Minnesota Constitutional Convention,1857

In 1857, elected delegates met in St. Paul to draft a state constitution so that Minnesota could officially join the Union. Due to a bitter rivalry, Democrats and Republicans refused to meet jointly until near the end of the convention. Finally, a Compromise Committee with five members from each group proposed language that both sides accepted. Yet they refused to sign the same document. As a result, Minnesota has two copies of its constitution: one Democratic and one Republican.

Black and white photograph of former Territorial Governor Willis Gorman, c.1872.

Willis A. Gorman

Former Territorial Governor Willis Gorman, c.1872.

Oil-on-canvas painting of Henry H. Sibley, 1860.

Henry H. Sibley

Oil-on-canvas painting of Henry H. Sibley, 1860. Painting by Thomas Cantwell Healy.

Sepia-tone photograph of railroad construction taken by Benjamin Franklin Upton, c.1868.

Construction, Hastings and Dakota Railroad

Sepia-tone photograph of railroad construction taken by Benjamin Franklin Upton, c.1868.

Map reproduced in William Watts Folwell's <em>History of Minnesota</em>, Vol. 2 showing railroad lines in Minnesota as graded, located, proposed, and constructed between 1857 and 1862.

The Railroad Situation, 1857–1862

Map reproduced in William Watts Folwell's History of Minnesota, Vol. 2 showing railroad lines in Minnesota as graded, located, proposed, and constructed between 1857 and 1862.

Joseph Rolette portrayed as a Métis in a pastel by an unknown artist, c.1890.

Painting of Joe Rolette

Joseph Rolette portrayed as a Métis in a pastel by an unknown artist, c.1890.

Angélique Jerome Rolette, wife of Joseph Rolette

Angélique Jerome Rolette, wife of Joseph Rolette, c.1880.

Black and white illustration of Fur Trade fort at Pembina with Red River Trail oxcarts in the foreground, 1860.

Pembina Fort

Fur Trade fort at Pembina with Red River Trail oxcarts in the foreground, 1860.

Black and white photograph of Rolette (standing) with business associates Henry Hastings Sibley (right), and possibly Franklin Steele (left), c.1857.

Rolette (standing) with Henry Hastings Sibley (right) and possibly Franklin Steele (left)

Rolette (standing) with business associates Henry Hastings Sibley (right), and possibly Franklin Steele (left), c.1857. Uploaded by Wikimedia Commons user Bobak.

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