The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-07-09
Chicago, Illinois.
Correspondence OF the HERALD


Prospects.
The journey hither from Peru, situated at the
head of steamboat navigation on the Illinois river
distance OF about hundred miles, is performed
by stage across the finest and most extensive prairie
in the State. Nothing can exceed the natural
richness and beauty of large proportion Of these
extraordinary openings in the vast wilderness Of the
west. The traveller, who avails himself Of the
easy and luxurious steamboat conveyances, and
merely passes along the lakes, and through the
rivers with which this wonderful country is sur
rounded and pierced in all directions can have but
poor and inadequate idea of its incompatible
fertility, and the incaculabe amount of the elements
OF wealth with which it pre-emnently abounds In
order to be enabled to appreciate the peculiar advan-
tages which, with respect to agriculture this section
OF the Union possesses over any other region OF the
world, 1t is necessary to leave the rivers and lakes
ana ass through the land by stages, by the
erMaSry conveyances. Staging, however, Is not
quite what 1t should be here; and this is reason,
perhaps, why so many prefer the more expeditions
and agreeable mode OF travelling by steam. The
route from Chicago to Peru, where the Illinois ca
nal is to be connected with the river, Is profit
able one, and ought to be conducted by s proprie-
tor, who Is an enterprlsing and successful yankee
with more regard TO the convenience and comfort
OF travellers, who, in passing either way from Chi
cago to st. LOUIS river, which Is the most direct
and expeditions route, are compelled to throw them
selves into his hands. AT this season OF the year
the roads over the prairie are dry and smooth as
broadway sidewalk; and, with fair driving, reason
able loading, and proper relays, this hundred miles
staging might easily enough be performed IN twelve,
or at most, fifteen hours; Whereas it now occupies
about thirty! This Is very annoying and essential
difference, and is tar from being satisfactory. The
stages are too Longs one set OF horses frequently
driven fifteen, ana IN TWO OF the stages, asia
as Is and 20 miles! This is not all. For want of a
proper supply OF horses and that too, where horse
flesh is 'dog cheap" the exhausted team, after toll.
Ing through one, and sometimes two OF these enor-
nous stages at the rapid rate OF about three miles
an hour! is rubbed down little, and frequently obi
ged to walk back again over the same 10 or 20
miles, without rest or refreshment! In one in
stance we had a sick horse to conduct over one Of
these long stages! We demeaned ourselves quietly
towards the poor animal, and walked him back,
with three others, which were but little better Qhey
being nearly aded to death) and housed him safely
before the dew began to tall; so 1t is to be hoped he
now .goins on" the royal bulletin frequently says
OF Her most gracious Majesty" las well as could
be expected" "God save the Queen, and her ba-
bles, and amend the ways of Mr. Frink, making him
a more "merclful man to his beasts" and open his
bowels Of compassion for the suffering thousands
that experience all but martyrdom al his hands, and
often escape, from his stages, with merely three
lives In their hands! The worst feature OF this sta
glng from Peru to Chicago is experienced In an I'M
necessary delay OF three hours at Juliet In the cool
OF the morning, for the behoOf and benefit OF MIR.
Lumbard, a very unclvil tavern keeper, who con-
structs out of 'hoe-cake and bacon" decoction
denominated breakfast" with which he plies ira
velers at 'three bits" head at the early hour Of
five o'clock A. NJ, whether they will or mott Nyou
have no interest in this Mister LOmbards break
tast Mr.. Frnk, pray direct your agent at Juliet TO
forward the stage agreeaby the wishes OF passen
gers, and not subject them TO delay OF three hours
at this fellows hotel partake OF his bad bacon and
worse manners; tor better OF either OF these commo
ditles can be procured any where along the road;
md / NJ ia tn deIa haY IN coo
breakfast out of the rough, II were far better to do
this at little later aid more seasonable hour for
this meal, and occupy the cool hours between three
end SIX o'clock A. NJ, on the road, instead OF over
the "garc pans and bacon skillets" OF "mine host"
OF juliet. This would be an act OF humanity, and
mellora:e the condition of both man and beast.
The State of Illinois is doubtless OF the finest,
il not indeed the very best, naturally, OF any in the
Union. The land is all rich-as fertile, perhaps, as
the valley OF the Nile. The vast prairie sections OF
the State are gently undulatng in surface, and gen
orally healthy; and when brought into cultivation,
(Which, for new country, is comparatively an easy
matter,) and fenced, they compare advantageously
with the finest " downs" of England, not even ex-
cepting those OF EPSON and the Isle OF Wight
which are the beauty and boast OF Great Britain
Indeed, these lands are much richer and far more
productive than any, even the best soil of England !;
and lverily believe that this single State, If under
the same cultivation, is capable OF producing more
than the whole united kingdom OF Great Britain,
Scotland, Ireland and Wales! The prairie lands
an instance, / may mention what was informed by
a gentleman residing in Delavan, small town
upon The prarie-we crossed on the route from
Springfield to Peoria, where my informant said up
wards of twenty families settled nearly seven years
ago; and, up to this time, not single death has
CURED among their number; nor have they been
afflicted with much sickness OF any description
The bottom lands" along the borders OF the rivers
are, however, very unhealthy; emigrants should
avoid them otherwise they will be sure to lose
their health, and probably their lives at premature
age. The season has been cold and wet, giving to
the crops OF Illinois the same unpromisng aspect
that characterize trade, this year, IN other States
The wheat in the Southern part OF the State was
destroyed by the winter, and a large proportion of
the winter wheat fields were turned over last spring
and planted to corn, which, generally, locks very
unpromising. The crop must depend entirely on
this month and August Ii the hot weather con-
tnues for sixty days il has prevailed for the last
week. there will be immense crop OF corn in ILL.,
nois tor there never has been time when so much
ern part of the State looks beautifully; it is also
good in Wisconsin, but the price OF this article is
still on the rise in Chicago as well as at St Louis
and other points in the West Ii readily sells at 81
per bushel here, and many think it will 60 higher
even than that before harvest. This Is an extra
ordinary advance on the price gwen for the article
last autumn; and power OF money" has been
made by the SPECTATORS, many OF whom are now
holders OF very large stocks
Chicago seems to be improving; many new build
ings in course of erection, and there is healthy
business air and activity pervading the town. The
stocks of goods in the shops appear not to be very
large; and, Judging from what have seen, those
fast going into the hands of the consumers who,
nowadays, hand over the pewter" or, perhapsI
should say, "tin," instead of the "wid cat" Jr
credit, which, much 10 the detrment OF "these here
diggins," were formerly counted lawful tender
Some eight or ten steamers run regularly between
Chicago and Buffalo, via, the lakes, touching, IN
route at the principal towns on their borders, and
performing the trip either way, ordinarily, in four
days. This is cheap and easy way to make the
journey; and TO one not particularly DESTROYS to see
the State OF Michigan, il IS by far the best The
fare through the whole distance, with meals, on
board the Gen. Wayne, fine boat which sailed
last evening, was only &c. The Great Western,
larger and more elegant steamer, sailed this morn
high price fer being conveyed so great distance
Real estate is said TO be quite firm in Chicago,
and Qn2s the whole, rather tending upward