The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1850-12-26

Favorable point on Lake Superior. For
three roads from the Mississippi tOSDeet in
the valley of the Red river Of the North,
and be continued in one to Penbina, viz:
from the mouth Of Crow Wing river by
way of Otfertait Lake, from Sauk Rapids,
and from ST. Paul along the valley Of the
St. Peters.
/ have suggested an appropriation also
for one other road which docs not lie in the
region Of my exploration, viz: from ST.
Paul to some point on the Missouri within
the limits Of the Territory.
Ihave also advised appropriations for
the examination and removal of obstrac-
tions to navigation on the Mississippi,
above the falls of St. Anthony, and in the
ST. Peters to its head Of navigation. r
All these appropriations are absolutely
necessary to the immediate prosperity Of
rhe country, and have written to several
members of Congress at some length on the
subject arm glad to see that appropria-
lions have been made. which will carry into
effect portion at least Of the above recon-
mendatiOns
The last subjec, to which invite your
attention, and All elaborate statement Of
which you will find in my official report, is
the propriety Of granting lands TO the Ter
TEN Of Railroads. The action Of Congress
during the present session, in relation to
many Of the Western and Southwestern
States Of the Union, has endorsed most en-
phalically the policy of granting public
lands for internal improvements.
1t may appear premature to talk Of rail
roads through country SO lately settled as
Minnesota, but when the necessary delays
Of such Bills in Congress, and the reasons
shall give you are taken into consideration,
think you will agree with me that Miule-
sofa cannot move too soon in the matter.
There are two very important reasons
why movement should at once be made
upon this subject, independent of the usual
delays in Congress, viz: that by making
these grants before the lands are settled,
all sectional opposition to the location Of
the routes will be avoided, and second, the
fact that such grants are in existence, will
accumulate population along the liues,
which will ensure the construction Of the
railroads at The earliest practicable periods.
Minnesota, from its uniform level charc-
ter, is eminentIy adapted to the construction
of Railroads, and the immense agricultural
capacity of the soil will render Railroad
lines in any direction valuable.
The severity of the climate, which keeps
the natural highways closed for four or five
months ofihe year, renders these Railroads
indispt nsabie to the Torri,ory.
In rejecting upon the subject. it appear
Ell TO me to he most important desidera-
tum, that the navigable waters of the Mis-
sissippi and Lake Superior should be thus
connected. The great advantages Of Rail-
roads over canals in so northern latitude
are too wei understood to require discus
sion here. The distance between the Mis-
sissipp at the mouth ofthe Grow Wing Ito
which point it is known TO be navigaiie)
10 the head of steamboat navigation on the
ST. Louis river, is considerably less than
fifty miles and the summit level does not
exceed twenty feet.
As timber is abundant and the country pecu-
larIy favorable, a Railroad connecting those
points would cost little if any more than the
value of the alternate sections of fland along
the line. have chosen the mouth of the
Crow Wing river as the point ofcommence-
ment, because that river will unquestionahly
be the outlet NOT only of its own fertile val
ley but Of tho whole valley of the Red river
of the North above Ouertai Lake. The
mouth therefore OF the Crow Wing is des-
tined TO play an important part in the Ter
ritory.
AnothtI anu more important dbfdUta &c
Of this point is the fact that it is the nearest
point of the Mississippi TO the head ofnavi-
gatIons sOe Red river of the North and nearly
on the straight line between that point and
the mouth of the St. Louis river. The
line of Railroad therefore connecting the
head OF navigation Of the Red river Of the
North with harbor on Lake Superior,
would open market TO the East for all the
productions Of the valley of Red river, of
the Crow Wing and its tributaries and of
the Mississippi above the falls Of ST. An
thony. This is the first route have recon-
mended and an examination my map will
exhibit to you the direction and unusual
| prospective advantages of this line Of road.
| The distance is about one hundred and sew
enty miles, the general direction being East
and West.
Itnext appeared important to connect the
valley of the Red river with the southern
markets and for that purpose two lines OF
road were recommended, one from the head
of navigafon of Red river, To the Big g-bend
of the ST. Peters Zone hundred and sixty
miles above lis mouih) and another direcl
to ST. Paul.
/ As several of the Western States are ap
plying and with prospects of success, fol
grants of land TO construct Railroads tC
their western limits with a view to connect
with the prospective Pacific Railroad Ito bt
commenced without the limits of the pres
ent States) have also suggested the gran
of lands for the same purpose, forming
line of grants from Lake Superior to tn,
western limits of the Territory OIL the Mis-
souri, river. Whether the Pacific road b,
or not built, the necessities of the new Stat
of Minnesota will in time require such
road.
All these proposed lines Of grants ar,
marked upon the map accompanying my Of
fetal report and you will perceive that the,
pass through the best agricultural portion
Of the Territory.
The termni Of all the lines of road hay,
recommended are within the Territory on,
without any view to extension beyond, sine
it is clearly the best policy for Miunesot
TO devote her agricultural and maDnfactur
ing wealth to the building up of towns an
cities within her own borders.
have thought it proper to lay before yo
the above recommendations forming part O
my official report. as feelsure that the Leg
islature and people of Minnesota cannot to
soon act upon the subject, and without ear
nest and persevering action it is impossi
, ble to pass such bills through Congress.
, In concluding this hasty and imperfect &C