The Vermont transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1864-1870, 1864-11-25
Letter from Minnesota.
Sr. PAUL, MINI. Oct. 80, 1864.


TO the Editor of the Transcript.
I have ut length arrived at this pleas-
ant city at the northwestern outposts
of civilization. 1t was slow and te-
dious 'long drawn out concluding
chapter-this tale-end of my journey.
You would suppose that when the east
ern traveller has got as far westward
as Prairie du Chen, Wisconsin, he is
within brief and easy transit of this
place; but not bit of it No stree.
Between him and this haven of health
are numerous landlords with their
small bills, bus drivers, porters, steam
boats, beds on the floor, sand-bars,
busted bilers-in short, more obstruc-
tons than block the game of Admiral
d. at that doubly d--d Charleston.
The Mississippi, between this point
and (let us call it for short) Prdduchien
has been at a very low stage of water
for two years past, rendering large and
commodious boats unsuited to the
navigation. Consequently they have
had to use, in the absence of any rail.
road, steamers of very light draught
and in ascending to st. Paul, change
repeatedly to still smaller boats--the
smallest drawing scarcely eigh teer
inches of water. Imagine the Grove
Of the larger boat, bedless and seat
less, for want of room, forced to ex
change that position for one still NOR,
comfortless, on board much smallel
craft! Tn bad weather, when refug,
on deck is impracticable for any bu
the most robust, it must be intolerable
Fortunately, in our pilgrimage Ga grin
age it was, Notwithstanding, we had ,
clear sky and oxhilirating atmosphere
The banks of the river (not so steep Al
the prices) are more picturesque,
think, than those of the Hudson
tainly more wild and grand. In some
instances, the towns upon its sides are
on plateux, with the high bluffs beyond
in others they are on the table lane
above the hills Their growth an(
prosperity has quite surprised me. Ii
all of them | have seen the wagons o
the express companies making then
daily rounds; and | know of no BETTE
evidence Of growth than that.
st. Paul is quite a city. 1t ha
largo and commodious hotels and pub
lie buildings, and two or three news
papers. Unfortunately, the low stage
of the river has caused n mercantile
stagnation, and they have lost great
deal of money by their inability t
send their wheat forward to Chicago
There is a sort Of monopoly here, too
in the matter of transportation tina
causes much injustice, and retards thu
growth of this promising city.
At ST. Anthony's Falls there is I
large stone edifice, once hotel, Blu
now improved by Dr. Trail, as waite
cure. Opposite the settlement at 81
Anthony, is the pretty little town o
Minneapolis, which boasts that it vii
precede st. Paul in having a railroad
and its water privileges, being vastl.
superior, viii eclipse that city one 0
these days.
st. Anthony's falls are used for pro
pelling various grain mills. buckle
manufactures, &c. The cascade Min
nehaha is almost dry; SO ] corked M
my enthusiasm, and after brief yisi
came back to the International. Thi
place, you well know, is a great resor
for inyalids, and many in oonversin
with me, have borne witness TO tho vas
+; good they have experienced by comm
, hither and soiourning for time !
, this pure atmosphere "a. L. s.