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THE TRAVELLER AND EMIGRANTS' HAND-BOOK TO CANADA - AND THK NORTH-WEST OF THE AMERICAN UNION : COMPRISING THK 8TATKS OK ILLINOIS. WISCONSIN, AM) IOWA, AND THK TKHIllTORIKS OF MINNKSOTA. AND KANSAS; WITH A DESCKIPTION OF THKIR CLIMATE, RESOURCES, AND PRODUCTS; AND Ml'CH OTHER L'SEFUL INFORMATION COMPILED FROM THE LATEST At'THBNTrO SOURCF^, AND DESIGNED PARTICULARLY FOB THE USE OF TRAVEI.I.KRS, EMIGRANTS, AND OTHERS. TO WHICH 18 ADDED, A LI«T OF .1 KAILWAT STATIONS, ROUTES, AND DISTANCES, STAGE COACHES IN CONNECTION WITH THK RAILWAYS. Sec. . ■■' ■ V - ■ -■ -r Bv EDWARD H. HALL, Chicago, III., U.S., (formerly OF NEWCASTLE ON TYNB, HNQLAND.) •• 2.ontion: ALGAR & STREET, 11, CLEMENT'S LANE, CITY; TWHEDIE, STRAND ; KENT & CO., PATERNOSTER ROW. 1858. PRICK —SI X-PKNCK; POST FREE SEVEN-PENCE. m '/'■jnini njiSKT I'-,! *• ' • id / '' I (. PREFACE TO THE THIRD EDITION. FoKTUNATELY, perhaps, for both my reader and myself, this Uttle annual belongs to that class of publications which need little or nothing from the author by way of introduction. In fact, that critical period — its debAt — may, fairly enough, be said to be safely past. "Ho! FOE THE West" made its first entree in the Guide Book world just two years ago, and the growing favour with which it has been received, has induced the present issue. While the general plan and outline of the v/ork remain the same, tlic field of observation has been enlarged, and the chapter ^n Agriculture, Land, and others of equal, and more than average importance, occupy a larger share of the following pages than they did in the first and second editions. VVV>( .ri>? ■': >' ■(' ? si *'i*;!^.% ,, .. . , ! J, , n'^t.n 1 •;; \alu..i'fi'i .n ■•>•*.'{• ■f«4-i 'i>-M * . f ,;,-.}'! jrt-' .'« tUM "110! FOR THE WEST!" m: ■'1 THE NORTIIKIIN, OR ST. LAWKKXCE UOUTM TO CANADA AND THE WESTERN STATES— ITS ADVANTAGES. The first thiiiff to be done towards emigration to Canada or the Western States of America is to select a route, and the means of conveyaU'O thither. This important matter will, doubtless, be jnore or less liifiuenci d by the caprice or prejudice of the emigrant himself, and the amount of means at his command. There are now four distinct routes from the T'niled Kin valued at more than £;5,0(J0,()()0. Mines and minerals, both in commercial inportance and intrinsic value, take second rank in the natural products of the country. Iron ores are said to be found in great abundance and variety ; also copper, :-ilver, gold (in quantities, fortunately, however, too small to create a fever) and tin, have been discovered, and are frequently met with. Marble, chemical materials, and stone paints, are also frequently fount!, and in considerable quantities. Lithographic stone of good (puility, and materials for the manufacture of glass and jewellery are easily obtained. Quarries of roofing slates have been opened to great advantage, and Hag stones, and all t)ie materials suitable for building purposes, are found in great abundance and variety. The fisheries of Canada form the third feature of interest in the natural products cf tlie country. The Gulf of St. Lawrence fisheries, to which, by the recent Reciprocity Treaty with the United States, they have free admission, are of great value ; as are also those on Lukes Superior, Huron, and Ontario. , > . ,, ,^ - , , ;, i > , .„- AOHICULTURE. As this k of all otherR, perhaps, tho most important subject of which tliis (Juido will treat, and one in which the great maj'>rity of those ro- I'crring to it will take a lively interest, I will endeavour to afford all tho information that the limits of this work will admit. The whole of Canada, but especially the Western Province, is essen- tially an agricultural country. By far its greatest extent is peculiarly adapted for agricultural pursuits ; and the enterprise and energy of the inhabitants have been directed to agriculture with the most favorable results. From the great diversity of its climate, the fertility of its soil, and its peculiar adaptation to the growth of wheat and all cereals, Canada will always bo, as she already is, a large exporter of farm produce, and take high rank as an agricultural country. Tho soil of Canada is adapted, and the climate favorable to, the growth of wheat, peas, rye, barley, oats, buckwheat, hay, hemp and flax, grass-seed, Indian eorn, and potatoes ; and of all these large quantities are raised. As a wheat exporting country Canada has made great pro- gress ; and as the improveu methods of agriculture are more generally adopted, and her rich territories in the West become better settled, her exports of breadstutfs must be immense. The average produce of wheat [WT acre in the Upper Province is variously estimated from IG to 25 bushels, and in Lower Canada, from 7 to 15 bushels. In the latter pro- vince, during the last ten years, the growth of fall wheat has been cither wholly abandoned or is only sown intermittingly, owing to the ravages of tlic Uy, but it is believed its general cultivation may be eventually resumed. The following query and answer, taken frum the pamphlet published by the Canada Land Company, will prove interesting to emi- grants intending to settle in U])per Canada. QuiiKY. — Produce of crops in average years, per acre ? ; Answku. — The produce, per acre, of all crops varies much from year to year in Canada, owing to the late and early frosts. It is, however, generally considered that the following is a fair average of ten years on uU tolerably cultivated farms ; — Wheat, 25 bushels ; barley, 30 bushels ; oats, 40 bushels ; rye, 30 bushels ; potatoes, 250 bushels per acre. Swedish turnips, mangel wurtzel, and otlicr roots of a similar kind, are not generally sufficiently cultivated to enable an average yield to be given ; but it may very safely be said that, with similar care, culture, and atten- tion, the produce will not be less per acre than in England. Flax and hemp are