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C O M P L E T E
lilSTOKY OF ILLIHOIS
FROM
1673 TO 1873;
ElVIBRACINa
THE PHYSICAL FEATURES OF THE COUNTRY; ITS
EARLY EXPLORATIONS; ABORIGINAL INHABITANTS;
FRENCH AND BRITISH OCCUPATION ; CONQUEST
BY VIRGINIA; TERRITORIAL CONDITION AND
THE SUBSEQUENT CIVIL, MILITARY AND
POLITICAL EVENTS OF THE STATE.
BY
ALEXANDER DAVIDSON AND BERNARD STUVE.
SPRINGFIELD :
ILLINOIS JOURNAL COMPANY,
1874.
^L /T)'^^ ■; /J
TABLE or OOXTET^TS.
niAPTEU. " PAOE.
I. (iEOLOfiV OF ILLINOIS 1
II. TOE'OCJHAPHY, HIVEltS, SOIL AND CLIMATOLOGV.
Ori^rin of tlio I'liiirics: 'I'uhlc of Tomporatiiro and Rainfiill 14
III. ILLINOIS ANTIQUITIES; THE MOUND IJUlLDEllS 23
IV. THE INDIANS OF ILLINOIS.
Alyoniiuins and IrcKjuois; Illinois Coiifpflcrncy; Saos and Foxps; Kiekapoos;
Maseoutiiis: I'laiikisliaws: I'ot towataniios; Art of Iluntiiin: (ictu'ral t'nnii-
cili?; Constitulinn of tlic Indian Family; Methods of Sepultiiri'; llolipf
ill a Fiitiiro Slato; Why the Iti'd Kacc sliould give way to the White — 30
V. OPEKATIONS OF THE MFSSlO.VAlilES-RXTENT OF THEIR Olf-ltATTONS
VI' 'I'O ur,:(— The? Froiu'li on tho St. Lawrence; IjoSalle Discovers tha Oliio 53
VI. EXPLORATIONS BY .TOLIET AND MARQUETTE-I(i73-1«;5 59
VII. EXPLORATIONS IJY LA SALi-/
Tlie (iriftin; Fort Crevc Coeur 67
VIII. TONTPS ENCOUNTER WITH THE IROQUOIS 79
IX. FURTHER EXPLORATIONS RV I, A S.\LLE.
His IndiMii (^llony on the Illinois; Discovers the Month of tlie Mississippi and
talvcs possession of all the (^ountry in the name of tlie Kinp of France;
niiil<ls Fort St. Lonls on Starved Rock; His Color.y in Texas 01
X. 1700-i;i0-ILLINOlS A DEPENCY OF CANADA AND PART OF LOUISIANA.
The Ciovcrniiiunt a Theocracy; 0[)er:itions of Crozat 108
XL niT-KVSl-ILLINOIS AND LOUIS! .\NA UNDER THE COMPANY OFTHE WEST.
John Law— His liankiny Opii-alions: Tlic Mississippi Sclienu": FonndiiiH: of
New Oi-lians; Mining.' for the Precious Metals in Illinois; The Spaniards via
Santa Fe sctdc tlu> Conipiest of Illinois; Tho.v are met and overwhelmed by
tlie Missoiiris; Fort Cliartros Iniilt; F,.\terinination of the Natchez; Opera-
tions of the Company of the West in Illinois 115
Xir. lT:«-n5n-ILLINOTS AND LOUISIANA UNDER THE ROYAL C.OVERNORS.
War with the Chickasaws: Itcath of C.ov. D' Artiipuette; Ccannicrce of Illi-
nois; Milliners and customs of the French ; C^ininioii Field; Common ; Inter-
course with the Indians: Avocation and Costiinio of the People; Mode of
Admliiistcrintr the Law: Operations of the Ohio Conn)any ; Fort l)u(.!ue8ne;
M. DeVilliers of Fort Cliartres defeats the Virjiinians at the (ireat Meadows;
War between the French and English Colonists PH
IT TAIUJ', OF CONTKN'I'H.
XIII. IT.V.i-lTtU^TIlK CONSI'IUaCV OF PONTIAC; ATTACK UI'OX DKTUOIT.
])i;-tni(ti<m (il tho Uiltlsh Posts uiitl Sfttkincnttf 137
XIV. SIWiK or DK'I'UOIT; PONTIAC tlALLIllS TIIK WESTKIIN TUIIIES.
Ills Suliinlssion and Di'iitli ICO
XV. ILLINOIS A.S A MUITLSII I'H(?VIX(n:.
I'lirtliil exodus of tlic Ki't'iich; Their dislike of Knurl Isli liiiw.and tlie restorntion
of I heir own by t lie C^tuebee Dili: l.iind (JiinitH by llriiish Coniiimndiints;
("urious IniliMii Deeds; Coniiitioii of I lie Settleiiieiils in 17il.'i. by Ciipt. Pitman;
Itriidys and MeillutsH lOxiieditioiis to the St. .Joseph in ITTT-l'iVH l&^
XVI. ('O.NQUEST OF ILLINOIS ItV GKOUGE KOGEUS CLAUK IT;)
XVII. CLAltK OIITAINS POSSESSION OF VINCENNES.
'I'rfatie.s with the Indiuns; Vinceiines fulls into the huiulsof tho English aud
Is recaptured by ('lurk 184
XVIII. 17T8-i:K7-ILLIN<tlS rNDEU VIlUilMA.
The Freneh tiike tlie Ualh of Allegiaiiee; Illiilois County; Anioriean Iiniui-
Ki'unts: LiiHulnie'a E.\iieditioii; The (-'ession of the Country and Delays
Incident thereto; No UeKular Courts of Law; Curious Lund Speculation. 'Mi
XIX. ILLINOIS rXDKUTllKCOVEUNMKNT OF THE NOUrinVI>T TEUHITOKY.
Ordinance of 1T8T: OrBani/.atinii of St. Clair County ; liar of Illinois in 17!K); f lu-
poverished condition of the French; Indian Hostilities, 17Ki to 17!!,"); UuntioliiU
County; American IniniiKratioin Sickness; Territorial Assembly ut Cincin-
nati; Notnblfj Women of Olden Time; Witchcruft in Illinois. ~10
XX. IKIO ISOii-lLLINOIS AS PAUT OF THE INDIANA TEUUITOUY.
Its ()rt;anizalion; Extinguishment of Indian Titles to Lands; (iov. Harrison's
Facility in this; Land Speculations and Frauds on Improvement HiKhts and
Headrlghts; Meeting of the Legisluturc at VincenDes in ISOo; Statutes of
1,«07 ~'32
XXI. 180!)-1LLINOIS TEIUUTOUY.
Opposition to divi.^ion; .lesse 1!. Tlioiiiiis; Gov. Fdwards; Nrtthaniel Pope; Ter-
ritorial Federal .Iud(res;The (iovernor avoids the mealies of the Separa-
tionists and Aiui-Seperalioiiists; Condition and Poiiulatimi of the Territory. L'U
XXII. TNDTAN TROmLES IN ILLINOIS PUECEDlNCr THE WAR OF 1813.
The Country put in a State of Defence by theoivanizutioii of KauKinM; Coin-
]iuniesaiiil the biiildiiiM: of Mlock Ilousesand Stockade Forts; Gov. Edwards
sends tin envoy to (.iomo's Vilhijie; Hattic of Tippecanoe; Indian Cotincil at
Cohokia.... 247
XXTIL THE MASSACHR AT CHICAGO; EARLY HISTORY OF THE PLACE 200
XXIV.*ILLINOtS IN THE WAUOF 1812.
Gov. Edwards's Military Camp»i<rii to Peoria Lake; Gen. Hopkins with 2,000
Mounted Iventueky liitlemen niarc'.ies over the iirairiesof Illinois; His force
Mul inies and p.arehes back; (.'apt. Craifr burns I'eoria and taUfs all its iiihabi-
t;ints prisoners; Second Expedition to Peoria Lake; Indian Murders; Illinois
and Missouri send two expeditions up the Missouri in 1H14: Their IJatllos and
Disasters .. 36S
XXV. CIVIL AFFAIRS OF THE ILLINOIS TEKHITORY FROM 1S12 TO 1818.
Meetiiifj of tho LeLM.sliiturc; The Members; Laws: Conflicts between thoLepis-
liiture and ,Iudici;iry; (furious Acts; Territorial ISiinks; Commerce; First
Steutubouts; Pursuits of the People 283
TABLE OF JONTKNTS. V.
XXVI. OUflANIZATION OF THK KTATr: fiOVKIJNMrNT.
AdmiriistiMlloii cif (»(i>-. Hoiid; Our Noitlicrn Hoiiiidiiry; First Constitutional
CiiiivontlDii iiiiilsdniPlliinKiil'ilic iiisl nnnciil friimod; (iov. H(ind;Llciit.-(i()V.
M(!niird; Mci-tintf of tlii^ liUKislutiire and eK'etion oC State Olllccrs; First
Supreiin; Court; llurj Tinica and First Stuto liuiik; Orifuuization of Courts. 205
XXVII AI>MlN'ISTUATION OF COV COLKS,
A ri'siinic (it lSiuv(!ry In Illinois from Its oarlltmt dnto; Indentured Slaves
nUu'k Laws; Life and Cliaractor of Gov. Coica; The effort to make Illinois a
Sl;.ve State in IHUi 1309
xxvrrr. miscrli^anfofs mattfus.
Liui.-^lative— HcorKanl/.ation of the .luillclaryjChief Justice Wilson; Hubbard
as (lovernorad intcriin; l'o)iiilnti(>n of 1M:.'U; Visit of Layfnyette 328
XXtX. AnMrNISTRATrONOFCSOV. ETIWAUDS.
CanipalHii of isr'il; Tlic (iidieriiiitorial faniMdates; Contest between Daniel P.
Cook and Joscidi Dinican I'di- C.inM:i'e.>JS: Cliaiaeter of Fdwards' speeches; His
cliarHres aijrainst the State liaidc Oiliceis and r«sult of tln^ iniiuiry into their
cmidiiet; itepeal of the I'lreuit Court System; (Jov. I'ldwaivls claims for the
Stute title to all ))uhlie lands within her limits 335
XXX. ISW— A HKTUdSPECT.
Advance of the settlements: Note; Galena, its early history; Orlsrln of the
term "Sucker:" DouRlas" humorous a<'coinit of it; Trials and troubles ot
I'ionijers in new counties; Fiiropean (Jolonist; Financial condition of the
State; Trade and Commerce; Farly Mail Itoutea; Newspapers and Literati;
Politics of the Pjople; Militia System 340
XXXI. AOMIXISTUaTION of (iOV. lilOYXOLDS.
The riubunaitorial Candidates; Their Lives and Characters; The Campaign;
The Witrjrins' Loan; Impcachuient of Supremo .]u>.t?e Smith; W. L. T). Ewinp
Governor for 15 days 303
XXXn. riLACK HAWK WAlt.
Winnebajro Tlostllilif s; Indians unable to resist the encroachments of the
Miners; Coalition with the Sioii.v; Attack on a steamboat; Comiielled to sue
for Peace.
a. Sai s and Foxes; Mlackhawk; Keokuk; Sac Villay-cs; Invasion of the State;
Militia an<l Key ulars brought into renuisition ; March to the scene of danf;er;
Black Hawk compelled to enter into a treaty of peace 370
XXX 1 11. 1833-SFC(1NT) CA]*1PAIGX OF THF WAIL
ULiekhawk induced by White Cloud to recross the Mississippi; Uefnses to obey
the order of Gen. Atkinson to return ; State forces reorfranized; March to
Kock Hiver and unite witi, the lieM-tilars: Army proceeds up the river In
pursuit of the enemy; Hatflo of Stillman's Uun; Call for fresh troops; The
old forces disbanded , 381
XXXTV. 183,?-TITTnT» CAMPAIGN OF TUF, WAR.
ileiiuisition foradditional troojis; Attack on AppleCreek Fort; Capt.Stophena'
Kiicounter with the Indians; Orji-anlzation of the New Levies; IJattle of
Kcllojj;,!?"s Grove; liattle of the Wisconsin 390
XXXV— 1S32— CT-OSF OF Till'; WaU.
Pursuit of the Indians; Uattle of Rad Axe : Arrival of Gen. Scott ; Troat-
ieswith the Indians; Eastern tour of the Prisoners; Death of Black Hawk. 401
Vf. TAUIJ'; dl'' ('()NTi:-SlS.
jVv
X
AX.Wl- l«ll-lH!s-Al)MINI.'^TItATION OF CiOV. DUNCAN.
'llic ('aiii|ialKii ; l.iti! mill ('liitiaiti'i' nl' Diiiu'iiii ; Mmi' Stati.' llmiUs aiiJ wlnit
lic<>aim; (iT llioiii ; i^luvory Anilal ion li.v I,ii\ cjoy ; liiMluutli 4Ili
XXXVri-STATK INTKKXAI, IMVUoVKMK.NT SVS'I'EM 4X1
XXXIII— IKW-IKJS—ADMlMSTHATKtN OK (i()\ . C'AKLIN.
('oiitimiaiice ol' ilic siilijcct <il' Iiilui iial Iiii|iri)\ (.■riii'iit ; (.'DlUipco ol' the ^^lainl
sjsUMii; llui'il TiiuL's; ItucirKaiiizaliuii or lliujudifiarj in IsU 441
XXXIX-IS4^;-lH4(!-Al)MlMSTIiA'l'l()N OI' (JOV. 1-U!il).
Tin- (-'aiiipai)fn; liile ami cliaiiuter of Gov. ImjiU; Ll . Ociv. Moor; Mi'ans
of lltdiL'l' ti'om l''iiiaiU'ial<iiil)Mrras»inciits; Thu Stalo at tlio tiiniiii'i- point;
Ik'storatlon ol' her cn.'clil 4ti.'
XL-TIIKU.r,INOIS AND MKilKiAN CANAL.
Trials a 1 troiiblt-s inuidciil to its coast iiu'tioi; 474
XLl-IH40-4--M(mMONSOli I.A'ITKK DA V SAINT.-?. '
,loL> Siiiitti : I'loplu'tic iiilHsiiin ; Followcis iciiio\i; to Mls.soiii'l ; E.vpul.-lon
I'fom tliu Statu : ><cttl('iiiciit in llliiiois: Olitio.vjons Nmii\i)o (tliartt.'f aiulof-
(lliiitiicca; Ari't'st anil aciniitlal of Smilh ; His asfassiimlion 4Wi
XMI— lS44-ft-M01!MO> 'VAR.
.MamuTof Siiiitli's dialli: Chai'acfur of tlii' .\Ioniioiis ; Aposllis nssunio the
(;oven'"iciit of llic Cliiircli ; Trial ami ami afiiuittal of thu assa.'s.siiis : Saints
(Irivoti Iroin the vicinity of Lima ami (Ircua I'lains ; LcaiUnw' Moiiiioiis re-
tire across the Mi.ssisslppl; Italtluut Naiivoo; E.vpiilsioii oftlie luliabitants.. 50H
XLITI-ILLINOISIN TIIK MEXICAN WAR 5r.':i
XI,!V-CONSTITrTIOXAL CONVENTION OK 1S4T, AND SOMETIIINC. OF THE
ORGANIC LAW FRAMED liV IT 54:5
.'.YA XEV-1840-]8r.L'-ADMINTRTRATIONOFGOV. FliENCH.
-'• . Lives ami cluiractorof the Ciiibernaloi'ial (".imliilates : FiiiiditiK of tlio State
.. ' (lcl)t ; Refusal of the people lojfi\c the Lc'sri.-^iat lire control of the:.' iiiill tax;
•■ ( ^ Township oiK^mization : Homestead F.xeniption ; 1'lie Hloody Island Dil<e
..~\ < ■ andiispockol War ; State i)olicy rcfrardinjr railroads 551
* XLVI— THE ILLINOIS CENTRALRAILROAD.
Conj-resfsional t>nuit of land; iloldlirook ('liiiiter ; Hondholcler's sctieine ; The
^ T per cent, of its gross earniiijrs; I'a.^sufio of its (Iliaiter; Iteiielits tlu! (,'oiu-
\ pany , the State, and individinds; Note; Jealousy of polliieiansoii accouutof
\ its glory J Correspondenc of Jlessis. Ihcese and Douglas 5*1
XLVI 1-OIJR FREE on STOCK HANKS.
How a liiink mi'-'ht be started ; The siniill note net; Panic of l.S.")4: Revulsion
of 18.J7; WindiiiK up 58o
XLVIIT—18.in-18r)7— ADMINISTRATION OF COV. MATTESON.
Demiicratie ami Wliijr (;;(]nventions; Sketches of the Cubernatorial candi-
•. . ' dates; Financial condition and physical developnient of the State; Lejiisla-
,^( tion lK")3-5; Maine Law and riot at Chicu^'o; (Jiir coniimm Schools and trials
• ■' in the estiiblishmcnt of the Free School system 50!)
, * XLIX-DTIELSINILLINOIS AND ATTEMPTS AT DUELS.
'^- Affairs of honor and personal dilllcultics, 618
TABLE OF CONTKNTS. VII.
L-18:.!.'-lHr.il-()|{(iANr/,ATION OFTUn ItEPrUI-ICAN PAUTY.
Tlio Illinois Wiliiiot Tn»\ Iso; DissDlutioiiol llic Wliitfimrty; Itcpi-iil of tlio
Mo. (^mlpl•omi^:u; IiiIciisl- politlcul IVclintr; DoiijrliiH denied Irtc speech i«
Cliiciit-'o: Kno\viiotliinnisin: Deiuociiitie imd lleinililieiiii t'oiiventioiis of
lH."iti; Kesiilt of tlio uiiiupiiiu-ni Liiicolr .pica foi- Imnuouy at tlio Chleiino
Imnipiet •*•'"
Ll-l,s57-18til--Al)MIMSTUATION OF (iOV. lUSSKL.
Life and elmi-aetcr of tlio (Joveriior. (iross iittnek >ipon liini in tlio l,e;flshi-
turu on iiceoimt of Ills ducliiDf iill'iilr, Tnrlnilenee of piiily strife and want
ofolllclal eouitesy, Ulsvrniueful action in oirani/iiiK the house, Apportion-
ment bills of IWiT-lt, Citnul serip fraud, 'I'lio Macalister and Steliliiiis
bonds •'•■'"
L1I--0UH SIOXATOHS IN COXGUESS.
Tliulr lives and clmnicters; .Senatorial contest between Lincoln and Douglas
iu 1858 vrs
Uir--lKtll-lsii.-,-AT)MIMSTl{ATtON (1K GOV. YATES.
I'ai-ty eon , eiitions of LS.'hJ; 'I'he two Kreat labor sy.stoms of the eountry in di-
rect iintagonlsni; Life and character of Gov. Yates; Lieut. Gov. H<jtt'nuin ;
Condition of th(! State and coinparativi! ifrowtli since 1850 71G
LIV-TLWXOIS IXTlIi: WAR OF THE UEIlKLtiloX.
felavery; Sectional antagonism ; Keces.sion; Inauguration of Lincoln; Call tor
volunteers! Proclamation of Gov. Yates; Uprislugof tUo people T32
LV~18tU-W.I--lLr;INOIS IN TIIEUEIJELLTON.
Unprecedented siicee.su in furnishing men; Patriotic efforts of women ; Mil-
itary operations within the State '•33
L\'I"18t;i-:.'- ILLINOIS IN MISSOUIU.
IJattlesoV Lexliitfton, iMonroo. Charleston, Frcderlclttown, P.clniont and Pea
HUlgo "M
LVII-lSfil-li-ILLINOTS ON THE CUJIHEULAND, TENNESSEE AND MISSISSIPPI.
Uattles of Forts Henry and Donclson ; Capture of Columbus, New Madrid
and Island No. 10 , 757
L\ III"]8C,3~TLIiTNOIS IX XOIITHERN MTS.SISSTPPI AND ALAHAMA.
Uattluof I'lttsburar Landint;; Mitchell's caiupaisu; Sicsc of Corinth 709
lix-i8iv.'-illtn0isin kentucky, noutheun mississippi and middle
tfaxe.'^s,:e.
Uattles cf Perry ville, Bolivar, Britton's Lane, luka, Corinth and Stone Uivor. 785
LX--18fla 3-TLLTNOIS IN THE VICKSnUKO CAMPAIGNS.
Movements on the Jtlssissippi, Battles of Cotfeevillo, Holly Sprinj?.", Par-
ker's Cross Uoads, Chickasaw Bayou and Arkansas Post 7i)U
LXI-18B3-TLMNOIS TX THE vrCKSBUHO CAMPAIGNS,
Battles of Port (iilison, Raymond, .lackson, Champion Hills and Black Rivor :
Oricrson's Raid , Siege and capture of Vicksburg- 811
■ -.4-
LXII-ILLINOIS IN THE CHATTANOOGA CAMPAIGN.
Buttles of Chieamauga, Wauhatcbie, Lookout Mountain and Mission Ridgo ,
Relief oi Knoxville 835
VIII TABLE 01<' CONTENTS.
lu\lir--im -IM-INOIS I.\ TIIK ATLANTA AM) NASHVIU,H('AMI'.\ir,\S.
llattlcM (,r I{,,,ky iac(! .Mmiiiniiri, Uisiicii, Niw II(i|.l' Cliiiicli, IVacli Tree
Creek, Atluiilii, .loiieslmro, Alatooiiu.Sin-liiK Hill, Frunkllii uikI Niwlivllle.. . KKl
LXIV--l»(M-5--ILU\()|S IN THK .MKIllDtAN CAMPAIGN.
iu;i>|{ivi:h ii.M'kdition, kkdcctkinok Momi-KtsiiKitM vn'sm vitcn
Tu Tin; SKA; KMDrcTIl >.\ ( >K W||.Ml.\(iT()\ ; M.AItCIl Tlll((ir(il*l Till.;
CAUOMXASi CLOSE OF Tl IK W'AU ....
* • nui
LXV--J'( )LrnCA L AND PAUTV A FKAIIIS DUIUNO THK HKHKLLION
8("ntlm..nts()ftl,o Illinois D.Muocnu'y in tlu^ winter ,.r l.sco-l ; |'utii..tic focllna
on (h.. l.ivakhm: out „f iM.Mllltk.s Irn'spcctlvc or ,,u.ty as Inspir,.,! by
l>()iiKlas; licvivHl of imi-tlsan loulinjf; Constltullonal ConviMitioii of
IWWi Its liiuhi.fcti.nsl.ms, Conlllct with the (iovcrnor. Sotnc lc.atuii..s of
tlif liistiiinuM.t liaiiKMl, it l,c.o.Mnus a party •.,casiiio, Tlio vote- upon It-
Party Con vent ions of |h,i;.'; TIio last Dcniocrati,' L(.«lslatnro ; Frauds in pnss-
iiiK iMlls ; Uui'-lion aniouH- tliu people against tlio I'eaee movement • Military
arrests; Suppressing tli(. Cliiiaxo V/mcs; .Seeret I'olitieo-Military Societies-
henw.eratie mass Convention ol' .lune ITtli, IWlli, Hepubliean mass Conven-^
tion.Sept., im; Peace meetinKS ollwU. Notc--Cl.ioa«() Con8i>iruey 806
LXVI--Ar)MINISTllATI()N OF COV. OCLKSHr.
Hepubliean nnd nemoenitio Slate Conventions of 1H«1; Lives and ohni-neter of
OHiesby and Hmss; Prosperity and eoii.Iition of the Slate duririK tlie U(d)el-
lion; Lei-'islation. political -.-.ml special, in iHtr.-T; H mrd of K,,uali/,atioa
established; Location of the A«:rieultural Collejre! Illinois Capilais and
their removal; History of the Peintentiary , ^~
LXVII-lKCfl-'Tli-ADMIXISTKATION OF GOV. PALMEIL
Kepublleanand l)em<,eratic State Conventions, Life and character of Oov
Palmer, Legislation, the ta.v jrrabbinK law, Lak^ Front bill, \e The Con-
stilutiononSTO, The jrreat Chicago lire 9„j,
Clia])tor.s 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 0, 7, S, 9, 10, 11, 12, 1.'}, 14, Ki, 17, 32, 33,
34, 35, 41, 42, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 5f), (50, fil, 02, 03, 04; the Dciitl. of
Lovcjoy in 30, luid ''Note, Conspiracy of Chicago," in 05, have
been written by ^Fr. Davidson.
Cliai)tors io, IS, 10, 20, 21, 22, 23, 21, 25. 20, 27, 2S, 20, 30, 31,
30, 37, 38, 30, 40, 43, 44, 45. 40, 47, 4S, 4!», 50. 51, 52, 5;5, 05, 00 and
07, have been written by Mr. Stuve.
PREFACE.
Altlioiiyli Illinois, whose ft'i'fissy plains liavo l»coii st.vk'd llio
Edc'ii oftlui new world, contains tlic oldest pennaiioiit setlk'nietits
ill the Valley of the MisslssiiJpi, and in her strides to empire is
destined to become tlie first State of the Uidoii, her his has been
stranj-'ely neglected. Fragments have been written at ditfcrent
times but only of detached periods and embracing but a small
part of tho two centuries, which have elapsed since the first ex-
])lorations. To supply this deficiency and furnish a history com-
niensiirato with her present advancement in power and civili/a-
tion is the object of the present work; whether it has been accom-
plished remains to be seen.
Not having taken any part in the shifting and instructive drama
enacted by those who have directed the affairs of State, no rank-
liii;,' jealousies have been engendered to distort conclusions ; no
niidiKi predelections to warp the judgement, treasures have been
estimated by their results; men by their public acts. While no
disposition has existed to assail any one, it must be remembered
that none are faultless, and to speak well of all is the Avorst of
detraction, for it places the good and the bad on a common level.
A principal aim lias been to render the the Avork complete. A
large amount of matter has been inserted never before published
in connection with the history of the State; yet important facts,
though familiar, have always been preferred to new ones of minor
significance. The main consideration, lioweA'er, has been to ren-
der it truthful. In the wide field which has been gleaned, every
available source of information has been carefully consulted, and
"^^ PREFACE.
it is believed a dej^ree of accunicy lias been secured, wliieli will
eoiiipare fuvoiably with that of other similar eUbrts. Still there
will always be room foi imj)rovement, find any corrections which
m-.y be otfered by parties who have witnessed, or been connected
with events desc-ribed, will be thanidully received and inserted in
fntin-, editions of the work, the cbj"ct being- to make it a complete
repository of relialde facts for the general reader, the politician,
tlie lawyer, and all who may wish to become acquainted with the
history of our noble State.
To the nmny in different parts of the State, who have furnished
information, or aided us by valuable snogestions, we return
our thanks, es])ecially to Messrs. Kummel and Harlow, Secretaries
of State, for the use of public documtuts, and to the proprietors
of the State Journal and State lieokttr, for access to their valua-
ble flies.
Spkinofikld, Dec. 10th, 1873. , , , .. , . •> ...
CnArTEK I.
GEOr.OGY OF TLLIXOIS.
On tlio f>on]op:i('al stmctiiro of a, oouiitiy dopoiul the pursuits of
its iiili:il)it;iiits and tlic in'cnins of its civiliziition. Aj^ricultni'c is tlio
ont,yro vtli of a fci'tile soil; niinin;;' I'csults from nii.icnil resources;
and from naviji'able waters si)riu<i' navies and eoninier(;e. ICvi'i-y
jjreat braneli of industry requires, foi- its suceessfnl development,
tlic cultivation ol" kindi'ed arts and sciences. Phases of life iind
modes of thou.ylit are thus induced, whicli <>ive to different com-
munities and states cliaracters as various as the diverse rocks
that underlie^ them. Jn lik(^ manner it miiy he shown that their
moral and intellectual <pndities (h'|)end on material conditions.
AVliere the soil and subjacent rocks are ])i'ofuse in the bestowal of
we;dth, man is indolent and elfeminate; where elfort is required to
1iv(>, he becomes enlijihtened and virtuous; and where, on the siinds
of the desert, labor is unable to i)rocure the necessaries and com-
forts of life, lie lives a savage. The civilization of states and
na^'inis is, then, to a ji'i'eat extent, but the reflection of ])hysical
conditions, and hence the ])ropriety of introdnciiiji' their civil, ])olit-
ieal and military history with a sketch of the yeologieal substruc-
ture from which they oriji'inate.
(iKoLouY traces the history of the earth back through successive
stnges of dev(>lo])ment to its rudinu'ntal comlition in a state of
fusion. Si)eculative astronomy extends it beyond this to a gasccms
state, in which it and the other bodies of the solar system consti-
tuted a nebnhuis mass, without form and motion. When, in the
process of development, motion was comnnuiicated to the chaotic
nuitter, huge fragments Avere detached from its circumference,
which fcuMned the juimary ])lanets. These retaining the rotary
motion of th(^ sun, or central nniss, in turn threw off other and
smaller fragmcMits, thus forming the secondary planets, as in the
case of the n)oon which attends the earth. All these bodies are
similar in form, liave a similar motion on their axes, move substan-
tially in a common plain and in the same direction, the residt of
the lu'ojectile force which detached thcMU from the parent nmss.
These facts are strong evidence that the sun, and the planetary
system that revolves around it, were oi'iginally a common nmss,
and became separatinl in a gaseous state, as the want of cohesion
among the ]>articles would then favor the dissevering force. From
the loss of heat they next passed into a fluid or plastic state, the
]ioint in the history of the eartli where it comes withiji the range
of geological investigation.
AVhile in tins condition it became flattened at the polivs, a form
duo to its diurnal rotation and the mobility of its particles. At a
3 HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
I'lii'tlicr reduction of tciiipciattiR' its incited disk was transformed
into a crust of ij^iieons rock. A j;reat many facts render it almost
certain that the vast nucleus within this envelopin^^' crust is still
an iucaudcscent mass. Comjiared with its enoruu)ns bulk, the
external coxeiinji' is of only lllmy thickness, the ratio of the two
bt'inf;: as the l>ul]> and peel of an (nan;;e. In this world-cruciltlo
arc held in solution the (il elementary substances, which, variously
cond»iuin,n, produce the yreat variety of I'oi'nis. ener;.;ics and modes
of beiny, which diversify and enlivi'n terrestrial nature. From the:
same source the precious metals have been forced into the fissures
of the superincund)ent rocks, whither the miner descends and
brinu's tlicm to the surface. Volcanoes are outlets for the tremen-
dous tbrces ycnerated in these dei'p-scated fires. As an evidence
of their eruptive ])ower, Vesuvius sometimes throws jets of lava,
rescnd)!inj;' coliunns of flame, 1(I,(M>() feet in hij^ht. The amount of
la\a (jccted at a siu,nle eruption from one of the vitlcanoes of
Iceland, has been estimated at 4(»,(M»0,(I00,(I(K> t(»ns, a ([nantity sulii-
cient to covtM' a lari^c city with a mountain as hi,i;h as the tallest
Alps. liy the jtnK'ess of congelation, which has never ceased,
the rocky crust which rests on this internal sea of tire, is now
supposed to be from thirty t(» forty miles in thickness. The outer
or upper portion of it was the most universal jicolouical formation,
and constituted the ihtorsof the primitive oceans. The rocks com-
])osiii,ii' it ar(> dcsij;nated unstratiiied, because they occur inirre,iiular
masses, and iuueous from havinj;' oriiiinally been melted by intense
heat. The \ast cycle of time extendiny' thr((U<ih their formation
and reachinji' down to the introduction of life on the ;;lobe, consti-
tntcs the Azoic lujc. The earth's surface, consisting of ari<l wastes
and boilin.i'' Avaters, and its atmosphere reekin;i' with jxason'ous
j^ascs. were wiioUy incompatible with the existence of ]tlaiits and
aiiinuds. Jiy the continued radiation (»f heat the nucleus within
the hai'dened crust C(»ntracted, and the latter, to achipt itself to tho
diminished bulk, folded into huj^c corru.ijations, forminj>' the prim-
itive mountaiti chains and the first land that appeared above tlu?
face of the waters. The upheaval of these vast plications was
attended with depressions in other parts of the surface eonstitntins:
the valleys and basins of the original rivers and oceans. Through
the aucncy of water the ui)lifted masses were disinte^nrated and the
resulting sediment swept into the extended depressions. Here it
settled in ])arallel layers and constitutes the stratified rocks. In
S(»me localities these are entirely waidin.n', in others many miles in
depth, wliile their uveraye thickness is supposed to be from six to
ei,i;ht miles.
The plain, separatinf>- tho stratified from the unstratifled rocks,
runs parallel with the oldest i»art of the earth's crust. AVheu
solidification commenced it was the surface, and as induration
advanced toward the centre the crust thickened by increments on
the inside, and, therefore, the most recently formed ij^neons rocks
are the farthest behnv thi^ surface. Stratification connnenced at
the .same plain and extended in an u]»ward direction, and heniie-
the most recent dejiosits are nearest the surface, when not displaced
by distui'l»iu,n' causes.
In the silent de]»tlis of the stratified roitksare the fornu'r creations
of plants and animals, which lived and died durin,i>' the slow,
diayyiny centuries of their formation. These fossil remains are
GEOLOaT.
1V;i,uiii('iits of liistoi'v, wliicli (Miiiblc tlic jiToloyist to ONtciid liis
i('S'';n'('li<'si'ai' buck iiitotlic rciiliiis of tlic ]tiist, iiiid not only dotcr-
minc tlu'iv fovnicr modes ol' life, l)iit stndy tlic contcniijoi'iuicon.s
liistory of tlicir rocky beds, iind yroni) tlicni into systems. I'lio
iossililcroiis rocks iirc not only of ii'rcat thickness but iVciiueiitly
tlieir entire structure is an a^<;re;iation of cemented shells, so
nnnierous that millions of them occur in a sin.yh' cubic foot. Such
has been the i)rofusion of lil'e that the i;reat limestone formations
of the ju'lobe consist mostly of animal remains, cemented by the
infusion of minei'al ma'.ter. A hw^v part of the soil s]>rea(l over
the earth's surface has been elaborated in animal orj^anisms. First,
as nourislunent, it enters the structiu'c of plants and forms vej^ct-
able tissue. Passiuin' tli('i!c(> as food into the animal, it becomes
endowed with life, and when <leath occurs it I'ctnrns to the soil and
imparts to it additional ( lemenfs of fei'tility. Thedilferent systems
of stratifu'd rocks, as determined by their organic remains, are
usually denominated Aj>es or Systems,
Tlir Idiirruthni Si/sloii or A(/r is the lowest, and therefore
the oldest, of the stratified seri<'s. I'rom the eifects of j^reat
heat it has assunu'd, to sonu' extent, the chaiacter of the ij;neous
rocks below, but still retains its ori;iinaI lines of stratiticatiou. A
])riiicipal effect of tlu' .yreat hear to which its ro<'ks were exjtosed
is crystali/.ation. Ci-ystals are IVequeiitly formed by art. but the
most beautiful s])ecimens are the ]»roducts of nature's lalxuatoiies,
<lee])-seated in the crust of the earth. The Laurentian system
was formei'ly su])posed to l»e destitut*^ of orj^ainc lemaius, but
recent investi.i;atioiis have lead to the discovery of animals so low
in the scale of or};anization as to be re,s>'arded as the first ai)pear-
ance of senti<'nt existence. This discovery, as it extends theoiijiiu
of life backward throuf;h .">(),(»()(> feet of strata, may be lei^arded
as oni' of the most important advances made in American ^colo-^y.
Its sui)posed bejiinnin^", in a considerabl<> <le;nree of ad\ancement
in the Silurian system, >vas n'jiarded by y-eolo.n'ists as t<»o abru]>t
to correspond with the^^'radual develo])ment of tyjx'siu subse(|uent
strata. The discovery, however, of these incijtient forms in the
Laurentian beds, renders the descendinji scale of life comidi'te,
aiul vei'ilies the conjectures of physicists that in its earliest dawu
it should commence with tin 'uost simi>le orji'anisms.
Tlic lluronimi Si/sfem, like the one that i)reeedes it, and on
wliich it rests, is Jii<>hly crystalline. Althouiih fossils have not
been found in it. yet from its i)osition the infei'ence is they once
existe<l. and if they do not now, the i^reat transforminji' power of
heat hascaused their obliteration. This, and the subjacent system,
extend from Labradcu; southwesterly to the f>reat lakes, and
thence northwesterly towaid the Ar<'tic Ocean. Theydeiive their
names from the St. Lawrence and Lake Huron, on the banks of
Avhich are found their ])rincipal outcrops. Their emergence from
the (M'can was the birth of the North American continent. One
face of theui)lift looked toward the Atlantic, and the other toward
the I'acitic, tlius preilyurinu- the future shores of this jireat division
of the i-lobe, of Avhich they are the .iicrm. Kru])tive forces have
not operated with suHicient ]»ower to iirin,n' them to the surface in
Illinois, and therefore the vast stores of mineral wealth, which they
eontain in other places, if they exist here, are too deep below the
surface to be made available.
ni«TORY OF ILLINOIS.
The ISiliiridH Af/Cj coinparcd uitii tlic more stiihlc I'oniiations of
sul)S('(iii(iil tiiiit's, was one of coiiiiiiolioii, in wliicli fire ant' wator
])lav»'»l a conspicnons ])art. Kartli(|nakcs and volcanoes fitriowed
the ,vi('ldin<;- ciiist with ridj^cs, and threw np islands wliose erajij;y
sunnnits, liere and tliere, stood like sentinels above the niniicy
deep whieh <hisliod ajiiiiiist their shores. The present diversities
of cliniale did not exist, as the teinjK'ratnre was mostly dne to tlu;
escape of internal heat, wjiicli ■was the same over every i)art of the
snrfaee. As tlic radiation of lieat in fntnre ajjcs declined, the snn
became the controlling' ])ower, and /ones of climate a])peared jis
the resnlt of solar doniination. Uniform thermal conditions impar-
ted ;i corresponding;' character to vejictablt^ and aninnU life, and
one nniversal fanna and tloia extended from the etpuitor to the
])oles. These hardy marine types consiste<l of IJadiates, MolhisUs
and Articnlates, three of the fonr snb-kinii'doms of animal life.
Seiiweed, which served as food for the animals, was the only plant
of which any traces remain. J)nrinf;' the Silnrian age North
America, like its inhabitants, was mostly snbmarine, as proved by
wave-lines (»n the emeri^in;; lands, Thei'e lay aloii};' the eastern
border of tlie continent an extendetl ridge, which served as a bn-ak-
water to the waves of the Atlantic. The region of the Alleghanies
was snbject to great elevations and dei)ressions, and tlu^ lattei'
largely preponderating, cansed the deposit ol' some twelve thousand
feet of strata. Although mostly under water, there was added to
the original nucleus of the continent formations now found in New
York, Michigan, Illinois, \\'isconsin and .Minnesota. Niagara lime-
stone, a Silurian formation, is found over a large extent of country
in northern Illinois, beyond the limits of the coal-fields. It is a com-
pact gi'ayish stoiu', suscejjtible of a high polish, and at Athens
and .loliet is extensively (|narried for building i>ur[)oses, and
slii])i)e<l to ditfcrent parts of th«' State. The new Capitol is being
erected of tliis material. Thedalena linmstone, another Silurian
dei»osit, is interesting, from the fact that it contains the lead and
zinc ores of the State. St. Peters sandstone belongs also to the
sam(> system. Besides outcropping in a nund)er of other localities,
it a])pears in the blnlfs of the Illinois, where it forms the island-
like plateau knitwn as Starved Kock. Jn souh> localities, being
eonii)osed almost entirely of silica and nearly free from coloring
matter, it is the best material in the West for the manufacture of
glass.
The Deronian Age is distinguished for the introduction of Verte-
brates, or the fourth sub-kingdom of aninuU hfe and the begiiuiing
of terr(\strial vegetation. The latter appeared in two classes, the
highest of the tlowerless and the lowest of the llowering i>lants.
The Le]>idodendrou, a noted instance (»f the former, was a nuijestic
upland forest tree, which, during the coal i)eriod, grew to a hight
of SO feet, ami had a base of more than [\ feet in diameter,
lieautifid spiral llutings, coiling in opposite directions and crossing
each other at lix((l angles, carved the trunks and branches into
iliomboidal eminences, each of which wa.s scarred with the mark
of a falling leaf. At an altitude of (50 feet it sent oif arms, each
separating into bramihlets covered with a n<H'dle-like foliage, d«'s-
titute of lloweis. It grew, not by internal or (>xternal accretions,
as ]»laii!s of the ])resent day, but like the buihling of a monument,
by additions to the top of its trunk. Mosses, rushes and other
GEOLOGV.
(liiiiiimtivc llowi'rk'ss phiiits arc now llu' only siii\ i\ iiii; rt'iii'i'seu-
T;ili\(' 1)1" lliis cr.vpto^iiiinic xcjLictiitioii.wliicli so largely i>i('d<»iiiiiiii-
t('(l in flic early botany of the {ilohc. Floral bcanty anil Ira, franco
• were not cliaraclcristic of tlu' old I)(^vonian woods, ^'o bird
existed to enli\«'n tlieir silent proves with son;^', no serpent to liis.s
in their fenny brakes, noi' beast to j)nrsne, witii hideons yells, its
jtantin;;' j)rey.
The vertel)rates consisted of fishes, of wliicli the (lanoids and
IMacoids were the ])rinci|»al uronps. Tlie toi'iner were the fortv
rnnners of the I'cpfilc, which in many rcspci ts f iicy closely jcsen)-
' bled. They embraced a larj;(' nnmber of species, many of wliicli
<irew to a ^ipintic size: but with tlic excejttion of tiie li'ar and
sf iir.i;con, they have no livin.i;' I'eprcsentafives. The I'lacoids,
sf rii<;tnrally formed for advancement, sfill remain amoiij;- tlio
lii,!^hest typos of tlie present seas. The shark, a noted instance,
juduinj;' from its fossil remains, must liaxc aftaiiieil l(M> feet in
leii;4tii. ilolh ^■ron[)s lived in the sea. and if any fresh water
animals «'\iste<l tlieir remains have (>ither jjcrished or not been
found. »So nnmerons were the i diabitants of the ocean, that tlnj
Devonian has been styled the aiic of fishes. In their anafomical
.stiiiclnre Vtas foresiiadowed flic orjiani/ation of man; reptiles,
birds and mammals bein^' the internu'diate gradations. The con-
tinental sea of the ])recediny' aji'c still covereil the larger jiurt of
ZSorth America, extendin,::' far norfhwest and opeiiinn' sonth into
the {inW of .Mexico. In its shallow basins were deposited sand-
stwiies, shales and limestones, which westerly aftain«'d a thickness
of .->()() feet, and in the reyi(»n of the Allcjiiianies l..")()() feet. The
ji'feat thickness of the hitler deposits indicat«'d oscillations, in
which the downward inovennMit exceeded the npwai'd. Shallow
watei's, tberefore, iidersjx'j'sed with reefs and islands, still occn-
'■ ]»ied the sites of the Allejihanies and Ifocky Mouiifains, which
' now look down from abo\e the clonds on the finished continent.
! The tft. Ijawrence and the Hndson may have e.xist<'d in miniafnre,
l>nt the area of land was too snnill for rivers and other bodies of
fresh watei' «»f considerable extent. In the disturbances closinj;"
t-'ie l)e\(»nian a.iLic aihiitions were made to the surface in Iowa,
I AN'isconsin and Illinois. The tworesultinu' fonnations in thistState
are the I)e\'onian limestone and the Oriskany sandstone. Thei'c
t j'.i'e outcrops of the former in the bluffs of flie Mississipi)i, l{ock
suid Illinois rivers. It coidains a ;ureat variety of fossils, an<l is
' used for building' material and the manufacture of (piicklinu*. Tlui
latter ajjpears in L'nion, Alexander and .lackson counties, ami is
] used to some extent in the manutiK'tiu'c (»f yiass.
'■ The Carhoiti/erons Af/i' t)pened with the deposition of wi(h'ly
; extended marine formations. Added to the strata i)roviously
• deposited, the cidire thickness in the rej^ion of the Allejilianies,
J now partially elevated, amounted to 7 nnles. Wide areas of i)er-
m luaiu'nt elevation occurred between the .Utli ami t.")th decrees of
a latitude, endtracin.n' most of the territory between the eastern con-
■f tinental bolder and the States of Kansas ami Nebraska, l-^irther
Avestward, and residtin.n' from the gradual emerju'ence of the Pacific
coast, was an interior sea whose shallow waters still flowed over
the site of the Kocky Mountains. The winter temperature near
the p()les was (Iti (.Ic.yrees. A stagnant and stiiiiiiii' atmosjdiei'e
rcHteU n]»oii the area now cunstitiitiny the Liiited titates and ikitish
6 HISTORY OP ILLINOIS.
Ainoricii. Tlu! McKcnzic river, now filled uitli iccbcrji's, ilicii
lldwcd tlnoii'^li v( idiiiit liMiiks to a coral sea, liavinj;' llu'sainc l<:iii-
]M'i'atiii('as tlic (iull'oi' Mexico at tlie i)re.sent(lay. The most pioiii-
iiient leatare of llie a;^*' was the roniiati<»ii of ('(tal. iJeiiiji-cail.tou-
ized ve;i('tal)le tissue, tlie raaterial funiished for tliis ]tufi»o-;e was
the \ast forest accuaiulatioMs |t(,'cidiar to the period. N'l.'ji'etation,
eoninieneiiiji' in liie i)re\ iotis a;i'e, had now attained an expansion
which ureally exceeded the yi'owtli of Jd'ior oi' sultse(pieiit ti'iics.
Jii\ i.i;()raled hy a warm, Jiioist and winterless elijiiale, ami aii
atniospliere sureliaryed with carbonic acid .yas, vast jnn^les sja'cad
over the marsliy i>Iains, and im)>enetral>le forests c.ov(.'red tii<^
njiland slopes and hiylils. 'I'lie ^iraceful lei»idod( ndion, now fully
developed, was one of the luincipal coal produeiaiy plants; sul»-
serxiuj^- the same ])urpose and associated with it was the yinautie
conifer, a nuMuber of the pine family. The ancient fern, another
coal plant, .urew to a lii^iit of S(t feet. Jts ti'uuk, regularly fretted
Avith scars and destitute of branches, ternunated in a crown of
foliaye I'ivaliiif;' that of the ])alm in i)rofnseness and beauty. Tlie
si.yillarid, however, as it contiibut(>d most largely to the produc-
tion of coal, was the characteristi<' plant (»f tlie period. TIk^
trunk, widch rose from 10 to (»0 feet hi^h from its alternate tlntinus
and ribs, appeared like a clustei<'d column. At an altitude of l'.'»
or .')(» feet it sejiarated into branches, covered with a ;;rass iikti
foiian'c intermin.uied with lonu catkins of obscure llowers or stiiir^s
of seed, arranged in whorls about a c(»mnion stem. The strui-ture
of the trunk was peculiar. ( )ne, ."> feet in diameter, was snrr(aiiid<'(l
Avith <i bark l.'! inches in thickness; within this was a cylinder of
wi»od 12 inches in thickness, and at the center a pith lOinehesin
diameter. 8ueh a tree woui<l be use]e>;s as tindKU', bn' the bark, of
Avhich they larj^'cly i-onsisted. was impei'vious to mim id solutions,
and valinible for the produ<'tioa of eoal. The calainitcs. j;rowin,ii,-
Avith the sij;il.larids, covered Mitli dense bi-akes tlu^ niarsliy tiats.
Their hollow stems, marked vertically with tlutinjis and horizon-
tally Avith joints, <;Tew in clumps to a hi,uht of 2t) feet. Soaie
species were branchless. Avliile from the Joints of other s])ranj;'
branches, subdi\ idinu into wIkh'Is of bi'anchlets.
The vast accumulation of veyetable matter from these and other
earbiaiiferous plants, either imbedded in the miry soi' in which it
yrew, «tr swept from adJacciiT elevations into shallow lakes, became
covered Avitli sediment, and thus were transformed into coal. It
Inis been estiniate<l that S per]M'ndicular feet of wood were re-
(pnred to make 1 foot of bituminous coal, ■id 111 to make 1 of
anthracite. Some beds of the latter are M) fee' in thickness, and
hence oOO feet of timber must have been eonsMnu-il in their ])ro-
dinttiou. The ]>rocess of its foi-mation was exretly the same as
])racticed in the manid'acture of charcoal, by burninj;' wood niuler
a coverinji' of earth. Vejictable tissue consists mostly of carlton
and oxyji'en, and decom]>osition must take place, «'ither nnder
Avater or some other imper\ ions covcrinii', to prevent the elements
from forndnn' carbonic acid j;as, and vhus escajjinn' t(» the atmos-
phere. ConlbrMdn.^' to these retpnrcments, the immense vej^'ctablo
growths fornnnji' the coal-fields sidtsided with the surface on which
they .irrev , ami were buried ben<'atli th(> succecdin.u' (h'posits.
KoA'a Scora has 7<> dilfercnt beds, and Illinois 12; and conse-
quently, ill these localities there were as many diiferent lields of
GEOLOGY.
vcM'diirc nvci'w IicIiikmI in llic dirt-beds of tlic scsi. Tims, loiii;' Ix'-
loi'c (lie st;irr,v cycles liiid mcasim'tl half the history ol' tlic iiii-
loldiny- conl^iicnt, and avIicii ilrst the expanding' stream of life
but <liiidy retleeted tlie eoiiiiii;^- aji'e of mind, fliis vast snpply of
fuel was stored away in the rocky frame-work of the !.;lol»e. Ilere,
it sliiinlK'red till man made liis appearance and dra^';^ed it from
its rocky lairs. At his hiddinj;' it renders the factory animate
•with humming spindles,dri\in,n shut ties, whirling; lathes, and «'laidc-
in.u' for.iics. rnder his i;iiidance the iron-horse, feedin;.; upon its
pitchy fi'a,nineiits, hounds with tireless tread over its far reacliin<{'
track, drauuinn' after liim tiie products of distant marts and climes.
l)\ IliP skill of the one and tlu' power of the other, the ocean
.steamer i>lows the dee]) in opposition to winds and wa\('s, making'
its watery home a hi;;hway for the connnerce of the world.
Trior to the formation of coal, so j;reat was the volume of cai'-
bonic acid ,yas in the atiuosjdiere that (»n!y slow breatiiini.^ and
cold-blooded animals <'ould «'\ist. (!onse(pient upon its coin crsiou
into coal, all tlu' j>recedinj;' sjtecies of i)lants and animals pei'ishcd,
and new forms cauu' ui)on the sta;;'e of bein;;- with oi,!.;aui/,atiou.s
adapted to the imjjroved conditions. In the new ccoimmun, as at
the present time, stability is maintained in the atnn>s|)liei'e by tiic
reciprocal relations subsistiiif>' between it and the iiu'omin;^' tyjtes.
The animal iuspiics oxyu'en and «'Xi)ires carbonic acid gas; tiu>,
vegetalde inspires «*arbonic acid gas and e\j)ires oxygen, thus pi'e-
serving the, (Mpiilibrium of this breathing medium. The coal-liclds
of I'lui'ope ave estimated at b'^,(>()l) stjuare miles, those of the I'liited
t^tates at l.lO.iiOO. The Alleghany coal-tield contains (lO.OOO square
miles, with an aggregate thickju'ss of lliO feet. The Illinois and
^Missouri (i(),0(H) scjuare miles, and an aggregate thickness in some
localities of 70 feet. Othei- lields occiu: in ditf<'rent localities, of
various thicknesses. In Illinois, three-fourths of the suiiace are
untlcj'laid by IkmIs of coal,and tin- State conseipu'utly has a gicater
area than any other nieud)er of the Union. There are lU different
beds, the two most imi)ortant of which are each from (> to S feet
in thickness. The entire carboniferous system, including the coal-
beds and the intervening sti'ata, in southern Illinois is 1'7,(MU) feet
in thickness, and in the northern part only .")()().
Xext to the inuuense deposits of coal, tiie JJnrlington, Keokuk
and St. Louis limestones are the most iuii)ortant foi'iualions.
They receive their ai)i»ellations from the cities whose names they
beai' — wher(^ their lit liol(»gical cluirai^ters were first studied — and
in the vicinities of which they crop out in Illim)is. The Turling-
ton furnishes inexhaustible su]»plies of building ston<' and (juick-
lime, but is nu)stly interesting on account of the immense nund)er
of interesting fossils which it contains. Along its northern out-
crop Crinoids are foriud in a profusion unequalled by that of any
h)cality of similar "xtent in the woi'ld. Though initold ages have
elapsed since their 'ucarceration in the rocks, so i)erfe<-t lias been
their preservation, their structure can be determined witii abnost
as much ])recision as if they had ])erislM'd but yesterday. The
Keokuk is extensively used for architectural ]>urposes, and fur-
nished the material for the celebrated iNIormon Temi»leat Nauvoo,
the new Tost-ollice at Springlield, and the Custom Houses at
(Jalena and Dubucpie. It contains some of the most inten-sting
crystals found in the State. These consi.st of hollaw sjiheres of
8 III8T011Y OF ILLINOIS.
(luiii'tz ;iii(l cliMlccdoiiy <•!' viirioiis sizes, iind lined on the insido
■\vitli cr.vstiilcts (»r dilTcrfnt minerals. T(tns of specinu'ns have
l)e«n taiuMi IVdmi llan('t«'i< cunnly antl distrilailed oxt^'tlie I'liiled
States and Kiirope. tt» oinanjent the ealtinels of niineiaht;.;ists.
The St. Lonis is ahii(»st pMi'e eaihonet el' lime, and tlie best ma-
terial in the State I'ur tlie nuinnract are of (|nieU-Iime. It is hir;:;t'iy
quanied at Alton.
The Ai/r of li'rptllcs is distiiijinisiied for chaiijics in tlu' conti-
nental hoi'deis. which ;i-enerally ran witiiin tlicir present limits.
The snl) niai'ine ontlincs of the l>ay of New York, and the eoni'sc
of the Hudson, indicate that the adjacent siiorcs dniin;;' the early
j)art of tins aj^e were beyond their present limits. wSontliward tlie
sea line I'an within the present shore, the distance increasing' fi'oni
(10 miles in Maryland to 1(H» in (icoif^ia, and :.'U0 in Alaliauia.
U'he Texan .ynlf-sliore. and that of tiie peninsula and Stale of
California, wei'e ])arallcl. and mostly within their present posiiioiis.
These biirders were frin;.;('d witli deposits, winle inland the lioiijdi
of the old continental sea was liec(imin,u more shallow. The alti-
tude ol' the Alle,i;hanics had nearly reached Ilieir [acsent hiyiit.
The Iioeky INbuintains, in the transition from the close of the.
])resent to the beuinnin;^- of the sul)se(|ncni a.^c, l;c,i;an slowI> l»t
emei';;(' fnan the watei's under which tiiey had hitherto shuubcred.
The (inlf of JMexico formed a (U-ei* liay exteudinu to the mouth of
the Ohio, ami. protrudinin' itself u<trthw('st*'rly. covered the re;^iou
of tlie Rocky M(mntains. it may have connected with tiie Arctic
Ocean, but observations have b(>en too limited to ira<'<' it with cer-
tainty beyond the head waters of the .Missoui'i and Yellow Stone.
These are, therefore, amonij, the more recently formed rivers, and
cannot be compared with the primeval St. liawreucc and lindson.
The .Mississipj/i was a stream of not more than one-half its present
lenjjth and vohnne, t'allin,u' into the .uulf not far fr<»ni the site (tf
Cairo. The Ohio drainetl substantiaUy the same re'iiou it ilor:^ at
the prt'seiit time. In the earlier i»art t>f the a,;4c the ,i;('o,iirai»i!ical
distribution of fossils indicates a common temju'rature, from IJeh-
rin.;;- Strait in tlie Northern to that of .^ia.u'ellan in the Soutlieni
Jlemi•^|lhere. In the latter part, howcvci'. a diffi rence is pcrcei)-
tible, indicatiiiii' also a difference of temperature and the com-
inencement of climatic zones. This chaiiinc, caused by the partial
iijiheaval (»f mounlain chains north of tlie i'](|nator, and the do-
C'liu;- of internal heat, marked a new era in the physical history
of the ^lobe. As the I'csult. currents commenced liowinji' in tliu
ocean; the constant monotony of ]Mevious ajjes was broken by
the ]»lcasant diversities of chanuin.i;' seasons ; life was ini[)arled to
the atmosplicre, and the breeze came foilh laden with the Incatli
of sprin<4-; the temjiest madly burst into beinj;' and bejian its work
of destruction, and the trath'-winds (Mtnuneiiced bIowin<:', tad it
was reserved for a fntui'e age to make tliem the common carriers
of the ocean's commerce.
The principal formations of the age, none of which exist in
Illinois, were sandstones, chalks ami limestones, interstiatilied
with de]M»sits of s;dt and gypsum. Their absence can beex]»Iained
either uitonthe sniiitosition that the surface of the State was either
above the waters in which they were de])osited, or, having originally
b(-en (h'])osited, they were substMpiently swept away by denuding'
agencies. The former was X)erhaps the case, as no aiiueous action
GEOLOGY.
could have opciatcd with siininCiit power to iciiioxc all tiiicrs of
tlw'ir loiiiicr I'xistt'iicc. The ciiaractcMistic plants of tlic coal a;;v,
now dcciinin;;', wcic^ replaced by c.vcads and many m-w forms of
(Mtnilers and ferns. The evead was inlerniediate in char.ieter.
reseMd>lin^' the fern in the opeiiin^i' of its folia^ic, and the palm in
its ;;•( lU'ral habits. It was n«)W in the full zenitli of its expansion,
wliih' the fern was d.viny ont and the conifer was yet to be devel-
oped. .Moi't' tiran ltM> an^iiospernis made their appearam-e, one-half
«»f them closely allied to the trees of modern forests and tla^ frnit
tr<'es of tem|)erate rejiions. In the latlei' ]>art of the aiic the palm,
at i»resent tiie most perfect tyjie of the ve;ietable kin.i;dom, was
als(» introdnceil. New animal species made their appearance,
attended by the extinotion of all pre-exist in;^' forms, lieptiles
now reached tlusir cnlmination, the earth, sea and air, each ha\ iiiji'
its jx-cnliar kind. Their fossil remains indicate a lar,i;-e nnmber of
botli herbi\-erons and cainiverons species, which i.n many instan-
ces attained a len<;tli of (»() feet. I'he itththyosanius, a pioininc nt
example, nnitt'd in its strnctnre ])arts of scNcral relaleil animals,
having' tin' head of a lizard, the snont of a porpoi.se. the tetth of
a crocodile, the si»ine of a lisli and the paddles of a uhale. Its
eyes, enormonsly larj^'c, were arran;^'ed to act both like the telescope
and the niici'<tscop(>, thus enablin,y it to see its jncy both niuht and
day, and at all distances. It subsisted on tish and tiie yonn,i;' of
its own species, some of which nuisl have been swallowed several
feet in length. Associated with it was the Pleiosaurus, an animal
i'esend>lin,n' it in its genera! struct ire. A renmrkable diiVerence,
however, was the ^reat len.^tii <tf neck possessed by the latter,
which contained -10 vertebric, the larj;cst lunnber that has ever
been found in animals living or fossil. These two reptiles for ii
lon>;' time luled the seas and kept the increase of other animals
within ])roj)ei- limits. Itut the most ,yi.u:uitic of reptile monsters
was the l,yuano<lon. Sonu' individuals weie (iO feet lon,i;', 1.") feet
lound the lar,u('st part of the body, had feet 1- feet in length, and
thi.uhs 7 feet in diameter. The most heteroclitic cicaturc! was the
I'terodactyl. It had the neck of a bird, the nM)Utht)f a reptile,
the wind's of a bat, and the body and tail of a nmmmal. Its curi-
ous organization enabled it to walk on two feet, tly like a bat. and
creep, clind) or dive in jtursnit of ds food. The aye is also remark-
able as the era of the first mammels, the first birds, and the lirst
common fishes.
The MdiniiKiliiot Af/r witnessed the increase of the mass of the
eartL abo\-e the ocean's IcncI three-fold. The world constrm-tinj^'
architect, the coral insect, built up Floiida out of the sea, thus
comitletinj;' the southern expanse of ihv continent. Its eastern
and western boi'ders were substantially tinished, ami sui)erficially
its^reati)latea,us,mountain chains and river systems, approximated
their present ji;eo,^raphical as)>ects. The Rocky ^lountains were
elevated to a lii,nht of 7,(H»(l feet, the Wind IJiveichain (;,S()(). the I'.ij;-
lloiii :\lountains (!,()(»(», Tike's Peak t,.1(M). The upheaval of the
Ikocky Mountain re>;ion j^reatly enlarn'cd the Missouri, jtreviously
;in inconsiderable stream, adding to it the Yellowstone, Platte,
Kansas and other tributaries. The TiOwer Mississij/pi was foi'ined
and discliarn'cd its \ast volume of accumulated waters lu'ar tlu^
present coast line of tin; (Julf. The ele\ationof mountain m:!ssos
to snowy altitudes cooled down the temperature and introduced
10 TIISTOUY OF ILLINOIS.
siihsliiiilisilly tlic present eliiiiiiles. In lOuiope the eliini^'e was
fiiiMliiiil tVuiii tiopiral to snl»ti<ipieiil aiid temperate; in Nortli
Anieriea aliini»l. As a ennsetpienee tlie luitaiiv of the hitter
openetl with the oak, poplar, do^^wood, nia.unolia, ti<;', palm and
othei' plants elosel\ reseml)lin,ii' those ol' tin- incscnt dav.
Of the animals the Mammoth was rcmarUaltle. I'idike the
elephant of the jjresent <la.v, they wenM'overed witii a redish wool
intermiiii^led with hair and Itlaek bristles, the latter lieinii nior*^
than a foot in length. \'ast herds of these liMii'e erea tares, nearly
three times as lar^c as the present elephant, their Ii\ in;; represen-
tative wandered over the northein jiart of both hemispheres.
An indi\idMal in a perfect state of presei'vut ion was fonnd in l~'M),
encased in ice. at the month of the river Lena. It still retained
the wool on its hide, and otherwise was so free from decay, that
its tiesh was eaten l>y do^^s. Their remains are ahniidantly distrih-
nted over the noithera part of the I'nited States, indtedded nsnally
in marshes where the animals were perhaps nured while in search
of food or water. A lar.y'e fossil specimen was recently exhnmed
in Macon connty. Illinois. L' miles sontheast of llliopolis, in the
ed.^c of Lon.u I'oint Sliaiuh, Ity the side of an oo/y sprin.ii'. The
fossils have heen fonnd in other localities of the State, and the
])rairies may have heen places of fre(|nent resoit. i'ontemporane-
ous with them were the Dinotherinm and Me.i;atlierinm. and other
ereatnres of the most ,i;i,i;antic proporti(»ns. 'I'he ma^nitnde of tlu;
]\lammoth seems almost fahnloas. l)nt that of the Dinotherinm
]»r(il)alily surpassed it. One of its most remarkahle features was
its enormous tusks. ]»i'oJectin.u' from the anterior extremity of the
h»wer Jaw. which cnrxt'd down like those of the walrus, liike the
rhiiu>eer(»s, it lived in the water, and was well adajiled to the lacus-
trine condition of the earth conunou at the time it llourished. Tin;
^Megatherium, h-loniiinii' to the sloth family, was also of colossal
(linu'usions. Its l»ody, in sonu' instances IS feet Ion;;', rested on
h'^i's resemhliuL^' columns of support rather than or;;ans of locomo-
tion. Its s]»inal column contained a nerve a foot in diameter; its
I'enuir was three tinu's the si/e of the elei)liant's. while its feet
AVere a yai'd in len;^th and more than a foot in width. Thi' tail
near the body was two feet in diameter, and nsed with its hind
h'^i's as a tiipod on which the animal sat when it wielded its huyo
arms and hands.
Toward the close of theaji'c oscillations oceuired in the northern
part of the continent, .greatly modifyiuii' the condition of its sur-
face. Dui'in.ii' the iijiward vibration vast j^lacicrs spread oxer
IJritish America and the conti.u'uous portion of the I'nited States.
These lields of ice. becomin.u' tilled with hard boulders, and niov-
in^i' southward by expansion, jiTound intofra^inu'nts the nnderlyinn-
rocks. The sediment was ^iathei'cd nj) by the moviii,n' mass, and
Avhen a latitude sutliciently warm to melt the ice was reached, it
was spread over the surface. Accumulations of this kiinl consti-
tute the (b'ift ^vhi<'h extends from New h'nuland westward beyond
the Mississii>])i, and fiom the ."ilttli pai'allel northward to an un-
known limit. In Illinois, with the exception of small areas in the
IK »rtl I western and southern itarts of the State, it co\'ers the entire
surface with a varyin;;' stratum of from 10 t(t 2(H) feet in thickness.
Mere, and in other parts of the A>'est, not (»idy i^iiaciei's, but ice-
bergs, Avere connected with its distiibution. The waters of the
OEOLOOT.
11
hikes tlicM t'Xtt'iidrd soiitliwiird pciliaps to llir liiuliliiiiils, crossiiifj
tlif Stiitc iVniii (iiiiiid 'I'owcr cjisl t»»\\;inl llicOliio. This Itmricr
Ini'iiH-d llh- soiiihcrii liiiiils ol' tliis s«-ii, and also ol' the diil't which
was disliihiitcd oxtT its liotlum i»y Ihiatili;!; iuidics (»t' ice lilh'd w itii
st'diiiiciit |»rt>\ ioiislv drtachrd tVoiiitlic i^lacins tartluT north. 'I'htt
upward aioNcmcid of the juhicial i-pocli was foUowt'd li.v a (h'pr«'.s-
sioii of the siii'facc Ix'hiw its picsciit h'VcK The sidtsidciicc in
Coiiiicftinil was ,")(• feet; in Massachnsctts, 17<>;in New llanip-
sliirc, L'OO; at .Montreal, 4."»((; and several hundred in the re^^ion of
Illinois and the i'aeilie. Trevionsly the adjaeent .\tlantie scaiioard
extended into the sea Itevond its picseni linuts; now it receded,
an*l the St. I.awi'ence and i-ake Clianiplain heeanie jinlfs extend-
ini: far inland. As the residt of the down-throw the teniiteraturc
was eh'vated, causing' the ^^laeiers to melt, and a farther dissend-
iiation of the drift. K'ennlar ontlines, dne to the dinamic forces,
ice and water, \ver«' thns iini»arte(l to the snrface. whi<'h a snbse-
<pM'nt einer^icnce l)ronj;ht to its present level. Orih'r, heauty, iuul
utility spraii;.; int(» hein.n' and harmony with man, the hij;hest type
of terresliial life, now in tin- dawn ot' his existence.
The Ai/e of Man coinment'ed with the present j^colo^iical condi-
tions, 'j'lie ji'i'eat mountain reliefs and diversifies of climate at-
tcndin;^' the ]»rescnt and the close of the preccdiii;^- n<^e, lar;;'ely
an^inieiited the variety n\' physical conditions w liich modify ve»v-
taltle and ainmal life. .Mnltiplyinji' under these diverse intlneiices,
the present tlora exceeds 1(K>,(MH) species. The jtahn alone, cuhni-
n;itin,u' in the present eia, and standiuj.;' at the heail of the \e;;'eta-
l»le kin.!;(lom, emhraces 1,(100. Commensnrate with the variety of
]>lants is the extent of their distribution. They are found univer-
sally, fi'om Arctic snows to Tropical sands, j;row in,i;' in the air and
watei', coxci'in;^- the land with verdure, and ministerini;' to tin;
wants of their cousins, the ditlerent forms of animal life. In the
Jini'^le the wild beast makes his lair; the biril builds her nest in
their shelteriuu' leaves and branches, and subsists on their fruits;
aii<l man conxcits them into inniuiierabh' tbrmsof tbod, ornanu'Uts
and material for the ciuistrnction of his dwellinj;s. in the oak
and towcrinu' ( edar their forms are venerable and majestic; .urace-
ful and beautiful in f^he wavinj;- folia.u'e an<l clin,uiu,i;' vine, and i»ro-
I'oundly interest in.i;' in their .growth and structure; crowned with
a tloral ma^iiiiticence jureatly transcendiu}'' their jjredecessors of
previous a,i:'es, they uive enchaidmeut to the lands<'ape, sweetness
toth<'\ernal breeze, and retiiiement and purity to all who conio
within tli«'ir intluence. As in the ease of i)lants, a diversity of
]>hysical conditions has impressed a multiplicity and variety U]>on
the animals. The ap])i()ximate nnml»er of species at the present
time is ;>.")(I,(H»(I, each sub kinudom nmnberinii- as follows: IJadi-
ates, l(»,()(l(»; :\lolhislvs, l.'(t,0(l(» ; Articulates, ;'',(»(»,0(l(t; Vertebrates,
l'!,0(>(>. Of the existinji Vertebrates, Fishes embrace 1(I,(KK»: I\\'i)-
tiles, L',()(»(>: i'.irds, 7,()(K>, and Mammals, IV*"'*- ^Vit'> the appear-
ance of ^laii on th«' staj^e of beinj:', in the latter jiart of the pre-
cedinji' a;;'e, many types of the lower animals, in which maiiiiittide
and brute ferocity W(!re ])rominent characteristics, became extinct.
Their successors, as if harmonizing;' with the higher life develoi»in<^'
in their ntidst, were f^enerally i-eilturd in size, less brutal in their
nature, and more active, beautifid and intelligent.
lieceiit di.seoveries have shown that the appearance of man, iu-
12
IIISTOUY OP ILLINOIS.
Ntctul of Ix'iii;;' roiitiiii'd to tli«' ;>'(>olo;;'i('al i\}iv wliicli l)ciirs liis iiiiiiio,
iniist Ik' I'xtciidcd ItacU to iiii itiilt'liiiitt' pciiod. His rt'iriiiiiis :iiid
tlu' n lies of his iirl show that he was a coiitciiipoiai-.N ol' tlic main
moth; that h«' witnessed th<' iiiiindatioii that Ixiricd tlic iiotthrtn
plains of the Old and New Worlds under the sea ». I' ice: and lliat
even lieloie that tinu', wlieii sni) li'opieal animal.-, dispoited tliem-
si'lve.s in the lorcsts ol" middh> llindpe, haxc t races of his existeneti
been discovered. Thoniili the ahsolnte time of his a(l\cnt cannot
lie detei'mined, he dtndtt less was an in haliitant of the earl li several
hnndicd tlionsand .veais hefore he was snllicieiitly intelli:;('nt to
prest'ivc the records of his own history. His apjicarance as the
head of the animal kin;.^dom nniiks a new st:i;;(' in tin* nnfoNhnent
ol" terrestrial life. His claim to this prceminein-c is based on the
snperiority ol' his menial, moral and spirit nal endownn'nls. Ilav in;;
an understandin^i' i'apaltle of endless pro;^ression in knowledge, ho
is able to stnd.v the laws of nature ami make hem sid»ser\ lent to
Ills will and wants; to institnte systems of ;;overnment foi' his
liri»tcetion, and to hold in snbjection th(> lower animals, however
^really they may exceed him in size or physical stren;;tli. He is
the lirst of terrestrial bein;^s capable of eomprehendin;j; the natnu;
of moral relations ; of dist in^iiiisliinji li^iit from w ron;;', and ot' d( ri-
Ainu happiness from the practice of virtne ami sniferin.i;' in conse-
«pieiice of vice. In his reverence for tin* Deity and aspirations Ibr
immoi'lality he is rennncd still further tVom the animal plain, and
stands as a connecting;' link between the latter and spirit exist-
ain-e.
'I'lie present a;;*' still retfuns, in a diminished dc<;rcc of activity,
the ycoli laical Ibrces of pi'cvions periods. ICxlmsivi' llats at many
])oints idttn;;' the Atlantic coast, and the deltas and other allnvial
Ibrmations of riv«'rs, are slowly extending; the present sinl'ace.
The latter, in nniny jdaces, is becoming;' modilied by the prodnc-
tnni of pealbeds; in volcanic re;;ions, by the ejection of lava, and
in jiaroxysimd distnrbances, exteiisive areas are still sidtjecl to
elevations and (leiacssions, evidently a eontimmtion <»f previons
oscillations. As observed by Moravian settlers, the western coast
of (ircenland, tor a distaiu'c of (ilKI miles, has licen slowly sinkin;;'
dnrinu' tin; last foni' centuries. The border of the continent, from
Labrador sonthvvaid to \ew Jersey, is snp'poscd to be nnder;;()in,!;'
ehan.ii'cs of level, bnt more a<'cni'at<' observations w ill l)c necessaiy
to (h'terndne the extent of ilie nn)venn'nf.
liike the nninterrnjited <H)urs(^ of hinimn history there are no
strontily drawn lines between the a^cs and their corresponding;'
system (»f I'ocks ami or;;anic remains. Cnlmincnt i>hases oc( nr,
};ivin,u' distinctiveness to the center of each and distin!;iiishini; it,
from others. The •;erni of each was Ion;;' working' forward in tho
])ast bclbre it attaiiwd its fidl dcvelo])nn'id and pecniiai'characicr,
and extended far into the fntnre for its decline and final extinction.
There is, hence, a blendini;' of periods and their prodncts, and,
■while centrally well defined, their be;;innin;;s and en(lin;;s are
Avitliont lines of demarkatioii. The ratios, re])rescntin;;' the coin-
l)arativ(' len;;th of each a.i;'e as detei'inined l»y the thickness of its
rocks and the i.ite of their foi'ination, arc as Ibllows; Salnrian,
inelndin;;' tlni Laurentian and llnronian, H>; Devonian,!'); Car-
b<mif('rons, 1."); lve]»tilian, 2.'!; Mammalian, IS. In eonseijnence
of tliu constantly varying eouditions utteiuliuy the growth of rocks,
fJKdLoOY.
i:?
tlu'Mc M'siilts tini only i)])])r(ixiniiitions to tli<> tnitli. Th^ (ITCt
liowrvrr, siiHicifiitl.v <'»trit'('t to ;tivf tlit- |>i'(»|»(»i(ioiiiit(' (liiriition of
tlics*' yrciit ;i«'oIo;;i('iil i'lns. iiiid will <luiilttl('ss, lt_v rnlriic rcsciircli,
hv rciiilcri'il iiioi'o acciiiatt'. Could ticliiiilc iiilcrxals of tiiiK- lir
siil).stiliil«'(l lor tlicsc liilios, tlic most aiiiplc fxidciin' exists to
prove that tlie results would lie iiieoiiceiv al»l,v ^reat. I'lveii with
ill the jteriod of existiiiji' eaiisi'S, the uiiiid is startled at the tre-
liieiidoiis sweep •>f a};cs re«|iiired to etVeet <'oiiiparati\ ely small
results. The wateis of Lake I'jie ori;Liiiially <'\teiided below the
jueseiit Falls of M.ijiara, and the cataract, in sul)seqnentl.v jiass-
in;>' Ironi the same point to its i»ieseiit j)ositi(tn, excavated the
intervriiin;;' channel of the river. Allo\v in;; the rate of iiuiveiMcnt
to lie one inch per year, which is pcrhajis ic i loo low an estimate,
it would require .'!SO,(M)() y»'ars to jiass over the six miles of ictro-
cession, flnd^iin^i' from this estimate, what lime would be rc(|nired
toexcaxale the canon of the < 'olorado, which is .'!(I0 luilcs Ion;;',
and has been worn a lar;;(' part of the distanc(> throu;;li ;iranite
from .KiOO to CAHH) I'ec't in dejith. Captain Hunt, who for many
years was stationed at Key \\'est, and whose opportunity for
observations was j;«iod, estimates that the coral insects, wliiili
liave built up th(> limestone formations of Florida, must liavo
re(|nired more than r),0(H),(MI() years to complete their 1 ibors.
Chapter TI.
Tin-: TorodKArriY, iuyeks, soil and climatolociy.
Tlie Hirers ami Topofiraphi/ of the State nro based upon aiid oov-
i'Os|>(»ii<l witli its ji'colojiiciil Ibnnatioiis. 'I'lic siu'tiU'c, iiicliiiatiou
and tlic direction of tlic interior draina<;e faces the soutliwest.
jiock river, Howin,!-' s«»utli\vestei'ly tlironjiii oin^ of tlic most heau-
tiful and fertile re.uions, enters tlie ;\lississi|)])i just below tlio
rpiter Kajtids. Tlie Desplaines, rising;' in Wisconsin west of LaivO
3!iclii,ii'an. and tlowin«i' soutliward, and the Kankakee, rising' in
Indiana, sontli of the lake, and llowin^- westwar<l, form tlie Illinois.
TIk- latter stream, tbe lar.ucst in tbe State, courses across it in ii
soiillpvesterly direction and falls iido the !\Iississi]i]ti not tar t'roni
the city (»f Alton. The Kaskaskia rises near the eastern boundary
of the State and the KHli ]»aridlel of latitude, flows in a southwest
direction, and Ibvms a janction with the INMssissijipi not far from
the town which Itears its luune. These and other smaller streams
flow throujih valleys originally excavated in solid limestone by
ancient rivers anterior to the fonnaticHi of the drift. The latter
mat<>rial was sid»se(inently deposited in these prindtive water
coni'ses from 10 to moi'c than liOO feet in thickness, and now forms
tiie channe' of the existiuii' sti'eams. For the Ibrniation of tlieso
ancient river beds of sucli jireat width and freipiently excavated
several hundred feet in hard carboniferous rocks, the dimiiush«'d
waters now lloMinj<' within their lining- of drilt are v>holly inade-
(piat<'. Furtln'rmore, the alluvial valleys winch the riveis now
occupy are far too broad to correspond with the present volnmo
and swiftness of the waters. The alluvial bottoms of the Illinois
are nearly ecpnd to those of the Mississipjii, tliou.iih the latter has
a current twice as i'a]>i(l and a tinantity of water (i tinu's as larj^e
as the former stream. The smaller streams of the State occnjiy
valleys filled with dritt, f hrcMiuh which the waters have been v.nable
to cut their way to the ancient tron,yiis below. Owiiijn' to this, tho
sti-atified rocks in nmny localities have never become exposed, and
it is diflicnlt for the .neoloyist to determine the character of tho
iniderlyinji' fornmtions.
Thou.iih the surface of the State is peneially h'vel or 8li,i;htly
undulatinji', there are some pctrtions of it considerably eleva-
ted. The highest summits are found alonn' the northern border
between Free])ort and (lalena, known as the mouiuls. The cuhni-
iiant points of altitude ureL'OO feet above th<' surroundinu' country,
r)7.-| aitove the watei's of Lake ^lichi.i^an, !>(I0 above the Junction
of the Ohio and Mississi]>]»i, and l,ir)(t above the ocean. Tlie toi)S
of the mounds coincide with the original elevation of the surface,
and their pnjsent condition as isolated hills is due to denuding
TOPOfJKArnY AND EIVFiT?S.
15
foires which have carriod away the suiTouiidiiiy strata. ]\I<>iiii(ls
<><'('iii' in otlicr places, some of thi in haviii;;' a iii,n]it of .")(» feet, and
frc<incnlly a crown of tinil>cr u|»(»n tiicir snnunits, wliicli ^ivcstiicni
the aii]»<>aranc(' of islands in snrronndinji' seas of ])iaivie vcnlure.
l>csi(h's the nionnds there are in the State ~> ])rincii»al axes of dis-
turbance and elevation. The most northerly of thes(> enters it in
Ste]tlienson county. crossin.i:' I'ock rivei'near Dixon, and the llliiuns
not far from LaSalle. On the former river it Itrinys to the surface
the St. Peters sandstone: on the latter. nia,iiiiesian limestone, a
Silurian formation. At LaSalle the coal strata are uplifted to the
surface from ade]>th of -KM) feet, which shows that the distnrltance
occui'red after their formation. On the >\Iississip])i, in (.'alhouu
county, thei'e occurred an U]>heaval of the strata, attended with a
<lown throw of more than 1,0(10 feet. On the south side of the
axis the JJurlin,nt(»u limestone of the suhcarhonifercais series had
its .I'ata tilted uj) almost ])er]iendicnlar to the horizon. On the
north side the St. Peters sandstone and maynesian limestone were
elevated, and form the lilulf known as Sandstone Cape. This
binlf, at the time of its elevation, was doubtless a mountain mass
of l,."iOO feet in hi^ht, and has since been reduced to its present
altitude by the denuding' elVects of watei'. The sanu' axes of dis-
turbance, trendinj;' in a southeastern direction, crosses tjie Illinois (5
miles above its mouth, and farther soutliward a,inain strikes the
^Mississippi and disappears in its channel. Farther down the river
another ni)lift dislocates the strata lu-ar the southern line of St.
Cbiir county. This distui'banc(^ extends by way of Cohunbia, in
]\ronroe county, to the Mississip])i, and brings to the surface the
sanu' limestone and the St. Petei's sandstone. A|Liain, farther
southward, an u])litted mountain rid,ue extends fromOrand Tower,
on the -Mississii)pi, to Shawneetown, on the Ohio; on the west of
the !Mississii»])i it l»i'iu,<is the lower Silurian rocks to the surfact' ; in
Jackson county, Illinois, it tilts up the Devonian limestone at an
an,i;le of LT) (h'yrees; and farther eastward the subcai'boniferous
limestone becouu'S the surface rock. The last imi)ortant ])oint of
disturbance occurs in Alexander county, constitutin;;' the (irand
Chain, a daiijicrous reef of rocks, extending' across the .Mississijtpi
and tbrmin^ a blulf on the Illinois slnu-e 70 feet hiiih. Passing;-
thence in a southeastern direction, it crosses the Ohio a few miles
above Caledonia, in Pulaski county.*
'/'/((' Fonntition of the Soil is diu' to !!i'eolo<;ical and other physi-
cal a,ii'encif's. I'>om lon<>' habit we are arcustonu'd to look upon it
without considerinii' its wonderful ])roi)erties and .yreat im]»ortauce
in the economy of animal life. Not attractive itself, yet its pro-
ductions far transcend the most <'laborate works of art; and hav-
in;;- but little diversity of apju'arance, the endless variety which
])ervades the ve,iietable and auinnd kinii'doms spriujis from its pro-
lific abundance. Its mysterious elements, incorporated in the struc-
ture of plants, clothes the earth with verdure and pleasant land-
scapes. They bloom in the flower, loa<l the breeze with fraurant
«»dors, blush in the clustering- fiuit, whiten the fields with harvests
for the supply of food, furnish the tissues which, wr(»nj;ht into
fabrics, deco'ite ami ])rotect the body, and yield the curative
afi'ents for healin.i>' the diseases to which it is subject. From the
saiiu^ source also i)roceed the elements Avhich, enterinj;' the domain
'Geological Smvpy of Illinois, by A. H. Worthcii.
! '
^'•■-^^- ^viM.s.' .'/•^, <;. ';"ti. in uhH-hi ';;;'"; <-^<;i!..- <i-
;?""^'-, <•-..,:;'; !^L^ ;:•, y i"<;y "POM til ,:;;:,;:':' 7'-- '"'-
TlM.soiMv.sori • „ -^wl that forms his
!'"•' ^'""nMino , ,/ ^' <'<'<-<"",.ositio„ o • ; ',:^^ '/*' .''1 'I stratum
^*'<'r in tliickn, iv ; ■ ""'"<'"N<' (Icix.sif v.. • ^^'"^'^ <''"l>I<)vo(
J'><'ii, flK,s(. , ,, . / /"'="' ^^''iM "VPs •,,.:• •" ^''*" >""^f<>.v of
<"'N ,ni.s,s("s , Hi ^'" "l'J»<''- ^lississi,,,, ' i'"'^ V'' ^'-^<^«""<liiiS
'""I Cinrvin-M I, ; ^ '^""" ^''<' M.lia,,.,f '"^''<''' Pnwcss,
fioia th7M- ,.Jf ' * •;!^ ^''<^ '"f^'iior so,, ' ■ . , i "* ••'^"'"i'"lor. ()„
• i""^v."<i the s,^f • J'"^' ;!!;*^;'''i'^oad f,,,ri,'' :; :;: 1"="^'^ -r wi
to tlH.ir«iin,!; , '^, •' 'J"y^-t tl.cir co„r, . ' n.^" "laiJiiorMallced
SOIL.
17
Iniiidi'cd sii('('<'<'(liim' <"iii]»ir('s, cmcIi ns old iis tlic ])r('sciit iintioiinli-
lics of tlic «';irtli, (liiiiii.ii' tlic pcrroiiiiaiicc of their labors. Tliis
s]>h'ii(li(l soil t'oniiinj;' deposit is destined to make Illinois the ^reat
centic ol" American wealth and |to]>ulation. I'erliaps no other
country of the same ext<'nt on the fa<'e of the j^lohe can boast a
soil so ubi(initons in its distribntion and so universally ]»rodnctive.
ICnriched by all the minerals in the crust of the eartli, it necessa-
rily <'ontains a .yreat variety of constituents. Since plants dilfer
s(» widely in the elements of which they are comjiosed, this multi-
j)licity of eomiM)sitiou is the means of ^rowinii' a ureat diveisity
of cr(»i)s, and the amount ]>i'oduced is correspondingly lar_i;'e. So
ji'reat is the fertility, that years of continued cultivation do not
materially diminish the yield, and should sterility be induced by
exc<'ssive working', the subsoil can be made available. This ex-
tends from 2 to 10 and even I'O and .'>(• feet in depth, and when
mixed with the mold of the surface, j^ives it a jireater ])i()ducinji'
cai>acity than it had at first. Other States hav«' limited areas as
productive, but nearly the entire surface of Illinois is arable land,
and when brought under cultivation will become one continue(l
scene of ver<lure and agricultural profusi»»n. With not half of its
area improved, the State has become the jiranai'v of the continent;
far excels any other mendter of the I'nion in ])ackin<i- ]M)rk : fat-
tens more than half of all the ca*tle shipi)ed to the I'^astern mar-
kefs, and if ja-ices were as renuiiu'rati\(', could furnish other
])rodncts to a C(n'res])on<lin^' exh'ut. (Iraded to a ])roi)er level,
and tree from obsfiiictions, the State has become the princii>al
theatre for the use and invention of ajiricultiiral implements.
Owinj;' to tlie eheajaiess attendinj^" the use of machinery, with a
ji'ixcn amount of ca]>ita1, a <ireater extent of lands can be culti-
>ated. The severity of the labor expende<l is also ]>roporfionately
diminished, and those en;4a,iied in husbandry have time to l)ecoine,
acquainted with tin' theoretical as well as the ]»ractical i)art of
their duties. The ])rofound ])hil<;so])hy involved in the lirowth of
jdants furnishes a fiehl for investijiati(»n and experimeut retjuiriiij;"
the ln,uhest order of talent and the most varied and extensive at-
tainments. Afiricultuie, aided by chemistry, vegetable ]ihysiolof!,y
and kindi'od branches of knowledii'e, will <ireafly eidiance the ])r()-
(luctiveness of the laud. Thus with the ad\ antancs of science, a
su])erior soil, and the use of nmchinery, agriculture will always
remain the most attractive, maidy and i»rofitabIe bi'anch of indus-
try in which the ])eople ol' Illinois can enpi^'e, contribuiiui;' morv"
than any other i)ursuit to individual condbrt, ami i)ropoitionally
adding' to the iu()s])erity of the State. The cultivation of the soil
in all ayes has furnished emi)loynMMit for the largest and best p»n"-
tion of mankind; yet the honor to which th(\v are enfitled has
never been fully acknowledged. Thoujih their occupation is the
basis of national ])ros])erity, and upon its ^uoj^jress nam' than any
other branch of indnstry depends the mar<'h of civilization, yet
its history remains to a ^^reat extent unwritten. Historians duly
ohroniclc the feats of the warrior win* ravaji'es the earth and bey-
fi'ars its iidud)itants, l)ut leaves nnnoticed the labors of him who
causes the desolated country to bloom ajiain, ami heals with the
balm of i)lenty the nnseries of war. When true worth is duly re-
cognized, instead ( f the nnul and)ition which subju;.;at(\s nations
to ac<piire power, the heroism which subdues the soil and feeds
2
18
IIISTOIIY OF ILLTNOrs.
the woilil. will he llic tliciiic of the poet's soiij;' ;iii(l llic orator's
('lo(|ii('iic('.
The Ofiii'nt of the rntiii<s lias been a source of speculation.
One- tlieory is that the soil resulted IVoiii the (lecoiiipositi<»ii of
vejL;<'tal)le matter iiiulei' water, and that tlie attendiiii;' conditions
were inconipiitihle with the yrowlh of tiniiier. Acconlin-^' to this
\iew, prairies are at present in pi'ocess of formation alonji the
shores of lakes aiul rixcrs. Durin;^' liver iVeshets the heaviest
]»articles settle nearest the chaiinei. and here by rejieated deposits
the banks lirst became elevated abo\(' the Hoods, 'riiese natural
le\ies iiccoiniiiy' snlhcieiitly hi.uh. are ovcr^^row n with timber and
inclose lavp' areas of bottom lands back from the river, by which
they are frequently innndatcd. The waters on these llats, when
the Hood subsides, are "lit olf from the ri\('r and tbrm sloujihs,
freipieiitly of .ureat ext lit. Their shallow and stajiiiant waters
are lirst invaded by mo. ses and other ai|uatic ]»laiits which yiow
under the surface and c(mtain in their tissues lime, alluinina. and
silica, the constituents of clay. They also subsist iinincnse num-
bers of small mollusks ami other dimiiiiiti\e creatures, and the
constant decomitosition of both ve/^etables and animals forms a
stratum of clay corresiiondin.u' with that which underlies the lin-
ishrd prairies. As the marshy bottoms are by this means built
up to the surface of the water, the iiioss»'s are then intennixed
wilii coarse j;rassi's, which become more and more abundant as tluf
(ieplli diinii^ishes. Tlu'se reedy plants, now rising;' above the sur-
face, absorb and <lecompose the carbonic acid j^as ol" the atmos-
l)iiere. and convert it into woody matter, which at lirst forms ;i
chiyey m(»l<l and afterwards the black mold of the inairie. Tim
same ajiciicies, now operatiiiu' in the ponds skirting;- the banks of
rivv'rs, ori;;inally formed all tlu' i)rairies of the .Mississippi \'alley.
\\'(' have already seen that the surface of the land was snbiuerm'd
duiiii:.'; the dispersion of the drift, and in its slow einerii'ence after-
As,ird. it was covered by vast sheets of shallow water, which lirsl
Ibraied swamps and siibse<pi<'ntly i»rairi«'s. Tlie present want of
horlzontality in some of them is due to the erosive action of water.
The draina^^c, niovin<i' in tin- direction of the creeks and rivers, at
leii'.',tli furrowed the surface with tortuous ineanders. result iiiji"
liiially in the present nndiilatiiiiLi' prairies. The absence (»f trees, the
most remarkable feature, is atti'ibutable tirst to the formation of
iiliiiic acid.wiiich favors the j^rowth of lierbacious i)lants and retards
that of forests; secondly, trees absorb by tlu'ir roots lar<i(' (plant it ies
of air, which they cannot obtain when tin,' surface is under water or
covered by a coiii]»act sod; and thirdly, they re(piire solid points
of attachment which marshy llats are unable to furnish. When,
howexer, tln^ lands become dry and the sod is broken by the plow
or otherwise destroyed, they ]»ro(liice all the varieties of arbores-
cent ve,<i-etatioi! coininoii to their latitude, indeed. since the settle-
ment of Illinois, the woodland area of many localities extends far
beyoiul its oritiinal limits.
TIk' forcj^ioiny theory re(piires a larjic nnvaryin<f quantity of
water, while another, perhajts ecpially jilausible. is based on aque-
ous conditions almost tln^ reverse. It is well known that the
diflerent continental masses of the j^lobeare in ji'eneral siivrouiKled
by /ones of timber, and have within them belts of {grasses, and
centrally laryt' areas of inliosi»itable deserts. On the Atlantic side
PKAIRIES
19
of Noitli Ainciic;! tlicro is ;i coiitimioiis wooded r(';;i()n, cxtcndiiiff
iVoiii IIiids(m !)ii\ to tUt' ^'nll**!' .M('\i('(», wliilc on 1 lie Pucilic^ n siiiii-
l;ii' ;irlt<»r»'s<'ciit j;io\vt!i ciiiltrjiccs sonic of the most j;i;4iinti(' spcci-
nicns of the vcyctiiltlt' kinydoni. W'itliin tlicsc l)iii!'ls of timber,
wliieli ii]»])i-o;i('li encli other in tlieir iioitliern ;ind soiitiieni I'eiieiies,
iire tlie ^I'ciit pi'iiii'ies exteiidiii.i;' tninsverselv iici'oss (lie Mississippi
\';ille.v. iiiid li;i\ ini;' tiieir ,ui'e;itest e\p;iiisiou in tiie v;ilie.v of tlie
Missouri. I'^ii'tiier west witi'd, from incre;isin,u' dryness, tiie .uriisses
entirely disiipjM'iir, iind tlie <;reiit Amerienn Desert usurps tlu'ir
phiee. 'I'liis iilteruiition of forest, i)rinrie, nnd desei't. e(»rres-
ponds witii tlie precipitation of moisture. The ocean is the j^reat
source (►f moisture, an<l the chuids are the vehicles employed for
its distrihuticm over the land. l''rom actual measureuK'nt it has
been ascertained that tln'V disciiai',ye most of fiieir water on the
exterior rim of the contiiu'iits ; that farther toward the inteiior
tlie amount ]>i'ecipitated is less, ami finally it is almost entii'cly
supplanted by the aridit\ of the desert, in a section extendin;;'
across the continent irom New Voik to San I'rancisco, the amount
of rain -fall strikingly coincides with the alternations of wood-land,
l>raii'ie, and desert. The i'ei;ion extending tVom New York, which
has an aiiniiai rain-fall of I'J inches, to Ann Arbor, Inninj^' LM)
inches, is heavily covered with timiu'i'; thence t(» (lalesburj;', 111.,
havinji' L'(J inches,* is mostly pr;iiri<' interspersed with clumps of
forest ; thence to I'ort Laramie, haxiiii;' 20 inches, it I'apidly
changes to a continiU)Us ]»raiiie; thence to l''ort Vounni, having'
only -■{ inches, it l)ec()mes an inhos])itable desert; ami thence to
San Fi'ancisco, havinu' 1*2 inches, it chanii'cs to lirxuriant forests.
Illinois is thus within the re.yion of alternate wood and jirairie,
Avith the latter lar.ii'cly ])redomimitin,ii'. This wide belt, owin;^' to a
difference of c;!i»acity for retainin.ii' moisture, has its eastern and
western boi'ders thi'own into ii're<;ular outlines, resemblinj^' deeply
indented bays and i»roJectin,<;' headlands. ^\s the result of decreas-
\u'^ moisture, only IH) arborescent species are found in the wooded
rcijion which on the east extends a considerable <listance into
Illinois, and all of these. excei)t (t. disappear fai'thei' westward.
The diminished ])recii)itation in Illinois, an<l the iireat valley east
of the 31ississip])i, while it has an unfavor;'ble elfect on the growth
of ti'ccs, seems rather to enhance the .yrowtli of crojis. Fn further
(•onlirmation of this theory, the same physicial laws which hav»!
diversitied North Anu'rica with forest, prairie, and desert, have
])roduced similai" effects upon other continents. Hence it is that
South America has its Atacanni, Africa its <.;reat Sahara, lOurope
its barren steppes, and Asia its rainless waste of sand and salt,
e\tendinj>' tlironyh more than KM) dej;rees of lonjL;itn(l<'. AH these
desert jdaces, wliere local causes do not interfere, are fiirt about
by f^rassy ]>laiiis and belts of forest.
* 'I'lic snlijiiiin'i! Iiil)l(' liM.s lii'i'ii kiiicUv t'liiiiislKMl lis by I'liif. r.iviuirstiiiic, ol' Li)iiibiiiil Tiii-
vi'isity. It will be seen tli.il tbr intMii ;ii\iiM;il l('iii|ii'int lire nf ( ialc.sliiii'Z is 4^ ilciiri'i's, iiiiil its
mean iiniiiiiil |>ri'('i|ilt!itiiin of nxiistiiri' '^4 iiiclus. Tlii' sdMlliiin iiiid wi'.sti in portions of the
State Nliijlitl.v t'xcccd tlio aliovo li;iiiies:
Jini. 1 Feb.
Mar.
Apr.
May.
June. .Tilly. Aug. ! Sop. ! Oi-t. Nov. ! Dec.
Aiin'l
5 '5:2
ye" 14 y4>>
14
" 1 ••* "^ 1 r- '^
;«)» 2.'>'4!)»!r'S GO"
H
TO"
H. 2 2. 3 1 2.' 2 z.' 2 £.' ? ' S.i 2 : z.
;)-j'.")9n;40 "1" 4:1 c;!",;!'} .'iii'> a,-) y.v'iii •J(i'> \s
ST
3'
•26
LM)
IIISTOKV ()!•' ILLINOIS.
Some ciiiiiicnt jjliysicists refer tlie treeless eliiirncter of the };reat
};i'iiss,v plains to the ineciiiinieal iiihI cheinieiil t-haraeter of the soil.
J'eriiaps, in the constantly \ar\lii<i' physical conditions of dillerent
hicalities, tlie forces alhuled to in tiiese theoiies ad\anced, may all
cooperate to produce these ;;reat jirassy expanses, which consti-
tnte so Iar;^(' a part (tf tin- earth's siirfuce. To Illinois they are
inexhanstiltle sources of wealth, and as intimately connected with
hei' destiny as liie yreat coal lields which underlie them. Hoth are
the «'.\pressiou of natural law, hoth destined to funush the State
with the elements of fiitnri! ^ireatness and p()wer, and hoth i>ro-
]>hetic of laltor. intelli^i'ence and the enjoyment of a noble man-
lUMld.*
The ('liiiitih)lo(i!/ of the State, in c<»nnm»n with other countries of
the same latitude, has four seasons. 'l"he meltinu' snows of winter,
jl'euerally atteiuled by rains, convert the rich soil of the prairie into
mud, and rendei' early spriu;^ the most uni»leasaut part (»f the year.
The heat of summer, althou;ih nutre intense than in the same lati-
tude on the Atlantic, is "greatly relieved by the constant breezes
which fan the jtrairies. Autumn, with slowly diminishinji' heats,
terminates in the serene ami beautiful season known as Indian
summer. Its mild and uniform temperaiure, soft and hazy atnuts-
])hei(', and forests beautifully tinted widi the huesof dyinii' folia/^c,
all <'onsi>ireto render it the pleasati.' jtart (»f the year. Next t'ome
the boreal blasts of winter, with its social liresides, and tinklinij
bells in the mystic liyht of the nu)on, as merry sleij^hs skim over
the level snow clad prairies. The winter has its sudden (-hauiics
of temi>erature. causin,u' (-((Ids and other diseases arisiu;;' from
extreme vicissitudes of weather. This is tlu^ most nnfavorabh?
feature of the climat*', which in other respects is salubrious. The
}>'eneral belief that Illimtis is scourged by bilious diseases is sub-
stantially unfounded, i' is well known that the i)ioueers of Ohio,
Indiana and ;\liclii,i;an suffered far woi'se from nnilarions diseases
than th(»st! who lirst subdued the soil <tf Illinois. The cause of
this is ai)parent. The malaria of marshes and unsubdued soils in
wooded (listri(!ts, excluded from tin' liuht of the sun and a free
circulation of air. is far more malignant than that of the i)rairie
ha\ iu.u' the full beuetit of these c(»untera('tin^' ajicnts.t
The most distinjitiisliinji- feature of the climate is its sub-tropical
siuunu'rs and tin' arctii^ severities of its winters. Tlu' newly
airived iMijilish immij^rant is at first inclined to comj>lain (»f these
climatic extremes, but a short residence in the country soon con-
vinces him that many of the most kindly tVuits and plants could
not be cultivated and matured without them. Owin;;' to this troi)i('al
element of the summer, tln^ lu'ach, "irajx', sweet potato, cotton,
corn and other i»lauts readily mature in Illinois, thoujih its mean
annual temperature is less than that of Knj;land, whei'e their cul-
tivation is impossible. These facts show that a hiyh tempei'ature
for a short season is nunv benelicial to some of the most Aalued
])lants than a moderate temperature lonji' contimu'd. This is well
exemi)litied in tin- cidtivation of our jiii-at staple, maize, or Indian
corn, which, wherever the conditions an' favorable, yields a jureater
amount of nutriment, with a given amount of labor, than any
*Sei' (ifoftiapliii'iil Smvi'.VM of Un' Stati', iiiid Fiislii's I'Uysitiil (Ji'iij^vaiiliy of tlic Mi.ssis-
sipjii Valli'.v.
tl'"(»st('i's I'liysiial Ucography.
C'LIMATOLOdY.
21
known (MTciil. it WHS ori^iiniill.v ii tiopiciil j^iass, iuul wlu-n culti-
Viitcd in icuions of a lii;^!! and protractt'd trnipfratiirc. cxliiltits a
stronji tcndcncN to rev cit to ilsoi'i<^inal (•••ndition. In the (i id t States
it ^Tows to a "^icatciliij^lit than tartlnT nortliward, hnt its vicid ot'
fciccd iscoiiTs)>ondin;ily less, in tiif \ alleys o|iciiiii.u sc;i\\ar<l aloii;;-
tlie i'aeitic slope, it attains a niedinni si/e. I)ut tails to inatiiic lor
tin' want of sntlicieiit In-at. iience the distiiets of its niaxininni
])i'odii('tion must he I'ai' noi'tji of its nati\'e latitndes. and have tiio
Itenelit ot' short hut intense sMniniei' lieats. in Illinois and adja-
cent parts of the ^^reat valley its ;>reate.;t yield is aliont tiie 41st
]>aralle1, and llioii<;'li la i' less ini])osin.<^' in its appearance than on
the (iidf, its prodiietixc capacity is said i:. he four fold -ireater
than either there or on the i'acitie. it is wonderfnl that a jilanb
.slionid nii(h'j';L;() snch a .yreat transfoi'niation in stiiu'tnic and nat-
ural liahits, and that its greatest ]»iodncin^' capacity shonid ho
neai' the noi-thern limits of its jtossihle ctdtivatioii. 'I'hese facts
isn^ii^est tinestions of ^^rcaf scientilic \ahie iclative to the de\eloii-
meid of otlu'j' j)lants hy renH)vin,i;' llieni from tlieir luitixc localities.
One of lh«' cans«'s wjiich assist in iiapai'tin^' these extremes to
the climate may he Ihns «'\]»laiiwd. 'I'he different continental
masses (lni-in<;' the sniiimer liecome lapidly heated iindo' the inthi-
<'ni'e of the snn, wliile the snridnndinii oceans are less sensitise to
its eir«'<'ts. As the residt, the lands Itoi'deiin;^' on the sea have a
<'o!a]>arativeIy mild temjieratniv, while the interior is snhject to
intt'iise lieat. i)in'in!:>' winter, tor similar )-e;isons, tiie interior
Jiecomes si'verely cold, wJjile the sea-^irt shoi-e still enjoys a innch
milder tenijx-iatnre. ihif a uicatei' modifying intlncnce n]>on the
rlimate are the wimls to which it is snhject. The sokicc of lliese
is at tiie e(]uator, where tlie air, becomin;; raritied from the elfeets
of heat, rises and Hows in vast nmsses toward the )»olcs. Oil
reachiniL,' col<ler latitudes it desc<'iids to the earth, and as :in nnder-
«'nrreiit n'tnrns lolhe <Mpiator and sM])i»lies the tropical vaciiuui
I'ansed by its previous ascent. Jf the earth were at rest, the two
lunler and two n))j)ej' cnii-eiits wonid move at rijiht an.i;ies to
the eijnator. i?nt, owin,i,' to its daily rev(»hition from west to east,
the nnder-cnrrents, as they jiass from thej>oles toward the iMpialor
where the rotation is ureatest, fall behind the earth, and that in
the nortln-rn hemisjiliere Hows from the northeast, and that in the
tsonthern from the sontheast. in like nmnner the iiit]>er-cnrrcnts,
Howin.ii; from tlie yreatei' veh)city of tlie tMjnator towaid the less at
the jtoI«'.s. j^'et in adv.MU'c of the eaitli ; and the one in the north
flows from the sonthwe.^i, and the other in the south fiom the
lioilhwest. If the .ylobe wei'e a pei-fectly smooth sjihei-e, the flow
<tf the wimls ;,s al)o\'e described would be uniform, but the former
beiii;,' crested with luouutain chains, the latter are broken into a
jireat variety of local currents. In a belt of about I'o de.yrces on
«'acli side of the (Mpnitor, tlw nnder-currents blow with the jireatest
I'eiinlarity, and are called trade-winds, from their imixatance toiniv-
i^ation aud connnerce.
in makinjj; an apjilicatiou of these .ureat inimary currents to tlie
valley of the .Mississij)])!, and conse(piently to Illinois, it will be
.seen that the southwest winds, descending' from their eipiato-
rial altitude, become the j»re\ ailinji' winds ol' the surface iu (air
latitude. l>esid<'s these, the northeast trade-winds, in their jiro-
gress toward the (Mjuator, im])inj;(' ajuainst the lofty chain of the
oo
F I
ll^i s
II!
niHTouv OP r,Lmor.s.
i
ir^
ClIAPTKU TTT.
ILLINOIS ANTlQriTIKS— THK :\I()rXI) lU'lLDKHS.
It is tlic opinion of nntitiiiiii-iiins tlnit tlii-'c distini't rin'<\s of
])('()|»I(' iivcfl in North Auicricii prior to its occnpiition l».v tlic present
])opniiiti<tn. Of tln'se tin- Iniilders of tin' nnij^niliceiit eities wliosc
remains are fonnd in a nnnilier of localities of Centra) Anieriea
wei'e the most civilized, .huiuinji" from tiie rnins of hrolcen eolnmns,
J'allen arches and the ciMiml»lin.n' walls of temples, i»ahices an<l pyr-
jimids, \vhich in s(»nie jdaces for miles Iteslicw the jiionnd, these.
(•iti<'s must have been of ji'reat <'xtent and very ]»o]Hdons. TIm^
mind is almost startled at the renn)teness of theii' anti(piity, when
we consider the vast sweep of tinn- necessary toer<'ct siu'h colossal
strnctnr(\s of solid masonry, and alterwards convert tln-ni into the,
j>rcsent utter wreck. Comparing' their com)»let<' desolation with
the I'uins of Ualhec, Palmyra. 'I'heltes and Menii)liis. they must
lia\e been old when the latt<'r wei'e heini;' built. May not America
then be called the old world instead of the lU'W ; and may it not
liave contained, when these Central Anu-riean cities weuc (^v«'cte<l,
a civilization ecpial if not snpei'iin- to that which contenipoiane-
ously existed on the banks of the Nile, and made I'iji'ypt th«' laadle
of eastern arts and science?
The second race, as determined by the character of their civili
zation, were the mound builders, the remains of wh(»se works con-
stitute the most int(>restin,u' class of antiipiities found within the
limits of the l'nite<l States. Like the luins of Cential Ameiica,
they antedate the mo.st ancient icciu'ds; tradition can furnish no
sicconntof them, and their character can oidy l)e ]»ai'tiiilly jL;Ieaned
intni the, int<'rnal evidences which they tlu-mselves atVord. They
consist of the remains of what was ai>i)arently villa^(\s, altars,
tem]»les, idols, cemeteri«'s. monuments, camps, fortitications. jylcas-
ure grounds, etc. The farthest i'eli<' of this kind, discovered in a
northeastern direction, was near Ilhu'k river on tlie south side of
Lake Ontario. Thence they extend in a southwestern diieetion
l)y way of the Ohio, the Mississippi. Mexican (iulf, Texas, New
]\iexicoaiul Voucatan, into South Anu-rica. Conunencinj>' in Cata-
ran,ijus conuty. New York, there was a chain of forts extending
more than ."iO miles southwesterly, not more than 4 or ~> miles
ajtart, and evidently built by a people rude in the arts and few in
iniml)ers. Further southward they increas<' in nunil)er and mag-
nitude. In West Vir,<>inia, near the junction of (irave creek and
the ( )hio, is one of the most aujiust monunu'uts of remote anti(piity
found in the whole country.. According;- to measiu'cment it has an
altitude of *M) fi-et, a diameter at the base of lOO feet, and at the
summit of -tii feet, while a partial examination discloses within it
24
IIISIOIJV (tF II.I.INdlS.
II,
the ('xist(>iic<' ot'iiDiiiy tliou.saiMls ol' liiiiiiiin Klu-lctoiis. In Ohio,
wlicl't' tli«> iiioiiikIs Ii:i\c liccli ciU'rl'iiIlN txiiliiilinl, niv toillid sninc
of til*- most ('\lciisi\f :iii(l ilitrirsiiii^ t liiit occur ill tlic i'liilcd
Stillcs. At tlic liioiilii ol' the .MllsUiii;;illii, iiiiioli;; a iiilliiltci' of
curious works, w us a rcctaii;^iihir fort coiitaiiiiiij; 10 acres, I'licirclcd
In a wall of earth IC feet lii;L;li, and perfmated with openings
reseiiiMiii};' gateways. In the inoiiiid near the fort were found tln^
remains of a swnrd, which a|)|)eared to ha\e Iteeii hiiiied with its
owner. Itestiii;^ on the forciiead were found three laijic copiier
bosses, plated with sihcr and attached to a leather iMiekler. Near
the side of the liod\ was a plate of siixci'. which had perhaps In en
the upper part of a copper sea I ilia id, portions of w liicli were liih d
with iron rust, doiilitless the reinaiiis of a sword. A fort of siinilai'
coiistiiiction and diinciisioiis was fouial on Lickin;^' ri\er, iiear
Newark. I'aj^iit f^ateways pierced the walls, and were jiiiardt'd liy
iiioiinds directly opposiic each on tiie inside of the u^ak. At (ir-
cle\ ille, on the Sciot(», there were two forts in Jiixiapositioii: the
»iiie an exact circle (!(» rods in diameter, and the other a |ierfect
s(piare, .V) rods on each side. The circular fort ilicat ion was siir-
roiiiide<l l)y two walls, with an inteiAcniii,;^' ditch L'd feet in depth.
On Taint creek, IT) miles west of ( hillicothe. besides other exten-
sive works, w as discox cred (he remains of a walled town. It was
biiill on the siiinmit of a hill aitoiit .'>(*() Icet in alliliide, and ciician-
passed by a wall 10 feet in lii^lit, madeof sioiie in their naliiial
state. The area thus inclosed contained i.">t» acres. On the south
si(h' of it there were ioiiud the reinaiiis of what app<'ared originally
to lia\e been a row of furnaces orsmil h shops, altout which cinders
were found sexcral feet in depth. In the bed of the cre«'k, which
Avashes the foot of the hill, were tbiiiid wells which had be<'ii cut
thiMtiiiih solid rock. 'I'liey were more than .'> feel in dianu ter at tlu;
top, neatly walled w it li jointed stones, and, at the lime of diseo\ cry,
covered o\er by circular stones. So numerous were works of this
kind ill Ohio it would re(|uire a lar^e \(iliime t«> speak «)f them in
detail.
Aloiiii' the Mississippi th<'y reach their maxiimim size and coiilaiu
some of the most interest inji' relics, 'i'lie number of mounds found
here at an eai'ly day were estimated at ima-e than .'>.(l()i», the smallest
of which were not less than I'll feet in hi.yht, and KUt feet in diam-
eter at the base. A lar,ue number of them wei'e found in Illinois,
but, mifortuiiately, most ot' those who haxc examined them wero
little (pialitied to furnish correct informatiou res])ectiii>i' their real
character. It is greatly to be rejiietted that the State has iie\«'r
ordered a survey of these works by persons (pialilied to do tlui
subject Justice. .Many of the most interest iii<>' have been ruthlessly
destroyed, but it is belie\ed a suflieieiit iiumbei' still remain to
justify an examination. It may, however, be safi'ly assumed, fiiuii
what is already know n respcctiii;;' them, that they wero substantially
the same as those Ibund in other parts of the I'liited States.
One (d' the most siu^^iilar eart hworks iii this State was found in
the lead region on the toi» of a rid;4e near the east bank of the
Sinsiiiawa creek. It resembled some hiine animal, the head,
ears, uose, leys and tail and yeiieral outline of which beiiii;- as per-
fect as if made by men versed in mo(hrii art. The iidj;e on which
it was situated stands on the prairie, .'!(i(» yards wide, 100 feet in
liight, and rounded on the lop by a deep th'^iosit of clay. Ceu-
ANTlgrniHS — Mdl'M) lUILUKKS.
ti'iill.v, aloii;; tli«' line of its siiiiiiiiit iiinl tlirnwii ii|i in tlic t'oriii of
an riiil):iiikiiM-iit llii'cf ItM't iiiuii, t-xtciHlcd tlit> uiitliiif tiTii (|iiii(liii-
])('<), liii-iisui'ili;; L''")!) Icct iVoiii the tip ol' tiic nose lo tlc' cIkI oI' IIk^
tiiil, iiiid lia\ iiiu a widtlinl' IxhIv at tia- rnitfi' of IS t'ct't. 'I'la'
la-ad was .">.") let I in Ituulii, tlifcars Id, lfj;s (iO, and tail 7.">. The
(■iir\atiii'c in ixitli tlif I'oit'and liiial lc;;.s was nataial to an iiaiinal
l.viiiy on its side. The general (»atliiH' ol" tlir liiiiiic most iitariy
rcscinltlcti tlic cxtiiM't animal known to ycoloLiists as tlic Mcjuatia'-
I'inni. 'I'Im- *|n<'stinn natarallv aiiscs, Itv w1h)Mi and lor wlial |>iii'-
l>oMi' was this caitii li;;ni'(j raised. Some have conjectured lliat
iininlx'i's of this nowcxtind animal lived ami loamed over the
])i'aii'ies of iliinnis w hen the miHind Unilders first nnide their a|)|M'ai'-
aiM'c in the npiter pait (tf the Mississippi Valley, aial that their
uonder and admiration, excited 1>,\ the colossal dimensions of tliest;
lni;;e cicatares, IomimI exii.'cssion in the erectitai ol' this limine.
The holies of sona' similar jui.nantic animals were exhnmed on this
stream aiioat •'( miles iVom the same place.*
David Dale Owen, a <'elehrated western ju'eolojiist, in his report
to the land olliee in |s;!!>, refers lo a nnnd»er of liyiires. similar lo
the one alto\e deserihed, as exisliny in Wisconsin, lie IliinUs they
>V('reeonne<'te<l with the totemic system of the Indians who forau'riy
«lwelt in this |»art of the c(aiiitiy. When, for example a distin-
ynislu'd chief died, he infers that his elan>meii raised o\er his body
ii mound j'esendilinu the animal which had iteen nsi-d as a syiidiol
to desi<;iiate his fandly.
^Ir. l'ii'eckenrid,i;<', wh(»exaanned the antiipiitios of the westein
country in IS17, speakiny of the mounds in tin' American I'lottom,
says: "The;;reat iMoaher and the extrenu'l.\ laru'e si/e of some
of tlieiii may he re<;arded as fnrnishinj;, with other circinnstances,
evidence of their anti(piity. I have sonu'times been indnced to
think that at the period when they were constructed theic was u
])opulaiion here as numerous as that which (Mice animated ihi^
boiders of the Nile oi' of the I'iiiphrates or of .Mexico. Tlie most
nnna'rous as wctl as considerable (»f these remains are found in
l)recisely those parts of the coinitry where the traces of a inina'r-
ous |io|)ulation nd.i^ht be looked for, namely, frcan the mouth of
the Ohio, on the east side ol' the Mississippi, to the Illinois rixcr,
and on the west from tlie St. [''rancis to the Missouri. I am per-
fectly satislicd that cities similar to those of ancient Mexico, of
several hundred thousaml souls, have existed in this country.'"
Says Ml'. (', Atwater, the author of an able work on the anti(pii-
ties of Ohio: "•Nearly opposite St. Louis there are traces of two
such cities, in the distance of o ndles. They were situated on the
Cahokia, which eiosses the Anu'rican Hotvoni opposite St. Louis.
One of the mounds is .S(H) yards in eircumferenc(> at tlu' base, and
1(K> feet in hi^^lit."
The follow inji' descrijition of this mound, which is the lariiest in
tlie Uniteil States, is condensed from an aiticle in the l!elle\ille
E(((i1c : It is silimted (l^^, ndles northeast of St. Louis, and is ctim-
moidy known as the Monk's mound, from the Monks of La Tiai)[)0
lni\ in,u' settled on and arouml it. It is an irregular oblonji, ex-
temliuii' north and south, ami its shoi'test sides east and west.
The top contains about .'5.'^ acres, ami about half way (low n the
sides is a terrace, extendiufi' the whole width of the nn)und, and
*Galeua Jett'eraouinu, lt<5J.
1/
ANTU/riTIl'.S — MOfM) 111 II.DI'.I.'S.
L'7
toj'.v, tVolii 4 to "» feet ill tliiiiiHlcr, wvw cxIhiiihmI mmih' ."{() (ret Im^
low tli(> sitrriin-, iiiiil liiid <>vi*li>iitl.\ Im-cii iisciI in tlir iiiaiiiiriirtiin'
(iT -~:ill liv III*' iiiomikI Imildt'is, or stmic nlliiT iiiirinit |u'o|ilf, <lil'-
r«'i'('iil IVoiii tlir |ii«'si'iit liHliiiiis. Till- 111 liiiciiil t-lniraclfi' ut' tlitso
works not lu'iiiji; ii contioNfitnl point, tin- iiit|iiii.v arises wlio wci'o
(licir Itiiiltlfis / Tlic liv|iolln'sis that tlu>y wcri- tlic ancestors of
tlie A!;.',nii<|iiiii anil other trilies louml li\iii<4' in their iniiist, when
lirst \isiletl 1»,\ I'airopeaiis, Imt ill_\ ae<-or»ls with thee\i<leiiee I'lir-
iiisiied \t\ an exaiiiiiiatioii of the I'aets. 'i'he>e eiirioiis relies a rtt
t'ra;iitieiits ol' a liistoiy wiiieli point to a peoi»le tlilVereiil in physi-
<-al striieliire I'roiii the red men, and ^reall,\ in ad\ aiiee ol' tliein in
iii't and ei\ i!i/alioii. 'I'he latter in general area tall, rather slen-
der, strai;>'lit liiiilied people, while the toniier were short and tliieU
set, had low loreheads. hiuli eheek holies, and were reiiiarUalile tor
their lar;;e eyes and liroad eliiiis. Their limits were short and
stout, while the'"' '.vliole ph.vsiipie more elosely n'semhied that ot'
the ( lerinan than anv exist in;; raee. The remains of their art also
indieated a people wholly tlistiiie!. I'^roin these tnmiili lia\f hreii
taken siher, iron aial copper implements, exliihitiiifi in their coii-
striictioii a tle^rce of skill ;^rea(ly excee<lin;L: Indian inucniiily and
worknianship. The lar;;c nimilier of medals, Itracelets, pipes, and
other iiistriimeiits made of copper, show that its use anions them
was iniieh more extensive than iliatof the other metals, 'fhey
may liaxc possessed the lost art of hardeiiiii;; it, for cut stone is
occasionally found in some of their works. The maimfacture of
earlheiiware was one of their most advanced arts ; vessels madti
Ironi calcareous Itreccia have heeii taken from their toiidis. eiiual iit
(piality to any now made in Italy from the same material. A coii-
siderahle niiliilter of these were urns, coiitaiiiini; hones, wlil«-h ap-
pear (o have heeii hiiriit helore they were deposited in them.
."Mirrors, made of isiii};las, were of frecpieiit o<-ciirieuce in tho
iiioiiiids. .Many of them were lar^c and ele^iaiit, and must liiiv«!
answered well the purpose for which they were inteiidcfl. Could
tla-y speak, they would doiihtless tell us that the primitive helles,
whose eliarms they rollected, had the same fondness for personal
decoration that distiii.unishes tiieir sisters of the present day.
'1 heir haiiilatidiis must have heeii tents, structures (»f wood, (U-
some other perishahle material; otherwise tlieir remains would
lia\(' heeii numerous. 'J'lie remains, however, of lii'e-i>laces,
liearths and <'liimiieys, imhedded in the allinial hanks of the Ohio
and .\Iiiskiii,4iini rivers, are frcipiently hroii^ht to li^lit 1>\ the ac-
tion of their waters. 'I'lie Indians of these localities never erecti'd
.siicli works; while their j^reat de)ttii helow the surface, and its
lu-avy jiiow til of trees, is evidence that they were not made hy l-ai-
ro])eaiis, Iieiice must he referred to the mound hiiilders, 10\ ideiice
of this kind iiii;.ilit he multiplied iiidetiiiilely, hut what has heeii
said is deemed sutlicieiit.
Not only liati the mound hnilders made c(»iisiderahle i>ro;nj'ess in
the arts, hilt they wcr*' not wholly waiitiu,u" in scieiitilic attainments.
The lines of nearly all their works, where the situation would admit
of it, conform to the four cardinal points. Had their authors im»
kiiowh'dnc of astronomy, they could never have determined tlio
])oints of the compa.ss with such exactness as their w(U'ks indicate.
This mthle science, which in modern times has };iveii us siuli ex-
teudcil views of the universe, was among the lirst in tlie earlier
28 IIISTOllV OF ILLINOIS.
iijics to iiri'cst tlu' iith'iitioi) oCiiiiiiikiiKl. Tlic pMstoriil life of ]»iiiiii-
tivc liiiics, wlicii iiicii dwell in tciiLs, of tlic open air, witli tiie
liciivciil.v bodies in I'idl view, was very i'avonible to the study ot"
astioiioin.v.
11' I lie iiiouiid builders were not tlie aiicestois of (»ur Indians,
who were they ! The oblivion which has closed over tlieni is so
complete that only conjectures can be ^iveu in answer to the (pies-
tion. Those wh(» do n(»t believe in the coniiuon paientajie ol nian-
Idnd contend that they were an indiijcnoMs race of the western
lieniisi»here. Others, w ith more i>laiisibility, think they came Ironi
the east, and ima.yine that they can see coincidences in the reli,L;ion
• (fthe Ilindoosand Southern Tartars and the snp])os<'d theology of
the mound builders. An idol was found in a tomb near Nashville,
4'onsistinj;' of three busts, re])resentin;;' a man in a state of nudity.
On the head of each were carved the sacred lillet and cake with
which, in ancient (ireece. durin.i;- sacritlces. the heads of the idol,
tlie victim, and priest wei'i' bound. The Oiceks are snpjjosed to
Inve borrowed these sacred appliances from the Persians, with
Avhoia they had fre(iuent wars and an intimate nnuitiine inter-
couise. Another idol, consistin,i;' of three heads united at tli((
back, was taken from a tond» on the headwaters (»f the Cumber-
land river. Their features, which were expressive, exhibited in ii
strikin,!^' uunnier the lineaments of the Tartar countenance. It has
b*'<'M further observed that wherever there was a yroupof monads
three, of tlieni wen- uniforndy larger and inon' favorably situated
than the rest. The triune charactei- of these ima/^cs and mounds
;u'(^ sup]>osed to rei)resent the three ju'incipal ji'ods of the Hindoos,
IJrahmin, Vishnoo and Si\a. This siip|)osi)ion has been fartiier
strcn.ythen;"! by the discovery in numy mounds of murex shells,
which wore sacred in the relij;ion of the Ilindoc^, used as material
iu the constriU'tion of their idols, and as the nnisical instrumciits
of Iheii- Trit(»ns. In di,ii;Liin,ii' a well near Nashvilh', a clay \essel
was found liO fiH't below the surface, it was of a jilobose Ibnn,
terminatiu<>' at the toj) with a fennde head, the features of v, lucli
wt'i'c stron.iily marked and Asiatic. The crown of tiu' liea<l w;i.s
covt'red with a cap of i)yramidal form resembling;- theAsiatic head-
<lress. TIm! vessel was found sittinji' on a rock from under vvliich
issued ;i stream of wa.ter, ami amy have been used at tiie fountaiil
in performin,!:;' the aldutious enjoined by some of the oriental re-
li,uions. Imleed, for this purpose the temi»les and altars of the
Hindoos are always erected on the banks of sonu' liver, as tiie
(ian^cs and other sacred streams, and the same practice was ob-
served by the authors of the Anu'rican tumuli.
From evidence of this kind it is interred that this people came
from Asia, and that their migrations, like those from Murope at
the present day, were made at dilfeicnt times and from dili'erent
countries.
They were no doubt idolators, and it has been conjectured that
tiie sun was an object of adoration. The mounds were jicnerally
built in a situation atfoi'<lin.ii' a view of the risin.y- sun. \\'hen in-
closed with walls their /gateways were toward the east. The ca\'es
in which they wei'e occasionally ibund buried always ()])ene<l in the
same direction. Whenever a mound was partially inclosed by ;i
semicircular pavenH'Ut, it was on the east side. When bodies were
buried iu graves, as wtus frequently the case, they lay in an east-
ANTIQI rj'l];S — MOINli BUILDERS.
29
orii and western diirction; mid finally, nicdals have been lonnd
reineseiitinj; tlse snn and liis rays ol' liylit.
At wliat i»eri()d tli<'y eanie to this country is likewise a matter
ol" siM'CMJation. I'r(»ni the eoiiii»arativcly rude state of tiie arts
anioMji' them, it has been ini'eri'ed that the time was very I'emote.
Tlieir axes were made of stone ; their laiment, Jndj;in;4' from tlie
fraj^inents whieh have been diseovei'ed, consisted ot' the barl<s of
trees iiiterwo\'en with feathei's: and their militai'y worlds wei'e such
as a people would erect who had Just passed from the huuti'r to
the ]Kistoral state of society. The line of forts already referred t(t,
in New York, were built on the brow of tiie hill w hich was ori;^i-
nally tlie soutliern shore of l.ake l^rie. I>y the recession of the
waters, they are now from ."> to it miles distant from tlii'ir original
lindts. The surface, which became ex]»osed by the retirement of
the waters, is now covered with a xc.tictable mold tVom (i to H>
in<*hcs deep, and it nmy reasonably be supposed that a lonj;' inter-
val of tiiue was recpured for the produ«'tion of the forests by whose
decomposition it was foiined, \'>\\t a much lonjicr interval would
be riMpiired for the Niaj^ara to deepen its channel and thus cause
the subsidence of the wateis in the lake.
What finally became of this peo|)le is another (pu'ry which has
been extensively discussed. The fact that tlieir works extend into
3Ie\ico and Tem has induced the Itelief that it Wiis their i)osteiity
that dwelt in these countries when they were first visited by tlit^
!S))aniards. The Mexican and reruvian works, with the exception
of their j;reater majiiiitude, are similar, b'elics common to all of
them have been occasionally found, and it is believed that the reli-
fi'ious uses which they subserved were the same, (.hw of the i)rin-
«*i])al deities of the iSonth Anu'iicans was tlu^ p»d of the shiniui;'
mirror, so culled because he was su]»|»osed to reflect, like a mirror,
his divine ])erfe<'tions. The same jiod was also a Mexican divinity ;
and while other (h'ities wei'e syndtoli/ed by imaj-es, this one was
represented by a mirror, and held in yicat ven<'ration as the un-
known ji'od of the universe. Isinjilas, c((nnnon in the mcaiiids in
the Tnited Htates, was the nmterial iicneiiilly empl<»yed for the
construction of miirorsin Mexico; but in South .Vnu'rica, obsidan,
a voh-auic i>rodnct, which answered the same purpose, was more
fre(pM'ntIy use(l. If, indeed, the Mexicans and l'eru\ians wer;' tlu^
])i'o;;('ny of the more ancient mound builders, then Spanish rajiacity
for ^i'old was the cause of tlu'ir overthr<tw and final extermination.
A thousand othei' interestin.ii' queries natui'ally arise respt; liuM-
tln'se nations which in)W rep(»se under the j;i'ound, but the most
searching' investi<>atiou can only }»ivo us va<ine spirnlations for
answers. No historian has ])reserved the names (tf their miuhfy
<*hiettains nor jiiven an account of their eX|>loits, and even tradi-
tion is silent respectinii' them. If we knock at the tombs, no s|Hrit
comes back with a res]>onse, and only a sepulchral echo of forget
fulness and death reminds us how vain is the atteini)t to unlock
the mysterious i»ast u]»on which oblivion has fixed its seal. How
forcibly their mouldering' bones and perishinj: relics remind us of
the transitory character of liuman existen<'e. (lenei-ation after
fi'eneratioii lives, moves and is no more ; tinu'has strewn the tr;ick
of its iiithless march with the frajiinents of miyhty em[»ires; and
at lenj,4h not even their names nor works have au existence iii the
speculations of thos(>. Avho take their phices.
ClIAPTKR IV.
TJIK IM)1A^S OF ILLINOIS.
Till' third distiiict race wliicli, accordiiiin' to ctliuolo^iists, has in-
habited North Aniciica. is tiic prrsi'iit Indians. Wlicn visited by
early lOnropean jiioiieers tliey were witlioiif (•nlti\ ation, retinenient
or iitei'atiire. an(l I'ai' Itehind tlieir ])i('(Mirs(»rs. tiie ni<iiind builders,
in a knowledfit' of the arts. Tiie question of their orijiin lias lony
inteicsted ar<'heoloyists, and is'sneof the UH»st diltieult they have
been called on to answer. • >ne hypothc-'s is that they are an
oii.yinal raee indi^cneous to the Wester ' .,-inisi>here. 'I'liose who
entertain this view think their ]»eeuliarities <»1' physieal structure
])reclu,de the possibility of a common i>arenta,i;(' with the rest ot"
mankind. Prominent amon.u' these distinctixe traits is tlie hair,
which in the red man is round, in the white man o\al, and in the
black man Hat. In the pile of the l-'uropean the colorinp,' matter
is distributed by means(»f a centi'al canal, but in that of the Imlian
it is incorporated in the libr(»ns structure. ISrown, who has made
an e.\haiisti\<' examination of these varieties of hair, conchnle.s
that they are radically dilferent, and belonj;- to three distinct
brain lies of the human family, which, instead of a coninioii. have
had a trinary oi'i;;in. Since, therefore, these and other peculiar
ethnolon'ieal features are chaiacteristie only of the aboriginal in-
habitants of America, it is inferred that they ate indi,i>'enons to this
]tarl of the ,ulobe,
A more common su|)}»osition, however, is that they tire ii deriva-
tive race, and sprang' from one or more of the ancient jieojiles
of Asia. In the absence of all auihentic history, and when even
tradition is wanting;-, any attempt to point out the jiartieular theater
of their origin must prove iinsatisfact(uy. They are ]>erliai)s au
otTshoot of Sliemitic jiarenta^'e, and some imauine, from their tribal
oi'uaiii/arion and soiik' faint ••^incidences of laii;4naji'e and relijiioii,
that they were the descendants of the ancient Hebrews. (>i!;ers,
■with as riiiich propri<'ty, contend that their ])rof'enitors were the
ancient Hindoos, and that the lirahmin idea, which uses the sun
t(» s\ mbolize the ( "reator of the Iniverse, has its eonnterpart in
the sunworship <»f the Indians. They idso see in the Hindoo i>oly-
theism. with its ;!(I.O(l(» divinities, a theolo<:y corn'spondin^' with
the innumerable minor Indian deities, of which binls, (piadrujieds,
ri'ptiles, and fishes are made the symbols. Tiie Persians, and
etiicr piiiiiiti\e oriental stocks, and even the nations of I"]nrope, if
(he testimony of ditVerent anticpiarians could be acceptt'd, inij;ht
claim the honor of first peopliuii America.
Thoii^^li the «'.\a('( place of orijiin may m-vei' be known, yet the
striking coincidences ot' [divsiciil or{;anization between the oriental
30 ,
INDIANS.
.IL
typos of iiiiiiikiiKl iiiid tlic Tiidians, point unmistakably to sumo
])art of Asia as llic j)!ac(' wIkmu'c tlicy ('migrated. Instead of
J.S(H» years, the time of their ro\iii^' in tiie wilds of America,
as (h'termined l)y Sj)anish interpretation of their ]>ieto;nrai>iii(;
reedrds, the interval has i)eiliaps been tliriee that i»eriod. 'flieir
reli.iiions, sn]terstitions and ceremonies, if of iurei^ii origin, evi-
dently beloiiii' to the ernde tlieohii^ies lU'ovalent in the last cen-
turies before tin' inti'dduction of Mahometainsm or Christianity.
Scarcely ."iOOII yeai's woidd sullice to l>lot out perhaps almost e\cry
irace of tiie lan;.;ua;;'e they l»ron:;Iit with them from the Asiatii!
cradle of the race, and introduce the i)resent diversity of al>ori-
{i'inal toimues. Like their oriental pro;.;-enitors they lia\e lived for
eentiii'ies witlniut progress, while the Cancassian variety of tlu^
race, nmlcr the ti'ansforminji' ]>ower of art. science, and improved
systems of civil ]»olity. have made the nn)st rapid advancement.
At the tinx' of their departure eastwai'd. a ureat current of enii-
ji'i'ation tiowed westward to I']uroi»e, makin;;- it a ,ureat arena (;f
hunian elfort and improvement, 'fhence inoceedinji' farther west-
■ward if nu't in Ameiica, the midway stati(Ui in the circint of tlio
;;iobe. the ooposinu ciu rent diicct from Asia. 'I'lie shock of the lirst
contact was the beninnin;^' of tlu' yreat contlict w hich has sinc(3
been wa;i('d by the I'ival sons of Sliem and .laplieth. The hrst
thouyhtofthe Indian, when hostilities commenced on the Atlantic.
border, was to I'ctire westward, it was fr<iin Iveyond the Ailei^lia-
nies, accordin.ii' to the tratlitioiis of their fathers, they had conu',
and in the sanu' undelined i'e,i;ion they loca(e<l theii' paradise or
happy huntinji' jiroiind. To emi>loy an aborii^inal alleiiory, ••'flie
Indians had lon.u' disc<'rm'd a dark cloud in the heavens, cominj;'
from tlie oast, which threatened them with disaster ami death,
Hlowly risiiiji' at lirst. it seemed shadow, but soon chanticd to sub-
stance. When it rcache(l the summit of the Aile>iliauies it as-
.snined a <larker liu<': deep nuirmnrs, as of thunder, were heard;
it was imi)el!ed westward by stronii' wind, and shot forth forked
ton;.;iies of li;j;lit nin>j;."
The movement of the sombre cloud typified thea<lvanceof labor,
science and civilization. I'ontiac foresaw the cominu' storm wlieii
lie beheld the Ficncli t!a,u' and I'^rench sni)rema<'y stricken down
on the ]>lains of Abraham. T(» the Ibitish ollieer sent westward
to scenic tjic fruits of \ictory. he said: •• 1 stand in thy path." To
the assend)led chi<'fs of the nations in council, he iinfolde<l his
schemes of o]»])ositiou. deiticted the disasters wiiicii would attend
the coming- rush of the Anulo-Saxou. and climaxed his iuM'ctive
ayainst the hated omMiiy with the exclamation, " Diive the dojiis
Avilo wear red clothin;i;' into the sea." I'lfty years after the defeat
of I'ontiac. Tecumseh. enudatinu' his example, plotted the consjti-
racy of the Wabash, lie brituyht to his aid the powerful iidlu-
cnce of the Imliau ])riest-hood ; for years the forest haunts of his
clansmen ranj>' with his stirrin,i>' appeals, and the valleys of tiie
AVest ran with the l)lood of the white invaders. Ibit Tecumseh fell
a martyr to his cause, and tln^ second attempt to turn lta<'k the tide
of civilization was a failure. The Ai>palachian tribes, nndei- the
leadei'shi|» of Tuscaloosa, next waycd a continucais war of threes
years aj^ainst the sonthern iVontiers. The ccuitlict terminated by
the sublime act of its leader, who, alter a reward had been olfcied
for his head, voluntarilv snri'endei'cd himself for the u'ood of his
t!'
Bl I
32
HISTORY OF TIJ.TiVOIS.
Mi I
li
■
coiiiiti'viiicn. After tliis dd'ciil, tlic soiitlicin tiihcs ahaiKloiicd
tlicir loiiii' clit'iislicd idea ol' rc-cstahlisliiiii^- Indian siipicinacy. A
lasl and iVnitlcss cfVoit of lliis Uind, 1»\ the Sacs and 1m)X»'s ol' Illi-
nois, plart'd tlic vast domain cast of tlic .Mississi|)i»i in (lie hands
of the rntlilcss con(|iicrors.*
AhiniKjiiiiis (i)i(l IrotiUDis. — Of tlic several ji'reat brandies of
Nortli American Indians, as dctermineil l)y sameness of lanuna^'e
and mental and i»liysical tvpe. tlie only ones entitN'd to considera-
tion in Illinois iiistoi'y, are the Al.u(»n(|Min. and incidentally the
Iroquois. Uei'ore the cncroaehnK-nts of I-'nropeans cansed the I'c-
tirement of the Al.^'oiKinin tiilies. they occupied most of thel'nited
States lietween the .Jot h and (lOth i>aralh'ls of latitudes, and tho
(loth and l(l.")th meridians of loniiitnde. They were Al<i-on(|nins
whom < 'artier fonnd on the lianks of the St. Lawrence, whom the
lOn^lish discovei'cd hunting;' and lishinm' on the Atlantic coast, iVom
Elaine to the ("antlinas. They were triltes of lids lineaji'e whom
.h'snit missionaries taiiyht to repeat itrayers and sin,u' uris on tlu^
l>aid;s of the Mississippi and Illinois, and on the shores of the
ji'reat lakes and Hudson Hay. The same .yreat fannly wa.ucd war
with th(^ Puritans of New I'^niiland, entered into a covenant of
]»eace with I*enn. and furiushed a Pocahontas to iidercede for the
life of the aihculurous founder of Virginia.
The startin,n' jioint in the wanderin<is (tf the Alironcpiin trihes on
the continent, as determined l»y tradition and the cultivation of the
niaizi'. their favoriie ceical. was in the southwest. It is conjectured
as they passed up tlu' western si<le of the .Mississippi \'alley, lln'ir
nundx'i's were auu'iunented hy ac<'essioiis from nomadic clans pass-
through the central and southern jiasses of the Pocky Mountains.
Then, turuinu' eastward across the Mississip]»i. the s(»uthern niar-
^i'iu of the broad track pursued toward the Atlantic was aliout the
.■i")tli parallel, the limits reached in this direction l>y these tribes.
This would i)laee .ii the central line of march. Illinois, and tlie ad-
jacent regions, whei'e the tirst I'airopean e\i>lorers found corn
extensively cultivated and used as an article of food. On reachiu!:;'
the Atlantic they moved northeasterly alony- the seaboard to the
mouth of the St. Lawi'cuce. iutroducinsi' alou^' their track the <'ul-
tivation of maize, without which many of the eai'ly Pritish colo-
insts must ha\(' perished. Next, asceudiui;' the St. Fiawrence and
the yreat lakes, they spread noithward and westward to IIn<lson*s
Pay, the basin of Lake \\'iuue|)eji. and the \allev of the Ppjier
]\lississi)>j)i. In this wide dispersion the original stock was bi«»ki'U
into niinor tribes ; each, in the eoui'se of time, deviatinji' in speech
from the jiarent lauiiuau'e. and fornuu^' a dialect of its (»wn. The
head (»f the nnyratory column, circlin;^' round the s(»iii-ce of the
]Mississip]>i,recrossed it in a southeasterly din'ction above the falls
of St. Anthony, and passed by way of (Jreen Pay an<l T^ake Michi-
j>'an into the present limits of Illin(»is, Indiana ami Ohio. Thus,
after revolvinji' in an in-euular eliitseof some .'>(KK> miles in diame-
ter, they fell into the original track eastward.
The territory of the Irocpiois lay like an island in this vast ixren
oi" Alu'onipnn ])opulation. They had three conilictin,n' traditions
of their orijiin: that they came from the west, from the north, and
si»runj;' from the soil «»n which they lived. Their eonfederacy at
lir.st consisted of 5 tribes, the ]\iohawks, Oneidas, Onondajius,
♦Schoolcraft's, Part 5 ; Speucci's lllBtoiy of the Uulted States
i .
INDIANS.
.33
Cayiiuiis and Sciicciis, to wiiicli a (Itli. flio Tiiscaroias Avas after-
wards added. Macli trilx' liad a s('i)ai'at(' jxditii-al organization in
Avliicli till' saclicins wci'c tlic lulin^' sjtiiits. \\'lM'n ioit'i.;^n liiltcs
AVi'ic to he consulted, or tlie jicneral interests ol' tlie eont'ederaey
recinired (hdiberation, tli<' saelienis of tlie several tiibes met in
lUcneral «'ouneil. Hasty writers, jndj;inji'fr<im tlu'li'sneeesseswitliont
(•areliiliy stndyiii.n' tlieir eliaraeter and history, liave .ui'eailv .>ver-
rated tlieir viit lies. 'I'liere is ii(» doubt as to tlieii'sneeess in war. Itiit
it wasratlier tlie result of eireunistanees than inherent woitli. >s'ot-
witiistaiulini^' their iiiueh lauded ehxiuenee. diploiiiaey and eoiirane,
there is little <louI»t that the A],ii(>ii(|uiii tribes of the same latitude-
were in the.se res|)eets fully their e(|uals. As it ref^ards eiaiiial
indieatioiis, the lro<)Uois had an excessive development at the
Itasillar re,ni(»n, and the .\lji'on(|uins ,i larji'er intellectual lob(>, and
the conduct of the two races correspoiids w ith their ceicbral dif-
ferences. It is well known that fortlie exhibition of brutish ferocity
ill battle, and the lieiidish butchery of prisoners, the former wer<!
wilhoiit ri\als. Missionaiw exideiice states that it was they who
first tau^^iit the Illinois the cruel practice of burniiiu' prisoners at
th(^ stake. JJutadmittinji' their natural sn])eriority tliey must have
h)st it by amalgamation, for it was customary with them to rei)air
their constant losses in war by adopting' into their families the
AV(»men and children caiitured from their Aluomiuiu enemies.
This infusion of blood, if in a Jew .yeiierations it did not .yive the
foreiuii eh'nieiit the ascendancy, must have ;;reatly modilied the
original stock. Indeed some of the adopted ^M/ionci^ins L^'came
alterwards their luominent chiefs.
Tlieir >sue('<'ss in war was in a j^reat measure the result of local
and otliei' a<lvanta,<i'es. Possessinu' a territory included in the
ju'csent limits of New York, it j;ave them I'cady access to the
nations livinj^- on tin' western lakes; while the Mohawk and the
Jliidson furnished them a lii;^liway to the tribes of the sea-cc-ast.
lla\in,ii' by savage bai'barity converted all the surroiindin.i;' nations
into enemies, necessity tauj^ht them the advautaue of union, lixity
of habitation made them siijierior in agriculture, while a ]>assion
foi' war yav<' tliem a ])reemineiice in the aits best suite<l to jiiatify
their inordinate Inst for blood. 1 >cpii\ed of these advantai^cs it
is doubtful whether they would have been loiiu' al)le to cope with
the tribes which they outraged by incessant attacks.
The Aliioiupiin tribes wei'e too widely dispersed to a(biiit of ,i
Jl'eneral confederacy; the iiiter])osition of ^reat lakes and rivers
])revente(l concert of action, and hence each community had to
contend sinjule-handed with the unit<'d enemy. ICven in these une-
(pial contests they were sometimes the coiKiuerors. as instanced in
the triumpli of the Illinois on the banks of the Iroquois, a stream
in our iStat*' whose name still commemorates the victory.
It is not, however, in the petty broils of tril)al warfare, but the
fierce conflicts with the civilized intruders upon their soil, that a
correct opinion is to be formed of these rival races. In these
bhwxly stnijijLiles, which decided the fate of the entire ab()ri,uinal
pojuilation, it was that the Alyonqnins evinced their ^reat su])eri-
ority. I'lilike the Iro«|uois, who. in their hauj;lity independence,
dis<laim'(l to jt>o beyond their own narrow realms for assistance,
and who. in their yreat thirst for cariiajie, even <h'strov<'<l kindred
nations, the Algoiiqtiins formed the most extensive alliance to
3-t
IILSTOltY or ILLINOIS.
I
!|U
I'csi.-t ilic ('iicroacliiiii'iil.s oftlicir I'-ii^iisli (Icsirdvcrs. Such wnsilic
iiiiliiic ol' Kiiii^' riiilip's Will', wlio. witli liis Aluomiiiiii luiivrs,
si»ri'ii(l li'iror iiiid doohilidii llnoiiylHUil New l';ii,i;liiiiil. l';iiiic-
istii('k«'ii ill liis iuuliicit.v ainl success, the IMiritiiiis iiiiiifiiiicd iIhv
S!i\\ (lire |M):t('iits (•!' ciilaiiiitic.s ill tlic air and sky, and siiadowy
tnKi|>s di' carccrin.y iioi'scnicii iiiipiinlcd on tlic I'acc \}\' tiic miii and
iiKuai. 'ITiis compactly toinicd confederacy <d' tribes was o\er-
tlirowii; but it cost tlie ("oloiiists, with their siiperior iiiiiiibcrs,
disciiiiiiie and weapons, a liloody contest to acconi|ilisli it. Such,
too. was tin' ciiaraeter ol' the eidniinatin,u- stiiii^'^le of the red race,
some tM> years later, lor the (huninion of the western wildenie.-s.
}se\('i' berui\' Iiad tlie Indians e\iiibite«l sucii feats (»f couraj^'c,
siieii siull ill diiilomacy and such strateiiy in war; and ne\«'i before,
li(»r aflerwards, were tlieir efforts attended with siicii terrilih' coii-
s<'<pieiiees. Witli an AI/^oiKjuiii chief and Aljionqiiin \varrioi>; as
tlie eoiilrolliiii; spirits, a confederacy of continental proportions
was tiie resiiil, emliraeini;' in its alliance the tribes of every name
and liiiea,u'e, from the northern lakes to the .yiill' on the south.
J'ontiac. haxiii;;' breailied into them his implacable hate of tliti
I'lnj^lisli iiitriiders, ordere<l the contlict to commence, and ail the
llritish colonies treml»led before the <lesolatin<,i' fury of the onset.
Of the tribes of .M^ompiin lineafi'c which ftu'iiierly «hvelt in
Illinois, those bearin;:,' the name of the State were the most tiuiiu'r-
oiis. .lud^inji' i'rom the graves which were thickly planted over tlie
prairies, they must at an eaily date haxc been a proiiiiiieiit theater
of aboriginal activities. Loiij"- before the intrusion of the white
man. the stately warrior marshaled his swarthy clans t(» defend
the liiintiii,!;' jiromids which embosomed the homes and jinnes of
liis ancestors. Here, around the lodji'e tire, the yoiinji biaves
listened to the ex]»loits of tlieir a,u('d chiefs and marched forth to
j)erform the deeds which were to ci'owu them with a chieftain's
honors. On the ^irass-ciisliioned laj) of the jirairie, when (lie
moon with mellow radiance lloo<led the valleys and silvered tlui
streams, the red swain went forth to woo his intended mate and
win her love. Where the jiaine abounde<l which furnished liiiii
with foo<l and clotiiin^ he built the wijiwam in which his faithful
I)artuer dispensed tin* hospitalities of his fruj:al board. Nature
disclosed to his untutored mind the simjile (luties of life. The
opening llowcr revealed the tiiiu' for i)lantin,i; ciu'ii, the falling;' leaf
when to provide for the frosts of winter, and from the lower
animals he learned industry, prudence and atVectimi. His own
womlroiis or^ani/ation directed his thoughts to the (ireat S|)irit,
and in the spacious temiile, lighted by the sun and curtained with
clouds, where the tempest oilers its loud anthem of |uaise, he
worshipped the Ood of Nature.
'I'lic Illinois (Uii\J'('<l( ritcii were coiiijtosed of li\(' tiibes: the Tam-
aroas, Michiinamies, Ivaskaskias, Cahokias, and Tcorias. .Vlbeit
(lallatin, who has prepared the most elaborate woik on the struct-
lU'c of the Indian lan,i;ua,i;es, <i'iv<'stlie delinitioii of Illinois as real
or siipeiior men, and derives it from the Delaware word Leno,
Leni or Illiiii, as it is \ariously writlen by different authors, 'i'in^
t<'rmi;iatioii of the word as it is now, ami ajiplicd to the State and
its principal river, is of I'reneh oriyiu. 'I'iie Illinois, Miamis and
Dclawai'es a.re of the same stock, and, accordiiiLi' to tradition, emi-
grated i'rom the far west, tlii' first stojipin.y in their eastern round
TIIK I ILLINOIS.
35
(»r iiiiui'iitinii ill tlic Niciiiity of 7,;il<(' Micliiiiiin, tlic st'coml in the
t«'nitur_v ol' lii(li;iii;i. iiiitl tlic lliiid tli:it of I'cmisvlviiiiiii.
Asciiily iis n»70 tlic .Icsiiit, I'litlicr .Miiniiictto, inciitioiis rrc(|iH'nt
visits iiiiidc by iii(livi(lii;ils *\{' tin's <'oiii'c(lci':icy to tlic iiiissioimry
stiitioii of St. Ivsprit, iiciir the western cxlrcinity of liiikc Siipci'ioi'.
At thitt time they lived west of the Mississippi in ei^^iit \ill:i,n('s,
\vliitiiei' the Iroipjois liiid (lri\ cii tlieiii from the sliores (»f Luke Mielii-
<;;iii, wiiieli i'eeei\ cd its iiiiliii' IVoiii one of the trilies. Shortly ill'ter-
wards they eoiiiiiieiieed retiiriiiii!;' e;istwiird, and liiially settled
mostly on the Illinois. .loliet and IMaiipiette, in IT-h"), descend in.i^'
the .Mississippi liclow the nioiith of the Wisconsin, on their faiiioiis
voyaji'c of discovery, met with a hand of Ihciii on the west hank
of the ri\-er. The i)rincipal chief treated (lieiii \vitli yrcat hospi-
tality. j4a\'c them a cahinu't as a i)ass down the river, and hid
them a friendly farewell. The same cxiilorers. in their return voy-
'.\<iv lip the Illinois, discovci'cd and sto|>ped at the |)rincipal town
of the confederacy, situated on the l)anks of the river 7 miles below
the ])i'eseiit town of Ottawa, it was Ihcn called Kaskaskia. and
according: to Manpieftc. I'ontained 7 t lodges, each of which doiiii-
cilcd si'veral I'ainilies. .Manpiettc I'etiirncd to the village in tlu;
spriiiu' of I(>7."», and established the Mission of the liiiiiiaciilate
< 'once])tion, the ohh'st in Illinois, and siibseipicntly traiisfcn'cd
to the new town of Kaskaskia further southward.
When, in !(i7!>. La Salle \ isited the tow n it had .urcally iiicrcaseiL
iMimberin.i;'. accordiiiu to Ileiinc]iiii. KiO lodges, and at the annual
asscniblino- ,,i' the dilfereiit Iriltcs from (i.(l(i(» to S,()(t(t souls. The
h)d;;<'s extended aloiii^' the banks of the ri\('i' a mile or more, ac-
«'ordiii^' to the niimbei' of its tliictiiatinn' jiopiilation, which e.\-
tensi\ely cultivated the adia<'c!it meadows and raised crops of
immjikins, beans, and Indian corn. .\t this time the coiifcdciaey
]>ossessed the country from the present town of Ottawa and the
lower I'apids of the Mississijtpi to the nioiith of the Ohio, ami. ac-
i'ordiii;^' to the missionary l""atli<'r L'asles, besides tlu' lU'iucipal
town occujiicd some 10 or lU other xillaycs. In the irruption of
the Irotpiois, the following year, the principal town was burned
and the several tribes jiiirsiied down the river to the INIississijipi,
where IIk' Tamaroas wci'c attacked and 7(10 of their women and
<'hildren made juisoncrs. These were burned and butchered till
the savage victors were sated with earna,i;(', w hen the survivors
were lead into captixity. With the withdrawal of the enemy the
tribes rcliirned. rcltiiiit their town, and in Itisi' fiirni-sheil Ll-'OO
of the .'l.SdO warriors embraced in liaSulle's cohniy at Fort Saint
Louis on the Illinois. After tiiis tliey wer<' forced further south-
ward liy norlhern nations, and Teoiia. ("aholda and Kaskaskia,
became the centres of the tribes indicated by their name*. The
'J'amaroas were associated with the K.askaskias. and the Michi-
iiamies weri' located near Fort Charlrcs on the Mississippi. Wiiije
here they were the centre of -b'siiit missionary operul ions, and
<:reat elforts were made to con\crt them to Christianity, but with
only ]»artial success.
In 17L'!Mhey were siimmoucd by M. Pcirier, (!o\ cruor-deiicral
of Louisiana, to assist in liie rcduclion of the Natcliez. who were
dislurl»inj>' the peace of ihc pid\iiice. ()ii I lie iireakiii;; (»ul of the
("hickasaw war they were a,i;aiii called to tiie assistance of their
allies, the French, and under one of Illinois' most gallant yeiierals,
I!
36
IIIS'I'OK'V (tK ILLINOIS.
(I; l
|i !
tln' Clicviilici' D'Artnjiiiu'ttr, tlicy siicccssivcly sloruird iiiul ciinicd
two nl' till' niciiiv's stiuu^liolds. :iii(l would have taken a third but
for tilt' fall ot' tlicir licroic leader.
ill eoniiiiou with othef westeiii tribes they beea me involved in
the coiisiMiaey of rontiae, but tioiii fieiiiieni defeats by siilToiind-
inj; tribes, and loiij^' eontaet with eix ili/ation, they had lost to a
jtreat extent the warlike eiier>:y. tor which, aeeordin;;' to tradi-
tion, they were aneieiitl\ distin^nished. When, therefore, lin^
^reat chief visited thcni in the antnnin ot' 17<il, their zeal did not
meet his expectations, and he told them if they hesitated, he
■\vonlil '•consume their tribes as lire doth the dry ^rass on the
jiraiiics."'' I'Mnally. when I'ontiac lost his life by the lian«l of an
Jlliiiois, the nations which had followed him as a lea<ler (h'seended
t'loiii the lutrth and the east to aveujif his death, and almost an-
iiihiiatcd the tribes of this li!iea,ii('. 'I'radition states that a band
of fujiitives, to escajie tlu' ;;eneial slaujihter. took refiii;e on the
liijili rock which had been the site of l\at St. Louis, 'riiere they
were besiejicd by a superior force of the l'ottawatand«'s. \vhoni the
^I'eat stren.yth of this natural fortress enabled them easily tokei'p
at i»ay. Hunger and thirst, iiioic Ibiinidabh' em-mies, however,
soon aeeomplished w hat the foe was unabh' to eileet. Their small
(piantity of provisions ijuickly faileii. and their su|»|>ly water was
stopped by the enemy sevcrinj; tin- cords attached to the vessels
by which they elevated it from the river Ix'lovv, Thus eiiviroiu'd
by relentless t'oes. they took a last linjicrinu' look at their beautiful
hunting grounds, spread out like a panoiama on tlie j^eutly rollin>;'
river, and, with true Indian fortitude, laid down and expired with-
out a siyh or a t<'ar. Fiom their traiiic fate the loftv citadel on
"which they jierished received the unpoetical name of "Starved
L'ock," and years afterwards their bones were seen whiteuiuy,' on
its summit. The Tamaroas, although not entirely extenniiuited,
lost their icU'utity as ji tribe in a battle with the Shavviiees, near
the eastern limits of IJandolph county. At the commencement of
the present century the <'out ractiuy' cir«'le of hostile tribes had
forced the renniantsof this oiu'c iiowerful confederacy into a small
eomjiass around Kaskaskia. When the country was tirst visited
by lairopeaus they numbered iL'.Obtt souls; now they were reduced
to two tribes, the Kaskaskias and I'eorias, and could only muster
I.")!! warriors. Their cliict' at this time was a half-lu'eed of consid-
erable talent, named l)u (^)uoin, who Avore a medal ]n'esented to
liim by Washini;ton, whom he v isiti'd at riiiladeli>liia. In the
early ])art of the present century the two ti'ibes under his ^iuidanco
emijirated to the Southwest, and in IS.KMliey wert' in the Indian
Territory, and numbereil St ])ersons.
'J'lie Sacs and Fouts. who have ti.nured extensively in the his-
tory of Illinois, dwelt in the northwest part of tin- State. The
word "Sau-Kee." now written "Sac," is lU'rived from the com-
pound word '' A-sau-we-kee," of the Chippewa laiijiuaj;<'. sis^nifyinji-
yellow earth, and "• .Alus-ipm-kee," the orijLiinal name of the I"'oxes,
iiwans red earth. Thoiijih still retaininii' separate tribal iianu's,
when livinji' in llliiutis they had, by lon<>' residence toi^ether and
inti'i'marriau'e. become sul)stantially one peo]>le. liotli t ribesorij;i-
iially lived on the St. Lawrence, in the neij;liborhood ol' (,)uebec,
and Montreal. The i-'oxes lirst renn»V('d to the West and estal)-
lished themselvt's on the river which liears their name, emitty-
SACS AM) KOXKS.
37
line tlicy snlVcrrd m si'^iial
tlir l''i'i'ii*-li iiiul tlirii' indiiin
■< to iiiiitr willi llic Siics, to pw.-
ri.
'I'lic Siirs lu'ciiiiu' iii\(»lv«'(l ill ;i Idiiji' ami bluixl.v war willi \]\v.
\\\iX illt'» 111*' ll«'!l<l <»t" ( 1|'<'<'II l>av. luir iin> MiinuM ii .-m-^HiII
ticltat iVoiii tlif ('oiiihiiM'd toK'cs of tlir l''i'i'ii*-li and tlirir Indian
allies, wliicli ran.M'd tlicni all* rwaids to nnitr willi llic Sacs, to \)iv.-
xcnt cxtci niination.
I nc r>ars occanu' ni\(»iv«'(i in a lonji ami nioon.v war wim iii<!
Iidtjiinis, who <li'oV(' tliciii tVoiii tlicir lialiitation on tli*> St. liaw-
rciir*' Inward the West. Iicliriim hclorc these roniiidaltle enemies,
t,he\ IK'M <'ii<<»iiiilered the \\'.\ aiid(»ts, l>,v whom (hev were dii\cn
larlheraiKl t'arther aloii<> the shor<'s of the/^reat lakes till at leii;i;th
tiK'.v loiiiid a temporarv resliiii;' ]>Ia«'e on (ir<'eM i'.ay, in the neinh-
lioodol' Iheir ?'e!ati\<'s. Ilie |''o\<'s. |''or miitnal pniteetion a^^ainst
the siirroiiiKliiiL; nations a union was here instituted lielweeiillK'
two trilMs, wlii<'h has iemaiiie<l iiiil>roken to the )treseiit tim<'. The
tiiiu' oC tlu'ir miiiiatioii I'rom tli«' St. Lawr<'iie«' to the reuion of
tlie»i]nt(r lakes raunot lie (U'liniteiy as^'eitaiimd. (ireeii I'.av was
visite<l ill !(»(;!> hv l''atlier Alloiiez, a .lesiiit, who <'sial»lished a iiiis-
sioiiar.v station tlieii'. and in tin' wiiit4'rot' HiTL' e\t<'nded liislalM»r,s
to the l"\»\es, who at tirst treati'd him with the .greatest eoiiteinpt.
Soim- of IIm' trihe had re<'( iitlv been on a tradiiii; e\|i<'ditioii to
.Montreal, wher<' thev had he<'ii loullv <li'alt with hv the l-'reiieh,
and they now t(M)k oeeasi<iii to show their reseiilmeiit l»y deridinuf
the nttei'aiM-es of the missionary. I'.y the exercisi' of threat pa
tieuee. iKiwexcr, heat length ohtaiiu'd a lu'aiiii*;, and succeeded so
Avell in iiiijH'essiii;; their minds with his relij;i(ais instiiiction that
when h«' «'\'ni>itcd a criwilix tln-y threw tol)a«'co on it as an olferin.u'.
lie soon alli'i'NV ards laiiiiht the whole \illa.ue to make Ihesiiiii of
the cross, and paintiiiL;' it on their shi«'lds. in one of tln'ir war «'X-
jM'dilioiis, they ohlained a .ureal victory over their i-neiides. Thus,
ultiio JlK'y kiM'W hut little of its sinniticance as a reliiiions eiiihU'iii,
in wai' they I'euarded it as a talisman of more than ordinary jiower.
I'^roui (irecji 15ay they iiioxcd southward, and shortly after the
l''reni It i)ioueers \isited the country they took ])ossession of the.
fertih' jilaijisof North\\<'st4'rn Illinois, drixiiiji' out the Sauteaux,
:i branch of flu- ( 'hippewas. In their southern miration, accor<l-
JiiiT to their traditions, a s<'Ver<' itattle occurred between them ami
111*' Ab^scoiitins. opposij<' the moiijli of the Iowa, in which the lat-
ter were del'eated, and only a few of them left to cany tlu' news
«»f iheir <l!sasl<'i" to l'ri<'iids at home. Subsetpieiitly they formetl
alliaii<*«'s witli the Potawatami<'s aiul other nations, forced the dif-
ferent tiibes of the Illinois confederacy southward, aixl after years
of strife almost «'X(erminated them. In coiijunctioii with the !Me-
iKHUoiiees, \\'inneba.u<)4's, and other tiibes liviii<j in the reuiou of
the lak<'s, they iinnle an att<'mpt.in \'i'i'J. to destroy the villap' of
Si. I.oiiis, but weie ]U('veiiled by the timely arrival of (leor^t'
JkO.Uers ( "lark with.'iOt) men from Kaskaskia. Finally, in the I'.Iack
Hawk war, wa.ui-^l by them auaiiisl the tro<ti»s of Illinois and tlu^
rnite<l States, th(>y attracted the attention of the entire nation,
and won a historical r<'piUatioii.
.Much labor has Ix-eii expended to ascertain whether the cele-
brati'd ('hi*'!', I'oiitia*'. was of Sac or Ottawa lineaiiC If a simili-
Jirity in the trai's of character, which distiii.uuished him ami the
Sac tribe, <'oiil<l decide the (|U<'stion, the latlei' miiilit, doubt-
less, <'hnm the honor of his i-elationship. It is uiiuecessary to
s]»eak of the couraive and ti.iihtiiiii' (|ualilies of I'ouliac. That of
the Sacs and tlu'i)- relatives, the Foxes, is thus given by Drake, in
38 iimrouY of ilmnoih.
his " Ijlf of I'.hicU lliiwk:" -Tlic Sues iiml Foxes loii-lit tlicir
MJi\ IVitiii tlic Wiilcis (»t the St. Liiw rt'iicc to (iiccii Itiiv. iiiid iilh-r
rciicliiii;: lliiit |)l;ir(> not only siisl;iiii('<l liicinselvcs ;i;:;nn>t tii<- lios
tilt' trilx's, IhiI \M'|'«' iiMionu the most :Mii\f iiiul «-onra,u«'oiis in tliti
Miliiii<;;ition, or liitlit'i' I'Ntt'iniiniilion, of llic ntnni-ious ;iuil power-
ful lllinoi.^ eonfeiler.icv. Tliex had ni;iM.v wins, tdl'ensive and tlefeii-
sixc, with Ihe Sioiix, tlie I'awnees, lln' ()sii^;es an'l oilier liilies,
some of wliieh are ranUed anion;; the most tieree ami feiocioiis
warriots of the \vh(»le ettntiiient, and it does not ap|>ear that in
these eon:!iet>. riinnin;n thit»n;;!i a lonu period of .\ears, they were
found wanting; in this the ;;reate.'>t of all sa\a;L;e virtues. In tin;
Lite war with (Ireat I'.ritain, a part.N «d' llie Saes and l'\>\es fon;;lit
under the liritish standai'd as a matter of ehoiee.and in the reeeiit
contest helwceii a fragment of tliesi' trihesand llie I ailed Slates,
althoii;;h defeated and literally eut ti> pieees lt\ an overw lielmiii^'
foree.it is \cry qiiesiionahle whether their re|nita!ion as hiaves
Moidd siiU'er l>y a comparison with liiat of their victors. It is lie-
lieved that a <arefnl review of their hislor,\. from the period when
they iirsi estahlished themselses on the wateis of (lie .Mis.sissipi»i
down to the present time, will lead the impiirer to the eoiieliisioii
that the Saes and I'oxes aic a trnl> eonraj;foiis pei)itle, shrewd,
politic, and eiilerprisiii;^', with not more of teroeit> and li-eaehei\
of charactei' than is common aumii;^- the liihes by whom Ui<'.\ were
sniTonnded,"
'Ihese tribes, at ihe time of the iShndv Ilau k ssar, ueie di'* ivied in-
to -t> families, li,' of w Inch were Sacs and S Fiivt's. As marks of dis-
tiiuiioii,cacli family had its parlicalar tolemii- symltol, repri'senie<l
by some animal. 'I'hcr*' also existed a peciiiiar ensiom amoiiji'
them of marking' <'ach male child a! birth with black and while
l)aint, each mother bein-icaretid to apply tlu' two colors allcrii-
ately, so that each family and theentire nation mi<4ht lie divided inltt
two nearly eipial classcs,tln' whites and the blacks. The object of
these distinctive mai k s, w liieli were retained dniin;;' life, was U*
keep alive a spirit of euudation in the tribes. In their j;auies,
hunts, and jaiblii' ceremonii's, the blacks weic the competiturs ui'
the whites, and in war each parly was ambitivais tt» lake morn
scalps than the other.
liieiiteiiat Tike, in his travels to the soarc<' of the Mississipjii,
in ISO,"), visited thes*- tribes and found them residin^i' in foar inin
eipal \illa.iies. The lirst was at the head of the lajiids i>f the liver
Des.Moiiies, the secoiid farther up on the east shoie of tiie same
stream, the third on the Iowa, an»l the fourth on liock river near
its entrance into the Mississippi. The latter ;;reatl\ i'\cee<led the
others in political impoitance, and was anion;;' the lar;;est and
ino.st ])opnlous Indian \illa;;('s on the continent. The *'«tuntry
around it, di\ crsilied with ;;ro\ <'s and prairies, was one of the most
beantifid regions in the valle\ of the Mississip|>i. and ;iave addi-
tional interest to this time inuiored resi(h'nce of the nation.
According; to liieiitenant I'ike, the Sacs luimUered l!,.S,'>tt souls,
of whom 14(10 were children, ITtU wonu'ii, and 7(K> warriors. The
total number of Foxes were 17."»0, of whom S.">(l were children, .")tK>
women, and HH) warriors, in l.si*.->,the Secretary of War estiina'.ed
tlu' i'litire number of Sacs and Foxes at 4,(iO(). showin.<;' in the iu-
terveiduiLi' ])eriod of 20 years a considerable increase of ])opnlation.
After the iJlaek Hawk war, these tribes retired to their lauds in
WINN Kill A( JOES — KirKAI'OOH.
IW
lowii, wliciicc tlicv were liiiiill,\ I liiiislci red tit llic liiciiiiii Territory,
iliiil ill \S'){) iiiiiiil)t'i'i><l some IlillO souls.
TIk' riii'lv ti;i<liti(iiis of the ]\'iiiii)h<ifioi's i'wvs llicir iiiiciriil sc;it
on tlif Mt'sl slioij' (iT l,!ik<' MicIiiL;;iii, iMMlli of ( irccii l!;iv. Tln'V
l>clif\f<hli!il tlii'ir iiiirt'slors wnc ci'ciitcil liy llic ( iiriil Spirit, on
till' lanils coristil lit iiijii' tlicii' iiiK-icnt tfi-ritory, ami tinit tlicii' title
to it wiis :i ;L;il't tVoiii tin'ir ("ri'iitor. 'I'lic AI^<>m|iiiiis naiiiid
tlii'iii iit'li'i' tlii> h:i\ <io \\ liii'll llii'\ lixi'ij. \\ I'i'li III li:i - s. wliicli
Till' laniis ('onsiiiiiiiii<4 iimmi- iiiK'icni it'iriiory, aiiii iinii iiit'ir iiiic
to it was a ;L;it't iVoiii tin'ir ("risitor. 'I'lic AI^<>in|iiiiis nainiil
tlM'iii attfi' tin' l»a,\ on wliicli tlicy li\cil, W tfii ni Im i:o;;s, wliicli
.siil)s('(|iicntlv iMM'aiiic an^ilifi/cil in tlir I'onii of Winiichajiocs.
Tlii'V wen- [MTsoiis of jiood stature. iiianl\ lifiirinj;', lanl tlic clnirc-
tcrislic itiack <'ir('iilar liaiiof tlieir riice, ami were ,L;eiierall,\ more
iim-ontli ill tlieir lialiits iIkiii tiie sairoiiniliiiL: triiies. 'I'lieir l;iii~
4k-ii>ti>-ii (t'-tk* •! ilititlt ii'l I t t i tl-> t I illi1l/*lllt lit IfMll-li •lliil wliitW-w tli'tt tliiil'
triiH's, ami ir may also De aimed more imjtiaeanie in tiieir iiaired
of tlie Americans. Tliey were jimoiiy tlie tirst to eominenee bat-
tle, ami tlie last to snhinit ami enter into treaties, rnapiieasealile
enmity led tliein into the tield against Oenerals llarmar. St. Clair
and Wayne, and first in all the bloody chariics at TiiipeeamiO.
