaw at 12 o'clock M. Here is an old town with four 
 or five hundred inhabitants and a well-constructed fort, from which you have 
 a fine view of Lakes Huron and Michigan. Having added some fifty cords 
 to our supply of wood, and replenished our larder with an abundance of sal- 
 mon-trout and whitefish, we are again under way, passing from Lake Huron 
 into Lake Michigan, whose waters present an unrippled surface. From Macki- 
 naw our course is south, the westerly or northwesterly course leading to Lake 
 Superior. At 7 o'clock this evening we touched at one of the Manitou Islands 
 for wood. At this point all the steamers "wood." This island, some three 
 miles by ten in extent, is only inhabited by the few persons employed in cut- 
 ting and hauling woo'd. It is not even inhabited by animals. I saw none of 
 
150 CHICAGO RIVER-AND-HARBOR CONVENTION. 
 
 the feathered race. Reptiles are seldom seen. And in the absence of all 
 these, musquitoes, finding nobody to torment, come not to the Manitou Island! 
 
 July 4- 
 
 This is the 71st Anniversary of the Declaration of American Independence. 
 Its sun dawns upon us in the middle of Lake Michigan, " the blue sky above 
 and the blue waters beneath us," but no land in sight. It is a bright day. 
 We are steaming onward rapidly, headed for Milwaukee, yet some seventy 
 miles distant. 
 
 The great and good men who, seventy years ago, carved out a republic, 
 could have had but imperfect conceptions of its even yet unappreciated mag- 
 nitude. They did not dream that in territory then unknown to them, there 
 would now be a population greater than that of the old thirteen colonies. 
 They could not, in their wildest imagining.s, have supposed that on these then 
 unexplored Lakes there would now be a commerce exceeding, in tonnage and 
 value, that of our Atlantic States. Yet these things are more than realized. 
 And in reference to the population and resources of the West, we have only 
 seen "the beginning of the end." 
 
 The works of nature away out here, where "the sun sinks to rest," are in- 
 deed upon an extended scale. Here are a succession of mighty Lakes, empty- 
 ing themselves one into another, until, nearly three thousand miles from their 
 head, their waters mingle with those of the Atlantic. And upon the shores 
 of these Lakes is an extent of country capable of supporting and destined to 
 receive, in the course of half a century, at least a quarter of a million of 
 inhabitants. 
 
 At 10 o'clf)ck to-day, our steamer's bell was tolled for the purpose of assem- 
 bling the passengers in the saloon for divine service. The Rev. Mr. Stimpson 
 of Greenbush, officiated. The Services were impressive — the audience large 
 and attentive. During the services, a bird "on weary wing" flew into the 
 saloon, hovered around among the congregation, and then passed out to find 
 a resting-place upon the shoals. 
 
 We have now been nearly four days "at sea," and everything has gone ju.st 
 right. The steamer is well managed. Though nearly three hundred passen- 
 gers draw around the table, the fare continues as abundant and extensive as it 
 could be if Fulton Market was at hand every morning. 
 
 The Empire was' built at Cleveland, three years ago. She is over I2CXD 
 tons burthen, and extremely well arranged for freight, steerage, and cabin 
 passengers. Capt. Randall is himself the largest owner. He was formerly 
 engaged upon the Hudson River, and came here twelve years ago. His enter- 
 prise, industry, and energy promise him the reward which such qualities 
 deserve. 
 
 We are now, at i o'clock p. m., approaching Milwaukee, only seven miles 
 off. My first view of Wisconsin is a very pleasant one. I come prepared to 
 believe it a most desirable residence. That within a few years it will become 
 an important member of the confederacy there is no doubt. 
 
 Chicago, July 5, 1847. 
 
 The Convention assembled at 12 o'clock, under a spacious awning in a pub- 
 lic square. An immense throng of citizens formed around the seats provided 
 for the Convention. An army of reporters were seated on either side of the 
 President. 
 
 Hon. Mr. Curtiss, the mayor of Chicago, on behalf of the Illinois Delega- 
 tion, welcomed the Delegates from the different States of the Union, in a brief 
 address, explaining the objects of the Convention. 
 
 While the Mayor of Chi(?ago was speaking, the very beautiful 4th-of-July 
 
THURLOW weed's REPORT. 151 
 
 procession, of which I shall speak again, came into the field and formed 
 tiround the Convention. 
 
 On motion of Mr. Ogden of Chicago, James L. Barton, Esq., of Buffalo, 
 Avas appointed chairman /w tevi. Mr. Chambers of Missouri, and Mr. 
 Crocker of Wisconsin, were, on the same gentleman's motion, appointed 
 secretaries pro iem. 
 
 The Rev. Mr. Allen of Massachusetts, then invoked the blessing of heaven 
 upon the deliberations of the Convention. 
 
 Let me here say that the firemen's display in this infant city to-day excited 
 universal admiration. I never saw anything got up in better taste. The 
 •companies were in neat uniforms. Their machines were very tastefully deco- 
 rated. There was, also, a miniature ship, manned and full-rigged, drawn by 
 12 horses, in the procession. While moving, the crew on board The Conven- 
 tion made, shortened, and took in sail repeatedly. 
 
 S. Lisle Smith, Esq., of Chicago, submitted a plan of organization, which 
 after an amendment submitted by David Dudley Field, Esq. of New York, 
 was adopted. 
 
 The States were then called alphabetically, and lists of Delegates from such 
 iis were represented were handed to the secretaries. 
 
 This is undoubtedly the largest deliberative body that ever assembled. In 
 looking around the sea of faces turned toward the Chair, I recognize, from 
 various parts of the Union, men of distinguished talents. Among the most 
 prominent are Senator Corwin and Cov. Bebb, Ex-Gov. Morrow of Ohio, 
 Andrew Stewart, Joseph R. Ingersoll of Pennsylvania, Thomas Butler King of 
 Georgia. 
 
 The gentlemen were then appointed a Committee to report Officers of 
 the Convention. «- * * 
 
 And then, on motion of Mr. Wells of Wisconsin, the meeting adjourned 
 till 4 o'clock \\ M. 
 
 There is an immense concour.se of people in the City. The hotels having 
 overflowed, private mansions were thrown hospitably open to Delegates, We 
 had several invitations, but having excellent quarters on board the Empire^ 
 we remained there. There are four fine boats here, viz. : the Baltic, the St. 
 Louis, the Empire, and the Sultana, all of which are crowded with guests. 
 Our State is well represented, with the exception of the City. 
 
 I have met many old friends from the Empire State, now residents of the 
 West. 
 
 4 o'clock p. M. 
 
 When the Delegates assembled, the Committee not being prepared to 
 report, the Rev. Mr. Allen, a Delegate from Massachusetts, addressed the 
 meeting with a view to show that the land of the Puritans was the hive from 
 which swarmed the intelligent and enterprising settlers who were now devel- 
 -oping the agriculture of this boundless and fertile region. He also insisted 
 that education and religion were intimately connected with the prosperity and 
 happiness of the indomitable West. But the settlers from New England, in 
 the great works in which they are engaged, find themselves associated with 
 not only citizens from other States, but from the nations of Europe. Coming, 
 as the inhabitants of the new States do, from all parts of the world, to fix 
 their habitations permanently here, they have a common interest. 
 . After Mr. Allen closed, there was a spontaneous call for "Corwin," who 
 was riot, it was thought, present. But he was soon observed and pointed out 
 in the crowd; and then a tremendous shout went up for " Corwin," " Corwin," 
 •who finally came forward amid deafening acclamations. 
 
 Immediately after reaching the stage, a profound stillness pervaded the 
 assemblage. From five to six thousand faces, indicating intense interest, were 
 turned upon the speaker, who riveted their attention. 
 
152 CHICAGO RIVER-AND-HARBOR CONVENTION. 
 
 Mr. Convin closed a most impassioned and eloquent speech of half an hour, 
 by deprecating the introduction of any political tests here. Let nothing be 
 said or done to recall the past, to mar the harmony of the present, or to jeop- 
 ard the prospects of the future. Let the bugles of party sound a truce to 
 politics while this Convention is in session. 
 
 When Mr, Corwin closed, there was a general call for "Greeley," whon-> 
 Mr. Wentworth introduced to the Convention. Mr. Greeley remarked that 
 he had hoped that his reputation as a bad speaker would have saved him from 
 the embarrassment of addressing so vast an assemblage. 
 
 Mr. Greeley then spoke for half an hour with much effect in favor of the 
 objects of the meeting. He was listened to with great attention, and warmly 
 cheered in concluding. Every word that Mr. Greeley uttered was full of 
 truth and wisdom. 
 
 The committee appointed to nominate officers of the Convention, now, 
 through Maj. John Biddle of Michigan, reported. * * * 
 
 After the report of the Committee had been read, Mr. Charles King of New 
 Jersey, from the Committee, moved that the report be amended by substitut- 
 ing the name of Thomas Corwin instead of that of Edward Bates, as presi- 
 dent of the Convention. 
 
 Mr. Corwin immediately rose, and peremptorily declined to serve, even if 
 chosen, under such circumstances. 
 
 The report of the Committee was unanimously accepted. 
 
 Mr. Bates, in taking the Chair, made an able and impressive exposition of 
 the objects and duties of the Convention. 
 
 Mr. Schenck of Ohio, from the same Committee, reported sundry resolu- 
 tions in relation to the forms of proceeding, which elicited a long debate. 
 
 Upon a resolution for the- appointment of a committee to prepare an address, 
 a constitutional debate sprung up, in which David Dudley Field of New York, 
 Robert C. Schenck of Ohio; Mr. Stringham of Buffalo; Judge Thomas and 
 Senator Judd of Illinois; and Mr. Hone of New York, participated. The 
 resolution was laid on the table. ' 
 
 The debate was continued till a late hour, but as the mail is about to close, 
 I can not give even the result. 
 
 July 6, 1847. 
 
 The Convention met at 9 o'clock a. m. 
 
 Prayer by the Rev. Mr. Allen. 
 
 The President announced the arrival of Delegations from the States of Ken- 
 tucky and Rhode Island. 
 
 The President then announced the appointment of the Committees on Reso- 
 lutions. * * * 
 
 D. Gardner, Esq., of New York, rose and stated that he held in his hand 
 a set of resolutions representing the voice of some 70 Delegates, which he 
 asked the privilege of reading. The resolutions were referred to the Com- 
 mittee on Resolutions without reading. It was requested that all those Dele- 
 gates having propositions prepared, submit the same to the Committee on 
 Resolutions. 
 
 Mr. Allen of Missouri, read a letter from Hon. Thomas H. Benton, a copy 
 of which I send. * * * 
 
 The President then announced the reception of letters from other distin- 
 guished men, all of which were ordered to be read. That of Ex-Gov. Wright 
 was first read. That of Henry Clay was next read. It was only a brief note 
 explaining why he was unable to attend the Convention. Letters were read 
 in succession from Hon. Washington Hunt of Lockport, Daniel S. Dickinson 
 of Binghamton, Lewis Cass of Detroit, Thomas B. Curtiss of Boston, Joseph 
 Grinnell of New Bedford, Bradford R. Wood of Albany, George P. Barka: 
 
THURLOW weed's REPORT. 153 
 
 of Buffalo, Alpheus Felch of Ann Arbor, Martin Van Buren of Lindenwald, 
 R. McClelland of Michigan, Charles Butler. * * * 
 
 The letters of Col. Benton and Gov. Wright were well received; those of 
 Messrs, Hunt, Grinnell, and Wood elicited warm expressions of admiration. 
 That of Mr. Cass elicited strong expressions of disapprobation. Its second 
 reading was called for, and, upon its second reading, renewed and increased 
 expressions of disapprobation were manifested. A profound silence succeeded 
 to the reading of Mr, Van Buren's. 
 
 The Convention called up Hon. AndreAv Stewart of Penn,, who addressed 
 it at length, with much effect, upon the subject which brought it together. 
 He took strong ground and was warmly cheered. 
 
 David Dudley Field of New York, followed, expressing the views enter- 
 tained by those who were partial to the doctrines which led to the veto of 
 former Harbor-and-River Improvement Bills. Mr. Field was more liberal 
 than others of his sect, but his views were in conflict with those entertained 
 by the Convention. * * * 
 
 Chicago, July 7, 1847. 
 
 You will find full reports of the proceedings of the Convention in the Chi- 
 cago papers. The resolutions, which were reported and adopted unanimous- 
 ly, are all that could be desired. They were well considered and forcibly 
 discussed by Hon. John C. Spencer. 
 
 The Convention has this moment (12 o'clock) adjourned. The reply of 
 the President to a vote of thanks, which was excellent, drew forth six most 
 enthusiastic cheers from the Convention, over three thousand delegates being 
 present. 
 
 A letter from Mr. Webster was read to the Convention this morning, which 
 elicited three hearty cheers. 
 
 This Convention was composed of enlightened, discriminating men. Its 
 action was deliberate, but emphatic, and can not fail to be effective. I ven- 
 ture to predict that no more Harbor-and-River Bills will be vetoed or "stolen.'* 
 
 The Convention was fortunate in the selection of its president, though when 
 called to the Chair, but few were aware of his fitness to discharge its duties. 
 Mr. Bates was a member of Congress in 1824 and 1825. Then the sole 
 representative from Missouri, he felt it to be his duty to cast the vote of his 
 State for Mr. Adams, This lost him the popular favor of his State, and he 
 has since been in retirement, greatly respected at St. I>ouis as a distinguished 
 member of the Bar. * 
 
 If Gen. Cass had any hold upon the confidence of the people of the "West, 
 his cold, formal, and almost disrespectful letter to this Convention, has forever 
 blasted his hopes. Its first reading occasioned a general, broad laugh. The 
 second reading changed the expression into one of withering scorn. And this 
 was scorn of men who wield the political power of Michigan, Illinois, Wis- 
 consin, and, to a good degree, of Ohio. 
 
 Chicago is destined to be a large and beautiful city. It is regularly laid out, 
 with its broad avenues, and, out of the business part of the city, it is thickly 
 planted with trees, which will soon, in addition to adorning the city, furnish 
 a grateful shade. It has four admirably-conducted public -schools, much 
 larger than ours, and filled with children. The various religious denomina- 
 tions have large houses of public worship. The River, extending well through 
 the City, furnishes an ample and excellent harbor. 
 
 All are looking forward anxiously to the completion of the Canal. That 
 done, Chicago will eclipse even its own past magic-like growth. In ten 
 years, Chicago will contain more inhabitants than Albany. 
 
 * See page 172. 
 
154 CHICAGO RIVER-AND-HARBOR CONVENTION. 
 
 We rode ajew miles out yesterday, to get a glimpse of the prairies. In 
 doing so, we found the road all the way occupied with an almost unbroken 
 line of wagons, drawn generally by two yokes of oxen, bringing wheat to the 
 City. These teams are called " prairie schooners. " That eccentric member 
 of Congress from Alabama, Felix Grundy McConnell, among his last acts, 
 asked the House of Represe»tatives to '■'■Resolve, That this is a great country, 
 and constantly increasing." One needs to visit Chicago to realize and confess 
 that the proposition is one of undeniable truth. 
 
 It is said here, that the article in the Union, throwing cold water on the 
 Convention, kept Senators Breese and Douglas, with other leading Loco- 
 Eocos, away. But a large number of the " bone and sinew " of the Democ- 
 racy of the West are here. 
 
 We leave this evening in the Steamer St. Louis, Capt. Wheeler, for Sault 
 de St. Mary. Senator Corwin, Gov. Bebb, and Hon. Robert C. Schenck of 
 Ohio, Roswell L. Colt of Patterson, N. J., Trumbull Cary of Batavia, Thos. 
 C. Love, Seth C. Hawley, Dr. Eoote, and George W. Clinton of Buffalo, 
 with a large number of ladies and gentlemen, are of the party. 
 
 The following is a sketch of the remarks of Senator Corwin and Mr. Gree- 
 ley, on the first day : — 
 
 As the Rev. orator took his seat, Torn Conoin was loudly called for from 
 all parts of the assemblage. With his proverbial and characteristic modesty, 
 he seemed anxious to hide himself among the crowd, but he was too well 
 known, and being speedily discovered, was fairly lifted from his seat, and 
 forced to the stand. He was greeted with an outburst of applause, which 
 showed how deeply seated was the admiration and respect all felt for the 
 wagon-boy of Ohio. 
 
 Mr. Corwin said he would have been most happy could he be excused from 
 answering at this time to the imperative call which had brought him before 
 the audience. He complimented the Rev. gentleman who had preceded him, 
 and united with his tribute to the Puritans; one of whom he presumed the 
 gentleman was himself (a laugh). As for himself, he thought it must be evi- 
 dent to every one who saw him from a prima- facie view, that he could not be 
 descended from the same stock (a laugh). It almost seemed as if he was 
 brought forward directly after the Rev. gentleman to produce a sort of discord 
 by comparison. Yet, however much we may have been indebted to the hardy 
 and noble sons of New England for much that elevates and ennobles the West, 
 . he would venture to say that if any one would enter the interior of Illinois 
 and Iowa, he would find many of the strong-armed sons of Pennsylvania, 
 many from the good old State of Kentucky, and /luge swarms (turning to Mr. 
 Allen) from Ohio. 
 
 Gentleman had all heard of Ohio— he resided there himself — if they 
 doubted the existence of such a place, and would put him upon the stand, he 
 would prove it to them — yet there are some in our wide world who have not 
 a very clear idea of it. He once met a Frenchman who complained bitterly 
 of our diplomats. He inquired what was the matter with them? were they not 
 dignified and gentlemanly in their deportment? Yes, but they spoke no lan- 
 guage at all — What, not their own mother vernacular? No, they spoke a 
 kind o{ patois; he believed they called it Ohio (a laugh). 
 
 He spoke of the involuntary impulse which had gathered together from all 
 parts of the Union, men of the highest respectability and most exalted worth. 
 In this remark he meant by no means to be egotistical (a laugh). They had 
 here united, forming a great Congress of the American People. It is a far 
 nobler patriotism than conquering distant nations with your war-clad armies, 
 thus to assemble to secure the blessings of a free government. There is no 
 people under the wide heaven who would have exhibited, as you do to-day, 
 
THURLOW weed's REPORT. 155 
 
 so keen and true an estimate of this great truth. This impulse had moved 
 men from every part of the land to this gathering point. 
 
 Away from distant Massachusetts, from the city of the merchant princes, 
 the old Bay State has sent her sons. 
 
 And from the old colony of William Penn, come representatives to this 
 Congress of American People, without any per-diem allovi^ance or mileage, to 
 marry the good old drab city of Philadelphia to the young city of Chicago. 
 
 And from distant Savannah comes one, to learn here vt^hether our glorious 
 republic is destined to be composed of widely-disjointed fragments, or whether 
 it is to become, and remain united until the " last syllable of recorded time. " 
 
 Was not this a noble Congress? He had been for many years a member of 
 another Congress, but could he transplant this one to the Ten Miles Square, 
 he would gladly siuap the old one for it. 
 
 Congress has power to regulate commerce between the several States. If 
 you send a cargo of wheat from Chicago to Buffalo, a distance of looo miles, 
 crossing lake after lake, stretching away in their magnificent length, would 
 not one naturally think that this might be called commerce'^ But no, that is a 
 mistake, we are told. What is it then, my brother? Why that is trade (a 
 laugh). But if you send the same cargo from New York to New Orleans, 
 what is it then? Well, then it is cominerce. Why is it not in the first instance 
 as well as in the last? Oh! it is not on salt water (a laugh). 
 
 He begged gentlemen would notice this nice distinction between commerce 
 and trade. If we are engaged in business upon salt water it is commerce. If 
 upon fresh wate^, then it is trade (a laugh). 
 
 Such is the beautiful construction of that clause in the Constitution, as 
 given to it in various parts of the Union. If you are desirous of knowing the 
 construction of that clause, recollect ! you are not to ask the opinion of some 
 able laivyer or erudite statesman, but you must seek some distinguished chemist 
 and have the water carefully analyzed to discover whether it is salt or fresh 
 (a laugh). 
 
 It would be interesting to inquire what influence commerce has had in pro- 
 ducing the success of your own good city, and in building up the abodes of 
 civilization where, but yesterday as it were, the wild savage ruled your prairie 
 land. Without commerce it would never have existed, and we should not be 
 assembled here to-day. Commerce and Christianity have marched hand in 
 hand — the pioneers of the West. It is commerce which builds up and enlarges 
 a nation. Countries are prosperous, as an almost universal rule, exactly in 
 the relative proportion of the seaboard to the inland extent of territory. 
 Africa at this day is as dark and desolate as ever, her seaboard is only one 
 square mile to 900 inland. Even our New England, without commerce, not- 
 withstanding her stern and heroic sons, would have sooner become barbarous 
 than what she is now. 
 
 He spoke of the future greatness of the country between the East and the 
 Rocky Mountains— it would at no distant day become the arbiter of the des- 
 tinies of the Republic — it would make our Presidents and enact our laws. 
 (Turning to Mr. Allen). It is well, sir, that you have come among us to see 
 your future masters (a laugh) — its rights will be maintained; the ballot-box 
 will secure us the same privileges accorded to our brethren, I have never 
 seen a disease in the body politic that could not be cured by the ballot-box. 
 Shall treasure be poured out for the ocean mariner? and shall not a dollar be 
 given to remove impediments from our Lakes and Rivers? No, we do not 
 believe this. The same indomitable energy that brought our Pilgrim fore- 
 fathers through the snows of winter and the perils of the deep, is fast bringing 
 their descendents hitherward, with their notions (a laugh). 
 
 He need not argue more on this occason. Every man present had an opin- 
 
156 CHICAGO RIVER-AND -HARBOR CONVENTION. 
 
 ion in accordance with his own. In this Congress there would not be a dis- 
 senting voice. 
 
 Let us not then allow any discord to creep into our councils, to mar the 
 harmony of the present, or jeopard the vast interests of the future. Let the 
 bugles of party have no sound in this Convention. Let there be here no 
 Whig, no Democrat — nothing but Americans. Let us here form a new party, 
 and let it be the boast of us all in future years, that we aided harmoniously in 
 urging on this great movement. 
 
 Turning to Mr. Wentworth, the Representative in Congress from this Dis- 
 trict, he continued : — 
 
 Gentlemen, when he and I can agree on any subject, there must be har- 
 mony. He had the pleasure to know that that gentleman was warmly enlisted 
 in favor of the objects of this Convention. He might say he was latitudinous 
 upon the subject; perhaps this was owing to his longitude. He goes his whole 
 length (a laugh). 
 
 If any of the empires on earth injure or assail us, we are ready to arm our- 
 selves to the teeth and go forth to do battle, to spend immense treasures, and 
 draw upon all our resources; but here upon these Lakes, and in our Western 
 Rivers, thousands of lives are lost, more than have fallen in the Mexican war, 
 for want of a small appropriation. A single ship-of-the-line destined to pro- 
 tect our foreign commerce, costs us more than a million of dollars. That 
 same gallant ship which bore the name of his own vState, Ohio, cost a million 
 and half of dollars. P'our of these ships have cost us more than has been 
 expended for our Western Harbors since the formation of our government. 
 Every gun that you will find on board these ships costs you fourteen thousand 
 dollars. Would it not be better to take some of these fourteen thousands and 
 improve our Harbors at Chicago, Milwaukee, and other places, or to remove 
 snags and sawyers from the Ohio and Mississippi? 
 
