Wheeling Compiler

From the Galena Miners' Journal.

Extract of a letter from a gentleman travelling through the Lead Mining, to the Editor, dated
Gratiot's Grove, August 16, 1829

"The people settled in this region deserve well of their country, and it will not be my fault, if their condition is not made better by the government. They are depressed in various ways, and their rents are entirely too high. The next Congress will do them justice, and the ceded country will be surveyed and sold, at an early day.
In point of soil, climate, and natural wealth, the newly acquired territory, exceeds every other portion of the whole Union; and the day is at hand, when an enterprising, healthy, industrious, virtuous and therefore a happy population, will animate this whole region of country, adding to the wealth, comfort and political and moral power of the nation. Its western front, rests on the finest river in the world, which, with 100,000 dollars, expended on the rapids below it, may be made navigable for steam-boats to New Orleans, the whole year. By dams and locks, and a Canal at Fort Winnebago, of 1 1/2 miles in length, the Mississippi can be connected with the great lakes, through the Wisconsin and Fox rivers. One million of dollars, would cover all the expense of doing it.
Rock river and its branches, for its size, is the finest stream in the world, in durability in a dry season, in its pure waters, fine fishes, and seats for mills & factories.
Along the Wisconsin and Mississippi rivers, one admires the beautiful views, every where presented to the eye, except where sublimity and grandeur variegate the scenery. Having ascended into the interior, I was forcibly struck, by the landscape, covered with grasses and flowers, & the forest, seen in the distance, touching, in appearance, the blue sky, itself nearly a blue—with here and there a mound, to variegate the prospect, and the smoke of the smelting establishments curling up to heaven from every grove. In travelling from Dodgeville to this place, I am satisfied that I saw the country, about 60 miles in width, without an object to prevent my seeing it. The number of springs, cool, pure and copious, excited my surprise. I have not seen one acre of marsh in the whole country, and for the soft balmy fragrance of the air, your country is unrivalled.
I perceive that the public, are misinformed as to the extent of country ceded: without seeing a map, it is not possible to estimate it—I am of the opinion, that on actual survey, it will be found to contain from 10 to 15 millions of acres, it contains all the mineral country, on this side of the Mississippi river, and you will recollect, too, that in the whole mineral region not even one acre, is reserved for any one."