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Add crop of Louisiana, Texas, Florida, &c., of 1850-51, (the most of which came
to market in 1851, and assuming the stock of this description, 1st January of each
year, to be equal)............

Would make the whole consumption in 1851...........................................
Consumption of foreign in 1850.

Add crop of Louisiana, Texas, Florida, &c., 1849-50...

18.195 33,238,278 gallons.

. 10,709,740 gallons.

...........43.948,018 gallons.

.....

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.24,806,949
.12,212,300 66

Would make the whole consumption in 1850.................................................................................................. 37.019.249 66

Whole excess in 1851..

Excess of foreign in 1851.

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" 6,928,779 8,431,329

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It will be seen by the above statement, [ yard, to be conducted on a scale as extenthat the increase in the consumption of foreign sive as any in the west; and ere long, in the country, in 1851, is equal to about 34 although we cannot afford the facilities at per cent. over the consumption of 1850. It Nashville, Tennesseeans will have the oppor will be remembered, however, that the crop tunity of supporting in Tennessee this imof Louisiana, Texas, &c, in 1850-51, was 1,502,560 gallons short of the production of the previous season, which induced larger importations the past year; even New-Orleans having taken equal to 1,227,435 gallons of Cuba to supply the deficiency. The crop of Louisiana, &c., the present season, is estimated to be a full average one.

portant branch of industry. The gentleman who opens the yard is said to be one of the best boat-builders in the Union. As an evidence of its truth, some of the finest boats running on the Mississippi are his handiwork; among others, the magnificent Autocrat. In addition to this, an extensive flour mill, now nearly completed, is about to commence operations, and will make, it is said, sixtyMEMPHIS, TENN.-Every day gives me two thousand barrels of flour annually; additional evidence of the increasing pros- creating another large source of wealth to the perity of this already prosperous city; and community. These things speak most favoralthough her commerce is great, yet upon ably for the public spirit of Memphis, and inthat alone her public-spirited citizens do deed I find on all sides evidence that her not intend to rely, for the notes of prepara citizens are determined, by the liberal views tion are already heard in various quarters, they take of things, to make Memphis one of and in addition to her commerce, manufac- the first cities in the West-and the city tories will soon claim a part in adding to already feels the beneficial result of these her wealth. Preparations are now making views. In 1840, I am told, Memphis had a for the establishment of a very large boat-population of from three to four thousand;

the census recently taken shows a population coast ought to be preserved unimpaired, of twelve thousand; and although no prophet, and that ample military and naval defenses, I venture the prediction that 1860 will show and additional light-houses and beacons, a population more than double this number. should be established along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico, and at the most eligible points.

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Since writing the above, I learn that a large cotton manufactory has just been erected here, and will go into operation very shortly, giving employment to a large number of operatives. Why cannot we chronicle such an event in Nashville Urge our citizens to wake up to the importance of these things, for if they sleep much longer, every city in this country will outstrip us, and upon ourselves must rest the fault.

MEMPHIS CONVENTION OF 1845.We give the resolutions adopted, for useful reference:

1st.-Resolved, That the reports of the various committees, presented to the convention, be printed, together with such documents accompanying them, as the committee appointed to supervise the printing of the proceedings of the convention shall deem necessary.

2d.-Resolved, That safe communication between the Gulf of Mexico and the interior, afforded by the navigation of the Mississippi and Ohio rivers and their principal tributaries, is indispensable to the defense of the country in time of war, and essential also to its commerce.

3d-Resolved, That the improvement and preservation of the navigation of those great rivers, are objects as strictly national as any other preparation for the defense of the country, and that such improvements are deemed by this convention impracticable by the states, or individual enterprise, and call for the appropriation of money for the same by the General Government.

8th.-Resolved, That the Gulf and Lake coasts are greater in extent than the Atlantic seaboard; that the interests to be defended in one quarter are quite as important, and altogether as national, as those in the other; and that the expenditures required for the proper defenses of the Gulf and Lakes, will fall far short of what has been freely voted for the coast defenses of the Atlantic.

9th.-Resolved, That Congress should establish a National Armory and Foundry at some point on the western waters, at as early a period as practicable.

10th.-Resolved, That the Marine Hospitals on the western and southern waters, the construction of which has been commenced or authorized by Congress, ought to be prosecuted to completion with the least practicable delay.

11th-Resolved, That the Mail service of the West and South requires great improvement in speed and regularity, particularly on the western rivers, and that measures ought to be taken for the prompt extension, by Government, of the Magnetic Telegraph, into or through the Valley of the Mississippi.

12th.-Resolved, That millions of acres of the public domain, lying on the Mississippi river and its tributaries, now worthless for purposes of cultivation, might be reclaimed by throwing up embankments, so as to prevent overflow; and that this convention recommend such measures as may be deemed expedient to accomplish that object, by grant of said lands, or an appropriation of money.

