New-York daily tribune., 1857-04-24
MINNESOTA.
RAILROADS-PROSPECTS, &c.
Of The n. Y. Tribune

Correspondence OF The n. Y. Tribune.
SAINT paul. March %. 1857.
The recent grant of lands by Congress for the
structon of railroads in Minnesota varously estimated
at three to seven millions Of acres, bids fair to stmu
late speculation in this Territory to unwonted de-
gree and would do 20 to an extent Incompatible with
ts rapid growth and settlement were there not some
conservative features incidental to the grant to coun-
eract the speculative tendencies which it will devel-
op. In the first place the lands will not be withdrawn
from pre6mpon settlers. Their rights viii be recog
nized up to the time of the location by the railroad
corporations Of the sections awarded them, though all
the districts from which the donated land selected
will probably be withdrawn entirely from purchase Os
entry with warrants. This nsures the distribution
the broad acres among those having the best right to
heIn-hose willing and able to make them productive
Another probability favors the interests of iInn,i-
giants proposing to settle in Minnesota the present
year viz that of the inability of the Governor to call
mn extra session of the Legislature for want Of power
80 TO do Should this view be the true one, no final
disposition Of the donated sections be made until
next Winter by which time settlements Of good por-
ton Of the lands along the proposed lines of road may
b. effected, if there be an approximation to the nu-
mefical accession 10 population confidently ex-
pected These lands will cost the settler - 20 per
acre and will very soon be worth $l5 to 80 accord
ing TO the situation. Spectators being shut out from
their acquisition must make the most of lands already
entered, and which those unacquainted with their
locality and quality will do well to avoid;
OF cOurso, new cities and towns will be offered III
quantities and sizes to suit the most fsstidous nom
residents. SO long rs Eastern people will buy such
property which has value except for farming pur
poses in three out OF five, SO long the manutac
ture Of maps will continue.
Men who form an opinion from actual observation
and comparison Of views very seldom invest their
means in towns which can only be discovered by the
surveyors aid, the prOprietors having as little know
cF thntrx harA ahn thnrr
TONERS.
| The recent decision Of the Supremely iniquitous
Court of the United States in the Dred Scott case was
correctly anticipated by Mr.. Fullerton, formerly a
| preacher Of the GOspe-nOw Register OF the Land
Office at saltwater. This gentleman has an instinct
i've appreciation Of bis position - representative
of the Sham Democracy, ard gave II as his opinion,
several months ago, that negro il not citizen OF the
United States and cannot therefore, claim the right to
preomp from the public lands. The late Secretary
Of the Interior, Mr.. McCleland, decided otherwise,
and truly stated, in reply to letter OF inquiry from
Nr Isaah Lawrence OF New-York that there WAS
regulations to prevent citizen oi Arican descent
from pre-empting land in Minnesota. NJ. Fullerton,
in sCuITOus letter such rererepd brother from
| the Old Dominion ftly write. acknowledged the
| authority of this official ruling. Since the Supreme
Cs,uts decision he has again enlightened the public
exultingy auding to the conformity in opinions enter
tanned by himself and the five p0tabcs OF the Court
aforesaid As he will probably be sustained by the
present Secretary of the Interior, il may be well for
| colored men who had cherished the hope Of making
homes for themselves and children in this inviting
Territory TO defer their final preparations until the con
| trary be made 10 appear. Nowhere is that con-
tempt for the rights Of cooroi men, which passes
| rent i'll Washington and Quattlebum for Democracy,
| more strongly and uniformly evinced than among the
| Government officials in Minnesota. The great body
| of people do not sympathize in this sentiment any
than they recognize the right of Southern bules
| and negro-traders to the appeation of gentlemen
| You may have noticed the quarrel which prevented
our Legislature from transacting business the sweek
of the session bill for the removal of the seat of
government having passed both Houses, taken in
| charge by the Committee of Enrolled Bills. whose
chairman, secretiDg himself in a of the Fuller
House, prevented it, with many others, from being
| presented 10 the Governor for his approval. copy
OF the original bill wee however. approved and claimed
to be lawful By the friends of the measure. An at
tempt will doubtless be made TO have the next session
If the Legislature at ST. Peters though It's success will
| depend very much upon the opinion which Governor
Medary may entertain to the legality and expediency
| of the removal.
The weather is mild and the is rapidly melting,
that hope for early igaton. This is very de-
sirable to those habitraed to newspaper reading,
the mail contractor between this city and Dubuque is
not suspected Of fayorng this snti-Democrstic enter
tanment.