The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1854-09-29
MEMPHIS CownEspoyDENCE.
MEMPHIS, TENN, Sept. 10, 1854.


time since, to give you an occasional COM
munication from Memphis. Did you live a
thousand miles farther off, might be able to
write somewhat interesting letter FOR your
many readers, but your close proximity, and
the facilities to travel between us, are such
as render it rather doubtful.
Relating news and giving descriptions oil
places and things by different individuals
appear to me much like the reperusal of some
valuable book, as reading various descrip.
tious of places or things would give you a
more thorough knowledge of them, so the
reperusal of book would make you better
understand what you had read.
Many Of your readers no doubt have often
seen this beautiful "cty of the Bluffs" md
have, perhaps as first did, formed a very
unfavorable opinion of its enterprise. When
first seeing the huge bluffs, mountain high
towering up before the city Ct 800, 900 in.
habitants, hiding the town almost wholly
from view, and occupying the place where a
good levee should be, confess felt like
leaving; but am now inclined to think it is
not so much the want of enterprise that these
huge monsters are permitted to remain, as
it is the convenience they afford to very
many of the inhabitants. They afford a
large public warehouse, as it were, 10 our
cotton de- eIs, and also an immense pub ic
wagon yard to tie travelling public. Before
any portion of the Memphis and Charleston
Railroad was in operation, 500 cotton wagons
have frequently been counted on them of a
night. Now, when the cotton season fully
commences, thousands of bales of cotton may
be seen upon its broad surface.
The bluffs also afford glorious retreat,
these very warm summer evenings. to "cool
off," Mount a cotton bale and "call the
winds TO thy aid,'' and change is sure tc
come "over the spirit Of your Dreams" The
romance and beauty of this place at close of
day is enrapturing. You see the quiet NOV.
ing waters Of the father of them, gently pass
ing like molten sea Of glass before you
Your eye can see the placid surface for miles
distant, either up or down the great stream.
Over the waters are the mighty forests of
Arkansas, green with foliage, and tipped
with celestial brightness by the golden rays
of the setting king of Day." He that
hath poetry in his soul-he that can view
the works of nature with delight, lie. HIM re-
pair hither and view a sunset scene on these
immortal Bluffs. Poetry machines, methinks
would turn of themselves in such a place,
and he that would not be delighted at the
sight, should be included among those whom
the immortal bard hath saii were aft for
treason, stratagem and spoil" But descrip-
tons OF "sun.sets in the West" are too CON-
mon for me to risk nv mite of n talent in de-
scribing. II Evansville presents beautiful
sunset scene, Memphis presents a surpass-
ingly lovely one.
The great subject OF conversation in all
circles Of society here, appears TO be about
the Memphis U. s. Navy Yard. You, of
course, have long since seen the recent act
of Congress, donating the Navy Yard at this
point to the ci'y-giving il away for the sake
ofriddng herself OF expense, appears to have
been the object. Sc, erai meetings have
been held by the citizens by which it appears
there is strong determination on the part
of the majority not to receive it. Our people
think that Congress is basely trying to aban-
don great public work which she ought 10
sustain. Pecuniarily, Memphis would be
benefited by receiving it, but our people are
becoming more patriotic and expansive in
their views. They believe the whole South
and West should be interested in this Yard
and by refusing the proffered donation, they
think that the South and West will come to
their support and demand of governmen nj
liberal donations for sustaining it. The vote
Of Southern apd Western members of Con-
gress on its donation, would, it appears,
agree differently. The city council will
probably refer it to the eople to decide upon
this or next month.
The yard is situated near the banks of the
Mississippi, in the upper portion o. the city.
The buildings are eight in number including
the mansion used by the commander and fam
NV. They are all built of brics, two stories
high, except part OF the great main building
which is used as a rope walk. This rope
walk Is probably the longest in the world.
making rope 225 fathoms (l355 feet) long.
The machinery is propelled by a fine large
engine of g feet stroke, from the well known
factory of E. l.. Norfork, Salem, Mass. and
exerts from so TO 100 horse power. The boil
ers are SIX in number, with two Is inch CYL.
inders The cost of machinery alone was
100000, and the buildings and appurten-
ances nearly Sl,00O,OOO. The expenses of
the yard last year vas about $50 600. the
proceeds from 80 to As 900.
The buildings are all large and well con-
structed: The one used by the officers is
surrounded by fine portico supported by