The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1850-05-01
minnesota Letters--Number 1S.
High Vater-Prorisi0ns- Gamc.-Lake Pcpin.
.MaIs.-DcStructirc Flood
ST.. PAUL. April 9. 1850.

ST. PAUL, April 9, 1850.
DEAR DocToR-During this month we have
had fine days of rain, and the remainder warm
weather;-thc result is, that the river is entirely
clear of ice down to Lake Pepin, and up for
some distance above the Falls of St. Anthony;
add to this agreeable information, the great
rise in the river; during the past two weeks the
river has risen very near eleven feet SO that the
water is higher than it has been since 1874, and
rising. The new wharf is three feet under wa
ter, and steamboats, will stand chance of run
ming over it, should they arrive in the night
The road at the upper town, leading to the le-
wee is overlooked. We are anxiously looking
for boat, in hopes that one may work through
the lake by Friday or Saturday.
My last contained athcr salty vision of the
living here. Since April came in, Providence
has favored US with large and innumerablc focks
Of wild fowl-ducks, geese, aad pigeons-upon
which we are feastng daily. We are again as
suming the shape and form of wel-fed beings;
So instead of being unable to yell when the boat
heaves In sight, we shall send up shouts that will
drown the noise ofthe steam from the mud valve
If the boat comes in the night, and the passen-
gers are much alarmed at the accounts of the
Indians in these parts, some of them will have
their courage put to the test by the yells shore
From present appearances, you need have no
fears of low water this season;-the present rise
is principally from the ST. Peters, though it has
risen about two feet above the falls.
APRIL 12.-At the upper landing both the
warehouses of Messrs. Rice and Dayton, are
completely flooded, having about four feet of
water on the first floor, at the lower landing
The Fur Company's large warehouse has the
main floor covered at the depth of two inches
Louis Roberts store is easily entered by the
front door with canoe, by which conveyance
they are removing their goods. The water is
about two inches deep about the foundation Of
Messrs RandalPs store on the levee. The
extensive wood yard at the lower landing is
completely overlooked; and but for the boom
run about it yesterday, would now be all adrift.
All the wood at the upper landing has been car
ried away. The wind has blown very strong to-
day, and seems to increase since dark; fears are
entertained that the upper warehouses will be
moved from their foundations. The whole rise
of the river thus far, cannot be much less than
sixteen feet: to day it has raised but one inch
The extensive bottom opposite town, is com
pletely flooded; the river extending from bluff
to bluff. 1t is estimated that not less than four
hundred cords of wood have been carried down
by the freshet-a large part of it belonging to
the Fort. The rise is princpallv from tho ST
Peters, it having risen about four feet above the
falls. The cold weather to-day has probably
checked the thawing of the deep SHOWS above,
and the river may soon fall; but we may anticl-
pate an equal rise when warm weather again sets
in, and the northern streams rise from the rains
and snow melting nea. .-.
We anticipate seeing the first boat from be-
low tomorrow night, or Sunday, if the wind
subsidies by morning. Hy go. ". @ss.n y
TUESDAY, 16.-River has fallen about two
feet; and if the present cool weather continues,
it may soon leave the levee bare once more; but
the evidences tonight are much in favor of rain
| The new mail arrangement is now all that can
be wished:-we are to have a mail by every boat
that arrive. The lake is not yet open, but boats
are daily anticipated; the river above Lake Pc.
pin has been clear of ice for twelve days
! Yours in haste, w.
APRIL 19.-P. s. Steamer "Highland Ma
ry' just arrived, (sunrisc.) -Four more boats
expected to-day. People Of St. Paul much ex-
cited. Who can wonder that they should be?