The committee have thought it proper to insert a form of the commission usually executed by the Postmaster General of the United States, Amos Kendall:

"Amos Kendall, Postmaster General of the United States of America. "To all who shall see these presents, Greeting:

"Whereas, by letter dated on the 29th day of December, 1836, S. S. Ross was appointed Postmaster at Burlington, in the county of Des Moines, Territory of Wisconsin; and whereas he did, on the 25th day of February, 1837, execute a bond, and has taken the oath of office, as directed in said letter of appointment-now know ye, that confiding in the integrity, ability and punctuality of the said S. S. Ross, I do commission him a Postmaster, authorized to execute the duties of that office at Burlington aforesaid, according to the laws of the United States, and the regulations of the Post Office department; to hold the said office of Postmaster, with all the powers, privileges and emoluments to the same belonging, during the pleasure of the Postmaster General of the United States.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the seal of the Post Office department to be affixed, at Washington City, the 16th day of June, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hun[L. S.] dred and thirty-seven, and of the independence of the United States

(Signed)

the sixty-first.

AMOS KENDALL."

At a meeting of the committee on Elections, held November 10th, 1837, at 2 o'clock P. M., Thomas McKnight, Esq. in the chair. The contested seat of Joseph Dickinson, of Brown county, as a member of the Legislative Council of the Territory of Wisconsin, by Alexander J. Irwin of said county.

The memorial or petition of Alexander J. Irwin, was read by the Clerk, likewise a letter from the Inspectors of Election, and the election returns of said county of Brown.

Mr. E. Childs being duly sworn, and being asked by Mr. Smith, whether he had ever seen a commission of Joseph Dickinson as Postmaster? Answer-He had not. Question by Mr. Sweet, whether J. Dickinson performed the duties of Postmaster at Green Bay. Answer-Yes. That he did not know of the resignation of Mr. Dickinson to said office. That he had seen a letter franked by Joseph Dickinson. That the Post Office is called Green Bay, and not Navarino. That Mr. Dickinson had performed the duties of Postmaster for two or three years. And further the deponent saith not.

Mr. C. C. Sholes, being duly sworn, says: That Mr. Joseph Dickinson holds the office of Postmaster at Green Bay-never saw his commission-generally signed his name to receipts and list of letters published in his paper, as Postmaster. And further saith not.

Attest,

HENRY F. COX, Jr. Clerk.

DOCUMENT NO. 6.

GAZETTE OFFICE, Thursday, Nov. 17, 1837. Gentlemen-In reply to the resolution passed on yesterday, in the Council, appointing you a committee to inquire into the causes of the delay of the printing for your House, we beg leave respectfully to say, that when we asked for and accepted the appointment of Printers to the Legislative Assembly, we never for a moment supposed, that it would be expected of us, every day, to furnish each house with all the proceedings of the preceding day, viz: the minutes of the regular proceedings, bills reported, reports, documents, &c. We did not suppose this would be required of us, because such is not the case in any state in the Union; nor is it required by the Congress of the United States, themselves, whose printing, annually, amounts to between one and two hundred thousand dollars. The resolution passed by the Council, seems to imply that such is expected of us; but we regret, exceedingly, to state, that it is utterly impossible for us to come up to their expectations to this extent. To illustrate this remark, we will mention an instance: A bill was reported yesterday, in the House of Representatives, which occupied upwards of 70 pages of closely written paper. To give this bill to the House, on the next day, would require the labor of at least fifty hands, during the whole night. This, it is utterly impossible to obtain, and even if it could, we would not be warranted in employing it.

Every exertion has been used, and will continue to be used, to execute the printing of the Legislature, promptly. Our interest, as well as yours, would prompt us to this course; but, as we before remarked, to execute an amount of work, which, if bound up, would make half of an ordinary volume, from 1 or 2 o'clock, at noon, till ten of the next day, is more than we can promise.

We will here remark, that at present, all the printing of the Council is executed up to this day, with the exception of a single bill.

Hoping that the Council will view this matter in its proper light we are,
Very respectfully,

Your ob't serv'ts,

JAMES CLARKE & CO.

Messrs. ARNDT and SWEET, Committee, &c.

DOCUMENT NO. 7.

