The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1856-03-22
d q From the Norristown fPa.) Herald & Free Press.
! Mianesota-Her Advantages and Prospects.
IsyasN M1NNEaPoIIs, Nov. god 118ss


MEssRs sEDIToRs:-Every year has wit
messed a growing interest among Easter,
people, in the inducements which the Wss
presents to the young and enterprising pio
neer. The Yankees proper, have been thu
foremost to avail themselves of the f,aIf
opened to their progressive industry and in
genuity, but the present time finds even oul
Pennsylvanians willing to quit their favorite
and favored State, to find new and less
crowded arena for expansion. i 9,
In turning my face toward the setting sun
the inquiry naturally arises, "To what point?'
The promised land is wide; we cannot COM
pass it all, neither have we means, nor time
nor disposition to carry our families over the
whole domain, and practically to try what
others have tested and found wanting
Whsres can fertility, beauty and health, in
soil hvDspeet and elinaxe2 Where is intsili-
GENT, mklastEy. demanded and rewarded ?-.-
Where is enterprise most successful Where
are we likely to find intelligent and social
co-laborers, who will make business pleas
ure, and our recreation profitable 2 It is in
answer to such inquiries and for purposes of
general Information and interest, that this
letter is written. r.. q ~ bs.,.r
You must have observed, Messrs. Editors.
in Western Emigrants a strong propensity
to push along, to get beyond every one else.
This is attributed, in part to the love of
adventure inherent in some characters !;
sometimes to the impatience of restraint
which developing civilization is constantly
throwing around them. But more frequent
ly more enterprising and every way more
commendable motives determine them. Bet
ter opportunities for selection, scope for more
extended operations, opportunities to plan
for the future without collision with the
Fights and purposes of others; all these are
afforded the early pioneer in virgin country
Those who migrate with tn view know from
reason and they may know from observation,
that if their location is made with judgment
and just foresight as to the future wants of
a growing community, civilization with its
crowds and it's attendant comforts will soon
press closely upon their footsteps; and that
after short probation Of inconvenience and
possibly of hardship, they will reap abun-
dant advantages as compensation. .,0 r.a,
Many have failed in this because in their
choice they have misjudged. Stopping in the
dense forests, or the marshes of Indiana
they have grown old in hewing trees and up
roofing stumps which have opposed the plow
and have verify worn out life in achieving a
farm, or have fallen victims to the pestilen-
tial miasmas. ,tr..s ..+
The "hat" bottom lands of Illinois and
Iowa, and their boundless, treeless prairies,
rank with decayed vegetation, have caught
the farmer from sterile New England, and
intoxicated him with visions of gamers run
ming over, until shaken into shadow, he
has nothing left for the aguc to fasten upon.
He bears the misery for years and writes
himself "acclimated," or is written "dead,"
or more wisely, he leaves early for a more
congenial climate.
| present no fanciful picture. The thous-
ands now in this Territory who hail from the
States just named, bear witness to its truth.
With no intention unjustly to dsparage any
Sister State, nor to deprecate their undoubt-
ed advantages, propose, if agreeable toyou,
Messrs. Editors, and in your judgment, to
your readers, to present descriptions, facts
and statistics relating to Minnesota Terri
tory, showing her advantages and prospects;
how her people would answer the natural
inquiries of the Western Emigrant. She
will soon ask admission to the Union as a
sovereign State. She is remote and COM
paratively unknown: 1t is not amiss to have
some private information respecting her be-
fore her public presentation. T.