YearFirst BoatNo. of ArrivalsRiver Closed1844April 641Nov. 231845April 648Nov. 261846March 3124Dec. 51847April 747Nov. 291848April 763Dec. 41849April 985Dec. 71850April 9104Dec. 41851April 4119Nov. 281852April 16171Nov. 181853April 11200Nov. 301854April 8245Nov. 271855April 17560Nov. 201856April 18837Nov. 10
Year
First Boat
No. of Arrivals
River Closed
1844
April 6
41
Nov. 23
1845
April 6
48
Nov. 26
1846
March 31
24
Dec. 5
1847
April 7
47
Nov. 29
1848
April 7
63
Dec. 4
1849
April 9
85
Dec. 7
1850
April 9
104
Dec. 4
1851
April 4
119
Nov. 28
1852
April 16
171
Nov. 18
1853
April 11
200
Nov. 30
1854
April 8
245
Nov. 27
1855
April 17
560
Nov. 20
1856
April 18
837
Nov. 10
"In 1851, three boats went up the Minnesota River, and in 1852, one boat ran regularly up that stream during the season. In 1853, the business required an average of one boat per day. In 1854, the business had largely increased, and in 1855, the arrivals of steamers from the Minnesota, amounted to 119.
"The present season, on the Mississippi, has been a very prosperous one, and the arrivals at St. Paul exhibit a gratifying increase over any preceding year, notwithstanding the season of navigation has been two weeks shorter than last season. Owing to the unusually early gorge in the river at Hastings, upwards of fifty steamers bound for this port, and heavily laden with merchandise and produce, were compelled to discharge their cargoes at Hastings and Stillwater.
"Navigation this season opened on the 18th of April. The Lady Franklin arrived on the evening of that day from Galena. Previous to her arrival, there had been eighteen arrivals at our landing from the head of Lake Pepin, and twelve arrivals at the foot of the lake, from Galena and Dubuque.
"During the present season, seventy-eight different steamers have arrived at our wharf, from the points mentioned in the following table. This table we draw mainly from the books of the City Marshal, and by reference to our files.
FROM ST. LOUIS.BoatsNo. of Trips.Ben Coursin19A. G. Mason8Metropolitan13Audubon5Golden State8Laclede11Luella8Cheviot1James Lyon7Vienna5New York1Delegate1Mansfield7Forest Rose1Ben Bolt2J. P. Tweed1Fire Canoe2Carrier1Julia Dean1Resolute2Gossamer4Thomas Scott6Gipsey2W. G. Woodside1York State5Mattie Wayne4Brazil4Dan Convers1Henrietta4Editor5Minnesota Belle8Rochester2Oakland7Grace Darling4Montauk3Fairy Queen1Saint Louis1Americus2Atlanta1Jacob Traber6White Bluffs1Arcola8Conewago10Lucie May8Badger State5Sam Young4Violet1----Total arrivals from St. Louis,212
FROM ST. LOUIS.
Boats
No. of Trips.
Ben Coursin
19
A. G. Mason
8
Metropolitan
13
Audubon
5
Golden State
8
Laclede
11
Luella
8
Cheviot
1
James Lyon
7
Vienna
5
New York
1
Delegate
1
Mansfield
7
Forest Rose
1
Ben Bolt
2
J. P. Tweed
1
Fire Canoe
2
Carrier
1
Julia Dean
1
Resolute
2
Gossamer
4
Thomas Scott
6
Gipsey
2
W. G. Woodside
1
York State
5
Mattie Wayne
4
Brazil
4
Dan Convers
1
Henrietta
4
Editor
5
Minnesota Belle
8
Rochester
2
Oakland
7
Grace Darling
4
Montauk
3
Fairy Queen
1
Saint Louis
1
Americus
2
Atlanta
1
Jacob Traber
6
White Bluffs
1
Arcola
8
Conewago
10
Lucie May
8
Badger State
5
Sam Young
4
Violet
1
----
Total arrivals from St. Louis,
212
FROM FULTON CITY.Falls City11Diamond1H. T. Yeatman11Time and Tide5----Total from Fulton City,28
FROM FULTON CITY.
Falls City
11
Diamond
1
H. T. Yeatman
11
Time and Tide
5
----
Total from Fulton City,
28
FROM GALENA AND DUNLEITH.Lady Franklin23Galena30Alhambra21Royal Arch6Northern Belle28Banjo1War Eagle17City Belle30Golden Era29Ocean Wave28Granite State12Greek Slave3----Total from Galena and Dunleith,228
FROM GALENA AND DUNLEITH.
Lady Franklin
23
Galena
30
Alhambra
21
Royal Arch
6
Northern Belle
28
Banjo
1
War Eagle
17
City Belle
30
Golden Era
29
Ocean Wave
28
Granite State
12
Greek Slave
3
----
Total from Galena and Dunleith,
228
FROM DUBUQUE.Excelsior23Kate Cassel29Clarion11Tishimingo3Fanny Harris28Flora29Hamburg12----Total from Dubuque,135
FROM DUBUQUE.
Excelsior
23
Kate Cassel
29
Clarion
11
Tishimingo
3
Fanny Harris
28
Flora
29
Hamburg
12
----
Total from Dubuque,
135
FROM MINNESOTA RIVER.H. T. Yeatman4Globe34Clarion12Reveille40H. S. Allen10Time and Tide11Wave29Equator46Minnesota Valley20Berlin10----Total from Minnesota River,216
FROM MINNESOTA RIVER.
H. T. Yeatman
4
Globe
34
Clarion
12
Reveille
40
H. S. Allen
10
Time and Tide
11
Wave
29
Equator
46
Minnesota Valley
20
Berlin
10
----
Total from Minnesota River,
216
RECAPITULATION.Number of arrivals fromSt. Louis212Fulton City28Galena and Dunleith228Dubuque135Minnesota River216head of Lake Pepin18----Whole number of boats, 78.Whole number of arrivals, 837
RECAPITULATION.
