Seven counties are formed by Minnesota's territorial legislature: Blue Earth, named for the Blue Earth River, along which blue clay was once found; Goodhue, named for newspaper editor James M. Goodhue (see March 31); Le Sueur, for French explorer Pierre Charles Le Sueur (see October 1); Nicollet, for French geographer Joseph N. Nicollet (see July 24); Rice, for territorial delegate to Congress Henry M. Rice (see November 29); Scott, for General Winfield Scott, hero of the Mexican War; and Sibley, for Henry H. Sibley, trader and politician (see February 20).