Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-11-06
DESCRIPTION OF MINNESOTA TERRITORY.
BY THE LATE HENRY s. sIBLEY.

That part of Minnesota which lies east of the Missis
sppi river constituted portion of Wisconsin Territory
before the admission of the State Of that name with
tailed boundaries 1t is estimated to contain about
5000 square miles. The st. Crox and a line drawn
from the main branch of that stream to the Falls of the
St Louis river of Lake Superior now divide Wisconsin
from Minnesota. On the west Of the Mississippi the
parallel Of 430 8V is the line Of division between the
State Of Iowa and Minnesota west to the Missouri river
All the country up the latter stream above the point Of
intersection of that line its junction with the White
Earth and along that river the British possessions
thence easwardly following the boundry of 400 north
latitude to the extreme northwest point of the State of
Wisconsin In Lake Superior appertans Minnesota Ter
ritory The area embraced within these limits contains
between 10000 and 100000 square miles, equal in
tent TO New York, Virginia and Pennsylvania combined
This immense region is beautifully watered by the
Mississippi. Minnesota and Missouri rivers and the Red
River OF the North and their tributary streams
winch traverse 1t in every part There are also nnu
merabe bodies of fresh water which abound in fish of
various kndsthe white fish especially being found in
great numbers in the northern and larger lakes
The general character Of Minnesota is that Of high roll
ing prare but the streams and lakes bordered with
heayy bodies OF timber which contain every species of
wood known along the Mississippi below except beech
and sycamore At point about seventy or eighty miles
above the Falls Of ST. Anthony west Of the Mississippi
commences large and remarkable forest which extends
to the southwark nearly at right angle across the Min
nesota river to the branches of the or Blue
Earth river This vast body Of woodland is more than
one hundred and twenty miles in length and from fifteen
TO forty IN breadth Many beautiful lakes Of limpid
water are found within its limits which the of
myrsds OF wild fowl including swans geese, and ducks
me dense thckets along its border afford places of
oeament Tor the deer which killed in great numbers
py the Indians The numerous groves of hard maple
anora 10 the latter at the proper season. the of
makng sugar. while the large cotton woods and butter
nuts are by them into canoes for the ranspor
taton OF themselves and their families along the water
courses and lakes Attic approach Of winter the bands
o. Dacoas or Sioux those who rely exclusively upon
the buffalo for~ubssence seek the deepest Of
the forest to hunt the bear the deer and smaller fur
bearing animals, among which may be enumerated the
raccoon the fisher, and the marten In this beautiful
country to be found oil the requisites to sustain
dense population The soil is Of great fertility and I'M
known DEPTH covered it is with the mould Of thou
sand years The Indian is here in his forest home
hitherto from the intrusion Of the pale faces but
the advancing tide Of civilization him that the time
has arrived when he must yield up the title to this fair
domain, and seek another and strange dwelling place
This charming region is embraced within the cession
made to the Government by the Sioux Indians in the two
treaties made with them by Commissioners Lea aud Ram