During the evening, much deference was paid, by the managers, to the feelings of their American guests. Next to the King, the President of the United States was drank; and among the residue of the toasts, there were several complimentary to our country and her distinguished statesmen. By pursuing that liberal, respectful course, no bad feeling was excited; and although more wine was drank, in proportion to numbers, than the writer ever witnessed on any other occasion; yet the party, late in the night, separated in harmony and mutual good feeling. The American garrison, at Detroit, consisted of two regiments, commanded by Colonel Strong, who, in consideration of his great responsibility, and to relieve from duty as many of his officers as practicable, declined to be a guest, and remained at his post in the citadel. At that party the court and bar became acquainted with the British officers, stationed at Fort Malden, and received a pressing invitation to visit them, and spend a night at their quarters in the garrison. At the same time, Captain Currie, of the John Adams, an armed vessel of the United States, politely offered to convey the party to Malden, and from thence to Maumee Bay. These invitations were accepted, and, as soon as the court had finished the business of the term, they and the bar sent their horses by land to the foot of the Rapids, and embarked for the British garrison. They were received by Captain McMullen, the commandant, and entertained with great hospitality. He gave them a fine supper, good wine, and excellent beds; which were seldom met with, by western travelers, in those early days of territorial improvement. In the morning, the party took leave, and returned to the vessel. At that time, the fort was in a very unfinished state, and no material or preparation was discovered for completing it. It was said, however, by the officers, that preparations were in progress for that purpose, and that it was the intention of government to put the works in a complete state for defence, without delay. Early in the afternoon, the brig cast anchor in the Maumee Bay, and the barge was let down and manned. Having taken leave of the officers, the party took their seats, and in a few hours were landed at the foot of the Rapids. The passage was pleasant, and the misery of wading through the deep mud of the Black Swamp was escaped. The residue of the journey to Cincinnati, presented nothing unusual. CHAPTER XIV. Five thousand white males in the Territory.-Proclamation of the Governor. -Delegates to the Assembly elected.-Second grade of Territorial Government organized.—Members of the first Territorial Legislature. Their Character.-Talents.-Employments.-Movements of Colonel Burr.—Mr. Smith implicated.-Probably without cause.-Burr's visit to Cincinnati.— Notice taken of him.-War with Spain contemplated.-May account, probably, for Burr's movements.-Principles of the Federal party. Their agency in forming and adopting the Federal Constitution.-Condition and character of the country improved by their measures.—Origin of their name.—Have long ceased to exist as a party. IN 1798, it was ascertained that the North-western Territory contained five thousand white male inhabitants, and was therefore entitled, as a matter of right, to enter on the second grade of territorial government, provided for in the ordinance of 1787. This fact was made known by the proclamation of Governor St. Clair, calling on the people to elect Representatives to the first General Assembly, and requiring the members, when elected, to meet at Cincinnati, in Convention, for the purpose of nominating ten persons, to be returned to the President of the United States; five of whom, it was his duty to select; and, with the advice and consent of the Senate, commission as a Legislative Council. The Representatives were chosen, and assembled at Cincinnati, on the 4th of February, 1799, as required by the proclamation. After due deliberation they made the nomination-reported it to the Governor, and then adjourned, to meet at Cincinnati, on the 16th of September, ensuing. The Governor transmitted the names of the nominees to the Secretary of State; and, in due time, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, the President appointed "Jacob Burnet and James Findlay of Cincinnati; Henry Vanderburgh, of Vincennes; Robert Oliver, of Marietta; and David Vance, of Vanceville; to be the members of the Legislative Council, of the Territory of the United States, north-west of the river Ohio," which was announced by the proclamation of the Governor. In choosing members to the first Territorial Legislature, the people, in almost every instance, selected the strongest and best men, in their respective counties. Party influence was scarcely felt; and it may be said with confidence, that no Legislature has been chosen, under the State Government, which contained a larger proportion of aged, intelligent men, than were found in that body. Many of them, it is true, were unacquainted with the forms and practical duties of legislation; but they were strong-minded, sensible men, acquainted with the condition and wants of the country, and could form correct opinions of the operation of any measure proposed for their consideration. The delegation in the House of Representatives, from the county of Hamilton, consisted of seven members;— William McMillan, John Smith, Robert Benham, Aaron Cadwell, William Goforth, John Ludlow, and Isaac Martin, all of them intelligent, substantial men. The Representatives from the county of Ross, were, Thomas Worthington, Samuel Findley, Elias Langham, and Edward Tiffin. From the county of Wayne-Solomon Sibley, Jacob Visgar, and Charles F. Chobart de Joncaire. From the county of Washington-Return Jonathan Meigs, and Paul Fearing. From the county of Jefferson-James Pritchard. From the county of Adams-Joseph Darlington, and Nathaniel Massie. As has been before stated, the first Legislative Council consisted of James Findlay, and Jacob Burnet, of Hamilton county; Henry Vanderburgh, of Knox; David Vance, of Jefferson; and Robert Oliver, of Washington county. The whole number of the little band of pioneers, who composed the first General Assembly, with the exception of Judge Sibley, of Detroit, General Darlington, of West Union, and Jacob Burnet, of Cincinnati, have been long since gathered to their fathers; and, according to the course of nature, they too, must soon follow their colleagues, as the youngest of them is now on the verge of fourscore years.* Several of the members of that Assembly were men of the first order of talents; and, with scarcely an exception, they would all be now estimated as well qualified for State legislators. Of the first class was William McMillan, of Hamilton county. He possessed an intellect of a high order; and had acquired a fund of information, general as well as professional, which qualified him for great usefulness, in the early legislation of the Territory. He was a native of Virginia, educated at William and Mary, and was one of the first adventurers to the Miami Valley. He was the son of a Scotch Presbyterian of the strictest order, who had educated him for the ministry; and who was, of course, greatly disappointed, when he discovered that he was unwilling to engage in that profession, and had set his heart on the study and practice of the law. After many serious discussions on the subject, the son, who understood the feelings and prejudices of his father, at length told him he Since this article was written, Judge Sibley has paid the debt of nature. He died at Detroit in 1845, at the advanced age of seventy-seven, universally beloved and respected. |