Seneca County, Ohio - Thompson Tuwnsmu, 1880

Thompson Tuwnsmu

Till, name «>l this ^ood old town -hip is e-pe< ;.iilv dear to the writer, lor amon;; its best men ami prominent : iti/en- mai.\ \rars a^o, he < ounted ni.ipy true- and devoted Iriends. 1:-- ear!\ settlement ami ori;ani/ation, et<.. have already ln-cn mentioned, and it remains only to reler to several sub|e( !> not \>i f\ ;> i!i->ly to'u bed u[.<in.

Tliere wei'e ->e\eral -Mjuatter-.. uj'on the ojien:n^> in Thoinp-Min, w!io. OWIIIL: tn the -i an ;tv ol water at that time, let! the i ountrv,

Amoiu the prominent men of later years may be mentioned Jacob a:1,l |,,)m Hunn, Samuel Stewart. Jacob and Peter Ivarn, John Royer, b>hn Dec ker. Daniel Glose, M. Good, John Heter, Peter Dewalt, and others; also the Sclux hs. the Douglas's the Manleys, the Purdys, the \Iurra\s. the P.loomers. John Ilobbes, Klder Jackson and others.

l"ne soil in Thompson, as elsewhere in tlie county, is drift, resting linn a sub ^tratum of loose, shaley limestone, which is full of fissures, lorming numerous -ink holes, which are found all over the township. \ little ^tream called Sink creek runs into one of these, where it disappears. Man\ years ago a saw mill was erected upon this stream. with sufficient water to run it about three months in the year. There is a similar (reek with a small saw mill a little west of this. Whenever '.here is a heavy or continuous rain, these sink-holes overflow, doing a ^ MI id deal of damage sometimes.

The greatest natural curiosity in Thompson is its celebrated cave The entrance to the cave is near the south end of the east half of the iior;hwe>! quarter of section one, on the land once owned by Mason KMUH-V. one and one hall' miles from Hellevue, and three-quarters of a mile from Hat Rock. The discovery ot the cave is generally attributed to George and Henry Hasson. It was probably first discovered bv l.yman and A>a Strong. It was known as early as the year 1815 by the settlers on the Kire land, and visited frequently by the hunters f«>r the purpose ot killing rattle snakes, which were found here in great number:-, and which gave the name of Rattle Snake's Den to the cave. The nio'ith of the cave is six feet long and three feet wide. Upon examining the land in the immediate vicinity, it appears that about fi\e acres, from some unknown cause, have sunk several feet. Some i onjc' fired that the limestone rock once rested upon a bed of -tone, whii h being washed away in course of time, left a cavity .wallowed up the whole mass above. There is no doubt but that '.me ;n tin- world's history a gre.it convulsion has racked the sub- MM he-re, tor a- von descend the cavity, you find the rocks on one- Mi a hori/.)ntal [position, while on the other side they incline to ive a natural passage leads downwards, gradurertion. At a depth of about thirty feet, the ojistpu p-d, below which, darkness forever reigns. i ot the ' urious explorer, who examines After a descent of about forty feet, you

. \\ .mil '-> and marches i iiai lie iVt 'in --> lo ."u miles in a southern direction, ai>dal»"U [i\ >- mill'- iitTtli u|' the di\idimi' ritlu'e that separates the waters i!,.\s iii- in!" l !;' ( >hio ri\ i-r and th'»e iluwinu' into Lake Mrie at this point, and al rather a gradual elevation of about iun 1'eet above the level of the lake.

|M connection \\itli the above I will ment ion a circumstance that took plac. a fe\\ sear- a^o in the region of the sink holes: A man well known to m\ self hud a team of three yoke of rattle plowing in the spring. Wlien it commenced rainim: he stopped his work and turned his cattle loose in the !ic!d. The rain pn>\ ed to he a long storm, lasting several days. When it held up and lite cattle \\eiv looked after, one of them was missing, and supin»ed l>\ tin- o\\ ner to have jumped the fence and strayed off, until moi'e i h.in ; :.ree v.e.-k- afterward.- the o\ was found in the lot. where he had M-ttled dn\\ 11 throuuh the soil into a crevice of a rock below, and nothingbut hi- head and -boulders mi!, lie \\as taken out and lived, with no other innir\ than the loss of hair from the buried part. Another o\ was lost three \\eeks.andfoiindal the bottom of a sinkhole in the woods, the sides of u Inch he had browsed clean.

I uill fin "iher state that \\hensome parts of theeotintn I have been de- -rnbiiiur \\ere lir-t settled, they were ver\ much iiifesteil with rattlesnakes. \\ 1 1 ieli \\ ere -oiud imes I on nd early in the spring in large numbers upon the -in I, ice ot t he earth in their torpid state, driven from the rocks below by the i i ,iii'_r ot the uater. bet'ore the sun \\ as sutliciently powerful to warm them into aclis e life.

I ha\e written so much, more than I had intended when I commenced that I u ill tini-h b\ adding, that notwithstanding the immense quantity of water in t he count rv abo\ e. Cold Creek is never a fleeted by the rising or falling of the water in Thompson to the extent of six inches. Yours respectfully.

I have thus copied at length for the purpose of directing the attention ot -nine geologist to the investigation of the subject. The old notion that ('old creek is the outlet of the subterranean stream in ThoinpMin, might as well be abandoned.

Colonel Kilboarn. who has been often mentioned as one ot" the pioneer survivor- here, on '.he jXth ihiy of February. iS«8, surveyed and platted

( ' iro'.inV. on <ecti»ns ten and eleven, and named it alter a daughter of (-(] I'lihuore. the iir-< -cttler in the town and one of the propriellri tor Kilhourn and I'.yron Kilbourn bein^ the others. \ndiv\v Moore -ettled in thi- town in iXjjo, on the first day of April, d re-idrd there to the time of his death, \vhich o< curred on the 6th . \ : _ | s jo. His widow died at this writing.) lie was county >-.oiicr one time, and a most excellent citi/en. James McKibben :ed iirre on the 17111 of |une. 1X^0. There were but fifteen families in \ eni< c at tii.it time.

t »;1 tlU' i-,! dav of M.iy. i>s^. \\iliiam Miller and Samuel Miller, two brother-, from I'enn-ylvania. laid out Attica. Ihivid Risdon was the -tin evor. The name was derived from the postoftice by that name. \vhii ii had been located there before the survey of the town. K/.ra iliibcrt named tile po-,tot'tice alter the town in New \ ork. where he formeriv re-ided. Mr. (iilbert kept the first public house here, and N'ath.tn Merriman kept the first store. In iS^6 Attica contained twen tv dwelling- already, and a population of one hundred. In 1X4011 had eighteen more. It is now a very livelv countrv town, and has a fine trade. A lawyer. Mr. Lester Sutton. is located here, and some six jiliy-.ii i in-. The Attics /< nr/hi. is a ver\ readable weekly newspaper. and ven a!)i\ edited by mv old trieiid Mr. |. ('. M\ers. The rich farm ::i_ ( (immun :'. \ - -'irroundin^ Attica will always make the town a j^oixl trading po-t. The town ha- a -plendid -< hool liouse. a healthv situa ;inti and i ^ood moral enniinunitv ot intelligent people.

(in the roll "i March. I1-:!'. I'St her. the wife of Johnson Ford. died, lea v- 1;,.; hn-.tiand alone I" hK sorrow. A nei^ldior \\ent to Republic toassist i,, ;i,r i,ivp.irat ion of a cherr> collin. At tin- funeral the remains were placed ,,,, a i ude -led dra\\ n !>'. M\en. Samuel Ilalsted drove the team and Iv/.ra c,ill-ei-i \\alked li\ the side <if the lone husband ei^ht miles, to the cemetery in ->, -ipi.i to\\ ii-'uip. Ithadlieeii arranged that a funeral discourse should pi-.-aehed at ihe house of Fthan Smith, neai' the place of burial, and the ^eitlt-rs trathered there, but no minister came, and without so much as a Christian pra\er. the liod\ \\a> put to rest. The pioneer returned to his lone cabin, and although nearh a half ceiitun has passed away, he is with us

Thr -econd death was a child of Samuel Ilalsted. .Mr. Ford donated an am- in the center of hh t'arm foi- a Imrial place, and cleared the same. The i riiiaiu- of a child of I'hMip M uck was the lirst interment there and the third death.

In tl:i- \f.ir I^'i'i or 1^'iT the school house still in use in our town was built. 1 1 1(. run trad ha\ iie^' been let to Le\ i Kice. for which he received si .:;js.4'_'.

-' i ;. He he.iitlr. .in.l vigorous, ami can walk fifteen or twenty ; i\ 111' -. lively anil « 'necrlMl. and has .in excellent memorv. i! :!;<- comfort- of the home oi his >on. Louis Uollinger, a rei : c :;:/c:i ui \'enice 1 1 )wn>hip.

farm he owned until ls( '»-'!. The contract between the parties was that he should chop and dear one hundred acres of land, and for this service he was i,> receise the full and free title for the one hundred acres which he owned. All in the \\orld he possessed was a strong body and a willing heart. He e.ii ned hi- !i\ iiiLT h> threshing out irrain with a llail by the light of a lantern. 1 1 i- board lull ss as not extravagant, for he told me of many days of hard toil uiih nothiiiLr to eat hut hatter, baked upon an iron griddle, and maple life for several years, he received the title for his land. - cleared and a log house upon it. He then returned and , \\lio knew nothiiigof his whereabouts all these years of

A fe\\ sears of -mh -esere toil and the deepest privation and he has changed hi- forest to a 1'cautifiil farm, prodiicingabundance. But in those l--\\ sear- death has s i-ited their circle and taken his wife, and soon afterlire con-nine- iii- hoii-e and its contents, save himself and children, but x, ion upon the a-hes of that house is built a better one. and his second wife make- cheerful its hearth. Another farm is added tothe lirst. and prosperity -mill-- on es er> effort.

