Memphis, Tennessee [pp. 235-239]

MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE.
235
with a great deal of respect and interest, and am happy to see. them brought
out, and give to the extent of my opportunities as a journalist, the utmost
publicity to their arguments. They may be right, though you and I do not
think so, with the lights at present before us, that a future increase of slave
territory is impossible, and that therefore an accelerated increase of slaves would
Africanilze the slave States, destroy the value of productions, introduce disease
and insubordination, expel population, etc. It is at least an honest opinion,
and entitled to weight.
Fair and legitimate discussion is what is wanted, and that only. It can do
no harm in any country, and under any state of things, and in regard to any
matter. It is an idle assumption that the discussion will divide and distract the
South. The division, at most, will prove to be of no more importance than
such as already exists in regard to cardinal matters of State and Federal policy,
which at any moment is ready to be sacrificed when the common interest is
menaced. We may trust our fellow-citizens thus far, and they will suspect us
in return neither of disloyalty or of treason.
I am, your ob't serv't,
J. D. B. DE Bow.
To the Hon. Wm. L. YANCEY, Montgomery, Ala.
2.-MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE.
The city of Memphis, situated on the east bank of the Mississippi River, in
the county of Shelby, and State of Tennessee, is rapidly becomin~ the great
centre of commerce and inter-comnmunication between the North anL'the South.
Its central location and beautiful situation on the high clay bluff, known, in
early times, as the "Fourth Chickasaw Bluff," gives it a position of commanding
influence.
This bluff was selected, as early as the year 1736, as a suitable position for a
garrison by the French, and while Louisiana was possessed by Spain it was
again chosen as a healthy and commanding site for a similar establishment. A
fort and garrison had been built and occupied, and the adjacent land cleared and
cultivated many years anterior to their being surrendered to the United States.
agreeably to the treaty of St. Ildelfonso. Being from thirty-nine to forty feet
above the highest flood, it is never exposed to inundation, and commands a
complete view of the Mississippi River, which, at this place, is rather more
than three quarters of a mile wide.
The scenery from the city is quite picturesque and delightful, presenting a
rich and extensive plain in the rear, with improvements of architectural beauty,
finish, and capacity.
In casting the eye up the Mississippi River, a water view is obtained for several miles, interrupted and varied by a cluster of islands, about two miles distant, commonly known by the name of "Paddy's Hen and Chickens," through
which the Mississippi is seen discharging its immense volume of water in two
or three different channels. Upon directing the attention down the river, the
eye enjoys au equally extensive range, where is prcsented, within three miles'
space, " President's Island," which contains several thousand acres of land, a
considerable portion of which is very fertile and entirely free from inundation.
In 1782 uncivilized Indians and the wild beasts of the forest inhabited the
bluff above-named, and 1783 the Spanish government directed W. H. Gayoso,
then acting governor of the Territory of Louisiana, to take steps for the occupation, by the Spanish Government, of this point.
The Indians manifesting a disposition to receive the officers of the Spanish
Government, Governor W. H. Gayoso came up with a sufficient number of
troops, and built Fort St. Fernando on the bluff, at the mouth of Wolf River, the
site of which is now covered by a portion of the navy yard. The Spanish continued in occupation of this garrison until the ratification of th. treaty by
which Louisiana was ceded to the United States Government, and thirty-five
degrees of north latitude established as the boundary line between the two
governments.