Page 223 - La Société canadienne d'histoire de l'Église catholique - Rapport 1961

evitable consequence, that in a few years hence, nothing will
be left of these people, but their name-and like all other
tribes who have preceded them, they will have no home or hab-
itation in their own land, unless it be to rest under its sod, or
leave their bones to bleach.upon its prairies.
I have thus attempted to give a cursory review of dome of
the events connected with the early history of Green Bay and
Northern Wisconsin; more faithful in detail, than graphic in
description, and if the recital has amused you for the hour, it
will have answered the purpose intended.
Some persons may feel disposed to enquire, what could
induce a professional man, at so early a day, and when the
country was but a wilderness-destitute of the privileges
of civilization, and holding forth no prospects of future pros-
perity and improvement-to settle here and become a resident
of the country? For my part, like many others similarly
situated, at the outset in life-without pecuniary resources,
and having no influential friends to whom I could look for
advancement and aid-I determined, after having acquired
some knowledge of my profession, to seek my fortune, and
pave my own way in the path of life. With this view, I
visited Green Bay in 1824. I waa satisfied with its appear-
ance, and from its natural advantages and eligible location,
became convinced from the first moment that it must, sooner
or later, become a prominent place. Since that period, I
have continually resided here, and have never for a moment
regretted my selection of a home. I have witnessed its incep-
tion and its progress to the present hour; and have seen changes
throughout the wide spread domain of Wisconsin, that could
scarcely have been imagined by tLe most enthusiastic and pro-
lific minds. I have seen the population of the country increase
from about fifteen hundred white inhabitants to a number ex-
ceeding eight hundred thousand. Those who were children
then, are now the heads of families, parents hsve become grand-
parents, and most of the elders have passed to their long
home. I have spent the best years of my life among, and
I