 It is a curious fact that 82 per cent of our revenues have gone to supply our 
 armies, our forts, and our ships, leaving 18 per cent to be invested for the pur- 
 poses of peace. He thought this state of things had better be reversed. 
 There is no fear that this country will be invaded. He did not think there 
 was a country in God's creation which would invade a land that the Yankees 
 had already invaded. 
 
 He alluded also to the fact that these obstructions of the Lakes reacted to 
 the great injury of the farmer, as well as commercial men. If the farmer 
 raises any more produce than he desires to use himself, he wants a good mar- 
 ket for the surplus. If he can not sell his produce to advantage he is pre- 
 vented from giving good education to his sons and daughters, who are to be 
 the future voters and the future mothers in the land. 
 
 Our Union ought to be so connected and consolidated that all parts can be 
 accessible to all. It should be bound together, hooped round with railroads, 
 as with iron ribs. The true definition of a commonwealth is that land where 
 all parts are equally protected and equally accessible. 
 
 It is said that Thomas Jefferson violated the Constitution to acquire Louis- 
 iana, his design being to prevent what he feared might take place — that the 
 West, at some future day, would seek to divide the Union, making the Alle- 
 ghanies the separating line. If a railroad had then extended from East to 
 West, we should not have needed to acquire Louisiana for any such reason. 
 The sons of the Pilgrims unll look out upon Asia, and have commercial asso- 
 ciations with her. If proper appropriations are not made to bind the growing 
 West to the distant East, their swarming Puritans will build up on the shore 
 of the Pacific an independent Republic of Anglo-Saxon blood. 
 
 But this great work on which we are engaged will be accomplished. Since 
 these same Puritans have taken it in hand, they will never rest nor sleep until 
 it is done. 
 
THURLOW WEEDS REPORT. 15/ 
 
 He thanked God that he had the assurance in this vast and intelligent assem- 
 blage that the hopes of the West were not to be disappointed. 
 
 After Mr. Corwin had closed, John Wentworth was called for. He de- 
 clined addressing the audience, and introduced Horace Greeley, editor of the 
 Nero- York Tribune, 
 
 Mr. Greeley said that he was somewhat humbled in being called upon to 
 address this assemblage. He had cherished the hope that his reputation as a 
 bad speaker had become national, and regretted to discover that it was only 
 local. He had seen as large assemblages before, doubtless composed of men 
 of as great respectability, but he had always before been saddened by the 
 reflection that the assemblage was in opposition in its views and actions to a 
 large portion of its fellow-citizens. It was a subject of gratification to all, 
 that this Convention was not an adversary to any portion of the Union. 
 
 He was pleased to see an assembly so much larger than he had anticipated. 
 He believed that when the Delegates returned to their homes, they had only 
 to tell the country what they had seen here, what they saw to-day, and every 
 one, no matter what might be the crotchets of the political leaders of his sec- 
 tion, would be anxious to facilitate communications with this garden of the 
 Republic. 
 
 He was accustomed to look to the results of such meetings as these. His 
 ears heard coldly the shouts which ascended in commemoration of victorious 
 battles, but he loved to hear the triumphs of such victories as the Erie and 
 Welland Canals, etc. 
 
 Returning thanks for their attention, he closed. 
 
 The President of the Convention, on taking the Chair, remarked that he 
 could not say, as is often said on such occasions, that he was grateful for the 
 compliment paid to him, for he feared that in appointing him president, an 
 unfortunate mistake had been made in the outset. 
 
 It could not be expected of him to enter into any argument, called upon as 
 he had been, to his own utter astonishment, to preside over their deliberations. 
 He had hoped that some one would have been selected who was tall enough 
 to be seen across the AUeghanies : some one whose fame was confined to no 
 locaUty, but like that of the gentleman from Ohio, everywhere illustrious. 
 
 He could not but reiterate his regret that he, who had for twenty years been 
 strictly confined to his legal duties, should have been selected to mar, by his 
 blunders, the deliberations of the Convention. He felt that he had not a 
 name and character in the Union sufficient to render him worthy of this posi- 
 tion. But let it be so. He trusted that indulgence would be shown him, and 
 his errors pardoned. 
 
 He would simply say, that not only the present race who peopled this broad 
 land, but all the vast generation whose home it was to be in future years, 
 demanded of them to perform their whole duty wisely and cautiously. They 
 had all been called together by the everywhere-pervading feeling that they had 
 been injured by defective legislation. 
 
 He believed that the constitutionality of the objects of this Convention 
 needed no proof. That was proved when the Constitution was written. 
 
 He closed with an allusion to Mr. Corwin's remark, that the West was 
 destined to become the ruler of this continent, trusting that when it came into 
 power it would rule in righteousness. 
 
 LAST DAY. 
 
 Although we have already given the official proceedings ot the Convention 
 to its close, there is much of interest yet behind. The brief sketches of the 
 debates which we give to-day, merit attention. 
 
 After the introduction of the Resolutions on Tuesday afternoon, June 6, 
 
158 CHICAGO RIVER- AND-HARBOR CONVENTION. 
 
 which we gave in oar paper of Saturday, the Convention proceeded with the 
 l:)usiness as follows : — 
 
 The President remarked that he would not take the question upon the 
 adoption of the resolutions, until after some remarks from Hon. John C. Spen- 
 cer of New York, in their support and elucidation. 
 
 Mr. Spencer was heartily welcomed by the Convention. * * * 
 
 Mr. Gardiner of Troy, N. Y., was then called for. 
 
 Mr. Gardiner had but a few observations to make. He expressed the en- 
 tire concordance of his own view with those expressed in the resolutions. 
 
 Mr. Gardiner dwelt very ably and eloquently upon the true definition of the 
 term, nationality. He stated that the aggregate amount of the commerce of 
 the lakes was now between $600,000,000 and 700,000,000, while our foreign 
 trade, both exports and imports, amounts to only $230,000,000. He asked 
 if an interest so vast as this was not a national interest, what is nationality? 
 
 Mr. Gardiner described the immense circle of interior trade, sweeping from 
 the East to the Gulf of Mexico, around the valley of the Mississippi to the 
 waters of the north, and asked if this vast interest had not the stamp of 
 nationality ? He spoke of the time when future generations — the sons of those 
 before him — should dwell on the shores of the far Pacific. Would they not 
 then wish for some line of intercommunication stretching from one shore to 
 another? 
 
 He spoke of the resolutions as precursors to other resolutions, when Con- 
 gress should be supplicated to establish a railroad from Chicago to the shores 
 of the Pacific, 
 
 David Dudley Field congratulated the Convention that the resolutions 
 would bring the Convention upon common ground. He had little fault to 
 find with them; they had his cordial assent, and affirmed precisely what he 
 himself had affirmed in the morning, that the seaboard and inland waters are 
 under the same category for constitutional action. He had, however, a desire 
 to offer an amendment to the 5th resolution, by moving to strike out the last 
 clause, and would therefore move the question be taken upon the resolutions 
 separately. 
 
 Mr. Green of Ohio, wanted to reflect before he voted. They could as well 
 be taken to-morrow morning as then. 
 
 Mr. Bigham, of Penn., said he was going to leave in the boat that night 
 with several hundred other Delegates, and was anxious to have an opportunity 
 to vote upon them before leaving, he hoped they would be passed. 
 
 Judge Thomas proposed that they be acted upon seriatim. 
 
 Mr. Fenno moved that ^1 be passed at once, except the resolution objected 
 to by Mr. Field. 
 
 Judge Thomas made a brief address in support of the unanimous passage of 
 the resolutions. He believed that when they were read one by one, and every 
 word scanned, there would be no dissenting voice. They embodied genei-al 
 principles, and did not invite attack by specific declarations. He had the 
 honor of being placed upon that Committee, a majority of whom were politi- 
 cally opposed to him, yet all their action had been courteous and conciliatory, 
 and in a common spirit of harmony and peace they had been offered. 
 
 To illustrate the courtesy of the Committee, he would relate an incident 
 connected with their proceedings. It happened that in one of the resolutions 
 the word repudiate was used; but upon his suggesting that some other word 
 had better be used, it was immediately withdrawn, and no such word appears 
 in the resolutions. 
 
 The resolutions were then passed seriatim, and without opposition, except 
 to the 5th, which, however, was unavailing, and the whole report of the 
 Committee was adopted as the voice of the Convention. 
 
THURLOW WEEDS REPORT. 1 59 
 
 One or two additional resolutions were then submitted and adopted. 
 
 Mr. Redfield, desired to offer an amendment to one of the resolutions of 
 the Committee. It was, he said, in the language of Gen. Jackson. 
 
 Laid on the table. 
 
 The assemblage called upon Thomas Butler King of Georgia, for a speech. 
 That gentleman came forward in answer to the call. 
 
 Mr. King said he knew it was not for anything he had to say, as coming 
 from him, that this assemblage wished him to speak, but they were anxious 
 to hear what were the opinions and views of the free and independent citizens 
 of Georgia, who have sent me here to meet you, upon the questions for whose 
 consideration you are gathered together. 
 
 He came as no party man. There was a time when both the political par- 
 ties of his State were opposed to internal improvements. But that time had 
 long since passed by. They have grown more intelligent, and better know 
 their own interest. 
 
 As he was on his way hither in the cars, it was whispered around him that 
 there was a delegation in the cars from the State of Georgia to the Chicago 
 Convention — and he overheard the inquiry, "What the devil has the State of 
 Georgia to do with that Convention?" (A laugh.) 
 
 He would reply that the State of Georgia was one of the old Thirteen, 
 and that it had a great interest in the welfare of all its bright and glorious 
 daughters. 
 
 It would seerA as if a prophetic spirit dwelt in the hearts of our eminent men 
 of old, in relation to the future destinies of the West. 
 
 He mentioned the suggestions made by Mr. Gallatin, Secretary of the 
 Treasury in i8c8, for improvement of the routes — from the Hudson to the 
 great Lakes — from the waters of the Chesapeake to the head of navigation on 
 the Ohio, and from the head waters of the Savannah to the head waters of 
 the Tennessee. The first two of these routes have been successfully accom- 
 plished, and the last will be within the space of twelve months. This last 
 route will be extended by railroad to Cincinnati, and probably to St. Louis. 
 We like our Northern brethren exceedingly, and we bid them God speed in 
 all their enterprises, but we of the South desire also to come in for our share 
 of the benefits to be derived from these great interests, and we intend to offer 
 you a Southern outlet, and we shall welcome you in our orange groves, when 
 the snows of winter render your homes less pleasant than ours. 
 
 We give fair warning to the Empire State that we intend to rival her in 
 bearing off the products of the West. We do not say she should enlarge her 
 Erie Canal. That is left for the decision of her own wise men, better capable 
 of judging than himself. He only gave her fair warning. The vSouth is wide 
 awake. But there will be no necessary rivalry among the different parts of 
 the Union for your exports — all the railroads and canals which can be built 
 will not afford outlets sufficient for your productions. 
 
 We too have our harbors and rivers, and we are anxious that yours should 
 be improved, for we desire your cooperation to secure the improvement of 
 our own. 
 
 It is for the interest of the Union that you should receive these appropria- 
 tions in another point of view. In our next contest with John Bull — and a 
 contest must come as sure as this great world rolls round, the theatre of action 
 will be upon these inland Lakes — when that time comes he wanted our har- 
 bors ready for our navies, he disliked hard blows as much as any man, but if 
 he had got to fight, he wanted to be able to strike a little harder than his 
 enemy. Governments wants safe harbors on these Lakes for naval depots, as 
 you do for commerce. 
 
 Mr. King remarked that as long as he held a seat in Congress, they might 
 
l60 CHICAGO RIVER-AND-H ARBOR CONVENTION. 
 
 always count upon his vote for the harbor-and-river interest. Justice has been 
 long delayed, and he wondered not that the West rose to demand it. Some 
 of our politicians had held to the dogma, " Give liberty, and you give anarchy. " 
 He spurned such a doctrine as totally unworthy any freeman of this country. 
 
 He was pleased with the distinction drawn by the gentleman from Ohio, 
 between comtnerce and trade, but he must say, if all salt-water navigation was 
 entitled to the name of commerce, he believed these Lakes were clearly under 
 the provisions, for so many cargoes of salt had been sunk in them that their 
 water might safely be given to a chemist to be analyzed. 
 
 He supposed if the Pilgrims had first come up the Mississippi instead of 
 landing at Plymouth Rock, and the West had been first settled, we should 
 find this ground reversed, and that /r^^/i-water navigation would be under the 
 provisions, and we poor Atlantic States should be now demanding the same 
 that you request. 
 
 One great truth has been asserted here — that when a cargo leaves any part 
 of the West for a foreign port, it comes under the head of foreign commerce 
 from the moment it is embarked, as much at Chicago as at New York. 
 
 Delegates had assembled to scatter old puerile notions, and he hoped they 
 would never fail to assemble year after year, until their great objects were 
 accomplished. 
 
 Even Mr. Calhoun, in his Memphis Report, says the mouth of the Missis- 
 sippi must be improved at any cost. What difference is there in this respect 
 between the mouth of the Mississippi and the mouth of the Chicago? 
 
 Mr. King spoke at length on the subject of public lands. He wondered 
 not that the West on this subject were sensitive. It was the great domain on 
 which they lived, and they naturally feel that it should be used for their bene- 
 fit. He had voted in Congress, and would again, to grant to the States alter- 
 nate sections along the canals and railroads; it would serve to bind them 
 together still more closely. He went for internal improvements, because it 
 would bind the East to the West — the North to the South, 
 
 He alluded to the great railroad to the Pacific. Such a line of communica- 
 tion was necessary and expedient. The United States would never give up 
 Oregon, and it was fortunate that we had a constitutional way pointed out to 
 us to accomplish such works — pointed out, by the most thoroughgoing of 
 Southern abstractionists. 
 
 Mr. Calhoun says it would be constitutional to contract beforehand for 25 
 years to transport mails on great public lands. 
 
 He thanked the Convention for its attention to his discursive remarks. He 
 himself, and all whom he represenented, would act in zealous good faith with 
 them in carrying out the great objects of the Convention, Adjourned to 9 
 o'clock next morning. 
 
 Wednesday Morning. 
 
 Convention met pursuant to adjournment. 
 
 Provisions were then made for the publication of the proceedings and their 
 distribution among the people. 
 
 Hon. Thomas Corwin of Ohio, then offered the usual resolution of thanks 
 to the Chairman. 
 
 Thereupon, the Chairman, Mr. Bates of St. Louis, arose and, in one ot 
 the most appropriate speeches, returned his thanks to the Convention. 
 
 The speech, if ever published as delivered, will be pronounced one of the 
 richest specimens of American eloquence. He was interrupted continually by 
 cheer upon cheer; and at its close, the air rung with shout after shout, from 
 the thousands in attendance. 
 
 The Convention adjourned at half-past eleven to-day, with more harmony, 
 if possible, then it commenced. Never have we witnessed such a harmonious 
 
THURLOW weed's REPORT. l6l 
 
 meeting, from beginning to end. Its proceedings have been worthy any peo- 
 ple and any cause. And the interest of the public was continued throughout 
 all the sittings. Up to the last hour the crowd was a dense one, and every 
 13elegate staid to the end. 
 
 This Convention must rank as one of the most respectable, and we hope it 
 will prove one of the most useful, ever assembled on the continent. This is 
 a strong expression, we know. But we ask those who may be inclined to 
 doubt it, to first hear before they judge. * * * 
 
 The President announced the following named gentlemen as composing the 
 committee to gather statistics and present the same to the consideration of the 
 Congress of the United States : — * * * 
 
 The Committee of the Whole. — After the adjournment of the great 
 Convention yesterday, on motion, the assemblage resolved itself into a " com- 
 mittee of the whole, " Horace Greeley of New York, in the chair. Gov. 
 Bebb of Ohio, Mr. Loomis of Penn., Gen. Hubbell of Wisconsin, S. Lisle 
 Smith of Illinois, Mr. Burlingame of Mass., Mr. Allen of Mass., and Horace 
 Greeley were successively called upon, and addressed the meeting on general 
 subjects connected with the cause which brought them together. 
 
 Some of the most soul-stirring speeches that have been made in the three 
 days past were evoked by this occasion. — Chicago Com. Adv. 
 
 Steamboat St. Louis, July 9. 
 
 Soon after leaving Chicago, on Wednesday evening, a meeting of the pas- 
 sengers was called, to determine our route. The chair was taken by Philip 
 Hone of New York. After an expression of views and wishes by the passen- 
 gers, a committee, consisting of Hon. Mr. Schenck of Ohio, Hon. Wm. Mos- 
 ley of Buffalo, and another individual, was appointed, to obtain information 
 from Capt. Wheeler, whom we regretted to find ill in his berth. Upon learn- 
 ing from the Captain how much time would be consumed in the excursion, 
 and what points were most attractive, we reported to the meeting, when it 
 was determined that the boat should, after touching at Milwaukee and She- 
 boygan, proceed to Green Bay, for the purpose of cruising for a day among its 
 picturesque islands. 
 
 There is a much larger number of passengers than was expected. Several 
 hours before leaving Chicago, the officers of the boat refused to promise 
 staterooms or even berths. But the interest of the excursion and the reason- 
 ableness of the fare, combined, were irresistible. The boat goes where the 
 passengers direct, and remains as long as they choose, for $2 per day, includ- 
 ing board. 
 
 I mentioned, I believe, that Mr. Corwin, Gov. Bebb, and Mr. Schenck of 
 Ohio, were with us. There are several other gentlemen of distinction from 
 Ohio, and among them, Hon. J. C. Wright and Judge Hall of Cincinnati, 
 and Mr. Parkhurst, G. W. Davis, and Mr. Thurston, with many ladies. 
 Hon. Thomas Butler King of Georgia, is with us. Hon. Edward Bates, 
 President of the Convention. Thomas Allen, Esq,, formerly of the Madison- 
 ian, Mr. Chambers of the Reptiblican, Mr. Treat of the Union, Mr. Keemle 
 of the Reveille, and Doct. Simpson all of St. Louis, are here. They go up 
 Lake Superior to the Falls of St. Anthony. Mr, Foote of the Buffalo Com- 
 mercial Advertiser, Mr. Williams of the Detroit Advertiser, Mr. Green of the 
 Cincinnati Herald, and Mr. Camp of the New- York Police Reporter, are of the 
 party. From Buffalo we have N. K. Hall, S. C. Hawley, G. W. Clinton, 
 T. C. Low, Col. Barton, Mr. Spalding, etc. 
 
 Charles King of the Courier hf Enquirer ^\q.^\. us at Milwaukee, where he 
 remains a day or two with his son, editor of the Sentinel, and in whose pros- 
 perity it is needless to say that I take a deep interest. It is peculiarly gratify- 
 II 
 
1 62 CHICAGO RIVER-AND-HARBOR CONVENTION. 
 
 ing, therefore, to see and to know that Gen. King, so long "part and parcel"' 
 of the Evening yournal, is known for his worth, and "heard for his cause, "^ 
 throughout the growing West. His talents, integrity, and patriotism are 
 acknowledged by all. His intelligence and public spirit, in forming and fash- 
 ioning the institutions so essential to mental and moral cultivation, is prover- 
 bial. He is just such a man as is wanted in Wisconsin. 
 
 Mr. Cramer, who was formerly in the Argus establishment, is now publish- 
 ing the Daily Wisconsin at Milwaukee, and is also a gentleman of education 
 and talents, with great purity of purpose, and of amiable character. 
 
 I had not the opportunity I desired of seeing Milwaukee leisurely, as our 
 boat remained there but two hours. Next to Chicago, it is to be the great 
 city of the Far- West. Mr. Croswell and Mr. Corning, with their ladies, are 
 at Milwaukee. 
 
 Mr. Hone, one of whose daughters accompanies him, left us at Sheboygan,, 
 where he owns property that is becoming very valuable. This place, like all. 
 that I have seen of Wisconsin, is delightful. The Sheboygan River is navi- 
 gable for the largest vessels two miles, but for the want of a few thousand, 
 dollars to improve its mouth, all its usefulness is lost. But this state of things 
 can not last. 
 
 We left Sheboygan at 7 o'clock last night, and at 6 this morning were at 
 "Death's Door," a narrow straight, with several reefs, (where it is said a large 
 tribe of Indians, endeavoring to escape from a hostile tribe in canoes, were 
 all drowned), which forms the entrance to a group of wild, picturesque islands, 
 around which we have been coasting for eight hours. The weather is delight- 
 ful. Our captain and mate are familiar even with this out-of-the-way and 
 seldom-visited region. These waters are seldom traversed, and human foot- 
 steps are rarely set upon these islands. A single light-house, with an occa- 
 sional land-mark, is all that we have seen, indicating that our Government 
 has recognized the existence of this most interesting portion of our common 
 country. 
 
 Having completed our run through these islands, our boat was headed for 
 the North-Manitou Island, which, being only thirty-five miles distant, we 
 reached long before sunset. On the northwest side of this island the sand- 
 banks rise, in some places, full two hundred feet above the surface of the 
 Lake, and what is singular, this island of sand is without its "sand beach."" 
 The shore is almost as bold, where the banks are high, as that in our High- 
 lands. 
 
 We were told that there is a large lake upon the summit of this island, 
 abounding with trout, but on landing, I found that this lake was upon the 
 level part of the island, and even with the surface of Lake Michigan. 
 
 This sand soil produces nothing but wood, though I do not understand why 
 a soil that sustains a maple and a beech forest should not bear wheat, corn, 
 and vegetables. There are some forty men employed here in cutting and 
 hauling boat-wood, for which $1.75 per cord is paid. The only family here 
 is from Granville, Washington Co. Among the privileges they regret, is that 
 of voting a Whig ticket. From the last of October until May, they know 
 nothing of what is passing in the world. 
 
 Saturday, July 10. 
 
 We left the Manitou Island at 8 o'clock last evening, and were called at 
 five this morning to take a view of the beautiful approaches to Mackinac, or 
 "Michilimacinack," that "hard word," the spelling of which has so severely 
 tried the patience of some teachers, and has cost so much birch with others. 
 
 The early part of the night was rendered anxious by the severe illness of 
 our friend, Trumbull Cary of Batavia, who, I am happy to say, is much bet- 
 ter this morning. Mr. Colt of New Jersey, has been quite ill for three days. 
 
THURLOW weed's REPORT. 163 
 
 He leaves us here, for the benefit of repose and the healthful atmosphere of 
 this island. 
 
 The Steamboat Baltic, leaving Chicago 15 hours after us, was here when 
 we arrived, she having come direct. I observe, among her passengers, a num- 
 ber of the Albany and Troy Delegates. 
 
 Here our party separates for the day. Most of the ladies and two-thirds 
 of the gentlemen go on shore to enjoy a " pic-nic, " for which ample provision 
 has been made by Mr. Bloomer, our indefatigable steward. 
 
 At 10 o'clock the steamers got under way for Carp River, a distance of 12 
 miles, where there is said to be excellent trout fishing. We now lay at anchor 
 at the mouth of the river, and some forty gentlemen, "armed to the teeth" 
 with rod, reel, line, hook, fly, angle-worm, etc., etc., are intent upon beguil- 
 ing and capturing the wary trout. We shall see with what success. 
 
