The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1849-05-18
Minnesota.


the General Government during the past s.
too years, in q geological survey Of that = !,
territory. Though sundry sketches Of this ,
new region have heretofore been published i
the following taken from the FIRST number T
of the Register, viii be found interesting; ,,
The Mississippi River, for distance Of
over two hundred miles north Of the mouth
Of the ST. Croix, runs through rich valley
Of prairie and oak openings; tho banks
above The Falls Of ST. Anthony are from
ten TO thirty fee, high; the river runs over
gravelly bed, and is fed by innumerable
small rivers Of clear and rapid water no
marshesor low ground Of s,agnant water are
found in the icinily,-consequeniy the
country is free from fever and ague and
bilious diseases thai are so common farther 1
South. The sol, is rich and admirably |
adapted for raising wheat, corn, oats, and |
po,stoes. Vegetables yield pieu,iful!y, and
there is not better country in the world
for raising stock. The farmer finds a
ready make, for all of his surplus crops
nearly half million dollars will be paid
out annually to the Indian tribes and for
the support OF the military establishment
above the Falls of 81. Anthony this
amount is paid IN specie by the agents OF
the Government, and large portion finds
iIs way into the pockets OF the farmers aud
mechanics, 10 exchange for their produce
and labor.
On the 81. Croix and ito tributaries the
pinerles are very extensive, and hundreds OF
iaborers 6nd steady employment, good
prices and ready pay. Above the mouth
Of the Grow Wing River, on the Mississp.
pi, the pinery extends north for three or four
hundred miles; it is one Of the mos, exten.
give in the world, and the day is not far
distant when it will supply the Valley Of
the Mississippi with building materials.
The country bordering upon the head va
ters of this river is slrewed with large and
beautiful lakes, which are filed with excel.
lent fish. Tho white fish are found in
them in great abundance and of very
large size, even larger than those in Lake
Superior; Red Lake is over one hundred
miles in circumference; Leech Lake more
than fifty, and probably one fourth part Of
the country is covered with Lakes of the
puresi water. The sugsr.mspie is found
in great abundance upon the streams and
some Of the Lakes, and the land is OF he
finest quality. So soon as The lndan title
IS exlnguished, thousands Of lunbermen
will fad employment in the North. Al
the mouth Of Crow Wing River there is
now Fort in progress Of erection the site
vas selected by Gen. Brooke las, summer !;
il has been named by the War Department,
Fort Gaines" Two companies, one OF
dragons and one Of infantry, have been
assigned 10 garrison il. Another Fort is
now in contemplation by the Government
it will probably be located near the heac
waters OF Shank River, about 20 miles
west of Fort Gaines. The attention oil
the Government, has a so been directed to
the importance Of establishing large Fort
on the Red River of the North the Brit.
ish Government. has already established
one on her side Of the line, Fort Gary, and
garrisone6 il With 400 men.
The valley OF Red River 10 one Of the
richest valleys in The world-Dosily rich
prairie, skr.ed with rich groves Of timber
The population Of the valley is nearly
&c, 000-- mostly hallbreeds- although there
are q gres, many English Scotch anC
French farmers Of the frs, class. The
principal settlements are north of The line
and the inhabitants British subjects; they
raise large herds Of cattle, horses and sheep
Beef, pork, wheat, fur, fax, wool and pc
taloes are cheap aud abundant; herelofor'
the trade OF this settlement has gone 10 To-
Hudson Bay, but the settlers are now turn
ing their attention South The Forts nov
building remove the only obstacle that ha
been in their way-fear Of the Sioux lndl
ans Of the plains. Last summer about so
carts came down from Lord Sekirk's Sc,
iiemeni, loaded With the produce Of thel
country, aud with morev and furs to pur
chase supplies from our merchants. The
we're mach pleased, and from 900 I
1000 are expected down the coming SUN
mer.
Il is TO be hoped aud has been strongl
recommended, that our Government WI
make treaty with the Northern lndlsr
for the purchase OF the valley of the Re
INcff COuku VI huE Uc5y dfi1 81 5Ou
as it shall be done, it will be filed with a
industrious and moral set Of hardy pioneers
who will soon enrich themselves and 10
country from the beautiful crops the so
will produce. We hazard nothing il
saying that Minnesota before the close Q
this year will costain 10000 people.
more intelligent, industrious and mora
population canno ibs found. The inhabl
tants are mostly from the Northern States
end We veo,ure nothing u saying that the
cannot DO excelled 10 enterprise or ru
worth. The climate is remarkably health
and veil suited TO Eastern people. Fou
years ago, one boat month at ST. Pau
Saltwater aud 81. Peters, was looked upo
as an event worthy Of notice. Last sum
mer the arrivals amounted TO l54. ST
Paul has sprung I'D as il by magic; II nov
contains nearly 1000 inhabitants, and I,
the largest town IN the territory excep