I believe this letter was likely written by John Warren Fletcher (1819-1895), the son of Adolphus Fletcher (1796-1866) and Sarah Stow (d. 1836). He wrote the letter to his cousin, Alonzo Fletcher Hadley (1817-1897) of Ashford, Cattaraugus county, New York. Alozo’s parents were Jesse Hadley (1781-1840) and Abigail Fletcher (1781-1860).

The letter conveys news of the rapid development of Minnesota by the influx of emigrants from Sweden, Norway, and Germany—all “hardy and industrious.” He also speaks of the laying of railroad tracks not only in Minnesota, but of the venture to complete a line all the way to the Pacific Ocean. Finally he speaks of the corruption of politicians.

T R A N S C R I P T I O N

St. Peter, [Nicollet county,] Minnesota
July 17, 1869

Cousin Alonzo,

I have been thinking of writing for some time to acknowledge the receipt of the trunk if no more. It came all right and I received it about June 15th. Charge were $6—not so much as I expected. If you will let me know the expense of getting it to Buffalo, I will send you the money.

I suppose you are very busy now about haying. We are having a great deal of rainy weather here at last. It is a great deal for this country where it is nothing unusual to have two months of uninterrupted fine weather. We had a very severe thunder storm two or three weeks ago which done considerable damage around here and unroofed several buildings in town. I believe crops are looking well now except corn which is not very good but wheat promises well and they say there is a third more sown in Minneapolis than ever before.

People East have not much idea how fast this state is going ahead. Emigrants come in on every train in crowds—Swedes, Norwegians, and Germans—but hardy and industrious. The Iron Horse too is pulling out and I have not much doubt that in 5 or 6 years there will be a railroad from St. Paul to the Pacific. It looks like a wild scheme but I believe it will be done as sure as our government endures so long. Some Englist capitalists have taken hold of the matter and it is started. They will put the road through to the Red River this year 200 miles and more and as I understand without any Land Grant. This state will probably make 500 miles of road this year which will be a great benefit. But I think the Land Grants are a curse to the state and to any state making corporations immensely whether to oppress and rob the poor. If government would give them a few millions out of the public treasury, it would seem much wiser.

It seems sometimes as though the government was becoming so corrupt it would fall to pieces of itself. But when we look on the other side, we see how many and how gigantic efforts have been made to scuttle the old ship. Still she proudly outrides the storm and will for many a day, we believe, in spite of the many unprincipled and designing politicians.

But I must close. Is your health good this summer? Mine had been good most of the time. It is most train time and I must close. Yours truly, — J. W. Fletcher