 Our boat rides at anchor in a broad bay, from which we look out upon a 
 broader wilderness, apparently as unbroken and fresh as it was the day that 
 Columbus discovered this continent. Solitude — vast and sublime solitude — is 
 the striking feature of these mighty waters and these boundless woods. Lake 
 Michigan occupies more surface than the State of New York, and the pro- 
 ductive, unoccupied lands bordering it. would sustain a population greater 
 than that of all the New England States. And yet there are hundreds of 
 miles of coast, upon this Lake, whose waters float hundreds of vessels bur- 
 dened with millions of dollars, where the Government has not yet expended 
 the first dollar for a harbor! There is a light-house, to be sure, on Washing- 
 ton Island in Green Bay, which warns the mariner of that danger, but if he 
 is in a gale, or needs a harbor, he may run over an hundred miles without 
 finding one. 
 
 4 o'clock 1'. M. 
 
 The boats have just returned from the Carp River. The enterprise was 
 not all that was expected. The party were beset by merciless mosquitoes, 
 and, if possible, still more ferocious flies. Trout were abundant, but fastidious. 
 They were probably not acquainted with, or possibly objected to, the city mode 
 of being caught. An hundred and fifty were taken, of which Mr. Clinton 
 caught 39, But though the fish were shy, the mosquitoes and flies bit magni- 
 ficently, as is apparent in the stung, swollen, and blood-besmeared faces of the 
 anglers. 
 
 We are now preparing to return to Mackinac to receive our "pic-nic" 
 friends on board, then to depart for Sault de St. Marie. 
 
 Steamboat St. Louis, Mackinac, July 10, 1847. 
 
 This island, though the abode of peace, and peaceful in all its aspects now, 
 has been the theatre of many and horrible atrocities. One of its most appal- 
 ling tragedies was enacted in 1763, when a small fort was garrisoned by 70 
 British troops, and afforded a shelter for half-a-dozen English traders, among 
 whom was Alexander Henry, a most intelligent and enterprising trader. Mr. 
 Henry had been adopted as a brother by a Chippewa Indian by the name of 
 " Wawatam, " who, on one occasion, when the Indians obtained a quantity of 
 liquor, fearing that while intoxicated he should not be able to restrain them, 
 took Mr. Henry to a cave, where he lay concealed two days and nights, until 
 the debauch was over, when his Indian brother came for him. 
 
 Subsequently Mr. Henry's Indian brother, under various pretexts, urged him 
 to leave the island. This effort was repeated with much earnestness, for 
 several successive days, after which the Indian himself disappeared; and the 
 following night a general massacre of the British soldiers and traders took 
 place, Mr. Henry secreted himself in the house of a Frenchman, but two 
 days afterward was discovered and given up. Eight others who had secreted 
 
164 CHICAGO RIVER-AND-H ARBOR CONVENTION. . 
 
 themselves were found, and while the Indians were preparing for a war-dance, 
 at which they were to be sacrificed, " Wawatam " returned with a pipe, which 
 he smoked and then handed it to the principal chief, who also smoked, and 
 then " Wawatam " addressed the chief, saying that he had been sent away 
 from an apprehension that he would disclose to his white brother their inten- 
 tion of massacring the British for the purpose of plunder and spoil; that 
 they had promised him that his brother should be protected; that in violation 
 of that promise they were now about to kill him; and then reminding them 
 of the sacredness of the relation that existed between him and his brother, 
 claimed that he should immediately be released. 
 
 The chief, in reply, admitted the truth of " Wawatam's statement, to whom 
 Mr, Henry was restored, and received by the other members of the family 
 with more than Indian emotions of joy. Soon afterward, Mr. Henry saw the 
 dead bodies of his fellow- prisoners brought from the fort to be cut up and 
 eaten. One body was cut into five parts and placed in five kettles. Invita- 
 tions (small bits of cedar-wood for cards) were sent for guests to the feast. 
 " Wawatam " was a guest. He took his dish and spoon, and returned with a 
 human hand and a large piece of flesh. 
 
 This is a brief account of one of the scenes of horror which used to be 
 enacted upon this now quiet island. Its early history presents scarcely an 
 unstained page. During our late war with Britain, Col. Croghan attempted 
 to retake the island from the British, but with an inferior force, and was re- 
 pulsed, Lieut. Holmes being among the killed. We have now an expensive 
 fort here; and one which, in passing up, I supposed would command the 
 island. But, upon examination, it seems to have been designed rather for 
 ornament than defence. There is a point in the rear of this fort, of such 
 decided advantage, that an enemy, landing at any of the exposed parts of the 
 island, with very little trouble, and two or three guns, without any loss or 
 danger to themselves, could utterly destroy this apparently strong fortress. 
 
 The " pic-nic " realized all the enjoyment that was anticipated. A delight- 
 ful spot, with a natural bower, had been selected. Mr. Bloomer had taken 
 care to provide a dainty repast, having with him, also, the cook, waiters, etc. 
 After visiting the "Sugar Loaf," " Arch'd Rock," and other points of interest, 
 the band being in attendance, dancing upon the green commenced. Other 
 rural exercises and sports were resorted to, and kept up with spirit, until 
 dinner was announced. The " chowder, " as one or two Bostonians affirm, 
 was one over which Mr. Webster, without loss of culinary character, might 
 have presided. After dinner, the sports of the day were concluded by a grand 
 "steeple chase," in which ladies and gentlemen participated. The ground 
 selected for the chase, though apparently of an even surface, proved to be un- 
 dulating 1 The consequence was that several gentlemen who left the starting- 
 post with spirit and confidence, were either down, or distanced by the ladies. 
 One gentleman attributed his fall to the circumstance that Mr. Bloomer, in 
 compounding his "lemonade," had substituted champagne for water! For the 
 offence, the steward was immediately arraigned, but Mr. Corwin, who under- 
 took the defence, obtained a verdict of acquittal, not so much upon the merits 
 of the case as by showing that the services of the steward were indispensable 
 to the continued enjoyment of all parties. The party returned, greatly 
 delighted with their excursion, at 7 o'clock v. m. In the evening, a large 
 party of ladies and gentlemen were rowed about the harbor, for the purpose 
 of hearing the "Canadian Boat-Song" from voyageurs. 
 
 At Mackinac we learned that Gov. Seward and family, who were to have 
 been with us, passed up the night before. His attendance as a Delegate to 
 the Convention was prevented by professional engagements at Canandaigua. 
 
 The fort here is garrisoned by a detachment of the " Brady Guards, " from 
 
THURLOW weed's REPORT. 1 65 
 
 Detroit. The other members of this corps are in charge of the fort at the 
 Sault. 
 
 Sunday, July 1 1. 
 
 We left Mackinac at sunrise this morning. The day is calm and intensely 
 hot. At breakfast, this morning, the trout taken yesterday in Carp River 
 were served. They were done to a tuin; and larded, as they were, with deli- 
 cate slices of salted pork broiled to a crisp, I need not say that the repast 
 was a delightful one. 
 
 At 9 o'clock we found ourselves gliding through and around an apparently 
 interminable group of islands. We were in a broad bay, with no land except 
 that of islands in sight. These islands, thickly wooded with hemlock, cedar, 
 and spruce, presented a deep evergreen foliage. They were of various dimen- 
 sions and in all forms. While some contained 1000, 500, 300, 200, 100, 50, 
 and 25 acres, others were but a few rods square, and several were mere tufts, 
 all, however, covered with trees and foliage. This splendid bay forms the 
 head of Lake Huron. The islands are all uninhabited. They stand up amid 
 these mighty waters, silently but impressively teaching the wonders of Nature 
 to the children of man — having been spoken into existence by an all-wise and 
 omnipotent Creator. 
 
 At 10 o'clock, the passengers were summoned to attend Divine service. 
 The Rev. Mr. Allen officiated. During the service, our boat had passed 
 through this magnificent archipelago and entered St. Mary's River. This 
 river, you know, is the outlet for Lake Superior. It is something more than 
 forty miles long, with a current of three miles to the hour. Its banks are low 
 and thickly wooded. Midway between the mouth of this river and the Sault, 
 is St. Mary's Lake. Upon the shores of the river and lake, we saw numer- 
 ous Indian lodges, whose inhabitants seemed enjoying the repose of the Sab- 
 bath. The smoke from these wigwams curled very gracefully through the 
 forest. But one white family was seen along the river, until we approached 
 the Methodist Mission House, which is in the vicinity of the Sault. 
 
 Our pilot having but an imperfect knowledge of this river, it was not 
 deemed prudent to proceed very near the Sault with a vessel drawing so 
 much water as the SY. Louis. An anchor was cast nearly thirty miles from 
 the Sault, shortly after which the St. Clair, a boat that plies between the 
 Sault and Mackinac, on her way to the latter place, came alongside, received 
 our passengers, and put back, landing us at 8 o'clock p. m. 
 
 So large a number of visitors had never before landed here in a body. A 
 rush for apartments ensued. The " Van Anden House " and the " St. Clair 
 Hotel" were filled to an overflow. Mr. Corwin and several other gentlemen 
 found quarters in the fort. Those who were unable to get accommodations at 
 the hotels, remained on board the St. Clair. Mr. Van Anden gave us up his 
 family room. At 9 o'clock, we (some fifty) supped upon deliciously broiled 
 whitefish that were caught after our arrival. 
 
 Monday, July 12. 
 
 We were astir at sunrise this morning. An hour was consumed in walking 
 about the town, which has a population of 1000 or 1200, chiefly French and 
 half-breeds. After breakfast, three of us started for the head of the Rapids, 
 where a bark canoe, in charge of three 7'oyageurs, had been engaged for the 
 day. Above the rapids lay three fine schooners that had been moved by land 
 over this carrying place. Here is a broad and beautiful bay, out of which you 
 pass into Lake Superior. The Julia Palmer (formerly the ship Julia Palmer), 
 a steamer that had been moved on ways from the River St, Clair into Lake 
 Superior, was off for Copper Harbor, nearly two hundred miles up the Lake. 
 
 We seated ourselves in the bottom of our canoe, upon mats, and glided up 
 and across the Bay some three miles above the rapids, into her Majesty's do- 
 minions. 
 
1 66 CHICACiO RIVER-AND-H ARBOR CONVENTION. 
 
 In consequence of a painful occurrence in running the rapids, some three 
 weeks since, when a boat was dashed against the rocks and three visitors 
 drowned, we were told that the voyageurs would not take us over, and many 
 who promised themselves the excitement of running through these boiling 
 waters, relinquished the enterprise. But in returning, our crew headed directly 
 for the rapids, through which we passed pleasantly and safely, avoiding the 
 rocks over which the water bubbled, on either side of us, by a dexterous and 
 graceful use of the paddles. The distance is three-quarters of a mile, over 
 which the current swept us in seven minutes. After this, several other parties 
 chartered canoes and came down in the same manner. 
 
 Arrangements were then made for trout fishing. Ladies and gentlemen 
 supplied themselves with tackle, and more than an hundred anglers sallied 
 forth. But the day was so clear and bright that the trout rose reluctantly, 
 and but few were taken. While others were fishing, we rambled about on 
 the Canada shore, visiting the establishment of the Hudson- Bay Fur Com- 
 pany, etc., etc. 
 
 There is nothing at the Sault which strikes a visitor so forcibly as the fact 
 that our Government has neglected to construct a ship-canal around these 
 rapids, connecting the waters of the mighty Superior with those of the lower 
 Lakes, and thus perfecting a chain of Lake-and- River Navigation more than 
 three thous.ind miles in extent. It is not possible to select a point more favor- 
 able to a ship-canal. The distance is but three-quarters of a mile! The ele- 
 vation is but 22 feet! This great work might be completed for less than a 
 quarter of a million of dollars. And yet it has not been done. I shall be 
 disappointed if Messrs. Corwin, Butler King, and Schenck, who are with us, 
 do not press this improvement in the next Congress. 
 
 Large quantities of copper, some in masses and some in barrels, lay upon 
 the wharves here. I observed much virgin copper blocked out from the mines 
 in pieces weighing from one to two thousand pounds. I was happy to learn 
 that a copper mine, in which our friend Greeley has a large interest, is prom- 
 ising to be very valuable. 
 
 Tuesday, July 13. 
 
 We turned our faces homeward this morning. The passage down the St. 
 Mary's River, and again through the Bay of Islands into Lake Huron, was 
 truly magnificent. Presque Isle, upon the Michigan side of the Lake, is the 
 first landing. Here we took in wood, ice, and fish. Along here is a coast of 
 nearly two hundred miles almost wholly uninhabited. Upon an uninhabited 
 island, some fifty miles from Presque Isle, a son of Senator Backus, who 
 resides at Saginaw, Michigan, has a fishing-station, where he is now engaged 
 with a dozen fishermen, and where he expects to put up 3000 barrels of white- 
 fish during the season. 
 
 Wednesday, July 14. 
 
 We came out of Presque Isle last evening with a breeze which promised to 
 freshen into something lively, but before 11 o'clock the wind subsided, and 
 the Lake became as it has been for a fortnight, calm and unruffled. At 2 
 o'clock this afternoon, we passed Fort Gratiot, at the outlet of Lake Huron, 
 and soon entered the beautiful St. Clair River, for which my admiration is, if 
 possible, increased. I have never seen a water-and-land view combining so 
 much that is rich and beautiful. They tell me that the winters here are long 
 and severe. But the wheat, corn, vegetables, etc., look vigorous and healthy, 
 and are well advanced. 
 
 We reached the St. Clair Flats at 4 o'clock. This spot, as I have 
 remarked, reminds an Albanian of the Overslaugh. Here vessels arriving in 
 the night are detained until morning, as there are no lights or beacons to en- 
 able them to discern the channel. And vessels other than steamers are com- 
 pelled to lay here for a favorable wind. 
 
THURLOW weed's REPORT. 1 6/ 
 
 There are now over seven hundred steamboats, propellers, brigs, and 
 •schooners navigating these Lakes. In July, 1846, as Capt. Mills, vs^ho had 
 charge of the dredge, reports, 71 steamboats, 37 propellers, 59 brigs, 128 
 schooners, and 81 coasting craft passed the St. Clair Flats. Thirty-one of 
 these vessels were compelled to employ lighters in crossing, and all were more 
 or less obstructed and delayed. And yet, though a few hundred thousand 
 dollars would remove these obstructions, Jackson, Van Buren, and Polk have 
 •opposed, resisted, and defeated appropriations! 
 
 Time has passed very pleasantly upon the SY. Louis since we left Chicago. 
 Though the number of passengers was too large for a pleasure excursion, yet 
 the efforts of the officers to accommodate and please, and the disposition of 
 passengers, generally, to be pleased, has been successful. The passengers 
 breakfast, as at the Astor House, whenever they please, between the hours of 
 7 and II A. M. There is a lunch at 12. At half-past 2 we dine. A substan- 
 tial tea is served at 7; and at 10 the supper-table is spread. And the fare is 
 not only uniformly abundant, but the cooking excellent. The table is loaded 
 with meats, viands, delicacies, etc., all served in good taste. 
 
 Our evenings are uniformly gay and joyous. Immediately after tea, the 
 tables are removed from the saloon, the band appears, and "the ball opens." 
 Of our party, which numbers about two hundred, nearly one-third are ladies 
 — agreeable and accomplished ladies, whose conversation, music, and accom- 
 plishments invest the excursion with an interest which ladies only can impart 
 -to society, and without which it would have been robbed of half its enjoyment. 
 Dancing commences at 8 and continues till 11 o'clock, with much spirit, not 
 only by the young ladies and gentlemen, but by many of the elder and graver 
 personages, to whom the occasion has brought back something of the fresh- 
 ness and inspiration of youth. 
 
 The 6"/. Louis left Buffalo on the 29th ultimo, expressly for a pleasure excur- 
 sion, taking the Chicago Convention in its way. The following list of "stores" 
 consumed (taken from the steward's bills) will give an idea of what has been 
 going on among us : — 
 
 J 6 quarters fresh Beef, 3 bbls. Corned Beef, 30 dozen Ale, 
 22 Lambs, 2 n n Pork, 16 n Porter, 
 
 II Sheep, 15 boxes Soda Biscuit, 24 baskets Champagne, 
 
 9 Calves, 4 barrels Crackers, 16 dozen Madeira, 
 
 18 Pigs, 4 large Cheeses, 9 m Port, 
 
 600 Chickens, 12 kegs Pickled Oysters, 15 i. Claret, 
 
 5 doz. Turkeys, 12 n t. Lobsters, 18 .1 Congress- Water, 
 
 40 Hams, 6 barrels Flour, 14 n Cider, 
 
 128 live Lobsters, 2, ti Indian Meal, 7 boxes Lemons, 
 
 450 lbs. Bass, Trout, etc. , 20 ., Apples, 2 barrels Crushed Sugar, 
 
 150 lbs. Halibut, i m Mackerel, 4000 segar.s, 
 
 60 Beef Tongues, 8 boxes Raisins, 6 wheelbarrow loads of 
 
 125 Sweetbreads, 6 k Oranges, Mackinaw Trout, White 
 
 800 doz. Eggs, 45 dozen Soda, Fish, etc., etc. 
 
 The preponderance of "sack" over the "bread," in this bill, is not as great, 
 l)y any means, as in that presented by Dame Quickly against Sir John Fal- 
 staff. And yet the liquids bear at least a fair proportion to the solids. It is 
 due, however, to those who were seen most frequently at the bar, to say that 
 they assigned the "shocking bad water" of the West, or the "excessive heat," 
 as a reason for preferring "punch," "julips," "cobblers," "smashes," "fixinsi" 
 £tc., to "such horrid water." 
 
 Thursday, July 15. 
 W e reached Detroit last evening in season to get a view of the harbor 
 
1 68 CHICAGO RIVER-AND-HARBOR CONVENTION. 
 
 which is an admirable one, and to walk before dark through its principal 
 avenues, which presents a broad, pleasant, and business-like appearance. 
 The U. S. Steamship Michigan is laying off the City, and I regretted that we 
 had not time to accept Capt. Cham plain's invitation to go on board. This 
 veteran is worthy of his command. He, it will be remembered, was the sail- 
 ing-master who took Com. Perry's fleet so handsomely into the battle of Lake 
 Erie, and who conducted himself with marked coolness and courage through- 
 out the fight. 
 
 The Detroit people had heard of the contemptuous reception which the 
 letter of Gov. Cass met with at Chicago, and were anxious to learn particulars. 
 But it was a scene which can not be described. The letter excited laughter, 
 derision, and scoffing. But these marks of scorn were not as withering as 
 those expressed by the leering eye, the curled lip, and the sneering counten- 
 ances of at least six thousand intelligent, independent freemen. It seemed as 
 if every delegate present wanted to spit upon a man who, though high in sta- 
 tion, and owing so much to their favor and support, had written them an 
 insulting letter. 
 
 Mr. Wales, an old Monroe- County friend, keeps an excellent hotel at De- 
 troit. After taking leave of our Batavia and Lockport friends, who have 
 lodgings for a day or two at Wales', we repaired to the City Hall, to enjoy, 
 for an hour before our boat left, the melody of Christy and his minstrels. 
 The room (a large one) overflowed with an admiring audience. 
 
 We reached Sandusky at 7 o'clock this morning. Its harbor, though 
 requiring improvement, is one of the broadest, most secure, and commodious, 
 that I have ever seen. The City, after struggling for twenty-five years with 
 formidable difficulties, is overcoming them all, now looks prosperous, and is 
 no doubt flourishing. The Mad-River Railroad, which owes much of its suc- 
 cess to the efforts of the late Gov. Vance, is nearly completed. Running, as 
 it does, from Sandusky to Cincinnati, it is destined to become one of the great 
 thoroughfares of the Union. Already much of the travel of the Southwest 
 comes over this road. We called early upon Oran P'ollett, Esq., editor, many 
 years ago, of the Buffalo yourjial, and now a member of the Ohio Board of 
 Public Works. He has a splendid mansion, embowered with rose, honey- 
 suckle, etc., and surrounded with delicious fruit. May he live, in the enjoy- 
 ment of these luxuries, " a thousand years. " 
 
 Senator Corwin, Hon. Mr. Schenck and lady, and other agreeable people, 
 leave us here. It is a privilege to have made Mr. Corwin's acquaintance un- 
 der circumstances so favorable to its cultivation. I had long admired, without 
 having seen, this distinguished statesman. The desire, previously entertained, 
 of seeing this " favorite son of Ohio " advanced to a higher station, is increased 
 by personal observation of his claims to the confidence of his fellow-citizens. 
 He is, really and truly, a conscientious, unselfish, true-hearted politician, who 
 will not, even for the Presidency, compromise principles, nor sacrifice rights. 
 His anti-Mexican War speech, last winter, was an honest expression of indig- 
 nant impulses. The War is an atrocious one, yet I can not but regret that,, 
 being in, our statesmen do not see the wisdom of waiting until it has been 
 fought out, before holding the administration to its responsibilities. 
 
 I learn here that the produce speculators from the East have been making 
 wild purchases of flour, wheat, and corn, in anticipation of more favorable 
 news by the steamer that is now due. They will be sadly disappointed. It 
 is strange how entirely the judgments of men are clouded by their cupidity. 
 Nothing is more certain than that the next intelligence from England will 
 show a further decline ift breadstuffs. 
 
 Friday, July 16. 
 
 We arrived at Cleveland before sunset last evening, and enjoyed another 
 
THURLOW weed's REPORT. 1 69 
 
 view of this thriving City. Among its striking features is the "Weddell 
 House," one of the most magnificent hotels ia America. This building looms 
 up like the Astor House, and is furnished with every attainable luxury. The 
 furniture would compare favorably, in value and beauty, with that of the 
 drawing-rooms of our "merchant princes." The house was built by Mr. 
 Weddell, who had accumulated a large fortune in business at Cleveland. 
 When returning from New York, last spring, where he had been to purchase 
 furniture for this house, he took a severe cold, from the effects of which he 
 died. The house is well kept by Mr. Barnum, who was formerly with his 
 uncle in " Barnum's Hotel " at Baltimore. 
 
 We are now approaching Buffalo, after an absence of sixteen days, having 
 traversed Lakes Erie, St. Clair, Huron, Michigan, and St. Mary's; run through 
 the Detroit, St. Clair, and St. Mary Rivers, and looked into Lake Superior. 
 The distance from Buffalo to Chicago is 1054 miles. From Chicago to the 
 Sault, via Green Bay, the distance is about 800 miles. From the Sault to 
 Buffalo the distance is over 700 miles. We have journeyed, therefore, more 
 than 2500 miles upon Lakes and Rivers whose waters are whitened with the 
 canvas and blackened with the smoke of vessels and steamers greater in .num- 
 ber and exceeding in value the vessels and commerce of any one of the-nations 
 of Northern Europe. And yet our Government refuses to recognize this great 
 interest as a part of the Commerce of the Republic! 
 
 The weather, during this long excursion, has been most auspicious. There 
 has not been wind enough to disturb the most sensitive stomach. Nor has 
 the slightest accident occurred. The Steamboat Einpire, in going up, and 
 the St. Louis, in going the rounds, behaved admirably. Capt. Wheeler and 
 his officers were constant and untiring in their efforts to render the excursion, 
 what it really has been, one of instruction and enjoyment. Mr. Bloomer^ 
 who acts as clerk, steward, "chief cook," and "head-waiter," (for he makes 
 himself generally useful), is just the man to take charge of these various 
 departments. 
 
