State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1831-1836, 1836-05-17

vi tllV iptlCSl buttO IJtlSOu was
posed from the commencement to the close
of the action. Wherever duty called he
fastened, regardless of danger. and by his
efforts and example contributed as much to
secure the fortune of the day as any other
officer subordinate to the COMMANDMENTS
Chief. These facts learnt from the lips
of General Wilkinson, Colonel Shamburg
and others, who were OH the ground, and
took part in the engagement. The results
of that victory were important. BY it the
Indians were disbcartened and sued for
peace; and British posts, at the front of the
Rapids, at Detroit, and at Macknac were
surrendered to the United States.
The object of the war being thus accom-
plished and the army having no more fight
ing to do, Harrison, unaccustomed TO life
of Incidence, and unwilling to contract that
habit, resolved not TO remain in camp, when
he had no active duty to perform, and re-
signed his commission.
About that time he purchased farm on
Mill Creek, near this city, and became an
operative farmer. lie exchanged the sword
and the epaulette of the Soldier, for the
plough and plain garb of the Farmer, and
and commenced cultivaiing the soil for the
maintenance of his family.
In the spring of 1893, Col Sergeant was
appointed Governor of Mississippi, and re-
signed the Office of Secretary of the North
Western Territory. Harrison was appoin-
ted to the vacancy, and (St. Clair being alb
sent from the Territory discharged the
delicate and responsible duties of Governor
of the North Western Territory, to the APP
probation of the People. In the succeeding
year, it was ascertalned that the Territory
| L., l,I ,h Danae,,l,,o
MIA line to the river Mississippi, and from
the Ohio TO the Lakes contained five thou
sand free males, of full age which by the
Ordinance of 1887, author zed us TO enter
on the second grade of territorial govern
mcnt; under that grade we we're entitled
to a Legislature, consisting of a Council
and House of Assembly, and also to have a
Delegate in Congress, to be appointed by a
Ijoint ballot of the two branches Of the AS
sembly.
1t so happened that / was member of
the Legislative Council, and, of course,
entitled to vote in the choice of the Del
egatc. Harrison was q candidate - and
here let me say, he was my intimate friend
Some years before, when | arrived at Gin
cinnati, found myself in a society of stran-
gers-not "a face presented ITSELF that had
lever DGIOTt Sttll. Il ltliGIS " CuDt.
Harrison, then commandant of Fort Wash
ington--he received me with open arms
and a warm heart, and | became almost
an inmate of his family. On this state
ment, you are prepared to hear me say
voted for him. Sir, did not--I voted
against him, and it was the most distressing
vote to my feelings that l ever gave But
he soon became acquainted with my mo-
tive, appreciated it correctly. and cur for
mer friendship was restored And now
let me eXonerate myself from the charge of
ngratitudc, ON that occasion, which, with
out an explanation, would naturally fall OH
me. 1t is generally known that Judge
+ Symmes had contra ted with the United
States for the purchase of Il million OF
acres of land that he had obtained pa
tent for about three hundred thousand
!, acres-t that he had (no doubt under full
conviction that his contract would be COM
plete) sold Il la &c quantity of land, beyond
the limits of his patent, to actual settlers
who had paid the purchase money, and
We're then improving the land they had
t bought. Prior to the year 1899, Congress
: had refused to execute the contract with
e Symmes by which that numerous ano
$ industrious class # men were liable 10 be
!, dispossessed. They Lad Just obtained
r some indulgence from Congress as pre-
S emptionerS, and were an, ous to have i
: continued and extended. The vender hac
G and still did oppose their views, from ;
r belief that it might prevent him from oh
# tanning fufilment Of his contract; and j
It was supposed that his son-in-law had takel
G the same view of the subject, and, under
!. belief that the contract would be confirmed
d and the purchasers thereby confirmed il
J. their till s. would also oppose them. I'm
i der that impression, the purchasers were
d alarmed, and besought the Legislature t.
9 elect person on whom they could rel,
d with confidence. Thus you see the situa
y ton in which was placed; on the on,
J. hand, were these unfortunate persons, nu
is merous and merilorious, presenting thei
i grievancos--on the othor, my bosom friend
i. expecting my voie. With me, it was
n struggle between duty and friendship:
is could not hesitatr-I voted against m,
is friend. He was. however elected AM
t. what was the result? Under sense o
d duty, he became the friend and advocate
l. of those very persons who had feared am
1t opposed him; and gave lroof to the wort
is that his integrity could not be moved b.
IF considerations e pc sOnal interest Iii
s. integrity had never before heen probed T.
u, the hetton. But, ST., this is not ALL h
n had seen the injustice of the monopoI
d introduced into the land system of til
N United States, by which the poorer cIasse
IT, Of citizens Wee etiectualy excluded fror
Is its benefits. The public lands were sold i
st tracts so large, that none but the wealth
N could purchase. The poor man was com
n PEELED to buy second handed and, conse
al queulIy, at an advanced prize: he was {
at the mercy of the Spectator, lIarrlso
ls had witnessed the oppressive operation q
IN that principle, and resolved 10 correct til
~ evil He brought the subject before Con