The Madisonian., 1840-02-18
Der, and in social meetings with the free-spi-
riied pioneers of the West.
psLEcArE IN coNoRE.

10 a representation IN Congress, the signal
abilities not less than the personal popularity
of Harrison, pointed him ooi TO the people as
the fiuest person TO represent them and, on
the opening OF the sixth Congress, December
2nd, 1899, he took his seat, as the Delegate
OF the Territory, in the House Of Represen-
tatises, being then but twentysix years Of
age.
He distinguished himself in that Congress
by proposing. and carrying through series
OF measures, a.limportaut Immediately 10 his
constituents, and, in their effects, eminently
beneficial 10 The whole West for radical
change in the method Of making sales OF the
public lands.
This, of course, the interest in the soil, was
the question OF questions in "A new country.
AT that time, the public lands, except in pecu-
liar situations, were offered only in large
tracts, of at least four thousand acres. The
purchase Of so large tract Of land required
considerable means and gave all advantage
TO the capitalist, who bought for resale, and
imposed every disadvantage on the actual set
ilers. These last We're generally poor men,
whose bold hearts and strong arms were to
win the country from the sarages, clear the
soil, and constitute The very bone and sinew
of the population; but who yet, By the system
of sales in use, were almost debarred from the
rights of freeholders, except by purchase, ut
second hand, from the great landowners. In
some instances, very extensive grants had
1 been made 10 companies or Individuals the
operation of all which, il continued without
change, would have been TO build up class
of rich proprietors, with the mass of the peo-
| pie In the condition OF mere tenants on their
princely estates. Nothing could have been
more inequltable, nothing more favorable TO
the Few, nothing less so 10 the Many.
With this subject, in all its bearings, Har-
rison was practically familiar; and, young rs
he was, and new member, too, the House
deferred to his knowledge and experience
and the sagacity OF his views on this great
subject. AT his motion, a select committee
was raised TO investigate the matter, Of which
he was appointed chairman, and the commit
tee adopted his ideas he was efficiently sup
ported IN the committee by Mr. Gallaiin, and
their report recommended that the public
lands be, in the first place, offered at public
sale, IN half sections of 800 acres that lands
not bid of at public sales should remain for
private entry at the minimum government
price; and that for the convenience of the
settlers, land Offices should be opened in tho
region of the sales. Relying upon the justice
of his cause, and his intimate knowledge of
the subject and with an ardent zeal and
ready and manly eloquence at his command,
he succeeded III convincing Congress of the
wisdom OF these ideas, and procuring the pas
sage of law in conformity herewith. Sub
seqnently, the same ideas were still further
carried out by authorizing the sale ofthe pub
lie lands in still smaller subdivisions and at
reduced price
Encouraged by his success in this mea-
sure, he introduced and carried another for a
change in the mode Of locating military war
rants. BY these measures, he at once secur-
ed The gratitude of his constituents aud ac.
quired standing and character as an able
statesman for The reforms thus effected were
of the utmost possible consequence to the
welfare Of The West. Now, when settlers pour
ed, with augmented rapidity, into the valley Of
the Ohio, the land was no longer engrossed
by monopolists, but every man could be the
master of freehold suited TO his views
Who can say how much the prosperity and
population OF the West might no, have been
retarded if the former defective system had
been persevered in by Congress Thanks to
the judgment and efforts of Harrison, other
counscls prevailed.
GOVERNOR OF INDIANA.
| When, soon afterwards, the Northwest
| Territory was divided, and the Territory Of
Indiana established public opinion, the wishes
| Of the inhabitants, and the confidence Of the
! Executive in his capacity and integrity, dcsig-
mated Harrison TO be lis Governor. lie re-
ceived the appointment in 500; and imme-
dlaely entered upon the difficult and respon-
| slble duties of his Government being first
| appointed by Mr.. Adams, and afterwards by
| Mr. jefferson.
/ The new Territory embraced the vast re-
| gion now divided into Indiana, Illinois and
/ Wisconsin: for period of nearly two years,
| from S03 to 1905, the whole Of Louisiana
was appended to it, and Michigan was, for
| term added, on the admission of Ohio into the
1 Union In the very outset, however, the limits
of Governor Harrson's jurisdiction were suiii-
/ cienly extensive. His powers were not less
so, for the Territory had no separate Legs
aure, and all the functions of government of
course, appertaned to The United States and
were dcvolyed on the Governor.
/ 1t was new country, whose institutions
were yet to be formed. Thewhite population
was lhnly scattered over wide region
! There were three principal settlements only
| one at Vincennes, on the Wabash, which was
the capital, another, known as ( lark's Grant
at the Falls of the Ohio, and the third in the
| American Bottom, from kaskaskia TO Caho-
| kia. Between these chief settlements the
/ means Of communication were imperfect, and
the intermediate country was in the possession
of the indians, who beside, occupied the
! wide wilderness beyond the settlements The
Indians were restless and dissatisfied given