 The St. Louis, though not one of the fastest, is among the best built, stanch- 
 est, and most commodious steamers on these Lakes. She is owned by the 
 Messrs, Hollister, a family of brothers and sons who have been long known 
 at Buffalo, and up the Lakes, as enterprising and liberal merchants, public 
 spirited, and useful citizens, and efficient, reliable Whigs. 
 
 The following well-merited tribute to Captain Wheeler and his Officers was 
 very cheerfully signed by the pas.sengers of the St. Louis: — 
 
 The undersigned, passengers on board the Steamboat St. Louis, on her recent passage 
 from Buffalo to Chicago, and thence back by way of Green Bay and Sault Ste. Marie, a 
 voyage now about being terminated, in justice to their feelings and sense of right, can not 
 separate without bearing emphatic testimony to the kind and courteous treatment they 
 have experienced throughout the whole voyage, ai.d warmly commending the St. Loiiis to 
 all, who, for business or pleasure, may have occasion to traverse the Lakes. Fortunately, 
 the uniform and delightful serenity of the weather has called for no striking display of sea- 
 manship, but all the officers of the boat, by their careful attention to their duties, and unre- 
 mitting exeitions to promote the safety, comfort, and enjoyment of all on board, have shewn 
 that they could be relied upon in any emergency. 
 
 Our thanks are especially due, and are tendered to Capt. Frederic S. Wheeler, W. Ken- 
 nedy, the Mate, S. A. Stebbins, the Engineer.^and T. T. Bloomer, the Steward, who, in 
 their respective departments, have proved themselves worthy of their proverbial reputation. 
 With a boat so stanch and well found as the St. Louis under us, and with .such skilful and 
 attentive officers to watch over our safety and provide for our enjoyment, traveling becomes 
 a pleasure. We most cordially and unreservedly commend the St. Louis to the public. 
 
 Wm. A. Mosley, Buffalo, T. M. Foote and wife, Buffalo, Seth C. Hawley, Buffalo, 
 
 Bela D. Coe, .1 N. K. Hall and wife, .. Gedtge W, Clinton, if 
 
 T. C. Love and wife, ir Dr. Walter Cary. if A P. Thompson, ir 
 
 Miss Julia Love, tt Charles R. Gold, n Wm. Laverack, i» 
 
 George M. Love, h Geo. H. Bryant, h George W. Bull, i^ 
 
170 CHICAGO RIVER-AND-HARBOR CONVENTION. 
 
 Miss C. E. Putnam, Buffalo, 
 Miss A. E. Lacy, i* 
 
 Miss A. A. Allen, it 
 
 Miss H. V. Allen, .. 
 
 Harrison Bristol, n 
 
 Miss C. N. Bristol, n 
 
 P. G. Alvord, „ 
 
 James L. Barton, u 
 
 Benjamin Barton, n 
 
 I.J. Hathaway & wife, ti 
 Edward Bates, St. Louis, Mo. 
 S. Treat, ir 
 
 J. N. Converse, i» 
 
 A. B. Chambers, i* 
 Robert Simpson, d 
 
 L. V. Bogy, ir 
 
 Wm. Simpson, n 
 
 D. B Morehouse, i» 
 H. S. Coxe, 
 Thomas Allen, h 
 
 Charles Keemle, ir 
 
 Milton Knox, if 
 
 John G. Priest. i» 
 
 T. Cary & wife, Batavia, N.Y. 
 Miss Lucinda Cary, ii 
 H. J. Redheld, i. 
 
 Miss Jane Redfield,- n 
 Benj. Pringle, n 
 
 Miss J. Redfield, Syracuse, 
 Samuel Larned, n 
 
 Philip Hone, ^f ew York City, 
 Miss M. Hone, n 
 
 Wm. Burger & wife, it 
 Levi Beardsley, it 
 
 Theo. F. McCurdy, it 
 Edwin C. Burr, n 
 
 Enoch E. Camp, n 
 T. Weed and wife, Albany. 
 C. Joy and wife, Ovid, N.Y. 
 C. Evans and wife, Lockport. 
 
 Miss Evans, Lockport, 
 Miss Spalding, n 
 
 George Evans, n 
 
 J. J. HoUister, Monroeville, O 
 Thos. Butler King, Georgia. 
 Thomas Corwin, Lebanon, O. 
 A. B. Dunlevy & wife, it 
 Miss F. Dunlevy, h 
 
 W. R. Edwards, i, 
 
 Miss Reeve, Detroit, Mich. 
 Junius H. Hatch, « 
 T. C. Sheldon, ., 
 
 A. S. Williams, it 
 
 J. N. Elbert, i, 
 
 James Bemis, it 
 
 Jno. G. Camp & wife, Florida. 
 Ward Barker and wife, 
 
 Sandusky, O. 
 A. M. Porter, .1 
 
 Wm. Jones, Milan, (). 
 
 Rev. Dr. Wm. Allen, 
 
 Northampton, Mass. 
 Miss Sarah .Steele, 
 
 Saratoga .Springs, N.Y. 
 Miss M. E. Clement, i> 
 Robert A. Wilson, 
 
 Woodstock, C.W. 
 Hugh Richardson, 
 
 Toronto, C.W. 
 Dr. E. H Merryman, 
 
 Springfield, 111. 
 Charles A. Davis, 
 
 Cape Girardeau, Mo. 
 Wm. L. Smith, Chicago, 111. 
 O. F. Niles, Mishawaka, la. 
 Robert C. .Schenck and wife, 
 
 Dayton, O. 
 Mrs. W. S. Schenck, it 
 H. G. Phillips & wife, » 
 Miss Kate Philhps, it 
 
 J. G. Lowe and wife, Dayton, 
 E. W. Davies & wife, 11 
 John W. Vancleve, ii 
 Dr. Edmund Smith, » 
 Henrj' V. Perrine, 11 
 
 Miss Harrison, Cincinnati, O. 
 R. Buchanan and wife, 11 
 John C. Wright, it 
 
 James Hall, n 
 
 S. C. Parkhurst & wife, it 
 John Ross, It 
 
 Stanley Mathews, n 
 
 Robert L. Deane, it 
 
 W. Greene, it 
 
 B. B. Hastings, Cleveland, O. 
 Joseph R. Williams, 
 
 Constantine, Mich. 
 Joel Buttles, Columbus, O. 
 A. B. Buttles, 
 
 Jno. B. Martell, S. Ste. Marie. 
 1^. P. Converse, Union viile, O. 
 S. S. Osborne, Painesville, O. 
 J. H. Moseley, m 
 
 Jas. B. Wakefield, .. 
 P. A. Ladue. Detroit, Mich. 
 D wight Kellogg, Ann Arb. M 
 A. S. Story, Sheboygan, W.T. 
 H. H. Conklin, v 
 W. Smith I. 
 
 Dr. Wm. Wamplee, tt 
 E. S. Thorp, It 
 
 H. Camp, It 
 
 J. B. Allen, .. 
 
 H. S. Anable, 11 
 
 C. O. Loomis, Pittsburg, Pa. 
 A. W. Loomis it 
 
 Joy Mix, Logansport, la. 
 
 e*. McMartin, Jers. City, N. I. 
 Ros. L. Colt, Patterson, N. J. 
 July 14, 1847. 
 
 NiAG.^R.\ F.VLi.s, July 17, 1847, 
 We arrived at Buffalo last evening just in time to take the cars for Niagara 
 Falls. The railroad from Buffalo to the Falls, since I was here last, has, 
 much to the advantage of the public and the stockholders, changed hands. In- 
 stead of, the rickety rail over which we were then drawn by horse-power, we 
 were now taken through upon a substantial road in an hour and ten minutes. 
 Much has been done, since I was last here, to adorn Goat Island, Jo facili- 
 tate access to the Falls, and to enhance, if possible, the grandeur and sublim- 
 ity of the views. Gen. Whitney has enlarged and improved his magnificent 
 hotel. Mr. White, in the "Eagle," presents every possible luxury and enjoy- 
 ment that "mine inn" can furnish to visitors. Mr. Hooker, who has been 
 here almost as long as the Cateract, is still at hand, in no otherwise changed 
 than that instead of " Hooker, Ciuide to the Falls, " upon his hat, it is now 
 "Hooker & vSons, Guides to the P"alls. " The "Indian-curiosity" business, 
 which, twenty-five years ago, was in its infancy, has grown into a large, and 
 from the price asked for the first article we looked at, a profitable trade. For 
 a. cigar-case intrinsically worth twenty-five cents, but for which we were pre- 
 pared to pay fifty, as a fancy piece, the "Injun" (as they spell the word at 
 Mackinac) Bazaar man had the modesty to demand $2.50! As our "curiosi- 
 ty" was not quite sharp enough for such a bite, we left the bargain open for 
 the next fool. 
 
 But the grand new feature here is the Steamboat Maui of the Mist, that 
 runs, three times a-day, from the Rapids, a mile below the Cataract, up that 
 
THURLOW weed's REPORT. I/I 
 
 wild, fierce, whirling current, to and along the base of the mighty column 
 which rushes from the summit " down below. " 
 
 This was a bold and expensive enterprise. The steamer was placed under 
 the Falls last year, but without sufficient power to stem the current. This 
 discouraged some of the proprietors. But Mr. John Fiske of Rochester, 
 went to work this season, with indomitable energy, to overcome all obstacles, 
 and he has succeeded triumphantly. 
 
 You are taken in carriages, nearly two miles, to the steamer. The road 
 down the bank starts from the point on the American side which has been 
 fixed upon for a terminus to the Suspension Bridge. 
 
 As the "Rapids" and "Whirlpool," in the former of which a boat would 
 be torn to pieces preparatory to being swallowed up by the latter, are just be- 
 low the Maid's wharf, this voyage has a nervous look. But the precautions 
 and guards against accident are so well and carefully provided as to inspire 
 full confidence. The steamer has two engines, so that if one fails the other 
 can be put in gearing in a minute and a half. She is found with two anchors 
 and chain-cables. She has also a small boat, by means of which a strong 
 line can be run ashore the moment a necessity for doing so exists. The Maid 
 of the Mist is commanded by Capt. Filkins, who, like his engineer and pilot, 
 keeps both eyes open and all their wits about them. Without this excursion 
 upon the Maid of the Mist, a view of the Falls of Niagara is incomplete. 
 
 Steamboat Cataract, Lake Ontario, July i8. 
 
 We intended to have returned to Buffalo, for the double purpose of visiting 
 friends and seeing the extent of the commercial, manufacturing, and mechani- 
 cal wonders that intelligence and enterprise have wrought in a youthful city 
 which is destined to be second only, in the Empire State, to its great com- 
 mercial emporium, since 1840. But learning that our old friend VanCleve 
 was at Lewiston with his new boat, the Cataract, that temptation was irresisti- 
 ble. At 4 o'clock this afternoon, therefore, having come over the Niagara 
 Falls and Lewiston Railroad, passing a succession of wheat fields whose wav- 
 ing straw, bristling beard, and well-filled heads, all "fully ripe," and inviting 
 the embraces of the reaper, resembles the gold which is far less intrinsically 
 precious, we found ourselves seated upon the beautiful promenade deck of the 
 Cataract, viewing Brock's Monument upon the heights which American valor 
 conquered; the spot where VanRensselaer fell; seriously wounded; and the 
 sanguinary field in which Scott and Wool so gallantly fleshed their maiden 
 swords. 
 
 The British Steamboat Admiral, that runs to Toronto, and evidently a craft 
 in which John Bull takes pride, was also at Lewiston. Both boats had steam 
 up, and the moment their passengers were on board, both " let go. " They 
 were in for a " trial of speed, " though Capt. VanCleve was taken by surprise. 
 It was, however, but a short race. The Cataract having gained nearly a mile 
 upon the Admiral in running seven, when the latter drew off. 
 
 The Cataract was built at Ogdensburg, under the immediate superintend- 
 ence of Capt. VanCleve, whose experience, judgment, and taste enabled him 
 to correct many defects, and suggest many improvements. She is 225 feet 
 long 28 feet beam, and 11 feet hold. Her main saloon is 170 feet long. She 
 has 51 spacious, airy state-rooms, with doors opening into the saloon and out 
 upon the guards. She has also 190 large, commodious berths. Her ladies' 
 saloon and dining-cabins are in excellent keeping with the accommodations in 
 other respects. 
 
 There is a neatness and beauty in the furniture, hangings, tapestry, etc., 
 etc., of the Cataract, which can not fail to strike and charm passengers. 
 Everything is arranged with an eye, as well to fitness and propriety, as to en- 
 
1/2 CHICAGO RIVER-AND-HARBOR CONVENTION. 
 
 joyment and ease. The rooms are all richly, but not gaudily, furnished, , 
 And every part of the boat is arranged with a view to the comfort and quiet 
 of passengers. 
 
 When summoned to tea, the table, its furniture, and the repast itself^ 
 excited general admiration. Innumerable delicacies were served with most 
 appetizing taste. 
 
 The Cataract runs with less noise and motion than I have ever known. In 
 her model, the line of nautical beauty has been preserved, and in her con- 
 struction, arrangements, and finish, she seems as nearly perfect as science and 
 art, combined with experience and taste, could make her. 
 
 Capt. VanCleve, though yet a young man, is a veteran on Lake Ontario, 
 where he has been in command of steamers more than twenty years. He is 
 a capable, vigilant, and efficient officer, possessing, in an eminent degree, all 
 the other qualities which make men respected and popular. 
 
 Lake Ontario has its full share of perils. Its navigation is often rough, 
 difficult, and dangerous. But Capt. VanCleve, during his long career, through 
 all seasons and all weather, has never met with an accident which seriously 
 damaged his boat or injured his passengers. 
 
 Among the passengers on board, I notice Hon. Alvin Bronson of Oswego, 
 and Hon. Myndert Van Schaick of New York. These gentlemen were former 
 members of our State Senate, where, by their business habits and practical 
 knowledge, especially in reference to the various questions of finance, they 
 rendered valuable public service. They are both of another political faith, 
 but I do them no more than justice in saying that they discharged their duties, 
 as representatives of the people, upon all questions not political, with an in- 
 telligence and integrity which senators, in all coming time, may imitate with 
 great advantage to the people. 
 
 We are now, at lo o'clock, gliding up the Genesee River, having run down 
 from Lewiston (over 80 miles) in six hours, showing a speed of nearly 15 
 miles to the hour. 
 
 [From the Albany Evening Journal, Friday, July 23, 184,1.1 
 MR. BATES, PRESIDENT OF THE CHICAGO CONVENTION. 
 
 " The editor of the Albany Evening Journal, writing from Chicago, refers 
 to the early history of Mr. Bates, president of the Convention. He states 
 that Mr. Bates was the member of Congress from Missouri in 1825, when 
 Mr. Adams was elected President by the house of representatives, and adds 
 that the political career of Mr. Bates was brought to a violent end by his vot- 
 ing for Mr. Adams, the people of Missouri preferring Gen. Jackson. With 
 all due deference to the Journal, knowing his usual accurate historical and 
 political information, we submit that he is mistaken in this matter. Our own 
 recollections are entirely different, we have not the record before us or any 
 documents to which we can refer, but we are quite certain that Mr. Bates 
 came into Congress for the first time in 1827. Mr. Scott represented Mis- 
 souri in 1825, and his vote for Mr. Adams was the subject of much animad- 
 version both then and thereafter. Mr. Scott was sent by Mr. Clay on some 
 diplomatic errand, the nature of which we now forget, to the Havana; and it 
 was allowed by the opponents of the administration that this was evidence of 
 a corrupt understanding between Clay and Scott. It was by like unsupported 
 charges persisted in against the most conclusive repudiation, that the heteroge- 
 neous combinations rallying under the Jackson flag were able to prostrate the 
 purest administration which the country has ever seen since Washington's first 
 term. 
 
 "With respect to Mr. Bates, we have a distinct recollection of his course in 
 Congress in 1827, '28, and '29. He was elected in the summer of 1826 or 
 
THURLOW WEEDS REPORT. 173 
 
 '27, against Mr. Scott, and in the expectation that he would oppose the ad- 
 ministration of Mr. Adams. He voted for Andrew Stephenson, for Speaker, 
 against John W. Taylor, on the organization of the House, and was placed 
 by universal consent in the ranks of the opposition, but, a clear-headed, saga- 
 cious, and patriotic man, he early discerned the unworthy motives of the 
 demagogues who were striving to break down Mr. Adams, and convinced of 
 the purity and integrity of the administration, zealously, and efficiently sus- 
 tained its leading measures. 
 
 "Mr. Bates soon attained an important position in the House. He spoke 
 occasionally, only, but always with point and effect. He came there with a 
 high reputation for firmness and intrepidity, and it soon became universally 
 known that he was an unsafe and unsatisfactory man to run against. There 
 were many indications of this fact. A single circumstance which occurred in 
 the winter of 1827 will illustrate his character in this regard. 
 
 " It was toward the close of the day's session, after a protracted debate, 
 when the House was restless and impatient, for the question, that Mr. Bates 
 obtained the floor in the midst of a scene of tumultuous excitement, then 
 rather rare, but common enough since locofocoism has desecrated the halls of 
 legislation. There were cries of 'question? question? order! Mr. Speaker! 
 Mr. Speaker!' and all sorts of ejaculations from every part -of the House. 
 Mr. Bates addressed the Chair, but his voice was drowned in these multitudi- 
 nous exclamations. 
 
 " 'Mr. Speaker,' said he, pitching his voice at its highest tone, 'I demand 
 the protection of the chair.' Rap, rap, went the Speaker's hammer, 'order, 
 order! gentlemen will observe silence. The gentleman from Missouri is en- 
 tled to the floor.' 
 
 " Mr. Bates again essayed to speak, and the uproar was increased tenfold. 
 
 " 'Mr. Speaker,' said Mr. Bates, in a voice whose peculiar intonations pro- 
 duced instantaneous and universal silence, 'the chair evidently can not protect 
 me in my rights on this floor, as the representative of the sovereign State of 
 Missouri, Sir,' said he, drawing himself up to his full height, and looking 
 menacingly round the House, 'let me see the man who dares to interrupt me.' 
 
 " Mr. McDuffie, occupying a seat near to Mr. Bates, threw back his angry 
 look and immediately shuffled with both his feet, crying 'question! question! ' 
 Mr. Bates promptly addressed a hostile note to Mr. McDuffie, with a very dis- 
 tinct intimation that, unless he disclaimed any personal intent, the bearer was 
 instructed to make the necessary arrangements, etc. Mr. McDuffie replied, 
 not only disclaiming all feelings of disrespect toward Mr. Hates, but profess- 
 ing the highest regard and esteem— and there the matter ended. 
 
 "Mn Bates retired from public life at the end of Mr. Adams' administra- 
 tion, whether voluntarily or not we are not certain, but incline to the opinion 
 that it was upon compulsion. He was at one time regarded as the great rival 
 of Col. Benton, and a personal difficulty was apprehended between them. 
 We are not apprised of the relations now subsisting between these gentlemen, 
 but from the imperious temper and unforgiving disposition of Mr. Benton, 
 and the high-toned independence of Mr. Bates, it is hardly to be believed 
 they are very cordial. " — Buffalo Morning Express. 
 
 The Buffalo Express is doubtless correct. Mr. Bates broke suddenly upon 
 the Convention, and, at the moment, remembering him as a former repre- 
 sentative from Missouri, m'c fell into the error of placing him in the wrong 
 Congress. 
 
 The fact that a gentleman of such eminent ability, who stands so deservedly 
 high at home, was almost wholly unknown to such a numerous and intelligent 
 class of citizens as composed that Convention, shows how widely the different 
 
174 CHICAGO RIVER-AND-HARBOR CONVENTION. 
 
 States of the Republic are separated, and how important was the mission 
 which had brought the sons of Maine, of Georgia, and of Missouri together, 
 upon common ground, to confer upon interests valuable alike to all. 
 
 When the name of " Edward Bates " was announced as president of the 
 Convention, the inquiry of "Who is he?" and "What are his politics?" was 
 general. Many asked, but few could answer. But when the labors of the 
 Convention closed, and six hearty, spontaneous cheers rent the air in honor 
 of their president, more than four thousand delegates separated to return 
 home and speak of Edward Bates with enthusiasm, as one of the ablest and 
 most eloquent men they ever heard. It was the occasion of deep and univer- 
 sal regret that his masterly speech was not reported. It was made at the 
 close of the session, when some of the reporters had retired, and others had 
 put away their materials. After Mr. Bates was fairly upon his feet, all were 
 too intent and absorbed as listeners, to think of reporting. 
 
 After leaving Chicago for the Sault of St. Marie, we had the pleasure of 
 sharing the Captain's state-room with Mr. Bates. And then we pressed him 
 to supply what the reporters had neglected to furnish, by writing out his 
 remarks. But he insisted that the Convention, in its kindness, had greatly 
 overestimated their value. His mind, he said, during the sitting of the Con- 
 vention, had become deeply imbued with the spirit of its deliberations. 
 What he had seen and heard of the magnitude of the interests involved; the 
 number, intelligence, and patriotism of the Delegates; the courtesy, self-re- 
 spect, and dignity which distinguished their action; superadded to their cor- 
 dial and hearty demonstration of kindness to himself, impelled him to the 
 utterance of such thoughts as his feelings prompted, without order, arrange- 
 ment, or preparation. They were spoken, and with the impulse that produced 
 them, gone, not to be recalled. The evening of our arrival at the Sault, Mr. 
 Bates took a severe cold, and until he left us, three days afterward, was too 
 much indisposed to permit us to reiterate, as we intended, a request for at 
 least a sketch of this lost treasure. 
 
 In reference to another allusion of the Buffalo Express, it may not be im- 
 proper to say, that after a long alienation, produced, we believe, by political 
 differences, there was recently, on some public occasion at St. Louis, a reunion 
 between Col. Benton and several prominent Missourians, Mr. Bates being 
 present and participating in the " era of good feeling. " Though we conversed 
 freely of Col. Benton with Mr. Bates, the latter awarding to the former great 
 credit for the service he had rendered the country upon the annexation and 
 Oregon questions, it was from another member of the St. Louis Delegation 
 that we received the information in relation to the " reunion. " 
 
 Mr. Bates is a native of Virginia, about 55 years old, and, we need not 
 add, possessing great intellectual strength. "There is a good time coming,'' 
 and we look forward with confidence to a political revolution Avhich will restore 
 Edward Bates to the public service. The Nation can not afford to be deprived 
 of so much integrity, talent, and patriotism. 
 
STATISTICS CONCERNING THE CITY OF CHICAGO: 
 
 Report of Hon. Jesse B. Thomas as a member of 
 THE Executive Committee appointed by the. 
 Chicago River-and-Harbor Convention. 
 
