Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1851-08-08
Correspondence of the Keokuk Disp tch.
Minnesota and the Treaties.
ST., PAUL, July 30, 1851.


State ir particular, finds its way up here.
The increase over that Of las, ear is more
than one hundred per cent. You are a.
ware doubtless, that the people Of Iowa,
and Of Keokuk especially, are interested
in the growth of our Territory. Every
blew struck. every furrow turned, every
emigrant who makes his way hitber-
ward, tends to increase the business and
promote the prosperity of your growing
city. But short time will elapse be-
fore you will have line of steamers ply.
ing regularly between Kookuk and St.
Panl.
Aside from our healthfui and agreeable
climate, and the vide and unobstructed
field afforded to labor, capital and enter
prise, liberal laws have been made for
the exemption from sale and executions
of a reasonable portion of the property
Of the unfortunate. The homestead Of
each debtor, being householder to the
value of $1,000, is exempt from sale for
the payment of debts, and in case of the
death of the debtor il ensures to the wild
ow and children until the Youngest child
Of the family becomes twenty lone years
ofage. The Homestead cannot be sold or
in any wise encountered but by the wife.
Nor can SO much of growing crops and
provisions, fuel, &c, as are necessary to
subsist the family for one year. Married
woman too may take and hold real and
personal estate, by purchase, devise or
gift in their names, and The same will be
absolutely beyond the control of her hus-
band, or in any way subject to his debts
But while all this has been done and
most exemptions of personal property,
such as farming utersils, the implements
of trade &C., are allowed, the everlast.
ing stay laws and redemption laws which
have cursed nearly all the western States,
have all been swept away, and if the
debtor had personal property exempt
from execution IL can be reached and
sold without unreasonable delay;.and if
real estate, he can have bu, eight months
alter sale or foreclosure in which 10 re-
deem
All rsury laws are abolished. Any
sale Of interest therefore specified in a
contract will be lawful, but if no rate is
mentioned, the law likes i, at Z per cent.
These laws take effect on the first Of
September next.
The much talked of treaty with the
Sioux Indians has been made so far as
the upper lands and their powerful ally,
the Minnesota outfit, are concerned. The
negotiations lasted about twenty-five
days.
This week the lower bands meet the
American ambassadors and Plenipeten-
tiaries Extraordinary, al Mendoza, OPP
posite Fl Smelling. As each Of these
bands had one or TWO chiefs in attendance
at Travers de Sioux under the surveill-
aEce Of their powerful ally, the Outfit, j.
is presumed they will come in prepared
to treat, and that nothing but the grand
preliminary diplomatic flourish remains
TO be gone through with, the main bust
ness having been secretly cut and dried
for them by the Outfit, which concern is
represented by its partner and delegate
in Congress. the honorable no-pariy
Democratic Wing Jefersonmn, Henry
H. Siblcy.
The purchase embraces about twenty
millions of acres lying west Of the Mis-
sissippi and north oil Iowa. This land
is attracting much attention from old
corners and new corners. There are
many of the old ones anxious to GO "a
lee,le further west" Civilization rs too
rapidly treading upon their heels. They
feel uncomfortable. They want more
elbow room. They and their fathers
before them have been pioneers, accus-
toned only to half civilized life, and
the glare of more perfect and refined
condition of society is too strong for their
unprac,ised visions. they cannot ac-
custom themselves TO the new tangled
notions Of their newly arrived brethren.
Ii is hard 10 conform to The municipal
regulat ions necessarily introduced, and
they pre- fer 10 sell out and move again
to the frontier, where they arc free to
lead simple, unrestrained and independ-
ent life. Neither worshipping mann
mon, nor being captivated by the luxur-
les W hieh il dispenses, they take down
their trusty rifles and gaihes up their lit
tie ones and push further Westward
The SPECTATOR, the suppliant of mann
mon, takes their place, looking wishfully
10 the choice spots beyond, but thanks
to the enlightened policy Of our govern
ment he must waii; the fruiiion Of his
bopes cannot be realized until the lands
are surveyed and proclaimed for SALE
In the meantime the really needy and
worthy cul,iyator Of the soil plants him
self upon some rich prairie dotted By
groves Of timber, its borders layed by q
noble stream, or perhaps bearing upon
lis ample surface placid lake, or reliey-
ed by gentle eminence from whose
base come forth springs of wonderful
yir,ne"-old and favorite haunt OF the
Iadians--ihere he securely builds him
self cabin, culiivates his fields. rears
up a family, and before the lands are pro-
claimed for sale he realizes competence
from the fruits of bis industry.
Next week / will give you the terms
Of the treaty. JACKSON.
II sssrho Rnard IF Gnsu mis- siouar~ af