tribe or tribes occupying any portion of the the country now lying within the limits of Wis consin. until the 4th of July, 1800, were, therefore, residents of Wayne county, Northwest territory. But the western portion of the present State of Wisconsin, including all its area watered by streams flowing northward into Lake Superior, and westward and southwestward into the Mississippi, was during those years attached to no county whatever. Within this part of the State was located, of course, the settlement of Prairie du Chien. WISCONSIN AS A PART OF THE TERRITORY OF INDIANA. When, in 1796, Great Britain yielded possession of the north west by withdrawing its garrisons from the military posts therein, in pursuance of the Jay treaty of 1794, and the United States took formal possession thereof, the change in the political relations of the few settlers of Green Bay and Prairie du Chien was not felt by them. They had become the adopted citizens of the United States without any realization further than a bare knowledge of the fact. British authority had been so little exercised in their domestic affairs, that its with-west of the Ohio river, lying to the westward drawal was unnoticed, while that of the United States only reached them in name. Nearly all who were engaged in the fur trade were agents or employes of the British fur companies, and their relation to these remained unbroken. intercourse for several years sprung up with the Americans. No After the fourth day of July, 1800, all that portion of the territory of the United States north of a line beginning upon that stream opposite the mouth of the Kentucky river and running thence to what is now Fort Recovery, in Mercer Co., Ohio, thence north until it intersected the territorial line between the United States and Canada, was for the purposes of temporary government, constituted a separate territory, Under the ordinance of 1787, Arthur St. Clair called Indiana. Within its boundaries were was appointed governor of the northwestern included not only nearly all of what is now the territory. At different periods counties were State of Indiana, but the whole of the present erected to include various portions of that State of Illinois, more than half of what is region of country. By the governor's procla- now Michigan, a considerable portion of the mation of the 15th of August, 1796, one was present State of Minnesota,and the whole of Wisformed to include the whole of the present consin. The seat of government was estab area of northern Ohio, west of a point where lished at "Saint Vincennes on the Wabash.” the city of Cleveland is now located; also all of now the city of Vincennes, Ind. Upon the formthe present State of Indiana, north of a line ation of a State government for the State of drawn from Fort Wayne, "west-northerly to Ohio, in 1802, all the country west of that State, the southern part of Lake Michigan," the whole but east of the eastern boundary of the territory of what is now the State of Michigan, except of Indiana, was added to the latter; so that the extreme northwest corner on Lake Superior; then the area northwest of the Ohio river ina small corner in the northeast part of the pres- cluded but one State and one territory. Afterent State of Illinois, including Chicago; and so ward, civil jurisdiction was exercised by the much of what is now Wisconsin as is watered authorities of Indiana territory over the Green by the streams flowing into Lake Michigan, bay settlement, in a faint way, by the appointwhich included an extensive portion of its area, ment, by Gov. William Henry Harrison, of taking in the territory now constituting many Charles Reanme as the justice of the peace of its eastern and interior counties. To this therein. Prairie du Chien was also recognized county was given the name of Wayne. The by the new territorial government by the citizens at the head of Green bay, from 1796, appointment of two persons to a like office Henry M. Fisher and a trader by the name of English, although not engaged in active hostiliCampbell. As American emigration was now rapidly dotting the wilderness to the westward of the State of Ohio with settlements, a treaty with some of the Indian tribes who claimed lands in that region extending northward into what is now Wisconsin, was a necessity, for as yet, none of these Nations had met any authorities of the United States in council. At the close of the contest between France and Great Britain so disastrous in North America to the former, the Sacs and Foxes readily gave in their adhesion to the latter, asking that English traders might be sent them. The two Nations, then about equally divided, numbered about 700 warriors. Neither of the tribes took part in Pontiac's war, but they befriended the English. The Sacs had, by that date emigrated some distance to the westward, while the Foxes, at least a portion of them, still remained upon the waters of the river of Green bay, which perpetuates their