The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-04-28

TO Minnesota, the pinnacle Of the State Is
at the summit Of the lIautcurs dcs Tcrrcs
the narrow dividing ridge between Lake
ltasca and Elbow Lake, six miles wide,
upon which eliminates the utmost sources
of the Mississippi and the Red Rivers
This point is $50 fcst above the level Of
the Gulf Of Mexico, and 2,So6 miles dis
tant from il by the rivers course. Mic
olct notes a point adjacent, fifteen feet
higher. but $50 feet is the average level
Of the summit of tho Mississippi, From
this to Fort Smelling, in distance of 1oA
miles by its course, the river falls 936 feet,
while tho general level Of the country
sinks $50 feet. From the plateau Of Fort
Smelling, which is $50 feet above the Gulf
Of Mexico, the banks of the Mississippi
rise about 300 feet TO an average height
near the Iowa boundary of 200 feet
above tho Gulf, while the river sinking
gently at the rate Of four inches to the
mile gives that progressive elevation to
the banks which charactorizcs the descent
of the Upper Mississippi.
Towards the Minnesota valley tho sur
face Of Minnesota exhibits M interior
depression which is continued through
the great valleys of the Winnipeg basin,
and exercises IN important influence upon
the climate. Big Stone Lake. an expan-
sion Of the Minnesota River, upon tho
western boundary Of Minnesota, is 734
fect below the sources Of the Mississippi,
and ,O3O feet below the dividing ridge Of
the Coutsau dcs Prairies, whore the Min
nosota takes its riso. From Big Stone
Lake to its mouth at Fort Smelling, q
distance Of 400 milos, tho Minnesota falls
only 222 feet.
General Dsse,,pt,on.-With these general
and inscnsible dcpressions, the face Of the
country presents the aspect Of al undu-
lating plain like tho adjoining northwest.
ern States, but with more picturesque
variety Of detail than they. The rivers
and valleys Of Minnesota, the innumera'
ble lakes scattered over its surface, tho
number and beauty Of its groves and belts
Of timber, break up tho monotony Of the
prairie into forms Of infinite variety and
beauty, and combine oil the slements not
only of successful husbandry, but delight.
fll landscape in almost every farm.
The section Of Minnesota lying wost Of
the Mississippi, including tho valley OF
the Red River. and comprising two.thirds
Of the area Of the State is continuation
of the surfare fo'mso Of Iowa aud Southern
Wisconsin, presenting succession Of roll
ing prairies and table lands, resting on
sedImentary rocks, largely oyerlaid with
deluvial deposits covered throughout its
whole extent with n thick silIcious mould
and traverscd by numerous streams, with
wooded margins and dotted with occa'
sional lakes, groves and some wide belt.
Of timber. The triangular district lying
east Of the Mississippi is an extension of
the more diversified topography and com.
plete geology Of central and northern
Wisconsin, embracing with wide belt Of
agricultural lands on the Mississippi, OK.
tsnsive forests of pine in the northern
aiiluents Of Mississippi, and beyond these
70 the west and northwest Of Lake Supe'
rior series Of elevated and broken chains
Of hills corresponding 70 the similar di-
yiding ridge in Wisconsin between the
waters Of the Mississippi and Superior.
HYDRooRApnIciL ocTLIsI
The M,o,.pp, Rvr.--Tbe Mississippi
rising in Lake Itasca, in latitude ~. flows
southeastwardly through Minnesota, for
9I2 miles, of which 10 miles washes its
eastern boundary. II has three grand
divisions.
j. FROM it source o 'fOv W lhH,
where, in its labyrnthine course through
the lakes and down the ridges u tho
watershed, in distance of 5lj miles il
has a descent Of $50 feet, nearly foot
per mile, marked by constant succession
81 rapids.
2 From Grow Wing 20 the mouth Of
the Minnesota, where in distance ofls9
mile. IL fall. 2sO feet OF !. inches 10 the
mile, but. widened and deepensd by nu.
rnervn, large Tributaries, and interrupted
only twice by rapids, presenting long
rearhs. u slack water navigation.
? FROM the mouth oi the Minnesota
70 the Iowa line, 4 distance of 20s mile.