 Chicago, III., Dec. ist, 184'/. 
 HON. JOHN C SPENCER, 
 
 Chairman, Select Committee, of the Executive Com., Chicago Convention: 
 Dear Sir: — Having had the honor of an appointment, as a 
 member of the Executive Committee of the Chicago Harbor-and- 
 River Convention, instituted for the purpose of collecting and re- 
 porting to the National Legislature statistical information in aid 
 and furtherance of the great measures of Internal Improvement, 
 proposed by that numerous and enlightened body; and having 
 subsequendy had assigned to me specially, by said Committee, at 
 their meeting in Chicago, and afterward by ratification, at that 
 held in the city of New York, the task of collecting such portion 
 of the desired information as might tend to exhibit the claims of 
 the ports in Indiana and Illinois, on Lake Michigan, to the pecu- 
 niary assistance of the General Government, in the improvement 
 of their respective harbors, etc., I have the honor to report to you, 
 as the Chairman of the Select Committee, appointed to prepare 
 the Report to the general meeting of the Executive Committee, 
 my actings and doings in the premises, as required by resolution. 
 Deeply impressed with the importance and magnitude of the 
 duties assigned me, it would have been to me a source of unquali- 
 fied gratification could I have given to their performance my un- 
 divided attention; but this, under the circumstances, was impos- 
 sible. On the contrary, my official duties have drawn so constantly 
 upon my time as to leave me almost entirely destitute of any 
 leisure for other purposes. For this reason, while duly appreciat- 
 
176 CHICAGO RIVER-AND-IIARBOR CONVENTION. 
 
 ing the high honor conferred upon me, in associating me with so 
 many of the most illustrious and distinguished men of the Union, 
 in the performance of labors, inevitably destined, if faithfully exe- 
 cuted, to redound so greatly to the benefit of th^ whole country, 
 it would, nevertheless, have been gratifying to me had some other 
 gentleman, having more time and ability than myself, to devote to 
 the promotion of the public weal in this matter, been appointed in 
 my stead. And, under the operation of the same restrictive influ- 
 ences, I have since been denied the pleasure as well of attending 
 the session of the Committee of the 15th of Sept., as of meeting 
 Messrs. Weatherly of Cleveland, O., Noble and Williams of 
 Michigan, and King of Milwaukee, for comparing and digesting 
 the results of our several operations, as required by resolution to do. 
 
 However, I am gratified to have it in my power to say, that my 
 agency will not prove entirely barren. Deeming it proper to seek 
 through the labors of others the information which I was required, 
 but had not time myself to collect, I took steps, shortly after my 
 appointment, for doing so. The result has been, that all of the 
 desired information, connected with this City, has been gathered 
 together, and will be found embodied in the Report hereinafter 
 submitted; while I am in daily expectation of receiving from the 
 other points in my district. Little Fort and Michigan City, the 
 statistics peculiar to those points. 
 
 Were it not that I am compelled to leave home immediately, 
 on official business, I would further await their arrival, that I might 
 thus consolidate all the returns from the district assigned to my 
 inquisition. As it is, I will provide for their transmission to you as 
 soon as received, and in the meantime commit to your charge the 
 material already in my possession, for the purposes of the Report 
 to be prepared by the Committee, from the various sources of in- 
 formation to be made therefor available. An examination of this 
 Report however will show, that, while all of the information con- 
 tained in it directly affects this City and involves its best interests, 
 there is much of it equally affecting every other port upon Lake 
 Michigan ; and indeed common in its application to every portion 
 of the country bordering the entire Lake coast, and as touching 
 
STATISTICAL REPORT — JESSE B. THOMAS. 1 77 
 
 the matter of National welfare, made up as it is of the aggregate 
 of individual prosperity of the entire confederacy. 
 
 It contains an array of facts, exhibiting, in our view, a list of 
 shipwrecks, and other marine disasters, on our Lake alone, so 
 numerous,- and as involved in their train, a loss of property so 
 ruinous, and a catalogue of human lives destroyed, so appallingly 
 swollen, as to appeal at once to the sympathies of the whole coun- 
 try. And, it is confidently hoped that, when the history of these 
 disasters, and others equally mournful, and more numerous, hap- 
 pening on the Lakes, constituting the remaining links in the entire 
 chain, having been written and published, shall be traced, as by 
 the testimony in this Report, and suppletory evidence to be found 
 in other similar documents, they, to a considerable extent will be, 
 to the almost entire destitution of good and sufficient harbors on 
 our coasts, the necessary measures will at once be adopted, so far 
 as by human agency it may be done, to prevent the recurrence in 
 future of similar calamities — that the promptness and efficiency of 
 future legislation, in this respect, will be exhibited in admirable 
 contrast with the tardiness and inefficiency of the past, while in 
 the benign results of the former will be found, if not a remedy for 
 the past evils growing out of the latter, at least a preventive of 
 their repetition. That pecuniary appropriations, entirely adequate 
 for that purpose, will at once be made for establishing, on the 
 shores of our great Inland Seas, wherever the interests of Com- 
 merce may demand it, safe and convenient places of refuge from 
 the fury of the elements — then, and not otherwise, will this impor- 
 tant and interesting branch of the common welfare be promoted ; 
 property and life involved in enterprises connected with it, ade- 
 quately protected; and the guaranties of the Constitution in that 
 behalf, preserved unimpaired. Accompanying this, will be found 
 the Report referred to. 
 
 I have the honor to be, very respectfully, 
 
 Your most obedient servant, 
 
 JESSE B. THOMAS. 
 
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. 
 
 This City is deeply interested in the improvement of Rivers 
 and Harbors. Her geographical position is at the head of the 
 great northern Lakes, at a point nearest and easiest of access to 
 the West, and is the dividing point between the two sections of 
 the Union, and the key to the northern and principal route of 
 communication between them. This point is the commercial 
 metropolis of an immense extent of country abounding in agricul- 
 tural, manufacturing, and commercial resources; and is already 
 the centre of a large and growing trade in produce, lumber, salt, 
 coal, and other staples of the region, and merchandise imported 
 for its consumption. A glance at the origin, progress, and pres- 
 ent condition of the place, will, perhaps, best illustrate its com- 
 mercial importance and claims, in common with the other cities 
 of the Union, upon the fostering care and protection of that pa- 
 ternal Government, established, as we are informed, in the Con- 
 stitution, for the express purpose, among others, of promoting the 
 general welfare. 
 
 In 1832, Chicago was scarcely a village, situated far beyond 
 the extreme western limits of civiHzation. As a city, it has con- 
 sequently seen but fifteen summers. Its history, prior to this 
 period, can be compressed in a few words. The French, during 
 their wanderings in the West, often visited the place, and, some 
 say, they built a fort'here. In confirmation of this fort, Chicagou, 
 is found Fon old rench maps of that period. They discovered 
 the passage from Chicago River into the Des Plaines and IlHnois, 
 and often benefited by the discovery, passing in their canoes from 
 one valley into the other. Although often here, there is no evi- 
 dence that the French ever made a permanent settlement at this 
 point; nothing more, probably, than a temporary station for trad- 
 ing with the Indians. They, however, foresaw the future import- 
 ance of the situation pointed out in their writings, the practica- 
 bility of a canal connecting the Lakes with the Mississippi; re- 
 garding this, from their knowledge of the country, as the point 
 easiest of access to the navigable waters of the great valley. 
 They had singular sagacity in this matter. 
 
 In 1796, at the Treaty of Greenville, Gen. Wayne purchased of 
 the Indians, six miles square of land, at the mouth of Chikajou 
 Creek, within which the present City is situated. This purchase 
 was made at that time with the view of establishing here a mili- 
 
STATISTICAL REPORT — JESSE B. THOMAS. I 79 
 
 tary station, for the protection of the frontier, and the security of 
 the fur trade. Fort Chicago was built, and occupied by a garri- 
 son in 1804, and about the same time an Indian agency was 
 estabHshed and a Hght-house built. 
 
 In 1 81 2, the Government, apprehensive of the safety of the 
 post, ordered its evacuation. The attempt to carry this order 
 into execution proved fatal to nearly the whole party, some 
 seventy in number. This is known as the "Massacre of Chicago,'' 
 and took place about one-and-a-half miles below the Fort, near 
 the present southern city- limits. This unfortunate event was 
 followed by the burning of the Fort and the temporary dispersion 
 of the settlement. The Fort was rebuilt in 181 7, when it took 
 the name of Fort Dearborn. It was occupied by a small force 
 as late as 1837. 
 
 Thus, it will be perceived, that Chicago, though visited by the 
 French nearly two hundred years ago, and perhaps marked out 
 by them as one of the links in their immense chain of posts 
 connecting the St. Lawrence with the Gulf of Mexico, and for a 
 period of nearly thirty years afterward, occupied as a frontier 
 military post, and a trading-station connected with it, could not, 
 previous to the period we have named, 1832, have had a perma- 
 nent existence as a town. The united population, never exceed- 
 ing one hundred, came here for temporary purposes, and not with 
 the design of remaining permanently and settling the country. 
 No attempt was made to cultivate the soil; supplies of all kinds 
 were brought at great expense from the East. The country 
 around, in every direction, was unsettled and full of Indians. 
 Illinois, it is true, had been admitted into the Union in 18 18, 
 with a population of about 30,000; but they were confined chiefly 
 to the southern part of the State, immigration having been de- 
 rived principally from Virginia and Kentucky. 
 
 The Black-Hawk war occurred in 1832, and it was this event, 
 more than anything else, which first brought Chicago and this 
 region into notice, and laid the foundation for a permanent settle- 
 ment. During the progress of this brief contest, many persons 
 attached to the army, and others, visited this place, and explored 
 the country between the Lakes and the Mississippi. Being highly 
 pleased with the country, on their return to the East, they natu- 
 rally communicated their impressions to others, and created a 
 general desire to remove and settle here, which in process of time 
 was carried into an execution. The successful issue of the war 
 removed danger from the frontier, and immigration was safe. It 
 was besides, as will be remembered, a period of unusual pros- 
 perity throughout the country, when enterprise was stimulated to 
 
l80 CHICAGO RIVER-AND-HARBOR CONVENTION. 
 
 extraordinary activity. These causes combined, in the latter part 
 of 1832 and the spring of 1833, produced immigration. Lands 
 and town -lots were eagerly sought after; speculation naturally 
 resulted ; which soon became the ruling passion of the period, 
 and was only arrested by the universal crash and bankruptcy of 
 1837-8. Chicago became the centre of speculating operations, 
 and enjoyed or suffered during its continuance, and inflated pros- 
 perity. Thousands flocked here from all parts of the country and 
 the place was thronged with new citizens and strangers. 
 
 Although we have been induced to regard 1832 as the period 
 from which to date the commencement of Chicago, still it should 
 be stated, measures intimately connected with the place, origina- 
 ted at an early period. Soon after the organization of the State 
 government, at the second session of the legislature, an act was 
 passed to construct the Illinois-and-Michigan Canal; and the sub- 
 ject continued to be legislated upon at almost every subsequent 
 session down to the present time. In 1826-7, Congress donated 
 each alternate section of land, for ten miles in width, along the 
 line, to aid the State in the construction of the work, and at the 
 same time granted the right-of-way. The principal part of Chi- 
 cago was included in this grant, and in 1829, commissioners ap- 
 pointed for the purpose, laid out the Original Town, amounting to 
 about half-a-section on both sides of the River; and the next year, 
 1830, sold a few lots to pay the expenses of the survey. The 
 Original Town is now the centre and most valuable portion of the 
 City. Prices of lots at this sale were very moderate, from $5 to 
 $20. A few hundred dollars would then have purchased the 
 whole of Lake Street, now worth millions. Few persons here at 
 that period probably dreamed that a place of 17,000 inhabitants 
 would grow up here in the short space of seventeen years, al- 
 though some may have foreseen its ultimate importance. The 
 external appearance of things was far from encouraging. There 
 were a few log and two or three frame-buildings scattered over 
 the town site; besides a few more in different parts of the County 
 of Cook, amounting to some twenty in all, besides the Fort. A 
 small beginning it must be confessed for the Garden City; but it 
 was fifteen years ago. 
 
 Down to 1837, as before intimated, very little was done at Chi- 
 cago but operate in real estate. Very little or nothing was raised. 
 Domestic wants of the community even, were suppHed from the 
 East. Vessels rarely came here, and the arrival of a schooner off 
 the town was an event of the greatest importance. There were 
 no roads and scarcely any travel. A weekly mail on horseback, 
 was first received from Niles, Mich., in 1832: a one-horse wagon 
 
 i 
 
STATISTICAL REPORT — JESSE B. THOMAS. l8l 
 
 succeeded in 1833, followed in 1834 by a four- horse stage -line, 
 and a daily mail in 1837. Scarcely any domestic improvements 
 of a durable character were attempted, except dwelling-houses, 
 although the Lake House, and two or three other substantial brick- 
 blocks, and several warehouses date at this period. The harbor 
 was commenced in 1833, and the first work done on the canal on 
 the 4th of July, 1836. In 1833, the Chicago Democrat, and in 
 1835, the Chicago American, two weekly newspapers, were started. 
 The School Section, one mile square of valuable land, within the 
 City limits, was sold about this time for some $40,000. In the 
 winter of 1836-7, the legislature passed the act incorporating the 
 City. 
 
 In 1837, speculation having run its career, the bubble burst, 
 and brought ruin to thousands who had become identified with it 
 and risked their all upon its chances. It was a severe calamity 
 to Chicago. Without capital; without a currency; with undevel- 
 oped resources; without trade; the dissipation of this fatal illusion, 
 left her citizens nothing but a mountain of indebtedness; and the 
 lands for which it had been incurred, now worse than valueless. 
 Every thing remained stationary until about 1840, when times 
 had improved; population had come in; farms had been opened 
 in the country; trade had revived; and especially by the wise in- 
 terposition of law, the fetters were removed from business men, 
 and enterprise permitted to act untrammeled for the advancement 
 of private interest, and the welfare of the community. The con- 
 dition of things during this period would have been more deplora- 
 ble than they were but for the partial benefit derived from the 
 Canal, which was in progress of construction, and the Harbor, 
 upon which several appropriations were expended. 
 
 About 1840, Chicago experienced the first healthy growth and 
 real, substantial prosperity; not, however, so strikingly percepti- 
 ble previous to 1843, ^s the four years following. From 1843 to 
 the present time, the place has advanced with a rapidity unexam- 
 pled in the history of cities. Capital, to some extent, has been 
 introduced; the country is generally settled; the soil has been 
 brought to furnish productions for export; real-estate, both lots 
 and lands, has become valuable; our citizens, many of them, have 
 become wealthy; and population and trade, both export and im- 
 port, have, during the short period of four years, more than 
 doubled — very nearly trebled. 
 
 The most satisfactory evidence we can furnish, not only of what 
 Chicago now is, but of what she has been, and may reasonably 
 become, will be found in the following statistical tables of popu- 
 lation, trade, etc., to which attention is directed for that purpose. 
 
1 82 CHICAGO RIVER-AND-HARBOR CONVENTION. 
 
 POPULATION. 
 
 Table showing the total population of the City of Chicago, and 
 the population of each ward in 1840, 1843, ^.nd 1845, ^^^ the 
 increase of each period, and total increase: — 
 
 
 1840. 
 
 1843. 
 
 Increase 
 
 1845. 
 
 Increase 
 
 Total. 
 
 First Ward, ... 
 
 1,197 
 
 1,986 
 
 789 
 
 3,238 
 
 1,252 
 
 2,041 
 
 Second Ward, . 
 
 1,467 
 
 2,231 
 
 764 
 
 3,460 
 
 1,229 
 
 1,993 
 
 Third Ward, .. 
 
 251 
 
 509 
 
 258 
 
 1,009 
 
 500 
 
 758 
 
 Fourth Ward, . 
 
 179 
 
 414 
 
 235 
 
 830 
 
 416 
 
 651 
 
 Fifth Ward, . . . 
 
 436 
 
 600 
 
 164 
 
 1,052 
 
 452 
 
 616 
 
 Sixth Ward,... 
 
 1,323 
 
 1,840 
 
 517 
 
 2,499 
 
 659 
 
 1,176 
 
 Total, 
 
 4,853 
 
 7,580 
 
 2,727 
 
 12,088 
 
 4,508 
 
 7,235 
 
 Population of the City of Chicago, and the several precincts in 
 Cook County in 1845; showing the number subject to military 
 duty, the value of live-stock, and the amount of grain and the 
 number of pounds of wool produced : — 
 
 COOK 
 COUNTY. 
 
 Precincts. 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 V 
 
 Iff 
 
 3 
 
 1 
 
 ^ S 
 
 (0 
 CO 
 
 11 
 
 oOr 
 
 >2 
 
 No. Lbs. Wool. 
 
 Chicago City, . . 
 
 Chicago, 
 
 Athens, 
 
 Blue Island, . . . 
 York, 
 
 12,088 
 
 575 
 593 
 234 
 346 
 786 
 
 699 
 554 
 619 
 
 710 
 
 594 
 
 449 
 
 546 
 
 1,073 
 
 3,037 
 160 
 
 125 
 49 
 73 
 
 200 
 
 164 
 299 
 276 
 204 
 170 
 118 
 147 
 
 44,834 
 
 1,354 
 
 8,695 
 
 8,735 
 
 10,043 
 
 18,625 
 
 13,156 
 
 10,290 
 
 3,370 
 
 18,295 
 
 8,670 
 
 23,240 
 
 15,405 
 
 6,999 
 
 12,940 
 
 24,975 
 
 4,583 
 
 2,062 
 
 5,201 
 
 11,365 
 
 11,497 
 7.518 
 
 4,755 
 1,670 
 
 19,155 
 6,335 
 28,130 
 25,260 
 800 
 ",550 
 24,731 
 
 9,000 
 
 3,134 
 1,094 
 815 
 2,651 
 4,471 
 
 2,473 
 
 985 
 
 600 
 
 6,080 
 
 3,893 
 
 3,019 
 
 1,910 
 
 960 
 
 1,915 
 
 6,045 
 
 33 
 
 10,728 
 524 
 
 Monroe, 
 
 Lake, 
 
 Lyons, 
 
 Summit, 
 
 Desplaines, 
 
 Gross Point, . . . 
 
 Hanover, 
 
 Barrington, 
 
 Bridgeport, 
 
 Thornton, 
 
 Salt Creek...... 
 
 324 
 
 659 
 
 3,600 
 
 1,598 
 150 
 
 2,402 
 769 
 
 1,423 
 4,204 
 
 Total City & Co. 
 
 21,581 
 
 5,540 
 
 241,793 
 
 164,835 
 
 42,045 
 
 26,414 
 
 The total population of the City, according to the census of 1846, was that 
 year, 14,199. The census of this year, just completed, gi\^es us, on the first 
 day of September, 1847, in round numbers, 17,000. 
 
STATISTICAI, REPORT — JESSE B. THOMAS. 
 
 183 
 
 Table showing the several branches of business, trades, and pro- 
 fessions in the City of Chicago, Nov. ist, 1847: — 
 
 Architects, 2 
 
 Attorneys, 56 
 
 Auction & Com. Stores, 8 
 Bandbox Manufactory, i 
 Bankers and Brokers, . 6 
 
 Barbers, 15 
 
 Bath- House, i 
 
 Billiard Saloons, 3 
 
 Blacking Manufactory, i 
 
 Blacksmiths, 12 
 
 I )Ookbinders, 2 
 
 Booksellers, 5 
 
 lioot-and-Shoe Mak'rs, 25 
 
 Bowling Saloons, 5 
 
 Brass-Smith, i 
 
 I5re\vers, 3 
 
 Builders, Master, 17 
 
 Cabinet & Chair man., 12 
 
 •Churches, 20 
 
 Clothing Stores, 11 
 
 •Coffee- Houses, 9 
 
 Colleges, 3 
 
 Commission Houses, _ 3 
 Cradle-maker, Grain,, i 
 
 Confectioners, 4 
 
 Coopers, 14 
 
 C'rockery Stores, 3 
 
 I >entists, 5 
 
 Depositories, 3 
 
 Door P'actories, 4 
 
 Drug Stores, 10 
 
 Dry, Fancy, & S. Coods, 8 
 Dry-Goods and Grocery 
 Stores, about 3CX5 
 
 Dyeing Establishment, 
 
 Engravers, 
 
 Fire-Engine Comp'ies, 
 
 Flour Stores, 
 
 For., Storage, & Com. 
 
 Foundries, 
 
 Fruit Stores, 
 
 Fanning-Mill makers, 
 Glove-&-Mitten man.. 
 Grinder and Cutler, . . 
 Groceries, whol. & ret. , 
 
 Gunsmiths, 
 
 Hardware Stores, 
 
 Hat, Cap, etc.. Stores, 
 Hotels and Taverns, . . 
 Hydraulic Companies, 
 
 Ink Manufactory, 
 
 Ins. Com. & Agencies, 
 Justices-of-the- Peace, . 
 
 Land Agencies, 
 
 Land Offices, 
 
 Leather Store, 
 
 Libraries (i2,5(X) vols) 
 Liquor Store (wholes.) 
 
 Livery Stables, 
 
 Locksmith, 
 
 Looking-Glass man., . 
 
 Lumber Dealers, 
 
 Mill Wrights, 
 
 Marble Factory, 
 
 Markets, 
 
 Millinery, 
 
 Mills, 
 
 Notaries Public, 
 
 Newspapers, 4 daily, 6 
 
 weekly, & 4 monthly, 14 
 Oil, Soap,& Candle man. 8 
 
 Packing Houses, 6 
 
 Painters and Glaziers, 8 
 .. Orna. & Min., 2 
 
 II Portrait, 2 
 
 Pawnbrokers, 3 
 
 Physicians, 3 
 
 Potteries, 
 
 Printing-offices, i 
 
 Printers' Wareroom, _ 
 
 Reading- Room, 
 
 Starch manufactory, . . 
 Steam Planing-Mills, _ 2 
 Schools, Public, employ- 
 ing 10 Teachers, and 
 numb'g 1 500 scholars, 4 
 Schools, Private, employ- 
 ing 20 Teachers, and 
 numb'g icx)0 Pupils, 15 
 Saddle and Harness, . 8 
 
 Ship Builders, 3 
 
 Ship Chandlers, 2 
 
 Societies, 33 
 
 Tailors, 25 
 
 Tanneries, 2 
 
 Theatre, i 
 
 Tob. an^ Cigar man., 3 
 
 Undertakers, 2 
 
 Upholster, i 
 
 Wagon Makers, 13 
 
 Watch Mak. & Jewel., 7 
 
 TRADE AND COMMERCE. 
 
 For several years after the commencement of the place, pro- 
 visions for domestic consumption were imported from the East, 
 as well as goods and merchandise. Exports previous to 1839- 
 40, were merely nominal. A small cargo of beef was shipped in 
 1833, and was followed each successive year by a small consign- 
 ment of the same article and pork; but not a bushel of our great 
 staple, wheat, was shipped previous to 1839. 
 
1 84 CHICAGO RIVER-AND-HARBOR CONVENTION. 
 
 Table showing the value of Exports and Imports to and from 
 Chicago, from 1836 to 1847, inclusive: — 
 
 1836, $1,000.64 
 
 1837, 11,065.00 
 
 1838, 16,044.75 
 
 1839,..- 33,843-00 
 
 1836, $325,203.90 
 
 1837, 373,677.12 
 
 1838, 579,174-61 
 
 1 839, 630, 980. 26 
 
 EXPORTS. 
 
