Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1937-12-30


what St. Clair, Harmer and 9th
er experienced officers could not d(
] in several years of hard work
Wayne was going to do with proc
lamation. But he did not get very
far with it. St. Clair was now anG
would be for some time very busy
with the administration Of the ter.
ritOry.
The government was opened al
Marietta on July 9th, 1888, and
we have his address to the legisla-
ture, to the judges, and to the peo-
pie in general. The Ohio Company
was always wanting him to pass
laws favorable to their interests
adopt such laws of the original
states. las may be necessary. and
best suited to the circumstances Of
the district" But the legislature
| wanted to pass any law they might
think of value to themselves. The
result was as might be expected.
We see even in those early days the
lobby was not unknown.
Up to this time we have discussed
Northwest Territory, but have said
but little about what was there or
what might be it's future. The peo.
| pie in the east knew little about it,
except what had been told them to
induce them to emigrate there and
buy land from the Ohio Company. J
have not been able to locate any of
the advertisements of the day relat-
ing to this land, though / presume
some were published. do find a
| letter in which the future of this
| country is painted in a rosy hue
| with a broad brush.
In December of 1896, a letter was
written to a friend back east giving
the opinion of the writer concern.
| ing the land and it's probable future,
which is about the best have found
looked at it then, I will give some
extracts from it. l quote:
"The western territory is an i'm
portant appendage to the United
States. The fertile soil and temper
ate climate seem to point it out as
the place to which the emigrants
from the Atlantic states will be di~
rected.... The foundation of a vast
accession of strength to the United
States may be laid in that country il
advantage is taken of the favorable
circumstances of nature, and such
provisions are made by government
as will not only invite hardy citizens
to the territory. but attach them to
the uniOn.... The growth of this
country is likely to be astonishingly
rapid for some time. (but) in view
Of the great disadvantages, having
their origin in the mistaken opin-
ions of congress as to the relation
of the public domain to the national
of foreign powers lying contiguous,
it is problematical whether that
growth may be ultimately al.
vantageous.. (This territory will
have, in time, interests different
from the Atlantic states Many of
their productions will be the same,
and kind 'of rivalry will take
ments on one side and the Spanish
on the other" (they) will be expos
ed to the Vaccinations of both, and
partisans, perhaps pensioners. will
be settled among them.... At the
great distance they are removed
from the general government, it's in
f1uence will not be much felt.... In
case of war, with either or both of
these nations. Ian event that may
not be very distant. they might be
tempted to sever their connections
with the parent states.... Gt) is not
to be doubted but the most alluring
hopes and promises would be held
out to them....i they did not become
dangerous they might. lat least be-
come troublesome. The British
have had emissaries among the in
habitants....to induce them to hos
tilities against the Spanish. AS
promised them. In any such trans.
action. however,. 1.-The British gov
ernment will not appear. should
there be rupture between Spain
and America. alliance would be
formed. their joint force exerted
against America. The event would
be disastrous to America. (and)
bring misery upon the heads of the
unfortunate people,. Spain looks
growth of the western country.
She trembles for Mexico. which.
is a not iIl-founded fear. The lig-
ature that binds (the western terri
tOry) to the United States is weak.
(and) the authority of the general
government is not very much re-
garded.... (some) desire to throw off
the connection with the union. lin
dulgences have been granted....to
where they receive great prices for
it,. These (indulgences) have had
their rise in the avarice of the gov
ernor of New Orleans. Upon whom
there is no check. Chez abuses the
regulations of the Spanish COURT.
to induce settlement in west Flor
ida. that he may reap apart of the
profit. It is the expectation COT
the Spanish! to- people the country
leans. They hold out tempta-
tions....a thousand acres of land....a
very great price for tobacco. they
soon imbibe Spanish prejudices....
(and) in case of war would be trOu-
blesome neighbors.... ENJOYS are at
work to divert emigration to Spanish
Territory; t ,y they) posses possess al very
strained St by PR principle. Many. Many are re
that degree. they are parting with
their property on any TERMS. A
very great number have been disap.
pointed in obtaining lands. by the
monopolizing spirit that seized the
first Settlers. (and) land being the
first object Of their pursuit. they
are ready to go any place where 1T
can be obtained easily. Promises
Of the free exercise of their relig-
ceive a. very great price for every
thing they can send to Market.
Many will make the experiment.
they and their. progeny will be lost
to this country. they will soon be-
come Spaniards to all intents and
purposes....if it continues to be one
of their maxims.. Ito prevent the
free navigation of the Mississippi.
the situation directly opposite the
mouth Of the Ohio. seems not to be
ill chosen with view of it,. The
Spanish. ...are endeavoring to induce
the ancient French inhabitants to
abandon their country and. have
succeeded with a great number.
To prevent this loss of people....a
part of the country should be laid
open to the people who are not i'm