Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1855-05-25
Epistles from ST. Paul.
M III

81. PAIL. Minnesn.A- "

ST. PAUL, Minnesota, May :, 1855.
For time past the "Prcss' in this region
has been greatly exercised over tho report of J
RIOS Browne, Special Agent, sent on here by the
government to make Investigations concerning the
land sale which was held last at saltwater.
When Browne was here, he was we'll known to be a
government agent, but most if not all supposed the
subj ect matter Of his nvestigations what it
turned out to be. The enemies of our worthy Gov
ernor thought that he the rogue whose wicked
ways, past their finding out, the sharp sghtedness
Of the Special Agent would speedily detect and bring
to light, and they were, consequently in high glee,
Browne rclted and pulled by these chaps, asked
home to dine" invited deliver lecture before
the st. Paul Literary Association, in fact, made a
complete lion Of But when his report made
and it found to treat upon nm entirely different
subject from the supposed and alleged sins Of the
Governor, and his removal from ofrcc-when it was
that his report affected the interests of Squat
tors, real and pretended, the lands in question
which they had bid off at public auction, rs per
and moro than all when the aforesaid CHAPS"
saw how unwttingly of their number had been
led to give aid and comfort to tho spy and un.
consciously furnish him with natural on which to
has, his report, their indignation knew bounds.
The Spy at once as.aled, his report pro-
nounced false, the means he used to gain iuforma.
tion characterized de.picable, hi, private aud
literary reputation called in question, while some
went far to abuse him for spelling his name
with E, instead Of in the usual way. His report
to the effect that combination existed at the
above mentioned sale which prevented or deferred
outsiders from bidding and thus cheated the govern
ment out of many thousand doars,as the lands had
been improved and very valuable.
No direct evidence Of the combination is exhi-
bited-nothing of it appeared at the sale save
wagon load two of clubs, and the absence of COM
petition in bidding but Mr.. J. Ross Browne argue,
that one nevertheless existed and adduces as con-
elusive evidence of it, the fact, that the Spectators
of Minnesota stood silent by and saw lands worth
500 per acre sold for sl.25, and made no sign,
lie says that to suppose they were deferred from
bidding by any feeling Of sympathy or sense Of
honor only argues ignorance Of their true charac-
ter. What will be the result cannot yet be told,
The general opinion is that the sales will be con-
frned and the patents issued. But whatever the
result j. RIOS. Browne, the author of Yuscf, &C.,
should he again visit Minnesota would quite likely
meet with a reception little suited to his individual
ease and comfort Whether man goes South and
meddle. with "niggers" or comes West and inter-
fcrcs with squatter's title to his " claim" the
treatment of his case is the he is pretty
tain To receive free ride and new suit. The
pockd H'rr' is dangerous thing to touch and is
alike sensitive in regard to a human chattcl and
patch Of wild land. The "Squitters' throughout
the Wcst consider that they Of light entitled to
the lands they have improved by their own labor and
accordingly take means To get Thorn. II ,pecula-
tors were allowed To- bud tor such lands at
all, the Sluattcr, would invariably lose them, Il,
they have but little money while their competitors
have plenty. Hence they take measures to protect
themselves. They only rePel what they deem
unwarrantable Interference with their property
Could they not effect their object pcaceably there is
no doubt thoy would resort To- force, They would
fight for their "claims as fereely and determined
ly as a STAKEHOLDER for his slaves, slave for his