to avoid every measure which would lead to a breach of the peace, but at the same time, in no instance to admit, directly or indirectly, the validity of the claims of Ohio, now for the first time attempted to be enforced. I have prepared what I consider a just view of the question, for transmission to Gov. Brown, and requested his official interposition; further than that I do not know that I ara justified in proceeding, but rather at this point to submit the matter to the General Government, where alone plenary power rests. The power of this local government I consider altogether derivative, and that entire sovereignty rests only in the General Government, whose agent the local authorities in this regard are. There are topics connected with this subject, which I did not think it proper to advert to in my communication to Gov. Brown, intending in that communication to confine myself to the mere right of the question. They are topics, I mean, of expediency and national policy. Under the patronage and paternal care of the General Government, Ohio has grown rapidly from the condition of helpless infancy. She has suddenly swollen to the dimensions of a giant; already she reckons among her children, more than half a million-her collossal stature overshadows the whole west; yet nearly half her territory remains a wilderness. Is it politic, in a national point of view, then-is it expedient, to increase that disparity which already exists between her and the neighboring States? Would this be right under any circumstances, but more especially at the expense of this remote, isolated, feeble and frontier Territory? If it be desirable that any State rather than another should have the control of powerful and extensive resources, moral and physical, is it not peculiarly so in regard to a State such as this must be; remote from the strength of this nation, cut off from it by an almost impassable morass, and exposed as it certainly is to the rapidly increasing political power of the country opposite to us, the most fertile and most beautiful part of Upper Canada, and to the countless hordes of savages in the North-West? Great as may be considered the commercial and natural advantages of this Territory, the number of emigrants is perhaps comparatively small, who may find in latitudes so high, inducements to settle among The limits of the future State of Michigan ought not probably to comprehend any country much beyond the us. limits of the Peninsula of Michigan itself; an acre of country to the south and within those limits, is of more value to us than miles to the north and beyond them. A considerable part of the country claimed by Ohio, is the finest we have; to be deprived of it, would materially affect the period of our admission into the Union, of our participation in the blessings of self-government. Besides, the topography of the country would shew, that such a dismemberment would violate manifest political propriety. The Black Swamp forms the natural and proper barrier of Ohio; to the north-west of it, she can have but little to interest her, whereas to this Territory the Miami Bay furnishes her only harbor on Lake Erie. The commercial connexions of the people inhabiting its southern shores, the only shores which by reason of the Black Swamp are for the present habitable, are and must be with this Territory; their true interests require also that their political connexions should be here. I hope it may not be considered superfluous in me, to submit to you, Sir, these extrinsic and collateral observations. Should the General Government feel itself authorized to alter the established boundaries of this Territory, in that direction, they may be worthy of consideration. But it is in truth to the General Government that the people of this Territory look for protection and support in the exigency; and it is for that reason, Sir, that I felt it my duty to submit to the President, through you, this matter. The ordinance of 1787 requires that communications from the Governors of the Territories shall be made to the President of Congress; the laws which were passed for the purpose of adapting the principles of the Territorial Governments to the altered state of things, induced by the adoption of the present United States' Constitution, requires such communications to be made to the President. The office of the Secretary of State, I have supposed the proper channel through which such communications should be made; and I hope that nothing will be found in the matter or manner of this proceedure which may render it obnoxious to the charge of indecorum. I have the honor to be, Sir, with perfect respect, your obedient servant, (Signed) WILLIAM WOODBRIDGE, Sec'ry, and at present Acting Governor of Michigan. To the Honorable JOHN QUINCY ADAMS, Esquire. Secretary of State. EXTRACT from a letter from His Excellency Gov. Ethan A. Brown, of Ohio, to the Hon. William Woodbridge, Secretary of Michigan Territory, dated Columbus, Sept. 20th, 1820. "The preamble to the resolution last winter passed by our Legislature, explains the ground, on which the General Assembly of Ohio thought proper at that time to place their right to the jurisdiction, to which this State has believed herself entitled ever since her admission into the Federal Union; a jurisdiction which the Government of Michigan have thought it their duty and interest to dispute. It is needless to recite it, as it will probably be fresh in your recollection: you will perceive the relation between that document and