The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1835-03-18
LETTERS FROM THE WEST.
From the ST. Adams Reperto
Jefferson Bayraek, Mo. Sept. |,

on the of action, ready and anxious at mo-
ment's warning, to take my station as an actor
whenever the proper opportunity presents. And
you tiptoe now, and fancy, TO learn how, and
what; | can say that the 200 miles which passed
over of the Mississippi Valley, is the most delight
ful scenery, that ever greeted my vision. When l
saw the western portion of New-York, on my way
hither thought it was all my heart could ask for.
In Ohio found some spots that surpassed it, and
which imagined must be the beau ideal tor an ag-
riculturallst. But, Ignorant man that was, knew
nothing of the reality of fine country, till crossed
the great Illinois Prairie. On the sight that opened
TO my astonished eyes, we raised from the low
land 10 what is called the Dry Prairies, would have
drawn excamations of delight from misanthrope.
Far as the eye could reach, extended level plain,
covered with luxuriant growth of very superior and
nutritious, as well as long grass, interspersed with
flowers of the most beautiful conformation and most
gorgeous hue, with here and there patch, of
or two rods area, occupied entirely with flowers of
one color only sometimes red, or blue, yellow, or
white, appearing in the extent of grassy surface, ike
stars in the heavens. The whole waving in the
bamy breeze with that shadowy and rich motion that
renders field Of thrifty ripe wheat rich and us-
cious sight. In the distance small clumps of trees,
standing out like islands amid the grassy ocean.
Springs can be found by digging little in most any
part the soil is of the richest, and yet nearly the
whole of this garden" is uncultivated and unin-
habted. When there is a settlement, the crops are
so heavy as to me to appear wonderful. The Ia
Dor of cultivation is very slight after the breaking
up of the sod the first year. the Office of the farmer
might, with considerable justice be called, in the
language of the " out politicians" sinecure. And
it is splendid for raising stock. Millions of acres of
superior grass for pasture without fee rent reward
or asking. have seen herds of cattle, 200 or 800
in herd, every one in better order than any one
ever saw before Wheat stacked in huge stacks,
more plenteously than hay in the east. In short.
tba oil of iS hat, ha
called rank. The only drawback to all this hatter-
ing picture is, that grain and stock very low,
the price merely nominal at that, they cannot be
sold there; and as things are at present, they would
hardly pay the expense of getting to market But
the time is rapidly approaching, when canals land
railroads will penetrate this country and according
y give value to the products, develope and bring
out the wealth, and diffuse luxury throughout
the country 1t is the place for poor man, if he
has only the means to get there and can put up for
a time with many inconyeniences, always incident
to IA new country. He can be of good living,
and more than a common prospect of making for
tune. But he must endure fatigue, stand the chan
ces of sickness which new climate may affect him
with, (although it seems to healthy the
praries as can be) orego the comforts which he has
been accustomed to, and be content with different
society, or none. But have said enough this time
about the land and will now get on the water.
l have been the sluggish Illinois, and seen its
swamps its beds of huge water lilies, and its wet
praires, where the grass grows ten feet high-havo
drank its warm, insi pid, yet clear water, have
! its juncture with the Missssippi-have tho
rapid waters of the latter rolling in their strength
deep and mighty, and smooth, except where eddies
like boiling oil rose in spots its surface caused
by tile whiring of its swift waters round the rugged
rocks at the botom--havc seen its fairy isles, not
such described in mawkish tales, but thickly
studded with lofty trees, such the cotton wood,
the sycamore, and wanut-its banks, bold and rocky
bluffs side and low and marshv the 9th
er, but crowded, even to the waters edge with high
trees, which, like the river, are on large scale l
have seen the ma esc Missouri come roaring and
Raging torrent like, with its thick muddy water SEEM
ing though it would bear all before it, and breast
ing the Mississippi as though it would sweep it from
its channel, but being met by the Missppi like a
noble warrior, have seen the two streams flow be-
tween the same banks, each, keeping its own chan
ne and as 1t were disdaining to mix with the other
the clear waters and the muddy, side by side
and thus do they keep along for many miles, pres
enting curious spectacc.-The difference in the
temperature is great being quite warm, and the
Missouri cod--the latter is considered very healthy
when left to settle it deposites Goth part mud /
have also had the fortune to hear the cry on board
the steamboat, on the great Mississippi, of "the
boat is sinking, the water is fast gaining in the hold;"
and have seen what disordery crew would do at
such hme and how an inexperienced captain
would act The crew instead of listening to COM
mands, preparing to swim and let the boat and pas
sengers take care of themselves, and the captain
alarmed and appealing to his pilot to take command
and save the boat; and | have had the pleasure of
entertaining thoughts about "casting the dye"
which is no pleasure at all, at all-and know how
romantic Ii was to be run ashore at night under
high bluff and of toiling up with my trunk, and
through the briars and weeds to seek shelter in a
deserted house; and l have experienced the real
pleasure contemplating the danger past and un-
harmed. And here am l. and have been since lst
August, with DR.. B, who kindly welcomed
me TO his quarters as home. Here have we been,
broiing and frizzing away in the hot sun, and en-
during an atmosphere that appears to have lost all
ITS oxygen, and to have been compressed in some