The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-06-24
Report Of the Committee on the Fort
Crawford Sale.


We have received from Wa shngton a
voluminous document being the report of
the Committee on Military Affairs, - to
whom was referred the resolutions OF the
Senate Of the 18th ult to inquire into GER
tain charges made by citizens of Iowa
against HENRY NJ. RICE, Senator from
Minnesota. The committee report that
they procured from tho War Department
and elsewhere papers exhibiting the facts in
the case, and had before them twenty-five
witnesses, who testified, under oath, as to
the allegations made against Mr. RICE and
after an examination Of all the testimony
adduced, they do not find that it sustains
any allegation which imputes criminality to
or arraigns the integrity of Mr.. RICE and
finding nothing in the development o: the
investigation, which, in the opinion of the
committee, tend to disqualfy him for seat
in the Senate"
The evidence completely exculpates Mr..
RICE from even the suspicion Of being guilty
Of the charges brought against him by
HARLAN, JONES & Co. We quote below
the testimony of two Of the witnesses ex-
amined by the committee
ii. l.. Dousman being duly sworn stated
that he was u resident of Prairie du Chen
that he knows most Of the settlers on Fort
Crawford Reserve, and knows when they
settled there Mr.. Rice wrote to him to
have the whole tract surveyed in forty acre
pieces, and TO report the names cf the 0ccu-
pants, &c. He employed Messrs. Brunson
and Hall Ia do so. They surveyed it with
chain and compass, following the old survey
marks. One Of these was the United States
Surveyor, who surveyed the lands originally.
Notice of this sale was published in May
it stated the day and hour OF sale. lie in
serted the notice himself. The lands not
claimed by pre-emptors were sold at auction
at three to four dollars per acre. The other
was sold to settlers at 81 so per acre. No
fees or other charges were paid by the set
tiers over 81 80 per acre TO Mr.. Rice, or to
any clerk or agent of his. There were no
secret fees Never heard the charge till he
arrived here Never heard it at home. When
the survey was corpeted with it a list of
settlers was furnished as guide to the gale
When two or more persons claimed the same
land, Mr.. Rice required them to settle
the dispute among themselves, and sta
ted that il they did not do so he would
no, interfere, but would refer the whole
matter to the War Department. Don't
know that any mans claim was reduced.
The notice OF the second sale was sufficient
the surveyor, who knew everybody. was di
rected to go to every house aud notify them
individually. The claimants were all pres
ent at the sale, and II any dispute arose, the
sale was postponed. and the facts reported
When after the first sale Mr.. Rice announc-
ed the ARRANGEMENTS for the second. the set
tiers oil seemed satisfied. and cbeercd Mr.
Rice at the courthouse door. The public
sale was in May last the second sale IN De
cember. For the first sale from one to two
weeks notice was given. 1t was open and
fuir in the street. There were no combna-
tions that could discover. In addition 10
the newspaper notice. handblls were also
circulated in which il was stated that no
lands then occupied should be sold, except
TO the settlers. aud that if any combinations
should be discovered there wOuld be no sale.
Some OF the settlers applied to me to Dor
row the money TO buy their lands, and
few complained at the additional twenty-five
cents but when they saw that they got the
best OF the lands at 3 80. while Others had
70 paw 81 per acre. they were satisfied. In
May Mr.. Rice notified the settlers that they
must be prepared with the money to pay
for their claims at any moment they might
be called upon. All the settlers had ample
notice. Mr.. Rice wrote. and sent an ex-
press, but did not arrive for two or three
days after the day fixed and the set
tiers seemed impatient for Mr.. Rice's ar
rival. The expressman brought letters from
Mr.. Rice ordering notice to be given to the
settlers TO be ready but the notice had
been previously given. Settlers who had
not the money ready were informed that
they should not have their lands sold TO 9th
ers they would be kept for them. Both
sales werc well attenied at the second sale
the room was very full. Mr.. Rice was not
in the same room. bnt papers were taken u
him to BE- verified and signed when filed up
by hi clerks. 1'be notices Of both sales
were full ample and sufficient, and all tbe
settlers we're iu atiendaDce.
~ l.. DovsxAS.
Dr. ". x. Metafey being duly sworn,
stated
That, on tie 10Th day Of December last
he was SEQ. by the Hon. II VI Rec from
-. Pagl. Minnesota, 20 Prairie da Chen
Iowa, TO inform ibe settlers upon Fort CraE-
ford reserve that ,he ss,e would taae place
90 .he 25th Of that month. Upon ny arri-
yal fand that The notice bad been given