these observations, without further direct reference to it. "In deciding upon the final acceptance and ratification of the terms of the constitution, Congress did not reject the explanatory stipulation; the constitution in its present form was adopted by that body, and, on behalf of Ohio, it is contended they assented that the jurisdiction of this State should extend over the territory in question." REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS FOR THE COUNTY OF JACKSON. TO HIS EXCELLENCY LEWIS CASS, GOVERNOR OF MICHIGAN. We the undersigned, Commissioners appointed by your Excellency, in pursuance of an act of the Legislative Council for establishing seats of justice, to locate the seat of justice in and for the County of Jackson, beg leave to report; That after having severally taken the oath prescribed by said act, and within thirty days after being notified of said appointment, we proceeded to discharge the trust reposed in us. And to perform this duty faithfully, we visited seve ral sections of said County, more especially some miles around the geographical centre, with a view to the future advantages resulting from a just location of said site. In making our report of this examination, we cannot refrain from expressing our views with reference to the growing prospects of our Territory. The Territorial road from the City of Detroit to the mouth of the St. Joseph, passes through this and several other Counties, and promises to become the grand thoroughfare across the peninsula. Although very little labor has been bestowed upon it, it is already crowded with enterprising emigrants, destined to this county, and to the rich prairies in the valley of the Kalamazoo. It is remarkably picturesque, from a steep declivity to an inclined and perfect plain, with alternate groves of heavy timber. It abounds with extensive meadows, lakes, and numerous small streams. It is admirably calculated for the raising of stock, (the most important article in the productions of an interior county,) and contains a sufficient quantity of rolling lands and fertile plains for all agricultural purposes. The Grand river, the largest stream in the Territory, runs from south to north, through the centre. The Portage stream on the northeast, the Sand Stone creek on the west, the north branch of the Raisin on the south part of said County, are permanent mill streams, whereby machinery of every kind may be moved with facility in various neighborhoods of said County. These natural advantages will hold out so many inducements to emigrants, that it will undoubtedly become celebrated for agricultural and manufacturing purposes. Messrs. Bennett, Blackman, and others have laid out a village on the westerly bank of Grand river, and a number of houses have been erected in it. Mr. Bennett, one of the proprietors, has erected a mill, where an abundance of water may be used for valuable hydraulic purposes. The proprietors have appropriated a piece of land in the centre of the village, 24 by 22 rods, for a public square. On this, sixty chains east and one chain south of the geographical centre, we have fixed the site of the Court House, which is by an act of the Legislative Council, now designated by the name of Jacksonopolis. The proprietors have agreed to put on record, as the law directs, a map or plat of said village duly acknowledged; having first set forth, on said map or plat, a piece of ground, 16 by 12 rods, as a square for the use of schools; and four other pieces of land, each eight rods square, for the use of that number of religious denominations, to be marked thereon, for houses of public worship. The reasons which induce us to select this point, are briefly these 1. It is near the geographical centre of the County: 2. The great territorial road furnishes a convenient communication to and from it: 3. It possesses superior water privileges, and an extensive ledge of free sand stone, which may be raised and adjusted, with very little labor, for valuable building materials: 4. The first settlement in this village was made by persons, who have done much to advance its interests. We therefore recommend to your Excellency, to establish permanently the county site in said village of Jacksonopolis. HENRY RUMSEY, CHAUNCEY S. GOODRICH, Commissioners. Ann Arbor, 11th Sept. 1830. GENTLEMEN, Detroit, October 16, 1830. I have received your report, recommending a site for the permanent seat of justice of Jackson county, and fully coincide with you in the views and opinions you have so justly expressed. I have no doubt of the propriety of confirming your proceedings, but before I do this, it will be necessary that the proprietors of the village of Jacksonopolis carry into effect the arrangements suggested by you, respecting the squares and other pieces of ground, reserved for public purposes. I will thank you therefore to inform them, that before I can issue the proclamation required by law, they must transmit me a certificate from the Register of Probate of Washtenaw, that the townplat has been recorded, and that it contains all the squares and other spaces of ground reserved for public purposes, which are specified in your report. I am &c. HENRY RUMSEY, CHAUNCEY S. GOODRICH, Esqrs. JOHN ALLEN. LEW. CASS. The message was read, and together with the accompanying papers, was laid on the table. On motion of Mr. M'Donell, Ordered, That 600 copies of the message be printed in English, and 200 copies in the French language, for the use of the Council. On motion of Mr. Lawrence, 1 |
