Transcribed from microfilm and contributed by: Charles A. Sherrill, 1992
A project of the Bradley County Historical Society

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Year 1855, Petition Number 29_

[This petition was referred to the Committee on Internal Improvements]

To the General Assembly of the State of Tennessee, now in Sesssion.

The Memorial of the undesigned citizens of the Counties of Polk, McMinn, Bradley & Meigs, Respectfully represents to your honorable body, that a spirit of internal improvement is disseminating itself among the people of our great Commonwealth, that we believe in its vast importance and glorious results in every way augmenting the value of land and the product of the same, and as government was instituted for the promotion of the public good, we flatter ourselves that the legislature, having the power under the Constitution, will look favorably upon the application herein set forth, and make a suitable appropriation for the accomplishment of the same, to wit, an appropriation of money enough to clear the Hiwassee River of all obstructions impeding the successful navigation of the same, by light draught steamers, from its mouth, to the Chilhowee mountain, a distance by land of about thirty miles, and whereas at a former session of your Honorable body and appropriation was made, and the fund laid out & expended for said purpose, it is believed no very large amount, at this time, would be required.

However, of late years it has been found that all the water courses in the Country have greatly diminished in their bulk or colum of water, on which account, is will be found perhaps, that several places heretofore of sufficient depth, will now be found very shallow.

This is merely a suggestion, the Representatives from this section of the state can furnish particulars for your action, not deeming it important in a communication of this kind to specity all that may be important for your action, as much of which will be furnished through other sources.

Trusting in the magnaminity & liberality of your honorable body, your memorialists will every pray & etc.