333.1 
 
 D659 DOCUMENTS RELATING TO THE SALE OF 
 
 THE MINERAL LANDS IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS 
 AND TERRITORIES OF IOWA AND WISCONSIN
 
 8UHVJET
 
 27th CONGRESS, [SENATE.] 
 
 2d Session. 
 
 Delating to the sale of the mineral lands in the State of Illinois and Ter- 
 ritories of Iowa and Wisconsin. 
 
 JUNE 22, 1842. 
 
 Referred to the Committee on Public Lands, and ordered to be printed. 
 
 Doctor H. King, late superintendent of the Upper Mississippi lead mincs t 
 
 to Hon. R. M. Young. 
 
 * WASHINGTON, February 4, 1841. 
 
 SIR : Although the enclosed report has been before you officially, the press 
 of other matters makes me fear that it has not attracted your special attention. 
 Some of its propositions and facts are so important to Illinois, that I trust I 
 shall not be considered obtrusive in calling your notice to them. I therefore 
 respectfully ask your careful perusal of that portion of the report that relates 
 to the improvement of the future operations in mining on the mineral lands 
 of the United States, say from page seven to the end. 
 
 The facts detailed, drawn from the best authorities, are of high and imme- 
 diate import to the miners and smelters of Illinois. It is beyond a doubt 
 that these can not produce lead under the present system, at rates that will 
 permit its exportation to any considerable amount. That- of Spain and 
 England shuts us out, and will continue to shut us out of foreign markets, 
 until we can produce ours at a much reduced rate. Without an outlet for 
 our surplus, the amount that will be produced, if the preparations for mining 
 and smelting that were making last autumn for the ensuing year in Illinois, 
 Wisconsin, Iowa, and Missouri, be perfected and put in operation, will be 
 so great as to precipitate the price of the article in the United States within the 
 next two years to a condition highly hazardous to all those interested. There 
 is no spirit of prophecy necessary to see this. It must be the result of things 
 now existing or about to come into operation, if no unforeseen event, such as 
 war, should intervene to prevent it. The production of lead for the last two 
 or three years has been just about equal to our domestic consumption. Dur- 
 ing that time the increased value of agricultural productions, and the demand 
 foj labor in other pursuits, controlled mining, and kept it in healthy limits. 
 In the prostration of almost all our western produce, lead has generally suf- 
 fered least, and now offers one of the most advantageous pursuits, apparently, to 
 which the attention can be turned. There is but little prospect that this 
 apparent condition of things will change during the ensuing summer, and 
 the result must be, that, beside the operations already proposed, new adven- 
 turers will engage in this pursuit. Circumstances have caused me to pay 
 much attention to this subject for several years, and I feel that I should not 
 be doing justice to a very meritorious portion of our population, if I did not 
 take some steps to warn them of their danger. Your position, and the de~ 
 
 .Thomas Allen, print.
 
 [ 331 ] 2 
 
 served confidence which (he people of Illinois have in yon, will enable you; 
 to do it in a manner more likely to be successful than perhaps any other 
 person. I feel assured I shall therefore be excused in asking your attention 
 to it. 
 
 Although we may be successful to some extent in arresting this crisis in 
 the present state of the mining operations, the same must occur again and 
 again, until we can produce our lead at a price that will admit of exporta- 
 tion; the only safety-valve for the escape of our surplus. The sooner we. 
 can reach that, condition the better. I feel assured that, with proper improve- 
 ment, in mining and smelting, together with the introduction of more system 
 in all the operations connected therewith, this condition can be reached . 
 The only question then is, shall this be left to the slow and hard-bought expe- 
 rience of those engaged, or shall means be at once devised to teach them, and 
 thus save all the evil concomitants of the other mode ? My own opinion is 
 briefly, but I trust, plainly stated in the part of the report to which I have 
 taken the liberty of calling your attention. It would be preposterous in me 
 to dilate on this subject. The reflection of every intelligent mind must, it 
 appears to me, arrive at the same conclusion. The only question that can 
 arise is, as to whom we should look, for taking action on it, the States 
 and Territories in which the mineral lands lie, or the United States who are 
 the proprietors thereof? . As the benefits resulting from the increased value 
 of these lands, and the lessened price of the article to the whole people, in- 
 ure to the United States as a whole, I can not see any other just conclu- 
 sion than that they should be at the cost of the operation. 
 
 This is a question that may and should be separated from that relating U> 
 the sale of these lands. The latter, without any serious inconvenience, may 
 be delayed, but this calls for, and should receive, immediate attention. The 
 threatening aspect of affairs in Europe warns us to be prepared for that 
 emergency that may require us to look to ourselves for our supplies in such 
 metals as are necessary for our manufacturers or our defences. But if a 
 state of peace continues we shall continue to pay several hundred thousand 
 dollars uselessly for the single article of lead, until we reach the condition at 
 which it can be produced at its minimum price. 
 
 The expenditure of less than one tenth of what is thus lost in one year, 
 would expedite the time at which this condition would arrive, perhaps, ten 
 years. The mining and smelting population of our western States is pre- 
 pared to receive' instruction on this subject, and to be benefited by it, a state 
 that they have scarcely reached, until recently. Everything, therefore, com- 
 bines to make this an auspicious moment for a movement in the subject^ 
 and I earnestly hope that your opinions, sir, may so far coincide with mine, 
 as to authorize you to seize some appropriate opportunity for introducing 
 the subject and securing action upon it at this session of Congress. 
 
 I have the honor, sir, of subscribing myself, your obedient servant, 
 
 H. KING. 
 
 JJon. R. M. YOUNG.
 
 3 [ 331 ] 
 
 IMPORTANT LETTER. 
 
 Charles S". Hempstead, Esq., has politely favored us with the following 
 letter for publication : 
 
 SENATE CHAMBER, 
 Washington city, March 30, 1842. 
 
 GENTLEMEN : Yours of February 8th, with the copy of a letter addressed 
 to the Secretary of War on the subject of the existing difficulties between the 
 citizens of the lead mines and the War Department, were received in due 
 course of the mail, and would have been answered sooner, but for the cir- 
 cumstance of Mr. Flanagan's arrival in this city, a few days after the receipt 
 of your letter. 
 
 Agreeably to your request, I called to see the Secretary of War several 
 times personally, and urged upon him the propriety of authorizing compro- 
 mise on the most liberal terms, as I was satisfied that none other would be . 
 acceptable. He finally concluded to authorize Mr. Flanagan to take one 
 half of the amount due from such as were able to pay, and not less than 
 one third from those in more indigent circumstances. Mr. Flanagan is of 
 opinion that these terms will be acceptable. I hope they will be. But, if 
 not, and your further wishes are communicated, they shall be attended to. 
 
 I am very anxious to know whether it is the wish of the people residing 
 in the lead mines, that the reserved mineral lands should be sold or not. The 
 Secretary of War is of the opinion, that the President has the power, under 
 existing laws, to order all or any of these lands to be sold, without further 
 legislation. If so, they will be subject to the right of pre-emption, as other 
 , lands. I have called upon the Secretary of War by resolution, for his opin- 
 ion on this subject, and expect his answer in a day or two. If a majority of 
 the people should desire a sale of these, lands, I would be much gratified, if 
 these wishes could, in some way, be expressed, and that they would present 
 the form- of a bill or proposition, which, in their judgment, would best recon- 
 cile conflicting interests and settlements. It appears to me that if these lands 
 should be sold, with the right of pre-emption, that the people should signify 
 whether the preference in the purchase should extend to a quarter section, 
 half-quarter section, or quarter-quarter section, and prescribe some mode for 
 cases where more than one person may be bona fide settled upon the same 
 legal subdivision of land. No person here can understand these difficulties 
 so well, and how a remedy may be applied, as the miners themselves, and 
 those living in the lead mine country. 
 
 In regard to the duty on lead, and all articles manufactured from lead, we 
 will endeavor to secure as high a rate, in the adjustment of the new tariff, aa 
 may be allowed on the most favored articles produced in other parts of the 
 United States. 
 
 I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 RICHARD M. YOUNG. 
 
 Messrs. GEORGE W. CAMPBELL, T. B. FARNSWORTH, JOHN ATCHISON, 
 FREDERICK STAHL, HENRY J. MORRISON, DANIEL WANN, CHARLES S, 
 HEMPSTEAD, and WILLIAM HEMPSTEAD, 
 
 Galena, Illinois.
 
 [ 331 ] 4 
 
 UNITED STATES LEAD MINES. 
 
 The following communication and correspondence will be found inter- 
 esting to the people of this section. It will be seen, that the superintendent 
 of the lead mines has positive orders to lease the mines, and has likewise dis- 
 cretionary power to compromise and adjust the old claims of the United 
 States against the smelters, who refused to pay rent. It will also be seen, 
 that orders have been given, that more patents be issued for mineral lands till 
 Congress takes some action on the subject. 
 
 Mr. Flanagan, the superintendent, has just returned from Washington, 
 where he has been on business connected with his office. That he has given 
 correct information, and done the best he could for all parties concerned, we 
 have not the least doubt. The supposition is here prevalent, that the real 
 position of matters with regard to the mineral lands was not well understood 
 at Washington. It is believed, that Mr. F. has been the means of correcting 
 many erroneous impressions. 
 
 The mines hereafter are to be leased. We feel quite confident, that a 
 strict compliance with the regulations of the Government, will be the best 
 course for the miners to pursue. No present pecuniary good will counter- 
 balance the loss, that, in the end, weuld result from a contrary action. It is 
 believed, that the Government wish to be both just and liberal ; and where 
 this spirit is shown in sincerity, it is almost always reciprocated. We are sure 
 the case referred to will not prove an exception to the general rule. There 
 may be those at Washington, who, through wrong information, have preju- 
 dices against us. This feeling should not be increased by any unreasonable 
 opposition. As to the good or bad policy of keeping these lands out of the 
 market, there is such a variety of opinion as renders almost hopeless any 
 action of Congress. 
 
 OFFICE U. S. LEAD MINES, 
 Galena, Illinois, April 20, 1842. 
 
 Slit: I deem it my duty to furnish all the information in my possession, 
 in relation to the future disposition and management of the mineral lands ; 
 and for that purpose, I have made the following extracts from my instruc- 
 tions, received from the honorable Secretary of War. 
 
 Enclosed, you will also find, a letter from the Ordnance Department to 
 me, enclosing a letter from the Commissioner of the General Land Office ; 
 from which it will be seen, that no patents will be granted, until some future 
 action of Congress. 
 
 I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 JOHN FLANAGAN, 
 Superintendent U. S. Lead Mines. 
 
 H. H. HOUGHTON. 
 
 Copy of instructions to Mr. Flanagan. 
 
 ORDNANCE OFFICE, 
 Washington, March 20, 1842. 
 
 SIR : In pursuance of instructions this day received from the Hon. Sec- 
 retary of War, you are hereby clothed with full authority, (o compromise
 
 with all the smelters, and their securities, for the balance of rent lead which 
 remain due from each of those smelters, at the close of operations ; and your 
 receipt shall be taken as a full acquittance, in behalf of the United States. 
 
 *You will take measures immediately on your return to the mineral region 
 to report ; and you will report, as soon thereafter as possible, to this office, 
 lists of all lands containing mineral. These lists will, if practicable, name 
 the section or parts of sections, with the township and range, or, in default 
 of these, such other description as will identify the lot, and will give the 
 names of all persons now mining thereon. 
 
