of these great works of improvement, is private enterprise. It is believed, that if the Legislature would grant to the individuals owning the land on these streams, the right to construct dams, with suitable locks and slides, wherever rapids occur thereon, their navigation would be speedily improved, and the agricultural, manufacturing, and commercial interests of our territory, thereby greatly promoted.

This is believed to be particularly true of Rock river and the Pecatonica. Notwithstanding it is the opinion of His Excellency, that "the improvement of these rivers can be undertaken when Illinois shall have rendered the former navigable from the present boundary to its mouth, or the Milwaukee and Rock river canal, with which it has been heretofore identified shall be near its completion,"-your committee are of opinion that unassisted private enterprise would soon accomplish the work, if the Legislature would grant the privilege. And if it be true, as the Governor believes, "that it is quite impracticable to make a canal upon the route surveyed from Milwaukee to Rock river, which will be of any utility to the public," the inhabitants of the valley of that river will not be content to postpone this improvement until the canal "shall be near its completion"especially as Illinois is already engaged in the improvement of that portion of it lying within the limits of that state.

According to the report of the survey of this river by Captain Cram, under the authority of the United States, "the extent within the Territory, or north of the Illinois line, which may be rendered navigable at all times, for steamers drawing two and a half feet of water, is one hundred and fifty-one a half miles."

"This river," says the same report, "is distinguished from most of the navigable streams in the west, in the hardness of its bed, in the entire absence of flood-wood and snags, in the scarcity of sand and gravel bars, in the boldness of its shores, and in that it is generally confined within its banks in times of the highest known water."

It were unnecessary to comment on the immediate and lasting benefits that would result from the improvement of the navigation of this river, to the region of country through which it passes, or to the Territory at large. They are too well known to require this. Many flourishing towns have already sprung into existence, and if these

privileges are granted, and the consequent improvements are made, in a short time the population and business along this beautiful stream will become immense.

"The Pecatonica," says the same report, "is susceptible of being improved for steamboat navigation, to the confluence of its principal branches, a distance of sixty-two miles, a point within a few miles, of the mining districts."

The advantages which would result to the people residing in the mining region, bordering on this river, by the improvement of its navigation, are very apparent.

Let then the people immediately interested and who own the soil bordering on these streams, have the right-give them the privilege of bringing into operation the extensive water power which will be created, in connection with the improvement of these rivers-and your committee believe that these important channels of trade will be speedily opened, without the aid of the General Government, and without involving the faith or the responsibility of the Territorial Government.

Intimately connected with the subject of inland trade and the improvement of the navigation of the rivers of the territory, are those of a rail-road from Milwaukee to the Mississippi, and the Milwaukee and Rock River Canal.

The former of these subjects having been referred to another committee, it is not deemed advisable or expedient to discuss it at the sent time.

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The Milwaukee and Rock River Canal has hitherto been deemed a matter of great importance, so much so, that it has occupied more of the attention of the Legislative Assembly than any other subject that has been brought before it, at every session thereof, since the organization of the Territory. It has been looked upon as an important-link in the vast chain of internal improvements in our country; it has been looked upon as the outlet of the produce of one of the finest agricultural portions of the globe; and a means by which our mineral wealth could find a direct and certain market. It has been looked upon as the channel through which the trade of all that region of country bordering on the Rock river, and a large portion of that

lying on the Upper Mississippi, including a large part of Illinois and Iowa was to be carried on.

But the Executive of the Territory, without even alluding to the evidence on which his belief is founded, or the process by which he arrives at the conculsion, says he is "bound to express to you his belief that it is quite impracticable to make a canal upon the route surveyed from Milwaukee to Rock river, which will be of any utility to the public;" and all at once a bevy of newspaper scriblers and others, looking through the same organs of vision, see that it is a chimerical project, and speaking with the same "miraculous organ," pronounce the construction of the canal, connecting the waters of lake Michigan with those of Rock river "impracticable." In this view your committee cannot concur. After pronouncing the construction of the canal "impracticable," his Excellency "invites your attention to the very able report of the chief engineer in relation to this canal," and expresses his "concurrence in the views presented by him." In the closing paragraph of the report of that officer, is the following statement: "The work required on the whole line is of the highest character, and for facilities of construction, the canal ranks among the most feasible in the United States;" in which latter views your committee are happy to concur with his Excellency and the chief engineer, Accompanying this report, with those of his predecessor-with those of the canal company's engineer-with those of the canal company-and with those of the board of canal commissioners, your committee "feel bound to express their belief," that it is not only not "quite impracticable" "to make a canal upon the route surveyed from Milwaukee to Rock river," but that it is quite "feasible."

