county, on a charge of murder, gave rise to great dissatisfaction. The alleged crime was committed on the Ohio river, and it was successfully claimed by the counsel for the defendant that the State of Indiana had no jurisdiction over acts committed on that river. This defect in the laws was promptly adjusted.

It would appear that the legislature of Indiana was painfully backward in establishing an asylum for the poor. Governor Ray, in his last message to the legislature used these remarks: "Let the philanthropical but look at home for opportunities to display his pious benevolence, and his eye will recognize many a friendless, moneyless orphan child, whose soul only waits to be kindled into flame upon education's heavenly altar, that he may leave his rags and wretchedness behind him, and, wielding the sword of the hero, or the pen of the statesman, by the force of moral precept in the pulpit, or of eloquence at the bar, or in the senate, rise to the noblest summit of fame and become a pillar of support to his - but without some aid is doomed to die unseen. ** country Whilst our own unfortunate poor are sold in the public streets to the lowest bidder, many of whom have seen days that possessed them with the means and rank far above their purchasers, now compelled to feed upon the crumbs of a scanty meal, and to experience, after a life well spent, just as their sun is setting, their worst days, and even the degradation of mastery, and the separation of kindred ties and while thousands of families are without the word of truth — and tens of thousands of youths, who must soon take the reins of this mighty Republic into their hands, are fast rising to maturity, without sufficient intelligence for the stupendous business of self-government, we are admonished by everything sacred and dear to look first to the deranged concerns at home."

Governor James B. Ray served the people of the State of Indiana in the high and responsible position of Chief Magistrate of the State, from 1725 to 1831-a period of special prosperity and in December of the latter year was succeeded

by Hon. Noah Noble.

CHAPTER XXII.

HON.

ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR NOBLE.

ON. NOAH NOBLE assumed the duties of the high office of Governor of Indiana, in December, 1831, in which capacity he served until the close of 1837.

In the year 1832 the farmers of Indiana were not crowned with usual success, nor was the partial failure in agriculture the only affliction with which the Indianians were visited during that year. Cholera came in a terrible march among the settlements along the Ohio, sweeping hundreds from time into eternity.

This term is also memorable on account of the Black Hawk War, which, raging in Illinois, sent its terrifying effects into the western borders of the State. Several war parties invaded the western settlements, causing a vast amount of alarm, and a considerable degree of suffering.

During the first year of Governor Noble's administration the work of internal improvement was begun. In his message to the legislature, in 1832, the Governor remarked: "The agents of the State entrusted with the administration of the affairs of the canal, have, it is believed, faithfully discharged every duty enjoined by law. The Fund Commissioners during the last summer made a sale of canal stock, in the city of New York, to the amount of one hundred thousand dollars, at a premium of thirteen and one-quarter per cent., terms honorable to the character of the State and advantageous to the work. Having embarked in the undertaking, it is our imperious duty to maintain our credit, by the adoption of certain and efficient measures promptly to meet all our engagements."

In 1832 we find the Michigan Road in a state of progress. In that year fifty-four thousand dollars were spent for its

improvement, and fifty-two thousand dollars realized from the sale of lands appropriated for its construction.

In May, 1832, the remainder of the Indianapolis donation belonging to the State, was valued by the commissioners selected for that purpose, and, in compliance with the direction of the legislature, it was offered at public sale, by the agent of the State. The sale amounted to upwards of thirteen thousand dollars, leaving unsold lots, at valuation, to the amount of about four thousand dollars. We learn from Governor Noble's message of 1832, that "at the suggestion of the architect who is to build the State house, with the concurrence of the commissioners, the block north of the State house square was reserved from sale, to await the determination of the legislature as to the propriety of adding it to the public ground, making it an oblong square, corresponding to the form of the edifice to be erected. The commissioners appointed to contract for the building of the State house and superintend its erection, have made an agreement with Mr. Town, the artist, whose plan was adopted by the legislature, by which he is to complete the building for fifty-eight thousand dollars. The work in all its parts is to be strictly conformable to the plans and specifications presented to the legislature, and in its construction, as regards ornament, neatness, strength and durability nothing is to be omitted. The whole is to be completed by November, 1837.

In 1831, a joint resolution of the legislature of Indiana, requesting an appropriation by Congress for the extinguishment of the Indian title to lands within the State, was forwarded to that body, and, in compliance with the request, the necessary provision was made. Three citizens were designated by the Secretary of War, to constitute a commission to carry into effect the object of the appropriation. It was considered an object of great importance to extinguish the title of the Miamis to their lands, at that time surrounded on all sides by American settlers, situated almost in the heart of the State, and immediately on the line of the canal, then under construction. The prompt and cheerful manner in which the chiefs of the tribe obeyed the summons to the treaty, induced the belief that the negotiation would prove successful; but in their response to the propositions of the commissioners, they

positively refused to go westward, or sell the remains of their lands.

The negotiation with the Pottawatomies was more successful. This tribe sold about six millions of acres in Indiana, Illinois and Michigan, including their entire claims in this State.

During Governor Noble's government the Wabash and Erie canal was commenced, and a portion completed. In 1832, thirty-two miles of this canal were placed under contract. During this year a communication was addressed to the Governor of Ohio, requesting him to call the attention of the legislature of that State to the subject of the extension of the canal, from the Indiana line through the territory of Ohio to the lake. In compliance with this request, Governor Lucas promptly laid the subject before the legislature of his State, and, in a spirit of courtesy, resolutions were adopted by that body, stipulating that if Ohio should ultimately decline to undertake the completion of that portion of the work within her limits, before the time fixed by the act of Congress for the completion of the canal, she would, on just and equitable terms, enable Indiana to avail herself of the benefit of the lands granted, by authorizing her to sell them and invest the proceeds in the stock of a company to be incorporated by Ohio; and that she would give Indiana notice of her final determination, on or before the first day of January, 1838. The legislature of Ohio also authorized and invited the agent of the State of Indiana to select, survey and set apart the lands lying within that State.

In 1834, Governor Noble, grasping at the system of public works that was adopted in 1836, of which he should be regarded, in a great degree, the author, remarked: "With a view of engaging in works of internal improvement, the propriety of adopting a general plan or system, having reference to the several portions of the State, and the connection of one with the other, naturally suggests itself. No work should be commenced but such as would be of acknowledged publie utility, and when completed would form a branch of some general system.

* * * In view of this object, the policy