Saint Croix Union

MESSAGE.

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,

Minnesota Territory.

Gentlemen of the Council and House of Representatives:

You have appeared at this Capitol as the people's representatives for the seventh session of the Legislature of Minnesota. At no former period has there been so much cause to be thankful to the Giver of all Good, for his blessings. On every side we see the signs of increased prosperity in every branch of business. The soil has yielded abundant crops, commerce and the mechanic arts have flourished, and morality and education have kept pace with the other elements of greatness and success. Every section of the Territory has increased in population, general improvement and wealth, to such an extent as to give us the fullest confidence that our country is rapidly becoming the attracting point for the heavy body of immigration from nearly all the older States of the Union, and for the industrious and enterprising portion of the foreign-born citizens.

The salubrity of the climate of Minnesota is now being understood and appreciated almost everywhere. No epidemics have ever prevailed here to an extent causing the least check to business, or alarm to the citizens. Every section of the territory has enjoyed comparative uninterrupted good health.

I am aware that it is more usual in annual messages of this kind, to speak of the prosperity of the country, and place it in a more conspicuous light, than to record events less agreeable to the people. Yet, this is not the light in which truth and justice demand it shall be viewed in this communication. When it shall be written, that the people of this Territory are blessed with good health, and the physical man invigorated and braced up to a wonderful capacity of endurance, the citizens of other parts of the country are to understand it as a fact demonstrated by the experience of our whole population.

In my last annual communication to the Legislature, it gave me great pleasure to record the rapid growth of every part of our favored North-west. Then our hopes and expectations of the future were seemingly wrought up to a very extravagant degree, but the most sanguine among us did not anticipate more than half that the truth has realized. It was then stated that the population was about thirty-five thousand. One year has passed since that estimate, based upon statistics then in my possession; and our population during that period, has more than doubled. We know from a census taken the past season, in pursuance of law, and from statistics gathered from other reliable sources, that Minnesota this day contains fully seventy-five thousand souls--an increase in 1855 of forty thousand, being more than one hundred and fourteen per cent. Should this ratio of increase continue for two years longer, the population of the Territory or State will be over three hundred and forty-three thousand: and should such a result continue for three years, our population would reach the astounding number of seven hundred and thirty-five thousand souls. Such an increase would astonish the whole country as much as it would you and myself, and therefore we are incredulous of what our past experience warrants us in expecting for the future. And yet this result is not to be rejected without calculating the circumstances which are combining each year to stimulate immigration to new homes in the West. When we reflect that the organization of new States and Territories is attracting the attention of the whole American mind, each political contest relating thereto serving as an advertisement of our Western empire to the citizens of each State, and bringing before the rising generation a new world of enterprise and tempting opportunities to wealth, a healthy speculation, we must not be too hasty in fixing the same standard for the future, which has governed us in the past. It must be borne in mind that the soil of the old thirteen Colonies or States has been, in most part, under cultivation for nearly three quarters of a century, and the excess of their population, within the last ten years, has been moving Westward, each year making greater and more stringent the necessity for their seeking new avenues to support, comfort and wealth. The vast amount of rich soil not yet occupied in our Territory; the unsurpassed water power for propelling machinery of every kind; the extensive pineries for supplying lumber; the inexhaustible copper mines of Lake Superior; the invaluable commerce of the Mississippi, Minnesota and St. Croix rivers; all combine in an eminent degree to invite population, capital and wealth, and it requires no excess of credulity to anticipate the most wonderful progress in the next five years. I trust I shall be pardoned, if, in this connection, I suggest the propriety and public policy of our remaining a Territory for a few years, without manifesting too much eagerness to assume the mantle of State sovereignty. Our progress is rapid, but healthy and permanent, and we can afford to be called political infants, while we are enlarging and developing the bone and muscle which are to give us energy, vigor and power, when we arrive at manhood.

