The Kansas herald of freedom., 1855-06-09
FIR tie Herald # Freedom.
DEER CaEEK. June 9th, 1856.

Kansas Territory may not be withoutsome
interest and instruction. and feelinga deep
regard for the growth and development
of the Territory, for the happiness and
prosperity of my fellows. and for thehon-
or and glory of the American Unieh,I
trust it will not be considered presump-
tious in me tecontribute few lines to
your columns relative to that part. of our
new country lying between the reserva-
tons of the Shawnee and PettaNatomie
tribes of Indians IS 80 I'll
1t has been thought by some. and prob
ably is now, that the several reserves Gov.
er the garden spots of the Territory, that
the remainder of the lands in Kansas are
but desert plains. dry and barren stretch
ing themselves south and west towards
the Cordileras and Rocky Mountains,
aud fit only for hunting ground for the
savages or race course for the rowing
horde of the buffalo. But this is certain
IL mistaken idea What / have seen of
the country, instead of being dry and
barren, presents al enlivening and fertile
appearance. 1t is true the greater por-
ton of it is vast and extensive, and be-
ing so, though its scenery might present
too much sameness to the eye of the ORR
entail traveller generally. it filed my vision
with the reality of all my imagination had
previously conceived in regard to the
beauty and sublimity of the west. En-
tering the Territory near Westport, No.
my route led me west across the Shawnee
reserve which certainly contains some
beautiful country, and which is dcscrib-
ed by some as being the most desirable
portion of Kansas. But this description
was probably given by those who were
accustomed to dwell among the rough
granite hills of New England OF the rocky
bluffs of the rugged Alleghenies, and
having presented before them so broad an
expanse of lovely prairie embodying all
that is sublime III greatness. and all the
requisite qualities for the farmer and hor-
ticulturist, they unhesiiatingly pronounc-
ed it the Eden of Kansas without looking
any further, and returned home thinking
the best of the land in possession of the
Indians. Its very true that IL is an Eden
when compared with seme=of the States.
but when We say it excels all other parts
ofthe Territory we are grossly mistaken.
and so also with the Pottawa.omie re-
serve; it is splendid country and well
located, and in my opinion at no very dis
tant day these two reserves together with
tie tract of country lying between them
will form the most densely populated and
richest portion of the United States. TAX
ing this for granted the most inviting part
of the Territory to the agriculturist at
present lies on the south side of the Kan
sas river between the two above named
Indian reserves. The country is indeed
beautiful. Travelling west after leaving
the Wakarusa river, which is near the
western boundary the Shawnee nation,
the prospect is of the most fattering;
and vast prairies not low and level but
high and undulating greet the eye at ev-
Iery step, while ever and anon We are led
across beautiful ravipes lined with wal
nut groves or clothed, in the rich green
foliage Of the hardy oak. This portion
of the country is rendered the more at
tractive on account of its improvements
On this tract of land, about fonr or, FIVE
miles west OF the ShaWnees, the city OF
Lawrence is situated, whHh, without
doubt, is destlned 70 De the metropolis oil
Kansas. 1t is very rapidly growing
town, lying on the Kansas river and al
fords great facilities for the industrious of
all classes OF mechanics and tTadesmen-
twenty miles further west hes fecumseh.
now a small town, oat which stands a
tar chance OF becoming place OF I'M
portancc, especially II the political CUES
ton regarding slavery should finally be
decided IN its favor Topeka is another
very beautifully situated village. lying
five miles still farther west than Tecum-
sch. Its citizens are industrious and en-
terprislng, and appear determined To
make 1t place OF Importance. They viii.
without doubt, excel, to great extent;
but as SAID IN regard to Tecun - isinca
they are the rivals Of each other a great
deal depends on the decision Of the ques-
tion-Shalt Kansas become free or
slave State Hence we see that that por-
ton of the country between the. Shaw
nees and Potawattonies offers great In
ducements to the industrious and perse-
yering of those who may settle within its
limits. But these are not all Of the at
fractions of this beautiful country, Ly-
ing between 81 and 40 degrees north lat
itude. its climate IS mild and lovely. af-
fected neither with an undue degree of
heat nor with sudden and excessive cold,
hence those frequent changes in the
weather TO which the north and north
east are subject. are seldom known here.
consequently disease of the lungs and
liver which are prevalent in those coun-
tries and which generally terminate in
consumption and premature death. are
unknown except when produced by ex-
IRENE carelessness or hereditary misfor-
tune Whlle on the other hand the various
OF the south are liable. are seldom, II ev-
er known as high as 20 degrees north:--
mus we may coDciude lbat tbe 10casion