Number of arrivals from
St. Louis
212
Fulton City
28
Galena and Dunleith
228
Dubuque
135
Minnesota River
216
head of Lake Pepin
18
----
Whole number of boats, 78.Whole number of arrivals, 837
"It will be seen from the above, that ten more steamers have been engaged in this trade during the present year than last; while in the whole number of arrivals the increase has been twohundred and sixty-seven.
"The business on the Minnesota has greatly increased this year. This was to have been expected, considering the great increase in the population of that flourishing portion of our Territory.
"A thriving trade has sprung up between the southern counties of Minnesota, and Galena and Dubuque. During the greater portion of the summer, the War Eagle and Tishimingo run regularly to Winona.
"On the Upper Mississippi there are now three steamers, the Gov. Ramsay, H. M. Rice, and North Star (new). Daring the season these boats ran between St. Anthony and Sauk Rapids."]
It may be well to pause here a moment and inquire into the causes which contribute so wonderfully to build up empire in our north-western domain. The territorial system of the United States has some analogy, it is true, to the colonial system of Great Britain— not the colonial system which existed in the days of the stamp act— but that which a wiser statesmanship has more recently inaugurated. The relation between the general government and our territories is like that of guardian and ward— the relation of a protector, not that of a master. Nor can we find in the history of antiquity any such relationship between colonies and the mother country, whether we consider the system of Phoenicia, where first was exhibited the doctrine of non-intervention, or the tribute-paying colonies of Carthage. That system which was peculiar to Greece, "resting not on state contrivances and economical theories, but on religious sympathies and ancestral associations," came as near perhaps in spirit to ours as any on record. The patronage which the government bestows on new territories is one of the sources of their growth which ought not to be overlooked. Instead of making the territory a dependency and drawing from it a tax, the government pays its political expenses, builds its roads, and gives it a fair start in the world.
Another cause of the successful growth of our territories in general, and of Minnesota in particular, is the ready market which is found in the limits of the territory for everything which can be raised from a generous soil or wrought by industrious hands. The farmer has a ready market for everything that is good to eat or to wear; the artisan is driven by unceasing demands upon his skill. This arises from extensive emigration. Another reason, also, for the rapid growth of the territory, is, that the farmer is not delayed by forests, but finds, outside of pleasant groves of woodland, a smooth, unencumbered soil, ready for the plough the first day he arrives.
But if a salubrious climate, a fertile soil, clear and copious streams, and other material elements, can be reckoned among its physical resources, there are other elements of empire connected with its moral and political welfare which are indispensable. Why is it that Italy is not great? Why is it the South American republics are rusting into abject decay? Is it because they have not enough physical resources, or because their climate is not healthy? Certainly not. It is because their political institutions are rotten and oppressive; because ignorance prevents the growth of a wholesome public opinion. It is the want of the right sort of men and institutions that there is
"Sloth in the mart and schism within the temple."
"Let states that aim at greatness," says Lord Bacon, "take heed how their nobility and gentlemen do multiply too fast; for that maketh the common subject to be a peasant and base swain, driven out of heart, and, in effect, but a gentleman's laborer." He who seeks for the true cause of the greatness and thrift of our northwestern states will find it not less in the influence of just laws and the education of all classes of men, than in the existence of productive fields and in the means of physical wealth.
"What constitutes a state?Not high raised battlement, or labored mound,Thick wall, or moated gate;Not cities proud, with spires and turrets crowned;Not bays and broad armed ports,Where, laughing at the storm, proud navies ride;But men, high minded men.
"POPULOUS CITIES AND STATES ARE SPRINGING UP, AS IF BY ENCHANTMENT, FROM THE BOSOM OF OUR WESTERN WILDS."—The President's Annual Message for1856.
THE PROPOSED NEW TERRITORY OF DACOTAH.
Organization of Minnesota as a state— Suggestions as to its division— Views of Captain Pope— Character and resources of the new territory to be left adjoining— Its occupation by the Dacotah Indians— Its organization and name.
THE territory of Minnesota according to its present boundaries embraces an area of 141,839 square miles exclusive of water;— a domain four times as large as the State of Ohio, and twelve times as large as Holland, when her commerce was unrivalled and her fleets ruled the sea. Its limits take in three of the largest rivers of North America; the Mississippi, the Missouri, and the Red River of the North. Though remote from the sea board, ships can go out from its harbors to the ocean in two if not three different channels. Its delightful scenery of lakes and water-falls, of prairie and woodland, are not more alluring to the tourist, than are its invigorating climate and its verdant fields attractive to the husbandman. It has been organized seven years; and its resources have become so much developed, and its population so large, there is a general disposition among the people to have a state organization, and be admitted into the Confederacy of the Union.[1] A measure of this kind is not now premature: on the contrary, it is not for the interest of the general government any longer to defray the expenses of the territory; and the adoption of a state organization, throwing the taxes upon the people, would give rise to a spirit of rivalry and emulation, a watchfulness as to the system of public expenditures, and a more jealous regard for the proper development of the physical resources of the state. The legislature which meets in January (1857), will without doubt take the subject into consideration, and provide for a convention to frame a constitution.
[1 On the 9th of December Mr. Rice, the delegate in congress from Minnesota, gave notice to the house that he would in a few days introduce a bill authorizing the people of the territory to hold a convention for the purpose of forming a state constitution.]
This being the condition of things, the manner in which the territory shall be divided— for no one can expect the new state will embrace the whole extent of the present territory— becomes a very interesting question. Some maintain, I believe, that the territory should be divided by a line running east and west. That would include in its limits the country bordering, for some distance, on the Missouri River; possibly the head of navigation of the Red River of the North. But it is hardly probable that a line of this description would give Minnesota any part of Lake Superior. Others maintain that the territory should be divided by a line running north and south; say, for instance, along the valley of the Red River of the North. Such a division would not give Minnesota any of the Missouri River. But it would have the benefit of the eastern valley of the Red River of the North; of the entire region surrounding the sources of the Mississippi; and of the broad expanse which lies on Lake Superior. The question is highly important, not only to Minnesota, but to the territory which will be left outside of it; and it should be decided with a due regard to the interests of both.[1]
[1 I take pleasure in inserting here a note which I have had the honor to receive from Captain Pope, of the Corps of Topographical Engineers I have before had occasion to quote from the able and instructive report of his exploration of Minnesota.
