Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1852-03-23

antiy ~ present my views relatlxe 10 the present
prospects Of Illinois, my adopted State.
My residence in that state has been but brief
and Interrupted; consequently, the opportunities
afforded me for observation, have been but little
superior TO those OF my friends in the -0ld DO
ninien So far, however as can sul,serye their.
wishes or promote their interests in this paricu-
lar, consider that they haze eaii6 on my SER
vices.
The fertility ofthe soil and the resources that
young and prosperous State, in Che general are
well known to all who have endeavored to keep
pace with the cyents Of the day. and particularly
/ to those who have had means and inclination to
embark in speculative adventure. Surrounded as
4 Illinois is-on the East by the Wabash and Ohio
rivers on the West by the Mississippi and border
ed on the North BY Lake siiehagan which brings
her into close proximity with the principal rnarfs
OF the East and Northeast sections Of the Union.
\ il Is nahrslto conclude that She is destined to be-
7 conc one of the most wealthy and fonrishinv
States ofthe confederacy. The great central Rail-
I road which will shortly divide her from North to
4 South, with its different branches connecting it
with the Eastern and Western borders Of the State.
I will furnish ample outlet for produce Of every
4 description.
\ This internal Improvement added to the natu-
4 raj advantages TO which have already alluded
4 presents an object with which settlers and speca-
| lators bpt seldom meet. The great barrier to the
settlement OF the country for The last fifteen years
has been he supposed fiightful amonnt Of taxes
levied property for the liquidation the State
4 debt. Ii Is true the State debt was accumulated
1 to 4 Considerable amonnteptireJv fire rasnlr of
I iniudicious ierisiation-vet his cnormons tax
imposed upon property. as the consequence there.
4 Of, is much less real than Imaginary Ask the col
lector whether the taxes are oppressive to the
people and he will toll vou 81 bea,s ma co,a,la;nt
except from such as tlink Il hard mat thew sboald
be connected "a wor,< the rhlc roal ~ 800
pay ten or twelve cents for n nonnd Of cafree
IL is bur too common amongst us "a hermit a tr;.
fling expense to blight the most advantageous spcc
ulation That kind of economical pol,ev nreyoils
with what we call tho nennv wise anil nonr, FOIL
4 ISL rart of community Snppose an ordinary far
mer in Illinois to pay twice the amount oftax that
one Of the same amount of propertv in yiroin;,
would the difference would be doublv saved in The
single rem of the blacksmithis bill And Vel
hlacksmithing is a first-rate business in Iinois.
so much So indeed that It Is with difficulty that
you can hire one of the pamperct sons of VULGAR
to shoe a horse in cold or rainy weather. But
this is not the only circumstance that enables the
Illinois farmer TO pay 4 heavier tax than is paid
in Virginia. 1t must be rceollccted that we can
nearly double you in all the agricultural prodnc
lions of the farm, except in the single article OF
wheat; and can raise cattle and hogs at half the
expense.
these considerations OUGHT certainly 10 allevi-
ate the oppressive tendency Off burthcpsome tax.
But do the inhabitants of Illinois really nav a
greater per eentu-in the wav of taxes than those
of Virginia? The tax on nronerty in Illinois the
current year. is only IS cents on The hundrel dol
lars. and i'll have not been misinformed the taxes
ofthis State. every fling considered ore not ,nucb
less OF one thing Mt least feel con6dant that
have not. during nv whole residence. foe a yearsl
in the State of Illinois hoard ne much co,nplaipt
about burhensomc tay. nsI did during n STAY of
one month last fall in The State of Virginia.
Thus much for the State Of Illinois in general
but so far. do not claim to know more than YOU
or others living at n distance from her; for YOUR
means OF acquiring information relative to this
matter through the medium of newspaper and sta
tistical documents have been equal to my own |
viii now descend to more particular notice of
''Vermiiion County, that section of the State
in which an most interested and with which |
am best acquainted Veirnlion county lies on the
Eastern border the State und about six or oielt
miles on an average from the Wabash River Dan
willie the county seat is about FIVE miles from the
Indiana line and on one Of the great horoughfares
from the East to the West Ii stands Immediately
on the Northeast bank ofthe Big Vermiion River
and occupies of the most dry pleasant ana sal
ubrious localities in the State The country is a.
bundantly supnlied with water. Inv thc Iittle Ier
million River, the Big Vermilion, and its branches,
and many smaller tributary streams
The mil privileges are at least canal to those Of
Mill Greek and 0pequon and have called forsh in
the same length of time, a greater amount of The
energy Of adventure and the expenditure of Capt.
tai. The face ofthe country presents wit the cx-
ception of the high river bluffs aud an occasional
bottom, rathera uni form1y level appearance. The
sol is equal in ertity 10 that ofany other section
otthe State; the soughs and marshes have ina
great measure been drained and dried and ourac
tive and Industrious population. with their fine
farms well stocked with cattle, horses hogs and
sheep, are beginning to live in no ordinary style
notwithstanding erera one haste flscefo the fune
ofthe Boot- Biack-sior tits this or no stiaeo
This description. fnot TOO much colorel and
believe it is not should oeitself render this portion
Of Illinois desirable residence ;--bu. this is not
all-yermilion county is famed for her IMMORAL
wealth. Danyilleis Surrounded bv inexhonstible
beds of btuminous coal.I saw ueytansiibie, for il
is literally and strictly true-extendinc for miles
along the river and ia tributaries. and back into
the country farther than he ,,;ckxe of The minor
has ever gone The coal s,rota !, reoer1lIv from,
four to- ten fee. in thickness Besles there arc in
the vicinity of panvi,Ir stro, ev;iences orthc ~,
istence of iron ore Of,bis bawsver can saw Int
little as am acquainted with neither GEOLOGY nor
chemistry vet thar Is tho eonclns;on Of those who
should be. and who have actnallv made the ncces.
sary examinations
An active effort il poyv hei,y yoda by eo,ue ofou,