three merchants of St. Louis, as a committee to examine his accounts. As Mr. Valle expressed the belief that he would, after this meeting, be able to obtain a proper settlement from Mr. Souper without further trouble, and as it was evident that, should this be not the case, there remained no remedy but to make Mr. Souper responsible under his bond, no further action was taken for the present in this matter. Mr. Willis reported on his labors in the cause of immigration, to which he devoted himself exclusively; about his travels north and east; his lectures there; and about the circulars which he issued for the Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad Company. He proposed and warmly recommended the publication of a similar circular about Missouri, under the auspices of this Board, either separately or in conjunction with the Hannibal and St. Joseph and the North Missouri railroads, but not devoted or partial to any locality. Mr. Bush regarded the publication of such circulars, and of documents giving information about Missouri, for gratuitous distribution to those who daily demanded the same at his hands, as very essential; and the expense it would involve would probably be very trifling. Mr. Muench reported that his German book on Missouri, which he had written at the request of this Board, was complete in manuscript, and its being for distribution in Germany, he had made inquiries about the cost of its publication and distribution in thousands of copies; whereupon Mr. Rodman offered the following resolution, which was adopted unanimously: Resolved, That Hon. F. Muench is hereby authorized to have his book on Misouri printed for circulation in Europe (the first edition to be of such number of copies as he may deem prudent), and that he arrange for the cost thereof, and report the amount to this Board. And the President is directed to draw his warrant for this purpose for an amount not to exceed one thousand dollars. Mr. Bush laid before the Board the following copy of his correspondence with the Commissioner of Emigration, Department of State, at Washington: DEPARTMENT OF STATE, SIR: Your letter of the 6th ultimo, containing an offer to transmit to the Bureau of Immigration the reports and other records of the Board organized in conformity to the act passed by the Missouri Legislature, to encourage immigration to the State of Missouri, has been duly received. This department will always gratefully receive communications which in any way might promote the subject of emigration. I am, sir, your obedient servant, HON. ISIDOR BUSH, W. HUNTER, Acting Secretary. Rec. and Cor. Secretary of the Board of Immigration, St. Louis, Mo. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION, SIR: Your letter of the 7th instant, inclosing the act of the Missouri Legislature establishing your Board, has been received at this office. This Bureau is also in receipt of a pamphlet in the German and one in the English language, which you had the kindness to transmit to it. Please accept the thanks of this Bureau for these favors and for the information contained in your letter. HON. ISIDOR BUSH, sir, your obedient servant, I am, H. N. CONGAR, Commissioner of Immigration. Secretary of Board of Immigration, St. Louis, Mo. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION, SIR: The Bureau of Immigration is called upon by section six of the act creating it, to render to Congress an annual report of the immigration into this country. In view of this fact, you would oblige this office greatly if you would furnish it with such general and statistical information in regard to the immigration into your State during the last year as may be within your reach. I am, sir, your obedient servant, E. P. JACOBSON, for Commissioner. HON. ISIDOR BUSH, Secretary of Board of Immigration, St. Louis, Mo. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION, SIR: Your letter of the 30th ultimo has been duly received, for which accept the thanks of this Bureau. This office will thank you for any information which it is in your power to communicate to it prior to November 30. Hon. ISIDOR BUSH, St. Louis, Mo. I am, sir, Your obedient servant, E. P. JACOBSON, For the Commissioner. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION, SIR: Your very interesting and valuable letter of the 22d instant has been duly received, and I thank you much for the information which you communicate. This Bureau will take much pleasure in acting upon the suggestions advanced therein. E. P. JACOBSON, Hon. ISIDOR BUSH, Secretary of Board of Immigration, St. Louis, Mo. NOTE.-The answer will be found in the proceedings of the December meeting, 1865. MISSOURI STATE BOARD OF IMMIGRATION, H. N. CONGAR, Commissioner of Immigration, Bureau of Immigration, Washington, D. C.: In compliance with your circular of September 1, and letter of October 26, I take pleasure to submit to you the following information respecting immigration into the State of Missouri. No State has probably suffered more than Missouri during the war Her hardy male population has furnished not only its full quota to the armies of the United States, but unfortunately also many thousands to the rebel cause under Price, Marmaduke, Shelby, Jeff. Thompson and many other prominent public men, who had joined them, and who induced our youth to follow their example. A still larger number, feeling their life and property insecure, and intimidated by acts of violence, left their homesteads for other States, so that many counties, especially in the southern part of the State, were fearfully depopulated. I inclose a paper from Southeast Missouri filled with advertisements of sheriff sales from beginning to end, which will give you a better idea of existing circumstances than any description would do Now, however, a train of returning people are moving into the state from the East, South, and even from the North. From some of the depopulated counties, it is