Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1855-01-24
KANsAs-LETTER FROM GEN. WHIT
FIELD, DELEGATE FROM KANSAS.

l. w oouJoiu ictttI from OtHcfbl w ultHclu,
in reply to one addressed to him by w. I.
Helms, esq, who asks information in regard to
Kansas, aud represents, that many enterpris-
ing farmer citizens Of East Tennessee are pre-
pairing to remove with their families to the rich
valleys of Kansas-many more are discussing
among themselves the attractions to emigration,
and wistfully turn their calculating gaze towards
the new territory"
The letter is extracted from the Knoxville
Standard:
WASHINGTON CRY, January 2, 1856.
My DEAR SIR: have Just received yours
nf the 18th ult, and avail myself of the earliest
leisure to reply. You ask me to give you in
| formation in relsson to Kansas Territory it's
climate, soil, and its general physical and
geographical characteristics;' the object you
have in view being, as you state, to obtain
reliable information for the benefit Of several
who contemplate removing to the new Territory.
10 all inquiries respecting Kansas have thus
lar promptly responded, from a sense of duty.
10 your inquiries it affords me a pleasure to
respond for, recognize iii your letter the
hand OF a friend and Iennessean--a name,
which you may well say, will never cease to
my fortunes seem to be cast in land beyond
the great Father Of waters, never, never can
forget, never can my heart till cold in death,
cease to pulsate with the warmth of true fliai
| affection towards the land of my BIRTH the
homo OF my kindred and ffiends--not summer
friends attracted towards me by the glitter Of
worldly prosperity, but those friends generous
and true who in years past encouraged me with
their sympathy assisted me with their counsel.
and honored me with their confidence. Where
ever may be hereafter thrown by the vicisi-
tudes OF life, whatever the ties that may hereafter
bind me to another people in another part of
our great Republic, never can those ties sever
my heart entirely from the State of my nativity
and the people from whom have received SO
many marks of confidence and good will To
adopt again the language Of your letter as my
own, the time, hope, will never come, when
. lennessean,s footsteps will fail to awake in
| my bosom a Tennessean welcome
"The introduction of the bill organizing the
Territories of Kansas and Nebraska, and the
discussions which followed its introduction.
have directed public attention during the last
twelve months to a region which had hitherto
been terra tncoynita, inhabited by aborieines
IN savage state or partially reclaimed by the
parental policy of the government, seconded
by the benevolent labors of the christian mis-.
slonary This vast region Of country. stretch
ing from the Missouri River to the Rocky
Mountains, and comprising twelve degrees Of
| latitude, embraces of course, great variety of
climate, soil and natural productions. A large
portion OF it is treeless waste, and never can
be inhabited. But along the Missouri River.
to the distance of a hundred miles westward,
there is mach fine land, particularly in the
Territory OF Kansas. think do not exac-
gerate when say that the best land in Tennes.
see is of inferior fertility to that of Kansas.
Some idea of its productiveness may be formed
from the fact that the ordinary yield of corn to
| the acre is from fifty to seventy-ive bushels
wheat from twenty to forty bushels; hemp from
| eight hundred to twelve hundred lbs Potatoes,
turnips and other esculent roots are produced
with very little cultivatian plums and some
other fruits grow spontaneously in various parts
of the Territory.
From this general statement correct est.
mate may be formed of the superior quality OF
the SOIL in the tillable portion of the Territory.
VI course there are degrees of fertility in the
soil OF Kansas as elsewhere; but the general
characteristic of the soil is that it is entirely
sterile G Of exuberant fertility.
"Ths climate of Kansas is colder than that of
Tennessee, in proportion to its more northern
geographical position. But while the emigrant
should not expect in the Territory the mild.
ness o. q Southern winter, he will find himself
equalli removed from the extreme rigor of the
Northern. In healthfulness, particularly in ex-
emptiop from all pulmonary diseases, there is
no climate, in my opinion, surprising that of
Kansas If there is any drawback on the tn
ture grtwth of our Territory land candor com
pels md to state every thing favorable or unfa-
vorabl9) it is the scarcity of timber. This
rnrtx 10 a1au ataI C. 4
by the treat abundance Of excellent coal found
in all Parts Of the Territory But to build com.
Portable houses and put farms under substan |
tial fences will require some means Persons
in INDECENT circumstances, / fear, will have
some difficulty, in many parts of the Territory, |
IN procuring the material for building and fenc-
ing. Put one whose pecuaiary circumstances
will aqmit OF his procuring these necessaries, |
cannd In my opinion, make better invest |
ment pf his capital than to open farm in |
Kansas and engage in stock-growing or cult |
vatngthe agricultural products which grow SO |
luxurAntly in its virgin soil.
III Mention this last peculiarly of Kansas
the scarcity of timber-with view of present |
ing every difficulty the emigrant will encounter
so thlt on his arrival he may not be disap |
ponud. vi course there is timber, particu-
larry along the water courses; but not that
abundance which is found in Tennessee, but
will compare favorably as to timber with most
prairie countries; persons, rich or poor, who
can procure timbered "claim,n must prosper.
or tIe fault will be his own.
"Irom the geographical position Of Kansas,
beirB the connecting link between the Missis-
sipn valley and our valuable Pacific posses.
siort, IT must ever possess the advantage of an
eveiready market and enjoy great importance
in Connection with the inland commerce. From
KaEas the great caravans to New Mexico.
California and Oregon will take their depar-
turs leaving of course much money among
the people in exchange for cattle and products
of the soil. Through Kansas, / have mo donhf.
the great Pacific railroad will pass, making it
the great thoroughfare between the Atlantic
anf Pacific coasts. There are already in pro-
gres through the State Of Missouri three rail
rods, destined soon TO connect the Mississippi
river with the eastern border Of the Territory.
lave introduced into Congress bill asking a
donation Of land for the continuation Of one Of
IL. 4 Al N 4