The new era., 1860-03-22
M ARK E T FOR THE SURPLUS
GRAM OF MINNESOTA.

MARKET FOR THE SURPLUS
GRAIN OF MINNESOTA.
In bis interesting letter to Hon. Hor-
ace Greeley. respecting tie soil, climate
and productions of Minnesota, Judge
Meeker speaks thus ofour market:
The question is often asked, Where
is the market for the surplus grain and
produce Of this State answer, the
best accessible markets East and South
are ours. From Minnesota two mighty
vistas look toward the commerce of the
world passing many good way-markets
on your route to New-York or to New
Orleans, by the lakes or by the river.
The Upper Mississippi brings the pro-
duce of all the country North to St. An
thony, were it is shipped to st. Louis,
tho best grain market in the West, for
the same compensation it is shipped for
from Burlington, Keekuk, and other riv-
er towns. The Minnesota River floats
the propuce of that great valley to St
Paul, where it is again shipped for the
southern markets. For the more north
ern part Of the State and from the Lake
Superior region, grain and produce will
be shipped directly to Buffalo aad New
York as cheaply as it now is from Chi
cago and Milwaukee. No State in the
Union has the same facility Of reaching
the best and the creates number Of mar
kets by water except Illinois, and no
State in the Union has SO great Internal
natural facilities for commerce and trade
as Minnesota. In the first place, there
is grand trunk canal two thousand
miles in length with natural feeders, ex-
tending from the Falls of St. Anthony to
The Suif &c Mexico, with continuing and
lateral branches centering in Minnesota
and bearing off to the best OF markets
the lumber, manufactures, gran: a2d
produce of the St. Croix, the Upper
Mississippi. and Minnesota valleys, in a
direction that always secures the highest
prices and the surest pay. The Lake
Valley, heading up in the northeastern
part Of the State, has already been al
luded to. These are natural advanta-
ges that no Territory or or other young
OtdSc Cuu OOdSI VI, nhu WHiSu w uot
lie in wealth or legislation to confer.
There are other advantages in antici pa
ton. Railroads have already reached
our borders, and it is confidently
thought they will reach st. Paul and ST.
Anthony during the next year.
Though the immigration into MINES
ota for few years past has bee: unpre-
cedentcd, and the population cannot be
less than two hundred thousand, there
are yet vast regions Of excellent land
unoccupied, especially in the central
and western districts Of the State. The
Blue Earth, Grow River, and Sauk Riv-
err, valleys offer the best inducements
Next to these the Red River and Otter
Tail regions afford excellent lands for
individuals or colonies. 1t is especially
so at this time, in view of the sure pass
age at the next session tf Congress of
the Home stead Bill This law will be |
so constructed as to enable settlers to
locate on any Of the public lands wheth-
er subject to private entry or not,
wherever they can find suitable loca-
ton oftinber, prairie and water, and by
Occupation and improvement for the
term of five years, become entitled to a
home and farm without futher COM
pensatiun. This will enable them to in-
vest all their means in actual improve
ments, fully assured that the land is to
be their own after lapse ofthat period.
More fortunate than the thousands Of
hardy and industrious citizens and set
tiers who have led the way to this new
country under the old system, and who
have had to martgage their preemptions
to pay the Government. Thousands
and thousands now oppressed and desti-
tute of lands and houses, will early avail
themselves Of the passage ofsuch law
in the Spring, and rush to our fertile and
healthy borders. Be It so. there is
room, and soil. and health for all