Commerce, Manufacture.s, direct foreign commerce of Wis cousin is chiefly with Canada, and is not of much importance. But the coasting-trade carried on from the lake ports of this state and by the Mississippi is very large. The imports at the ports on Lake Michigan in 1850-1 amounted to above 6,300,000 dollars, and the exports to about 3,000,000 dollars. The exports from the Mississippi porta are chiefly of minerals. The quantity of lumber annually sent down the rivers has been already stated.
The manufactures are chiefly of agricultural implements and the kiuda of articles which are required in an agricultural country, the great bulk of what are entered in the state returns under the bead of manufacturing establishments, being saw-mills, flour-mills, and tan neries. There are however also several iron-works, woollen factories, breweries, distilleries, &c. A large quantity of maple sugar is made by the farmers.
Dltisions, Towns, is divided into 45 counties. The political capital is Madison, but the commercial centre and by far the largest town in the state is Milwaukee. The following comprise most of the more important towns, but new towns are constantly rising into comparative importance in this as in the other more flourishing of the new states.
Madison, the capital, is situated on the isthmus between the Third and Fourth Lakes, of the series known as the Four Lakes; 85 miles W. from Milwaukee : population 1525 in 1850, and 3500 in 1S53. On Wisconsin being organised as a territory this spot was selected as the site of the future capital. The country was then ouly very partially cleared, and the contractor for laying out and building the future capital was, with his party, 11 days in cutting his way through the wilderness from Milwaukee. Tho foundation of the city was com menced iu Juno 1937. Tho situation of the city is a very striking one.
The capitol occupies the summit of an elevation 75 feet above the level of the lakes, and the main streets load from it down to the lakes, with the exception of the western avenue, which is directed to the open country. The capitol, the chief public building, is a capacious and substantial structure. On an elevated spot west of the city Btauda the University of Wisconsin, founded iu 1848: in 1854 it had 5 pro femora and 23 students. Tho oity has greatly increased iu buildings and population since the opening of railway communication ; and the great amount of water-power which it possesses has led to the erection of several extensive mills. Three newspapers are published here.
Milwaukee stands on both sides of the Milwaukee River, at its entrance into Lake Michigan; 85 miles E. from Madison, in 43° 3'N. lat., 87°57' W. long. The rise of this city has been very rapid. It was laid out in 1835 as a village. In 1840 it contained 1712 inhabitants; 20,061 in 1850, and about 25,000 in 1853. It is the chief commercial and manufacturing town in the state, and the largest on Lake Michigan after Chicago, which is about 100 miles S. from it. Milwaukee contains some good county and municipal buildings, churches, echoola, stores, hotels, &c. A large portion of the trade is in the export of lumber, but there is an important and rapidly-extending export of wheat, flour, pork, beef, hides, lead, &c. The imports in 1850.51 amounted to 3,82S,650 dollars, the exports to 2,098,469 dollars, but they have since greatly increased. In the city and its euburbs are extensive saw-mills, flour-mills, woollen factories, machine shops, iron foundries, cooperages, paper-mills, and tanneries; also manufactories of carriages, cabinet-ware, harness, soap and candles, sails and rigging, &c. Bricks of peculiar colour and quality are made here very largely for exporta tiou. The city possesses several ships, and screw- and paddle-steamers. Milwaukee Bay, which is 6 miles across and 3 miles deep, is well sheltered, except from the east, and affords good anchorage. Six daily newspapers, 5 of them having also triweekly and weekly issues, are published here.
Beloit, on both sides of Rock River, at the junction of Turtle Creek, 46 miles S. by E. from Madison; population 2732 in 1850, and
3300 in 1853. The town possesses considerable water-power, which is applied to working several large mills; it also contains machine shops, and other manufacturing establishments. Beloit College had 6 professors in 1854, and 30 students. A branch of the Galena and Chicago railway is carried to the town. Several of the ancient tumuli before noticed are in the vicinity. Fond du Lac, a village on the Fond du Lac River, at ita entrance into the lake, 80 miles N.E. by N. from Madison • population 2014 in 1850, and about 4000 in 1840, is a place of considerable and growing trade. Regular steam-boat commu nication is maintained with the chief porta on Lake Michigan. Green Bay, on the right bank of Fox River, at its entrance into Green Bay, 140 miles N.N.E. from Madison : population 1923 in 1850, and 2500 in 1853. It is well situated for trade, the harbour permitting vessels of 200 tons to come op to the town, and the Fox River promising to afford, when the improvements in progress are completed, great facili ties for communication with tho interior. Some of the buildings are large and showy. Janesville, on both sides of Rock River, 35 miles S.S.E. from Madison; population 3419 in 1850, about 5000 in 1853. Thin is one of the rising business towns of the state. It contains a few good public buildings; has several large mills and stores; and ie connected with Chicago and Milwaukee by railway. Kenosha City, formerly called Southport, is situated on Lake Michigan, about 100 miles S.E. from Madison : population 3455 in 1850, about 5000 in 1853. The harbour is a good one, and the town is the market and port of one of the finest farming districts in this part of the Union. Afassitouwae, at the entrance of the Manitouwac River into Lake Michigan, 120 miles N.E. from Madison ; is conveniently situated for trade, has good water-power for mechanical purposes, and is the natural outlet of a fertile district. It appears to be one of the most rising towns in the state ; the popnlation, which In 1850 was only 756, had increased in 1853 to 2300. Mineral Point, on one of the head streams of the Pecatonica, an affluent of Rock River, 50 miles W.S.W. from Madison ; population about 3000 in 1853 ; is a mining town of considerable local importance. It contains some good public buildings, and large works for smelting lead- and copper-ore. Prairie du Chien, on the Mississippi, 3 miles above the confluence of the Wisconsin, about 105 miles W. from Madison : population 2498 in 1850. The town contains several churches and other buildings. It is a place of considerable trade; in its vicinity are very productive lend-mines; and the prairie from which the town derives its name is one of the most fertile regions of the west. The military post, Fort Crawford, is a short distance south from the town. In the neighbour hood are numerous ancient sepulchral mounds. Racine City, at the mouth of Root River, on Lake Michigan, 90 miles E. by S. from Madison ; population 5107 in 1850, and about 7500 in 1853, is, after 3111waukee, the most Important commercial place in the state. It contains several good public buildings, and is the site of Rowaell Episcopal College. The exports, chiefly of wheat, amounted in 1851 to 650,950 dollars; the imports to 1,452,750 dollars. Five newspapers are published here. The Chicago and Milwaukee railway passes through the city. Sheboygan, on Lake Michigan, at the mouth of the Sheboygan River, 115 miles N.E. from Madison, ie a place of some trade, and con tained 2600 inhabitants in 1850. Shullsburg, on a branch of Fever River, 80 miles S.W. from Madison, is the centre of a busy lead-mining district, and contained 1678 inhabitants in 1850, and 2500 in 1853. 1Vaukesha, on the Pishtaka River, 65 miles S.E. from Madieon, stands on the edge of a rich prairie, and is a place of considerable trade. It had 28)3 inhabitants in 1850, and 4000 in 1853.