The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1852-10-30
Gen. scssps Speech in Buffalo.

MY FELLOw-CITIZENS OF BUFFALO: II am hap
| Ply to be able to feel that / am not a stranger
among among you. 1t is now forty years and
one week since first visited this place--since
l first caught view of the mighty inland
ocean which now lies spread out before me- 1t
| is upwards Of forty years as your Mayor has
reminded me in hattering terms, since | was
called upon to form camp OF instruction in
this neighbOrhood, and since the army first or
ganzed here and prepared for those great bat
ties which our countrymen do not now choose
should be forgotten. [Applause.1
i well recOllect the scenes which were enact
ed in this neghbOrhoOd at that period. They
arc brought back forcibiy to my mind this
morning when / behold some of my fcllow-ac
tors in those scenes for although SO many have
passed away, ! thank God that a few still re-
main OF my old companions of 1872. In the
space OF time that has interviewed since then,
Buffalo has passed from hamlet to mighty
city. Thanks to the enterprise and intelligence
OF its inhabitants an important city now ris-
es where then all was desOlatiOn. Buffalo was
burned in the winter of lSl3-l4. l was at a
great distance from this place at the time of the
burning, and the whole frontier was in q state
OF despondency-Of despair.
At that period was sent here by the govern
ment. to form new army. and to endeavOr to
make head against the enemy. While the army
remained, land am proud to say they render
Su Soou SSfStce,) TIE iilIdDlldLlS LOOK courage
they returned to the smOuldering ruins where
once had stood their dwellings, and commencep
rebuilding. Whilst remained had the pleas
ure of seeing their labOrs progress--of behold
ing their houses rise from the foundation to the
browning roof | had also the satisfaction of
hiring out volunteers to assist them in their
work from amongst the mechanics who had en-
listed in the ranks of the army-and brave, no
bic soldiers they were. They aided the inhabit-
ont II, hofr {rtl> tod Ill tInI,
power to their relief. These are the recollec-
lions which make this spot most interesting,
and render the present moment one of the
proudest of my life.
There are other associations, too more per-
sonal with which these scenes are Connected
| do not forget that it was in this neighborhood,
forty years and four days ago this very day,
that heard the report of the first cannon and
first musket that ever heard fired in war
cloud cheers) l well acknowledgements. in
deed. can l forget-the valuable assistance
which the brave and patriotic citizens of this
vicinity gave to the army Of their country in
securing the victories which followed / re-
member the assistance. indeed, received from
the inhabitants on the entire frontier, who
came to the aid of the regular troops and help
ed not a little in achieving the victories which
thencefOrth crowned our arms.
thank you, then, heartily, my countrymcn
of all parties, for this welcome. / make no dis
tinctlon, and i trust none is made by any on
this occasion, between Wings and Democrats
| have made. and / make no aiuson to party
topics; | say to all my countrymcn whether of
this or that party-whcthcr born upon the soil
Or adopted by their voluntary acts-I thank
you for this greeting, and am proud to call you
my countrymen. Yes, | am proud. too, to
claim your great State of New York as my
home for thirty odd years
am happy to lelong to the great and elori-
Gus Union, of which this is the Empire State
| am proud and happy to owe allegiance to
that UniOn-tO owe devotion to the cOnstttl-
ton, and to all the compromises of the cOnsti-
tuition. In this day of prosperity and sunshine
there is little merit in boastng that, like you. |
have been ready at all times to lay down my
life in the support of that Union and consttu-
ton. But may not hope that my past life, in
darker hours, has proved my sincerity, and is
sufficient guarantee that partake of your de-
vOtOn to the best interests of our common
country.
My friends, being debarred from all party
tOp:cs-being resolved not in any instance to
touch upon such subjects have little more to
add, except my hearty thanks. the thanks of an
old soldier, for the honor you have this day
done him. The occurrences Of this day will be
added to my other pleasing recolIections Of
your city, and cherished the remainder of my
life--a life already extended to the usual span
aud which cannot last more than fifteen or
twenty years longer. Accept then. my friends,
my hearty thanks for the warmth and sincerity
OF your welcome, and may God bless and pros
! per you all.
There were loud and enthusiastic cheers when
the General had finished this happy address,
and the effect OF his quiet. but earnest manner
OF delivery was great upon the assemblage.-
Every man appeared delighted with the old
warrior, and they who had been accustomed to
believe that he was an awkward and bungling
orator. stared at each other in establishment
The Scott glee club of Buffalo then advanced
to the front of the balcony, while the General
stood back and sang two of their songs in a
style difficult to equal and impossible to excel.
The General was evidently delighted at the
beautiful singing of the Club, and when they
had concluded, he shook all the members by
the hand, assuring them that during his life
time. he had never heard the songs they had
favored him with, executed in better style.
The General then Withdrew to the drawing
rooms, and received the visits of his friends,
who soon hlled the spacious rooms to overflow
ing. lie leaves town, we believe on tomorrow
mornings train for the East.
GREAT SALT LAKE BAsIN-.Neu Discoveries.
THE Joaquin, California Republican, contains
a sketch OF late military expedition into the
Salt Lake Basin, by 1t. Moore, who was sent
Uus W punch " u lDc vi lIulitIlS. hUUWu tuc
Yo-semites. The following extract from his ac-
count is Interesting:
About l2o miles east of Mariposa they found
a lake, not laid down in the maps, some sixty
miles in length and twenty or thirty in breadth.
This they called Mona Lake. Into it empty
hve or SIX fresh water streams. one or two of
which are of considerable magnitude. The
Lake itself is alkaline, and contains no fish its
margin is encrusted with saltpetre and other
salts. There is considerable wild game in the
vicinity. He killed species of grouse as large
as turkey.
The company took several of the Mona Ind-
ans prisoners. They were evidently of differ
ent race from the rest of the California Indians,
speaking very different language, having
strongly Roman features, and are almost white.
1t has been stated before, that white race of
Indians lived beyond the mountains, but the
fact has never before been ascertained. While
in the valley the command were twice attacked
in the night.