They were ])romineiit anion^^the nuilherii jiations, which, for more
40
iriSTOKY OF n,r,INOTH.
tiiMii II t't'iiliir.N, \vii;;r(l :iii cxlcniiiiiMliiiji wiir ii;;i(iiisl lln' Illinois
<'niiri'<l<'iiu'.\. 'riu'ir l;i>t iiu.tilc iifl ul' lliis kind wiis pcrpi'liiitt'd
in isd.'i, :ini|j|ist suMif pool' Kiiskiiskiii rjiilditn. whom llu'v lonnd
;;;ilin'iin.u .s| inwlti'irics on Hit' piiiiiic iiltnvf tin' low n u iiirli Immis
liu' nnnic ol' tiit'ii' Irilir. Scizinu ii cun^iilrnililc nunilicr o[' tlicni,
11h'.\ tli'd l»» llicir villiijm's Itct'oic liir »'iii'ii;LiC<l l\!i>kiiskiiis ('(niUl
(»\»riiiki' tlit'iri nnd rcsrni' tlirir oll'spiin^'. Dining liu- ncmis |si(»
and |S| I, ill I'on.JMMction with the ('liippfwns, i'ii1:iwiil.iiiiics iiinl
Ottawiis, tin'.v roininitU'd so iintn.v tlicrtsnnd iniirdris on thf iVoii-
tit r sclth'Micnts. (hill (lovi'iiioi' lldwiirds wiis coiiiprlh'd lo niiploy
niilitiii'.N loitt' lo siippifss Hm'Iii. W lit'ii iciiioM'd lidiii Illinois
tlic.v still ict;iint'd tlicif (»ld ;iniin(»sili('s ii;iiiinst ilic AincriciUis,
iUnl went to 'rcxjis. tlirn il pio\ iiicc ol' Mexico, to ;^t't hi-sond tin'
Jiiiisdictioii of the I nit I'd States. 'I'licv da lined relationship with
the I'otawatainies, and perhaps the Sa<'s and i'\i\es, and Sliaw-
lices. The follow iii;ilradil ion respeeliii;^' the orijiin of this iril»«f
Mils related in l.^lL', at the Indian Snpeiintendeiiey at St. Louis,
l»v Louis Ifod Ts, a Shawnee:
"It is nian.v years a uo since the niindier of the Shawnees was
verv jireai. They were, on an inijiortant occasion, encamped to-
^i'etheron the prairie. At iii;^ht one half of them fell asleep, tin*
otners remained awake. The latter a liandoiied the sleepers hefore
niorniiif;, and betook themselves to the <'onrse where the snn rises.
Tin' others fiiadnallx |Mirsned their roiiti' in the dire«'tioii where
the ,siin sets. This was the orii;iii ot the tw<i nations, the tirst of
wliicli was called the Shawnees. and the other the Kiekapoos.
I'lior 1 ' 's separation these nations were considered ttne. and
were blessed with bounties aboNc any blessings which are now
enjoyed l»y any poition of mankind: and they ascribe their pres-
ent depressed condition, and the w illidiawal of the fa \ i»r of Provi-
dence, to the an,i;er of tli«' (Ireat Spirit at their sei»aratioii.
^\inon,ii the many tokens of di\ine favors which they iVn-inerly en-
Joyed was the art of walkiiiji' on the surface of the ocean. I»y
Avhichthey crossed from the Mast to America without vessels.
Also the art (»f restorin.^' life to the dead, by tin- use of medical
art, continiied for the >^iiace of six Innirs. N<'croiiianc\ and pro-
jdiecy were wilhtlier cir highest state, and were jnactieed
without fei^inin;;'; :• ne, such were the ;iifts ot heaven to
them that nothi' ,trt of their iiieonceivable power to per-
form. And at Shawnees ha\e waiitleied to the reinoiest
AVest, and reti. I'^ast t(» the orijiinal plac*- of separation, the:
W(uld will have linished itscjire«'r. It is believed by tlu' Slniwiiees
that the consnmniatit)!! of this iirojihecy is not far distant, because
they have, in fnllillinent of it, reached the extreme westc'rii point,
and are now retrouradin.L; their steps."
A frajiineiit of the Shaw nee nation, in early times, dwell in llio
.southeastern part of Illinois, in the vicinity of Shawneetown,
which beais their naiiie. The nation, bold. ro\iii.u and advt'iilnr-
ous, ori.uinally inhabited the Atlantic seaboard, between the Alta-
maha and .lames rivers. iU'cominji' embroiled in wars with Iho
Ii'o({iiois, to save themselves s(»ine took refnjic in the ("arolinas
and I'lorida. True to their native instincts, in their new location
they soon came to blows with the owners of the soil, and about the
year IT.'iO removed to the Sciota. in the present State of Ohio.
xV-bout IT.')!*, a discontented fraction broke off from the rest of the
MASCorXlNS— riAMvl.SIIAW.S.
41
Iiiitioii iiimI went to I'iist Tt'iiiii'ss«><>, iiiul llifiicf to llifii' Inciitinii <iii
the Oliio, ;il Sliitu lii'i'liiwii. Ilcl'c, in t'liliiliiDii willi lii'i^liliorili;;'
tribes, they i'c;;:!i'<lf<t Illinois ns siicrnl ;^i'oiiuil, iiml •liii'iii;^' I'oii-
tiiir's wiir iissistcd in icpi'llin;^ ilu- iittcinpts ol' llicir lln^lisli cnc-
inirs to ^rl possi-ssion ol Ilit- I'uMnliv in tlif |)i'('>cni lipiits ol' llu;
iStiit*>. licir, too, I Mil 1 1 till iiisfhcs ;in<l tlicir lirt'tlm-n on tin- Scioln,
olitiiinnl iiinis iVoni tiic T rfncli, I'oi' w hose siipi-t'niii(-,\ the;, tlrln^t <l
tlir I'lontirrs of r*-nns,vl\:iniii iin<l \ ir^^iniii with l>loi.<l. Sin-li Innl
bt'cn tilt' iitro*-il\ of tiicir cominct, wlirn llit- wiii' Wiis o«'<': tih>,\ iit
lirst snpposrtl Iht'v wcic i'\c!u(l('<l troni tin- ^icncnil iiniiu'sty cx-
tcndi-d tootinr western triltes, siikI even prepiired to innt'der tiieir
jirisoinTs iind resnnie iiuslilities. A Iter |iii\ in;^', ii siioit time lielnrt^
tiie contpiest of ChirU. (lestio,\«>d tlit- 'i'aniiiitKis in itiittle, tiiey re-
joined tlieir l<indi-ed on tlie Seiota.
Thv M(tsfoKtiiis were :i tiil»e I .'Idiliii' (Vieiidl.N relations witli tin'!
lliiiMtis, and are >npposed Itv son. to liaxe eonstitnted a sixth trilx^
of theiiconlederaey. 'i'he name, ".Masi-ontin," is synonvnioirs w itii
prairie, and was applied to t Ids triiu' from lin* eirenmstanee ot' their
dwelling on (he ^reat yrassy plains east of the Mississippi, 'i'he
Tirst I'lnropcan w lio mentions them is Father A Hone/., who ton nd
them, in KKiU, on the Wisconsin river. .Martpn-lte saw them in
lt»7.>, near the pt>ita;;(' »if tiie l-'ox ami Wisconsin rivers. .Marest
states that tlu'V iiad Coiined settlements in ITl'J on tlie W'aliash,
and in sid»sc(|n('nt times they ran,iie(l over the praiiies Itt'tween I lie
\N'ahasii and the Illinois. 'I'hey were also intimately associated
\vith the i'oxes and KieUapoos, whom they rescndiled in deceit and
treachery. Charlexoix states thai the .Masconlins and the ivicka-
jtoos Hinted with the I''oxes in a pl(»t (tf tlu' latter a;;ainst tlni
Frencli, l»nt were surprised l»y the Ottaw as and I'otawatamies and
loO of them cnt to i»ieces. After tiw ( cssion of the I'rench |»osses-
sions to the Mnjilish, Col. Ci'o.uhan was sent to conciliate the wo tern
tril>es. Ilavinu' descended the Ohio to the site of Shaw iict-towii,
they, with the Kickapoos, attacked and made him and his men
])risoners. I'nder the nana- of Meadow Indians they are men-
tioned l»y (Icn. riark, whom, in 177S, they endeaxored t(t cnt oil"
by treachery. 8nl)se((nently they appeal- to have been absorbed
by the Kickajioos and P'oxes.
y/ir l'i<inLisli(iirN occupied the lower Wabash country on i>tli
sides of that stream, and west into the Illinois teirit(»ry as far as
the dividing- l■id^(' between the sources of the streams llowin<i' into
the Wabash and tlntse falling' into the Kaskaskia. They were one
ineniber of the Mi<niil Citiifcdiriicji. This nation, in early times,
resided on Fox river, Wisconsin, where they were visited, in l(»7(),
by l-'athers Alloiie/, and Dabloii. 'i'he latter is lavish in his jiraise
ot' tln-ir chief, statiiiji' that he was honored by his subjects as a
kin.u; and that his bearinj;- anions his liiiests had all the <'onrtly
ilijiiiity of a civilized monarch. They were also visited the same
year by St. Siissoii. who was received with the honors of a sham
balth' and entertained with a ^rand j;ame of ball. lie likewise,
.speaks in fiiowinj;' terms of the antlnnity of the c'.ief, who was
att''iide(l iiijiht and day by a jiuard of warriors. The nation
shortly afterward removed to the banks of the St. .losepli, and
thence found their way to the NN'abash and Manmee. They wer<>
more lar^t'ly represented in La Salle's colony, at Fort St ' iiis,
than any otJier tribe, i.nd were active participants in l..^ eoii-
42
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
»
s]>irii('.v of I'oiitiiic. Tlio ('(HilcdcnicN . like that <»f the Illinois,
Mils rcdiicfd to llic last cxtrciiiity l»v ici»catr(l attacks I'loiii tlic li'o
((iKiis. IJiil tlicv liil a coiisidcralih' sjiacc in wcstcin annals, and
{iiivc liiitli to Little Tnitlc, wlio couiniandcd the Indians at St.
Clair's dcicat. 'I'lic i'iankisliaws. alter rlieir removal from Illinois,
were t lansl'eired to the Indian 'I'eiiitoiy, and in l.s."t(l were reduced
to 1(>7 persons.
I'lif i'ohiirntaiiiics are represented on earlv l^'icneh maps as
inhaltitiiiiLi' the country east of tlie smitliern e\treinif,\ of Laki'
Michigan. At the month of the St. .Joseph, falliui; into this part
of the lake, the .lesnits had a ndssionary station, which, accordin};"
to Mar«'st, was in a tliiniis' iij^ condition as early as ITI'J. Ilert',
an immeasnred distance .<\\\ ci\ ili/atioii. fur moi'c than half ;i
<'entM;y the devoted nnssioimries lalmred for their si>iritnid wel-
fare. These yeai's of toil and self-denial were, however, little ap
]treciat (1, for in I'ontia<''s war they jiroved themsehes t(» hv
amonu' the most xindiclivc of his adherents. Disynisinji' their
oliject nnder the mask of iVieiMlsliip. tliev api)roached the snndl
military post located «)n the sajne river, and having ohtain<'d in-
gress, in a few nunntes bntcheicd the whole of the ^^arrison, except
three men.
l''roni this locality a jtortion of the tribe passed iiamd the south-
ern extremity of the lake, into inntheastern Illinois, Time and ;i
chan.y'c of residence seems not to have moditied their t'eidcious
ciiaract<'r. I'aitly as the icsidt of liritish intriiiine, and partly to
{iiatify their thirst for blood, they perpetrat<'d, in Ism, at Chicajio,
the most atrocions massacre in the annals (•!' the nnrtiiwM'st. After
their removal iVom Illinois, they found their way to the Indian
Territory, and in 1S,"((. nundiered I, .")()(» souls. The following'
le^i'cnd of the trilte ^ivcs their theology and origin: "■Tiiey
believe in two ,i;reat spirits, Kitchemonedo. the j^'ood or benev-
olent spirit, and Malchenionedo, the evil spirit. Some have
doubts which is the most |iovvei'fnl, but the ^reat part Itelieve
that the (irst is; that he made the vvorhl and called all thiuj^s
int(» bein.ti. and that the otliei' oii.i;iit t(» l>e despised. When
KitcIuMnonedo first made the world he peopled it with a class of
beinji's who only looked like men, but they were jiervcrsc, nn.urate-
ful. wick<'d do;;s. who never raised their eyes from the jiiouud to
thank him tor anytliinj;'. Seeing this tin- (Ireat Spirit plunged
them, with the world its<'lf, into a .yicat lake and drowned them.
He then withdrew it from the water and made a single nnin, ii
very handsome utiini;' man. who as he was lonesome, apiieaied
sad. Kitchemonedo took i)ity on him and sent him a sister to
cheer him in his loneliness. Af*^er many yeais the yonn<i nniii
had a dream which he told to his sister. Fiveyoun^ men, said he,
will conn' to your lod^e dooi' tonight to visit you. The (ireat
Si>irit forbids you t(t answer or even look up and smile at the first
four; imt when the iiftli comes, yon may speak and lauj;h and
show that yon are pleased. She acted accordiiijily. The first of
the five stran.i;crs that called was I'sama. or tobacco, and having;'
been i'epuls<'d he fell down and died: the second. Wapako. or a
])umi>kin. shared the same fate; the third. Ivshkossimin, or melon,
and tlie fourth. Kokees. (U' the bean, met the sanu' fate; but when
Tamil! or .Montamin, which is maize, presented himself, she opened
the skill tajiestry door of her lod,i;e, laiij;lied very heartily, and
gave liiiu u friendly iecei»tion. They were immediately marrietl,
potawata:mies.
43
iUid fiuiii this iiiiioii tlir Iiidiiiiis siniiii.u'. 'raiiiiii loitlnvitli buried
tlic lour uiisiU'ci'sstMl siiilms, ;iiid IVoiii tlicir urip.cs tlicic sxvi'W
toliucco, melons ol' nil soils, mid liciiiis; iiud in lliis iiiaiiufr tlic
(licit Sjiiiit |>ro\id('d that the lacc^ whicli lie iiad made shoidd
ha\c so;;i('thii:;4' to olVcr him as a liitt in tiieir feasts and ceremo-
nies, and also sometliin.i;' to pii) into tlieii' ((brhs or kettles, aloiij;'
wit li theii' meat.'"*
rmtioiis ol' the < 'iiipjiewa iuid Ottawa trilies were as-oeiated
with the I'otawataiiiies in the northeastern part of the |ire>( nt
limits of lliin(iis. Thev were anion.!;' the most ciier.uctie and iiowev-
fnl nations of the iiorlhwcst. and loiiiiht with .ui'eat teroeitv in
most of the wars caused 1>\ the w<'stward athanee of civilization.
In th<' coiis]»!racv of I'oiitiac thev were the immediate followers of
the yreat war chief, and impelled l»v his imperious w ill, at Detroit,
3Iackinaw and other Ihitish jiosts. they wcic without rivals in the
work of <-arna,i;'e and death. The iSui'tciiii.r, n luaiich of the Cliip-
])ewas, dwelt on the eastein hank (tf the Mississippi, and had
xillaiics on tin- sites of ijock Isli.iid, (i>uinc\ and other adjacent
l>laces. 'l'he_\ wei'edri\en west of the ri\'er hv the Sacs and Foxes,
aftei' which theii- piiiicipal town was l)av«'n]>ort.
All these triltes have intw passed licvoiid tiie limits of the State.
Some lon.n' since were e.\t<'nninated, while tin- dcticnei'aie otl'spiiiij;'
of othei's are found in the Indian 'feiiitory and other parts of the:
west. liillcNilile as if hewn from a rock, thev were unable to adajit
themsehcs to liie retpiiicments of civilized life, and could but tlce
before it or j)eri>h. Their fast disappeariiiii {graves, and the reli<-s
«)c<'asioiially tiii'iied ii]) by the plow, are now the only melancholy
vestiyt's of their ibi'iiier existence in Illinois.
In common with the whole Indian race, theii' most exalted con-
ception ol .uloi'N was success in wai', and a knowledjic of its arts
the most valuable attainiiieiit. The a.u'cd chief looked back to his
exploits in battle as the ciowiiin.ii acts of his life, while the .urovvin.L:,'
youth hniked forward to the time when he vv(Mild be able to win
<listinction by like feats of ]»row('ss. ( 'ivili/.atioii otters to the
votaries of ambition not only the sword but the |)en. the forum, the
jtalhs of science, the painter's brush and the sculptor's chisel; the
isava.iie lias only the triiini|ihs of the war path. The war par-
ties of the prairi<' tribes consisted of volunteers. The leader who
att( iiipted to raise one must have previously distiiiivuished himself
ill (a-der to be successful. He (irst appeale<I to the patriotism and
eouraue of the warriors, and was careful to intimate that the
(lr<'at Spirit had made known to him in dreams the success of lii.s
enteiprise. Then, painted vviHi vcimillion ti> symbolize blood, he
coiniiieiice<l the war dance. This performance exiu'cssed in panto-
iiiiiiK' the varied incidents of a successful campaij;ii. Tlie braves
eiiterini; upon the warpath, tlu' postiiiiidf sentinels to avoid sui'-
piise, the advance iiitii the enemy's country, the formation of
ambuscades to strike the unwary foe, the strife and carnage of
battle, the wiithiii.ii' victim sinkini; under the blow of the war-
<'liib, the retreat of the <'neiiiv, the scalping' of the slain, the feast-
\uiX of vultures on the |)utrid bodies, the trium]ihant return of the
war pai'lv to their villauc and tlie torturin.u of iirisoners, were all
portiayed with the vividiu'ss and vchemeiKc of actual warfare.
Warrior after warrior, vvisliiiij;' to volunteer for the expedition, ra]»-
*Si.lio()l(.'iiil't.
44
niSTORY OP ILLINOIS.
ii li-;
lit
!;'■
'I .til
'f
VI
n ^ 1^
r
i<lly fell into tlic (liiiicc witli tlic leader. Kacli one, ke(']»iii<i' time
uitli llie iM'iil of llic (Iriiiii. s\H-i[ ill iiia/.y ('ir<'i<'s aioiiml a coiiiiiioii
cciiti'c, until with increased iiiiiiilx'is tlie wiiol*-. in iiioxciiiciit and
iiproai', I'csenilticd tlic wiiirlwind. TIjc s<'\<'iai actois taxed tlieir
jiiiisciilar en('r,uies to llie ntiiKist endiiiaiK'c. slaiiipin.u' tlie >;P(>iind
Avitii ;;i'eat liny, tiiiowin^' liieir Itodies into liie diil'ereiit attitudes
«)!' eonihat, di.st<trliii.ii tiieir laces with the IVeiizy of (h'liions. and
utt«'i in>;- the wai'cry witli tlie rii.yhtriil shriek el' niadnieii. Tiiese
hideous or;^ies, walciiii; lij) all theliieand eiier^y of the Indian's
sitiil, weie a littiii^- ]»reln(le to the premeditated eai'iiauc If a
yoniiL;' nian participated in the dance, it was tantamount to an en-
listment, and he could not atterwar<ls lioiioral>ly withdraw.
'J'l(r Arl of J/iniliiH/ not (Mily siipi)lied the Indian with food, Imt,
like that of war, was a means of jiratifyin.u' iiis ioxc of distinclion.
The male children, as soon as tliey acipiired siifticieiit a;^(' and
sti'en^tli. were furnished with a how and arrows and taii,;;lit to
shool hirds and other small uame. SiK'cess in Uillin;^ lar.uc (piad-
ru]te<ls re<|uired years of careful study and ]»raclice. and the art
was as sedulously inculcated (»n the minds of the rising- jiciieratiou
as are the elements of reading, wiilinu' and aritlimeti', 'i thecoin-
liion schools of civilized communities. The mazes ol the forest
and the dense tall uiass of the juairies were the best fields for the
exerci.M' <»f tin- hunter's skill. No feet cinild he impressed in the
yieldinji soil hut they wei-e oltjects of the most ri.^id scrutiny, and
I'eNcahtl at a glance the animal that made them, the direction it
Avas pursuing, ami the time that had elapsed since it had passed.
K\eii if the surface was too hard to admit of indentations, siu-li
Avei'e his w (Uideiliil powers of olisci'V atioii. he discoxcied <m it
evidences of a trail Irom which, with scarcely less ceitainly, he
derived tlu- same information. In a forest countr\ he selected for
Ills places of amliusli \ alleys, hecause they are most IVecpieiilly the
)'esort of jiiiine, and sallied forth at the first peep of day. in
useejidinji' the valleys he was careful to take the side ol'the stream
uhieli threw his shadow from il. thus ieavinu' his \ iew iinohsti'uc-
ted ill the opposite directi«Hi. The most easily taken, perhaps, of
all the animals of the chase was the deer. It is endowed with a
<Miri()sity which prompts it to stop in itslliuht and look hack at ilu^
appi'oachin.u huiiler w ho always a\ ails himself of this <(|iportiniity to
let lly his fatal arrow. An in.iiciiious method of takin.u this aniiual,
])racti(!ed by the Indians on the small tributaries of the Mississijipi,
Avas the use of the t(U'cIi. j-'or this imi']iose they coiistructt'd their
I>ark canoes witli a place in frcuit foi' the reception of a laij^c ihiiii-
beaii, whose linht was preveiitetl from rexcalini;- the hunterby \]n>,
intei'position of a screen. As he descended the iiariow streams,
the i\i'i'\\i seeing' only the lij;ht. was attracted by it to the bank.s
and <'asily shot.
Hut by far the noblest oitjects of the chase which the Indian eii-
C(>untei('(l (Ml the ja'aiiies, was the bulfaht. It is an animal conlined
to lemperate latitudes, and was found in larjic numbers by the first
explorers, roaming' o\er the yi'assy ]»lains of llliiatis, Indiana,
►Southern .Alichijian and Western Ohio. It has a remarkably larji'e
<'lies|, a heavy mane co\ ciiiiu the w hole of its neck and breast, horns
turned slightly upward ami lariic at the base, eyes red and fiery,
and the whole aspect furious, in its native haunts it is a furious
and (ormidable animal, worthy of the indian's prowess. Like the
THEIR OENERAL COUNCILS.
45
moose iiiid otlicr iiiiiiiiiils of the saiiir t';iiiiily, iiatiiic liiis bestowed
on it tlieiiiost excuiisile power of scent. Tlie inexperienced liiinter
of tlie i»resent d;iv, luiiiwiire tiiiit the tainted liree/e lias i'e\caled
liis lu'cscncc to tlieni, is often siirpri?;ed to see tlieni inj;in.ii their
rapid llii^lit aeidss the prairies, at a distance of two or tliree niih'S
in ad\ance, witliont any apparent canse of ahirin. He is tlierefon!
necessitated to dismount and approach tlieni on the leeward, under
eo\er of the horse. When within a inoper distance he vaults into
the saddle and speeds forward in the direction of the prey, which
coininences its reti'cat, .ycttinii' over the .uionnd with ^reat raiiidity
for animals so unwieldy. Intnitively it directs its c«Mirse ov«t the
most broken and dillicult i^roniid, caiisiiiu Itoth horse and rid<'r to
frequently imperil their ii\es by falling;. \\ lien wounded they
sctnictimes turn with ^reat fiiiy upon their pnisiier, and if he hap-
pens to l)e dismounted, notliin,u' but the greatest coolness and de\-
teiity can sa\ e his life.
The itow and arrow, in the hands of the tiibes which formerly
raiiucd the prairies, wi'iv said to be more forniidaltle weapons in
linntin.n' the imil'alo. than the li'iins sui)se(pieiitly intr(idiH*e<l by lOu-
ropeaiis. 'I'he arrows could l)e discliar,ii('(l with .ureater lajiidity and
with scarcely less precision. Such. too. was the force with wiiieh
it was propelled, that the .greater pait of it was jicnerally imbedded
in the body of the biitl'alo, and sometimes protruded from the oppo-
site side. Deep grooves cut in the side of the missile permitted the
rapid elfnsion of blood, and animals, when pierced with it, siir\ ived
only a short time.
( )iie of the modes of killinji' the bulValo. ])racticed l»y the Illiiutis
and otliei' tribes of ilie West, was to drixc them headloiii; over the
l)reci|>itoiis banks of the rivers. Uutfalo IJock, a larLiC promontory
rising lifty oi- sixty feet hijih, on the north side of the Illinois, six
mih'S below Ottawa, is said to have deri\'ed its name from this
jiraetii'e. It was customary to select an active yoiin.u' man and dis-
jiuise him in the skin of the bulTah*, prepared for this purpose by
]»reserviny th(^ eais, head and horns. Thus (lis;^uised, he took a
]»osition between a her<l and a clitl'of the river, while his coiiipan-
ioiis, on the the real' and eae-h side, put the animals in motion,
following' tlie dr'coy, who, on reacliinj'' the precipice, disa]»i)eare(l
in a )>reviously selected crexice, while the animals in front, pressed
by the ino\in;4' mass liehind, were precipitated over the brink and
crushed to death on tlie rocks below. 'I'he Indians also often cap-
lured lar.ii'c numbers of these butValo, when the rivei's -were frozen
o\cr, by dri\ inu' them on the ice. If the jii'cat wei.<;ht of the ani-
mals broke the ice. they were usually killed in the water, but if too
stionj;' to break, its smoothness caused them to fall powerless <m
the surta(!e, when they were remorselessly slaughtered, lony after
sui>plyiii,n' the demands for food, mei'cly to gratify a brutal love foi'
the destruction of life.
Their General (Utnncih were composed of the chiefs and oM men.
AVhen in conneil they usually sat in concentric circles aiound the
speaker, and each indi\idual, iiotwithstandin,u' the tiery passions
tliat rankled within, ]»reserved an exterior as immovable as if east
ill bronze. JJefore comnienciiiji- business, a ]tersoii apjieared with
the sacr«Ml j)ipe and another wiili lire to kimlle it. After iteinj;"
li.yhted, it was presented first to tJie heavens, secondly to the earth,
thirdly to the j»residin,i;' spirits, and lastly to the several councilors,
40
niSTORY or ILLINOIS.
!i
I
k
: .
1
i
,
>
\
f!
I
if
OiK'li of wiiom look a wliitt'. These foiiiiiiliticsAvcrc observed with
its iimcli sirii|>iiloiis exii-tiiess ;is state etiiinette in (',i\ ili/ed courts.
Alter file speaker ('(»miiieiiee(l niid Iteciiiiie iiiiiinated in the ilisens-
sion of iiis subject, his stiitue-like iiiiditois sijinilied tiieir iisseiit to
whiil lie said l>v (hep uiiltnrMi ej;icni;itioiis. 'riiesc ^iil lieriM;;s. in
di.t^iiily. .j^rinity and decornin, were sc;ircel,v e(|n;d!ed li\ tiie deli-
berative bodies of the most enb,nlitened centres. It is siud that
the Fiidiiins were wont to express tlie jireiitest snrprise on witness-
ii!,U tlie l!\it\ e.Nliiliiled \>y l-'rencii oirieials, in tlieir i»nb!ic iisseiii-
blies ;it l''ort ( "Inirtrcs.
'I'lie indiiin council Inid no antliority to .yive force and valiibty to
its rnactments. If it decided to cnjia.uc in war. it had no power
til < nfoice its eniistnients, and therefore \olunteers had (o lij^lit
llic baliles. If its decrees of peace were obsei'ved, it was not the
resnlt of coinpnlsiou. bnt (\]U' to the conlifh'iice whicli the nation
placed in its wis(l<iin and inle.^rity. Where conn<Mls were con\ cik d
lor ne.:L;otia!in;n' t :e;!t ies. or terms of [)eace, the presentation of .uil'ts
was often a |iaii of the procecdin.us. 1( was customary on tliese
occasions foi' the orator of the intciccdin.u' party to rise and pre-
sent them to those of the assembla.ue who were to be concilial( (1.
A paj'iiculai- object was as>ii;ned to each ,i;ift, which the >]:( aker
exphiiiU'd as he proceeded in his discoui'se. ( 'orrespoiidin.u' with
the \arions objects to be accomplished by nejicttiat ion, there were
ijifts to propitiate the (!reat Spii'it ami cause him to htok \vith favor
upon the council; to open the ears and minds of the contractinjf
]»arlies. that they mi^ht hear what Avas said and undeistand their
diit.\ ; lo inter tjie bones of the dead, ami heal the Avoniids of their
]i\in^' friends; to bury the tomahawk, that it mi.ulit not aj^ain bo
used in sheddinii blood, and to so bri;nhten the chain (»f friendshi]»
that the disalfecled tribes miulit excr afterwai'ds be as one people,
'i'lie thonulits uttered in these connciis. and on other public occa-
sions, w<'re iVcijUenily of a hiuh older, Heejily imbued with the
lo\c of free (lorn and independence, their ideas on these suljects
were ^ iieiali\ of a lofty, unselfish and heroic charactei', I'iiiiiot-
ism, their most cherished \irtue. furnished their orators with
themes for the most stirriiiji' apiieals, I'airenucss of laiii;ua;',:('
uecessitat<Ml the tVe<|iieiit cmiilo,\ iiient of metaplioi's, many of which
were surprisiii,ul\ beautiful, simple and api)iopriate. 'fhe fi<'<|m nt
ust' of imaLvery made it dillic'dt for the interpreter to follow tli< in
in llicir liyiiratiNc xcin of thought and do the orator Justice, Jbit
while this was true it Mas much more fre(|i!ently the case that the
traiisla!<ir .greatly improNcd ilie diijiinal. It may also be add«'d that
some of the most sparklin;^' j-cms of what jdirports to be Indian
e!o<jUciice a re not liini; but the fanciful creations of writers, i'oiitiac's
speeches are fre(]iieiitly referre ! io as aiiioii.n' the best specimens
of aliorijiiiial elo(|iience. The following' retort was made by Keokuk,
in answer to charucs in-efeired against his ]>eoi)le by the Si(»uxs at
a con\(»catioii ofchict's in is;;7, at the national capital:
"They say they would as soon make peace with a child as witli
us. They know better, for when Ihey made wai- ou us they fouud
us men. They tell y(ai that pi ju-e has often been made and wo
ha\e biokcii it. How happens il then that so many of their braves
Jia\c been slain in oiir country, I will tell yon: They invaded us,
Ave ne\('r invaded them; none ot our braves have been killed in
CONSTITUTION OF TnH INDIAN I'AMILY.
47
tlicir 1:111(1. Wc liavo tlioir sciilps and we can toll yon wIkm'o avo
todk tliciii;'
lUack Hawk's sjx'ccli to Col. ICiisticc. in cliari^cor Fortress Moii-
r(»o. wlicM lie and his tcllow ])i'is<>iM'rs were set at liberty, is luit
only elo(|iient. Itiit shows tliat within his chest of stci'l there heat a
heart keenly alive to the emotions ot uralitiKh' :
" I'rotlicr, I liavc eoinc on my mvn pMit, iind in lii'liiiH' (>f my roiii]i;inio)is, to
bid \(m fiircwrli. Our urcMt iMtlicr liiis al Icnutli liccii |)l(ii<c(l to in-rniit lis to
rrliirii to our Imiiliiiir uriiinids. W'c iiavc liuriid tiic tiiiiiMliMwK'. inid llic soniul
of till' ritli' will licrciiricr only hriiiu;; dcatli to llic dccraiid liir IiuHmIo. IJi-otli-
cr, you liMvc treated liie red men verv kindly. Yonr s(|iia\\s have made ilunv
pre'^ents, and you liave uiven iIk ni jileiity to eat iind drink. 'Die ninnoiy of
y()\u* friendsliip will remain till tlie (!reai Spirit says it is time for Hlaek Hawk
to sinir ids dealii soiiir. IJrollnr, your iioiises are numerous as IJie leaves on
tile trees, and your youiitr warriors like the sands upon llie shore of the \)\<j;
lake that rolls liefore U.S. The red man lia.s hut t'ew houses, and few warriors,
hut the re(l man litis a jwart wliieli throbs as warmly as tlu; luart of his white
brother. The (Jreat Spirit has niveii us our huiitinu; n'ldiinds, and the skin of
the deer whieh we kill there, is liis I'avoriie, for its color is white, ainl this is I ho
emblem of pe.aee. 'this huntiim- dress and these fealln rs of the eauh' are wjiile.
Ai'eept them, my brother; I haveuiven oiielike this to tin; White Otter. Aer^pt
of it as;i meinoiial of I}la<k Hawk. WluMi he is faraway this will serve' toremiml
you of him. May the (Jreat Spirit bh ss yoii and your ehihlreii. Farewell."
Coiistifiitioii of the Iiulidn Fninili/. — Tiie most important social
featni'e of tiie i)rairie and other triites, and that Avhich disarmed
their I>arl>iirism of mnch of its rei)iiisiveness, was the family tie.
The nnirital rite which ]»recedes tiie faMiily relations re(|iiire(l only
the consent of the parties and their ])areiits, witlnuit tiiiy conciir-
I'ciit act of mao'istracy, to jx'w'i' it \ alidity. The hnshand, with e(|iial
facility, mij^ht also di.s.solve this tie or increase the niindier of his
wives withotit limit. Thoiiyh the marriau'c coiiii>act was not very
strono, the ties of coiisanoiiinity wererij;idly ]»reser\('d, and iiered-
itary lij^hts, ji'cncrally traced tlir(»n,iih the female line, were handed
down from the remotest iineestiy. JMtr this ])nrpo.se they had tin!
instirmion of tiie Totem, an einhlem which .M-rxcd as a liadiic of
distinction forditferent clans or families. This tamily snrname wa.s
represented by some (|n;idrnpe(l, liird. or otiier oliject of the ani-
ni;d world, as the wolf. deer, hawk, tl<;c. nill'erent dejirees of rank
ami dignity were indicatetl by \arioiis totems, those of the bear,
wolf, and tni'tle, Ix'iny' lirst in honor, secured the oicatest icspect
for tlio.se who had tiie ri.yht to wetir them. ICacli clansnnm was
]»roii(l of his (Misiiiii, and if a member of the fraternity was killed,
lie feit called upon toaveii,o'e his death. As the ditferent meinbers
of a clan were connected by ties of kindred, the,v wore ]>roliiltited
from intermarriau'c. A I>ear coiild not marry a Uear, lait miuht
take a wife from the \VoIf or Otter clan, wher(d»y all the branches
of a tribe or nation becamo niiited by bonds of consan,oiiinit\ and
friendship. I>y this siinjile institution, notwitlistandinii the wan-
deriiiu' of triites and their \ icissitiides in war. family linea.u'c was
])re,sei'\('d and the hereditary ri^lits of I'lirnishino' chiefs, accorded
to certain clans, was transmitted from iicnei'ation t(» jicneratioii.
Thoiii^li in many of the most endearino' relations of life the men,
iVoiii immemorial custom, exhibited the most stolid indifference,
yet instances were notwantinj;' to show that in their laiiiily attach-
moiits they fre(piently manifestod the jj,Teatest alt'ection and sym-
l)athy. No calamity can cause more ,i;rief than the loss of ;i itrom-
isiny son, and the father lias often yivon his life as a ransom to
48
IIISTOIJY OF TLLIXOIS.
save liiiii riniii llic stiikc. A slrikiii^i' instance ol" lliis kind uccnr-
rt'il in tiic wardl'liif ITtli crntiirv lirtwccM tlic I'oxcs and ('liip|ii'-
"was, near Mdnlrcal. In tiiis war tin' I'oxcs captincd the son ol u
C'ck'hnitcd and a;^t'd cliitl' di' tlic < liipitrwas, nann'd IJi-ans wall,
wliilc the latlii'i' was al>scnt iVoni liis wigwam. On rcarhinL; his
lionic. the old man heard the hear! rending' news, and knowing'
what the lato of his son would be, followed on the trail of the enemy,
and, alone, reaehed the Fox villaji*' whiU' they were in the act of
kindlin,<;' the lire to roast him ali\c. lie ste|i|)ed holdly into the
artMia and olfered to taice his son's place. •• .My s(m,"' said he '-has
seen but few winters, his feet ha\c nexcr trod the war path; liut
the hairs of my Ix'ad are white: 1 ha\(hiin.u' many scalps over the
<iia\esofmy lelalions, which I have taken from the heads of your
Avarriors. Kindle the liicaitoni me and send my son lo m\ lod^c"'
The olfcr was acc<-|)ted and liic father, w ithoiit deij^ninj;' to utter a
}:roan, was burned at the stake. Such are the sexcrities o!' sa\ a,m^
warl'are. amidst which the famil\ is maintained with a heroism
which has no ]tai'allel in eivili/ed life.
'I'lif MiHiixIn iif SrjntUinr, anions' (he lndi:;us, \arie<l in dilfcrent
hx-alities. It was connnon, am<uij; the ;i(Ulhern foi'cst ti'ibes of
the rnite<l States, to choose eie\atcd spots above the reach of
tio(»(ls, for places of burial. Not having suitable tools for iiiakin;i'
excavations, they intei'red their dead in shallow j^raxcsautl (ilaced
over them trunks of trees t,) scenic tliciii from d< pr<'datioii by wihl
beasts. 'I'lie bodies we;e sometimes extcndc(| at full h u,uth, in an
eastern and wesicri' direction, liut nua-e fret|ucntly in a sittin^i' pos-
ture. The Illinois and other prairie tribes freipu'iitly placed flieir
dead on seafiolds erected on eminences commanding;' extensi\e
and jiietuvescpu' views. The corpse, alter receivin;;' its wrapi>iiijis,
Mas deposited in a rndecoltin. fancifully painted with red colors. In
this condition they were jtlaced on scallblds decorated w ith ,i;itts of
livin.u' relatives, ami built snlliciently iii.uii to i»roteet them from
Avohcsand other animals of prey infesting' tln' luairies. Ihit Jud;;inji'
from the remains of graves, by far the greater jiart of the ancient in-
hal >il a lit s of Illinois and the .idjacent parts of the Mississipj)! N'alley,
deposited lar.nc numbers (d their dead in a common tomb, and ^cn-
erally marked the place by the erection of a mound. The plains
and allu\ iiims of Southern Jlliiiois, lia\e in iiuiny places been liter-
ally sown witii the dead, exincinn a density of population ,ureatly
cxeeediiiii' that found l»y the lirst l']uro[)ean I'Xplorersof this re;;ioii.
Theenstom of raisin,u Iieaps of earth over tlu' .graves, was jM-rhaps
]U'actieed as a mark of distinction for the tombs of emim'iit [(ersoii-
a.ucs. and for such as contained the bodies of warriors slain in bat-
tle, oi' were made comiiKUi r«'positaries for the dead of whole elans
and \ illa.^es. It is sometimes dillicult to distiiij;iiish between the
])laces of sepulture raised by the ancient mound builders, and the
more inodern jiiaves of the Indians. The tombs of the former wcrt^
in ji'eiieral laij^cr than the latter, were used as receptacles for a
j;reater number of l»odies, and contained ri'lics of art evinein.!;' a
lii;;lier deyrce of civilization than that attained by the present ab-
orijiinal tribes. The ancient tmimli of tlu' moniid builders have in
some instanc(\s been a]i]U'oi>riated as burial places by the Indians,
but the skeletons of the latter may be distin;;uishe(l from the osteu-
loyical remains of the former by their greater stature.
5IETIIODS OF SEPULTURE.
49
The existence ofii future stnte was rojrardod by Hieju-airie tribes
as' ail aeliiaiity, and upon tliis idea was i)n'dieated tlie eii^toiii
of de|n)siliii<i in tlie jiraves of departed friends tlieii' tinorite
iiiipleiiieiifs, and sneli as tiiey tlion,i;iif would l»e useful to them iu
the land of spirits. When a wari'ior died tliey i)laeed with him his
waicliib, liWH and red paint, and some limes liis liorse was slain
upon his -irave, that he mijilit be ready to iii(»iiiit and i»roeee<l to
to liis a]>])<tiiit<'d plaee of I'cst in the land of si)irits. If a femaUj
was to l)e inteiTcd. tliey placed with her a kettle, canoe iiaddles,
articles of ai»i)ai'el, and other ol)jects of feminine use and iut<'i('st.
No trait of cliaracter was iiim-e comnieiKiable in the Indian than
his scrupulous re^^ard for the j^raves of his ancestors. Not even
tlie invasion of his huntini;' j^ronnds roirsed more (piickly his ]»at-
riotism and lysentiiiei t, than the ruthless deseciati(»ii of tlie j;iaves
of his fathers, by the mdiallowed hands of strangers. So lou^' as
any ])art of tlieir iierislial)!;- bodies were supposed to remain, they
■were j))-()mi»ted by icvereiic<' to visit tlii' sacred i)laces where they
.slept, and ])our out libations to their departed sjtirits.
Man is, by natiir«s a r«'li;iious beinj;. The exhibitions of lii.s
f'liaiavter, iu this i-espeet, are as universal as are the disphiys of
liis social, iiitell-'ctual and moral nature No nations, triltes or iii-
• lividiials have Iceii found, whatever may be tlieir isolated coitdi-
ticm or dejitli of <b'jira(lati(»ii, but they ai'e more or less ^ioverned
by this inherent ' lenient. While the reli^iioiis sentiment is univer-
sal, its manifes'ations are as \arious as the dilfereiit de<;rees of ad-
vancement made by its sultjectsin kiutwledjic From the ignorant
idolatoi' who bows down before a lifeless iniaj;eor some abject tbrm
of aiiiinal life, to the devotee of a more eiili^^hteiied theolo^iy, tln^
de\otioii is the same, but their theories and ]iractices are iiitinitely
divers<'. The faculties which make man a worshijipinji beinj"" are
uiiciian^ieable, and may not its iiianifestations become uiiil"oriii,
when tlie immutable attributes of tli(> <leity, and the invariable
laws instituted by him for the yovernmeut of the human family,
Jire i>ro])erly studied and understood.
TIm' red man of thei)rairies and ibrests, like tlie rest of mankind,
was also ])sycholoiL;ically religious. Without si)eakinj;' of the diver-
sitii's of belief entertained by ditfen'iit tribes, only the ji'eneral fea-
tures of their laitli can be <;iven. Prominent amonji' these Mas
the idea that every natural ])Iienomenon was thesju'cial manifesta-
tion of the Cireat 8]tirit. In the mutterin<;s of the thunder cloud,
ill the aii;nry roarof the cataract, or the sound of the billows which
beat ujxin the shores of his lake-jiirt forests, he heard the voice of
the (ireat Spirit. The li^htninji's Hash, the mystic radiance of the
stars, Avere to him familiar displays of a s])irit essence whicli up-
held and jiovei'ued all thijij^s, even the minute destinies of men ;
while the Indian attributed to the (Jreat Spirit the ^ood he eiijoyi'd
ill life, he re<'o<inized the existence of evil. To account for this,
without attributing inalevolenceto the (ireat Spirit, an antaj-'onis-
tical deity was created in his tlieolo<;y, whom he re,iiar<led as the
l)oti'nt ])ower of iiialifjiiancy. J>y this duality of deities he was
careful to jiuard his j^ood and merciful God from all imi>utationsof
evil by attribiitiiifi- all the bad inb'iitions and acts which atilliet the
huiiiaii family to the Great F>ad Spirit.
Doubtless, in part, as a result of missionary instructions, tlie
Illinois and other branches of Algonquin stock, designated their
50 niSTOllY OF ILLINOIS.
(Iroiit Spirit as tlu^ Aiitlior of Lift', the I'plioldcr of the I'liivcrsc.
Tlu'.v believed liiin all-wise, all-iMiweiliil, and all-fi'ood, and \ari-
ously assijiiied liiiii a d\velliii;n place in (lie snn. moon or indetinite
slvies. Tlicy not onlv distiii.uiiisiied tlie principle of <j:o{n\ and evil
! by two anta^^tHiistic jiods. iait snpplied tlicni willi an inininiciaitle
I innnber of minor divinities, whose ollice was to execnte tlicir will.
Tlu'se consisled of birds, i'ci»tiles, fairies, spirits, and a j; real \a-
j'icly of oilier objects, some iteiiiu- inslriiiiieiilalities (tf ;4(mm1 and
t>tliefs of e\il. I'lider such a iiiiiltii>licity of aiila;;»»nistic poweis,
I'verythin;; wliicli the Indian saw or heard in (Ik- external world
iini^ht be liiecaMseof intense liojte or fear, and keep him in per-
]»etiial donlit as t(» whether it foreboded liood or e\ il. A prey to
these mysterious fears, lie readily fell into the belief of sorcery
and other siipi)ose(l maiiie inllnences. I'^roni this cause they were
j constantly \iclimized by their in'iests, Jujij^Iers. and prophets, a
class who lived l»y these ini|)ositi(»ns instead of linntiiiiu'.
; Til" belie!' in a future state was coiiiinoii. According to their
j, traditions, which had been modiiied by missionary teacliinjis. the
' \vicked. at death, sink into a dark rctribiiti\c streaii:. wiiile the
'' jidod are rewarded with an abode in a delightful hiiiiliiiji ;^roiind.
i In their lively imaucry, they spoke of this place as the land ot the
|j blest, or the country of souls, throujiii which meaudered nciitly
« llowiuu' rixcrs. They supposed these streams replete with e\er.\
kind of llsh suitable for ibod. and that those who bathed in tlieiii
Avere exempt IVoiii tlu' ills which afllict life in the present state of
II beinj;'. ()v«'r the surface, aiirceably diversilied with hills and val-
leys, were prairies interspersed with noble forests, under whose
islielterinj;' branches disported the \arious creations of animal life.
IJirds warbled their swet^test music in waving' yroNcs. and nolde
animals grazed on the vei'dant plains so numerous and prolific that
the demands of the hunter were always met without cxliaustiii!;
y the sui)ply. Xo tempest's destrncfi\e blast, n(» wasting' |iestileiice
|, nor desolatinti' cartlapiake. emanating' from the Sjiirit of l']\ il. oc-
'. currcd to mar the sweet and \aiied jileasurcs of life. Such was
the Indian's fiitur(3 state of existence, the (hvcliinii iilace of the
Great Sjiirit, who welcomed home at death his wauderiuji children.
I The belief in this terrene elysium, the Indian's most exalted idea
J ol'iiaradise, (h>iibtless explains his stoical indilference of death.
; "With him
I " TiuiL" comes luisis'licd for, luirciirctlcd flics;
I PIcMScd thiit lie lives, liiippy tlliit lie ilics."
^ As it regards the Indians in <;'tnieral, it is an adaji'o amonj;' those
whose observations have been the most extensive, that he w ho
lias seen one tribe has seen them all. This seems to be true, iiot-
( witlistaudiiii;- their wide ,ii-co<4ra])liical distribution, and the ,i;reat
i; oxtrenu's of climate to which they are exjiosed. Whether enjoy-
^ inji" the jireat abundance and mild climate of the Mississii»])i
N'alley, or chilled and stinted by the bleak and barren rejiions of
ij the extreme noith and south of the hemispheie. over w hich they
•■ arc scattered, they Inu'e tiie same <;'eneral lineaments. '"AH pos-
sess, tliou,!nh ill varied dejirees, the same huiji', lank, black hair,
tin' dull and slee]»y eye, the full and comi)ress<'d lips, and the
salient liiit dilated nose.''* The cheek bones are ])romincut, the
nostril expanth'd, the orbit of the eye squared, and the whole niax-
*Schoolcraft!
I>nHAN^ARAOTKRrSTI(,'M,
»l'"-v n'«i...i ,M»,„I,.r,M,s Tlw "^ -3
"•.HI, is „v.,i ' " V ' '''f'*'"""^-. Til,. I •'' ':'•'""' \vi.ii.,
'"■•'" i"^'i( ;'\"'' i''!.v'^'<-'<iiv inn.,,-,,! "V '""'•'''•■""' ""'.V
«'<• lOII J( ||j,.i,f.,|I,. .,, , •■■■." "'"M.isrcf u (i (1.,. I' ">inii
;;:-,«r.f l:n;;r ,;;---. ;,S^
niSTOUY OF ILLINOIH.
flic truck of tilt' piilc fiiccd iMoiict'i', iiuil tcrmiiiLj iiiillittiis of a
lii;:lici' lift' li:i\t' t;ikt'ii I lie placf tif a ft'w Wiiinlfiiii;^ liinitt'is aiid
llslit'iiiicii. After ('t»liiiiilMis iiiiit[t> kiitiwii to ICiiitipciiiis tiic »'xis-
Iciitt' of tlic iit'W wtultl. ]»rit)iit.\ t>f tliscovery wiis ctnisitU'rctl as
coiift'iriii^' uptiii tilt' ^(»vt'iiiim'iits iiiMlcr w liosc |iati'oiia;it' it was
iiiatlf, tilt' ii;:lil tif t'.\tiii;;iiisliiii;^ the liiiliaii tit" . I'iii^laiiil, in
tlif fxt'icisc t»f this ri;ilit, tn-atctl the Imliaii^ .siili.laiitially as she
dill Iht own sul»j('('ts. Slit^ icspcftcd tlit'ir claim to occii|>y and
list tlic ct>iiiiti\ lor tlii'ir own hciit'tit, but ditl not pciiiiit tlicni to
alienate it except tt» her own people, in accordance with the jain-
cipU^ of l'-n;;lish law that all titles to laiids iiro vested in the
cn»wn. The I'nited States, hy the aet|nisition of intlepeiitlenee,
sneceedctl ttt the rij;ht of the mother ctaiiitiy, and has forced npon
them similar iestrietit»ns, antl accortletl the same privileges. Lii
every instance the ji'overnment has extin;iiiisheil their title by
treaty or purchase. It iinist, however, be atlinitttHi that in many
instances these treaties j^rew ont t»f wars prt)voketl by frontier
settlers, for the sole purpose of tleniandin^' territtay in the way t)f
reprisal. It must also be atlileil, that when lainls have been
obtained by purchase, the considerutiun was I'rctiuently of the
must trivial character.
■i*
C'lIAPTKR V.
OPEIJATION OF Til 10 iMlSSlONAIIlKS— KXTKXT OF
TIlFlJi EXl'LOJJATiOXS UT TO KIT.J.
Allliimjili •'oiiiinorcial I'litiTjuisc is i)(M'liiii>s tlir |>i'in('i])al ajiJ'iit
foi- the (lissciiiiiiatinii of ri\ ili/atioii in the iiiidcx cIoimmI i(';;iniis
^)\' tlic ^Idbr. its «'\h'iisi()ii into tlic INlississijipi \allc\ was due to a
diJlVrcDt caii.-if. IMdiircrs, actuated l»,v a i('li:;i(»iis Icrvni- and
OMtlnisiiisii) liitlirrlu witlioiit a ])ai'allrl in lli*> liislorv of tlir world,
wciT tin" liisl to cNjjlin*' its trackicss wilds, and attempt to teaeii
its savayv iiiliahitants the it'tinenients of eivili/ed life. These
self den.viii.u e\j»!<)re)'s helon.ucd )iiostl.v to tin' .lesnits or the Society
of Jesus, a fanions j'eliyious ord«'i' foiindetl hv lyiiatins Lo_v(/ia, a
S|>anisli knivhl of tlie sixteenth rentnrv. lie nave (»iit that
the eojistitntion of his ordcj' was ui\eii liini by immediate in-
sj»iratioii. Nolw itlistanilin;;' his hinli jactensions, he at tirst
met with little eiieoiirau'ement, and the I'oiK', to whom he applied
for the aiithoiii V of his sanction, releir«'«l him to a committee of
cardinals. The latter decided that liis i>ro))oscd estahlislMnent
Moidd not only he iis«'Iess, l)nt danj^erons, and tlie I'ope refused
to.i;i\(*il his aj»j)ro\al, Too\ei'come the seiuj)les of the Poim', in
addition to the vows of other orders lie re(|uir«'(l the members of
liis society to tak<' a aow of obedieiicv to the Pope, Avherehy they
Itoujid themselves to _yo whit lu'rsoeA cr he should direct them ill
the service of icliyion, without i'e(iuirin,ii' anvthin^^ from him as ii
means of sn]ij»oit. Jn otln')- orders the ])i'imarv object of tho
mojdi is to se|)arate hinis<'lf from the rest of tlu'worhl, an<l in the
.solilud*' of the cloistei' to jaactii'c acts of self-mortilication and
])niity. lie is e.\))ect«'d to eschew the pleasures and secular affairs
of life, and can onlv benefit mankind by his exam]>le ami i)ra\('rs.
l.ovola, oji the contrary, jtrcfeired tiiat the members of his society
.should jnin^le in theaffairsof men, and thev were accoi'diu^ly ex-
fmj»ted from those ansterities and cer<'monies which consumed
much of the tinu' of other oi'deis. Full of the i<lea of im|>licit
oJK'dience wjiich h«' ha<l leaiiied Irom the jtrofession of arms, ho
>4ave to his order a .n«»vernment wholly monarchical. To a j^cneial,
ulio should be chosen foi- life from the sev«'ial ])rovinces, the
members wei'e c<un])elled to yield not oidy an outward snlunission,
Itut wer<> ]'e(juii'ed to make known to him even the thoughts and
leeliiin's of tlieii' inner life. At the time this offer was made, tho
pa]>al ])ow<'r had received such a shock from the refusal of many
initions to submit to its authority, that the I'ope could not look
ii]»ou it with iudilf«'i-ence. He saw that it would i)!ace at his dis-
posal a body of the iiH)st riji'orously discii»Iined ecclesiastics,
whose powerful intluence wouhl eiial)le him to re]>el the violent
o3
M
inSTdUV or ILLINOIS.
jiHSMiilts with wliicli the |>ii|):il system \v;is cvcrywlicrt' ussiiilcil.
lit' tlifi'clorr iiiilli(ii'i/<'*i till' t'slaliljsliiiinit nl' ilic uiilri, ;iii*l up
lM»iiitt'(l L(i\i»Iii ils liist ;;('in'i;il. 'Ilif icMilt prtncd llic tlisfrrii-
iiii'iit nl tlic I'tipc, lor tlif ('ii;^iiit'iA Im- lliiis |iiit in iiiwlioii :il no
(tistniit *l:iy t>\t<'ii<lnl its iiilliit-nrr to tlir iitlcrniost limits of llu>
ciii'tli. i'x't'oi'c tile tci'minalioii ut'tiir I'itli rtirliii'v , llit' Mxirly
I'm iiisiicd tlic (■(iiicatoi's in mo>t til' tlif Ciitlioiit- ftmnliit's ol
Hni'o|ic, ii prix !!«';;'(' wliit-li «>\t'itt'il a mort' ctnitroiin^j: iuliiu'ncc in
niiililin;; natitinal tliarat-tfr than that uhicii t-manatcs tVtim all
other sonifes eomliiiied. Allhoii;;li takin;; a \ti\v of poxeity. it
mana;;t'il ttt lapiilly inei'ease in wealth. I'ntler the pretest ot
pronnitiim the snceess tit' their iiiissitms, they tilitainetl the piivi-
Ii'l;!' til' tiailii'^ with the natitms they were iinleav oiin;.;' to etinxfit,
anti thus fretpiently lietame the masters til' e\tensi\e etinnneiiial
enterprises.
Ih'sitles the .lesuits, the Ivcettllet mt>nks litire a t tins|iit (it)i(s [>art
in the iiisliiry t»t' the I'lt-neli Amerieaii po'-^essioMs. '['hey were :i
liianeh til' the l-'raneisean tirtler, I'tniniletl in the early |»arl til' the
l.'Uh eentury by St. Francis til' Assist, a matlman, saint or hert>,
acetinlin;; to the tlill'ei't nl \ lews entertainetl respeeliii;; him. Like
all other saints, he heeanie the siilijeit tit' .^iiperiiatural \ isitatitms,
etmsistiu;^', in his ease, lar;:fly til' tlit'ams revt-alin^; tt) him the
natnre tit" the wtirk whieli prov idenee liatl ealletl him to perl'tirm.
In entering' itptm the labors tit' his mission he tlressetl in the la^s
of a he^^ai', antl at last pitsentetl hiniM IT in a slate til" ntulity tt»
the I'lishtip tif .Vssisi, antl lie;;j;t'tl the mantle til" a peasant. lie
next rohlietl his t'athei', tti ^I't means to hnild himsi'lf a chapel:
ertiwtls <;alheretl tti listen to his I'anatieal appeals, antl Kiirope
stitin became tltittetl tiver with the convtnts of his tinier. In the
course of time, the Franciscans lost the \ i'^or ft»r which they weif
first tlistinjiiiishetl. but the IkCctillets, a nl'ormetl bianch tif the
tirtler, at the time tif the l""reneh e\plt>ralians still retaiiictl much
t)f its pristine spirit, 'rhese two ortlers, antl incitlentally that of
iSt. Siilpice, played an imptntant part in the expU»ration antl colo-
nization t»f the Mississippi valley.
'file St. Lawrence and its chain tif lakes enterinji the continent
on the east, antl the Mississippi fitun the stintli, arc thi^ twti jiveat
avenues thron;.ih which l^nropeaiis lirst niatle their way to Illinois.
The ftirmer tipenin;^- witii a bi'tiail cstiiai-y iidt> the Atlantic,
tlirectly opptisite ICnrtijie, lirst ili\ertetl a portion tif its (iallic end-
jiratiou to the i'ej;'it)ns drainetl by its tributaries. I'itmeers. letl by
the intlefati;;able desnits, stion reachetl lUintiis. and maile it au
imi-.tirtant centre in the vast schemes iirojectetl by the rrench
court ftir the iH)Ssessit)ii of the .Mississippi valley.
The Frvnch on tliv St. lAiivrvii<r. — .\s early as l.").'!."), ft>ur
years before the tliscovery t»f the .Mississippi by DeStito, .latt[Ut.!.s
Cartier ctintliu'tetl an cxpetlition Iti tiie St. bawrenee. which he
ascemletl as far as the islantl t)f Orleans. Several attempts w«'ro
shortly afterwiirtl matle to jdaut colt)nies in the newly tlisctiNcretl
rejiitin, but they failctl in ctmsei(iience tif the inclemency tif the
climate antl Imsiilities tif the natives. France, at that time, was
too much en<ia<;<'tl in wars ttt further exhaust her resources in
formin.ii' settlements, ami it was not till KIOS that a ]iermanei)t
ctiltiny was estaltlishetl. i>nrini;' this year Champlain, a boltl
iiciviyator, Avith a number tif ct»lt>nists, sailed up the St. Luwreuee,
KAlli-Y EXPLOUKUS.
05
iiiitl liiiult'd ut llic loot of the Inl'ty |»r«»moiitoi_\ wliicli risi's in tlin
iWr^U- luliiicd 1»V tin- colilliii'iMT ul' IIm- Si. riiiirlis. ( ';ii |i('litcl's
weir set to wuik, mimI within n few wccKs n pilr nl' Imiiilinus msv
iM'iir tilt' Wiitn's ('(!;:(•, tlic t'wst i't'|)i«'s<'ntiiti\<'s «»t' tlit- s|iiUMt»iis
rliMrclics, convents, dwcllinji's und i'!ini|iiiits wliicli now I'oiin tin'
opnlrnt iind i'iil<'iiirisin>;' cits of (j)iiclu'c. TIu'M' l»ni!(lin;;s consti-
Intt'd lli<> lii':i(li|niii'l('i's of < 'Ii;iin|ihiin, :inil wt-ic sniTonndcil liy il
\\iio<|*-n wail pici'ccd witli o|Miiin;:s foi' a iimmiIk'I' of >niiill cannon.
'l"o .sccMic tilt' lViciHislii|» t»f tilt' lliii'tiiis ami iH'i;4iilioriny' Ai;;(tii-
(|iiin nations, ( 'iiainpiaiii was iinlnct'il to assist tlicin in a war
a.uainst tiic ii'o<|iiois, iniiai)itin;j; tlic coiintr.v stnitii of tlic St. Law-
rt'iict'. \'ictoiv attcndcti liis .siipcfior ai'ins, Imt it nronscd tlic.
iiii)»la('al»l(' lialc tif tiicsc triltcs, and for a jx liod of !•(> years tlicy
continncd towrcal; tlicir fnr\ ii|Min tlic Indian allitv of I'lancc,
aiitl niatcriall,\ contriltiircd to tlic linal ovcrtlirow t)f licr ptiwcr.
In H)].') Cliainplaiii returned to {''ranee, and hroii.^lit l)ac!< with
liiiii four l'cet)llct monks, (ircat was tlic astonisliineiit of the
Indians at lirst helioldiiijLt' these iiiemlieaiils, elatl in tlieir rude
<;()Wi)s of coarse ^^ray cloth. 'I'lieir lirst care was tt» select a siti!
iititl erect a <'oiiv»'nt, the completion of which was Iitniored l)y the
ceicliratioii of mass. All New l'"rance pailicipated in tlie myste-
rious rite, while from llie sliii)s and ramparts of the fort cannon
thiimleretl forth an apjtroN in;^' salute. 'I'lieii- jiicat oliject was the
.sahatioii of the Indians, and iinappalletl hy the perils that awaii<'d
them, t liey met in conncil ami assi;;iicd to eacli his pro\ ince in llit>
>ast (ieltl of lahois. As the result of ninvearied elVort. they estah-
lisht'd missions frtim Xo\a Scotia to Lake Ilni'on. Imt liiidin.^' tlic
task too yi-cat foi' their siren,:ulli, they applied to tlic .lesnits for
jissistance. 'I'lic followfi's t)f Loytda ea,ii('rly respondetl to the
iii\ itiition. and Canada for the lirst time saw the order which, in
aitcr years. lii;iired so extensively in her history. Tlion^li snlVer-
iiiy- iiiiisf he their fate, and pei'haps martyrdom their crow !i. tliey
jieiiclrated to the most remote I'c^ions and \isited the most w ;;r-
like tribes. Missions wt'if established on the Str;iits of St. ."Mary,
the noillicrn slioi-cs of I>ake Iliii'oii, the tributaries of Lake Alielii-
jian. and liiially ainoiii; tlieir iiiMterate enemies, the Iitxpiois.
<'hi:m]»laiii. after having acted as <4t)vcrnor ibr a period of -7
years, died on the Cliristmas of l(i."!."», a hundred years after the
lirst visit of ('artier, and was biiiicd in the city he had Ibunded.
Sharing' with others of his time the illusion of lindin,u' a ]»assa!.ie
jici'oss the continent to the Pacilic, he made voyages of iliscovery
with a view of lindinj;' ilie Itm^ soiinht commercial highway. In
one of his excursions lie discoveicd the lake w liicli b'ars his name,
iiiitl was anioiiy the Jii'st Enro]>eans who set their I'eet on the
lonely shores of Lake Ilnroii. What indesci'ibablc tlionulits mnst
liaxc thrilled his bosom ;iy he looked out on its broad exi>anse, or
perhaps awt"! by its majt-s.ic solitudes, he listened with str.iii,::;e
delight totlie loinl refrain of its billow-lashed shores.
{)is o'cri/ of flic Ohio 1)1/ J.aSdllc, It ili'.l.— After the de;itli of
Cliai:i|»laiii, tlu' next actor in tiie tiehl of ex]»loration \\as Koliert
Csvaliei', better known as I^aSalle. His father's fa mil\- was amonj;"
the old ami wealthy biirjiliers of Ivoiien, l"'raiiee, and its seveial
ineinbers were fretpieiitly entrnstetl witli iiii|»ortant positions by
the jiovei'iimeiit. Ivobert was boi'ii in 1(»4.">. and early exliiliited
tlie liaits of eliaiaeter which distiiiiiiushed him in his western
5G HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
career. Iliiviiif;' a wealthy iatlier, Ih' ( njoyed aiiiiile lacilities lor
oblaiiiiiij;- an education, and made rjipid pro.uvess in the exact
sciences. lie was a Catholic, and il is said a Jesnit ; Itnt jiid^ing
from Ids snbse(|uent Ute, he was not a relij>i()us entliiisiast. The
orch'r of Loyola, wiehU'd at the centre l>y a single will so compli-
cated and so harmonious, may ha\e attracted his youthful ima;ii-
iiation. It was, however, none the less likely that when he found
himself not at the centre, but movin.ii' in a ]>rescribed orbit at
the circumference, he would leave it. Ilaxinu' an individuality
Aviiicii could not i>e molded by a sha|>in^' hand, he was better
(|ualitied for a ditfei'cnt sphere of action. Me therefore ])arted
with the -lesiiits on .nood terms, with an unblemished character,
for his lofty ambition com])letely dixestcd him of the petty aiu-
mosities to w liicli urovelin^' niiiuls are subject.
lie had an oldci' brother liviuj;' in Canada — a i)ri«'st of the order
of St. Sul|>ice — au<l it was this cir<Mimstance which induced him
to emigrate to America. His connection with tlu' .lesuits deprived
him. under the laws (»f France, from iidicritinji' the property of
his t'atlier. wiio died shortly before his departure. He, however,
receixed a small allowance, and with this, in the sprin,i;' of KKili,
arrived at .Montreal. Here he tbund a c<»iporati(»n of priests,
known as the Seminary of St. Sulpice, who were ('isposiu!.; of
lands on easy terms to settlers, lio]»inj;' by this means to establish
a bairier of settlements between themselves and the hostile
Indians. The superior of the senunary, on hearinji' of LaSalle's
arrival, .gratuitously offered him a tract of land situatc«l on the
St. bawreuce. S miles above Montreal. The j;iaut was accepted,
and tliouiih the i)la;'e was yreatly I'xpo^ed to the attacks of sava.^es,
rt, it was favorably situated for the fur trade. Commencinji- at once
; ' to improve his new domain, he tra.-ed out the boundaries of a pal-
1^ isaded v iila,u('. and disixtsed (»f his lands to settlers, who were to
li pav for them a rent in small annual installments.
1} While tiius employed in developiuii' his seiiiiiory, he commciiced
[*; studyiii,u' the Imiian lanjiua.ycs, and in three years is said t(» have
(" made rapid progress in the Iroquois, and ei^lit otiier ton^iU's and
dialects. Fr(»m his home on the banks of the St. Lawrence, his
till >u,L;hts often wandered over the "wild ind<nowu world toward
sunset,'' and like former explorers, dreamed ol' a diu'ct westward
])assa,i;-e to the commerce of China and dapan. While musinji-
upon tiu' subject, he was visited by a baud of Sene('as, and learned
fiom them tiiat a river called the Ohio, risiui;' in their countiy,
tlowed into the sea, l»ut at such a distanc<' that it retpiiied eijiht
months to reach its mouth. In t'.iis statement the Mississippi and
its tributary were considered as one stream, and with the ,u('(»-
,i',rapliical views tiien prevalent, it was supposed to fall into the
,uulf of Calilbrnia.
IMacin,ii' ureat contidence in this hypothesis, and determined to
make an ex|»Ioration to verify it. he rejiaired t(> (^>uebt•(^ to »>l)tain
from (bivernor Courcelles his a|»proval. His itlausiltle statements
soon won over to his plans both the (b)Vernoi' and Intendant
Talon, and letters patent were issued antlutrizin;^' the enter-
piise. Xo pecuniary aid beiuj; fiirnislied by the government, and
as LaSalle had expended all his means in improv inji' his estate, he.
was compelled to sell it to procun^ funds. The superior of the
Seminary, beiny favorably disposed toward him, bought the
DIFiaOULTIES ENCOUNTKKKlJ. 57
j;r('iit«'i' ])iii't of liis iiiii)i()V('in('iit, niid iciiliziiij;- 1,'S0() li\ res, lie
jxiicliascd Ibiir ciiiiocs iiiid tlic iit'ccssary supplies lor llu cxiicdi-
tioii.
The SciiiiiiJU'.v, iit tlu' saiiie tinic, was ])i('])ariiiji' lor a similar
cx])loi'ati()ii. Tlic ]»ri('sts of this orinaiii/.alion. ciimlatiii;^' tlio
<'iit('i']»ris(' of the »I('siiits, liad ('stablislicd a mission on tlir iiortli-
orii slioie of Lake Ontaiio. At tliis point, licarini;' of ]»opnlons
tribes furtlier to tlic noitli\v<\st, tlicy resolved to essay their eon-
version, and an e.\j»edition, under two of their nniidter, was titled
out foi' this pnrjKJse. On j;oinj;' to (^Mieltee to i)roeure the neces-
sary ontlit, they were advised l>y the (lovernor to so modify their
plans a.-: to aet in concert with TiaSalle in explorinji' the ureat
rixcr of the west. As the I'esnlt, both expeditions weic jnei'ut'd
into oiM' — an arran.ii'ein«'nt ill-suited to the .ycnius of LaSalle,
whom natui'e had formed for an undisputed chief, rather than a
eo-lal)orer in the enterprise. On the (ith of duly, lOtii). everythinj;'
was in readiiu'ss, and the c(»mbined party, nundx'riniii' lit persons,
i'lnbaiked on the St. Lawrence in 7 canoes. Two additional
eamx's cariied the Indians wh(» had visited LaSalle, and who were
now actin,n' as liuides. Threading' the dexious and romantic mazes
of the I'ivei' in o]»|)osition to its rajiid current, after three days
they aj)j)eared ^m the broad e.\i»anse <tf Lake Ontario. Their
•i'uides led them thence directly to their villau't', on the banks of
the (leiiesee, where they expected to lind i;uides to lead them to
tin' Ohio. LaSalle, oidy ]>artially innlerstandin;^ their lanj^uajic,
was compelle«l to c<vnfer with them by nu'ans of a desuit iiriest,
stationed at the villau'e. The Indians refused to fui'uish a con-
ductor, and ev<'n l)Uined before their eyes a ]>risoner from one of
the westei'n tribes, the only jterson who could serve tlu'm as
gnide. This and other unfiiendly ticatment which they received,
caused them to sus]»ect that the -lesuit. Jealous of tlieir euteri>rise,
liad iiitentionally misrej>resented their oliject, for the purpose of
defeatin;:' it. With the liopi^ of aecomjdisliiu^' their object, they
liuii'ered fora month, and at length had the iiood fortune to meet
with an Indian fr;un an Inxjuois cohuiy, situated near the head
of the hdie, who assured them that they could there tind what
they wante<l. and olVered to conduct them tiiither. With
renewed hope they .^iladly accepted this prolfered assistiince, and
left the Seneca villaji'e. '''nrsini;' alonj;' the southern shore of the
lake, they ])assed the montu of tin- Nia<iara, where they heard for
the lirst time the distant thunder of the cataiT.et, and soon arrived
safely am<tn,i;' the lro(pM)is. lleic they met with a friendly recep-
tion, and were informed by a Shawnee jMisoiU'r that they could
reach f\e Ohio in six weeks' time, and that he would unitle them
thither. Delighted with this nnexpected .yood foi'tuue, they pre-
]»ared to comnu-nee the Journey when they nnex])eetedly heard
of the arrival of two I'^renclnnen in a nei.i;hb<u'in<>' villa,u('. One
of them jM'oved to be Louis '•'•et, a yomi.u' man of about the a^e
of LaSalle, and destined t . acquire fame l>y his explorations iu
the west. He had been sent by Talon, the intendant of Canada,
to exjdore the coppei' mines of Lake Sui)eri(»r. but had I'ailed. ancl
was now 0',i his return. (ii\iny' the priests a mai> i'ei>resentiu,i;'
sucli parts <»f the upper lakes as he had visited, he iufornu'd tiiem
that the Imlians of those reiiious were in lireat lu'cd of spiritual
advisers. On re(!eivin<; this information, the missionaries decided
58 HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
tliat the Indians ninst no loiij^vr sit in darkiu'ss, and tliouf;]it that
tlic discovcrv of llic iVIississipiti mi^ilit be ctfcctcd as easily 1>\ a
nditiiciii idiitc, tlir(>u,n!i tiicsc triix's, as by .yoin.u' fartlicr south-
ward. l-aSallc, rcmonstiatinji' against tlieii- (h'tcrniination, in-
foriiird them tiiat this direction was inii)ractieahh', and in case
tliey slionld \ isit tliat re.uion, they wouhl periiaps liiid it ah'eady
occupied hy tlie .Jesuits. He liad, for some tinve, been al'llicted
witii a violent fever, and finding his advice unheeded, he told the
■priests feliat his condition would n(»t a<linit of tbllowinii:' theui
iuither. The i>lea of sickness was douittless a ruse to etbct a.
scjiaration; for the invincii)le determination (»f LaSalle never
pernntted an eideri»iise which he had undertaken to be defeated
l)y other considerations. A friendly ]»artin.i; was ai'ian^cd, aud
ai'tcr the celebration of mass, LaSalle and his men fell back to
Lake Ontario, while the Snlpitians descended Ciraud river to
Lake Va'w.
The latter ])rosecuted their Journey up the lakes, and (»n .irri-
vinj;' amon;;' the Indians of whom .loliet had spoken, they found,
as I^aSallc had surmised, Manpu'tte and Dablon established
amony' them. Learnin.u; too, that they needed no assistance from
8t. Suii»ice, nor from those who made him their i»atron saint, they
retraced tlieir stei)s. ami arrived at -Montreal tlie followiufi' dune,
w ithout haviu,i>' made any discoveries or converted an Indian.
Tlu' course pursued by liaSalle and his ]»ai'ty, after Icavin;^' the
priests, is inxohcd in doidtt. The mtist reliable record of his
movements is that contained in an ammynutus ])aper, which pur-
]>oits to hav«'bcen taken from the lijis of LaSalle Idmself, durin.u'
a \ isit subsc(juently made to Paris. Accordiuu to this stat<'mcut.
lie went to Onondaga, whei'c he obtained j^uidcs. and passed
tlH'nce to a tributary of the Ohio, south of Lake iu'ic, followed it
to the ju'incipal liver. and descended the latter as far as the falls
at I,ouis\ilie. It has also been maintained, that he reached the
JMis.sissippi and descended it sonu- distance, when his men de-
serted, and he \\as compelled to return aloue. It is staled in the
same manuscript, that the followiu.i:' year he end»ark<'d cm Lake
Erie, ascended the Detroit to Lake Huron, and jiassed throu^ih
the strait of ^Mackinaw t(» Lake Michigan. Passinjito the southern
slioi'e, he ]>rocecded by hind to the Illinois, which he tbllowcd to
its contlueuce with the .Mississi])|ti, aud descended the latter to
the .'With (h'^ree of latitude. Here, assured that the river did not
fall iido the unlf of Califorida. but that of Mexico, he returned,
with the inlcution of at sonu' future day e\|»lorin^' it to the mouth.
The statement that he visited the falls of the Ohio, is <loubt-
less cori'ect. lie himself afliiins, in a letter t«» Count Fro\itcnac,
in KiT", that h<' (liscovere<l the Ohio, and descended it to the falls.
]Moreo\('r, .loliet, his rival. subsc(|iH'UtIy made two nnips icpre-
senrin.u' the re^iion of the .Mississipjii and the lakes, on both of
which he states that LaSalle discovered and e\i»lore<l the Ohio.
It is, jterhaps, ;dso true that liaSallc discovered the Illinois, but
that he descended eitlici' it or the Ohio to the Mississippi before
the discovery of , loliet, is imi»robable. If such had been the case,
heccrtaiidy wouhl June left written evidence to that etfcct.'as in
th<' case of the Ohio especiidly, when the piiorily of .loliet's dis-
covery had become a matter of yreat notoriety.
CiiAri'KK M.
KXri.OlJATlONS 1)Y -K^LIKT AND .AL\ IJQrKTTK— Km.!-" To.
LiiSnllc li;i(l t'\i)l(H'(Ml out', and ijorliaps two. roiitt's to tlic ]\Iiss-
issippi, hut as yet tlu' iii>|>t'r ]»oi'tion of tlic ;^i('at river had
|)rolial)Iy iicNtT hccii seen h.v any I'jiropcaii. Tlic lioiior of iiiaii-
iiiiialiiiy llic successful attciui)t to reach this stream is i\nv to M.
Talon, who \vis]»e(l to (ilose the loun' and useful term of his servi-
ces, as tile lutendant of Canada, by rt'iiiovinu' tiie mystery wliieli
enshri>U(h'(l it. I'\>r tliis ]»ur|tose lie selected Louis .loliet, a fur
trader, to conduct the expedition, and .Jacques Mar(|uette, a Jesuit
missionary, to assist him.
'i'alon, howevei', was not to remain in the country loni;' euouuh
to witness the completion of the enlerpi'ise. A misuudcrstandiii;;'
aio.se between Inm and (Jovernor Courcelies in rej^ai'd to the juris-
diction of tlu'ir respective oflices. and Uotii asked to be r»'called.
TJK'ir recpusts wcic granted, and early in tlie autumn of l(i72.
Count I'^i^ontenac arri\cd at <i)uebec. to take the jtlace of tlic
relii'iuu' .u'oNcrnor. lie belouj^cd to the hi,iih uol)ility of France,
Mas well ad\anced in life, and a man of pronspt and decided
ai'tion. 'riiouirh iutoh-rant to euennes, he ])artialiy atoned for this
fault by his urcat ma,L:nanimity and dexotiou to fiieuds, while his
cliarm of niaum'rs ami speech nnide him the favorite and (una-
uient of the most polished cii'cles. His career in Canada, at lirst,
was beset wilii opposition and ennnty. but its close was rewarded
with admiration and sratitu(h' for his broad views an<l uushaUeu
lirmiM'ss, when others dis]>aired.
r.efore sailing;- for I'rauce. ,M. Talon reconnneiided to I-'roti-naf'
Joliet and iMarcpu'tte. as sidtable jtersous to execute his projected
discoveries. The former was born at (j>uebec. in Hlt.">, of lunuble
I'.areiita.ii'c. He was educates! by the .Jesuits for the priesthood,
but eariy abandoned his clerical vocaticai to enuaiic in the fur
tra(h'. Tiioujih renouiicin,u' the priestliood. he still retained a par-
tiality for the oi-dei' which had educated him. and no doidit this
was the principal I'cason which induced 'I'alon to labor for his
appointnu'iit. INisscssiu.y' no \ei'v salient ]>oiuts of character, lu^
yet had sullicieni enterprise, boldness an<l determination i)roperly
to discliar.u'e the task Itefore him.
His coUea^iu'. .MarcpU'tte, /greatly surpassed him in bold «uit-
lines of character. He was born in l(i.'}7, at Laon, Fiance, inheri-
tin.u' from his ])arents a ndnd of ;^r<'at relijiious snsce])ti!)ility. ho
early united with the .lesvuts. and was sent, in l(i(!(i, to America
as a missionary, where he soon distiuuuished himself for devotion
t<t his profession. To c<»nvert the Indians he pcnetratcil a thousand
miles in advance of civilization, and by his kind tittentious in their
\m
60
IIISTOUY OF ILLINOIS.
Jiiid it:iss<'<l IIm'Iicc ii[) Fox river imd Luke \\'iiiiicl»:i,i;(> to ;i villn^c
of tlif .Miiscoiitiiis and Miaiiiis. .Martiiicttc, who iicvci' siil'lcrcd
tilt' hcaiitit'.s of nature to escape Ids attention, speaks in ehxpient
terms of tlie broad prairies and tall forests wliieli lie saw IVom tluf
suiiiinit of tlie liill on wliicli it wassilnated. His admiration of
the scenery was, ln)wever, fireatly exceeded by the Joy whicli he
exjierienced at heholdin^i' across planted in the midst of the place,
and decorated with some of the most xahied of Indian imple-
ments. With due ceremony they were introduced to a conncil of
cliiefs, when ;\Iar(pH'tte, pointin^^' to -loliet, said : " .My friend is an
envoy of I'-rance. to discoxci' new countries, and I am an endtas-
sadoi' from (!od, to enlighten tlu'm with the Irutlis of the gospel."*
The speaker then nnnlethem some i»resents, and asked lor .uiiides
to conduct them on their way. Thoiijih the Indians rejiarded their
journ«'y as exti'emely hazardous, these were granted, ami the
voya.ucrs re-endtarked in their canoes. All the \illa,i;e followed
them down to the rixcr, W(»nderin^' tiiat men could he found to
umh'itake an enterpi'ise so frauj;ht with danp'rs. 'IMieir .unides
led tiiem safely through the de\i(ais windin.us of the river. Iieset
Avith lakes and nnii'siu's over<irown with wild rice. The seed of
this plant largely furnished the Indians with food, and subsisted
innncnse iiund)ers of biids, which rose in clouds as the travelers
adxam-ed. ^\rri\inii' nt the ]M>ila.s4(', they soon cai'ried their liuht
canoes and scanty i>a,i;,iia.i.i(' to the Wisconsin, about three miles
distant. Fi'ance and papal Christendom were now in the \alley
ot' i!m' Mississippi, ready to connnencc the drama in which, for the
lU'Xl succeedin^i' !M> years, they were the principal actors.
Their j^uides now icfusetl to accttmpany them fnither, and
endeavoi'ed to induce them to return, by recitiuj;' the dan.^ers tliey
nuist encounter in the further prosecution of tlie Journey. They
(Stated that huj;e demons dwelt in the j;reat river, whose voices
could be heard at a loiiy' distam-e, ami who cnuulphed in the,
I'llo'i III)' \V';lfii|'< nil W'iiii <'tiiiii> M'ifliiii tlii>ii' i'i>:ii-li Tlii-v :i1.^ii ri>iiri>.
JOLIET AND MARQTTKTTE.
61
tlicir natural beauty tlio most skillful trainiiijiof rultuvcd liauds.
Tlie ITtli ol' .June hroujilit tliciii to the iiioutli of t lie livci, and
Avitli yicat Joy tlicy ])us!i('d flicir fiail harks out on the Hoods <if
tlic lordly Alississi]»|»i. Diiftiiiu' rapidly with tiic current, the
scenery of tlie two haidvs reniinded tlieni of the castled shores of
their own Iteautiful rivcis of Fiance. For days «»f travel they
]»assed a constant succession of headlands, sepMrated l>y Lirace-
fidly rounded valleys covered with v<'idure, and gently risini; as
they r<'cede from the mari^in of the waters. The rocky suniiiiits
of the headlands, risyij^- hi,t;h above their <;reen bases, had been
"wrought by the corrodin.y elements into a yreat variety (»f fantas-
tic forms, which the lively ima;^iinitiou of Manjuette sha]»ed int(»
towers, ^iyantic statues, and the crumblinji' ruins of fortihcations.
On .li'oinji' to the heads of the valleys, they could see a country of
the ;;reatest beauty and feitility, ajipan'utly destitute of inhabi-
tants, yet preseiitiuji' the ai»peaiance of extensive manors, under
the fastidious cultivation of lordly ]»ro|)riet(»rs. IJy and by uicat
herds of buffalo a])peared on the op|»osite baidvs, the more timid
females kee]>in,i>' at a safe distance, while the old bulls ai)proaclied,
and throuji'li their tauj;led nnincs l(»oked deliance at the stiaii^e
invaders of their j;rassy I'calms.
Near a> hundred miles below the mouth of the Wisconsin, the
voyaj^ers discovered an Indiau trace, Icadinj; from the western
shore, .loliet and Alarcinette, l«'avinj;' their canoes in chai',u(' of
their men. detci'mined to follow it and make themselves ac((uainte(l
"with the tribes of this region. 3Iovin;:;' cautiously throu;;h prairies
and forests, rendered beautiful by the verdure and bloom of .July,
they discovere<l a villauc near the banks of the river au<l two
others on a hill half a leaj^ue distant. Counnendin^' themselves
to the ])rotection of Heaven, they approached and shouted to at-
tract attention. AVlien the commotion, excited by their uuex]><'cted
salnti'. had partially subsided, four elders advanced with uplilted
cabimets to nu'ct them. A IViendly fireetinji' ensued, and alter in-
lbiniiu<i' the Frenclunen tha*^ they were Illinois, they comliicted
them to their Aillaj>e. Here they were jtresented to the chief, w ho,
standinj^' near the door of liis wijiwam in a state of comidete
luulity, (lelivered an a<ldress of welcome : "I'renclnnen, how bright
the sun shines when you come to visit us ; all (»ur villaj;e awaits
you. and you shall enter our wijiwams in ])eace." After enterinji'
and smokin<i' a friendly pipe, they were invited to visit the j^reat
chief of the Illinois, at one of the other Aillajjcs. FoUowed by a
motl<\v throufi' of warriors, scpiaws, and chihlnMi, they ])roc<'ede(l
thither and were received with jireat courtesy by the chief. On
outerin,i>' his wij^wam, tilled with the dij;nitaries of tlu^ tribe, Mar-
quette announced the nature of their enterpiise, asked for informa-
tion concerninji' the 3Iississip]»i and alluded to their ])ati'oii. the
(io\-eriior of t'anada, who had Innnbled the Inupiois and compelled
them to sue for ]>eace. This last item <»f information was j:(»od
news to these remote tribes, and drew from their chief the compli-
ment that tlie "j»resence of his j>uests added flavor to their tobacco,
made the river more calm, the sky more serene and the earth more
beautiful."* Xext, followed a rejtast, eonsistinj;' of hominy, fish,
and buffalo and doy's meat. The Frenchmen i)artooksumptionsly
Discov. of the Great West.
Gti
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
(»!' all tlic (lislii'S, ('xc(']»t tlic liist, wliicli tlic.v iailcd to iipincciatc,
altliniijiii one of tlic {^Tcalcst Indian (Iclicacics. The jifiicioiis
hosts, witli true forest coiirtt'sy, as tlic.v dislicd out the dilfcrciit
aiticlcs. first blew tlicir liicalii upon cacli iiioisci to cool it. and
tlicii. wilii tlifir o\\ n hands, placed it in the iiioutiis of their j;uests.
They endea\()r<'d to jiersiiaiU' the e\i>lorers, l»y depict ill}; the yreat
dangers they wdiiid incur, to abandon their oliject. I''indin.L;' that
tiieir elforts were unavailing, on the follow inuday they huip^dii
the neck of .Mar(|iiette a sacred caluiiH't, hrilliaiitiy decorated with
feathers, as a pioteclioii ainon<4' the tribes lie was about to visit.
The last mark of respect, which the chiefs could now offer tiieir
departiii,ii' friends, was to escoi't tlu'in with (>(>(> of their tribesmeu
t(» llu' ri\<'r, where, aftei' their stolid manner, they bade them ;i
kindly adieu.
A.::ain they were alloat on the broad bosom of the unkiiowu
stream. Passiii;:,' the mouth of the Illinois they soon fell into the
shadow of a tall i)i'om<mtory, and with j;reat astonishment beiield
the repi'eseiitation of two monsters painted on its hd'ty limestom^
front. Accordiiii;- to .Mar(|UeUe, each of these frinhtful lij;iires had
the face of a man, the horns of a <leer. the beard of a ti^cr, and
the tail of a tish so lonii that it ]>assed around the body o\er the
head and between the Icus. It was an oltject of Indian wtu'ship,
and .yreatly impressed the mind of the ]»ious missionary with the
niM'cssity of substitutini;' for this monstrious i(h»latry, the woishi]!
of the true (Jod.* Ilefore these tijiiiresof the idols had faded Irom
their minds, a new wonder arrested their attention. Tlie\ ran
into the curi'ent of the Missouri, swccpiiiji' directly across iheir
ti'ack, and threateniii,i;- to en^iulf theiii in its muddy waves. Fra,ii-
nieiits of trees were driftin.L;' in larii'e numbers, which must have
c<niie from a \ast uiduiown wilderness, judj;inji' fnuii the magni-
tude of the stream wiiieh bore them alouji'. Passing' on, it was
ascertained that Ibr se\-eral miles the Mississippi refused to min-
gle with the tuiltid lloods of the iiitriidiii,i;' stlcam.
S(»oii the forest covered site of St. Louis ai)])cared on the ri,!;ht,
Itiit little did the \<»yau'ers dream of the emporium which now tills
the river with its extended commerce. Farther on, their attention
Avas attracted by the coiitlueiice of the Ohio, a stream which, iix
the ])urityof its waters, they found wholly ditferent from that pre-
viously passed. Some distance below the mouth of this eastern
tributary, the banks of the ri\('r becaiiK skirted with a dense
jii(»wtli of cane, whose feathery-like foliap' formed a ]ileasin;^
contrast witii that which they had jtassed above. I>ut a {greater
A'e.'^'etable wonder was the Spanish moss w liich huiiii' in lonu' fes-
toons from the branches of the trees, exipiisitely beautiful, yet,
like funeral draiu'iy, excitiuii' in the behohler feeliiiiU'.s of sadness.
Anotlier chanjic was the increasin;;- heat, which, ii(»w ra]>idly dis-
sipated the hea\y fojis which previously, to a late hour, had hun^'
over the river, (.'louds of mosipiitos also aiipeared in the relaxing'
atnios|)here, to annoy them by day, and disturb tlu'ir much needed
rest at ni.uht.
•Xi'iir the month of tlic Tiiisa Crcok, on the blulT, there is a smooth roek in a caveril-
oiis clelt. iiiiilei' an ovoihanuiiiy dill', on whose tace, "lO feet Irom the base, are iKiiiUed
some ni\eient pietiires or hii-ro^flyiihics, of jrreat Interest to the eurioufi. Tliey aro
placeil in a liori/.ontal line from eaut to west, reprosontin^ men, plants and aninails.
The paintiniis, thoiif.'li protected Irom dampncssiind storms, arc in yreat i)art destroyed,
marred bv portions of the rock beeoiainii- detached and faliinu down. See I'rairie tilate,
IS.VJ.
JOLIET AND MAllQUETTE.
03
^^'itll()ut siisiK'ctiug thv ])i'es<>iu'o of Indians, tlic.v siiddnily <1is-
roNci'cd ii imiiilx'i' on tlic ciistcin banks of tlu' river. .Mai((ii«'tt(i
licld aloft tlic svnihol of ix'acc, fiiniislicd liiiii by the Illinois, and
tlic sava<;('s approaciicd and invited lam and Ins party aslioi'c.
Ileic tliey were feasted on bidfalo meat and beai's oil, and after
tlie repast was over, were informed tliat tliey conld reach tlie month
of llie I'ix'ei' in ten days.' 'Piiis statement was donl»tless ma(h' with
tile best intention, i)nt witli little trntli, for the distance was not
far from 1,(>0(> miles.
'J'akinii" leaxc of tiieir hosts, and lesnminj;- the jonriiey, (hey
])eneti'ate(l a lonj;' monotony of bintfs and for<'sts, and aiiain dis-
eover<'d ln(1ians near the month of the Arkansas, nu.shinii' from
tlieii' wi,irwams to the rixcr, some of tliem sallied forth in canoes
to cut off their escape, while others |»lnn<;('d into the water to
attack them. .Maripiette displayed the calumet, which was iiii-
lieeded till the ari'ival of the chiefs, who ordei'cd the warriors to
<lesist, and condnctcd them ashore. A coid'ei'ence ensned, and as
soon as the Indians niiderstood the nalnre of the visit, they be-
came reconcih'd. The day's j)rocecdin;LiS closed with a feast, and
the ti'avelers sjjent the ni;;Iit in the wij^wams of tlieii' entertainers.
]Cai']y the next day, messenuci's weic sent by the latter t(» tlu^
Arkansas trilx- on the I'ixcr below, to apprise them that Fi'ciich-
mcii were about t(» descend the stream. As announced, the exjdo-
rcrs ])roceeded a distance of 24 miles, when they were nu't by ;i
depniation of three Indians, wlio in\it<'d them to visit their town.
Assent bein^jf ^^'ivt'n, they were conducted thither and seated on
mats, which had been s]>read for their receiftion un(U'r a shed
before the Iodide of a ]>rincii)al cliief. Soon they were surroun(hul
l>y a semi-cinde of tlie villa.^'ers — tlie warriois sittin,u' nearest,
next tlie elders, while a promiscuous crowd stared at them I'roia
the outside. The men were .stark naked, and the Avomen imper-
fectly clad in skins, wearinj;' their hair in two masses, one of
which was Iteliind each ear. Fortunately, there was a youn,^' man
in the villa j>e Avho could speak Illinois. By his aid, JNlanprntto
Dccame niroieraoie.
It was now the middle of July and the voyagers debated the
]tropriety of furthei' len«itlieiiin.Li' out their Journey. They liad
liccn on the river foui" weeks, and concluded they had descended
sufliciently far to decide that its outlet was on the Atlantic side of
tlie continent. Their jn'ovisions wei-e nearly exhausted, and they
also feared if they visited the river Ixdow tliey mi^ht be killed by
the savaji'es, and the benetit of tlu'ir discovery would be h)st.
Intluenced by those considei'ations, they determined to retra(!e
*iw.;,. of.^,^c T ,>.ix-;.,,v +!..> A ,.i-... ....... ,-ai.....,, <-i.,,,. ,.,,,. ...,..,,.,.....,1
:l
64
mSTOUV OV ILM.NOIS.
sntVciinji' with i\ii attiick of (lysciitcry. Her*' tlicv were iiir(inii('<|
l),v (lie lii(li;iiis that tlic IMiiiois i'liiiiislicM a iiiiich iiioit' direct loiiii^
to tlui hikes tiiaii the Wiseoiisiii. Actiii};' upon this iiit'oriiiatioii,
they entered the lixcr, and found, l>esi(U's liein;^- nior«' direct, that
its ji-entie eurrent ollered less lesistanee than lliat of tlie .Mississ-
ijijii. As they ad\anced into llie eonntiy,a scene opened to liieir
view which j;ave renewed stren^^th lo tii«'ir wearied Itodies, and
awoke in tin-ir ian^nid minds the j^reatest adndration and enthu-
siasm. I'laiiies s|>read out hefoic tiieni lieyond llie I'eacli of
vision, coxcred witii tall ;ii'ass, wiiich nnchdated in tiie wind likei
waves of a sea. In furtiier imitation of a watery ex]>anse, tho
surface was stu(hh'd with eluni|is of tindter, resendilinj^' ishinds,
in wiiose jiiacei'nl outlines eonid lie trace<l peninsulas, shores and
headlands. I'Mowers, surpassing in tlie delicacy of their tints the
]>amper<'d pioducts of cultivation, were profus»'ly s|.rinkled over
the j^rassy landscajie, and ;;a\(' their wealth of fraurauee to the
jtassin;;' bree/e. Innnense herds of hidfalo and deer jii'a/.ed on
these rich pastures, so pi'olillc that tlie continued destruction of
them for a<:(>s hv the Indians, had failed t(» diminish their nnui-
hers. l'"orthe further sujiport of human life, the rivers swarnn-d
Milh lisli, ;;reat <pnintities of wild fruit j;rew in the f»trest and
l)rairies, and so numerous wer«' watei-fowl and other Itirds, that
the heavens wei'e fre<|uently ol)scnr«Ml hy their tli;^iit. This favo-
rite land, with its profusion of ve;iftaltle and aninnd life, was the*
ideal of the Indian's Elysium. The explorers spoke of it as a
terrestial para<lise, in which earth, air and natcr. unbidden by
hilior, contributed the nn»st copi(»ns supplies for the sustenance of
lite. In tin' early l''rencli exiilorat ions, desertions were of freqiu'iit
occurrence, and is it stranj;-e that nn-n, wearied by the toils and
restraints of civilized life, should abandon their leaders for the
abundance and wild imlependence of these prairies and wood-
lan<ls .'
Passing' far up the river, they sto]>pe(l at a town of the Illinois,
called Kaskaskia, wh(»se mnue, aftc rwai'ds transferi'ed to a dilfer-
enl locality, has become fani(»us in the history of the country.
Here they secured a chief and his men to comluct them to Lake
]\Iichij;an and ])roeeeded thither l)y the way oi' the ri\ers Illinois,
Desplaines and ("hicajio. I^'oliowiuiu' the western shore* of the
lake, they entered (ireen J>ay Ihe latter jiart of Septendier, haviuj^
been absent about four moiiths, and traveled a (listauce of L',.")(tO
miles.
ManpH'tte stopp<'d at the mission on th<' head of the bay, to
rejiair his shattered health, while .loliet hastened to (^lU'bec, to
reixtrt his discoveries. Hitherto fortune had fi'reatly favored him,
and it was oidy at the tcrndnation of his voyaji'e that he met his
lirst disaster. At the foot of the rapids, aboxc Montreal, his
canoe was ca])sized, and he htst the manns«'ript eimtainiuji- an
account of his disci »vei'ies, and two of his uumi. lie says, in a U't-
ter to dovernoi' Frontenac: " I had (Escaped every peril from the
ludians; I had passed 12 rapids, and was (Ui tin* ]>oint of disem-
barkinji', full of joy at the success of so h)n,<;' and difticult an
enter[)rise, wlien my canoe capsized after all the dan,u'er seenu'd
over. 1 lost uiy two men and box of i)ai)ers within sijilit of the liist
French settlenioiits, w liich I had left almost two years before.
JOLIET AND MAIIQT KT'J'K.
(}.'.
Notliiiiy rciiiJiiiis to u\o iii»\v Itiit iii.v life, iiiid tlic indent (Icsiic to
fin|»l(».\ it on ;iiiy service von Mi;iy |>le;ise to direct."
W'lieii tlie snccessfiil issue of tiie voyii;:;'e heciiiiie known, ii Te
Jhinii \\:\s clniiited in tlie ciitliednd of (^)iieliec, jind mII ("imndii
Viis tilled Mitii joy. Tile news crossed tlie Atliiiitie, :ind l'"r;ince
saw, in the vistii of coniinji' yeais, :i \ ast de))endency sprin^iinji' np
in llie yreat \allev pailiaily explored, which was to eniieh her
merchant ])rinces with the most Inei'ative conmierce. I''eaiin^'
that i'^n^^land, whose settlenn-nts wei'c rai)idly e\tendin;n' alonj;- tlie.
Atlantic, mijLiht attempt to ^rasp the rich prize liefore she eonhl
<)c<Mi|).\ it, she eiidea\()r<'d to prevent, as far as possihle, the .^eii-
ei'al piililicity of the discovery. .loliet was rewaided by the ;^ift
of the island of Aniicosti, in the j^ulf of St. liawrence, while
]\Ia)'<pn'tte, who had rendered the most valuable services, was sat-
islied with the coiiseionsness of ha\ iny jterformed a noble duty.
Mai'(piette siilVcred loiii;' from his malady, and it was not till
tlie aiitiimn of thi' following' year that his snpei'ior ]»ennitted him
to attempt the execution of a loni;- cherished object. This was
the establishment ol" a mission at the piincipal town of the Illinois,
visited in his re<'ent voyai^c of <liseo\eiy. With this purpose in
view, he, set out on the L'.'>tli of Octobei', 1(>7I, accompanied by
tw(» J''renchmen and a number of Illinois and I'otawatamie Ind-
ians. The lich and \aried tints of autumn w<'re now lapidly
C!han,<rin,;;' to ;i rusty brown, and eiiteriii";' Iial<e Michi.iian, they
i'oiiiid it cold and stormy, l.iitfeted by adverse winds and waves,
it was nioi'c than a month before they reached the mouth of tlu!
<'hica.H'(» I'ivei'. In the meantime .Alarcjuette's disease had returned
in a more malignant form,att«'nde(l by liemorrhajic On ascendiiij;'
the ("liicayo some distance, it was found that his condition was
j^rowin.i;' worse, c(Hnj)eIliii:n' them to land. A hut was erected on
the bank of the river, and here the invalid and the two i"'i'eiiclinieii
pi'cpared to sjieml the winter. As it wore away, the enfeebled
missionai'y was unceasiii;;- in liis sjdritual dexotions, while his
<'omi»anions ol»tained food by shooting- deer, tni'keys and other
jiaiiie in the surrouii<liii,<;' forests. Tin- Illinois fui'iiished them
Avitli coi'ii, and frequently, by their ]»resence and other kindly
atleiitions, ni'catly cheeicd their lonely exile.
.AiarijUette, buruin,u' ^vith the desire to establish his c()ntenii)la-
ted mission before he died, consecrated himself anew to the service
of the. N'ir.iiin, and soon be^au to I'eiiain his strength. l>y the
L!th of Mar<'h, beinj;' able to rec(»mmen<'e his journ«'y, the two
jiwu carried their canoes over the portajic between the Chica.n'o
and I)es]»laines, and connnenced to (h'scend the latter stream.
Amidst the incessant rains of ojieninu' s]>riiij4'. they were rapidly
borne forward on the swollen riverto its junction with tlu' Illinois,
and down the latter to the object of their destination. Here, it is
said, he was viewed as a nn'ssenn'cr from heaven, as he a isited the
wii^wams of the villau'ei's and discoursed of paradise, the Re-
deemer of the woi'ld, and his atoiu'inent for sinfid men. The
o.xcitement at len.i>'tli drew to<>etlier, on tin' i»lain between the liver
and the ]»resent town of Utica, some ."»()() chiefs, and a. j^reat nn-
knowi! >i.iicoui'se of warri(»rs, women and children. In the midst
of this mnltitude lie exhibit<'(l four larju'c i)ictnres of the Holy
\'ir.uin, ami with nvout earnestness hai-an.uned them on the duties
of Christianity, and the necessity of makingtlieir conduct conform
; I '
I
t
I :
(iO
IIISTOUY OF ILLINOIS.
to its pioccpts. Tlic ;iii<li('iic(' wcir (l<'i'|tl,v iiiipicssi'd willi Iiis
};(»s|»('l tcjicliiiiiis, :iii(l cji^crlv Itcsdinilit liim to i'i'iii;iiii \vi(li tlifiii,
ii icciiicst wliicli Ills liisl wniiiii;;' si relict li it'iidcictl it iiiipussiltlc
to jiiaiit.
I'iiKliiij; he imist Iciivc, tlic Iii(li;iiis ^ciwioiisly I'mnislicd liiiii
uitli iiii t'scort to the hike, on wliicli lie ciiiltiiikrd witli liis two
t';iillitiil :itlt'ii<t:iiits. Tli(',\ tiinit'il llicir caiiocs in tlif diicction of
tile mission on the striiit of .Mackiiniw, wiiicii tlic iiftlirlt'tl mis-
sionary liopcil ro ivacli ht'forc lie (lied. As tlicy coasted alonutlio
caslcrn sIkuc, adxanriny Mav li(';4an to dt'ck tin- foicsi with licr
\crnai hcanties, but tin' eyes ot' the d,\iiij4' priest were now too
dim to lieed tlM>m. On tlie I'.MIi of tlie inuiitii he conM '^o in*
faitlier. wlien, at his re(|nest, iiis tw(» friends ian(h'd and Itnilt ii
Inil. into wiiieh In- was eaicfnily cdnveyed. Aware tliat lie was
lapidiy appntaehin^' his end, in', witii j;reat eom]»osnre. uave
dii'eeli«»ns eonceiniiii;' his Inirial, and tlianked (iod that he was
|)ermitied to die in tin- wilderness an nnsliakeii believer in the
faith which he had so de\ otcdly preached. At ni.uht he told his
weaiy allendanis to rest, and when In- found death ai)pr(>acliin}4'
he A'ould call them. At an early honr they wen^ awakened by a
feeble voice, ami hastening' to his side, in a few moineids he
breathed liis last, j;raspin;;' a crtmilix, and mnrniurin>;' tin- nanu'
of the Nir^iii .Mary, ilavin^i' buried his remains as directed, his
trusted companions hastened to .Mackinaw, to aum)unce the sad
news of his demise.
Three years afterward, a i)aity of Oltawas, huntinn' in the vi-
cinity of his juruve, deterndned, in accctrdance with a custom of
the ti-ibe, to cany Ins bones with them to their honu' at the nus-
sioii. llavin,n' opened the inra\-e and carefully cleaned them, n
funeral jtroccssion of .'!0 canoes bore, them toward .Mackinaw, the
Indians sinj;in<4' the sonj^s which he had tau;;lit them. At the
shore, near the nussion, the sacred relics were recei\('<l by tlu^
l)riests, and, w ith the solemn ceremony of the church, deitosited
mider the tiour of the rude chapel.
('ii.M'TKK VI r.
KXPLOKATIONS I5Y I.aSALLI:.
"NVc^ must now turn iVoiii Aliir^incftc. wli().s(' yrciif piety, (Micijiy
'.111(1 st'lt'ilniiiil iiiiidc liiiii :i iiMiih'l ul' tlif ni'dcr to uliicli lie Itc-
loiiiicd, iiiid !i!;jiiii iiitiodiicc LiiSidlc on llic stiij^c of acticMi. Tlio
|»r»\ioiis xoviinc liJid well ni^li cstMlilislicd tlic fiict llint the Miss-
issippi discliiiii;<'d its Wiitcrs into tlif (lull' of Mexico; yet he ;mi(1
oMiers now enleitiiiiied tlie opinion tliMt some of its j:reiit tviitii-
tiiries mi^lit nHonl ii direct |i;iss;i^c to tlie Pm'ilic. it was the
jii'Ciit jnohlen) of the a;;'e to discover this pMssa;;('. and liaSallii
]ii'oposed not only to sohcit l)y exjilorini;' the ^reat ri\erto its
month, Imt to erect a fort on its ontlet, and tints seenre to l-'rancc
the j)(>ss('ssio" of its valley, To fnrthei' his oltject, he fiained llio
intluence and sn]t|)ort of l-'rontenae, and induced some of tho
Canadian merchants to become i»arlneis in the adNcidiMc.
yurt Froiitcnac. — Tin' new uoveiiH)!' had no sooner Iteeii installed
in olli<e, than, with eaji'le eye, he snrveyed the icsoiirces of Cana-
da, and ]»repared to ji'et tln'Ui nmlrr Ins control. LaSalle Innl
inlornu'd him that the Mniilish and Irocpiois were intri;.;nin,i;- w itli the,
Intlians of the npper laUes to indnee them to hreaU their ])eaco
with the Frencii, and transfer their trade in ]»eltries from M(»u-
tieal to Xew York. Partly to connteract this design, and in part
to monopolize the fnr tracle for his own heiietit. he determined to
Iniild a fort on Lake Ontario, nci-.r the site <»f the present city of
Kingston, Ticst lie shonid excite the Jcalonsy of the merclnints,
he yave out that he oidy intended t(» make a lonr lo the uppei' part
of the colony, to look alter the Imlians. Ilcinjii witliont snilicient
means of his own, he retpiired the nu'rchant- to fnrnish each ii
certain number of men ami canoes \\w the exjicdition. When
spring' open<'d, he sent LaSalle in advance to summon the Iroquois
sachems to meet at the site of the proposed fort, while he followed
at Ills leisure. In olx'dieiice to his call, the chiefs arrived, and
were nuich ideased with the attentions shown them l»y the .li'ov-
ernor. Flattered by his blandishments, and awed by his audacity,
they suffered tln^ erection of the fort, which was called Frontenac,
after its founder. The ji'overnor writes : " With the aid of a ves-
s«d now bnihiinj:", we can comnnintl the lakes, keep jtcace with the
Ir(t(pn)is, and cut off the fnr trade fr(»m the JMijilish. With
another f(nt at Niagara, and a second vessel on tln^ river above,
Avc can control the entire chain of lakes.'' These far-reachinji,"
views accoi'ded well with the sehenu's of LaSalle, who-was shortly
afterwards emi)loyed in reducinj; them to ])iactice. The erection
of the fort Avas in violation of the kind's re<>idati(nis, which re-
quired the fur traders of Canada to carry on theii' trade with the
(57
''t !i
4
08 HISTORY OF ir.T.lXotS.
I !
Iiidiiiiis witliiii tin- liniits of lli«' scttlciiM'iits. In \ icw. Ii(»\v('si'i', nt'
its ;^l'Cill im|Mil'tilli('<' lis il liiciilis til' (Irfclicc il;;ilili>l llii' IroqNtils. ;i!l
l(>;^;il (ilijt'ctioiis \\fi'«> \\iii\ <'(l, :iii*l |iro\isioii wiis iiiiMh' lo iiiiiiiiliiiii
it. It iilsn st'ivcd iis a sirppiii;; sloiic lor its siil».-,c<iiiciit nwiicr to
iii;iU»' otlifriiinl ;;i«'!it<'i- west waul strides in tln'caiisc of discovery.
Ill 1(171, i.aSalle \ isited I'laiiee to petition the Uiii;; tor the rank
ol' iiol>ilily, aiid to negotiate with iiiiii lor a ;:i'aiit in seij;ll(.r,^ of
tile new tort and ad.jaeeiit lands. Asa eoiisideratioii for the lat-
ter, lie ii;;reed to reiininirse hiiii I'orwliat it had already cost to
niainlain in it an adei|nate ;^ari'isoii. and provide lor the spiiiliial
wants of tiie selllenieiits that ini;:hl ;:allier alioiit it. Mis |ielitioii
was yniiited. and heretiiiiied to Canada the propiietor of one ol'
the most \aliiaWle estates in the province. His relatives, plea.sed
with his llallerin;;' prospects, advam-cd him lari^c suiiis of inoiicv,
which enaliied liiiii to coiriply with his a;:reeiiieiit. Ilesides I'lir-
iiishiiii; the stipulated military and clerical forces, and providiti;;
a chapel for the latter, he liiiilt four small decked vessels to cair.v
trei.L;lil lo the head of the lake, u hither he next expected t<» ad-
vance. A jieiiod <»f mere than three years now succeeded, in
which all Caiiiida was rent with civil fends. .Mtercatioiis spran;^
lip lietweeii rival traders ; .lesiiits and Ifccollets were einhit Icred
l»y dissensions, and the civ il ant horilies liecame corrupt, and eii-
}>ii;^ed in iiitrijuiies, attended with the ;;reat«'st acrimony. It was
impossihie for a person of LaSalle's proininciice to avoid Itccomiiiin
a mark for the shafts of those who dilfered with him in o|iiiiioii
and interest. As soon, however, as he could extricate himself
from the Jarrin;; tactions, he a/iiiin visited France, to obtain the
recojiiiition and support of the ;i()V('riiiiient in his contemitlaled
iindertakiii;^'. His oliject heiiij^ regarded with favtir by the minis-
ter, he was aiithori/ed to proceed with his discoverii's, and occupy
tlie new found countries by the erection of forts, while, in lieu of
other sujiport, he was granted a monopoly in ItiilValo skins, which,
it was believi'd, would be a source of ;;reat wealth. His relatives
much' additional advances of money, and in July, 1(!7S, \w sailed
with.'Sd men and a laij^c siijiply of iinplements for the const met ion
and oiitlit of vessels. After a prosperous voyaj^c he arrived at
(Quebec, and pro(X'eded tlieiUM' up the river and lake to his
seijiiiory.
Amoiiii' file eiii]»loyes lie had broiijilit with him was an Italian,
named Henri Toiiti. who had lost one of his hands by the exi>lo-
sioii of a {grenade in the Sicilian wars. Not withstrindinn- the loss
of his hand, and a constitution naturally feeble, his indomitable!
Avill made him su]»erior to most men in |>liysical endurance.
J'lcsides these (lualities, so valuable in the pioneer, he possessed ii
fidelity which neither iidversity nor th(^ intrijiue.s of enemies <roul(l
swerve from the interests of his employer.* On his way tliroii,i;h
(^nel)ec, he also obtained the services of yi. Laiiiotte, a person of
much eiierjiy and intej^ity of character, but not 8o etlieient an as-
sistant as Tonti.
Ainonji' the missionaries who becaine associated with LaSalle in
his future exi)lorations, may be mentioned Louis Hennepin, (labriel
Itibourde and Zeiiobc Membre. All of them were Fleminjis, all
♦!lis fiitlicrliMil hi'L'ii rovei'imr of (raotii, hut lli'il ti> Krunoe to escape tlio jiolitienl
oniiviilsi()ii>< of 111-* iiiitivo coiiiitry. If e wiis nil sible iliiiuiuler, iiud won UistiuctiDii as
the inventor of Tontine Life liisuninoo.
I.AHALLK.
00
IN'coIlcts, lull ill other i» >|m'cIs din't'iciit. II('tiiM'|tiii, in ciirlv litV',
read witli iiii\\cii."it><l ilt'li;;lil tin- ixh t'litiiii's itt' tiiiv t'lt'is, mimI I'clt
ii iHiniiiiK' <l<'sir»'. lo visit slrjiii;;)' liimis. Vifldiii;; to liis niiiii;;
piiNsioii, lie .-.I'! out on a io\ in;^ mission lIii'on;;li Ilollinul, wIhtc In)
«'\|»os('(l liinisfir in trt'nrlM's and scij^cs lor tin- sanation of the
M>ldicr. I<'indin;;, at lcn;>'tli, Ins old inclination to ti'a\'('l rt'tnininji;,
lie ol>tainfd |>ci mission of Ids snitciior to \ isit Anu'iica, wImti', iu
armi'dann' with Ids wandi-rin;;' piorliv itv, hr lircanic (■oniifcltMl
villi till' adventures of LaS 'c. In this capacity lie won distinc-
tion as an cNplorei', hut altei..ai'ds tarnished his reputation with
lalse pretensions. K'il»oiii'(ie was a hale and cheerriil old man of
l)\ years, and ihoii^li possessing;' I'ewer salienl points <it' chaiaetei'
than lleniiepin, he ,ur*'idly excelled liiin in purity of lil'e. lie rc-
iioiinced station and '.':!S(> tor the privations o!' a missionary, and
at h'st was stricken down Ity the parricidal hand of those he fain
Mould have heiielite«l. Meiidirc, like I leiinepin, is accused ol' \ anity
and falsehood, lie must, howi'vei", have possj-ssed redeeiiiinj;
traits, I'oi- he Ion.;- remained the faithful companion of LaSalle,
ami liiially peiisiied in his service.
On arriviiii; at the tort, LaSalle sent 1.") men with merchandise
to Lake .'Michi.uan, to trade for furs. Aftei'disjtosinn of tlie;;oods,
tla-y weie insliiicted to proceed with the haiti'icd coinmodilics to
Illinois, and there await his arrival, 'i'he next step he hoped to
liialie ill liis westward pioi^ress was the erection (d" a fort at the
month of the liver Nia;;aia. lie tlioii;;lit if he coidd control this
];cy to the chain of lakes al)ove, he could also contiol the Indian
trade of the inlei-ior. I'or this piii'iiose, l,aMotte and lleiiepin,
uirh I(» men, on the IStli of November, emharked in one of tin!
•small vessels which lay ;it the fort, and started for the month of
the river. l»etaided by adverse winds, it was not till the filii of
December that they reached their dest ination and etfected a land-
in;^. Here they met with a band of Seiiecas from a nci.i^hborin;;"
villa;j;e, who i;azed ii|»on them with cnrions eyes, and list<iieil with
•il'eat wondej'ineiit to a soii.i; which they siiny in honor of their
.sale arrival. AN'hen, however, the erection of a foil was coin-
liii'iK'cd, tlu'ir snrprise <ia\e way to Jealoiisy, and it became iieces-
.sary lo obtain the consent of the cliiefs before llie work could !m3
<'omj)Ieted. \\itli this object in view, LaMotte and Hennepin,
loaded with jjii'seiits, sot ont to visit the ]»riiicipal town, s'lnatecl
near the sit<' of IJochestcr, New Vorl<. Arriviiiu tliitln". fter ji
j(»iiiney of ."» days, they wei'e i'eceive<l by a committee o!' ;._ chiefs,
to whom lln-y made known their object. La^Molte distributed
jiifts aiiM)n.n' the clTu'l's with a lavish hand, and by means of his
inlerpr«'te)', used all the tact and eloiineiice of v» liicli lie was inas-
t( r to ;j;iiui their consent lo the erection of the foil. They readily
received the ;;ifts, but answered the interpreter with evasive ^cii-
t'lalities, and the embassy was coiii]ielIed to ictiii'ii without a
definite rejdy. In the meantime LaSalle and Tonti, who had been
delaine<l in |trocnrinj;' sii]>plies foi' the new settlement, arrived.
They had also encountered unfavorable winds, and LaSalle, aux-
icais to liasien forward, entrusted one of his vessels to the pilot,
■«vho, disi'enardinnhis instructions, sutfereil her to becoiiu' wrecketl.
The crew escaped, bnt with the exee]»tiou of the cables ami
anchors inteiidi'd to be used in bnildin.t;' a slii]) above the cataract,
the car^o was lost. JjaSalle, who was nunc than an (udiuary uuis-
70
lll,'|(.i;s (.1 ||J,|\(»IM,
III ()(■ liiili;iii <li|il<»iii;i('\ . ii<\l \i.|li'(l (lie Sciicciis, ;iiiil |i;uliiilly
<llll.lilll-<| lli^ |('l|ll<->l. Ill lil-ll ol III!' loll, he VMM jK'l mil li-i| lo
Mfrl :i Uiin'linii,><'. 'I'lii- Uii-, i<»iii|(lc|« d, :iimI ii-fij iis ;i iliclli r lor
till' liK'ii (liiriii;/ llic r-iiMlili;4 u ilil <-r, :i ii<l :i ili'jMr>ilor,\ I'oi iiii-r
(•li:iii<li ■•<• ill lii-' -iil(^cr|ii(iil I i.iiMiicI ion ' on lin- !;ikc,^.
riir <ii iljiii. A iiiorc\il,il <-oii -kIm.iI ion, :ini| llnil \',lii(li iir\l.
cU'^:tlJ.i-<\ llii' ;ill<nli<tn ol !,;iS:ill<-, \\;l^ llic liiiihliii;.; of ii \(> « I on
I lie lis <-r. '11 M- jMiiiil (IimIciI loi llii- |iiii|)o-i- u;i-s on I he iM^t -idi*
ol IJM- ri\i-i. ;il llii- inoiilli ol (';i\ii;si <'ri<l>.<i iiiilc- ;ilio\c (lie
(•.il;ir;i<'l. 'IIm- incn si i iiv;.'!''! nji llic -Ic(|) lii:.'lil ;il)os< l,(\\i lou
Uilli llif n<'C(->-;ii\ (•(|iii|.in(iil -, iiiiii on llic :."J(| ol ,l;;iiii;il\ , Kii'.t,
('iiliinicnci'il llic Lilioiion l;i L ol cai i) iiiv llicin lo IIk point.
Hclcclcd. -onic r: iiiiici <li l;iiil. .\iii\iii;.' I li il In i . 'I on 1 1 iinincilj
iilc|\ coiiiiiicnccd Ihc lii-K ol IpiiiI'Iiii;.' llic \i'-cl, \'.liilc l,;i,S;i||(i
l'cliirii<-<l lo Iroiilcinic. lo icphicc the loic^ uliicli lijil liccn lo>|,
in llic l;iKc. .\ol w il ji>l;iinliii;j llic nlN inpl ol' liii' Scnccii'- |ti Imiii
llii' \ c.^M'l iis .>lic ;jic\s on llic -locli ■., ill line lime \|ic \\;i ^ lini 'Inil
iiml rc;ii|\ lo hiiincli. 'lite lirin^j; ol' cniinon Jiinonnccil iicii-oiii'
|ilclioii. iinil ;i> l'ic men clnmicil a .son;; in honor ot I heir .>iii-cc .s,
:ilii| Ihc lliiliiin- -hlieil ;il the no\e| 'Ivill, .lie ^'Kieclnlh [.'hijiil
oiil on llic \\;ilci.^ ol' Ihc .\ i;i;j;ir;i. hniinji Imt coii--I iiii| ion, llic\
ucic i^icalJN aiiiiizeij at the \t\i-. ol Ihc hii.vc inoiiilci-, l»nl now
llie\ looKcil >\illi increa.^cil .-.nr|»iiM' at Ihc ^'iiin iiin//,le,s of ."» <mii-
iion looKiii;^ lliroii;ili In-r |iorl hole , ami a hii;.M- eicaliiie, |iail lion
ami |iarl ca;j;le, laiAcil on the |no\\. The ti;. nic ua- a iJiiHin,
al'lci' wliii'li llic \csscl uas naineij, in jionor ol I li<- arinoiial licat'
iiiys <»r IVonlciiae. She wa.- taken I'liil her n|» the ii\cr, w here i Ik*
men sn|)|tlici| hci wiih ii;;;.'in;i. ami 'I'oiiti anxionsly avvailcii iIk'
ariisal of LaSallc 'l'hi> iliij not occur till .Xnyiii, he liasin^;. iii
the ineaiiliinc. Iiicn ilelained l»\ (iiiaiicial ilillii all ie •>, vK'^^il'^r ••Hi,
ol'llie allciii|il ol cncinics lo in jnie III ■ I'll dil . He liioirdit uilU
liiin iiilioiii'de and Meniliie, to |ire;ieh the I'ailli anion;; tin liilics
ol' tlid west, which he nou |»;o|io>.-d lo \\\{.
To dcCcr tin- <'nter|iii,sc loii;;ei-, uonld l»c lo dclent il, and on tin*
Till of Aii;;iist, HiTM, till' \(tya;^ei'- eiiiliaiKcd. 'I'iic cMcuded .sails
of their lillle rral't catehiiiv. iln- Itrcc/.c. Iioic hcrsalclv out on Ihc
lio.som of l/ilvc i'irie. .Never Itel'oic had licen |ii.-iiiicil in its
waters the iiiia,!L'.e ol' lint leriii;/ caiiv a -. ami to llic<liiHin l«-lon;4H
tlie honoi' ol' lii-l coiiisiii;^ tin- lii;.diwav uliii-Ji is now whileneil
with I he sails ol' smh an e\|ciiilcd coiiimcice. .Mtct a )iio.-|)cioiis
vo\a;^e lip the lake, tjiev cnlcrcd the iJelioil. and |»as-ed on cacli
bank a jiieasant HMc«'CMsion ol' |iiaiiie- and I'on'Sts, alive witli
piiiie. 'I'lie men |ea|)ei| a-lioie, and ^ooii the decks of the < ii illiii
were Ktrew n w il h the dead liodie> ol'dcei , tnrkev > ami hear-, npou
whose llesli llieeievv feasted W'lli the ;'reatesl reii>li. A •cendiny;■
I-ake St. ("lair ami the rest of ih" strait lliey entered I,ake nnroii,
which ap|»ear<'d like a vast mirror ■ct ma I'raiite fantastic w itii
ror-ks ami verdure. So oiiie and Iraiisparenl were tlie waters,
llie lisiion llic pclililed liollom lie|o\' seemed the onlv inlialiitant.s
of earlli, w liii<- their litlle hark Moated like a .loml in inni air
aliove tliein. .\t liisl tlie vova,;jc was piospcioii-. Mini islet after
islet loomed n|» licfore tliem, which the strange iniia;;!- of tlie,
waters converled into iinye 'I'ritons .slaikin;^ rapidly l»v, ami di.sap-
)ii ariii;4 in I he di-lame In hind. Soon. Iioucvcr, tlieliiecze lieforn
whieli tiiey moved iresiiciicd into a ^ali^ and at last Itecame an
i.ahai.m;.
I
iiW/yy Iciiipcisl, (%n\H\l\n lln* ^iTiih-nl ;il;iriii. All Iril In |)i;i,\ iii;^ cs-
• •i|.l liii' |(iiol,s\lio w;iri iii<;ciiw<| ;il ilic idcji ol i;^ii<tlil.\ |iiTi^liiiiy
III iIh- hiki-, Jil'liT li;i viii;^ hn-iiMid llic .^loiiiii :iiiil \soii tin- Ikhioi.s
(iT llic oi'ijiii. I.;iS;illc ;iinl llic iiiiirs cvoLi-ij Ijii- ;ii(| ol' Si. An-
lli<iii\ III l':i(lii:i, 'A lioiii IIk'V <l)'<'liii'<-i| llic |i;ili<iii oIIIh < \|ii'ilil iuii,
:iiiil jHoiiii.^i'il ii <')i;iji('l ir III'. SMiiiM i|i-li\i-i' till III lioiii llii- ili-MHir-
iii;.' \\;i\i'.>. 'I'lic h;iiiil, il i> s;iiil, iiii-i\\cic<l tlicii- |)i;i\cr-; lliir
liillow lo.s.scd liOhOMi of IIh- i;il.c lici'Jiiiif Hiiil, jiikI till- (irilliii imln
iiilolJK- hlriiils 111' .MiicKiiKi w iiiiiniuiril. A .saliili- of cmiimou :iii
iiii(iiii;im| I lirir ;irj'iv;il ill, llic .livsiiil iiiii'^io/i, wlicic||n\ cMccii d ;i,
);i inline, ;iiii| Jiiiiiic(|i;ilc| y ii)i;iirci| In I he c|i;i)ic| lu nlli r I li;iiil. s lur
(lii-ii iiciiil i|ili\ ii;iiii'i-.
lliiCj MiiiliT llii- li;ii|ii\V III' IIm- <rii^-i, llic Mdiiiic nl' iii:i nnnuii
iiiiil iicrlril :i li:i/.,'iiii' loi' lli<- lur lr:iiic, uliidi tlicv c:iiiici| im ujlli
or williniil II liicii-ic, ;is l»c;sl Miitcd llnii iiiliicslN. All ol' llii-iii
Inol ( d i'. 'I II jc;il()iis c_\cN ii|iii;i i,;iS;illc, lull ii|iciily cxlnidcij ;i vvcl-
riiiiic lo liiiii, tli;il llicv iiii^dit ;illii,\ mi '|iiiiiiiis ic.-.|icil m .; IJicii'
hccicl i|csi;4ii< ii!-'iiiii>l liiri ciilci)iiiic. Willi iiiul i\ <m III I Ic l»ct l< r,
IIk' liiili;iiis .sididi'd liiiii uilli it volli-v of iiiiiskcl j'\ . ;iii<l -nun
.■swiiniicd III ('iiiioc.s ;ii(»iiiid llii' < ii illiii, w liidi I lic\ cidlcd :i l|(i;iliii;.'
Jnil.iiiid c\idcii|j\ jcyiudcd ij uilh ;;n;ilci rmiti ii\ lliiiii ;.'(nid
«ili. Nnl niilv llic /csidi-iil.s wc/c ,s'crcll\ liuililc, lnd il .-oon ;i|t-
jic.ijcd lii;il llii null men li:id Jiiuvcd lic;ic|iciiiiis. Mn-I ol' tlin.i*
III li;id . till ii|i llic hikes willi liici'(di:iiidi.-sc jiiiij Mild il :iiid l.< |il
liic jniiiccdi, in,.|c;id ui' i^n'tiiu. uilli llniii, ;i.s diicdcd. In llliiinis.
liiiS.iilc iiirolcd i'niir nl' llic/ii ;it ,\Iiichiii;iu . ;iiid mhI 'I'nnli In i he
.Sir.iil.s 1)1' iSl. .M;ii'\ iillir I w n nl ini,-. whnin in- ;ilsn ..iieci eded in
• ■iijiliiJiii;^^.
y\.s /-nnn iis'lniili iiliiiiied, I,;i,S;illc weighed iiinlinr ;iiiil .died
lliinii.'^li llic .Slr;iit.s inlo hiiKc .Mie|iii;;iii, iind i.indcd ;il ;.ii i I .ml
Jiciij- I he cut III nee of (ijceii l>;iy. i I ere he uiis neciv ed \\ il li ;^reiil.
lin,-']iil;i)il> h,\ :i i'olii \v:il:tiiiie eliid', ii/id md with :i niiiiilier nl' his
liiidcrs, wlin, unlike Ihc olhers, h:id r;iitlilidl,s di.-|in.Mi| nl' his
^nndsiind enlleiUd ;t hir^e, (jiniiilil.v nll'Ms. lie iil nnee n-Mihcd
Jo send ilieiii, uilh nllie|-s he liiid colledcd on llie \\;i> In Ni;i;;;iiii,
i'nr the III /idit of lii> eicdiUns. Siidi ;i I iiiiisiid inn Uii-- nnl mil hnr
JZ'd li\ his liieii-.c nl' diseiM c)_\, \d Ids will uiishiu, :iiiil d<,|)ile,
I lie jiioUv^t III' his rnllnwer.S, llic I'lll-H wcie e;iiliei| ;iiin:iid I he (uif-
iiii. 'J he pilot, jirici' <Jis)iosin}; of Ihc <':ir;;ii, \\;is inliiided lo
rdiii'Ji uilli her to the mi'. 'hern .shore ol' the hike. I Icr liiiinons
thiiiidereil i'oilli il |iiirlin;.: .siiliile, iiiid mioii tli«- little hiiik nidtcd
out nl' si^lit in the ili>lnncc. IjiiSiillc, with the leniiiiniii;; iiien,
iinw cinliiirked in ciinnes, hidcn with ii I'lir^c, tools iind ;inii.>;, :ind
htiirtcil lor the nioiith of l!ic St. .Iii-e)ih. I id'orl iiiiiite!;. , ihcy
round the jiikc hiokcn uilh eniist;iiit stnniis. uliidi riei|iH'>:! i\ im-
pcrilcil tlicir own lives iind niiide them Ircmlilc ioc the jiitc nl the
(iiillin. .Mler il Inii^ \ ii,\ ii^c, in uhidi llie\ siiU'eied iiindi liiini
liiird.diip iind hunger, llie\ iiiri\c<i iil their dcstiiiiil ion. Here
Hiey cx|»e<d<'.d lo iiicci williToiiti ;ind tucntv ol' the nun uhn
Jd't .Miidviliiiw siinilltiilieoisly .,itli the (irillln, cxjicdin;.' lo iiiiike
tlieir «ii_v iiloii^f the t- •'*. n mIioic ol' the hike. .Mti-r wiiitiii;;
Home time in Viiiii tor iiiriMil, those who liiid enme with |,ii-
»Siill<' iiij^'cd ii)iiin liiiii llic necessity of iinsltin;^ Iniuiird to oliliiiii
corn I'lnm the lllinnis lidore they dcpiirted lor llieii' u inter hunl-
iiiK groiiinls. He decided it iinuise to j;riint tlicii leipiesi, iind, lo
72 IIlSTOllY OV ILLINOIS.
divert tlicir iiiinds IVoiii the subject, eomiiieiieed llie erection of ii
lort. Alter l;d)oriii,u' some twenty d;iys, and the structure was
far ad\aiiced. Tout i and ten of his'coiiipauiims arrivi'd. At tiui
instance of LaSalie lie immediately went back with two men to
hasten torward the others, win* were witliont ]»r()visious, and hmit-
in.y as a means of support. On their way a \iolent storm overset
their canoes- and destroyed tiieir ]>rovisions, and tliey were c(»in-
pclU'd to return. Shortly after, of their own accord, the absent
men made tlicir way to tlie fort, and the entire party was ayaiu
united, 'fiie only care wliicii now o]ti)ressed LaSalU' was the ab-
sence of the (iiiftin. .Vmple time had elapsed for her return, l»ut
nowhere on liie wild solitude of waters was lie clie( red with the
si,ulit of a sail. K'ncful forcbodin,i;s sa<ldened his breast when lie
tliou;;lit of her fate, aiiil two men were sent down the lake, with
instructions to conduct her to the mouth of the St. .Joseph, in casci
they wei'c able to lind her. The fort was linislied and nained
]Miami. after a neij^IilMtrin,^' tribe of Indians.
W'idiout further delay, on the; od of December, 1(>7!>, the |»arty,
numbering' .'».'! persons, c(»mmencc<l ascendin<i' the St. .h>sepli.
Already tiie inar.iiins of the sticain were .ulassed with sheets of ice
and the adjacent forests were .lii'ay and bare. Four days broimht
them to the site of South ISeiid, to look for the path leading;' at-ros.s
the jiortajie to the Kankakee. A Mohe<;'an iiuuter, who accoinjta.-
]iic<l tlie expedition, and who was n(»v- expect«'<l to act as a j;iiide,
■was absent in (piest of.j^ame, and LaSalle sallied forlh to tiud tlie
way. In the blinding' snow and tangled avoovLs he soon becaiiK^
lost, and the day wore away without his return. Toiiti, becoitiin.u'
alarmed for his safety, sent iiieii to sciair the forest and tire uiins
to direct his course to the camii. It was not. hoivever, liii ilie
next afternoon that he made his appearaiwe. 'I'wo opossums daii-
ji'h'd in his .yii'dle, which he had killed with a club, while siispcinhd
l»y their tails from oNcrhanuini;' bou,i;hs. After iiiissinji' his way,
he was compelled to make tlie circuit of a larj^c swamp, and it was;
late at nij^ht before he ^(»t back to the river. Here he tired 'is
yun as a siyiial, and soon after, discoveiin}.>a lijiht, made up to it,
supposinji' it came from the camp of his men. To his sur|)rise it
proved to be the lonely bivouac of some Indian, who lia<l lied at
the report of his j^nii. lie called aloud in several Indian tonmics,
but only the levi'iberations of his voice in the siirroiindiniL; soli-
tude met his ear. Lookin;;' around, he dis(;overed under the trunk
of a huii'e tree a coiu'li maih' of dried jivass, still '■ '.rm ami im-
pressed with the form <d" its recent occui>ant. He took possession
and slcjit unmolested till moriiinji', when, without further ditilicnlly,
he found his way to cam]). Meanwhile, the ^lohejraii hunter Iiail
arrived, and soon the whole ])arty stood on the banks of the Kan-
kakee, coiirsinu its way in /.i,iL;-zaj;s amonj^' tufts of tall <iiass and
clumi>s of alder, into its curn'iit, which a tall man niijiht easily
iiestride, they set their <'anoet<, and shiwly moved (hiwn its shiic-
gish, slimy waters. So full was its channel that the voyji^crs
seemed sailinsi' on the surface of the ground, while their evening-
shaihiws, unobstructed by banks, fell far beyond their canoes, and
trooped like liufic phantoms alony by their side. \>y and by it
j>rew to a consideral>le stream, from the drainafic of miry barrens
and reedy marshes skirtinji' its banks. Still farther on succeeded
prairies and woodlands, recently scorched by the tires of Indian
LASALLE.
limilci's, iiiid Ik'ic :iii(1 tlicrc (Iccjily sciirrcd witli tlic trails oC luif-
liilo. Ocnisioiiiillv, oil the (list;iiit vci'uc ol" tlic piiiirics, llicy
could sec liidiiiiis in pursuit of tlicsc iiiiiiiiiils, wliih^ at iiij;lit 1li<;
lioii/oii l)hiz('d witii camp tires wiicic tlicv were cookiiij:' and fcast-
iu}X iil'<»" tiK'ir swcctiv flavored meats. LaSallc's .Molie<;an liunter
liad been iiiisiiccessiul, :iiid liis Iiall'-starved men would jiladly
have sliared witli tlie ln<lians tlieir ricli repast. Their wants were
howcNcr niiexpeetediv relieved by the ha])i>y discovery of a lin;ne
bull so deeply mired he was iimtlile to esciipe. So jMtiidei'oiis was
his hu,i;'e body that when killed it re«piired lli men, with the aid
of cables, to extricate him from the mud. K'efreshed with a boini-
til'ul repast, they a^ain betook themsehcs to their canoes, and
soon entei'cd the Illinois, meanderinj;' Ihroiiiili plains of richest \er-
dure. They were then the ]»astiii'e grounds of innumerable deer
and bulValo, but now wondrously transformed into scenes of a,i:ri-
(■nltiiral tliiift. On the riylit they passe<l the liiiili plateau of IJiif-
falo ifoek, loiiii' the fa\diite resort of tiie Indians. Farther down,
on the left, appeared a lofty i)romontory beautifully crested with
tii'es. and soon destined to be crowned with the bulwarks of an
im inclinable fortress. iJelow. on the north shoi'e, stood the priii-
(•ijial town of the Illinois, in which Ilennepiii counted -Kll lodges,
each c(nitainiii,u' from (i t<» S families. These structures were made
of jioles in the foiin of an oblonj;' rectaniilc. Those com])osin;i' the
sides rose ])erpendiciilaily from the ground, and at the toj* were
united in the form of an arch. Others crossing;' these at ri,i;ht
an^h's completed the framework, which was aiterward neatly in-
closed in a <'overiiiji <tf I'lishes. As had been feared by the voya-
<i'ers, tli<' Illinois were absent, and their Nillau'c a \oiceless solitude.
TIk^ pres<'nce of savaji'cs is ot'teii a cause of alarm, but now the
ease was nnersed, for LaSallc desired to obtain from them corn
for his fainisliini;' coni]>aiiioiis. Soon some of his men discovered
lari^'c (plant ities of it stored away in pits, but at lii'st refrained troin
takinji" it, lest they niiylit seriously offend its owners. Necessity,
liowever, jicnerally yets the better of prudence, and they took a
quantity suflicieiit to sujiply their ])i'esent wants, and departed
down the liver.
On the 1st of .laniiary, KiSO, they aj;aiii landeil to hear mass,
and wish each <»tlier a happy new year. I"\itlier Hennepin closed
the exercises by liaranjiuinj;- the men on the importance of patience,
faith and constancy. I'wo days afterward they entered the ex-
]»aiision (»fthe river now called I'eoria Lake, after the Indians who
dwelt upon its banks. Columns of smoke, rising' jiiaeefully fi(»in
the I'orest below, now announced the i»resence of Indians, who,
LaSallc liad reasons to suspect, were averse to his enter) iri.se. Dn-
disniaye<l, they moved (h»wn the lake, which soon nari'owe<l to the
nsiial width of the river, when, just beyond, they discovered some
SO Illinois wiiiwaiiis on the opposite banks. l)r(»ppiiifi' their pad-
dles and sei/inj4' their weaixnis, tin'y were rai)idly bcn-ne toward
the astounded savaj>cs. LaSallc, aware that the lea;t hesitancy
on his ]»art would be construed as fear, Icajied ashore with his lit-
tle band of l''r<'iK'hmen, each armed ami ready for action. Such
andacitv Mas too much, even for Indian heroism. Wonu'ii and
children trembled with fear; brave warri.Ms tied in the utmost
teri'or, but a few of the more bold rallied and made overtures of
peace. Two chiefs iulvauced an<l displayed a calumet, wliii'h La-
.■!i;i
■^1
::^:
74 niRTORY OF ILLINOIS.
Siillo I'cco^'iii/.cd l»,v cxliihitiiii; (iiic olliis (iwii, itiid llic liostil*' (Iciii-
oiistnitioiis tcniiiiiatcti ill I'liiMid.^liii). Next succeeded a reiist,!iiid
A\ Idle some jihiced llie lood in the iiioiitiis ul' tiie Freiiciiliieii. ulli-
crs, will) ui'eat ol)se((Mi(»iisiiess, ^I'eased tlieii' feet Avitli bears" oil.
As soon as LaSalie c(ndd diseiiua^^c hinisell' IVoiii tlicir caresses,
lie iiiloi'iiied tlieiii tliat in descending tiie i'i\ei' lie had \ isited llieir
town and taken cofii IVoin their .uranaries, il«' stated that he had
been forced to the eoniinissioii of tiiis nidawfiil act to save his men
from liiiiij;'ei', and was now ready to make restitution. In e\|»lain-
iii.u' tile object of his visit, lie said he liad come to erect a fort in
their midst, to protect them a.^ainst the iro(|iiois, and to build u
la rji'e canoe in which to descend (he Mississippi to tlu^ sea, and
thence return with ^oods toexclianut' lor their i'wvs. If. however,
tliev did not regard his ]>laiis with fa\(ir, he concluded liy statin;!;
lie would i>ass on to the Osaj^cs, in the jtrcseiU limits of .Missouri,
ami .nive them the l>eiietit of his trade and intlneiice. The allusion
to these Indians aroused tlieii' Jealousy, which had loiii; existed
between the two tribes, and the Illinois readily assented to his
A\ ishes. and were loud in theii' jtrofessions of t'rieiidslii]).
Xotwithstaudiiii;' this auspicious i'ecei>tioii. it soon became evi-
dent to LaSalle that secict enemies were intriunin^ to defeat his
enterprise. Some of his men, dissatislied and mutinous from the
lirst, secretly endeavored t(» foment disallection and ill-will in the
bettei- disposed of his foHoweis. 'I'hey re|uesented to their coiii-
ra(les the folly of lonuer reiiiaiiiiiiii the dupes and slaves ol' a
leader whose wild schemes and imaiirinary hopes ecuild never i>e
I'ealized. AVhat could lie exi»ected. said lliey. after ibllowini: him
to the extreme coiilines of the earth and to remote and dan,i;froiis
seas, but to either miseralily jierish or return the \ictims of dis-
ease and ]>o\('rly. They urycd that the only way to escape these
e\ ils was to return before distance and the waste of streii'^^th and
means I'eiidered it imi»ossible. It was even hinted that it miulit
be best to escape from their jireseiit calamities by the death of
tlu'ir iiutlior: then they nii^iit retrace their steps and share in the
<'r«'dit of what had already been accomplished, instead of fnriliej-
ju'otiactin;^' their labors foi' another to monopoli/e the hoiiois.
Fortunately those who entertained these \ lews were too few in
iiiimbers to reduce tlu in to practice. I'nable to elTect anythiiij^'
Avitli their own countrymen, Ihey next turned to the sava.^ics.
]lavinj;<»btained a secret interview, tliey informed them that La-
tSalle liad entert'd into a conspiracy with the liMxpiois to etVect
their destruction, and that he was now in the country to ascei tain
their streii.uth and build a ibrt in I'liitherance of (his object. They
also said that, while he was ostensibly prepariii>4' to visit I'ort
I'rontenac, liis leal object was to invite th«' Irotpiois to make an
invasion into th' ir connti'y as soon as he was pi^ejiared to assist
them. The Indians, «'ver suspicious and ready to listen to charj;-es
of tliis kind, became morose and reserved. LavSalle, iiotieinji' t heir
altered <lemeaiior, at once suspected his men. and soon obtained
inforiiiati(»ii establisiiiii;^' tlie truth of their peilidy. To r<'m(.\ e the
false iini»ressions, he reminded the Indians that the Hmallness (»t
Ids foice indicated a mission of peace, and not of war: and that
neither |>rudence nor humanity would excr permit him (o form an
alliance with the Iicupiois, whose brutal and rcNenncful conduct
he had always reyai(le<l with horror and delestatitm. His j;reat
LA8ALLE.
scif iiDsscssioii ;iii(l iViiiikiicss. l(»i;('lli<'r with tluM-vidciit tnitlil'iil-
licss of Ills iciiiMi'ks, ('<tiii|)i('t»'lv (li\»'St('(l tli«' s;i\ lilies of siis|ii('i(iii
iind rcsfoicd liiiii to tlicir coiitidciM't'. I'mlkcd in tlicii' clVoits to
iii;ik<' riiciiiics of tlic liidiiiiis. the coiispiiators, ns a lust rcsoif,
soii.ulit tlic life of tiicii' ('iripiovcr. I'oisoii was secretly pliiccd in
Ills food. l>nf fortuiic a.yiiiii ciiiiic t(» liis rescue. l>y the timely iid-
iiiiiiistratioii ol' nii tiiilidote tiie |M»isoii was iieiitiiili/ed, and his iil'e
Avas saved. 'IMiiswasaii a^e of poisoners, and it had not heen loiiy-
since a siinihii' iitteiiipt a.nainst llie life (tf LaSalle had Ix-en made
at l''ort l''i'oiiteiiac.
Hardly had hiiSalle esea])e(l the niaehinations of his own men,
1)efoi(' he Itecaiiie imolved in the meshes of others, with wliom he
sii--!aiiied not e\'en the most remote connection. The new in-
ti-i.Lrnes, LaSalle, in a letter to Coiuit I'^rontenae, atlrilmtes to the
.Jesuit Priest, Allonez, then a missionary amoiiii' the Miainis.
I'erliiiiis LaSalle on account of his |iaitiality for the Kecollcts, or
more likely fearin::,' that the latter, throiiiiih his intlneiice, mi.ulit
hccoiiie more pot cut Ihaii his own order, he sent a .Mascoiitin chief,
called Moiiso, lo excite the jealonsy of the Illinois ajiiiinst him.
They <'ame (Mjiiipped witii itreseiits. which drew to.i;«'ther a ni.i;htly
<'onciave of cliiej's, to whom Monso nnbosomed liis oitject. Ilisiii";'
ill llicir miilst he said he had lieen sentlty a certain l-'i^enchnian to
warn them a;;aiiist the designs of I>aSaIle. lie tlK'ii (lenoni;ced
liiiii as a spy of t he I liMjiiois on his way to secure t he co-opcrat ion
of tribes l)eyoiid the .Mississijipi, with the hope that by a com-
bined attack, to either destroy the Illinois oi' drive them from the
country. In conclusion he added, the best wa,\ to avert these ca-
laniilies was to stay his fai'ther |»ro^ress, by cansiiiii' the desertion
of his men. Ibninj;' thus roused the siisjiicions of the Illinois,
the envoys hnriidly dejiarted, l(\sttliey mi.uht have toconfront the
object of theii' fold aspersions. The next mornin;;' the savau«'s
looked suspicions and sidleii. ^\ jilance sniliced to convince
La8alle that new dillicnlties awaited him, nor was it Ion;;' till ho
ascei'tained tlicir charactei-. A chief, to whom the day before In^
liad uivcn a liitei'al supply of presents, ]irivately informed him of
uhal iiad transpired at the council the jtrecedin^- iii^ht. This
information was <'onHrmed by what occurred at a teast, jiiveii
short 1> aitei'ward by a brother of the ]>rincipal <*hiet', to Avliich
LaSallc and his men were iiiviteil. While the repast was in pre-
jiaration their host endeaxored to ]»ersna(le them to abandon tlieir
journey by nm^Hiiifyin^' the dangers which would attend it. lie
informed them that (he object of his imitation was not only to re-
fresh tiieii' bodies luit to )'emo\ e from their minds the infatuation
of farther attemi>tin.i; an errand which could never bo aoooin-
l)lislied. If yon endeavoi' to descend the .Mississi])])i, said he, you
will Iind its banks beset with tiilies whom nc'iher numbers nor
coiiraye can overcome, while all who enter its waters will be ex-
]»osed to the devonrinii' fan;;s of seri»ents and unnatural n)onsters.
Should they avoid these, he added, the river at last boconns a
succession of I'an'inu' whirIp<iols, Aviiich i»Iunm' In'adlon^' into a
storm snutten sea, from w liieh, if they entered, osca]i( would Ik;
im|)ossiltle.
The most of TiaSalle's men knew little of Indian artifice, and
were /greatly alarmed at tin- thoujiht of liavin<; to encounter such
formidable ix'iils. Sonio of the older and nuu'e, oxporioucod eu-
' •!
IT* HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
(Icavoicd to expose tliese iiiisre|»re.s( illations, hut as we sliall
l»iesentl,v see. with only parlial sii<-eess. I.aSalle knew in a iiio-
iiieiit. iVcnii wliat liad iieeii toM liiiii, i n' ol)jeet ol' t in' speaker was
to (leceive liis men and seduce tlicni fntin tlicir alle.uiaiiee. A tier
o\pressiii,i>- ]iis tliaiiks for tlie timely waniiii,u-, lie replied as
follows ;
"Tlir u:rc;itcr tlic (iMiiLicr tlu' ifrciilrr \\\r luuior; mid i vcn if ilic ilanu-fi' Wivo.
rciil, II I'^rciulmiaii would luvcr \k- iilVaid lo iiic( t il. JJiit wire iiol tin- llliiiuis
jridiiiis? Had tiny imt Iiccii deluded hy lies? We weiv iml .'isleep, my hri'lliei',
w lieii >roiiso cMiiii' to tell yon, under cover of iiiulit. thai we were spies of the
Iloi|iioi^. The l>resellts lie "jjave yoil, t hut- you niiullt belli ve his fidsidioods,
iire ill Ihls iiiomenl buried In the earth under this lodji'e. If he lold the irutli
why did he skulk away in the <laik:-' W'hydid he not show liiuiself Ity davV
Do you not sei' thai when we lir>l eaine ainoni;' you, and your ('ani|) was all in
confu-'ion, We ('ould have killed you wilhoui iieediiii;- help from llie Iro(|nois,
iind now while 1 am sprakiiu', could we iiol put, your old men lo death, while
yt)ur youiiir warriors are all u'one away to liiinl. If we imant to make war
(Ml yoii, we should m'cd no help from the lre(|unis, w ho ha\i' so often fi li thu
fore<' of our arms. Look al w hat w< have lirou<;lil you. ]| is i ol wi apon^ lodis-
stroy ymi, but merchandise and tools for your jfood. If you still harbor evil
tiiouiihls of us, be i'vnwk as we areand speak them boldly. (Jo afler Hie iiu-
posti-r, .Moiiso, and brini;- him back Ihat we may answer him faci' to face; for
lie never saw either us or the Iroipiois anil what<Mn he know of the pints hu
jucleiids lo reveal '/ "
Tiie savajiC orator, too mneli astounded at these disclosures to
attem]»t a reply, ordered the feast to proceed.
LaSallf, siis))ieioiis of danii'ei', tlie niyiit after the feast stationed
sentinels near the lodges of the French to watch the iiio\ eiiieiits
of their recent eiitei'taiiiei's. The ni^ht passed without distnrh-
ance. and at early (hiwn he sailed tortli to tiiid. that instead of
Matcliiii,u' the enemy. <> of his men had iiasely deserted. Diuilit-
less, ill part to escajic the imauiiiaiy daii;;ers already alluded to,
but mostly on account of ]>revious disaffection, they had aiiaii-
doneil their employer at the time when he had the liieatest need
of their services. LaSalle asscmiiled the remainder, and spok<' in
severe terms of the liaseiu'ss of those who iiad left him. '• If any
one yet remains, " he continued, " who from cowardice desires to
I'etnrn. let him wait till sprin.u', and he can tiieii uo without the
stijiiiia of ilesei'tioii. " One of the i»rincipal dilliciilties alteiidino'
tlie early I'lcncli entcr]»rises of the West was to procure trusty
iiieii. The wilderness Wiis full of va^ahond hunters who had lied
from the discipline of cixilized life, and now exhiliilcd an extreiiio
of lawlessness ]iro])ortioned to their pre\ious jcstiaints. Tlieir
I'reedom from care, and immunity fr<uu the (•o*nse(|nences of crime,
rendered them a ]ierpetual lure to entice others from the duties of
lej^itimate emi>loyment.
Fort Vreccraurc. — LaSalle, wearied with these dilliciilties, now
determined to erect a fort in which he and his men minhtjiass the
winter without molestation. A site was chosen on the east side
of the liver, a short distances lielow the outlet of the lake. This
Avas the extremiry of a ridu*- approiichiiiy within I'lH) yards <»f the
shore, and i»rot<'cted on each side hy (h-ep ravines. To fortify tlio
hlutV thus formed, a ditch was iXw^ hehiiid to connect the two
raxines. KmliankiiM nts were thrown up to increase the altitude
of the dirt'erent sides, and the whole was surrounded with a ijalisade
li.") feet in lii.iiht. The work was completed hy erectiuj.;' within
the enclosure hiiildiiiys for lIu- a«commodation of the men.
LASALI-E.
77
LiiSiillc Itcstowcd (HI it tlic iiiiiiici 'it'x t'cd'ni'.* iiii iii»|»t'll;iti(>ii wliicli
still |M'i|H'tiiiitcs tilt' iiiislortiiiics iiiid disappoiiitiiit'iits ^A' its loiiii-
»l«'r. Tlic Indians rcmaiiicd tViciidi.v, and tlir new tortilicalinii
snltscivcd more liic pniposc of a sanctnaiy tlian a place l\)v the
disciiai'.yc ol'nulitaiv dnty. Ilcnnc|)in prcaclicd twice (in flic Sah-
Itatii, cliantcd \ cspeis, and ic,i;i'cttcd that tlic want o\' wine pre-
vented tlie cclchration of mass. .Meniere daily visited the
Illinois and, despite their tilth and (lis;L;iistin,u' inanners, laltorcd
e;iriicstly, Itiit with little success, lor their spiritual wcllai-e. Siicli
was tlic lirst l''rciicli occupation ol' the Icri'itory now enihraccd iii
the present limits of Illinois. Tlic place of this ancient fori may
still Itc seen a shoit distance below the outlet of I'eoria Lake.
]''or years after its erection the country around the lake remained
the home of sa\ a.ycs, and rich iiasture ;;ronn(ls for herds of deer
and Iinffalo.
Ilitlicrto. LaSalle had entertained some liojie tliat the (.'rilliii,
which had on hoard anchors, li^f^inji', and other neccssaiy articles
r<»r the constrnction of another vessel, mij^lit still he safe llo
proi>osed to hiiild a vessel on the Illinois, freij;lit lier with hulVah*
liides, collected in the descent of the Mississipjii, and thence sail
to the West Indies or I'rance. and dispose of the carjio. Tlic(!rif-
liii. howcNcr, with her much needed stores, ne\'er made her ajipcar-
ance. It was variously helicNcd at the time that she had found-
ered in ;i storm — that the Indians had hoarded and hnrnt lici —
and tl.'at the -Icsiiits had coiitrixcd her dcsti'uctioii. I^aSallc was
of o|)inion that Iier own crew, after r(>iiio\inji' the car;;!) of furs and
nierchandise. sunk her and then ran away with their ill-uotteu
spoils. But the cause of the loss was of little inoment ; they wcrti
^oiic. and thcic was no alternative left LaSalle hut to return to
J''contcnac and .yet others to su])ply their ]>lace. His j^reat anxiety
in coiinectioii \\ith this step was the fear that others of his men
ini.ulit take a(lvanta,n'e of his ahseuce and desert.
While i('\(>lviiij4 this .suhject in his mind, an incident (K'ciirred
which enal>led him to disabuse their minds of the false: state-
ineiifs thc.\ had licaid in regard to the dan.ti'crs of the ^lississippi.
Dining- a hunt in the vicinity of the fort, he chanced to meet with
a yoiinji' Indian who had been absent .some time on a distant war
excursion. Finding him almost famished with hunii'ei, he in\ ite(l
him to the fort, where he refreshed him with a jicnerous meal, and
questioned him with ai)])arent inditferenee respectin'i' the ^Missis-
sippi. ()wiii,n' to his lon^' absence, he knew nothinji' of what had
transpiicd between his countrymen and the French, and, with
preat in,i;('iiuousncss, imparted all the iiifoiination re(piirc(l. La-
iSalle now ^a\(' him presents not to mention the interview, and,
■with ii number of his men, icpaircd to the cam]) of the Illinois to
expose (heir misre[>resentatioiis. Ha\in.y' found the chiefs at a
feast of bear's mci t, he boldly accused them of fidsehood, and at
once proceeded to verify his charjucs. The Master of Life, he de-
clared, was the friend of tiutli, and had revealed to him the actual
charactei' of the .Mississippi. He then jiax'e such an accnrato
ac(M>unt of it, that his astonished but credulous auditors believed
his knowl(Ml<re had been obtained in a snpernatuial manner, and at
once confessed their j;uilt. It was their desire, they said, to have
him renniiii with them, and they had resorted to artifice for tliks
'" Broken hearted. "
lirSTOllY OF TIJvTNOlS.
purpose. Mild not (o do liiiii ;iii,v iiijiii'.v. 'I'liis coiifcssion rciiiovcd
:i priii*-ip:il (Miisc of desertion, and hanislied IVoiii tlie mind of La-
Salle a I'lnitliil source ol anxiety. liCst idleness siioiild hreed new
distui'l>anecs ainon^' Ids men diirin;^' Ids aliscnce, lie set tlieiii at
woi k on tlie new vessel. Some of Ids best carpenters had deserted,
yet eneiiiV supplied tlie place of sUill, and hefore his depai'Inre lui
saw the new craft on the slocks, rapidly approaching' completion.
He also tliou.i^iit that llennepiii mi.u'ht accomplish j; renter results liy
e\|»loriii,u the rpjter .Mississijipi than liy preachiiit: sermons, and
lie was therefore reipiesled to take charge of an expedition for this
]>iirpose. The friai', not wisliiii;^' to incur the dan^^ers of the under-
taking;, plead liodily infirmitN, and endeavored to have one of his
spiiiliial collea,!;'iies appointed in his stead. K'iltoiirde was too old
to endure the hardships, and Memhre. though disgusted with his
clei'ical duties amonji" the Illinois, preferred an iiiiplcasani lield of
labor to one besei with perils, ilcuiiepiii, lindin^ iio alteniatix c hut
toaccepl. with rare modesty and ^reat reliance upon pro\ ideiice,
says: "Anybody but me would have been iniicli much friiihtenccl
with the daiii^crs of micIi a Journey, and in fact, if 1 had not placed
all my trust in (lod, 1 should not liax'c been the dupe of LaSalle,
who exposed my life rashly.." A profusion o\' ,i;ifts was |)laced in
Ids canoe, tf» conciliate the Indians, and on the last day of Febru-
ary, I<IS(», a i»arty assembled on the banks of the Illinois to bid
liim him farewell. I'^ather K'iliourde iii\-oked the blessiiiy- of heaven
o\er the kneelin.n' form of the clciical tra\eler; his two compan-
ions, Accau and l)u(iay. plied their paddh's. and they were sot
concealed from view in the meanderiii,u' cliaiiiiel (jf the river.
m
CriAPTKii 'S'lir.
TONTI'S KNC'OUXTKi; WITH TIIIO 1 F{fK,)I'OrS.
Only two (lays aftcrwanl, aiiollici' partiiij'' occmTcd at tlic ii\«T.
It was MOW I.aSallc's time t<i lii<! adini to tlic sccik's wlit'iv. diiiiii!^
tlir winter, iiis iiioliNcs liad hccii soot'ten iiusrcpicsciitcd and ini-
j)n,iin('d. I.cav iny' Tuiiti in coniinand of tlic tort, ;;aiiisoiM'd w itii
tlirce or lour honest men and a dozen knaves, lie set out Idi' I'ort
J'^rontenae with I'onr men and liis Moiu'^an hunter. whose laithl'nl-
iiess was a |»eriM'tnal reladie to l''reneh liekleness and treachery.
The winter liatl l)een severe, and his i)ro;L;ress np the liver was
j;reatly retarded by driltinj;' sheets of ice. Jicachin;^' I*coria Lake,
the ice was nnliroken from shore to shore, and the party was coni-
]»elled to land and make sledj^cs on which to dra;;' their canoes to
u )>oint in tiie river above, where the swiftness of the cnricnt ke]»t
the channel oiten. Little tlionyht these lonely wandereis that the.
desolate s]iot where this incident traiis]»ired. was one day to re-
8(aiiid witli the iramp of the mnltitnde which now tln'on^s the
.sti'ccts of i'eoi'ia. A laborions mai'ch of four leajiues, tliron,nii
iiieltinj;' snows, ])laced them above tli(^ icy bai'rier of the lake, and
they launched their canoes. Thence, to the ,:;i'eat town of the,
Illinois, they found the river at different iioints blocked with ice,
and their Journey was iiuulc alternately by land and water, in the
drenchinj;' rains of o|M'inn^' sprinj^-. They found the xillajic with-
out inhabitants, and its lodges crested with snow. The adjacent
meadows were still locked iu the fetters of winter, and the more
distant forests, beaided w itli crystals, flashed in the nunninj^' sun
lilcea sea of dianu>nds. Yet the fiozen landseajte was not without
lite. The impress of nioccasined feet could be traced in th(! snow,
and occasionally a stra.uinliuj; butfalo could be seen, and one of
them was shot. While his men were smokinji' the meat of the
aninnd, LaSalle went out to reconnoitic the country, and soon fell
in with ;> Indians, oiu' of whom i)roved to be the i)rincipal chief
of the Illinois. Inviting- him and his associates to his cami>, he
made them jtreseiits, and refreshed them Avith the best food his
scanty larder could liuiiish. lb- then informed the chief that he
was on his way east to procure arms and amniunition for the de-
fense of his tribes, and obtained from him a ])romise that he would
send provisions to his men in th(! fort duriuf; his absence. While
here, he visited (Starved Eock, the remarkable cliff previously
alhuled to, a nule or more above the village, on the southern bank
of the river, lie afterwards sent word to Tonti to exannnt! and
fortify it, incase an outbreak of tlie Indians rendered it necessary.*
*Scverrtl years since, it was soleetetl l)y some cntorprisiiiijr Yanlcecs as a site lor a
town, wliioli tliuy very approi)rlately culled Gibraltar ; but now it rctuaiua houseless,
as in the time ot the great explorer.
79
ti^l'
lU)"ft
80 inSTOUY OF ItJJXfUS.
Oiitlif I'llli (if Miin-li LiiSiillc It 11 tlir \ illiiut', anil t'ontiniicil
liis Jdiiiiifv as hcriiic, paillv li\ land iiinl in part li\ walcr. liil
williin two miles til' the site ni' .l<i!i( 1. Here, in (•(in,-c(|n«'ntc dl"
the ii'c. tlicy foninl the liirtlin' ascent of tlie liver inip ssihic. imd,
eoneealini; tlieir eanoes. prepared to nniKe a niareli d! I ly aeidss
llie eonntiy to liake .Mielii^ian. .loiiineyin.u laUewaid, tliey I'lmnd
(lie euuiiUy a dreary waste of nind and half melted snow. Intel-
seeled lieic and there l»y .swollen streams, some ot' wliieh they
\vade<l. and others they crossed on rails. (Mi the L'.'td tliey were
jiladdeiied hy the distant surfaee of the laKe ^•limiiieriin;' tliroii;j;li
the opeiiiii^^s of the forest, and at iii;^hl stood on its liaiik. thank-
ful tiiat Ihey were safe, and thai tiieir hard^diips had heeii no
worse. The next day they followed its wiiidin;; shores to ilie
month of the St. Joseph, and restetl at ni.uhl in the fori. ller«'
LaSalle found the iw'o men whom he had sent to look for the
(irillin, and learned IVom them that the,\ had made the eireiiil of
llie lak«' without learning;' any tidiii;.:s of her fate. Deiiniiiu it
useless to flirt her eontiiiiie the search, he ordered the men t<t re-
port Ihemsehes toToiiti, and started himsell across the trackless
wihis of Southern Michi;;an. to avoid the delay attending; the
indirect route hy way of the lakes.
il was the worst of all seasons for such a Journey, and almost
e\ery league traxeised, Itroii^lit with it some new liai'dship. Now
they were lascerateil by luamlily thickets, now Ihey ithiii;:cd up
to their waists in the mud of hall' frozen marshes, and now tiny
wer<' chilled in wa<liiiji' swollen streams. Doyjicd hy a pack of
sa\ a;^es, they were compelled to pass the iiij:lits without lire, to
escape their murderous at.tacks. A\ len;;tli, with two of their
niimher sick, they airi\ed at the head of a sti'cam sn|>]>ose(l to he
the Huron, which, after makiiiji' a caiioe, they descended to tin;
J)( troit. Thence, marchin^castwavd to the hike, .)(• miles disian!,
tliey einharked ill a canoe and pushed across (he lake toi' tin tails
of Niajiiira, whither (hey arrived on Kasier Monday, KJSO. Here lie
found tin' men left sit the eataiaet tlu' i>revious aiittimu, who not
only eonlirmed the loss of (ho (iritrni, hut informed liim that a
ear.uo of merchandise helon^iii;;' to him, valued at L'li(HI livres, had
recently heeu swallowed up in (he (iulfof St. Lawrence. LeaviuiLi'
the weary com])auioiis of liis jucvious Journey at >.'ia<:Jii'a, he set
out w ith fresh men for Fort rronteitac, and on the (ith day of
i\iay discovered tliroii<;li the hazy atmosphere, (he familiar oiit-
liiii's of liis seifiuioiy. lie had now traveled within (io days the.
distance of KlOO miles, w hicli, ccuisideriuj;' the circumstances, was
oiH' of the uiost reniarkahle journeys ever uiade hy the early
]''r«'iich e\]>lorers. I'ossessini; an in\ incihle de,termiiiati(Ui and ii
fram<> of iron, lie surmounted ohsta(;l"s from wiiicli a person less
favorahly endoAved would have turned away in disi)air. How
clianji'ed has since heccnue the wilderness throiijih which he wan-
dered. Its dark forests have become a rejiion of har\ ests, and the
traveler of to-day accomi>lislies in less than ♦wo days the Journey
Avliich reiiuired of him more than two mouths.
At the fort he learned that his agents had treated him with had
faith; that his creditors had seized his jirojierty, and that several
canoes beloufiintj to him, h>ade(l with valua'des, had been lost in
the rapids of the St. Lawrence. Without useless re])ininfi', ho
hastened to Montreal, where his presence excited the greatest sur-
TONTI'H KNroUNTffiK WITH TltK IK()<>r(»IH.
81
prise, iiiiil wIhtc, iiotw itlistiiiKliii;^ liis ^rciit tiiiiiiiciiil losses, liis
])('l'si)ii<il ililliM'iMT *'Ii:iIiI(mI liiiii to ol)tiiiii (lie liecessMrv sii|)|)lics.
A;;ilili lie (lircclfd his course west wind, lo siieeui' llie loildni
liojie iilider Toiiti, isoliitetl IVoiiitlie rest of niiiiil^iiMJ on llie dis-
tiiiil liiiiiks of liie Illinois. At l-'ronteniie lie reeeiveil iiitelli^^cniu^
of iiiiotlier of those eiiishin;;' Mows w hitli iioth iiiitMre iinci ninii
seemed to lie niiiiinn' iit the sneeess of his enler|iiise. Twiunes-
sen;Liers eiinie with a letter IVoMi Tonti, statin;;- that soon after his
de|i!irtiire, nearly all his men had deserted, and that, itefur*'
lea\in;.',', they hail destroyed the fori, and throw n awav stores they
Mere iinahle lo eany. The n<'Ws of this disaster had hardly l»een
received, hefore twiitiaders arrived fr(»ni the Mppei' lakes, and
fnrlher slated thai the deseiters had destroyed the fort on the St.
tlose]ih. seized a ;:reat ((iiantily of fuis lielon;.;iii,i; to him al Macki-
naw, and then, with others, deseendini: tin- hd^es, had plnndered
liisma.ua/iiie at Nia;;ara. Ami now, they ad<led, some of them are
nMnin.ii down the norlheiii slioie of the lake to miirdei' him. as a
means ul' escapiii.-.; iiiiiiishment, while others are coasting' the
south shore, with a \iew of ri-aciiin;; Albany, and .yetiin;;- hcNond
1ms jni'isdietioii. On receijit of this information, LaSalle chose 9
of his trnstiest men. and sallied forth to m<'et them. Comiiii;' njion
them liy snrpiise, he killed I'of theii- Miimiu'r and captured 7, w hom
he impiisoned in the fort to await the sentence »»!' a <'i\il trihnnal.
It mi,i:ht he snpjtosed thai LaSalh' ha<l r(>aclied the utmost limits
of hnman endnrance, on seeing' the hopes of his enterprise so
tVe(|neidly le\ «Iled to the ^loiind. While, however, weaker men
■wonid have turned away in dispair, no eye could detect in his
stern demeanor an altered ])urpose or a shaken resolve. His only
liol»e now seemed to be in Tonti, and could that faithful ollicer
l»reser\<' the v<'ssel <'ommenced on the Illinois, and the tools which
had been conveyed thithei' Avith so much labor, it nn^ht constitute
an anchor to which he could attach the driftiui;' wreck of his
f(»rtun<'s.
]la\ iiiiL; ])rocui'e(l sujiidies and everythiiijn' needful for the outfit
of a vessel, without furthei' (h'lay he set out, on the KMholWu-
^iist, for Illinois, accom]>anied 1 his lieutenant, La Forest, and L*.">
nien. He ascended the river llund>er, <'i'ossed Simcoe Lake, and
descended the Severn into Lake Huron, over which he jiassed to
the Straits (»f ^Mackinaw. At the stati(»n he found it ditlieult to
replenish his ]»rovisions, and, not to be (h-layed for this purpose,
he i»nslied forward with lUmen, leaving' LaI"'orest and the remain-
der to follow us soon as they could procure sup])lies. November
24th he arrived at the St. .losepli, ami, anxious to jaish forward
more iai)idly, he left tlu' ^reatei- ])art of the stores, with o nu'ii,
at the ruiiu'd foit, and with the remainder ascended the river,
cntssed th(^ ])oi-ta^"e and eoninu'nced tlu' descent of the Kaidcakee.
Not nieetin;:>' with any traces of Tonti and his men, he concluded
they must still be at the fort on the river below, and hastened
thitlu'r, jureatly relieved of the anxiety he had felt for their safety.
Kumors for sometime had prevailed that the Irocpiois were mecli-
tatin^- a d(\scent on the Jlliuois, and should it ])rove true, itmi,<iht,
after all his labors, involve his entei'])rise in ruin. On enterin.^'
the Jlliuois, he foiiiul the ^reat jtrairies, which he had left the
]»revious s])rinj!;' sheeted in ice now alive with buffalo. Sonu' were
sleeping on the sward, many were cropping' the tall grass, while
6
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82
IILSTOUY ()]■' ILLINOIS.
;;r()iil)s, to slake their (liiist, were iiioviii;^' toward the river, whero
Ihi'V looked with sli'aii.u'e l)e\vil(ieriiieiit at the passiiii;- canoes.
