Iowa territorial gazette and advertiser. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa Territory [Iowa]) 1840-1846, 1845-12-13

decessor in office in 1912, the Sac and Fox
Indians early in, the past fall, quietly and
peaceably abandoned the whole ofthe coun-
try owned and occupied by them in Iowa,
and proceeded to the new home provided
for them by the government, lying South
and West Of the Missouri. A vast coun-
try, much of which is described by those
who have been over it as exceedingly val
liable, is thrown open TO settlement; emf
grants are already seeking it; and in year
from the present time, judging the future by
the past, a population amounting to many
thousands may be expected to be scattered
over its face. In view of this reasonable
anticipation, / respectfully recommend the
division Of the newly acquired district into
counties Of such size as shall comport with
the Judgment Of the Legislature, to be at
tached to the counties most contiguous to
them which are organized. 1t will prob
ably be found, too, upon inquiry, that some
Of the counties at present laid out, but not
yet organized contain inhabitants enough
within their limits to support county gov
ernments Of their own; and if so, proyis-
ion should be made for their speedy organ
ization.
While abiding to the subject of the ex-
tension Of our organized Territorial limits,
it is proper that should refer to the fail
ure Of the attempt made by the government
in August last to purchase from the Win
nebagoes the country at present occupied
by them, known as the "Neutral Ground;''
and, in the same connexion. also make
mention Of the recent visit of a delegation
Of Pottawatamie chiefs to Washington for
the avowed purpose Of entering into nego-
tiations with the government for the relin-
punishment of their title to all the lands be-
longing to them lying within our borders.
The Winnebagoes, it would seem, enter
tain an insuperable objection to removing
beyond the Missouri river, the region des-
ignated as their future residence in all the
propositions of purchase which have here
totore been submitted to them by the gov
eminent. Three several attempts to treat
have been made within as many years, and
all attended with equally ill success, the
chief obstacle upon each occasion being the
one already alluded to. The Indians are
not understood to be particularly welded
to the country now inhabited by them; but
having ever resided in the North, their
feelings and prejudices are all against emf
grating South. Could new lone be pro-
vided for them in the North, have good
reason to believe that little or no difficulty
would be experienced in indacing them 10
remove to it; but until some step of the
kind is taken all our efforts to extinguish
the Winnebago title to their lands may be
expected to result in failure. The Sioux
nation Of Indians own a vast and extensive
region Of country bordering ON the Mis-
sissippi, and running up near to its head
waters, portion of which, sufficiently ex-
tensive for the Winnebagoes to hunt and
reside upon, it is believed the government
might obtain at comparatively trifling ex-
penditure. The aversion of the Indians to
going South being well known to those who
exercise the control Of the Indian Depart
ment, may we not look for, and should we
not, solicit a change Of policy in this par
ticular? The subject being one of the frs,
importance to the people Of Iowa at large,
but more especially to that portion Of them
who reside in the counties bordering on the
Indian lands, some expression Of the views
entertained by the Legislature in relation
to it would seem to be called for. The re-
suit Of the visit Of the Pottawatamie dele
cation to Washington has not yet transpir-
ed, but entertain strong hopes that it win
prove t, be all we desire.
The question Of boundary between the
State of Missouri and this Territory still
remains unsettled; but am happy TO in
form you that no collision OF serious char
acter has taken place in consequence of the
dispute since your adjournment. The con-
tinuance Of this amicable state of things is
greatly to be desired. While no conceiv-
able good could possibly result to the claim
of either party from rupture and open con-
flict, much evil would inevitably ensue TO
both. As one of the parties to the dispute,
however, it is our duty to lend all our as
sistance in furthering the speedy adjust
ment of the question in such manner as
may be agreed upon; and as Missouri has
indicated her willingness to submit the
question to the decision of the judicial tri-
bunals of the country, know of no better
course to pursue than that recommended by
my predecessor, in one Of his latest official
communications to the Legislature, viz: to
memorabilia Congress for the passage Of a
law which will enable the Territory to go
into the Supreme Court as party in the
case. The absence Of sovereignty, it is
held by those who have investigated the
subject, cuts us off from the privilege at
present. True, the issue can at once be
made up as soon as we are admitted as a
State; but should Congress respond favor
ably to our request at its present session,
it is probable the question would be finally
put to rest even while we remain Ter
ritory.
A subject Of deep Importance to large
and enterprising portion Of our citizens
and one in relation to which the Legisla-
ture should not fail to speak out, is the dis.
position by the general government of the
mineral lands lying in this Territory and
elsewhere. The system which at present
prevails Of leasing these lands, is Justly
obnoxious to those engaged in the uncer-
tain occupation Of mining, and should be
abolished at the earliest possible day. In
like some Of the despotic establishments o.
tho nld world whore axrpSS If trihnte il