Iowa news. [volume] (Dubuque, Upper Mississippi Lead Mines, Wisconsin Territory) 1837-1841, 1837-11-15
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
,Etl,o,r- Citizens Of The Council,
ind House of kepresc'asaf

4oy the people OF tnts fe'tto.y' ui'oSs e,o VI
panic Law Of Congress, crca'ing The Territory
Of Wisconsin, and prescribing It's fora Of q
vergmenI
As the Representatives Of the people, you
will bring with yon knowledge of the wants
andswishes ofyonr constituents: trust spi.
Tit Of harmony and good feeling vii: govern
your deliberations, to enable you 10 proceed
with that despatch necessary in all Legislative
bodies; and you viii hare my rnostcordiai CO.
operation in support Of all measures that have
for their object the public good.
BY the organic law Of Congress, the laws
Of the late Territory Of Michigan are in force
until altered, modified, or repealed. There
has been gteat accession cfpopuiasion to this
Territory within the last four years from every
part ofths United States: the state and condi.
ton Of the people has been greatly changed.
and the existing laws now in force (many oil
them are not suited to the habits and wants
Of the citizens Of this Territory. recommend
/, for your consideration at an early day of your
! session, the proprie.y of selecting three OF
moro competent persons TO report code OF
laws to be submitted to the action Of the Lee
gisla,ive Assembly during their present ses-
sion.
Owing TO the present embarrassed state Of
the currency in this Territory, recommend,
for the consideration Of the Legislative Assem-
bly,. the passage of law granting stay Of
execution for one year on all judgments that
may be obtained 10 the different courts of re-
cord. The enactment Of law to that effect
would prevent the ruin Of many whose prop
erty will be liable to sale at great loss. Debts
have been created when bank notes Of differ
ent banks were in general circulation in this
Territory, by many Of the most industrious and
ente.prizing citizens, who, no doubt, believed
they would be able promptly to meet their en-
gagemenis. A forced sale of their property
under the existing execution laws, would not
only deprive the debtor Of the means Of sup
port, but in many cases, would prevent the
creditor from recovering his debt.
the last session Of the Legislative Assem-
bly,, ! called yonr attention TO the propriety Of
memorializing Congress, asking the extension
Of the right OF pre.emption to the actual set
tiers located ON the public lands in this Terri
tory. again recommend your early action ON
that important subject. This meritorious class
Of our citizens, who are occupants of the pub
lie lands, have emigrated to this Territory,
under the belief that the same privileges would
be granted to them that had been extended to
Others. The settlers on the public lands are
the pioneers of the West, who are rapidly ey-
tending the settlements of this Territory; they
are alike distinguished for their industry, en-
terprize, and attachment to the republican in
stitutions of This country; and every consider
stion Of justice and humanity calls upon the
Congress of the United States to extend to the
citizens Of this Territory, who arc occupants
of the public lands, their fostering protection.
1nAc &c IL, tha liz ,r IL,
been one Of hardship, priyation, and toll, ex-
posed alike TO the dangers Of savage warfare,
and the diseases incident to the settlement of
. rev country. The early settlers have built
towns, now the seats Of civilization and refine
four years ago. The early settlers on the pub
lie lands in this Territory have explored and
opened the most valuable lead mines that have
been discovered in the United States, thereby
greatly enhancing in value the national do
main; by the sale Of which large sums have
been paid TO the government. Land was the
Immediate gift Of God to man, and from the
earliest history of the world was designed for
cultivation and Improvement, and should cease
to be an object Of speculation. Spectators in
the public lands have purchased large tracts
east Of the Mississippi in this Territory which
will remain waste until they win sell for the
highest prices, thereby retarding the growth
and settlement Of the Territory to the great in
jury Of the actual settler. The just and prop
or policy Of the government would be to reduce
tho price Of the public lands and sell them to
the actual settler alone. The public domain
would be sold in a short period Of time; Indi-
an wars would cease to exist; the frontiers
would be settled by brave and hardy race Of
men who would be abarrier to Indian incroacl,.
ment, and there would be no necessity ofmaia-
tanning military posts for the protection Of our
frontiers. Should the Congress- Of the United
STATES makes no provision for the occupants Of
tho public lands, and they thould be deprived
of their homes, either by the act of the govern
ment, or by spectators who might purchase
them at public sale, it will produce state of
things greatly TO be regretted. The people Of
this Territory in the occupancy Of the public
lands, although firmly devoted to the republic
can institutions Of the country, (and large
majority Of them have the most entire conf
dence in the wisdom and policy of the present
administration Of the General Government,)
will never submit to be driven from their homes
by the iron grasp Of the land Spectator. Con-
Gssss having for many years granted the right
Of Pfe-empti0n to the actual settler Of the pub.
liz lsads, and that policy Of the Government
having continued to exist during the settlement
u ths Western States, should not now be cham
ysd.
4 deem itmy duty to call the attention of the
Legislative Assembly to the propriety Of me-
norializing Congress. asking the extension Of
he right Of presumption to all miners who
laveobtainedt The possession ofmineral grounds
u lots under the authority of the Supcrintend-