It is a source of satisfaction to be able to say, that, while the Indian tribes of many of our neighboring Territories are showing signs of hostility, and in several instances, of actual and open war upon the white population, we are secure from such dangers. The three tribes within our borders are now, and ever have been, peaceful and quiet. The location of one tribe does not seem to be satisfactory to a highly respectable portion of our people. Yet the government at Washington, after having fully considered a written communication in the nature of a remonstrance from myself against the location of the Winnebago Indians on the Blue Earth river, have instructed me that no change can be made; that the policy of pushing these children of nature further west will have to be abandoned; that the people should be advised to reconcile themselves to the existing state of things, and encourage the Indians to settle down to such industrial pursuits as will best comport with a speedy civilization of their race. I have endeavored faithfully to encourage the whole of the tribes within this superintendency to abandon their warfare against each other; to impress upon them the manifest necessity of their adopting the habits of civilized citizens; and it has been my constant effort, with the active and full co-operation of the agents, to restrain them from annoying the white settlers with their presence and petty depredations. If we have not been entirely successful, it certainly is not chargeable to a want of disposition or effort. The contact of the savage with civilized man always produces a state of things, which in its effects and tendencies, is most trying and difficult to manage to the satisfaction of the public. Yet, I am glad to say, all thus far has resulted in maintaining peace and friendship, without the least interruption since the beginning of territorial administration. It is believed that, by a tender regard for the welfare of these Indians, and maintaining a steady and firm policy in protecting them from the wrongs they sometimes suffer, we shall be able to secure the continuance of a permanent peace, until they and their whole race shall melt away before that "manifest destiny" which surely awaits them.

Your attention is called to the urgent necessity of increasing the salaries of the Auditor, Treasurer, and Superintendent of Common Schools. It has been with the utmost difficulty that competent persons have been induced to accept and hold these offices. Heretofore I have refrained from pressing this matter on your attention, owing to our supposed inability to meet any increased demand upon the treasury. But now no such apology can be urged, as we have ample population and wealth to pay five or six times the meagre compensation of these officers, without placing heavier burdens upon the tax-payer than at the time of the passage of the law regulating the salaries. The sum paid to each at present is as follows:

Treasurer per annum $1000.00

Auditor, 1000.00

Superintendent of common Schools, 1000.00

Making the whole amount to be paid by the people of the Territory for these officers, $3000.00

When these salaries were fixed by law, the taxable property of the Territory amounted to little over one and a half million dollars; while in 1856 it is estimated at more than fifteen millions. The duties of the Auditor, Treasurer, and Superintendent of Common Schools continue to increase with the increase of population. The absolute necessity of increasing their salaries to at least five hundred dollars each, cannot, therefore be too strongly urged upon your consideration. It is my conviction that no competent person can be prevailed upon to hold these positions, so important to the interests of the Territory, for a less sum, unless they are expected to discharge the requirements of the law, and give them no attention except incidentally. It is also necessary that the law regulating the payment of Territorial taxes into the Treasury be amended. And it is hoped you will consider this subject at an early day. And it will be seen that your revenue laws in many particulars are radically defective and inefficient. You will find also, that there exists a stern necessity for requiring more promptness and fidelity in the discharge of the duties of the several county officers and you will materially subserve the interests of the people by providing for Auditors in each county.

Since the last session of the Legislature it has been deemed necessary under the Territorial laws, and under the provisions of the Organic Act, to appoint certain officers in the several unorganized counties. The Congress of the United States has given us an Organic Act, and we, as a Territory have accepted it, and proceeded to the discharge of governmental duties under its provisions. It is therefore our Constitution. The 7th section reads as follows:

"That all township, district and county officers, not herein otherwise provided for, shall be appointed or elected, as the case may be, in such manner as shall be provided by the Governor and Legislative Assembly of the Territory of Minnesota. The Governor shall nominate, and, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Council, appoint all officers not herein otherwise provided for; and in the first instance, the Governor alone may appoint all said officers, who shall hold their offices until the end of the next session of the Legislative Assembly."

