Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1845-10-31
MEMPHIS.

The CheraW aTmeIS OdLStCe IuiAhSne0
an extract of letter from gentleman IN
Memphis, containing some account ofthat city,
which may be interesting to those who exPec'
in few days to become its guests. We there
fore give it place in our columns:
ssThe city of Memphis is situated on VIII at
is termed the 4th Chickasaw Bluff, upon the
east bank ofthe Mississippi rlver In lat 50 deg
lin. in. the southwestern extremity OF the
State OF Tennessee, atthe distance OF 900 miles
below Louisville, and about 800 above New
Orleans. This city has many decided advan-
tages. The location is very fine indeed, II
being upon the highest ridge of land, and
from 100 to $50 feet above high water mark,
commanding an extensive view of the river,
above and below, its appearance from which,
alta distance, is very Imposing. The climate
is often eulogized as being preferable to any
other in the United States, neither extremes
being intense. 1t was first settled in 1920,
but increased in population slowly, until the
wear I84O-4I, since which time it has more
than doubled It's population, and It's increase
still goes on. 1t has already obtained much
importance from its position, population and
business. The spirit Of improvement is ev-
idently here. At first glance, it IS readily
perceived that the city is of recent growth.
The present popuIatofaoes not vary much
from 1000. Memphis contains the following
public buildings, viz: five churches, one Gath
Ole, one Baptist, one Methodist, one Eplsco-
pal and Presbyterian, market; four hotels,
(three arue aut new the Gay0so house Is
considered the finest binding IN tie place;
one bank and two branch banks-,the Farmers
& Merchants Bank is beautiful structure.
. and possesses capital OF $500, 900, There
is also hospital, and a United States arsenal,
and one insurance company. This place has
been talked of in reference 10 Its elIgIbIeness
as a point for shipbuiIding, the country around
producing great abundance OF the oak sulta-
bic for that purpose. The soil in the vicinity,
and for miles beyond, IS undouptedly equal
to any in the State, if no: superior, especially
for the cultivation Of cotton and tobacco. But
little tobacco, however, is cultivated at present.
Cotton is the staple production ofthe country
and from this point so 900 to 10000 bales are
shipped to \. Orfezns, NEARLY equal to one-nlntf
of the whole amount shipped from that city
Real estate is considered low here, in proper
ton to the rent paid for buildings, good stores
renting from $500 to $1,000 per annum. L
seems almost impossible to build fast enough
to supply the demand. A rail road is contem
plated from this city to Eagsapge, distance
of so miles, upon which 49,, 900 have ALREADY
been expended. There is also branch O
this road from Moscow to SummeIyile, which
- is graded. The revenue ofthe city is estima
ted at 100000 per annum, which is about e
quail to the expenditures.
ITO the foregoing, will add that the rev
enue is now about 100000, the populatio
10000, and that two other churches are abou
being erected. The city has improved rapid
since I84I, and is still improving. The bul
dings which have been erected this summer ar
far superior to any ever built before, and M
inferior to any in our first cities. A rail roa
is in contemplation to Georgia, and with All
bama; and national turnpike through Arkal
sas to Texas perhaps The navy yard is abo'
to commence its operatin5.
"Memphis is sci f-lndependent, and has T
fictitious capital. 1tpossesses all the essenti
elements necessary to give it commerce.
notorety. 1t is situated in one of the be
spots fer trade and traffic on the Mississippi
river, none being equal to it above, for thor
sand miles, and none below it to New Orlean
Indeed it's position is unequalled and unsu
passed by any on the Mississippi, after S
Louis and New Orleans. In point of healt
too it is superior to most places on the rive
1t was once considered sickIy, but for fe
years past it has proved to be healthy, and tn
summer particularly"