 If any of these lands have been entered at any land office, you will give 
 the names of the parties, by whom entered, the date when, and at what land 
 office. If known to contain mineral, at the time of the entry, say whether 
 it was so reported in the surveys or in what other way it was reported to the 
 land office. 
 
 If mineral was, at the time of entry, being dug thereon, give the names of 
 those by whom it was so dug, and by authority of what lease ; and if a pa- 
 tent has issued, give the name of the person to whom the patent was issued, 
 and its date. 
 
 Patents for land, as well as entry, are void, where it can be made to ap- 
 pear, that such land was known at the time of entry, to contain mineral. 
 
 You will adopt all legal measures to prevent persons working the mines, 
 or getting out mineral, without leases or licenses. 
 
 To such persons as have mined under permits from any of the United 
 States superintendents of the lead mines, and have paid over in pure lead 
 the rent agreed upon, and also to all other persons who will obligate them- 
 selves to pay, you are hereby authorized to grant leases for one year, accord- 
 ing to the form herewith given you. 
 
 G. TALCOTT, 
 Lt. Col. Ordnance. 
 
 J. FLANAGAN, Esq., 
 
 Supt. U. S. Lead Mines, Galena, Illinois. 
 
 From Col. Talcott to Mr. Flanagan. 
 
 ORDNANCE OFFICE, 
 Washington, March 30, 1842. 
 
 SIR : You will receive, herewith, a copy of a letter just received from the 
 Commissioner of the General Land Office, stating the determination to sus- 
 pend the issuing of all patents for land heretofore sold within the limits of 
 the district of Mineral Point, now Muskoday. 
 
 I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 G. TALCOTT, 
 
 Lt. Col. Ordnance. 
 J. FLANAGAN, Esq., 
 
 Supt. of the U. S. Lead Mines. 
 
 > -'"
 
 From the Commissioner of the General Land Office. 
 
 GENERAL LAND OFFICE, 
 
 March 30, 1842. 
 
 SIR : In answer to the inquiry submitted in your letter to me, of the 29th 
 instant, I have to inform you that this office lias deemed it proper, in view 
 of some future action of Congress on the subject, to suspend the issuing of 
 all patents, for land heretofore sold within the limits of the district of Mineral 
 Point (now Muscoday), Wisconsin Territory. 
 
 I am, sir, with much respect, your obedient servant, 
 
 E. M. HUNTINGTON, 
 
 Commissioner. 
 Lt. Col. GEO. TALCOTT, 
 
 Ordnance Office, War Department. 
 
 RESERVED MINERAL LANDS. 
 
 The authorities at Washington, and others, have been led into a capital 
 mistake, from basing their estimate of the value of the reserved mineral lands 
 on the *atements made in " Owen's report." However learned that report 
 may be, or however correct as to general statements, it is evidently calculated 
 to mislead the minds of those at a distance, who can not have had it in their 
 power to judge of the real truth by " painful experience." A geologist 
 passes through the country, sees various rocks, formations, strata, &c., which 
 indicate the existence of lead ore. He sees numerous heavy heaps of the 
 mineral and the metal ; his imagination becomes excited. He meets in his 
 inquiries with numbers of shrewd men, whose true characters are mystified 
 to the eye of the stranger, by a careless air and humble garb. They dis- 
 cover the bent of the stranger's mind, and nourish his enthusiasm by telling 
 him all manner of stories about caves of hidden wealth, and generally find 
 no difficulty in making him about as extravagant as befits their own amuse- 
 ment. Mr. Owen himself must have suffered severely from this species of 
 comedy. He has put down section after section, and league after league, as 
 " mineral lands ;" all of which may indeed contain " indications of lead ore," 
 and, may be, more or less of the very ore itself, but the finding it might be 
 attended with an expense of labor, sufficient to beggar the population of the 
 whole United States. It would be very much like digging for " Kid's 
 money :" much easier to conceive of than to find. In searching for it, a 
 great many flat rocks and caverns may be found, under which and in which 
 the ore might have been hid ; but, a hundred to one, it is not there. Nature, 
 we believe, never bends her laws to gratify the caprices or cupidity of man. 
 Men often, labor here month after month, ay, year after year, in penetrating 
 the solid rock, with an anxiety which may be imagined, and no mineral do 
 they get to reward them for their labor for the very good reason that it is in 
 some other place. The quarter section may be good "mineral land," put 
 down so by Mr. Owen, but human exertion may never discover the treasure, 
 though the lives of generations be expended in the attempt. 
 
 A proportion we may safely say, a large proportion of the "reserved 
 mineral lands," as mineral lands, are worth nothing. They may be put 
 to good use for farming purposes. Wheat, corn, oats, &c., grow without
 
 7 [ 331 ] 
 
 stint or hinderance. Old Ireland can not beat us much in potatoes. But, 
 for mining purposes, a free gift of the land would only make a man poorer. 
 The good of the people and of the General Government alike demand their 
 sale. As they now lie, they can benefit no one. On the contrary, they 
 greatly retard the settlement of the country. 
 
 A man may be amused by error, but never permanently reformed or 
 benefited. However ingeniously men may argue, cover up facts, or use 
 " words to darken wisdom," yet the truth can alone make free. Many a 
 
 ood cause has been injured by bad arguments intended for its favor, 
 hould we here make the statement, that, could all the lead which has 
 ever been obtained from these mines be correctly calculated, and could all 
 the labor expended in obtaining it be estimated, the worth of the lead 
 would not pay each manjifty cents per day for his labor; should \ve make 
 this statement, we say, those at a distance might think it untrue, and 
 others near home miorht pronounce it imprudent. It is evidently for the 
 interest of the country that the mines be fully worked. It makes a market 
 for the produce of the farmer, for the work of the mechanic, and the 
 merchant sells his wares and merchandise to all. The lead which we 
 export pays for whatever we import, and a balance is left with the people. 
 But it is our candid belief, that were an average made as above suggested, 
 the miner would not receive thirty-seven and a half cents a day as his pro- 
 portion. We appeal to all experience in this country to prove that this be- 
 lief is founded on abundant fact. And, if it is so, it proves that the remark 
 of observing men, " that the inhabitants of a raining country are always 
 poor," is not contradicted by an exception here. 
 
 Still some men make gains here by mining. Many others lose. The 
 chance of gain impels them to labor on, trusting that they may be more 
 fortunate than others. Some portions of these reserved lands are valuable 
 for mining purposes ; but the mere fact that the whole amount of lead pro- 
 duced would scarcely pay half price for the labor expended in its produc- 
 tion, proves that, as a whole, the lands are worth nothing to those who use 
 them. On many of the sections and townships recommended to be re- 
 served by Mr. Owen, no discoveries of mineral have ever been made. 
 Can it. be thought expedient, for a moment, to keep such lands out of the 
 market? No injustice should be done to the miners. They endure pri- 
 vations enough now. If the mineral lands are ever sold, some special pro- 
 vision should be made to protect this numerous class. But this is no 
 argument why the farming lands should not be sold as other public lands. 
 We .know of no way in which the division can be made, except by the ap- 
 pointment of special commissioners, as suggested in our last paper. 
 
 RESERVED MINERAL LANDS. 
 
 TUESDAY, May 24, 1842. 
 
 In this paper we published the proceedings of a meeting held at the court- 
 house in this city on last Friday, to elicit some feeling with regard to the dis- 
 position of the above lands. If the object of that meeting was to produce 
 harmony of feeling on a subject of such vital importance to this section of 
 the country, we have no hesitation whatever in expressing the belief that the 
 object was not attained. Neither the* resolutions (taken as a whole) nor the
 
 [ 331 ] 8 
 
 discussions which they excited appear to us at all calculated to produce 
 union among those whose best interests can only be consulted by peace with 
 one another (the farmer and the miner), nor were they calculated to make 
 that favorable impression at Washington most likely to settle the snarled-up 
 subject of the^p lands in the most dispassionate way. The easiest way to 
 accomplish a thing is generally the best way, and we are much surprised if 
 the axiom does not hold good in this case. Of what use can it possibly be 
 to raise a quarrel with the Government on this matter? Others may see 
 what we can not discern. We lay no claim to perfectibility of judgment, but 
 we do believe that, when some weeks ago we urged the people on these 
 lands to obey the laws, our judgment was made up from a conscientious 
 regard to duty. The recommendation is here repeated. 
 
 From all the information which we have been able to gather, we have 
 confidence in the belief that the Secretary of War has taken hold of this 
 matter with a determination which will not be turned aside by any difficulty 
 which may be likely to arise. He asks for correct information. John C. 
 Spencer will act on no other. If he has not that information now, he will 
 spare no pains to obtain it. He will calmly weigh every recommendation, 
 if he has not lost his former good sense, and if jusiice is not done, it will only 
 be in those cases which can not be reached by any general rule. Congress 
 evidently expect to make no immense sum of money out of these lands. 
 Time and again their sale has been recommended ; but, when some plan 
 for their disposal has been asked, every opposing interest has an opposite 
 system. These conflicting opinions the Secretary will calmly compare, and 
 a shrewd mind like his can hardly fail to come near the. truth. 
 
 Doubts have been expressed whether the present superintendent of the 
 mines was not going beyond his instructions. There is reason to suppose 
 that the War Department are satisfied with his course. But a short time 
 since Colcnel Bomford was here and inspected the office, and w r ent away 
 fully satisfied with his proceedings. 
 
 Within a few days past an assistant to Mr. Flanagan, appointed by the- 
 War Department, has arrived here from Washington. We learn that he in- 
 tends to visit the whole mining country, and ascertain, as far' as possible, the 
 best plan for separating the mineral from the farming lands. He is fully 
 satisfied with the course pursued by the superintendent, and says he will be 
 firmly sustained by the authorities at Washington. Calm and dispassionate 
 communication with him is recommended. Passion is a blind guide, while 
 reason is always a sure one. In this case the interests involved are too mo- 
 mentous to be left with the one, or without the assistance of the other. 
 
 SETTLERS' MEETING. 
 
 At a large and respectable meeting of. the citizens of the mining country, 
 held at the court-house in Galena on Friday, the 20th instant, pursuant to 
 public notice, for the purpose of recommending some plan to the General 
 Government for the disposition of the mineral lands belonging to the United 
 Stales, John Turney was, on motion, called to the chair, and Allan Tomlin 
 and George W. Harrison were appointed secretaries. 
 
 After some brief remarks explanatory of the object of the meeting, by
 
 9 [ 331 J 
 
 C. S. Hempstead, Esq.. the following resolutions were offered by him, and 
 adopted : 
 
 'Resolved, That a committee of fifteen be appointed (five each) from the 
 mining region of Illinois, Wisconsin, and Iowa, to report at a future meeting 
 as to the propriety and expediency of the sale of the reserved public lands in 
 the mineral region. 
 
 Resolved, That said committee also report what legislative provisions are 
 required, if any, to secure the miner and /armer their just and equitable 
 right to any such reserved lands, should a sale thereof take place. 
 
 Whereupon the chair appointed the following gentlemen to compose said 
 committee : 
 
 From Illinois. C. S. Hempstead, James Craig, John McDonald, John 
 Dement, Abel Proctor. 
 
 From Wisconsin. R. R. Young, Frank Washburne, Thompson Humes, 
 Lewis Curtis, Hugh R. Cotter. 
 
