Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-03-06

Kansas. IN
To those who design to emigratc TO Kansas
the annexed letter, which we copy from the
Columbus Times and Sentinel, win be found
interesting;
PLATTE CRY, Mo-, Jan. %. 1856.
MY DEAR Sir: Your letters of the 9th and
10th instant, were received on Saturday by Mr..
- and myself 1t gives me much pleasure
to furnish you such information as we possess
with regard to our new home; but as we are
together, and our opinions are the same, it will
be useless for US to reply separately
You ask what We think of Kansas; the ques-
ton covers too much ground to be answered in
the compass of a single letter. We will only
say that we are so much pleased as TO have
made up our minds To settle therefor par
ticuars we must refer you to a communication
to the Courier, which is about TO be prepared,
and will he forwarded in few days
The travel between Charleston and Kansas
is as safe as any in the Union, as comfortable.
There is railroad and steamboat communica-
ton all the way. We came via Baltimore, a
very circuitous and extensive route having
been badly advised but from all that / hear,
the best is via Nashville to st. Louis. In this
latter way you can reach ST. Louis in four days,
you meet with no detentions. The cost is said
to be about $35. From st. Louis you can
come by frat class steamboat to any of the
river towns in the Territory, viz: to Delaware,
Leavenworth, Kickapoo, Atchison, or Doni-
phan. OF these, Leavenworth is the largest,
having population Of about 1900. We shall
settle at Atchison. which we think destined to
be the most hourishihg town, though at pre-.
sent it is far behind Leavenworth
The society is good-the settlers being
principally from the middle classes of Virginia,
Kentucky and Missouri. In the towns YOU
will find many well educated men with their
lamilies--in the country plain farmers, simple
and rather rough in their manners, but frank,
manly and hospitable. All men are equal
here; there are no grades and classes in so
ciety; any one who behaves himself is a gentle
man, and is welcome at every house. There is
not the same attention paid to the mnutia Of
etiquette as in Charleston--it would be ridi-
culous in new country but think you will
find more genuine politeness among the border
ruffians than in any of the old cities There is
not much visiting people are too busy for
that-the men work hard all day, and the ladies
have too much Homework to do to leave them
much leisure for calls. But when people come
together, there is the old fashioned hospitality
displayed, which covers all defects and makes
tHc HOuiiitSt Acdi pTeIeTdDie 10 the iHO5t Sump-
tuous feast without it. In fine, there is Just
that state of society here which might be ex.
pected among people who have all the neces.
saries of life, but few Of. the uxuries. OF
course, all this is TO be understood of the pro-
slavery men alone. The abolitionists are chiefly
paupers and vagabonds sent out by the Emf
grant Aid Societies, who are now to be re-
garded as forming part Of the permanent popu
lation, for as soon as their folly leads them far
enough to justify it, they will be sent bowling
to their dens in the large cities of the North.
The houses are generally rather rough, but
comfortable; built Of brick, or framed; they are
usually Of one story, and contain fewer rooms
than we are accustomed to at home. If your
family accompany you, it may be difficult to
lind hotel accommodations for them--landlords
preferring single men whom they can stow six
or eight in a room, to families who would re-
quire separate apartments. Nor will you be
able to hire house; no one builds unless for
himself, and you will have to camp out or build
for yourself You can put up a house of FIVE
rooms, of wood or brick, for about $500.
Your lot would cost about 800 or $3.50. They
have ready-made houses for sale at the saw.
mills containing from one to four rooms, which
are cheaper, but not so substantial or comfort
able.
have no servants at present in Kansas, but
as soon as the winter breaks and / can get
over there, shall take one whom have with
me, and if had hundred should not hest
tate to carry them. Slave property is safer in
Kansas than in South Carolina, for every man
is on the watch, and the chance of escape is
very slight Labor is scarce and high, and
house servants are not to be had. Most ladies
who do not own negroes do their own cooking
and house work.
As to your prospects, You need no fear about
them. Kansas affords fairer field for industry
and enterprise than any State in the Union
Merchandising is very successful, the profits
are large and the trade sound but man to
succeed in any business here must have indus
try and energy. People breakfast at daylight,
summer and winter, and they work like horses.
You must not expect to find a race Of fools;
these men are as shrewd as any in the world,
and you must remember that in new country
the most enterprising men are to be found
the lazy and worthless in the old States prefer
to remain where they are. If you can bring
any capital, do so-it will smooth your way
vastly, and | think will put you in almost any
business you may prefer, for there is not q
great deal Of it in the Territory
brought my wife. and child OF two months
old with me, but would advise you to leave
yours at home until you can get things comfor.
table for them. The change from Charleston
life to that Of the frontier is very great, even
where you are settled. 1t is horrible when
you have to carry your wife about with you
while making arrangements. Besides, we shall
probably have real genuine war before next
fall, and it would be very disagreeable for a
lady to be in the country while it is raging.
But that will soon be over, and then the peace
and prosperity of Kansas will be uninterrupted
You would better not leave Charleston be-
fore the middle of March or April. We have
had very severe winter-nnexatnpled they
say, and the river 1.-THE Mssouri) will not open
much before that time. The proper equip
ments are a rife, a revolver, and a bowie-knife
you may add sabre If inclined.