About the \ear l^-'.o he commenced to shake with the palsy. That strong Irame \\as v, reeked. It grew weaker and still less able to battle with the realitie-it had known so well in life, and fell to its last resting place in buna counts . Michigan, in the spring of IMM.

The hard circumstances through which he had past made him a clo.se dealer, though in money, sveitrhts and measures, strictly honest. He was naturally noble, kind-hearted and true.

Was born in (lermantown, Huntington county, Xesv Jersey, July 15. i7oX. and is theretore eighty-two years old. He was raised on a farm, and when twenty-five year- of age, he svas married and then moved to i! irri-on county, Ohio, where he located near the county line of Tus- < .irawa- in is-v Here he lived three years, and being dissatisfied y country, lie left it in the spring of 1834, and packing his into a covered svagon. he arrived in Venice township with and two children early in June, the same year. Here he entered a (juarter section of land in the east part' of the ere in- pit< hcd his tent. On the 191)1 of June he moved .''. and on the following night a heavy thunderstorm drove 'he i lap board- and the open -paces betsveen the logs, - !i their beds, -polling their goods and making -and lot- of New Jersey. On the next - were a lake. Intercourse with neighbors was com- i, ike After tin1 turnpike was finished, the company put a toll- ;,-,int oi' Mi Phersoii's hotel and arranged with him to keep it' until the litne when it was destroyed by a mob that tin u'.ites ail ahum the road. The traffic on railroads had nued travel on the public roads and hotel keeping in the bei ominu -low business. Mr. M ( - Phcrson removed to Caroline, i a^.iin v n_ t-jcd in the meri antile business. Mere he practiced that mi ; honcst\ and c-orrectness in dealing that have characteri/ed his \vho;e life lie bou-ht tor cash and sold tor ready pay only. He was sn i .ireful in -ivin^: proper measure that it was said ot him, "he would bite a j.ra'i!i of coffee in two to balance the scale." He never changed the price of his -nods, and sold them as they were marked, often holdin- them until they were out of tashion.

His old tavern is still standing and was used as a residence in 1879, but Mr. I'll. Schimp. its present owner, has built a fine residence near to it. and the old house is destined to go into decay. It is now used as a shop and tool house. It should be preserved as the first house built in Venice township, being erected in 1828.

After he kept store in Caroline eight years, he sold his stock of goods and mo\ ed about five miles further south, to near the edge of Crawford < ounty. where he owned large tracts ot land and which he wished to bung into market. He lived here eight years and until he had sold all ins land, when he again returned to Caroline ami took his old store r< >om.

The Seneca County Academy was then in a prosperous condition, and the children ot Mr McPherson being ot such an age that required attention to their education, he moved to Republic and placed them under the tuioi^hip of Professor Aaron Schuyler, whose name has bei nine celebrated among educators since.

and will stay until called to go higher. He is or a man of > -; years, his mind is still vigorous ! his handsome fortune among his children, rerelire into a warm corner while the shades of even-

;;,' k. was so kind as to furnish the author with the ; pertaining to \enice township in rela- " rebellion and masters pertaining to the general expiration of these live years, the land was put upon the duplicate. T.o do this correctly, was the princi[>al work of the county assessors.

In conformity with the plan I had laid out in the beginning of this work. as to the manner and order ot introducing subjects, where to beuin and where to stop. I am admonished that this is a very good place to close. 1 have described a great number of old settlers of Seneca county, and I am tullv aware ot the fact that very many distinguished men and women ot the old pioneers have not been mentioned and were overlooked. I had very little aid in that line.

Nearly all my pen- pictures ot persons are from my best recollections. The editors of the newspapers of Tiffin were so kind as to call upon the people of Seneca count}' during last fall and winter very frequently, to furnish me with such material as might aid in this enterprise. A few have responded Others saw proper to ignore the call. It would have been a very easy task to have told me of some worthy ancestor, who drove his stake in these Seneca woods for a home, and where he came from, what family he had, who his neighbors were, when he died and how lie had lived.

I described those I could remember If others have not- been noticed, will you just be so kind as to blame yourself? My purpose was history more than biography, and 1 picked out such characters as connected history with their lives. In writing of these, it was a pleasure, and like living again with friends I loved, and whose memory I am still left to cherish.

Now. dear reader, you and I are about to part. If the perusal of the preceding pages lias instructed, amused or entertained you, it is well. If I have failed to warm up in vour heart a feeling of love or veneration tor your worthy ancestors, who selected the woods of Seneca county to build homes lor themselves and their children: if a glance over Seneca's past and the efforts and struggles of the frontier settler to redeem and build up this heaven-blessed countrv. will not wake "p in the bo^om of the living generation, the love and gratitude so nobly earned and so highly due your ancestors, 1 shall regret that I have failed in my minion, and will hope that I mav never find it out.

i ih ; 'di.it we had the capacitv to comprehend the toils, sufferings and hardships, the deprivations and distresses these pioneers of the new civili/ation endured, in rescuing this land from the grasp of the British lion and his savage ally through two bloody wars; could we but recall the manlv -.trite, the fortitude, the p uriotic devotion to countrv and cause th;it inspired those men to ;u lions and decd> of noble daring and doing, how niiit h more th.in we do, would we revere 'heir memories and c.irry. within our bo-,om>, heart-, more ^ratetul lor .ill we enjoy.

( 'rown their deeds with praise: erown their ineim r\ \\ith i;rat itmle; let their hanlihonil. labors, self-denials and deep piety excite their dex-einlants ami those who oceup\ the lields of their eoin|iie>ts. to emulate their courage, their toil and their public virtue.

Appendix Van Burenite Salutatory The Old State House

O'VI KHKNCF.S of irreat importance at the time, but seldom, if ever, incut ioned in these da\s. are recorded here for several reasons: First df ;ill. in add lu the general interest of tliis enterprise, and secondly, to preserve. a> much as possible, records of <-vents thai at one time or other attracted ihe attention of the entire country, and defied the po\ver of science to account for >ome of these wonderful manifestations.

A (plant it > of other matter is added here for the convenience of the student of hi>tory. and for ready references to the subject embraced : some of these arc statistical, ami others are historical in their nature. These are hoped will prove a henelit as well as a pleasure to the reader, though, in fact, forming in themselves no part of the history of Seneca county.

occurred, that shook the whole majestic valley of the Mississippi to the center, and made the Allet,fhen\ mountains tremble beneath its lii^anlic throes. Its convulsions agitated even the waves of the Atlantic ocean. The subterranean forces which produced such results must have been of inconceivable mauMiil ude.

The region on the \\est bank of the Mississippi and in the southern part of the state of Missouri seems to have been the center of the most violent shocks. They \\c\-i' repeated at intervals of two or three months. These shocks, in their terrible upheaving of the earth, equal any phenomena of the kind of which histors Drives any record. The country was very thinly setll'-d. and thele Were but fe\\ educated men in the whole region wllOCOllld philosophical!' note the iihenoinena \\hich were \\ ilnessed. Fortunately. nio>t of i lie houses were ver\ trail, beiiin' 1'iiilt of lo.n's. Such slriictures \\oiild >\\a\ loam! fro v.ilh the Mir.Lrinus of ;he eai th. but thev were not foaming current of the Mississippi. The u'ia\e\anl at N»-\\ Madrid was .it one swoop torn awa\. ami with ;il! itx mouldering dead. >wept down the stream.

ated mises that were discharged durinir the shocks tainted the air with their noxious eilhivia. and so impregnated tin- water of the river for one hundred and !ift> mile-- as t«« render it unlit for use.

In tin* intervals of tin- earthquake there was one evening- and that a lifillianl and cloudless one. in which tin- \\vstern sky was a continued t,rlare of repeated | u >a Is of siihti'iTaneaii thunder, seem inn' to proceed, as t lie Hashes diii. from belou Ihc hori/.on. The ni^lit. which was so conspicuous for snbterranean thunder, was tlie same period in which the fatal earthquakes at ( 'araca>. in South America, occurred, audit is supposed that these Hashes and tho-e events \\ere part of tlie same scene.

( >ne result from these terrible phenomena was very obvious. The people in this region had been noted for their prolli^acy and impiety. In the midst of these scenes of terror, all. Catholics and Protestants, the prayerful and the profane, became one religion, and partook of one feeling. Two hundred people, speaking Kie_rlish. French and Spanish, crowded together, their faces pale, the mothers embracing their children. As soon as the omen which preceded the earthquake became visible, as soon as the air became a little obscured, as soon as a certain mist arose from the east, all in their different laii'4'iiaLres and forms, but all deeply in earnest, betook themselves to the voice of prayer. The cattle, much terrified, crowded about the people, seeking to demand protection or community of danger.

