A New Guide For Emigrants To The West Part 27

3. _Bardstown._--This includes the State of Kentucky, and has a bishop, with the usual subordinates, 27 congregations, and 33 priests, 11 of whom reside at Bardstown. A convent of 6 Jesuit priests at Lebanon; another of 5 Dominicans, called St. Rose, in Washington county; the college at Bardstown, already noticed, and St. Mary's Seminary in Washington county, for the education of priests. Of _female_ inst.i.tutions, there are the _Female Academy of Nazareth_ at Bardstown, conducted by the "Sisters of Charity," and superintended by the bishop and professors of St. Joseph's college,--150 pupils; the female academy of Loretto, Washington county, with accommodation for 100 boarders, and directed by the "_Sisters of Mary at the foot of the cross_." This order have six other places for country schools, and are said to be 135 in number. The _Convent of Holy Mary_, and the _Monastery of St.

Magdalene_, at St. Rose, Washington county, by Dominican nuns, 15 in number, and in 1831, 30 pupils. The Catholics have a female academy at Lexington with 100 pupils.

I have no data to show the Roman Catholic population of this State, but it is by no means proportionate to the formidable machinery here exhibited. All this array of colleges, seminaries, monasteries, convents and nunneries is for the work of proselyting, and if they are not successful, it only shows that the current of popular sentiment sets strongly in another direction.

4. _Vincennes._--This is a new Diocess, recently carved out of Indiana and Illinois by the authority of an old gentleman, who lives in the city of Rome! It includes a dozen chapels, 4 or 5 priests, the St.

Claire convent at Vincennes, with several other appendages. The Roman Catholic population of this State is not numerous, probably not exceeding 3000. Illinois has about 5000, a part of which is under the jurisdiction of St. Louis Diocess. In Illinois there are 10 churches, and 6 priests, a part of which are included in the Diocess of Indiana. A convent of nuns of the "_Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary_," at Kaskaskia, who conduct a female school, with a few boarders and about 30 or 40 day scholars.

5. _St. Louis._--This Diocess includes 18 congregations and 19 priests, with the following appendages:

1. _St. Louis University_, already noticed, with 6 priests for instructors, and 150 students, of which, about 80 are boarders. The rules require their attendance on morning and evening prayers, the catechism, and divine service on Sundays and holidays. 2. St. Mary's College, also noticed in our description of colleges. 3. Noviciate for _Jesuits under St. Stanislaus_, in St. Louis county. Of female inst.i.tutions there are,--1. Convent of the "_Ladies of the Sacred Heart_," at St. Louis; 2. another of the same description, and their noviciate, at Florrissant;--3. another of the same order at St.

Charles;--4. a female academy at Carondalet, six miles below St. Louis, by the "_Sisters of Charity_;"--5. a convent and academy of the "_Sisters of Loretto_," at New Madrid;--6. a convent and female academy at Frederickstown, under supervision of a priest;--7. a convent and female academy of the "_Sisters of Loretto_," in Perry county. The Roman Catholic population in Missouri does not exceed 15,000. Their pupils, of both s.e.xes, may be estimated at 700. To the above may be added the hospital, and the asylum for boys, in St. Louis, under the management of the Sisters of Charity.

Roman Catholic teachers, usually foreigners, disperse themselves through the country, and engage in teaching primary schools; availing themselves of intercourse with the families of their employers to instruct them in the dogmas of their religion. The greatest success that has attended the efforts of the priests in converting others, has been during the prevalence of the cholera, and especially after collapse and insensibility had seized the person! We know of more than 60 Roman Catholics who have been converted to the faith of Christ and joined Christian churches within 3 or 4 years past, in this State.

6. _New Orleans._--The Roman Catholics in Louisiana are numerous, probably including one third of the population. Relatively, Protestants are increasing, as a large proportion of the emigration from the other States, who care any thing about religion, are Protestants. There are 26 congregations, and 27 priests with several convents, female seminaries, asylums, &c.

7. _Mobile._--A splendid cathedral has been commenced here. This Diocess extends into Florida.

FOOTNOTES:

[12] The reader will note that our estimates of Roman Catholics include the whole family of every age. Whereas, our statistics of Protestant denominations included only communicants.

