Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1850-12-13

due east and west line; that that portion
of territory west Of Snllivan's first line,
and between the same and the Missouri |
river, was added to Missouri by an act Of
Congress of June 7ih, 1886; and the court
accordingly decreed that s'the true and
proper northern boundary line Of the State
of Missouri, and the true southern boun-
Diary Of Iowa, is the line run and marked
in 1916, by John C. Sullivan, as the In
dian boundary, from the northwest corner
made by Sullivan, extending eastwardly,
as he run and marked the said line, to the
middle Of the Des Moines river, and that
aline run due west, from said northwest
corner to the middle of the Missouri riv-
er, is the proper dividing line between
said State west Of the aforesaid corner;
and that the States OF Missouri and Iowa
are bound TO conform their jurisdiction up
to said line on their respective sides there
of, from the river Des Moines TO the riv-
err Missouri
Our State now embraces the territory
lying between the line run by Missouri
in 1887, as her northern boundary line,
from the river Des Moines due west TO
the Missouri river, and the line establish
ed by decree. Every citizen of the State
must feel gratifed that the vexatious ques-
lion concerning our southern boundary, is
at length settled. The condition and wants
of the territory acquired will, trust, re-
ceive your early and earnest attention.
Joseph c. Brown, of the State of Mis-
souri,, and Henry b. Hendershott, of the
State Of Iowa, were appointed Commits
sioners by the United States Supreme
Court, TO survey and mark the line fixed
by the decree, and make returns 10 the
Court on or before the first day of Janua-
ry 1850. Mr.. Brown having died pre-
vious to executing his duties, Robert w.
Wells, OF Missouri, was appointed in his
! place. The Commissioners were further
ordered by the court, to correspond with
the chief magistrates Of Missouri and To-
wa, and request the cooperation and as
sistence of the State authorities, in the
performance Of their duties.
In a communication received by me
from Mr.. Hendershott, under date of Nav
| 9th, 1913, he suggested the propriety Of
the authorities of Iowa and Missouri i'm
mediately making some arrangement by
which the commissioners would be fur
nished funds 10 enable them speedily 10
prosecute their duties. The suggestion
appeared 10 me both reasonable and prop
er; and as the legislature had made no
provision for such services-as the COM
lmissioners had been ordered by the court
to request the aid of the State authorities
and as it was Of the highest Importance
that the boundary line should be marked
as speedily as possible, conceived it my
duty to furnish Mr.. Hendershott with a
portion of the means necessary TO prose-
cute the duties assigned the commission.
ers.
Being unable 10 obtain the funds in any
other quarter, / was compelled, though
with great reluctance, to solicit from the
Superintendent of Public instruction, a
loan from The School Fund, which OBJ
tanned to the amcnnt of 1000 dollars, and
gave my individual promissory note, (se-
cured by bond) for lis repayment which
mote bears interest according 10 the law in
regard TO the loaning Of the School Fund,
and is due and payable on the 10Th of
September, l849-and placed The money in
the treasury, subject TO the order of MIR.
Hendershott.
! Should you coincide in the opinion that
the pressing emergency justified the
course pursued by me, l would recon-
mend that an appropriation benadet to re-
place, as speedily as possible, the money
thus Withdrawn from the School Fund.
In communication from Mr.. Hender-
shott, under date of October 23d, 1850,
have been informed that the Commission
ers completed their work on the 18th day
of September last, and that return of the
Survey was filed by him in the Office of
the Secretary of State, on the 18th day of
October following Mr.. Hendershott fur
:her informs MS that s'the amount of money
expended by Iowa is so, 1898, and the
amount expended by Missouri is So ,099,-
So. These sums, ($4,2s0,l9) include
every expense incurred, except for in
struments, (Which are not on hand, and
such compensation as may be made TO the
commissioners, and such further compen-
saiion over and above So per day, as shall
be allowed to the Surveyors, whose du-
ties We're arduous, and faithfully dis
charged.
This matter should also receive your
attention. The communication of Mr..
Hendershdt, one bearing date May 9th.
I849, and the other October 23d, 1850,
are herewith submitted.
Great credit is due Mr.. Mason for the
zeal, industry and ability shown by him
in the management of the suit on the part
Of the State. He thought proper TO Sc
cure the services of distinguished law
yer in another State, as assisting counsel,
informing him al the same time, that he
had no authority toemploy additional coun-
sci, but that il he would undertake the
case, the Legislature would, no doubt,
grant him reasonable compensation
From the magnitude of the case, and the
great interests devolved, this step on the
part Of Mr.. Mason was, most unquestion-
ably, dictated by prudence and sound pol
icy. II would therefore be proper that
/ S.ob anororriaf;o, Lo ,~.,.l,