Arkansas intelligencer., 1844-08-17

We copy the following from the N. Y. Herald,
the notice is highly complimentary to our fellow.
townsman, Mr.. JOSIAH GREGG, and we are pleased
to sec that his work exctes so great an interest,
and is read with so much pleasure by the people
| of the north. Messrs. Pickett g. Gregg expect a
supply by the first boat. when we doubt not, many
Of our citizens will purchase, and judge for them
selves:-
"CoMMERcE OF THE PRAIRIEs, or the Journal of a
Santa Fe Trader, during eight expeditions across
the great Western Praries, and a residence of
nearly nine years in Northern Mexico--lustra-
ted with Maps and Engravngs; by Josiah Gregg
in two vols. New York-Henry G. Langley, 8
Astor House, No work has recently appeared
among US which has so directly addressed itself to
the wants and TO the curiosity of the public. The
late disturbances between Mexico and this coun.
try, and the prospect of an interruption of our
commercial relations with each other, make all
feel more or less interested in knowing the impor-
tance and the influence of that commerce: and al
though our overland trade with Mexico has been
exceedingly prosperous for some twenty years,
and almost every capitalist who has embarked in
it has made fortune, yet there has been no means
OF procuring Information respecting the condition.
difficulties and rewards of that trade until now,
except by direct communication with the traders
themselves. No account whatever at all adeolat te
has ever before been published. nor has any thing
been written about it, to tho best of our kuowl-
edge, save occasional letters from the traders them
selves to their friends, which have sometimes been
published in obscure western papers and thence
copied perhaps in our Eastern journals. 1t is to
this deficiency of reliable information that is to be
attributed the prevailing ignorance and indiffer-
ence among our capitalists about the prospects of
the Santa Re Trade; for is safe to say that there
are few opportunities now offering for the rapid re-
allzatlon of a fortune equal to that which this
trade presents, pr divided commercial intercourse
he not again threatened with suspension and our
friendly relations with Mexico give promise of
continuance. At this time, as we before remar rk-
ed. the appearance of Mr.. Gregg's book seems par
ticularly opPortune, for it supplies the informa-
ton which Is so much required. This gentle
mans means of informing himself of the matters
about which he writes have been far more ample
than those possessed by any living writer, aud the
style anc manner of the work, we feel convinced,
VIII commend his statements at once to the con-
hdence OF the public. As. one may readily infer
from the kind of life Mr.. Gregg appears to nave
led during the eight or ten years of his trading life
his narrative is full of adventure of every kind.
ana OF the most entertaining sketches of life and
manners. This narrative is the moro interesting
as II Is made to embrace much valuable his:or-
cal matter and statistics iiIus rative Of the early
history and growth of the Santa Fc Trade.
Mr.. GreSg's style is easy and direct, but with
out any pre!enslon. He owns that he has no vo-
cation for book making, but has merely striven
10 present the most important results of his very
rare experience in n readable shape and with suff
clent dIstnctness to make them be appreciated"