SHIP CANAL - Revision history

Randylyon at 03:05, 21 September 2019

2019-09-21T03:05:57Z

Randylyon at 03:33, 31 August 2015

2015-08-31T03:33:54Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:33, 31 August 2015
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	22. Ibid., p. 36		22. Ibid., p. 36

			[[Category: Transportation]]
			[[Category: Events]]

Randylyon at 02:41, 31 August 2015

2015-08-31T02:41:06Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:41, 31 August 2015
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	[[Image:lakepark.png\|left\|thumb\|250px\|Lake Park Chicago Illinois National Ship Canal Convention Event Tent, 1863 Print]] Conflicting interests quickly clouded the prospects of the Dubuque convention realizing a canal. From June 2-4, 1863 the National Ship Canal Convention met in Chicago with five thousand delegates in a huge tent structure in Lake Park on the shore of Lake Michigan. Resolutions called for the immediate improvement of canals in Illinois and New York to facilitate ship traffic around the Great Lakes and the Mississippi for both commercial and military purposes. Opposition in Congress and from interests in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and parts of the Midwest meant much discussion over the next months, but little accomplishment. (17)		[[Image:lakepark.png\|left\|thumb\|250px\|Lake Park Chicago Illinois National Ship Canal Convention Event Tent, 1863 Print]] Conflicting interests quickly clouded the prospects of the Dubuque convention realizing a canal. From June 2-4, 1863 the National Ship Canal Convention met in Chicago with five thousand delegates in a huge tent structure in Lake Park on the shore of Lake Michigan. Resolutions called for the immediate improvement of canals in Illinois and New York to facilitate ship traffic around the Great Lakes and the Mississippi for both commercial and military purposes. Opposition in Congress and from interests in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and parts of the Midwest meant much discussion over the next months, but little accomplishment. (17)

			It was almost immediately after the May convention that a September meeting of members of Congress from Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Illinois, and Wisconsin was suggested for Portage City, Wisconsin. The goal of the meeting was to demonstrate the navigability of the Fox and Wisconsin rivers. (18)

	The discussion of canals v. river traffic was part of '''The Navigation of the Lakes''' written in 1866 by Edwin F. Johnson, civil engineer.		The discussion of canals v. river traffic was part of '''The Navigation of the Lakes''' written in 1866 by Edwin F. Johnson, civil engineer.
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	Lakes on one side and the Mississippi with its		Lakes on one side and the Mississippi with its
	tributaries on the other, their construction is		tributaries on the other, their construction is
	indispensable. (18)		indispensable. (19)

	To a politician reading Johnson's thorough explanation of the topic, however, more questions would have been raised. Johnson, the engineer, noted among many issues that river boats while requiring less than four feet of water were built broad and long. This made them incompatible with present canals. (19) He anticipated the need to make the Illinois River flow in reverse. (20) This, however, was not accomplished until the construction of the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal between 1887-1922. He also found sections of the Fox and Wisconsin rivers were impassable as they existed. Johnson recognized that the problems he was presenting made railroad development superior. (21)		To a politician reading Johnson's thorough explanation of the topic, however, more questions would have been raised. Johnson, the engineer, noted among many issues that river boats while requiring less than four feet of water were built broad and long. This made them incompatible with present canals. (20) He anticipated the need to make the Illinois River flow in reverse. (21) This, however, was not accomplished until the construction of the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal between 1887-1922. He also found sections of the Fox and Wisconsin rivers were impassable as they existed. Johnson recognized that the problems he was presenting made railroad development superior. (22)

	Improving transportation would come with the development of roads, railroads, and the system of [[LOCKS]] along the Mississippi that flooded obstacles such as the rapids at Keokuk.		Improving transportation would come with the development of roads, railroads, and the system of [[LOCKS]] along the Mississippi that flooded obstacles such as the rapids at Keokuk.
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	17. "The National Ship Canal Convention Assembles in Chicago with Vice-President Hamlin in the Chair," ''House Divided'', Online: http://hd.housedivided.dickinson.edu/node/39764		17. "The National Ship Canal Convention Assembles in Chicago with Vice-President Hamlin in the Chair," ''House Divided'', Online: http://hd.housedivided.dickinson.edu/node/39764