now coming rapidly into notice as an additional resource to the agriculturist — the quality of both articles is excellent, and the quantity obtained affords a. profitable return — the climate and soil being well I adapted fur tliulr growth. Tubuccu has ulso been ruiited in cunsidernblc quantities, purticulurly in the western extremities of the province. With reference to the mode of clearing lands, cost of log-house, fur- niture, and first year's expenses of an emigrant family, much valuable information will be found in a small pamphlet entitled, '* Canada: The Laud of Hope,"* by the editor of the Canadian Neiea. LAND. As nine persons out of every ten emigrating to Canada or the United States do so with a view to bettering their condition, and as the acquisi- lion of a city lot and house, or a few acres of land, is often the first im- portant step in the accomplishment of their object, I will devote a short chapter to the prices of land in different sections of the province, and the rules which legulute its purchase. Land is as easily obtainable in Canada as in any other British colony. By a Provincial Act of 1841, since which time no new regulations have been issued. Crown lands are to be sold ut a [>ricc to be from time to time fixed by the Governor in Council. The prices range from Is. to Ts. 6d. in Lower Canada, and in Upper Canada from 43. to 20s. pei acre, according to their situation. In the former the purchase money is payable in five, and in the latter ten years. For land > enhanced in value by special cir- cumstances, such extra price may be fixed as His Excellency, the Gover- nor General, in Council, may direct. Actual occupation of the Crown lands must be immediate and con- tinuous. Seldom more than 200 acres will be sold to any one person, a certain amount of which must be cleared by the settler. There are regu- larly appointed Government agents in every county, from whom the fullest information as to the price and quality of the land can be obtained. The average assessed value of all occupied land in Upper Canada, uncultivated as well as cultivated, is about £3 per acre. In the Lower Province, according to the best estimate, it is about £2 per acre for culti- vated land. The only charge on Crown lands is a tax which seldom exceeds Id. per acre on cultivated, and 3-8th8 of a penny currency on wild land. Besides the public lands there are about 2,000,000 acres of improved and unimproved lands in the hands of private individuals, which are held at from 58. to 45s. per acre, The British American Land Company sell their land in Lower Canada at from Bs. to 12s. per acre, requiring interest only for the first four years, and then allowing four years for the payment of the principal ; the emi- grant thus gets a hundred acres of land by an annual payment of from 13 to £4 10s. The Canada Land Company also possess large tracts of land in various * Ali^*u & Street, 11, Clcment*i Lane, London. Fiicc 4d, i pHils of the Upper ProviiU' , but principally on tlu! south oast kIioic of J-ukc Huron. The ))rico of their land varies from IOm. to t2 per ucre, increasing as the settler approaches the Huron tract. Tliosc who cannot purchase may lease the lands for ten years, payinf^ ordinary interest, wilh the rij^ht of converting their leases into freehold at any ti^ic Hesidcs the valuable Huron tract, this Company possesses more than .'500, 000 acres of land in other counties. FUKK (J HANTS OF LAND. The Provincial (Jovernment have recently opened three great lines of road, which, running east and west, will eventually be 171 miles in length, and connect the Ottawa River with Lake Huron. Along these roads the lands are laid out for settlement. The terms and particulars will Ijc found in the "Land of Hope " jjamphlel already mentioned. Cleared lands in the best and oldest settled townships of Upper Canada, with good buildings, ar(> worth from £10 to £lf) per acre. Great caution is to be observed in land speculations, in building, or as they are termed " village lots." The intrinsic worth of landed property must depem' on a great variety of circumstances — such as its proximity to, or distance from a market, the nature of the soil, condition of the ailjoining roads, kind and (piidity of the wood; and, though last in order, j)erhaps flr&t in imjiortance, its having s])rings or rivulet-^ of water. CLIMATE. In judging of the climate of such a varied extent of country as the province of Canada presents, in order to draw correct conclusions we ought to consider each province separately. The salubrity of the ])rovince is sufficiently proved by its cloudless skies, its elastic air, and almost entire absence of fogs. The lightness of the atmosphere has a most invigorating effect upon the spirits. The winter frosts are severe and steady, and the summer sims are hot and bring on vegetation with wonderful rapidity. The uniformity of temperature, produced through the influence o' the fresh water in the lakes and rivers, which have been estimated to contain not less than 11,000,000 cubic miles of water, arc found to be highly favorable to animal and vegetable life. It is therefore found that Upper Canad.i, from being surrounded by an almost continuous chain of lakes, and containing within its limits a larger amount of fresh water than its sister province, is in many respects more suitable to the European con- stitution ; the winter season is not so long, nor is the summer season so warm ; whilst for vegetation the western portion of the province is infinitely superior. m 10 The compiler having spent a great portion of the winter of 1865-6, which has been considered unusually severe, in Lower Cunadc, can bear testimony to the delightful influences r.ud healthful effects of a Canadian winter; having frequently experienced a much warmer and more com- fortable feeling in the clear, dry, bracing atmosphere of Quebec, with the thermometer at 12 degrees below zero, than in the damp, chilling, search- ing atmosphere