Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1840-04-06
MONTPELIER, APRIL 6, 1910.
GOVERNOR OF INDIANA.

|
| When soon afterwards, the Northwest Territory
was divided, and the territory OF Indiana establish
ed, public opinion, the wishes Of The habitants
and the confidence oithe Executive in his capacity
and integrity, designated Harrison to be IFS COVER
nor. He received the appointment in 1900; and
Immediately entered upon the difficult and respon-
sbe duties Of his government; being first appoint.
ed by Mr.. Adams, and afterwards by Mr.. Jefier-
son.
The new Territory embraced The vast region
row divided into Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin;
l1r period of nearly two years, from 1903 to
sos, the whole of Louisiana was appended TO it,
and Michigan was for time added, on the adj
mission Of Ohio into The Union. In the very out
set however, the limits of Governor Harrison's
Jurisdiction were sufficiently extensive. His pow
ers were not less so; for the Territory had no
separate Legislature, and all the functions of
government, o! course, appertained 10 the United
states, and were devolved on the governor.
1t was new country, whose institutions were
yet TO be formed. The white population was
thlnIy scattered over wide region. There were
three principal settlements only one at Vincen-
mes, on the Wabash, which was the capital an
other, known Clarks grant, at the Falls of the
Ohio; nnd he third in The American Bottom,
! from Easkr sAia TO Calokia Between the chief
| ttt51I-efns ~~te means of communico lion were
imperfect and the intermediate country was in The
! possession Of the Indians, who, beside, occupied
the wide wilderness beyond the settlements. TIE
Indians were restless and dissat fed. given TO
plumber and murder, even in the periods Of pro-
fessed peace, and kept in state Of perpetual irri-
tation against the United States by tie intrigues
OF the British government whose agents supple
them with arms and ammunition, Infatuated them
with ardent spirits, and perpetua ~ melted them
to war and rapine. All the endeavors of the u
nited States, land they were increasingly TO allure
the Indians TO arts OF peace,--to civilize and
IChrictaDIZe thpm.--tO them from the self 1e
gradation OF their own peculiar vices of ideness,
llntemperance, and poverty, were ncutralized by
the officers OF Britain, whose policy it was TO keep
them ready maddened TO her hand, to be let slip
at word, on the settlements of the Ohio and The
Mississippi.
Such was The nature OF the country, and such
that of the inhabitants The powers and the du.
ties OF the Governor, numero is, complicated, and
extensive, authorized and required him 10 adopt
and publish such laws OF the original Staes,
crimina nd civil, as might be necessary, and besr
suited TO the circumstances Of the Terrory,-to
appoint all magistrates, and all other officers, civil
and military, below tie rank of General, 10
command tie militia, 10 divide the Territory in
TO counties and townships,--to superintend the
affairs of the Indians and, in general, TO ore
sent the penarY authority Of the Federal Gov
eminent in 4 vast variety Of administrative cares
and functions. And in 1903, Mr.. Jefferson added
to all these great powers that Of general aud sole
commissioner TO treat with the Indian tribes Of
the Northwest on the subject Of their boundaries
and lands.-t4)
Thus, it will he seen that, for some time, Gen.
Harrison was, in effect, the lawgiver Of The people
of the Northwest that he was their civil and mil
itary governor and the fountain of trust and Offices
their general agent with the Federal government
and the superintendent Of, and negotiator WITH
the numerous tribes of Indians between The Ohio
The Lakes and the Mississippi.
In the latter IN naciiv. he concluded in III
course of his administration, thirteen important
treaties with The different tribes AMI obtaired
ceSs.ons, on the most advantageous terms. of
S/ss than sixty millions of acres oland, embracing
iare" portI0n q tie richest region in the North
west at the same time, that he, for a long period
preserved peace within his jurisdiction, and coun-
teracted all the Vaccinations ol the agents and
officers of Great Britain TO embroi our people
with the savages, and taught the latter in the
course of his frequent association with them, TO
respect his undaunted firmness, while thew we've
concated by his moderation, forbearance and
integrity.
His integrity, indeed, not in this relation ONLY,
but, in all the mulliiarious trusts committed to
him, some Of them OF the most delicate and dis.
crlmna ing kint, was equally manifested through
out his long administration of the affairs of the
Northwest. His unspotted purify, in the dis
bursement of the large SUMS of public mo ,ey
which passed through his hands, if not then re-
IL
later experience has taught his countrymen to
appreciate as it deserves. Not in reference to
money only, but likewise in the management If
his various trusts relating to the public lands, the
same dislnterested integrity of principe was
charac Of his duet. Thus. TO mention
but one example, 10 him was confded the soe
| au horlty at confirming grants of land to nu-
| II erous class of individuals having certain equita
bic claims TO be approved and slnct oned by him.
Here, also later experience has demo stratcd
The stainless integrity o his character, by show
ing the opportunities he possessed chad he chosen
to descend Ia use them) 10 gain wealth by indi-
rect means. Yet ms conduct in this respect as in
all others, is universal Y 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 once only, was his integrity called in
question. One Mcintosh, for some insignificant
cause Of offence accused Governor Harrison OF
having teirauded the Indians in the treaty of Fort
Wayne; and the accused justly conceived that it
was due to his own fame, and TO the interests Of
the General Government, that The charge should
be fully lnve sllGated in court ui justice whilst all
the acts were fresh in the minds ofthe commui-
~. He instituted, therefore, an action Tor SANDER
in tie Supreme Court of the Territory, and every
possible means was adopted to secure a free aud
as The bill still contains have been procured. THIS
LAW PROMISES TO BE THE FOUNDATION
oFsri1-16REAT INCREASE OF POPULATION
AND " EALTH TO OUR COUNTRY: for although
The maximum price fixed al two dollars per acre the time
Tor making payments has been extended put it in
the power of every industrious comply with them,
being only necessary to pay fourth part Of the money
IN hand and the balance the end Of two hree and four
years besides this the odous circumstance Of Forfeiture
which made the penalty of failing the
der the old law entirely abolished and The purchaser
allowed one year after the payment is due to collect the
money the land is not then pad for sold and after
The public have been reimbursed the balance OF the