The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-12-19
From The Saratoga Sentinel.
THE WEST.

r ~
THE WEST.
We have recently read with considerable
interest several letters from lady travelling
in the west to her friend in Buffalo but as
their publication ent: /, would occuy too much
space in our columns we have prepared the
following abstract, which may not prove un-
acceptable to our readers.
Every thing connected with the west ex-
cites peculiar interest, and all information in
regard to the extensive territory, yet to be
settled, cannot but be acceptable.
Chicago is the first spoken Of. The adj
vantages which it possesses in a commercial
point Of view, are very great and but the
draining Of the marshy prairies which sur
round it, is needed, to render her sister
"Queen of the West" Going westward the
prairies are no longer marshy but gently un-
dulating, and tall, luxuriant grass waving in
the wind, has the appearance Of vast ocean.
On either side Of Dixon's ferry or Rock river,
were seen the numerous covered wagons of
the emigrants, accompanied by women, sturdy
urchins, cattle, sheep, DC. As the traveller
approaches Galena, the hills, ihinly covered
with verdure, and rocks piled upon one an
other, give indication that he is approaching
the far famed mineral region. The village is
situated on the side of steep hill, and is
composed Of semicircular streets. The Fevre
river, on which Galena is situated, is here
about one hundred yards wide, with sufficient
water at its lowest season, for the largest
boats navigating the upper Mississippi. Gale
ma has several churches, two presses, a bank,
and smelling furnace, and when better
known, will vie with any Of the young towns
of the west At Galena steamboat can be
taken up the Mississippi to Fl. Smelling, with
in eight miles Of the falls Of ST. Anthony.
Cassville, small new village in Wiscon-
sin territory is the first place reached in going
up the river. II is situated on the east side
of the Fevre river, about forty miles from its
mouth. The mineral in its vicinity must
make it place of importance. About eight
miles further on the west side of the river is
|" Prairie la Porte" The village has been
lately laid out, and possesses many advan-
tages. Prairie du Chen, is about thirty miles
above. Fl. Crawford is situated here with a
garrison Of about $50 troops. Forty miles
further is the place where the battle Of " Bad
Axe" was fought. Lake Pepin, about one
hundred miles below st. Peters, is sudden
expansion of the river, twenty-five miles in
length and from two to four in width. Near
St. Peters many Indian villages are seen ; one
Of which, /" Prairie la Crosse" is the place
where the Sioux assemble for recreation in
their favorite games. The approach to Fl.
Smelling, about eight miles below the falls Of
St. Anthony, is highly imposing. It stands
on high point of land, sloping down the
water, has rocky foundation with a substra-
tum Of pure white sand stone. The Missis-
- - Al -,
Peters on the other. The number of troops
stationed here is about 225; they are under
the command Of Col. Davenport. The falls
are eight miles above. Here the Mississippi
moves quietly onward, until it arrives at the
rocky projection, extending entirely over I'M
even and broken off in various shapes, appa-
rently suited to the rocks lying piled beneath,
in every possible form, and some Of immense
magnitude. Over these the water leaps,
throwing up spray of snowy Wilderness. In
tervening slips, covered with light vegetation,
separate the flood into three divisions. From
a bank about half mile below, the fall on the
eastern side, is seen to peculiar advantage.
Its descent is about twenty-five feet, and be-
ing unimpeded in its course, forms full, I'M
broken tide.
For twenty miles from Galena, nothing is
present to diversity the general aspect of the
country, except three isolated hills called
" Platte Mounds" They are about half
mile distant from each other-and the two
largest mile in circumference. Near these,
stands the new town of Belmont. The first
legislative council in the territory assembled
here, attracted by the commodious and plea
SAINT houses, erected by the principal proprie-
tor. From this, onward, lead mines, or Dig
gings, as they are technically called, fire.
quently meet the view "Mineral Point"
thirty-fve miles N. w. from Galena, is a
small village, and nothing pleasing is con-
nected with it except what arises from the
prospective view Of its probable destiny at
some future period. The fourishing village
of Dubuque, is not far distant on the western
shore of the Mississippi; the lofty hills in its
rear TEEN with mineral; it is a rival with
Cassville and other places, for the ultimate
seat Of the legislature. The place derives its
name from Frenchman, who died here about
half century since. His grave is on the
summit of stupendous mountain cliff, sur
mounted by a wooden cross, bearing a simple
inscription, in accordance with his own re-
quest. .
Seven miles below Galena, the Fevre river
enters the Mississippi. Rock Island first
attracts the attention. On its southern ex-
tremity, is situated Fl. Armstrong. Rock
Island city, little below, stands on an ele-
waited prairie, the northern point Of which is
washed by the Rock river, which here enters
into the Mississippi; this place was the home
Of Black Hawk and his forefathers. A monu-
ment is to be erected in the centre of the town,
to the memory of the brave warriors, whose
bones are to be collected and there entombed.
E.o.,a Nal.ci..i.,in aLc,.o III o.