The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-01-16
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 5, 1868. {

WASHINGTON, Jan. 5, 1868.
Sir: The project of uniting the navi-
gable waters of the Mississippi with the
Red River of the North by slack-water
and canal navigation is one of great and
increasing interest to the people of the
United States. The great depression Of
earth at Big Stone lake and Lack Travers,
and the proximity of these lakes, render
the contemplated improvement compare
lively easy, as all must, | think, acknowl-
edge, who will attend to this subject.
The Minnesota river, in it's passage
through Big Stone lake, has an elevation
above the level of the sea of only 966 feet.
From thence to its mouth, by its course,
it traverses distance of about 400 miles,
making an average descent of less than
eight inches to the mile. In good stages
OF water this river is nayi~able TO the
mouth of the Yellow Medicine river, a dis
lance OF 23S miles, and III the whole
course Of this river there are no consider
able rapids interfering with its easy and
uniform flow from Big Stone lake to its
mouth. The gentleness of the current of
this river and the firmness Of its margin
make it easy OF permanent Improvement
to the extent proposed.
The Red River is still more remarkable.
From Lac Travers to Lake Winnipeg, a
distance Of $40, the descent is but l13
feet, being less than three inches per mile.
The only material improvement required
will be of the Sioux Wood river. which
will be accomplished by it. enlargement.
1t traverses distance OF about thirty-fiye
miles. The Red river, below the junction
OF the Sioux Wood river, may require
some improvement, but tie expense can
not be great
The ample means for accomplishing this
great work are now within the control of
the government, and, if not devoted to
this object, will soon pass beyond its
reach under the homestead and other laws
for the settlement Of the public lands. If
reasonable quantity Of the public lands
bordering upon the proposed improvement
are granted by Congress to the State Of
Minnesota to aid in the construction of this
work, it Is but fair to presume that their
enhanced value, because of their near 10
cation to the improvement, will afford an
ample fund for that purpose.
When this improvement shall be COM
pleted, it will have the carrying trade of a
population to inhabit the Red River valley
of Minnesota and Dakota, estimated to
embrace 10000 square miles of productive
territory, and the vast Winnipeg basin Of
the British possessions, estimated to con-
tain 400, 600 square miles.
For agricultural purposes, if we may be-
lieve persons protesting to have personal
knowledge, this vast region is hardly ex-
celled by any extent of territory upon any
other part of the globe, the average crop
OF wheat being forty bushels per acre,
while in Pennsylvania it is but fifteen bush
els per acre.
In addition to the advantages above
mentioned, the inhabitants of the Upper
Minnesota valley will avail themselves of
this improvement to the extent of their ne
cessities, which, in my Judgment, will soon
be sufficient to justify the cost of the i'm
provement OF the Minnesota to Big Stone
lake.
At your request, | have examined the
bill by you introduced in the Senate, No.
-, and quite agree with you in the wis
dom of the legislation sought by the bill,
1t cannot be expected that lands in the
general, will hereafter sell for money.
Nevertheless, in the rich farming valley of
the Minnesota and Red rivers, the public
lands will, in my judgment, be more rapid
ly sought for settlement if they are charg-
ed with the cost of the proposed improve
ments than they will be if left to settle
ment under the homestead and pre-emp-
ton laws. Their great distance from mar
ket will, think, make the difference.
If this view is CORRECT, suggest whetll-
er it Will not be well that the bill be
amended so that the grant be of line of
lands contiguous to the proposed improve
ment, making provision that settlers upon
the lands granted after the date of the pas
sage Of the act withholding them from set
Element shall not enter the lands except
for money, and at not less than 81 % per
acre, the money to be devoted to the Inn
proyement.
Very respectfully your obedcnt servant.
j. p. USHER, Acting Sec'y. of Interior.
Hon. II. NJ. RICE, United States Senate