woods was supplanted by the busy hum of commerce; and rich fields of golden grain, and other products of agricultural industry, were to be seen on every hand, and were harvested and shipped to the sea-board. Michigan now began to be considered the asylum and the retreat for all who would better their fortunes by industry. It was, indeed, a country where honest industry was sure to be rewarded by a competence, and eventual wealth. The hardy pioneers scattered all over the country; the stroke of the woodman's axe made the ancient woods resound, and the smoke of their cabins everywhere ascended from the depths of the forest. The lakes and rivers presented a no less busy scene. The white wings of commerce were spread upon their waters, and the black smoke of mighty steamers, like a portentous cloud, stretched along the horizon. The reign of nature in these mighty forests had ended-the reign of man had begun.

In the meantime, in order to meet the claims of the increasing population of the Territory, new privileges of a political character had been granted them. The Legislative Council was increased to thirteen members, to be chosen by the President from twentysix selected as candidates by the people. This change was made in 1825. In 1827 an act was passed authorizing the electors to choose their representatives directly, without the further sanction of either the President or Congress. The power of enacting laws was given to the council, subject, however, to the approval of Congress, and the veto of the Governor of the Territory. Upon this footing the government of the Territory remained until the organization of the State government.

The prosperity of the Territory continued to increase from this time forward; and it is but simple justice to say that to the wise and beneficent administration of Governor Cass this unexampled growth is to be, in a great measure, attributed. It would be unjust, however, to omit the just praise to which his counselors are entitled. William Woodbridge, particularly, who was the Secretary of the Territory during the administration of Governor Cass, and acting governor during the absence of the chief executive, is entitled to great credit for the ability and untiring zeal with which he performed the arduous duties of his office. He was

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also the Territorial delegate to Congress during a portion of the time, and ably represented his constituency in that body. He was a man of great culture and refinement, and strictly honorable and conscientious in his official and private life. He retired from the office of Secretary of the Territory in 1828, when he was succeeded by James Witherell, who held the office two years, and was suceeeded by the appointment of General John T. Mason of Kentucky.

In 1831, Governor Cass was appointed Secretary of War in the Cabinet of President Jackson, and he thereupon retired from the office of Governor of Michigan, having served in that capacity for the period of eighteen years. He had been appointed six times, running through the presidency of Madison, Monroe, and John Quincy Adams-without a single representation against him from the people in all that time, or a single vote against him in the Senate. He had, in the meantime, faithfully discharged his duties as Indian Commissioner, and had concluded nineteen treaties with the Indians, and acquired large cessions in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan. The people of the Territory fully appreciated his worth at the time, as was more than once manifested in after years.

CHAPTER XXX.

THE ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR PORTER-THE BLACK HAWK WAR -CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS-THE FIRST RAILROAD COMPANY ORGANIZED-BANKS CHARTERED-COMMON SCHOOLS ORGANIZED-CHANGE IN THE METHOD OF DISPOSING OF PUBLIC LANDS-DEATH OF GOVERNOR PORTER.

UPON the elevation of General Cass to a seat in the cabinet of President Jackson, and his consequent resignation of the office of Governor of the Territory of Michigan, General George B. Porter, of Pennsylvania, was appointed governor. This occurred in July, A. D. 1831, and Governor Porter entered upon the discharge of the duties of his office on the twenty-second of the following September. The population of the Territory at that time amounted to about thirty-five thousand.

which had The Territory

The arts of

The administration of Governor Porter presents but few points that possess attractions for the pen of the historian. It was a time of almost profound peace. The terrible wars devastated the country in former years were over. was on the high road to prosperity and affluence. peace alone were cultivated. It is at such times that States grow to greatness, such as wealth and population can give; but it is the tale of hardships, struggles, bloodshed and rapine that fills the pages of a nation's history. Fortunately for Michigan, the long struggle for the mastery of her soil was now practically ended, and the attention of her people and her rulers was directed to the promotion of her material advancement and the development of her resources. The only war cloud that appeared above the horizon during the administration of Governor Porter was what is known as the Black Hawk war; but this was confined, in its effects on Michigan, more to that part of the Territory now constituting the State of Wisconsin, than to the peninsula. Gover

nor Porter, however, coöperated with the executives of the States of Missouri, Illinois and Indiana, and furnished militia from the western part of the Territory to aid in punishing the savages. The campaign was short and decisive, and ended in the unqualified submission of the hostile party, and in the adoption of measures for the permanent security of the frontier. Treaties of cession were formed with the Winnebagoes, and the Sacs and Foxes, by which the Indian title was extinguished to all the country south of the Ouisconsin and east of the Mississippi, and to an extensive region west of that river.

During Governor Porter's administration, Wisconsin, which had before been annexed to Michigan, was erected into a separate Territory. In the meantime the commerce on Lake Erie was rapidly increasing. Many new townships were organized, and roads were constructed into the interior. In looking over the records of that time, it is found that in the year 1832 alone there were roads constructed, or authorized by the Territorial council as follows: From Point du Chene to the Fort Gratiot turnpike, from Battle Creek to the mouth of the Kalamazoo river, from a point on the Chicago road to the county seat of Calhoun county, from Pontiac to Ann Arbor, from Southfield to Detroit, from Rochester to Lapeer, from Pontiac to Adrian, from Vistula to Indiana, from Branch county to the mouth of the St. Joseph's river, from Ten Eycks to the principal meridian, from Ecorse to the Chicago road, from Jacksonburgh to the mouth of the St. Joseph's river, and from Monguagon to St. Joseph's. In consequence of these improvements, the country became better known, a spirit of speculation became awakened, and, in addition to the actual settlers, there were hundreds of speculators traversing the woods in search of eligible lands, which they purchased and held for an increase in value. The same year the Legislative Council passed an act to provide for the establishment and regulation of common schools. An act was also passed incorporating "The Lake Michigan Steamboat Company," with a capital of forty thousand dollars. The names of the corporators were, James Abbott, Oliver Newberry, Benjamin F. Larned, B. Kercheval, John Palmer, and Reynold Gillett. The Legislative Council of

HISTORY OF MICHIGAN.

that year is also entitled to the credit of having passed the first act of incorporation under which a railroad company was organized in Michigan. This was the act incorporating the Detroit and St. Joseph Railroad Company. The names of the commissioners

JOHN P. ALLISON, a prominent business man of East Saginaw, was born in the town of Haverstraw, Rockland county, in the State of New York, April 15, 1817.

At an early age, he removed to New York city, and from there emigrated to Michigan, in June, 1854, taking up his residence in East Saginaw, then but a small village. In his journey from New York, Mr. Allison traveled by railroad and boat to Detroit, and found the accommodations for travelers in those days far different from what they are at