Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1854-10-05
Gasttrll Gimt5.
BATH, OCTOBER 5, 1864.
Kansas Territory.

anu tue prominent position the country has
occupied before the public, make all facts con
nected with the history, climate, soil aud
productions of the territory ofpeculiar interest.
The Boston Post is publishing series Of let
tiers from correspondent NOW travelling in
the territory, some extracts OF which we copy.
The following paragraph is pretty good evil
denco that it is a q great country -
To think for moment OF the vastness Of
Kansas This is her boundary Z Beginning
at point on the western boundary OF the state
of Missouri, where the 37th parallel OF north
latitude crosses the same thence west on sald
parallel to the eastern boundary Of New Mex
leo; thence north on said boundary 10 latitude
thirtv-eight thence following SAID boundary
westward to the east boundary of the territory
of Utah, on the summit OF the Rocky Mount
aims thence northward on said summit to the
fortieth parallel of latitude; thence east on
said parallel to the western boundary of the
state Of Missouri thence south with the
western boundary Of said state (the middle of
the Missouri Riyer) to the place ofbeginning
The greatest of rivers and the Hottest Of
mountains, are her enduring landmarks on the
east and on the west. So broad is her domain
that it reaches into two different climates.
While the eastern shore is radiant with the
glow of summer, its west, an uneXplored re-
gion Of peaks, and glens, and lakes, and for
ests, is shrouded in perpetual cold and snow.
1t has an area Of about 1855 eco square miles,
being nearly three times as large as all OF
New England, and thirteen times as large as
Holland, when her navy ruled the ocean and
her commerce surpassed the commerce of the
world Tf If Xuara aouo llv divided auopnCr the
entire population of the United States, each
person would have FIVE acres of land besides
a spot for his house and garden. might
here mention that of the three great parks
in the vicinity of the Rocky Mountains-the
lower one-is embraced in the limits Of
Kansas. There is probably timber enough in
that park to supply the whole western country
for ages to come. If ever railroad should
he constructed through that vicinity to the
Pacific, that wonderful oasis might then, but
not till then, unfold It's secluded wealth.
The letter from which the above is an ex-
tract, is dated Fort Riley, Centre Of the Ullcd
States, Sept. s, 1854. In previous letter,
the correspondent relates conversation he
had with Kansas settler on Grdsshoppr rircy
as follows =
Continuing the journey fourteen miles fur
Their we come to the Grasshopper. This is a
very clear river, and at the ferry is about six
ty feet wide. Why it has not a more dignified
name / cannot tell. 1t flows with great rapid
ity, and during the wet season nearly fills its
high and abrupt banks. It's excellent fish
make it an attractive resort for the disciples
of old Walton, and the sportsman may also
find considerable game in the vicinity, consist
ing OF deer, ducks, plOyer, quails, &c. As a
general thing the soil around here is of dark
color and apparently of great depth. 1t bears
heavy grass, which still retains its verdure,
notwithstanding the exceedingly dry weather.
There are two old residents at the ferry who
have derived a good support by entertaining
guests. They now have many neighbors for
the resources of this region make 1t at once an
object for the squatter. In the immediate
vicinity the g claims" are pretty much all
secured. You see, perhaps, at a distance
tract of land which answers every wish, and
you may conclude to sell it as your own
Wandering along, gratifed at the prize 50
mar possession, To- rude log house stands
behind cluster of trees and proclams e this
fine farm is taken" Arriving at the door Of
one of these frontier houses | enquired, . Is
any body here I"
/" Yes" replied a voice within; and at the
same time the speaker, who was filing his
pipe, opened the door and came out. Finding
that he was an intelligent settler from Missouri,
| asked him what he thought about Kansas
being a slave state.
" Well, said he, " my father owns slaves
and my friends are Shareholders, and don't
think it a sin TO own slaves but we shan't
need 'em here, especially in raising stock, and
/ think Kansas will be a free state. In fact
three-fourths of all in the territory don't want
any niggers here"
g That is your deliberate opinion then 2"
Yes, sir! Slavery would be curse to
Kansas"
We then went down and took drinb-of
water-at cold spring ten yards from his
house. After telling him when / supposed
the governor and other territorial officers
would arrive, | asked familiarity whom he
would support as delegate 10 congress
g Well, there are half dozen who want
the office there's Johnson, the minister; and
Guthrie, an aboliti0nist | can 90 thcm-the
man | shall vote for is Lieut.. r.. @. Drum
"Ah, he has brother already in congress-
g So much the better; we want the man
who will do the most for the territory. He
did good service in the Mexican war and is
brother to the Capt Drum who fell-so bravey.
They say he is in favor of this being a free
state, and is democrat but just at this time
/ don't consider these things Of the greatest
importance we want an energetic young man
of ability. who will get appropriations for the
territory to build our public buildings and
roads, and can tell those fellows in congress
all about our country, and Drum is that man
he knows the territory and the people in ii,
and isn't above taking them by the hand =
Z" But he is an officer in the army and can
not hold a civil office"
" He's going TO resign just as old Jack did
when he came in President"
Really, my friend, how many of the set
tiers favor your candidate I"
g havn't seen the man but what will vote
for him. We don't talk much about it, but
he will be sure of an election"
was quite willing to acknowledge that
had the honor Of Mr.. Drums acquaintance
that he was very popular at Fort Leavenworth
as an officer and man, and that | had before
heard him spoken Of as competent man to
represent the interests of Kansas in congress.
One important fact about the Grasshopper
must mention. Some enterprizing young men
from Weston have arrived here to lay out
town. They have done little else than fix its
boundaries. Laying out towns seems to be
the business of the day; and SO it ought to be-
4 town called Atchison, in honor of the able
senator, has been started on the Missouri, half
way between Weston and St. Joseph. A sale
of lots will be held on the 2Ist inst, and Mr..
Atchison is announced to be present on the