Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1836-06-03
"A

A letter from Detroit in the CONNECTICUT
Observer, speaks Of what an cmigrant has
TO encounter in Michigan, thus;-
list. Want of Water. The N. England
farmer is so much accustomed 10 q full sup.
DIV of water that the want Of it scarcely
enters his mind. The springs that rush
from the hill side, and the purling brook SO
often crossed as we travel from place to
place, the case with which the stock on q
farm can be supplied leads him to overlook
the value Of the blessing, or its lack in an
other country.
In Michigan, unless he locates in the vi.
cinity Of q creek or river, and these are
stew and far betw cen, he must Dig his well
from 90 to 60 feet, to obtain water for his.
family and stock of cattle.
Next, scarcity Of stone. Here the far.
mel is still more troubled. His well must
be walled with brick or curbed with timber.
When he builds his house a dozen blocks
must constitute his foundation, or he must
incur q heavy expense for brick. Half a
dozen acres of his rough farm in New
England would prove a mine Of wealth to
him.
Again. Water priciieges are scarce
So level is the country that but few sites
for water can be found. The farmer must
travel from 5 to 80 miles to q mill and
this with the smnllness of the trees, tends
to make lumber difficult ~ be obtained, and
high priced.
Again. IL is difficult fencing aJarm ard
toiN become more so. The trees are often
small, aud difficult to make into rails, aud
while the labor Of preparing land for
the plough is light, to fence it is often q
matter Of serious labor especially as Is
often the case but one length can be obtain.
ed from a tree.
Agnin. The country compared with N.
England is unhealthy. Fever and Ague is
very prevalent in new places, as are In.
tcrmiltants, aud most who cone here mus,
undergo a seasoning. Said q friend to me,
Il would not give a siXpcnco for an emf
grant, who is not willing to undergo a SIX
months seasoning Of Fever and Aguc, in
this country"
AS the country is improved it becomes
more healthy, but will. | think. nertr com
pare with N, England for health.
phere of England which gives an elasti-
city of muscle, and buoyancy of spirit tc
the population, which isl believe, unknown
throughout tIc uUOtC UtSt, ulu (VCT uIuSt
be in a region so level.
attribute much Of the energy Of char
acter, the industry and enterprise of New
England, 10 physical causes I; and am per-
suaded tina, the sam individual can endure
much more severe service there than here,
With both sides of the picture honestly,
and | believe fairly presented to the view
of my New England friends, | am willing
that each should Judge as to what is best
tor himself. Permit me to say, however
that physical advantages, and accompany
ing disadvantages, are much more equally
distributed through the world than many
imagine. The young who arc vigorou;
and Industrious with but slender means fol
beginning life, may do well to emigrulc
to the west.
But ! wish to reprcss that uneasy feeling
which | believe to be so very prevalent il
~. England, amcng those who are com
forlsbly or even prosperousiy situated blu
who arc not in the precise circumstance
they desire.
Let me assure such that an earthly para
disc will never be found by a removal
and it rarely conduces to the comfort o
usefulness of those who are past The merid
ian of life, 10 emove from the scenes o
their childhood tho land of their fathers
Could such clearly foresee the expense
the hardship and exposure attending a jour
ney, the veXalion and losses to which the,
are liable, the privalions to be endured il
the log cabin, with its plain and scanty
furniturc--thc lonely, homesick feeling
that steals over one when surrounded BY
slrangers--the probability OF sickness ant
suffering, they would reflect long and wei
before they should decide upon a removal
and very many would content Memseiue.
where they are.