The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1854-01-14
NUMBER IS.


emption laws: it will dispel any danger that
might arise by speculators attempting to rob
honest toll and worthy enterprise Of its inst 70.
ward. Should Congress in their enlightened
judgment legalze these actual settlements. it
would avoid all possible future litigation be-
tween our citizens, and prevent those scenes of
violence that have sometimes occurred, grow
ing out OF conflicting interests at the land sales.
This desired action of Congress, deem of in.
creased interest and importance, from the fact.
that several years may elapse before the sur.
veys and subdivisions will be completed.
If Congress in its wisdom sees proper to
amend the presumption laws IN this regard, it
VIII, in my Judgment greatly facilitate the set
flement OF the country. The subject of grant
ing lands to actual settlers has ALWAYS been a
favorite measure with the western people.
Population is the basis of our national now
er and greatness, then the policy of the Cot
ernment should be to facilitate and encourage
the speedy settlement and cultivation OF the
soil. by proper enactments of Congress-
The Creator of the earth intended that civil
lied man should own and enjoy it, and in gov
ernment where the sovereign power is in the
people, it should not tax the occupant of that
soil any more than may be necessary for their
good and now, when the revenues derived
from imports has created and is accumulsting a
large surplus in the national treasury seems
TO me most propitious moment for relieving
the bona tide settler from this land tax of SIPS
per acre. Now is n f.ty orable moment to re-
ward the hardy pioneer for going in advance
and clearing away the difficulties dangers and
obstacles to a rapidly approaching civiviliza-
ton commerce and wealth. This class of our
countrymcn have taken their rifle, axe and
plow. and stood between higher civilization
and the wild savage of the wilderness and prai.
rie, and they deserve land warrant of their
FRY r.IBIl lIH-
dangerous and distinguished services, and all
the reward they need or ask is that the powers
that govern them shall deal Justly by them
These hardy men feel that close upon their
track are always found the school and the house
OF God. They are not spectators. traders
merchants. bankers but sentinels upon the out
posts, guarding each Of these from danger and
mOlestation. And without intending to be in
v.dous. it is too often the case that opulencc
and comfort lead the Legislator to forget what
these frontier people are daily doing for the
cause of civilization and christianity. there
fore submit whether it would not be proper for
You to give an expression of yonr views on this
question. so vitally important to western inter
ests. The great power of this Union is now in
the West; its great agricultural resources arc
here in the valley of the Mississippi The con-
servative principle on almost every question Of
great national Importance is in the West
and it is no longer the fancy of the poet, that
says:
"Westwarl the star Of empire takes Its way,
IT is now stern reality, that no power can
resist The South have their peculiar institu.
tions and the North their prejudces of educa-
tion, but it is here, in the great West, where
we Il know no North, no South. nothing but the
Union," and the laws of progress
by an act Of the last Congress. appropria-
tion were made to prosecute surveys and explo-
r1fIOOS of the Ijforpnt for n 10
the Pacific. These have been commenced, and
by this time mostly completed. Informa-
ton OF reliable character has been received
from Governor Stevens. giving the most salts
factory report upon tho praetieability of the
Northern route. most extraordinary natu-
raj pass has been found in the mountains for
road, thereby obviating all anticipated Difficult
ty.
1t has been objected to the Northern route.
that the winter SHOWS present an obststacic
which Is supposed to embarrass it. but the Gov
ernment need only to be properly informed to
dispel this unfounded objection. This objection
is made without reason. and against the expe-
riencc of the people of equally high Northern
1atltudcs, where railroads are now in full and
successful operation, without obstacle or incon-
venicnce.
If Congress should grant public lands to aid
in the construction Of this great work of the
10Th century. it would seem unjust not to give
that portion Of the Union q fair consideration,
from which these lands will have to bc chiefly
taken.
The country from the Mississippi, to far be-
yond the limits OF Minnesota, and to near Fort
Union. is level, and possesses timber, water and
a fertile SOIL In aword. no country in the Union
for the same distance has so few and so slight
obstacles to the speedy and cheap construction
of a railroad; and such we are assured, will be
the views of Governor Stevens in his official
report to the Government 1t, therefore, would
not be improper to have an official expression
from you on the subject.
The question of opening up our communica-
ton with the South and East during the winter
season. is one of great concern among the peo-
pie. Nothing is so much needed as this. In
deed this barrier must not exist any longer than
it can be obyiatcd and overcome.
To get out from here. during the winter, to
the most accessible point to regular commune
cation with the great marts of commerce and
trade, is far above and beyond any other con-
sideration to the people Of Minnesota. To &C.
complish this. in my judgment, you must con-
centratc all the energies of the people to one
or two roads. AND no MORE, for the present. i
have but little doubt that Congress will grant
us land sufficient to unlock our ice bound home,
if we confine our request to one point. Our in
tcrnal resources are now of sufficient import
ance to command capital enough for this pur-
pose. If the Legislature in its wisdom, will
lay aside all local interests. and concentrate its
whole energy and power in this great point,
they will have done more than can by any pos
sibility be accomplished, in many years to
come, by any other policy or course Of action.
Therefore earnestly recommend that you sim
gle out the route which will give us the quicks
est and most safe transit from this Capital to
where the channels of communication are un.
interrupted, and let the Congress of the United
States be properly informed of this, your uni
ted request, and it will be granted beyond all
reasonable doubt.
Your action will give the whole people the
initial point, and from that hour capital will
seek investment in the enterprise.
| 1t is to be hoped that the General Govern.
ment will take early steps to extinguish the In
dian title to that portion Of the copper region
laying within the Territory OF Minnesota, on
Lake Superior Public attention is being at
tracted to the vast mines of copper on the shores
of this Lake, and soon we may look for strong