Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1854-07-05

we'll AAA~A@A6~
has returned from Kansas after an absence Of
several weeks. Everything in relation 10
that territory IS now specially interesting, and
we present such facts as we remember, ho-
ping our readers will be favored with a more
detailed account Of bis observations in . few
days.
lie travelled up the Kansas rivers some
hundred aud twenty miles. and says that the
soil Is very rich and productiy Q, and the coun-
try exceedingly beautiful. Along the river
extending for a few miles ON each side the
country is dersely timbered. and so also are
the borders of the small streams which empty
in tho river from either side, On leaving
the margins Of the streams the country is
higa rolling prairie. The soil is good, but
The want Of timber and water will be found
q serious drawback to the rapid settlement of
that portion Of the territory. The climate
wbileIc was there was bracing and healthy,
but those who reside in the country complain
that il is very dactuating and cbangeable.
The Shawnee Indians own the territory
on the south side cfthe Kansas Cor two huu-
dred miles west os the Missouri. Our in
form ant says they are very considerably adj
vanced in civilization while travelling among
them. They devote their attention to agri-
culture and many Of them have large and
very fine farms. The growing crops give
promise Of an abundant harvest. Our friend
assures US that the husbandry of these In
dams viii compare very ssavorably with tl,at
Of their neighbors Ia Missouri.
They appear not q little uneasy and rest
less under the passage Of the territorial Blk.
Many. of them have been cherishing the hone
that ere long they would be endowed by
Congress with TIE rights Of citizenship. They
dress, live and act like white people, aud de-
clare their determination lot to sell their
lands on any consideration whatever.
Ihe Delawsres occupy a section Of country
on the north sidu of the Kansas, not unlike
IN Its msln characteristics that owned by the
ohayfnees. 4 delegation had just returned
from Washington, and it was understood that
they entered tnto stipulatiops to sell all their
territory with the exception Of a reservation
fronting ten miles upon the Missouri river,
and extending forty miles back into the
country. The reservation includes all the
inhabited portion of their territory. The
treaty had not yet been signed, but the pre-
liminary arrangements for it had all been
made. The Delawares are also living mostly
in dwellings, though they are not so intel
ligent and as far advanced in civilization as
the Shawuees
The cmlgrants are pouring into the terri
tory ID great numbers but according to the
laws of the United States, or rather the
treaties of the Government with the Indians,
they are not permitted to remain there. The
Indian title to the lands is net yet extin-
guished, and wheA our friend left Fort Leay-
enworth, the u. s.. Marshal was engaged
with a posse driving the squutters and emf
grants out of the territory. Many, however,
we're pushing onward beyond the Fort to the
borders of the great plains where they no.
ped to be beyond the reach Of the Marshal.
The country is not yet open to settlement,
aud cannot be till the Indian title is extin-
guished. This viii no doubt be effected as
rapidly as possible; but the philanthropist
viii ask, where can the poor Indian go p
That question suggests sad and solemn re-
Elections. Let us hope that many of them
will become civilized and enjoy with US the
blessings of liberty.
The course which the officers OF the gov
eminent feel bound to pursue. is producing
much i'll feeling among the emigrants. They
are hardy and enterprising, and seem deter
mined each for himself to pre- occupy a large
slice of this new aud valuable territory. Des-
perate efforts ae being made by the Nilsson
rians to induce Shareholders to 60 there, but
the balaace of tae feeling is against it. Many
Of the most intelligent Shareholders admit
there is no chance for them.-Chicago Dem
ocratic Press.