The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1854-02-16
New Emiyrant Route to the Pacific-.-
Large Meeting of the Citizens Of
Minnesota.

Large Meeting of the Citizens oi
Minnesota.
AT a large and respectable meeting Of the citi
zens of the Territory, held in the Hall Of ths
House of Representatives. in ST. Paul, on Wednes
day evening. February 7, 1854.
The meeting was called to order by Mr.. Z
Rice, and his motion. Hon. Judge Cha,6eld
was appointed President of the meeting
Joseph X. Brown was then appointed Secretary
Of the meeting.
Hon. w. r. Murray and Hon. N. c. D. Taylor
were appointed Vice Presidents.
! S. p FuIsom, Esq, was then appointed Assis-
tant Secretary.
! MIR Rice, IN few brief and pertinent remarks.
explained the object of the meeting, and then
called upon Hon. WIN. ii. Mobiles, who gave Il
full explanation of the feasibility and advantages
Of an emi grant route through Minnesota and by
way Ct the South Pass, and NJbes' Route 10
California and Oregon During his remarks
the utmos! interest was manifested by the au-
dience.
Mr.. Mobiles having resumed his seat.
On motion OF MIR. Wilkinson, a Committee,
consisting Of Messrs. Wilkinson, ID Olmsted
Owens, Rice and Marshall, was appointed by the
Chair, TO draft resolutions expressive of the sense
Of this ting
During the absence Of the Committee, Messrs.
lie Due, Maserson and Ames severally spoke
with much eoquence upon the subject OF the
different routes for railroad and ensrant travel
between Minnesota and the Pacific, and the
general advantages which these routes would con-
fer upon the commercial prosperity Of this Ter
rOry.
Mr. Wilkinson, from the Committee appointed
TO draft Resolutions, reported the following pre-
a!nhle and resolutions:
Whereas, The vast emigration which is con-
living on the Pacific ocean, is constantly subjected
to the mos; uncxamped hardship and suffering
from the want Of well defined, direct and easy
emigrant route from tho Mississippi rver westward
across the plains. and thrnugh ths vast mountain
ranges over which they are Obliged TO pass. And
whereas, The severa! routes which have been
traversed by emlgrants heretofore, present obsia-
cles OF an almost inSurmOunabe character, hav.
ing been located more with reference To the cupid
ity Of those who seek 10 profit by the great tide
Of emigration than to the comfort and advantage
Of the emigrants themselves. And whereas, 1t
appears that 4 route leading from the head Of
navigation on the Mississippi river, to Fort Lara
ME and across the plains, would furnish greater
facilities to emigration TO California than any
now known; therefore be II resolved,
lst. That this meeting bumbly soiicits the aid
of the Government Of the United States in estab-
fishing an emigran, route IN Minnesota, by the
way Of Fort RldgeIey, Fort Laramie, Soda
Springs, MOBILES Pass, the llumboit Valley and
the Willamette Valley to the Pacific Ocean.
3D. That by rendering aid TO Tins enterprise the
Government itself would greatly promote lis own
interests by establishing military road between
important military posts, and by greatly facilitating
iravei between points now deemed remote from
each other and extremely difficult of access.
Sd. That the great tide Of emigration which is
continually flowing from the United States across
the great American plains, in justice demands
and has right to expect that some feeble effort
at least Ill be made on the part of the Govern
ment, TO render their emigration to the distant
Pacific easy and direct as possible.
L. Tha, should any railroad communication be
effected between the two great Oceans, the grea,
length of time which must necessarily elapse be-
fore it- completion, sil leaves i, necessary that
something should be done TO open a wagon road
route for the benefit cf the government, and for
the protection of the eniigrani
5. That the route known as the MOBILES emf
grant route leading from Saint Paul, the Misss
slppi river by the nos direct and eligible line TO
Forl Laramie, and from thence VIA. MOBILES Pass
Of the Sierra Nevada mountains TO the Pacific,
presents inducements 10 emigrants and travellers
passing from the valley of the Mississippi to Cali
iOrnIa and Oregon, on account of the facilities af-
forded on the route, The heathlulness Of the c!i-
unriyalled by any other known line, and deserves
the especial attention and patronage ofthe citizens
Of Minnesota and the inhabitants O.! The valley Of
the Mississippi generally.
g. That for the purpose OF carrying out the OBJ
lects of these resolutions the Hon. William H.
Mobiles is hereby appointed as The agent OF this
meeting to proceed to the city OF Washington, and
to take such steps as to him shall seem advisable
to effect the objects and purposes herein contem-
plated.
Z. That w c. lie Duc, Edmund Rice, Benz
Th"mpson, Charles Ii Oakes, Il. /. fioyt, Louis
NJ Oliver, Il. Z. Russell, and John Rollins be sp-
pointed a committee TO false $500, 10 defray the
expenses Of Wm II. Mobiles IN carrying ouI the
objects Of this meeting.
Ihe question then recurring on the adoption of
the preamble and resolutions reported by the Com
miiiee, Messrs Wilkinson and Rice, IN eloquent
language, advocated the measures contained IN
the resolutions, as having an important bearing
upon the prosperity Of hIs Territory.
Hon. Martin Mcleod also made a few very per-
tnent remarks, during which he gave very fiat
,erag description Of that portion Of the route lying
between ST. Paul and the Missouri river, over
which he had frequently Travelled.
The preamble aud resolutions were then unan-
nlousy adopted.
On motion, .he proceedings OF the meeting
were ordered TO be signed by the officers. and pub
shed in the several newspa pers of the Territory,
and also that copy be forwarded TO lion. II. N.
Rice, our Delegate 10 Congress.
Ga motion, the meeting then adjourned sine
die.
A. G. CHATFIELD,
President.
w.P MURRAY.
n. c. ID. TAYLOR,
Vice Presidents.