The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1851-10-23

out 20 the colony III 1912. He is therefore bne Of
the Pioneers, free, good, hearty and sociabIe
gentleman. lie Is, in fact, an every mans man,
and has open house and ready hand to offer
to friend or stranger. To his SON in-aw, MIR.
Banline, am much indebted also, for various
kind attentions shown me, and can assure yoa,
never was among a kinder people.
The Rev. John Black, from Montreal, who iac-
companied our party out from ST. Paul, was a Iso
very warmly welcomed; his arrival had been
long expected aud generally known among all
classes.
As we passed down the settlement on our first
arrival, people came out and took US by the hand,
told us we were strangers, and asked if the new
minister was moi soon coming also. His Scotch
Pensioners have Just built him a house 80 by 40
feet. Of hewn logs, with sliingle roof, which he
will use as church this winter, and afterwards
as a residence. They intend to build him one of
stone next year. They made many inquiries con-
corning him Of me, and were all much disappoint-
ed at finding he did not speak the Gaelic. That
he was a gentleman and christian, good
French scholar, and spoke The English fIuently,
did not make amends altogether for his deficiency
in not understanding Gaelic, which is The tongue
they use.
The Episcopalians have three fine churches,
surmounted by high steeples, two large ones built
Of stone, at each end Of the English part, and
near the forts, and one of logs near the centre
Bishop Anderson, who resides at the upper church,
has also fine academy, and neat, white, two
story building, with grounds attached
The Catholics have a large Cathedral opposite
the Upper Fort and the mouth of the Assinlbon,
built OF stone, IN 1882, and still unfinished; the
huge massive, prlson-lIke wall III front, being
cracked and shattered, aud is surmounted by two
steeples, one finished, the bare timbers Of the
other ina alcG 1,rt with frha
was beng re-modelled; carpenters were at work;
the high, arched ceiling just painted, Of deep
nlazarine blue, and men at work on scafiolding,
decorating it with wreaths and festoJns Of flow
ers, painted In very artist like manner. l was
told the nuns at the convent Just by were to hS
done that part of the work, though they were not
present when | was there.
Some half Il dozen priests are connected with
the church, and the congregation is mostly Half
breeds, from the settlements up the Red river.
AT The Fort, there are thirteen resident families
of pensioners, and tie remainder, to the number
of seventy, reside within two miles distance, UP
the Assnboin, on the north bank. They have
each 20 acres Of ground, and those most distant
up the river, have 40 acres, well fenced and cul-
tlvated, with neat one story log and frame houses,
painted white, and every thing around them be-
tokens plenty. The only service required Of them
by the government, is TO drill twelve times year
and appear Oh parade each Sunday. therefore,
saw them in their uniform. They should be a
happy and contented people, but j am told they
are sad grunbers, and at the same time are far
better off than they ever would or could be at
home, in England. None are incapacitated fer
manual labor, and many quite young; and
while some have lost nothing but Il finger or
thumb, others perhaps, have lost less useful mem
bers, and are sound, active and hardy fellows.
Still thew have done the State.some service and
they know it too, and g:owl continually TIA, they
are not better off. | can say no more concerning
Selkirk its people, for the express is ready to
start. Enquire Of Mr.. Klyn for all other matters
you would wish TO hear, and when return,
will give you few fresh items.
Yours, hastily,
J. w. BOND.