The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1849-09-06
Correspondence of the Dubuque Tele-
graph.
ST. PAUL, August 16, 1S49.

ST. PAUL, August l6, lS49.
DEAR MAc.-This being Court week at
Saltwater our town is rather quiet, as a
great number have gone over. Business
is dull, and the river continues to fall. Du-
ring the past week, have visited Sank
Rapids, small settlement on the upper
river, II miles distant, with view princi-
pally to get a knowledge Of the surface of
the country and character of the soil, and
must confess surprise to find several farms
which had been broken up as late as May,
and upon which vegetation is equally as far
advanced as can be found on older plantations
The soil 10 one riding over it., is very de-
ceptive, presenting upon the prairies a bar
rem and sandy appearance; but when this Is
broken up it yields without the aid'of ma
nure, large crop. There need be no fear
entertained regarding the loss of crops by
the shortness of the season, for though the
summer is not of long duration, yet an all
wise Providence haswell adapted the soil and
climate for the production of all vegetation
fit for our use.
Cattle improve speedily upon our prairies,
and stock of all kinds are in excellent con-
dtion. Of sheep, we have none as yet, but
wool growers who have visited these parts,
speak of the advantages as superior 10 the
Middle States, and hope in another sea-
son to be able to send you a sample of Min
nesota wool.
The scenery upon the rivers above the
+ ails aud IN the interior, comprises much
that is lovely, passing in our route through
most beautiful groves of oak aud crossing
several large prairies, where, presume,
not many years have passed, since the buffa-
10 quietly fed upon this verdure. The roads
are excellent; occasionally bringing us in
full view of the river, whose course is as
crooked as below Between Rum and Elk
rivers we get the most attractive view
where the Mississippi river makes bend
equal TO the best in Fevre river, Illinois;
just at the bend, and seen from the bluff
road are three islands hose lovely appear
ance beggar description. doubt If there Is
more romantic spot on the Mississippi
than this; one little instance attracted my
attention as we drove by, and that was an
Indian grave of Winnebago who proba-
bly, viewed this beautiful scene as he closed
his eyes, with perhaps the beautiful idea
upon his mind that such sight was EN-
blematical of the hunting grounds to which
his spirit was rapidly fleeing. In the rear.
of these islands on the opposite shore, is a
beautiful fertile prairie, though there is lit
tie of the western shore but what Is covered
with heavy growth of timber, as If to
supply the demands of those who will in d
few years turn the forest into towns, and
supply the steamboats, that will be plying
abDve the Falls of ST. Anthony with fuel.
would that all yankeedoH could take a
pleasure trip into Minnesota, and see this
delightful! country. Many an invalid pining
with disease in more southern cities, would
realize the benefit of breathing our fresh
air, and quatfing cooling glass of the
water that runs FROM the numerous sulphur
springs which here abound. Aud then a
better place cannot be found for those who
travel for pleasure. ! really wish the COM
pany that made so much fuss in New York
about California, for the sake of selling
India Rubber goods, would turn their atten-
ton To these parts, it would no doubt be
with more profitable success 10 those who
purchase the goods.
About fifty miles from the river, towards
the interior, we meet a line of forest con-
sistng chiefly of pine, aud extending far
into the British possessions; there are, how
ever, large number of tainarac swamps,
but short distance from the shore, which
from their great height aud shape present
pretty sketch for the artist, and blended
with the three islands, would be a splendid
landscape for the gallery of the "Art
Union," it would claim, with a touch of
one Of our sunsets, the highest prize.
HUDSON.