ANY ATTEMPT TO RELATE two and a half centuries of history in a single volume demands compression. In introducing this series of six volumes on the history of Wisconsin, a special problem presents itself: the fact that the period of French and British exploration and exploitation had been covered nearly a half century earlier by Louise Phelps Kellogg and published by the State Historical Society of Wisconsin in two volumes, one on the French regime in 1925, one on the British regime ten years later. For the years of American rule, however, there was no comparable study. The fulfillment of the need for such a study was greatly facilitated by the opening of the immense collection of records in the National Archives in Washington pertaining to the Wisconsin region during the years when it was part of the Michigan Territory (1818–1836) and Wisconsin Territory (1836–1848).
The scholar’s answer to the dilemma of combining the old with the new, actually of writing two books in one, has been in the nature of a compromise. The “early years”—those preceding the direct assumption of authority by the United States at the close of the War of 1812—receive a general treatment, on the assumption that readers who desire detailed information will consult the Kellogg volumes. The “later years” receive a more intensive treatment. In other words, this volume is basically a history of Wisconsin from 1815 to 1848, preceded by a survey of the years leading up to 1815.
The sense of obligation in preparing any work of scholarship is strong. A word of appreciation seems to be in order for countless individuals and groups who have cleared the way: writers of journals and letters; compilers of biographical dictionaries and guides to collections; census enumerators and office workers who tabulated results; librarians and archivists who made books and records available to researchers; writers of theses and more mature scholars who fitted seemingly disparate pieces together, placed them in their historical setting, and explained their meaning. More immediately, to the librarians and archivists who administer and service the wealth of historical material at the State Historical Society of Wisconsin and the University of Wisconsin, I extend my thanks.
To others who have contributed even more directly to the writing of this book, I am particularly grateful. Harold Moser deciphered dozens of rolls of microfilmed archival records, scanned newspapers, and scrutinized the chapters on politics. Jack Holzhueter explored a wide range of missionary records for the chapter on religious history. George Roeder and Jeanne Delgado were tireless in ascertaining the truth and eliminating error, both in text and footnotes. Grace Argall and Delores Prosser typed what must often have seemed to be never-ending revisions. Ruth Davis patiently indexed what finally became a very large book. Bill Thompson, Peerless Leader of the research group and General Editor of the series, was the catalyst who held all phases of the work together. He suggested improvements in the style and content of the manuscript, and always had an optimistic faith that the end product would be a credit to the many who have made this volume possible.
ALICE E. SMITH