Under this section, officers have been appointed in the counties of Dodge, Steele, Rice, Carver, Superior, Wright and Stearns. The power to do so has been supposed to be given by the terms of the foregoing section. It is clear that the Legislature may provide for the election of all township, district and county officers. But, if it should fail to do so, after constituting the counties by metes and bounds, and after giving them a name, where does the power to give the instruments to execute the laws, reside? If they are counties, they must be supposed to be inhabited; for if they were not, no Legislature would be likely to lay off unoccupied Territory by metes and bounds, and call them Counties! In some instances the law required the Governor to appoint; in others it did not, but left it in doubt, nor did it attach the unorganized to any organized county for judicial purposes, whereby under existing laws, they could be protected in their civil rights, or properly exercise any political privileges. Thus, the question was presented to me. How are these people to secure their rights as legal voters and citizens of the Territory? It surely was not the design of the law making power that the citizens of eight or nine counties should be disfranchised. The 7th section of the Organic Act provides that " in the first instance the Governor alone may appoint all such officers." What officers are here meant, was decided by the Supreme Court of the Territory in 1849, (see journal House of Representatives, 1849, page 225,) to be Township, District and County Officers. Then, the power to appoint, turns upon the words, " in the first instance." Is it, then, when the Territory was first organized, or when the Counties were first created? It is confidently believed that the power is in the Governor to appoint county officers " in the first instance," should the law make no provisions on the subject. These words, "in the first instance," in my judgment, refer to the creation of a County, and the power remains with the Governor, if neglected by the Legislature, as each new county is laid off by law. It has been assumed that these words in the Organic Act. in the first instance the Governor may appoint, &c.," are to be construed to mean, that the Governor may appoint &c., first after and upon the organization of the Territory. If this construction obtain, then the Legislature has only to neglect to provide for the election of officers. &c., and five or ten thousand citizens may (by creating districts in which they reside into counties) be disfranchised and left without protection of the law, for nearly one year, or until the meeting of the next Legislature. In my opinion, Congress intended, that upon the organization of new counties, the Legislature should provide by law for the election of such county, township and District officers. And if they failed to do so, the Governor who is a constituent part of the law making power, should step forward and " in the first instance" appoint them until the meeting of the next Legislature or until such time as the law authorized the people to elect them.

It should be borne in mind, that under our laws, unorganized counties can only be attached to organized counties for judicial purposes, as an organized county has its own jurisdiction, which is inconsistent with any other jurisdiction unless special provision is made in the act itself. In one instance the Legislature declared the County of Carver an organized county, and attached it to Hennepin county for judicial purposes. The same act prescribed the time and manner of electing all county and township officers, thus depriving the people of Carver county of an organization for more than eight months; and upon the petition of a large number of the citizens of that county, I (, in the first instance") appointed their officers to serve until the time prescribed by law for electing them by the people. In view of all these circumstances, it was deemed proper to appoint officers to execute the laws, during the period for which the legislature had left many of their privileges as citizens in abeyance, thinking then, as I do now, that it was never intended to disfranchise any part of our fellow citizens, or leave them without the means to preserve the public peace and execute the laws. If, however, this county had not been declared an organized county, the county of Hennepin might lawfully have extended her jurisdiction to all matters connected with the civil rights of the citizens, the collection of taxes and establishment of election precincts, &c. Seeing them, then, in this peculiar position of doubt and uncertainty, I exercised the power of appointment; which was conceived to be given under the Organic Act. It is therefore proper that you should direct your attention to this matter, and amend the laws on the subject of unorganized counties, in such manner as to exclude all doubt.

I regret to say that no report has been made to me of the condition of our Common Schools, or their progress in our territory, owing to the resignation, several months since, of the Superintendent, who was unable to devote the requisite time and attention to the duties of his office, for the meagre salary of one hundred dollars per year ; and as yet, I have not been able to find any person willing to accept it, for the same reason. The late incumbent, Mr. M. C. Baker, was well qualified, and did most faithfully discharge the duties while he continued to hold the office.

