Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, W.T. [i.e. Wis.]) 1843-1844, 1844-02-03

the canal company has upon Inc Ter.
ritory to make to il ga donation" Of
these lands, as they in their memorial
very properly call it. The company
in their memorial, admit that the capt.
tai is not now in this country to take
up and carry forward work Of this
magnitude yet they express the opin-
ion that "with sufficient effort, and the
offering of proper Inducements, it can
be commanded from ahroad;" AMI the
committee. although they might not
object to having the Territory surren-
der any interest it may have in these
lands, and doing all in its power, to Sc s.
cure the cooperation of congress, con-
slider it sufficient reason for declining
the propositions Of the canal company,
to say, that they have no confidence tina,
if such an arrangement were made,
that the canal company would con-
s,ruct rail road from Milwaukee TO
Rock River.
Sd, In relation to resigniug the Of
fee of trustee, the committee have on
ly to remark that il the Territory
holds any such trust, il was created,
and has been continued by congress
without any seeking OF theirs, and that
congress is at liberty to discontinue il
at their pleasure--and that no resigna-
ton on the pert of the Territory is ne
cessary for that purpose.
4ih. Posiponing payment for the
land sod--The committee remark on
this subject, that it appears TO have
been the settled policy oil the Terrific
ry, OF which they entirely approve,
not to collect the amounts due for
these lands so long as the matters re-
main in their present unsettled sItua-
ton, and in conformity with these
views, they report bill.
10 conclusion, the committee will
remark ,ha, they are of the opinion
tina, the best interests Of the Terrific
nv and of the settlers on the "canal
graut," demand that the Territory
take no steps whatever in this subject,
until the time within which the canal
is required 10 be completed, which is
now but little moe than four years,
and then, if the canal is no, completed,
as of course it will not be, tie land will
revert to the general government, and
all shadow Of claim 10 it. on he part oil
the canal company will have ceased 10
exist. and it will then be in the pow
or of the Territory TO deal literally
with those who have settled on them
with view ofpurchasing, which ow-
ing 10 the numerous interests that II Is
necessary to consult, il is impossible
for The Territory to do, as no doubt is
entertained, that after all shadow OF
claim on the part of the canal compa-
nv shall have ceased by the lapse OF
time, that congress will either directly
or indirectly through the Territory Sc
cure to all those who have purchased
or settled upon this grant. their lands
at 81 25 per acre. The committee are
aware that it is highly disagreeabIe TO
persons whose interests are elected,
that doubt and uncertainty should hang
over their titles for this length OF time,
but the experience which we have had
in this Territory of the facility with
which persons have obtained titles 10
lands on which they had settled long
before they came into market, taken
in connexion with the disposition
which has ever existed and still exists,
To treat the settlers upon this tract with
the utmost liberality, can have no rea-
sonable doubt that they viii ultimately
obtain their lands upon as favorable
terms as other settlers have, and that
no injustice will he done them
II is due 10 one member OF the com
mit,ee Mr.. Strong.) 10 state that he IS
of,he opinion that the Territory ought
Immediately 10 settle with the canal
company on the best possible terms,
dissolve all connection with them, re-
peal their charter, offer TO purchasers
of the canal lands The option OF dlschar-
ging their bonds by paying 81 IS m
specie al a short time, aud require OF
those who prefer credit to comply
with their contract and pay So 30 on
the terms contained in them, and with
these landsand their proceeds discharge
all Liabilities incurred on account oil
The canal, pay the canal company such
sum as may he agreed upon, and then
get authority from The United States
10 apply the lands for the construction
Of Rail Road or other improvement,