The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1852-05-08
From the st. Louis Intelligencer.
NUMBERING IN MINNESOTA.

nished us by a gentleman who has for
several years resided in the Territory,
and who is competent to speak with au-
thority, both of the business interests he
discusses, and the state of feeling which
prevails. A good deal Of feeling has ex-
listed in relation to the steps which it is
incumbent upon the Administration to
pursue, though not, we are glad to say,
of an unpleasant nature. The magnitude
of the lumber interest Of Minnesota, des-
tined rapidly to increase as the country is
settled up, give Importance 20 whatever
affects it. We do not doubt that the
Administration will be guided in refer
ence to the measures suggested by the
same enlightened and anxious care for
the public interests, which has constantly
marked all its action.
For the Integencer
MEssRs. ED1roRs: l wish to say
few words upon subject Of some inter
est to the people Of st. Louis, and OF
leading interest to the community OF
which am an humble member.
During the past winter, there were cut
in Minnesota, and now being RATED to
this and markets above, pine logs that
will turn out sixty millions feet OF sawed
lumber. This is exclusive of shingles
and the estimate will very nearly, if not
quite, exclude the quantity of logs which
will be sawed in the Territory and used
in the numerous buildings to be erected
during the season at St. Paul and other
important points within our borders.-
The numbering interest of our young and
growing Territory is the great artery of
our existence. 1t is our leading interest
in the way of home production, by which
we pay the larger moiety for what we eat
and wear. AS yet, and until our extern
sive farming region is opened up by the
hand of the pioneer cultivator, we buy
what we consume of Iowa, Illinois and
Missouri
The men who are opening this business
Of numbering, next after the Indian ira
der, are the pioneers Of civilization upon
our frontier. They are far in advance of
the agriculturist, the mechanic, the specu-
lator, and builder of cities; but they are
an industrious, peace-loving and law
abiding people They have outran the
march of EN- pire, in legal sense of the
term; but they do not wish to be consid-
cred as law breakers and trespassers.
They are trespassing upon the pine
lands of the Upper Mississippi, but
whose fault is it? They are, as l say,
ahead of the march of farmers and me-
chanics. But why are not these pine
lands thrown into the market at once, in
order that those who have been upon
them for years, and wish to secure le-
gal right to them, may have an opportu-
nifty of doing so? Is it right that they,
by their daily labor, should open up the
advantages of frontier to persons en-
gagged in other avocations, who emigrate
to Minnesota to reap the fruits accruing
from the toll of these Inducements it
doing the '' fair thing" by them, we ask,
to withhold these lands from market, thus
compelling this leading interest of our
frontier to be trespassers in the eye of
the law; or else forsake the business to
which they have been bred, and which 10
them is bread-and daily bread?
l have been led to these reflections by
meeting in your city, Mr.. Editor, a tins
Der agent for Minnesota, in the person of
a very worthy gentleman from Michigan,
a brother of the excellent chief magis-
trate Of the nation. The high position
which your excellent journal occupies
before the people of the West as an ar
dent supporter of the administration of
President Fillmore, renders it not inap-
propriate that l should thus address you
at this time. Although not directly in
terested in this business of numbering, as
the conductor of a public newspaper
within the limits Of Minnesota, and an
administration newspaper at that, I claim
to be proper person to lay facts before
the public authorities from this point
l state, then, that our lumbermen are
trespassing from necessity necessity
forced upon them by the General Govern
ment itself, by its continued delay in
bringing the pine lands into market.
That they do not wish to be considered
as aggressors and law breakers in this or
any other particular. Give them a chance,
and their money is ready to buy every
acre of these pine lands.
Iney VIII not proDaDly oppose the exc
cution of the "trespass laws" Dema-
gogues, such as you find in the Locofoco
editor at St. Paul, talk of the hostility
which the administration is displaying
towards the lumbermen. The President
is bound to "take care that the laws be
faithfully executed" Our people know
this, and respect the administration for
doing its duty.
But it is proper to take some steps
other than criminal prosecutions, by which
justice can be reached on all Sides. Our
people feel this, and the leading men of
our numbering community: some of whom
are now in the city, are ready to do what
ever is fair and equitable. But the great
point must not be overlooked: Let the
lands be sold, | speak the n0nuIar doo-