The general impulse, when the shocks commenced, was to run. And yet. when they were at the severest points of their motion, the people were thrown upon the ground at almost every step. A French gentleman told me that in escaping from his house, the largest in the village, he found that he had left an infant behind, and he attempted to mount up the raised piax./a to reco\er the child, and was tin-own down a do/en times in succession. The venerable lad\ in whose dwelling we lodged, was extricated from the ruins of her house, having lost even th HILT that appertained to her establishment \\hich could lie broken or destroyed. The people at the Little' Prairie who suffered most, had their settlement, which consisted of a hundred families, and which was located in a rich and fertile bottom. broken up. When 1 passed it and stopped to contemplate the traces of the catastrophe., which remained after se\ era I \ears. the crevices, where the earth had hurst, were siitlicieni !> manifest, and the whole region was covered with sand to the di-ptli uf two or three feet. The surface was red with oxydi/ed pyrites of iron, and the sand.blo\\ s. as they were called, were abundant!) mixed \\iththisUindof earth and with pieecs of pit coal. Hut two families reinaineil nf tlie uh'ili settlement. The object seems to have been in the first aro\\snis tif alarm. to escape to the hills. The depth of water that soon al.lc fury. It then apparently rose in the air, rushing along above the tops of the highest trees. Soon it descended with increased violence, ami tore its destructive way through Licking. Knox and Coshocton counties. Its general course was a lillle north of east.

'I'lu- ton-e and violence of the wind, which accompanied this tempest, have prohahU never Keen equalled in a norlhern latitude. (Jigantic forests were instant!) uprooted, and eiioniious trees were hurled like feathers through the air. Some \\ere carried seseral miles. There was no strength of trunk or mot uhich for a single instant could withstand the assault. Cows. oxen, and horses \\ere lifted hodil\ from the ground and carried to the distance of one or t \\ o hundred rods. There was a creek. Hooded with recent rains, over \\ hich the tornado passed. The gale so emptied it of its Hood that in a feu minutes there was onh a small, trickling stream to he seen in its bed.

There had heeii so much rain that the roads were very muddy, and the fields were like sponges sat urated with water. The tornado seemed to dispel even particle of moisture, and both roads and fields wire left dry and almost dtist\. The track of the tornado through Licking county was about twothirds of a mile in breadth, gradually increasing as the blast advanced. The air was so tilled with trees, buildings, and even kind of debris, whirled as high af the clouds, that the spectacles resembled immense birds pressing along in hurried (light.

The ven ground trembled beneath the gigantic tread of this terrific storm. Man\ persons who were at a distance of more than a mile from the track of the tornado, testified that they distinctly lelt the earth to vibrate beneath their feet. Those who experienced the fury of the tempest state that the roar of the wind, the darkened sky. the trembling of the earth, the crash of falling timbers, and the air tilled witli trees, fragments of houses and cattle, presented a >pectade a\\ fid in the extreme.

The cloud from \\ hich this terrific power seemed to emerge, was black as midnight. It \\as thought by some careful observers that it rushed along at the rate <if about a mile a minute. It sometimes seemed to sink low to the ground, and again to rise some distance above the surface. Tremendous as was the velocit\ of the storm, sweeping in onecontinuouscoiirse.it is remarkable that no one could teM from the fallen timber in which direction the wind had blown, for the trees were spread in every way.

T lie re were well authenticated incidents which seem almost incredible. An iron chain about four feet long, and of the si/.e of a common plow chain, was lifted from the ground and hurled through the air with almost the velocit> of a shot from a LIIMI. for the distance of half a mile, and was there lodged in the topmost bram-ln ^ of a maple tree. A large ox was carried eighty rods and uas then >o buried b< heath a mass of I a! leu trees that it required several houiV chopping in extricate the animal, which, strange to say. was not ma- I -riall\ injured. From the same field with the ox. a cow was carried forty lod.-aiid u:i> iinlgi-d in the thick branch of a tree. The tree was blown dou n. and the cov, uas killed. An ox cart uas carried through the air forty i o, !-,. ;iud u a> t hen da>hfd in t he ground u ith such violence as to break the axle and to eniireh demoli>h one of the wheels.

<'o!one| \\ii-lii l,;id a hoiiM- >trongl> built of heav\ logs. His son was standing in the doorwa\ \\henthegale struck him. and hurled him across

Tin- \\hole l""ly wa-> often similarly affect"d. and Hit- individual was driven. not\\ ith-landiirj; all his efforts to prevent it. in the ehnreli over pews and bcitc. -. air! in the open air over stones and the trunks of fallen trees. ,,,, tlml hi-, eseape from bruised and mangled limbs seemed almost miraculous. It wa> of no avail to attempt to hold or restrain one t hus atl'ected. Tin- pan>\v >m continued iiniil it ui'adualh exhausted itself. Moreover, all u.-re iinpr- -xxed \\itlitheconvictiontliat there was something supernatural ji, lh, >e com nlsion> and thai it uas opposing the spirit of < iod to attempt,

Th-se spasmodic convulsions commenced with a simple je.rkin.ii" ol' the fore-arm, from the ellio\\ to the hand, violent, and as unu'overned h\ the \\illa-\\h.i; i< called the shaking palsy would he. The jerks were very snd- ,(,.,, |,,Uo\\ inur eaeh other at -Imrl intervals. < .radually and resistlessly lhe\ extended thi'oii^h the amis to tiie inns, -Irs of the neck, the le^s and all other parts of the hod\ . The coin nlsioiis of the neck were the more frightful in behold. The liosom heaved, the features were greatly distorted and xi > \ioli-nt \\ei-e the spasm.-' lhat it seemed ini|iossihle hut that the neck must l.riikt-n. When the hair was lonir. as was frequently the case with these backwoodsmen, it wa> ofit-n thrown liackwaril and I'oruard \\ithsiich\-elo- ,.HN ii,a; i; \\onld actnalh >nap like a whii>-lasli. \\"e are not informed \\ln-ther the victim suffered pain under these circumstances or not.

\ n eve-witness tjives t he following L^'ajihie description of the inex pin-able Mlteiioiin-na: " N'othilitl in nature could better represent this strange and ni 'account able opera! ion than I'or me to ufoad another alte|-natel\ on one side with a piece of red hot iron. The exercise commonl\ be^an in the head, which \\ ould i!\ backward and forward and from side to side with a quick jolt, u'nich the pt-r.-on would, naturally labor to siipjtress. but in vain: and the iin'iv any one labored to sta\ himself and be sober, the more he sta.uir,.)-t.il ami the more liis t\\ itelies increased. He must necessarily .u'o as he wa> inclined, whether with a violent dash on the ground and bounce from place to place like a foot-ball, or hop around with head, limbs and trunk twitching and .ioltiim' in even direction, as if they must inevitably lly asun- ,1,.|-. Am! hou >uch could eseajie without injury, was no small wonder arnon---! spectators.

-- |'.\ these strange operations the human frame \\ascommonlyso transfunni-d and di^fmurcd as to lose every trace of its natural appearance. Siinietiine> the head would be tuitched ri.^ht and left to a half round, with such velocit> that no ft ature could be disco\ cred. but the face appeared as niiich behind a> before: and in the quick, prom'essive jerk, it would seem ;ix i: th'1 pi -!'--' »n \\ a> l ran sn lilted into >ome ot her species of c real lire.

countr\. Their arts, sciences and ci\ ili/atimi were brought into view, in order to account for all the curious antiquities found in various parts of North and South America."

Mr. .John Spauldiug testifies that the Mormon IJible. so called, is essentiallv this bonk. Mr. Heiirv Lake, of ( 'oiineaut. also corroborates this testimony in the following emphatic words :

-- 1 left the Mate of New York late in the year Mn. and arrived at Coniieaiit the l>t of .laimarx following. Soon after my arrival. I formed a coparlncr^hip u ith Solomon Spaulding for the purpose of rebuilding a forge, \\hichhe had - -,, mint-need a \ear or two before. He very frequently read to me a maimx-ript which he was writing, which he entitled the " Manuscript Found," and which lie represented as being found in this town. I spent manv hours in hearing him read said writings, and became well acquainted \\ ilh their contents. He wished me to assist him in getting his productions printed, alleging that a book of that kind would meet with a rapid sale. [ designed doing so. but the forge not meeting our anticipations, we failed in business, u hen I declined having anything to do with the publication of the book.

-- This book represented the A me ri can 1 1 id ia us as the descendants of tinlost tribes; gave an account of their leaving .Jerusalem, their contentious and wars, which were main and great. ()ne time when he was reading to me the tragic account of Laban. I pointed mil to him what I considered an inconsistency, which he promised to correct. l!ul by referring to the Hook of Mormon. I find l» m\ surprise, thai it stands there just as he read it to me then. Some months ago 1 borrowed tlie Mormon IJible. put it into m\ pocket, carried it home and thought no more about it.

-- About a week after, my \\ifc found the book in my coat pocket as it hung up. and commenced reading it a 1m id. a> I lay upon the bed. She had read but a few minutes till I was astonished to lind the same passages in it that Spaulding had read to me more than twent\ \ears before frmn the " Mauucript Found." Since then I have more mlly examined the Mormon IJible. and have no hesitanc\ in savMig that the historical part of it is principally, if not \\hnll\. tak.-n from the " Manuscript Found." I well recollect telling Mr. ^pauidiicj that the so frequent use of the words : - And it came to pass." rendered it ridiciiloii-. Spaulding left here in M-J. and I furnished him m '-a 1 1 -. io carr\ him to 1 'it t >hiirgh . where he said he would get the book printed and pa\ me. I heard nothing more from him."

