Du Buque visitor. [volume] (Dubuque, Lead Mines, Wisconsin Territory) 1836-1837, 1837-01-11
DU BUQUE VISITOR.

cutive Office, population is against US a i
little over 500 souls; but these returns,
so far as the county Of Du Buque is
are not correct. The troops
at Fort Howard and Fort Winnebago,
i'm Brown county, on the east side, have
all been takeninto the census, whilst the
troops at St. Peters, on the west side,
have not been included in the returns
Of the county of Du Buque; and from
good information, we may safely esti-
mate them, together with the women
and children and other settlers, at 400.
This would give the east side of the RI
liver alittle over one hundred more than
he west side. The settlement on Red
River, also within the county of Du
Buque, was not enumerated on account
Iof its distance, and from the best au-
thority, contains between two and three
thousand souls. Hence, sir, it will APP
pear that west Wisconsin has maiori-
|ty of population Of at least two thous-
and, and that we are clearly entitled
to ID Representatives and Z colnc;imen
on the west side Of the Mississippi.
Thus far the argument on population
IS established in favor of the west: but
the gentlemen talk a good IDEAL about
the division of the territory, the sepa-
ration of interests, that east Wisconsin
will soon become state, and the west
will then have new government and
, new appropriations. Sir, throw back
this argument upon themselves, and
say that the reverse of this is nearest
: the truth; for from present appearances
, there is no doubt, and they know it,
that west Wisconsin will be able to ask
admittance into the union before the east,
, but owing eitoertothe cupidity or trea-
cherry of her own representatives on this
] floor, she is to be deprived Of the hem
= efts of the public buildings, and $4,000
: for library.
; The agitation of division or sep
: aration of the territory by the gentle
, men from Des Moines, and their votes
in connection with it, are singularly
. strange, and l think premature. I do
not like the idea of separation yet
; Are we to talk of separation before we
have time to get acquainted with each
other But, If we must separate, let
) US at least cultivate and cherish our
: mutual interests whilst we are togeth-
} er by laying aside self-interest, local
prejudice, and sectional feelings, and
upon this question legislate with an
; eye single to the public good; so that
when we do part, we part as brethren
Of one family but for time, to meet
!, again in one kind and fraternal union.
J Such, sir, think, should be the policy
Of the gentlemen from the lake shore,
!, who have more to expect from the
west, than the west can ever expect
from them. We have our great nssa-
al high road to the ocean, and il an
unfriendly policy is pursued by the
east our trade will roll on as long as
the waters of the Mississippi empty
into the ocean. Much has been said
about the trade Of the lakes. am in
formed that merchants on the west
shore Of lake Michigan have to pur-
chace their spring and summer goods
early in the preceding fall, the naviga-
ton Of the lakes being closed till the
middle Of May.
| Let gentlemen turn their attention
then to the west, assist us to improve
the navigation of the Mississippi, land
no measure will accomplish this sooner
than placing the seat of government
for the territory on its bank) and we
will give them their spring and summer
supplies as early as the middle Of A.
pril. This, sir, is no fantasy-boats
arrive at Du Buque by the first Of A.
pril, and in less than FIVE days, by
means cfthe rail road which we ali saw
must be made, their goods can be for
warded to any part Of the lake shore
full month before the ice is of their
waters, and six months interest will be
saved in the purchace money. This
would likewise lead to an exchange Of,
commodities which would make their
villages become towns, and their farms
villages, and do more to improve the
country than the location Of forty
seats Of government in swamps or 9TH
er situations in the interior. Such
would be the benefits derived by the
east. Let us now see what benefit
that portion ofthe south west, repres-
ented by the disinteresfed gentlemen
from Des Moines, would receive, by
placing the seat Of government at Du
Buque.
] do not mean to be understood 10
say that the seat Of government will,