Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1848-06-03


consent TO an unjust and unequal division.
Wisconsin Territory contains, by compu-
tation, 10000 square miles, and would make
two States larger than the great State of
Ohio. He was informed that by calcu-
lation made by Mr. Wilson, the able and ef-
iicient clerk in the General Land Office
having charge of the surveys in that region,
that the State of Wisconsin, BY the line he
had proposed, would contain nearly AZ 900
square miles This calculation, II was not
TO be precisely accurate, but there could be
no question THAI il would be as large as the
State of Ohio.
Mr. S SAID he would call the attention of
the COMMITTEES TO the statement of the hon.
lorable delegate from Wisconsin, mir Twee-
ldy,) who admitted, that as delegate in the
convention, he would have advocated the
southern line. He admitted the devotion of
the gentleman from Wisconsin TO the will
of his constituents, as expressed by the con-
stitutional convention of Wisconsin. He
was carrying out the doctrine of Instructions,
which was the correct course for him to
pursue. But Mr.. $. would call upon the
committee to remember, that the Judgment
of the gentleman was on the side of the
southern line, although he denies here our
right To intericr ~ all with the boundary.
ECongress certainly has the right to siipuate
as 10 boundary, or 10 compel Wisconsin TO
come in as whole; and he had no doubt
but they would accept an equitable division
rather than be forced into State of such
lupwieldly dimensions. Great stress was
laid upon the action of the constitutional
convention which fixed the boundary. Cen
tlemen should recolect that the settlers in
the valley of the ST. Croix had little voice
in that convention. The more densely pop
ulaied southwestern portion of the Terri
tory had entire control in that body, and
could fix any line they pleased The dele
} gate from the ST. Croix region, Mr.. Brown
ell, a very intelligent and highly respecta-
bic gentleman, and one who by his profess
sion and residence in the country entitled
his opinions 10 great weight, fought man
, fully to protect the interests Of those whom
he represented. Mr.. S. sent to the Clerks
table the minority report made by MIR.
/, Brownell in the convention on the boundary
question:.
! Mr.. s. contended that this report showed
clearly the injustice of fixing the northern
/, line, or even the line of the River st. Croix |,
and he called upon the committee TO protect
the rights and interests of n small minority
from being trampled upon by an o, orgrown
majority To the honorable gentleman
from Maryland, Mr.. McLane, who advoca-
ted the northern line, and who spoke Of the
interest aud influence Of capitalists at the
falls of 81. Croix, and that a more southern
line might be better for these gentlemen, he
/ would sny--(to all those who had served
, with him in the 2Sth and Goth Congresses
he need not say)--that in NIL cases where
the interests of the masses were to be sub
! served, he had always been found aiding,
to the extent of his ability, in protecting
, and advancing their interests; his sympa-
, ihies were with these men, and not with the
capitalist or the Spectator. He had also,
in too many instances, shown his devotion
to the interests of Wisconsin for any one
to doubt his friendly feeling towards that
State. His present course was dictated by
whit he deemed TO be just 10 all parties in
terested. When the bills were under con-
sideration for the admission of Florida and
Iowa, he had proposed an amendment ce-
ding the lands to those States, as soon as
they had paid into the treasury sun equal
Ito the cost Of said lands 10 the Government,
and the expenses of surveying and selling
the same; and he would checrfully offer n
similar amendment TO the bill admitting
Wisconsin, if there was any prospect that
il would pass
Mr.. Houston, of Delaware, opposed the
amendment, and adv coated the middle line,
to which the convention had given its con-
sent.
He went into history Of the Virginia
grant of the Northwestern Territory, and
her first restriction as 10 the size of the
States To be created out of il. This she
had abandoned Mt the request of Congress,
and had agreed To new condition--one Of
(which was, that the territory should not be
divided into less than three nor more
than five States. And before we could d.
vide Wisconsin Mt all, he contended that
I'VE must have the consent of Virginia, as To
make six States out Of this tesf,tory would
he violation Of our compact with her
Whether that compact had been superseded
lby the adoption Of the CONSTITUTIONS, was n
Question still open; it had never yet received
an official adjudication.
He was unwilling 10 cross the wishes Of
the people Of the Territory, and was pre-
lpared 10 receive her entire at any time
THE people Of Wisconsin were well quail
fed TO Judge as to what would best promote
their own good. He considered Congress
as good deal in the dark on that subject.
Mr.. Dickinson moved that the committee
rise; which motion prevailing, the commit
tee rose.
And the House adjourned.
| On motion of Mr.. Smith, Of Indiana, the
House resolved itself into Committee Of
the Whole, Oh the state Of the Union, Mr..
Cobb, of Georgia, in the chair, and resun-
ed the consideration of the bill for the adj !
mission Of the State Of Wisconsin into the /
Union.
When this bill was taken up yesterday, 1
Mr. Smith. Of Indiana, moved 20 amend the I
frxf z.sf.fion by afsliup nj the end thereof the I
following:
f" With the boundaries prescribed by the /
act of Congress, approved August 6, 1916, 4
os.titl.I nr4 -. 1r.nl.lc th.. ..n...I -