of England, at 15 or 20 degrees nbove. The prevailing winds of Canada are the south-west, the north-east, and north-west. The S.W., the most prevalent wind, is generelly mode- rate, with clear skies. The N.E. is generally damp and chilly, and brings continued rains in summer and early autumn ; and the N.W., which is most frequent in winter, is dry, cold, and elastic. East winds are usually accompanied by heavy storms and falls of snow. The south-east wind is soft and rainy. The wind blows less frequently from the west and south, and still more seldom from due north. In concluding this bilef chapter, I woxild merely re-echo the remark of Mr. Warburton, in his excellent work entitled *' Hochelaga," that to people naturally healthy the climate will be found healthy too, but to the rheumatic, consumptive, and feeble, it is a severe trial ; and it has been remarked that a great number of children die in infancy. RAIJ-WAYS. h iiOUTES AND DISTANCES. Th» 'ar there are two important completed lines of railway communi- cation in Canada : these are the " Grand Trunk " and the " Great Western ' Railways. The oldest and most important of these is the Graiid Trunk, which, when fully completed, will be the longest railway in the world. It extends from Portland, Maine, to Sarnia on Lake Huron, with a branch line from Richmond to Quebec, a t'.istance of 858 miles. At Toronto, its principal western terminus, it connects with the Toronto Branch of the Great Western Railway, which joins the main trunk of that road, and "-ontinues on to Windsor. The latter town is situated on the extreme western point of the Canadian peninsula, and within sight of Detroit (Michigan), so that the traveller, by means of these two lines, is enabled to pass from one end of the province to the other. , ., > , 't ; .. r-fi ,, 1 The following is a list of all the stations on the several branches of the Grand Trunk Railway, and the distances between them. It is arranged so as to show at a glance the relative position of the different cities, towns, villages, stations, and refreshment places throughout the entire line from the seaboard at Quebec and Portland to Detroit. 11 H Miles. Station. Is 0. , . . Toi tland. a.. .. 6. . . . Falmouth. 4.. .. 9. . . .Cumberland. 2.. .. 11. . . .Yarmouth. 1., .. 12. . .Yarmouth Junction. 3.. ..15. . .North Yarmouth. 3.. .. 18. . .Powuall. 4.. .. 22. . .New Gloucester. 2,. 4.. .. 24. .. 28. .. Cobb's Bridge. . .Danville Junction. 2.. ..30. ..Hotel Road. 3.. 4.. .. 33.. .. 37.. . . Empire Road. . . Mechanic Falls. 4.. .. 41.. . . Oxford. 7. . .. 48.. . . South Paris. 7.. . . 65.. . . North Paris. 7.. 3.. .. 62.. .. 65.. . .Bryant's Pond. . .Locke's Mills. 5., .. 70.. ..Bethel. 4.. .. 74.. . .West Bethel. 6.. .. 80.. ..GilewL .5.. . . 85.. . . Shelbume. 6.. .. 91.. . . Gorham. 6.. .. 97.. . . Berlin Falls. 6.. ..103.. . . Milan. 6.. .109.. ..West Milan. 6.. ..114.. . . St.\rk. 6.. .122.. . . Northumberland. 4.. ..126.. . . Stratford Hollow. 8.. .134.. ..North Stratford. 7.. .141.. ..Wenlock. 8.. .149.. . .Island Pond. 10... .169 ..Norton. 7... 8... .166.. .174.. . . Boundary Line. . .Coaticook. 8... 4... .182.. .186.. . .Compton. . Waterville. 7... .193.. . Lennoxville. 3 .. .196. . . Sherbrooke. 6... 8... .202.. .210.. .Brompton Falls. . Windsor. 10... 220.. . Richmond. 11... .231.. .Durham. 12 .. .243.. Acton. 6... 6... .219... .266... . Upton. . Britannia Mills. . j 7... 7... .262... .269... .St. Hyacinthe. . Soixante. 6... .276.. .St. Hillare. ... , 7... .282... .Bou. Mountain. . 5. . . .287.. Charons. ' ' ' • 6... .292... .294... Longueuil. .Montreal. . ^, St. Thomas Branch. ^ \ 0... . St. Thomas. 9... 9... . St.Francis, or Berthier. 9... 18... .St. Michael. GRAND TRUNK. tog goo S2 6., 8., 9., 8 , 8, 1. 6. 5. 9. 12 8. 6. 9. 8. 12. 12. 10. 6. 3 6 7., 8. 10., 6., 8.. 6.. 4.. 7.. 8.. 7.. 6.. 7.. 1.. 7.. 6.. 4.. 8.. 9.. 9.. 14.. 3.. 8.. 8.. 11.. 10.. 4.. 7.. 12.. 10.., 7.. 7... 7... Miles. Stations. 24.... St. Charles. , 32.... St. Henry. 41 ... . Chaudiere Junction 49 Quebec (South). Quebec Biianch. 1. 8. 9. 15. 20. 29. 41. 49. 55. 64. 72. 84. 98. . . . Point Levi- . . Chaudiere Junction. , . .Chaudiere. , . . Craig's Road. , . . Black River. , ..Methot's Mills. . . . Beiancour. , . . Somerset. . . Stanfold. . . Arthabaska. . .Warwick. . .Danville. . . Richmond. Sthatfoiid Branch. .. 5. .. 15. ..21. .. 24 ..29. . 36. .. 44. . . 64. ..60. .. 68. .. 73. .. 77. . . 84. . . 92. ..99. , . 105 . .112. .113.. .120.. .125.. .129.. .137.. .146.. .155.. .169.. .172.. .180.. .188.. .199.. .209.. .213.. .220.. .232.. .242.. .249.. .266.. .263.. . . Blue Bonnet. . . Point Clair. ..St. Ann's. . Vaudreuil. . . Cedars. . . Cotcau Landing. . .River Baudette. . . Lancaster. . . Summerstown. . . . Cornwall. . . . Moulinette. . . . Dickinson's LanUmg. . . . Aultsville. . . . Williarasburgh. . . . Matilda. . . . Edwardsburg. ' . . . Prescott Junction. . . . Prescott. . . . Maitland. . . . Brockville. . . . Lynn. , . .Mallorytown. . . LansdowQ. . . Ganauoque. Kingstown Mills. . . Kingston. . . Colin's Bay. . .Ernes town. . . Napanee. . . Tyandenaga. . . Shannonville. . . Belleville. ..Trenton. :i|.,, . . Brighton. . . Colbom. ..Grafton. -^>^ . .Cobourg. H ■3V\ 12 GRAND TRVSK—contimml. 9 S Miles. Stations. In 7.. ..270.. , .Port Hope. 4. . ..274.. . .Port Britiiiu. 0.. ..280.. . . Newtonville. 6.. ..286.. . .Newcastle, 6.. ..290.. . .Bowmanville. 9.. ..!<.99.. . . Oshawa. 4.. ..303.. ..Port Whitby. 7.. ..310.. ..Duffin's Creek. 6.. ..312.. . Frenchman's Bay 4.. ..316.. . . Port Huron. 4.. ..320., . . Scarborough. 7.. ..327.. . . East York. i.. ..331.. . .Toronto East. II wS Miles. Sl'ATIONS. g« 2S (H 2. . . . 3.3:5 . . . Toronto West 9.. ..342 . . .Weston. 12.. ..354., . .Brampton. 8.. ..362. . .Georgetown. 7.. ..369. . . Acton West. 5.. .374. . .Rockwood. 8.. ..382. . .Guelph. 13.. ..395. , .Berlin. 7.. ..402. . . Petersburg. C ..408.. . .Hamburg. 6.. ..114. . . Shakspcare. 