Letters descriptive of a Tour through the North-West, IN THE AUTUMN OF 1856. WITH INFORMATION RELATIVE TO PUBLIC LANDS, AND A TABLE OF STATISTICS.
COUNSELOR AT LAW; EDITOR OF THE OFFICIAL OPINIONS OF THE ATTORNEYS GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES.
"From the forests and the prairies,
From the great lakes of the Northland,
From the land of the Ojibways,
From the land of the Dacotahs." - LONGFELLOW
SECOND EDITION.
W A S H I N G T O N:
ROBERT FARNHAM
1857
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Entered, according to act of Congress, in the year 1857, by
C. C. ANDREWS,
In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, in and
for the District of Columbia.
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PHILADELPHIA: STEREOTYPED BY E. B. MEARS.
PRINTED BY C. SHERMAN & SON.
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THESE "Trivial Fond Records" ARE RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED TO THE YOUNG MEN OF MINNESOTA.
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INTRODUCTION.
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THE object of publishing these letters can be very briefly stated.
During the last autumn I made a tour into Minnesota, upwards of a
hundred and thirty miles north-west of St. Paul, to satisfy myself as
to the character and prospects of the territory. All I could learn
from personal observation, and otherwise, concerning its society and
its ample means of greatness, impressed me so favorably as to the
advantages still open to the settler, that I put down in the form of
letters such facts as I thought would be of general interest. Since
their publication in the Boston, Post a few requests, which I
could not comply with, were made for copies of them all. I was led to
believe, therefore, that if I revised them and added information
relative to unoccupied lands, the method of preemption, and the
business interests of the territory, they would be worthy of
publication in a more permanent form. Conscious that what I have
written is an inadequate description of that splendid domain, I shall
be happy indeed to have contributed, in ever so small a degree, to
advance its growth and welfare.
Here I desire to acknowledge the aid which has been readily extended
to my undertaking by the Delegate from Minnesota Hon. HENRY M.
RICE whose faithful and unwearied services I will take the liberty
to add in behalf of the territory, merit the highest praise. I am
also indebted for valuable information to EARL S. GOODRICH, Esq.,
editor of the Daily Pioneer (St. Paul) and Democrat.
In another place I give a list of the works which I have had occasion
to consult or refer to.
C. C. ANDREWS.
Washington, January 1, 1857.
LIST OF WORKS WHICH HAVE BEEN CONSULTED OR REFERRED TO IN THE
PREPARATION OF THIS WORK.
Expedition to the Sources of the Mississippi, by Major Z. M. PIKE vol.
Philadelphia; 1807.
Travels to the Source of the Missouri River, by Captains LEWIS and
CLARKE. 3 vols. London: 1815.
Expedition to the Source of the St. Peter's River, Lake Winnepek, &c.,
under command of Major STEPHEN H. LONG 2 vols. Philadelphia: 1824.
British Dominions in North America. By JOSEPH BOUCHETTE, Esq. 3 vols.
London: 1832.
History of the Colonies of the British Empire. By R. M. MARTIN, Esq.
London; 1843.
Report on the Hydrographical Basin of the Upper Mississippi, by J. N.
NICOLLET. Senate Document 237, 2d Session, 26th Congress. Washington:
1843.
Report, of an Exploration of the Territory of Minnesota, by Brevet
Captain JOHN POPE, Corps Topographical Engineers. Senate Document 42,
1st Session, 31st Congress. Washington: 1850.
Sketches of Minnesota. By E. S. SEYMOUR. New York: 1850.
Report on Colonial and Lake Trade, by ISRAEL D. ANDREWS, Consul
General of the United States for the British Provinces. Executive
Document 112, 1st Session, 32d Congress. Washington: 1852.
History of the Discovery and Exploration of the Mississippi River. By
J. G. SHEA. New York: 1852.
Minnesota and its Resources. By J. WESLEY BOND. New York: 1853.
Discovery of the Sources of the Mississippi River. By HENRY R.
SCHOOLCRAFT. Philadelphia: 1855.
Exploration and Surveys for a Railroad Route from the Mississippi
River to the Pacific Ocean, made under the direction of the Secretary
of War in 1853-4, (including Reports of Gov. Stevens and others.)
Washington: 1855.
The Emigrant's Guide to Minnesota By an Old Resident. 1 vol. St.
Anthony: 1856.
CONTENTS.
LETTER I. BALTIMORE TO CHICAGO.
Anecdote of a preacher Monopoly of seats in the cars Detention in
the night Mountain scenery on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
Voting in the cars Railroad refreshments Political excitement
The Virginian and the Fremonters A walk in Columbus Indianapolis
Lafayette Michigan City Chicago
LETTER II. CHICAGO TO ST. PAUL.
Railroads to the Mississippi Securing passage on the steamboat The
Lady Franklin Scenery of the Mississippi Hastings Growth of
settlements
LETTER III. CITY OF ST. PAUL.
First settlement of St. Paul Population Appearance of the city
Fuller House Visitors Roads Minneapolis St. Anthony
Suspension Bridge
LETTER IV. THE BAR.
Character of the Minnesota bar Effect of connecting land business
with practice Courts Recent Legislation of Congress as to the
territorial judiciary The code of practice Practice in land
cases Chances for lawyers in the West Charles O'Connor Requisite
qualifications of a lawyer The power and usefulness of a great
lawyer Talfourd's character of Sir William Follett Blending law
with politics Services of lawyers in deliberative assemblies
LETTER V. ST. PAUL TO CROW WING IN TWO DAYS.
Stages Roads Rum River Indian treaty Itasca Sauk Rapids
Watab at midnight Lodging under difficulties Little Rock River
Character of Minnesota streams Dinner at Swan River Little Falls
Fort Ripley Arrival at Crow Wing
LETTER VI. THE TOWN OF CROW WING.
Scenery First Settlement of Crow Wing Red Lake Indians Mr.
Morrison Prospects of the town Upper navigation Mr. Beaulieu
Washington's theory as to Norfolk Observations on the growth of
towns
LETTER VII. CHIPPEWA INDIANS HOLE-IN-THE-DAY.
Description of the Chippewa tribes Their habits and customs
Mission at Gull Lake Progress in farming Visit to
Hole-in-the-day His enlightened character Reflections on Indian
character, and the practicability of their civilization Their
education Mr. Manypenny's exertions
LETTER VIII.
