New-York daily tribune., 1857-08-25
SALE OF FORT SMELLING AND RESER-
FATION.

To the Editor Of The N. Y. Tribune
SIR: The Ercaing star Of the 18th inst, published
at Washington and which is evidently in the secrets
of the North-Western grand speculating schemes,
comes voluntarily and very nnocently to the defense
Of the Government Agents who have recently given
away under the name of SALE that i'll nense military
depot known as Fort Smelling. The most amusing
part of the defense is that, admitting the complaints
are loud and deep he saddles them upon the Republ-
can party and thinks to change the matter ffom
strictly business or financial into political question:
short sketch of this property will expose The Stars
duplcity and the conduct of the Agents
The Government at an early day purchased from
the Indians tract ten miles square at the confluence
Of the Minnesota River with the Mississippi, for mill
tary purposes. Mejor Pike made the selection and
the purchase and every one who has visited the spot
bears testimony TO his wisdom and judgment. The
post being commanding aud import ant onc the works
were laid out upon an extensive plan and erected IN
the most substantial manner. Immense sums oil
money were expended year after year constructing
here of solid masonry what III most inland ferts Is
formed Of square timber and rough pickets.
In 1880 the Government purchased from the
Indians the entire Territory OF Minnesota aud then
commenced the growth OF two cities on either SIDE OF
this military post, St. Paul and st Anthony, the ag-
gregate population Of which is at this time over
20, 6O0. In 1884 the people, being crowded Tor
space petitoned Congress through their Delegate to
throw DOrtiOn OF Tue ten-IiIlc ICsti'n'Ipu INV
market, which was done, retaining with the Fort but
one mile square, the property new In question.
The present value per Of the lands thrown INTO
market in 1881 is very easily ascertained. 1hey
range from slO0 to 800 per acre, and as they iay
around and adjoining the recent sale of course the
same causes which made the old reservation vaiuaDe
apply also TO this The growth OF Cities the peopilng
and improving the country, the development OF manu-
featuring the construction with Government funds oi
eSceler roads the crowding of the Mississippi River
with steamers the building, at Government expense,
railroads through this very land, connecting the cues
of II. Paul and st. Anthony and running hundreds oi
miles still beyond into the agricultural ands norm ana
west Here some OF the elements tha' give Vaiue
10 their propeTty-Or rather to the acres.
Now for the Fort proper. 1t is an immense estap.
lishment nclosed by lofty walls OF SOLID masonry. l.
contain blocks squares Of stone building put up III
the most substantial manner, and capable Of garrison
ING several companies with excellent quarters from the
Cemmarda1t down. Magazines, stOrehouses, stables
for dragoon horses, icehouses houses ior guns, ~c
ali Of Which certainly could not be replaced to the
Government for million of mOney. and was oi
practical value TO the Government at the moment IL
was sold all it originally cost the country
We ray Low put the bill IN form
1850 acres Of isnd worth & leo per ssre.... S7JOo
for proper woih, Sy....................'..' SUO"
5lQ.S g S5S SSS
Sold SVV
Balance in favor OF pu1chsser........... $sSoOoo
There is the true value of the property, as SET of
against the sum received by the Government.
Will now proceed 10 demonstrate the above 10
correct far at least relates TO the land. Tc
gfdrs ago | offered man the old Reserve $4,000
for a6O acres lie said be refused to sell to Mr. Breck
enridce now Vice President for $2 900. Last Spring
tried 10 purchase l6O on the old Reserve still
higher the Fort and have the mans letter before
me saving he will not sell under $50 per acre.
coud strengthen this incidental proof to any extent
but il is superuous to add 10 that which s notorious
IN eyery ore at all familiar with the property.
First II is very evident the sale was brought about
by Influences which conspired TO keep the Secretary
blinded as TO the real value of the property either 10 tee
Government or private irdividuss' A.
Second Ii s also evident that the insrnchons 20 me
40. mis- for the sale Of the property were drawn up iof
the Secretary with very pretty aPPe Oh .;n
ness uron their face, but conceahng an eAelna.s.
power which covered the very ground specuiauJGn "a
wished 10 reach. The refusal TO advertise the Huus
according TO CUSTOM and put the properly 70 Puos
auction shut out competition, and thus seteis anu
purchasers had il all their own way ana ieiI n'oe
sum Of 5000 OO0 in the hauds Of somebody. III
According 10 The Star, the Democrats are wen
pleased with this, perhaps gaining 60 much 10 tns
common cause; and Republicans are bitterly denoIheeo
be cause they fail 10 the proprie'y OF the SAFE or
CONNIE nd the manner in which il was effected.
have failed, az yet to see the Republican or any
other journals characterize this by its night name, or
mace il In the list where belongs It's but ore oil
series of similar operations running through yesrs
sld 80 profoundly conceived aad adIoty executed,