Notwithstanding I have had no report from the Superintendent, yet I have been able to learn that nearly every village in the Territory has a school for the education of small children, all of which have been well attended. The Hamline University at Red Wing has completed a large brick building, designed for the preparatory department of that institution, which is now in operation under the charge of accomplished professors. The colleges and seminaries of learning in St. Paul are in a flourishing condition, and compare favorably with like institutions in the older States. The Territorial University located at St. Anthony, has not progressed since last year, for want of funds. You are aware that two entire townships of land were granted for the exclusive use of this institution. The Secretary of the Interior having authorized the selection of the lands to be made, the Regents have appointed Hon. B. B. Meeker and John Rollins, to discharge that duty, each of whom has been industriously engaged in making the selections during the past season. I am informed that twenty-four thousand acres, partly agricultural, and partly pine lands, have already been chosen. I am fully satisfied, from reliable information that these lands, when the patents are issued, will be available at from five to fifteen dollars per acre, as they are no doubt of the best quality, owing to the early period of their selection by gentlemen eminently fitted for the duty, from long residence and intimate acquaintance with every part of the Territory. When the whole is selected, amounting to forty-six thousand and eighty acres, it is not too high an estimate to say, they will bear an average value of ten dollars per acre in less than five years; and at least five dollars per acre the day the patents are issued by the Government. At ten dollars per acre, it gives this institution an endowment of four hundred and sixty thousand, eight hundred dollars. I therefore becomes a matter for your consideration whether something should not be done to place a part of this fund in some available shape for the purpose of erecting the necessary buildings and engaging the services of suitable professors. It is no ordinary work to found an institution endowed like this with such a magnificent grant. If you should devise a plan to accomplish even the beginning of this great work, on a permanent basis, it will connect the name of each member of the seventh Legislature with the history of his country, in a form of which he may well be proud.

For the last eighteen months much solicitude has been felt on the subject of connecting this city, St. Anthony and Stillwater, by railroad with Dubuque, in Iowa, and Lake Superior. A charter was granted to a company styled the Minnesota and North-western Railroad Company, as believed then and now, with powers most extraordinary and dangerous to the future welfare and security of the people. At the last session, this charter was re-enacted and amended. Among other things the amendments required the deposit in stocks or money, of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, with certain gentlemen of the territory, who were required to give security for its safe keeping, &c. The deposit was designed as security for the faithful performance of the requirements of their charter. The fifth section of said act provides, that if said company do not accept of this act to which this is a supplement within 6 months from the passage hereof, then all lands before mentioned, together with the property and franchises of said company, shall be forfeited to the territory.

It becomes my duty to inform you that no such deposit of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars as required, has been made, nor has the said company, so far as I am informed, accepted said amendments. By the annual report of the said company it appears they have " not as yet expended any sum whatever in the construction of the Road, contemplated in and by its charter, or in the machinery therefor or the appurtenances belonging thereto." Nor has any sum been received by the company during the past year. But they have expended, during the past year, seven thousand nine hundred five dollars and twenty-six cents--for what particular object is not stated, nor have I been advised that any authorized reconnaissance, survey or location of said contemplated road has been commenced, nor any thing done in constructing the telegraph between Dubuque and St. Paul, as required by their charter.

It remains now with you to take such action as may seem proper and just in the premises.

It is not in my power, as at present advised, to inform you what will be the probable result of the suit now pending between the United States and this company touching the question of title to the lands heretofore granted by the Congress of the United States to this Territory to aid in constructing said road, and afterwards repealed. If the company should fail in the said suit, then it will be for our territory to adopt measures to procure the aid of Congress to assist us in constructing a road, on the line heretofore proposed, at least from this city to the Iowa line. It is further my opinion that if the old charter to the M. & N. W. R. R. Co., was out of the way, the present Congress could be prevailed upon to repeal their repealing act and restore the land to the Territory. In the next place, should this fail us, I would suggest the propriety of memorializing Congress to permit our territory to enter, at one dollar and twenty-five cents per acre, on five years' credit, alternate sections, in like manner and to like amount as before, for the line of road originally proposed. This will secure the completion of the road quite as speedily as the first grant, as I am advised and believe. In my opinion this latter plan will be favorably considered and promptly acted upon by Congress, and if active measures are taken it will in all probability succeed.

