The State guard., 1848-03-28
Correspondence 0 State Gu;ird.

Dear Hardy: 1 arrived here at day ightthis morning, after very tedious voy- age up the river. 1 have nothing worthy ct notice to communicate, but in accor- dance with my promise, will append d few lines touching the subject of observations connected with my journey thus far.
 We left Montgomery on the steamer Pelican, Capt. Tcmp'eton Master, on Sun day, inc 27th ultimo, at l2 o'clock, m., and arrived at Orleans on the 1st inst. Our river and lake passages were very pleas ant. Being .n"eh indisposed today, Idid not explore the city. Visited the Ameri- can Theatre, where I witnessed poor play and worse actors. Mir. Forest, the principal character sick. Next day ex- plored a portion of the city, and found the streets both narrow and filthy, and it is no wonder that the yellow fever and other epidemics prevail here to so great an ex- tent. There are many fine buildings here, but the larger portion are low and com mon visited the market this morning, which was really a treat, grand exhibi- ton of all kind of meats, fish and fowl, and great variety of vegetables, fruits, cakes, candies and hot coffee. New Or leans, in my estimation, is decidedly the best and greatest grocery and cotton mar ket in the United States; dry goods here are quite as dear as at Wctumpka. waited here until Saturday night for Andy-thcn left on board steamer Amelia, Capt. Broad- man, for this place. The Mississippi is truly noble and gigantic stream. Well may it be called the !" father of waters" For the first 60 miles it's average width is about half mile, after which it widens to the breadth of thrce- quarters of mile, and thus continues to the mouth of Red River. Our trip up the river was truly delightiul-the scenery unsurpassed. On either side of the river arc continuation of Sugar Plantations, fine Mansions, stan ding in bold relief, and the banks dotted with negro houses, all painted white ;- and then the orange groves, how beauti- fu, with their evergreen foliage inter- sperscd with golden fruit then comes Jefferson College and Convent, splendid specimens of architecture, situated about 60 miles above the Crescent City. Next comes Donaldsonvillc, 75 miles from the city on the left bank of the river. This place, once the capital of the State, now appears in a state of di.apidation.
 These are the only places worthy of notice that I remember to have passed in daylight, during my upward trip. On en- tcring the mouth of Red River, I was surprised to see very narrow crooked concern, instead of bold stream not un- like the Alabama, as I had anticipatcd.- In many places this stream is not more that fifty yards wide, and filled with snags and raits of timber, rendering navigation exceedingly difficult. The principle pla- ces along the river are Alexandria and Grand Ecore, loth poor apologies for towns.
 This place is certainly a flourishing and business town. Here I meet with divers old friends, from Coosa, Tallapoosa, Tal- ladega and Montgomery.
 We (myself and Andy,) leave in about one hcur for Port Caddo, some six miles from Hagelty, where we expect to get horses to explore the country. You may hear from mo again.
 Respectfully your friend,
 ROCKFORD.