The Kansas herald of freedom., 1855-01-06
Description of the Country.

A correspondent of the Pennsylvania
writing from Soldier Creek early last au-
tumn, says II am at present journeying
through the country, having started from
Westport The first place of note that l
visited was the site ON which the new city
of Leavenworth is being laid out. The
country through which we pass in reach
ing Leavenworth is probably the finest
in the world. Ii is what's known as the
delaware Lands - the soil has an un=
usual depth, even for western prairie
country. 1t is much better timbered
than was led to expect. The principal
varieties of wood are oak, cottonwood,
elm, hickory, walnut, and locust. 1t is a
rolling country, every inch of which, in
consequence of its regularity, can be cul-
tivated The location of Leavenworth is
certainly the finest on the river, from the
mouth of the Missouri to this point the
country back will permit of dense popu-
lation, and is already covered with the
little habitations of the hardy squatter.
The treaty with the Delaware Indians re-
quires their lands to be sold to the high
est bidder; consequently many settlers
upon them are moving off and securing
homes upon the Kickapoo grant, Think
the government will see the wisdom, and
indeed the necessity, of so modifying the
Delaware treaty as to allow. pre-emption
claims to hold good. The settlers upon
these lands made their claims in good
faith. The law creating the office Of
Surveyor General of Kansas expressly
says lin Sec. 12) that the pre-emption
law of 1841 is extended over ali lands in
the Territory that have been, or may
hereafter be, purchased from the Indians.
In addition to this is Mr.. Manypenny's
statement, that all lands lying north of
the Kansas river are open for settlement.
The people here having thus been misled
have certainly right to expect some care
and protection from the government; and
L have no doubt, ifthe subject is brought
before the President, he win secure the
lands to actual settlers. .a s.ag
found, everywhere went, that the
minds of The people are no little excited
on the subject of slavery. Judging from
what have seen and heard, have no
doubt that this win be . free State. Many
of those who have come from Missouri
are anxious for this, and, of course, all
northern men, of whom there are great
many, are most decided on this point.
The unkind feeling which few bad men
attempted TO get up. for the purpose of
deterring northern men from coming
here, has entirely died away. We have
many rIimors as to the probable course
our Governor viii pursue. Should he
desert the principle of the northern people
On this question, and become the propa-
gandist of the institution of slavery, or
even favor its adoption, he viii become
exceedingly unpopular. All we want is
that the principles of the bill should be
carried out. We want him to be aa-
koaaaz man, and then al win be satisfied.
The general subject of conversation Is,
discussing the candidates who viii be
before the people at oHr frst election.-
The people appear to understand the me-
cessity of selecting good and competent
men foroiIr Territorial Legislature. This
is fortunate; for the laws established by
the FIRST Legislature must have an infu-
enee, either for good or evil, on the des-
tinies of the future State.