The committee on Public Expenditures, to whom was referred the report of the commissioners appointed to superintend the building of the public buildings, at Madison, beg leave to report,

That they have carefully examined the same, and find that some progress has been made in the erection of the public buildings, at that place; and that to complete the same, an additional appropriation will be requested. They therefore recommend that a memorial, asking for a further appropriation of twenty thousand dollars, from the general government, be adopted, to complete the works already begun. Which memorial they herewith transmit, for the consideration of the Council. They therefore beg to be discharged from the further consideration of the subject.

J. B. TERRY,

JOHN P. ARNDT,
ALANSON SWEET.

DOCUMENT NO. 8.

The minority of the committee on Public Expenditures, to whom was referred the report and account of the commissioners authorized to erect the public buildings, at the town of Madison, in this Territory, have had the same under consideration, and beg leave to make the following counter report.

The undersigned regret that they could not concur with the majority, in their report and memorial, for the following reason;

First, The commissioners, or a majority of them, are required by law, first, to agree upon a plan of the public buildings; second, they are required to issue proposols, giving due notice thereof; third, they are required to let the work out upon contract, and to have the buildings erected without delay; fourth, the law makes it the duty of the treasurer of said commissioners, to make annual report to the Legislative Assembly, giving a true account of all the moneys received and paid out by him.

The undersigned are fully convinced, from the evidence before them, that the commissioners have not complied with the second and third requisitions, as required by law. But, in direct violation of the aforesaid law, went on to expend the public money in the erection of a steam mill, two boarding houses, a lodging house, a barn and cellar, two scows, a bridge, and two wharves, all of which must have cost not less than 7500 dollars. The undersigned, not having any separate account of the expenses of said improvements, are obliged to take it in round numbers, but believe they are under the actual sum in their calculation.

It further appears, from the account of the acting commissioner, that the following has been expended, viz:

Total amount expended,

Deduct for property on hand

$17,900 72
2,474 81

15,425 91

Deduct for mill, houses, bridges, wharves, &c. 7,500 00

Supposed amount expended on capital,

$7,925 91

Amount appropriated by Congress,

$20,000 00

Amount expended on capital, say

7,925 91 $12,074 09

Leaves a ballance on hand, of The undersigned regret that they have not the report of the Treasurer of the said commissioners, before them, as required by law, which would enable them to make a more correct estimate.

The fore, the undersigned minority recommend that, until the board of commissioners and Treasurer, shall render satisfactory evidence that they have made judicious application of said unexpended ballance of $12,074 09, on said buildings, think it inexpedient to ask for any further appropriation.

T. H, MCKNIGHT, Chairman.
JOHN FOLEY.

2G

DOCUMENT NO. 9.

Report of the Committee to whom was referred" A bill (No. 5, Council file) regulating and defining the extent of the right of possession on lands belonging to the Government of the United States, and for other purposes.”

Your committee have had under consideration the bill above referred to, and find that the same passed the Council on the 17th November, 1837, and was presented to the House of Representatives by the Secretary of the Council. The bill was there read the first time and laid on the table, November 23d, 1837, after which time, without date, it was referred to the judiciary committee, and a substitute reported to the House of Representatives, which received its sanction; and the substitute, together with the original, were sent to the Council, on the 15th of Dec. Your committee can find no authority for substitutiug a bill as above-named, are of opinion that no authority can be found to sustain this course of proceedings, and believe that strong reasons can be adduced against this kind of substitution of the opinion of one house for that of the other, when two houses form a Legislative body. By this course of proceeding, the Houses can never have a chance of coming together and comparing their views; as in this case, the document said to be a substitute, if in accordance with parliamentary proceedings, would not meet the views of the committee; and, therefore, if this course of proceedings be correct, the committee would be obliged to report a substitute for the substitate, and in the opinion of your committee there would never be an end to this course, so as to get the judgment of both Houses to become a law. And your committee, finding nothing in the standing rules of the Council, or the joint rules of both Houses, pointing out the course to be taken in cases of this kind, are of opinion that the general rules for legislation, as laid down by Jefferson, are as good authority as can be produced; and in the opinion of your committee, are in general use in all Legislative bodies in the United States.

