Minnesota weekly times. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1859, 1856-10-04
% ffas 3aegi From the Pennsylvania Inquirer.
Minnesota, philadelphia, aud the Trade Of the
8 Weat. tsss.. T..l ftt.. asa

The Philadelphia merchants have been making
great efforts for years to secure tho trade OF the
West. They have subscribed literally to construct
her railroads and canals, and supplied her with
her most enterprising and energetic young men.
constant struggle is going on between this city
and New York, which should present the largest
market. and best facilities for shipping goods
In every Western town the New Workers have
posted up their circulars and railroad advertise
ments, while we 60 on the old fashioned principle
of letting people find out for Themselves. A
few of our newspapers even open their columns
to spectators and anonymous correspondents to
abuse some of the most important Western pla-
ces. One city, in Particular, containing large
number of young Philadelphians, seems TO be q
mark for letter writer's and others to aim their
envenomed shafts at. '5f9l "oaet q
My attention was directed few weeks ago, to
leading article in one of the papers in relation
to st. Paul. 1t is not my intention to enter into
discussion as to the situation, prospects, &C.,
of the place, except to state few facts, and to
show the folly Of driving away from our city
merchants who make large purchases, and are,
as far as know, prompt in settlement.
st. Paul is situated at the head of steamboat
navigation for large boats on the Mississippi
River. Seven years ago the town site was occu-
pied by few log cabins--now it has at least
$1,000 inhabitants; (quite large number to be
gathered together by misrepresentation and puff
ing in so short timc.) It is the depot for the
supply of the whole upper country. Over q, 600
persons visited three Of the principal hotels the
present year up to July, and quite large num-
Der purchased property. The writer of one of the
most abusive articles written from there, in cor
responding with another paper, allows that est.
Paul can rely on Mt least GO,OOO emgrants and
travellers visiting it yearly, thirty dollars head
Is left behind for expenses, which gives them one
| and u half million Of dollars. sssy. ysai ID l.
Travellers from the East take large and COM
mOdious steamboats, from Dunleith, on the Mis-
sissippi, a few miles above Galena. The distance
to st. Paul is 1874 miles, time 76 hours, general
| ly, fare, including one nights lodging, is but
500. Through tickets from Philadelphia, good
| for a month, cost only 3l.25.
The scenery of the Upper Mississippi far sur
passes that Of any other river in the United
States. Steamboats, land passengers at fifty
four or more settlements and towns on their way
up All the freight for upper Minnesota is left
at st. Paul, where small steamboats, convey it to
its place of destination. 1t is also the depot for
the shipment of large amount of valuable furs.
Owing to the fertility of the soil in its vicinity,
vegetables and fruits of all kinds are raised in
great abundance, and in quality and size surpass
those of the Eastern States. A young friend of
mine cleared over $1,000 last year from his farm
near the town. If it has 'snot exported anything
to make a bill of lading," it Is because Of the
large section OF country to be supplied. Still
water is much older, and any one, and there are
hundreds here who have visited both places, could
inform the Editor of the relative position and
growth of the two towns. 't aces f7eoi
The Public Ledger of July Goth, 1856, con-
tanned a list of thirty-two Philadelphians, resi-
dents there of from one to six years standing,
who published their names to Il letter in reply to
an article on their adopted home; they challenge
investigation, and ready to give the fullest in
formation as to their prospects, &c.
My own observations lead me to say, that if
some of them, instead of being wealthy as they
now are, had remained here, they would, no
doubt, be still working in Market street on the
usual liberal rates given to young men.
A leading merchant from St. Paul, informed me
that there was no way of shipping by express d.
rect to Philadelphia. That he had to send bar
rel of produce raised on his farm, to his PARENTS
via New York, and that there was great dissatis-
faction with the enormous freight bills charged
by our railroads last spring. He mentioned sew
en- or eight merchants travelling in company with
himself to make their fall purchases, declining
to buy dollars worth in this market, giving as
reasons the abuses of some of our papers, and
the cheaper and more expeditions means of ship
ment from New York. The above facts speak
for themselves. leave them for the considera-
ton Of our merchants and Transportation Com
panies.
In conclusion, remark, that the young men,
formerly of Philadelphia, think it hard that their
native city, which should support her own, should
be the only place trying to ruin them. .,,.
Us. B.