WASHINGTON, D. C. Dec. 10, 1856.
DEAR SIR:— Your note of the 6th instant is before me; and I will premise my reply by saying that the suggestions I shall offer to your inquiries are based upon my knowledge of the condition of the territory in 1849, which circumstances beyond my acquaintance may have materially modified since.
The important points to be secured for the new state to be erected in the territory of Minnesota, seem to be:— first a harbor on Lake Superior, easily accessible from the West; second, the whole course of the Mississippi to the Iowa line; and, third, the head of navigation of the Red River of the North. It is unnecessary to point out the advantages of securing these features to the new state; and to do so without enclosing too many square miles of territory, I would suggest the following boundaries, viz.:
Commencing on the 49th parallel of latitude, where it is intersected by the Red River of the North, to follow the line of deepest water of that river to the mouth of the Bois des Sioux (or Sioux Wood) River; thence up the middle of that stream to the south-west point of Lake Traverse; thence following a due south line to the northern boundary of the state of Iowa (43 degrees 30' north latitude); thence along this boundary line to the Mississippi River; thence up the middle of the Mississippi River to the mouth of the St. Croix River; thence along the western boundary line of the state of Wisconsin to its intersection with the St. Louis River; thence down the middle of that river to Lake Superior; thence following the coast of the lake to its intersection with the boundary line between the United States and the British possessions, and following this boundary to the place of beginning.
These boundaries will enclose an area of about 65,000 square miles of the best agricultural and manufacturing region in the territory, and will form a state of unrivalled advantages. That portion of the territory set aside by the boundary line will be of little value for many years to come. It presents features differing but little from the region of prairie and table land west of the frontier of Missouri and Arkansas. From this, of course, are to be excepted the western half of the valley of the Red River and of the Big Sioux River, which are as productive as any portion of the territory, which, with the region enclosed between them, would contain arable land sufficient for another state of smaller dimensions.
As you will find stated and fully explained in my report of February, 1850, the valley of the Red River of the North must find an outlet for its productions towards the south, either through the great lakes or by the Mississippi River. The necessity, therefore, of connecting the head of its navigation with a harbor on Lake Superior, and a port on the Mississippi, is sufficiently apparent. As each of these lines of railroad will run through the most fertile and desirable portion of the territory, they will have a value far beyond the mere object of transporting the products of the Red River valley.
The construction of these roads— in fact the mere location of them— will secure a population along the routes at once, and will open a country equal to any in the world.
As these views have been fully elaborated in my report of 1850, I refer you to that paper for the detailed information upon which these views and suggestions are based.
I am sir, respectfully, your obedient servant;
JNO. POPE.C. C. ANDREWS, Esq.,Washington, D. C.]
If the division last mentioned— or one on that plan— is made, there will then be left west of the state of Minnesota an extent of country embracing more than half of the territory as it now is; extending from latitude 42 degrees 30' to the 49th degree; and embracing six degrees of longitude— 97th to 103d— at its northern extreme. The Missouri River would constitute nearly the whole of its western boundary. In the northerly part the Mouse and Pembina Rivers are among its largest streams; in the middle flows the large and finely wooded Shayenne, "whose valley possesses a fertile soil and offers many inducements to its settlement;" while towards the south it would have the Jacques, the Big Sioux, the Vermillion, and the head waters of the St. Peter's. In its supply of copious streams, nature seems there to have been lavish. Of the Big Sioux River, M. Nicollet says, its Indian name means that it is continuously lined with wood; that its length cannot be less than three hundred and fifty miles. "It flows through a beautiful and fertile country; amidst which the Dacotahs, inhabiting the valleys of the St. Peter's and Missouri, have always kept up summer establishments on the borders of the adjoining lakes, whilst they hunted the river banks. Buffalo herds are confidently expected to be met with here at all seasons of the year." The Jacques (the Indian name of which isTchan-sansan) "takes its rise on the plateau of the Missouri beyond the parallel of 47 degrees north; and after pursuing nearly a north and south course, empties into the Missouri River below 43 degrees. It is deemed navigable with small hunting canoes for between five hundred and six hundred miles; but belowOtuhuoja, it will float much larger boats. The shores of the river are generally tolerably well wooded, though only at intervals. Along those portions where it widens into lakes, very eligible situations for farms would be found." The same explorer says, the most important tributary of the Jacques is the Elm River, which "might not deserve any special mention as a navigable stream, but is very well worthy of notice on account of the timber growing on its own banks and those of its forks." He further observes (Report, p. 46) that "the basin of the river Jacques, between the two coteaux and in the latitude ofOtuhuoja, may be laid down as having a breadth of eighty miles, sloping gradually down from an elevation of seven hundred to seven hundred and fifty feet. These dimensions, of course, vary in the different parts of the valley; but what I have said will convey some idea of the immense prairie watered by theTchan-sansan, which has been deemed by all travellers to those distant regions perhaps the most beautiful within the territory of the United States."
The middle and northern part comprises an elevated plain, of average fertility and tolerably wooded. Towards the south it is characterized by bold undulations. The valley of the Missouri is narrow; and the bluffs which border upon it are abrupt and high. The country is adapted to agricultural pursuits, and though inferior as a general thing to much of Minnesota, affords promise of thrift and properity in its future. It is blessed with a salubrious climate. Dr. Suckley, who accompanied the expedition of Gov. Stevens through that part of the West, as far as Puget Sound, says in his official report: "On reviewing the whole route, the unequalled and unparalleled good health of the command during a march of over eighteen hundred miles appears remarkable; especially when we consider the hardships and exposures necessarily incident to such a trip. Not a case of ague or fever occurred. Such a state of health could only be accounted for by the great salubrity of the countries passed through, and their freedom from malarious or other endemic disease."
