The daily Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1855, 1854-09-06
agency had they in procuring the passage


Answer. Messrs. Schuyler, Ketchum and
Billings, and, think, Corning, through
their agents, Messrs Stimson and Jcssup, of
Dubuque and they desired the passage of
the charter Immediately, 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 they
represented would defeat the grant at Wash
ington, and that we could not get the grant
without their assistance. Messrs. Stimson
and Jessup represented themselves as agents
for the persons named before, as | was III.
formed
Question. Have You any personal knowl-
edge that any of the individuals named in
the act of Incorporation used any improper
means to procure the charter from the legis-
lature Of Minnesota
Answer. | have no personal knowledge
on the subject. opposed the charter, and
| obtained thepassage of many amendments
to the charter which deemed favorable to
the Territory; and besides, thought it pre-
mature to pass charter dispOsing of lands
that might be granted to the Territory be-
fore grant had been made by Congress.
| also thought that the Territory might he
able to obtain better resulting interest
from said grant.
Question. What were the reasons given,
by the friends of the charter in the legiSla-
ture, for being willing to incorporate COM
pany in advance Of grant of land by Con-
yreSs
Answer. The reason given was, that it
wonld expedite matters; that if we waited
for the grant the legislature would have adj
journcd, but, by giving the charter then,
we should gain year i'll the construction of
the road; that the company could make ar
engagements to begin the work earlier, and
SO carry Oh the work 1t was also said that
Wisconsin was asking for grant that would
come in competition with ours in construct
ing the road to Lake Superior, and the de-
lay 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 ac-
complsh nothing.
Letter from Mr.. LoacJer to the Hon. L. d.
Campbell.
WASHINGTON, July 90, "a.
SIR:-As it is evident that efforts are be-
ing made before your committee intended tC
affect the rights and interests which the Min
neSOta and Northwestern Railroad COmpa
ny have acquired in the lands granted by
Congress to the Territory of Minnesota; and
as the company, relying upon the validity
Of the grant as approved have, in good
faith, invested large amounts of money
therein, respectfully submit whether it is
not right and proper, and request and claim
that they be permitted to appear before
your committee by their counsel, Hiram
ketchum, Esq, of New York, to examine
the cvidetce already taken and to take such
part in the further proceedings before you
as may he necessary to protect the rights d
the company.
am, sir, your obcdient servant,
ROBERT w. LOWBER,
Vice President of NJ and y. w. Il. II. Co
Hon. LEWIS u. CAMPBELL,
Chairman of Com. of Investigation
The communication of Robert w. Low
Der, asking that the Minnesota and North
western Railroad Company may introduce
Hiram Ketchum, Esq, before the commit
tee, as counsel on behalf of said company
to examine witnesses, &C., having bee
read,
On motion of Mr. Barry,
Ordered, That, for the present, the con
; mittee decline to permit the introduction G
counsel Of any of the parties interested t
this investigation, and that the committc
: will examine such witnesses as either of ther
may suggest, to have information which
r deemed pertinent to the matters embrace
Y in the resolution.
e Copy Of order delivered to Mr.. Lowbe
July 81, 1854.
! Gorge ". Billings, recalled.
. Question. In Mr. Washburne's letter t
you of May Goth, he says: "Our bill is 0
the Speakers table," State what bill is a
luded to.
: Answer The bill to grant lands to al
, Minnesota to construct railroad therein.
|, Question. Had you any connexion wit
. any other bill than the one intended to |
y i'll the form of what you have spoken of j
your evidence !?
Answer / had not ....r.
Question. Have you had any convers.
c ton with Mr. Hugh Tyler and Mr. Sible
r in Mr. Sibley's room, or elsewhere, in T.
/ gard to changing the bill?
Answer. had conversation with Nj
Sibley, and think it was in Mr.. Tyler
= room.
c Question. Did You ever propose, in COZ
} versation with Mr.. Sibey or Mr.. Tyler, t
:, make any secret change in the bill, in an
l. stage of its passage?
l. Answe. / did not. Mr. Tyler intimate
tbat Eo oouId MAKO SucI chance as was mex