Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1855-05-18
C0rrfsponoente.


VIEW OhLEANS, hpiit <Os iOoo.
DEAR GooDwrN:-Charley Reeme-
lin, says. ''it is great mistake to
visit Europe merely to witness and
enjoy fine scenery" when our own
highly favored land, in his opinion.
furnishes, the most grand, sublime
and picturesque in the world" The
shrewd Hamilton County politician
must have had reference to other than
that Witnessed zen route" on the Mis-
sissippi to this place.
The coast for one hundred miles
above the city, may be set down as
furnishing an exception to the general
monotony of the route, which presents
on either side. especially as you ap-
proach The Crescent" an unin.er-
rupted succession Of much highly cul-
tivated "plantations," many of them
beautiful beyond description The
mansion Of the planter" is generally
built fronting on the river. enclosed
and surrounded by all the elegance of
this land of bright sunshine and mag
niicent fowers-the Negro quarters
which are formed oftwo rows OF cottage
like cabins. stretches away back to the
Sugar House. all painted or white
washed, which give an air Of tidiness,
much resembling in external aspect.
the neatness Of our New England viii
lagos.
AS we approach the city. its mag
nificent crescent harbour, presenting a
landing of nine miles in extent, i'm.
presses the stranger at once with the
vastness Of its business and importance
Of its position. AS we were gliding
down to our landing in the midst Of
shipping innumerable. our enthusiastic
Captain (Humasson. who ! believe is
Creole, exclaimed "the most mag
ni6cent harbor in the world" to
which l ventured to rejoin mot quite
equal to New York. Captain" which
was conceded with the agreement,
that the extent Of its landing is unsur-
passed.
This is truly great city-the Levec
of which we of the West. hear so
much. is a thoroughfare, for hurly-
hurley. helter-skelter. display of Young
Americana where surpassed from morn
till three in the afternoon, neither the
burning hot sun or binding dust, can
stay the swelling, jostling crowd; while
Draymen dash in every direction at
full gallop TO the dismay and no little
Inconvenience oft times 10 the pedes-
trian. The streets IN many Instances
are narrow aud inconvenient, but in
the main exhibit an attention to cleanli.
ness, worthy the imitation Of some Of
our more northerly cities. Its Ho-
tells, Public buildings and reserved
squares are worthy its position as the
first city of the South, to which We
may add to its digrace. the most mag
nificent display oi drinking establish
ments on record. To eat, drink, rnd
smoke seems to be tie three convivial
virtues Of the gentry. and even neces-
sary appendicitis to these who labor in
dependent Of the "lash." II is the
FIRST time have been made to fully
appreciate the inv :tcrate hatred Of
the ex-Editor Of the American to the
practice Of smoking. II is indulged in
here until the practice has become a
nuisance.
The Custom House row building.
when finished will be al. ornament TO the
city. and monument Of folly and du-
piicity to the general government. Its
cost will be from fee TO sir million
dollars, in extent occupying an entire
block. fronting on foa: different streets.
This is regarded by abstractionists. rs
legitimate expenditure by the general
government, but not one dollar for the
improvement Of thousands Of miles Of
navigable streams that are 10 sustain
and furnish the commerce for which
this massive den for officials is being
constructed.
At n distance Of fifteen hundred
miles, we learn much Of the designs Of
"hlibusters" in this city, respecting
the conquest Of Cuba--here the sub.
ject is not named to the uninitiated.
which suggests the thought. whether
those sealed lips and entire avoidance
Of the subject. betokens he calm
that proceeds the b=rsting storm.
While leisurly seated or carelessly
jostling amidst the crowd Of my Ho.
tel. but seldom lear other disc s.
sion. than the prospect Of "Sam" or
the merits Of of"Fashion"-the former
bids fair TO equal in popularity the
vapn.ed fame OF the latter who has
gained. the topmost round in the records
Of the turf. In the success Of the for
mer however. we may expect.--at
least hope. for more real and perma-
nent advantages TO the country.
The financial crisis that has slightly
disturbed the currents Of trade north
and west. Is now being felt in the
South. and may be seen In the crowd
ed condition Of the sales rooms OF hu.
man beings in the city. The want Of
money IN this locality is generally
supplied by the disposal Of few Of the
surplus souls from the plantation
The supply is now greater than the
demand, and the price greatly de-
clined. passed through several Of
these establishments and witnessed
some of those exhibitions so shocking
to the noviIiate-in one room young
"likely" negro girl was exhibited TO a
prete 1ded purchaser who examined her
teeth, fell her flesh. and had her walk
back and forth to show her action, ms
our western auctloneers exhibit their
Horses at auction; and yet our South
ern friends exhibit great tact in inn
pressing 'free state men that slav.
cry is not so "bsd thing after all"
as the slaves are well fed, clothed and
attached TO them and each other, but
prudently never expatiated on the
merits Of the sales room-the sepera-
ton of families sand the state Of morals
necessarily incident to the absence Of
/ r.