The southern press., 1850-09-04
THE SOUTHERN PRESS.
wAsHMeroN CRY, August 26, 1850.

WAsHMGroN CRY, August 26, 1850.
DAVID MYERLE, ERa.-
DEAR SIR: In regard to your inquiry as to my
knowledge of your efforts in the State of Mis-
souri,, to the promotion of the growth and prepar-
alton of hemp, can state, knowingly, from being
7 a hemp grower myself in Lafayette County, that
your efforts have been of incalculable advantage,
both to the State and the West generally.
The impetus given by you in the growth and
preparation Of that article, has commanded the
highest admiration on the part Of the hemp grow
ers and the farmers generally, producing them an
unlimited market, not only in the East, but also u
foreign one, for all they can produce at such
prices, as will give them profitable return for
their labor
But from the improper rejection of your hemp
ythe Government agents, has not only paralized
enterprise Of water rotting, but also discouraged
the farmers from pursuing the process in the
preparation of the article for market.
Previous to your commencing your operation
in our State in 1899, the growth Of hemp was
very limited, and was barely considered as OBJ
ject of attention, arising from the want of proper
mode OF preparing it and market. But since that
period, the instruction To its culture, encourage
ment given and held out by you, has increased
the growth most rapidly to that extent, as being
now the great staple Of the State, and the princi
pie reliance which the farmer has for means to
purchase land and the necessaries in domestic
purposes. Which, also, has been the means Of
changing the appearance Of the Stale from being
newly settled to that Of wealth and refinement.
AS an illustration Of the facts here presented of
the prosperous results attending your exertions
for several years in State. will state that the
town of Lexington, located on the Missouri river,
in the County in which / reside, was, previous to
your efforts, a dull, monotonous village. Since
that period, it has become prominent depot
for receiving hemp and other produce, (hemp
being the principal article,) which are forwarded
to St. Louis, thence to the eastern ports and Eu-
rope. The result attending this business gave an
impulse to rapid improvements, that now it is a
hourishng town of several thousand inhabitants
1t has been source Of great regret that as Go
vernment engaged you in this great national en-
terprise, they had not continued to give you that
reasonable encouragement that the importance of
the subject required In that event, the result
would have been at this time to the country, an
abundant supply Of superior article Of water
rotted hemp for the navy, Il large surplus for ex-
portatlon Of that article to foreign countries.
In my opinion, the country owes you the price
Of u great benefit for your patriotic efforts and
sacrifices, and shall be much pleased to learn
that Congress has done you justice, by amply re-
munerating you for your losses, sacrifices, labor
and time, sustained in the prosecution of this
laudabie enterprise and feel confident to say that,
were the question of justice by Congress left to the
people Of Missouri, it would receive a unanimous
response to your credit
| refer to the Hon. Jndse Atchison, Of the U.
S. Senate, the Hons. John S. Phelps and james
S.. Green, for further evidence OF my citizenship
in Missouri.
am, very respectfully, your ODD II sery't,
n RFNNINC,