	18. Johnson, Edwin F. '''The Navigation of the Lakes''', Hartford: Press of Case, Lockwood and Company, 1866, p. 36		18. "Another Convention." ''Dubuque Democratic Herald,'' May 7, 1864, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=A36e8EsbUSoC&dat=18640507&printsec=frontpage&hl=en

			19. Johnson, Edwin F. '''The Navigation of the Lakes''', Hartford: Press of Case, Lockwood and Company, 1866, p. 36

	19. Ibid., p. 35		20. Ibid., p. 35

	20. Ibid.		21. Ibid.

	21. Ibid., p. 36		22. Ibid., p. 36

Randylyon at 00:56, 31 August 2015

2015-08-31T00:56:17Z

@@ Line 134: / Line 134: @@
 [[Image:lakepark.png|left|thumb|250px|Lake Park Chicago Illinois National Ship Canal Convention Event Tent, 1863 Print]] Conflicting interests quickly clouded the prospects of the Dubuque convention realizing a canal. From June 2-4, 1863 the National Ship Canal Convention met in Chicago with five thousand delegates in a huge tent structure in Lake Park on the shore of Lake Michigan.  Resolutions called for the immediate improvement of canals in Illinois and New York to facilitate ship traffic around the Great Lakes and the Mississippi for both commercial and military purposes. Opposition in Congress and from interests in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and parts of the Midwest meant much discussion over the next months, but little accomplishment. (17)
 ---
@@ Line 172: / Line 185: @@
 . "The National Ship Canal Convention Assembles in Chicago with Vice-President Hamlin in the Chair," ''House Divided'', Online: http://hd.housedivided.dickinson.edu/node/39764

Randylyon at 00:09, 31 August 2015

2015-08-31T00:09:47Z

@@ Line 113: / Line 113: @@
 Before the convention adjourned a finance committee and executive committee were named. (15)
-[[Image:lakepark.png|left|thumb|250px|Lake Park Chicago Illinois National Ship Canal Convention Event Tent, 1863 Print]] Conflicting interests quickly clouded the prospects of the Dubuque convention realizing a canal. From June 2-4, 1863 the National Ship Canal Convention met in Chicago with five thousand delegates in a huge tent structure in Lake Park on the shore of Lake Michigan.  Resolutions called for the immediate improvement of canals in Illinois and New York to facilitate ship traffic around the Great Lakes and the Mississippi for both commercial and military purposes. Opposition in Congress and from interests in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and parts of the Midwest meant much discussion over the next months, but little accomplishment. (16)
+The Dubuque convention's work was hardly the only activities involving work on
 ---
@@ Line 135: / Line 155: @@
 . "The Convention," ''Dubuque Democratic Herald'', May 4, 1864, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=A36e8EsbUSoC&dat=18640428&printsec=frontpage&hl=en
-. "The Canal Convention-Its Permanent Organization," Dubuque Democratic Herald, May 5, 1864, p. 1, Online: htt p. 1ps://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=A36e8EsbUSoC&dat=18640505&printsec=frontpage&hl=en
+. "The Canal Convention-Its Permanent Organization," Dubuque Democratic Herald, May 5, 1864, p. 1, Online:  p. https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=A36e8EsbUSoC&dat=18640505&printsec=frontpage&hl=en
 . Ibid.
@@ Line 149: / Line 169: @@
 . Ibid.
-. "The National Ship Canal Convention Assembles in Chicago with Vice-President Hamlin in the Chair," House Divided, Online: http://hd.housedivided.dickinson.edu/node/39764
+. "Proceedings of Congress,; Senate. Navigation of the Mississippi. House of Representatives." ''New York Times'', April 29, 1864. Online: http://www.nytimes.com/1864/04/30/news/proceedings-congress-senate-navigation-mississippi-house-representatives.html

Randylyon at 21:10, 30 August 2015

2015-08-30T21:10:50Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:10, 30 August 2015
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	Before the convention adjourned a finance committee and executive committee were named. (15)		Before the convention adjourned a finance committee and executive committee were named. (15)

