Minnesota Salt Region. – 

Probably there is not a richer salt region on the face of the Earth than the one in Minnesota. That Territory is generally supposed to be valuable for its agricultural resources alone; nothing, however, can be more erroneous. True, its agricultural wealth is probably second to none in the Mississippi valley, but its mineral wealth is not less extensive and valuable. 

Among the latter its salt stands preeminent. This region lies between forty-seven and forty-nine degrees north latitude. Its exact locality was ascertained and defined by an expedition sent out from Fort Snelling by Major Long in 1822-3 – the same Major Long who afterwards was commander of the expedition across the Rocky Mountains to explore the Columbia river and Oregon Territory, known as “Long’s Expedition.” A description of that salt region, together with its locality, will be found in the Topographical Department at Washington. Our first information of that salt region was from a soldier in the expedition. He says that they had been traveling for several days over a vast rolling plain, with no trees or water, the troops and horses were almost famishing with thirst, when they came suddenly upon the shore of a beautiful lake about half a mile in diameter, sunk down in the plain. It resembles more a vast “sink hole.” From the height above the waters, a vast snow bank appeared to line its shore, but upon examination, it proved to be an encrustation of salt as pure and white as snow. – The waters of the lake were like the strongest brine. So strong was it that one bathing in it, upon coming out in a few minutes he would be covered with the white crystallization of salt. If this salt region be as rich as it is supposed to be, a railroad projected into it would prove to be the best stock in the country. There, are mines of undeveloped wealth more extensive, more durable and more important than all the gold regions beyond the Rocky Mountains. We are informed also, that a very short distance below the surface, the pure salt lies in strata like coal or lime rock. We hope the attention of the public and the government will be turned to the subject. There is a region lying in our immediate neighborhood almost unknown, containing more intrinsic wealth than any State in the Union, and which would yield an annual income probably equalling the entire revenues of the country. 

Our eye met the above in one of our exchanges the other day – we forget where – but when we came to look for it again, it was mislaid. We now find it in the Pioneer, without credit. We have an additional incident to mention in connection with what is here stated. Rev. Mr. Brunson informs us, that some time about 1820 or 1822, Judge Lockwood, now of Prairie du Chien, who was then trading with the Indians at Lac-qui-Parle, ran short of salt, and had lived some days without this almost essential article of man’s existence. The fact being made known to the Indians, two of them volunteered to procure him a supply. They started with their horses, on the morning of one day and returned in the evening of the next, bringing with them as much as was needed of beautiful dry salt. Their course from the trading post was south or south-west. Lac-qui-Parle is in latitude 45 degrees 10 minutes; and thus it would appear, if these Indians really procured the salt from the open plains, and not from other Indians who had gathered it elsewhere, there is another salt region in Minnesota, one days journey from Lac-qui-Parle, in a different direction from the one mentioned above, which is several degrees north of that point. Can any of the old traders, Hon. Martin McLeod for instance, or any of the missionaries, Dr. Williamson or Mr. Riggs, give us any further information in regard to this matter?