The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1850-01-30
Minnesota Letters.
NO. XIII.
.Ne,o- Years day-Eastcrn Feather
The Press, etc.

The new year was ushered IN under 1avora-
bic auspices in Minnesota The morning was
delightful, the thermometer, which had for few
days previous led us to think the temperature OF
the Attic Regions was to visit us, bespoke
comfortable day for out door amusements. The
snow being some twelve inches in depth fur
nshed excellent sleighing, and the sun seemed
to shine with uncommon brightness. In the
morning, sleighing parties making new-year
calls, made the streets lively. At II O'Clock
the citizens assembled at the Methodist Church,
to listen to an address by Rev. E. D. Neill, be-
fore the Historical Society, upon the subject OF
the early settlement of our Territory by the
French The ceremonies were enlivened by
the music ofthe 9th Infantry band, now station
ed at Fort Smelling OF the discourse | will
speak in future letter, it was delivered in a
conducted, every one went away satisfied and
pleased. In the afternoon the town was exceed
ingly lively, in fact good portion appeared ex-
cited, for the :sgood cheer Of those who kept
''open house" had tendency to affect in no
slight degree the nervous system of their guests.
Quito number of Indians, whose brains were
fuddled with whiskey, were very musical, and
one old squaw was apparently anxious to be-
come popular ''model artist" For half an
hour in the afternoon, when mirth was at its
highest PITCH our town seemed to merit the ap-
pellation of ssSau of Tarsus, more than the pi-
Gus name it now retains.
In the evening the gaycst and largest ball ev-
er given in this place came off at the Central
House, and reflects much credit upon Mr. Ken
ncdy, the worthy proprietor of the house. Up
wards ofone hundred gentlemen with their ladies
were present, large number residing at Still
water on the ST. Croix and others from st. An
thony attended. The dancing continued until
a late hour-very late-for two sets were kept
in motion until nine O'Clock the next forenoon.
Since last wrote you the mercury has been
down to 80 deg. below zero. At this date how
ever it is in more mild position. This cannot
be considered severe winter, have not yet
suffered so much from the cold as did last win
ter in Iowa. Our cold weather here on
by Degrees and venture to say, were it not for
the talc-telling thermometer, We should hear
much less of the coo! atmosphere. The mer-
curry has peculiar effect upon somc-thcy can
run round in their shirt sleeves an hour and not
mind the cold cir, until they get their eyes on a
thermometer, when if it stands at 90 deg. below
zero, they run for ovcrcoat and perhaps hug
the stove 70. the rest of the day
1t is amusing to know what ideas the people
: in the New England cities have of the inhabi
| of ,1rito fb,t;,
: his opinion it must be dull pleasure living in tho
a wilderness on the outskirts of creation. The,
- suppose the people west of the Mississippi t.
n be destitute and miserable in every particular
l. as some of the Indian tribes on the head water
l. of the Columbia. The "yankee notions ar
e west, had more idea of seeing the flourish
ing cities and towns it has been my good forum
r to visit, than | had CT seeing Paradise Oh arrv
Il ing at Chicago or Galena, which, by-thc-w way
l. arc places Of peculiar notoriety. They ought t
be set off as flower beds Of virtue and moralit
r n the garden of the west.
e Ifthc people in the cast would adopt the pla
prevalent in the Yves. and subcribe for westcr
papers, in the same ratio that the ssheathcns' d
, for their issues, they would soon gain a know
edge of our condition which would be of valu
W to them in various ways, and particularly max
!; them familiar with the fertility of soil, salt
y brity Of climate progress of the arts and scier
~ ces and the prosperity Of the most perseverin
portion of the American Union, and receive tn
information from reliable To aid
ST supporting the press should be the aim of ever
IN American citizen. BY SO doing they would
ch a great measure advance the cause Of educatic
in the west, which at present occupies much a
OF tention. For certainly by increasing the payin
10 subscription list Of the press, it must benefit Ii
&c press, and the encouragement 50 received wou
ID induce the proprictors to make renewed exc
'h tons, which must advance the interests of IL
n community in which the papers were publishe
in more ways than through any other sourc
er and also benefit eventually every portion of Il
Ell; west it would tend to attract moro public q
80 tcntion towards this portion of the country, al
ry that the building of invisible cities has
ed to mislead eastern capitalists, and the few
for buried treasure is confined to California, on
IS. the industrious and persevering would turn the
IT. steps IN TINS drectOn, ana only laL class
in desired to aid in peopling the States west of t
of Mississippi.
to For the past two days we have had war
wind and tonight there arc moist symptoms
,ur January thaw.
ad- direct road to Prairie du Chen has be
;sh completed which makes St. Paul distant fro
Galena by land 313 miles; stopping places ha
been established a, the end of every days 10,
'se ncy with but two EXCEPTIONS and of course tn
,o- afford good opportunities for the 'entertainme
oe' Of nun and beast" Congress was memorial
Ike ed at the last session of the Legislature to
tablish tri-weekly mail to this point, and
several new Post-otfices have been establish
y on the route, it is to be hoped that the requ'
a'' will be granted during the present month.
W. There are some mantle stations favorable
the building of a line Of Telegraph to this tow
'n g and hope we may receive the election retuI
hat in 80 by the wires of Henry O'Reilly's line.
IAN Once established at this point they would SO
"a Al 4