The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1854-07-08
MONDAY MORNING, JULY 3, 1854.
The Claim Mob In Dakota County,

The Claim Mob In Dakota County.
The Democrat, of Friday, as we supposed it
would-as the editor dare not do otherwise
when commanded-takest the side of the Cath
lic'' Bishop in regard to the mob which this
high functionary instigated to dspossess set
tier of bis rights under the presumption laws.
Our neighbor sets out with a vast deal of fus-
tian about inidelity," Know Nothings,"
"War against adopted citizens" and all that
sort of thing, which is entirely irrelevant to the
points in controversy and so far as we are con-
cerned, as the editor himself knows, the charges
are entirely without the pale of truth and JUS
tice.
The only matter at issue is, did Bishop Gre
tin instigate lawless mob. or did he not, for
the purpose of driving Mr.. Shelley off the
claim. We say He DID, and the following is our
proof -
"On Thursday, June 22d, 1854, We called up
on Bishop Cretin, in order to ascertain ifhe had
directed certain persons to enter the domicl
of Arson ". Shelley. in Dakota County. and
after disarming him while asleep, to wake him
and admonish him to leave the premises. The
Bishop positively assured us during the con-
versaton that he had SO given directions, and
moreover. that the claim was his, (the Bish-
ops) and he intended to hold it if possible. He
further stated, that it would be better for Mr..
Shelley to abandon all thoughts of holding it,
as he could never do SO peaceably. This is the
substance of his assertions to us, so far as the
m1in points of the controversy are concerned /;
and we are ready at any time to verify the same
: under oath.
VIM. H. SHELLEY.
st. Paul, July |, 1854. JOHN T. PALMER
We are willing to let this testimony, given
by two of our most respectable citizens, 90 be-
fore the public without word of COMMENT
1t speaks for itself. and puts full quietus upon
the "by authority denial of the facts by the
Democrat.
The Democrat publishes the declaratory
statement Of NJ. Peyragrossc, to the effect that
he intends to pre-empt piece of land, situated
some two or three miles from the claim in con-
: troversy. We should like to know what this
has to do with the matter? But for fear NJ.
Peyragrosse and his coadjutors may commit
farther acts of desperation in their hot haste.
we will call their attention to the following
statements of NJ. Peyragrosse, which he made
in the Minnesotian last Wednesday. placing
them. as We 90, in proper position with the
oath he must take before becoming pre-cmp-
tor:
Tie Declaration of N. Peyrogrosse through
the .Ninnesotian Of Wednesday,, June 2S:
"What does it mean yet? 1t means that the
claim in question is not held by the Bishop but
by the last OF the Priests of st. Paul, NJ. Peyra-
crosse, your humble servant all American citi-
zen. =
Now it was known abroad that this claim as
intended to he entirely dedicated to the bene-
fit of the surrounding Catholic population. to
have school-house or church it and to
help also by its products to the support of the
new Cora hospital of st. Paul.
am man pOsscssor of nothing-Only had
been pleased to have claim for the benefit of
mankind. hope to keep it for the good Of the
same mankind.
N. PEYRAGRoSsE."
; Form of oath. prescribed jy the lars Of The
United States. tuhicd NJ. PtYragFOSse must
tale before becoming pre-einPtor:
IL VI. Pcyraerosse, Of the County of Dakota,
Territory of Minnesota, claiming the right of
presumption. under the provisions Of the Act Of
Congress. entitled " An Act to appropriate the
proceeds of the sales of Public Lands and to
grant Pre-clnptiOn Rights, approved Septem-
hcr 4th, l14l. to the northeast quarter of sec
ton 20 township IS. north Of range %. west,
subject to sale at Minneapolis: do solcmnly
swear that never had the benefit of any right
of pre-emption under this act that | am not
the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of
land in any State or Territory of the United
States. nor have settled upon and improved
said land. to sell the same on speculation. but
IN good fai h to appropriate it to MY OWN
EXCLUSIVE USE or benefit that have not.
directly or indirectly, made any agreement or
contract in any way manner with any per
son or persons whatsoever, by which the title
which may acquire from the Government of
the United States. should enure, in whole or in
part. to the benefit of any person except my
| self"
Now, if NJ. Peyragrosse is prepared to take
that oath, after telling the public through our
columns, that he was trying to hold the claim
for the hospital, for schools, and for the bcne-
fit of mankind" and not for ..his own exclusive
use," as the law requires, let him "crack
down." If he chooses, in order to justify the
Bishops insubordnation to the laws, to write
and publish 10 the world string of falsehoods,
stating that the claim is not made for himself,
or to commit perjury by swearing that it is
made for himself. it is no affair of ours. lie
and the Bishop may take either horn Of the di-
lemma they please, and we have them-fast
and good!
SIGNIFICANT.-The True National Democrat.
which has been regarded as an organ Of the Ad-
ministration in New York city, though there
are few in the rural districts who are aware
even OF the existence of such conce m, publish
es the following curious editorial, in which it is
proposed to swap off the Irish vote for the
Know Nothings. Hear what it recommends as
the true policy for the Democratic party: