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

, "'""'"io VI poiiti'di tSphclbN tO hCPp
the expenditures oil the year within the
limits of its receipts, and to suffer no
speculative smpulse TO induce us TO enter
Il path, which, however clear il NAV
appear nj the outset of the Journey, we
should presently see branching into in
trcacies, and becoming impeded with
obstructions-until we are involved in a
labyrinth, from which, not we ourselves
only, but the generation to come, t.ight
IN VAIN endeavor to find the means OF
cXtricatiOn.
Ii our financial statistics in Il f'atter-
ing degree Indicate the impulse commu-
nicated to Minnesota by the restless &C
tiyity Of a single year, the prodigies
achieved by Individual adventure and
private enterprise, are not less visible in
the unparalleled growth of our principal
towns
Saiut Paul, occupying site which
but three years ago was an uninhabitcd
waste, with It's population of twenty-five
hundred inhabitants, It's commercial ac-
tivity, Its numerous public edficcs, and
private dwelling-houses of superior con-
struction, is rapidly pressing forward to
become the great Capital Of the North
west.
SAINT Anthony, beautifully situated
almost under the spray of the great falls
of the Father of waters, with its intclli-
gent population. and the genial and re-
iining influences Of the University, so
fiflp lncufnI ftnra
bic distinction 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
unabated vigor in wealth and population,
and will ever occupy u 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 Territorial
Prison al Saltwater, and for the building
of a Capitol at St. Paul--thc former to
be completed by the lst Of December,
1852, and the latter SO as TO accomodate
the two branches Of the Legislative As
seInbly 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.
Up to the first Of January instant,
S;3,S!9 Is, had been disbursed from the
Capitol fund, and S5,2Sl IS from the
Prison fund.
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 ses-
sion, a 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 survey Of the several roads
in the Territory, for which appropria-
tions were made by the act of Congress
Of July rs, 1850 These surveys have
been prosecuted during the past season,
under the general uperintendence Of
Lieut.. j. II. Simpson, Of the corps of
Typographical Engineers, a gentleman
thoroughly accomplished and honorably
distinguished in his profession
Of the $40 900 appropriated, $40, 500
have been expended in the surveys, leav-
ing an available balance Of $40, 300 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 Topogra phisal Engineers
at Washington.
The road from Point Douglass to Fort
Ripley; that from Point Doug lass to the
St. Louis river Of Lake Superior; and
that from the Mississippi to the Winne-
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 insutficiency Of the ap-
preparations to complete the roads, Lit.
Simpson advises me, that he has recon-
mended to the Department, that the sew
eral 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
passable at all times; for instance, in
the case Of the Point Douglass and For,
Ripley road; to the erection of bridges
over streams, which at times are not
fordable, and to ditching and throwing
up the road, where necessary to make it
of service; in the case of the Point