In 1848 Nathan Myrick came here from La Crosse, and engaged in general merchandising. The same year A. R. French, a discharged soldier from Fort Snelling, engaged in the saddlery business, and the Pioneer in its business notices subsequently called him the "Harness Mantua-maker."

In June, 1849, Levi Sloan opened quite a large stock of groceries and liquors on the upper part of Third street opposite to the American House; Hugh McCann sat upon the bench as a cobbler; Henry W. and Charles H. Tracy opened on the lower part of Third street a general stock of merchandise; and the McCloud Brothers on Bench street, near Minnesota street, opened the first exclusive stock of general hardware in St. Paul.

In October, 1849, Pierre Chouteau, Henry H. Sibley, Henry M. Rice, and Sylvanus B. Lowery, previously trading under the name of the Sioux, Winnebago & Chippeway Outfit, dissolved partnership. Henry M. Rice became their successor, and removed the business and stock to Watab, on the east side of the Mississippi river a few miles above Sauk Rapids.

The following month the Elfelt Brothers occupied the building that had been vacated by the Outfit Company, with a general stock of dry goods, clothing, etc. The building was located on Eagle street at the corner of Spring street, near the upper levee.

Bartlett Presley started the same autumn with a small stock of pipes, tobacco, and confectionery. He occupied a log cabin on Robert street, near Third street. He built a small stand outside, upon which he displayed his wares, and from this humble beginning he built up a large and flourishing trade.

This enumeration comprises nearly all the business enterprises of our city up to January 1st, 1850. During that year, as in 1849, which saw the organization of Minnesota as a Territory, a great immigration to Minnesota and to St. Paul took place. Thenceforward the number of traders and lines of business rapidly increased.

THE EARLY POLITICAL HISTORY OF MINNESOTA.*

BY HON. CHARLES D. GILFILLAN.

After the admission of the State of Wisconsin into the Federal Union, that part of the Territory of that name outside of the state lines was left in an uncertain political condition. Was it still the Territory of Wisconsin with the old laws yet in force, or was it not? The general opinion prevailed that this section was still under the laws passed by the Territory of Wisconsin, and that the governor and the secretary of the Territory were still occupying the same positions in reference to the section sliced off. It was, however, thought best that an agent be sent to Washington to urge the creation of a new Territory. Prominent citizens from different sections of the outside Territory met at Stillwater and selected, for this purpose, Mr. Henry H. Sibley, who was then at the head of the American Fur Company. No politics entered into this selection; it was made because Mr. Sibley was then the most eminent and influential person in the region. He proceeded to Washington. After the lapse of a few months, an act creating the new Territory was passed and Mr. Sibley was admitted as its delegate, under what might be called a "squatter" election. President Taylor appointed Alexander Ramsey to be the governor of the new Territory of Minnesota. He arrived in St. Paul in the latter part of May, 1849, and shortly thereafter issued his official proclamation, declaring the Territory organized, and provided for the election and for the meeting of a legislature.

On June 14, 1849, Colonel James M. Goodhue, in an issue of the Pioneer, the first newspaper published within the limits of the new territory, urged that there should be no parties in

*Read at the monthly meeting of the Executive Council, February 14, 1898.

its politics, as the people had no vote in national matters and had no power to command anything, while on the contrary they had everything to ask of Congress. "What we want, let us ask for; 'ask, and you shall receive.' But to hold out one hand to secure a gift and the other to strike, is the conduct of a madman."

This was the declaration of the policy which was to become and remain the dominant one in the new Territory for the next few years. Goodhue was elected public printer by the first legislature.

It would be impossible, among Americans, and especially among those in the West, to be satisfied with one political party; the elements soon began to work, to organize an opposition party. This resulted in a convention held October 20, 1849, in which a platform was adopted, according to its own language, embracing the principles of Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, Jackson, and Polk. The latter had already almost sunk into forgetfulness, but the memories of fat gifts of patronage still lingered in the minds of a few members of the convention. Rice does not appear to have been present upon the occasion of this convention, nor Mr. Sibley. The latter, however, wrote a letter, affirming his faith in the political principles of Jefferson. But he continued to coöperate with those citizens who thought it their paramount duty to work together to advance the interests of the Territory.

The national administration, and the majority of Congress, were Whig; but the elements in the territory were generally Democratic. As late as 1851 there were not sufficient public lands in Minnesota to supply one year's immigration, with a quarter-section to each head of a family. All the country west of the Mississippi was Indian land, and all north of a line drawn east and west through and about the locality of Princeton. The most important of all political movements was the one to make a treaty with the Sioux, to obtain a title to their land in Minnesota. Mr. Sibley had such commanding influence with the Sioux, that no treaty could be made without his aid. Mr. Rice had no influence whatever with the Sioux. It was necessary for Gov. Ramsey, in bringing about a treaty, to enter into a political movement with Sibley, which he proceeded to do. The influence of Mr. Sibley