The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1858-04-10


Editorial Correspondence Of the Min.
nesOtfan.
lOUR partner, MIR. MOORE, who went East
just before the opening of navigation to pur-
chase new type and one of Hoes celebrated
| Cylindar Presses for the Minnesotian Office,
writes to us from New York, giving the fol-
lowing acc ,unt of bis trip:l ->
New YORK, April l, 1853.
DEAR M1NNEsorIAN arrived here on
Monday last in the unprecedently short time
of twelve days from St. Paul. The fact of
the matter is we either started too early or
too late for the season, l can't tell which.
After two days and one night of miserable
sleighing, we found ourselves at Reeds Land
ing with river free from ice before us, but
no steamboat to speed US on our journey.
These alternatives presented themselves: to
walk along with the stage with an opportuni-
ty of riding once in while when we come
to piece Of road where it was tolerable
walking; to purchase small boat and pad
die down stream ; to wait an indefinite time
ior steamboat to come up 1.-THE hotel man
at Reeds was expecting it every minuteJ;
or 10 commit suicide. The first ard latter
propositions were equally disapproved. We
nnally concluded to travel on our own hook.
or rather on the Mississippi.
An old and leaky batteaux was obtained
Tor which quadruple price was paid. For
the sake Of the business reputation of the
man who purchased that craft, it is hoped no
one OF the party will "let on" as to who made
the bargain-I never shall.
Saturday morning, o'clock,-started be-
fore breakfast. Concluded that was a bad
commencement, so we stopped at Wabashaw
to Obtain some-landlord was certain there
would be boat up before noon" We again
started-passed over Beef Slough bar without
any trouble We now commenced to en-
counter heavy head wind. The river was
too wide for small craft, and we had to act
on the principle that " little boats should
keep near shore" Our progress was slow:
labor at the oars incessant. We wanted to
cross the river, and daren't do it finally, the
wind lulled and we tried it. But the lulling
OF the wind here, is like the Lull.ing of
building st. Paul-merely moving it to an
other point. When half way across we were
struck by squall, which for che moment we
thought would stop our squalling; it turned us
round and round, and that it did not turn US
over was more the result of good fortune than
good management on our part. After much
tribuation we reached what we supposed to
be the main shore on the Minnesota side. It
was an island. We dare not 20 on in the
main channel, so We made portage and tried
the slough.
Now we thought we had "a good thing"
1t was true there was no current, but then
there was no wind, nothing seemingly to
prevent our making ten miles, provided we
rowed hard enough. But alas for human
calculations! we soon encountered ice, which
kept US back for two hours before we could
make channel through it. We finally got
INTO the river again, but such was our expe-
rience that we again took to the first slough
(the Rolling Stone Slough which comes out
into the main channel at Winona. Trouble,
hard work, anxiety all the way. We had
north winds 1T was getting bitter cold-now
We were in the midst of ice and then on the
shore of lake where the wind would drive
our crazy old boat into the thicket We did
not get to Winona till some two hours after
dark-about as near used up as any set of
men we'll could behaving endured the most
lncessant toll for fourteen hours without a
morsel of food. We had no conscientious
scruples against the observance of the next
day Sunday as day of rest
Monday morning we again started-had
quite pleasant day, and reached Brownsville
before night, where we put up. During the
night, the Brazil passed this place on her
Way up. As we expected we could make
Prairie du Chen the next day. concluded not
o wait for her to get back. Started next
morning; encountered head winds; found we
Gould not get through, and stopped at Lam
ing. During the night the Grey Eagle pass
ID up. The next day evening, Wednesday,
We reached Prairie du Chen, and as the Bra
III had on her way down few hours before.
We had the pleasure of meeting persons at
his place who had left St. Paul four DAYS
ubsequent to our leaving. We were seven
lays in going to Prairie du Chen!
The next morning took the train and ar
ived at Chicago same evening. Here our
arty separated. Business has much reviv-
d at the latter point, and they are anticipat-
ng good spring trade. There seems to be
ess travel this spring than have ever be-
ore observed. The hotels and cars are
much less crowded but the season is vet
cry early. NJ.