dens and orchards. They have a written constitution and laws, and are governed by the national council.

The Cherokees, the most numerous tribe in the territory, occupy lands north and east of the Creeks. They are good agriculturists, and have large herds of horses and cattle. A well conducted paper, called the "Cherokee Advocate," is published in this nation.

The other transported tribes are said generally to have improved in their condition since their removal from the east. They occupy various determined sections, and are not allowed to interfere with each other's governments. They have each their own laws, and are regarded as so many distinct nations. The villages occupied by the Indians are generally well loca ted, and their houses built in a substantial manner. Their fields are well cultivated, and produce all the staples of the country. Some considerable cotton has of late years been received from this territory at New-Orleans.

The indigenous tribes have not, as a general thing, improved in the same degree as their brethren from the east. They still cling to their wild pleasures, and prefer the excitement of the hunt and war to the peaceful monotony of civilization. Some tribes, however, are settling into habits of industry, and have become good farmers, and attentive to the teachings of the missionaries. There is every prospect, indeed, that before any long lapse of years, the barbarism of the Indian tribes will have given way, and the symbols of civilization have taken its place. Nor is it improbable that when sufficiently advanced in intelligence, these Indians, among whom there are orators of no mean calibre, and men of some learning, will be admitted through their representatives into our national congress, and become constituents of our great commonwealth.

THE TERRITORY OF MINESOTA.

MINESOTA is situated between the latitudes 43° 30′ and 49° north, and the longitudes 89° 30′ and 102° 12′ west from Greenwich, or 12° 29′ and 25° 11' from Washington; and is bounded north by British America, east by Lake Superior and Wisconsin, south by Iowa, and west by the vast unoccupied country which stretches to the crest of the Rocky Mountains. Its extent north and south is about 360 miles, and its greatest width about 480 miles, and within its limits contains an area of about 83,000 square miles, or 53,120,000 acres.

Throughout the whole of this territory scarcely an elevation that could be dignified with the name of mountain occurs. The surface is in general level or undulating, but varies considerably in elevation, and in the ascents and descents of its plateaux. In some parts, especially in the neighborhood of the Mississippi and St. Peter's, the ground is much broken, and their margins lined with high bluffs of various formations; while in others the rivers flow through deep channels, seemingly worn into the earth by the force of their waters. Every portion of Minesota may be reached by inland navigation. The traveller will meet constantly with springs and small lakes, the sources of mighty rivers, whose waters are discharged thousands of miles to the north into Hudson's Bay; as many to the east into the Gulf of St. Lawrence, or to the south into the Gulf of Mexico. Springs

are often seen within a few feet of each other, the sources of rivers, whose outlets in the ocean are some six thousand miles apart. In almost every direction canoe navigation, with short portages, is practicable by means of the numerous rivers, whose sources are nearly interlocked or connected by chains of lakes. The Mississippi has its source here, some 3,000 miles from its mouth. Nine hundred miles of the length of this majestic river are embraced in this territory, and its numerous tributaries course through its fertile plains. The north-east portion is washed by the crystal waters of Lake Superior, which is of itself an inland sea for the prosecution of trade and commerce, and opens an avenue to the Atlantic. The Missouri, after having flowed nearly 1,000 miles from the base of the Rocky Mountains, sweeps along its whole western boundary, ensuring navigation almost to Oregon. Its large tributaries, James and Big Sioux Rivers, water valleys of great beauty and fertility. Extensive prairies, blooming with flowers and covered with luxuriant grasses, affording sustenance to immense herds of buffalo, saying nothing of elk, deer, antelopes, and other small game. Red River, which discharges itself into Lake Winnipeg, has its sources near those of the Mississippi. Beautiful lakes of transparent water, well stocked with fish, and varying in size from ponds to inland seas, are profusely scattered over the territory. Forests of pine and other evergreens, orchards of sugar-maple, groves of hard and soft woods of various species, wild rice and cranberries, and various species of wild fruit, copious springs of pure water, a fertile soil, and water-power, easily improved and abundantly distributed, render this region peculiarly adapted to the wants of man. Add to these a salubrious climate, and Minesota appears to enjoy eminent capacities for becoming a thriving and populous state. Its mineral resources are unknown, but indications and discoveries have been made that certify its wealth in copper and lead. Building stone of every description, limestone, etc., are found everywhere underlying the soil, while many valuable and precious stones are found on the shores of the lakes. For a country so overspread with lakes, and traversed by such a number of rivers, it is astonishingly free from marsh and morass. The land has a great elevation above the Gulf of Mexico, and the waters of the north and east, and as a consequence is easily and perfectly drained; and moreover, the margins of the lakes and rivers themselves are generally surrounded by hills and bluffs, which protect their neighborhoods from inundation. The whole country is thus eligible for agriculture.

