The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1852-01-15

Tending over four degrees o.! latitude and
five Of longitude, and covering q super
fetal extent of 45,Oo0 square miles,
This vast district nature has marked on,
for exalted destinies.
OF the 37,00O,O0 square geographi-
cal miles of territorial surface, which the
globe, according to MaIte Brun, con-
tains, probably no tract Of equal extent
embraces fewer number Of acres DOOM
ed to eternal sterility. Within It's ex-
treme limits, it may be safely asserted,
that there is hardly rood that is not ar
able; for the wet and swampy lands are
easily drained, and cventuallt will be
the most eagerly sought for agricultural
purposes. Rapid streams, fed from rich
prairies, and shaded by noble forests;
clear lakes stocked with fish; soil en-
riched with the spoilS of the decayed
vegetation Of several thousand years
are features common to the entire re-
glon. Rich veins of mineral wealth. and
an inc xhaustible command of water pow
er, pom: it out as the future abode of
manufacturing greatness; while the
boundless plains, subducd by the voiun-
tary toll Of ireemcn, will become the cho-
sen abiding place Of pastoral repubIi-
canism. The whole is watered by
streams, which form so many natural
outlets into the great commercial artery
of our continent, the Mississippi. These
various rivers, in great part navgabie,
: each with their own set of tributary
streams, some fed by rills which gush
from fertile highlands, others draining
lakes of transparent clearncss, form a
chain Of inland communication, which,
as a natural feature, is unknown in the
physical geography of the Eastern hem
isphcre. Over ell, and through all, per-
vades a climate which stimulates exer-
ton, and is eminently favorable to
, health
The headwatcrs Of the Des Moincs
take their rise within the southern line
of the purchase. The lands adjacent TO
this border, though comparatively far
interior, are rich, rolling, we'll watered,
and weil-wooded, and, from the superb
or agricultural opportunities they afford,
will at an early day attract large i'm
migration.
! The famous valley Of the Minnesota,
or ST. Peters extends in general dircc-
! ton from west to east, midway through
the cession This valley, as we'll as the
country upon its tributaries, such us the
Blue Earth, the Naraju, and the Red
wood, constitute the garden spot of Min
nesOta, in the estimation of n western
public; and hithor the faces ofthousands
will be turned, so soon as intelligence Is
received Of the ratification ofthe treat
les by the Senate.
/ Equal in beauty and fertility to the
basin Of the St. Peters, is the country
watcred by the Crow river This stream,
after collecting by It's north branch, the
pure waters near the great bend in the
Red river of the North, and by its south
ern fork draining the lakes as far west
as Lac-qui-parle, meandcrs through the
"Grand Bois" Of the royageurs, and en-
ters the Mississippi nearly opposite to
the town Of Itasca. The country upon
each margin is highly inviting, and will
be early settled.
The Sauk is bold and rapid river,
with well-wooded banks. The valley
between this stream and the Watab,
presents to the eye the most fascinating
landscape in Minnesota, and in quiet
beauty is hardly excelled by the most
celebrated scenery abroad This tract
is capable of containing dense popula-
tion in comfort and affluencc.
The region of country which skirts
Lake Pepin is familiar to our people
Rich in mineral wealth, studded with
sites of extraordinary commercial prom
Use, it will be eagerly sought by thou
sands, who have long impatiently await
ed All opportunity for its occupancy.
The Undine Region of Nicollet, sit
kato, or Blue Earth river, is beautifully
diversified with prairies, lakes, and for
est; and altogether, constitutes one of
the most interesting physical features Of
the Ameri can continent.
If, in contemplating events, which car
ry into this broad region, capacious
enough for an empire, the blessings of
Christian civilization, it be pardonable
to turn ones view, for a moment, to To-
cal and partial considerations, may be
permitted to observe, that, while to the
United States, and while to the crowded
and oppressed world beyond the Allan
tic, who regard this country as their
land of promise, the addition of this i'm
imense district to the area of regulated
liberty is an occasion Of unbounded JOY,
there is no community who are better
entitled than our own, to exu!t in the
crowning Importance of the event, and
to derive from it, in addition TO their
share of the general Joy, distinct and
special satisfaction.
1t will recur to you, gentlemen, that
the early acquisition Of this territory to
the area Of ceded lands, has been the
leading policy Of Minnesota, from that
day when first Congress recognized her
political existence, and gave to her an
organic lava policy, which since has
overshad dowcd all others and cOerc ed all