STATE  OF  WISCONSIN

 

 

 

1989-90 Legislature

 

1989 ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION 16

 

Relating to apologizing for the actions during the Black Hawk War of volunteers from the area that later became part of this state.

 

WHEREAS, the Sauk and Fox Indian nations occupied lands in southwest Wisconsin into the 19th century; and

 

WHEREAS, the St. Louis Treaty of 1804 contained provisions requiring the removal of the Sauk and Fox west of the Mississippi; and

 

WHEREAS, this treaty was concluded without the participation of authorized tribal representatives and was extracted under duress from imprisoned tribal members; and

 

WHEREAS, the Sauk and Fox encountered much hardship in their new territory; and

 

WHEREAS, Chief Black Hawk responded to the sufferings of his people by leading them back across the Mississippi in 1832 in the hopes of planting their crops and restoring their villages; and

 

WHEREAS, Black Hawk’s group consisted of over 1,200 people of all ages; and

 

WHEREAS, there is no indication that Black Hawk had any intent to conduct military operations other than the defense of his people on land he understood to be theirs; and

 

WHEREAS, Black Hawk’s action nevertheless provoked a strong response from the United States and the territorial governments and those governments launched a massive military campaign against the Sauk and Fox; and

 

WHEREAS, this campaign was marked by faulty intelligence, blunders, violence against noncombatants, racial hatred and other improper conduct by U.S. troops and territorial militia; and

 

WHEREAS, no civil or military authorities attempted to negotiate or otherwise peacefully conclude the hostilities; and

 

WHEREAS, this affair was tragically concluded on August 1 and 2, 1832, when hundreds of unarmed women, children and elders were killed while crossing the Mississippi, what has come to be known as the Bad Axe Massacre; now, therefore, be it

 

RESOLVED by the Assembly, That the members of the Wisconsin State Assembly express their regret and sorrow for the conduct of territorial militia drawn from within the boundaries of the present day state of Wisconsin; and, be it further

 

RESOLVED, That the Assembly Chief Clerk communicates this sentiment to the appropriate tribal officials of the Sauk and Fox Nations.

 

 

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ASSEMBLY SUBSITUTE ADMENDMENT 1,

TO 1989 ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION 16

 

June 27, 1989 – Offered by COMMITTEE ON STATE AFFAIRS

Relating to expressing regret for the Black Hawk War.

 

WHEREAS, the Sauk Nation occupied lands in southwest Wisconsin into the 19th century; and

 

WHEREAS, the St. Louis Treaty of 1804 contained provisions requiring the removal of the Sauk from territory east of the Mississippi; and

 

WHEREAS, the Sauk people endured much hardship during the time leading up to 1832, and

 

WHEREAS, Black Hawk responded to the suffering of his band of Sauk by leading them back across the Mississippi in 1832 In the hopes of planting their crops and restoring their villages; and

 

WHEREAS, Black Hawk’s band numbered over 1,000 people of all ages; and

 

WHEREAS, Black Hawk’s action provoked a strong response from the United States and territorial governments and those governments launched a massive military campaign against the Sauk; and

 

WHEREAS, this campaign was marked by faulty intelligence, blunders, violence against noncombatants and other improper conduct by troops and territorial militia; and

 

WHEREAS, no civil or military authorities attempted to negotiate or otherwise peacefully conclude the hostilities; and

 

WHEREAS, this affair was tragically concluded on August 1 and 2, 1832, when hundreds of unarmed women, children and elders were killed while crossing the Mississippi, in the historic event that has come to be known as the Bad Axe Massacre; now, therefore, be it

 

RESOLVED by the Assembly, That the members of the Wisconsin State Assembly express their regret and sorrow for the events of August 1 and 2, 1832, by means of this resolution of reconciliation; and, be it further

 

RESOLVED, That the Assembly Chief Clerk communicates this sentiment to appropriate tribal officials of the Sauk Nation.

 

 

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HISTORY OF

1989 ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION 16

 

Related to apologizing for the actions during the Black Hawk War of volunteers from the area that later became part of this state.

 

5-10    A. Introduced by Representatives Clarenbach, Carpenter, M. Coggs,

Moore, Plache and Gruszyaski.

 

5-10    A. Read and referred to COMMITTEE ON STATE AFFAIRS—pg. 152

 

6-6      A.Public hearing held

 

6-27    A. Assembly substitute amendment 1 offered by the COMMITTEE OF

STATE AFFAIRS—pg. 247

 

6-29    A. Report assembly substitute amendment

                                        1 adoption:  Ayes 11, Noes 0

                 Adoption recommended by COMMITTEE ON STATE AFFAIRS

                                                           Ayes 11, Noes 0  — pg. 272

 

6-29    A.  Referred to COMMITTEE ON RULES — pg. 272

 

9-26    A.  Placed on calendar 10-10 by COMMITTEE ON RULES

 

10-10    A.  Assembly substitute amendment 1

                                          ADOPTED — pg. 338

 

10-10  A.  ADOPTED — pg. 338

 

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Last updated on NOVEMBER 01, 2002 by J.D. Tipfer