Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1861-03-13
CoLoRADo-NEvADA-DAKoTA.

D0-NEVADA-DAKOTA
| The bills organizing the Territories of Colo,
RADIO, Nevada, and Dakota, passed both Houses
OF Congress before its adjournment, and were
| signed by the President. This increases the
number of the Territories of the United States
to seven, including the previously existing
ones of Washington, Nebraska, Utah, and New
Mexico. In the N. Y. Tribune we find the
following description of the new ones:
The first Of these Territories, Colorado, in
cludes parts OF Kansas, Nebraska, and Eastern
Utah. Its boundaries run as follows: Begin
ming at point where the 102d degree of W est
longitude from Greenwich crosses the 37th
parallel of North latitude, thence north along
said lO2d parallel to where it intersects the
4lst degree of North latitude, thence west "a
long said line to the l09th degree of West lon-
gitude, thence south along said line to the
9th degree of North latitude, thence east a
long the 37th degree of North latitude to the
place Of beginning. The Territory contains
about l0O, 600 square miles, and at this time
has population of some $4,000 persons. The
Rocky Mountains divide the Territory into
two parts, westward from them flowing large
number of rivers, tributary to the Colorado,
and eastward others equally numerous and
large, tributary to the Arkansas and South
Fork Platte Rivers. 1t includes the famous
mining region, Pixies Peak, rich in gold and
other metals, cut off by deserts from the more
fertile Western States, but destined to be
the home of advancing civilization, and to
give up its treasures at the summons of en-
lightened toll.
Nevada is taken from Western Utah and Cal.
ifornia. Its boundaries are as follows: Begin
ming at the point of Intersection of the AID de-
gree of North latitude with the 39th degree of
longitude west from Washington; thence run
ming south on the line of this 1l6th degree
West longitude, until it intersects the north
ern boundary of the Territory OF New-MeXico;
thence due west to the dividing ridge separa-
ting the waters of Carson Valley from those
that flow into the Pacific; thence on this di-
viding ridge northwardy to the 4lst degree
North latitude; thence due north to the south
ern boundary line of the State of Oregon
thence due east to the place of beginning.
That portion of the Territory within the pres
ent limits of the State of California is not to
be included within Nevada, until the State of
California shall assent to the same by an act
irrevocable without the consent of the United
States. The Territory includes the lovely
Carson Valley, the memory of whose beauty
fingers with the traveller in his journey through
arid plains and over rugged mountains, and
whose wondrous fertility, even under the ru-
deSt cultivation, shows what may be expected
there when inte ligent Industry has free course.
Great mineral wealth, especially of silver, in
which it is richer than any other part of the
world, and unlimited capacity for the raising
OF agricultural products, will combine at an
early day to transform this region into rich
and populous State.
In general terms, Dakota lies between lat.
AZ d. 30 m. and 49 d. north, and long. sc d.
~ M and 1O3 d. west. 1t is bounded on the
north by British America, east by the States of
Minnesota and Iowa, south and west by Ne
braska. Its length from north to south is $50
miles, its average breadth is about 200 miles,
and it has an area of 20, 900 square miles. 1t
was formerly part of the territory of Mime
sofa, but was detached when that became
State. The Indians belonging to the Yank
ton, Sissiton, and Sioux tribes are numerous,
and live chiefly by the chase. The territory
includes open, grassy plains, high-rolling prai-
ries, great number of lakes and ponds, and
very numerous valuable rivers. The climate
of the south is mild that of the north severe,
though less so than might be expected from
its high latitude. The land is we'll timbered,
and the valleys are highly productive. Coal
abounds in some parts, and other minerals add
wealth to the region. The game is plentiful,
and of great value for it's furS.
The eager thirst for the precious metals,
which has opened these far Western regions
to the white man, already modified by the dis
covery that the labor necessary to obtain the
metal will yield more satisfactory returns when
expended in tilling the soil and developing
the natural resources of the country, will soon
exert only its proper influence then the natu-
raj vigor Of free labor, assisted by the intelli-
gently fostering care of an enlightened Govern
,,ert, will soon redeem these noble territories
from their widness, and legitimately extend
by so much the real area of Freedom.