The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1849-12-19
correspondence of the Miners, Express
VI For the Miners Express.
Minnesota Letters.
Election Of County -Wintcr--7Ae Hin
nebag0 Indians, &c.

Election Of County Officers Wintcr--7Ae 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 subsde until the
canvass for the election of Representatives to
the Legislature which takes place in 1850. In
the mean time, | 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 closed my letter, the storm passed
over and a week of pleasant weather followed.
Winter has now commenced in good earnest.
We have had a light fall of snow. The hills
look as if Nature had put on clean shirt, and
was getting ready to celebrate the holidays, and
welcome in the new year.
The river remains open, though ice began to
run last night. The weather is rather cool-ice
forming one inch in thickness to-day.
The Winncbagoes who are located in the Vi
cinity of Sank Rapids and Crow Wing, on the
western shore, are still uneasy and determined
to return to their old hunting grounds-from
which they were removed last season by Gov
crnment. There are various reports in circula-
ton relative to the reasons of their departure at
this season. One is that they are in state of
starvation-entirely destitute of food-their
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 few lines which think little exaggcr-
atcd:
els it the design Of government, after ban
ishing several hundred of these poor wrctchcs,
to miserable swamp, destitute of game with
out agriculture, in a bleak northern cline, half
clad, half sheltered, to let them perish there
with hunger the ensuing winter:'''
1t certainly cannot be the design of our gov
crnment 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
nuitcs, 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 distribution of other ar
ticlcs-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 old
quarters. Their leaving shows them discomfort
ed; and they 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