The census of 1850 gave a population of 6,077, or one person to every 13.8 square miles, and its distribution to the several counties was as follows:

The number of dwelling-houses in the territory in 1850 was 1,002, and of families 1,016, or about six persons to each dwelling and family; and the deaths in 1849-50 numbered 30, or one to every 200 inhabitants. In June, 1850, there were 157 farms under cultivation; also five manufacturing establishments, producing annually $500 and upwards.

A census of the territory taken on the 11th June, 1849, exhibited a pop. ulation of 4,780, of which 3,667 were males, and 1,713 females; and hence the increase in one year was 1,297, or 27 per centum.

The settlements as yet made in the territory are chiefly confined to the peninsula between the Mississippi and St. Croix on the south, and on the Red River on the north. Otherwise the country is inhabited only by the aboriginal hunters, the Chippewas and Sioux Indians. Their numbers are not ascertained, but may approximate to about 12,000. With some of the tribes treaties have been made for the purchase of their lands, and for their removal, which, when effected, will open to the white settler immense tracts of rich and fertile soils, productive of every species of grain and fruits usually grown in northern climates. The Indians have long been in connection with the whites, and have for more than two centuries carried on with them a profitable trade in furs and peltries. Their hunting-grounds are now chiefly confined to the vast prairies west of the Mississippi. The white inhabitants are from almost every portion of the world: the Canadian, the sons of New-England and the Middle States, with English, French, and Germans, are all intermingled; and not a few of the citizens consist of halfbreeds, who chiefly reside on the Red River, and have settlements for some distance on both sides of our northern boundary. These are descendants of the original settlers at Lord Selkirk's colony, and Indian women of the Chippewa family. Their village is called Pembina. Hardy and hardworking, prudent as the New-England farmer, religious and intelligent, they form no mean class in the general community. They trade with the southern settlers, exchanging furs and pemmican for the superfluities of the South. They rear cattle and sheep, weave their own clothing, and live in a middle state of civilization. They have churches and schools, and many of the better class are educated at a collegiate establishment which has long been maintained among them. As a consequence, however, of their ostracized situation, they still retain many of the peculiarities of their original nations, modified indeed by the circumstances that surround them, and their connection with savage life. In the new settlements, the industry of the whites is almost entirely agricultural. They have mills on a number of the streams, and steamboats ply regularly on their waters. They are building roads, and from the energy they exhibit in overcoming natural obstacles, the real prosperity of the territory seems to be ensured. A large business has been already done by the steamboats that sail regularly between Galena and St. Paul and Stillwater. The products of the chase, and the fruits of the field, are exported in considerable quantities. With regard to immigration, the prospects are favorable. Farmers, laborers, and professional men, are daily ascending the rivers in search of a new home. The day, indeed, is not distant when the forests will be laid low, and the flowery prairies be converted into fields and gardens, producing every necessary to the use and enjoyment of man. Earth, air, and water abound in the prerequisites of man's happiness and enjoyment, and are only waiting his advent to yield up their now unused abundance.

The organization of the government of the territory having been so recent, it is impossible to exhibit by statistics the resources of this new and

almost untouched country. The first legislature, which adjourned after a session of sixty days, on the 1st November, 1849, was chiefly employed in organizing the government, and dividing the territory into suitable civil districts, and appointing officers to enforce the laws. Among its most important acts were those establishing a judiciary, a school system, and relative to the improvement of roads. All these will have a paramount influence over the future destiny of the country. Perhaps one of the most humane and politic acts of the legislature was the admission to citizenship of "all persons of a mixture of white and Indian blood, who shall have adopted the habits and customs of civilized men;" and not less politic is that law which requires the establishment of schools throughout the territory. The act of the General Government organizing the territory appropriates two sections of land in every township for the support of common schools. No other state in the Union has received more than one section of land in each township for such purpose. The present population (Jan., 1852) is proba bly not far from 12,000 souls.

The principal settlements are St. Paul, Stillwater, Mendota, Fort Snelling, Pembina, etc.

