259 



Either this trade is uot greatly on the increase, or a new scale of val- 

 uation used ; foi nine years since, in 1844, it stood thus: 



Exports, ..$260,011 08 



Imports, 80,744 94 



That our new relations to that province will tend to the reciprocal ad- 

 vantage of both, is evident. 



A considei'able item in our commercial transactions now, and one 

 which promises to grow with growing years, is the trade with the Lake 

 Superior Mineral Region, During the summer past, steamers left our 

 docks every other day, laden with miners' supplies, and bringing in re- 

 turn the rich pi-oductions of the mines. Propellers also were regularly 

 engaged in the traffic. This is becoming a principal route of summer 

 travel, both for those in quest of health and pleasure, and when tlie 

 grand canal improvement is completed, will be one of great business. 



RAILROADS. 



Owing to the fact that the State projected an extensive Railroad sys- 

 tem in an early day, and quite failed in carrying it out, as well as the 

 great financial embarrassments of the few yeare past, we are now far 

 behind many of our sister cities in the number and extent of this sort 

 of improvements. Yet the spirit of the times, the interests of the city 

 and State, and the necessities of bmi7iess imperatively demand greater 

 facilities, and the construction of several lines leading to sections which 

 would contribute instantly and indefinitely to the building up here of 

 a traile beyond the dreams of the most sanguine, and worthy of our 

 fertile Peninsula. Our prosperity will be proportioned to our enterprise 

 in this direction. So it has been with other places, some of which, with 

 not half the natural advantages we possess, are outstripping us in the 

 race. The present condition of things, both as to public and private 

 credit, and the prospects for the future, eminently favor any possible 

 outlay in this direction. The men of wealth among us, whose property 

 would in many ca<es be increased in value ten fold, should see to it that 

 no advantage or opportunity slip, by their remissness. 



The principal line of road now leading to this city is the 



MICHIGAN CENTRAL. 



This road is 282 miles long, extending to the city of Chicago, in Il- 

 linois, and is under the control of a company, whose office is in De- 



