Referred to the committee last aforesaid.

Mr. Jenkins presented a remonstrance against changing the lines of Henry county.

Referred to the committee last aforesaid.

Mr. Jenkins presented petitions of inhabitants of Henry county, praying that the county seat of said county be established at Mount Pleasant.

Referred to the committee last aforesaid.

Mr. Teas presented petitions of inhabitants of Henry county, praying that George Smith be granted the exclusive right of keeping a ferry across Skunk river.

Referred to the judiciary committee.

The following message was received from the Council by the Secretary:

--

"Mr. Speaker, The Council have passed the preamble and resolution from the House of Representatives, authorizing the Secretary of the Territory, to procure a proper seal for the use of the Territory, with an amendment to the resolution, viz: 'And also to procure and furnish proper seals for the supreme and district courts of the Territory.""

And then he withdrew.

Mr. Teas, from the committee on roads and highways, by leave, made the following report:

The committee on roads and highways, respectfully report, That whereas, petitions have been referred to them, and they have been instructed by resolutions praying for the location and establishment of territorial roads in various parts of this Territory, that in their opinion it is inexpedient to establish by law any more territorial roads, and ask the adoption of the following resolution:

Resolved, That the committee be discharged from the farther consideration of said subject.

The report and resolution were disagreed to.

Mr. McKnight, by leave, introduced a bill No. 13, entitled "A bill to incorporate the Rochester and Des Moines Hydraulic and Manufacturing Company," which was read the first time, and laid on the table.

Mr. Childs, agreeably to previous notice, introduced a bill

No. 14, entitled "A bill to incorporate the Wisconsin Insurance Company at Green Bay," which was read the first time, and laid on the table.

Mr. Shanley, agreeably to previous notice, introduced a bill, (No. 15,) entitled "A Bill to provide for the removal of county seats in this Territory, and for other purposes," which was read the first time and laid on the table.

Mr. McWilliams, chairman of the select committee to whom was referred so much of the Governor's message as relates to making the apportionment of representation in the several counties within the Territory, made the following report:

The select committee to which was referred that part of the Governor's Message which relates to making the "apportionment" of "representation" of the several counties within this Territory, have had the same under consideration, and have instructed me to report: That from any view of the subject which they can take, they would not be authorized in reporting any particular ratio of representation that would be satisfactory; inasmuch as that a great diversity of opinion prevails as to the number of inhabitants contained in those counties that have been organized out of the original counties, since the first census or enumeration of this Territory was taken, and from which the present apportionment of representation was made.

It was thought by some of your committee advisable to recommend the present apportionment of representation as made by the Executive for two reasons: First, that a new apportionment would not make any change in the Council, and secondly, that it would obviate the necessity of holding an adjourned session, which seems to be a necessary result growing out of the passage of a law requiring the taking the census; as, in the opinion of your committee, it would be impossible, at the present session, to pass a law requiring the sheriffs of the several counties to take such enumeration and make their returns in time for the action of the "Legislative Assembly" previous to the expiration of the time to which they are limited by the act of Congress organizing the Territorial Government of Wisconsin.

Your committee would therefore report the annexed bill (No. 16,) entitled "A bill providing for taking the second census or

enumeration of the inhabitants of the Territory of Wisconsin."

The report was accepted, and the committee discharged from any farther consideration on the subject.

Mr. McGregor, from the Judiciary Committee to which was referred so much of the Governor's Message as relates to the appointing a committee of three to revise a code of laws and submit it for the action of the Legislature, made the following report:

Your committee have given the subject referred to them that attention to which it is so justly entitled. There is no subject at the present time, occupies a greater share of public attention than the enactment of a well digested code of laws for the government of the people of this Territory. Your committee are fully sensible of the inapplicability of the laws by which the people of this territory are now governed, they being at best a crude and ill-digested system of Legislation, altogether unsuited to the condition and habits of the people, inadequate and unequal in their operation, not affording that protection and relief so essential to the prosperity and peace of a civilized community.

That it is the opinion of the committee, after a full examination of the subject, that although they highly approve of the system of appointing a committee to digest and report a code of laws for the action of this Legislature, yet they are of the opinion that it would be inexpedient under existing circumstances. The immediate wants of the people are great, and must be relieved-the peculiar situation of a great portion of the territory in relation to the laws now in force, require immediate action. The shortness of the session to which the Legislature is confined, render it impracticable, if not impossible, that a proper code could be submitted in time for the action of the session of the Legislature.

For these reasons, it is thought advisable, that the present session occupy five days in each week in enacting laws of a general nature, and one day in each week with private business. That bills be introduced and referred to appropriate committees. That both Houses at some future day choose by

joint ballot a committee of three suitable persons to digest such laws as may be enacted, and report them, together with a perfect code, to the next annual session of the Legislature.

Your committee earnestly recommend that some vigorous and decisive action should be had upon this very important subject. It is now time for action-for energetic and vigorous action. The people demand it-the welfare and prosperity of the whole territory demand it. Therefore your committee would respectfully recommend the adoption of the following resolutions:

Resolved, That this House occupy five days in each week of the present session with business of general and public nature, and one day in each week with private business.

Resolved, By the Council and House of Representatives (the Council concurring herein) that both Houses meet in the Representative Hall, on some future day, for the purpose of choosing, by joint ballot, three suitable persons to digest such laws as may be enacted, and report them, together with a perfect code, to the next annual session of the Legislaturé.

The report and resolutions were read, and,

On motion of Mr. Teas,

The House resolved itself into committee of the whole, Mr. Durkee in the chair, having the said report of the Judiciary committee under consideration, and, after some time spent in committee of the whole, the committee rose, (the Speaker having resumed the chair,) and reported the same without amendment.

Mr. Durkee moved the following amendment: "That_the commissioners be required to report the progress they shall have made to the next session of the Legislature."

On motion of Mr. Quigley,

The report, resolutions, and amendment were laid on the table, and made the order of the day for to-morrow.

66

Mr. Brunson, by leave, introduced a bill (No. 17,) entitled A bill to authorize Jean Brunet to establish a ferry across the Wisconsin river, which was laid on the table.

Mr. M Williams, from the committee on Enrolments, reported the following memorial to be correctly enrolled, viz;

"A memorial on the subject of a division of the Territory of Wisconsin;" which was presented to, signed by the speaker, and

Ordered to be presented to the President of the Council for his signature.

Mr. Parkinson offered the following preamble and resolution, which were adopted:

Whereas, it has been asserted on this floor by a member in his place that he had been informed on good authority, that a certain company for speculative purposes, were instigating Mr. Hood of Mineral Point to memorialize Congress for redress of pretended grievances, for the purpose of increasing their individual gains; and whereas it is unknown to the committee, to whom that subject was referred, that said company exists, or that Mr. Hood is influenced by any other than correct principles-therefore,

Resolved, That said committee have power to call on said gentleman, and he is hereby required to appear before them, and give the authority upon which he founded his assertions. On motion of Mr. Teas,

The Speaker appointed a select committee, agreeably to the resolution introduced by Mr. Cox on yesterday, "to take and imbody the information in relation to the Half Breed lands," &c.; viz: Messrs. Cox, Teas, and Box. And then the House adjourned.

Wednesday, November 22, 1837.

Mr. Reynolds presented a petition of inhabitants of the counties of Dubuque and Muscatine, praying for a new county to be set off from the said counties.

Mr. Teas moved that the petition on the same subject, intro