Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1850-09-26
Extracts from a letter to he Editor
dated,
MENPHIs, Tenn Sept. Il, 80.

Gdtc9g
MExPHs, Tenn, Sept. IL, 80.
WhenI SET foot in this
poodly city, I planted it in dust half a
foot deep, which. was heated BY a sun
which drove the mercury upto 100 de-
grees. The only variety in the weather
noticeable, was a scorching day with
dust blowing up street, and scorching
day with dust blowing down street, and
the only variety of employment oil the
citizens a changing Of positions to meet
the dust n any other way but .tace to
face" The extreme heat sat hard on
my northern habit, weakened me great
ly, confning me part Of the time to my
bed with serious indisposition. The
natives bore il but little better. and al
though but little actual disease resulted
from the extreme heat, still every one
complained Of the unusual degree of
temperature.
Memphis has grown prodigiously
since I was here in 1874, and is grow
ing rapidly still. The buildings erected
in the last few years, especially in the
business part Of the city, are large and
substantial; some indeed of great beau
tY,giying to the place, as you near it on
coming down the river, fine appear
ance. I know Of no other place in the
West or Southwest. which displays it.
self to as much advantage. Situated on
a high "bluff," commanding a view of
great beauty for many miles, she sits
queenlike upon her elevated throne,
proudly showing off her unequalled ad-
vantages.
was astonished to see the
great amount of business doing even
this early in the "season." The stocks
are Just arriving, and the merchants are
cleaning off the dust Of dull summer,
and taStefully arranging their ioares for
the fall trade. The retail trade is brisk
and profitable, but the heavy wholesale
business shows that there are men Of
capital and credit here who can build up
the business Of a city.
There is one thing which affects ma
terially, and that disadvantageously, the
business of Memphis, and that is the
wretched currency in which she is COM
PEELED to deal, and upon which she is
compelled to principally rely. Persons
tradingto to New Orleans, avoid this place,
as a trading point, on account Of the
difficulty of exchanges, The markets
here are generally good, and prices just
as favorable as in New Orleans. but the
wretched currency deters them from de-
pending upon Memphis for a sale oftheir
produce. Ohio State Bank notes, to-
gether with Kentucky, Indiana, and
Eastern paper, bear premium in trade
of II per cent, while the currency ol
Tennessee itself, is merely at par in
regular trade, and at a discount in many
transactions.
The great hue and cry raised in some
Of the Southern portions of the Union
against the Compromise and the Tex
as boundary BILL finds but faint echo
here. The sound and thinking portion
of this community, reflect upon those
things in a sensible manner, and firmly
adhere to the doctrine of union at al
hazards. 'Tis true, few ''Ultras" are
loud in their denunciations, but they are
found principally among those upon
whom the country would be sorry &c
rely.
The "Bluffs" in front of the town is
now in rapid progress of demolition
and when IT is completely dug down and
graded, Memphis will have added great
ly to her present beauty.
Dry goods and fancy articles. togeth
er with all kinds of wearing apparel, are
enormously high, compared with the
same goods in Louisville, Cincinnati
and Pittsburgh.