The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1854-08-31
From the Democratic Hammer.
DAvEkroRT, August %, 1904.
II. D. EAGAL, Esq.,


ncr ofthe 18th inst, fad the telegraphic
dispatch from General Jessup to Danforth,
extending the late order for removing fres-
possers from Rock Island, and preceding Il,
the following comments by you;
"TnE lsLASp TREsPAsSERs.-As we an
ticipated the order Of the War Department
10 remove all trespassers OH Rock Island,
was not intended to obstruct the grad'n. for
the railroad across the Island or the erection
of the Railroad bridge at this point, as VIII
| be seen by the following dispatch to Col.
Danlonh the officer in charge OF this govern
menr property"
When say that your remarks are lar
from being true, and calculated 70 create .
feeling Of security that we cannot rely upon
I must, in justice TO you, admit that there
were reasons for supposing that the late or
der Of the War Department was not intend
ed to disturb the Railroad work upon the Is
land; and knowing that you, in common with
this community, feel deep interest 10 the
extension OF our road west to the Pacific,
feel il to be my duty to advise your read
ers Of the situation Of things as they now
stand.
BY an act Of Congress approved the 4sh
Of August, 1852. Railroad companies are
entitled to the right OF way through lands
belonging to the general Government ex-
eept such lands as are occupied BY the
Government, for military and other pur-
poses.
! Under this act the Railroad company filed
their pla,s and specifications, and by virtue
oil it claim the right Of way across Rock Is
land. The Secretary OF the Interior, and
Commissioner Of General Land Office, say
that the Company are entitled TO the right OF
way, while the Secretary OF War, Jefferson
DAVIS, the Southern "fire eater" steps in.
and notwithstanding two of his predecessors
long since abandoned the Island as being no
longer necessary for military purposes, and
had turned it over the Land Office Depart
ment for sale; and that the world might know
OF its abandonment, wrote across the plat OF
i, in the Department Abandoned for milf
tary purposes and turned over TO the Land
Office Department, for sale as other lands"
and notwithstanding has been twice oiiere
for sale by the President OF the United States
and now stands offered for sale upon post
ponemen. "un,il further ordered:" JEFF. Da-
Wis assumes jurisdiction, and in contempt of
the coordinate branches OF the General Gov
eminent, in violation or the rights OF indi-
viduals, aud while an appeal is pending
from his decision TO the President oil the
United States, orders out his warriors and
directs them to cooperate with the Colo
mel in removing the tresPassers oFifom the
island.
This order was conceived a secret and no
one at Washington outside Of the War De-
partmen, knew oft until the officer in pos.
session ofthe order Ind arrived at Chicago,
and made known his business to the Marshal
oil lllnsis.
Mr. Farnam immediately telegraphed me,
inquiring about the nature OF the order.
called upon Gen, Jcssup, who informed me
that the order was general one and intend
ed 10 keep squatters, &c, from settling on
the is land and would not interfere with the
Railroad Company, il they were entitled 10
the right ofway. The next news that came
to Washington from here was, that every
body including railroad hands were notified
to leave in fifteen days or they would Be put
of AT the request Of the Attorney for The
Company pro ;ecded at once 10 get the ne
cessary papers fer him 10 assert the rights Of
the Company in the Courts o.. the country.
Among other records and papers wanted
were some FIVE or six orders aad letters in
the War Department.
On the 5th inst. made most respectful
yreauest by letter to the Secretary Of Wari 70
furnish me with certifcated copies OF the or
deFs, &c, saying that would cali for them
in person al haii-past two, +. "a.
About the hour named | called. AMI was
told By Mr.. Davis clerk that ] could not have
the copies requested.
then had an interview with Secretary
Davis, and told him that the records were
wanted To be tscd as eXhibi in Judicial
proceeding wherein il was proposed to try
The rights Of The Railroad Company TO lay
their track across Rock Island; TO which he
replied that the Department was not bound
to furnish copies OF their record TO every man
that might apply for them, and he would NOT
furnish the copies asked for.
TWAS during this interview that learned
for the first time that Secretary Davis was
personally and locally hostile to the bridg-
ing the Mississippi at this point.
He not only manifcsts his hostility in
words, when he says that he will order the
first pier removed that may be placed in the
channel, as an obstruction TO navigation, but
he issued the order TO clear Rock Island for
no other reason than TO put stop to the
work on the Island, thinking thereby TO cut
off the only chance to build the bridge. -
The evidence Of this is in the fact that this
order was a general one: and when those
persons having possession Of the head ofthe
island complained that it would ruin them,
and destroy property worth thousands OF dol
/ lars, they wtre permitted to remain until the
Government may want the Island for other
purposes, while at the same time, the war
riors are ordered to concentrate their charge
against the railroad men.
/ After this explanation, Mr. Editor, think
you will agree with me that the order Of the
/ War Department was "intended 10 obstruct
the grading Of The railroad across the island,
/ and to proven. "the erection OF a Railroad
Bridge at this point"
/ Why, sir, this same JEFF. Davis not only
/ abuses the power ofhs own Department in
violating the sovereignty Of the State OF IL
/ linois, Uor the State OF Illinois never ccded
| to the United States her sovereignty over
Rock Island, bu when Senator Shields OF
/ that State undertook to pass a bill through
1 the U. S. Senate, giving the company the
right of way across Rock Island, Mr.. Davis
! pitched into the U. s. Senate in person, and
actually defeated the bill by appealing to
the Military Committee to prevent its pas
sage.
Now, Sir, person not fully posted up
might ask the question, why should Jeff.
/ Davis opnosp tho bribvnp of the Mississip.