I & M Canal Document Package-Document 9

Document 9 –

Letter to Governor Joseph Duncan Accompanying
a Memorial from Citizens of Cook County

November 29, 1834

Document 9
Click for larger image

Transcription

His Excellency Joseph Duncan                          Chicago Nov. 29. 1834
Governor Elect of the State of Illinois
                                             Sir– I take the liberty of transmitting to you a
printed copy of the memorial of the citizens of Cook County, asking for
the construction of a canal to unite the Illinois river with Lake
Michigan by the State. — The memorial was adopted with great unanim-
ity and speaks the sentiments of the people in this quarter of the State
upon this important Subject, except, that all would prefer a Steam –
boat Canal to one of ordinary dimension – We should have petitioned
for one had we supposed it possible to induce the Legislature to go
for it: But believing it impossible to obtain an act to construct a St. Boat
Communication, the citizens deemed it policy to ask for a Common Canal,
well knowing, that when its usfulness should be tested &the wants of
the State should require it, an act could be obtained to enlarge it
to the requisite size for Steam Boats — Our citizens are for a canal of
some kind &they believe that it should be undertaken by the State –
Rail Roads are out of the question with us, except, in those places where
canals cannot be obtained for want of water to feed them or some other
insurmountable obstacle — I doubt whether we have Twenty rail road
men among us & some of these are influenced by interest — They hope to get
stock &then canal lands as abonus — I trust they will be disappointed:
For one I should regret to see the commercial prosperity and agricutural
_{of the people of this State}&manufacturing interests ^ subjected to the Control of a rail road monopoly
I hope I shall not be deemed guilty of impertinence when I say that,
the people rely with great confidence upon your wisdom & firmness in recom-
mending and enforcing upon the general Assembly the necessity of immediately
adopting efficient measures for the opening of a canal between the Illinois
&the Lake — no improvement, of the same extent & cost, can be undertaken
by the state which will confer such substantial advantages or secure
solarge commercial facilities as this canal — The state will incur no
responsibility by the undertaking for I have not the least doubt but
that the canal lands will provide abundantly for the whole cost.
This may seem singular to your excellency — It is nevertheless my firm conviction,
and the opinion is entertained by gentlemen of acknowledged compentency &
judgment — Let these lands be withheld until the canal is completed
and they will bring $2.500.000 — &this is half a million more than
the canal will actually cost, Mr. Bucklin’s report to the contrary, notwithstanding.
Upon you sir, will devolve the arduous but noble duty of carrying
_effectinto ^ a System of internal improvement which will produce results,
beneficial and grand, almost beyond conception — virtuous ambition could

not
_exercise desire a more ample theatre for its ~~exectial~~ than the one which is
presented to the chief magistrate elect of this State — a liberal canal
System will meet with the support of the people in this section of the State
                                                                I am with great respect Your obt.servt.
                                                                                           James H. Collins

Explanation

Residents of Chicago and Cook County overwhelmingly favored a canal connecting Lake Michigan to the Illinois River rather than a railroad. In New York State the Erie Canal, stretching from Albany to Buffalo and connecting the Hudson River to Lake Erie, had been opened in 1825 and was enjoying great success. Although canals in northern climates had to be closed in winter months when their waters froze, they offered advantages over the railroads of 1834. Bulk goods could be shipped more cheaply over canals. Railroads were private enterprises which afforded their owners monopolies over the routes they traveled. And canals had a tradition of proven dependable transportation, whereas railroads still were in their infancy.

James Bucklin, a consulting engineer, had been hired by the canal commissioners to determine the merits of a railroad or a canal. He reported in 1833 that for the route proposed a canal would be fraught with engineering difficulties and would cost $1,601,695.83. A railroad along a similar path could be constructed rather easily for a mere $1,052,488.19.

Joseph Duncan had been elected governor in 1834. He was a strong canal advocate and in his December 3, 1834 inaugural he called for a canal of sufficient dimensions to accommodate steamboats. James H. Collins had settled in Chicago in February 1834 where he formed a law partnership with J. Caton. Collins was elected to the board of directors of the Galena and Chicago Union Railroad in April of 1848.

To locate Chicago lots and blocks, see Exhibit B.

Points To Consider

Which arguments were used against a railroad?

Why would a canal of sufficient size to accommodate steamboats have been even better?

How was Mr. Collins proposing that the state pay for the canal’s construction?

The citizens of Cook County apparently favored a state-owned canal connecting Lake Michigan and the Illinois River. How might citizens from other parts of the state have felt about the proposed project?

Back to Document 8

Up to Document List

Ahead to Document 10

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

Document 9 Click for larger image		Transcription His Excellency Joseph Duncan Chicago Nov. 29. 1834 Governor Elect of the State of Illinois Sir– I take the liberty of transmitting to you a printed copy of the memorial of the citizens of Cook County, asking for the construction of a canal to unite the Illinois river with Lake Michigan by the State. — The memorial was adopted with great unanim- ity and speaks the sentiments of the people in this quarter of the State upon this important Subject, except, that all would prefer a Steam – boat Canal to one of ordinary dimension – We should have petitioned for one had we supposed it possible to induce the Legislature to go for it: But believing it impossible to obtain an act to construct a St. Boat Communication, the citizens deemed it policy to ask for a Common Canal, well knowing, that when its usfulness should be tested &the wants of the State should require it, an act could be obtained to enlarge it to the requisite size for Steam Boats — Our citizens are for a canal of some kind &they believe that it should be undertaken by the State – Rail Roads are out of the question with us, except, in those places where canals cannot be obtained for want of water to feed them or some other insurmountable obstacle — I doubt whether we have Twenty rail road men among us & some of these are influenced by interest — They hope to get stock &then canal lands as abonus — I trust they will be disappointed: For one I should regret to see the commercial prosperity and agricutural _{of the people of this State}&manufacturing interests ^ subjected to the Control of a rail road monopoly I hope I shall not be deemed guilty of impertinence when I say that, the people rely with great confidence upon your wisdom & firmness in recom- mending and enforcing upon the general Assembly the necessity of immediately adopting efficient measures for the opening of a canal between the Illinois &the Lake — no improvement, of the same extent & cost, can be undertaken by the state which will confer such substantial advantages or secure solarge commercial facilities as this canal — The state will incur no responsibility by the undertaking for I have not the least doubt but that the canal lands will provide abundantly for the whole cost. This may seem singular to your excellency — It is nevertheless my firm conviction, and the opinion is entertained by gentlemen of acknowledged compentency & judgment — Let these lands be withheld until the canal is completed and they will bring $2.500.000 — &this is half a million more than the canal will actually cost, Mr. Bucklin’s report to the contrary, notwithstanding. Upon you sir, will devolve the arduous but noble duty of carrying _effectinto ^ a System of internal improvement which will produce results, beneficial and grand, almost beyond conception — virtuous ambition could
Document 9 Click for larger image	not	_exercise desire a more ample theatre for its ~~exectial~~ than the one which is presented to the chief magistrate elect of this State — a liberal canal System will meet with the support of the people in this section of the State I am with great respect Your obt.servt. James H. Collins