name. A few years later, however, and the Sacs were occupants of the upper Wisconsin also to a considerable extent below the portage between that stream and Fox river, where their chief town was located. Further down the Wisconsin was the upper village of the Foxes, while their lower town was situated not far from its mouth, near the site of the present city of Prairie du Chien. Not long after Wisconsin had been taken possession of by the British, its northern portion, including all that part watered by the streams flowing north into Lake Superior, was the home of the Chippewas. The country around nearly the whole of Green bay, was the hun ing grounds of the Menomonees. The territory of Winnebago lake and Fox river was the seat of the Winnebagoes, while, as just stated, the Sacs and Foxes had the region of the Wisconsin river as their dwelling place. During the war of the Revolution, these two tribes continued the firm friends of the ties against the Americans. When finally England delivered up to the United States the possession of the northwest, the Sacs and Foxes had only a small portion of their territory in Wisconsin, and that in the extreme southwest. Their principal possession extended a considerable distance to the south of the mouth of the Wisconsin, upon both sides of the Mississppi river. On the 3d of November, 1804, a treaty was held at St. Louis between the Sacs and Foxes and the United States. These tribes then ceded to the general government, a lage tract of land on both sides of the Mississippi, extending on the east from the mouth of the Illinois to the head of that river, thence to the Wisconsin. This grant embraces, in what is now Wisconsin, the whole of the present counties of Grant and La Fayette, and a large portion of those of Iowa and Green. It included the lead region. These tribes also claimed territory on the upper side of the Wisconsin, but they only granted away a tract two miles square above that stream, near its mouth, with the right of the United States. to build a fort adjacent thereto. In consideration of the cession of these lands, the general government agreed to protect the two tribes in the quiet enjoyment of the residue of their possessions against its own citizens and all others who should intrude on them; carrying out the stipulations to that effect embodied in the Greenville treaty, of 1795. Thus begun the quieting of the Indian title to the eminent domain of Wisconsin by the United States, which was carried forward until the whole territory (except certain reservations to a few tribes) had been fairly purchased of the original proprie tors. So much of Indiana territory as lay to the north of a line drawn east from the southern bend of Lake Michigan to Lake Erie, and east of a line drawn from the same bend through the middle of the first mentioned lake to its northern extremity, thence due north to the northern boundary of the United States, was, for the purposes of temporary government, on the 30th of June, 1805, constituted a separate and distinct territory, called Michigan. This new territory did not include within its boundaries any part of Wisconsin as at present defined. WISCONSIN AS A PART OF ILLINOIS TERRITORY. On the 3d of February, 1809, an act of Congress, entitled an act for dividing the Indiana. territory into two separate governments, was approved by the President and became a law. It provided that from and after the 1st day of March thereafter, all that part of the Indiana territory lying west of the Wabash river and a direct line drawn from that stream and "Post Vincennes" due north to the territorial line between the United States and Canada, should, for the purpose of temporary government, constitute a separate territory and be called Illinois, with the seat of government at Kaskaskia, on the Mississippi river, until it should be otherwise ordered. By this law, all of what is now Wisconsin was transferred from Indiana territory to that of Illinois, except that portion lying east of the meridian line drawn through Vincennes. This fraction included nearly the whole area between Green bay and Lake Michigan and remained a part of the territory of Indiana. When, in 1816, Indiana became a State, this narrow strip, as it was neither a portion of Michigan territory on the east or Illinois territory on the west, remained without any organization until 1818. In that year it became a part of Michigan territory. In 1809, an effort was made by John Jacob Astor, of New York city, to extend the American fur-trade by way of the lakes to Wisconsin and parts beyond; but the monopoly of the British fur companies was too strong. He could only effect his object by uniting with the northwest company of Montreal, in 1811, to form out of the American and Mackinaw companies, a new one, to be known as the Southwest company, of which Astor owned a half intererest, with the arrangement that, after five years, it was to pass into his hands altogether, being restricted