Du Buque visitor. [volume] (Dubuque, Lead Mines, Wisconsin Territory) 1836-1837, 1836-12-07
LETTERING. II,

Dear Friends: will now proceed to give
you further description Of this vast and im-
Portant country, or attempt to do so, in my
feeble manner. You are we'll aware, that /
am out Of my element, writing being new
business to me, therefore you can account for
the laundering way in which these letters are
put together.
In the rstplace, intend to say few words
to the ladies, or more particularly. to those
who are holding on in the estate OF single
blessedness." If they wish to change for
shelter or worse" let them wend their way
to the west side of the Mississippi, and they
will not be disappointed in getting a husband
at the shortest notice. Men are as numerous
here as black berries in summer, but females
are quite scarce--this fact is quite observable
in the houses Ct public worship. where there
are five males in attendance to one female. In
this country, females receive from l6 to "a
dollars per month for house work, and are
hard to be got at that price. II some hum
dreds of the fair sex in the old states could
be induced to COME this way, they would soon
have. an opportunity to mako. change, no
doubt to their entire satisfaction. .
THERE'S great deficiency. here ip many Of
the mechanic branches, some Of which Xviii
just enumerate--cabinetm makers, chair makers,
Va I'm MohSAo osAu UtlSh jdyciSS ShOSeludkcISS
tin smiths, tanners and curriers', soap and can
die makers, potters, weavers, wheel-wrights,
coopers, &C., all of which could find constant
and profitable employment.
will also give you, as near az possible, the
prices of articles manufactured by the above
mechanics, as know them to exist, and If
have given what you would consider very high
prices, it is not to deter persons from coming
here, but on the contrary to show to mechan.
les and the laboring classes generally in the
east what they can obtain for their work in
this most interesting Of all lands, the new
Wisconsin Territory. Low-post bedstcads
cost $40, walnut breakfas, tables the same,
Windsor chairs 8 the half dozen, and other
furniture in proportions; bricks !, 10 per 1000,
laying the same 50; soap IL l-2 cts. to l6 2-3
per h.; dipt candles ls 81 cents, whilst tai
low costs butte l-4cts. per lb.; common sized
tubs %, buckets IS cents; open wagons from
so to 100, wheel-barrows IL.
Rents are high at present, but this is owing
to the rapid and almost unparalleled increase
Of population, far outstripping the means to
erect buildings heretofore. At this time scv.
eral saw mills are in successful operation. and
many others being erected, also, several grist
mills.
A very comfortable log house can be put
up for about $50, which will suit very well
for a temporary residence, or until man with
a small capital is enabled 10 put up more
costly and handsome dwelling
Since penned my last letter. the first terri
torial election has been held, one delegate to
congress was elected, also thirteen council
men, and twenty-six representatives, to com.
pose the Legislative assembly Of Wisconsin,
which is now in session.
Some idea may he formed of the prosperity
of the place from tho fact. .i,a, 81 votes were
the county. Deccncy and good order prevail.
witness in other places Tor several years back
There was no tumult or party strife to exas-
perate and excite the feelings, but every vo-
ter was allowed free access TO the polls, and
all passed of III the utmns: harmonys
The season for 0ame has just passed, some
kinds Of which have been in great abundance,
consisting of deer, wild geese, and ducks,
pheasants and prairie fowls, the latter is the
most delicious Of the feathered tribe had
heard much, previous to my coming here, Of
the GOODNESS Of the climate. the long and
dreary winters. but mp to this time, (the mid
die Of November) with the exception Of four
or five days, the weather has been the most
pleasant and agreeable, and no colder than is
ns,,ai in Pennsylvania. at the same season.
There is very little snow falls, and tho VIM
tiers are generally dry and healthy, and busi-
ness continues undated. except upon the riv-
ers, which are INSTRUCTED by ice about three.
months. We lave one drawback upon the
general convenience OF our town. Either from
the difficulty in digging wells. or the supine-
ness Of the inhabitants on the subject. there
have been but three or four wells dug, so that
most Of the water used is taken from the Mis-.
si-sippi. and served round by VIM. Miller,
young Philadelphia, and a profitable bust
ness he makes oft.
Now, once for all, give my advice to per.
sons in the eastern states, who are telling from
year to year and saving nothing, to bend their
course to the west as soon as possible, and
they will find charge for the better very
shortly. Ifthey come with a disposition TO-
DO pleased, and not with a fault-6nding spirit,
make up their minds to be satisfied with things
as they find them, and turntheiI hands to any
thing that offers, they could not be prevailed
upon to exchange for their former sitnations.
All that come % disposed,s will find hearty
welcome from the citizens, and every epcccs.
agement will be given TO- make them happy
and contented. Yours, &c.
SELLING OUT.