Page:History of Iowa From the Earliest Times to the Beginning of the Twentieth Century Volume 1.djvu/268



time as they shall be permitted to provide protection for themselves; as well as from the uniform practice and policy of the government in relation to other Territories.

“The Territory of Indiana, including the present States of Indiana, Illinois and Michigan, and also much of the eastern portion of the Territory of Wisconsin, was placed under one separate territorial government in the year 1800, at a time when the population amounted to only five thousand six hundred and forty, or thereabouts. The territory of Arkansas was erected into a distinct Territory in 1820 with a population of about fourteen thousand. The Territory of Illinois was established in 1809, being formed by dividing the Indiana Territory. The exact population of Illinois Territory at the time of her separation from Indiana is not known to your memorialists, but her population in 1812 amounted to but eleven thousand five hundred whites, and a few blacks, in all less than twelve thousand inhabitants. The Territory of Michigan was formed in 1805 by again dividing the Indiana Territory, of which until then she composed a part. The population of Michigan in 1810, five years after her organization, was only four thousand seven hundred and sixty; and in 1820, fifteen years after the Territory was established, it was only about nine thousand. Michigan thus existed as a separate Territory for fifteen years with a population less than half as great as that of western Wisconsin now. Each of the above named Territories, now grown into populous and prosperous States, were organized into separate Territories with much less population than that of western Wisconsin, at a time too when the nation was burdened with a debt of many millions.

“Your memorialists therefore pray for the organization of a separate territorial government over that part of Wisconsin Territory lying west of the Mississippi River.”

This was the first organized effort of the citizens of what was then called western Wisconsin to secure the establishment of a separate government and territory. The memorial was sent to General George W. Jones, the delegate in Congress from Wisconsin, who at once began to work for the establishment of Iowa Territory, although he lived on the east side of the Mississippi River and would remain a citizen of Wisconsin.

The assembling of the Wisconsin Legislature at Burlington at this time, was the first meeting of a legislative body within the limits of the future State of Iowa. As the members of the Council were elected for four years, and of the House for two years, this was the second session