The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-05-27
the For, sneiil"g Investigating Coss-
uatttec.


throughout the country, by the opposition
press, that our Senator was intimately con
nected with what they styled fraudulent
transaction, hence his refusal to appear be
fore the committee. This absurd deduction
was much commented on by the Black Re
publicans Of Minnesota, and Mr. Ricn
roundly abused
We have before US copies Of the cores
pondence which passed between Mr.. RioE
and the Chairman Of the Fort Smelling
Committee, which eiTec,ually silcurs the
cavilling o, the opposition party, and cx'
hibits the Senator in this very act, which
has been so misrcprescntcd, as con'ending
for the rights and interests Of Minnesota.
The summons TO Mr.. RICK IL dated the
81 OF March, 1888 he is commanded TO
appear before the select committee on the
Fort Smelling sale, to testify touching mat
tiers Of inquiry committed to said committee.
In response TO this summons, Mr.. Res
transmitted the following TO the Hon. III.
{. BrRSrTr, Chairman OF the Committee of
Investigation
w.sniN1roN, March ), 1858.
S,n.l haAc 80 sehnsp 'c1sc. the - .
summons signed by Hon Jas /. or, Speaker
Of the House VI Eep,cst n,a,ives commanding mc
4 Al. al. Ia,
you are Chairman, &c,
While willing TO give you any Information IN
my possession upon the subject named IN the
summons. when called upon IN the same man
ner as Senators have been, doubt the propri.
ETY. Of submitting to coBmand, While holding
a commission from the state Of Minnesota as
one of her representative In the Senate of the
United States. Truly yours,
n. NJ lh,E,
Hon. ". 6. BURNETT.
Wei next have the following letter from
Mr.. RlcE to Mr.. Beaver;
wAsnlNGroS, March ., ls5s.
DEAR sig. After writing 10 you yesterday,
was compelled to go before The Secretary OF
the Interior upon business which admitted OF
no delay, and was detained there until o'clock
L. NJ. ON nay return home was too much OK
hausted to even read my NAL. am afraid to
vcntu re- out TO day but the first time II In pru'
dent viii 20 and see you. have no pu'ono'
objections TO appearing before your committee;
but while having no power 10 compel Congress
to recognize Minnesota AZ a state, irW by M
act q wtns, permit aay intorcnce TO be drawn
that she Ia not Sorrngn STATE and as such
in all respects, the equal OF those states whose
representatives are now disrcgardlhg not only
our rights and the spirit Of the Constitution I;
but are striking u fatal blow NJ the sovereignty
Of the States, by depriying Minneso" OF nor
lawful representation In the National Council.
tsignedl " NJ hos.
Hon. H. G. BvKsrTT.
iIotss % RKrKgsrsTATiyra,
March lG, 1867.
Hon. ". N. HIcs; SU--l am directed Ivy the
Special Committee appointed by the House of
Representatives, to investigate the facts aud
oircu instances attending the recent sale Of the
iEIiithy TtN'tfai'h Nv Bh'N 'b''hh' w -
ques, you to appear before laid Commute IN
tomorrow at 10 clock. A. ", for tho purpose
81 being examined A. 4 wi.nesa; your presence
ia preferred, because II Is difficult TO prepare
interfo gatoIies for n witness To answer, when
ignora Mt Of the points upon which he may be
informed or able to testify.
tits due TO You that should state, that The
A L.. l..tt,
unwilling 10 give your testimony, but that your
refusal to appear before us was based upon the
fac, that you claimed 10 be n ssnator from the
ria,e 81 Minnesota, and that u Committee Of
the House Of Representatives HAD no power TO
summon or eoerce Senator,
| have the honor To be,
Very respectfully, your, &c,
nc BrasyTr, Chairman.
WAsmisoTus. March ~, lE,s.
siE: Yours Of this date, requesting me 10
sppear before your Committee tomorrow, Ia
received, and in reply, will say that will
comply with your request.
Very respectfully.
your obt servant.
H. N Rlcf
Hon. II. &. BcRstTr, Ch'n Gem.
Mr.. RE, il will " Sen gain,i biz point.
The committee withdrew their pecmpt0ry
command, and merely requested his attend
apce q, their nesting, through their Chair
man. Mr.. X. promptly waited upon the
and his testimony IS now before
tie public. II DOES not contain syllable