State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1831-1836, 1836-03-15
MONTPELIER, (vT.> MARCH rs, 1886.

and constitute the elements of true states
manshlp--that craftsmanship, which builds
up communities on principles favorable TO
equality, liberty, and happiness.
In leOO the N. w. Territory was divided
into ONO and Indiana, preparatory to the
erection of Ohio into state, which was
done in 1902, and Harrison was appointed
by President jefferson, Governor Of the
Territory of Indiana.
This was an arduous and responsible
post. The jurisdiction included all the
country now covered by Indiana, Illinois,
Michigan, and the whole vast North West
and TO administer the affairs of so extended
ana exposed IL region, required all the high
qualities of vigilance, courage, prudence,
sagacity, judgment, decision, firmncss and
perseverance. The peculiar condition OF
the country rendered it necessary to invest
the Governor with an extent of discretion
airy power, which, at this day-when our
national government has become so settled,
its authority so extended and established,
and the difficulties of frontier government
so much snooihed away-would be neither
needed, nor tolerated. lie had the power
of appointing all officers civil and military,
in the Territory, except militia officers
above the rank of Colonel-of dividing the
territory into counties and townships--ot
confirming all grants OF land to persons
having equitable titles to the same desig-
mated by law-and, Ill conjunction with the
Territorial Judges, he was authorized to
select, adopt, and promulgate such laws as
might be deemed applicable to the condi-
ton of the Territory.
But the great authority, with which he
was clothed, was prudently and Justly wiel-
dcd. Power did not corrupt him, nor rem
der him arbitrary. When he was made
Governor of the Territory, he avowcd his
determination to hold his authority no lon
ger than the people, whose interests were
committed to his charge, should desue ii;
and accordingly it is recorded as an inter-
estng fact that at the end of each term OF
his Territorial office, through his appon L
ment was with the President and Senate
of the &. States, yet the people of the Ter
ritory unanimously pcttioned IN his behalf
While in this station, he was also SUI
perntendcnt of Indian Affairs. The tribes
then remaining within the limits of his
Territory, were numerous and powerful
and they were kept in an almost constant
state Of uneasy and unfricndly cxcitemen,
toward our people, not only by the rapid
progress of our settlements, but, as was
aiterward abundantly manifest, by foreign
INTRIGUE. Nevertheless, the Union uOror
had public functionary better qualified
for negociator with the aborigines, thar
William Henry Harrison. Constitutionally
good-ntured, mild, moderate, and Just, a.
well rs brave, sagacious, and prompt, he
was able to preserve harmony, for a lon!
time and under the most difficult circum
stances, by concilating the better disposed
among the tribes, and ovcr-awing the tur
bulent; and during his administration, AZ
Governor of Indiana he made - treatie;
with the natives, by which the Unitec
States obtained title to G0,000,000 acres o
land. President Jefferson publicly testified
his high estimation of Harrson's skill ant
Of the value of his services.
| In 1871 the discontents and animostite!
of the Indians in that quarter had become
so apparent, that Governor Harrison deem
ed il necessary to organize the militia, anC
put the Territory in aposture Of defence
and soon after, in obedience to orders from
President Madison, having been reinforced
by detachment of $50 U. S. Infantry, un
der Col. Boyd, with n corps of Kentuck,
volunteers under Coils. Davies and Owen
| he marched to the Prophets Town, on th'
! Wabash, near its junction with the Tippe
canoe. Here was fought the celebrated
battle, designated by the name of the latte
stream. Though the Indians thought Il
take the American forces by surprise, anC
for that purpose made their assault at abou
A o'clock in the morning, after having, tn
preceding day, professed the most friendl
and pacific dispositions, yet they toun,
Harrison prepared lie had not been lulle,
into security by their professions, and ha
directed his men to sleep on their arms
IIe was himself already up and abou
mounting to examine the state of the cam
when the attack commenced; so that, al
though the onset was fierce and desperate
vet the American forces were straightwa
in condition TO receive and repuse, a
they did, with much slaughter and the mo:
decisive effect, their savage foes. Ills wa
one Of the most signal defeats the Indian
ever experienced and SO deeply did the
feel it, that the tribes forthwith sent depr
ties to Gov. Harrison to tender their sui
mission and lament the dclusion, which Ia
} induced them TO take arms. The impOi
lance of Iiarrson's services at this junctur'
was allcslcu ny INC Ircsluent, ny NoUSIcs
and by the Legislatures of Kentucky an
Indiana, with the most emphatic commend
alton, in messages and resolutions.
The next year, 1879, war broke out he
tween this country and Great Britain :
and its first and heaviest calamties WEI
felt on the n. w. frontier The miserabl
nnheciity, ifnot the ueachery. of Hull,
surendering his army at Detroit and pu
ting the enemy in possession of that impol
tant post, at once laid open the whole {
Michigan to hostile inroads, and the irontiC
bled At every pore.
The whole West, however, reposed I'll
highest confidence in Harrison. To illu