The Kansas herald of freedom., 1855-04-14
An interesting Letter.

Isaac CoDY. writing from Fort Leav-
worth-to the Iowa Democratic Banner.
of date January Is, '55 gives a very
faithful view of Kansas, from which We
make the following extract. He re-
marks -
The soil, as general thing is good,
but the prairies are not so extensive as
those of Iowa. They are interrupted by
hills and stony points, and deep ravines.
The hillsare covered with scrubby timber;
but in the rayines, timber of good quail
ity is abundant, and of all varieties that
grow in Iowa. / have examined the
country for about one hundred miles
west of the Missouri river, and have no
hesitation in saying that it contains doub-
le the amount of timber that grew in
your portion Of Iowa at its earliest set
Element. It is much more equally diyi-
ded-and hence is of greater advantage
to the farmer.
1t has been said that the country is al
ready all taken up, but assure you that
such is not the case. Not more than
one-twentieth part of it has been claimed
by actual settlers-you are aware that
the first settlers never pre-empt the best
portions of new country, such at least,
was the case in Iowa and such also, is
the case in this country The people
here are mostly from well timbered
States, and think that prairies are worth
less when destitute of that article. But
you Hawkeyes and Suckers know better
than this. Notwithstanding the opinions
of the Aatetopes-as we of Kansas call
ourselves-to the contrary.
Kansas Territory possesses many ad-
vantages in a commercial point of view.
1t will be frontier Safe for many years
to come, and as the Missouri river IS the
only extreme western navigable stream.
the government supplies for all the west
ern military posts, must pass through
this country-drawn at present, by cattle.
The interior of this country is a barren
desert, not susceptible of cultivation,
and nearly all the necessaries of life for
the thousands of traders and trappers,
and the differe at military posts, must be
furnished from within 200 miles of the
Missouri river. The settlers are begin
ming to feel the advantages to be derived
from the trade with trains crossing the
plains. l have myself, this winter fur
nished Uncle Sam with $3.50 worth of
Hay, cut from the prairies for my own
use, bat the winter has been so mild that
| did not need it. Besides this. had
$500 worth destroyed by fire.
Politics is at present the most exciting
subject that agitates the mind of the peo-
pie of this Territory-shali Kansas be a
free, or a slave State ? is the great ques-
ton. am satisfied that two-thirds of
the actual settlers are in favor of free
State, but our number is not sufficient
to out-vote interested persons who come
here and in defiance of justice and law,
insists upon the right of suffrage. You
have no doubt seen many letters publish
ed in eastern papers, giving history of
the manner in which our election was
conducted. / have read some of these
letters, written by gentlemen of my ac-
quaintance, and can certify to their cor
reetness. The Douglas bill was intend
ed to carry out great principle of self
government, but has most signally failed
of its object. believed that the doc
trine of popular sovereignty cannot be
carried out in Kansas Territory; and as
an administration Democrat, and an an
ti-slavery man, I am in favor of the i'm
mediate restoration of the Missouri COM
promise.
l will say to my friends in Iowa, that
sober industrious and enterprising men
can soon earn themselves homes and
fortunes in this fair eountry-they need
have no fear of starving here, the staff of
life is abundant.