The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-07-18
FROM THE NORTHWEST.

ST.ANTHoNY FALLS, June 8, 1850.
To ths Editor ofthe National Era:
| owe you an apology for my delay in writing /;
but the numerous cares duties, and labors neces-
sarily attendant on a settlement in new country,
will, trust, excuse me from the charge Of neg
lect The experience of the past winter and
spring has served to render me still better salts
fed with the country have chosen for my home.
Though the winter somewhat colder than
had been accustomed to, ii was uniform, and far
more pleasant than the frequent changes and
damp atmosphere of warmer climate. And then
the cold weather of winter is more than compen-
stated by the uniform mildness and warmth Of
summer Since the last snow had disappeared in
this vicinity, there have been SHOWS foot and
half deep in various parts Of New England and
New York; and we learn that in central New York
they had snow storm, and ice frozen to the thick
49, ~ ~ gSss, on the tsss az Ny ueits,ws
have had no frosts since the sth of May, and then
very light one Yet the is said to be later
here than it was last year. On.the Stb Of JSne,
last year, they had, in this vicinity ripe straw
berries in great abundance; but now they are
just beginning to ripen. The prairies in some
places are literally covered with them.
During the month Of May, the weather was
quite dry, and vegetation came forward but slowly.
Since the first Of June, however, we have had
frequent showers and the growth of every kind
Of vegetation has been truly astonishing never
cav such rapidity of growth in any country.
Crops of all kinds look well; and the country
as whole, presents the most lovely appearance
imaginable.
We have had several steamboat arrivals at this
village the present season, which has demonstra-
ted the practicability of steamboat navigation to
within a quarter of a mile of the Falls Others
tad ey.I kxrs1 Ill ,,s ~abnux a.
before the boats from below will come to the Falls
as regularly as they now do to st. Paul.
The up-river steamboat Governor Ramsay,
which was built at this place the last winter, is
now completed, and is making her regular trips
twice . week to Sunk Rapids, a distance of nine
ty-fve miles by the river The scenery along the
banks for the whole distance, is beautiful beyond
description. In a state of nature as it is, with
out buildings, fences or cultivated fields, 1t will
even now compare well with the far-famed beauty
of the Hudson. 1t is rapidly filing up, too, with
actual settlers. There is considerable prairie
already broken along the river, and several thou
sand acres more will be broken during the sum-
mer On our return from recent trip to Sank
Rapids, we had, as fellow-passengers on board the
Governor Ramsay, near q hundred Chippewa
chiefs and warriors, who, at the request of the
Governor were coming down to Fort Smelling,
to meet the Sioux in council, aud form treaty
of peace During the passage they painted them
selves, as If for battle, and held their war-dance
on the boat There is great deal of hostile feeling
between the two nations, and there is some doubt
whether treaty can be concluded between them.
But the hostility of these tribes to each other has
little to do with the security of the whites. Mel
Their tribe is hostile to our people; and should
they become so, it would take but little time to
quiet them.
The immigration to the Territory has fully
equalled our expectations. The number Of dwell
ings in this village has nearly doubled since the
opening Of navigation. The lumber mills have
four saws running day and night, besides circular
saws for shingles and laths yet they are unable
to supply the home market Much the largest
share Of this timber is used in this village, and
none of it goes below St. Paul. Farmers are set
ting the country around us quite rapidly, and
mechanics Of all kinds are coming.
IL the farmers at the East knew of the facil
ties and inducements to farming in this Terri
tory, they would be on here in great numbers.
There Is no part of the Union where the cultiva-
tion Of the soil is better rewarded than in Min
nesota, and 1t is equally adapted to grazing
Several dairymen in Vermont have written to
know whether this country Is adapted to their
business, | would take this opportunity OF
saying to all such, that Minnesota is as much
better adapted to grazing than Vermont as
il Is easier Of cultivation-and for the rea-
sons ! have before given. Farmers who have
large stocks can easily find farms here at Gov
eminent price, which in state Of nature will
furnish all the meadow and pasture they need,
together with land for tlsge, that only needs the
plough to prepare it for cultivation and all this
with q to'erabls supply Of timber for fencing and
fuel. And then the products OF a dairy here will
bring them ct least twice as much as ia the State
of Vermont. Other kinds Of farming are equally
profitable.
June Goth The council Of the Sioux and Chip.
pewas was quite an imposing affair The Gov
ernor presided over their deliberations with q
mildness and dignity becoming the occasion On
one side were about one hundred Chippewa and
on the other near four hundred Sioux. The
council continued several days, and closed with
out treaty being formed. The Chippewas have
conducted themselves throughout the whole af-
fair with so much propriety and good sense that
they have enlisted most Of the whites on their
side. A little incident occurred during the coun-
Gil that did much to produce this result The
ladies in attendance had been seated partly In
front of the Sioux, who from this circumstance
took offence, and left the council. The Governor
sent to inquire the cause Of their abrupt depar-
ture, and was informed that they had come to
hold council with the Chippewa and that,
"if the white women were to share in IL, they
would leaven At this, "Hole-in-the-day," the
young chief Of the Chippewas, smiled, and very
politely invited the ladies to take seats on their
side This little exhibition Of tact and good feel
ing secured to the young chief and his people q
friendly greeting from the ladies, and the good
wishes Of ali the whites while the Sioux only
gained by their rudeness sharp rebuke from
the Governor.
The Chippewss presented a written statement
of their grievances, and demanded pecuniary sat
isfaction from the Sioux to the amount OF more
than S27 900. To this the Sioux would not ac-
cede, and 80 the matter is referred to the Gov
eminent at Washington 10 decide and settle for
them.
The weather continues extremely warm, but Is
rendered tolerable by occasional showers Vege-
tation comes forward with great rapidly. The
river Is now quite high, II being what Is called
the "June risen This affords a fine opportu-
nifty for navigation above the Falls, and 10 being
eagerly improved; for unless the channel is clear
cd In some places 1t will be difficult TO navigate
In low water.
immigration continues steady and uniform
Every boat from below comes we'll loaded with
passengers, and Q good share Of them come to
remain. Cattle and horses are brought up the
river in considerable numbers, and can be bought
almost ~ cheap ~ in lilinols; gram and all
kinda of farming produce are much higher.
Farming utensils Of good quality are to be had
At Reasonable prices.
The politics Of the Territory are at present In
An unsettled state Some singular moves are be-
Ing made In the game bat with what success to
The movers remains to be seen 1t the September
slsetioa. good deal Of feeling exists against
our present Delegate 70 Congress, on account Of
The pro-slsvery character ef his LISTERS during
The past winter He will get rsbuks ss the next
H. a. n IVA
several candidates who are anxious 70 serve their
country In the capacity Of DslsgAte, and among
them I'll hope We may ind st least one who will