The independent. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Kan.) 1860-1874, 1863-03-21
Lawrence in Litigation.

1t appears that the city of Lawrence
is involved in serious trouble growing
out of the claim Of Hen j. H. Lane ;c
forty acres of the town site; tie same
".laim," we believe, on which jenkins
was killed.
1t appears from the statement made
by parties interested in the matter, thai
this claim will seriously affect a large
number of the residents Of that city.
and place the whole forty acres in Iii.
cation.
We copy the following portion OF the
report of the agen: of III" city TO the
trustees of the same, as we find it in the
State Journal. Tie writer says he cali
ed upon the Secretary Of the Interior and
presented the most conclusive proofs
establishing the right Of the City as
against Lane. bu. that the thing was
already settled and the decision in favor
Of Lane could not be reversed.
His statements are doubtless some
wha. biased by prejudice while the no.
ton of the rivalry Of Leavenworth as
being a, the bottom of the matter is
probably only chimera Of his own
imagination:
The whole history Of the case is start
ling and such as to suggest alarm. In
the quiet possession OF a patent granted
by the United States. your patent was
set aside upon the application Of your
Senator to enter porlion OF your city
without any proper or sufficient no;ice
to-you. He obtained an order from the
General Land Office TO allow him to en-
ter the land. This order l was told in
Washington involved the mos, singular
"lwisting and perversion of the laws"
written by Mr.. Your appeal to
the Secretary of The Interior was grant,
ed, 5arely so .Jor. as TO obvia,e the
charge OF gross injustice and parliality
but not in such manner as to allow oi
any preparation whatever for fair and
impartial hearing. In view OF The
whole proceedings in the case. the pain
ful aud mortiNiny conviction is forced
upon my mind ,ha! the object aud in
ten, of the course pursued Is, 20 subject
the entire pa;en, OF your City 10 li.iga
ion in the Courts. and thereby the IN
fuencs and rivalry OF Lawrence as
against Leavenwor,h Cay. Ii is true
goa cannot rdl in the Courts, 10 sustain
your patent, and this is the conviction
of nearly all, with whom conversed
On the subject at Washingtoa. Buf,
with this cloud upon your tiIle--to be
cleared up by the Uouris--your young
men will be grayheaded before your
city can advance 10 prosperity. shall
not trust myself 10 give you reasons Tor
supposing that certain nen have been
paid or promised pay. in lands aud lots
both in your city and LeaNerworsh. and
lands in the country 10 bring about The
ruin and deserlion OF your city. The
times and the men are suggestive of
the means used. Without collision
However, with others. ii could not have
been accomplished. The rights of the
Reseiyee as defined by the Treaties re-
ferred o,,he pre- enpiion laws in regard
to the entry o! lGHjs USED FOR town
purposes, are so clear, aud tie decision
OF the Supreme Court in regard to
school lands as well as in regard to
the power of the Head Of the Depart
ment 10 cancel a patent. all suggest the
toulness OF the collusion which has
robbed your citizens Of their rights and
which must eiieciuslly for lime a,
least. destroy all prospects for your city.
l; is the opinion Of some mos! conyers-
ant nilh the history Of Float No i2.
that no more is expected by those in
this foul lct. than 10 injGre Lawrence
and benefit The conspiraiors of another
town, and no one seems wiiip. 10 sl!ri-
butte the weakness and injustice OF The
Secretary's action TO his Ignorance OF
the laws or justice OF the case /, is
supposed 10 rest somewhere else, and
where the whole course and con luc, OF
your Senator would suggest. | have
been thus prolix in my report-reicr-
ring TO the treaties. decisions of the
courts. and pre-emp'ion laws-iha, you
might, by slight measure of reading
and examination. perceive to what an
extent, barefaced corruption and fraud
are carried on at our Narionai Capital.
Respectfully.