Weekly miners' express. (DuBuque, Iowa) 184?-1849, 1848-01-05
sIEORGE GREENE, PsorslErok.
Pccuiatfn-,.

to enquire into the motiv es, which influ-
snced majority Of the board Of commits.
sloners N making this selection. If this
important duty he i been undertaken ana
discharged wisha view 10 the gene raj in
scress g me State and not from any per.
sonal Or political considerations, the act
ITSELF although highly detrimental to the
int. rests, and entirely foreign tothe wish
s.s Of the people, might be excused as an
unfortunate error Of the head and not the
heart. But when we detect palpable
and barefaced attempt TO sacrifice the best
Interests Of the State, to subserYc their
own; 10 use borrowed power for no 9TH
or purpose than that Of treacherously
making it supply the means, that want
ofindustry invariably deprives US OF; and
: stubborn determination TO insult the
wishes, betray the confidence and utterly
disregard tho interests Of a large ccm-
munity Of people, we are bound in honor
and justice, to express our adherence Of
such conduct. Before the commissioners
set out upon the discharge Of their duties,
they solemnly agreed among themselves,
that they would give no intimation, OF
& where the location might be made until
they had made their circuit oyerthe State
md finally and definitely fixed upon a
location. With this understanding they
proceeded to the discharge Of their COM
mission and among he first points which
they visited was that which has recently
become notorious as Monroe City. The
two Southern csm n.ssioners expressed
decided appreciation for this site, while
\ the Northern commissioner expressed
\ warm opposition TO it, and at the time, as
Little thought that this uainhabited, un-
signify and unpropitious spot, would be
& the future location Of the sent Of govern
ment, as one upon the extreme western,
northern, or southern boundary ofthe
State. They passed from this place into
Mahaska, Monroe, Marion, Warren, and
Polk counties. Wherever they made
halt for the purpose Of examining the
1 country, they were received with mark
ed attention, and entertained "wthou.
money and without price" In many
places such demonstrations Of hospitality
were attended with the most gratifying
assurances from Messrs. Hoag & Brown,
that they had seen no place, which pre-
sented as many inducements for their
consideration. Many were given direct
Iy toundersland that the location would
be made ntheir immediate vicinity, while
others we're consoled with the assurance,
that they would be but an hours ride
from that spot, where would appear the
concentrated genius ofthe State. After
being absent some weeks, they returned
20 Monroe City, and found that its ap-
pearance bad undergone very great
change during their absence. IN place
Of finding it uninhabited, rs was the case,
when they first passed oyerit, they found
every foot fgroupd c|aimed Cor miles,
except q reservation Of five sections i'm
nlediately in the centre Of their improve
men,s. Mcssrs. Hoag and Brown declar-
ed, upon their honors, that the place
looked more inviting every time it appear
ed TO their view; that it was the precise
spot, and that they could not lorego the
opportunity Of accepting site SO kindly
reserved for them. The northern COM
missioner protesicdagai.ist this selection,
but the decision hal been made, the de- I
cree went forth, and it could not be re-
voked. AS soon as it became a subject
81 public no.orieiy, many nocked to see
the place md better their fortunes. But
"lo !sand beholdn when they arrived up
en the spot they found every valuable a.
ere secured by claim. It was a matter
Of curiosity, as well as grave interest for
them TO know how these men had man
ascd g make such large aud extensive
within so short time,
and 70 this end they instituted hume rous
enquiries. Their efforts were attended
with al marner Of success. They found
Ilntsti,e settlers about the new Capital,
scre the connections and friends Of the
NO soutl,era commissioners and that tho
NO commissioners wcr. more Or less in
Icfested ii every cluim md mill seat,
xlsicllE had been takrn. What Is the ma
ural deduction from these facts! IS i
'ot Tint Msssrs. Hong and Brown had +
liked upon this location before they en-
escd upon their official duties, thai they
had informed their particular friends Of
~ lact, and that the desire to keep the
\