Trade and Commerce of St. Louis

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We have received a pamphlet carefully prepared in the " Missouri Republican " office, which presents an annual review of the trade and commerce of that city for 1852. There was a falling off in the grain trade of 100,000 bushels of wheat, which was attributed to a low state ol water in some of the rivers, but a new era has opened on the commercial en-terprize of that city, which is an evidence that in many instances a city placed at a distance from water communication may be as prosperous, commercially speaking, for internal trade, as one placed advantageously on a river or sea. We refer to the influence of railroads. This pamphlet states that the opening of the Alton and Springfield railroad during the past summer produced an immediate and satisfactory effect in every department of Industry in St. Louis. Although St. Louis is placed advantageously on a noble river, and has grown into greatness without the aid of a single line of railroad or mile of canal it is ? stated in this review that ' the good effect of the opening of the railroad mentioned has impressed the citizens of that place of the necessity for an extensive system of railway communications, and preparations have already been made for the construction of important works. St. Louis, from its superior position with respect to navigation, and sitting in the lap of the fertile valley of the Mississippi, is yet destined to be a second London.

Scientific American Magazine Vol 8 Issue 30This article was published with the title “Trade and Commerce of St. Louis” in Scientific American Magazine Vol. 8 No. 30 (), p. 234
doi:10.1038/scientificamerican04091853-234b

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