The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1869-04-15


tier.-where 20 Settle and now TO
Settle.
In reply to one Of the many letters ad-
dressed TO him, asking for Information upon
The subject, Commissioner Wilson, Of the
Land ONCE, has written the following com
municstion, which will be read with iutsres'
by persons seeking new homes,
DEPARTMENT or rHs IsrsEtoR,l
Mr o EstsoS t PrcS,S Sgssi 1prl H. 'sD
Sin, In reply to YOUR inouirv NJ the 2sd
ultimo Tin GERMANY about the best locality
TO obtain lands for yourself and q number OF
families expected from Germany In the spring,
I have to state that the question Of locality
10 one depending so much on Individual pref
erence, aud the various objects that different
persons have In view, that Il 10 no easy mat
ter to answer such an inquiry.
II the object lie 10 obtain Government land
under the homestead or presumption laws,
the choice may be made In any Oh the States
or Territories from the Missouri river to the
Pacific ocean, with the understanding that
west Of the settled PORTIONS Of Kansas and
Nebraska the Indians may be troublesome to
small community, while q settlement Of
several hundred persons located together,
supplied with arms and ammunition, could
protect itself securely against these nomadic
occupants.
The example OF the Mormons In the valley
Of Salt Lake, shows what may DO accom-
pllshed In the most unpro missing Of the noun
tain territories by compact colonies capable
Of rendering mutual assistance, and possess.
Ing within themselves persons skilled In the
various handicrafts that make up the In.
dustry OF society.
From colony OF $50 ndividuals they have
Increased 10 twenty years 70 over 100000,
possessing over 100 hourishing towns and
villages more than 100 miles Of irrigatlng
canal, Touring mills, saw mills, cotton and
wooden mills, furnaces, FORCES, foundries,
tannerles, and other manufacturing estab.
lishments; large quantities Of horses and cat
tie, the finest breeds Of sheep and hogs, with
orchards Of choice apples, peaches aud
pears, furnishing large quantities Of dried
fruits to the mining settlements around them,
Tho success or these settlements has
hardly been surpassed 10 tho most favored
portions Of the United States, but there arc
other sections Of country In the mountain
territories more favorable for planting
colonies than the valley Of Salt Lake was
twenty years ago. Some parts Of southern
Idaho, Of northeastern Oregon and the
southeastern part Of Washington Territory,
with the southern portions Of New Mexico
and Arizona, contain large bodies Of unoccu.
pied lands a. fertile as any In Utah, with ad.
yantagcs In other respects superior TO those
In that Territory.
Portions Of Nevada and California arc In
the same condition. The valleys Of the Col.
orado Of the Rio Virgin and lis branches In
the southeastern part Of Nevada arc repro
sented as very superior, furnishing an
amount Of good land sufficient to accommo-
date a large settlement, and but partially &C.
n nj nj at fIss. LII n
climate Of these valleys arc well adap,ed to
corn and cotton, considerable quantities OF
the latter having been raised during the last
few years BY settlers already there. Being
at the head OF navigation on the Colorado
river, this point presents opportunities for
settlements which are only beginning 10 be
properly appreciated, and when the mineral
resources OF Nye county are developed to
their full extent, as they are certain to be at
no distant day, there will be few localities In
the mineral domain surprising In adyan-
tages this portion OF Nevada.
These lands are for the most part unsur-
yoyed, but settlements may be made upon
them at any time; and after they are sur
veyed by the Government tho settlers may
enter them under the presumption or homo
stead law.
In Kansas, Nebraska, California, Western
Oregon and the western part Of Washingto 1
Territory lands already surveyed may be en-
tered under these laws; and In Dakota first.
class lands, either surveyed or unsuryeyed,
may be settled upon; and some Of tho val
leys Of Wyoming are represented as exceed.
ingly fertile and affordlng great inducements
for agricultural settlements.
In Kansas and Nebraska large bodies OF
good land can be obtained convenient 10 set.
Elements already established, and the same
Is true In q measure Of certain portions Of
Colorado.
For stock raising and wool growing the
mountain valleys and slopes offer great In.
ducements, aud when the valleys are large
and the supply Of water for irrigation suffi.
Client their value for agricultural purposes ID
unsurpassed, being almost invariably OF very
nigh fertility, producing the cereals, fruits
aud vegetables In great abundance; and be.
Ing situated In q mountain region covering
an area OF more than million square miles,
destined Tor generations to be the scene Of
active MINING cr~--.i-..s, iurnishing en-
ployment to numerous population, the ara.
bic lands forming a comparatively ANAL part
OF the aggregate surface, the markets fol
farm products must remain good and the
prices received generally better than those
paid to producers In localities where the ara.
BILE lands constitute a larger proportion OF
tho whole.
The climate Of this elevated region In,
been found remarkably healthy, the atmos.
phere being dry and pure, and the water fur.
nished by the mountain springs and streams
cool and refreshing. Few epidemic diseases
prevail.
All kinds Of stock thrive well, but the dry
atmosphere and sloping hill-sldes constitute
this the finest portion Of the United States
for sheep husbandry and for raising the
cashmere goat.
For the cultivation OF the grape NO pari
OF the world can surpass the belt Of country
extending from the Rio Grande TO the Pacific
ocean, aud covering the territories Of New
Mexico and Arizona and the state Of Cali
fornla to the Oregon boundary. For excel.
lent farming and grazing lands In a mild
climate, perhaps few sections OF the country
present greater number OF inducement:
than southern Kansas, In the valleys OF the
Neosho and Its branches, and some of the
afiiuents OF the Arkansas.
To determine upon a suitable locality fol
the settlement ofa colony Is an important
point, and the better way would seem to be
to send an Intelligent agent over the west
ern country, charged with the duty Of per
sonally investigating the advantages OF each
particular section. Land Offices exist al
convenient points throughout the public
domain, where Information may be obtained
as to the lands entered or sold, aud those
subject to entry or sale, the respective loca
tion OF which will be seen by the list at the
end OF the enclosed circular.
Lands not belonging to the Government
but well adapted for colonies may be bought
at very moderate prices, and on reasonabl,
terms as TO the time In the States Of Viz
ginia, North and South Carolina, Georgia
Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee
Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas, In the mldsl
OF settled communities, and convenient tC
hourishing markets. Government lands or
LIST In moderate quantities, aud may be en-
tered under the homestead law In the State,
Of Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana
and Arkansas, excellent for cotton, grain
fruits and vegetables, and along the gull
coast, likewise for sugar and oranges.
lnelose copy Of my condensed report fol
1867 with connected map, showing the sew
eral States and Territories Of tho United
States. German edition OF this report Il
In course OF preparation, q copy Of which
will be sent you as soon as published.
This letter Is sent To you In German &C
that you may the more readily communicate
the information II contains 10 those Of youl
German friends who contemplate emlgrating
Very respectfully your obedlent servant,
(Slgned) Jos. 8. WILSON,
Commissioner.
A CARTNAS was arrested In New York q
few days ago for cruelty to his horse BY