An important question here arises: Will the swamp lands of South East Missouri pay the expense of this system of their reclamation? Engineers are the proper persons to answer this question, most satisfactorily. Let them make a survey and report. In the mean time some additional and most reliable facts, throwing light on this point, may be here stated: DR. HENRY KING was appointed by the Surveyor General, at St. Louis, on the 28th day of October, 1852, to make an exploration of the Swamp District of South East Missouri, and among other things to discover the probable amount of lands in that portion of the State transfered to it by the above mentioned grant of Congress. Dr. KING's official report of his observations has not yet been published; but at various interviews held with him since his return from his mission, we have learned and been permitted to disclose the fact that, in his opinion, there are about 2,000,000 acres of land-swamp or subject to inundation, and thereby rendered unfit for cultivation-within the limits of the ten above mentioned counties of South East Missouri, also the further fact that, from the data of descent along the route of Capt. Barney's survey, from the peculiar topography of Croley's Ridge its continuous elevation from the Missouri line south, more than 100 miles in length, from the peculiar topography of the natural half-canal from Cape Girardeau to mouth of Mingo, and from the U. S. survey of the township line from New Madrid to Monocolet slough, he acknowledges a strong presumption is raised, that, by the system we have projected, the whole Swamp District may be most successfully leveed and drained. It is true, the conclusion is not acknowledged, neither has it been stated, as an absolutely demonstrated certainty. This final conclusion can be determined only by an accurate survey of the whole Swamp. District. The State of Missouri having already commenced a system of levees and drains to reclaim the Swamp District of South East Missouri, and we, having discovered many important facts which might affect the result, and having published them in the December Number of the Western Journal & Civilian, and trusting that the facts and suggestions arising from them have been considered, and whether the State retain the title to the lands in question, or transfer them to the counties in which they lie respectively, or to a Railroad Company held responsible to the State, for the reclamation of the lands, with a provision for the cause of Education, that those facts and suggestions may be more fully investigated, we would proceed in the elaboration of the subject, and illustrate the transformed and renewed character of South East Missouri. She may rival Holland with her stores cf wealth, and Germany with her universities of learning. An interesting article might be written to elucidate this idea. The riches of Holland and the intelligence of Germany cannot be condensed in a nut shell. An expansive system of Education based on a purely profitable system of internal improvements in Southeast Missouri may be briefly indicated. There are strong reasons at command to maintain the position we assume, that the lands granted by Congress will more than defray the expenses of their reclamation by the system we have suggested. The banks of the canals may serve for beds of Railroads. The surplus value of the land may pay for the equipments of the Railroads. We then assume that the 2,000,000 acres of land will build the canals of about 100 miles as above stated, and equip Railroads on their banks. The income from these canals and railroads will therefore be a pure profit to their owner. By the junction of these improvements with the Mississippi Valley Railroad, this income from the North and from the South, as also from various other portions of the country, cannot be computed. As the best basis of a computation, we would refer to the history of the county situated most analogously with the one under consideration. We quote from Bell's System of Geography, vol. 2, page 12. "The greater part of Holland," says a recent and most intelligent traveller, "is a delta formed of mud, deposited by the Rhine and other rivers, in the same manner as the delta of Egypt has been formed by the river Nile." "The land, having been perseveringly rescued from the water, to whose dominion it may be said to have belonged, would again be covered by the waves, if human agency was removed for a short space of time, or would be reduced to the state of those vast wastes composed of sand and mud-banks, quite unfit for human habitations, which now lie at the mouths of the Nile and Mississippi." On the subject of Inland Navigation-page 18-Bell says: "The whole Netherlands, especially Holland, abound in canals, the cutting of which is greatly facilitated by the extreme flatness of the surface, and the multitude of small streams intersecting the country in all directions. By means of these an extensive inland commerce is carried on; and, as they communicate with the Rhine and other large rivers, the productions of the whole earth are conveyed at comparatively small expense into the interior of Germany and the Nether lands." We quote the following paragraph describing an object worthy of admiration and indicative of the energy of its builders: "Great Dutch Canal.-This is one of the most stupendous works of the kind in existence. Its object is to afford a passage for large vessels from Amsterdam to the sea. This city has 40 feet of water in the road in front of its port, but the pampas, or bar. in the Zuydersee, seven miles below, has only a depth of 10 feet, and hence all ships of any considerable burden have to unload part of their cargoes with lighters before they can enter the port. As the sea in question is full of shallows, all ordinary means of improving the access to the port were neces sarily ineffectual, and the resolution was at length adopted of cutting a canal from Bucksloot, exactly opposite Amsterdam, to the Helder, the northernmost point of the province of Holland. The distance between the extreme points is 41 English miles, but the length of the canal is about 504. The breadth at the surface of the water is 124 English or 120 Rhi..eland feet; the breadth at bottom 36; the depth 20 feet 9 inches. Like the Dutch canals generally, its level is that of the high tides of the sea, from which it receives its supply of water. The only locks it requires, of course, are two tide-locks at the extremities; but there are, besides, twe sluices with flood-gates in the intermediate space. It has only 18 draw-bridges in its whole length. There is a broad towing-path on each side, and the canal is wide enough to admit of one frigate passing another." We also quote the following: "Statement of the Area and Population of Holland according to the admeasurement made in the year 1833 : AREA IN DUTCH BUNDERS.