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MINERAL RESOURCES OF WISCONSIN.

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the sum claimed. The defendant moved for a new trial. which was refused, and judgment having been rendered in conformity with the verdict, he appealed. The record contains an exception taken by him to the charge of the judge, which is in these words: The court in this case charges the jury that the defendant was only liable for neglect or fraud, or contravention of the law; that whether neglect arose from unskilfulness, ignorance, inattention, or want of care, the defendant was equally liable; that the court considered that an inspector of beef or pork when he gave a certificate that beef or pork was in a good or sound condition, was bound by such certificate to warrant not only that the beef or pork was in a good and sound condition at the time the certificate was given, but that it should remain so for a reasonable and usual length of time, if the article was handled with proper care and not improperly exposed; that our law did not fix any length of time during which the responsibility was to last and terminate; that in the absence of any fixed rule, à responsibility would attach for such length of time as the nature of the article was usually expected to preserve good; that if the plaintiff has proved that the pork has been properly handled and taken care of, and it was found that the article was spoiled before the lapse of a reasonable and usual period, the defendant would be liable for any damage which might arise from the unsound condition of the article; and that it was for the jury to say whether

First, The article was unsound on its arrival in New York.

Second, Whether any circumstances had occurred which relieved the defendant from his liability from the certificate which he had given, and from the liability which he was under by law.

We consider this charge to the jury, a lucid and sound exposition of the law applicable to the case, One of the main advantages of the inspection of such commodities is to give security to commerce, and to increase the confidence of purchasers abroad in the soundness of provisions found in our market. If those objects are not attained, the heavy expense attending the inspection is incurred without adequate motives, and the only mode of securing them is to hold the inspectors responsible for want of ordinary diligence in the discharge of their duties. In doing this care must, of course, be taken that the security thus given to commerce be not abused to the injury of inspectors. In this latitude, and especially for shipments made during the summer months, their responsibility should be limited to a shorter period than that established by the laws of New York.

In this case the jury have substantially found that pork shipped with care and well stowed in New Orleans, between the 29th and 31st of July, forming part of an assorted cargo of provisions, cotton and tobacco, and landed in good order in New York, after a prosperous voyage, on the 28th and 29th of August next following could not have become sour during the voyage, and that it must therefore have either been unsound when it was shipped, or, what is more probable, have been repacked too fast, and without proper care, after the inspection here.

A careful perusal of the evidence has brought us to the same conclusion. The amount of damages authorized by the verdict is authorized by the facts of the case, and there is nothing in the judgment which requires our interference.

It is therefore ordered, adjudged and decreed, that the judgment of the Commercial Court be affirmed with costs.

3.-MINERAL RESOURCES OF WISCONSIN.

Dr. Owen declares the lead region of Wisconsin to contain mines of lead which are inexhaustible, and “decidedly the richest in the known world." He supposes it to be capable of yielding more than one hundred and fifty millions of pounds of lead annually, which is more than is now furnished by the entire mines of Europe, including those of England, which yield about 98,700,000 of pounds annually. Wisconsin is emphatically the lead region of the world.

Dr. Owen's observations in 1839, on the copper of Wisconsin, fully accord, so far as they go, with the wonderful disclosures that have recently been made. He then predicted from his geological knowledge, that richer mines of copper would be found in the northern parts of Wisconsin, where the igneous, metamorphic, crystaline rocks come to the surface, these being the rocks which in Cornwall, England, produce copper. The north parts of Wisconsin, on Lake Superior, have since been explored, and the most incredible quantities of copper, mingled with silver, have been found. The dip of the rocks in Wisconsin being south,

the lowest strata would be found to the north. The copper ore of Wisconsin is about one-third richer than that of England; indeed, European mines, which afford only three per cent. of copper, pay for the working, atter raising the ore from a depth of more than 2,000 feet-a fact showing the immense value of the Wisconsin mines.

Zinc is also found in vast quantities among the lead and copper, in the form generally, of an anhydrous carbonate. The ininers call it "dry bones," from its resembling the cellular substance of bone. Sometimes a vein of lead becomes entirely a vein of zinc, and then the unscientific workmen declare that "the dry bones have eaten out all the mineral." It is regarded as quite worthless by the miners, and considered a nuisance. Thousands of tons of it are thrown away by them, as a worthless drug. It is a true carbonate of zinc, and contains about fortyfive per cent. of pure metal. When it is considered that vast quantities of zinc are imported into this country from Europe, it is a matter of surprise that so much of it should be annually thrown away in Wisconsin. How important an article of commerce zinc is, may be interred from the fact, that there are about six millions of pounds annually imported into England. Its use in the arts is very extensive. From 13 to 25 per cent. of all brass is zinc. The mines of Wisconsin could probably supply the world with zinc.

In iron, also, Wisconsin is equally rich; but the iron, like the zinc, is a mere drug. Indeed, for some reason or other, it is thought better to import from England into this country, millions of dollars worth of iron, when we have literally mountains of it here, in every direction, with the most unparalleled facilities for its manufacture. In the production of iron, lead, copper, zinc, all the more useful metals, we might rival the world.

