The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1841-11-02
From the National lntelgencer
4 TOUR TO THE WEST, OR THE
NECESSITY OF A NATIONAL
CURRENCY.
Washington, October 10. 1S4l.


| Washington, October 10. 1s41.
Business of an urgent nature compelled me
in early spring to visit the Far West; and it be-
came a matter Of consideration to know what
means should be prepared to smoothe my path
and give welcome passport to the necessa-
ries of life; upon what road to direct my soil
tary way, so as to secure ease, rest, safety and
comfort-.for we are often tantalized with these
delights, and yet they are beyond our reach,
| are involved in pecuniary difficulties, when
by little care we might have moved along in
safety.
SO resolved to be cautious, and silver and
gold being out of the question, procured Va.
money, and entrusted my safety on the ma
| tional road, and almost with the rapidity of
| thought was conveyed over the mountains and
the plains that lie beyond, and found myself
on the banks of the Ohio in less time than
| was formerly required for a trip from Win
| chester to Alexandria.
| Feeling disposition to learn as well as trav-
Of, took passage Oh an Ohio trading boat,
and it was not long before began to be mi
| tiaed into the mysteries of currency. Ipaid
my fare, and, in so doing, was compelled to
change twenty dollar note on the Farmers
Bank of Va. and in return received flood OF
shinplasters and three dollar note on the
Bank of West Union, Ohio, not worth the
light it would take TO set it on fire, and 1t was
finally disposed of, in the vicinity of West
Union, for breakfast of about par value with
itself; it, just had the name.
Liberated from the little boat, and freed
from the safe keeping of these three dollars, L
could not help drawing a comparison between
broad national currency, which is equal to
all our wants, and the issues of this little bank
whose notes are not current among its officers,
and which are palmed off upon the ignorant
and unsuspicious; and asking whether it were
not far better for the interest of the many
that they should be paid their dues in the cur
rency of national bank, than be forced to
take such note in payment for their manly
tell.
However, il will not do to dwell too long
on this matter, for am forced TO visit Ten
nossee, and take my course through The new
settlements Of Kentucky, finding my way to
the towns and villages by the three chops on
the sides of the trees, and, dragging my feet
through mud and mire, until it was the hap
piest feeling 10 behold the humble cabin of the
hardy pioneer, and satlate my voracious ap-
petite on his homely fare.
But it was not long before left the wood
chopper. and found my way to high life and
Tennessee money. There | received a note
on the State RsnS, of one hundred dollars, &
returning into Kentucky, at no great distance
from that imaginary line which divides the
two states, realized the effects of local cur
rcncy, by being forced to exchange the hum
bred dollar bill for eighty eight dollars of Ken
! lucky money; and with this dear money at
tempted to return to my native place, but |
assure you have met with much difficulty
In Virginia and Maryland have been compel
led to deposite five times the amount which
was due, and have been detained for the pur-
poses of exchange.
At Maysville attempted to procure Viz
ginia money, but failed. At Wheeling Sec
ond attempt was made, but it proved unsuc-
cessful. However, fearing that the Kentuck-
y money would not go much further, | ex-
changed fifty dollars Kentucky for the notes
of the Northwestern Bank of Virginia, and
some other small bills, which paid my way IN
til reached Fredericktown, Maryland. There
| met with difficulty, for neither the Wheel
ing money nor the Kentucky was current;
but, as great favor, the landlord received
five dollar bill (Wheeling) for my breakfast &
dinner, and gave the change in two one-dollar
notes Of some Pennsylvania bank, one dollar
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, and the balance
in Coed Intent shinpldsters-al, acc ording to
his say-so current; but, not one hundred yds.
from the door, all, except the railroad money,
was refused at the railroad office; but having
another fifty cents of railroad scrip, | found
my way to Harper's Ferry. But there the
Northwestern Bank was in even worse reputc
than in Maryland; and placed in the hands
of the agent $40 as a deposite, and was car
ried to Winchester, at which place was de-
tanned two days-in getting shaved-Xen-
lucky money at twelve percent. and North
western Bank at ten.
These things force me to conclusion that
this great country is deserving of a better
! and more honest currency, and that those who
have received our confidence ought to give it,
and protect us in our rights and the enjoyment
Of our property. These things are harrassing
the people. and gradually undermining the
confidence which they have reposed. And if
this state of things is not stayed, it does not
require much philosophy to divine the result.
When law sleeps, physical force has its course;
and amid its many acts of justice is commin-
gled much to make the heart sick and trem.
bic A FARMER.
| II