to the county of Louisa, and one-third of the eastern tier of townships of Slaughter: and while such a change in the present boundaries of Des Moines is necessary in order to give sufficient territory to the county of Louisa, it is necessary in order to make up the deficiency which the curtailment of the counties aforesaid occasions, to add one-third of the most eastern tier of townships of Henry to the county of Des Moines, running, however, only to Skunk river; and your committee further suggest the propriety of leaving the location of the seats of justice of the several counties to the people, except Henry, which is petitioned for, by its citizens without opposition, to be located by an act of the legislature.

"JOHN BOX,

"W. L. JENKINS,
"J. LEFFLER,

"DAVID R. CHANCE."

The said report was laid on the table.

Mr. Quigley, from the committee appointed in pursuance of a resolution adopted by this house on the 21st inst., to inquire into the situation and progress of the public buildings at Madison, and to report the same to the house, made the following report:

"Your committee have carefully examined the report and account of the acting commissioner, and find that the commissioners appointed under the third section of an act passed by the legislature at its last session, and approved December 3, 1836, met at Mineral Point on the 4th day of May, in the same year, and appointed A. A. Bird their acting commissioner, and James D. Doty treasurer; that the treasurer has drawn from the treasury of the United States, the sum of twenty thousand dollars, and that the acting commissioner went on to purchase teams, hired hands, and building of houses, most of which are on the property of individuals, and the cost of which have been paid out of the public money. One of these buildings, a steam mill, cost $51,61,72. Your committee believe it can be sold for the amount of cost. The other buildings and improvements made at the town of Madison, must be sold, (if sold at all,) at considerable loss to the territory.

"The ground on which the capitol is being erected, from

the information of the acting commissioner, is a square lot of eighteen acres, laid out on the plat, by the proprietors of the town of Madison, as the public square; which plat the said commissioner informs your committee, is recorded according to law.

"It further appears, that the said commission

ers have expended the sum of

"Which would leave a balance on hand of

$17,900 12

2,099 88

$20,000 00

"Of this $17,900 expended, your committee finds paid out

"Your committee would further remark, that the amount of stone work done on the capitol, is seven hundred and seventyfive perches, at the estimate price of the acting commissioner, which is two dollars and fifty cents per perch, would amount to the sum of $1,937,50, leaving a balance of five thousand two hundred and seventy-four dollars and fifty-nine cents, for other work done, which are not enumerated; but supposing the work to cost double the estimate, it would still leave a balance not satisfactorily accounted for, of $3,337,09; which, added to the aforesaid balance of twelve thousand eight hundred and eightyseven dollars ninety-one cents, in the commissioners' hands, would be 16,224 dollars.

"Your committee regret that they cannot conclude this report without expressing their disapprobation of the course pursued by the commissioners, as respects their disregard of the law by which they hold their authority. The third section of that law provides that "The commissioners, or a majority of them, shall agree upon a plan of said buildings, and shall issue proposals, giving due notice thereof, and shall contract for the erection of said buildings without delay." This provision of the law, your committee regret to report, has not been complied with. It is true the commissioners have, in the month of September last, advertised for proposals, but then that was after the greatest part of the appropriation made by Congress was expended.

"In the opinion of your committee, the utmost credit is due to the acting commissioner, for his exertions and perseverance, in carrying on the work under the adverse circumstances that had to be encountered in that remote situation; and also, your committee believe that the account of expenses rendered by the acting commissioner is entirely correct; which account, together with the accompanying estimate, (see Appendix, No. 4,') are respectfully submitted to your honourable body; and your committee would respectfully ask the adoption of the following resolutions:

“PATRICK QUIGLEY, Chairman.”

6

"Resolved, That a select committee be appointed to report to this house, without delay, a bill, with the view of repealing the third section of an act, entitled An act to provide for locating the seat of government of Wisconsin territory,' approved December 3, 1836, and also to provide for the future superintendence and finishing of the capitol at Madison, and that the memorial, asking twenty thousand dollars, be adopted.

"Resolved, That the committee be discharged from the further consideration of the subject matter referred to them.” The report and resolutions were adopted.

The following communication was received from the Council by their secretary:

"Mr. Speaker,-The Council have passed a resolution for the appointment of a joint committee from the two houses of this legislative assembly to select such of the laws of Michigan as, in their judgment, they may think proper, and report the same to their respective houses by their titles, that they may be adopted and printed, in pamphlet form, for the use of the territory; and have appointed Messrs. Foley, Smith, and Sweet the committee on the part of the Council."

And then he withdrew.

Mr. Brunson, in pursuance of previous notice, introduced bill No. 105, entitled "A bill to incorporate the stockholders of the State Bank of Wisconsin, at Prairie du Chien;"

Which was read a first time, and laid on the table.

On motion of Mr. Cox,

The memorial to Congress for an appropriation of $20,000 to complete the public buildings at the seat of government, passed by the Council, was read the second time.

On motion, the several rules were suspended with reference to said memorial, and it was read the third time and passed. Ordered that the Council be informed.

The substitute to bill No. 60, entitled "A bill to provide for laying out and opening territorial roads," received from the Council, was then read the first time.

The different rules were suspended with reference to said bill, which was then read the second time, and considered by the house.

Ordered, that the bill be engrossed for the third reading.

On motion,

The 16th rule was suspended with reference to said bill, and it was then read the third time, passed, title agreed to, and Ordered, that the Council be informed.

On motion of Mr. Sholes,

The resolution of the Council relative to the appointment of persons to select laws from statutes of Michigan, &c., was concurred in.

Messrs. Sholes, Quigley, and Chance, were appointed the committee on the part of the house.

Ordered, that the Council be informed.

Bill No. 12, (substitute,) entitled "A bill for the partition of the half breed lands, and for other purposes," was read the third time, and

The yeas and nays being called on the question of the final passage of said bill, were as follow:

Yeas:-Messrs. Blair, Box, Boyls, Cornwall, Chance, Cox, Engle, Jenkins, M'Gregor, M'Knight, M Williams, Nowlin, Parkinson, Quigley, Reynolds, Sheldon, Smith, Shanley, Sholes, Wheeler, and Leffler, speaker-21.

Nays:-Messrs. Brunson, Childs, and Teas-3.

The title of the said bill was then agreed to.

Ordered, that the clerk request the concurrence of the Coun.cil in the said bill.

Bill No. 77, entitled "A bill to organize the county of Walworth, and to establish the seat of justice thereof," was read the third time, passed, and the title agreed to.

Ordered, that the clerk request the concurrence of the Council in the said bill.

On motion of Mr. Chance,

The house resolved itself into a committee of the whole, on the report of the committee composed of the delegation from Des Moines county, to which was referred the bill establishing the boundaries of the county of Lec, &c., together with the message of the executive in relation thereto; Mr. Engle in the chair.