4th-Resolved, That the deepening of the mouth of the Mississippi, so as to pass ships 13th.-Resolved, That Railroads and comof the largest class, cost what it may, is a munications from the Valley of the Missiswork worthy of the nation, and would sippi to the South Atlantic ports, in giving greatly promote the general prosperity. greater facilities to trade, greater dispatch 5th-Resolved, That if the policy of rein-in travelling, and in developing new sources forcing our Navy with war steamers be of wealth, are, in all their salutary influenadopted, the western waters are proper ces on the commercial, social, and political sources of supply, as they abound in iron, relations, strongly urged upon the considerathe best material for their construction, and tion and patriotism of the people of the West: in lead and copper, important materials for and they are the more recommended as munitions of war; provisions also being works within the power of private entercheap, and the skill requisite for their con- prise to construct, and as affording profitastruction and navigation being ample in ble investment of capital. this region, which already possesses the largest steam commercial marine in the world. 6th-Resolved, That the project of connecting the Mississippi river with the Lakes of the North, by a ship canal, and thus with the Atlantic Ocean, is a measure worthy of the enlightened consideration of Congress.

7th-Resolved, That the intercourse between the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic

VOL. II.

14th.-Resolved, That in order that the earliest opportunity may be afforded for private individuals and enterprise to direct their capital and energies to the completion of the important roads projected, the convention recommend to the delegations present to appoint committees charged with the duty of prompt and early applications to their respective Legislatures, for charters to

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that route should be selected which is easiest of access, best calculated to subserve the purposes of national defense, most convenient to the people of, and (as far as practicable) central to, the United States, and upon which a railroad can be constructed on the cheapest and best terms.

construct such roads as may pass through opinion of this convention, it is the duty of their states; and to ask such aid and pat- the General Government to locate the line ronage from said states as they, in their of the road; and, in making the location, discretion, may deem proper and necessary, to aid in the construction of the works. 15th.-Resolved, That as many of the roads projected may pass through the public domain, this convention would respectfully urge upon the consideration of Congress, the equity of granting the right of way and alternate sections, in aid of the works so situated-such grant, in the opinion of this convention, being no more than a fair compensation paid by the proprietor for the enhanced value imparted to the sections of land retained by Government.

Resolved, That, to carry into effect the object of the first resolution, in the opinion of this convention, the public lands of the United States constitute a legitimate and proper fund.

Resolved, That, after the construction of the national railway trunk from the Mississippi river to the Pacific ocean, in the opinion of this convention, it is the duty of Congress to aid, by the appropriation of the

16th. Resolved, That efficient steps should be taken by the General Govern ment to move and prevent the recurrence of the obstacles in the Mississippi, opposite the city of St. Louis, so that the harbor national domain, in the construction of such there may at all times be accessible, as objects of public utility, and of a national character, and entirely beyond the ability of Missouri to accomplish.

17th.-Resolved, That it is expedient that Congress should make an appropriation of money, for the purpose of completing the Military Road from the west bank of the Mississippi (opposite Memphis) through the swamps, to the highlands in Arkansas, in the direction of the various military posts on the western frontier.

18th-Resolved, That a Dry Dock and convenient arrangement for the repairs and refitting of Government vessels, should be established at some suitable point on the Gulf of Mexico.

branch railroads as will best connect it with the northern lakes, and the great thorough fares leading to the Atlantic ocean, and with such other points on the Mississippi river as will connect it with the lines of improvement completed, or in the course of construc tion; and also to aid in the construction of branches from the main trunk to suitable points on the Gulf of Mexico, either east or west of the Mississippi river.

Resolved, That, in the opinion of this convention, it is the duty of the General Government to provide, under liberal conditions, for a connection between the main trunk of this national railroad and all railroads now made, or which may hereafter be constructed by the authority of the several states and territo

19th.-Resolved, That the president ap-ries of the Union. point a committee of five members of this convention, to memorialize Congress on the various topics embraced in the foregoing resolutions.

20th.-Resolved, That the president also appoint a committee of five members of this convention, to address our common constituents on the same subjects.

MEMPHIS CONVENTION OF 1849.RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED.-Resolved, That it is the opinion of this convention, that it is the duty of the General Government to provide, at an early period, for the construction of a national railroad from the Mississippi river to the Pacific ocean.