	Conflicting interests quickly clouded the prospects of the Dubuque convention realizing a canal. From June 2-4, 1863 the National Ship Canal Convention met in Chicago with five thousand delegates in a huge tent structure in Lake Park on the shore of Lake Michigan. Resolutions called for the immediate improvement of canals in Illinois and New York to facilitate ship traffic around the Great Lakes and the Mississippi for both commercial and military purposes. Opposition in Congress and from interests in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and parts of the Midwest meant much discussion over the next months, but little accomplishment. (16)		[[Image:lakepark.png\|left\|thumb\|250px\|Lake Park Chicago Illinois National Ship Canal Convention Event Tent, 1863 Print]] Conflicting interests quickly clouded the prospects of the Dubuque convention realizing a canal. From June 2-4, 1863 the National Ship Canal Convention met in Chicago with five thousand delegates in a huge tent structure in Lake Park on the shore of Lake Michigan. Resolutions called for the immediate improvement of canals in Illinois and New York to facilitate ship traffic around the Great Lakes and the Mississippi for both commercial and military purposes. Opposition in Congress and from interests in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and parts of the Midwest meant much discussion over the next months, but little accomplishment. (16)

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Randylyon at 21:06, 30 August 2015

2015-08-30T21:06:38Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:06, 30 August 2015
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	Before the convention adjourned a finance committee and executive committee were named. (15)		Before the convention adjourned a finance committee and executive committee were named. (15)

			Conflicting interests quickly clouded the prospects of the Dubuque convention realizing a canal. From June 2-4, 1863 the National Ship Canal Convention met in Chicago with five thousand delegates in a huge tent structure in Lake Park on the shore of Lake Michigan. Resolutions called for the immediate improvement of canals in Illinois and New York to facilitate ship traffic around the Great Lakes and the Mississippi for both commercial and military purposes. Opposition in Congress and from interests in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and parts of the Midwest meant much discussion over the next months, but little accomplishment. (16)

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	15. Ibid.		15. Ibid.

			16. "The National Ship Canal Convention Assembles in Chicago with Vice-President Hamlin in the Chair," House Divided, Online: http://hd.housedivided.dickinson.edu/node/39764

Randylyon at 21:01, 30 August 2015

2015-08-30T21:01:18Z

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                shall adopt all such measures as may be necessary to
                carry out the objects and purposes of this conventions.
 ---
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 . "The Canal Convention--Proceedings of the Second Day," ''Dubuque Democratic Herald'', May 6, 1864, p. 1. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=A36e8EsbUSoC&dat=18640506&printsec=frontpage&hl=en

Randylyon at 20:44, 30 August 2015

2015-08-30T20:44:12Z

@@ Line 16: / Line 16: @@
 W. J. Abrams of Green Bay spoke to the delegates on the improvements that had been made to the Fox and Wisconsin rivers. He claimed to have it on the best authority that boats could be moved all the way from Green Bay, Wisconsin to the Mississippi if they drew on more than 3.5 feet of way (compare to the nine-foot navigation in the modern Mississippi River--ed. note). (11)
 ---
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 . "The Convention," ''Dubuque Democratic Herald'', May 4, 1864, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=A36e8EsbUSoC&dat=18640428&printsec=frontpage&hl=en
-. "The Canal Convention-Its Permanent Organization," Dubuque Democratic Herald, May 5, 1864, p. 1, Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=A36e8EsbUSoC&dat=18640505&printsec=frontpage&hl=en
+. "The Canal Convention-Its Permanent Organization," Dubuque Democratic Herald, May 5, 1864, p. 1, Online: htt p. 1ps://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=A36e8EsbUSoC&dat=18640505&printsec=frontpage&hl=en
 . Ibid.
 . Ibid.

Randylyon at 20:03, 30 August 2015

2015-08-30T20:03:11Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:03, 30 August 2015
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	The [[PEOSTA HALL]] was tentatively scheduled for the meetings and the railroads had been convinced to transport delegates to the canal convention for half price or free. The [[NORTHWESTERN PACKET COMPANY]] agreed to carry delegates for two-thirds rate if there were twenty people from the same town. A mass meeting of local citizens was scheduled for the [[DUBUQUE COUNTY COURTHOUSE]] to elect seventeen delegates to the Ship Canal Convention to be held in Dubuque on May 4, 1864. [[RICHARDS, Benjamin Billings\|Benjamin Billings RICHARDS]] was the chairman. (5)		The [[PEOSTA HALL]] was tentatively scheduled for the meetings and the railroads had been convinced to transport delegates to the canal convention for half price or free. The [[NORTHWESTERN PACKET COMPANY]] agreed to carry delegates for two-thirds rate if there were twenty people from the same town. A mass meeting of local citizens was scheduled for the [[DUBUQUE COUNTY COURTHOUSE]] to elect seventeen delegates to the Ship Canal Convention to be held in Dubuque on May 4, 1864. [[RICHARDS, Benjamin Billings\|Benjamin Billings RICHARDS]] was the chairman. (5)