Governor Stevens has some comprehensive remarks concerning that part of the country in his report. "The Grand Plateau of the Bois des Sioux and the Mouse River valley are the two keys of railroad communication from the Mississippi River westward through the territory of Minnesota. The Bois des Sioux is a river believed to be navigable for steamers of light draught, flowing northward from Lake Traverse into the Red River of the North, and the plateau of the Bois des Sioux may be considered as extending from south of Lake Traverse to the south bend of the Red River, and from the Rabbit River, some thirty miles east of the Bois des Sioux River, to the Dead Colt hillock. This plateau separates the rivers flowing into Hudson's Bay from those flowing into the Mississippi River. The Mouse River valley, in the western portion of Minnesota, is from ten to twenty miles broad; is separated from the Missouri River by the Coteau du Missouri, some six hundred feet high, and it is about the same level as the parallel valley of the Missouri." (Report, ch. 4.)
M. Nicollet was a scientific or matter of fact man, who preferred to talk about "erratic blocks" and "cretaceous formations" rather than to indulge in poetic descriptions. The outline which follows, however, of the western part of the territory is what he considers "a faint description of this beautiful country." "The basin of the Upper Mississippi is separated in a great part of its extent from that of the Missouri, by an elevated plain; the appearance of which, seen from the valley of the St. Peter's or that of the Jacques, looming as it were a distant shore, has suggested for it the name ofCoteau des Prairies. Its more appropriate designation would be that ofplateau, which means something more than is conveyed to the mind by the expression, aplain. Its northern extremity is in latitude 46 degrees, extending to 43 degrees; after which it loses its distinctive elevation above the surrounding plains, and passes into rolling prairies. Its length is about two hundred miles, and its general direction N. N. W. and S. S. E. Its northern termination (calledTete du Couteauin consequence of its peculiar configuration) is not more than fifteen to twenty miles across; its elevation above the level of the Big Stone Lake is eight hundred and ninety feet, and above the ocean one thousand nine hundred and sixteen feet. Starting from this extremity (that is, the head of the Coteau), the surface of the plateau is undulating, forming many dividing ridges which separate the waters flowing into the St. Peter's and the Mississippi from those of the Missouri. Under the 44th degree of latitude, the breadth of the Coteau is about forty miles, and its mean elevation is here reduced to one thousand four hundred and fifty feet above the sea. Within this space its two slopes are rather abrupt, crowned with verdure, and scolloped by deep ravines thickly shaded with bushes, forming the beds of rivulets that water the subjacent plains.
The Coteau itself is isolated, in the midst of boundless and fertile prairies, extending to the west, to the north, and into the valley of the St. Peter's.
The plain at its northern extremity is a most beautiful tract of land diversified by hills, dales, woodland, and lakes, the latter abounding in fish. This region of country is probably the most elevated between the Gulf of Mexico and Hudson's Bay. From its summit, proceeding from its western to its eastern limits, grand views are afforded. At its eastern border particularly, the prospect is magnificent beyond description, extending over the immense green turf that forms the basin of the Red River of the North, the forest-capped summits of thehaugeurs des terresthat surround the sources of the Mississippi, the granitic valley of the Upper St. Peter's, and the depressions in which are Lake Traverse and the Big Stone Lake. There can be no doubt that in future times this region will be the summer resort of the wealthy of the land." (pp. 9, 10.)
I will pass over what he says of the "vast and magnificent valley of the Red River of the North," having before given some account of that region, and merely give his description of the largest lake which lies in the northern part of the territory: "The greatest extension of Devil's Lake is at least forty miles,— but may be more, as we did not, and could not, ascertain the end of the north-west bay, which I left undefined on the map. It is bordered by hills that are pretty well wooded on one side, but furrowed by ravines and coulees, that are taken advantage of by warlike parties, both for attack and defence according to circumstances. The lake itself is so filled up with islands and promontories, that, in travelling along its shores, it is only occasionally that one gets a glimpse of its expanse. This description belongs only to its wooded side; for, on the opposite side, the shores, though still bounded by hills, are destitute of trees, so as to exhibit an embankment to the east from ten to twelve miles long, upon an average breadth of three-quarters of a mile. The average breadth of the lake may be laid down at fifteen miles. Its waters appear to be the drainings of the surrounding hills. We discovered no outlets in the whole extent of about three-quarters of its contour we could explore. At all events, if there be any they do not empty into the Red River of the North, since the lake is shut up in that direction, and since we found its true geographical position to be much more to the north than it is ordinarily laid down upon maps. A single depression at its lower end would intimate that, in times of high water, some discharge might possibly take place; but then it would be into theShayenne." (p. 50.)
Such are some of the geographical outlines of the extensive domain which will be soon organized as a new territory.
What will it be called? If the practice hitherto followed of applying to territories the names which they have been called by their aboriginal inhabitants is still adhered to, this new territory will have the name of Dacotah. It is the correct or Indian name of those tribes whom we call the Sioux; the latter being an unmeaning Indian-French word. Dacotah means "united people," and is the word which the Indians apply to seven of their bands.[1] These tribes formerly occupied the country south and south-west of Lake Superior; from whence they were gradually driven towards the Missouri and the Rocky Mountains by their powerful and dreaded enemies the Chippewas. Since which time they have been the acknowledged occupants of the broad region to which they have impressed a name. Several of the tribes, however, have crossed the Missouri, between which and the Rocky Mountains they still linger a barbaric life. We may now hope to realize the truth of Hiawatha's words:—
"After many years of warfare,Many years of strife and bloodshed,There is peace between the OjibwaysAnd the tribe of the Dacotahs."
[1 The following description of the Dacotahs is based on observations made in 1823. "The Dacotahs are a large and powerful nation of Indians, distinct in their manners, language, habits, and opinions, from the Chippewas, Sauks, Foxes, and Naheawak or Kilisteno, as well as from all nations of the Algonquin stock. They are likewise unlike the Pawnees and the Minnetarees or Gros Ventres. They inhabit a large district of country which may be comprised within the following limits:— From Prairie du Chien, on the Mississippi, by a curved line extending east of north and made to include all the eastern tributaries of the Mississippi, to the first branch of Chippewa River; the head waters of that stream being claimed by the Chippewa Indians; thence by a line running west of north to the head of Spirit Lake; thence by a westerly line to the Riveree de Corbeau; thence up that river to its head, near Otter Tail Lake; thence by a westerly line to Red River, and down that river to Pembina; thence by a south-westerly line to the east bank of the Missouri near the Mandan villages; thence down the Missouri to a point probably not far from Soldier's River; thence by a line running east of north to Prairie du Chien.
