The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1851-01-02
From Van,lalia Yeomsn.
CHIPPEWA.
ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA,

Nov. 9th, 1850.
Mr.. EDIToR.--Tou have doubtless heen
expecting "A few ''nOtes'' from us upon our
arrival in Minnesota, the recent Eldorado
of the Northwest; having become somewhat
acquainted with the country or q small part
OF it, We shall attempt to give your readers
an occasional sketch, fIom this far-of land.
1t would however he quite difficult or even
impossible, to furnish you with anything
like a just account of Minnesota m single
letter, you will therefore have to hear with
US while We attempt more definite des-
crlptOn Of the country and the most ilnpor-
tant places which will require several com
munications.
Ii is not my purpose by any means, to rep
resent things here as wonderful in the ex-
tremc, Unparalleled in history or tell any
thing like California "yarns;" but it is my
intention TO examine the country carefully
and in its various features, aud at the same
time represent things in us true light as |
am capable. Having travelled a good deal
of late in Wisconsin and the Prairie State.
shall endeavor to form a comparison be-
Tween this country and wha, have seen OF
Those states and show the difference in soil
climate sc.
IN the first place Mr. Editor, must say
am quite disappointed with Minnesota;
that is | find it much better than had an
,ticipated Notwithstanding most Of the. ac-
counts we received from this region were
of very flattering character. There was
ali appearance of eytravagant exaggeretion
generally about the stories of letter writer's,
and as we thought disposition to conceal
The worst side OF the picture. On the one
hand it was hard 10 believe half the reports
received by way Of these writers, while on
the other il was sill harder to crediG, all
that was told Us 10y those who had been TO
see the "Elephant' and had been sadly dis
appointed in some particular feature Of The
country or in carrying out some grand
scheme of speculation. Some indeed of
those who had visited the country, even rep
reseated the soil as almost unfit for cuitiva-
iion, and that moderate population would
soon starve out in Minnesota, unless sup
piled from the fertile and productive states
below. A more general objection that was
raised against the country was the severity
of its climate on account OF its situation so
nearly beneath the great Bear Of their stormy
!: l:i:rs:::.la,s.a i: ,ie:.Territory these
sarpUs pls et,.oss ai,d important considera-
) .tisps we're .Gos witksp; rorEe. :.erHe'iN our
3Mh!:: bug :a!ter !'.s6j6 6Itn. 3:re of ESQ
.soNihs. Al oaifear taiH:hs'i IKE The mSrn-
ing dew before the dazzling sunlight, or
dark clouds before rising breeze Such
objections, or rather Illusions were soon
dispelled by the influence cf our healihful
and nvigora,ing atmosphere the pure cold
water freely gushing from the sparkling
fountains, the beauty Of the scenrry and
glory of our autumn weather. Al! in short
seemed 20 conspire in great degree, TO an
innate and give new life 10 the weary trav-
eler, or those who were making their homes
in ,nIs fair iauj ofiher adoption
shall attempt, in the course Of my notes
TO answef the objections so earnestly urged
against this country, and furnish you with d
few facts, from which your readers ma,
Judge for themselves, whether il is possible
to gain competent livelihood in Mime
sofa.
! There is as much good soil here, as IN 9th