The Hawk-eye and Iowa patriot. (Burlington, Iowa) 1839-1843, 1840-02-06
IOWA AND MISSOURI.
WASHINGTON. Jan. 10.

CONGRESS--lN SENATE.--Mr'
CLAY, of Ala, presented letter
iorn the Delegate from Iowa, to the
fleet that the undersigned begged
lave to state that, from one of the ci-
y papers of the morning, he perceiv-
Il that one Of the honorable Senators
from Missouri had made speech on
he disputed boundary between the
State Of Missouri and Iowa; and mas
much as the Territory was unrepre-
s,nted, he had good reason to hope
thatuutil an investigation could be had
Missouri would refrain from charg-
ing the General Government with i'll
treatment.
The letter goes on to say: eff the
Undersigned might be permitted to re-
kr TO the liberality of Congress to-
wards that State, he is sure that the
recent addition of an immense district
ofcountry would not be the only in
stance Of the liberality Of the General
Government towards the State of
Missouri. Your petitioner has no
fears for the final result of this ques-
ton; he only hopes that, if nothing
but the constitutional boundary will
be accepted by that State, your hon
aable body will not consider it your
duty, though possessed of the power,
toextend her constitutional limits
Should the legal boundary be found
torun through the heart of our -four
nhmg Territory, our people have too
much pride to stand out against the
deliberate opinion Of Congress, and
seek redress, elsewhere. On the con.
tay, if it shall appear that Missouri
already occupies more than her con
,ttutional limits will allow, he hopes
for an award of the balance found ir
cur favor. At this time the undersign
d forbears referring to any of the nu
nerous documents in his possession
going far, in his opinion, to sustain the
claims of the Territory-fearing that
doing so previous to the subject com
ing before a committee might be con-
adered premature on his part
Mr. LINN said he regretted exceed
ingy that his young friend, the Dele
gate from Iowa, had written this let
Ter. He had certainly misapprehend-
ed the tenor Of Mr. LIS remarks. Mr.
1. had not intended at all to say what
M had represented him as saying
Mr. L. did not enter at all into the
merits Of the question, but merely call
athe attention of the Senate to a
memorial on this subject presented
here ten years ago. To this his col
league (Mr BENroN) would testify
Mr. L. had said that Congress had neg
lected this memorial, and that nothing
by them had been done. Missouri had
urged this memorial on Congress, in
reference mainly to prospective diff
Guilty with Indian tribes as to this
boundary. But Mr. L. had not at all en-
tered into the merits of the question;
that was still to be investigated; and
70 this investigation Mr. L. had mere
y endeavored to call the attention of
the Senate and the country. This
memorial, which was presented ten
years ago, then predicted the very
evils which had now arisen.
Mr. L. knew that Iowa had no in.
isrest in this question, for, in the con.
test Of Ohio with Michigan on ques'
ton Of boundary, whatever rights Mi
shigan might have were compelled tc
aoyerslaughed here; though Mr. L
mad no doubt that the weight which
vshlo, Indiana and Illinois had by thei1
Residential electors had some inf1u
elce IN settling that question. And
As matter respecting Iowa was ever
more unauestionable than that re
Pecting Michigan. But Mr. L. hae
lol called the rights of Iowa in ques
.oni here. His whole object was te
Oorlng the subject fairly before the
Committee on the Judiciary, before
whom Mr. L. and his colleague were
. appear. But, whatever i might Be
he decision here on the subject. the
legislature Of Missouri could not ar
cept it. It would be necessary to cal
sconvention Of the State; and. shonl,
aat convention refuse the decision Q
congress, the question must then o
% the United States courts, and
whatever they might decide in regar
y the boundary, according to the &C
y 1890, TO that decision Missou
must submit. This was the ultima,
nounal. Mr. L. again disclaimed a
ueslgn to enter now into the merit
oithe question. q
Mr CLAY, of Ala, said he had nc
presented the memorial with a vie,
odebase at this time. But, whate,
s1M gentleman from Missouri ha
AAx