The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1855-03-24

nave no difficulty in arriving at the conclusion
that the Know Nothings have been correctly
described.
After some further remarks were made in
condemnation of the Know Nothings, which
were not reported, and then the Committee
rose and the House adjourned.
Report Of Senate Committee ON the Annulment
Of our Railroad Charter.
In the Senate, on the 9th February, Mr.
Cooper, from the Committee on Terrific
rles to whom was referred the joint resolu-
ton adopted by the House of Representatives,
disappearing and annulling an act entitled
An Act to incorporate the Minnesota and
Northwestern Railroad Company" and an act
entitled I" An Act to incorporate the Transit
Railroad Company" passed by the Legislative
Assembly of Minnesota, and approved March
4, 1854, presented the following report:
That, in March, 1853, when there was no
prospect OF obtaining grant of lands from the
General Government to aid in the construction
of a railroad, the Territorial Legislature pas
sed acts of the following titles, to wit -" An
act to incorporate the Minnesota Western Rail-
road Company" approved March g. 1858 " An
act to incorporate the Louisiana and Mnneso-
ia Railroad Company - Gan act to incorpo-
rate the Mississippi and Lake Superior Rail-
road Company ;" and, "An act to incorporate
the Lake Superior, Puget's Sound, and Pacific
Railroad Company" approved March s. 1853,
authorizing the construction of various rail-
roads in said Territory, some of which were to
run substantially over the same route indicated
by the act of Congress of June 20, 1854, and
containing provisions, granting to the cOmpa-
MES which should be organized under them
all lands which should be subsequently, granted
by Congress in aid of the construction of said
roads. That, at the past session of the present
Congress, bill, making grant of lands to
Minnesota to aid in the construction of q rail
road therein, was introduced in this body and
passed by it; and, while pending in the House
of Representatives. the act Incorporating the
d" Minnesota and Northwestern Railroad Com
pany." which it is now proposed to disapprove
WAS passed by the Legislature of the Territory
of Minnesota, in immediate anticipation of said
grant by Congress.
That the object of said act of incorporation
was to ensure the construction of railroad, in
accordance with the provisions contained in
the anticipated act OfCongress, from the south
ern boundary of said Territory, by the way oil
st. Paul, to some point on Lake Superior. That
on the Sd of April. 1854, agreeably to the pro-
visions of said act of Incorporation q majority
of the corporaters therein named amongst
whom was neither the Governor or Secretary
of said Territory, met i'll the city ot New Y DIRK
and determined to accept the charter under
said act. and gave notice of their acceptance to
the Governor. That on the - day of May,
Saint Paul and New York to receive
subscriptions for the capital stock in said
read. That on the 30th day of June, 1854.
over million of dollars Of the capital stock in
said road having been subscribed, and ten per
cent thereon paid in, the stockholders met pur-
suant to notice, in the city Of New York. on
the LIST day of July, 1854, and selected twelve
directors, three of whom were citizens of Min
nesota, which said directors, so chosen, on the
same day completed the organization of the
company by the election of q president, vice
president. secretary, treasurer and solicitor.
That the officers so elected accepted their off
ccs, and entered upon the discharge of their re-
spective duties; procured an office wherein to
transact the business of the company; employ
ed engineers purchased and shipped supplies
to proper and convenient points near the line
of said railroad; entered into important con-
tracts assumed heavy liabilities, and incurred
the prosecution of the work. That on the 29th
day 0fJune, 1854, an act entitled "An act to
aid the Territory of Minnesota in the construc-
| ton of railroad therein" was approved by
the President; and the belief that the lanes so
granted enured to the benefit of the "Minne-
sofa and Northwestern Railroad Company"
induced the subscription of a large portion of
the capital stock of said road, and the payment
of the first instalment due thereon and that it
also induced the said company to commence
the survey of the route, to enter into contracts,
assume liabilities, and incur additional ex-
penses.
That on the 4th day of August, 1854, and at.
ter the stockholders in said company had sub
scrbed over million of dollars of the capital
stock, and paid in over one hundred thousand
dollars thereof and had perfected its organiza-
ton, employed its engineers purchased and
forwarded supplies for its employees, COM
meneed the survey and location of the road,
entered into important contracts, assumed liza
blites, and incurred heavy expenses, an act
entitled " An act for the relief of Thomas Bro
naugh, and for the repeal of an act to aid the
Territory of Minnesota in the construction of a
railroad therein, approved 29th June. 1882
was passed by Congress and approved by the
the President.
That On the 23d day of October, 1854 while
the Minnesota and Northwestern Railroad Com
pany was engaged in the survey aud location
of said road, an action in treSpass, in the name
of the United States, was commenced by the
district attorney of the United States for the
Territory of Minnesota against said company
that the agent of said company being in ST.
Paul at the time the suit was instituted, &C
cepted service of process ; and for the mutual
accommodation and convenience of all parties
connected Herewith, the pleadings were imme-
diately made up ; the declaration alleging that
the Minnesota and Northwestern Railroad Com
pany had entered upon certain lands belonging
to the United States, and had cut and carried |
away five hundred trees of the value, &c. The |
defendant answered, admitting the entry upon |
the lands described, and the facts ofcutting and |
carrying away the trees: but justified the tres
pass, and pleaded the act of incorporation pas
sed by the Legislature of the Territory of Min
nesota, March 4, 1854, and set up the facts of
the acceptance of the charter; the opening of
the books for the subscription of stock the sub
scription of over million of dollars; the pay
ment of the instalment due thereon the organ
ization of the company, together with all the
material facts connected Herewith, and also to
the act Of Congress Of June 20. 1854, making a
grant Of land to Minnesota in aid of the con-
struction of railroad between the points de-
signated in the act of March 4, 1854 incorpo-
rating the Minnesota and Northwestern Rail-
~. fC. IL <bo ,los.