Misc. Records

Where to Emigrate and Why - Frederick B. Goddard, Peoples Publ. Co., 1869

CHAPTER II

        THERE are seasons in the lives of all of us, when the clouds seem to close thickly in about us—when, for instance, some circumstance brings forcibly home the possible loss of health, or failure in business, or lack of employment; or we are worn and wearied with the bustle, and din, and vice of our great cities, and yearn for a more quiet and a purer life.

        At such times who has not felt himself inspired with what we may call the instinct of emigration, akin, perhaps, to that of the birds of passage, and turned his thoughts fondly and longingly toward some ideal spot among the broad fields and green pastures, the murmuring streams, and long valleys of the West or South, believing that a more vigorous health, or a larger independence, or a happier home, awaits him there ?

        And the gloomier our surroundings, the more attractive do these Arcadian homes appear to us, as we best appreciate the beauties of an illuminated picture from a darkened standpoint.

        While there are many to whom these thoughts are nothing but abstractions or pleasant day-dreams, there are also multitudes whose desire to emigrate is an ever present reality—who are eagerly awaiting the opportunity or the means to go forth, or for light to guide their willing feet; others still, lacking only resolution, who should remember that, "no great deed is done by falterers who ask for certainty." Tens of thousands of smiling cottages, and well-fenced and cultivated farms, and other evidences of thrift and happiness throughout the great West, bear eloquent testimony to the wisdom and the rewards of emigration.

        And there are other thousands who ought to catch the spirit of migration if they have it not, and strike out for new fields of enterprise. Farmers of the Atlantic States, who have vainly toiled for years to get "forehanded," or to pay off " the little mortgage;" or their grown-up sons, to whose sturdy labor the rocky acres of the old home-farm offer no adequate reward. And that large class of aimless men, who are floating where they should row—lingering around our large cities, waiting for something to "turn up" which will enable them to live without labor and be "genteel," always disappointed and unsuccessful in the great battle of life ! Is it not strange that these men elect to struggle with poverty all their days, when the good God of Nature has so bountifully blessed us with lands of beauty and fruitfulness, to be had for the taking; and remunerative fields for energy and muscle in a thousand avocations, at a time when the growing dignity of tilling the soil, and labor of all kinds, is acknowledged throughout the world ; and when the inventive genius of our people has enabled us to produce with the same labor more bread, and meat, and clothing than ever before ?

        He who transplants himself to a new country comes up out of the old routine of thought and action into new life and vigor. He gives a portion of the peculiarities of his earlier experience and knowledge to the general fund, and receives a multiplied experience in return. Every thing about him is suggestive. It calls him out—it stimulates his exertion. If he has been before unsuccessful, he may here begin life anew; and standing erect among his fellows, retrieve the errors or misfortunes of earlier years. A new range of ideas is given to every man who emigrates, be he farmer or gardener, fruit-grower, cattle-raiser, merchant, carpenter, bricklayer, lawyer, or physician.

        We can anticipate that a most important question with many will be—With how little money can I prudently undertake this great change ?—how much will it require to establish my family comfortably in a new home, and support them until my farm yields returns ?

        So much depends upon what the emigrant may consider as the standard of comfort—upon his willingness to undergo the greater or less privations incident to life in a new home—upon his tastes and habits—upon his energy and resolution—upon the helping hands of his wife and children, and many other modifying circumstances—that what one may find an ample capital, another might consider totally inadequate.

        A distinguished journalist, who is regarded as authority upon subjects connected with emigration, says:‑

        "The pioneers who settled Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, and Kansas, averaged a good deal less than seven hundred dollars each as their outfit. With seven hundred dollars, a man may take up a quarter-section of homestead land, buy a team and cow, build a cabin and cattle-shelter, get a few implements, break up and sow or plant twenty acres of prairie, and have a crop growing. * * * At the end of five years he should, with fair luck, have forty acres under good cultivation, as many more fenced in for bay and pasture, and a fair stock of young cattle. After that, he may pass an Eight-Hour law for himself and wife, and live in substantial independence and comfort."

        While the emigrant would probably succeed with less, he can not have too much money. Men with means, possess in the newer portions of our country, as elsewhere, great advantages. It will be understood that free homesteads under the acts of Congress are not to be found near great cities or villages. They are only to be secured in thinly settled and more remote districts, back from lines of railroads and steamboat landings. As a rule, he who settles under the homestead law must be content to wait a few months, or years, to hear the whistle of the locomotive from his own door-step. Others may select the spot where they wish to settle, and purchase improved lands nearer to market and educational advantages, at prices ranging from three dollars upward, or find abundant opportunities to engage in manufacturing or mercantile pursuits.

