Back to Document 39
Up to Document List
Ahead to Document 41

Document 40 –

Petition of Chicago Wholesale Grocers to Reduce 
Tolls on Sugar and Molasses
 

May 1852
 

Document 40
Click for larger image

     

Transcription

To the Hon the Board of Trustees
                 of the Ills and Michigan Canal
                                    The undersigned, wholesale Grocers
of the City of Chicago would respectfully represent to your Hon
Board that the commercial trade between Chicago and
St.Louis in the articles of Sugar and Molasses could be very
considerably increased by a concession on the part of transporters
in their rate of freights, and they believe that this can only
be accomplished by a reduction of Tolls on these articles
from Eight to say four or five Mills ~
           They would further represent that they have observed
for the last three years that nine tenths of the Hhds Sugars
sold in the Chicago Market have been brought from the
Eastern Cities. When at the same time the Southern Markets
have ruled at prices nearly or quite as advantageous to Buyers —
                      Believeing that such a reduction would in its
results not only benefit themselves but greatly increase the
revenue derived from tolls on these articles, Your petitioners
sincerely hope that your Board may deem propper to concur
with their views~

H Norton & Co  Hinsdale, Gould & Hadduck
Chas.G.Wicker  C. L. Harmon & Co
J.C. Williams & O.F. Avery  Ely & Brother
Smith & Pollard
J B Doggett & Co Gray & Densmore
M. D. Gilman Lewis D Smith
S M Mann Obadiah Jackson

Explanation

During 1852, 4,822,297 pounds of sugar was shipped over the canal. Of this amount 3,950,469 pounds originated at La Salle. 2,126,874 pounds of molasses passed through with 1,846,409 pounds entering the canal at La Salle. By large majorities these products were being shipped north from the far South. The trustees passed the following resolution on May 25, 1852: "Upon the application of H. Norton & Co. and others for a reduction of toll on Sugar & Molassess the Board resolve that it is inexpedient to make such a reduction."

A mill is one tenth of a cent. Sugar and molasses each carried a toll of 8 mills per canal mile traveled on each thousand pounds. A hogshead is a barrel containing 63 U.S. gallons. This measure originated as a legal standard in England in the year 1423. The origin of the word is not known.

Points To Consider

What were H. Norton & Co. and other Chicago wholesale grocers requesting?

What was the logic of their argument?

What are "Mills" and "Hhds"?

Why would southern sugar plantation owners have approved of this petition? Who harvested and processed cane sugar in the American South in 1852?

Back to Document 39
Up to Document List
Ahead to Document 41

Back to Illinois and Michigan Canal Introduction page
Back to Illinois State Archives home page