7.. .421. . .Striitf'ord. The Grand Trunk and the Great Western Railways arc now connected at Toronto. ^,' RAILROADS AND STAGES IN CONNEXION WITH THE TRAINS OF THE GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY. Suspension Br'uh/e (Niagara Falls) — connects with New York Central, Niagara F'alls, Canandaigna and Almira, and New York and Erie Railroads ; also the Eric and Ontario Railway, between Niagara and Chippewa, connecting at Niagara with "Zimmerman'' steamer to and from Toronto. 27,000 people, a large proportion of whom are OermunH. There is connection between Chicago and Milwaukie, by the Chicago and Milwaukie Railroad, twice daily, and also by steamboat on Lake Michigan daily, during the summer season. The latter is the cheapest, and most pleasant route for emigrants. b. i"' THE STATE OF IOWA. Area, 60,014 square miles. Populutiuu in 1860, 102,214. Cupital, Iowa City. This is emphatically a " Land of Promise " to the emigrant, and in now perhaps attracting more attention and filling up more rapidly than any other State in the Union. Iowa is situated between 40** 30' and 46® 30' north latitude, and be- tween 90® 20' and 97® 40' west longitude ; and is bounded, north, by Minnesota territory ; east, by the Mississippi River, which separates it from Wisconsin and Illinois ; south, by Missouri ; and west, by the territory of Nebraska. It formed a portion of Lousiuna until the year 1803, when it was purchased by the United States' Government, erected into a separate territorial government in 1838, and admitted into the Union as a State in 1846. Like all the other Western States, Iowa owes its present prosperity to its agricultural resources. Probably no country in the world, in every point of view, is more promising to the agriculturist. Its fine prairies are easily converted to cultivation, and its natural pastures afford pecu- liar facilities for the rearing of cattle, and sheep farming. Wool grow- ing, indeed, has become one of the staple employments of the farmer ; and the raising uf hogs for market is no less profitable in its results. The sheep and hog are here raised with little or no trouble, the natural productions of the forest and prairie affording a plentiful subsistence. The cereal and root crops grow luxuriantly, and all the fruits of tempe- rate climates find here a congenial soil. Fertile and productive, yielding minerals of the greatest value, pene- trated by numerous navigable rivers, and bordered by the noble Missis- u'^ sippi, easily accesBible, and fire from muny of the dangori incident to lu-wly Hottlod countricH, lown odors the ^reatcHt inducetnonta to eminrHnlB and others to make it their home. The settled portion of the State is w<'ll provided with (?ood roads, and several railroads in course of con- struction will Hoon find a ready market for the surplus produce of the country. The huul is good and cheap, the cHmute healthy, and educa- tion is well provided for ; while every portion of the country is open to easy navigation and land travel. I'rairio i)rcdoniinato8 in this State. The prairie lands are variously covered : some arc clothed in thick grass, suitable for grazing farms ; wliile ha/.el thickets and sassafras '.hrubs invest others with perennial verdure. The soil is universally good, being a rich black mould, mixed sometimes with sandy loam, and sometimes with red clay and gravel. The state is well watered by numerous navigable rivers and streamlets flowing into the Mississippi and Missouri rivers, which bound the State to the east and west. The margins of the streams are generally thickly timbered. The climate is excellent, especially on the prairies ; and the country, excepting the low margins of the rivers, which are frequently inundated, is as free from endemic diseases as the most favoured portion of the Union. Periodical breezes blow over the prairies as regularly and re- frcsliingly as on the ocean between the tropics. Although mainly an agricultural State, Iowa is possessed of great mineral wealth. Lead, zinc, iron, kc, arc very plentiful. The " mineral region " is principally confined to the neighbourhood of Dubuque. The lead mines of this region are perhaps the most productive and valuable in the world. Ten thousand miners could here find proRtable employ* mcnt. Iron ore is abundant in several districts ; but as yet the mines have not been worked to any great extent. Oame of every kind and variety is found in great abundance through- out this State, affording pleasure to the sportsman and profit to the hunter. Though the buffalo, once a derazcn of this beautiful country, is now almost extinct, and though the elk is only found in the wild recesses and more unsettled parts, a great variety of wild animals still remain. The wolf, panther, and wild cat are still numerous, and in the wooded districts the black bear is found. Foxes, racoons, opossums, gophars, porcupines, squirrels, and the otter, inhabit almost the whole unsettled country. Deer are also quite numerous, and the musk-rat and common rabbit are incredibly prolific. Among the bird tribes are wild turkeys, prairie-hens, grouse, partridges, woodcocks, &c. Geese, ducks, loons, pelicans, plovers, snipes, &c., are among the aquatic birds that visit the rivers, laktc, and sluices. Bees swarm in the forest. The rivers and .1- 24. creeks abound with excellent fish ; and the insect tribes, varied and beautiful, add gaudiness to the scene. Those seeking land in Iowa would, I think, do well to visit the coun- ties of Clayt(»n, Dubuque, Jackson, Clinton, and Scott, laying all along the Mississippi River in the north-oast portion of the State, wliere they will find well-cleared farms, easily accessible by good roads from the Mississippi River, which still forms the great natural outlet of the country. The settled portion of Iowa is divided into 99 counties. Among the principal cities and towns are Iowa City, the capital ; Dubuque, Daven- port, Burlington, Keokuck, Muscatine, and Fort Madison, on the Missis- sippi