The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-07-14

THE YELLOWSTONE EXPEDITION.
Letter. from Captain ,saai
MERcHAN1s' Ho1xL,l
.sssl a, So. PAUL, July 2, 1866. 81
Editor Of tie st. Paul Pioneer:
The continued evidences of your substantial
good will toward the success Of my expeditions
warrants me in asking space in your columns
for the following suggestions, which seem to
be demanded as matter of public interest at
the present time. i 10 af51 aiaiti !
In consequence Of the general failure of ap- 2.
preparation hills in Congress last winter. there
was NO provision for another Government Rmt-
grafton Expedition this season but when the
triumph Of our arms brought Q cloee Of the
war and the consequent disarmament of great
portion OF the army as well as the discharge
OF many thousaud citizen employees of the
government was announced, friends at Wash
ington and elsewhere besought me to organize
still another expedition for the gold fields of
Montana on such selfsupporting basis as in
my Judgment would ts acceptable to the
masses seeking new channels for labor and en-
terprise. After preparing my circular with
which you are familiar, l submitted it to the
heads of the government and to our delegation
and all friends in Washington, and without ex-
cepion received their hearty approval and
encouragement; and now, after having taken
the proper steps to- make known throughout
the country my intention to organize and
lead q fourth expedition from Minnesota
to the rich and accessible gold regions
of the Eastern Slope, I have not only
the assurance of having very large party Of
the best class of men, with not few familieA
but also the gratifying approval Of the public
press-the encouragement of leading men
throughout the States and moro than all to
me, the confidence and warmest expressions
of cheer from my own fellow citizens Of Min
nesOta. ~ -,r, t.,s...,s.,Sr r,,.s . ar = -
I may say that if one-fourth Of those who
have already declared their firm intentions and
preparations to 60, report in time, there win
not be less than one thousand in the party, and
there may be three times that number. Among
the number will be veteran officers from the
army from Brigadier Generals all the way,
down to the rank and file, of which there will
be hundreds of the best class. Gen. Thomas
Francis Meagher, whose gallant and able seq
vices have rendered him famous among our
warriors, is not only going himself but many
OF his old staff officers and sterling soldiers;
while he has personally encouraged and assist
ed me from the beginning. Every State in the
Union viii be represented in the party; and
have endeavored to place within the reach of
all who join me, the same means have my
self for lettering their condition. ro a., - ....
The advices from Montana up to the 28th
of May were Of the most important and
promising character, announcing many very
rich and extensive discoveries of placers and
quartz mines during the past year, far richer
than any have ever reported, and that with
all the influx of q steady tide of immigration,
there is no want of employment. =, yaE.9rT
Thus far have only served the government
and my State without holding any interest
whatever in those mountain territories and if
there was no other hope of recompense for my
endeavors should feel content in the reffec.
ton that such an empire in wealth and in pop.
ulation as they are fast becoming, has grown
out of services commenced and continued un-
der such unfavorable auspices. And now, if I
take few unproducing and crippled citizens
from out our State, am certain of their return
in due season, doubled in numbers and tripled
in the means of o livelihood. am also just as
confident as ever Of the speedy and permanent
opening of great thoroughfare Of travel to and
from our State in connection. with those aurif.
ferrous regions, and look forward with the
highest hopes to a time close at hand when we
shall have profitable outlet in that direction
for our surplus produce and merchandise in
supply of the countless thousands there en-.
gagged In mining a1O54gHi3 9fa tJ ss0jssI
Although the public spirit of our, leading,
men in the State has somewhat abated with re-
gard to this subject, have not allowed myself
to believe that they thought the less favorably
of it, or that they would withhold their sup
port and good will from those who might per-
sist in the accomplishment of so desirable an
end. q. - - = ass
The late action of the Government toward
bringing about Q speedy and permanent peace
with the various Indian tribes throughout the
West will, in my judgmtnt, be the means Of
producing an early cessation of hostilities and
the opening of safe routes to the emigrant
along all our borders and highways.
The destination of my present expedition is
the Upper Yellowstone, well known as rich in
the precious metas, and most desirable for SET;
Element in every other respect.
The route of march l shall take will Law
through fine game and well watered region.
free from any dangers to an organized party,
and not more than seven hundred miles from
the rendezvous at St. Cloud to the destination
of the colony. Ishall aim to start about the
9th or 18th of the present month; and from
all the prospects before me, cannot conceive
of any obstacle to the entire success of the ex-
petition. c'5R ,18l Lii'hs
There are already some thirty or forty teams
at and near st. Cloud, ready for the march
and among those of my last expedition who
are preparing and nearly ready to join me the
second time, may mention II. Fl. Larnard and
young Libby. Of Anoka, with dozen or so of
their friends in that district. .z,....
Several who have accompanied me on each
of the expeditions have made, are again book