Arkansas intelligencer., 1849-10-06


resting to our readers
ARKANSAS Posr, Aug. 29th, 1S49.
have been at this place several days, passing
a dull, monotonous time, with the exception OF a
pleasant trip which made few days since out
in the country to some Of the hospitable planters
Though NV first impressions of this county were
more paiuful than favorable and somewhat lasting,
because they were the first, yet must pronounce
this (Arkansas) of the finest counties In the
State which is destined to be one of the foremost.
1t contains greater bodies Of rich cotton land than
its neiohbors, and is being settled by some of the
heaviest and most enerprising planters from
Georgia, Tennessee. and Mississippi. Already
fine plantations opened and in high cultivation,
strung along for fifteen twenty miles on the
margin Of the river, the South side, and occa-
sionaIIy scattered here and there on this side.
| made an agreeable visit among the planters on
the opposite side enjoying their princey hospitality,
noting their fine plantations and viewing the i'm
mense tracts of the finest cotton land in the world,
beautifully situated, inviting the hand of the cult
vator and claiming the fostering attention Of the
government. A small expenditure Of money, in
the reclamation of these lands will bring into mar
ket four or five hundred sections, land enough to
produce two hundred thousand bales of cotton be.
sides the usual quantity Of other kinds raised on
plantations. Think of it, the amount of property
that would be brought into and produced in the
State, yielding handsome revenue that would in
few years disenthra young Arkansas of that
debt which weighs her down and cramps her deli
| cate limbs at the tender age when she should be
free OF her embarrassment, 10 develop her fair and
elegant proportions. If possessed the power and
influence over the deliberations of either, the State
or national legislatures | would at once set aside
funds to reclaim the inundated lands in Arkansas.
If controlled the national legislature one half of
those lands should be given for reclamng all-in
fact | would pass Senator Borlands bill.
| On this subject think Gen. James Smith of this
county is advocating an admirable policy. Since
the policy, of dividing the I" internal improvement
fund.- is determined upon, divide the whole the
unsold lands. notes unpaid and the money on hand.
Then to unite Jefferson, Arkansas, and Desha
counties into one district, aud with the proceeds
that fall to these counties, purchase for this district
gang OF negroes to be worked on the roads and
levees. If Congress in lis wisdom and beraliy
of policy should pass Borlands bill giving 10 the
State the alternate sections Of all the lands she
reclalms, he proposes that the Commissioners of
this district make contract with the State to
reclaim the lands that lie within its limits for every
other section that falls to the State. Thus will
the whole country be levied, the lands all reclaimed
the internal improvement fund of the district re-
plenished, and the country settled up with a useful
and thrifty population.
My mind has undergone considerable change as
to the immense importance OF reclaiming these
|
rive TO high degree of prosperity when done,
a wilderness of cane and swamp will spring into
fields of valuable staple, plling up the aggregate
wealth of the country and lavishing fortunes and
competency on It's citizens. The general govern
men is equally interested with the citizens of these
counties, and should bear an equal burthen in the
reclamation of these lands. Major Borland's bill
proposes the relief required, upon this principle of
equality. and it is the duty Of the press and every
indivldu 10 exercise their influence in the advo-
cacy Of this bill.
could have spent many wceks amongst the
pleasant society of the planters Of this county, ,
enjoying their hospitality and bnskng in the SUM-
shine or their intelligent and refined intercourse
Whilst over on the South side | visited several
fine plantations and found it beyond my power 10
discriminate between them in richness of soil, 10.
caiity, or situation. Among them is that of Col.
Clay's where he is working over hundred hands;
Messrs. Jourden & Martin, another a bout the same
size. Gen. Samuel Mitchell's, who works about
forty or fifty hands, Gen. James Smiths, almost
immediately opposite this place, working about
forty or fifty hards. The General is comfortably
fixed, with an amable and accomplished lady and
happy family, surrounded with a troop of friends
Is as hospltable Prince and is one of the most
popular men in this part of the State. He is
democrat of sterling integrity, and has fought the
battles OF democracy for many years in this county,
and at time too, when the fighting was not alto.
|
lie has been shot down. and has seen his friends
killed at his side, during the hot contests that en-
sued several years ago. He is now spoken of as
| candidate for Senator from this District, and
hardly suppose that he will have any opposition.
| The most beautiful place is the Lenox Panta.
ton on LoCh LenOr. 1t is situated on the margin
| of beautiful lake, running along mile two :;
and is the Oldest settled place in the county, and
probably in the State, has been in cultivation over
! forty years. and is considered the richest and
best farm in the county. Gen. Mitchell's panta-
ton is also situated on lake, is yet new, but will
eventually be one of the handsomest places in the
State. All these lakes full of fish, and the
swamps are full Of game of nearly all sorts afford
| ing hnesport to the citizens.
There are several fine plantations on this side
OF the river. Col. Farrally lives about three or
four miles above this place, and Capt. Morton
about the same distance below w-this is fine
plantation called the Notrebe place. having on
it over l2O negroes.
There are in this place one lawyer, two doctors,
and three merchants. The town IS in q diIa pi
dated condition, and is evidently going 'down hill -
burnt brandy would not now save it. .
Fatal Rencontre.-A gentleman from Grayson
| ,ITfy info