 From Iowa. S. D. Dixon, Robert Waller, Lucius Langworthy, Patrick 
 Q,uigley, Peter A. Lorimier. 
 
 The following resolution was offered by Thompson Campbell, Esq., and 
 adopted : 
 
 Resolved, That this meeting request John Flanagan, superintendent of 
 the Upper Mississippi lead mines, to produce instanter to this meeting the 
 instructions which he has received, if any, from the General Government or 
 War Department, authorizing him to lease the mineral lots in the mining 
 region, and that a committee of three be appointed by the chair to await im- 
 mediately on Mr. Flanagan. 
 
 Whereupon the chair appointed Messrs. Thompson Campbell, H. H. 
 Gear, and General George W. Jones, who, after a short absence, reported 
 that they had waited upon Mr. Flanagan, and received for answer that the 
 letters recently published in the Galena Gazette contain all the authority re- 
 ferred to in the resolution. 
 
 The following resolutions were offered by Colonel Dement, and adopted : 
 
 Resolved, That, in the opinion of this meeting, the General Government 
 ought not to issue permits to individuals to mine upon any lands to which 
 a right of pre-emption has been proven, filed in the land office, and which 
 proof has been decided by said officers to be sufficient to entitle the settler to 
 a right of pre-emption, and which pre-emption right has not yet been decided 
 upon by the General Land Office, or by any other Government authority, nor 
 upon entered lands, unless such entries have been revoked by the United 
 States in due form. 
 
 Resolved, That it is further the opinion of this meeting that we do con- 
 sider, after hearing the instructions to the superintendent read, sent to this 
 meeting through the committee appointed to wait on him, that he is not by 
 them either authorized or required to issue permits on any such lands as 
 above mentioned ; and that if he is authorized to issue permits to mine on 
 the lead mines, we believe that those instructions would be complied with 
 by leasing such lands only as have been expressly reserved by the President 
 of the United States for mining purposes. 
 
 The following resolution was offered by Thompson Campbell, Esq., and 
 adopted : 
 
 Resolved, That the superintendent has no authority to grant leases for 
 mineral lots that have been used and occupied according to the custom of 
 miners, other than those who have so used and occupied them.
 
 [ 331 ] 10 
 
 Resolved, That the proceedings of this meeting be published in all the 
 papers in the mining region. 
 
 On motion, adjourned to Saturday, the 4th day of June, at eleven o'clock. 
 
 JOHN TURNEY, Chairman. 
 ALLAN TOMLIN, 
 G. W. HARRISON, 
 
 Secretaries. 
 
 MINERS' MEETING. 
 
 At a numerously attended meeting of miners and citizens held at James- 
 town, Menornonie Diggings, Grant county, Wisconsin Territory, on .Friday, 
 the 27th instant, A. H. Gillman \fas called to the chair, and H. Van Vleck 
 and C. Burrell chosen secretaries. 
 
 The object of the meeting having been explained, on motion of J. C. 
 Bourner, a committee of seven was appointed to draught a report and resolu- 
 tions expressive of the sense of the meeting, whereupon Miles Hollingsworth, 
 Lysander Gilmore, William Richardson, George W. Brownell, John McNul- 
 ty, Thomas L. Shaw, and Charles Pole, were chosen said committee. 
 
 The committee, after retiring for a short time, returned, and submitted the 
 following report and resolutions, which were adopted by a vote of 74 to 11 : 
 
 REPORT. 
 
 Whereas, we, the citizens of the mining district, residing in Illinois and 
 Wisconsin, feeling satisfied that the great and paramount interests of this 
 country have been greatly suspended and her prosperity greatly injured by 
 illegal and fraudulent entries, thus wresting from the industrious and hardy 
 miner the fruits of years of labor labor which has been performed under 
 the sanction of the General Government ; and whereas, there is an attempt 
 being made by speculators to have the remainder of the mineral lands thrown 
 into market at the present time ; therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That we highly approve of the plan for leasing the lead mines 
 of the United States, as perfected by the superintendent, Mr. Flanagan, and 
 approved of by the honorable Secretary of War, Mr. Spencer, and although 
 we despaired at one time of justice ever being done the miners, we now are 
 satisfied that the Government, with the present heads of Departments, will 
 do us justice. 
 
 Resolved, That we hail with pleasure the determination of the Commis- 
 sioner of the General Land Office in suspending the issuing of all patents 
 until a thorough investigation can be had in relation to the fraudulent entries 
 of the mineral lands, fully satisfied when that investigation is had, that jus- 
 tice will be done to the injured miner as well as to the Government. 
 
 Resolved, That the proceedings of the meeting at Galena on the 20th. in- 
 stant was highly inflammatory, disorganizing, and revolutionary, and we en- 
 ter our solemn protest against the whole proceedings, and approve of the 
 conduct of Mr. Flanagan on that occasion in attending to the Duties of his 
 office, instead of attending to any such ex parte meeting show his author- 
 ity, as was required of him by said meeting. ' 
 
 Resolved, That we approve of the laws now in existence in relation to 
 the mineral lands, and that we ; as miners and working-men, will sustain the
 
 11 [ 331 ] 
 
 superintendent in the* execution of those laws, believing that he has disin- 
 terestedly represented our true interest at Washington, and has been almost* 
 the sole means of the miners recovering their rights, which, from present ap- 
 pearances, we are satisfied they will do, and we are resolved to sustain him 
 at all hazards. 
 
 Resolved, That it is the bounden duty of Government to revoke all illegal 
 entries of mineral lands heretofore made, in order to keep alive that attachment 
 and confidence which should always exist in the minds of the citizens, and 
 exhibit that invaluable example, immutable and eternal justice, so essential 
 to the happiness of the people. 
 
 Resolved, That this meeting highly approve of the bill proposed byMr. 
 Howard, chairman of the Committee on Public Lands, and desire that our 
 Delegate in Congress, the Honorable Henry Dodge, be instructed to support 
 said bill. 
 
 Resolved, That, while it is the sense of this meeting that, in representing 
 the true interests of the real producers of this country, we recommend to the 
 consideration of Government the prospect of respecting the interest of such 
 persons as have made permanent agricultural improvements on such lands 
 as are obviously not valuable for mining purposes. 
 
 Resolved, That the proceedings of this meeting be signed by the president 
 and secretaries of this meeting, and be published in the Wisconsin Whig, 
 Northwestern Gazette, Dubuque Express, and the other papers of the mining 
 region. 
 
 A. H. GILMORB, Chairman. 
 
 HENRY VAN VLECK, 
 
 CUTHBERT BURRELL, 
 
 Secretaries. 
 
 MINERS' MEETING. 
 
 Pursuant to previous notice, a numerously attended meeting of miners and 
 citizens was held at the house of Shaw & Burrell, on Coon branch, Iowa 
 county, Wisconsin Territory, on Saturday, the 28th instant, when John 
 Jameson was called to the chair, Thomas L. Shaw acting as assistant chair- 
 man, and Peter Heartman and Cuthbert Burrell were chosen secretaries. 
 
 The object of the meeting having been made known briefly by the chair, 
 on motion of Miles Rollings worth, Esq., a committee of twelve was ap- 
 pointed by the chair to draught a preamble and resolutions expressive of the 
 sense of the meeting. 
 
 The following named gentlemen were appointed said committee : Emmit 
 D. Boaz, George A. Walker, Thomas S. Pole, Thomas J. Moorman, Oba- 
 diah Woodall, John Sheridan, James M. Dean, Elisha Holmes, Nathan 
 White, John Burrell, John Parkinson, and Robert M. Magee. 
 
 After some time occupied in preparing, the committee returned with the 
 following report and resolutions, which were submitted separately, and unani- 
 mously adopted. They were then submitted collectively, when one hun- 
 dred and sixty one voted for, and two declined voting for or against their 
 adoption. In consequence of the heavy rain previous to, and about the time 
 of, taking the vote, considerable numbers of miners had left for their respec- 
 tive homes before the vote was taken, and consequently were not counted. 
 
 Whereas, the honor, the safety, and the true interests of the governed,
 
 [ 331 ] 12 
 
 alike with the Government, depends upon the impartiaF execution and in- 
 violable preservation of the laws of the land ; therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That it is the duty of the Government, as soon as practicable, 
 to revoke and make null and void all entries of public lands containing lead 
 mines fraudulently or illegally made ; and we do concur in the recommend- 
 ation of the present superintendent for the " appointment of commissioners, 
 by competent authority, to be persons not interested, but acquainted with the 
 mineral country, whose duty it shall be to ascertain, from evidence to be 
 submitted to them : 1st, the locality and description of all the lands containing 
 mineral or lead mines; 2dly, to ascertain what lands now or heretofore 
 containing lead mines have been illegally entered; and, finally, to declare, 
 upon the full examination of the whole matter, all lands containing lead mines 
 and not entered, and all lands now entered, and heretofore (at the time of 
 the entry) containing lead mines, to be reserved to the United States ; and 
 also .to declare how many and what contiguous sections shall be reserved. 
 All lands to be reserved by the commissioners thus appointed to be desig- 
 nated and described fully and particularly." 
 
 Resolved, That, until such discrimination and separation be made, any 
 sale of the lands containing lead mines will cause great hardship and injus- 
 tice, not only to the farmers, but to the miners, who, relying upon the invi- 
 tation of the Government, embarked their time, their labor, and their means, 
 in the business of mining on the public lands. 
 
 And whereas, at an adjourned meeting at Plattville the following pream- 
 ble and resolutions were adopted and passed, and the sentiments of which 
 have our entire concurrence, 
 
 Resolved^ That this meeting adopt said preamble and resolutions, as fol- 
 lows: 
 
 REPORT. 
 
 Whereas, we, as citizens of the mining district, in Wisconsin Territory r 
 being apprized of the intention of the General Government to reclaim her 
 rights in the Upper Mississippi lead mines, and to make some disposition of 
 the lands which were reserved for mineral and smelting purposes; and 
 whereas, the selling of a portion of the lands in the mining district may have 
 contributed to the promotion of agriculture, yet mining, which is the great 
 and paramount interest of the country, has been materially injured by their 
 sale, as a large portion of lands containing valuable mineral discoveries have 
 been purchased by speculators, who exact extortionate rents from the miners, 
 without the privilege of staking off and holding ten acres around their dis- 
 coveries as they formerly enjoyed under the kind protection of the Govern- 
 ment; therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That by selling the mineral reserves, the Government would 
 enrich a few avaricious speculators with the hard earnings of the diggers, as 
 well as cut off a great and lasting source of public revenue. 
 
 Resolved, That we cordially approve of the design of the honorable Sec- 
 retary of War, to lease (according to the plan proposed by Mr. Flanagan, the 
 superintendent of the United States lead mines) the mines in this country 
 to actual operatives, and to them only. 
 
 Resolved, That we, as miners, pledge ourselves to lease our mineral claims 
 from the Government, and to recognise the claims of individuals upon the 
 public mineral lands only so far as those claims are founded on leases or 
 permits from the Government.
 
 13 [ 331 ] 
 
 Resolved, That the right of claimants to old discoveries has been recog- 
 nised, when held without opposing and conflicting claims : such claims 
 should and ought to be respected, provided such claimants shall forthwith 
 come under the regulations of the General Government which now exist, or 
 may hereafter be provided for the government of the United States lead 
 mines in this country. 
 
