The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1857-01-10
From tho Chicago Democratic Press.
Win N ncAto

districts OF the finest lands in that state
being thus held, will remain without settle
ment or cultivation for years to come Prof
iting by this lesson, the lands in Minnesota
are not subject to entry by spectators, but
are held by the government for actual set
tiers only. The consequence is, that the
southern portion particularly is now being
rapidly and compactly settled and brought
into cultivation by an enterprising and indus
trious class of emigrants, who at once go to
work to improve and develop their future
homes.
The good effect of this policy is evidenced
by the compactness of the settlements, the
substantial Improvements which are being
made in every seceiOn, and the rapid increase
in the resident population of the Territory,
increasing in two years from 10000 to over
10000 in number.
The cities of Keokuk, Burlington, Mus
catine, Davenport, Clinton, Lyons and Du-
buque, as is well known, are all rapidly in
creasing in wealth and population all of
these places are situated along the west bank
Of the Mississippi in the state of Iowa, and
are dependent principally upon the country
west OF them for support. By reference to
the map it will be seen that almost as great
an extent OF country will be directly tribu-
tary to the principal central commercial point
on thewest banl of the Mississippi in Min
nesota, as all of those fourishing cities com
bined can boast. The land in this section Is
certainly not inferior to that of Iowa, and
the policy of the government as we have
shown, in producing 4 healthier settlement
upon it, and one that will more speedily and
certainly develope it's resources.
The Milwaukee and La Crosse Railroad,
by the aid OF the late munificent grant of
lands from Congress will be speedily COM
pcted to La Crosse, thus giving continu-
Gus and unbroken line of railway from this
point b. way Of Chicago to New York. 1t
will be the first railroad penetrating to the
Mississippi above Dubuque. For 100 miles
south Of its terminus, and 200 miles north
of it, there is no railroad projected nor any
probability that one will be built for several
years. Taking its terminus at La Crosse as
the centre there will be an extent of coun-
try of two hundred miles in width upon the
Mississippi, and running back to the foot of
the Rocky Mountains, which must be direct
ly tributary to this road.
BY an examination of the map of Mime
Ota, it will be seen that the st. Peters or
Minncsn.s. River, which cuts through the
heart Of the Territory, makes deep bend to
the south at nearly a direct point west from
La Crescent to the big bend of the ST. Peters
River at Mankato would be only about I40
miles in length, while the distance Of trans
portation between these two points now, by
water, is near 400 miles. This railroad
would traverse the richest portion of the
Territory, and give direct and speedy iacili-
ties to the East by its connection at La
Crescent with the La Crosse and Milwaukee
Road.
Mankato, from its central position, its
favorable location on the St. Peters River,
and the superior agricultural country which
surrounds it, is destined to be one Of the
principal cities in the interior Of Minnesota.
This fact is already so generally understood,
that almost every projected Railroad in the
Territory makes Mankato either the termi-
nus or point upon its proposed hne. OF
course the business of Mankato, ard of the
country which surrounds it, will seek a con
nection with the Milwaukee ard Il Crosse
Road, as being not only The most direct, but
only available route (lor many years. East
The valley of the Hokah River, emptying
into the Mississippi at la Crescent, furnishes
an easy grade and favorable Quiet for a
railroad west from this point. The main
Territorial road from the West now reaches
the Mississippi at La Crescent, through this
valley, and was located here on account OF
its accessibility. One of the first railroads
of the Territory, and perhaps tie very first
will be continuation OF the Ia Crosse and
Milwaukee, Road, westward lloiH La Ores
cent to Mankato, as indicated above A COM
pany has already been Incorporated for this
purpose, and its importance and easy practi-
cablity renders its accom- lishmeht certain
at an early day. Congress has made literal
grants of lands for railroad nu;po&cs to all
the surrounding Sta:e, Of the Northwest
II is fair 10 presume that Minnesota vii! not
be made an isolated case Of denial Appli-
cations are now before that body in her be-
half Should grants be made. there is no
projected road in the Territory ii more PROM
inencc than the La Crescent and Mankato
road. But whether it receives all from this
source or not, the wants Of the Territory,
and the interests Of the Milwaukee and La
Crosse Railroad Company, vii! cause it to lie
built at no distant day.
The two roads being completed from Mil
waukec to La Crosse, and from Ia Crescent
to Mankato, will give a continuous line of
railway running due west fir IN Lake Aichi-
gan to the heart OF Minnesota Territory.
travcrsing one of tie finest agricultural re-
gions in the Northwest, and in 2 direct line
to connect with the Main Trunk Railroad bv
the Northern, or Gov. Stevens route 10 the
Pacific.
The milwaukee, and La Crosse road, al
though not yet completed, is already one OF
the best paying roads in the United States.
which shows conclusively the wealth and
prOductiveness of t road through which il
passes. When it shall tap the Mississippi.
and receive the abundant freights from the
broad and fertile fields of Southern and
Western Minnesota, no railroad III the Union
will do a heavier or more lucrative business.
The direction Of commerce is from the
West to the East. The current Of trade bv
an inevitable law drifts steadily eastward
towards the great commercial rlarts on the
Lakes and sea board. 1t follows that towns
located upon the vest bank of large streams
become depots, at which bulk i broken.
transhipment effected, and a CORRESPONDING
large local trade established. A few wears
ago shrewd, far-sighted men, understanding
this principle perfectly, invested heavily in
keokuk, Davenport, Dubuque, &C., and later
in the Furnishing city of Clinton. These
were then small and apparently unimportant
points, but the vast and fertile country west
of them being gradually broughtinto cultiva-
ton, and the unchanging tendency Of trade
fpn,, IN Ioc IL