The Minnesotian. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1851-1852, 1852-01-10


BILE distraction as the seat Of learning in
the valley of the Mississippi;
While Saltwater, the lumber depot of
the North, with the rapid augmentation
Of this giant interest, is increasing with
undated vigor in wealth and population,
and will ever occupy commanding po-
sition as the central mart of the opulent
valley of the st. CroiX.
In pursuance oflaw, Board of Build
ing Commissioners was elected in May
last, and contracts have been let by
them for the erection of a Territorial
Prison at Saltwater, and for the building
of a Capitol at St. Paul-the former to
be corr pIeted by the lst of December,
1852, and the latter so as to accommodate
the two branches of the Legislative AS
selnbIy at the session of 1853.
Considerable progress has been made
by the several contracting parties in la
Dor done and collection of materials
made; and from the known energy of
the contractors, no doubt is entertained
by the Board, that at the periods desig-
mated, both structures will be at the SER
vice of the public. 81.
Up to the first Of January instant,
50, $40 Is, had been disbursed from the
Capitol fund, and S5,25l IS from the
Prison fund.
Although the present appropriation
will be sufficient for the completion of
the buildings, so far as to render them
available for immediate use, further
sum will be needed for their full COM
pletion in accordance with the plan
adopted by the board of commissioners;
and respectfully suggest the propriety
of your memorializing Congress for an
additional appropriation forthis purpose.
For further details, your attention is
directed to tie report of the Board, to
be rendered according to law, to the
Legislature.
The prospect Of the early completion
of the penitentiary, points to the expe-
diency of maturing, at the present scs-
sion, system for the direction of its
internal police, and the adoption of rules
and regulations for its government, such
as recent improvements in prison disci-
pine have shown to be proper, for the
sanitary and moral condition of the con-
victs, and necessary to the economical
administration of the prison.
Highly satisfactory progress has been
made, in the surveyOf the several roads
in the Territory, for which appropria-
tons were made by the'act Of Congress
Of July IS, 1850. These surveys have
been prosecuted during the past season,
under the general superintendent of
Lieut.. j. II. Simpson, of the corps of
Typographical Engineers, gentleman
thoroughly accomplished and honorably
distinguished in his profession.
Of the $40, 900 appropriated, $40, 800
have been expended in the surveys, leav-
ing an available balance of S29, 200 to
be applied to the construction Of the
roads.
The road from Wabashaw to Mendoza
was surveyed, and map and estimate
Of its cost prepared, last winter. The
map and estimate, are now deposited in
the Bureau of Typographical Engineers
at Washington.
The road from Point Douglass to Fort
Ripley; that from Point Douglass to the
st. Louis river of Lake Superior; and
that from the Mississippi to the Winnie
bago Agency at Long Prairie, have all,
during the past season, been located and
surveyed; and maps of them and esti-
mates of their cost, are now being pre-
pared, with view to their submission to
the Department, for its further action.
In view of the insuficiency of the ap-
preparations to complete the roads, 1t.
Simpson advises me, that he has recon-
mended to the Department, that the sew
cral balances, now available, be applied
as soon as may be, to the construction
of such portions of the roads, as most
require the expenditure to make them
passablc at all times; for instance, in
the case Of the Point Douglass and Fort
Ripley road; to the erection Of bridges
over streams, which at times are not
fordabIe, and to ditching and throwing
up the road, where necessary to make it
of service; in the case of the Point
Douglass and st. Louis river road, to
opening and making available the por-
ton lying between Point Douglass and
the Falls Of St. Croix. and as much
furtheras may be attanable. In the
case of the Mississippi and Long Prairie
road, the same course is also recon-
mended.
Nothing as yet has been done, towards
the location and survey of the road from
Mendoza to the mouth of the Big Sioux
river, for want of the requisite engineer.
ing force: but neither this road, nor that
from Wabashaw to Mendoza, running as
they do through country, the Indian
title to which is not yet defnitively extin-
guished, are of such immediate impor-
lance to our community, as the other
roads, for the construction of which ap-
preparations have been made.
The fruit of the labors of the last Leg
islative Assembly, in collecting, revising