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Gentlemen-The vote that we have just taken, admonishes us that our business of legislation is about to close-that our short, though I must say agreeable associations here, which in the discharge of our public duties, is about to be dissolved, and the brief authority which has been entrusted to us by our constituents, is about to be returned to their hands, and our acts to be approved or disapproved by the body of the people who alone under the principles of a free government, are happily the source of all political power.

I need not say to you, gentlemen, that our session has been, though short, a laborious one. The amount of business too, which has been introduced and disposed of by the Assembly at the present session, has probably been more than double that of any former session of the same length-and could I feel as strongly assured that no bad result would grow out of the hasty legislation arising from the inadequacy of the appropriation made by Congress for our expenses, as I do of the untiring industry and devotedness of every member upon this floor to the interests of their constituents and the Territory, I should leave you, gentlemen, with feelings of pride and gratification.

When I entered upon the duties of this important station, I did so, relying more upon your kind aid and friendly indulgence, than with any consciousness of my own ability, and I am happy to assure you, and I do it with reference not more to the sentiments embraced in the resolution which you have so unanimously adopted, than to the continued friendly feeling which has been manifested in all your business intercourse, that these expectations have not been disappointed. Our interview, gentlemen, short as it has been, and strangers as we were has been on my part fraught with the most happy associations, and will be remembered by me, long after our business relations shall have been dissolved-we have labored together for the public weal as well as for the best interests of our respective local constituents. In sustaining those interests, as well as in our views and sentiments upon more important matters of general interest, we may at times have been brought in collision, and excited perhaps for the moment, feel. ings of disquietude and unkindness; but one of the most sa

cred conservative principles of a republican government, I alJude to the majority principle, has always been at hand, to control-to condole, and to heal our temporary differences and again harmonize our actions.

For this kindeess, gentlemen, not only towards me, but towards each other, you will accept my most grateful acknowledgements.

I could dwell for a moment upon the important measures which have engaged our attention during our present session. Measures which will long exert an important influence upon the interests of the people, for weal or for woe; but the lateness of the hour admonishes me to forbear.

Gentlemen, we are about to adjourn without day, and from the uncertainty of human life, shall probably never meet each other again within these walls-we have been solemnly admonished of the uncertainty of our earthly existence, by the awful and unexpected announcement, to an honorable associ ate, in the other chamber, of the sudden destruction of his dearest earthly hopes. The announcement is but too fresh in our memories to require a recapitulation, and while we would tenderly express our sympathies with an afflicted friend in his bereavement, we would most devoutly render thanks to an all wise Providence for our own preservation and that of our own dear friends,

Gentlemen, for a safe and happy return to your respective families, as well as for your prosperity and happiness in all fu ture life, you will accept my best wishes.

APPENDIX.

APPENDIX.

[SEE JOURNAL, page 23.]

REPORT

OF THE ADJUTANT GENERAL OF THE TERRITORY.

Mineral Point. Genet. Oft, 1815.

To His Excellency, HENRY DODGE,

Governor and Commander-in-Chief, &c. &c.

SIR-In making the seventh annual report from this Department to the Commander-in-Chief of the Militia of Wisconsin Territory, the Adjutant General has considered that his duty would be more properly and satisfactorily performed by giving a complete although condensed view of the actual existing state of the militia of the Territory from the year 1836 up to the present time; and also in submitting some remarks on the various subjects connected with the organization of the militia, the state of their discipline, the effect of the existing militia laws on the system, and the necessity of a revision of those laws, to such an extent, at least, as will enable the Territory to receive from the General Government her annual quota of public arms, from the receipt of which she has been deprived since the year 1840, for causes having their source, in a great degree, in the absence of correct returns of the numerical force of the militia of the Territory being made annually to the Adjutant General of the Army of

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