Wisconsin, in respect to natural advantages, is scarcely rivaled by any State in the Union. It is not only immensely rich in mineral wealth, but is mostly a region of fertile soil, capable of yielding an unlimited supply of agricultural products common to that latitude, and of engaging in manufactures to any extent. Its numerous streams afford an immense water power; and with the largest lake in America on the north, Lake Michigan on the east, and the Mississippi on the south-west, its facilities for commerce are not surpassed. Like an island in the ocean, it is bounded on every side by navigable waters, and its products, of whatever kind, can float with equal ease to the Gulf of Mexico, or to the waters of the Atlantic./

SOUTHERN AND WESTERN STATISTICS, AGRICULTURE, &c.

1. THE VALLEY OF THE RIO GRANDE.

Ir the extension of our institutions is to be Southward, and there is to be any permanent acquisition of territory beyond the Nueces, the question occurs-what are we to gain? A sterile region like that of Oregon, would scarcely be worth the conquest, and the blood and treasure. The valley of the Rio Grande is the first thing we are contending for-what is this valley? Let one who is familiar with it speak:*

"Indeed this extensive valley presents, throughout its whole extent, almost the same geological characters as that of the Nile, and its soil being composed of the detritus of similar rocky formations, must be similar in its chemical constituents. It's true that the valley of the Rio Grande is not subject, like that of the Nile, to annual inundations: but it is more favored in its climate, as the rains fall so frequently, and in such quantities, that the crops seldom fail from drought. If a system of agriculture similar to that which is in use in Upper Egypt were introduced in this valley, it would doubtless become fully as productive as the mo-t fertile lands of that country. This is evinced by the wonderful productiveness ofľ the soil in the vicinity of the beautiful and flourishing town of El Paso, where, by a judicious system of irrigation, the most abundant crops are raised with comparatively little labor. We are confident that in a very short period of time the Egyptian cotton will be cultivated here to as great or even a greater extent than in the valley of the Nile. The few experiments that have been made in the culture * Editor of the Houston Telegraph.

INDIAN CORN AND COTTON.

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of cotton in the vicinity of Matamoras, have been remarkably successful. The cotton plant grows in this region with wonderful luxuriance, and yields an abundant crop almost without culture. The sugar-cane also here grows to an enormous size, and far exceeds in its products the cane of Louisiana or any portion of eastern Texas. The climate is so mild in the vicinity of Matamoras, and as high up as Camargo, that the cane is seldom touched by the frost until it has attained a size nearly equal to that it attains within the tropics. The frosts, too, are generally so light that they mature the cane at an earlier period than it would mature within the tropics; while at the same time the product of sugar is rather increased than diminished. It has been remarked by naturalists that tropical plants are more productive without the limits of the tropics, and near the northern limits of their growth, than they are near the equator. If this doctrine is correct, the culture of the sugar-cane will be found more productive in the lower portion of the valley of the Rio Grande than it is even in Cuba. Many valuable tropical fruits may also be cultivated in this section with great advantage. The orange, fig, pomegranate, and similar fruits, grow with wonderful luxuriance in the vicinity of Matamoras and Camargo. The portion of country extending from Point Isabel to Laredo, will probably, at no distant day, be covered with extensive plantations of sugar-cane, Egyptian cotton, and groves of oranges, lemons, figs, olives and other tropical fruits, and rival in beauty and loveliness the fabled gar dens of the Hesperides."

UNIVERSITY

2. THE COTTON CROP OF 1846.

OF

We forbear an expression, in figures, of the amouft, though we have made some calculations. The falling off must be very great. Louisiana has suffered fearfully-but what State has not suffered? The results of this season must be

momentous.

1. Prices will advance in more than the ratio of deficiency-this is a rule of trade; and in relation to oreadstuffs, scarcely less important than clothing, a deficiency of half is estimated to raise prices fivefold.

2. Old Stocks will be worked off, and cotton growing and cotton manufacturing States be brought in nearer union.

3. Consumption, which has gained upon production, will keep pace with it on the opening of new and wider markets.

4. The cotton interests must revive and prosper.

3. INDIAN CORN FOR 1846.

Another failure in Europe and a large crop at home-these will excite speculation. Would to Heaven that there could be more consideration than in last year. This great granary of the world-for nature has made it so has a high destiny to fulfil; and the laws of trade should be studied among us as well as those of politics. We had hoped to devote more time to this subject now, but must be content with a short extract from Lyford's Commercial Journal:

"Our last accounts from the Western States, as will be seen by the Journal this week, show that an advance in the price of corn has taken place in those markets, and in St. Louis in particular, from 10 to 12 cents per bushel, it having gone up in a week from 18 to 28 a 30 cents, and the market closed firm. These high prices may induce farmers to send their surplus yield forward immediately on getting their crop ready, and so they should do; for it will be borne in mind, that English orders always come out as soon as there is the smallest appearance of a deficient crop on that side of the water, and the receipt of those orders here impart an active impetus, and prices immediately go up-and not unfrequently go down again soon after; but as we have said in these remarks, we think that there are indications now of prices being sustained-but they must go higher in Liverpool than 35 to 36s. per quarter, the last quoted rates, to secure to shippers here a remunerating price. And then, if the article gets up among the high priced elements of food, it must in its turn again give way to some lower priced ingredient."

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Commerce, qui fait à la fois la richesse d'un état et les advantages du monde entier.-VOLTAIRE.

THE sixteenth century introduced the leading European powers to a minute acquaintance with the Continent of America. Adventurous navigation had rescued a world from savage dominion, and there were adventurous spirits enough to people that world, and identify thenceforward their destinies with it. A hundred years after and civilization planted her abodes through all this waste. Peculiar indeed is the feeling with which these infant days of our country are regarded-so like an illusion does it all seem; so like a dream of glowing imagery. We look back as to a classic era, and the romance of Pocahontas, and of Raleigh, of Fernando de Soto, and Juan Ponce de Leon, do they thrill us less than the beatific visions of the Greek, recurring to ages long ago, when Ilion resisted the shock of Agamemnon's heroes, and the Argo sailed away to distant Colchis. The dim antiquity seems gathered around both of them alike. But let it pass all-the romance of our history! They imagined not, the men of that day imagined not the stupendous results which have occurred so soon. They saw not the benign and regenerating influences of a virgin land, preserved for countless ages uncorrupted by tyranny, and ignorant of oppression. Could such a soil have nurtured aught than freemen? They saw it not and do we, even we, see other than darkly, yet, the great consummation, the mighty destinies of the regions which, three centuries ago, were proclaimed from the mast-head of a crazy ocean bark, a speck upon

the distant heaven.

The development of American character is replete with interest and instruction, and solves one of the most remarkable problems in the history of mankind. The untried scenes of a new world, cut off by trackless oceans from contact and communion with the civilization of unnumbered generations, were sufficient to introduce, what might have been predicted of them, results, new, striking and without a precedent. The indomitable will, the stern endurance, the inflexible and hardy spirit of independence, the high daring, the lofty pa

* The authorities relied upon in this sketch, are principally the American State Papers, the congressional Documents, Niles' Register, Hazard's Statistics, Winterston's Commerce, Macpherson, McCulloch, McGregor, Saybert, Pitkins, Porter's Progress of England, etc., etc. There can be no higher authorities in any country, and we make our acknowledgement, once for all.

THE PROGRESS OF AMERICAN COMMERCE.

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triotism, the adventurous, unlimited enterprise, the genius resolute, active, intrepid; inexhaustible in resources, elastic in vigor and in freshness, buoyant ever and hoping on, and executing amid every trying scene, every danger and difficulty, and disaster-triumphing everywhere and in all things-philosophy could have argued this complexion for the men whose fathers braved so much beyond the ocean, and would philosophy have won less than the fame of prophecy by her judgment?

But we pause not here to lament the causes which have counteracted these genial influences, and left whole regions of America, stagnated as it were, in the very elements of vitality and yet living hopelessly on. Should we refer to Canada, to Mexico, and the South American States. What is there here of progress to chronicle, and how much of humiliation? Regions blessed by heaven in everything but in men. Changing ever their dynasties and their despots in revolution and in blood. In motion always, without progress. In arms, without valor. Loving change rather than hating oppressors. Proclaiming civilization and annihilating its advances. The bitterness of Voltaire's sneer has no cruelty or injustice in its application to many of them, "en pansant les chevaux de leurs maitres ils se donnent le titre d'électeurs des rois et de destructeurs des tyrans!" Under Heaven, as it was the destiny of the savage aboriginal, incapable of civilization, and with no law of progress engrafted upon his nature, to fade away before the steady advances of European arms and policy, so, the Anglo-Saxon element of America, by its flexibility and its power, by the new elements which it has taken to itself in the trying, yet triumphant scenes through which it has passed, will and must, in the inevitable course of events preside over the destinies of the continent of America, aiding and directing them, adding life and vitality, rousing dormant and sleeping energies, and developing, upon the theatre of the world, movements in comparison with which all that history can furnish, before the deluge, before the era of Christ, and since, shall dwindle into insignificance! It needs no ardent temperament to draw a stronger picture.

Let our speculations cease, however, for the present. We have a subject before us which looks rather into the past than into the future, difficult though it be not to lift the veil for an instant that shrouds that future. The progress of American commerce is so rich, so fruitful, so limitless a theme, that all our condensation will be required to embrace even the main facts which are presenting themselves to our mind. We will for perspicuity and order distribute the subject under appropriate heads:

I.-American Commerce in the seventeenth century.

II.-From the opening of the eighteenth century to the Revolu

tion.

III.-Under the articles of confederation.

IV.—Under the constitution and until the war of 1812.
V. From that war to the present day.

A particular reference will afterward be made to each of the countries with whom our own maintains important commercial relations; commercial changes in the different divisions of the Union will be

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