Success is too often the criterion of merit. When a great work is undertaken, and from the force of circumstances or unforeseen obstacles, is delayed or abandoned, the friends or projectors of the undertaking are branded as visionary schemers or enthusiasts, if perchance they are so fortunate as to escape the imputation of base or criminal motives. Had not our country achieved her independence, our Washington would have been stigmatized as a rebel; but success made him a PATRIOT.

Without entering upon a discussion of the comparative merits of a Canal, Railroad, or McAdamized road; without stopping to inqure further, whether a canal would be "of any utility to the public," it seems to be the duty of the committee and of the Legislature, to inquire into the actual condition of the canal, and the canal fund; to ascertain wherein former Legislatures have erred, and, if possible, to 'correst these errors; to ascertain whether the work can and will be completed, or whether the interests of the Territory and of the settlers along the route of the canal require its total abandonment.

From the several reports submitted to the Legislature, at its present session, by the canal company, the Territorial engineer, and the board of canal commissioners, it appears that the present condition and prospects of the canal "afford little cause for congratulation.” The hopes entertained by its friends at the last session of the Legislature have not been realized; and it seems to be admitted on all hands, that the work cannot be successfully prosecuted under the present system. If any further attempts are to be made to complete the work, it must be either by the Territory or by the canal company. In their report to the Legislature, two propositions have been submitted by the canal company.

1st. That the Territory take the control of the work, and let it be conducted entirely by Territorial officers, refunding to the canal company the amount by them expended, agreeably to the terms of the charter, and pledge the faith of the Territory for the completion of the canal, within the time limited by the charter of the company.

The committee cannot recommend to the Legislature the acceptance of this proposition, for the reason that it will necessarily involve the Territory in a debt, and impose upon it an obligation which it cannot discharge. The example of other States, and their errors, should cause Wisconsin to be ever watchful. The Territory has no other means of prosecuting the work than the appropriation of land along the route of the canal. From this source, under the most favorable circumstances, not more than $350,000 can be realized, if sold within the period limited by the charter of the company. To complete the work an additional sum of at least the same amount will be required. This sum the Territory cannot obtain upon the pledge of its faith alone.

The second proposition of the canal company is, "That the Territory authorize the company to take charge and dispose of the lands granted to the canal, and apply the proceeds to the construction of the canal, the company giving suitable security for the faithful application of the funds derived from that source, and held accountable to the Legislature annually, at every regular session, and all their transactions to be subject at all times to investigation in detail, by any authorized committee of the Legislature, or by any other officers duly authorized to make such investigation by the Legislature.

By this proposition it will be seen that the company are not willing to impose upon themselves the same conditions, which by the first proposition they require of the Territory. By the first proposition they require that the Territory bind itself to complete the work within, the time limited by their charter, but they do not propose to bind themselves to perform it within the same time. They only propose giving security for the faithful application of the proceeds of the sale of the lands. But they do not propose advancing any thing on their part, neither is it to be supposed that, considering the doubt, or rather the certainty of the canal not being completed within the prescribed period, that they would advance a dollar, unless some other means were applied by the Territory, besides the proceeds of the sale of the canal lands. By the terms of the law making this appropriation, the Territory is held responsible to the General Government for the proceeds of the sale of these lands, unless the canal is completed within the time limited by the charter of the company. In the absence of any security that the canal will be so completed, the committee cannot recommend the acceptance of this proposition.

Shall then nothing be done by the Legislature for the benefit of the settlers, who, under the reasonable expectation that the canal would be speedily completed, have been induced to purchase from the Territory a portion of its lands at an enhanced price? One hundred and eight thousand dollars worth of this land has been sold, and ten per centum on this amount paid, and it is believed that the remainder would be cheerfully paid, could the purchasers be satisfied that the canal could be completed within a reasonable time. But to abandon