The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1850-04-17
Nrinnesota Letters--No. ~ 4 =
Mistake corrected--The Weather-Approach of Spring
sMails--Prospects of HlghWater, etc.


Minnesota Letters--No. H. A. fEi
Mistake corected-The Weather-Approach of Spring
sMas--Prospects of HlghWater etc.
egyag 10 slr... ST.. PAUL, March 25, so.
DEAR Doc.-In my letter, No. 8, cof Oct. 81
stated that ia charter has been granted to q
company of gentlemen, giving them the sexclu-
sve right to improve and navi gate the Misss
sippi River above the Falls FIST, Anthony The
charter remains in full force thirteen years, I'M
less Congress makes an appropriation to improve
said river; in which case, the charter is null.
AT the time wrote the above, the bill had pass
ed both branches of the Legislature, and was
under the impression that it had received the
signature of Governor Ramsey;-this was mis-
take;--although the bill passed, it never was
signed; and on inquiry being made foriit, the
morning after the adjournment, it was not to be
found. wish to correct the mistake, as my re-
port might have a tendency to prevent others
from embarking ia the enterprise. There is no
monopoly either above or below the Falls, and
the laws of the United States positively forbid
the existence of any.
My letters of this month have contained very
tattering anticipations of the early opening of
navigation; but at this time of writing, we are
undergoing the rigors of winter. Last Friday
the wind commenced to blow from the north, and
cold weather set in: everything is froze up tight
buffalo robes and blanket coats are in active
demand; the butcher has shut up shop, salt pro-
visions going with rush. q If things contin
uc in this state three weeks longer, the inhabit-
ants will be we'll picked and ready to smoke
You can picture to yourself a rich scene, when
the first boat arrvcs:-there will be rush for
the levee as soon as she makes her appearance
around the point below town; the whole popu-
lation will be in motion: all those having strength
enough left will yell like hungry wildcats, while
those whom starvation has reduced to skin and
bones will be visible, sucking away at bits of
salt pork, cyincing their joy by shedding
copious showers of brney tears. We are living
in hopes of each day hearing the popinjays and
jackdaws sound their notes of coming spring;
but they haven't sounded them yct;-and to
complete our misery, we have not had mail for
two weeks. The mail due last Monday has not
been heard of, and the one due to-day is behind
the time
you entertain fears of low stage of water
this spring, can relieve your mind. Thus far
this month we have had more snow than during
the whole previous winter. At this point it has
nearly all disappeared; but there is any quantity
above Rum River-t,oenty-ninc inches of snow
have fallen there during two weeks past On
A. II
where by ill luck team gets off one side of the
track, they 90 into the snow-"cu-c chunk, all
under There Is all of four feet of snow on the
ground so miles north-and to the tail end Of
the last snow storm was appropriately added,
"to he continued"
Tuesday, March 26.-Whether the continual
ton will be in rain or snow, is uncertain; but
you may rely upon the "sequel'' being q thaw.
The weather moderated last night, and to-day
VIC feel inclined to believe the disagreeable
month is packing up to march in few days.
The snow last winter was unusually deep in
these parts, but can bear no comparison with the
great falls this wintcr--so say the "od 'uns,
and they ought to know.
Rumor says the mail has got into the river. 1
cannot vouch for the truth of it.; but am posi-
tive that it has not arrived here for two weeks.
There is much anxiety respecting the coming
news from Washington. The latest accounts
were, that Clays Compromise had been adopt
ed, and California admitted. This piece ofncws
requires the "documents' to be showed, for fear
it may be hoax; for you know the people here
are all strong for the Unon-''The Union for
ever" is the motto; and that probably accounts
for the numerous weddings here oflat "
AS spring approaches, we hear occasionally
short political discussions; which, however, re-
duced to plain language, are merely the concoct-
ing of plans for the future; for the truth must be
acknowledgcd-the party and its interests are
secondary matter among most of those who aim
to be leaders in the democratic ranks. The es-
Enlistment of the new democratic paper in the
Territory. this summer, will settle matters.
Yonrs, '" i,''.'Ii' '=@l w. 8
Buffalo Correspondence. 7i
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