	The Courthouse meeting began with three men---[[SMITH, Platt\|Platt SMITH]], [[JONES, George Wallace\|George Wallace JONES]] and F. Hinds---being asked to record on their recommendations for delegates. Their list included [[GRAVES, Julius K.\|Julius K. GRAVES]], [[BISSELL, Frederick Ezekiel\|Frederick Ezekiel BISSELL]], [[~~Thedinga~~, John H.\|John H. THEDINGA]], [[FARLEY, Jesse P.\|Jesse P. FARLEY]], [[STOUT, Henry L.\|Henry L. STOUT]], ~~[[MATHEWS, George L.\|~~George L. ~~MATHEWS]]~~, [[QUIGLEY, Patrick\|Patrick QUIGLEY]], [[HANCOCK, John T.\|John T. HANCOCK]], E. A. Babbage, F. Hinds, [[STEWART, William G.\|William G. STEWART]], H. Hoelscher, W. F. Sheffield, John Jackson, W. W. Hamilton, L. A. Thomas, and [[EMERSON, J. Hannibal\|J. Hannibal EMERSON]]. Those on the list were approved. (6)		The Courthouse meeting began with three men---[[SMITH, Platt\|Platt SMITH]], [[JONES, George Wallace\|George Wallace JONES]] and F. Hinds---being asked to record on their recommendations for delegates. Their list included [[GRAVES, Julius K.\|Julius K. GRAVES]], [[BISSELL, Frederick Ezekiel\|Frederick Ezekiel BISSELL]], [[THEDINGA, John H.\|John H. THEDINGA]], [[FARLEY, Jesse P.\|Jesse P. FARLEY]], [[STOUT, Henry L.\|Henry L. STOUT]], George L. Mathews, [[QUIGLEY, Patrick\|Patrick QUIGLEY]], [[HANCOCK, John T.\|John T. HANCOCK]], E. A. Babbage, F. Hinds, [[STEWART, William G.\|William G. STEWART]], H. Hoelscher, W. F. Sheffield, John Jackson, W. W. Hamilton, L. A. Thomas, and [[EMERSON, J. Hannibal\|J. Hannibal EMERSON]]. Those on the list were approved. (6)

	The convention was actually held in the Julien Theatre since the anticipated Peosta Hall was not finished. (7) An audience for the convention activities was encouraged as a means of showing those attending that Dubuque appreciated the importance of the meeting. (8)		The convention was actually held in the Julien Theatre since the anticipated Peosta Hall was not finished. (7) An audience for the convention activities was encouraged as a means of showing those attending that Dubuque appreciated the importance of the meeting. (8)

			The delegates met on May 4, 1864 and elected as officers: C. C. Cole (Des Moines), President; W. J. Abrams (Green Bay, Wisconsin), Vice-President; W. J. Gilchrist (McGregor), Vice-President; D. Leffingwell (McGregor) and [[ALDRICH, Charles\|Charles ALDRICH]] (Dubuque), Secretaries. In his remarks to the delegates, President Cole assured the group that it was not being asked to build the canal between the Mississippi and the Great Lakes--only to show it could be done and with what benefits. (9)

			L. A. Thomas proposed that a committee of nine be appointed to prepare work for the resolutions committee and to "draw up a memorial" to Congress. The motion was carried and B. B. Richards and L. A. Thomas were appointed. (10)

			W. J. Abrams of Green Bay spoke to the delegates on the improvements that had been made to the Fox and Wisconsin rivers. He claimed to have it on the best authority that boats could be moved all the way from Green Bay, Wisconsin to the Mississippi if they drew on more than 3.5 feet of way (compare to the nine-foot navigation in the modern Mississippi River--ed. note). (11)

