Hannibal journal. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1853-1853, 1853-09-13


But you declared this man crazy; and the officers
Of the Government threatened him with the
penalties Of the law. But now all is changed.
| do not mention Sutherland's name for the pur-
pose of depriving Benton Of the glory Of be-
ing the discoverer Of this new doctrine.
Col Benton admits that there are acts Of Con-
gress forbidding settlements on the United States
lands. But he says they are a dead letter on
the statute book. Now this deny, not for the
purpose Of contradicting him, but because he is
mistaken; for these laws are every day enforced
by the courts. will not say he is either iRno-
rant or peTUerSe. / also deny that any person
can under any law Of Congress obtain a pre-
emption right BY settling on any land in NebrasA,
ka. deny that Col. Benten's map proves any
thing for him. His position is that there is Ter
ritory in Nebraska open TO settlement by white
men. deny it. He may be right, and may
be wrong. But one thing | cannot be wrong in,
and thatis, his map proves nothing for him.
Col. Benton says that have made ga great pa
rade Of pains and penalties, military and civil,
which cit gems would incur by acting on my
(B's) representations Of the state Of the coun-
try" Now, l made no parade about the matter.
"Pdrdding" is the peculiar characteristic. Of the
gentleman hinself,-He has "paraded" a map
which, say proves nothing for him. Instead
of calling on the Commissioner Of Indian Affairs
for the map, why did he not simply ask him or
the Secretary Of the Interior for his opinion
whether any country west of Missouri or Iowa
could under the existing laws and treaties be
settled by white men? IL so, what country?
This would have settled the matter with me,
and would have been more satisfactory to our
people who desire TO emigrate to Nebraska.
But the Colonel has map which is Of but little
service in settling the question at issue. The
day after ] read the Coils letter TO the citizens
of Monroe, | addressed letter TO the Secretary
Of the Interior asking him his opinion 10 wheth-
er any portion of the Nebraska TerritOryis open
to settlement by white men? And If so, what
portion? If the Secretary can conSiSten,iywith
his duty answer me, then the questionis settled.
He is the officer Of Government who has
charge Of the administration of our public lands
'fand Indian relations. The very man. whose
opinions are TO be respected in relation TO thbse
subjects. They are TO be observed unless the
President orders otherwise, OF theyUre reversed
) by the decision of the Courts. expect an an
swer from the Secretary in a few weeks
When receive it, will ask the favOr offriend
Park TO publish it in his very respectable paper,
for the information of all concerned have no
pride Of opinion in the matter. / care not
whether Col. Benton should be right or wrong.
Indeed rather hope he may be iSA. Many OF
our citizens are anxious TO 90 into that country.
trust that they may be gratifSd. But Col.
Benton says that the opinion expressed, dis
senting from him was calculated "ro do great in
jury to the people of the State" Now do not
see how my opinion can do the least injury to the
people of the State. II they act uponit thew can
sustain no injury, whether it be wright or wrong.
But if they act upon Col. BentOn's opinion and
he should be mistaken in the law, then they will
sustain great injury. For it is no small matter
for poor man to leave his home in Missouri
and travel hundreds Of miles into the Indian
, country and then be driven back. have wit
) messed such scenes; and would be very'unwil.
ling TO bear the weight of all the curses of men,
women, and children, which will be heaped on
the head of the honorable gentleman il he should
be mistaken in his opinion. l, therefore, again,
at the risk of doing great injury to the psopte
1 of the State" advise them not 10 act upon the
4 opinion of our old Senator until they hear fur
! ther.
/. ITO be eontnusd.1