If the suit now pending, involving the title to the late grant of lands should be decided against the present organized company, we need not expect them to build the road as contemplated. I feel it my duty also to say that if the late amendments to the charter of this company are in force and of any binding validity, the old charter and all its grants, powers and privileges are forfeited to the Territory, unless you should restore them by a new charter. Or if the amendments of last session are inoperative, then the old charter is forfeited for the non-fulfillment of its requirements: that is to say, if the first amendment passed last session is to stand without reference to the second amendment, the franchises of said Company are yet in force. If the second amendment is a nullity, or not binding on the Company, it still leaves the franchises of the Company in force. But if the second amendment is to be held valid and binding on the Company, then all their franchises are forfeited to the Territory. But if both amendments are in force, then their franchises are forfeited : or, if both amendments are invalid, then their franchises forfeited under the old Charter, unless you should again amend it so as to restore to them what they have lost by their own default. I trust, therefore, that you will take definite action for some new plan to obtain aid from Congress, to assist in opening a speedy communication by railroad from this place to Iowa line, or to such other more convenient point as you may deem best. If you should deem it best to stand still and wait for the M. & N. W. R. R. Co. to build the road, and until the pending suit involving the title to these lands is settled, be it so, but it is feared the result prove a severe tax on our credulity. I should be glad to see an outlet by railroad from our winter prison home to the nearest point of uninterrupted communication with the East and South at any sacrifice of individual opinion as to policy, and indeed at any other reasonable sacrifice save the honor of our Territory and the enthralment of those who are to take our places.

There are several projects in contemplation to reach this Territory by railroads. One from Green Bay was spoken of by my predecessor. Another, from Manitowoc, on Lake Michigan, to this point. A third, from Milwaukee to La Crosse, about one hundred and twenty miles by land, and one hundred and fifty-five by water, below this city. A fourth approaching the Mississippi River at Prairie du Chien, distant from this place by water about two hundred and ninety miles. A fifth, from the Iowa line, by way of St. Paul to Lake Superior. The lines of road which reach the Mississippi River at La Crosse and Prairie du Chien, will no doubt be completed at an early day, as they are, to some extent under contract and partly finished. It is essential to the future prosperity of Minnesota that we should avail ourselves of the route which promises to let us out during the winter season in the shortest possible period. It is evident then, to my mind, that if we can command any means, through the action of Congress or otherwise, we should seize the opportunity to join hands with that route pointing to Minnesota most likely to reach us first.

The difficulty with which we have to contend in waiting for any line proposed from Lake Michigan to this point, is, that St. Paul is but eighteen miles distant from the Wisconsin line in that direction, and could command but little assistance from a grant of land by Congress to aid us. On the other hand, if we desire to meet the road coming from the interior of Wisconsin to La Crosse, by running the road from opposite St. Paul, on the west side of the Mississippi to a point opposite La Crosse, we have the distance of one hundred and twenty miles in our Territory passing through a beautiful country eminently adapted for a railroad, and where the government has large tracts of vacant land which may be made available for our assistance. In this project, we secure the wealth, prosperity and growth of our own Territory from one end of the line to the other.

It has seemed to be the object of much former legislation in this Territory on the subject of railroads, to provide for reaching Lake Superior, before we reach the lines of communication East or South. It appears incomprehensible to me how this sort of legislation will get us out from the valley of the Mississippi in winter. Such a connection has incalculable advantages for summer travel and transportation, but it brings us no nearer New York or Chicago in the winter than we are now. Thus it is evident, we must look either South or East of Lake Superior for a winter road. From the Lake to Green Bay it is farther than from St. Paul to Green Bay, and much farther than St. Paul is from Manitowoc, Milwaukee, Madison or Chicago.

A speedy connection with Lake Superior is highly desirable, and its importance fully appreciated. Our people, however, want a winter communication South-east with the older States first, or I have misapprehended the true interest of a large portion of the people of Minnesota. It is worthy of observation that a line of railroad from St. Paul, by way of La Crosse, to Madison and Chicago, is the most direct route by which we can reach the great Railroad City of the North-west. But at the same time, we must keep steadily in view the importance of a speedy connection with Dubuque by a road west of the Mississippi river.

The Chicago and Rock Island Railroad Company are pushing forward their road into the interior of Iowa with much rapidity; and, I am informed by some of their officers, that they design at an early period to tap the agricultural valley of the Minnesota, at or near its great bend. It behooves, then, the citizens of the valley of the Upper Mississippi to guard their interests so as to be able to command the trade of the Upper Minnesota, or it will be snatched from them by some point on the Mississippi, at or below Dubuque. This can be done to some extent, for a few years, by procuring an additional appropriation for the Mendota and Big Sioux Government Road, now being rapidly constructed under the charge of a highly competent and efficient officer Capt. J. H. Simpson, of the corps of Topographical Engineers, by which means permanent bridges can be built over the streams; and also, by taking measures to have substantial improvements made in the navigation of the Minnesota river. To accomplish the latter object, a plan can be adopted which will place the matter beyond any reasonable doubt.

