Transcript

Transcript for Frontier Guardian, 3 Oct. 1851, 3

MOSCOW, HILLSDALE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. Sept. 10, 1851.

DEAR SIR:--I passed through your flourishing little village of Kanesville in 1849, on my way to California, perhaps you may remember a company from Jonesville, Mich., called the "Fayette Rovers;" we were commanded by Capt Baxter, and were all at your office and had a copy of your interesting paper sent to our friends. I have just returned after an absence of two years and five months. As I intend to cross the plains next summer and take my family with me, I would be thankful to you for a little information. Can all kinds of provisions suitable for the journey across the plains be bought at the Bluffs? can oxen and good milk cows be bought? if they can, at what prices? as I want to purchase some thirty head of cows. As I have crossed the plains pefore and know the road and the dangers well, I would like to travel with a good company; if any of your people are going in the spring I should like to travel in company with them. I have no doubt I would be of service to a company who had never crossed the pains. I see by your exchange paper at the office of the Jonesville Telegraph, that the Indians have been very troublesome this summer. I sincerely hope something will be done to stop the Pawnees in their system of plunder. There are a number of persons, here who intend to cross the plains next summer, but the reports about the Indians on the route by the Bluffs. will make a number take another route. I would like to have a company large enough to give the Indians a drubbing. Please answer this, and you will much oblige,

your obedient servant,
ANDREW HARTMAN.

In answer to the foregoing letter we would say: that Provisions, Wagons, Cows, Horses, Oxen, &c., &c., may be obtained at this place now, at very moderate rates.

Any number of cattle and horses, could be bought here last year during the time of emigration at reasonable prices; and as to rates next Spring, we presume that they will be in the same ratio.

We do not wish to deceive any person or persons intending to remove in the Spring westward; and for that reason, we cannot consistently quote rates for the future, because the demand and attendant circumstances, alone, can determine what they may be. Emigrants may rest assured of plenty of provisions, groceries, and every other article suitable for a journey across the Plains to be here; therefore none need fear to go short of what is necessary, if they come to this place. As to the Indians, we entertain no fears whatever; the Agent, Major Barrow, and also the Commandants at the different forts, latterly, have taken rather decided steps to crush their high-handed acts, and we trust, for the future that Government will succeed to negotiate with them for the right of way through their lands, so that the emigrant may pass through unmolested and unharmed. We anticipate a goodly number to leave the States for Salt Lake, Oregon, and California the coming season--therefore, emigrants intending to cross the plains should be here early, so as to insure regularity, safety and success. There is an abundance of corn, hay, and other useful articles produced by the farmer in this and surrounding counties; consequently none need fear, for scarcity of food for either man or beast upon their arrival at this point. Corn is selling at present from 20 to 25 cents per bushel; potatoes, 25 cents; turnips 10 cents; hay $2 00 per ton; butter, 10 cents per pound; flour $ 6 50 per barrel and other articles in proportion. Again, we say: that Kanesville, Pottawatamie County, Iowa, is considered by many who have proven it, to be the best starting point; and the old Mormon trail, or northern route, is admitted by all to be the best route to either Salt Lake, California or Oregon.