Wherever a s(Hiad ai»iieai'e<l. il was ;iiiarde<l by bulls, whose t'or-
iiiidal>Ie iiiaues and iiiisiiiiitly tbi'ins nii,L;!d well have inspired an
approaehinj;' foe with terror. lint il \<as rather with doniestie,
rivals than lorei;:ii enemies they i)erlbriMed the greatest teats of
])rowess. nattered heads and splintered horns told of many l>at-
tles foii.i;ht anions' themselves as the result of i^ailantry, or peihaps
tile more ambitions motive Iteeomini;' the eiiami»ions of their sha;^^:y
herds. Tiie [)arty wishinj;' a su|ii>ly of bntVal«t meat, landed and
eoiiimenced a wai'fare on the tem])tin,i;' name. Some dra,!:.u('d
themsehcs throniiii t lie thick ^rass and witii nnerrin,i; aim bi'ou.nht
down their favorite animals, while others, willi less labor and
jii'eater success, concealed themselves liehind the banks of the
river and shot snch as came to diink. Twchc hiiinc carcasses re-
waich'd the labors of the hunt, whicli the men cut into thin Hakes
and dricfl in the sun lor future use.
With abun<lant sui»i)lies they a,uain started down tlie river,
])leased with tin' jirospcct of rejoinin.ii the nu'n nmler Tonti ami
reliev in^' their wants. Soon loomed up before lin'm the rocl<\ cit-
adel to vvhicli LaSalle had directed the atteutiou of Tonti. iuit
they Ibund on a near apjtroach its lofty summit unfortilieib At
the <;reat town of the liiiuois tlu-y were a|)paUcd at tiu' scene
wiiicli o|)eued to their view. No hunter appeared to break its
death like silence with a salutatory whooi> of vvelconu'. The i>lain
on which the town liad stood was now sirevvn with the charred
tVa.^ments of lodges, which had so I'ecenlly swaiined with sa\ a,ue
life and hilarity. To render more hideous the ])icture of desola-
tion, larj^e uunduTs of skulls had been i»laecd on the ujipcr ex-
tremities of lodye ]»oles, which had escajied the devouring; llames.
In the midst of the hoiiois was the rude fort of the spoilers, ren-
dered fright ful with the same ,i;hastly relies. A near ai»proacli
showed that the, j;Ta.ves had been robbed of tlu'ir bodies, and
swarms of buzzards Avei'e discovered .yluttiu};' their loathsonuj
stomachs on their reekiiii;' corruption. To complete the work ot
destruction, the, yrowinj;' corn of the village had Iteen cut down
and buint, while the i)itscontainin<i' the products of jn-evious years
bad been rilled and Ihcii' contents scatteied with wanton waste.
It was ev ident the suspected blow of the Iro«piois had fallen with
I'clentless fury. No other denizens of the, wilderness were capable
of ])crpetratinji' such acts of barbarity and uidudlovvccl deseci'alion.
LaSalie carefully examined the scene of these hellish oi'.uic s, to
ascertain whether Tonti and his men had become the victims of
sava,ii'e ven,yean(!e. Nijihtfall terndnated his labors, and no certain
traces of their presence Avere discovered. The uiuhlly canijt lire
"was kindled, and the men now listeiu'd with rueful faces at the dis-
cordant chorus of wolves, each striv inn' to ^et his share of the
putrid bodies which liad been resurrected iroiu tlie vilage jiiave-
yard. Sleep at lenutli came to their relief, but LaSalle, peridexed
Willi uui'crtainty and tilled with anxiety, spent the whole niiilit in
])onderinj4' ovci' the ])ro])er course to i>ursue in futuic. In his
search the i)revious day he had discovered (! posts near the river,
on each of which was ])ainted the tiyure of a man with ban«la,yed
eyes. Sui'misinn' that the li;.;ures nn,L;ht represent (J French pris-
oners in the custody of the Iroquois, at daylight he made known
TO^Tl'S ENCOUNTER WITH THE TUOQUaiS.
83
liis iiitciitidii of li'.tlici' (Icscfiiiliiii;' tlic livci' to iiiilold the iiiy.s
IflV.
Heroic liis (Icitiirtiuc Ii<' i>nl''i('(l .", of liis iin'ii to coiK'ciil tliciu-
selves Mild i»!i;;^';iji(' in tlie liollow of some rocks situated on ii
iiei,:;Iiltoriiii;' island, iiiid keep a sliaip lookout Ibf t'lii-tlior develoii-
jiieiits. Tliey were instnieted to relVaiii iVom tlie use ol" lires,
Avjierehv tliev iiiij;]it atti'aet the attention of enemies; and should
others of the men arrive tlie.v were to secrete lliemselves in the
same jtlace and await his retiuii. lie now set out with the 1
i-eiiiainiii,:; ni('n,eacii pidperly armed and I'liinislK d with merchan-
dise to conciliate the Indians who mi,i;ht ite met on the way. ,Se\-
eral Icaynes helow the town tlie,\ landed on an island, near the
.. ,..'t,...i. .a,,...,, .,1.....,, ii... ('....itii',. mil,..;.. i..>.i i..i-.,i. i./.c,..,,.
western shore, where tin- fnuiti\(' Illinois had taken icfii.ue.
Directly opjjosite, on the main siiorc was the deserted camp of the
lro(luois enemy. lOacli chief had carved on trees ol' the forest the
totem oi' liis clan, and siun^i imlicatin,!;' the streiiylh of the forces
lie had led to the war and the niimhcr of the Illinois he had killed
and ca])tiired. I'^roni these data I.aSalU' eoncliided that theeiitire
streii.!L;th of tlu' invaders could not have been less than .)S0 war-
riors. Xothin.u' was found to indicate the ])i'es( iice of Fienchmen,
and LaSalle a.uaiii fell down the river, and ]»asscd in o'le day (»
additional cainjis of the Jllinois and as many more heloni^in;;' to
their enemy. J'>otli ](arti<'s seemed to liave reti'eated i"; compact
l)r»dics toward the HKMith of the liver. l':;.>siii^' I'cori:: Lake lliey
found the fort destroyed, as stated in the letter of Toiiti, hut the
vessel was still on the stocks and only sli,;.;]itly injured. Further
«jii they discovered t additional camps of the oi)posin;i' armies. and
near (he mouth of the river met with the iisiial .sequel of an Iro-
(jiiois iinasioii. On the distant ver<;t' of a meadow they discovered
the half-charred bodies of women and cJiildren still bound to the
stakes, where they had sulVered all the torments that hellish hate
t'oiihl dcxise. The men, regardless of (heir lu'lplcss cliar.ycs, had
«'\ ideiitl\ lied at the first approach of danger to sa\e themselves.
Their wives and children, unprotected, fell into the hands of tlie
enemy, who, in addition to tliose w ho had iteeii biirnt, thickly cov-
«'rcd the place with their iiiaii,!^led bodies, many of which l»ore
marks of brutality too horrid lor ree(»i'd. ilelpless iiiuoeeuee, in-
stead of excitin.i;' comjiassioii in the hearts of these monsters, had
oiilyiier\ed them for the (ieiidish task of iiidisci iminate slaii,i;liter.
LaSalle, seeing no traces of his lost men, itidccedcd to the mouth
of the ri\er, where he saw the ^reat hi,uliway which for years
had been the object and lioiics of his ambition. Its\as( Hoods
rolled mysteriously onward t(» an unknown Ixairne, Ibr tliedis-
eoxery of which, with new resolves, he determined to devote his
life. J lis men proj)osed, without fiirtlu'r delay, to proceed on the
Ion;;' contemplated voyage, but LaSalle, hedged in by untoward
comjdicatioiis, Mas compelled to await a more faxorable time.
Thinkiu,!;' that Touti ini^lit still be in the iii;;lib(uliood, he fastened
to a tree a ])aintin<i' represeiitiii,n' himself and jiarty sitliii,ii' in a
canoe, and beariiii;' the i>ipe <»f i»eace. To the paintinj; h<' attaclu'd
a letter, addressed to Tonti, the i»iir])or( of which was (hat he
should hasten iij) the river and Join him at (he .urcat (own of the
Illinois. The party next coinmeiiced the ascent of (he river (o
the same jilace, and vi.uoroiisly plyiii^their jiaddles ni^ht and day,
arrived at their destination iu 1 tlays. JJuriii^ (he upward voyaye,
84
IITSTOUY OF ILLINOIS.
tlic .yrciit coiiict of K'SO iii<ilitly illiiinincd tlic stiiiiycxpaiisc abovo
tiK'iii, prujci'liii;^' its \iist tail, with a terrible hiilliaiiey, a distance
<il' (!(> (le.iMi'ees, LaSalle sjieaks of it as an ohjeet of scientilie iii-
(piirv, while Increase Matiu'V, a celel»i'ate<l >.'e\v ilnjiland divine,
Avitli the snpeislition common to his time, said that "it was fiau^iht
Avitli teirilic portent to the nations of (lie world,"
At the Indian town tiie.v found the men wiio had been left be-
hind, unharmed, and anxiously awaiting; their return. After yet-
tin;^' some coin from tlie ra\aji'ed granaries of the burnt \ illa.!L;«',
the whole i)art.\ embarked, and commenced the ascent of the river.
On tiie (Jtii of .January, KiSl, they arrived at tlu' junction of the
])es|»laines and ivankakee, and passinji' up the latter a short
distance, they discovered, not far from the shore, a rude hut. La-
Salle landed, and enterinj;' it, found a block of wood which had
I'ccently been «'ut with a saw, thus indicatiuji- that Tonti must ha\e.
l)assed uj* tlie river, This discovery kindled anew the hopes of
the dispaiiin^' voya.ii('rs that tiieir friends were still alive, and with
liyhtt-r hearts they started directly (»verland to Fort .Miami. On the
way the snow fell in blindinji' storms, and not \mu<x suthciently
com])act f(»r the nse of sih>w shoes, LaSalle hd the way to open :i
traclv and iir^i'e on liis followers. Such wastiie depth of the snow,
liis tall fijiurcwas fre<iuently buiied in drifts up to his waist, while
the remainder of his [)erson was sliowf r<'d with the crystal bui'-
densof bouj^hs overhead, whenexcr he<'hanced to tout-'i them. On
reachin;^ their };oal, LaSalle's tirst incpiiry was for Tonti. No
tidiujis, liowe\ cr, had been heard from him, and the hope he had
entertained of meetinj4' him liere, was chanjivd to disappointment.
IjaI''orest and the nu'U whom he had left behind, with commenda-
ble industry had rebuilt the fort, ju'cpared ji-nuind f(»r raisin;;' a
cro]) the ensuing year, and sawn uuiterial for building' a new Kship
on tlie hdce.
We must now endeavor to rehite the adventnre.s of Tonti.
^Meanwhih', we will leave LaSalle in the sheltcrinu' walls of the
foi't, ]»ondering over the wasted energies of the ]iast, ami the
gloomy ])rospects of the future. Yi't his ndnd, so full of expedi-
ents, soon found means to evolve, from the fragments of his luined
fcntunes, lu'w resources for the furtherance of his daring schemes.
It will be renu'inbered that Tonti had been left in connnand of
Fort Crevecteur with 1.1 men. ^lost of these disliking LaSalle,
and having no interest in his enterprise, were ripe for revolt the
tiist oi)])(n'tnnity that ]nonnsed success. LaSalle, stern, ineompre-
hensil>Ie and cold, was much better rpnditied to connnand the
respect of his men when present, than secure their good will and
lidelity when absent. His dei>artur<' eastward was, therefore, the
eonnneiu'cnu'iit of unlawful acts ann)ng his nn'n. A short time
afterward, another event occurred which greatly increased the
s])irit of insubordination. The twonu'U who had been sent t(tloolc
for theOiiflin, had, in ])ursnanci' (,f liaSalle's oiders, arrived at
the fort with disheartening intelligence. They infoiined the al-
ready disalfected gai'iison that the (Irillin was lost; that Fort
J''rontenac was in tlie hands ofLaSulle's creditors, and that he was
now wholly without means to pay those in his eni]»loy. To ]»rev<'nt
the desertion of his men, it v as usual for TiUSalle towithhohl their
wages till the term for which they were employed should exjtire.
Now the belief that he would ne\'er i»ay them, gave rise to a siiirit of
illlll no XXMICI llilll IH'f >tllll <l !('» Illl II, ll(']lill (I'll KM IIII,> [llll|MI>«,
tliiiii tlic garrison of the tort refused loiij^cr to siiltniit to iiutlioi'ity.
Tlieii- fij-st act of lawlessness was llie (lest nietioii of tlie fort; aft<'i'
uliicli, tliey seized tlie aiimiiuiit ion, provisions, and other poi'ta-
bles of value. an<l tied. Only two of their inunber remained true,
one of whom was the servant of I.aSalle, who immediately hastened
to ai)prise 'I'onti of what lia<l oeenrred. I le, thereupon, disjiatelied
4 of the )iien with iiim toeariy the news to LaSalie ; two of wiioni,
as Mc have seen, siiecessfnlly (lisehiirj;ed their dnty, while the.
others ix-ilians desei'ted.
8(5
IIISTOKY OF ILLINOIS
Ciicli \\ i.L;\viiiii (lis;^ni';;»'(l its boisfcroiis iiiid iistniiiidcd iiiiiiatcs.
A\'»iiiM'ii Miiitclicd llicii' cliildicii, and in a ilcliiimii of rriL:lit wan-
dcred aiiidcssly about. r('ndin,u' tlu' air with t heir scii-aais. 'I'lii^
iiicii. iiKiic self possessed, seized tlieii" arms, and in a wild paato-
niinie of i>atlie, eoniineneed nervin;^' tlieniselx es for tin- coiiiinj''
IVay. Tonti, lonj;' an olijeet of siispieion. was soon siu'romided hy
an anjiiy crowd ol' wairiors, w Iio a<-eiised him ol' hein^' an emissary
ol' tlieenemy. i lis inal>iiil \ properly to defend himself, in hoitse-
(juenee of not fidly underNtandin.u- their laniiiia^c, left llieni siill
in<'lined to lieliexc him ^idlty. and they seized I he forp' and otlin-
cU'eets l>ron;;ht from the fort, and threw tlu'm int() tiie rixcr.
] )on 1)1 in. n' their a l)iiily to defend themselves without the assistance:
of liieir youn.i;- men, who were absent on a war expedition, they
embarked their woun-n ami chihbcn in canoes and sent them dow u
to the island whei'c liaSalle had seen theii' deserted huts. Sixty
warriors remained with them for protection, and the rennunder,
not exceedinji' KK>, returiu'd late in the day t«» tin- villauf. Alonj;-
the adjaeeid shore they kindle(l hu:;'e Ixndires, which I'asi their
•ilare for miles around, ^ihiin^ (he viihiue, river and distant niar-
^iinsof the forest witliihi- li^ht of day, Thecntire u'.uht was
spi'ii: in ^reasiny' their l»odies, paintin;;' their fa<'cs and |,»erfonu-
inj;' the war (hince, to prepaie tiieniselves for the aj»proachin,!; con
llict. At early dawn the scouts who had l»een s( nt out n-turned,
closely followed by the !ro((Uois, most of whom were aimed with
j^uns, j)istols and swords, oblainetl from the Knj:lish. 'I lu' scouts
innl seen a chief arraye<l in French costume, and repoited their
suspicions thai l.aSalle was in the<'ampof tlie enemy, an«l Tonti
a.uain becamean oltject of .jealousy. A concourse of wildlv ^estic-
idalinu' saxayt's imnu'diately jiathered about him, demandinji' his
life, and nolhinj;' saved him from their uplifted weapons but a.
]>i'onuse that he and Ins < en would ;:o w ith them to nu'ct the en-
emy. With their suspicions pai'tially lulled, they hurriedly crossed
the river ami ap|ieared on the plain beyond Just as tlieenemy
<'nu'rj;('d in swarms from tin- woods skirtinii the banks of the Vvv-
iidliou. The two foes were now face to face, and both comnieiic<'(l
discharjiin^' their ,uuns and simultaneously leaping;' fnan sidi' to
side, for the puri>ose of doilpin;.; eacii ((ther's shots. 'I'oidi, seeiu^i"
the Illinois ontnuaiberedand likely tosusiaiu a defeat, detei'nnueil,
at the innniiK'Ut risk of his life, to slay the li|^lit by an attempt at
mediation, rri'snminj;' on the treaty of [leai-e then ex istiuy,' be-
tween the, French and Iro(inois, he exchanp'd his '^nu for a belt
of wamimm and ad\ anced to m 'et the sa\ a;^e nudt itude. attended
by three compaiuons, who, bein,^' umu'cessarily exposed todan^ici-,
lie dksinissed them and proceeded alone. A short walk bronjiht
liim into the midst of a ]iack of yelpin.;.; <levils, writhin;:.' and dis-
torted with liendish rajic, and inii>alient to sln-d his blood. As the
result of his swarthy Italian complexion and half savajie eostuuie,
he was at first taken for an Indian, and before the nustake was
disco\-ered a yoniiiii' wariioi' approached and stablu'dat his heart.
Fortunately thebhule was turn«'d aside by conn u;^' in contact with
a rib. yet a lar.ut' tlesh wound was inllicted, which bletl pi'ofusely.
At this juncture a chief discovered his true character, ami he was
led to the rear and etlbrts nmde to staunch his wound. When
sullicienlly recovered, he declared the Illinois were under the pro-
tection of the French, anddeunuided, in eunsideratiou of the treaty
TONTl'S ENCOUNTER WITH THE IIIOQTTOIS.
87
l»('t\v('('ii tlic hitter iiiid tlic Inupiois. tliiit tln'v sIkhiM Itc stitt'crcd
to rciiiniii witlidiit I'lirtlKT iiidlcslntioii. Diiiiiii;' t Iiis coiirci'dicc, a
,V<>iiii^' wiinidi' siiiit<'lit'<l Toiiti's lint, iiiid, tit'ciiiu' willi it to the
iVoiil, licld it alolt on tlic end (»f Ids ^iiii in \ icw ol' liic Illinois.
Tlic latter, Jntl.uin,!;' IVoni tins eireiinistiinee that their eM\(>\ had
been killed, can set 1 the l>attle to "breeze n]!" with increased inten-
.sit,v. Sininltaneoiisl.y, intclli^cnec^ was i»r()iij;lit to the lro(|iiois
that Freiiciiiuen Avero, Jissistiny their enemies in the li;^ht. when
the contest ovei' 'i'onti was renewed Mith redoubled fnry. Some
declared that he shonid he innnedialciv |)nt to death; while oth-
vrs, liiendly tit I>aSalle, with e<iual earnestin'ss demanded that
ln*sh(»uld be set at hbcrt.v. J)nrinji' their clamorous debate his
l)air was several times lilted by a hninc savaj^c who stood at his
back with a scalpin.n' kniie, ready tor execution.
Tonti at length turned tJie cnri'cnt of the anjiry controvi'rsy in
Jiis tiivor, by stating that the Illinois were 1,L'(H) stronji, and that
tliei'c wer<' (»0 I'lcnchnu'n at the villaj^'c ready to assist them.
'J'his statement obtained at least a partial credence, and his lor-
menters now determined to u>H' him as an instiument to delnde
the Illinois with a pretended trin*e. The old wari'iors therelbre
advaiiced totheJVont ami oi'dered the lirin,u' to cease, w Idle Jonti,
dizzy Irom tlu' loss of blood, was furnished with an emblem (»f
l>eace and sent sta^'^^ci'in.u' across the ])lain to rejoin the Illinois.
The two trials, who had Just returned from a distant hut, whither
they had I'ctired for pra.\er and meditation, were the liist to meet
him ami bless (iod Ibr what tliev regarded as a miraculous deliv-
t'rance.* With the assurance broiijiht by Tonti, the Illinois re-
<'rossed the I'iver lo tlu'ir Iod,i;es, followed by the enemy as far as
the oj>posite bank. >.'ot loiij;' aftei', lar^c numbers of the latter,
umh'r the inrtext of hiintin^, also crossed tin' liver and hiiiiy in
tlireateiiin^i' ;;roups about the town. These liostd«' indications,
air, tl>' well known disrej^ard which the Iro(piois had always
evinced for their jtledjics, soon conviiic<'d the Illinois that their
only safety was in lli;^lit. \\'ith this conviction they s»'t lire to
their anc«'stial homes, and while the vast \olnme of tlame and
ismoke diverted the attention of the enemy, they (juietly droppcil
down the river to rejoin their women and cliildreii. Shortly after,
the remainder of the Jroipiois crossed the river, and as soon as tli«
contlam-ation wo-dd itermit, entrenched themselves on the site of
the \illa,n'e. Tonti and his men, n'mainiii;.;' at the village, were
orilered by the sus])iciou>s savag'es to leave their hut and take up
theii' abode in the Ibit.
At liist their ass(M-iates seemed niiuili elated at the disciiiulitiu'e
of the Illinois, but two days aftei'. when they discovered them re-
<;onnoit«'rin,i;' on the low hills Ix-hind their intreiichments, their
conrajie j^reatly subsided. With fear, they recalled the e\a,u^(ia-
tionsof Tonti, respect ill ^' their numbei's, and immediately concluded
to send him with a hostage to makeoNcrtures of j)cace. Ilestarled
on his mission, and lu^ and the hostajne were received with delijiht
by lli(^ Illinois, who readily asseided to this jjrojxisal which he
brou.niit, and in turn sent back with him a hostaj^cto the Ii-o(pU)is.
Oil his return to the fort, his life was again placed in Jeopar<ly. and
•Mcinbre. perhaps i)r()iii|)tecl by vanity, cliiiins that he acootiiiianieil Tonti in tliis in-
terview. This is the only 'nstance in wliieli he is oharffed with a want of veracity, and
doubtless in nians' res|)ects was ii good man.
88 IIISTOUV t)l<' ILLINOIS.
tlif- trciit.v Wiis with ;;r('iit tliriiciiltv riitilirtl. TIm' Vdiiiij^' and iiicx-
]»ci'i»'ii('('(l Illinois li(islii;;t' Itctiaycd t(i his cial'lN inlcrvicwcrs lluj
niiMici'iral \vcal<M('ss «»!' Iiis liilic, and tlu^ sava.ucs innncdiatcly
iiislicd upon Tonti, and ciiariicd iiini willi lia\ in^' dcpiixcd tlu'iu
of tiic s|)oils and lioiiors (»t' a \ ictoiy. '• Wiicrc," said tlicy, "arts
all yoiw Illinois \vani(U's, and wiicrc arc the Firnchincn you said
were anionn' tlit'Mi '." It now rccinircd all tlictact orwiiicli lu' was
niaslcr to cscaiH' tlif jircscnt diricnlty, wliicli lie liad hionjilit on
liiniscli' liy tlic artilici' employed to I'scaitctlu' one previous. Alter
nnieli opposition, the treaty was eonelnded, Itnt the savaj^cs, to
show their contempt I'oiit, inimetliately commenced theconslruc-
tioii ot'canoesin which to descend the river andattack the Illinois,
'I'onti ma naj^iMl to apprise the latter of their dcsiyns, and he and
]\lcnd>i'e wcr(^ soon alter summoned to attend a coiuicil (d' the Iro-
(pHiis. They still labored under a wholesonie fear of Count Fion-
tenac, ami disliUin,u' to attack the Illinois in the |)rcsencc of the
French, their object was to induce ihe latter to loa.e tho country.
At t he asscndtlin^i' of the council, (! i)ackaj;'es (d' beavei- skins were
inli-odnccd. and thesaxauc orator, presenting' them separately to
Tonti, explained the nature of each. '• The lirst two, " said lie,
''were to declare that the children of Count I'ronteuac, that is,
the Illinois, should not be eaten ; the next was a pl;>s(er to heal
the wounds (d' Tonti ; the next was oil wherewith to annoint him
and .Mendtre, that they mijiht not be fati;;ut'd in travelin;^' ; the
ucxt pr(»claiuu'(l that the sun was brijiht ; and the sixth, and
last, rc<|uirc<l tlieni to decamp and jio houu'. '"*
.\t the mention of^oin;;' home, Tonti demanded of tliem when
they intended to set tlu^ example by leaviuji' the Illinois in the
])eaceable jiossession of their coiuitry, which th>y had so nnjnstly
imadcd. The council j;re\\ boisterous and an;:ry at the idea that
they should be demanded to do that which they re<)uired of the
French, and some of its nu'Uibers. for'iettiii;^ their previous ]»h'd^(',
declarcil that they would "eat lUinttis (lesli before they departed."
Tonti, in inutalion of the Indian nninncr of expressiuji' scorn, iu-
di.uiiantly kicked away the lu'csentsof fur, sayin,;;,siuc»' they nu'aut
to devour the chihb'cu of Could Froideuac with cannibal ferocity,
he would not acccjd their .uifts. This stern rcbnkc of perfidy re-
sulted in the expulsion of Tonti and his companions from the
couucil, and the next day the en raj;e(l chiefs ordered them to leave
the country.
Tonti had now, at the .urcat risk of his life, tried every ex[)edi-
cut to avert from the unoffeudinii' Illinois the slau,i;hter which the
unscrupulous invaders of their soil wer(> seeking;' an op])ortunity
I ■ to effect. There was little to be accomplished by remaining,' in (he
coiiutiy, and as a lon,!.;('r delay nu^ht imiicril the lives (tf his men,
he determiiu'd to depart, iH)t knowing;' when or where lie would be
able to rejoin LaSalle. With this (d)ject in view, the ])arty, con-
sisting of (I jtersoiis, endtarkcd in canoes, which soon pi'oNcd leaky,
and llu'y were compelled to laud for the pui'pose of making;' I'e-
])airs. WhiU' thus duployed. Father Jiibourde, attracted by the
beauty of tilt! surroundiii,n' Iandscai>e, wanderetl forth ainoii<;' Ihe
proves tor meditation and prayer. Ntd returnin;i' in tine time.
Tout! became ahirmetl, and started with a coiuiiauiou tt> ascertain
'Discoveries of the Great West.— I'uikmun.
TOM'l'S KNfJOITNTKK WITH J'lIE IllOtiUOlS
SO
tlic riiiisc <»f llic loiij;' delay. Tlicy soon discovered (nieli.s ol' Ind-
ians, l».\ w liniii it was sii|>i»<)sed lie iiad been m i/ed, and ^^niis were
lired to direct Ids rclnrn, in case in- was still alixc. Sceinj;'
nothing- of him dnriii;; the day, at ni;;ht they li.iilt lires al(in;;tli(»
bank of the livcr and retired to the opposite side, to see who
nn^ht appioach them. Near midnight, a nnmhei' of Indians were
seen tlittin<;' ahoni the li.^lit, liy whom, no donlit, had heen made.
the tracks seen the previons evening;'. It was afterwaids learned
that they were a hand of Kicka|»oos, who had, for several days,
been hoveling- ahont the camp of the Iroipiois in (piest of scalps.
>»'ot l»cin,i;' snccesstid in ohtainin.u' the oltject of their desires from
their enemies, they, Ity chance, fell in with the inotfcnsive old
friar, and s<'alped him in their stead. "Thus, in the (l."»tli year of
Ids a^c, tin' only In-ii' to a wealty lini'.unndian hoMs<' perished under
the war club of the savaj;es, for whose salvation he had renouncctl
easo and aftlueuce."*
During' the performance of this traucdy, a far more revoltinj;'
one was beiniu; enacle<l at the j^rcat town of the Illinois. The Iro-
quois were tearinji' ojx'n the j;raves of the dead, and wreakin;^;
their veiijicance ui»on tln^ bodies made hideous by putrifa<'tion.
At this desecration, it is said, they even att; portions of the
dead bodies, while sul)iectin,u' them to every indignity that brutal
hate could inllict. Still unsated by their hellish brutalities, ;Mid
now unrestrained by the presence of the French, they started .'n
)>ursuit of the retreatin,!;' Illinois, Day after day they and the
oi»posiii,<;' forces inovt'd in compact ariay down the river, neither
bein;;' able to yain any advantaj^c over the other. At k'n};t]i they
obtained by fals<'ho{)d that which nnndx-rs and ju'owess denied
them. They jiinc out that their oi)ject was to possess the count ly,
not by destroy in, y-, l)ut by driviiij;' out its i»resent inhabitants.
Deceived b.N his mendacious statement, the Illinois separated,
some descending;' the ]\Iississipi>i, ami others crossinj;' t(> the
■western shore. I'nforf unately, the Tamai'oas, more credulous than
the rest, remained near the mouth of the Illinois, and were sud-
denly attacked by an oveinvhelnun^' force of the enemy. The men
tied in dismay, and the wonwu and children, to the numbci' of
7(M>, fell into the hands of the ferocious enemy. Then followed
the- tortures, but<'lieries and burinn;is which only the infuriated
ami iiubruted lro(pu»is could ]»erpetrate — the shockin;;' evidence of
Avhieh I^aSalle saw only two weeks afterward. Aftei'ihe ravenous
]n»rde had sulliciently j;lutted their ureed for carnage, they I'ctircd
from the. country, leadinj;' with them a nnudier of wonuMi and
chihlren, whom they reserved either for adoption iido their tribes,
oi' as victims to .yrace the triumphs sonu'times accorded them on
their return home.
Their departure was the signal for the return of the Illim)is,
■who rebuilt their town. The site of this celebi'ated village Vias
on the northern bank of the river, where it Hows by the modern
town of (Jtica. Its inuuediate site was on the j^reat nu-adow
which, iit this ])oint, ori<;inally stretched up and down the stitam.
The larji'e (juantities of Itones and rude imi>lemeuts of sava;4'e life
which are annually turned up by the plon,i;lisliai'(', are the only
sad traces of the populous tribes that onc.-e made this locality their
♦Discovery of the Grout AVest— rarkiuiiu.
90
niSTOIlY OF ILLINOIS.
]»riiicii)al lioiiic. Altui;^ tlic soiitliciii sulcofllit' livci- cxtciMls a
I'liiiuc of hills, wliirli tcniiiiiatt' a iiiiji- and a hall' ahnvc in tlic
naliiial altutincnt Unctwn as Staivctl IJock, on wiiich llic l-'icncli,
in Kisj. Iiuilt a lort. Scvcial miles lirluw. an ()|icninji (iccnrs in
the hills, tluonuii 'Aliich IIh' waters of the I'.i^- \'crniili(»n nnite
with (h(»st' {){' (he lllin(»is. It was In means of these pioniinent
landmarks I'rancis Taiknian, lvs(|., a tew ,\ears since, was enabled
tu idenl il'\ the site of the Intlian town, w hieh, lor nnin\ ,\ ears pre-
\ ions, was entirely unknown.
Alter the death of Ilihonrde, the men nnderTonti ajuain resnmed
tlic aseent of the river, lea\ iii.ii no evidein'c of their passa;;*' at the
janetion of the two streams w hieh form the Illinois, 'i'lieir craft
a;;ain iiecominu' disahled, they al)and:»ncd it, and the party started
on foot for Lake Michi;;an. Theii' snjiply of piovisions soon l»e-
canie exhansted, and the ti'avelers were comi)elled to snhsist in a
;;i'eat na'asnre on roots and acorns. One of theii' companion.s
wandered otf in search of ;;anie, lost his way, and several «lays
elapsed before he had the ;;(>od fortinie of rejoiniiii;' them. In his
al»sen<'e he was w illiont Hints and l»al''.ts, yet c(aitrived to shoot
s(Hne turkeys l»y usiuj;' slnj-s cut friai' a pewter porrinjicr and a
lirehrand t(» discliarj;e his piece, it was their ol>iect to reach
(Ireen JJay and liiul an asylum for tlie winter amonji' the Potawat-
amies. ,\s the result of pri\alion and exposure, Tonti fell sick ot
a fever and ^icatly retarded the ])ro;ires^ of the march. Nearinji'
Groeii Bay, the c(»ld increased and tlu^ im-ans of suhsislenco |>ro-
]toilionately diminishiiiii'. the pai'ty woidd lia\e perished liad they
not found a few ears of corn and some frozen squashes in the
fields of a des«'ited villa;^e. Mear the dose of Xo\»'nd)er they had
the ii'ood fortune of reacliinii' the I'ofawatamies. who iiireeted them
with a warm reception, an«l siipplieil them with the necessaries of
life. Their chief was an ardent admirer of the l-'rench, w liom ]w
had befiiended the year i)revioiis, ami was accustomed to say:
'•There were but three ^reat captains in the world, himself, Ttmti
and La Halle."
riiM'i'i'.i.' ix^.
FlJRTlIKli KXPL()I{ATI()NS I5V LaSALLE.
"\\ (• iinist now ii'tiiiii l(» liiiSjillc, wliosc cxploifs st;m(l out in
siicli hold relief. In (lie previous discoveries 1m' li;id oitserved
Unil white eneiidi's were nsin^' the lr(M|iiois to eiiennn cut ids
o|iei':itions ; tinit Iheii' incnrsions must lie stopped, or liis defeat
wiis inevitable. Alter due consideration, he conelinled the hest
wav to prevent their inr(»ads was to induce the westei'U trihes to
I'or^et tliei)' animosities, and nndei' a league against tlieii' inexora-
ble enemies, eoloui/e ihem around a fort in the \a11e\ of tln^
Illinois, where, witli the assistance of I'rench arms and I'lench
,U<'Ueralship, t\\r c(nnnn»n enemy would he iniahle further to molest
tlieni. I'lcncli colonists could teach them the arts of agriculture,
llecollei moidxs instruct liu-ni in their religious duties, and the
shi|ts of l'"rance su]>|d\ nn-rclmndisc t(» ti'afiic with them for the
rich harvest of furs annually .uathcred from their \ast interioi'
wilds. .Meanwhile he proposed to explore the ^lississippi. and
make it a highway for the conunerce of the world. 'I'lius. conclu-
ded iiaSalle. the jdains of Illinois, which foi' centuries have been a
.slaughter pen tor warriiiji' savages, ndnht l»e made the theatre of
a ci\ ili/alion as fannins as their i)ast history had been rendei'ed
inianious by deeds of earnaue. To the execution of this new ex-
)»edi«'ni for advaucinj;' his plans, he now turned his attention.
After the teii'ible scouruc of Ixinn' Philip's war. a number of the
conipu'red Indians left their eastern homes ami took refu.uc in the
vicinity of the fort, whei'c LaSalle had spent tlu' winter. 'I'hesi^
wei'e mostly Altcnakis and Ab)hejiaus — the latter havin;;' fiunisiied
the hunter who had so often, by his supeiioi' skill, i»ro\ iiled La-
Salle's hungry followers with food, lie wasalso master of several
Indian dialects, which, at this i)articnlar Junctuie of LaSalli'"s
atVaiis, he (;ouId use with ji'reat advanta.u'e. To these exiles from
the east LaSalle lirst dir<'cted his attention, and tbtnid them
unaniuM>iisly in fa\(M'of casting' their lot with his, askin,!^ no rec-
omi>ense save the privilej'e of callinjn" him chief. A new ally, in
the person of a ])oweiful cldef from the valley of tlie Ohio, also
a|)peareil, and asked i>ernussion to enter the new confedeiation.
LaSalle I'cplied that his tril)e was too distant, hut let them come
to me in the \ alley of tln^ Illinois, and they shall be safe. The
chief, without stipulatinj;' fni'ther, aijreed to Join him with l."i()
warriors. To reconcile the Mianns and Illinois, and thus s<'cure
their co-operation, was now the i»rincipal obstacle. Althouuli
kindred tribes, they bad loi)<i,been estranj>'ed, and it was only after
the re(H'nt (b'|)redations of tlu' Tro(|uois, they beyan to see the
advuntaye of ox>pusiijy a united front to their outrayes. Wish-
02
IIIHTOUV or H.LINOl.S.
in;; lirst to consiiU the Illinois, iiiiiii,\ of wliotn had returned sitter
tlicevacnation ol'tlie Iroquois, tlie,v found liie itniiriesstill encrusted
w'.tli snow, from the dii/.zliii;^ whiteness of wliieli, l/aSalle and
sexeial of the men lieeame snow liliiid, aud were compelled to eu-
<-ami» under tiie ed;;e ol a forest till they could reco\«>r. While
sulfrrin<;' from the loss of vision, they sent out a companion to
^iatiier pine leaves, which were supp(»sed to he a specitic f.ir their
nialaily. ^^'llile on this errand he had t he •^ood fortune t'allin
with a hand of the P'oxes, from whom he learned that 'I'onti was
safe amon;>' the Potawatamies, and that Hennepin had pas-id
thron;;h tlieii country, on his way to Canada, 'fhis was wiienme,
news to LaSaile, who had Ion;; Iteen anxious in re;;ar<t to his
safety. Tin! attlicted « ion after recovered, and the snow liaxin^'
iuelt( J, they hiunehed their canoes into the swcillen triluitarx (tf
tile Illinois. l'"oil()wiu.ii- the ri\er. they fell in w itli a l>and of tint
Illinois, rau;iin;ii' the prairies in quest of ;:ame. LaSalle expressed
Ids regret at the jireai injury they had sustain-'d fium the Iro-
qu()is,and ui';;'ed them to form an alliance witii tiu-ir kindred, the
3liamis, to prevent tin- recurrence of sinular disasters in the fu-
ture, lie promised them that he aud his companions woidd lake
up ihei)- abode anuHijL;' tln-m, furnish them with ;;'oods and arms,
and assist in defendi;i.u' them in the attacks of the common enemy
of tiie Alj;dn(piin race. I'ieased with La.Salle's pro|M>.sil ion. liiey
supplied him with corn, and pr(Mnised to c(»nfer with others of
theii' countrymen on tiu' suhject, and lei liiiii know the result.
IIa\in,y- completed lli^ ne,n(Uiatioiis with the Illinois, he sent La-
F(';'<'st U> Mackinaw, whither Tout i was expecied to ;.;(», and where
both )f them wci'c to remain till he coidd follow them. ' It now
rciiiaiued for him to consult the .Miamis, and he accordiuuly visited
one of their principal \illajics on the jioita.uc lielweeii the St.
(losepli aud the Kankakee. Here he found a hand of Iroijiiois,
w ho IumI for some time demeaiieil themselves with the ^^reatest
insolence toward the \ illa^crs, and had spoken with the utmost
coiitcnipt of himself and men. He .sternly reitiiked them for tiieir
jirro;;a!u*e ami calumnies, which <'aused them to slink away, and
iit niiilit tiee tlu' country. The Miamis were astonished heyomi
nicasiiie when they saw LaSalle, with only 1(1 l''renclimen. put
their hau^ihty visitors to lli.iiht, while they, with hundreds of wai-
riors, coidd not even secure I'cspeet. LaSalle now resohcd to use
tile i)resti;i;e he, Inul ;;ained iii fiirtlierinj;' the ohject of his visit.
There were present in the villau'e Indian refiiiices from recent
wars in N'irjiinia. New Vork and Khode Island, tt> whom LaSallo
communi(!ated the mitnre of his errand, and promised Ikhucs and
]trotection in the valley of the Illinois. Ft is a goodly and heau-
tiful land, said he, ahoundinj;' in name, and well siipiilied with
^i'oods, ill which they should dwell, if they would only assist him
in restorin;>' amicahle relations hetwceii the Miamis and Illinois.
The co-operation (»f these friendless exiles, ,vho now knew how to
Aidiie the hlessinjis of |»eace and a settled i! ihitation, was readily
enough secured.
The next day the Miamis were assemhled in council, and La-
Salle matle known to tlieiii he ohjects he wished to accomplisli.
J'roni lonji' intercourse with the Indians, he had hec(»niean exjx'rt
in foi'est tact and elo(|uence. ami on this occasion lie had come
well provided with presents, to give; ailditional efticacy to Ids pro-
LASALLK
!(;{
('('(•(liiiys. lie Ix'^TMii Ill's a(l<1r('SM, wliiclt i'onsistcd <»(" mctuplidii-
ml iilliisioiiH to tlic «h'ii«l. 1»\ disliilMitiii;;' jiil'ls iiiiioiij; IIh' lixiii;;.
rrcsfiililiy tliflll will) cloth, lie loltl IIm'Iii il Wiis In rn\cr llicir
<lt';i(l : ;;iviii;4' tliciii Imh'lifis, li.- iiirnniMil tliciii tliiit llicy wcir to
l)iiil(l ;i sciilVoltl ill tiM'ii- liotior; <listril)iitiii;>' iiiiioii;; tliriii Ix-iKls mikI
lirlls. he statfd tlicv wcic to il('cur;itc tlifir persons. Tlic li\ iii;^-,
while ilppropriiltili;^' these pieseiits, were j;ie;iil,\ pleilsed ;il the
eniiipliiiieiits piiid tlielr (lep:il'teil Irieiids, iiiid thus jiliieed in ;i
Miiliihle stiile of iiiiiid for thiit which wits lo follow. A chief, foi'
wlioiii they eiitertiiilied the ;;ie;itest ri'speet. ii;id l'e<'elitl\ lieeii
killed. :iiid l.iiSidle told tlieiii he w oidd i':iise him from the (lend,
iiieniiiii;^' Ihiit lie would nsstiine his nniiie ;iiid pi'o\ ide I'oi his
liiinil,\. This ^•eiiei'oii.s olfer was even iiioie tlinii Intlinn ^rn\ity
could heiir. nml the whole iisseinlduii'e Itecnine iiproiirioiis with e\-
citemeiil ititd iippliiiise. Lnstly, tocon\iiice them of the sincerity
of ills intentions, lie piv(> iliein (i ;>'uns, si nuinher of liateliets, niid
tliiew into llii'ir midst a liUjuc ]»ile of elothin;;', caiisiiijn' the eiitiic
iiiiiltitiide to explode with yells of the most e\tra\a^anl delijiht.
After tills, LaSalle tliiis linished ids iiaraii;;ue;
" He will) is my iiinst( r, aiid llii' muster of all this (inintrv, is a mi.iflity chief,
J'earid hvllie wiii>lr woi'M ; lint he loves peace, and his Words jire for u-ooil
mIoiu'. lie is called the kinj; of France, and is tlie miirlitiest aiuontr theclnel's
tieyond tlie great, water. '''■; ifoodness extends even to your chad, and his
sniijeets come amonji yoti I 'se them to lite. J5nt it, is ids will to jireservo
tlie lil'elieJiasf^iven. It is his . 11 that you should ohey liis laws, and maUe no
war without the leave of Froiilenac, wlio conunaiids in his name at (^iieliec,
and loyi's all the nations aliki', heeaiise such i-i the will of the threat kintr. ^'oii
(inuhl, then, lolive in peace with your iieiLddiors, and above all with the '111-
iioi^. Von had canse of (piarrel with them, Inil their tlefeat has aven,i;e(| yoii.
'flionn'h they are still .■-trong, they wish to make jieace with yon. J5e eonient
with I he f;lory of haviiii^ compelled ihem to ask for it. Yon have an iiderest
in jireservini; them, since, if the Irocpniis destroy them, thej will next destroy
yon. Let ns all ohey the ureat kini;, and live in peace undir his jiroteclion.
Be of my mind, and use these tiun.s 1 have given you, not lo make war, hut
onl3' to hiuil and defend your.sel ves ""*
Ilavin;;' thus far Ix^eii .successful in iinitinn' tiui western tribes,
lie was now ready to ti.se the alli nice foiined in further extendiu.i;'
liis discoveries. I'iist, it was necessary to return to Caiiadii
and collect liis .scattered resources, and satisfy his creditors.
Toward the latter jiart of May, UW I, they left \'\>v\ Miami, and
after a short and prosperous triii anivt d at Mackinaw, w here they
liiid tile liapi»iiiess of meetinj;' with Toiiti After the kindly
^reetili,iis of the loiiy' iiliseiit friends were over, each i-eeouiited the
story of his misfortunes.' Such was LaSalle's (■(iiiaiiiinit,\ and
even cheerfulness, that .Meinhre, in admiration of his condnci,
exclaimed: ''Any one else exce(»t him would lia\e altaiid(»iii'd the
enterprise, but he, with it tirmnes.s and constancy which never had
its equal, was more resolved than ever to push forward his work,''
Jlaxiii^' reviewed the past, and formed new resohcs for the future,
the party embarked lor rronteiiac. The watery track of 1000
miles inter\eiiin^' between them and their destination, wiis soiui
cros.sed, and IjaSalle was a^ain in consultati(»n with his creditors.
]n addition to the cost incurred in biiildiiiji the fort, and maintain-
ing in it a j.;airi.soii, he was now further burdened with the debt
of sub.setjtient fruitless explorations. The fort ami sei;,;iiiory were
iiiort^aj;ed for a lar;,a' sum, yet by partiiij; w itli .some of his mo-
* Discovery of the Great West— Pivrltiniiu.
i '^l
04
TIISTOllY OF ILLINOIS.
iiopolics, iind Nccnriiij;' aid from a wcaltli.v relative, lie iiiaiiajicd
to satisty Ills ciTtlilofs and seeiire means for anotlnT ontlit.
Owiiii;' to nnavoidaltie (', lavs the season was far advanced wlien
hi.; ttotilla was pnsla 1 ont on the waters of Lake .Miehiuaii.
Their canoes were iiea(h'd foi' the iiionlli of tli<' S(..luse|»ii, and as
they slowly creitt alon;; the dreary siiores ol' tiie lake, it is easy to
ima",i K^ the mor«' dicary tiion^^lit that harrassed the niiud of
LaSalle. A past of nnre([iiittcd toil and sad disapi>ointineiit, a
]>!'"seid eniltittered hy tiie ton;;iie of hate and shin<ler, and tlie
fntnr' eloinU'd with nncertainty, ninst have intrnded tlienischcs
into ills mind, lait could not for a moment divert him from liie
accomplishment of tlieurcat oltject whicii for years had iicen the,
;;;,i(iin,u' star of his destiny. Tiie trees were bare of the heaiitiliil
autumnal foliage when at ler.^th the walls of Fort ^liaiiii rose
above the waste of waters, and they drew ii]» their canoes on the
adjacent shoic. The cohimns of smoke thar rose liiu'h in the >;till
>>'()vember air, told LaSiille that his ,Mohe;;an and ^Vbcnaki allies
were awaitinji' his retiirn. ^^'otwithstandin^ these were the rem-
nants of the triltes •• whose midni.uiit yells had startled the lior-
<ler haddets of New Mn.iilaiid ; who had danced aiound I'urilan
scaljts and whom Puritan innijiiiiatioiis i»aiiited as incarnale
lieuds, " LaSaile chose from them IS im'U to accompany linn.
These. ad<led to the l''reiichmen, made 41 men. who, (m the I'ist
of Deceinbei', KiSl, set out on this famous exjiedition. Toiiti and
some of the men crossed in advance to the mouth of the Chica.u'o,
where they were soon aftei'Joiiied by LaSalle and the rciiiainder
of the men. The streams beinji' now sheated over with ice, and
the land covered with snow, they were compelled to construct
sledji'es on which to di'a.u' their .;:'><'s and ba^'^a^c to the w<'s-
tern b)'ancli of the Illinois. Findin;^' it also brid.ii'cd oxer with ice
they tiled down it in a loii^- procession, jtassed tlie teiiantless vil-
la.Ljc of the Illinois and tbuiid the river open a slioit distance
below Peoiia Lake. The season, and other U!ifa\ orable circum-
stances, reach red the buildiii.u' of a vessel, as ori,uinally c(Uitcin-
jilated. at this i»oint wholy impossible. Thoy were compelled
theielore to proceed in their canoes, and on the (ith of February
they rea<'lied the (Jreat I'iver which was to bear them onward to
the sea. Wailing' a week for the lloatin.i; ice to disaiijieai'. they
.glided <lowii the current toward the ;L;reat niiknowu, which ;;!!
Ibrmei' atteni]its had failed to ])enetrate. The tirst nij^lit they en-
camped neai'ihe mouth id" the Missouri, and witnessed its o|(,i(|ue
floo(ls invade the i)Ui'er waters of the Mississippi. Ke-iMidiarkiiin'
the next morniu^ii' they passed several interestin,u' localities, au(l
after scNcral days, landed on the litth of February, at Chickasaw
bliitfs for the pur|»ose of jidin.u' out in (piest of name to supply
their failinii' provisions. Here, one (»f the hunters named I'liid-
homme, lost himself in the dense I'orest, and it was only afti'r ;i
search of moie than a week he was fimnd in a. starvinp,' condition
and brouiiht to camp. Meanwhile LaSalle caused a fort t(» be
erected whicli he named I'rudhomme to evince his condolence for
the siilferinji' of the hunter, who with a small ])arty he lelt in
charji'e </■ it. .\.uain eiiibarkin.i;' on the tortuous river, they wen^
soon appri.sedby theopeniiiji' buds of semi-tro])ical vegetation, that
they were ra[>i(ily entering the realms of spring.
LASALLE.
95
On tlic l.'itli of ]\rar<'li. tlicir jittfiitioii wiis ni'icstcd by tlui
hodiiiiiii;' of iiii liidiiiii ilniiii, and sliouls jodcccdiiij;- from a war
dance on tlic M't'st<'ni side of (lie river. lU'ini; imaltlc, in consc-
(|ii('nc(' of a foii'. to set'tlic antliors of tlic dcnionstiations. tlic.v
icliicd to tlif opposite shore and tlirew np hreast works as a
means of ])r(»teetion. Wlien tlie nnst rolled away tlie astonished
savages for tlie first time saw tlie stranii'ers. wlio made siiiiials for
tlieni to eoiiie over the I'ivei', Sexcral of them, aeeeptin^' the iii-
\itation, were met midway the stream l»y a Frenehmaii. who. in
turn was invited in a friendly manner to visit their \illa,i;'e. TIk^
whole party, tlins assnred, crossed the river, and LaSalle at tiieir
liead marched lo the o])eii area ol" the town. Here in the midst
of a vast concourse of admirinji' villagers, he erected a cross,
l»earin,y' tlie. arms of France, ^lemiire san;^' a hymn in canonicals,
and liaSalle, ha\in,^' olitained from the eliiefs an acknow led^c-
nieiil of loyalty, took [lossession of the coniitry in tiie name of
the kiiii;-. 'J'his li\-ely and jicnerous jieople, so different frou! tlie
cold and tacitiun Indian.", of the north, were a trilie or the Ar-
kansas, ami <hvelt near the niontii of the river lieariii!.': their name.
The travelei's. on taking leavi' of them, were furnished with two
j^nides, and next jiassed the sites of \'icl<s1»nr,u' and (Irand (lulf,
Avhere, ISf years afterward, were foni^ht Moody stni^'iiles for the
<h)ii)iiiion of tlie river they were endeavorinu' to explore. N<'ar
LMH* miles below the Aikaiisas, their jiiiides ])(iinted out the direc-
tion of the \illaj;'e of the Taeiisas. Toiiti and Menihre were di-
rected to \ isit it, anil wereureatly surprised at the e\ iih'iices (if
ci\ ilization wliicii it exhiliited. Its lar^c sipiaic dwetiiii,i:s. luiilt
of sun (li'ied mortar and arclie<l over with donie-shaped roofs,
Avere situated in lU'^nlar ordei- around a sipiare. The residence of
tlie chief, made in the san.e maiiner, was a single hall 10 feet
sipiare and lighted 1»y a s"n,ule door, in which he sat in state,
awaitin;;' the arrival of the \isitois. lie was surrounded liy ii
eoni't of (JO old men clad in r( lies of mnlliery bark, Avliile near his
l>ersoii sat his three wives, wlh» howled whenever he spoke, to do
luiii honor. After making- l.im a iinniiierof ]ires»'nts, which he
yracionsly received, the A'isitors proceeded to examine the tem]ile.
similai' in size to the liuildini;- occiipie<l l>y the kin-;'. A\'itliiu
were the bones of dejiarted chiefs, and an altar kept i)ei'])etiially
burning' by the two old men de\ote(l to this sacred otiice. On the
top of the temple were carved three eajiles. lookin.ii' towanl the
east ; while around it was a wall studded with stakes, on the tops
of which liiiiii;' the skulls of enemies who had been sacriliced to the
Sun. The chief, in response to a friendly call, \ isited the camp
of LaSalle. A master of ceremonies was sent to announce his
ooinin.i;', after which he made his a])pearance. r<ibed in wliiti , and
attemled by three ]H'rsoiis, two of them bearinii' white fans and
the third a disk of burnished copper. The latter was doubtless
intended to re])resent the Sun, which was not only an
object of worshij), but the .source wlienc(> the chief claimed
his ancestors were derived. His dcnieanoi' was yraxe and
<li<>iiilied in the presence of LaSalle, who treated him with
becoming? eotutesy and frieiidslii]i. After receivini;' a
number of- presents, the iirincijial object of the visit,
lie returned to his village, ami the travelers started down the
river.
96 HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
yiiortly al'rciwiinl, tlicy I'cll in with Jiiiotlnr Iriln', and IjaSallo
'vvisliiii^' to approach tlit'iii in a iVicMtllv manner, cncaniix'd on tlu^
opposite sliore. lie then peiiiiitted Tonti, uitli a lew companions,
to nnd<e tiieni a visit, Aviio, tindin;n' them lavoiabl.v (lisjxtsed, La-
Salle and .Mend»re also Joined the jiarty. Tiiey next \isited one of
the Indian \illa,y('s and were made the recipients of a lu.spitaiity
limite(l only liy tin' means of their j;-enerons entertainers. They
Avere the Nachez, and LaSalie, leai'ninj;- that the i>rincipal town
was not far distant, reDaired thither to have an iiderview with tiie
head chief of the t rihe. As amoni; the Taensas, he saw here a royal
residence. a tem])leof thesnn, witii i' leipetnally Iturnin;;' lire, and
oIImm' e\ ideiiees of nn)re than ordii .ly Indian pvoj;i'ess, llefore
lea\ in;;', LaSalle erected a cross in tin- midst of tiie t(»wn, to which
was attached the armsol' I'' ranee, an act which tlie inhabitants re-
;;arded with ;4i'eat satisfaction, i)nt had they known its nn/anin;;'
their displeasnre W(»nld iia\'e been eipndly intense.
Next, they discoM-red the month of Kcd River, and after pass-
ing' a ninnher of other \illa,u('s, fonnd tliemselves at the Jniu'tion
of tin' tlu'ce chainn'ls of tin- river whicii hraneii olf into the (inlf.
.V ditferent party entered each jtassa^e, and as they moved sonth-
ward the water rapidly ciian.u'ed to brine. and the land l)ree/,e became
salty with the breath of the sea. On tlie fith <d' April '••Thein'oad
bosom of the great (Jnlf opened on their sight, tossing its restless
billows, limitless, voiceless and lonely as when luirn of chaos, with-
out a sign of life.""*
The great mystery of the new world was now unveiled, T.aSallo
had at last trinm])hed over «'\ cry opposing obstacle, and secured a
fame which will live as long as the floods of the great river roll to
tin' sea and ini[iart fertility to the valley through whicli they tlow.
.V ft er coasting ibr a short tinu' the marshy shores of the (iulf
and its inlets, the ])arty ascended the river till its bunks became
sidlicieiitly dry to atford a landing. Here LaSalle erected a col-
umn on which he inscrilx'd the words: "Louis le (irand Koy de
France et de }sa\arre, K'egne ; Le Neiivienu' Avril, l(IS2."
Jn homn- of his King, he called the country through which ho
had ])asse<l, Louisiana, and eonunenced the ceremony of taking
foi'mal possession by military display and the imposing pageantry
of the Catholic, church. Standing by the side of the column, he
proclaimed in a loud voice :
" bi tlic nuiiic (if tlic most liiiili, inii;'iity, invincible, iiiiil victorious Prince
Lo\iis liic (Ji't'iii, by tlic irnici! of God Kiiiii' ot' Prance iiiiil Navarre, tourleeiUh
ol'tiiat name, I, Ibis Dili day orAjiril, l(iS-2, in viiUie of the coinmissiou of iiis
]\[ajrst3-, wbieli I bold in my band, and wbicb may be seen by all wbom it may
concern, bave taken, and now do take, in tli(- inune of bis in.ajesty ami of liis
successors to tbe crown, possession of Ibis coiinlry ot [joiiisiana, the seas, bar-
bors, ports, t)ays, adjacent straits, and all the nations, jjeoples, provinces, citiis,
towns, villages, mines, minerals, tisberi(S, streams and rivers, comprised in ibu
limits of the said Louisiana."
A song, with volh'vs of musketry, closed the ceremonies by
Avhicli the realms of France received the stui»endous accession of
the great region drained by the ^lississippi and its tributaries, t
The voyagers having now aceomplisiied the great object of the
expedition, started on tlu'ir Inaneward Journey. The tribes which
luul treated them with so unu'li civility and generosity in the down-
*niaeoverios of the (Jrcat West.
tMonette's Vul. of the Miea
LASALLE.
&7
ward voyajio, wcio now IVoin sonic ciiusr aliciiiitcd, aiid iiHlis])os('<l
to let liini Iiivv<' food. On arriviuji' aiiionj^' tin- Naclic/,, tli(\v tomid
tliciii liostilc, and wliilc llicy abnndaiitlv .snpidicd tliciii witli coi:!,
tlif.v at tlu' sann' tini«' sniToundcd tlicm -witli a la •;;(' Ibicc to cut
tlicin oil". Fcariiiji', ]iowcv<t, to make an attack, tlic. travelers de-
]>ar(<'d, and, witlMtnt i'nitlicr molcslation, i'ca<-1icd J''ort IMiid-
Inininie, ulicie LaSallc was sci/cd Avilli a dani^crous illness.
I'nable to go liiinseli', he sent Tonti and a few companions to aii-
noi!nc<' tlie news ol'liis discoveries at ^Mackinaw, whence if was to
lie uis]iatched toi'anada. .Mthoniiii carcrnll.v atten<ied by Mein-
hi'c, he lay sick in llie Ibrt tiil tli<' lattei' part of -Inly, when he. ill
a ,L>iea( ineasnre, recovered, and reached .Mackinaw on the 1st of
»~ic]il<'nil)ei'. Thence Menibre was sent to France with dispatches
iiialun^' known the <;randeiir of LaSalie's disco\('ii<'s : the \ ast
rciiion visited; the iinnieiisity of its iiioitntain iaiij.':es, and itsj;reat
plains, vei)ie(l by mi,i;hty streams.
it was LaSalie's intention also to visit France, bnt hearing- that
the Iroijiiois were about to I'enew tln-ir attacks on the wcslcin
tribes, he decided Ihatliis presence was necessary to the safety of
Ids ])roJectc(l ])olicy. He accordin,i;Iy ictiirned to the Illinois ri\-er,
whither Tonti had already preceded iiiin, and at once coniiiiciiced
])rcparatioiis to meet tin- enemies. As a means ofdcrcnce it was
detcniiiiied to (brtify Starved Koek, whose mililaiy advanta.ues
had previously attra<tted the attention of LjiSalle. From the
waters which wash its base it rises toaii altitude of ll.'."> feet. Three
of th<' sides it is impossible to scale, while the one next to the land
may be climbed with dilliculty. ]"'rom its sumnut. almost as inac-
cessible as an eaj;ie's nest, the valley ol" the Illinois s])reads out
in a landscape of exquisite beauty. The I'iver, nearliy, stru.n,nles
between a number of woodid islands, while fuitlK-r below, it qui-
etly meanders thi'ouii'h vast meadows, till it (lisa|ipears like a
thread of liiiht in the dim distance. Here, on the siimniit of this
rocky citadel, in the month of November lic^ b('<;an to entrench him-
self. Storehouses were constructed from the tiees that <;i'ew on
the top, and when the su]>ply was exhausted, at immense labor,
timl'ers were di'a<>f;cd uj) the steej) ascent to construct a palisaded
inelosiire. \\'itli the eoiniiletion of this stronj;hold, which was
<;alled in honor of the French Kwg the Fort of St. Louis, the In-
dians l)e<>an to ji^ather ai'ouiid it, rei^ardin;^- LaSalle as the ureat
chamjuon who was to ]>rotect them a.iiainst the IiTxpiois. 'i'lie
country, which lay under the ])rotection of the fort, recently strewn
with the fi'hastly lelicfs (tf an JrcMpiois victory, now bet-ame ani-
mated with a wild concourses of siivajije life. The givnt town of
the Illinois, the .lerusalem of these tribes, Fluenix like, had s]»run<if
from its aslies, and ayain echoed with the tramp of some (),0()0 in-
liabitants. In addition to the Illinois, there were scaftered along
the Aalley of the river, amonp; the nei<;hborin<>' hills and over the
adjacent plains, the fraj>inents of 10 or IL' other tribes, numberiiij«'
sonus 14000 souls. ]\Iiamis, from the s(mrce of the Kankakee;
Shawnees, from the Scioto, Abenakis and ]\Iohe,nans, from the
Atlantic seaboard, and other tribes whose rou<ih names are too
unpleasant for reccu'd, had buried their animosities, and now
loiinu'cd here and there in lazy f^roujis, while their wives ])erforme(l
the drudgery of their camps, and their children gainluded and
whooi)ed with the reckless abandon of mad-cai)s. LaSalie's nego-
7
98
IITSTORY OF ILLINOIS.
ti:iti<»iis Avitli tlic wcstciii AI,ii(»ii(|tiiiis--;ii(l(Ml by tlic iiiii\crsiil lior
lor inspired l»\ tlir luiiliil iittiicUs (tl" llic li()<|iu>is — had iiicl with
iiiU'Xiiiiiplcd siirccss. in wiitinj: to tiic I-'icim-Ii Minister oi' Ma-
rine, lie wrote that liis e4)l()n_v liad sjirniiiH' up as if by nia.L;ie, in a
■siiiiih' niulit. and contained l,()()(t warriors and sonie I'O.dOO sonls.
)'>y llie iiii\ ileii'es whicii had been eonferrcd on Inni as a discoverer
lie rnh'(i liis wild domain as a seiinniory. and granted portions of
liuul to his followers. Jjittio prolit, however, was realized in this
nianner, for the .ureater part of his men were so reckless that
tiieir Iradncers weri' wont to say of them that eacii married a new
s(juaw every day of the week.
To maintain his colony, he now fonnd it necessary t(» furnish its
memlters with protection aj^ainst the coinnioii enemy, and iner
chandise to barte)' for tiie immense (piantities of furs annually
jiiitliered in the interior of the continent. I'i('\ iously, the aveinic
of trach' lay tliroiii^h Canada, but it Mas LaSalle's intention to
establish an entrepot at the inoiith of the Mississippi, whereby his
colony would have the a<h aiita;;c of ilirect intercourse with the
AVest Indies and Enrope. AVhile he was thus inatnrinjn i)lai's for
the beuelit of his colony, his coteni]torai'ies, either thronjiii en\ y or
too short-sighted ti> coniitrelieiid his objects, were strivinj:' to defeat
them. Unfortunately, (lov. Frontenac had been recalled, and De
La Uarre, an avaricious old naval oiHcer, had been sent out to
take his place. His conduct soon ])i-oved tliat he was wholly iiiitit
ibr the olVice he was called to till. Like his predecessor, he was
fiuilty of violating;' the royal ordinances rein'nlatiii.1;' the fni' trade,
but the former partially atoned tor this wronj;- by an enerjiictic ad-
ministration of ]»nblic affairs, while the latte:' added inability to
his faults, whereby the best interests of tlu^ coiintiy became paral-
lized. He was the s))ecial chanipiitn (>f the enemies of I>aSalle,
Avho, enji'rossed with the affairs of his colony, was ij^-norant of tln^
ji'reat Jealtiiisy with which his affairs were reiiarded. Xot kiiow-
itiii' the disposition of La J>arre, he wrote to him froi.: h'ort St.
]iOuis in the sprinj;- of KJS;;, expressinj;' the ho|)e that lie would
have the same i;ounsel and support from him that he had '• ceixcd
from his ])redecessor. After caiitionin.u' the (lovernor that his en-
emies would endeavor to misrei»resent his objects he i)ro(;eeds to
jiive an account of his ex])loratious:
With only 22 Frenchmen, he states, he had formed amicablci
relations with the \arions trilu's ali»n,i;' the ?ilississippi, and that
his royal patent enabled him to establish forts in tln^ newly dis-
covered country, and to make pniuts around them as at Fort Fron-
tenac. lie adds :
"Tlie losses in my enterprise's liiive exceefletl 40,000 crowns, I iini now un-
iii!i'400 ItMjruis sontlnvest of tliis ])l;»e<' to iiiilnec tlic CliieliMsaws to follow llie
Sliiiwnccs iiiul other tril)es, iind settle lilve ilieiiuit Fort St. Louis. It remained
only to settle French e()loni.><ts liere, iiiul this I ]j;ive alreiuly done. I hojie yon
will not detain them us violators of tin; laws itoverninir the fur Iradc; wlien they
comedown to Montreal to make iieces.sary jinrehases, I am aware that I liave
no ri,;:ht to trade with the trihes who descend to ^Montreal, and I shall not ])er-
niit such trade lo my men ; nor have I ever issued licenses to tlmt eft'ect, as my
enemies say that- I have done."
5s"otwithstundinf:f this reasonable rexpiest, the men he sent on
important business were retained, and lie a second time wrote to
the governor:
LASALLE.
no
"TIk! Iroquois arc jicniii iiiviulini^- the rountry. T,iist yi'ai' flu> Miaiiiis were
soalanncd by tlicm tliat they abi'iuioiicil tlicir town and IIimI, h>it, on luj' rctiiru
tlii'V came back, and liavc been induced to settle wilii the niiiiois at my Fort
of SI. Louis. Tlie Iro(iuois iiavi,' lately niiirdereil sonut I'aniilies of their mitioii
and tliey arc all in terror ai^ain. I am afraid they will take flight and so pre-
vent tiie Missouris and iiciiildiorins; tribes from cominii- to settle at St. Loiii.s,
as they arc about to do. Bome of the lliirons anil French tell the IMiamis tiiat
I am keeiiinu' tlu ni here for the IriKiiiois to deslny. 1 iiray tiiat you will let
me liear iVom yon, that [ iii;iy ,i!;ivc lhes<' people some assurances of proleclinn
before they ar(^ destroyed in my sis;ht. J)o not sulfer my men who have come
down to the sctth'tucnts to be lontrer jircveiited from nturniiii^. There is
irreat need here of reiid'orci'iuents. The Iro(inois. a-^ I h;iv(! said, have lately
entered the country, and a irreat, terror jircvails. I lijivc postponed iroinij; to
^lackinaw, bi'cause, if the Irmpiois strike any blow in my absence, the
Miainis will think ih-.tl am in letiunc with them; whereas, if I and tlicFrciicli
stay amons;- them, they will reji-ard us as [iroteclors. I5ut, Monsieur, it- is in
vain that we risk our lives here, and that I e.xhaust, my means in order to ful-
fill the intentions of his majesty, if all my uieiisurcs are crossed in the settle-
ments lielow, and if I hose win) u'o down to brim;' luunitions, wit'iont whicdi we
cannotdefend oursidves, are detained, under prete.vts Irumpe'l up for the occa-
sion. If I am prevented from bringini;- uj) me-n and supplii's, as I am allowed to
do by the permit of Count Fronlenac, then uiy patciit from the kini^- is useless.
It would l)e very hard for us, after having- done what was rc(piired, even be-
fore the time i)reseribed, and after snlferin!^ severe losses, to have our cfiVu'ts
frustrated by obstacles i^ot up desijfnedly. I trust that, as it lies with you aloue
to i)ri'vcnt or to permit the return of the lueu whoiu I have scut down, you
•will not .so act as to thwart my |)lans, as part ^ l' the i^oods which I have sent
by them belonj^ iu)t not tome, but the iSii'Ur (i(^ Toiiti, and are a i)art of his
pay. Others are to buy munitions indispensable for our defense. Do not let
my creditors sci/e them. It is for their advantau;e that my fort, full as it is of
aoods, should be held against the enemy. I have only 20 men, with scarcely
100 pounds of powder, smd I cannot long ludd tlie country without more. The
Illinois are vcr\' capricious and uncertain. . . If I had luen enough to
send out to reconnoitre tin- eneniy, I would have done so before this ; but I
li.ave not enough. I trust you will" put it in my pow"er to olitnin more, that this
impori.'int colony maj' be saved." *
Wliilc LiiSiillc Wii.s tliu.s coft'cspoiidiiiii' willi tlic uovcnior, tlie
liiU(M' wa.s wiitiiio- Icttcfs to tlic Ficiicli ('()l(»iii;il .Aliiii.slci', siiyiiig
tliiit lie (ioiihtctl flic rciility of litiSjillc's discovci'it'.s ; that with
scafce a srow of vaualioiids lie wa.s about to set liiiiisclf up its
kiii^i', and wa.s likclv to involve Canada and the western ti'ibes in
a war with the InKpioi.s. The extent to which the enemies of La-
Sallc sntfcrcd liicir jcalon.'sic.'s lo lead tliciii asti'ay may l»c yiitlicrcd
fi'om tlie ]Mistiire of atfaii'.s at tiu' time, 'fhe ;;'ovciiioi' of New
York, witli the iio]»(^ of divertiii}^' the fur trade fioni .Montreal to
.\lltaiiy, wa.s incitiii'f the Iro(|nois to make another attiick on the
wcsiern tribes. Alrhon.uli tliis ])rocecdiiio' was IVaii.uht with the
oreatest (hin.^'cr to ( 'amnhi, yet La IJarrc and his political menials
were willin.u' it mioht succeed, and the entire country be endan-
.yered, provided it resnlfecl in the rniit of LaSalle. When, there-
fore, tliese ]>ests of the ioresf, under the iirlliience of l>ritish
intri,uiie, were a^iiiin makin,i;' preparations to invade the country of
the Illinois iiiid .Miainis, instead of an earnest ettbrt to check their
<lesi<;ns, they even enconraut'd them to kill LaSalle and cut olf his
snpi»iies to ai<l them in their diabulical woi'k. The continued cal-
nmnies nttered a,i^ainst LaSitlle tit length reaehetl the ear of the
kin;ii'. who wrote to his Canadian o'ovcrnor, statino' that he was
con\ iiiccd that LaSallc's discoveries vsere ns.-less. and that such
entcrjtrises oii^iit to i»e jirevented in the fntiire, iis they tended to
diminish the revenues deiived from the fur trade.
♦Tills totter is dated Portage de ChIca(?ou, 4 Juni, 1863.— Disiov. of the Oreat West.
](>0
lIISTOltY r)F IIJ/.NOTS.
I)(».iMics.>, ) ii,]/()hi('iu'<l b.v rlic l<!ii;;'s JcttiT, llic ^lovcnior now
(Iftcniiiiit'd to sci/c lM»it rroiitciiac. iiiidci' llic [nctcxt tluit Lil
iSiillc li:i(l not fiillilltMl tlic comlitioiis of liis coiitiiict by iiuiintiiiii-
iiiji' a siilliciciit ^iiiiisoii. Despite the remoiistriiiice of LaSalle's
creditors, lie sent two of liis political associates to take coiiiiiiaiid
of the fort. As soon as this was accomplished, tiie.v coiiiiiieiiced
livinji' on LaHaile's ]ii'o\isions, ami were afterward chaijicd with
sellint;' those which liad been fuiinslied b_\ the kin^ for their own
jMivate 1m iiefil. The ;^-overnoi' also sent an otticci' of the kind's
dra;;<tons to Fort St. Lonis, aiui nnnh' him the bearci' of a letter to
LaSalle. demanding- his pr<'scnce at (j)nebec. MeanMldle rnniors
were still rife at the I'"oit that tlie Irotinois were jicttinj;' ready tor
an invasion, and the tribes coinprisinji liic colony tlew to liaSalle
ami beson^ht him to t'nrnish the promised succor. Cut off from
snpitlies, and idbl>ed of the men whom lie had sent to securii
them, he was L;reatly mortifu'd to lind himself wliolly unable to
make i^ood his pled;;e. Fortunately the rumors were prenuilure,
but as his ivlations with the /.governor were otherwise intolerable,
he determined to visit I'ranee ti» obtain I'clief. With this object
in \ icw, he IclY Tonti in command of tiie fort, and on his way to
(}iu'bec met with the {governor's otliccr, who made known to him
the natiiie of his mission. LaSalle, snbmittinj;' fiiacefnlly to an
indijLiiiity he could not well avoid, wrote to Tonti to receive the
otliccr with line courtesy, whereu[>on, without further business,
they parted, in due tinm the dra<;oon arrived at the tort, and
lie and Tonti spent the wilder haimoniously, the one com-
manding' in the name of tlu^ governor, and the other in that (»f La-
Salle. The threatened invasion (»f the Iroquois, thouj^h ])ostpoued,
was not abandoned. ])urin^' the latter part of the sjtrinji' they
made an incuisioii o the country and attacked the fort, but the
rocky citadel ju'oved too strong' for tlie assault, and after a siej;e
of (■> days they w«'re coini)elled to retire.
LaSalle, on arrivinji' at (Quebec, sailed for France, taking a last
leave of the jii-eat arena in which, tor the last l(» years, he had
been the priiicijial actor; had snll'ered the most harrassinji' anxie-
ties, and had Avon the jiroudest triumphs. From Ibrest solitudes
and sipialid wigwams, a ])rosi»erous voyaj;e introduced him to thc!
busy thron.iis and sculptured ma;;niiicence of the French capital.
Jts venal court, bewildered by the pompous display of wealth and
the trai)i)in<is of i»ower, repirded with little interest the solu'r lia-
bilinu'uts (»f honest worth. l>ut the son (d'the burj^jlier of l^»nen,
unm(»ved by rejial vanities, and with a natural di,nnity far tran-
scendinti the tinsel of titled rank, announced his discoveries to
the jiiddy court. He asked for means to return to the new tbund
lands, and to tbund a colony on the .Mississi|)j»i, to protect them
from thc intrusion of tbreiuners. Two ]ioints on the ]Mississi|»pi
]»ro]»erly selected and Ibrtitied, he arj;ued, would <;uar(l the whole
inteiior of the continent, with its vast areas of fertile lands and
boinidless resources. Count FVontenac j>ave him the aihantajic
of his iutlueuce, the minister of nmrine eutere<l with vijior into
the scheme, .and recojunu-nded it to the king', who also became
fascinated with the lilitterinji- ])roject. As an act of justice, ami
to show his ai)])reciation of LaSalle. he ordered LaUarre to restore
to him the ])ossession of J'\)its Frontcn.M' and St. Louis, and nudio
reparation for the danuige he had sustain 'd by their seizure. La-
LASALLE.
101
Siill(» iislicd for two sliijis, but tlio, kiii^', in his zi'al, fiiive liini four
— Ill*' l-'iiiiicnis, tlic \W\h\ tilt' AmiaMc, iiiid tlic -lolly. Two liiiii-
<lr«'(l iiiiil «'i;;li).v iiu'ii ciiiltaiktMl in tlic cxiirdilioii, coiisistiii;;' of
('(•(•Icsiiistics, soldici's, sailors, iiiccliaiiics, sevoral families, aiul
even a number of iiirls, Inred by tlie jj-osix'cts of marria;;c
iii tlie new laii<l of promise. Siiiili were tiie colonists wiio wei'(!
to plant tlie standard of l^'rance and civilization in the wilderness
of liOidsiaim. As in most of the early attempts at colonization,
the men were illy qnalified to /jfiapple with the stern work it was
l)roi»osl'd to aeeomplish. iJnt, w(»rst of all, was the naval com-
mander, Jh-anjen, who was envious, self-willed, delicient injmly-
nient, and foolishly proud.
On tin' tirst ol' An.>;ust, KiSt, they sailed from Ifoehelleon their
adventurous voyai^e. friMinent calms retarded their pro;;ress,
and when at lei)<;th tlu'y aiiived at Ilispaniola, the Fiancais,
tilled uith munitions and other necessaries for the colony, was
captn)'e4l by a JSjianish jirivateer. This disaster, for which IJeau-
jen was evidently to bhime, w;is the tirst of the disasteis which
afterward alteinhd the e\pe<lition. After obtainiiii; snpitlies. and
.searchin;: lor inform;\tion in rej;ard to the direction in which he
uuist sail t(» tiud ilie outlet of the !\Iississip]»i, the voya.u'e \v;is re-
newed. On enterinjL; the (iiiil" of Me\ic(», and sailing; in a iKtrth-
westerly direction, a sailoi- at the mast-head of the Amiable, <»u
the L'Sth of December, discovered land. In coasting; alont;' the
sIkmc toward tin- west, searchin;^' I'oi- the n\outh of the river, they
inc;intionsly j)nssed it. l'r(»ceedinj;' further, LaHalle <liscover«'d
the mistake, but JJeanjen, i<'fusin;; t(» return, they at lenj;th landed
at 3l:itaj;()i'(l;i I'.ay. I'hitei'inji' this arm of the i^nlf. they discov-
ered a coiisideraltle riv4'i- failing' into it, Avhi<'h I.aSalle conchided
mi^ht be the Lafourche, the most western <»utlet of tiie ^lississipi)i.
If his conJectuJCf* w<'re true, he preteru-d to ascend it to the main
streaJH, insTea4l of returtiin^' on the ^^ulf against contraiy wintls,
and the still ;;ri'ater inii)ediment of IJeaujeu's obstina<y. lie ha(l
diiferc'l with LalSalle froj)i the commeiu-ement of the voyage, and
in every instance ju'oved to be in the wi'on,ii", and now. to ;;et rid
ol' him. he ju'cfei'rcd ti> debark his followers on the Inne shore of
the bay.
I'or this ]nni)os('. the Aiidable w."i<ihed anchor and entered the
iniri'ow passai/e icadiuiC into the Itay, but Avas unfortunately ca-
I'cened over by the sand banks <ibstru<'t in^' the chamu'l. LaSalle,
■with a .sad heai-f. beheld the disastei', yet with cool and patient
oinTfiy set himself about the work of renn>vinji- the earyo. A
<Hiantity of jvowder ami Hour was saved, but lu'csently a storm
arose, and the stranded vessel, rent assunder 1>y the waves, scat-
tered the remaiidnji' treasures uiuui the ravenous waters. After
the landinii;" was eftected. the Indians became troubles(»me, and a
tort was iuiilt, with i>r('at labor, two ndles above the mouth of
the l^a Vaeca, a. small stream falling' into the Hay. L;iSalh', as in
previous instances, named the forritication St. Louis, in honor of
liis kin;;. Here he planted the; arms of France. oi)ened a tield for
j'hintin;; a crop, anil thus foumled the tii'st •■'I'ench settlenu'iit
nnnle in Texas. The country, thus fornndly occupied, .yave t:)
France a chtim which she never abandoiu'd till Louisiana became
a part of the United States, nelirly ll't) years afterward.
102
IIISTOIJV or ILLINOIS.
The scciK' iinmiid llic toil wiis not iiiiiiitcrcsiinj;, niul (n somo
cxtfiit rclii'vi'd Hit' dfjfclioii iiri>iii;4- IVoiii ilic i-ccciit iiiisrorliiiics.
Tl.c t)ii\, Itordi red hy iiiiii'.-^iit's, >tn'tclicd awity in a smillicaslrrii
direction, wliilc tiic otiiiw pitiiits of i lie ciiiiiiiass spread (iiit in an
expanse of |)rairie spi'iid<led wilii the liri;;Id tlowers 'or wliieli
Texas is reniari<al>lc, and uidcii siili rani; ld;;li anion;;iiie lloial
beauties ol" sontln'i II j^ardens. At certain seasons of (lie year, tlin
<;rassy area was dotted over with .i;ra/iii;; hnffaio, whilt' tiii' adja-
cent waters swarmed witli (ish and water fowl. Necessity soon
lan.^iit the colonists the best niethotls of secnrinj;- them, and tlui
sports of the anj;Ier, the hnnter and tiie fowler not <»idy .yave /est
to their wilderness life, bnt fiiini>lied them with an abinidance of
food. It was ciistomiiry tor the women to miiinle in the hiintiii;^
]tartiesand assist in cullin.^ iii» tin- meat, and tinis a hnnler and
fair huntress itccame enamored (tf each oilier, and were mairied.
Their nnplials were solemnized with the usual e.\|)r<'ssions of mcr-
I'inieiil, forllic .uennine i'reiichman, whatever maybe hissitnation,
always thinks it better to be merry, than to brood o\vv the mis-
foi'tnncs he is unable to remedy.
LaSalle, ha\in.i;' pro\ idcd for the security «>f his people, next
■went l.">0 leaji'iics alonj;' Hie coast, east and west, to search for the
liidden liver, but without success, lie also determine«l toniak*- a
tour of observation toward the mines and settlements of Northern
]\Iexico. After cousnminj;' four unnilhs in this expedition, and
ji'atheriny such inlbrmation from tin' Indians as conviiic<'d him
that his previous conjectures ii'speciinu the situatitm of the Miss-
issippi river Were correct, theparty rctraceil thi'ir steps, and arrived
at the fort March (Jth, KiSll. travel-worn, weary, and theirdotlies iii
tatters. Soon after, it was ascertained that the Uelle, the only
remainiuji- vessel, had been sunk, and her carju'o, consisting- «>t' ihe
personal etVecls of LaSalle and a ;^rea' quantity of amunition and
tools, were s<'attered in the waters of the jJiulf. Thi' hiss was a
fatal blow to all attem|)ts in tlie future to move the colony to tlic^
^Mississippi, and left little hope of the unhappy exiles ever a^aiii
Iteholdinji' the vine clad hoiiu-s of their siinn\ !•' ranee,
LaSalle, forced by the necessities ot' his situation, now deler-
niined to make his way, castwiird, to the MississijH)i, ami thence
to ( 'anada or France, to obtain relief. Xo sooner had he tbrmed
this resolve, the oll'sprini;- of dire extremity, than preparations
were completed for the join iiey. April L'L'd, IJd men issued from
the fort and made their way across the ]»rairie. followed by the
anxious eyes of those who were left behind. Day after day they
held a northeasterly diicciion. passint;- through n country of wild
and pleasini;' landscaiies, made uj) ol' prairies, woods ami .proves,
<>reeii as an emerald with the heauty oi May. After haviii.^' made
a distance of sonu' KM* miles, their ammunition and provisions
failed them, and they were com]telled to return to the fort without
liaviii,u' accomplished the object of their journey. Twenty men
Innl pme out. but only S returned, some havin.ii' (h'serted. and
others perished in ilie attemiii to I'caeh ihe fort. The latter num-
ber would doubtless have been .ureatly increased, but for the
assistance of lioises purchased from theCeiiis Indians, the most
easterly tribe visited. The temporary elation produced by the
return of the absent party, soon _ya\e way to (hjection. and La-
Salle had u heavy task to pievent the latter from beeominy (lis-
LASALLE.
103
])iiii'. II(> WHS iiiit'iijilly stcni iiiid uiisyiiipatlii/.iii;^', .\ct lie could
Nortcii into coiiipassioii jit tlio gn^iit exirciiics ol' d;iii;;t'i' iiiid
(listless of tliosc ;il)()iit liiin.
Tlic Mudiicitv ol" liopc witli wlncli lie still cliiiij;' to I'k^ iiccoiii-
plisliinciit of his ol)j(ct, dctci'iniiH'd liiiii to niidcc a second and
more ]M'i'scv('rin<;' cfifort for this jjiirposc. It was decided that the,
adventiir<'rs should consist of LaSalle, liis hrotlier, and two
iie|tliews, ("a\ alier and Moraii^ct; Dallant, a person of r^'pntahle
biitli; jjcotot, ii sur,i;'eon ; .lontel, who afterwards hecanie the
historian of the expedition, and some !.*(( others. Ai!.oitji' those
left behind were the wonn-n and children, and Z«'nol>e Meniltre,
•who had so Ion,!;- followed the foi'tnnes of LaSalle. l'lver,\ thin<>'
bein;;' in readiness, the travelers for the last time entered the rnde
diapel of the fort, mass was solemnly celebrated, and, wit li tiie
dond of incense which rose from tbe altar, ascended the prayei's
of the coloinsts for the success of the Journey. Next came the.
])artin;L:', of si^iis, of tears, and of eml»races — all seemin;;- intui-
ti\<'ly to know that they should see each other no more. -January
iL'tli, i(»S7, the chosen band filed out of the fort, placed flieir baj;-
,uaj;(' ou horses, and started otf in the direction of the ])re\ious
Journey. l'ushiii,u' forward across ])raii'ies and woodlands, anionj;"
tribes some friendly and some hostile, they passed the llrazos, and
encaiiijM'd on the loth of March near the western waters of the
Ti'inity. They were now in the vicinity of some corn which La-
Walle iiad coiKjealcd in Ids xirevious Journey, and lie seid Diillaiit,
Leotot ami some (ttliers, to j^ct it. The ;^raiii was found .s])oiled,
but in returning' tiiey shot some lar.uc j;aiiie, and sent for liorsesto
convcv it to camj). Moranji^ct an<l two others were sent on this
<'rraiid, and found, when they airived, the iiK'at cut nj), and that,
nccordiii.n' to a woodland custom, the hiintei's had approjuiated
.some of the best jiicces to themselves. ^loran^ct, whose \ ioleiit
temjter had i>reviously i^ot him into difliciilties, berated them in a
violent manner for claimiii,ii' this ]»ri\ ile<;'e. and ended by takin.ii' all
tile meat himself. This outburst of jiassion kindled to an a\ ciiji-
in.ij Hame a ;;rnd,i;e which had for some time existed Ix'tweeii Du-
JIautan<l LaSalle, and the foi'mer cons]>ired with Leotot to take
the life of his neidiew. Xi.^ht came (ui, the evening' m(>al was
♦lispatched, and when the intended \ictini had fallen aslee]), the
assassins a]t)troaclicd and shot him, Theconimission of one crime
jicnerally requires anotln'r, to sa\(> the ])eii)etrator from merited
ininisliment, and LaSalle was marked out as the next object of
veiiu'eance.
Two days i)assed by and the latter, hearing nothing of his
ne]»liew, began to eidertain rueful forebodings in regard to his
safety. At length, unable longer to endure his suspense, he lett
.Jontel in command of the camp and started in search of his rela-
tive. Accompanied only by a friar and two Indians, he a])-
])roached the ca]n]> of the assassins, and when near by (iicd a
pistol to sunniio-.i tliem to his ]rescnce. The cons])irators, rightly
Judging who had caused the repoit. stealthily ajtjiioached and
shot their intended victim, Leotot exclaiming as he fell, "■ You are
down now, (irand Lashaw, you are down now."* They then des-
poiled the body of its elothingy and left it to be devoured by the
Mouette's Val. of the Jlisa.
104
IIISTOIIV OF ILLIKOIH.
Willi l>cii.sls(»rtlu'l«tr«'Ml. Tims, at lliciijic of I.5, in liis vigorous iiisiii-
IuxmI's |>riiii('. |l(•^i^lH■(l one uiiosc exploits liiixc ((fiicjill^ ciiiiclMMl
the iii>t<ii.\ oltlic lU'W world, ilis successes r«'(|iiiie(l lor tlieii ae-
coiii|)lisliiiieiit an niwlannted w ill and invincible coiiiii^^c, wliicii lew
conid lirin^ to Hie aid of an enle; prise, Ilis lailiires were paitly
caused i»v I lie \astiiess of his scliena s, and in pail Itecaiise liis
iiiipeiions nature would not permit liiin to conciliate tlic •;'ood will
of those he eniplovcd and was compelled to trust. NN'liile he
yiasped one link in the chain of his extinded enterprises, another,
tlirou<;li'treacher,v, sli|»ped from his hand.
•• il, isi'iwy to riclvoii up Ilis (Irl'rcis, lull it is Mot ciisy ti) hide from sijrlil Mk;
IJoinuii vii'liics llml rcil('cmc(l llicin. MchcI hy ii lliroiiy of ciu'mii'H, \n: sIuihIh,
lil<r llic ICiliii' of Isriicj, jiciiil and slHilliiicrs ;il)o\r llirlii nil. lie wiis il IdWrr
of ii(laiiiiiiit, airiiinst whose iiniU'cirnahlc fiont iianlslii|) anil ilaiij;rr, llicrauc of
•nan and tlir <l(ii>cnfs, I lie siaillurn sun, llic norllicrn lilasi, fatlLMic, laniino
and <lis(asc, delay, disMpiioiiilinent and deferred linpe, ( ni|iiii(l their nuivei»
in vain. That, very pridi> whiili, Coriolanus-like, d( rlareil itself most siernly
in the lliickesl prevs ol' Iocs, has in il sonii Ihiii;;' to ehalh ii.nc admiral ion. Never
under the impeiiclrahle mail of paladin or crusader heal a heart of more in-
tripid lueltle than wilhin the stoic panoply that armed the liicast ol'LaSalle.
To estimate ariuht the umrvels of his jiaiient loiiiiuile, one mu>t follow on his
track Ihrouuh llie va.-l s('<ne of iiis iniernnnahle jounnyinus, those lhou>.inds
of weary miles of forest, marsh and river, w heri', a.uain and aj;'ain, in the hitler-
iK's.s of hallled slriviuif, the unlirinu' pil'^rim pushed onward toward liie ;.;oal he
was never to at tain. America owes him an enduring uu uiorj' ; for in thi^ mas-
culine liyiire. east in iron, she sees the heroic pioneer who guided iier to tho
possession of hi'T richest heritage." *
Tho.se who were not in sympathy w ith the assassins coticeahMl
their fe.sentnient, and on the I'd day after IIm' inurdev the i)aity
Mils iioain in motion. On the main stream of the Trinity they
"Were a,i:ain compelled to halt for the purpose of lui.viii;^' provisions
ol tlie Indians. Here the two murih-rers, who had arroj^ated to
tlieiiisel\-es the coiiiniaiid of the cxiM-ditioii, dcchired their inten-
tion of lettirninj; to the fort, and there biiildinj;' a slii[> in whii-h to
i'scaiio to the West Indies. This impossible scheme, toj^cther with
tlieii' refusal to let their acc()ni|»lices in the murder share in tho
spoils ohtained hy it, .soon led to dissensions. 'I'lie breach itipidly
w ideiied, and tit last the a^ofieved jiartics shot the mtirder«'rs, an
act which was but tlu" iccoil of the crimes they were the tiist to in-
troduce. Thus ended the bloody trajicdy, enacted with such atroc-
ity Ity these pione«'fs of Clnistianitv and «'ivili/af ion, that even the
debased sava^ic of the wilderiiesss looked on with the utmost
ama/emcnt iin<l horror.
.loiitel, with the brother and neiihew of LaSalle and 4 others,
whose innocence would permit them to return to ci\ili/,ation, com-
menced anew their tviivels, leavinji,- the ji'uilty behind. Proceeding'
in il northeastern direction, they encountered by day a monotony
of tan.uled forests, j^ias.sy plains, and miry fens ; by ni^ht, chilly
rains alternatiiijn' with starlit skies, in whose jiale and mystic
radiance they soundly slcjit and dreamed of ab.sent friends and
distant homes. At Icnjutli, after a Journey of two inonths, iu
wiiich they had been leil by o'liides furnished by various tribes,
they stood on the banks of the Arkansas, oi)posite an Indian vil-
lage. (Jazing across the stream, their eyes fell on a hut, nestled
among the trees of the forest, while a cross near by showed it to
lie the abode of Christians. Actuated by a common impulse, they
'Discov. of tlie Great W^est.— Purkman.
LAMALLE.
105
fell on tlit'ir Uiicfs, iiihl with riiiotioiis of ^niititinlc tliiiiikt'd (iod
lor liiiviii^ Miifctnl llit'iii to this outpost of cix iliz;itioii. Two iiirii
issiH'tl troiii tilt' ciiltin iiiid tiled :i sidiitf. whicli liciii^ iiiiswcrftl l»y
11 voMcy iVom llif tiiivch'rs, a caii..;- put out Iroiii t lie shore iiiid
li'irit'd tliciii oMT tin' strciim.
'I he ioii^ lost waiidcicis wci'c cordially <{i«»i'tt'd in their ni(»tlier
ton;;ne by the oeeupants of the dwcllin.u. who proved to lie (> of
Tonti's Mien, whom he had left here in his assent of the Missis-
sijtpi/ This noble otVieer, who had iteeii restored to th(> eoiniiiand
of the fort on the Illinois by order of the Kiii.u, had heard of Lil
Salle's disaster, and iiiiiiiediately e(iiiipped an expedition with his
own means to reli<'Vi' him. With L'.") Freiieliinen and o Indians, he,
left the fort on the l.'tth of l''ebriiary, KiSi;, and soon descended
the Illinois and .Missi;,sip|»i to the (!nlf. Not tiiidin;;' any traces
of him at the month (»f the i-iver, 1m' sent his canoes to scour the
shores for a. distance of .'!(► lea;^nes on either side. Not seeini; or
lieariiiji' anythin.^ of l.aSalle, who at the same time was waiideriuLi
anion:; the wilds of Texas, in a search equally fruitless, he relia<'('d
liis course to the fort on the Illinois, lea\ iiiu, as already mentioned,
HOMK^ of his men near the imtiith of the ArUansas. The travelers,
from motives of |»olicy, carel'nlly concealed the death of LaSalle
IVoin their hosts, and when siitlicieiitly recruited rccomiiieiiced
theirjoiiniey. I'roceedinji'down the Arkaiisas,tli('ysoon found t hem-
selves on the yreat lixcr which had so loiijii' been the object of
their search. The l.'ltli of Sepleiiil»cr found them at the coiitlii-
eiic*' of the Illinois, ami II days more broiijiht them to the tort-
crowned rock, which, like a sentinel, stood watch over its peaceful
waters. They landed and were, soon met by paitiesfrom the fort,
mIio, after the usual s.ilntatious, iii((nircd for LaSalle. Siilistit ut-
in^' adroitness for a frank a\dwal of the truth, they replied that
they had left him in Texas, and at the time of their depaitur*' he
was in liood health.
It is said the oltjcct of the evasion was to enable the old priest,
Cavalier, hs the icpresentalive of LaSalle, to derive some advaii-
tajic for himself and coiii])aiiions in the settlement of his brother's
estate. T(Uiti v,as al)seiit, li;;litiii,i;' the Irocpiois. but his lieiiteiiaiit
received *lieni with a salvo of musketry, and provided for thcni
comfortable (piai'ters in the fori. Tonti, not lon;n' alter, returned
from his niaitial expedition, and listened with |)r(»tbund interest
ami symjiathy to the story of the disasters and siitferinys of the
tra\ clers, as I'clated by the elder Cavalier. He did not scruple to
tell Tonti the same stoiy by which lu; had deeeived others in re-
j^ard to the death of liis brother. Moreover, after liviiit;' for
months on the hospitality of his ^ciierons host, he ad<led fiaiul
and meanness to dece]»tioii. This tla,i;raiit outraiic he perpetrated
by for,iiiii};' an or<ler (Ui Tonti, in the name of LaSalle, for 1,000
livres, in furs and other yoods, which his uusiispectinii' victim
generously delivered to him at tiie time of his departure.
On leaviui;' the fort, the tra\ clers proceeded to .Alackiiiaw, where
tliey exchanged their ill-j>'otten furs ihv elothinjL'; and means to de-
fray their exi»enses liome. Without further delay, they made
(heir way to (^>uebec, and thence t(» l-'rance, whither they arrived
in Oetober, 1()<SS, havinf-' spent more than four years in their dis-
•Tlils vrna the coimnencement of Arkansas Post, ciipturetl by Gen. McCleruund dur-
lujf tlio iiubelUon.
100
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
taut wiilKlrriuns. Tlicv wt'ic iik-ii of only a\t'i:i;;i' iil>ility iiiMi
rilcr;iV, \fl. iiio\c<l lt,\ llii' lii(»>l iiifssiii;^ lifccssilv. IImv |ii'1 ruiiiird
oiH'olllif iiiu>l iciiiai kiiltlf \n\a.i;r.s (111 locoid. 'I'licy iii>\\ , lur I hi-
lll'Ht tiiiit', <li\iil;'<'il llif st'ci'ct <>r l/iSalliAs tiratli, ami tiir kiii;^'
issiHil (H<|('is tor ilic aiifsl III' all wliu wcic |»ii\ y to liis niiiidci'.
It tlors mil a|i|itMi' n-rlaiii llial any ul' tlicm wrir t>\ «-i' siiliji'di'd
to a niiiiiiial |iros('<-iiii<iii: Itut iiiimir has it lliat part nl'tlicni pci--
islicd liy liit'ii' nwii hands, and |iait by ihc Indians, \vli(ini tln'ir
jnisdt't'ds i(ins»'<l In Ncn^ncancf.
in Ihi' niiMn lime the ncwscil' haSailc's death aixi irachcd 'I'lmli's
niiii (in the Ai'Uaii>as, and was ihcnci' ."Uiicd to him in tin- loit
on I he illiiKiis. It is uioi'(> rasy to ima;L;im> than d<-sci-ilM' the I'rcl-
in;:;s of this ni'isl dcMilcd ol' all LaSallc's rdlluwcis w hen he Icaiiitd
thf tragical manner ul' his death. Hnt wiliiuiil ii.seles> waste ol'
time in ^liel' for him w lioin he had so Ion;;' and so laithliilly served
and who was low iieyond reaeh (iT help, he deteiiniiied to make an
eiroil to resei.e his pelisliin.L; colonists. Imh' I his pni|)ose he lel't
the I'oi't in Deeeiidier, ItiSS, with .1 I'leiiehmen and >'* Indians, and,
iil'lei' a toilsome Joniney, arrived at the month ol' it'ed lki\er. where
he leai'iM'd that some of the aeeompliei's of LaSalle's mnrdeiers
were in a \illa;:(' some SO leagues distant. On makiii,u' known his
inteidion to \isil the town all his men rei'iised to aeeompan,\ him,
exeept two, a j-'renchman and an Indian. Not bein;;' aide toeul'orer
oliedienee. he resolutely set out with ihem.linf nid'orlnnalely a Tew
da\s al'terward.'.. lost the greater pari ol' his ammnnilion. Still
nmleterred, he pushed on to the town, imt no trace of the eriniinals
could he found. When, howc\ci', he (|in'stioned the villagers
lespectiii;;' them, he concluded from their sus|iieious demeanor,
that they had pre\ iously been there, and thai the Indians, incensed
ill their misdeeds, had probably p>d them to death. I la \ in;;' accom-
pli islied nothing thus far, and now aiiiiost without ammnnilion. w it li
iiiller disappointment he was compelled toretniii. In retraciu;;'
their steps they met with more than the usual amount of hardships
atteiidin.y a march tliroiijih an um'X|ilored wildei'i\ess. On arriv-
ing' at the Indian \ illa;u'e on the Arkairsas, Tonti. as the residt of
exliaiislion and exposure, became sick of a I'cNcr, but recoxcred in
time to I'eacli the fort on the Illinois by tlnr first oi' Se|ileniber.
This nnsuccessfnl effort uas the last attempt made to i-esciie tln^
uid'orluiiale colony fioin fln^ sava.uc imnuiisity thai shut them out
from home and civilization. Their linal destruction by the Indians
was learned from the Sjianiards of Mexico. Sjiain clainn-d the
couidry boi'derinn' on the (Inlf of iNIexico, and from the capture of
LaSallc's vessel in the West Indian Seas, his designs became
known. After several attempts to llml the location of his colony
and destroy it, a Mexican expedition, .ynided by on(i of the Frciicli
deserters, pushed aci'oss the wilderm'ss to the foit. Seeiii;;- no
evidences of life without, the SjiaiMards spurred their lioises
tliroiiyh the open jiiatcway of the fort, and fouml oidy the ruins of
"w hat had once constituted the stoi'cs and furniliirc of the jiai-rison.
J-'roin French desertors domesticated amouii' the Indians, it was
learned that alioiit .'» months before, a band of savau'cs ambusln'd
themselves under the banks of the river, while others drew the
pirris(Hi out of the fort for the ])urpose of trallic. At a yiveii si^-
luil, the concealed foe rushed from liis co\-ert, and immolated indis-
criminately the men, wonu'U and children. Thus ends one of the
LASAr,],!',.
iiiosf t'xtt'iisivj' t'X|il(>nitioii.s known to lii.slory. As ii ^ji-cal ;>i'o-
;;r.i|>!ii("il iiiN<'ov('r.v, it is onl.v s»c<»ml to tlwit wliitli niiiiic iiiiowu
to ICiiio|M' tin- cNlsli'iin' of tlir NNi'slcni ll»'iiiis|»li('ic. 'I'lic ;;iiiit
XiillcN lIlllS IJH'OWII l>|M'll ililS silllT Im'CII lilit'll Willi il l'0|l>lt'lhllin||
ol |iio,s|M'i'oiis, ii:i|>|)V stiitcs. Til*' cil V wliirli ilc:)! lMlt'|ii'i\ cii liini
III' roiiliiiili;;, iilid wliicll his >.ii;:iicit,N loioiiw Woillil litcuiiii' niu- of
till' \i\{".[\ iiiiii't ;of iIm> riirtli, is now tli*' ('iiipoiiiini of tlii> South.
Aiiii'iiiM owes him a ilrl.t of mnlitmlr wiiirli shr will cNtT l>r 1111:1-
l)ir lo p.iv, iiiiil iii'hivi' iiiiUiiifr, as a t,\lM- of iiicaiiialc (•ii(-r;;^\, liis
dccd,^ -lif will M('\('i' foi';L;t'l.
Ill wKi'iN.- It will 111' I'iMiii iiilxTcil ttint Iji\Sii1Ii! Im\ln>f crmcliiilccl tliitt lli'iiiicjilii
ciiiijil ild iiion Li'oiiil li.\' I'Vjiliii'lriu' till' llllniiis Miul rplicr .Mlssls<<l|i|>l, tliiiii In |>i'i'.irliliiu
8i'riii>>i>~.ini<l t lial lir Willi I \\ u i'ci'ii|i,nilnii-i wiTi' "riii on Ilia I iiil-.>liiii. ilavlnu' •Ii'miikIiiI
till' I IhtiniMiiiil I'oiiiiiiciiiTil I lie ii-i'i'iil nil III' Missl»-i||iii:, llii'> wi'ii' >'iH|i|'|si'il. mill liilii'ii
liv 11 li.iii'l lit Slur V Willi niiii|ii''lril llii'iii ii|i till' liMT 111 I 111' 1,11 K III Si A II I In ill) , ii in I
t lii'lii''' III tlirli' \ liliiVi':- I'l t III' V'ii'liiily III' Mlllc Liii', tVlsi'oiisiii Hit ' lli'iiiii'|iiii '|ii'iil I III'
SiH'liiu mill Siiiiiiiii'i' I iiiiiilliiLr, iii'iiii'^Mis 11 |ili\ »li'liiii, mill ~liiil> liiM' till' Siiiii.v hiiiiiii.i'ji'.
All! iiiiiii III li'liiJlit ('.inic. mill Willi till' ('iiii>iriil 111 tlii' I'liirl I ii'.v Wi'i'i' iiii'iiiil Mil In
(li'imii . I'liii'i'i'illiiu- li.\ wiiy ill I 111' lliitii, Mls«isvi|i|.|, Ui.-i iiii-iii, anil Fux iiM'r> tn 1 iiicn
Imy. Iln-.v "liiiil I In' ^Viiili'r wjtii I lii' .li'.iiill MIm^ 11 a nil Irs W ii li iln' ii|i('ii|ri)i- iit S|iiinu'
tlii',\ iiiii\i'il iliHVi; llir lalii'smnl St I.awii'iii'i', to l,iiii'lii'i',\vlii'ii' lli'iiia'jiln win 11 rii I'll
liv ilii- !.'ii\i'iiiiii', wini lisliiii'il Willi |ii'iitiiiiiiil jnli'ri'.'-t |n|ln' ri'rilal nt Ills iniM'Is.
I'l'iHii Aiiii'i'li'ii III' Weill III I'l'iinci', wlici'i'iin acciiiint nl Ills I nivcls witi' |iiiliil-liri| in
(lilVi'i'i'iil laiiuiia!;i'c, ami rcinl H It 11 ureal iiilei'i'sl Nut iin'elini;' wllli llie eiieuiirajje-
liii'iit III I'laliee lii'i'X|iii'|i'il, lie Weill to lliiiiiainl ami was taken Intii Hie 'iel'\ iee nt'
Kitiu W'illlaiii Tills iriiiiareli wisliieu' In set ii|i II I'laliii tii l.iiiiisimia. inWiK'i'il Iniii l<>
niD'lily till' iiai ralive el' lijs ihsi-nv ery sn as to l'a\ iir liis elailii ^■il■illill^^■ In Ills ii'i|iiest
III' wiipIc il new aeeoiiiit. in wliieli lie lalsely staleil tliiit liel'nre Ills Miyaire up tlie rher
lie llr«l ili'Siieiiileil it In tlie sea. 'I'liiis while lie emlea\ ( itil In roll IjiiSaiie nl lil> priiiei-
|ml liiiir els. lie t.iriiisli.'il Ills own laiiie ami was iilterwarils stiyniiili/.eil liy his eniiinrj-
DK'ii ij.s lliu |iniui' lit' liii's.
ClIAPTKR X.
J70()-171!)— ILLINOIS A 1)EI'EXJ>EXCY OF CANADA AND
TAirrOF LOriSLVXA— THE (;()VKK>\MKNT A TIIIOOC-
KACY— OPEL'ATIOXS OF CIJOZAT.
A Dependency of Canada. — Twclvo ymir.s elapsed after LaSiille\s
friiillcss a<^teiiii)t to IuiiikI a (•<il<»iiv (in tlie ^Mississippi, liei'orc llie
jiON*-!!!!!!!'!!! ol' FraiK'c iiuiilc a sce(tii(l eCCoil. At lciij;tl', Icariiiii'
tliat iMiylaiKl iiiijilit obtain lU'eeedence in tlic ;;i('at valley, tlie
Icin.i:' set (»n I'oot an enterprise Cor tliis jynrpose. M. <ril)er\ ille,
Avlio had e.\liil»ite<l sueli nnitni'e Jnd.ynient and [ironipt action in
the wars of tlie I'^reneli-Ameriean possessions, was eliosen toeoni-
mand it. Ilavinji,' eneonntered tlie ieeberjis and snows of Ilisd-
son's [Jay and tlu' bnrnin^ sands of l-'lorida, lie was now icatly,
at tlie eonnnand of his kiiij:, to eiieonnter the nialai'ions niiirslics
of tlx' Alississipi)i. The two jtreeedinj;' years he had estal)liNlit'd
eolonieson Slii]) Island and the iiead of Lake Uorjiine, and abonl the
liii(l<lle of February, 1700. sailed np the Mississippi, to found a
thii'd one on its banks. A site was selected for a foil and set-
tieiiK'nt, abont .')8 miles below New ()ilean>. and wliiie lie was
en,iia,L':e<l in its erection, Tonti descended from the fort on the \\'\-
nois, with a pai'ty of Canadians, (o assist him. Toiili's intimate
acquaintance with the Indian laiijina;.;('s and tlie tribes livin.y on
the I'ivei'. made him a valuable ac(|uisition to tin; new col<,ny.
A\ailin,i>- himself of his assistance. DMlterville resolve<l to tnrther
ascend the river, exj)lore the country on its Itaiiks, and form iiili-
aiices with its inhabitants. Jn coni])any with Tonti, his broliier
l>ien\ille, and other jiarties, he jiassed uji the river to the Nacluz
trilie, which he found moi'c powerful and civilized than others he
]iad visited. The <ireat beauty of the smroiindin^' couiilr\ in-
iluced him to select it as thi^ seat of the future prov ineial jiov<'rn-
nient, and tliebhdf on vvliich the city of Natchez is now Imilt, he
cliose as the site of its capital. lie named the pros] leclivc city
Jiosalie. in honor of the wife of his ]»ati'on, the French ininister
of marine, and lo years afterward a fort was erected on the site
by his sU(;<;essor. D'lberville now returned to his ships below
and embarked for l-'rance, while J'.ieiiville explored the conntry
about the month of lied river, and some of tlu' [)arty from Illinois
■were sent to ramble for G Jiionths iu the remote west, in the vain
search for j^old.
\\"\\]] this expedition down the Mississii)j)i, Tonti, the most
trusted ollicer of I-aSalle, disappears IVom the roll of authenlie
history. The foliowin;;- are some of the acts which distinjiuished
his atlveutiuou.s life duriny this period: llis mediation in the at-
108
A BEPENDKNCY OF CANADA.
109
tiick (»r tlic Iroquois ajiuiiist tlic Illinois in HISO, wlion'by lie
{^rciitly iiiili;;:itf(i, iMit (lid not wliolly incxcnt, tlio hulclicry of the
Isittcr; liis ^dvci iinicnt of tiic Illinois ;iii»l the associated triUes at
Fort St. Louis, (liiiin.!Li' tliiNihscncc of LaSallc, his effort to relievo
LaSalle and his suflerin^' colonists in Texas; the fonndii^ <»f Ai'U-
ansas I'ost, made famons 177 years afterward I)y the I'edU'i'tion of
the I'clicl fort located there,l»y .McClernand and his l»ra\e Illinois
and other western ti'oops; and tinally, the assistance he rendered
DeNonville, the f-overnor of Canada, with 170 rrenchnicii and .".00
Jndians fioni the west, in his attack on the Senecas. Says De-
>;oii\ille: "(lod alone coidd have saved ('anada in lOSS. I'.nt
for the assistance obtained from the jxtsts of the west, Illinois
nnist have l)een abandoned, the fort at Mackinaw lost, and a jncn-
eral ii])."isin^- of the nations would have completed the destrnction
of New France."* liinnor states that, after the i»eitbrmance of
these acts, he resi(h'd sevei'al years in Illinois, and then returned
to France.
As the St. Lawi'cnce had been made an avenin- fortlie a])iu<)ach
of settlers to Illinois, so, afier the ex[»loration of tin^ ^Mississippi,
it also became ahi;^hway for the intlowinji'of i)o])nlation. Throu.i;h
tlK'se channels, communicatinji' with the external world, cauie tlie
])ioneers who, lu'tween the years KISO'-OO, founded the villa,ues
and settlements of Fort St. Louis, Kaskaskia, Call, >kia, and others
of moi'c recent date. These settlements, in comnntn with most of
those «'s(ablislied in the interior of the continent, were, to a j;reat
extent, the work of the Jesuit and IJecollet missionaries. These
hardy and enteri^'isin^' embassadoi's of tlu^ cross, with a zeal
Avhicli detied the o])position of the elements, heat, hunger and
c(»ld, fati,!4ue, fandne and ]»eslilcnce. ent<'rcd the pi'airies of Illi-
nois 1000 miles in adxanceof its sectdar ])o]iuhition. We Justly
adnnre the fortitude of Sndtli, the founder of V'irj^iina, tlie eourajic^
of .May-Hower j)il,<;iinis, the fathers of New l-lnji'land; but iiil
these Iiad royal patrons; then what shall W(^ say of the devoted
nnssionaries, who laid the foundations of States in th(> remote
wilderness, when their moimstic vows denied them even the feebhi
aid of ecclesiastical sui)port ? Neither commercial liain nor secu-
lar fame, l>ut reliiiions fervor, could have nerved them to meet
the toils and dangers incident to their wilderness life.
The first mission in Illinois, as we have already seen, Avas com-
luenced by ]\iar(|uetfe in .\]»ril. I()7."». It is said as he entered the
rude dwellinj;s of the inhabitants and i)reached of Christ and tiu^
Virgin, heaven and hell, (h'uions and anjicls, and the life to come,
he was received as a celestial \ isitor. The Indians besought hint
to remain amonj;' them and continue his instructions, but his life,
Avas fast ebbinj;' away, and it behooved him to dei»art. He called
the iclipous society winch he had established the "IMissitui of
the Immaculate Conception," and the town '" Kaskaskia," after
one of tli(^ Illinois tribes bearin;^' the same name.
The fust military oecu])ation of the country was at Fort Creve-
ea'ur, erected in February, UJSO; but there is no evidence, that a
settlement was commenced there or at I'eoria, <»n the lake above,
at (hat eaily date.+ The first settlement of which there is any
authentic account, Avas commenced Avitli the building of Fort St.
*nan<'r()ft.
f AduuIs of tlie West,
110 HISTORY OF ILLOOIS.
Louis, on llic Jlliiiois livcr, in KiSi'. It n'liiiiiiicd in existence at
least till 1700. wlieii Tonti seems to liave al)an(lone(l it and .uone
soutli. l)ut liow Ion;:' at'tei' tliat (late is not delinitely icnown. Tiio
oldesi iK'iiiiiincnt setllcnicnt. not only in Illinois hut llic valley
ol' llie Mississijipi, is Kaskaskia. situated (i ndles ahosc the mouth
ol' the river of the same name,* There is no evidence to sub-
stantiate the statement that LaSalle left colonists here and at
(.'aliokia on his retuiii fioni the successl'Ml exploration of the Miss-
issippi in ](!Sl'.
The mission hen; ^vas (uiyinally established at the j;reat tovi n
of the Illinois, I)ut with the removal of the tribes farther south-
■\vaid. it was tiansfericd to Kaskaskia. leather draxicr, who had
l)i( vionsly been stationed at 31ackimiw, ell'ected the remova' s(»m(5
time ]»rior to 1(I!K>. the exact date lieinjii' unkntnvn. lb,' was the
lii'st of the missionai'ies to ascertain the principles of the Illinois
lan_uua,u<' and reduce them to rules. \V len recalled from Kas-
kaskia () Mat'kinaw, he was succeeded by fathers J>inneteau and
!'in<'t, tiie latter of whom established the mission and villa.uc of
("ahokia. So successt'ul was I'inet in attractinj;' the att<'iition of
the ai)ori,i;ines, his chaix-l was insiilliciciit to hold the larj:c num-
Ixr that att«'ndedhis ministrations. The Iinlians under his chaij;e
were the Tamaroas and ( 'aliokias. the latter tribe finnishini:' tlie
villafiC its name. Ilinneteau. to attend to his ministerial labors,
t'ollowi'd the Kaskaskias in one of their hunts on ihe iiplauil
}(Iains of the Mississippi, and died. Now stilled in the tall ^lass,
n(»w p;intiii.n' with thirst on the arid prairie, paiched by day with
lieat, and by ni.i; lit exposed on the .'ground to chiliinji' <lues. he was
.seized with a mortal fever, ami " left his liones on the wildeiiiess
lauj;*' of the butt'alo.''*f Shortly after his death, IMnet also died,
and Father 31arest, who had before ex]tlained the myst<'ries of
the cross to the ice-bound denizens (tf Hudson's Uay, ca'ue to
Kaskaskia and took: char^ic of the missions of Jllinois. In his
<'oi res|iondence, he says: "Our life is spent in loamin;^' thronuh
thirk woods, in cland>erin.y over hills, in pa<ldlin;4 <'anoes across
lakes an<l rivers, to <'ateli a poor sava<i'e whom we can neither
tame by teachinjis nor caresses.'" On (Jood P'riday, 1711. he
started for the I'eorias. who desired a new mission, and thus
s](eaks()f his journey:
" I (l(|)iu'ti (1, liavin^r iiolliing iilmiit iii<' lint my ci'iicilix and lircviarv, hcing
ii<C'>in|iaiiicd by "iilj' two savaurs, wlio iniiilil ahaiidDii me I'vinn levity, oi-
miiilit tly tlirdimli fi ar df t'licmics. 'I'iic l( rror of llirsi.' vast iiiiiiilialiiiahle
rcLi'ioi.s, ill wliicli for 12 ilays not a siiiulc soul was st'cii, aliiuwt took
away my cmiiauc Tliis was a joiirmy wherein llierc was no villaue. no
bi'idiie, no tVrry lioiit, no lioiisc, no l)eMl(ii jialli; and over lioiindhss piairiis,
iiitcrseclcd l)y riviilels and ris'ei's, lliroiiuii forests and tliickels tilled witii
briars and thorns, Ihrouuli marshes, in wliieli we somelimes plniijred to the
i^irdk'. At ni^ilit repose was soiiirJn on the u'rass or leaves, exjiosed to the;
winds and rains, lia])i)y if by the side of some rivulet whose waters miuht
(liieneli our thirst. ^Meals were jirepared I'roin siuh uamc as niiglit be killeil
on the way, or by roasting ears of eorii."
Early in the 18th (century he was Joined I)y Mennet, who had
]treviously founded a mission on the ()hi(».
"'the gentle virtues I'.nd fervid eloiiueiice ol' Mermet made himtlies.iiil of
the ^Mis'-i(ni of Ivask.-iskia. At early dawn his pupils came to church, dre<sid
neatly and modestly each in ii deer skin or a robe siwn together I'njin several
skins. After receiving lessons they chanted canticles; mass was tliuii said \a
•nancroft.
+JJiincrolt. •
A DKPENDENCY OF CANADA.
Ill
i
prcscnec of nil tlic C'iiristiiiiis, tlic Frcncli ami the roiivcrls — ilio ■wonicii an
out' side iiiul the iiicii on the iitlicr. Frmn prnycrs iiiul iiistnidinns llic mis-
sioiiiirics pi'dfccdcd to visit tlirsick and iidiiiiiii>tcr iniMJiciiic, and their skill ixh
l)li\-^i(i:ms did more than all tlic rest to win conHdcncc. In tlic Mflcrnoon !lio
catcclii^iii was lani;lit in tlu' ju'cscnce of liic yoiini; and the old, when every ono
without di'^tiiiction of rank or ai^c, answered the ((Ucslions of the missionary. At
(•venini;; all would assend)le at the chapel for instrnclion, for jtrayer, and to
(•haul the hymns of the church. On Sundays and festivals, even after vespers,
i\ homily was pronounced; at the close of the day]);irlies would meet in houses'
to rccile the ( haplels in alternate choirs, and sini;- p.salnis till late at ni.iiht.
'rinse psahns were often homilies, willi words set to familiar tunes. Saturday
imd Sunday were the days ajipointed for confession and conuiiuidon, and every
convert confessed once in a fortninht. The success of this mission was sncli
that inarriaiics of the French inmiijirants were soinetiuus solemnized with the
daiiufiiters of the Illinois, aecordini;- lo the rites of the (.'atliolic church. 'J'ho
oecupaiiou of the countr}' was a c;uitoiimeut amou;^' the mitive proprietors of
the forests and prairies.*
Fallicv Cliiirlcvoix, who -sisitod Illinois in ITl'l, thus spe.ik.s of
th(! < 'iihokia and Ktiskiiskiii Missions :
"We lay last niirlit in tlii' villau<' of the Cahokias and Taiuarons, two Illinois
tribes which have been united, and compose lu) very numerous canton. This
villiii^^e is situiiled on a verj' small river width runs from the ea^l, and has no
WMier e.xcept in the Siirini;'. On this account we had lo w.alk half a leai;ue he-
tore we could sjet to our cabins. I was astonished that such a ])oor situation
liiid been selected, when there are so many li'ood ones. P)Ut 1 was told thai tlu;
JIi,ssissi|ipi washed the foot of the villaii'e when it was built; that in !j years it
had shified its course half a league farther to Ihe wcst.jind thai llu'V were now
thinkinir ofchanjring' their habitation, which is no irreat ail'air amoni;- these In-
Oiaii.s. I i)asseil the idght with the missionaries, who are two ecclesiastics from
the Seminary of (Quebec, fornu'rly my discijihs, but the; must now be my mas-
ters. One of them wasabsent, butl found the other sucdi as he had been rep-
resented tome, riuid with himst'lf, full of charity to others, and displaying; in
Ids own pers(ui an amiable pattern of virtues. Yesterday I arrived at Ivaskn.s-
kia about !) o'<!lock. The Jesuits here have a very flourishin"; mission, whiidi
lias l.alely l)een divided into two, itbeinj^ mnre conveiuent to iiave two cantons
of Indians instead of one. The most niuuerous one is on the banks of the Mis-
sissippi, of which two Jesuits have the s]iiritual direction. Half a lei><;;ue be-
low stands Fort (Jhartres, about the distance of a nuisket shot from the I'iver.
JI. de iJoisbranl commands here for the company to whicdi the place belonirs.
'J'he French are now bei!;innin<; to settle the country bet ween the fort and thi!
first udssion. Four leauiU's farther, and about ii leaiiue from the riv(;r, is a
larjie villau'e, inhabited by the French, who are alniosl all Canadians, and have
a Ji suit for tlu ir curate. The seeoml village of the Illinois lie s I'ariher up Ihe
country, at the distance of two leagues from the last, and is under the charge
of a fourth Jesuit.
"The Indians at this place live much at their ease. A Fleming, wlio was a
domestic of the Jesuits, has tauj;;lil them how to sow wheat, winch succicds
well. They have swine ami black cattle. TIk^ Illinois manure lluir jiround
afier their fasjiion, and are very laborious. They likewise bring up poultry
which they sell to the French. 'J'lieir wonuMi are very nciit handed and indus-
trious. They s[)in the wool of the buH'alo into threads as tine as can be made
from that of the Eng;lisli sheei>. IN'ay, L-ometimes it might lie taken for silk. Of
this they manuf •'•lui'c fabrics which are dyed black, yellow and red, al'ier
wliich they are made into robes, which they s('W logeth(r with the sinews of
the roebuck. Thej expose these to the suu for the .sj)ace of three ila_\s, and
M hen dry, beat them, :muI without dilliculty draw out while threads of gr( at
fineness."
Ucsidos the villa<>(\s nicntioncd iihovc, othci's spviiiiii' up in stib-
Si'ciin'iit times, as i'ltiirie dii Kociie, sitiiiited ;it tlie l>iisi' ui ;i,
rocky bluff of the Mississijtpi, 4 miles below Tent Chiirtres, and
Pi'iiiiie dn Poid, a jnih^ south of Ctihokiii. Other missions wcie
also establislied, iind ilomish elerjiy continued to \ isit the comitiy,
and in the id)senee of civil government, tu'ted not only its spiritual
•Bancroft.
112
IIISTOKY ())'' ILLINOIS.
{iUHli's, hilt ;is l('iii|t(>riil iiilcrs ol" tlic pcoiilc. In lliosc diiys of
<)csiiit <>iitiiiisi:isiii, liolii IIm' |iric.sts iiiid tln'ir Hocks, in iidditioii to
tlicir strong religious feelings, possessed in iiiiinv instiinccsiiii inte;;"-
I'ity wliicli tilt' most ti'viii;^' tfinptiitions were iiowcrlcss to ('(uriipt.
It is ti'iic iiiiicii of lliis <'iitliiisi;isiii \v;is iaiiiiticisiii, w liicii iiitci prc-
tt'd tiic I'csiilts ol' nntiirn! I;i\v as sitccial int»'r|>ositi(»iis of pv«>vi-
dciicc; wiiicli icjianlcil self imposed piivsical pain an act of virtue,
and eoiistriied tlieir trivial dreams as ])roplietic of future li'ood or
«'vil. Tiiese superstitions were eoinmoii to the a.u'e. and rather
added than detract«'d from their moral teachinjis. ruder their
I'ormative inliiieiice, the lirst Ficiich settlements of Illinois wei'O
deei>!\ imhued with a sjiiiit of Justice, honesty, charity, and other
\irtiies, which enabled them to exist nearly a century witlioiit a
court of law; willntnt wars with their Indian neij^lihors, and up to
llie lime of r>(»isbriaiit, without a local ;^(i\-ernmeiit. The conli-
deiice inspired by the priests, as the ministers of a supposed infal-
lible chnrcli, ;;;iive Ihein ample authority to settle, without the
tardy i>roeeedin;^s of courts and their atti-ndant costs, all dilfer-
t'lices which occasionally disturbed the ])eace of the colonists,
fliistice, under these circmi'stances, was dispensed as iii Israel of
old, by the power of tlu' mind to discriminate between rijiht and
Avroui;', rather than by laws whose intricacies and technicalities
fre(|iiently suffer the jiuilty to j;(» iinimnished. Such was the res-
pect for ri,uht, and the parental re<iard which animated the priestly
judj;'es of this isolated theocracy of the wilderness, it miuht safely
cliallenj;e coin]>arison with its Ilebrew ])rototyi»e for the I'cliyious
/eal ami virtuous conduct manifested by its subjects.
A Part of Loui,sioit(i. — Hitherto the settlements of Illinois and
tliose subsequently founded on the Lower .Mississippi by DMber-
ville and his brother, IJieiiville, had been separate depeiKh'iicies of
Canada. >sow they were to be united as oin' province, inider the
name of Louisiana, havin<;' its cajtital at .Mobile, au<l in 1711
])irou <rArtaj;nettc became the (Jovernor (icneral.* It was be-
lieved that Louisiana presented a rich lield for speculation and
enterprise, and it was determined to jilace its resources in the
hands of an individual who had the means and eneioy to develop
them. It was thought, too. that the colonists shouhl Itecome seli-
sup))ortinji', by prociirin,ii' from the soil products not only for their
own eonsiiinption, but to exchaii^t' w ith France for such articles
us they could not inodiice. In ctniforinity with these views, in
1712, the commerce of the lU'oviuce was };ranted to Anthony Cro-
zat, an olficer ol the r(»yal Inaisehold, and a merchant of ^reat
wealth. The kin;;', in his letters patent, after referriuji' to the
oi'dt'is he had j^iven to LaSalle to explore the Mississippi, as a
means of developing; the commerce of ids American possessions,
enumerates the inono]»olies conferred on (Jrozat:
" I"''r(iin tlm iiil'iiniiatioii we Iimvc received coiifcrniiiH' t'n' ^it'iJilion iiiid dis-
positimi of Loiiisiiiiiu, wu are of opinion tliiittliere niny i)e estnbjislicd llierein a
C()nsi(leral)le conimi rce, ol' i;r(iit iulviuitiiire lo France. V\v can thus oliiaui
tVoni the colonists tlie coniniodirK's wliieli liitlierlo we Iniveln'ouu'ht from other
C'oiiiilries, and sive in exeh.iniic for tin in the nia nu fact u red and oilier jirodiU'ts
of our own kin;;doin \Vi' has e resolved, tlierefore, to ifiiiiil tliu coiiiiuerce of
Louisiana lo tlie iSieur Anthony Cro/iit, our counselor and secretary of tliu
household and revehUe, to whom we entrust ilie execution of this project. Wa
'Monettu's Val. of tbo Misa. and Dllloa's luUiuua.
A TART OF LOUISIANA
li;{
permit liini to scarrli, open, and dig all mines, veins, minerals, precious stones,
and pearls, tlironstiout the Avliole extent of tlie country, and to transport the
])r(iee( (Is lliereot' into any jxirl of France, duriiiir 15 years. And \vei;rant, iu
]M iprtiiily to him, his heirs, and all elaindnir under him, all the prolils, except
one liliii, "(if the .utild and silver which he or they shall ca\ise to he exporleil to
Fraiice AVe also will that the said ('ro/at.and lliose claindnj^ under him,
shall forfeit the uion(i[)()lies herein tcrncted should they fail In jiroseciite I hem
for a piiiod of three years, and that in such case they shall he fully restored to
our dominion." *
'I'lic viist rco'ioii tlins favinod out, oxtciidcMl from Citiiiid:! on tlio
iKiitli, Id tlic (iiilfoii tlic South; iiiid IVoui tlir Allc^liniiics on tlio
(•;i..t to tlic Ifocky Aloiintiiiiis siiid tlic ]U\y of ."\I;il;ij;(>i<l;i on (lio
west. " ]S'ot a foiiiitiiin bnbblcd " alon^' Mic siininiit ol" tlicsc jivcat
inonntain Itariici.s tliat made its way inttt tlio !\lississi]»|ii, tliat was
Hot included in I'^icmdi tcifitofy. Ci'o/at cntcicil the \asf field of
Ills labors witli ener<:y, and .soon as.sociatctl with liiin La .Motte,
radilac, tlie royal ooxcrnor of Louisiana. He exitcctcMl to icalize
jireat iirotils from the fur trade, iait the |)ros|tect of boundless
wealth frojn the diseoxcry of ricii mines of o(»ld and sihcr was the
talisman that most enraptured ]iis\ision and induced him to niaku
tJie most luvisli ex]M'nditiires of Ills money. To carry out Iiis plans,
C'xjieditions wei'c made to the most distant tribes, ami ])osts were
established on Ifcd Kivcr, tin' Yazoo, lijoh up the Washita at the
j)]'csc)it towti of ^lonroe, on tlio Ciindu'rland river near Nash\ illc,
and on the Coosa, 4(M» miles above the month of the Alabama,
wlu're foit Jackson was built HHt years afterward. The search for
the i»i<'cions metals has alwavs been a mania atfectinu' the
]>i()iiccrs of newly discovered countries, and whether discoxcries
arc made or not, it .yciicrally ictards their permanent ;ufo\vtli and
])ros]ieiity. 'I'o such an extent were Crozat and his ])artiiers in-
llnenccd I)y this shininj;' bnblile that they frecpieiitly iiiijoiiilied the
most trivial prosjK'cts int<t what they rcj;arded as realities of the
jii'<'atcst value. An inslaiice in which they sntfeved by their cic-
diility, and which ;;i-catly I'csembles tlie impositions and de<'ep-
tions of the picsent <lay, occurred at Kaskaskia. Two pieces of
sihcr ore, left at this ])Iacc by a traveler IVom .Mexico, wi'ee "xliib-
ited to Cadilac as the produce of mines in Illinois, aiul so elated
was he by this assurance of sncctvss that he liiiiiied up the lixcr,
only to lind it, like all jirexions pi'ospects, \ isnish iito empty air.
lint while silver and j;old could ne*^ be found. lar<>(' (piantities of
lead aid iron ore were discovered ,n .Missdiiri: but the ;.;i'( ;;t abun-
dance of these metals in the civili/,e<l portions of the ,i;lobe made
their ine.seiice in the wilds of Louisiana of little con.se<pienee.
('lozat made an attemi)t to open trade with the Si)aniards of
Vera Cruz, but on ,sei:cliiio' a Acsscd with a rich cai^o tliither, it
Avas not ])ermilted either to land there or at any other harbor of
the .yulf. The occupation of li(aiisiaiia by the l<'rencli was re-
oarded as an encroaclimeiit ii]toii Spanish territory, and Crozat.
aftei' three years of friiitles.s ne,uotiatioiis with the viceroy of Mex-
ico, was compelled to al>an(lon the scheme (d' i-oiiimercial relations
with the ports of the jiiilf. Another project was to establish
trade by land with the interior S|)anisli jirovinces, lait in this case
he also failed, for, after a protracted ctfoit of ti\e years, his o(),i(ls
were seized and coiitiscati'd and his ai^vnts impri,s(nied. NOr had
"See Dillon's Indiana.
8
114
niSTOBY OF ILLINOIS.
tli«' i'lir triidc witli llic liidiinis, iiiKitlicr soiiicc of aii(i»'i]i;it('(l
wraltli, iiict with siirccss. Kiij;lisli ciiiissiiiics I'loiii the ('iiidliiias
liiid l»('('ii active ill tlicir clloits tocxcitc Indian iiostilitics a;;ainst
till' Frcncli. and wiicrt'Vt'r |tiacli»'al)l(', had coiitKiJhMl tin' fur liinh',
h,V fiunisiiin^ pidds in cxclianj;'*' at reduced juices. Aj;iictiltnre,
the only resource of lastin^i' jii'ospeiit.v to tlie couiitiy, liad iieeii
]ie,!4lecte(l, and t'rozat, failinji' to reali/e any inolits iVoni liis etVoils
in otiiei' directions, was iinalile to meet his lialiilities. lie liad
expeiuh'd 4-!"),()()0 livres and realized only .'KKI.ddO, and failiii.u lo
])ay his men, dissatisfaction ensued. I)es|tairiiij;' also of lieinji'
more successful in the future, in 1717, he petitioned the kiiii; to
have his charter revoked, which was done, and the fiovernmeiit
reverted solely to the otlicers of the crown. Diirin;^' his couiieciioii
Avitli the i»ro\ iiice, the jirowth of the settleiin'iits was slow, and
little was aconiplislied for their periiiaueiit beiietit. The .urea test
])rosperily they enjoyed ;irew out of the eiiteijiriseof huinhle indi-
viduals, who had succeeded in estahlishin^i' a small trade between
themsehcs.the natives and some iieijL;hl)oriiiji'Kiirt»i»eau settlements.
IJuteven these small sources of ])rosj>erity were at length cut olVhy
the fatal monopolies of the Paiisian merchant. Tlu^ white pojm-
latioii of the country had slowly increased, and at the time of his
departure, that <»ii the Lower Mississip])i was estimated at .SSO, and
that of Illinois, which then included the settlements of the Wabash,
^I'd souls.
Cidzat's partner had died tlio year previous, and ^vas succeeded
in hisoflicial capacity by Uienville, the former jLioveriior. Prior to
his installation some French hunters and stra<i';.;lers had located
in tlie beautiful country of the Nacliez, and difliculties arising' be-
tween them and the In<liaiis, two of the former had been murdered.
JJienville rejiaired to the tribe in question, and after puiiishiiif; the
guilty i>arties, erected and garrisoned a fort, to prevent the recur-
rence of similar disturbances in the future. It was built on the
site selected 1<» years befor«; by his Inother, and was called K'osa-
lie, the name ot'lhe capital he iirojiosed to build at the same place.
This was the origin of the present <'ity of 2v'atchez, the oldest jier-
luanent settlement in the ]\Iississi})pi VaUey, south of Illinois.*
With the retirement of Crozat, Bienville was succeeded by L'l'][)i-
nai, who brought with him 50 emigrants and ■'} com[>anies of infan-
try, to reinforce the garrisons of the dirt'orent posts.
*rt seems that Arkansne Post has never been almndoned since Tontl's men erected
their cabin there, after bis fruitless search for LaSalle's colony, in the spriiis of 11).%
Chapter XI.
1717-1732— 1LL1^'()IS AXI) LOUISIAXA UNDER TUE
COMPANY OF Till-: WEST.
Louis XIV. liiid recently died, leiiviii.u' n debt ('(Hitrnetod by
Viir« iiiid extijiviijiiinee iiiiioniitiii;;' to .J.OOO.OOIMKK) Hvres. lie
Wiis succeeded by liis j;i;iiidsoii, Louis X \', who, beiiii; tlieii only
n child live yeiirs old, the Didce of Orleiins was iii>|»oiiited recent.
In the midst of the tiiianeiid eonfnsion j^rowin^' ont of the etfoits
of the reii'ent to [>iiy the interest on the oveiwhehninji' public!
debt, -John JjSIW ]>i'esented iiiniself lit the French court with ii
scheme for atfoi'diny' relief. Fie was the son of an l-'dinbnri^h
banker, and shortly after the death of his father, wasted his i»at-
rinntny by ,nand)lin,y and extiavaji'ant livinj;'. l''or .'{ years he
wandered over I'^nroj»e, sni)i)ortinj;' himself l>y <iainblinji' and
.studyinij: the ])rincii>les of timince. Alter i)erfectin<i' his theory
lie returned to EdiiibHr<jh, and ])nblished the ]>roject of a land
luiuk, which the wits of the day riilicnled by caljinji' it a sand
bank, which would wrevk the shij) of state. Several years after-
ward lie jiresentod liis plan to the Dnke of Savoy, who told him
lie was too poor a ])otentate and his dominion was too small, for so
jiiaiid a ]>ioject. lie tiioii,i;ht. however, that the Fi'ciich ])eo])le
Avonld be de1i^lite<l with a ]>hui so new and plausible, and advised
him to yo to France.
Accordinii' to liis theory of bankin*^, the eiirrency of a country
is the I'ciiresentative of its niovin<i' wealth, and need not, of itself,
have an intrinsic value, as in the case of u'ldd and sihcr, but may
consist of pa])er or any substanc*' that can be conveniently
handled. He insiste*! that the financial embarrassment under
which France labored, was not the fault of liei- rulers, but an in-
suniclency of currency, and <:ave Enj^land and Holland as oxam-
])les. The recent, ca]»tivatc( I by his views, jiublished an edict in
17H», aiithori/iiii!,- liaw and his brotln'r to estaltlish a bank with a
ca])ital of (),(K)(),()()0 livr«'s, the notes of which should be; received
for taxes, and made redeemable in the coin curi'cnt at the time
they were issiu'd. Threi'-fourths of the capital consisted of yov-
ernnient securities, and the remaind<'r in specie. Law declarinj;'
that a banker deserved death who made issues without means of
redeni])tion. The {government had already, by arbitrarily redu-
cing the value of its coin, diminished the debt L''"'*?'***'*-*"*** li\ res;
but Law's [>a])er beinj>- liased on the vahu> of coin at the lime
lie made his issues, wavS witlnmt fluctuations, and on this account
soon commanded a premium of l.l ])er cent. The rejient was as-
tonished that paper money could thus aid sjiecie and be at a pre-
mium, w'hile .state bonds were at 78 per cent, discount.
115
iii;
IITST015Y (»!•' IT-LINOIS.
Tlic biiiikcr's inHiH'iicc briny' now irresistible, lie pioposed liis
fiiiiMius ?\Iis^i.ssi|l|)i sclieiiie, wliicli made liiiu a proiiiiiieiit actor in
till' lii>toiv (iT Louisiana and lllin(»is. The vast resonrees of l.on-
isiana still liiled the imaginations of l''reneh statesmen with
visions of bonndless wealth. 'I'he want of success which had
hitherto atl<'nde(l the ellorts of l)'Ii>er\ ille and Crozat. was still
insuttieieiit to jirodnee in the publitr mind nnire sober views. The
story of its vast mineral deposits was .soon rexivcd; iiiydts of
jiold. the iircMliiets of its siii>itose(l mines, weie exhibited in Paris,
and the sanj;iiiiie French court saw in the future of the province
an empire, with its fruitful fields, yrowiiiji' cities, busy wharxcs,
and exhaiistiess mines of ;^old and silver, |)ourin;j;' its j)recious
ireij;Iits into the avenues of French commerce. No .sooner, there-
fore, had Cro/at surrendered his charter, than otiieis aiiiieiired,
eaucr to enter this vast tield of adventurous enlcri>rise. Accord-
ingly, in 1717, ail organization was enected under the ansjiices of
Law, known at first as the Western Company. Amoiij;' the pii\i-
leycs eoiifeired on it maybe mentioned the rii^lit e\clusi\ely to
control the commerce of the i)r<»\ince for a period of -."> years; to
make treaties with the Indians, and wa;;(' war aj^ainst tlii'in in
case of insult : to oi>en and work all mines free of duty; to cast
cannon; build ships of war, le\y troops and nominate the jiov-
eriiors and those who were to command them, after beiii;; duly coiii-
inissioned by the Uinji. To lurlher encourage the company, he
liromised to .i;ive them the protection of his name ajiaiiist fbreiiiii
l)owers, presented them the xcsseis, forts, miiniti<Mis and merchan-
dise surrendered by Crozar, and, diirinj;- the continuance of the
charter, exempted tin' inhabitants of the proviiuic from tax, and
the com|)aiiy from duty.*
The stocks of the company consisted of 2(l(),(KKt shares of ."iOO
livres each, to be paid in certificates of state indebtedness. Thus
nearly l(l(lO.(Hl<»,(Ki(t of the most de])reciated of the ]aiblie stocks
Avere immediately absorbed, and the j;overninent became indebted
to a comjiany of its <»wn creation, instead of individuals, for this
amount. l>y mean.s of Law's bank, the interest on this ]>ortion
of the i)ublie, debt was proni])tly ]>aid. and, as the result, it imme-
diately rose from a j;reat depreciation to a hi<ili premium. Any
]»erson, theretbre, Avho had invested KKI livres in .state boiid.s,
Aviiich lie could have (baie at one-third of the value Avritten on
their face, could now rt'alize their enhanced worth. Larj^'e for-
tunes were thus sjieedily ac(piired, thouf^h the union of the hank
Avitli the risks of a commercial coiiii)auy were ominous of its future
destiny.
Ibit humanity abounds in liope, and men, netin^' in larj^e coni-
binatioiis, j:ather conrajne from the increase of their numbers.
IIow far their anticipations were realized in the case uiuler con-
sideration, Avill appear in the sequel. All France was now infatu-
ated with the nlory of Liaiisiana, and ima<;ined the opideiice
Aviiich it was to accpure in cominu' a;;<'s, already in their ;nrasp.
Law's bank Avronjilit such wonders, tliat new juivileycs were
conferred on it daily. It was permitted to nionoiiolize the tobacco
tra<le, was allowed the sole rijtlitto im|»ort nejii'oes into the l-^rench
colonies, and the exclusive right of retinin;^' gold and silver. Fi-
nally, in 1717, it was erected into the Itoyal Jiank of France, and
♦Martin's Louisianu.
LAW'S FINANCIAL SCIIKMK.
117
slxirtlv iil'tcrwiinl tlic Western C()iiii)an.v iner;>«'<liiit<)tlfe ('oiiipiuiy
nf (lie Indies. ;iimI new sliiires (tf its st«»eks were erented iind sold
ill iiiiniense prolits. In iiddition to the exeliisive ]»ri\ ile^ics wlneli
it iilready lii'Id, it was now jirnnted tlu' tnide of tiie Indian seas,
the prolits of flie royal mint, and the jtrocceds of fainiiny tli(5
roval rexcnue of l-'ranee. Tiie ^^overnnient, which was altsolnte,
i'onspired to fiive the highest raiij;'e t<t its eicdit, and Law, says a
eoteiaporary, ini;;ht have )'e.ynlat<'<l at his ])leasMre the iiiter<'st of
moiiev, til" value of stoeUs. and the price ol' lalior and ])rodnco. A
.specnlatiiifx fr«'nzy at on<'e pervade<l tlu' whole nation. The maxim
uliich Law liad ] iroiiiiil;ua ted. ilia t the " hanker desei'ved death who
niaile issn<'s iti' paper withont means of redeni]ttion," was over-
looked <»r fori^otleii. \\ liile the affairs of the Itaiik were nnder
liis control, its issnes did not exceed (i(»,()(M»,(l()(» li\n's, but on he-
<'omiit.u' the Hank of France, tliey at once lose to 1(H».(M»(>.(I(K).
AVhelhcr this was the a<-t of Law or the reju'cnt, we are n(»t in-
loriiied. That he lent his aid to inundate the whole country Mitli
])aper money, is conce<h'd, and ]»erhai>s dazzled by his foi-mer snc-
eess, he was h'ss jiiiarded, ami nnconscioiis that an evil day was
fast approaj-hinj^'. '^flie chancellor, who o]>])osed these extensive
issues, was dismissed at the instanc<' of liaw, and a tool of the
recent was a)»]iointed in his jilaci'. Tli<' I-'r^'iich parliament fore-
saw tin' dan^icr approaching;, and remonstrate»l in\ain with the
i'e;.veiit. The latler aiiniilled their dc<-r<'es, and on (lu'ir i)roi)osinj>'
that Law, v*liom they rc.uarded as the canse of the whole evil,
should lie broiiiiht to trial, an<l, if found jiiiilty. be hiiny- at the
jiiitcs of the Palace of .Iiistice. souk- of the most ]»roiiiinent ollicei's
of the ])arlianu'nt were <'ommitled t<i jirison. Law, alainicd for
Ids safety, th'd totlu' royal jialace. tliri'W himself on the protection
of the r<';j;ent. ami for a time escajM-d the poi»nlar indi^niation.
Hc> still devote<l himself to the .Mississipjti scheme, the share?*
of wliich I'ose rapidly. In spit<' of jiarliameiit, .")( I,( X )( > new shares
were added, and its franchises extended. The stock was paid in
state .S4'cinities, with only 1(M» livres for .")()(( ot' stock, l-'or these
new shai'cs .'lOO.non aj)]»lications wei'e made, and Law's house was
beset fr(tm morninj^' till niijht with ea.ucr ap]»licants, and before
the list of fortnnate stockholders could be complet(Ml, the pnblic
imi>atience rose to a ))itch of fi'eiizy. Dukes, manpiises and
counts, with tlK'ir wiN<'s and dan^hters. waite<l for hours in the
streets befoie his dooi', to know the result; and to jireveiit being
jostled by the blebeian crowd, took apartments in the a<Ijacent
liouses, the rents of which rose from lOi) to llMM). and, in some
instiiiices. to )(•<)(» livres ]tei' annum. Induced by ^^oldeii dreams,
the demand for shares was so yreat it was thouinht best to in-
ereu.se them .{(MMMIO more, at .">(>() livres each ; and stu'h was the
ea.irerness of the j>eople to snbsciibe, that, had the ;;(>\'ernment
or(lere«l three times that nunibei', they would all have b«'en taken.
The first attem]»ts of the ;'omi>any at coloinzation in Louisiana,
vroi'o attcjKh'd with careless iirodi^ality. To entice emi;iraids
thither, the rich ]»rairi<'s and the most invitin^u' li<'l<ls were granted
to comitanies which son<iht principalities in the valley of the
]\lississippi. An extensive ]>rairie in Aikansas, bounded on all
.sides by the sky, was jiianted to Law, where hedesiijiicd to plant
a colony, and he actmdly expended a half million of livres for that
purpose. Fi'oni the represejitations of the company, New Orleans
lis IIIMTOIJV (iF ILLINOIS.
Imthiiic riiiiioiis ill I'iiiis as a Ucaiilil'iil cil.v Itt'lorc llic wuiU uf
nitliii;; <l(»\vii llic caiifliiiikcs, wliicli (•(ixricd its .site, had Imcii
('iiiiiiiiciicril. Ka.^kaslvia, liicii iii(»i |\ a laiilniiiiiciil of sa\a;;<'S,
was s|Miki'ii of as an (■iM|ii>i'iiiiii ul' lia- iiidsI rxtciisiNt- trallii-, and
as i'ivaiiii;^' soiiK' of III*- citii's III' I'liiiitpi- in r«-rui('iiifnt, ia.^iiion and
i'fli;;i<)iis cidtiir)'. In line, to diniitt tiiu \v«>alliM»t' liiaiisiana was
In jadvulvc anj^t-r. I,aw was now in (lie /<nitli of Iiis ;;ini\, and
lilt' jn'opli' ill III*' /I'liitli ol' tlii'ir iiii'atiialion. 'I'lic lii;;li and tin-
low, tlic ricli and tin- |iour, were at oner tilldl with \ isioiis of iin-
tnld w<'atii,anil cscry a;;*', sd, rank ;;nd condition were hiivin;;'
!1 III I VI'll ilMI vl IW'I. <
and scllin;; slocks.
anil sciiiii;; siocivs.
'l'h<> ctVcct of this spcciilalion on the pnlilic mind and manners
was (»verwhelmiii;i. TIh' laxity of public imaals, Wad enoii;j;li lie-
lore, now hecame worse, and the peniicitais lose of yaiiihlinj; dil'-
I'lised ilseir liii(>n;;h society and liore down all piililic and lit arlv
all private virtue heiore it. While conlitleiice lastitl, an imiuilso
\vas ^iiven to traile never Welor*- known. Straii^^frs lloekcd to the
(■a|iilal IVoiii e\t'r\ |)art of the ^thihe, and its popiihition increased
.■ior),(l(MI stalls. Ileds weic inatle in kitchens, ;;aiit'ts ami c\«'n sta-
bles, for the aeeoinmoilalioii ol' lod^cis. Trovisioiis shared the
;i'ent'ral advance, ami wa;^t's rose ii. the same propta tioii. An illii-
sorv policy e\ fiyw here pre\ailctl. and so da/y.led the eye that none
coiilil see ill the hiari/.tiii the ilark cloud that annt>iiiiced the ap-
])roachiii;; sttirin. Law, at the time, was by I'ar, the most inlliieii-
tia! man in the realm, while his wile and dauyhters.were etinrled
by the liiLiiiest nobility ami their alilaiice soii;;hl by diical ami
princely htmses.
Suspicions, liowt'\fr, soon arose; sjiecic was deinaiidcd ami Law
became alarmeil. The iirecioiis metals had all h ft the kin;:iloin,
and (•oil! for more than .')0(> livres was ileclareil an illej;al tentler.
[N'dTE.— A colililf I', wlu; hiifl n stiill ncnr Law's dIUco, ^.'nincd nenr 2(10 llvrcs jicr day tiy
Irittini; It, nrid tlmlini:' >liitiiiii('r}' I'di' Inuktrs iiml ntjii'i' i^iiiiii.s. A lHiiii|iliiii'ki'<l nnin,
who St ( mil in llicslii'i't, us tlir sti)r.> trui'S, yaiiiiil coii-iilciiilili' ■<iiiiis by loniiinu^ liis lnu'k
liM II wrltiiijf ilusk ti) till' CM«('i' Hiii'Ciilulors. l,iiw, liiiiliii^.' Ills ii'Siiliiicc toosiimll, cx-
t'hiintrt'tl il lor t lie IMuco Viniloiiie. wljitlirr llic cinwil lollnwt'd liiiii. iiml t lit' spncioua
Eir|iiiiri' hud tlii' iipiii'iirimcc ol' a iniliiic iiinikct. Hoollis wiTf t'l-fcti'd lor the tiaiisiL—
tioiiof laislneSH and tlu' su.f of rt'lrt'siiiin iits. 'Ihi' hoiijcv aids iiikI piililic (iardtMi.s
were liirsakeii, and tin: I'iact,' \'i ndoiiic hccaiin' tlic niosl rasliiniialiji' lounge lor p.irllfs
of pifusiiro. The lIotL'l dSiisoii was taken, and its lini! irardcii, or'iaiiicntcd with foiin-
tiiinsaiid Htiitimry, wiiH eovcri'd over Willi tents and pivilions fortlie aeeoniniodatioa
of filoek .jolitiers, and each tent lieiiik' let at 'itHi livres per iiioMth, in di- a iiioiitlily lev-
eniii' of :.'.")tl.tKKI livrrs. I'eers, Jiidtres and liisliops tin onj-'ed the lloti'j de Siisoii. and
ollieersof the urniy and navy, ladles id' titlt; and fa>liion, were seen waiflinf in the
nnte-eliaiiiher of liaw, to lie^i'ii pfalioiiof his stock. He was iinaMe lo wail lai oiie-
tentii purt of tin; applicants, and cmtv .nei-icsof inni'iiiiity was employed totiuiiiiln
midience. Peer?, whose ditrnity would liaxc lieeii oiitra^red if the reuciit had niado
them wait lialf an hour for an intei\ i(!W, were (Mintent to wait li liiairs for the purposi»
ol seeiiDf tin? wily adventurer. lOnorin ns fees were paid to his servants to iiniioune-o
th'ir name, and ladies of rank einployeil the hlandishmentsof their smiles. One lady
in imrticular, who had striven in vain many days to see fjiw, ordered licrcoaehmmi to
keep a strict watch, and when he saw liiiii comiiii.'. to drive ayainst a post and upset her
eiirrlaire. This was siiceessfiilly nt'complislieil, iiml Ijiw, who witnessed the ap|iareiit
accident, ran to hi.'r assistance. She was led to his lioiist-, and a.s soon asslie thoiiirht it
(idvlsalile, recovered from her friy hi, aiKdotized for the iiilrnsion.iuul confessed the
strataf-'em. Law was a (rallaiit, and could no lontrcr ri-fiise, an I entered her name on
his book as the purchaser of some stock. Another lady of nink, knowiiiif lliat Law
dined at H eortain tim(\ proceeded tiiitlier in hercarriairo and kuvo tlie alarm of lire,
and while everybody wasscaniperiiiir away, sht; made haste to meet him ; but he. siis-
{H'ctlnnthe trick, rim oil in 1 In; opposite directitin. A celebrated physician in I'aris
iiid boiitrht stock at an iinlaMirable time, and was an.\ioiis to sell out . While it was
r»l>idly failinir, and while his mind was lilled with the sub.ii!i:t. lie was euUi d on to
atlend a lady who 'lioiii-dit herself unwell. Heinsr shown up stairs, be felt the la<ly's
pulse, and, more intent upon tii.s s'lieks than the patient, e.vclaimi^d : "It falls; pood
(jod I it falls continually. Tlie lady started, ami riinfiii).' the bell for assistance, .said :
" O, dot^tor, I am dyiiiy, I am dyiny"; it fulls! " AVtiat f.illsV" imjiiired tlit^ iloctor, in
anui/.eiiient. "M.v imlso. my imlse," saiil the lady; "I iiiii iiyinsr!" "('aim your
fears, my ciear iiiudani," said tliu doctor. •' I was spcihinx of the stouks 1 have boon
BO (front a loser, and my mind is so disturlied that. 1 hardly know what I am say-
ing."]
LAW'S I'lXANf'IAL Hf'IIEME.
11U
A (H)iiiicil nfstiitc Wii.H ln'ld, Mini il wiis asci'i'tiiiiu-d tliat L',(!(l(»,(llM»,-
(M)l),lM)(> ill |):i|M-r ui-rc in i-iiriil;iti<iti, mihI (lit- IciiiU sto|)|H d |iiiy-
iiiciit. Tlif |M'n|tlf iissaiillctl Liiw'.s «iiniii;i<' wilii .stuiifs, iiiiii Imf
lor tliH <l('\t«'rity ol' Ills «-<»iicliiiiaii, lie woiiM liavt; liccii torn lo
pieces. On tlie rollowiii;;' (lav liis \\ He ami (liiii^liter weie atliirUed
as lliey were reliiniili;; ill tlieir caniil^ie (roiii the raees. 'I'lie le
iii'Ui \wU\<^ inrniiiieil (»r (liese neciirieiiees sent iiiiii a yiiaid lor his
jtroteetion. {''iinliii;:- his lioiise, e\en with ii j^iiaid. iiiseeiiie. lie
l'e|iiiii'eil lo the |i:iliii'e iiinl took ;i|iiirtiiieiils witli the l'e;;ent. Snoii
ul'terwani, lea\iiiL; the kinndoin, his estate anil liliraiy were coiilis-
fal<'<l,an(| lie died at N'ieiina in extreme poverty.*
The lessons to he leiiriied IVoiii these wild linaiieial speculations,
is, tliiit thee.Npiinsioii ol'ciirrency al\V!i,\ s yi\es iiii impel us to indus-
try. I)nt when it is Icised on credits, uitlnnit iiieiiiis of redemption,
it must meet wilhnn overthrow attended with a prostration of
business ureally oxerltiihinein;; iill tenipoijiry iid\ antiiues.
We must now recoil II I the operations of the compiiny in Louis-
iana. On the 2."»th of Aii^nst, ITIS, its slii|is, after ;i pleasiint
voyaiic eiitereil the port of Mobile, chantin;; the Tc Ihinn for their
sale arrival. On hoiird the ships was the kinj;'s lieiitenanl. M.
J>oisi>riant, hearin;;' a commission anthori/in;: i>ie:.\ille to act as
}i()\ernoi'-j;ciieiiil of the j»ro\iiice, and S(H» iniiiii,:nranls. 'I'lie ji<»v-
ornor ayain coniinenced the duties of his ollice, still eiitertaininji
liis pre\ ions com ictions Unit the c;i|>itiil of the pro\ im-e should he
removed Iroiii the sterile sniids of the Oiilf coast to llie hunks of
the Aj is.sissip])i. lie leasoned that if estahlished on the fertile
allil\ ii.'ii or nplamls of the iii'eat river, it wimld hecoiiM' the ceiilrt;
of il coiKiniinity devoted to ;i;;riciiltiii(', the only hraiich of industry
that could .ii'ivc perniiiiieiit .urowtli iind prosperity to the province.
lie tlieicfore selected the site now occupied hy New Orleans foi' a
capital, and jiiavc it the naim' it now hears, in honor of the i;e;i('iit
of l''iane<'. I'liylit convicts were sent from the prisons of l>'r;iiiceto
(•lear away the copj)ice which thickly studded the site. Two
ycHrs afterward the royal en;;ineei' siirv«'y«'<l the outlets of the
river and (leclaied that it nii.ulit he made ;i I'onimerciid jioil, iiiid
in 1 7<s.'> it hecanie the jirovincial and <-oiiiinercial capital of Loiiis-
iann. Alllion^h .M. lliiltert, who had chaij^c of the c<»ni|)any's
aifiiirs, iclnctantly conij)lied with the iidxice of IJieiiville in remov-
ing: the dejiots to the new capitiil, time has jiroveii the superior
jnd.unient of the former. l''roni a de|M)t for the comnieicial trans-
actions of a single company, it has hccome the emjtoiinm of tin;
iiohiest valley (»n the face of tin' ylohe.
'I'he delusion that dieann-d of sihci'and .t;old in Loiiisiaiiii, iiiid
which had so lar.n('ly contiihiited to the ruin of ( 'ro/.jit. .^t ili liaiint-
<'d the minds of Iiis successors. T'liwillin;; to profit l>,\ his expe-
rience, they concluded that his success wiis rather the result of Ids
unskillful assayers flnin the ahseiice of the precious metals, iiiid
accordinjiiy IMiillii) Jicnanlt was made dircctor-;:'eneral of the
mines, lie left I'laiice ill ITl'.t, with -<M) mechanics and hihorcrs,
and jirovided with all thinj:s necessiiry to prosecute the hiisiiiess
of his olticc. On his way hither he hoiij^hf ."lOtt iie^^ro slaves at
Han Domingo, for working' the mines, and on reacliiii;:' the month
of the .Mississijipi, sailed to Illinois, where it was supposed /^old
and silver existed in lar^«' (luantities. lie estahlished himself a
•Condensed from Hiinoroft, Urowii's Illinois, and M'Kuy's Extniordinuiy Delusions,
!:,'(> niST<)UV OF ILLINOIS.
\\\\ iiiiirs iiliii\(> KiiskiislviM, ill wliiit is iniw tin- soul iiu est roriicr
III' Monroe coiiiitv, :iiiil ciillrtl tlic \ill:i^r wliicli lit- loiiiKlt'd Saint
l'liiili|)>. (ii'fiit *>\|i('(-tiitioiis pi't'Niiilcil ill l''i'iiiii'i- ill iiis piosptTt-
i\«- >iii-('<'ss, hilt tiicv ill! t'liilcti ill (lisa|>|ioiiitiii('iit. I'^roni lliis
]Hiiiii lie sent out f\|iloiiii;; partirs into various jiaitsol' Illinois,
wlilcli tlicii constitiitnl ('p|)«>r lionisiana. Scarcli was inadt' lor
laiiifials aloii;^ 1 Mew rv's cit'ck, in .laclvsoii coniitv ; alioiil lln' St-
.Alaiv's, in i)aiiilol|ili roiinl,v; in .Monrof <'oiint,\, aloii;^ SiUcr
( rt'cU ; ill St. Clair roiinty, and otlicr parts ol' Illinois. Silvcr
crcrU look its nainr iVoiii tli*> explorations inatle on its Itaiiks, ami
traililioii, very iiiiprolialilv. stales that coiisiilei'aMe (piantilies of
sihcr were (IisconckI liere and sent t(» I''raiice. 'I'lie operalions of
Jienaiilt were at len;;tli hroiijilit to a close I'roin a cause least ex-
jH'cled. I'.y tile edict (»!' Ilie kiii;^ the Western Coiiipany liecanic!
tile C'onipanv ol'llie Indies, and the teirilorv w as relroeeded to tlui
Clown, 'i'lie ett'orts ot' the company had totally tailed, am! Uiiiaiilt
■\va.s left to |»rosecnte the hiisiness of niiniiiiiji without jiieans.
In the iiieantinie a tierce war had been raiiiii;;- Uetwceii I'raiK'c and
Spain, ami their icspective colonists in Ndrlli America pres<'nled a
coiitinmiiisdispli.y of warlike prcjiaratioiis. ItieiiNille, with his reg-
ulars and provincial troops, l(K» Indians, aial a few armed ve.>sels,
made a descent on I'eiisacohi and laid it under sicfic hcfore its
j;anisoii could lie reiiifoi<-ed. .M't<'r an assault of") lioiirs, and ii
delermined resistance on the part of the hesieti'ed. the S|)aiiisli
coinmandant siirremlered. 'i'he approach of a powerful Spanish
armament shortly afh-rward, compelled l;ieiiville lo rcliiMpiish the
foil and retiirii lo MoWile. where he. in turn, was lM'sie,i;ed in the
fort of I>aii|)hin Island. The squadron endeavored, l»y a furious
homhai'diiient. to reduce the fort, hut its commander. liiidin;.t his
elfoils uiia\ ailinji, after 1.'! <lays rctire<l. The war coiitinuiuu to
liarrass the coast of the .liulf, liieii\ille the I'ollowinj: year, w ilh the
wliole asailahle force of the pro\ince, a.uaiii move«l a;^aiusi tiic
tow II of I'ensacola. After aclose investment hy sea and laud llic
tow II and loll were carrii'd h_\ storm, aial, hesides the miinilionsof
llie latter, l,SO(.t prisoners fell into the hands of the victors. Se\-
cral Spanish vessels with rich carptes, ij^norant of the occupatiiiii
of the town hy the Ki'ench, ran into i»ort and were also captured.
'i'he oeeiijiation of the town, as lieforc. was of slairt duration, for
JJieiix ille, ant ici|»atiu,u' the arrival of a Spanisli force, hiew up the
fort, lairned the town ami retiirm-d to .Alohile.
r>nt 1ii(^ (tperatimis of tiie war w'<'i'e not confined to the lower
])artof tlu' pKivince. 'I'laders and liunters had discovered a route
across the vveslern plains, and dctaclnuents of Spanisii cavalry
]»iislied across tlie }ireat American desert, and were llireatening
Illinois. Tiie Missouri Indians were at tlie time in alliance witli
the f'reiicii, and the Spaniards planned an expedition for the ex-
termiuation of tliis trihe. that tliey mi.iiht afterward destroy the
settlements of Illinois and replace tlu'in vvitli colonists from .Mex-
ico. Tiu' expedition for this ])urpose was titled out at Saiila !''(»,
and directed to proceed hy way of the Osa.ues, to secure their co-
o])eration in an attack on tiie 3Iissouris. Consistin;;' of soldiers,
])riests, families and domestic! animals, it moved like an immense
caravan across the desert, piepared hoth to overthrow the ficnch
cohuiies and to establish others in their stead. l»y mistake, their
guiile.s led them directly to the Missourks uistead of Llic Oaages,
MASSACKK Ol' I'OI.'T ItOSAMi;.
IL'I
illiil iis ciicll s|M)k(> tlic siiiiir lilli^AMii;;'*' tllty lirlifvcil tll<>llisclvfs III
till' iMcsciuM' of tlu'! liittor tril«'. Tlic wil.v sii\iiy»"s, uii Iciiriiiii;;'
tlifir ImisJiicss, cncoiirii;::)'*! tlir iiiisiiiiilrrshiiiiliii;:, mid I'niiicsicil
two (lays l(t iissfiiiltlc tlit'ir winiiois iind |trc|iiiir lor llic iilliifk.
Mor*' lliiiii ISlI iiiiiskcts wi'i'f |iiil into llicii- Inmls, hikI lict'oif llio
S|iiiiiiiii'<is roiiiiil out iltrir iiiistiiUt' Ilit- .Missomi.-; I'l-ll iijioii llit'iii
iiiitl put tlifiii jiiilis< riiiiiiiiitclv to dciitli. Tlii' piv-st iiloiic wan
>.|tiii»'(l to t«'II tlic I'iitc ot' liis iiiifoifiiii!!' iiiitr\iiM"i. Ill ;mli('i-
Jiiltioii of siiiiil:!!' tliU'riillirs, Itoislii iillit \v:is siMit lo Illinois ill
ITl'O l>,\ tlic NVcsfjTii Coiiipaiiy, toJTCJ't a I'oit on tlir . Mississippi,
lor tlif piotcctioii (tf the siirroiiiKJinji" icuions. 'riiiis ori;;iii;it»'ii
l''oi't Cliiirti'fs, wliicli pl:i,\<Ml siicli iiii iMi)iorl;int purt in the siiWsc-
(pinit liislorv ol' Illinois. Tli*' tort iliciil ion was litiilt on 'lie iMst
.side ol'llic ii\('r, liJ iiiilt's nortliwrst of K;isUiiskia. :ind \\ il lliii
time tlic most iiiipif;^niiltlt' foilrcss in Nortii Anicrica. iit'ic tlui
>V»'slcrn ('onii»;in,\ tinidlv Imilt their wiirehonscs, niid when, in
ITUI Loiiisiiina was di\ide(l into distriets. it lieciime the hend-
4piarters of Hoisiiriaiit, the iirsl local governor of Illinois. The
7 distriets were New Orleans, IJiloxi, Moiiile, Alaitania, N;iteliez,
Mat* iiiloehis, ;ind Illinois.
Soon after the ei'eetioii of the fort, Ciihokia, I'rairie dii Ikoeher,
and some other vilhiincs, received larye iiccessions to their jiopnla-
tioiis. All till- settlements between the ri\ers .Mississippi and
Kaskaskia liecame ;L;reatly extended and increased in niimher. and
ill 17-1 the .lesnits estaitlislie<l a inoiiaster.v and college at Kas-
kaskia. I<\)iir yearsafterward it i>eeanie an incorporatetl town. and
liOiiis X N' p ran led the iidialnlants a coinnnins. or icistnic ^ronnds,
i(»r tlieii' stock. Iniiiii;.:rants rapidly settled on the fertile lands of
the Amerieaii ISottom, and I'ort Chaities not only lieeame the
Iiead<|iiaiiers of the <-oniiiian<lanf of I'liper Louisiana, itiit the cen-
tre (»f wealth and fashion in the West.*
In the Antnmn of 17l'(!, IJicnville was succeeded l)y M. I'errier.
The retiring; ,ii(»\«'rnor had with inneli |»ropriety. Iteeii called the
Father of lionisiana, haviiii;, w itii the except ion of two siiort inter-
niissions, l)een its execntixe ollicer for I'll years. Not loiii;- after
the ariival of the new udxcrnor, his attention was directed tt» the
Chicasaw Indians. His predecesor had ol»serv«'d, in previous years,
Ihe insincerity of tiieir i'riendship for the l-'rench, and had iiijicd the
directory of the cr)inpany to institute some moreclVccli\ c protection
lor the adjacent settlement. M. Perrier now reiterated its import-
ance, hut his apprehensions wfi'c deeine<l yroniidless, and nothing'
was done. The Indians were now hecoinin.L;' Jealous at the rapid
i'lK-roachmentsofthe whites, whosometimes i>nnislied them haisldy
for tilt! most trivial otl'cnse. I'lider these eircninstaiices the ('liic-
asaws, Natchez, and other trii)es conceived the desi;;ii of destroy-
in;;' the I'^rcnch, and sent a,i;<'nts to the Illinois to induce them to
<'nt off the settiements iiitheii midst. Tiie aMack was t(1eoniinence
at dillereiit i>Iaces at the same lime. l)nt from some iiiikiiowu cause
tin' Natchez wei'c the Iirsl to carry the design into execution,
althou.uli the Chicasaws were the first to ]>ropose the eonsiiiracy.
It is said that the niimher of days to elapse from the new moon to
the time of the massacre, was imlicated by a certain number of
reeds, biindlesof which were sent to the ditl'ereiit tril)es. One reed
Avas to be drawn daily from each bundle, and the attack was to
Mouette'sViil. ot the Miss.
122
TIISTOUY OF ILLINOIS.
coiiiiiK'iK'c when tlic last one was drawn. l}y dcsijiii, or acci<l('iit,
tli(^ hiiiKllc sent to tlic Xatclic/, was made siiiallci' tliau tli«' ivst,
and liciicc tlicy sfnick tlic llrst blow. Indian tradition asscrtccl
tiiat tiic plot waskt'i»t a i)roround scci'ct till tlic fatal day arrived.
Tills, acrordini; to ^.'atclu'Z ('oiiii)Utatioii, was on the 2Stli of >;o-
vcmiu'r, ITl'!*, at ti»e dawn of wiiidi tiic (ircat (!iii<'f, or Sun, with a
iiiiiiihcr of cliost'n warriors liavinj;' concealed wca|Mtns. repaired to
Fort liosalic. At a i)reeoncertcd si;;nal, the warriors drew their
AVeapons, and at a siii;^lc onset the little ;iarrisoii slept the sleei>
of death. Other i)arties were distriltnted through the eontif;iious
settlements, and when the aseendinin' smoke of the hiirnin.i;- fort
was seen, these became the scenes of slaii.iihtcr, (ill the iMitirc^
Avhite nndc popniation, niimherinu TOO, were destroyed. While
tlie massacre was rauiii^', tin; (IreatiSnn seated himself in the s])a-
cioiis warehouse of the comiiany, and with the greatest apparent
nnconccrii, smoked his |»ipe as his warriors piled np (he heads of
the fi'arrison in the form of a pyramid near l»y. whose apex was
the head of the commandant. When the wariiors inl'ormcd him
tliat the last l-'rcnchman ceased to lixc, he ordered the pillaye to
commence. The nc,!j;ro slaves were ordered to brin;; in the spoils
for distribution, bnt the military stores were reserved for futnnj
use. As loii^' as the arih'iit spirit lasted, day and ni.uht alike pre-
sented a coiitinned scene ofsa\ij;(' triiunphs and driiiiken rexclry.
Tlie setlleiiieiils on the Ya/(»o and other jilaces. met with a similar
late, but tliosi' within the present limits of Illinois, (»win;.;- to the
loyalty and fricndshij* of the ]>rairie tribes, remained unharmed.