        There are railroad companies in the West, owning large quantities of desirable land along their lines, which they offer at from five to twenty dollars per acre, requiring only a small portion of the amount in cash, and giving a long time upon the remainder, at low interest.

        A few suggestions to those seeking new homes may not be amiss.

        And first, as HEALTH is the greatest earthly blessing, so it should be first considered, especially by those with families. The healthfulness of any proposed point of settlement should be fully ascertained by the emigrant, as the preliminary step in his investigations. While our country embraces a wide diversity of climate, it is, as a whole, remarkably healthy. There are localities which may, more or less, require seasons of acclimation; but there are few, if any, that are absolutely unhealthy. As a general rule, the avoidance of low, swampy lands, may be recommended.

        Other important considerations are:—The quality and price of land at the point where you would go ? Is it well-watered ? Is it cleared land, or timber, or prairie ? What are its prospects in respect to an increased population, and the consequent advancement in the value of property ? What are the school and religious advantages ? Can workmen be had, and what are wages ? And in view of the influence such things have upon children, and upon the social happiness of yourself and family, can vines, and fruits, and flowers, be easily raised ? What is the general tone of society ? What the relative number of working days in the year ? Will your stock need housing in winter, and for how long ? &c.

        Answers to these queries will be found further on, in the chapters devoted to each State.

        To the foreign emigrant we kindly suggest, that while we need his muscle more than his money, there may be inconvenience to himself and his family, in landing upon our shores entirely destitute. Let him, if possible, have enough for immediate wants, and to carry them away from the crowded cities of the coast. If, in addition, he brings with him a few hundred dollars with which to purchase his seed, and stock, and tools, he may feel sure that he has within his reach the new home, with its comforts and freedom, which he has crossed the ocean to find.

        Nearly all emigrants to the United States of America, land in New York City. Upon the arrival of any emigrant vessel at quarantine station, six miles below the city, she is boarded by an officer who ascertains the number of passengers, and their condition in respect to health, &c. He also hears all complaints, which he reports to the Commissioners of Emigration in New York. Proceeding, the vessel casts anchor in the stream convenient to the great landing depot called Castle Garden. After an examination of the luggage by the Inspector of Customs, it is checked and, with the passengers, transferred to barges and steam-tugs, and landed at the Castle Garden pier. Here, the emigrants are examined by a medical officer, the sick sent to the hospital, and all blind persons, cripples, lunatics, or others likely to become a public charge, are subject to special bonds. This examination being ended, the names, former place of residence and intended destination of the emigrants, with other particulars, are registered, and they are then at liberty to go their several ways.

        Castle Garden is under the management of Government officials, none of whom are allowed to charge or receive money for any services they may render. It has for twelve years been devoted exclusively to the reception of emigrants, and is conveniently fitted up for the purpose. Connected with the department is a "labor exchange" or intelligence office, designed to furnish employment for emigrants of both sexes, among farmers and others throughout the country. In August of the present year, Mr. ERBE, Superintendent of the Castle Garden Labor Exchange, stated that the demand for laborers had for several months been larger than the supply.

        Further on in this work the reader many find a table, showing the average rate of wages for agricultural labor per month, throughout the United States. The book also contains reliable maps of the several States and Territories, and a general map of the United States. Also a chapter explaining the different routes by which to reach various parts of the country, &c. The price of lands, climate, productions, and general advantages of all the States and Territories, will be found in the chapters devoted respectively to them..

        And now, before we pass to the consideration of each State by itself, we would grasp each emigrant by the hand and bid him God speed !—whether he be one of our own northeastern farmers, who has hopelessly wrestled with long and rigorous winters upon a scanty and barren soil; one of the fair-haired sons of Faderland―the wailing children of old Ireland—the sinewy men who live by the sounding shores of Norway—or any one of the down-trodden millions of the Old World who would earn a nobler manhood, and whose wistful eyes, following the setting sun, yearn to behold a happier home among the green meadows of our own land.

        May this volume help to guide many such timid and uncertain feet from poverty and hopeless toil, to happiness and independence.

Transcribed by Kathy Sedler.