in its operations to the territories of the United States. This company was suspended by the war with Great Britain, which immediately followed. At the close of hostilities, British traders were prohibited by law from pursuing their calling within the jurisdiction of the United States. The result was the southwest company closed up its affairs, and the American fur company re-appeared under the exclusive control of Astor, who established his western headquarters at Mackinaw, operating extensively in what is now Wisconsin, especially at La Pointe, upon Lake Superior, where large warehouses were erected; a stockade built, lands cleared, farms opened, dwellings and stores put up. But English traders evaded the law by sending their goods into the United States in the name of American clerks in their employ. These goods being of superior quality to those furnished by Astor, they continued to command the Indian trade to a large extent. It was only when the American prince of fur-traders was enabled to import goods to New York of equal quality and send them by way of the lakes, that he could successfully compete with his rivals and in the end drive them from the field. At the commencement of the war with Great Britain the few settlers at Green Bay and Prairie du Chien depended largely upon the fur trade for their living, monopolized, as we have seen, at that period, by British traders. At the beginning of hostilities this dependency was promptly secured to the latter by the capture, from the Americans, of the post at Mackinaw. Naturally enough most of the people of Wisconsin, limited in number as they were, adhered to the English during the continuance of hostilities. As to the Indian tribes, within what are now the limits of the State, it may be said that, in a measure, they, too, all arrayed themselves on the side of Great Britain. The Menomonees aud Winnebagoes took part in the capture of Mackinaw, and subsequently in other enterprises against the Americans. Indeed, all the tribes in the northwest were firmly attached to the English by reciprocal interest in the fur trade, from which they derived their supplies. Great Britain had never ceased since the Revolution to foster their friendship by the liberal distribution annually of presents; hence, they were ready when the War of 1812-15 was inaugurated to take up the hatchet against the Americans. Just before hostilities began, the English traders were especially active in exciting the Indians against the Americans, more especially against American traders. Robert Dickson, a resident of Prairie du Chien, an Englishman by birth, was among the foremost in stirring up the animosity of the savages. Soon after the declaration of war he collected a body of Indians at Green Bay for the purpose of rendering assistance to the British forces in their operations on the lakes and in the northwest; they were principally Pottawattamies, Kickapoos, Ottawas, Winnebagoes and Sacs, the last mentioned being Black Hawk's band. This chief was made commander-in-chief of the savages there assembled, by Dickinson, and sent to join the British army under Proctor. sent down the river. This was the only battle fought upon Wisconsin soil during the last war with England. The post at Prairie du Chien was left in command of a captain with two companies from Mackinaw. He remained there until after the peace of 1815, when the place was evacuated by the British. On the 3d of August, 1814, an expedition of about 300 men. under command of Maj. Zachary Taylor, left St. Louis in boats for the upper Mississippi. When they arrived at Rock Island they found the British there, apparently in force, with a battery on shore commanding the river. A severe fight took place, but after sustaining a loss of several killed and wounded the Americans returned to St. Louis. The British afterwards left Rock Island, and upon the signing of the treaty of peace by the envoys of the two governments, and the ratification of the same, the whole northwest, including Fort McKay at Prairie du Chien, was evacuated by British forces. When it was made known to the Indian tribes of the west some of them upon the Mississippi were willing and eager to make treaties. with the United States. A lucrative trade sprung up between the merchants of St. Louis The English early succeeded in securing the and the traders and Indians up that river. Wisconsin Indian tribes as their allies in this Goods were periodically sent up the river to war; and having taken Mackinaw in July, 1812, traders, who in turn transmitted in payment, by they were, virtually, put in possession of what the same boats, furs and lead. But, generally, is now the eastern portion of the State. Early the savages hovered sullenly around the now in 1814, the government authorities of the rapidly increasing settlements in the territories United States caused to be fitted out at St. of Michigan and Illinois, and the general gov Louis a large boat, having on board