The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1849-05-05
.s Address of
HENRY ii. SfBLEY. OF MINNESOTA,
10 the People Of Minnesota Territory.

HENRY III. SfBLEY, OF MINNESOTA
To the People Of Minnesota Territory.
& FELLow CITIZENS: When q public SER
gant has been chosen TO perform certain
luties IN sphere FAR removed from, ihe,view
Of his constituents, it is customary and prop
or that, upon surrendering his trust, he
should give an account Of his stewardship.
As il is impossible to communicate with all
Of you orally, scattered as you are over an
immense extent of country, have decided
upon this mode Of address, that you may be
made acquainted in brief terms with the OBJ
staeles which have had 10 encounter, aud
hose measures Of public Importance which
have been brought to satisfactory conclll-
sion.
II is not necessary that should refer par
zicliarly to the occurrences connected with
cfle canvas, which resulted in my election
rs Delegate to Congress. The events at
rendant upon that struggle have ieconIe a
part of the history OF our time aud of our
Territory.
While liz Detroit, on my way to- Wash
nglon, 1 was furnished r., Gener"l CAss
with letters Of mToducrron,~ rutick-,! IN
warm terms, to some of the leading men ~
Congress. These were OF much service to
me; and for the interest manifested by that
distinguished gentleman IL the welfare. of
aur infant Territory, make this public ac-
acknowledgements of deep obligation.
arrived in Washington two days be-
lore Congress convened, and soon became
convinced that my admission as Delegate
was extremely uncertain, in fact may say
absoIu'ely improbable My credential, were
presented on the first day Of The session by
he Hon. JAMES WILSON, Of New Hanp-
shire, in whose hands they were placed, be-
cause he had formerly resided in Iowa, and
might be supposed to he better informed, as
han any other member. Although the ease
was by him set forth in a clear and strong
light. an objection was raised to my adms-
sion, and my claim was referred 20 the Com
.nittee on Elections, with instructions to ex-
anime and report thereon. l will not enter
into detail of the notifications and vexa-
ious delays TO which was subjected from
hat time until the question was decided, six
weeks after. Although permitted through
courtesy to occupy q seat in the House,
was allowed none Of The privileges Of a Del
sgate, a:d indeed was little more than
lobby member. Meanwhile, my claim was
resisted with bitter pertinacity by certain
individuals of the Conimittee, particularly
by the Hon. MIR. BoYDEN, OF North CARROLL
ma, who made long and labored argument
against my right to seat, and ridiculed the
pre,enSion that Territorial organization
still existed in the country north and west of
the State of Wisconsin,. | made ii reply
before the COMMITTEES, the substance of
which will be found appended to this adj
dress. You can Judge whether your rights
we're therein properly sustained and de-
fended. Finally, the majority of the Com
nitlee reported in my favor, and the minor
ity presented a strong counter protest. On
The ] 9TH january the subject was brought
before the House, and the resolution intro
duced by the majority of the Committee
was. adopted by a strong vote, which all
mitted me to the full enjoyment of the priv
lleges Of a Delegate. should have men
toned thatmy argument in answer to the
speech Of Mr.. BoYDEN was made the basis
Of the report of the Committee on Elections,
q copy having been furnished by me TO the
Z Chairman at his request.
Notwithstanding the decision ofthe House
of Representatives, which recognized me as
the Representative Of Wisconsin Territory,
it was publicly stated by many members who
had voted for my reception, that they did
not intend thereby to admit the existence Of
an organization there. but bad been actuased