CHAPTER XV.

Suggestions to Emigrants--Ca.n.a.l, Steamboat and Stage Routes--Other Modes of Travel--Expenses--Roads, Distances, &c. &c.

In the concluding chapter to this GUIDE, it is proposed to give such information as is always desirable to emigrants upon removing, or travelling for any purpose, to the West.

1. Persons in moderate circ.u.mstances, or who would save time and expense, need not make a visit to the West, to ascertain particulars previous to removal. A few general facts, easily collected from a hundred sources, will enable persons to decide the great question whether they will emigrate to the Valley. By the same means, emigrants may determine to what State, and to what part of that State, their course shall be directed. There are many things that a person of plain, common sense will take for granted without inquiry,--such as facilities for obtaining all the necessaries of life; the readiness with which property of any description may be obtained for a fair value, and especially farms and wild land; that they can live where hundreds of thousands of others of similar habits and feelings live; and above all, they should take it for granted, that there are difficulties to be encountered in every country, and in all business,--that these difficulties can be surmounted with reasonable effort, patience and perseverance, and that in every country, people sicken and die.

2. Having decided to what State and part of the State an emigrant will remove, let him then conclude to take as little furniture and other luggage as he can do with, especially if he comes by public conveyances.

Those who reside within convenient distance of a sea port, would find it both safe and economical to ship by New Orleans, in boxes, such articles as are not wanted on the road, especially if they steer for the navigable waters of the Mississippi. Bed and other clothing, books, &c., packed in boxes, like merchants' goods, will go much safer and cheaper by New Orleans, than by any of the inland routes. I have received more than one hundred packages and boxes, from eastern ports, by that route, within 20 years, and never lost one. Boxes should be marked to the owner or his agent at the river port where destined, and to the charge of some forwarding house in New Orleans. The freight and charges may be paid when the boxes are received.

3. If a person designs to remove to the north part of Ohio, and Indiana, to Chicago and vicinity, or to Michigan, or Greenbay, his course would be by the New York ca.n.a.l, and the lakes. The following table, showing the time of the opening of the ca.n.a.l at Albany and Buffalo, and the opening of the lake, from 1827 to 1835, is from a report of a committee at Buffalo to the common council of that city. It will be of use to those who wish to take the northern route in the spring.

------+-----------------+-----------------+----------------- Ca.n.a.l opened at Ca.n.a.l opened at Lake Erie opened Year. Buffalo. Albany. at Buffalo.

------+-----------------+-----------------+----------------- 1827 April 21 April 21 April 21 1828 " 1 " 1 " 1 1829 " 25 " 29 May 10 1830 " 15 " 20 April 6 1831 " 16 " 16 May 8 1832 " 18 " 25 April 27 1833 " 22 " 22 " 23 1834 " 16 " 17 " 6 1835 " 15 " 15 May 8

The same route will carry emigrants to Cleveland and by the Ohio ca.n.a.l to Columbus, or to the Ohio river at Portsmouth, from whence by steamboat, direct communications will offer to any river port in the Western States. From Buffalo, steamboats run constantly, (when the lake is open,) to Detroit, stopping at Erie, Ashtabula, Cleveland, Sandusky and many other ports from whence stages run to every prominent town.

Transportation wagons are employed in forwarding goods.

SCHEDULE FROM BUFFALO TO DETROIT BY WATER.

Miles.

Dunkirk, N. Y., 39 Portland, " 18-57 Erie, Pa., 35-92 Ashtabula, Ohio, 39-131 Fairport, " 32-163 Cleveland, Ohio, 30-193 Sandusky, " 54-247 Amherstburg, N. C. 52-299 Detroit, Mich., 18-317

_From thence to Chicago, Illinois._

Miles.

St. Clair River, Michigan, 40 Palmer, 17-57 Fort Gratiot, 14-71 White Rock, 40-111 Thunder Island, 70-181 Middle Island, 25-206 Presque Isle, 65-271 Mackinaw, 58-329 Isle Brule, 75-404 Fort Howard, W. Territory, 100-504 Milwaukee, W. T. 310-814 Chicago, Ill., 90-904

_From Cleveland to Portsmouth, via. Ohio ca.n.a.l._

Miles.

