The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1854-01-12


tion for the opening of roads in tn
Territory. An appropriation of thi
sort will rebound to the advantage O
the general government equally as muc
as to our own.
The President of the United States
in his message delivered to the presen
Congress, with that high spirit of Iiber
aIity and progress that characterizes The
man and his principles, has wisely sal.
that he regards our public domain Ca.
chiefly valuable TO provide homes fol
the industrious and enterprising," ant
fully concurs in the propriety of appro-
priations for the construction of roads
within the Territories. In country
like ours, just emerging from the will
derness, the new settler, as a matter oI
primary Importance, must first build a
cabin to shelter himself and family
next must fence, plow and plant; the
mechanic must huiId his shop, the mer-
chant his store room Every individual
coming to a new country must attend
first to these primary wants before he
can spare the time to construct roads
Thus it is, we need the fostering care
and aid of the parent government. to
assist the infant settlers, BY these ap-
preparations, the general government
invites the population from which she
derives a revenue from the sale of her
public lands. When without this ia ciI-
ity for travel and transportation. new
country must long struggle against the
natural impediments to prosperity -
Your superior acquaintance with the
geography of the country, will enable
you in your wisdom, to determine what
points to designate. 1t will give me
pleasure to cooperate with you in what
soever may be the result of your delib-
erations.
] beg leave to call your attention to
the condition Of the settlers on the west
side OF the Mississippi river, on the lands
ceded to the Government by the Sioux
tribe ofIndians, by the treaties of 1851.
1t will be remembered that this fertile re-
gion, ever since the date ofthosetreaties, >,
has been filling up with hardy, indus.
trious, intelligent and enterprlslng peo
pie. Hundreds of farms have been
opened, neat houses built, villages laid
off, hotels erected, mechanic shops and
houses established. Your
with q new country, will no
doubt enable you to devise the proper
memorial to Congress for their protec-
ton. Nearly all of these settlements are
by the present pre-emption
laws of the United States, until the sur
veys are made. So powerfully does this
interest appeal to the justice of the
Genera! Government, that | most ear
nestly recommend that you. by joint
resolution, ask Congress to recognize
and confirm to all actual settlers their
claims to 100 acres of land.
In my judgment that duty is enjoined
upon Congress by higher considera-
ton than ordinary pre-einptlon laws; 1t
will dISpel any danger that might arise
by spectators attempting to rob honest
toll and worthy enterprise of its just
reward. Should Congress in their en-
lightened JUDGMENT legalize these actu-
al settlements; it would avoid all posi-
bic future litigation between our citizens,
and prevent those scenes of violence
that have sometimes occurred, growing
out of conflicting interests at the land
sales.
This desired action Of Congress, |
deem Of increased interest and impor-
tance, from the fact, that several years
may elapse before the surveys and sub
divisions will be completed.
If Congress in its wisdom, sees proper
to amend the pre-emption laws in this
regard, it will in ay judgment, greatly
facilitate the settlement OF the country.
The subject Of granting lands to actual
settlers has always been fayorite
measure with the western people.
If population is the basis of our ma
tional power and greatness, then the
policy of the Government should be to
facilitate and encorage the speedy set
Element and cultivation of the soil, by
proper enactncnts of Congress.
The Creator Of the earth intended
that civilized man should own and ENJOY
it, ard in government where sovereign
power is the people, it should not tax
the occupant of that soil any more than
may be necessary for their good ,andnow,
yhen the revenues derived from imports
has created and is accumulating large
surplus in the national treasury, seems
to me most propitious moment for re-
leving the bona fde settler from this
land tax of Si.25 per acre. Now is a
favorable moment to reward the hardy
pioneer for going in ADVANCE and clear
ing away the difficulties, dangers, and
obstacles to a rapidly approaching cIvili-
Zation, commerce, and wealth. This
class of our countrymen have taken
their rife, axe, and pIow, and stood be-
tween higher civilization and the wild
savage of the wilderness and prairie,
and they deserve land warrant of their
country as richly as any gallant soldier,
for dangerous and distinguished seryi-
ces, and all the reward they need OF
ask is that the powers that govern them
shall deal justly by them.
These hardy men feel that close upor
their track are always found the schoo