The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1861-06-18
DAVENPORT, June 9Th, 1861.

DEAR GUARDIAN
One of the most anxiously
sought for gentlemen of this Sate-in
fact the most anxiously sought for gentle
man of the State--is undoubtedly Gov
ernor KIRKwooD. When we left Dubu-
que on Monday, we were assured that his
Excelency would be in Davenport on
Tuesday. To Davenport we came
Here we found quite crowd Of anxious
gentlemen waiting to welcome and to bore
him. On Wednesday, however, we
learned that he would not come farther
North at present than Burlington, and
from thence would go back to Keokuk-
Immediately carpet bags were seized and
straight shute made for the down river
boat. Capt. HILLHoUsE, of tnelittle stern
whee packet, Kate Cassel, bhndly vel.
coined the crowd, evidently not sorry
that the Governor had concluded to stay
down the river. Al six o'clock We lett
Rock Island, and proceeded at the rate
of six or seven knots an hour towards the
locality where the broad, genial, good
natured countenance Of our Governor
was supposed to be shining. This rate
of speed hardly kept pace with the ARK,
ietes Of some Of those on board, who
were nervously anxious to serve the
State and themselves by taking con-
tractto carry out the provisions Of some
of the acts recently passed by the Legis-
lature, or were seeking other means to
relieve the Governor of labor and the
treasury of cash. But to us. who bad
no such patriotic object in view, and who,
for the first time, had an opportunity of
enjoy ing ride on the bosom Of the great
river, the speed was of little moment
After satisfying 2 sharpened appetite at
the well filed table of the Kate, we took
q seat on the forward deck, aud gave
ourself up 10 tho enjoyment Of the scene.
The river was high, covering up bars and
snags, and presenting its broadest sur
face. Hardly ripple disturbed the
CLASSY smoothness, while the rays of the
declining sun tinged the atmosphere and
water with shades Of red and purple
Below Davenport few miles the banks
of the river become less bluffy. and rise
in many places, with gentle elevation
Farms, rich with orchards, and shrub
berry, and fences, barns and farm houses,
occupy these gentle slopes, for consd
cradle portion of the way between Dav
enport and Muscatine, some 80 miles =
The latter place we did not reach until
after dark, but had a view of it on our
return. Like the other river towns il is
built partly on the bluffs and partly on a
level plateau between them and the river
1t is apparently well built, having large
business houses and fine residences, and
its levee gave indication of considerable
business. Early in the morning we ar
rived at Burlington, where we took on an
additional number of anxious gentlemen,
who had sought in vain to pay their re-
spects TO the Governor al that place, and
were now bound to Keokuk in further
pursuit of his ExceIlency.
We went ashore at Burlington a short
time, and found il 10 be one of the most
substantial places on the river. Being
tho Oldest city in the State, surrounded
w All oiu duu wei SGklIeu country, alu
being the shipping point for the cattle and
produce Of large section of the lower
half Of the State. il has business prob
ably less iluctuating then that OF any of
the river cities. It's Indebtedness is but
little, because il kept out of the wild en-
terprizes of improvement which some Of
its sister cities went into during the spec
ulative times. Its business men suffered
less from the panic, and are now account
ed more reliable, than those of other riv-
er towns. It's population is said 10 be
some $4,000, although it is impossible
TO find out from river resident the rela
tive size of towns. They each claim a
preponderance OF population, and scout
the claims TO priority OF the others. A
reference 10 the late census has no elfec,
upon them whatever. In their own case
there has been large increase since that
was taken, and either a large falling of
in the cases of their neighbors, or falls
ity in the census returns. However,
from appearances We Judge that there Is
but little difference between the popula-
ton Of Davenport and Burlington. The
former, however, as respects beauty o
location, to oar mind has much the ad
vantage.