River ; all of which, especially Dubuque and Keokuck, are very thriving places. At the former city the Land Office for the district, and the Surveyor-General's Office for the States of Iowa and Wisconsin, are located. The interior towns are in general small, consisting chiefly of agricul- tural settlements ; Maquoqueto in Jackson county, Salem in Henry county, and Fairfield in Jefierson county, are perhaps the most im- portant. THE TERRITORY OF MINNESOTA. Area, 166,000 square miles. Population, 85,000. Capital, St. Paul. The territory of Minnesota derives its name Minni-sotah, the name given by the Sioux Indians to the St. Peter's River ; minni, in their lan- guage, meaning " water," and oota/t, " 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. Minnesota is situated between 43° 30' and 49" north latitude, and between 89° 30'' and 120° 10' west longitude; and is bounded on the north by Canada West ; east, by Lake Superior and the State of Wis- consin ; south, by the State of Iowa ; and on the west, by Missouri ter- ritory. Of the immense territory included within these limits — embrac- ing an area of 166,000 square miles — 22,336 square miles belonged to the late territory of Wisconsin, and the remainder to the late territory of Iowa, It has frequently, and I think not inappropriately, been called the New England of the West. Its northern latitude and healthy climate, are calculated to foster habits of industry and enterprise. Its extensive water-power, its beautiful scenery, its forests of pine, its relative situation to the remaining portions of the Mississippi Valley, and its superior advantages for manufacturing enterprise, naturally suggest as an appropriate name for this country, "The New lingland of the West." 35 The present territory was establislied by Act of Congress, 3rd of March, 1819 ; and sljortly after Alexander Ramsay was appointed gover- nor, and made St. Paul his capital, where the government was organised, and where it has since remained. The organisation of the government of the territory having been so recent, it is impossible to exhibit by sta- tistics the resources of this new and almost untouched country. I will, therefore, give a brief sketch of its general character, and the induce- ments which it offers to intending settlers. The surface of the country is generally undulating, but varies con- siderably in its elevation. In some parts, especially in the neighbourhood of the Mississippi and St. Peter Rivers, 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. Perhaps the most striking feature in the natural aspect of the country, is the great abundance of water con- tained within its limits, and the peculiar facilities which its rivers and lakes afford for inhind navigation and for purposes of manufacture. Every portion of the territory may be reached by inland navigation. By the recent treaty concluded with the Sioux Indians, all that beau- tiful country stretching along the west side of the Missisi'ippi River, from Iowa to St. Peter's River, has been thrown open for settlement. It 's a country of great fertility, of picturesque scenery, and ib probably rich in mineral treasures ; it also possesses a healthy climate and abun- dant water-power ; thus offering an inviting field for manufacturing and agricultural pursuits. With regard to the climate of the territory, I can only say that the high latitude in which it is situated will operate upon the minds of some as a serious objection to make it a place of residence. I passed the winter of '49-50 in the country, and found the weather intensely cold, but the air dry, elastic, bracing, and healthy, much like that of Lower Canada. Early frosts, sufficient to injure vegetation, are frequent, and the raising of fruit has on that account been unsuccessful. The mean annual temperature, according to thermometrical observations made dur- ing several years at Fort Snelling, is 45** 38^. Fort Snelling is in lati- tude 44° 53'. Owing to the severity of the winter and backwardness of the spring, the opening of navigation in the Mississippi is generally late, which is one of the great drawbacks to the progress of the territory, as, until railroad connection is formed to the south, the inhabitants are cut off from all communication with the outer world, except by stage or sleighs, during the winter, or for five months in the jear. In ordinary seasons the Mississippi may be considered navlga1>le to St. i'eier's River until the 25th November, and to re-open about the 15th of April. 26 V^ith regard to immigration, tho prospects are favourable, and thou- sands are landed at St. Paul from the boats plying regularly between that place and points down the Mississippi, during the season of navigation. To all those wishing to engage in manufactures and fond of a northern latitude, the numerous rivers and streams affording water power, distri- buted all over the country, and the dry, bracing atmosphere, will offer great inducements to settle in Minnesota. The almost in' xhaustible pine forests in the different sections of the country present a wide field for the operations of the hardy lumbermen; but there are many serious disadvan- tages to be overcome in its high latitude and isolated situation ; and I would strongly recommend farmers, mechanics, and others in search of a home, to visit the northern part of Illinois and the eastern counties of Iowa before venturing so far north as St. Paul, feeling assured that in those more genial climates he will find a more fertile soil, a more ad- vanced society, a readier market for his surplus produce, and more than all, a renewed confidence in the real prosperity and permanent progress of the country which he has selected as his future home. Minnesota was divided into the following counties in lieu of the counties of St. Croix and La I'ointe, which cons^•tuted all that remained of the territories of Wisconsin and Iowa, from which Minnesota was formed — viz., Itasca, Washington, Ramsay, Benton, Pembina, Wahkato, Wahnahtah, Dahkotah, and Wabashaw. The principal settlements ore at St. Paul the capital, Still Water, St. Anthony, Mendata, Fort Snell- ing, Pembina, Kaposia, Sauk Rapids, and Fort Ciaincs. St. Paul, the capital, is pleasantly situated on the top of a bluff which rises about 80 feet on the left l.'unk of the Missis.sippi, about eight miles below the Falls of St. Anthony. The town was laid out in 1848-9 ; and such has been the rapid progress of the young city and the country round it, tliat it now contains a population of about 12,000 people. It is well located for commerce, and from its being at the head of naviga- tion, below the Falls, must always command a thriving trade. The route from Chicap:o or Mihvaukic lo St. Paul is by railroad to Dubucjue, or Prairie du Chien, where tho emigrant will find regular steam packets running to St. Paul and all inipoi tant ])oints on the river. From Galena or Dubuqne to St. Paul, or St. Peter, the fare varies from 4 to 6 dollars, cabin ; 1 dollar 50 cents to 2 dollars 50 cents, deck ; freight per 100 lbs., 25 cents. Horses and cattle, per head, 3 dollars 50 cents. Families with considerable luggage or freight can frequently secure passages at much lower rates. --., ...,-.. ..^..-^, ,,.,..._ =. .,-. ,2 "^w.. The distance, by water, between Galena and St. Paul, is 327 miles ; from Prairie du Chien, 230 miles,.. ■ :* «::»>-« 27 THE TERRITORY OF KANSAS. Area, 112,000 square miles. Capital, Lawrence. The Territory of Kansas extends from 37** to 40® North l?titude, and from the State line of Missouri 800 miles westward. It lies in the same belt as northern Kentucky and Virginia, and southern Indiana and Illinois. The description which follows applies to the eastern portion of the Territory, oxtending 200 miles west from the eastern boundary. It is the portion which is now open for settlement. The surface of the country rises from the deep valleys of the streams by a series of steps or terraces, stretches away in smooth slopes, and cul- minates in gently undulating up-lands about 900 feet above the sea. Be- tween eai h terrace are intervals, often several miles in breadth, smooth as if levelled by the roller, but inclined toward the valleys. Near the large streams the land is sometimes broken, but leaving the immediate banks tliere is scarcely an acre of land where the surface is incapable of cultiva- tion. It is one unbroken stretch of arable land, with a drainage so per- fect that not a pond or swamp exists over its wliole extent. The scenery, though less varied than in rugged and mountainou" dis- tricts, is exceedingly picturesque and beautiful ; the swelling surface of the prairie dotted witli island groves ; lofty table lands overlooking great rivers belted with luxuriant forests, green flowery plains and vales of quiet beauty, walled in by the eternal battlements of nature ; bluffs and hills lifting their bold graceful outlines against the sky, everywhere delight the t.')c, and redeem the landscape from monotony. As to the geology of Kansas, the rocks consist of limestones, sand- stones, clay, &c., belonging to the coal formation ; they are usually hori- zontal, or but slightly inclined, and can be cheaply quarried on nearly every hillside, furnishing excellent stone for building or lime-burning. Scarcely a scjuare mile can be found where they do not come to the surface ; the beds alternate with each other, so that sand, lime, and good clay for brick, can be jirocurcd almost everywhere. Coal is also very generally distributed ; it is a soft, free-burning bitu- minous coal, generally quite free from sulphur, and already used exten- sively by blacksmiths. The scams tlius far opened nowhere exceed three feet in thicknoss, but are sufuclent to furnish fuel to the population for I centuries. Iron occurs in several localities; saline springs occur on the upper tributaries of the Kansas, and also extensive deposits of gypsum. The soil of Kansas is coual to the best soils of Illinois and Iowa ; it [is quite uniform in composition, everywhere preserving the character of u Irich heavy loam. , . _ . .. ! ... , , ,,._.« . , 18 The first terrace above the rivers is covered with an alluvial soil often 4 to 6 feet in depth. The higher terraces and uplands have the common prairie soil of the west; the subsoil is usually a stiff clay, in some localities mixed with gravel. Patches of sandy soil occur, but they are rare ; lime is everywhere a prominent ingredient of the soil. Water powers are found upon many of the streams, but are not fre- quent. The coal, however, will furnish a cheap motive power. The climate of Kansas is somewat different from that of the same latitude further east. Its distance from the ocean gives here the purely continental climate. Its atmospheic is remarkably pure and dry. The amount of rain and snow that falls is smaller than in the Atlantic Stales. A cloudy day is very rare, and a whole month often passes without a shower. The temperature is generally mild in winter, but an occasional cold spell occurs, of short duration. The winter is confined to its proper months, rarely commencing before December, or extending into March. The heat of summer is tempered by the fresh breezes which, rising and falling with the sun, render this a delightful season. April and May are the rainy months. Frosts have never been known to trouble the crops. The dryness, purity, and free circulation of the air, in the absence of swamp and stagnant waters, which we find in Kansas, are conditions favourable to health. The experience of early settlers also indicates a healthy climate. Cases of bilious fever and ague occur more frequently than in older settled countries, but in most cases they are the result of gross ignorance or carelessness. Let the settler take only a reasonable care of himself and family, and he will rarely suffer in acclimation. On the contrary, as has been the experience of many, he will find himself