This immense extent of country is inhabited by a nation calling themselves, in their internal relations, the Dacotah, which means the Allied; but who, in their external relations, style themselves the Ochente Shakoan, which signifies the nation of seven (council) fires. This refers to the following division which formerly prevailed among them, viz.:—1. Mende-Wahkan-toan, or people of the Spirit Lake.2. Wahkpa-toan, or people of the leaves.3. Sisi-toan, or Miakechakesa.4. Yank-toan-an, or Fern leaves5. Yank-toan, or descended from the Fern leaves.6. Ti-toan, or Braggers.7. Wahkpako-toan, or the people that shoot at leaves.
— Long'sExpedition to Sources of St. Peter's River &c., vol. 1, pp. 376, 378.]
If it be asked what will be done with these tribes when the country comes to be settled, I would observe, as I have said, that the present policy of the government is to procure their settlement on reservations. This limits them to smaller boundaries; and tends favorably to their civilization. I might also say here, that the title which the Indians have to the country they occupy is that of occupancy. They have the natural right to occupy the land; but the absolute and sovereign title is in the United States. The Indians can dispose of their title to no party or power but the United States. When, however, the government wishes to extinguish their title of occupancy, it pays them a fair price for their lands according as may be provided by treaty. The policy of our government towards the Indians is eminently that of protection and preservation; not of conquest and extermination.
Dacotah is the name now applied to the western part of Minnesota, and I am assured by the best informed men of that section, that such will be the name of the territory when organized.
I. LIST OF POST OFFICES AND POSTMASTERS IN MINNESOTA.II. LAND OFFICES, &c.III. NEWSPAPERS PUBLISHED IN MINNESOTA.IV. TABLE OF DISTANCES.
I.
POST OFFICES AND POSTMASTERS.
I HAVE been furnished, at brief notice, with the following accurate list of the Post Offices and Postmasters in Minnesota by my very excellent friend, Mr. JOHN N. OLIVIER, of the Sixth Auditor's Office:
LIST OF POST OFFICES AND POSTMASTERS IN THE TERRITORY OF MINNESOTA, PREPARED PROM THE BOOKS OF THE APPOINTMENT OFFICE, POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT, TO DECEMBER 12, 1856.
Post Office.Postmaster.BENTON COUNTY.Belle PrairieCalvin C. Hicks.Big LakeJoseph Brown.Clear LakeF. E. Baldwin.Crow WingAllen Morrison.Elk RiverJohn Q. A. Nickerson.ItascaJohn C. Bowers.Little FallsC. H. Churchill.RoyaltonRodolph's D. Kinney.Sauk RapidsC. B. Vanstest.Swan RiverJames Warren.WatabDavid Gilman.BLUE EARTH COUNTY.KasotaIsaac Allen.MankatoParsons K. Johnson.LibertyEdward Brace.PajutazeeAndrew Robertson.South BendMatthew Thompson.Winnebago AgencyHenry Foster.BROWN COUNTY.New UlmAnton Kans.Sioux AgencyAsa W. Daniels.CARVER COUNTY.CarverJoseph A. Sargent.ChaskaTimothy D. Smith.La BelleIsaac Berfield.ScandiaA. Bergquest.San FranciscoJames B. Cotton.Young AmericaR. M. Kennedy.CHISAGO COUNTY.AmadorLorenzo A. Lowden.Cedar CreekSamuel Wyatt.ChippewaJ. P. Gulding.Chisago CityHenry S. Cluiger.HanleyJohn Hanley.RushsebyGeorge B. Folsom.Sunrise CityGeorge S. Frost.Taylor's FallsPeter E. Walker.WyomingJordan Egle.DAKOTA COUNTY.AthensJacob Whittemore.CentraliaH. P. Sweet.Empire CityRalph P. Hamilton.FarmingtonNoredon Amedon.Fort SnellingFranklin Steele.HamptonJames Archer.HastingsJohn F. Marsh.LakevilleSamuel P. Baker.Le SueurKostum K. Peck.LewistonStephen N. Carey.MendotaHypolite Dupues.NinningerLouis Loichot.OttowaFrank Y. Hoffstott.RosemountAndrew Keegan.VermillionLeonard Aldrich.WaterfordWarren Atkinson.DODGE COUNTY.AvonNoah F. Berry.AshlandGeorge Townsend.ClaremontGoerge Hitchcock.ConcordJames M. Sumner.MontorvilleJohn H. Shober.WasiogaEli. P. Waterman.FAIRBAULT COUNTY.Blue Earth CityGeorge B. Kingsley.VeronaNewell Dewey.FILLMORE COUNTY.BellvilleWilson Bell.Big SpringWilliam Walter.ChatfieldEdwin B. Gere.ClarimonaWm. F. Strong.Deer CreekWilliam S. Hill.ElkhornJacob McQuillan.ElliotaJohn C. Cleghorn.EtnaO. B. Bryant.FairviewJohn G. Bouldin.FillmoreRobert Rea.ForestvilleForest Henry.JordanJames M. Gilliss.LenoraChas. B. Wilford.Looking GlassLemuel Jones.NewburgGabriel Gabrielson.OdessaJacob P. Kennedy.PetersonKnud Peterson.Pilot MoundDaniel B. Smith.PrestonL. Preston.RicefordWm. D. Vandoren.RichlandBenjn. F. Tillotson.RushfordSylvester S. Stebbins.Spring ValleyCondello Wilkins.UxbridgeDaniel