The daily Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1855, 1854-09-05

CuC dCG vi ULc lcrflC0rVI
Answer. 1t does make the donation to
the Territory, and it would have to take it
under the act of the Territory, the Mime
sofa and Northwestern Railroad Company.
under the charter passed by the legislature
last session, would be the company entitled
to the lands.
George ". Billings, recalled.
Question. Did you have any conversation
with Mr.. Sibley in relation to this bill after
it was drawn up, and did Mr. Sibley ever
assent to the change in the bill?
Answer. None that l recollect, except
in general terms as to its passage; nor do l
recollect Of having any conversation as to
the change.
Question. What other persans than those
already named, if any, did you have CONVEX
sation with in regard to the change?
Answer. do not recollect of any other
conversation?
Question. Did you ever have any CONVEX
satiOn with John Wentworth of Illinois?
Answer He asked me whether the COM
pany would go into operation. l answered,
l suppose so, but could not tell.
Question Was there anything in the con-
versation with Mr.. Wentworth in regard to
the alteration of the bill before it took
place
Answer. There was not, nor since.
Question. Have you had any conversa-
ton with any person, since your arrival in
this city, in relation to the change of the
bill, or in relation to this investigation ?
Answer. l have not, except have been
asked half q dozen times what | was here
for.
Question. Did You see General Jones in
New York after the committee was appoint
ed and if so, had you any conversation
with him on the subject
Answer. | saw General Jones for the
space of one minute. He called at my Of
flee, No. So William street, to say he was
going to Boston. He informed me that !
was summoned to go to Washington.
Question. Did he inform you for what
purpose you were summoned?
Answer. He informed me I was sum-
moned to 60 to Washington to testify be-
fore committee, and said, "yOu probably
know the purpose" answered, ayes;
have seen it in the papers,"
Question. You have spoken Of receiving
a telegraphic despatch; state from whom it
was received; and if you have the despatch
produce it; and if not, state its contents.
Answer. did not receive despatch my
self it was to MIR. Stearns, who informed
me.
Question. Who is Mr.. Stearns?
Answer. Of the firm of Raymond and
Fullerton, New York.
Question You have stated in your exam
nation that you never saw the bill until it
was printed and passed the House; how,
then did you know the purport of the Sd
section
Answer Governor German told me that
the 81 section was drawn so that it would
prevent the grant of land being received by
the present corporation Of the Minnesota
and Northwestern Railroad Company-that
he had paid particular attention to the Sd
section, and also that Mr.. Washburnc had
with him.
Question. DO you wish the committee to
understand that you understood Mr.. Wash
burne to assent to striking out the word
" tutuye," and substituting the word sand"
for "or," or that you understood him gene
rally to assent that the new bill should con-
form to the old one?
Answer. So far as the language was con-
cerned, knew nothing of it, but that the
new bill was to conform to the old bill.
Question Do you know anything of the
bill for Incorporating the Minnesota and
Northwestern Railroad Company, marked
B?
Answer 1 know some of the corpora
tors.
Question Has that company been organ
lied ; and if so, who are the officers of the
company
Answer. The company was organized on
the LIST of July. AS regards the officers, l
decline to answer, as do not think it per
tains to the business of the committee
Question. Is any member of the Senate,
of the House of Representatives, or of any
of the executive departments of the general
government, or of any officer of either house
Of Congress, either director or subscriber
to stock in said company; or have you any
knowledge of any interest direct or indirect
of any such person in said company? If
you have, give the names.
Answer. do not, either directly or indi-
rectly.
Question Do you know of any of the
friends of Mr.. Washburne, of Illinois, who
are directors, stockholders, or otherwise in
terested directly Or indirectly in the said
railroad company? If so, name them.
Answer. | do not.
Question Has this railroad company to
your knowledge ever recognized the arrange
ment of which you spoke connected with
Mr. HINT or has the comnany to YOnr