New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-05-12
No. 50 East Fifteenth street. May 8. 1851.
NOTES OF 4 TRIP TO KANSAS md
NEBRASKA.
Cor..pond@nce ofThe n. Y. Tribune.

Cous.popdence OF Inc n l. luoune
STEAMER AUSTRALIA, March -, 1857.
Byron stood upon the Wengen Alps snd saw the
avalanche hurled down the face of the Jungfrau.
But he never stood upon Missouri steamboat and
saw the mud banks cave in on either side. |
have seen both, and though candOr cOmpes me to
admit that the avalanche has the advantage yet the
mud bank falls with pretty considerable splash.
This is constantly going on. As you pass along
you see rod after rod in length, and two or three
feet in depth, detach itself from the bank and
slide into the river. do not why in the course
of years the whole bottom land should not be ab-
sorbed. From bluff TO bluff the bed of the river is
six miles wide. At high water it is nearly all
covered. The sight must then be magnificent.
am told by old residents that within their recolec-
ton. twenty years, the river has grown perceptbly
wider and more shallow. In time il viii BE- useless
for navigation But by that day railroads will in
tersect this country in every direction.
Last night We were obliged 10 liz by at LeXlng-
ton. Above that town is a narrow channel with a
sand-bar on one side and ledge of rocks on the
other-Scylla and ChaYbds-with a swift current
between. In medic tutissimus ibis, provided
you have the power-which We had not. Herein
lies the importance of choosing well your boat Our
rival and cOnqueror Of yesterday, the morning Star
being kite as one of the boatmen called her, went
I'D without fear and without detention.
We expect to reach the mouth of the Kansas 1.-THE
Kaw, the Indians call it, about dark tonight. We
shall then have been exactly three days and nights
in making 30 milcs-three miles all hour, rs near
as NAV be-. Not exactly Hudson River speed. Yet
this boat belongs 10 the " Lightning Line" Sam
Weller inquired of Mr.. Pickwick why the cabmen
in London are called watermen, and sorely puzzled
that benevolent gentleman. 1t would puzzle Sam
and Mr.. Pickwick too to tell why this boat belongs
to the Lightning Line. 1t Is striking instance OF
the lucus non lueendO.
Game increases in abundance and variety. The
fight of wild geese is incessant. Here and there in
the river the islands are black with them. fester
day, We saw fine swans, large white birds,
weighing, l should suppose, thirty pounds; i'll the
afternoon passed flock OF wild turkles feeding
in the woods.
These Missouri boats are mere shells. They are
built cheaply as possible with the expectation that
they will be- snagged in about four years-an expec-
tation rarely disappointed This too is the calcua
tion Of the insurance companies. They charge
thirt, three per cent per If the boat lasts
four years they make money, if not they lose.
The engines are strong, but have a rough
finished look IL one accustomed to the high polish
Of our Eastern boats They Independent, that
the boat may turn rapidly III the swift current and
work to advantage of the frequent sand-bars
Steamboats, on the Missouri are expensive to run,
costing about $3.50 day, meals being included in
the passage money. The pilot is paid enormously
$500 month and two to each boat Freight
however, is very high, and the passage money about
five cents mile. A successful trip will net boat
$50, 600 or 81, 900.
ANY person intending coming 10 Kansas would do
well to purchase his ticket through To Kansas City or
Leayenworth. The fare from New-fOrk 10 ST. Louis
"a, s..I~- M l S3l-Wnllp
from 81. Louis to Leayenw0rth il SO.
have determined To land at Wyandott City, be-
ing the first landing in the Territory. The steam
whistle sounds, and gives notice that We approach
our destination. Inmy next letter will give YOU
my first impressions of Kansas. II.