The Kansas herald of freedom., 1857-08-22
For sse Herald Of Freedom.
Resources Of Kansss---Letser from Ohio City.

ONO CRY, 4. I. Aug. IL, 1857.
MEsSRs EDIToRs:-Having travelled to
some extent in Kansas Territory, and re-
sided for a few months in this Co., being
subscriber and regular reader of your
valuable paper, permit me, though stran-
ger, to make few suggestions to you, in
relation to the resources and future devel-
opement of this Territory. ] know you
are alive to every thing that will advance
the prosperity of Kansas, and believe
with you, that Kansas is destined to be a
free and wealthy State. Its soil, unsur-
passed in fertility, is ready for the plough
of the cultivator. Stone, though not COW
ering the face of the ground, as in many
parts Of New England, and in some of the
middle aud Western States, is abundant
for building and fencing purposes. 1t is
found in strata crossing out here and there
in small detached parcels, ready for the
hand of the Taborer. Timber and water,
though not so abundant as in some other
portions of our country, are nevertheless
sufficient for the full development of the
country. Coal has been found to some
extent. and it is believed will be found in
abundance. With these advantages Kan
sas will shortly become great agricultu-
raj State, and require means for the trans
portation of its surplus products.
The streams of Kansas. though numer-
Gus, are small, and generally unsuscepti-
BILE of navigation. The few that are
navigable, the Missouri excepted, are nav
igable only short portion of the year.
For travel, and the expectation and impor-
tation of every thing necessary to the de-
velopment, and prosperity of the country
we must, for the future, depend upon rail-
roads. I am glad to see this subject is
already occupying your attention. Now
is the time to look to this matter; the
construction of railroads is the great i'm
provement of the age. By the time they
can be projected and built a rich harvest
of products of this soil will be waiting fol
transportation. In three years, in my
humble judgment, Kansas will be in a
better state of cultivation than Indiana
and Illinois were, after fifteen years oi
steady toll. But wish to call your atten-
ton especially, to route that have moi
yet heard mentioned, and which, be-
lieve, second to none in practical utility
to Kansas, and other portions of our coun.
try.
You, dear sirs, and Others, may have
thought, spoken and written upon thi:
same route, but if so, have not seen mol
heard anything of it. / refer to road
which, if built, would connect the Lakes
of the North with the Gulf of Mexico
say, for instance, it sould commence a
Superior" at the west end of Lake Su
perior, run South through st. Paul, anG
continue through Minnesota, Iowa, por
ton of Missouri in general southern di
rectlon, so as to cross the Kansas river al
Lawrence; and thence South through thi:
Territory, the Indian Territory, and Texas
| to Galveston Bay. | know this is a very
extensive route, and it will require vast
resources to construct it; but the greatness
| of the enterprise need not deter us from
examining it, and if it is practicable ant
the resources of the country will justify
its construction, and above all, if it can b
made profitable stock, ought it not to b.
built? | believe it great work, ant
,rortky the attention of great minds.
i call your attention to this subject nov
and hope it will be laid before the reader
of your paper; so that the matter, i
deemed practical, may be brought before
Congress at its next session, and grant o
land procured before it is all taken up by
settlers. This is fast age, and if we de
not move quickly we shall be behind the
times. Our people are coming rapidly in
to Kansas, and the land goes off like no
cakes. If this subject is worthy of ou
attention at all, now is the time to attenc
to it, while our government has land t.
appropriate to this and kindred enterpris
| es. VIAToR.