Article-1850, July 9

New York Tribune, July 9, 1850. Page 6

Emigration in Missouri.

Correspondence of the Tribune         Kansas, Mo.

   Dear Friend [Horace] Greeley: There are now just landing between 60 and 70 immigrants from the old country, (Florence.) They are strong an able-bodied men and women. They settle in this State, within a few miles of this town. They have among them men of various trades—carpenters, mill wrights, millers, farmers, &c.—and were it not for the existence of Slavery they might do well. Perhaps they will as it is; but slave countries there is no sympathy for the poor or for the laboring class. With a little assistance at this time by way of counsel and provision, they could get a fair start; but from the feeling manifested I fear this will not be extended to them.

   The country is good–the land is seldom surpassed in fertility and beauty of location.

   A few miles south of the river the timber ceases and the prairie commences, or what they call here the Plains, and for many miles both north and south, along the line of Indian territory, there is plenty of Congress land in the State, both prairie and timber. The soil is deep and of a vegetable deposit, mingled with sand. The crops look extremely well. South of Independence, along down as far as Fort Scott, there can be no better farming country. Corn sells here now at $1 per bushel, and always bears a good price.

   The California trains have all left. We hear from them nearly every day by the Santa Fe traders coming in. They represent them as suffering a good deal from want of grass, &c. Some sickness among them. A large party returned a few days ago, fearing the suffering ahead. One man returned on horseback, day before yesterday, 700 miles. The cholera broke out among them and he left.

   A party of Santa Fe traders, consisting of 11, were all killed by the Indians a short time since.—The news has just arrived here. The Indians are said to be every day becoming more and more hostile. Probably they are growing wearied of the deprevations committed on their country by the immense multitude who passed through.

   We visited the Shawnee missions. There are three within about six miles. The first is Methodist, and is sustained by the Government. They have three large brick houses—one for the boarding house, one for the school, and the other issue used for a high school for whites from the States. This is under the superintendence of Thomas Johnson. He is a Methodist minister and a slaveholder.

   One of the chiefs of the Shawnees rents part of the farm, which consists of 700 acres, and carries on farming on a pretty large scale. Has a large fine house and large stock of cattle and horses, and has his work mostly done by slaves.

   There are sometimes as many as 120 children in this school. Many of the young men learn trades, and the women are taught, besides the common branches of education, housework and needlework.

   The Friend’s Mission is further out into their country, and is sustained entirely by that body.—Thomas Wells is Superintendent. This Summer there are about 18 or 20 children in attendance. In the Winter it is much larger. The Baptist Station we did not visit.

   The influence of the missionaries has been very great. The majority of this tribe are farmers, and have considerable tracts of land under good fence and culture, and are disposed to be quiet and industrious.

   But this is not about emigrants. I cannot advise emigrants to come to this state, solely on account of Slavery. The climate is most surprisingly delightful, and the soil cannot well be excelled, and everything seems to be uncommonly inviting; but Slavery, like Satan at the gate of Paradise, stands by and forbids entrance. Were not for this, I should advise them to come in by millions.

   Iowa and Illinois are better. In these States there is plenty of Government land for those who are able to buy, and plenty of employers for those who are not, and friends all over and about who are ready to offer assistance and counsel.

   I know of but one way in which settlers should come here at all, and that is in large bodies. Let them buy a township, import their own sentiments and society, and be able to live in spite of the system of Slavery, and it is possible they might succeed. In any other way there is little hope.

As ever, for God and Humanity,

John O. Wattles.