ST. PAUL, the capital, is situated on the left bank of the Mississippi, 15 miles by water, and 8 miles by land, below the Falls of St. Anthony. The town is situated on a plateau terminating on the river in a precipitous bluff 80 feet elevation above the river. The bluff recedes from the river at the upper and lower ends of the town, forming two landings, from both of which the ascent is gradual. The first store or trading-house was built in 1842. In June, 1849, the town contained 142 houses, all of which, with the exception of perhaps a dozen, had been built within the year previous. This number included the government house, three hotels, four warehouses, ten stores, several groceries, two printing-offices (from which two newspapers are issued weekly), several mechanics' shops, a school-house, etc. There was not a brick or stone house in the town. Since the period above-mentioned, however, several churches and many durable houses, built of stone and brick, from materials in the vicinity, have been erected. The popula tion in June, 1850, was 1,294. St. Paul is well located for commerce, and from its being at the head of navigation below the Falls, must necessarily become not only the political, but the commercial capital of the territory. In the neighborhood of St. Paul there is an extensive settlement of Canadians, chiefly persons formerly employed by the Hudson Bay Company, called Little Canada. Population 600.

STILLWATER is situated on the west side of Lake St. Croix, near its head, on ground having a gentle ascent from the shore to a high bluff in the rear, which extends in the form of a crescent, and nearly encloses the town. The first settlement was made in 1843. It contains a court house, several hotels and stores, and many neat dwellings. Steamboats seldom ascend higher than this place. The environs consist of a beautiful prairie country, and are being rapidly brought under cultivation. Population in June, 1850, 822. MARINE MILLS is a flourishing settlement on St. Croix River, a few miles above its entrance into the lake. The precincts contain about 200 inhabitants. Its water-power and the fine country which surrounds it must enforce its speedy increase and prosperity. Several villages on the Wisconsin side of the St. Croix River have been established, and are rapidly increasing in importance. Indeed, the resources of the vicinity on both sides are such as to ensure to the villages considerable commerce.

FORT SNELLING is situated on the high rocky promontory, 106 feet above

the water, at the confluence of St. Peter's River with the Mississippi. The military works were commenced in 1819. The fort is in the form of a hexagon, and surrounded by a stone wall. From the river its appearance is imposing and seemingly impregnable. It is, however, within the reach of cannon from higher ground; but the object for which the site was selected the protection of the frontier from savage incursion-is well attained by its situation. The garrison usually consists of three companies of dragoons. The view from these fortifications is extensive. The military res ervation of the establishment embraces an area of 10 miles square, of which the fort is near the center. The settlement in the neighborhood contains only about 40 inhabitants. In the fort there were 267 males and 50 females in June, 1849. MENDOTA, or St. Peter's, on the western bank of the Mississippi, south of the confluence of St. Peter's River, has been occupied for several years by the American Fur Company as a depot for their trading establishments with the Indians of the north-west. Two stores and two or three houses constitute the village. It is, however, a fine town site; and being situated at the junction of two great rivers, and near the head of steam navigation, its importance in a commercial point of view has not been overlooked. Whites are not allowed to reside here without special permission from the U. S. government, the village being in the military reservation. It will ultimately command the trade of the St. Peter's River. Population in June, 1849, 122.

Some other small villages exist in this neighborhood, but of their importance or present state little is known. Kaposia, from its situation near the point of land opposite St. Paul, though yet little more than an Indian town, may ultimately become of consequence. St. Anthony, at the Falls, and Sauk Rapids, opposite the mouth of Osakis River, are both on the east bank of the Mississippi; and higher up, on both sides of Nokay River, is Fort Gaines, the most northerly military establishment in the country. The supplying of these remote stations with provisions, etc., creates considerable traffic and traveling both by land and water. The return traffic consists of furs and peltry, with other Indian contributions.

The territory of Minesota derives its name from Mini-sotah, the Indian name for St. Peter's River; mini in their language meaning "water," and sotah "muddy or slightly turbid." The country originally belonged to the French by priority of discovery. At an early period their traders, missionaries, and soldiers had penetrated into the western wilderness. The United States had little authority over this region until 1812. In 1816 a law of Congress excluded foreigners from the Indian trade; and for the encouragement of our citizens the military post at Fort Snelling was established in 1819. Among the explorers of this country the names of Carver, Pike, Cass, Long, Beltrami, Schoolcraft, Nicollet, Owen, etc., will ever be intimately connected with its history. The honor of verifying the sources of the Mississippi belongs to Schoolcraft. The present territory was established by act of Congress, 3d March, 1849, and shortly after Alexander Ramsay was appointed Governor, and made St. Paul his capital, where the government was organized. "Congress may hereafter divide said territory, or annex any portion of it to another state or territory."