Washington sentinel., 1854-03-08

a bank and, if his law reading was correct, the
act was pronounced unconstitutional according to
the organic law.
Mr.. RICE said that all laws of the Territories
are required TO be submitted TO Congress, and, II
not objected to by the last named body, remain IN
force. Minnesota has chartered three or four rail-
road companies, but none of them covers this
grant,
Mr. LAM inquired whether six thousand acres
OF public land had not been entered at the termi-
nus OF the proposed road on Lake Superior. He
had heard SO and further that gentlemen in this
House We're interested in il, and that one-fourth
ofthe land has been sold since the commencement
OF the session.
Mr.. RICE replied that not one foot Of land in
Minnesota has ever been advertised for sale.
Whether any member of the House has been TO
that Territory on such business, he did not know.
There are not six thousand acres Of land on Lake
Superior, in Minnesota, subject 10 private entry
Mr.. LANE asked whether there are not claims
under the Indian title.
Mr.RICE responded there are gentlemen there
who claim, under Jonathan Carver, fifteen millions
of acres.
Mr.. WASHBURN, Of Illinois, wished 10 know
whether the gentleman from Indiana Mr. LANE)
made his assertion ofhs own knowledge.
Mr.. LANE replied he had understood from a
gentleman of character that six thousand acres in
and around the terminus of this road are held by
gentlemen in this city, and that one-fourth Of the
land has been sold since the meeting of Congress.
He asked who holds or claims the land around the
terminus at Lake Superior?
Mr.. RICE said he was unable 10 answer the
question. He owned none there, nor did he know
Of any other gentleman who did. These lands, he
repeated, We're not in market, and only about two
thousand acres have ever been surveyed.
Mr.. LANE said that, being opposed in toto TO
giving one foot Of land 10 any railroad believing
that such grants would be at war with the Home-
stead bill, he was willing to take any honorable
course q defeat n bill of this character
He repeated he had been credibly informed by
gentleman from Minnesota that six thousand
acres are held at and around the terminus Of this
road by gentlemen in this city He did not pur-
pose TO give the names of the gentlemen on this
floor, but, if members should call upon him in a
proper way he would furnish the information.
One-fourth of the land he repeated, as he had
been informed, has been sold since the meeting of
Congress for $2,S00.
Messrs BISSELL and WASHBURN, of ILL
nois, severally called for the names Of the gentle
men to whom allusion had been made by the gen.
tleman from Indiana,
Mr.. BISSELL requested the gentleman, most
respectfully, to answer the question.
y MIR. LANE said that when applied to in proper
manner, he would respond. He had only repeated
statement made to him from respectable and
credtable source
Mr.. BlSSELL asked whether il was the states
man who adopts such mode of defeating the bill;
and was il in accordance with enlarged and liberal
principles The gentleman's insinuation was
that there was something very dark and suspicious
in this matter; but he would not tell it. Why!
Because he was not called on in proper man
ner; and he has chosen the time and place to let
il out. Therefore he (Mr. BIssELL) took it for
granted this is not the proper time and place.
man is after the bill shall have been defeated He
suspected, if an answer were given here, il would
not weigh feather against this bill
Mr.. LANE replied, ifit was true that six thous-
and acres at the terminus Of the road at Lake Su.
perior, belong to individuals, the general govern
ment will not be SO much benefited by this road as if
those acres belonged TO il. He repeated he had
been credibly informed by gentleman from Min
nesota that this land is owned or claimed by indi-
viduas, and has been sold in part since the meet
ing Of Congress. The distinguished gentleman
from Illinois complained of the course which he
Mr. LANE) had pursued; but he would pursue his
own course, without consulting the opinion of any
other gentleman on this 1oor He was here to
represent as intelligent constituency as any
other man here. He felt that he knew their
wants, and was much more able to represent them
han any gentleman from any other section of
country He was not responsible for his actions to
he distinguished gentleman from Illinois. If the |
gentleman was dissatisfied with his course, he re-
,retted il, but the gentleman could not undertake
o dictate to him what course he should pursue
Mr.. TAYLOR. of Ohio, concurred in the remarks
made by Mr.. BssELL. and said that this bill should
not be prejudiced by mere rumor.
Mr.. HEM rcmarkedhe had just been informed |
~ gentleman from Minnesota. that no lands at |
Mr.. GERRIT SMITH opposed the bill because |
ne held that the government has no right TO make |
his contemplated use Of the public lands, which |
ne maintained belong to the landless.
Mr.. CAMPBELL spoke in favor of donating |
ands for purposes of internal Improvements.
Mr.. BAYLY obtained the floor; but gave way to |
Mr.. ORR, who briefly gave his reasons for op-
posing the bill.
The committee then rose.
The bill making appropriations for certain roads |
n New Mexico was taken up on its passage
when the yeas and nays were ordered. Pending |
which.
The House adjourned