	---		---
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	8. "The Convention," ''Dubuque Democratic Herald'', May 4, 1864, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=A36e8EsbUSoC&dat=18640428&printsec=frontpage&hl=en		8. "The Convention," ''Dubuque Democratic Herald'', May 4, 1864, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=A36e8EsbUSoC&dat=18640428&printsec=frontpage&hl=en

			9. "The Canal Convention-Its Permanent Organization," Dubuque Democratic Herald, May 5, 1864, p. 1, Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=A36e8EsbUSoC&dat=18640505&printsec=frontpage&hl=en

			10. Ibid.

			11. Ibid.

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:05, 21 September 2019
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	SHIP CANAL. During the winter of 1863 a shipping canal convention was called at Des Moines, Iowa. The idea met with great interest in the states along the Upper [[MISSISSIPPI RIVER]]. The McGregor ''News'' stated that "a ship canal is absolutely necessary to develop the resources of Iowa and Minnesota." (1)		SHIP CANAL. During the winter of 1863 a shipping canal convention was called at Des Moines, Iowa. The idea met with great interest in the states along the Upper [[MISSISSIPPI RIVER]]. The McGregor ''News'' stated that "a ship canal is absolutely necessary to develop the resources of Iowa and Minnesota." (1)

	The legislatures of Iowa and Wisconsin endorsed the project of a canal around the upper and lower rapids on the Mississippi. (2) It was suggested that the development of the land west of the Mississippi would ~~develop~~ more quickly if transportation of materials and products could be improved. The canal was characterized as "pushing Lake Michigan up to the front of Iowa by which transportation to the lakes would be reduced one-third. The canal would, it was argued, break down monopolies for conveying products, have the potential to double the price of all agricultural land west of the Mississippi, add ten-fold to the value of all city property on the Mississippi, double the value of all east and west lines of railroad west of the Mississippi, and make Iowa and Minnesota first class manufacturing and commercial and well as agricultural centers. (3)		The legislatures of Iowa and Wisconsin endorsed the project of a canal around the upper and lower rapids on the Mississippi. (2) It was suggested that the development of the land west of the Mississippi would occur more quickly if transportation of materials and products could be improved. The canal was characterized as "pushing Lake Michigan up to the front of Iowa by which transportation to the lakes would be reduced one-third." The canal would, it was argued, break down monopolies for conveying products, have the potential to double the price of all agricultural land west of the Mississippi, add ten-fold to the value of all city property on the Mississippi, double the value of all east and west lines of railroad west of the Mississippi, and make Iowa and Minnesota first class manufacturing and commercial and well as agricultural centers. (3)

	In a later editorial, ~~the editorial page of~~ the ''Herald'' suggested that farmland in Illinois and Wisconsin was 100% higher than in Iowa because these states bordered on the Great Lakes. This, the editorial continued, left them free from freight blockages and railroad monopolies. The paper suggested that if land values in Minnesota and Iowa only increased $2.50 per acre it would mean $200,000,000 to the two states. A report of a Mr. June, engineer of the Fox and Wisconsin River Improvement, provided an estimate that improvement of those rivers with canals and locks would cost $1,250,000. Improvements on the Upper Mississippi River would "lead to cities rivaling Cincinnati and Louisville on the Upper Mississippi." (4)		In a later editorial, the ''Herald'' suggested that farmland in Illinois and Wisconsin was 100% higher than in Iowa because these states bordered on the Great Lakes. This, the editorial continued, left them free from freight blockages and railroad monopolies. The paper suggested that if land values in Minnesota and Iowa only increased $2.50 per acre it would mean $200,000,000 to the two states. A report of a Mr. June, engineer of the Fox and Wisconsin River Improvement, provided an estimate that improvement of those rivers with canals and locks would cost $1,250,000. Improvements on the Upper Mississippi River would "lead to cities rivaling Cincinnati and Louisville on the Upper Mississippi." (4)

