The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1852-07-24

MINNESOTA SALT REGION.-Probabl
there is not richer salt region on the face
Of the earth than the one in Minnesota.
That Territory is generally supposed to
be valuable for its agricultural resources
alone; nothing, however, can be more
erroneous. True, its agricultural wealth
is probably second to none in the Missis-
sippi valley, but its mineral wealth is not
less extensive and valuable.
Among the latter its salt stands pre-
eminent. This region lies between forty
seven and forty-nine degrees north lati-
tude. Its exact locality was ascertained
and defined by an expedition sent out
from Fort Smelling by Major Long in
lS22-S-the same Major Long who af-
forwards was commander Of the expedi-
ton across the Rocky Mountains to ex-
plorc the Columbia river and Oregon
Territory, known as Longs Expedi-
tion." A description of that salt region,
together with its locality, will be found
inthe Typographical Department at Wash
ington. Our first information Of that salt
region was from soldier in the expedi-
ton. He says that they had been travel
ing for several days over vast rolling
plain, with no trees or water, the troops
and horses were almost furnishing with
thirst, when they came suddenly upon the
shore of beautiful lake about half mile
in diameter, sunk down in the plain. 1t
resembles more vast sink hole" From
the height above the waters, vast snow
bank appeared to line its shore, but upon
examination, it proved to be an encrusta-
ton Of salt as pure and white as snow
The waters of the lake were like the
strongest brine. So strong was it that
one bathing in it, upon coming out in a
few minutes he would be covered with
the white crystalization of salt. If this
salt region be as rich as it is supposed to
be, railroad projected into it would prove
to be the best stock in the country. There,
are mines of undevelopcd wealth more
extensive, more durable and more impor-
tant than all the gold regions beyond the
Rocky Mountains. We are informed also,
that very short distance below the sur
face. the pure salt lies in strata like coal
or lime rock. We hope the attention of
the public and the government will be
turned TO the subject. There is region
lying in our immediate neighborhood al
most unknown, containing more intrinsic
wealth than any State in the Union, and
which would yield an annual income pro-
badly equalling the entire revenues of
the country.
Our eye met the above in one of our
exchanges the other day-we forget where
but when we came to look for it again,
it was mislaid. We now find it in the
Pioneer, without credit. We have an ad-
ditional incident 10 mention in connection
with what is here stated. Rev. Mr.. Brun-
son informs us, that some time about 1920
or 1922, Judge Lockwood, now Of Prairie
du Chen, who was then trading with the
Indians at Lac-qui-Parle, ran short of salt,
and had lived some days without this al
most essential article of mans existence.
The fact being made known to the Indi-
ans, two of them volunteered to procure
him supply. They started with their
horses, on the morning of one day and re-
turned in the evening of the next, bring
ing with them as much as was needed of
beautiful dry salt. Their course from the
trading post was south or southwest. Lac
qui-Parle is in latitude As degrees 10
minutes; and thus it would appear, il
these Indians really procured the salt
from the open plains, and not from other
Indians who had gathered it elsewhere,
there is another salt region in Minnesota,
one days journey from Lac-qui-Parle, in
different direction from the one men,
toned above, which is several degrees
north of that point. Can any of the old
traders, Hon. Martin Mcleod for instance,
or any af the Missionaries, DR.. William
son or Mr.. Riggs, give us any further in
formation in regard to this matter?
CHAs. ]. HENS1s, Esq, formerly con-
nected with the editorial department of
the North American, but who has been
residing in Minnesota for the last two
years, has returned on flying visit to
this city, where he has many personal
and warmly-dcvoted friends. Mr.. Hen
mis-, we understand, intends to make
Minnesota his future home. He speaks
of the country as one in which any young
man Of energy, enterprise and intelli-
gence cannot fail of success.-Phiadel-
phia Leger.
We never heard of Geo. C. Washing
ton until he was nominated recently by
portion Of the Native American Conven-
ton, which assembled at Trenton, for
Vice President; but he has certainly the
family quality of good sound sense. A
despatch from Washington city, dated
July IA, says:
| UGaoroo VN.-l,:o,foD nominee ~