Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-05-03
LETTER FROM FRANKLIN, LA.
Salt ISIand-PrRirie Land-I-etrOieUnl.

Correspondence Of the Union and Americana
FRAxELIN, La. April 25, lS66.-Messrs. Editors:
Salt Islahd is one Of the great marves Of
science and Of interest to all who eat things
seasoned with salt. As a salt formation, it Is with
out known parallel on the globe, being created
apparently. TO salt the sea as well the land.
After the war began, necessity suggested the max
ing of salt from a salt well on Judge Avery's
island. In deepening this well few feet, COM
pound chrystal of pure salt was found whose area
is Of several miles cireumfshce. and of great but
unknown depth. Pure chrystals, clear as glass,
Of many inches extent abound through the great
mass, but all is ehrystaline in structure.
The quality of the salt is very remarkable.
Composed of 9S and SO -lOOths of pure chloride Of
sodium. with iodine and salt-petre; it has very
superior favor and conservative properties. In
this country. in midsummer, it will preserve
fresh beef and pork as well as if they were killed
in mid-winter n result which never follows the
use Of any other antiscptic. 1t is therefore the
salt of all Others most needed by the pork and
beef packers Of the west, and by all our Tonnes
see farmers. There is enough of it to furnish
America easily. and cheaper than from any other
source. and its distribution over the South was
begun by the Confcdcrucy. and is still progress
and land. being about 80 feet above the grand
level around il. 1t is a gem in diadem of en-
chanting beauty. | have seen more of the pie
turesque and grand in other countries but moth
ing more perfectly delightful. 1t is doubtful
whether there is lovoier region our globe
than this. in view by telescope, from the summit
of this volcanic highland.
The soil of this prairie is thousand feet deep
and as rich as Egypt Its climate is as lovely as
that of Italy or Quito and as hoathful as that of
the Alps or the Sierra Nevada.
Here blossoms and fruits together rise,
And the whole year In gay confusion lies
The centres Of the plantations are types Of Edens
garden. and remind one Of the better land.
The petroleum regions west Of st. Martins are
of the most wonderful nature Sandstonei is found
about one hundred feet below the surface, while
salt, Ignite and a deposit Of timber lie above Il:
Salt springs and petroleum springs are found fire.
quently over the land and the lands of the Louis
lana Company, of which Col. j. b. Price is Pres-
dent, are close to navigation, and the o. r. r. is
about being constructed through them. Here
capital has greater promise Of remuneration than
in any other oil regions the continent. In fact,
as sugar plantations are numerously offered for
sale. rent or lease and one of capital and com
mand OF labor and with faith in freedmen. can
make n better investment in Louisiana than any.
where else. Mexico has no promise Of good com
pared 10 the offers Of Western Louisiana, nor, in
deed. has any other land outside of the United
States. For beauty, foT wealth, for luxury and
longevity these lands offer inducements TO labor
and capital which are worthy of the most en-
largcd consideration. $. D. \.