The le.Mimoin of M\ other witne»es is etpially clear on this point. spanldit;'_r u a-* \ain of liis writ ing^ and u a- cont inually reading them to his neighbm->. It i-> much easier to \\rite such a i.ook than to get any one to publish it. It i> not kno\\ n what use he made of l he manuscript . Me remained in Pit ! Miurgh t\\o or three years and died in Amity in I sit'..

tin plates into his hands. At length the anjjel told him where they were t,, found. Al'ont I'oui- miles I'roni Palmyra. Ne\v York, there was a small liill or mound. Smith dim' down on the left side of the mound and found a laruv -tone l>o\. -NO carefnlh sealed that no moisture could enter it. Here the plate- u ere found. Orson Pratt, one of the first converts to Mormoni-m. ami one of its mo^i distinguished advocates, i^ives the following account of the plate- a- I hen found :

-- These records were engraved on plates which hud the appearance of -_rold. Kadi plate \v.is not far from seven liy ein'ht inches in width and length, beintr not quite so thick as common tin. They were lilled on hoth >ide- u ith em,M'a\ iii'4's. iii Ku\\ pt ian characters, and were hound together in a \olume. a- the leases of a book, and fastened at one edjje with three rings running through the whole. This V(»liime was something like six inches in thickne-s. a part of \\hich was sealed.

-- The character- or letters upon the unsealed part were small and In autifulh enura\ed. The \\hole hook exhiliited man\ marks of antiquity in its eon-truct ion. as \\ell as much skill in the art of engraving. \Vitli the record wa- found a curiou- instrument, called l>\ the ancients the I' rim and Tliiunniin. which consisted of t\\o transparent stones, clear as crystal, set in the l\\ 0 rim- of a ho\\ . This was in use in ancient t imes Ity persons called seers.

.loe "smith hold!) exhibited these apparently golden plates. 1ml no nnsanctilied hands \\ ere permitted to touch them, lie also showed a very highly polished marl"'*' lio\. which lie said had contained the plates, and which, in that case, must ha\ e miraciilonsh retained its lustre for count less centuries. IJiU it had lieen oli-er\ed some time before that .loe Smith, his brother, Hiram and another man b\ the name of McKni^ht wei'e very busily emplo\ cd in some secret \\ork. which particularly engrossed their time in the lioiir- of darkness. It was suspected that they were en,u,-a,n1ed in some counterteitin^ opei'ations. Accordin.ii to Joe Smith's account, they were engajjed in lonel\ vigils and in pra> er.

1 1 \\ as emphat icall\ true of the new prophet that lie had but very little honor in hi- oun country. His peculiar claims excited ridicule and contempi. Mob- he->ei his house, demanding a si^ht of the most famous }>lates. At lemrth the anno\ance became -o ^reat that he lied from Palmyra and took n lH'je iii tin- iiorthei'ti part of Pennsylvania, where his father-in-law resided. He secreted his plates for the jonrne\ in a ban-el of beans. Mein^ i|;iieil\ !ion-,-| in hi- retreat, he commenced. b\ divine inspiration, transl.iliii^the Iv.j \ p: i,:n hi. !'o^l\ pliicv. As he scarcely knew how to write himself. he emplo\ed ,i si i ibe. one < )li\ >T ( 'owilerv. Slat ioned behind a screen. \\liere Co i -;--> eo'ild ii<>; -ee him. he professed to look through the I'rim and Th u minim, and I hu- ! ran-laied liie unknown s\inbols. sentence by sen-

- A '_rold liook . containing a niimlier of plate-, fastened to^rther li\ wireof the >ame matt rial, had lieen (1m,' up in the northern part of the -late of Neu York and alomr \\ ith it an enoi -111011- pair of >pectade>. The-e >peclaclo were so lai'ue that if an\ person attempted to |do|\ thi-oirjh them. hi> too lame fo|- tlie human face.' 'Whoever.' IK- sadl. ' examiiieil the plate> throimh the v,'las>. wa> enabled not onl\ to read them, hut fnl!\ to nnder- .Mand t lieir ineaiiim,'.'

the - irold book ' in print, and offered it to me for sale. I declined purchasing. I adverted once more to the roguery which, in my opinion, had been practiced upon him and asked him what had become of the .irold plates. He informed me that they were in the trunk with the spectacles. I advised him toiro to a magistrate and have the trunk examined. He said the curse of ( iod would come on him if he did. On my pressing him. however, to go to a magistrate, he told me he would open the trunk jf I would take the curse of (iod upon myself. I replied that I would do so with the greatest \\ illingness and would incur every risk of that nature, provided I could only extricate him from the grasp of a rogue. He then left me. etc.

Again the community became clamorous to see the plates, and it was revealed to Joe. to show them to three witnesses chosen by the Lord. These were Oliver Cowdery. Martin Harris and David Whitmer. a new convert. who subsequently getting into a quarrel with some of the Mormons, was accused, together with Cowdery. of being connected with a gang of counterfeiters, thieves, liars and blacklegs of the deepest dye. to deceive, cheat and defraud the saints. This tirade of abuse was set on foot, however, only after the Mormons had finished their temple at Xanvoo. and Joe Smith found Cowdery to be very much in his way for the leadership, when he resorted to all manner of violence to drive Cowdery out of his vay .

" An a n. ire 1 of (iod came down from heaven and brought and laid before our eves, that we beheld and saw. the plates and the engraving thereon."

X'o one doubted that Joe had prepared these things, yet he was accepted as a divinely appointed prophet. On the 1st of June. 1SHO. he organized a band of thirty followers at Fayette, ( )ntario county. Pennsylvania, but these saints were held in such slight repute where they were known, that their leader concluded to remove them to Kirtland. Ohio. Here they assumed the name of the Latter Day Saints. Three thousand persons gave in their adhesion to Joe Smith. Some of these had wealth. Xow it was revealed to Joe that they should build for him a house and give him food and raiment and all he needed, which was done. Joe became rich and established a bank which, he said, could never fail, as it was instituted "by the will of (iod." Hut it did fail and badly .

The lo>ers by the failure of the bank procured process for Joe and Rigdon. who both ran ;;way . For this runaway Joe excused himself afterwards upon IJihle irroiinds : And as Jesus said, when they persecute you in one city, lice to another. Joe said, "these persecutors followed them more than two hundred mile--, armed with swords and pistols, seeking their lives."

Thereupon the Mormons moved to Independence. Jackson county. Missouri. \\here they bought a large tract of land. Converts were multiplied, a newspaper established and a town sprang up as by magic. Soon they numbered i wel Ye hundred.

well armed and disciplined, .loe liad another new revelation, not only authori/inu' tlit- saints I" lake inniv than one wife, luit enjoining it upon them as a dut) to lake several maidens to wife, and tlius lead tlieiu to heaven.

This step shocked quite a niiinlier ol' the simple-minded victims and UM! them to \\ it lidrau . hi it more \\ ere Ini'ed to join them b\ the license, and converts were mult iplied Taster than ever. Joe was accused of seducing' the \\ife of a I>r. I-'oster. The injured husband published atlida\ils. clearly pro\ inij the charge. A \\arraut I'rom a neighboring magistrate was secured for the arrest of tliecnlprit. .loe called out liis armed men and dro\ e the sheriff from t he cji\ . This caused ^reat excitement and the state militia \\ a-~ called out to enforce the la\\ s. Tliere \vas ever) prospect for civil war. The i;-o\ crnor came to \au\oo. .loe knew what was coming, and he and his brothei'. Hiram, surrendered to the warrant under a pledge of personal safet). The) were both taken lo the jail at < 'artha.u'e. where the) were held under the charge of treason. Popular excitement and indignation were inten>e. A Li'iiard was placed around the jail to protect the prisoners from an exasperated community. The cr\ was loud for the destruction of Naiivoo. and the expulsion of all the inhabitants.

At six o'clock on the evening of the I'Tth of November. is|(. two hundred men in disguise approached the jail, thrust the u'uard aside, broke open the doors, and shot the two Smiths. .Joe's last words were, as the balls pierced his boi|\ ."(). Lord, my ( iod."

-- I desire to make a brief statement of the affairs at Carthage, in regard to the Smiths. They have been assassinated in jail : by whom, it is not known, but it will he ascertained. I pledged m\self to their safety. I'pon this assurance the) surrendered themselves as prisoners. The Mormons surrendered the public arms and submitted to the command of Captain Sin^lelou. of l!ro\\ 11 count), deputed for that purpose by me. I had secured a pledge of safety for the Smiths, by the'unaiiimoiis voteof all the oHicers and men under their command. v \\'hen I had marched

The ne\v> of the death of the prophet created the wildest excitement at \au\oo. I n t heir oru'aui/at ion a man by the name of IJriirham ^'oim^ was pi'esident oi' a baud called "the Tweh'e A post !es." These chose YOIIII.LT as t lie snei-essor o|' .loe -Smith, and to be the head of the church. Sidney Kiifdon rebelled, demanding the position for himself. Uri^ham arrested him: declared him to be an emi^ar\ of the devil, excommunicated him. and "delivered him o\er to the buffet inurs of the de\ il in the name of the Lord."

existence, were upon the bright summit of glorv, and have lived till this late da\ . an- \\ illin^ I" exclaim that our .->-</.»-/- /// of government has eminently exceeded the most sanguine expt -ctations of those who achieved the glorious \ idor\ upoiiuhich il \\as established, and became an object, not only of admiration, but of en\\ and emulation b\ all the world.

