Daily National Intelligencer

OF THE OSAGE COUNTRY.

Extract of a letter from G. Sibley, Esq. Indian Agent at Fort Osage.

Fort Osage, 330 miles up the Missouri River, March 30, 1817.

As far as my observation and information extend, I think the mast crop was uncommonly abundant last year throughout the western country. Such was the case I know in this territory; and yet the price of pork has been exceedingly high and will probably be higher—the usual price of pork is from two and a half to three and a half dollars per hundred; beef 2 1-2. Now, pork is 3 to 6 and beef 4 1-2. This is altogether owing to the immense swarms of emigrants, who are constantly flocking to this country from all parts of the union.

I refer you to the last edition of Bradbury's map of the United States—No; I will copy such part of it here as may be necessary for my purpose.

The editor (of the Minerva) is sorry to be under the necessity of omitting the section of map inserted in this part of the letter. It lays down the course of the Missouri, through part of the territory of the same name, to its junction with the Mississippi; Boone's Lick settlement, with the positions of Fort Osage, St. Charles and St. Louis, as well as the courses of the Osage and other tributaries of the Missouri are also laid down.

This is truly a very rough sketch, but it will answer our purpose perhaps. Fort Osage was established in the fall of 1808. At that time the highest human habitation on the Missouri, except Indian Huts, was on the banks of the river, about where the red letter A is placed, on the annexed sketch, say about 38 miles by land, above the village of St. Charles. In December 1809, business called me to St. Louis. I traversed the country from Fort Osage, (80 miles) to the Arrow Rock at B, where I crossed the Missouri by swimming. From thence I travelled in a direct course towards St. Charles, 120 miles to C, before I came to a house or a mark of civilized beings. In February following I returned to this place, and in my route overtook the first families who moved to Boone's Lick, who were in number about 6 or 8. In 1811, in November, I again went to St. Louis, and found at Boone's Lick a settlement of about sixty families. In the summer of 1812, the first settlement was made on the south side of the Missouri above the Osage river during the late war these infant settlements suffered greatly from Indian depredation, but still they increased considerably by emigrations. In 1815 and 1816 they increased beyond all former example. The Territorial Legislature at their session in the winter of 1815-16, passed an act creating the settlement of Boone's Lick, in the county of Howard, and allowing them two representatives and one councillor in the assembly.

The new county includes all the settlements above the Osage river, on both sides of the Missouri, which have all grown since January, 1809. It is said, and I believe truly, that the population south of the Missouri, above the Osage river, is sufficiently numerous to entitle them to be created a new county, and no doubt the Legislature will pass a Law to that effect at their next sitting.

The settlement of the tract of country comprised in the new county of Howard seems to me like enchantment. Where nothing but wild beasts of the forest and savage hunters were to be met with in 1809, now are seen thousands of domestic animals, and a compact settlement of industrious farmers, many of whom are in very easy circumstances. The almost impenetrable forest, which I passed thro in 1809, of which not a tree had received the stroke of an axe, is now nearly all swept away, and in its stead are seen rising comfortable habitations, a merchant's store house, a Court house, and all the appendages of a seat of justice. Merchants, traders, lawyers, physicians, licensed tavern-keepers, abound: mechanics find their account in removing there, such as tanners, smiths, saddlers and a variety of others; there are several common schools; two or three reputable preachers; and a weekly newspaper is soon to be printed there by two gentlemen of fine talents; two towns have been laid off, and I am told the lots sell well; another is talked of. It is computed that upwards of an hundred families moved to the county of Howard, from Tennessee, Kentucky, North Carolina and Virginia, during the last winter; and I do not think I risk anything when I venture to say, that the emigration to this county for 1817, will amount to 300 families at the close of the year. Indeed I should be safe in saying 500. I expect the settlements will extend upwards during the present year to within 20 miles of Fort Osage. The county of Howard embraces (I mean the part settled) as fine a tract of country as any under heaven; whether we consider its fertility, climate, or healthfulness. A well cultivated field will produce, one year with another, 60 bushels of corn and 35 of wheat per acre. I have averaged 80 bushels of corn per acre at this place, but my field is small and highly cultivated.

Rye, Oats, Barley, Irish potatoes, Red and White clover, Timothy and Blue grass, turn out extremely well. They raise cotton sufficient for family consumption at Boone's Lick. Sweet potatoes do pretty well, our kitchen gardens are not excelled by any of our country; cabbages, lettuce, peas and onions, are remarkably fine; hops, raspberries, gooseberries, strawberries and currants, grow wild and in great abundance all over the country. The timber is walnut, hickory, a variety of oaks, locust, ash, cotton tree, papaw, pecan, coffee nut, sycamore, elm, maple, sugar tree, hackberry, willow, box, elder, some pine and some red cedar. The undergrowth is hazel, arrow wood, red berry, crab apple, wild pea vine & rushes. A variety of grapes and some wild cherry and persimmon. So much of the settlement of the Missouri river, particularly that of Boone's Lick, or Howard county.

I shall now speak of the Missouri Territory generally. By reference to the map you will find it embraces an immense tract of country, including within its limits the Arkansaw, White, St. Francis, Merrimack, Gasconade, Osage, Missouri and many other large rivers—and I believe it embraces some of the worst, as well as some of the best lands in the western country.

The climate is generally salubrious and healthy, and the face of the country beautiful, romantic and inviting. Lead and iron ore are in very great abundance, salt springs plenty. In short, nature has been truly bountiful, in the distribution of her favors, in this territory. The Missouri is navigable for large boats 3000 miles, the Arkansaw upwards of 1200, the White river 400 or 500, St. Francis 300, Gasconade 200, Osage 350. St. Louis is the principal commercial town in the territory. It has from 350 to 400 houses, is beautifully situated on the Mississippi river, 20 miles below the mouth of the Missouri. It is growing very rapidly, has at present near 50 regular mercantile houses, many merchants, two banks, and a proportion of the common establishments to be usually found in towns. The trade of the place consists in lead, furs and peltries and other Indian articles. pork, beef, salt, tallow, flour, wheat, corn, oats, dry goods, groceries, &c. Business is commonly pretty brisk, and the merchants generally grow rich, in a very few years. Dry goods are brought to St. Louis, from Philadelphia and Baltimore. They are wagoned to Pittsburgh, and from thence by water to St. Louis; the cost of transportation from Philadelphia to St. Louis does not exceed 10 cents per lb. House-rent at St. Louis is very high, and lots for building are nearly as high as they are in some of our largest cities, and rising very rapidly; lands near town are from 5 to 200 dollars an acre. Those lands adjoining St. Louis are worth 600 dollars to 1000 per acre. Society in St. Louis pretty good and fast improving: provision markets tolerably well supplied, and pretty cheap. Laborers are very dear, say from 15 to 30 dollars per month and find them; good boarding is 15 dollars per month including lodging—tavern prices are yet high. Building is very extensive. Distance from St. Louis to New Orleans by water, 1500 miles; freight from New Orleans to St. Louis, 5 dollars per hundred: our groceries chiefly come from there.

The Missouri Territory will become an independent state in a few years without any doubt. Its population must be already nearly great enough to entitle it to admission into the union.