unsettled the prices of every species of personal property, seized upon the unsold public domain, which was transferred by millions of acres from the control of the government and the occupation of the settler, to the dominion of the speculator, although on the wane in the last month of that year, was still omnipotent, and 'exerted a marked influence upon many of the members of the Belmont legislature.

Nearly four weeks were spent in skirmishing outside the legis 'lative halls, when, on the 21st of November, the battle was formally opened in the council, and the bill considered in committee of the whole until the 23d, when it was reported back in the form in which it became a law, fixing on Madison as the seat of government, and providing that the sessions of the legislative assembly should be held at Burlington, in Des Moines county, until March 4, 1839, unless the public buildings at Madison should be sooner completed.

Gen. Henry Dodge was the first governor of the territory of Wisconsin. He was succeeded by James Duane Doty, who was succeeded by Gov. N. P. Tallmadge. Henry Dodge was reappointed governor to succeed the latter in 1845. The progress of the territory under these several administrations was rapid, and in 1846, Hon. Morgan L. Martin, delegate to congress in the house of representatives, gave notice for leave to introduce a bill to enable the people of Wisconsin to form a constitution and state government, and for the admission of such state into the Union. On the 13th, he introduced such a bill; which was read twice, and referred to the committee on territories. After amendments a bill was agreed upon in both houses. In the same year the governor of Wisconsin issued his proclamation for the election of a hundred and twenty-five members to a convention to form a state constitution. The estimate of population assumed by the legislative assembly for fixing a basis was a hundred and seventeen thousand; but the excess exhibited by the census over this estimate resulted in a more numerous body than had been anticipated. The convention met at Madison on the fifth day of October, 1846. D. A. J. Upham was elected president, and Lafayette Kellogg secretary ; and after forming a constitution, and adopting it, they adjourned on the 16th of December. This constitution was submitted to

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popular vote on the first Tuesday of April, 1847, and was rejected, - ayes 14,119, noes 20,233. The second constitutional convention met at the capitol on the 15th of December, 1847, and was organized by the election of Morgan L. Martin as president, and Thomas McHugh secretary, and continued in session until the first day of February. The result of its labors was the constitution submitted to the people on the second Monday of March ensuing (1848), which, having been duly ratified, constitutes the present fundamental law of the state; the vote being 16,667 for its adop tion, and 6,252 against it. With this constitution Wisconsin was admitted into the Union on the 29th of May, 1818.

In closing this account of the territorial history of Wisconsin, it may be proper to say, that Wisconsin has successively been under the government of Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Michigan. The territory once belonged to Virginia; or, at least, she has now the full credit of having ceded it, together with all the territory northwest of the Ohio river, to the United States. Up to the year 1800, Wisconsin was under the authority of the territorial government established in Ohio. In that year she was attached to Indiana territory, and remained so until 1809, when the Illinois territory was organized, extending north to lake Superior, and, of course, including Wisconsin. When Illinois took her place in the Union, in 1818, our territory was finally attached to Michigan, and remained so until the organization of the territorial government of 1836.

It will thus be seen, that, within the space of one hundred and sixty-six years, Wisconsin has been successively ruled by two kings, one state, and four territories, and is now in a condition to govern herself, and all brought about without any great internal exciting events to produce these revolutions. The people have submitted to each change without a struggle or a murmur. To summarize: Wisconsin has been under the government of France from 1670 to 1759, eighty-nine years; of Great Britain, 1759 to 1794, thirty-five years; of Virginia and Ohio, from 1794 to 1800, six years; of Indiana, from 1800 to 1809, nine years; of Illinois, 1809 to 1818, nine years; of Michigan, 1818 to 1836, eighteen years: total, one hundred and sixty-six years.

CHAPTER XXIII.

THE BLACK HAWK WAR.

Sketch of Black Hawk and Keokuk - Causes that Led to the War - History of the Contest - The Bravery of Black Hawk - His Fall, Arrest and Imprisonment - Incidents of the Liberation.

BEFORE passing on to note the principal events in the history of Iowa territory, let us pause to glance at an account of the Black Hawk war. This war is connected with the history of Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin alike, and may properly be considered separately at this point. Black Hawk, the Sac chieftain, was born at the principal Sac village on the Rock river, in the year 1767. As with many other distinguished warriors, he was not a chief's son, but rose to that station through his own ability. At the early age of fifteen he distinguished himself by killing an enemy, and was at once permitted to paint himself after the custom of the Sac braves. At a later day he was also permitted to wear feathers according to the ancient customs of his tribe.

As early as 1783, he united in an expedition against the Osages, and had the high fortune to kill several of the enemy. For this brave act he was now permitted, for the first time, to join in the scalp dance. Subsequently he became the leader of a small band of his own tribe, and again performed acts of great valor. His band was soon increased, and presently he found himself at the head of more than a hundred braves. With this band he marched to an Osage village on the Missouri, but finding it deserted, most of his followers became discouraged and returned home. Black Hawk, however, with only half a dozen followers, pursned the enemy, and after several day's march, succeeded in overtaking a small party and killing one man and a boy. Securing their scalps, he returned home, being greeted with additional respect.

In 1786 he was again marching at the head of two hundred