The daily Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1855, 1854-09-05

the matter. and if they could be satisfied
that their interests would he promoted, and
a road built so as to avoid Dubuque and
connect with their road at Tete de Mort, he
(the member would at once withdraw his
opposition and aid US in passing the bill in
the form we desired In answer to this, l
told Mr.. Hunt had no connexion with the
road from Dubuque to the northern line of
lowr, and might never have; but if should
and If his representations as to the nature
OF the ground were found true, we should
undoubtedly make the connexion he required,
Subsequently he protested his satisfaction
with the views expressed by me, agreed to
and US in altering and passing the bill, and
pledged me the hearty cooperation of the
member from Illinois in the matter. He as
sured me that he would Immediately write
the member upon the subject, and that he
(the member) would heartily cooperate with
us in the belief that his interests were to
he furthered in the manner first suggested
to me by Mr. Hunt. Some weeks having
passed without any action in Congress upon
the bill, and being Informed that it was yet
in the hands of the committee, and that the
member from Illinois was still opposed to
any alteration thereof, Mr.. Hunt was again
called upon, and l was then informed that
fund of five thousand dollars was required
to be raised and paid over, and that bond
should be given, by two responsible individ-
uals, conditional for tho performance of the
things first required 10y Mr.. Hunt, with
further condition that "a majority of the cap
ital stock of the Minnesota and Northwest
ern Railroad Company should be allotted
and distributed to the member from Illinois
so as to give him the control thereof and
the line of the road located so as to run
through his lands in Minnesota. These pro-
posals were wholly rejected 10y myself and
associates. Subsequently | was Informed
that some arrangcment-the particulars of
which l am unable to State-waS made,
whereby the objections of the member from
Illinois were removed, and the bill in the
hands of the committee was agreed to be
amended 50 as to conform in its provisions
to the bill which had been rejected, and to
our wishes in the matter which was done
by striking out the word future" and sub
shutting land" for "or" by the commit
tee, who agreed to report the same to the
House as amended.
Question. You have spoken of a money
consideration of five thousand dollars
For what purpose was that money to be
used
Answer. understood it to be for cleo
Pioneering purposes in the coming fall cleo
tons
Question. Did You and your friends agree
to pay any money?
Answer, No; We distinctly refused to do
Question. Was there any money, to your
knowledge, ever paid for such purposes!
Answer. No. there was not.
Question. Was any money ever demand
cl after the passage of the bill |?
Answer | was informed that two drafts
OF five Thousand dollars each were presented
for payment.
Question. Were they paid?
Answer l was told they were not
Question. Who drew those drafts, and
upon whom were they drawn!
Answer was informed they were drawn
10y one Harrington-One upon NJ. y. Rob
crts, of New York, and the other upon c.
W. Billings, of the same place?
Question. Do you know who Mr.. liar
rngtOn is !?
Answer do not
Question. Who do you mean by the men,
her from Illinois mentioned in your testimo-
ny?
Answer. Mr. Washburne, of Galcna.
Question When did you first hear of the
alteration made by the Clerk of the House
in this bill?
Answer. When I was informed of the
appointment of this investigating commit
tee.
Question Do you esteem such alteration
of any Importance to your company!
Answer. l am advised that it is of no i'm
portance whatever.
Question. Who do you allude to as hav-
ing, with the member from Illinois, interests
adverse to yours?
Answer. l allude to Franklin Steele,
Willis A. German, j. Travis Rosser, and
Mr.. Sibley.
Question. What are those adverse inter-
eStS
Answer. I am informed that company
has been formed by them, in which the men,
her from Illinois is interested and that such
company designed to prevent any action OF
Congress until after the first of July instant,
and make the lands granted by Congress
subject to the action Of any future legsla-
ture, or compel us to accede to their terms.
Question What would have been the ef-
feet upon your company of the omission by
Congress to pass the act before the first of
July ?