 Resolved, That we feel bound to respect, and .petition the General Gov- 
 ernment to recognise the rights and provide for the security of the interests of 
 such persons as have made improvements on the public lands for agricultural 
 purposes, and also of such persons as have erected dwelling-houses in or near 
 towns and villages : provided that such claimants make such improvements 
 in good faith, and not for the purpose of claiming rent from diggers for a 
 large amount of public mineral lands. 
 
 Resolved, That we approve of the bill introduced by Mr. Howard in the 
 House 'of Representatives of the United States, and now before said House, 
 in relation to the fraudulent entries of mineral lands in- the Upper Mississippi 
 lead mines to remedy fraudulent purchases, &c., and that the passage of the 
 said bill should be zealously supported by our Delegate in Congress, the 
 Honorable H. Dodge. 
 
 Resolved, That we do not approve of selling the lands at this time. 
 
 Resolved, That John Flanagan, mineral agent, is entitled to our gratitude 
 for his prompt and energetic interposition in our behalf at Washington, in 
 explaining and promoting our just interests, and that we highly approve of 
 the system in regard to the mineral lands, for the adoption of which we are 
 indebted to his persevering devotion to our rights. 
 
 Resolved, That this meeting have read with feelings of abhorrence and 
 disgust an article contained in the Miners' Express of May 19, 1842, censur- 
 ing Mr. Flanagan, the present superintendent of the United States lead 
 mines, for the course recommended by him in regard to delinquents, and 
 charging individuals of the mining region with perjury. 
 
 Resolved, That it is the opinion of this meeting that the superintendent 
 had just grounds for making the assertion, from the facts of cases which have 
 been tried in Illinois in this Territory, caused by entries made at Mineral 
 Point by means of false swearing, sufficient to satisfy any mind of common, 
 candor that the assertion is correct. 
 
 Resolved, That, reposing entire confidence in the justice, patriotism, and 
 ability of the authorities who possess legal jurisdiction over the United States 
 lead mines in the Wisconsin mineral district, we will maintain and support 
 such authorities, and also their legally authorized agent in this region, John 
 Flanagan, in sustaining the supremacy of the laws of our common country 
 at all hazards ; and that all attempts.on the part of those who have disregarded 
 the solemnity of oaths, openly and voluntarily violating one of the most 
 sacred bonds of union among the human family, by falsely swearing for the 
 purpose of entering by fraud the mineral lands occupied by miners, and also 
 mineral lands the property of the United States; and now for such men to 
 slander the superintendent is in bad taste, and ought to meet with the decided 
 disapprobation of every lover of justice and of his country. 
 
 Resolved, That a committee of five be appointed to draft a petition to the 
 War Department, and to appoint an executive committee of twenty-two per- 
 sons, whose business it shall be to visit the various districts of the mining 
 region, and there to take measures to circulate and obtain signers to said 
 petition expressive of the wishes of the miners generally, as manifested at
 
 [ 331 ] 14 
 
 the late public meetings of Plattville, Jamestown, Menomonie Diggings, and 
 Coon Branch ; whereupon, the chair appointed Thomas S. Pole, George W. 
 Brownell, C. Bunell, William J. Walker, and Peter Hartman, as a commit- 
 tee to draught the petition and appoint the executive committee embraced in 
 the resolution.' 
 
 Resolved, That the proceedings of this meeting be signed by the chair- 
 man and secretaries, and. published in all the newspapers published in the 
 mining region. 
 
 Resolved, That this meeting now adjourn. 
 
 JOHN JAMESON, 
 THOMAS L. SHAW, 
 
 Chairmen* 
 PETER HEARTMAN, 
 CUTHBERT BURRELL, 
 
 Secretaries. 
 
 COON BRANCH, IOWA Co., W. T. 3 May 28, 1842. 
 
 ^ 
 
 The following petition accompanied the foregoing proceedings : 
 
 Petition to the Hon. Secretary of the War Department, or the legally con- 
 stituted authorities at Washington. 
 
 We, the undersigned, citizens of Wisconsin and Illinois, having reason to 
 apprehend that our hitherto numerous petitions and remonstrances to Con- 
 gress against the blindly incited cupidity of the land speculators, have in 
 times past failed to reach the knowledge of the proper authorities through the 
 faithlessness, and probable self-interest, of our former delegates to Congress, 
 but cheered by the recent demonstrations of returning justice, and under the 
 lively emanations of gratitude at the prospect of reclaiming our just rights, 
 and the consequent return of peace and tranquillity to our otherwise happy 
 land; we deem it our duty, as well as right, to present in this form the col- 
 lected wish of a portion of the citizens of Wisconsin and Illinois, as to the 
 future disposition of the Government lands, the sentiments and wishes of 
 whom will be found contained in the accompanying resolutions passed at a 
 numerously attended public meeting held in Plattville, Jamestown, and Coon 
 Branch, Wisconsin Territory. 
 
 In the adoption of some prompt and efficient measures to the miners, and 
 tranquillity to the country, your petitioners would recommend to the favora- 
 ble consideration of the Department, the plan proposed in the report. of the 
 present superintendent, viz : the appointment of commissioners to decide on 
 such lands as shall be retained for mining purposes. 
 
 LEAD. 
 
 The St. Louis New Era of the 30th ult., states, that the quantity of lead 
 received in that city from the upper mines, since the opening of navigation, 
 is 140,000 pigs, or nearly ten millions of pounds. The average price of lead 
 at St. Louis is $3 25 per 100 pounds. 
 
 r r
 
 15 f 331 3 
 
 LEAD. 
 
 The New York Price Current says, sales of 5,000 or 6,000 pigs of Missouri 
 lead have been made at 3 a 3| cents, cash, which is an improvement, 
 holders generally demanding an advance on last week's rates. 
 
 NOTICE. 
 
 OFFICE U. S. LEAD MINES, 
 Galena, Illinois, April 30, 1842. 
 
 Notice is hereby given to all persons mining or occupying mineral lands 
 that the undersigned is now prepared to grant lease for the lead mines of the 
 United States, in the State of Illinois, and the two Territories, Wisconsin 
 and Iowa, under the late regulation from the War Department. 
 
 In all applications for leases preference will be given to old and present 
 mining occupants, and they are requested to make immediate application to 
 the superintendent for leases, and at the same time render an exhibit and 
 statement of all the rent due by them. In any case where the present claim- 
 ant or occupant shall refuse to take out a lease, and comply with the late 
 regulations of this office, the same will be leased to the first applicant. No- 
 tice is further given that all the permits for mining . in Government lands, 
 which were granted by the late superintendent, Doctor H. King, or any pre- 
 vious superintendent, are hereby revoked, and will become null and void 
 at the expiration of three months from this date, as provided for in such 
 permits ; the holders of permits who have locations agreeably to the regula- 
 tions under which they were granted, and who shall come forward within 
 the abovementioned time and pay the arrearages of rent due to the United 
 States will receive leases for mining on such locations according to the late 
 instructions from the War Office on that subject. 
 
 JOHN FLANAGAN, 
 Superintendent U. S. Lead Mines^ 
 
 GALENA, June 9, 1842. 
 
 GENTLEMEN : As chairman, I beg leave to enclose to you the report of 
 the printed proceedings of a settlers' meeting here, in relation to the sale of the 
 reserved mineral lands in Wisconsin, Iowa, and Illinois. The meeting 
 grows out of a letter received from the Hon. R. M. Young, Senator in Con- 
 gress, suggesting that the people should express their wishes in some way as 
 to the sale of those lands, and that they would present the form of a bill or 
 proposition, which, in their judgment, would but reconcile conflicting inter- 
 est and settlements. 
 
 The plan proposed by the adjourned meeting (which was a very general 
 attendance of miners and settlers of the neighborhood of Galena), is the 
 same, as to the sale of the mineral lands, which was recommended in 1838 
 by the Commissioner of the General Land Office, as likewise to illegal and 
 fraudulent entries, recommended by the same, with addition of the late bill 
 of Mr, Howard, from the Committee on Public Lands. 
 I am, very respectfully, 
 
 JOHN TURNEY,
 
 [ 331 ] 16 
 
 SETTLERS' MEETING. 
 
 At an adjourned meeting of the citizens of the mining country, held at the 
 court-house, in the city of Galena, on Saturday, the 4th day of June, ac- 
 cording to the adjournment of the previous meeting, Charles S. Hempstead, 
 Esq., from the committee of fifteen, reported as follows: 
 The committee appointed at the settlers' meeting, the 20th ult., under the 
 following resolutions : 
 
 " Resolved, That a committee of fifteen be appointed (five each) from the 
 mining region of Illinois, Wisconsin, and Iowa, to report at a future meeting 
 as to the propriety and expediency of the sale of the reserved public lands 
 n the mineral region : 
 
 " Resolved, That said committee also report what legislative provisions 
 are required (if any) to secure the miner and farmer their just and equitable 
 right to any such reserved land should a sale thereof take place :" 
 Beg leave to present the following report : 
 
 That they have given to the subject their most attentive consideration, 
 which its great importance demands, alike from the extent and value of the 
 interests involved, both to the Government and the citizens of the mining 
 region, as, also, the peculiar delicacy arising out of the excitement which 
 has been recently exhibited in various parts of the country, and which, in the 
 opinion of your committee, has nothing to do with the questions involved in 
 the resolutions above quoted. 
 
 Three propositions are contained in those resolutions: 
 1st. As to the "propriety" of the sale of the reserved public lands in the 
 mineral region. 
 
 2dly. As to the " expediency" of such a sale. 
 
 3dly. " What ' legislative provisions' are required (if any) to secure to the 
 miner and farmer their just and equitable rights to any such reserved lands, 
 should a sale thereof take place." 
 
 As to the " propriety" of a sale, your committee do not deem it necessary, 
 at this late day, to enter into a labored argument to prove that the best inte- 
 rests of the Government and its citizens would be most promoted by a sale 
 of the public domain as soon as circumstances would admit. It never was 
 intended by the framers of the constitution, nor has it ever entered into the 
 mind of any statesman since the formation of our Government, to create the 
 odious rotation of landlord and tenant between the Government and its citi- 
 zens. It has been the policy unvaryingly, pursued by the Government un- 
 der nil administrations, to dispose of the public lands, and however much 
 politicians may differ as to the distribution of the proceeds, all have concur- 
 red in the policy of disposing of those lands. Lands containing, or supposed 
 to contain, lead mineral, have been the only solitary exception to the policy 
 of an immediate disposal. A power of reservation was given to the Gov- 
 ernment for the purpose of ascertaining their true value, and that they 
 should not fall into the hands of monopolists ; but when it was ascertained, 
 as in the instance of those in Missouri, that from the great extent of the min- 
 eral lands in the United States, as well as the impossibility of monopolists secur- 
 ing them, the Government has withdrawn such reservations and brought them 
 into market as others. And it is a fact well known that, from the year 1930, 
 to the present time, the sale of the mineral lands in the upper Mississippi coun- 
 try has been recommended by all the Government agents here, as likewise 
 by all the heads of Departments at Washington, down to the present Secre>
 
 17 [ 331 ] 
 
 tary of War, who, in his letter of 5th April, says that " It may not be deem- 
 ed irrelevant to remark, that it is contemplated to offer for sale the mineral 
 lands in the north part of Illinois, upon which lead mines are known to ex- 
 ist, so soon as the embarrassment in moneyed affairs shall cease, or be so 
 mitigated as to afford a prospect of reasonable and fair prices being obtained 
 for them." 
 
 In addition to the above, as to the " propriety" or legality of a sale of the 
 " reserved mineral lands," the Government, by the Hon. Secretary of War, 
 has declared that no further legislation even is unnecessary, that the Presi- 
 dent now possesses the power to authorize a sale of the lead mines in the 
 Territories of Wisconsin and Iowa, and the northern part of Illinois, as may 
 be seen by his letter before referred to (5th April, 1842). 
 
 The question then presents itself 
 
 2dly. As to the " expediency" of such a sale. Your committee have come 
 to the conclusion that such a sale is expedient , so soon as suitable measures 
 can be adopted to secure the farmer and settler, where lands have been taken 
 up and occupied for farming purposes, his improvements, and the miner, 
 who has bona fide worked and possessed mineral ground, his lot or lots, ac- 
 cording to the rules and regulations adopted by the Government, or by the 
 usages of the neighborhood. The mining region (so called), it is well known } 
 embraces a large extent of country in the northern part of Illinois, and in 
 the Territories of Wisconsin and Iowa. On the 'eastern side of the Missis* 
 sippi, commencing at a point on that river thirty miles south of Galena, and 
 running east about thirty-six miles, to the line dividing ranges No. 8 and 9, 
 thence north and west about seventy miles to the Wisconsin river, and thence 
 with the Wisconsin to the Mississippi. On the west side of the Mississippi, 
 lead ore is contained in the tract of country which extends about thirty-five 
 miles north and south, between the waters of Turkey and the Big Maquo- 
 quoti rivers. That such an extent of country, embracing so large a portion 
 of good farming lands, should be reserved, from sale, and the mineral lands 
 thereon be held by Government to rent out, would be, in the opinion of your 
 committee., at once unjust, oppressive, and injurious, alike to the Govern- 
 ment and its citizens. The Government itself is so fully aware, not only of 
 the policy, but of the necessity of selling all these lands, that they have de* 
 termined to grant leases only for one year, till some plan can be matured to 
 enable it to obtain a fair price for its mineral lands, and to prevent any con* 
 flict between miners and settlers in the ultimate purchase of their lands. 
 
 We do not deem it necessary here to trifle with the common sense of the 
 community, to enter into a refutation of the opinion of interested individuals, 
 that a system of permanent leases for mineral lands ought to be adopted. It 
 must be apparent to every man of reflection, that it would result to no good to 
 the Government, nor any ultimate good to the miner himself ; that it would 
 tend to establish an odious and obnoxious system of landlord and tenant be- 
 tween the Government and its citizens, and produce a constant state of agi- 
 tation and excitement, which would cause much individual suffering, disturb 
 the peace of society, and do an amount of injury to the public which we 
 "will not attempt to describe. And your committee here deem it not indeli- 
 cate nor improper to notice an attempt, on the part of some individuals in 
 the mining region, to get up an excitement on the subject, which presents a 
 false issue of the matters for which the settler's meeting was called. The 
 tendency of that attempt is to produce a collision between the miner and the 
 settler. As to the best mode and manner of disposing of the mineral reserva-
 
 331 J 
 
 18 
 
 tions, there need not, nor does there exist any cause of disagreement between 
 these two meritorious classes of our citizens. The actual settler only wishes a 
 title to his lands as other settlers upon public lands, and can only wish that 
 the miner may be secure in his rights, when by his labor and his toil he has 
 acquired a right to his mineral ground. And We most emphatically, on our 
 part, do disclaim the sentiment ascribed to us, that we wish to oppose the 
 Government in its plan to lease the public lead mines, or to embarrass any 
 of its agents, in carrying out the present temporary system of leasing. The 
 mode and manner of leasing, the conduct of the superintendent, and all oth- 
 er matters connected with the agency, adopted to carry out the plan of the 
 Government, are mere subordinate circumstances, which have nothing to do 
 with the great interest involved in the question of the disposal of these lands, 
 in which the prosperity of so many thousands of our citizens is so directly 
 concerned. 
 
 The next consideration, then, is, as to the mode of securing to the citizens 
 interested (settler and miner) their just rights, which will be properly dis- 
 posed of by the third proposition of the resolutions, viz : 
 
 " What legislative provisions are required (if any) to secure the miner 
 and farmer their just and equitable right to any such reserved lands, should 
 a sale thereof take place?" 
 
 After the best consideration which the committee have been enabled to 
 give to this subject, we are of opinion that, although the President is author- 
 ized to sell the lead mine lands in Iowa, Wisconsin, and the northern part 
 of Illinois, without any further -legislation that all parties may at once ob- 
 tain their rights, without years of delay, and that the President can bring all 
 the reservations into market, whenever the moneyed resources of the citizens 
 will enable them to purchase, we would recommend the substance of a bill 
 which was forwarded by the Commissioner of the General Land Office to 
 the Secretary of the Treasury, on the 30th April, 1838, and by him transmit- 
 ted to Congress, with a modification of the proviso in the 3d section thereof, 
 in lieu of which, nearly all of Mr. Howard's bill (April 1st, 1842) is recom- 
 mended. Such portion of said bill is hereunto appended. 
 
 All which is respectfully submitted. 
 
 iA BILL to authorize the sale of certain mineral lands, and to protect the just and equitable 
 rights of miners therein, and for other purposes. 
 
 Sec. 1. Be it enacted, That the President of the United States shall be 
 authorized to sell the public lands containing lead mineral, in the State of 
 Illinois, and Territories of Wisconsin and Iowa, at public sale, in the manner 
 prescribed by law for the sale of other public lands of the United States : Pro- 
 vided, That all such lands, when offered, shall be sold in tracts not exceed- 
 ing ten acres, and for a price not less than per acre. 
 
 Sec. 2. That a patent issued for land sold in pursuance of the first section 
 of this act, shall vest in the purchaser thereof the fee of the land, subject to 
 all just and equitable claim or claims of any and every person or persons, to 
 a mining lot, mine, discovery, or digging, which such person or persons may 
 own thereon at the day of such sale ; and such owner or owners, on paying 1 
 to such purchasers a pro rata proportion of the purchase money, with the ad- 
 dition of per cent, thereto, shall be entitled to receive a conveyance of 
 
 portion of saidj>urchase as will include and secure to such person or 
 
 * "
 
 19 [ 331 1 
 
 persons the title to his just claim ; and if said purchaser shall refuse to make 
 such -conveyance, the claimant or claimants may prosecute any such claim in 
 any court of record in said State or Territories, which shall hereby have juris- 
 diction to hear and determine such matter, and whose order or decree in favor 
 any such claimant shall vest in him a good and perfect title to any such 
 mining lot : Provided, That all suits to be brought under the provisions of 
 this section shall be commenced within one year from the close of the pub- 
 lic sale : and in case of the absence of any such -purchaser out of the State 
 or district in which the land may lie, so that a tender of the pro rata propor- 
 tion of the purchase money can not be personally made, or that personal 
 notice can not be given of the pendency of the judicial proceedings, the 
 money may be deposited wifh the clerk of the proper court, and notice may 
 be given of the pendency of the suit and nature of the claim, by publica- 
 tion, under the seal of the court,- in any newspaper of general circulation in 
 said State or Territory, for the period of twenty-four consecutive weeks, 
 which shall be deemed equivalent to personal notice, but no further proceed- 
 ing shall be had until the full period given for publication of notice shall 
 have expired ; and in case a personal tender of the money, and demand of 
 conveyance, shall not have been made before the commencement of such 
 proceeding, the claimant shall not recover costs, but shall pay all costs, unless 
 in the opinion of the court, on account of an unconscientious defence, vex- 
 atiously prolonged, it shall be deemed equitable to require the defendant to pay 
 costs, in which cases the court may direct the taxation of costs, as, in its 
 opinion, the principles of equity may require. And it is hereby declared that 
 the mining lot contemplated and understood by this act, is a tract of land 
 not exceeding two hundred yards square, bounded by right lines running to 
 the four cardinal points of the compass, as prescribed by the regulations here- 
 tofore adopted for leasing the lead mines. 
 
 Sec. 3. That all entries of reserved or reported lead mines, diggings, or 
 discoveries, made or known prior to the sale, which have been permitted at 
 the land office for the district of lands subject to sale at Mineral Point, in the 
 Territory of Wisconsin, shall be patented, and the patent shall vest a title in 
 all respects similar to the titles provided for by the first and second sections of 
 this act; and suits and proceedings may be instituted under this section, and 
 shall be conducted in the manner provided for in the second section, except 
 
 that they shall be brought within eighteen months from , and not 
 
 after : Provided, That if, in the opinion of the President, any such entry 
 shall have been procured by unfairness, fraud, connivance with the district 
 officers, or by false testimony, the patent shall not be issued thereon ; in all 
 such cases it shall be the duty of the attorney of the United States for the 
 judicial district or Territory where such purchase was made, on his own 
 knowledge, or on probable cause being shown him by any other person, to 
 file a petition in the circuit court of the United States for such district, or in. 
 the supreme court of such Territory, as the case may be, containing a state- 
 ment of all the facts in such case, and praying the court to declare such 
 purchase, sale, entry, or grant, void. 
 
 Sec. 4. That the court shall cause notice to be given to the person in whose 
 name the entry shall have been made, his heirs or assigns, of the time and 
 place of hearing said petition, and shall make such rules regulating the mode 
 of proceeding therein as may be necessary : and if the said person, his heirs 
 or assigns, do not reside in such district or Territory, and if his or their resi- 
 ,dence is unknown, the said notice shall be published for twelve weeks succes-
 
 [ 331 ] 20 
 
 sively previous to the time appointed for the hearing, in such newspaper in? 
 the proper district or Territory as the court may direct; and if such person, 
 his heirs or assigns, shall not appear and answer such petition within the 'time 
 prescribed by the court, the court shall have power to enter a decree that the 
 same shall be taken as confessed : Provided, That in case the respondent is 
 a*non-resident, or where his residence is not known, such decree shall not 
 be entered until after such publication. 
 
 Sec. 5. That the court shall have full power to hear and determine such pe- 
 tition, to issue process, and to make orders and decrees therein, according to 
 the practice of courts of equity : and the said court shall cause its decisions 
 to be transmitted, within twenty days after the same are given, to the Secre- 
 tary of the Treasury ; and if it shall be made to appear, to the satisfaction of 
 said court, that sales have been made in either of the cases enumerated in the 
 third section of this act, such sale, entry, or grant, shall be considered void r 
 and the patent, if issued, be held to be for ever vacated and of no effect, and 
 the tract or mine shall be disposed of according to law. 
 
 Sec. 6. That the proceedings authorized and required by this act may, in 
 either of said Territories, be instituted in any court of record for the county 
 in which the premises or any part thereof are situate ; and such court shall 
 be, and hereby is, authorized and empowered to hear and determine the 
 same, but that its final judgment, order, or decree therein, shall be subject to 
 an appeal, by either the United States or the opposite party, to the supreme 
 court of the Territory, whose decision therein shall be final, and shall be 
 transmitted to the Secretary of the Treasury aforesaid : Provided, That such 
 appeal shall not be taken or allowed after six months from the making and 
 entering of such final decree in the inferior court : And provided further, 
 That such shall exercise the original jurisdiction hereby granted only in and 
 for the counties in which its regular sittings are or may be held, and shall 
 have power to prescribe such rules as may be necessary for perfecting such 
 appeal and attaining a speedy and final determination in each case. 
 