And, farther, your committee find in the joint rules of both Houses, adopted for governing the order of business between the same, in rules one, ten, and eleven, ample provision for transacting the business between the Houses, if the said rules are complied with. Your committee farther find laid down in Jefferson's Manual, page 185, rule 45, and on page 187, rule, 46, for agreeing or disagreeing, and a course pointed out, which, if complied with, would have the effect of bringing questions of difference between the two Houses, to a close. Your committee, finally, are of opinion that it is actually necessary, in order to facilitate the business of both Houses, that the joint rules should be strictly complied with, more particularly when the passage of bills is called in question. Therefore, your committee have come to the conclusion that the bill before alluded to has not been acted upon by the House of Representatives agreeably to the joint rules aforesaid, and consequently cannot receive any farther action of the Council, and have thought proper to offer the following Resolution for your consideration;

Resolved, That in the opinion of the Council, the proceedings of the House in reporting a substitute for the bill, No. 5, before alluded to, are unparliamentary, and contrary to the joint rules of both Houses; and that the said bill, with the accompanying documents, be returned to the House of Representatives, respectfully asking their farther action on the same.

DOCUMENT NO. 10.

To the Honorable Counsellors in Wisconsin Territory, assembled in a Legislative Council.

Brothers-The undersigned, Stockbridge Indians, residing on the east shore of the Winnebago Lake, desire you to hear us a few words. We have been told you were convened for the purpose of negotiating laws, for the good government of the inhabitants of this great western country. We look up to you

as our friends and brothers, and desire you to consider us also. We have always been the true friends of the United States, and acknowledge ourselves under its protection. We believe you have it in your power to do us good, and we do confidently look up to you for assistance. Our nation have long ago forsook the chase, and have adopted the civilized habits of our white brethren. By these, our nation have been greatly benefitted, and we would wish to be assisted in the same; and we do hereby most earnestly pray your honorable Council, that a law may be passed authorizing an election to be held upon the first Tuesday of January, each and every year, by the male inhabitants of the town of Stockbridge, being of full age, for the appointment, (by majority of vote) of the following characters, as public officers of the Stockbridge Tribe, to wit:-1 Sachem, whose term of service shall be three years; 5 persons, to be styled counsellors, 1 national Treasurer, 2 peace-makers, 1 sheriff, 1 surveyor, 1 fenceviewer, and 2 path masters; these to hold their offices for one year only, unless re-elected for another year. We wish the appointment of the foregoing officers to be conditioned upon the following terms, viz: for the office of Sachem, none to be appointed unless he shall have been resident in the nation three years next preceeding the election, unless he be of the age of twenty-five years, unless he be worth in property to the amount of three hundred dollars, and unless he be a believer in the Christian religion; and for the rest of the officers (excepting the fence viewes and path master) the same as the above be required and one year's residence.

The duties of the Sachem shall be that of any executive officer, to have power to convene and prorogue the Council, which is to form of those five persons styled counsellors, when in the opinion of said Sachem, the interest of the tribe requires it; and to preside over the council when sitting as a legislative council.

The Sachem and counsellors so constituted to form a board of council to make bye-laws for the government of the tribe; the majority of whom when convened to constitute a quorum to proceed to business. The council when convened shall choose one person from its own body, who sball execute the duties of counsellor and secretary, aud shall keep a journal of the proceedings of the council in one book, and all the bye-laws which shall be made or adopted by said council in another book. And all laws which shall be so made be declared valid, if not inconsistent with the laws of this Territory, or the United States. The sittings of this council shall be on the first Tuesday of February, and the first Tuesday of July, in each and every year.

The counsellor who shall have received the highest number of votes shall always execute the duties of the Sachem, when this officer is absent, or the office is vacated by the death, resignation, or removal from the tribe.

The Sachem and those two counsellors who shall have received the highest number of votes be constituted the high court of the nation, for the trial of higher cases and all actions where the amount shall exceed fifty dollars. The sittings of this court shall be quarterly, to be determined, or the time fixed upon, by the council.

The duty of the treasurer shall be to ask, demand, and receive into payment all the moneys due, or to grow due, to the Stockbridge tribe from individual or individuals, society or societies, State or United States, and give his receipt therefor. He is to be required to give ample security for all moneys received