As soon as the massacre became known, .M. INrrier dispatched
vessels to France for troops and nulitary supplies, and ccauiers
xverc sent to I'ort Cli'ii'ties and other posts, nriiiiij;' npon the sev-
eial commandants the necessity of })reparation toco-operate with
him against the common enemy. Aj;ents were also sent to tlu^
(Tioctaws and other Indians in alliance with the French, for fur-
ther assistance. The governor immediately ,u'ot ready to march to
the scene of disastei- with the troops in the south<'in ]>art of the
proxince; but the ne.yroes, nnnil>erinji' some l',000, betrayed
symptoms of revolt, and he was detained to watch the intended
insnrre<-tioii. In the meantime, the ("lioctaws, who had committed
no overt act of hostility, lia.d lieeii \ isited by tme of tlie company's
agents, and induced to fiiinish (iOO warriors. At I'earl river he
received an accession of (100 more, and with this formidable body
of warriors he nio\cd forward and encamped neai' the enemy, to
await the arrival of other for«'es. It was. however, .soon ascer-
tained that the Natchez, unsuspicious of danji^r, were sijcndinji:
their time in idle carousals, and the (hoctaws rushed on tln-in
IlKii tiiiii' III iiii«. i<(i«fiit"^fii>^>(iii«i (ii\ viiirii(i«>r^ jii>~^[i«Mi \rii iiiiiii
unexpectedly, and alter a brief coiillict, returned with t!0 scalps.
]S'ol lon;^' afterward French tro(»i)s arrixcd, com|th'ted the victt»ry,
and libeia'led the women and children. The larjicr part of the
tribe, led by their (li'cat Snn, lied across tlie Mississijpi and for-
tified tlH'iiisehcs on lUack river. Thither they were followed by
troops trom I'rance and the ]»rini»cial settlements of the pr(»vince,
and in tw(( snccessfui battles wer(M'oini>lete!y cut to pieces. Tin*
(ii'cat Sun and 400 wariiors w«'re captured and taken to New Or-
leans, and ilience to San Domingo, and sold as slaves. Thus |te)'-
ished this jiowcrfid tribe, and '-vith them their mysterious worship
of the sun and i>Ioody rit.es of sepulture, i^'u tribe was, perhaps,
CHARTER SUR R KNDE RED.
123
iiKH'c <listiiijniiislu'(l for ictiiiciiicnt, iiitolliyvncc, coura^i! iuid con-
tempt *>{' (Icatli, ill liulitiiiji' for tlicu liju'lits and coiiiitry.
'riicjurcat ('Xpt'iiditiircs in ])ros('<'iitiii;^' tlif Natclicz \vai',tli(' coiise-
(|ii<'iit loss of trade with other triltes. iiiid (lie fiiiaiieial einbarrass-
iiieiits incident to Law's taihire. induced tiie coiii|tany to ask ibr a
sill reiiderol'tiieir charter. 'I'iie kin;;' readily .-^ranted their petition,
and on the l(»th of April, 17.">L'. issued a proclaniatioii dechirinj;'
]joiiisiaiia free to all his siilijects. with eipial jn i\ ileji'es astoeoin-
liieree and otheiiiiterests. The 1 4 years the company had possession
of tiie country, iiotwitiistaiidiii;;- the many adverse circniiistanccs,
ivas a peri(»d (»f eoirparative jirosperity. When it assumed con-
trol, the niimhei' of sla\('s was L'd; now it was L!,()l)(). Then tlic
entire white ]»oi)iihitioii was 7(10; now .l.tHIO, ainon^' which
■were many ]iers<ms of worth. iiitelli.t;('nce and eiiter])rise. TIio
t'xtravaiiaiit Iiojies entertained respeetin.u' tli« jirecioiis metals, had
not been realized, but the search ibr them had attracted ])o[»ida-
tion, which had now made such proj^ress in aj;rieidtiuv as to ho
8elf-snstaiiiin.n'. Illinois, at tills time, contained many tioiuishinj;'
.'seltleniciits, more evcliisively (h'Vot<'d to aiiriciiltiire than th(»se in
otiiei- parts of the ]»ro\ iiice. All industrial eiiteri>rises, iiowever,
were, to a j;reat extent, jtaralyzed by tlie arbitrary exactions of
the company. The agriculturists, tlie miners and the fur traders
of Illinois were held in a sorl of vassala.yc. which enabled tliose in
])ower to dictate the price at which they should sell their products,
jiinl the arfioiint they should ])ay them for iiiii)orted inercliandisc.
The interest of the company was always at vaiiance with that of
the producer, and it would have lieeii (lifticult to devise a state of
iilfairs so injurious to both parties, and so detrimental to the pros-
perity of Illinois and other parts of Louisiana.
I'*
Chapter Xll.
1732-50— ILLINOIS AND LOTLSLVXA UNDER THE IJOVAL
eiOVEKNOKS.
"NA'lu'ii tlio C()iii])iiii,v of tlu' liidii's jiiivc up their cliaitt-r, the uov-
iM'iiiiit'urof Frmicc I'csmiicd tlic ;i(liiiiiii.striitit»ii of iml>lic affiiiis,
31. PcrriiT ri'iiiaiiit'd ^.'-ovi'iiioi-jit'iiciiiK and M. (rAita^iicttc hccaiiic
local ^^ovcnior of Illinois. Tiic coiiiiiion law of I'arisliatl prcx ioiisly
been adopted as ti" code of Louisiana, hut had never been foiiiially
extended ovei' iiMuois. The ecclesiastical alfairs were inider the
superintench'nce of the vicar-ji'eueral of New Orleans, as a part of
the diocese of the bishop of (^)uebec. One of the i)rincipal oltjects
of tlie go\('rnor was, to establish his autliorit\ over the diHerent
Indian tribes inlnibitin,^' thi' country under Ins conmjand. 'I'he
Chicasaws, insti;;ated by English eoloiusts. had nuule intercourse
between Illinois ami New Odeaiis so ]iazar(h)us that eoniinerec
Avas \iitually suspeinled. and the setthMs kept in a constant state
of alarm. 8iuih wast he aninn>sity and activity of this tribe, it als(»
sent secret envoys to the Illinois, tor the pur})ose of (h'bauchinj; the
time honored ati'eclion which had existed between them and their
French ni'i;ihbors. and inducing; them todcstroy tlie latter. 'l'he>e
tawny sons of the [»rairies, however, refused to desert their friends,
and sent an euvo.\ to New Orleans to otfer tiieir services to the
<i-o\cruor. Said this tU'puty to that functirmary : ••'i'his is the pipe
t)f peace or wai' ; you ha\e but t() speak and our braves will strike
the nations tinit are y(»ur Iocs, "* It was now necessary to reduce
the Chicasaws, to establish communi< atiou between the norlliern
and s(»uthern jtortions of the i)i'ovince. and tosa\c ihe eastern por-
tion from tlie inlii^iies of emissaries, sent out anions the Indians l)y
the lin,ulisli eoloides on the Atlantic. An (tllicer was, thei'ctbre,
dispatciu'd to Fort Chartres, in I7.'>(», directin;^' D'Artannette to ,i;('t
in readiness theErench forces under his command, and sinh Indians
of Illinois as hecould induce to unite with him in the war. It was
arran';'ed that D'Aria^uette should (U-scend the .Mississijipi to some
suitabli- i»oint of debarkation, and then cross to the country (Ui the
head waters of the Talahatchee, where thcnemy's str(»ny hold was
situated.
Ill the meantime Ijjeiiville, who had aji'ain been commissioned
by the kinj;' as i^overiutr-^iciu'ral, with the forces of southern Louis-
iana, was to ascend the Tombi^bee to the eoutlueiu'e of its two
principal tributaries, and nnirchinji' theiu'c by laml, etfeet a juiu;-
lion with the forces from the north. Ivirly in the spiin:;-. I>ien\ille
moved with his tbrces from New Orleans to Moltile, and thence to
♦Uuncriift.
JL'l
INDIAN IIOSTILITIKS.
tlic point (l('.sij;iiiito(l, wlicrc a fort liad prcvKnislv been cicctrd to
sci'Vi' as a dcjiot of siij»i»li('s. Here, l»_v ottcriiij; icwartls tor scalps
and making- jjioscnts of iiu'icliaiidisc, lie drew to^ctluT tin- larju'o
force of 12(HI ("lioctaws. After <lisciid)ai'kin,u' tin- artillery and
]>laciny' it ill the foit, tiie solitude of the priiiutisc forests and
blooniinn' prairies was broken 1»\ the tread of tiie forces niosin;; in
the direction (»f the enemy.* On the L'otli of .May, they arrived
within ;> miles of the (.'hieasaw villaj^e, l»ut several (hiys behind the
lime fixed for meetinii' tlie northern forces; a delay, which, as thei
se(piel will show, proved fatal. The villa;;(' was 1!" ndles from the;
fort, and within a few miles of I'ontotoe, Mississippi, which still
]ierpetnates the name of the Indian stron.yhold. and became famons
as a point in (irierson's ^reat raid in the war of the rebellion.
]5efore daylight, the next morninj;', the impatient and tinj4'o\crn-
able ("lioctaws move(l aiiainst the lo^' citadel of the enemy, expect-
iiii; to take its occupants by snr|irise. On the contrary, they found
the ;;ai'rison on the aleit, and the fort a ski]itnll\ constructed
fortilicatioii, erected nnder the siijiervisoii of I'Jijilish trath'rs.
Twi<'e diirinji' the day, Hienville attempted to carry tlie w«)rks by
vigorous attacks, bnt was repidsed with a loss of (io wounded,
ami '.i'2 killed; the latter eiubracin^i- 4 ollicers of rank. The billow-
ing day, .sonic skirmishing occnrred between the Choetaws and the
oiiemy, without any decisi\t' resnlts, when IJienville, mortified at
liis defeat, and beiie\inghis own forces too inconsiderable for llio
reduction ofsneli formidable v/orks without the co-oj»eration oftlic
northern forces, of which ln' ha<l lieai'd nothing, conclinU'd to al)an-
don the enterpi'ise. He accoi'dingly dismissed his rt'<l auxiliaries,
made a retrograde march to the fort on the'l'onibigbee, inglorioiisly
threw Ids eannoii into the river, and retnrned io 2^ew Orleans,
covered with di'feat and slnnne.
Trior to tlie intlicting of this disgrace upon the French arms,
the gallant J>"Artaguette, accompanied by DeN'iiicennesand I'ather
Lcnat, had led his army of.jO Frenchmen and more than lotit)
re<l warriors, from the ])rairies of the noith to the Yalabiisha.
Jlere, at the api)ointetl place of rendezvous, he waited for 10 days
the arrival of theeommander-in-chief, ready to co(»perate with him
in maintaining thejni'isdiction and honor of France. The failure
of the latter, however, to arrive in time, in'eveiited the, junction of
the two armies, and thus defeated the campaign. On tlie lidtli of
INlay, his rash Indian confederates, who had tlie courage to suike
a blow, but lacked the calculation and ])aticnce to wait the lU'ojx'r
time, compelled him t(» comnienee offensive operations. Having
skillfidly arranged his forces, with great daring and inipetnosity he
drove the Chicasaws from two fortifications, and in the assault on
the third was disabled in the moment of victory. Dismayed at the
loss of their leader, the Indians fled precipitately, «'loseIy pursued a
distance of IL*.") miles by the enemy in the tlnsh of unexpected victory,
wiiile l)'Artagu«'tteand some (»f his brave comrades lay weltt-ringin
their gore, atteiidedby Lenat, who, inindfiil only ofthe assistances he
might ren<ler the suffering, refused ti> fly. \incennes, too, whose
name is perpetuated by thccity ofthe Wabash, chose also to remain
ami share the eai)tivity of his h-adcr. The wounds of the jirisoners
"Were staunclu'd, and at first they were treated with great kindness
by their captors, who expected to get a large reward from I'.ien-
•Uaiicroft.
126 1I18T0UV (»P IIJJNOIS.
villc for tlicirsiit'cn'tiini. WIumi, Iiowcvit, tlicy la'iinlol'liisdiscom-
litiirc and witlidiiiwii!, Ilicy disitaiicd of receiving' a laiisoiii lor the
jdisoiHTs and pioposcd to iiiak«' tlicia victiias of a ,sa\a^c triiiMipli.
For tliis ]tiiiiM».s(' they were honic to a ncijililtoi'inj;' ticid, hound to
stakes, andtorturcd before slow and intei'Muttiny lii'cs till deatli
mi'icifnlly released tlieni fioni their snlferiii^s. Thus jK'rished
the laithful Lenat, tlie yctun^' and intrepid l)'Arta;;iiette, and tho
lieroie Vineennes, whose names will endure as Ion;;- as the Illinois
and NVahash shall tlow by the dwellings of eivilized men.
The ("hiekasaws, elated by victory, sent a (U']>utation to an-
nounce tlieii- success and the torments inllicted on their captives
to the I''nj:iisli colonists, with whom they were now in sympathy.
I5ien\illc, on the other hand, chagrined at the result of tho
campaign, determined to retrieve his honor and the jilory
of France by a second invasion. The apjtrobation of the ."Minister
haxinji' l)een ol>tained, t(»\vaj'd the close of the year 17.">!( he <'(»ni-
menced ]>ultin;;' in operation his plans for the icduction of the
tierce anta,u()nists who had before so successfidly delied him. The
signal for ]»reparation was ;niven to the commandants of tiie dif
dei'cnl jtosts, which residlcd in efforts far transcendinj;' in military
dis]>lay anythin:;' befoi'e seen in the provinces. A fort was erected
at the mouth of tlie St. Francis, which served as a placi' of
rcnde/vons, and afterward of de]»arture for the j;rand army
eastward, to the country of the enemy. The force from Illinois,
consisting;' of -(»(> French and ;>(>(» Indians, was connnanded by i.a
IJuissoniere, who had succeeded the lameided I)' Arta<iiiette as
commandant at Ft. Charlres. These, with the foi'ces from other
posts, amounted to iL'bO lOuropeans and ~>W) Indians and nc,i;roes.
Tlie whole, under the command of r)ienville, was soon moved to
the month of With' river, where it was delayed in the erection «if
a second fort, in which To deposit their military stores, ami care
for the sick. I'.etore the fort, which boic the name of Ass\iinp-
tion, wa-i completed, nndarioiis fevers so fatal to iMiropean consti-
tutions, had seri(»usly disabled the army. Hardly had the early
frosts of winter abated the disease, when famine, a more forinida-
ble enemy, threatened them with annihilation. Sui>itlies coidd
only be obtained at Ft. Chartres and New Orleans, and hence the
consummation of the cami)aij;n was necessarily postponed till the
followini;' s]»rin_ii'. Sprin;;' came, but sn<'h had been the dcbilita-
tinji' elfects of the winter and the want of wholesome food, that
only 200 men were now tit for (bity. ITudeterred, however, l)y tho
want of numbers, M. Celentn, a lieutenant of La Ihiisscniiere, bold-
ly set out 1(» nu'ct the Chicasaws, \vli(», supposing the whole l'"rencli
army was behind him, sued for peace. Celeron, takinji' advantaj;o
of tlie mistake, obtained from them a declaration that they would
renounce the iMiiilish ami resume i>eaceable I'clations with the
Fi'eiich. To conlirni their statements, a de|)ntation «)f chiefs ac-
coini)aiiied them to Ft. Assnin])tion and entered into a treaty of
peace with IJienville, wliii^i was latilied with the customary In-
dian ceremonies and festivities. The army now returned to tho
fort on the St. Francis, wlier(> Ilienville disbanded it, and " a^^aiu
inylorionsly floated down the river to New Orleans.''* This was
the end of the second cami»ai^n ajiainst the Chicasaws, when'iii
Bienville not only tailed to retrieve his tarnished military fame,
tMonetto's Val.of the Missi ' '
MANNERS AND CUSTOMS.
127
T)nt iiicnrrod tlic (lisplciisiirc (if Ilis sovereign. Two sinnios li;i(l
1»<'('ii sMciificcd ill iiii iittt'iiii)t to iiM-tc out to tin- Cliicitsjiws tlie
fate tliiit liiid Ix'liillcii tlic Niitclit'z; hut like tlicir aiiccstois. who
ii(»(> years hct'ore lia<l Piicouiitcri'd tlic steel-clad eliivalry of i)eso-
to, they still veiiiaiiied intact. With the close of these disastroiiii
e.\i>editioiis teniiiiiiiteil liic .miheniatorial career of llicm ille,
Avliich, witli slight iiiterriiiitioiis, liiid extended tlir(»iijili a periocl
of 4(( years. A^^c had cooled down the ardor and enerj;y of his
manhood's ]»riine, ;ind tlie honors Avon in ]>r<'vioiis years were now
obscnred in a clond of disapprobation and censure.
Ifetirin;;- from oflice, lie was succeeded by the Marquis dc \'aii-
dreiiil, who siilisecpieiitly Itecaiiie (rovernor of Canada. After tlic
ostaldishineiit of aiiii<'al»le relations with the Chicasaws, the na-
tive tribes f '.rrouiihont the valh'y of IIm' 31ississippi siibniitted to
the dominion of I'raiice and l)ecame her iillies. A eoinmcrcial in-
tercourse with them succeeded, and ajiriciilti.ire, now freed from
company nioiioi»olies, rapidly sprang into new life. Su,i;ar cane
was brouuht from San Dominpi. and the first attempt at its cnlti-
Aation pro\ in,y successful, it has since become the .meat staple of
the ]»resent state of Louisiana. Cotton nas introduced and siic-
cessi'ully cultivated as far north as Illinois. .V uiu was sul>se-
(jueiitly invented by ]M. Dubreiiil, and tliou<;h imperfect com])ared
with Whitney's of the present day, it ji'reatly facilitated the ojier-
ation of s<'])aratin.ii" the fibre i'rom the see<l and thus uave a imw
impetus to the cultivation of the plant. The ti,u tree, the oraii^f,
and the h'liion, be,i;aii to bloom about the liouses of ^the colonists
on the Lower 3Iississipi)i and sui»]»ly them with d<'licious fruit,
while the sweet potato, e\t«'ndin,u' oNcr a broader rae,:;! of latitude,
contributed lar^-cly to the sustenance of both the iioitliern and
sout ;'rii parts of the jirovince, l^xcry arrival from I'rance aui*-
ineiited the jiopulation of the rajiidly extendinji' settlements.
3Iany Canadians, retirin.ii' from the rijior of their winters, sou.^lit
homes in the comiiarativcly mild cliiuatw of Illinois and the re^i(»ii
of the Wabash. LTiider the stimulii.s of individual enterprise the
commerce between the iKn-thern and soiitlu'in jsirts of flu jiro-
vince, and between New Orleans and foreij;ii countries, was jiicat-
ly «'\tended. Itejiular carj^'oes of pork, flour, bacon, tallow, hides
and leather were annually transported in barges from Illinois to
New Orleans and Moliilc, and thence shipped to Liaiice and the
AVest indies. In exchanji-e wei'c brou.iiht back rice, indijid, su.yar
ami I'airopean fabrics. The two exfr<'mes of Louisiana were mu-
tually dependent, and by means of the Mississippi and its hun-
dred tributaries, naturally su|ii»li<'<l <'acli other's wants. Th«
decade comineiiciny with 1740 and closing with 17.")(> was one of
unusual pros]»erity.
M<(iint'y.s and Customs of ihe French. — Unlike the l^nylish and
other Kuroiieaiis, who usually lived in spaise settlements, the
French fixed their abode in comjiact villajics. Tliese Averc ii'cn-
orally built on the banks of some ]»ure stream of water, confiuu-
oiis to timber and ])raiiie, the one furnishing them fuel and the
other with jiround for fillauc. The construction of the dwellinjis
was of a ]»rimitive character. The frame work consisted of jiosts
planted in the earth three or four feet deep and stronjily bound
to^iether by horizontal cross-ties. The interstices thus foiiued
weie tilled with luortur, intermixed with straw or Sxiauish moss, to
128 IIISTOKY dl' ILLINOIS.
ji'ivc it tciiiicitv. Tlic siirl'iicc of tlio Willis, botli internal and ex-
ternal, were waslird witli white lime, wliicli imparted to the Imild-
inii's !in air of cieaniiness and domestic eomforl. Most of tlio
dweiiin^s were snrronnded by piazzas, on wiiicli tin' inmates fonnd
Ji pleasant retreat to while awa.v in social converse the snltry snni-
mer <'\cniii.us. Destitute of nnichiner.v for cnttin<;' their Irei's into
boards, they split them into slabs, wliicli wen- nsed for llooriiij;',
doors and otin^r pniposes. wiiileas a snbstitnte for shin;iles they
thatched tiieir l»nildin.i;s witii straw. Altlion;^ii having' the jureat-
est amplitude for wide streets, they ji'enerally made them so nar-
row tlnit tlie merry villa.u'crs livini; on o|)i»osite sides could carry
on their s[iii;4iitiy conversations eacli from his own lialcony. K\('U
in detache<l settlements the social tnrn of the jx'ople induced
them to .liroii]) their dwelliii;is as closely tojicther as ]tossible.
Each settlement had its j)atiiarchal homestead, which jicnerally
stood in a spacious enclosure, and was oceupietl by the oldest
member of tlu' family. Around this siirun;^' ujt a cluster of etttta-
<;t's. the residence of each child and liraiid child as it imirried and
Itecaiin' the head of a family. Not unfre((nently the aji'cd patri-
arcii Ix'came the centre of a dozen jirowing families of his own
linea,ue ami embracinj;' .'> oi' t j;»'iierations.
CoiiDUon Field. — A duty imjiosed ujion the commandaid of each
villane was to I'cserve a tract of land for a comnntn lieltl, in which
all the inhabitants were interested. To each villajicr was assigned
a ])ortioii of the field, the size of which was ]»ro]iortioiie(l accord-
ing- to the extent of his family. Lands thus ai)portioued were
subject to the regulations of the villages, and when the party in
possi'ssion became iu',iili^('nt so as t() endanjicr the common inter-
est he f(uieited his claim. The time of j)lowin^-, sowinj^and har-
^(■stinp■, and other a;.;iicultui'al opeiations. was subject t«) the
enactnu'iit of the villa.iie senate. Kxcn the form and arranj;ement
of enclosur«'s surrounding the dwellinjis and other buildinjis were
the subject of sjx'cial euactmeuts. and were arranged witli a
Aiew to ]»rotcction against the Indians, should an exiji'ency occur
making' it necessary.
('iii)imou,s. — I.esides the common held, which was desijiiied for
tilla,ue, there was a common which was free to all the villa;;ers lor
the pasture of their stock and the sujiidy of fuel. A.-a accessions
were made to the families of the community, I'ither by marriaj;c
or the arrival of stranjicrs, portions of land were taken from tho
connnon and added to the comnntn ticid for their benefit.
Jnlvrcoiir.sc irith the. Indhins. — Owin.n' to their amiable disposi-
tions ami the tact of injiiatiatinji' themselves with the tribes that
suri'onnded them, the l-'rcm-h almost entirely escaped the broils
whicii weakened and destroyed other colonics less favored with
this trait of character. Whether explorin^ii' remote rivers or tra-
veisiui;' huidiujL!,' ^irounds in pursuit of j;ame; in the social circle or
as participants in the relij>ious exercises of the church, the red
jueii became their associates ami were treated with the kimlness
and consideration of brothers. Like the (Quakers yiiided by tho
example of Penn, they kept up a mutual interelianj>e of friendly
ollices with their red neif^hbors, and such was the community of
interests, the feeling' of (lependence and social eipndity, that inter-
marriayen fre<iuently occurred, thus more closely uniting thtsm in
INTKIJC'OUUSE WITH INDIANS.
129
tlic Itonds of peace. Petiii niu\ his followers' for many years lived
ill iiiiltrokeii jtcace witli tlieir Itrctiircii of tlie forest, hiit tiiat es-
talilislied in these pioneers of Illinois was never interriipted and
for more than a imndred yeais tiie coiintiy eiijuyed the heiiiyii in-
tiiieiiee (»f [»eaee: and when at leii<itli it terminated, it was not the
('•nieiliatory I'renehman, i>ut the hliint and sturdy An;;lo-Sa\on
vlio siipphuiled him that was made the vietiiii of sa\aj;(' ven-
geance.*
The calm and t|niet tenor of their lives, remote from the bustle
and iiari'assin,n' cares of civili/ation, imjtarted a serenity to tiieir
lives lai'ciy witnessed in communities wiiere the ac(|iiisitioii of
wealth and honor are siilfered to exclude the Itetter feeliiiys of
liiiman nature. Lands of iine(|iialed fertility, and tlie still more
prolilic! waters and the (;liase siii)plie(l almost unsolicited the wants
of life an<l largely contrihiited to the liquid lieaited gaiety of tho
l)eoi)le, Witii ample Icisiii-e and free from coiro<liiij;- cares, they
eii,ua,ii('d in their various amiiseineiits with more than ordinary
l)leasiire. I'lomineiit ainoiiy their diversions was the lij;ht fantas-
tic dance ol" tin' yoiin^: At this j^ay and iiiiioceiit diversion could
lie seen the village j)riest and tiie a^ncd patriarch and his com-
lianion, whose eyes beamed with delight at beholdinji' the harmless
mirth of tlieii' cliildicn. When jiarties assemlded for this purpose
it wa.s customary to (diooso the older and more discreet ])ersoiis to
vSeciiri' proper decorum during' tiie entertainment and see that all
had an (»ppoitiinity to ]tarticipate in its ]ileasiire. iMiMjueiitly,
on tlu^se ocitasions, fathers and mothers whose youthful eiithii-
i>iasm time had mellowed down to sobei- enjoyments aj^aiii became
yonn.u' and ])articipate(l in the niazy exoliitions of the dance.
Even the slave, iml)ii»inji' the spirit <tf the j^ay assenil>la<i(', was
deliiihted because his mastci- was lia]>py, and the latter in turn
was ph'ased at the enjoyment of th" slave. Whenever the old,
who wei'c authority in such cases, decided that the eiitei'taiiiment
had been juotractcfl sulliciently lon<i, it was brought to a close;
ami thus tlie excesses which so frequi'iitly attend [larties of this
kind at the jiresent day were avoide(l.
At the close of each year it was an unvarying" and time-homned
eustoiu among them for the young nu'U to (lisgiuse tlieinsel\-es
in old clothes, visit the several houses of the village, and engage in
friendly damn's with the inmates. This was understood as an
imitation for the meml)ers of the family to meet in a general itall,
to dance the old year out ami the new year in. Large crowds
assembling on these occasions, and takingwith them refreshments,
[•Siiya Hall in his Sketches of the West: "We have heard of an occiision on which
this reciprocal kindness was very strongly sliown. Many years n^o a niunler having
been conimittedin some broil, three Inilian yonntrnii>n were ffivc^n up by the Ka.skas-
kinstotho civil anthorit.es of the newly established .American jioveriinient. The pop-
ulation of Kiiskaskia WHS still entirely I'rench, who leit niiioli sympathy for their tiidian
friends, and saw these hard proceedings of tbelawwith jrreut dissatisfaction. The la-
dies, partitiularly, took a warm interest inthefateof the younR aboriKines, and deter-
niineti if they must die, they should ut least be I'onverted to Christianity in the mean-
while, and be liai)tized in the true church. Aecord1.n>>ly, after due preparation,
amintrementswereniiide for a public baptism of the iieophitesin the old cutnednil of
the village. Each of the youths was adopted by a ludy who ^ravehiina name and wiis to
stand trfxl'iKither in the ceremony, and the lady pntronessei with their respet'tiNc
Iriends were busily en>rape<l for some time in preparini? decorations for the festivitirs.
There wasiiuiteascnsationinthevillatfe. Never were three yomiK- men broiiiilYt. into
notoriety more sudde-nly or more decidedly. Tho ladies talkeil of nothinir else and all
the needles in the villajfc were employed in t'le preparation of tlnery for the occasion,
I'rcviiMis to the evening' of lian^'inp, the aboritrinals srnve tlie jailer the slip «nd es-
caped, niiled most probably by tlie ladles, who had planned the whole nlfair with a view
tothisend. The law is not vindictive in new eommuniticB. The danirer soon Mew
over; the young men again appeared in public and evinced their gratitude to their
benefactors.]
9
HISTORY OF UA^^^Ol^ -——Z;^.
clock on tlM- '•'■ '. ^\,,,tl.i-tit\.or.»n<'.uU>,t J ^j„. ^,^vtu•s
lively ana "'"■'^'' \ , "*" ru. nM.n.ious U'^U;'^ j,^, ,,,,,,1 -.nul
^vo.■k i.nT.au.|; 1- • ,_^,,,u,„ -ana uoeloi
All Nv.iv ^'^''^'''\\'^;\u , u'sisassi.i.aual !^ ^^^ ;^ ,,t schools
eouus.-l..rs "^/^'^^V as tlu' ovarl. u. - \. ..itUan u.hih.'S-
tlunv Hun..iat>o,.s on tU ^ .^,^^^.1 ^^^ c-n.-as an^ n^u V!,.} ,„, u>vc
AstlHMvsult \'^ *"; J ,^„a attVHiouato. ', '\.^,,ti,,Hvil»uti' to
In.sbanas ana ^^nc'^ | ^ ....tt.rs; .^uhI "^ '^ *\\ • ,,,.i.,i .quity
lH>r n.ona -»'^^^ ;;^, .. than slus ^^^^jX^.r nvuulU.a t.
IH'^' "'-•^*' "r''^''x u i uu- than slus .-;;-;! !^t to. nvuulU.a to
tvatr at a ,^1'")'*^'.' , .,vntU' and ""l'*^'V „ rv colU'ct^'d and
U"t.-t an.l i-nt nve> > ; ;\ ,,„in^.att.v .w ^^ ^^ ^^ , ,„a inno. .nt
spent U.e vemanuU-r o In -^^ V'v<.t.'stant sn^ a mu ,^^ ,f
pastinu's. lo Ih > ^ ,^,,,,,^,1. ; but the I \ '^^^ ^t of theU"
ana.le for ^'•■'»r'"^^";.:\\;,,\tabU' he ^^naeve hm sU ,,,x
,„vs of lite the UH. e aa i ^^.^,^ , ,, Uu- Ni . ' ,i, ,vc-ve,
tor. 'H.ey e..ntenaea h. t .,.^1,,, ^.um » - ^ ,,,;,ainaev
t le .xi.ivssion <> .l''>'' f, A t ^ir nei^hhovs »l" >"^,.! \\, ^^.U- p.onc
ii,u-.' fai>ri«. *'"'■ ','";' X ■ r .luii..;; «i.i»;i-, :;'«.„'^ ,i' ,WA< ««s
',f ,.„.,s.. 1. !"• .;:>;',:»' .nd 1;."K ^'-f ":, 1, lu.li, i" •■"",
roSITAIKS AND ( »C('t'l'ATI()NS.
I'll
1)lii(' liiiiulkcrcliicr ioldcd ill tlu> tonii of a tiii-biin. In tliu saiiio
iiiiiniici', Idit liistt'liillx Irinmicd witli ril»l)oiis, was foniKMl the laiicy
liciid dl'css wliicli I lie woiiicii woro ill hulls ;iii<l oflMT Irstivc.occa-
sioiis. 'I'lic dress of tlic iii;iti'oii, t lioii^li phiiii :iiid of tlic !iiili(|im
slioit-waist, \\;is fic(|ii('iill.v \ ;iiit'd in its iiiiiior dchiils to suit the
diversities of tiistc I>otli sexes woie iiioeeiisiiis wiiieii, on piddie,
occiisioMs, were viiriousiy deeoriitcd witli shells, l»eiids, iind rilthonx,
•4i\iii^' tlieni ;i tiisty Miid piet iires(|iie iippeiiriinee.
No niecli:iiiie;il \oeiition Jisanienns of ciu iiiiiy' ii livelihood, was
known. The priiieipjd oeen|iati(Hi Wiis :i;L;ii( idtnr*', whicli, owiii;;
to the extreme feitility of the soil, produced the most niiiuilieent
hiirxcsts. Voiiiii;' men of enterprise, nnxions to set* the world and
to dislinunish themselves, heciime voyiiji'ci's, liiiiitcrs, and ajicnts
of I'm- eompiinies. ;iiid in diseliiir^iii.i;' tiieir dnties. visited the remote
soiii'eesof the Missouri. .MississipjM. iind their ti'iimtaries. After
months of idtseiiee, spent in this iidxcntiironsemplovmeiit iimonj;thc
most distiint snvii.ye imtions of the wildei'ness, thi',v W(»idd icturii to
their mitive villitucs, hnlen with furs ;ind peltries. These iiitieles
for ;i lon,n' time eonsLitnt<'d tlieoidy medinin of exeliiiii;^(', and the
ineMiis whereby they pro<Mired ;4'iins, iimmnnition, iind other impoi'-
tiinl re(inisites of their ])rimitivc' life. The re nnioii with their friends
\v;is si^iiiidized hy the diinee. the most iniportiinl reqidsite (»f hospi-
tality, ^niety ;ind h;ipi»iiiess. The wlioh' xillii^c would ;iss<'inble t»u
these oeeasi(ms to se(; the reimwed\ (»y;i;;('rs, ;ind hear them recount
the strniiii'e sijiiits nnd the inhcidnics wliicli they Imd eiiconnti'red.
No I'cjiular conrt wns held in the country for more tlnin ;i hun-
dred ye;irs, or till its occnpntion iiy the lOniilish, evidenciny' that a
virtuous and honest community can li\e in peiice luid harmony
without the serious infi'iiction of law. The ^i'overnor, nided liy the
friendly advice of the e<immiind;ints sind priests of the \ ill;i.<4('s,
either preventeil the existence of contio\ cisies, or settled tlieni
wlien they arose, without a resort to lllijiatioii. Althouiih tlu'se
ei\ il fiinctioniiries were clothed witli absolute power, such was tlui
]);itern,'il miinnerin which it was exercised, it is said, t lull the "rod
of (h)mination fell on them so liuhfly as to hardly he felt." Wlieii,
in I7(m, the count i\v ])assed into the possession of the I''nj:lisli,
many of them, rather than submit to a change in the. institutions
to which they wcic accustomed a iid attached, ])i-efeired to leave
their lields and homes, ami seek a new aliode on the west side of
tlie Mississi])pi, still sui)i>osed to be iimh'i' the dominion of l"'rance.
T'pon tin* I'cception of assurances, however, from (Jreat lUitain,
that they should be i)rotecte(l in their projiert.v and reli^^ion, many
of them renifi'ied. Those who liad removed to the west side of
the river enjoyed but a bi'ief interval of ])eace. Intelligence was
]'ecei\('d that l''i'ance had ceded all western and southern Louisiana
to Spain, and althoujili Spanish autiiority was not extended over
the territory for a period of lixc years, it was a jieiiod of uncer-
tainty and anxiety. The S[»anisli jn'oxciiiment, like that of Fran(;e,
was mild and parental. Every imluljicnce was extended to her
new subjects, and for thirty years they continued to enjoy their
ancient customs ami relijiifui. Tln^ next inroads upon their aiiti-
(pnite.d habits Mas the ad\ance of the Americans to the Missis-
sip[>i, in the rej^ion of Illinois. The unwelcome news was received
that all Louisiana was ceded to the United Slates and a new sys-
tem of jurisiirudenee was to be extended over them. I'revioiis to
i;!2 IIISTOIJV Ol' ILLINOIS.
tliis cession llic.\ liiid to ii ^iii'iit cxlciit ItccoiiM' n'i'oiicilt'd :iii(I
I iitl;iflit'<l to Sjciiiisli rule, Imt wlu-ii the new it';;iiiH' was cxtciMlcd
over tlit'iii, tolnll\ at a loss to coiiiitifliciKl tlic wdrkiiij^s ol" n'|tiilt-
licaiiisiii. tli(',\ asked to l)c relicNcd of tlic iiitoleialtlc liiirdcii ol'
sell'udNeriiiiiciit.
'I'liiis, ill the heart of tlie eoiitiiieiit, more tiian a tlioiisand miles
iVom eilliei' ocean, in a rej;ioii stvh'd It.v LaSaMe a teriitorial para-
dise, lloiiiished t hese interestin;; coininniiities, in tlie eiijouncnt
of jteace. contentment and liapiiincss. It was, li(»\vever, of a i»as-
sivc character, wanting;' in that intcnsitv t)f enjoyment wldcli Hows
IVoni fnll.v developed jxiwcrs and an enert;<'tic and proj^ressive
jiiodc of life, 'riie facnitics of both mind and Itody laiij;iiish with-
out laltoi'. and that may be considered the normal condition of the
laccwliicli liiinjis into healthy play all the diveisitied spriiijis (»!'
action and tlioii;;hl which mak(> up tin' wonderful inachineiy of
man. Witlniiit ellbit and nsefid indiisliy he is the creature of
languid enjoyments, and a stian^cr to the hij^hly wron;:lit sensi-
bility and tiie e\(piisite delij;lils resnltiiij;' from cultured n\ental
and i)liysical powers. I'nrtheiinore, without enter|>iisi', the vast
material toices which slnmbei' in the cnist <»f the earth, and its
mantle of e.\liiib(>raiit soil, cannot be made available. W'hiU^
tliere was ])eace and contentment on the banks of the Illinois, the
AVabash, and tin' I'ppcr Mississipjd, it was reserved for a dill'crent
race to dev<'loi) the vast coal fields and exhaiislK'ss soil of this
favored I'ciiion. and cause their life sustainin;;' products to pulsate
tliidu;;h the ureal coinim'rcial arteries of the continent. \\'hilethis
simple. \ irliioiis and happy i>('oi>le, dwelt in the granary of Nortli
j\merica almost unconscious of its vast resources, there was clinji-
inj; to the inhosi>itable shores of the .Vtlantic an intelli}i«'iit and
sinewy race, which was destined to sweep (»ver and occni)y their
fruitful lands as the tloods of the j^reat rivt'r oNcrwhelms and
iin|»orts fertility t(» its banks. Only a few remnants of them have
('sca|»ed the intlowiii;;tide (»f .Vmerican population, who still retain
to a yreat extent the ancient habits and customs of their fathers.
AVith their (h-cline came the downfall of their tawny allies of the
forest, and a new direction Avas jiiven to American history.
Fiance, conid she ha\«' remained supreme, with her far reaching
and advent iirtms ^^cniiis, aided by .lesint enterprise, would perhaps
have partially ci\ ilized the sava-^cs and thus have arreste<l their
(h'strnction. I'oi»ulatioiis would have s])runji' up in the basins of
the (ireat Lakes, and in the Valley of the ^Iississippi, under the
impress of a feudal monarchy, ami cotdrolled by a hierarchy of
juiests hostile to freedom of th(»n};ht. The in(>j;res.s of civil and
relij;ioiis liberty would have been temporarily but not permanently
suspended. The ])resent free institutions of Americawonhl have
been <lelayed till the shittiii;;' ])liases of national life furnished new
opixu'tunities for experiment and improvement.
[Mnny ciirioiiH anecdotes iiiipht be still pioki'd up i" relation to these early sottU'ro,
espot.ially in Illinois ami Missouri, whore the Spanish, Frenirli, Enjrlisli and Ainerieans,
have had iway in rapid sneeession. At one time the French had possession of one siile
of the Mississippi riverund the Spaniards the other ; and a story is told of a Spaniard
liviiiffon one shore, who, liavinK: a creditor rcsidinfr on th(! other, seized a child, the
dauK'hterof the latter, and liavinK borne her across the river which ' irtnedthe national
boundary, held herahostajre for the payment of the debt. The c ' authorities de-
clined interferitiji-. and the military did not think the matter of 8uII:l * niportanee to
rreate a national war, and the Krenchnian had to redeem the dautiiu y dlscliartriin?
his creditor's demimd. The lady who was thus abducted was still li r a few years
ago near Cabokiu, the mother of a initnorous progeny of American Fr jh.]
.TKALOISIKS AM) AMMOSITIKK.
133
III flicyciir 1 7."»l> I,ii I'.iiissoiiicr, jrovcriior of llliiiois, wtis siiccccdwl
bv Cli, valid' .Miiciirty. Tlic pciic*- w liicli liad^iivcii such iiiicxiiiiiplcd
]»ros|iciil\ In l.oiiisiaiiii, was somi t(» Im- ltri»l<<'ii 1»\ the (•laii;t(tr and
(liscurd III' war. Already, in llic r(»ntro\('i's_\ hctwccn i'rancc and
Knulaiid in icjiard to llicir icsiK'cliv*' posscssioiis, could l>c ln'ai'(l
tlic lirst f lirocs ol' tlic icxolntioii wlncli jL^avc a new master and new
inslilntions not only to Illinois, Imt to tlie w hole continent. I''i'anc(',
<'lainied the whole valley ol'tlie Mississi|(|»i. which her niissionaiies
iiml j)ioiieers ha<l explored and partially settled, and i']n,!4'laiid the
liuhl to extend In-r possessions on the Atlantic indetinitely west
ward. Tlic.jeahHisiesi and animosities oftJM' |»arent conntries soon
crossed tlic Atlantic, and colonial inlri;;iU's were the residt,
Tiaders i'rom South Carolina and <ieor^ia a^^aiii coiiimcnce<l iiitro-
dnciiii;' larj;(' (|nantities of ^oods amony the ("hickasaws and other
trilx-s of sonthern Louisiana, and a.uain <-ndea\(ir<'d to alicmite
them iVoin their treaty stipulations with the l''reiich, ^\s the,
residl. dej»redatioii.s were renewed by tin- Chicasaws. and a third
«'\])edition was sent to their forest fastnesses (Ui I he 'rondtiubec, to
reduce them to suiunission. but like its jtrcdecessors. it was snli-
stantially a failure. Farther northward similar disturbances
commenc4'd, iJritish nnrchants sent theii' ii;;«'nf,s to the Miamis
;ind other western tribes, wliose tratlic had be<'n )»i('\ionsly mo-
iiojiolizi'd by the l-'rench. A more fii'icvous offense was the
Jbrmation of a coinjiaiiy to whom the kin.i; of I'ln.uland granted a.
lai'iic tract of land on tiie Ohio, and confencd on it the ]ui\ile;;'e
of D-adin;;- with the western Indians.
'J'he opeiations of the Oiiio company soon drew the I'-reiich and
l^iiiilish coloidal authorities inti) a cold roversy, and the inotlur
countries wei'c i'«'ady to back any effort that either n;i;;ht make for
the mainleneiice and ex tension of their respective possessions. .Vs
the traders, who weic encoiua;:('d by the Ohio coin])any, weri^
mostly fioiii IViiiisylvania and New York, the jLyovernor of ('ana(hi
iiHbrmed the <'.\ecuti\es of these colonies that their traders had
been nMl1iciii,ir with In lian-» dwellin.i; on i-'rencii territ(U'y, and
unless tiiey inijiu'diatcly desisted troin this illicit commerce, he
\v(»uld cause them to be seiy,<'d and ])Uinslied. Notwithstanding;"
jjiis menace, the ( Miio company emploNcd an anient to surve\ their
lauds .sr)iitliwesteily to the J'alls of the Ohio, and iiorthwcsteily
Mome distance uj» the 3Iiami and Scioto. \'ir,irinia. also seconding
the efforts of the comitany, obtained from the Indians the ))ri\ile^e
to form settlementson tlu' smitheast side oftlie Ohio, bS miles
l)elow the Junction of the Allc^ihany and Mononuahela.
l%ii>ila]id and France now saw that their territorial contest (toiild
only lie settled ]>y a resort toariiis, and <'ach ur.t;('d its coloinal au-
tlioi-ities to iiistitul<' ]>i-eparatioiis for defendin.u' their resjtcctive
boundaries. In the coming;' <'ontest the residt c«»id<l n(»t be doubt-
J'ui, for the colonists of the former ]M)wer niiinbered l,l).">l,(M)(l, while
those oftlie latter wei'c oidy .->L',(»(I(I. I'.esidc this ;;reat disparity
of numbei's, {''laiice bad transmitt<'d to her jiossessions institutions
Mhich shackled their juo/^ress. The ICnjilisli colonists brou.ulit
with them a<lvan<'ed ideas of <i-o\'erninent from their natixc land,
and left behind them flic nnmarch and the nobility. The I''rencli
I'lni^iiaiit came with oidy the feudal ideas of !he past, and cared
little for the innovations of nioderii free<lom. The tormer claiminj;:
the right of religions liberty, withdrew from tlie established chni.-h
l.'.l
inS'l'()l!Y (tl' III IM»Is.
illiil liiiil ;i s<'ir:i|i|Miiiilril iiii|iistr,V
t-
Miii imii i\ s<'ii ;i |i|MiiMi I'll niMii.>ir,>. i iir iiiiu'i ^\ii.'s rioM'ii ii^iiiiiMb
'Very ray of llH'olnjiical li^^lit, iiiiil <loiiiiii:ili'<l lis a r»»n'ij;ii itricst-
ImmxI. iVtiiii w litisf icacliiii^^s llicii' was not a siiiulcdissciilfr. 'I'lir
MM' wfic self icliaiit. sell' siist;iiiiiii,i:. ami incrucli*' ; <'\ t •• picssiii^r
llicii' wav ayaiiisl tlit- iiTciliii;;- I'orcsis; always atlvaiicin;!;, Itiit
iM'Xci' I't'ticaliliji 'I'll*' oilier \\v\v acfiisloincd io lollow a Icailrr,
and (Irpciid ii|iiiii lli«- |iiii'i'iil roiiidry lor siipplirs, wli'u'ii llity
iiii;^lil lia\»' |irniiiic('d tlii'iiisch cs. Tlic inlial»ilaiits ol' lliilisli
Aiacrica had llic press, loeal le;;islatiii'es, iniiiii* ipal (lisci|iliiie. the
heiiclit of tree schools, and were acciistoiiied to tiiinU and ael lor
Iheinsehes. As the lesull. iVoin t-he waters of I Ik- soul hern uidl'to
where ei\ili/,at ion is stased liy harriers oliH-rpeUial IVosI, the eon-
tineiit is their lierita;:*'.
superior ollieer, and ael in aeeoidaiiee with his inslrnetioiis.
the ineanliine. he did not tliitdi it iiieninlieiil upon him lo oiiey
the summons of the l>rilish ;^o\eriimehl, aiitl wonid deleiid his
])osition with all the skill aixl loree at his eommand." W'ashini;
ton, alter eiieonnteriii;; inneh haidship, reliinied safely, ami
reported the icply of the I'reneh ollieei'. The follow inu .Mar ho
received orders from the /ioxeriior of Viriiinia to proceed with L'tiO
men and complete theci-eclioii of a fort al Ihe, junction ofllte .Monon-
men ami complete tlieci-eciioii oi a loir al 1 1 icj unction ol lite .Motion -
•iiihela iind the Allejiiiany, previously coiiimeiieed liy the Ohio
company, 'i'lie attempt to execute tlie((rdcr was defeated l>y tiie
I-'reiich ollieer, M. ( 'oiilrcco-iir, w ho, aiil icipaf iii;^ Ihe arrival of | lie
Virginia forces, moved down to the inoiith of ilie Monniii^ahcla in
advance, with IS pieces of cannon and a force of l.ttOO I'lench and
Indians. lie drove away the small (keta<'hiiient of \'iri:inia milliia
and some ('inployes ill the Ohio eoinpaiiv, and completin,;;' tin- fort
they had coinineiiced. they called it hii(^)iiesiie. in honor of Ihe
jioveinor of New l''raiiee. In Ihe meantime, a small detacliineiif
under .liimiiionville. was sent to notify W'ashiii^tofi In withdraw
from l'"reiieh territory. The American officer, Icarniii.u i»efoiehaii(i
1 1 II t •) 1 vi ifj I'li'li I a' I 1 1 II I II II kl I \' 1 1 1 1 » n I -. I f III •_ I I'lvl II iriilili .11 f < 1 1 1 r* 1 1 1 /III 1 1 i III 1 1\^
MIMTAHY Ol'KKATIONS.
I.'IS
oxcc tlic }^i:i\<' of .iiiiiiiiioin ill)', iiiid liow iiiiin.v liopt-s t-liistcri'd
siIkmiI till* niiill*' oI' iIk- iiilMiil Louis."*
I'ort ('li:ii'li('s wiis ill this tiiiii- tlif tlt'pot ul' siipplirs iimi iIm*
lihirc ol' I'fiMl'.'/voiis lui' llic iiiiihtl lurrt-s of Illinois siikI oilier
jiosis of Loiilsiiiiiii. Slioi tly i'.ilfr llif lilViiv ill Hit' I ittic Mi'iidows,
M. (if N'illifi's, :i iwotlin' ol' Jiiiiiiuoia ili,'. iiml ul tin' tiinc iin ol'tiiTr
lit Fori ( 'liarli'i's, solicitfd .M,:ciirl,\, the * tMiiiiniiHliiiit of the tor-
tros, to ;;o iiiiil iMcii;^*' t!.»' (lentil ol'liis ieliiii\e. Peiiiiissioii \v;im
^liiiited. iiiid with ii I'oree iiom the miiiisoii iiiid a liir^e iiiiiiiImi'
4)1 llidiiiiis, h«' jiiissed d(i\\ II the !Missis,>i|i|>i ;iiid ll|* tlie <>liio to
J''olt l)ll(^>lieslie, of which lie silhse»|lleiill,\ lieeiiiiie the eoiiiliiiilider.
I-'roiM the fort he proceeded to the <;rollli(l of the recent Itiillle.
W'ilsliiiiiiloii. liiidin.n' hiiiiself coiifroiiled with ^leiitlv siipciior
f4>i<es, fell hiick lo i'"ort Necessilx, ii iiide slocUiide previously
^'l•eet^.• nt the (Jreal Aleadows. Thithei' llie.v were followed liv De
Vi!lie> w itii a force of (»(»(• l''i'eiicli iind a siiialler niimheiof Indians,
who toolk possession of iiii adjaceiil eiiiiiK'Uce and coiniiieiiced
rn'in<X from Itelniid trees on the men in the fort heiiealh iIm-iii.
.Vniiiiiited li,v liie cool determination of their coiiimamier. Ihe raw
])ro\ iiicials. so iiiietpial in niimi)ei's iind position to tin'ir assiiil:iiits,
for uiiic hours mainliiincd their position. At leii.ulh llicl'ieiich
<-ommiiiidcr, feaiiii;^' the exhaiistioii of his iimiiiiinilioii, proposed
terms of eapiliilatioii, wliieli Washin^^ton in his eritieal situation
Wiis coiiipeUed to acci'pt. The terms were iii:i;:lianiiiioiis, the
l»esiei;('d iieiii:.;' lu'iinitted t<» retire with tiie liuiiois of wjir iiiid iill
their munitions, except the artillery, (pon the deleat of the \°ir-
<;iiiia forces, jai^^iiind and l-'rance took up the <;'aiintlet, and the
<'(>iitest lietwceii t he colonists lu'canie fiirtlier iiiteiisitied. In I 7. "),"»,
(ieiieiiil iJiaddocU ;irri\»Ml in N'ir.^inia witii Iwo reuinieiils of
Jirilish lejiiiliirs. \\'asliin;,'ton wiis made one of his ai<ls tie caniiN
iind afterwiird his forei- was aii^ineiited Ity the iidditioii of l.dllO
jiid\ incials. TIkis slreiintheiied he slarte<l for l''ort I )ii(i>iie«'ne,
and at the Lillle .Meadows recei\cd ;'lt('|li^(■|lce of the expected
jirrival of ."itK) tr4»ops to strenj;then the j:iirrisoii of tiie lurt.
Lea\in.u' Col. I)uiil»;ir with SOO men to itriiiu np his stores, he
hasleiicil forwiird with the remainder to rciicli the fort in ad\iiiice
<il' the r<'inforceim'iits. ("rossinji the Moiion^iiliela he pushed
forwiird with so iiinch rajtidity thai he seldom look lime to leioii-
lioilre tlu' woods ;ind t!in;;led thickets throii.uh which he w;is
]):issin^. In llie mciintimc the commiindiiiit iit i'ort l)ii(^)iiesiie,
apjuised 1»_\ the l''i«'iicli and Indian scouts of Ihe iipjuoach of Ihe
JJrilish force, sent M. I>e;iujeu wilji a force of L'"i(t l''rencli and (>()0
Jndiiins lo check tlieii' adxiince. Sexcii miles from the foil they
<'once;iled themselves on the luu'deis of a ravine tlirniiuli which
]5i'add()ek must pass, ;ind iiwaited his arri\!il. As soon iis his
men I'litered the hollow, the concealed enemy opened upon those,
in front. ;ind the rear forces jaishcd rapidly foiWiird lo siipporf
them. IJefore this could lie ell'ccted, the ad\iinced <(>luiiins fell
hack in a lieap on tiie artillery, and the ;irmy became j^icatly c(Ui-
fiised. At this JniH-tur*' the \"ir;L;inia forces. contr;iry to orders,
took positions behind trees iind foiiuht till :ill were killed excei>t
tliiiiy men. The i'ej;ulars. i-emaiuin,u' In a compiict body, wci'e
terril)ly cut to pieces. JJraddock received ii moital wound and
•Bancroft.
VM)
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
iiicr«';isc<l tlicii- loict's, iiiid in 17.-)4 l\nt DiKiiu'snc jij;;iiii bt'caiiie
the oltjcctix (' point »»l';ni lliiylisli iuiiiy. (mmi. Koihcs, witli a lorce
i i U
iiislicd with a small .yai'rlsoii till the dose of tlicwar. Sncli was
tilt' origin of tin- last I'iciicli loit built on the Oil io, di vested of t lie
I'oniaiice w lii;'ii fable lias thrown around its name.* In the eoiuse
of the sti'Mji,uU' Tieonderoua, Crown Point and >i'ia^ani, fi-U
before the vietori(»iis aims of lMi,i;land. and finally it teiiiiinated
in IT.")!! liy the eaptiire of (^)nebee. ^Vs the result of the eonfest on
the I'lains otWhraiiam, Illinois and its vast resources became the
heritage of a different race. Anji'lo-Saxoii enerjiv and projiress
Aveic now to .ualher from its iirolilic soil treasures far exceeding in
value the exiiaiislless mines of jj,()ld, which liad haunted the inia,u-
inatioii of its (Jallic inhabitants, even if their dreams had been
realized. In this closiii.^ Itattle the colossal ptiwer of France in
]Soith America recei\('d a fatal blow, l''rom her tirst permanent
.settlement on the St. Lawrence she held dominion over its waters
for a ]»eriod of lod years. The 'reulonic race, with its [lartiaiity
for individual ri;;hts. foi' self-Lioveiniiiciit and freedom, now ob-
tained the dominion of a continent iVoiii the ( inlf of ^lexico to the
I'ole, and the lMi;;Iish ton^ii.m', wlios*- utterance l.-><» years before
was conliiied to two small islands on the western verjic of Kiirope,
was now to become the lanmia^c of a continent, and ultimately,
]»erliai).s, a uiii\i'rsal vehicle for the ex])ression of human thought.
*|N(>TE — .Ills. Hall, in his Sttotchcs of tlie West, siiys : " Tlio Vrciu'li Imd also ii fort
on the Oliid, ut)oiit :i(i iiiilis iilio\e I he .junction of thiit rivor with tlic Mississipiii, of
whicli tlic Indiuii.K olilainc<l iiosscssion by n sinMuliir ctriitiiMt'in. A niiiiilicr of tlioni
ai>|ifiiri'(l ill I lie I Illy 1 iinc (jn the oppoj-itc siilc of tlic river, each covitciI with ii 1 ■cur-
skin. walkiiifT on nil funis, and iiintalin^' tlic iiiotion.S''! that iiniiniil . Tlic Krcncli snp-
jxiscd tlicni to lie Hears, and ii imrty crossed tlie .i\(?r in piirsiiit of them. Tlio
reiniiiiidcr ': the tr<ioiis left llicdr (|iiartirs and resorted tothcliankof the riNcr, in
Iroiit of ihejiiirrison, to observe the sport. In the nieaiitiiiie, a laiKc hody of warrior.'i,
who were (.'oiiceuled in tin- wcmmIs I'car liy, <'aii)esilcntl.v up licliiiid the fort, entered it
■vvitlioiit onposition, and very few of the l''rcnch i scapc'd the ciiriiaye. They uftcriviirtl
built another fort on the same Kroiiiid, wliicii t\\f\ called Maxxani , in meinory ol this
(lisastroiiseveiit. and which retaiiu'il the name of Kort Ma.s.-iiie after it passed into the
haiidsof the Aniericiin (loveriinicnt ." The liev .1. M. I'eck, In his ••. Annals of tiie
W(^t," thinks '• the foitruinu statiiiiciit is a trnthfnl one. aecordi!: to all the tradi-
tional evidence we can collect .'" I)r Iicuis Heck's (;a/eteer ol lllii, 's and MisMiuri
contains the same story, as also licynold's Pioneer History of Illinois : iind in his Lite
nnd Times, till liittersiiys : "Korl AJassaere was estalilished liy the I'rcnch aliont t he year
I'll, and was also a niissU.nary station It wiis only a small fortress until the war of
IT.'i.') hot ween the Kntrlisli an<l f'reiich In IT.Mith fort was enlarjjed and minh' a respeu-
tnlile fortres , eonsideriim' the wilderness It was in. It was at this pla e where tlio
Christian nrisslonar'cs instructed the Southern Indians in the nospel precepts, mid it
was here also that the French soldiers iiiadc a resolute stand auainst the enemy." Tlio
l>liiee Is also referred to some times as the -'old Cherokee Fort." The Letters Kditi-
untes indicate it to lia\e liecii a mission and triulliiM- jiost aliont ITII In l.sdd t wo eom-
pnniesof (■ S. troops were stiilioiicd sit Fort Ma.Ksac iinri a fciv liiniilics resided in tho
vicinity. In lK'i."i, ^-a.NS He.\ noNIs, he vistcd the site. 'I'lic walls of the ruins wire i;i.">
fei't S(iiiare, pallisaded with earth lietwccn.and with stroiij.^ liast ions at each iin;jl(.>.
Tlirce<ir fouracrc^ were beaut ifully gravelled with pelibles I rom the river, on tho
uorth of tho fort, as n parade ground. Tho silo is u beuutif ul one.]
riiAi'TER xiir. ■
I7r)!>-i7(;;5— TiiH ("onspiuacy of i'onti AC— attack
UI»()X DKTh'OIT— DHSTKL'CTION OF I'-LJITISII POSTS
AND SETTLE.M i:XTS.
T( liiis alroiidv Ik'cii stilted tli;it tlic downrall of ((Jiicltcc was tlie
Dvcitliiow (if I'lt'iicli ]Ki\\('r ill North Aiuciica. It was not,
liowcvcr, until 170(1, wlicii tlic t'cchic and dislicartciuMl <;inTison of
]M(Mitr('al (•ai)itiilatc(l witlioiit icsistaiicc, tliat Canada and its
dr|i<'iidfiici('s wciv suiicndfit'd to tiif Hiitisli. Tlic o\ crtlirow of
Fifiicli siipnMiiac.v was latw assured, hut the recoil o( the blow
uliieli liad siiiittcii it down was the cause of another jireatstriijijile
nioi'ii dcsolatiiiji and widely cxtciHh'd than the lirsf, hut eialcd
Mithoul accoiiii>lisliin;; any political results. In the second contest
the red man hecaiiie the ]>iinci|>a] actor and exliihited a (h'jiree of
sagacity and eonstancv of juirpose never before witnessed in the
liistorvof his warfare. The lOiiulish, to reap the fruits of their
victory at (i)ucltec. sent .Major Robert Ifoycrs to take possession of
the oiitjiosts on the frontier. He was a nalixc of New Ilainii-
sliirc, and his startliiiu adxcntures in the recent colonial struuiiio
liad made him the model hero of New I'liiuland liresidcs. As he
coasted aloiiL;- tiie southern shore of Lake Mrie in the early ])art of
Xoveiiibei', 17(iO, on his way to Detroit, it suddenly became cold
and stormy, and he determined to put ashore and wail the reliiru
of [)leasaiit w>'athcr. A camp was soon formed in the adjacent
forest, then clothed in the fading' hues of Autumn, wiieii a iiuiiil)er
of chiefs made their ai>pearance and announced themselves as an
embassy from I'ontiac. The day did not pass away Itelbic tho
daiin<;' chief himself came to the camp and demanded of IJouers
liis business in the counlry. Tlii' latter replied tiiat he was on his
May to Detroit to make ]K'ace with the white men ami Indians.
T'ontiac listened with attention and said lie would stand in his pal ii
till moriiin;;, and after iii(|iiii in^i' if they needed aiiytliin;^' which
his country atlbiih'd withdrew. This was Ko^'ers' first iiiterxiew
with tjie "Na]»oleon ol' his I'aee, whose ]nreat coiisjiiracy forms the
suliject of this chapter
.\ccordiiiiH' to tradition, he was of medium heijilit. commandinji,'
ajipea ranee, and iiossessed a muscular frame ol'^reat symmetry and
Ai:^'or. His eomplexicMi was darker than usual with individuals of
liis race; his features stern, liold. and irrcuular. and his bearing'
that of a person accustomed to surmount all opposition by tliii
force of an imperious will, lie was ;i( nerally clad in a scanty
cincture i.;irt about his loins, with his loii;^' black hair tlowiii;;'
h)osely behind, but on public occasions he plumed and jiaiiited
137
138
III«1^)BY OF IIJJNOTS.
after tlic iiiMiuit'i' of liis ti'llu'. On the foUowiiij; iiioiiiiiiiL;. in coiii-
])iiiiy witli liis cliicfs, lie ii.ii;iiii visited tlie ciiiii]* and told Ifoncrs
lie WHS williii;;' to lie at jteaee with tlie Mn.ulisli and suH'er tiiem to
remain in his eonntry as lonji' as tiiey treated him and hiseonnlrv-
men with due (h'I'erenee and Justice, ilitiu'rto lie liad l>een iiie
<h'Voted friend of the I'reneh. and tlie motive which now actuated
him was apparent. Shrewd, polilic. and ;iml)itious, he sa;^aeiousl\
eoiiclu(le<l that the ]tower of l''ram'e was deelinini;', and it mi,uht lie
best to secure tlu- ji'ood will of the l''n,u]ish. lie hoped by the aid
of su<']i ]iowerful allies to extend his intluence o\ci" the trili( s ot'
his own race, and llattered himself that they also would treat iiim
with the defereiM-e wliicli had previously been accorded hiiu by the
Frencli. Ho.^crs had several interviews with him, and was struck
witii the nati\e \ i^or of his nuderstaiuliu^' and the wonderf;;!
jiower he exercised over those about him.
The storm abating;', J{(».i;ers and hisnu'U resumed tlu'ir voyaj^c up
tlu' lake. A messenu'ei' had been sent in advance to notify
Captain ISeletre, the l'"reuch Comniandant at Detroit, that Canada
had surrendered, and that an lOn^lish force was on its way to
relieve him. This oflieer v, v . jLii'eatly incensed at the reception of
the news ; treated it as an informal conunuidcation. aiul stiricd up
the Indians to resist the ad\auce of lvoj;crs. When, therclbre. the
latter arrived at the mouth of the Detroit, and was about to ascend
it. 1h' fouiul four liuudre<l Indian warriors ready to dis|)ute iiis
further pro.i; less. I'oiiliac however, whose vii;ilaiice was ever on
the alert, interposed in behalf of his new friends, and they were
])ermitted to reach Detroit without fiiither opjiositioii. IJojicrs
immediately t<iok ])osses,sioii of the foi't, and the Kreiich jiarrison
deliled out on the plain and laid down their arms. As the French
colors were loweied from the Ihi.ustatf. and those of I'ji^laud
hoisted aloft, the spectacle was j^reeted liy the yells of 7(t(> indian
warriors. Tiie Canadian militia were next disanned. and the
Indians, unable to eom]irelieiid wiiy so many should siilimit to so
few. regarded with astonishment what they considered as obse-
(piioiis conduct oil the ]iart of their recent allies. Nothiuii' is so
effe(ii\(' ill winniii,<; the respect of sava.ucs as ai; ♦■xhilutioii of
]iower, and hence the Indians tbinied the most exalted coiiceiitious
of Kujiilish [irowess, l)ut were j^reatly snrpi'ised at tlu-ir sparing: the
lives of the vaiH|uislied.
Thus, on tlu' l".»tii of >i'o\('mlier. 17(>(>, Detroit jiassed into the
hands of the I'ln.tilish. '{"he l''reuch j^airison was sent luisoiiers
down the lake, while t he Canadian I'esidents were sutfered to retain
their houses and lauds on t he c<indition of their swearing allegi-
ance to till' ,yo\ I'riiiiieiit. Olficers wci'c sent to the southwest to
take ])ossession of l-'orts .Miami and Watannon,* tiie first situated
on the head waters of the .^blUlllee, ami the latter on the Waliash
liot far from the site of the iireseiit t<iwii of Lafayette. I\o;:frs
next started to relie\»' the torts on the U]»iier lakes, but was pre-
A'cuted by the ^atherin<;' ice and storms of Lake Huron. The
followinii' season, however, tiie forts at the head of (Ireeii l>ay and
the nioiith of the St. .biseiih, and those on the .sti'aits of St. .Mary
and .Mackinaw, were j;arrisoiie<i by .small detachments of ICnulish
troops. Tlie tla;;' of i' ranee still waved oxer the pluins of Illinois,
*Ouiutenou.
rONTIiVC'S CONSl'IlIACV.
ir,o
■wliicli \v;is not iiicliidcd in the .stipiihitidiis ciircrcd iiitd ;it
3I()iitrc;iI.
'I'lir (•(iiiiilry liiid 111)1 luii^' hcfii in tlic possession of I'Ji.uliind
lu'l'orc ;i wide si)r('ad tcflin;^' of diss;itisfiicli,»n pervaded its inliiil)-
itnnts. Tile l-'reneli element of t lie popul;i( ion. liavinin' tlieir national
liate of llie Mn.LjiisIi inlensified l»v vears of disastrous warfai'i'. left
their lionies in ( ':.nada and settled iii Illinois, liei'e tiiey coiitin-
ned loelierisli I lieir animosity, and \viiene\er a n opp(at nnit\ offeicd.
wereevei- ready to emhraee any scheme liiat niiirhl injiu'e the
ohjeets ot'tiieii'ill will. In common witii lln'ii' itret hi'cn of Illinois.
Iheystill hopetl that Canada nn,i;lit lie restored to l-'ranee. and no
elVoit was spared by either to liiinuaiiont tliismndi desired result.
Canada was powerless, yet Illinois, her iiitiinare nei.uiilior and
syiiipatliizer. was still an niitrameied proxiiice of l'"raiice. and now
became the depot of supplies and I he cent re of l'"rencli intri, unes ; all
looking forward to the consummation of this olijeet. The Indians,
Aviiosc L;(i(id will they had loiii;- since \v<in iiy a conciliatory iiolicy.
they found ready iiistrnmeiits for tiie execniion ot' their designs.
.\ccordiii^ly. swaiins of l'"rt!iii;h tradei's and ('aiiadian refnyces
issued from the head-waters oftlx' Illinois and otliei' jioiiits of
('.i; less, and spicadin,:;' oNcr the eompiered tei'ritoiy, held councils
Mitli the Indians in tlie ^ecl•et places of the foi'ests. At these
secluded meetin.us they iir.ut'd the excited savaj;'es to take up arms
aiiainst the lOnulisli, who they deelari'd were endeavoring to com pass
their destrnctioii by lied;iiii^ them in with forts and settleineiiis on
one hand, and .Nlirriiii; up the ( herokees to attack them on the olliei'.
Toiiixc effect to these fabrications, they added more j.otent inceii-
ti\('s of ,uiins, ammunition ami clolhinu. which the ImiuHsIi liad
rel'iised to .uraiit them. These, loii,u furnished by I'raiice. had iiow
become a necessity, but l'Jij:land had incurred heavy exiieiiscs in
the recent war, and it became iieeessai'y for her either to withhohl
ordeal them out with scanty and reluctant hands. Want. siilVei--
iii.Li, and in some instances death, wastlie result \\hi<-li, without the
aid of l''i('iicli machinations, was snflicient to make them disliko
the lOn^Iish. l'"ormeil\. under the mild sway of !■' ranee, when the
chiefs \isiteil the forts they were icceiscd with the .urea lest polite-
ness and ho.Npilaiily iiy the ofticers. and the pt'tty annoyances ot
their men v\ere disr<'<:arded. Now. when in tlieir iiitrnsixc man-
ner they came about the posts, they heard only words of reproach
and abrupt orders to depart, frequently enforced liy blows from
rnflian soldiers. The intercourse of French traders had always
lieeii eoiirteons and resp<-ctfnl, while those of the lOnulisli treated
them asinferiors. frecpiently ontra^cd their families, and in \arioiis
■ways ;L;a\(' them an nnfavdiable opinion of the nation which now-
laid claim to their country.
I'lider thesecirenmstances Pontine. ,althon,uh he had wavered in
his alle.i;iaiiee to the I'^reiich so far as to permit h'oj^crs to occupy
the I'ort at I )etroit, beyaii to feel his jiart iality for his old friends
retinninu. The Sacs, ids native tribe,* under the immediate iiillii-
ence of the Illinois l-'reiieh, wen' amon.i;' tlie lirst to espouse their
eanse, and it may safely be assumed that if lie was not insiruiiieii-
*In tlio Hist Tol. of >riiss.,;.'nil fii'rins, tli<' report of Mnrsc. tSL'r?, on f tie Smo nii<l Vnx
^valsil^^lillst tlu' lliiiidis, iincl the lifcof 'rccvim.-ic'ii, lu' is spoken ol itwaSiu'. Sevt iiil triheS
"'ercimihltioiis to eliiiin his liiioiiBo. Mis icsideiiCL' iiiiiuii)! tlic Ottiiwiisiiuiy Imve buon
due to Ills imi'tiiUity lor tlielr reputation us wuriiors.
140 IllSTOJlY OF ILLINOIS.
tal ill l»riiij;iii,!i' about the losult, lu' was not loii^i in loil<)\vinj>' tlicir
cxaniplc. l>v iiis own iiilirrcnt i)o\vcis and assistanco olitaiiicd
iVoin tlic Ficncii, lie iiad hccoiiu' tjic a('iino\vl('d^c<[ licad of llie
Iriht'N of Illinois, and the nations dwelling' in tln'r(';;ioii of llic ^^rcat
lakes and tlic Ijtpcr .Mississijipi. Savs Captain Morris, wlio wab
istiit West l»v (iciit'i'al (ia<;»' to conciliate tln^ tribes of Illinois:
" This chief has a more extensive ])o\ver than was ever known
anitiiii;' the Indians, for every chief used to coiniiiand his own
tribe, but bS nations by French intriyiie liaxc been broii,i;'ht to
unite and choose him as tln-ir conimandei." Thus the llame kin-
dled in Illinois, and tindiii^' material in many other localities upon
the eve of i,niiition, as we shall see, spread farthei' and wider, until
all British America became invohcd in the licry ordeal of war.
/^itiii'>ltiwl lltkikll ikV'cjklll'llil' i*<lll^jti.:ikril>i*it«ifijkii •ilwl<iiiiti'<ili/kii^'iikii if
ano iiiai lun.s i iii iiiMi .^Maj^ara were aiso lo oc auackeo. iiiicm-
<;-eiice of this discoxcry was immediately transmitted to the com-
manders of tliethreateiied points, and the calamity averted. 'I'liis
and aiiothersimilari)lot detected and snj)pressed the iollow in^isuin-
mcr, were only the precursors of the cfimin^ stctrm that swept tin;
whole country as with the besom of destriicti(ni. A plot was next
conceived in the .scheniinji- brain of I'oiitiae to attack all tiie Vaiix-
lisli forts on the same day, and after Iia\ in^' massacred their
i;nsn:.pcctin,u' j^arrisoiis, to turn upon the defenseless settlements
jimi continue the work of death until the entire iCn^lish poituhi-
tioii, as the Indians lomlly lio|»ed and exiiccted, should be drixcii
into the sea. J'or comprchensi\cness of design and succes^fid
execution, no similar eouspiracy can be Ibnnd in the annals of
Indian warfare.
roiitiac was now .")() years of aye and broui^hl to the contest a
jud.unient matured by the past experience of his ad\ ciiturons life.
JJefore the breakiii;;- out of the i-'reiich war. he had sa\cd Detroit,
Irom the overwheliniii^' attack of s(»me discontented trilxsot' the
>;ortli. I>uriii;i' the war he fou;;ht \aliantly for I'raiicc, am! is said
to ha\e commanded the Otiawasat the detent of Ibinidock and
materially contributed to his overthrow, For his devotion and
<'onrai;(', he was ]iresented with a full l'"i»'nch uniform by IheMar-
(juis .Montcalm, only a short time before the famous battle on the
I'lainsof Abraham, .\ftcr the defeat (•!' the l''iciicli and the arrival
of Iioiicis, as i)reviously intimated, he manil'estcd a desire to cnlti'
vate the I'lieiKlship of the con<|Uerors, but was ^^reatly disapp(»iiited
in the ad\anta;4t's lie expected to derixc from their inlluciice. His
sa,i;acious mind disi-oxcred in the alteied postiireof alfaiis ihejireat
danj;cr which threatened liis race. The c((iiibbrinm hitiicrlo
snbsislin.u' between the I'''reiich and lOnjilish, j^ave the Indians the
balanc<' of powei', and both parties wei'e compelled to some extent
to respect their rij;iits. I'lider Fn/^lish domination their import-
an<e as allies was none ami their doom alrea<ly sealed. unless they
could ri'-cstablish the powei' of the l''iencli ami use it as a check to
the encroachments of the 10ii;;lisli. {•'illed with this idea and lircd
by patriotism and ambition, he now sent embassadors to the nations
rON'I'lAU'S CONHl'IllACY.
41
ol" tile Upper liikcs, to lliosc on tlic UliiKiis, Mississi|»pi ;iii(l Oliio,
ill 1(1 as I'lir son til ward as the (i ill I' of .Mexico. His cmissarit's, bcar-
iiiji'tlic war belt and liloody Iiatclu't as ciiiblcnis of llicir iiiissioii,
]»ass('d IVoiii tribe to tribe, and e\ ci'vwlieie the dusky deni/eiis of
tlie forest eam-rl.v asseiiiitled to bear tlie words of tlie ^reat war
cliief. The i»rincipal of tiie embassy, iioldin^' aloft tlieend)leiiis of
■war, with violent ^cstienlations delivered the tiei'y niessaue pre-
viously ]>repared by roiitiac for this purpose. The atteiidiii,u' eliiefsi
and warriors, iiioxcd by these impassioned appeals, pled-^cd theni-
selves to assist in the war, and the feivor thus exitited rapidly
sjM'ead till tln^ whole .\l;i(in(]nin race was a,inl<>\v with eiithiisiasi".
The attack was to Ite made in May, ITH.!, only one month after
tlu' treaty of Paris, l»y which Illinois and all the \ast possessions
of France, east of the Mississi]»i>i, passed under the dominion of
(Jreat ISritain. This event was one of the three important stejis
by which Illinois i»assed from a I'rench ]tro\ ince to its present
])ositioii as a. member of the American republic, the first bein,;;'
foreshadowed in the triumph of NN'olfe on the IMaiiis of Abraham,
the second in the eompu'sts (»f Clark, and the last in the battle of
Y(U'ktowii. in accordance with the recpiiremeiits of the cession,
the p(»sts of southern Louisiana were siii'reiidered to Ibitish uarri-
8(»ns. In Illinois, owinj^' to the impenetrable barrier (»f hostile
sava,i;('s, which siirround(><l it. this was im|iossible, and the i-'icnch
otlicers were empowered i)y Sir .lelfrey Amherst, the Uritish Com-
iiiaiidcr-iii-chief, to retain their jtosition till this dilliculty could be
ovei'come. In the exercise of this trust they betrayed the coiili-
(leiice reposed in them by furiiishiii,u' the Indians with lar.ue siip-
])lies of nuns and ammunition, au<l for a lonu time concealed the
transfer which had been made, lest the knowledge of it mi;;ht
cause the Indians to relax their elforts in tlu' prosecutiou of tlie
Avar. Ibit for this neiilect of duty, the war w liicli followed inij:lit
liave been either averted or its virulent character j^reatly modified.
The kinjj;", in parcelin<i' out his newly ac(juii'ed domain amon;^' the
(colonists, I'etained the viilley of the Ohio and the rciiion adjai-eiit
as a reservation for the Indians. The timely publication of his
order in this resjx'ct would have pi'e\cnted the intrusion of the
S(>ttlers upon these lands, and thus have removed a ]>i'iiicipal cause
of irritation amoiiji' the Indians dwelliii,i;' aloiii;' the ICnulisli
frontiers. But while the benevolent intentions of the kiiiji' slum-
bered in the breasts of unfaithful stewards, the forests were alive
with prei>aratioiis for strife and eai'iian'e. Indian maidens were
eliantini;' the war soul;-; maiiicians were retiring to the uloom of
rocky defiles anil caverns t(» fast and learn the will of the (Ireat
Spirit in the cominj;' strujiule. while in the j;iare proeeedinii from
liundrcfls of nightly camp fires, chiefs and warriors weri' enact inji'
the savaii'e pantomime of battle.
The warlike sjurit of the Indians pive ffr<'at satisfaction to the
Frencli inhabitants of Illinois, who had so unwillinjiiy been made
subjects of Hritain. To impart a<lditional life to their prepara-
tions, they declared that the Kinjidf I'^raiice had of late years fallen
asleep, and dnriiii;' his slumbers the I'>ii.i;Iisli bad taken ])ossessiou
of Canada, but that now he was awake ajiain and his armies were
advaiicin;;' up the St. Lawrence and Mississippi, to drive out the
iiitJiulers from the homes of his red eliildreu.
,
142
IIISTOllY OF ILLINOIS.
In ncconliiiKM- willi llic ;irr:iii^'cni(>iit of Poiitiiic, tlu- (lii'l't'iciit
]Mtsts wcrr to l»t' iilliickcd (Hi Hie siiiiir »l;iy bv tlic iidjiicciit liiiliaiis.
Tlir iiicli (■(iiispirMlor liiiiiscir witli sonic of liis tiilx-s Ii\ctl in tlic
vicinity of Detroit, iind -liiiit point soon Itccanic the locns of tlic
bloody strii.n'iiic. To iiistitnic pi'ciiniinary iii'i'aiiycinciits, a place
of rendc/.\ mis was selected on tlic ii\cr below tlic town, and mes-
sengers sent to sniiiinon tlic tribes to meet liim in coiineil. In
oltedieiice to the <'all stia,i;,ulin,u' bands of Ottawas, \\'\andots,
Cliippewas, and I'ottiiwatoiiiies, of all aj;es, sexes and conditions,
for se\eral days were seen emeryin.i; iVoin the forests. S(|iiaws
aecoiiipanied by swarms of nake(l children, came to atteml to (he
doincsiic anaii.ucmeiits of the caniiis; yoiitlifiil j^allants attcmU'd
by maidens. liedccUed with feat hers ami ruddy with paint, were
]»rcsciit looking' love at each other and enjoying' the social amiisc-
mciits of saxaj;*' life. Uiit the most important i)ersonai;('s were
stalwart warriors, who. while waitin;^ the arrixal of tardy dele.i;a-
nations, lonii^cd the la/.y hours away in feasting' and .uamltliii;.;.
At Icii^th. on the I'Ttli of Api'il, tiie last st ra;;;il<'rs had arrived,
when, variously costiinied and armed aftci the manner of theii
respective tribes, they seated themselves in circles on the jironnd.
Pontiac immedialt l,v appeared in their midst and with impassioned
voice cominenced his address. ( 'oiitrastin.u the l']|i.iilish with the
Freiicli, Ijcdeclared the former had treated himself with contt nii»t
and his coiintrymen with injustice and violence. Present in<j, a
i)riiad bell of wampnni. he informed his wild auditors that he had
I'cceivcd it from the j;reat father, the Kiiiji' of I'Mance. who had
lieard the voice of his red children ; had arisen from his sleep and
was .•icndiiiu' his jiveat wai- canoes up the St. Lawi'cnce and the
.AIississi|)pi to wreak \eii,i;eance on his enemies, and that the I'rcnch
and their vt'd brelhreii would ai;aiii li,!.;lit side by side as when
many moons since they destroyed the army of their enemies on
the l)aiiks of the Mononi;aliela. Ilavinji awakened in his hearers
their native jiassion for war and blood, he next appealed to their
sii|ierstitions, l)y relatiiiji' a lej:t'iid eomposi'd by one of their nia^ji-
cians, which enjoined upon them as a (bity to drive the "dojis that
wear red <'lothiii,i; into the soa," and made known to them the best
method of doiiiL;' it. In conclusion he told them that the work
must coiiiiueiice at Detroit; that he would .yain admittance to the
fort, and liavinji' thus learned the situation and strcnjith of thii
j:ariison. at another council he would explain to them the jilan of
attack.
i'lic object of tli(> convocatioii was now eoiisunimated, and lon.n"
belor<' the inorninj;' snn broke thntiiyh the mists that hnnjiovcr
the river, t'he sa\a:ne multitude had disappeared in (he j;loomy re-
cesses of the forest. Notliin.<i' remained to tell of tlie ni,i;lit's
carousals and intrij^iies but the smonlderinji- embers of camp lires
and the slender frames of sevei'al hundred Indian lodges. Pontine,
ini|)atient for the execution of his desiyn as i»revionsly annonnced,
advanced with K> warriors, and i)resentin;;' himself at the pite of
the tort asked perniission to dance before the ofllcers of the,
{garrison. Aftci' some hesitation iieiniission was ;Li'rante<l. and he
and .'Id of his men tiled iiji to the residence of ^lajor (iladwyn,
then ill coininand of the fort. The dance was eonimeneed, and
while the ollieers and men liathered round to witness the jierform-
ance the lemaininji- 10 Indians strolled about the premises to make
rONTIAC'S CONSPIUACY.
143
obsci'Viitioiis. When t1n' tliffcrciit ]>in'ts of tli<' fnit liad bt'cii cx-
niiiiiKMl the 40 i('tir<'(l, w itlioiit ciiiisiiij;- llic slitilitcsl siis|»i(i(»ii as (o
tli<' (ilijcct wliicli iiidiicctl tlic visit. Mcssciiucrs were auaiii sent
1(1 sMiiiiiioii tlic cliicl's to iiicci ill tlic village nl' llic I'ottaw atomics.
licit' a ImiKlrcd wily cDiispiratitrs seated lliciiis<'i\(s in iIk;
(■(iiiiicil liall ol' tii<- town to iicifcct in tiie dariciicss oi' iii;^lit iIk;
ItlacU scljciiic tjiey liad eoiicocted for the dcsiriicl ion of tlie foit.
J'^itfiil llaslies fioiii liic tire in llie centre of tlic room fell ii|ion
I'eatiircs stolid and iniinov alilc as if cast in iron, despite tlic lierce.
)»assioiis that lanUled in the Itrcasts Itciieath tiicin. As Tontiac in
an excitinu' haiian.yiic reiterated the wrongs they had siislained at
the hands of the I'lnylish, and made Uiiowii his jilaii of attack,
deep yiittiiral expressions of approval rose from his statue like
audience. I'lider pretense of holdinu' a <'oiincil he propo>ed
to ohtaiii admiltance to the fort for himself and principal chiefs,
and while in coiM'erence with theotlicers. with concealed weapons
they would put llieiii to death. Meanwhile the Indians loitering'
alxnit the jtalisade were to rush on the iinsiispcctiiiu^ariison and
iidiict on tiicm a siiniiar fate.
Detroit, now threatened witii destruction, was founded in 1701
1>y \/.i ,Mott Cadilac, who siil>se(pieiitly heeaine the (loxcrnor (leii-
eral of L(tiiisiaiia and the partner of Crozat. Ifoycrs. who visited
it at the clos«! of the I'^rciich war, estiinatc(l its jiopiilatioii and tiiat
of the adjacent settleiiicnts at 2.">(H> souls. The fort which siir-
I'oiinded the town was a ]>alisadc L'."» feet Iii.iih. furnished with
bastions at the four an.u'les and lilock houses oxer the t;ate ways.
On the same side of the river, :uid a little below the fort, was the
village of the Pot tawatomies ; southeasterly, on the other side,
Avas that of the \\'yan(I. ts, while on the same Itaiik. ."» mill's above,
Avas tli(^ town of the Oltawas. The river, alxait half a mile in
Avidtli o])posite the fort. Ilowcd throiiiih a landscajic of nnrixaled
beauty. In its pure walci-s were .ulassed the outlines of the iiolile
forests that .yrew on its banks. I'^arllicr back wliilt' Canadian
cotta^U'es looked cosily out of the dark jireeii foliage, while in the
distaiiee Indian wijiwaiiis sent up wreathy columns of smoke hinh
in the transparent northern atmosphere. I'ontiac. the master
si>irit ol' this syhaii i)aiadise, dwelt on an island at the outlet of
Lake St. Clair, and likeSatan ofohl revolved in his powerful mind
scliemes foi' marriiiji' its beauty and innocence. Though he was
friendly to the I-'rciich they seemed to apprehend some comiiij;'
disaster. The ()ctol)er i»recediiiji' the oiitlireak dark clouds leath-
ered (»vei' the town and settlement, and drops of rain fell of ii
strong sulphurous odor, and so black the people are said to have
collected and used them for ink. Many of tlie simple Canadians,
refiisinj;' to accept a scientilic e.\i»laiiation ol' the pheiioineiion,
thoii;^lit it \\i\R the precursor of some j^reat calamity.
.Vlthoii^h bi'cathiii,!'' out veil jieanco and slaughter auainsf the
English, the desi^^ns of the chief were to be del'eatt'd. Accordin.ii'
to local tradition, on the afternoon of the (Jth of .May, tlie day jire-
cedin^' the intended assault, intelligence of the coiis]»iracy was
coiiiniunicated to (Jladwyn l»y a beautiful Chippewa j;irl. who had
formed for him an attachment and wished to save his life. Osten-
sibly she visited the fort to deliver a jiair of ornamental moccasins
wliieli he had ri'ipiestt'd her to make. Al'lerdeltverinu' them, she was
seen, late iii the afternoon, lingering about the Ibrt, with a dejected
Ml
IIISTOHV OF ILLINOIS.
11
counti'iiiincc. (iliuhvyn liiiiisciriit Iciijutli not iced liciMltcicd iiiiiii-
iicr, iiiiil iiskt'd tlM' ciiiisc oT her troiihlf. NNlicii ;issiiic(l tliiit she
would not he hctriivcd, she stiitfd th:it on the t'ollowiii/^d.iv. I'oiilian
;iiid <)(» chicls, with ;;iiiis coiiccidcd iiiidfi- tlicir lihiiikcls. woidd visit
tiic loll to iiold ;i coiiiicil. siiid liiMt Ml'tcr lie iiiid iircsciiti-d m |»c:u-e
belt in :i rc\<'rscd jtosiiion iis ;i si;;nid for iilt;icl\, tiic <-iii('l's were to
shoot down tlic olliccis. iind their men in tlie streets were to ninnh'r
tile .^iirrison. (iliidwvn ininiediiitely eonininniciited winit lie liiid
jieard to the garrison, ;iiid preitanitions were eonmieneeil io iixcrt
tile ihreateiH'd ealaniil.v. I<est some wild iinpnise siionld ]»reei|»-
itate an attaeiv before inorninu'. Iialf the i^arrison was ordered
under arms, the number of sentinels donliled, and the olHeers
arraii;;('d to spend the !ii,ulit on the ramparts. In the immediate
\ieiiiity of tlie fort tliere was ipiiet, bat tln' winds tiiat swept
across the riser bine to the listening;' sentinels the distant boom
of Indian drniiis. and the wild yells of saxaj^fs performing the war
tlaiiee, The followiiii;' morniny, when the mist had disappeared
a fleet of canoes was seen moviiiji' across the river, tilled
with sa\a;;»'s mostly in a recumbent position, lest if seen
their niimbeis miylit excite suspicions. Presently uronjts of tall
warriors wi'apt in blankets nji to their throats were seen stalkinji'
acrttss the common toward tiie fort. These were all admitted, for
not only the {garrison but the whole population of fiir traders were
ai'iiied, and (iladwyn detied their ti'cachery. It said that as
i'onliac eiiteri'd. he in\ oliintai'ily uttered an exclamation of
surprise and <lisappointnient. Keco\ crinj;' from Ids eonsternati<ui,
he stai'ted in the direction of the conncil house, followed by liis
chiefs, who, not w it hstaiidin^ their usual stoicism, cast \nieasy
f;'lance.s at the ranks of julitterinj;' steel on each sidi^ of their path-
way. I'assinji' into the hall they found the ollicers fully armed and
waitiiij;' to receive them. I'oiitiac, obscrNin;^' witi. suspicion their
Kwords and pistols, asked (Iladwyn w liy so many of Ids yonnji' men
were in the attitude of war. The latter, with the dissimulation
which his adversary was practicing', replied that he li:i<l ordered
liis soldiei's under arms for the purpose of exercise and discipline.
^Vitll evident distrust the chiefs at lenj;lh sat down on units pro-
vided fortheiraccoininodation, while I'ontiae commenced six'akin;^,
lioldiny in his hand the wampum which was to be the sijiiial of
attack. Though it was thoiijiht he would haidly attemjit to carry
out liis design under present cireunistances. yet diirinj;' the
delivery of his speech he was subjected to the most rij;id scrutiny
l)y the ollicers. Once, it is said, he was about to ;;ive the signal,
when (iladwyn by a slij;ht movement of the hand made it known
to the attendinj;' soldiers, and instantly the drnni beat a charj;e
and the clash of arms was heard in the passa^^e leadinj;' to the
room. I'ontiae, confounded at tiiese demonstrations, and seeiny;
the stern eye of (ihnlwyn fastened ui)on him, in <ireat peritlexity
took his .seat. Gladwyn, in a brief reply, assured him that the
friendly jirotection of the ICnyiish would beextended to his ])eoplc
as lonuas they deseivt'd it, but threatened the mostcoudijiu pun-
ishment for the tirst act of a<ijiTession. The council now l»roke iq) ;
the mates were thrown open, and the Indians deiiarted. It has
been a (piery why the chiefs were luit detained as hosta<;es, but
the full extent of their intrigues wa.s unknown. The wliole atiair
PONTIAC'S CONSPIUACY.
145
Viis I'cj^iink'd iis a pnroxysiiml oiilbrciik wliicli would sodii tciiiii-
liiitc it'iin o|)rii nipliii')' could lie iiNoidt'd.
roiiliiic, foiled ill his iillciii|)) iiuiiiiisl lliclort, \v:is ciirimcd and
iiiorlilicd, lait iiol discoiiia^^t'd. lie considered his escn|M' iViMii
the I'.H'I as evidence that his desi;;iis were not t'ldlx Unow n, and
<»• tite rollo\vin<;' iiioniin^' lelnnicd with thiee conipanions and
en. honored to remove the .Mis|iicioiis w hich he iiad excited, iniinc-
diatelv al'tei' his inlei\ie\v with (iladw vn, ho\ve\er, he icpaiied to
the viilajL:'<> ol' the I'ot lawatoniies and coninienced considiin;^' 'willi
their chiet's in rej;ard to another attempt ayainst the fort. .\s tin?
I'csidl, on the ! till of .Ma v. the coin nion I m hind the fort w as crowded
■witli savaycs, and their chief, advancinj;' to the j;'ate, asked that
lie and his waniois nii^iit lie admitteil and enjoy with tin- yairisoii
the frayi'aiice of the friendly calumet, (iladwyn concisely lint
iiiicoiirteoiisly replied, that '•he inijiht enter, bnt his ralilile niitsfc
remain witiioiit." 'J'hiis cii'ciiniveiited, he hecanie li\ id with liati^
and deliance. and .stalked olf in liie direction of his warriors,
larjic nnniheis of whom were proslrateon the ,i;roiind. and siid-
<lenly I'isinj^' up, the ]tlain,as if l>y nia;4ic, se mcd alixc w ilh yelpiii,i;'
ereafiires part man, [tart wolf, and ]»art de\ il, who riislie<l n]»oii
.some I'Ji^lish iiihahitants ontside of the foit and put Iheiii todeath.
I'ontiac, takiii.u' no part in the lirntal l)iit«'heries of his men, imme-
<liately leaped into a canoe, an<l with a speed commensnrate with
his la.ye and disap|)ointmeiit, for-'cd his way up the rivei' to the
villajic of the ( )ttawas. r)Oiindii'.i' ashore and pointing: across tlic^
Avatei', with imperious xoice he ordered the entire population to
inov«' to the o]i|»osite side, that the ii\ er niij;iit no longer in lei pose
a liavrier iM'fween him and his enemy. At ni,uht-fall he leaped
into the central area of the villa,L;'e, and hrandisliiii,u' his !"inaliawk.
commenced the war dance. As warrior after warrior ,v*. .aji'^^lu'd in
irom the duy'.s e'arnajie, they fell into the lin;;, and circling.;- round
and i'oidkI, made tlx' ni.i:ht hideous with unearthly yells. Loiij;-
however before nioiniiin the trilie was on the o])posite side of the
river and jtitched tlieii- eaini) above the nioiith of the small sticaiu
known as J)loo<ly K'nn. from the tra<;edy which was shortly after-
"ivard enact e<l on its banks, hi the early twili^lit of morning,
Avith tei'rilic ,\ ells, they bounded naked o\'er the tields and com-
menced lirinji' o)i tlu' fort. Larj;e nunibei's secured a position
behind a low hill, and soon its .summit becamu wreathed with
jadl's of white smoke from their ra]tidly discliarjiinji\i;nns. Others
j^athered in the reai' of some ont-bnildin^s, but a cannon, char>ied
Avith red-hot mi.s.siles wa.s immediately l>rouj;ht to bear on the dry
material, which, bc^comiiip; wra])t in llames. soon caused tin' eon-
(!ealed savajics to retr<'iit with jirecijiitation. For six Inairs the
attack was unabated, but as the <lay wore aw ay the lire slackened,
and at last only a j;nn could bo heard now and then in the directi«)U
of the retiring' foe.
After this discomfiture, ]*ontiac anamenteil his forces and, on
the 1-Jth of -May, ienewe<l the attack. J)ay after day tin; (iiihtinu'
was continued, till the rattle of bullets oil the ])alisade and the
discordant yells of savages became familiar sounds to the jiarrison
vvithin. Stealthy wariiors wormed their way tliroujih the tall
jira.ss, and crouehin;:' Ixdiind some .shelterin<>' obje('t, .shot arrows
tiljped Avith bnridn.u- tow npon the houses within the fort. These
efforts, liowever, jiroved abortive. Cisterns were dug inside to
10
Md
JIlHTdl.'V (tl' II.I.INOIS.
(piciK-li tlif lliiiiics ;iii(l si>rli('siiiitsiilt' wt'iT iiiailc I'luiii I inn' In linut
till all III*' iMiJiKM'iit nirliiirds, I'ciiiTS iiiid liiiililiii;:s, wt-rc Irvrlfd
to I lie ;;l'(iiiiid. iiimI lit) stitfii was Irl'l lo coiircal a liiiUiii;.': luf.
Tlif Indians. cNpcctiiiji' to lake llif tort at a sin;^!*' l»l»i\v. Iiad
failed l«> piovidc I'oi' a itioiiacicd sicyc. Tlifir niinilM is daily
an;^iMcnliii,u l>\ llic airi\al oC slia;A',uliii,!H' liands ol uariKUs iVdin
Illinois and other pails of liif W Cst and Sdiitli. IIk- qiicsiidn of
I'odd soon iM'canif an inipoitant considcralion. To olilain it tlicy
had alroad.N iriilatcd tlic Canadian lainicis li,\ conindll iiii;' dcpi'c-
dai ions upon th«'ii'slo*'k. and a dclcjLialion of llifir head men called
on I'onliac lo reinonsiiale a;^ainsl these ontraj^es. ileadnctled
the li III h of I lie alleviations, expfessed le^nicr lor I he injniies liiey
had SI I. stained, and at once insliliiled means lor olilaininu supplies
witlioiil their repetition in the i'iiliir«<. lie visited the dilt'erent
Canadian lainilies, inakin<;' a earel'nl esliniale ol' iheir proxisitnis,
le\ ied upon each a propoilioiiale anion lit lor I lie siisleiianee of llie,
asseinlileil Irilies, now iiiiiiiliei iiii; nearly l,(l(»0 warriors and more
than L'.OdO wiHiieii and children. 'I'lie le\ ii's ilms made were,
liroiiuht into camp, and a coiiimissaiy apptiinled lo prcM'iit the
excessixc eatiiij;' and waste which the .-.a\a^e always practic<'s
when iinreslricled in ids access to food, i'onliac. Itein;;' iinalileto
make iinmediale coiii|>ensatioii, naxc promissory notes, drawn on
hircii hark and signed wilii the lij;iii'e of an otter, the totem ol"
iiis faniily. 'l"o iiis credil il is said these were all alterward iioii-
oral»l\ paid. This ajiproach to liie usages of ci\iliy,»d life was
doiiidless sn;;ji'este(i l)y some of Iiis Canadian allies, yet his ready
adoption of llieiii indicates a sa,ua«'ily wiiicli iswitlioiit a paralli'l
in the history of his race. In the jirosecntioii of the sieuc lie also
endeavored to ohtaiii from tiie Canadians the method of makinii;'
approaches to a fort as practiced in civilized warfare, likewise,
to aid his nndiscipliiied warriors, he sent eiiihassadors lo M. Neyon,
the commandant of Fort Cliarlres, for regular sohiieis. 'I'liis
ollicer had no sohliers at Ids disposal. l)iit ainindanliy fiiriiisiied
miiiiitions in tlieir stead. Says Sir \\ iiliam .lolinsoii, Superiii-
jierinteiident (»f Indian all'airs :
"It now Mppciirs from the very best iuitiioritics, and ctin he proven l)y tlu;
oiitli of scvinil rcsiiccltilili; ])(rs(>ns, prisoinrs anionif ilic Indians of Illinois,
and from the account of tlic Indians llicmsi'lvcs, lliat not oid^- manj' Fiuncii
tiailci's, I)iital.so llicFrriicli ottici'i's, went amoii^thc Indians, as tlicy said, fully
aiilliorizcd lo assure llieiii thai tiu' French King- was determined to support
tlieiii to the ulinosi, and not oiilj' invited them lo visit Illinois, wlure Ihey
^vere ))lenlit'ully supplied wilh aiumunilion and oilier iieees'-aiies, hul also
sent .sevi ral caiioe loads at dilfereiil limes up the Illinois river lo the ^liamis,
as Weil as up the Ohio to the yiiawneesand Delawares."
Tims, wiiile Detroit Wiis tiie scene of tiie ])rineipai onll)reaic of
the war, Iliinois more iarf;ely tiiaii any otiier place fnrnisiied tiic
nieaiis to put it in niotioii and keep it alive. P.iit vvliile other
localities were lilecdinji' and sore from tiie veiij;cfiil thrusts of tiie
strife, tin' Illinois Frenchmen, caressed and pi'otected l»y savaj^i'
admirers, iinnted and lislied as usual in the peaceful forests and
.yt'iitle rivers of his vveslcrn paradise.
As tlie]»erils were thickeiiiii;;- around Detroit, tlierecame vaji'iK^
riiiiMns from time to time of seltlenients destroyed, forts attaclied
and liarrisoiis Imteliered. These llyinj;' reports were soon followed
by delinile information tliat, witli the e.\ce]»lion of Detroit, ali the
posts scatlercd at wide intervals tliruuyhuut the vast forests west
PONTIAfJ'S rONHPIKACY.
147
of l"'orts I'ilt iiiid Mii;^iini, had i'iiUen intotlic IkiihIsoI' iliiMiHiny.
TIh' lirsl rcli;ililt' (•\i(l('ii('i' of this Uiml was ilic npiMMiiiiK'c of ii
parl.v of warriors in (lie itiir ol' Detroit. iMariiij: aloft a iiiiiiiImt of
.s('nl|>.s tak«'ii from vi<liins tlicy liad slain in llic capfiiit' of Fort
Sandiisli.v. I''nsi;;n I'aiilly, in roniniaiid of {In- foit at tlic time,
and .sMlisi'<|n»'nl Iv adopted 1 1\ one of t lie tiiWcs near Di'troit. w loti^
todladwyn, j:i\ in;; an acconnt of tlic raplnic ScNcn Indians
railed at llie foit,iiMd hein;; intimately ae(|iiainted with tlie ;;airi-
son, were readily admit led. Two of the party seated tliemsehcs
on each si<le of I'anlly. and after li,i;lit int; t lieii' )>ipes. w it li fei;;ned
indifference eommeneed a eoiiveisation, dniin;; wliieli they snd-
deiily seized and disarmed him. Simnltaneously a diseoi'dant din of
\ells and llieelnslnnu' of anus was lienid w itliont. and w hen I'aMlly
alleruard was tiiUen fiom the room hy his eaptors, he beheld thti
j»arade ui-onnd shewn wilh themanuled itodies of his men. At
ni.uht he was eondueted to the lake in the li^ht of the hnrninn' fort
and slart<'d o\ci its still waters for Detroit.
On the flth of.lnne, a nnmlier of I'ottawatoinies with some pris-
oners, who proved to he I'lnsi^n Sehlossei, the commander of l''ort
St. .Joseph.* and three of his private soldieis. Their captors had
come to e\chiinu«' them for some of their own men, who for some
tinu- had Iteen retained as prisoners in the fort. Al'tei' this was
ett'ccted, the Kn;^lislimen relate(l thestoryof their captni-e. Karly
in the morning' pi'ecedin^' the attack, the iieiuhltorho'id of tlw fort
was enli\ cned l»\ the appearance of a lar;;e niindier of l*(»t taw at-
omics, who staled that tliey ha<l come to visit their i-e) itionsicsid-
\]\<X on the river St- .loseph. Hardly had the commandant time to
siisjicct daniici' w hen he was informed that the fort was snrioniidcd
Ity liMiidreds of Indians, evidently intendiiiii' to make an assanlt.
Schlossei- hasl<'iied to .yet his men under arms, hnt lieforc this e«aild
lie elfected an attack was made, and in a few ndnntcs the fort was
jihindered and all its ;;ai'rison slain, except himself and the |»riso-
jiers mentioned.
Only three days lat<>r a Jesuit priest arrived at Detroit, 1»'in^in;^
with him a letter from ( 'aptain l\theiMnyton detailing' the capturci
of Ihe fort at .Alackinaw. of which he was connnainlei'. for several
successive days tlu' ('hipj>ewas had lieeu assendiliny on a plain
near the fort and jtlayiiii; yamr-s of hall. I'inally, on the 1 Hh of
.lime, while enpiycd ;it this pastime, the h:dl was intentionally
thrown near the fort, and the Indians, rushini;- up as if to ^ct it,
seized Captain I'^thcjin.uton and Lieut. Lesley slaiidin,i;' m-ar the
pite,aiMl hurried them (»lf to the woods. At Ihesame time, another
]»arty rushed int(» tin' fort, and with hatchets furnished I»y their
s(piaws, who had previously entered with them, concealed uu<lei'
their hiaidc<'ts, sh'W la of the j^arrison, while the icmainder and
all the Eiiiilish fur traders were made itiisoners.
The next disaster of this kind was the loss of lM)rt A\ atannon.
A lett<'r was received from Lieut. .lenkins, thecommandinii'olilicei',
informiii.u' Oladwyn that on the 1st of -June he and several of his
men were seized by stratej^y, and the rest of the ptrrison, bein>j^
w ilhout a leader, snri'cndered. The Indians afterward apoloi^izcd
for their conduct by declarin;;' the attack was not the result of their
own inclinations but due to the pressure which had been broujiht
•OrlginuDy Minmi,
148
IIISTOKY OF II.LIXOIB
to liciii' (III llii'iii l),\ .siin'oiiiKliii;; trilirs. Tliis plfii nmv liMXr lirni
tl'llc. I'd!' tllt'N V.t I'C t'lirtlll'l' K-IIHI\<-(I ri'ilIM l']||;:li>ll illllllfllCt' ticiii
most of the ollit'l' tlilifs Mliil liciiiM- iiioir |i:i<'ili('.
Fort Miami, oil tli«^ Miiiimcr, in t'omiiiiiml ol' lOiisi^^ii IIoIiih'm,
iuMt'd iiiiotlifl' to tlir list ol' (",i|iliii'('<l t'oi'ts. Tlioil^li tiiis otlicti
liml ili'lt'cicd iiihI rii'ciimst'iitt'd a |ii'(-\ioiis altt'iniil a;^aiiisi the
fort, his niiiiiiii^ adversaries al lt'ii;:;tii ti'iiim|>iic<l over his vi;>'i-
hiiicc. (Ml tlif-Tthol' Mux an Indian ;;ii'l, u ho was lixiii;; witli
liim, told him that a sijiiaw lav sick in a mi^hluirin;: w i^uaiii, ami
dt'sii'i'd iiim to administer nit'dical reiiel'. i'laeiiij^' t lie lit most coii'
lldeiice in the ;^irl, he loliowed her till the,N came in si;.:li( of ii
iiiiiiiIh'I' ol' lod^^cs, whni she pointed out to him the one eoiitaiiiin<;
the iiivalit! ami V, i' iidrew . Holmes, iiiisiispieioiis of danger, con-
tinued on his errand of meiev till as h«- mared the ui;,;\\am two
^iiiis llasln-d from Itehind it. and his lifeless l)od,v felt jnostrate on
tlie.nionml. i'Aiiltant \ells of sa\a;;es f(»llo\ved llii- report of the
•:1111s, ami a Canadian soon came to the fort and demanded its
surrender, inforiiiiiiu the ;;arriNoii thai their lives would he spared
if they eomplied. Imt in ease of refusal their i-laims to me rev would
he foii'eitetl. 'I'akeii hy surprise, and without a commander t(»
direct them. llie_\ threw open the ;;ates and {^ave tlu'insclves up as
l)risoiiers.
With the previous (lisast CIS fresh in the iiiinds (»f Ihehelea^ueied
•garrison at Detroit, on the -'2([ of .liiiie, their attention was
atti'aeled to the opposite side of the rixcr wlieic tlie_\ saw tlu' sav-
a;;('s conducting Fiisij^n ("hristie, the commandant of Tresipie Isle,
and the prisoners to the camp of roiitiac. Christie afterward
fsea]ied and related the particulars of the sei;;c and surrender of
his post, situated near the pieseiit town of I'lrie on the southern
shoifof the lake iifter which it was naineil. On the l.">th of .liiiie
it was suiroiiuded ii\ L'OO Indians, and the jiarrison iininedialely
retired to llie hloekhoiise, the most impre;;ualile part *»l' the forli-
licalions. Tiie sa\ aj;es, slu-ltercd in a- ravine, close i»y, sent vuUevs
of bullets at the |)ort holcM and hnriiin*:' halls of i>itch upoutlu)
roof ami a,i;aiiist the sides of the hiiildiny. Kep^'atedly it took
lire, and finally the barrels of water which had bceii itnividcd for
extiii^uishiiif; the Hamcs were all exhausted. There was a well in
the parade ;;rouiid, but it was instant death to approach it, ami
they were compellf d to diji' another in the blockhouse. Meaiiw hik*
the enemy had made a siibteriiean passai^c to the house of the
comiiiaudant and set it on lire, ami the walls of the blockhoii.'e
near by were soon wrapt in a sheet of Maine. The well was u(»w'
complete and the liro subdued, but the men were almost sulToeated
by heat and smoke. Whih^ in this condition they learned that
aiiother more effectual atteini>t W(mld soon he made to burn tliein,
and at the insiance of the enemy they a^^iced to eajiitulate.
Parties met for this purpose, and after sti[mlatin.y that tli«' pirri-
son should march out ami retire unmolested to the nearest post,
till' little fortress which had been defended with so much valor was
surrendered. Notwithstanding' the terms agreed upon, a part of
the men wfiv taken as prisoners to the cami»of Pontiac, ami i»art
bedecked as warriors wore adopted hy the (lifl'erent tnl)es ol' the
comjiierers.
The destiiiction of Laboeuf and Vi'iianno, on the head watery
of the Allcyhany, closes the black calaloyuc of captured post«.
I'ONTI Ac's (ONSIMIIACV.
Ill)
On tlif I Sill III .liiiM', a lar;;!' iiiiiii,b('r(it' liitliiiiis .siii-nMiii)l<'(i tint
loniH'r, tlic rtiiiv ;iviiiliil)l<' (IclViicc of wliirli was a lilocU Immisc.
V'wv allows wt'if sliowcicd ii|ioii it. ami liv laiiliiiulit. Ilir ii|ii»('r
storv was wiajil in llaiiics. 'I'lic assailants ;;allii'ici| in IVoiit and
('a;;<a'l,v watrlinl lor tin' inniati-s to insliont ol' tin' itiniiin;;' Iniilil-
\u}X, that IhfV niii^lit shoot tlifiii. In tlir iiirantiair, liow<'\tM, tliry
licwcd an o|M>nin;;' llii'(Mi;L>h tlii' rrai* wall, and passiii!;' out iiii|i)>i--
n'i\ I'd. It'll lilt' savaut's i-xnltiiii;' in tlic; tlionulil llial llit-v wcrci
ix'iisjiiii;; in tiif llanit's. Kiit I'naii N'cnaiijuo, di'siroxfd altoiii llic
same liiiu', iiol a sin;il(' |»«'i'soii escaped or was left ali\t' to tell of
tlicir fate. Not liaiy aflei'ward il was leaiiieil from Indians who
w iliii'.ssetl its ile>li'netioii, thai a |tarlv tif wanitns eiitereil il iiniler
the prefext of friendship, and ejosinu' tlie ;;ates liehintl tiiein,
hntflieretl all the ;;ariisoii exeepl the piineipal oilieir. w lioiii they
ttiitnifd over a slow lire several siieeessixc iiii;lils till life was e.\-
tinel. iMtrls I'ili ami Nia;,'ai'a were also at tacked. l»nt like that
of Detroit, their garrisons jiroveil toti slroiij; for the sava^f assail-
ants will) sought their deslriietion.
l>Mi the tlesiinctioii of life and propert.v in the forts was onlv a
IVaeliiai of the los>e.s. The storm of sa\a;.;t' \i'n.ut'iinee fell wilij
ap)talliii<i' I'lirv on tli«' frtmtiers of \'ir,uiiiia. Marvlaml. and r.'iiii-
N\l\aiiia, and for hnndreds of miles aitiih ami south tlie\ lieeaniei
:i eoiiliniioMs thealre of I'ajiiiie. slan.uhtiTs. and iMii'nin;:s. withont
a parallel in all past and siieeeedin<; \ears. Il.inds of infnriateti
sa\a;^es sknlkiii;; in the forests, siidtleiily honnded forth from their
Inikin;,' places and surrounded the iiiiprolecteil homes of settlers,
'{"lie startled inmates where scarcelv aware of iian.i;i'r liefore they
lieeainc the victims of the most ferocions laileheries. .Mothers
uere conipelled to stand l»y and witness the brains of their help-
less iiijioci'iils ilashed out against the walls of llieir dwelliiij^s ;
«laiiL;liteis were carried awav into ca]i(ivity to hecoiiie the w i\ cs of
Iheir .sava;.;e captors, while fathers ami sons were l)ound to trees
ami roasti'tl o\er slow hurnini;- lires to protract and intensify their
siitlevinus. Whole settlements in tlienalley retreats of the Alle.!;-
lianies, where a j>rolilir soil and imlnstry were rapidly miiltipl,\ iiij;"
(he necessaries of life, were entirely de])o]>iilateil. Fieltls lipeii-
h\}X tor harvest weic laid waste; hods of domestic animals, like
their owners, were killed: dwelliiiijs w o'c Itiirnt to the liiennd. and
vliere jileiity and hai)piiicss had once lived to,uetiierin peace, tlu-ro
Avas now only desolation and death. Thonsands of fnuitives tied
JO the intei'ior towns ami made known the feaifnl iraiicdies they
Iiad wilncssed, and sncii had heeii the deeji dissimulation of the.
sava.iii's, the story of their bnlciiciies jirecedeil even the t'ainte.st
.sn.sjiicion.s of (]an,i;i'i'.
\v
('HAI'TKli XIV.
WlKdK OK IH'/riJOlT— I'ONTIAC [{ALLIHS TIIK WHSTKUN
TUlJ'.lvS—lllS 8LllM18SJO^' AND DEATH.
DctroK \v;is slill Uiclicjid (tC savajjo niacliiiiatioiisainl tlit' home
(»(' the aicli coiisitirator who, with the complarciKy of a Nero,
h)ok('(l round on tlic coiistantly widciiiiiu- cii'dc of ruin and <h'ath.
The jiiu'i'ison of which lie iiad fh<' inini('iliat<MMisto(l\ was coiilinrd,
as if in a vice, lo the narrow confines of tiic fort. The atti'nijtl of
CyU-r to rcinf(»rc(' it. tcrMiinatt'il in the defeat and death of some
(i(t of his men. Most of tiie niifortnnates talvcn alive were carried
t(» the campof I'ontiac. wiiere some weic t)ierced wilii arrows, some
had their hands and leet cut otf, widie others were fast<'ned to
trees and chihlren emphncd to roast lliem alive. For several days
after death had ende<l llieii' sutferiniis, tlieii' liodies were seen lloal-
in.u down tiie rivei- l»y the fort, still ghastly with the iantal atro-
cities which had caused theirdeath. No ('XjH'dient was left untried
Avhicli nuiilit injure tiie hesieucd. lIujL'ji' hre raft.s were set alloat
down the river to liuru twosmall seiiooners oppo.site the fort. Ou
one occasion a faint li,nht was descrieil on liie riser al>o\ c, wiui-li
ji'rew larji'ei' and hiijiiiter as it descended the stream. I'res<'uily
it loomed up in a violent contlauration and, fortunately passiii;;
l»et ween tlie vessels and the fort, revealed Willi tlie liylit of day
the tracery of conlajie and spars on oiiesiile, and tin- loiiu' line of pal
isades on the other. The distant «)Utlinesof the forest and a dark
multilude ot' sa\a,ues were plainly \ isihle on the oi»[»ositi' sidi' of
the stream, the latter watehiiiu. the etfecls of their artifice as the
cracklin;;'. ^limmeiin^ mass floated down with the current of the
Avaters, in which its lU't's wer«' linally tiueiiched. Thou;ih all the
arts of sava^'c warfare were eiiiitloyed to prevent the ri'inforce-
Jiient of the fort, it was at leu;;th accomi»lished, and an assa.iilt
made on thecami»of I'ontiac. In this lieree conllict. which rose
to tliedijiiiity ol" a pitched iiattle, the lMi.:;lish were defealetl with
a heavy loss, and coiii|>elled lo retiic to liie fort for safely,
Atti'acted by thissueeess, lar;^(' numliers ol warriors th)eked to
the standardof l*(»ntiac,aud the si>irit of his men. [u-e\ iously lie^in-
liiiiii' to Ha;.;-, was re\ivedand the siej;e prosecuted withuuexam-
l»led \ i^or till tin- last cd' September. The Indian is nauirally
tickle and impulsive, and perhaps the history of his race docs not
furnish another instance of such protracted etl'ort and constancy
as this. Thcii' remarkable pers<'verance must, nodoubl. beatlrib
uted to their intense hat i«'d of the I"ai,nli>h, the hopi'of assistaiu'e
from France, andthee«>ntrollini;inthu'iiceof I'outiae. Theiratumii-
iiition. however, was now (xliaiisted. aial as iiitelliiit'iice had been
received that .Major \N'ilkiiis, with a large force, was on his way lo
.•ri'i
PONTIAO'S CONSriTlAfJY.
1.")1
Dctioir. iiiiuiy ot'tlicin were inclined tosnc for ix'iicc. Tlicy A'iirod
tiic iiiinicdijitc consciincnccsor ;in iittaciv. iind proposed by inllinji'
llie ImiuHsIi into secniity. to retiie iiniiioiested to liieir wintei' linnt-
in.i;- m'onnd and icnew olVensive opcialionsin I lie spring. A eliiefol'
t]ie( 'iH)>pe\vas. tiierel'ore, visited 1 lie fort and inl'oniied (iiadwyn that
the rotlawatoiiiies, Wyandots and liis own people were soi'iy for
what lliey had done, and desired lliei'eafter loli\e in jieaee. 'Pho
ICn.ulisli ol'lieer well knew the ciiiptiness of their ]ii-eteiitions. hut
jiranted their request [hat he nii.uht lia\e an opport unity of replen-
ishing' the fori with ]»ro\isions. 'i'lie Ottawas, animated by tlu^
Mnco)M|ii('iiil»le s|>iiit of I'ontiae, eontiiined a disnltory wailare till
thelirst of 0('(oi)cr. when an niiexpeetcd blow wasdcalt tlieiinpei-
ioiis chief, and he. too. retired IVoiii the contest.
(leueial Andierst, now aware that the occii]»ation <»f the forts in
Illinois by l-'reneh liarrisons ureatly seivetl to piotraet and inteii-
Nify the war, would fain have reiiioved tlieni, i»ut still found it
impossible to itreak through the cordon of sa\a,yt' tril>es w hicli j^iit
it ai)oiit. I'oiitiac had derived tlience not only moi'al support, but
!ar,L;e supplies of jiuns and ammiinitioi!,* and the oiil.\ reiiie<l_\ of
the Urilisli ^iciicral was to write to M. Ne,\on dc N'iliiers, instriict-
in,L!,' him to make known to the Indians theii" altered n-lations under
the treaty iiy which the einnitiy had been tiansfei'i'cd to Mn.uland.
This ollicer. with e\ iileiit reliielaiice and liad ^raee, was now coiii-
}ielled to make known w hat he had Ion.;;' concealed, and aceoidin.^ly
wi'ote to Toiitiac that '"he could not expect any assistance from the
French; that they ami the ICnulish werenow atp<'aceand reuarded
each otiici' as brothel's, and that the Indians should abandon Iheir
liostilities, which could lea<l to no yood i-csidt.'" The chieftain,
ourayed and moi'tilied at lia\ inj:' his Ion;; ciieiislied lio|)c of assist-
ance dashed to the ^iionnd. with a nunil>er of his counti'ymeii
iiiniiediately dei)ait<'d for the c<iuiitry of 1 he Maiimee. int<'iidiii,n'
t(» stii' iii> its inlial)itants and renew tliecontesi the ensuing sjniii'i'.
"With his witlidrawa!, Detroit lost its si^iiilicaiMe in the war,
and its leadci' was to retui'ii no moi'c except as an iiiterceder for
JKMCe.
'I'lic winter of ITtl^J-lpassedaway without the occurrence of any
event of sjK'cial intei'est. The eiisiiiiii; siimniertwd expeditions
Avere litted out by the l-Ji.i;lisli ; one iiileiided To ojieiate a;;aiiist
the sa\a,i;('s residin,ii' on the ;;reat lakes, and the other foi' tiie
'eduction of those living' in the valleyof the Ohio. IJoutpiel lia\-
iniii" charge of the latter, advanced from {-'(U't Pitt, and ciu'ouiiter-
iii;;' the warlike Shawiiees and Delawares on liie banks of the
.Aluskinu'iim, soon reduced tluMii to an iincoiidit ii»nal])eaee. Anion,:;'
tile d( iiiands made by this et'li<'ient ollicer, was the surrender of
all their priscmers. liary'c numbers wei'e i)r(»iij;lit in IVoiii Illinois
and the region east\var<l. some (if whom had been captured as far
back i.s the French and Kn^lisli war. and had now almost foruot-
ton tlu'ir lionie.siuul friends (»f childhood. t
'iix,y.-i Sir Williiiiii .lohnsoii • In nil efipccial miiniicr tlic FimmicIi promote tin- inter-
ests of Pontine, whose iiilliieiuv' liiis now lieeoine so eoiisiileiiilile, lis Oeiieiiil CiMirc
observes in it letter to inc. fliiil it exteinis even to the month ot the Mississi|>pi, :uiit
li.is Iteeii tlie prineipiiie.iMse or onrniit ifiunintr possession of Illinois, wliieh the l''ieiieli,
as well as the I ml in lis, are iiiteresti'il in pre\ eiil iiiy. "
+()r the seenes atieiiiliinr tlit! reunion of liroken fiiiiiilles ami lonj; siimtereil Irieiiils,
a lew ineiilenis lime been preseiveil ami are worthy of relation A yoiiiiy Viryjiiiiin,
who hai\ been rohb(>(l of his wife lUiil eliilil, enlisteil in the army oflioiiiinet lor the
linrpdse of reeoverinjr them. Alter snllerinK' 'he most in tense an \ let y. he at lenat h ilis-
covered her in a unnip of prisoners, bearing- in her arms a eliild borii in eapti\ ity ; but
162 HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
Uriidsticct. wlio (•(Hiiii)iiiitl('(l till' otlicf force, wivsti'd from tlio
Siiviijics the iiiilitiir.v liosts, which (•uniiiii.Li' iuul trcachcrv hud
l)hi(j('(l ill their power. As u pint of iiis phm. whih' iit Detroit, he
sent ("iiptaiii Moi'ris, and ;•. nniniter of friendly (Canadians ami
Indians, to iiKhiee tlie savaj^cs of lliiiioi.^; to make peaee with tiio
Eii.uiish. llaviii.u- elfeeted airan^ciiients for this puri»()se, tliey
aseeii(h'(l tiie Maiiiiiee in a canoe, and soon fell in with a i)arty of
some l'(M) Indians wiio treated .Morris with i;r<'at violence. 'Hiey
liad eoiiie directly from the camp of rontiae, and soon letl him
into the presence of tlie jjreat chief, who with a serctwiinji' brow
(haioniiccd the JMiulish as liai's. lie then displayed a letter ..ritteii
l»y some {•'reiichiiiaii. t lii>ii.uh i»nrportin,u to he from tin' Ivin^- of
France, which Morris declares contained the ureatest calnmnies
that ingenious malice could devise for prejndicinii' the inindsof tlici
Jndians a^^ainst the i^iinlish. 'i'he party, after heiiiu' stripped of
everything' except their ciothiii.u, arms, and canoe, were snifered
to depart. IJesiiminu' the -(sceiit of the river, in se\cn days they
reaclie<l l''ort iMiami and etfected a landin,u'. This post not having'
l)eeii jiarrisoiied since its eai>tiire the ]»recediiij;' year, the Cana-
dians hail l)nilt their honsi's within its palisades, and a f«'W Indians
made it a temjioi-ary abode. A Miami \ ilhi.nc was directly opi)0-
site on the other side of the sti'ca 111. w Idle the meadows immediately
around it were dotted with lod.^cs of the Kickaiioos, who iiad re-
cently arii\(Ml. After ,uettin,ii: ashore they ])ro<-eeded throii;^!! the
]iiea(lows toward the fort, hilt before reachin.i^' it they were suddenly
snrroiiiidcd by a mol) of infuriated sava.ncs, bent on piittiii,u' them
to death. l''ortiiiiately tiie chiefs interposed, and before any seri-
ous violence was offered the sndileii outburst of sava.^c passion was
clieeked. Threatened and insulted, however. Morris was con-
ducted to the fort and there ordered to remain, while the Cana-
dians Wi'ic forl»idden to shelti'r him in their houses. !!<' had not
loiiji' bi'cn in this situation befoie two warriors entered, and
with uplifted tomahawks seize<l and condiicted him to the liver.
Siipjiosinj; it was their iiiteiilion to drown him, he was a.ureeably
disappointed when they drew him into the water and led him safe
to tiie oiiposite shore. Here he was stri]i]»e(l. and with his hands
'tonnd behind him. led to the .Miami \ illa.nc, wlu'i'c instantly a vast
eoneonrse of sa\a,u('s collected about him, the mai<nity of whom
were in favor o\' itnttiii,^' him to death. A tiimnltuoiis (h'bate on
the subject soon followed, diirin;;' which two of his Camidiaii
Ibllowers made their a|>pearance to induce the ehit'fs to spare his
life. The nephew of I'oiitiac, who jiossessed the liold spirit of his
uncle, was also jtresent and pointed out to the rabble tiie impi'o-
tlie pleasure of tlio meeting: was alloyed by the iilisonce of iinotliev ehilil, wliieli liiul
l)eeii taken Ifoiii the mother iiiiil earrieil she knew not wither. An.vions days and
weeks passed away, but no tidintisot' its fate were received. At lenj;th the niother,
nlninst Iren/.ied with despair, diseovered it in llie arms of an Indian and seized it witli
irrepri'ssilile ti-anspoils of .joy.
i i Vouiiir women, now the wives of warriors and the mothers of a monirrel otVspriiifr,
were reluclarit ly hrouirht into the presence of their white relatives ; and <liili|icn
whose Ion--'' resi<ien((' amoiiu' their caiitors had obliteiated ■"' .emembiance of foiiner
associations, strutrirled lustily to escape. With the returiu nj- army they were<'arried
to the llast, where tl.cy were visited by hnndieds whose relatives had been abducted
by the Indians. Ai.ioiiy: the fortunati- seekers was a mother, who dlseoveren in tlio
swan liy features of one of the resciu'd captives thealti'rcd lincameitts of her da Uff liter,
Th(! latter had almost forirotten her nat ive toimiie ; and makiiar no rcsp(}nse to the
wordsof maternal (iidearnuMit, the parent wept that the child she h, id so often >ung
to sh^ep on her knee ha.l now foi'notten her in old aye. "Thi^ hiunanity id' " )U(|uet
sutru'ested an expedient : 'Sintrthe sormsyou used to sinu' to her when a ehilci.' riio
old lady obeyed, and a sudden start, a look of l)ewildcrment, anil a jiassionate tiooduf
tears restored tlie long lost daujfhter to the uiotlier's arms." — I'AUii.MAN.]
•^ .»
I'ONIIACS ('(>.\S1M1{A('Y.
laa
piicty of piittiii.u' liiiii to <l(';itli, wlicii so many of tlicir kindred
■were in tlic iiamls of the I'^nj;lisli at Detroit, lie was aee(»i(lin,uly
released, i»ut soon afterward a.^ain seized i»y a maddened eliiefand
bonnd to a post. Vonn;;' I'onliae, now nntre deteiniiiied tliaii ever,
rode 111* and sevcrinjit lie cords wilii iiis hateiiet. exeiaimed : ••! '/we.
tliis man liis life. Ifanyol'yon want lOn.uiisii meal .uo to Deti-oit,
or llie lal<es, and ycai will liaxc plenty of it. What linsiness liave
you witli the lOnulishnnm, who has come to speak with as.'"*
Tile current of feel iny' now Ite^ian to elian^e in favoi'of sj>arinj;'
Ins life, and aflei' ha\in,u \iolently thrust him out of the xilla^c,
tliey NuU'eicd him to return to the fort. Ileic the Canadians would
liave treated him with kindness, hut were unable to do so without
cxposin.!;' themselves to the tierce resentments of the sa\aj;('s.
Despite the inauspicious commeiieemenl of the Journey, jloiiis
was still desirous of coin]tletin,i;' it. I»nt was notilied by the Kieka-
]»oos if lie attempted to i)ass them they would eei'tainlx put him to
death. Il<' was also informed that a deleiiation of sSJiawin-e war-
riors was on its way to the post for the same purpose. The sanu'
l)arty, with a mnnbei' of Delawares, ha<l \ isited the Miands a short
time befoi'e the arri\al of the end»assy, to uruc upon them tln^
ne<'essity of i-enewin.i;' hostilities, and mueii of the bad ticatnient
to which he had Iteen subjected was diu' to the feelin.Li which they
Inul eiijicndered. Fiom the fort they ]>roe( cded westward, spread-
in,ii' the contagion of their hostile feelin;L;s amon;.;' tiie tribes of
Illinois, and other Indians, ix'tween the Ohio and Mississippi,
dcclarinji' that they would li,:ulit the I'ln.ulish as lon.^- as the ^ull
i'ui'nislie<l lijiht for the continuance of the conlli<'t. Thus it became
(ivident that the Shawnees and Delawares had two sets of endiass-
adors. and while one was sent to sue for peace with i'xtuipH't, tlui
otln-r was urnin.i;' tlie neijihlMtiin;;' tribes to renew the atrocities of
war. I'lider these cireunistances the i'lii'thei' prosecution of tlu;
journey was imiu'acticable. and at tlu' earnest solicitation of his
Indian and Canadian attendants. .Moriis decided to return. Sajt-
])osini;' that llradstreet was still at Detroit, he made his way
thither, but found that he had ^oiieto Sandusky, liein.i;- too nuich
exhausted to follow him. he sent a letter detailing;' his hardships
amon.^ the Indians, and the unfavoral)!e issue of the expe-
dition.
Ilai'dly Inul .Morris escaped from the daik forests of the Maiune("
bcfoic I'ontiac was ayain in motion. I'lccedim; his advance, a
wa\e of tumultuous excitement swept westward to the Mississippi.
31. Neyon, commandant of !'"ort Cliartres. in the meantiuH' had
retired, and St. Anuc <ri>cllri\e had taken upon himself the
arduous duties of the vacated situation. Mobs of Illinois, and
end>assies Ironi the Delawares, Shaw nees, and Mianiis, dail,\ im-
IMiitinu'd him for arms and ammiuntion. to l>e used aji'ainst the.
lOnji'lisli, 'i'he lla.i;' of I"'rance, which they had been tau.uht to
revere, still cluni; to the stall' on the sumndl of the foil, aial llli-
iKtis was now the only sanctuary which remained for them to
defend. While thus actuat<'d by feelings of patiiotism there were
other causes which .L;ave intensit\ to their zeal. 'I'he whole region
boi'dcriii.1;' the .Mississijtpi was tilled with l"'rencli traders, who re-
<;arded the iMiulish as dan^i'ei'ous rivals and were ready to resort
to any expedient which mi^lit be instrumental in their exi)idsioii
•Pai'limuii.
154
IIISTOUY OK ILLINOIS.
ll
,!t
from tlic coniitiy. Tsinj; «^v('ry caluimi.v and falscliood that iiialico
coillU siij;;;{st, to excite (>i>i)(»siti(»ii to tlie objects of tlieir Jealousy,
tliey now told llie Indians that the l-'ji^Iish were endeavoring to
stir iii» ci\il lends anion^' them, wherel»y they nii;:ht li^ilil and
desti'oy eacli other. They still insisted that the lonj;- delayed
armies of l''ranee wonld so(tii he in the country, and to Uee|iali\e
this oil repeated lalx'houd the traders apiieared t'ic<|iiently in
J*'rench uniforms, represent inu Ihemselves as endiassadoi's of tlie
Kiuy-, and sent for^n'cd letters heai'ln^i' Ihf loyal signature to
i'ontiac, ur;;in<^' him to pei'sist in hisetforts against the common
enemy.
As intimated, Tontiac. wiili 1(»0 warriors, in the Autumn of
]7<it crossed the Wahasli to visit these tribes and j;ive direction to
their elVorts. riisjiaken amidst the ruin which threaleucd his
race, witli tireless ener;;y he entered the \ illa.m-s of the .Miamis,
KickajMKis. and I'iaidvishas, and breathed into them his own
niicon<pieral)le spirit. Itcceivin.y from them promises of conpera-
lion. he iM'Xt directed his course tlii(iu,uli trackless c.\]>anscs of
jtrairie vei-diire. to the homesof the Illinois. These Indians, repeat-
edly subihwd l>y surroiindinji- nations, had lost theii- warlike,
spii'it. and were icprinianded by I'ontiac for their want of zeal.
Hastily collecting; an assend)la,ue. he told the cowering; multitude:
that "he would consume then: as the lire consunu's the dry ,i;rass
on the prairies if they hesitated in olferin;;;' assistance." This
snnimar.N method of dealini; with the tardy savaj^es drew from
them unanimous assent to his \ lews, and promises of assistance
Avhich the most warlike tribes would have been unable to i»erform.
I-eavinti' the Illinois, he hastened to l''ort ( 'hart res. and entered
the council hall with a ictinue of IIM) warrioi's. Assumiuii the
jiiaxity ai'd dignity characteristic of his I'aee on i 'blie occasions.
lie addr' ssed the commandant, as follows:
"Fiitlicr, \\r liiivi' loiiii' (1( ."-ii'itl to sec vdu, ■mil <'iij(>y llic |)l' Msurc of takim;
you liy tlic liiHiil. Wliilc wr iilVcsli oinscJvc. willi the soot III iiir iiieriisc nt' tlio
Vricndly cahiinrt. wc will recall tlic lialilrs I'dmuIiI by our warriors auaiiist llie
oiiciny' wliicli still sciks our ovcrllirow. JJiU while we speak of llnir valor
ami victories, let us not I'orjict our I'alleii lieroes, and witli renewed resolves and
more constant endeavors strive to aven<re their death l)y the ilownfail of our
LMieniies. Fathei', I love the French, and have hil hither my braves to nniin-
taiii your authority and vindicate the insidtcii honor of France. UiU you mu>t
not louiier remain inactive and sull'eryour red brothers to contend aloneai;ainst
the foe, who siH'k our comniou distruetion. \V<' ileiuand of yo\i anus and
waniois to assist us, and when t he tvinlish do^s are driv<'n into tin- sea, wu
will ai;ain In pciK'c and happiness enjoy with you thesi' fruitful forests and
l)rairles, the inil)li' herilasze presented liy the (ireal Spirit to our ancotors."
St. Aiiue'. boiiii;' tinal>le to lurnish him with men atnl munitions,
olfered in their stead compliments :ind ;^ikh1 will. Hitt I'ontiae,
re;iiirdinji' his mission to(» imiiortiint to be thus rejected, eom-
l)laincd bitterly thiit he should receive such poor encouiaiicmeiit
from those whose wrongs he \vas endea\ oriiiii' to redress. His
AVitrriors pitched their lodges abotit the fort, iind sttcli were the
iiiiinifestations of disiileasiire thiit the commandiint sipprehened
ill! attack, roiitiac had jtreviously caused his wixcs to prejiare a
belt of wainimn more than six feet in leiiiith. interwoven with Iho
totems of the d life rent tiibcs ;ind v illa<;es still associated wit it liini
in the prosecution of the war. While iit the fort tiiis was tissiyiu'd
to a chosen band of warriors who were instructed to descend the
POM'IAC'S CONSPIKACY.
li>.">
^lississipjii. iiinl cxliiliitiii^' it to (lie iiuiiiciuiis nations li\ in;;' on
its Itanks, cxiioil tiicni to ifjicl all attcin|i1> which the l^n^lish
mi.ulii make to ascmd llic ri\ci'. 'liicy were iiuliici' rciiuiicd lo
fall on the ^oNniior of New Oilcan.-; and olitain the assistance
wliicli St. Anuc had refused. I'ontiac. aware tiiat the .Missi>si|(|)i
on the south, and the < )hio on the east weic t he channels In w Inch
Jlliiiois WHS most accessible to the Mn^lish. wisely deteniMncd to
iiitei])ose i)an'iers t(» their appfoaeh l»v these <x\v;\\ iii.uhways.
>«'ot lolly after the departure (»f ids warriors. tidin.;;s were rec<'i\ ed
ill the fort which verilied the sa.uacitv and coi'rcctiiess ol his anti-
cipations.
The prexions sprinii- .Miijor l.oflus. with a force of 40(1 men,
sailed from i'eiisacola to New ()rleans. lor the pnrpose of ascend-
iiiji:' I lie Mis>issippi ami taUiiii;' possession of l^'ort ( 'hartres. I'.einy-
einliarUed in iinwieldx lioats. Ids iJio^ress was slow, and when
oidy a short distance aitoxc the town he was miexpeetcdly assailed
by tin- warriors of roiitiae. 'I'hey were lired upon from both sid<'s
of the rixcr, wiiieh. swollen liy a freshet, had iniiiidatcd its banks
and formed swampy lal»\rinlhs. from wliieli it was impossible to
dislodji'e the foe. Several soldiers were killed at tliellrst diseharj;«',
and the teirilied ofiicers immediately deciding a lartln'r ad\ anet!
impossible, fcil back to New Orleans. Here liiey Ibiiiid the imiri-
meiil of the l-'reiK'li greatly excited at their discomlitiire, which,
it was alh'-cd. had been caused by not more than .'!(> warriors.
Loflns. smartiiiu iimler the ridicnie. boldly accnsed the p»\eriior
of lia\in,i:' been the author of his defeat, thon.uli there was not tlic
sli,uhtesi yroniid for such suspicion. As the result of fear, from
which he liad not yet recoxcicd. he likewise conceived tlu' idea
that the Indians intended to attack him on his ri'tiirn on the river
below, and petitioned the ji'ovei'iior. whom lie liad just accused of
colliisi(»ii with the savages, to interpose and jirevent it. The,
French ollicer, with a look of <'ontempt. agreed to furnish liim
with an escort (»f ]''rencli solders, but Ltdtus. rejectiii}; this hiimil-
iatiii^' oiler, declared he only wanted an interpreter to eoufer w itli
tlix Indians whom he slioidd meet on the way. One was ;L;r;!iited,
aial hi' sailed from I'eiisacola. lea\iiiji the forts of Illinois still in
the hands of the l''reiich. but \ ii'tually controlled and iirotected
by the warriors of I'outiac. After this aboiti\e elVort to reach
]'ort ('hartres, Captain Pitman sailed fr(nn Mobil.' to make a sec-
ond attempt. Ileariiij;' in New Orli'ans the commotion excited
ainoii<;' the sava,<4«'s by the messengers of Pontiac. ho was deterred
I'ldiii proceediiiji' ojieiily without an escort. It however occurred
lo him that he iiii.uht reach his destination in the .yiiise of ii
l''rencliman. by ^oin^' with a company of creole traders, but ow iii^'
to the ureiit danger of detection, this also was abainhtued.
In the meantime the ambassadors of I'oiit iae, 'rue to the trust
reposed in them, had traxcised the immense forest solitudes,
watered by the tortuous windiiius of the .Mississippi, reekinj^-
with the deadly exhalations of pois<»iious marshes. Visitiiii;' the
tribes scattered o\er this vast wilderness, even to the southern ex-
tremeof Louisiana, w hither tlie fame of Pontiac had preceded tlii'iii,
they infused into them a spirit td' resistance to IJritish eiicroach-
iiieiits. N<'xt re|tairiii,u to New Orleans to demand military aid,
they found the inhabitants excited o\<'r the transfer ol' their
territiuy to the dominion (d' S[»ain. l>y a special ]»ro\isioii >iew
156
IILSTOUV Ol'" UJ.INOIS.
Oilciiiis liiid not IxTii iiK'liKlcd in llic ct'ssioii iiiiidc to Kiijiliiiid
ciisi (it I lie .Mississi|t|>i, iiiid now tlic.v liiid jnst Icaiiu'd tliiit llicir
]>;ir( III <'oiinlrv liiid tninsl'criTd nil licr i'('iii:iiniii,n' possessions to
tlif crown of S|>;iiii. TIic iiiliiil»it;iiits cordiiillv imtrd (lie Spiiii-
iards, iind llicir piitiiolic ptvcnior. iiiortilicd at the disi;iacc. he
caiiie the victim oi' a disease that shortly alterwaid caused his
death. Uowed with disease and shame, lie received the messt'U-
jicis of routine in the council hall of the town. IJesidcs the
J'"rciicli otlicials, a niimlier of lOn^lisii otiiccrs were jireseiit at tiu3
iiilii\ iew. '{"he orator of the Indian deputation was a Shawnee
Avairior, wlio, displavin^' the ^reat belt of wani]»iim and ]toinliiijj|,'
to the IOn;^lis|i, said :
" Tlicsi' iX'tl* tings liavc criiwdcd upon asmorcuiul more, iiiul wlicii we ii>k \\ liy
lliiy do it, we lire lold tli:il yoii, our I'M-ciu'li I'atiicrs, liuvc given tluni oiii' hind.
]jui we linow tjicy liavc lied. Tiicsc laiids arc ncitlicr yours nor liich's, niid
no niMii sIimII give orsi'll tlicin williout, oiir ('onscnt. Fal Ikt.s, we IniVf always
liccn your failhl'nl cluldren, and \vc: have come to obtain from you arms to aid
us in "iliis war."
Afti'r an iiietl'eetual attempt bv tlieyox criior to allay the animos-
ity exiu'cssed in tlie .speech, and a promise to furnish them with
supplies ibr theii' immediate wants, the council adjourned till the
next day, When, however, it a^aiii asseinl)led, the d_\ iiiu' j;(»\t'r-
iior liad lireathed out liis life. .M. Aubrey, his successor, presided
in his place. After one of the Indian orators, according to the
solemn custom of his pi'ople, had <'Xpressed his r«';^ret for the sud-
den death of tlie ^^overnoi', a, .Miami chief arose and said :
"Siiici' we last sat, on tiicsc seals we liave iieard strange words. We liaro
learned tiial you, wiiom we have loved and ser\'ed so well, liave given liiese
lands on wiiieli we dwell toonrcommon foe. AVe liave also ascerlaiiied that
tlie Eiiglisli liave forbidden you to send traders to our villagi-s, and that you,
whom we tlionght so great and brave, liave' obeyed their eommands iik<!
■women, leaving us to dii; and starve in misery. \\ <■ now Iril you again that
these lands are ours, and moreover lliat we can live without your ai.l and hunt
and li-h and light as did our aneesioi's before u>. All we a>k is liie guns, the
knives, and tin- haiehets we liavi' worn out in liiihting your baltles."
To tlie.se liome thrusts of Indian invective, M. Aubrey could
make l)iU a fcelile reply, rrcseiits were distributed aiiioii^ them,
but pioilnccd no effect on the iinli.iiiiaiil v, :!iriors, and on the mor-
low tiiey coiiiiiieiiccd their ascent of llie uieat lixcr.
The j;Teat inllMciice of I'ontiac in Illinois convinced (ieiu'ral
Cbtji'e, the successor of (ieiiei'al Amliei'st, that as Ion;;' as the posts
uf Illinois remained in the hands of I'^reiich ofliceis and the lla.u'of
]'raiice was rcco^iii/;c<l in any part of the ceded territory, it would
lie imjiossible to eradicate from the minds of the Indians the phan-
tom of I-'ieiich assistance. He therelbre determined to scud a
tbice westwai'd ot siiflicient iiia.uniliide to o\cr<-(>me all opposition,
and at once' termiiiale the war, l>\ ]eiiio\iim the caii.se. ^Vftcrthe
I'epulse of Loftiis the soiitlierii route to Illinois was rejiarded as
impracticable, and it was decided to send tlie troops by way of tho
Ohio. ( icor^c ( "roj;han and liieiiteiiaiit I'ra/.er. accoiii|iaiiied by a
small escort, were sent in advance to prepare the Indians Ibr the
adveiil of the contemplated expedition, ("ro.uhan had Ibr years
lieeii a trader amoii.u' the western tribes, and by the aid of his
manly character had won the respect of the s;ivao«'s, and was well
litte(i for tlie discharge of this imjiortajit trust. The party set out
•Alluding to the red coats of the British soldiers
I'ONTIACS CONSriU'ACr,
167
for l'\)rt I'ittiii Kcbriiary, 17(!r», jmhI aflci- Ikia iiij;' penetrated siiow-
1)01111(1 forests and inonntnin deliles diirinu the rigors of a seveio
winter, tlu'.v arrived sal'elv at tlie fort. Here ('ntjiliiin was de-
tained several wi'eks, for the pnritose of iiiivinj;' a eonsnltatioii
uith llie SlnnvMees and Dehiwai'es, alont;' whose sontliern liorder
the expedition was to pass. In the ineiinlinie, fearin.i;' that tla^
delay attendinj;' his nejidtiations niijiht lane a pre.iudi«'ial elfeet
upon the triltes of Illinois, he sent I'i;izer iniiiiediatel\ forwind to
enter npon the important dnties wilii which tiiev had Iteen en-
trnsted. The ie\ i»loekade which dnrin,u' the winter had oltstineted
the na\i.i:ation (»f the Ohio, now disappeared, and tlie parly eni-
barUin^ in a canoe, deseeinled with (he enrrent ttf tiie river near
I, (Kill miles wilhonl enconnteriiii; opposilioii. Itnt when a landing'
was etfected the follow<'rs of I'oiit iae were on hand, and he met
with a reception sinnlar to that accorded to Morris the pre\ ions
aninmn. Ilidfeted and Ihreatened witii dealh. he aUandonei! the
<d>j<'ct of his \isit,and tied in dis^^iiise down the rixcr to seek a
reinjic amftnji the I-'rcnch. The universal overthrow which liad
at1ende<l the efforts of the Indians in all the snrronndin;;' reuions,
caused tiiem to look ujion Illinois as sacred ;;i(tnnd, and hence
their deternnned effoi'ts to prevent its desecialion by the iiilrn-
sion of their hated foe.
The ICnj^lish. ha\ inii' thus far failed to effe<'t an entrance intotlie
country by force and nej;-otialions. now determined to try their
Inind at conciliation. They had heaid of the wonderfid intluence
exerted over the savayes in this way by the I-' rencli, and concluded
that their own ertorfs mi,i;ht be attended witli similar results. l''or
tliis junpose they secni'cd the services of a I'^renchman, and sent
him ni> the river with a boat load of y'oods. which lu^ was instructed
to distribute amoiiij,' the Indians as jtresents from the Kniiiish.
Intelligence of this nntxcmcnt traveled far more rapidly than the
supplies, and I'ontiac determined that they should subserve his
own iiderest and in>t that of his enemies. He. therefore. watched
the arrival of the boat, and no sooner had a landing;' been elfecti-d
than his nuMi leajx'd aboard, and liavin.u' tlo^u'ed the Frenchman
and his ei'ew, distribute(l the ,u'oods amon^' themselves. As was
(Mistonniry, these snjiplies were soon s^juaiMlered with reckless
]>rodijiality, and the savaiics w hen pressed with want turned to the
Fjcncli for assistance. Ibit the latter were now expectin.L; I he
arrival of a Jbitisli foi'ce to take possession of the conntry, and
fearinji' that i)Uiiislinient nuiiht overtake them foi- ])ast olfences,
('oncliided it best to withhold their assistance. St. Anji'e and other
oflicei's, also belie\in,ii' tiiat their successors would soon arrive,
informetl them that henceforth they must lo<»k for snitplies to the
Kn;^lisli, whose <;-ood will it was now their interest t(» cultivate.
Hunger itself is un>re jtowci'tnl than an "army with banners,"
and when tin; sava,m's saw other disasters e(jnally api>allin^ and
imminent, the most resolute warriors bewail to hesitate in rej>ard to
the further jtrolonyation of the struii.iile. Even Poidiac. whose
inasculine fibre and enduring fortitude the ordinary vicissitmles of
war failed toatl'ect, beyan to waver when he learneil that the hijihest
Fi'eiM'h dignitaries refused to <;rant him aid. The expi'ctalions
which had so lonj;- nerxed his arm were fast Aanishin.L;, ami
Avitli a sorrowful heart he beheld the vast civil and iidlitary com-
binations he. had fonned, in a state of hopeless disintegration.
1.18
IIISTOUY OF ir.LINOIH.
Drscilfil l>y iiMics on (xcrv liniid, tlicic Wiis no itliicc of i('rii<;(',
wliitlicr lie iiiiylil llv I'oi- satct v. In tlic soiitli :iiiil west wcrr licrcc
liiliis, tlic licrcditiirv ciioiiiifs ol' liis pcuitlr ; rioiiillic ciist ('iiiiic
ill! <)\ri'\vlirliiiiiii;' I'oc to «<ii;:;'iiir liiiii, wliilc tlic lioi'tli, tilt- lioilic (if
liis rliildrcii iiiitl III*- scenes oi' liis ,\(>iii lil'iil iietixilies iiiid iispi-
JMtioiis, Wiis iiiidei llie uiiiis of :iii iiii|ire;^liiil>le fortress. At
pi-eseiit, iiiialtle l(» extrieale liiniself fi-oiii llie lalivriiitli ol' iiii|tciid-
iii;^ daii;H( rs, lie was (•(nii|ielled lo siibiuil and wail a fiitiiic da,v of
V<'li,y'eaiice.
( 'i'o;;liaii, lia\ iiiu' eoiiiiileled Iiis eoid'ereiiee willi llie Indians at
l-'orl I 'ill, Willi liis own men and a n inn iter of I >ela ware and Sliaw-
iiee wairiors, oil the l.'itliof .Ma.\, 1 7ii.">, stiii'ted down the Oliio.
NN'itli little detention, lie landed on IIh' Illinois shore, a short dis-
tance lu'low the iiiontli of the Nv'altash.* Soon after diseiiiliark-
iii,U', he was iiiie.\|)ectedl,v iiieeled l»y a shower of liiillets proceed-
iii.n' from tani^led thickets on the hanks of ihe river, wherchy ."» of
liis iiieii were killed and most of the remainder wounded. Iiiiine-
diately follow iii.i; the explosion of mnskeliy. SO yelpinu Kickapoos
ru.Nlied from llieir co\ crts. and disai iiiiii;^ the Mn^ilish, took posses-
sion of all their pei'scmal etVects. When thus rendered powerless,
the as.ailants lie^aii lo apologize for I he dastardly attack. They
declai'ed to ('r(i;;liaii thai the I'reiich had lold I hem I hat his escort
consisted of Cherokees, their moi'tid enemies, and that under this
false impression, they hail made the as.sanll. 'I'his pi'ctext was,
liowever. aiiolher iiislance of the (hceitlion for whicli that trihe
was (list iiijiiiished. Though endea\diin^' lo excuse their conduct
on the plea of i.uiioraiice, it was afterward ascertained that they
liad do.u';,;cd Cro^han foi' several days, and knew well the charac-
ter of his escort. Willi less jzovernini'iit over tlieiusel\-es than
children, and lilled with the inslincl of (le\ ils. their real olijcct was
to wreak \cii,ueaiiceon the i']n.ulish and j^iatilX a rabid <lesiie U.v
lilood.
('ai'cfully .yiiarded as a i»risoiier, Cronhan was condiicled up the
"NValtash lo Vincenues, where, fortunately, he met with a iiiimher
of his former friends, who not only ell'ectcd his release Imt sharjily
I'einiiiianded his cajitors foi' their niiiusl ilialile conduct. I''roiii
X'inceiiiies he was escorted farther up Ihe river to l''ort Wataiioii
and entertained with much aiti>areiil cordiality by Indians with
whom he had been pi'cx ionsly ac(piainted. Here he spent sexcral
da\s ill i('ceiviii.u' and shaking hands with deputations of chiefs
and warriors from the siirroninliii;^' rejiiion, all of w liom were appar-
futly anxious to be on friendly terms with the Eiif^lish, and
expressed a desire for llie return of iteace. In contrast with tliesi^
eviileiiccs of jiood will, a Frenchman arrived with a messa^ic fr(nn
a chief liviii.u' in Illinois, iir,^in,u the Indians in the vicinity of the
fort to 1)11 1 tlie i'ln^lish ambassador to death. l)es|)ite tliis mur-
derous retpiest, he was assured by liis savaj>(' friends that they
Avoiild iiol only protect his jierson, but assist in takiii.u' possession
of the country where tlic^ hostile chief resided. Unexpectedly ii
'"Ontho fitl) of .Imn' tlicy iinivcd atHio tnoiitli of the W'uliasli. Hero tlioy fomida
broiistwiirk. supposed to imve liecii erected by Indians. Six miles fiirtlier, tliey
enc'aiiipe<l atii place called the • old Sliinvneo yillajre, ' upon or near the present site
of Shawnet'town, whicli penn'tuates its name. At tliis jilace they remained tidays for
the purpose of opcninw a friendly intiMcouse and trade with the Waliash tribes ; and
while licri!, (\)1. Crosrha'ii sent nicssentfers with dispatches for Lord (Lieut. ?) Kru/t^r
who hiidjrone from Fort Pit I as eomnnuidant at I'ort Cliartres, and also toM. St. Aii^re,
the former Frcucli couimauilaut."—MoNNE' B, l,34lj.
r«)N'riA< 's cJoNsi'iKAin'.
159
iii('ss(Mi;;fi' ii('\( ciiiiic IVom St. Aii;^*'. rciiiK-stiiiL;' liiiii to visit Foit
<'ii:irli'<'s :iii<l iMJjiisI iil'l'iiiis |)rt'|i;iriilni'v lo iiis w iiiiiiniw:)! Iroiii
till' roit. As iliis WHS ill iicconliiiicc with liis inlciitioiis, liciiniiic-
(liiilciv set (Hit, Itiit ii:itl not iHoct'cdcd |';ir l»clorc lir \viis tiit't l»y
roiiliiir iiiitl II iiiiiiicniiis I'i'liiiiii' of wiiriiors. 'I'jic rliicC liiid coinu
to ofli'i' terms of |)*>:i('<-, MiHJ ( 'I'ouiiiiii rctiinif<l witii him to I lie I'oi't
tor coiisiiltiitioii. 'I'Ik; cliit'l's iiiiil Wiiniors ol' tli<' siindiiiKliii^'
ii:ilioiis :ilso met in coiiiiciK iiiiil I'oiitiiic. in tli<' itn'scnci' ol' iIm;
mull itinlc, iiitiodiiccd tlic pipe ol' |M';irc iiiid cxpicsscd Ids coiiciir-
I'l'iicc ill liic ri'iciitllv sciitimciits wliicli liiid Ikmmi iiitci'cliMii.ucd ;it
tlic I'orl Ix'toic Ids iiri'iviil. Ilcdocliiicd tlmt tlic Kicncli iiiid misled
liiiii witli the sliitciiu'iit tliiit the I'liii^lisli iHoposcd l(»stirii|> the
< 'iK'lokces ;i;;ililist his liiet hicii of I lliliois. iilid thus reduce IJit'iii
t(t servitude. The lMi.!4lisli, he ii;;reed, miylit tiiUe possession of
Fort ChMi'tres and the otiier militaiv posts, hut sii.uaeionsly iiiti-
mated tiial the I'^t'ciich had iie\er piiicliased the lands ol'ilie
IlliiKiis. ami as they lived on them by siin'eiaiiee only, their suc-
cessors \v(»iild haxcno ieyal ri^lit to tiieir possession. 'Mieamieahlei
t'eelin,us manii'ested l>y the Illinois ehiel's who were present,
olixiated the iie<'essity of his proceediii.u' fnrlher westward, and lu^
next directed his attention to the tribes of the noi'lli cast.
Accompanied l»y Ponliac he crossed to Fort .Miami, and deseeiid-
iiii;- tlie .Maiimee, lield conferences with the dilfereiil tril»esd\\('lliiiji'
ill liic immense forests which shelter the haiiUs of the stream.
I'assinj;' tiienee lip the Detroit, lie arrived at the fort on tiu^ ITlli
of Aii.nnst, where he found a vast concourse of nei^lihoriiiL;' tribes.
'J'lie fear of iMiiiishiiiciit, and the loii.u privations tliev had suifered
from the suspension of the fiir trade, Jiad l)aiiished every thoiiuht
of hostility, and all wei'e anxious for peace and its attendant bless-
iiiji's. After numerous interviews with ditlereiit tribes in the old
town hall, where I'ontiac tirst essayed the execution of his
treachery, Croj^han called a tinal nieetiii,u' on tlu' L'Tth of Au<;iist.
Imiiatin/i" tln^ forest elocpieiico with which he iiad loiiy been
familiar, he thus addressed the convocation :
" ('liildi'cii, wi' MIT very ylad to sec so iiiiiny of yoii present !it your iiiicieiit
council lire, wliicli liMs l)een iiegleeted for sonii; time pMsl. Since tlu'U liiuli
winds liiive l)lovvn and rinsed liciivv clouds over your couiilry. I now, l)y tliis
bell, rekindle your iinci<Mit tires, and llu'ow dry "wood >i|ion it, that tiie lilaze
luay ascend to heaven, solliat all nalioiis may see it and know that you live iu
jieiice with your fathers, the Knt;lisii. iJy this helt 1 disperse all tiie black
clouds from over your heads, that the sun uiav shiiu; clear on your women
and cliildreii, and that tliosi' unhorn may enjoy the lilessin^s of this jieneral
jieaee, now so hai>))ily settled between your fatliers, the JOnglish, and you and
all your younger brethren toward tln^ sunsetling."
Poiitia(^ reiilied:
"Father, we have all smoked together out of this peace pipe, and as ijio
Great Spirit has brouuhl us toi;:ether for nood, I declare to all the luiliinis that
1 have made peace with the lMi!j;lish. In the presence; of ail the tribes now
assiinbled,! lake the Iving of Enuiaiid for my fatlier, ami dedicate this pipe to
Jiis Use, tliat theucefortli we may visit him and smoki' together in peace.'
The object of C'roj;liaii's visit wa.s now eoiisuminated, liut before
he dejiarted he exacted from I'ontiac a promise that tin' followino;
siiriii,n' he vvoiihl rei)air to Osvvcji'o and enter into a treaty with Sir
AVilliam Joliiison, in behalf of the western nations as.soeiiited with
]dm in the war.
"Jn tiie meantime a iiiiiidred lli^ihlamU'rs of the tUd rej;imeiit,
those veterans whose battle erv had echoed over the bloodiest
ino
mSTOKV OI-' [M,lNOls.
lit Ills (iT AiiMTir:). Iiiid Iri'l i'ml Tin iiiitN'r cuiiniiiiiMl ol' (':i|itiiiii
►Slirliiiy. iiiitl (Icscfiitliii;^ tln'()liio iiinlt'tcncd l».\ (lie rijictr (tf llui
sciisoii, ill rived iit ( 'li;irtit's jiisl iis liic snows ofcMily wiiid-r l)<';;iiii
1(» uliitcii tilt' li;iUct| lorcsis. 'I'Ih- IIii.u oI' l'"rilicr (icsrclKlt'd tniiii
tlif riiiiipMil, iiiid w itii tlic slt'i'ii (•(iiiitcsirs of \viii- St. Aiijit- \ icidcd
ii|i his |Misi, (lie citiiilcl of iijiiiois, |o its iww iiiiistcrs. In tlnit
il(-| WMs ('oiisiiiiiiiiiitcd llir doiihic li'iiilii|ili dl' Hl'itisli |M>\vt>i' ill
AiiM'ricK. I')ii;;liiiid liiid ('iiisiicd Ikt lH-rc(liliir\ tui-; I'liiiicf in Imt
i'iill had ict't to in'*'tricviild<> i-iiiii th<- snxii;;)- trilx-s to whom lirr
]ioli<',v :i!id s<'lf-iiit('i'»'st li:id lent :i tniiisifiit sii|»|toit."* The doomed
liMlioiis were next to sesil lln'ir siiltmissioii to tiie power wliieh IkmI
wi'oii.i;lil tiieir ruin, iiiid IJritisli swiiv would he coinidete.
Ikeiiiinded ol' his |iroiiiise ti» Cloi^hiin l>,V the le:il'\ <|i"i|)eiy of
snmmei'. I'(»ntiiie icpiiired to( )s\ve;i(», and for the last time appealed
lieforetlie represeiitat i\ es of l'!iij;li,sh SDVeieiiilitv. Ill the midst
of a lar^e eoiieoiiise. whieli the impoitaiiee of the occasion had
jliaw II tonctiier, he arose and said : "l-'atiier. w<' tiiank the (Ireat
S|)irit will) liasyiNeii lis this day of hriuht skies and j;enial warmtli
to consider t lie uriMl aiVairs now hefore us. in his |)reseiice, and
in heliaif of all the nations toward the snnsettiii;u', of which 1 am
the master, I now take ,voii hy the hand. I call upon him to wit-
ness, that 1 have spoken from my heiul. and in the name of tla^
Iriltes wiiicli I represent. I promise to keejt this coxfiiant as lon;^'
as 1 liv«'." Ilaviii;:' now fidlilled liis promise, lie retired tVoin the
scene of his liiimiliatioii with a sad heart, r.efore his tierce .ulaiu'n
tlie\aii which liides the present from the fiitiire was withdrawn,
and he saw his people, (h'cei\('d Ity iiilriidiii.u' st!aii,i:t'rs, drixcii
from the iionie of their ancestors and lleeiiii^ westward to perish
on the desert with liiiiijicr.
After tlie Irealy lie returned to the west, iiiid for three years
buried his disappointment in the seclusion of its dark forests,
])ro\i<lin,u' as a common hunter for his family. In the earlier part
of the year 17(t!l. some sliiilil distiirliaiice occurred hetween tli(^
Iiidiansof Illinois and some i'reiich traders liviii!^' in and around
St. Louis. Simiiltaiieoiisly i'ontiae appeared in thee\<'ited rej^ion,
but whether lie was connected with the disturbance is not known.
The l']iij;lisli e\ idently re.uarded him with distrust, and determiiied
to lake his lil'e to prevent a rei»etilioii of the bloody drama he had
formerly (iiiacted. Soon after his arri\al he went to St. Louis and
called on his old friend St. An,i;'e, then in <-oiiimaiid of the Spanish
jianisoii. l^'or this piirjiose he arrayed himself in the iiiiilbrm
Mhieli had been ])resented him by Montcalm, and wliicli he had the
ji(»od taste never to wear excejit on important occasions. St. Anuc
and the principal inhabitants of the place .uaxc him a cor<lial wel-
come, and exerted themsehcs to render his visit a/^reeable. Ihi
had been there but a few days when he heard that tlieri' wasji
social j^atherinn' of tlu! Indians at Cahokia, on the ojiposite side
of the rivei', and informed his friend that he would cross oxer and
see what they were doiny'. St. Anj^c, awart^ of the danj^cr ho
Avould enconntei", einh'avored to disnade him from his ])urpose, but
the chief boastiii";' that Ik* Avas not afraid of the I'viifilish, departed.
At <'aliokia lie tbniid the Indians eiijia;4('d in a drunken carousal,
and soon beeomiii.i;' intoxicated himself, started to the neijihboriiiiy
Avoods, and shortly afterward was heard sinjiin<;- nui_yie sonj^s, in
♦Parkman.
HHi
PONTIAC'M CONSPIRACY.
101
the in.v.stic, iiillllt'iicc of wliicli lie icp(»sc(l the ;;rciit(',st roiill-
licIK'L'.
'I'lii'iu \v;is ;iii I'iii^^lisli tnHlci' ill tli«' \ illume lit llif tiliif, wlio. in
coiiiiiMiii willi the I'csl of liis coiiiil rvincii, I'c^iinlril liiiii willi iIih
jiiciilfsi distrust, iiiKl wiiilc tiic (i|initiiiiitv \\;is lii\(>i;il»l<' dcl.-r-
IllilMMl tttcflrct liis lU'stnirtioii. He :i|>pi'Oiii-lM'(l ;i \ ii^^iilMiiid liidiilll
of t lir Kiislviiskiii Iriitc, ;iiid Itiilicd him witli ii biiircl ol' wliislxcN to
<'\ci-nt«' ids iniirdt roils iiitciit, Tlic :iss;issiii ;i]»|»ro;icli('d tlic w Is,
and ill II liivoiiiliic iiioiiicnt glided up Ix-liiiid tlit- <-lii*-t'iiiid inirird
liis liiiiiiiliiiw ii ill Ills iirniii. Tlnis itiisclv tiTiiiiiuitcd tlic ciiirrci
of tlic WMi'i'ior, wliosc i^rciit iiiitiii'Ml fiidowiiiciits iinidi' liiiii llin
<irc;iti'st lifi'oof Ids iii('f,iiiid witli liiiiMiidcd tlicir liisl ^^rciit stiii^.ul(!
to resist the iiironds of civili/cd iiicii. 'I'lic liody \\iis soon found,
and tin' villaiic lifCiiiiH' a iiiindcnioiiiiiin of liowliii;^' savaiics. liis
friends, worse lliaii iiriitalizi'd In tlieir lier.v potiilions, seized tlieir
aims to wreak \('iij;eaneeoii liie perpetiator of the murder, hut tlie,
Illinois, inte)-)iosin^' in behalf of tlieir (■oiiiitr.vinaii, droxe llieiii
from tlie town. I'^oiled in their attempt t(»oI»faiii reiiihiitioii, they
lied to the nei;^lilioi'iiijL;' nations, and iiiai<in,u known tiie momeiilous
intellijionee, a war of ('.xtermination was declared a;;aiiist tlio
aheltors of this crime. Swarms of Sacs, Foxes, rottawatomies,
and other northern trilies who had Iteeii tired by the eloipieiice of
tlie martyri'd chief, descended to the plains of Illinois, and wholn
villages weic e.\tiri»ated to appease his shade.* St. ^\n;:t' juo-
cui'ed tlu^ body of his /^iiest, and inindfiil of his former fiiendship
l)uried it with the honors of war near the fort iimler his commaiid
at St. Louis. IJis ]>roud mausoleum is the j^reat city which ha.s
siiicc^ risen above liis unknown ^rave, and his lend re(|iiieni the <liu
of industry and the traini* of thousands descended from the race,
lie liate<l with such I'einorseless rancor. The forest solitudes
throuiiili Avhicli he loved to wander have been swejit away, his
warriors are no more, and tlie rusty relics of tlieir former existence
<'an only be found in tli<^ cabinet of the anti(piary, while the ;^reat
ri\'ei- which tloated only their frail canoes is now beat into foam by
the powerful enginery of the passing steaudioat,
*Tt was nt this time that the trnH-cily before (IcsprllK-d ou tlic Uock of St. Louis was
onucli'd, which hassinou been lojown as "Starved Uoek."
11
dlAPTEIl XV.
17(M-7S — ILLINOIS AS A iUNIMSlI V\H)MS('l] — r„rli<il
K.rixliis of the Fniicli — 'I'licir PisliLc o/' iUnjllsli I.air, and
l{('Ht(ti((tii>H tif Ihiif (hen hi/ llic (tiirhcv Hill — Land (i rants by
Jhitisli CoiiiiikiikIiihIx — Ciirioux linlidu Ihnls — i'lmdUvn of the
tS( lilt UK ulx ill ITiKi, 1)1/ Cii/iliiiii rHiiiiiii — liiHilii's and M<illiUc«
J'^.iindilioii.s In llic »S7. Josv/th in 1777-7S.
It WHS (111 till' lOlliol' Ochtlit'i', 17(»."), tiiiil tlic ensign uT P'riinco
was replaced on the lainiiarls ol' Fort Ciiaiires l>_v tlie lla;^ of (ireat
JWilaiii. At (lie time tlie colonies of the Atlantic seaboard wero
assriiililed in iireliniinarv eon;iress at New York, dreaniiii;; ol' liit-
t'rt,\ and independence for the continent, while the ;;i»'at \alley
east of the .^iississip|»i, with its Itroad ri\ers rnshinj;' from tiie
inountainsand yallierin;; in the plain, its vast piairies unsnrpassed
lor their wcaltli of soil, its lioimdless primeval forests with their
deep s(»litinles, into which were presently to he snmnioned Iho
ea^cr millions of many ton;;ne.s to Iniild their hapi)y homes, passi-d
iinallv from the dominion of France nnder the yoke of (lieat
IJrilain.* I'.esides Wein^ (•oiislriui i\ cly a jiarl of I'lorida for o\cr
100 years, dnrinj;' which tinw no Si»aniar«l set foot npon hi'r soil
or rested his eve npon lier Itcanflid plains, Illinois, for iiearlv !l()
years, had been in the actnal occnpation of the French, their jmny
.settlements slnndieiin;;' (piietly in colonial di'iiendi nee on the far-
off waters of the KasUasUia, Illinois and Waliash. Lut the An;;lo-
Saxoii had gained at last a peiinanent foot holil on the i)aiiks of
the ureal rixci', and a new life, insliiiet with ener;;y and }>ro};ress,
Avas altoiil to be infnsed into theconntry.
M. 2seyon dc N'illiers, loiij;' the commandant of Fort C'hartres,
kept from the P'rcncii, and i»articiilarl\ the Indians, so loii^i' as he,
could, a kiiowledjic of the cession of ihe country to (Ireat Itriiaiii
l>y the treaty of I'ai'is, and linally, w hen it lia»l {gained imblicity
and when the power and intlneiice of the j^reat Indian conspirator
Avas broken, lather than dwell under the detested llaj;' of tliecoii-
(pieror, he abandoned Illinois in the siiinmer of 17(il, followed by
many of the inhabitants, to ]S'ew' Orleans. The command of the
fort and country tlien devolved upon 'S\. St. An^ic de IJellerive, ii
veleran Canadian ollicerof rareta<"t and laijic <'.\perience, who, 40
years prior, had escorted Charlevoix tliroiij;li the Wesr, the .lesuit
traxelermentioninj^liim with commendation. 11 is position recpiired
•Bancroft
162
llllITISII OCCITATION.
1(13
skill Mini iiildit'SM to siivr liis fcclih- colniiv I'loiii a rciifWtil war
witli llif I'liirlisli, aiMJ I'liHii a ;;i'litiiil laassanr iiv llir iiicfiix-d
lionirs ol' ,sa\a;;<-.s iiiidri' I'oiiliai- siiriiMiiMliii<^ liiiii. I>,\ llir linriic,
^'ovi-niiiifiit Ih' lia<l Itct'ii aiUisi'dor the rcssioii toilic liiilisli, aiitl
ordi-i't'd Id siii'i'i'iidi-r tlif cuiiiiIin ii|miii tlair aiiixal to claim it.
