The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1853-05-28
The NORTH Pacific RAILROAD-The work of

The NORTH Pacific RAILROAD.-The work of
preparation to start hence the expedition of
Gov. Stevens, is still rapidly progressing in
this quarter Most of the party have now ar
rived, together with their mules baggage wag
ons, &c. The Dr. Franklin, on her last trip,
brought up some seventy head of mules and
on Wednesday the West Newton landed the re-
and hundred, on Pixies Island, below Fort
Smelling. The dragons which are to accom-
pany the expedition, will be mounted upon
mules. The party are now encamped upon the
shores Of one of the small lakes, four miles back
of Fort Smelling. Gov. Stevens is expected by
every boat and the expedition will move at
an early day. Mr.. Lander. one of the Engi-
neers, will probably start in advance. The ex-
petition will be fitted out in the most complete
order and no impeachment, for want of full
equipment, can possibly prevent the work upon
which they go forth from being accomplished at
an carly day. This route continues to attract
the earnest attention of the press all over the
country. Some of us about st. Paul were
thought crazy last winter, when we urged
the passage, by our Legislature. of the St Paul
and Pugets Sound railroad charter. We won't
crow about the matter just yet but we are as
sured from responsible source, that that very
act has ensured the carly prosecution of the
survey, and caused our place to be the starting
point of the great enterprise. We find the fol-
lowing in the last Milwaukee Sentinel -
THE RAILWAY TO THE PAcIFIc-What was
looked upon, but few years ago, as the wild
imaginings of a visionary enthusiast, has alrea-
dy assumed the character of feasible and hope
full project, and is, ere long, destined to attain
the rank of fixed fact. A railroad to the Pa
cifc, three thousand miles long, traversng the
vast prairies and scaling the mountain ranges
which lie between the Mississippi valley and
the Pacific shores, has long ceased to he matter
of idle or curious speculation. 1t is felt to be
a necessity, and although Congress, at it's late
session, shamefully neglected to authorize the
commencement of this now fully resolved upon
National Enterprise it had at least the grace to
provide for an early and thorough exploration
of the different routes proposed. The parties
are already formed for the survey of what is
known as the North Pacific route One corps
of Engineers, under the immediate command of
Gov. Stevens, will start from ST. Paul, during
the current month, exploring the ground be-
| tNCCH lhS -uicSisSippl dHu tUc hOcky MOUNTAINS
Another division, under the command of Capt.
McClelland proceeds at once to Puget's Sound
and will prosecute their search eastwardy.
meeting the first party at the Rocky Mountain
range. 1t is expected that their labors will be
SO far completed by fall as to admit of report
being made to Congress at its ensuing session,
in season, we trust, to insure large appropria-
ton for the immediate commencement of the
great work. 1t is natural, and indeed newt
10 bat %ba, ,,Io 4 r
opinion as to the best route for the proposed
railroad. Sectional feeling and local interests
will undoubtedly affect, more or less, the DELHI
eratiOns: and it may be, the decision upon this
point. But it is to be hoped that question of
such immense magnitude, so truly national in
its scope and character, will be met in a CORES
ponding spirit by the majority in both Houses
of Congress- and that the eventual selection of
the route, if made by our National Legislature,
will be made upon grounds and for reasons that
all sections of the Republic can heartily ap-
prove. We think that the result of the surveys
will demonstrate, what the map of North Anne
RIGA seems to show. that the northern route is
not only considered the shortest but crossing
the great rivers near their source s, can be con-
structed at the least expense. But we should
not claim the preference for this route unless
the surveys abundantly justified the choice
and wherever finally located. this great Iron
Highway for the commerce of the world cannot
fail to dispense signal benefits and advantages
to all parts of our common country
REAL ESTATE AND FINE ARTs-One of the
greatest speculations, that has come up in st.
Paul this season, was made during the present
week. well known citizen, being possessed
of more lots in the fourishing new town of Ira
verse des Sioux than he knew what to do with.
and having an enthusiastic fit to patronize the
fine arts come over him all at once, proposed to
trade fifteen of said lots for the Mexican PIANO.
rama, recently on exhibition at Mazourka Hall.
The offer was accepted, and the bargain fully
consummated. 1t is decided that there is a
great speculation in the trade; but as we have
not seen the Panorama, or examined particular
y the location of the lots, it is not for us to de-
eide as to which is the realizing party.
- ST. Paul now owns steamboat, wharf
boat, horsc-ferry boat, panorama of the Mex
lean War and two apple-stands. LIE Sueur owns
one steamboat. the Tigcr-Mr. Barton, of that
place. having purchased the entire interest of
capt. Maxwell in the same. Mr.. Barton is an
old citizen and man of energy and we hope
he Will realize handsome fortune by his new
enterprise. LIE Sueur is certainly looking up
In the way of commerce and trade, being now,
so far as steamboat stock is concerned ahead
OF what st. Paul was one year ago. Some of
the LIE Sueur boys were down again this week
for more lumber. McLagan is building large
warehouse at that point.
Qrtck TRlr.-Tle Clarion made trip last
week which clearly demonstrates that she can
go twice week to Mankato and back with all
ease. One of the editors being sick, and the
other out making a claim our friend Bryant
the accommodating clerk of the Clarion, informs
us that the 'Mcataxe was not issued last week
There will always be plenty to do on the Min
nesota river for boat so we'll manned and COM
manded as the Clarion. She is deservcdly pop
ular with the settlers
MExICO.-Santa Anna is showing his bristles,
1