The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1850-06-13
COMMUNICATED.
We are indebted to William Hutch
inson for the following Knapsack Note.
in IorG:

We are indebted to William Hutch
inson for the following Knapsack Note.
in Lora: ,
Camp near Marngo iowa River, May 20, so.
Friend Goodhue: Well, here in the
western part ofIowa, we find ourselves
encamped on one Of the most lovely
spots Of ground nature ever formed for
the use of Uncle Sans troops.
From Dubuque, distance of $50
miles to this place, through fertile re-
gion, which will eventually be one ofthe
most wealthy countries in the West, we
saw nothing except the ravages of Cal:
ifornia emigration. A gentleman who
| left Council Bluffs last week, informed
me that he had counted 1924 teams,
that had passed up to the time he left,
which was on the 22nd, six days ago, all
destined to the FL Dorado of promise.
You will recollect that not more than
two-thirds of the teams 60 by the Bluffs ):
the others by St. Joseph.
During my sojourn in Wisconsin and
Illinois, found times hard and money
scarce. inquired the cause of the ex-
treme pressure. Every ones answer
was, California emigration, The inju-
ry done the west by this ill-fated gold
mania, is beyond calculation. 1t will
prove a greater evil to the United States
than the war with Mexico and the cholera
combined.
Unnecessary wealth is always curse
instead Of benefit to people and
while we ever should be pleased at the
real success of our fellow men, yet no
good man can but deplore the conse-
quences arising from this California
movement. Farmers who are comforta-
bly, located, and have al! the enjoyments
required for this lower world, are maxi
ing every effort to sell mortgage, or deed
their property away at half prices, In or
der to follow the tens Of thousands that
have already gone. Doctors, mechan-
les, lawyers and loafers, school teachers,
black legs and ministers of the gospel.
are close IN the wake. When it will
end no one pretends to determine. I'M
proved real estate in Wisconsin, Iowa,
Illinois, Indiana, and the western part
of Ohio has fallen hundred per cent
during the last year.
Examine US as people at large, and
we shall find that we are Fastening on
to ape the foolish, aristocratic notions Of
foreign monarchies. Those people who
fcall themselves the highest class, and
will not associate with the real bone and
muscle of the land, mean the farmers
and mechanics, are fast instilling their
principle into the honest yeomanry of the
land. Why, do you think last week as
| was journeying from Dubuque, call
ed at farm house for the purpose of OBJ
tanning cup of Adams Ale; After
making known my wants the woman of
the house asked if would not take a
drop Of whiskey; and added that her
husband was in California, had made a
pocket full Of rocks, and she could now
afford to support 'sarrant and carriage,
drink whiskey, and send 'darter Maria
to boarding school and have all the nice
things that Mrs. Bangs, the merchants
wife had at Musquitoe Bend.
Now for military affairs. The COM
mand reached this place on the 18th
instant. They found Col. Woods
here, who could do nothing with the In
dians, they swearing they will not leave
unless forced to by superior numbers
This day 1t. Castor and 1t johnson ar
rived here with the command, Colonel
Woods held council with the Sacs,
and Foxes. About fifty oftheir warriors
headed by influential chiefs, attended in
battle array, all painted off. They were
mounted, and marched into council with
war clubs and other implements for fight
ing. They marched ten abreast See
ing that it was perfectly useless to try to
pacify them, the Colonel went to Saint
Louis, where he will be gone few days
for the purpose ofgetting further instruc-
tions from the War Department. Lieut..
Castor and Lieut. Richard w. Johnson
are in command at present. l regret
that Lieut.. Castor has very lame foot,
which will oblige him in a day or two to
start for Fort Smelling. AS long as It.
Johnson has his legs, every thing is
bound to go righ, until Col. Woods re-
turn. We have abandoned all hopes of
returning to our favorite Minnesota be-
lOTc SoIlit tufUh TIC Will
attempt to play Black Hawk on us; but
this conclusion is doubtful.
Iowa City looks as it did FIVE years
ago. A few houses were built since
that time; but evidently were not the
capitol located at this place, it would be
no great shakes, though in time it is
bound to come out. Some years since,
Uncle Sam erected expensive bridges
for the good citizens of Iowa, betwixt
Dubuque and Iowa City; and strange to
say the people are suffering them to rot
down without covering them. Iowa City
has grown in ten years as large as Saint
Paul, which is not 2 years Old Steam
boats often get up to this place, but all
will not suffice.
Your popular friend, Mr.. Stevens,
of Fort Smelling, attached to the Com
missary Department, has Just returned
here. md reroivoI ~-.sh a ~:-bs