I'v i'c|M'att'd t'liihassics IVoiii I'oiiliar and iVoin xaiioiis wailikt'
ti'ilif.H toward tilt' cast, li«' was ini|iortiiiicd lor assistaix-c a;;aiiist
tlic IOii;;iisIi, and iiiiccasiii^l.v torniciilcd li,v the Illinois dcaniinl-
in.;; arms and ammunition, lint in \arioMsdc\lcroMs wavs, lie |iiit
oil' from time t lie iiii|»ortiiiiale >a\a,L;es w itli fair speeches and oi-ca-
siiiiial present s. w Idle he anxiously awaited the com in;; of the I Jiitish
garrison to lake |iossessioii and rcliev e iiiiii of ids dilciiiiia.* Alter
the evaeiialioii of i'orl ( 'hail res, lie also retired rrmn the country,
c<aidilctili;^ his leelilc };arrisoii ol' L'l soldiers t(» I he inlaiit setlle-
iiieiit of .St. iiOiiis, wiieie. in the ahseiice of any Spanish iiilc as
yet. lie continued toexcrcisc the fiiiictioiis of his ollice with .^reaf,
salisfaetion lo the people iiiilil No\ ciiilier, 1770. w hen his am lioiily
was superceded liy I'iernas, coiiiiiiaiidaiit under the Spanish ;;o\--
cniiiieiit. I>y a secret ireaty, ralilied No\einiter .'!, 17<iLl, tlie kiii;^
of l-'raiicc iiad <'eded to I lie kin;; of Spain all the territory west of tli(>.
.■\lississippi to its I'cinolcst trilmtaries. incliidinu New ( )rleaiis ; l»iir,
the ci\il Jiirisdictioii of Sjiaiii was not enforced in Ipper Louis-
iana until I7lil).f i'rior to liis departure, with a fatherly care and
ltelie\<)lent intent, , St. Ali.i;(' ilisl il iited for those he left lieliilid ill
Illinois sdiiie wise and saliitory rcuiilalioiis re;;ardiii.i;- titles to
their laiids.|
'I'lie exodus of the old Canadian I'rench was laruejiist pri(U' and
durin.ythe Uiilish occiiiiatioii. riiwillinu' to dwell under the tla,i;'
«>!' their hereditary enemy, iiiany. ineliidiii;;' some of the wcaltli-
iesl families, removed witli their sknesand other pers<mal ell'ects,
mostly to rpper liOiiisiiina.Jiist across the Mississipjii, and settled
in the small hamlet of St. (leiicviexc. ( )tliers jnined and aided
Laclede in foiiiidin;;' the preseiil ,L;ieat city of St. Louis, the site of
Mhii'li had then hut Just been selected as a <lepot lor the fur com-
jiaiiy of Louisiana. 'I'Ih' numlifr of inhahitants of foreign linea.nc,
residing' in the Illinois set I leiiieiits were estimated as follows:
AN'hitc men ahletohear arms, 7(l(): white women, ."((Kt : their cliil-
ilreii, .s.""»0; iie.uroes of lioth sexes. tMIt); total, L'.!)">(>. I'.y the lieyira,
one-third of the wliites and a ;;i('atei- pro])orlion of the lilacks
reiiio\cd. lea\ in,;;' judhalily less than L',(I(HI souls at the coiiimeiice-
ineiit of the llritish occiipatii i,ilurin.i:' which the inlliix did not
more than keep ]>a<'e with th . Itliix. I'ew iMi^lish or Americans
even visited tlie country under the Uiilish rule, and less settlciL
Scarcely an .\ii,yIo-Saxoii (oilier than tin- Lrilish troojis. traders,
oIliciM's and favored land spci-ulators) was seen theic diirinj^
tliis time, and until the compiest of Clark in 177S.
Captain Sterling;', of the ll'd Itoyal lli,i;lilaiiders, lti(tu;L;ht out
Avitli him, and in takin;;' jais.session of iMU't Cliartres. piildislied
till' follow in;;' i)roclamatiou :
" IJy Mis TCxccllcncy, TIkhdiis G;i,ffi', ]\[;ijiir-Gciicr:il of the ICiiii;',- arinirs,
Colonel of till' '2'li\ rciiimciit, Gciici'mI coiniuiindiii;: in cliiff all the t'orcrs of His
^lajcsty in Noilli Auu ricn, ilc, tic:
*.Soolii8 lettor to Governor T)'Al)bn(lic, Sept. 9th.
+Mont'ttc's Vnllo.v of the Mississippi.
tPeck's Annuls of the West.
104
IIISTOllV OF irjJNOIS.
"Wlnrc'is, liy I he )i('!i('cf()ii('l 11(1 I'll Ml I '.'iris, nil I iir Hull 111' Filini;n'\ , 17(i:i, llir
mil 111 ry nf Ilir Iliiimis IimsIhtii fnlnl In Ili'^ HritMiiiiic ^lajist y, ;ui(l tlir liiUiii!:
])i>--sis>i(iii of I III' Miiil country III' llir Iliiimis by I riinps nf His Miiji'Sty, tli(Mn:ii
ticliiyiil, Ikis liccii ili'li'i'miiii'd upini, wi' liii\c roiiiul il trnod In inaUi' kiidwu to
till' iiilialiilaiils — •
"'{"iinl IFis M.'ijrsl V i;r;uits lo llir inliabitaiits of llic Tlliiuiis tlir lilii'rty of t lie
C'allii'lic rcli.Lrioii, MS il lias iilri'Mily lircii unuitcd to liis siilijccts in CiuhkIii ; Ik;
lias conscciiiciilly irivcn Ilic most precise and clt'ecfive orders, to tlic end that
liis new Koniaii Catliolic siilijects of the Illinois iiiay exercise the worship of
their relisrion according to the rigli's of the Uoiiian {.!inirch, in the same manner
as ill Canada ;
" That Hit; .Majesty, inonovcr, agrees that the French inlialiitanls, or others,
•who have hecii siilijecis of the .Slost {'hrisiiaii Kiiiir, may retire in full safely
(111(1 freedom, wlieicverthey please, even to New Orleans, or any oilier pari of
Louisiana, alliKumh il should liapjieii that the Spaniards take jiossession of it
in the naiiii of His Calholic Majesly ; and they may selltlieir C'state, jirovided
it belo suhji'cNor ili> .Maie>ty, a:id Iranspoil their elfects, as well as [lersoiis,
•wilhoiii resii-aini upon their emigration, under any pretense whatever, except
ill coiisc(|iieiice of delits or of criiniiial ])rocess;
''Thai those who choose to retain their lands and become siihjects of His
!Ma.jesly, shall enjoy the same riulils and privikues, the same security for their
lieiMiiis and ell'eets and liheity of trade, as the okl sliliji els of the Kinii';
"Tliat ihey are ci'liimMlideii, liy these jiresents, to lake the oath of lidelity
and iiliedience In His .Majesly, in presence ot Sieiir SleiTnii;', Captain of Iho
llii;lilaiid reiiiineiit, the hearer hereof, and furnished with our full powers for
this iiurpnse ;
'■ Tnat we recomnnnd forcibly to the inhabitants, to conduct tlicmselvesliko
gonii and failhful subjects, avoidin,u' by a ■wise aiiil iinuleiit demeanor all causu
of cnliiplaint ai;aiiist them ;
"TliMt they aci in concerl with His ^lajesty's ofKcers, so that his trooiis may
take peacciible possession of all the pnsis, and" oriler be kept in the couniry ; by
this means aliHie they will spare His .Majesty the necessity of recurring to lnrc:c
of arms, and will timl theinselves saved from the scourge of a blooely war, anil
of all the evils which tin; march of an ariiiv into their country would dra\7
after if."
" \Ve direct that these presents be read, publislied, and posted up lu the
Usual places.
" Hone and given at Headquarters, New York. Signed willi our hand, sealed
wilh our seal at arms, and countersigned by our t'ccrctary, this iJOth of JJe-
cember, lT(i4.
"Thomas Gage, [L. S.]
" Jiu IIU E.,-rf//en,y:
" G. Matuuin."
With siicli fair iiiid liberal coiicc.s.sioti.s, so wollcalciilatod to jjaiu
tlu' favor and alVcctioii of the French, iiiid istay their <'ini}iration,
('ii])t;iin Sterliiiji bejiaii the goveriiiiieiit of this isolated colony.
IJiit it was destine'' to be of short dnration. lie died some three
months after his arrival, leaviiifi' tlie otiiec of conunandant vacant.
T'lider these cireiinistitnces their ibiiner beloved conunandant, JM.
St. Anjio, returned to Fort tJhiirUes and di.seharjied the duties of
the ottice until a successor U> Oiiptidn Sterlinji' sliould be sent out.
]\IaJor Fr;i :cr Avas next sent out from Fort IMtt. lie exercised a
bri(f but arbitrary power over the settlements, when he Mas re-
lieved by il Colonel Keed, who lU'oved for the colonists a bad
cxchanji'e. For IS months he enac^ted the petty tyrant by a series
of military opjiressions over theses ferbh' settlements, which were,
by reason of theii' isolation, entirely without redress. Me was, how-
ever, at liist renK)ved and succeeded by Li(Mitenant Colonel Wil-
kins, who arrived Sejttember a, 17G.S. lie brou};ht orders for the
establishment of ii court of justice in Illinois for the iidministra-
tion of the laws and the adjustment and trial of all controversies
nUITlSH OCCUPATION.
i(;5
existiiifj" lu'twccii t lie people relatiiijn" to debts or property, eiHiev
rciil or ])ersoiiiil.
On tlir I'lst of Noveiiiliei'. 17»iS. Col. Wilkins issued liis i)roelii-
iiiatioii lor :i civil adiiiiiiistriitioii of tlie laws of tlie eoiiiitr.v. l''or
this jairpose lie ap])oiiite(l seven iiiaiiist rates oi- jiKl.u'es, Irom
aiiion.i;' lla' ])eoi»le, as a civil trii»Miial. to liold iiioiitidv terms ot
coiii'f. The names ot' Ihe.ve first exponents of the ])rinci])les of th(i
common law of J'ai,:;lan(l iij)ou the soil of Illinois, we ai'c unable to
transmit. A term of this court was held, eommeuciuf;- DecendxT
(I, ITfJS, ;it I''ort ('lia)ti'<'s. which was the liist common law juris-
diction eser exercised witiiin tlie present limits of Illinois. Al-
tlionyh v/e <'all this a common law court, it was in ])oint of fact a
\<'i\ nondesc)i|>r affair, ll was a conrt of lii'st and last resort — no
appeal lay fiom it. It was the hij^hest, as well as lowest — the
tiidy court in tli<' couutry. it pi-oved anv thiny but ]»opnlar, and
it is Just ])ossi)iIe that the honorable judjics, tlu'iuselves taken
fi'om amonj;' lh<' jH'ople, may not have been the most enlii;litened
<'Xponents of the law. 'i'li<' people were under th"' laws of IOn;;Iand,
Itnt the trial by jiu-y — that ^^reat Indwark of the subject's ri^ht,
coe\al with the coitimon law ami i'eit<'i'ated in the Uritish C'oiisti-
luti<»n — ilie l'"n'nch mind was unable to ap]>reciate. i>articu-
laily in ci\il Dials. 'l'lie.\ thon.i;iil it very inconsistent that the
J'aiirlish should I'cfer ince (jnestions relatniju^ to the lights of
])rojierty to a ti'ibunal consisting' of tailors, slioemakei's or other
artisans jind tradesjM'ople, foi' deternriiiation, rather than the
judiii's leariu'd in the law. U'jiile thus nndei' tlie lOn^lish admin-
istiation <*i\il juiis)n'iid<'nce was soiiulit to be broiiuiit nearer to
the jieoplc, \\hei"e it should be, it failed, Iteeause. owiny to the
teachings and j>e]lia])s neiiiiisof the l-'jcnch mind, it <'ould not be
niarle of the jicople. Foi' near Hit years had these settlements been
ruu'd by the dicta ami decisions of tlie<»cratic and military tribu-
nals, absolute in both civil and criminal cases, biit. as may well be
ima.u'ined, in a post so I'emote. where there was neithci' wealth,
culture nor fashion, all inc<'Utives tooi>j)ress the colony reniain 'd
ilormant, and the extraoidinary powers (d" the jtiiests an<l oni-
niandants were exei'cised in a |>atriai'<'hal si>iril which yained the
]o\e and implicit conlidi'iice of the ])eo))le. JJelievin^' that their
I'ulers were ever ri^lit. t hey ;nave tlu-mselves no tr(»uble or j)ains
to review their acts. Indeed, many y4'ais later, when Illinois had
passed under tin' Jurisdiction of the I'liited States, the ]>eri)lexed
inliabitiinis, uiniltle to comprehend tli<- to them complicate'' ma-
chinery of repnltlicanisin, beiii,fed to be delivered from the .., .'< r-
abl(> bnrdeii of self .yovei'iiment and a,i;ain subjected to the will of
a militiiry commandant.
in 1771 the I'ai.ylisii I's'.iliament restoicd to the pco]»le their
ancient lav.s in civil caseti, without the trial by jiir,\ ; guaranteed
the free ext'icise of tlu'ir I'eliiiioii, and relialtilitated the IJomau
Catholic clei-;^y with the pri\ ilexes stii>nlate<l in the arti<'les <d'
eapilidation of 3iontr<'al in 17<i(t. 'J'lie act was known as tlie
''(jMiebec bill,'' which extende<l tlu' boundiiri<'s of tiie province, of
((liiebec to iln- Mississij>pi. in<'ludin,uall the i''rencli inhabitants at
J)etroil. IMackii.aw. on the Wabash, and in the Illinois country.
Its object was to lirndy attach these I'enmte l''rencii coloides, sis
well as all Canada, to the I'ai^ilish uoveriiment. and to thwart the
risiny (»]tposition of tiie colonies on tiu' Atlantic !*eaboa,rd to its
'i:l:
im
IIISTOI'tY OF Il.IJX(Hg
policy. 'I'lic hitlfi' stKiiiiily <lisiii»i)i'(tl)at»'(l il, vir\viii.i;' it as but
aiiotln-i' stiokc ol' iiiiiiisirrial |Mtlic_\ to sfciirc liic aid of liic I'^rciidi
toward llicir siil>ia,i;,ilioii. Tiit' colonists were t iicii oju'idv ana,\ cd
a,uainst the arbitiaiy acts oltlit' iioiiie jiovcrimiciit. At a coii\cii-
tioii lii'ld at Faiiiioiitli. .Mass.. Si'ptciidx'i' L*l', ITTt, il was icsoixcd
tliat ''As the vciv cxtiaoi'iliiiaiy and alaiuiiii.u act foi- cstalijisldii^"
tlic Ifoiiiaii ("atlatlic rt'ii.uioii and l'"rciicli laws in Canada may
introduce tlic I'lcncii or Indians into our IVonlicv towns, wc rtconi-
incnd tliat c\civ town and individual in tliis c(»iinli'\ siioidd Im-
]iro\ idcd witli a proper stock ol' iailiiar\ stores." (•!<•. Tlie I'l-endi
<"olonists, apprised of the l)itt('r opjxssii ion of the l-ai.Lilish colonists
to the (i>Hel»ec bill, and lielievin;^' that IMiritanisni was incliiud to
d.]irive them of the reiii^ioiis privileges uranted l»v it. were Itonnd
the closer to the support of the ,uo\(rnmcnt during llie tiist \cwrs
of the revohitionarv war. It is asserted that the l'"reneh supplied
Indian war ]»arties with arms and ammunition to commit depre-
dations upon the \.'estern fi'ontiers of the lai^lisli setllemenls.*
After the actpiisilion of New Fiance liy (ireat !!ritain, the kin.u,
l»y his proclamation of October 7th, ITfi.'i, forbade his subjects
'Muakin,u' an\ pur<-hases or settleuu'nts whatever, «tr taking' pos-
session of au\ of the lands beyoml the sources of any of the liveis
Avhieh fall into the Atlantic ocean iVom the west or northwest."'
The policy was to reser\(' this vast and fertile rej:ion as a luintin*'"
ground for the Indians, and by means of the lakes {»la<'e witliiu
]5ritisli ♦■ontrol their enornntus lurand jteltry trade; toconJinetlie
English colonies to the s<'a.l>oar<l within the reach of Hrilish shi}>-
]»iu^', which woidd be more promotive of trade and connneree,
V liiie the j;rantin,y of lari^c bodiesof land in the lemote interioi', it.
Avas appreheiuled, woidd tend to separate and render independent
the i»eople, who would want to set up for themselves.!
Notwithslandin.u' this |M>licy (»f the iiome govern men i. the nmst
noticeable fcatniv of ( "olouel W'illvins' ailministratioii was the w(Ui-
(U-rful liberality with whicii he parceled out the licii domain o\cr
M'hich he ruled in lai'jictr cts to his favorites in Illinois. I'hiiadel-
])hia and elsewhere, without (fther consideration than the
re(|inrinj;' of them t(» re-c(Uivey to him an interest. Indei' the
]U'oclanniti(in of the kiuji, dated October 7, 17(>.>, t he taking' or juir-
chasiiiiiof lauds fr(un the hulians in any of the American colonies
"was strictly forbidden, without special leave or license beiui; liisfc
obtained. In \iew of this prohibition. Colonel Wilkinsaud s(uni;
others of the c a inlanders tlurinu the Ibitish occupation of Illinois,
J'roni I7(!.") lo 177.">, seem to ha\(' considered the i»ro|»erfy of llu?
J'rench absentees as actually forfeited, and j:ranted il away. Hut
this transaetitm ne\er re<'eivcd the saucli^m ol' tliekinu; ly no
oflicial a(;t was this properly in any manner annexed to the Jii'it-
isli crown.* Tiiie, under the laws of I'ai^laml. an alien eou'd n(tt
liold h'.iid, yet to divest his title, and cause it to Iweoiiie escnealed,
a process in the nature of an impusition was necessary. Did not
the same rule apply in the case of a con(|iU'red country before the
tbrfeiture of the lands of an absentee became complete .'
Colonel W'ilkins' grants amounted to many th(»usauds of acres.
O.U! l)e(!aine afterwurdts somewhat notorious. Thks was made to
'Dillon's Ind. ',KI,
tSee letter ol' the Uoyal Governor of Georfiia to the British Lords of Trade, ITtJB.
BllITISlI OCCUPATION.
k;
Joliii r>ii\ iildii, Sjiiiiiicl AVIiiiiloii ;iii(l (Icdi-.m- Moi'.uMii, iii('icli;iiit.s
of I'liiladcliihia — wlio, "tra(liii.i; in lliis coiiiitrv, liavc uicallv coii-
triltiitcd t<» his iiiajcst.v'.s service" — •' tor raii!i;<' oTeatlie ami lor
tiliiii;^' tiTiW"/' '^iii'l to t'oiitaiii J.'J/.ISi; aeres, Imt tlie metea and
bounds diseioseW it to cover sonu' .">((.(MIO acres.* It was a nia;;-
]iiliceiil domain, Ivinj^' between lln' \ iilaufs of I\askasl<ia and
J'rairie dii liNiciier, in the pi'esent county ol' Itandoiph. The con-
Acvance opens and closes with I lie thin risings of I lie |ieri(nl : -slohn
Wilkins, I';s(i.. lieutenant colonel of his niajesiy's IMli, oi' royal
re,i:imenl of Ireland, ,u'overnor and commandant thioiiuhonl the
Jllinois (•((untry, sends jii'eetinji," etc., etc.. wlieicnnto he "set his
Iniinl and seal-at-arms at I'ort (,'liartres. this iL'lli day of Ai»i'il, in
the ninth \ear of the ici.^n of (Mir so\'er<'i.i:n. bord < ieor^e the Third,
kin.n' of (ireat Jb'itain, J''rance and lieland," etc. etc., !7<i!>. \
<'omlitio]i is annexed that •'■Tlie lorc.iioiny- i)e \oi(l if disai>|)ro\('d
of by his Miajesty or the <'ommander-in chief."
On tlieL!.")th of .Inne following, at Kort ( 'hart res, (ieor,ii'e ."\Iori;aii
and .1. b'amsey execnted an instrnment of writini;', recitiii!.;- a
nnnd»er of grants besides tlie fore,u(>injv. together with the nanu's
of t he ^raidces. wherein in considei'at ion of ( "olonel -lohii \\ ilkins,
''the better to |)r(Unote the said servic*', has a,uiced tobe interoted
one sixth part therein,"' they ••en.tia.u'c that each of the beloic men-
tioned j)ersons shall assign oxer to the whole, and to Colonel
"Wilkins. live-sixth parts theicof." etc. I'or tlie better cairyiii,^'
out of their ])]aiis, the Jb'itish ollicei's. and their grantees p.rhaps,
C'oinniitted a wanton oiitrayc on the records of the ancient l'"reiicli
jji'aiits at Ivask'.!ski;i. destroyinj;' to a ,^reat extent their reuidar
chain of title and comcyaiices.t
l!y act of conj;ress of ITSS, the (b»veriior of the Northwestern
tei'i'itory was jiiitlitu'ized to conlirm tlin jiossessions and titles of
the ]''rencli and ranadian inhabitants and other settlers on the
jniblii; lamls, who, on or betbre ' 7SS, had professed tin'iiiseh cs
<.'iti/(?iis of tlie I'liited Slates, oi' any one of them, (bixcrnor St.
Clair conliiined many of these ,mants in a xcry loose nianner,
.soinetiines by the bundle. l!nt this Uritish _i;raiit of .">(>,tMt(l acres,
uhicli had been assiyiied to .lohii Mdpir. uas i»ateiited by the
(Mivcrno)' to I'ldj^ar and liis (the (bivernoi's) son. ,lolin Miiri'ay St.
Claii', to whom ICd^ar. jirevioiis to the coiilirmation. had convey»'d :i
moiety by deed. ^Iiich fault was Ibnnd with this and many other
transactions, and .some ,;;'ra\»" charges were made by .Michael ,ioiu;.s
sind K. JJackns, TJ. S. land eoinmis.'jioners for the district of Kas-
kaskia, as to the nianner of obtainiii;;' confirmation of innnmerable
old land .lirants. IJiit the title to the cl;iiiii in ipicstion was after-
ward contirmed by tlu^ V. 8. (Joveiiimeiit to Ivliiar and St. (.'lair,
notwithstandini:: the advers(^ report of the commissioners. Miliar
was for iiiany yeai's the larii'cst land holder and richest man in
Illinois. He had deseited the Uritish naval .service, and in I7S4
came to IvaskasUa with a stock of ,yoods.
At an Indian conncil held at Kaskaskia. in 177.'5, an as.soeiatiou
of I'aiiilish traders and merchants, stylin.i;' tin nisehcs '"Illinois
liaiid Company,'" obtained, .Inly .">tli, from ten chiefs and head nu-ii
of the Kaskaskias, Caliokias, and Peorias, by a curiously sij;i!ed
deed, two ininiense tracts of land, the tir.st
♦Aiiiericim Stiite rapers, vol. 11, rublio Liiiiils.
+Ain. Htnte piipers.
108
lUSTOUV OF ILLINOIS.
■I '
II 'I
'" !
h\\
" nri;iiiniiii;' at Ihcmouili of ilic IIui'dii creek, ("illcil liy tlie French tlie river
of M:iiv, lieinii' alidUt ii l<a_i;iie below llic iiioiil li of I lie Kaska^kia river ; llieiico
a uoriiiward ol' ( asl course, in a direct line to tlie Hilly Plains, eiulit leai;'iies or
lllel'eMliolll-^, lie tlie same more or less; thence the same colu'se, ill a direct line
to the Crahlree I'lains, seventeen lean lies, or t lierealioiits, lie the ipme more or
le.-s; theni:e the same course, in a direct line to ;i reiiiarkahk' place known hy
the name of the IJii; liilllalo Hoofs, seventeen h'aniles, or lliereahoiils, he Ihu
Slime more or h'ss; thence the same course, ill a direct line to the Sail Lick
creek, about seven leagues, be the same more or less; thence crossinii' the said
crc<k, about one league below liio ancient Shawneeslowii, in an easterly
or a to the north of east course, in a direct line to llie river Ohio, about four
le.iii'iies, be the same more or hss ; thence down the Ohio, by the several
courses thereof, until it empties itself into the ]Slississi[)pi, about tliiriyli\c
leiiuiies, be the same more or less; and then up the .Mississippi, by the sever:il
courses thereof, to the [ilace of begiiiiiini;', thirty-lhrec leagues, or theri'abouts,
be I he same more or less."
'i'liis, it will 1k' iM'icci\t'(l I)y Iracinn' tlic line, iiicltuli'd tea or
twelve of the iiio.st .sotillicily coiiiitics in the tState.
Tlie otlit'i' tract was boiiiulcd as follows:
'■ Iieginniiiii' at a place or point in a direct Hue opposite to the mouth of the
;Miss(Uiri river; theiict' up the ilississipi)i, by the several courses thereof, to
the mouth of the Illinois river, about si.\ leagues, hi' the .sauie uiore or less;
iind then up the Illinois river, l)y the several courses thereof, to Chieagoii or
Garlick creek, about ninety leagues or thereabouts, be the .same more or hss;
llieii marly a northerly course, in a direct line, to a certain place remarkable,
being the grouiul on which an engagement or battle was fought, about forty
or lii'ly years ago, between tiii' Pewariaanil liinard luiliaiiS, about 00 leagues,
be the same more or less; thence by the same course, in u direct line, to two
remarkable hills, close together, in theuiiddle of a large prairie or plain, about
forty leagues, be the same miU'e or less; thence il norlh-easl course, in a ilireet
line, to a remarkal)ie spring, known by the liulians by the name of Foggy
Spring, about fourteen leagues, be the same more or hss; thence in the same
course, in a direct line, to a great mountain to the northward of While liuHalo
Plain, about (ifleeii le<igiies, be tliif same more or less; thence iiearh' a soulli-
Avesl course, in a direct line, to the place of begiiiuing, about forty leagues, bo
the sauu: more or less."
Tlio considi'iatioii recited in the deed of couve.' nice was: 2."»0
Itliiiikets, L'tiO .stroiides, .'{."»0 shirts, irtd i»airs of : troiid and half
lliick stockings, lad slroiid !»reechclolhs, ,"»(l() llts. of gunpowder,
4,0(KI lbs. of lead, I "loss of knives. ;i(» lbs. of vermilion, L'.ddU
<;nn Hints, IJdd lbs. of brass kettles, '200 lbs. of tobacco, o do/, ^ilt
lookin;^-j;las.ses, 1 j>toss j;itn worms, 2 j>i'oss awls, 1 <>'ross lire
steels, 1(i doz. (»f iiarteriii^', ld,dddlbs. of tloiir, ."tdd bits, of Indian
corn, 12 hor.ses, lli horned cattle, I'd bits. (»f salt, I'd jitnis, aiid 5
shillin;:;s in money. This deed was ihily sij;iied by the liuliau
chiefs and attested by the names often [ter.sons, and was recorded
in the oflice of a notary imblie at KaskasUia, Se[ilember I'd, 1773.
The traiisiiction was effeoted for the Illinois Land ("omimiiy by a,
member immed William Murray, then a trader in the Illinois
country. There beloiijicd to it two tnembers in London, ten in
IMiilailelphia, tw(» in Liineaster, tliree in various counties of i'enn-
sylvania, one in I'ittsbiii;.;, and (ieorjic (!asil('r and .lames L'liinsey,
inerchaids of the Illinois conidry. The names indicate the members
to have been mostl,\ .Jews.
In 177."», lionis Niviat,;'. inerchaid of the Illinois eonnlry, aetinji-
as the a^cnt of an association deiuiminided the Wabash Liiml
Conii>any,* obtained by a iU'vil dated October I8th, from eleven
I'iannkeshaw chiefs, immen.se trticts of land lyin<>tm botli sides of
*Wo reuuKuii^u lu this eoinpauy sume ol the wtme uaniuB u.s iu the IlUnoia Cuaipuuy.
mUTISII OCOri'ATKW.
109
tlic ()iiiil)ii('li liver, one (•oiiinu'iiciii;;- :tt Cat river ~)'J leajiiies above
A'iiK'eiiiies, to i'oiiit Coiijiee, witii 10 lea,mie.s in widtii on tlie east
side and .'!() leaj^iies (ilO miles) on the west side — liliuisis. Another
traet, also on liotli sides of tin- ri\<'r, l)e_i;innin;.; at tiie nioiitii of
AVhite ri\cr, to the Oiiio, od iea;^nes, iind exlendinj; K» lea^^nes into
Indiana and .'10 into Illinois. 'I'lie iiiinilier of acres contained in
these grants was ahont .'>7,l!>7,<iOO. The consideration was nuicli
the same as recite(l in the other pnrehases. The deed was re;;is-
teicd, as the other, at KasUaskia.
'I'lie title thus acquired to enoi'mons bodies of fertile lands, was
contrarv to the Kin<;"s proclamation, and at best iniiierl'eet. iWiL
it was the revolt of the colonies and the establishment of llieir
independence that frnstrated the schemes of tliese powerfnl com-
panies. Tlieii- grants miiiht otherwise have been iteifected b\ the
Kinn'. In 17S0 (April I'Htli), the two land compaines elfected a
eonsolidatitm nnder the style of "Tlie I'nitt'd Illinois and \\'abii>h
Land Conii)anies." Tlironnh their aj^eiits they now ai»i>liod to
conuress reiteate<lly for a recoi;nition and conlirmatioii of their
Indian grants, in ;»art at least, their efforts rnnnin^' throii^^h a
l»eriod of .'{((years— 17.S7, 17!>1, 171>7, 1S(H and bSKI; bnt that iiody
Mas lirm, and ail their api)lications were rejei^ted.
AVe here juive some valuable extracts from an old Kn<;lisli report
of lOS ]>aj^'es, entitled, '•The present state of the lOnropean Setlle-
menls <»n the Mississipi)i," by Captain Phillip I'itman, published
at London in 1770. Captain I*itnian was en.uineer in the Hritish
army and was seid ont to make a survey of the foi'ts and icport
the condition of the \illa,n'es and impi'ovements in these newly
actiuired territoiies of the Jiritish crown. This work is a docu-
ment of I'are vabie, (illini;' n]), as it does in a nicasuic, a hiatns
in Illinois history for which there are no <»tlier anthentic sonrces
of inlbrmation. lie visited illinois in 17()(i. Of Kaskaskia, he,
gives the tbUowinj;' description :
'' Tlie vill:ij;r of Noire Dainc dc Casrasqiiias is by f;ir tliu most considirnlile
st'tllciuciit ill llic country of ilic Illinois, as well from its number of iiilialii-
tauts MS from its a(lvaiiiM!4-(-ous sitUMtion. *****
" Moiis. I'asjcl was the first who introduci'd water mills in this fotintry. and
lie constnicted a Very line one on the ri\'er Caseasquias, whieli was lioili for
jiriiidiiii;- corn and sawiiii? lioanls. It lies about one mile from the village.
The mill proved fata) to him, beinu; liilled as Iw. was workiiifr it, with two
negroes, by a party nf the ("heroUees, in the year 1704.
"The priiieijial liuiMings are the church and Jisiiits' House, -wliieh has ii
small cliajiel adjoining it ; these, as well as some other houses in the village,
are linilt of .stone, and, eonsidering this pari of I lit! world, make a very goocl
ai)|)earaiice. T\\i: Jesuits' plantation consisted of '2-ii) arpents (an arpenl is
b5H)0 of an acre) of cnltiv.'ted laml, a very good stock of cattle, and atirewery;
\\ hieh was sold by tlieFre eli eommandant, after the country was cedeil to the
English, for the crown, in eonseciuence of the suppression of the oriler.
" .Mons. Heauvais wasllif [nireliasir, who is the richest of the English sub-
jects in this eountry ; he keeps 80 slaves; he I'liniishes S(),()(K) weight of Hour to
the Iving'.s magazine, which was only part of the harvest he reaped in oiieycar.
Sixty-live families reside in this village, beside mendiants, other casual jieople,
and slaves. The fort, which was burnt down in October, 17(10, stood on the
summit of it high rock opposite the village and on the opposite side. of the
river. It wasaii oblong (piadraiigle, of which the extreme polygon measured
S'.H) by 251 feet. Ii wa- built of vir thick .-(piare timber, and dove-iailed at
the angles. An olHeer and twenty soldiers are quartered in the village. The
ollieer governs the i iilialiit;nits, iindei' tin.' dirietion of the ConmuuKlaiit Ut
Fori Clmrlres. Here are albo two companies of mililia."
170 IIISTOUY OF ILLINOIS.
rraiiie (111 liocluT — " La Prairie des lioclics" — is desmlu'd a.s
beiiijL^'
"Aldiiit 17|14|inilrs finiii (';is(iis(|iiiiis. Il is 11 sinnll villiiirc. coitsistiii!;' (if
2'2 ilwclliiin' liiiiiscs, III! ufwliicli ;irc iiiluiliitcil hy ms in;in_v I'aiiiilics. llirr is ii
lill'h- cliai)!'], Inrmci'iy ii ciiiipcl iil' cnsc to liu,' ciuircli ;il Fori Ciiarli'cs. TIk'
iiiliMliit.iiits iirc viiy iii(liisirii)Us, aiul raise u^iicat dtal nf roni and cvciy i<iii(l
of siociv. Tiu' viiiai,'!' is twi) mills from Fort C.'iiarlrcs. ['I'iiis was Little
r(//i((/c, wliicli was a mile or more lu'iinr lliaii tlio Fort.] It, talics its name
fi-oiii its situation, Ixiiiiv t)iiill uiulrr a rock tiiat, runs parallel willi :lie river
jMi^sisssippi at a leaiiiie dislauce, for 40 miles up. Here isii company of militia,
tlie I'ajilain of wiiieli reiiidates tiie police of the viUaiie.
"Saiiil l'liilli])e is a --niall village aliout live miles from Fort Cliarlres, on ilie
road to Kaixjuias. There are aliout sixteen liousesaiul a small cluircli staudimj;;
all of liic inliahitants, cxcc])t tiie C'aptaiu of tlic militia, deserted it in ITCi."), and
went to the French side, (Missouri.) The C'aptain of the militia has about
twenty slaves, a good slock of cattle, and a water-mill for corn ami jilauks.
This village stands on ii very tine nuadow, about one mile from the 3lis-
sissippi."
"Tiu' village of Saint Famille de Kiioquias (Cahokiu) is generally reckoiieil
fil'leeu leagues from Fiu't Clnirtres and si.\ leagues below the mouth of the
^li^souri. It stands mar the side of the Mississippi, and is marked from
the river by u'l island (Duncan's) two leaLMies long. The village is ojiposite
the center ol this island; it is long and straggling, being tliree-f<'Urtli.s of a mile
Irom one end to the other. It contains forty -live dwelling houses, and a church
lU'ar its center. The situation is not well chosen, as in the Hoods it is generally
overtlowed two or three feet dee]). This was the first scttlem nt on the Mis-
sis.sipni. Tiie land was piirchasiil of the savages by a few Canadians, some of
■whom married women of the Kao(|uias nation, and oiliers bioughl wives Ironj
Canada, and then icsided there, leaving their ch: Iren to succeed them. The
inhabitants ol this ])lace depend more n\\ hunting and their Indian trade than
on agriculture, as they seaicely raise corn enougli for their own consumiition ;
they hiive a gi'eat plenty of i)'Uiltry and gond stocks of hornod cattle.
'•The mission of St. Suljiice had a very liiK; plantation here, and an excellent
house buili on it. They sold this estate, and a verj' gf)od mill lor corn and
]ilaidvS, to a Frenclunan who chose to remain under tlie F.nglisli government.
They also disposed of thirty negroes and a good stock of cattle to I'ilferent
people in the country, and returned to Fr.mee in ITtU. What is called the
iort, is a small house standing in the center of the village. It dillers nothing
fi'om the other houses, excei)t in being one of the poorest. It was formerly
inclosed with high palisades, but these were torn down and burnt. Indeed a
ft)rt at this )da((,' could be of l>ut little use."
JkCjiiii'diiiy the soil, pnKlii('t.s and couimerce, of the colony, I'itt-
iiiiiii .siiys:
" The soil of this country, in general, is very rich and luxuriant ; it jiroduces
all kinds of European grain.s, hops, hemp, tlax, cotton and tobacco, anil
European fruits come to great perfection. The inhabitants make wine of the
wild granes, whi'h is very inebriating, and is, in color and taste, very like the
red W!U' of Provence.
In the late wars. New Orleans and the lower jiarts of Louisiana were sup-
plied with Hour, beet, wines, lianis and other |)rovisions, from this country. At
imseiit its conunerce is mostly conlincd to the jieltrj' and furs, which are got
in trallie from the Indians; for wliicli are received in ict urn such European
conmiodities as are necessary to carry on thiit commerce and the support of its
inhabitants." " .
Of till' Indians, ho say.s:
"The principal Intlian nations in this country are, the Cascasiiuias, Kaho-
quias, Mitchiganiias, and I'eoyas; these four trilies are generally called the
Illinois Indians. Exeejit in the hunting se.isons, they resiile near the English
seltlemen's in this co\intry. They are a poor, debauched, and detc.-table
])e(tple. They count al)i»ut ',\')i) warriors. Tlie Paiuiuichas. Mascoutins, Mi-
amies, Kickapous, and Pyutonoiis, though iu)t very numerous, are a braveand
warlike people."
Of old Fort Chartre.s, the stronj^cst fortress in liie Mississippi
valley, Avhich was re-biult by the French liovernnient in 1750,
F
marisii occrPAiioN.
171
duriitj; tlic French :iii(l l'iii,<iiisli war in Aiiicrica, Ciiptiiin ritmiiii
finiiislics the lullowiii;;' <lcs('rii)ti(>ii:
" Fort Cliartrcs, wlicii it bcloiitrccl to Friiiicc, was tlic sent of tlic uiivcriiiuoiit
of the IlliiioiH. Till' li(ii(l(iuiiricis of tlu; Kiijilisli comiiiiindiim' oili<'< r is now
111 re, \\ lin, ill tact, i-i tii(! iirbitrary jrovcnior of the comitry. Tiic tort is mi
irrciriiliir (|U;ulriiii!fl(' ; llic sides of tlic cxlfiior polyiion iii'i' -I'.tD l'<ct. Jl is
built c)f stone, ami pliisiercil over, iiml is only vlesi<j;ne(l as adetViisi' ai'-ainst, tlic
Indians. Tlie walls are two feet, two inches tliiek, and are jiierecd with loop-
holes at reirniar dislaiiees, and with two port- holes for caiiiion in the fieies and
two in Ihe Hanks of each bastion, 'riic diteli has never lieeii Hnislied. The
C'lilraiice to the fort is throimh a very handsome rustic uate. ^V'illiin the wall.s
is a biiiKpiette raised three feet, for the men to stand on when tiiey tire tlirouijli
tlii^ loop holes. 'I'lie bnildiitits within the fu't are, a commandant's and a coin-
niissaiy's house, the ma,i;:i/,ine of stores, corjis de t^arde, and two barracks ;
these ()ccui)y the sipiare. Within the iiorii-es of the bastion an; a jiowder maij;-
azine, a bake house, and a jirisoii, in ilie tloor ot' which are four dnn^:'eons, anil
in the upper, two rooms, a ml an out -house beloimim; to the commandant. 'I'ho
commamiant's luMise is tliirty-1 wo yards loii<f and ten broad, and contains ;i
kitchen, ii dinintf-rooin, a beil-ehamber, one small room, five closets for serv-
ants, and ;i cellar. The commissary's house (now oecu;iied by otHeers) is liuilt
on the same Hue as this, and its iiroporlion and the distrilmtion of its ajjart-
liients ar(! the same. Opposite these are the st(U'ediouse and the i>iiard-lh)use ;
they are each thirty yards lon^- and ei.ii'ht broad. 'I'he former consis'a of two
lariic store-rooms, (under which is a la 'ije vaulted cellar,) a lai'iic room, a bed-
cdiamber, and a closet for the store-keeiier ; tlu; latter of a soldiers' antl ollicers'
guard-room, a <'hai)el, a be(lcliamb(U', a closet for the chaplain, and an artillery
sl(.i'e-ro()m. The lines of barracks liave never been finishid ; they at ])res(,'nt
consist of two rooms each for ollicers, and three for soldiers; they are each
twenty feet sipiar<', and have betwi.xt a small passai^e. Tliere are line spa'jiou.s
1( ft?; over each building which reach from end to eiul ; these are made use of to
lodire rcirimenlal stores, w(ukiiiir and entrenching;' tools. iV'c. It is irenerally
Ix'lieveil thai t his is the most con venieiit and liest lunlt fort in North Ainerioa.
* * * In the year 1704, thrrc Were about forty families in the villaue near
the fort, and a parish church, seived by a Franciscan friar, dedicated to .St.
Aiim; In the foUowiu.ir year, when the Fni,disli took possession of the coun-
try, they abandoned their houses, except three or four fimilies, .and settled in
the villaLres ( n the west sitle of the ^Slississipjii, choosiuii to continue under tlio
French trovernment.''
Ill ITol), wlii'ii tlu' tort wii.s ri'htiilt, tlie intcrxcniiiy (lisiiiiice
to tlic bank of tlic Mississippi was .some !KH> yards. A .sand bar
was t'oriiiiiin' op|)ositc. to which the ri\cr was fordablc. At tin;
time of Captain Pitman's visit, the current had cut the bank away
to Mithin SO yards of the lort, the sand bar had become an island
coxered with a thick yrowtli of cott(»iiwoo(is, and the iiiterveiiiii,i;'
(diaiiiiei was K» feel deep. The i; real rrcsht t of 1771*. which iiiiiii-
<lated the Americaii ISotioin. produced siicl, havoc upon the bank
that the west walls and '2 bastions were i)i'ecii)itated into the ra,'4-
Uij; ciiireiit cd' th.' iniu'hty river. The Ui'ilish j^iirrison abandoned
it ami and took ii|> tiieir (piarti'i's at i"'ort (ia.i;(', on the bliilt of liio
Ka^ka.skia, opposite the ancient villajic of that name, to which th«
seat ol .i^ovcriiment was removed. Since then the ^reat citaiU'l of
!New I'^rance has been a ruin. Those of its walls winch escajted
•lestriictioii by Ihe Hood, were in urcat part iiatiled away by
the iiei«ihl>oriii,n' villaji'ers for btiiiditij;' pnrpo.ses. In ISijO the
ruins were visited by Dr. Lewis ('^>e(dc and .Mr. Hanson of
Illinois, who made an acciirat<' drawing' of the plan for the Illinois
and .Missouri (lazetter. Many of the rooms, cellars, parts of the.
Avails, showing the opening' for tlielarj;*' jiate, jiort-holcs, v\:c., were
still found in a tolerable siatt' of preseivatioii. The exterior lino
of the walls measured U47 feet. By l.S,>0, a (len.se forest siir-
172
IIISTOUY OF ILLINOIS.
l-<)iiii(lt>(l iiiid (•((vcicd tlio niiii.s, iiinl trcos, ."J IV'ct in (liaiuch'r, liiid
grownup williiii llic ciiiiiililiiii;' \\;ills.*
I''<)rl (iii.uc, wliicii ('(iiitiiiiu'd to he tlif li*':i(l<|ii:ii'U'rs of tlic iirit-
isli wliilc tlicy occupied tlic couiitiT, was, in siiaiH', an ohloii;^ pai-
allcloniaiii, L!.S(» h\ LTd feet, laiilt of lar;;t' ,s(|iiaird tiiidtcrs. In 1772
tlic liiitisli ;^airison consisted of oiM,\ l!(> soldiers and an ol'liccr.
li» tlic villa};(' of KaskasUia were organized U small companies of
Avell disciplined I'reiicli militia. When (leoiinc Ito.u'crs ( "larU. in
]77S, elfected the Itlooilless coin|iiest of Illinois, not a iliitish sol.
diei'wason ;iarrisoii duty in the c<»iinti',\. M. |{ocliei)lave,a l""i('iicli-
maii, was in command asthc iSiilish ;;-ovenior. lie occupied l''ort
(iai^t'c, and ill KaskasUia the {''rciicli militia was kept in^ood order.
A\'e lind no cliroiiicle of how loii;;' Colonel Wilkins remained ill
('omiiiand, or w hen the last remnant of the ISrilish ;;'ai'rison took iii>
its !iiUM>f departure. It isiii,i;hl,v prohalilc that these withdrawal.s
■were made with the break in;; (»iit of the war <»!' the rcNoiulioii.
The illinois I'' rench were remote from the main theatre of liio
l'e\()liiti()nary war; and while they had periiaps little sympathy
■with the ohject for which the colonies s|riij;;iled, their hatred of
their liei'e<litary foe was active. In 1777, 'I'homas llrady, whom
they commonly called •• Monsieur Tom, " a conra^^coiis and eiiter-
l)i'isiii<i reiinsyh anian who had wamh-red out to Cahokia, organized
tiiere and at i'rairie dii I'onI a hand of l(i volnntecrs, and in Octo-
1),'r. proceeding' to the P.ritish post on the St.dosepli in .Michigan,
uiirpi'ised and at tacked t he fort in the ni;;'lit time, defeat iii^ the
jiarrison of I'l men. A ne;^ro slave who had escaped from the
I'-reiich in Illinois, was killed in liis lli^ht. A lar^c quantity of
j^'oo;!s for the I iidiaii trade, fell into the hands of the victors, w hicli
iloiibtiess had been one inicntive to tli" expedition. With these,
their homeward Joiwiiey was retai'ded, and the IJritisli traders,
liaviii;;' rallied the soldiers and stirred up the Indians, with a lar^e
force made pnrsiiil and fell upon the canij. of the marainlers on
the (,'aliimet in the iii.nht time, killing' 1', wounding' 1' more (who
"wereafterwanl dis])atclied with the tomahawk) and made prisoiiens
of the rest. IWady. in beinj;' sent lOast, etVected his escaped, and
later reriiriied to Cahokia, wiieie he married the celebrated widow
Let^oiiijit.
The following year, while Colonel Clark was condiictinLi his
<'\pedition a;:aiiist Kaskaskia. I'anlettC' Meillet, the foiimler
of I'coiia, which was then called Larillc n Meillel, who was
ii remarkable cliaraeter for braveiy, brutality and enterprise,
Imniiii".;' to aveiiji'e the disaster of Ibady's party, in which were
many ot his relatives, assembled aitoiit .">(MI warriors, I'cd, white
and mixed, and marclu'd thence to St. -losepli. On the way,
through the broad i)raries on foot under the lays of the summer's
sun, AI. Aiiilin, one of his men, cxhaiiftcd with fati;.;iie, j^ave out.
CeieritN and secrecy bciiiji' t'sscnliai to success, and iiiiwillinL; to be
enriimlicred with the sick, the soldier fell a sacrilice to the t(tma-
liawk. Slink in ids brain l»,^the brutal commander. Arriving;- at
the post, the fort was siirronnded, and, alivr an obstinate eiiuajie-
nieiit, rliejuarrison surrendered and was permit tetl toretireto< "ana da.
The pi-isoners of IJrady's party were released, and the stores of
iiicrcliandise, said to have ainonnted to !:5.")(>,0(H), were bronj^ht away
to Peoriai.t
*lluyuours I'loueer History.
+yce Peek's Aiimils of the West.
('iiArii:K XVI.
177S— (J()X(KTEST ()!•
illinois. 15v (;k()k(if. iiochijs
claim;.
i
While tlic ('(tloiiists of tlu'cjist wcic iiiaiiitaliiiiijiii licico stnijxulo
^vitll tlic iiniiics ul' ICii>4liiii(l. tlicii- wcstcin IVonticrs wcu' i';i\;il;c(1
l),v iiicrcJlcss Imtclicrics ul' liidiiiii wiul'iirc. Tiic Jealousy of ilie.
SiivajH*' had been aroused to action by tlu' rapid extension of
Ann-rican settlements westward and the iniprojx'i' iiillneiiee exerted
by a nninl>er of military posts ;.;ariisone(l by llritish troops iit
diiferent jKirts of the west. To prevent indiscriminate slan;;liters
arisin,u' from these eanses Illinois became the theatre of some «if tho
most <lai'in;;<'\ploits connected with American history. The hero
of these achievements by which this beantifid lainl was snatched
as a ii'em from the Ibitish crowii, was (ii'orj^e Hosiers Clark. lie
was boiii in Albenmrle county, Viijiinia, Xovendter 11>. IT.")!.*, and
like his yreat eotemixti'ary of the iJevoliition in his youth studied
and i)raeticed the art ol siirveyin;;' lainl. The manly exercise con-
iie<;ted with the original surveys of the (MHintry seemed to create a
l)artiality for the adventurous exposure of military life. Little is
known in rej^ard to Clark's early history. It is said he became a
protielent in j^eoyraphy ami devoted <'onsiderable time to the study
ofiiiathematics, lad owinj;' to the iin])erfeet condition of the schools
and the exeitinj;' times of hisycaith, the presumi»tioii is that his
education was eontiiu'd to the useful rather than ornamental
branches of learninj;'. Shortly aftei' attaining' his majority he en-
listed as a staff ollicer in (iovernor Duumore's war and with many
other dariuji' spirits of the times was prest nt in the eampaijiu of
177 1 on tlu^ river Scioto. For meretorions conduct he wasolfered ii
commission in the royal service which, o\viu;j to the unfriendly feel-
in;^' then existinji' between tin; colonists and tlie mother eounti-y and
unsatisfaetctry teiinination of the war, he declined. Dumuoro
became ai»prehensive that the colonists would rebel, and it wa.s
belicned by \Vashinj;ton and others that he was instructed to so
treat with the Indians that he could use them as allies in ease of
revolt.
A spirit for adventure beinj; awakencul in the mind of youn<j
Clark by the war in 177;") he visited the wilds of Kentucky. Hero
he ibund the jtioneers in a state of excitement as to whether the
conidry on the south side of the Kentucky river was a part of the
territory of Kentucky or Virginia. At the .suggestion of Clark a
meeting was called for considering the subject and devising
the best means of remedying the perplexed state of affairs. The
meeting wa»s dvdy held ami a paper ju'epared setting forth their
grievances, and Clark and Gabriel Jones were appointed to hiN it
173 '
174 IIISTOIIY OF ILLINOIS.
Im'Iuic tilt' Ic^ishitiii'c ol' Vii-;;iiii;i. Tlic ciivovs sliii'lcd on their
JoiiiiifV, Mini ;irifi- siilil'ciiiin I lie must (list rcssiii^' li;iiilslii|is iii ri\ cd
:it tlic cniiiit vol' I'xiI'D'tniii't w iit'ic IIii'V liciil'tl lliiil t lie lc.i;'isl:i I II I'c
li:iii jii.st ikIJdiii iH'il. At the r<'ri'|il imi ol'tliis ik'Ws (iiiiiriri .luiics
rt-liirii('(| III the 'lit'iiit'iit on llii' llolslriii i i\ ci' iiiid ('hirk pio-
(■(■imUmI on liis \Vi o I liiiiov IT I'oiiiit V, where lie loiinii (iovcrnor
lleiii\ Ivinji' sick iit his |tii\ ale irsideiiee. Chilli iiimle known to
liiiii the o!»jeel ol' his \i<it, whieii tiie executive conliaily ii|i
pi'oxed, iiiid to riirlher lii.s \ lews ;::i\e liiiii :i lettei' to the coiincil
I'oi' I'lii'ther considerntion. At tiie liill tciiii ol' tiic l^e;^isl!iliii'e id'
ITTli. Chill; and .loiies presented tiieir Kentucky petition lotliat
l>od\. and de>|iite tile elTorts of lieiideisoii and oilier Noilli Caro-
lina land speculators, the dispiiled territ(ir\ was erected into the
coiiiiiy of Kentucky, w liieli eniitraced the limits of the pi'.si nt
Stale of the same name. In addition to this political rcc<i;;iiitioii,
the pareiil State j;a\(' ."itMl lbs. of powder for the defense of the
iso!at«'d sittieinenl, u '/\i'\ which now seems small, hut then looked
lar;::(', for the li'emeiidoiis stni;L;j:le of the revolution demamled all
the eneiiLiies of tilt donor to prolect her own people and liresides
i'l'om th«' i'a\a.u«'s of the enemy.
Clark's yreat services for iveiitncky and the n'ood will inspired
Ity his manly apitearance and j^t'eiiial manners induced the pioneers
to place him a! the head of their irre.^iilar militia. and he soon
iii>!iliit,(l such elfective means of defense that in all the lierce
eoiitlicls with the sava.ii'es. which ,i;a\(' Kentucky the name of
*•! Woody ( Iron lid," his \ alor was more l han eipial to 1 he emer.i;cncy,
Inl imalcly acquainted with the pro.yri'.'s of colon i/.at ion west of
tlie Alleiihanies, he was the lirst to fully coiii]trehen(l the advaii-
ta.!i»'s which would arise from the extension of American coiupiesl
to the Itaidis of the .Mississii>pi. While associatetl with the mili-
tary operations in Kentucky, his sagacity eiialiled him to trace the
Jiidian ra\aj;fs to the instijiutions of liritish emissaries at Jvas-
kaskia, Vineenues. Detroit and other places in their possessii'>n.
These remote jyosts furnished the Indians with clothinj;' and mili-
tary stoi'cs. and Clark Itelieviuy that their capture was the only
l)ossil)le way toaltate the evils caused hy their sava/n'e allies, sent
twos]iies hy the name of Moore and Dunn, to learn the nature of
their defences. They liavinj;' made observations returned and re-
]torted that their militia was well oi',i;anized and active: that tho
]uedatory excursions of the Indians were eiicoiira.ucd by the British
authorities ami that not wit listandinjiTlritish agents had eiideaviu'cd
by misrei»resentatioii to i»rejudice the minds of the I"'rencli inhab-
itants aiiainst the colonists nianyof them were evidently in favor
of their cause and interests. Clark, fnniisiied with this inforuia-
tiou, a.yain started to Virj^inia to make kuow ii to the ^o\ eruineiit
])• ; idans respect iu<i' the subju;nati(»n of these Ibitish outi)osts.
^^■hile on the road thither, fortunately for the euterprise which lie
liad in view, the battle of Saratoj;a was foii^^lit, and resulting' in
victoiy to the Americans, prejiaicd the ])ublic mind for u more
sjtii'ited ]■•■ )secutioii of t!)e war. On reachiu.ii' the capital, Clark's
impressive j'epi'eseiitatioiis ca]»tivated the mindof (lovernor lleury
^vith tlie idea, of subdiiinji' these Ihitisli strongholds in the centre
of their savaye confederates. The enterprise, however, was re-
pirdcil rs extremely hazardous, and so ;nreat was secrecy indis-
peiiisiible to .siit'c<'ss that it was i">t deemed prudent to entrust tho
lUJlTISII (K'Cl I'AI'Kt.N.
17.".
(iiicctidii ot'it h> llii'l(';4:islatiir<'. liciii;;' iiitcrrnyatt'd liy .IclVi rsoii us
to wliiil 1h' Wdiilil <!(» ill ciiM' of (Id'cMt, lie icpIicU-'crdss tlic .Missiis-
sipiii iiiiil seek lilt' proliTliitiior llic SpMiiiiirds." 'I'lic pliiii wiisso
tliiiroiiuiilN lli.^'(^^tl'll lli:il I lie iipprnliiii ion of I he ciiiiiK-il w iis it'inlily
»iltl;iiiU'(l.;iiHl l<t scciiit' iihii, ( Icoi';:;!' \\',\ I lie, I'liiiiiiiis.lcll'cisoii iiikI
(Icoryc Mil sun plctl^^cd lliciiisfht's. il'tlit'tnli'iprisc Wiis siicccssriil,
t(i use tlicii- iiilliit'iicc to scciiir a ImiiiiiIv of .'lod acres nf land lor
(•\ ci V one I'lina^i'd in f lie scrv ice. (luvcriioi' I Iciiiy .ua\ <' liiiii ILMK)
jiiMiiids ill dt'pi'ccialcil ciiii't'iicy, and an oi'dci' on llic roiniiiandatit
of l-'t. Pitt ini' aniiiiiiiiilion hoats, and otiici- iifccssary tMpiipincnts.
lie also fiiinislicd iiist iiiclioiis. one . <'t aiitlioii/.iiit: liiiii to t'lilisl 7
cunipaiiit's of T)!) nit'ii cacli foi'tlii- dt'ffiisc of KciiIik-Un , and llio
otiici' was drawn as follows:
^' I.iiiil. C'oldiifl (/mrjie Ii(ii/cn> (Inr/c :
"Yi'U tire to pri)( il willi nil (•(iiivci:iciit s])cc(l to riisc 7 cnmpiiHiisof soldiers,
to coiisi*! of 50 men each, olHci'rcd in tlie usiml iiiinnier, :inil ;irmeil iiiosl |>rii|)-
erly fnr ilie enliTprise ; 1111(1 witli lliis lorcM- iitliiek llie IJiilish force til Kiiskns-
ki:i. Il is cuiije<'tiirril tlml- llicre Mi'c iiiaiiy piecesof ciiimoii,aii(l inililaiy sIoiih
to a coiisiilerahle aniiiiiit at llial place, tiie lakiiiu; and preservai ion nl' whicli
wonM 1)1' a valnahli' actpii-ition to ilic state. If yon are so foriiinale, iIki', fnic,
as to succeed in yoin- expedition, you will tal\e every ])ossilile measure to
secure the ai'lillery and stores, and whiite\'er may advaiiiauc the slate. For I lie
transportation of the troops, provi>ioiis, etc., down the ( )liio, you are lo appl}'
to the conunandini; ollicer at Fort, Pitt lor Ixiats, and duriim the whole lians-
.aclicni you are to take espe(;ial carelokee]) the true destination of yonr fnrce
Secret ; its success depends Upon this. Orders are, therel'ore, niven to ('aptaiii
Smith to secure 1 he I wo men from Kaskaskia. U is earnestly desired that
you show humanity to .such Miilish sulijects and other ])ersons as fall into ymir
JianiN. Ifihe white inhalHtaiits of ih. it post and neiiilil)iirliood will i;ive llii-
doiihtcd evidence of their allachmcnl to this slate, Inr it is ceriain lliey
live within its limits, by lakiiii;' the test prescribed by law, and by every oilier
way and uu'ans in their power, let them be Ireatetl as fellow-citi/.eiis, and their
persons and pro[)eriy be duly respected. Assistance and pruteciioii auainst ail
enemies, whatever, shall be all'orded Ihem, and the (•omiuonweallh of Virginia
is pledged to accomidish it. Hut if these i)eoi)h.' will not accede to these rea.soii-
able demands, they mitsl feel the consecpieiices of war, under that, dirnli.r.i of
hum, inity that has hitlierlo distinguished Americans, and wliieli il is expected
you will ever cmisider as the rule of your (.•onduct,and from which j'oii are in uo
insiance to de[iart. 'I'hu corps y(ni are to couimand arc to receive the pay and
allowanci; of uiililia, and to act under tin' laws and regukitions of this state
now in force as to militia. The inhabitants of this i)ost will be informed by \ on
that in cas(- they accede to the olfeis of l)ecoming' citizens of this couunou-
Wealth, a proper garrison will be maintained among them, anil every alleiitioii
bestowed to render tiieir couuuerce beiieticial ; the fairest pros[)e('ls being oi)eiied
to the dominions of France and Si)aiu. ll is in contem|)lation to estalilisli a
post ni'ar the mouth of the Ohio. Cannon will be wanted to fortity it. I'arl
of those at Kaska.'^kia will be easily brought Ihillier, or otherwise secured as
circumstances make necessary. You are to aijjily to tjeiieral Hand, at Pitts-
burg, for powder and lead necessary for tnis expedition. If he launol supply
it, tile person who has that which C'a|)tain Sims brought from iS'ew Orleans
can. Lead was sent to llam[)shire, by my orders, ami that may be tlelivered to
vou. NVisliing you success, 1 am vour humble sirvaiit,
P. IIknky. "
These in.striictioiis breatlie u <^eiiei'osity and hiiinanity in stiik-
in;4 contrast with the .spirit of the J>ritisli ji-overninciit, wiiosc
jiiiiiioiis were sntt'eriiij;' otir soldiers to perish l»y tiioiisands in
jtrison-siiips lor the wjiiit of tood and otlciin,ii' boitnties to cncoiir-
aji'e tiie merciless savag«'s to murder and scalp our lieli»less women
ami children. It wtis tho'iyht best to raise tlie reipiisiie number
of troops west of the iVllegUaiiies, as the colonies needed all the
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170
lIlS.l'<>liY OF ILLINOIS.
a\;iil:il)l(' forces of the cast lor tlic Atliiiit ic dcl'ciiccs. To enlist
men -Major William l>. Sniitli went to tiie scttlenicnt of tlic llol-
stciii,iin(l for tlie same |>ari>ose ("a]»tains liconaid ilclm and .I<)sej)li
IJowman visited otlier localities. Clark |»idpose(l lo j^ct assist-
unce at I'iltslinrii', Itnl on account of Jealonsy arisin;;' from the
rival claims of I'ennsylvania and Virj^inia to tiie dominion of the
Kentncky settlements, he was nnsMcecssful, and the latter coh»ny
lurnislied the troops. His real destination Iteini;' nnUnown, many
thonyht it wonld l»c better to remove the Keutiickians than to
attempt their defenci' while their own citadels and tli(^ whole
c<(untry roniid I hem was threatened by tlie sava;;(^ confe(h'ratcs of
England. (Jlaik in the meantime beinn' informed that Major
.Snnlli had raised t <-ompanies, and that ( 'ajitains I b'lm and l!ow-
man wouhl j( in him with two others at lirownsviHc, on the
3b)non,yahela, made no further attempts to secnrc enlistments at
J''ort Pitt. Alajor Smith's men were to p» by way of ( 'iimberhin<l
Gi^p to KenlncUy, and Clark, with tiie other troops, amonnlinji to
3{M men and a niunber of juivate adventurers, commenced tiie
descent of tlie Oliio. At the moiitii of the ^rcat Ivaiiawa lie was
besoiijiht l>y Ca|)tain Ail)iiekle, commandinii' tlie fort at tlie junc-
tion of the two rivers, for assistance in captiiriiii;' a Itand of Indians
Aviio iiad attacked him tiie precedinji' day. Thinkiini, iiowcver, his
(>\\ II enterprise was of greater moment, and wishin.ii' to strictly
coinpiy with his instructions, lie c(»ntiniied on ids course. lie
landed at tiie moutli of tlie Kentucky, with the intention of ereet-
iiiii a fortification at tiiat point. i>nt alter mature consideration
altamioiied it for a more faNorabJc position farther westward, at
llie fails of the Oiiio. \\liile iiere, ieai'iiin;i' that of the 4 com[)a-
iiies promised l)v Major Smitii, Captain Dillard's alone had arrived
in Kentucky, lie wrote to Captain Uowinan, inforiniiii;' him of Ids
intention to cstal)iisli a fort at tiie falls, and liavinj;' in view aii
eiiteriirise of tlie <j,reatest importance to the country, re<iuested liim
to repair thither w itii Major Smith's men, and as many more as
coiild !)(' sparc<l from tlie frontier stations. At tiiis jilace lie for-
tilicd Corn Island, oi)itosite IjOuis\iile, not only as a base of
operations, but as a means of protectinji' boatmen, who, in pass-
ing; tiie rapids, wei'c fre(iuently attacked and iiiundei'ed l)y tlie
Indians. When joinecl l>y Captain IJownian's jiarty from Ken-
tucky, it was discovered that the w ithdiawai of his forces from the
country left it to a jireat extent without i>i(>tection, and therefore
only a poi'tiou of them were enjiaji'cd, witli the nnderstandluji' that
mIicii tiie I'cniainder of Ma.jcu' Smitirs men arri\e<l the (»tiiers sliould
return for tiie defence of Kentucky. Claris now announced to ids
assembled forces the real destination of the exiu'dition, and with
tiie e\c(j)tioii of Cajttain Dillard's company, tlic project met the
entiinsiastic a])[)rol)ation of the men. Lest desertions mi j;iit occur
in tli<^ disatfected comi>any, the l)()ats were secured and sentinels
stationed at dilferent points where the Ohio was sui>[»ose(l to bo
i"ordal»i(s JSotwitiistandinj;' these jirecautions, oiur of Cai»taiu
Dillard's lieutenants and tiie most of tiie men, iiassino' the senti-
nels unperceived, waded to the o])])osite siioic and disappeared in
the woods. A mounted party tiie next day was sent in pursuit of
the fuj;itives, with orders to kill all who refused to return, and
altiiougii overtaken 20 miles from tiie river, sucii was their vi,uil-
ance that only 8 Avere caught and brouyht back. *' The disaj)-
BRITLSir OOCT'l'ATION.
177
])oiiilinoiit caused by tlio loss of flic, iiicii," says Clail" in liis
jciiiiial, "was cruel, and in its c()nse([nences alarniinj;." Tiio
reniainilci" of Hie desei'lei's, dispersed in t lie woods to elude ]iiir-
snil. sntfei'ed tiie most intense i>ri\ atioiis, and wlien linaily tliey
reaclie<l I larrodsltnr.y', tlie l>rave Keiitnckians were so exas]>erated
at the Itaseness of tlieir coinhu't tliat for a lony time they refnsc^d
to admit them into tin'ii' stations. The forces were now altoiit to
separate, and in a day of rejoicin,!;' and mutnai encouragement the
li«'rocs of liie IvasUasida e.\pe<Iition took U'a\c of their IViends who
were to return for tlu' defense of Kentucky. Aftci' the depaiture
of th',' latter. ( Mai'k's litlh' army, uinh'!' the command of ( 'aptains
IJownian, Helm, llai'rod and .Mont.i;(>mery, only nnndiercd l."»;j
lueii. I*]verythin;n' bcinj;' in readiness, on the -4tli of fliine, 1778,
Avhile the sun was in a total eclijtse, he left the |)osition whicii he
had I'ortitied and fell down the liver. This ]»licnomenon tixcs the
time of ("lark's embarkation, and l)y the same means other im]>or-
tant events of history, the dates of which were wholly unknown,
Inivc been detcniiincd with |>erfect pi'ccision. Science in modern
times has so far divested occurrences of this kind of the ferroi's
which they excite*! in ancient armies, that amon;Li' the men of the
expedition but little importance was attac^lied to the e(;lipse, as a
liarbinticr (or ,h<i<m1 or evil.
All unnecessary l>a;;'.iiaji'e was lelt behind that they mij^Iit not be
cneundu'red in the dillicnlt marcli which they jtroposed to nndce
aci'oss the couidry, in order to reach uui»ercei\('d the ])ost which
they desiyiM'd to capture. Clark was anxious to make an assaulc
U]»nu the ]>ost of \'incennes, but the fireater extent of the French
settleuMMits in Illinois, the ])ros])e(tt of securinii' them as allies if
they wci'e concpieicd, and the facility of retreat to the Spanish
possessions beyond the .Mississippi, in case of deleat, inclined him
to the orij^iind ]»lan of the campai,i>u. While descendin,ii' the liver
a letter was fortinuitely received from ("(tlonel ("ampbell, of lM)rt
Pitt, statin.1;' that an alliance had been entered into between I-'rance
and the Tnited States, and that l^e ai'niy and navy of the former
were c()nnn<>" to our ii.ssistance. This infonnation was calculated
to make a favorable impression u])on the French and Indians of
Illinois, and (herefore of the .greatest imjuntaiK-e to the successfid
ternunatioii of the expedition. Landing on an island at the mouth
of the Tennessee, th(> j;inird sto])])ed a man by the name of .lohn
Duifaud a numbei- of othei- Amei'ican hunters, from whom they
also had the ,si"c»')d fortune to obtain valualtle infornnititui resi)e(!t-
ing the <;arrison at Kaskaskia. Dutf and his [larty had recently
been at that i)la(U', and he iidormed Clark that a Fi'cnch ('anadian
by the nanu' of l{(»chel)lave was in command; that he ke])t th(^
ndlitia well drilled; sentinels stationed on the .Mississipj)!, and
had ordered the hunters and Indians in their excursions thronj-h
the country to watch for the rebels, or " Lonjjf Kiuves," as they
desij^nated the Virgiidans. They also stated the fort was ke]>t in
order as a place of retreat in ease they were attack<>d ; that its de-
fence was attended to more for the jtnrjjose of niilitaiy disciplinii
than from any iipj>reliensions of innnediate danger, and that if
any assault was anticipated, its great strength would enable the
garrison to nndie a formidable resistance. The declaration of
]\loor<^ and Dunn respecting the fearl'ul api)rehensi()ns with which
the iidiabitants regarded the Virginians was likewise corrobora-
te
178 HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
te<l. Iliiviiii;' ()l)liiiii('(l llic liiiiilcis ior <;iii(l('s. (!Iiuk duppcd
<l(»\vii tlic si ifiiiii, ;iih1 liiiMiiiii;' iiciir P'ort Massiic. (•(iiiccalcMl tli(>
Itoals ill a small creek ciiipt viii,i;' iii(<» liicrlNcr. 'I'lic (listaiice IVom
this point to Kaskaskia is IL'O iiiilcs, and at that tiiiic tlic iiilcr-
Vciiiii^iCoiiiiti'v was (lilliciilt to ti'avei'sc, in roiisccpiciicc ol' sticaiiis,
swamps ami other ohsliiicl ions. 'I'lie expedition started across
tliis tract in the, direction of Kaskaskia, l>otli leader and men
sharinj;- the vicissitinles incideiil to Iraxel in the wilds of an iin-
(Mlltixated re.iiioii. Success depended entirely upon siM-recv, and
to send out hunting' parties in piii-siiit of j^aiiie. upon wliicli tiiey
mostly depended for subsistence, it was feared nii^lit he the
means of discovery.
On the third day, -lohii Sauii<h'rs, tlie piincipal ;;uide, hecomin^'
bewildered and beinj;' unable to point out the course, suspicion was
immediately excited in rejianlto his fidelity, and a cry arose aiiion<>:
the men to ])ut him to death. lie, however, accoin|»anied by a
yuard, was i»ermitted to jio to the adjoininji' i)rairie for fiirllier
search, and was (old unless he directed them into the hunters'
])atli leadinji' to Kaskaskia, a road in conse(iuence of havinyso fre-
((iieiitly tra\ele(l he could not easily forjiet, he slutuld certainly be
liunji'. Aft<'r speiidiii,ij some time in examinin.u the features of the
country, he exclaimed: '• 1 know that j)()iiit of timbei', "and point-
iuf>' out the dire(!tiou of Kaskaskia estaidished his innocence. In
the afternoon oi'theUh of -Inly, 177S, the in\adinji' ])arty. with
their jiarments worn and soiled, and beards of three weeks'
growth, approached the village where their long and wearisome
journey terminated, and c()iic<'aled themselves among the hills east
of the Kaskaskia I'iver. Clark sent out i)arties to reconnoitre, and
at night-fall, a detachment took jxtssession of a house ^^ of a mile
al>ove the town, and on the west side of therivei'. From the family
living in it, he learned that there were a great many men in t<twn,
that but few of them were Indians, and that the militia liacl
recently been under arms, but no danger being discovere<l
they were dismissed. Boats having been procured for trans])ort-
ing the troops, the forces were di\ided int(» 'A jiarties; L' of which
crossing to the west side of the liver, were to [troceed to different
parts of the town, while the other, under Colonel Clark, was to
capture the fort, on tlu^ east side. If Clark should be successful
in securing the fort, at a given signal theoth 'r detachments, with
a shout, were to take ]tosse.ssion of the town and send heralds
who could speak the Fiench language, to warn (he inhabitants
that they would be shot (h>\vu if they appean^d in the street.
Kaskaskia, at that time, contained about lioOliouses, and the
British ollicer, who had charge of the place after the I'cvolt of (he
Atlantic colonies, endeavored to creati^ in the minds of the unsus-
))ec(ing French the most dreadful ai)]»reliensions respecting the
ferocity and brutality of the " Long Knives; " (elling them that
they not oidy plundered property but indiscriminately murih'red
men, women and children when they fell into their hands. The
object of these falsehoods was to stimulate (he ])eo]»le of these
remote outposts to make a (h'termined resistance in case they w«'re
attacked, and to induce them to supply the Indians with guns,
ainmunition and scali>ing knives to aid tlu'ia in theii' dcjiredations
upon the Americans. Clark now wisely concluded if he could sur-
prise them fear would cause them to submit without resistauce,
BIUTISH OCCUPATION.
i!>
1
iuid tlic.v \v<»iil(l iilt<i\v;ii'<l hccoiiie fViciiUly IVoin jiiiititiidc if trcjilcd
witli i(iM'X|i('ct»'(l (IciiH'iic.v. The plmi ol" attiick was 8iic('('s.sl'iilly
cxrciitcd. Claik \viili(»iit it'sislaiicc entered llic lort tliroii^li a
jiostciii ;;atc on tlir side next to llic I'ivcr, and the otlici's, j>as.sii|o'
into the villayc at itolli cxtrcniitics with tiic most liidcous ontcrics,
alamicd tiic nnsnspcclinu inliahitants. wiio coninifnccd scrcaniinj;'
'•tin' Loiiu' Iviiivcs, " "llic Loni;' I\ nixes." In ahonl two lioiir.s
al'tcp llic snipiisc, the townsmen, panic stricken, dcliNcrcd np tlicir
arms, and tlioniili (lie \ ietorv was complete il liad been obtained
williont slieddiiii;- a drop ol' blood, 'i'iie \ ictors, in obedience
orders, rendered iln^ remainder ol' llie ni^lit a ]iandemoninni of
tumult. This art i lice as it ])rc vented opposition and tliectfiision of
blood, was the most innocent means thai couiil have been icsorled to
to ill Older t») be successful. .M. l{ociieliia\ c. t lie iWil ishcomiiiadant,
was not aware llial he was a piisoiiertill anofticerof tli(Mletaclimeut
which had entered the fort, peiietra led to his bedroom and tai)ped
him ou tile, shoulder. 'I'lie public ]»apers wer<', cither concealed or
<lestroye(l. it was su]tposeil that the ^o\ ci-iioi's ladv, i>resuinin,i>
upon tlu' <leference which would be extended to her se.x and rank,
<'oncealcd tliem in lier trunk, and such was the cliivaliy of tliese
ancient Virginians that, allhoii.uli the papers were supposed to 1)0
^■aluable, they siil'fereil her trunk to be remo\cd without examina-
tion.
]m seekinj;' for information (bii'inj;' tin' iii.uht, they learned tliat a
<'oiisiderable body of Indians was cncaiiijied near Cahokia, .")()
miles higher up the Mississippi, and (hat M. (.'erre, the principal
merchant of Ivaskaskia and an inveterate liater (»f the American
cause, was at St. liouison iiis way to (t)ueliec. Tliis iufoniiatiou
resi)ectiny' tiie intensity of his hatred was, perhaps, a misrepre-
sentation. None ol' the French iiilial)itanls of Illinois were
jjTcatly iittaclied to the Hritisli i^ovennnent, and it is probable that
liis unfriendly feelinj;' was (uily the prejudice he, in coiiimon with
the I'csl of his countrymen, entertained a.^ainst tiie N'ir.yiiiians.
Ilis family and a lar;^e assortment of merchandise were Iheii iu
Kaskaskia, and Clark fhoii.u'ht that if these pledges were in his
l)ossession he could render the inllueuce (»f this opulent merchant
available in case an emerjicncy should occui' in which he mijiiit
iiei'd it. A .yiiai'd was accordingly placed about his house and
seals put on his pro])erty, and also on all the merchandise bidong-
lUjX to other citizens of the place.
On the oih day Clark witiidrew his forces from the town to posi-
tions around if, and to augment the yloomy forebodinjis which had
alreatly unnerved the inhabitants, he sternly foi'bade all interc(»urso
between them and his own men. i\fter tiie removal of the troops
disre.^ard for the ])rinciiiles of liberty. >i'o one excelled Clark in
the res|»e(rt which he entertained for the ri;;hts of others, and he
keenly felt himself the hardsliijts which the necessities (»f his situ-
ation compelled him to inllict upon those in his ]»owei'. The tei'ror
hitherto iutcnseuow reached its climax, and when ho|)e had nearly
ISO IIISTOK'V OF It.LINOlS.
viiiiislicd Cliirk, wlio of jill (•(MiiiiiiiiKlcrs liad the clciircst iiisi<;lit
into liimiiiii iiiitmc, ^TuntcMl ;iii nmliciicc to llic pru-st iiiid five or
six elderly men of tlu' villiijuc Tlie sliock wliieli tlie.v received
1'roni llie eiipture of tlieir lownjty an enemy wliieii they rt-piided
willi so miieli lion(»r, could only he e(|naled hy their surinise when
admitted to the presence of their eaj)tois. Tlieii' clothes were torn
anil soiled hy tin' ronjU'h n.saye to which they had heen ('X|)osed, and,
as Cliirk says, they looked more IVi^htfid than savaj;'es. Their
appeaiam-e, nneontii in the extrenu', doubtless to the sensibility
ami relinemeiit of the aiuMcnt French, seemed worse than the
reality. After admission the depntatatiim remained scHnetinni
iinable to speak and when at leant h their business was demanded
they could not detcrmim" who should lu' aihlressed us comman(U'r
so effectually had the hardships of the expedition obliterated the
distinction between the chiettain and his men. Colonel (lark
bcin^ l»oiided out, the priest in the most submissive tcuit^ and
posture, said that "the people expccte(l to be separated, perhaps
lu'ver to meet ayain and they reipu'sted the pri\ile,i;(' of mei'tiu^'
in the church to take leave of each other and commend their
future lives to the jtrotcction of a merciful (iod." Clark, aware
they snspectedliim of hostility to their rclij> ion, carelessly remarked
that "the Anu'ricaus did not interfere \.ithlhe beliefs of others
hut let everyone worship (lod accordiu;^' to his convictions of
<luty,"that they nu^ht assend)le in the churcli "baton no account
must a siuu'le person venture «»utsideof the villa;;(>." Some farther
conversation was attem])ted, but tiiat the alarm mij;ht not abate it
Avas roujihly repelled, Clark aliruptly iid'onuin^' them that he had
not tinu' foi' further intercouise. Tlu'Cidii'e population immediately
convened in the chni'ch, and the houses bein,n' deserted orders were
<;i\'eii that they .should not unch/r any pretext be enterv'd by the
soldiers, ami that all ])rivate ])ro]ierty should be hoiu)rably
res]»ected. After remaininji' in church a lonj;' time the priest v ul a
fev; others ayain called upon Colonel Clark, and expressed their
thaidis for the j^rcat favor which he had ^fanted tiiein and also n
desire that he would inform them what disposition he proposed to
make of tlie ])eoiile. They stated that, owin^- to the r«'moteuess of
their situation they did not fully compreheiul the nature of the
coldest between lOufi'laml and her colonies; that tlieir (conduct had
been inllueiiced by Uritish commanders wlnun they were constrained
to olu'y, ami that some (»f their citizens had expressed themselves
in favor of the Americans, whenever the restraint to which they
were subject would jwiinit. They .tdded, their present condition
Avas the result of w:.: and they were willinj-' to submit to the loss
of i»roperty, but In nm'd that tliey lui.u'ht not be separated from
their families, and tliat some food and clothiii};' miyht be retained
for tlieir future snpi)ort.
Clark liavin,i;' now sunicieutly wi'oiiyht upon their fear, resolved
to try the etfect of lenity. "NN'hat I" said he, abrni)tly addressiuj;'
them, "do you mistake ns for sava}>es? Do you think Americans
A\ill strip women and children and take the bread out of their
niouths'.'" "My countrymen," said the j;allant colonel, "disdain to
make war upon helpless innocence. It was to jirotect our own
Avivesaud children that we i»eiietrated the wil(U'rness and subju-
gated this stroiiiihold of Uritish and Indian barbarity, and not the
desx»icablo object ofplinnler. We do not war against rrenchmeu
innTisii ()(;cupATiON.
181
I
Tlic Kiiij;' of Fiiiiicc, .v(»ur foniHT ruler, istlic ally of the (ioloiiips;
liis tlcctsjiiHl anus arc lij;iif iiij^diir l>al lli'.s,aii(l the war iiiiist shortly
triiiiiiiatc. I']iiil»iac(' wliicii cxcr side you (Icciii Iicst. and ciijoy
your rcliuioii, lor Aiiicricaii law rcspcrts the liclicxcrs ol' cNcry
vvi'v<\ and pi-olccts Ihciii in their rights. And M<tw. to cunvinct' yuii
nl" ni.\ sinci-rity. ;;o a)id inCoi'ui the inhaltitantsthat tiit-y can dismiss
liicir fears concci'nint; tiicir projM'rty, and families tliat tluy can
<'ondiie,t themselves as usual, and that their iViends who are in
eonlincnieut shall immediately be released." The re\ idsion of
J'celiML;' wliicli followed this speech can better be imauiiicd than
desci'ibcd. Tlic \ illa^e seniors en<lea\(tred to a|»olo;;ize for tho
suspicion they had «Mdci'tained, upon the sup|)osition that the
]iroj)erty of a captured town bclonjis to llie ciUKiiU'rers, but Clai'lc
j^cnll^ dispensiii;^ with all c\|ilanal ions desired ilicm immediately
i'clii>vc the anxiety of tlieij- IViends and sti'ictly com]>ly with tho
terms of n ]»roclamation which he was about to issue. Tho
j;ood news so<in spread Ihrouulioid the villauc; the hell raiij;
a merry jH-al and the peo]»le almost frantic with Joy assembled in
the cliui**!! to lhanl< (iod for their haj>py deliveiance. ('lark's
anticijiations Mere fully \('rifu'd, the iniiabitants were allowed all
the liberty they could desire and all cheerlully submitted to him as
the commandant of the villa;;e.
.\n expedition was now planned aj;ainst Cahokia, and seveial
intiuential Kaskaskians voluntarily olfercd toacc(mi[)auy it. They
jissured Clark that the Cahokians were their kindred and tVieiids,
iiml that when the situation of Kaskaskia was expl, lined to them
they would be willinj^' to change tlu'ir political relations. Their
offei' was acce))ted. and Major llowman and his company wero
.selected as one jiarty for tlic new comjiu'sl. and ihe other tho
French ndlitia commanded by their Ibrmer ollicers, the eutiro
»leta<'hment bein.u' but little infeii'))- in numbers to that which
invaded the country. Mounted on ii.vsel>a<-k' the exjiedilion
reached Cahokia before the surreufler of Kaskaskia was known to
the inhabitants. On b(in,in' licrceivcd.the cry of "the Lonj;' Knives,
tlie iy<ui!i' Knives," as at Kaskaskia, created the most intense eon-
.stei'ijation amoni;- the timid ptatioii of the little community. As
Noon, ]jowe\('r, as the new l-'rench allies could notify them of tho
<'han;;e of ^■overnnieiit, thisforn)idable appellation of the Virjiinians
vas elian^'ed to huzzas for freedom ami the .Vmericatis. Major
r>itwman took possif)n of the fort without oitposition: the Indian
force in the \icinity Avas disi»ersed, ami the iniiabitants a few days
alterward took tlie<»ath of allegiance.
The suc<Mss which had hit'ierto attended the efforts of (^lark
jjreatly eNceeded the Uicans employed, but such were the eompli-
<'ations of his ]»ositi»tn that he was compelled to use the ••reatest
ad<lress in order to maintain it. lie cnltix itc'd the nn>st intinmto
relations with the Spaiush on ilu- west bank of the ^Mississippi,
and instructed his men (o creat(> the ii!:;!ressi<ui that the liea<l-
(piarleis of his army was at the l''alls of the Ohio : that reinfoi-ce-
inents were daily expected t<» arrive, and that wlu-n they canui
militai'.N o)>eralions would be resuuu'd upon a more extended scale.
This ai-tilice enabh'd him to counteriset the extensive iidlnenee of
his adversaiies, and ultimately triumph over their siijierior
strei)_i;tli.
182
IIISTOUY OF ILLINOIS.
'; \
In tlio iiH'iintiiiio ^^. Ocnc wliosf iiilliu'iicc (MaiU liiid cmlt'iiv-
orcd to olitiiiii Ity scciiiiii;:' liis prt»iit'i(y iiiid i'iiiiiil\, lu'Ciiiim
iiiixioiis to rctiini to i\:isU:isUi;i. l-'«>:iriii;;' to pliict- liiiiisrll' in tlio
liiinds of tlic Ann riciiii ollicci' williont some protection, lie pro-
ciii'fd Icttci's of iccoiiiiiiciidiilioii lioiii the Spiinisli ,l;(»\ cnioi' ol St-
liOins, iiiid llic I'oiiiniiiiidniil of St. (ii'iic\ icx c. wilii ;i \\v\\ lo ol».
tidiiiiij;' :i passport. Clark. Iiowcvff, icfiiscd iiis application, and
inliinatcd tliat it need not Ite repealed, as lie iin<Ier.>tood lliat M.
Cei re was a man offense, and if lu' liad uol lieen unill v of eiic<ini'-
a;;iii,ii' Indian l»ai'l>arities. lie need not appieliend any dandier.
These sentiments liavinn' been commiiniealed to M. ('eiic, lie Im-
mediately lepairetlto KaskasUia. and called upon Colonel Claik,
\\ liii I 1 1 I'l ki'ii I i >i I liiiii tli-tf Ikit \v;v: i<li • I l-t I J >i I l\ i t 1 1 I f Id ' I t I 1 1 f I- Mm I 1 1 j I i • i 1 1 o
who informed him I
to JvasuasKni. and called upon < oionel t lark,
tiiio iiiiipi iiii'ii iii;ii liiat he was cliar,v,<'d with iiieilin^ tiie Indians
to pluiKh'rand murder I he Americans, and (hat humanity reipiired
that such violators of lionoralile warfare slioidd be puidshed
aceordiiii;' to the enoiinity of their erinn's. The mercliani, in reply
to this ae<-iisalion. said In- ehallenucil any man to |>rove Ihal lit?
had encouraj^t'd the depredations of the Indians, and that tin the
contrary, he conid jn'odnce many witnesses wiio Inul heard him
repeatedl_\ condemn sneh criu-llics in decidt'd lerms. Ilefnrlher
remarked that he never interfered in matters of state, ('\cci>t when
liis business demanded it; that he was not well actpuunted wilU
the nature of the contest in which the colonists were eii^ap'd, ami
that these chaij;es were perhaps prefeii-ed by some of his deitlors,
who sonj;ht by this nnaiis a release from IIhmi' obli;^alioiis. Ueinj;'
Avillin<i' to snbnut to an exannnation in I lie presence of his aceus-
cis, Clark re<|iiested him to retire to another ro<iin. while he sum-
nxtned them to appeal'. In a short time they came in. followed by
Ji lavfi'o part of the inlial>itants, but when M. Cerre was (n'oiiiiht
into their nu<lst they were confounded. Clark lold them that he
was nnwillin,i;' to condemn any one w itlmnt a tiial ; that ;\l.. Ceiie
Avas now in theii- |)reseiice, and if iliey found him ;:nilty ol' the
alle<i('d crinu' he should be summarily punished. .\t liie ci-nclu
iiiiejifti iiiiiM- in- ,>iiiiiiMi lie .>ii iiiiiiiii M,> [miii>iievi. .\i iiii' v > lii ni-
sion of these remarks, the witnesses commenced wliisi»erin^ wilU
each other and retiring, till only I oul of 7 was left, lie Itein,!.;
called on for his proof, replied thai lie hail none, and M. Cerr*> was
thus honorably a<'(piitled. His liicids and neijiihbors conj^ratu-
lated him upon the hap])y terminalion of the trial, and Clark
i n r. ki'i I ii.i 1 liiiii llt-it ' 1 1 1 1 1< ii 1 1 1 1 1 it \\''>>.: i liis^i i»i I lit . liit wlii.iiiil I ti .. >i 11 1 1 i* >iti
cspiiii.' eu.
(Hark lU'ver resorted to artitice or jtunislinient except when he
could make it conducive to the public ji'ood. lu \\n) cases narra-
ted he ke]>t up the a]>pearance ol' ri^(M' with the view to rnhancinj;-
4I..1 I',..'.,.... ..'i,i..i. ...ji,,. .....1 ii... ....,,..,....;... ;t V ,.!' I.;.' ..>. i. /i;.......;
.... ..V .V. I'. ........... .|'< . .^... .......... ............,,,.,., i,„
the favors which policy and I in; ma.unanindty of his own disposi-
tion inclined him to .yrant. So adroit had been his mana^eimnt
that li(! subdued without bloodshed all the I'rench setlleiiu'nts
Avithin the i)reseut boiuidaries of Illinois. The captures, as we
shall have occasion to show, wci'e fraii,iiht with j:reat c(mse(pieiu-e.s
to the nation, ami does it s[»eak less honorably foi' him who, with
THnnsii orouPATioN.
183
groiit skill, liiid iiccoinplislicd tlicin with lew instfiid ol" tlioiisiiiKls,
or lu'ciiiisc lie iiail coiKiucrt'd witlioiit tlic Hlicddinji' of hlood iiistciid
ol" iii;ii;iii;i" tlic pliiiiis cd" Illinois n'ory witli (lie 1>I(mm1 ol" I iic ('iiciiiy
and lliiit (>r Ills IVicnds ? The css^'iicc (»r true licroisin is tln-siiiiM',
wliiitcvt'i' niii.v he tiic scale of action, and altlioMnIi nnndxTs are
the standard l)y which military honors arc usindly awarded, they
are in reality only one of the extrinsic circiinistaiices. So
ini|M»rtant weic Clark's achievements considered, that on tlicL'.'ld
of Ndvend)er, 177S, ho and his brave ollicers and men were voted
the thanks of the \'ir;;inia ll(»nse of Delegates for tlieii- extraoi'di-
iiary r<'soliition and perseverance in so lia/.ardous an eiiterpiise,
and the importaid services tlicrel>y rendered the country. In lids
cxtiaordinary c(»n(iuest tlic Americans were doidttless assisted l)y
the affection which the i'^rench inliahitants still retained foi' tlieir
ancient Fatherlantl, now allied with tlie colonies.
ciiAPTKK xvir.
CLAI;K Or,TAINS POSSKSSION of VIXCKNNKS— TI{KA-
TIKS WITH TIIK INDIANS— VINCKNXES FALLS INTO
TIIK HANDS OF THE KNGLISII, AND IS KE-CAPTUKED
J'.V CLAKK.
f'liuk iMnv tmiicd liis Mttciitioii to tlic P>iitisli jtost of St. Viii-
criils (N'iiicciiiics), llic siiltjiiiiiitioii of w liicli Wdiilci Hot only cxlcinl
llif (ioiiiiiiion oi" liis iinii\ (' Stiiic. Uiit IVoiii its contijiiiitv icudri' liis
«)\\ii |)ositioii iiinl .uoNfiiiiiiciil iiioic scenic, lie, t lu'i('loic..M'iit lor
31. (iiliiiiilt, wlio, Itciii;; tlic ( 'alliolic priest holli of Niiiccimcs ;iii(l
KiisUiiskiii, coultl jiivc liiiii iuiv iiiloiMi;itioii lie dcsiicd. He
iiitonncd (.'link i'".it (ioxcnmr Altltol liad latelv jioiic on Itnsincss
to Detroit, and thai a niililar.v expedition against tlie iiiaee was
\viioll,v nnneeessar.v. Desirous ol' iiavin^' his paiishioneis Tree
IVoni the violence ol" war. iieolTcred to induce the |)co|iie to transfer
llieii alh'jiianee to tiie Americans wiliioiit tiie assistance til' troops.
This proposition was readily accepted, and DeLal'oiit and a spy
Avcre selected to accompany iiiin. 'I'lie eiuhassy set off for N'inci'ii-
iies, and after a fall exidaiiation iietw«'eii tlic y»ri«'st and his Hock,
the iiihal)itants concluded to sever their relations with the lUitish
ji(t\ crninent and take theoatiiof alleniaiicc to the commonwealtli
of N'ii'i^inia. A temporary p»v«'ruor was apiioinled, and the Amer-
ican \\:\ix immediately displayed over the fort, to the j^reat snr-
l»rise of the Indians. The savajics weic told that their old father,
the kin.:; of I'rance, had come to life and was an;.;ry with them
because tlu-y foiij;lit for the Enj;lisli, and that if they did hot wish
the- l.md to be bloody with war they must make peace witli tho
Americans. M. (libaiilt and party returned about the 1st of
Aujiust, with the Joyful intelligence that everythinji was i)eace-
ably adjusted at Yincennes in favor of the Americans. This news
Avas both a source of astonishment and {^ratilicatiou, as sueli a
result was hardly to be exi>ected.
The .'5 iiKtnths for wiiieh Clark's men had enlisted Avas now ter-
minated, and his instructions beiii<>' indelinite, he was at first at a
h»ss how to ]>roceed. If the country v as abandoned at this Jiuuv
tiire, the immense advantages already gained Wduld be sacriticed,
and, therefore, actin!j,u|)ontliediscretioii which necessity demamU'd,
he re-enlisted as many of his own men as were willin;;' to continue
in the service, and commissioned l-'rench olhcers to raise a com-
pany of the inhabitants. He established a <;arrisoii at Kaskaskia,
under the eommand of Cai»tain AVilliams, another at Caljkia
umh'r Captain IJowman, and seh'cted Cai)taiii Sims, who liad
accom]»anied thii expedition as a volunteer, to take charge of the
iiieu wliu wislied to return. The latter oliicer Avas also intrusted
184
AMKUKJAN OCCUPATION.
185
with orders from Cliii'k for tlio rcjiioviil of tlic slatioii from Corn
J slant I, at tlir l'':ills of the Ohio, to the main la ml, and a slockadi)
fort was crt'ctcd whcrt' Loiiisx illc, the mt'tiopolis of KciitncUv,
lias since been hiiilt. Captain .iolin .Mont;;(iiM('ry, in elwujL^e of
J{o(hehla\e and the hearer of dispatches, was sent to Kichmond,
wliicli had become tiie oipilalof Vir:;inia. it had itccii the inlcii-
tion to restore l(» the Mrilisli <'(tninii',,der his sla\('s, w hich iiad
been seized as pnhlic piopcrty, an<l he and some of his frien<l.s
vcic in\ iteil to dine with Clark and iiis otiieers, when the restitu-
tion was to talie place. M. Ii'ocheliiave, howexci', called them a
set of r«'l»els and exhibited sncii bitteiiiess of feelini;', that it was
necessary to send him to the ^naid house and liiially a piisoner
to Virjiinia. 'i'lie ;;cneroiis idea of retui'nin;;' the sla\es to their
former owner haxinj;' Itern friistati-d i)y I liis pro\ ocal ion, they were-
,sid)se(iiieidly sold for ."iOO pounds, which was di\ided anion;; the
troops as prize money.
'I'lie j;()\('riiiiieiit of \'ir,uiiiia in the meaiiliiiie was int'oiiiicd of
the rcdiictioii of I he counlry and ( 'lark <lcsiriii^ that 'i civil yoviiii-
ment iiii^ht be instituted, an act was jtassed in October, 177S,
or."aiiiy,ii'^' the county of Illinois which included all the territory
of die commoinvealth west of the Ohio ri\ ci'. This immense rej;ion,
exci't'dinj; in siiperticial extent the whole of (ireat IWilaiii aiul Ire-
hind, was at that time tlielarji'cst county in theworld,aud contained
the best section of laiiiiin.u' lands on the continent. A bill was
also passed to raise ."iOb men foi' openui;;<'(»miminication with New-
Orleans, for the beiielit of the isolated settlements, and Col. .lohu
Todd was appointed the |»riucipal olliceriii the ji'overiiiiient (d" the.
new count\ , and Jiistit-e was for the lirst time admiuisteicd under
the authority of \'ir,uiiiia.
About the middle of Au,nust, (.'lark ap]»oiiited Ca]»t. Helm com-
inamlant of N'inceiines an(l Indian a.uciit for the departnieni of the
AN'abash. Jlis lireat piiideiice and intimate knowledge of Indian
character eminently (pialilie(l him for the duties (d' tiiis important
trust. It was also the intention of Col. t'lark to place a stroiiji'
detachment under his command as soon as reinforcements should
arri\(' from N'ii'uiiiia.
At that time theic li\('d in the \ icinity of \'inceniies a chief of
the riankashaw Indians, who jiossessed ^reat intlnence o\ ei- his
l)eo]»'.. lie was comiilimeiited by his countrymen with the appel-
lation of theCrand Door of the NNaiiasli, in imilati<ui of the title
of I'ontiae, wlio was styled the (Irand Door of St. -losejih. Clark
had exchanged messages with him tlirou,yli Cibault. the catholic
priest, and hi' iiisti'uctcd Ilcliii to secure his iiitliien<"e, as iiotliiii<i,'
could be done within the Iiidiaiicoiifedt'racy of the Wiiliash without
his ap]»r(d»ation. The American aii'cnt ariivin^i' safe at Vinceiines,
and beiiiy recei\-ed with acclamation by the inhabitants, he imme-
diately invited the (ii'aiid Door to a coiilcreiice. The ]U'oiid and
pompous chief was pleased with the coiutesies of Caj)!. Helm, who,
in a friendly talk, communicated to him an invitation from Clark
to unite with the "Loui; Kni\i's"aiid his <»ld master, tlu' Kin<;'of
France. In reply to this iii\ itation, he said that he was ylad to see
a chief (d" the "Lou;;' Knives"' in town, but with the caution ]K'culiar
to Indian character, declined ,yivin,u' a deliniti^ answer, until he
could confer with the i»riiicipal men of his tribe. In all tli.ir inter-
course, the Grand Door observed the ceremonies of the most
]S0
IIIHTOIJY Ol' ILLINOIS.
eonrll.v dijiiiity, iiiid the Aiik ri»;iii, to ojM'ralc on liis vanity,
«'xliil»itf»l tlu' siiiiir |ioiii|iusity, till .ilU'i' .scnj'DiI thiys tlic jnti'rvit'W
was ('(iiH'l IK It'll. l'°iiiall,\, ( 'a|il. Ii«'liii was iii\ iti-d toath-iiil a (■(iiiiicil
of cliii'l's, ill wliicli lliciiiaiMl Door inruiiiicd liiiii, in a strain ot
liiiliaii «'loi(iiciir«'. that ••tiic sUy iiail iiccn \('r,\«laiU in the wui'
litlwri'ii liic *l,un;; Kni\t>s'an(l l'!ii^lisli, lint iiuw tli*' iNmkIs wcih)
Innslh'tl a\\a,\ lie cdald sec I lie MiOii;; Knives' were in the rij;lit,
and it' the I'ai^lisli coniiiificd lliciii, llic,\ niiulil also tii'iit tin-
Inilians in tla'sanif \va \ ." lie llicii Jiiiiiix'd iip. sli'iirk his hiinds
a;:aiiist ills l>i'rast,and said, "li<- had always Imcii a iiiuii and a
wai'iidi'. and now he was a ■iiOiiu' Kiiilr'' and wonid tell the
red I |>l<' to h'oody th*' la ml no loii;:<'i' I'oi ihr lai.ulisli."' lie and
liis led iMfthriM llu'ii took ('apt. Ilt-lin h.\ the hand, and diiriii;^
the rcinaiiKh'r ()!' his lil'r, he rcinaiiii'd the siaiiiich Iricnd of the
AiiK'iicans. I)\iii;L;' twoyrars aftci wanl at liis rc(|in'st lit- was
hiiricd with the honors of war, near the l''ort of ('alioUia.
Many *-hicl's south of Lake .Mit-hi^^an followed the f\aiiiplc of
the (iraiid Door, and tlir llritish iiilltifiicc, which had caiisrd ;;i'(>at
lliiscliiff to Ihc frolitii'l' sfttlciiiclits, d;iil\ declined. .Milch of the
Nilecess altemlili.u these iie^iol iiil ions was due In llie inlliieiiee of
the Ficiich. for the Indians, relyiii;^' iiii|>lieitly iipoii their state-
ments, became ureally alarmed at the ;;ro\\ inn power of the Ameri-
(•aiis. Clark's method of v'tfeclinj: treaties with them was attended
with reinarkaltle success, lie had sindied the i''n'nch and Spaiiisli
inclhods of intercourse, and thoiiuht their plan of iir<4iii^' them to
make treaties was founded upon a mistaken estimate of their
('haracler. He was of opinion that .siu-li oxcrtiires were construed
1»\ IIm' savages as e\ ideiice of either .e.'r or weakness, and tlier«'-
lore stndioiisly avoideil niakinu the lir.vl advances, i'niiketlio
]'aiulis|i. w ho eiidea\(tr<'d to win their uood will hy freely uraiit inn'
them |»resents, he either heslowed tii<'iii rehiclantly. or foii;;lit
tliem until they were compt'lled to seek reliij^e in treatios as ii
means of self preser\alion. The ceremonies at leiidinj; his conn-
<'ils with these scais of the forest, as 1 hey illustrated I heir charac-
ter, are W01II1 record iiifi'. The tirst convocation of this kind in
Avhich < oloiiel Clark was present, met at Cahokia alioiit the 1st of
Heptemher. The various parlies trad assemhied, and as the Indians
Averethe solicitors, one of llie<*hiefs approached I he lahle where.
Colonel Clark was sittinji, heaiin.u' three belts, one of which was
emblematical of ])eace, another contained the sacred pijie, and a
third the lire to lit;!it it. After the pipe was lighted, it was (irst
jtresrnted to the hea\ciis, then to the earth, next foiniiiii;- a circle,
it was ottered to all the spirits, invokinji' them to witness their
])roceediii,us, and tinally to Colonel Clark and the other members
of the coiin« !!, .\l the conclusion ot' these foiinalit ies, a chief arose
and s])oke in favor of peace, after which he threw down the bloody
licit and tlaji, which had been <iiveii t(» him by the l'aij;lisli, and
.stamped on them, as evidtMice of their rejection. Clark coldly I'c-
])lied that he would consider w hat he had heard and ;^i\(' them an
answci' on the following day. lie however intimated that their
existence as a nation depended on the determination of the coun-
cil, and as jteace was not coiiclnded. he cantioiied the .'hit I not to
let any of his coiintrymeii shake hands with the white peojile,
Siiyiii;^ it woidd be time to jiive the hand when the heart also
could be .;iseii with it. AVheii he had ceased speakinj;, one of tlio
AMKIJICAN OCCri'Al'KiX.
IS7
rliirl's fcinill'knl Ili:il micIi snitiiiiciils wcit like iiini wliiiliiiil liiif,
OIK' liiMi'l mill uiio ilii! imi spciiU with ii loikcd t<ii|M|ir. 'I'liit
roiiiicil IIm'Ii iKljoiiriM-il till tii*- iifxl ihiv. ;iii<l wlicii. :it tlir :i|i|)uiiil-
4>il I inn- till- liidiiiiis i'rii.ss<>iiil)l(>(l, Chii'k tints iHldirssrd tlii'in:
" Mkn and Wahhioks : i'ay ntli'iitioii to my wonlM. \<h\ int'oriiicd
iin' vcstcrdiiv (lull yiMi li(>|ii>d tlii' ( Jrciit S|iiril liiid lipoiitrlit us liiuftlJH'r
for jiixid. I liiivc liicsiinif lii>|i»', iiiid trust nirli ptirlywill siricily nijiicri'
to N» iiiitcvt'r is auri'fd u|iuu, wiifllicr it l>r pi-arc nr war. I am a man
a ' H'ai'i'ior, nut a couiirilur. I I'arry war in my ri^dil luind, |Mar<' in
my ii'I'l. I am scut l>y tlu'ui'ral I'uunril <il' tin- Ijou^^ KuIm's and llicii'
frii'Uils, tu lal<i' |i(issi-^si(iu of all tlic towns orcupird liy llir Muidisli in
this roiiulry, ami to watrli the led |n'o|(lt'; to iiloody (lie paths of lliosr
wliii attempt to slop the roursi' of till- rivci's, aud to I'leai' thr roads for
thosi' who di'sirc to lir in prarc I am lU'di'i'i'd to call upou lli('(lrcat
J''i re for warriors enough to darken the laud, Ihat the red pcoph- may
hear no sound l>ul of Idrds wliich live on lilood. I know lliere is a mist
lielore your eyes. I will dispel the clouds that you may clearly see tlic
causes of tlu' war Ipclwceii the liOiu;- Knives and the iMiVli^h ; then you
may judi;e wliich partv is in llie riuhl, and if you are wai'riors, as you
profess, prove it liy adherinj; faithfully lo the party whiidi you sliall'lic-
lieve to he I'lilillcil to your friendship."
After ('liiik liml cxpliiiiictl in iNdail the r;iiise and ellect id tlio
war i'\istiii,y itewei'ii tlie IOii;;lisli iiliii tlie ruloiiies, lie tiiiiscoii-
ciililed :
"The whole land was dark ; the old men hidd down their hciids
shame, hecause they could not see ;lu' sun ; and thus there was mourn •
in^^ for many ycai's over liie land. At last the ( Ireat Spirit look pily on
us. and kindled a ^'real council lire at IMiil.'ulelplii.'i, planted a post,' put
a tomahawk liy it and went aw;iy. The sun immedialely broke out, the
sky was Mue a^^ain, and the old men In Id up their lieads and asscmlileil
at llie lire. 'I'hey tool; up the halcliel, sharpened it, and ininiedialely
put it in the hands of our you n^ men, orderin^f them lo sliike the lOiii?-
lisli as lonji; as they could liiid one on this side of the (ireat W'aler. 'I'ho
yoiiiiK nu'ii immedi.ately struck the w;ir post and lilood w;is shed. In
this way tin- warhei^aii, and the i^nniisli were driven from one place lo
another, until they ^ot weak, and tlieii hired the red peojde to li^;lit for
them. The (ireat Spii'it j^ot ans^ry at tliis, and caused _\()iirold father,
the J'"rench Kinj;', and oilier jj^i'cat nations to Join llie Lon^' Knives, and
lijihl witli tlu'iii aj;ainst all liieir enemies. So the l^n^lish have In-come
like deer in the woods, and you can see that it was the ( treat Spii'it that
ti'oul)led your waters, hecause you have foi'iiht for the people with whom
In- was displeased, ^'ou can now judjj ■ nlio is in the rij^ht. I have
already told y,)U who 1 am. Here is a hlooti^- helt, and a jd'ace licit ;
taki' which you please ; hehave like men, and do not let your hein^ sur-
rounded hy Loiifj: Knives cause you to take up one hi'll with your hands
while your hearts take up llie otlier. I f you lal^e the hlooily path, you
can yo in safety and Join your frii'iids, the Knirjish. W'l' will theii'try
like warriors who can stain our clotlies tlie longest with hlood. If, on
the otiicr liaiid, you taki' the path of jieace, and are received as lirollu'i's
by the liOiiu; Knives, and then listen to had hirds thai are llyinj; throuj^h
the land, you cannol lont^-er he considi'red men, hut creaturi's with two
toiif^ues, wliich ought to lie destroyed. As • am convinced tliat you
never liearil the tru'th before, I do not wish you to answer me bi'fore you
have taken time for consideration. We will therefore jiart tliiseveniiif^,
and when the (ireat Spirit sliall bring us together again, let u.sspuak and
think as men with but one heart ami one tongue. "
Oil the Ibilowiii};' day, tlie council lire vas kindled with more
than ordinary ceremony, and one of the chiefs came forward and
said :
"We have listened with great attention to wliat the chief of the liong
Knives told us, and are thankful that tlu- (ireat Spirit has opened our
ears aud hearts to receive the truth. We believe you tell us the truth,
188
HISTORY OV ILLINOIS.
for you do not speak like other jieojile, iintl that our oltl men are rij;lit,
who always saUl the English sjjake with doulile tongues. We will
take the lii'lt of |)(...'.'e, antl east down the hloodly belt of war; our war-
riors shall be ealled home ; the tomahawk shall be thrown into the
river, where it ean never be found ; and we will carefully smooth ^'u' road
for your itrothers whenever thiy wish to come and see you. Our friends
Hhail lu'j'r of the good talk you have given us, and we hope you will send
( liefs anu)iig our countrymen, tliat they may see we are men, and
adhere to all we huv • [)romised at this lire •, hieh the (Jreat Spirit has
kindled fo" the good of all who att< 'id."
Tlie pip,' was aji'iiin lijiiitcd, tin' s]):iits were called on to witiics.s
tlu' ti'ansaction.s, and tlu'coimc concliul'd by sliaUiM;^ liands.
In lliis manner alliances we;- loriiicd with other tiihcs. and in
a slioit lime ("laik's ])ower was so w<''l cstahlislicd that a siiiiilo
soldier could be sent in sat'ety ••< I'.u- north as the head waters ot'
tlu' sti'cains nnptyin^' into tlu Likes. In the vicinity oi" tiie lakes
the IJrivisli retained their inlliiencc. somu' of the tiil>es bein<;'
divided between them and the Americans. This sudden ami
extensive chanjiC of sentinn'iit amon^' the Indians, was due to the
.stern and comniandiny' intluence of (\tlom'l Clark, siipi>orted l»y
the alliance of the i-'rcnch with the colonies, ami the re;;ard which
the Indian., still retaineil for their tii'st(Jr»at Father. It lecprired
jiicat skill on the pait of Clark, while in command of such diuiin-
ulive forces, to keep alive thi^ imi»ression which had orij;inally
beeii nnide respecting;' the arrival of forces frt)m the Falls of the
Ohio. To create a favorable impi'essi(»n, the fe( s connected with
the adaiinistration of Justice were abated. The nniintenain-e of
I'ricmlly intercoui'se will tin' Sjianish authorities, and the per-
ini>sioii of trade ainoii.u the inhaiiitaiits on l)oth sides nl' the Mis-
ifeissippi, was also in'iMliictive of jiood will.
in his neji'otiation with the Indians, an iiirideiil occurred al-oiit
this time whiidi, from its rmnaiitic ctiaraclei', is worthy of imMition.
A lar.^'e n-ward was otlerecl the Meadow or .Mascoiitin Indians,
who ac(;(»inpaiiied the otli<*r tribes to the council, to assassinate
the American c(»mmaii(ler. l'\)i' this purpose they pitt'hed their
eaiiip on the same side (d' ('aliokia creei; occupied by Clark, dis-
tant 100 yards from the fort and the Aiiiericaii iiea(l(|iiarlers. It
was arranj;ed that a i»art of their niimbcu' should (uo.ss the (icek,
whicji could easily Ix^ waded, tire in the (lir<'ction (d' the. liidiiiii
encaiiipinent, ami then tlee to the (]iiarters of Clark, where, under
the pretense of f« ar, they were to oi>taiii admission ami put
the liiirrisoii to deal 'i. The atteiujtt was made about 1 o'clock in
tJie moiiiiiij;'. The tlyinj;' party lia\iii,i; discharjicd their j^iins iu
.such a manner as to cast suspicion upon tlie Indians on the oppo-
.site side ol the creek, started directly to the Aineiican enciim|iiiient
for protection. Clark was still awake with the innltiplied cares
t»f !iis situation, and the guards beinu- stronger than had been
anticipated, presented their pieces and cduipeiled the fugitives to
lisilt. The town and garriM)U wore immediately under arms: the
IMascoutins, whom the guard had recognized by moouliglH, were,
sent for, ami being interrogated respet-ling their conduct, declared
that tlu'y hud been liird ipoii by enemies on the ojiposite side of
the creek, and that they had tied to the Americans fcu' refuge. The
French, however, iiiiderstandiiig them bett(-i than their compier-
ors. <'alled for a light, and on e.xaniination discoveicd that their
leggings and moccasins were wet and muddy, which was evidence
AMERICAN OCCUPATION.
189
tliiit tlicy liiul crossed tlie creek itnd tliat tlie Indians they visited
were friends instead of enenues. 'I'lu' intended assassiiis were
dismayed at tliis discovery, and (Mark, to convince tlie Indians of
tile conlidence wliicli he reposed in tlu' French, hanch'd over the
(Milprils to them to he (h-alt witli as they thon^ht jn'opcr. liiti-
nialions were, liowever. made to tlieni privately, that theyou;;ht
to lie conlined, and they were accordinj^ly nmnacled and sent to
the ;iiiard Immisc. In this condition they were daily l)ron;;lit into
the council, where he whom they had endeavored to kill. s\as
fornun^trieiidly relations with their red brethren of other tribes.
AVhen all the other bnsiness of the conncil was transacted, Clark
ordered the ii'ons to be struck olf, and said: ".lnsti<'i' re([Mir«'s
that yon die lor yoni- treacherous attempt n|)on m\ life durint; the
sacred delibei'ations of a council, 1 had determined to iutUi death
np(»n you for your base dcsiiius, and you nuist be sensible that \<tu
liave Justly I'ort'cited your li\('s; but on consideriuji' the nu'anness
of watching' u bear and catching' him aslec)*, I iia\ c concluded I hat
you are not warriors, but old women, aiul too nu-an to lie killed
by the Lonji' Kni\es, Since, liowcver, you must be punished for
wearin_n' the ajiparel of men, it shall be taken away from yoi;,and
you shall be fuiiiished with i)leuty of i>ro,visions for your Jomncy
home, and wlnle here you shall be tr«'ate<l in every icspcei ;is
scjuaws." At <he conclusion of these cnttin.y' remarks, Clark tui n((l
to c<»nverse with others. The offending' Indians, expectinji- au^icr
and j)unishment, instead of contcmiit and disgrace, Wi-ru excecd-
injily agitated. After connsclinj;' with eachttther, one of the chiefs
came forward, and laying a i>iiie and i>elt of peace on the table,
made s(»nie explanatoiy reimirks. The interpreter stood ready to
transhite these wevds of friendship, but Clark refused to hear
them, and raisin<;' his sxt'ord and shatterinji' the pipe, declared that
the Lonji' Knives never treated with women. Some of the other
tribes with whom alliances had been formed, now iiderposinj; for
thedisconditted Indians, besou.yht Clark to ]>ity their fannlics and
IXVAUt them pardon. To this en + rcaty he coldly replied, that "tiie
Loni"' Knives Jiever imule war uj»on thes<' hulians; they arc of ii
kiu(l which Ave shoot like wolves when we meet them in the woods,
lest they kill th(^ deer." This rebuke wr<»n.iiht more and more upon
the li'uilty ])arties, and, after ai;ain takinj;' counsel, two of the
;soun^' nu'U canu' forward, covered their heads with blankets,
and sat down at the feet of the inexcuable Clark. Two dnefsalso
arose, and staiulinj;' by the si«h' of the victims who tlius olfcred
their lives as an atonement for the crinu' of their tribe, aj^ain pre-
sented the pi[)e of peace, sayin.i>', we ho]»e this sacritice will a}»pease
the anfi'er of the Lonn' Knife. The American comnmnder, iu)t
replyiujn' inuiu'diately, as, if still uiisatished, the most ])roi'onn(l
silemu^ reigned in the assembly, and notliin;^' was heard but
the deep broathinjn' of the multitude, all turinnji- their eyes upon
Clark, as if to icad in the «'xpression of his countenance tho
fate of the devoted Indians. The snd<len iiii]»ulse caused by the
heroism of this romantic incidiMit, ahnost overcame the powerful
nerve of Clark, who, from the tirst, had intended to jirant these
Indians ])eace, but Avith a reluctance, as he says, that should
enhance its value. At length, to relieve the yreat suspense of the
assembly, he adAanced toward the yonni'' im'u and (U'derin^ them
to uncover their h(!ads and stand U[), said : "1 am rejoiced to liiul meu
190
IIISroUY OF ILLINOIS.
aiMdii;;' iill iKitiuiis: llifsr two .vouiiji' \v;nri(»is wlio Iiavc (lilricd
llicir li\('.s !i s;icii)i('(', iirc ill Iciist proof tor llicir own coiiiitrviiicii.
Sncli iiifii oiilv arc worthy to be cliicls, and witli sn<'li I like to
tical." He llicii took tlifui by tlic liand, and in lioiior of tlicir
inai'Maniinity and courap'. introchiccd tiicni tollic Aniciican ollircrs
anil oilier uicinbcrs of llic asscniblv, after wliieli all sainted llieiii
as tlic eliiefsof tiieir tiibe, "'I'lie lioiiian Cnrlins leaped into tiui
(!nlf to save liis conntrvnien. and Leonidas died in oltedi<'nee to
tlie lawsof (iri'cee ; lait in neither of lliese instances was displayed
yicater heroism liiaii that exhiltited by these nnsoplustieated
children of nature."' They were ever after held in liij^h esteem
anion.i;' the bra\('sof Ihcii-owii tribe, and the lame of the white
negotiator was coi'i('spondin_!^ly extended. A coniicil \vas iminedi-
at<'ly con\ cned for the benelit of the Meadow Indians; an alliance
Avas formed with thcii' chiefs, and neither pail\ CNcr afterward had
occasion to rciiret the reconciliation thus elfected.
Althoii.uh it was Claik'.s };ciu'ral aim not to ask favoi's of the
Indians, yet some of their chiefs '.vere so intelligent and ])owcrful
lie (XM-asionaily invite(l them to visit him and ex|)lan the nature of
tlitM'ontcst bet ween tile ICii,i;lisli and the colonists. ,\ noted instance
of lliis kind was his iiitercoiir.^e with lUack l)ird. a very disiiii-
Hiiisiied chief whose lands bordered on Lake .Michigan, and who
had obtained such a reputntion amonjn' his jieoplethat a deijarture
ironi the usual policy was deemed ad\isal)le. lUack I'.ird was in
St. Louis when the country was tirst iii\ade(l, but liavin;;' little
conlideiu'e in Spanish protection, lie wrote a letter to ("lark ajtolo-
<;i/iii,ii- for liis absence, and returned t(» his trilie. A siHM-ial nies-
sen.^cr was sent reijustin;.; him to come to Kaskaskia, and coniidy-
ini; witii the invitation, he called upon ( 'olouel ( 'lark with only S
attendants. (Ireat preparations were immediately made foi- hold-
ing;- a council, but the sagacious chief, disliking- tlie usual forniali-
tiesof Indian neuotiation. iiiforme<l Clark that he came on business
of importance, and desired that no time iniyiit be wasted in useless
eeremoiues. ile stated that he wished t(»conveise with him, and
j)rotfered without ostentation to sit with him at the sametalde, A
room was accordiii;L;iy furnished and i>otli, provided with interi)rct-
ers, took their seats at the same stand and coininenced tlie confer-
ence. r>lack IJird said he had lony- wished to have an interview
with a chief of our nation ; he had soui;ht information from piis-
oiu'rs but could not conlidc in tiieir statements, for they seemed
afraid to speak the truth, lie admitted that he had fou;nlit ajiainst
us, altliouj;h doiilits of itsjiistice occasionally crossed his mind;
some mystery hun,i'' over the matter which he desired to have
removed; he was anxious to hear both sides of the ipiestion, but
liithertt) li(^ had only been able to hear but one. Clark undertook
to imjiart the desired inlbrmat ion, but ow in;;- to the ilifliculty of
renderinji' himself intellijicut, several hours were sjieiit in answeiing
liis (piestions. At the conclusion, lUaek l>ird, ainonji'other thinjis,
fsaid that he was ;^Iad that their old friends, the I-'iench, liaduniie<l
their arms with ours, and that the Indians ouylit to do the same.
Jle atlirnied that his sentiments were llxed in onr favor ; that he
would never a.u'ain listen to the otters of tlie I'hiiilish, who must
certainly be afraid because they liire with iiiercliandise the Ind-
ians toclo tlieii' liyhtinji'. He closed by say in, n' that lie would call
in his youiiy men, and thus put an end to the war, a.s soon as he
AMKKICAN OOCUPA'I'ION.
191
could yet iiii opiiordniity of cxpliiiiiiiifi- to tliciii the iijitiiic of tlie
<'oiit)'st. Tills (U'tcni'liiMlloii of tlicclilff wiisvcry iimcciihlc to
('liiilv. who liif<inih'(i liliii lliiit lie would write to tlic j^oNciimiciit of
Viijiiiiiii ;iiid liiixc tlu'iii i'('jiist«'i('d Jiiiioiiu' tlic friends of tiif white
])('o|>l('. A few <la,vs iiftcrwiird. tliisiiilclii^ciit IikIImii, sii]>|)lied
Willi presents and iiccoinpaiiicd. at his re(|iiest, l»\ an aiicnl of
Ciaik, set olV for his iiatixc forests. His eoiidiict afterward ext'iii-
jililied the honesty ol' his jirofessions, for he thei'eafter reinaiiied
the faithful friend of the Anierieans.
Clark in his intt'reoiirse with the Indians, nevei' blamed them
i'or a('ee|)tin.i;' the presents of the I'ai.ulish. as the iieeessities ot'
their eondition and the inability of tiie Anu'iieans to supply their
wants, reiidei'ed it unaMiidable. ( "oninierce lud to some extent
already iiitrodin-ed aiiioiii;- tiieiii superior apjilianees of civilization.
The rille and its aininnnition had loiii;' since superceded the bow
!ind arrow, and blankets, cookini;' utensils, cutlery, and oth 'r ir •
pleiiieiits niamifactiired in an athance state of arts, \\»re .!s
necessaiy to the sa\a,iie as the civilized man. W'liih , however,
lie foreboic to leproach them foi' receivinj;' jiresents from tho
English, he eudeav(»red to iinju'ess uiion theii' minds the de^iiada-
lion of lii:litiii^ for hire. The ''Lon.n' I\iii\'es," he said, ''rejiarded
the scalps taken while ti^htiiij:' in self-defence as the .yreatesl of
tro|)hies. but those obtained in mercenary warfare, are thrown to
the doj^s or used as toys for the amnsemeiil of tiieir children."'
Anothei' chief by the name of Kaiics, about this time, sent a
letter to ("laik. lie was also known by the api»ellation of I'A'^
(iate. a title which he received from liavini;' shot a Uritish soldier,
standing;' at the fort when I'ontiac. with whom he was then associ-
ated, iiesieyed Detroit. Se\cral maraiidiiiL; parties a.:^aiiisl our
iVontier settlements, had been successfully commanded by this
warrior, who hivpjx'ned to fall in with a party of I'iankeshaws
S'oin.n' to Kaskaskia to make the Americans a \isit. (1 a udily decked
in the full costume of war. and with the bloody belt, which tiie
British had uiNcii him, suspended aliout his neck, he daily came to
the council and occiiiiied oneoftlie most pi'omiiient seats. Asa
silent spectator he thus attended till all the pultlic Itiisiness was
transacted, the American oflicer then accosted him with anapoloiiy
lor not luniuu' ]»aid his respects durinji' the deliberations of the
assenilily. Altiioiijih w<'are eiieaiies, said he, it is customary with
the white jx'ople to treat celebrated warriors with resjiect, in jiro-
]>ortlon to the exploits which they Uum' performed a.i;aiiist
each otlier in war. lieinj;' ii distiniiuished warrioi', Clark invited
him to dinner. Surprised at this civility he at lirst endea\dred to
decline the imitation. The American otlicer, howcNcr, when he
attempted to offer an ex(!use, ro])eated with j;reater warmth his
solicitations, till the feelin.ys of tlie chief wer(> wrouiiht up to the.
lii.iiiiest pitch of excitement. K'oiised in this manner he advanced
to the center of the room, threw down the war belt, toi'e off tho
clothes and tlaj-', which had been t;iven him by his friends, tlie-
En.ii'Iish. J)esi)()iled of these i»i'eseiits, he struck himself violently
on the breast, an<l said that he had been a warrior from his youth,
ami delij^hted in battles; that he had foujiht three times a.iiainst the
Ani(>ricans and was i>reparin^ another war party, when he heard
of Colonel Clark's arrival ; that he had determined to visit tho
Auiericaiis, who he now thought were right, and that he washeuee-
102
HISTOllY OF ILLINOIS
foitli ii ''Loll};' Knit*'" and would war no loiiiicr i'or the l'iii;;Ii,sli. flo
tlicii ('oiiclitdcd l)y sliakiiin' liaiids willi Clark and his oriiccrs and
saliilin;; tliciii as hrollicrs. The comical part of liic alVair waslliat
the new brotlicr was now naked, and since he ninsl he clollicd, a
iinc laced snit was jn'ovided and lie appeared at the enleitainnient
ana.Ncd in all the trapjiiniis of niilitarv costume. Al'ter ihe i'e|iast
^\■as over, in a i)i'i\ ate intei\ lew, he disclosed to Clark the situation
of hetroit, and otl'ercd to ol»tain a scal[)or prisoner tVom its jiarri
soil. Clark not wisliin<;' to encoura;.i(' the hai'baritiesoC the Indians,
declined the i'oiiiiei', hut assured the warrior (»t" Ids willingness to
accept the latter, pro\ ided he treated the captixc kindlv when he
got iiim ill his ))ower. This i»olicy of ai)pealinj; to the hetti-r I'eel-
iu'fis (»f iiuir.auity was little appicciated l»y the saxa.ces, and in
.soiiu' instances caused them to unite with tlu'less scrupulous
I'UeiiiN who siiH'ered them to plundt-r and murder without stint.
l>r<»\ided Hi'itish a;^j;randi/emeut was the I'esult. When the chief
de[»arte(l Claik j;ave him a captain's commissiiui and a meilal as
i'\ ideiice of the new relations and I'esponsihilities which he had
assumed.
While the American connnander was thus neuotiatiuji' with the
Indians, Hamilton, the IJritish .iiovernoi'of 1 )etroil heard of Clark's
in\ asion, and was incensed that the country w liich he had in charyo
(jliould be. wrested fromhiml>ya few raj^'^cd militia from Virj;iiiia.
}\v theret'oi'e hurriedly collecte<l a force consistiufiof ."»() rejiidais,."')(>
J'"i'eiich Canadians and K><> Indians, and niarchiuji' l)y way of the
AVahash appeared before the f(»rt at Viucenues on the loth of
December, 177S. The inhabitants made no elVort to defend tho
tdwii, aiKJ when Hamilton's forces arrived ('apt. Helm and a man
by the name of Henry were the (Uily Ameiicaus in the fort. Tho
latter (•har;;iii<>' a cannon, placed it in the open jiateway, and tlio
t'a]»tiii'i standing; by it with a lighted nmtch cried out as llannlton
came in hailiu,u' distance, "halt." The Ibitish officer, uot knowing
the strength of the garrison stoj>ped and deiiKiiid' d the sui'rendev
of the fort. Ib'lm exclaimed "no man shall enter here till I know
the terms." Hamilton responded, "you shall have the honors of
Avar." The entire gai'rison. consisting of oiiecdVu-er and one ])rivate,
then ca])itnlat<'d, and rv'ceiviiig the custoniai'y courtesies for their
l)ra\<' defense, marched out with the Iioikus of war. ('apt. Helm
"was retained a ])i'isoner. the l-'rench inhabitants were disarmed,
and a large ])ortion of Hamilton's troojis were detached against the
.settk'ments on the Ohio and Mississippi.
These movements transjjired at Vincennes, W'ceks before the
intelligence reached Kaskaskia. thus verifying the serious appre-
hensions which Clark, in the meantime, had entertained for the
safety of the place. In consequence of these forebodings, he en-
gaged Colonel Vigo to go and reconnoitre the situation of tho
post. No choice could liave been nuire foitiinate. jVlthough Vigo
"was an Italian by birth, no one excelled him in devotion to tho
cause of fi'ccdom and sympathy for an opju'cssed ])eople strug-
gling for their rights. Ass i.-iated as a mercliant with the Spanish
govei'iior of St. Louis, he amassed a large fortune, which, "with tho
greatest generosity, he expended during the revolution for tho
benefit of his adopted country. Having for a long time resided in
Indiaim, and died there, the State, in honor of his nn'mory, called
a county after his name, and Congress ultimately refunded a larj^e
AMERICAN OrClH'ATION.
193
pnrf r/t tho money wliicli lie Imd cxpt'iKlcti, Alter eoiileiTiiij'' with
('liirk. lie stiirfeii on liis mission, luid wiien williin ll\c miles of liis
destination, li" Wiis (Mptnred h.v Mie IndiiUis and taken Itet'oie
Governor Ilnniilton. He was re<;arded as an American spy, but
Ix'inu' a Spanish snltjeet. and vei'y popniar willi tlie inlialtitants of
the town, the Uritisii oriieer did not dare to proceed against him
uccordinjj' to his suspicions. 'I'liecitizens tliicalened to stoj* hig
sni)|)lies if u'' was not sutVered to dejKirt. lianiiiton relin-tantly
]>ioposcd to let him yo if, duiin;^' tin' war, he would not do any
act injurious t(» I>ritisli interests. Colonel Vi.u'o peremptorily
refused to become a jiarty to such a c(unpact. Aj^icein^, liowcvfi",
not to (h> anything' jtrejudicial in Ids homeward Journey, he was
jM'i'mitte<l to return in a boat, down the \Val>ash and uji t'le Mis-
sissijipi, to St. Louis. He remained neutral Just lon-4' enonj^h to
ccunply witli liis stipulations, for, on his arrival home, lie imme-
diately chanu'cd his clothes, and set oil" for Kaskaskia to commu-
nicate the infoi'iiiati(»ii which he had obtained to < 'oloiiel Clark.
After del ailiiiii' the cajiitnlation of Vineeiiiies and the disposition
of the British force, he made known Hamilton's intentions of le-
f'oiKjiieriiijL;- Illinois, and his meditated attack upon Ivaskaskia, on
tlu' I'e-assembliii;;- of his forces in the sprin.i;', a^i the surest way of
i.'tlectin<i' this (tbject. When this place was reduced, with lii.s
fon-es augmented by the addition of 7(M( warriors from Slaekinaw,
the Cherokees and Chickasaws, and other tribes, In- proposed to
penetrate as far as Fort IMtt, and subjugate in his niarcli all the
interveniiiy- settlements. Ho elated was the IJritisli eoiiiniandei'
with his liojies of coiKjiiest. lie intended, in a shoit time, to bo
master of all the ten-itoiy of Vir};iiiia between the AlleL;lianies
and the Mississi]>pi.
Clark, in view of the ei'itieal condition of the country, and tin*,
extreme peril of Lis own situation, wrote to (lovermtr Henry, of
Vii'u'inia, acquainting' him of Hamilton's desi;^iis, and askin;^' him
lor troojts. Parties of hostile Indians, sent out by the Jtritisli
j>:over!ior, be^an to appeal', and as assistance could iiotlie obtained
from the State in time, with the iiromiitness whi\'h the emerycney
demanded, he irsolved to help liimsell'. Anticipatinj;' his rival, he
conimeiK'ed pre])arati<)ns with his ow u limited nu'ans to carry the
war into the enemy's conntry, for, as he says, " I knew if I did
not lake liim, he would tak«' me." Colonel Vi,i:() had informed
him that, t)winj>' to the dispersion trf the I'ritish Ibrci's, the
pirrison at Viiicennos was reduced to S(l men, three i)ieces of
eannon and some swivels, and that if the town was attacked be-
fore the troi>j)s were recalled, it mij^ht, without diniciilty, bo
re(,'ai)tured. Without a momeiit's delay, a yalley was lifted u]),
nioiintinjji: two 4-pounders and 4 swivels, and placed in charjio
of ( 'a])t. John Kojicrs, and a comjiany of 4(i men, with orders after
reaching;' tln^ Wabash to force their Avay up the stream to the
mouth of White Hiver, and remain there for further instructions,
('laik next ordered Captain Mowman to ovacMiate the fm't atCalio-
kia for the ]Mirposo of oriianizin;;' an expedition to proceed across
by land, and oo-ojiei-ate with tli(^ force under Captain J\N),ii(rs.
oompanies, conimanch'd l)y Captains McCarty and Charleville,
which, witli the Anierieans, amounted to 170 men. On the 7th of
I'ebruarv, 1779, ju.st 8 days after the reception of the news from
13
194
IIISTOra' Ol' ILLINOIS.
i. '
Viiu'ciincs, this forloiii liopc. coiiiiiKMiccd its iniM'cii in it iioilliciist-
prly (lircctioii, oNcr llic iiiiiiiiKiiitcd tints <»!' the coiiiitry, in m wet,
bill iurliiiiiilcly, not cold scasoii. T«» rt'licvc tiif Iniidsliips ol' liio
jniiiiicy. wiiicli was |m'I'Ii;i]»s (lie iiuist drcarv one ]ici roniicd diiiiiiiL;-
the rcvolntiiMi, liiintin.u', jiiinn' feasts, and Indian war dances were
institntcd lor tlit- aiimscincnt <»f tlic im-n. Altci' incrcdiliie liard-
slii[(s, (»n llic I.'ltli tiu'V fcaciwd ;!m' forks of tlic Lilllc Waltasii,
tlic low l)(»ttoin lands of wliicli were covcrrd with walcr. At tiiis
J>art of the stream the opposite haiiks Avere ."> miles apart
and the water so deep when ("lark arrixcd as in many plac's
to l)e waded with the yrealest dillieiilty. Mere, dreiieiied in
the rains wiiieh tell aiiiiosl daily, they nnina^j^ed to eonstniet a,
canoe, and ferry over their baji,i;a,iie to the opposite shore. Ililh-
erlo they had hoiiie their labors with threat fortitude, but now
many became disconra,i;cd by the coiilimied obstacles which i>eset
the way. While wadinj;' ihe'Wabash, and in some instances to
the shonldeisin mnd and water, an incident occnrred which, by
its merriment, ji'reatly I'elievcd the (lespondiii,u' spirits of the men,
Thei'c was in the service an Irish drnminci', who was of small stat-
nre, but jK)ssessed rare talent in siiininj;- comic son.us. On comin;;
to a depression beyond his depth, he i>iit his drnin into tlu; water,
ant! iiioiinliii;.; on the head, re(pu'sted on<' o^' the tallest men to
pilot him across the stream, while lie enlivened the cumininy by
liis wit and mnsic.
On the morniii,n' of the 18(h, 11 (hiys after h'a\'in^v Kaskaskia,
they heard the signal j;iins of the fort, and dininu' the evening;' of
the same day, arrived at the (Jreat Wabash,!* miles below Viii-
cennes. The j^alley had not arrixcd with the snpi)lies, and the
men beinji' e.xhansted, destitnte ami ahnost in a -tar\in^' con-
tion, it rcipiired all of Clark's address toket'p thcMii om yivin;^' nj)
in despair. The I'iver was out of its banks, all liie low lands
were sultmer.u'ed, ami before means of ti'ansportation could be i)ro-
eured they nii^ht be discovered by the llritish and the entire i)arty
captured. On the L'dtli, a boat from \'incennes was hailed ami
bj'oii<;ht to land, from the crew of which was received the cheer-
ing intclli.u'ciice of the friendly dis])osition ol' the l''rench inliabit-
iints, and that no suspicion of Clark's movements was entertained
by the JUitish pirrison. The last (hiy of the niaicli, the nu)st
formidable diilictdties were encountered. Says Colonel Clark, in
his journal:
" The nearest land to us, in tlie direction of Vlucennea, was a spot
called tlie 'Siiinar Camp,' on the opixtsite side of aslou^^li. I sounded the
water, and lindin^' it di'e)) as my iieclv, returned with tlie desijiu ol' hav-
ing- the men transportt'd on l)oard the canoes to the eanij), though 1 knew
it would spend llu- whole day and the ensuinj;' uif^lit, as tlie vessels would
pass slow iy ti)rouj;li the bushes. The loss of so luuch time to men
hail-starved, was a matter of serious eonserpieuce, and I would now
liave given a great deal for a day's provisions or one of our horses.
Wiien I returned, all ran to hear the rejiort. I unfortunately sjioke in u
serious manner to one of tlie oltieers; tlie whole were alarmed without
knowing what I said. I viewed tlieir confusion for a ' iiiiite, and whis-
pered lor tliose near me to do as I did. I immediately put some water
in n)y hand, poured powder on it, blacdveued my face, gave tiie war-
wlKx'pand marched into the water. Tlie party innnediately followed,
one a'.ler another, witliout utteringa word of eomi)laint. lordered tliose ■
•near mo to sing a favorite song, which soon passed through the line and
uil vveut choeriully. I now intended to Imve tliejn transported across
AMI'.KIf'AN OCCri'ATION.
i!>:.
L
tlio (U'l'iK st piirt of tlio water, Itiit when ahout waist-docp, one of the
men inrormod nic tliat lie tlioiijrlit lie liad (li-;c()vcr('(l a iiatli. \Vc tol-
lowcd it, and tiiidiiiu: Hiat it kt'pt on iiittlM-r ^M-oiind, witiiout rurllicrdif-
fKiiity arrived at tli'. ('ainp, wliere tlieie was dry jri'ound on wiiieii to
piteli oiir lod^ics. Tlie l''renelnn<'n that wo liad talvcn on tlie river,
appeared to l>e uneasy at onr situation, andhe^f^'cd tii.at they ndfilit 1)0
permitted, duriui;' llie ni.uiit, to visit tiie town in 2 canoes and hriutr,
from tln'ir own houses, provisions. 'I'hey said tiiat some of our n\en
could <j:o witii tiiem as a surety for llu'ir conduct, and that it wouUl lie
impossilde to leave that pla<'e till the waters, whi(di were too deep
for murehinii:, sid)sided. Some of the ollicers lielieved that this mijiht
be doiu', hut I woidd not sutler it. \ could never well account for my
ohstiuacy on this occasion, or u;ive satisfactory ri'asons (o myself or any-
hody else why I deniccl a proposition apparently so ejisy to execute, and
<)!' so much advautiif;'e ; hut something seiMued to tell me it should not he
<lone.
'"On th<> f(dlo\viuy; morning, the linest we had exjierienccd, I har-
anj^ued the men. What I said I am not now ahle to ret»all; iiut it nusy
he easily imae-ined hy a person who posses-^es the regard which I, at that
time, entertained for them, I <'onchided hy iul'orminfr them, that pass-
im;' the sheet of water, which was then in full view and rcachinji' the
opposite woimIs, woulil put an end to their hardships ; that in a few hours
they would have a si,i;ht of their loni:-wislu'd for ohject, and imnu'di-
ately stepped into the water without waitiuu' for a ri'ply. Hel'ore a third
<)f the men had entered, I halted and called to Nhijor Itowman, and
ordered liim to fall into the ri'ar with I'o nwn and j)ut to death any man
who refused to march with us, as we did not wish to have any such
amony us. The whole f;:ave a cry of appi'ohation, and on we went.
This was the most tryiufi of all the ditth-ulties we e.\|)ei'ienced. I jicu-
erally kept l") of the stron<;est men next myself, and jud<;ed from my
own feelings, what must he that of the others, (iettinj; ni-ar the nnddle
of the inundated plain, I found myself sensilily failin;;, and as tlu'ii' were
no trees foi- the uuMi to support themselves, 1 teared that many of the
weak would lie drowned. I ordered the canoe to ply hack ami forth, and
Avith all (iili<;-ence to ](ick u]) the men ; and to encoura.uc the party, sent
some of liie St ron,<;;est forward with orders that, when they h;idadvanci'd
a certain distance, to pass the word ha(d< that the water w.as f^eltini?
sjiallow. and when near the woods, to cry out land. This strataifem
had the desired ellect. 'I'he men, encoiir.a'ied hy it, exerted themselves
almost heyond their ahilities; the weak holding' on tlie st;(>n<i;er. On
ri'achinfj: the woods where the men ex]ieeted land, the watei' was up to
their shoulder.-^; hut gaiiuntj the timher was tin- j^jreatest conseipience,
for tlie weakly huiif^ to trees and tloate(l on the drift till they w<'re
taken oM'liy the canoes. 'I'he stroufj; and tall i^ot ashore and huiit tires;
but many of tlu' fet'hle, uualjle to support tlu'uiselvi's on reachinj^ land,
woidd fall with their bodies half in the water. The latter were so
benumiied with cold, we soon fomid that lircs wouhl not restoi-e them,
and the stroiifi; were comi)elkd to exercise tlu'm with jireat severity to
revive their circulation.
" l'"oi'tunafeiy, a canoe in char<re of soirie s((uaws was t;'oin<r to town,
which our men ca])tured, and wliich contaiui'd half a (juarter of huHiilo
lueat, some corn, tallow and kettles. Ihoth was made of this valuable
prize and served out to the most weakly with ,i!;reat care. iSlost of the
nu'W yol a small portitin, but many of them j;ave part of theirs to the
more famished. Jocosely .sayinji somethin,i>' clieerinjr to theii- comrades.
Tills little refreshment ga"v<' reiK>wed life to llu' company. Wt- next
crossed a deep but narrow lak- , in the <'anocs, and marehiii}:; some ilis-
tance, came to a copse of tinibi" called Warrior's Island. We were now
(Usiaiit only two miles from town, which, without a .single tree to ob-
struct tlie view, could he seen from the position we occupied.
"The lower portions of the land between us and the b)wn were cov-
ered with water, which served at this season as u resort for ducks and
otliei' water fowl. We had observed si'veral men out on liorseliack shoot-
ing them, half a mile distant, and sent out as many of our active young
Frenchmen to decoy and take one of tiiem j)risoiier, in such a manner
as uot to alarm the others. Beiug successful, in addition to the informu-
ion
IIISTOWV 0|- ILLINOIS.
■ ;!i!
M.
lilii
tlon wliicli liiul l)i>oiK)l)taiiHHl from thosc> tfikon on the river, tlie captive
rcpurtt'd tliiil ilic British li;iii tliaf cvfiiiu'r coniplt'trd tin- wall of tlin
fori, and tlial tlierc were a u<'od many Indians in town. Our siliiatioii
was trnly crilical. \o |)ossiliilily of iTircat in rase of dflV-at, and in full
vii'W of tla' town, wlucli, ai tliis time, liad tiiMi men in it— tri>ops,
inlialiitants and Indians. Tin' rrcw of tlic naili'y, tlionj^h not -Mi men,
would now liavf hcen a rc-inforccmcnt ol' immensi' nia^niliidc to our
little army, luit we could not think of waitiiiLf for them. Hiidi had for-
p;otten his sutreriny, and was r»'ady for the fray, saying what he had
HU tiered was nothinj^ hut what a man should hear for the jfood of lii!4
country. The idea of hein^ made a prisoner was foreij^n to every man,
as each I'Xpecled nothin;? Iiul torture if tlii-y fell into the hands of the
Indians. Our fate was to he determined in a few hours, and iu)thin^hut
th" most dariiii^ conduct would insure success. I knew that a numher
of tlu' inhahitants wished us well ; tluit many weie lukewarm to the in-
terests of either party. I also learned that tlu- (irand Door had lait u
few days helbre openly declared, in council with the British, that he
was a l)rothi'r and friend of tlu' Lon;; Knives. 'I'hese were favorable
circumstances, and as there was little prohahility of our remaining- until
daik undiscovered, I detei'miiu'd to commence operations immediately,
and wrote the following; placai'd to the people of ilu' town. ' To tin; in-
hal)itants of Vinceunes : (u-ntlenu'n, l>einK now within two miles of
your vlllajie with my army, determined to take your fort tiiis niKlit, and
not heinjj; \\iliinn' to sui'prise you, I take this opportunity to recpu'st
.such of you as are trui' citizens, and williu;^ to enjoy the liberty which I
brintr .vou, to lemain still in your housi's, and thosi.', if any there be, who
are friends of tlie kin^, let them instantly repair to the fort and join the
hair-laiyer general ', and light like men. And if any of the latter do
not go to the fort, and shall be discovereil afterward, they may depend
Upon severe punishment. On the contrary, those who are true friemirt
to liberty, may dcpi-nd upon being well treated, and 1 once more reijuest
tlu'm to keep out of the streets, for every one 1 tiiid in arin.s on my arri-
val shall be treated as an enemy.' "
This fontible k'ttcf, which shows ('lavk''s iiisi^iit into Iniuiaii
iiatmv Ity iiisiiirinj:' coiilideiicc hi tlu' riieiully, and lillin^tiieadveisc
l)aity witli dismay, was half the hatth' tliat lullowed. On the
receipt of the h-ttef, the peoi>U' (d' the town supposed liie invadevs
liad com*' IVoin Kentucky as no one iinajiined it possible that aii
expedition could come IVom Illinois, in eonsecpience of the iVeshe.ts
whicli prevailed at that season of I he year. ToiU-epeen tins iini»u's-
sion, letters pnrportinj; t^) eoine i'roni well kiH)wn j;eidlenien in
Kentucky, were written and sent to the inhabitants, and so well
establisiie(l was the cotivielion, that the piesence of Clark could
not be credited till his person was pointed »uit by one who kiu'W
liiin. The soldiers, as on juevions occasions, were directed to
greatly exa.u'iii'rate the stren;j,tli of the Ainoricaii forces.
About sunset on the I'od, they sallied tbrth to attack the ibrt-
When in full \ lew of it, they were divided itito platoons, each dis.
l)layiiij;' a iliU'ei'ent tiaj;', and by niarchinji' an<l c«)nnterinarcliin<;'
ainon^ soiiu' iimnmls between them ami tins town, their apparent
luimbers ^ I'ca I ly exceeded their real slreii^ith. Xearinj;' the villaj^e
and encainiiin<4 (»n the adjacent heights, some coiniimtioii was per-
ceptible in the streets, but no hostile demonstration occurred at
the fort, and it was afterward aseertaine<l that even the friends of
the Ibitish were afraid to give m)tii'e (d' Clark's preseiu-e. The
iitimtst impiitience i)revailing in the Ainericati encampinent, to
know tlie caiis(! of the silence, Lieut. Ijailey, with 14 ineti was
sent to nuike an attack niMtii the gairison. I'he lire of the party
Tljus named from liuving hired tlie Iiidlaasto murder the American prisoners, by
paying' so luucli \nir soiilp.
AMERICAN OCCUPATION.
197
'.\as attiiltiittMl to soiii*' (liiiiikcii liiiliiiiis, who liad saliitc<l tlii' I'urt
ill that inaiiiicr on picvioiis ocrasions, and it was not till al'tt'i* oiic.
of tiic iicsrijm'd was siiot lliioiiyli a port iioic liial tiir irai <'ha racier
oi'tiu' assailants was ascertained, and the en<;a.uenient c(»ninien<-ed
in earnest. Ilenrv and Captain ilelni weic still retained as
l»risoners in tin' loit, 'I'hron^ih the wile of the former, wiio lived
in N'incennes, and was pei'niilled to \ isit her iinshand dailv, ('lark
olttained niinnle information respecting' the uarrison. Ivcarnin;;' in
tins way wliere ('apt. Helm iod;ied — knowing;' his fondness for
a)))ile lodd\, and heliex ini;' hewonhl lia\csonieon the hearth as
iisnal, in- snifeied oin* of liis men to lire on his tpiarlcrs, with <i
view, iis In- said, to knock the moi-tar into tin* captain's I'avoriK)
beverau'e. At llie linn' he was i)!a.\ in;^cards with llamillon, and
when tin- hnlletscomnn-nced rattlin;^' altont tlu'chimnev, liejnmped
up and swore (hat it was Clark, that he wonid l:d%e all of them
prisoners, and that the d — d rascal had inined his toildy. While,
llMiscon\ersinii. Helm ol»se)-\ed sonu' (»f the soldieis lookin;; out of
tin- port holesand cautioned them not to do so a;;nin as the Amer-
icanb would C4')lainl\ sho(»t out their eyes. Jt so happened that,
one of tin' men afterwai-d atteni|»tinj;' to look out was shot in the
eye, winch Ca|)t. Helm ohserx iny cxclainu'd, "there. 1 told son set."
'J'hesc inc'dents, chaiacteristic of the men and the times, donhtless
liad iheii-elfeci njton the ^'arri.son.
'J'lie ammunition of the Americans, who had expected supplier
I'lom (he i;alley. hcin;:' now nearly <'\hausted. some of the iniial»i-
tants fiiiuished tliem with powder and hall, which had itecn iiuiied
to keep it from falling' into the hands of the Hritish. Had the
Americans also ne4'ded assistance, the (irand l>ooi'. with wlnnn ii
tiealN had ))rc\iously been concluded, ap]i<':!i-ed with 100 warriors
and offere<l his sejvices to Clark, who, tliou,i;h declining' his aid in
the held, re«piest<'d his j»res<'iice ami intiuenci' in coinn-il.
'J'he Americans had ad\anced behind a hank to within ■>0 yards
of tint fort, whose ^uns in conseipiem-*' of tln-ir elevation, were
UM'less, iind no soonij" was a jioit hole dark<'ned than a dozen
I'ith's discharircd their contents into the appei'ture, and the Miitisli
soldiers could no longer he kej»t at their posts. Clark ])ei'ceivinj^
theii' difficult i<'s. in tli«' couise ot the morniji.1;- demanded the siu--
rendei' of the fort, which Hamilton refused, statinii that he would
not beaw<'d into anythiiii,' unbeiionunj; a IWitish otliccr. The nu'U
vcre uru'ent to take the fort by storm, but Clai'k l<nowin<;' that ho
<'ould <i«'t i>ossession of it withoid the e.\i)en<lituie of life I'esult-
in<j: from an a.ssault, wisely o|»|>osed their desires. In the evening
of the san)e day Hamilton, apiu'chensiv c that he woidd be com-
pelh'd to sui'rendc)' at disciction. sent a thii;' to the bcsei^crs
ilesirin.1;' a truce of three <lays. 'I'hisClark refuse<l, although durini;
the armistice the j^alley nd^dit ari-ive with its nu'ii and munitions,
which would ;^reatly facilitat<' his opei'ations for the I'cduction of
the fort. He ])roposed in letuin the un<'onditional sui"r«MHlerof th»^.
ganison, and informed the IJritish c(nnnKinder if he w ished to ha\e
an interview for that jturpose, he ini^iht iin-et him at the church. In
compliance with this otfer, < iov. Hannlton, in company with Ca|)t.
Helm ami .Maj(n' Hay. wa.iledon Col. Clark at the appointe<l place.
At the <'«>nfei'ence which ensued, the American comnnnuh'r reject-
inu' all the oxoitiu'es of his antaji'onist. resolutely adhered to his
liist i)ropositi(»n. and when (apt. Helm alti'm[>ted to moderate his
198
IIISI'ol.'V dl' ILLINOIS.
(tfiiiaiHls. hf int'oniicd liiiii llial a |)i'isuiii-r had iiu li^lil Id iiitt-i fnc.
Ilaiiiillnii ili('i'('ii|Hiii i'('|ili*'ii. tliat lit- \\a.> tVr*' IVuiii tliat iiioiiit'iit,
l)iit <'lark iiiiiiioxcil, wiiiilil iiol a<'(-f|it liis rclcasr ii|m)Ii llifst> tcriiis,
telling liiiii lie iiiiisi I't'tiiiii atitl altiiic Ins t'al*-. and tlir Kiitisii
ollicci's tiial llic lii'iii;; unidd iccoiiiiiiciicc in I't iiiiliiltcs. 'I'lii' ;;('ii-
tlfincii wciv JilxMil l<) retire lo llieif res|)eelive <|iiarlers, wlieii
JIaiiiillDii called ('lailv aside, and |iiiliiel\ asl^ed liis |-easiins lor
rejei-tin.u llie lilieral teiins uliieh liad lieen ol't'ered. '{'lie laller
bterniv replied, "I am aware llie |irinei|ial Indian partisinis irtmi
Jleli'dil are in the lurl, and I oids \\a\\\ an ImiinraWIe u|i)Hirl nnily
of |>nllin^ sneli instiL^alurs nt' Indian Itarliaril i<-s lo dealli. 'I'ln^
cries of widows ainl oi|»lnins made l>.v tin'ir iudeln'ries, iciiniro
sneli liloodat niv hands. I consider this elaini npon me lor pnnisli-
nient next to divine, and I would rather l(»se .'id na'n tiian not
'(>.\eeute a \('n;i;('ance demanded l>v so miwh ininxent Idooil. 11'
(i«»v. Ilamiltini is w illin^' tt> risk his j^arrison lor sneh ndscieants,
lie is at perfect liluMtv todoso." .Major Hay, whit heard this slale-
ineiil in(piired, "rray. sir, w ho do \oii mean l>v "Indian parsisans,'"^
(Mar! prompllv replied. "I ciuisider Major lla.\ oneof ihe [>rincipal
ones." The latter, as if .unilt.v of the <'har;;c, immediiUely tnined
deadly |)ale, tr«MnliIed and conld hardl.\ stand, (ios. Ilandlloii
hliished tor this e\hil>il ion of cowardice in presence <t\' the .^merr
can oflieer, and ('apt. Helm conld hardi\ reiraiu IVoni e\pres.sin<;,°
contempt. Clark's led in, us now relented, and secnMly lesoh in.^ t«»
deal mori' lenientlx with the British oflicers, hefore sep'.iralin,:; ho
told tl.em hewi.nld reconsider the matter ami let them know th«
ri'snlt. .\fter retirin;.;. a comicil ot' wai- was held and ndlder terms
heinjL:' suhndtted to (iov. Hamilton, he accepted thent, and on tho
L'llh of l'"elirimry. I77M, the uariison snrrendi'red.*
The follow in.n (la\ Clark took po^ses^io|l of the fori, hoi.Ntcd the
Anu'rican lla^i', ami lire»l I."> unns to eelehrale the reco\ery (»f this
important slronj:hold. SeNcnty prisoners were captured, and ;i
eonsideralile qnani ity of military stores hecann' the properl\ of
the \ictors. Most of lln' prisoners were perndlled lo retniii lo
Detroit on jiarol of honor, hnl I iamilton and a few others wtMo
sent lo N'ir^inia, where the council niihred them into conlin"Uient
as a pnnishment for their idti'a harltariisni, in ufferin- rewards
lor the scalps of those who were eai>tiii'ed l>y Ihe Indians, (ien.
Phillips proteslinji against this rij;id ireafnienl, .lefferson referred
the matter to Washington, who considerin^i it a violation of the
ajireemenl made at the snirender ol the lort. tliey wcj-e released.
Diirin;; the sie^^c of the foil, a i>aity of Indian warriors, hriiij;in<;
with them two white ])(Tsons, w Inim they had captured in a raicl
on the frontier of Kentucky, ariised and camped in lln- vicinity
of the villaji'e. l,nnoiant of Clark's presence, he sent against them
a forces which scton routed th(>m. with a loss of nine wairiors. The
I'cmaiiider preci|titately tied, well pleased toeseape with theirllves
from an enemy whose piowcss on pre\ ions occasions tlu-y had
learned t(t f"ai'. A few days afterward, Capl. Helm and (iO
men weic detached lo proceed up the W'ahash and intercept val-
uable military stoi'es then on the way from l)etr(»it to Vincennes.
The expiulilion was successfid, secininj;' the conxoyin^' party and
l>ro]»erty to the ann)nnt of 8'»<>,(HI(>. On the return of tin; dctac^b-
ment laden with their s})oils, the ^alh'y hove in si«>Iit, and was
'Uutler'a Kentucky.
AMKUrCAN oocrpATiox.
109
Itrcpiiriiiy- for ill! attark on tin- litth^ rivrr H«M't, wlicii tin' «'ii.sij;ii
ol' rn'r<loiii was discovcrcil waviiiiH' omt the fori. The crew,
altlioii!;li rejoicing;' in tlir li'inni|)li of llitir litrtliri-n ulio liad prr-
ccdt'tl tlu'tii 1».\ land, ir;;icltcd ('\cc('din;:l,\ tin' ciicnnistanci'S
wliicli iiad d('ni«-d iIh'Mi tlic piivilt-;^*' of |>arti(!ipatin<;' in the i'*mIim--
tion of tlic foi't.
After takinji' N'inccnncs nndrr ohslaclcs \vlii<'li. liv any oliifr
coMiniandcr <'\crpl Clark, would lia\f hctMi defined insnrnioiiiit-
aliie, this hrilliant aein<'\ enientw as <inlv considered llie sicppin;;'
Htone toothe>rand rielier eoinpiests, Delroil was niidonlitedly
willdn llie I'caeli of the enterprisin;^' \'ir;.iinian. " l''ortnne lias
tliiis l\\ ice plaeed I Ills point in my power," lie writes |o ( lov . I leniy.
''Had I heeii aide to raise r»(»(l nieii when I lirsl arrived in tini
conn try, or ■"•00 when at V'ineeiines, I should have alteiii|ited its
Hiilijiii^ation." Inlelli^eiiee was hroiii^ht to him thai i he tia i'is(ni
at that lime eoiilaiiied hiit SI) men, many of wlnmi were iiiNalids,
and thai llie inhaititanls ol' llie tow n were so partial to the Amer-
icans as to lejoicc excel dinjily when they heard of iiamiltoii'.s
ra|>liire. In \ iew of lliest> facts, ( 'lark delermiiied to make an
allack upon the |»l;ice, when reeeisiiiji' dis|ialclies from the.utiv-
crnor of N'ii^^inia pronnsin^ a battalion (d' men, he deemed it most
])riident to jKtstpone ojieratioiis till the iciiifoicemeiits should
snii\ ('.
licavinj;' Capt. Helm in connnand at Vineennes, Claik embarked
on boar<l the lialley and lelnriied to Kaskaskia, where he foiiiid
liimself more enibai'rassed by the depreciated currency which had
been adxaiieed to him by the iiovernmeiit of \'ir<^iiiia. llmii pre-
viously by the iJrilish and Indians. While adjusting these dilH-
enllii's, (In; war with Knj^Iaiid and the colonies terminated in Ihe.
independence of the l;itt<'r. and willi il Ibllowed a suspension of
Hie hostilities wliicli had so ionudcN aslated the western iVonlier.
Clark's .services beiiiji no loiitici' needed, at the instance of (!en,
Harrison lie was relieved of his commainl, reccixiiiL; llie most
lieart.N eiicominnis of Virj^inia's noblest statesmen for the \ aliialde
services lie had r<'ndered Hie country.
The advanta;;es resulting' from the capture of tin' military sta-
tions of Illinois c;i 11 not be over estimated. Hamilloii, as iiit iinated,
Inul made arrangements to enlist all the southern and western
Indians for his contemplated campaign the eiisiiiu;:^' sprint:, and
had he; not been intercepled. the eiitiic eonidry between the Aile-
j;liani<'s and tlie ]\Iississippi nii,i;lit liaxe lieen oxerriiii. and thus
]ia\eclian^e<l tlie w lade <Mrr<'nt of American histoiy. defl'eison
said, in il letter to CMark, •• Min-li solicitude will be felt for the
result ofy<air expedition to Hie ^Vab;lsIl ; if siiceessfnl it will have
an imjiortant bearin.t; in delermiiiiiii; our iiorth-westci ii bniiiidary."
Accoi(linj;ly, as predicted by this jireat statesman, in the prelim-
inary iiej^otiations lur jieace and boundary »d' 17SL' between tlie
eohaiies and the three .yreat ri\al jioweis of i'lin'ope, the coii(|Uest
of Clark had a controlliiii;' influence in their deliberations. Spain
claimed theeiitire re,i;i(m between tlie< )liioaiid 3Iississippi rivers. on
the pietense, tliat in tlie winter of 17S1. sixty-five Sjiauiards and
an eipial number of Indians captiir<'d St. .Joseph, a small Mn^lish
fort near the soni'ce of the Jllinois, and titok jiossessioii of the adja-
cent country iu the name of tln'ir sovcreijiii. J)r. Franklin, one of
the negotiators, referring to the claim of this power, said it was
200 HIHTOUY OF ILLINOIS.
tlu' ih'si;-!! (il 111*' Spiiiiisli court l(» rcMlrici the I nih-d Stiih-s to
tilt' AII<-;^liiiiii«-H. iiiitl lif li(i|i)-<l lliiit ('(iii;^r<'ss would insist on tlio
Mississippi iis IIm' wcnIciii lioiiiniiir.x . It Wiis, liowcvcr, I'uiiihI
iiiipossiItU- to <'onin'<l the Spiinisii possj-ssions on llic l-mv«'i' .Mis-
sissippi with til*' (lispntrd tciritorv, lor Chirk inid hiiilt I'oit
tlfll't'i'soii, hi'low tli*>nionlli <d' tin- Ohio, iiiid \ ir;:iniii innl iicliial
possession Ixtwccn llic t w o ii\frs. l-'ran*-c, at the lic;it,\ of I'aiis,
in I7*)>'(, had lianslrncd ail this \ast rf;:ion to Mn^land, and ronhl
inaU(^ IM> claim. She, intwcvcr, (d»jcclcd to tiic lijiht of the i\Mier-
ieans, hopin;^ Itv this stroke of policy in fa \ or of her jealous ri\ a Is,
to ;;aiii some other poiid in the controversy where she was umu'O
directly interestj'd.
Nor had i:n;;lan(< the p)'esnin])tion to c<intend. that it tlid not
beioM;: to the colonies, which had eslaitlished Ihemsehes as tho
I'nited Stales. 'I'he patent of \ii;.;inia covered most of the dis-
]Mited territory ; the army of (lark had sidMlncd and permanently
occnpied it. Snlisetpient ly il had heen organized as a connt\ of
the Stale, and conse<|nent ly the l-ai^lish en\o\ conid not claim il,
wilhaiy more ]n'opricl,\ than other partsof the commonwealth
after the battle of Vorktown. lie was too accurate a jurist to
allow Id'' elaiai of vSpain, or to listen to the oltjectitais of l-'iance ;
bnt what wtadd Inncheen his deei>ion lookiii;; to Urilish aj^^j^ran-
disement, hati it not iieeii for the ci\il and ndlitary ride previously
eslaitlished by the .\meiicans;'
In eslimaliiijn I he <lel)t of ;^ratitiid<' we owe to Clark and his
sturdy N'irjiinia v«'teraiis, let iis consider whether the jiieat country
of liOiiisiaiia, sniiseipieiitly purchased b\ .lell'eisoii fiiaii the l'"irst
Coiisnl, ciMild have lieeii obtained Imt Ibr the service wliicli they
I'ciidered. Nay, but Ibr their valor, the maj;iiiliceiit national
domain now sti'itchin;^ away to the I'acitic, and iirtanisiii};' to
absorb the whole continent, ini^ht have been broken at the inoiin-
tain's siimmit or tiie rixcr's shore; and the Kepiiblie, now exertin;;-
coiitrollin^i inlliieiice anionj; the ;.''.eal natioiialilics of the world,
would conse(piently have remained an inecmsiderable power.
After his cainpai;;ns in Illinois, Clark enjiaj^cd in a number of
expeditions against the Indians; ibii^ht under l>aron Stenb"n in
the ICast against the traitor Arnold, ami tinally enlisted as a bri}f-
adier-jicneral in the armies of Fiance to operate ajiainst the
Spanish possessions on the lower .Mississippi, llelbre anything
Avas effected, (lenet. the Kreiicii minister ai'd leadei' of tin- eiiter-
])rise, was recalled, Clark's commission was annulled, and he
retired to private life. Dnriiifi' the latter years of his life ho
became an invali«l, siiflerinji intensely from rhenniatic atlections
caused by exi»osure in his previous campaifiiis. \\ ith advanciiifj;
a{>e the disease assumed the tbrni of paralysis, and terminateil
fatally, his death and burial oceurriiif; in ISIS, at Locust (^Jiove,
near Louisville.
The rippling' waters of the beautiful Ohio still niurmiira re»|iiiem
over the {.jrave which contains his dust, and his tireless eiicrjjy
Still lives in the «'nteri)rise of the millions who dwell in the land
lie loved and defended. Jn other respects the innovations of lime
have ruthlessly I'tlected a clianye.
Only the relies of the race which contended witli him for the
cmjiire of tlie wilderness, can be Ibiind in the cabinet of the
antiquaiyj forests, solitary and unproductive, have passed away,
M
AMKIMi'AN OCrrPATION.
L'Ol
iiiitl ii new crciitioii of tViiitt'iil fit-Ms iiiitl ciilliviifcd liiiiilHni|ics luis
tiikcii tiK'ii' place ; tiic uiitniiiifd ciici'^tics iiiiil stiitiotuiry coiiilition
<»r sa\ii;'«' lilt' liiivc hccii Mi|K'ifc(|((l It.v a fix ili/atinii wliosc uiiwnid
iiiarrli is liraid in tli<> IiiiiikiII ol' lisiii;: citirs, tii*- <liii of i':iilroii(l
trains, or tlic panting' straniltoiii hisliin;; into loiim tlicwatcry high-
ways wliich hear it on tin- »■! rands ot' coninM'rcr.
I
ciiAi'TKu xviir.
177S-17S7— 1M>1N()IS INDHK VIlJdlXIA.
The French Take the Oath of Alltyiaiicr — Jliiiiols County — American
Iiintti(/r<nit.s — La J>aliiie\s Expedition — The ('cNsion of the Conn-
tri/, and Drhii/s Inc'ilntf Thereto — .Vo Ueijnlnr Conrts of Law
— Cariom Land fSpeeidation.
A COUNTY OF VmOTNIA.
203
i
fcst ;i lii^^li rcji'iird t()\var(l llis ( ■iitliolic ^riijcsty, mikI tcndfr tlio
IViciHlsliip mikI s('r\ ices of liis jm'O])!)^ to llic Spaiiisli coiiiiiiiiiKlaiit
ill St. liOiiis. A larjic «liscrcti()ii was niNcii liiiii in liis adininistra-
tioii (>r cix il atlaiis, ard inontidy rcpoits wci-c asked,
III tlic spiiiiu' (»r 1770, Colonel Todd visited Kaskaskia. and
Iteuaii at once to oruaiii/<' a teinpoiary ,!^d\('riiiiieiit lor tlie uolo-
iiies. On the lotii of .Iiiiie, lie issued the rollowin;;' proelainatioii :
'• Illinois [r,(///,/.v] la-iril ;
" Whereas, from tlie fertihty nnd hiMutifnl situntion of the huids l>()r-
(leiiiin- ujx)!! tlie Mississippi, Ohio, I lliiiois and W'aliasii rivers, the talviiifjj
lip of the usual (piaiitity of land heretofore allowed for a stttlenieiit liy
the "i'overniiieiit of \'irfiliiia, would injure i)otli the stren;;th and eoiii-
nier<H' of tliis country: I do, iierefoi'i', issue this proclamation, sti-ictly
eiijoinini; all persons, whatsoever, from iiiakiiifj; any new settlements
upon the tlat lands of said rivers, or within one league of said lands,
unless in manner and form of settlements heretofore made hy l-'reneii
inhaliitants, until further orders herein ^■iv<'n. And. in orili>r that all
the claims to 1 ids, in said county, may he fully known, and some
methoil provide .1 for pcrpctuatintif, hy n-eord, the .just claims, every
iiihaliitaut is re(|ulred,as soon as conveniently may he, to lay before the
jterson, in each district appointed for that purpost', a memorandum of
ills or her land, with cdpii's of all theii' vouchers ; ami wliere vouchers
liave lieeii nivcn.^or aiH' lost, such de|iositi(Mis or certilicatt's as will tend
to support their claims: — 'I'lie memorandum to mention the (piantity
of land, to whom oriji;inall.v ^rranted, and whi'ii, di'ducitif; the title
thioiiiih various oceuiiaiits to the present possessor. The nunilier of
adventurers wiio will .-horlly nveri'un this country, renders the ahove
method necessary, as w< II as to ascertain the vacant lands, as to ^''uard
against tresspasses which will prohaltly he committed on lands not on
reciiiil. (iiveii under my hand and seal, at J\^askaskia, theloth of June,
iu the ord year of the coiiinionwealth, 177!).
"JohnToihj, Ju. "
IMaiiy of ilie I'^reiich iiiliabitaids at Kaskaskia. ("aliokia and
\'ini-i'iiiies, readily took the oath (d' aUe.uianee to N'iruiiiia. Not
only these, but iininy of the <dii(d" men of the Indian tiilie.s
e.\press<'d sentiments of friendship for the liiited States jiovern-
iiieiit.
iVt the jx'iiod of wliicdi we write, with tlio cxeeiitioii of the
French aloiii;' the ,"\Iississip]»i. and a few families s<'attefed alon<>;
the Illinois and W'aliasli ri\ "is, all within the present honmlai'ies
«'f Illinois was tlit^ abode of the nomadie. sava.u'e. Diii'iii^' the
y<'ars I770-S(>, the westward eiiii^^ratioii fi'oiii the Atlantic States,
look a \ cry eoiisidenible start. Aiiioiin' the eireiiiiistanees wliieli
}.;iive it impetus, were the brilliant aeliie\ cmeiits of < ol. ( 'lark at
Kaskaskia and N'ineeiines, which were the occasion of pnblisliing
abroad the h'ltile plains id" Illinois; the triiiiniili td' the IJritisli anus
in the south, and a threatened adxaiico upon \'ir.i;inia ; and tlio
liberal iiianner cd' the lattei' State, in iii\it iiiy' fiunilies to take pos-
.sessioii of the ]»ublie lands claimed by her in the western eoiintry.
Three hundred family boats arrived at the l-'alls of Ohio in the
s|triiiu' of 17S(>. mostly destined for Keiitindiy.* Anioii^i' the ini-
Jiii.urants to Illinois, we inde the names <d" .lames .Mooi'e.Shadraeli
Bond, .lames (iarrison, Robert Kidd and Larkeii liiitlierford. tliu
two latter liaviiiy been with Clark. They weic from Viruiiiia and
jAlarylaiid. \N'itli their families, they, without molestation in those
jteriloiis times, crossed the Alle;^liaiiies, descended the Ohio,
stemmed the Mississippi, and landed safely at Kaskaskia. .lames
♦liutler's Kuiitucky.