While I am bringing to your attention some of the improvements necessary to the development of our resources, I would suggest further the necessity of a Government Road from Lake Superior to the Mississippi River at some point above the Falls of St. Anthony. This would not only be a great convenience to the National Government as a means of reaching her military stations at Fort Ripley and Pembina, but would also connect the agricultural valley of the Upper Mississippi River with the Lake, where mining and manufacturing must soon spring up, demanding for the subsistence of the laboring classes, the products of that agricultural region. The present is an appropriate occasion for the suggestion that a military road is necessary to reach Fort Ridgely, the Sioux Agency, and the new Fort at Pembina, from some point below Lake Pepin. Its utility and paramount public importance are made clearly manifest by a glance at the map of our Territory. It is hoped that some action will be taken for its construction by the Government.

Under the act of Congress granting certain swamp and overflowed lands to the States in which they respectively lie, it has been held by the Commissioner of the General Land Office, that Territories, upon becoming States, are entitled to share in the benefits of the grant. It is believed, therefore, that some action may and should be taken to secure to our future State the benefits accruing under said act. What is deemed necessary to be done by you, will be for your consideration, and it is hoped it will not be overlooked.

The Commissioner of Immigration, Eugene Burnand, Esq., appointed under the act of the last Legislature, proceeded to New York as soon after his appointment as funds could be procured from the Territorial Treasury to defray the incidental expenses of his mission. I am happy to say, that he has most faithfully devoted himself to the objects intended to be accomplished by the creation of the office. He has opened an office at No. 1 Battery Place, opposite Castle Garden, New York, and has also entered into a correspondence with five prominent and leading newspapers published in Germany, and caused advertisements to be inserted in the principal journals of New York, some of which are sent to Europe to be put on board every vessel carrying emigrants to the United States, by which means they are read during the voyage. His reports are made to the Executive quarterly, from which it will be seen, that no great effect can be produced until the spring of 1856. It is also stated that up to September, 1854, there arrived in New York 215,452 emigrants. To the same date in 1855, 95,945, showing a decrease from the previous 119,507. This diminution is attributed partly (and as I conceive very justly) to the political excitement in this country, created by the unjust and intolerant spirit of Know Nothingism toward foreigners and Catholics; but the unconstitutional and anti-republican measures proposed by this secret order will soon be overwhelmed by the good sense and 'sober second thought' of our people, and the confidence of the foreigner in the permanency and liberality of our Government restored. Our great and growing West is deeply interested in the speedy consummation of this desirable end. It is believed that the ensuing spring will bring to our Territory a much larger population than any previous season.

The financial condition of the Territory will fully appear by reference to the Report of the Auditor and Treasurer, to which you are respectfully referred. By the Auditor's Report it will be seen that the taxable property of fourteen counties, (being all that have made returns to that office,) amounts to nine million twenty-five thousand one hundred and fifty-seven dollars, while the estimate for the past year, including all the counties, only amounted to seven million dollars; yet the returns from fourteen counties alone show an increase over the estimate for the whole, of two million twenty-five thousand one hundred and fifty-seven dollars; and the estimate for 1856 is fifteen million dollars. Thus you will perceive, that not only has our population doubled in 1855, but the taxable property has increased in a like ratio.

Therefore it will be seen that no returns have been received from the counties of Winona, Olmsted, Mower, Dodge, Steele, Faribault, Brown, Pierce, Davis, Scott, Carver, Wright, Todd, Wabasha, Rice, Itasca, Dolly, Superior, Freeborn, Renville and Pembina; and as they were not all attached to other counties for judicial purposes, most probably have paid no taxes, or at least with but a few exceptions; yet they are represented in this Legislature. From this I conclude, that twenty million dollars would not be too large an estimate for the taxable property of the Territory for 1856.