	The [[PEOSTA HALL]] was tentatively scheduled for the meetings and the railroads ~~had been~~ convinced to transport delegates to the canal convention for half price or free. The [[NORTHWESTERN PACKET COMPANY]] agreed to carry delegates for two-thirds rate if there were twenty people from the same town. A mass meeting of local citizens was scheduled for the [[DUBUQUE COUNTY COURTHOUSE]] to elect seventeen delegates to the Ship Canal Convention to be held in Dubuque on May 4, 1864. [[RICHARDS, Benjamin Billings\|Benjamin Billings RICHARDS]] was the chairman. (5)		The [[PEOSTA HALL]] was tentatively scheduled for the meetings and the railroads were convinced to transport delegates to the canal convention for half price or free. The [[NORTHWESTERN PACKET COMPANY]] agreed to carry delegates for two-thirds rate if there were twenty people from the same town. A mass meeting of local citizens was scheduled for the [[DUBUQUE COUNTY COURTHOUSE]] to elect seventeen delegates to the Ship Canal Convention to be held in Dubuque on May 4, 1864. [[RICHARDS, Benjamin Billings\|Benjamin Billings RICHARDS]] was the chairman. (5)

	The Courthouse meeting began with three men---[[SMITH, Platt\|Platt SMITH]], [[JONES, George Wallace\|George Wallace JONES]] and ~~F. Hinds~~---being asked to record ~~on their~~ recommendations for delegates. Their list included [[GRAVES, Julius K.\|Julius K. GRAVES]], [[BISSELL, Frederick Ezekiel\|Frederick Ezekiel BISSELL]], [[THEDINGA, John H.\|John H. THEDINGA]], [[FARLEY, Jesse P.\|Jesse P. FARLEY]], [[STOUT, Henry L.\|Henry L. STOUT]], George L. Mathews, [[QUIGLEY, Patrick\|Patrick QUIGLEY]], [[HANCOCK, John T.\|John T. HANCOCK]], E. A. Babbage, F. Hinds, [[STEWART, William G.\|William G. STEWART]], H. Hoelscher, W. F. Sheffield, John Jackson, W. W. Hamilton, L. A. Thomas, and [[EMERSON, J. Hannibal\|J. Hannibal EMERSON]]. Those on the list were approved. (6)		The Courthouse meeting began with three men---[[SMITH, Platt\|Platt SMITH]], [[JONES, George Wallace\|George Wallace JONES]] and [[HINDS, Franklin\|Franklin HINDS]]---being asked to record recommendations for delegates. Their list included [[GRAVES, Julius K.\|Julius K. GRAVES]], [[BISSELL, Frederick Ezekiel\|Frederick Ezekiel BISSELL]], [[THEDINGA, John H.\|John H. THEDINGA]], [[FARLEY, Jesse P.\|Jesse P. FARLEY]], [[STOUT, Henry L.\|Henry L. STOUT]], George L. Mathews, [[QUIGLEY, Patrick\|Patrick QUIGLEY]], [[HANCOCK, John T.\|John T. HANCOCK]], E. A. Babbage, F. Hinds, [[STEWART, William G.\|William G. STEWART]], H. Hoelscher, W. F. Sheffield, John Jackson, W. W. Hamilton, L. A. Thomas, and [[EMERSON, J. Hannibal\|J. Hannibal EMERSON]]. Those on the list were approved. (6)

	The convention was actually held in the Julien Theatre since the anticipated Peosta Hall was not finished. (7) An audience for the convention activities was encouraged as a means of showing those attending that Dubuque appreciated the importance of the meeting. (8)		The convention was actually held in the Julien Theatre since the anticipated Peosta Hall was not finished. (7) An audience for the convention activities was encouraged as a means of showing those attending that Dubuque appreciated the importance of the meeting. (8)

	The delegates met on May 4, 1864 and elected as officers: C. C. Cole (Des Moines), President; W. J. Abrams (Green Bay, Wisconsin), Vice-President; W. J. Gilchrist (McGregor), Vice-President; D. Leffingwell (McGregor) and ~~[[ALDRICH, Charles\|~~Charles ~~ALDRICH]]~~ (Dubuque), ~~Secretaries~~. In his remarks to the delegates, President Cole assured the group that it was not being asked to build the canal between the Mississippi and the Great Lakes--only to show it could be done and with what benefits. (9)		The delegates met on May 4, 1864 and elected as officers: C. C. Cole (Des Moines), President; W. J. Abrams (Green Bay, Wisconsin), Vice-President; W. J. Gilchrist (McGregor), Vice-President; D. Leffingwell (McGregor) and Charles Aldrich (Dubuque), secretaries. In his remarks to the delegates, President Cole assured the group that it was not being asked to build the canal between the Mississippi and the Great Lakes--only to show it could be done and with what benefits. (9)