204
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
j\I<torr. tlic IcadtT, iiiid n portion of liis l»iiit.\, htcatcd on tlic liills
near IJcllcroiilaiiic, wliilc I>oim1 and llic icsl sctllcd in tlic Ameri-
can liottoin (iVoni wiiicli circumstance that name is derived), near
Harrisons ille, afterwards known as iIm- hlockiionse IVtrf. .lames
ri,i:,ii<>l, .loiiii Doyle. IJoherl Wiiiteliead and a Mr. Ilowcn, soldiers
in Clark's expedition, also shortly alter settled in Illinois. Doylo
had a family and tanuiit sclio(»l. lie was. peiliaps, the lirst teacher
1o make that )>iofessioii his bnsiiiess in Illinois. He also spoke
I'rencli and Indian, ami in the hitter Janjiiiajic was Irecpiently em-
Li..!. ..i .10 iiif ..I'l.i'.ili.i- \'..f iiiifil 1 T v. 11.10 tl.io IWtli. K.ii'..l .A'
])loyed as interpreter. Not nntil ITS.") was this litth' hand of
American |»ioneers r<'inforccd. Th
American |»ioneers r<'inlorcc(l. J lien came .losepli Oule. .loscpii
AVarley and .James ^Vndrews, all from \'iijiiiiia and each with m
lar^-e family. In the following year the American settlements
Avere a^^aiii aiigiiienled l)y the arrival of -lames Lemeii, (ieorj;o
Atclierson, and I)a\id W'addell with their i'ainilies, besides several
others.*
While the country was iiiidev the Virginia regime (hui without
the sanction of her anthorities), La ISaliiie. a nati\c of l''rance. in
the fall of 17S(> dn ring the re\ oliitioiiary war, made another attempt
to lead an ex]»edition from Kaskaskia against the IJritisli. It <;()U-
sislcd of ,')() men, and was ostensibly formed to i-aptiire the i)ost
of Detroit. At ^'inceniies it. was reinforced by a lew men. Thy
j>arty moved up the Wabash, and at the head of the Maiimee
ntlack(>d and destroyed a iWitish trading post calletl Kekionga, on
the site of the i>resent l''ort Wayne. After securing the Itooty,
the party retired to the banks of the small river Aboite, where.
they encamped. Her*' a ])arty of Indians attacked tlu'iii in the
I.;,. 1.1 n... I.....I..I. .....1 .. !'..„ ..)' i.io r..ii.,M-,.i.,.. it-,..... i.;ii..,i ti... ...
ju«-| 01 I lie iiiiiiiiii 1)1 iiiiii uiMiiei III ixi'i
^..... >..,,. ,.., .M.MMlicst Indian battle e\cr fought in Kentucky.
Cols. Todd, 'I'rig, Harlan, and a son of Daniel ISooiic, all fell. It
was a sad day ; the Kentnckians lost (iT men, more than a third of
their force, mostly killed. Col. Todd had Just retnrned I'roiu
Virginia on business pertaining to the Illinois county. His gov-
erniiient in Jllinois was po))iilar.
The successor of Col. Todd was a Frenchman, named Timothy
dcMontbriin. of whose administration, how long it lasted, or who
was his successor, little or nothing is known. Montbrmrs name
appears to land grants and other docnmeiits among the archives
lit Kaskaskia.
TIh' CcsNion of Illiuois. — As we have seen, all of the Xortli-
Avestern territory, by private compiest. passed under the dominion
of \'irgiiiia at a time w hen all the States were engaged in a commoii
Avar, defending against the power of the mother country to reduce
tlieiii to subjection ; and whatever was the right of a State to
organize, an individual war enteri>rise, and turn its success to
*S('i- .Animlsof the WcfJt.
+Kfyiiolil's Pioneer History.
A COUNTY OV VIIJOINIA. 205
])ii\alt' advaiitaov, l).v oxti'iidiiifi' licr jiirisdicfion over a vast and
IVi'tiK' r('<;ioii lor licr srparah' bcnclit and a;;,iiran(li/('iiu'nt, tlu^
coiiyn'ss of tlic States, |>r(iliid)Iy lor tlic sake of liarniony, ac(|iii-
t-sccd ill tlic \aliditv ol'tiiis. Jiiit \'ii'.uiiiia and a niinilierof ollnr
States asserted still anotlier claim to these western lands, and
dniinj;' tlie revolutionary war tliese eoiitiietiii.u' claims became <|iiile
a liiiKlrance to tli(^ i)idm])t adoption of tlie articles of confetlera-
tioii. Many of tlie original colonies Iiad tlieir lioiindaries exactly
deliiied in tlieir royal cliarters. but N'iryinia. Coiiiiccticiit, Massa-
clmsetts, and tlie Carolinas, (;l}iiiiied to extend westward to the
farther ocean, or to the .Mississi]>i>i ; since, under the treaty of
Paris, 17(!.>„ that ri\cr had iM'come tlie established western
boundary of (ireat Ibitain. New V«»rl<, too. under (.'itaiii alleycd
concessions to her Jurisdiction made by tlie Iro(|iiois,or six nations,
the comiiierers of many A],uoii(|iiin tribes inciiidin.u' the Illinois,
claimed almost the wiiole of the western country from iieyond thci
]akes on the north to the Ciimberland mountains on the south,
and west to tlie j^reat river.
Ijarj^c ideas as to the pecuniary value of the wosterii lauds
obtained at the time, from which \ ast re\ ciiues were anticipated.
Tlu' prosjiective well tilled coffers of the States, as well as tlui
broad expansion of their dominions, <'\cited the envy of tlieir land-
less sisters. The latter held, therefore, that as these lamls, as well
as their own independence, had to lie wrested from the 1 bit itiU
crown by Joint etlbrt, they on^iit to become joint property. Still,
the claimant States in ciniiiress had succeeded in ,^('ttiii,u' a clause
inserted into the ]>roposed articles of confederation, that no State
should be deprixcd of an.\ t<'rritory for the Joint beiietit of all.
]>ut Maryland, a non-claimant State, refused her assent to the aiti-
cles with that provision. The adoption of the articles, which would
make of the colonies a union, was very much desired. N*'W Wn-k
now, \vli<)s(^ claim was the most baseless, o]UMU'd the way by allow-
iiiji' lierdelej.iates in conjii'ess. at discretion, to cede to tlu' union all
her interest west of a line drawn throu,i;h the western extremity of
Lake Ontario, ('oiiji'ress ui'ji'ed this example ii]ion the other
claimant states, <iuaraiiteeiii<i- that tlie ceded lands should be dis-
])osed of for the common Itenelit of all ; ami as the territories becamo
]»o|iuIaled they should be divided into States and admitted into
the Union on an e(pial Ibotin.i;' with the oriiiiual States.
Connecticut next proposed a cession of her indelinite diUMvestern
oxteiision, letainiiiji', howcNcr, a tract of some ;!,()(l(»,(t(l(> acres iit
Northwestern Ohio, known since as the Western licserve. 'J'liis
she also reliinpiished in the year ISOO. The Yiifjiiiia a.s.sembly,
liojiiiiin' to reanimate the lla,i;j;in<i' cji-ise of the South by a more
thoroiijih union, just jirior to its ad.iournmeiit, December .'51, ' 7S0,
on the approach of Arnold, who -icked ami burned Ivichii'oiid
within a few days after, ceded to the riiited States all her clai'u
to the territory north-west of the ii\'er Ohio, re(piirinji' from co.i-
{•ress, however, a jiuarantee of her rijulit to the remainder south
of the Ohio and east of the Mississipjii. The New York delegates
soon after e.\ercis«'(l the discretion confided to them by their State,
and executed a deed of cession, reserviiiju' the riiiht of retraction
unless the same ;;uaraiitees were extended to New York as to any
other cediufi' States, On the same day the dele;;ates of ^Marylaml,
being thereunto emi>owered by act of the State, signed the articles
200
HISTORY OF IIJ-TNOIS.
«)i' (-(iiil('<lci'iiti<)ii. wiiicli coiiiplctcd tlic liitilitiitioii, and a nation
uay lanni'lM'fl.
This was early in tlic sjiiMji' ol" I7S1; \'irj;inia, liowcvci'. did not
cxcciHc lirr deed ol' ccssioM till .Marcli I, IT."^!. in llic nn-antiiiic
]M-a('i' had hi-cii )nadc with (iicat llrilain, hv which nearly all this
coiiiiirv i)asse(l to the ounership of the Nation, in eoninion, and
N'iruinia modi lied iiei- act of cession hv omit tin, :;■ lier denianti to llu^
tei ritory soiilh-easl of liie ( >hi(). The deed of cession was executed
l»y her deiej^ales ill Coiijiress, Thomas .lefVei'son, Samuel Hardy,
Ailiiiir Lee and .lames .Monroe. It sti|iiilaled that t he teiiitory
.shoiihl lie cut into States not less than 1(10 nor more than ITiOmiles
s(|nare: to lie repnhlican in form, and to lie admitted into the
union with ••the same ri;;'its of soNcreiuiity. freedom and inde-
peiideiice as (lie other Slat.'s ;" that indemnity for the e.\]>e uses of
Jieicxiieditions incurred i i siihdiiin.L; the liritish posts in the west
be allowed her; that land, not exeeedin;^' l.">(».()0(t acres, promised
hy her. siioiihl l»e allowed to (leoryi' Koyers Clark, liis oflicei's and
soldiers; that t he proceeds of t he sales of the lands ceded shall
he considered a common fund for all the States, ju'esent and future;
and thai ••the I'rencli andCanadian inhabitants, and other settlers
of the KaskasUi;^s, i'ost \'inceiines. ;iiid the neii;liboriii,L;' villaji'cs,
who have professed theiiisehes citizens of \'iri:iiiia. shall have
their possessions and litles contlrmed to them, and be [irotcted in
the enjoyment of their rights and liberties."
Iiiimedialely al'lcr the execution of the deed of cession by ^'ir-
jiiiiia, ( 'on^ress proposed by ordinance. (.Vinil L'.!. 1 7S4.) t(t eslnblisli
a form of "iovernment for the entire western I'cjiioii, from the (in II' to
tlie !,akes, thoii^h it was not yet wholly ac(|nire<l. The plan proposed
to <li\ide the whole into 17 States; a tier of S was to border on the
^Mississippi, w hosi' eastern boundary was to be a north and south
line tliroii<ili the {'alls of the Ohio, and each to contain two par-
allels of latitude, except the northernmost, which was to exleiid
from the •l.'ith iiarallel to the northern limits of the rnitecl Stales;
to the east of these a correspon<linji' tier of S more was to be laid
off, whose eastern boundary was to be a north and south line ruii-
iiin.i;- tlirou.uh the mouth of the Creat Kanawha: the reiiiaininjj:
tract, to the east of this and north of the Ohio. \\as to constilnte
tlie 17th State. In these territories, the settlers, either on their
]>etition or by act of Coninress, wei'e to iceeive authority to create}
a temporary form of jLioxcinment ; but when L'O.OdO free inhabi-
tants had settled within any of them, they wci'c authori/.ed to call
a coincntion. Ibrm a constitntion. and establish foi' themselves a
permanent .government, subject to the follow iiiy- I'cipiireiiients : to
remain forexcra part of the eonfedeiacy of the '.iiitcd States; to
be subject to the articles of confederation and the acts and ordi-
iianees of ("oi,;iress like the oli.uiinil States; not to interfere with
the <iisposal of the soil by ("onj^ress; to be liable to their jtroportioii
of the federal debt, ])reseiit and ]»rospective; not to tax the lands
of the Tnited States; their respective ,<i<»\('rnments to be repub-
lican; not to tax lands bclon^^in.u' to non residents higher than
those of residents; and wlu'n any one ,i;dt of free inhaliilants as
many as the least iinnieroiis of the oriuinal Thirteen States, to bo
admitted into the I'nion on an e(pial footing;' w it h them. Theeoni-
uiittee, of Mhich IMr. .Jefferson was chairman, reported also this
A COUNTY OF VIRGINIA.
207
roiii;iik:il»l<' i)rovisi()n, tlic iidoplidii of wliicli, jiimI iiiiiiltfraltle
adIiciciKM' to, would doiiltllcss Inivc iircvciitcd tlic liitc I'c-
Itcllioii: ••TliMt iil'tcr (lit'.v car LSOO, of tin- (Miristiaii era, tlicrc,
sliall be iicitlicr slavery nor iiivoliiiilary scrv ifiidc in aiiv ol' the
said States, ollieiwise tliaii in imiiislinient of ciinies, wliereof llie
]>ai'tv sliall have been daly convicted." lint this]»i'oviso faiU'd on
account of not vcceiviiij;- a inajoiity of tlic States. The four Nf-w
lCn;iland States, with New York and IN-nnsyhania, voted Ibi it;
New .hrsey, Delaware and (leor^ia, were iinicpresented ; North
Carolina was divided; Maiylancl, South Carolina and ^'ir;;inia,
(Mr. .lelferson beiuy oveiltorne by his collea^iues.) \oted against
it. The autisla\ery clause was stricken out and the resolutions
became an ordinance.
While such was the law for these territories, it never received
a])i)licatioii to any of them ; no or^ani/at i(Ui was ever elfeeted
under it. Noi' had Massachusetts in the nieaidime relin(|uished
herdiiim in the territories. In 17S.">. Hufus Kinj;' reiu'wed tlie anti-
slaveiy ])io\iso in con^iress, as a condition u])on which she would
nudie a cession of iici' claim. TiuM|uestion was referred to a coin-
inittee of ei;^ht States, where it slept the sleep that knows no
Making;-. Massai-husetts, however.in acccudance with the V'irjiinia
scheme of dixidin;^' the western territoi-y into small Slates, ceded
hei-claim. April !'.>, ITS."); nud with the consent of Con^res)^ to
acccjit the cession of Connecticut, w ith the res<'rvation of ;).(I()(),(MI()
aeres. Sei)tend)er l.'ltli, ITSd, the title of the confederated States to
the laials north west of the ri\('r Ohio Itecaine complete. In the,
ineantinu', by act of con,uress, surveys and explorations were
goinji' on in the territories which j;larinj;ly e\]»ose(l the total disic-
j^ard of natural boundaries, iiiid the in<'onvenience ]'csidtin,u' from
cuttin,i;'up the western count ly into fourteen small States. N'ir.uiuia
and .Massachusetts were uow called upon to modify the conditi(»ns
of theii' deeds, so as to allow that ]»(irtiou of the territory north-
west of the Ohio to Ix' divided up into three or tive States, at the
o))tion of Con.yi'css, which was accordiui;ly (haie. and the follow in,i;'
year CN>njiress j>asscd the ordinance of 17.S7.
This was a slow transition peiiod, which was doubly eX])erienced
in tlie settlements of Illinois which were the faitlier(st icmoved
from the seat of power, be it Virj;inia or the I'nitcd States.
During all this time, and Ibi' three years after the adoption of
the ordiiKince of 17S7. and until the organization of the county
of St. Clair, by (io\eriior St. Clair, in 17'.M>, there was a very
imitei'fect administration of the law, which consisted of a mixtni'e
of the civil or the French, the I"]nj4lish, as resnltiu;^' from the pro-
innljintions of the arbitrai'y acts of (he Ui'itish c(Munuindants at
Fori Chartres. and such as had been instituted by the X'ir^iiua
authorities. There were no rcjiiilar courts of law in existence in
the conntry,an(l no civil {iovernment worth meidioniui;'. The peo-
])h> were a law unto themselves; theii' morals were simple and
j)nre, ami the grosser vices wei'c kej)t dormant. Crimes aj;ainst
the peace of society were rai'c, niisdefneainu's infrequent, and
fraud and dishonest dealinjis sehlom practiced. ])nrin;<- part of
this tinu', too, the Indians were hostile, conimiltiui;- many brutal
murders, which en<;a,u(Ml the settlers in constant warfare and
mutual protection ajj;ainst the savages ; a .state of afl'airs not con-
I
208
IIISTOUY OF ILLINOIS.
<liici\t' to tlic civil ii(liiiiiiisti;ili(>ii (»!" tlic biw wlicrc even tiic most
pcitccr «M»(1»' cxisls. The foliowiiij^ ciii'loiis iiiiid spcciilatioii, <tii llio
l>iiit (»f a territorial court ilistitut('(l by Colonel Todd, as it relates
ill jiart to Illinois, may not be amiss to traiiseiii»e, as it illustrates
also the lallibility of men in olliee, and the necessity of tlie peo-
ple to ever hold a watchful <'ye over their ollicial servants.
In .liiiie, 177!(, Colonel Todd established a court of civil and
criminal Juiisdiction at Post Vinceiines, comiiosed of several maj^-
istrates. Colonel . I, .M. P. Le^iias, liavinj; been appointed coiii-
niaiidant of the post, acted as president of the «'oiirt, and exercised
a controlliiifi intlueiice over its i»i'oceedin<;s. Adoptiiij;' in soiiu;
measure the usa.ucs and eiistems of the early l''rencli command-
aiits, the court bc^ian t(» ^raiit or concede tracts ol' land to tlio
French and American inhabitants, and todillereiit civil and mili-
tary ollicersof the country. Indeed, the court assumed the power
of .uiantiiiii lands to every applicant, mostly in tracts vary in j^- from
thesi/e of a house lot to UK» acres, though some were several
lea>:iies s(piare. I'>efore 17s;?, about L'(;,(M)0 acres of land were thus
jiianted to dilfi-i'eiit individuals; and from 17T.'5 to 17S7, when in
the latter year the practice was stopjx'd by (leiieral llarmar, the
jiiants amounted to l'll,(l(M> acres, makinji' a total, first and last,
of 4S,(M»0 acres. The commandant and uia^iistrates, after haviii<>'
exercised this power for s<iiiie time, were easily led to believe that
they had the ri^lit to disjiose of all that lar;^-e tract of land which,
in 1742, bad been granted by the I'iankesliiiw Indians, for the use
of the French inhabitants at Post Vinceniies. Once c<Mivinced of
their supreme dominion over this entire tract, the court was not
lony in arrivinj;' at the conclusion that they mij;ht make <irants to
themselves with as iiincli projiriety as to others ; and if tliey could
do this with small tracts, they mi;nlit with tlu' whole; hopiiii;-,
doiilttless,tliat, as the country passed under the jidvernment of tho
I'nited States, the grants would receive coiitirmatioii. Accord-
iniiiy, all that tract of country extendin;^- on the Wabash 72 miles
from Pointe Ija Coupee to the mouth of NVhite river, w<'stM ard into
Illinois 12b miles and east from the Wabash !)0 miles (excludin<]f
lauds already <'onceded), " to which the Indian title Avas Kupi)o.sed
to be extinguished, was divided between the members of tlie
citiiit, and orders to that etfect, entered on their Journal ; each
niember [as a matter of delicacyj abseiitiii;; himself from the
court on the day that the order was made in his favor, so as to jjivo
it the ai)i><'ai'ance of beiu};' the [disinterestedj act of liis fellows
only."*
This sliameful transaction beiiij;' totally illegal, as no a^cnt or
trustee (!an make sale to himself, failinji to prove a source of profit
to the j^rantees in oi»en market, was in a measure abandoned.
Still, as the ^rant was in due form, under the j^reat seal and
autlunity of Virjiiiiia, land speculators, spyin;;- out the matter,
quietly ])urcliased freely of the lauds thus fiianted, wliicli couhl
be readily done for a sony, and then <lis]tersed themseh cs over all
the Cnited States, and for many years after, duped ji'reat numbers
of iiiuorant and cr<'dulons peojile, many of whom did not lind out
the swindle until movinji' out to their lands so purchased, they <li.s-
covered their titles to be a myth. These swindling jiraetices
•Letter of Governor Harrison.
A COUNTY OF TTRaiNTA.
200
iievor wholly coas.Ml n„til Vumnuov irairisoi. i,, isn^ .f v;.
•Annals of tho West.
14
ClIAl'TEl} XIX.
17,s7—lS(t()— ILLINOIS CNDEK Til H (lOVKIfNMKXT OFTIIE
X()i;tii-wksti:i:n TKianToifv.
OnUimnce of 17S7 — Ortianizntion of St. Clair i'oiiitty — Ji(tr of J lli-
iioIn ill 171)0 — IiiijKiniishal CoiKliHon of the Frcuch — Iiiilian
Jlo,s(ililii's.i i78;{ to 17U."» — h'diidiiljtli Vomdtj — Ainrrictoi himii-
(irHtioit — SiclnicsN — Tvrritoridf A.ssciithh/ at Ciiiciiniali — Xotahle
Woiiini of the Olden Tunc — Witchcraft in Iltin<ds.
Tlic cclcbiiitcd <)i'<liiiaii<M» ol" 17S7 wiis jtasscd In (lie coiijiicss
of tlic coiil'dlcnilcd States on the l-ltli of .Iiilv of tiiat ycai'. V>y
it, tlic whole of tlu'coiiiili'v iioiili-wcst of llic ri\ ei' Oliio was coii-
stitiitcd one district, for tlic purposes of teinp(»rai\ <^()\»'iiiiii(id.
It pi'o\ ided for tiie descent of property in equal shares, sulisiiiii-
tiaily as niider our ])ieseiit laws, (a Just pro\isiou, n«)t tlu'ii
jicneraliy reeonnized in tlio States,) "saving', however, to the
French and Canadian iidiabitants ami otlier settlers of Kaskaskia,
St. N'incents, :ind other nei;ild)orin,i;' \illa;;('s, who iuive heret«)fon;
])rol'cssed themselves citizens of \'ir<;inia, their laws and customs
in)W' in force anu)n,ii' them, relativi' to the descent and conv<'yancc
of i)ropei'ty." A .governor was provided lor, whose term of ollice
■was three years, who was to reside in the district and own a freehold
of 1,(100 acres of land; u secretary, whose commission was to run
four years, subject to revocation: he was to reside in the distri<;t
and own ."((to iieres of land. A court was provided for. to ct»nsist
of three Jim1,u('s, two of them to constitute a court ; they were to
exercise common law Jurisdiction, to reside in the district, own
oOO acres of land, their commissions to last durinji' jiood belnnior.
They, Jointly with the ^'oNcinor, were to a(loi)t such laws of tlie
original Slates as were suitable to the conditions of the country,
to remain in foi'ce until the orjiani/ation o\' the ji'eiieial assembly,
Avhicli mij;ht alter or re-adopt them; conjiress, also, mijiht dis-
approve tiu'ni. The ^■overnor was constituted comniander-inchief
vl' the ndlitia, with power to a|)point all oflicers below the jirado
of;;'eneral officers. Until the organization of the jieneral assend>ly,
the uovernor was to appoiid all the civil officers in each county.
lie was to establish counties from tinu' to time, to whose linuts
lej^al jn-ocess was to run. AVitli r),0(lO free nude inhabitaidsof full
a^-e, the teiritory was entitled to a ueimral assembly, the time and
l)lace of election to be fixed by the p)vernor; each ."iOO were
eiditled to one rei)resentative, till the number reached L'.->, after
Avhich the h'^^islatun^ was to i'e};uhit<' the number and i»roi)ortion.
The qtnditications of a njend)er were, either a residence, in the
210
NORTHWESTERN TERRITORY.
211
ti'iTitory tlirco yi'iirs, or citizciisliip in a State I'oi' tlircc .vcara and
pit'scnt rcsidrncM' in flu^ tcnitoiy, ami a Ice siMi|il(» ri^iit t(» 2(M>
acres (if land witliiii llic sann", <|nalili<-at inn ot'an ricctoi' : t'lccliold
of ."•(> acres and citi/,enslii|» in one oC the States, or ii lil<e IVeelMtld
and t\v(t years residence in tlie ilistiict. I'epresentalives were
elected lor tlie term of two yeai's. The assend>ly was to consist
of llie ^dvcrnor, coniicil and honscol" representatives. Tliecftancil
was to consist of li\t' niendiers, three to constitnte a (|noriini ;
tinn' of service, liv<' years. Conjiress was to select the conncil
I'roni ten men — residents of the territory, each liavini;- a IVeehold
of .")()(» acres — nominate<| by the lionse ol' represenlatix cs. IJills,
to ItoeonK' laws, mnst i)assl)oth houses ity a majority and receive
the siiiiiatnre of tlie uovernor, who possessed an altsolnt<' veto Ity
simply wilhholdin;.;- his apprnxal. The two houses, liy joint hallot,
weic to elect !i delegate to couj^ress, who was allowed to (leliate,
but not t<» vote. An oath of ollice of oliice was t(» be taken by all
the otlicers.
l''or exlcndinu' tlie fundanmntal principles of ci\il and relijiions
lil»erty, and to tix the basis of .government of future States to bo
formed out of said territory, it was fiiithei' provided, in six unal-
terable ailicles of jierpetind conii»aet ix'twcen the ])eoi)le of tho
ori^^inal states and the peo])le of the terriloi'y :
J. No person, in peaceable denu'anor, was to be molested on
ncconnt of his mode of worship oi' religious sentiments.
II. 'i'lie inhal»itants were ji'uaranteed llie bt netits of the writs
of habeas corpus ami trial by jury ; a ju'oportionate representatiou
in the l<',i;islatui'e and judicial proceedinj;s according;' to the course
of the common law. "All persons shall be bailable, unless for
<'a])ital otfenses, where the itroof shall be e\ ideiit or the ])i'esumptioil
j>'r"at. All lines shall be moderate; and no cruel or luiusind i)un-
isnmeids shall be inllicted. Xo nnin shall bedepiived of his libeity
or his ])i'operty, but by the judunient of his peers, yr the law of
the land; an»l should the judtlic e\i;;('iicies nud<e it necessary, for
tin' common ])reservation. to take any ihtsou's property, or to
demand his ])arti<'ular s»'rvices. full comi)ensati(tn shall be nnnlo
foi' the same."' 2s'o law onj^ht ever to be nnide or have force in
said t<'iritory, tliut shall, in any nnumer, iideifere with or affect
juivate contracts or enj;a,nements made ill j;'ood faith and without
fiaud.
in. Ifeli.uion, morality and knowled;^-e liein;;' necessary to i;dod
jl'ovornmeut and the ha[)i>iness of mankind, sclicMtls and the means
of education shall foicver be enconrajicd. (iood faith, justice and
humanity toward the Indians, was to be observed: their lands and
])roperty not to be taken without consent, a id peace and friend-
ship to be cultivated.
J\'. The territory, and States to he foiined therein, were to
remain forever a ])art of the I'nitcd States, subject to her laws;
the inhabitants to pay a just ]»ro])ortion of tlie [tublic debt, c(Ui-
tracted or to be coidracted ; not to tax the lands of the riiited
States, nor those of iion-iesidents hij;her than those of residents;
the lujvijiable waters of the lakes to remain forever fre(^ to all
citizens of the Tnited States.
V. The territoiy Avas not to bo divi<led into less than three States,
and, at its option, con.i;ress mi.!;ht "form one or two (more) States
in that part which lies north of an east and west line drawn
212 HISTORY OP n-LIN0I8.
tlii'oiiuli llic soiitlicrl.v Iti'iid (»r cxtri'iiic of Lake Micliiy:!!!." Willi
(i(»,(»(l(» free inliiiliitiiiits, siicli Stiitcs woiv to be iidiiiilttMl into llio
liiiiiHi on iiii r(|iiiil I'ootiiij: will) tlit- ori^iiiiil St:it*'s.
\'l. " 'I'licit' sliiill be iitillici' sl;i\«'r.v iioi' iiivoliiiihiiy servitude
in the siiitl tt-nitorv. otlii'iwisc tliiiii in tli«> |innislinicnt of ciinics,
•wlM'irol' llic jiiiity sliiill IniAo Ix-cn duly convicted;" this section
]>i'o\ idin;;' idso lur tlic rcciiiniatioM oi" l'M;^ili\cs iVoiii labor.
Siicli wassulislantiail.v tlic In nda mental law of this vast territory,
Avln<*li has cvei- had a eontroliiiij; inllnence upon the destiny o\' tho
States carxed unt of it, and saved sonn- of them fr(tm the perma-
nent bli;;lit of slavery. While the convent i(Hi at I'hiladelphia
Avas occupied \\itli frandiij; the constitntion of tln' I'nited Stales,
('on;;i'ess, sittinu in New Voik, disposed of this snlijcct, which was
IVan^lit with an importance second only t(» the constitntion itself.
The anti-sla\<'ry clause, it will be obser\<'d, was substantially the
same as that reported l»y .lefferson in ITSt, for the orj^ani/ation of
all the western t( viitory, but which was then icjected. 'l"he ordi-
nance was i'e|M)rled from comnnttee by ^Ii-. 1 >ane,of Massachusetts,
and unanimously adopted by the ei;;ht States then only repre-
st-nted in eoiijiress. On October ."», 17S7, Major (ieiu'ral Arthur
St. Clair was, by conjii'css, elected governor of tlu' Noithwesteru
teiritory. St. Clair was born in Scotland and enii;:iraled to
America in 17.V). He served in the French and l>ritisli wai',
mider (lenend Andu'rst.at the takinn' of Louisbinji', in IT.'iS, and
at the storming of (j)uebec, under Wolfe, in 1 7 "»'.». After the jieace
of 17(i.'5, he settled in western I'ennsylvania. In Ihewarof the
licvolution he was first commissioned a colonel, raised a rejiinunt
of 7.")(> men and was afterward i»i'omoted to the rank of major
jicnerak In 17SS he was tried by court-mai'tial for evacuatin^i'
Ticondei'oj^a and .Mt. Independence, but was honcuably acquitted.'
lie remained in tlie .service until the close of the war. In 17S(> ho
■was elected .to conjiiess, an<l was clios<'n ])residcnt of that body.
Owin^i to his htsscsin the war of the revolution, his fiiends pressed
liim for the jioveinoiship of the Noithwestein Territoiy, that ho
niiiiht retricNc his fortune. Ibit he -had neither taste nor ^icnia.s
for speculalion in lands, nor did he think it consistent with tho
ollic.'.'"*
The instructions from coufiress were, in effect, to pi'onM)te ])eaco
and InirnMiny Itetween the Indians and the I'liitcd States, to defeat
all eombiiiiitions or confedeiations between them, an<l conciliato
p)od feelin,u between them and the white settlers; to )e<;nlato
trade with them ; to asceita'u as far as possible the several tribes,
their head men and number of warriors, and by <'very means
attach them to the government of the I'nited States; and to nej;-
h'ct no op]K)rtuuity to extinguish the Indian titles to lands west-
ward as tai' as tin- ]Mississii>pi, and north to the 41st decree of
north latitude.
In the summer of 17SS, the jiovernor ami Judjics (Sanniol Iloldeii
Tarsons, dames ^Mitchell Varnum, and -lolin Cleves Synnues), m(^t
at Marietta, the seat of jj'ovennaent, and adopted and promulgated
a code of laws for the wlude territory. The governor innnediately
established some counties, except in Illinois, appointed the civil
oHicers tVn- them, and thus, .Inly loth, the. nuicliinery of the terri-
torial ^ovennnent nnder the U. S. was put into operation. These
"ills letter tlTW'. U. Giles, of Viigluia.
NORTH WKSTKRN TKKKITOItY.
213
Nt«'p.s l)y tli(',iiHlj;r<'.s iiiid fiovciiioi' wcii'coiiimoiily (Iciiniuiiiiitcd tin',
lirst ui'iKlc dl' Icnitoiiiil .L;(»\ciiiiii»'iit iiinlcr llic ordiiiiiiict'.
As ciiiiliictfrislic ol' llic jifiinil, we iioli' lli;it llic piiliisliiiifiil lor
criiiics. owiiii; tollic wiiiil (•!' iiiisoiis, were jit'in-iiilly of ii siiiii
unify cliiii'iM'Irr: I)c;illi loi' iiiiinlcr, trc'iisoii. ;iim1 iirsnii. (iC los.s
(»!' lift' ciisikhI llicicrioiii) ; w lii|>|»iii;;' witli .'»!» laslics. iiml line, lor
liirrciiy, l)iir;;l;iiy iiiid rolilx-iy ; lor iM-rJiiry, \vlii|>|>iiiju', fine, or
stJiiidiiii,' in IJM' itilloiy; for lorycry, line, (lisfrnncliismicnt nnd
.stiiiiilin;^^ in the |iillory: dninkcniifss. line, I'oi' non |i:iyni<'nl of
uliirli to stiind in tiic stocks ; for non puynirnt of lints ^^i-ntMidly,
tin' slicrilf wns rnipowcrrd to Itind ont tin- convict for ;i term not
<'Xcc<'<lin;;' 7 y<'iirs; ohsiu'iic <'on\cisiition and |»rofanc swearing;
wci'c adiMonislicd against, and tint-atcni'd witli tlic loss of the ixi>\-
ciiMuenrs conlideiice; morality and ]>i('ly were enjo\ned, and tlie
»Salil)atli prononnt-ed sacred.
I'lider date of Oetolier (itli, I "Sit. president \Vasliin;;t(tn wroto
to ( iov ejiior »St. Clair; Von will also proceed, as s< ton as yon can,
svitJi safety, to execntc flie orders of the late con};ri'ss rcspectinj;-
the inliahitants at Post Vinceniu's and at the I'CaskasUias, and the
other \ illa:;es on I he .Mississippi, It is a circnmstance of some im-
poi'lance, that the said inhaMtaids should, as soon as possible,
})ossess the lands which lhe_\ are entitled to, hy some known and
iixcd juinciple. A«'coi'din,u!y in l''el»rnary, (Jov. St. Clair and the
Sccj'etai'y, \\ inthi-op Sarueiit. ari'ived at Kaskaskia. The conntry
uilliin the IxMindarics of onr jnesent Slate «'.\len(lin,i; northward to
the nioMtli of the Little Mackinaw ci'cck on tla^ Illinois was or;;an-
i/ed into a ironnty, which was named after His Ivxccllency, St.
Claii', and may he called the mother of conniies in Illinois. It
vas<li\id('d into thie«' jinlicial distiicts, a conit of <'ommon pleas
<'stablis]ied, .'> jnd.i;-es appointed, namely : .lohn l'M;;ar, of Kas-
kaskia ; John iiaittislc liailwan, of I'rairie dn ii'ocher, and John
J). Moulin, of Cahokia, each to hold tin' courts for and in the dis-
trict of his jesidence. The terms were li.\e<l to be held e\eiy three
inr)nths. hence the name of (piarter sessions, by which th<' courts
uei'e .li-cnerally known. >Villiam St. ('lair, bi'other of the itoxernor,
vas apjtoiuted clerk and rccor«U'i' of deeds, and William Hiiiys,
.slu'iiif. Cahokia became the county scat. While the clerk couhl
issue process foi' the count\. and the slu'i'ilf serve the same, suit
liad to be bi'ouji;lil and «'ntitled of tlu' (listri«'t where the defendant
resided, and the writs to Iwar tost of th('Jud;;cs of the respective
ilistricts, dated at tlie res]iectiv<' villaiics an<l run with the respec-
tive distri<;ls. (Jiand Juries wcic to be (pmileily ((I'.uani/ed in each
district. The liyht of appeal was rendered jtraciically nu.yat(»iy,
and in no case was it icsortcd to. The sessions of the I', t^.
jiul;i<'s for the tcriitory wei<' held in banc at either Cincinnati <»r
CliiIli<'olhe, a distan<-c so yreat from Illinois, by the then facilities
of tra\<'l, as to render aj»jteal impracticable. Of the Jutl^cs, John
de Moulin, a native of Switzerland, ])ossessinfi' a ^iood education
suul fair knowlediie of the ci\ il law, was a lar^'c, line looking nnin,
a ba<'lielo)'. lie was also colonel of the nnlitia, and showed well
on ]»aiade days. He was very poi)uIai'. Jean Ilabtiste Ilarbeau,
was of the oriiLiinal Canadian Fi'ench stock, lonj;' settled in Illinois;
cncr.iictic, fair business talent, aiul extensive expei'ience, John
E<l.uar was an I-aiiilislnnaii, Justices of tlie peace wei'c also aj)-
jKiintctl throughout the county. Their jurisdiction wa«linut«d to
214 UISTOItV OF ILLINOIS
•*'_'(» ill v'ivil cMscs; in criiniii;!!, tlirv pMsscsscd niil,\ cMiiiiiiiiii;;
ptiwcr ; Jiiiits Ix'Torc tlit-iii were iiol coiiiili'iiiiiircd. A|i|tf:il l.i.\ lo
till' coiiiiiioii |il(>iiM coiirts.* Tliiis uiis laiiiii'licil I lit* llrst coiiiity
(•r liliiinis iipdii its ciin'cr itl' nscfiilinss. with nil its pulitical iiia-
t'liiiH'r.v «liil\ <»i;:iiiiii/cil iiiMltr the laws uf liic riiilcii Slalt-s. I)i»wii
to tills |H>i'in*l, ii iiiixtiiiT III' ili(> old I<'i'('ii< li, I'liij^lisli and \'ir;;iniu
laws liad inaiiilaiiinl a sort ol* o1)soli>ti' ('xiNtmcc and o|)t>ratioti.
It iiiav not lie niiiiit<'i'fstin<:' to it'lal*- that tin- Itarol' Illinois, in
I Till', was illnniiiiatt'd 1»\ liiil a siiij;I(' nifinUcr, who was. liowc\cr,
a host hinisi'il'. This was .lohii l)iri> .lours, a \\'<-l('liiiiaii, Itorii
IToO. Il«' was an accomplisln'd liii^iiisl, possessed of a classifal
•'dncation. ami ;i lhoi()n,nli UiKtwlcd^ic ol' the law. lit" was tlif
carlii-st prat-litioiitT of law in Illinois and wtMild have hron <-oii-
spifiioiis at any Itar. His praclicf i-Mcndcd fniin KaskasUia to
\'inrciin»'s and Clarksx illc, (Loiiisv illc, K,\.) Contrary to tlio
haitits of front icr lifr, he wasiicNoi' itllc. Asa >|i<aU( r, his raiiacit\
lor invective iindcr exi'ileincnt was cxtiaoi'dinary. Ivi'inox in;; to
VincfiiiM'.^. he hccaiin' a inrinlMTof the Iciiitoiial l(';;islatnit', and
in isnT rrmicit'd impoitant sci\ ices in rcvisinjithc statute laws for
the tei'i'itory of Indiana. f In I7SII, news found ciineney in llu>
Wi'stcrn eonntiy that eonj;ress, wliose ineetin;;s wer«' in jiieat part
secret, had l»y treaty a;.;reed with Spain to a temporary reiinipiisli
meiif of the ri.ulil to the free na\i;iatioii of the Mississijipi. 'I'ln-
western people, who received these reports ;iieatl\ ma^inilied. were
bitterly iiiceiise<l thereat. At N'incenncs a lto<ly of men were en-
listed without anthorily. known as the Wahasli re!L;iinent, to he
snitsisted Ity impressmeiil oi' otherwise, of w Iioin ( ieor;:e li*o;;-er,s
Clark look eoinmand, and hy his orders the Spanish traders tln-re
anil in the Illinois, were plundered and despoiled of their ^ioods
and mei'chandise in retaliation of similar alle;^ed offences hy the
Spaniards at Natchez. In thes«' oiitra;;('s .John iiice -hmes took ii
leadin;;' jiart. lie beeaine the commissary ^it-neral of the
inarainlers, to the support of whom Illinois iiierchants contrilintcd.
Such t^dods as were iiiisniti'd to the use of I he .uairisoii were sold
by .lones. These acts tended to einliroil iis with Spain. ,lon«s
later removed to iSlissomi, liecame a member of the constitutional
convention, and was a candidate for I'. S. Senator in opposition t«»
]Mr. lleiiton. He held the olliee of Jud;;e of the Siipreine Court of
JMissonri until liis death, in lSi,'4.
The second lawyer of Illinois, prior to ISOd. was Isaac l)ar-
iiielle. To a strt/ii;;' native intellect, classical education and a
tolerable knowledge ot' tin' law, he added an en^^a^in;;' iiiannei',
free benevolent disi»osition, anda rather lar;4e, portly and attractive
l)ersoii. He was an a^irecable speaker, conspicions at tlu' Itar.and
]M»|Milar with the ])eo|)le. He was said to lia\i' bet'ii educated for
the ministry and had occupied the iudi)it. Ibit his ;;reat foite lay
♦Urowii, History of Ilia. p. :.'T3, (with ii confused idea lis to bounUary), to show the
Iticonvpiilont size of St. Cliilr (^oiinty, relates the fiillowinir :
S\iit haviiiM: been hroiiMht before a .liistiee ot Caliokia to reeover the vultic of a cow,
anil .jiiilKnieiit laoiiiH' lieen rendereil for J^lli, the ease was aiiiiealed 'I'he adverse
iiarty ancl witnesses ri'sided at I'rairie du Clik'ii, WiseoiiHln, distance 41K1 miles The
Slierilf, who wiis also an Indian tradei, liavinw received a summons for the |>«rty and
subpienas for the witnesses, (Itted out a boat witlia suitable stock n( jroods for the
Indian trade and proceeded thilher with his papers Ilavinp- served the summons and
gubpteiiaed the witnesses, which incliKled the (jreater ])art of the inhabilantsof I'rairio
du Chten, he naid(! his return eliartrint! niilcajre aial s rvieo for each, as lie had a li^ht
to, his costs and the <M)st of the suit altonether, it is slated, exceeding' $IKK). Whether
the costs were ever paid or not, chroniclers have lulled to transmit.
+See Kuyuold's Pioneer Hist, ol Ills.
NOKTIIWKSTKRN THKKITOUY.
LM.T
ill tlif cKiirt of \'«'iiiis, wIhtc 1h* pnicticcd witln'oiisiiiiimiitc art iiiitl
Nvitli nunc ,slii(li(»iis Mssiiidilv lliiiii his lMM»k.s rcccivcil. lie iicxci'
liiairii'il iiiKl \»'t iippaifiilly was iicvrr without a wile. 'I'liis coiiisc
of lift' lu,)ii;ilit its iiM'vitai»h' coiisciiiit'iiccs. Wiiilc .\oitth aii<l
vijiiir liistrd ail was wt-JI, l»iit w itii a(l\ aiiriiifi a;^t', '"' was coin-
]tclli'<l to ai)aiidoii liis |ii'of*-ssioii, and linall.N (lii'd in wf.vtciii
Kentucky, at the aye of (JO, a )»oor and nc^^icctcd sciiool tcarlicr.*
As to iiic prattifc of tliosc tinics. iw ;^t»\ t'lnor IN yiiolds rcjatt's
sc<'iii<; tlic K'cokIs ol a lU'ocoMlin;; ill court at I'lairic dii liociici',
«j;iiiiist a III';;;!*) for (lie •Miiuidcr" of a ho;u'. Tlic case was inali-
cioiis iiiisciiicf, for wantonly (h'stroyin;;' a useful atiinial, which it
was souulit to In iiijLi' hefore 1 he com f ; hut in t he altseiicc of a pios-
ei'iitiiiy attorney, olliceis disallowed at that time, the ;;raiuljiiry,
tropin;:; about in the law hooks, met with a prccetleiit of an indict-
iiient for niiirdei' and applictl it to the case in hand. !'( ihaps
jiistice was iiicted out as fully iinderthis indictiiieiit as if drawn
with llie nicest preeisi<iii as to the nature of tlieolleiiee, and pro.s-
edited hy the ablest attorney in the coiintiy.
In the deed of cession fioiii Virginia, it was sti)»idaled that (he
French and Canadian iiihai)itants, and other scttleis, who had
jtrofessed alle;;iance t(» N'iryinia, should Iia\<' their titles cdii-
lirmed to them. l>y a law of congress of I7SS, the ^o\eiiiorof
tlie territory was authorized to <'oiitiriii the possessions aiul lilies
of the l"'rench to their lands (und those people in their ri;ih|s,)
wlio, on or l)el'ore the year 17.S.i, had professed themselves citi/eiis
of the United Stat«'s, or any of them, lliit iiotliiiij;' had lie«'n
<lone ill this direclion up to llu' airi\al of (io\cinor St. Chur at
Kaskaskia, It was to this that \Vasliiiij;loii had called the j^ovia'-
lloi"'.s attention, in liis letter of October (I, 17S!». In .March, I7!K>,
to <*arry these instructions intoelfeet, the j;(»veriior issiu'd his proc-
lamation to the inhahitanis, ilirectiu^' tlieni to exhibit their titles
and claims to the lands wlii<'Ii they held, in order to be coiilirmcd
in their i)ossessioiis. Numbers of these instruments were exhib-
ited, and for thos<' found to be aiitlientic, ordcis of siirNcy wci'e
issued, the expense whereof was to be paid by the owners. Such
l)ayment was anylhiii;i but satisfactory to the peojili', as w ill be
seen by the siil»ioined ipiotalion from the noxeriior's report to the
(secretary of state, in ]7!H>; and from it ma\ further be jL^leaiied
the de]»lorabl(^ condition of the I'reiicli, at the time of the ;;()ver-
iioi's visit in llii.s oft-painted JmIcii of the I-'ar \\'est as if over-
flow iii^' with abundance :
"Orders of survey were issued for all the claims at Kaskaskia,
that ai>peare<l to be founded aj;reeal»ly to the resolutions of con-
jiress ; aii<l surveys were made of the .ureater ]iart of them. A
part (»f tlu'se siiiveys, however, have only been leturned, because
the i>«'opI<', objected t<» paying- the surveyor, and it is too true that
tlicy are ill able to pay. The Illinois e<Miiitry, as well as that upon
the Wabash, has been involved in ^n'at distress evei' since it fell
under the American dominion. With .yrcat cheerfiibiess, the peo-
l>le furnished the troops under Colonel Clark, and the Illinois
rejiimeiit, with everythinji' they eoidd .spare, and often w ith much
more than they ctaild sjiare m ith any coiixeiiieiice to thcmsehes.
Most of these certilicates tor these sup]>lies are .still in theirhands,
♦Reynold's Pioneer Hist.
il6 HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
iiiili(|iii(liit('(l imd uii)»iii(l; iiixl in many iiistuiiccs, wIkto applicii-
tidii lias bcoii made lor ]>a,vnH'iit to tlic State ol" Viijiiiiia, under
Avliose atilliorit.v the eertilifates N.cre ;^ranted, it lias been ret"us(Hl.
The Ilhnois reninieut heinji disbancU'd, a set of men, pretendin;;'
tlie aiitliority of MrK'i'ii'? endiodied themselves, and a scene of
general dei)re(lati<ni ensued. To this, sue(;eeded three successive
and extraordinary inundations from the IMississippi, Avliich either
swept away their crops, or prevented their bein^' planted. The loss
of the greater j>art of tiieir trade with the Indians, which was a
great resource, canu; upon them at this Juncture, as >vell as the
liostile incursions of some of *he tribes which had ever been in
friend.^lii]* with tiiem ; and to thes«' was added the loss of their
Avhole last crop of corn by an untimely frost. Extreme misery
could not fail to be the consequence of such accumulated nnsfor-
tunes."
The imp(»verishe(l condition of the French settlenu'nts is fur-
thei' ])ortrayed, and doid»tless truly, in a menunial adch'essed to
(iovernoi' St. Clair, Avhile in Illinois, which iH'ars the date ".)une!>,
]7!»(l," ami is signed by "P. Cibault, I'riesI," and ST others,
(iibault was the sanu' t'cclesiastic wlio, in 17SS, conducted the suc-
cessful end)assy of Colonel Clark to Yiucennes, severing the
allegiance of that jiost from the British :
"The memorial huniMy showeth, that by an act of congress of June
2(), 17S.S, it was (ieclarod ilial the laiidn lieretotbre possessed by the .said
inliabitauts, should lie surveyed at their expense; and that this clause
appears to them neltlier necessary nor adapted to (juiet the minds of the
l>eo|ile. It does not appear necessary, because from the establishment
of the colony to this day, they liave enjoyed their i)roperty and jwsses-
.sions without dispute' jr law suits on the subject of their limits; that
thesurveys of them were made at the time the concessions wereobtained
from their ancient kings, lords and commandants ; and that each of
tlu'in knew what belonfj^ed to him without attemiiling an encroachment
on bis neighbor, or fearingthat his neighborwould encroach ou him. It
does not appear adapted to i)aeiry them ; because, instead of assuring to
them the peaeealile iiossessions of their ancient inheritances, as tliey
have enjoyed it till now, that clause obliges them to bearexjieuses wlileh,
in tlieir present situation, they aie absolutely incapable of paying, and
for the '"allure of which they must bedepriveil of their lands.
" Y( ar Excellency is an eye-witness of the jioverty to which the
inhabitants are retluceil, and of the total want of provisions to subsist
on. Not knowing where toliuil a morsel of bread to nourish their fam-
ilies, by what means can they supj)ort the exjjenses of a survey wbicli
has not been sought for on their jiarts, and for which, it is conceived by
them, there is no necessity? Loaded with misery, and groaning under
the weight of misfortunes, accumulated since the Virginia trooj)s entered
the country, the unha])py inhabitants throw themselves under the pro-
tection of Your Excellency, and take the liberty to solicit you to lay
ilielr dei)]orabIe situation before congress ; and as it may be interesting
for the United States to know exactly the extent and limits of their
ancient possesssion, in order to ascertain the lands which are yet at the
disposal of cougress, it appears to them, in their luimble opinion, that
the expenses of the survey ought more prt)perly to be borne for whom
alone it is useful, than by them who ilo not feel the necessity of it. Be-
.side, this is no object for the United States ; but it is great, too great, for
a few uiihai)i)y beings, who. Your Excellency sees yourself, are scarcely
able to supi)ort their pitiful existence. "
The French settlements steadily declined and nudtedaway in pop-
tdatiou from the time thecimntry passed uiuler Anglo-Saxon rule,
17(i."», until their exodus, many years later, became almost complete.
After their lirst liegira, eonmieiicing with the English occupation,
NOUTinVESTKUN TKHRITORY.
217
downtolSOO, tlioiiiuiii^iration (tf tlic liittoi-raocsciiicolycouiitciluil-
ancedtliocmijiraliou (»f the tunncr. Iinlccdjtlu'i'cwasii tiiiicduiiii}^
tilt' Indian tioiihlcs, tliat tlic balance Tell inncli Itcliind ; but after
the treaty of (ii'eenville, in 17i>."), iniini;;i'ali(>n wasyicatlyiacreased.
lu 1800, the population was little, if any, gre.iter than in 17(>5.
In ('ai)a('ity for eonipiest or colonization, for enei<iy of character,
tlirilt, in,ii'enious ami labor-savinji' inventions, tlie An^ilo Saxon
race surpasses all others. It was that race which established the
British constitution; which jH-rinanently cohmized the shores of
America and j;;ive, to it ninidcii>al liberty, the .i;('m of republicanism,
and which furnished our unrivaled feder; tive system, which nniy
yet be the means of jxditically entVanchisinj;- the world. To have
Ids secluded abode and remote (puetude stirred up by su(!h a lace,
"with whom he felt himself incapable to enter the race of life, the
Frenchman of these wilds lost his <'ontentment, and he aban-
doned his ancient villaj;'esin Illinois, to the new life, instinct with
the ])royress opening all arouiul them, after an occupation of
over a century.
INDIAN nOSTILITIKS — 1783 TO 17!),').
After tlift tide of Euiopean immiiiration had forced back the red
men of America from tlie Atlantic sloi»es, they found their best
hunting grounds in the nuiginficient forests and grassy ]»lains
beyond the Alleghanies, north of the Ohio and east of the Missis-
sippi. When, alter tlu' war of the Kev lution, this empire region,
wrested IVom the grasp of the I>ritish crown, was thrown o|ten to
settlement and the ))ioneers of the pale faces begiiu to jioui' over
the mountains and into tin- valley with a steadily augmenting
■stream, the red men deteiiiiine(4 not to give back farther, 'i'liey
resolved to wage a war of extermination for the retention of this
vast and rich domain. Here had gathered the most warlike tribes
of the AlgoiKpdn nations, who have given to known Indian history
the ablest chieftains and greatest warriors, I'ontiac, Little Turtle,
Tccumseli, and his brother the one-eyed Prophet, IJlack Hawk, and
Keokidc.
During the wai'of the llevoliui(»n all the most belligerent tribes
residing within this region, and the lisheries along the great lakes
of tin? north, had a<lliere(l to the side of (-Ireat lUitain. Hut by
the treaty of pea<'e, ns."}, the territory was transferred to the U.
S. without any stipulations by iCngland in favor of her' savag(^
allies. The lirilish, during their twenty years rule, had not extin-
guisht'd the Indian title to any part of the country. The French,
(luring their long occupation, liad made n(» considerable purchases
of lands from the western Imlians ; and by the treaty of I'aris,
17<j.'}, the English succeech'd only to the small grants (»f the French
about the various forts, Detroit, Kaskaskia, Viucennes, etc. True,
in 1701, at iMUt Stanwix, the lro(piois had ceded to (Jreat I>rilaiii
theii- shadowy claim over a part of the northwestern territory, iw-
qiured by their wars with the llurons and Illinois, and in 17(iStho
six nations had conceded to her their rights to the lamls south of
the ( )liio, but the compiered tribes residing ujiou t hem and making
them their hunting grounds, abandoned them but teiiii»orarily, and
I'eturned and did not respect the transfers. An Indian compiest,
unless followed by permanent ooeupation, was sehh^m more than a
218
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
mere raid, and could not be sai.l to draw title after it. Tlieie-
fore, by tlie treaty of peace of ITS,), tin' II. k^. received uotliiiijj;'
from JMi}iiaiid beyond the old siiiall Freiieli juiaiits, and the title of
the six nations i),v con'.inest. such as it was, to tlie western teiritory.
ln(lee<l,tlu'j;'eneral };-o\ ernnient in tlu' IVtli article of the ordinance
of 17.S7, seems to aeknowledj^o that it had yet to secure the title
to the lands iVoni tiie Indians.
Tlie .general >;(»vernnient, on account (»f the adhereiu'e of the
Indians to the side of the British durinji' the war, if not deducinj;'
actual title, was incline<l to re,uar(l the lands of the hostile tribes
as <-on(juercd and forfeited. I>nt widle it attenipted to obtain
treaties of cession from the several nations, it also immediately
threw open the country to settlers, made sales to citizi'us, and in
the exei'cise of supreme dondnion, assigned reservati(Mis to some
of the natives, dictalin.y terms and pi'cscribin.u- boundaries. This
at once produced a deep feelinji' of discontent amonji' the Indians,
and led directly to the formation ot' an extensive confederation
amoiij;' a j^reat number of the northern tribes.
In October, ITNt, the j;()vernment Indian comndssioncrs made a
sec(»nd treaty at Foit Stanwix with a portion only of th Ir(Mpu)is,
Avhich, on account of its not beinji' made at a ^■enei,,, coujiress of
all the northern tribes, was refused to he acknowledged by their
leadinji' chiefs, ihant, IJed .Jacket, and others. Thi' followinj;
year, at Fort ."Mcintosh, the ;;t»\erument a;^aiu treated with a por-
tion of the tribes — the Wyantlot, Delaware, Chippewa, and
Ottawa nations — only partly rei)reseuted ; and in .lanuary, ITSO,
at the mouth of the (ireat .Miami (l-'ort Kinney,) with the Shaw-
auese, the Wabash tribes refusing; to attend.
We have seen that amonj;- the instructions issued to (i(»v. St.
Clair, he was to carefully exannne into the real temper of the
Indians, and to use his best elforts to extin>iiiish their titles to
lands, westward as far as the Mississii»|>i, and north to tlie lakes.
In the fall of 17SS, lu' invited the mtrtia-rn tiibcs to «'onlirm the
Lite treati<'s of Fort Stanwix and Fort Mcintosh, cedinj; lands;
but the Indians, in i^cneral couikmI assend>led, refused to do so ami
informed the (iovernor "that no bargain oi' sale of any jiart of
these Indian lands would be considei'cd as valid or bindiuii." The
(_lov( 1 por, nevertheless, persisted in coUectin;^' a few chiefs of two
or three nations, at FoTt llarniar, (mouth of the 31uskinj;iim). and
from them obtained acts of contirmation to the treaties oi l^'oits
Stanwix and Mcintosh, cedin;^ an immense country, in which they
Avere interested only as a branch of the confederacy, and unauthor-
ized to wuikv any j^rant or cession whatever.* The nations, who
thus participated in th«' acts of conlirnuilion, w«'ie liie Wyandots,
Delawares, Ottawas, Chippewas, I'otawattonues, ami Sacs; but
the confederation of the north claimed that it was doiu' without
authority, with the youny men of the nation, allejicd to have been
iutinudated and o\erreached.t Ibit aside IVom the fact that the
g(»verninent had treatetl with separate tribi's, the j;rants obtained
from the lro(pu>is and their kindred, the Wyandots, and the Dela-
waresandShawanese, were open toscarcely -niy obJ('ctioiis.| Those
most vehenu'ut in denouiiciuu' the validity of the concessions were
'I'lvK^-^cdinKf of luilliin Council lT9a— Sec Aiuerit'iui Hliitc papers, V. 357—7.
■Hdcp.i.
t8ti)ii(;, 11.^81.
NOllTIIWESTEllN TKRUITOllY.
;i9
tli(^ Miaiiiis, (Mii])j)(nvii.s, Piaiikiisliaws, K<'1 Uivcr Iiidiaus, Wens
((^)uias Oiiiatciioiis,) and Kaskaskias, the latter luiir iiiakiiij;' their
resi(h'iiee in jiicat i)arl in Illinois.
'I'he conlederaev of Indians at ail times sticniiouslv insisted that
llie Ohio ii\('r shoidd constitute a peipetuai honndaiy between
the red and white men; and to maintain this line the lorMieroi'.uan-
i/.ed a war a.i;ainst tlie latter, the aldest and most stupendous
known to their annals, in the (iin-Uiny of which the "government
uas actively enj;aj;('d for six years, and whicli was linally accom-
l»lished only by the prowess of ".Mad Anthony"' Wayne. In their
det<'rnnnation, e\ idem-e is (pnte abundant tliat the Indians were
ins]»ired and sii])porred by the ad\ice and encourapMnent of
J^ritish ajicnts ami ofticials, supplemented by the avarice of IJritish
ti'aders. It was to their interest to Innc this s|ilendid country
remain the abode of the sava,i;t's, with whom to e.\chan,i;i' their
;.;('W-<;aws for valuable ixdts and furs; a lucrative trade which would
cease with th<' advaiu-es of Anu'rican civilization. The r>ritish
continued to hold the northwestern ])osts trom which tosui))»ly the
Indians; and tiie home caltinet entertained hopes that circum-
stanc'cs nM;;ht yet compel the I'. S. to reco.unize tln^ Ohio as its
nor;hw«'slcrn boundary.* Much of the dissatisfaction of the
Indians was clearly traced to the inlluence and intri;;ues tnider tlie
siiperintendc'.'ce of Col. M(d\ee, the IJritish a.ycnt at Detroit and
the K'apids of the JMaumee.t The Indian discontent was openly
encoiiia^A'ed, and their hostility fanned into a lla;ne t>f war ; the
Mari'ior bands obtained their outlit of arms and ammunition from
the Ibitish tra<lers: to trade with the Indians while at war with
the U. S. they maintained as but fair and just.
As the main operations of this war occurred within the liuuts
of the ]»reseid States of Ohio and Indiana, we shall not treat of
them in detail, notwithslandinj^' Illinois was united with them
under a common "i'overnment. Indian depi'edati(»ns upon the settle-
ments ami murders of the whites became frecpUMit, inspirini; t«'rror
on every hand. In the fall of 17'.M>, (ien. Ilarnmr conducted ii
laru'c, but fruitless, expedition of liiOO men, nu)stly K«'ntucky and
J'ennsylvania nnlitia, poorly arnu-d and without discii»line, from
J-'oit NVashinii'tini, (Cincinindi) af^ainst the Miand villa,i;('s on the
Maunu'e and head waters of the Wabash. Caution had foolishly
been taken so mttify the Ibitish at Detroit, that the troojts
colIect'Ml were to be used a,uainst the Indians alone.f The villajics
were found deserted. They were destroyed, t(»;;cther with LMI.UUO
bushels of corn. Two detaclnnents of from .">(HI to 1(H) men «'ach,
the tirst umler Col. Ti'otter and the next under Col. Hardin, rival
Kentnckians, en.i;a,yed the Indians, butowin;;' to wretched nnuiaj;e-
ment and worse discii)line, both nn-t with defeat and very heavy
losses.ll The defeated army inar<'lied back to Fort Washin;iton,
and the Imlians were only eneourayed in their dastardly work of
nnirder upon the settlements.
In the si)rin<;' of 17!M, con;nress authorized l>ri<i\ Gen, Charles
Scott, and others of Kentucky, to conduct an inde|>eiMlent <'Xi»e-
dilion ayainst the Wabash Indians. It consisted of about 1,(MK)
♦See niii-nctfs Letters, p. 100.
lAiii State! I'Mpers — \\ ayii(.''s nispiitehcu.
iUnd
II Am State Papers, Aslieton'a Statciuent. imil Cists' Cln. Miscellany
220 HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
iiiouiilcd voliiiitt'crs, wlio Id't tlic Oliio, Muy I'.'Jd. Early on tlio
iiioruiiiy ol' June l.st tlu-y loiiclii'd the Wabash at thcohl \Vc;i
towns, a lew miles above the present Terre llaule. Tln^ villa j;c.s
Avere discovert'd by the ascendiii.^' smoke from the lodges. The army
was formed in onler of battle and moved briskly foiward; the in-
habitants beiny in blisslid ij^noranee of the stealthy ajiproaeh of
the foe. (ien iSeott rep(»rts that the town was situated on the low
groimd bordei'in.u the Wabash below the i»Iain across whieli they
marched. "On turuin;;' lln^ point of woods, one house presented
in my front. Capt. l*ri(;e was ordered to assault that with 10 men.
lie executed the eonnuand with j;rea( gallantry, and killed two
warriors." This remarkably ''j;allant" exploit (lonbtless was the
means of savin;^' many human lives, otherwise totally surprised ou
this early June morniny. Gen. Scott continues :
" When I ganied the summit of the eminence which overlooks the
viliuyos on tlio banks of tlie Wabash, 1 discovorcd the enemy in f^reat
eonfusiou, emiL'avoring to make tiieir escape over the river in canoes. I
instantly ordered Lieutenant Colonel commanding Wilkinson to rush
forward with tiie first l)attalion. Tlie order was executed with iirompti-
tuile, and this detachment gained the l)ank of the river just as the rear
of tlie enemy liad eml)arketl ; and, regardless of a Itrisk tire kept up from
a Kickapoo town on the opposite bank, they, in a few nnnutes, by a well
(hrected lire from tlie rilles, destroyed all the savages with which five
canoes were crowded."*
I low this attack dillered from a rej^ular murderous liulian raid,
is lel't to the diseox'ei'y of thereader ; as also,how many (d' theenemy
were women and children. "Many of the inhabitants of the villa ;;o
(Ouialenon) were French an<l lived in a state of ci\ ilization. 15y
the books, letters, and other documents fouml tiu're. it is e\ ideiit
that the [dace was in close connection with and deix-udent on
Detroit. A large (juantity of corn, a variety of household goods,
peltry, an<l other articles, were biu'ued with this village, which
consisted of about 70 houses, many of them well tiiusheil."t Col.
John llardiu, "burning to retrieve his fanu'," was sent with a <lo-
tachuient to a village six miles down the river, where he kille<l six
warriors and took tifty-two prisoners. In the meantinu' another
force uiuler Col. Wilkinson had crossed the swollen ri\erat ii
secluded places two ndles above and i>roceede<l on the oi»posite
bank to dislodge the ndVactory ivickapoos. On the following day
Col. W. was again detached with a Ibrce of.')(iO,ou fool, to destroy
the town of Kethtipenunk (Tii>pecam)e) which was done, mxloiibt
"gallantly." (leu. St. Clair in a letter to Washington dated Sei»t.
11, 17'.>.S, says the Iventuekians were "in the habii of retaliating,
l)erhaps, with(»nt attending pi'ecisely to the nations fr(»m which
the injuries are received."
In August, Col. Wilkins(»n, with an imlep<'ndent counnand. sur-
})rised the natives on Kel river. "The men." says Wilkiiisiui,
"Ibrcing their way over every obstacle, plunged through the river
witli vast iidrepidity. The enemy was niialde to nudvc the smallest
resistance. Six warriors, and (in tin- hurry and confusion of the
charge) two scpmws and a <'hiid weni killed, .'M prisoners (sipiaws
and children) wei'c taken, and an unfortunate captive I'cleased,
Avith the loss of two im-n killed undone wounded." Four thousand
♦Am. Stiito Papers, V. 131.
tScott's Ueport.
NoirnnvEsTEiJN teuihtory. 221
acivs of corn wcro de.sti'oycd, and tlio cabin.s biiiiicd.* lie; was
voted tlic tlianks of coii<;t('.s.s.
On tlu' caily iiioriiiiij;' of Xovcinbcr 4, 171)1. occniTod tliat most
disiisti'oiis dcft-at of (Icii. St. Clair, in western Oiiio, on a small
Inaneli of tlie Wabash; l»y !* o'clock a. ni. liis Iteafen and c(»nliised
army, what little was left ol' it, was in a com|»lete and precipitatii
ront toward Vint .b'Ifersoii, distance 2!> miles. From the fnst
onset, the troops were thi'own into disoriler and confusion \>\ ihe.
ninrderons lire of the savaji'es, and panic reii^ned supreme. t Thii
loss was <S1)0 out of a ibi'(;e of 1 tOO enuajicd in battle. '-Six hundred
.><kidls," writes (Jeorji'e .Mill IVom (ieneral NVayne's iiriny wiiich
camped on the battlefield three years later, ''were gathered uj*
and buried ; when we went to lay down in our tents at nij;ht, we
bad to scrape the bones to^cthei' and carry them out, to make our
beds."| The Indians cn.ua.ucd were estimated at KtlO. latth^
TiMtle, Mechecnna(pia, cliief of the IMianiis, was .u command.
The battle held was afterwards known as P'oi t IJecovery.
The jicneral ^■overnment made repeated eflbits, both before .'ind
durinji' thewai', to arran.i;(' a peace upon a lair (Mpiivalent for the
lands of the aborigines. Ibit the red men tlushed with victories,
and inflnenc«'d by the artful whis])ers of the IJritlsh ennssarie.s,
closed theirears to evei'ya])i';'al lor peace, and rejected pioposition
after ]»roposilion ; nothin;^ but the boundary line of the ( )hio would
be entertained as a basis for i»eace. At the toot of tin* iMaumee
Rapids, Au;;ust l.'i, I7!>.'}, 1(1 of the confe<lerate(l nations beinj;"
rei»resent<'d in council, replied to the American peace commis-
sioners:
"Brothers: We shalf he persuaded that you mean to do us justice, if
you a>j;ree that tiie Ohio shall remain the boundary line between us. * *
^loney to us is of no value ; and to most of us unknown ; and, as no con-
sideration whatever can induce us to sell tlie lands on which we jjjet
sustenance for our women and children, we lioe we may l)e allowed to
point out u motie l)y wliicli your settlers nia^ be easily removed, and
peace therel)y ol)tained.
'VHrotliers: We know that these settlers are poor, or they would never
have venture«l to live in a country which lias been in continual tr()id)le
ever since they crossed tlie Ohio. Divide, therefore, this large sum of
money, which you liuve ottered to us, amoiifi; tliese people. Oive to each,
also, a proportion of what you say you would give to us, anniuilly, over
and al)Ove this very large sum of money ; and as we are persuailed, they
■would most readily accept of it in lieu of tlie land you sold them. If you
add, also, tlie great sums you must expend in raising and paying armies,
with a view to force us to'yield you our country, you will certainly have
more than sullicient for the purpose of rei)ayingtliese settlers for all their
lalior and their imi)rovements. * * We want peace, liestore to us our
country, and we shall be enemies no longer."
It i.s a cnricnis I'act, illnstratinji' our dealings Avitli tlie Indiiins,
that a treaty of peace and fiiendshii) was entered into at \'in-
ceniies, yeplend)er 27, 17it2, by JJrij;-. (Jen. Kidns I'ntnani, accom-
panied by fJohn lieckvelder and ol Indians of the Wabash and
Illinois tribes, the Ith article of which contai)ied tlie following
lan<iua<;e:
"Art. 4. The TT^nited States solemidy jiuaranty t(» tlie AVabash
and Illinois nations or tribes of Indians, all the lands to which
they have a just claim; and no part shall ever b«! taken from them
♦Wilkinson's Ui-port.
+A111. Stiitt! J'lipia'S,
$Am. Pioneer— Wuync'8 Statement.
,L
222 HISTOKY OF TIJJNOIS.
l»iit 1>.v ii liiir |tiii<'Ii:is(', iiiid t<» llicir siitisfiiction. Tlmt tlic hmdH
(»ii_i;iiiiillv lM'l(>ii;;cti to tlir IikIImiis; it is tliciis, ;iii«l llicirs only.
Tliiil tlicy liiivc i) liji'Iit to sell, aiid ii rijiiit to rcl'iisc to sell. And
tlint tlic I'nitcd Stiitcs will jn'otccl tlicni in tiicir siiid ri^^iits."
NN'iicn tlic trciity. wiiicli coiitiiint'd 7 articles, was laid hclorc tlui
Tnilcd States Senate, the llli article was oltjcctionahlc, and al'lci'
niiicli (It liiieiation, it was, .Ian. !>, 17!>4, rejected by a, vote, oflil to
4,_Senate -lour. 1. IL'.S to 14(>.
Tlie Illinois settlements were i'oi'tnnately beyond tlie main
tlieatre of this sa\ aji'c war; still, owiii;:' to the j^cneral hostility
of nearly all tlie ti'il>es,their deprcihit ions were each yt'ar extended
to (hem. :ind a comparatively , urea t nnnd>er of harbavons mnrders
AVO'c committed l)y the KicUapoos. These we will ^ive condeiisi'd
from the "Annals of the West," jiajivs 7(10 to 10'):
Til 17K.S, t\ siniilc niunler, that of Janios Flannory, was first comniittcd
while on a Juuitinj,? excursion, liiit it was not accounted an act of war.
Jn 17S() iIk- Indians attacked the Amerfcan settlements, killed .lanios
Andrews, his wife and daujjhtcr, James White and Samuel ^Icl'lure,
and two K'rls, daujj;hters of Andrews were taken prisoners. One of these
(lied wnii the Indians, and the other was ransomed by French traders.
She is now (IS-KI) alive, the mother of a larj^e fanuly, and resides in St.
Clair county. Tlie Indians nad previously threatened the settlement,
and the people had built and entered a blockhouse ; but this family was
(jut and defenceless.
17S7. i']arly in this year, five familii's near IJellcfountaine, united and
built a blockhouse, surrounded it with palisades, in wbicb these i'ainilies
resided. While laboring in the corn field they were obligod to carry
their rilles, and often at night had to licep guard. Under these embar-
rassments, and in daily alarm, they cultivated their corn-fields.
17SS. This yeartbe war assunu'd a more threatening aspec^t. l<]arly in
the spring, AVilliam J5iggs was taken prisoner. While himself, .John
Vallis, and .b)sepli and Benjamin Ogle, were passing from the station on
the hills to the blockhouse fort in the liottom, (hey were attacked by the
Indians. Higgs and Vallis were a few rods in advance of the party.
Vallis was killed and Higgs taken jirisoner. The others escaped unhurt.
P)iggs was taken through the prairies to the Kickapoo towns on the
Wabjish, from whence lie was linally liberated by means of the Freiicli
traders. The Indians treated him well, ofiered him the daughter of a
brave for a wife, and proposed to adopt him into their tribe. He after-
wards became a resident of St. Clair county, was a member of the terri-
torial legislature, judge of the county court, and wrote and published u
narrative of bis captivity among the Indians.
On the Itlth day of December, in the same year, James Garrison and
lieiijainin Ogle, while hauling hay from the liottom, were attacked by
twoJudians; Ogle was shot in the shoulder, where the liall remained";
Garrison sjirang from the load and escaped into the woods. The liorses
taking fright, carried Ogle safe to the settlement. Jn stacking the same
hay, Samuel Garrison and Mr. Kiddick were killed and scalped.
17S1). This was a jieriod of considerable ndschief. Three boys were
attacked liy six Indians, a few yards from the blockhouse, one of which,
David Waddel, was struck with a tomahawk in three places, scalped,
and yet recovered ; the others escaped unhurt. A short time previous,
James Turner, a young man, was killed on tlie American hottom. Two
men were afterwards killed and scaljied while on their way to St. IaiuIs.
In another instant, two men were attacked on a load of hay, one was
killed outright, the other was scalped, but recovered. The .same year
John l<'errel was killed, and John Demphsey was scalped and nuule his
escafie. The Indians frequently stole llie horses and cattle of the
settlers.
17!t(». The embarrassments of these frontier people greatly increased,
and they lived in continual alarm. In the winter, a party of Osage In-
dians, wilt) had not molesteil hitherto, came across the Mkssissippi, stole a
number of horses and utterniited f'> recross the river. Tlie AiiierioauH
NORXnWESTEUN TERRITORY. 223
followed and ttred upon tliem. Jamca Worley, an old sottlcr, havin};
got in advance of his party, wius sliot, ac'aI[H'd, anil his head cut oil" and
left on the sand-har.
The same year, James Hmith.a Raptistpreaeher from Kentucky, wliile
on a visit to tliese frontiers, was taken ])risoner by tlu> Kickapoos. On
the lOth of May. in company with Mrs. Huff and a Frenchman, lie was
l)roceedinir from the l)!ockhotiHe to as(>ttlement then known hy the name
of liiltle Villaire. The Kickapoos fired upon them from an aminiscade
near Mclleroiintaine, killed the Frenchman's horse, sprang upon the
woman and hcrchild, whon» they despatched with a tomahawk, and took
Smith i)risoner. His horse lieiiif'sjiot, he attempted to lice on foot ; and
havinji; some valuahle pajx'rs in his saddle l)afi;s, he threw them into a
thicket, where they were found next day t>y his friend. Haviiif; retreated
a few yards down' the hill, he fell oii'his knees in jjfayer for the poor
woman they w<'re hutcheriiif;, and who had been seriously impressed,
for some days, about relitiion. The Frenchman escapi'd on foot in tlie
thickets. The Indians soon had possession of Smith, loaded him with
packs of plunder which they had collected, and took up their line of
march thr(iui,di the i)rairies. ' Smith was a larjic, heavy man, and soon
became tired under his heavy load, and with the hot sun. Several con-
sultations were held by the Indians, how to disi)ose of their prisoner.
Some were for desijatchinfj; him outright, bein<^ fearfid tlu' wliites would
follow them from the settlement, and freipicntly pointinj; their fj;uns at
his breast. Knowing well the Indian character, he would bare Ins
breast as if in detianc(>, and point ui)wards to signify the (ireat Spirit
was his protector. Seeing him in the attitude of prayer, and hearing
liim singing hymns on his march, which he did tf) relieve his own niiini
of di'spoiidency, they came to the conclusion that he was a "great medi-
cine," holding daily intercourse with the (iood Spirit, and must not be
]iut to death. After this, they took oif his burdens and treated him
kindly. 'J'lu'y took him to the KickajKX) towns on the Wabash, whi're,
in a few months, he obtained his deliverance, the inhabitants of New
Design jiaying ?17(» for bis ran.«oni.
17iH. In the spring of this year, the Indians again commenced their
depredations l»y stealing horses. In May, John Dempsey was attacked,
but made his escape. A party of eight men followed". The Indians
were just double their number. ' A severe running light was kept uj> for
several hours, and conducted with great ])rudence and bravery on the
part of the whites. F]ach party kept the trees for shelter, the Indians
retreating, and the Americans pursuing, from tree to tree until night put
an end to the conflict. Five Indians were killed without the loss of a
man or a dro}) of blood on the other side. This party consisted of Cajit.
Hull, who commanded, Joseith Ogle, sen., IJeiijamin Ogle, James N,
Semen, sen., J. llyaii, Wm. IJryson, John Porter, and I). Draper.
17i)l'. This was a i)eri()d of comparative ((uietness. No Indian fight-
ing ; and the only depredations committed, were in stealing a few
horses.
17!).'i. This was a period of contention and alarm. The little settle-
ments were strengthened this year by the addition of a band of emigrants
from Kentucky ; among which was the family of Whiteside. In Feb-
ruary, an Indian in ambuscade wounded Joel Whiteside, and was
followed by John Moore, Andrew Kiniu-y, Thos. 'i'odd, and others,
killed and scalped. Soon after, a party of Kickapoos, suj>[)osed to have
been headed by the celebrati'd war chief. Old Pecan, made a i)redatary
excursion into the American bottom, near the present residence of S. W.
Miles, in Monroe county, and stole !» hor.ses from the citizens. A nunil)er
of citizens rallied and commenced pursuit ; but many having started
without prejiaration for long absence, ami being iipprehensive that an
exi)edition into the Indian country would be attended with much
danger, all returned but 8 men. This little band consisted of Samuel
Judy, John Whiteside, Wm. L. Whiteside, Uel Whiteside, William
Harrington, John Dempsey and John Porter, with Wni. Whiteside, a
man of great prudence and uniiuestionable bravery iii Iniliau warfare,
whom they chose commander.
They passed on the trail near the present site of Belleville, towards (he
Indian camps ou Shoal Creek, where they found 3 of the stolen horses,
224 HISTORY OP ILTJNOIS.
■which tlioy seciiri'd, The narty tlioii, small as it was, divided into two
part.s of four men eacli, ami approaclied tlie liidinn camps from opposite
sides. Tlie siirmd for attaclv was the dischar^re of tlie captain's fiuii.
One Indian, a son of Old Pecan, was killed, anollier mortally, and otiiers
slijrlitly wounded, as llie Indians tied, leaving tln'ir jjuns. Such a disjilay
of courage l)y tiie wliites, and ln'ing attaclicd on two sides at once, inado
them iielieve there was a lar^jje force, and the old chief ai)proached and
bejrired for(|Uarter. Hut when hediscovored his foes to lie an insif^nificant
iinmlier, and liisown i)arty numerous, hecalledaloud to his liraves to ret urn
and retrieve their lionor. His own t^nn liesurrendered to tlie whites, hut
now lie seized tlie ^un of the cajitain, and exerted all Ids force to wrest
it from him. Captain Wliiteside was a ;iowerful man, and a stranger to
fear, luit he compelled the Indian to retl e, deeminji it dishonoral)Ie to
dt'stroy an unarmed man, who had previously surrendered. This in-
trejiid hand was now in tlie heart of the Iiulian country, where hundreds
of warriors could he raised in a few hour's time. In this critical situa-
tion, ("apt. Whiteside, not less distint;;uished for prudence tlian hravery,
did not loiif? hesitate. Witli the horses they had recovered, they imme-
diately started for home without the loss of time in liuntinf; the
remainder. They traveled iii^dit and day, without eating or sleeping?,
till they reached in safety Whiteside's station, in Monroe county. ()u
the same night, Old I'ecan, with 7(1 warriors, arrived in the vicinity
of t'aliokia. From that time the very name of Whiteside struck terror
among the Kickapoos. Hazardous aud daring as tliis expedition was, it
met with great disai>prohation from many of the settlers. Some alleged
that Old Pecan was decidedly friendly to'tlie whites; that another party
had stolen the horses; that the attack upon his camp was clamlestine
and wanton ; and that it was the cause of much subseciuent mischief.
Tliese nice points of casuistry are dillicult to he settled at this jieriod. It
Jias long been Iviiown, that one portion of a nation or tribe will be on
the war iiath, while another party will pretend to lie peaceable. Hence
it has been found necessary to hold the tribe responsible for the conduct
of its party.
1T!»4. The Indians, in revenge of the attack just narrated, shot Thos.
Whiteside, a young man, near the 'station ;' tomahawked a son of Wm.
Whiteside, so that he dietl, all in revenge for the death of Old I'ecan's
son. In February of the same year, the Indians killed Mr. Hull', one
of the early settlers, while on liis way to Kaskaskia.
17!»5. Two men at one time, and some French negroes at another
time were killed on the American bottom, and some prisoners taken.
The same year the family of Mr. McMahon was killed and himself and
daughters taken prisoners. This man lived in the outskirts of the settle-
ment. Four Indians attacked his house in day-light, killed his wife
and four children before his eyes, laiil their bodies in a row on the floor
of the cabin, took him and his daughters, and marched for their towns.
On the second night, ^Ir. jVIc^Malion, tindiiig the Indians asleep, put on
their moccasins and made his escai»e. He arrived in the settlement just
after his neighbors had buried his family. They hail inclosed tiieir
bodies in rude cotlins, and covered them with earth as he came in sight.
He looked at the newly formeil hillock, and raising his eyes to Heaven
in i>ious resignation, said, "tiiey were lovely and pleasant in their lives,
and in their death are not divided."
His daughter, now Mrs. Catskill, of Ridge Prairie, was afterwards
ransomed by the charitable contributions of the people. Not far fnmi
this period, the Whitesides and others to the numljerof 14 persons, made
an attack upon an encampment of Indians of superior force, at the foot
of tlie bluff's west of Belleville. Only one Indian ever returned to his
nation to tell the story of their defeat. The graves of the rest were to be
seen, a few years since, in the border of the thicket, near the battle
ground. In this skirmish Capt. Wm. Whiteside was wounded, as
thought, mortally, liaving received a shot in the side. As he fell, he
exhorted his sons to tight valiantly, not yield an inch of ground, nor
let the Indians touch his body. Uel Whiteside, who was shot in the
arm, and disabled from using tlie rifle, examined the wound, and found
the ball had glanced along the ribs and lodged against tlie spine. With
that presence of mind whicli is sometimes characteristic of our backwoods
NORTH WKSTKUN THIIUITOUY.
225
hunters, lie whipped out his knife, gashed the sltin, extracted the Itall,
and lioldJM^; it up, exiiltin^ly ex<rliiiined, "Father, you are not dead!"
Tlie olil man instantly jumped uji on Ins feet, and renewed tlie (i},dil, ex-
elaiminj,', "Come on, iMiys, I can li^lit (liem yet!" Sucli instanees of
tlesperatt' inti'epiility and martial ener;;y of cliaraeter, distin^!;uislied tlie
yien wiio defended the fion tiers of Illinois in tliosedaysof peril.
AI'tiT the, (lel'eiit of S|. Chiir, (he ('onduet of the Wiir in (ho
northwest was |»hiee(l in the inin<ls of (Icn. Antiion.v Wnyne. Ills
c'ain])iiif;ii durinj;' tlio sumnnu- of 17'.>4, which cidniiniited in tho
victory of (lie L'Otli of Aii;;iiston (Im' Miuimee, proved a complete
suc(;('ss. The confederated (i'il»es, defeated and disin'artened, now
retired to wait the loiij;' i)romi,se(l snpjxirt of the Eii;;lish. iirunt,
ftf tin' Iroipiois, said : "A foit had been i»iiilt in their country (by
tlie lOn^iisliJ under pretense, (d' ^'ivini;- rtd'ii^c in case of necessity,
but when tliat tinn^ came, the };iites were siiut af;ain,st tlieni a.s
enemies."'* For sev«'ral years didicnlties had existed between
(Ireat Uritain and the United States, wliicli llritisii Indian a.ucnt.s
and tra(h'i's Inid se(hn)usiy taught to red luen must speedily e\en-
tuate in war, when they would becouM! their open and powerful
ally. But on the l!>th of November, 17!)4, after piotracted neiio-
tiations, -lay, at Lomlon, c,(nududed a, ti'ealy of amity, connnerce,
and navigation between (he United States and Cireat lU'itain, in
Avhieh the Kinj;' i»led<;'ed a firm peace and ajiiced to witlnlraw, by
the 1st of dune, IT'.Mt, all his troops and j^arrisons from the posts
within the Ixaindary lines of the United States, as (ixed l»y the
treaty of 1783. This took away from tin- Indians the last iiojie of
British aid, so lonj;' promised them, ami tlie vast confederation of
sava<;e tribes, bending' to their inevitable fate, hastened to the
head(puirters ot (ien. \Vayne dui'inji' the w iider, and signed ])relim-
imiry .iitides of peace, which resulted in the treaty of (ireen\ ille,
and wliieii, ;>fter a i»rotracted council with all the sachems, chiefs,
and principal men of tiie confederacy, lastinji' tVom .luiie to Anynst
3d, iil)."), wa.s timilly sij^ned. A vast body of lan<l in 0]n(» and
Indiana, lar j:e enou<;h fin- a jnood sized State, was eeded by (ho
eonfederate tribes, besides 1(> tracts (5 miles s(|uare at various
pi;i!'ts in tln^ northwest, annnij^' which we note. as beinj;- in Illinois,
"on*' ])iece of laml, (> miles s(pmre, at the mouth of (,"lii('a;.i'o liver,
emptying into the south-west end of Lake .Michigan, where a fort
tbrnu'rly stood ;" one i)iece 12 miles s(|uai'e, at or near the mouth
of the Illinois river, ami "one ]>iece (! miles scpiare, at the (dd
I'eoi-ias fort ami village, nt-ar the south end of the Illinois lake, on
said IIIiin)is river." The Indians also allowed free passaj^c throu<ih
their country, in Illinois from the mouth of the Chicajio river and
over the jiorta^e to the Illinois and down to the 31ississipi)i, and
down the Wabash. Under the treaty, of what may be considercul
Illinois tribes, the Pottawattomies were to receive an annnal
stii»end of $1000 in yoods (beinj^' as much as any tribes received,)
and the Kickapoos, Piankeshaws, and Kaskaskias, $500 each.t
And now, as the news of this important treaty spead abroad,
the retarded tide of emisration bej^an to How with a steadily aui;-
mentinj;' stream into these territories ; ap])rehension of danjier
from the Indians was banished, and friendly intenionrse snccceded
former enmity ; forts, stations, and stockades were abandoiuMl to
decay; the hardy pioneer pnshed ever forward and extended the
*Am. state Papers. V.
tScott's Brunt, Il.aOO.
15
IIISTOIIY OF IIXINOIS.
IVuiiticr; iiiid iiicn ol' ciipital aiid ciilei-prisc, scciiiiiiy- titlos to ex-
tensive! Itinlics of Icitile liiii»i>. ()f;i;iiii/e<l enloiiics I'ur tlieii' <tc( iipii-
tiuii.;iii(l tliiis the. wilderness under the tread of eivili/iition was
made to hlnssoni as the rose.
I>,v an act of coii;;ress, 171*1, 100 acres of land were ;iraidod to
all heads of families wiio made impi'oxcmeuls in Illinois prior to
]7SS, except \illa;;(' ini|»rovcments. These i'i<iliis \\«'re c(»mmonly
desi-iiiated as "head-ri;,dils." A list of names of heads of lamilies,
whoseltied in Illinois previous In Ihe vear 1 7SS, enlillinj; them to
these donations, wiiicli iiiclii<led also nonresidents wiio should
return in five year's time to occupy their claims, shows ii total
iiumlter of L'H claimants. SO of whom were .Vnu'ricans. i'.y allow-
in;; ihe usind nundter of o soids to the I'iunily. we iia\e a poimki-
lion in that year of IL'IIO. This excluded negroes. Itefore 1701,
undt r the militia law of the ;;(»vcrnor and Jinl;;t's, tli»' muster mil
;ii\('s about .100 nu'U capable (tf hearin;^' arms, of which uundier
(io only wci'c Americans.*
In 1707 a colony of iL'ti persons — the larjicst which had yet
arrived — were most fatally stricken with disease. They were from
Yir;;inia, had descended the Ohio in the sprin;;', and landed at l'"t.
JMassac, fiom which they made their way across the land to the
Kew Desi^iii. This place, in tin; present county of .Monroe, was
established in 17SL'. It was located on an elevated and beauliful
](laleau of .uround, barren of timber, which cominaiiiled a view of
l»olli the KasUaskia and .Mississippi rixcr.s. The sea.son was ex-
cecdiuLily wet, liie weather extremely warm, and the roads heavy
and mmhiy. The colonists toiled throu;.;li the woods and swamps
of Southern Illinois foi' l!(i days, distance about i;C» nules. 'i'hey
■were worn down, sick, and almost fanushed. ^Vrriv«'d at their
destination, they found anion;;" the old settlers Ion;; harrassed by
Jndian warfare, from wliicli they bail not recovered, but poor ac-
commodations. There was no l;*ck ol' hospitality in fcelin;^. iiut
that did not enlar;;e the cabins, wbich usinilly contained but one
room, into many of which .'i and 4 fannlics wei'c now crowded with
their sick and all. Food was insullicient. salt was very scarce,
ami nu'dical aid was almost out of the ((uestion. A putrid ami
maliunant fever broke out amoiij;' the ncwt^omer.s, attended by such
iatalily as to sweei> half of them into the ;;irave by the approach
of winter. No such fatal disease c\-er appeared before or since in
the couidry.t The old inhabitaids wi're n(»t att'ectcd. The intelli-
gence of tins unwonted mortality produced abroad the wron;;fid
impression that Illinois was a sickly conidry, which tende(l no
little to retard imnn.<;ration. It is now well eslal)lished that lllinoi.s
is far healthier than many of her western sisters.
Anion;;' the lirst Amei'icans who formed .settlements remote from
the French, a ;;reat want was nnlls. The latter had had their
wind mills and water nulls since a very early date; but with their
]H';;ira the wiml nulls fell into decay, ami for the others the water
frcipiently failed, and the Americans wow comi»elled to have
recourse to other means. The simplest modes of trituration was
by means of the pater and the mortar. The lirst consisted in the
brisk ridtbin;;- of an ear of corn over a piece of tin closely jtierced
with orifices. The mortar was extemporized by excavatin;;' with
'IJcynolrVs I'ionoer Hist.
tWt'Steni Annuls.
NOlfTinVKKTFJlN TKKUITOBY.
227
liic llir 1)1111 ol'ii <;(»(k1 sized .short lo;;, (([i-cikUmI, sulliciciiLly ih'vp
to lidld ii peck oi' more of corn. Over tin's was elected a sweei)
1(1 lilt, i>y coiiiiler tiiielioii, a piston with a linn, blunt encl,
wliieh seived to |)onn<l the corn inloineal. To these primitive and
laiiorions jn'ocesses, succeeded, in the order of their simplicity iind
in due lime, hand nulls, hand mills, hor>e mills, and last waler
mills.t
I'rom ITSS to 17!i.">, (lov. Si. Clair and the .Indies of the north-
western tiM-rilory, in their lejiislativtf cajtaclty, adopted (It stat-
\iles, .'is at Cinciiumti ill the last named year. In Ajnil, I7!>S, 11
more were adi>pted.* I<\»iii-lit'llis (»!" these laws were im|M»rted
from I'eiuislvania, and a few from Massnehusetts and N'iijiinia,
This Liiive to the c(Minti'y a complete system of statute law, which
Wiis i)ei-liaps hut little inferior to that of any of the States ;it that
eiirly period. Aiinm;; them was the cominon law of IOnj;laiid and
stiitiites of I'arliaiiient in iiid thei'cof.of a ,i;"eneral nature iind not local
tothat Kin;;dom,down to thetth yciirof the I'ci^^nof -liimes I; which
isthe law in Illinois to this day, e\c<'pt as varied hy statute. I''r(mi
it we derive all those fundamental principles of the Hritish Coiistl-
tntion which secure t<» the citizen personal liherty and protection
to life and in-ojierty — the habeas corpus, ti'ial by Jiii'y, »S;c. This
Mas imported from Virginia; but the I>ill of ri;;hts is also in the
oi'diiiance of 17.S7. In 175).") the (lovernor also divided St. Clair
county in Illinois by rnnnin;! a Iin(> thi'ounii theXew DesiM-ii settle-
ment in the present Moiu'oe county, due east to the Waitash — all
that country lyin^' south of it beiiijL;' established into the county of
Jiandolph, named in honor of Mdniund Jtaiidol])h, of \'ir^iniii.
Iiefore the close of the year I7!MI, the while popiilalion of Ohio
alone was ascertained to exceed ."i.OOU. IJy the (U'dinance of 17S7,
the country was entitled to the I'd ;4riide of territorial .lioNcrnnient
so soon as it should contain ."»,(>(>(> white inhiibitants. There being
lU) lon,i;('r any <h)ubt rejLiardinji' this, (;()\-. St. Clair, October !'!>,
171IS, issued his pjoclamation directiiii;' the (jiialilied voters to
hold elections for territorial re])resentatives on tlie 'M .Monday of
December. 17l)S. From Illinois, Shadiach IJond, subsequently the
lirst governor of this State, was elected. The rei)reseiitativcs
elect were conv<'ned -lanuary L'L'd, 17!Mt, at Cincinnati. In accord-
ance with the |)rovision of the ordinance of 17S7, they nominated 10
nu'U to the President of the V. S. (Adams) to select ."» from, who
were to constitute the legislative council. These wei'e contirmed
by the Senate of the U. S., 3larch 21', 171)Jt. The assembly, after
making the nominations for the council, immediately adjourned to
September Utth following, at which time both houses met, though
they did not perfect their organization till the LMth. This was the
first time that the people of this country, through their i-epiesenta-
tivfs, enacted their own laws for their own local government. The
Legislature confirmed many ol" the laws enacted by the governor
and Judges, and ])asse(l 4S new ones, the governor vetoing 11.
They were prorogued December 19, 17i>!).t
+ IiPvnolirs IMonoer History.
♦Dillotr? tiKi, I. ("hiiso's Statute 1T90, 1795.
tSee Dliiona's Ind,, Vol. 11.
L'L'8 IIISTOUV Ol' ILJ<IN(»IS.
NOTAIJLK WOMKN OK TIIK OF.DKN TIMK.
Mi:s. LrCompt. — Aiiuiii;^ tlic hidics cil' Illinois at the rlosc of tlio
liist jiihI tilt' iM'^iiiiiiii;; of tlic itrrsciii «'»iitiirv, picsinlin;; micIi
iiiiii'kcd clini'iiclciistirs iis to lt':i\t> tlicii' iinpi'css ii|miii tlic pciiod
of tlifir t'xislciicc, \vc caiiiiol in jnslict' loiiicar to nicniion a few.
Tin- tir.st which we notice was the well known Airs. LcCoinpt.
Slic was hoin in IT.'il, of P'rcncli parents, on the eastern shore of
Lake .Miclii;^an, at the old station on tlw St. •loseph. This was tlu*
eonntr.N of the wailike I'ottawatoniie trilioof Italians. 'rhronj;liout
her lonj; life Mrs. IjcConipt had ever tin'- westein sava;;(' for a
liei;ihl>oi', She earl.v l>ecanie pidtieient in the dialect of the
Indians and ;4ained a deep insi;;lil into their character. She was
married at >IacUinaw, settled with her hnsltand, wlatse name was
St. Aiif^e, or I'elate, at Chicafio, but snltse(piently rennived to Oil-
hokia, and, liei' hnsltand d.vin;;', she here married Mr. LeCompt, a
Canadian. l''roni thi.- niarria;;!' spinn^ (tne of the lar;L;est P'rcncli
t^unilies in Illinois, i^ater in life, after the deatii of Le('omi)t, shu
married a;L:ain, this time that Thomas Ilrady wlat condncted an nn-
foi'tnnate marandiii;;' expeililioii a;;'ainst the l'\)rt St. .loseph iit
177S. Of (his anion no issiM' resnlted. This extraordinary woman
was possi'ssed of an iron constitntion, a stronj; mind and danntless
conraj^e. Her person was attractive and her manner winniii;^'.
She traveled mncli, took many lonj; trips, and underwent ninch
exposure to the inclemencies of the weather, yet she was seldom
sick. She liv( hardy and frii;;al lif(^ I5y her knowledi-'e of the
Indian lan.yua;;c, ..nd a tliorou.i;h a|ipri'ciation of his <'haracter, she
a<ipiire<l a wonderfid intluence over the tril)es,with which she was
l)r(Mi;;ht into contact. And this was turned to a blessed account
for the benetit of the settlement vvhe'n^ she lived. I'^rom the cou-
(jnest of Clark, the I'^i'cnch, as we hav(^ seen, sided with the
Americans, while the Indians adhered to the IJiitish. I'rom that
time down to the peace of (Irecnville, in 17!t."J, the old kindly
feeling between the French and Indians was more or less inter-
rupted, and many a meditated attack upon Cahokia did ^Irs.
LeCompt frustrate by her ra "u-ity and friendly counsel with
the sava^^es. It issaid, tlu' .as the infatuated friendship of
the savaj^es for her, t' would invariably advise her in
advance of their med' ..tck upon the village. It was i\[Htn
such occasions that t ane within her would bec(»me manifest.
In the dead hour of ni^..rshe would jio forth from the villaj^'e to
meet the wariior hosts, often camped near the foot of Ihe (^)uentiii
mound, at the foot of tlu^ bluffs, or wherever they mij;lit be; ill
their viitinity, dismiss her attendants, and .solitary and alone pro-
ceed on foot andd the savaj^c horde. Such devotion to her people
and such courainc in a woman, Joined by her ready wit, would
awaken a (rhord of sympathy in the warrior's breast. At times she
Avould remain anion;; them tor days, pleadinj;' for the delivery of
her villaji,e, counselin"; iieaee, and a]ti»easin^' the an^cr of the
savages. Her elVorts were not intermitted until she was well con-
vinced that the storm was allayed and bloodshed averted. At
such tinu's tin' younj^ nnMi of the villa <>t' were nu)stly away on the
chase, or as boatnu'ii down the river, while the remaininj;' inhabi-
tants, terror stricken, would arm themselves for such defence as
NOIMIIWKSTKKN TKRlMTOllY.
229
i
Mit'.v \V(>ro OttpabU' of. Wlial would l>t^ tlicirjoy tost'c^ tliiu I'xtriior-
iliiiiip.v woman j'scortiiiyii swarlli.v IkiikI of warriors to tlic village,
<'liaii;;i'i| IVdiii I'im's to tVifiids! (Tin- liiiliaiis, u|miii siX'li occasion,
would paint tlii>Miscl\cs ithuk to niaiiil'cst tlicir sorrow i'oi' tlicii
inlcrnal niuiilcrons intent upon llicii IVicnds.) Alter a tlioioujiili
I'castiny; of the sava;;-es, sometimes lor days, their reconciliation
wonhl usually hist some time. Mrs, Le(Jompt, as she was still
called ari«'r llrady's death, Used to the extreme af^c ol' 1()!» years'.
{She died in ISl.'}, at Caliokia. lOxdov. We.vnolds, from whoso
)>ioneer history wii arc- in i;rcat part indel)te(l for the above
account, sa.vs he knew her well I'oi- ;!() years.
Mrs. Jolni IJli/di: — This accomplished witman, the ceider of
fashion for remote. Illinois in the olden t inn', ])resided for nniny
years with (Mjiial yrace and dignity over her hnshand's splemlid
mansion at KasUaskia, the abode ot hospitality and resoit of tho
I'liK' for Ueai' a half century. It wasin tin'sp/cions and elej;iintly
Inrnished parlors of this honst- that La Ka, .-tte, on his visit tu
lllin(»is in ISlIo, was snmptinHisly entertained, by a banipu't and
ball. Mrs. Ivlnar's name nu'rils lunh rank on tin- scroll of re\(»ln-
tioinii'v heroines. My birth, edncation, and s.\ mpath.v, she was
American, but her husband, .lohn Edj;ar, was an ollicer in tho
iSrilish navv, ii^rhlini;' against the colonies in theii' stru;ij;le for
lii»ert,v and independence. Wy her talent, shrewdness, anil above
all, her patiiotic devotion to herconntry, she won over n(»t only
the heart of her husband to the Anu'rican canse, bnt was the pro-
jecloi' of many plans l»y wliich sohliers in the Ibitish army were
indnced to tpiit and Join the raidcs of the patiiots. She had, ni>ou
one occasion, arranged a plan of escape for three soldieisand was
to fiirnislf them i^nns, Anniican uniforms, etc., and all m-edfnl in-
formation to enaltlc them to I'cacli the patiiot camp. When they
<'ann' she was absent iVoni home, bnt her husband, a conjidantv of
all her operations, notwithstanding;' liis jutsitiuu in the «'nemy\s
navy, supplieil them with theontlit prcpari'd for them by her.
Ibit the deserters wer(^ apprehended, letnrned to the IJritish cainj),
and compelled to divulj;e the names of their abettoi-s. This impli-
cated Kdj;aran<l he tied; remaining' a while in the American army
he deemed it safer for his life to seek ;;reat«'r seclusion and came
to Kaskaskia. Ills property was confiscated ; but the rare saj^acity
of his patriotic ami de\(>ted wife, who I'cmaincd back, enabled her
to save from the wreck some SlL'.OOO, with which she joined her
liusband two years afterwards in his western home.* 'I'heir union
Mas childless; but they were for nuiny years the most wealthy
i'andly in Illinois. Kdyar was a larye, portly man. A county of
the State ju'ipctuates his name.
Mrs. Uobcrt Morrison. — This talented lady was a rare acquisition
to the society of Kaskaskia. Iicai'cd and <'ducatcd in the monu-
inental city, slu'. in ISOo, accompanied her brother, (-ol. Donaldson,
to St. lionis, in the far off wilds of the west, whither he was sent
as a, commissioner to investi;;ate tlu^ land titles. Ibit the west
iM'cauM' her p<'rmanent honu'. She was married the followin.ii' year
to liobeit ^loiiison, of Kaskaskia, which jtlace became her re.''-
dence Ihencofojth. Well educated, spriiilitly and encrj^-etic, her
miinl was {iifted with ori;;inality and romance. "Her deliyht was
•Bco ttist. Skotofi of Hiiiidolph & Co. aud Itcynold's Pioneer Hist,
tlteynold's I'loUuer Hist, of IlJb.
L
230
HISTOIJV OF TLMNOIS
in tliP rosy WMs of ]M)ftiy."t Ilcr lu'ii \v;ts scldoiii idle. Slic (•diii-
])(is('(l willi !i ready laeility and her wriliiiji's pos.sessed a lii;;li
de,i;re(' ol" merit. 1 Icr coiinihiitioiis to tlie seieiilitie |tnl»iicali(iii.s
of \V. W'alsli, of LMiiladclpiiia. and otiicr periodicais of llic time,
Itotli verse and prose, wcie miieli admiicd. Nor did the poMtical
(liK'stions of the (hiy escape lier ready i»eii. Tlie discussion of
liiese topics in our newspapers were ea,i;i'rly read liy liie jxiliticiaiLS
of Illinois. A feat of nuicii in,yenuity was h( r wori< of reMioddlin.^'
and co'iveriinn' into M'rse the i'salms of David. The volume was
presented to tlie i'idladelpiiia I'reshytery and met with iiiuh coin-
niendation for many of its excellencies, though it was not adopted.
Later in life, she j^avea thorouj;h inve^'i^alion to the doctrines of
r<'li;;ions .seets, and after much retli )n muted with the ("alholic
church. Possessed of j^reat forci' of character, and zealous and
ardent in whatever she esp(»use<l, her e.\am|ile and iirecepis con-
tributed <;Teii11y toward proselytin;;' niend)ers to that faith. .She
beciune the mother of an interesting' faMuly. Sonu' of her sous
June lieen (pute consj)icious in the allairs of this State. Mrs,
IVlorrison lived t() an advanced aue, and died at IJellevilh' in
VOUDOt:iSM Oli "WlTC'IIC'UAl'T IX ILLINOIS.
It is reeoi<ledt that at least two human lives haxc fallen a sacri-
fice to the nuserable sni)erstition of witchcratt in Illinois in early
times. An African sla\c l)y the name of JNIoreau wiis, about the
year J7!)0, hunj^- on a tree a little ways southeast of Cahokia,
charjicd with and convicted oi' this in'a^inary crinu'. He li.ul ac-
liuowled^cd, it is said, that by Ins ])ower of devilish ineaniatiou
"he had poisoned his nnister, l>ur that his unstress had proved too
jMiwcrfid tor his ju'cromancy,"' and this it seems was I'ldly believed,
stud he was e\ecute(l. The case was murder; but there was at this
period a very imitertect administratii>n of the laws in Illinois, la
the same villajic, i^^norantly inspii'ed by a belief in the existence
of this dread jiowfr of diabolism, another ne,uro"s life was ottered
\\[) to the JMoloeh of superstition, ity bein^ shot <iowii in the [»ubiic
streetis. An old ne;;r<'ssof that \icinily, named .lani'tte, comm<inly
rei>uted to pitsses.^ the supernatural jiowcrof destroyin,^' life and
l)i()[»erty by the i»otency of her incantations. insjMred si;ch terror
l)y lier appearance that adults as well as children would llee at
her apinoach. It was a \cry common feeliii;.; amonji tin- i'reneh
to dread to incur in any way the disj)leasur«' of certain old colored
l)e(>!.'le, undei' the vaj^ne belief and fear that they possessed a
clandestine power by which to invoke the aid of the e\il one to
"Work mischief or injury to]»erson or pro])erty. Nor was this belief
solely eoiitined to the iM-eiich, or this power ascrilted only to the
colored peojile. An old woman ii\in,L;' on Silver ('leek was almost
generally accredited with the i)ower (»f wiiehcialt. which, it was
believed, she exercised in takin.u' milk from her neij;hbor's c(»ws at
jileasure, witlnait llie aid ol any physical a;;ency. The African's
belief in felislies, and the jiower of their divination, is well known.
]\Iany superstitions blacks in this country have clainu'd the descent
to them of fetish jtower; the infatuation lejiai'dinj;' Miudouism,
formerly so wide spn-ad, is not yet extinct amon^ many ii^norant
Jlicynold's IMoncur Hist. '
NOETinVESTKRN TERTUTOBY.
231
blacks of Louisiiuiii, lis we read occasionally from Now Orleans
lta])ei-s. IvCiiauU. aji'ent of the "("()iiii)any of tlic West.'' hoiiylit
in ITl'O, al Wan J )oiniii.ii(», oOO slaves wliicli li< brought to Illinois,
]Maiiy of wlioin were direct from Africa, and thus was i]n]iorte(l.
the claim totliis occult jiower, which, ])erlia]>s, had no dilli<'nlty in
iindin^' lod.yement in the minds of the superstitions freuch of
Illinois. Mankind have ever be«'n prone to superstitious b<'liefs;
there are very many ])ersons now who are daily fioverned in the
mullii)!ied alfairs of life by some siyii, omen, or au^^ciT.
Nor were the red children of the forest in American free from
superstition. The brother of the Shawanee w.urior, 'reciinibeli,
mimed Lawlelueskaw, the loud voiced, better known as the (Uie
eyed I'lojjhet, who connnanded the Imliansal the battle ol Tippe-
caiuie, seekinji' to reform his pett])le, eaiiu'stly declaimed a,i;ainst
the vice of witchcralt, as well as drunkenness, iutermari-yin;, with
white nuMi, etc. In oltedience to tin' conunands of the maniteau,
the (Ireat Spirit, he fulminated the i>enalfy of de.dh a.^^ainst those
who practiced the bhick art of witchcraft and mayic. Ilisxehe-
ment Inuranjiues evoked amonj^' his folhtwers a i)aroxysm of
suixrstitious iidatuation. An old Delaware chief, named Tate-
bock(»she, wasaccused of witchcraft, tried, condemned, tomaliawked
and consumed on a pyre. This was enacted on thi^ i)resent site of
Yoi'ktown, J)elaware county, Indiaim.* The chief's wife, ins
nepiiew, I>illy I'atterson, and an a.iicd Indian named floshu.a, were
next accused of witchcraft and the two latter conxicted. sentenced
and burned to the stake; l»ut a brother of the chief's wife boldly
stepix'd forward, seized his sister aiul led her Irom the council
house, without op|)osition from those ]U'esent,and immediately re-
turned, and in aloud tone haran<;ued the saxaj^es, exclaim injj;':
'Olaniteau, the evil spirit has com<' in our midst and we are
murderin;.>' oiu' another." This, to,ii('ther with the eariu'st letterof
(Jo\'. llarj'ison, sent l>y s]»ecial iiiessen,ii'ei' in the siirin.^ of lS()(i,
exhorlin;^' the Indians to spurn the pretended ]»rophet, clieeked the
hcnrid delusion. 8ee Drake's Tecnmseh, SS.
*Ui' liiKlulfio ollcnclcil liy liis inlliicnco in liiiii^riiijf aliniit tlio trciity of Aiiir. isdl, by
wliicli tliL' ('liiul's mid lusid iriiMi (if tliu Kt'liiwiiiTs cciU'd to tlic L'. S. tliat largo tract of
lauil iu southern nidiuiia, siiicu known as tliu '•pocket."
Chapter XX.
1800-1809— ILIJNOIS AS PAKT OF THE INDIANA TEKRI-
TOIIY.
Its On/dnizatioii — Ktfiit(iiiis!i;ii(f Iii«li(in Titles to Lauth — Uov. liar-
rm)ii\s Fdciliti/ in TItiN — Laud A^>r(»/«//(>/(,v and Frauds in
^^Ijiipron-nivnt-riuhts'^ and '•'•llead-ritihts''' — Mtdinij of the Leyida-
at ViuvcnncH in 1805 — IStututes of iSOl.
My act of ('oiijircss, iii)]H(»v('(l iNIay 7, ISOO, the larjio iuid
unwieldy (enitory ol' llie ><'((i tliwest was dixided ; all tiiat i)art <»t'
it l\iii,i;' wesiwiii'd of a line heniniiin;;' on the Ohio river oi>positc
the month of the Kentucky, ninniiij;' thence north via I'ort Ke*'ov-
(n-y to the IJritish possessions, was constituted a separate territory
and called Indiana. It enchised the present States ol Illinois,
Wiscousiu, .Michi;;an, and Indiana excei)t a litth' strip on tlui
eastern side between the nM)iitli of the Kentucky and (ireat Miami.
QMie white population of the country was estimated at l,87.">, and
lu'^ro slaves l,'!,"), while the aj;j;i'ejiate nnnd)er of Indians within
the extreme. limits of the territory was fairly reckoned at 100.(»00.
The seat of (iovernnu'nt was tixed at Viuceiines, and the oi'dinanee
of 17S7 was api»lied to the teriitory in amoditied form : that clause
rt(piirin;; r»,(((IO free white nuile iidiahitants of the a^e of -I years
and upwar<ls, before a j;eneral assend)ly could be orjuaiuzed, was
eha u.ued to the wish of u simple niaj(»rity of tlii' freeholders. The
law was to pt into effect on the -1th of July following'.
A chief reason foi' makinj^- this division was the lai'j;e extejit of
th<^ northwestern territory, w Iiich rendered the ordiiniiy operations
of ;4(tveinnu'nt uncerlain and the prompt and eflicient administra-
tion ofjustice almost imi)ossible. In the three western counties —
ir.w.'i- sif /<]..;.. .....I i>,...,i..i..i. fix. i..4^f,... f..-,. ;.. in:..,.:., fi. ...... 1....1
jiiiiiiii^ lilies iiiiu i;i iiiii III,;:; liinus mi i:eiiiuii pei.MMi."^ nu iiiiiiiiii^y
services, and the laying out thereof, remained unexiMited, causinj^'
{;reat discontent;* and the unpopularity of (iovcrnor St. (,'lair was
constantly on thi' increase. Ills unfortunate cumpaiun aj;ainst the
JMamnee towns, whi«h had j^reatly shaken tlu' conlidence of the
people, had bid rendeicd his conduct of civil atfaiis more arbitra-
ry and deliant. Ii«' vetoeil nearly e\ery act of the le;;islalnre
establishiu};' new counties, to the great inconvenience of the people
•Sec report of Committee In CongrcBS— Am. State Pap. XX, 'M6.
232
INDIANA TEUUITOHY.
L';J3
ill tiicir tr;iiis;i('ti(tiis witli clcrfis nnd recorders, iuid to the vexiitioii
ul" suitoi's iit iiiw.
The territoiiiil h'j^islMtinv sitting at ('iiiciiiiiiiti, electecl, on th(>
3d (»!' Ocloltcr, I7*.>!l, W'illiiiMi Henry lliirrison, tiien secretary of
the territory, a (ieh'gate to con,i;ress, over Arliiur St. (Mair, Jim., l»y
51 vote ol" 11 to 10. Tile contest elicited wide and nmisiiai interest,
and was not uiiatteiided liy iiiucii acriinony and ill blood, 'i'iio
St. Clairs were federalists, and parly feelinj;' ran extremely liijih
ill tliose days. Ilairisoii was lar;;ely instriiineiital in ('oii;;ress in
ohtaining tile )»assai;e of tile act of division. I'p to tliistiiiie tlie
smallest tract of jmhlic lands which could Ik; entered was KM)
acres, excejit I'ractioiial jiieccs cut by im|iortaiit streams. This
uas a ji'icat hindiaiice to settlement, and to the poor our land sys-
tem Avas a curse rather than -a blessing. Harrison, fully
appreciating this grievance, urged through Congress a law
anlhorizing the sale of the public lands in tracts of.'iL'O acres, with
a cash i»ayment ol only one-fourth and the bulance in one, two and
three years. The passage of this law was regarded in the west as
H public .service of the great«'st importance, rendering Harrison ex-
tremely popular. He was. M;iy l-'l. iSdO, :ippoiiil<-d vlovernor for
the Indiana territory, .lohii (iibson (he to whom in 1771, Logun,
tlie great Indian chief had delivered his celebrated speech), was
ai>pointed secretary; and \Villiam Clark, -lohii (Irillin and Henry
Vauderbiirgh, teiritoriiil judges. In the aiiseiice (»f the governor,
secretary (iibson jiioceecled in .July to jiiit the machinery of terri-
torial government in motion by ap|ioiiiting the necessary local
oHicers i'or the administration of the laws, vVc. In .lamiary. ISOI,
(ioxernor Harrison, having ariixcd at his post of duty, immecliute-
ly coincned tlieJiKlges with himself at the seat of government, for
the ado|»tioii of "such laws as Ihe exigency of tlu', times" reipiiicd,
and to the discharge of such other duly for the government of the
territory as congress had by law imposed upon tliem. They
remained in si'ssioii two weeks, passing several res(»|iitions ]»rovi-
diiig ])aymeiit for various services, iiiul a<lo]»ted a numlier of laws,
tine ]iro\ iding for the estalilisiimeiit of courts of (piiiiter sessions
of the ]»eace in the counties of St. Clair, Ifandolph mid Knox. A
term of the general court for the territory at large, was «'omiiieiiced
h\ the. three Judges on the od of .Alaivli, iSdl. Tiiiis the tirst
grade of territorial goxeriimeiit was put in fidl winking order.
The jinrchase of Loiiisana from l-'iance having been consumma-
ted ill i.SO.'), that vast domain lying west of the .Mississijipi, was by
act of ('ongress, March LM!, iSdl, annexed to the Indiana teiiiloiy.
tiov. Harrison and tiie judges, in October, IS(»I, adopted the
necessary laws for the goveriinieiit of the district of liOusiaiui.
The union was. however, of short duration; March ."?, 1S(>,"», Loui;--
iana was detachcil and erected into a se]»arate territory. Shortly
alter this Aaron Ihirr entered upon his treasonable eflort to wrest
from the Ciiited Slates this largi- domain ami to found his soiith-
Avestern empire. To organize an expedition for his enterprise, he
visited, among other jihices in the west, N'incenues ;ind Kankaskia,
and induced a fi w men of the territory to enroll their names on the,
list of his followers; but the scheme came sjieedily to naught — his
nieii abandoned it, andlie was arrested in Mississipjii in the spring
oflS()7. Alter the purchase of liouisiaua. it became desirable to
learn something respecting the vjist region lying between the Mis-
234
niSTOKY OF ILLI>'OIS,
.sissi)»i>i and tlic- I'acitic. Coiii^Tcss llicrctoic iiutliori/.t'd ail
ovoi'laiid cxitloriii.y' cxpt'ditioii. !<» the <'()iiiiiiaiid of wliicli llic,
J'rcsidciit appointi'd Captains Mcniwcatlu'r Lcwi.s and William
Dark, the latter a Itrotlicr of (icn. (lcor,uc KopTs Clark. Tlui
]»ai1y, consistin;^' of .">4 men, ciicaniix'd dniin^' tlic winter of
lS(K»--4 in tlie American l)oitoiii, near the niontli of Wood lixci',
below A'ton — then the nltama thnluof the white setth-meiits in Illi-
nois — and started thence npon tlieir toilsome and i»erilous jonrney,
May 1 Ith, reachinj;- the racilic NoNcndier 17, ISd,"). The exjiloicrs
retnrned in safely to St. l^onis about a year tlie reai'ter. 'i'he.
])eninsnla of .Alicliij^an was also, l>y act of Confi'ress, flanuary 11,
bso,"), detached from Indiana and ere(;ted into a separate territory,
the act to take effect Jane ;!(>, bSd,!,
The nndn toi»ics of interest dnrin;^' the !> years that Illinois con-
stituted a i)art of the Indiana teiritory, were: the ac(|uisition of
land titles from the resident Indian trilies, land speculations, and
the adjustment of laud titles; ne;^ro shncry; or^ani/.aiion of the
leriitorial le.uislature, extension of tlu' ri^ht of sulfrap' and the;
detaclnnent of Illinois fr«un the Indiana ti'rritory.* Captain Wil-
liam Jlenry Harrison, besides liis a|)iiointMU'Ut as jiovenior, was
also constituted superintendent of Indian affairs, and ncsIimI
■with plenary powers to uejiotiate treat ii's between the United
States and the several tril)esof Indians residin.u' within his oflicial
jinisdiction, for the cession of lands. As the rai)idly advancing
.settlements of the \vliites ]ienetrated i'artlier daily, and crowded
ii]ion the domain of the I'cd nnin, it becanu' desirable on the ]iart
of the ji'encral .iioxcrument to eular,u(' the area of its landed ac(|ui-
sitions beyond the sti])idations of the treaty of Cireenville, by^
Avhich 17,71*4,18!) acres of laud were obtained. IJy an active exer-
cise of these ])owers. in which his Ivxcelleucy disco\ered ii
remarkable ai>titiide, no less than ten treaties were concluded with
various tribes by the close of the year bSO,"), extinjiuisliiu,i;' the In-
dian titles to about ."JO,!*!!!!,!)!!!) acres juore of land. AVe cite in
brief the ti'ealies of that i>eriod, )»y which lauds lyinj;' either wholly
or in part within Illinois, weic relintpushed :
Tn((ti/ of Fort \V(ii/ii<; concluded rlune 7, bSO,'{, with certain
chiefs and head nu'U of the Delawares, Shawam^se. I'ottawatouiies,
Eel IJixcr, Wea, Kickapoo, Tiaukeshaw, and Kaskaskia tribes —
ratilied at N'iiH'eniH's Au.uiist 7, 1SU;>, by three of the tribes and
the Wyandots, by which there were ceded to the I'nited States,
1,((.'54,<H>0 acres of land, L5.'j(i,i-8 of which were situated within
Illinois.
Treaty of Mitnitiics, concluded August lo, 18(».'?, with certain
cliiets and wariiors of the Kaskaskias, in consideration of the pro-
tect in,u' care of the j;o\('rniiu'nt. of >*-"»8(> in <'asli. of an increase of
their annuity under the treaty of (irceuxille to $b'<'<>, of ?<.'J(>()
toward buildinj^ a church, nnd an annual paynn-nt for s('\-en years
of •*H>(l to a Catiiolic jniest stationed amon.u' them, the tribe of
Kiiskaskias, r«'duc(-d to a few hundred indi\ i(luals, but still repre-
senting the once jiowerful coid'ederacy of the Illinois, ce(le<l to the
I'nited States, except a small reser\ ation, all that tiact included
within a line be^inninj;' below the month ol' the Illinois, desccnd-
inji' the .Mississippi to its jinuMiou with the Ohio, ascending' the
lattei' to the \N abash, and from a jtoint u]) the ^\ abash west to
"i'he subject of slavery is deferred to Gov. Cole's adtuinUtratloD,
INDIANA TKUIJITOIIV.
tlic Mississi)t|>i, ('iiil)i'iiciiiii' tlic ^rcjitor i)iirt of soiitlicni lIliiMtis,
.sonic M,()0S.l(i7 iirrcs, n !ii;i^iiiliciciit .yiMiit.
Trcdfi/ of' iSt. /v*»(.v, ('oiiclndcd Novciiilicr .'id, 1S0[, by wliicli llic,
cliicl's iiiid liciid iiicii of tilt' iiiiilcd Sat' and l''o\ naliiins ccdfil tt)
tlic rnitctl States, a yit-al ti'at't on l)t)tli sides of llie .Alississippi,
e\teMdin:4' on tlie east l)aid< IVoni tlie nioiitli tif tlie Illinois tti lln^
li"ad t)l' thai liver and tlieiit'e to tlie \\'iseonsin, antl including': on
tlic west eonsideialile ptntions of Iowa and .Missouri, from I lie
nioiitli of tlie (iascoiiaiie noil liward. (In ISIO tjie ^Dverniiieiit,
,i;raiited liaek to the iiniled tribes alioiit r),(H»(l,()l»() acres in Iowa).
Out of this treaty, as wc shall see, siihsetjuently grew the IJIack
]lawk war.
Tnvl;i of Viiironies, eonclntleil Deconiber ."JOtli, ISO,"), by which
the chiefs ami warriors of the I'iankeshaw triiie ceded to the I'liitetl
States their claim to a tract of country in Illinois, bortlering on
tile Wabash river ojiposite N'iiicenncs. extending north antl south
for a consitlerable distance, and comprising -.(iWi.iL' t acres.
1'hiis by successive treaties all the soul hern third of Illinois antl
a broatl belt of hintl between the Illinois ami Mississijjpi rivers,
bordering on both streams ami running northward to the Wiscon-
sin, was divesleil t»l' the Imliaii title as early as 1S(»."»; but wliihi
iniicli of the country was thus lawfully tlirt»wii t)pen tt> the ail va nee
of the eiitei'prising itioneer. the chiltlreii of the forest still lingered
aroiintl their ancient hunting grounds, reluctant to aliamlon tin;
scenes of their youth anil the gra\fs of their ancestors, notwith-
standing tlie solemn cession of their native lami to the jiowerfitl
goveriiiiieiit of the ]tal(? faces, the receipt of i>ayineiit, ami their
]»r()mises to retire. Nor ilid they abstain from occasional maraud-
ing excursions into the frontier settlements of the whites. Tlu!
I'emoteness of Illinois from the Atlantic sea-boarti, its ilestitutiou
of many of the comforts of ci\ ilizetl society, ami exposure to the
precarious amity of the savages, to a great extent tletei'red emi-
granls t'rom coming hitlier. They Ibuiid, aside from the (|ualily of
the soil, e(|ual o]»portuiiities in Kentucky, Ohio, anil southern
Imliana, with greater security i'roiii danger and more comt'iiience
of access in their slow ami toilsome iiiotle of travel. Meiice, at this
time the settlements on the Waliash, the Illinois, ami the I'lipor
]\Iississippi, increased slt>wly. comparetl with the regions above
iiieiitioned.
N'irginia, by her tleed of cession, liatl stipiilatetl that '"the I'^reiich
ami ('anatliaii inhabitants, antl all other .settlers of thi! Kaskas-
kias, St. \'iiiceiits, ami the iieighboriiig villages, who juiifessetl
themseht'S citizens of N'irginia, shall have their possessions ami
titles conlirmed to them, antl be ]»rotecteil in the enjoyments of
their I'iglits ami liberties."' '^flie congress of the oltl coiifetleration,
by resolutions of .June L'Otii antl August l!!), ITSS, ortlained that
steps be iniiiiediately taken for contirming in their possessions antl
titles to lantis the i'^rench ami Camitlian inhabitants, and other
settlers, who, on or befort^ JTS.'i, had jirofesseil themselves citizens
of the I'liitt'd States, or of any State; and that a domiMoii shoiihl
be given each of the families then lixiiigat either of the \ illage.s
of Kaskaskia, Prairie du Uocher, C'ahokia, Fort Cluirtres, or St.
IMiillips. Out of this grew the old "heatl-righ^elaims, of which
it seems there were only a total of I'll in all the counti'y. We
lia\t' seen that in IT'JO the French, iu i:lii:ir impoverishod condition,
i
230
UISTOKY OF 1LI.1M(J1S.
olijcctod strciiiKMisly to i)ii,viii,i'' llic ('xjh'IIsc of surveys. Confess
l>;iss('(l ;i liiw Mil fell .'!, 1 T'.tl, |tro\ itliii;;' fill'tlicl', tliiit \\ lici'»! liiinls liixl
ix'cii iictuiilly iiii|»i'o\»'(l :iM(l «'iilti\ jitcd, midcrii siipixtscd <;raiit of
tlic siiiiu'by iiiiy <-oiiiiii:iii(tiiiit or coiut claiiiiiii*; iuitliority to make
.sucli uraiit, tlic (io\»'iiior of the territory was eiiipowei'ed and
eliar.u'ed witli tiie duty toeoidiiiii to llie persons eiilitle<l thereto,
iis above, tlieir Iieirs or assigns, tiie land sniijiosed to Inisc been
firanted to ilieiu,or such sliare of it asini^^lit be adjud.nc(l u])oii I lie,
jtroof to be reasonable, not exceedinii' l(M> acres to any one person
liowexer. 'I'lie benefits of this act were extended to persons eiiti-
tle(l undei' it, bnt who had removed out of the eountry, pro\ ided
they or their heirs shonid return and oeeni>y their lands v, ithin ~)
yi'ars. l>y the (itli section of the same act, in the same manner, n
<;i'anl of land not exceedini;' KM! acres was pro\ided to each person
>vho had not already obtained a donation as abo\ c from the I'niled
States, and who, on the lirst day (tf An;;nst, 17!»(», had been en-
rolled in the militia and <lone militia duty.
(lo\ crnor St Clair had made many conlirmations of these grants,
but still ii Jarji'e number of claims I'enniined unadjusted. 'J'lie
abeyance of these conlirmal ions was a ;^reat hindrance to the set-
tlement of that poilion of the country where they weic located.
2so one eared to inxcst a fair ])rice in lands, the title whereof was
not established by snrv<'y and record. There was naturally much
anxiety on the ]>art of claimants, and those who desired to see llio
i'otintry till uj* and prosper, to hiivc these obstacles cleared away.
As a renu'dy, a law was passed by eon.i;ress, March I.'), bS()4,estal)-
lisliinu' land oflices at Kasl<askia, \'incennes and l)etr(tit, tbi' the
saleof the public lands, and const it ut in^' the I'ci^isters and receivers
a board of commissioners, upon winch was de\(il\cd, for the
respective districts at each place, the former jiowcrs and duties of
the ^•o\('rnor to examine the \alidily of land claims, decide thereon
acconliu!; to justice and e(piily. and not conlirm, but I'cport tlieir
decisions to eon<;ress. The land otiice at Ivaskaskia was author-
ized to sell such of the lan<ls included in the cession of the Kas-
kaskia tribf of Indians, iiy treaty of Au.yust l.'>, 1S0;>, as wcie not
claimed by any other tribes.
Michael tlones and IC. l>ackus were ajtpointcd register and ri^
ceivei". respect ixcly. of the land oflice at Kaskaskia. These
j;entlemen, in entcrinji' upon their duties as commissioners, soon
learned that it wouM be necessary to ]»roeeed with j^reat circum-
spection, as many of the land claims present«'d (iisco\ered
('vidences of fraud, and hence their labor of in\esti,uation becamo
immense, and they made but slow pioyress. 'I'hey nuule an elal)o-
rate rei)ort in ISIO, which may be seen in Vol. 11, American State
I'ajK'rs — IMiblie Jjands, to which we are indebted for our facts in
great ]»art. See jkiuc 1(L'.
l''roni a very eaily time these land claims of ancient j:i'ants. both
French and l']ii,nlisli — of (lonations to heads of families, '-head
ri<;hts." of im])rovement I'iiihts, and ndlitia rights, became a rare
iield for the operation of s]te<'idators. The l''reneh claims, owinj>'
to the |M)\('ity of this ]»eople, were in j^real ])art un ■onlirmcd,
and tliis cireumstauce, with others, ('(Hitributed to lbrc<' many of
them into market. We have seen, also, with what facility the
IJritish connnaudant, Wilkins, made extensive ,i;rants to nunuTous
la\()rites in various portions of the eountry, and these lieing
INDIANA TEUKITORY.
a]>i);n'('iitly in coiitriivoiition <)f'tli<> Kiiiji's procliuiiiitioii of Octolicr
Ttli, 17(»;>, were pmcliiiscd I'oi' ;i tritlc; ;iml ;i.s*1or tlic iiiililiii rimlits
of KM) ;h'1v ti'iicts, wliiU' \iili(l, liicy sold freely iit .">(> cents per
sicre, in liiyli pri(;e(l and trillin.^ inercliandise, p'ronrtlic passii,i:{'
oftlic law of 17i)l to till' time tiiat tlie cominissioiiers tool; np the
inv('sti;;ali(»n of these elainis, speculation in tlieni was rife,and very
lew of lliein renniined in tiie iiaiids of oiij^inal elainiants. 'I'lie
yiced of specnhitorscansed nnnicroiiH claims to pass cnrrent with-
out close scrutiny as to the ])roofs npctn which they rested, a
circumstance which at the same lime tended all the moretostimu-
hite the pro<1uction oi' tiaiiduleut claims. The numlier of
fraiiiliilent claims was comparatively yreat, hut by purchase and
assignment they, more than the j^cnniiie. became concentrated in
the hands of a few sju'culatoi's. The ofli<-ial report of the commis-
sioners for the district of Kaskaskia, made in ISIO to the secretary
of tho treasury, siiows that they rejected S!l(> land claims as either
il]e;^al or fraudulent, ."•TO beiiij;' supported by perjury, and a
considerable innnber foi'jicd. The report furtliei' shows that the
assignees were privy to both these atteiupted frauds; the jteijured
dei)ositions a])pt>ared in the liandwiitinj;' of claimant sjx'culators
not unfretpuMitly without a word ciianii'ed by the sworn sij.',ners.
There ai'c 11 names yi\'en, both lOii^^lish and l-'reiu-h. who made it
a rej;idur business to furnish sworn certilicates, professinji' an in-
tiiimte knowledji'e, in every case, of the settlers who had made
certain inii)rovemeids, and when and where they were located,
upon which claims were pr.'Jicated. In some cases these names
were assnined and thede]»ojient woidd never a]>itear;in sonu' tlu'y
Avere real and well known ; while still in (»thers. ]mrpoi'tin.i;to coiiui
from a distance, well km.^vn names would be for.^ed. In one case;
several hundred dei)ositioiis i)oured in npon the commissioners
from St. Chai'les, Missouri, in the names of gentlemen formerly
well known in Kaskaskia. The conuuissioners, having; their
suspicions aroused that they were forgeries, sumnnmed them to
appear before them, which they I'cadily did, thonj;h they <'onld not
Inive been comjx'lled to, and with tears in their eyes declared on
oath that they li\cd in r])per Lonisiana, that they had never been
in St. C'hailes in their liv<'s, and that the dei)ositions were (les)>i(!-
able for,neries, A J-'remdnnan, clerk of the Parish of l*rairi<' dii
liocher, "without juoperty and foud of liipior," after ha\inj;' ^iven
some liOO dei)ositions in favor of three ceitain land <'laimaid spec-
nlators, whose names would be fannliarly recoi>ni/ed today, "was
induced eithe)' by com])eusation, fear, or the im])ossibility of
obtaining absolution on any other terms, to declare on oath that
the said despositions were false, and that in fi'ivinji' them in. he
had a regard to something beyond the truth.'"*
It is not pleasant for an Illinoisan to read in the pul)li(^ ai'chives
of onr conntry, noted after the hoiu)red names of tin' tirst pronu-
iient settlers of onr State, whose descendents have becon)e
consi)icnous in its subse<pn'nt history, by sworn and intelligent
otlicials the damaging words of "pei;jury," "deed forged," "fraud
and peijnry," time and again, in snopctrt of land claims; but such
[iVOTE.— Tlic forfred nnil perjured depositiors wore mostly adduced to support claiuis
Eresi'iited by Kolicrt Morrison, John Kdfrtir, I{>,bcrt Reynolds, Win. Morrison, Itielmrd
ord, Wm. KoUey, and others. Am. Stale Papers, vol. ii, lOl— Pub. Lauds, 3, ib. 115—
^
23S
IIISTOK'Y OF ILLINOIS.
is tlip fact. Well iiiiiilit :i ('olcinporiiiy, voiiiiy' at tlu' time, snl>s(i-
(|ii»'iitly rxi'laiiii, tii.il ••[lai lies wci'c hraiidfil willi pcijiir.v and
t(ir;^('ry to an alariiiiii;^ t'\tciil."'t liiil when lie I'liitlicr says that
'*thr best citi/cns in the conntiy wci'o sti^inati/.cU with tlic above
criini's, witlioiil cause." the facts appear a^^ainsl him. Mncli
rancor and jtaftisan leclin.u was en^cnderefl a.uainst the coinniis-
sioncis by ihe inlhiential claimant specnhitois, wiio were llnis
tliwarte<l to a ;L;reat extent in tln-ir rascally si-ln'mcs. 'I'he com-
missioners close tlieir report with these words:
"We close this melancholy picture of hinnan depravity, by rcn-
dorin;^' onrdevont acknow led;^-ements that, in the awt'nl alternative
in which we have been ]iIaced,ol' either admit lin,y perjincd testi-
mony in snpporl (d' the claims bet'oi'e ns, or lia\iny it tnrned
against onr chara<'ters and li\cs, it has. as yel, pleased Disine
I'roN idence which rnles onci' the at'lairsol' men, to i»reserveiis both
from le^al mnrder and private assassination."
'i'he clainianls, parti<MiIarly those who held by assiuiinicnl, had
met with lillle troid»le in ha\ in.m heir claims confirmed and pat eiits
issned to them by (iov. St. C'iair, w hilc Illinois \vas])art of the norlh-
westcrn territory. On the occasion of his visit to Illinois, in I7!((>,
while the impoverished l^'icnch were nnable to bear the exjiciise
of the j;dvernmcnt surveys, the rich and inlhiential specnlators
readily met this dillicnlty and oI»tained their patents. It seems
that many of tin' ji()vern(»r's c(»nlirmations wi-re made by tlie
bnndle. As bnt a single instance, ont of many, we will cite his
contirmation, in one balk, of 1)0 donation rights to heads of fam-
ilies, of 4(10 acres each, anionntinf;' to .'{(»,(KH) a<'res of land, in tlie
liands of .John Ivluar as assij;iiee. AN'e have already noted Ins
contirmation of an i'>n;^lish urant described as conlainini;'
l'),0((0, acres but which really contained ;i(»,(l(l(», a nnjiety of wliicli
liad l)een incviously conx'eyed to his son. AVhile this was Ihe
laruesi, there were many otheis in which liis son shared, that
I'cadily recei\cd his contirmation. 1^ v id en t fraud and imposili(»ii
wei'c also i>racticc<l u|)oii (btvernor Harrison in )»rocnrin,u' his cou-
firination to land claims.
As the reixu't of the commissioners raised manifest doubts le-
s[)cctiii^' the \alidity or pro[»riety of a luimberof conlirnmtions by
the governors, and as there was much dissatisfaction on the part
of the claimants, congress. Felt. I'O. 1SI2, jtassed an a<'t for the
re\ ision of these land claims in the district of Kaskaskia. The
coinmissioiH'rs under this law were Michael .lones, John Caldwell,
and Tliomas Sloo. Their investi.yations ri'sulted in uncart hin<;-
more facts and conlirmin.y' many i)r<'vious ones, (hnna^in;;' to the
p)od name of jicntlcmen hi^h in ollicial life. IJejiardiiiy the
En;^lish j^rant of .id.lHK) acres, which (Jovcrnor St. Clair conlirmed
to his son. .lohn Murray ami .lolni l^d.^ar. they declared that the
]»atcnt was issued after the .u'overnor's powcis had erased to exist
and the Indiana Territory was stricken otf, which rendered it a
nullity, and that the claim was ioundi'd mither in law nor ecjnity,
and ouiL^ht not to be coidirined. It was. howcNcr, coidirmcd by
coni;ress. (iovernor St. Clair was empowered to make absolute
eonlirnmtions and issue patents f<»r the lamls;but the laud coni-
missioiu'i's under the act of ISO-l were not vested with the power
of conliiniati(tn — they were only an exanuninj;' lioard for tlie iu-
tHeynold'8 Pioneer History.
INDIANA TEIIUITOUT.
'2?,[)
vosti;;iition ol' tlic rij;lits of cliiiinimts to iuicioiit ^iiiinls, IiciKl,
iiii|)i'()\i-iiiciit iiiitl iiiiliiiii ri<:lits.
A \(»t(', taken ScidciiilxT 1 1, iSdl, sliowcM a iiiajoiity of l."»S
fi'cclioldci's (»f the Icniloiy ill faxor of the second ^iiade of leii'i-
loiial j;(»veriiMieiit, and in obedience to tlie will of tiie people, (io\ -
ei'nor llanison ordered an election for .•epreseiitaiives lo tiici
territoiial ;L;»'iieral assendil.v, for .lannary ■'>, ISO."», widcli was lo
meet at N'incennes, I^'ehriiary 7tli followiiij^'. and nominate ten men
for tlie ie,uislati\c council. 'I'lie iiieinhers elect from Illinois wei'c
Sliadracli liond and William I'.i.uiis, of .Si, ( 'lair, ami ( ieor^c f'islier,
of Ikandolpli. 'I'iie names presented from Illinois for conncilors,
were Jean I'raiicis I'errcy and .lolin Hay. of St. Clair, and rieric
JMeiiard, of l»aiidolpli. {'resident .lefferson waived his ri,<4lit of
seleciioii in faxorof (ioverinn' Ilaiiisoii, askiiiu' only that he reject
"land Johl)ers, dislioiiest men, and those who, thoii^h holiesl,
mi.u Id suffer themselves to be warped by party prejudice."' I'errey
ami .Mellaril were selecte(l for Illinois. On the 7th of .Iniie I'oliow-
iiiii', the .uo\ eiiior issued his proclaiiiat ion coii\ciiiii,L;' the Icj^iislaliiie
for tlie L'ilth of .Inly, lS(»r». This was the secomi time that the
jieople of this coiintry, thron^h their I'cpreseiitalix es. <'.\ercised
the law maUiii,u' power for their own local ;;(iveiniiient.
In his message, delivered the followin;^ day, the j;'overnor re-
commended the jiassa^c of laws lo i»r«'Veiit the saleof intoxicating'
li(|ii()rs to the Indians, sayin<4' : " Y'oiihave seen onr towns crowded
Avith (ij^'iiikeii sa\ii,!;'es; oiir streets llowinj^' with blood ; their arms
and clot hin.n' bartered for the liijiior that destroys them ; ami their
miserable women and chiidreii eiidnrin.i;' all the extroniitics of cold
and hnii.iici'; whole \illa.ii('s Innc been swept awiiy. A miserable,
remnant is all that remains to mark the situation of many warlik(i
tribes.'"' lie recomincmk'd, also, ii renH)deliii<;' of tlie inferior
courts, so as to iiisnie a more ellicient administration of Jnstice;
an im]»roved militia system; more eflicieiit [mnishmeiit for horse
stealiiij;'; and ways and means for raising;' a revenue, sayiiiji'. that
this latter would be their most diflicnlt and delicate duty; that while
few were the ol»jccts of taxation in a new country, it must still i)e a
burthen, and the commencement of onr linaiicial operations must
lie cxjiectpd to be attendiMl by some trilling', thoiijih lu; trusted,
temiiorary enibarrassineiits. The le.iiislatiire, by Joint ballot,
elected IJenJaniin J'arke. of Indiana, territorial delcLiate to coii-
ji'ress. The Icvyinj;' of taxes, as was aiilici[»ated, created consid-
able dissatisfaction amon;;' s<mic of the ])eople. The ]»oll tax was
]»articiilarly obnoxious to the I-^rendi residents. Their imli.miatioii
found \'eiit at a ])nblic meeting;', held at \'inceiiiies. Sunday. Aii-
fiust n>, 1807, where it was " resolved"' that they would "withdraw
their conddeiMM'and supjiort forever from those men whoadxocated,
or in any niaiiiier ]»romoted, the second jiiade ol' jiovi-rnment."*
The lejiislature ]'e-eiiacted many of the i^'eneral laws selected and
adojited by the ji'overnors and Jtiducs of both the Northwestern
and Indiana territoiities, under the first jiiadeof their res])ective,
p>veriimeiits. I'l'ox isioii was made for a collection and tlioronj:h
revision of thelaws, by a commission. Accordiiijily, a volume was,
two years later, produced, bearinj;' the following;- title: " Laws of
the Indiana Territory, com])risiiij;' those acts formerly in force, and
as revised by ]\lessrs. ,Iohn Kice Jones and John Johnson, and
^Dillon's Indiana.
1
240 UISTOIIY OF ILLINOIS.
jjiisscd (al'tci' iiiiicii(liii»'iits) 1)\ llic Ic^iisliiliirc ; and llic ()ii;iiiia'.
aiis jdissctl ill llic lirsl session ol' the second ^I'Mcnd asst'inl»l,\ of
tln' said It'iriloiy — hcj^an and held at tin- lioron;;ii of V'incrnncs,
on tlic Hitli day of An^iist, A. 1>. ISOT.'" Messrs, Stont aial
Snioot, '• |>iintcrs foi' t lie tcnitory," were liic pnhlislifis ; llic paper,
on wliieli it was printed, was l)rouj;lit on iiorseliaek iVoni (ieor^e-
town, Kentucky.
Tliis collection of old statnfcs relates juincipally "to the orj;an-
izalion of superior and inferior <'oiirts of Justice, tlu' appoint-
ment and dniies of territorial and connty oilicers, ])rison and
]>risoii Itonnds, real estate, interest and money, marria;,;('s,
di\(»i'ces, licenses, fei'ries, ;:rist mills, elections, militia, roads and
lii;ili\vays, esira,\s, t respassin;;', animals, inclosiire and enltivaliou
of common lields, I'elief of poor, taverns, improvinji' tiie breed of
Imrses, taxes and revennes. ne;4r(pes and midattoes nnder inden-
tnres as servants, fees of oilicers, sale of inloxieat inji' li(piors,
r«'li«'f of persons imprisoned for debt, killin;;' wolves, i»roliil>itin^'
the sale of arms and ammunition to Indians and other persons,
the standard of wei;ilits and measnres, vaj^rants, ant horizin,^ aliens
to ]iui('hase and hold real estate in the teri'iloi'y,"* etc. The pen-
alties ]»rovi(le(l for (-rimes and misdemeanors, were, death for
treason, murder, arson and horse-stealing-; nuinslanjihter, jmnisli-
aitle as ])roviiled at common law; burglary and robbeiT, each by
whipi)in,n', line and, in some cases inij»risonment not exceediii;;' iO
years; riotous conduct, by line and impiisonment ; larceny, by
tine or whipping', and in certain cases, bound out to labor not
exceedinf'' 7 years; for;;('ry, by tine, disfranchisement and stand-
in,ii' in thi' pillory; assault and battery, as a crinu', by line not
cxceediuf;' .*n><>; hoj^-stealiny', byline and Avhippin*:'; "^iunblinj,;',
jtrofaue swciirinj;' and Sal»balh-l>reakinj;', each by tine; bi^^amy, by
line, whipping;' and dislVanciiisement. The disobedience of ser-
vants and children, a Justice of the ])eace was entitled to ])unish
by imprisoiMuent in the Jail until tho culprit was '• humbled," and
if the olfense was accomi>anied by assault, lu- mi<;ht be wliipiied,
not exi'cediu" 10 striiies.
•Dlllon'slndiunn
'Dillon 8 indiunn.
Till' laws, reltitiiig to ludontureU slaves, are treated under Governor Cole's aduiinis-
triitiou.
ClIAPTEU XXT.
1 S( »!)_] ILLINOIS T !•: I ! I M '!'( ) I { V.
Opjuisitiou to Dirisi.oti — .Irs.st; It. Thinuax — (Inr. Ktlirardx — Xathdiiii'l
I'djw — Tn'ritoritil Federal Judi/cs — The (Invevuor aroids ihe meshes
of the Sepnratioiiisfs toid AiiliSe2)(ir<(fio)ii.slf< — Condition (iiid Vop-
nUition of the Territon/.
V>\ Met oF conj^it'ss, ;\]»)>rov(Ml l-'cltinurv .">, lSO!t, mII flint i)art
ol" I lie liMliiiiiii 'i'cnitoiy l\iii,i;' '"west dI' the \V;ilt;isIi lixrr, iiiid ii
<lircct line dniwii tVoiu the s!ii<l \V;il>iisli river iiiid I'ost N'iiiccinics,
due iioi'tli to the tcrritoii;!! line hctwccii tlic I'liitrd Stiift's ;iii<l
('iiiiiidii,'' slioidd, iil'icr tlir lirsf of .Marcli follow iii;L;, coiislitiitc a
s«'))iir!)t(', tcnitor.v, iind 1)«' eidlt'd Illinois. 'I'liis, it will Ix' perceived,
included tlie i)resciit Stiite of Wisconsin. Tlie ]»opnlation of tlio
jiew I V organized territory was estimated at al»oMt !>,("'•', lea via <;•
in Indiana ahont doable that nnnii)er.
Tliere are many tliinj;s wliicli iisnally iid1nenc(^ any American
community in the desire to be indejtendent. Tlie main reasons
advanced by Illinois in favor of a sej)iiration fiom Indiana were,
the "wide extent of wilderness conntry" which inler\('ned bet wceu
the civili/ed sijttlements of the conntry on the .Mississippi, abont
the only ones in Illinois, ami the seat ol' ^'overnment on the
AVabiish, renderin^i' the oidiimry jirotectioii (»f ;;(>vernnieiit to life
and projjcrty almost iiniiatory; the in<'0]iveiiience. expense and
•lanuers of lonji' jonrneys whose routes led tliroM,iih sections wholly
iidial)ited by savajics, which litijiants in the snperior coni'ts of tin;
terriloiT were eom])elled to iiicnr t'oi- themselv«'s and witnesses;
and tht^ almost total obstrnctioii to an ellicient adnunistratioii of
the laws in connties so distant from the sent of .government as
those of Jllinois. Xotwithstandin.i;' the I'cmoteiiess and isohiticai
of this conntry IVom the ceiitei-s of ])oi>idation in the (nited^
States at tlnit early day, the tide of emiiiiation i)ressed westward
with a yradmd bnt ever increasinj;' tlow. In ISO.I .Miehi,L;an was
erected into a se)>arate territory, an(i by tliistime Illinois contained
SI white ])opnlation tally as j;ieat as that of the wjiole tei-ritory of
Indiana when detache(l tVom Ohio five years befoie. The (jnestion
of separation in Illinois j^rew ai)ace from this time on; it was re-
peatedly pressed npon the attention of con^iress by lejiislative
inenH)iials in ISOtJ, ISO" ami ISOS, nntil that body linally disposed
of thesnbject as above stated, lint while the people of Vincennes
and neijihb(»rin,n' villa<;es east of the Wabash (tpposed the sepaia-
tion fi'om interested motives, for a divisi(ai wonid before many
years elapsed take from tliein the seat of }:(>\erinnent and remove
it to SI more central locality, and would sdso increase the rsiles of
]0 241
242
IIISTOKV Ol' ILLINOIS.
t'lixiitioti, wliiit iiiiiy !i|i|H':ir tlillinili ol' soliitinii wii.s tiic tact that
ill Illinois tlx'if \\:isaii\ lliiii;; lint iiiiiiiiiiiiit v in t'a\t)r of tli\ isi(»ii aixl
iii(li'|M'ii<lcii*-t-. A \iiilciii ami >t'|iaralii)ii |iail,\ spniii;^ ii|> lirrt*,
wiiicli, tliiHij;li ;;r('atl\ (»\ I'llMiiiif li\ ininiln'fs, Itv ils arti\ity
nrdiist'd a (in-p ami aii;:r,\ Iccliii^ wliicli iiltiiiialcl.N rcsiillcil in
MiiimIsIii'iI. r>,\ III*- iiiacliiiiatioiis o[' tlit' ii|i|Misrrs to ;i division
'•(Mif (iT till' waiiih'sl tViniils ami alijcsl ailxocah's of tiii' iii«'a>iii**
was assassiiiati'il at KasUaskia in (M»iisc<|iiciH'f."* 'I lie «|iHNiiuii
of sc|iai'ati(iii tiii'iicd ii|m)|i iIic al)ilil,\ of llit> llliiinis iiiciiiIm'Is ut'
till' lit ^isliitiirc, in sessional N'iiicciim's in ( )ctiiliiM- lso,s, lu <'lrcl.
a il<lt';;atf |o cniijirfss in place of I'leiijainin I'arke, resi^iietl. \\li(»
kIkiiiIiI lie laNoralile to lli*> iti\ isioii. 'i'lie lllinoisans t'oiiml a suit-
alile eaiidiilale in an Indiana ineiidiei-ot' the House, who was also
Speaker, l>\ the name ol" Jesse 11. 'I'lionms, who, I'oi' the sake of
{;(iin;;' to congress, was ready to viohile the sentiments of liiseoii-
stitiieiits upon this (picstioii. Ihil the Illinois meinlteis, w itli a
due appreciation ol' (he promises of politiei;ins, cNcn at that eaily
da\, reiiiiiicd of this yfiitlemaii. liefoie lliey would \tite for liiiii,
1o snpport his pled;;t'.s l)y his lioiul, conditioned that he woiihl
pioeiiie fidiii eonj;i('ss a division, whei'enpoii he was trininphanlly
cleeled liy a liaic majority with the aid of his own vote.! lie was
hnii;;' in elV!;;\ at N'incennes liy Ine anti-sepaiationisis; Itnt he ilis-
cliai',ucd his pled;;*'s and his bond, i»y prociiiin^ the division iVoiii
congress; and, as it wasdtailttlessdesiiahle to eliaii).;e his residence,
he came lioine with a coinmissioii for a federal Jiid^^cship of the
liew teriitorv in his pocket and rcimncd tt» Illinois.
i>y the act of separation, the people of Illinois were also entitled
to all and singular tlic ri;.'lils, pri\ ilexes and ad\anla!^es jiiaiited
and secured to the peojile under Ihe ordinance of 17S7, which was
ap|ilied to Ihe territory — fair words cnoiij;h, Init the oidinanci' coii-
t'erred little political power; the iirevionsdiit its wire imposed upon
the new oflicers, and the rresideiit was eiiipoW(r«'d to make
appointments dnrinji' the n'cess of conj;ress; |in>\ision was inado
liMliie or<;aiii/.ation of the second ^rade of territorial ^idvcriiincnt,
whenever tin- <;(>veriior should at any time he satistied that a ma-
jority of the iVeeholders of the territory desired the same,
not w ithstandiii;;' there were less than ."i.tKIO inhaliitanls, lixinj; tho
iiuinher of representativ«'s, in such case, at not less than seven nor
more than nine, to be apportioned aiiion,u the counties hy the ;;ov-
criior; the lej;islalivi' coniicil and dele;;ates to;-oii,nress wt'ie made
clectivi' by tlie jieople; the old otheers wcic eoniinned in the exer-
cise of their duties in Indiana, but prohiliiled in Illinois; pro\ isioii
wasmaile for thetinal disposition of all Miits from Illinois jiemlinji'
in the court at Vinceiines, for the collection of taxes levied and
due; and the seat of ^iovernmcnt was lixed at Kaskaskia, until
otherwise ordered bv the Ie"islature.
•See odilrcssi of citizens to Gov. Edwiirds, at Kn»kiiskin, June, 1801),
+.>oe t'ord's Illinois, p. 30.
iXoiT. — .\ ciKidiis state of afTairs olitiiiiii'd witli rciraicl to Iiulinna after the separa-
tion ot Illinois. On the ritith ol' Octoher, l.sdS, the ^-overnor had (iissoUcil the lijrisla-
t nil' : li.v act ol idM^iiess, Fetuiiarj' ;f. ISIIH, Illinois was (li^taehed, taking: with ll live
liicintiei s, whieh would have dIssoUcd the louislatiire had it not aliiMcly l)i'cn d'ssoUi'd;
later in the same month, on the r.'Tth, eoiifrress passed a law extendiiif:' the riulil ot
siitlraue and preserililnjj the number ot representatives foi' the territory, and turllier,
directed the lefiislature to apportion the representatives ; but there was no leiiislature
in oxist(Miee to make the ai)portionment. Indiana was in political chaos— somethiuK
was re<|uired of a body that she did not i)ossess, and which it was impossible lor her to
lefrally cieate. Knt (Jovernor Harrison cut the frordean knot, and, le;rall.v or otherwise,
uppo'.tioued the territory, issued writs of election for a new legislature, "aud in October
ILI.l.NnlH TF.UKITdllY.
I'la
Niiiiiiii I'Mwiirds. !it flic tiiiif cliicf' i'lsticr of the ('0111 tot' A])iM'iil.s
iti Ktiitiick V. iMM'iiiiH' <io\rriinr (if the ucwly or;^iiiiizcil Inriiiiiy
<il' llliiiuis. .luliii I'lKvIc, of the siiiiM' Sliitt',-iiMirst rcrrivrd llio
iiIi|M>iiitiiH-lit (<'' <io\<'i'iioi', Itiil (li'clith-d (Ik* oilier iiiitl iin-t-plctl
tiiiil of .issoi'intt' Jtisiicc of III*- sniiif coiirl wlicrcof Mdwimls was
( 'liicT .liisiici'. I'lilwiirtis was (Irsiiniis of lilliii;; tlic \ acaiicv , ami at.
the ncoMitai'iHlatioii of li('iii\\ ( 'lay, rcrcix cd the aiipoialnii'iil IVoiii
iM'csjilciit Madison, Ills foiiiiiiissioii ii'-aritiiL;' date April L'l, |S(l!).
Ill Ills IctliT lo tlh' prrsidt'iil. Ilciny Clay spoke of ,linl;^e Md-
wai'ds as follnus: •• 'i'lie lioimialile appoiiiliiieiils \\lii<'|i this
;>eiitleiiiaii has held (lirst asajiid^c of our Superior ('oiiit, and
f liei) promoted to his present station). e\ iiiee how highly he is <'sti-
nialed aim> lu'iis." And in a let I erol° I lie same dale to t he I Inn. U'lilit.
Sniilli. he ;aid: "Mis political principles aeeord with those of tlii^
licpultliean party. llis;;ood nnderstandiii;;', weij;lil of eharaeter
and eoiieilialory inaiiiiers, ;i;ive him very fair pretentions to tlio
oflice alluded lo. * » # | |ia\ c no doiiht thai t he whole repre-
sentation from the State, when consulted, would concur in ascrih-
iii;;' to him e\<'r> ipialiticalion for theolhee in (piestioii."
Niiiiaii I'M wards was horn ill MoiilLtomery eoiinly. Md., in I77."i,
and at 1 he time of his a|ipoiiii meiit as ;;o\ eriior was a I tout .11 years
old. lie olitaiiieil his eai'ly ediieat ion in company with and partly
nnder the tail ion of William Wirt, his senior l>y t W(» ,\eais. and life,
loiii; friend. Aft<'r a collegiate I'oiirse at Carlyle, I'a.. he coiii-
ineiiced the study of law. hiit l»el'ore. linishiini' it was sent to
Kentucky to select lauds foi' his brothers and sisters and open a
farm, lie located in Nelson eoiinty, and heiii.u' fnriiished with
ample means in a new coiintiy where the eharacler of society was
as M't iiuforiiied, and snrroiinded liy ('oinpaiiions whose pleasures
and pursuits were in sensual indul^emres. he fell into indisereticuis
and excesses for t w (I or three years.* l»ul in the then standard (d'
society, this did not jUfxcnt Ids election to the Keiitnek,\ l.e^isla-
fiire. Sul)se(|ueutly he broke away from his diss<diite companious
and liabits, remoxcd lo Ifiisseh ille. and devoted himself to labori-
ous simly. He soon attained eminence in his profession. IJelbrit
lie was .'{U years old he had tilled in snceession the ol'liees of pre-
sidiii.u' .i'ldue ot the ;4-eiieral court, circuit Jud^c, Itli Jud.^c of the
e(mrt of a|)peals, and chief Justice of the State, w loch last he held
when his as.-ociate justice, Ihiyle. received the appointineiil of
teriit(U'ial j^oveinor lor I liinois. The two. to suit tiieir res[)eetiv(i
iiK'linatioiis, exchanjicd oflices, Kdwards, throuj:h the patroiiajic
of Mr. < 'lay. becomiim iiovernor. and lloyle chief just ice. (lo\ criior
Mil wards was a larj;e, line lookiii;;' man. w it ii a disi in.i;iiislied aii'and
courtly mauiiei's, who w ielded a ready pen and was tliient (d'speecli.
The territorial Judges appoiiiti'd. besides Thomas, were .\le\.
andei' Stuart and William Spiii:;.;'. The former was a \'ir-iiiiaii, a^
luau of tine ediu'ation and polished maiiueis, who,t however, re-
I'ollovvinsr convt'iK'd it for liii^Jincss. Hut t lint liody, cntcrtiiiiiitiir (IniiMs wticthur it was
really ii Icjrisliituic or not, iMcpiiroil n stato "lit to conyrcss, pet It i'liiin^^ that powor to
consiitiu' it a Icfral hoily, iiiul adjoiiriicd ii'.-ii""'i"'ily to await ac( ion upon tin- case.
S.icli art" souKMif tlic iiiconvi'uit'ticcs of unviMiUMcnt wlicrr oiiuiiial sovcri'lMiiry docs
not rcsidcMii tl! people, but is derived Iroi.i a power superior lo tliem— an api)arent
anomoly i" tlu theory of American jrovuriunpnt.— .See l.)iilon'8 Ind.]
*(iov. 10dw,.nrs Life, by liis son.
■i-.lud};e Itreese. in tlie address of layiiifr tlio corner stone of tlic now Stiitc House by
•liidH-e eatoii, says: '"AikI williall a sood liver, of whom it is said he esteemed tli'o
turkey tlie most inconvenient of the poultry tribe, as it was too large for one and not
large enough for two."
241
HISTOKY OF ILLINOIS.
llliUlicd (III
t<» Missoii
iiiid ill! li
I iiic IhmicIi ill Illinois hilt ii slioit time, hciii";' clniii^t'd
ri. His siifccssor was Stiiiilcy (iriswold, a jiood lawyer
iiiiii an iioiicst mail, who, as (lov. Ivc.vnold.s says in liis IMoiiccr
History, '"paid liis debts and simy' David's l*saliiis." He wasafter-
■wai'ds traiisl'crrefl to .Mielii;;aii, and Tlioiiias Towies hecaine his
siicet'ssor. W'illiiiii Si»iiji<i was itoni and reared in Maryland, where
lii.s oroilier atta.iied to the hi^li olliceof jiovcriior. His edncatiou
Avas classical and lie was deeply rea<l in the law. He was a man
of siiijiidar pniity of lieart an<l simplicity of manner — hicliing
totally in all the arts of the politician.*
Nathaniel I'ope. a relative of the .l;(>\ crnor, was appointed secre-
tary of the territory. He was horn in K<'nliicUy, at the Fallsof the
Ohio, in ITSf, His ed neat ion was collej;iate, ht'inn'oiic (»f tin- early
•iiadiiates of Transyl'. ania Tniversity, at Lexiiiutoii. His natural
i'lidownieiits of head and heart, wcie vci'y snperior. To a tine
analytii-al mind, he added a genial and heiievoleiit dis[iosilion,
andjiTcat dignity of characti'r. He selected the law for a j)r()fes-
sioii. and soon iiiastere<l its intricacies. At tlie aji'e of 1*1, heemi-
jiiated tt» St. (ienevicNc, then I'ltper hoiiisiana, where he learned
tosjteak KrenclMpiite Uiiently. Fiv«' years later, he was apitointed
ciMiiii ics oi t^i. V laii aiMi iiaiMioipii \\ i-iv iciii«iatcu ii.>s iiic i w o coun-
ties t>f the Illinois tenitory. On the ;Jd ()f jMay, he sii»poiii(ed and
eommissioiicd Klias Hector altoiiiey-jicneral. John llay sheritif,
ImiocIi .\loore coroner, and 17 Justices of the peace.
On the Ilth of .Iiinefollowiiiii, (lovernor Edwards assniiied the
dnties of his otlice. He had taUeii the oath of ollice in Keiitncky,
Itefore his departure. I'poii his arrival at Kaskaslda. his llxccl-
lency was tendered a tlatterinji' piihlic address by the citizens, in
Avliich he was asked to espouse the side of the '■ virtuous inajorily"'
l>y whose patriotic^ exertions the territory had been divided
and his Kxcelleiicy attained his lii.i;li station, and to whom oii^lit
to be distribiitt'd the otllices in his jiift, lather than to those wh(»
jie\ cr ceased to oppose the measure and heap caluinni(>s andindiy-
nities upon its friends. The j:o\criior, iinwillin;^' to become a part-
isaiioii either side, made a felicitous but iion-commiltal ifply. He
re-appointed .loliii Hay cleik of St. Clair county, and, as a curious
instance of oflicial self-succession to othce in tliis country, we will
]iieiili(ni that he held that [tiihlic trust from thence on, until his
decease, in l.S4,"». In place of l{eeti»r, I)eiijaiiiin 11. Doyle had
1)een appointed attoriiey-.ii'cncral, and he resi^iiiiny, -John . I. Crit-
tenden, of KeiiliicUy, was appointed ; hut the latter, after holding;
the otlice a few months, also resigned, wlieii his brother, Thomas
L., succeeded him.
On the Kith of .luiie, ISO!), the governor. Joined by Judges Stuart
and S)trigg (Tlnniias being still absent in Washington), constitut-
♦licytiD.ds, ill Ills I'ioiicci- History, siiys tluit Spria^r iiccoiniiiiiiiccl fiovcrnnr Kdwards in
liis ciinipnimi nsriiiiist llic Iiiiliiins (111 ecdi'la LiiUc, 111 I SI:.', iiiiciicuiiilicicil liv friiii orollicr
Wen poll iiiiliciitiii«' liilliLicrciicy . "Ills piu-ilii- ami sirkly appfaraiu-i', toj:il lirr with liis
perlcct plillosopliic indilVorciH'e asto wiir or peace. Hie or cleatli iiiinle liliii tlie mbjout
ol' imioli discussion aiuoiiKtliu troops, lie was tlio only savaui in i lie army. "
ILLINOIS TKUllITORY. L'45
m inn' ;i l(',ni.sl!itiv(' body in tlic first .uradc of Icrrifoiiiil .ii<»v('niiiioiit,
* iiiitlci' llic ."itli sfctioii ol' tlic ordinance of 17S7. met iiiid I't'-ciuictccl
, sncli of tlic laws of flic Indiana territory, with \vlii('li tlio people,
I wlio foi' nine years liail formed a pai't tiiereof. were familial', and
I as were snitable and ap[)lieal»le to Illinois, and not local or speeial
' to Indiana. Many of tlicsc laws were those which, withont ehan,i;e,
I of phraseology, had either 1 teen originally imported or enacted by
i the anthorilies of the old Xorthwcstern territory,
I Thus was ])id into opeiation the inachinery of civil g-ovoniment
I in the Territory of lUii.ois; bnt (lovcrnor lOdwai'ds, owin.ii' to the
I local political dissension^, ^rowini; out of the tpu'stion of territor-
5 ial division, which had dc;;enerated into jiei'sonal animosities, met
\ with no inconsideral)le dillicnlties in avoidin*;' the meshes of these
factions, striii;.iilin.L,' tiercely for respective ascemlancy. lie re-
solved not to l>e can^hr in the t<»ils of either ]»aity, and for the
intei-csts and |»r()s|»ei'ity (»f the conntry, sonj^iit to i,i;iiore the entire
4)Mestion that it mi.irht )»ass into oblivion. At that day. the militia
system, which had )-eceived the earnest I'eccmimendation of (Jover-
Dor Ilai'risoii, and which was also a- necessity of liic times, was in
full and ett'ective o])eration. Witklhe dissolntion of the Indianii
territ(ny. it became the dnty of (lovcrnor iMlwards to re-oryani/.e
the militia for the new teiritory (tf Illinois. The scparatioiiist.s
urj,'ed his l'L\cellency to appoint none to oflice in the militia who
liad ever o|tposed the division of the t<'rritory; but this wonld
have committed him <-ontrary to his jnd.uiiH'nt. The anti se]»arii-
rionists pressed iiim tore-appoint all the old olliccrs; bnt as a lU'W
commission wonld have \'oided all oti'enses I'or which any ollicer
miijiit ha\»' been tried and jinnished by dismissal, he refused to
accede to that also. To steer clear of both Hcylla and Charibdis,
lie rcfcrreti the (picstioiito the peo|de. by direcli:iL!,- the militia
I'ompanics to elect the company otiicers, and the latter to clir)o,se
the Held otiicers. With these orders, his lv\c«'llency i('tire(l from
the tield o)' contention to Kentncky, to wind np some nntinishcd
<-onrt bnsiness, and upon his return, late in the fall, he issued an
address tothe pi'ople. cxplanatoiw of his (iourse, and commissioned
the militia otiicers returned to him as el«'<'red.
The population of the teiritory, at the time of its orLiani/.atiou,
was estimated at '.l(>(>(»; tiie census of ISIO retunu'd it at a total of
iLM'Si'— 1I,:)(H whites, ](if<, slaves, Oi;; of all otheis, e\c<'pt Indians
— Ix-iiii;: an increase ofsoaie 1()(» per <-t .it during' the ]>i'eccdinj4'
tU'cade. The frontiers had been steadily advanced b\ the adven-
turous pioneers. To the north, the settlements had extended
to the Wood river <'ounlry, in the present ."Madison county; east-
ward, on Silver erect aiui u|>lhe Kaskaskia river; south and east,
from Ivaskaskia, s(niie l."» miles out on the l"'ort Massac load; the
l>irds had located at the mouth of the Ohio; at old Alassac and
the Ohio salines, there had been nuclei of setllemeiits for
.some lime; Sliawne<'town,* the nearest p.iint on tin- Ohio to the
•salt wells, JL} miles west, had eoutained ., .. \v stra;;gliii^ houses
"ShinriKM'diwii. whicli 'Icrivcs Its immo I'pom a diKsntisHod bnnd of that trllieof Iiid-
liiiis lociitcd llii'ic Iriiin HS'i i<ihIm>iiI 1T»1(i, \v:is l:iii| out liy t lie iliiccliori of tile I'nitrd
Stiitcs fj-o^iMiiicnt, ill If*!:!-! I, ,md for m (imiitci- of ii cciitiiry mm* the prliiciniil town in
the Slate Tlu' -ili-. iliosrii wit li ii-IVrciico to its coiif i«-iiity"to tlic I TiitcdSt.iti'Ssaliiius,
was an iiiiloitiiiiiiti' one, liiinsj siili.jrct to i-c oca toil imiiulat ions. In fslli, a Hood I'osc to
rl f ridsrc )ioli'soii the fools of many of tlu? loy houses, andswepi 40of them away, lie-
Fiilc:) oth' r daiiiaye to stock, Icncin^r, etc, I'etitions to change the location tu the
uioiithul' the Saiinc creek, S miles below, were disregarded.
240
HISTORY OF ILI.l^sOIS.
since ISO."); iilon-- tlic west side of tlic Wiiltasli. oppoMtc \ m-
(•(Miiics, wciv sciittcrcd a few lamilit's, one Mc<':i\vl»'y liaMii- im'Ii-
ctiated inland to the ('r<»ssiii.u (if tiic latllf Waliasli i)y the \ in-
(M'lincs road, 1»mI llic latlt'i' wciv mostly ahaiidonod dufinji' tlic war
of ISlL'. Indeed, tlic new selllenients were veiy sparse and all
feeble, and from ISlO, nntil the close of tlie war, 4 years later,
immiuration was almost at a stand. Ninetentlis of tlie terrUory
\vas a liowlinu wilderness, over whicli red savajics lu'ld domni-
ionand roamed at will, outnnmlterin-' the whites at least three t(»
one.
ClIAl'TKli XX 11.
INDIAN TKOUI5LES IX ITJ.IXOIS PKECEDIXd TllK WAK
OF LSIU
The Countrj/ )))if in a Stdtc of Defence hi/ the Orddiiization of Iihikj.
ing Companieii and the BmhUmj <f Hloekhomo and Sti>e1;<ide
Forts — dorenior M'lirdfds Sends an Enrol/ to (romo^s Vilhu/e —
Battle of Tippeeanoe — Indian Council at Vahohia.
