The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1850-03-06
Correspondence f.the Pioneer.

have their attention turned to the CAPT.
toll, and are watching the action of con-
gress with profound interest. The de-
bates which have occurred in both Hous-
es, and more particularly in the Senate,
and the movements in all the southern
States, in favor of convention to be
held at Nashville in the month of June
next, to devise means to resist the anti
slavery aggressions of the north, bear
melancholy evidence that what | have
asserted in my former letters, as ito the
danger which menaces the very existence
of this glorious Union, is even short of
the truth. The issue is made and it must
be met now. The resolutions of COM
promise introduced by Mr.. Clay into the
Senate, are unsatisfactory to the south,
and have failed to produce the soothing
effect which was hoped from them. Mr..
Clay is expected to make a great speech
upon these resolutions to-day.
Meanwhile, the north is becoming
alarmed, at the extent of the manifesto
tons in favor of secession, in the slave
holding States, and private Information
has reached me, of the Intention of the
people of New York andiPhiladelphia to
hold in each of these citivs great meet
ing, at which, congress will be urged to
abstain from all further interference in
the question Of slavery. AT present
clouds and darkness Obscure our political
horizon, with scarce RAY Of sunshine to
cheer those, whose patriotic feelings in
spire them to seek to pieEce the gloom,
which now envelopes the nestinies of this
Republic. God grant us a safe delivery
from the impending dangers.
The Senate committee, on Territories
are engaged in celebrating bill for the
organization of the newlt acquired Ter
ritorles, which will meet he views of the
south, and which can cons istently be sup
ported by the northern members. How
this is to be effected, remains to be seen.
California, it is supposed will be admit
ted into the Union, if tha south can be
satisfied with regard to tie other terrific
ries. My belief is that # a reconcilia-
ton is brought about, it will only be on
the basis of the Missouri compromise
line Of SO 80, which the southern men,
bers will vote for and nothing less. ]
fear you and your readers will deem me
tedious, in dwelling SO much at length
on this slavery agitation, but you in Min
nesota, can little realize how much, and
how universally the public mind is con-
vulsed by it.
So far as any general legislation is
concerned, congress has done literally
nothing. 1t has been with much labor
and difficulty, that your Delegate has
been able to get any of the business OF
the territory before the appropriate COM
mittees, and yet in this respect he has
been more fortunate than most Of the
members Of the House. At this time
there are not more than fifteen or sixteen
bills, public and private, on the House
calendar, while at this stage of the ses-
sion heretofore, there have been from
one to two hundred. Among the bills pre-
scented by the Delegate and referred to
the committees for consideration, may be
enumerated one '.for the construction OF
certain roads in Mimi sota," which
provides SIS, 900 for road from Point
Douglass via. Stillwaterl Marine Mills
and Falls of St. Croix, to the Rapids Of
the ST Louis River of Rake Superior,
one of $4,000 for re lad from Poin,
Douglass via. Cottage GROVE, Red Rock.
St. Paul, and Falls Of st. Anthony to
Fort Gainos, one of S., 900 for road
from, at, or near the mouth of Swan Riy-
er to the Winnebago Agency at Long
Prairie, one of $1,000 for road from
Wabashaw to Mendoza, and one of IS,
600 for the survey and laying out of a
military road from Mendtta to the mouth
of the Big Sioux Rive} in Missouri
most of which were madi to correspond
with the memorials of she Legislative
Assembly. Should it be impossible tc
obtain all these appropriations, those foi
roads on the west of the Mississippi
will be abandoned in order to secure the
others. The appropriation for a terrific
rial prison will be recommended, think
by the committee, on the strength of one
precedent and one only, In the case O
Iowa, passed in lS42, grh nting SIS, DOC
for that purpose. The Delegate has
drawn up bill also, for; the settlement
of the claims Of those Ddw and hereto.
fore resident upon the Military Reserve
at Fort Smelling, which has been made
to conform in its provisions to the memo
rial of the Territorial Legislature
This will be presented in the Senate this
week by the Hon. Mr.. Douglass, chair
man of the Territorial cpmmittee, who
has always shown himself a strong friend
of Minnesota and her interests, and
hope will receive the approval of both
Houses. 1t was thought, best to resort
to congress for the settlement of this
Question, inasmuch as thb Secretary Of
War was in doubt as to THE discretion
vested in him by the law.
1t has been found impossible to get
any action on the part oflthe Secretary
of the Treasury, with regard othe sums
Of money appropriated By the Legisla-
tive Assembly, for the payment of differ
ent individuals, and tot defray which
there were no funds in tht hands of the
Secretary of the Territory. No steps
can be taken to procure ah appropriation