true, many are moving away even now, or intend to leave as soon as they can sell their lands; having been used to cultivate them with slave labor only, and having lost their slaves, they feel themselves too lonesome, but by far larger numbers are coming in. There never was a people more earnest in inviting immigration than ours in every part of the State, and of all classes of immigrants Germans are most liked and coveted. Of unskilled laborers farm hands are most required. Missouri being, as yet, principally an agricultural tate. The wages in the country vary from $15.00 to $25 00 a month and board. In the neighborhood of St. Louis unskilled laborers employed on works of improvement, and on the various railroads, receive from $1 60 to $2.00 per day. All kinds of mechanics are very scarce, and command high wages-high even if the cost of subsistence and house rent is taken in full consideration. Carpenters from $250 to $3 50; bricklayers from $3 50 to $1 00; blacksmiths from $2 50 to $300; tailors and shoemakers from $3 00 to $4 00; cabinet makers from $300 to $4 00, 10 hours work; miners from $250 to $4 00 (according to the distance and cost of living at the locality where they work.) Machinists-finishers from $250 to $3 00; pattern-makers from $300 to $4 50; formers and moulders from $3.00 to $3 50, 10 hours work. Gasfitters, locksmiths, brass foundries and all jobbing, either in these or similar lines, pays at from $200 to $3 00, a day's work of 10 hours. Printers and employes connected with the press, who have passed through a regular course of instruction in their particular branch, may count on at least $18 00 a week. For artisans of the fine arts, as painters, sculptors, architects, chemists, jewelers, and for persons of the mercantile profession, it is not so easy to find employment as in Eastern States; but there is no doubt that with some means and proficiency in their respective vocation all can be sure of finding good openings and liberal encouragements to establish themselves. We possess no means of obtaining correct statistical information as to the number of immigrants coming into this State. The many railroads leading into it keep no account thereof themselves, nor can they be induced to keep and furnish us any data in that respect. In vain have we applied, even to your Superintendent of Immigration in New York, to furnish us with monthly lists of those who report this State as their destination at Castle Garden. Recently, again, a large proportion of European emigrants come by way of New Orleans. To judge from the reports of our agents and correspondents, and from all other information we have been able to gather, we estimate the present weekly influx of population as an average, as follows: three merchants of St. Louis, as a committee to examine his accounts. As Mr. Valle expressed the belief that he would, after this meeting, be able to obtain a proper settlement from Mr. Souper without further trouble, and as it was evident that, should this be not the case, there remained no remedy but to make Mr. Souper responsible under his bond, no further action was taken for the present in this matter. Mr. Willis reported on his labors in the cause of immigration, to which he devoted himself exclusively; about his travels north and east; his lectures there; and about the circulars which he issued for the Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad Company. He proposed and warmly recommended the publication of a similar circular about Missouri, under the auspices of this Board, either separately or in conjunction with the Hannibal and St. Joseph and the North Missouri railroads, but not devoted or partial to any locality. Mr. Bush regarded the publication of such circulars, and of documents giving information about Missouri, for gratuitous distribution to those who daily demanded the same at his hands, as very essential; and the expense it would involve would probably be very trifling. Mr. Muench reported that his German book on Missouri, which he had written at the request of this Board, was complete in manuscript, and its being for distribution in Germany, he had made inquiries about the cost of its publication and distribution in thousands of copies; whereupon Mr. Rodman offered the following resolution, which was adopted unanimously: Resolved, That Hon. F. Muench is hereby authorized to have his book on Misouri printed for circulation in Europe (the first edition to be of such number of copies as he may deem prudent), and that he arrange for the cost thereof, and report the amount to this Board. And the President is directed to draw his warrant for this purpose for an amount not to exceed one thousand dollars. Mr. Bush laid before the Board the following copy of his correspondence with the Commissioner of Emigration, Department of State, at Washington: DEPARTMENT OF STATE, SIR: Your letter of the 6th ultimo, containing an offer to transmit to the Bureau of Immigration the reports and other records of the Board organized in conformity to the act passed by the Missouri Legislature, to encourage immigration to the State of Missouri, has been duly received. This department will always gratefully receive communications which in any way might promote the subject of emigration. I am, sir, your obedient servant, HON. ISIDOR BUSH, W. HUNTER, Acting Secretary. Rec. and Cor. Secretary of the Board of Immigration, St. Louis, Mo. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION, SIR: Your letter of the 7th instant, inclosing the act of the Missouri Legislature establishing your Board, has been received at this office. This Bureau is also in receipt of a pamphlet in the German and one in the English language, which you had the kindness to transmit to it. Please accept the thanks of this Bureau for these favors and for the information contained in your letter. I am, sir, your obedient servant, H. N. CONGAR, Commissioner of Immigration. HON. ISIDOR BUSH, Secretary of Board of Immigration, St. Louis, Mo. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION, SIR: The Bureau of Immigration is called upon by section six of the act creating it, to render to Congress an annual report of the immigration into this country. In view of this fact, you would oblige this office greatly if you would furnish it with such general and statistical information in regard to the immigration into your State during the last year as may be within your reach. I am, sir, your obedient servant, E. P. JACOBSON, for Commissioner. HON. ISIDOR BUSH, Secretary of Board of Immigration, St. Louis, Mo. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION, SIR: Your letter of the 30th ultimo has been duly received, for which accept the thanks of this Bureau. This office will thank you for any information which it is in your power to communicate to it prior to November 30. I am, sir, Your obedient servant, E. P. JACOBSON, For the Commissioner. Hon. ISIDOR BUSH, St. Louis, Mo. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION, SIR: Your very interesting and valuable letter of the 22d instant has been duly received, and I thank you much for the information which you communicate. This Bureau will take much pleasure in acting upon the suggestions advanced therein. E. P. JACOBSON, Hon. ISIDOR BUSH, Secretary of Board of Immigration, St. Louis, Mo. NOTE.-The answer will be found in the proceedings of the December meeting, 1865. MISSOURI STATE BOARD OF IMMIGRATION, H. N. CONGAR, Commissioner of Immigration, Bureau of Immigration, Washington, D. C.: In compliance with your circular of September 1, and letter of October 26, I take pleasure to submit to you the following information respecting immigration into the State of Missouri. No State has probably suffered more than Missouri during the war Her hardy male population has furnished not only its full quota to the armies of the United States, but unfortunately also many thousands to the rebel cause under Price, Marmaduke, Shelby, Jeff. Thompson and many other prominent public men, who had joined them, and who induced our youth to follow their example. A still larger number, feeling their life and property insecure, and intimidated by acts of violence, left their homesteads for other States, so that many counties, especially in the southern part of the State, were fearfully depopulated. I inclose a paper from Southeast Missouri filled with advertisements of sheriff sales from beginning to end, which will give you a better idea of existing circumstances than any description would do Now, however, a train of returning people are moving into the state from the East, South, and even from the North. From some of the depopulated counties, it is true, many are moving away even now, or intend to leave as soon as they can sell their lands; having been used to cultivate them with slave labor only, and having lost their slaves, they feel themselves too lonesome, but by far larger numbers are coming in. There never was a people more earnest in inviting immigration than ours in every part of the State, and of all classes of immigrants Germans are most liked and coveted. Of unskilled laborers farm hands are most required, Missouri being, as yet, principally an agricultural tate. The wages in the country vary from $15.00 to $25 00 a month and board. In the neighborhood of St. Louis unskilled laborers employed on works of improvement, and on the various railroads, receive from $1 60 to $2.00 per day. All kinds of mechanics are very scarce, and command high wages-high even if the cost of subsistence and house rent is taken in full consideration. Carpenters from $2 50 to $3 50; bricklayers from $3 50 to $4.00; blacksmiths from $250 to $300; tailors and shoemakers from $3 00 to $4 00; cabinet makers from $3.00 to $4 00, 10 hours work; miners from $250 to $400 (according to the distance and cost of living at the locality where they work.) Machinists-finishers from $2 50 to $3 00; pattern-makers from $3 00 to $4 50; formers and moulders from $3.00 to $3 50, 10 hours work. Gasfitters, locksmiths, brass foundries and all jobbing, either in these or similar lines, pays at from $200 to $3 00, a day's work of 10 hours. Printers and employes connected with the press, who have passed through a regular course of instruction in their particular branch, may count on at least $18 00 a week. For artisans of the fine arts, as painters, sculptors, architects, chemists, jewelers, and for persons of the mercantile profession, it is not so easy to find employment as in Eastern States; but there is no doubt that with some means and proficiency in their respective vocation all can be sure of finding good openings and liberal encouragements to establish themselves. We possess no means of obtaining correct statistical information as to the number of immigrants coming into this State. The many railroads leading into it keep no account thereof theinselves, nor cau they be induced to keep and furnish us any data in that respect. In vain have we applied, even to your Superintendent of Immigration in New York, to furnish us with monthly lists of those who report this State as their destination at Castle Garden. Recently, again, a large proportion of European emigrants come by way of New Orleans. To judge from the reports of our agents and correspondents, and from all other information we have been able to gather, we estimate the present weekly influx of population as an average, as follows: 1. Returning families, Union refugees and former rebels, about 200 persons. 2. Immigrants from other States of the Union, about 80 persons. 