emigrated to our lake border, have a reasonable right to expect that the same facilities will be extended to them which have been afforded to other portions of the Union."

Memorials have been annually forwarded to Congress from the Legislative Assembly, since the organization of the Terri torial Government, calling their attention to the justice and propriety of granting the miners pre-emption rights to the mineral lots, where they were held by discovery or purchase under a permission of the superintendent of the United States lead mines. That the miners have strong claims on the justice and liberality of Congress, is aparent to all just and reasonable men; they settled the mining region by the express invitation of the Gov. ernment; they have had, in peace and in war, to encounter all the difficulties and troubles incident to the settlement of new countries, and by their industry, enterprise and bravery, have been the means of exploring and testing the advantages of the most valuable mineral region in the United States. I would respectfully recommend your early action on this subject, as well as to the propriety of asking Congress to extend the right of pre-emption to actual settlers, who are located on reserva. tions made by the superintendent of the United States lead mines for smelting purposes, as well as the actual settlers on lands located for the half-breed Winnebagoes under the treaty of 1829, which claim has been located under the instructions of the Government.

In answer to a resolution of the Legislative Assembly, calling on the Secretary of the Treasury for a statement of the amounts of monies appropriated by Congress for the use of the Territory since its organization, I have received the statement required, certified by the Register of the Treasury, which is submitted for your information.

The Indians on our extended frontier appear peaceably disposed. The Winnebagoes were removed to the west bank

of the Mississippi in June last.. I discover, however, a great unwillingness on their part to occupy their country, generally called the neutral country; they appear to entertain a dread from the attacks of the Sac and Fox Indians, and it will require a strong mounted force to keep the Winnebagoes from return ing to the east side of the Mississippi to the country north of the Wisconsin river. At a talk recently held at Mineral Point with some of the Portage chiefs, they expressed a great desire to be permitted not to leave the Mississippi, for fear as they stated of an attack from their enemies, the Sacs and Foxes. I have no doubt many of the Portage Indians will return to their old haunts north of the Wisconsin, and will have to be removed again next spring. There is one company of United States dragroons stationed at Fort Crawford for the purpose of collecting and forming an escort for the removal of the Winnebagoes west. I have no doubt that every thing that can be done, will, be done by Gen. Brooke, commanding officer at Fort Crawford, with the disposable force under his command, to keep the Winnebagoes within the limits of their country west of the Missis sippi, and to restrain them from committing depredations on the property of the border settlers..

I submit for the information of the Legislative Assembly, the satisfactory reports of the Adjutant General, showing the present state of the organization of the militia of the Territory, as well as the suggestions made in the report as to the changes in the present laws for the government of the militia, which I recommend to your favorable consideration.

In conclusion, fellow.citizens, I trust a spirit of harmony will govern your intercourse in your legislative duties, and that nothing will arise to prevent that union of feeling and concert of ac tion so necessary to advance the happiness and prosperity of the people of Wisconsin; and I supplicate the Supreme Ruler of the Universe so to direct your deliberations that they may conduce to these desirable results.

The adddress having been delivered, the Council resumed its session; when

On motion of Mr. Janes,

Ordered, That five hundred copies of the address and accom panying documents be printed for the use of the Council. On motion of Mr. Arndt, the Council adjourned until two o'clock, P. M.

Two O'clock, P. M.

On motion of Mr. Sterling,

Resolved, That W. W. Wyman, Editor of the Madison Express, be employed to do the incidental printing of the Council. On motion of Mr. Janes,

Ordered, That the Council do now proceed to a third ballot for President.

Messrs. Brigham and Learned were appointed tellers.

And the votes being taken and counted by the tellers appointed for that purpose, it appeared that Mr. Maxwell had received seven votes, Mr. Rountree three votes, and Mr. Learned two votes.

Mr. Maxwell, having received a majority of all the votes given, was declared to be duly elected.

Messrs. Arndt and Bullen were appointed to conduct the President elect to the Chair; from whence he returned his ac. knowledgments to the Council as follows:

Gentlemen of the Council :-In the selection you have made of a presiding officer for the present session, you have conferred upon me an honor, for which I return you my most grateful acknowledgements.

It is an unexpected honor, and one I could not think of ac. cepting, but for the assurance I feel that I shall have your uni. ted assistance in the discharge of the duties incumbent on me; duties, to me at once new and arduous, and which I can scarcely hope to discharge without committing many, and, I fear, very many errors, for which I must claim your kind indulgence.

In the discharge of the duties, Gentlemen, for which you are convened, I trust that harmony and the most kindly feeling will prevail, and that, in all your deliberations, you will be guided by that liberality and disinterested policy which gives tone and character abroad, and which, at home, can alone crown legis. lative labors with honorable success. Much of the future wel. fare of this Territory may depend on the wisdom by which your deliberations are directed. The prompt and efficient dis. charge of your duties, and the faithful execution of the trust confided to your care, is a labor fraught with much responsi bility, and will, I have no doubt, elicit your best energies.

Permit me, Gentlemen, to suggest that, in all your intercourse with our worthy Exective, as well as the other branch of the Legislature, you cultivate the most amicable relations } and if there should be any difference, let it be an honest difference of opinion, in the adjustment of which you will extend to. ward them your usual courtesy and liberality.

Finally; Gentlemen, I accept the proffered honor; and, if rectitude of intention and the most untiring industry to serve you, faithfully and impartially, constitute merit, I shall not wholly disappoint the confidence you have so generously re posed in me.

On motion of Mr. Bullen, the Council adjourned.

Wednesday, December 9, 1840.

Mr. Martin, from the county of Brown appeared and took his seat.

Mr. Bullen presented the petition of the inhabitants of Racine county for a change in the present manner of the county gov.

ernment.

Mr. Arndt presented the remonstrance of citizens of the county of Brown against the organization of the county of Winnebago.

The petition and remonstrance were read and laid on the table.

Mr. Janes gave notice that he would at some future day ask leave to introduce bills, as follows:

A Bill relating to Sheriffs;

A bill changing the boundary lines of certain counties ; A bill supplemental to the act concerning testimony and depositions; and

A bill concerning wages."

Mr. Collins gave notice that he would at some future day ask leave to introduce a bill designating the number of officers of the Legislative Assembly, and fixing their compensations.

Mr. Arndt gave notice that he would at some future day ask leave to introduce a bill to amend an act for asssessing and collecting county revnue.

Mr. Upham gave notice that he would at some future day ask leave to introduce a bill for the relief of the settlers on the canal lands in the counties of Milwaukee and Jefferson.

On motion of Mr. Arndt,

Resolved, That the Standing Rules of the Council be referred