Iowa news. [volume] (Dubuque, Upper Mississippi Lead Mines, Wisconsin Territory) 1837-1841, 1837-07-15

The Mississippi for the last few days ha
been on the lise, occasioned, undoubtedly, b
very heavy rains on its head waters. 1t ros
at about the rate Of one foot in twenty-fou
hours, and is now yearly as high as it was du
ring the ssJune rise.''
On "Wednesday evening last, Gov. Done
passed this place, on board the Irene, for st
Peters, whittier he is going as Commission
er under the Government Of the u. States, L
treat with the Chippewa Indians, for the pur
chase. Of their lands lying on the Mississippi
and Chippewa rivers. GeneralSMlTH, ap
pointed in conjunction with Gov. Dodge, has
for what cause we know no., been detain
ed, and will not, we presume, be. able t
reach Fort Smelling by the time appointed
(2oth July3
This is to be regretted, inasmuch as the Gov.
eminent appointed, and the Indians expected,
4wo Commissioners; but the character for fair
dealing with the Indians, which the Govern
ori,as ever maintained, fully sustained by the
Tieaty held at Rock Island last fall, for the
purchase of Keokuck's Reserve on the Iowa
river, warrant the believe that strict Justice
will be done the Indians, while one of the
most valuable tracts efcountry in the west will
become the property ofthe United States. The
country to be purchased, abounds, on ma
ny streams, with the best of pine; and the
snail streams are calculated to afford water
power for propelling machinery sufficient to
supply the country on the Mississippi with
building materials for many years to come;
and inasmuch as all will have an equal chance,
and create competition in the numbering bu-
siness, which has heretofore been monopoli-
sed by one individual, and a price demanded
that. would hardly justify any one in erecting
buildings, will be reduced, and enable the va
rious towns on the Upper Mississippi, which
have been delayed for want of lumber, 10 go
on in improving. So soon as the country is
purchased. the fair opportunity afforded for the
entcrprising to engage in the numbering bust
ness will be embraced, and We shall soon feel
the benefits arising from the purchase Of the
country.
The country is susceptible of cultivation,
and in few years we may see the boats lead
ed with cmigrants, passing our place, to set
tie in the newly purchased country.S&
What wide field is here opened for the wild
romantic spirit of a Boone to display ITSELF
Here we are, bordering on wide country, as,
yet unexplored, where the Elk and Buffalo
roam, unmolested by the white man, and where
natures robes are yet worn in all their gram
deur. What a pleasant change to the eyes
and feelings of one confined in the narrow
streets of an eastern city, to visit our country,
and journey a-little farther north, and stand
upon a,bluff overlooking the father Of waters,
as it rolls onward at swift pace. to mingle
with the waters of the ocean,---to view the
high and majestic cliffs that o'erhang the wa
ter's edge, and see, as it were, the works Of
art; soneat are some Of the representations of
walls and pillars, topped with the princcly ce-
dar- lie. him then turn and journey a little
west, and he may see the widespread prairie,
blooming with variety of different colored
flowers, -.-the bufIaloes in herds, numbering,
perhaps, q thousand, with now and then the
elk fercely passing by, and many other wild
animals never before disturbed by the presence
ola white man. To such as have never jour
neyed through the wild country, a trip would
amply repay the trouble, nerve the limbs, and
enliven the spirits.
n I
In the last aMiners' Free Press" the Sc
cretary Of the Territory received a mild, but
merited. rebnkc. 1t appears thatthe Secreta-