The daily Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1855, 1854-05-05

We invite attention to the card Of Capt. EsrEs,
he U. 8. Timber Agent for this section Of country
We have on various occasions, and in the strongest
lerms, expressed our dsapprobation Of the policy of
the government in keeping from sale those lands,
the timber Of which is absolutely necessary for the
settlement and development Of the Northwest. We
i've in hope that the government officials at Wash.
ington may yet come to appreciate the hardship,
resulting from their dog n-the-manger policy; and
that. il they still decline offering the lands for sale,
they may adopt some method by which the timte,
suitable for building purposes, can be purchased.
But to the Card. Capt. EsrEs, as Agent OF the
Interior Department. has been engaged in perform
ing the duties Of his appointment. So far as we
can learn, he has in every instance acted within the
bounds Of duty, and in very many cases, shown
greater iberaty than the spirit Of his istructions
warranted. 1t is within our personal knowledge
that Capt. E. while East last winter, used everv
argument and endeavor have the policy of govern
ment changed; and We have no doubt from our pre.
vious knowledge Of him as a man Of strict honor,
and Of generous impulses, that his action since his
return, has been in accordance with what he pro.
tests in his communication. Until, least, the OPP
posite be shown, we have no fears that his charac.
ter as man officer, can be at all injured by
the grossly malignant and libelous attacks which
have been made upon him by the papers Of this city
and Of other places.
CENTRAL HOUSE,, St. Paul, May 4, 1854.
Mr.. EDIToR:-Since my arrival here find that
various rumors have been put aAoat, through misap
prehenson the part Of the press and indiv idual
which are calculated to prejudice the public mind
against me, as a timber agent of the government
While cannot descend far as to notice the vile
slang which has been employed by the Mnnesotian
under the apprehension, presume, that such writing
was heightened, will yet state few facts, and leave
the public to judge Of the justice and fairness Of the
attacks which have been made upon my character.
was appointed agent for specific purpose, and
the Instructions issued by the department clearly dis
close for what purpose. have meyer received dol
lar from any lumberman, at any time, on account Of
trespasses committed upon government land. l have
never seized any lumber but what was admitted by
the parties interested to have been cut on
land.
regard the Office Of timber agent honorable, when
compared with that Of a dastardy libeler who EN-
ploys public newspaper for the defamation Of private
character. This is Of course matter Of taste. If
any desire to know what ] design to do they have
but to peruse the instructions issued and then calcu
late that will execute the duties assigned to me so
far am able to, without regard personal conse.
queues. cannot stop to discuss the moral or po-
ltcal questions involved in the unauthorized removal
Of timber from lancs Of the United States; but
have no doubt but what the government has right
to protect its own property. and consequently employ
such means as an individual would employ under
similar circumstances.
II have exceeded my instructions in any one in
stance, let the fact he established. But until that in
stance is pointed out, hope to enjoy the common
rights Of citizen, with the presumption in my favor
until proved guilty.
Yours, &C., JAMES b. ESTES.