rejuvenated, old complaints gone, and endowed with a fresh fund of con- stitutional vigour. Let him build his house on the uplands, dig his well if he cannot get spring water, eat, sleep, and bathe regularly, avoid the poisoned alcoholic drinks of the West, and he will come out right. Per- sons afflicted with pulmonary and rheumatic complaints generally expe- rience relief in Kansas. The timber is mainly confined to the valleys, but is occasionally dis- persed over the uplands in groves and parks of rare beauty. It occurs in belts from a few rods to several miles in width, following the valleys to their termination. Oak, hickory, Cottonwood, black walnut, ash, basswood, elm, locust, hackberry, coffee, tree and sycamore are the most common trees. Chest- nut, maple, cedar, buckeye, paw paw, persimmon and pecan-nut occur. The soil and climate of Kansas are adapted to most of the grains, grasses, and fruits raised in the north. Winter wheat, corn, oats, rye, barley, buckwheat, potatoes, sweet potatoes, and all common garden pro- ducts ; pumpkins, squashes, melons have been tried and succeed admir- 29 ably. Hemp and tobacco may be profitably cultivated, and the new Chinese sugar cane would probably be at home there. Among the fruits may be mentioned apples, pears, peaches, plums, cherries, apricots, grapes, currants and strawberries. The choice and tender varieties of these fruits may be grown successfully. The grape culture promises to be a profitable branch of business. The dryness of the atmosphere ripens the fruit, and concentrates its juices to the finest flavour. A fine nutritious grass grows everywhere, yielding even on the dry prairies, two tons of hay per acre. Clover, timothy and redtop grass do well where tried. The winters arc short, and attended with so little snow that cattle are kept without fodder in many parts of Kansas. To those who wish to raise cattle, horses and sheep for market, the best inducements are here offered. The coptof opening farms, &c. will of course depend upon the location, in a great measure, but a few general facts may be of use. Breaking costs from 2 dollars 50 cents to 4 dollars per acre ; rails from 2 to 3 dollars per 100 ; sod fence from 30 to 40 cents per rod ; stone fence 80 cents to 1 dol- lar per rod ; hedge set 32 cents per rod, growing in five years to an efficient fence ; timber sells for from 25 to 30 dollars per 1000 feet, one half of which cost is in sawing. Oak, black walnut, and cotton-wood are gene- rally used. Brick will bo cheap when business is fairly started. Work- ing cattle sell at from 80 to 100 dollars per yoke ; horses from 75 to 150 dollars ; mules from 100 to 200 dollars per head. ; Rents are of course high ; board from 3 to 5 dollars per week. Masons, carpenters, blacksmiths, waggon makers, and cabinet makers are in great demand, and will find abundant employment and good prices. Every branch of common mechanical labour can be profitably pursued. Masons and carpenters secure from 2 dollars 50 cents to 3 dol- lars per day. Rough stone, or concrete as it is called, is a favourite building material ; and every man who can lay stone will find constant work. Grist and saw mills, and machine shops are greatly needed, and would be excellent investments. If you conclude to go to Kansas, the sooner you start after navigation opens the better. If you go in March or April, you can secure a claim, break some portion of it, get in a few acres of corn, beans, and potatoes. Planting commences about the loth of April, and may be continued until the 1st of June. Corn planted on the sod yields from 30 to 40 bushels to the acre ; or about half its yield on old land. Any farmer of ordinary capacity, having his teams and tools, and being on the ground by the first of April, will be able to raise enough food to keep his family through the winter till another harvest. The JW m land is ready for the plough in March, and continues so till the IhI (.f December. The ground may be worked for all agricultural purposes during nine months of the year. The Missouri River is always open as early as the 1st of March, and affords a cheap, comfortable transit to Kansas. ■ Freights up the Missouri to Kansas, are from 30 cents to 2 dollars 60 cents per hundred, according to the stage of the water. The highcnt rates occur in March, October, and November. Lowest in May and Juno. Present rates are 40 cents. Persons wishing to go up the Kansas Valley, or to the southern por- tion of the territory, should stop at Wyandotte City or Quindaro, two new towns in close proximity to each other, and located on the Missouri River, just above the mouth of the Kansas. Colonel Eldridgc, late pro- prietor of the Free State Hotel, will run a line of hacks daily from Wyandotte to Lawrence ; fare, three dollars. A steamer will make regular trips from Quindaro to Lawrence three times a week, carrying passengers at three dollars each. Leavenworth City, 25 miles higher up, is the largest town in Kansas. Here a fine line of new hacks to Lawrence has been laid down; fare, three dollars each. Atchison, ten miles beyond, Doniphan and Iowa Point, connect with tho northern portion of the territory, and communicate by stage with the interior. At these points teams can be obtained for any part of the territory and purchases of stores can be made. Persons wishing to go with their own teams can make a safe and easy transit cross Iowa or Missouri. The principal routes cross the Mississippi at Dubuque, Davenport, Muscatine, Burlington, Hannibal, Mo., and Si. Louis. Either of these are good waggon routes, and the choice will bo determined by the starting point. A loaded team will make twenty-five miles per day, the distance from the farthest point named being about 400 miles. It is hardly safe to start before the first of May, as the Icams must depend mainly upon green f^ed. The expense is trifling, if provision is made for camping. In warm weather this trip can be taken even by females, without