The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1855-02-09


DER, called the Herald Of Freedom. In
short, no described Lawrence a. real New
England village. The first party Of emi.
grants this season is to start from Boston
early in March next, and is to be succeeded
by others semi-weekly. They 60 all the
way by steam power.
We are sorry we cannot give Mr.. Thayer's
lecture in full. It was clear, inssructing
and satisfactory in the highest degree. He
was understood to say that the emigrans
had to pay nothing to the association for
their services. They looked to their one
fourth part Of the city lots and to tho good
they might do alone for recompeuss. The
emigrant, on arriving at Lawrence, would
have o city lot given to him on condition
of putting q building on II within one
year; the eligibility and value Of the lot
to depend upon the value Of the building
proposed. He would have tho right, in
addition to this city lot, to take up and
hold one.quarter section (l6o acres) Of any
government lands, in Kanzas, subject to
presumption, to be selected by himself. That
in making this selection, and in measures to
secure his title, he would receive the aid
Of the agents Of the company, who were in
Kansas, provided with oil needed informa.
ton, and were most willing to give il gra-
tuitously, and to guard him against perplex.
ity and imposition. These agents would
make the emigrant's course plain and sure,
while they would, in no respect, interfere
with his fullest liberty. They would, If de-
sired, inform, not direct. He would in oil
things judge and act for himself, and not
they for him.
He said some emigrants had already been
offered three thousand dollars for their right
to lands in Kanzas, to which they had en-.
tered claim only last fall. The quarter
section taken BY each settler, would not, he
thought, have to be paid for under two
years, and would cost only the government
price the minimum price, viz. 81 Is
the acre.
The lands on the Kanzas river, 300 miles
in width, were no, surpassed by any in the
world. They were rolling prairies, not fiat,
like most Of Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin.
The soil, rich vegetable mould, from two
to ten feet deep. I'm those States the soil
averages, We are told, about one foot in
depth.) In Kanzas, blowing costs $3.50 per
acre. Men, with teams, were willing to
plow the land for that price. They plant
by dropping corn between the edges Of ev.
cry other iurrow, and that is oil they do to
it till harvest time. Hoes were not seen
there. The average crop Of corn, the first
year, is 40 bushels to the acre subsequent
crops, on the best lands, after the turf has
rotted, average 100 bushels to the acre.
Mr.. Mendenhall had planted one piece, not
the best Of land, twenty years. The last
season ho and boy planted and took care
of IS acres of this land, and raised rs BUSH
els Of corn to tho acre. He said that corn
in Kanzas brought 80 cents Q bushel. whils
in Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin and Iowa,
the price was only so cents. He thought
the price would be kept up in Kanzas. Be-
sides the water communication by the Kan
zss river, the Santa Fee road, traversed
yearly by $4,000 oxen, runs through the
Territory. The Missouri branch Of the
Pacific Railroad would certainly 60 through
it. There are three routes for railroad to
the Pacific Ocean before Congress. II tho
central route should be established, ~ he
hoped it would be, that railroad would 60
through Kanzas, and make it the most won
derful region on earth. He said the lands
would produce everything we raise in the
New England States, besides hemp, sweet
potatoes, &c., &c. The climate is most
healthy, and he predicted the time would
come when Kanzas would be the favorile
resort of individuals in pursuit Of health
Two crops Of our northern corn can be
raised in one season. The winters are only
about two months long, and very mild
Cattle grazo on the prairics all winter, and
are not housed. Timber enough skirts the
streams for the use Of settlers. Limestone,
for building purposes, abundant, and so soft
when first quarried, that blocks may
be reduced to form by the axo or Ratchet |;
very hard after long exposure to tho sun
and air. Hard coal found in many places.
Rails for fencing are bought Of the Indians
for one dollar a hundred. Wild game very
plenty. The region near tho Rocky Noun
tains not 80 rich moro uneven - but un-
equalled for grazing purposes. Cattle md
sheep will abound there by and BY.
In conclusion Mr.. Thayer said, in sub
stance, this is crisis in the fortunes Of this
country. The slave power was struggling
desperately for political ascendcncy in this
government, which they had cOntrived to
rule, more or less. for thirty years by arti.
fee. Kansas and Nebraska Territories ore
large enough to form ten States, each as
large as oil New England. Allow slavery
to get established in Kanzas, and II cannot
be kept out Of Nebraska. It will spread
over and curse the whole Of those terrific.
ries 1t cannot DO kept out Of Utah. When
slave despotism shall be thus united and
strsn hepcd futn,a ro.;st.n,a to "a. 4