Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1847-06-24
Correspondence Of the Heraid.]
JEFFERSON, AsHTABuLA Co., Ono, !
: June 10Th, lo47. !

I take my pen to give you few "jotting
downs of travel in this far land Of the West,
since left old Newport. l have travelled
somewhat rapidly for portion Of the time,
and consequently have not had so good an
opportunity. to observe all that is interesting
on the route as should have preferred but
as it was necessary for me to hurry on to Ohio,
was able only to take hasty observations as |
passed along. II is indeed beautiful section
of country to pass through, and if one has time
to take it leisurely, and stop few days at all
the principal cities and towns, not only on the
regular travelled road, but also in the interior
Of the country, he will be soon enraptured
with what he beholds.
Buffalo is one Of the most rapidly growing
cities of the Union, and is inevitably destined
at no very distant day, to be an immense and
extremely wealthy place; at present, howev-
Ter, it has somewhat an ancient appearance, and
from general observation Of it, one would be
readily inclined to believe that it was much
older than IT actually is. The navigation on
the upper Lakes 10 immense, and that place
must ever be the great emporium Of all the
produce of the whole West A rail road from
Cincinnati to Cleaveland is in contemplation,
and when this is completed, a vast amount of
the products of the soil Of southern Ohio and
Kentucky as well as Indiana will be transport
ed to the Lakes, from thence to Buffalo, and
on to the Eastern States.
Many of your readers would be astonished
(though you yourself would not, having trav-
elled in these regions,) to see the thousands
who travel to and from the West, over the
Lakes, from and to Buffalo. The Steamboats,
are of the largest class, and far superior to
those on our Eastern waters.
Cleaveland is a fourshing city, and one
that bids fair soon to number hundred thou
sand inhabitants; it is beautifully located on
the Lake, and has the appearance of a New
England city. 1t is mostly settled by people
from the Eastern States, and many of its in
habitants are quite wealthy, for the Vest
The city is laid out with much regularity, the
streets are wide, the buildings handsome, with
gardens in front in many instances, and any
quantity Of fine ornamented streets on either
side throughout the city.
The stage route along what is termed the
Ridge, from Cleaveland to this place, is ex.
ceedngly interesting; the country is very lev
el, and many Of the farms are the best ! ever
w,-far superior TO those in New England.
have not seen a stone wall since left home,
and probably shall not again, until am with
in the domnions of the Puritans. On the
Western Reserve as it is called, being por-
ton Of the Lake counties Of Ohio, the charac-
ter of the people is quite similar to our own
although there is sprinkling of Western man
ners and customs intermngled with it, There
is much that is novel and amusing to me all
around, and not infrequently laugh, within
myself, at the bluntness and coarseness Of ma
ny of their expressions, and particularly of
their truly original and quaint mode of prac-
tice in Courts.
1t is said that there will be failure Of the
wheat crop this year, from present appear
ances and if this should be the case, what
with the distress by famine in Ireland and
Scotland, and scarcity of bread stuffs in our
own land, the prospects Of misery are truly
alarming The land, except for grazing pur-
poses, in this county, is poorer than in any
other portion of the State but in the interior,
the land is very rich, and Produces as abund.
antly as any other section Of the West. Flour
has been so high for the last year, and such ex-
cellent and numerous sales have been effected
that the formers have plenty of money, and
are in the best spirits. Land is also as high
probably, at the present time, as it has ever
been before, except during the periods Of spec
ulation. ..
As have leisure, and facts worthy of CON-
municating, will write you again. l hear a
good deal said in the West, relative to the ap-
preaching Presidential election. / have not
yet seen man in the Western country who is
in favor of Gen. Taylor for that office they
are bitterly opposed to the war, and will not
support man who is in favor of it, or slave
holder. Ohio will 60 strong for Judge Nc
Lean or Corwin,-on the whole, they rather
prefer the former. This county is strongly
Wing, and gave over 5000 majority for Harri-
son. Court is in session, and there are a great
many men here from all parts of the county,
with most of whom / have become acquainted,
and among them all, have seen but three Lo-
cofocos is not this sort of promised land ?
Yours very truly,
A CosMoPoLITE.