, 1854-03-04

propeiled on land, or how it got from Bos-
ion in the month of March, into the West
ern waters. What do you know of the
character, dimensions and cost of this
strange craft? ,
A.-As to the twenty-siXth question, |
am at loss to answer it; but refer you to
the aforesaid j. G. Edwards, for further in
formation respecting this and the abolition
of slavery. My opinion is that it is one OF
the long and much talked of mammothS,
which have created s0Imuch talk. 1t is a
singular fact in the history Of this animal,
that they are very much reduced in size,
and more commonly known in this country
by the name of gophers.
81. Q-What portion of the year is the
navigation of your Western rivers severely
affected by drought sand-bUrs and ice ?
Are there any small craft. on them, which
are propelled by sail and wind? Do con
siderable vessels, such Us are common to
the Atlantic States, and moved by sails,
ever ascend the Mississippi as far as ST.
Louis.
About twelve months in the year, or
at least that is the case with skunk river,
which is by law (scc laws Of 1899, made
payigahle as far as Oxyillc. though il is
not 50 far nayiguble by nature. We in
+tend to make it navigaLlc, 50 FAR as ISracl'S
mills by law, notwithstanding i is perfect
ly dry IN the summer, and frozen up in the
winter; and as a law-loying people, it will
no doubt be nayigablc, when the law is
made, ms far as KilmarnOck; farther than
that. | think it impossible to 60. Consid-
cradle vessels do much by sails, inasmuch us
our largest steamboats, are frequently sold
at SheriG's sale. There are also many pri-
yatc sales both Of steamboats,, keel and
fiat boats. and also RATS about st. Louis
and Lower down.
2S. Q.-What mode Of travelling in the
West would be most convenient and eco
nomical and also afford sufficient time for
inquiries and observation to one in making
selection Of location near some Of the
great water COURSES, where he could wit
ness the operations Of navigation and COM
mcrce at the east? The steamboat stop
pages would not, / presume, admit Of time
and opportunity. Would a small boat, a
single horse wagon or saddle horse, be
the DcSl4 xAIt lut Iouho Ebpu.
A.-As to the twenty-eighth question
the best mode Of travelling is "on foot and
alone" it being the cheapest, most conve-
nicnt and afTording ample opportunity to
examine the country. would recommend
st. Peters as a proper place to make inqui-
nv about our commerce and nayigatinn:-
and it being best, think, we ought to
10 1,.g.fy,tttt,.. I.t 4 II
not satisfy, you could make a raft and pro-
coed down the river to the diggins." At
St. Peters there is a large commerce carried
on between the whites and redskins, for
beads and whisky, to exchange for skins
and gumbo. You could travel by water in
single horse-wagon, or on the lakes and
rivers, with jackass or horse, if he could
swim well. And if you come by land, by
all means, come in a boat. The roads are
horrible, there being no road at all, except
the one in the hymn book, which leads to
death, and that's not Travelled any here.
30. Q.-Suppose n gentecl family of
three or -four. persons, with baggage weigh
ing seven hundred to one thousand pounds
well boxed up, intending to settle in the
neighborhood Of Rock Island, or some of
the. large villages on Rock river, should
leave Maine and take the lake route after
the Western rivers had got low, by what
means, and what expense Of time and
money, could they get from Chicago to
Milwaukee, to their intended region of set
tlement?
Al would advise you, by all means
not to box yourself and family up, in the
manner proposed, asst might seriously affect
your health; and as to expense, it would
be owing to circumstances. If you have
plenty of money, and the landlords knew it,
il would cost you oil you bad witty you. If
you were poor and had not the money, it
would not cost so much, and you would
have to do as others do, run, hook, beg and
steal.
80. OFF you know or think Of any
other matter that would be interesting TO
immigrants, please TO state in your answers.
As it may be natural to inquire, on the pc
rusal Of such letter, Who is this fcllowY
it may not be amiss to state here, that the
writer was formerly merchant, several
years an editor, and is now engaged in the
profession Of law. He has wife and
daughter, young woman; and desirous,
so far as he ispersonally concerned, iithese
inquiries, of selecting an eierdted, lerei,
healthy and thrifty town, possessing an ex-
tensive view, witt. a moral, enlightened and
liberal community, good taverns, lyceums,
schools, &c, &c, where he could practice
law or conduct paper, or both; but has
no wish to participate N party politics. Or
where he could unite with his professional
business that of farm if necessary. Do
you know Mrs. Adams have no per-
sonal acquaintance with her myself, but be-
Iieye she lives in Jacksonville.
A.-There are many other things which
would be interesting to you. There is u
great want of wives in this country, mas