The Kansas herald of freedom., 1855-01-06


follow the lines as indicated-thus Be
ginning on the western boundary of Mis-
souri,, in the latitude of 81 degrees, and
following that parallel west, to the eastern
boundary of New Mexico; then defiec-
ton of one degree north to the parallel of
SO; and on that parallel to the summit
lof the Rocky Mountains then north
wardly along that summit to the parallel
of 40 degrees then east with that paral-
lei to the Missouri line and south with
that line to the beginning. This is the
toatiine-: now for the interiors. and for
the sake of distinctness, we will examine
that by sections, confornlable to the nat
ural divisions of the. country.
We commence with the Kansas river,
on the north side of the Territory, and its
four long forks-the Smoky Hill, the
Saline, Solomon's, and the Republican
of which the Smoky Hill is the most con
siderable, and in the best place for the
advantage of the Territory. All these
forks flow in the right direction--from
west to esst-and are beautifully parallel
TO each Other, without mountains or ridges
between to interrupt their eommunica-
tions, and making, after their junction,
near two hundred miles of steamboat
navigation before their united waters
reach the great Missouri river. All the
land drained by these streams constitute
the Valley of Kansas-if the term valley
can be applied to region which has but
little perceptible depression below the
general level of the country. We will
consider the term applicable to all the
territory drained by all the Kansas forks
and all their tributaries. One general
description applies to the whole-the
soil rich like Egypt! and tempting as
Egypt would be if raised above the Shiny
flood, waved into gentle undulations, va
rlegated with groves and meadows,
sprinkled with springs, eoursed by
streams, and warmed by sun which
warns without burning, and blest with
the alienation of seasons which give yigor
to the mind and body. Egypt thus
raised up. and changed, might stand for
Kansas; as she is, the only point of COM
parison is in the soil. For this valley is
high and clean, diversified with wood
and prairie, watered by springs and
streams, grassy and aowery-its bosom
filled with stone for building, coal for
fuel, and iron for the home supply of that
first of metals. This is the Kansas of
the northern, or Kansas river side, where
Fremont says, land he has right to
know, a continuous corn field two hun
dred miles in length might be made
so rich and level is the country. But
of this part it is not necessary to say
much, as the crowds of emigrants are
directing themselves upon it, and yieing
with each other in the glowing descrip-
tions which they give of its beauty, sa-
lubrity, and fertility.
| turn to the south side of the Terri
tory. of which little has been said, and
much is to be told, and all profitable to
be known. In the first place, this south
side includes the whole body of the Ar
kansas river, from near the Missouri line
to Its headmost spring in the Rocky
Mountains length of above seven hun
dred miles on straight line, and near
double that length in the meanders of
the stream. This gives to the Territory
a second large river, and in the right
place, and flowing in the right direction
and parallel to the other, as if its twin
sister and so near together as to be sell
dom more than degree, and sometimes
not half degree, from each other: and
, no mountains, or high grounds between
them. This, of itself, is great advan-
tage to the Territory; for the Arkan-
sas, like all rivers in the prairie country,
brings fertile borders, and groves OF
{ wood, and rich grass and makes an at
|, tractive line for settlement and travel.
! In the next place, it gives a succession
of tributaries ON each side-each giving
: lines of wood and water-the only thing
wanted for settlement and cultivation
!, Some of these tributaries are of good
] length, and drain wide areas-as the
n Neosho, drawing its expanded head
e waters from the center of the Territory
: two hundred miles long, and becoming
# Inavigabfe before it reaches the Arkansas
$ river. The Verdigris is but little les.
than the Eeosho, and next, above it, ant
s of the same characteristics and bott
r adapted to cultivation and pasturage.-
On the opposite side, coming in from
: the south, is the Salt fork of the Arkan
b sas, the lower part of it within the limit
: lof Kansas, with its salt plains, aud rocl
d sal.-impregnating the river, and render
f ing its waters undrinkable in the DIR,
]. season. have seen parcels of this roel
: salt at St. Louis, cut off with hatchets b.
1 the Indians, and Of the blown salt, swep
!, Iup by the squaws with turkey wing fam
{ when the autumnal sun had evaporateC
the briny waters of the saline marshes
n all so useless now in the hands of the In
s dians, and to become so valuable in til,
q hands of the whites. Ascending tn
n river, there is continued succession o
# affiuents from each side, all cxercisin.
# their fcrtilizing powers upon borderin!
n lines of wood, soil, and grass; and be
: looming better to the very base of th'
a mountains. So that the river advantage
d ION the north side of the Territory an
@ rivaled by similar advantages on tn
n south side. s7 ~
n / have spoken of the two sides of tn
Y Territory now for the center, and tha
4 is soon dispatched an expanded prairie
G level to the view, rich in soil, scant bu
e mot destitute J of water, green with grass
, land enlivened in the proper season witt
S tmyriads of buffaloes-spreads illimiabl!
S before the eyes Of the traveller. Som'
s springs, many small streams. nunaerou
pools, peculiar to these plains. (reservoir
f Iof the rain invaluable for stock, J furnisl
the present supply, to be helped out b.
: wells as soon as settled. The annual al
$ tumnal devastating fires being stopped
0 the indigenous forest growth will imme
If Ediately come forth, accompanied BY tn
ftexotics which the thrifty farmer WI