"ll js then tore niir dul \ . rendered imperious by the position we occupy as .i nat i,,n. lo present- for its character as pure and untarnished as the brk'hi and illu-lnoiis spirit of lilierty. which dictated its existence among Us trainers, and >till serves as a beacon li.Lrht to the benighted, and a home for tlie oppressed of mankind, the object for which the blood of our forefalheis and heroes and labor of our ages have been bestowed to obtain.

-- In regard to the present federal administration, we unhesitatingly declare thai ue will wam- against it and its measures an unyielding opposition. We \\ould banish from us all prejudice cast off all party predilection, and admonish the American people to view the awful and deplorable condition of our coimtr) . brought about b\ the short federal predomination of one >car. and ask t heiiiselx es if this is the 'change " to which'they were invited.

"The DemocracN. who. in tr\ ing times, have been entreated to rally and rescue our government, must appreciate the present as a crisis equally important. and prepare 1.1 restore her fi om t he dominion of an unprincipled ami reckless political party, \\lio are now plunging her into debt, disgrace and dishonor, regardless of consequences. We shall endeavor to maintain a courteous hut decided position in regard to the principles we intend promulgating, and in discussion have a strict observance for the truth of what shall appear in our paper.

" With these remarks we throw ourselves upon the support of our friends in tin- cause of Democracy, and by an honest, fearless and independent course, we hope to merit the support which they shall be pleased to bestow upon us."

The reader \\ ill ilnd no fault with the writer for preserving for him a short histon of the old Stale House, ami I am sure he will value the " Dirge on the Slat"' House I Jell." (.oyeriior Chase's speech must not be lost.

Columbus took great pride in Ibis occasion of welcome, and the historic data referred to b\ < ,o\ enmr < 'base are so important . and the " Dirge " so beautiful, ilia! the\ are at I ached \\ it bout furl her comment :

( )u the evening of the Mb of January. \^~>~. there was a superb banquet uh MI at the I ',i pilot b\ l lie cit i/ens of < 'ol ill ill HIS to I he members of the legislature, heads of departments, judician. citi/eiis and strangers a mighty IhroiiLC. \"i sj tors were seen from all parts of the state, male and female, and some in'side, a prodiirious crowd. I n I'act almost evei'yliody seemed to be hela : the latter, indefatigable in his endeavors to rouse attention to the importance of extending Knglish coloni/.ation beyond the Alleghanies, confidently predicted that the country between the Lakes and the Ohio would - become, perhaps, iii less than another century, a populous and powerful dominion.'

" The efforts of Franklin were partially successful. .Vine years later the French dominion had passed away forever. By the treaty of Paris, of 17t>3. France ceded to ( i real Britain all her North American possessions east of tin' Mississippi.

-- I !ul the substitute for French eivili/.ation proposed by ( Jreat Britain was barbarism. Alivad) jealous of the increasing strength of her American colonies, or believing that they would be. commercially, more profitable if coniiiied to the Atlantic slope, she attempted to restrict their westward extension b\ a Ko\al Proclamation prohibiting settlements west of the Alleghanies.

--ruder the effect of this proclainat ion ( )hio remained a wilderness for twenty \ears. until, in l~s;>. another treaty of Paris annihilated British dominion within its limits, and transferred its possession to the American Republic, then first acknowledged as an Independent member of the Community of Nations.

-- A new era was now to begin its course. Anglo-Saxon civilization and Republican institutions were now to take the place of savage barbarism. Plans of emigration and settlement were promptly devised and adopted. At the mouth of the Muskingum. between the Miamis. and on the borders of Krie. the noble old pioneers of the west, many of them distinguished officers and soldiers of the revolution, commenced tin- work of subduing the wilderness. Regular institutions of government were organized under the ordinance of 17>7. and that grand career of development and progress, which has so far outstripped anticipation, was fully inaugurated.

" Another twenty years passed away, and Ohio was a state of the American I'liion. Her lirst public act recognized the inviolability of personal rights; the sacredness of private obligations : the absolute freedom of conseience. and the indispensable necessity to good government, of religion, morality and knowledge. I'pon these stable foundations she has built wiseh and prosperously. I need not recite her recent, history: you know it I. No]- need I remind \oii of her great works of improvement, of her ral provision and orgaiii/ation of education, or of her noble charities. It noiiuh to sa\ tha! 'acentun ' has passed and the prophetic anticipation of I-' rank ! in is ni> ire i han fulfilled .

" The I'M 11 ud a! ion-, of I he old Slate House were laid the next year. Three > ear> later il \sa> read\ for occupancy, and was actually occupied by the legislature \\hich assembled in Itecembei'. l^ii;.

" In thai edifice for thirty-live years, the general assemldy. invested not onl> wii 1 1 the whole power of legislation hut with the whole power of appoint- riHMit alsn, directed the government of tin- state. Tin- new constitution \v;i.s adopted in the fall of Is-'il. and .-i\ months lat«-r. tin- old Stal«- House, as if im\\ illiii'4 to >nr\ ive tin- old conMilut ion. peii-dieM b\ lire.

illustrate the hone-,1 manline-,-, and straightforward pt incipl.--, of the pioneers. " The inscription o\«-r tin- we-i.-i n entrance was tln-> : ermine for tlif slii-uinl : there Hitchcock, clear in judiiment ami inflexible in integrity: and tin IT Imt 1 must break off the enumeration. Time would fail me were 1 to attempt to name even halt' of those whose elevation of character. pnrii> of purpose, sagacity in council and viiror in action distinguished that period. Happ\ shall \\ e he it' \vc pro\t- ourselves worthy sncressnrs ui' such men."

Those uho n- UK ml't r tin clear ami of! admired tones of the old capitol iicll. \\iil not regret ihe insci lion ot the following appropriate dirge, taken i run i on,- of tin- Coin m !>i is. jiapcix. as an appendix to this hook :

Kre the p-d man had u;oue. I was mounted on hiyh. When the wide-spreading forest whicli greeted mineeye, (lave forth from its thickets the panther's wild yell. As he heard the strange sounds of \oiir Slate House Bell.

l"nafcomj)anied, unanswered. I sounded alone. And mingled my chime with its echo's deep tone ; Till spire after spire, rising round me. did swell Their response, to the sound of your State House Bell.

I called \ou together to make yourselves laws, Anddaih m> \oice was for even n'ood cause : When alight of importance or strange was to tell. You were .summoned full soon by your Mate House Bell.

As a sentinel, placed on the watch-tower's height. Columbus. I'\e \\atched thee li\ da\ and by iii.^ht Thoiiiili si 1 1 mb'rinjf unconscious. \\ hen danger hefell. ^'on \\ere roiist d h\ the clanu' of \oiir State House Bell.

Ohio

THE TIFF IN PAPERS JOURNAL OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION - FIRST MESSAGE OF THE FIRST GOVERNOR TO THE FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF OHIO MESSAGE OF 1*03 -MESSAGE CONCERNING THE ARREST OF THE BURR BLANNERHASSET EXPEDITION TIFFIN IN THE UNITED STATES SENATE ELECTION OF SPEAKER OF HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OK OHIO.

Tiik Tiffin P Apk Us

Til I-', following records, papers and documents pertaining to the life and public services of (iovernor Tillin, \vere collected with ijreat care. They are so full of historic data and record so many interesting events, that, \vliile the careless reader may treat them lightly, the author feels sure that, the thinker and lover of history will value them highly, and for his especial hem-tit has called them the '- Tiflin Papers."

Tiik Kikst Constitution Of Ohio

lii. Inly. 17^7, the congress of the I'nited States, acting under the provisions of the -- A rt ides of Confederation," enacted the widely known " Ordinance of 17^7." for ihe government of the territory of the I'nited States lyiiiLT to t he north west of the ( )hio ; and this may he said to have been tho lir>t movement towards the establishment of civil government within that vast region.

I-' or the pin-pose of carrying that ordinance into ell'ect and of or^ani/ing <i territorial ^overnni'-nt . on the -">! h of October, 17>7, congress appointed ( i enera] Arthur St. Clair uoveniur and \Vinthrop Sargent secretary of the territ<m : and a lew days thereafter. Samuel Ilolden Parsons, -John Armstrong and .Janice M itclieli Varnum were appointed its judges.

1 )u i' in -_r the -.11 miner of 17-s. wit hout respecting the opinions prevailing at, tli.it ti me. when the states, as >udi. were supposed to possess more dignity and more pulili'-al riu'hN than belonged or could possibly belong to an unor- Lrani/ed cMinmiinit . . even \\hen actiiiLT under siijiposed l-'ederal authority. I lie u;o\ i 1 1 n if iii id t\\ti of the judges of the territory assembled at Marietta, and comnii'iiced \\luit the\ i-diiceiveil to lie their duly of legislating for the residents of the territory, hut their enactments were disallowed by congress, because ihe\ had bei-n frani'-d without warrant in law by those who posse>sed no pouer to enact a law.

produce this very important western document. complete. :nul we assure ourselves tliat "in p-aders will l>e ti'lad to see it." ( Kditor Historical Matsi-

I'.e^un and held at the town of Chillicothe. ill the county of I toss and terr'tor\ aforesaid. on the lirst Monday in Xovenilier hein.u the lirst day thereof in the \ ear of our Lord, one thousand. ei^ht hundred and two. and of the independence of the 1'iiited States of America, the t wenty-seventh.

