Minnesota weekly times. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1859, 1854-09-12
GV The Clarion and Navigator arrived yester-
day morning, by which we received mail.
MINNESOTA LAND BILL FRAU,

MINNESOTA LAND BILL FRAUD.
Proceedings Of Select Committee of the House of
Representatives.
ISAAC VAN ETTEN, SWORN.
Question. Were you member of the Legsla-
ture or Minnesota when the charter of the Minne-
| sofa and Northwestern Railroad Company was
| passed?
Answer. was.
Question. State whether Governor German.
Mr.. Sibley, and Mr.. Steele, who have opposed
| the grant of land to the Minnesota and North
western Railroad Company, were at that time,
| or have since been, interested in any other
| company for the construction of a railroad in
| Minnesota?
Answer. So far as to Governor German, and
Mr.. Sibley, they have not been but think that
MIR. Steele was named as one of the corporators
in company Incorporated by previous legis-
| lature of the Territory.
Question. Were the terms of that previous
act complied with by the corporators, or did the
charter expire because of the noncompliance
| of the corporators therein named with its pro-
visions?
Answer. understand it expired.
Qestion. Are there any other railroad charters
in existence in Minnesota which had not so CO.
PRED, except that of the Minnesota and North
western Railroad Company?
Answer. think there are none other.
Question. Were there any individuals or COM
pany of New York represented there by agents to
procure the passage of the charter; and, if so,
what ones, and, what agency had they in pro-
curing the passage of the act?
Answer. Messrs. Schuyler, Ketchum and Bill
lings, and, think, Corning; through their agents,
Messrs. Stimson and Jessup, of Dubuque and
they desired the passage of the charter immedi-
ately, and wanted it done in two days, as they
were anxious to return with the charter, which
they brought with them, and stated if it was not
passed they should return, and then those whom
cd of fha NJ
ingt0n, and that we could not get the grant with
out their assistance. Messrs. Stimson and Jes-
sup represented themselves agents for the per-
sons named before, as was informed.
!, Question. Have you any personal knowledge
that any of the individuals named in the act Of
incorporation used any improper means to pro-
cure the charter from the legislature of Mime
sofa?
Answer. have no personal knowledge on the
subject. l opposed the charter, and / obtained
the passage Ut many amendments to the charter
which deemed favorable to the Territory; and
besides, l thought it premature to pass charter
aisposng OF lands that might be granted to the
Territory before grant had been made by Con-
gress also thought that the Territory might
be able to obtain better resulting interest from
said grant.
Question. What were the reasons given, by
the friends of the charter in the legislature, for
oeing willing TO incorporate company in ad-
'~-.~S Va - u Nus Va AoAAu " OVHSIc0Sg
Answer. The reason given was, that it would
expedite matters; that if We waited for the grant
the legislature would have adjourned, but, BY
giving the charter then, we should gain a wear in
the construction of the road; that the company
could make arrangements to begin the work ear
lier, and SO carry on the work. It was also said
that Wisconsin was asking for grant that would
come in competition with ours in constructing the
road to Lake Superior, and the delay might throw
Us back several years; and, also, by granting the
charter then, we would obtain the assistance Of
these gentlemen in getting our grant through
Congress, and that without their assistance We
could accomplish nothing.
LETTER FROM M. LowBIR TO THE HON. L. D.
CAAPBKLL.
WARRINGTON, July q, 1854.
Sir As it Is evident that efforts are being
made before the committee intended to affect the
rights and interests which the Minnesota and
Northwestern Railroad Company have acquired in
the lands granted by Congress to the Territory of
Minnesota and as the company, relying upon
the validity of thu grant "A aprroxAd have in