Year: 1859

names, and splendid plantations, that are we'll deserving notice.

 l observed that the gins were generally run by steam power, the long cared mules, with pady's noble ear for music" are discarded for that purpose; that restless agent steam appears to have fairly won the race.

 At the plantation of Dr. Jordan, everythino in place. and place for everything is the motto. The family residence of the doctor is the most complete and beautiful house I have seen in the state, either as regards design, finish, or Hitting out" The Dr. dispenses his princely liberality to all that enter its portals whether rich or poor friend or stranger. It. cheering to the heart of every true philantbro. pist to see what ample provision is made for the comfort of the negroes that cultivate this extensive plantation-about seventeen hundred acres. The "quarters" are neat frame bouses with piazzars in front and so arranged that street or avenue is running at right angles with every house, so that each family possesses what is generally most prized in all western towns, "corner lot"

 l may be permitted, here to digress little; how glad 1 would be, could some of the kind hearted old ladies of the north see with what care and attention the negroes are treated it would do much to correct an unfortunate habit they, and many of their sons have fallen into-com- blaming about matter they know nothing about. The condition and real happiness of the negro slave here as compared with the free negro Of the north offers no comparison. h. deed 1t is but too true, that thousands of poor widows and orphans of the white race. in that respect-good homes and well provided for are far, very far behind. observed very close ly the general appearance of the negroes and found that in no place--and I have visited ma ny Of the slave states-are negroes better pro- vlded for and more humanely treated than in Arkansas

 To some of the readers of your paper, not acquainted with cotton raising, 1t may not be out Of place to inform them that by some of the planters one hundred or more hands are en- gagged at this time in picking or gining the crop Four gins are driven by steam power on the plantation of Dr. Jordan, whose crop of cotton will be about sixteen hundred bales, worth at present prices, fifty dollars per bale, or in the aggregate the sum of eighty thousand dollars. besides a corn crop in proportion. There are many other planters raising from one hundred up to that amount. The productivenesss of the soil, and the ease-after 1t is cleared-with which it is cultivated is the wonder of all.

 system of levees Is now in the course of construction from Pine Bluff to Napoleon which will reclaim and protect thousands upon thou sands of acres of the finest land under the sun

 besides rendering the country more salubrious and healthy There is one thing, however. I notice in some neighborhoods, that is plague spot upon any country; it is absent proprietors non-residents; making their money here, spen- ding at aU abroad. This course of policy ruined

 Ireland, and will surely deteriorate Arkansas Thinking 1 may become tresome to your req. ders, and trublesome to yourself I close by re- turning my thanks to Mai James Rowlett- otherwise uncle jeemes," for much information of the country, and very agreeable travelling companion to boot. J.