The Madisonian., 1840-02-20
Outlines Of Mc Life and Public Services, o.
pil'and Military, Of WrLLIAa HEsRr HAR-
RIsoN, Of Ohio.


CONTINUED.
Such was the nature OF the country and
such that Of the inhabitants. The powers
and the duties Of the Governor, numerous,
complicated and extensive, authorized and
required him TO adopt and publish such laws
of the original States, criminal and civil, as
might be necessary and best suited To the cir
cumstances Of the Territory--to appoint all
magistrates and other officers, civil and mill
tary. below the rank Of General--to command
the milita--io divide the Territory into coun-
ties aud townships-to superintend the affairs
Of the lndians-and. in general, TO represent
the plenary authority of the Federal Govern
meni in a vast variety Of administrative cares
and functions. And, in 1903, Mr. Jefferson
added 10 all these great powers that OF gem
eral and sole commissioner 10 treat with the
Indian tribes of the Northwest on the subject
OF their boundaries and lands
Thus, it will be seen that for some time,
Governor Harrison was, in effect, the lawgiy-
er of the people Of the Northwest; that he
was their civil and military governor, and the
fountain Of trust and Office; their general
agent with the Federal Government, and The
superintendent of, and negotiaior with, the
numerous Indians between the Ohio, the
Lakes, and the Mississippi.
In the latter capacity he concluded, IN the
course of his administration, thirteen impor-
tant treaties with the different tribes, and OBJ
tanned cessions, on the most advantageous
terms of not less than sixty millions of acres
of land, embracing large portion OF the rich
est region in the Northwest at the same time,
that he, for long period, preserved the peace
within his Jurisdictions and counteracted all
the machinations Of the agents and officers OF
Grea, Britain to embroil our people with the
savages, and taught the latter, in the course
of his frequent associations with them, to
respect his uadaunted frmness, while they
were concliated by his moderation, forbear-
ance, and integrity.
His integrity, indeed not in this relation
only, but, in all The mulliiarlous trusts commit
ted to him, some of them of the most delicate
and discriminating kind, was equally manifest
throughout his long administration of the af-
fairs Of the Northwest. His unspotted puri-
ty, in the disbursement OF the large sums OF pub
lie money which passed through his hands, if
not then remarkable in men so situated, was
virtue, which later experience has taught his
countrymcn to appreciate as it deserves. Nor
in reference to money only, but likewise IN
the management Of his various trusts relating
to the public lands, The same disintercsted in
tegrity Of principle was characteristic of his
conduct Thus, TO mention but one example,
TO him was confded the sole authority Of con-
frming grants Of land TO numerous class of
having certain equitable claims 10
be approved and sanctioned by him. Here,
also, later experience has demonstrated the
stainless integrity Of his character, by showing
the opportunities he possessed (had he chosen
to descend to use ihem) TO gain wealth by in
direct means. Yet his conduct in this respect,
as in all others, is universally admitted to
have been not only strictly and scrupulously
upright, but so honorable, just and true, as
TO be beyond the reach Of suspicion.
Once, and only once, was his integrity
called in question. One Mcintosh, for some
insignificant cause Of offence. accused Co
vernon Harrison of having delrauded the In
dians in the treaty of Fort Wayne and the
accused Justly conceived that it was due 10
his own fame, and to the interests of the Cen
eral Government, that the charge should be
fully investigated in court of justice whilst
all the facts were fresh in the minds Of the
community. He instituted, therefore, an ac-
ton for slander in the Supreme Court of the
Territory, and every possible means was
adopted 10 secure free and fair investigation
of the circumstances by committing the trial
to a Judge and a jury of admitted competency
and impartiality between the parties. 1t was
done and the evidence was so conclusive in
favor of Governor Harrison, that the counsel
for Mcintosh abandoned the attempt TO Justify,
nd al ,f
The jury, however, rendered verdict of four
thousand dollars damages against Mcintosh !;
whose property was levied upon to salty the
judgment, and being brought in by an agent
OF the Governor, one third OF it was distributed
by him among the orphan children of some Of
his fellow citizens who had died in battle,
and the residue was restored to Mcintosh
himself No language Of praise can add to
the truth and force of the simple beauty
OF such examples of magnanimity, disinter-
esedness and generosity.
Governor Harrison did not willingly con-
tinue in the exercise Of the large powers
originally confded to him any longer than the
policy OF the Federal Government required it
OF him; and in 1905, partly at his pressing
instance, the people OF Indiana Were autho-
rzed by Congress TO elect Legislative AS
sembly and a Delegate TO the House OF Re-
representatives.. This change, while it divided
the powers Of the Governor, scarcely dimin-
ished his means Of usefulness; because. the
new form of government, being participated
in by the people, involved the originating and
discussion OF new measures adapted to the
advanced state of the Territory. The depart
ments Of administration were to be modelled
important laws to be enacted; and public
measure to be considered by the Governor,
IN cooperation with the representatives of the
people, His speeches to the Legislature, at
this period, are frank, manly, sagaciousIv con-
ceised, and well written public documents.