Minnesota weekly times. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1859, 1855-01-30
MINNESOTA-QUESTi ASKED AND
ANSWERED.


ia their home.
A friend writing to us from the city of New
York, says that quite number of gentlemen
now engaged in active business pursuits in that
city, contemplate removing to Minnesota in the
spring, and in order to enable them to act under
standingly, he desires US to answer the following
questions =
l. g What is the population, native and for
egn, of the city of ST. Paul, and of the territory
to which it belongs?''
St. Paul is city of six years growth, located
at the head of navigation on the Mississippi,
about so feet above the level of the river, and
consequently is generally very healthy. 1t con-
tains between 5000 and 600 inhabitants, one
half of which is of foreign extraction, divided
among the French, Dutch, Germans, Irish and
Norwegans. Generally speaking our foreign
population is composed of worthy, intelligent
class of persons; there are exceptions, but these
exceptions are few.
.. ''What is the state of society, intellectual
and moral 20
A more intellectual or rather more intelligent
class of people not be found any where in
the Union, than reside in the city of st. Paul.
For proof Of our assertion VIC will only instance
the fact that there four daily and four weekly
papers published in the city, and each one We
should judge well supported. For other proof
refer friend to the speeches delivered at
two recent celebrations; and to our excellent
schools and the manner in which they are sup
ported.
As to morals, We presume there is as much of
that element here as at any new place-on the
whole we think little more. There is great
desire to accumulate wealth, and in every
other place, men often loose sight Of the rule
''Do unto others you would that they should
do unto YOU" and look out for No. |. Perhaps
this prcdominatcs to Il considerable dcgree-if
not more so, in St. Paul. We ought to be moral,
for we have seven churches, in full blast.
). ''What inducements are there for settlers
professional and commercial 20
More inducements than can be founl in the
Eastern States, for these reasons there is large
quantity of excellent land, hundred times cheap
than be bought in the old settled states,
and much easier Of cultivation. The rapid in
crease of population, increases the price of land
and in this way the chances of making money
are far greater than in places where capitalists
monopolise every thing with which they come in
contact. Aman can get homestead ana living
would be obliged to pay for one years. rent in
New York city, and this is dcsideratum much
needed 10y poor men.
There is room for few more professional men,
although We think St. Paul at present well sup
piled. Professional men, however, aid in support
ing the farmer, and if they increase in number,
there will be demand for more farmcrs--so
come on. We hare bit one Dentist in the ciiy.
a larger number of boats will probably be Gu
fore commci cially, therefore, the prospects are
very good. Some ten a dozen boats were en-
gagged on the river last season.
4. ''What is the condition of agriculture in
your immediate vicinity and what is the price of
land of different dcscrptions?"
The condition of agriculture is excellent. We
raise superior corn, beets, squashes, potatoes,
pumpkins, and in fact nearly all the esculents
raised at the East. There are farms valued at
S. and $1,000 within ten miles of st. Paul and
they will increase in value each year. Govern
ment land can be purchased about % miles from
the city, for 81 % per acre; other lands under
cultivation, command from So, s. to $40 and
$l5 per acre. These lands are of excellent quail
ity for agricultural purposes.
5. ''What is the condition of fnances-the
cost of ivng-the cost of clothing, provisions,
&C."
Our finances are good, particularly when the
change IN the shape of gold is in the pocket. We
have all sorts of finances and all sorts of fnan-
ccering. If our friend aludes to us particularly,
we can only say our finances are at low mark.
Our trade with the farmers, Indians and lumber
men, keeps money in circulation, but it is compo-
sed of peculiar conglommeration of bills on all
sorts of banks. During the busy (or summary
season money is plenty at |, ID and per cent.
During the winter it commands 3 and per cent.
per month.
1t costs somewhat more to live in this country
than in New IOrk-.iust now, however, we think
it costs less. Please consult our market in regard
to provisions. Rents are high-clothing an adj
vance on New York prices, but in like proportion
wages for all kinds of labor are high.
6. ''What is the quality of the buildings in
your city, streets, &c.'
There are many good frame houses, about one
third brick, and the balance in neat cottages
INV "FPS"i"hSe VI our Guy Is very uue, auu neTe-
in many strangers are happily disappointed. Our
public buildings are equal to any in Connecticut
our hotels superior-the WISsLow HOUSE par
ticularly. Better natural streets never Law out
door.
!. "What facilities for communication and
transports by water and lands? Is the river ma.
Vigabie Mt all seasons Of the year?"
In the summer season our communication is on
the Mississippi river, in boats from Gaena, &c.
In the winter we have stage route to DUBUQUE.
The river is navgable from the early part of April
to the middle of November.
&. "What are the staple products and what
the manufacturing facilities ?''
The staple products are agriculture and the
numbering interests-the latter forms no ;ncon.
siderable item in the trade of our territory. Our
manufacturing facilities are unsurpassed AT the
Falls OF st. Anthony there is an abundance Of
water power, waiting only for the ingenius Yam.
kee to set the wheels of hundred mills going
If You are acquainted with the manuf acture of
wooden oats or nutmegs, come on-here's the
place for you. If you wish to reap good reward
from mother earth, here's the place. If YOU wish