STATES AND TERRITORIES.—MINNESOTA TERRITORY.    85

that the assessed value of property in those counties amounts to somewhat over $800,000; and
measures are in progress for completing the valuation of the residue. The salaries of the
territorial officers, as in other and like cases, are provided for by the general government.
By the act of organization, $20,000 were appropriated for the erection of public buildings at
the capital, and $5000 for the purchase of a territorial library.

Surface, Soil, fyc.— The face of the country, in the central parts of the territory, is gently
undulating in its general character, and exhibits about equal proportions of prairie and timber
land, intersected in every direction by clear and beautiful streams, tributary to the Mississippi
and Minnesota or St. Peter's Rivers, and navigable always in the spring for flat boats. This
region also abounds in lakes of pure water; and its soil is represented as being unrivalled in
fertility. With some modification, the same remarks may apply to the other sections of the
territory. The valley of the Red River of the north, extending south some 300 miles, from
the northern boundary of the territory into the centre, is about 150 miles wide, and perfectly
level, with the exception of a few tracts of wet prairie, and is admirably adapted to the culture
of wheat and other grains. The soil, for the most part, throughout the territory, consists of a
mixture of sand and black loam, and, being loose and porous, is peculiarly favorable to the
rapid growth of bulbous and other roots. Potatoes have been known to yield 450 bushels to
the acre. Vegetable crops of all kinds, and in luxuriant profusion, are brought earlier to matu-
rity than in many regions farther south. In the valley of Minnesota River, the strawberry
vine commonly attains a height of twelve inches. A large part of the territory is overspread
with vast forests of excellent pine and other trees of great value for building.

Rivei'S, fyc. — Almost the entire eastern boundary, by the Mississippi and St. Croix Rivers,
is navigable water: steamboats ply upon the former, within the territory, for upwards of 300
miles. At the north-east, the territory is bounded by that immense expanse of waters, Lake
Superior. The Minnesota winds through a delightful valley, in a south and easterly direction,
and has been ascended more than 200 miles. The Big Sioux, and other tributaries of the
Missouri, flow southerly and westwardly. The Red River of the north, taking its rise near
the centre of the territory, flows northerly, and is navigable for some 400 miles before passing
into the British possessions. The Missouri, which constitutes a great portion of the western
boundary, affords navigation during nearly its whole course along the territory. There are
many other fine streams, and numerous large lakes, all presenting facilities for inland com-
merce, such as are possessed by no one state or other territory in the Union.

Internal Improvements. — A canal, to connect Lake Superior with Lake Huron, has been
much talked of, and probably at no distant day will be constructed; as such a work will secure
uninterrupted water communication down the great chain of lakes to the Atlantic coast. The
removal of obstructions in the Mississippi and other rivers — surveys for which purpose have
been authorized by Congress — will add many hundred miles to the already immense extent
of navigable waters lying within and around this territory. The aid of railroads will of course
soon be called in, to complete that system of internal improvements which Nature herself
seems to have suggested.

Minerals. — In this newly-settled country no explorations on any considerable scale, for the
purpose of developing its mineral resources, have as yet been undertaken. There can be no
doubt that this territory possesses its full share of geological treasures, which in due time
will excite the attention and repay the industry of its hardy and enterprising people.

Manufactures. — The only manufacturing branches now carried on to any great extent are
those which are connected with the business of house-building, especially the manufacture of
lumber. Of this article, although the work was begun so recently, a sufficiency is produced,
not only to supply the home demand, but to furnish annually some 20,000,000 feet of boards,
logs, &c., for exportation to the markets below, on the Mississippi. A number of steam and
saw mills have already been erected; and so numerous are the mill sites, and so immense the
water power within the territory, that this pursuit, together with others to which these advan-
tages will apply, especially the manufacture of flour, must naturally add greatly to the public
prosperity.