Page:Journal of the Sixth Legislative Council of the Territory of Michigan.djvu/149

5.] 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 adopting 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 procedure which may render it obnoxious to the charge of indecorum.

I have the honor to be Sir, with perfect respect, your obe't serv't.

(Signed) WILLIAM WOODBRIDGE, Sec'y. and at present acting Governor of Michigan.

To the Honorable, Esq. Secretary of State.

While an effort is making or contemplated to sever from us that part of our north-western frontier, which commands the communication between the three upper lakes, the states which adjoin us on our southern boundary, have preferred claims to portions of the Territory, which, if finally established, will still farther reduce our extent and future importance. Indiana asserts and exercises jurisdiction over a tract of country, ten miles north of our southern boundary, as defined in that irrepealable law, which gave and guarantees to us our political existence, and extending from Lake Michigan east along the whole northern frontier of that state. That this claim will eventually be contested on the part of this Territory, or of the state, which must soon be established here, there is no doubt. And as we have every confidence in the justice of our cause, we may reasonably look forward to a favorable decision. As however the rights of the parties rest upon conflicting acts of Congress, and as Indiana has possession of the tract in question, a prudent regard to circumstances will probably dictate a postponement of the subject, until we shall be admitted to a participation in the councils of the tribunal, by which it must be determined.

But the claim of Ohio to that part of this territory, lying between a line drawn due east from the southerly bend of Lake Michigan, and a line drawn from the same point to the north cape of the