The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-12-02
Jefferson Territory.

vi the proposed new lerrltOry Oh JeIerSOn,
as it gives the history of the Pixies Peak
settlements, which we cannot find in any
other form, and will be interesting to many
of our readers. 1t will be seen that the
emigrants to that region have established
provisional government, in anticipation that
Congress will pass an organic act, estab-
fishing the new Territory, during the COM
ing session. The Legislature is already
convened
From the Rocky Mountain News-Exra
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
Gentlemen of the Council and House of
Representatives Of the Territory of Jefferson: :
1t becomes my duty as the Chief Executive
officer of the newly organized Provisional
Government of this Territory, to make at
this time such recommendations and sugges-
tons to your Honorable Bodies as may
deem proper to secure the we'll being and
prosperity of our adopted country, which
from unmistaken indications is so soon to
grow into an important State.
l am deeply impressed with the import
ance of this task, as also with the peculiar
ity of the position which all the officers OF
this government occupy, and before pro-
ceeding to recommend for your action sub
jects of legislation, it will perhaps be proper
to give you short historical view of the
community which has resolved to use the
Inherent right Of lf-governmert recognized
as inalienable in American citizens, and to
give at least the prominent reasons for the
steps which have been taken in the forma.
ton of provisional government. In doing
this am actuated not so much by desire
to convey information to your Honorable
Bodies, as by the wish to have our situation
and motives as community and body poll
tic fairly understood and appreciated by our
fellow citizens of the United States, and by
Congress, that no misunderstanding may
arise to embarrass the future affairs of the
Territory.
Prior to the summer of 1858, the region
now known as the Territory of Jefferson
possesr, ~ tie public estimation, no su.
perior attractions for the pioneer settler
over other portions of the public domain in
possession Of the aboriginal tribes.
During that season certain adventurous
spirits, led on by desire to prove or dis
prove the various rumOrs of rich mineral
deposits which had been ia circulation, of
the unext lored regions at the base of the
Rocky Mountains, prospected the eastern
slope from Fort Laramie to the Spanish
Peaks in New Mexico, and they gave to
the world as the result of their explorations,
accounts of their finding gold in nearly all
the mountain streams, and in the foot PLANES
at their base. Their report spread rapidly,
and ere the beginning of the winter of IS
and 80, near one thousand persons had
made their way to the scenes of these ex-
plorations, and were busy in prospecting
and preparing shelter and sustenance for the
winter. With the early emigration come
the spirit of active enterprise so peculiar to
the Great West. Soon improvements of all
kinds began to show themselves over the
country-town sites were located farms,
ranches and garden spots dotted our rich
valleys, and the plans for prosperous and
happy future were speedily framed.
Inc necessity was at once felt of some
law or rule of action to regulate the trans
actions of man with man, and to secure life
and property from the ruthless hand of the
telon. A vigilance committee, the first
resource of an isolated and exposed commu-
nifty, was organized, and certain offences
occurring during the winter and spring,
were taken cognizance Of Bnt a more
perfect form ofgovernment than was aforded
by vigilance committee was needed. The
reports of the golden harvest greatly mag
niiied had reached the States, and the news
was eceived that tens of thousands were
coming to share the gains. a call was
issued for Convention to take into consid-
Grafton the propriety of organizing State
government. Meantime wave of reaction
had commenced its flow, and the once san.
guine emigrants were borne back by its
rush, leaving only moiety to persevere on
the way, determined to see for themselves
and judge of the matter personally. Amid
the discouragements of the homeward STAN
pede, it was thought best at the meeting of
the Convention in June to adjourn until the
first Monday in August at which time it
met and perfected its work by the formation
of a Constitution which was submitted to
vote of the people on the first Monday of
September, and by them rejected.
The causes of the rejection of the State
government we're: LIST. A disinclination of
the people to bear the burden of complete
State organization. I'd. A doubt whether
Congress would admit US as State with
less than the quota of population to entitle
us to Representative in Congress- Sd. A
desire to see the prosperity of the country
more fully established, and its resources
more perfectly developed, before taking upon
ourselves the responsibility of State gov
eminent.
At the election on the first Monday of
October delegate was chosen to proceed
to Washington to procure the organization