On \\ liieh da\ . beiiiLC the time and ]>lace appointed for the meeting of the ruiivention for the purpose of forming a constitution and state government. li\ the act of congress entitled : " Alt act to enable the people of the eastern di\ is ion of the territory, northwest of the river Ohio, to form a constitution and state irovernment and for the admission of such state into the Cnion on an equal footing with the original states, and for other purposes." the following members appeared, who produced certificates of their having been diih chosen to sen. e in the convention, and having severally taken the oat h of fidelity to the Tinted States and also an oath faithfully, to discharge the duties of their otlice, took their seats. to wit : See the names of the members as signed to the constitution .

On motion, the convent ion proceeded to the choice of a president //;-« t< m. \\ hen William < m forth. Ks<].. was chosen and took the chair.

( )n motion, the convention proceeded to t lie choice of a secretary /irn l< ///. u hep-upou Mr. William McFarland was chosen and proceeded lo the duties

/,'. v-li-i <!. That a standing conimitlc" of pri\ ilexes and elections, to consist of live members, be chosen by ballot, whose duty it shall lie to examine and report upon the "Tedentials <>f the members returned to serve in the convention, and to lake into consideration all such matters as shall or may be r< - [erred to them, touching returns and elections, and t<» report their proceedings. with their opinions thereon, to the convention.

On motion, tlie convention proeet ded by liallot to the choice of _a (loorkei-per. to ser\e during the pleasure of tlie convention, and upon examining the ! ia Hots, a majorit \ of i he \ otes was foil mi in fa \ or of Adam Bet/..

( MI motion, oidered that a comiuitlee of three lie appointed to prepare and report rules for the regulation and i;o\fi-|iiiient of the convention, and that Messrs. lit i!\. Milli'j-an and \\"o!-thi!i^toii be the said committee.

The co;i\ention accordingly resolved itself into the said committee. Mr. (.ot'orth in the i -hair, and after some time spent therein. Mr. President resinned the '-hair, and Mr. dofortii reported that the committee hud. accordin.: to order, h.id ihr said resolution under consideration, and made no

The -.aid re-.o';;it!oi: \\as then amended at the secretary's table, and read tin- third lime, and on the .jiiestion that tin-convention do arrive to the same. in tin- word- follow i;i-. to-wit :

\VitKliK.\-. ci'iivrre.-* did i-\ the law. entitled -' an act to enable the people of the eastt rn divi-ion of jln- tt-rritor> m>rthwfsl of the river Ohio, to form a constitution an.i stat-- u'o\ . riiiii'-nt . an-i for the admi>Mon of said state into the I'nion.onan e.jiia! footini: \\ith the original state>. anil for other purpo^.-s. ;i;-o\ide.i that the me!nl"-r< «\ the eonveiition thus duly elected. aurreeaM\ to tli'- aet afore>aid. uh'-n met. shall tirst detei'inine by a majority oi til, uliole numi'er electeil. \\lietherii be or be not expedient. at this time. to fojui ,i coj^t it nt ion ami >tate -^«\ eminent for the people within the said t«-rritor> : tlierefoiv.

-- "v-c. 7. NO iie^'ro or mulatto shall ever be eligible to any office, civil or military, or ^\\'>- their oath in any court of justice airainsta white person, be siibjfrt t-« do military dut\ or pa> a i-'ll tax in tliis state: provideil always, anii it i> fuii> 'inderstimd ami declared, that all n'-izroe-. and mulattos now in. or uho ma\ h,-reafti-r reside in thi> -tate. shall be entitled toall the priv- :!,-_',--. o; citi/en> of thi> -tat--. n-»t exeepted by the constitution."

( . i-:\ i I.I:MKN OK THK SI^N.-VIT. AND OK 'niK Ilorsp; OK UKI'KKSKN'I'Ari\'i> : NVe now exhibit another sovereign, free ami independent state, orvjani/ed nortliwest of the ( )hio. which is about to be added to the confederate ifoveninient. emphatically styled " the world's best hope :" many of our citi- />MI-> have looked I'orward to that period, and not without reason, when they should become a five people, and I sincerely congratulate vou and them. that the\ have now an entire legislature of their own choice, assembled under a constitution sacred to liberty : a constitution which rests upon equal rights and displays a pure representative system, a constitution whereby the rulers are derivable from, and amenable to the people: a constitution calculated to excite in all our citi/.eus a patriotic y.eal. by .irivini; each individual an opportunity, by merit, of beimj called upon to participate in the government, that all may strive habitually to feel and distinctly understand its lirst principles.

Th-.- period wherein we commence our national existence is peculiarly auspicious; tlie government oi the I'nited States respected abroad, strong in the conlidenc" of its eiti/.ens at home, and by a wise and prudent policy in loppiii'.r otV all extraneous excressences from the liody politic, reijuii'es less lineal exactions \« preserve it HI its pristine health and constitutional vigor: the Lr":>d eff"ci> result iis'4 t lie re from to us. in our first essay towards self-government are evident : and ii i- a pleasing reilection that the sons of Ohio. r solicit u le and lively interest manifested for the happife\er\ portion of the American people as well, are fast ow cil i/.ens in t lie other stales towards a union of

The iv-cent emban'a>^ments to our infant commerce. oc<'asioned by the irveyu la; ii ie-, a; N'ew Orleans, we ha \e every reason to believe, will soon lie removed b\ the prompt and eilicacioiis measures taken by the pi-esident of the I'nited xiates. and \\ hieh !ia-> been aided b\ the minister of his Catholic Majesty.

with certain propositions, is dailv expected, and which, if acceded to by them, will affect this suliject. As soon as official information is received it shall he itmiicdialely communicated.

The constitution having made an entire change in the judiciary system necessaiA.il will he proper to direct your particular attention to the third article of thai instrument upon this snhject. To erect and establish courts with common law ami chancery powers, with civil and criminal jurisdiction, at uhose bar. life, reputation, property and everything dear to freemen may l»e at stake, as \\ell as to till the benches with proper characters to pronounce the law. and to provide for an impartial selection of juries, are of such vast importance in e\er\ well regulated government as to re<|iiire the utmost deliberation and caul ion. I nder the same article it will be necessary to provide h\ law for the election of a competent number of justices of the peace in each township, in the several counties: and it may be an object worthy \onr enquir) . whether it would not be economical and judicious to establish each county into a court to manage its internal concerns and regulate its general police.

Within one year after tin meeting of the first legislature it is required that an enumeration of all the white male inhabitants above twenty-one years of age shall be made: it will therefore be necessary to provide by law for the accomplishment of that object, in order that a due apportionment of senators and representatives may be assigned to eac,h county or district.

A well regulated and disciplined malitia. being justly considered in every republic as its safeguard for protection and defense, I cannot but recommend to your consideration a review of the existing laws relative thereto. The first, passed in the year IT'.i'.*. is a good system, but as it was adapted to the stale of the district, when the Indiana and northwestern territory was one. and much injured by a subsequent act. passed in the year Isdl. which repealed that part relative to the appointment of general oflicers. and which the constitution now recogni/.es. it is suggestive whether it would not be best to revive the former law. with such alterations as will make it applicable to our present situation, aided with such other improvements as you may find it susceptible of. as well as to provide for the election of ils otlicers.

The season of the year in which >ou were necessarily convened to carry the go\ eminent into operation, being inconvenient to many of you. will doubt less excite a wi>h to curtail the present session, and devote your inline-' diate attention to such objects as are most pressing, and more especially as there j-, reason to believe \'>u will lie much importuned with business of a loeal nat ure. from difi'i rent parts of the state : otherwise it would have been advisable to have taken a re\ lew of all the present exist ing laws, many of whieh were adopted in ihe lir>t and enacted under the second grade of the territorial governments, requires much revision : one. however, adopted at an ear!\ p-rio-l - regulating marriages." wherebx the governor is exclusively aiilhori/ed to grant marriage licences, and which has been just Iv com- I hope, now lie expunged from our code, and one better ibjt ct oi 'its inst it ut ion. and more congenial to the spirit of . enacted in its >tead.

events in future: and herein we have an additional inducement for that confidence \vliidi the le-jfisla ture expressed at tlieir last session in the executive of the 1 'idled States, and in the measures which were pursuing to mvompli>h those (ilije<-ts. and u liich lia\ e succeeded beyond our most sanguine expectations.

Tin- riuht of deposirm:_r the produce of expoilation of all that extensive, f. -rule cou ul r\ . whose waters are tributary to the Mississippi, fit her at New < )rlean-- or an\ \\ he re else on the hanks of the river near its nioiilli. although a Ljreal object. \el. would ha\e iieeu held at hcst. hut a precarious tenure, \\hilehoths-ides \\ere subject to a foreign L;O\ eminent, but b\ a \\ise and magnanimous policy. \\ai . ever to he deprecated, with ail its inconccivahle at I end ant horrors, has i»ceu averted, and expenses to support that war. which mi.u'ht have heen i iicalculable. and could not fail to have heen heavily felt . ar- rendered mmecessar> . whilst hy a friendly negotiation, and in the most ji'st and lionoralile ua\ , ilie city and island of New Orleans. \\ ith the whole of Louisiana, arc added to the American empire, an acquisition incalculable to the ('idled Stales, whether considered as a territory, rich in natural resources, as a means of see tiring the uncontrolled ant! peaceahTe navigation of the Mississippi, hy possess! n.n' its key, or as a Ljreal and increasing source of nisi ional revenue.

