Saint Paul weekly Minnesotian., 1858-11-20
Correspondence from st. Louis.
ST.. LOUIS, Mo-, Nov. IL, 1868.
To fhA Elik0rs of fba Bf;nnlsokinn.

ST.. LOUIS, Mo-, Nov. II, 1868.
To tho Eaitors Of tho Aanmssosiam:
Closely verging on thirty years ago, took
passage on the steamer st. Louis, from New
Orleans to this city. 1t was in the spring
time, and the boat, after having discharged
her cargo here, was freighted for Fort Smell
ing, with supplies for the Garrison. l well
remember that the bar-keeper invested large
ly in pint TASKS which were filled with whis-
key, which he had been informed sold at al
most fabulous prices at the Fort, as the traffic
was interdicted in the country.
On the return of the boat, on enquiry of
the officers, learned that snow was still lying
on the ground up at the mouth of the St. Pc
ter's, though it must have been the very last
Of May when they left, and further, that po-
tatoes and oats were the only crops which
were susceptible of cultivation, and even these
were precarious, from the shortness of the
season and further, the country would never
be settled by civilized men.
Well, have, at the end of the long period
spoken Of, again found myself sojourning for
a few days, in this great Emporium of what
is to be the greatest of the Western States.
Its vast agricultural and mineral resources
are but in the incipient stages of develop
ment. Its mild climate is great desidera-
tum with large class of emigrants, while
slavery has but feeble and uncertain tenure
within its broad area. Probably, Judging as |
do from actual observation, Saint Louis has
fewer colored people within it's limits than any
Northern city of half its size; even the sub
ordinate occupations usually filled by them
elsewhere, are here, in the hands of others.
have no data of the earlier population Of
the city, but the present census is reported in
late paper as follows: White males, O,O96;
white females, 62,O7s; free black males, 723;
free black females, 949; slaves male, 451 ;
female, 1893; total 1885, $3.50.
The improvements of the creates note 60
ing on, are the Court House and Custom
House, both on magnificent scale as to size
and architecture, and, although long contin-
ued rain has tended to keep back the produce
the farmers, large business is driving
Money for all legitimate purposes seems abun
| dant.
AS to emigration, large numbers of young
men and even old men with families are leav
ing the upper country for this and lower des
tinations. Speculation, that ruins any region
l hoc sfc, fho nr
until second class of men of some mean:
shall go forward, it must fare i'll with the per
lnanent prosperity of the country. Newspa
per editors often indirectly aid the unnatura
condition of things by glowing representation
of the localities they represent, or a desire o
obtaining the. patronage of real estate agents
! At the time alluded to in the commencement
of this letter the slave-holding emigrants from
Virginia and Kentucky were seeking Missour
and the small emigration from the North ar
irving at st. Louis went up the Illinois t
Spoon River. The Illinois river towns at tina
time were just assuming an importance.
A word about railroads. An opinion pre-
walls that railroads mainly build up prominen
points. That Minnesota has commenced her
too soon, time will convince the most san
guine, fear.
The continued rains and awful condition c
the streets is not favorable to getting up item
that will interest Writing under these unfa
vorable circumstances you must excuse m
for once; l shall write again from New Oh
| leans IN Iew uayo.