Cuyahoga Aqueduct, 22 Old Portage, 12-34 Akron, 4-38 New Portage, 5-43 Clinton, 11-54 Ma.s.sillon, 11-65 Bethlehem, 6-71 Bolivar, 8-79 Zoar, 3-82 Dover, 7-89 New Philadelphia, 4-93 New-Comers' Town, 22-115 Coshocton, 17-132 Irville, 26-158 Newark, 13-171 Hebron, 10-181 Licking Summit, 5-186 Lancaster Canaan, 11-197 Columbus, side cut, 18-215 Bloomfield, 8-223 Circleville, 9-232 Chillicothe, 23-255 Piketon, 25-280 Lucasville, 14-294 Portsmouth, (Ohio river,) 13-307

The most expeditious, pleasant and direct route for travellers to the southern parts of Ohio and Indiana; to the Illinois river, as far north as Peoria; to the Upper Mississippi, as Quincy, Rock Island, Galena and Prairie du Chien; to Missouri; and to Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Natches and New Orleans is one of the southern routes. There are, 1st, from Philadelphia to Pittsburg by rail-roads and the Pennsylvania ca.n.a.l; 2nd, by Baltimore,--the Baltimore and Ohio rail-road,--and stages to Wheeling; or, 3dly, for people living to the south of Washington, by stage, via Charlottesville, Va., Staunton, the hot, warm, and white sulphur springs, Lewisburg, Charlestown, to Guyandotte, from whence a regular line of steamboats run 3 times a week to Cincinnati.

Intermediate routes from Washington city to Wheeling; or to Harper's ferry, to Fredericksburg, and intersect the route through Virginia at Charlottesville.

_From Philadelphia to Pittsburg, via rail-road and ca.n.a.l._

Miles.

Columbia on the Susquehanna river by rail-road, daily, 81 By ca.n.a.l packets to Bainbridge, 11-92 Middletown, 17-109 Harrisburg, 10-119 Juniata river, 15-134 Millerstown, 17-151 Mifflin, 17-168 Lewistown, 13-171 Waynesburg, 14-195 Hamiltonville, 11-206 Huntingdon, 7-213 Petersburg, 8-221 Alexandria, 23-244 Frankstown and Hollidaysburgh, 3-247 From thence by rail-road across the mountain to Johnstown is 38-285 By ca.n.a.l to Blairsville, 35-320 Saltzburg, 18-338 Warren, 12-350 Alleghany river, 16-366 PITTSBURG, 28-394

The _Pioneer_ line on this route is exclusively for pa.s.sengers, and professes to reach Pittsburg in _four_ days--but is sometimes behind several hours. Fare through, $10. Pa.s.sengers pay for meals.

_Leech's line_, called "_the Western Transportation line_," takes both freight and pa.s.sengers. The packet boats advertise to go through to Pittsburg in _five_ days for $7.

Midship and steerage pa.s.sengers in the transportation line in six and a half days; merchandize delivered in 8 days. Generally, however, there is some delay. Emigrants must not expect to carry more than a small trunk or two on the packet lines. Those who take goods or furniture, and expect to keep with it, had better take the transportation lines with more delay. The price of meals on the boats is about 37- cents.

On all the _steamboats_ on the Western waters, no additional charge is made to cabin pa.s.sengers for meals,--and the tables are usually profusely supplied. Strict order is observed, and the waiters and officers are attentive.

_Steamboat route from Pittsburg to the mouth of Ohio._

Miles.

