The daily Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1855, 1854-09-07
Minnesota Land Bill Fraud Again
Hon. H. M. Rice's Testimony.

Mr. RICE to prove that he either cOnnived
directly at the change in the Minnesota
Land Bill, which eventuated in the with
drawal of the munifccnt grant to our Ter
ritory, Or that he was guilty of gross and
criminal negligence Of the interests of his
constituents, than his own sworn testimony
before the Committee, there is enough dis
closed in that testimony to satisfy every
reasonable miad that he is justly chargea-
bic with one or the other, or with BOTH
We give Mr.. RICE the lencM of his own
evidence IN ertenso, as we have every desire
to deal fairly with him.
Hon. Henry N. Rice sporn.
Question Are you delegate in Con-
gress from the Territory Of Minnesota?
Answer. | am.
Question. Will You examine House bill
No. 342, and state when you first saw it?
Answer. cannot state the first time. 1t
was at the time it was before the Com
mittee on Public Lands, or previous, at the
meeting, before it was reported
Question. Do You know anything in re-
lation to the alteration Of the third section
of the bill?
Answer l understood that the bill, after
it had gone into the hands of the Com
mittee on Public Lands, had been altered
or amended. asked by whom it was
done, or for what purpose? | was told that
the word or words altered were slight, and
hat Nr nf had
sented. l remarked that he was friend of
the bill, and it was all right Ny inn res
sion is that was told by Mr.. Billings.
Question. Had you any idea Of the
amendments referred to?
Answer. ] had not.
Question. Do you know George w. Bill
lings?
Answer l have seen him.
Question Did you ever consult with him
in relation to this bill?
Answer l have not
Question. Do you know for whom Mr..
Billings was operating!
Answer. l do not.
Question. Do You know anything in re-
lation to charter granted for railroad by
the Legislature of Minnesota to company
of which Mr. Billings is one of the corpo-
rators?
Answer. I have seen the charter before,
or one of the same head.
Question. Did you have any conversation
with General Stevens, after the bill was en-
crossed, in relation to the alteration?
Answer. Never had until Saturday night
Question. Can YOU state whether the
charter was granted by your legislature with
the expectation of a grant OF land by Con
gress! ~ea--
Answer I was told by Mr.. Washburne
of Illinois, that the Territory had granted
charter which would take all the lands
which Congress might grant.
Question. Did you learn this from any
other source?
Answer 1 saw it in the papers. f
Question. Have you ever seen copy OF
the charter, or the bill to incorporate the
Minnesota and Northwestern Railroad Co.:
Answer. l have.
Question. Do you know whether tho
Company has been organized?
Answer | have understood so.
Question. Who are the directors?
Answer. l have heard that committe
was appointed.
Question. Do you know of your owl
knowledge that the company is organized?
Answer A committee was appointed
as have been told, who reported to TIN
governor the fact of the acceptance of tin
charter, and have heard of no further &C
ton: have heard Of two or three cOmpanie
being Incorporated
Question. Did you have copy of tn
bill made by the clerk? .'
Answer. did, after its introduction, an
sent it to one Of the papers in Mlnnesot
for publication
BE-. Question. Did you, as delegate repre-
senting the Territory of Minnesota, at an
time suggest to General Stevens, of Mich
gan, or any other person, whilst this bi
was before the Committee on Public Land,
or since, that the word FUTURE" in til
third section, should be erased, or that til
word "dnd" should be substituted for tn
word "Or"
Answer. did not, nor did know tina
the words were in the bill.
1t will be perceived that Mr.. RICE her
admits that he had understood that the hi
yes, that bill so vitality important to h
Territory--had been altered or amended
and that the words altered were slight, an
that as Mr. WAsHBuRNE, of Illinois, ha
~ consented, it was all right. His imprcssie
was. that he was told by Mr.. BIILINGs.-
lie testfes further that lie had no idea