The same council authorized a vote of the inhabitants to be taken on the question of organizing a State government, and asking admission into the Union. A vote was accordingly taken on the first Tuesday of October of that year, which resulted in a small majority in favor of the measure. But the vote was exceedingly light, and a question arose as to whether it really represented the sentiments of the majority of the people, or not. Governor Porter, in his message, recommended that, in view of the facts, another vote should be taken; but he was overruled by the council, and a memorial was sent to Congress, setting forth the facts, and praying for action by that body. It does not appear, however, that the petition was considered, as it was not till two years afterwards that serious measures were taken to secure a State organization.

vulsed their native land. They readily appreciated and seized upon this lovely spot, and made it their home. The descendants of one or two families retain to this day the original letters patent granted by the unfortunate Louis XV. Grosse Point is rich in historical incident. It was the place most resorted to by the numerous tribes of Indians as their place of meeting to make their treaties with each other and smoke the pipe of peace. It was there that the fierce and warlike tribes, the Sacs and the Foxes, fought their last and most sanguinary battle, a battle which resulted in the extermination of the first mentioned tribe. The little creek on whose banks this battle was fought took its name from the victors, a name which it still retains. Near this place is Presque Isle, where the lighthouse now stands. That locality was held by the Indians in sacred veneration, from the fact of its being the burial place for the numerous tribes inhabiting this portion of the lower peninsula. It was also the rallying point for Pontiac and his confederated tribes during the terrible war which he waged against Detroit.

Around Mr. Backus' residence are many of the oldest landmarks, making the place truly historical. In the front garden, as will be seen by the engraving, are numerous apple and pear trees, ranging from one hundred and fifty to two hundred years old. With the hammock stretched beneath the branches of these venerable old trees, and the breeze from Lake St. Clair gently fanning the whole neighborhood, there is no more healthy or delightful spot in Michigan. Mr. Backus resides in this beautiful home during the summer months, and when the chilly winds of autumn render the place too cold for comfort he retreats to his city residence, on Fort street west.

About this time a change was made in the manner of disposing of the public lands, which was of great benefit to the settlers in the West. Previous to the year 1820, the price of government land was two dollars an acre. One-fourth of this was to be paid down at the time of purchase, and the remainder in three annual installments. The land was subject to forfeiture if these payments were not promptly met. A discount was allowed, however, of eight per cent, if the whole amount was paid in advance. This system was found to be productive of serious evils. The hope of gain induced many to make large purchases. Some, it is true, realized large fortunes, while others, whose judgment was not so good, were left without the means of paying when their payments became due, and their lands were consequently subject to forfeiture. This led to a total change of the system. The price was reduced to one dollar and a quarter an acre, and the whole was required to be paid at the time of purchase. This was attended with the desired effects. It prevented much loss to the government, saved a great deal of trouble, discouraged reckless speculation, and enabled the honest and industrious settler, with moderate means, to acquire a clear and unincumbered title to his lands.

On the sixth day of July, 1834, the office of Governor became vacant, by the death of Governor Porter. By the provision of law for the government of the Territory in case of the death, removal, resignation, or necessary absence of the Governor, the Secretary of the Territory was required to execute the powers and perform all the duties of Governor during the vacancy. The functions of the office, consequently, devolved upon the Secretary, Stevens T. Mason.

CHAPTER XXXI.

THE ORGANIZATION OF A STATE GOVERNMENT-THE BOUNDARY QUESTION-THE TOLEDO WAR-INCIDENTS AND ACCIDENTS-SETTLEMENT OF THE QUESTION-ADMISSION OF MICHIGAN INTO THE UNION.

THE ordinance of 1787 provided that the Northwest Territory should be divided into not less than three States, nor more than five, as Congress should determine. Three States had already been formed from that Territory, viz: Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois. By that ordinance, and subsequent acts of Congress, conferring upon Michigan the benefits contained in its provisions, Michigan was entitled to admission into the Union as a State so soon as her free white population numbered sixty thousand. In 1834, Michigan took the preliminary steps to secure for herself the rights to which she claimed to be entitled.. On the sixth of September of that year, the Legislative Council passed an act directing a census to be taken. The result showed that there were 87,273 free white inhabitants in the Territory. At the next session of the Council, in January, 1835, an act was passed authorizing a convention to be held at Detroit, on the second Monday of May following. This convention was composed of eighty-nine delegates. It met upon the day specified, and continued in session till the twentyfourth of June. A Constitution was formed and submitted to the people in the October following, and by them adopted. At the same election, a full set of State officers and a legislature were elected to act under the Constitution. In November following, the legislature met, and the whole machinery of a State government was set in motion. Stevens T. Mason, the Secretary of the Territory, and acting governor after the decease of Governor Porter, was the Governor of the new State.

In the meantime, the difficulty in reference to the southern boundary of the Territory was rapidly approaching a crisis. To

give a full and complete history of this difficulty, and relate all the incidents, ludicrous and otherwise, that occurred during the progress of the contest, would require a volume. The most that can be done in the space allotted is to give the leading facts connected with it.

HON. GEORGE VAN NESS LOTHROP.

THE name which heads this brief article is a familiar one in every town of this State, and widely known throughout the entire Northwest. Except for the sudden political revolution which swept the West during the last dozen years, and which still holds the great majority of the people beneath the sway of its opinions, the name and abilities of Mr Lothrop would doubtless ere this have had a national renown. But having in early life identified himself with the Democratic party, and this organization having commenced decay shortly after Mr. Lothrop entered that period of

The origin of this dispute was not dissimilar to the causes which produced the several State and colonial contentions for boundary among the original States of the confederacy, all of which arose either from ignorance of local geography, the unappreciated importance of the incipient colony, or an unpardonable disregard of the sacredness of vested rights. In consequence of these loose notions, or inadvertence to rights once granted, chartered rights were frequently conferred by the Crown of England to one company, and at a succeeding day the same territory was included in the charter of another.

Michigan claimed for her southern boundary a line running east across the peninsula from the extreme southern point of Lake Michigan, extending through Lake Erie, to the Pennsylvania line. This she claimed as a vested right—a right accruing to her by compact. This compact was the ordinance of 1787, the parties to which were the original thirteen States, and the Territory northwest of the Ohio; and, by the succession of parties under statutory amendments to the ordinance and laws of Congress-the United States on the one part, and each Territory northwest of the Ohio, as far as affected by their provisions, on the other. Michigan, therefore, claimed under the prior grant, or assignation of boundary.

Ohio, on the other hand, claimed that the ordinance had been

his life when his talents began to make him conspicuous among his fellows, the opportunity for his political distinction narrowed with every year. His friends, however, with a passionate devotion rivaling that which inspired the enthusiastic followers of Henry Clay, clung hopefully · to him, and repeatedly, and persistently thrust him forward as their chosen leader for congressional honors. Believing him without a peer in point of professional ability as well as in native talent, they bade him lead the forlorn hope of their party through several successive and desperate campaigns immediately preceding the outbreak of the war. With a gallantry and an untiring zeal peculiar to men of his temperament, he flung himself into the strife and did brave battle for the standard under which he fought. But as those familiar with the rising political tide of that period in the country's history well remember, such a combat was like unto a man battling against the billows of the ocean. Not he only, but his entire party passed into the minority, and have