FORT SMITH.
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The following spirited letter, from an es- teemed correspondent, will be interesting to many of our readers, both within and beyond the State. It affords us much pleasure to publish it, alike on account of the delightful region of country to which it invites atten- ton, and for the qualification of many of our warm hearted friends who inhabit it.

 FORT SMITH, May 9, 1S45 To the Editors of the Runner:

 GENTLEMEN,-Permi me, through your valuable columns, to inform the public, that this is a J0aUn; and not, as some please to designate it, Ca mere Military Post" It is not only Military Post, but Town of con siderable trade and importance; with popu- laton, already, of nearly thousand, which is continually increasing. There are, at this time, about ffteen mercantile establishments, here, with heavy stocks of goods, which are sold on terms to suit the times. In fact, there is not place, in all Arkansas, where goods can be purchased on better terms than here at the head of navigation on the Arkansas river. When l revert to the period of my first visit to this point (some five years since( and compare its condition then, with the various improvements, and the busy hum of active and useful employment, which greet me on every hand, l am amazed and delighted at the progress and prosperity of our Town. The situation Is one of the most command ing and advantageous in all respects. It is entirely above overflow, on high rocky bank, sloping gently to the water; and, above all, is very healthy. This latter considera- ton, added to it's other advantages, settles the question that 1t is the most desirable place for business, and as home, in all the West. The large trade, with the several Indian na- tions, our immediate neighbors, is of very great importance to the business of the place. As some evidence of the healthfulness of the place, l will just mention that we have only one Doctor, here, and he, believe, is con- blaming of dull times.

 One disadvantage, and the one of which we have most cause to compan--as that which seems to have placed LIS, as Town, in false attitude before the people abroad, is the misfortune to have been named after the Fort at this point This has created the impression that we are only Military Post My object is to dsabuse the public mind in this respect, and give this place its dues In our neighboring Town, Ean Buren, only four miles of, there are two Newspapers, while we have none Yet we have nearly, or quite, as many inhabitants, as Van Buren. For some reason. pretend not to understand what, the papers of that place have never thought proper to say any thing about LIS; j; while they have continually teemed with en- comums upon their own town And yet large portion of their patronage is received from the merchants of this place.

 l should be much pleased to see you, again, in our Town; and promise you a hearty welcome from our citizens.

 Yours truly, M.