p. 354

374 Dane Co.

Lake, a rush was made to the Land Office at Milwaukee and all the land subject to entry in the vicinity & for many miles around these lakes were immediately entered, mostly by those who do not intend to occupy them for actual settlement and improvement. Hence the improvement of this county has not been as rapid as some others where the "speculators" had no opportunity or inducement to monopolize all the most valuable lands. The advantages of having the seat of government however has in some degree made up for this misfortune, and it is probable that Dane County will keep pace with many of her sister counties; especially as it is probable that the principal public improvements by canals, rail roads, &c will, as is usual, be made to centre at or pass through Madison the capital of the Territory. Public buildings have been erected at Madison, for which an appropriation of forty thousand dollars was made by Congress.