Minnesota weekly times. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1859, 1856-06-14

u
make room fer the following interesting letter
from the pen of L.. c. COLLINS, Esq. published in
the Herald and Wesleyan Journal. 1t will relieve
the mind of much of the excitement attending
the recent assault and the sackipg of Lawrence.
LETTER FROM MINNESOTA.
ST.. PAUL, NJ. T., Jan. IL, 1856.
Nearly three years residence in this Territory
(Miunesota) has afforded me an ample opportu-
n.ty 10 form something of correct opinion of
the country and the induce ments which it offers
t, all those who would seek a home in the West.
Although pleased with the country myself,
and never having seen moment since pitched
my tent here. that wished had remained in tho
East, | have ever felt reluctance to urge the
advantages which appeared to mo certain my
New England friends might reap in coming here.
by New England man, especially Of small
means, perhaps of little more than is able to
meet the expenses of emigration, Il hard battle is
to be fought TO make home in any new country.
Few of them would be willing to taste the cup of
which cur Plymouth Fathers drank or even to
forego for year or two the comforts and privi-
leges Of an caste. n home, and like trae West
ineonvc niences and trials Of ''squat;cr's' life.
Great blessings either temporal or spiritual,
not be reaped without sacrifices. lie who comes
here must remember he will find nature in all her
wildness. And though the thoughts of vast
Eden blooming parties, of dewy lawns and
woodland scenery. of sparkling lakes and pelrly
streamlets may fill the mind with poetry and
grandeur, yet let him remember that with us
poor mortals these soon fail to afford pleasure,
when bread and potatoes and shelter are lack
ing. And only with stout heart, strong ARM
and a sweaty brow, can he hope for these. Cur
rich prairie lands stretch away with no bounds
bue the distant sky. Here natures fields and
gardens lie, mass of tangled wild grass, Or
blackened with the prairie fires, implanted and
unploughed. For her children she has no home
but the venerable trees, which have been throw
ing their leafy arms 10 the winds Of heaven for
centuries. But her broad fields may be fenced
her rich gardens will yield to the plough, and
give abundant harry sts to the husbandman Her
vast quarrcS and forests make beautiful homes,
AMI churches, and school houses. He who has
the fortituie and perseverance will in a few
years have made himself home and gathered
around him all its endearmentS, and, with a far
richer soil and purer sky, have resources of
wealth and openings of usefulness for himself
and children which he in vain may hope for in
the East.
! came to this Territory in tic Spring of 1853,
IN connection with the North Hampton Colony.
TINS colony, from some adverse circumstances,
was broken up, and scattered without making a
settlement. Numbers returned East, while the
balance of some fifty families located themselves
in d icrcnt parts Of the Territory. Among the
number remaining | have not learned of one
whose condition has rot been materially i'm
proved. And not one think could now be easilv
induced to return East. They now pride them
selves in their rich and ample farms and in the
SURPRISING productiyencss of their fields. They see
the vast openings of usefulness in building IN
Churches AMI founding institutions of learning:
they have caught the progressive spirit, and are
now identified with the great West.
Thousands and tens of thousands of our cast
eFn people, who from year to year are struggling
for bear subsistence upon few rough and
sterile acres, or with wan countcnarccs and flag
cling energies are sacrificing Their lives to the
careless dingdong of the factory bell and work
shop, might come here and with renewed ener-
gies of soul and body breathe cur free air, and
live like patrarchs. know many have left Tie
East for the West and returned dissati fed bear
ing with them an evil report But how did they
come? More ike children than men. They
were fain-hcartcd souls. Homcsick as soon as
odt of 81. Of the smoke of their own chimneys.
Not venturing ten rods from the railroad. they
returned in the same car that brought them
Many, very many, who reach st. Paul, in a few
hours 80 back on the same boa! on uhich then
came. Others who take a hlsty glance at the adj
Jaccnt country, which is no agricultural exponent
OF the Territory, are dreGdfuUy disappointed,
and so back denouncinS the country and all who
may have Influenced them in coming to it when
in fact, they know rs little of it as the seven
wise men, in the fable. did of the moon.
We want men for The West who are out of
their leading strings men Of self-dependence:
men who are not afraid 10 rely either on the
hands, or the brains, which God has given them
Let such men come, burn the bridges after them
and with Cromwelfs motto, "trust in God and
Keep your powder dry" they are bound to sue
coed. Whether professional men, tradesmen,
mechnnics, or farmers, whtn once here they will
soon perceive that the West possesses advantages
for which the East can offer 10 parallel. OF
these advantages may speak Hereafter.
Few Of our eastern people form any adequate
idea of this emrhaticaly ''Great West.'' 1t is
mighty world of itself. Formed on scale that
renders it vast and grand. The star of empire is
rising upon it. Splendid cities are rising up,
soon to vie with any upon the Atlantic coast. An
immense population is swarmng to it, both from
the old and new world. Its vast resources of
agricultural and mineral wealth arc being deye-
Hoped with enterprise that has no parallel in
the worlds history, whilst its educational in
situations and those of religion will soon ho.d
good comparison with those of New England.
But l must pause, promising to send you, if
acceptable, a letter or two directly in reference
to Minnesota, as intended this should have been
when commenced.
n Coon ARRANGEMENr.-The arrange
ment on the New York Central Railroad,
which reserves a certain number OF cars in a
train, exclusively for ladies and gentlemen ac-
companying ladies, is, says the Albany States
man, an excellent! one, and highly spoken of
by travellers 1t has frequently happened,
heretofore, that owing to the crowds whieh
throCg tie cars, much annoyance is expe.
RE ed by ladies' finding them almost entirely
occ1 ed by passengers of the other sex, who