T1h> l>ritis]i. after tlic war u'.' IiidcixMidt'iicc, rcliiuniislicd witli
fji'cal I't'liKiaiicc. as we have seen, tlicii- liold upon tlir iioitliwcst-
<'rii t('rrit<»i'y. Tlic ('('iil'cdciatcd tril)t's of (lie noilliwcst (inly
rcascd tlicir wjiifan' vlicii llicv Joiiml tlit'ir last iio|M' <»!' iJritisli
jiid cut «>(1' l)y .Tax's tifaty at Loiidcm. Xoxcinlx'i', 17!M;ltiit this
ti'caty did not covci' all tiic oiitraj;('oiis j)ifl<'iisioiis of (iicat Ilrit-
aiii. ill her (l('si)('.rat('\var with Fran(!(', later, she Ixddly hoai'dcd
Ain^'iicaji vessels on llie In^li seas, searelMn.i' t'oi' Kiiuiisli-lioi'u
seanK'ii, iin]»i'essin;;' tlieni into iiei- niaiiiie service upon tiie .i.',ronnd
of '' once, an ICn^lislinian. alwa\s ;iii l'>n.i;lislinian." and denying-
exj»atriation and Anu'iicaii <'iti/ens]iip liy natnrali/ation. Noi' did
slie scrutinize veiy closely as totlie nationaiily of tlie seamen
iuiitressed, as in tlie case of tlie riicsaiieaUe. i>oarded oil' tlie
i'oast ())'■ N'ii'^inia, wliei'e. of four of tlie crew taken as desciters,
tliree weje of American hirtli. in tlie retaliatoi\\ ineasui'es
lietween i'-rance and Fn,iilaiid, to ])i'e\('nt trade and coiiinH-i'ce
with either jiowi'r, our vessels, as neutrals, hecaine t lie prey of hotli
liostile nations. The atl'air of tli<' Chesapeake inteiisitied the feel-
ing already deep; .letferson ordered all IJritish shipsufwar out
<»i the waters ot" the I'liited Slates, and con.ui'ess laid an emharu'i*
on American v<'ssels, ioi'liiddiiii;' the'ii to lea\e port, to the yicat
injury of American commerce.
In the West, llritish emissaries were, busy arousing;' (he north-
western sava^icsto war against the I'liited Slates. llaiiison's
Zealand activity in divesiin,u' the Indian titles to western lands.
was no iiiconsideralile I'lrovocative. In Seiiteiiilier, ISU't, he had
l>eld a treaty at l''ort Wayne with the Delawares, I'otawatloniies,
JMiamis, Jvickapoos, Weas and lOel Ifixer Indians, who. in consid-
eralion of >(l!,.'>r>(» as annuities, and .*S,lM)(> of jireseiils in hand,
ceded to the I'liited States a laru'c ti'act of countiy. coi!ip]i.-iiii>-
near three million acres of land in Indiana, cxteiidiiiu up the \\\\-
basli above i'erre Haute, and interioily to incliidi.' tlie middle
waters of White river.and treiichinji- upon the home and hniilin^'
ground of tin; great Shawnee warrior, 'recnmseli, wliosi- nation
247
248
HISTOIIY OF ILLINOIS.
Mas not a party to the ticatv, and who tlcnouuft'd it as unjust iiud
ilU-al.
At a foiuicil, in\itt'(l 1»_\ (iovcnior Ilanison and iicld at \'in-
ccnncs. Auyiist IL', ISIO, 'rccuniscli, I'ollowcd hy Kl(( wairiois,
jnaintaincd lliat all the north wt-slrrn trilu's wi-ri' one nation, hold-
ing their lands in coinnion, and thai without the consent of all
the trilies concerned, no ti'cat v id' ])iirctiase and cession was valid;
thai his inir|iose was to wiest [jower I'roni thc^ village chiels
and put it in the iiands of the; war chiels. Nor did he deny having
tiireatened to kill the cliiels who had treacherously sij;ne<l the
treaty. An an,i;ry discnssicni arose beiwten Ilanison ami 'lecuin-
seh, the latter boldly avowin;;' his jiurpt nc to hold the lands con-
\eyed by the treaty, and resist the 'Jirther iiilrusittn ol the
whites, ile nnide an impassioned and bitter reiiital of the wronj;.s
and a;;^ressions of the whiles u|ton the Indians, declaring they
had been driven l>aek from the sea coast now to be pushed into
liie lakes. Harrison ridiculed his itretensions and tin- wronjis of
his people, whereupon 'reciimseh spran.u' lo his feet, and excilediy
charjiX'd his Kxcellency with clieatiii,i; and imposiiii; niton the Ind-
iaii.^. His red warri(»rs, inllame<l by his \chement manner, sim-
ultaneously siezt'd their l<»iiiahawks and blandished their war
cluii.-, as if ready for the work of massacre. A moment of silent
but awful suspense to the whites, who were unarmed, Ibllowed.
ZS'o further demonstration was however made, and Tecumseh,
simrned by Harrison, retired, deternuned to adhere to the okl
boundaiy.
The ill-feelin,n', steadily on the increase, between the I'liited
States and (ireat Hritain, was early apprehended by the savages
through the machinationsof I'.ritish agents and trmlcrson the north-
western frontier. Nicholas darroll, of ("ahoki;t, ha\ing just
returiu'd from a Iriii to I'rairie {\\\ Chien, made atlidavit, .hiiu' L'S,
1S(I1», that Ibitish agents and traders at thai post, and on the fron-
tiers of Canada, were im-iting the Indians to hostility, and lilting
them out with guns and auunnnition foi' demonstrations against
the western settlers.* Tint savages were greatly (Mnboldeiied by
these friemlly otVers to commit depredations niion the American
.seltlemeiits. In -Inly, ISIO, a band of I'otawattomies, from Illinois,
made a raid i![ion a settlement in Missouri, (»|»|iosite the intMith of
the (lascouade, stealing horses and other in'oi»erty. The owners,
Avith their fiiends to the nund»er of six, made i»ursuit. The Ind-
ians, who were discovered al the distance of a few miles, to battle
'heir pursiu'rs, changed their course, 'i'he w Idles, after a fatiguing
nar<-h, went into camp, and neglect iiig to post a guard, fell soundly
asleei*. In the night, the Indians, with demoniac yells, [loiniced
upon the sleepers and tomahawked all but twe. The survivors
siteedily spread tiie dreadful tidings, which crealeil gi'cat excite-
ment at the tinu'. The jtroof from various circumstam-es being
clear that the murderers weie I'otawattomies, the governor of
3n*soiiri nnule a i'e(piisiti(Ui ui»on the governor of lllimtis foi- Ihem.
])uring the same year, hostile demonstrations were nnule by the
Sacand l''o\ nations, from Illinois, against ImhI Madison, situate
on the west bank of the Mississippi, above the DesMoincs Kapids.
Hostilities also existed between the lowas and Usages, both resid-
*AniiiiN of till' West,— Apiioiidix. 'Phis whs, liowcvcr, (lonicd liy u coiniiiimiontion
I'rum Mfssrs. llloulily uuU I'oittor.tho purtiL's ImiilicutoJ, of I'mirio Uu Cliiuu.
ILLINOIS TK1JUIT()I:Y.
2i9
ill''' west ot the Mississi]»i>i. In ISll, tlio Iiidijiiis ('((iimiiftcd
iiiMii.v iiiiinlcrs ii|i()ii tlic wliitfs ill Illinois. Xoiir tlio iorksol' Siioal
ciccU, on tlic 11(1 of .lime, tilt' rmiiily of ^[^. Cox liciiij;- iiiisciit,
e.\c('|it ii voiiiiin- iiiiin iiiiil wdiiiiiii. ;i piiit.v of S!i\ii,iics killed llic
loniicr, iiKiiijiliii.n' liis \hu\\ iiorrihly, stole tlic horses. ;in«l e;ii ried
oil' the jiiil ii prisoner. The Coxes iiiid nei.;:hl»ois, to the niiiiilicr
of ei.uht or t<'ii. niiide |>iirsiiit, iiiid some ."iO miles north of the pres-
ent S|)riii<iliel(l, oM'itook the liidiiins, reciiptiired their property,
and diiriii,i;' the ramhliiii;' li.i;lit, the yirl, alter l)eiii,u' wounded by ii
lomahawk in the hip, made her esea|»e and Joined her friends. In
the same iiiohth, at the lower part of the jtresent city of Alton,
uhere a .Mr. Price and another naiiK'd |-^llis, were plowinu' corn,
ji party of Indians were observed approachiiiji' tlie sjirinj; in the
vicinity, where there was a cabin. The whites iiiiliilchcd their
liorscsaiid seized their jiiins; but the Indians declared theinsclves
friendly, and one of them, a tall, stout fellow, laid down his linn
and jiiive Price his hand, but in so doiiiu. hcM him i'asf while the
others tomahawked him totlealh. At this, hiscompaiiioii bounded
on his horse and made j^ood his escape, with a wounded tlii;;li.*
IJnt we will not further detail these horrid Indian butcheries.
The jieople saw their immineiice, and bej^an to make preparations
lor defence. l''orts and stockades bej;an to be built, and in .liily
of the same y«'ar, a company of " raii.u('rs," or mounted lilleiiien,
was raised and organized in the (ioshen settemeiit of Illinois.
Congress, in ISJI, passed an act lor the oi'^anization of 10 coin-
jiaiiics of mounted raiiiiicrs, to ]U'olect the frontiers of the \\'est.
These compaiiics constituted the ITlli I'liited .States regiment,
and Colonel William Iiiissel, an old Indian liiihter of Kentucky,
uas assij^ned to its command. The companies wci'e ^^cncrally
in. ile II]) of frontier citi/eiis, who had the additional stimiilns iu
tlieir duties of immediately defciidiu!.;' their homes, kindred ami
nei,ulibors. lOach rauj^er had to furnish his own horse. |»rovisions
and e(]ui])meiits all complete, ami the recompense from the ^oxcrii-
lueiit was oiu' dollar jx-r day. They a | (pointed their ow n company
otiicers, and were enlist<'(l for one year, four companies wcie
allotted to the defence of Illinois, whose respectixc captains were,
yamiu'l and William I>. Wliitesid<'s, .lames 15. Mooic. and .lacob
Short. Independent caxalry ci>mi»aiiies were also orj;auized for
the protection of the reiiiole settlements in the lower Wabash
country, of which Willis 1 lar.^ijn c, \\'illiam .McIIeiiry, Natliauitd
J(turn<'y, Captain Craij;', at Shawneetow n. and \\'illiain IJoon, on
the llii; .MuddN . were, respectively. <'oinimiiiders, ready on short
notice of Indian outraii'cs. to make puisiiit of the depredatoi's.
These i'au,i;in,ii' companies pci'lbiiiicd most etiicieiit service iu the
])rotectioii of the settlements iu Illinois ajiainst the sava!j;'e foe.
The raniiciN and inonnled militia, in times of supposed peril, con-
.slantly scoured the country a considerable distance iu ad\aiice of
the frontier st'ttlcrs ; and yet the sa\a.u<'s would often prowl
thronjih the settlements, commit ontraues. and elude succetssful
])iirsuit.
(Ileal numbers (»f block house fortsfor stations for the security
of families, were built, extciiilinj;- from the Illinois river to tlu^
Kaskaskia. tlieiKn^lo the I'iiit«'»l Stated salines, near the pres«'iiti
town of lM|uality, up the Ohio and Wabasli, and nearly to all set-
"•iteyuold's IMoiioer History.
2.")()
IIIS'J'OUY OV ILLINOIS.
tlciiiciits ill Illinois. S<»iiM> (if tlicsc forts were sitiiiitctl as follows:
One oil llic incsciit site of tlic town of ('iiil,\lc; one a small <lis-
taiH'c above tlic picsciit town (»f ^\vistoii. known as .loiinicy's
fori; \\\() oil tli«' cast side (»f Slioal neck. Uiiow ii as Hill's ami
.Jones' forts; one a few miles soiitlit'asf of tlie present town of
liehanon. on tiie west side of Lookinji'iniass prairie, known as
C'liamlieis' fort ; on the Kaskaskia river were Middleton's ami
Goiiifi's forts: one on Doza creek, a l\'\v miles from its nioiitli,
known as Nat. IlilTs; two in the .lonrdan seltlemeiit, eastern
])arl of i'ranklin eoiiiilv. on the road to the salt works; one at
the nioiith of the Illinois river, and later. -lohii ("amplM'll, a United
Nlales otiieer, erected a small hlock-hoiise on the west hank of the
Illinois (Prairie Marcot), 1!) miles alioxc its month. More preten-
tions militai'.v stations were established on the Mississip))i, oppo-
site the month of the Missouri, to ^iiard the riv<'r; and on Sihcr
ci'eck, near Tiov. lliit the main militarv dejiot was established
about a mile and a half noil liwcst of the i>resent town of lOdwards-
villc, called Cam]) Kiissell. in honor of the colonel commaiiding'
the 10 ran<;in,u' companies.
The simplest form of lil(H'k-hoiise forts consisted of a sin,ule
lioiise built of lo^s, compacliv laid n|> a story and a half or two
stories liijili, with tin? coiners closely trimmed, to ju'event scaliii<i'.
The walls of lliclowerstory were provided with portholes ; lliedoor
was made of thick |»iinchcoiis. and was .stidii^ly barred on tlu^
inside. The upper story projected over the lower three or fonr
feet, with ixiit holes tliroii,i;li the lloor of the |»i(>jectinj;' part,
which commaiiiled the walls and spa<"e below against any Indian
attempts to force an entrance. They atl'or<l«'d entire security
ajiaiiist the rude arts of savajic war. but were only sin^^Us
family forts. A stockade fort consisted of four lilock houses,
as desci'ibed alioxe. or lar.uci'. placed one at each corner of ;i
S(piarc jiiece of ground, of dimeiisions ample eiioii.uli to accoiiimo-
dat«' the number of ])eople .seekinj; shelter tlieicin. The interven-
ing' space was lilled lip with timliersor lo^s, lirmly set on end in
till' jiionnd, and cNtendiii.u upwards IL' or l."» fe«'t. This was tlu;
stockade into whose sides jiort lioh's wcic cut, liij;h enonjih to be,
above the head, and to which platlbiins were raised, from which
to tire upon tin- enemy. There were also port holes in the projecr-
\u<i walls of the corner block-houses, which thus coiir.aanded the
whole of the stockade walls on the outside. Within the stockade,
cabins were built for the families to live in. \\'ells were dii>i for
water, or. possibly, the site was selected oxer a sjainu'. There
wei'e usually two lieaxy entrance yates in the stockade walls,
securely barred on the inside, and larjic eiionjih to admit teams.
In times of extra ]>eiil. Iioises. and sometimes other \aliiable do-
niesl ic animals, were taken into t he stockade o\ er iii_i;hl for saicty.
If the foi't was not built out on the prairie, the woods was invaria-
bly cleared back some distance, so as to alford no place of con-
cealment to the stealthy enemy. It was often hazardous to lirst
open the ji'atesof a nioriiiii.u. Milkiiiji; parties, upon their errands,
were not unfrctpiently att.tckcd liytiie skulking' red I'oe. At
times, seiitiiK'ls were often ]»osted diiriii}^ the iii;^lit, as in the case
of re^ulai' piri'isons.
'i'he most notable, as also the larj;est, stroiijicst, and best
ai)i»ointed in every respect of the stockatle forts, was Fort IJussell,
IJ.LLNOIS TEKIMTCjUY.
li.U
('si;i1ilisli('(l 1»\ (iovcriior T'Mwiirds citilv ill ISIL*. ;il»nii( lA miles
iioi lliwcst (if llic |iicsc!il l"](i\\iir<ls\ illc, lliciioii III*' (■xlmiic iiortli-
cni liMtiiticr. 'I'in' ciiiiiioii of liUiiis XIV, wliicli had ihtiic scrvico
I'or iiiiiiiy vfiii's ill tlic aiiriciit \'\)\{ Ciiartrcs, wd'c iciiioxcd tliiliici'
and placed ill iinsition. wiicrc, if llicv served no oilier |»iir|M>se,
tiieir llmiider tones rexcrlieiatetl over the inoad e\|>aiiseot' wilder-
ness |tiaiiie. and upon days of festivity, dress jtarade. and other
displavs, added eelat to the occasions. 'I'his stockade was made tlie-
niaiii depot for niililai'v stoi'es. and liecame also tiie ^^cneral rt'ii-
de/.\(>iis tor the militia \ itliinteers. ran,u('rs and regulars, as well as
the urea t jxiiiit il'dpinii for tlie orjiaiii/at ion of expeditions into
the country of sa\a.ues on tiie I'eoria lake. Tiie onl\ Tiiited Slates
reunlars. however, whi<'h camped at tins fort diirin;^ the war, was
ii small comiiany, under the command of Captain !»amsey, early
in the spring' of ISlL'.
W hen (loxernor 1m I wards, duriiii; tlie ]»eriIoiis times of ISIl*, with
Indian hostilities threateiiin;^' on e\cry hand, assumed c«)nimaiid
of the Illinois forces, it was here that he estaltiished his head-
<]narters. Ilei'e was ii'athered alioiit him the beauty and chivalry
<if those days. Within the protectiiiji walls of tliis stockade,
defended without and within l»y Itiave. stout hearts, were att racied
and found shelter, miicli of the talent, fashion and wealth of tln^
country : and here, his Kxcellcncy. not d<'\ old of a natural love for
display and parade, presided with a conitiy urace and stately di,u-
iiity well itelittinii his line peisonal appearance and his many
aci'omplishments.
\v,\v\\ in the year ISII, niimpi'ons were the complaints of horses
beini;' stolen, honses |)liindered, and alle,ucd murders committed
by the sa\ a;;es. (ioveriior Clark, of .Missouri, after the mnrderof
the foiii' citizens near the month of the (lasconade, in An.mist, ISIO,
made a reipiisition iiiioii (loxcrnor lOdwards for the authors of
the crime. (lo\crnor h'.dw aids also wanted tlie tribes on the Illi-
nois to siirreiidei' the murderers of the Cox iioy and Price, before
noticed, and todeliNcr np the property stolen iiy the Indians for
two years past. To etVect these oiijects, he cominissioi.ed ('aplaill
Samuel Leverin.ij;. an intelliii'ent and discreet otlicer, who was tit-
led ont with a boat l»y (lovernor Clark, duly ))rovisioiied, manned
and <'<piipped. Levi'iin,!;' was accomj)anied by Captain Herbert
Henry .Swcarinj^'eii, a rotawattoinie named \\isli-iia, and eijiiit
oarsmen, who sij^ned articles to act as boatmen and soldiei's, each
ariiie<l witii a 1:1111. They started from Cahokia for I'eoria. .Inly
U.-). ISII. Ilefore leaving' the Mississippi, they met (ajdaili
AN'hitesides with his raniicrs from the block house, near the month
of the Illinois, who intbrmed them of liiiiii: on a party of Sa<'S
ascending' the Illinois, but that their ''siimmoiis" w as disregarded.
At I'lairie Marcot, they tbiiiid Lt. Campbell and his foi-ce of 17
men. On the '.U\ of .\imnst they arrived at I'eoria, and met
jMr. I'^ovsythe. tlie yox ('rnmeiit Indian a;^eiit, who, by his Ion;;- res-
hleiiee ainoiiu' the Indian^, was thoronyhly \crsed in their toii.mie.
The ]»riiici|)al cliief of the j'otaw atlomies there was Masseno,
better known as (loiiio. To him .Mr. I'Ntrsythe Innl pie\ ioiisly
delivered a letter from (lo\ernor Clark, demaiidiii,L;' a snireiider
ol' the (lasconade ninrderers. ( !oiiio was thonuht t(» be not iinla-
A'orable t<» the surrender, but claimed to not Innc power to enforce
bis sole will ayaiiist so many, lleic Captain Leveriny U'arned,
I
IIISTOUV OF iLLliN'Ol.S.
from :i l-'i-ciicliiiiiiii, iiiiiinMl JacciiU'S Mcttic, tlic wlicrciilMtuts of tlio
iiiiiidcicrs on Sliojil ciccU, who wcic I'oliiWiittoinics. A Ficiicli-
iiiiiii, iiiiin('<i Foiiniifr, was sent foiwiird to :i|i|)i'i.s*> (ioiiio of tiic
iinixal ol' ('iii»liiin IiC\('riii;n' willi a Icllcr lor liiin from (iovcriior
Kdwards; but an Indian liad proccdcd liini, and r('|)ortcd that
Lcscrin;^' was a»'com|ianicd In a force of oOmcn, and (lomo was
unwiiiin,^' to meet iiim witluMit an armed escort of II waniors.
On the morniiij;' of llieoth, however, the chief laised tin- Ameri-
can tla^', and in answer to a messaue, called and received tlu)
<io\eriior"s letter from tiic hands of l-e\erin^'. He immediately
sent ont his vonn.!;' men to call to,i;('flier in council all his chiefs,
who were mostl\ absent on <listant Jonrue.vs. (iomo professed
his readiness to do justice to the Americans, so far as his |»ower
extended. Lcveriu;; ,iia\e (iomo tobacco to be sent as a present
Avitli a uiessau'c to tliechiefs, and r<'tircd. 'i'he murderers of Price
Avere IouimI to be live br<»thers. l*olsa wines.
In the meantime, ("apt. Leveling an<l Mr. foninier made a visit
to the Indian towns some LM» miles up the Illinois rivei'. (b)mo's
town was still some I miles farther on and bacU of the river
bottom, where they arrived late one ni,i;lil. They were hospitably
enti'ilained in tin- wigwam ol' t he chief, which was built of bark
and alforded lodyinji room lor .'>(> »U' iiKue persons. It was L'.'i l>y
oO feel on the ili.^ide: slee|)iu,i; iuiuks. (i by 7. and ."» feet hijiii weie,
arranged aionnd the lod^c. upon which the Indians slept or
IcMiiiiicd, with their heads poiutinj;' toward the centre of the room
and their feet toward the walls. ('a|>taiii Loeiiiij; and his
companions were honored with one u«'\t to that of the chief ami
his family. .Mtliouuh it was late when the visitors arrived, a.
dish of new coin was set befoie them by the chief's stiuavv, and
A\ hile they were j>arlakin<i' of it, the chief suntkecl his pip<'. as
also the men, who jicnerally quitted I heir sIe(|iin,L;' places and
.squatted around the lod.uc tires in the centre, "in all the solemnity
of ju'ofbund smokiufi,'' as a umrk of eticputte due to straii<;i'rs.*
In his fi'C(|uent informal communications with the Indians,
Captain Lev ciiu.u learned niiu-h of their iii'ernal jiolity and their
feelings lowai'd the .VuMiicans, whom they rciiurded as their (Mum-
mies, notw ithstandiuj;- their professions of peace and friendship
for them. 'J'lieir adroitness in diiilomacv is well disclosed iuthe
rcjdies of the chiefs to Captam Lcveriii;:'; their nnist customaiy
evasions to deliver u]» any of their !>iav es, char^^cd with crime,
bein.ii, that tlu'y had depailcd with such aiul such chiefs on an
expedition; that they had iiociuitrol over them; that it wi:siH»t
their business, and (lid not concern them, etc. The aud>it ion of
the youii^' biaves to )»e able to exclaim, during' their or;^ies. "1 am
a man: who can gainsay it .' I have killed an Osa^c ! Ihavekilled
a while!" stimulated them to t he cfuumission of oulra,i;«'s; while
their frequent immunity from punisliiiu>nt, led them to infer inac-
tivity, if not feai', on the i»art of the whites. (i(inu>was anxious
the chiefs should atteml at the (h'livery <»f the governor's address,
and hear tor themselves, so that they <'ould not afterwai'ds charjie
liim with feai' or treachery, and denounce him as --su^ar mouth.''
In a conversation, (icuno s]»oke of seeinj;' \\'ashin,!L;t(Ui at I'liihi-
(h'lpiiia. in I7!l-'!. and his elder bi other remembered the time when
the IJritish put the Indians in the front of battle.
•J). W. KUwurds" Lilu ot his I'uthur. ~
.
ILLINOIS TKKUITOHY.
2.-13
A miiiihcr nl' cliicrs iind \v;ininis Iiii\ iiiy iinivcd, in olu'diciicr lo
(ioiiio's siiiiMiioiis, tlicy iii(liil;;«'(l tlicii' coiiti'iiipt in a littlf iict of
olVt'iisivoncss l»y displayinj;- the Anicriciin llii^i union <lo\vn. rap-
tain Leveling, iiicliniii;!;' t(» alliilmtt' tiiis lo tln-ii' ifinorancc,
atl(;inpt('(l to cNjilain its nicaninj;, to wliicii tlit-v rrplicd llnit
llicv knew it. ISiit (»ii the inoinin;;' Ibllowiny. tlic tlay was dis-
])ia,vi-d anion up. Tin- Indians in conncil ditt'cicd as to tin' policv
t!> !)(' adopted, rc^ardin;; tilt' dtinand ol'tlic Ainciicans rorliic
snn'cndci' of ilu' nini'dcicrs and the stolen piopeitv. 'I'lie olfend-
ers were greatly scattered, rceeix ini; tiie protection of eiuefs iinn-
dreds of nnles away, (ionn) favored the sending' of an Indian
connnission for tlieni, Itnt foresaw tiiat it would lie said to liini
tinil lie l)elon;;cd on llie Illinois, and that lie liett«'r attend to
liis ow II ti ihe ; and lie disliked the coyardly appeai'aiice of hav-
ing' made the alleiii|il and failed. ( )t hers opposed the sniiciider
of anythinj;' hnt the stolen properly. Meanwhile, the I'.rilish
inspired the |»olicy of sendin;;' Little Chief, who was a "talkalixci
fellow," to uive, the .Vinerieans any aiiioiint of assurance t<»
answer present purposes, with which these, like many previous
outrages, soon lobe covered hy jiassinj; events, would likewise
<lirectly lilovv over. Little Chief, in a i>reliniinary eonvcrsatioii
with Cai»tain iieveriiiL;', indicated liis displeasure l»y sayinji' tlisit
he hoped the lettei' of the jnovernor would he fully told ilieni
as it was written, at which insinuation .Air. l'"orsythe. tlie
interpreter, became not a little incensed.
On the moiniiifi' of the Kith of Au;;iist. ISl 1. Captain Levcrinj''
l)ein.n' informed that the Indians were ready to proceed to the
council cliiimher, promptly rei>aire(l thither, ac<'oiiipanie(l by his
leading' men and Ihe inhahitants of Peoria whom he had invited.
Aflei' a preliniiiiary "talk" on the part of Captain Ii«'V('riiij;. and
sniokinji' tlu' pipe, the addi'css of (iovernor Kdwards, dated Kas-
kaskia, July 21st, was slowly dclivc'red to them and carefully
inlerpi'eted. It was addressed "(o the chi«'fs and vvarii(»rs of
the tribes of I'otawatlomies. residin;^' on the Illinois liver and
its waters, in the territory of Illinois." The u-overnor explained
to them how faitlifidly tlie president had carried out all treaty
obligations with the Indians, and that it was his jiicat desire to
Jiavc his I'cd and white children live in peace and friendship ; that
the tomalniwk and scaljiin^ knife had been ibr a lon^' time buried,
but that a storm seemed now to be ^atheriuj^ ; that the whiles
were beiiii^' ]iliinderc(l and niui'der«'d : citiiiji' a number of acts of
hostility and};ivin<i the uaiiies of Indians who iiad cominilted
tliem ; that the relatives and friends of these victims cried aloud to
the (ireat Spirit, their hearts allame with revenjic and who could
onlv be TO])i'esse(!. frcan instant war by showinj^' them that these
acts of barbaiity were uotappi'oved by Ihe nations of the authors
of them, whom lie. demanded lobe surrendered tbrtriah Allusion
was also made to the Hrilisli emissaries amonji' l!;<'ni, who llat-
tered, deceived and instij;ated them to the commis.-.ioii of these
horrible acts ; concludinf-- with a full t'xplanation of the ]iovver and
resources of the American nation.
After the readinj>df the address the council dispersed, and on
the tbllowinj;' day (iomo made the subjoined rei»ly. which was
interjireted and written down on the spot, and is not only very
interesting' to peruse but shows this chief to have been the pus-
5!
254 IIISTOUV OF lIJ.INOIri.
Hess(»iM)r ii lii;;li (»r<ln' of intellect. After iiivilin^' iilfeiitioii to
liis wolds, iiiid «'\|>ifssiii^' j;Iii(lliesfs lot' (lie opiiurt iiiiilx , ( loiiio
.v|Htl\(' ;is follows :
" ^■(Hl set' till- color of our skill. 'I'lie Orcat Spirit, wlicii lie niailc
and dis|:0>('d dl' man, placed tlic rcd-.-lviiis in this land, and lliosc w ho
vorc hals, on the other side of llic lii>i walt'rs. When the ( ileal Spirit
])la<-e(i Us on lids j^ronnd, we Uiuw nothing Iml what was tin-
ni.-hed to us hy nature. We made n>e of our stone a.\es, stone knives
and cailhcn vi>-els, and clothed oursehes Iroio the skins of the lieasts
<»l the lorest. \'et,\\e Wire conteiiti d I When thel'ifiich liist made
lai;;e canoes, they crossed the Mide waters to this country, and on tirsl
sd'in;; the red people, they were rejoiced. 'I'liey lold lis that we must
consider onrselv(s as the children of the J-'reiich, and they would he
our father ; I lie country was a jiood ont-, and they would cliaiigf goodH
lor skins.
"formerly, we all lived in one lar^t' villa)j;e. lu that villa^re (here was
only one chief, and all tliinns went on well ; hot since our intercourse
with the whites, llu-re are almosl as many chiefs as we have youiij?
men.
'• At the the time of the takint; of Canada, when the liritisli and the
J""rencli were ti},ditin<,Mor the same country, the Indians were >olicilc<l
to take pari in that war— since which time tliere have liei'ii aniouK ns ii
mini her ot' I'oolish youn;; men. 'flu' whites ou^hl to hav" staid on iho
otlur side of the waters, and not liavi' trouldeil us on this >idi'. If we
are lool>, the wliitis are the caii.-c of it. from the commencement of
their wars, they used many piMsiiasioiis with the liniiaiis ; tlu-y made
them pre>ent> ol merchandise in order to {^ii them to join and assi>t in
their iiattUs- >ince which time there have always hi-eii tools ainonj; us,
and the whites are lilanu'ahle for it.
•' 'I'lie British asked the Indians to assist them in their wars with the
Aiiicricans, tellinj; them that if we allowt'd the Anieiicans to remain
npoii our lands, they would in time taki' the whole country, and we would
then have no jilace to jio to. Someof the Indians did join the British, Iml
all did not; some ol tins nation, in ]Kirti(ular, did not join them.
The JJritish persisted in iirjiinji ujion ns that if we diii not assist them in
(Irixinji the Anu'iieans from our lands, (Uir wi\es and (ddldreii would
lie miscralile for IIk' reinaindi'r of our tlays. In the course of that war,
the American jicneral, Clark, came to Kaskaskia, and sint tor the
chiefs on this river to meet him there. Weattended, and he desiri'd us
to remain still and (|iiiet in our own villaj;es, .-ayin^ that the Americans
wi'ii' alile of tlani>el\(s to li.ulit tlu' British. \ ou ,\iiieiieans ncnerally
speak sen.-^ihly and jtlainly. ^Vt the irt'aly of (irieiiville, (oneral Wayne
sp<d\e to us ill the same sen si Ide and clear manner. 1 have lisliMied with
atti iition to \oii lioth. At the treaty (d' ( JieeiiN ille, (ieiiert 1 \\ ayne told
ns tliat the tomahawk must bi' hiirud, and evi'ii thrown into tile great
lake; and should any white man murder an Indian, he should he
delivered up to the Indians; and we on our part, should deliver up
the red nu'ii who murdered a white jiersou to the Americans. [Mis-
take].
"A I'otawattomie Imiian, by the name of Turkey Foot, killed an
American, for which he was demanded of us ; and although he was a
gieat warrior, we kilU'd him ouis^elves in satislaetion Ibr his ninrdcrs.
f»onu' of the Kickajiods killed ai! ^Vnuricau. 'I'hey were demanded,
were given un, and were tied uii with ropes around their lU'cks for
the niunltis. This was not what the chief, who inaile the demand,
luomised, as they were put to death in another manner. Our I'ustom is
to tie u]> a dog that way when we make a saerillee. IS'ow, listen to nie
well i'l what 1 havi' to say to you.
"Some time ago, one ot our young nieii was drunk at St. IjouIs, and
was killed by an American. At another time, some jierson stole a liorse
near Cahokia. Tlu' citi/eiis of tlii' village lolloweU the trail, met an
innocent Kiekapoo, on his way to l^askaskia, ami killed him. Bast
fall, on the otherside, and not tar IVom J-'ort Wayne, a Wyandot Bidiau
set lire to the prairie; a settler came out ami asked liiui how he came
to set lire. The Indian answered hat he was out huutiug. The set-
ILLINOIS TERRITORY.
255
tliT htnick lilt' liiili:iM iiinV't'oiitiiiiit'd to lictit liiiii till llicy wci'c |i:irlt'il,
will- 11 iiiiotlicr M'ttliT shot tilt' liiiliiiii. 'I" I lis siiiiinn'r, ;i ( 'liippcwii liid-
iiiii.iit Detroit, wiis looking lit a k>"i, wlicii it Wfiit olTacriiiciituliy iiiiil
shot .111 Aini'ricaii. 'I'll*' Cliipiicwii was (li'iiiaiiiltil, diiivi rt'tl up and
cxfciitt'd. Istliistiic way (Ji'iicral Wayne exliiliits Ids ciiarity to llic
ri'd-siiiiis? NN'iicMi'vi'r uii iiistaucc of tiiis kind liappciis, it is usual lor
tiic rt'd-kins to n't;ard it as an accident. You Anieiicans think that all
the niischiel's that are coniniitled arc known to llie eliiei's, and iniineili-
atcly call on tliciii I'or the surrender of the oHendei's. W'e liiiow iiotli-
inir of tlicni ; our liusiiiess is to hunt, in order to feed our woineii and
children. It is ueiicrally siii)posed Unit wc red-skins arc always in tlu'
wroii^f. If we kill a hoj;:, we arc called fools or had men ; the same, or
worse, is s.aid of us if wc kill .in horned animal; yet yon do not tak(^
into consideration that, while the whites are liniitinj;' iiloiifj; our risirs,
killinj^oiir deer ami hears, wc do not speak ill of them. When the
l''rench caine to Niau.'ira, Detroit, Mackinaw and Chicago, they liiiilt no
forls or Ltarrisons, nor ilid the I-hiulish, who came after Ihcm ; hut when
the Americans came, all was cliaiiKe<l. They hiiild forts, and j:arri-.onH
and hlockades wherever tlii'y j^o. l"'roni these facts, we infer that they
intend to make war upon us. Whenever the I'nitcd States make the
Indians iireseiits, they afterwards say that we must ^ive them su<'h ii
tract of land ; and after a k<"»<1 "niny presents, they ask for u larger
piece. 'JMiis is the way we have heeii served. This is the wtiy of extend-
ing to us charity. l''ormerly, when tlu' l"'icnch were lu'iv, they made
us lar<i:e presents ; so have the Mnjrlish ; hut the Americans, in ni\inj;
their presents, hiivc asked a piece of land in return. Such has heeii the
treatment of the Americans.
" Ff the whites had kept on the otlu-r sidi' of the waters, these acci-
dents wdiilil not have happened ; we could not have crossed the wide
waters to have killed thei.. there; hut they came here and turned the
I iidians into confusion. If an 1 ndiaii j^oes into their villaii-c, like a dou' he
is hunted anil threatened with death. The ideas of the rotawaltomics,
Ottawas and ( "hippewasarc, that we wish to iivt' peaceahic with all man-
kind, and attend to our liuntinii' and other pursuits, that wc may he
ahle t(» provide for the wants of our women and childrt'ii. Ihit there
remains a liirkinudissatisfaction in the hreasts and minds of some of
our youiii;' men. This has occasioned the late mischiefs which, at the
time, were unknown to the chiefs and warriors of the iialioii. I am sur-
prised at such threateniniis to the chiefs and warriors lojd people i, who
are inclined entirely for peace. The desires ot' the chiefs and warriors
ari' to iilanl corn and ]nirsuetlie deer. Do you think it jiossihli' for us to
ileliver the murderers here to-day? Think you, my friends, what would
he till' consequeiice of a war hi'iwecn the Ainericaiis and Didians. In
times i)assi'd, when some of us wen eii^a^cd in it, many women were
k'ft in a distressful condition. Should war now take place, the distress
■would he, ill coni]iarisoii, much iiiori' jiciieral. This is all 1 have to say,
on the part of myself and warriors of my village. 1 thank you for your
patient attention to my words."*
('ii]»tiiiii I.cvcritii;' replied t») tliem. ,t:iviii<>' a resume of tlic liis-
tory of the wjiiie setth'rs on tiiis coiitiiieiit, niid tiicii' conliict \\ilii
tlie red iiicii. 1 le (iciiicd llnit tlic I'oit.s iit Cliica;;*). I'ort Wiiyiie,
or llir one opposite tilt' liKititii of tlie Missouri, wt-re t'stahlislicd to
liireateii oi maUe war on the Indians, hut that tliey were hiiih to
allord protection to llifii'.tri<'iids ; that the .Viiiciicans. unlike the.
JJritisli. had iiex i'i'taii.ulit nor employed the red men to join in war.s
and otitra;;('s upon the whites; lliaf cncii in the icvolittionary
strit,i:'.!.;Ie they had ad\ised tlie Indians to lie on tli«'ii' skins at
lioiiit', I'aise coni and kill deer, hut not to eiiua.ue on eitiieir side ;
lie .showed tlieni tlieir mistake rcpiidiiiji' the tnaly of (ireetn ilie,
that all inurd»'rei's,oii citliei' side, should l>e(h'!i\ cied up totlic oppo-
isitc ]tarty ; tJiat the jitiverniiieiit at Wasliiiiuion would not lia\ti
•Seo Edwurtls' Life of Edwurils,
2M
IIISTOUY ol' 1 1, LINE'S.
pciinittctl Wiiyiic to do lliis, but tlmt nil ofVciidns iiji'iiiiist our
jiiws iiiii>i III- nicil iiiitlt'i' lilt' Iiiws li\ ii jiii'v ol' iJ iiH'ii, iiiitl iliiiti
Jii.^lirf noiihl Im- iiit'tt'il oiil to liKliiiiis tiic siiiiif iis tlit' wiiilt's.
At tlif coiirliisioii. liitllf Cliifl' said : ''I i'c<|iirst voii now lo lalu^
tlif iiiiincs of llii> cliifrsiiiid wiiiiiois. tliat .\o" '"•>> '"'lii'^v to voiir
fallici' ill KasKasUia. Iiow ivad\ we have hccii to allnid liis wnids."
(ioiiio. tlic da\ rollowiii;;. iipoii tlic liiial adjoiiriiiiiciil ol' llic cniiii-
cil. said : "W'c lia\«' listcnrd witli patient altciitioii, and I liopf
tliat tlif yrcal Master ol' Ia;;lil was iiotieiii^i it. Wlu-n tlie Mas-
lerol' lii^^lit made man, lie (iidowed tliox-wiio wear lials with
«'\('iv ;;irt. all and know led ;;e. Tlie red sUins. as _\oii see. Ii\c in
lo(lL;es and on tlie wilds ofnalnre." Tliis seiitimeiil evinced a
liijuli a|i|ireeialioli of llie lelalixe stains of tlie two races.
'I'wd iiorses only were delivered np. Little ( 'liief promising; to
retiiin two \\u>\v to Captain lleald, at <'liica;:o, and (ionio prom-
ised to try and letiirn all. as soon as tliey could I»e I'onnd. TIh^
iiiiiidei'ers of tlie Coles parly in Missouri, were revealed to lie in ii
\illa;i;e altoiit L'O miles west of tlic I'ropliet's tow ii — 'i'ipi»ecanoe;
that by invitinji' them to I'oit Wayne with others Ihcy miulil lliere
be seized ill t he fall. Unlit is said that sonic of thciii were, in
]M>i!it of fact, with tlieiii then. So ended l<c\erinj:*s mission. My
the exposure incurred on the Illinois.tliis clear headeil soldier con-
ti'acte<l ilise.ise and died soon after his return to l\askaskia.
A mission, in cliaruc of doseph Troiicr. a sagacious l^'rcnch
Creole of Caliokia, was also sent to the Isickapoos. who inlialiitcd
the country aloii;; Snuai' Creek in the norlhcrn part of the picsent
county of I,ouaii. i'lie nsnal "talks," or speeches, willi many fair
](n>iiiises from this rat her shrewd but treacherons and implacable',
iiaiitMi. were had. w hid i were also w rilt«'n dow n as interprct«'d.
r>nt tliron^hoiit the west |ji,iilisli emissaries kept np the dastardly
work of ••setting the red men like do^s upon the whites,*' in the
eiici'jiftic lan;i;iia;L;(' ol'Tcciimsch to llarrisdii. 'i'hat jiicat warrior,
the fit snccessor of I'ontiac, iiaviii;;' conceived the plan of brin;;-
inji' the sonthern tribes, tin- Creeks, Clioclaws. and Chicasaws,
into a Ica^ne with I he tiibcs of the north, to make war aj^aiiist tho
I'niteil Slates till their lands were restored to them, started thither
on liis errand in the sjiriiiiidf bSll. The pniposes of this chief-
tain ami his biotlici', the one-eyed IM(»plK't. beiiin well nnderslood
by (iov. Harrison, he determined, diiriii;^ the former's altseiice, to
strike and disjicrse the hostile forces collected under the latter at
Tippecanoe. lie started IVoni \'incennes in the fall of bSll and
arrived in the vicinity of the IMophct's town on the (ttli of Nov.,
with an ett'ectivf I'oice of something over TOO men, ileic he was
jiH't by ambassadors from the Pr<»i)liet,and a susj»ension of liostili-
ties was arran^icd until an interview on the followinji' day conhl be,
had. 'I'lic j^'ov criioi'. desiriii;^ a j^dod jiicce of j;ioniid to cami>
ujion. allowed the treacherons foe to i)oiiit it ont; Itnt the site was
not selected williont examination and appro\al by his (illicers.
rjion this si»ot. before the dawn of the followiiiii nKMiiinji. tho
stealthy foe, with a snperior foi'cc, attempted to re enact the defeat
of St. Clair 21 yeais before. I'nder cover of darkness he crept
upon the American cani]*. and bej;an a mnrdeiiais attack with
savap' fniy uncommon «'\eii to him, and maintained it with j;reat
obstinacy; but the snrjirise was not coiaiilete, and he Avas nlti-
niately repulsed and put to flight, "witl, a loss equaling that of tho
ILLINOIS TKKKITOUY.
• X
Ameplcniis. TIh' Iosm of tlic liiltor was, in kill«'<l, .'{7; iiiorlnlly
woiiikIciI, L'."»; wuiiiiilcd, llUJ. TIm' loss in ((IUcci'h \Vii.> piirliiMiliii ly
)ll'il\,V. or till' I IlilHtisilllS who t'fll lll'IC \\<' IllilV lllt'MiK'l IsiliK*.
^VIlil»^ for sonic \(';ii's ilic ^^oxcinincnt iiycnl «»!' I lie () io snlini's,
will), li:i\ ill;; I'fci'iv <■(! tlir a|)|Miiiil iiiciil of nipliiiii of :i iniliti:i coin-
])iiii\ fidiii (io\. lOtiwiirds, in ISIO, joined the i'\|M'ditioii of (lov.
Harrison. Ilisdriitii w:isnin<;ii i-c^^icltcd, and the Tt'i'iitoiiiil \a>i^-
isl:ilni'(', in ISI."), [o |irr|M>ln:ili- his nifinorv, iiiiiiicd tin- count v of
W'liilc in honor of liiin. 1 1 cic, loo, fell t':c ;:ificd iiiid Itiillianf
,V(Minpi' .Major .Foe l>a\icss, whose (h'cds o valor have also itccn
coniMicinoralcd in Illinois liy naniiiiiL;' a <-oiinty aflcr liiiii. 'I'lio
int<lli.L;clife of Ihc Italtle of 'ri|i|»ei'aiioc was pcciiliailv alaiiiiiii;;'
to the settlcineiits of Illinois, so coiilixnoiis to these imrdes of
.sava;;'cs, and additional ineasiircs were concocted as speedily as
<;irciiiiistances pennitted, to nie-.-r tin* "xij^jeiicy of the limes.
Dniiii;; the winter of isjl - li', the lirliaiis oiitherppcr Missis-
sippi Were xcrv hostile and coi iniilled many iniirdcrs. In aiitici-
]>atioii of an early war witli tiu' United Slates, the l>iilisli anient at
i'rairie dii ('hieii. Col. Dixon, it was reported Jty Indian traders,
liad eii,:4a;;cd all the warriors of that rcLiioii to descend the Missis-
sippi and ex terminate the sett lenient s on both sides of the river;*
Init upon the l)real;iii;u' out of actual hostilities in dune of that
year there was more piessiii;;' need for sa\a;;e recruits in Canada,
which donl)tl<>ss saved liie elfiisioii of iiiiicli liiood in the denser
.settlements of Illinois; still many murders were committed. The
Jjonhiitnut (}azitti\ .March iMsl, ISIl!, reports *.) mnrdeis in the dia-
trict of St. Ciiarles; 1 at l''ort .Madison; '1 at tlie lead mines in
Jllinois, and a jtarty of men who left ilie i'orl in I'dniiary for tho
mines, not liavin;;" Iteeii lieai'd Uo\\\, were siippo.sed to have fallen
info the hands of the savau'cs. 'i'wo hniidred Winiieh i^oes from
Illinois made a |»liiiideriii.u raid upon a '-factory store" of the.
United States, siMialcd (MI tiie west hank ot the .Mississii»pi. tlui
])resent site of i>ellev iie. laeiiteiiants ilamilloii and N'ascpies, with
a small force of I'e.nniars, made a ;;allant defence and repulsed tiie.
sava.yes.
A few niarandin;;' jiarties pem-trated far down into Illinois.
Andi'cvv ."Moore and his son. on their way hcnne from the doiirdan
ltl(»cklions(', nnule cami* near the ini<ldle fork of the I'd;; Minldy,
not far from the ci'ossin;;- of the old Massac road. Here they wen;
attacked by the savages, and after a bloody eiiconntei' both
lather and son were killed and tlieir horses stolen. Moore's
I'rairie in the present county of .lell'erson. perpetuates their names.
At Tom floni'dan's fort, on the road to IC(pialit,v, three ineii veii-
tnred out after dark to ;;atliei' [irewood, when they were tired
on by Indians concealed in the l)riisli, killing' iJarbara, vvoiind-
in;;- daiiu's Jonrdan. bnl niissiii;;' Walker. A iiiarandiii,i;' band of
AVinnel)a;;os attackecl Lee's settlement at Ilardscrabble, ab(.iit t
miles from Foit Dearbon, near the ])re.sent junction of the canal
■with the Chicago river, and killed a .Mr. White and a Canadian in
his employ. Two other men escaped.
At IlilTs Foi't, later in the same year, a band of warriors a[)-
peared. They I'einoved the mnd from between ;iie lo,i;s of a
chimney of one of the blockhonses, inserted a ^iiiii.aiid shot a man
sitting in.side by the lire. A soldier by the name of Lindley, iu
•Reynolds' Own Times.
17
2r.8
lIISr()K\ or ILLINOIS.
ciiiiviii.L;' I'lM'd out to liis horses, left the slockiidc ;^iitt' open, lor
whit'ii (lie siviiliviiiu' I'dc iiiaWc an iiisiaiil nisli, liiit t lie occiiitaiits
i|iiickly slaiiiiiK'tl liic uatc sliiit. Icaxiiiii llic soldier outside witli
the sa\ a,u«'s, llesiiehered iiiiiiself fioiii t iieir iiiissih's aiiioii,;;' \\\o,
catlU', w liich direell\ staiiipeiliii;;. lie uiaiia.ucd l>_v feats of yreat
(h'Merilv to tide ou and iiiMh'r an ox. tiins escapini^ the sa\a,u('s
and sa\ in,ii' liis life. The Indians were meanwhile en,iia,^('d in ;i
n.uht at the fort oxer the pickets, and were I'epulsed with loss, as
indicated hv the trails ot' lilood. thev, as usual, caiTvinj;- away the
wounded or dead.*
In ;\Iaich, ISlL'. (lo\crnof I'ldwaids scut ('apt. I'Mward ilehcit
uitii another tricndiv in<'ssa,u('lo I he Indians residinumi the Illinois,
in\ ilini; them to .1 conucihand recpiotin^ traders of exciv descrip-
tion to withdraw till the 1 ndian atfaiis iiecame more set t led. and if
Ihe latter did not instantlv comply they neeil e\|)ect no further
indulncnce.
On the Kith of April. ISlU, His Ivxcellency met in protracted
council at Caliokia, with Ihe chiel's and warriors of the following'
imtions: Of the I'ottawatomies — (lomo, Pepper. \\'hitc Hair,
little Sauk. (Ireal Speaker, Yellow Son, Snake. Maukia. Hull,
Jenian. Xeckkeenesskeesheck, l,i;nance. Potliw atomic Prophet,
I'amousa. i^hkeclu'c. Toad, Alan wcss. Pipt I'ird. Cut Pranch. Tlui
South Wind, and the Plack i'.ir<l: of the Kickapoos — Little Deer,
P)lue l\vcs (rcpreseiitati\ (■ of i'amawattau). Sun l''isli, Plind of an
]•:>(■. oiter, .Makkak, Yellow Lijts. I )o,<;- IJinl,au(l IJlack Seed. Of
the Oltawas — Mittitasse 1 representat i\o of the P>hu'kl>ii'd), Kees-
ka-<»n. and .Malshwashew ii. Of the (.'hippewas— the \\'iiilo
J)o-.+
The (lovcriior (h'liveicd in person a forcihle address to them,
lie spoke of the ardent desiic of the .li'eneial jio\crnment to imuu-
tain peace an*l inirmony with all the Iinlian nations; defended the
I'nited States a.uainst the chai'ii'e of rapacity for their lands;
Avarncd them a.nainst the arts and deeepticus of the vShawaneo
I'rophet and other 'd>ad hirds."' or evil counselors, whom tliii
J5ritish hatl sent anionji' them; poitrayed the power and resources
of the Anu'iican nation, which desired not war but peace; insisted
that the MUirderers, w liom they had haihored all the tini(\ notwith-
standing their denial to Le\('rinji, must he snrren<lered ; that he
nndersto<|il well their unfriei.dlydisposition and tiie efforts ii<^ ('(»in-
l)inalions aitempted to he formed ainon;i;' the tribes; warned them
that their depreilatioMs could not be lai<l to the \\'inneba;;'os, who
\vei<' at open Iiostility: that he wasprepaicd with eiierj^etic inei's-
nres t(t protect the whites and i)nnish the Indians, «S:e.
The leading chiel's of the ditt'erent tribes represen*'d all deferred
to (iomo as the one who was toans\.ei' the (i()\ crnor's spee(tli,
Avhich he did on the following; day : lie pi'ofessed that the words
of the (iovenior had sunk deep into his heart; that lie s[KtUe the
sentiments of all the ehii'fs accordin.u to theii' instruction. He
declared the (Ireat Spiiit to l)e an;;i-y with the r«'d men for sellinj^"
theii' lands, which he had j^iveii them io live upon, and denied the
]>ow('r of n (dnef to sell lands; they wanted to live in jieace : if
tln're was a chief amoiij;' them of iidlnence enouj;h to delivcu' up a
*U(\vn<iIils' Own Tiinos.
+J'.d\vui'i]!j' Lil'oof his Father.
llAASi )IS TKUKITOUY,
2r,\)
iiiiiidcrci' lie would like ti» sec liim: if lie ;ittt'iii])tc(] (o scciiio llh^
iiiurdci'crs witlioiit tlic coiisciit ol' all tin- cliicl's lie would he killed,
and tliat tlic ^Missouri iiiiii'dcrcis were Kicka])()()s; he doiiicdbciiij^
Idiiisc'ta -I'cat cldcf, and said lie coidd not control liis yonn^' nu'ii
wli(t were so scattcrc*! that it wonld Ix' iin|)ossil)l(' to hrin,^' tlicni
tou'ctlicr: tlicy had in> laws anmnj;' llicni like the whites to ])Mnisli
ot'lrndcrs; denied listeniiiiu' to evil birds or interl'erinu' hetweiMi the,
iSiitish and Americans. They wonld not Join the British, lor in
the last war they had left them in the Inrch and .vonld do so ayain.
When lie wanted a hlanke! he Itonuht it. The liiitish had in\it<Ml
them to aid them, but they had sc nt them word to (iji'ht their own
battles, that they wanted to live in peace. lie complained that
the Americans did not live np to Iheii' promises in sn|)plyin^' their
wants, and that they had been lii'ed upon by whites in eoniinjjf
(low n to the council. l*i-o]nised yood bclia\ ior. which they hoped
llie(!ood Spirit w »uld help them to perform, and professed j^reat
humility.*
'I'he Indians had brought their women and childi'eu alonj>' to
show his l''i\cellen<'y. as (iomo naively said, liow raiijued and needy
they were. 'I'liis, to,i;('ther v>itli their fair piomises of .n'ood be-
liavior and peaceable intentions, had the desiicd effect. '1 hey
cauH^ away loaded with substantial presents. An eaily wi'iter
says: ''Tin' wild men e.\<'rcised tin- nntst diplomacy, and made the,
i^ovei'nor believe the Indians w<'re for peace, and that the whiles
need dread nothin.i;' from them. They ]U'omise(l enoufih to obtain
))resents, and went olf lau,uhin,<>' at the credulity of (he whites. "t
Some of them w<'re in August follow inj;' concerned in the horrible
massacre at ('hica,i;().
The savages ol' th<' northw(\st, however, were tliorott,i;hly stirred
np and did n(tt desire peace; in this the reports of travelers,
traders, and sjjies all coiicnrred: the red wami)um was constantly,
])assin,i;' between (he dillei'ent tribes in all i)arts of the country,
from tlie, Sioux of tin; St. I'eters to tlu^ tribes at the head of the
AN'abash, and a ji'eueral condtination was fast ripenin;:;'. The
Uritish a.u'cnts at Prairie du Chieii, Fort Maiden, and othei' points,
in anticii>atioii of a war with thelTnited States, soufjht to eidist
the favor of the savages by the <listi'ilndion of lar,i;'e supi>lies of
ji'oods, arms and annnunititui to them. The l"ji_<;lish coidiniu'd their
in.-.idts to our Hag' upon the hifjli seas, and (heir fi'overiunent refus-
ing' to I'elincpiish its offensive conr ', all liojie of a ])eacefnl issiu>
was abandoned, and congress, ou the llUh of .luiu', 1SI2, tbruudly
declared war against (jicat IJiitain. In Illinois tlu^ (hi'eatened
Indian troubles had already caused a uiore thoiough organization
of the nnlitia along' (he, frontiers, (Vo:u the mouth of t!ie Illinois
dctV.'u (he Mississippi to (he Ohio, thence np that stream an<l (ho
Wabash abovc^ N'iueenues. Addidonal forts were also btult, one
towards the, mouth of the Little Wabash, and at the nu)uth of La
lAIotte Cre«.'k.
♦Edwards' I-ifc of Edwards.
tKt'ytiolds' Own Times.
it
ill
ClIAI'TKIl XX III.
TIIK MASSACKE AT CII ICACO— KAl^.V niSTORV OF
Til 10 IM.ACK.
The yrontcst, !is well tlic iiutsf rcvoltiii^j^j massar " of wliitos
tli;it t'vci' ncciirifd in Illinois, was iM'ipcti'atrd 1>\ llic Potuwat-
toniic trilin of Indians, on tiic 8it«; ol' the present eity of Clii-
cau*).
{•'roin early Indian tradition, it lias been ^i'atliered tli;it tluf
niontii of tlie Cliicaji'o river \v;is;i l;i\drite resort of tlx' Illinois
tril)es in very renH)te times. IJesides its lisliin};' facilities, it was
the oidydeep inlet from the lake on its southwesterly bend. The
]»ortaj:t' betwcMi the Chicago and the Inadwaters of the Illinois,
otfere<l bnt a narrow interrnption to ean(»e travel from tlu^ <(reat
lakes on the north to the (inlf of Mexico. It is said, that tlie
Tamaroas ;.iave nanui to the river, derived from ('heca(iiia, the
title of a lonu snccessioii <if ji'overninj;' eh'efs. which, iiy an easy
tiansition, atti'.ched to the place. It was said also to mean tlnm-
<lei'. the \oice of Maniton, and ''skunk." an a|)itellation but too
suu^i'cstive duiinj;' a few years precedinj^' the deejienin.ii' of the
(taiial.by which its euri'ciit was reversed with the |>nre watei's of
the lake. Knt its uiost eoinmouly accepted definition is "wild
onion.'' from that rather o(b»rous vej^'ctaltle <;Towinj:' abundantly
on its biinks in early times.*
A small I''rench tradinj;' post was established there in the peiiod
of the I'rench explorations. I"'or the better jtossession of their
western empire, the French built forts at various points, from
Canada, via I'eoiia, to New Orleans, inclndiiif;' one at Ohicayo.
On tlu' earliest kn(»wn map of this re;;ion, dated (Quebec, KWS, ii
eorreet outlines of the lake is <>iven, and tlii^ river accurately loca-
ted, with 'I'^u't Chicaj^'o"' marked at its mouth. Subscfpu'Utly, the
Americans found no vesti^^c of the eaily French setth'rs there.
By the treaty of (lieenville, to whicli the Fotawattoinies from this
reiiicai, with many <»thers. were piirties, "oiu' ])iece(»f land (» miles
s(|uare, at the month oC the Cliekajo river, emptyin;^' int(( tin?
.souili-west end of Lake Michigan, irlicrr a fort Jhrmtrhf nfixxl,''^
Avas I'eliiKpn'shed. 'i'he tide of emi;4iation settinji' into Indiami
and Michijian aifer the treaty of (Ireenville, 17i>r», conceid rated
the Indians in j;reiiter uumbers about this ])oint, and larj;cly iii-
ereiise<l the Indian trade, foi- which a nund)er of traders were her<5
h>ciite(l ; >Iohn Kin/,i(^ beinj^' one whose; deseendants are, residents
of (Miica;^o down to the i>resent time. The jicneral ,u(»verniiient,
in ISO I, laiiit, (Ui the south side of the river, l''ort Dearborn,
* Clilcugo and ila great uoulltigrutiou.
I'GO
ILLINOIS TKlMnrORY. L'Cl
iiiiiiHMl iiftorii jiciicriil of ihv army, and ^arriHoiiod if witli 50 men
and ;> pieces (»l' iii1ill<'ry. 'I'lie fort consisted of L' block lionses,
with 11 ]»;irii(le ground ;iiid siillyporl, or snl)ti'rriine;in i)iiss;i;4(' to
tlie ri\<'i', liie w iidle snnoiinded l»y ;i sto<-U;ide. Willi tiiis ]>]v,-
cMiiiiiis idolectioii, tlie iiiiiiilH'r of tinders increiised and a few set-
tlio'.; ci"i t lii>r<>il ;iriiiriiil tlii> ixxt
of lliis i»liice ('iilleii llai'dscnibbh'.
On tlicTlii of An^iisl, iiirixcd tlie ordei- of (ioveriior Hull,
«"tiiiiii;inder in chief of the iioi'thwest, by the li;in<i of ji trusty
«']iii'f of llit^ I'otnwiittoiiiies, called Winiieitie;^, (ir ('iitlish, "to
eviiciinle the post if jtr;ictic;ible. iind in that event, to distribntCi
the |»niperty belon^inu' to the ['nited States, in the fort and in
the factory oia^ciiey. to the Indians in tin- neiuhboi'Iiood." '|'ii(»
<lispatclies fmt her announced, that the I'.rilish had laUeii Mack-
inaw, and tinit (leneraj llnll, with his army, was proceed i n u' fi(wn
Fort Wayne to Dctiuil.
Fort Wayne to Dctiuil.
The .i;ariis(iii, at the lime, consisted of "."i nieii, few of wli(tin
were effeciixe soldiers. The ollicers were. Captain lieald, the,
4'oiiiiiiandcr, laeiiteiiant Helm and iCiisii^'ii Ifonaii (both very \ ■niii;^
men), and Doctor Noorliccs, the si!rj;('oii. ,lolin Kiiizie was tli(<
piincij)al tiad<'r. lie and the lirst two named oflicei-s lia<l families
tlieic. So also some of the soldiers and other traders. Coiisider-
alile coolness <'.\isted between I'jisiuii Itoiiaii, a brave and gallant
Noldicr, init overbearing: in his disposition, and <'iiptaiii Ileald.
Winneme;;', the bear<'r of t li(^ dispatches, well apjiriscd of the,
hostile <lisj)osilion of the treacherous savages, advised stronuly
against the evacuation, which was dis<'retionary. 'flic fort was
well siip]iiie<l with ammiinitioii and provisions I'oi' six months, and
;■. ii... •..,..,..•;•.... ..,11/.... .1. ii.i..'ii< /./.■.,,. II,. o., I.I «.. I..,..,,, ii.,.
2(52
TIISTOIJV (»F ILLINOIS,
t'licc to orders, disrcjuiirt'd tliis also, notwitlistiiiidiii;;' tlic discretion
allowed iiiiii. Oil tlie roll()\viii.y' iiioriiiiij'', uitlunit coiisiilLilioii with
liie siihordiiiale ollieers — witii wiioiii lie was estraii;;t'd -lie |>iih-
lislied on parade t lie order lor e\ aeiialiiin' tliejiosl. 'I'lie ollieers
whose eoimeil iiad lieeii lliiis ij;iiored in so iiiiporlaiil an eiiH'r.Lj'eiK^v,
reiiioiislrated a^aiiisl this sie|». and i>oinle<l out the iniiuolt.ihility
ol'llieir party reaehiii.i^' l""ort Wavne without iiiolesiatioii ; liow
the\ would lie relai'ded ill their marches 1>\ the women and cliil-
dreii. and invalid and siipcraiiiiated soMicrs; how the lew rriciidly
cliiels. who had from ino|i\csor prixate re,uard lor the family of
JMr. Kiiizie, oppo.sed .siicces^rnllN an attack upon the fort the ])re-
eedin,u autumn, were now, when the country was at war with
Cireat Ilritaiii. powerless to ivstraiii their tribes. They advised
I'eiiiaiiiiiii;' and forlifyini;' Ihemselves till succor came ; at any rate,
it was lietler to fall intothe hands of the ilritish, as i)ris(Uiers,
than a sacrilice to the Itriital fert)city of the savages. Captain
Jleald, however, dreadin<i' et'iisure, sIochI upon liis idea of oitedi-
dice to orders, ami expressed conlidence in the friendly proless-
ions of the imlians. With this, the ol'licers, wlio regarded Ilii'
ju'oject as little short of madness, heid themselves aloof from their
eommaiidei', and dissatisfaction and iiisuWordiiiation spread aiuonu,
the soldiers. The Indians, too, became daily more unruly. They
entered the fort in deliance of the seiiiinels. and made their way
"without «'ereiiiony into the (luarteis of the ollieers. On one occa-
sion, an Indian tired a rille in the parlor of the commandin<;dfli-
cer. This was by some construed as a sij^nal to iheyiUiiiji braves
tor an attack. 'J"he (»ld chiefs were passing' to and fro amoiij;' the
assembled j^roiips with much a;^italiiui, while the stpiaws w<'re
rnshinii' hither and hither, as if looking;' for a fearful st-ene. Still
C"a|)taiii lleaid cliiii.u' to his conxiciioii of havinji' created a fcelin.u,'
so amicable ainoiii; them, as would ensure the safe passage of the
jiaity to F<n1 Wayne, in the meantime, a rinmer iiad arrived
villi a inessa;4<' from Tecumsch, who hatl joined the liritish with
a laij;*' Ibrce, com cyiii.u' the news to the Indians ol the captiirt'of
Fort .Mackinaw in duly, the defeat (d' .Major Van Ilorne at llrow ns-
town, and tlie inulorioiis retreat of (leiieral Hull from Canada,
saying- further, that he had no dtmbt but that Hull would, in a
short time, be compelled to surrender; and iir,u('d them to arm
immediately.
The, Indians from the neigliborin.i;' villa,u'es havin.y at Ien<;th
collected, a council was held on the llilh of Aui^nst. Of the olli-
eers (d' the jiarrisoii, though rcfiiiestcd. none attended bi'sjde the
coniniander; tiie others, in antieiiiati<tn <d' intended mischief,
opened the poll holes (d' the blockhouses and with loade<l cannons
commanded the coiiii'-il. This action, it was supposed, prevented
Ji iiiassacre at the time. ('apt. Ileald promised tiie Indians to dis-
tribute amoiiii- them all t!ie jidods in the I'liited Slates factory, and
the ammunition and provisions in the tort, desirinji' an escort of
the I'ottawatomii's to Fort NN'ayiie in return, and promising, tiiem
ii fiirlher liberal reward upon arrival there. The Indians, with
many professions of frieiidshi)), asst'iited to all he proposed and
promised all he required.
No sooner had the coinmander made these imiiscreet i>roinises
than he allowed himself to lie persuaded to \iolate them. Mr.
Kinzie, well knowinj; the ticaclu ry td' tin; ln<lian character, repre-
ILLINOIS TKURITOKY.
2(i;}
K«Mitc(l t(» liiiii the ihiii.uci- to llicii' piirty of riiriiisliiii<: llic s:ivii,ut'S
■\vitli iiniis nnd aiiimiiiiirKHi. and liiiiior to lire tlicir hraiiis. 'I'lii.s
iiriiiiiiiciit. tiiic iuid cxccUfiil in itself, was now cci'lainlv inopjioi-
tiinc, and, ir acted njion conld only incense tiie Ireaclieidiis foe.
I'.iit ('apt. Ileald., struck with tlie inipolicv of ids condnct and
faliin^H- ill witli tlie ad\ice. now lesolved to bicak his iudiscicet
pronuse. Accordin,ul\, on tiie i;!tii, all the j^oods inllie factory
stole were dnly disti'ihiited : but in the ni;^ht time the aims were,
broken, the aniniunition seciclly thrown in a well, and the Itarrels
of whisky, of wliieh theicwasa larj;*' (niaiitity. mostly belon.^in^-
to traders, were lojh'd (|nietly thronjih the sally-port, their heads
knocked in and their contents emptied into the river. Hat the
liirkin.i;- redskins witiiesscil the breaking' of the casks, and (piickiy
ai)preliendin,u- liow laith had been broken with them b\ the whiles,
were ^-eatly <'.\asperated at the loss of their fond -lii'e w ater,"
■which tiiey asserted was destroyed in siicii abnndance as to makc^
the river taste ''yrou'^iy." At a second <"onncil held on the Mill.
tlu'y e.\])resse(l their iiidijiiiatioii at thiscoiidiict.aiid their mnrmiirs
ami threats were loud and <U'ep. lilack Hawk, who li\fd many
years after, always maintained that this violation <if promises on
the part; of the whites j)recij»itated the massacre on the Ibllowin,!;-
day.
\Vliile nearly all the Indians in alliance with the r.ritish i»arl(M>k
of tiie hostility of their people ajiainsi the Americans, there werc^
still several <'hiefs and bra\t's who retained a ])ersoiial rc,iiard Ibr
the inhabitants of this ]»lace. Amoii^' these was iJlack I'ariiidiic,
a chief of some renown. He now eiitert'd the (piarlers of Cajit.
Ileald and spoke as follows: "r'ather. 1 come todeli\<'r np to you
the medal I wear. Jl was <ii veil me by the Americans, and I liaNC
huijn" worn it ill token of our umtual friendship. Hut our yoiiny
men are resolved to imbrue their hands in the blood of the
"wliit 'i^. I cannot restrain them, and I will not wear a token of
peace wlrile iani comiielled to a<'t as an «'nemy.''
On the same day, the Mth. the (hspondeiicy of the garrison was
for a time dispelled by the arrival of CajU. NVells fi<im- l'"t. Wayne,
Avitli J.-) friendly 31iaiiiis. ('apt. Wells was the son of (un. Wells,
of Kentucky, and either a brother or uncle to ]\Irs. ('apt. Ileald.
AVhen ti child, he was taken prisoner by the 31iaiiiis and reared
and adopted in tl.e family of Little Turtle, who commanded tlii'
Indians in the di'feat of St. ("lair, in 17110, Wells leadin.n ;!(."() of the?
warriors in the very front of that battle. He snbscipjently Joined
the army of (u'li. Wayne, and by his knowlcdiic of the country,
])roved a ])ow('rful auxiliary. Later he rejoined his Ibster father.
He was a brave and fearless warrior. Ilavinji learned the older
of evacuation, and know inj;' well the l!>..^tile dis]»osilion of the
l\)ttawat<uiiies, he made a rapid march tliidui;h the w ildciiics.s lo
i!<ave, if possible, his sister and the fiarrisoii at (Jhicajio. from their
inqieiidiny doom. IJiit he came too late, 'flie ammiinilioii was
destroyed and the savaji'cs were riotiiiydii the |>ro\ isioiis. I're-
])aratioiis were therefore made to march on (he morrow. The
reserved ammnnition, 25 rounds to the man, was now distribiHed.
The ha«i}ia,u(' wajions for the sick. the women and (he children, con-
taininji' also a l»ox of cartridjics, were ;^oi read\, :iiid amid the
])ervadiiij;' <ilooiii, n fati^uin;;- mireh thronjih the wilderness in
prospect, and the fears of diisaster on the route, the whole party
li(>+ IIISTOllY OF ILLINOIS.
cxrcpl llif ruillil'iil s<'iitiiicls rctii'cd lor ji little repose. Tlie iiioni-
iiiji' of the I'atal l.")tli of Aiij;iist, iMll,', iirrived. The siiii slioiie
Avil h its wonted splendor, and Lidvc .Miclii.L iii "was a sheet of Imiii-
ishe(l yold."' ICaily in tlie nioriiiiij; Mr. Kiii/ie r<'eeived a iiiessaj^o
I'roiii 'I'opeiieehe. a fiiendiv eiiief of tiie St. .losejih hand of I'olta-
vatondes, warniiiii him tlial his people, not withstandinji' tiieir
])i'onnse of safe conduct, desiyned ndschief. INIr. Ivin/ie with iiis
ehh'st son, wiio iiad a.ureed tc accompany the j;arrison, was iii'Lj-ed
to ;.:<• witii his family, for which a boat had heen (itted out to
coast around the southerly end of liie lake to the St. .losepli.
.\t ';! a. ni. the parly (juitted the foi't amidst martial music and ill
miiilaiy array, ('apt. Wells, at the head of his hand of Mianns,
led the \an, his face hiackened after the manner of the Indians.
The ti()o]»s with loaded aims came, next, followed hy the waf^ons
contiiiniiii;' the women and childi-eii. the sick and the lame and the
ha.ii;,uaji('. A little distance in liie rear f >llowed the escort ofpiiout
odO I'ottawatomies. The jiarty took the l»each load sonthwaid with
the lake ui)ou their left. On reachinu the rauj:t' of sand iiilis sepa-
aatiu,u the heach from the prairie, the Indians defiled to the ri^iit,
l»riii;:;inj; these shore elevations lietweeii them and the whites down
on tlie heach. Tliey had marched ahoiit a iinle and half from the
fort, wlieii ('apt. NN'ells rode furiously hack, shouting: "They are
ahoiit to attack us: form instantly and ciiarj^c upon them.'" The
Avoids were scarcely uttered when the saxaj^cs poured a x'oUey of
liinsketry from hehind the hills upon the i>arty. The troops wt've
liaslily formed into line and they char.yc*! up the hank. Oiio
veteran of 70 \<'ars fell as they ascended, 'flic action l»ecam(3
general. The Miamis lied at the outset: tiieir chief rode up to tho
Pottawatomies, cliar^fd them with treacliciy, and !»raiiisliinii' his
tomahawk. declarc(l "he would he ihe lirst to head a i»ariy to
return and punish tliein." lit; then turned his horse and i>alIope(l
after his cowardly compani<»iis. The troops hehaved j^allaiitly,
lint were overwhelmed hy nund)ers. The savages tiankcd ihein,
and '"in ahout l'> minutes ;.;()t possession of the horses. |)ro\isions,
and haji^aiit' of every description.''* IJere the niiirderon.s work
ui>on the helpless women and children was eominenced.
^Irs. Helm, wife of l.ieiitenant Helm, was in the action, and
fnrnislied Mr. i\iu/,ie, her stepfather, many thrilling' incidents. t
Dr. Voorliees, who had heen wouikUmI at the lir.st tire, was, w hile
in a paroxysm of fear, cut dcwii hy her si<le. Knsif.;n Konan, n
little ways oil', thouj;ii mortally wounded, was struji<;iin,i;' with a
powerful sava<;e, hut sank ninter his tomaha\vk. A younn' bravo
Avith uplifted tomahawk soniilit to cleave her skull ; she s|iran<v
aside and the blow jiiazed her shoulder; sin- seized him arouml
the neck and while .i;rai)pliii,ii' I'or his scalpin.i;' knife, was forcibly
borne away hy anotlieraihl plunji'ed into the hike and held down in
the water. She soon found, howfver, that her eajttor di<l not desijiu
to drown lier, and now for the lirst time reco^'iii/ed, throu,i;Ii his
disguise of paint and feathers, the Irieiidly chiei, lUaek l'artridj;'e.
AVlieii the liriit};' liad somewhat subsided her ])reserver hore lier
safely to the shore. A soldier's wil'e, under the conviction tlnit
prisoners taken by Indians Avere subjected to tortures worse than
death, lhou<ili assured of iininunity, fon;:lit a ])arty of savaj^es,
AA'lio attenii»ted to take lier, Avitli siieli desi»eratioii that she was
•Heuld'B Kcport. +See J. H. Kiuziu's Niirutivu.
ILLINOIS TEKUITOUY.
L'Cm
i i
littn'iilly out to ]»i('c('s iiiid licr iiiiiiijilcd rciiiiiins left on tlM^ (ifld.
*'iMrs. Ilciild, too, t(»ii;ilil lite ii ixTfcct licroiiic iiiid icccivi'd scvcial
uoiiiids. Al'lcr slic \v;is in llic l»o;il. ;i sinn^^c iissnilcd lit-i' willi
liis toiiiidiiiwk, wlicii Iicr lilV was s;ivcd l»v tlic iiitciposilioit of a
fri.'iidly cliicf."
Tlic troops liaviii.u' l'oMjj,lit yallaiitly till over liall' of tlicir niiiiiltcr
■NVOiv slain, the remainder, Itnt -1 ont of <>(!, siii'ren<lered. And
in)\v the most lieart-icmleiini:' and sickenin;;' hntehei'v (•(' tlii.s
calamitons day was eoniniitted by a yoiin,:^' hrntal sa\'a<;'e, who
assailed one of the l)a,ujia.ye waii'ons eontaininiu' 12 ciiildreii, every
one of whom fell l»eneath his nnuderons tomaiiawk. \\'hen ('apt.
AVells, wiio with the others had Ix'conn' a prisoner, beheld this
scene at a dislanee. he exelainn'd in a tone lond en(»nj;h to be heard
by the sava,ut's aronnd him : -'If this be yonr .^aine, 1 can kill loo I''
and tnininj;' his iiorse, started in fnll j;allop tor the l'oltawatomi(i
eamp, loeatetl alxnit what is now State street, near the erossinj^' of
Lake, where the sqnaws and i)appooseshad l)een left. The Indians
l»nrsned. and he a\ oided the deaclly aim of their r dies for a 1 iine i»y
hiyin,^' Hat on his horse's neck, but theanimal was directly killed aial
he W(»nnded. lie a,uain became a jtrisoner; W i n nenu'H' a i id W'ai tan-
see, both friends of the whiles, intei'ceded to save him, lait
Peesotnm, a I'ottawatonne, while he was bein,i;' supported alon,ii',
pi\'e him his deaih blow by a stab in the l>ack. Tlins fell \\in.
^Vayne Wells, a white man of excellent ]»arenta<;'e and descent,
reared annniy the Indians, and of as In'axc and ji'enei'ons a imtnre
as man e\-ei- jjossessed, a saerilice to his own rash impidse inspir<(l
by a- deed of nnist sava}j;e ferocity. Mis renniins were teriibiy
multilated ; the heart was cnt in pieces and distribnted aminii;' the
tribes, as was their wont, for a token of bravery. I>illy ("aldwc-ll,
a half bi'eed AVyandol. lon,y' well known in ('hica,ii(> alterward,
arri\inj;' lu'xt day, gathered np the several porti(»ns of the body
and bnried them in the sand. Wells stn^et, in the i>resent eity of
Chicaji'o, perpelnates the memory of his nann-.
The following' is copied from ihe olticial rei)ort of Captain
Heald:
"We proceeded about a mile and a half, wlien it was discovered the
Indians were j)repared to attack us from liclund theliank. I inuuediately
inarched tlie company up to tlie toj) of tlie liank, wlieii tiie action cnni-
nienced ; after lii'in>i-one round, reclKirgt'il, and tiie Indians j>;ave way in
front and joined tiiosc on our t1ard\s. In aliout lo niinnles,.they fj;ol pos-
session of all our iiorses, provision and liajij^ajn' ol' every descripli(.n, and
flndinj)^ tlie Miamis did not assist us, I drew oil" tlie lew men I laid left,
and took possession of a small elevnlion in tiie ojien prairie out of sliot
of the bank orany otiier cover. 'l"he Indians did not follow me, luit
assembled in a body on tlie top of the liank, and, after some eonsuKation
auionjj themselves, made si<^ns for me to approach tiieni. 1 advanced
towards tlu'in alone, and was met by one of the rottawatomie diiefs,
called the iJlackltird, with an interpreter. After sliakinir iiands, lie re-
quested me to surrender, promising;' to sparethe Ii\-es of all the prisoners.
On a few moments consi(leration I concluded it would he tlie most pru-
dent to comply with his reijuest, althoujib 1 did not jiut entire conlidence
in liis promise, .\fter <leliverin^ up our arms, we were taken back to
their encamjaiii'iit near the fort and distributed anions' the ditrcrent
tribes, 'i'lie next morning- they set tire to tlie fort, and left the place,
taking (he prisoners with tliem. Tiieir mimi)erof wiU'riors was lietweeu
400 and VIO, mostly of tlii' Pottawatomie nation, anil tlieir loss, fnao the
best information I could ;j,-et, was aliout lo. Our streni;lli w'as-)4 reuulars
tnd 1-' militia, out of which '2(i regulars, and all the militia, were killed
ill tlie action, with two women aud 12 cliildreu. Eusigu George liouau
200 IllSroiiV OF ILLINOIS.
1111(1 Dr. [siiiic V. Villi VoorliccH, of my coiiiiumy, willi Ciipdiiii Wclli^,
of l''inl \\;iyiii', iir«' to my j;rt'iil sorrow, mimiicrtd anion}; llu' (IcmiI.
LifuL 1,. 'I\ Helm, with 2') non-com mission ctldiriccrs a 11(1 privates, ami 11
women anil cliiidicii, were prisoners, when we separated. Mrs. Ilealil
and myself were taken to llie month of (he river St. Joseph, and hein;;'
IpoIIi liailly wounded, were jiermitted to reside with Mr. I5nriiet, an In-
dian tradei'. In a few days after our arrival there, the Indians all went
oil' to lake l'"()rt Wayne, and in their alisence I eiif^a^icd a I<'rencliman to
take us to .Mackinaw, liy water, where 1 };ave mysf If up as a prisoner
of war, with one of my sergeants.
In I lie sill rem I er, ( 'apt a in Ilea Id had sti|nilale(l lor t lie salety of,
tlie reiniianl (d' Ills loice and the remainin.ii women and cliildreii.
Tile wounded prisoners, in I lie iiiirry (d' I lie inoiiiciil, were mil'or-
liinately omitted, or latlicr, not ^laitieiilariy iiiciit ioncd. These
helpless siilTereis, on reaeiiili.u' tiic rotawalloinie camii. were tliel'c-
lorc regarded as iiiopcr siiltjects upon to wreak their sa\ajit'
and cowai'dly l>riitality .\ distiii<;iiisliiii;:' trait (d' civiii/e'd
liiimanity is. pidleetion Cor the helpless: with the sa\a^(', tlicsif
become the olijects of ven^icaiiec. .Mis. Helm writes: '-An old
s(piaw, iiil'iiiiated l>y the loss of tViciids or excited Ity the saii;;ni-
iiary scenes around lici', .seemed possessed <d' demoniac liny. She
seized a stable folk and assaiiltetl one miseiable victim, who lay
liToaniini' and wiilhiiii;- iiillie a.yoiiy (d' his wounds, aj:;;iavated by
the seor(diiii;i beams of tin- sun. \\'itli a delicacy oi' feeiiiij;'
scarcely to have been expected under such cifcirciimstaiiees, Wan-
bee nee-wan stitdched a mat across two poles bet ween ine and this
dreadful scene. 1 was thus spared, in some dejiice. a \iew (d' its
horrors, althoiij;h 1 could not entirely close my ears to the cries of
the sull'ei'er. The Ibllowin;.;- iii;4lil live more (d' the wounded [iris-
oiieis were tomahawked."*
\\heii the Indians about the fort fust learned <»f the intended
evacuation, tliey disjiatched iniiiiers to all the villages id' the
nation, apprising' them of tlie news and their purpose to overjiower
the .uarrisoii. ICauer to share in the act cd' bloodshed and jilun-
der. many waii'ioi's liasteiied forward, only to be too late.
A bami of I'otawattoinies. from the \\abasli, were met at the Atix
Plains by a party from Chicago, bearin.u' home a wounded chief,
JJeiiiiH' informed that the battle had been foiij;lit and won, the
prisoners slain and scaljied, and Ihe sjioils divided, their «lisap-
pointment and rayc knew no bounds. 'I'liey aceelerate(l their
inarcii. and reachiiij;' ( 'liieaj;(i, (bdermined to j;liit their taste for
t)lood on new victims, 'i'liey bla(d<ened their faces, and witiioiit
ceremony entered the parloi' of .Mr. Kiii/ie and sulh'iily s([uatti'(l
upon the floor amidst the as.sembled family, who had been
kindly restored to their home on tin' north side of tlie I'iver
by l'>lack l'atri(lj;e. Wabanseeand others, and who now "iiardcd
them. Ulaek I'atridye, interpretiii};' their looks and intent cor-
rectly, (deserved to \\'abaiisee in an undertone, lliat their wliit(!
I'rieiids were lost. l>iil at (his moment the whoop of another band
of Indians was heard on the opposite shore. lUaek I'alridyc liast-
ily advanced and met their chief in tlie darkness, on tlu^ river's
l)aiik. ••Who." said he, ••are _\oii f ''•A man," answei'ed tiie
elii(l', ••who are you f' '"A man, like your.self," replied Ulaek
J'atridj;'.' ; "but tell me, who are you tbrf "1 am," said tlie
*Hr()wii, Hi--t. Ills., patro 31fi, note .'i. snys: "Mrs. Ileiilrl and Mrs. lieliii liaWnsr
oclipscd tho most, visiouai'.v tiistool i()iiiiii)c(>, with which luodta-n litLi'ature iiboiuiils,
lived lor uiuiiy years thereul'ter, highly respected."
ILLINOIS TEUHrrOlJY.
L'dT
cllicl'. " llic Sim n;i iiiisir' (tllilt is, llic l''li;;iisliiii;ili). "'riicii lii:ik(f
all sjti'cd l() the lnMi.s<'," Wiis Hie n'|»Iy ; "Ndiir IVit'inis iiic in (imi-
yvr, iiml ,vt)u iiloiic (tiiii SUM' tliciii."'
It was Hilly Caldwell, liu- half l>irc(M\'.\ amint. to wlium wci
lia\ '' iciri'i'cd as l»iii\ iii^ liif rcinaiiis ul" ('a|(laiii Wells, lie liiir-
lied I'urw aid, entered llieiiniise witii a resolute step, dclilierately
removed Ids aecoiilreaieiits. jtiaeed Ids rille lieldiid tlie do<a' and
sainted ilie I'olawaltondes : *"l!o\v now, aiy iViends, a ;i()od day to
yon. I was told there were enendes here; lail I aai -^lad to lind
only friends. Why ha\ e _\on lihu'ked your I'aees .' .\re\(in mourn-
iny' lor IViends lost in the liallle.' (adroitly ndstaUiii;;' the lohen
of their e\il intenl). or. are yon lasting;' .' 11" so, ask oni' friend
and he will jiive yoii food, lie is the Indian's friend, and ne\er
refused them ill their need."
|)i\crled hy the coolness of his manner, they were ashamed to
a\()w their mnrderoiis purpose, and simply asked for some eolloii
ji'oods to wrap their dead, jireparatory to liiii'ial. This, with other
jtreseiits. was yiveii lliein. and they tpiietly departed, 'i'hns. l>y
ids presence of mind, Cahiwell aNcrtetl the murder of the Kiii/.i(!
family.
The prisoners, with their wi\cs and ehildreii, were dispeised
amoiiy the rotawatlomie trilies on the Illinois, IJock river, the
Waliasli, and some to .Milwaukee, The most <d' iiiem were ran-
somed at Detroit tiiefollowin;;' s])riiij;'. A paitof them remained
ill eajitivity, however, another year, hut were more kindly treated
than ihey expected, laenteiiant Helm was lai^eii to the AiiSaMe,
llM'iiee to St. Louis, where he was liherated tlirounh the int<'rveii-
tion of 'i'liomas I-'orsythe, loii,u' the ;^(tveriiment Indian a,i;ciit at
IVoria.*
"nrown'sllist. Ills.
' !»
ClIAI'TKU XXIV.
ILLINOIS IXTIIK WAlf OFISIL'.— (lOVKIfXOi; KDWA K'DS'
ailLlTAllV (JA.MI'AKIN TO I'lOOIMA LAKK.
(h'li, IlopJ.lns iritli 2iM) MoinilfilKiiihicki/ Iu'ljlniicii Mtirrlirsorcrtlic
I'l'iiii'H-.s i)/ Jlliiioi.s — ///.v Force Miilliiirs <niil M((rcltf:s Ixicic — ('((jit.
('nt'ifi lliirnn I'eoria and iiibs all its hdiahitaitls l'ri.s<>iirrs. — Sir-
oiiil H.riH'ilHUm to I'eoria Ijakr — fiiiliuu Miinlrrs — Illinois and
Missouri srnd tiro l-J-rpcditioHs ajt tllf Mississippi in 1S14 — Tliiir
Halt lis and Disasterii.
Ai'tcr liis i<iii()iiiiiii(iiis ictiTiit I'roiii ( 'aii;i<l;i, (Icii. Hull, in :i most
nii;i»<'()iliiliil»Ic iiiiiiiiici', ((11 the Kttii ol' Aiiuiist, the <i;iv nlUT llio
CliicMi;!) iiiJissncic, :il I )<'t loil siinTiMl<i<ti liis iiiiiiv ;ill tiic iiiili-
tiuv stoves, jiiid the wliolc <»1' i\li<'liijiiiii, \\illi(tiitii slni^i'^lc, while
liis iiicii, it is s;ii(l, wcjit iif the (lis;;iiicc. Tims by the iiiiddlc ol'
August lilt' IW'itisli iiiid their red idiies were in possession ol'tiie
M hole noit Invest, with the exception of I''oits \\ii\ tie and Ihii risoii.
This iieti\it,v iiiid success of the enemy iiroiised tin' people of this
rejiioii to ii realization (»f their innnineiiee. Totlu impulse of self-
]ireser\ ation was added the patri(»tic desire to wipe out the dis-
^^lace with whii-h our arms were stained, stay the tide of sa\a;;e
desola!i(»n which iiM-naced the frontiers, ami retriexe our losses.
Tlie savajics j;rew holder and penetrated deeper into the settle-
menls. l^arly in September a iari^c force from the I'ro[iliet"s town
made u nijilit attack on I'ori Harrison, located a few miles abo\e
the present city of Terre liautc. in command of (Japt. Zaehary
Taylo)\ afterwards ])resideiit. They in;^-enioiisly lired one of tin;
blockhouses, killed during' the en,i;a>;ement three men and wounded
sexcral more. l>y the cooliu'ssof the commandei' ami the ciieruy of
tlie.i;arrisoii.tlioujnli j;reatly rediKU'd by sickness, the buildinj;s were
mostly saved, and tlie Indians at daylight repulsed. They, iiow-
ever, shot, killed, or (lro\«' away, nearly all (lie hoys, cattle and
Mork oxen beloiiyinj'' to the tort.
(iov. Harrison superseded (ion. Hull, and was also appoint<'(l
major-general by brevet in the Keidiic..y militia. This youiij;'
State, in the course of a lew weeks, by tiie aid of Kichard M. .lolin-
son and othci's, jmd raised a force of 7,000 men, a portion of which
Avas directed to tlu' aid of Indiana and Illimtis, N'inccnnes being'
desiyuated as llie i-endezvons* The IJritish had (U'scemled the
]\Iississippi to liock Island, and were disliibutinj;' loads ol" yoods
as presents to the Indians, throuuh one (liity.
In the meantime (Jovernor Kdwards was active in making i)re-
parations for an exi»edition aj;ainst the ivickapoos and I'otawat-
'Luuman Bio. Sketches.
L'OS
ILLINOIS TKinnroiiY.
2(M)
totiiics oil tlic Illinoi.s river. Tliscxccllciicy, "lu'lore <'(»iij;r«'ss Inul
jiiloptcd liny iiit'iisiii-«>s on the siiliircl of \ (ilimtcci' riiii^rrs, or;:':iii-
i/t>(l <'oiii|);iiiifs. sii|)|>li('*l till-Ill witli iii'iiis, iMiilt stockiiilt- rmls,
illhl cstiihlislMMl II line ol' |mis|s IVoiii tlic iiioiitli ol' III*- Missouri to
tlif Waltjisli." His foiiiiiiissioii liiiil :it tliis time expired iiii*l liis
ill'poiiiliiM-iit li:i(l iiol Ix't'ii I'l'iM'Wcil, l'eiiil('i'iii<;' liiiii lc;^iilly liiilile
lor iIh' fxpciisrs ol' tli«- expedition, ii ii-spoiisihility w liieli, irlvin;;'
upon t he justice ol' liiscoiiiitry, lie did not liesitiite to iissiiiiie.* Col.
AVilliiiiii liiissfll. (»!" tlie ITtli rt'L;iiiient, on tlie lltliof Oetolu'r,
stiirti'd I'roiii tlie li('i;',li'>o!liood of N'iiieeniies witii two siinill coiii-
jiaiiit'S ol' I'. S. Ifiin^crs, coniiiiiinded liy Ciiptiiins l*cri\ ;iimI
IModi'cll to, join the expedition of (iovenior I'jiwiirds.f The pliieo
»)f reiide/voiis for these forecs wiisCaiii]) I {nss«'ll, already desnilicd.
(ieiiei'al Samuel llopl<iiis,a veteran ofliccr of the l!e\(»!iilion,
liad iteen invested with the eoiiiinand of the Keiitiieky inoiiiiled
volunteers, some l.',tK)() in nnniber, at Niiieeiiiies. Ilis iiistrnetions
Avei'c to hrcal; up the \ illaycs and dispci'se the Indians residing on
the Waltash and Illinois i-ivcrs.
The plan was now snj^jicsted that the expedition of lOdwards,
tlii'n in prejtaration, aet in eoneert with that of llnpUins; liiat
the latter, consist iiij;- of iiioiiiited KentneUy lilleiiaMi, siimild
move lip the W'ahasli to l''oil Harrison, destroy the villa,ycs in its
course, pass over into Illinois, inarch across the prairies \ia. tlio
lieati waters of the Sanyainon and V'eriiiilioii riNcrs to the Illinois,
elfect a Junction with the Illinois forces under I'Mwardsand K'ns-
si'll, ami sweeji all the \ illa^es aloiij;' the Illinois risfr.J 'I'ln' I'laii
tints arraii<i'ed was sent l»y thc^ hand (»f Col. I{iiss<'ll and readily ac-
cedi'd t«» Ity the Cioxcrnor. i'>iit it was destined to meet with f;iiliiro
and disj;race on the part of the KeiitiicUians. In that ill-compacted
and iiii(lisci|)liiied crowd of horseiiien tln-re had already lieeii dis-
content and mnrinnrs ayainst ]»roccedinj;' fiiitlier, at Viiiceiiiic.s
and Uosseroii. At Fort liarrisiai a nnmlter «»'.' the men and oiio
ollicer " broke off and rctnriicd."' About the middle of October,
however, the Wabash was crosse<l at this point, and i^reat liarimmy
l>re\ ailinji' the exixMlitioii bore promise of aiccess. At the request
of(ien. Ho|)kiiis,a council of tlie oHicers was now lu'ld, and tlio
object and destination of the expedition considered, which wcro
lii,iilily favored. In liish'tter to (lov. Shelby, of Kentucky, dated
October LMi, ISlL', (Jen. Ilo|)kins writes:
"Tiuiikhig myself st'cuie in the confKlonceof my brother offlecrs and
the army, we proceeded ou our march earlj'on the I'tth, and eontiiuied
it four days— our course lay north on the prairie — until we came to au
Imlian house where some ('ori), Ac, had i)een cultivated. Tlie last day
of tiie march to this plai-e I had lieeii made accpiaiiiti'd with a return of
that sjjirit of [discontent] that had, as 1 had hojjed, subsided; and when
I ordered a halt near sunset (lor the Urst time that day), in a tine ])ieeo
of tirass in the prairie, to aid our horses, I was addressed in the most
rude and tlictatorial manner, re(|uirin>jf me immediately to resume my
march, or his battalion would break from the army and return. This
was a Alajor * * * 1 mention him in justice to the other officers of that
grade ; biit, from every information, Ibegan to fear that the army waited
but for a pretext to return. This was afforded the next day by our uuides,
who thought they bad discovered an Indian village at the site of a
grove, about ten miles from where we had encamjjed on the fourth night
of our march, and turned us six or eight miles out of our way. An almost
•Edwtirds' Life of of Edwurds
+ Dlllon"sIiid. 1.
tAiinuls of the West.
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270
IIISTOlv'V <)I' ILLINOIS.
universal (liscoutcnt soi'iiu'ii to |)iwnil, and wo took our course in sueli a
(lirecti((n as wesuiiposed wouldatone lor tlie error in tlie nior-iinfi'. About
or al'tersunset, we eanu' to a tiun strove aflordiusj: water. Here we tooi<
oureanip; and alioiit this finu'arose one of llie most violent trusts lever
reinendier to have seen, not ijrori'ediiiu; from clouds. Tlu' Indians had
set tireto the]irairie, w hi<-h ilrove on us so furiously that we were coni-
)iell<'d to (ire around our canip to protect ourselves. This seems to have
decided tlu' army toretin'n. I was inlormeil of it in so many ways, that,
early the next morninir, Oct. :Jnth. I re<|iiestcd the alteinlance of the
aciiera! and lield otlieers and stated to them my appi'ehensions — tiie ex-
peclatioiis of ourcounlry — the disgrace altendiuji tlu' measure — the ap-
proliation of our own c(Misciences. Against tliis I st;ited tiie weary
situation of our horses and the want of provisions — widch tome seemed
oidy partial — six days only havinii' pitssed since every part of (he army
was furnished with ten days' r.ations in i)acou, heef, or hreadstud". The
reasons ^iven for relurnin.ii, I nHpicsled the eommandauis of each rejri-
nu'id, with tiie wlioie of the olticers i)elou,irin.Lj to it, to take fully llie
senseof the army on this measure'^' '• •■'and to ri'[)ort to me in writiny —
adilinji that if ooil volunteers would turn out, I would put myself at their
head, and proceed in (piest of the towns ; and the halanee of the army
miL'ht retreat, under the conduct of the olticers, in safety, to l"'ort Har-
rison. In less than a hour the report was made, almost unanimously,
to return. I then re(iueste<l thai 1 mi.Lihl dictate the ( ourse to he pur-
sued that day <uily, whiidi, I pledged, sliould not jiut them more than six
miles out of their way— my ohjcct heiufj; to cover the reconnoitering
jiarties I wished to send out for thi'discovery of the Indian towns. Aliout
this time— the tr(!ops heinji' paraded— 1 i)Ul myself in iVont. took my
course, and directed them to follow me. The columns moving,'' oil' ([uite
a couti'ary way, I sent Captain [Zaciiai'y] Taylor and Major Lee to apjily
to the odicei's to turn them. They weri' told that it was not in their
l)ower — the army had taken tiicir own course, and would pursue it. J)is-
coveriiu;' yreat confusion and disorder in tlu'ir march, 1 threw myself in
the rear, fearinjian attack on those who were there from necessity, and
continued in that position the whole day. Tln' exhaustt'd state of the
horsi's, i(jr the hunjier of the nii'n, retarded that day's march. "■'■ *■ '■■' The
genera'o -Ivay, Ramsey and Allen — lent all their aid and authority in
restoriuf^dur march to order; and so far succeeded as to hrinjr on the
whole with much less loss than 1 had feared." 'I'hev were not
)wed
or menaced iiy an I'nemy. 'i'hey had "marched at least SO or iin miles
into the heai't of thi' I'liiMny's country." A Major Duliois commanded
the corps of s[iies and guides. .Messrs. IJarron, l.asselle and liaj)lante
Were the interpieters. (ieii. H()pkius was certain tiiey "were not lit)
miles from tlu' Indian villaj;(' when [they] were , '"/v.'/ to retire." The
exact point at which they commenced their retrograde nuireh is not
known.
(Jovci'nnr I'Mwurds liud collected nnd wns oi'.ii;tiiiziii,a' all tlie
(lisitosahle loii'cs (d' liliimls. anmnntin;^ to about .'!.')(> iiu'ii. at Camp
Iviissell, by the tiuu' Captain {{ns.scji airivi'd ironi N'iiicennes with
}i l»ait (d' t wo (•(tmiianics, (•(msi.stin.y cd" .">(> piixates. The \<dnn-
tcei's wcie divided into tw(> snuill i^'uiiueiits, cominaiuh'd by
Colomds Mliiis Itcctor and hcnjainin tStcplu'ii.soM, i'»'speeti\cly.
Col. Kiis.seil commanded tin' l". S. iJaii^ci's. Col. Deslia of tiie l'.
S. aiiiiy, Major John ^loredoek and otlieis, were tlie lield ollieers.
Tlie coiupaiiies were comiiiaiMled respect i\cly by Captains Samuel
and W iiliaiii !'>. Wiiitesides, dames 1'.. .Moore, dacob Sliort, Willis
llarjiiave t'roni tlie Ohio Saliiia, Meiieiiry afterwards of White
Comity, .laniiey. and l.ieiit. I'oaksoii with a small independent
eompaiiy. ('ai»tain Samuel dudy had also or^ani/ed an iiide-
])en(l(Mit e(»rps of spies. e(Misisliii;4- <d' IM men. The stall' of
(ioNcrnor JCdwards, who was in chief coiiiinaiKl, were Secretary
Nathaniel INipe, >i'e!son Ivcelor, and Lieut. Kobert K. JMeLaiif;liliii,
of the U. S. Army. Col. Iviif^sell, an iinpreteiidiiiy bul very
n.LINOIS TEni?TTOT?Y.
271
eftlciciit onicci', was next, in coniiiiaiKl to liis lOxccUciicy, l)iit lie
iicitlu-r liad nor wanteii aids. TJa^'ya^c waii'oiis tor the army were
not provided in tliis siiort caiiijtaiiiii, 'I'lic men were oi'dcrcij to
l)a<'ic eaeli on iiis lioisc L'O days' rations. Tlie iiorscs wrrc to
sustain tlicnisclves on ])rairi(' ,urass. Some <)\' tiie ollicers employed
exti'a pack-iiorses.
Captain Craiu'. of Siiawneetown. was detaelied wilji a siiriicient
force to man two boats, one laden with i>rovisioiis and the neces-
sary tools to hnild a I'ori, and the other armed with hliinderlaisses
and a swivel, both solbrlilied that the enemy's bullets coiiM not
ja'tU't rale their sides. He wa< dispatched in ad\ a nee apt he Illinois
river, with (aders to wait at Peoria nidil further word tVom the
4(10 mounted men, took up its line ot march trom Camp Kiissejl.
The privates, it seems, looked upon the expcilition as affordimi;'
tliem r;ire spoi't. not carinii" whether tliey Mere '•marched into
(lan.u'er or frolic." The route pursued was upon tin- west side of
Cahokia ci<'eic, thence to the Aiauonpin, which was (aossed near
the ]»resent site of Carliiiville: tlieuce northeasterly, erossin^ i ho
Sangamon below tlie Junction of the north and south fork:-, east
of the present capital of the State: piissilm' thence east ol' I'ilkhiirt
.U"rove, crossing' Salt (M'eek not far from the present city of Lincoln,
and theiKM' '' '' ' '' "• ■ --i.: ii i ... i
and theiKM' in a, northward direction strikini;' an old descrI'Ml
Kickap(»o villa<i'e on Su,i;ar ereek. These tenantlessi)ark wi<;wa ii.s,
Avhich wer<' p;iinted up here iind there with rud<' sa\a.i;'e devices,
,>..>. ..I. .....,..,...,..,<;...,• .1.,. ...>,i .i;,,.. .,...1,.;.,...,. Kit.,.. ,v..,,.-,.i' ..,1 1 1... ,..,,.
enemy, or rarner ine imiian rown. rour mi'ii. naineiv i nomas
Carlin (subseipiently .udveriior), and three ol'llie Whitesides —
lloliert, Stephen and Davis — volunteered for this ]»erilous service,
and were entrusted by the governor with its delicate execution.
They proceeded to the village, explored it and the approaches to
it, thoroughly, without starting' an liidiaii or pro\ oiviii^- the bark
of a don'. The ])osition of tiie town was ascertaiiie<l to be about
5 nnles distant, situated on a blulf separatetl in sreat i)art from
the iiinh lands l)y a swampy jihub', through which meandered ii
miry braiK'h or (aeek, whose low banks were covered by a rank
growth of tall grass and eluiiips of brush, so lii;;h and dense as to
readily conceal an Indian on horseback until within a few feet of
m
re
HISTORY OF IIJ.INOIS
liiiii. Tlic {i'l'oniKl li.id b«'(M»iii(^ iHlditioiuiIly yicldiiijii' by v'-ciit
I'liiiis, rt'iidcriiiu' it aliiiost iiii|>;iss;il)I(' to iiKniiitcd iiicii.
Ill the lii't'li'ss and clii'i'iicss «'iiiii|> all was silent as llu' uravc*.
A tl('('i) jiiiooni, with many niisnivinins, liad sctllcd iii)(»ii the men.
The I'ati.^iiiiiii' miirclics Ii;i(l ccast'd t(» be rrolii'soiiic. Tlic troops
It'll jiidfd and sulky, and they were within the enemy's country.
They reposed ii])on their arms, with tiieir iiorses tethered near at
hand, ready saddled t(» l)e instantly ni(»iinted for action. During'
the ni,i;ht a n'lin in the hands of a troopei' was carelessly dis(diar;;»'(l,
wliich caused ji'reat consternation in the camp. The stealthy foe,
Avith j;ie;iminy' tonmliawk raised ovei- ids victim, was monwiitarily
expected. Ail the iiorroi's of the ni^lit attack at Tippecanoe, then
IVesIi in the minds of every one, presented themselves to theactivo
imuuinations of tin' men. lOvei-y white coate*! soldier at tiiat
Itiittle, it was said, liad been sinj^lcd out in the dusky mornin,n and
killed by the savages. In a monn-nt now not a white coat
I'cmained in sij^ht. IJnt directly the asinrin;^- voice of his IO\(!eI-
lency cried out thiit the lirin;;' was an accident, and all becam*)
(piiet a^ain.
ICarly on the followin,!i' morniiii;', with a dense fo;j,- prevailing-, the
army took nj* its line <»f march for the Indian town, Caplaiii
-Indy witii hiscori»sof si)iesin ad\aiice. On the route in tlie tall ^rass
tiny cauM' up with an Indian and his s(piaw, both mounted. Tiio
Indian wanted to surrender, but ( "ajtt. -Iialy observed that he "did
in)t leave home to take prisoners," and instantly shot aie of them.
With the blood streaunnji from his month and nose, and in his
a,i:()ny '• sinuinji' the death souji;-,'' pi'om|)led by tin' instinctive
emotii»n of self-defense which e\cn a trodden worm will exercise,
the dyiuf;' Indian raised his jiiin, shot and moitally wounded in
the i^roin a Mi'. Wrijiht, and in n few minutes expired. \\'ii,uiit
■was fj(nn the Wood river settlement, and died after he was
broniiiit home. Tlui rest of those who had incautiously approached
the wounded Indian, when they saw him seize his jiiin. <|Uickly
dismounted on the far sides of their horses, makinji' of them, as
it were, a. bi'cast-work. .Many j^iins were innnediately discliarj;'ed
lit the other Indian, m»t then Known to be a stpiaw, all of which,
ill the tre|)idation of the occasion, missed her. Badly scared, and
lier husband killed by her side, the a,u<»ni/,inji- wails of the sipiaw
Avere Ivarl rendiiiji-. She was taken prisom-r, and subsequently
restored to her nation.
Owinji' to the fo^-, the army was misled into the s]»oiijiy bottom,
some ihree-fouiths of a mile below the town, with the miry creek
to cross, which deranjicd the i)laii of attack. The villajic thus
esca])eda surprise; and while a halt was made, preparatory to
erossinji', the Indians were observed rmininj"' from the town,
bouudin;^- Ihroiijih the tall jirass on their horses, almost hid from
view. An attaitk was every moment ex[)ected while erossinj;- the
treacherous stream, and the advanced eorps, under Judy, sat
lijihtly in their saddles, expectinn' bi draw the fire (d'tlie hidden
foe. To their j;reat satisfaction, no attack was made or meant ;
the Indians wen; tieeinj;' from their village and iiiipendin;^' death,
])ell iiii'll, women and children, some on liorse-back and some on
toot, into the swamp amoiijithe tall yrass, and toward ajxiint of
timber, in which the {ioveruor, disappointed in his char;;e upon
the town, judged they intended to make a stand for battle. '' f
ILLINOIS TEllUlTOUY.
iiiiiiicdiiitclv «'liiiii.i;(M] my course," lie writes, ••ordered iiiid led on a
;^'eiier;d cliiir^c niton llieni," bnt ••owinj;' to tlie nnsonndness of the
juround," llie ])ursiiers, liorses, riders, arms and ha.uua.uc, I'roni
1ms i''\<'ellen<'\ so \aliaiitlv leading: tlie ciiar^c to tin' sinaitin;;"
snitaltern and ])ri\'ate, all .iiaied in the common cataslro|)lie alike,
and were nnhorsed ami (tvei-whelMied in the nn)rass. it wascalled
a democratic overthrow, in which all Wi'Vt' literally ''swamped."'
rpun this yieldini;' ;;roiiiid. into which a horse woidd sink and
]>lun;;e withont avail, a inoniiled force conid not be mov«'d. A
])iirsnit (Ml foot was ordei'ed, which was both iliflicidt and exfi'enn'ly
danu'erous on acconnt of the tall jurass in which the lndiani» wero
birkiiiii'. Several jtarties on fool traih'fl in pnrsnit of the Indians,
liowe\er, two or three miles acioss the sat nrate<l iiollom toiln!
rncr, Uillin.^" sonn' of the enemy while attempting' to cross to tint
farther sintre. 'l"o snch a pilch of e\cit<'ment wen- sonu' ot" the
)iieii wronulit, that Chai'Ies Kilcheii, dohn Howard and I'ieire .St.
Jean, lindiiij;' some Indian canoes, in the fnry of the chase, <;rosse(l
the river alone in full view of tlie retrealiiii;' foe, l)iit withont molcs-
taioii.
A Potawattoniie town, called by th(> iiov'e-nor, ("he(pieneboc,,
a ft ei' a chief, was here bnrned. 'I'lie Indians ti(-d toward theinte-
jioi' wilderness. Anotliei' party made i>iirsnit of the fn<;itives in a
dilVerenl direct ion ; but the Indians making' a stand in considerable
Ibii-e, these were compelled to retreat, jfeinfoicements were sen),
uheii the savaj;<'s eiitii'ely dispersed. Sonn- of the troops were
Avoiinded in this action it is reported, but none killed. In tin)
ineantiim*. the villa.uc was ]>illa,ued and bnrned by the main body
«)f the troops. The Indians, in their pi'eci])itate tli.uht, had left
behind all of their wintei's st(n-e of pro\ isions. wliich was de-
fstroycd oi- taken away. Hiding ai»ont the bnrninu' embei's of the
rnins, were fonnd somu' Indian children, left by the fri;4litene(l
l'u};itives ; also, some disal)led adnlts. (me of ^»hom was in a starv-
ing <u»ndit ion. and partook of the bread yiveii him with a vora-
cions appetite. lie is said to have been killed by a cowaidly
ti'ooper straji'iiiinj;' Ix'hind, after the main army had resumed its
retro^i'rade nnirch, who wanted to be al)le to assei't or boast that
lie had killed an liidian. (JoNcinor l-'dwaids rejiorts that four
])ris()ners were taken away, and some eiiihly head of horses ; of
the Indian losses, ji;atliere(l from their own acconnt, between -1
and .'!() were killed ; oni' loss bein,ii' one wonnded. The Indian
losses, Itased entirely iijton their own reports, made by the few
jirisoners taken, to please the \anity of the whiles, weic, donbt-
less, apocln'yi»hal. To show the reckless darinji- of the Indian
(dmracter, it is mentiom'd that a warrior walked calmly down the
blntf some 2(10 yards distant, deliberalely raised his <;nn and lired
ui»on the troops in the town, then turned and strode slowly away
amid a shower of bullets.
><'othin.y liavinj"' been Inward from (Jeneial Iloplunsand bis 'JOOO
moulded Keiilncky rillemeii, and ap[»rehensi\(' that a laryc force
of wari'iors would be spee<lily co]leete(l, it was deeim'd i»rii(leiit
not to |)rotract their stay, and accord iniily. the retrograde inarch
of the army was commenced that xcry day, A hea\y and con-
tinnous rain ]>re\a'ile(l at the time, but the dread of pnrsnit caused
them not to iuterinit their travels till darkness overtook them,
when, yreallv exhausted and wet, without lire to dry their clothes,
"is
274 HISTOIIV OK ILLINOIS.
or food to iioiiiisli tlnir ImmHcs, tlicy sank into sleep on tlic wet
^I'diiiid, tlit-ii' clotliiii^ c.oN'cr*'*! witli tlir iiiiid of tlic inoriiss. 'I'litt
(li'c:i(| wiiri'ior did not iiitpciii'. "Our uriiiy r<-tiii'iifd liome
Willi :dl •■oiiNcniciil speed." writes (ioveriior IJeyiiolds, wlio in iIk^
('iiiiipiii;;!! e:iriied llie soidtriipiet of " ( )ld Ifiin;^*'!','' iii'il to whose;
sii'i'oniil we are liii';^! iy iiidciiled fortius.
< )ii the nioirow., ;i detiieiinieiil in eliiU'.u'e of Lientenanl I'eylon,
wa-iiiuain sent o\erlo I'coria witiia niessajic to Captain ("rai;;'
in eiiarjit' of the provision Itoals, to ri'lnrn as speedily as possilile.
This pait\ on tlieir wa.\ Itiiint a .Miami \illa,ue within a half inilo
of i'e(»iia.
Tin' loice of Captain Craii;, in charge of tin- piovisimi lioals
i'oi' tin- armies of Hopkins ami iCdwards, and under instriietiou
i'roni ids iv\c<ll(ney to proceed to I'eoria ••and lalvc prisoners liioso
]tersons wiio Wfre there lor tin' jtiupose of assist inji' the savaji'es l<»
iniU(lerlhe frontier set lleis." was not idle. His aimed lioat. l»y
I'oree of a ,uale iiaviiij; InoUeii its ealtle and drifted ashore, it was
in tlic iii<'1il liiiK' lii'i'il iiiion li\ Icii IikIimiis. wiio iiiimi'(li:it I'K lii-il.
muKM'i MIC iroiKier sciiicis. \\iis iioi luic. ins armco noai. n\
I'orcc of a ,uale iiaviiij; InoUcn its ealtle and drifted ashore, it was
ill tlie !ii;:lit lime lired upon Ity ten Indians, wiio iinmeiliately tied.
1 Hscovciini;' at da.\liL;lil their t racks Icadiii;: up into the town,
Captain ( rai;; iiupiircd of the I'reiich I heir w liereahouts. 'i'iieso
den,\ inji' all know ledjic of tiiem, said '-tlKN had iieardor seen iiotii-
iii^ " iiiit lie toolc the whole of them prisoners, l»in'iicd and de-
stroyed I'eoria, and hore the eapluretl iniial)ilants away on
lii< luk'ils: til <i luiint Iki'lfkW till! itri>s:i*iit Vttiiii \\-|)i>rit In. I'ii;ili>fl
•Sec Ut(? of f!()\(M'iior 1'Mwiirfls, by his son.
+.\ Iter Hie Iniililiiiy: of Fori ("rev (•(•u'lir, in liisfl, Pcorin hike was over fnmillnr to wo8-
t( 111 iriiN I I Mini liisioiy ; Iml there is no iiutliciii io uccnnnt ot a ticrninn'-iu Kni-opeiiii
sellleinenr Ihi're iintil IVT.S, when LiivilU^ ile Meillel , riiiiied idler its loiunler, wns
St II It r( I On Mecoimt ol the (|U!ilit> of the wiiter mikI it.« iri enter siiihilnity, the local inn
WiiseliMiiucil Inrther down tlie hike to the incsent site of I'uoria, iliul liy IV'.lii, the old
hud lieeii entirely aliiiiidoned lor thi' ik'W \ illime. After itsdeslriietioii, in l.s|;.', il \vas
not sell led a L'a in until is 111. and then by .\nieiletin idoneers, thoii^'^h 111 IMl^i, I'ort Clark
was liiiili there, which pave II name to the i)lHee for .several y<;ars. In IHIH, the fort
was destroyed by lire. In 18;ij, the county ot I'eoria was estubllrthed and the county
seat located.
ILLINOIS TDWKITOKY.
275
services," In Iiis jiddress. to Hie Si. ( 'liiir e(iiiiity niilitiii. Hie ;.;(»v-
ei'lior s lid : ''Yuiir ltr;i\ei'_v iiiis eiiiilileil inc to lepel hostile iiiviis-
ioii aii(i lo Wii^e \\;ir upon llie eiiciiiv in tlieii' own ediintry. * *
^Oiir iiili'('|ii(iil,\ iiiid pMlriotisni ii:i\el)een e(|ii:illv lioii()i':ii)le to
,\niirseh cs, ;iimI iisel'iil t(» \ otir count l\ ." Not lo Itc oiiltioiie ill
siicli lliilt(i'itiu lestinioiii;ils, tiie niiiiliii. Iliron^li liieir oHicers,
replied in ;is reiicitoiis ;i vein. 111. il liis I'Xeelleiicv liiid '•.mciitly
iiicrciised ids cliiiiiis iiptui llic ;;i';il il iide ol' llircoiiiitrx lor Ids wise
Iiieiisiires." Mild lli;il lliey liMil "witnessed Ids coolness, delihei'iilion
iiiid pi'oinplitiide ill the lioiir of peril." It seems. liowe\ cr. I liiit
Ids Kxcelleiicy wns not willioiil ii\;ils for tlie liiiirels of lids
CMliilcd^li. Willi inilcli coiiceiii, lie writes, under diite of Dccein-
her L'.")lli, iSlL': ••! diseoxer tliiit some pitiful ;illeiiipls jirr imiUiii^'
to dei>ri\(' iiic of tlie credit I am eiitiiled to. i)y ;;i\in;.'; il to ('oloiiid
li'ilsscll, wlio Inippciied lo join liie (aooiit lliree da,\s ttefore I com-
iiieiieed my inarcli) willi.">(> raii^^crs. Tlie iiijiist ice of lids is known
and attested Ity the whole i>\' my little army," etc.*
1S1."». — I<'ai'ly in lids year, the country was juif in >iicli state of
(lefeiise auainst the hostile Indians as its sparse population admit-
ted of. IJlock house stations and stockade forts were repaired and
.stren;f|heiied aloiii;' the entire froiilier, and the remote settler.s
and i'ecltle jiarri.soiis were removed lo the denser seltleiiieiils.
New I'anuiiiji companies were formed and ,so stationed as to easily
I'anye lliroiiiili llie setlleiiieiits. l''roiiillie present A.'toiilo Ka.s-
kaskia, twenty-two family forts were scat I.ered aloiiL;-. In sjiite of
these precaiilioiis. Uie e\l<'ii; of the front ier was soi;real thai no
diliii<'iice in raii.i;iii;;- affordeiU'iitire iiiiiniiiiit \ from sa\ i,u(' attacks.
Niiinei'ons depi'cdations and murders were coiiimitled Ity marand-
in,ii' hands ol' the re<l ioe. Of these, only a few will be men-
tioned.
The sava^^es fell upon Uie family of .Mr. Lively, four miles soiilii-
"asl of ('o\ iiiiiton, in the present \\'asli;ii;^|oii eoiiiily, and four
wei< slain. 'I'lie liodies of iwo women were shockinjily iiianjiled ;
a little hoy of seven \cars was home away from tlie house, his
Iiead severed from his l)ody. Ids entrails torn out, ind both
carried away, il was thoii<;ld:, for ]»iirposcs of caiiiiibahsm. .Mr.
liively's body was indecently mill dated. A son and a sliaii.^er
sl<i])pin,n' there, were out in (jiiesi of I heir liorscs, ;i',d from a dis-
tance saw the lioii.se attacked. These in their retreat to the
settlements, bivoiiaced in a .uroxc (J niih's southeast of i'^ayette-
ville on the Kaskaskia river, which perpetuates the name of the,
murdered family. The Indians, siippo.sed to be Kickapoos, were,
piii'sned by <';,ptaiii I>oon's company, but haviii;;' I days the start,
made <i<Mid theirescape. That a piirsiiinu' foi'ce should be 1 days
behind, shows how iiicaiilioiisly remote from llie denser seftle-
iiieiits some families must hav<' locale<l. On the banks of Kas-
kaskia, near the present Carlyle, a .Mr. Voiin.u and a iiiiiiistei' by
the name of .McLean, had a desparate slrii.i,i:!e with a jiarty of
sava.u'cs. The former lia\iii.ubeeii killed, as also both hor.ses, ii
.siiiyle but powerful savajii'e ]»iirsue(l McLean, who was iiiiarmed
and on foot. McLean wonid come to a stand at times and in :i
nieiiaciii.L;' nrdMier defy the sa\ a^^c lo approach with his tomahawk.
I'he Indian ^ 'ckiini llie ad\anta,ue, would hestilate. At such
times, McL(. n would divest hiiirself of a portion of his snri»Iiis
♦EawuriM' 'iife ol' Edwurds.
270 IIISTOUV Ol' ILLINOIS.
clotliiii^', iiiHl flicilly, tin- iittciitioii of tli*- TiMliiiii li:i\iii^' ])i-<-ii
iiiit'shd lt,N lii> (Msl (ilV ^niiiifiiis, .Mcl^ciiii i)liiii;;r(l iiitiitli<' ii\fi',
swiiiii loflic I'iiiIIk'I' slion', ;iii(l cllcclcd liis csciiiH'.* Soiin- iiiiiitit is
were ii ls( mm ini milted on CiiclM-iiv cr in I lie inrsciil Alf\;iiHli'icuiinl.v..
On IIm' Wiiliiisli, ."lit miles iiltove \incennes, MfiiP I'ort liJimollc, I lie.
wircol':) .Ml'. I liiMslon ;inil I'oui' cliiMii'n were killed. In :i .snnill
jiniiiie L' nr .'! miles riuin llie piesenl Alliiun, in lldwiii'ds eiHint v, il
t'iinner iiy tlie liiiine ol' iSollenlioilse, Wiis killed, the piaiiie iteipel-
mil in;: liis n;ime.
( 'onsideiin;; llie rre(|iieiit mnideis ;ind lliefiiel llml I lie jicnei;d
•^oxeiiimeiii had made no |iro\ision to snslain the militia and
\ ohinleei's, which caused those of Illinois to he dischaij^cd fVom
the ser\ ice on the Sth of .hine, l>y IIm' i^ox eiiioi, il ma,\ Ite said
tiiat the yeai' isl.; presj-ided Imt a ^loom\ |>ros|»ect for t he exposed
seltlcMM'nts in the west.
Srctiiul I'lriHilHiim (it I'corin, — liaijjic nnndieisof hostile Indian.s
Aveie known to have collected ii'iKn;^ the INttawat tomies and
Ki<'ka|ioos on Lake i'eoiia, whence maramlin;; [tarties, which
Lanassed the fiontiers of both IIIin(»is and Missonii, were sei:t
out. It liecame a.uain an (»li/)ect therefore to penetrate t heir country
witha mililarv force, dispeise them from t heir con vcnient location,
and drive iliem far into the interior. In the latter part of the
snmnier a Joint expedition from Illinois and Missouri °vas projected
ior this purpose. An army of some !I00 men was collected and
Gen. Howard, who lia<l resi;;ned theollict^ (»f (i<tvern(ir (»f .Missitiiri
to accept a iSriyader (icm-rars commission in the I'niteil States
Army, was placed in command. 'I'lif- Illinois troops were ordered
1o rende/vons at Camp Unssell; one rompiny was ordered to (hii
IVIississippi at a point called the I'iasa, op|»ositt^ the I'orla;;c des
kSioiix, w here il lemained several weeks and hecame (piile sickly.
The Illinois troops were formed into the second re,i;iiiieiit, and
JSeiiJamin Slephciison, of liandolph coiinly, was appointed colonel;
AV. U. WHiitesides and .lohn .More<lock were majors; and .losepli
IMiillips, Samuel -Indy, IS'athaniel .loiiriiey, ami Samuel White-
sides, captains. There, was some delay on accoiinlof the Missoii-
lians, who were lieint-; collected at St. Loiiis.
{•"inally Ihcordei' for a forward mov<nieiit, ariivcd, and tho
lllinoisans marched up the Mississippi Wy companies to tlie Illinois,
which was crossed L' or .'! miles ahove its mouth. 'I'lie movement,
was slow ; in Calhoun (!oiinty, where "he hee-trees were very
iimiieroiis, a few raii^icrs, who lamMcd fr<»m the main body, <;()t
into a skirmish with some Indians, liiit no loss was siislaiiic<l
<'.x<'ept that a ,L;iin-stock was shivere(| l»y an Indian Imliet. The,
Mis.sonrians marched KM) miles north, on the west side of the,
]\Iississippi to i''ort Mason, wlu'ie they swam the river nioiiiitc(l
naked on llir-ir horses, while their ;.iarmeiils were ei'ossed on a
l>lat,forin, lioriie up by 2 <"an(»es, and joined the lllinoisans. They
Avere commanded by (!ol. .McNair, afterward j;(iveriior of Missouri.
The whole I'oice was re,-oi';;anized iiiloa bri;;ade, of which (leneral
Howard was in chief command. 'I'lie march was continued iiptlie
Mississippi. On the, present site of t^iiincy they passed a i-cceiitly
(leserlecl camp and villaf^c, sii|)posed to liav«^ contained 1,(KM» Sac;
wai-riors. Ala point called the "Two rivers," they struck out east-
Avaid and a<'idss tliehi;;h juairies (o the Illinois, which was reached
~*Mli«(iiiii Ou/.ett(i, March im. "
M.MXnlS 'li;i{IM'l'<i|{Y.
iiriir I Ik' iiioiiI II ut' S|Mi(iti lis CI'. I Icir I li<-ii' jirox i>i<)ii IiumIs ;irri vol
:iii(l luiilv (III hniii'd llif sirk. 'I'lit- iii;ir(-li \\;is niiiliiiiit'il ii|> tlin
llliiHiis III IN'oiiii. wlicic iIh'It Wiisii >iii:ill stiickiKlc in cliiir;;!' ot"
('ii|il:iiii Nii'liol;is id' llic I'. S. Aiiii.v. Twu iliiys iM'Torc, )li(i
lliiliiiiis IiimI iikhIi' ;iii ;iMii('k nil llif I'nrl, IhiI were i't>|iiils«'<l. Oil
tin- liiM' of iimitIi IViiiii (III' .Mi.ssissi|i|ii. iiiiiiicruiis IVi-sli tniil-j imli-
nilcd tliiil llic liiiliiiiis, i^iiiiiiii;-; Uiiou li-d^i' nl' llii- iii\ iidiii;;- rmrt',
were llcciii;; null liu iird.
Mfiiii,' ill tlif fiifiiiy's coiiiilrv, Uiiowiii^' liis sIimIiIiv li;il»il.s mid
tli<' lr(i(>|is ;it no time ohscrx iiii; ii liiuli dc^iicc of disci|iliiM', iiiiiiiy
niiiH'<M'>>iti',N ni;;lil ;iliiriii> urnii-rcd ; ilirv were imriidnl, tVc)|iifiil ly
oi'iicn-d to nriiis, iiiid iiiidrr tin' ^i-iiri';il rxcitciiHiit iiicidnit ton,
ronsliiiit drciid ol' iiioiiii'iitiiry nl tiick, yiiiis wen- iiMMiit ioiisly liifd,
:iiid oiM- liiH' Noiinu 1\» iiiicKy triio|ici'. wiis sliot di'iid l»y ii tear
MiiitU'ii sniliiifl. All tlii> liiiif I lie diend siivaj'cs wnc liir ;i\Viiy.
'I'Im' Jinny \\;is niiiiclii'd ii|i tlic liilu- to rioino's villii^r. tlic-
liii'sriil .sill- of ( 'liilirotlic, iind iiiidiii;;' tliiit t hi' t'ln-niy Inid iisci'iidi-d
1 JM- Illinois, t wo drscrlcd \ illii;;cs welt' dt-inolislii'd iiiidrr lln- sliork
of its oiisci, iind iMinii'd, wlini il look ii|) its i'ftrii;;i':id<- in:ii'<-li.
At tlic outlet of the liikc tlii' present site ol" i'eoriii. the tiuo|»s
leiiiJiiiied ill e;iiii|) se\ eiiil weeks, liiiildiii<; l''ort ( 'link, iiiiiiied in
iiieiiior\ of (ieii. < ieor;;e K'o^ers ('link. IMiijor Christy, in the,
liieiiiitinie, w;is dis|iiitclied uitli ;i force in eliiir;;e of two fortified
Keel hoiits n|) the i'i\ei' to tiie fool of the nipids, to eliMstise iilid
rout siieli of the eiiein.\ ;is iiii;:lit Inixe loiljied in t liiit |-e;.;ioii.
JMiiJoi' ISoone w;is s<'iit with :i fmce to seoiir tlie S|iooii ri\er
eoiintry, tow;irds IJoek rixcr. IJotli evpeditioiis ret iiiiie<l wilhoiit,
otiiei' diseoveries llijiii si^lis of iihiriii on the piiit of the eiieiiiy,
Jilid Ills i'«'tre;it into the interior, '{'he ;iiiiiy returned l>y ii. direct;
roiile to('iiiii|» iJiisscll, where the \ iiliiiiteers ;ind iiiilitiii were dis-
hiilided, ()ctol«T:!'Jd, ISi;{.
The (Mniiiiii^ii, ilioiit;li no buttle w;is foimlil or enemy seen, was
still fraught with ^leai lieiielii in iitl'ordiii;^ the frontiers immunity
i'loiii the iiiiirderoiis iiiciiisioiis of the saviij^ics for the entire siie-
eeediii^- winter. To the foe was unfolded the |Hiwer and resources
he liad to eonteiid with, and shakinu his head he iiiiillcrcd, " |iale.
laces like the lea\('sin the lorest — like the j^iass on t he |trairies —
they i;row every w here I"'
ISI 1. — Tlie_\ear ISl j, was. however, also |irolilic with horril»i(>,
<lee(ls of sa\aj;e liiitchery. Those liciids, with a natural aplitinle,
lor such W4ii'k, received ad<litional inceiitixes from their IWitish
{lilies. Oiii' naval \ictoriesoii I>ake laie, Ihe recovery (»f Del roit,
and the defeat of the r.iilish at tiie Italtle of the Thames, where,
'I'eciiinseli fell, which was fought lietorc tliecloseof ISI.'!, had the,
ell'ecl to eanse the savaj;<'s to retreat from <'aiiada. and concentrate,
ill j^ieal iiiiinlteis on the hanks of the upper Mississipjii ; and
jiiaraiidiii;:' hands aj^ain \isiled the seltleinents of Illinois and
Missouri, eoiiiinittin;; many ilepredations and niiirders. We do
iKit jHcteiid to cite all.
In -Inly, a hand of Indians raidiii;;- in the Wood ri\ cr set tie-
iiieiil. (I miles east of the present Alton, massacred a Mrs. I{eajiaii
and her (iehildreii. 'i ' ■'hnshainl and father, absent at the time,
^vas the first to discov r the dreadful slaii^jhter. On arrivinj;'
lioiiie after iii;^:lit tall, and opeiiin*; tiie, door of his cabin, ho
'AiiiiuIh or tlie West— ApiH'iiilix.
sm-
278 IIIST()I!^■ ol" II-MN(ilS.
8t«'|>!)(Ml iiilotlic •;(>r('t>r his lovi'd f'liinily, uihI licln-ld tlicii- stiirU
anil iiiiiii;;lfil rriiiaiiis. Captain Saaiiicl Wliitt-sidcs willi liis
t'onijianv ol' laii.ufis itiiisui'd llic saxaucs l«» llic Saiiuaiiioii, w licrc,
ill a lliii'Ut't, all ('M'a|M-il *-\('('|)l llic leader ol' llic liaiid. wlio was
sliot out ttl' a trci- top. in Ins lu-ll Ik- had daii;;lin^' the scalp of
.Mrs. Ifca-aii.
Ill till' wfsicni part of Clinton coiinlN, in-ar tlic crossin.u of llic
jMcsciit <). •& M. U. II. over a >licain. .Icssc Ilailcs and wifr wcki
looUiiiji' lor llicir litijis on a Siiiida\ fSfiiiii;.; in the «'i('t'lv hotloin,
anil tlic do,us lia\ inn at a lliickci, it was supposed ilic,v \\i-\v lonnd ;
but on appi'oarliiii;^ tlir Ihickcl. tlic Indians, concealed witliiii,
lircd upon hotli, the ladv onlv liein^ liil. She was taken t«> lier
latlici's house, Mr. Iiradle\, and died in a .short time.
In An^^ns!. while a conipaiiv of ( 'aplain Slnnl'.s lan^eis wci'*^
encamped at the liiv«'l,\ caWiiis. a trail was discoNcred which led
diii'ctlv to the starlinji' of 7 Indians with II stolen horses. When
oxerlakeii a skirmish eiisned, in which the rangers weic rather
worsted; one was woiiiKh'd. a horse killed, and another, Moses
Hliort, received a hiillet whii'h loducd in a twist of tobacco ilk his
]>ockct. William Stout, with i;reat .peed, went to camp for icin-
Ibrcemcnts. Captain Short with ■">(' men now followed the trail all
iiijilit, and next morning; overlook the iiiaraii(h>rs on a Ibrk of the
Little Wabash, A la,uj;inj; Indian here shot a turkey, and the
report of his ^i ii ai»prised the piirsiiers of their pioximity. On
discovering the whites, the rear Indian ran in .meat hasii- forward,
and all jtreparcd for battle, in ij;noiance pidbabl_\ of the miiniier
of the piirsninji force, and assured «loiibtIess by tln'ir previous
siic<'ess, for the\ mij;lit have casdy made their escape. They wcrc!
dii'cctly surrounded, and when they realized their situation, sanj;
the death son^, shouted dctiance, and tbii^ht bravely tt> tlie last.
All were killed. The pursuers lost oii(> man, William O'Neal,
Mho, while takin;;- deliberate aim, met an adversary (quicker than
liimself, and was shot.
[NoTbi.— The most (Ifspiinite sliifilt'-lmiiilud coinlint, witli Indians, «!ver I'outrliton tlic
pnll of Illinois, wns that of 'I'oiii lliyjriiis, Aiiu'iist :.'l. IHU. Uisfffiiis was ;.'.') yrais old, of
11 iniisciilai' aiul com pact build, not tall, I ml strong'' and active, I n danircr lie iiosscsscil
11 (juick and djsocniinfi'.jiidynu'nl, and was williont liar, lit' was a iMcniln'rol.iounic.v s
raniicrs, consisting of II nicn, statimic I at Hills I'ort, S miles sonthwi-^t of the present
(iiccnville. Disi'ovcriny Indain ^i^irlsllca^ the loit, the compaiiy early the I'ollowinK
morninjf starteil on the trail. 'I'hey had not .uone far liefore they were !■ an amlnis-
cadc of a larjrcr party. At the Ihsi tire, t h(dr eonnnander .lourney and :> ' icn ft II. Si.v
retiuatuii to th(M'ort in tlifiht, lint Ili^Kins slopped ■■ to lia\ c anollu'r pull at the red
Bkiiis," and tiikiny deliheratc aim at a stiatrfflinsj- sa\ aui', shot him down, lliufiin's horse
had bofii wounded at the lirst tire, as he snpposeil, mortally, b.it eondiifi to. he was
aliont to eliuct his esi'ape, when the familiir voice at' liiiryes's haileil him from the lonff
Rrass, "Tom don't leave inc." in«->rins tolil him to comealonir, hut I Surt! ess replied that
hi8 h'K was snuished. Ilim.i;;\s al lem|>teil to raise luin on his horse, but the animal took
lri;:ht and ran away I li^'v'ins then directed Huihcss to limp olV as best he could, and
by crawling: throURli the fjrass he readied th(! fort, while the former loaded his frm>
and remained behind to protect him awairjst the pursninj; enemy. When Iturucss was
well out of the wa.v, lo throw any wanderiny enemy olf the trail, lli«uins took aiiolher
route which led by a small t hickct. Here he was unexpectedly conli ontcd l)y osavasjeg
npproachiny:. H*'" ran to a little ra\ine near .it hand for slitdtcr, but in the elfort dis-
eo\i'red for the llrst limi; that he was ba<lly wounded in the ley. lb' was closely pressed
bj 1 he largest, a |)owerful Indian, who lodged a ball in his lliiiih. He tell, but instantly
rose ayain, only to draw the lire of the other two and avain fell wounded Tho
Indians now udvanccd upon him wit h their tomahawks ami scalping kni\ es, but ii.s ho
l)resented his Run llrst at one, then at aiiotlier, from his place in the raNine, each
wavered in his purpose. Neither part.v hail tiim^ to load, and tin- larye Indian, suppo.s-
iuK tlnally that HiKains' trim was empty, ru.shed forward with uplifteil tomahawk and u
yell, but as he caini! near enoujih, was shot down. At this, the others raised the war-
whoop and rushed upon the wour.,,ed Iliuyins, and no(v a hand to hand conllict ensued.
They darted at him witli their knifes timeandauain.inilii'tini!- many iiha«tly liesh wounda
which bled profusely, One of the assailents threw his tonailiawk at him with such
precision ns to sever hisear and la,\ bare his skull, knociiintf him down. They now
rushed in on him, but ho kicked them oil, uiid (jfrusping one of their spcurs thrust at
ILLINOIS 7'";T{1{1T()1,'V.
370
TlH'inilitiiry cxiKMlilioiis of isi I. In wliidi Illinois piiiliripiit*' I,
Avert' l»y Wiitcr on the Mississippi, 'I'lie lirsl projceteil in Hie west
Viislli'iit of ('in\eiii(»r Cliiik (in the ;il»ence (if (leneiiil iluwiinl),
wiiicli lell SI, litiiiis ;ii)t)ill llie 1st of M;iy, it eonilili.sed ;i loite
of some LMtO men in the Mimed itiirucs, its (|esliiiiiti(»ii heiiijj:
I'liiirie (III Cliieii, Tlie notorious DieUson, ISritisli iiiieiit iiimI In-
<li;iii triiiler, :i iikiii of piciisin;: iiiniiiier iiiid ciipl i\ ;il iii^ iidtlress,
iiiiil Imt ii lew (l;i.vs liefore reeriiiled for Hie IJiiti^li iiiiiiv .'><><>
Sioux, W'illlieha^'oesiiml l'ols;iV(»isiis, wliom lie Wiis (■(iiKliietili;^ tt>
(';1iiim1h, .\ sMi;ili niillison of " MueUiniie feiieibles", in eoiiiiiiiili(l
of :i r.ritisli oilieer, Wiis left in ( iiiir;^e of liie pl;iee, Itnl IteiiiL; ,i.'re;itly
oillmiiiihered l»y <'l;iik's foi<'e.s, tliey joined Hie lleeiiii; iii!i;iliil;iiils,
Cliirk's unopposed troops were (iii;irlered in llie lioiiseof tlu;
]\Iiiekiii;iw l''iir <'oiiip;iny, iind ;i fort, eiilied.-iiejliy, was hiiiil. in
•luiie (lo\, Cliirk reliirned to St. Louis, wiieie tiu' people tendered
liiiii it piihlieoviition in iionor of liis eoininest. Tiius easily did lie
will military <>lory, i'.ut in .liilya lar^c foiceof I'.ril isli and Indians
undei' ("ol. .\laekey, eaiiie i»y water from .Maei^inaw, \ ia (ireeii
J>ay .111(1 the \\iseonsin,aiid after a short seij;-e,(lo\ . ( 'lark's eiil ii(i
j^aii'ison eajtitulated and was paroled, leaviiij;' the Uritisj) w ii ii the
new foi'f in iiiiieh lietter eoudilion than two months hefoic, Siieli
sire the f(M'tiiiies of war.
In the meanlime, (ieii, Howard. ha\ in-;' returned to his post,
deemedit advisable t(* streM^^theii so reimtte a post as I'rairie dii
Cliieii, and to that end sent reinforeeiueuts to the numlier of KlS
men, in eliar^(> of liieiit. Caiiipliell of tiie re^iilai' army, in thre«i
keel boats np the river. Of tliis force (iti men were Illinois liaii;;-
<'rs, under ('ajttaiiis Stephen Hector, and iJi;;',i;s, who occupied two
boats. The reiiiainder were withCampiieil in the other boat,
li'ock Island, wlieic they laid iij) for a iiiuht, was jtasscd wiHniiit
molestation, but at the foot of the rapids j;reat numbers (»f tlm
Sacs and Fox Indians \ isited the boats with ]»rofessions of frieiid-
.ship. Some of the l-'reiich boatmen were known to the Indians,
iiiid vei'y much liked by them. They would s(|iieeze their hands
with a juill (low n the river, indicating;' that it would l»e well for
fheiii to leave. It was rinhtlx Judged by them that the treacherous
sax a'4('s meditated an attack, of whicli Lieut. ( 'ampbell was duly
informed. lie. however, disi-eyarded these hints. The sutler's
and contractor's boats, and , two barges with Hie Illinois rangers,
liad passed the rapids, and had uot some two miles ahead, when
Campbeirs l»ar,ii(' was si nick l>y a j;ale from the west so si ion;; as
to force her a,nai list a small island, next to the Illinois shore.
Tliiiikin,!;' it advisable to lie to till the wind abated, seiiliuels wore
immediately stationed, while the men went ashore to cook break-
liini, WHS niiscil ii)) l).v it. He quickly seized liis miii, imd liy ii imweiTiil blow enisliefl
ill the skull (if one, i)Ut hroke his ritle. His rem liniun' iiutiiuroiiisl still Kept up the
eontest iiiiikiujr thrusls wil h his kiiite iit the hleediuf" ami exiiiiiisted lliiinirs, whiih he
jmiiied with his broken (run lis liest lie eoiild. Most id' this desperute eiiifftpeiiieiit was
in plain view of the J'ort, but the ranf-'crs, hiivirin been in one iitiibiiseade, sa'v in this
llvrlit only ariiso to draw out the Imlaneo of the (.'unison. Ibit a .Mis. I'liisely, lesHliiif?
at the Kort, no lonsrer able to see so brave ii mim eoptemi iinaiiled for his lile, seized a
(run. and mouiitiiiK a horse, started to his rescue, /m .his t he men took cmiraiie and
liHstened aloiiK 'I'lie Indian seeliiy aid eoiiiiim:. lied. Hiyirins liciiiM' luiirlv hacked to
pieces, fainted from loss of blood. He was carried to the Kort. 'riuM-e beimi- no siir-
jreoti, his conirades cut two balls from hlsllesli; others reiiiained in Kor da\s his life
was despaired of, but by tender nursiiisf, he ultimately recovered his health, badly
crippled. He resided in b'ayctle County for many years after, where lie raised a lar«e
family, and di(Mi in IS:.'!). Ho received a pension, iHirsued farminj;-, and at on.' time
was door-kooper of onu of tlio Louses of the Ouneral Assembly at Vaudaliu . Ifeynold's
Plo, Hist.-p.S^Jl.
280 insToRV OF Illinois.
1;ist. \{ this tiiiir ii liii-;>'f torcc of liMliiiiis on the i itiiii sliorc,
tiiiilci' llic riiiiiiiiiiiiil of r>liick IliiwU, coiniiKMicni iiii iithick. 'riio
h:i\ ii;;cs, ill ciiiint'S, |)ii>sf(l i':i|ii)ll\ In liii' ishinil. iiimI wiliiii \\:ir
w li<)(i|t riisiic*! iipuii llic iiH'ii, w lit) iclrciitt'd iiiiil S()ii;:iil icl'ii;;!- in
llic l»iir;;<'. A Icilllc ol' Itiisk imisiicti'.v now ciisiicd lirtwccii liio
I't'W I'fjL^iiliit's iiitoMi'd liif stniiHird l)iii'!^c Mild III*' lioi'dfs of liidiiiiis
under cover ol' I ices on I lie isliiiid. with seM'ie loss to tir.' ioiiiiei'.
3lejin\vhilt'. Ci.ptiiins liector and l{i;;;;s, iihend with tii ■ l>iii';;('s,
seili;;' the siii(d\e of Icitlle, ess;i_\ed jo relllili. ImiI in the stroiij;'
pile Iki^ins" hoiit lieeaiiie iiiiiiiiiiiiij;eiihle niid was st landed on the
rapids. |{eetor, to avoid a similar disast«'i', let ji(» his anchor, 'liu;
iaii;;crs. however, opened with ^ood aim and telliii;;- elVect on tho
sava.i:cs.
The iineipial coiidiat hav in;; ra;ni'd for some time, the eon una mi -
cr's liarjic w illi maiiv vvonnded and several dead on hoard, ainoiij;-
the foinierof whom, verv hadl.v, was Cainpltell himself, had almost'
ci'ascd li^litiim when slie was iliscov ered to Im- on lire. .And now
Slephcii li'ector, and his hrave crew of Illinois raii;;eis, compre-
heiidiiiu the horrid situation, perforined, without (lelav, as cool
and heroic a deed, and did it well, as ever imperiled the life of
niortal man. In llie how lin.^' uale. in full view of hiindredsof llu^
infuriate sava.u'es, and within raiiyc of their ritles. they delilieralely
raised anchor, lightened their ha rjiC l»v caslinj; overhoard ipiaii-
lilies (d' jti'dv isioiis. and ^iiiided it with the utmost lal)ord(»wn tlui
Nwi ft current, to the w iiidward of the lairninii' liaijic, and, in llui
I'iillinu' lire of the cnemv, resciied the survivors, removed thei
v.'iinded. the d.viii^ and all, to their vessel. 'I'his was as heroic ii
deei,' of iioldc dariiiji' as was performed during' the war in the,
AVcst. 'i'lie island, in iiiciikmv •>!' the stiii;;,ulc. was named after
Caniplicll. hut with iJectorand his crew of Illinois rangers remains
the ulorv of tli»' action.
'riie manlier of ctfcctini;' the rcscm- <lisplays the resoiiicc of
I'ouraiicoiis minds in the crisis of imminent peril. Iicctor's harjio
Avas lirst «pii<'Uly li;;liteiicd l»y cast in;;' ovcrlioard the provisions,
the crew (mostly experienced French hoatineii,) j^ot into the water
on the windward sid(- of the bar;;*', which ltroii,L;ht it hctwceii
tliein and the lire of the enemy. In this manner it was j^iiided i.i
dose inoximity to the disabled harp', ami held there till the re-
moval was etfected, when, after Iteiii;; hauled ajiaiiist the wind far
out into the stream, it ^^lided safely away. The loss was U."» ; 1>
killed — I ranjicrs, ;> re^iiilars, I woman, I child ; wounded 1(5,
anioiij;' vvIkuu vveie liicut Camplicll and Dr. Stewait, severely.*
JJectcu's Itainc was nncomforlahly crowded for the vvoiindcd, hut
as the force was larp' they rowed iiijihl and daynntilSt. Louis was
reached. The Indians, after the ahandoiimenl of (."ami»l>eirs
l»ar<i(', feasted upon the contents (»f their prize.
Jt was now feared that Kiji.ys and his coni[)aiiy were capliu'cd
uiid sacriliced by the savap's. 11 is vessel, which was stroiijuand well
ariued, was for atiiue .surrounded by the Indians, but tlie whites
on the inside were well sheltered. The wind becominji' allayed in
the cveiiiii;L;, the boat, under cover of the iiijiht, jilided safely «lo\vii
the liver without the. loss of a single man. At St. Louis there was
<;reat rcjoiciii!.;' (mi the arrival of lii,i;'j;s and crew, all safe. Many
I'ervent jnayers had j^oiie up, many anxious eyes had eap'rly
•Mo. Ouzette, July 30, 18U
ILLINOIS TKI.'IMTOUY.
L'Hl
\\:il('li<>i| tilt' rivt'i, iilxl lii:iii,\ ii piitiiol liriiit u ;is riiiul(> ;;'l!i(l l)\ llit*
liiiiil li(liii;^s oT llit'ir siil'i-lv.
Still iiiiotlici' t'\|n'ililii>ii lortlu' I'|>|»t Mississipid whs |»iojtM'tc(|
this sciisoii iil'lt'i' till' two I'nrruiiiii;; (lisiislcis. It \\;is til t •<! mil it,
<'ii|if iiii (ills, iiiiil ulil I'lciirli liiiiiilct oil till- h-l't hank ol iIm- Mis-
.sissi|i|ii. ii tfw mill's iihovc tlir mniitli of tlx' Illiiinis. It coiisistcd
of .').'! I ('ir«'clivt' iiii'ii, 10 ri'.niiliii's iiiiil till' I'cst i'aii;L;fis iiiiil xkIiim-
tccrs, ill ciiiiiiiiainl of .Major Zackaiy 'ravloriaflciwards picsidciit.)
><«'lsoii Itt'ctoi, and Sainiirl Wliitrsiilcs, with tlic lliiiioisans, wows
ill coiiiiiiaiKl of iioats. It was jiciicrall.v n';;ai(lt'tl as of inati'iial
iiii|Miriaiiri> loliavf a stroii;;' fort wilii a ;.:airis(iii well ii|i the .Mis
sissippi ill tlic heart of the liiiliaii roiiiitiv. The plan was to
proct'i'il alioM' the rapids, and in desi-i'iidin;; sweep lioth Itaiiks of
the i'i\('i' of liir Indian xillaucs, dcstrov llieii' coin down to
Itock Island, and tlicn' Iniild tin' loil. 'i'jic rxpcdil imi dt'partrd
its place of i('iidc/\ oils, Aii;;iist -•"). 1S| |, ;iiid passed IJock island
and the h'apids iiniiiolested. It was now leanied that the coiintiy
was not (Mil.N swaniiiiii; with Indians, lait that the iCnulish werc^
there in coininand, w itii a dclachineiit ol re,milars and aitillcry.
The advanced Itoats in coniinand of Kector, Whitesides, and
lleiiipstead, turned about and lie^aii to descend the Kapids, llulit-
iii.i; w itii iir«'at uallantrv the hoa riles of the eiieiiiy poiiiin^- theic tire
into them from the shore i'\er,\ step. A lit lie w av alio\ e the
iiionlh of liocU rivei', not fai from .some willow islands. Major
Tayloi' anchored his tieet out in the .Mississi|ipi. I)iirin<:' the iii.uhf
tin' l']n;;lish planted a haltery of si\ pieces down at the water's
(>(!;;*' to sink or disahle the boats, and tilled the islands with
redskins to butcher our men. who iniLihl, iiiiarined. seek refuj;'(^
Ihei'e. JJiit ill this scheme lhe,\ were friisl rated, in the niorniiij;-
Taylor ordered all the force, except L'O boatmen on each v«'sscl. to
the upper island to dislodge the enemy. 'I'lie order was executed
with .ureal liallantry, the island scoured and the savages, many of
whom wei'c killeil. driven ti) the lowerone. in the meantime the
liritish caniioii told with elfect upon the Heel, piercing many of llie
boats, 'i'he men rushed back and the boats were drop|>ed down
the stream out of laiiiic of the cannon. Caittaln iicctor was
now ordered with his company to make a sortie on the lower island,
which he did, drixiiij; the Indians back anions the willows, but
th«\v belli jf reinforced, ill turn hiiilc<l K'cctor back upon the sand
bciU'h. A council «»f otiicers called l>y 'I'aylor had by this tiim^
decided that I heir force was insnfticient to contend w itii the enemy,
who oiitiiunibeied them three to one, and the boats wer(^ in full
retreat down the rivei. As Uector attempted to jict underway,
his boat jiroiinded, and the savages, with dciiKMiiac yells, sui-
roiiiidcd it, when a most desperate hand to hand eii,i;aiicnient
ensued. The .gallant ran.i;er, Samuel Whitesides, oii.scrviii!.;' the
immiuciit j>eril of his biiive Illinois comrade, went iininediately
to his rescue, who, but for his timely ai<l, would undoubtedly have
been overpowered with all his force and miirdered. 'I'aylor's loss
was 11 men badly wouikKmI, ;J of whom had died at the date of
liis report to (leu. Ilowartl, Sei)t. (>. IS14.
Opposite the mouth of I lie 1 )cs >ioiiies, on the site of the present
town of Warsaw, a, fort was built by Taylor's men, called ICdwards,
■wliieh consisted of a roiiuli stockath; and block'., miscs of nnliew u
logs. Fort Madison, oil thewest side of the Aiississi[»pi and farther
2H3 HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
lip, iiftcv beiiifi i'«'i>('at('(ll.vattack«'<l In- tlicciiciny. was cvaculcd and
liuriit. A I'cw weeks later (in ()c(ol»ei) l'"(til iMlwaids sliared a
similar late; tlie troops yot out of |»ro\ isioiis. ami iiiiahie to sustain
tlicir position, reticat.'il down the rixcr to ('ape aiidiis. 'I'lie
jicople of Illinois and .Missoiiii weic astonished at this extraordi-
nar.N e\;"Malion and <lesi iMietion oi' the I'oit liy our own troops,
'I'll* laK^crs and voluiiteei-s were di>el!ar,u('d Oetoiter ISih,
ISit.*
Thns ended the last, like the t/.(! ])re\ ions exjx'ditions (i|) the
jMis.-issippi dining the war of IS!:.', in defeat an<l disaster. 'I'lu^
eneiMV was in nndispnted possessior, of ail the country nctrth of the
Illinois I'ivei', and tile prospect I'espeelin^' these territories boded
nothin.y Init ^looin. NVitli tiie approach of winter, liowevc-r,
Indian depredations ceased' to he coininitted, and the peace of
(jhent, J)ec. I'l, ISI4, closed the war.
*Tlii! iici^ouut oi' thesu expedllioiis has l)oeii in tfi'<;at paft uratliered I'roiu Uoynolds'
Own TiuiL'si.
<"iiAi'i'i;i! XXV.
Civil. Al'FAlKS OF THK ILLINOIS TKlJlHTOlfY VVA)M
ISIL' TO ISIS.
MeriuKj of the LcnisldlKir — Tlic Moiihos — Laics — CdiilVict luiinrit
iliv L('(ji.sl((fiii'c mill 'I ndickiry — Ciirioii.s Actx — 'J'tiritoriu! liaiihii
— <'((iro Bank — Coinincree — Firnt iSt en iit hunts — J'urnaits of the
J'eojtic.
V\)r iMsirly four ycsirs iit'tcr tlic oryniiizntioii of tlic tcnitoi'iiil
ji(»\ ciiiiiu'iit MO l<',i:isl;itiii(' cxistt'd ill Illinois. 'I'lic jiovciiior \v;is
botii executive iiiid, in j^ieiit part, tlie law-iiiakiiiji jiowei'. Tliese ex-
ti'iiordiiiaiv pow ersjiaiitliorized by tlu' oidiiiaiicc ol' 17S7, viewed at
111 is day, seem si ra lively iiieoiisisteiit willioii'' re|)iil>lieaii notions of
tlie necessity of co-ordinate brandies of jioveriiiiieiit. I'nder tliat
celebrated <»rdiiiance, tlie jiolitical |iri\ ilcucs of tlie citizen were
few (•!• none, lie could not exercise llie elective iVaiicliise unless
lie was a IVeeliolder of .")() acres, nor asi»ire to a seat in tiie territo-
rial le<>islatnre unless lie was .1 freeliolder of fniiii UOO to ."itMl ac'cs.
Those of tlie teiritorial oflicers wlioni tlie president did notappoint,
were appointed by tlie ,i;"»\<'rii<t;'. Tlie |»eopie ciaild not elect Jus-
tices of tlie )(eace. county siiixcyors, treasurers, coroners, slieritfs,
clerlvs, jiid;L;«'s of tlie inferior <'oiiits, nor even choose the otiicers of
the territorial militia; all this pow ci- and iiincli inoi'e was vested
in the .uoveriior. l!y the act cftablishiiiL; the Illinois t<'rritory, it
was provided that whenever his Excellency was satistied that a
majority of the freeholders desired it, then he mi;L;ht authori/.e a
lejiislaliire. W'liili' none of these extraordinary powers were per-
haps ever arbitiarily exeiciscd by any of the j:'(>veiiiors, unless it
was tSl. ('lair, the people were all tlie time clamorous for an exten-
sion ol' siilVraiic. Conj^rcss (not the jioverimr) finally, by act
of .May I'l, ISlL', laised Illinois to the second ;;rade of territorial
jiovcinnienl, and further extended the lij^lit of sn(fra<;(' to any
white male ])erson L'l years old, wli(» had paid a territorial lax and
reside* 1 one year in the territory next pieced in j; any elect ion. a ill hor-
iziii;.:' such elector to \(»te for rejircseiitative, memlier of I he le^^is-
lati\ e council and d«'le,i;ate to coiij;r<'ss. The property (pialilicatioii,
undei' the ordinance of 17S7, was abolislu'd. This was a very
j;'reat coiM-ession to the people. 'I'he j^'ovcrnor was rcipiired to
apportion the territory. On the I ttli of l''eiiriiary, ISli;.accordin,nly,
he issued his jiroclamation, ordcrinj;- an election to take the sense
of the ])eoi>lefor or a^ainstcnterinji" iiiioii the second jiiade of
territorial <i()\-ernment. Theelection was to beheld for three suc-
cessive days in each county, commencing' on the second Monday
in .\pril. Tbe question was decided iu the atliniuitive by a larjjic
283
2S4 nisToijY or iixixois.
iiiiijoiit.v. On S('|tlt'iiilt('i' KItli, l(»ll(»\\inji,tln' {^ovcnior aiid jiidjics
liiixiiii;' ()ru;iiii/,<'(l the new coiiiitit'S of Miidistiii. (Iiilhiliii iiiid .loliii-
Noii, liiiikiiiji' now, Willi llic two old coiinlics oi' St. Chiir iind K'mii-
dolpli.il totiil of livts :i procliiiiinlioii w:is issued, iiiililisliiiii; ilu-ir
('stiiMisliiiicnl. I>y iiiiollicr procliiiiinlinn of tlic siiiiic diit*-, an
i'lcclioii lor r» iiiciiilicis of tlic lc;4islali\ (■ coiiiicil, 7 rt'iiicsciitat i\('.s
and a dclcjialf lo conjiTcss, was ordci'i'd to he licid in cacii county
on the Stli. 'Mil and l(»lli days of OctoWrr folJowiiii;-. At lliis clcr-
lioii. SliadiiK'li I'lOiid was rlntcd to con^icss. Tlic liu'inhris elect
of the le;;islative council were, I'ieiie .Meiiaid, of liaii(lol|tli —
clioseii to preside ; NN'illiani l'>i.ujis, of St. Clair; Sainiiel .Iiid_\.of
3Iadisoii: 'riionias l''er,!4i:soii, of ,Jol' ni, and Heiijainiii Talliot,
of (lallatin.
Tlu' meiiibers elect (»f tlie lioiise of represenlat i\('s w«'re, (ieoij^o
I'islier. of i;andoli)li; .losliiia O.uleshy and ,Facol> Short, of St.
Claii': William .loiies. of Madison: I'liillip 'I'lainiiiel and Alexan-
der Wilson, of (iailatin, and dohn (Iraniiaar. of .lohiison.
We sniijoin hi'ief sketches ol the inembers eoiistitiltiiii; the first
<,'eiieral asseiiil>ly of illinois. I'irrrc J/ry/^nv/. a ( "anadian I'leiich-
liiaii. settled at Kaskaskia in IT'.tO. He was a merchant and
enjoyed an e\teiisi\e liade with the Indians, over whom he ex-
erted a ,i;reat inlliieiu'e and was foi- maiiyyears the i;(>\ ernment a.uciit
lor them. lie was well inlormed. eiierj;ctic, frank and honest,
and was very popular with all classes. Wiilidiii />'/V/_(/.v w as an
intelli_<;('nt and I'espectable nieinher, who had heeii a soldier in
Clark's expedition, and ten years afterward had heeii a prisoner
for se\ eral years amoiit; the Kick a poos. He w rote and pnl dished a
complete iiarrati\e of his Indian <'apt ivily, and in Isi'd. con,i;ress
Aoted him three sections of land, lie was for many years county
Jnd,i;c. tSaiiiiirl '/kiIi/ — the same who. in the fall preceding, com-
manded the corps of spies in (loxcriior iMiwanIs" mililary cam-
l»ai;:n to Teoiia lake — was a man of "energy, fortitude and
enler)irise." Some of his descendants now icside in ;\ladisoii
coiinly. .f().sliii<i (h/lislii/ WAS ii local .Alelhodist pi'cacher of (trdinary
education, who li\«'d on a farm and was ;ireall\ respected hy hi.s
lieinhliors. >l(ic()b Short, the colleague ol' O.uleshy, removed t(»
Jlliiiois with his father. .Moses, in IT'.MJ.and pursued farming;-. Dur-
ing; the war of 1S12. he distiiii;iiisiied himseif as a lanuei. (Ii(tr<ni
I'i.slirr \n)ssfssft\ a fair education, and was liy prolession a ph\si-
ciaii. lie reiiioNcd from N'iij^inia to Kaskaskia in 1S(I((, jiiid «'ii-
^a.i;c(l in nierehandiziiij;. hut at this time he resi<led on a I'ariii. Ilo
Avas all ei ward in pnhlic life. /'/(/////; Tr<(iiiiii<l was a man of dis-
eriiniiialiii<;' mind, inclined to the i»rofession of arms. lie wastlio
les.vee ol' tiie I'liited Slates saline ill (lallatin county. His col-
lea,i;iie, Alciaiidtr Wllxoii, was a popular laNcrii kee|>er at Shaw-
iieetown, of fair abilities. WiUiiun -/aiKs was a llaptist preacher,
};rave in his deporlineiil. and possessed of moderate aliilities. He
Mas born in North Carolina, removed to Illinois in ISdii. jmd set-
lied in the l»attaii prairie, east (»!' .Mtoii * 'I'liis was the first
ap|tearaiice in public lit'e of ,/<)liii (Irdniniar. He afterwards rep-
resented I'liion county fre(pieiitl\ diirinj; a period of liO years.
Jle had no education, yet was a man of shrewdness. After his
election, it is iclated that to piocuic the necessary apparel to
ai»]teai' at the seal of {;overimu'iit, lie and the family }4alliered w
*Auuul8 of tlie West.
ILLINOIS TKIMMTOUV.
i;sr>
lar^i'c (iiiniitily of" Iiickory iiiits, wliicli wcic l;ik<'ii to tlic Ohio
siiliiK' iiiid ti'iult'd lor l)lii*' sliniidiii^, siicli :is tlic liidiiiiis wore lor
hi'cccli cloth. Wlicii tilt' iici;ilil)oiiii,n' women iissciiihltMl to iii:iko
up tlH' .iiMi'iiM'iils, it WHS I'oiiiKi tliiit he liiid not invested (|iiit('
enon;;li nuts. Tiie piitlern Wiis nieiisnred in e\ery wny possilde,
ImiI wiis iinMiist;d;;ilily scant. Wlierenpon it was decided to niaUo
a '•holt-tailed coat and a lonj^- pair of ie;Li;;in.us." Arrayed in tiiese,
lie daly appeared at the seat o'' jitivernnient, where he continued
to weai' his |)rimiti\e suit i(M' the j^i'eater part of the session.
><ot witlistandin.u' his illiteracy, iu' had the honor of ori;;inatin,L;' the
l>ra<'ti<M', much followed Ity public men since, of voting' a.i'aii'st all
new measures — it heinn' easier to coin-iliate piihiie opinion for
Iteinu' remiss in votiiij;' for a j^ood measure, than to sidfer arraign-
ment for aidiiiji" in the passa.nc of an nnpopnlar one.*
On the lOlli of Novemher, the j;d\ crnoi', by jiroclamat ion. or-
<ler(dthe members elect to con\ cne, on theL'.")tli instant, at \\;\<
kia. the seat of ,i;<»vernment. The two bodies met iri a lar^iv,
I'oiiyh old l>nildin.n' of uncut limestoin', with steep roof and yal)les
of nnpainted boards, situated in the centre of a sipiare, whicii,
after the ruin and abandonment of i''ort Ciiartres, had served tho
J''reiich as the headiuiarters of the military commandant. The
Jiist thior. i\ lai'nc low, cheerless room, was lilted ii]> for ti)e lioiise,
and a small chamber al>o\(' for the council chamber, 'i'he latter
body chose John Thomas their secretary, and the former elect ei I for
clerk William ('. (ireeinip. 'i"he two houses had a (loor-k«'eper in
comiiKm. All the IU nu'iuiters boarded with one family, and lodged,
it is said, in one room. How unlike
jireseiit times! 'I'lui
members addressed themselves to the business iu hand, witliout
delay or circumlocution. Windy speeches or coiiteidion were
unheard of. and jtarlianuMitary tacticians, if any there were, met
with no induluciice. It has been nai\('ly remarked that not ;i
lawyer appears on the roll of names.
The assembly ertected a ])eacei'ul revolution of the civil polity
of the tei'ritory. at a time when actual war was the all-absorbin;>;
public (piestioii. \',\ act of DectMiiber 1.'!, ISll', all the laws
l)asse(l by the Indiana leuislatui'e, and in force .Alarch 1, 1S(M>,
ji'encral in their nature and not local t(» Imliana, which stooil
nnrepealed by the u'ONcriior and Judges of Illinois, ami all laws
oriiiinally adopted for Illinois under t lie (irst jn'rade of territorial
};d\('i nmeiit. rcmaiidnj;' nnrepealed, were by them re-eiiacte<l.
The idea manifestly was. that by the asseudHinn' of thele^iislatiire,
the territory stood forth in utter nakedness, divested of all law
until reinvested by them. The enacting;' clause of the territorial
laws was: "Be it enacted by the lejiislative council and house of
representatives, and it is hereby enacted by the authority of the
same." To the courts of common pleas was nixcn the same Juris-
diction previously had under the Indiana territory. The u'cneial
court, established at the seat of {government, besides beinu' a tiib-
unal of oyer and terminer for jail delivery (Mi indictments found by
theji'iand juries of the common pleas court, was also constituted
a court of oriiiinal Jurisdiction, of appeals, to correct errors of
inferior courts, and to punish the contemi»ts, nejilects, favors or
corruptions of the Justices of the peace, clerks, sheriil's, e|c., its
l)rocess runninji- to any c(»uiity, to tin- ;;reat inconvenience of the
♦Ford's Illinois.
280
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
]i('o|>lc. Siifli oIImt liiwsMsit \v;> ■ .'hciiiimI tlic coiiiitrv it'(|iiiif(l,
were piisscd, iiiiil al'ici' a liricl' scssiuii, llic liist k'^isliiliiic iid-
Joiii'ikmI.
Tlic liiwsol' till' It'iiitorv wci'!' nrtcrwnrd icviscd iiiid di^icstcd,
iiiidci' llic niitlinrily of tlii' Ic.uislatiir, l»,v Niitlmincl Pope, and
piiiilcd ill oil*- xoliiiiic l)v .Malllicw Ihiiiraii. priiitci' ol' the tcni-
toiv, wiiich bears tlir date .liiiic 1', ISl."). Tlicrc arc besides, two
small \()!iiiiies, bv liie same printer, ol' tl <• session laws of lSir>--l(>
and bSl-TlS. Wliile llie laws are raill'i'iillv rendered, the iiiecliaii-
ical a|iite;iraiiee of tliese books, owini;' to l!ie j^real eoarseiiess of
tlie paper and liie use of eliiiiisv tvpe, ill.v conipares willi worU of
(lie present lime. Maiiv of I lie laws imported, re\ ised and
adopted b\ tiie j^overiioi' and jiid,L;es. were \\<'li drawn but liie
j;reat bodv of lliose oii^inated in llie le.uislatnre present mneii
criulitv, Itotli ill eoiiiposilioii and j;rasp of the snitjeets intended to
be snbsei'\ ed. We will aliiitle to somefealiires of the territorial
code, iio^ hapjiilv oi»>olete, which ,i;i\(', b\ contrast with the pres-
ciil, an idea to liie reader of tiu^ pro,uress and ainelioration
allained in criminal Jiirispriidcnec ami the |innishnient for debt.
Tims, ill the pnnishment of crimes, both felonies ;nid inisdeiiican-
(»rs, the barbarous practices of whijipiiiu on thebaic bacU. coii-
tinenienl in stocks, staiidiiijL;' in the pillorv, and brandiii,^' with hob
irons, were the penalties iVeipiciilly prescribed; besides lines',
inipi'isonijicnt. and loss oi' citi/,enslii|». 'i'hese snininar\ modes ()t"
chastisement .yrew, in l»art, out of the condition of the country.
It was but sparsely settled, the peo|)le were poor, they had no gen-
eral prison or p<'niteiitiary. and the few .jails were so inseeiire as to
])rcseiit scarcely any bairier to the escape of i»risoners, W'hip-
j>in.u- upon the bare back, besides other ininishineiits at the option
of the court, was |)rescribed in bnrjilary or robbery. ."!!> stripes;
in perjury, larceny, the receiving' of stolen ^iooils, and obtaiiiiiij;'
ptods by fraiidnleiit pretenses, .'U stripes; liorse-stealin^', tirst
offence, from .")(► to lUO lashes; lioj;-slealin<;', from 2."> to ."i!! lashes ;
alterin,!^' and del'acin,u' marks or brands on. doinestie animals at
lar.Lic. 10 lashes ••well laid (Ui;" bigamy. i)iinislied with from l(K>
to .JOO .striites : forsodomy, from lot) to. "idO lashes were prescribed;
l«)rcibly takin;^' away a female to marry aiiainst her consent, was
declared a felony and nii^uht be punished by whippinu: chihlreii
or ser\ ants for disobedience^ mi^lit, \\\h>\\ complaint and coii\ iciioii
before a justice, be whipped mtt exccediiiji' Ktstripes. In all these
olVeiices tiicn^ were other penalties provided, allernatively oraddi-
tionally, at the option of the conri — such as lines, impriscmmeiit,
restitnlion. etc. I'ines were collected fi'om tli(»se unable to pay,
by the sheriff hiriiij^ or selliii;;' them to any one who would pay the
line or costs, ibr such terms as the court mi^lit deem reas<Miabl<',
and if the <lelin(pient should abscond, the penally was iloiible the
term of ser\itnde and .'!!> stii[»es. kStandinj;' in ]»illory was |>re-
scribed, in addition to other ]»enaItio.s, in perjury, forjicry, and tlio
altcrinji' or defacing' of brands or marks on domestic animals. For
this last olfcncc, on second conviction, tin' culprit was to \\,\\\' the
letter T branded in the h^ft hand with a red hot iron. To incvent
the cominon ciime of killiiij;- stock runiiinj;' on the lanji'e, every one,
inclndiiiii' the owners, wasrc(|uired to exhibit the eai's of liojis, or
hides of cattle, killed, to a ina,nistrate or two freeholders williiii
three <lays, under u [lenalty of '10. I'or aiding- the escape of a
ILLINOIS TKRUITOUY.
2S7
convict, the. ]niiii.sliiiiciit was the saiiu! as tliat (il'tlic ciilpiit, cx-
ct'pt in <'ai»i<iil cases, when stiijx's, staiidiii}; in ])ill()r,v, or sittiiiy
on tlio ji'allows \vitli tlic rope iidjiistcd iitxtiit tliciicck.al the option
oftiie coiiit, was tlie j»en;iltv. llesjdes in treiison iind nnirdei',
tlic. ])enalty ol" deiitii by liaiif-iiij^' was denonnced aj^ainst arson
an<l rape, and liorse-stealinm' on sec(»nd con\ iction. I'or sellinj;'
intoxiciitiiiy li(piors to Indiiins, slaves, jipprenlices :iiid minors,
se\cre )ien;dlies were enacted. l''oi' reveliiij;'. (|Uarr(lin,y'. liuiitin;^',
l»ror;in^i.v cursiiij:'. disoi'derly heliavior at di\ine worsiiip, and
linntinj;- on the S:d»l)atii, peniilties hy lines wci'e ]Mescrihed. ( 'ock-
lij^iilin;;, iiorse-racin^' on tlie lii,t;liwiiys, ;;ainltliii;^', iieepin;^' M. ().
tilhles, sendinji' ciiallen^c to li^iil or i>o.\ at lislienl't's. lotteries, elc.,
were pnnished hy lines. In I.SIO, a l;iw was adopted to snppress"
dnelin.!;', which made the fatal resnit ol" a <lnel mnrder, inchidinj'-
the aiders, abettors or connselors as principals in the crime.
