The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1849-12-19
Correspondence of the Miners Express.
For the Miners Express.
Minnesota Letters. s5a
NO. II.
Election Of County Qficers- Wimtcr-7Ae Hin
mebago Indians, &c.

Election Of County Qficers- Winter--1He Hin
nebago Indians, &c.
Saint Paul, Nov. 90.
Our election of County officers passed off
with the usual excitement on Monday, and re-
suited in the defeat of the Democratic ticket
A large number of the Democrats bolted from
the regular nomination, and went for the neutral
ticket, which comprised the names of Wings
and Democrats equally divided. Some few al
terations were made so that the majority are
Democrats. The Pioneer says that Washing
ton county has gone for the Wings by MAORI
ty of six, but think the full returns will show an
increase, though slight
There being no more elections on hand, polit-
ical excitement will probably subside until the
canvass for the election of Representatives tc
the Legislature which takes place in 1850. II
the mean time, l must endeavor to find Other
| topics to render a continuance of my letters in
| teresting.
My last chronicled the beginning of winter
in these parts, and although the snow was fall
ing when l closed my letter, the storm passet
over and a week of pleasant weather followed
Winter has now commenced in good earnest
We have had light fall of snow. The hill:
look as if Nature had put on a clean shirt, anc
was getting ready to celebrate the holidays, ant
welcome in the new year.
The river remains open, though ice began tt
run last night. The weather is rather cool-ice
forming one inch in thickness to-day.
The Winncbagoes who are located in the vi
cinty of Sank Rapids and Grow Wing, on the
western shore, are still uneasy and determined
to return to their old hunting grounds-fron
which they were removed last season by Gov
crnmcnt. There are various reports in circula
ton relative to the reasons of their departure al
this season. One is that they are in state Of
starvation-entirely destitute of food-theil
country destitute of game. Another report
says, whiskcy has been freely distributed among
some of them, and excited their revolving spir-
its. | copy from the last number of the Pho
ncer a few lines which | think little exaggcr.
atcd:
I" Is it the design Of government, after ban
ishing several hundred of these poor wrctchcs
to a miserable swamp, destitute of game, with
out agriculture, in bleak northern cline, halt
clad, half Sheltered to let them perish there
with hunger the ensuing winter:o''
1t certainly cannot be the design of our gov
eminent to treat them in this manner; and if
have been correctly informed, there is no nation
of Indians in the West who receive larger an.
nuitics, in money and clothing, than the Winnie
bagos. | am told that they receive sixteen dol
lars per head, yearly This would allow, on an
average, to each family about two hundred dol,
lars in money, besides q distribution of other ar
ticcs-blankets, provisions, ctc.-and school
and farm, supported by government, for their
education and improvement.
Some one hundred and fifty are reported as
having taken French leave in the night, last
week, arc now probably cncampcd at their ole
quarters. Their leaving shows them discomfort
cd; and they seem determined to be trouble
some, which is reputation they merit.
The mail leaves tonight, and as it is get.
ting late, | must close.
Yours, w.