The daily Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1855, 1855-03-17
Total amount required, 9.

NOIG JTCM HleRGOtO 10 10 the UlOutH OJ TIE
Big .Sioa1 rirer. - Having but recently
been entrusted with the general superintend-
ence of this road, and all the arrangements tor
its progress not having as yet been matured, l
can say nothing more than when l am put in
possession OF all the maps and estimates in re-
ation to it, l shall lose no time in applying
the recent appropriation Of S25 zoo in the mode
required by the department. \ o further esti-
mates are made for it for TIE reason that by
the recent act the amount appropriated, &C
cording to the decision of the department, is
to COMPLETE the road.
In regard to the importance Of completing
all these roads an the shortest period possible,
there is not the slightest question. In order
that this may be seen more clearly, will re-
this subject, making, however, such additional
remarks as may be required by the present
condition Of the roads.
Tie Point Douglas and st. Louis rirsr
road is of the utmost consequence, in the &C
commodation it will afford to- he lumber interest
high up the St. .CroiX, upon Snake river, and
Kettle river and their tributaries this road
being the only avenue, especially in the win
ter, 10y which supplies can be transported
to these points for the maintenance of those
engaged in the trade. During every other sea-
son except the winter, these supplies, in conse-
quence of the utter impassibiity of the roads
Oh account OF swamps and marsh, and rich,
moist, s.aded soil, have to be boated up swift
streams, where the boatmen, in addition to the
WEAKNESS OF polling against strong current,
have not. untrequently to contend against for
inidable rapids and falls by resorting to port
ages around them. At present the road is
available tor travel at every season, from its
northern terminus to the 10th mile station,
just beyond Sunrise river. But beyond this,
as far as POkegoma, distance of 81 miles,
only narrow way has been cut out, which. on
account of swamp and marsh, can only be used
in winter and from Pokegoma to the termi-
nus OF the road, distance of about 80 miles,
there is not as much as well defined trail up
on which man on horseback can travel.
But there are other and very important rea-
sons why this great thoroughfare should be
opened. It is the grand connecting link be-
tween the head Of navigation on the great
northwestern lakes and tie head of navigation
on the upper Mississippi and it only remains
for this avenue of communication to be made
to at once open to market the extensive mine
raj and fishing interests of the great Lake Su-
pelior region. Nor is this all. Its extensive
bearings and connexions with the great GEN.
tres OF trade at the east, by means of water
and railroad communications, (and which are
about to be perfected BY the ship canal around
the falls OF st. Mary,) and with the south a ID
west by means Of the Mississippi, make it Ger
tain that this road is destined to bear mighty
tide of travel and commerce upon it. ~
e The Point Douglas and Fort Ripley road
runs through o portion of the Territory to
which emigrants are aocking in considerable
numbers. LtisSthe great highway by which
the government supplies reach the Indians in
the Winnebago territory and in the Chippe-
wa district, 1t is also the road by which the
government supplies are transported to the
troops at Fort Ripley tla.6H % 4
lite Sacan xirer and Long Prairie road
is a branch road f.iom the Point Douglas and
Fort Ripley road, and is the one by which the
government supplies are conveyed to the Win
nebago agency at Long Prairie 4I4iaT'
gs Tie Wa5asta and Mendota road is the
road by which supplies-Ain the fall and sprinx,
when the steamboats, Caunot get up the Nissis-
....-s.& G. 1:ss-5.zosss fss9 sL- IssgEl 3HFEH
Thi. l..tporsioa hi. to-day, ssptsnss ,ssa, sssa
put under contrast. - -'sN