The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-10-29

Quar- Minnesota CosrsspssAsnoe.
ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA TssRrroRY,l
Sept. a, 1854.
The Cli~ats and Atssosphrs-Ixe Soii-Tour
Through the Couatry-Euyeka Cly-St. Peters,
&C., &c.
You undoubtedly see great many letters written
n this point, giving glowing descriptions Of ths
place and country through the Territory. Al
though there is considerable gas in most Of these
letters, yet, 90 far a. my knowledge extends, this
is q peculiarly happy cOuntry-hot % fire in the
summer, and cold as ice Can make it in the winter.
Without change, as below in Illinois, Indiana, &c,
II IL PROBABLY as healthy country as there Is in
the vast possessions Of Uncle Samuel. The air is
pure and bracing, and the invalid may remain in
the night air without those enervating effects ex-
perienced further south. Cuba has long been the
Ell Dorado for the sick, but she Is fast losing cha
racter, and the attention Of invads is turning to
other points.
Lake Superior has been recommended aud is daily
gaining ground. The atmosphere on the lake,
am told by persons acquainted with that region,
differs scarcely any from that at st. Paul. ! am
acquainted with individuals who came here some
few years ago with broken kealih who have regain
ed it, attributing 1t entirely to the atmosphere.
have never been in State where found a. foe air
as this here.
But started ont to tell you something Of the Min
nesota river country; from the fact of travelling
most Of the time in canoe, cannot give you more
than birds eye description The Minnesota or st.
Peters river has all along, (a least by tose living
in ST. Paul and vcinity,) been considered the best
portion OF the ten TORY for farming purposes. The
Cannon river, however, Ia gaining ground daily,
and the Minnesota must yield the palm to her.
The Minnesota, however, has dns country on her
banks, running far back into the interior She
heads In the western portion Of the Territory, bsnd
ing within forty fifty miles of the north liae Of
Iowa, having northeastern direction and empties
into the Mississippi river six mites above here at
Fort Smelling. Ii person wants to see the country
he should either walk over /. or ride horse;
then he can be prepared TO give correct account
Of il.
In company with four Others I left st. Paul on
the 9th inst. foot, and arrived q. Fort Ridgely,
after several stoppiDgs, with comp anion, the
l4tb. We found the number 81 soldiers to BE- about
one hundred and ffsy nearly all on extra duty for
building the fort. The fort, which is to be, is
beautifully situated, three hundred miles BY water
from st. Paul, on high point of land ruu-
ling Off . short distance to the river on
ore side, and skirsed on the other by
deep ravine. The reserve for the fort Is
understand some ten niles square, containing some
OF the choicest land. Toe fort buildings going
ahead rapidly, and some Of thsm will undoubtedly
be eady for The winter; but there is great deaf to
buildings for the soldiers being but Of stone,
and the general design, far as could learn, il
similar 80 ttat Of Fort Smelling.
Fsiling to buy canoe As We expected, we started
hight, lying under q wet canvass and fighting rats,
which were disposed to carry away our hair; we
came to Mr.. LIE Flamborse's place, four miles be.
low, an Indian trader from Montreal, VINO has
been in the Territory, he informed US, twenty
Year,. We did not find him at hons, bn, after
staying at his house two days be arrived from
Traverse DE Sioux, forty five mites below on the river
We found him to be gentleman in every respect.
We seems to sDjoy himself in his way Of life. He
purchased q canoe of him. and on the 18th started
on the route to 81. Paul. had forgotten to say
anything Of the up trip from the tact Of crossing
the great prairie, which lies between Henderson,
point Joseph r. Brown is building up, al toe Fort.
The country, however, from st. Paul up ID Hender.
son. is not toe choicest, on account Of the geat ex
tent OF prairie, which should think far too great
for the timber which skirts it. Occasionally we
found fine piece of country, but as q general
thing, there Is too much prairie. The country
around Henderson is \ good one. At this point
the government teams cross the river en- route for
the Fort. The distance to the Fort from this point,
is forty five miles BY aad, and about two hundred
by water.
We expected, on leaving lie Flamborss's for S..
Paul, to stop at Cotton wood, some thirty miles be.
low; but the current being bad, and being eachsi
WITH rain. and without PROVISIONS and no whsre 10
| get ary, we were obliged to STOP as we supposed,
several miles from thaE pointo camp for tbs yh,
The country, 81 tar as we could judge this first day,
was rong prairie on the north sid, aad timbar %
the south side. with hardly any variation. Vegsta.
| ton t0lerably good, and bstter a. We went oa
| Well, our camp is made, consisting cf fe brush,
bent together At the top, with wet reeds for beds
! A huge fire made, We divide q poor, emsctsted
| pigeon, which, with few poor tn ra apoles. was
ali we had since breakfast and turn ia for sleep,
| Sioux Indians AID prairie wolves breaking the mo
| notony Of the night.
We started quite carly in the orning, ard turninga
bend near the camp, deserted Cottonwood which Was
one log house, nearly surrounded with Sioux wig
vans. Here We eas as hearty breakfast, perhaps,
two mortsls did before. We fel. graceful to
hawk for his and family's breakfast, we having
| devuuIed all the pork that was cooked, which
! not small mess eithe,. The land around Cotton.
wood creek or river, is hgn and roliag, and will
| our In5ian friends, we found better curreat and
good high banks, covered with foe vegetation, ia.
crossing went on, till we landed in the famous
| city Of Euro ka, about o'clock Z. M.
Eureka city is composed OF The materials which go
to make email sized house, a little higher grade
| than cabin, and the skeleton work Of wo1.d
be raw mill. Alas poor Eureka has been soreiy
trouble with cvers quarrels about her title, she
lies idle and ieless. The town cite is beautiful
| ore; the banks are high and solid, and the view
around is q fne one Fine cliims be made on
both sides Of the river; some of them adjonog the
town plat as good ones perhaps, as there are in the
Territory. Sia,ing at Eureka ,ity over night, We
| struck MaDkato the next day abont noon. MAnkato
il situate the south bank, in low suakeo spot,
and has very dism appearance; We should sup
Q good fresh.t. There are, | suppose, some
twelve Or fifteen houses in oil among them
quite q respectable public house, witch Is
the Blue Earth river, I should judge by the
Vegetation near the river, was very good, though
it undoubtedly has bad too much gas. It's pr ,xmity
to Iowa, which Is forty fifty miles, has gwen IL an
ideal character, which time may destroy. At this
point We met . company OF government surveyors;
they will soon have finished surveying all the land
along the settled portion OF the Minnesota river;
most Of it win probably be put in market before
eighteen months. We no Y 70 northeast till We ar
rve st st. Panl; a. go along the vegetation will
gradually change from ricn corn 8 Ill to a good
wheat soil; we find the banks getting low a1d the
river foil OF sDags (as to them have had them all
the way above us), the water shallow, although ne
river Is up, till we arrive some three or four miles
shove st Peters, where We 1nd respectable chan
Data 49,. 4. Ia.