The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1859-12-27
Letter from Jero NJ. IRE adxyeil. Esq

side" on nv journey south and az halt Of
few DAYS at this city (u company with my friend
"the Doctor" enables me TO comply, will pro-
coed TO give sou a slight sketch OF our journey,
promising that the continued frosty and CONCEAL
ed state of the atmosphere, well as all sur
rounding nature, during nearly our entire trip
thus far, has prevented any view OF many objects
of interest on the route.
| Our frs, stopping place was a, Toledo, where
the ample accommodations of the Island House,
commodous, four story brick hotel, erected 10y
the railroad company in connection with their
immense depot, on the island In the Maumee al
Toledo, now presided over by that favorite host,
Angler, formerly OF Cleveland, afforded very de-
sirable comfort and shelter from the bleak winds
that began to whistle around u, a. We stepped
| from the cars into the ample halls of the hotel
| A period of twelve years since my last visit TO
Toledo, has transformed that formerly sunken,
sickly and uns- htly village of sand hills, into a
thriving. prosperous and busy commercial empo-
rum. Where ten years ago small rows OF frame
buildings occupied the choice locations on the
business streets, now large brick blocks of stores
and shops rear thoir architectural proportions
four and five stories into the air, while their dis
play of contents indicate thriving state OF trade
While the commercial position Of Toledo, in con
nection with the Lake commerce and the now
extended line of railway communication in each
direction, give her advantages in business
view almost unequalled upon the Lakes, and a
commendable spirit of enterprize prevails among
her citizens in the promotion of educational and
kindred institutions. the low and unhealthy Sit
uation of the place, as well as surrounding coun-
try, and the sluggish Misunderstanding river that
passes through, must continue to be a serious
drawback to it, rapid settlement, as suitable
place for residence The cars of the Michigan
and Dayton Railroad, which now forms direct
connection through TO Cincinnati, pass over a
new and hardly as yet welsettled road-bei, and
the country through TO Lima, is As vet quite
lew and mostly uninviting, resembling in its
characteristics much the same features as to soil
and timber with our Michigan swamp lands. y
Ii is however anticipated that the great advanta-
ges now afforded by the construction of this road,
in the way of markets. &c., will open up and de-
vclop much of this wilderness. | was Informed
by the gcntlemanly and energetic Supcrinteni-
ent. with whose company We Were favored, Nr.
u shoemaker Lro,ho, OF the lately hrhoalol
Collector that the business aad travel upon the
road Is onstantly increasing, aud thus far has
met the amtcipations of its projectors. IL must
ultimately become the main thorougfarc for Mich
+ igan and Northwestern travel to Cincinnati, a. ii
is a saving in distance over the SamduSkv route
of some thirty miles There are several growing
and pleasant villages upon the route, among
which Sidney and Hamilton are principally no.
ticcd. Daytonnow has population OF some i0, ;
600, and is reckOned the third city in the State
The prevailing sentiment in this region appeared
To be Republican of a most decided and animated
character. The foray Of John Brown and his
execution by the Authorities of Virginia then
about TRANSPORTING seemed to bo through Ohio, a>
upon the thoroughfarcs which ! have travelled
this side of Cincinnati, a staple topic OF CONVEX
sation, and the opinions expressed concerning ii
as widely different in their spirit and character
as the diversity of views upon the slavery subject
| that preqails in the different sections. while al
the North none appeared To justify the forcibl,
and Illegal proceedings Of Brown and his squad
at Harper's Ferry, yet much sympathy was ex-
pressed in his fate, many believing that all tie
ends of Justice could he obtained without hi
execution. Upon crossing the Ohio River, how.
ever, and particularly at the political centres,
at Frankfort, Louisville and this city, a very gen
eral sentiment appears to prevail that the II
In. ,f 4
terion of the wishes and views of the great bod,
of the Northern pcoI lc, and have been sur
> prised to observe particularly throughout Ken
tucky the freedom and even fiippancy with which
toe idea of dissolution o. the Union Of ON
States IL received as an event in the contingcnc,
= possible but desirable.
Some observations to the institution her,
and in Kentucky, and the habits, customs anc
sentiments of the people, shall reserve for a ia
+ turc communication, a, this appears TO be already
r drawing too much length.
e The garden of Kentucky il said to be locate,
Il between CovngtOn or rather Paris and Lexing
: ton, and it certainly Is a very beautiful country
In the vicinity of Lexington, large improvement
and tasty, substantial buildings and surroundings
testify TO the rich character of the soil and tin
c wealth of the inhabitants. While at Lexington
II | employed leisure afternoon in visiting Henri
Il Clay's old plantation, Ashland" now occupic,
by James b. Clay, ESQ, who has erected tast
one-anda-half story brick mansion with wings, il
place of the former dwelling. 1t Is situated abou
!, two miles south from Lexington and is mucl
:, visited by strangers here. The streetupon whicl
it is located abounds in handsome, well improve,
farms and fine dwellings, generally located a iis
=, lance back from the street of twenty To thirt
rods. | also visited the grave OF Henry Clay il
. the beautiful cemetery at Lexington, and had
n view of the stately monument now erected b.
the State of Kentucky therein. and not vet quit
e completed. IL is OF a brown cOlorei stone. q
good proportions and elegant design, and is to b
surmOunted with statue OF the Statesman, 4
: be- furnished by citizens OF Philadelphia, an
: now, | understand in preparation in Italy. Ii
altogether noble tribute to the memory of Ken
i tucky's favorite son.
e Al Frankfort the Legislature were in session
e and had the privilege of a visit to the dferen
d Houses, and also the public library and o,he
:, public buildings also visited the Court of Al
peals of Kentucky, which was then in sessio
r and appeared to be very fully attended bv N