Resolved, That as an important means, a necessary preliminary to the construction of a railroad, it is the first duty of Congress to take the necessary measures for the establishment of military posts from the western confines of our western states, along the southern boundaries of our republic and our Indian frontier, to the Pacific ocean; that these posts should be established in all proper places, not far distant from each other, and that civilized and productive settlements should be encouraged around them, by sales and the grant of preemption rights of the public lands to actual settlers, and by such other encouragement as may be deemed necessary, so that by these means ample opportunities Resolved, That to facilitate the accom- may be afforded to our engineers for the implishment of this object, in the opinion of mediate survey and reconnoissance of our this convention, it is the duty of the Gene- possessions lying between our western and ral Government to constitute an efficient southern states and the Pacific ocean; and and competent corps of engineers, to make so, also, that by these means safe, practical complete explorations and surveys of all the roads, one or more, with facilities of travel, routes that have been designated by public may be immediately formed for our citizens, opinion, as proper for the line of this road. and for the transportation of troops and muResolved, That after the proper surveys nitions of war, etc., across our own territoshall have been completed, that, in theries, from the Atlantic to the Pacific shores,

and in order that our government may ful-1 MINNESOTA.-We make the following fil its recent treaty stipulations with Mexico. extract descriptive of Minnesota, from a Resolved, That while the contemplated letter written by H. H. Sibley, Esq.: railroad across the continent is being con- "The part of Minnesota which lies east of structed, a present communication between the Mississippi river constituted a portion the states of this Union and the American of Wisconsin Territory before the admission and Asiatic coasts of the Pacific ocean, is of into the Union of the state of that name, vast importance to every portion of this with curtailed boundaries. The St. Croix, country; that such communication can be and a line drawn from the main branch of obtained by ship-canal or railroad across that stream to the mouth of the St. Louis the isthmus of Tehuantepec, Nicaragua, or River, on Lake Superior, now divide WisPanama, or across them all; which railroads consin and Minnesota. On the west of the or canals may be constructed by private en- Mississippi, the parallel of 43° 30' is the terprise; and this convention, in order to line of division between the state of Iowa encourage the undertaking and completion and Minnesota west to the Missouri. All of such works, recommend the passage of a the country up the latter stream to its junclaw, by the Congress of the United States, tion with the Whitewater, and along that directing the Postmaster General, Secretary river to the British Possessions, thence westof War, and Secretary of the Navy, to make wardly following the line of 49° to the annual contracts for the transportation of intersection of the extreme north-west bounthe mails, troops, and military and naval dary of Wisconsin, in Lake Superior, apstores of the government, from the Atlantic pertains to Minnesota Territory. The area to the Pacific ports of the country, by the embraced between these limits contains shortest, speediest, and cheapest route. between 140,000 and 150,000 square miles, equal in extent to New-York, Virginia and Pennsylvania combined.

Resolved, That, in the event of the appropriation by Congress of a considerable portion of the public lands, or of the proceeds of the sales thereof, to the construction of a railroad from the Mississippi river to the Pacific ocean, that liberal appropriations of the public lands lying within the limits of the respective states, should be made to aid them in the construction of their works of internal improvement.

"This immense region is bountifully watered by the Mississippi, St. Peter's, and Missouri rivers, and the Red River of the north, and their numerous tributary streams which traverse it in every part. There are also innumerable bodies of fresh water, which abound in fish of various kinds, the white fish especially being found in great numbers Resolved, That, in the present state of our in the more northern and large lakes. The knowledge, we feel warranted in recommend- general character of Minnesota is that of ing to the particular attention of the General high rolling prairie; but the streams and Government for examination, as possessing lakes are bordered with heavy bodies of special advantages, the route commencing at timber which contain every species of wood San Diego on the Pacific ocean, crossing the known along the Mississippi below, except Colorado of the West, running along the Gila beech and sycamore. At a point about eight river, or near it, in a direction to the Paso del miles above the Falls of St. Anthony, west Norte, and thence across the state of Texas to of the Mississippi, commences a large and its north-eastern boundary, between 32° and remarkable forest which extends to the south, 83 of north latitude, terminating at some nearly at a right angle across the Minnesota point on the Mississippi between the mouth or St. Peter's river, to the branches of the of the Ohio river and the mouth of Red river. Makato or Blue Earth river. This vast Resolved, That a special committee of seven body of woodland is more than one hundred be appointed by the president of the conven- and twenty miles in length, and from fifteen tion, to collect and publish information, to to forty in breadth. Many beautiful lakes prepare a memorial to the Congress, and an of limpid water are found within its limits. address to the people, of the United States, In this beautiful country are to be found all upon the subject of increasing the facilities of intercourse between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, and such other matters as shall be embraced in the resolutions of this convention. Committee of seven, appointed by the president to memorialize Congress, &c.:

