The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1850-02-06
lCorrespond ence of tbe Picncer.]

The holidays being over, the two Houses
of Congress have determined to go to work
in earnest. Yesterday was spent however
by the House of Representatives, in an i'll
efIectual attempt to elect the clerk and 9th
err officers; the majority rule having been
dispensed with only in the election ofspe TX
err. The senior editor Of the Pennsyiua-
nian newspaper, Mr.. Forney, will probably
be chosen CLERK tomorrow, having received.
within two votes of the number necessary,
and it is supposed that they can easily be
obtained.
There was much excitement 10 the Sem
ate yesterday, upon the presentation by Mr..
Atchson of the anti Wilmot Proviso reso-
luions Of the legislature Of Missouri, it be-
ing understood that their introduction would
be opposed by Col. Benton in speech de-
mandatory Of the legislature not only, but Of
Mr.. Calhoun and Mr.. Atchison. To the
disappointment Of all the eager and excited
listeners, Mr.. Benton merely expressed his
opinion in mild terms, that the resolutions
did not embody the sentiments of the people
of Missouri, and that the legislature had
mistaken not only their powers, and their le-
gtimate sphere of action, but the wishes and
opinions Of their constituents. He closed
his brief remarks by reading extracts from
the Feaeraltst, to show that his views were
the same with those of Hamilton and Mad
son, that the confederation was but league
of States, impotent for all useful and practi-
cal purposes, and so far as a real general
government was concerned, without power
to enforce its authority. The bond of Union
then was but "a rope Of sand" The Con-
stitution was adopted to obviate the defects
of the old system, taking from the States
certain specified powers, and vesting them
absolutely in the federal government, thus
nfusing into the latter an actual and vivify-
ing principle. The legislature of Missouri,
Mr.. u. affirmed, had exceeded their proper
powers IN the passage Of the resolutions,
and had encroached upon those of the gen.
eral government. He closed by repeating
that the Legislature had mistaken the senri-
Inents Of the people Of Missouri, but still
he, Col. b., would not oppose the motion to
print the resolutions. Mr.. Atchison rose and
said that as no objection was made to the
printing he would merely remark that if the
emergency should aiise which the resolu-
tons were intended to anticipate, the people
of Missouri would show to the country and
to all mankind, that they were prepared to
maintain the principles set forth therein IN
the last extremity.
The whole affair was so tame and so diff
ferent from what had been expected for
mouths, that there was general feeling that
'parturiunt monies, nascitur ridiculus mus
The Missouri resolut ons will be printed
and then consigned to the "ton,b of the
Capulets" to be heard of no more.
send you herewith bill for the relief
OF Minnesota, which has been presented in
the Senate, and which your Delegate has
to-day given notice in the House will be
introduced Tomorrow, or as soon thereafter
rs leave can be obtained. You will see thar
if successful, which is a matter of much
doubt however, our territory will receive Il
grant of land more than sufficient to furnish
means for the contemplated rail road
w hat Will the good people of Pemtina and
Red River say, when the iron horse goes
rolling along the praires by them, on its rap
id flight to the Pacific? There are those
now alive who will not be twenty years old
er before such result will be brought about.
When railway is completed to Oregon, it
must start from and traverse Minnesota. Ii
may I've thought that this is the dream of an
enthusiast, but the days are gone when men
can be charged with being over-sansuine.
The march of science is daily bringing
bout results, which were considered impos-
sible but few years or even months ago.
The lateft discovery is that Of generating
caloric from pure water, without any other
means Or appliances than an Insignificant in
strument, of little cost, by which heat can
be obtained for all practical! purposes, at
less than one tenth Of what is now paid for
fuel at average rates. This may appear RI
dicuous, hut the discovery is announced on
authority which is considered abundantly
reliable. Nous Verrons!
Where arc the nails No late advices
from minnesota.
Gov Ramsey vii! return tere from Penn
syivania in four or five days, after which no
will make speedy preparations for his de-
parture to Minnesota. would send your
ncIshhor of the Chronicle a copy of the bill
referred to above, but have failed TO oh
tain one. MINNESOTA.