Minnesota weekly times., 1857-05-02
GE Here Is q gem, BY Richard Henry Stoddard
EXTRA SESSION.

MINNESOTA LEGISLATURE.
EXTRA SESSION.
MONDAY MORNING, April q.
HOUSE.-At twenty-five minutes of eleven o.
clock, the House was called to order by the
Speaker, Hon. j. w. Furber.
A call of the roll was responded to by Messrs.
Adams, Able, Branch, ]. r. Brown, Baasen, l..
II. Brown, Berry, Chamblin, Chase, Case, Foster
Gsre, Hayden, Howell, Heehtman, King, Kieth,
Kingsbury, Murray, McVey, Ramsey, Sweeney,
Stannard, Troll, Thomas, Thompson, Wilson,
Whitloek and Mr.. Speaker. Nine being reported
absent.
Prayer by the Chaplain, Rev. Mr.. Kinney.
Mr.. Berry then rose and said that a vacancy
having occurred in the Representation from Rice
county by the departure of Mr.. Noble to Califor-
mia, and DR.. Jewett having been appointed to fill
that vacancy, he moved that he be now sworn in.
Carried.
The Speaker then administered the oath, and
DR.. Jswett took his seat.
The Speaker said that, assuming that the
House was yet under the old organization, he
should continue to preside until the House order
ed otherwise.
On motion of Mr.. Murray, committee of two
was appointed by the Chair, consisting of Msssrs.
and report to him that the House is now organic
ed, ready to hear any message he may have to
make.
On motion of Mr.. Gere, a committee of two,
consisting of Messrs. Gere and Adams, was ap-
II - h. nl s-EN
them that the House is now ready to proceed to
business.
On motion of Mr.. Murray, Mr.. Butler was
elected and sworn into Office a. Messenger pro
tenn.
Mr.. Murray reported that the committee had
waited on His Excsllency, Gov. Medary, and was
authorized to announce to the House that he
would meet them tomorrow at IL O'Clock and de-
liver his message in writing.
Mr.. j. B. Brown said he was aware that this
was rather early in the session to introduce bua-
ness but the aggravated circumstances of the
case called for prompt and efficient action on the
resolutions he was about to submit. He did this
now on account of the intense excitement which
prevailed along the Minnesota Valley, because
the Indians who had committed the outrage and
murdered tho settlers at Springfield on our south
ern frontier, were on their way to join another
band near the Missouri river.
Ino fe6olutlOno were as IOuOWe:
Whereas, There has been q most atrocious
and unprovoked massacre of many of the citi.
zsns of this territory and of the neighborng state
of Iowa, in the settlements near Springfield and
Spirit Lake, BY . rowing band Of the Wapskoota
Sioux, and
Whereas, The Indians who committed these
murders. are now travelling westwardly, with the
intention of joining themselves to some of the
disaGected Sioux On the Missouri river-yet hold
ing in captivity four white females belonging to
the families of men murdered by those Indians,
and
Whereas, In consequence of the deprsdations
committed by those Indians, business is prostra-
ted the necessary svoeations Of the settlers been
suspended, and general panic rsigns among
the settlers on our southern and western frontier
and
Whereas, We believe it to be the duty of
the United States Government to take immedi-
ate and effective measures to ensure the SPEEDY
and thorough punishment of the Indians who
have been guilty of tho massacre of our citizens,
restore confidence, and enable the settlers to re-
sumo their labors in security, therefore be it
Rssolved, BY the Council and House of Repre-.
ssntatives Of tho Territory of Minnesota, That
the o6hcer commanding the United States troops
in this Territory be, and 10 hereby most urgently
requested to take such measures as he may deem
necessary to secure an early dispatch of mounted
troops to punish efsctually their barbarities to
our citizens, and release from captivity the wo-
men in their possession.
Resolued, That the commanding officer is also
urged to take the necessary steps to cause the
cation OF troops at proper points along the Iowa
line, and the Sioux River at and above the falls,
sufficient to protect the settlements along the from
tier from further Indian depredations.
Resolved, That the Governor Of the Territory
be requested to forward copy of the foregoing
preamble and resolutions to the officers in som.
mand OF the o. 8. troops in the TERRITORY. and
also to the commanding General of the Depart-
ment-the Secretary OF War of tho United States.
A joint resolution relative to the removal of
the Indians to their Reservations.
Mr.. Bsasen desired that the last revolution
might be made more explicit designating certain
bands which had been the most prominent In
stealing, plundsring, and harrassina the settlers
IN the Blue Earth settlement. A white man had
been killed in the settlement which he represent
cd only two weeks ago, and he himself had IS hasn
several times personally attacked by the members
Upon another reading of the resolutions. Mr..
Baasen was satisfied that it was sufficiently com.
prehensive, and withdrew his proposed amend.
msnt. The resolutions were then passed unani.
mously.
Mr.. Bsasen offered bill accepting ths racen,
Grant of Lands from Congress, which was read
first and second time by its title and ordered
printed.
Mr.. J. r. Brown gave notice of bill to sand ,
volunteer company to pursue the Indians and re.
lease the eaptives, providing the Government did
not act promptly in the matter. (See editorial. 4
On motion OF Mr.. Murray the House adjourned
till tomorrow morning at 10 O'Clock.
FANNY K.xBIs BsrIrR ON Tn. Sr.cr-rh.