Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-09-09
LETTERS FROM THE ALLEGHANY MOUNTAIN
[connksrosDrscr OF THE NATIONAL IsrEIIrsrscra.J
AsnylLlr, BuNconnE eovSrr, N. C.

! AsHvILLE, BUscoMBE COUNTY, n G.
MAY IS, lS4S.
have just returned from an excursion down the French
Broad River to Pattons Warm Springs, and the neghborng
curiostes, and now purpose describe the wonders
have SEEM. The original Indian Of the French Broad
PseHco the meaning of which have not been able ia
ascertain Its English derived from famous hun
ter named French II is Of the principal tributaries
the Tennessee, about bundled miles long, from to
two hundred yards wde and taking its rise in the Blue Ridge
the border Of South Carona in northwestern d
recon Judging of the whole, by section of fifty miles,
lying westward Of Ashye, must be considered Of the
most beautiful rivers in this beautiful land In running the
distance above mentioned hasa fall of nearly fifteen hun
dred feet and It's bed lie entirely composed of solid
rock In depth it varies from five to fifteen feet and gene
rally speakng is quite clear abunding in great variety OF
pebeian fish, Its shores are particularly wild and rocky for
the most part nearly perpendicular varying from to four
hundred feet in height and houh usually with
ation, they present frequent ellis of granite eesone and
blue limestone, which actually doop the rushing
and present most imposing appearance. With regard
its botanical curostes it SAFELY be said that more fruit
full and interesting valley nowhere be found in the Union
Here have not only every variety of American trees
but bushes, plants flowers and in the greatest prou-
son and Of the most vigorous growth; many Of the grape
long enough and strong enough link together hundred
ships OF When il is remembered too that the air is
constantly heavy with the fragrance flowers and emulous
with the perpetual of the stream, may be readily i'm
agned that ride down the French Broad is unique pleasure
Back of the river on either side the country billy and
what cultivated but its immediate valley contains nothing that
smacks OF civilization but turnpike road, and occasional
tavern This road directly along the waters edge nearly
the entire distance and, account of the quantity Of travel
which passes it. is kept in admirable repair II is the
principal hcoughfare between Tennessee and South Caro-
na and an immense number Of CATTLE horses, and hogs
annually driven il to the seaboard markets. Over this
road also quite large amount Of merchandise is constantly
transported for the merchants of the INTERIOR that mammoth
wagons, with their eight and ten horses and their half civilized
eamsters, plenty blackbeies and afford romantic
variety to the stranger.
In riding down the French Broad overlook gentleman
horseback, who accompanied about twenty miles I'm
mediatey after the first saluaon was passed. and he had
ascetained that from the eastward, he questioned me
with regard TO the latest from China was surprised
at the question, and after telling him had none to commun
cate could not refrain from asking him what the secret
Of his interest in that remote Empire He replied that he
sided the French Broad, and dealer in ginseng.
had heard Of the article before and knew that found
abundance throughout this mountain region My friend de-
scrlbed it beautiful plant, with and some twenty
leaves at the top and growing to the height eighteen inches
That portion Of it however, which is prepared for market is
the root The Chinese the only people the world who
make any Of it whatever; but with them has been an
article Of commerce from time immemoria 1t is said be
associated in way other with unexplained super
stton Formerly obtained exclusively from Tartary,
and the Taras in the habit of saying that they could
find it excepting by shooting magic arrow, which in
varaby fell where the plant abundant. 1t is thought
possess any valuable medicinal quality and only has the
effect Of strengthening the sensual appetite 1t is used in the
that tobacco, and to the tongue it is
agreeable bitter 1t has been article Of export from this
country for half century, and the extensive American
shippers reside in Philadelphia II is sold for about sixty
cents the pound and my travelling companion told me that
his sales amounted 10 about forty thousand dollars per
What idea that the ceestals are dependant upon
the United Sees for Of their cherished uxues and that
luxury unnoticed plant of the wilderness. Ours
is, indeed, "a great country"
speak of the Warm Springs, which are hir-
ysx miles from Ashve and within six of the Tennessee
line Of the Springs themselves there some half dozcn
but the largest is covered with house, and divided into two
equal apartments either Of which is sufficiently large to
allow of SWIM The temperature Of the water is los de-
grees and singular fact that rainy weather has ten
dency increase the heat bit it never varies more than
couple of degrees All the springs directly the south
margin of the French Broad the clear as crystal
and heavy that child may be thrown into il with
little danger Of being drowned. As beverage the
quite paaable, and it is said that people can drink
number quarts per day. and yet experience but bene
fetal effects The diseases which it is thought to cure are
palsy rheumatism, and cuaneous Affections but they
avail in curing pumonc dropsical affections. The Warm
Springs annually visited by very large number of fashion,
able and scky people from all the Southern States and the
proprietor has comfortable accommodations for hundred
and, fifty people His principal building is of BRICK and
drinking, riding bathing, fishing scenery hunting, bowling,
and reading, are all pracsed here 10 an unlimited extent
but what is exciting than all these pleasures put
gebe, the sport Of deer hunng and hereby hangs
a tale to which must devote separate paragraph.
My polite landlord had inmated his intention Of aordng
little sport and Immediately after twe!ve-o'clock din
ner, certain day, he stepped upon his piazza and
two three blasts with small hon the result Of which
was that, in about fifteen minutes, negro mounted
handsome horse made his appearance accompanied Ivy
twenty ytpng hounds. The horn next handed TO the
negro, and he requested to 20 TO certain spot the
mountains, about three miles off, and put the dogs out after
deer Two hours having elapsed the landlord his son. and
myself each took rife, and, after riding three miles up
the French Broad stationed ourselves at different points
for the purpose Of welcoming tho Jesr which expected
% take the the opposite side We had scarcely
been ven minutes in hiding places before the loud byng