Arkansas intelligencer., 1849-10-13
@ The following letter is from an esteemed
friend at BatesviIle:

W The following letter Is from an esteemed
friend at BatesviIle:
BArEsv1LLE, Sept. 9th, l849.
The low moaning breeze among the scared and
faded leaves forciby remind me that the fall sea-
son is on us, and that rude winter is closely fol-
lowing its departing footsteps. BY these signs
am also reminded, that my wanderngs for this
season ought to be at an end, and that my weary
steps should be bent homewards; and my desire
is increased to meet the loved objects of mine own
fireside-to mngle in the social circle and again
to live in the daily intercourse Of my friends and
fellow tow nsmen. Yet it will be some weeks ere
can hope to realize such happiness.
This place is handsomely and conveniently
located on the north bank of the celeb rated and
much talked of "beautiful and neglected stream,''
that has so often awakened the sympathies of the
quondam great men when they just about
courting the votes of the good people Of this region,
and which interest is so soon forgotten by these
disinserested friends, after the occasion which
wrought those patriotic sentiments, has passed
away.
Although presenting the appearance of q much
larger town, its population does not exceed 500
souls. Containing some five or six stores, doing
business with the people Of a considerable scope
of country-a fair proportion of mechanic shops
lawyers enough TO keep up litigation for all time
to come, and to me appearing, disproportionate
number OF doctors, say some six or seven.
Batesvilie enjoys the trade Of a considerable
| region of country. and could control that of a
number of counties in Missouri, well as those in
Arkansas Immediately surrounding, if its citizens
would only pick up little Of the spirit which is
now spreading over the land, sowing thrift and
prosperity. Ii they would only encourage enter
prise--invite capitalists their roads, and
open new channels Of trade. White River is ma
vigable to this point, for small boats, the whole
year. The advantages possessed by this region
exceed those in many more prosperous neighbor.
hood--good navigation healthy agricultural
region--s streams affordng power for mills and
manufactories--its hills, stores of mineral wealth ;
| iron. lead, coal, manganese, &c. What is to pre-
vent this from becoming hourishing and impor-
| tant city? The answer is obvious. Every reflect
ing man is sensible of the causes that operate
against the development Of their town, yet there
none sufficiently imbued with spirit to lead off
in a movement to enhance its prosperity. Public
spirit does not abide in this neglected village -
it dwells in communities that are spoken of as
prosperous and fourshing-not that i. seeks such
haunts but that such circumstances follow in lis
tracks.
| The most neodful thing wanted hero, is a ,cell
supported press. This is reading community
but they send abroad for their papers, | have
been assured by gentleman, whom believe has
the opportunity Of knowing, that over five dred
dollars are expended on papers from abroad. This
amount expended on their press here, would build
|
their sentiments, concentrate public opinion, unite
and harmoniZe their efforts improve their coun.
| try, would disseminate abroad the many advun-
tnges of this region, and would attract attention
and emigration 10 this country. Ii would be the
great auxiliary without which no community can
prosper. Whilst they have so literally supported
the press abroad they have suffered it TO lanoush
at home. In this they have been culpably negli.
| gent Of their first great duty-so long as their
press langushes, will their town anguish When
their press f1ourishes their town will prosper.
| This Is quiet, socable and agreeable town
not much excitement Of anv kind, neither political
religious, or commercial, TO disturb The calm and
placid surface of society. North Mefhodism is
the only subject that creates any commoton here.
| These fanatics have gotten some hold here. and
fight as tenaciously over their odious doctrines as
though they were in free soil state among VOW ed
abo.ionists. We see here, palmer than elsewhere
in the State, the abolition tendency and proxima.
ton of this sect. Here, where they a re strong in
numbers, that is sufficiently to keep in counte.
nance and where they are sustained by men of
some property and influence. The proprety of
permitting this sect to hold meetings and dissent
nate their doctrines among the slaves, has been
seriously considered by the citizens of Indepen-
dence county, and as seriously have they deter.
mined TO put a stop to such lmpertinent interfe.
renee. The citizens sent a respectful remon-
STRANGE, to the Missouri Conference, signed by
oScT oOO udIicS, uShIuS III Sno IDOSt Oeferentlal
manner that they would not send their Prea chers
here, and their respectful communication has been
treated with contempt. Mark Robinson, the dis
tinguished divine who made black tracks in Craw.
ford last year, has been transferred from the Van
Buren Station TO this, and he is expected daiIy.
The people have become indignant at the con.
temptuous manner in which they have been treat.
ed-their feelings up, and | should not be the
least surprised if they give brother Mark his cre
dentals to travel into other parts.
| The citizens here urging upon the general
government the expedency and proprety of es-
tablishing river mail direct from Memphis to
this place. They have strong grounds 10 base
their petitions upon. In the winter. they never
get a regular and certain mail through the swamp,
the route on which the eastern mail comes Ii is
proposed to bring all the eastern mail for the
North and West from Memphis to Batesville,
| thence to distribute to the collateral routes
wish them all success in this project, which me.
rits every favorable consideration Of governmenr
If the eastern mail could be brought to this point
and thence by land to the West, via ClarksvIIe
and Van Buren, in the west would be certain
of it regularly. and believe in much less time
than we nov get it. 1t is interest to unite
with the people of Batesvie in urging this change
New YORK, Sept. %, lS49.
By the steamer whose arrival Mt Halifax ia te.