New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1850-07-29
MINNESOTA.

sItuueseta-Recent trip TO the bend OF the
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF the Route and
uede Of Travel-New Chippeway Agency
axed at sandy Lake-Judge Cooper-mns-
sinton, &c.
HARRISBURG, Saturday, July n, 1880
To The Edo, of the Tribune:
You are aware that Hon. ALEXANDER RAMSEY,
Governor Of Minnesota, is from this place. where
his relatives still reside and the communication
between here and the far North West, by letter, is
of course very frequent have been permitted to
make few extracts from one Of the private letters
sf Gov Ramsey himself, TO an old friend in Harris
bsrs. 1t is the latest intelligence from that quar-.
Ger, and 10 dated st. Paul, July II. He says:
al have Just returned from the Chippeway coun-
sxy, whittier i went, accompanied by the Chippe.
way Agent to make selection OF a site for the new
Agency buildings Of that tribe, who soon 10 be
removed entirely from the lands in the State OF
Wisconsin.
al was absent three weeks on this service; and
undetermined upon the east shore OF Sandy Lake
"A considerable sheet of water which lies a mile
and half east Of the Mississippi River, in about
latitude 400 30ss the proper point for the Agency.
The Lake derives its name from its pretty sandy
beeohes which, like most of the lakes Of the terri
tory, are variegAted with quartz pebbles, colored
IN oil the shades Of red, from bright vermilion to
brown, including, often, many fine specimens OF
camelons and agates. The lake shores are billy
and ii abounds in isands and fsh. Sandy Lake is
famous among the voydgeurs and fur traders, on
account Of being at the western extremity Of the
principal old trading route between the Mississippi
and Lake Superior from which latter it is distaRt
$50 miles In nearly straight line due west from
the Fond du Lac Of that Gnchee, coma, or avery
Great Water" OF the Chippeways.
The vehicles Of travel and trade in this route
were always, as they are yet birch bark canoes.
There were carried from the Mississippi into the
Lake, whose waters they then pursued, until they
reached the summit dividing the waters flowing
into Lake Superior. Here the canoes are lifted
out OF the water, skouldefed over tedious portage
Of six miles and launched again into the Savannah,
q branch Of the st. Louis River, down both Of
which streams they glide, and after making two
more Grand land carriages ON this last named river
they hoat at last on the bosom OF the Fountain o
the Lake. Such Is the universal mode Of travehns
In the wAtery regions toward the heads Of thI
Mississippi. You are aware that portage" 1
the technical term by which these land carriage
between waters, are generally known IN the norsf
west
sWben Congress awakes from its shameful il
difference, and by a ship canal around the Falls {
st. Mary shall open TO the keels OF the lower lax
steamships the widespread waters OF the greo
lakes, i have no doubt this Sandy lake route wi
continue to be leading line OF trade and travel {
tho Mississippi. But wee then to the bark o&no
and the French royageur. The "oonquering arn
ofstesm' viii probably sweep them both from th
track
ain selecting Sandy Lake for the Agency, wa
controlled by circumstances rather than my bes
Judgment Leech Lake ia the place; bat then tbs
country 10 the property Of the Pinsger bands {
Cbippeways This band is in the reception Of
vary petty annuity; and in consequence Of bein
cut out OF the snnuities which their brother Chip
derive from the sale Of their Wisconsin and othC
Eastern lands, they appear 70 harbor animosii
sgaip.t the Lake and Mississippi bands Nov
Nh tbese feelings prevailing, 70 take the latt'
into the very heart Of the ChipPewAy country, ar
shsre psy them larger and more liberal annuiti'
thsn he Pillaeers themselves get would be wror
A. itself and productive only Of mischief hoj
(overpment viii authorize me 70 purchase q
priyileee Of colonizing the Lake bands enrse
west Of the Mississippi. A treaty OF TINS AZ
would make Ii bet err for al parties-ior INC
diam. the Government and the Whites
ain my route up on this expedihon In addition
the agent and the boats crews, was acoompsni'
BY our friend Judge Cooper our interpreter, al
W. II. Corbit OF Dsuphin Go. Pa. We look oai
canoes at Crow-Wing, noted point In this
zion, and proceeded into and through Gayash
Gull Lake, Lake eibley, Lake Eccleston, and Ii
lie Boy Lake, into Leech Lake By this rout
and through this gangtoDic chain OF Lakes, q
Nississippi can be reached In q much shorter tin
and with much less travel than by following q
rivsr, which here makes great bend. as you w
> observe by looking at the map. Leech Lake Is 81
mated within the interior OF this bend Its shore
nave A very crook ed outline which with its mir
hsys. give Il an oblong circumference Of about u
.i|es. 1t abounds in the fness fish, which the 1
nam located here catch with nee w GUNNER az