New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-06-23
NOTES or A TRIP TO KANSAS.

CorespOLoence 81 lle ~ l. 1rioehe'
On BOARD STEAMER METEOR, April 10, 1857.
/ found Leayenworth thrilling with excitement at
the election for Mayor, which had just taken place.
and the Free-State men rejoicing in their over
whelming victory. Out Of 5l3 votes the Free State
Mayor had STA majority OF l79. l must give
the Pro Slavery men, however, credit for taking
their defeat very philosophically. They readily
consoled themselves with the reflection that real
estate would 60 up, and business of all kinds be
more brsk. They we're right in their expectations,
for real estate advanced immediately ten or fifteen
per cent.
This is great victory for Leayenworth after Le-
compton has been considered the stronghold of the
Slavery party. The Free-State men, however, have
always been ready to strength with them In
any way. but have been overwhelmed at once by
armed hordes from Missouri. Happily that day is
over, and the contest may soon be friendly one.
| am satisfied that Leavenworth will always be
the principal city Of the Territory She has great
start she has capital and she has energy. The first
railroad that touches the Missouri River will probably
reach it opposite to LeavenwOrth, connecting with
the Hannibal and st. Joseph Road and in this case
the first road running west from Missouri will start
from LeavenwOrth. Probably two millions OF dol
lars are disbursed by Government at the Fort: and
under the new order breaking up the minor forts
the expenditure will be doubled. The bridge across
the Kaw at Tecumfeh will divert much OF the Santa
Fe trade from Kansas City, and the sale OF the re-
mainder of the Delaware Trust lands will bring into
cultivation fine back country. / look upon the
prosperity Of LeoyenwOTth as secured.
Iet me give you now brief resume OF the result
of nv observations in Kansas, for the benefit OF any
of YOUR readers who may think of cmgratng hlther;
first: The climate OF Kansas IL very much ike
that of our Middle States. The Winters equally
ii 1.inbc GOLD -u1-
Summer on the praires much cooler; in the bottoms
and along the rivers much the same
Second The soil is rich beyond the experience OF
most OF your readers. Nothing exaggerated can be
said Of the Territory in this respect. 1t fully JUS
tifes all the eucgiums ever passed upon it.
Third: 1t is healthier than most new countries.
II is not of course free from fever and aguc but this
curse of our Western land can generally be avoided
in Kansas 10y proper food and ordinary care in Sc
lectiDg the site for your residence.
Fourth Timber is scarce; 1t grows, however,
with great rapdity, and springs up naturally upon
the prairie Five years will suffice to grow locust
enough TO supply a farmer with rails and iirewood
The immense extent Of prairie and the scarcity OF
timber have been caused entirely by the Indian Gus
tom Of burning the grass. The wet bottom lands
and the thin soil on the SUBMITS of the bluffs, too
poor for rich growth of grass, arrest the spread
of the fire. and here according we find the timber
Fifth: In minerals of all the common kinds Kan
sas is rich Stone ready for building got out by the
crowds alone; bituminous coal in abundance; lead
and iron cropping cut from the soil; sand sufficient
for building The lime only thus far discovered
seems to be of inferior quality. Probably future dis
covcries will reveal the stone in greater purity.
Sixth: Of the different sections of the country
the NeoshO offers the mdest climate and the most
timber, but il is remote from market. The valley
of the Kansas though not so rich as other parts of
the Territory III timber and in minerals, Ofers soil
fully equal and a ready market in Leavenworth,
Law renee and Topeka. The Grasshopper country
has much the same character, and a connection with
the LeayenwOrth market and the growing towns on
the Missouri in the northern part of the Territory.
The valley Of the Big Blue is one of the richest In
Kansas Its market is at FOit Riley.
Eniigrsnts intending to take Lawrence as their
point of departure eau land with equal advantage at
Kansas City, Wyandot, OF LeayenwOrth. Those
intending to settle north Of the kaw had better land
at l.eavenwOrh
Free.Soi cities are springng up like mushrooms
in every direction. In the north there is Geary City
Doniphan (bought out by Eastern mem and sum.
ner five miles below Achison, and intended to rival
il. Further down We have Leavenworth (snce the
section), Delaware City, six miles below, aud In
tended for the port of Lawrence, but too near to
Lcavenworth ever to do much; Quindaro aud Wyan-
dot-the latter naturally the most beautiful site for
city ON the Missouri River In the interior and
north Of the kaw there are GrasshoPPer Fails and
Manhattan South of the river in addition to those
well-known towns Lawrence, Tecumseh and To-
peka we have Neosho City, Pleasant Grove and Osa-
watame- the latter beautifully situated at the june
ton OF the Neosho and Hickory Greeks, and town
Of much promise. During the Summer further sur
yeys will be made in the extreme south of the Terri
tory in country rs yet known only to the hunter
and the Indian trader but which report says to have
all the fertility Of Northern Kansas, with greater
abundance Of timber and more genial climate
As youma see by the heading Of this letter my
trip TO Kansas is ended. One more letter will con-
clude NY notes. IL.