Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1850-06-01

their more eastern location on Lake Superior,
about the Falls of Saint Mary, and earlier
! intercourse with the French fur traders, be-
came first possessed Of firearms, which gave
them superiority that enabled them 10 drive
the Dakotas from the rich midland hunting
grounds, rice and fish lakes, in the country
about the head waters of the Mississippi.
The dispossessed bands of the Dakotas
moved westward, sweeping in their progress,
the Shans, the Iowas, and other tribes from
their lands; until in the course of time, the
fugitive Dakotas of the Upper Mississippi
have become the fercest lords of the vast
buffalo plains of the Upper Missouri.
By treaty negotiated under the protection
of the United States at Fort Crawford near
Prairie du chieu, in 1925, between all the
different tribes Of the Northwest, their re-
spective boundaries were defined; and thence
forward comparative peace ensued among
Them. The history of the wars of these tribes
of the Northwest, their legends, their shift
ing geographical relations, their migrations
and derivation, is rich mine for the future
historian.
ORGANIZATION OF THE TERRITORY.
Previous TO the erection of Iowa into
State, all that portion of Minnesota west of
the Mississippi, was included in Iowa Terri
tory, and that part Immediately on the river,
was embraced in the County of Clayton. The
organization of Iowa into a State threw all
moth of 43 deg. 80 min. without the bounds
of any organized government. Little, ifany,
inconvenience resulted to the white inhab-
tanis in the excluded portion, as it was en-
tirely Indian country, and under the control
of the United States laws "regulating trade
and Intercourse with the Indians
But in 1913, Wisconscon was admitted in
10 the Union; and her boundary on the North
and Northwest, being the St. Crox cut off
the principal portion of two organized coun-
ties of the Territory of Wisconsin-viz: 81
Cr0ir and LepOilte, accomplishing consider
able population, one county seat, and impor-
tant interests engaged in numbering and ira
ding
The people of this portion of the "Territory
of Wisconsin," thus suddenly deprived of
Judiciary, and the means of a proper admin
stration of the laws, as the only remedy for
the threatened evils of such state of things,
met in convention, and resolved, that mas
much as the law establishing Wisconsin Ter
ritory was not especially repealed by the
erection of Wisconsin State, that their coun-
try was de tacto, said Territory; and the ac-
ting Governor of Wisconsin, Hon John Catlin,
Secretary of said Territory, coincidng in this
view, issued his proclamation for the election
OF Delegate to Congress.
An election was accordingly held in 1s4S
and resulted in the choice of Hon. H. H. ST.
bly, gentleman of talents and education,
and for many years an Indian trader in the
Territory, as a partner of the American Fur
Company.
The people also memoralized Congress in
regard 10 their condition; and instructed
their Delegate to ask the erection of new
Territory to be called Minnesota, with boun-
daries pretty much as at present constituted.
Mr.. Sibley was, after some objections, ad-
mitted by courtesy TO seat on the floor of
Congress. Through his unwearied exertons,
with the especial interest taken in the project
by several prominent members of Congress,
the Organic Law, directing the organization
, of the Territory, was at length passed, on the
Sd day of March, 1S49, the very last day of
) the session. Among the members of Con-
gress who mainly contributed TO this success,
may be named the Hon, S. A. Douglass, of
Illinois; Thomas H,Benton, of fMissouri John
' NJ Clayton, of Delaware and John Davis
of Massachusetts, all of the Senate and Hon
Caleb B. Smith, OF Indiana Robert Smith,
of Illinois; Truman Smith, of Connecticut
and Julius Rockwell, of Connecticut, all of
the House of Representatives. To HenIy NJ
Rice, Esq, principal and influential citizen
of Minnesota, who was until recently part.
ner of Mr., Sibly in the Indian trade and hi:
, unsuccessful opponent Tor Delegate much
: credit is likewise due for his ancient labors
> at Washington during the session, to secure
,, the organization of the Territory,
TERRITORIAL OFFICERS APPOINTED.
- Immediately on the passage OF the law o.
|, organization, President Taylor made the
q nominations for the public officers of The
e new Territory, which, with some other alter
e atoms subsequently, are now as follows
!. Governor-ALEXANDER RAMSEY, of Pennsyl
!. vania. Secretary Of the IerritOry-CHAs. X
v SMITH, of Ohio. Judges Of the United State
!. Courts-AARoN GooDRIcH, of Tennessee, e
Y native of Mchigan,) Chief Justice; and DA
}, vID COOPER, of Pennsylvania, IA native o
al Maryland, ) and BRADLEY B, MEEKER, of Ken
m lucky, ia native of Connecticut,) Associat
/. Judges Marshall-Col. A. NJ. Mitchell
S. of Ohio, ia native of North Carolina.) Unite
IN States District Attorney-HENRY L. Moss, {
native, believe, of Ohio,) Besides the off
GERS in the Territory are appointed by tn
n. National Government N. GREENE WILCOX
er of Illinois, Receiver Of the Land Office {