The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-11-04
LETTER FROM THE NORTHWEST.
ST. ANTHoNY's FALLS, Oct. IS. Is


DEAR SIR In the last number of the Era |
notice a letter from Fl. Martyr, of Massachu-
sets, calling for information in regard to Min
nesota which communication is accompanied
with a request from yourself that j. w. n.
will please attend"
Your correspondent says that "there are
thousands of families at this moment in New
England, who would gladly move West, were
it not for that dreaded scOurge of emigrants-
the fever and ague. The lands, too, in Indiana
and illinois are now 50 taken up that favor
able location costs too much for the means of
most Eastern farmers. They are now just be-
ginning to hear of Minnesota, with its perfect
ly healthy climate, its fertile SOIL and excellent
facilities for access and good market; and if
half that dimly comes to us be true it is un-
doubtedly a second paradise.
"All that is needed to start tide of emigra-
ton, such as never was seen before, to Mime
sofa, in the spring of 1853, is some definite &C
counts from actual settlers in the Territory
awe want information as to the advantages
afforded, descriptions of the country, and sta
tstics and facts; and hundreds of colonies will
be formed this winter, to proceed at the earli-
est possible period in the spring"
Now, whether "half that dmly comesn to
our Eastern friends be true or not it is impos-
sible for me to say. But, from three years
residence in the Territory, am prepared to
say that all that have ever seen published in
the Era favorable to our soil, climate. and the
general advantages of the country is strictly
true; and yet there has been great deal pub
lished about our Territory and its advantages
that is wholly untrue And those who come
here under the influence Of such information.
surprising this to be in fact second para
disc" are apt to suffer disappointment. They
do not always stop to consider whether this
country is a hundred. fold better than the one
they have left but the question with them is
whether it equals the ideas they have formed
of it, Let me say then, to our Eastern friends,
to begin with, that this is no such paradise as
some have dreamed Of Men have to earn
their bread by the sweat of their brow" in
Minnesota as well as elsewhere: and we are
not entirely free from "the ills that flesh is
heir to )" in other parts of the Union. And yet
| fully believe with your correspondent, that if
all the facts were known in regard to this Ter
ritory, "there would be hundreds of colonies
formed this winter, to proceed at the earliest
possible period in the spring" to Minnesota
Our climate is unsurpassed by any in the
Union. We have cold weather in winter, and
hot weather in summer and more sunshine
than in any country ever saw But in all
the changes of our seasons, we experience little
or nothing of that lasstude and prostration of
energy 80 common in fever and ague climates
cannot say that there will be no fever and
ague in any part of this Territory but have
not yet heard of case that originated here
and have no hesitation in saying that | be-
lieye that this country will ever be as free from
that disease as New England As to consump-
ton, we have altogether the advantage over
the Eastern States or those lying on the large
Lakes Being remote from large bodies of
water, we are not subject to those sudden and
extreme changes, and damp winds, that are 30
productive of consumption at the East.
The soil is sandy, easy to cultivate and gen.
orally very productive. There are millions of
acres now open for settlement, the soil of which
is as fertile as any in the West, that can be
| had at Government price, and in locations
| along the Mississippi and Minnesota rivers,
that in n few years will be valuable Back
| from these rivers the country abounds in most
beautiful lakes around which are charming
landscapes, and sites admirably adapted for
| the location of colonies. These lakes abound
in the choicest varieties Of fish, and some Of
| them nearest the towns are much resorted to
| by vsiters to the Territory. Lake Calhoun
| and Lake Harriet, lying four miles west of this
| place, are objects of general admiration They
| are each from one to two miles in length and
one mile wide, plentifully supplied with pike,
| pckerel, bass, and other smaller varieties of
| fish and the road to them lies over one of the
most beautiful prairies in the Territory Most
persons who visit the Falls, visit these lakes
spend days in admiring the pleasant scenery
around them and yet there are hundreds in
the Territory similar to these, and some far
SURPRISING them in fine scenery One of these
lakes, which il now attracting considerable
attention, is situated sixteen miles west from
this place 1t is said to be forty miles IN
length, and contains many beautiful islands.
The Indian name for it is, as ! am informed by
one Of the missionaries, Dida tonka' which
signifies large lake. 1t is now usually called
by the whites 4" Mime tonka,p which in the
Dakotoh language signifies large water. am
informed that there is colony of 200 families
coming from New York, to settle on the banks Of
that lake early next spring. Whether my in
formation is correct or not cannot say give
it as have received il, from one who accompa-
MED the agents Of the colony when they went TO
select location. But of one thing am very
certain that il the farmers of New England
knew half as much about this Territory as
those who live here, there would be tpo thou
sand families, instead Of two hundred, around
that lake in less than twelve months
J speak particularly Of farmers because |
believe that this Territory presents greater in
ducements TO farmers than any State or Ter
MA Of L.. n. Il. Al.