Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-09-10
SALINlLi.E.

and conelike elegance, is the Salt Basln' ou'oo'" W
level az q lake, stretches field alter heiu Vi "a'"h
grass or forest like corn, over m''e o' '''o '""t
meadow or lowland that ever ths ioot VI p''" wy
or haymaker trod. On the Eastern 300 VI '"o vow
amongst grove of towering anu eu''''a''u ''''
aud beneath forestcrowned and picturesque c'"R''
nsstlss the white MANSION of the proprie'or-"e
foundation of which was fret laid by tne aero u
Kings Mountain-that impetuous CamPoei' WIZ
an often led the brave Highlanders OF Ue
Southwest sgainst their enemies. But lar o'hereh'
now appears the scene instead Of the alder brake I"
the salt marsh, We see Hourshng fields aud 'nsteao
of the dark forests of gigantic trees, extensive neius
Of golden wheat crown the cone.like hills. ltt'e
village of quarters" and extensive stables and ni',
and shops have arisen around it, by the "great spring
that gushss in torrents from the cold and precipous
rocks the water Of which almost Immediately a''er'
turns the wheels of mill, that stands within lew
ysrls Of its In front of the MANSION on
Opposite side of the vale and near the Parsonage
the plaster bank, at present in operation Inc plaster
formation, however, extends both right ana iett lot
considerable distance. Here are the plaster quarrhe
from whence most OF the South plaster lie oo
taned though further to the left, or to tne oou'"'
west, 10 the "Buena Vista Plaster Bank oil MIR. ~
bsrsop which also supplies or s capable OF supply
ing large quantities. Below the Plaster BANK or 10
the right hand ia the Saltvie Depot al the terminus
of the Saltworks Branch. 1t is pretty and uniform
brick structure, which adds much TO the beauty OF
the scene. Above the Plaster Bank and to our ei''
a, We stand at the mansion ia the Salt furnaces near
the wells. They are almost concealed occasionally
by the cloud of vapor arising from the hundreds Of
Salt psns in all active evsporsting state but awsys
presenting all attractive scene from distance, and
often an aulnsting Frequently the Iron horse"
is .eeu rushing to and fro. with large trains OF Sail
and plaster destnsd for distant cities, far to tho East
or the West, and his shr scream echoes aud re.
echoes amongst the surrounding bills and far away
to the distant gorges OF the Walker ato
the Clinch. Behind the plaster banks and the salt
works. We behold u wild, yet splendid scene; soften.
cd it is true, by cultivation but still wildly grand
FIRST, arises the round, smooth and "sugar loaf hills
like high ard clustering pyramids, nperiDg go rouud
IL, uniformly and gracefully to their peaks that they
ssem more like artificial mounds formed by the uui-
ted labor Of millions, than simple and natural blls
The coil Is deep and rich to their tops, though the
angle of their sides is frequently over forty degreer
aud averaging from 3O0 TO $50. They produce fint
green nearly ali the year round with luxurant Yer
dure Beyoud these concal hills arises the Little
Clinch Mountain, aud between them, though conceal
ed from our present view, glides the silvery H0l-
sten. Still beyond, aud above the Little Clinch,
towers the Big Clinch, more than two thou.
sand feet above the river. Like steps below ita for
crowned, yet craggy CREST appear-frst the green
hills of the vale, and then the dark and shaggy ridge
of the Little Clinch which is relieved by the blue
above aud the green below. High up on the side OF
the Big Cnch stand out bold and grandly, the Red
Rocks" like painted battlements on it's castlested
side and still above them, in bold relief lie its crest
Of white Rocks" like crown Of snow. Boyer,
the artist of the Album of Virginia, has made pic
ture Of this scene, for Col Preston but he has failed
to produce the grsndness of the reality, though the
picture is fine. We do not recollect, amongst
all the varied and remarkable scenes tha, We
have visited, scene diversified with endles 8
variety as tbis, and which, at the same time,
presents 90 much of beauty and romantic gran.
duer with 80 much of lifelke animation and cultiva
tion B,tween the Big and the Little Clinch lies what
10 known as the Poor Valley" and rough and poor,
indeed il appears those who accustomed TO the
fertile vsles to the East and yet the soil ia equn 10
thousands of vaies in this and other States, which
are now in aourishing condition. There are thou
sends of acres here that would make splendid aud
productive farms, with the aid Of those fsrtilizng
minerals that exist, almost in sight in such Unlimited
sbundance-ands, too that now be bought, as the
eayng ia. .for a song" If this valley existed in
the interior Of Pennsylvania, or some Northern
State, in connection with those endless srp-
plies of lime and plaster, it would now be
smiling in luIurant proiuson; fine farms and stately
mansions would stand 10 the place Of tho miserable
huts and stubborn fields, that adds squalid pov.
this point to the Poor Valley which hid behind tho
Little Clinch, is about two miles from Savie, and
mile from the river furnace, which Glands on the
bank of the Holston. short distance below the ter
minus Of the 'fsat works branch This is de-
tsChed furnaces, belonging, however TO the came es
tabIishment, which VIZ failed to notice in the proper
place. 1t s supplied with brine, or salt water from
thb upper works. in wooden pipes, which are, alto
gsiber, over mile 10 length. The salt manufac.
tured here, s barreled for transportation down the
Holston which il effected during tides" in
lais. holding frequently over hundred barrels each.
This salt reaches the Muscle Shoals" in Alabama
and il sold extensively in that region.
The valley of the Holstop is made up Of coves and
small vales and river fats, and pertains properly to
the erich valley" which lies between the Little
Cinob and Walkers mountain, and is only divided
from Sstvie and the Holston by those conica bills
of Limestone formation, before mentioned 1t Is, how
ever generally spoken Of distinct from the valley
of the HostOn which lies several hundred feet below
1t. The "Rich Valley" is as appropriately named as
the "Poor Valley" the opposite side of the river
the fret being rich limestone soil and the other q
slate aud fresstone. There 8rs many fne farms and
wealthy farmers 10 the "Pich Valley" and amongst
others we may mention the Buchanans. who We I'm.
derstand, claim relationship with our President.
For the Enquirer.
TIE DEFEAT OF THE ENGLISH BILL-GOv. WISE
AND MR.. DoUGLAs-THE CORN CROP, &c.
The English bill is defeated in Kansas by large
broelo 10 yet we fear to disturb the harmony of the
country during the deliberations of the next Congress-
The writer is decided FREUD Of Mr.. Buchanan and
believes bin patriotic and honest in all his efforts to
give peace to the country this vexed question. and
should perhaps, have voted 10 admit The Lecompcn
Consultation M presented to the ast Congress. but
no sees that Governor Wise and Mr. Douglas were
right 10 the patriotic stand they took for the OF
the Leconpton Constitution TO the people at Kansas
to bs fairly submitted for their popular ratification or
rejection.
We now see when too late, perhaps, the sagac'y Of
the gallant Vice. and the truth of bis predictions; for
he declared that better the Lecompton
Contribution and have il fairly submitted 10 the peo-
pie Of Kauess. than receive il and cloths them with
tho sovereign attributes OF State by forcing them
to seallow constitution they loahrc; end resting the
argument for go doing upon the recognized principle
that they the people Of Ksnsas ss members at sove-
reign State, could alter amend abolish the same
aft nj. ssuva aft Afda.