It appears from the report of the Treasurer, that Ramsey county owes the Territory:

Balance yet unpaid

Making in all $13,171.95

Such a state of things evidently needs a remedy, and it is presented for your consideration, with the hope that such provisions may be made by law as will equalize the taxes, and enforce their collection, and not allow the Counties which have faithful and competent officers to pay more than their just share of the public burdens.

As yet there has been no general organization of the Militia of the Territory, but from the most reliable information it has been possible to obtain, the number of persons over eighteen and under forty-five years of age, and capable of bearing arms, is about twelve thousand.

During the past year, I have corresponded with the Chief of the Ordnance Department at Washington City, and find that there is due this Territory about nineteen hundred stand of arms. Upon my requisition lately forwarded to that office, we are to receive one thousand muskets and the necessary accoutrements, by the first boats in the spring.

During the past year a sale of the public lands has taken place at the several Land Offices in the Territory, and in most instances they have been purchased by actual settlers, yet in some cases large quantities have gone into the hands of men of heavy means to be held for purposes of speculation. It is very desirable, in my judgment, to have the lands offered for sale in small quantities, and not until the actual settler has had ample opportunity to preempt his home. If your honorable body should concur in this view, you may no doubt be able to prepare such a memorial to the President of the United States as will induce him to have the sales conform to the wishes of the people of the Territory. You are presumed to know their wants and interests, and should not fail to express your views on this subject.

It is a source of much satisfaction to observe the laudable efforts being made by our people in the cause of Literature and Science, and particularly in the re-organization of the Minnesota Historical Society, under circumstances that give the fullest assurance that no effort will be spared to place it upon a basis of the most honorable distinction. It will be a matter of much interest to the coming generation to have perpetuated the monuments of our early history, not only in this Territory, but for the whole North-west; and no institution at present promises to accomplish so much as this Society. It is recommended that a small appropriation be made for the purpose of aiding in the advancement of these objects.

One of the most important means to prevent fraud and imposition upon the law-making power, and indeed upon the country, is, to have but one subject-matter in each bill, and that clearly indicated in the title; otherwise many very objectionable laws may be enacted, entirely escaping the attention of the most watchful members. It is earnestly hoped that this matter will receive your attention. In many instances your body may fully concur in every section of a bill, although matters are therein contained, utterly dissimilar in every respect, and the Executive disposed to concur in part most cheerfully, yet be opposed to others. It is, therefore, forcing that officer to approve what to him may be objectionable, or defeat a part of a bill highly important to the country. This notice would not have been taken of the matter had not previous legislation abounded in such evils. In some of the States this subject has been deemed of sufficient importance to have a place in their Constitution, to the effect that no bill shall contain more than one subject-matter, and that clearly expressed in the title.

The policy of procuring an act of Congress granting a homestead to settlers in this Territory, of one hundred and sixty acres of land, upon condition of actual settlement and cultivation for a limited period, and without cost, has been heretofore brought to the attention of the Legislature, and the reason and necessity of such a law is yet of paramount importance to the speedy settlement of the north-western country. Nearly all the organized Territories have received large donations to settlers, and it is believed that our interests demand a like boon.

of	$9,302 99
Sibley county,	42 82
Scott county,	164 37
Stearns,	102 54
Benton,	786 45
Blue Earth,	71 21
Chisago,	466 93
Dacota,	505 88
Fillmore,	355 88
Goodhue,	199 82
Hennepin,	505 78
Houston,	412 40
La Seur,	56 68
Niccollett,	198 13

satisfactory reasons exist why Minnesota should be made an exception. The increase of facilities for procuring homes to settlers, rises above every other consideration to Minnesota. There is not a member of the present Legislature but could induce from ten to twenty families from the States to make this their permanent home, if they could write, or tell them, that they could have one hundred and sixty acres of land free of cost, upon the condition alone of settlement and cultivation; and a vigorous population of producers from Europe would crowd here in such numbers as never before has been known. Nothing so eminently contributes to the commerce of the world as the products of Agriculture; and nothing could be done by you to expedite the building of rail roads, or opening and improving the various channels of communication, so much as your success in procuring free homes for the people. Nor can you ever expect to confer a more permanent blessing than this upon our citizens.