The present stale of the militia calls aloud for your particular attention. When the i;o\ eminent \\as first or^aiii/ed a return to the militia was reijuired of the then adjiilaiit-.Lreneral. who was directed by the li'th section of the -- act establishiiiL!' and rc^ulal inu; the militia. "to make a return to the comniander-in-ehief annually. His answer lo that request showed thai the militia lav\ had heen neulectcd. and that not a single regiment in the stale was either oilirered or i»if,Lrani/ed. believing thai our safety and fret'tloni depends on tlds class of our fellow citi/ens. and finding thai the only proju-r sal'i'LTiiard for protrrt jon and defence was in this lamentable situation, it \va.s thoiiLrhl exp< dienl. as thee\i>tin^ militia laws from the change of government \\ hii-h ii;i i 1,1 ken place. \\ ere not applicable to our present sit ua I ion. to issue general orders, requiring!," ihe senior otlicers \\lio \\ere in commission in siH'h county . to hold eject ions agreeably to the cons! it nt ion. to till t lie \ acaneje- in lln-ir ri-iiiinents and make i-c|iort to the adjutaiil-^eneral. that Ihe inilil ia mi^'lii 1 e placed on as respectable foolinif as e.xistinj; circiilnstaiices \\onld pi-riuii. '1 he-e orders were allend"d to b\ some of the commandanls \\ it h '- /.i -a I ,!!,- arl i\ it\ hiuhl\ hono|-;ib|c |o t hem. and a few regimen I > have (.--en --ompletels oi!;i-ci-eii and di-i-i|p]ined. \\jih linht companies annexed to 1 i. m. A !< t urn of (he cH'ecliNe force, a commnniciii ion from the president - -I'.hel ni'o d >t;,ti ^ on thi> subject . a requisition from the .general ^o\<-i nl:.' nl lo ;.--MC! -!- - \\ it h the leasl possjlilc (iela\.ainl hold in readiness l!\ e

;i time, not to sutler a simrle boat to pass without an arrest and examination The execution of these operations was entrusted to < ienerals (Jano and l-'indle\ and .ludire Xiiniiis. I liave also inven anthoriu to .Jacob Wilson. KSIJ.. of Steubenville. to act. if occasion offers for his interposition, in that quarter, and it u;ives me urea! pleasure to inform \on that [ last night received a communication from .ludire Mei^s. of Marietta. announcim,r the complete success of the operations intrusted to him and (General 15uell. and whose patriotic efforts entitle MIHII both to my warmest thanks.

It i-> suspected not ice was eomexed to lilennerhasset's island of the passi'je of the l;tw. and the preparations makin^liere to carry it into immediate effect; for it appears that on the nifht of the nth instant. Comfort Tyler pa^M-d Marietta with a number not yet ascertained of fast rowing boats, with men arm* d indiscriminately with muskets, pistols and cutlasses, ain] anchored at the island, and immediate!) sent an express after lilennerliasset.who was hiimiiiLr on his ilotilla: that upon discovering the movement-of our militia, tliey lied full speed to the island, which was guarded at ni^lit by sentinels and lighted lanterns at proper distances, and none suffered to pa^s except hv countersign or watch-word. S, lies were also placed at Marietta to <*ive notice of the movement* there. In the meantime. General IJuell. by direction of .Indite Mei^s. with a detachment of militia. proceeded up the MiiskiiiLfum river ill the niii'lit. and arrested ten of the batteaux a* they were descending the river to join Tyler's forces: they were so hurried tliat four more of the batteaiix Were not tcot ready to embark and would also be sei/ed. which is. I believe, the whole of the MuskinLTiim Ilotilla. There were near lutilwrels of provisions sei/ed on board, and which. I expect, he also sei/ed with the Bailie remaining batteailX : these batteaiix are e, eh forty feet lon^-; wide and covered and calcidated to carry one company of men.- It is believed notice was immediately j^iven to the i>land of this sr-i/.ure. for in about three hours afterwards, on the same niirht. IMennerhas- ---l am! T\ ler made their es«-ap" from the island, and have pushed, it is said. through Kentucky. Colonel 1'lielps. of Virginia, witli a few mounted men. is in pursuit of t hem.

! exj'eet Tyler's lioat* will descend the Ohio, to meet him and Blennerha>sct at some point Io\\ down on that river, and I have no doubt but that (icneral (iano will render a n'ood account of them as they attempt to pass ( "mcinnat i.

! also |-fccj\i'd las; ni^ht a communication from the secretary of war of thel'nited State-. b\ diri-ctioii of the '.government, requiring me. without d«-la\ . to raise !-"o o|- L'HO \-oiunleer miiil ia. to In- formed in companies with one lieid ollicer, nue captain. I \\ o subaltern.-' and TU men. commissioned ollicer>. pri\'aies and musician.- to each company, in the pay of the I'nited St.iti'S. and direei Up tn to march to Marietta. \\iMi order> to sei/e the Muskin^nm i!o! ilia, and pre\ cut i; from 1 >e; nu' rcnio\ ci| until further onlers from Hie president. I'.ut lindin.^ that ihis sci vice was in parl effected. I ha\ e >> cut ui'ed. from tlie neci'ssilN of the case, to \ai\\ in some decree from these iii>lrii'.-;io]i-. and \s hich. I hope, \\ili meet the approval of the general u'ovrnment ,md ai-'i of Mini's. ! -eni on order> la.-t ni'_dit to Marietlatorai.se one co!iipaii\ "! volunteers, to he ci>mpo.-ed of one major, one captain, two siilialleni.- and >ixl\ iii'-n. commissioned oilicers. privates and musicians.

latnre. on tin' expediency of suspending the sixth article of tlie compact ( ontained in tip1 ordinance passed July 1.'!. 17>7. concerning the admission of slavf->; also a i-einonsl ranee against the same from citi/ens of Clark county. \vliirli was read and ordered to In- referred to Messrs. Franklin. Kitcliill and Tillin to consider and report Ihereon. I'pon the report of the committee, the senate resohed that it is not expedient to so suspend.

/,' -- i/. Tliat a i ommiltee be appointed to inquire whether it he eomp 1 1 j'o'e w it li t h<- honor ;md pri \ ilc-i s of the house tliat . John Smith, a senat "]- 1 1 , >ni ( >h:i >. against \\ hoin bills of indict men t were found in the Him it eo;ir; of Virginia, held at Richmond in August last, for t r< ason and misdenie;;nor. simiiM or permitted an> longer to have a scat therein : and that the roinni i i :ee do inquire inio;ill the farts iv.u'a rd i i in' t he cond net of Mi\ Smith as an alleged associate of Aaron IJurr. and report the same to the senate.

-- ! >i:.\ i: Si i; : .1 u-t ha\ inu heard that a motion is pending in the senate to app.'iut a riiiiinii! iec to inquire into certain charges exhibited against me at Kii'hniond b\ llie late ^rand jury. I he-<^ \ou. sir. to assure the senate in my namr. that nothing -will afford me more pleasure than to have a public invrsli^at ion .»(' UK- s;iid eharu'es and an opportunity to vindicate m\ innocence, and I !MU \oii from your seat to make this stateiiK-nt.

In a letter to the author mi this subject soinebod\ remarked: "In the eas" of .bihii Smith. I think there were not quite enough Mites to insure his expulsion ;md I'a.. 1 belie\e. \oted against liim. I). M. T."

Aim'I M-Ix

dom is -- that form of government where man is left free to do a» lie pleases, except where the rights of his neighbor and public safety need restraint." : Hbickstone. Now if that be freedom, the form of government must be shaped to meet all its demands. Nothing but a republic with democratic institutions can secure that degree of liberty. And I desire here to be strict- Iv understood that I shall use the words "Democracy" and "Republicanism " in no part) sense, for both tenusare synonymous, mean and express the same tiiinu. --Demos" people and "Kratos" (government.) put together make -' Democrat-) ." which is the people's government, or a "Republic." and " Republicanism in its best sense is nothing more than an attachment to a republican form of government. If Alexander Tope had lived in the present ayv and observed the spread of the principles, expressed in the Declaration of 1 1 [dependence man everywhere claiming his rights - had noticed the progress of events : the demands of humanity and human rights throwing their storm-waves against thrones that are simply permitted to exist while they reel and totter lief ore they fall - he would not now say again :

It is not true. A bad form of government cannot be well administered. You can enjoy no right as a free man under a despotism. Talk about free speech, free press, freedom to worship < iod in accordance with the dictates of your own conscience, where the crude will of a C/ar is the supreme law of the laud. The form of government is all-important for the preservation of human rights in their puritv. What a spectacle to the patriot, the organi/ation and form of the government of these states ! Thirtx-eight free and independent slates, each with its own Republican form of government, making up in iis municipal organi/.ation a free and independent government of its own. surrendering for unity only such of its natural rights as are absolutely indispensable for the purposes of the general government, and reserving all other rights " to the state and the people." This principle kept intact and cherished and loved as the fathers did. will forever protect and defend the constitution in its purity, make succession and cenlrali/.ation both alike impossibilities. Such a form of government requires for its perpetuation and perpetuity, a people who are both intelligent and virtuous intelligently moral. People well educated in letters and figures, but vicious, are no more capable io preserve and maintain a Republic than a people merely moral but abjedh ignorant. Intelligence, embellished by all the virtues of religion and morality, alone qualities man for the rich boon of freedom. And if this Republic shall ever suffer the fate of Republics that have lloiirished in time past and are no more, it will be because the people sliall.li> corruption, luxury and vice, make themselves unlit for the enjoyicnt of it.

a man weais clothes that lit him. so does a nation wear just such a of ^overjiiuent as it is capable of maintaining. Now. if we claim to and '^lor\ in the pos>e>sion of. the best form of government ever cond bv man. a government just grown out of its childhood to manhood, preserving its integrity through a thousand trying ordeals in >u nece.ssarv and indispensable, that we. to preserve it. should not a man was in In- found who would ilo and dan-. Man. prone to love of power as he his. 1 1 id \ou ever think of il. m> iViends. how little it would have r, quired to have lust all that was won by tin- blood of the revolution '-; Does it not s.-riii that tin' hand of 1'rovideuce was in all this? 'J'he spirit that opened the war seemed to close it . and commence the Republic. The spirit: that appealed to ( iod for the rectitude of their conduct, moved the men in power. \\ hen the u ar was over, to rei urn their swords and la\ them upon (lie altar of the;] coiiut r\ .

