The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-01-24
WHOLE NO. 100.

ers. These are well adapted to farming purposes,
being composed of fertile prairies skirted with
woodland, and well supplied with springs,
streams, and lakes, Of pure water The soil is
sandy but generally very rich, and OCCASION
ally containing mixture Of loan. Ii brings
| forward vegetation with great rapidty, and
produces plentifully-so far as it has been Gull
tivated-all the products Of the Northwestern
States The large Ohio corn was raised here
the past season, and ripened long before there
was any appearance Of frost Vegetables Of all
kinds grow most luXuriantly, with very little
care. This kind Of soil extends nearly over the
whole Territory but, as am informed depreci-
ates little in quality seventy or eighty miles
above the Falls CT ST. Anthony, where the pine
forests commence.
Most of the immigration to this Territory has
taken place during the past summer, and has been
principally from the Northern States St Paul
which is the temporary capital, stands on the east
bank Of the Mississippi, nearly four hundred
miles above Galena, and 81 miles below the mouth
OF the st Peters river. IL has now about 200
inhabitants. This place had its origin in an or
| der Of the Government which forbade the sale Of
intoxicating drinks within FIVE miles from Fort
Smelling. Those who wished to pursue the traf-
nc rstiss2 - the present s.eef St Paul and dealt
out the poison there Being very religious, they
4 " n,
! from which the place derives its nams. The Falls
Of ST. Anthony are nine miles from St Paul by
land, and fifteen or sixteen by the river. This
village has been mostly built during the past SUM-
mer, and now contains between three and four hun
dred Inhabitants Those who own the mill proper
ty here refuse to sell lots 20 any one who will
sell liquor and, as q natural consequence, we
have most quiet and virtuous society Indeed
never knew so young village, where there was
so little vice II is said there is no man here who
does not earn his own living, and believe it true
We have already two schools, public library,
and regular preaching by the Presbyterian, Meth
odist, and Baptist denominations. A large and
we'll finished school-house serves as the place Of
worship
A small steamboat is being built here for the
purpose Of navigating the river above the Falls,
which is said TO be navigable for small boats nine
ty or a hundred miles A large hotel is also be-
ing built which will be opened in the spring
The country around these Falls, on both sides
of the river is very besutifaf and, wnen 'tnictly
settled and improved, will be one of the most de-
lightfal places in the West II Is now considered
the most pleasant site for town In the Territory
The river at this point is about 200 feet wide,
and is divided by islands which leave about two
thirds of it on the west side The perpendicular
fall Is but seventeen feet, but the rapids extend
half mile above, and nearly n mile below, and
present the mos, merry, cheerful aspect imagina-
BILE The Sioux name for these Falls is " Mime
ha- han-loughmg nuters--and is beautifully ex-
pressive of the reality This place win yet be
come as widely known for its pleasant beauty, as
it has heretofore been for its remote locality
The water power here is unlimited There is
water enough to drive all the mills in Massachu-
sets, and plenty of room TO place the wheels. The
whole river may be used several times over, il
wanted-for its banks afford excellent mill sites
for mile in length. There is not finer place
for manufacturing in the Union, and when its ad-
vantages become known, cotton and wool will he
manufactured here, instead of being carried to
New England, and back, for that purpose There
is abundance of other water power in the Terri
tory, which may yet make Minnesota the great
manufacturing State Of the West.
= The lumber trade of this country is becoming
extensive II Is estimated that six million feet Of
pine lumber were manufactured on the St Crox
river the past year and the mills at this place
and above will soon outnumber those on the St
Crox The pine forests commence sixty or
seventy miles above the Falls, where logs are cut
and drawn to the river in winter, and brought by
the current in spring
Farmers are coming into the Territory quite
rapidly, but the demand for provisions is so great
that large share of what is consumed Is
brought up from Illinois and Iowa, and sold ut
very high prices There are causes for this de-
mand for provisions beyond those ordinarily ex-
listing in the settlement of a new country More
than three hundred thousand dollars are annually
paid by our Government TO the Indians in this
Territory, and large share Of this goes TO fur
nish them provisions, which they IRE too indolent
to produce themselves. There are also two forts
one at ST. Peters and one Mt The mouth OF the
Crow Wing river, which now receive their sup
plies from below Add to these the lumber-men,
who have to be furnished with food, and they all
create q demand that will require large farming
population to supply. ] know of no place more
inviting to farmers than this All kinds Of pro-
duce can be raised here as easily ms In any coun-
try In the world, and, when produced brings
more than double the prices common In the West
ern States
This country also seems suited to the convent
ence Of new settlers A farmer may bring his en-
tire stock Of cattle, horses, &c, and settle where
he will he need not 20 far TO find natural meadows,
producing crops Of excellent hay, abundant for his
use. Indeed, know Of no other meadows than
these in the Territory, and probably no others
will be needed for years to come. Besides these,
there are rushes that grow on the banks Of some
ofthe rivers on which cattle will feed and thrive
all winter
Around many Of the lakes, (which are numer-
ous) the wild rice Is found In great abundance,
and Ii said to be superior to that cultivated In the
Southern States.
Crnnberres are 80 abundant that they have be-
come quite an article Of export Three thousand
barrels have been shipped from ST. Paul the past
season
Four steamboats, have been running from st.
Louis and Galena TO st. Paul the past summer,
and, from appearances, have been doing very
heavy business. IL Is the design Of the people
here to have them come up next summer within
one mile Of the Falls II they are successful In
this, mile and half of land carriage will con-
meet the two steamboat landings and render ST.
Anthony the commercial depot Of the Territory,
instead of ST. Paul,
In healthfulness, this il unsurpassed by any
country within my knowledge. There Is no place
where the atmosphere Is more pure and bracing,
or where persons can perform more labor without
feeling fatigue II Is already becoming place Of
resort for invalids from other States. II has all
the advantages of a New England climate, with
none Of It's chilling east winds that produce CON-
sumption; and all the advantages Of rich prai-
RE soil, with none Of the bilious diseases 70 CON-
mon 10 the Western States. Situated on the
banks of the great "Fathcr Of Rivers" we have
here all the luxuries of the South and East to-
gether with those afforded by the rivers, lakes,
and forests, of the West. All who reside here
seem delighted with the country; and, from pres
ent indications, there viii he rapid immigration
III IL Al.