 1840, $228,635.74 
 
 184I, 348,862.24 
 
 1842, 659,305.20 
 
 1843, 682,210.85 
 
 IMPORTS. 
 
 1840, $562,106.20 
 
 184I, 564,347.88 
 
 1842, 664,347.88 
 
 1843, 971,849.75 
 
 1844,... 
 
 1845,--- 
 1846,... 
 
 1847, --. 
 
 1844,... 
 
 1845, -- 
 
 1846, ... 
 
 1847, --. 
 
 ..$785,504.23 
 . 1,543,519.85 
 . 1,813,468.00 
 . 2,296,299.00 
 
 $1,686,416.00 
 . 2,043,445.73 
 . 2,027,150.00 
 . 2,641,852.52 
 
 Table showing the exports of leading articles from Chicago, in 
 six years, from 1842 to 1847, inclusive: — 
 
 Wheat. Flour. Beef and Pork. Wool, 
 
 Bush. Bbls. Bbls. Pounds. 
 
 1842, 586,907 2,920 16,209 1,500 
 
 1843, 628,967 10,786 21,492 22,050 
 
 1844, 891,894 6,320 14,938 96,635 
 
 1845, 956,860 13,752 13,268 216,616 
 
 1846, 1,459,594 28,045 31,224 281,222 
 
 1847, 1,974,304 32,538 48,920 411,488 
 
 Table exhibiting the amount of goods, wares, and merchandise 
 received at Chicago, from the opening of navigation in the 
 spring of 1847, to Nov. ist, near the close of navigation, 1847; 
 not including goods landed here and taken to the interior; 
 compiled from the original invoices of merchants : — 
 
 Liquors, _ 86,334.67 
 
 Tobacco and Cigars, 3, 71 6. 00 
 
 Ship Chandlery, 23,000.00 
 
 Tools and Hardware, 15,000.00 
 
 Furniture Trimming, 5, 564. 07 
 
 Glass, 8,949.24 
 
 Scales, -. 4,044,55 
 
 Coaches, etc., 1,500.00 
 
 Looking Glasses, etc., — 2,500.00 
 
 Marble, 800.00 
 
 Oysters, 2,500.00 
 
 Sportsmen's Articles, 2,000.00 
 
 Musical Instruments, 6,426.00 
 
 Machinery, etc., 30,000.00 
 
 Dry Goods, $837,451.22 
 
 Groceries, 506,027. 56 
 
 Hardware, 148, 81 1 . 50 
 
 Iron and Nails, 88,275.00 
 
 Stoves and Hollow- ware, 68,612.00 
 
 Crockery, 30,505.00 
 
 Boots and Shoes, 94,275.00 
 
 Hats, Caps, and Furs,... 68,200.00 
 
 Jewelry, etc., 51,000.00 
 
 Books and Stationery, .. - 43,580.00 
 
 Printing Paper, 7, 284. 1 1 
 
 Presses, Type, and Print- 
 
 ing Materials, 7, 432. 50 
 
 Drugs and Medicines, 92,081.41 
 
 Paints and Oils, 25,460.00 
 
 Total value of imports of merchandise. 
 
 $2,259,309.83 
 
STATISTICAL REPORT — ^JESSE B. THOMAS. 
 
 185 
 
 Imports of miscellaneous articles : — 
 
 Salt, ban-els,.. 24,817 Coal, tons, 15,782 j ^ , $117 210 20 
 
 Salt, sacks, ... 5,537 Water Lime, bush., 1,618 S ^ ' *"7,2io.29 
 
 And numerous other articles not here enumerated, such as pig- 
 iron, whitelish and trout, fruit, grindstones, cider, etc., the precise 
 quantity not known, but in considerable amount. 
 
 Table showing the amount of lumber, etc., received at Chicago 
 from the opening of navigation to Nov. ist, 1847: — 
 
 Plank, Boards, etc. , feet, . 32,118,225 
 
 Shingles, M, 12,148,500 
 
 Lath, M, 5*655,700 
 
 Square Timber, feet, 24,000 
 
 Shingle-Bolts, cords, 328 
 
 Tanner's Bark, cords, 600 
 
 Staves, 50,000 
 
 Spokes, _ 100,000 
 
 Total value, $265,332.50 
 
 Table exhibiting the exports from the port of Chicago from the 
 opening of navigation, 1847, to Nov. ist, 1847: — 
 
 Wheat, bushels, 
 
 Flour, barrels, 
 
 Corn, bushels, 
 
 Oats, .. 
 
 Beef, barrels, 
 
 Pork, M 
 
 Hams and Shoulders, lbs. 
 
 Tallow, pounds, 
 
 Butter, .. 
 
 Beans, bushels, 
 
 Wool, pounds, 
 
 Tobacco, i: 
 
 Lard, n 
 
 Leather, u 
 
 Beeswax, n 
 
 Oil, gallons, 
 
 Lead, pounds, 
 
 Hemp, M 
 
 ,974,304 
 
 32,598 
 
 67,315 
 
 38,892 
 
 26,504 
 
 22,416 
 
 .47,248 
 
 208,435 
 
 47,536 
 
 430 
 
 411,088 
 
 28,243 
 
 139,069 
 
 2,740 
 
 5,490 
 
 8,793 
 
 10,254 
 
 6,521 
 
 Flax Seed, bushels, 
 
 Mustard n n 
 
 Timothy It n 
 
 Hay, tons, 
 
 Cranberries, bushels, 
 
 Buffalo Robes, bales, 
 
 Dry Hides, 
 
 Deer Skins, pounds, 
 
 Sheep Pelts, 
 
 Furs, packages, 
 
 Ginseng, pounds, 
 
 Ashes, barrels, 
 
 Bristles, pounds, 
 
 Glue, If 
 
 Brooms, 
 
 White-fish, barrels, 
 
 Barley, bushels, 
 
 Value, $2,296,299. 
 
 2,262 
 520 
 536 
 415 
 250 
 60 
 
 8,774 
 28,259 
 
 1,133 
 
 278 
 
 3,625 
 16 
 4,548 
 2,480 
 3,168 
 1,229 
 400 
 
 Besides a large amount of merchandise, produce, provisions, 
 grain, horses, cattle, salt, and supplies of all kinds sent to the 
 lurnber and mining regions, and different ports on the upper and 
 lower Lakes. 
 
 Table showing the aggregate quantity of public land subject to 
 entry, in the Chicago land district, on the 29th day of May, 
 1835 — when the public sale commenced— amount reserved from 
 sale, and the amount sold, and subject to sale, up to the ist of 
 Nov., 1847: — 
 
S6 
 
 CHICAGO RIVER-AND-HARBOR CONVENTION. 
 
 Total amount in the District, May 29th, 1835, 3,626,536 
 
 School lands, acres, 
 
 Canal lands, 
 
 Selected by Commissioners 
 
 for State purposes, 
 
 Sold to individuals in 1835, 
 
 II I. 1836, 
 
 1837, 
 1838, 
 
 M ,. 1839, 
 
 1840, 
 
 II II 1841, 
 1842, 
 1843, 
 
 II It 1844, 
 1845, 
 1846, 
 
 II to Nov. 1st, 1847, 
 
 104,520 
 228,580 
 
 93,782 
 370,043 
 202,364 
 
 15,697 
 87,881 
 160,635 
 137,382 
 138,583 
 194,556 
 229,460 
 235,258 
 220,525 
 198,849 
 98,569 
 
 2,780,640 
 743,895 
 
 Balance unsold land in the district, Nov. ist, 1847. 
 
 [Note. — For the last two years, a large proportion of the sales were in 
 tracts of forty acres, and to actual settlers who had improved farms in the 
 vicinity.] 
 
 The foregoing is as correct a view of the commercial transactions of the 
 City as it is possible to obtain. It is believed to be generally correct. Perfect 
 accuracy can not, under existing circumstances, be attained. Results have 
 been arrived at circuitously, and have been attended with considerable labor. 
 Not having the benefit of custom-house regulations, and consequently no offi- 
 cial record of imports and exports received and discharged from this port, the 
 only resort for information has been to the invoices of our merchants, the ship- 
 ping books of forwarders, and the books of lumber and other dealers in mis- 
 cellaneous articles. These have been carefully examined, and our results com- 
 piled from them. 
 
 It is quite supposable, and indeed certain, that articles, both of export and 
 import, have escaped us. We know that many shipments have been made 
 from this port to the lumber regions, and the mining regions of Lake Superior, 
 consisting of merchandise of various kinds, provisions, produce, salt, etc., of 
 which no record has been kept. Steamboats and vessels have obtained sup- 
 plies here, amounting to a large figure in the course of the season. Horses 
 constitute a considerable item of export the past year. 
 
 On the other hand, goods, in some instances, perhaps entire stocks, have 
 been introduced into the place and disappeared without leaving any trace by 
 which their amount and value can be ascertained. We have given no account 
 of the merchandise landed here for the numerous towns in the interior. Heavy 
 shipments of goods have been made through this place, the present year, for 
 Galena, Springfield, and St. Louis. These are legitimate portions of our com- 
 merce, and should be considered with it. We may safely estimate the value 
 of this business at $1,500,000. 
 
STATISTICAL REPORT — JESSE B. THOMAS. 
 
 187 
 
 MARINE OF LAKE MICHIGAN. 
 
 Table showing the vessels owned at Chicago, and at the several 
 ports on Lake Michigan, with their tonnage; also, the vessels 
 built at Chicago for owners here, during the present year, 1847, 
 and the whole number built at this place to the present time : 
 
 CHICAGO. 
 
 Schr. 
 
 Prop. Lady of the Lake, tons, 326 
 
 Schr. W. G. Buckner, fi 100 
 
 II Henry Norton, i. 150 
 
 Brig Ellen Parker, .. 332 
 
 Schr. J. \'oung Scammon, 1. 191 
 
 M Maria Scammon, n 194 
 
 .1 Ottawa, n 153 
 
 II Vermont, -i 124 
 
 u Laurin P. Hiliiard, . .1 175 
 
 II A. Wilcox, II 130 
 
 " Whig, „ 97 
 
 The following have been, or are now being built at Chicago, in 
 1847, ^or owners here, viz.: 
 
 Brig Stephen F. Gale,_.. tons, 266 Prop. A. Rossetter, tons, 200 
 
 Schr. Minnesota, 1. 181 Schr. Tohn Lillie, .1 icx) 
 
 300 
 
 New Hampshire, tons, 100 
 
 Margaret Allen, n 80 
 
 John C. Spencer, n 86 
 
 J. C. Davis, II 97 
 
 Warren, n 65 
 
 Jas, R. Hugunin, n 65 
 
 Henry Clay, n 59 
 
 Erastus Bowen, 1. 52 
 
 Ark, n 50 
 
 Western Trader, n 53 
 
 Stephen F. Gale, _ . . 
 
 Minnesota, 
 
 Tribune, 
 
 Buena Vista, 
 
 Chas, Walker, rebuilt, 
 
 Samuel Hale, built 
 
 at Southport, 
 
 266 
 181 
 
 276 
 
 174 
 164 
 
 293 
 
 John Lillie, 
 Now on the Stocks, 
 Contracted to be fin- 
 ished in the spring 
 
 of 1848, 
 
 Total Tonnage, 4833. 
 
 MILWAUKEE. 
 
 Schr, Lawrence, tons, 284 
 
 Gallinipper, 
 
 L. R. Rockwell, .. 
 
 Mary L. Bonesteel, 
 
 John Davis, 
 
 Jesse Smith, 
 
 Helfenstein, 
 
 Schr. Crook, 
 
 M Cramer, 
 
 Brig 
 
 144 
 
 115 
 
 156 
 
 125 
 no 
 330 
 50 
 200 
 
 Schr. Joseph Ward, tons, 
 
 n M. Dousman, n 
 
 II Juniatta Patten, n 
 
 .1 A. C. Mitchell, n 
 
 II Manitowoc, m 
 
 11 Traveller, m 
 
 M Henderson, n 
 
 M Baltic, .1 
 
 Total Tonnage, 2425. 
 
 200 
 
 102 
 
 137 
 260 
 
 51 
 
 52 
 
 74 
 
 "5 
 
 120 
 
 Brig W. T, Richmond, . 
 
 Schr. Col. T. H. Benton, 
 
 II Diamond, 
 
 RACINE. 
 tons, 225 Schr. Bolivdr, tons, 46 
 
 159 
 68 
 
 Justin Butterfield, ... 
 Total Tonnage, 541. 
 
 43 
 
 SOUTHPORT.— [Now Kenosha.] 
 
 Brig C. I. Hutchinson,., tons, 341 Schr. Cayuga, tons, 60 
 
 Schr. Cleopatra, n 104 h Samuel Hale, n 300 
 
 M Toledo, II 215 M Helena, n 80 
 
 Total Tonnage, noo. Three schooners building for 1848. 
 
88 
 
 CHICAGO RIVER-AND-HARBOR CONVENTION. 
 
 LITTLE FORT.— [Now Waukegan.] 
 Schooner J. B. Patten, 73 tons. 
 
 NEW BUFFALO. 
 Schooner New Buffalo, 35 tons. 
 
 GRAND RIVER. 
 
 Schr. Hiram Pearsons, tons, 94 
 
 .1 Dexter, n 115 
 
 Brig Enterprise, m 150 
 
 Barque Morgan, n 380 
 
 Schr. Amanda HarwOod, 
 
 II Caroline, 
 
 II Lucinda 
 
 11 Constitution, 
 
 tons, 200 
 
 .. 80 
 
 .. 90 
 
 11 90 
 
 Total Tonnage, 1199. 
 Total Tonnage of Vessels on Lake Michigan, 9366. 
 
 So far as the same has been enrolled in the Collector's Office at this port. 
 Some considerable amount has not yet been transferred from the district at 
 Detroit, and is not included here. It will be safe to add one-third to the 
 above, making I2,cxx) tons. 
 
 The tonnage on this Lake is increasing rapidly. It has been ascertained 
 that vessels can be buiit as cheap and as well here, as on the lower Lakes. 
 Another controlling reason is, that the shipping interest, and the command of 
 freights here, have so far increased, that owners are not compelled to build 
 their vessels East to secure the interest of forwarders, as was formerly the 
 case. The domestic carrying-business of this Lake is increasing most wonder- 
 fully, requiring large additions of tonnage every j^ear; in fact, faster than it 
 has been possible heretofore to supply it. 
 
 Table showing the principal vessels built at Chicago from 1843 
 to the present time, and their tonnage : — 
 1843 Propeller Independence, (now on Lake Superior),., tons, 268 
 
 1845 Schooner Maria Hilliard, 
 
 II ti J. Young Scammon, 
 
 II II Ark, 
 
 1846 Barque Utica, 
 
 It Brig Ellen Parker, ■. 
 
 II Schooner N. C. Walton,. 
 
 1 847 Brig Stephen F. Gale, 
 
 M II Minnesota, 
 
 II Propeller A. Rossetter, — 
 
 II Schooner Laurin P. liilliard, 
 
 M It Tribune, 
 
 II II Buena Vista, 
 
 M II Amanda Harwood, 
 
 I. II John Lillie, 
 
 II Two schooners now building for 1848, the two about 
 
 184 
 184 
 42 
 334 
 334 
 127 
 266 
 270 
 203 
 
 174 
 181 
 
 174 
 170 
 100 
 500 
 
 Total, 35" 
 
 Besides a number of small craft during the same period. 
 
STATISTICAL REPORT — TESSE B. THOMAS. 
 
 89 
 
 SHIPPING-LIST OF CHICAGO, 1846. 
 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 < 
 
 1 
 
 i 
 
 t 
 
 Q 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 
 Steamboats, 
 
 Propellers, 
 
 Brigs, 
 
 Schooners, 
 
 19 
 
 19 
 
 36 
 
 120 
 
 352 
 III 
 
 94 
 
 837 
 
 160 
 III 
 
 94 
 157 
 
 158 
 82 
 62 
 
 134 
 
 358 
 109 
 
 835 
 
 14,351 
 5,170 
 8,781 
 
 16,443 
 
 380 
 204 
 
 324 
 720 
 
 Total, 
 
 192 
 
 1,394 
 
 522 
 
 436 
 
 1,396 
 
 44,745 
 
 1,628 
 
 The tonnage of the Lakes in 1846 was 62 Steamers, 18 Pro- 
 pellers, I Barque, 58 Brigs, 313 Sloops and Schooners, with an 
 aggregate tonnage of 91,250 tons. 
 
 The number of vessels now in commission on the Western 
 Lake^ is, Steamers, 64; Propellers, 26; Barques, 3; Brigs, 65; 
 Schooners, 213; Total, 307. Aggregate tonnage, 113,000 tons. 
 Value at $30 per ton, $3,390,000. 
 
 Table showing the number of vessels lost on Lake Michigan; 
 their value and the value of their cargoes when known; and 
 the number of lives lost, from 1824 to 1837: — 
 
 1824 Schr, Lawrence, $3,000 [ 1826 Schr. Red Jacket, $2,000 
 
 Here follows an interval of seven years, during which vessels 
 must have been lost, but the record is not to be found. 
 
 Dec, 
 Oct., 
 
 Aug., 
 
 Nov, 
 
 April, 
 Nov. , 
 Oct., 
 
 Nov. 
 
 1833, Schooner Erie Packet, $1,500 
 
 1834, II Prince Eugene, 27,000 
 
 II Steamboat Newburyport, 15,000 
 
 II n Pioneer, 10,000 
 
 1835, M (at Green Bay), name forgotten, about 2,000 
 
 It II Utica, 7,000 
 
 II Ti Chance, 7 lives, ,2,000 
 
 II II Bridget, 16 n 5, 000 
 
 II II Sloan, 6 n 3,000 
 
 II I! Delaware, 20,000 
 
 1836, Sloop Clarissa, 1,500 
 
 11 Schooner Chicago, 8,000 
 
 II 11 Austerlitz, (vessel and goods), 12,000 
 
 1837, II Ohio, 6,000 
 
 II Steamboat Mason, 4,000 
 
 1838, Schooner Laporte, 3,ooo 
 
 II 1- Thomas Richmond, 6,000 
 
 11 It Lafayette, 3, 000 
 
 1839, II White Pigeon, 3,ooo 
 
I90 CHICAGO RIVER-AND-HARBOR CONVENTION. 
 
 Nov. , 1839, Brig John Kinzie, $3,000 
 
 Aug. , fi Steamboat Detroit, 20,000 
 
 Nov., It Schooner Virginia, (wheat), 7,000 
 
 Oct., 1840, Steamboat Taylor, 8,000 
 
 May II II Champlain, 10,000 
 
 Nov., II Schooner Neptune, (goods), 24 lives, 15,000 
 
 Oct., II II Cincinnati, 1,500 
 
 April II II Jefferson, 1,800 
 
 Oct., II II Huron, _ 2,000 
 
 n 1841, II Post-Boy, (goods $1000), 13 lives, 2,500 
 
 n II Sloop Spitfire, 500 
 
 Nov., II Schooner Oneida, (wheat), 20,000 
 
 II 1842, II Bancroft, 4,000 
 
 II II Ship Milwaukee, 9 lives, ro,ooo 
 
 II II II Florida, ._ 4,000 
 
 II n Brig Columbus, (wheat), 12,000 
 
 May, 1843, " Hummingbird, 6 lives, 1,000 
 
 II II Schooner Harriet, 8 1. 2,500 
 
 II 1844, M Minerva Smith, .._ 1,000 
 
 Mar. II 11 Wave, 5 lives, 1,006 
 
 11 II II Victory, 7 .1 2,000 
 
 Aug., n 11 Whitney, 6 « 1,000 
 
 Sept. , 1845, ^h^P Superior, _ 5, 000 
 
 Nov., II Schooner Jacob Barker, "2,000 
 
 II II Brig Oliver, , 6,000 
 
 April, II Schooner Ocean, 6 lives, 1,000 
 
 II II II Savannah, 5, 000 
 
 n <• II Jefferson, 4,500 
 
 Oct. , 11 Brig Indiana, 4,000 
 
 II II Schooner Swift, 600 
 
 II II Brig Rosa, 8,000 
 
 Nov., II Schooner Margaret Helm, 1,500 
 
 II 1846, Steamboat Boston, 70,000 
 
 11 II vSloop James K. Polk, 1,000 
 
 II II II Rodolph, 4 lives, 400 
 
 II 11 Schooner , 4,000 
 
 Apr., 1847, II St. Joseph, 1,000 
 
 II 11 It Solomon Juneau, 4,000 
 
 M II Mary Elizabeth, 2,000 
 
 ,1 ri -. Wisconsin, 1,500 
 
 Oct., M ,. Outward Bound, 2,000 
 
 Nov., II n Illinois, Green Bay, --- 5,000 
 
 Propeller Phoenix, 250 lives, [?] 80,000 
 
 II M Schooner Champion, 1 5,000 
 
 „ .1 .1 Erastus B. Wolcott, 10,000 
 
 H.Merrill, 10,000 
 
 Total value, $512,000 
 
 Lives lost, 367 
 
 The above account is not to be taken as strictly authentic, not 
 being compiled from any record official or otherwise, but from 
 the recollection of persons conversant with the l^akes during the 
 
STATISTICAL REPORT — JESSE B. THOMAS. I91 
 
 period named. A large number of small craft, it is presumable, 
 have escaped the recollection of every person living. For these, 
 together with the value of cargoes, not given in the above state- - 
 ment, it will be fair to double the amount, making the total loss 
 of property, in consequence of the loss of vessels, $1,000,000. 
 The loss of life may be increased to 500. 
 
 In connection with the above, should also be included vessels 
 that have gone ashore almost every week, at different places on 
 our lake coast. The damage the vessels themselves have sustained 
 in this way; the expense of getting them afloat; repairing them; 
 damage of cargoes; and loss of time, can not be estimated at a 
 less sum than $740,000, giving in round numbers a total of 
 $1,740,000. 
 
 Up to the present time, Chicago has been merely the centre of 
 a local retail trade of a few hundred miles of extent of country; 
 and even that trade cramped by the recent settlement of the 
 country; the poverty of the farming community; and the limited 
 capital of her merchants, mechanics, and manufacturers. She 
 has been merely the end of a route, and having no means of com- 
 munication with the interior, but over poor and, at some seasons, 
 nearly impassable roads. The trade of the place, though large 
 and profitable under the circumstances, has yet been forced and 
 unnatural. The carrying and depositing trade of the West, except 
 a small portion, she has never enjoyed. 
 
 But opening new channels of communication — the completion 
 of the Canal, connecting, by only one hundred miles of this navi- 
 gation, the Lakes with the navigable waters of the Mississippi, 
 and the construction, at an early day, of our lines of railroads, 
 turnpikes, and plank-roads, already projected, chartered, and com- 
 menced, will at once, and by magic, change the condition and 
 prospects of our City; increase its population; introduce capital 
 to operate in our staples, produce, provisions, lumber, etc.; enlarge 
 every avenue of commerce, and promote the growth of manufact- 
 ures. The arteries of trade will then be opened and commerce 
 will flow freely through them. 
 
 The numerous works of improvement, upon which the pros- 
 perity of Chicago and the amount and value of its commerce 
 depends, deserve consideration in this connection. 
 
