Iowa news. [volume] (Dubuque, Upper Mississippi Lead Mines, Wisconsin Territory) 1837-1841, 1838-06-16

Governors Message.
Fellow Citizens of the Council
and House Of Representatives,
You are convened for the purpose Of
making the apportionment of represen-
tafion for the House of Representatives,
of this Territory, in conformity to the
organic law Of Congress creating the
territorial government Of Wisconsin,
and in accordance with law passed at
the last session of the legislative As
sembly for taking the sensus or emu
meration of the inhabitants by the sew
eral sherifis of the different counties in
this Territory.
The elective franchise of the people
is the sacred palladium Of our rights,
the shield and helmet of our Liberties,
and the foundation upon which our
Republican institutions must exist; all
should equally participate in the adj
vantage Of representation according to
numbers.
As the legislative Assembly has
been convened for special purpose,
it would not be proper for me to call
your attention to any subjects not con-
nec.ed with the object for which you
have met: except in cases where the
public good might require your imme-
date action.
You have memorialized Congress at
vo,r late session. on the most impor-
tant subjects connected with the growth
and prosperity of the Territory: for
the extension of the right of pre-emp-
ton to our meritorious and enterpris-
ing citizens, occupants Of the public
lands; the division of the Territory:
asking appropriations of Congress for
the construction of harborson our Lake
coast, the removal of the distractions
in the rapids of the Upper Mississippi;
the adjustment of our Southern boun-
Diary line with the State of Missouri,
and other important measures which
are now pending before Congress the
result of which will be known before
your annual session.
As Congress will probably not adj
journ before the fifteenth of next month
1 deem it my duty earnestly to recon-
mend to the Legislative Assembly the
/ Justice and propriety Of memorializing
that body al an early day of your ses-
sion, asking the ratification, by the U
nited States Senate, of the treaties made
with the Winnebagoes, Sioux, and
Chippewa Indians for the extinguish-
ment Of their title to country within
the limits of this Territory. Until re-
Gently, no doubts were entertained Of
the ratification of the treaties in ques-
ton.
From the proximity Of the Winnie
bago Indians to our border settlements,
and their frequent depredations on the
stock and other property of the inhab-
itants of the Territory, it has been with
great difficulty that the citizens, who
have been injured by them could be
restrained from killpg them. 1t is .
fact well known that the country own.
ed by the Winnebago Indians north oil
the Wisconsin River, would be of great
value to the United States as well as tel
the citizens of Wisconsin, and is not
suited to the state and condition of the
Indians who claim it. From the in
temperate and reckless character Of the
Winnebago Indians, ! have hesitation
in saying that unless they areremoved
from the country north of the Wiscon-
sin Riverdificulties will ensue between
them and the whites that will end in
war. The Winnebago Indians own
!. country west Of the Mississippi that
affords game in abundance and where
they could remain in peace for years.
A just regard for the rights Of the peo-
pie of Wisconsin requires that the
Winnebagoes should be removed; the
safety of the lives and property Of our
citizens demand it. Should troubles
with our Indian neighbors commence,
it is difficult to tell where they will
stop. Our recent Indian wars have
been at the price of much blood and
treasure, and, have we not right to
expect that the representatives of a
great and intelligentnation willprevent
a state Of things that would be ruinous
to the growth and prosperity of this
Territory
The purchase Of country from the
Chippewa Indians east Of the Mississip-
lpi, was made for the advantage of its
extensive pine forests, bordering on
the Chippewa and St Croix rivers, and
which considered Of the first impor-