The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-05-27
Hon. Henry N. Rice In the L. =. senate.


homemade Washington letters, assailing
Senator RICE, states that Mr.. X, has lost all
influence in Washington that lis own par.
ty in the Senate regarded his appearance in
that body with distrust aud even in,imated
that his presence was no longer countenane,d
in respectable circles The basenesS and
malignant character OF these assaults carry
their own refutation with them in Minneso-
Ia, where Mr. RIcR is known personally or
by reputation, 10 every man in the State.
For the benefit, however, of the printer OF
the Secret Circular, we quote few Of the
remarks made in the Senate, when Mr.. RlcK
presented his credentials.
Mr.. Brown, Of Mississippi, in Directing
to Messrs RICE and SHIELDS taking their
seats, because they had been elected before
the State was admitted into the Union, said :
So far as these allegations are concerned,
| will remark at the outset, that il would
take vast amount Of testimony TO make
me believe that they are true, or that they
have any reasonable sembance Of truth. |
know Henry NJ. Rice have known him
for years and, in my judgment, if there be
on earth a true an honorable man, he is one,
wholly incapable of doing dishonorablc
act; and in the course which am about TO
pursue, ! want the Senate, and all who shall
read this days proceedings to understand
that am not in the slightest possible de-
H., a., 81: Il. I IL, .,l,
influenced by these charges. II they had
any influence on me, it would be to induce
me TO withdraw all possible objection to the
swearing in Of Mr.. Rice, for | think this is
a fragrant outrage, and am sure, upon in.
vestigation. it will turn az, - be MIi.happIt-
cause. and without the slightest possible
foundation in truth Now. my life upon it,
If the vouchers for this statement be enti-
tied TO the least possible credit, Mr.. Rice, as
soon az he is sworn in, will demand an in
yestigation.
Mr.. SrEuARr of Michigan, said: trust
may be pardoned for saying a word Il der
the circumstances and must express my
regret that the honorable Senator from Iowa
took occasion to present papers OF the, kind
which he did present at this present time.
think it would have been much better for
him to present them to the Senate at any
other time, and ask for their reference
TO any committee for careful and appro-
pirate examination. But, sir, could not
think that had discharged my duty-at all
events not that duty which feel that owe
to mysef--ii did not meet this suggestion
by saying that have known the gentleman
,kn Il,
boyhood up andV there IS any one man IN
imerica wao, more than another has al oil
nme5 been the TRENT If he SETTER, The pioneer
THE oouatrg, AID hos aided ham byho per-
'o'dl and poilt'ool influence, and by his pre-
rate means more than any other that man Is
MIR. RICE. In respect TO this transaction,
! know something PERSONAL---VERY. of the
particular charges made in these papers
but | know that the claims of the settlers
upon the Fort Crawford reservation were
carefully examined under the instruction OF
Mr.. RlcE 10y competent men sent out on
purpose. and no mans claim was offered for
sale in the first instance. was there my
self at that time, and the instructions were
specific that wherever there was claimant
on the reserve. these claimants having no
legal rights al all, the reserve not being sub
ject 10 preempton, the facts were to be a.
certained and reported to him and no such
property was offered for sale but il was
withheld, their claims were to be examined,
and they were to have their land at just such
prices as the Secretary directed. In my
opinion there has not been an honcstcr trans
action, one that has been conducted on high
of,,ln tla, In.
have been done By some men who proiessed
to Dc an agent or something else | 10 not
know but thus far | certify 70 the Senate
and the country what do know.
What Mr.. STUART says Of the labors OF
Mr.. RICE to aid the pioneers of tie country
no, only by his personal and political inHn'
ence, but by his pr'rc'e mans, viii be ap-
preciatei throughout the length and breadth
Of Minnesota, as bat simple justice to our
Senator. We hazard the assertion that no
man in the Northwest, either occupying a
public or private position, has abored more
successfully for the class spoken by II 1ena-
tor STUART. than lIESEY VI. RIcg.
Mr. BAS1AMIx. Of Louisiana. said
Mr. President, certainly did hot in
tend to say 4 wori on this subject; but the
Senator from Iowa has repeated again, from
paper which he holds be;ore him, a charge
against an honorable gentleman, with whom
have no persona. acquaintance. lie has
paradei il before the country as II there
wa. really something in it 70 affect Bis per.
sonal character Now, sir, the statement
il, as be says, signed by some fifty or one
hundred people, DO not know how many
"A large number Of prisons, that Mr.. Rec,
"a agent Of the Wax Department, charged
,hsm 81 80 an acre for the land, and gave
them receipt for 3 - only.
A. first SIGHT, this would seem 10 he an
extraordinary proceeding bat i yoa look
upon your table, o. a Communication IRON
the War Department We bad the other day
Il . ~