Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-06-19
NOTES BY THE WAY.

mo. 81. June s, 1857.
We passed Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, and other
considerable villages of Michigan by the way,
ere reaching the wharf at Detroit There was
no improvement in the soil of the State visible
during the balance of my journey across it. 1t
wore in all respects the aspect of a worn out
country, full of sand ridges and gladey low
grounds, pools, lakes and sluggish water courses.
had formed high opinion of Michigan farm
ing from the contents Of some of the Northern
agricultural journals, and was not little sur
prised on finding myself obliged to conclude
that more slovenly agriculture than most of
that saw along the Michigan Central Railroad
i never beheld. Even on the ridges. pools Of
water stand in most of the wheat fields for want
OF drainage. Furrow draining seems to be un-
known here; though it would have saved many
a field of wheat in Michigan that this year will
hardly return the husbandman his seed Not
one farmer in ten here seems to comprehend
the value of shade trees around his homeste
10 the health and comfort of his family. Though
building in the native forest, they fell every
thing around them, as though fearful that their
magnificent oaks, elms, and naples may fall
and bury their huts.
AT p IN we wheeled around the rivers
shore In front of Detroit, the great city of the
State. In all respects il was like the engra-
wings of 1T for sale in all the print shops except
that Its dimensions have increased of late wears.
Lumber is Its trade upon its wharves at this
feason, almost exclusively. Not having gone
up into the town, cannot say more concerning
II, from actual observation. There first saw
the Canada shore, at Windsor, half mile off
We crossed the river in numbering steam tub
built TO last century, British ferry boat
which we reached through fine large depot
house and stOne-buiIt covered walk On the
tub we dined; and rather began to COTTON to
John Bull from the moment sat me down to
table. He feeds eapitalIy, and won't permit
himself to be hurried while so engaged. His
time table, always respects the necessities of
the dinner table. Everything to be desired he
set before Us, and We were waited on by a SUI
perabundance of polite attendants What
contrast between dining at his mercy when
travelling, and at that of Jonathan, None but
one who appreciates good dinner, we'll served.
and time TO discuss 1T, can comprehend it ; and
then, only after having had Mr. Bull for mine
host at least once
As we were concluding dinner the steam tub
cast loose her moorings, and wendell her way
over to Windsor, on the Canada shore, at dig
nifed pace. There 1 realized that was in
VictOria's dOminiOns. The dress. manners and
physiognonies of the usual station-house hab-
itues are very different from those on the other
side They are more quiet, polite, and atten-
tive, so far. The depots of the Great Western
Railroad at Windsor, are equal to sny except
these Of the Illinois Central at Chicago. have
seen IN the West. Perhaps SHOULD also except
the General Depot at East st. Louis Lam
now on the Canada roads cars, steaming at the
rate OF Forty miles per hour Sitting near me
is some Virginia or Ma,yIander's field hand,
as black as the ace of spades, and as detected
In appearance as though already heartily sick
Of his venture. He is apparently a runaway
just arrived, and in the - negro clothing" that
was evidently on his back when he sioped. /
find that most of the whites here are m ore bit
ter anti-abolitionists than on the otf,e1' side
The solution Of this riddle lies in the fact that
runaways come here, rather than stop tn ere.
They are unanimously voted to be nuisance s.
chicken thieves, midnight jaunters on 9th er
people horses, and, indeed, every thing that's
abominable and disagreeable.
We are rapidly approaching runaway negro
own-Chatham-where three-fourths of Her
Gracious Majesty subjects are, under the laws
OF the United States, somebody else'e property
The furniture Gears, &c. of this road are
equal to any in the United States Its regula-
tons TO insure the comfort of passengers are
unsurpassed anywhere; its employees being
exceedingly well drilled and attentive
Where cultivated, theiland on this road is. so
Tar, more neatly titled than over the river. /
am told that further east shall find much
finer and better worked farms. Just here we
enter on very low grounds, which, when settled
up, are settled for the most part by runaways.
whose improvements are instantly distinguish
able from those Of the Canadian whites; being
much more after the style Of those Of Michigan
new settlements in just such glades They are,
however, just like the homes Of free negroes in
Maryland and Virginia.
Here we are watering at Chatham. 40 miles
east Of Windsor, On our way to Niagara. Chat
ham Is village containing some thousand or
30 souls, three-fUdrths Of whom are said to be
blacks, principally runawsys. Those congre-
gated around the train are dressed not a whit
better than the plantation hands of Virginia.
All OF then carry care-wOrn countenances To
see negroes thus showing care on their faces il
sight 20 strange to Inc, as that it strikes me
painfully. Three Or four runaways have inst
alighted iron different cars of the train. and
are surrounded by prior corners of the san,e
sort, who seem to be cycling them a. tborrb
jealous Of their inevitable rivalry in cut,;n,
wood f0r the Railroad COmpany-the business
nearly all of them follow when working; for
which they have 10 more decided propensity
than free negroes with IA, in the country. 1t
is very clear TO me that those who have been
here some time feel that every such new acqui-
sitiOn among them is likely to have harder times
Of il here, than in his cabin at home.
Much of the route of this best constructed
and best managed railroad 1 have travelled
over thus far since leaving the Baltimore and
Ohio cars, is through fat swampy country,
the region of the runaways, who are for the
most part its only culuyatOrs apparently.
wherever the soil is good and the elevation Of