The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-06-14
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81. PAWS,
MINNESOTA TnRrroRY, June 8, 1854.
On our passage up the Mississippi river, the boat
halted at place called Montovle, for the purpose
of taking in wood. The storm having subsidized, the
party avsiled Themselves Of stepping ashone. A
bold prominence Of two or three thousand feet rises
from the waters edge, the sides Of which are luxu
iantly covered with native grass, with beautiful
wild flowers, natives OF the uncultvated region but
as fragrant those reared by the most skilful flo
rist in the world. Indeed nature herself knows best
how to perform her own handiwork. Acres and
acres of the most beautiful and fragrant are strewed
all along these wild regions, doomed to bloom
and blush unseen" and "waste their fragrance on
the desert air." At this place nearly the whole
party alghted on shore, ladies and gentlemen, and
hundreds took stroll through the native grass, and
clambered to the peak Of high prominence to take
view of the natural magnificent carpeting, and
magnificent sheet of winding water lying at their
feet. Here the first natives Of the forest made their
appearance. There were three Of them in mecca
sins and blankets, with firearms and powder horns
slung across their shoulders. Their faces were
besmeared with some black, greasy matter, fur
rowed out, in token Of mourning for deceased
friends. They were the most abject looking
creatures ever seen by civilized eyes. They
were extremely sullen and refused to uncover their
faces, until pieces of silver were shown and given
them. Hundreds of the passengers gathered
around these miserable looking aborgnes, who very
soon filed the hands Of the natives with silver coin
the gift Of which to the Indians rendered them ap-
parently highly grateful Mr.. Fillmore took them
by the hand. They were taken on board the boats,
the machinery and equipments of which they in
spected with silent attention, but without exhibiting
any particular wonder or admiration. There are
some two hundred roaming in the neighborhood but
hear that they are fast dwindng away. The spe-
cimens we saw to-day did not exhibit the Indian
character in such light as it has frequently
been portrayed by talented writers, from the
discovery of this country to the present day.
They were specimens Of slothfulness, idleness and
stupidity, lily COMFORTING with the character Of the
chiefs, warriors and braves Of whom we read as
existing in the early history Of this country. They
have not the eye of fire worn by Red Jacket, Black
Hawk and other warriors of the bygone ages.
Great curiosity was excited by the passengers, and
especially by the ladies. The lady Of Ex-Governor
Baldwin, of Connecticut took particular interest in
them, shook hands with them, gave them pieces of
silver coin, and held conversation with them by
means Of an interpreter. They exhibited pride in
letting us know that they belonged to the Sioux
tribe; and when the interpreter accused them Of
being Chippewas or Winnebagoes, they promptly
wiped off that imputation by calculating " Sioux!
Sioux"
About o'clock this morning the feet hove in
sight of the city of st. Paus, and in half hour,
after coming through beautiful bend In the river.
were brought alongside the quay in front Of the
people had assembled to greet US. We soon learned
that we were one day in advance OF their expecta-
tons, consequently the arrangements for our recep-
ton were not matured. The first business ashore
was to find land conveyance to the Falls Of ST. An.
thony, ten miles up the Mssissippi-the extent
OF our visit. The confusion was very great, as it
was very doubtful whether q sufficient number of
vehicles could be found to convey the thousand Wis
tiers. Everything having wheels was put in requi-
siton-stage coaches, hacks, lumber wagons, carts,
DC. We piled in heller SHELTER, very thankful for
any kind Of seat, and at whatever inconvenience.
The falls are divided by an island OF some twenty
acres, covered with small bushes, mostly prick
ly ash. The flow of water is heavy, breaking
into cataracts mile above the falls, and descends
over the rocky precipice some eighty or hundred
feet in beautiful sheet Masses Of rock are tufbed
together below, evidently broken of centuries ago.
civilization sufficiently enters here, will be invalua-
bic for all manner of hydraulic purposes. Already
the shores have been monopolized by shrewd specu-
atos. In the course Of time this will become Ro-
chester or . Lowell. Mr.. Morton, Of New York,
having brought with him bottle filled with Atlantic
watCr, from Sandy Hook, it was poured into the
Mississippi, accompanied with appropriate honors,
m token OF gatlfcatlon at the connection o. both
creasing village at the Falls, containing some three
thousand souls, all gathered within the last four
years. At early hour in the afternoon the party
returned to the boats at st. Pauls. Though the APP
N their WAS ahrupt the authOrtfpa
and citizens generally got up an entertainment In
the evening at the capital Of Minnesota. We were
there addressed by Governor German, in few
appropriate remarks, to which ex-Presdent Fillmore
and historian Bancroft replied.
After the conclusion Of this ceremony, the COM
pany were invited into an adjoining room Of the
Capitol to participate in the dance Parties for the
sSon tined y ladies' and
other Eastern cities. Some three hours were thus
happily passed, ample refreshments furnished, and
other gratifying evidences Of the pleasure which the
people Of st. Paus felt account Of being honored
by 50 large number Of visitev from the East. At
eleven o'clock the buge announced the time for de-
parture and in half an hour the feet was under
way down the noble Mississippi It should be stated
that after return from the Falls the steamers pro-
ceeded to Fort Smelling, some six miles above. This
fort stands in an exceedingly prominent position,
upon the highest bluff within many miles around, at
the confluence of the Mississippi and st. Peter
now Minnesota-ryers. 1t was built some thirty
years since, when the Indian wars ragged most fu-
riously. There are accommodations for some two
thousand troops, but there never has been any ne
cessity for q garrison Of over five hundred. This
fortress ia now under command Of Captain Lee, an
officer who has seen much service. There are now
only two companies stationed here-a flying artil-
lery and rifle. As the Indians have mostly removed
westward farther there is no further occasion for
occupying this garrison, and the probability is that
it will shortly be abandoned.
TELEGRAPHIC.
RETURN OF THE EXCURSION
Rock ISLAND, June 10, 1851
The excursion aeet has Just returned from st Paul
FIVE hundred miles in thirty hours The party
in fine spirits.
Superior Courf-Part First.
Before Hon Judge Slosson and Jury.