J. D. B. DEBow, of Louisiana.
ABSALOM FOWLER, of Arkansas.
JAMES C. JONES, of Tennessee.
J. R. STROTHER, of Missouri.

J. F. G. MITTAG, of South Carolina.
C. C. MILLS, of Texas.

G. S. YERGER, of Mississippi.

the requisites to sustain a dense population. The soil is of great fertility and unusual depth, covered as it is with the mould of a thousand years. The Indian is here in his forest home, hitherto secure from the intrusion of the pale faces; but the advancing tide of civilization warns him that ere long he must yield up his title to this domain, and seek another, and a strange dwelling place. It is a melancholy reflection that the large and warlike tribes of Sioux and Chippewas, who now own full nine tenths of the soil of Minnesota, must soon be subjected to the

operation of the same causes which have swept their eastern brethren from the earth, unless an entirely different line of policy is pursued by the government towards them. If they were brought under the influence and restraint of our benign laws, and some hope extended to them, that education and a course of moral training would, at some period hereafter, entitle them to be placed on an equality, socially and politically, with the whites, much good would be the result. The soil of Minnesota is admirably adapted to the cultivation of all the cereal grains. Wheat, oats, and barley afford a safe crop, even at the British Red river colony, which is in latitude 50°.

"Minnesota is destined to become a great agricultural region, and her prairies are well calculated for the raising of stock. There is also such an extent of water-power through out its broad surface, that no reason can be perceived why manufactures would not flourish also. The reports of those scientific men who have explored the country justify us in the belief that our territory is rich in copper ores; and more particularly in galena or lead. Whether coal exists is a problem yet to be solved. If it shall be found in any considerable quantities, the discovery will be of more real advantage to Minnesota than the best mines of silver and gold. "On the upper portion of the Mississippi and St. Croix valleys lies the great region of pine, which will continue to prove a source of wealth to the territory and state for a century to come. The manufacture of pine lumber already occupies a large part of the industrial labor of the people. Much of this is needed for home consumption, caused by the rapid increase of population; but the larger portion is sent to St. Louis, where it meets with a ready sale.

"The climate of Minnesota is not subject to sudden variations, especially in winter. Although, in some years, the snow falls to a considerable depth, yet, as a general rule, we have far less than is the case either in New-England or the northern part of the state of New-York. The comparative absence of moisture in our country is attributable, doubt less, to the fact that no very large bodies of water are to be found, although, as I have before stated, small lakes abound. During the coldest weather in winter the air is perfectly still; consequently the temperature is much more tolerable, and even pleasant, than could be supposed by those who reside in the same latitude on a stormy Atlantic coast.

"The navigation of the Mississippi is not to be relied on after the first week in December, and steamboats arrive in the spring about the 10th or 12th of April, so that the river may be considered as closed about five months in the year.

"St. Paul is the present capital of the territory. It is situated on the east bank of the Mississippi, about six miles below Fort Snelling, and eight miles by land from the Falls of St. Anthony. It is now a town of twelve or thirteen hundred inhabitants, and is rapidly augmenting in population.

"Stillwater is a thriving village on lake St. Croix, about eighteen miles from St. Paul by land, and twenty-five miles from the Mississippi. It is second only to St. Paul in size, and is increasing steadily in wealth and population. There is also quite a village at the Falls of St. Anthony, which is one of the most lovely spots in the upper country, and also at Marine Mills on the St. Croix river, Sauk Rapids, on the Mississippi, seventy-five miles above the falls, and at Mendota, at the mouth of the St. Peter's river. Point Douglass is at the junction between the Mississippi and St. Croix rivers. It is a charming place, and is destined to be the site of commercial importance.

"Pembina is the name of a settlement on

our side of the line of the British Possessions, and contains upwards of a thousand souls, principally persons of a mixed Indian and white blood. These people are active and enterprising, hardy and intrepid, excellent horsemen, and well skilled in the use of firearms. They subsist by agriculture and the hunting of buffalo. They desire to be recognized as citizens of the United States, as do some thousands of their kindred, who now reside at Selkirk's colony in the British territory; but who are anxious to emancipate themselves from the iron rule of the Hudson Bay Company. These people are only waiting some action on the part of the government of the United States to join their brethren at Pembina. They would form an invaluable defense to that exposed frontier, either with the British government (to which they are much disaffected) or with the Indian tribes.

"I might state in the connection that the Indians generally through our territory are kindly disposed towards the whites, and anxious to avoid a collision. This is emphatically the case with the Sioux and Chippewas.

"I would remark in conclusion, that the people of our territory are distinguished for intelligence and high-toned morality. For the twelve months or more prior to the establishment by Congress of a government for Minnesota, although, in the anomalous position in which it was left by the admission of Wisconsin into the Union as a state, it was uncertain to what extent, if any, the laws could be enforced, not a crime of any magnitude was committed. The emigration to Minnesota is composed of men who go there with the well-founded assurance, that, in a land where nature has lavished her

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