Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1852-05-26
TERRITORY N. w. OF THE OHIO RIVER,


contain an instance of As large and as rapid an
Increase in population and wealth, during the
short period of fifty years, as this Territory
Northwest of the Ohio River" furnishes.
In the year Of Grace 1899, and OF the lnde-
pendence of the United States of America the
trentl-frSt, John Adams, as Chief Magistrate,
commissioned Jacob Burnet, James Findley,
Henry Vanderbergh, Robert Oliver and Daniel
Vance as members of the first Legislative Coun-
ell of the Territory "North-west of the Ohio
River"
Judge Vanderbergh, late of the ancient City
of Vincenncs, Ind, and now deceased, was the
President of the Council and the author Of the
first Legislative Address to the citizens of the
Territory" This Address is noteworthy, as ex-
hibiting the condition, resources and expecta-
tons of the people of the Territory fifty years
ago. and is an honest disclosure of the enduring
foundations upon which the unprecedented pros
pority of these States were laid by the founders
thereof. 1t is dated Dec. Is, 1899, and after al
luding to the "arduous task" Of framing laws
to protect the rights of men scattered over so
extensive tract OF country" proceeds and con-
cludes as follows
at must have been easily forseen that the
expenses rising on our entering upon the pres
ent stage of government would be considerable.
To provide for these expenses a Land tax pre-
sents itself as the principal if not the only OBJ
ect of which we could avail ourselves for this
purpose. We conceive this the least burden
some to the greatest class of citizens, as no
small portion will be paid by persons living
without the Territory, owning large tracts of
land within.
"Our soil, climate and navigable waters, pre-
sent to the mind of observation and contempla-
ton the most pleasing views and prospects Of
the future greatness and Importance Of the A
mercan Empire; but to realize these advanta-
ges, exertions must be made which are within
the power of an Industrious, enterprising and
enlightened people. Let the present generation
set the example by dscountenancing ideness
and dissipation, and on the other hand by en-
couragng industry, frugality, temperance, and
every moral virtue-and in few years the des-
ert will disappear before the hands of industry,
the fields will be covered with flocks, land the face
of nature will blossom like the rose.
Religion, morality and knowledge are nee
cssary to all good government, say the venera-
BILE trainers of our Constitutions and to this
great truth every man of liberal information will
subscribe. The liberal grants of land from the
United States, for the purpose of erecting and
endowing an University and other Seminaries
of learning-for private schools and for the sup
port of religon-are advantages superior in
these respects to those any other country can
boast Of and no time will be lost in bringing
these advantages into actual operation. To
these advantages let us contribute, as far as we
are able, that wisdom knowledge and virtue may
be widely difused let us inculcate the princi-
pies ofhumanity ,benevolence, honesty and pune
tuality in dealing; sincerity, chastity and all So
cial affections Let it be remembered that the
foundation of public prosperity and happiness
must be laid in private families-every well or
dered family is little communicated great
community made of such families must be pros
porous and happy at home and respected a.
broad"
Fifty years ago, within the present limits of
the States of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan
and Wisconsin, there were only 10000 inhabit-
ants; and the log cabins of the enterprising pi-
oneers and frontier settlers Of this Northwest
crn Territory were few and far between. Then
there were only about 5000 acres of improved
land in the Territory-the prairies and forests,
the rivers and lakes Of this extensive tract Of
country" were mostly in the undsturbed and
undisputed possession of untamed savage men
and wild beasts. Then the Indian trails, the
bridle-paths and bark canoes, were the only
signs of "internal improvements" and the only
guides and means of internal communica-
ton. Indeed "this part Of the American EN-
pire" was then almost an uninhabited and unm-
proved tract of country" and school-houses,
churches, canals, railways, steamboats, and tele-
graphic wires-there acre none. But there was
a rich and productive soil, exhaustless mineral
deposits, genial and healthful climate, long riv-
ers and inland seas-there were also few thou
sand of hardy pioneers-"l little amiable commu-
mites" of "well ordered private families"
And now, in 1862, this Northwestern Terri
tory comprises four States, containing about d.
100000 people, entitled to AZ Representatives !;
has 23,000,000 of acres of improved land; raised
in 1850, 100000 bushels of wheat, l77,OOO,-
600 bushels corn, 24,500O00 pounds of cheese,
and 67,000,000 pounds of butter. 1t has Mead
amized roads, canals and railroads made and be-
ing made throughout each State, with hundreds
of elegant steamers plying upon its rivers and
lakes, telegraphic communications between all
its chief cities and towns and those Of all other
portions of the Union, with churches, colleges
and school-houses, sufficient and convenient for
the education of the millions Yes, these great
(State) communities" were founded by, and
their present prosperity and happiness are based
upon, the early labors and influences of those
energetic pioneer settlers-those few swell or
dered families" And by encouraging indus
try, frugality, temperance and every other NOR
al virtues" the wilderness has disappeared; the
praries hills and yalieva ora g covarad with