	L. A. Thomas proposed that a committee of nine be appointed to prepare work for the resolutions committee and to "draw up a memorial" to Congress. The motion was carried and B. B. Richards and L. A. Thomas were appointed. (10)		L. A. Thomas proposed that a committee of nine be appointed to prepare work for the resolutions committee and to "draw up a memorial" to Congress. The motion was carried and B. B. Richards and L. A. Thomas were appointed. (10)

	W. J. Abrams of Green Bay spoke to the delegates on the improvements that had been made to the Fox and Wisconsin rivers. He claimed to have it on the best authority that boats could be moved all the way from Green Bay, Wisconsin to the Mississippi if they drew on more than 3.5 feet of ~~way~~ (compare to the nine-foot navigation in the modern Mississippi River--ed. note). (11)		W. J. Abrams of Green Bay spoke to the delegates on the improvements that had been made to the Fox and Wisconsin rivers. He claimed to have it on the best authority that boats could be moved all the way from Green Bay, Wisconsin to the Mississippi if they drew no more than 3.5 feet of water (compare to the nine-foot navigation in the modern Mississippi River--ed. note). (11)

	Resolutions written on the first day were presented on May 5th. These included: (12)		Resolutions written on the first day were presented on May 5th. These included: (12)
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	Before the convention adjourned a finance committee and executive committee were named. (15)		Before the convention adjourned a finance committee and executive committee were named. (15)

	The Dubuque convention's work was hardly the only activities involving work on		The Dubuque convention's work was hardly the only activities involving work on Mississippi River. Even before the May meeting in Dubuque, another idea involving Iowa was presented to the House of Representatives. (16)
	Mississippi River. Even before the May meeting in Dubuque, another idea involving Iowa was presented to the House of Representatives. (16)

	Mr. GRIMES, of Iowa, (Union,) presented the		Mr. GRIMES, of Iowa, (Union,) presented the
	memorial of ~~ALANSON PENFIELD~~, Clerk in the		memorial of Alanson Penfield, Clerk in the
	Treasury Department, praying for the construction		Treasury Department, praying for the construction
	of reservoirs for supplying the Upper Mississippi		of reservoirs for supplying the Upper Mississippi
	with a medium stage of water for navigation through-		with a medium stage of water for navigation through-
	out the dry ~~Summer~~ months, and a canal from the head		out the dry summer months, and a canal from the head
	of Lake Superior to the Red River of the North, via		of Lake Superior to the Red River of the North, via
	Sandy Lake, a distance of forty miles; thence via		Sandy Lake, a distance of forty miles; thence via
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	indispensable. (19)		indispensable. (19)

	~~To a politician reading~~ Johnson's ~~thorough~~ explanation of the topic, however, more questions ~~would have been raised~~. Johnson, the engineer, noted among many issues that river boats while requiring less than four feet of water were built broad and long. This made them incompatible with present canals. (20) He anticipated the need to make the Illinois River flow in reverse. (21) This, however, was not accomplished until the construction of the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal between 1887-1922. He also found sections of the Fox and Wisconsin rivers were impassable as they existed. Johnson recognized that the problems he was presenting made railroad development superior. (22)		Johnson's explanation of the topic, however, raised more questions. Johnson, the engineer, noted among many issues that river boats while requiring less than four feet of water were built broad and long. This made them incompatible with present canals. (20) He anticipated the need to make the Illinois River flow in reverse. (21) This, however, was not accomplished until the construction of the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal between 1887-1922. He also found sections of the Fox and Wisconsin rivers were impassable as they existed. Johnson recognized that the problems he was presenting made railroad development superior. (22)

	Improving transportation ~~would come~~ with the development of roads, railroads, and the system of [[LOCKS]] along the Mississippi that flooded obstacles such as the rapids at Keokuk.		Improving transportation came later with the development of roads, railroads, and the system of [[LOCKS]] along the Mississippi that flooded obstacles such as the rapids at Keokuk.

	---		---