The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1853-06-23
Increase Of Business in Minnesota.

Increase OIL BUSINESS In MlunCsOtds
A very few years have elapsed since our entire
Territory was owned and occupied by The Indians
ony, and at the time of Territorial organization
four wears ago, the settlements the ceded lands
were sparse, and composed principally Of those en-
gagged in or connected with the numbering business
"A class of people who have done TO advance the
prosperity of our Territory, and develope her
sources, than any other. At that period there were
only from thirty to fifty steamboat arrivals in the
Territory annually.
With the exception of the "Guv Ramsey" on the
Mississippi above the Fails of ST. Anhony there has
been regular steamboat business above ST. Paul,
previous to the opening Of nayi CATION last spring. 1t
is that few boats had navigaed the Minnesota
to some distance above the mouth Of the Blue Earth
but at Of unusual high water, and the navi
CATION Of the river at common stage was by no
means established. During last summer several boats
made trips TO various points the river, hut the
water being low, the nav CATION was difficult, anu
the river above Blue Earth was supposed not TO be
navigablc. This season. however, has dispclled all
doubts to the navigate OF the Minnesota to the
b
river aboue the mouth of Blue Earth. There have
been four boats plying regularly on the Minnesota
between St. Panl and the New Fort and Agency, be-
sides several transient boats which have made uips
to points the Minnesota below the Fort.
The ;,ct tina, the Minnesota is navigabe through
the entire length of the land which is open TO the
white settler, has established another. which is that
he valley of the Minnesota is increasing in popul,-
tion 10 n degree unprecedented even in the rapid in
Of population in this Territory. No, onv is
the valley OF the Minnesota rapidly increasing in pop
uation, but every other part Of the Terrtoy which
is open TO settlement is also filling up with hardy
and industrious population. who are seeking locations
where they make provision for their families al
rihing immediate outlay of capital
Nothing tends to Indicate the increase Of our pop
ulation ana business more clearly than the increase
in the boating interest. There is, as we have said,
four boats running regularly in the Minnesota trade,
and there is daily line between Gaena and St.
Paul. In addition this there four boats run
ming regularly between ST Louis and St. Paul, and
there also several boats which visit us from St.
Louis and others making transient trips up the Min
nesota. Ga Friday last there were six steamboats,
At the landing in ST. Paul, at the same time--two
from the Minnesota river and four from below
among which the Die Vernon, one Of the largest
Of the St. Louis and keokuk packets. This fact,
trivial in ITSELF speaks volumes for the Increase Of
the trade Of ST. Paul. and demonstrates the necessity
OF vigorous preparation for the business Of the
future.
There is but little doubt entertained now that the
population Of the Territory will nearly. if quite.
double during the year. That the immigration will
continue in the same, greater ratio, annually for
some years, few will doubt and with the population
the business Of the Territory must increase and il is
important that preparation shoulI be made for IT,
the Territory, unless those most deeply interested
should neglect TO make the necessary provision for
great increase in its various branches and in the IA
cities for carrying it Let it be borne in mind
that the Minnesota trade will require more steam.
boats next year than employed in that trade this
season, and tina, all increase Of business obope causes
short time the arrival Of SIX, eight, or even ten
boats landing the same dav will cease to be
a matter Of surprise, and hope st. Paul win be
prepared or the increase. At this time the iacili-
ties for the transaction Of business on the leyee are
Insufficient, and without inprcx ement certainly will
not admit OF any increase ia the trade.