Arkansas true Democrat., 1859-01-05
Letter from Col. Butterfield.
NEW YORK, Dec. 2, 1858.

tention to put steamboat packets on the Arkan- sas river last summer, but was thwarted by the | lowness of the water You are also aware that the impossibility of using the river was appa- rent to me at too late period to allow of my stocking the line between Memphis, Little Rock and Fort Smith in time to commence mail ser vice on the 18th September, and was therefore compelled to make arrangements to have that service performed by others. The service thus unintentionaly confded to others has not been of grade nor of a speed satisfactory to me, nor to the post office department, and is entire ly below the just expectations of the people Of Arkansas Rexas and of the Indian country, as well as of the travelling community generally. That route from Memphis through Little Rock to Fort Smith, and then to northeast Texas dl- rect, is exceedingly important intend to put on to it fine stock and first class coaches and spring wagons without delay; intend the route shall be as well stocked as any route in the United States. Then if the good people of Ar kansas will do their duty mautuly, that route, through the centre of the state, will be one of the greatest thoroughfares in the southwest. It will be not only important to ArkanSaS but 10 all the citizens of the south who have business in Arkansas, the Indian country or Texas. That duty is to build good turnpike road from Memphis to Little Rock, and thence to Fort Smith. Not railroad which, at S3OOOO per mile, would cost niue millions Of dollars in money and ten years ill time, but an oli-tash ioned well drained dirt road costing, at $3OO per mile, only S90OO0 in money, and 60 or 90 days i'll time.
 It was in this way that New York, Pennsyl- valia, Maryland, Virginia, and other states opened up to market the interior settlements. I. 1. l., in Arkaases Let the Legislature pass d law, ordering the immediate construction oI great central turnpike road, appropratl4g S9O,UOO, or $lO0OOO, to pay for it. Ii the approprla- ton does not hold out, doubt not, the planters, farmers, counties, villages, and merchants along the route will gladly contribute to its comple- hon. 1 have seen a gool many of your peo- pie, and 1 am not mistaken. To c practical scheme they are as ready to contribute as any people in the world-at any rate, l intend to Visit Little Rock and ask the attention of the legislature to the subject. l have no fears from what have seen of the people of Arkan sas, that their legislature will lail to give can did hearing to plain old fashioned man of bu- slness when pleading the necessity of a state tho r0tghtare, lf Arkansas would secure d laiE pro portion of the trade, emigration and travel which Missouri will otherwise engroSs. The distance from Fort Smith to Memphis through Little Rock ought not to exceed 300 miles, whilst the distance actually traversed by the Overland Mail Company, between Fort Smith and St. LouiS is 403 miles, and, a0ith full I0ads, in from one to two days quicker time With good turnpike and using 40 miles of railroad running west out from Memphis, s0e could hauel the lUhole line in tuo days. When this is done, no state north or south can direct business from Arkan- saS, for the estabshm mt of trade, emigration, and travel will promptly settle the country, n- crease values, and cause the railroad to be built at an early day.
 Will you, sir, lend your influence and your aid to this enterprise? Will you explain to the people the importance of constructing a good road through the centre of the state, which every body may travel free of charge for its use, if they would promote settlements, multiply villages, increase trade and hasten the construction of rail road? Will you tell them through your journal, that Missouri has built 162 miles of road Wh h will be increased by Christmas to l68 miies over which her people expect, as a just reward for their enterprise, to attract the whole of the business of western Arkansas, the Indian country lying to the west of it, and of Upper Texas, until the Central Road of Arkansas is opened? But do not mis- apprehend me. l do not desire to build up one slate at the expense of the other 1 wish to see them both prosper. If both rapidly fill up with people, our interests are promoted; if either remains stationary, we are injured, inas- much as our stages for the long period of six years are to run entirely across both of these GOod r0ads connecting our St. Louis route with the railroads north of the Ohio and our Mem phs route with the railroads of the entire .Lo,. l ,,L
 indispensable to the attainment of the object of the government in establishing the Overland Mail stages viz the extensiou and easy com munication with settlements between the Mis- sippi and California.
 Missouri is earnestly engaged on one route will not Arkansas earnestly labor, in order to develope it, own great resources to perfect the other? Ii the su ject is thoroughly consil- erei, 1 have no doubt but wise and cnergrtic acton will follow A great central road would be created before the eud of June next. 1 eel satisfied that l can So employ and direct the necessary lb0r as to secure the building of d good turnpike rpai across Arkaris,ls as to keep the cost within the sum of $50 Ter mile, in- ciudlnI the brd .ug Of all streams not uaviga- be, winch would establish and mamtain a malI stage communication across the Sate winch shatl please yodr people and satisfy the government ot my country. And this with Gods blessing intend 10 do. From this pur- pose, shall allow nothing to direct my atten- ton, 10 carry it out; find good roads wanting, and to obtain good roads, appeal to the good sense, to the interests, and to the public spirit ot the people of Arkansas With the aid of the public press to clearly explain what will be tRe cfect upon Arkansas if she does noth, ing, when Missouri is doing so much, shall be disappointed if am not able to drive four hourse stages of the first class through central Arkansas, upon good turnpike road within the year 1859. l shall be disappointed if our horses and stages are left another year to slow ly walow and founder in the oceans of mud Tn the alluvial bottoms of eastern Arkansas.