all the men ernment began to consider in earnest how the that could be mustered and spared from the influence of British intercourse might be lower country, and sent up the Mississippi to checked, for the savages were still encouraged protect the upper region and the few settlers by English traders in their unfriendly dispositherein. The troops landed at Prairie du Chien, tion and supplied with arms by them. Accordand immediately proceeded to fortify. Not ingly, in the winter after the close of the war, long after, Col. McKay, of the British army, Congress prohibited foreign trade in the tercrossing the country by course of the Fox and ritory of the United States; and, in the summer Wisconsin rivers, with over 500 British and In- following, steps were taken to make this policy dians, received the surrender of the whole effectual, by establishing a chain of military orce. The officers and men were paroled and posts near the Canadian frontier and upon the principal lines of communication thence into the interior. These posts were to be occupied by Indian agents, with factories, or government stores, designed to supply the place of the prohibited traffic. On the 21st of June, 1816, United States troops took possession of the fort at Prairie du Chien. During the next month three schooners entered Fox river of Green bay, under the American flag, displaying to the astonished inhabitants of the small settlement upon that stream near its mouth, their decks covered with government troops. They were under command of Col. John Miller, of the Third United States Infantry, whose purpose was the establishment of a garrison near the head of the bay. The rendezvous of the troops was upon the east side some distance up the river, and was called "Camp Smith." At the end of two months the garrison was established in barracks enclosed with a stockade. Camp Smith was occupied until 1820, when a more substantial structure was erected on the west side of the stream near its mouth, and named Fort Howard. them and the citizens. The abuses were only such as were unavoidable, in the absence of any lawful restraint on the one hand, or means of redress on the other." This state of affairs did not long continue, as initiatory steps were not long after taken to extend over the community both here and at Prairie du Chien the protection of civil government. The Indians of Wisconsin, upon the arrival of United States troops at Prairie du Chien and Green bay, gave evident signs of a disposition to remain friendly, although some thought the advent of soldiers an intrusion. An Indian agency under John Boyer and a United States factory, well supplied with goods, with Major Matthew Irwin at its head, were soon established at the bay; a factory at Prairie du Chien, under charge of John W. Johnson, was also started. The Menemonee and Winnebago tribes, the former upon Green bay, the latter upon the Fox and Wisconsin rivers, were now brought into nearer relations with the United States. WISCONSIN AS A PART OF MICHIGAN TERRITORY. Upon the admission of Illinois into the The settlement at Green Bay was made up at Union, in 1818, all "the territory of the United the close of the war, of about forty or fifty States, north west of the River Ohio," lying west French Canadians. The inhabitants (as at of Michigan territory and north of the States of Prairie du Chien) were now for a time the Indiana and Illinois, was attached to and made subjects of military rule. "They received the a part of Michigan territory; by which act the advent of the troops in a hospitable spirit, and whole of the present State of Wisconsin came acquiesced in the authority asserted over them, under the jurisdiction of the latter. At the with little evidence of discontent, maintaining close of the last war with Great Britian, Wisa character for docility and freedom from tur- consin began in earnest to be occupied by bulence of disposition remarkably in contrast Americans. But the latter were still few in with their surroundings. Military authority number when the country west of Lake Michiwas, in the main, exerted for the preservation gan was attached to Michigan territory. Now, of order." There was no ciyil authority worth however, that the laws of the United States were speaking of. It was at a period when important in reality extended over them, they began to changes were taking place. That sometimes feel as though they were not altogether beyond military authority, under such circumstances, the protection of a government of their own, should have been exercised in an arbitrary notwithstanding they were surrounded by manner, is not at all a matter of surprise. "The Indian tribes. On the 26th of Cctober, 1818, conduct of the soldiery was also sometimes the governor of the territory erected by procla troublesome and offensive; as a rule, how-mation three counties lying in whole or in part ever, harmonious relations existed between in what is now Wisconsin-Brown, Crawford |