92 CHICAGO RIVER-AND-HARBOR CONVENTION. 
 THE HARBOR AT CHICAGO. 
 
 The harbor at this placeiias been constructed by running piers 
 from Chicago River into the Lake. The work on the harbor was 
 commenced in 1833, and has been continued ever since, so far 
 as appropriations have been made by Congress. The amount of 
 appropriations so far made are as follows: In 1833, $25,000 was 
 appropriated; in 1834, $30,000; in 1835, $30jOoo; in 1836, $25,- 
 000; in 1837, $30,000; in 1838-9, $40,000; in 1842, $30,000. 
 Total, $210,000. This money has all been expended, and the 
 result is, two piers running into the Lake at right angles with the 
 shore. One of them, the north pier, a distance of 3900 feet, and 
 the south pier, 1800 feet. 
 
 Chicago River and its branches, with the channel between the 
 piers, constitute the harbor. The main portion of the River is 
 three-fourths of a mile in length, sixty yards wide, and about 
 twenty feet deep. The north and south branches, which unite 
 with the River from opposite directions, in the heart of the City, 
 and have about the same width and depth, are navigable, the 
 former three and the latter five miles. These streams are, prop- 
 erly speaking, bayous, having very little or no current, and being 
 on a level with the waters of the Lake. At the junction of the 
 branches, in the heart of the City, is a natural basin, which it is 
 designed to enlarge by excavation. It will be a source of great 
 convenience. 
 
 The principal difficulty in the way of constructing harbors on 
 the western shore of Lake Michigan, proceeds from the deposition 
 of large quantities of sand at their mouths. A strong and almost 
 constant current, it is to be observed, passes along the shore of 
 the Lake, from the north toward the south, carrying with it large 
 (quantities of sand, which it deposits, forming bars wherever an 
 obstacle, in the shape of a river, or piers, or any object of suffi- 
 cient force to change, in any degree, the attraction of this current 
 is met with. 
 
 The effect of this is observable in all the streams discharging 
 into Lake Michigan on the west. The current along the shore 
 coming in contact with the rivers passing out, the latter are 
 diverted from a direct passage, and taken a new direction for a 
 longer or a shorter distance, along the shore, until the influence 
 of the current ceases to operate, when they discharge, generally 
 in a south-western direction, and a long bar or peninsula of sand 
 standing at the diverging point, and terminating at the new point 
 of entrance, is invariably formed between the Lake and the River. 
 
STATISTICAL REPORT — JESSE B. THOMAS. I93 
 
 Such was Chicago River before the construction of the piers. It 
 discharged half-a-mile below the present harbor. The harbor was 
 commenced by cutting through this bar, and forcing the River 
 straight through into the Lake. No sooner was the north pier 
 projected into the Lake, than the effect of the current coming 
 in contact with it became apparent. It deposite sand along the 
 shore of the Lake, north of the pier, extending the same farther 
 and farther into the Lake, and passing around the end of the pier,' 
 formed a bar extending in a south-western direction across the 
 mouth of the harbor. 
 
 To remedy this evil, two plans were suggested some years ago. 
 One proposed the construction of false piers, half-a-mile north of 
 the harbor, projected into the Lake parallel with the harbor. 
 The latter recommended the further extension of the north pier 
 into the Lake, and the abandonment of the farther extension of 
 the south pier. The latter was adopted, and the north pier, 
 diverging at first slightly to the north, but ultimately returning, in 
 the shape of a circle, into a line with the original pier, was ex- 
 tended about nine hundred feet into the Lake. This had the 
 desired effect until the spring of the present year, when it was 
 discovered that the sand had found its way around the end of the 
 extended pier, and had formed a large bar or mound two hundred 
 feet by one hundred. About two hundred and seventy feet to the 
 south-east, another bar, much larger, had previously formed. 
 Some distance inside of the north pier, about two hundred feet 
 south, still another bar, and a very troublesome one, had formed 
 along the south side of the north pier, commencing considerably 
 inside of the old part, and extending some distance inside of the 
 new projection. The quantity of water had also diminished. 
 The deepest soundings inside the bars being only ten feet, and 
 generally scant nine and three-fourths, and nine. 
 
 These evils, previous to the present year, have found a partial 
 remedy in dredging. But this year, that poor consolation has 
 been denied us; the government machine, heretofore used for 
 that purpose, having been removed last season to a northern port, 
 and subsequently sunk. The consequence has been that our har- 
 bor has been exceedingly difficult to enter, even in favorable 
 weather, and in storms, when its protection is especially needed, 
 almost effectually closed. Our commerce has suffered greatly, 
 and been subjected to the risk of almost total ruin. 
 
 Such a state of things demands a prompt and effectual remedy, 
 particularly at a time when our Canal is on the eve of completion 
 and a consequently great augmentation of our commercial inter- 
 ests about to take place. ^ The completion of the Canal will 
 13 
 
194 CHICAGO RIVER-AND-HARBOR CONVENTION. 
 
 divert a large share of the carrying-trade of the West in this direc- 
 tion, and a safe and commodious harbor at this place in 1848, 
 will be a matter of the most, urgent necessity. 
 
 Some plan ought to be devised immediately to obviate the 
 above difficulties, and the necessary amount of money appropri- 
 ated to carry said plan into execution. In the meantime, we must 
 have a sufficient annual appropriation to dredge out the harbor, 
 and keep at all times a sufficient channel open, for the entrance 
 and departure of vessels of every class. This latter, until the 
 former object is secured, is imperative. Without it, our commerce 
 of $10,000,000, with the large increase of another year, will be 
 jeopardized, if not ruined. The cost of a dredge, and the ex- 
 pense of running it, will be trifling; for the former, $5000, and 
 the latter, some $2500 or $3000 a year. 
 
 One fact presents itself to us with startling distinctness at this 
 time. Should the accumulation of sand in our harbor, the com- 
 ing winter, eqilal the last, it is susceptible of the clearest demon- 
 stration that the spring of 1848 will find our harbor entirely 
 closed, and Chicago cut off, entirely barred^ from the general com- 
 merce of the country. 
 
 ILLINOIS-AND-MICHIGAN CANAL. 
 
 The following is a brief statement of the history and present 
 condition of this important work. The Canal unites the waters 
 of the Illinois River with those of Lake Michigan :— 
 
 It commences at the Chicago River, four miles south of Chi- 
 cago, and terminates at LaSalle, on the Illinois River. Its lengthy 
 including the four miles of Chicago River to be used as Canal, is, 
 in round numbers, one hundred miles. 
 
 The Canal is sixty feet wide at top water line. The locks are 
 one-hundred-and-ten feet in length in the chambers, and eighteen 
 feet wide at top water line. The depth of water is to be six feet. 
 
 On the 30th March, 1822, Congress authorized the construction 
 of the Canal over the public lands; granting the right of way, and 
 ninety feet on either side. On the 2d March, 1827, Congress 
 granted to the State of Illinois, to aid in the construction of the 
 work, every alternate section of land for five miles on each side. 
 
 As long ago as 1822-3, the Legislature of Illinois appointed 
 a Board of Canal Commissioners, who made an examination of 
 the route of the Canal, and at the same session, a company was 
 
STATISTICAL REPORT — JESSE B. THOMAS. 1 95 
 
 chartered to commence operations. This act was repealed in 
 1826. 
 
 In 1829, a new Board was organized, with the power to make 
 further surveys and complete the work; and by an act of 1831, 
 the Commissioners were authorized to lay out towns, and did pro- 
 ceed to lay off and sell lots in the towns of Chicago and Ottawa 
 — and also some lands. At the next session of the legislature, 
 the office of the Canal Commissioner was abolished. 
 
 In 1835, another act of the legislature was passed, providing 
 for the construction of the work on the sole responsibility of the 
 State. That act was imperfect, and was repealed in 1836. 
 
 In 1836, the law was passed under which the work was com- 
 menced, and prosecuted until 1842. 
 
 The amount expended, up to the time of the susi)ension of 
 the work, for want of means to prosecute it, was, inde])endent of. 
 interest, $5,133,062.21. 
 
 In February, 1843, ^^e law providing for a loan of one million 
 six hundred thousand dollars to complete the Canal was passed. 
 In the spring of 1845, ^^^^ ^^an was effected. It was obtained by 
 the subscription of the holders of script and bonds issued to raise 
 the money which had been previously expended in the construc- 
 tion of the Canal. The bed of the Canal, the tolls, resources, 
 and canal lands, were conveyed to the Board of Trustees ap- 
 l^ointed under the provisions of said act, in trust, until the loan, 
 and the bonds and indebtedness which the subscribers were 
 authorized to register, should be paid. The subscribers were 
 authorized to register $1000 of Canal indebtedness for each $320 
 of the loan subscribed and paid by them. 
 
 The last instalment of the $r, 600,000 loan was called in on 
 the 2oth of September last. 
 
 The amount of the new loan expended upon the work, on the 
 30th day of November, 1847, is about $1,150,000. The Canal 
 lands are to be offered for sale three months after the completion 
 of the Canal. It is expected that the Canal will be in operation • 
 at the opening of navigation in the spring of 1848. 
 
 There are three lateral canals or feeders. One from Fox River 
 at Dayton to Ottawa, four miles; one from the Kankakee River, 
 six miles; and one from the Calumet River, sixteen miles. 
 
196 CHICAGO RIVER-AND-HARBOR CONVENTION. 
 
 From 
 
 A Brief Sketch of the Commerce of the Lakes: 
 Buffalo, 1847." 
 
 by James L. Barton, 
 
 PORT OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. 
 
 The following are of the principal articles exported from this port durint 
 five seasons : 
 
 Wheat, bush, 
 
 Oats, M 
 
 Flour, bbls. 
 
 Pork,.. ,. 
 
 Beef, M 
 
 Wool, lbs, 
 
 Lard, .. 
 
 Tobacco, ti 
 
 Hams, II Inporkac't, 
 
 Tallow,.- I. 15,130 
 
 Hides, No., 6,975 
 
 1842. 
 
 586,910 
 
 53,485 
 2,920 
 
 15,450 
 762 
 
 1,500 
 36,720 
 
 3,000 
 
 1843. 
 
 628,965 
 
 3,767 
 
 10,785 
 
 11,110 
 
 10,380 
 
 22,050 
 
 bbls, 282 
 
 47,900 
 
 Pork ac't. 
 
 bbls, 1,185 
 
 14,535 
 
 1844, 
 
 871,805 
 
 4,320 
 
 7,050 
 
 7,890 
 
 96,635 
 
 bbls, 1,630 
 
 52,653 
 
 Pork ac't. 
 
 34,900 
 
 11,042 
 
 1845. 
 
 956,860 
 
 5,900 
 
 13,750 
 
 7,010 
 
 6,200 
 
 216,615 
 
 66,220 
 
 52,000 
 
 22,925 
 
 bbls, 1,000 
 
 12,255 
 
 Valuation, ... $659,300 $1,008,210 $785,300 $1,500,000 
 The exports and imports of the same place, in 1846, were:— 
 
 Wheat,.. bush, 1,358,638 
 Beef& Pork, bbls, 23,788 
 
 Flour, H 19,391 
 
 Lard & Tallow, .1 2, 160 
 
 II M lbs, 76,600 
 Hams, bbls, 16 
 
 " pes, 22,633 
 
 Fish, bbls, 1,413 
 
 Whiskey, .-. n 671 
 
 Tobacco, lbs, 6,152 
 
 II ..boxes, 19 
 
 Candles,-.- h 810 
 
 Beeswax, bbls, 26 
 
 I. lbs, 95,000 
 
 Soap, boxes, 5 1 
 
 Furniture, ..bbls, 909 
 
 II -boxes, 31 
 
 Wool, lbs, 21,806 
 
 .1 bales, 116 
 
 Merchandise, tons, 8, 800 
 
 I. bbls, 10,385 
 
 I. bxs&pkgs, 1,540 
 
 Salt, bbls, 13,308 
 
 M sks, 1,346 
 
 Fish, bbls, 1,800 
 
 Butter, .1 37 
 
 Beans, n 10 
 
 Oil, 11 23 
 
 Whiskey,.-, n 1,065 
 
 Fruit, cider, etc. II 4,812 
 
 pkgs, 185 
 
 Agri. Impts.,bbls, 
 
 Furs, lbs, 
 
 II bxs and bales. 
 
 Ginseng, sks, 
 
 Salt, bbls, 
 
 Oil, I, 
 
 Fruit, II 
 
 Merchandise, n 
 
 Oats, bush. 
 
 Corn, 11 
 
 Hides, pes. 
 
 Glass, boxes, 
 
 Pelts, pes, 
 
 Stearine, bbls. 
 
 Cranberries, . n 
 
 Rags, lbs. 
 
 Coal, II 
 
 Beans, bbls. 
 
 Machinery, ..lbs, 
 
 IMPORTS. 
 
 Seeds, bbls, 
 
 Furniture, ._ tons, 
 
 -.bbls, 
 
 .-kegs, 
 
 Agri, Impts., bbls, 
 
 pkgs. 
 
 Wag. & coaches, . 
 
 Ploughs, 
 
 Hubs and wheels, 
 
 Soap, pkgs, 
 
 Coal, tons. 
 
 Glass, boxes, 
 
 II 
 
 37,514 
 
 18 
 
 58 
 
 1,423 
 
 128 
 
 322 
 
 806 
 
 27,308 
 
 9,331 
 9,460 
 
 993 
 1,160 
 
 64 
 
 74 
 
 2,164 
 
 8,900 
 
 I 
 
 2,700 
 
 7 
 
 47 
 
 4,039 
 
 850 
 
 33 
 
 3 
 
 307 
 
 17 
 
 2,000 
 
 246 
 
 2,150 
 
 1,725 
 
 Hay, bales. 
 
 Scraps tin, cop'r, lb, 
 
 hhds, 
 
 Brooms, doz. 
 
 Leather, lbs, 1 
 
 Butter, bbls, 
 
 lbs. 
 
 Flaxseed, bbls, 
 
 Timothy seed, m 
 
 Wagons, 
 
 Lime, ..' bbls. 
 
 Grindstones, .pes. 
 
 Coal, tons, 
 
 Merchandise, pkgs, 
 Scraps tin, etc., n 
 
 Leather, n 
 
 Flax seed, h 
 
 Timothy seed, n 
 Paper, r 
 
 156 
 
 3,162 
 
 40 
 
 896 
 
 1,140 
 
 36 
 
 2,765 
 
 487 
 
 29 
 
 14 
 18 
 26 
 
 429 
 51 
 34 
 
 487 
 
 29 
 28 
 
 Beans, bbls, 10 
 
 Machinery, .tons, I 
 
 Threshing mach., 37 
 
 Millstones, 26 
 
 Water-lime, .bbls, 4,000 
 Lumber, feet, 23,824,297 
 
 Shingles, 8,354,000 
 
 Lath, 2,069,500 
 
 Pickets, 24,000 
 
 Timber, r 10,000 
 
 Staves, 32,000 
 
 Mahogany, .. 1,852 
 
 No valuation has been reported for the exports and imports of 1846. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 Introduction, .......... 3 
 
 Letters from Wm. Mosley Hall, the originator of the Convention, . 5 
 \'eto of the River-and- Harbor Bill, . . , . . . -14 
 
 The Lake Country, ......... 16 
 
 Who is James K. Polk? 17 
 
 Call for the New- York Preliminary Meeting, . . . . 17 
 
 New- York Preliminary Meeting, proceedings, . . . . .18 
 
 The Lakes and Western Rivers, ....... 18 
 
 New- York Resolutions, . . . . . . . . .21 
 
 Call for the Chicago Preliminary Meeting, . . . . . 21 
 
 Chicago Preliminary Meeting, ....... 23 
 
 II Resolution.s, ........ 23 
 
 II Committee of Arrangement.s, ...... 25 
 
 11 M Address to the People, by Hon. John Wentworth, 
 
 Chairman, .......... 26 
 
 Buffalo Preliminary Meeting, proceedings, ..... 30 
 
 .1 Resolutions, ... . . . . . -31 
 
 II Committee of Arrangements, ...... 33 
 
 Michigan-City Preliminary Meeting, proceedings, .... 34 
 
 II II Resolutions, ....... 35 
 
 II II Committees, ........ 37 
 
 Invitation to Daniel Webster, by Samuel Lisle Smith, ... 37 
 
 Signers of Invitation to Daniel Webster, ...... 39 
 
 Delegate Meetings, Notice of ...... . 39 
 
 D^elegates to form in Procession, Marshal's order .... 40 
 
 Marshal's order of the day for 5th of July, ..... 40 
 
 Account of the Procession, by S. Lisle Smith, ..... 41 
 
 Chicago in 1847, — Officers, Schools, Churches, Fire Department, Insti- 
 tutions, Newspapers, etc., ....... 45 
 
 Proceedings of the Convention, . . . . . . . 47 
 
 Rules for Organization and Voting, ....... 48 
 
 Committee of Nomination and Rules, ...... 49 
 
 Report of Nominating Committee, ....... 49 
 
 Officers of the Convention, ....... 50 
 
 Rules of the Convention, ........ 50 
 
 List of Delegates, Arranged by States alphabetically, ... 52 
 Committee on Resolutions, . ... . . . . .68 
 
198 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 —the 
 
 advo- 
 
 l.etter of Thomas li. Benton of Missouri, . 
 Silas Wright, .... 
 
 If Henry Clay, .... 
 
 !. Martin VanBuren, . 
 
 11 Lewis Cass of Michigan, 
 
 II Thomas B. Curtiss of Massachusetts, 
 
 I. Joseph Grinnell, .... 
 
 II Bradford R. Wood of New York, 
 
 I. Alpheus Felch of Michigan, 
 
 II George P. Barker of New York, 
 
 I. Washington Hunt of New York, . 
 
 Resolutions of the Convention, 
 Letter of Daniel Webster, 
 Executive Committee, . . . . 
 
 Committee of the Whole, .... 
 Pacific-Railroad Resolutions, by Wm. M. Hall 
 Speech of Wm. M. Hall, on a National Railroad to the Pacific 
 
 first public speech in its favor, . 
 Ivetter of Dr. Harwell Carver of New York, one of the early 
 
 cates of a Pacific Railroad, 
 Letter of John M. Botts of Virginia, . 
 
 ti Daniel Webster on Internal Improvement: 
 
 Remarks of John C. Spencer of New York, to the Convention on In- 
 ternal Improvements, ...... 
 
 I.,etter of John McLean of Michigan, ..... 
 
 II John Norvell of n .... 
 
 I' W. S. Archer of Virginia, ..... 
 
 Abraham Lincoln, Notice of . . . . 
 
 Samuel Lisle Smith — Obituary, ...... 
 
 Jesse B. Thomas — Obituary, ...... 
 
 Horace Greeley's Report of the Convention, 
 
 II 11 on Internal Improvements and Party Politics 
 
 Thurlow Weed's Report of the Convention, etc., . 
 Edward Bates, President of the Convention, sketch of, 
 Statistics Concerning Chicago, by Jesse B. Thomas, 
 Sketch of Chicago, ....... 
 
 Population of Chicago for 1840, '43, and '45, 
 
 II Cook County for 1845, .... 
 
 Business Occupations in Chicago, ..... 
 
 Trade and Commerce of Chicago from 1836 to 1847, 
 
 Land Sales in Chicago from 1835 to Nov., 1847. . 
 
 Marine of Lake Michigan, ...... 
 
 Vessels built at Chicago from 1 843 to 1 847, .... 
 
 Shipping list of Chicago for 1846, ..... 
 
 Losses on Lake Michigan from 1824 to 1847, 
 The Harbor at Chicago, Historical Sketch of, . 
 Illinois-and-Michigan Canal, ...... 
 
 Port of Chicago: Statistics by Jas. L. Barton of Buffalo, N.Y, 
 
INDEX 
 
 Of Names of Persons, Newspapers, and Vessels mentioned. 
 
 DELEGATES NAMES may be found on pages 52 to 68 inclusive, 
 alphabetically arranged by States. 
 
 Abert, Col. John Jas., loi, 133, 134. 
 Adam, Rei'. Wm., 46. 
 Adams, Pres. John, 28, 
 
 Pres. John Quincy, 153-172, 173. 
 ^rt^w/r^/ (steamboat), 170. 
 Adsit, James M,, 39. 
 Albany Argus, 161. 
 
 Evening Journal, 147, 162, 172. 
 Allen, Miss A, A., 170. 
 
 Elisha Hunt, 90, 139, 143, 161. 
 
 H. v., 170. 
 
 J. B., 170. 
 
 John W., 22, 47, 148, 154. 
 
 Margaret (Schr.), 187. 
 
 Orlando, 33. 
 
 Thos., 69, 72, 88, 152, 161, 170. 
 
 Rev. Wm., 48, 49, 86, 140, 151, 
 152, 155, 165, 170. 
 
 Zachariah, 88. 
 Allyn, Capt. Gurdon L., 7. 
 Alvord, P, ,G., 170. 
 Anable, H. S., 170. 
 Appleby, C. W., 39. 
 Archer, Charles G., 39. 
 
 W. S., 138. 
 Ark (schr.), 187, 188. 
 Arnold, Isaac N., 23, 25, 30. 
 Atkinson, John, 46. 
 Atwater, George M., 20. 
 
 Samuel T., 30, 33. 
 Austerlitz (schr.), 189. 
 Avery, Charles E., 39. 
 
 Babcock, Geo. R., 21, 33. 
 
 Backus, Senator, 166. 
 
 Baird, Zebulon, 88. 
 
 Baker, David J., 68, 89. 
 
 Ballard, Mr. C. J. and Mrs. Adaline 
 
 w., 45. 
 
 Ballingall, Patrick, 25, 45. 
 Baltic (schr.), 187. 
 
 (steamboat), 151, 163. 
 Bancroft (schr.), 190. 
 Barker, Geo. P., 33, 78, 152. 
 
 Barker, Jacob (schr.), 190. 
 
 Ward, 170. 
 Barnum, Mr. 169. 
 Barnes, Hamilton, 26. 
 Bartholomew, 148. 
 Barton, Benjamin, 170. 
 
 James L., 11, 22, 33, 34, 47, 48, 
 49, 139, 151, 170, 196. 
 Bascom, Rez>. Flavel, 9, 45. 
 Bates, Hon. Edward, 9, 12, 50, 68, 
 86, 88, 89, 90, 142, 152, 153, 
 160, 161, 170, 172, 173, 174. 
 
 Jacob R., 26. 
 
 Morgan, 20. 
 Beardsley, I^evi, 170. 
 Bebb, Gov. Wm., 50, 88, 90, 139, 
 141, 142, 143, 148, 151, 154, 
 161. 
 Beers, Cyrenius, 26, 39. 
 Bemis, James, 170. 
 Benton, Col. Thos. H. (schr.), 187. 
 
 Senator T\\.oxi\-x% Hart, 69,72, 140, 
 147, 152, 153, 173, 174. 
 Better Covenant, 46. 
 Biddle, John, 49, 152. 
 Bidwell, Benjamin, 33. 
 Bigham, T. J., 69, 88, 158. 
 Bills, George R., 46. 
 Bishop, James E., 39. 
 Blackburn, H. C, 69. 
 Black Hawk (Indian Chief), 179. 
 Black well, Robert S., 69, 86. 
 Blaikie, Andrew, 39. 
 Blair, Chauncey B., 34. 
 
