The construction of these roads—­ in fact the mere location of them—­ will secure a population along the routes at once, and will open a country equal to any in the world.

As these views have been fully elaborated in my report of 1850, I refer you to that paper for the detailed information upon which these views and suggestions are based.

I am sir, respectfully, your obedient servant;

Jno.  Pope. 
C. C. Andrews, Esq.,
Washington, D. C.]
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If the division last mentioned—­ or one on that plan—­ is made, there will then be left west of the state of Minnesota an extent of country embracing more than half of the territory as it now is; extending from latitude 42 degrees 30’ to the 49th degree; and embracing six degrees of longitude—­ 97th to 103d—­ at its northern extreme.  The Missouri River would constitute nearly the whole of its western boundary.  In the northerly part the Mouse and Pembina Rivers are among its largest streams; in the middle flows the large and finely wooded Shayenne, “whose valley possesses a fertile soil and offers many inducements to its settlement;” while towards the south it would have the Jacques, the Big Sioux, the Vermillion, and the head waters of the St. Peter’s.  In its supply of copious streams, nature seems there to have been lavish.  Of the Big Sioux River, M. Nicollet says, its Indian name means that it is continuously lined with wood; that its length cannot be less than three hundred and fifty miles.  “It flows through a beautiful and fertile country; amidst which the Dacotahs, inhabiting the valleys of the St. Peter’s and Missouri, have always kept up summer establishments on the borders of the adjoining lakes, whilst they hunted the river banks.  Buffalo herds are confidently expected to be met with here at all seasons of the year.”  The Jacques (the Indian name of which is Tchan-sansan) “takes its rise on the plateau of the Missouri beyond the parallel of 47 degrees north; and after pursuing nearly a north and south course, empties into the Missouri River below 43 degrees.  It is deemed navigable with small hunting canoes for between five hundred and six hundred miles; but below Otuhuoja, it will float much larger boats.  The shores of the river are generally tolerably well wooded, though only at intervals.  Along those portions where it widens into lakes, very eligible situations for farms would be found.”  The same explorer says, the most important tributary of the Jacques is the Elm River, which “might not deserve any special mention as a navigable stream, but is very well worthy of notice on account of the timber growing on its own banks and those of its forks.”  He further observes (Report, p. 46) that “the basin of the river Jacques, between the two coteaux and in the latitude of Otuhuoja, may be laid down as having a breadth of eighty miles, sloping gradually down from an elevation of seven hundred to seven hundred and fifty feet.  These dimensions, of course, vary in the different parts of the valley; but what I have said will convey some idea of the immense prairie watered by the Tchan-sansan, which has been deemed by all travellers to those distant regions perhaps the most beautiful within the territory of the United States.”