The Minnesotian. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1851-1852, 1852-01-10


Red river of the North, and by its south
ern fork draining the lakes as far west
as Lac-qui-parIe, meanders through the
"Grand Bots" of the Uoyageurs, and en-
ters the Mississippi nearly opposite to
the town of Itasca. The country upon
each margin is highly inviting, and will
be early settled.
The Sank is bold and rapid river,
with wcll-wooded banks. The valley
between this stream and the NNatab,
presents to the eye the most fascinating
landscape in Minnesota, and in quiet
beauty is hardly exceIled by the most
celebrated scenery abroad. This tract
is capable of containing dense popula-
ton in comfort and affluencc.
The region of country which skirts
Lake Pepin is familiar to our people.
Rich in mineral wealth, studded with
sites of extra ordinary commercial prom
Use, it will be eagerly sought by thou
sands, who have long impatiently await
ed an opportunity for its occupancy.
The Undiae Region of Ncollet, sit
nate about the tributaries of the Man
kato, or Blue Earth river, is beautifully
diversified with prairies, lakes, and for
est; and altogether, constitutes one of
the most interesting physical features of
the Ameri can continent.
If, in contemplating events, which car
ry into this broad region, capacious
enough for an empire, the blessings of
Christian civilization, it be pardonable
to turn ones view, for moment, to 10
cal and partial considerations, | may be
permitted to observe, that, while to the
United States, and while to the crowded
and oppressed world beyond the Allan
tic, who regard this country as their
land of promise, the addition Of this i'm
mensc district to the area of regulated
liberty is an occasion of unbounded Joy,
there is no community who are better
entitled than our own, to eXult in the
browning Importance of the event, and
to derive from it, in addition to their
share of the general joy, a distinct and
special satisfaction.
1t will rccur to you, gentlemen, that
the carly acquisition of this territory to
the area of ceded lands, has been the
leading policy of Minnesota, from that
day when first Congress recognized her
political existence, and gave to her an
organic law-a policy, which since has
oversiladowed all others, and coerccd all
others, and disdained to be turned aside
by all others, however importuna ely
rendered. The practical accomplish
ment of this policy, has been a promi-
nent theme in previous annual comnu-
nications to the Legislature, as well as
an engaging topic of legislative consid-
Grafton and memorial If the treaties
of Traverse DIES Sioux and Mendoza
shall, in their present stage, be defeated,
| do not hesitate to express my decided
and unalterable opinion, that very many
years will clapse before as large a ccs-
sion will be made upon equally advanta-
gcous terms.
Negotiations with Indian tribes gc1cr-
ally involve conflicting interests and del
lcate antagonisms, and sometimes con-
tend with uncnlightcncd prejudice and
unins:ructcd politics. Ofall the prcsump-
tons INDUCED, that is one of the rashcSt.
which looks for repeated and favorable
opportunities for their successful con-
duct.
1t behooves this Legislature, among
the first duties of the session, to memo
rlalize the President and Senate of the
United States, for the early ratification
of these treaties; and also, in anticipa-
ton of their favorable final action, to ask
for an early survey ofthc lands acquired.
BY the treaty ofPcmbina, the Chippe-
wa Indians cede a district of country sin
ty-five miles in width by one hundred and
fifty in length, centrally ntersectcd by
the Red river of the North. The 49th
parallel forms the northern line of the
purchase, and Goose river, which flows
into Red river from the west, and Buffa-
10 river, which cmpties into it from the
east, define the southern boundary.
The cxigencies Of emigration do not
perhaps, require the immediate acquisi-
ton of this territory; but to our fellow
citizens of mixed blood, fifteen hundred
OF whom reside upon the tract, its pur-
chase is of the utmost importance. At
present they are incompetent to acquire
a fe simple in the soil, and not having
this incentive to its cultivation, depend
for a precarious subsistence upon the
uncertain returns of tho chase. An or
binary regard for their interests, prompts
speedy ratification of this treaty, and
the very existence Of the Red Man seems
to demand II. If the holchreods ONO
Withdrawn from the buffalo plains, by the
attractions of agriculture and fixed
homes, the Indian may yet, for :. few
years, gain subsistence, by the craft
oithe hunter, upon the immense prairics,
which stretch between the Shayenn-oiu
and the Missouri.
Should this treaty receive the appro-
baton Of the Senate, an American pop
ulation will, in a short time, be attracted