And it was then read a third time, passed, title agreed to, and Ordered to be sent to the Council for concurrence. Bill No. 42, entitled "An act to incorporate the town of Green Bay," was taken up and read the second time. On motion of Mr. M Williams, The house resolved itself into a committee of the whole on said bill, Mr. Sholes in the chair. After some time the committee rose and reported the bill with amendments. The amendments were agreed to, and the bill was ordered to be engrossed for a third reading. The house adjourned till 3 o'clock, P. M. 3 O'CLOCK, P. M. On motion of Mr. Smith, Resolved, That the committee on the judiciary be instructed to inquire into the expediency of passing a general probate law, regulating the powers and duties of judges and registers of probate, and report to the house as soon as practicable, by bill or otherwise. Mr. McWilliams, from the committee on enrolments, reported the following acts and memorial to be correctly enrolled : "An act to amend an act, entitled 'An act to incorporate the bank of Wisconsin."" "An act organizing a board of county commissioners in each county in this territory," and "A memorial to the secretary of war, in relation to the defence of the frontier." They were then presented to, signed by the speaker, and Ordered to be sent to the president of the Council for his signature. The standing 'rule, requiring.all bills to be considered in committee of the whole, was suspended with reference to bill No. 28, entitled "A bill to establish a ferry across the Mississippi and Grant rivers," and The following amendments were made: In the fourth section, first line, strike out the word, "supervisors," and insert "county commissioners." In the fourth line of the same section, insert the word "half,” after the word " ones." The bill was then ordered to be engrossed for a third reading. Bills Nos. 2, Council file, entitled "A bill to incorporate the Milwaukee and Racine Mutual Fire Insurance Companies," and 17, Council file, entitled "A bill to incorporate the Beloit Seminary, in Rock county," were severally read the first and second times, the rule to print having been suspended with reference to said bills. The house resolved itself into the committee of the whole, having said bills under consideration. After some time the committee rose, and reported the bills without amendment. The bills were then ordered to be engrossed for a third reading. The 16th rule was then suspended, and said bills were read the third time, passed, and the titles agreed to. Ordered that the Council be informed. Bill No. 17, entitled "A bill to authorize Jean Brunet to establish and keep a ferry across the Wisconsin river,” was read the second time. The rule requiring all bills to be considered in committee of the whole was suspended with reference to said bill, and the following amendments were made: In the second section strike out "county," and insert the word "court;" strike out "supervisors," and insert" county commissioners." The bill was then ordered to be engrossed for a third reading. The 16th rule was suspended, and the bill was read the third time, passed, and the title thereof agreed to. Ordered to be sent to the Council for concurrence. Bill No. 71, entitled "A bill to authorize Samuel Strong to establish a ferry across the Des Moines river, opposite the town of Rochester, in Van Buren county," and the substitute to Bill No. 32, entitled "A bill to divorce Martha Newton from her husband, John C. Newton," were severally read the second time, the rule to print having been suspended with reference to said bills. The house resolved itself into the committee of the whole on said bills. After some time the committee rose, and reported said bills, without amendment. The bills were then ordered to be engrossed for a third reading. The 16th rule was suspended, and the bills were read the third time, passed, and the titles agreed to. Ordered to be sent to the Council for concurrence. The rule requiring all bills to be considered in committee of the whole was suspended with reference to bill No. 57, entitled "A bill to divorce Mary Williams from her husband, Thomas Williams;" which was then ordered to be engrossed for the third reading. The 16th rule was suspended, and the bill was read the third time, passed, and the title thereof agreed to. Ordered to be sent to the Council for concurrence. Bill No. 52, entitled "A bill to authorize J. P. Burnet and Alexander M'Gregor to keep a ferry across the Mississippi river," was read the second time, the rule to print having been suspended with reference to said bill. The rule requiring all bills to be considered in the committee of the whole was suspended, and the following amendment was made: In the second section, third line, between the words "one" and "mile," insert the word "half." The bill was then ordered to be engrossed for the third reading. The 16th rule was suspended, and said bill was read the third time, passed, and the title thereof agreed to. Ordered to be sent to the Council for concurrence. Mr. Box gave notice, that on Tuesday next he should ask leave to bring in "A bill to authorize Isaac Garland to establish and keep a ferry across the Mississippi river at Montrose." The house adjourned. Wednesday, December 20, 1837. The speaker stated, that he had received a communication from George Beaty, Esq., auditor of the territory, which he now submitted to the house. 66 Burlington, December 19, 1837. "To the hon. the speaker of the House of Representatives: "Sir, "In compliance with an act providing for the appointment of an auditor, and defining his powers and duties, the undersigned has the honour to report that, during the last session of the legislative assembly, he was appointed to that office, and immediately entered on its duties; but, upon examination of the laws in force in relation to the assessment and collection of territorial taxes, found that it was altogether impracticable to raise a revenue sufficient for the emergencies of the territory, the whole of the taxes assessed being under the 23d section of the act, entitled "An act to provide for the assessment and collection of the territorial revenue,' made payable into the treasuries of the several counties, for county purposes. For these reasons, he found himself unable to adopt any system by which a sum adequate to the necessary expenses of the territory could be raised; and consequently all demands against the territorial treasury remain unsettled. "Subjoined is a list of the territorial officers, to whom salaries have been attached, under the laws now existing, and which are payable quarterly out of the territorial treasury, viz: Adjutant general of the militia, per annum, $100 "Attorney general of the territory, 66 "Treasurer of the territory, "Auditor of the territory, "The contingent expenses not ascertained. 250 60 200 "The first section of the act, heretofore referred to, provides that in cases where no provision has been made, or where he (the auditor) cannot liquidate any claim without, further legis lative provision, he shall examine and report the same, and the facts concerning it to the legislature with his opinions thereon.' In obedience thereto, the undersigned submits to the consideration of the legislature the accompanying copy of an account presented by Justus De Seelhorst, sheriff of Iowa county, for the expenses of trial and conviction of Lynden B. M'Cumber, found guilty of manslaughter at the May term of the District Court in said county, which has been placed in his hands to be audited. The undersigned respectfully recommends to your honourable body a revision of the laws on this subject, and the adoption of an efficient system, by which a revenue adequate to the expenses of the territory may be enacted. All which is respectfully submitted by Your obedient servant, Read and referred to the committee on finance. Mr. Sholes offered the following resolution: Resolved, (if the Council concur,) That the legislative assembly adjourn on the 5th day of January next, to meet at Green Bay on the 1st Monday of June next. On motion of Mr. Chance, The said resolution was indefinitely postponed. Mr. Cox, from the select committee appointed on the subject of the apportionment of the members of the House of Representatives, made the following report: . "The committee to which was referred the apportionment of the members of the House of Representatives have had the same under consideration, and find it is impossible to make a satisfactory apportionment without taking the census. The representatives of some of the counties not being willing to take the ratio, as fixed by the governor in his proclamation, under the organic law, for the next basis of representation, your committee believes it is the imperative duty of this legislature, to fix the ratio of representation for the several counties by law before the expiration of the term of service for which they were elected. "By the 4th section of the organic law, authorizing the governor to make the first apportionment for each branch of the |