Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1854-03-15
TERRITORY or NEBRASKA.

The agitation of the Nebraska bill in Con-
gress, says the Detroit Inquirer, has invested
the condition and resources Of that great region
with an immense interest and curiosity which all
the sources of information open to popular scru-
tiny fail TO satisfy. We have geogloica inform
alton concerning it in Ovens survey School
crafts invaluable volumes give abundant statis-
tics relative to its present inhabitants; and FIRE.
mont's expeditions to California and Oregon
throw much light on its geographical and botan-
c features, and the atmospheric influences which
prevailed in the seasons open to the personal
knowledge of the explorers But with all this,
and such fragmentary intelligence as govern
ment has succeeded in obtaining, there is still
but meagre report by which the capacities and
the wealth of Nebraska may be judged. We
have attempted to combine, however, from pub
lie documents, Fremont's reports, and seemingly
authentic newspaper articles, some of the prom
inent points of such information as has been
gathered, and lay it here before our readers.
Nebraska proper is region of immense mag
nitude. 1t is estimated, in the last census, as
containing an area of l36,700 square miles,
But by establishing the southern line of the ter
ritory at 81 degrees, as proposed by Mr.. Doug
las bill, large section Of Indian territory, not
hitherto included in Nebraska, is to be classed
under the same name. In the additional section
proposed to be set off, are included Il large num-
ber Of Indian tribes, and the new organization. if
adopted, will contain about one-siXth of all the
Indians yet remaining under the charge Of our
government, including the Stockbridges, Della
wares, Sioux, Cheyennes, Mandans, Backfeet,
Crows, Assnibones, and Gros Ventres, &c.,
Part of these tribes are denomnated a" Christian
Indians" and under the influence of semi-civili-
zation, cultivate the soil and prosecute peaceful
arts. This portion, however, comprises but a
small number, and are situated principally, in the
neighborhood Of forts and trading posts. About
! 5000 are on the Kansas river, near Fort Leav-
cnworth, and they have raised in a single year
! 5000 bushels Of corn, $3.50 bushels of wheat,
| $4,000 of oats, 1000 hogs, and 100000 melons.
They have horses and oxen in abundance, and
the annual value of their products is put at $751;
900.
The climate Of Nebraska, as we'll as its soil, is
greatly diversified. In the north, it is much like
New England; the central portion is mder, and
the southern has very much such climate as
| Virginia. The Rocky Mountains, on the west
have their peaks covered with eternal snow
The climate, however, in the coolest attitudes, is
tempered by a midness similar to that which
imparts to that of Asia its peculiar influences.
The eastern portion of the territory is said to
be chiefly prairie, with rich aluvial soil. III
the middle is the great American Desert, and
the west is mountains. Much the larger portion
of it is supposed to be bountifully supplied with
all the elements of fine agricultural REGION
The geological formation of its eastern and prin-
cipa section is lime and sandstone. In wood
the territory is deficient. There is poplar, elm
birch, willow, pine, white oak and maple, but moi
to much extent On the rivers, the cotton wood
tree abounds.
No great lakes have yet been discovered in
Nebraska and the Patte, its largest river, is on
ly navigable for steamboats, 40 miles. An Amer
lean population Of enterprising freemen woulc
doubtless do much to extend and develope the
natural facilities Of communication, but the ter
ritory is essentially suited to agricultural ant
grazing purposes and it must be mainly depend
ent upon these pursuits. r
The Nebraska hunting grounds have been th'
realization of the Indians heaven. Buffalo, an
teope, elk, deer, wild horses, prairie dogs, ant
bears, still abound in it-though the Buffalo il
becoming scarce there, and with unerring in
stinct of the white mans approach, is working
its way yet further towards the setting sun.
There are but few whites now living in Ne
braska and these are principally military men
or Indian agents, or enterprising missionaries t.
the Indian tribes. Without doubt, however, i
is capable Of supporting large population.