1840.1845.1850. 1855. 1860. 1865. 1870. 1875. 1880. 1885.
St. Croix 618 809624 2,040 5,3926,25511,03914,95718,83822,389
Pierce 1,720 4,6726,82410,00415,10117,68519,760
Polk 547 1,4001,677 3,422 6,73610,09512,884
Burnett 12 238 705 1,436 2,980 4,607
Sawyer 2,481

POPULATION OF MINNESOTA.

In 1849 the Territory had a population of 4,680. The census taken at periods of every five years shows the following population: In 1850, 6,077; in 1855, ——; in 1860, 172,073; in 1865, 250,099; in 1870, 439,706; in 1875, 597,403; in 1880, 780,773; in 1885, 1,117,798.

The following table gives the population of the counties on the St. Croix waters.

1850. 1855. 1860. 1865. 1870. 1875. 1880. 1885.
Washington 1,066 —— 6,123 6,780 11,809 9,994 19,562 29,763
Chisago —— —— 1,743 2,175 4,378 6,046 7,982 9,765
Pine —— —— 92 64 648 795 1,365 2,177
Kanabec —— —— 30 31 93 311 605 1,119
Isanti —— —— 281 453 2,035 3,901 5,063 7,032
Carlton —— —— 51 28 286 495 1,230 3,189

MINNESOTA STATE CAPITOL.

By the organic act of Minnesota Territory, $20,000 were appropriated for a capitol building. At the time the Territory was organized, however (June 1, 1849), the permanent seat of government had not been determined on, and the money was therefore not available. The Central House in St. Paul, a log tavern weather-boarded, situated at the corner of Bench and Minnesota streets, where the rear of the Mannheimer block now is, was rented for the public offices and legislative assembly. It was for some months known as "The Capitol." On the lower floor was the secretary of state's office, and the house of representatives chamber. On the second floor was the council chamber and the territorial library. Neither of these legislative halls was over sixteen or eighteen feet square. The rest of the building was used as an inn. The Union colors, floating from a flag staff on the bank in front of the building, was the only mark of its rank. During his entire term of office, Gov. Ramsey kept the executive office in his private residence, and the supreme court met in rented chambers here and there.

On Sept. 3, 1849, the first session of the legislature assembled at the above temporary capitol. Gov. Ramsey delivered his message to the two houses in joint convention assembled, in the hotel dining room. The whole fitting of the assembly rooms was of the plainest description.

Considerable discussion ensued during the session on this subject, as to whether the Territory had a right to expend the $20,000 appropriated in the organic act, for a capitol building. The question having been submitted to Hon. Wm. Meredith, secretary of the treasury, he replied that the "Department can not doubt that the public buildings in question can only be erected at the permanent seat of government, located as described."

The second session assembled Jan. 2, 1851, in a brick building, since burned, which occupied the site of the Third street front of the Metropolitan Hotel. At this session the seat of government was fixed at St. Paul, as above noted. D. F. Brawley, Jonathan McKusick, Louis Robert and E. A. C. Hatch were elected building commissioners. Charles Bazille, a pioneer resident and large property owner of St. Paul, donated to the government the block of ground since known as "Capitol Square," and plans drawn by N. C. Prentiss were adopted. The contract was let to Joseph Daniels for $33,000, but the building finally cost over $40,000. It was commenced at once, but not completed until the summer of 1853. The third and fourth sessions of the legislature were compelled, therefore, to meet in rented buildings. That of 1852 assembled in Goodrich's block on Third street below Jackson, and that of 1853 in a two story brick row on Third street, where the front of the Mannheimer block now is.