* ...... .... 2,126,365 40,724 Total amount of Cultivated Land, · 773,716 Total.................... ..........3,044,970 Population to 100 Dutch Bunders average 84.8. By the above statement it will appear that 2,126,365 bunders have been thoroughly reclaimed of the lands, waters, and sea-shores down to land water-mark of the whole surface 3,044,970 banders, leaving 877,881 bunders of sea-shore, banks of rivers, reed and rush lands, peat-bogs, heaths, and morasses, unreclaimed in 1833. Statement of the Yearly Average Quantity of different sorts of Grain, and other Agricultural produce raised in the Provinces of Holland, between 1837 and 1841 inclusive, taken from the Reports of the Governors of Provinces. imp. qrs. WHEAT. Sum Total in Dutch Muddes. RYE. BARLEY. 7,209,5201 12,035,690 8,515,140 11,441,537 53,222,746 2,757.641 4,603,651 3,257,041 4,376,388 162,861,602† To which might be added large amounts of Buckwheat, Pease, Beans, Spelt, Rape, Flax, Mustard, Tobacco, Hemp, Madder, Clover and other Seeds. The Dutch trade in the year 1840 was distributed in very nearly equal portions between the two principal ports of the kingdom, as follows: Total... ...193,117,000 149,478,500 342,593,000 By comparing South East Missouri, as she is with Holland as she was unreclaimed, and Holland as she is with South East Missouri as she may be reclaimed, some computation may be made of the vast income to be derived from the system of Internal Improvements, upon which this anticipated prosperity is based, and the unparalleled endowment for schools and universities, which this system will secure to Missouri. We may indicate its promotion of the intelligence of Missouri more fully in an other article. * A Bunder equals 2-4736 (about 2) English acres. † Bushels. The system for the reclamation, internal improvement and education of South East Missouri which we have projected challenges investigation.. Narrow-minded men-men of selfish policy,-may be found who will dare to cavil at the cause. But every man who combines liberal conservative and progressive principles, will give it a fair trial. We advocate this system, because from the best information and the best reasoning it is the most practicable to gain the desired resultto carry out the express purpose of the grant of Congress-the reclamation of the lands granted. We advocate this system for a further consideration, because if successfully established, it will be a basis, admirably adapted, for a superstructure of a thorough internal improvement system, to develop the resources of this rich and interesting, though unfortunate and neglected portion of Missouri. We advocate this system, because it will raise up the depressed fortunes of the venerable sister cities, Cape Girardeau and New Madrid, will maintain them in an honorable independence, and enable them to reflect greater credit on the State. We advocate this system, because it will be an element of great importance to the prosperity of the West in aiding the speedy construction of the Mississippi Valley Railroad through South Missouri. We are free from selfish policy, are devoted to public policy; to the promotion of "the greatest good to the greatest number", to the promotion of the prosperity of Louisiana and Minnesota, of all the intervening States, of the whole Union, and of the whole world. Let no portion of the country apprehend that the restoration of South East Missouri will jeopardize its prosperity. As well might one arm of the body apprehend that it would be injured by the restoration of the other broken arm. Each arm should feel a sympathy with the other. The sound one should endeavor to relieve the unsound. When both arms are sound, they can work the better into one another's hands. The head of Missouri should be anxious to strengthen every limb, and beautify every portion of the State. The most finished work of art reflects its glory on the artist. St. Louis is the artist of Missouri. She is moulding the destiny of the State. Let the work be symmetrical. Let every portion be developed to the fullest perfection. Let the State policy be liberal. And let avenues be opened to the North and South, the East and West, that the whole world may come and admire the inimitable result-Missouri-the master-piece of statemanship. Geological Survey of Missouri. Resolved 1st. That a general Geological Survey of the State is now necessary, to develope our resources, and to lay before the public, the evidences that the great system of internal improvement upon which we have entered, is not only justifiable, but necessary. 2d. That in the opinion of this meeting, the Legislature now in session should make the necessary provisions for such a Geological Survey. 1 The above resolutions were unanimously adopted, last Dec'r., by a public Railroad meeting of the citizens of St. Louis. Simultaneously the cause was progressing in the Legislature, and we trust it may come out triumphantly before the end of the session. Missouri may gain great credit at the Exhibition in the New York Crystal Palace, next May. But to maintain her credit, she should bring out "All her appliances and means to boot." The foundation for a School of Mines should now be laid. The geological system of the State should be promptly and thoroughly analyzed and digested. The luxuriant soil of her vallies and prairies, the pure beds and mountains of her countless minerals, should rest on better evidence than mere loose hearsay. Geologists, mineralogists and chemists of scientific ability should be retained, with liberal provisions, to collect and record the evidence of the vast neglected wealth of the State. A record of the same should be brought home to the people, and distributed among capitalists abroad. This record would insure prompt movement in every line, and the speedy completion of the inimitable railroad system of Missouri. This record would be a security of the State bonds, and make them in demand. This record would attract population, labor and capital. This record would induce monied men as well as actual settlers to enter the public lands, and thus relieve present property holders from a portion of their tax. This record would raise the value of every acre of land in the State, and thus make each and every owner richer. This record would tell the farmer how he could make the most out of his. soil, and the miner how he could make the most out of his ore. This record would unfold the wealth of the State, until the merchants and manufacturers would be overstocked with the supply. Let ample provisions be made for the Geological Survey. Who will say nay? "Breathes there a man with soul so dead!"—so devoid of public spirit,-so blind to his own interests! The people of Missouri are opening their eyes to their own interests and to the interests of the State. Their souls are alive to |