The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1857-12-03

!uB bcd6iOn Of CO0RreW, ltHltOry VIII DE
organized west Of the State OF Minnesota,
comprising the large extent Of territory cut
Oh from the State, by the act Of Congress
authorizing the people Of Minnesota to form
State Constitution. but over which the au.
thority Of the Territorial government Of Min.
Desota extended. This comprises the area
lying between the western boundary Of the
State Of Minnesota and the Missouri and
White Earth rivers, which streams form the
eastern boundary Of Nebraska Many Of
the residents Of Dakota-msn who have
been prominent in taking measures to secure
a territorial OrganizAtion-urge boundaries
differing from the above. They favor the
establishment Of boundaries running a. fol-
Iowa commencing on the Missouri River
at the mouth Of the Big Sioux, thence fol.
lowing the Missouri TO the forty third paral-
lei OF north latitude, thence westward on said
line to the Black Hills, following the same
in northeastern direction to the Missouri,
and up said stream to the White Earth
River, thence to the line between the United
States and British America, aud running
eastwardly along said line, to the western
boundary line of Minnesota, and following
said line to the place of beginning. The
adoption Of this line will materially curtail
the proportions Of Nebraska, and create
Dakota into Territory Of magnificent ex-
tent and resources. If the people Of Ne
braska favor the project, or do not throw
Obstacles in the way Of It's success, Congress
will probably establish the boundaries OF the
new Territory, in accordance with the wish
Of its people. We incline to the opinisn
however, that the people Of Dakota will
have to content Themselves with the residue
OF Minnesota Territory, which certainly af-
iords them ample room to spread" them.
selves extending as it does from the forty
third to the forty ninth parallel Of latitude
and varying in width from one to five degrees
Of longitude.
As to the present population of Dakota
supposing it to consist Of the residue Of
Minnesota Territory, no very definite infor-
nation can be procured. 1t is estimated at
four thousand giving fifteen hundred 70 the
Red River region and the remainder to the
country, open to settlement, contiguous To
the Big Sioux, On thc Big Sioux, there
are several thriving settlements, the princi-
pal one being at the Falls sioux Falls City
il the name it boasts D lcrc there are about
thirty houses, steam saw mill aud several
stone buildings. We saw letter from this
place the otherhay, which stated that such
was the demand for lumber that the mill was
running night and day, and that settlers were
hauling their logs To the mill, and readily
paying so per 1000 feet for saving. At
Eminlja few miles below the Falls. and
the head Of steamboat navigation on the
Big Sioux, there are several houses. At
Flandrau, also on the Sioux and forty miles
above the Falls. there are "A few houses. At
Medary, sixty miles from the Falls by the
torturous course Of the river, there is u thriv-
ing settlement. Boosting upwards Of twenty
houses, and probably as many families.
Settlements have been made by claim
seekers, at different points on the Eminija
and Rock rivers. both OF which streams
empty into the Big Sioux. At various
points on the valley Of the Sioux. claims
have been made. The character OF the soil
in this valley is represented as peculiarly
adapted to agriculture the entire valley is
susceptible OF the highest degree Of cultiva.
ton and will sustain dense population.
The only cedei land lying within Dakota
Territory, is that situated east Of the Big
Sioux. and wes, Of the Minnesota state line.
This strip will probably average twenty-five
miles in width, anl Is about one hundred and
sixty miles in length. This is the only land
open to settlement, until treaty s made for
the ccssou Of the territory lying between the
Big Sion1 and Missouri, now mostly occa-
pied and claimed by the Nanktor Sioux.
II is probable that such treaty will be
formed the ens-ing year, a. the Indians are
willing, and thu Government. rs experience
has demonstrated seldom hesi,atcs to deal
in real estate The title To the Red river
country is IN dispute. 1t i, claimed by the
halfbEo,ds who occupy it, AMI when the
time arrives for Tie Government 10 treat
for il, their title viii probably be recog-
MED.
The grea; draw back 10 the prosperity Of
Dakota, Is the scarcity Of timber. Except
in the valleys Of Tho rivers, and ~ the Dor
ders Of some of the large lakes. m timber