The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1855-01-27
Correspondence of the Minnesotian.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 10, 1855.

MEssRs. EDITORS There are quite a num-
Der of gentlemen at this time from your city,
as we'll as from other parts of the Territory
and it WILL no doubt be agreeable to you to
know, that they are unanimously in favor of
the R. R. Company, chartered by your Legisla-
ture last winter. getting the land granted by
Congress to aid in the construction of Rail-
road from Lake Superior, via St. Paul to Du-
buque.
They are satisfied, that, if this Company
should fail in it's attempt to secure those lands,
they will be forever lost to the Territory. Upon
the legal question, among lawyers, or those
claiming to be, there is no difference of opin-
ion. All join in the opinion that the repeating
act, though void against the Company is per-
fectly effective so far as any claim of the Ter
ritory is concerned. No fee was intended to
be vested in the Territory by the Act making
the grant. 1t simply constituted it the agent
of the National Government, for the purpose
of carrying out the provisions of the grant. 1t
thus held to the Company, perhaps, the rela-
ton of Trustee, and in this capacity alone
ty only being able to claim the land, had their
been no Company organized, before the pas
sage of the repeating act, no right could hare
uested land the land would have been irretrievc-
ably lost Thus, you have the Company,
against which some of your people have been
waging exterminatng war, alone to thank for
the grant, and for hopes of a Railroad.
This being the case, and as it is understood
some legislation is desired by the Company,
your Legislature ought not, one would think,
out of pure gratitude, to withhold any reason
able action.
Some days ago, there was an evident desire
in the House of Representatives, upon the part
of those, who originally voted against the grant
to the Territory, to attack the Company, by
an attempt to get bill reported disappearing
of its charter. This will not succeed and if
your Legislature will do some act speedily, by
which to evince its approval the acts of the
Co., it will have an excellent influence here
and materially aid both the Company and the
Territory for their interests are now mutual.
Any act, it matters little what its nature is, so
it gives evidence of the good will of the Legis-
lature towards the Company will serve the
end suggested. One, not upon the ground,
and not conversant with the varied interests of
the members of your Council and House, would
suppose there would be quite a rivaly among
the politicians at least, to see which could be
first, in making an attempt to get some act of
this kind passed as it would certainly be
feether in his cap, who did it.
The survivors of the War of 1872 have been
holding convention here, and commemorat-
ing the anniversary of the Battle of New Or
leans. Many of them are still here. The great
object of meeting, was to effect the passage of
Mr.. Broadhead's bill, for the benefit of the he
'oes' of that war. One of your quasi citizens,
COl G. S. Todd, took quite an active part in
he convention.
In the Senate the Judiciary Reform Bill of
Mr.. Butler, has been under discussion for
lumber of days-Mr. Douglas proposing sub
titute. The substitute, will pass the Senate;
,ut probably meet its death in the House. ON
he House the land graduation bill has been
he question of interest for some days, while
RnO,o .Nothingisn comes in for its full share.
dr. Stephens. of Ca, speaks on that subject to-
morrow, it is understood, and Mr.. Chandler, of
"a, the day following on Catholicism-both
bile men. The city is quite gay.
Gen. Scott is here, and l regret to say is
ooking quite feeble. Yours,
MOHAWK