Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1848-07-26
Dubuque and Keokuk Rail Road.
For the Iowa Capital Reporter.
WAsHIsGTos, D. c.,
July Sd, l848.

.uessrs. Palmer & Paul:
l am advised that, among the many des-
perate expedients resortedto by the fede-
ralists for the purpose Of defeating the
democratic nominee for Congress in our
district, an effort is being made to impress
the public mind with the belief that Mr..
LETTER has been unfaithful to the in
terests of his constituents, in neglectng or
refusing to press upon Congress the me-
mortal of our General Assembly for grant
Of land to aid in the construction Of a Rail
road from Dubuque to Keokuk. This
charge having been pointedly made in the
report of one of the subordinate commit
tees appointed by the Railroad Convention
of January last, concluded to collect the
facts in the case, with such proofs as would
enable the people Immediately interested
in the proposed workto judge of the truth
or falsity of the charge.
The substance Of this charge was, that
owing to Mr.. LIS sectional feelings and
local interests" he could not be relied on
to aid in procuring this grant; and, as if
this impeachment Of our Representative
were not sufficiently explicit, the commit
tee add: "hdeed, we should not be sur
prised 10 find him secretly opposing the
neasure.''
And now, gentlemen, for the proof
Let us see whether Mr.. Letter has, as
charged, proved recreant to the high trust
reposed in him by his constituents /; or
whether, on the other hand, this commit
tee in travelling so far out Of the path Of
duty to strike blow at Mr.. Letter, has
not grossly and without shadow of foun-
dation illuminated faithful and efficient
public servant, who was even then exert
ing himself to the utmost of his power for
the attainment Of the great end in view.
Most fortunately for the cause of truth,
l am not compelled to rely upon any tes-
timony of an uncertain or questionable
character, but can produce documentary
evidence to refute the foul charge. Upon
enquiry, | found that correspondence
had been held on this subject between Mr..
Letter and the Committee on Public Lands,
Of which have procured, and herewith
send you a copy, that you may be enabled
to confound the Vaccinations of federalism
in this behalf by producing "he docu-
menfs.'
l will only premise that the memorial
was presented to the House, as the rec
ords will show, in the month of February,
Immediately on its reception, and referred
to the Committee on Public Lands, and
that Mr.. Letter, having repeatedly, but in
vain, urged the committee to report, either
favorably or unfavorably, that he might
have hearing on the subject before the
House, finally addressed to the chairman
thereof the letter of which ! sent you a
copy last week.
From this it appears that Mr.. LETTER
has not only labored faithfully and jealous
ly, but to good purpose i'll the cause, hav-
ing succeeded in convincing the commit
tee Of the justice of our claim and dispos-
Jig them favorably to the prayer of the
memorial, while the only obstacle to its
being granted was in no way chargeable
on him and one which it was not in his
power to remove.
Though have not mentioned the name
of Mr.. THOMPSON in this connection it is
but just to state that he has zealously CO.
operated with Mr.. LETTER in the matter,
and that neither of them have neglected
any thing in their power to secure the
grant.
In Justice to the Committee on Public
Lands, it should be observed that they
have upwards of hundred similar cases
on their docket, besides their ordinary bus
mess, which accounts for the delay oftheir
report
From Mr.. Netherlands reply it will
be seen what is yet necessarily order to
secure favorable hearing of the memo
rial. The Legislature, on their next as
sembly, should loose no time in ordering
a survey Of the route. Having con-
versed with number of gentlemen on the
subject, know that such favorable dis
position exists towards our prayer in this
behalf, that favorable report from the
proper committee will be more than sshalf
the battle" Mr.. McClernand himself, a
democratic member from Illinois, is warm
friend Of Iowa on this, as in all other mat
tiers for the advancement Of western inter-
ests. In proof of this, I need only in
stance the fact that he was chairman of the
same committee public Lands) of last
Congress, which reported the bill making
a grant to our State for the improvement
n II