Du Buque visitor. [volume] (Dubuque, Lead Mines, Wisconsin Territory) 1836-1837, 1836-11-16
NOVEMBER l6, 1886.
For the Du Buque Visitor.
elf imputa,ion and strong circumstances
Will lead directly TO the door of truth,
They shall have it,,

sslf llnputatlOn ana strong circumstances
| Will lead directly to the door of truth,
| They shall have it.''
Yes, sit mag be truly said that ave hare faL
len,s,pon erH times,'' aoten it has become ne.
cessary for a high fuuctionary to procure an
individual to swear upon the holy evangelists.
that he is innocent Of charges which were ne.
yer positively made against him. And who is
this certificate maker, this exculpator of the
high tunctioaary, who seems to think that his
wealth will place him above suspicion? tits
| JOHN ATcHIsON! wish the governor had
better champion; wish him at least a defend,
er whose character is more respected. He
has walked forth into the arena, armed with
| a pondsrous weapon, with the intention to
crush me at blow. This weapon is a cert;-
fcate, e,coam to by himself. Y es, it is the
certificate of John Atchison! boasting and insi-
dious man! read it, we citizens of Wisconsin
territory
Does he think to carry on contest with
certificates of this kind! Heis one of the par
ties implicated! he comes forward with one
of his o,cn ertifcafes to exculpate himselfand
his friends. Unprecedented defence! Would
it not have been better for him to have produ-
ced facts, proved by some other individual, if
it were possible, instead of his own vague GER
tifcate? He may say that he does not wish
to exculpate himself; but does he not know,
that if the governor is cleared, he is acquitted
also!
Did John Atchison make that certificate free
ly and without compulsione or, was he forced
into that measure by a high ju'tctionary2 Let
it be as it may, whether it was mode under
fear, favor, orinterest, it is all the same to me-
Before the citizens of Wisconsin territory
ia just and magnanimous people---Curtius
will place the facts ard circumstances upon
soh
with regard to the interest of the governor, or
the understanding with the proprietors, that
the first Legislative assembly should be con-
vened at Belmont. Yes, the people shall
judge, whether the goyernorw interested in
Belmont, or whether he has fallen into the
hands of an avaricious Spectator. What
could be worse than for man, whose thirst
for gold had led him TO pick the locks, and
enter the portals of the brave and unsuspect-
ing mind of an individual, who had been APP
pointed to preside over patriotic people, ard
turn the current OF his intentions to propel sor-
did and ambitious schemes. Should not such
speculator, and such conduct, be execrated
by a free people?
| Now for the evidence upon which Curtius
founded his opinion. Was not letter writ
ten from Washington city last spring. to a
certain individual, to purchase the land where
| DclluOut uOW oLduuS3 DIS IL NOClu dHSWCA
the seat Of government Of this territory? And
was not that land Immediately purchased, and
improvements commenced? And was it not
after the appointment of Genl. Dodge, and at
the time he was atW ashington, that this letter
was written!
Who informed the writer of this letter that
the situation Of Belmont would be suitable
place for the seat of government of this terri
tory! Remember that asked the question
once before. Was not thegovemor at Wash
lngton when that letter was written! And did
not gentleman, connected with the family,
purchase the land upon which Belmont now
stands!
Is the situation of Belmont calculated for
city, or even for town? l appeal TO every
candid man who has seen that place, to say
whether it is or not. Where are,its resources,
except in the purse of John Atchison! Where
is wood, water. and every thing else necessa-
ry to support town, and the wants of its III
habitants! They are to be looked for at dis
tance. That the location and resources of
Belmnnt are not capable ofmaking atown, and
much less city, lpresume will be admitted
I by every honest man, who knows any thing
about the place---it was undoubtedly purchas-
ed expressly for tbs seat of government for
this territory, and for other purpose. If this
was not the case, why did the proprietors rear
! a council house, and other buildings for the
accommodation, or rather the reception of the
legislative assembly!
is John Atchison the man who would risk
twenty or thirty thousand dollars in putlingup
public buildings, such as now appear at Bel
mont, without having strong guarantee, or
security fors doing9 Why should he make
such preparations for the first meeting Of the
assembly, if there was no understanding thai
that body should be called at Belmont! Yes,
how is it that John Atchison should have
built council house, and made such great
Preparations for the sitting of the Legislature,
be called at that place? But will here relate
circumstancewhich may throw some lightup-
on this matter
Some time last summer, while John Atchi-
son was engaged in building up the great city
OF Belmont, besides purchasing large guam
tlty OF feathers for the comfort and ease ofthe
Legislative body---ssspending his thousands,
and tens Of thousands" the question was ask
ed OF one of his Relationship not John run
nlng too great a risk in spending SO much mo-
ney at belmont? The reply was made win
promptness---1hot John kneav ,ohat he pas q.
1out. Does not this pithy reply speak volumes
Yes, he did knoa0 achat he aUas about! he dld
know that the first Legislative assembly woufd I
be convened at Belmont, and made his prePa,,
| ratlons accordingly: is John Atchison gifted
with what is called in Scotland the second
sight! or is he prophet? He prophesied
some time before the proclamation of the 60,
vernon was issued, that the Legislature woula
be convened at Belmont, and offered to back
that saying with money. Hproved true. why
did ne appear SO positive upon that sublec.
Was 1t to practice Discrimination and iaise-