The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1852-10-07

The last weeks Democrat, contains the foowin
interesting sketch Of the country South of St. Paul.
on the Sioux purchase. The statements of General
Leech and Mr.. Freeborn, may he relied upon strict
ly correct.
ST. PAUL, Sept. 20.
Mr.. d. A. R,bertson Dear Sir: We have Just
returned from excursion of eight days, exploring
the country the side of the Mississippi which
is watcrcd y the Vermillion and Cannon rivers, and
now proceed to i've you short description Of
that fertile and interesting region.
We left st. Paul the 10th ult., four in company +,
and crossed the river Goodhues horse-fery beat,
with a wagon and two yoke of oxcn loaded with pro-
visions, tools, tent, Sc, in search of the forks of
Cannon river, which place had been found the Goth
of August. by Richard Freedom and Z. G., Stevens.
We passed up the river, near to Mendoza, and then
Turned south and soon came to the marks of the new
survey of the Territorial road from Mendoza 20 Wa
bashaw, which followed, bearing IA little east Of
south for twelve miles, through high, dry, rich pra
rc country, Interspersed with groves Of timber. In
this distance passed many claims marked out, and
several good farms, occupied for several years by
! French families.
( We there left the Territorial road on our left, and
followed a pkia trail travelled by wagons, bearing a
little west of south, and encamped for the night,
the Vermili'On river, distance Of about 20 miles by
! the route Travelled, from st. Paul.
The Vennillion is beautiful, clear and rapid
stream, with low banks, running through large
prairie, and afordlng water sufficient for milling pur
poses, and the prairie both sides is high, rolling
and rich, We continued course the next morning
i'll the same direction, through the same kind Of coun-
try, and Oh the same trail, until struck the main
branch Of the Cannon river about 3 o'clock p NJ =,
a distance Of about Is mikes, or 30 from St. Paul.
Here cncamped Cor the night and two Of the par
ty SET out on horse back the evening i'm search
of the forks OF the river, following up the river
and the other down, and both returned to the c;srn
late at night without success.
The next morning both started and Travelled togeth-
er up the river, near fifteen miles, passing through a
high, rich country, and hcav, eresss Of timber
and being fully satisfied that the forks Of the river
must be below OH camp, returned late IN the sfter-
noon. While 1T this eucampment Il llaIt-brecd boy
passed in the direction Of MENDOZA and informed us
that the road we bad been travelling led the Indi;
village at or near Cannon Lake, which he said was
Is miles distant.
The next morning we crossed the river, wagon
team and al hands, and leaving trail, proceeded
down the river, through high, rich, rolling q airie
with occasional groves of timber, for about Is miles
when to ON great joy, TO the camp OF Messrs
frecborn ard Stevens, the falls Of the South fork
of Cannon river, Heir its Junction with the main
branch. They had been anxiousIy awaiting on ar
rival for two or three days.
Here we found beautiful, clear and rapid stream
with 20 feet fall in distance of ahou, go yards, with
smooth rock bottom, and high rock banks, and
aifording water sufficient for all practical purposes -.
At the foot OF the falls caught in few minutes
many fish wanted; such as bass pickerel, Sc.
About three miles up on the North or main branch
of the river, is another fall Of abou, 10 feet in the
same distance, with smooth rock bottom, and high
rock banks, and plenty of water for all purposes.
Mcssrs. Freeborn and Stevens marked both these
falls as claimed, on their first visit and Mr.. Richard
Freeborn, with two Young men and team are now en-
gagged IN making permanent improvements upon The
same The country in the vicinity of the falls is
high and dry and the soil very good with sufficient
timber for building and farming purposes, and the
water power is good and NAV he so easily inprov-
cd, that is justly entitled the name of the Glow
ell of the Noth-Wcst''
The forks of Cannon river are back about 20 miles
from the mouth, and about - miles from Red Wing
village, on the Mississippi and the country between
Is about the same before described. In all this
country there are no marshes, deep ravncs, or high
hills, and 1T will be but little labor or expense L.
make good roads through it, and ii affords easy
to immigrants. SAMUEL LEIGH,
WIN. FREEBOR\