Middletown, Pa. 11 Economy, " 8-19 Beaver, " 10-29 Georgetown, " 13-42 Steubenville, Ohio, 27-69 Wellsburgh, Va., 7-76 Warren, Ohio, 6-82 _Wheeling_, Va., 10-92 Elizabethtown, " 11-103 Sistersville, " 34-137 Newport, Ohio, 27-164 _Marietta_, Ohio 14-178 Parkersburgh, Va., 11-189 Belpre, and Blennerha.s.sett's Isl'd, O., 4-193 Troy, Ohio, 10-203 Belleville, Va., 7-210 Letart's Rapids, Va., 37-247 Point Pleasant, " 27-274 Gallipolis, Ohio, 4-278 _Guyandot_, Va., 27-305 Burlington, Ohio, 10-315 Greensburg, Ky., 19-334 Concord, Ohio, 12-346 _Portsmouth_, (Ohio, ca.n.a.l,) 7-353 Vanceburg, Ky., 20-373 Manchester, Ohio, 16-389 _Maysville_, Ky., 11-400 Charleston, " 4-404 Ripley, Ohio, 6-410 Augusta, Ky., 8-418 Neville, Ohio, 7-425 Moscow, " 7-432 Point Pleasant, Ohio 4-436 New Richmond, " 7-443 Columbia, " 15-458 Fulton, " 6-464 CINCINNATI, Ohio 2-466 North Bend, " 15-481 Lawrenceburgh, Ia., and mouth of the Miami, 8-489 Aurora, Ia., 2-491 Petersburg, Ky., 2-493 Bellevue, " 8-501 Rising Sun, Ia., 2-503 Fredericksburgh, Ky., 18-521 Vevay, Ia., and Ghent, Ky., 11-532 Port William, Ky., 8-540 Madison, In., 15-555 New London, In., 12-567 Bethlehem, " 8-575 Westport, Ky., 7-582 Transylvania, Ky., 15-597 LOUISVILLE, Ky., 12-609 Shippingsport thro' the ca.n.a.l, 2--611- New Albany, In., 1--613 Salt River, Ky., 23-636 Northampton, Ia., 18-654 Leavenworth, " 17-671 Fredonia, " 2-673 Rome, In., 32-705 Troy, " 25-730 Rockport, In., 16-746 Owenburgh, Ky., 12-758 _Evansville_, Ia., 36-794 Henderson, Ky., 12-806 Mount Vernon, Ia., 28-834 Carthage, Ky., 12-846 Wabash River, Ky., 7-853 Shawneetown, Ill., 11-864 Mouth of Saline, Ill., 12-876 Cave in Rock, " 10-886 Golconda, " 19-905 _Smithland_, mouth of the c.u.mberland River, Ky., 10-915 _Paducah_, mouth of the Tennessee River, Ky., 13-928 Caledonia, Ill., 31-959 Trinity, mouth of Cash River, Ill., 10-969 MOUTH OF THE OHIO RIVER, 6-975

Persons who wish to visit Indianopolis will stop at Madison, Ia., and take the stage conveyance. From Louisville, via Vincennes, to St. Louis by stage, every alternate day, 273 miles, through in three days and half. Fare $17. Stages run from Vincennes to Terre Haute and other towns up the Wabash river. At _Evansville_, Ia., stage lines are connected with Vincennes and Terre Haute; and at _Shawneetown_ twice a week to Carlyle, Ill., where it intersects the line from Louisville to St.

Louis. From Louisville to Nashville by steamboats, pa.s.sengers land at Smithland at the mouth of c.u.mberland river, unless they embark direct for Nashville.

In the _winter_ both stage and steamboat lines are uncertain and irregular. Ice in the rivers frequently obstructs navigation, and high waters and bad roads sometimes prevent stages from running regularly.

Farmers who remove to the West from the Northern and Middle States, will find it advantageous in many instances to remove with their own teams and wagons. These they will need on their arrival. Autumn, or from September till November, is the favorable season for this mode of emigration. The roads are then in good order, the weather usually favorable, and feed plenty. People of all cla.s.ses from the States south of the Ohio river, remove with large wagons, carry and cook their own provisions, purchase their feed by the bushel, and invariably _encamp out at night_.

Individuals who wish to travel through the interior of Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, &c., will find that the most convenient, sure, economical and independent mode is on horseback. Their expenses will be from 75 cents to $1.50 per day, and they can always consult their own convenience and pleasure as to time and place.

Stage fare is usually 6 cents per mile in the West. Meals at stage houses, 37- cents.

_Steamboat fare, including meals._

From Pittsburg to Cincinnati, $10 " Cincinnati to Louisville, 4 " Louisville to St. Louis, 12