The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1855-06-21
Latest from Clay County |!

Monday, June f6j $3.50.
DEAR JouRNAL4-But little of interest has
transPired since my last, except that another
agreement has been entered into Between
the citizens of Clay county and the Canal
Trustees, but whether that agreement
amounts to settlement or not time only
can determine. My own opinion is, that
the Trustees are dealing with irresponsible
parties who will adhere to their contracts
while it suits their convenience, and again
violate them upon the slightest pFetext of of
fence. The Trustees have acted Upon the
propositions submitted to them by a commit
fee on behalf of Clay county, and with slight
notifications have acceded to them. I'm So
doing the parties have only reiterated
another contract, 10 clear the timber from
the Reservoir, which, you have already
learned from my letters, the Trustees have
ever been ready to do. The ratification of
the treaty took place to-day upon our camp
ground, and so far as matters connected
with the canal are concerned, the difficulties
may be considered settled for the present.
What has been gained by the Clayites except
the carrying of an immaterial p:int about
which little controversy has ever existed, it
is difficult to discover. In fact there is so
little in it, that it would seem impossible
they should be willing to adjust such huge
grievances as they claim to have sustained
for SO small a consideration. It is to be
hoped in view of the vast Importance of the
Reservoir to canal navigation, that no fur
Their difficulties may ever arise, but il has be.
come a part of the nature of the people of
Clay county to believe that their rights have
ruthlessly been trampled on,by that "aoulless
| corporation" as they are pleased to call the
Canal Trustees. It will be a part of the edu-
cation of their chi ldren, and the spirit of
rebellion will long be cherished against the
canal interest, and anything but friendly
relations are being engendered against the
city of Evansville for the interest she has
manifested-in maintaining law and order,
and protecting the canal property.
We have had some hard rain which have
somewhat retarded the work of repairs -
Gen. Dodd will detain US here until the work
is completed, and there is so little confidence
to be placed in the assurances of the people
not to interrupt the laborers again, that such
a course is doubtless necessary. If criminal
proceedings are instituted against those i'm
plicated in the burning, we shall most likely
be detained until Wednesday or Thursday.
We all have the utmost confidence in the
management of Gen. Dodd, whom we find to
be an accomplished gentleman, and an efi-
cient officer. He will do his duty in any
event. Enclosed you will find the resolu-
tons which are the basis of the settlement
above referred to.
TRUSTEES OFFICE, WAB. ERIE CANAL,(
TERRE HAUTE, June Is, 1855. {
Whereas contract was made with VIM.
K. Houston, of Clay county, on the 30th
Sept, 1854, to cut down and clear off the
timber then standing within the limits OF the
Birch creek Reservoir, in Clay county, and
also all the shrubs, brush and smsi trees
within the same, excepting from such clear
ing belt or strip next to the embankment,
which was reserved to protect the same from
the waves, which work of cutting and clear
ing was to be fully finished on or before the
first of February, 1855; And, whereas the
said Houston failed to finish the same within
the tine specified, and abandoned the work;
And whereas the said reservoir is an indis-
pensible feeder to the main line of the canal,
without which the use or the navigation can
not be maintained, which navigation is now
interrupted by The breach of said reservoir,
causing great loss and damage to the pub
lie.
And whereas Gen. Dodd and Col. Nees,
the protection of the said Reservoir and other
works of the Canal, have repr esented to the
said Board that the clearing off of the timber
within the limits of said Reservoir would af-
feet favorably the citizens of Clay county
residing in the vicinity of said Reservoir, al |
lay their fears, and cause them to protect the |
said works against any further outrage or |
DANCE, and have intmated to the Board that
the same be done as soon as practicable con-
sistently with the interests of the State and
the use and navigation of the canal: And
whereas the Trustees have received the pro-
ceedings of a meeting of the citizens of Clay
County residing in the vicinity of sad Reser-
voir held on the 14th June instant, of which
Daniel w. Hays was President, and Solo
mon Sharp, Secretary, in which such pledges
as above are contained, and have also re-