 Sec. 7. That if it shall hereafter be ascertained that any lands do not con- 
 tain mineral, which may have been, or may be hereafter, reserved from sale in- 
 consequence of information that they contained mineral, it shall be lawful 
 for the President to proclaim and sell the same in the same manner as is pro- 
 vided by law for the sale of other public lands. 
 
 Sec. 8. That if lead mines shall be discovered hereafter on any land now 
 in market, prior to the entry thereof, it shall be the duty of the President to 
 reserve the same for sale, under the provision of general laws, and to proclaim 
 and sell them in the manner provided for by the first and second sections of 
 this act ; and all lands which may be offered at public sale agreeably to the 
 provisions of this act, and which may remain unsold at the close of such 
 public sale, shall be liable to entry at private sale, at the minimum price of 
 dollars per acre, and shall be disposed of in no other manner. 
 
 After the reading of the report, it was, on motion, accepted, and the com- 
 mittee discharged, and the bill by them recommended, on being amended, 
 on motion by Mr. Spragins, that lots not exceeding ten acres in equal' sub- 
 divisions, should be sold, was then adopted. 
 On motion, it was 
 
 Resolved, That a copy of the above report, with the proposed bill, be for- 
 "warded to the President of the United States, the Secretary of the Treasury, 
 the Senators and Representatives in Congress from Illinois and Missouri, and 
 the Delegates from Wisconsin and Iowa Territories.
 
 21 [ 331 ] 
 
 On motion of James Craig, Esq., it was 
 
 Resolved, That as there is, in all mining countries, more or less lands that 
 do not contain lead ore sufficient to justify the working of it as mineral lands, 
 it should be separated from the mining or mineral lands, and be disposed of 
 by the Government for smelting or farming purposes. 
 
 On motion, it was 
 
 Resolved, That the proceedings of this meeting be signed by the chair- 
 man and secretaries, and be published in all the papers in the mining region. 
 On motion, adjourned. 
 
 JOHN TURNEY, Chairman. 
 GEO. W. HARRISON, 
 NELSON STILLMAN,
 
 27th CONGRESS, [SENATE.] [ 331 J 
 
 2d Session. 
 
 Additional documents relating to the disposition of the mineral lands in the 
 State of Illinois, and Territories of Iowa and Wisconsin. 
 
 JUNE 24, 1842. 
 
 Referred to the Committee on Public Lands; and motion to print referred to the Com* 
 
 mittee on Printing. 
 
 JUNE 25, 1842. 
 Ordered to be printed in connexion with document No. 331. 
 
 POTOSI, Grant County, Wisconsin Territory. 
 
 DEAR SIR : The undersigned, president and trustees of the town of Potosi,. 
 having taken cognizance of a communication addressed by yourself to the 
 honorable the ex-mayor, and others, citizens of Galena, Illinois, bearing date 
 March 30, 1842, in which we find the following clause, "I am very anxious 
 to know whether it is the wish of the people, residing in the lead mines, that 
 the reserved mineral lands should be sold or not," and others fraught with 
 deep interest to the community of which our town forms a nucleus ; and pre- 
 mising farther, that, from the general tenor of that letter, the miners in Illi- 
 nois and Wisconsin may expect in you a zealous advocate in their behalf, 
 beg leave, most respectfully, to submit to your consideration, the following 
 paragraphs. 
 
 We, as citizens of Wisconsin, have no hesitation in giving to you as our 
 candid opinion, that it is the universal desire of the people of the mining re- 
 gion, that the mineral lands be brought into market and sold, always regard- 
 ing the rights and interest of the owners and occupants. Having resided in the 
 mines since the year 1827, it is reasonable to suppose that we are well acquaint- 
 ed, both with the situation and wants of the country ; and in corroboration of 
 our opinion, we would beg leave to call your attention to the several memo- 
 rials of the Legislature of Wisconsin to Congress upon the same subject. 
 
 And another reason we have, why the mineral lands should be sold, is 
 the uncertain tenure of our titles. It seems that by the recent instructions of 
 Colonel Talcot to Mr. Flanagan, the United States agent for the lead mines, 
 that it is the intention of the Government to reassert their jurisdiction over the 
 mines. We had hoped, that that day had passed. We believed that the 
 General Government never again intended to exercise jurisdiction over us,, 
 inasmuch as we have been left to ourselves since the year 1835. Mineral 
 lots since then have been viewed as property, and so regarded by all classes- 
 of the community, bought and sold as such, and thousands of dollars expend- 
 ed in building on the same, under the fond hope of getting a pre-emption to 
 their mineral lands. As to the mining occupation, we feel free to say, that 
 we do not believe that more than one third of those engaged in mining make 
 a living by their business. As it regards the agent and his authority, we do 
 not believe he can enforce it, at all events, we are quite sure his authority 
 will be resisted. Our delegate, General Dodge, understands well the situa- 
 tion of the mines, and we have no doubt would most cheerfully co-operate 
 with you, and our esteemed friend, honorable S. McRoberts, in furthering
 
 [ 331 ] 24 
 
 . 
 
 every measure that will have a tendency to advance the interest of the 
 miners. Any attention shown by you to the interests of the miners will be 
 acknowledged by this community. 
 
 We are with great respect, your friends and very obedient servant, 
 
 GEORGE MADINA, President. 
 JAMES F. CHAPMAN, ^ 
 . BRATON BUSHEE, I 
 
 JOSEPH WOOLLY, f Trustee * 
 
 ROBERT TEMPLETONJ 
 
 P. S. It was my intention to have written to General Dodge upon the 
 same subject, but an unexpected call prevents me from so doing. You will 
 therefore, do me a great kindness by letting him see this. 
 
 I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 GEORGE MADINA. 
 
 Hon. R. M. YOUNG, Senator fyc., W. C. 
 
 MINERS' MEETING. 
 
 At a large and respectable meeting of the citizens of Fairplay and vicin- 
 ity, held May 3 1st, pursuant to public notice. Captain Charles Hood was 
 called to the chair, Gilbert Winans chosen secretary, and Charles Whipple, 
 Charles Potts, Mr. Pomeroy, Mr. Crawford, and Mr. Breed, were appointed 
 a committee to draught resolutions expressive of the sense of the meeting. 
 
 The committee reported the following preamble and resolutions, which 
 were adopted by the meeting : 
 
 Whereas, the War Department have, through their agent, Mr. Flanagan, 
 declared their determination to revoke all entries of mineral lands, which 
 have been made contrary to the instructions of the Commissioners of the 
 General Land Office ; and whereas, large portions of land, reserved by Gov- 
 ernment from sale as mineral lands, have been entered, and other Govern- 
 ment lands on which mineral had been discovered, and on which " lodes" 
 were being worked, and which did, according to law, constitute such lands 
 as reserved lands, have also been entered contrary to law and the interest 
 of the miner working such land ; and whereas, it is the wish of the Gov- 
 ernment to receive, through their agent at Galena, the opinions of the mi- 
 ners respecting such entries ; therefore 
 
 Resolved, That all entries of reserved mineral lands should be revoked. 
 
 Resolved, That purchasers of such lands have the right of claiming their 
 purchase money of the Government, with six percent, interest added ; and, 
 also, the Government has the right of claiming of such purchasers the 
 amount of mineral rent received by them from the miner, after deducting 
 the Government rent of six per cent. 
 
 Resolved, That it is not for the interest of the digger to have the vacant 
 or reserved mineral lands leased in lots two hundred yards square, but in 
 ranges, according to the customs, rules, and regulations in the dfferent dig- 
 gings. 
 
 Resolved, That all entries of lands which were not returned as mineral 
 lands, but on which mineral had been discovered before entry, and known 
 to be such, should be revoked.
 
 25 ;, [331] 
 
 Resolved^ That all entries of lands which were not reserved, and on 
 which there had been no mineral discovered at the time of the entry, and 
 which were not adjoining reserved lands, should not be revoked. 
 
 Resolved, That there should be a due respect paid to fanners' rights. 
 
 Resolved, That we cordially approve of the measures taken by the War 
 Department for the final settlement of the difficulties existing in the mines. 
 
 Resolved, That the proceedings of this meeting be signed by the chair- 
 man and secretary, and published. 
 
 CHARLES HOOD, Chairman, 
 
 R. G. WINANS, Secretary. 
 
 PUBLIC MEETING AT DUBUQUE. 
 
 A large meeting of the citizens and miners of Dubuque and its vicinity, 
 was held, agreeably to previous notice, at the courthouse in this town, on 
 Thursday, June 2d, to obtain the sense of the people in regard to the late 
 action of the Government, relative to the mineral lands of this region ; and 
 the meeting having been called to order, Mr. S. Hempstead was chosen 
 president, Messrs. J. Wharton and A. Loire, Vice and 2d Vice Presidents, 
 and A. L. Brown, secretary. 
 
 Mr. Hempstead having fully explained the object of the meeting, it was 
 addressed by Messrs. Lorrimier, Collins, James Wilson, and Quigley ; after 
 which, Mr. Collins proposed the following resolution; which was adopted 
 by a large majority : 
 
 Resolved, That this meeting approves of the course of the Government, 
 as set forth in the late instructions of the Secretary of War, respecting the 
 leasing of the mineral lands. 
 
 Mr. Foley offered an amendment to this resolution, requiring that a com- 
 mittee of three be chosen from three different townships of the mineral 
 lands in Dubuque county, to meet the delegates from Galena, which was 
 rejected. 
 
 On motion of Mr. Collins, it was 
 
 Resolved, That a report of these proceedings be published in the Miners' 
 Express and Galena Gazette ; and that the meeting now adjourn. 
 
 S. HEMPSTEAD, President, 
 J. WHARTON, 1st V. President, 
 A. LOIRE, 2d Vice President. 
 
 ALFRED L. BROWN, Secretary. 
 
 GALENA, June 9, 1842. 
 
 DEAR SIR : You will receive the printed proceedings of our settlers' 
 meeting here, which you will be so good as to show to Mr. McRoberts, as 
 likewise to the members in the House. I likewise enclose you a copy of a 
 printed memorial, which has emanated, as it is understood here (upon good 
 authority), from the agent's office. The object is to keep up the present 
 system of leasing, and have commissioners appointed to examine into con- 
 flicting claims between miners and settlers, arid ascertain what are farming
 
 [331] 26 
 
 lands, and what are mineral lands. To carry out such a plan would be 
 impracticable, and keep the whole mining country in a state of perturbation, 
 producing quarrels, litigation, and possibly bloodshed. The direct tendency 
 (and which is, probably, the motive which impelled it on the part of the 
 authors of the memorial) is to give employment to agents and commission- 
 ers here for years to come, without benefit to the Government, and a great 
 injuiy to the people. All this will be put an end to by the immediate dis- 
 posal of the mineral lands, which. has been the ardent desire of the Gov- 
 ernment for many years past ; and it is to be hoped that the bill proposed 
 will remedy all the evils as to a monopoly, apprehended by miners, and 
 enable them to have fraudulent and illegal entries set aside. 
 I am, very truly, yours, &c. 
 
 CHARLES S. HEMPSTEAD. , 
 Hon. R. M. YOUNG, 
 
 Washington. 
 