Crowell.WaukokeeJohn M. West.FREEBORN COUNTY.Albert LeaLorenzo Murray.GenevaJohn Heath.St. NicholasSaml. M. Thompson.Shell RockEdward P. Skinner.GOODHUE COUNTY.Burr Oak SpringsHenry Doyle.Cannon River FallsGeorge McKenzie.Central PointCharles W. Hackett.Pine IslandJohn Chance.Poplar GroveJohn Lee.Red WingHenry C. Hoffman.SpencerHans Mattson.WacoutaGeorge Post.WesterveltEvert Westervelt.HENNEPIN COUNTY.BloomingtonReuben B. Gibson.ChanhassenHenry M. Lyman.DaytonJohn Baxter.Eden PrairieJonas Staring.Elm CreekCharles Miles.HarmonyJames A. Dunsmore.ExcelsiorCharles P. Smith.Island CityWilliam F. Russell.Maple PlainIrvin Shrewsbury.Medicine LakeFrancis Hagot.MinneapolisAlfred E. Ames.MinnetonkaLevi W. Eastman.OsseoWarren Samson.PerkinsvilleN. T. Perkins.WatertownAlexander Moore.WyzataW. H. Chapman.HOUSTON COUNTY.BrownsvilleCharles Brown.CaledoniaWm. J. McKee.HamiltonCharles Smith.Hackett's GroveEmery Hackett.HokahEdward Thompson.HoustonOle Knudson.LorettaEdmund S. Lore.LooneyvilleDaniel Wilson.La CrescentWilliam Gillett.Mooney CreekCyrus B. Sinclair.PortlandAlexr. Batcheller.SheldonJohn Paddock.Spring GroveEmbric Knudson.San JacintoGeorge Canon.WiscoyBenton Aldrich.YucatanT. A. Pope.LAKE COUNTY.BurlingtonChas. B. Harbord.LA SUEUR COUNTY.ElysiumSilas S. Munday.GrandvilleBartlet Y. Couch.LexingtonHenry Earl.WatervilleSamuel D. Drake.McLEOD COUNTY.GlencoeSurman G. Simmons.HutchinsonLewis Harrington.MEEKER COUNTY.Forest CityWalter C. Bacon.MORRISON COUNTY.Little FallsOrlando A. Churchill.MOWER COUNTY.AustinAlanson B. Vaughan.FrankfordLewis Patchin.High ForestThos. H. Armstrong.Le RoyDaniel Caswell.NICOLLET COUNTY.EurekaEdwin Clark.HiloWilliam Dupray.Saint PeterGeorge Hezlep.Travers des SiouxWilliam Huey.OLMSTEAD COUNTY.DurangoSamuel Brink.KalmarJames A. Blair.OronocoSamuel P. Hicks.Pleasant GroveSamuel Barrows.RochesterPhineas H. Durfel.SalemCyrus Holt.SpringfieldAlmon H. Smith.WaterlooRobert S. Latta.ZumbroLucy Cobb.PEMBINA COUNTY.Cap LakeDavid B. Spencer.PembinaJoseph Rolette.Red LakeSela G. Wright.Saint Joseph'sGeorge A. Belcourt.PIERCE COUNTY.Fort RidgeleyBenjn. H. Randall.PINE COUNTY.AlhambraHerman Trott.Mille LacMark Leadbetter.RAMSEY COUNTY.AnokaArthur Davis.CentrevilleCharles Pettin.ColumbusJohn Klerman.Howard's LakeJohn P. Howard.Little CanadaWalter B. Boyd.ManomineJoseph A. Willis.Otter LakeRoss Wilkinson.Red RockGiles H. Fowler.St. Anthony's FallsNorton H. Hemiup.St. PaulCharles S. Cave.RICE COUNTY.Cannon CityC. Smith House.FaribaultAlexander Faribault.MedfordSmith Johnson.MorristownWalter Norris.NorthfieldCalvin S. Short.ShieldsvilleJoshua Tufts.Union LakeHenry M. Humphrey.WalcottJoseph Richardson.SAINT LOUIS COUNTY.Falls of St. LouisJoseph Y. Buckner.OneotaEdmund F. Ely.Twin LakesGeorge W. Perry.SCOTT COUNTY.Belle PlaineNahum Stone.LouisvilleJoseph R. Ashley.Mount PleasantJohn Soules.New DublinDominick McDermottSand CreekWilliam Holmes.Shak-a-payReuben M. Wright.SIBLEY COUNTY.HendersonHenry Pochler.Prairie MoundMorgan Lacey.STEARNS COUNTY.ClintonJohn H. Linneman.NeenahHenry B. Johnson.Saint CloudJoseph Edelbrook.TorahReuben M. Richardson.STEELE COUNTY.AdamsvilleHiram Pitcher.AuroraCharles Adsit.Dodge CityJohn Coburn.EllwoodWilber F. Fiske.JoscoJames Hanes.LemondAbram Fitzsimmons.OwatanaSamuel B. Smith.St. Mary'sHoratio B. Morrison.SwaveseyAndrew J. Bell.WiltonDavid J. Jenkins.SUPERIOR COUNTY.Beaver BayRobert McLean.French RiverF. W. Watrous.Grand MariasRichard Godfrey.Grand PortageH. H. McCullough.WABASHAW COUNTY.GreenvilleRodman Benchard.IndependenceSeth L. McCarty.Lake CityHarvey F. Williamson.MazeppaJohn E. Hyde.MinneskaNathaniel F. Tifft.Minnesota CitySamuel E. Cotton.Mount VernonStephen M. Burns.Reed's LandingFordyce S. Richard.WabashawJ. F. Byrne.West NewtonAustin R. Swan.WAHNATAH COUNTY.Fort RipleySolon W. Manney.WASHINGTON COUNTY.Cottage GroveStephen F. Douglass.Lake LandFreeman C. Tyler.Marine MillsOrange Walker.Milton MillsLemuel Bolles.Point DouglassR. R. Henry.StillwaterHarley Curtis.WINONA COUNTY.DacotaNathan Brown.Eagle BluffsWilliam W. Bennett.HomerJohn A. Torrey.New BostonWilliam H. Dwight.RichmondSamuel C. Dick.RidgewayJoseph Cooper.Saint CharlesLewis H. Springer.SaratogaThomas P. Dixon.StocktonWilliam C. Dodge.Twin GroveOren Cavath.UticaJohn W. Bentley.WarrenEben B. Jewett.WinonaJohn W. Downer.White Water FallsMiles Pease.WRIGHT COUNTY.BerlinCharles W. LambertBuffaloAmasa Ackley.Clear WaterSimon Stevens.MonticelloM. Fox.NorthwoodA. H. Kelly.RockfordJoel Florida.Silver CreekAbram G. Descent.
