The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-05-27
Population Of Mime sofia onpiete te"-
1T. Returns.

We have before US u copy q, letter
from Secretary THOMPSON, OF the Interior
Department, TO the Speaker OF the House Of
Representatives transmitting information IN
reference 70 the census Of this State taken
asst summer under the authority Of the gen
eral government. Secretary THOMPSON also
encloses u letter from Hon. WV. b. GnRE,
(. United States Marshal of Minnesota, dated
at 1t. Paul, March 23d
Mr. GERg, in his letter to the Secretary,
states tina, the census is complete, except
that no returns have been received from the
northern par, O. Pembna county. Mr. &.
says
If there has been no mistake 90 my part,
The whole number Of inhabitants returned by
the assistants and forwarded by me 10 the
department, is one hundred and forty eight
Thousand FIVE hundred and twenty-five,
l4s.J22.) 10 which add the probable mum
her in that part Of Pemblna county not re-
turned. estimated al eighteen hundred, 800
would make the whole population Of the Ter
ritOry one huudrei ant Wg-thTee h0u>dnd
three hundred amt frenigfro, which Is con
siderable los. than the estimate made by the
constitutional convention, and which result
has been matter 81 some complaint by lii
dyiduals who were saDgulne that the popH-
la,ion Of the Territory exceeded that mum
Der. The falling short Of the estimate has
been very nearly uniform in all The districts
1t may re proper 70 state, however, that urF
der the former laws OF the Territory and The
present constitution oi the State, persons 81
mixed white and Indian blood, and persons
Of Indian blood who have adopted the Gus
toms and habits OF civilization, are permit
led 10 eiioy the rights Of citizenship. Al
though many Of the Indians and halibrecds
in the state come under this provision Of
law. no enumeration was made OF them,
owing 70 the instructions euIanating from
your department, which expressly prohibited
The enumeration Of this class Of our cl,Izens.
No exertion has been spared on my part
IN obtain a correct census, 10 accomplish
which nv whole time has been deyoted since
the beginning 0. september last, and re-
gret tina, ] have not been enabied TO make
a comple,e return at al earlier day but the
work was begun and prosecuted under 'he
most unfsvorabIe circumstances without
money, in new aud sparseiy set,led country
and during the mos, IucleIncnt season d The
year. when travel Is both difficult and dan
gerous.
Nv assistants. | believe. have done their
duty as well a. they could under the circam.
stances, "a copy Of their oath d Office aod
Instructions ! herewith encio-e,) and the
COMPENSATION allowed them viii bnt poorly
reward their labor, as in many cases TIER
expen.e. have exceeded the amount OF 'ess
allowed by the census Of 1850.
Accompanying this report il an estimate
Of the necessary travelling expenses incurred
by the assistants in taking the census.
The difficulty in securl g the services Of
persons comIe,en, 10 perform the duties, the
hiyh price 81 horae hire. sub-istsnes, and all
other pecessaries in this new and thinly 81
,le,, coun,ry, makes this estimate much la
ger than il probably would be ii 40 Old
State. where greater facilities can be obtain
Cd al much smaler rate.
would respectfully reqaett That The
Secretary Of the Interior, IN asking 90 ap-
preparation 70 defrsy The eIpsti~s Oh THIS
york, recommend an a3dIt0aA eomfstsA-
,ion 70 the marshal and aSi.'aGt- 10 his