 To the honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
 Slates of America, in Congress assembled : 
 
 The undersigned, miners and citizens of Wisconsin Territory, and of 
 the State of Illinois, respectfully represent : 
 
 That the proclamation of the President of the United States of America, 
 issued on the 4th day of July, A. D., 1834, authorizing the sale of public 
 lands at Mineral Point, provided as follows : " All tracts of land on which 
 lead mines or diggings are indicated to exist by the official plats of survey, 
 together with such other tracts as from satisfactory evidence, to be adduced 
 to the register of the land office prior to the date of sale, shall be shown to con- 
 tain lead mines, will be excluded from sale ;" by which reservation the un- 
 dersigned, and the public generally, deemed the mineral lands fully pro- 
 tected. 
 
 That the land officers at Mineral Point, authorized by that proclamation 
 to hold such public sale, deviated from the instructions conveyed in that 
 proclamation, and have permitted lands reserved by said proclamation, and 
 lands which have not been unreservedly offered at public sale, but which 
 in fact were proclaimed for such sale by the crier of the said land officers, 
 declaring at the time that no bids would be received for the same, to be 
 entered at private sale, provided the person applying to make such entry, 
 or some one for him, would swear that the land sought to be entered con- 
 tained no discoveries of mineral or lead ore worth working, and was not 
 occupied by a smelter ; thereby not only deviating from the instructions of 
 the President, but also violating the law which requires land to be offered 
 at public sale before it can become subject to private entry. In consequence 
 of which, many tracts of land, notoriously known to be rich and valuable 
 mineral lands, and known for many years to be such at the time of the 
 entry, and in some cases lands long before, and at the time of the entry, in 
 the actual possession of licensed miners or smelters, have been entered by 
 evil-minded persons, who have falsely made, or procured others falsely to 
 make, the oath required by the land officers ; and, also, many tracts of land, 
 long known to be mineral land, and which were offered at public sale, but
 
 27 [ 331 ] 
 
 for which the land officers at said place declared, as before stated, that no 
 bids would be received, have since *been entered at private sale without any 
 oath being required ; and for the lands so entered, the land officers have 
 issued certificates, which certificates are, by a law of the Territory of Wis- 
 consin, passed at Belraont, December 9, 1836, declared "evidence in any 
 court in this Territory, that the title to the lands mentioned therein, is in 
 the person or persons named therein, his, her, or their assigns ;" and in con- 
 sequence of these entries, several persons, who have falsely made the oath 
 required by the land officers, have been indicted for perjury in the United 
 States district court in Iowa county, but after solemn argument thereon, the 
 said court decided that the said oath was not authorized by law, and that 
 falsely taking that oath did not constitute perjury under the laws of the 
 Territory ; since which decision the holders of those certificates procured as 
 aforesaid, by deception and false swearing, and without the land entered 
 having been offered at public sale previous to said entry, otherwise than in 
 manner before stated, have, under the Territorial law above recited, com- 
 menced suits at law and in equity to obtain possession, and to enjoin miners 
 and lessees of the United States from working the mines, thereby deranging 
 and impeding the business of the country, empoverishing the people by sus- 
 pending labor, and harassing them with tedious and expensive lawsuits. 
 
 By means of all which the United States is defrauded of lands expressly 
 reserved from sale ; the rights of miners and lessees under the United States 
 are, contrary to the intention of the Government, invaded and trampled upon ; 
 honest men have been excluded from the purchase of those lands, while the 
 dishonest and unscrupulous have been permitted to enter them by means of 
 a false oath and fraud, and thereby to wrest from the miner the fruits of 
 years of labor labor performed under the permission and sanction of the 
 United States Government ; the sanctity of oaths is disregarded, the law is 
 ceasing to be respected, feuds and quarrels arise, and your petitioners greatly 
 fear that violence must be inevitable if some speedy remedy be not forthwith 
 found. 
 
 And your petitioners further state, that the interests of the Government and 
 the miners will be greatly promoted by continuing the system recently adopt- 
 ed by the department having charge of the mineral lands, and earnestly re- 
 monstrate, and solemnly protest, against any legislation, which will permit a 
 sale of the mineral lands, until the foregoing grievances are investigated and 
 redressed. 
 
 And your petitioners further state, that large and extensive discoveries of 
 mineral have been recently made, and in the confident hope of protection 
 from the Government, there is now a much larger number of persons en- 
 gaged in exploring and mining than at any former period, for the reason that 
 provisions and labor are low, and that the Government, by its late regula- 
 tions, requires but six per cent, as rent, while the speculators and intruders 
 have not only asked, but received, on the average, over thirty per cent, as 
 rent, since 1835 ; and that, too, in many cases, when the mineral was taken 
 from the lands to which they had no right or title whatever, thereby, through 
 management, placing themselves between the miners and the Government, 
 in direct opposition to, and in violation of, the rights of the Government, and; 
 to the very great annoyance of the miner. 
 
 Now, therefore, believing that they can have full and final redress from 
 Congress, they pray your honorable bodies to take the matter into your most 
 serious consideration, and pass a law creating a board of commissioners,
 
 { 331 ] 28 
 
 which shall have competent authority to decide all these important matters 
 in dispute , and also to authorize them to select the farming from the, min- 
 eral lands, in order that the farming lands may be sold, without interfering 
 with the interest of any one., and will thereby greatly promote, the general 
 welfare of the country. 
 
 And your petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray, &c. 
 
 MINERS' PETITION, FROM VINEGAR HILL, JO DAVIESS COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 
 
 To the (Senate and House of Representatives of the United States ef Ameri- 
 ca, in Congress assembled: 
 
 We, the undersigned, citizens and miners of the United States lead mines 
 in Illinois and Wisconsin, having reasons recently to apprehend that our 
 numerous petitions and remonstrances to Congress against the blindly in- 
 cited cupidity and avarice of the land speculators, have in times past failed 
 to reach the knowledge of the authorities of the Government, through the. 
 faithlessness and probable self-interest of our former delegates in Congress, 
 but cheered from late demonstrations of returning justice, and under the 
 lively emotions of gratitude in the prospect of reclaiming our just rights 
 and consequent returning of peace and tranquillity to our otherwise happy 
 land, we deem it our duty, as well as our right, to present in this form the 
 collected wish of a portion of the citizens and miners of Wisconsin and Il- 
 linois as to a future disposition of the Government lead mines ; the senti- 
 ments and wishes of whom will be found contained in the accompanying 
 resolutions, passed at numerously attended public meetings held at Platte- 
 ville, Jamestown (Menominie diggings), and at Coon Branch, Iowa county, 
 Wisconsin Territory. 
 
 In the adoption of some prompt and efficient measure to restore justice to 
 the .miners and tranquillity to the country, your petitioners would recom- 
 mend to the favorable consideration of the department the plan proposed 
 by the present superintendent, viz: the appointment of commissioners to 
 decide on such lands as shall be retained for mining purposes. 
 
 Noah Wallis, Michael Keverick, 
 
 John Parkinson, P. Maher, 
 
 James Francis, F. Parish, 
 
 Caleb D. Bellvilt, Harvey Cadwell, 
 
 Jacob Doxy, George C. Shattuck, 
 
 Maurice O. Bringen, Nelson Shattuck, 
 
 John Mahony, Anthony Kelley, 
 
 James Tebay, James Donner, 
 
 John Dunn, Jackson Sublet, 
 
 William Gadd, Basil Wells, 
 
 John B. Williams, J. H. Kurtz, 
 
 John Cawley, S. H. Titus, 
 
 P. C. Gaytty, Morgan Fraser, 
 
 Alexander Crawford, A. W. Ballard, 
 
 Philip Byrne, Henry Ballard, 
 
 James Feehan, William Thomas, 
 
 Thomas Feehan, Gilbert Hoskins,
 
 29 
 
 \ 
 
 Henry T. Rice, 
 
 Oliver A. Robinson, 
 
 James F. Campbell, 
 
 John B. F. Mitchell, 
 
 S. V. Horton, 
 
 Charles Hoskins, 
 
 Lewis Lemasters, 
 
 H. S. Rice, 
 
 William Owens, his x mark 
 
 John D. Londrigan, 
 
 James O'Neill, 
 
 Francis O'Neill, 
 
 Lawrence Londrigan, 
 
 Andrew M. Weeny, 
 
 Philip Danuhoe, 
 
 Patrick Ryan, 
 
 Cornelius Lyons, 
 
 Timothy Lyons, 
 
 Hugh Vaughan, 
 
 C. J. Cumings, 
 
 William Titus, jr., 
 
 William Chappel, 
 
 John Furlong, 
 
 Richard Cox, 
 
 Lucius Vandiver, 
 
 F. S. Shook, 
 
 F. Sidner, 
 
 F. B. Sidner, 
 
 Lawrence Phelan, 
 
 William Deace, 
 
 Michal Mullin, 
 
 Bernard Beggins, 
 
 John Cox, 
 
 R. M. Dowling, 
 
 William F. Flanitro, 
 
 E. Dowlin, 
 
 J. L. Hosack, 
 
 Joseph Gray, 
 
 George G. Strong, 
 
 [Illegible.] 
 
 Henry Herrmann, 
 
 Frederick Herrmann, 
 
 James M. Day, 
 
 Henay Gray, 
 
 [331 ] 
 
 B. F. Smead, 
 
 William C. Smead, 
 
 Thomas Gray, 
 
 Peter Sixbes, 
 
 Philip Trebittin, 
 
 William Temby, 
 
 Henry Branton, 
 
 Henry Goard, 
 
 Robert Anson, 
 
 P. Hogan. 
 
 Andrew Kearny, 
 
 Thomas Richards, 
 
 James Toley, 
 
 John Rowej 
 
 Albert Deming, 
 
 John Barber, 
 
 H. G. Reppy, 
 
 Peter Brown, 
 
 Adam Hetzler, 
 
 James McCarrick, 
 
 Patrick McDermott, his x mark 
 
 William Q,uinn, 
 
 Orson P. Rogers, 
 
 S. Owens, 
 
 Daniel Rees, 
 
 James Abbott, his x mark 
 
 Patrick McAnally, 
 
 James Horen, 
 
 Mojris Kennedy, 
 
 Dennis Murphy, 
 
 Joseph Hocking, 
 
 Terence Brien, 
 
 Edward Delay, 
 
 Andrew Hinchey, 
 
 Edward Cummin, 
 
 John Bararden, 
 
 William S. Glass, 
 
 John Maher, 
 
 Thomas Carroll, 
 
 Daniel Stinger, 
 
 William H. Crawford, 
 
 James Vandiver, 
 
 Daniel Wamamaugher.
 
 [ 331 ] 30 
 
 GALENA, ILLINOIS, June 11, 1842. 
 
 SIR: I have been requested by the miners of Jo Daviess county, Illinois, 
 and adjacent counties of Iowa and Grant, Wiskonsin Territory, to forward 
 to you the proceedings of sundry meetings held upon the subject of the 
 mineral lands. Also, a petition on the same subject. Similar petitions, 
 numerously signed, are being forwarded to the Hon. Secretary of War, and 
 to Congress. 
 
 The petitions and proceedings of the several meetings fully express the 
 sentiments of the actual miners of the country. The miners are almost 
 unanimously in favor of the Government retaining the mineral lands ; at 
 least for the present. 
 
 It is expected by the miners, that you, as a friend of the working men, 
 will give the subject your atteniion, and present their petition to the Hon. 
 the Senate of the United States, and use your utmost exertions to have 
 their views carried into effect. 
 
