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dependence of the United States was acknowledged by that county in 1783, when it was claimed by Virginia, as a part of the Illinois country conquered by Col. George Rogers Clark. It however remained in the possession of Great Britain until 1796, when it was surrendered in accordance with Jay's treaty, ratified the previous year. On the first day of March, 1784, it was ceded by Virginia to the United States. By the celebrated ordinance passed the 13th of July, 1787, a government was provided for the Territory northwest of the Ohio river, which territory was divided into two separate governments, the western called Indiana, by an act passed May 7th, 1800. An act dividing the Indiana Territory and organizing Illinois, was passed and approved February 3d, 1809. By the act of Congress to enable the people of Illinois to form a State government, approved April 18th, 1818, all that portion of said territory north of the parallel of latitude 42° 30' west of the middle of Lake Michigan, was attached to the Territory of Michigan, which had been set off from Indiana in 1805.

In 1835, Michigan having assumed a State government, John S. Horner, Secretary and Acting Governor, convened a session of the legislature, at Green Bay, from the remainder of said Territory. No business was transacted, except the passage of several Memorials to Congress, among which was one asking for the organization of the Territory of Wisconsin, with the seat of government at Cassville, on the Mississippi.

An act establishing the Territorial government of Wisconsin, was passed and approved April 20th, 1836, and the Territory fully organized July 4th, 1836.

On the 12th day of June 1838, an act was passed dividing the Territory of Wisconsin, and establishing that portion on the west side of the Mississippi (which had been attached to Michigan in 1834,) into a separate government,, under the name of Iowa.

In 1836, Governor Dodge, by proclamation dated September 9th, convened the legislature at Belmont, now in Lafayette county, on the 25th day of October in that year. The second session was held at Burlington, now in the State of Iowa, Nov.

6th, 1837, at which session the seat of government was located at Madison, where the first session of the 2d Legislative Assembly of Wisconsin was held Nov. 26th, 1838.

A Convention was held at Madison, October 5th, 1846, for the purpose of drafting a State Constitution, which was adopted in Convention, December 16th, 1846, but rejected by the people at the election held on the first Tuesday in April, 1847. A second Convention was held December 16th, 1847, and a Constitution agreed to February 1st, 1848, which was approved of by the electors at the election held April, 1848, and Wisconsin was admitted into the Union, on an equal footing with the other States, on the 29th day of May, 1848.

At the dates given below, the gentlemen named were appointed by the President of the United States, to the offices designated :

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The following is a list of the several State Officers, from the organization of the State:

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James S. Baker, appointed by Governor, November 20th, 1852.

JUDGES OF THE SUPREME COURT.

Edward V. Whiton, Judge of 1st Circuit.

Levi Hubbell,

1848.

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FACE OF THE COUNTRY, SOIL, AND GEOLOGICAL FEATURES.-The natural features peculiar to Wisconsin, is the uniformity of its elevation, and shape of its surface, which is neither mountainous, hilly or flat, but gently undulating. The country west of Sugar river and south of the Wisconsin, is somewhat broken, principally by the dividing ridge upon which the road from Madison to Prairie du Chien passes. In this section, known as the Mines, are several peculiar elevations called Mounds. West of the Wisconsin river, are a range of high hills, being the only elevations in the State, either deserving or assuming the dignity of mountains. The southeastern portion of the State is marked by ravines at the streams but little depressed below the surrounding level. Its prominent features are the Prairie, destitute of tree or shrub, covered only by a luxuriant growth of grass, interspersed with flowers of every hue; the Oak Opening; the Lake; the woodland, on the border of streams, and the natural meadow. Proceeding north, to the Fox and Wisconsin rivers, and Green Bay, the timber increases, and the soil gradually changes from the vegetable mould of the prairie to a sandy loam. The sur

face also becomes somewhat depressed and uneven, diversified with timber, rolling prairie, large marshes and extensive swamps, having an abundant growth of cranberries and wild rice. Still north, and west, the surface becomes more uneven, and the streams rapid, affording an abundance of water power for the manufacture of lumber from the immense forests of evergreen, scarcely surpassed on the western continent.

The soil of the prairie consists of a dark brown vegetable mould, from one to two feet in depth, very mellow, and entirely destitute of stone or gravel, and for fertility and agricultural properties, cannot be surpassed. The sub-soil is a clayish loam, similar to the soil of the timbered lands, and is also suitable for cultivation. The soil of the timbered land is less rich than the prairie, not so deep, and contains less carbonate of lime, which enters into the composition of the latter in the proportion of from 20 to 40 per cent. The mining region, unlike that of any other mineral district, promises a liberal reward, as well to the farmer as to the miner. The soil of the evergreen district is mostly sandy, and not so rich as in other portions of the State. It is nevertheless, well adapted to agriculture and grazing.

The prairies of Wisconsin are not so extensive as those of other states, and are so skirted and belted by timber, that they are well adapted to immediate and profitable occupation.

The openings, which comprise a large portion of the finest land of the State, owe their present condition to the action of the annual fires which have kept under all other forest growth, except those varieties of oak which can withstand the sweep of that element.

This annual burning of an exuberant growth of grasses and of under-brush, has been adding, perhaps for ages, to the productive power of the soil, and preparing it for the plough-share.

It is the great fact, nature has thus "cleared up" Wisconsin to the hand of the settler, and enriched it by yearly burnings, and has at the same time left sufficient timber on the ground for fence and firewood, that explains, in a great measure, the capacity it has

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