Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1854-04-11
Correspondence of the Spy
Correspondence OF the spy.J
NEBRASKA AND KANSAS.
BY ONE WHO HAS BEEN THERE.
F1rcuBuRa. April s. 1856.


Mes8rs. Editors;-In the Spy, some time
since, 1 noticed call, anonymously signed,
for meeting of persons interested in the set
tlement of the proposed new territories, OF
Kansas and Nebraska, to be held at the City
Hall in Worcester. Having spent several
weeks on the eastern border of those terrific
ries, as well as having passed through their en-
tire length in 1849, and believing them to be
aud fertility of soil, as well as for loneliness of
climate and scenery. am deeply interested
for their future condition; and, as 1 am often
questioned upon the subject, propose to pen
brief, general description Of the country for
your columns.
The situation of this territory, as all are
aware, is in the very heart of the country, it
being about 1000 miles from its eastern boun-
Diary to the the Atlantic at Boston; and also
the same distance to the Pacific Ocean. 1t is
connected with the finest commercial empori-
INNS Of the West and South by the Missouri,
Mississippi, and Ohio rivers, and thence to
every State and important city in the Union,
by steamboat or railroad communication. The
great Pacific railroad will undoubtedly pass
through this whole territory, thus opening
more direct ronte to California and Oregon, as
well as making one of the links in the great
chain Of steam communication that is soon to
girdle the whole earth When this road is
built, and line of steamships established be-
tween San Francisco and China, it will be the
great thoroughfare for the commerce Of Eu-
rope and the United States, with Asia, as well
as between the Atlantic and Pacific States
So far, then, from being out of the world. as
some seem to suppose, Nebraska is qeooyarhi
cGlty in the centre of the most important coun-
try on the globe, and will soon be SO. POLITICAL
ty and commercially, if saved from that curse of
all commerce aud politics, Slavery.
The soil Of Nebraska, for the most part is
unsurpassed for richness and depth by any in
the world. True, in some parts, as near the
mountains, and some other places it is thin
and sandy, but for hundreds of miles from the
Missouri State line, not an acre of waste OF
poor land was to be seen on our route The
land is gently rolling, thus giving an endless
variety to the scenery, as well as Kidding the
country OF all low marshes, swamps, and stag
naIlt pools Of water, SO productive OF malaria
and disease. Lest it should be thought that
this is written for effect at the present time,
and, therefore, the representation too strong,
l will quote upon this subject, line from my
journal, written on the spot, in April, lS49,
after visiting the Wyandott tribe of Indians in
this territory, as follows: ''The land thew oc-
cupy is immensely rich and very beautiful
All this region, both the Indian territory and
this side Of the Kansas River, lin Missouri, }
is superior to any ever saw for cultivation,
and if it were occupied by New England soci-
ETY., would never think of visiting Califor-
MIA" The soil is not only rich, but well wa
tered. Not only are the clouds more prodigal
of their treasures than at Salt Lake Valley,
and in California, during the summer season,
but streams Of pure water are to be found, at
short intervals, in every direction. These
streams are almost invariably skirted with tim
Der, in the'eastern portion of the territo.y and
can afford water power in abundance, for
every kind of manufactures.
OF the climate, scenery, &c. &C., may say
something hereafter, as well as give some quo
tations from my journal, kept while travelling
through the territory in question, should you
think this worth publishing. NEBRASKA.