Year: 1866

LIBERTY, CLAY Co., Mo, May 9th, '66.


Mr.. EDIToR: Thinking few words concern
ing the merits of the above named State, would
not be entirely overlooked by your numerous
readers, will endeavor to give you an imper-
feet sketch of the country. As you are aware
we left Ohio (our place of residence for the last
twenty five years. some seven weeksago. We
had prosperous, though somewhat tedious
journey. We went to Cincinnati by rail, and
there took the river leaving terra-firma for the
next two weeks, but still going by steam, and
for the first time in our lives gliding down the
noble waters of the Ohio. 1t would probably
be needless to try to describe to you the scenes
of beauty and grandeur that occasionally met
our view ON either side of the stream, as your
self and many of your readers are, no doubt
generally conversant with them. AS we had
determined going by water as far as possible,
we steamed out of the Ohio into the Mississippi,
rode on this mighty river about two hundred
miles, from thence we proceeded up the Mis-
souri,; thus we had the exquisite pleasure of rid
ing on the waters of three of the largest rivers





destination March 18th in good health, good
spirits and in high anticipations of finding q
good country. We have now been here about
five weeks, and thus far have been highly pleased
with the charming appearance of the country.


Of the people we were certainly misinformed.
We supposed by various descriptions we had Of
the native Missourians that they were almost
barbarians, but we have come to different con-
clusion, as we have found them to be a very
kind, obliging and polite people; Of course they
have their peculiarities and oddities, especially
in speaking they have some singular words, 1
think they are deriatives probably from the Af-
rican. That curse of all curses, Slavery, has
destroyed the means of education to great ex-
up in ignorance where wealth existed the
children were sent away to school and thereby
gained good education.


As we were coming out here we heard differ
ent opinions expressed in regard to the warlike
feeling existing in this State, but that is done
away with, they have ceased to agitate the ques-
ton Where warlike feelings and disloyalty is
displayed the supremacy of the law is vindica-
ted and put in force. There is a majority of
Union men who WiN rule, therefore it is useless
to protest. like Missouri better every day l
live here The natural scenery is beautiful
beyond description. The gentle rolling coun-
try, the springs. brooks, gravelly bottoms and
rich soil, the best soil of land l ever saw. Wa,
ter privileges are fine, as every farm has good
well of water and generally several springs and
is thus rendered very healthy. Wheat looks
very promising here. They estimate twenty
to twenty-five bushels per acre. | am putting
out Hemp Tobacco, Oats and Corn this spring.
Hemp yields clear profit of fifty to seventy
five dollars per acre. Tobacco is still more prof
liable. Stock is very high; there are great ad-
vantages here for stock as the woods and roads
are all covered with blue grass.


Liberty, the County seat is nice village sit
uated in beautiful part of the county, and af-
fordjng one of the best Court Houses ever
saw; it is surrounded with an iron fence, and
cost fifty thousand dollars. There is also an
excellent college at about the same cost
Churches are dispersed throughout the country
similar TO Ohio. think Missouri has great
future. She has been kept back a half century
and all we want to build her up is enterprise,
and few more live Yankees. The people here
are somewhat averse 10 this sect of people, but
they will come, and as certain Doctor here ex-
pressed it, they will come and nothing will pre-
vent it but God Almighty, (and don't think
He will 1t seems to be one of the great events
of the day, that we occupy the good land,
that she is now subdued and her condition
thoroughly established, and with the established
fact concerning her rich mineral resources and
soil; she must eventually rank with her sister
States in wealth and commerce.


1 would say to my friends in Ohio, emigrate,
leave the mud and come TO dry country. We
live just as fearlessly here as we did in Ohio
Of course you hear rumors and misrepresenta-
tions of the country, but come and see for your
selves. l am going to try it for awhile, any
way We miss our circle of acquaintance, but
your excellent paper finds its way here and is a
welcome visitor. And now, Mr.. Editor, if you
think these scattering comments worthy of no
tice please give them an humble place in the
JOURNAL, end thereby oblige your friend and
well wsher, DANIEL NJ. CHAMBERLA1S.