The daily Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1855, 1854-09-07

ddty was to ascertain, as far as nv ac-
uuaintance went, how members were dis
posed towards the bill !; and if any obiec-
tons existed which could explain away, l
was to do so.
I referred to the opposition of Mr. Alvah
Hunt, of New York, to the former bill j
to which Mr.. Billings replied, that by the
bill as then proposed the objections of MIR.
Hunt were removed Mr.. Billings wished
me to see Mr. f. B. Washburne, as soon as
he should return from Illinois, then daily eX-
pected.
Mr. Washbnrne returned within day or
two, and / saw him at the Capitol, and asked
him if he was friendly to the Minnesota land
bill. He replied he was, if it was drawn
right that he had just returned from ILL.,
nois, and would see to it. afterwards saw
him, and he said he was in favor of the bin;
that the first bill, which was killed, gave the
lands to company, to which he and his
constituents were opposed ; but that the
then proposed bill left it to the next legisla-
ture to dispose Of the lands, which was
what he desired. l asked how it would af
feet Sbley and Steele, 1.-TWO gentlemen of
Minnesota, one of whom is my brother-in-
hw.) He replied that this biA was what
they wanted.
l had no conversation with Mr. Hunt,
and did not see him until some time after
the bill had passed, and but once since, for
three or four minutes. Our conversation had
no material bearing upon the question
Subsequently, on ascertaining the value
Of the grant if passed, l told Mr.. Billings
he should give me some stock, which he said
he would ! have received nothing for my
services in any way, though l have written
to MIR. Billings to settle with me as he
agreed. l was first applied to by Mr. Bill
lings whom ! did not previously know.
Question For What use was the money
promised you?
Answer. The money was promised to me :;
and, had it been paid, l should have used it
as | pleased; there was no understanding
that | was to use it except at my own will
Question. Did Mr. Washburne or any
other member of the House or officer of
Congress, know, or were they privy to your
arrangement with Mr.. Billings; Or did they
know that you were to receive money for
your services in that case
! Answer. Mr.. Washburne, nor any other
person included in the above, neither knt W
nor was privy to my arrangement with MIR.
Billings; nor did they know that was to
receive money. unless incidentally mention
ed. l can state emphatically that neither
to Mr. Washburne nor to any other member
or officer of either House, in anywise con-
nected with this BILL did ever communicate
my arrangement; nor did they know was
in anywise interested or to receive money.
Question. Where do YOU reside, and what
is your occupation
Answer reside in Washington, as coun-
selor, attorney, and general agent.
Question. Did Mr. Billings give you any
directions as to tie passage of this bill
what person or persons to approach, and
how; what considerations to employ, or in
duccmcnts to offer?
Answer lie did not, other than as sta
ted in answer to the second question.
AUGUST =, 1854.
RoJcn Smith, srorn.
Question. DO You know anything Of the
alteration made in House bill No. 342 sub
scqucnt to its passage?
Answer / know nothing in reference tC
it.
Question DO you know anything Of in
fluenccS, pecuniary or otherwise, which were
used to Induce members of or officers OfCOn
gress either to secure the passage or modifi
cation of the bill h.?
Answer / do not know any improper in
huences being brought to bear on member.
of Congress or others, to secure the passage
of the bill?
Question. Were you present at any inter
view between Mr.. Washburne, of Illinois
and Mr.. Billings, when the proposed bill be
fore Congress, making grant of land t.
Minnesota for railroad purposes, was a sub
iject Of conversation; if so, when, as near a
you can recOllect!
Answer. | was present at an interview
after the defeat of the first bill, and Will
efforts were being made to get up new bill
for the same object.
Question. What was the tenor of tina
: conversation
! Answer Mr. WaShburne stated that
: the construction of the Tete de Mort raj
road could be secured, he had no Objectio
to the grant of land going to the MinnesC
: ia and Northwestern Railroad Company; Q
that the bill might be put in any shape t
, meet the views of the friends of the grant
That Mr.. Washburne suggested, at the sam
interview, the name Of Alvah Hunt, c
New York, as gentleman conversant wit
railroads, and interested with one Of the l
linois railroads, and that any arrangement
made with him to secure the construction
the Tete de Mort road would be satisfactd
: nv to him. and would insure his hearty sup