Page:History of Iowa From the Earliest Times to the Beginning of the Twentieth Century Volume 1.djvu/330



of the Constitution and urged the speedy admission of Iowa as a State, calling attention to its great increase of population until settlements now extended nearly to the Missouri River. He urged the Legislature to ask Congress for a grant of public lands for the improvement of the navigation of the Des Moines River.

Among the acts of the Legislature was one conferring upon married women the right of ownership and control of real estate, and providing that they should not be liable for the debts of their husbands. An act was passed authorizing the levy of a tax for the support of public schools. The Legislature provided for another constitutional convention, consisting of thirty-two members, to be chosen at the April election to meet at Iowa City the first Monday in May, 1846, to frame a constitution. This constitution, when framed, to be submitted to a vote of the people for adoption. The name of Kishkekosh County was changed to Monroe, in honor of the fifth President.

In 1841 J. B. Newhall, of Massachusetts, visited the Territory of Iowa, traveling extensively over the prairies, along the rivers and among the new towns. He wrote a series of articles for an eastern journal under the title, “Sketches of Iowa.” He also lectured in the eastern States and England upon the natural advantages and resources of “Western America.” Through these lectures and his sketches, published in book form, the public received much valuable information in relation to Iowa and the Mississippi Valley. He visited the far West as early as 1836, finally made Iowa his home and in 1845 became the Secretary of Governor James Clarke.

In 1846 he wrote and published a book called, “Glimpse of Iowa,” which gives much valuable information relating to the new State in the first year of her statehood. Mr. Newhall writes that

“In the year 1836-7 the great thoroughfares leading through Indiana and Illinois were literally lined with the long blue wagons of the emigrants bound for the ‘Black Hawk Purchase.’ Following the wagons were cattle,