The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1857-03-14

has passed Congress, much anxiety is felt to
know its provisions. We publish it below AZ
it was originally introduced by our Delegate
not yet having received copy OF the law
The only amendment, however, IN e,tne e,
House, or in Committee to this original Dill
was slight alteration in the western boun-
dairy line Of the proposed State, cutting
down its dimensions about GOO square miles,
The amended line we believe, instead OF fol-
lowing the course of the Big Sioux river,
runs in straight line from Lake Traverse to
the northwest corner of the State Of Iowa.
In all other respects the bill which we print
below is the law itself:
Bill to authorize the people of the Territory of Mime
sofa to form Consultation and State Government
preparatory to their admission into the Union on an
equal footing with the original States
Be 1t enacted by the Senate and House Of Rep-
qesentatiues of the United States Of america an
Congress assembled That the inhabitants OF
the Territory of Minnesota which is embrace
ed within the following limits to wit: Be-
ginning at the point in the centre of the main
channel of the Red River Of the North where
the boundary line between the United States
and the British Possessions crosses the same:
thence up the main channel of said river to
that of the Bots des Sioux River; thence
down the main channel Of said river to Lake
Traverse thence up the centre of said lake
to the southern extremity thereof; thence
in direct line to the juncture of Kampeskee
Lake with Tchan-kasan-data, or Big Sioux
River; thence down the main channel OF
said river to the northwest corner OF the
State of Iowa thence east along the north
ern boundary of said State to the main chan
mel of the Mississippi River; thence up the
main channel of said river, and following the
boundary line OF the State of Wisconsin un-
til the same intersects the Saint Louis River /;
thence down said river to and through Lake
Superior on the boundary line of Wisconsin
and Michigan, until it intersects the dividing
line between the United States and the
British Possessions; thence up Pigeon Riv-
er, and following said dividing line, to the
place of beginning-be, and they are hereby
authorized to form for themselves Consti-
tuition and State Government, by the name
of the State of Minnesota, and to come into
the Union on an equal footing with the origi-
nal States, according to the Federal Consti-
tuition.
Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That the
said State of Minnesota shall have competent
jurisdiction on the Mississippi and all other
rivers and waters bordering on the said State
of Minnesota, so far as the same shall form a
common boundary to said State, and any
other State or States, now or hereafter to be
formed or bounded by the same, shall be
common highways, and forever free, as we'll
to the inhabitants of said State, as to all
other citizens of the United States, without
any tax, duty, impost or toll therefor.
SEC. 3. Asad be 1t further enacted, That
on the first Monday in June next, the legal
voters in each representative district then
existing within the limits of the proposed
State, are hereby authorized to elect two
delegates for each representative to which
said district may be entitled according to the
apportionment for representatives to the
Territorial Legislature, which election for
delegates shall be held and conducted, and
the returns made, in all respects in conform
ity with the laws of said Territory regulat-
ing the election of representatives, and the
delegates so elected shall assemble at the
Capital of said Territory on the second Mon
day in July next, and first determine by
vote, whether it is the wish of the people OF
the proposed State to be admitted into the
Union at that time and if so, shall proceed
to form Constitution, and take all necessa-
ry steps for the establishment of State
Government, in conformity with the Federal
Constitution subject to the approval and
ratification of the people of the proposed
State. 4s
Sec. 4. And be it further enacted, That in
the event said Convention shall decide in ia
vor of the immediate admission of the pro-
posed State into the Union, it shall be the
duty of the United States Marshal for said
Territory to proceed to take census or emu
meration of the inhabitants within the linn
its of the proposed State, under such rules
and regulations as shall be prescribed by
the Secretary of the Interior, with the view
of ascertaining the number of representa-
tives to which said State may be entitled in
the Congress of the United States; and said
State shall be entitled to one representative
for every one hundred thousand inhabitants.
and to one additional representative Tor any
number of Inhabitants which shall be equal
to or which shall exceed a moiety of thel
and such additional representatives as the
population of the State shall, according to
the census, show it would be entitled to, &C
cording to the present ratio of representa-
ton.
SEC. 5. And be it further enacted, That
the following propositions be, and the same
are hereby offered to the said Convention of
the people of Minnesota for their free &C
ceptance or rejection, which, if accepted BY
the Convention, shall be obligatory on the
United States, and upon the said State of
Minnesota, to-wit:
First, That sections numbered sixteen and
thircy,six in every township of public lands
IN said State, and where either of said sec
tions or any part thereof has been sold, or
otherwise disposed of, other land equivalent
thereto, and as contiguous as may be shall
be granted the said State for the use of
schools.
Second, That seventy-two sections of land
shall be set apart and reserved for the use
and support of State University, to be Sc.
lected by the Governor of said State, subject
to the approval of the Commissioner of the
General Land Office, and to be apr CD lated
and applied in such manner as the Legisla-
ture OF said State may prescribe for the pur.
pose azores aid, but for no other purpose.
Third, That ten entire sections of land. to
be selected by the Governor of said State.
in legal subdivisions, shall be granted to said
State for the purpose of completing the
public buildings, Or for the erection of 9th
ers at the seat of Government, under the d.
reotion of the Legislature thereof.
Fourth, That all salt springs within said
State, not exceeding twelve in number. with
six sections OF land adjoining or as cont;gu-