 Wm., 39. 
 Blake, Com. Chelsey, 149. 
 Blaney, Dr. Jas. V.Z., 46. 
 Bloomer, T. T., 163, 164, 169. 
 Blossom, I. A., 34. 
 Bogy, Lewis V., 170. 
 Bolivar (schr.), 187. 
 Bonesteel, Mary L. (schr.), 187. 
 Boone, Dr. Levi D., 26, 45. 
 Boston (stmr. ), 190. 
 Botsford, Jabez K., 26. 
 Botts, John M., 105, 107, 140. 
 
200 CHICAGO RIVER-AND-HARBOR CONVENTION. 
 
 Bourland, Benj, L. T., 46. 
 Bowen, Erastus (schr. ), 187. 
 Bowles, Reii. S., 45. 
 Boyce, Leroy M., 26, 39. 
 Boyer, Dr. Valentine A., 26. 
 Brady Guards^ 164. 
 Bradley, Cyrus P., 46. 
 
 David M., 26. 
 Brainard, Dr. Daniel, 26, 46. 
 Brand, Alexander, 26, 39. 
 Brayman, J. O., 33. 
 Breese, Sidney, 154. 
 Bridget (schr,), 189. 
 Brinkerhoff, Dr. John, 39, 45. 
 Bristol, Cyrenius C, 33. 
 
 Miss C. N., 170. 
 
 Harrison, 170. 
 
 Capt. Robert C, 26. 
 Britain, Calvin, 69. 
 Brittain, J. \\,jr., 39. 
 Brock, Gen. Isaac, 171. 
 Brockw^ay, John H., 50, 90. 
 Bronson, Alvin, 69, 139, 172. 
 Brooks, James, 147. 
 Brown, Judge Henry, 26, 89. 
 
 John A., 20, 39. 
 
 Joseph E., 25. 
 
 Wm. H., 26, 39, 45. 
 Bryant, Geo. H., 169. 
 Buchanan, K., 170. 
 Buckner, W. G. (schr.), 187. 
 Buena Vista (schr.), 187, 188. 
 Buffalo Com. Advertiser^ 143, 161. 
 
 Express (newspaper), 30, 147, 
 
 173, 174- 
 
 Journal, 168. 
 Bugbee, Oliver, 34. 
 Bull, G. W., 34, 169. 
 
 John (Great Britain), 159. 
 Burch, Isaac H., 26, 39, 88. 
 Burdsall, E. H., 39. 
 Burger, Wm., 170. 
 Burley, Arthur G., 39. 
 
 Charles, 39. 
 Burlingame, Anson, 11, 69, 90, 143, 
 
 161. 
 Burr, Edwin C, 147, 170. 
 
 E. D., 5, 18, 22. 
 Butler, Charles, 153. 
 Butterfield, Justin, 26, 39, 88. 
 
 Justin (schr.), 187. 
 
 Justin, >•., 39. 
 Buttles, A. B., 170. 
 
 Joel, 170. 
 Butts, Isaac, 89. 
 
 C. 
 
 Calhoun, John, 26. 
 
 John Caldwell, 10, 116, 134, 160, 
 Camp, Enoch E., 9, 161, 170. 
 
 H., 170. 
 
 John G., 49, 50, 68, 89, 90, 170, 
 Cann, Thomas, 46. 
 Carney, James, 26. 
 Caroline (schr.), 188. 
 Carson, Kit, 104. 
 Carver, Mr., 80. 
 
 Dr. Hartwell, 12, 96, 97, 99, 
 102, 104, 143. 
 Carter, Thos. B., & Co. (firm), 39. 
 Gary, Miss Lucinda, 170. 
 
 Trumbull, 154, 162, 170. 
 
 Dr. Walter, 169. 
 Cass, Gen. Lewis, 76, 140, 145, 152,. 
 
 153. 168. 
 6d!/rt!raf/ (steamboat), 147, 171, 172. 
 Cathcart, C, W., 36. 
 Cayuga (schr,), 187. 
 Chambers, A, B., 10, 12, 47, 48, 50^ 
 90, 151, 161, 170. 
 
 David, (should be A. B. ) 22. 
 Champion (schr.), 190. 
 Champlain (stmr.), 190. 
 Champlain, Capt. Stephen, 168. 
 Chance (schr,), 189. 
 Chandler, M. A., 49, 50, 69, 90, 
 Chapin, Hon. John P., 6, 26, 39. 
 Chappel, Delos N. , 46. 
 Chicago (schr. ), 189. 
 Chicago American, 181. 
 
 Commercial Advertiser, 46, i6k 
 
 Democrat, 46, 138, 181. 
 
 Detnocratic Press, 138. 
 
 Evening Journal, 1 5 , 
 
 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 37, 39, 41^ 
 46, 138. 
 
 Lyceum, 46. 
 
 Tribune, 46. 
 Christy, Edwin P., 168. 
 Church, Thomas, 39. 
 Cincinnati {schr.), 190. 
 Clarissa (sloop), 189. 
 Clark, Go7'. William, 71. 
 
 Lewis W,, 26, 39. 
 Clarke, Henry B., 26, 45. 
 
 Wm. Hull, 39. 
 Clay, Henry, 75, 140, 152, 172. 
 
 Henry (schr.), 187. 
 Clement, Miss M. E., 170. 
 Cleopatra (schr. ), 187. 
 Cleveland, I. T,, 69. 
 
INDEX 
 
 201 
 
 Cleveland Light Artillery, 42. 
 
 Plain Dealer (newspaper), 16. 
 Clinton, Geo. W., 154, 161, 163, 169. 
 Clybourn, Archibald, 39. 
 Clymer, George, 124. 
 Cobb, Rev. Jacob, 45. 
 
 Silas B., 26, 39. 
 Coe, Bela D., 34, 169. 
 Coit, George, y^,. 
 Colfax, Schuyler, 9, 50, 90, 
 Collins, James H., 26, 138. 
 
 Samuel 13., & Co. (firm), 39. 
 Colt, Roswell L., 69, 154, 162, 170. 
 Colton, Wells, 88. 
 Columbus (brig), 190, 
 Columbus, Christopher, 92. 
 Conklin, H. H., 170, 
 Constitution (schr. ), 188. 
 Convention (vessel), 42. 
 Converse, Joseph M., 88, 170. 
 
 L. P., 170. 
 Cook, John D., 69. 
 Corning, Erastus, 50, 90, 162. 
 Cor win, Thomas, 49, 50, 89, 139, 140, 
 142, 144, 148, 151, 152, 154, 
 157, 160, 161, 164, 165, 166, 
 168, 170. 
 Couch, Ira, 26, 
 Cowles, Alfred, 26, 39. 
 Coxe, H. S., 170, 
 Cramer (schr. ), 187. 
 Cramer, Wm. E., 162. 
 Crawford, T. H., 49, 69. 
 Crocker, Hans, 48, 151. 
 Crogan, Col. George, 164. 
 Crook (schr.), 187. 
 Cross, Dr. Thomas L. Halsey, 49. 
 Crosswell, Edwin, 162. 
 Crow, 69. 
 Curtiss, Hon. Jas., 6, 26, 45, 47, 150. 
 
 Peter, 34. 
 
 Thomas B., 76, 152. 
 
 Daily Wisconsin, 162. 
 Darrow, H. P., 30, 31, n. 
 Davies, E. W., 170. 
 Davis, Chas. A., 170. 
 
 George, 26. 
 
 G. W., 161. 
 
 Gen. Geo. R., 147. 
 
 J. C. (schr.), 187. 
 
 John (schr.), 187. 
 
 Samuel Edward, 39. 
 Day, Miss Anna M., 45. 
 
 Deane, Robert L., 170. 
 Dearborn School, 45. 
 Dela7vare {schr.), 189. 
 Detroit (stmr. ), 190. 
 
 Advertiser, 161. 
 Dexter (schr.), 188. 
 Diamond {?,chr.), 187. 
 Dickinson, Daniel S., 152. 
 Dodge, Chas. V., 46. 
 Dole, Geo. W,, 22, 23, 26, 39, 47, 87. 
 Douglas, Stephen Arnold, 154. 
 Dousman, M. (schr.), 187. 
 Drew, George C, 39. 
 ,Dryden, John, 146. 
 Duffy, Patrick, 26. 
 Duncan, Alex., 88. 
 Dunham, John H., 26, 39. 
 Dunlevy, A. B., 170. 
 
 Miss F., 170. 
 Durant, Miss Martha C, 45. 
 Durfee, Philo, 33. 
 Dutch, Alfred, 39, 46. 
 
 E. 
 
 Eastman, Zebina, 25, 46. 
 Eaton, W. W., 8. 
 Edwards, Nelson G., 50, 90. 
 
 W. R., 170. 
 Egan, Dr. Wm. Bradshaw, 11, 26. 
 Elbert, J. N., 170. 
 Eldridge, Dr. John W,, 26. 
 Ellis, Erastus W. PL, 50, 90. 
 Ejnpire (steamboat), 147, 148, 149, 
 
 150, 151, 169. 
 Enterprise (brig), 188. 
 Erie Packet (schr.), 189. 
 Eugene, Prince {schr.), 189, 
 Eustis, Wm. T., 50, 90. 
 Evans, Miss, 170. 
 
 C, 170. 
 
 George, 89, 170. 
 
 James C, 34. 
 
 Dr. John, 46. 
 Ewing, Wm. B., 88. 
 Excelsior (fire-engine), 46. 
 
 F. 
 
 P'alstaff, Sir John, 167. 
 
 Felch, Alpheus, 77, 78, 140, 153. 
 
 Fennerty, James, 26. 
 
 P'enno, Francis Upton, 50, 90, 158. 
 
 Fergus, Robert, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 13, 18, 
 
 37- 
 Ferguson, Aliss, 45. 
 Field, David Dudley, 48, 80, 81, 84, 
 
 85,141,146,151,152,153,158. 
 
202 
 
 CHICAGO RIVER-AND-HARBOR CONVENTION. 
 
 Field, Joseph, lo. 
 Filkins, Capt., 171. 
 
 John, 39. 
 Filmore, Pres. Millard, 11, 31, i^. 
 Fire King (fire-engine), 43, 46. 
 Fiske, Francis S., 49, 50, 90. 
 
 John, 171. 
 Florida (ship), 190. 
 P'ollansbee, Charles, 26. 
 Follett, Oran, 168. 
 Folsom, E., 34. 
 Foote, Dr. Thomas M., 30, ^t^, 154, 
 
 161, 169. 
 Ford, Elijah, 33. 
 
 Forrest, Rci'. Joseph K. C, 45, 46. 
 E'oss, Robert H., 45. 
 Foster, George F., 26, 46. 
 Francis, John, 34, 37. 
 Frink, John, 26. 
 
 (John)&Walker(M.O.)(firm)io. 
 Fremont, Col. John C., 93. 
 
 Gage, John, 26, 
 
 Gale, Stephen F., 26, 39, 42, 46. 
 (brig), 187, 1 88. 
 Gallagher, James H., 8. 
 Gallatin, Albert, 159. 
 Gallinipper (schr), 187. 
 Gamaliel, 13. 
 Garay, Don Jose, 7. 
 Gardner, Daniel, 69, 72, 80, 84, 152, 
 
 158. 
 Garrett, Augustus, 26. 
 Geer, Nathan C, 25, 26, 39, 46. 
 Gem of the Prairie, 46. 
 Getzler, Anton, 26. 
 Gibbs, Dr. Aaron, 39. 
 
 Gibbs, George A., 26. 
 Gilbert, Ashley, 46. 
 Gold, Charles R., 169. 
 Goodhue, W. H., 34. 
 Gooding, Wm., 39. 
 Goodrich, Grant, 25, 30, 46. 
 Goss, Samuel W,, 39, 
 Graham & Phillips (firm), 70. 
 Granger, Elihu, 45. 
 Gray, Chas. M., 26, 
 
 John, 26. 
 
 Joseph II., 26. 
 
 Joseph W., 69. 
 Gregg, David L., 23. 
 Greeley, Horace, 49, 51, 90, 139, 140, 
 141, 143, 147, 152, 154, 157, 
 161, 166. 
 
 Green, Wm., 86, 158, 161, 170. 
 Greene, Thomas L., 147. 
 Griffith, John M., 34. 
 Grinnell, Joseph, 76, 77, 140, 152, 153. 
 Gurley, Jason, 26. 
 Gurnee, Walter S., 26. 
 Gustine, Ebenezer M., 46. 
 Gutherie, James, 88. 
 
 H. 
 
 Hadduck, Edward H., 26, 39. 
 Haight, Fletcher M., 69, 
 
 Dr. Nathaniel D., 104. 
 Hale, Samuel (schr.), 187. 
 Hall, E. Allan, 8. 
 
 James, 88, 161, 170, 
 
 Nathan K., 30, 31, 33, 161, 169. 
 
 Wm. Mosley, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 
 13, 18. 34, 69, 81, 88, 90, 91, 
 92, 104, 143. 
 Hamlin, R., 39. 
 
 Hancock, Gen. Winfield Scott, 9. 
 Haraszythy, A., 21. 
 Hardy, Isaac, 39. 
 Harkinson, W. S., 39. 
 Harriet (schr.), 190, 
 Harrison, Miss, 170. 
 
 Pres. Wm. Henry, 35. 
 Harwood, Amanda (schr.), 188. 
 Hastings, B. B., 170. 
 Hatch, I. T., 34. 
 
 Junius H., 170. 
 Hathaway, Isaac G. , 1 70. 
 Hawley, Seth C, 34, I39, 148, i54, 
 
 161, 169. 
 Helena (schr.), 187. 
 Helfenstein (brig), 187. 
 Helm, Margaret (brig), 190. 
 Hempstead, Chas. S., 50, 90. 
 Henderson (schr.), 115. 
 Henry, Alexander, 163, 164. 
 Herald of the Prairies, 46. 
 Heywood, R. H., 34. 
 Higgins, W. W., 34. 
 Hilliard, Laurin P., 26. 
 
 Laurin P. (schr.), 187, 188. 
 
 Maria (schr.), 188. 
 Hinman, John E., 139. 
 Hoadley, George, 8. 
 Hoard, Samuel, 26, 45. 
 Hobart, Aaron, 50, 90. 
 
 Rez: C , 45. 
 Robbie, Alberto., 26. 
 Hodson, Wm. B., 68, 89. 
 Hoeffgen, Robert B., 46. 
 
INDEX. 
 
 203 
 
 Hook-and- Ladder Comfy, No. i, 43. 
 Hooker, Joseph W., 39. 
 
 & Sons (firm), 170. 
 Hollister, J. J., 170. 
 
 John, II, 33. 
 
 Robert, 11. 
 
 William, 11. 
 
 Messrs. {Jno.,Wm. & Rob't), 169. 
 Holmes, MaJ. Andrew Hunter, 164. 
 Hone, Miss M., 170. 
 
 Philip, 152, 161, 162, 170, 
 *■'• Ilope^' Hose Co., 42. 
 Hoppin, Hamilton, 50, 69, 90. 
 Hoyne, Thomas, 25, 121, 
 Hubbard, Gurdon Saltonstall, 26, 46. 
 Hubbell, Levi, 90, 143, 161. 
 Hudson, Hendrick (steamboat), 147. 
 Hugunin, Jas. R. (schr. ), 187. 
 Hulburt, Eri B. , 26. 
 Hntnming-bird (brig), 190. 
 Humphreys, David, 26, 39. 
 Hunt, Washington, 79, 80, 152, 153. 
 Huntington, Alonzo, 26. 
 Huron (schr. ), 190. 
 Hutchinson, C. I. (brig), 187. 
 
 Illinois (schr.), 190. 
 
 (steamboat), 149. 
 
 Med. and Surg. Journal, 46. 
 Independence {i^xo-^.), 188. 
 Indiana (brig), 190. 
 Ingalls, Albert W., 45. 
 Ingersoll, Joseph R., 151. 
 
 Jackson, Albert, 49. 
 
 Gen. and Fres. Andrew, 9, 28, 
 125, 126, 141, 159, 167, 172. 
 Jacobus, Augustus L., 39. 
 Jarvis, Charles, 89. 
 Jefferson (schr.), 190. 
 
 P7-es. Thomas, 28, 156, 
 Jernegan, Thomas, 34, 35, 37. 
 Jewett, S. S., 33. 
 Johnson, J., 46. 
 
 John B., 88, 139. 
 
 Sanford, 46. 
 Johnston, Anthony, 26. 
 Jones, Tarleton, 39. 
 
 William, 170. 
 
 Wm., 26, 45. 
 
 Wm, E., 26, 45. 
 Joy, C, 170. 
 Judd, Norman B., 23, 25, 51, 75, 121, 
 
 136, 138, 152. 
 Juneau, Solomon (schr.), 190. » 
 
 K. 
 
 Kasson, Arche, 39. 
 Keemle, Chas., 10, 161, 170, 
 Keen, Joseph, yr., 39. 
 Keene, James Wilson, 89. 
 Kellogg, D wight, 170. 
 
 Rev. Ezra B., 46. 
 
 N. O., 68. 
 Kelly, James, 46. 
 Kennedy, W., 169. 
 Kent, Miss Mary A., 45. 
 Kercheval, Louis C, 26. 
 Ketchum, Wm., 34. 
 Kilbourne, Byron, 22, 47. 
 Kimberly, John L., 33. 
 King, Charles, 21, 50, 69, 81, 89, 141, 
 152, 161. 
 
 Charles B., 39. 
 
 John, ;>., 26, 39. 
 
 Gen. Rufus, 89, 162, 176. 
 
 Thomas Butler, 12, 49, 50, 68, 
 86, 89, 90, 139, 141, 151, 159, 
 160, 161, 166, 170. 
 Kingman, Mahlon, 34. 
 Kingsland, J. D., 69. 
 Kinne, Henry M., 11, 30, 33. 
 Kinsella, Rez'. Jeremiah A., 46. 
 Kinzie, JoTin (brig), 190. 
 
 John H., 26, 39, 46. 
 
 School, 45. 
 Kirkpatrick, Littleton, 49, 50, 89, 90. 
 Knowles, Sheridan, 13. 
 Knox, Milton, 170, 
 Kuhn, George Horatio, 69. 
 
 L. 
 
 Lacy, Miss A. E., 170. 
 Ladue, P. A., 170. 
 Lady of the Lake (prop. ), 187. 
 Lafayette (schr. ), 189. 
 Lamb, Mrs., 45. 
 Lane, James, 45. 
 Langdon, James J., 46. 
 Lapo}-te {schr.), 189. 
 Lapoi'te- County Whig, 34, 37. 
 Earned, Samuel, 170. 
 Larrabee, Charles H., 26. 
 Laverack, Wm,, 169. 
 Lawrence (schr.), 187. 
 
 Abbott, 88. 
 
 H. C, 39. 
 Lee, Artemas, 49. 
 
204 CHICAGO RIVER-AND-HARBOR CONVENflON. 
 
 Lee, David S., 39. 
 
 Liberty- Tree (newspaper), 46. 
 
 Lille, 'John (schr.), 187, 188. 
 
 Lincoln, Abraham, 81, 138, 141. 
 
 Link, John, 46. 
 
 Long John {Hon. John Wentworth), 
 
 9, 145. 
 Loomis, Andrew W., 50, 90, 143, 
 161, 170. 
 
 C. O., 170. 
 
 Horatio G., 26. 
 Love, George M., 165. 
 
 Miss Julia, 169. 
 
 Thomas C, 33, 34, 86, 154, 161, 
 169. 
 Lovell, Frederick S., 50, 90. 
 Lowe, J. G., 170. 
 
 Oscar F., 46. 
 
 Samuel J., 25, 121, 136. 
 Loyd, Alex., 26. 
 Lucinda (schr.), 188. 
 
 M. 
 
 Macduffie, George, 173. 
 Mc Arthur, Dr. E., 45. 
 McClelland, R., 153. i 
 McConnell, Fleix Grundy, 154. 
 McCurdy, Theo. F., 170. 
 McDonald, Michael, 45, 
 McDonnell, Chas. , 26, 45. 
 McKay, Jas., 31, 33, 34. • 
 McLean, John, 136. 
 McMartin, Peter, 50, 90, 170. 
 Mace, Daniel, 68. 
 Madison, Pres. James, 28. 
 Madisonian (newspaper at Washing- 
 ton, D. C), 161. 
 Magie, Haines H., 26. 
 
 & Co. (firm), 39. 
 Maid of the Mist {^'iQ^LVCihozX), 147, 170. 
 Manierre, George, 25, 30. 
 Manitowoc (schr.), 187. 
 Marcy, Goz'. Wm. L., 117. 
 Marsh, Jason, 81. 
 Marsh, Joshua L., 9. 
 Marshall, James A., 9. 
 
 J. C, 69. 
 
 O. H., 30. 
 Martell, John B , 170. 
 Mary Elizabeth (schr.), 190. 
 Mason (stmr.), 189. 
 Mathews, Stanley, 170. 
 Maynard, Elisha A., 31, 33. 
 
 R. H, 34. 
 Maxwell, Dr. Philip, 26, 40, 47. 
 
 Meeker, George W., 23, 25, 39, 45, 
 
 78, 121, 136, 137. 
 Merrill, H. (schr.), 190. 
 Merritt, Jacob D., 26. 
 Merryman, Dr. E. H., 170. 
 Metamora (fire-engine), 43, 46. 
 Michigan (U. S. steamer) 168. 
 Michigan- City News, 37. 
 Miller, Wm. T., 39. 
 Mills, Capt., 167. 
 
 John, 88. 
 Mikvaukee (5h.\^), 190. 
 
 Sentinel, 161. 
 Minnesota {?,c\iv.), 187, 188. 
 Mitchell, A. C. (schr.), 187. 
 Missouri Republican, 10, 18, 19, 161. 
 Mix, John, 170. 
 Monroe, Pres. James, 28. 
 Montgomery Guards, 42. 
 Morehead, James T., 88, 
 Morehouse, D, B., 170. -^ 
 
 Morgan (barque), 188. 
 Morris, Buckner S., 39. 
 
 Gouverneur, 124. 
 Morrow, Ex-Gov. Jeremiah, 139, 151. 
 Morton, Chas., 46. 
 Moseley, John H., 170. 
 Mosley, Wm. A., 33, 161, 169. 
 Mowbray, Mortimer M., 22. 
 Mueller, 46. 
 Murphy, John, 25. 
 
 N. 
 
 Neely, Albert, 26. 
 Neff, Michael A., 39. 
 Neptune (%(A\t.), 190. 
 Nrcu Buffalo \%c\ix.), 188. 
 New Hampshire (schr,), 187. 
 Newberry, Oliver, 1 1, 149. 
 
 Walter L., 26. 
 Nezvburvport {?,tmx:), 189. 
 Newton, Isaac (steamboat), 147. 
 Nric- York Courier &^ Ejiquirer, 143. 
 
 Express (newspaper), 143. 
 
 Herald, 9, 17, 18. 
 
 Police Reporter, 161. 
 
 Tribune, 9, 139, 157. 
 Niagara (fire-engine), 43, 46. 
 Nickerson, Samuel, 39. 
 Niles, O. F., 170. 
 Noble, David A., 50, 89, 90, 176. 
 Norton, Henry (schr. ), 187. 
 Norvell, John, 137. 
 
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