 There appears an inconsistency in the proceedings of some of the meet- 
 ings, in recommending the appointment of commissioners to investigate the 
 fraudulent entries, and to select the mineral grounds from the fanning, and 
 at the same time recommending " Howard's bill." They say they did not 
 intend to recommend the details of that bill, but approved of the same, in- 
 asmuch as it proposed an investigation of the fraudulent entries. They 
 would prefer the appointment of a board of commissioners, as, in case it was 
 thrown into the court, it would subject them to great expense and loss of 
 time, which they feel themselves unable to incur. Besides, commissioners 
 could investigate and settle the matter in the immediate neighborhood of 
 the several townships in which such entries have been made. 
 
 I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 W. B. GREEN. 
 
 Hon. R. M. YOUNG. 
 
 NOTICE TO MINERS. 
 
 The superintendent of the United States lead mines will attend at the 
 following places to receive applications for leases of the lead mines : 
 
 At Platteville, on the 2d Monday in June, at the hotel of Dr. Bevans. 
 
 At Mineral Point, on the 3d Monday in June, at the hotel of Mr. Lathrop. 
 
 At Potosi, on the 4th Monday in June, at the counting-room of Mr. 
 .McKenzie. 
 
 At Dubuque, on the 2d Monday in July, at the hotel of Mr. Fanning. 
 
 At Elizabeth, on the 3d Monday in July. 
 
 Applicants for leases must furnish a full and accurate description of the 
 lots or parcels of land applied for. 
 
 JOHN FLANAGAN. 
 Superintendent U. Lead Mines. 
 
 SUPERINTENDENT'S OFFICE, May 18, 1842. 
 
 GALENA, ILLINOIS, June 10, 1842. 
 
 SIR : I am desired by the miners and working men of this region to for- 
 ward to you their memorial, petition, and newspaper containing the pro-
 
 31 [ 331 ] 
 
 ceedings of their meetings, and to solicit your attention to the subjects con- 
 tained therein , by presenting the same to the Senate of the United States 
 for its consideration during the present session. 
 
 There are many other petitions and memorials now being circulated 
 throughout the entire mineral country, which receive the approbation of 
 almost every real miner and working man. 
 
 Hoping there may be no final decision upon this very interesting sub- 
 ject until the remainder of those memorials are received, 
 
 I am, with high regard, your obedient servant, 
 
 W. CUNNINGHAM. 
 
 Hon. O. H. SMITH, 
 
 Chairman of the Committee on Public Lands, Senate U. & 
 
 MEMORIAL OF THE CITIZENS AND MINERS OF ILLINOIS AND WISCONSIN. 
 
 To the Honorable the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
 States of America in Congress assembled: 
 
 We, the undersigned, citizens, and miners of the United States lead mines 
 in Illinois and Wisconsin, having reasons to apprehend that our numerous 
 petitions and remonstrances to Congress, against the blindly-incited cupidity 
 and avarice of the land speculator, have in times past failed to .reach the 
 knowledge of the authorities of the Government, through the faithlessness, 
 and probable self-interest, or our former delegates to Congress; but cheered 
 from late demonstrations of returning justice, and under the lively emotions 
 of gratitude in the prospect of reclaiming our just rights, and the consequent 
 return of peace and tranquillity to our otherwise happy land, we deem it our 
 duty, as well as right, to present in this form the collected wish of a portion 
 of the citizens and miners of Illinois and Wisconsin, as to a future disposi- 
 tion of the Government lead mines, the sentiments and wishes of whom will 
 be found contained in the accompanying resolutions, passed at numerously 
 attended public meetings held at Platteville, Jamestown (Menominie Dig- 
 gings), and Coon Branch, Wisconsin Territory. 
 
 In the adoption of some prompt and efficient measures to restore justice to 
 the miners, and tranquillity to the country, your petitioners would recom- 
 mend to the favorable consideration of the Department, the plan proposed by 
 the present superintendent, viz., the appointment of commissioners to decide 
 on such lands as shall be retained for mining purposes. 
 
 Wm. Richardson, Hezekiah Young, 
 
 George Rea, William Logre, 
 
 Thomas Rea, John Middaugh, 
 
 Samuel S. Benedict, Louis Dernary, $ 
 
 Elijah Earl, Alexander Ponket, 
 
 Nathan White, Ontwine Santning, 
 
 Daniel V. Knowlton, Lysander Gilmore, 
 
 Cyrus Perry, A. H. Gilman, 
 
 Clark Bliss-, George Arnot, 
 
 Griffin Hurlbut, D. C. Stnalley, 
 
 Joseph Robbins, John Lewis, 
 
 John Curtis, John Powers,
 
 [331] 
 
 32 
 
 
 R. M. Bills, 
 Thomas Webb, 
 L. P. Norburgh, 
 John Shossler, 
 William O'Niel, 
 Richard Kirrence, 
 T. M. Kindriek, 
 Henry Wohlford, 
 Philip Wohlford, 
 Chester Wells, 
 Miner Bennett, 
 John McCullough, 
 
 D. G. Spencer, 
 Thomas T. Ford, 
 W. G. Woods, 
 Asa Cole, 
 
 Price Kindreck, 
 C. S. Woods, 
 J. Garrett, 
 O. S. O'Daniel, 
 A. A. Camp, 
 Solomon Craiglow, 
 John Grigsby, 
 Wm. J. Frame, 
 George Byers, 
 Wm. Gilmore, 
 A. C. Meredith, 
 
 E. B. Lang, 
 H. C. Grant, 
 J. M. Grant, 
 John B. Sargent, 
 John Kip, 
 
 L. W. Paddock, 
 Jas. Ayers, 
 G. W. Walters, 
 E. W. Tinba, 
 E. Huling, 
 W. A. Walters, 
 Absalom McCormack, 
 J. S. Langdon, 
 William B owner, 
 William Calby, 
 Charles Rose, 
 James Keith, 
 Rowland Langdon, 
 Ezra Cole, 
 Samuel Bulard, 
 
 Wm. B. Taylor, 
 Samuel Woodard, 
 William Foard, 
 Peter W. Fourt, 
 William Strong, 
 Daniel P. Ford, 
 Zacharial Elkin, 
 S. A.. Hanks? 
 John M. Beals, 
 A. G. Garnish, 
 Jacob G. Hansley, 
 James Eaton, 
 J. K. Whitney, 
 George Wilson, 
 James Garrison, 
 Henry Wood, 
 Wright Greenwood,. 
 A. B. Andrews, 
 Allen B. Thomas, 
 H. B. Patterson, 
 C. F. Massey, 
 David Hastings, 
 
 C. S. Greenman, 
 J. C. Adams, 
 Abram Thornton, 
 Wm. Brandon, 
 John Cox, 
 
 John Mullin, 
 Bernard Croghan, 
 William Delany, 
 John Carlos, 
 Theodore Tillotson, 
 Wm. Morris, 
 E. Robison, 
 
 D. C. Robison. 
 A. G. Seely, 
 John C. Bowmer, 
 T. C. Sterrett, 
 
 A. P. Benton, 
 Lewis S. Reynolds, 
 John MehafFy, 
 Abraham Miller, 
 John Nesbit, 
 Thomas Render, 
 Phineas J. Neal, 
 William Kaye.
 
 33 [ 331 ] 
 
 To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of 4mm 
 ca, m Congress assembled 
 
 to reach the knowledge of the authorities of the Government throuJhl^ 
 ^ the TC m the s"ems' and 
 
 ^A/ i \A7"^1 Imiu. 
 
 W. J. Walker 
 G. Mclntosh 
 P. C. Trampion 
 T. Holland 
 John Sheridan 
 G. A. Walker 
 H. Clarke 
 James Faherty 
 Rob. Nelson 
 John Carey 
 Patrick O'Neill 
 L. Delaplain 
 
 F. P. Murdah 
 
 G. R. Simmons 
 Evan Evans 
 A. Smith 
 Hiram Willey 
 John A. Harman 
 Jackson Drake 
 P. Davis 
 
 N. M. Bonham 
 J. B. Brown 
 Harvey Todd 
 William Blakemore 
 Michael Moralee 
 Jacob Blacklock 
 Andrew Mahony 
 John Gawling 
 John Daves 
 
 Amasa Kneeland 
 Hiram Southworth 
 John Farnum 
 Philo Pillett 
 Joseph Brown, jr. 
 Henry Simmons 
 
 Frederick . 
 
 Wm. P. Burtley 
 John Caulk 
 James M. Robbins 
 William Symons 
 Thomas Simons 
 Francis Dwyer 
 John Thompson 
 James Minten 
 Andrew Virtue 
 John H. Neely 
 Thomas Soulsby 
 George Skoulsby 
 Cuthbert Soulsby 
 Milton Craigs 
 Francois Hodge 
 Wm. Berryman 
 James W. Evans 
 Robert Fox 
 E. Danniels 
 Samuel McPherson 
 S. P. Taylor 
 R. Burnet
 
 [331] 
 
 34 
 
 
 W. Buttler 
 James M. Munday 
 Philip A. Sallee 
 S. J. Rhodes 
 O. F. Gear 
 John B. Sallee 
 Wm. Medcelp 
 Samuel Rhodes 
 M. Neil 
 P. W. Thomas 
 J. B. Bean 
 J. A. Pope 
 John Call 
 R. J. Beam 
 Leonard Smith 
 G. W. Ralkwell 
 R. S. Neville 
 Thomas G. Shaw 
 John Burrell 
 J. M. Marshall 
 William Montgomery 
 William R. Marshall 
 Cuthbert Burreli 
 P. J. Hiokey 
 E. Mattox 
 John Kennedy 
 S. D. Bean 
 H.Day 
 
 W. B. Simmons 
 G. R. Rittenhouse 
 George W. Lee 
 John Gregg 
 
 STATE OF ILLINOIS, 
 
 Jo Daviess County, ss.: 
 
 
 E. S. Lewis 
 James Pirkey 
 David McClean 
 John Reed 
 Francois McKee 
 William Delan 
 C. Delan 
 
 Wm. L. Waterman 
 Harman Smith 
 Sherman Rose 
 Charles Frink 
 Leonard Fillett 
 Jacob Sejiyer 
 George Watts 
 John Myers 
 Lewis B. Smith 
 W. Temple 
 Wilson Southall 
 William W. Blanckird 
 Robert Frazer 
 Watt Cousin 
 James Flinn 
 Peter McDonald. 
 E. D. Body 
 S. Candu 
 
 Christopher Young 
 Michael Wallis 
 Matthew Delaney 
 William Delaney 
 Henry ftfulheran 
 Michael McKarn 
 Thomas Robinson 
 
 Personally appeared before me the undersigned, a justice of the peace in 
 and for said county, William J. Walker, who, after having been by me duly 
 sworn on his oath, deposes and says : " That 1 was one of a committee ap- 
 pointed by a meeting of miners and settlers in the mineral district in the 
 Territory of Wisconsin, to procure names to the above petition ; that I 
 went around with the above petition, and saw the several individuals, whose 
 names appear subscribed thereto, sign their names thereto, freely and volun- 
 tarily, and that I am personally acquainted with each of the individuals 
 whose names are subscribed above. And further deponent saith not. 
 
 " WILLIAM J. WALKER." 
 
 Subscribed and sworn, this fourth day of June, A. D. 1842, before me, 
 
 DAVIS DIVINE, J. P.
 
 UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS-URBANA 
 
 333.1D659 C001 
 
 DOCUMENTS RELATING TO THE SALE OF THE Ml 
 
 30112025291334