But it is sometimes said we cannot succeed in getting a homestead! This is certainly true if you despond before you try. Such a prize is worthy of your most vigorous efforts. Others occasionally say, if we get the homestead for settlers, we cannot get a grant for railroads. To this I would say, homes for the people first, and railroads afterward.

The people of Minnesota must, at no very distant day, expect to be admitted into the Union as a State; and it behooves us, as sentinels on the watchtower of national patriotism, to cling to those cherished principles of the equality and rights of the States under the Constitution.

No portion of the habitable globe has ever before formed a Government where so much freedom has been secured to the citizens; none where mankind has enjoyed so eminently civil and religious liberty; none that has ever inspired so much patriotism and none, perhaps, that requires the exercise of so much toleration and forbearance toward our fellow man.

The excitement on the subject of Slavery, is perhaps the most dangerous of all others. Its tendency to array political parties by geographical lines, was seen, felt and feared by Washington and Jefferson in the earlier days of the Republic, and is yet exercising the minds of our wisest and best men.

The annexation of new Territory to the United States has given rise to sources of agitation and alarm. The Act of Congress passed the 6th of March, 1820, fixing the parallel of 36 deg. 30 min. north latitude, as a boundary line to govern this vexed question, was regarded by the most eminent statesman of his age, Mr. Jefferson, as "a barrel thrown out to the whale by the federal party," to ultimately in the dissolution of our Union; and it would seem that this language, uttered somewhat in the spirit of prophecy, is to become the truth of history, unless the prudent and conservative counsels of statesmen, of enlarged and national views, shall soon prevail.

If the experiment of man's capacity to govern himself, as inaugurated by Jefferson, shall be permitted to succeed, all limits of latitude restricting the people to a fixed line on any particular subject, must be abolished, and never again established, until the world acknowledges the experiment in America as a failure. The organization of Territorial governments in Kansas and Nebraska, was a fit and appropriate occasion to remove all obstacles in the way of the people governing themselves in their own manner. If the American people are capable of forming their own domestic institutions south of 36 deg. 30 min., north latitude, it is to me incomprehensible why they are not equally capable north of that line. And to deny this position, pre-supposes less mental, moral or physical capacity north of 36 deg. 30 min. north latitude, than there is south of it. It has therefore been wisely ordered by Congress, that this question of Slavery shall forever hereafter be left to the people of the States and Territories, to dispose of as they may decide best; and although any privilege of the citizens, either civil or religious, may be abused, yet this is very far from proving that it should be entirely taken from them on one side of a geographical line, and permitted on the other. It is to be hoped that our experience of the past, and the threatening dangers of the present, will moderate the fanatical spirit of the times, and leave the question of Slavery with the people, to whom it properly belongs, if man is capable of self-government.

It is a source of satisfaction to witness the steady progress of all the elements necessary to develop the numerous resources of our Territory, and elevate our moral, social and political condition. While most of the neighboring Territories are being convulsed with Indian wars and internal political strife almost verging upon civil war, we are calmly moving forward to the accomplishment of a high destiny, by faithfully observing the laws of our country, and resting our hopes upon the virtue and moderation of the people, with a firm reliance upon their capacity for self-government.

As citizens of a common country, we have observed with deep interest the strict adherence of our National Administration to the principles of the Constitution of the United States, and their maintenance of a strict neutrality toward the present belligerent powers of Europe. Not only have they maintained peace at home, and with all the civilized world, but they have infused into the Administration of the various departments of the Government, the highest regard for integrity and fidelity.

It will be very gratifying to concur and co-operate with you in all measures which you may devise for promoting the prosperity of our Territory.

I trust your deliberations may be characterized by moderation; that each may look upon mere difference of opinion in political questions with a liberal spirit, and that each of your legislative acts may be a triumph of principle, and right, and justice over passion and prejudice.

W. A. GORMAN.

NOTE.--At the bottom of an Act entitled "an Act for a line of Telegraph from St. Paul to St. Anthony and Minneapolis," I find that the name of the County of Superior was changed to "St. Louis," which act passed on the night of the 3rd of March, 1855, and the laws not being printed until within the last few days, it was not before discovered, and therefore the county of Superior was not recognized by me as such, until the morning of the 4th inst.