3. Immigrants from Europe, by way of New York and New Orleans, about 200 persons. This estimate is very moderate, and will doubtless, in some seasons, be below the actual number. Whenever the great natural advantages of Missouri are brought in proper light before the people desiring to emigrate from Europe, or even from the northeastern States, their number, whatever it may be now, will be much increased. The farmers find here yet by far cheaper lands than in Illinois, of as excellent quality as any in Iowa or Wisconsin-but under a much milder climate, and within easy distance of, and near railroads communicating with, the great central market of this Union-St. Louis. Stock raisers have not to contend with the cost and dangers resulting from the severe winters of the North, and besides, they have the free use of hundred thousands of acres of the finest prairies. Partly cultivated land can be bought at from $5 00 to $30 00 an acre, paying scarcely the improvements heretofore made. The miner can find profitable employment in the many mines, especially lead mines, which are now being developed. The cheap and fertile land, the mild climate, where wine and fruit of the choicest kind ripen to perfection, the abundance of timber interspersed with small prairies, the abundance of minerals and the large navigable streams, and nearly 1000 miles of railroad, which make communication easy, form the great advantages offered by this State. To encourage and promote immigration the Legislature has created a Board of Immigration by act of February 16, 1865. The Governor himself is the President of the Board, and while its present object is more to disseminate correct information than to give material aid, various facilities have been secured to immigration, as half fare on some of the Missouri railroads. The formation of auxiliary boards in different parts of the State has been encouraged, and all co-operate with the existing emigrant aid societies, as: 1. The Mullanphy Emigrant Relief Fund. This fund was created by the will of one of our oldest and wealthiest citizens, Bryan Mullanphy, "to furni h relief to all poor emigrants and travelers coming to St. Louis on their way" bona fide to settle in the West. The Board of Commissioners of the fund is composed of the Mayor of the city and ten of the most respectable citizens; they are to erect a building for lodging and boarding rooms, and for the deposit of baggage of the emigrants. The agent of the Board shall furnish them all necessary aid and information, and visit all cars and boats arriving with emigrants, providing the latter with trustworthy directions or material aid and comfort. The assets of this fund are over $500,000. But this bequest has been for years in litigation before it was finally decided in favor of the city of St. Louis in trust for the purposes mentioned; owing partly to that litigation, partly to the condition of the State during the late rebellion, this large bequest, consisting in real estate, has not been very productive, and the revenue so far was absorbed by payment of claims and taxes accrued, etc. But these are now paid, and hereafter a rich and very beneficient annual income may be relied upon, which will be applied exclusively in aid of emigrants. The German Immigrant Aid Society, existing since 15 years in the city. It consists now of about 350 members, paying each $3 00 and upward per annum; this society has a fund of only $5,000; but being very economically managed, the interests of that amount cover all expenses, and. the contributions of members are applied exclusively in giving board and momentary support to poor, sick and unfortunate German immigrants. Being so well and long known it induces arriving Germans, who need employment of any kind, aid or advice, to call on the office of the Deutsche Gesellschaft as their friend and protector. One of the main tasks of the agent of this society is to aid emigrants in obtaining their lost baggage or indemnification for same. In this connection permit me to draw your attention to the fact that although the immigrant is protected by existing acts while coming to this shore by steamships and vessels, he is quite unprotected after his arrival on his travels through this country, and is daily subjected to extortions and robberies, especially on the railroads leading West. While the fare itself is low enough, the emigrants are charged enormous rates for their baggage, and have to pay this charge mostly twice, as the railroads do not account for nor divide this charge with the western connecting lines; and moreover, their baggage is frequently lost or robbed of its valuable contents, and the unexperienced traveler is unable to recover it. This great evil is respectfully brought to your special attention. It has a bad influence on immigration, filling the immigrant immediately after his arrival with diffidence and prejudice against the people of this country and its character. Hoping that you will excuse the length and frankness of this communication, He further stated that his correspondence and the office business in the cause of immigration was quite lively, and that he thought he could scarcely do justice to it. Also, that the action of the railroads outside of this State was not in the liberal spirit we had justly anticipated; since the meeting of the General Ticket Agents at Chicago, and in pursuance of one of their resolutions, even those railroads, which have heretofore granted the half-fare privilege to immigrants, thought proper to withdraw the same. Mr. Bush stated, further, that the Mullanphy Emigrant Relief Fund Commissioners had changed their office, in consequence of which he had to make another arrangement with them about our office, for which purpose they offered a very good room, No. 79 Locust street, adjoining our former office, at the low rent of fifteen dollars per month, which he accepted, subject to the approval of this Board. On motion, the action of the Secretary was approved. Several bills for expenses were then allowed to be paid. On motion of Mr. Rodman, the Secretary was instructed to prepare, if possible (if the accounts, etc., could be obtained and settled with Mr. Souper), a report to be laid before the Legislature by the next first of January. |