The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1855-02-24
Correspondence of the Minnesotian.

WASHINGTON, Feb. l. 1856.
MEssRs. EDITORS Yesterday was the last
of the days, set apart by the the House of Rep
resentatives for the exclusive consideration of
Territorial business but by the good manage
ment and force of your Delegate, aided by
Messrs. Richardson and Washburne, of Illinois,
this day was also secured Or at least, so
much of it, as was necessary to dispose of the
whole Territorial calender.
The acts passed for the benefit of Minnesota
during those days, are LIST, an act appropria-
ting $4,000 for Military Post at Pembina, %,
an act appropriating $4,000 for the completion
of the Capitol, and $500 for workshop in
the Territorial Prison.
Sd. An act making appropriations of $4,000
for road from Minneapolis to Fort Ridgley,
and $4,000 for a road from Fort Ripley to the
Red River of the North.
All these appropriations are of the most i'm
portant character
4th. An act extending the act Ct 1S4l, Civ
ing the right Of presumption to settlers on the
public lands, to the Military reservation OF
Fort Smelling, on the West side of the Missis-
sippi. This act provided that all settlers on
the old reservation who were actually residing
upon their claim, at the date of the passage OF
ably to the provision of the act of Sept. 4, ls4l
1t also provides, that where two or more per-
sons have setteled upon and improved the
same legal subdivision, they may enter it joint
ly-the right of each to be in proportion to the
extent Of his improvements. 1t also extends
the provision of the act of 1874 regulating the
entry of town sites. to the town of Minneapo
lis.
This bill will carry joy to the hearts of ma
ny of the settlers on the old reservation, as ii
secures them their claims and allows them to
enter them at once.
The act also provides that the Rev. f. G
Gear effort Smelling shall have the right to en-
ter his claim on Lake Harriet and the Lake OF
the Isle, at SIPS per acre. This was a right
eous provision and secured many votes for the
it. His friends have made known the true his
tory Of his case, and it excited universal SYM
pathy.
You are referred to the remarks of Mr.. Rice
Washburne and other gentlemen in to day
Globe to sec the high estimation placed upon
the character and services of the excellent
Chaplain at Fort Smelling.
1t will be observed, by claimants on this
land, that their proof and payment for their
claims must be made arithin three months after
the passage Of this act, otherwise they forfeit
all rights under it. 1 will send you the news,
as soon as the bill is approved by the President
1T has yet to pass the Senate--in order that
the claimants may have time by warning of the
time within which to act
To-day, your Delegate had amendments ad-
ded to the military appropriation bill in the
Senate amounting in all to $4,000 for the
completion of the roads now in progress of
construction in your Territory. He is really
the most successful Delegate, that ever held
seat in Congress, and l think your people
could not do wiser thing than to re-elect him,
if he will consent to serve, which is doubtful
Bid Gov. German 6escare the ides of .Narrh q!
MOHAWK.