If time v. . iii Id permit. 1 -d mil Id be -lad lo indulge in a few passing i-emarks on man1, "f i he e\ .-n: - ; hat have characteri/ed mi'' history as a people hit hiTt". bni i m u si a'n- ai ii \\ hi I" i \v i! I invit-1 \oiir at lent ion to things and sn rnui in lilies at i i. line. Let me -peak to \oii a little \\ hile on the rise and j»ro- other. \\as granted by the same commissioners at the treaty of St. Mary, on the 17th of September, the following year. On the 2Xth of February, l.SIil. these Imliaiis eedeil their lands to the u'eueral £>'ovcrnment and agreed to remove southwest of Missouri, on the \eoslio river.

At that lime ilieir uriiieipal chiefs were ( 'oonst ick. Small-Cloud. Spicer \vliomoiiresteeiiied triend. Dr. II. Kuhn. of this citv . well knew . as well as -.nine of the other>. Senec;' Steel. Hard Hickory. Tall Chief and (iood I Iiinter.

deneral Ilenrv C. IJrish. now deceased, was the sub-assent of this band, which numbered about 40ti souls at that time, and were considered to be a remnant of the Logans. 1 remember well in several conversations I had witli the ( i eiiend about these Indians, in each of which the t ieneral expressed his ^urprise \v hv they were called >'< n< rn*. as he said he never found a Seneca amou'j,1-; them. He said they were Cayun'as -\vho were Min^oes ; thai they had amongst tliem some Oneidas. Mohawks. Onondajjcas. Tuscarawas and \Vvandois. Thev believed in witchcraft, and while here executed one of their best men for that crime. Time will not permit me to^ive the narrative of ihe execution.

If v on had been present at a meeting of the " Seneca County Pioneer Association." about two years au'o. and listened to the address of our esteemed friend. Isaac I. Duinond. near Ft. Si neca. sou would have heard an interest in ij narrative of the annual do<^ dance and feast of these Indians.

While speaking about the Indians, let me sa\ to you that a question of title to a portion of these lands is still pending and undisposed of. I mention this fact oidv as a mailer of iiistory.

Il isverv doubtful whether any remnant of that tribe sees this day. The irivater prolial'ilily is. that they have all fallen to the law that seems to rule the general destiny of the race. Ail we have of them is their name, their lands and their short history. The n> >r iiinvliiiw. so called, included the lamh of the Seneca Indians. In fsju and ISL!| the other lands of the " new pui'chase " v.'ere laid off into lo\\ nships and sections, but the Seneca Iteser- \alioii was not siii'veyed until K'.:.'. Speakini;' of the new purchase. I desire to record an incident in connection \\ith it. loo important to be lost. .My venerable friend. Isaac 1. Duiiiond. of Pleasant township, built a house near the left hank of the Sandusk\ river, northeast of Ft. Seneca, in IV_'H. .acabin rather, \\hichis.-till 111 for human habitation and occupied b\ afamilv. wliile Mr. I)uniond !i\es close by in more comfortable quarters.

the deprivation* and snfferiiiLrs of the early settlers, when told and repeated to the present tii-ii'Tat ion . are received with doubts or indifference. Yet will I venture to call to mind I he life in the cabin with some of its incidents as I saw it. Then- \\>TC hut few of my (ierinan coiinli \ men in Seneca when, in the Mimni'-r of I ->:;:;. 1 came to tin* place with my father's family. The lary;e number h\ i'ar came and 1m tied afterward, and as you pass through the counts iiou . and ob*er\ e a vast --I>nti-h barn." with many well cultivated i'r'lds i'«'iind about, and a slateh mansion with orchard, gardens and cverythiic^ denoting and speaking of Hie comforts of life. \ou ask who lives there '? and | 'i rii;i -- - . on .\iHbeioU. that that '^ray-headed venerable looking old man >i> i ina on \ondi-r porch, "smoking his pipe of clay," entered for!\ a>Tes oi tand \\heii hi lii'st came from ( iermany. for which he paid !i;'t> dollar-, all I he money he had. and perhaps a part of 1 hat was borrowed from a friend. Kiuhl baek of where his brick honse now is he built for himself a >mall cabin and made a little opening lonnd a bunt it tor a garden, a little l na-k pai h for corn and ]iutatues. lie was voting then, and his yonn.i,r \\ ife ,:^-i-le<i him in hi* hard \\ork.all she conld. to lix up their home in the fores; a* best th.-\ . oi;ld under the circumstances. Now their money v,,!* all ^onc. .Moi'c was needed to u'ct a cow. some lio^s, tools, a wai^o uvn. elc.. and witho!!l which no further progress upon the forest could be in: '.«-. The chances to earn money in the neighborhood were very bad. \o,.od\ had an\ to p;n witli as a ji»'iieral tiling, and the few that had could hiii .1 laborer vcr\ clu-ajt. At >-"> and si; a month it took a lon.t; lime to buy t lni-,1- necessaries. :;nd to li\ e and not die of despondency under such circnmslancc-> look mure MvMvl courage than we. in these degenerate days, jxissess. Tlie endurance and self-denial of the men and women of those days is be- \ond the puuer of a pen to desci'ibe. Imagine, now, that cabin, miles away fn>!u any neighbor, \\ith only a very crooked road, marked by blazed trees, leadinir 1" i! : daik forests all around and a small opening made by the little

The neaiv-1 pnlilic \\urk u'nere money could be earned was the Dayton iX .\!ii-hi'_ra!i canal. l"o mile- awa>. Here necessity compelled him to leave his wife and little MHO and work on ! lie canal all summer, returning home .in the fail, u hoi |nil.!ic \\ ork \\ as slujiped. and I huseconomi/in.n' wit h his earniie.:-. ini|>ru\ed i'ne eiiiiiihiini of his famll\.from lime to time, until the d.-ariim had enla enop^h io produce the support of lite, and perhaps can contribute to elevate our people higher and still higher in the scale of humanit \ . ami I I'eel jnstitieil when I say that on the score of wealth, health, morals and intelligence, old Seneca has no superior amongst her neighbors.

Let me say a lew words about Titlin. .losiah 1 ledges laid out Tittin proper in IsiM. Fort I'.all had alread\ been located by Mr. Spencer. The postotlice was over there and some of the most inlluential of the early settlers lived in Fort Ball. The troubles between the rival proprietors of these villages were at tinie^ ver> severe, !>ut ended in the purchase by Mr. Hedges of the entire plat of Fort Ball, and the location of the court house on the Titlin side of thcri\cr. Fort Ball was named after Lieutenant-Colonel James V. Ball. the commander of a squadron of cavalry under i Jeneral I larrison. Titlin wa- named al'ter 101 ward Titlin. who was the first governor of <)hio after her organi/alion as ;: stale, and a particular personal and |)oiitical friend of Mr. Hedges. Your humble servant had the honor of being the last mayor of the old town of Tillin and the lirst mayor of the cit\ of Tillin upon the union of the two villages. Let me remind you of the old sycamore that Mood on the rinht bank of the ri\er now in Mechanicshiirg. The boundan line oi' ili;' city, as then or^ani/.ed. ran through the sycamore soutliwardly. Forty-three years au'o a couple of exiled (iennan hoys formed a closer acqiiaintanci and friendship under that tree one that lasted for life. When the eit) council entru-led the description of the boundaries of the new city t" me. i described tli.it tree as a laud-mark. The tree and one of those boys lia\e long since passed away. The residence of l»r. Ilovey. in the second \\ ard. covers a part of the ground \\ here the old fort stood.

Time \\ JH not permit me to >;ive yon anytliin.it like a slat 1st ical statement of the resources of thi- county. \llo\\ me onl\ to sa\ that Seneca in the scale of \\e:dth. ]>- <\ <\ i lal inn . etc.. is an a \eraire count\ amoim'st the ei.Li'htyeiL.dit counties of the state.

In 1 ^7'i -he had a |»-pn lal ion of "U.sJ^. I n 1 ^7"> she harvested the cro]> of "i l.o --- i a<-re- of wheat. In l-^yr, -,|;e pa\ s s-j| t.onii taxes. 1 1 er public buildings ma> not lie of the best . hut her school- and other inst it nt ions of learning are tin! -urp.i. -e.| in an\ coiint\ ai'oimd her. She is one in only eighteen conntie-, in the state that i- not in debt. Her people commit lesscrime compared