Although the “Northwestern Territory” — carved out of Virginia and now divided into the States of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin — never included Iowa, this State was in 1834 incorporated into the “Territory of Michigan,” and thus became subject to the ordinance of 1787; and two years later it was made of part of “Wisconsin Territory,” and two years still later, in 1838, the “Territory of Iowa” was formed independently, with sixteen counties and a population of 23,000.

     In 1833, at Dubuque, a postoffice was established, and some time prior to 1834 one or two justices of the peace had been appointed. In 1834 the Territorial Legislature of Michigan created two counties west of the Mississippi — Dubuque and Des Moines — separated by a line drawn westward from the foot of Rock Island. These counties were partially organized. John King was appointed “Chief Justice” of Dubuque County, and Isaac Leffler, of Burlington, of Des Moines County. Two associate justices in each county were appointed by the Governor. In October, 1835, General George W. Jones, of Dubuque, was elected a delegate to Congress. April 20, 1836, through the efforts of General Jones, Congress passed a bill creating the Territory of Wisconsin, which went into operation July 4, that year. Iowa was then included in that Territory, of which General Henry Dodge was appointed Governor. The census of 1836 showed a population in Iowa of 10, 531, of which 6,257 were in Des Moines County and 4,274 in Dubuque County.

     The first Legislature assembled at Belmont, Wisconsin, October 25, 1836; the second at Burlington, Iowa, November 9, 1837; and the third, also at the latter place, June 1, 1838.

     As early as 1837 the people of Iowa began to petition Congress for a separate Territorial organization, which was granted June 12 following. Ex-Governor Lucas, of Ohio, was appointed by President Van Buren to be the first Governor of the new Territory. Immediately upon his arrival he issued a proclamation for the election of members of the first Territorial Legislature, to take place September 10. The following were elected:

     Council. — Jesse B. Brown, J. Keith, E. A. M. Swazey, Arthur Ingram, Robert Ralston, George Hepner, Jesse J. Payne, D. B. Hughes, James M. Clark, Charles Whittlesey, Jonathan W. Parker, Warner Lewis, Stephen Hempstead.

     House. — Wm. Patterson, Hawkins Taylor, Calvin J. Price, James Brierly, James Hall, Gideon S. Bailey, Samuel Parker, James W. Grimes, George Temple, Van B. Delashmutt, Thomas Blair, George H. Beeler, Wm. G. Coop, Wm. H. Wallace, Asbury B. Porter, John Frierson, Wm. L. Toole, Levi Thornton, S. C. Hastings, Robert G. Roberts, Laurel Summers, Jabez A. Burchard, Jr., Chauncey Swan, Andrew Bankson, Thomas Cox and Hardin Nowlin.

     At the session of the above Legislature Wm. W. Chapman was elected delegate to Congress. As the latter body had given the Governor unlimited veto power, and as Governor Lucas was disposed to exercise it arbitrarily, the independent “Hawkeyes” grew impatient under his administration, and, after having a stormy session for a time, they had Congress to limit the veto power. Great excitement also prevailed, both in the Legislature and among the people, concerning the question of the location of the seat of Government for the State. As they knew nothing concerning the great future development and extent of the State, they had no correct idea where the geographical center would or should be. The Black Hawk purchase, which was that strip of land next the Mississippi, in the southeastern part of the State, was the full extent and horizon of their idea of the new commonwealth. Hence they thought first only of Burlington or Mount Pleasant as the capital. Indeed, at that time, the Indians had possession of the rest of Iowa. But a few of the more shrewd foresaw that a more central location would soon be further to the north at least, if not west, and a point in Johnson County was ultimately decided upon.

     Commissioners, appointed by the Governor, selected the exact site, laid out a section of land into a town, sold lots and proceeded to erect the public buildings. The capitol was commenced in 1840 and Iowa City became thenceforward the capital of the State. The fourth Legislative Assembly met at this place December 6, 1841, but not in the new capitol building, as it was not yet ready. Being somewhat difficult to raise the necessary funds, the building was not completed for several years. The early Territorial Legislatures of Iowa laid the foundation for a very just and liberal Government, far in advance of what had ever been done before by any State.

     About this time a conflict arose between this Territory and Missouri concerning the boundary line between them. There was a difference of a strip eight or ten miles wide, extending from the Mississippi to the Missouri rivers, which each claimed. Missouri officers, attempting to collect taxes within the disputed territory, were arrested and confined in jail by Iowa sheriffs, and the respective Governors called out the militia, preparing for bloodshed. About 1,200 Iowa men enlisted, and 500 were actually armed and encamped in Van Buren County, ready to defend their Territory, when three prominent and able men were sent to Missouri as envoys plenipotentiary, to effect, if possible, a peaceable adjustment of the difficulty. Upon their arrival, they found that the county commissioners of Clark County, Missouri, had rescinded their order for the collection of the taxes, and that Governor Boggs had dispatched messengers to the Governor of Iowa proposing to submit an agreed case to the Supreme Court of the United States for the settlement of the boundary question. This proposition was declined; but afterward, upon petition of Iowa and Missouri, Congress authorized a suit to settle the controversy. The suit was duly instituted, and resulted in the decision that Iowa had only asserted “the truth of history,” and she knew where the rapids of the Des Moines River were located. Thus ended the Missouri war. “There was much good sense,” says Hon. C. C. Nourse, “in the basis upon which peace was secured, to-wit: ‘If Missourians did not know where the rapids of the river Des Moines were located, that was no sufficient reason for killing them off with power and lead; and if we did know a little more of history and geography than they did we ought not to be shot for our learning. We commend our mutual forbearance to older and greater people.’” Under an order from the Supreme Court of the United States commissioners surveyed and established the boundary. The expenses of the war, on the part of Iowa, were never paid, either by the United States or the Territorial Government.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~