The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1853-05-07

re, sletcnlng Iar away on eltner HOe. Arocky
prairie is also opposite on the north bank Of
the Minnesota, and in the river are several
small islands, which render the navigation bad.
The Cotton Wood bears off to the southwest,
through most fertile and well wooded valley,
and in the course Of seventy-fve miles ap-
proaches a point within three miles of the
Des .Moines rirer, which every body knows
discharges itself into the Mississippi below
Keokuk. 1t runs also at the point where it so
nearly approaches the Des Moines within five
miles Of the Big Sioux river, which enters the
Missouri at the point of our southwestern
Territorial boundary. The Cottonwood coun.
try abounds in game, and is consequently ia
vorite resort of the Indians. 'Sleepy-Eyes'
has his village at the mouth of the stream. The
valley of the Cottonwood will one day sup
port dense white population. From what we
can gather it is one of the gardens of the late
Sioux Purchase, and will consequently settle
rapidly when the tide of emigration once be-
comes set that way.
Still more sn aky.
We are now compelled to proceed more slow
ly, as the river continues to become more and
more serpentine in its course We are expect
ing every moment to find it tied up in double
bow-knot. The bluffs are some three miles
apart, with the intervening valley slightly
timbered, and at this time covered with water.
The course of the river is on interminable zig
gag, continuous lacking almost at right an
giles with the line of bluffs--which is remarka-
bly, straight, even and uniform-from one side
OF the valley to the other. We are frequently
compelled to run five or six miles to make the
distance of our boats length in the general
course and direction we are travelling. It has
been suggested that if it were possible to hitch
on to the head of this river and draw it out
straight it would afford navigable stream to
the foot of the Rocky Mountains. There is plen-
ty OF water, however-not less than twenty
five or thirty feet anywhere in the channel
Mr.. Fawcett, the clerk, is drawing a correct
map of this section of the stream, which will be
rarecuriosity. 1t would take the premium
for screwing and twisting at the Worlds Fair,
and We hope it will be sent on by LIE Due
Capt. Dana is of opinion we will soon have
glimpse from a considerable distance at the
new Fort site. Twelve o'clock; aye, there it is.
and some miles this side we have fine view of
La Framboise's Tradin. Post.
This place is known as Little Rock 1t is a
noted point on the river; and we will proceed
directly to it in a little less time than it took
the Newton to travel there by steam from the
spot where she first came in sight of it. We
reached La Framboise's, then, at three O'Clock
T. NJ, distant from the Fort five miles by land
and fifteen or twenty by water. The site of
Little Rock is a bold point forming the extreme
inner angle of one of the great bends of the
river, and is skirted on either side with level
and rich prairie land, extending back half
mile to the bluffs. The point is covered with
huge granite rocks. some the size of medium
dwelling houses. Some two hundred wards
back from the river, Mr.. La Framboise has his
dwelling, trading and store houses, and other
Accomplishments to a post of this character
the whole enclosed with high and formidable
pickets The worthy old trader, who has resi-
ded in this lonely wilderness home since 1888,
came down with his entire household to well
come us, greatly elated that his favorite wish
was at length gratified by having steamboat
at his door. His situation is one of the most
beautiful and imposing upon the river. The
land about it is of the best quality, and no far
mer in Minnesota has raised finer crops than
Mr.. La Framboise at Little Rock He intends
having his place laid out as town site shortly,
when those DESTROYS of going into the very
highest speculation upon the Minnesota river
can take hold. There will be no town above it
for many years, as the new military reserve APP
proaches within half mile After woodng,
and allowing our people to crafty their curios-
ity by general survey of the premises, we
shove off for
The Fort.
After five or six more qualifications greater
than any yet made, the Newton stopped her
engines at the end of her journey at five o'clock.
Five or six Dragons had been in charge of the
place during the winter, who were now to be
relieved by the superior force we had carried
up. Soon the baggage was ashore, the tents
pitched upon the green prairie, and the camp
fires lighted. 1t is a beautiful spot, but until
the buildings are completed, promises no such
comfortable quarters as those left behind at
Fort Smelling. The soldiers wives view the
scene with melancholy sensations and forbod-
ings of hardship, sickness and death to them
selves and children, from exposure to tent life
during the summer. Few eyes are dry among
them, while in some instances our sympathics
are aroused by loud and bitter sobs. To be a
soldier in the ranks is hard and trying fate,
but to be soldiers wife, with family of small
children set down upon this remote and lonely
frontier, with nothing but canvass to shelter
them from the scorching rays of summers
sun and the "peltings of the pitiless Storm is
vastly more trying to the poor victims, and ag-
onizng to the better feelings of humanity.
AS we remained at the Fort until ten O'Clock
Saturday morning. fine opportunity was af.