The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1857-07-08
From the Boston Post
ARKANSAS.

An intelligent gentleman settled in Arkansas when
still Territory and well acquainted with it, history and
natural resources has furnished interesting account Of
that growing State Beginning with the northeastern
portion, he describes of the best corn, grass and
stock growing regions in all the southern country
though owing to the want Of market facilities it has till
lately attracted but little notice, 1t was also particular
y unfortunate in its early settlers Ishmacs of DID, with
out means love for civilized fe the wilderness their
home they scorn the city and the multitude neither
have they house lands wherever night chance
takes them they pitch their tents and herd their focks
and when the railroad starts they will start also to go
whittier it cannot come strong is their love for semi
civilized life great their aversion to improvement of
whatever kind
Northwest Arkansas Is mountainous the river valleys
narrow, rarely than two three hundred YARD
wide. The SOIL however, is fertile Admirably adapted
to pasturage and general age 1t makes the most beau
tfu and productive farms in the Southwest where peace
and JOY and contentment dwell On the high land too
properly the hills fertile and wellwaered
fields good for raising wheat and other small grains
well as for general tage and pasuragc. This part of
Arkansas has the advantage in health lis waters
clear, pure, and cool, and valuable minerals marble
slate and abound White river and its forks water
this whole region made navgabie, they easily might
be- they would develop the inexlaustible
| of this portion Of the State.
The cotton growing region Of Arkansas is south OF The
base line
1t is true cotton is raised high up Jacksonpor on
White river but the southern part OF tho State justly
considered the region adapted to cotton And for the
production of this great staple the lands Of the Mss
sipp White Arkansas Ouachita, and Red rivers not
surpassed Their richness and productiycness are too
well known for me to attempt to say anything more in
their favor These streams rendered navgable in the
spring Of the year by rains and the melting Of the
in the mountains above and not until then the greatest
part of the cotton goes to market. But in order that
they may ship their cotton ready they
building railroad from Fulton, Red river, to Gainess
Landing, the Mississippi And to remove like diff
Guilty Ito which the Arkansas river is subeet they have
been talking of road from Little Rock to Napoleon at
the mouth of the Arkansas
The writer adds TINT there vast number Of acres Of
cotton lands in Arkansas not yet brought into cula
ton What is wanted more than anything else tho
present time the enerprising and alpcrvading spirit
| Of the age.
And, in this connexon, the writer allides par
ticularly to the railroads already in progress in
temptation in Arkansas, the Fulton and Gaines land
ing road "Lttle Rock and Napoleon road "Cairo
and Fulton road Memphis and Little Rock road
ssIron Mountain road &c, the importance Of all which
to the sections through which they pass incalcuabe
Entcrprising men, also, at their head, whose
character, If any evidence but their imperative necessity
were needed would be sufficient guarantee of their
speedy construction
The growth Of Arkansas, for long time after be-
came State even, very slow it is now how
ever making ample amends for the dilatoIness of days
happily gone by. The last two years the wealth and
population Of many counties have nearly doubled At
land Office Alone that Of Batesvillc less than
256 900 acres have been entered the last twelve months
and for the most part, by Industrious cnterpriing and
permanent citizens. Other portions of the State also
settling up with equal rapdity few years. and Arka
sas will be Of the wealthicst and most populou
States Of the federal Union