exposure to severe hardships. No difficulty will be encountered from finding the route from any of the above starting points. Every party should have a tent, cooking utensils, and abundant bedding. They can live in their waggons and tents after arriving in the territory, ■until a home is secured. The cheapest and most direct route to Kansas is vta Chicago and Bur- ilington Railroad from Chicago to Burlington, Iowa, thence by Missouri River Railroad to Nebraska City, a total distance of 600 miles. "' ^^'' '^' h Persons not familiar with the method of acquiring titles to lands in new States are apt to over-estimate the difficulties, and suffer much need- less anxiety. The following hints as to Kansas lands may be of use to wm 31 scttlcrB, or persons wishing to invest. Any person who is a citizen of the United States, or has filed notice of intention to become such, who is cither the head of a family, a widow, or a single man over twenty-one years of age, may enter upon 160 acres of government land, wherever he or she may choose to select it, if not already occupied, and by residing upon it and improving it, secure the siime at 1 dollar 25 cents per acre. It is necessary only to make an actual residence on the land, to file a notice of intention to pre-empt the same, and to be ready to make the payment before the public sale, which will be advertised for three months. HINTS TO EMIGRANTS. CHOICE OF A SHIP. In this as in almost everything else, the traveller will be guided by circumstances, and decide for himself. For those on business, wishing to make the trip as expeditiously as possible, and all who have the money to spare, I would recommend as tlic most comfortable, quickest, and, in the end, the cheapest means of communication, one of the numerous boats belonging to the different steamship lines, of which there are three designed to trade between Liverpool and Quebec in summer, and Port- land, U. S. (with which Montreal is connected by the Grand Trunk Rail- way,) in winter. Children are computed according to the Passengers' Act — viz., chil- dren from one to twelve years of age, half the price of adults ; under one, no charge. The Colonial tax on all passengers is, by an Act of the Canadian Legislature just passed, 5s. each person, but which is always included in the passage money, and paid by the master of the vessel. After the emigrant has chosen his ship he should, to avoid the imposition which is so largely practised at Liverpool and other large shipping ports, purchase his ticket himself at the offices of the agents of the ship, and keep it till the end of the voyage, as otherwise if the ship is prevented by any accident from reaching her destination, or if the passengers for any other reason are not landed at the place named in the tickets, he may have a difficulty in obtaining a return of his passage money, to which in that case he would by law be entitled. The emigrant must not fail to remember that personal cleanliness preserves health; and to provide a good supply of warm clothing, including flannel to be worn next the skin during the voyage. 32 V. It would also be well to ascertain that the vessel carries a medical officer. Travellers and emigrants should be equally careful not to encumber themselves with too much baggage, as it is a source of constant tinnoy- ance and expense. Almost all articles of wearing apparel are nearly as cheap in Canada and throughout the United States as in England. All ^^ggBge should be legibly marked with the name and destination of the owner upon it, with the addition of the word belotv upon all packages not required on the voyage. The addition of the words " via Quebec," in conspicuous characters, would save the emigrant a great many questions, always perplexing in a nev/ country, and might possibly save him his baggage, as in case of its being lost in handling, it will remain in the Government warehouse at Quebec till called for. The average length of passage to Quebec in the summer season by screw steamer is 1 1 days, and by sailing vessel 21 to 40 days, and the best period to arrive is early in May, so as to be in time to take advantage of the spring and summer work, and to get settled before the winter sets in. v^ • " ' MONEY. • - '' ■ ■■'' The best shape in which emigrants can take money to Canada or the United States is in small draft, or bill on some bank, by letter of credit on the station agent of the Grand Trunk Railway Company, or on the agent of the ship at the port of destination, or by paying any surplus he may have before sailing into some well-established Bank ; the certificate of deposit is convenient for carriage, and serves as a sort of passport to the emigrant. English gold and silver is always current in Canada or any State of the Union at 4 dollars 84 cents for the pound sterling, and 22 cents for the shilling, more or less, according to the rate of ex- charge. The English shilling now passes current in trade for only 20 cents. As the difference in making change is always to the loss of the buyer, and not unfrequently very perplexing, I would strongly advise all those who have money to avail themselves of the money-order system, whereby they obtain, on their arrival, American money exactly equal in value to the sterling which they lodge in England. INFOKMATION ON CANADA. The latest and most reliable intelligence is regularly given in the columns of the " Canadian News," published every alternate Wednes- day, at 11, Clement's Lane, Lombard Street, London. Those seeking information upon the resources of the country should obtain this publica< lion. PniNTED BY AI.OAR AND STRBXT, H, «;I-KMKNT'» LANK, CITY. medical tcumber 1 annoy- early a8 id. All n of the ages not bee," in iestioHH, him his n in the uson by I Ihe best ivantagc e winter ia or thp of credit )r on the iirplus he ;ertificate issport to Ilanada or sterling, ite of ex- • only 20 )6s of the advise all tr system, equal in en in the Wednes- 36 seeking 8 publica* *%