Post Office.
Postmaster.
BENTON COUNTY.
Belle Prairie
Calvin C. Hicks.
Big Lake
Joseph Brown.
Clear Lake
F. E. Baldwin.
Crow Wing
Allen Morrison.
Elk River
John Q. A. Nickerson.
Itasca
John C. Bowers.
Little Falls
C. H. Churchill.
Royalton
Rodolph's D. Kinney.
Sauk Rapids
C. B. Vanstest.
Swan River
James Warren.
Watab
David Gilman.
BLUE EARTH COUNTY.
Kasota
Isaac Allen.
Mankato
Parsons K. Johnson.
Liberty
Edward Brace.
Pajutazee
Andrew Robertson.
South Bend
Matthew Thompson.
Winnebago Agency
Henry Foster.
BROWN COUNTY.
New Ulm
Anton Kans.
Sioux Agency
Asa W. Daniels.
CARVER COUNTY.
Carver
Joseph A. Sargent.
Chaska
Timothy D. Smith.
La Belle
Isaac Berfield.
Scandia
A. Bergquest.
San Francisco
James B. Cotton.
Young America
R. M. Kennedy.
CHISAGO COUNTY.
Amador
Lorenzo A. Lowden.
Cedar Creek
Samuel Wyatt.
Chippewa
J. P. Gulding.
Chisago City
Henry S. Cluiger.
Hanley
John Hanley.
Rushseby
George B. Folsom.
Sunrise City
George S. Frost.
Taylor's Falls
Peter E. Walker.
Wyoming
Jordan Egle.
DAKOTA COUNTY.
Athens
Jacob Whittemore.
Centralia
H. P. Sweet.
Empire City
Ralph P. Hamilton.
Farmington
Noredon Amedon.
Fort Snelling
Franklin Steele.
Hampton
James Archer.
Hastings
John F. Marsh.
Lakeville
Samuel P. Baker.
Le Sueur
Kostum K. Peck.
Lewiston
Stephen N. Carey.
Mendota
Hypolite Dupues.
Ninninger
Louis Loichot.
Ottowa
Frank Y. Hoffstott.
Rosemount
Andrew Keegan.
Vermillion
Leonard Aldrich.
Waterford
Warren Atkinson.
DODGE COUNTY.
Avon
Noah F. Berry.
Ashland
George Townsend.
Claremont
Goerge Hitchcock.
Concord
James M. Sumner.
Montorville
John H. Shober.
Wasioga
Eli. P. Waterman.
FAIRBAULT COUNTY.
Blue Earth City
George B. Kingsley.
Verona
Newell Dewey.
FILLMORE COUNTY.
Bellville
Wilson Bell.
Big Spring
William Walter.
Chatfield
Edwin B. Gere.
Clarimona
Wm. F. Strong.
Deer Creek
William S. Hill.
Elkhorn
Jacob McQuillan.
Elliota
John C. Cleghorn.
Etna
O. B. Bryant.
Fairview
John G. Bouldin.
Fillmore
Robert Rea.
Forestville
Forest Henry.
Jordan
James M. Gilliss.
Lenora
Chas. B. Wilford.
Looking Glass
Lemuel Jones.
Newburg
Gabriel Gabrielson.
Odessa
Jacob P. Kennedy.
Peterson
Knud Peterson.
Pilot Mound
Daniel B. Smith.
Preston
L. Preston.
Riceford
Wm. D. Vandoren.
Richland
Benjn. F. Tillotson.
Rushford
Sylvester S. Stebbins.
Spring Valley
Condello Wilkins.
Uxbridge
Daniel Crowell.
Waukokee
John M. West.
FREEBORN COUNTY.
Albert Lea
Lorenzo Murray.
Geneva
John Heath.
St. Nicholas
Saml. M. Thompson.
Shell Rock
Edward P. Skinner.
GOODHUE COUNTY.
Burr Oak Springs
Henry Doyle.
Cannon River Falls
George McKenzie.
Central Point
Charles W. Hackett.
Pine Island
John Chance.
Poplar Grove
John Lee.
Red Wing
Henry C. Hoffman.
Spencer
Hans Mattson.
Wacouta
George Post.
Westervelt
Evert Westervelt.
HENNEPIN COUNTY.
Bloomington
Reuben B. Gibson.
Chanhassen
Henry M. Lyman.
Dayton
John Baxter.
Eden Prairie
Jonas Staring.
Elm Creek
Charles Miles.
Harmony
James A. Dunsmore.
Excelsior
Charles P. Smith.
Island City
William F. Russell.
Maple Plain
Irvin Shrewsbury.
Medicine Lake
Francis Hagot.
Minneapolis
Alfred E. Ames.
Minnetonka
Levi W. Eastman.
Osseo
Warren Samson.
Perkinsville
N. T. Perkins.
Watertown
Alexander Moore.
Wyzata
W. H. Chapman.
HOUSTON COUNTY.
Brownsville
Charles Brown.
Caledonia
Wm. J. McKee.
Hamilton
Charles Smith.
Hackett's Grove
Emery Hackett.
Hokah
Edward Thompson.
Houston
Ole Knudson.
Loretta
Edmund S. Lore.
Looneyville
Daniel Wilson.
La Crescent
William Gillett.
Mooney Creek
Cyrus B. Sinclair.
Portland
Alexr. Batcheller.
Sheldon
John Paddock.
Spring Grove
Embric Knudson.
San Jacinto
George Canon.
Wiscoy
Benton Aldrich.
Yucatan
T. A. Pope.
LAKE COUNTY.
