South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1836-05-07

ness, preferred poverty with spotless
reputation, to boundless wealth, ac-
quired at the expense of bis country.
When the Territory was ready to
enter into the second grade Of govern
ment, Gov. Harrison was one of the
warmest advocates of the change, al
though he knew at the time, that the
effec. would be 10 take from himself
a large portion of his power and pats
ronage, and TO transfer it to the people.
His whole history indeed is rare and
illustrious example of forbearance and
disposition to advance the interests
of his country without reference to his
own aggrandizement, which should af'
ford an Instructive lesson to those sell
fish political maneverers who intest
and distract our country by intrigues
for their individual promotion at the
expense oftbe people.
1t may not be improper here to adj
vert TO an occurrence, which, whilst i,
establishes the purity of Gov. Harri
sons administration, reflects also the
greatest Iuslre on his private charac-
ter.
An individual, who had become dis
satisfied with the Governor, on account
Of his warm support of the change in
the Territorial government, took occa-
sion TO crafty his malignity by making
some insinuations against the integrity
of his conduct in certain negotiations
with the Indians. Gov. Harrison,
conceiviug it TO be due to himself, and
to the people, to have full investiga-
ton Of the subjsct,immediasely inslitu-
ted an action for the SANDER, in the
Supreme Court ofihe territory. Every
.precauiion was taken to ensure a fair
81 Impartial trial, & after a mature ex-
animation of all the evidence the Jury
returned verdict Of $4,000 in behalf
Of the Plaintiff. Judgment was rem
dered accordingly, and an execution
issued, and levied upon the property Of
the Defendant, which was sold in the
absence Of Gov. Harrison, and bought
ia by his agent. Immediately upon
his return home, with magnanimity
worthy of the man, he restored two
thirds ofthe property TO the Defendant,
and distributed the remainder among
the orphan children of those gallant
soldiers who had fallen 10 the defence
OF their country.
The period which interviewed be-
tween the year 1906, and the com
mencement OF the late war with Great
Britain, was one of deep interest to
the north western territory. The whole
frontier was inhabited by numerous
tribes Of Indians, who, ins.igated by
the emissaries Of Great Britain, and
reused by the passionate appeals of
their celebrated chief Tecumseh, were
actively concerning some general plan
of hostiIities against the Whites, and
the greatest prudence and discretion
were necessary to avert the gathering
storm. Harrison was the sole commits
sioner for treating with the Indians,
and as distrust and suspicion had been
infused into their minds by the insidi.
Gus representations of the British a.
gents, the ordinary difficulties of nego.
tiation we're greatly increased. Blu. he
never for a moment faltered in the
course which bis duty pointed out. Rec
CARELESS of his own safety, he went 10
person to the Indian councils, and at
tended only by small escort, sat un-
moved in the midst OF hundreds Of
armed savages whose minds we're in
famed by the turbulent harrangues Of
Tecumseh; ADD by his presence Of
mind and power of Cancellation, man.
aged, for considerable time, to allay
their excitement, and ward off their at.
lacks from the defenceless frontier.
In his capacity of Governor Of In.
diana, and Indian commissioner, Har-
rison concluded no less than thirteen
important treaties Nth the Indians,
and extinguished their title to more
than SIXTY MILLIONS OF A
ores OF LAND. Mr.. Jefferson,
then president Of the U. States, testifi-
ed, publicly, his appreciation of his
measures +; and the people Of Indiana,
and their legislature, manifested their
sense of the importance Of bis services,
by highly complimentary resolutions.
The correspondence of Gov. Harri-
son during this period, with the gene
raj government,and his official speech
es to the legislature Of Indiana, are ad-
milted by all who have any acquain
lance with the subject,to evince very
high order of talent, as we'll as great
IN notrv md n