The republic., 1851-03-18

but must abandon the land, to the great in
convenience Of themselves, the detriment OF the
State, as we'll as the General Government. The
marshal Of the State-and presume by dircc-
ton from your Department-has been and is con-
tinually seizing every log and plank cut or man.
by these settlers for the purposes OF their
improvements, and the improvement Of the roads,
bridges, Sc, of the country; and tho settlcrs
themselves being harassed, perplexed, and
annoyed by suits for taking timber for these pur
sposes.
the State OF Wisconsin, would, and do respect
fully, yet earnestly and firmly protssf, as being
unnecessary, injurious and oppressive. No class
of agricultural settlers upon tho public lands have
been treated for the last twenty years; and the
undersigned arc unwilling to remain silent while
this unprecedented course is pursued towards
their constituents. II 1t be the design of the Gov
ernment to hwart subvert all the bcneficent ends
of the pre- emption system, the undersigned de-
sire to know it, and that the country may
know it. But if not, then they would most re-
spectfully ask that you order the marshal of Wis
consin to cease the annoyance and embarrass-
ments complained Of"
feel that it is due to the Administration and to
the country that your letter should have prompt,
and trust satisfactory, answer. xxx. la
! beg leave to assure you that you have entirely
misconceived the policy of the Government if you
suppose that it has been dictated by any purpose
''thwart or subvert all the benefcent ends of the
pre-emption system," or to harass, perplex, and
annoy the settlers on the public domain in your
State. No such purpose exists, and instructions,
either designed tending to produce such results,
have emanated from this Department. On the
contrary, it has been the constant aim of the Ad-
m:nistraton to afford to the hardy pioneers every
facility which can be given, consistently with the
law, for the settlement and improvement of the
country. With equal confidence affirm that there
has been disposition on the part of the Execu-
tive to prevent actual settlers from using the tim
Der on the public lands for the erection Of pub
lie or private improvements It's object, in all
the instructions which have issued from this De-
partment, has been merely to preserve it from spo
liation and waste and think, il you will take the
trouble to inform yourselves accurately the sub
ject, you will find that its policy has been benef
cinl to the occupants, and adverse only to tho in
terests of lumber merchants and speculators.
Timber ia essential to the permanent settlement
of the country, and it is therefore proper subject
Of protection by the Government.
There are two systems which may be pursued
in regard to it, One is to preserve it for the benefit
of the actual settlers, and to allow them to take
from the lands which they propose permanently
to occupy, 30 much as may be necessary for their
own use or public improvements; but at the same
time to prohibit speculators, having interest in
the country, and no design to make permanent
settlements in it, from roaming through the ma
tional domain and stripping it of its timber. The
other is to give full liberty to every greedy adven-
turer to cut and destroy wherever and to whatever
extent he may think proper, and thereby to leave
insufficient supply for the actual settlers Tho
first has been the policy of the Administration. II
any officer has acted otherwise than in accordance
with it, he has acted not only without instructions,
but contrary to the wishes of this Department. If
am to understand your letter asking that this
system shall be abandoned and the opposite one
adopted, am constrained to say the Department
cannot accede to your wishes. But, to avoid all
Misunderstanding on the subjcctin future by any
officer Of the Government, will cause specific in
structions to be issued to the marshal Of Wisconsin
to permit actual settlers to take a reasonable
amount of timber for their own use or for public
Improvements, but to prosecute, with the utmost
rigor, those who depredate on the public domain
for the purposes of speculation.
/ am, gentlemen, very respectfully, your obe
dient servant,
(Signed) ALEX. H. H. STUART,
Hsa, ~ Secretary.
Hons. J. p WALKER and HENnY DopoE, Senator's
fron LT5scousin