The herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1835-1837, 1837-04-20

| Verdict accordingly. =.
Mechanics Emigrating West.
new impulse seems to be given to emigration in
70 the new states and territories this season. from the
commercial distress which pervades the whole Allan
NC and the large commercial cities of the south with
wnol we are all closely connected by the interchange
OF commodities. 'eo
IA r. EDIToR-I have travelled this continent from
he 1r east 10 the far west from north SOUTH and
the plain ideas which now submit 10 your readers
are the result OF the common Observations IN \ tonr
winch made into the north western states the last
season. o' VIC '"''
oar rising republic that placed mvsef o. To- -, -
Jenslre and determined 10 believe that the adv,n,a
OF emigration must have been overra,ed nv the Is
ca1ss Of me modern system Of personal toceosion
But as entered the heart of Indiana Illinois snd
Wisconsin, was then compelled to dra " the cor,
parison between the natural advantages of the vr.,
growing states at the east and the beautiful nIa;r;.
lands OF these western valleys.
And confess 1t is my firm belief that of q thouso,5
travellers VINO shall SIT these states with as strong
preJudlces as commenced my tour not one viii ro
'urn without becoming complete enthusiast in h,s
admiration OF the beauties and vast resources oT ~
west. - 'is
The common received opinion, even AMONG xvel,
informed persons, is, that an emigrant leaves me-
lure OF cAlre the growth Of several generations for
home III the loiderness. =
80 far from this being the fact it is directly the re-
verse. he state of Michigan, and some parts Of In
ua ; winch visited were heavily wooded but nI-
nr u,i ana Wisconsin particularly the formerly are
ane couhtrles, and the average of the whole stst.
~ ll'ucli more OF an open country than that on ~
T M river from its mouth to North, o,ussw
mere me lnnao'nns build their houses in IL edge
dulating prairies which often stretch for rec - ,r
miles peiore NM and require nothing b 4 the plough
TO subdue to cultivation. 80 : - ~.
Now what contrast is this, u ,/coantrv whera
the first generation must be buried in wilderness
for it takes 30 40 years. with the strongest tide Of
emigration, TO clear country ike western New
FORK. Independent OF the richness of the SOIL this
fact alone explains the reason why every thing ad-
vances with such a rapid step in llinois--why the
who east are rswaingnto the west-the merchants
building warehouses at Chicago, and the towns on
the rvers-and the farmers laying out plantations on
the prairies.
Ii is clearly demonstrated that a farmer can make
in such country as have described greater adj
vance IN cultivation in three years. with the same la
Dor, than he can in twenty five years in country
where forest must be ielcd before the soil can be
used for farming. There is no exaggeration about
the westhere cannot be as 10 the natural advantages
and health of the country, though there are parts as
there are here where man if he fool enough 10
build his house IN swamp or near the ovcrfowing
oil river, would stand chance of having his family
sick. That there disadvantages to ercome
cannot be denied, and the greatest of all is the uni
vcrsa lack OF mechanics There some who 90
into the west but they 50 soon advance to affcence
IN their CIRCUMSTANCES that they of no advantage
TO their neighbours. All the necessares Of life are to
be had for money-but mechanic to build your
places. | travelled with gentleman who was then
going three hundred and fifty miles to get some
blacksmithing done. He was from one of the towns
on Lake Michigan, and was on his way to Detroit
There IS abundant water power and Coal yet no
mills OF consequence. Lumber on Rock River in
the vicinity Of immense tracks of timber and water
power was selling for so dollars thousand.
The question naturally arises why do not people go
| into those branches which promise much profit
The secret may be explained thus-ln the first place
| there are but few mechanics who have emgraied-
and those who have found their way there, have
found the pursuit Of their regular business too slow
process for acquiring fortune, and very few Of them
have continued to follsw their trade. Now that they
have generally made more money there can he no
twenty thousand mechanics of the Atlantic cities,
would find employment in the single state OF Illinois,
by which they would Immediately acquire a property
and hemc, and rise TO auencc the country advan-
| ces. It
In Chicago, Alton, Rock Island and all the four
ishng towns the rivers the inhabitants are actu-
ally suffering for the want Of mechanics TO build their
stores and houses. SO
| And this amidst all the materials necessary for
building, and in the fairest country saw. Wis
tied gentlemen Of large fortunes living in the most
wretched novels in the country, who stated that in
Chicuga, masons and carpenters could be hired for
$50 per day occasionally in the country il was
| nearly impossible to get them al all. now ask WHY
those now out of employ do not go? expense is said
tob emily about 20 dollars by the Lakes and Canals
TO Chcaga-and from that place they enter at once
into the Illinois Valley on the Rolling Praes OF the
beautiful Rock and Fox Tvers there is wide field for
the Industrious and sure reward will follow their
| labors
| This communication has nothing OF exapgeration
init i is the common facts which any body who has
visited the West can attest the truth Of
Yours PLAs Truth
| PoIIcE.-At about IL o'clock on Tuesday mig hi al
Waterman Benjamin Lewen going his round he
encountered Mr.. Charles Kane Keeling and roar
ing amore, whs suddenly gave his cap n twill and
| asked wa,chy "wha o'clock il wasp
Lewen not exactly relishng the manner OF the qse-
| rist, told him "to keep movingr
"Tll move you old boy, if you ar'nt civil" said
| Kane dom you sec I'm gentIemanl"
Hstchy drew his intclrogator under a tavern
window TO get view OF him, for the gas lights were