Daily American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1852, 1852-03-18
Correspondence of the National Era.
Minnesota.

ST. ANTHONY, MIN. Ter, Feb. IA, 1852
Will it crafty you and your readers to hear
a few words as to how matters move with US in
the far Northwest this winter? Some may sup
pose, from its latitude, that Minnesota must
wear a sort Of Laplandish aspect in the winter,
and that, with the world of insects and reptiles
we are all locked up in icy torpor, to be only
reused to active life by the warm breath of
spring and the genial rays of q vernal sun. But
not exactly so. In winter, as in summer Min
nesota teens with life and industry. In our
villages, tits true, business is less brisk than
when navigation is open, and our male popula-
tion all here; but hundreds of hardy w0odmen
are making the pine forests, around the head
waters Of Rum and St Croix rivers ring with
their strong strokes; and the many acres of logs
which will float upon the bosom of the streams
when the ice disappears will bear testimony to
pioneer enterprise and will also furnish lumber
to construct houses for the thousands of immi-
grants who will crowd in among us during the
next season,
There have been, this winter several ueru
cold days, and once the mercury sunk 35 de-
grees below zero; but the weather has gener-
ally been steady and agreeable. There has
been but little snow, never over four inches.
and no rain, think, has fallen since the mid
die of November. Think of these things! We
who YEARLY drag through the mud of Ohio or
You will be able to judge of the rapidity with
which this Territory is becoming settled, by
consulting the annual message of Gov Ramsey,
recently communicated to our Legislature.
From that document it, appears that $4,000
acres OF land have been taken up during the |
past year; 1920 of which were located by |
military land warrants, and $4,000 claimed
under the presumption law Hundreds are i'm
Natently waiting for the ratification of the
= = made last summer with the Dakota
,te s. which 2s,000,0 900 Of acres $4,000
indians oy +~act larger than the State Of .
0t;ai IN - &c. open to settlers Of this
tract the Governor says: h,,
"This vast district nature -.ali NJ ~ Wv
for exalted destinies. Within its o. nm
its, it may be safely asserted that there 10 l"ru
ly rood that Is not arabic; Tor the wet any,
swampy lands are easily drained, and eventu-
ally Will be the most eagerly sought for agri-
cultural purposes Rapid streams, fed from rich
prairies and shaded by noble forests; clear
lakes, stocked with fish; n soil enriched with
the spoils of the decayed vegetation of several
thousand years are features common to the en-
tire region Rich veins Of mineral wealth, and
an inexhaustible command of water power,
point it out as the future abode Of manufactur-
ing greatness while the boundless plains SUBJ
dued by the voluntary toll Of freemen will be-
COHt Iue CuO5ch pioSc VI PoSeoioA -
publicanism The whole is watered by streams, |
which form so many natural outlets into the
great commercial artery of our continent, the
Mississippi These various rivers, in great part
navigable each with their own set of tributary
streams--some fed by rills which gush from
fertile highlands, others draining lakes OF trans
parent clearness-form chain of inland COM
munication, which, az natural feature, is I'M
known in the physical geography of the east
ern hemisphere Over ALL and through all,
pervades a climate which stimulates exertion, |
and is eminently favorable to health"
How is it possible that such a region will
long remain unsettled and wild? Let those |
who have made up their minds to move
"West" come and look upon this great rude
garden, before they decide where to fix their
abode. This treaty land lies just west of the
Mississippi; and though hitherto it has attract.
ed but little attention, it is evident that ere long
it must be occupied by q numerous and thrifty
population. Truly yours c, G. A.