Burlington
Chas. B. Harbord.
LA SUEUR COUNTY.
Elysium
Silas S. Munday.
Grandville
Bartlet Y. Couch.
Lexington
Henry Earl.
Waterville
Samuel D. Drake.
McLEOD COUNTY.
Glencoe
Surman G. Simmons.
Hutchinson
Lewis Harrington.
MEEKER COUNTY.
Forest City
Walter C. Bacon.
MORRISON COUNTY.
Little Falls
Orlando A. Churchill.
MOWER COUNTY.
Austin
Alanson B. Vaughan.
Frankford
Lewis Patchin.
High Forest
Thos. H. Armstrong.
Le Roy
Daniel Caswell.
NICOLLET COUNTY.
Eureka
Edwin Clark.
Hilo
William Dupray.
Saint Peter
George Hezlep.
Travers des Sioux
William Huey.
OLMSTEAD COUNTY.
Durango
Samuel Brink.
Kalmar
James A. Blair.
Oronoco
Samuel P. Hicks.
Pleasant Grove
Samuel Barrows.
Rochester
Phineas H. Durfel.
Salem
Cyrus Holt.
Springfield
Almon H. Smith.
Waterloo
Robert S. Latta.
Zumbro
Lucy Cobb.
PEMBINA COUNTY.
Cap Lake
David B. Spencer.
Pembina
Joseph Rolette.
Red Lake
Sela G. Wright.
Saint Joseph's
George A. Belcourt.
PIERCE COUNTY.
Fort Ridgeley
Benjn. H. Randall.
PINE COUNTY.
Alhambra
Herman Trott.
Mille Lac
Mark Leadbetter.
RAMSEY COUNTY.
Anoka
Arthur Davis.
Centreville
Charles Pettin.
Columbus
John Klerman.
Howard's Lake
John P. Howard.
Little Canada
Walter B. Boyd.
Manomine
Joseph A. Willis.
Otter Lake
Ross Wilkinson.
Red Rock
Giles H. Fowler.
St. Anthony's Falls
Norton H. Hemiup.
St. Paul
Charles S. Cave.
RICE COUNTY.
Cannon City
C. Smith House.
Faribault
Alexander Faribault.
Medford
Smith Johnson.
Morristown
Walter Norris.
Northfield
Calvin S. Short.
Shieldsville
Joshua Tufts.
Union Lake
Henry M. Humphrey.
Walcott
Joseph Richardson.
SAINT LOUIS COUNTY.
Falls of St. Louis
Joseph Y. Buckner.
Oneota
Edmund F. Ely.
Twin Lakes
George W. Perry.
SCOTT COUNTY.
Belle Plaine
Nahum Stone.
Louisville
Joseph R. Ashley.
Mount Pleasant
John Soules.
New Dublin
Dominick McDermott
Sand Creek
William Holmes.
Shak-a-pay
Reuben M. Wright.
SIBLEY COUNTY.
Henderson
Henry Pochler.
Prairie Mound
Morgan Lacey.
STEARNS COUNTY.
Clinton
John H. Linneman.
Neenah
Henry B. Johnson.
Saint Cloud
Joseph Edelbrook.
Torah
Reuben M. Richardson.
STEELE COUNTY.
Adamsville
Hiram Pitcher.
Aurora
Charles Adsit.
Dodge City
John Coburn.
Ellwood
Wilber F. Fiske.
Josco
James Hanes.
Lemond
Abram Fitzsimmons.
Owatana
Samuel B. Smith.
St. Mary's
Horatio B. Morrison.
Swavesey
Andrew J. Bell.
Wilton
David J. Jenkins.
SUPERIOR COUNTY.
Beaver Bay
Robert McLean.
French River
F. W. Watrous.
Grand Marias
Richard Godfrey.
Grand Portage
H. H. McCullough.
WABASHAW COUNTY.
Greenville
Rodman Benchard.
Independence
Seth L. McCarty.
Lake City
Harvey F. Williamson.
Mazeppa
John E. Hyde.
Minneska
Nathaniel F. Tifft.
Minnesota City
Samuel E. Cotton.
Mount Vernon
Stephen M. Burns.
Reed's Landing
Fordyce S. Richard.
Wabashaw
J. F. Byrne.
West Newton
Austin R. Swan.
WAHNATAH COUNTY.
Fort Ripley
Solon W. Manney.
WASHINGTON COUNTY.
Cottage Grove
Stephen F. Douglass.
Lake Land
Freeman C. Tyler.
Marine Mills
Orange Walker.
Milton Mills
Lemuel Bolles.
Point Douglass
R. R. Henry.
Stillwater
Harley Curtis.
WINONA COUNTY.
Dacota
Nathan Brown.
Eagle Bluffs
William W. Bennett.
Homer
John A. Torrey.
New Boston
William H. Dwight.
Richmond
Samuel C. Dick.
Ridgeway
Joseph Cooper.
Saint Charles
Lewis H. Springer.
Saratoga
Thomas P. Dixon.
Stockton
William C. Dodge.
Twin Grove
Oren Cavath.
Utica
John W. Bentley.
Warren
Eben B. Jewett.
Winona
John W. Downer.
White Water Falls
Miles Pease.
WRIGHT COUNTY.
Berlin
Charles W. Lambert
Buffalo
Amasa Ackley.
Clear Water
Simon Stevens.
Monticello
M. Fox.
Northwood
A. H. Kelly.
Rockford
Joel Florida.
Silver Creek
Abram G. Descent.
II.
LIST OF LAND OFFICES AND OFFICERS IN MINNESOTA.
GENERAL LAND OFFICE,
December 8, 1856.
SIR: Your two letters of the 6th instant, asking for a list of the land offices in Minnesota Territory, with the names of the officers connected therewith,— also the number of acres sold and the amount of fees received by such officers, during the fiscal year, ending 30th June, 1856, have been received.
In reply, I herewith enclose a statement of the information desired, save that the amount of fees for the fiscal year cannot be stated.
Very respectfully,
THOMAS A. HENDRICKS,
Commissioner,
C. C. ANDREWS, Esq.