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Milwaukee Nov. 30th 1857
Dear Sir
I have had the same difficulties in reconciling the notes of Mr Bond, and also of the Pacific Rail road Expedition on the route from St Cloud to Red River. I can only account for it on the supposition that there is more than one road - We crossed Sauk river twice; first two miles from St Cloud & again at Richmond 5 miles above Cold Spring. Several other streams are crossed; they are head waters of the clear water river, or of Tributaries of the Minnesota. The township line surveys are now extended over most of this region so we shall soon know how the land & river lie.
The Granite rocks are first met near St Cloud & Continue to about 3 miles above Cold Spring - It must have been here that you saw them. They appear in greater force on the S. side of the Sauk river between St Cloud & Cold Spring. I found Evidence of limestone in the valleys between the ranges of primary rocks: and these rocks by decay afford good soil.
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The following in our estimate of distances from St Cloud -
To Cold Spring 17 miles Richmond 5 - 22 Lake Henry 12 34 Lake George 6 40 Two Lakes 25 65 1st Camp 3 68 White Bear Lake 8 76 2d Camp 15 91 Belleview 17 108 3' Camp 4 112 Lightning Lake 13 125 Lapham 10 135
I have no doubt but that a much shorter route could be found though perhaps not so easily traveled.
We found the highest and most broken ground about White Bear Lake. this being the region that Nicollet calls the "Coteau de Grand Bois." Probably some of the summits are 1800 or 2000 feet above the sea: i.e. as high as the Alleghanies!
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I regret to hear that you have to give up your trip to Washington. But we all have to deny ourselves many promised enjoyments in these hard times.
Very truly yours I A Lapham
R. Kennicott Esq.
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[partial postmark] MILWAU DEC 1 1857 Wis.
[10 hash marks] [handwritten] I Lapham I. A. Lapham
Robert Kennicott Esq. West Northfield, Cook Co Illinois
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5 yds Casimere 5x yds be & drill 2 doz bottles Emks bunch fine Grown drci blk rec? bunch blkttread
[page turned written on left side] 3 ds
[stamped upside down] J. Kennicott Brenton Collections