The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1854-04-01
agency in shaping his (Lane's) course upon the

Is no PROOF VI tne iact; anu Tue ocSuS@s1S" -
too serious to be made without proof And we
do know, that it is now the determination OF
the Governor, to use every honorable influence
he possesses to get the measure through Con-
cress. When he reaches Washington, he has
pledged himself to go to work, and show the
people of Minnesota that he is earnest in the
advocacy OF this, to US, the great measure OF
the present session.
We annex a report Of that portion OF the de-
bate on the 7th embodying the false accusa-
lions of Mr.. Lane. The first remarks OF Mr..
Rice are in answer to enquiries as to the power
OF our Territorial Legislature TO incorporate
| railroad companies:
Mr.. RICE. The act establishing the Territory
of Minnesota gives her the right to charter any
company that States have, excepting banks.
But there is law of Congress which prohibits
the chartering of any bank in any Territory.
All laws passed by the Legislature of the Ter
rtory of Minnesota, under the organic act, are
to be binding. unless objected to by Congress.
After the passage OF all new charters, they are
gress.
Mr.. fuller. That suggests 10 my mind
question, which l will put to the gentleman
/ from Minnesota and that is. whether there has
been any legislation by that Territory upon the
subject of these railroads, which has been re-
| turned here for the supervision Of Congress.
! Mr. RICE. The Territory Of Minnesota has
chartered some three or four railroad cOmpa-
MES Those charters. by the consent of Con-
gress have become the law of the country.
But there is no charter which covers this grant.
There is one charter extending from Lake Su-
perior to the WESTERN line Of the Territory: and
| another from st. Paul to the southwestern part
of the Territory.
The reason why the proviso is put into this
bill-that we might have the privilege of con-
Meeting with the Illinois Central railroad, was
to indicate the direction which the road should
! take. The bill was wordcd so as TO guard
against these very charters.
We are three hundred miles from any settle
monts south, and in the winter season we are
shut out from connection with the settled por-
lions of the States until the ice forms in the
Mississippi river.
Mr.. LANE, of Indiana ] desire to PROFOUND
question to the gentleman from Minnesota.
Who owns the land around the terminus Of this
road ON Lake Superior? | have heard, l may
say to the Delegate, that there is large amount
OF land. say six thousand acres, held by persons
now here, perhaps upon this floor, pressing the
passage of this bill.
Mr. RICE. | will answer the gentleman as
far as it is in my power. There is not q foot of
land upon Lake Superior. that is now in mar
ket near this point or that las eyer been ad-
vcrtiscd for sale. There is some subject to pre-
emption rights. | have not been upon the
ground for several years, ard do not know
that any gentleman in this House has. If they
own it they own it contrary to law.
Mr. LANE. Has not one quarter OF six thou
sand acres Of land around the terminus of this
road on Lake Superior, been sold in this city ?
Mr.. RICE. / am very happy TO be able to an
swer that question. There are not six thousand
acres in the Territory Of Minnesota upon Lake
Superior subject 10 presumption. The surveys
were going on. but in consequence of some DIFF
iicultcs with the Indians the survey ors have
abandoned the work. You will find, by refer
ence TO the Land Office, that there is nothing
like that quantity.
Mr.. LANE. haze been informed that there
were gentlemen in this city who claim through
Indian CT some other title, six thousand acres at
the terminus Of this road.
Mr.. RICE. Other gentlemen in This city. pre-
tending to be heirs OF Jonathan Carver. claim
fifteen millions of acres. | do not know but
there are gentlemen upon this floor that have
Ire-emrtcd all Minnesota. What have stated
here you will find upon the records Of the Land
) Ofice. l am willing to answer any question
: touching this subject.
&r. W.sHBy!sNE of Illinois. l wish the hon
orablc member from Indiana would state what
gard to the matter which he suggests. / Ger.
tainly do not want this bill prcjudiccd by sug-
gcstions of this kind unless they are founded
upon facts within his knowledge.
Mr. LAM. In answer to the gentleman from
Illinois, will state that ! have understood
from gentlemen OF responsibility and character
that there are six thousand acres of land in and
around the terminus of this road held by gen
tlemcn in this city. and that one-fuurth of these
q thnusapl oprrS has bepp sold Sincp bn mi of
ing Of this Congress.
Mr.. TAYLOR, of Ohio. How many hold this
land?
Mr.: LANE. I propoundcd to the Delegate
from Minnesota that question. | was anxious
to know how they sold it, and when they sold
it; and now with the permission Of the gentle
man from Illinois, will ask the Delegate from
Minnesota another question: who sold or claims
the land in and around the terminus of this
road on Lake Superior:
Mr.. RICE. ! am unable 10 answer the ques-
ton propounded by the gentleman from In
diana. l can only say that own none there
that claim none Of it, and that | know of no
gentleman upon this floor that has claimed any
| say, that those lands are not in the market
and that they have never been advertised
There are oniy about two thousand acres thai
have been surveyed. | went some time ago tC
f the Land Office to see why \ proclamation fol
selling land on the line Of the Mississippi river
had not been Issued. An examination Of the
map showed me that the survey of those lands
) was incomplete. If there is any gentleman
claiming these lands, | should Ike the honora-
bic gentleman from Indiana to name him. Let
us know if there is anything in the dark here
II gentlemen in this city, or any other city
cYa!m SIX thousand acres in Minnesota. is that
any reason why the citizens of that Territory
should he deprived Of their rights We are
minors, helpless, ard now is the time We require
aid.
Mr. LANE. With the permission of the gen.
tleman from Illinois, desire to state another
proposition. Being opposed entirely and IN
toto to giving single foot Of land to any rail
road companies-belicving that the principle is
at war with the homestead bill. which we pass
cd yestcrday-I am willing to take any honor
able means to defeat every bill of that charac-
ter. said here, a little while ago, and re-
peat it again. that | have been credibly Inform
ed by respectable gentlemen that six thousand
acres CT this land. at and around the terminus
OF this road, were held by gentlemen in this
city