In regard to the collection of debis, the principles of the com-
mon law obtained, which wholly favore«| the creditor. Allthepro-
l»ei'ty of the jndjicment debtor, b(»th real and personal withoni any
of the jtresent humane featnres as to exemption, mij^hl be levied
iil>on and sold under e.xecntion. The sale was absolute — no time
of rc(lem]»tion, as at present, was allowed in the case of I'ealty.
If the land failed to sell for want of ltid<lers, it was the judiiinent
creditor's rij;ht,al his o]»tion, ti>take it al>soluiely at the appraised
Aalne made by lU jurors. I5ut this was n(»t idl. If the property
was insudicicnt to ])ay the jud.unient. the Itody of the debtoi'mi^ht
be seized and cast into prison. Here he won hi l)e allowe<l the prison
bounds, extending' LM'O yards from the Jail in an,\ direction, on con-
dition oidy of ;;ivin,!4' bonds in double the sum of the del»t, not
to depart thci'efrom.
The territoi'ial revenue was raised by a tax u|>on lands. Those
situated in the river bottoms of the ."Mississippi. ( )hio and tho
"NVabash were taxed at the rate of !?1 on every 1(M> acres. Tlio
njdands w<-re class<'d as second rate, and were taxed at the I'ate
ol" T") cents ]>er tOOacics, rnlocaled, but conlirnu'd land claims,
were taxed at the rate of .'JTi cents per I(i(» acres. The county
revenue was raised chiefly by a tax ni)on personal property, in-
cluding' slaves or indeidured servants between the aji'cs of 1(» and
40, not to exceed $1 each, 'i'he only I'eal property taxed was lots
and houses in towns, an<l mansion houses in the coinitry, worth
$L'(I(> ami npwanls. There was levied also a capitation tax of si
on every able-bodied sinjiie nuin. ha\in,u' attained his majority
and ownini;' .*2(l(> woi'th of taxable property. This on^^ht to hav<5
induced marriaj^e. Two men were appointed to apjtraise the prop-
erty re(piii'ed to be assessed. .Merchants and ferries were licensed
at $1.1 and ><1(> res|)ectively. Horses and cattle were taxed by
th(^ head, not exeeedinj^oO and 10 cents, respectively — not accord-
h\<x to value, as at ]»i'esent.
The entire territorial revenue, between the 1st of Novendu'r,
1811, ami the .Stii of Xovember, IHM (■"! years), was reixtrted by
the legislative connrnttee on linance. in ISl 1, t,o be 8 K'^^T.") i.li.
But ot" this aiiM)unt, only )i<-.r)l(> S!> had actually been paid into the
treasury; the l)alance — nearly hall" — 8-. •"{"■'^ 17 remained in the
hands of delinquent sheriffs. The delinciueiicies of sherilfs, in
their capacity us collectors of the revenues, remained a curse to
2SS msToiiY oi' ir-i,iNors.
Illinois not only •Inrin}'' its territoriiil existence, hut for many
years aft<'r it became a State.
Ill IS] \ tile le.uislatiire attciiipled to reoi'^anize tlie Judiciary by
estalilisiiiii;:;- ilie siipiciiie court of tlic tci'iiloiv. 'i'iie I'liitcd States
jiid^Lics for tlie territory were assif;iied to circuit diity,eacii iiaxiii";'
a ciicuit composed of two counties in cacli of widcii two terms of
c( Ml it were to be lield iiiiuialiy. Tlie c(»iirts possessed common
law and cliaiicery Jiiri.s i lion, and suits were t() be tried in tlio
coiiiities ill wliicli iliey originated. Once a year the .iiid;4('s weio
to coincne in banc at tlic scat of ji'overmneiit, to bear appeals and
revise erroneous decisions IVoiii the conrls lielow. 'i'iiis arraiiji'c-
ineiit was well calculated to j;i\t' to tiie people in tlicir
counties a more tlMa'onjih administration of the laws than the
<'oiiits of coinmon pleas altbrded ; liiit tlic idea of circuit <liity was
manifestly distasteful to (lie jiid^^cs. In the le,i;islatiire much
iliseiission arose as t«) its jiower to jirescrihe tin- duties (»f tins
ai»pointees of the jieiieral,i;<»veriimeiit. The Judges were re(pieste(l
to .uive a written opinion upon the merits and leualilyof the pro-
])(»-ed act. These liciitiemeii — Spri,uj.':s and Thomas, (Iriswold
beinj;' absent — wanted no lietter opportunity to assail it. which
they did in a very emphatic inanner, arj-nin;;- at lenjith the inva-
lidity of the act; that "the court estal)lislie(l by the ordinance (»f
17S7 cannot be subjected to the re\ isioii or control of any tribunal
established by the Teriitorial Lej;islature; and that an appeal from
tli<' same court to the same was a solieisin.*' The jidvernor, at the
instance of tlie le.uisiature. in his iiies.saj;'e ajiproxin^' the bill, took
up the ((iiestioii. «'laboiatel\ argued the power oi' the le;^is!atnre in
the premises, and aitpareiitly demolished the position of the Jnd;;es.
The bill without liiially becomin<;' a law was by the lej^islature re-
ferred tocon;:re> oj^'ethei' w ith the oltjectioiis of the Jit(lj;<'s and
thereply of the ^o\ i iiior, with an addi'css 'M'e(jiie.stin>;' lhe])assaj;'eol;'
a law declarin;^' the aforesaid act valid, or to pass some law moro
explanatory of the relative duties andpowcrsof the .jiidii'esalbresaid
and of this lej;islature." Coniiress, i>y act of .March .'», ISlo,
juissed "an act re^iilatiiiii- and detiniiiii' the duties of the I'niled
States judin'cs for the Territory of Illinois,"' which substantially
embodied the ]>ro\isioiis rc(piired by iiie lc,i;isiature. The Jiid.nes
Mere reipiired to do circuit duties and reside in their I'cspectivo
circMiits, and to inctit in banc twice a year at the seat of ^'overn-
inent. as a. court of appeals. They were also .subjected to tho
re;iulations of the lejiislatiire as t(» the times of holding' their
terms. The <i<>\'eriior appointed tlie clei'Us
In the meantime by a suplemental act the le}.;islature attlie same
sessi(»n had abolished the ^t'ceral coui't, whose jiiri. fiction was to
be siipeiseded by the supreme cornt ; and by another act thecourt
of common pleas was abolished, and coun'.y courts (the jjerin of
our i>resenr county system) which had no Juiis<liction tor the trial
of ordinary cases, substituted. Tntil coni^ress therelbr<' acted,
a ]»eri'»d of some two months and a half, Jllinois pi<'s<'iited tho
anomalous condition of beiii^- without a judicial tribunal liij;iier
than that of a justice's court, whose civil jurisdiction, by another
act of the same session, was enlarjicd to >)2(> in debt. Sitting- as
an examining tiibunal, to what court could a justice of the peace
Lave validly bound over a culjirit duiinj;' this period of partial
judicial vacuum? However, we have liothing showing' to the cou-
ILTilNOIS TKTIUITOUY.
2.S!)
trary, but that tlic i)('0])lf' got aloiifj.jnst as well aslu'lnic and after.
By a<'t of ,laii. !(, ISKl, (he diilics of tlic JimI^cs of tlic court of
appeals \vei-e more clearly iletiiied, and a law rclaliii.i;' lo this court
was amended in IS17 and the ciicnits reor^ani/ed ; next l)y an act
of .Inne I'J, ISI,',, a radical change was made. There lieini; somo
ol»senrity in llw connty conrt ael passed in \x\l, its dnties were
more clearly delined hy a snpplenn-nlal act of the same session.
The civil jurisdiction of the Jnsticte's eonrl was in IS17 extended to
$40.
'I'hns it will l>e ohsei'vcd that at a very eaily jjcriod the Lejii.s-
latnre of Illinois fell into the habit, winch itecann- elironie. of
<'han,uiii<i' and reor.yaiuy.iii,i!,' the conrtsand niodil'yin,i;' their jurisdic-
tion at almost every session, down to ')>■■.■ adojttion of the constitu-
tion of JStS. Since then this species of legislation seems ti> have
<'xpended itself in the •VeipuMit chan^'cs of the terms of (MMirt in
the various cintnits. Next to chan,i;inj;' and sidftin;^ the well
•settled principles of the law in its relation to the rights of i)roperty
and tlu' midtifarioiis tiansactions of Itusiiu-ss, notliin;;' is so ]ivr-
incious as the varying- of the means and nnxlcs of ohtainin.ij:
redress in oui- coui'ts. IJotli onyht to be ])erirninent.
Dnrinji' the territoi'ial existence ot' Illinois tiiree u'cneral assem-
blies were elected by the people — the conncil lioldili.ii' over the
.second term. In bS!4 Col. I5enjamin Stephenson, father of tlu^
late jiiillant .hnnes W. SteiduMison, of (ielena. was elected delegate
to congress, and in ISK; Nathaniel Pope, who took his seat in
i'onjiress l)ecend)er 1.S17. The Icj^islalure met eveiy year at Ivas-
kaskia,but the sessions w«'re short. New(!onnties were establislu'd
from time to tinu'; in bsir>. the tii-st formed by the lejiislature,
was named Kdwarils, in honor oi' the ji'oNciiior. In bSl."), White
(MMinty was or^ainzed. muned in honor of (Japt. Isaac. White, who
fell at Tippe<*anoe; in iSKi, Moni'oe, Crawford, .lackson, and
i'ope, tin' lattei' in honor of the newly elected delei;ate to eonuress;
in ISK;, ISond. in honor of Shadiack IJond, first (ioverin)i' of the,
State afterward ; and in l.SbS, L'nion, Fianklin, and Washington
connfie.s were organized.
A\'e subjoin a few specinuMis of cnrions leuislation (birinj'' teri'i-
torial times. It will be ol)ser\('d that the S«oloiis of that jteriod
thundered considerably in the preandde. By a law of JSoptendx'r
17, 1S()!>, to rej;idate the elections, all comni- -^sioneil odicers, either
fedei'al or teiritorial, except Justices of the peace and nnlitia.
ollicrers, were made ineli;^ibU^ to a. scat in eitliei' branch of the
jieneral assembly. The oliject (d'this law is not set clear, unless it
was to avoid a monopoly of oflicial di^idty and imjHirtance; but
sm-li pi'oscriptiou could m)t be liiooked, and aceordinjily it fell i»y
act of J)e(!einbor 14, 1SI4, the preand)leof which, ('(Uisistiuj;' of li
Avhex'eaHcs, i.s as lm<>'e a specimen of "gaseous buncond) to conceal a
trn«' intent, ami nnike it appear that the law of lS(»!t was immensely
oppi-essive to the ptoiile, as can be reclaimed from theeaily annals
of i>(»litieal denia;j;()guery in Illinois:
" WiiKKKAS, Tiie free people of this Territory areaseompetentii.s their
pul)lic serviuits to decide on whom it is tiieir interest to elect to re|)reseiit
them ia the f^eneral a send)Iy; and are too euli,!j;iitened and inch'pendent
to reeoffiiizetiie odious andaristoeratieal doctrine that they are tiieir own
worst enenues, or to admit tliat it is tlie duty of tiieir re^jresentatives to'
save the people from themselves; and
ly
290 IIISTOllY OF ILI.INOia.
"WiiKiiKAH, TliiH lof^iHlature, lu'lii^r foinposed of tho sorvaiits, not the
nmstei's ol llif pi'opk', caniiol witlioiit iiii arliitrary a.ssiiiii|itioM of pusvor
iiii|)(is<> rcstriftioiis iipoii tlic latU'ras to tlii' clioico of tlii'ir ri'ini'.sciila-
tivi's, wliicli aiv iiol warrantcti Uy tlif cxju'i'ss words or lu-ci'ss^ary
iinplicatioiis of the onliiiaiico from wliicli tlu; Ifgisluturi' dciivts its
j)o\vt'rs : ami
'■\Viif:hi:\s, 'I'ln' duties of tlu" Judges of 1 1 H' county court cstalilisiu'd
by law arc sucii as liavc iicrt'tol'orc been [HTforiiicd in liic tciTitoi'y liy
justices of tiic peace, l>y wlioni liiey are also usually pi'rfornu'd in many
of the States, and tlici'e heiiijj; notliinir in the ordinance, nor any reason
to exchide from a scat in the Icjiislalurc those jud^i's of tlie county, or
surveyors, or prosecuting allorncys, that do not apply with i-qual Ibrco
to niilitai'y otlicers and Justices of the peace, and tlic dutii'.s of llu' foi mer
heinj; no more incompatahle with u scat in the Icfiislalu.'c than those
of the latter, tlu'rel'ore," itc. By one short section of two or three lines,
laws inccmsistcut with tlu' uhove sentiments were abolished,
Aijoliu'i' spcciiiM'ii, wiio.sc object is disclosed iiitiie preaiuble, .ve
caiiimt lorbear to f;ive :
" WiiKUKAS, Voters have hitherto been obliged to vote by ballot, and
the ignorant as wel' as those in ombarassed circumstances arc thereby
subject to lie impost'd upon by electioiu'crin^zi-alots; and
"\Viii:ukas, It isconsistenl withthe spiritof representative republican
government, since the opening for bribery is so muuifest which shouhj
ever be suppressed in such a governnrent, for renu'dy whcri'of,'' &c.,
when follow tho sections abolishing the ballot. These reasons would
hardly be- tenable at thei>resent time, and were doubtless false then.
"i'.y iiii act of DeecMiber 24, 1814, "To prouiote retaliation upon
hostile Indians," we liiul evidenct's ol" llie extiemc^ uu'asufes of
delcnce to wliicli the piiuieeis had toresoit. Tins may be diniciill.
lor us at tills liuu', witli a popiilaliou e.vceediii}; li,."i()(>,(Hl(l, and the
linliaiis many limidiccls of inih's away, to a[)pi'e('iate. The \nv
amble icrers to tliu ••liostih' iiiciii'sioiis of savages, tiieif indiseiim-
iiiate siaujiiilei' of incii, women and eliildreii. Iv\p«'iieuee sliows
tiiat noliiiiiji so iiuicli lends to elieclv those bloodthirsty moiistefs
as ietalialioii."aiid "to eiieoitra<;'e the bravery and enterprises ol'
our leilow cilizeiis and other peiscms hereat'ter t'iij;agrd in iVoutier
deleiiees," it is eiiaeled : I. Tliat when in such ineiirsions into
the setth-meiits, the eoininission of murder or other depredations
by Indians, citizens, ianj;ers, of otlier persons who shall make
l)risoiiei's of, or kill such Indians, shall receive a reward lor each
Indian taken or killed, ol fjSoO -if done by ranji'ers or others
enlisted in the deleiice of the eonntry, $i;."> only. '2. That any
jtersoii, haviuji' obtained ])erinission Ircuii a eommandinj;' ollicer on
the frontier to i^o into the territory of hostile Indians, who shall
kill a warrior, (»r take prisoner a scpi.iw or child, is entitled to a
reward of $Uld for each warrior killed, or s(piaw or child taken
l)risoiier. 'A. That any i)aily of ranj;ers, not e\<'eediii<i' lo, who
on leave j>ranted make incursions into the country of hostile
Indians, shall receive a reward of $">() tor each warrior killed, or
s(jiiaw or child taken prisoner.
In ISU! a relalialmy act was passed to prevent attorneys at law
from Indiana i>raeticin}>' in any of the (;onrts of Illinois, for the
I'eason stated in the preamble, "Whereas, by a law now in force in
the Slate of Indiana, persons who do not resid(> therein are not
peiinitted to practice in the courts of the said State; and wlu'reas,
that fesliicti<Mi is illiberal, unjust, and contrary to those principles
^)f libeialily and reciprocity by which each and every State or
territory should be governed, therefore," &c. The young Jloosier
ILLINOIS TEKHITORY.
2ni
Sliilc nii^lit not to liiivc ]nit j>n such cxnltcd nil's; but. pcrliiips,
she \v;is rii^lit iiltcr mII. ;is \\c liiid tliiil Ity net of .Iiiiiiniry *.K ISIS,
Illinois ntVci'cd tiic lollowinj;' prcniinnis \\>v sKstiiiiirtl indict-
nii-nls. In section I. lixiiii; tlic snliii'v of |>rost'»MitinL;' iitloincys iit
.*!(»(►, it is pi-o\ iilfd tinit in nddilion to liis siiini'v in- sjnill rcccivo
"in cncli and every case ol" felony where his indielnn'nf is sus-
tained the snni of !*!.">;" and lor other '• present nn'iitH in eases less
than felony, "if the indictnu-nt was snstained." he was to reeeivn
a pertpiisite of iit.*). Hut the most unacconntahle featnr' ot' tiiis
law icinains to he told. In section (» it was provided that if tho
indictment was snstainecl, not willistandiii.ii' the accnsed shoidd ho
acfpntted I>y the traverse Jury, the fee of the prosecntin.i;' atlorin-y
was to be paid l>y the i)rosecntini;' witness. What person, thonj^h
never so i^ood a citi/eii. in \ iew <il the <piirUs of the law, the tinessci
and the ability of counsel, iind the notoiions uncertainty of how
any Jury will (lecide. would, with the prospect of haviiiji siu'h fee to
pay, care to enma^c in an attempt to biinj; an otfendei- to Justice.
A singular pro\isi(Hi was contained in an act of Dec. 2L', iSl t,
which did away with prosecution by au atloriu'y, in cases of tivason,
nuirdei-, in- (»liier fehtiiy.
I>y ::n act of 1/ec. .'H, 1S17, the territory of Illinois was in a
manner turned oxer to and parceled on! between the medical
<l<)ctors. It was divided into the east and west districts, the head
<piarters of the doctors beinsi' located at Carnd ami Kasksakia,
respectively. The incorporators c(»mprised about all the doclor.s
in the t»'rritory, and they pritjtosed and were empowered to hold
these extensive fiehls of piaclice foi' their exclnsixc use ami benelit,
unless every new c(»mei', i»roposiini- to practice the healinj; ait,
should fir t lie e.xamined by their board and procure fioui them per-
mission to do so. for the sum of 810, failing- to do which, he was
disipialilied from colh'ctin,i>" his fees in any court or before any
imij'istrale. The act was repealed by the lirsl leji'islatiire under
the .'■tale ^■overnment.
Willi the close of the war of 1812, and the cessation of Tiidiaii
hostilities, the tide of emijiiation sef^ into Illinois with a xoliimo
unequale<l and slreniith unabated. T(» this prosperity contributed,
in no small device, t lie act of c(minress passed in ISl."., i^rantinj.^' tlio
ri;4'lit of i»i('-emptioii to settle u]»on the public (hmiaiu. This was the
first yreal lexer to imtve Illinois forward in the path of em|»ire. I'rior
to this, emiiirants in four cases out of five "sipiatted" on the
l»ublic lands, without rij;ht oi title to what they were improviiifjf
by their labor, and with the evei' harrassiufi doubt that some
siteculator mi^lit s]»y out and buy their homes beibre theyconlddo it
themselves. Small and inferior improvements were of course the
result, and jirosperity la;iji'ed. To stimulate a man to industry
and enterprise, let him be assured that his labor is md misapplied
and his title is indisputable. Sliadrach l)Oud, our dele;u;alt' in
t'onjiiess at the time, contributed Iar,i>-ely by his iiiHueuee i» pro-
curinij;' tln^ passaj>e of the act of pre-emption.
Prior to the close of the war of 1S12, money was \'ery scarce in
the west. The ])elts of the {\i'i'r, raccoon, «S:c., for which there was
a ready market, were to a certain extent a standard of exchan<>e,
and su|)]>lie(l ill a manner the eirculal in <>' medium. This condiliou
of the country wasjirealiy improved by the money distiibuted in
the payment of the rangers mid militia for their ser\ iee.s during
ilM
1 , 1-!
m
mm
292
TIISr(»i:\ <il' ILLINOIS.
tlic will', iiiifl \>y tlM> iiirrciiscd iiuiiii^^iiilioii at'l'-i' iLs clttsc. l'M'.si(|«-s,
tli<' li'i'i'ildi'iiil li';;i.sl;itiii'<', t'liiiiliitiii;^' tlic liiiiiiichil iispinil ions of
Oliin :intl Kt-ii lucky, wliicli liad t'acii aiillioii/i-d < iiiiiiiIm r ol' ban Us,
iiinii'|i(M'al*-(l at its session of iSiii, ihc ItaiiU oi illiiii)is, located at
Siiawiieetowii, and at the siieeeedin;; session, tiie hanks ol"
lOdwardsv ilie and Kaskaskia. I'liey were l>anks ol' issue. And
the le;iislatiire, not satislied witli tiiis, vciv nnjnstiv lent its aid in
t'oicin^ Ihe issne of these hanks iipoii the |ieo|ih': Hot onl,V tliese,
IhiI tlie issues of tiie hanks of Oiiio. Keiilnckv, 'r«'iinessee and
Missouri, 1»\ tiie ena<'linent of laws postiioninj;' the ettneclioii of
(h'iits unless tiie creditor Would recei\ e I lie notes of these, liaiiks,
were thus likewise forced upon ihe people. l>olh he«'aiiie hanks
of deposit for the I'liited States funds, aiisiii;; froiii the sali's of
inihlic lands, wliicli tliev used as their own. The j;overiinieiit hi.st
1>.V tlie Mtlwardsviile Itaiik, .*,"il,(MI(l, foi which iiid;;ineiit was
ohtaiiied, hut ne\«'r collected ; the Shawiieetown hank e\ i-iitnally
accoiinled lo the ;;()v«'rniiient in full.
Tills made iiuuiey, such as it was, ahiiiidaiit, times Hush, and
rendered a spirit of speculalion rife, which was apparcnlly a
desirahle state of atVairs, if it had heeii all. The circulation of
hank notes aiuoii^' a [leopU^ lar;;('ly i;;iioraiit and unused to them,
atl'orded to the \ i ioiis a rareopportiinity to set atloat <iiiantities of
counterfeit money. 'I'liis evil hecaiiie so j;reat that, to restrain it,
many of the hest citi/eiis ot' St. Clair county— did what no ;;ood
citizen should ever do — or;;aniy.ed tliemselves iiito"l'ejLiiilatiiiji' com-
]iaiiies," as they desijiiiated themselves, to visit swilt ,iiidjiiiieiit,
and condign piiuisliineiit in the foriini of .lud;.^e l>yi> ii, upon sucli
offtMulers as were to their secret cahal proxcii ;;uilty. A l>r. Kstes,
of Melleville, was chosen as their captain. Many makers or
ntterers of the hase currency, and for other crimes, fell under their
hail and were punished. It created fiicat excitt'iueiil in llie comitry.
IMililic opinion soon withdrew its countenance and condemned the
order. Altera few nioiitlis time its orj;aiii/atioii ceased to exist.
The visionary schemes of hanking' operations diiriii<i' territorial
times culiiiiiiate<l in llie ('air(>('ily charier, granted at tlii' session
of ISIT-IS. The low toi:;.iiie of land hetweeiitlu' Ohio and Mis-
sissippi rivers at their coutiiieiicc, was at a very early period re-
pirded as the l»est position in the west for a ^reat and important
city, *•' as it resjjccts commercial :'dvaiita;i«'s and local sup|(ly," as
the preaiiihle had it. Such a city, it was arj;iied. must heconie of
vast coiisetpieiice to the jirosperity of t, n territory. IWit this low
jioint of land was fre(pieiitl_\ iiiiiiidated •. \n answer to which it
was further argued, that as the ordinary iiiiindatiims oi' the
two yrcat riv<'rs rarely happened simultaneously, an emhankmeiit
mijilit lie constructed to effectually ohviate the injurious coiise-
qneiicesof floods. Tlie propriet<irs and incorporators of the city
and liaiik of Cairo were .loliii (i. Comyges, Thomas 11. Harris,
Charles Slade (afterwards nieinher of Congress), Shadracli Moiuk
(afterwards (iovernor), ^licliael .loiies, Warren IWow n, Mdward
Jliimphries, and Charles \V. Iliinler. Tliese j^cnth'ineii proposed
the follow iii;^ self-execntiii<>" scheme to build ill) a Iar<>(^ city there,
]ionr wealth into their cotters, and at the same time render tliem-
selves public heiiefaetors. The basis or capital of the hankinji,' in-
stitution was lillOO (!airo city lots, (>(> by ILM) feet, valiu'tl and lim-
ited at $1.")0 ea(!li. The streets were to he SO feet iu width. As fast
ILLINOIS TF.UIMTOHV. 203
as tlic lots \vcr«' sold !^."»(hi|'llit' piod'cds ol'riicli wjis to hv dcvntctl
to IIh' coiistnii'lion of :i Icxt't' to scctirc tlicin ii^Miiist tlic llooils,
SI I id to I lie iiii|)roM'iii<-iit of | lir i-it \ l),\ tlif liiiildiii.u o|' |iiil)lir I'di-
tiers. 'I'lic rrsidllf -Itcili.i; ■*<1<MI per lul Wiis to roiistilnlt' tlic('il|»
itill of tlic Itiilik, Mill tin;; to .^L'tKI.CMMI. 'I'liiis \\ ;ls ii yii'ilt city
to Im' loiiiidcd I Coiild I'topiii ;;(» I'liitlicr .' Ol' course tlic scIiciik^
proAcd ii t'iiiliirc. (':iiro i:iii^iiisiicd I'oi iiiiiii\ vciirs. Iiiij ;it tlic
incsnit, w ilii iK-tiiiii c:i|»iliil. the power ol" iieive iiiid iiiiiscle, iiiid
tlie concent nit ion of rnilroiids. site is ni.-iKin;; nipid strides towiii'd
tlie i'e:ili/;ilioii of liei' eiirl.N diciiins. I )iii'in.i; llie iiilermd iiiipl'oNC-
ineiil iii;iiiiii of IS.'IT liiis(':iiro I'liiiilv Wiis ;;id\aiii/.ed into life, liiit
Jifler Hoii) isiiiii,!;' u short period expired.
.\iiother I 'topiii wiis the iiicorporiitioii of ;i c(»ini>;iii.\ , iit ihesjiine
session, for the ciilliii;ndl ii e:in;il :i few iiiiles noilli of ( 'uiro to
unite the u.'iterA^ik'* the Mi.ssi,s>i|ipi wiliitlie Oliio, \ i:i tlie town (d*
Aiiierieii, liieii in .lohlisoii comity, owned l>y tlie eoinpiiny. 'I'olls,
Willi rfii;.;e cliiir;;es, etc.. iiiidei' <'eiliiiii restrict ions, were periiiitti-d
to this coiiip;iii\ : hilt iiolhiiii:' ciiiiie of it- 'I'lie scheine w;is some
1.") or is ye;irs since re\ived, in coiinection with the present
INIonnd Cily.
('niiimeire tln'ou^^lioiit tile eiirly iiiid territoriiil period of Illinois,
:ind to no inconsideinUie extent for some t ime iiflerwiiid, w;is in its
lieljiU'ss infiiiM-y. All foreign products (•onsiimed here, either nat-
iiiiil or imiiiiifiiclnred. wer<' hroii^ht to Illinois \ in New ( )rleiiiis,
in keel hoiils, pn>li<'d iit ij^reiil hilior, with lonu poles, and towed at
jtoiiits will) lon^- ropes, a process called '•cordellin ;;■.'' a,L;aiiist tin;
.stron;;' ('iirrcnl of the Mississippi, !ty the hardy lioatmen of that
<lay; or wagoned ov«'r the Allei;liaiiy nionntaiiis from riiiladelpliia
to I'lltsliiiry', or from i'.allimore to Wheeling;; thence in tlat Itoats
lloated down the Ohio and landed at coinenieiit points, whence it
was a;;ain taken by waiLfons to the tinal points of destination. A
trip fioni St. Louis to New Orleans and ha(d<. with keel boats,
uas a six months \(»ya,i;e. Mill a revolution in the carryiiiu busi-
ness of til*' Morld, was at hand. Tin' power of steam had been
utilized, and by T'ldloii siiccessl'ully applied to the jtropiilsion
of vessels, wlijc'i prodiic«'d a wonderful etVect iijioii the western
<'oiintr.\ in contiasl between steam as a motor for coincyaiice and
the oi-(linar,\ mode by keel or tlat l:oat, w liicli iiian,i;iirated a new era.
TIr' llist steamboat to as<'end tin* Tppei- .Mississippi, reached
St. liOiiis Aiiiiiist li, ISIT. It was named the " (ienerai I'ike,"and
was coiiiiiiaiided by Uaplaiii tracob lieed.
|Or the lii'st wfeiiiiilioii't on tlic Oliio, tlic " New Orlciins," whicli wiw InuMclicci lit
riltslmriili III tile simiiiu'i' of IHll, it is rcliitcd tliiit, •'The novel iiiipeiiriince of the
vessel. 1111(1 thr' Iciiifiil riipiilit y witli whieh the |);iss!i»>e wiis ir.;i(le over the liroiul
rtMclii'S of ) lu' ri\ (T, e.\eite(l ii iiii.M me of terror iiikI smprise iinionji' iiiiiiiy ol the
Bettlei'K on the liuiiks, wlioni the niiiior of such nil invention hml never reiieheil : tinil
it is reliitod thai on the iinex|)e<-te(t iiriiviil of the Itoiif before Louisville, in tlieeoiiise
<if a line, still iiioonlif-'ht nifrht, the extniordinaty soiiini which tilled the iiii'iis the pent
tip steimi Wiis allowed to escape from the valves, on ronndin*? to, in-idiicedii general
lilarni, and imiltitudes in th;; town rose from their hi'ds to nscertitin tlie cause. ' *
'riie yciieral impression anioiifr the ffooil Kentiickians was, that theeoni(!t|of IKI1 visl-
lilc at the time with its iinnieiise tiery tail, and hy tlu^ snperstitious lielleved to be tho
liarliiiiHcr of war and all sorts of dire evill, had fiillen into the Ohio."
"She walked the waters like a tliintr of life,
Anil seemed to dans the elements of strife."
At Louisville, owinn to thosniall depth of water on the falls, the boat wiis detained iJ
week.s, durinw which timeseveral trips wovo made by her between that place and ("iii-
cinnati. The waters tiiinlly rose, and the trip to NewOrleans was resumed. On reaeh-
liif!- the Lower Mississippi, the boat was nearly overwhelmed by the earthipiake.s which
rocked the waters of tliegriNit river to and tro, and which confiiuied for several diiyst,
LMH IIISIOIM (il II.I.INOIH.
Tii(> |Mir.siiits 1)1' ilic pcoplt' tliii'iii;;' tfiiiloiial tiiiH's, witc mainly
ii;;rii'iilliii'iil, \ iirit'd li\ liiiiiliii;: iiiid ti'M|i|)iiiju. \'\\\ iiifnliaiits
wt'if i'iM|iiii'«Ml lo sii|)|)l,\ llir nrdiiiai'N ait iclfs of ntiiMiiiipl inn nttt
pi'iMliiccil or iiiaiiiiracliii't'il at Ininii-. ( 'olV<'*-, lea. anil Miuac tiiil
mil tiitn Ufni'iailN > nlcr into llii- tiailv nnais of tin- lamil.v. Ma-
tt'iials lor pergonal wear were iithfr ;;ro\vii, or lak<n in liif
rliasf, ami nKianrartnrcil into ;>'ai'in*-nt.s In wil'i- or (lani^litcr, tin*
niri'i'lianl snpjilx in;; (inl,\ '^onn- of tin- <|\<- .stall' to rolor llii- viool,
lla\or cotton. l''oriM;:ii mannfartiircil hoots ami sliofs, or lials
ami caps, were worn Iml 1)\ few — liomciria(l(> nio«'casins anti nu*-
cooii caps snpplyiii;.: tlic place. Mechanics in pnrsnit of their
trades, are scMoni pioneers, ami ever\ settler was his ou n carpen-
ter. 'l"he houses, mo>lly lo;; cahins. were laiill withtiiit ;ilass,
nails, hin^t's or locks ; the I'nrnitMi'c, loo, naMl<-le<l in the same
rnile fashion, was made h,v the same hand. Yokes for oxen, ami
harness for horses, the calls and wagons iirrWrilv use — without
tiles, lioxes or iron -whose woeful creakiii;Lis, for tlie want of iar,
which was not imported, nii;;hl lie iieard at a ;:reat distance, all
were mannfaetiired as occason reipiired l»y self taught artifi-
cers.*
coniiuonclntf on tlic inornlnif of tlio Idtli of ■Dt'ccmbcr. IHII . 'I'licv vviti' severest in the
ni'itfliliorhood ot New .Miidilil, wlu'ie, on the 'reiiiiessee slile, a lew miles liiiek ii I tin?
liver, the (•arlli sinik in iniiny pliiees .j(l pncl lilt feel, ciifljIliH wjtii it uieut trees lelt
HtiiiKlliiu: erect, ))|'(ii1ul'Iuk w'iiiit 18 kliov'ii tiH the Ui-el-fout Itiku — tiuinlilei' in N'nitli
Aniei'ieu.
•.•\s an Iristaneo of the ready Inifcnnity of the tiines.lt l« reliited of .lames l,enion. ii
well known pioneer of Monroe I'oniity, an olil style |{a|>tist preai her, iiiid a larii.er liy
oeenpation, who inannla<'l nred the liarness tor Ills teams as oeeasioii i'e(|nlred, that
lie iriy employed plow in.'' a piere of slnhlile itrouml one day.on tiirnln^''ont lor dinner
he lidt the harness on the lieam (d' the plonuli, as was his wiait. Ills son not dilVerintf
fi'(aii the proverliial minister s lio>s perhaps, who ha . a-->isted him liy reiiio\ iriu tlit^
Htraw fr(Mii the el ijfH:in« plow with a pitelifork, remained hrliind lonu emaiiih ti>
ooneeal one of the eollars, that lie mlKht laui' a pUi.> inji .spell while his tatlu'r was
ueenpieil in makinu anol her lint his plot laili-il ; on ret iirnlnu: alter dinner and nilss-
ili« the collar, Ills lather, rellictinu- lor a l'e>. miinites. pKiniptly divested liliiiself of
his leather lireeehes, stnlled till' leifs with stnlilile, straddled them ai'f.iHs the iieek of
the horse for a collar, and plowed the remainder of the day liare leuiied re((nliiinf
(he a.ssistanee of the trnanily inclined lioy all tlm t iiiie. .\t thisday, to proviile for
Hiicli a inis|>a|i, half day would ha\c lieeii spent in ^oin^ to town after another col-
lar, and the bov wtaild' o.olialiy have Kiim'-"'! 'li!* point.— l-'rom Kord's lli.sl(a'y of Illi-
uola.
Chai'tku XXVI.
OIM'.ANI/ATION OF TIIK STATK (1< >VKl{NMi:XT— A D-
MIXISI K'A'I'ION Ol' (i<>\i;i{NOli I'.OXD.
Our Sortlieni livuitbuji — Firnt (Jonstitiitioiidl i'imn'ntiim ami Smne-
tliiiii/ of tlir Iii'i/niiunit FromH — (iorrnn'r lioid — Licntomnt-
jl<irtrii<ir Mninnl— MtrliHi/ of (Itr Lrijisliihin' iiiiil Khrllnii of
tS'titc Offircrx — /•V/-.s7 Siiprcinr (hiitrt — Jlttrd TiincH anil First State
Jiank — Orijajiization of (Joiiiitirs.
By tlio yciir iSlS, owitij; to iicr fMpid iiicit'iist> of ]io)>iiliitioii,
Illinois iisjiircd to ii position !iiii>>iij;' tin- sistciliood of so' (•i<'ij'ii
Stiitcs. A<'coniiiijj[iy, tlic tt'i ritori.ii Ic^islntiirc, in session :it Kns-
kiiskiii in .liininiry of tliat yt-iir, pn'piirtMl antl s*-nt to N;itii:inifl
I'opc. our (l<'lt'i;iit(' in (•oimjiicss. tiit'ir petition piayini; for I'le
iitlniission of Illinois into tlieCnion on an etpnil fool iiii^- nit li t lie
(triuinal StiVtes. 'I'lie petition was pi-oniptl\ preseiiteil. and the
conoeit!)-,- on territories in duetinie r<'poite<l a liill loi' the admission
of Illinois with a population of 4(I,(KM). The ordinanee of I7S7
i'e«piifed (iO.tKIO. Sir. Pope. lool<in,i;' to the future of this Stale.
!sn<-eeedin;^ in an)endin<;' the i>ill as it eanu' iVoni the hautlsof the
coniniittee, in several essential features. One of these was toex-
ten<l the nortliern Ixaindary of the State to the parallel of M)
dejirees iHMni.iutes north latitude. The otli seetionof the oi'di-
iiance of 1 7S7, re<piired that at h-ast three States he fornn-d <ait
of tin Xorthwest territory — delinin^' the l)oundary of the western
State hy the Mississippi, the ()lii(» and the Waltash ri\ crs. and a
line runnin;^ due noith from Post N'ineennes, on the last named
stream, to Canada. This included the present Slates of lilinoiis
and Wisconsin. Hut, l)y a proviso, it was reserved "that i'' con-
gress shall hereaftoj- (ind it exped'ent. they sj.all have authority
t(» lorm one or t wo Slates in that part of said territory which lies
iMtrtli of ail east ami west line diawn tlironuh the southerly itend of
I,aUe Mi<'hi<ian." The line of 10 dei;'..'>(( min. extended tlie boundary
.'lO nules farther noi'th. To the vi<;ilance of Xathaniel I'oj)e,
tlieretoi'c. are we indebted for a coast on Lake IMichijian to this
extent: for tin; site occupied l»y the present mij^hty city of ("hi-
<*ay«»; for the northern t«'rminus of the Illim)is anti Michiuan
canal, and for the lead niiiu's of (ialena — all of which come
within that extension. It was upon the above (pjoted lan;;najie
of thcordiinuice of 1787, which was declared a compact to renuiiu
295
k
I i:i
206 IIISTOIIV OF ILLINOIS.
forever uiuilterahle, tlmt Wisconsin siibseciiiently based her claim
to tlic It iiortliei'ii coiiiities of lliis State.
Wliii*' the lorf^oiiij; were iciramouiit et»iisi(h'ratioiis willi Ihu
l)eo[»le of IlliiKiis, oiiicrs were iirjicd with iiuicli force aiul entire
ell'ccti\ t'liess upon con;^ress, aclin.i; for the nation at iai'^e. Kveii
at tiiat (lay statesmen had not faiU'd to mark the iniicrc lit weak-
Jiess, and consequent easy dissohition. of coiifech'raled reimlilies.
Tlie late «Mvil war liad not tiieii demonslrated iiie sUcn^th and
unity of the Ameiican coiife(h'ralion tlirou;;h tiie lo;,aily of tlu'
l»eoi»h'. l]iiro|)ean statesmen iiad eiit\'rtaiiied no otiier tlioniiiit
than tiiat at llie tirst internal hostile tronhle, the bonds of tin^
L'liioii wonid be broken and scattered to the winds. It was easily
.shown that the ;;eoj;rai»iiical position of Illinois made her the key
ill the western arch ot' States. The sonthern extremity of Illinois
peiie; rated far lielweeii the slaves States down t(» the main Mis-
sissippi, attbidiii,u an tiiitlet to the tinlf the year round, and
skiite<l with hundreds of miles of na\i,i;able rivi-rs on either side ;
to <^\\v her, tiierefore, a fair coast on the lake would alst) iinito
her interests tiiroiijiii the strong bonds of trade and commerce
uith the nortli and east. Linkiii;^' thus the north and the souili
by her '^couraphicai position and tin- ties of iiitereourst', her in-
terests must lie conservatixc, and she would ever exert a eontroU-
in;4 intbience upon tlie iierpetnity of the I'nioii. This view has
been amply \fiiiied in tlu- lali- war by the prompt occupation of
Cairo, ami the rally of her near i;()(l,0(KI sons to the national
standard.
Another amendment was. that the three littlis of tin- *» per cent
fund from the sale of public lands, applied to tiie i-onsU uctioii of
imblic, works in otln'i- Stales carved out of the iiortIiw«'st territory,
should instead be dexoted by the le,:;iNlature to the encoinaj:»'iuent
of education ; one sixth of which to be exchisively bestowed on a
colic;;*' (»r niiiversilv. Tlies(' important amendments were sn;;-
yested and urycd by Mr. I'ojte without insliuetion, l»ut they re-
ceived the ready sanction of the peoi»le, and today wi' are
realizing the full fruition of his foresight.* The bill became a law
April 18, 18 US.
•Niitlmnic'l I'opi' was ill) able lawyer, aridiuliis ollicial relations was ever failliliil to
his tiusln. His liist apiiearaiice ill Illinois, as we have seen, was as secretary ot tlie
te rilory. In islii. lie was eleetecl delegate to eonjfress and proenred the enahluitf
act lor ilie admission ot Illinois as a Slate Suliseiineiitly he was appointed rintej
i?tateB distriet .jndfre. in wliieh capaeity heserved tor many years, residinn' in Sprinsr-
fluld. He died in lK-)0,
[NoTK — The ipiestiori of our northern lioundary iitritated the people of the seetion
coneerned lor many years, eiiteiiiiji- into their poiitieal eonfliets and exereisiiif-- an
lnipi)rtant iiiflnence upon their local alVairs. Many of the old settlers down to il
late date coiidennied this strikintidepaitiiie from the ordinanee of ITCT, which lived
the present line fill mil. s further north, itouiidary lueetiiiMjs at various places in tho
14 northern counties eontiniied to he held from time to tune, sliowinu' tlie teeliii;; to
be deepand wide spread. vV'e note the proceedings of a larjre meeliiiH: held at Oro-
jron I'ity, .lanuary i'.', 1S4:?, as showimr thegronnds of comiilaint, and the purpose of
the iieople to eitlier belong to Wisconsin or set up for themselves:
" /iti.xii/riy/, That in the opiuion ol this ineetinjf, that jiart of the northwest territory,
which lies north ofan 'east and west line through the southerly bend or extreme of Laku
Micliiiran.' belongs to and of right ought to be a part of the State or States wliieli
liavc been or may be formed north of said line."
Wisconsin was yet a territory. They resolved further that the ordinanee of !!>*■!
could not be altered or changed without the consent <d the jieople ot the original
States and (d' the northwest territory ; that as )iarl of the people of said territory,
they would not so consent : tliat the lines designated in tlii" oruiniinee were better
suited to the geographical situation anil local interests of their region; that they
Were deeldi'djy opposed to place any of the teiritory nortli of said line within tho
jurisdiction ot a State south of it ; that they reeommended the legislature of Wis-
ooiiBin tu apply for udmissiou into the Union, uliiimlug; tliu liuo of the urditiuiiue as
bond's administration.
297
111 piifsiKiiicc (»f tlic ciiiililiiiL;- iH'^ ;i coiivcntioli Wiis culled to dral't
tlu' lirst cuiislitiitioii ol' till' Stiilc oi' !!liii(»is. wliicli iissciiihlcd iit;
Kiiskiiskiu ill -Inly, ISIS, and ('(Hiipictt'd its lulxtrs in si^iiiii;;- tlui
coiistiliitioii (III tlic L'dili nf Aiiuiist tollowiii^. We snltjoiii tlic
iiiiiiK's ul'tlic d<■l(•^ilt(■s, and tlic counties wliicli tlicy rcjU'cscnlcd,
ill llic order of tlicir oriiaiiization :
St. Chiii' county — .Icsse 15. 'I'lioinas, -loliii Messin^cr, James
LciiKMi, Jr.
iiandoipli — (icor.u'c I'islicr. iOlias Kent ivaiie.
.Madison — I5eiijaiiiiii Steplicnsoii, .Joseph IJoroiiuli, Ahraliaiii
Pricket 1.
(iailaliii — .Micliat'l rioiics, licoiiard Wliitc, Adoli»liiis Frederick
IJuhi.ard.
.loliiisoii — Ilezekiali West. \Viii. McFatridyc
I'Mwards — Seilidard. Le\ i ('oiiiiitoii.
AVliilc — Willis llar,ura\('. Win. .Mclleiiry.
Monroe — Oaldwell Cariis, lOnocli Mo(H('.
l'o|>e — Sainiicl O'Mclvcny. Ilainlct l-'crn'iisop..
.lackson — ('onrad Will, dailies Hall, jr.
Crawt'ord — ,Foseiili Ivitdiell. I'ldward N. ("iilloni.
IJond — Tlionias ivil|)atrick, Saiiiiiel (1. ^^ol•se.
Knion — Will. lOrliols. dolni Wliitaker.
Wasliiii.n'ton — Andrew IJanksoii.*
l''raiikliii — Isliain liarrisoii. 'I'lioinas Itolierts.
.Jesse i>. Tlionias was chosen iircsideiit, and Win. C. Greenup
secretary of the c(Miventioii.
'i'lie coiistiliilioii was not snliinittcd to a vote ol' the people tor
their approval or rejection: nor did the people liaxc iiiiich to d(»
with the choice or election ofolliceis uciierally under it.otlier than
that (»!' ;;d\»'rnors. the .general asseniitlies. sherin's and coroners.
Xotwiflistandinj; the elective I'rancliise was in a Itla/oii nianiier
i'Xteiidcd to all white male inhaltitaiits aliove the a.^e of lil. having-
SI residence in the Stall' of (> inonths next in'ecediii;^' aiiv election,
which it will he jtcrccived included aliens and possilily imited
iiiiiiii,nralion, there was scarcely an ollicc left to lie tilled l»y its
exercise.
'I'lie electors or people were not trusted with the choice of State
ollicers, other than iiicii t ion ed : nor of their judges, eit her siipreine,
circuit, or proiiatc: mn' of tln'ir proseciitiii,ii attorneys, county or
circuit clerks, recordcis. or jiisiicesof the peace; tin- appoint iiieiit
of nearly all these liciiii; vested in the i;ciieial asseiiilily. which
body was not slow to avail itself of the ]»o\\ers llnis conferred to
their full extent. The lan.unajic ol' the schedule was, "an auditor
of ituhlic accounts, an attorney ,u<'iicral. and such other ollicers of
the State as may he necessary, may he apiioiiited iiy the j^cneral
as.sembly. whose duties may he re,utilated by law." it is said to
have lieeii a «|iiestion for many years, in view of this lanjina,y(!,
theli" soutliorn linuiulnry : tliiu they •lisflaiined liny iiitpiition to absolve thoinselves
train iiiiy pci'imiiiry rrspmisiliility crentcil by the Icirishiliire of niiiiols on iiccniint of
till' IritiT Hill inipiDvcMicnt system , etc The resulutions were iilnplcd ii nun inn msl>'.
A cniMiiiittce ul '.I Wiis iippdiiiteil to pi'Mece(l to Miidison, witli lull power to eonsult
with 1 he (fovernof iuul the Icjlshitiire ot Wisconsin terrihn'v tiovi'mor Itoty iind t he
leulslatiin' yiivi' thcMi their MssiirMneesor eiii'ili'Sl eo-opcriition in petitioiiin^reon'rress
to\V;iril the end in \ i"\v Hut nolliinir .'vcr eiiiiie ot nil the eliiiilor. 'I'le' I'sscniiiil
point was, whether the nets ot the eoiiirrcss ol' the eoiili'dcratecl Slates are ol sueii
liiMdinir loi-ce that a eonirress nf ih.. I'liitecl Stales eamiot annul or anienil them
—whether the fornu'r possessed a llluher power tiian the latter.
*Uaaksou'a colleague died during the session ot the coiiveutiou.
298
inSTOUY OK ILLlNOrS.
\vli;it was -'an ollicci- of I lie Stale." 'I"ln' ;.;(>\ friiois were lor a t iiiit^
allowfd In a|i|M)iiil Stale's allnriie\s, icerdders, Stale eniiiiiiis-
siniieis. l)aiiU tlireelois, tSLc, liiil the le;;islal iire.> al'lerw ai'd Nested
li,\ law I lie a))|H>iiitiiielil ul' all llieseaixl iiiaiis iiKireiii I lieiiiseh es.
Oceasidiially, wlieii in lull ixililieal aeeoid, tlie L:n\ei-iiMi' would
l)e allitweil the aiipoiiil iii.u powef picIlN tVeels, lo peiliaps lie
sliorii ol' li\ a siicceediii;;' le^islal lire. In the adiiiiiiistral ion of
I )iiii<-aii, w lio had lorsaUeii .iaeksoii and ineiirred llie dis|ileasiii'e
of llie doiiiinaiil party, tiie ;;o\ei'iior was linally stripped of all
pal roiia^e, excepi the appoiiitiiieiil ol' notaries piililie and pnlilie
adiniiiisl ralors. It was a liad lealMreol' the eoiisl iliilion : it not
only depri\cd the people of their just lights lo elect the \a. lolls
oflieeis as at proeiit, liiil led hordes of place liiinieis lo repair lo
the sieal of i;(>\ erninent at cncin session of the le^iislal lire, lo
liesie^e and loiineiil iiieinliers for ollice. Indeed, this was the
chief oeciipal ion of iiiaiiN an hoiioiahle iiienilier. I nnniiierahie in-
trigues and coiiiiplioiis for place and power were' t hiis indulged.
To llie /ioNcrnor was denied the \elo power: Imt he. jointly wilh
111* loir siipreiiie Judges, was const iliited a council to re\iseall
hills passed, l»elui-e tlie\ should lieeoine law s. l'"or this piirpox-
the Judges were reipiired to attend at the seal of .uo\ erniiieiit,
diirini; the sessions of the le;;i>lat iiie. without coiiipeii>at ion. The
validit.v of all laws was thus decided in ad\ance. If the council
of revision, or a iiiajorit \, tieeiiied it ini|iroper for aii,\ lull toliecoiiie
a law. their ohjeclions were to lie noted in writiiiu; Imt the liill
iiii.i;lil. not w it h.Nlaiidin.u. he passed o\er t heir oiijecl ions h\ a iiia
jorit\ and hecoine a law. While the executive is coininoiily
a (■o-ordinale hraiich of I he la w inakiii;;' power, here he waseiil iiely
stripped ; and while the Jiidicial depart iiieiil is iievei' thus vested,
here it was clothed with a (/nasi le;;islative preniju'al ive.
The const it lit ion wasalioii! the liist orj^aiiic law of any Stale in
the I'liioii to aliolisli iiiipri>oiiiiienl for dehi. It did not prohihit
the legislature from uranlinu divurces; and this was a fruitful
source of Hejiislatioi. asiheold >lal iiles ahmidanlly teslit'v. ISiil
its worst fealnie. perhaps, was the want of a limilalion a;:ainst
t he le^islal lire loaniiiii or pled;;iii^' I lie fail li i"id credit of t he Stall!
in aid of, or lo the iinderlakiii;^' of, any piihlic or priv ale eiiler-
|iri,se; or to the aid of any individuals, associal i<iiis. or corpora-
tions. The ahseiice of siii'li most necessary liiiiilat ions, caused
Im'I' ri'peated connections afterward with hanUiii.n' sclnMiies, and
her nnderlakin;: the vast system of iiilernal iinproveineiit in IS,'!?,
all of which proved detrimental to her credit, harrassiii;:' and
expensive loher linaiices. and caiiie near haiikriipl iii.u and coin-
pleiiii;^ her riiiii. Of I he iiieiiiheis <if the coiiv eiil ion. Mlias Kent
Kane. afterward a senator in coii^^ress, is ineiitioiied w it h coniinciKlii-
tjoii as a leailiii;^ spirit, and as lari;ely stamping; the coiislitiilioii
wit h its inaiiv ex<'ellem:ies.
|"l)iirln(r tlu- wlttiniur of the (ron volition tlio llcv. Mr. Wiley nml j-ontrrctriitlon, of a Hoct
ciillc'd ('ci\ (Mmnli'i's. ill l{iiliiliil|ili cimiiiIv, sciiI in tlicir pi'litloii iiskinir liiiit liixly to
ili'clni'c in t lie ciinst it iit Idii, Unit ".Icsiis Clii'lsi wiis lln' IicmcI ol llii' |.''<i\ I'l'iniiciit. iiml iliiit,
t lie llcily Sciipl uri'S w.Tc lliioiily iiilc ol IiiIIIiiiikI ))1i1(| ice.'' 'I lie prl it inn was imt,
ticiilcil wit li liny iillciil Hill, wlicnriiri' I lie ( iiM'tiiinlcis Imvc iifvcr tiilly icciiuiii/iMl
the Sliilc i^<i\ i'lniiicnt 'I'licy liini- lixikcil ii|iiiii It as "iiii liciitlii'ii iiiiil iinliii|>l./.i'<l
K<ivi'iriijiciit, ' wlilcli ili'iiics Cliiist ; lor wliicli icnMiii tlii'y liiu c iMinstiinlly ntUMil to
woi k I III' romls. siTVc on jnrit's, liohl any ollici'. or ilo iiiiy ot licr act sIiowIiil'' I hat I lii'V
reel 111 rii /.I'd the K<'viiiiiiicnl I'or a Ioiik linn' they ii'tiistil to votr. ami ikvit iliil until
the ('li'ctioii (if IH.'.M, wlii'ii the qiK'Stion wa>. wliflliiT Illinois slioiilil lie iiiailc a sliivi!
iStatc, wlii'ii llicy votL'ii lor the lital tune, unil uiiuiiiniouMly U}?niiistsluvury." Uovuiuor
I'linl's History./
UOND'S ADMI.MSI'KATION.
2m
TIk- lil'st clcftinii iiikIci' IIh* ruiislitiiliolK lor .i;<)\ cilMil', liciit,
p»\t'i'iior. ;inil iiiciiilicis (»l" llic i^ciicinl iissciiiidy, wns. iK-coidin;^
rn llir :i|)|)iiiiiliii('iil of I III' (Mill \<'i 1 1 ion. In 'It I on I hi' tliiril 'I'liiirsihi.v,
illiij I ill' t \Mi siirri'cijiliu (|;i\ s, in Si'pt riiiltcf, iSjS. All w liil i- liiiili'
iiiliiiliihiiils Jl M'iii's iilil, I'l-siiliiii; ill llif Sliili' :il the :iili)|)l iiHi ui'
t lie cuiisl il III ion well' |»(iiii il U i| lo \ olr. 'I'lic i^i'inrnl ;isst'iiil»l\ wns
1(1 iiii'cl ill l>i:i.>i\iiski;i (til lliclirsl .MoiMJiiN ( Iii'Iiil; I lie .'»| Ii) of Oct,
Inflow ill.L;-, Id set I lie lii;icliiiii'l\ ol' the lit-W ;;o\ criiliiclil ill liiuliitli.
A I'lcr I li;il. ri'^iiliir M'ssioiis were to coiiiiiiciici- on 1 he liisl .Moiiiliivs
of Dcci'iiiIht. Sliadi'Mcli lioiiij wjis I'lrclcii ^omtiioi' :ini| I'iriri^
iMciiiinl li('iit('ii;iiil i;(>\ I'liior. ;is liail licni cniiitIciI cncii lictoi-c
t lie rnrinalioii of I Im' coii^l il iil ion ; I lifv lind no o|i|io>ilioii. 'riicir
tniii-. of si'i'\ ici' wi'ic t ill ISL'L'. four \ rais.
( io\ I'liior r>oii(l w a> horn in P'rcdciick I'oiinl v. Maivlainl. in I 77.!,
iiiiil was laisi'il a fai hut on liis fatlii'i's |ilaiilalion. ami a.^riciill iirr,
was his piiisiiil in Illinois, w hii her he I'liii.uialcil in ! 7!M. IJi- Iia«l
rccciM'il hula jilain Iji^lish ciliical ion. 'I'd a <'oii\ i\ iai, hcii'\ olcnt
• lisjtosil ion, he Joinrij a naliiially slncwil ohsri'x at ion of men ami
il clcai apiircrial ion of cxfuls. His prison was erect, slamliii^ (5
led in hi^lil, ami afler niiildle lite he hecaine |»orll\ . wei^hin;^
IMKI jtoiiinls. His features were sln>ii^l_\ inasciiline, eoiii|>ie\ioii
<l;iik, Iiaiijet. and e.xesliazel. He was a favorite uitii liie ladies.f
His jovial dis|M)siiion. ilioioiii:li honestv and niiosteiilat ions inter-
<'oiirse with the jieople, mail.' him llieiiio>| |io|)iilai' man of his
day. He had hceii a memiiei' of I he general asseinldv under the
liiiliana 'reniloiv. a delei^ale to ei'ii.mess in hSIl,', and in tlieialler
(•a|»ai'il_\ he |iiociired the li.nht of |»ie einpl ion on (he piihlic,
domain : in hsj I he was a|)|M)iiited receiver of the |iiii)lic inoneys
ill Kaskaskia. Afler his j^iihernaloriai term expired he ran in
isj I. for eoimiess a.uainsl Daniel I'. ( 'ook, inil was uealeii. S:ii»-
.seipieiitlv he was ajipointed register of the land oflice at Kas-
kaskia ; vv here he died, in peace and conleiilmenl. April I I, 1S;!0.
'I'iie I'oiinlv of Kond was named in honor of his memory.
I'ieire Menard was iioiii at (^)iiehec in I7<>7. At the aj^c of l!l,
inspired hy adv ('iiliire. he came lo N'ineeiines and entered llu^
eaiplov ol'Tol. N'i^o.a mercliaiil. In i7!>l) heiemoved lo KasUaskiii
and eii;^a.i;('d in merchandising with iMiliois. of \iiiceiines, lly
his Irade wit h I he I ndia lis. and in v a rioiis pnl die capacities, he soon.
Iteciime w ell know n. Nalnremade him frank, kind nnd honest;
liis mind, with Iml an ordinary e(hicalioii. was st ron^, and his
Jnd.uiiient ipiick and iineirin^i. His imiiisl ry was wonderful, heiiiif
never idle. l"or maiiv vears he was jnovcriinieiil a.^ent for tlm
Jndiaiis, and thai race had llie most implicit coiilideiice in his in-
tejii'ity. As a merchant, it is said, he could hiiy their pelti'ies
ill lialf the price a *• l,oiiu Knife" wo'ild have lo pav. H«^
had heeii a meinher of the lower house of the legislature vvliih;
Illinois was under the ImiiiiiiH re.i^ime. and a iiieinlter of I he Iliinoi.s
Ie;;islaliv e council fr<iiii ISIH ;o |S|,S. heinii iIm' president of thai;
IhkIv. In tiie framing of ijic const itiil ion the (piidifiealions for
lieiileiiiiiil jiKveriior wei first tixed the s;iiiie as those of the yov-
enior — (Hie of which was cili/.eiiship of the riiiled Stiites for IM)
yeai's; hiit iis that would exclude ( 'ol. Memird. w ho had heeii iiatiir-
iili/ed only some two years, the coineiilion elianyed t his provision
ill the siiediile as ii special favor lo him, he hein;; ;;eiienilly h»oke«l
tUuyuolU's rioiiuur Kialury.
3(Kt
IIISTOUV OF ILLINOIS.
I'orwaid (o for tliiit |»(».sili()ii. A'lcr tlu' cxpiiiilidii of his term of
ofHci' lie (Iccliiicd all t'lirtlici- friitlcrs of oHicc, iicccpliii^' only lliat
of I'liitcd Stales ( 'oniiiiissioiicr hi heal with llic Indians, whose,
character lie knew so well. I le acciininialed <|iiilc a I'oitnnc. hnl.
it was greatly inipaii'cd l)y that kindness of heart which allowed
him lo hecoinc security lor his friends. In IS.">!I the le^islalnre
Innioicd his name l»y estahlisiiinj;- the c(»niily of Menard, lie died
in IS|| ill the ripe a.n'e of 77 yeai's.
The State le,i;islal lire met at the a|ipoiiited t iiiie. October .Mil,
IHIS. Niniaii i'^dwards, the retiring' e\eciiti\(' (»f the defunct
territorial uoxt'iiiineiit, and .lesse i!. 'I'lioinas. one ot'tlie federal
Jiid^cs for the territory, who had also lieen president <d' the c<in-
stitiilioiial comeiitioii, holh looked loi'ward to the I'liitcd States
senalorship. and weie not disappointed in their aspirations. ()iii'
nieinhcr to the lower house of congress at the time, was .lolin
^Mclicaii, elected in the Se|iteinl)er pre\ions. in one of the most
meiiioraltle political caiiipaijj^iis ever had in Illinois, i)aiii<'l I*.
('«»ok heiiiu' his oppinieiil. lOlijali ('. Ilerry was elected andili>r of
]»iil»lic accounts, .John 'I'liomas, Slate treasurer. Daniel I*. ('<iok,
atlftriiey j;-en<'ral, and .Messrs. Itlackwell vK: l!crry State printers.
Klias Kent l\anc was appointed Secretary of Stale. 'I'lie supreme,
(•onrt, llie Jiidiics w licicof w ere reipiired also to do circuit tinly,
vas to <-oiisisl of one chief Justice and three associate jiislices.
r>olh houses aiiiiiii met in joint session on I hi' Si ji. ;ind on the llrst
hallol .Jos<'pli i'liiilips was elected chief Just ice l>y '.Vl oiil of 40
V(»l<'s cast ; 'I'lioinas ( '. lirown rccei\ ini;- Land Henry S. Dodii^c ."{.
l''or associate Justices. Win.!'. l''osler and Thomas ('. I)idwiiw<'re,
chosen. on the tirsi ballot. Henry S. Dodu'c recei\iiiji' at the same
time IS votes, William Wilson !."),('. It. Matheiiy U. John Wainock
1. .lames W. Whilini;' I. and ,lo>epii KitciielJ 7. On itallotin;;-
a.naiii, a new candidate, -lohii IJeynolils. afteiwanls j^on crimr. was
hron^ilil forwai'd and on the second liallo! elected l>y L'l' out of the
'10 votes east. I'liiilips was a lawyer of tine inlellecliial eiidow-
iiieiil. lie ha<l heeii a captain in the regular army, and diirin.u tin;
war of ISIli had sccw ser\ ice in Illinois; aflerwai'd he wasappoinled
secK'tary of the territory in place of N'alhaiiicl i'ope. IJein;;'
iimliilions, he aspired aiio\c the dull routine of the conri at tlia.t
da\. and in ISL'2, l»e<'oiiiiii,u' a candidate for^-o\ernor a,yainst
("oil's, resijiiiiiijH' his place upon the heiicli on the Itli of .Inly, lait
was defeated. Tiiiswas more than his hijili slriinu- nature woidd
brook, and with feelings of dis^nsl ;il t lie in.uiat iliide of the people,
afterward quilled the Slate and remo\ ed to Tennessee. On tlie .'list
of Aiiunsl, ISi.'2, Thomas I'eynolds was appointed in his plai-e.
JJiitwii w as a lar.i^c, soinew hat stately lookini;'. alfahle man. yieldinii'
ill his disposition, with little indiistry tor st iidy. and few of the
lii^her (inalilies for a Jiid>4i'. He remained on tli(>l)ench till llii^
constitntion of ISIS went into ellect. a period exceediiiii' thirty
years.
l>'i'.\ Holds, in his ''Own Times," written many years later, tells
how he came to liechosen a memlier of that exalted tiiltniial, the,
supreme court. At the lime he resided at Cahokia and had no
ilitenlionof xisitiny Hie session of the Ic.nislatiire. whi<'li was<lis-
jM'iisiiiji' s<» many fat lliinjis on the fiist oij^aiii/atioii of the StaU^
p»\<'rnmeiit. He cared little who olttaiin-d ollice, and certainly
wanted none for himsell". Hut bciny iir;L;i'd by his friends, lie
IJOND'S AI)Ml.\ISri.'.\ll(»\.
;}()i
Joined tliciii ill it visit to K;isU;iskiii. \'\}nu iiiriv:)! they loiiiid
liiilcii rxcilciiiciit iiiid coiiiiiiuliuii ill liii- ciiiiil;)]. iin-i(l<-iil lollic,
st'lt'clioii (»!' State ollieers. In ii lew days lie was iiri;cd ti) ;^i\('.
liis assent to I >eennie a candidate for sii|neme Jiidue. This r((|iiest,
lie says, lii'()l<e irpuii linn like a ela]) ut' lliiindei'. liis eoiiseiit \«a.s
yi<'lded, lie was elected. I lis experience in tiie law was foiii years
pi'actice oj" "coiiiiiierce in land." * ■•! s|ieenlated. sold lain! and
lioni;!!! two stores of dry ;;oo(ls. ainoiinliiiji to « HI. (Mid.'' His lirst
term ofcoiiit wastoliiiii a "st i'anj;e and novel liiisiness.'' Tlfis was
at ( 'oviiiutuii, W'asliiiiiiton coniity. aiiioii^' his loniier coni'ades
ol'Indian rangers, u ho now tailed to draw the line of disliiiel ion due
liiin as a siipicine Jiidyc The sheriU'. iininindfnl of the exalted
position of ins old coinrade in arms, on opeiiini: <'oiirt. made proc-
lamation of the fact, witlioiit risini; from the iiide heiicli in lln^
coiiit room wliicii he occupied astiide, >ayiii;;'. in a familiar tone,
''lJo,\s, the court is now open, .loliii is on the Iteiich.''' Tiiesc
omissions of ceremony were not distasteful to his honor, lor he
utterly detested any kind of mock dignity, though he says he was
not re.uardless of I lie",Nolemn. serious di,uiiily and decornnr" proper
in the proeeedinjis of court.*
lM»ster, anotlier of the supreme Jiidjics. resijiiied within a
year — .liiiic 2L', l.Slil. lie •' was almost a total staiijicr in tiie coun-
try, lie was a .ureat rascal, lint no one knew it liieii. lie ha\ ini;'
Iteeii a citizen of the Stale only for alioiit three weeks before he
was elected. He was no la w.\ er, ne\ cr lia\ iiii; cither studied or
piacticed law ; lint a man of winiiin.u. |iolislied manners, and
willial a gentlemanly swindler, from some jiart of \'ir,uinia. * *
He was l>elie\cdto he a clever fellow , in t he American sense of
that pliiase, and a ^ood liearted sdiil. He was assiiiiied to hold
courts in the circuit on the \\'aliash ; hut heiiiy tearful of expos-
iii,n his iittiT incompetency, lie iiexcr went near any of them.
In the course of one year lie resi^iiied his liijih ottice, hiif took carc^
liisl to po(;ket liis salary, and then removed out of the State. He
I'' a
•fjov. Vnri\ fn his lilstory, writos; "Ttiis siimc jiidwo preslilrrl nt a court. In whicli a
mil II iiiiiiircl (irccn wnw coiiviclcd of iTnirilcr; iiinl it licciimc his uriplciisiiiit 'liity to |>i-o-
lioiiiicc scMtciiri' (it liciil li ii|ioii the ciilinil lie ciiIUmI the piisoiici' liclorc liiiii, iiikI
wiiil to liiiii: 'Mr. (liccn, the .jury in their \ crdk'l siiy you me yiiilty of iiuiiiUm-, iitul tlio
law siiys you arc lo lie liuii|i\ Now I want you ami all your I'riiiiils ilowii on Iniliai) ' riM^k,
to know ihat it is not I who condcnins > on. hut it is the .jury and the law. Mr .irccn,
the 111 wallows yon time I'or lire pa rut ion, and so tin' court wants to know wliat time you
would like to III- hnmi.' 'I'otliis the prisoner rcjilicd, '."ay it pleasi^ the <'ourt, I am
ready at any time; tliosc wlio Kill the lioly have ii<i pow lo kill the soul ; my prepara-
t Ion is made, and I am ready to sutler at any time tlic court may appoint.' 'I'hc .jud(.ro
then said, '.Mi' (ireeii, you must know that it is a very serious" mutter to hu liiin^;;it
can't happen to a man more tlian once in Ids lil'c, and you hint 'letter take all the tiino
you eiui Kit ; the court will fjive you until this day lour wcidts. .Mr. Clerk, look at tho
almiuiac, ami sec whelher this day four weeks conns on Sunday.' 'I'hc clerk looked
111 the iilmaniie, as diie'cted, and reported that 't hat day four weeks came on 'I'hursday.'
The .ludHi' tlicii Hiiiil, '.Mr. (irccn, the court y■i^■es you until this da.v lour weeks, ut
which time you are to lie liiiiiK.' 'I'hc case was iJidsecutcd liy .lames 'I'lirncy, V,si[., tho
llttoriiey ncncral of theState, ivho here interposed and said • '.May it please the court,
on sole III n oecasions llki^ t he present, when t he lite of a hiinian beiny is lo lie seiilciice(l
iiwa.\- for crime, by an earthly t ribunal, it is usual and proper lor courts to pronounce u
fornial sentence, in wHitcli the leadimr features of the crime shall be liroiitrlit to the re-
iiillc<'t ion of the prisoner, it sense of liisKuHt impressed upon his conseieiiee, and in
whiclithe pii.soner should Tie duly e.xhorled to repentance, and warneil iiy^iiinst tho
.judiiiiieiit in the world to come' 'I'o this the .jiidue replied, '(II .Mr. Turiiev, Mr
(irccn nnderstnnds the whole matter as well as if I had iircachcd to hiivi a mom h. Mo
knows he has trot to be hiiiitt tills flay lour we<d<s. Voii understand it "ii tliiit way. Mr.
(irec 11, don't your'' 'Ves,' said t he |irisoner; upon which the .jiidKe remanded linn to
.jail, and the coiirl then adjourned. '
llc.v Holds, 1,1 his work enlitled"My Own Times," takes piiinsto deny the "silly falirl-
ciilion re<'orde<l In liist<ir.v," and says : ''I may not Inn c acted in that frl»rid, unfeeling'
and meelirtnlciil iiiiiiiner that would please heartless and siiperllelal nicn, whotreii-
eraily write nn<l detail these teii-pot slanders. * • [ considered tlieni both |alludini?
to the ease of one Helmet also] Knilty. and the Judtfnient of the court was ho iinder-
8tuo(l, that they were both to be executed."
302 ms'idijv <>i'' ILLINOIS.
siftciwiirds licciimc a noted swindler, iu<n inji' from eit.v to city,
iiii<lli\ inj;' h.v sw iiidliii.n- sliaiij'ers, and in'ostitutiny liis diinyliters,
wlio were very Iteantilul."*
On llie Till of An.uMsi. |S|!». William Wiisctn \va.-; appointed to
1111 llie va<'an<'y erealed l>y llie resij;iiation of l''oster. Wilson
was a youn.i; luaii, seai'cely L'."> years old, of spotless eliaraelei',
^'ood ednealion (tlioi!;^'li not eoile^iale), and fair attainments as a
lawyer, lie was soeial in his disposit ion, eandi<l and ailiess hy
natnre, willi a manner pleasant and wininni;. lie proved a sonnd
Jnd,u'e, and presided wiili a dignity wldeii inspired the ntmost
respect in the i»ar and allendanls. Tims orj;ani/ed, and with
these men t(».uiiide her helm of State, was Illinois launched on
her career of independ<'nce anioiij;' the .sist<'rhood of soverciiiii
Stales. The men who, a little (»vei- a halfcentnry a ji'o. assisted
at the political Itirth of this now ;ireat Slate, were, many (»f them,
the eqnals in sturdy viitnes of the heroes of the li'e\ oliilion,
and the jM'crs in eoinmandinji' iidellect of the fonnders of any
the Stales; linl, wilhont except ion, they liaxc jiassed to the land
of shadows, and many of them lie l)nri<'<l in oltscnre jira\cs, theii'
deeds of j;reat iM'ss unknown l<»the yreat majority of the Inrsy
thronji' of to-day.
r>iit Illinois had iM)t yet been declared adnntted into the I'ldon;
congress was not in session. \{ the <)cl(d>er meeting of the
assembly therefore, no leyisl;!! ion or business other than the elec-
tion of ollicers, was attempted, tor obvions reasons. After a
session of ei,;;lit days a recess was taken till the lirst ]\Iomlay in
.lannary, ISlit. In the meantinuM-oniiress met, and by resolntion
oi' Decemiter .'id, ISIS, declared liliiiois to be •• one of the I'Mited
States of America, and admitted into the I'lnon on an equal foot-
ing with the original States in all I'cspeets."
Of the I. "» comities or,iiani/,ed at Iheadoiition of the constitution,
the faithest north was I'.ond. Only abont one fonrth of the terri-
tory of the State was embraced in these 1,") cstniities. The settled
pnrlionsof tlie State were all sontli of a line drawn from .\lton,
\ ia Carlyle, to ralestine on the \>abasli: bnt within this area
were lary'e ti'actsof wilderness conntry of several days jon'-ney in
exlent ; the settlenuMits beinji' mostly scattered aloii^- the Itordt'i's
of the ,n'reat rivers. All the vast i)rairies north of this lim'.eom-
]>risin;i' the most fertile lands of the Stale, and nearly every acre,
ol which was snsce])tible of cultivation, ready cleared and pre-
})aie(l, as it were, foitin' hand of the husbandman, was aliowlin;jj
vvilderness, uinnhabited save In the red sa\a.:i«' mid the prairio
wolf.
The ])opida1ion of tlie new Stati' for admission into the Tnion
was required to be 4«»,(I(M> ; the census of lS2(t showed r»r».L*lI.
This was a remarkable ratio of increase — exceedii:^' .'5(10 per cen-
tnm within the ))receding decade — the jiieater i)art of which had
conu' hither since the closeof the war of ISlL'.* Of this population,
scarcely a twentieth part were the desceinlants of the old l'"i-ench or
Canadian settlers, whose blood, by their lonj^' isolation, had bec<tme
freely interinin<;led with that of tin' Indians. Niiu'teen-tweidietlis
vf the residue were Ameri«*ans. and with the exception of some
fi'om I'eniisylvania, weie almost wlntlly from the southern States.
'J'he laltei- stamped their peculiar characteristics of manners and
*Fonr8 History Illinuia,
]U)M)S ADMIN IWTIIATION.
303
ciistoiiis, ill Itiisiiicss ;iii<l s(>ci:il relations, upon all of soul licni
Jlliiiois, wliicli arc in /^ical part rclaiiicil to this day. 'I'lu' nivalis
of ('(liicatioii were cxtrciiicly liinilt'il. ami with the cxccplioii of
one school for siirx c\ iiiii ainl Itook-kccpiii;^-, the only Inaiichcs of
Icaniinj;' lan^^hl at that lime were spcilin;;, rcadiii;:, wriliiij; ami
jii'ilhmctic. Nor were tlu^ latleryciicrally taii};lit, or \vilii(»iit i)ri('0.
I'rofessional iiieiicaiiie almost invariably from abroad, unless they
M'crc ministers of tiie i^ospcl, \vh<i. at that day, more than perhaps
at the present, in ol»edience to the V(»icc of the liOid, entered at
once upon their sacred calliii;^' willioiit other |)rei»aralions than a
diliueiil readinj'' of the scri|tliires — ihe fre<' qiiolaiionof which,
often without point oi' applicat ion. and their vehcincnt e\hortii-
tioiis i)i'iii;n' about all that was expected (»f them Ik Ihe people.
Ill his iiiessaji'c t<)l]ie general assembly, .laiiiiary, ISIK, (iovenior
iJoiid repented the treasury of the new Stale in an einitarrassed
(■ondition, and ad\ised a temporary loan. 'I'he tola! revenue of
Ihe State, (hie DecM'iiiiter 1st, ISIS, was re|)oried by the auditor
at !$". .■)!(> 44, part of which was in the hands of deliii([iieiil col-
lectors, while Ibi' still another part, the sherilfs of St. Clair and
(lallatin coiii'lies had refused i;) receive the warrants. A lemi>o-
rary loan of ."^-T^OIMt was therefoi-e a.nthori/ed by llir le,l;•islatllr(^
The jiovermtr also advised n reviion and modilicatioii of the ter-
ritorial laws lor the punisliiiien! of crimes, Ihe penalties whereof
were iinneiu'ssarily severe. Ibit this the le^islatiire did not \ iew'
in the siiini! lijiht, and no anielioration in tlie barbarous jienalties
of the territorial code was made. They were recnacted verbatim
(the enactin.y chinse alone beinjf chan.ycd to conform to the new
j;-overiiiiieiit), with all the whip|)in,us, tlio .stocks and pillory, and
death by lian,i>iiiin' for rape, arson, horse-stealinii, etc., left intact.
They were, howexcr, modilicd at the session of ISlM ; and not oidy
the criminal code, but all the standard lawswerti rej^nlarly altered
ut every session down to the re\ isioii of ISUT.*
'J'he imildinu' of Jails and a |teiiifenitary was also recommeiidi'd
by the yovermtr ; so also the leasing;- of the school sections — the.
])r()cee(ls to be expended for education, and those from the town-
ship of .seminary lands, to be reserved for .siibse(|ueiit use. The.
}>'overnor also recommended at that early day, the takinj;' of some,
steps toward the construct ion of tlie Illinois and Miciii,uan canal,
;i work which was not accomplished, howcM-i', for thirty year.s
after, but tliroii<;h which, at this w|•itin<,^ by the ent<'r|>rise of Clii-
ca.!4(>, the liin|)id waters of I/ak«' Michigan course their way to the
(lulf of -Mexico.
Tiie legislature fixed the salaries of the Stale ollicers as follows :
Clovermtr and siiprcMiie ,judj;'es, s^KMK) each; auditor. 87(M> ; see-
I'ctary of Slate. 8(I(H); treasurer, !!*•"»<•<>; jKiyable »piarler!y out of
the State treasury. The pcu' diem compensalioii allowed to nieni-
bers of the. I(^«j,i,slature,, tiiid also to the delej>ates who fraiiied tlio
constitution, was $4, and to each of the presiding' ollicers !?.").
The State revenue was chiefly raised by a tax upon lauds owned
by lion residents, which at an early day fell almost wholly upon
the military tract between tlie Illinois and Mississippi rivers, wliile
•" Kor a Inntr tiino tln> riijre for miif'ti'linir mi'l iiltorlrur was sodroat, tliiit it was saiil to
Ima iroixl lliiiiir Uiat the Uoiy S(M-iptiii'«'sili(l not iiavo to cotiii' he tort' tlio it'SfislatiM'-', lor
tiiat boily would lie c(^rtairi to alter or uiiicMiil tliom, sotliut no one eouid tell what was
or was not tlic word of (rod, anv more than could bo told what was or was not tho law
ot tbo State."— Ford's History 111.
im
oOl IIISTOTJY OF IM.INOIS.
tlu' coiiiity revcmics were raised by u tax <»n itcisoiial itroin'ity,
iiicliKliii;;' slaves or indent iired ser\:iiits, and by a resident lantl
tax. IJnUke as at incsent. tiie \abiation ol" lands weie liieii ti\ed
bylaw, ill tliree <'lasses, »»f !?L'. «.'» and-Yl pel' acre, lespeetixcly.
The levies of taxes were made aeeordiiiji' to tlie estiinales of liu^
siiins rei|iiired to ilefrav aecrilili;; expenses, eitlier State or eonnty.
Non-residents were rtMpiired to enter their lands foi' taxation
direrlly with the andiloi', under oath as to class; and the taxes
(Ml their lands were payal)le direetlx to this ollieer. The eolleetioii
of the State. rev(Miiie on deliiKpieiit lands was enforced by seiidiiiji
lists thereof to the slierilfs of eoiinties where sitnated to be ex-
posed at public sale. The penalty for failure of payment was
three times the tax imposed and costs.
A peculiar feature in the legislation of the times was the inak-
in<;' of im|)oi'lMnt public iiiipro\cm«-nls b\ means of pri\ate'lot-
tery schemes. Thus, the na\ i.uat ion of the \\\>x Wabasli at the
(iiaiid liapi<ls, near Palmyra, by the di^^jiinu of a canal, was
to l»e accomplished by a lottery. Perhaps a siip«'rlliioiis provision
in the law was, that the overplus of any moneys arisiuj;' iVom the
scheme, should, at the discretioii of the maiia^icrs, be laid out in
further iiiiiiroveiiu'iits. Other like schemes had for their object
the drainajic of ponds in the American Potlom, tlie biiildinu of
levees, and the reclamation (»f lands; all of lliein most worthy
objects, but, as mijilit liaxc been expected, the iiiewns provided
were very iiiadetiiiate to the accumitlishnient of the i'lnU. The
session of l.Sl!», was the last ever held at th«' ancient villa,u(' of
Kaskaskia. •
\\'e have noted the fact that the lejiislatnie, dtiriiij;' the latter
y<'ars of teriUorial existeime. firaiited charters to sevoral banks.
I'rior (o that, Oiiio and iveiitiicky had each a larjic iiir ber in o]»er-
ation. Missouri also ant hori/ed tw(» at St. Louis. The result was
that paper money l)ecame very abundant, times lliish, credit un-
limited, the throii.u' of imini;;raiits. ad with more or less means t»»
invest larue, ami pro]terty rose rapidly in value. A sj>irit of spcir-
ulation became rife. Towns were numercMisIy jthitted, lots i»ur-
<'liased on credit, houses built on promises. y(»vernment lands
entered in larji'c quantities — the price at the time lieiiiy !?!.' per
acre, one-fourth cash (the paper money of the banks beinj; re-
ceived at the land ollices, Avliich also deposited with the bank),
and three-fourths on ."> years time, under [K'aalty of forfeiture for
iioii-l»aynieid at maturity of contracts. ICveiybody invested to
the utmost limit of his credit, with the conlideiit expectation of
r«'ali/,iiiji;' a handsome advance before the expiration of his credit,
from the coining' imini<;raiit. The merchants, ever eiiterprisiii';-,
boujiht vast quantities of j^oods on time, transported hither by the.
increased facilitiits of steam navij;ation, while the ready credit
obtained at the stores, beji'ot extravaj;ance amoiij^' the i»eo[)le.
Everybody was inextricably in debt t»o everybody.
I>y ISll), it became apparent that a day of reekonin<i' would
ap|)roacli before their dreams of fortune could be realized. JJaiiks
everywhere bejian to waver, paper money became dei)reciated,
while <;()ld and silver w«'re driven out of circulation by (he irre-
deemable (Mirreiicy. The le>;islature, at its session of ISlfl, sonjiht
to bolster up the times, or stem the tide of ai»i)roaehinj;' (lisaster,
b^ incorporating a new liaiik of Illinois, a iiumster couceru, Avitli
bond's administration. 303
a <-a|)itaI of !?L',(t(>(M»()(» ; slock was divided into slmivs of !?10(»,
Avliicli inijilit l»(' siihscrilM'd by coipoialioiis or individuals, tlio
State leservinjr tlie ii;;Iit to tak«' part (»r all tliat .slioidd remain, as
tlie condition of tlic treasury inijiiit wariant, wlicnevci' tiie icj^isla-
tnic slionld deem it pi'oi»er to do so. Tlie cliaiter was to rnii L'T
years. Wlicn l."» percent of tiie stock was paid in, it was to ;•()
iato operation. The total amount of its debts was nexcr to exceed
twice tlie amount of paid np stock, beyond wliicli ollicers weic to
become liable individnally. It nii^ilit deal in specie, excliaiij;e, or
])aper pled<icd by <ioods sold, oi- j^oods wliicli mij;lit be tlic pi'o-
i'ceds of its lands. This last was a very objectionai»Ie fcatnre.
l>ooks were ojieiied for snbscriiitioii in divers towns, but not a dol-
lar of stock was ever taken, and it utterly failed to meet the
I'xijiciH'y of the times.
I>y 1S20, the banks of neijihborin<;' States were broken, and those
of Illinois susp«'nde«l ; specie had tied the country; inimijjraiits
came as moiieyh'ss as were tliose who had looked forward to their
well lilled ]>nrses; i)a])er towns failed to ;4row into Hourisliiny \ il-
latics; trade tlaj;',i;('d: there was no coinmeice to briii;^' money into
the countiy ; real estate was unsaleable; while (contracts wildly
entered into, matured. As the folly of the ))eople became appar-
ent, ruin stared them in the face. lOnormous sacrifices of ]>roperty
under ])rospective executions must ensue, unless some scheme for
relief <'<)uld be devised. In Au^iust, ISliO. a new Icjjislature was
elected. The jneinus of this body was invoked on the behalf rtf
the <'iiibarassed ])eo])le. At its session of ISl'O-lil. it willinjily
addressed itself to this work, and evolved the " Illinois State
IJank" with a caijital of half a million dollars, based entirely upon
the credit of the State.
The bills of this bank, issued in from $1 to $20 notes, were, by
sectioji 12, directed to be loaned to the i)eo]»le in sums of $1(M> on
])ersoiial security, deemed to be, in the opinion of the boai'd, j^ood
and suihcient ; and all sums over 8100 — not to ex(u'ed $1,000 to
any one borrower — on real estate security of double value. In-
terest was six per cent. To briuij the bank nearer to the people,
a mother bank was located at Vandalia with blanches well distrib-
uted — at I'idwardsville, IJrownsville, Shawneetown and the county
seat of Edwards county — the State, for the convenience of the
judilic^ beiuf; appoitioned into 4 bank distiicts. Each c<mnty was
entitled to a dir<'c.tor, who with the bank ollicers, were all elected
by tlielejiislature. The notes were made reeeival)le in jiayment of all
State and county taxes, costs and teex, and the salaries of tiie i>ub-
lic officers were payable in them. They were also made a sjiccies
of Icfijal tei ,ler, for unless an execution creditor endoised his exe-
(iution "Tlie bills of the State Uauk of Illinois, or either of the
branches, will be received in discharge of this execution," the de-
fendant was entitled to three years stay by replevy and ])ersonal
security, a most unjust fejitur/i\ Three hundred thousand dollars
were or<ler(!d to be issued immediately, to be distributed ainonji- the
respective districts in ])roportiou to the inhabitants thereof. \Vlicu
the banks ccmimenced operation, every one who was able to fur-
nish security, borrowed his $100, and those with laiuls unencuin-
bered, took their $1000 on mortgages; and as both ofti<;ers and
directors were mostly politicians looking forward to place or polit-
cal advanceuieut, few applicants, it has been inferred, were denied
20
3()(;
IIIS'I'OIIY (»F ILMxNOIS.
or liiHl llicir endorsers closj-ly .scnitiiiizcd ; thus the );•.">( K»,(l(K) were
s<M»ii iiltstd Itt'tl l)_v flic |M'(»|»I(', iiiid litth' of it was ever paid l>ack.
Miiii,\ ot'tlitisr who i«MM'i\ fd iiccoliiiiHxhitioiis, i(';;iiidt'd il I'loiii tin,'
sliiil as •• Nd iiiiicii ch'ar ^iaiii," and iicil lici did iioi' iiilcndfd to jiay.
altliuii;;ii at tlic .siii»M«'(iii('iit dcinvciatioii of tlif ciinciicy il was
not ditliciilt to do so.
Tlic issues l)ortt L' percent annual interest, and were re<h'cnnii)h)
l),v tile Slate in 10 years time, wliicii eonsliliited tiieni in fact hills
of credit, whose ennssion is inimical to tla^ consiitnlion of tlu)
United Stales.* Ahtmt this point, Uit tronhle was made however,
other tiian that the council of revision pointed out tins anion;;'
olhtM' oltjections lolheliill; hut it was promptly passed not with-
stiiiidin;^'. Althou^ih no provision was made lor the conversion of
the notes into specie at any time, it was, nevertheless, conlideiilly
believed iliat the bills would keep at par withhold and silver, and
our dele;;ation in c(Hi;;i'ess was <>ravely instructed to use their
ulinosl exertion to pi'ocnre them to be made receivable at the land
ofliees in this State. "When this resolution was ]»iit toa vole in
the senate, the old l-'reiich lieiitenant^dveinor, Colonel .'\Ieiiard,
presiding over that body, did up the business as follows: (ienlle-
iien of dc senate, it is moved and seconded ih(f tie notes of (Uh
bank be made land ollice money. All in f,i\ or of daf motion say
a.ve; all a;;ainst it, say no. It is de«'ided in </<- anirmative. And
iM»w, •;enthMiien, 1 hct i/ou >f\{H) lie ncrcr he made (mid office moii(if.^''j
Such lU'oved to be the fact.
The legislature were not unadvised of their infatuation, .bdm
]Mclieaii, subseiiiM'iitly a senator in conj;ress, was si»eaker of
the house. He was opposed to the measure, and his power as
u forcilile debater was Justly drt-aded by the bank men. It i.s
riilaitle to debate all important bills in committee" of the whole,
that the speaker may participate. To avoid an arrai;;ninent of
their bantlin*;' by him, the bank majority resorted to the trick of
refusing' to ^d into ;,'ommiltee of the whole. IJurnini;' with imli^'-
iialion at such treatment, he promptly resi«;n( ,i the si>eakersliip,
and takinji' the floor, denounced in scathing' terms the expensive
folly of the scheme, presajiinji' the injurious results wliicli must
inevitably tlovv frojii its passage, involving creditors in ruin and
tiie Slate in bankrupt(!y. Ihit it was pre-deteiniined to [»ass the
bill, which was done; over the veto by the I'CMiuisite leajority. The
issues of th<' bank did not long remain at par; as their worthles.s-
ness became apparent, giKx! money was driven out of cii'culation.
Tliis was ])articularly so with small coins, and it became so dilli-
eult to make change that bills had to be cut in two. By various
.ste])s, they depreciated to lio cents (»n the dollar; and with this
\vorthless 8tj)te currency Avere the pectple cursed for a jieriod ex-
ceeding fojJj' years. By the year liSU4, their depreciation had Die
etfect to almost impede the wlnels of government. The oi'dinary
revenue, for State purposes, amounting to some $.'?(),(((•(( annually,
wasiaised by a tax on landsbelonging to non-residents; the exjien-
ditiires in good money eiiUaled the revenue. As taxes might be
])aid in bills of the State liank, non residents, as well as residents,
iivailed themselves of the <lepreciated currency for this ]»urpose.
Taxes from non-residents were collected bienniallv — an unfair ad-
*('rai(f vs. the State of Missouri.— Supreme court of theU. S.
tFord's Illinois.
I AM
Bf)NT>'S Al)MINIS'l'KA«ON. .307
Viiiitii;;(' over residents wliosc tiix went into tiic (•oiint v tiejisniicst.
]>nt til*- latter, in niiiny instances, resurti>(l to t lie aitiliee of lifting
tlieii- laiid.s in the names of nnknown or lietitioiis peisons siip-
]»ose(l to l»e noil residents, jiaiiiiii;; lliiis the same adxanta^ies,
uliieh was a jnolitie source of injury to many counties. \\ liilo
the State thus nominally received its full revenue, it was in |Kunt
of fact worth only oiie-foiirth, or one-third, as niueli as yood nmiiey.
I'nder lliese circiimstanees, the leyislaliire, tlie de|iaitiiieiit (»f tli(5
p>vei'iiment that had made the Itills a (|iiasi le^al-tender which an
execution creditoi- was eom|»eIle(! to take or wait tlii'ee ytars for
Iiis pay — than whicli iiothinu' could i»e nioi'e iiiijust hcftiitatcd not
to c<»mmit the enormity of xotiii^' themselves, the State »»t1iciaki,
jiidjics, and for other expenses, their per diem compensation, csahi-
ries, etc., in treble theamonnt of aiulilor's wairants, rated with tln^
depreciated stiiir to eipial i;i value i;ood money, 'i'liiis while the
ordiiiaiy expenses of the State ^■overiinieiit were .*<.'I0,(MM) annually,
by these i)raetics they were swollen to .*!»(».<»(»(», which the tax-pay-
ors 'lad iillimately t(» foot. Never was law more dishonorable.
With such examples from their law makers, what would ha\»'bccii
the moral etl'ect upon the ]ieople had tla-y been iiiHueiici'd by them.
A crumb w as. howoNcr. throw II to the lattei-. It was enacted for
the acconimoilation of the debtors — the hi^'^icr class, but ayaiii
in(»st unjustly t(» the creditors— aiitliori/,iii;4' the renderiiiji' of Jialj;'-
ineiits against them for only one-third of their ilcbts. and exempt in;;',
by aiiotlier act. all I'cal jiiopcrty, other than mortj;a;;e(l lands, ''from
liability to satisfy jud,i;iiieiits for said debts."
This l>aiikiii;;' folly, not to characteri/e it worse, is said to have
cost the State, first and hist, duiin^i' the ten years for w hich its
eliarter was t(» I'un, the full amount of the authori/ed issue. 8"»(*<),-
()()(>. though •"^•iO'M*"*' was all that was ev<'r actually issued. Its
j)ernicioiis inlliienee on the ji'eiieral i>rosp<'iity of the State, and
its daman'inji' elfccts upon tlu^ I'evenne. became speedily so palpa-
ble that no le;iislature ])ossessed hardihood enou^ih to eiicoiiiiler
the jjublic resentment by pro])osiiij;' tli.it the State issue the,
remaimiiii;' .*!-<><)l),(UM) provided for in tlie charter. Still issuiii;L;'
auditor's warrants and )>ayinj;- llieni out at *.') for !?1 to defray
State exiM'iises ji'enerally, as authorized by the le.yislatiire, was
inliiiitely woise. in 1S-J."», the State thus ]»aid out *!()7,(MM» in ati-
dito)''s wai'i-ants when itsor<linary annual ex)»enses in ^ood money
Avoiild not at the uttermost have exceeded sjs.'irt.OttO. This wa.s
r(piivalent to borrowiiiji' money at 1MM> [»er centum interest — a most
luinous i)olicy if well followed.
The ciiri'eiit expenses of the ))rineipal bank for the year IS24,
exceeded the discounts by .^L*, KK! !»(». \\'itliout ever meet iii>;- the
fond expectations of its friends — unless it was in the contriN aiiee
of robbin;;' the creditor class for the benefit and relief of the
debtor class — without (tbserving' any of its promises, the old bank,
a fri<>litfid source of le<;isIation all its life, linj;ered out theallotted
time of charter, and was finally wound up by the State in IS,'!!.
This was doiK! by ineatis of the " Wiy/^ins loan" of .slOO.OtIO,
■which yave to the State the reipiisite funds. This loan was for
a lony- time, unjjopular in many sections of the State, where it
Avas currently believed, it is said, that the State was sold to Wijj;-
i;ins. It lias been asserted that if the State had originally
assumed directly and gratuitously the obligations of the clamorous
308 HISTORY Ol" II.I.INOIS.
(li'btors, it would liav«'n»rov('(l less exjK nsivd to tlio tnnsiiry ; cer-
tiiiiily less inJiii'ioUH to its crnlit.
At tlir session of ISL'l, tin* <'»»iinti('s of (Irccru', [•"'nyctt*', Moiit-
goiiit'iy, Lawri'iic*', lliiiniitoii, Saii^iiiiioii and I'iivc, llic latter
iiit'liidiii;; ill! tiie State north and west of tlie Illinois ri\ei- an<l
wluit is now (/ook, were estid)lisli«-d. Applications t'ortlu^ aidhor-
it.v to I'oiin new eonnti(^s |)onr)-d in so liipidly that the legislature
|)i'ovided lor IL! weeks pidtliciition of their intentions befori; the
petitions of parties would in future he eidertained. A. joint reso-
lution was passed requesting' of Kentuc^ky <'on(Mirrent jurisdietioii
on the Ohio river, so far as the siinie foinis a eoinniori boundary to
both {States, which has been conceded by that iStiite.
CUAPTKR XXVII.
l822-lS2(U-Al)MIMSTI{Ari()N OF (JOVKIJNOR COLE^.
A resume of Slarcnj in Jllinoix from Uh earUent ilate — Iwlentiired
SItnrN — lilark LaicH — Kidnapphitj — Life and ('lidmrter of Gov
Cofen—Tlu' effort to make Illinois ■ Slave State in ].Sl!4.
TIio }j('H('i'iil election of Aii;;M.st, 1S22, resiiUed in tlie, ciioice of
Kdwiiid Coles us ^ovcriKtr, li.v n plnralily ol" votes over liis |>rin-
rijtal opponent, .losepli l'liilli|)s, then elii<>t' jnstie(^ of the State.
Theie weje t\V4» other eantlidiites in the tield, Tlionias (7. lirown,
associati' ju.stiee of the supreme eoiirt, and .Major (leneral dames
]S. Moore, of the State niilitia. Adolplins I'^rederiek Hidtbai'd wan
elected lienteinint ;;overnor. The other ciindiiiates for lientenant
jioxcjiior were diinies Lemon, ji'., Joliii G. Loften, Win. Tine, and
dames A. I'eacock.
Into this election the question of slavery entered to a very ooii-
si(leial)l<^ extent, Coles and Moon^ heiny- anti, and Thillips and
l>ro\vn pro slavery. The conntry had l»nt Jnst (Mner^i'ed from tlio
jniijry contest ovei- that snl»ject as connected with the a<lmissioii
of Missouri into the Union, in wliich onr senators in con;;ress,
iMessrs. Kd wards and Thomas, had taken a leadin;.; part,l)ein;; the
orifj;inators of the compromise line of .'>() dej;ress and 'M) minntes,
while onr niemher of the House, Dainel 1*. Cook, with much vi;;(>r
liad opjjosed the a<lmission of .Missouri as a slave .State. Thomas'
term as senator would expire with the, existing' eonj;ress, and he
looked forwai'd to an approval of his course in conj^ress and a re-
election. Of the le;ij;islatnre chosen at the same election, a nmjority
was against the <iovciiior in his anti-slav<'iy \ lews. J>nt the sub-
ject of ]ii'incipal intei«'st dnrin;;- his administiation was the
(•onvention stiiiji,ylin;.i' to make Illinois a slaxc State. To f;ive the
reaflei' a more connected idea, we have hei'ctofore purposely omitted
to j>resent in chroiiolojj;i<'al ordci' the kindred sultjects c(tnstitutiu^
the heading' of this ehaptei', and now ^'roui» them toncther.
African slaves weic tirst bronj;ht to Illinois in ITl'O l»y Iicnault,
a;;'ent ami business manaj^er of the ''('omiKiny of St. riiillips."
The belief (d)taiued in Fran('e at that time that the wealth of the
western world consisted in ifs jx'arl lislieries, its mines of j;'old and
silver, and the wool of its wild cattle.* A mouoi»ol3- of these
resources with many others, was tirst jiranted by the Kin;;' to Crozat
in 1S12, and upon his i'esi<;inition in 1717, to the ^reat "Com])any
of the West," of which tlie St. rhilli[>s was a branch. Kenault
left Fi'ance in 1719 with a cargo of mechaincs, ndners and laboiers
•Charlevoix, ill, 389.
309
310
niSTOKY {)V ILLINOIS.
iMHiilx'iiiiji sonic L'OO, nnd on liis wii,v liitlicitoiiclicd willi his vessels
iit San l)oniin;i<), where lie iMirclnised ."(0(1 slavi's. and thus pre-
])ared to inoseciite llie objects of the eoiniiaiiv. he ani\t'd in
Illinois. He loiiiided (he \ illa<;(' of "St. IMiillips," in what is now
the southeast eonier of .Monroe eoiilitv, whence he sent out exiihn-
inj: paities to vaiions sections in Illinois and Missouri, to |H'ospcct,
lor the piecioiis metals, in 17U. hefore his return to I'rance,
Iveiianlt sold these slaves to the i-'reiich c(y|oiiists of Illinois,
Vi\ iei'. a missionary amon,i;' the Illinois, six leagues from l''ort-
Charti'cs, under date of June S, 17.10 writes: "We have here,
wliitcs, ne,t;roes, and Indians, to sa\ iiolliiiiuof the ci'oss breeds.
There ai'c li\e French xiilaj^cs, and thie*- of the iiativi's, within ;i
.si)aee of I'i leagues, situated Itetweeii the .Mississii>i)i juid another
I'iver called the Kaskaskia. In the Ihe French villa.yes are,
perliai»s, 1,1(1(1 whites. .'>(»() blacks, and some (Id red slaves or
.savaji'es. 'ihe thre*' Illinois [Indian] tt)wns d(» not contain more
than SOO souls, all told." These San l)oiiiiii,n-o slaxcs thus intro-
duced became the pi'Oii'ciiitors of the French sl;iv«'s in
Iliinois.
The edict (»f Lonisthe XIII. dated A[)ril L'.J, 1(>I.~>, first recognized
slaveiy in the French possessions of America, and the French
.settlers of Illinois bron,L;!it with them from Canada the l''rciich
laws and customs, amoiiu' thi-iii the law which tolerated shi\ cry.
Jn March, 1724, Louis XV i)id)lished an (trdinaiice reeuact'u;; the
edict of XIII, and for the '•re.nnlation of the novi-rnment antl
administi'ation of Justice, police. disciple, and Irallic in iieuro slaves
ill the i»rovinc(' of Ii(»nisiana," which included Illinois. It |>rovides
that the slaves be ba]>tized and instructed in tlu' Roman Catholic
religion and that they obserxc the S;il)batli ; prohibits theinter-
niarriajie of whites ami blacks, under penalties, and the priests
Iroiii soli'mnizinji' such niarriaj:'es; provides that tlu' chihlr- n of
slaves shall be bomlsmeu. or if one jiarent is free the children sliall
follow the condition of the mother; that sla\ cs enfe»'l»led by ajic or
inliri:«iity shall be maintained liy the master; allows the inastt-r to
])iirsue and recai>ture fuj;itives; prohibits their severe tr*'atment,
and the separate sale of husband or wife, or children iimh'r aji'e,
of a family, either by bill or e.\eeiiti<m ; provides that no skive
over forty years old attached to lands, shall be sold from (he land,
unless for the debt of his imrehase; enjoins their parental treat-
ment upon the masters, iS:c. The edict contains .V> articles, ami
may be found at larj;(- in Dillon's llistoiy »»f Indiana, i, .U. It
Avas more Just, and tempered with j;r('ater mercy, than nmst laws
of that character.
Thus was sla\ cry ori,i;inaIly established in Illinois. r>y the peace
concluded at Paris, Feb. Id, 17(>.), this country, as a <lepeiidency of
Canada, was ceded to (Jreat r>ritain,and whendeueral (lajio took
]»ossession of Illinois, he iiromised in his |iroelamation of I)e<'. M),
17(tl, to the latci subjects ot' France, "that those who choose to
retain their lands and become subjects of his [ilritauicj majesty,
shall enjoy the same ii;;lits and pi'ivilejics. the same security for
their p»'rsons and etl'eets, and liberty of trade, as the old subjects
of the kiiij;'." .\.t this p<'riod iOni^land reco^iiiized slavery in all
her American colonies, and the actpiisition of Canada and its
dependencies operated to extend her colonial laws and customs to
these.
coles' AD:\IINISTRATIf)N.
311
Next, Vii'iiiiiia, 177S, tlivoimli Ikt expedition iiiKler tlie ('oiiiiiiiUMl
of (ieoi'ju'e IkOi^ers Cliirli, iiiade tlie coiiqiK-st ot' Illinois, and as soon
as I lie news was received, lier house of hui',uesses Ini'tliei' declared as
williin lu'i'clnirtei'ed liniitstlie whole of the northwest teiTitory, and
jiroceeded l»y act to ei'ect it into a county which was called Illinois,
and extended o\-er tiiis conntry her laws and Jurisdiction. The
jueanilileof the act recites, "that the iidialtitants liad acknowledii'ed
themselves citizens of tlie coniiiionwealth of \'ir,i;inia, and had
taken the oath of lidelity to the Stat<'," wherelore it was declared
"that they should enjoy their own reli;;ion, with all their civil lights
and jn-opcrty." Other States caiiK! forward with charter claims,
bur that of N'iriiinia was as liroad as these; added to which was
lier title by comiuest, yoiiij;' back to the first principles by whicli
all titles are ()ri,uiiially deduced, and her actnal occupation coii-
stiliitinn' the best of teniii'cs; and while it was iir,yed that the !al ter
could not operate a.iiaiiist her confederate claimant sister Slates,
«'n,i;ajied in a common war Jointly with liei, coii,i;ress did iioi deny
the riylit of her separate coiKjuest. After some liesitation, Vir-
j;inia liiially authorized lier deleiuates in conj>ress to convey all of
the northwestern lei'ritory to tlie I'liited States. The deed
of cession was executed .March 1st, 17S4, the. same day accej)led
and by coni^ress ordered to beenr<»lled amon<;' the jtnblic archives.
In the meantinie, by th(> treaty of peace witli (ireat Uritain. iu
17s;l, the whole of lliis country was ceded to the l'iiite<l States.
'J'he folIowiii<i' stipulation in the deed of cession has j;iven rise
to mil. ii controversy in the history of slavery in Illinois: '-That
the French and ('ainMiian inhaltitaiits and other settlers of the.
Kaskaskias. St. \'iiicents, and the iiei.u'liborin,u' villa;;'es, who ha\(!
inofcssed themselves citizens of the State of \'ir,iiinia, shall have
their ])(>s.se.ssions and titles conlirmed to them, and be ])r()tected in
the enjoyiiieiit of their rights and liberties;."
The lirst effort made l)y congress to or^yanize the northwestcrii
territory was as early as 17(S1. Tlu^ bill contained the ])i()\ ision,
'•that after the vear 1800 there shall be neither slavery nor iiivol-
initary sei'vitude in any of the said States," to be formed out of the
territory. When the bill came up for action, the ]»ro\iso, on a
separate vote, failed, althoiijih (i Stales voted foi' it to .'? against;
i>iil under the ai'ticles of confedeiatioii the vote of !> States was
rcipiii'cd to carry a measure.
On the l.'Uh of .Inly, 17S7, congress adojjted the oidinance Cov
the jioveriimeiit of tlui teiritories northwest of the ri\ cr Ohio, llie
(illi article whereof I'cads as follows; --'i'liere shall be neillier
slavery nor involuiitaiy servitude in the said territory, otherwise
than ill punishment of crimes whei'cof the party shall have been
duly convicted."' The ordinance was subsecpicntly approved under
the coiistiliifion, when the latter went into opeialion. The ads of
coin;ress dividiii;n' the territory, both in the case of Indiana and
Illinois, extended to the inhabitants of each, ail and siiijiular the
lights, privileges, and advantaiics j;rante(l by the ordinanco
originally, as we ha\'e seen. The census of ISOO yave the niimbei*
of slaves in the Indiana territory, wiiich then included Illinois, as
l.'J.'i. In ISIO Illinois separately had KJS slaves; in ISUO, !»17, whi(!li
l)robal)Iy includediudentured and registered servauts,aiid in bs.io
740.
312
HIHTOKV OF TLT-INOIS.
Tlic r»tli iiiticle of tilt' oidiiiiiiK'c of 17.S7, proliibitin^' slavery,
becaiiic at an ciirl.v period ai .suhjeet of repeated ('oiiij)laiiits. Iii
17!H) four persons in Kasluiskia, (loiiMless pietiiriii*:' to tiieiiiselves
ill j;<»l(ieii colors tlie ease and aflliieiiee incident to sia\'e labor,
]>etitioned congress to snsitend the restriction of tiio ordinance.
>»'oveinl»er L'li, ISOL', (lov. Harrison, in coni])Iiance with the wishes
of a ninnher of iniial>itaiits. l»nt with what le,i;al rii;ht it is dilticnlt
to conceive, issned his jtrocianiation directing; tiie jteople to hold
an election in the several eonnties (»f the tt-rritorv on the lltli of
December and ciioose delej;ates, who were to meet in convention at
"N'incennes on the -dth instant, to deliberate on "territorial inler-
osis." Fioni Illinois, for the c(»nnty of St. Clair, Shadrach liond,
flohn .Moredoek, and .lean F. Perry were retnrned, and for
I'andolph, Ifobeit Moiiison, Pierre Menard, and Robert Keynolds;
(lov. Harrison presided. The object was to obtain from con,uress
a rejieal or modilication of the (ttli article of the organic act,
]»rohiltitin,u the introduction of slaves into this territory.
A meiiiorial was prepared and tiansmitted to congress, deelarin;;'
the consent of tl »> people to a snspension of tlu' prohibitory
clause: tiiat .- '.. suspension would be hij;hly advantageous to the
territory and would meet the approbation of nine tenths of the
j.'(K)d citi/.ens" thereof; that "inasmuch as the nnnd)ei' of s!a\ cs
ill the I'liited States would not be aujiinented by the measure,"'
the abstract (itiestioii of liberty and slavery was not involved;
that the inlro(lucti(»n of slaves into the teiritoi-y where labor was
scarce, from the Stales where it was al>undant. would ]»rove e<|ually
tidvantaji'cous to both sections; that shivciy was pi'ohibited in tlu;
territory by con.uress when •Mhey were not represented in that
liody — without their bciiii;- consulted and without theii' Unowledyc
or ai>pi'obation ;■' that the number <»f slav«'s coidd never bear sucli
a ratio to the white populati(tn 'ms to endanger the internal j)eace
or ]»rosperity of the country ; that slaves were tolerated in other
territories; that amon^' their smad farnu'rs they would l>e "better
fed and clothed than wherelhey were crow (led on lar^e i»lantatii»us
by hnndn'ds."etc.*
in M;ir<h, ISO.'.. .Mr. I'andolph, of N'iryiuia. as chairman of the
8i»ecial eonunittee, reportetl that "the raiiidly intacasinj; pojtnla-
tion of the State of Ohio sullicieidly evinces, in the opinion of your
eommitt<'e. that the labor of sla\es is not necessary to }>r«Muote
the jirowth and setllcMU'ut of eol(»nies in that r«'j;i«iii. That this
labor, demonstrably the dearest of any, can oidy be employed to
advantaue in tlu' cultivation «»f products more valuable than any
liiu)wn to that (piarter of the Tnited States; that the c<iinnnlteo
deem it hi^ihly daniicious and inexpedient to impaii- a pi'ovisi«)U
"wisely calculated to prcunote the happiness and prosperity ol" the
northwestern (;ountry, and to jiivt? strenjith and security to flat
extensive frontier. In the salutary operation of this sa.uaciou.s
ami benevolent restiaint. it is believed that the iidial»itants will,
at m> very distant day, lind ample r<'numeration for a temporary
privation of labor aiul imnnn'ration." How prophetically tiiie!
A resolution «'nd»odyin^' these views was also reported.
Thisrei>ort, ma<le just before the close of th«' session, was iu)t
acted npon. an<l at the ne.xt session was referred to a lu'W com-
mittee, with Ml'. Kodney, (»f Delaware, as chairman, who reported
*bce Annuls oi CouKt'CBS, Uuuse, Nov. IHUT.
COLES ADMINISTRATION. 313
F('l). 4, 1S()4, favorably to tlic iiiciiKHialists, siisix-iidiiif;' tlic (Itli
aiticlc for tell years, allowiiiji' tlic iiii])oitatioii of slaves iVoin States
only, and tliat tiie male descendeiits should he free at '2~> and the
females at Ul ; hut no action was had on the r«'|»ort. Aj;ain, at
the le^iislative session of iSOo-tl, additional memoiials of similar
import weic picjiared and submitted to con^^ress. and in thc^ House
I'efeired to a select committee, with Mr. (iai'uett, of Virjiinia, as
chairman; and aj;ain a favorable report to the prayer (»f the
memorialists was made, Feb. 14, concludinji' with a resolution snb-
istantially like tin' one of Mr. JJodney. The rejiort was made the
special order for a certain day, but it was never called nj». ^Vitll
the openiiiji" of the next conji'ress, more resolutions from the Indiana
le.i;islatnre transnntted by (lov. Harrison, wen; presented, ur,i:in,i>'
in a lonti' preand»le a suspension of thedth article of the ( ad i nance.
"J'he snliject was linally ieferi'<'d to a special comnuttee, this time
Avith Mr. I'arke, the teriitorial delejiate, as chairnuin, and fortius
third time a favorable lejiort was madi', to,u('t her with a resolution
suspending;' the ol)no.\i(»us article; but no action was had and the
report slept with its pre(lecessors. Simultaneously with these iiu-
])ort unities upon the House, copies of memorials and I'esolutions
wei'e also transmitted to the president and by him sent to the
senate.
r.ut while, those favorable to throwing;' open the territory to the
influx of slaves were active, the opponents were not idle. In
October, ISOT, a lar.n'c anti enthusiastic meetinji'of the citizens was
held in Clark county, Indiana, and a remonstrance drafted ex-
pri'ssive of the impropriety of the suspension, and solicit in;;' con-
ji'ress to defer action until their population shoidd entitle them to
tbi'm a constitution, etc. They also charj;'ed that the slave pai'ty, by
some '•lej^'crdcmain," obtainiMl the name of the president of the
le;;islative'Council to the last resolutions seat to congress, which he,
denies sinnin:;'. In the senate a committee, consistiuyof I'lanklin,
of North Carolina: Kitchcll, of New ,Jei's«'y, and Tillin, of Oiiio,
was appointed, to which the whole subject was referred. After
duly consideriiiii the matter, they rejtorted adversely to the ]»ray-
er of tile legislative memorialists. Thus ended the Ncry \tvv-
sistent, but hapi)ily abortive, efforts to throw open the doors of
this vast and fertile re,yion to the blij;litinj;' iutliuMices of slavery.
!Not the ])eopleat home, but ('(nin'ress sittin;; at NNashiuiitou, saved
us from thiscuise.
X(»twithstandinj;' the words of the ordinance, '' ther(! shall be
neither shivery or involuntary scr\ itude in said territory," it was
very early contended that tiie words in the deed of cession from
Virj;inia—'' shall have their possessions ami titles coutirme<r' —
guaranteed to tlu^ holders <»f these slaves a rij;ht of pro]»erty in
them; that this ])rovision in the deed oveirode the ordinauc<' and
secured tliem a vested ri.uht for all time in that species of prop-
erty; that slavci'y in the territ<iries was not abolished, Imt its fuilher
introduction simply ])rohil»itcd ; that these slaves were the prop-
erty of citizens of Virj>inia, or were then the descendants of such
slaves, and remained slaves by tlu' compact entered into between
the State of V'ii'.i;inia and the .li'eiu'ral government. And although
others conti'inled that the words "titles," '' possessions," '•rights''
and "libeity." in tJie deed of cession, '• were never intended by
Virginia to guarantee the jiossessions of slaves," still all that class
314 niSTORY OF ILLINOIS.
of iRMsoiis wcit' licld as slaves, and the ri^litfiiliicss of tlicir ten-
ure was not bioiiylit before tlie i)roiu'r trilamal in this State until
tlievear 1S4.").
'IMie lirst thcision siistaiiiinf;' the sixth artich' of tlie onlinaneeof
17S7, was made by (iii^ s^l»relll(^ court of Indiana. Next. l>y tinit
of Missouri.* In tin' former, themollu'r of i»laintilf had i»e«'n a
tihive in \'irj;inia, was taicen to Illinois before the ordinain-e of
17S7. held in slavery there before and after its passaj^c, and thei'e
tlie plaintiif was born after its passaji'e. It was held that she was
free. In the ease of Menard vs. As|»asia,+ the mother of As]»asia
was born in Illinois Itefore the ordinance, and lu'ld as a slave from
birth. Aspasia was born after the oi'dinance, at Kaskaskia, and
held as a slave. The supieme court of Missouri held that she
was entitled to her freedom, and upon a wiit of ei ror to tlie su-
}>renie court of the Uiiitecl States, tliat court <leclined jurisdiction,
which ahirnu'd the Ju<l,i;nient below. In lSt."», for the tirst anil
only tinu', was the (|uestiou brou^^lit s(puirely before the sn]>reme
conit of this State, and it was decided that the descendants of
tile slaves of the old I'rench settlers, born since the ad(»ptiou
of the ordinance of 17.S7, or before, or since the constitution, could
not be held in slav»'iy in illinois.J
Juthnfinril and h'l'j/islcrol Sl<(r<:s, — Failin;L;' in their etf(»rt with
eoniiicss to modify the restriction of the orjianic law with re^^ard
to slavery, tlu' next steji to compass the same result, was by the
law inakiiifi' powers of the territoiy, both of the 1st and 2d j>rades,
and in dedance of the i)roliil)ition, a law was adopted entitled '• an
act <'oncerniii,y the introduction of ne^'roes and mnlaltoes into this
territory." The act bears date Seplend)er 17. 1S(I7, but this sim-
]»Iy means that it was reiioitetl amon;^' the rex iscd laws by ,Iones
ami .lohnson, the whole batch of which was re adoi)ted on that
day at N"incennes. It was a law adopted liy the lirst jirade of ter-
ritorial j;'ov;'rnment. 'J'he lirst j.';eneral assend»ly met at N'inci'iines
July -\K ISO,"), yet nntre than a year pre\ ions, April (», 1804, Gov-
ernor llairison. learning' that certain persons were about to remove
a number of indentui«'(l persons from the territory for the pur-
pose of sellinj;' them as slaves, issued a prochnnation forbidding;'
their i'emo\al and <'allin<;' upon the civil authorities to interpose.
AVe (iiu)te from the law (tf iS()7:
"Skc'TIon 1. It sliall and may l)e lawful lor any i)erH()n, Iveinji' the
ownerof any ne^irecs or nnilattoes of and al)()ve tlieaj;e of 1") years, and
owiiiK service and lai)()r as ^ilaves in any of the Slates or territories of tlie
I'nited States, or for any citizen of tlie I'nited States or territories,
pnieliasinj:; the same, to l)rin<;- tlie saitl ne};n)es or (uiilattoes into lids
territory."
Section '2 provided, that within ,'5(1 days after l)rin,,';in}; tlie slaves into
the territor.v, the owneror niastersiiouhl takethem In't'ore tlie clerk of the
court and "have an indenture ln'tween the slave and liisowner entered
uiioii record, specifyinjj: tlie time wliicli tlu' slave was eompelled to serve
his master; [the term liein;; generally tixed at !ii> years, a perioil ln'yond
the ordinary term of luinian life].
Seelion .'! friiarded the property of the master aii^ai list loss liy allowinj;
him, in the event of the slave refusing to enter into siieli afjjrt'enieiit or
indenture, to iiave the lawful rigid, within (10 days, to removesueh slave
to any State or territory where such i)roperty could lie legally held.
*.li)lin MuriT vs. TilHn and MemuU, 1 Mo. U.T25.
+5ili Peters, nio.
4:8eo 2d Uiliniin, p. 1— Jarrot vs. Jurrot.
COi^KS' AWMIMSTUATION.
oio
'J'lit' 4tli section |)i'('scril»('(l tlic TiiMiiiicr of (•()n<'<*liii.i;' tlic scr-
vaiil fur laziness, hiisheliin ioiir. or disorderly eonduct, tlie pun
islinieiit heinj; cliastisement wilii '• stripes."
' Si:('. o. Any jjt'rson renioviny; into this territory, and l)einijr tlie
owner of any ne.trro onnnlalto under the aucof 15 years, it shall and may
lie law ul tor such jjcisom, owner or ))ossessor to hold the said n euro or
niuhiito to serviee or lalior, the males until they arrive at tlie a^e of .■!•")
aii<l the fenniles until Ihey arrivi^al the a;;'e of :>- years.
"Sic. |;{. 'I'lu' childieu horn in this territory of a parent of color,
owint? service of lalior hy indenture', according' to the law, sliall serve
the master or mistress, the males until the age of .'SO, and fenudes until
the age of I'M years."
Tlieotlier sections of tlie act were all in liannoiiy \vi»h tin- piir-
l)(>s(' to introduce, inaint;ii!i and inotcct sljivery in Illim)is in deli-
aiicc of tiic ordiiunice <>l' 17S7. Slavery was tints not only
introditce(l, htir in;' le hereditary. l»y ini|)osiii,<;- upon tiu' cliildreii
born iiiidcr it the ohli^iitiun to serve the owners of their jiareiits
iiidil -S and .'{() years. It also poitited out the mode iii which the
master mij;lit sell his servants Ity an assi;;nineiii <d'tiu' itideiitnrc
Ity wliicli these ))eo]de were made e(Mninerce, as eomidetcdy ii.s
if in n eonditioti of altsojute slavery.
Af!ertheor<iatn/,ati(Ui of the Illinois territory in IS(M), the o()\ crmir
siinl jiid.^es adopted the same act as the law ot Illinois, and upon
the asseinhliny- of tlie lirst lejiishitttve at Kaskaskia, it was. De-
cember l.'{. ISIJ. re-adopted. The law was, to all intents and pnr-
jioscs, void mider the ordinance cd' ITST. in the case of IMiodn!
vs. .JaiTot,* of the stiprcine court, Lockwood, jnd;.:t'. decided that
tliciicf of S('i»t<'mber 17, ISOT, resijectinji' tin- introduction of ne-
jifoes and mnIatt<M's into the territory, was \<)id, as lieiiii;' rcpiij;'-
naiit to the sixth arti(de of the oidinanci' of 1 7S7. IJttt it was
ftirther held that the contracts cd" indent tire under tliiit law wcro
rendered v 'id hy the third section of thesixtli article id' the State
coiislitntion :
"Each nnd every person wlio has l)een hound to service hy contract or
indenture in virtue of the laws of Illinois territory heretofore existing,
nnd in couiormity to the pro\isions of the same, without fraud or collu-
sion, shall he held to a specific performance of their contracts or inden-
tures; and such negroes and mulattoes as have registered in conformity
witli the aforesaid laws, shall serve out the time appointed hy said laws;
provided, iiowever, that the children lu'reafter horn of such persons,
negroes or mulattoes, shall hecome free, tlie males at the age of-1 years,
the females at the age of IS years."
'riieconrt say : A constitution can do what a legislative act can-
not do, hecaii.se if is the supreme, tixed ami permanent will of thy
Iteople in their orijiinal, soxcrcign and unlimited capacity ; that the
act of jiccejitiiig' that constitution and admitting' it into the I'nioii
by (MMigress, abrogated .so much of the ordinance of 17<S7 as was
repugnant to it. In IJooiie \ s. , Juliet,* tlu' court Indd that '-tlie
children of negroes and iAiilatto»'s, registered under the laws of
the territory of Indiana and Jllinoi.s, arc nmpiestionably free —
because of an iib.seiice in the law of l.S(»7 providing for the chil-
dren (»f regisferefl slaxcs. ludw itlistanding the constituti(m of
Illinois says that the (diildreti lanii of sindi registered perstms
shall render .service until IS and Ul years old."
The (piestion of the Aalidity of the indenture and registrafiou
act. under (he sixth article of the ordinance of 17<S7, i-t .seems, was
4'
♦Uiecse ills. 11. 268.
+lst Scum. 258.
316
HlSTOllY OF ILLINOIS.
not liiiscd before the territoriiil coiiits, and iiidccd, not for somio
time- iiftcrwards. Tlic convcnfion, thcicfoic, wliicli enacted tlio
constitution, j;a\e that law the only lej;al vitality it (!Vei' had, l»nt
it is ]>resunial)le that they \ver«' under the impression that it
Avas valid and had been all tin* time; and it was oidy in icMjuire-
luent of the cnabliuj;' act of conjiiess that they enacted article \'I,
Hcction I : "Neither slaveiy nor involuntary servitude shall here-
«//*'/• be inl rod uce<l into this State."
At the session of the territorial lej^iislature, in 1817, a bill uas
passed to rei»eal so mucli of '^an a<rt concernin;^' the introduction
of ne;;i()es and mulatfoes into this teriitoiy," as autlKuized the
brin,i;in;; of neurcK's and nndatloes into the territory and indeii-
turinji' tiiem as slaves. The preandde declares the law to "intend
to intioduce and tolerate slavery under the pictense of voluntary
seixitude in contiavention of the peimaneut law of the land,''
and "contiary to the ordinance of 17S7." l>ut the veto poweiof
the territorial ;i(»v<'rnor was absolute, and his Jvxcellency (Ictver-
iior Kdwards hesitated not to exercise it, assij;ninj;' reasons at
consiilerable leiijilh, as was his Avoiit : " 1 conscieutiously ]»elie\e
liiat the legislature was competent to i)ass the law— of which
oi>inioii were also the Jnd]n«'S with whom 1 was associatecr' in the
Jidoption of the law, " previous to the orj;anization of (»ur general
assenilily." He held that conj;ress could not violate the sli])ula-
tions in the deed of cession from N'irj^inia, "tiiere was and still is
ylavcjy in the territory, notwithstanding;- the article in the or<li-
iiance ;" lait " wai\ inj; the ([uestion whether congress ever had any
ri}iht to impose the sixth article of the ordinance, or any more
restrain the })eople from j)urchasin<;' additional slaves to clear and
<Millivale their lands, than horses to i)low them," he proceeded to
aruue the abstract ri^lit of '"inx olunlary ser\itude." After tinally
istatin.i;' that "• such indentures would l»e and ou;^lit to be sujtported
iilH)n jtrinciples of law as well as common honesty,'' aud that;
he "can see no evil in allowinj;- them to be made," he concluded :
'•1 am no advocate for slavery ; and if it depended u]»on my vote
alone, it should never be admitted into any State or territory not
already cursed with so yreat an e\il;'' and that his objection to
the rejx'al was, that there was no such law of Illinois as tli:;tof
ISeptend)er 17, JS()7, desciibed in the bill. In this lie was tech-
nically rijiht, because in l.S(»7 illiiu)is was Indiana.* This xcto
inessa;;<' was now (ISl'.".-f) ma<le use of by tlu^ convention ]»arty,
(Seeking to ^raft slaveiy u]Mai tin' constitution, as un eleetioneeriny
document.t
'^riie convention which franu'd the first constitution of the State,
evaded the lull reipiiicmeid of the ordinance of 17S7. in aiticle
A'l, section 1 of that instrunu'Ut, the further introduction of slaves
into the State was prohibited ; but it did|iot(»nly in)t abolish slavery,
()!■ liberate those in the Stat«', but in section ."J of the same article,
l)rovi(led that the '•indi-ntiiicd servants""' — slaves for !>lt years in
most eases — should be held for tlu' \vh(»l«' term speeitied in their
eonti'acts of indenture, and even theii- children were to owe ser-
vice, the mail's till 21 and the females till IS years of ajic ; and
this pi'ovision, as w<^ have scimi, the supreme court liehl as valid.
Thus slavery in lllim)is, while it was steadily decrcasinj;', was not
•Governor iidwards wns htnisplt' the owner oi' ciuitu a number oflndenturcJ slaves.
111. lutelligeucer, S.pt. 0, Ittia.
COLES' ADMINISTRATION.
317
wliolly iibolislicd until flu; iidoptioii of tlui coiistitiition of ISIS,
-\vliicli contaiiUMl the. followiiiji jtntvision : "Then; slmll be ncitlici-
sliivciy nor involuntary servitude in this State, except as a pun-
isiiinent foi' eriine," etc.
The '•^ Jildck Jaiivs.'''' — After the adoption of tlie constitution of
181S and the admission of tlu' State into the iriiion, the lirst j^cii-
eral assenddy, notwithstandinj;' the siiiall niunber of ne^iidcs as
eoiiipared with the wliite inlialtitants, re-enacted, J\lai<'h IJO, IS1!>,
the ohl strin<j;'ent, not to say liarbarous law ' resi>ectinj>' fn-e iie-
jjroes, mulaltoes, servants aiul slaves," with only such slij;ht revi-
si<ni as becanu' lu'cessaiy by the tiansition from the territoiial to
th« State ;;overnnH'nt. Of course the teriitorial law winch author-
ized the intro<luction of slaves troni slaveholdiiifi' States and terri-
toiies was ondtte(b in obedience to article VJ st'ction 1 of the <dn-
stitution. Perhajis iio severer law was to be found in any slave
State, even Avhere tiie blacks outnumbered the whites. Tlieie was
no ade(piate cause for this : it doubtless resulted frt)m the early
associations of our law mauers, who at that tinu> were nu-n not only
mostly born and bied in the midst of slaves, but wlio looked for-
ward to the niakinji of Illinois a slave State.
Xo nefjro or nndatto, by himself or with his fanuly, was jHTinit-
ted to reside' or setth^ in the State, until he had lirst pro«luced a U'V-
titicat(! of freedom under seal of a court (»f recmd, which, tojicther
with a d(vs<*ription <)f the person produciiij'' it, and his fandly, if
any, was to be entered of record in the county he propivsed set tlinff
in and so duly endorsed ; but the overseers (dtlie poorweic not wit h-
Rtandinj;' emi>owered to ex])el such fannly in tlieii' discretion. Any
person connnj"' to theState toemancipate his slaves, was re(piiri'd to
execute to the county a l)ond in $l(KK)as j^uaranty that the eman-
cijtated X)erson should not become a public charge ; for nef;lect or
refusal of Avliich he Avas liable to a line of $L'(H> ; all resident
iiejjroes or mulattoes, except slaves, before the 1st of .June ensuing,
were to enter their nanu's and every member of tlu'ir families,
with the circuit clerk, toj-ether with tlieir evidences of freedom to
be certitied by the clerk, but which should not bar the owners to
reclaim them. Ko jjcrson was to em])loy any ne«;ro or mulatto
without such (tertificate, under a penalty of .$l..'>0 for each day em-
])loyed, recoverable before a justice, one third j;<>in<>' to the inform-
er, the rest to the owner or the county. To harbor any slave or
servant, or hinder the owner in retaking" a slave, was declaicd a
felony, i>unishable by restitution, or a. tiiu' of tMo-fold Aahie and
Avhippinj^- iK)t to exceed 'M stripes. Every black or mulatto not
Laving a proper eertiticate was deemed a runaway slave, subject
to arrest and commitnu'ut by ajustice, then to be described and
advertised for (i weelcs by the sheriti', when, if not reclainu'd oi' his
freedom established, he was to be sold for one year, at the einl of
which tune he was entitled to a eertiiicate, except as against his
owner. No person Avas to sell to, buy of or trade with any ser\ ant
or shiA'e, without the consent of his master, un<ler penalty of f(»r-
feiting to the master 4 times in value the anuuint of such transac!-
tion. Any sUue or ser\ant foutnl ten miles from honn; Avithont
permit Avas liable to arrest and .'Jo stripes on the order of a justice ;
or if he appeared at any dAAelling or plantation without leave of
his master, the OAvnerof the place Avas entitled to administer, or
have it done, 10 lashes on the bare back; for being lazy, disorderly
.'M8 IILSTOUV OF ILI-INOIS.
or mishcliiix iiiii to liis iiiiister or fiiiiiily, ou tli«' ordorof ajiisfi<!e,
lu' Wiis to lie (•(•iTcctcd with stripes, sukI for every dii.v lie refiiseil
to work lip Wiisto serve two.
liiots, routs, iiiiliiwriil iisseiiil)li<'s, tres])jiss, seditious speeelies
Ity sjjives or ser\iiiits, were puiiisiialile witii strip. -s not exeeediiij;-
oil ; persons siilVeriiij;' .'» or more slaves or servaiils to assemble on
their incmises tor <laiieiiifi', reveling, &e., were lii'de to a tine of
$-{\, i'eeo\cral»le l»y </»//<(»/ action. It was made the duty of all cor-
oners, sherill's, judincs, and justices of the i»eace, on view or knowl-
e<ljie of siK'li assenddaj^'cs, to have the ort'enders comnutted to Jail,
and ni>on juiljihient to order ;{!( stripes. In all eases where free
]iersons were pnnislialde hy line, slaves <»r servants, were to lie
ehastis<'d by wliippinji. at the rate of -0 lashes for «'very ftfS (»f
line, not to exceed 40 stripes at any one time. Thus was the free
State ol' Illinois provided with a complete slaxc code.
In IS17, the convention which revised the constitution, in aiti-
cle Xl\', re(piired of the j;'eneral assendtly at it.slirst session under
the anu'niU'd constitution, to pass such laws as would etfectually
pi'ohibit free jiersoi IS ot" color IVom immij^ratinj;' to or setllinj;' in
this State and pieveiit the owners of slaves fiom brinj;inj;' them in-
to the State for the jairpose of settiii};' them free.
In pursuance of tliis provision, the legislature i»assed an act of
]''eb. IL', IS."),'), which provided that if any neuro or mulatto, bond
or free, came into tliis State and rcmaineil ten days, with tlu^
evident inteidion of residin;;' therein, he shoidd.he deemed jiuil-
ty of a hi^li misih-nieanor, and foi' the lirst oti'cnce should l»e tined
.*."»0, and if the tine was not forthwith ]>aid he was to be comnntied
to the custody of the sheriff, to be advertised ten days and then
sohl to any imtsoii who would })ay the tine and costs for the short-
est pei'iod, the pui'chaser bein.ii' empowered to hold and work (he
eul])rit duiin^- the time. One case under this act was taken u|)to
the supreme court from Hancock county, and decided in 18(14*
The court held the law to be valid : that the punishment was not
slavery, because the jK'i'son was sold only fora limited i)eriod; it was
only a sjiecies of ap](i'enticeslii)) ; and that the State mi<;lit define
oH'ences and ])i'escribe the i)unishment, and the exercise of such
powers could not be intpiired into by the court.
'flic "black laws," as they were for a loii^ time kiu>wn, were
continued, with slijiht modilication, in all the revisions of the laws
iVom ISl!) down to JStio, when by act of Feb. Ttli, they were re-
])caled. Durinii' that time, however, efforts were repeatedly nnnle
to al>olish them. IJut they had ceased to be enlbrced for nuiny
years ]»reviously, and, except the act of IS."),'}, were re^ai'dcd as a
dead letter. The obstiiuicy with which they were letained was
owiny in ^I'cat i>art to the Abolition excitenn-nt of mo(h'i'n times,
wliicli in a manner constituted them tests of party fealty.
KitliHt}tj)in(f. — JJut the nn»st odious feature of the act of .^fai'ch
30, 1810, '•respeetiufi' free nej;ro»'s, mulattoes, servants and
slaves,"' was one of omission, oi' the inadequate provision nuuh' for
the punishment of theciinu' of ki<lnappinf>'. it provided, "section
1>, (1)1(1 he it further enacted, that any i)ersou <U' ])ersons, who
slndl forcibly take and carry out of this Stat<' any nej^ro or mulatto
(slaves excepted by thi'ir owners), ovviny service or labor to any
person in this State, or who shall f(U'cil>ly take out of this State
•Sec Nclsou vs. Tlie People, Sec.
Il«
coles' A1):M IMHTKATION.
319
any frfc ncj^ro or iiniliitto liaviii^i' jfaiiiod ii Icjiiil si'ttlcinciit in tlii.s
Stilt*', shall lurlcit uimI l>iiy lor cvciy siicli oHciicc tlic sum (»!' .^HKM)
t(» the party injured, to he rt'covcrcd in tin' ininio of the people of
the (Stale oi" Illinois, by action of debt in any eonit havinj;' cogni-
zance of the same.'' J>y a pro\iso it was added, that this should not
apply to the recapture of fn;iitive slaves.
'I'lie line, it will he observed, was for (lie party injured, who
miylit have been successfully carried to so icinotea section in the
south an<l tlier(> sold into bondage, as to precliule the jtossibility (d*
liis retuiii. \o share (d* it wastoj^oto a prosecutor. It in eltect
]>rovided a preiiiiuiii for the successful kidnapper who would steal
the remedy with the iiersoii. The remedy was civil : no i)rovisioii
occurs in the law for any other ])uiiishment if the culprit was
uorthless in visible worldly ellects upon which to levy an execu-
tion, and this doubtless was the condition of the kidiiapi»in;4'
seoiindi'cls in W cases out of every ](>(>. The law reads: who
'•shall forcibly take and carry out of this State" &c; liiit in the
majority of cases the jxtor ignorant blacks, by !Vaud and deceit,
Avere iiiveij;led into atrip south on a Hat b(»at, or other errand, ami
at some i>re-arraii^cd ]>oint on the river they would be turned
over to confederates, forcibly and rapidly taken totlie interior and
there sold into slavei'y, the orij;iiial parties often leavin.i;' the
iiii])ression u[H)ii their ItJack dii|)es that they had no hand in the
outraji'c. Af^ainst such enticements the law cit«'d made no provi-
sion, and they were ])eii)etrated with impunity. .\ not her mode was
to seize a black and forcibly convey him to a rendezvous either on
the Ohio or .Mississippi, but not outof tiie State, where a ccmfede-
rate would apjtear and carry him beyond. Nor were the blacks
allowed their oaths against whites, and hence it was jicnerally
im))ossible to convict.
The crime of seiziiif;' tree blacks, runniiiji' them south and selling
them into slavery from this State, for a I011.U time was (piite C(tiu-
nion. The jxior iniiorant colored creatures, aiiainst whom was not
only tlie law but apparently every iiiaiTs hand, were hanijiered in
the south by all the contrivances of inj;eiiious slave codes to pre-
vent their escape, whih' the weary years of nnretpiitcd toil
rolled slowly ai'ound. ev«'r embittered by heart lonjiinys to return
to home and kindred. The same may be said of the att'ectionate
ones left at home. No crime can be <>reater than this. Tort ions
of southern Illinois ftu' many years attbrded a safe retreat to these
kidnaiipinji" outlaws. AVe cannot cite the numerous cases of kid-
na])])iiij;. An early conviction for this crime was that of deptha
Lambkins, at thetei-m of the Madison county circuit court, Novem-
ber, 1822. We hav not the i»articulars. On the ni,nlit of May l'.~),
1SL'.'5, a free colored man named .lackson Jlutler, liis Avife and o
children, residing- in Jllinois a few miles from Vincennes, were kid-
iia]»ped by a band of villians from Lawrence county in this State.
]>utler had been purchased by Gov. Harrison in Kentucky,
brouj^ht to Lidiana, indentured, and liad served out his term
faithfully. His wife was born free, which rendered the children
also free. They were taken (h>wn the Wabash to the Ohio, tlu'iu^e
south. Harrison leariunj;' of the outraj^e, otlered a reward of $'M)0
for the apprehension of the ki<lnap])ers. The name of Harrison
gave it wide circulation, and in September following, news came
320 IIISroilY OF ILLINOIS.
lliiit tlio Uiitlci' fimil.v liiul hccii rescued lit New Orleiiii.s. just as
tlie.v were iil»oiit l«» he sliipped to ("iil>il.*
Ill the first liiessii};(' to the j^ciieral asseiiildy, Deeeiiilter, ~>,
1S1,'2, (Jov. Colics ealled sju'cial attention to the siil»iect of Uiilnap-
piii^ ; that crime, lie was sorrv to say, was loo (dten comiiiitted in
llie Slate with iiiipiinil.v ; iir;;edthat liiediity ot's(»ciet.v as well as
every beiie\(»Ieiit I'eeliii}; denianded better protection tor the free
blacks, while Ihey remained in the Stale; tliat the peciiMar situa-
tion of the Slate, liorderiii;; on lliiee rivers coinmniiicaliii;; witli
the coiiiilry wiiere there was always a demand for sla\ fs, alVorded it
^rcal lemplalioii and facility to the lawless and inhninan to eii;:a<;'o
in this criiiie, and that more ellicient laws were required to luex cut
the kidiiai»piiij; of free blacks.
This part of the niessa;;e, with tiie subject of slavery, was refer-
red to a special coininitlee <"onsislinji' of .Messrs. N\' ill, l-^mmil and
]\Ioore, wli(t i-epoi'ted Dec. lU, ISL'U, as ibllows : "Yoiir commit lee
lia\c carefully e.\aiiiiiie(l Ihe laws upon tlie subject, and with deep
rcuret aiiiioiiiice tlieir incapability (»f devising a more elVecliial i>lan
than the one already i»rescribed i»y law for thesui»pression of siicli
intaiiioiis crimes, It is believed that the benevolent views of the
executive and the beni;;ii pnij»oses of the slatiites can only be
realized by the redonbled dilii^icnce of our ^iiaiid juries and our
inanistrates, aided by the well directed siip[»ort of all just and
jiood men.''
The lejiislature was ixtlitically op[)osed to the };<n('rnoi', and tin?
Iaii;;ua<;e of the committee, "beiii;;!! statute," was the baldest of
irony. These ycntlenieii however were (piite capable of devisiii};'
a scheme how to introduce slavery into llu^ State, which they
reported at the same time, and to which we will now direct our
inquiry.
[In IHT)! nn uttoinpted miinlor, «rowin(r out of tlio lius'lncss of kidnapping:, was enrious-
ly ilevt'lopt'd. It sliuwsalsotliu nioilus opcnindi and tlie d(;spL'nitu clianictcrs coiinec-
tcd witli tills crlnu!. A Mrs. PrntlitT, dccuiised, of Weiikley county, Tuiint'ssi-e, luul
sonic yeurs before cnmntMpnted her sliives, and they removed to Uallittin county,
Illinois. Here they were followed by parties from their former home, who conspived
to arrest them as fuifitivo slaves. The U. S. district court, Judge Pope iiregidinjr, de-
cided upon full proof that they had n«t a shauow of claim to them. With the con-
spirators was connected a shrewd bad man by the nnine of N'ewton E. Wright, residing
In Kentucky, back of Wolf Island, who had long been engaged in kidnapping. While
iiere attempting to reclaim the Prather negroes as slaves, he formed the ac(|uaiiitanco
of a notorious kidnapper of Hamilton county, named Joe O'Neal, with whom wa3
associated a disreputable character by the name of Abe Thomas. Subsequently
O'.N'eal stole tlircc likely children from an old negro named Scott, in liaiiiilton county,
Illinoi'', and ran them off and sold them partly on credit to Wright, who resold them at
New Madrid to one Phillips. When O'Neal's note matured he sent Thomas to collect
it, telling him further that Wright had business of a particular nature for him, for
which he would be well paid, Thomas proceeded by steamer to Wright's. There ho
undertook for 18)50 to kill a l)r Swayne, at HIcco, Tennessee, who had sued Wright on a
noti; of $8000. If the doctor could be killed, Wright, by means of nicely forged receipts,
could successfully defend the suU.
Ill .May, 1H.T0, uman calling hlii.self Stewart, rode up to the house of Dr. Swnyno, de-
Biring him to visit his father, a little way off, allegeu to have been taken suddenly ill
on his return from Texas. The doctor invited the stranger to dinner, just ready ;
that attended to, the two rode away to seethe sick man After proceeding some dis-
tance, Stewart, tailing a little behind, drew a pistol antishot the do tor, the liall lodg-
ing in his arm, fracturing itbadly. The cry of murder was raised, but Stewart made
ills escape. Pursuit was made, and every effort to ferret out the assassin ; suspected
parties were followed even to Texas ; much money was expended, but without avail.
Dr Swayne recovered .
Hut now unexpectedly a clue was gained. Two citizens of White county, Illinois.
John Eubanks and son, Shannon, took a lot of horses to Tennessee for sale, and while
In the neighborhood of Dr. Swayne's, heard him relate the particulars of the attempt
to assassinate him, giving also a minute dcscriptionof his aBsaila'<t, whose nose was
flat at the base, projecting forward like a hawk's bill. .Shannon knew the description
fitted Abe Xtiomas, and no other living man, who was then stopping at JoeO.Neal's,
in Hamilton cou'ty, Illinois. Further description as too size, complexion, &c., tallied
exactly. A short time after, Thomas was seized by same Tcnnesseeuns, and carried
to that State for trial. (Shawneetown Mercury 1851.]
*111. Intelligencer, 1823.
COLES' ADMINISIHATION.
321
TIk; ('onirufinn qui'ntUm of 1S'J-I — The /'Jff'orf to make, IllhiolH a
i^hn'e Slatf. — It liiis duiiltllcss Im-cii ikiIimI tliiit the voice of tlu' Jico-
J)l<' (»r III!' It'irilurv. !is it Ibiiiiil «'\iM('ssi(»ii fioiii tiiiii' to liiiic, wiih
stloii;;|_V in I'iivoi' of siii\<'i_v. I >_v riili\ iissiiii;' tlic IIMIIH's oI' IcikI-
iiiji coiiventioii advcx^iitCiS ill lSi»;{-4, iiiid iVoiii otiu'i- cii'ciiiiistiiiM'cs,
it iii;iy ln' asscrtcMJ wilii entire siiiety lliat tlie ediistitnlionni eon-
venlioii of ISIS, jet'l unrestrained l»y liie oidinanee ol' I7S7. «ii- lli(>
i'lialiliny act to loini a eonslitntion, would have estaltlislied
slavery. As it was, that convention in a inanner evaded tiie lull
re<|iiiienM'nt of I lie acts of eoii,i;i'ess hy declaring (article \'l. sec. I.).
'•Neitlier slavery nor involnntary servitude sliall hcno/lrr l»e intro-
duced into tins State;" and hy the .'Jd sect ion of t he same article;
they yave to iiid<'iitiired slavery the only validity it ever had.
Tile tVelin;,' in lavor ot'slavei'y was still stroiij;' after the adinissioii
of the State. The linaiicial einharrassnieiits of the ]»eo|>le, to
Mliicli we iiav(; adverted in the preceding' cliapler, (toiipled witii
the >;oId<'ii ])ictiiresof ])ros|)erity which that institnti(»n would
hriii!^ to the country, as they were wont to re;;ard it, <lid not altatc
their lonjjrin^j^s. The siihject was fnrthei' kept astir hy the frenzied
a;j;itation of the slavery (piestion as connected with tin' admission
of Missouri, which convulsed the entire nation and threatenl'd
a dissolution of the I'nioii.
It had also the ell'ect to extensively advertise that new State,
and stimulate einiji'ratioii thithei-, as the crctwds of immijiiants
from the southern States to .Missouri, consist iuii' in i,neat part of
the wealthiest and Ix'st educated classes, passed through southern
Illinois, where immijiratiou had been for some time Ntaj^naiit, and
the want of which was seriously felt. "Many of our peoi)le who
liad land and farms to sell, looked upon ilie jiood tortiiiie of Mis-
souri with envy; whilst the lordly immijiraut, as he passed alonjif
Avith his money and drov«'s of iiejiroes, took a malicious pleasure
in increasiiij;- it, hy jiretendin^' to reiiict the short si;;hted poliiiy
of Illinois, which excluded him from settlinj; with his slaves
ainoujif us, an<lfrom pnrchasiiiy the lands of our ])eoi)le."*
into the, election of Aujjust, 1>Sl*2, as we have noted, tlie ques-
tion of slavery eutere«l to a larye extent, and while it was not
j;eueially sharply delined, it was well known that ("oles was a
zealous oj)[)onent of the institution of human chattels; so also was
(Jen. Moore; and foi-these reasons the ]>artisans of freedom rallied
Avitli little division foi- Coles. Jlis a^j^re^ate vot(^ was L'SKI, that
of .Moore 522, total ;};{;52. The vote of Phillips was 27<;(> and that
of IJrowii 2.51.'}, total ~)'.i{)li — heinji" ii majority, so far as this ex-
]»ressiou was a criterion, of about 2()()() in favor of the introduction
of slavery. ])Ut personal ('onsiderati(»ns at that day entered more
lai'iicly into election contests than principles.
Edward Coles, tlie j>overnor elect of Illinois, was born in Vir-
frinia, Dec. I.'), 1780, and was amoiifi- the yonnjiest of ten children.
His father was a planter, owniuj;' many shives. Duriii};- college
life the <piestiou of proj)erty in nuiii tirst presented itself to
Edward's mind, and he returned home impressed with its natral
wronji'fuluess and political impolicy, and the resoluti(»n that when
he should become the owner of his ])ortiou of his fatlier's slaves he
Wiudd emancipate them. Apprehendinjf that these sentiments
•Ford's History.
21
322 HISTORY (tK II.MiNOlS.
wiMild iiH'ct witli no coiiiitciiiiiicr at lioiiic lie kept tliciii hiiciciI to
liiiiiscir. I'poii IIh- <l*-;itli t>r liis I'iil lit-i- in ISOS, lie iM-ciUiic riilil lt'<l
to lT) ii('<;i'()fs mimI 1,000 ii( its oI' hiiitl. I lis lilt lifi' iiiid tiiUiii no
Nliiii'c in |)iil)lic lil'c, Init iiis Ikmih' liad Ium-ii tlic rcsoil of iiciii'l,N nil
tin- iiivM stntcsincn of the tln.v. Kdward iM-canio tin' private
s*'i-r*-!arv ol' I'rt'sidfiit Madismi. In imtsoii Coles was tali and
gia('«'t'iil, witli lace of tin' (iiccian st.xlc. To a iK'Ucvdlcnt dis-
[losition lie added a wide fund of iiit'orination, .social tact and
e«ni\('rsatioiiaI jtowcrs. |>y the Jndieitnis exercise of these he is
said to lia\c in'oii^lit into new bonds of lrieiidshi|i Mr. Madison and
.Mr. Monroe, and Mr. Adams and .Mr. .lelVerson, who had respec-
tiv»'l,V lieeii someuiiat estian;;('d. ill ISKi he was sent in the sloop
of war "I'roiiiethioiis" on a special mission to IJnssia.as the ln-arer
of iniportani dispatches to the .\nierican ('mhassadors at Si.
iV'terslnir;;. i'.efore his return he made the tonr of Mnrope.
After his arrival home he shortly determined to <{o west. lie spent
the sninmer of ISIS in Illinois, and witnessed the lahors ol the
eonveiitioii at KaskasUia to enact the tirst coiislitiiti.tn. In the
following' sprinji', ISIO, he removed with his slaves to Illinois. On
the trip hillier, made mostly on Hat boats down the Ohio, the
nejsroes, bein;; i;;iioraiit of t heii- destination, were one clear niooii-
li<;lit evening in .Inin-, while calmly tloatiiijii down the placid
stream, called t(»j;etlier, and by their master addressetl in a plain,
uliort speech in which he ])roiM)niiced them all free. Their ^rati-
tnde was so pidfonnd that they tendered him one year's service at
their new home, lint beiii}: nnich touched at this nianifestatiou
of their attachment, he refused their otter, lie <;ave, besi«les, to
each head of a family 1(10 acres of land in Illinois, in the neijili-
boihood (»f Kdwardsville, aided them with money, and for many
years exercised i)aternal care ovei* them.*
In 1S;»;{, at the a;^f of 47, he remove ' to Philadelphia, and was
married t<» Miss Sallie liO<;an Ifobeits, by whom he had one
da.iijihter and two sons, lie died .Iiily 7, IStlS, in the Slid year of
his afic. On coming" to Illinois. Coles received the apitointmeiit
of rej^ister of the land otlice at ICdwardsville, from Mr. Crawford,
secretary of the treasury, who was an aspirant to tin' presidency.
C<tles, it was sn[>posed, was sent ont to counteract the intlnence of
(lov. Kdwards, who favored Cahonn.t
The jrartisans of slavery, althonf;li beaten f(n' governor in 1S22,
by a schism in their ow n ranks, had carried both houses of the
general assembly, and the lienteiiant-jiovernor, and throujiliont the
lirst lialf of his term, the j;'overnor experienced a want of a(;cor(l
♦The law of 1810 respecting free negroes renuired the ciniinclpntor to give bond that
they should not beuome a county ehargo Having proviiled them iinipiy with lands,
Coles neglected to do this, whereby he incurred a liability to u tine of S5~(I0 for (Mich
negro, wliich might be sued for by the county In which tliey were settled. During
tlic heat of the convention struggle the county commissioners of Madison were insti-
gated to bring suit against the Governor lor this i)enalty, resulting, in Sc|)tpmlier, IS24,
In a verdict of $:.',000 for setting at liberty negroes without giving bond I'ending
a motion for a new trial, in January 18:i5, the legislature released all penalties incurred
under the act, including ttiose of Coles. At the ne.xt term of court he plead this re-
Icastf in l)ar of .judgment against him. But .lodge MeUoberts decided that the legisla-
ture liad no power to t.iKu i';om a municipal (K)rpi)ration its vested right in a line, any
more than from an inJividual, aud rendered judgment on the verdict. This decision,
believed to have been influenced by the feelings growing outof the slavery contest the
year before, caused no little popular excitement. The cast; was talten to the supremo
court and reversed, tl.e power of the legislature being held to be arni'lc in the premises
The o|)lnion of the court, by W'ilson, chief justice, says: "It is said tlie king cannot
remit an informer's interest in a popular action after suit brought ; this is no doubt
Pa ■ ■ ■
true, but it is ciiually true that the Pari lament can. It is not pretended that the exe-
utive coiild remit tn
tFord's History of
cuti ve coiild remit th>i penalty In this case, but that the legislature may."
■" " ■■■ ' " Illinois.
COI.KH' ADMINISTKATION.
323
widi that body. ( ln\ t'liior ( '<il(>s diit'ctctl iittriitioii to tlie siiltjcct
of sliivrrv, ami in clear aii<l I'orrililf laii;;iia;;c iii'^rtl ilic ciiiaiici-
]>ati()ii (if tiic i'"r»'iH'li ,sla\t's, icniiiiiiiciiih-il a revision of the Made
laws in aeroi'tlancr with the dirlates of hntiianitv. and the rnact-
nniit of nioi'c adcqnatc laws to icpirss the frcciacnt ciiinc of kid-
napping, as we hav(> Motic-4-<l. This was <-:ioni;'ii to ininx-diati'Iy
fan into tlanir the snionldciiny rinhcis of ti;*' slavcfv (iu('sti(»n.
The pnip(»s(' was now to inaUr a >.tr(.:i;;' cIVoil to introdnci slavery
into Illinois, wlii( h coidd only hr done by anientlin;; !!ie eonstitii-
tion. which recpiiied a t wo-tliiids \ ;ite in each laaise to pass tlio
proposition snltniiltin^ the (piestion to a vote of the people. So
nineli of the message as i-elaled to the abro;;ati»»n of slavery, was
referred t(» a select coniniiltee, eonsistiiii; of Messrs. Ileaird, I»oon,
liJiiUl. Kinney and White, who in a few days reported as follows:
After ^iivinji' a historical resume of the establishment of slavery
in Illinois, (h'nonstratin;; its U"^:\\ existence and claimin;.;' that thu
j)rovisi(»n in l' e (\r{'{\ of cession from Vii>;inia, vi/ : that the inhabi-
tants of the territoiy who professed tliemsehes to lia\e lieen citi-
zens (tf Virginia pre\ ions to the cession, slioidd "liav«' (heir
]»()ssessions and titles eonlirined to then.', and be protected in the
enjoyment of their rijihts and lilM-rties." coidd n(»t be overridch'ii
and set aside by the snbsecpient act of con;;ress, which pr(»\ ided
that " there shall be neither slaveiy nor involuntary servitude in
the said t«'rritory :" that the lan-^najic in the deed of cession wa.s
too plain an<l forcible to be misnntterstood or evaded ; that the con-
stitution, in obedience to the behests of con^jicss, for the purpose
of havinj; the State admitted, was careful to avoid any interfer.
ence, Avith (his s|)ecies of ])roperty, and left it in the sanu' state of
.security that the ordinance had placed it ; (hat thus the constitu-
tion of Illinois was ratiiied, no doubt U|M)n (he ground that no
condition of the ordinanccdiad been violated, and that the consti-
tution left (he rij-ht to pi'ops'ity ac(piired nnder th(^ (tonipact
witli N'irjuinia, entire.
They concluded their rejiort by sayinjn': " Your committee have
now arrived at the peiiod when Illinois was adnntled into the
Union U]>ou an eipial footinji with the orijiinal Sta(es in all respect.s
whatover; and whatever causes :»f rej^ret were experienced by the
restrictions imposed upon the tirst conven ion, your conindttee are
clearly of (he opini<tn (hat (he people of ill .mo's have now the same
riiiht to alter (heii- cons(i(u(ion as the i)e(-pie of the State of Vir-
ginia, or any other of (he orii^inal S(ates, and nuiy make any dis-
]>o.sition of nofi'ro slaves they choose, without any breacrh of faitli
or violation of com])act, oi'dinances or acts of couijress; and if
the leasoninji' <'mployed be correct, (here is no oilier course h-ft by
which to accomitlish the object of this portion of the jiovernor's
nu'ssaj^e, than to call a convention to alter (he c(>nsti(u(ion."
And (hey recommeiuled the ad<»p(ion of the following;' resolu-
tion : " AV.w/a'f/, That the ficneral assembly of the State of Illi-
nois (two-thirds thereof concurring;' tlu'rein), do recommend *o the
electors, at the n<'xt elecition for mendu'rs to the jjeneral assembly,
to vote for or aj;ainst a convei'^ion, aj^reeably to the 7th article
of the con.stitution."
"See 111. Intelligencer, Dec. 14, 1822.
.'J24 nisroKY oi" ii,i,i\()is.
On iiKttioii di" Miitliticl .Touch, the- r('|i(»rt Wiis <'oii('iiii«'(l in. A
minoity i(|piiii u;;s iiiiidt- l»y liisdcn Moctic ;in<i .loliu i'jnincll,
t^troM^lv ;iM(i ;il>lv iiryiii;; llic iiholilion <>l" slavery, I In- iniiclioriilion
nl'llic l>liirk laws, ami ;4icat('i' st lin.ncncv rr;;ai(liM;; I lie piinisli-
iMcnl of ki(liia|i|iiii;4. Mi. Will niadt' a M'paialc ii'imhI, of a aiilk
am! water eluuiieier.
Ill llie seiiale. il w as s|»ee(|il\ aseeilailied 1 lial t lie re(|iii.-^ile I \V(»-
t liinls \ ule Id pass llie resoliil ion I'lHllie call of a eoiixeiilioii lo
aiiiemi the ennslilnl ion, eoiild We ohiaiiied, and to spar*-; l>iil in
tlielionse llieease slitod ollieiwise — tlie,V needed one \o|e. At
tils* il was slieiiiioiisly argued llial tlie I wo-tliiids vole icipiiied l»y
r eoiisl itiil ion lo pass llie eoii\ eiil ion I'esohit ion, meant two-
tliirds ol° the two houses in joint session. r>nt llie opponents
Avere loo powei I'lil in ar;;iiiiieiit upon lliis point, 'i'iie iiiaJoiil\ wa.s
iiol lobe toiled in tlieir purpose, liowe\ei'. .Vnollier mode jirt^
>seiited itself — all that was leipiired was ('onia;^!' to peipetiale a
{;ioss (»iilraj;-e upon a recaleiti'ant meiiiliei'.
'I'here had heeii a eonU-sted election case lr<nii i'ike <oiiiily,
which then included all the country lietweeii the Illinois and Mis-
sissippi fixers, iioith to the bonmiaiA of the Slate. 'I'lie sittinj;
liieinlier, decided by the iioiise, lo lie entitled to the .seat, was
Nicholas liaiixiii.and t he contestant, .lolin Shaw. Hanson's miIc
iiad liecii olil;iiiicd for the re election of .lesse II. 'riiomas,st ron^ily
\>vn sla\cry, lo the United Stales senate, hiil fai-tliei- than this lie
\vonld not ^<». Shaw, who Ta\oreil the comcntion pio(ect, was
now discovered to lie justly entitled lo the seal! .\ motion was
thereupon made lo reconsider the admission of Hanson, wliicli
]ire\ailed. It was next fiirlher nioM-d to strike ont the nann^ of
Hanson and insert that of Shaw. iMirin;^ tli«^ penden(*y of tin*,
resolnt ion, a I iimiiil iioiis crowd asseinliled in tln^ evenin;^ at the:
state jioiisc. anil after the deli\(-i'y of a niimtier of incfiidiary
speeches, inlianiin;; the minds of the peoph; a<;'aiiist< Hanson, they
jiroeecded tliroiiiih tlic town witii his efliL;y in a Ma/e. aecompa-
iiied liy the lieatiii;;(if drnins, tin- sounds of biij^les, and shouts
of " ( 'onxeiitioii or deatii."
'I'lie molioii lo expel Hanson and admit Shaw was adopted, and
Ihe lat lei- rewarded the majority ii\ \oliii<; for t he coii\ cut ion res-
olution, which thus barely passed by his aid on the ni;;lit follow-
iiiji'. .\ niimlier of the niembeis of both houses entered tiieir
solemn protest a;;aiiisl this ylaiinji outrage of iinseatin^ Hanson,
liotli as to the object intended and llie manner of perpet rating' if.
iMany retlectin;^ men, earnest in their support of the convention
question, condemned it ; and it proved a powerful lever befon^thc
jicople in the del'eat of t he slavery scheme.
The passa;;c of I he con \ cut ion rcsolnl ion was icj^arded as taiila-
inouiit to its cania;;('. at the polls. The pro slavery part, cele-
brated their Iriiimph by an illiimiiial ion of the town and u
]irocessioii. accompiiii ied by all the horrid paraphernalia and dis-
cordanl music ot' achivarai, marched to the residemu' of (lovernor
("oles and the (piailers of the chief opponents of the measure,
where tlie\ performed I heir demoniac music to annoy and insult
Ihem. The pidcessioli is said to have been headed h.> such di;^na-
laries as ex jiid;^e and late gubernatorial caiiidaie, .losepli i'liil-
li|»s; the newly chosen chief justice, Thomas Iteynolds, afterwards
goveiiior of -Missouri; associiale, sul)reln^^ jiid^^e, Smith ; pros-
<'oi,i;s' ADMiM.^ ;i;ai ION.
|»c(',liv<', liciitciiiiiil ^ovcriKii' l\iiiiic\, etc., lollowcd l»y niiiiiy of
the lioiioriildc iiiciiilicrs ol llic Ifj^ishiliiic, IIm- I(il»l>\ists — soiiic of
lliciii sti'iiimfis I'loiii iidjoiiiiiit; slii\ <■ Stiili's — llic inlddc, etc. TIh',
icji)iciiius (»r llii' cdiiv ('III ion |);iil\ iilso roiiiid cxiircssidii in |tiili-
lic, diiiiiiTs. iiiid (d' IIk' t(»;ists llicic ^ivcii we siihjoiii ;i I'cw : Tlici
(•iiii\ <'Mt inn : 'I'Im' nicMiis (d' inl ludiicini; ;ind .s|iiciidin.L; tlic AlViriin
I'iiMiilv — I iiif'c cIhmts. 'I'Im' <'n('Mn('.s (d' t lie conx'^nl ion : .Miiv iIk'.V
i'i<l<- ii itorrnpinH siiddlc on :i Inird tioltin^' iiorsi-, ;i Ion;; Joniiify
willioiil nioncv or (Vicnils. .Miiy tliosc individniils w lio mic <i|»|m)s<m|
to our cuMsr. ItcCoic Um' next (dcrlion. iiliiindon (lie .Stiitc oT Illi-
nois. 'I'lic Stiilf (d' Illinois: llic ;Lji(»nn(l is ^ood — |)i;iii'ics in
;iiinndini('<' ; <Xi\c lis |dciily <d' iii'.i;rors. it litl Ic iudiisliy ;iiid slit;
Mill (listril»ii(c licr ticiisiirc
I'.iil iIh'sc iHiil;il proceedings, iidciidcd lo iiit iniidiitc. only
recoiled ii|)on I lie perpet liitois. 'I'lie ;iiili conveiil ion piiily wiis
ilispircil \\\\\i iciiewi'd coiir;i;ii'e ;ind (ielci'iniliiltion lo delcid the,
cull heCorellie people, 'riijii indeed \v;is) lieoiily IioJh' t'oid lie lilieity
n{' till \\{r\t in Illinois. Al I his period. I lie iippoilioiiinent ol' llie.
Slide into repi">enliili\ e iind seiiiiloriiil distii<ds wjis jtecidiiirly
Miic(|iiid. IIm' st roii'^liolds oC the c<iiivent i(ni ;idvoc;iles liein;,' in
Hie counties iie;ir I lie Ohio ;ind t In' <dil l-'reiicli sett leinenls. w hiie.
llie nipid jholji-css ol' popiihilion iioit liw iinl was nninei'iciillv I'iif
ill ;(d\ iiiKM- ol' its just iMlioor repi cseiiiiit ion. IT the conxenlioii
shinild be (n'dered hy llii' piople. it wiis deiiionstniled tlnit by
ie;i--on olthis nneipi:il npi oeiiliit ion, oneroiiitli of the \-oters
could, in ii cerljiin com iii^<-nc_\. (Iliiil of the dele;;;ites heini; ninde.
1(» correspond lothe iininiterof iepi'esenl;iti\es), elect ;i niiijoi'ily
of (lie iiieinliers. w ho niiulit liisteii sl;i\ eiy upon t he Stiite. It l»c-
cniiie, t heieloif, llic p;ir:i iiioiiiit oltjeet (d' the friends of freedinii
lo defcijl tlic coii\cnti(»n cull licforc tiie p«'ople.
The c;niv;iss now o]ien('d ;ind for neiirly I.Snioiitlis ni^ed \\itli
iilieipiiiled V iuleiice t hroiii;lioiil I he Sliite. Nevt'r Wiis sindi cilli\ ;iss
iiiiidc ill tiic Sliile before. The voiiii^ iiiid old. without regard to
sex ciilercd lliear<'iia of pai'ly si rile; families and iieiuhborhoods
liecjiMic divided and smieiidered tlienis(d\es up to the bitter war-
fare. Delraclion and personal abuse reiuned siipreiiie, wliiU^
«'oniba)s w ere iMil iiifre(pieiil. The \\ hole count ry seemed on the,
veiiic (d' a resort t«» physical force lo stdtle the aiiL.'r.\ tpiest ioii.*^
The press, both for and aL;aiii>l. teeiiie<l with incendiary publica-
tions on the subject. Iloth ami and pro coiix eiitioii newspa|ters
were established : tt\' the former "7'Ac >/;cc/^f/o;-," at Ivl wards\ ille,
edited by Hooper Warren ; one al Shawneelown, ediP-d by lleiiry
Kddy ; the llliimis / iih'lll;ifiic<'r. located al N'andalia. which, at tirsfc
jtrocoin cut ion, v\ as siibse(|iieiil ly pnr<-liased by ha\id l>lacl<we||.
secrelaiw of State, and I hen ably <'on<liicted in opposit ion to tin;
J'oiiveiitioii sidienie. To these paiu'ls theic were also a number (»t"
aide and ^leady coiii ribnlois. principal amoii^' whom may be meii-
lioiied. his excellency the i:o\enior; Morris llirbeek, the able lOii^-
lish colonist, in lOdwards count;, ; diiduc Lockwood, Thomas Lip-
piiic(dt. Ocoil;*'* "hiircdiill, t.\:c. I'ampidets wt'ie |iiiblislied and ex-
ieiisivcly circnlal<'d, coiilaiiiiii!4' statistics and <d»seivatioiis re,-
};iirdin;; the woikinir of slavery in other coniitries. (Hov. ( oles
freely i'esi;;iied the salary of his entire term. « IO((l», as a contribution
to the cause. Tliidii;:li the (dTorls mainly id" the l{ev. Dr. .1. M.
'Iti'viiolclH "Own TIlIlUB."
32) HISTOllY OF ILLINOIS.
Peck, iiiiti-.slavory six-ictics were orf;aiii/(Ml by tlu; "friends of
frcciloni," wliicli lainiricd i,ioro or less tliiou/^lioiit tlic Stale, to tlie
iminher of It, with liea'i(iiiai'tei's in St. ("lair eoiuity, and \viii(;li
were active diirini;' the canv kss. The ministers of tin- jiospel were
enlisted in tlie cause, and tiiey met to.m-tiier in lar.u(' nnndters to
devise ways to av«'rl tiie impending evil. l)enominalioiial ques-
tions, ordinarily much more hirter in tiiose tinu-s than at tite
l»resent, were laid asi(h' for tiu' tinu'. and the pulpit now thunder-
ed its anathemas a.uainst spreaciinj;' tiiej^reat sin. All the means
known to civilization to impart ideas of tli«' enormity of slavery
Avere made a\ailal»le. To the distril»ntion of pamphlets and news-
l>aper writin;;s, were aihh'd tracts and handliills of a most
incendiary tone, 'ilie Ivcv. Dr. Peck, who, in his voeati(»n of dis-
tril)utin;i' Itibles, had the opportunity to observe the mana;4ement
of the campaign on tiie part of tlu' opposition, shaix-d iiis ends
with the tact and skill of a ji'eiu'ral. to meet them at every hand.
Political meelinus wen^ called, and almost e\ery stun)p resounded
with the declamations of indi;;iiant orators, both pro and con.
The raidv and lile of the pt )ple, no h-ss excited, wrangled and
suj^tied with each other whe,' ver they met. 3liich time was cou-
Kumed, and intbistry was at a staml.
In the meantime, the pro-slavery party was not idle, ami
ad(»l»ted the same means to rea<'ii the pul»lic mind. F.lias Kent
Ktiue ; Thomas Ueynolds, tlu^ chief justice ; -ludfic Tiieo[)hilus \V.
Snutli, of the supreme court ; .1 nd j^c Sam lu-l Mcivoberts, Kmaunel
J. West, A. 1'. i'ield, .b>seph A. llaird, (ieor^f Korcpu-r and
others, were their pn»miuent writers; while ainon^' tiieir chief
orators, besides some of these, may be in«Mitioned It .M. Voiuij;',
John ^b'Lean. .Jesse U. 'I'liomas, ex (iov. lictntl. (iiiiinin<i Ibr con-
g'l'ess aj;ainst I). 1'. C^ook, at this tin\e), -hnl.m' I'hillips, and man,\
others. The nuMubers of the legislature in favoi of the conven-
tion, before they disperse<l in the si)riiiji of bsi'.;. levied a contri-
buti«>n ujion each other by which they raisi'd about -*l()tt(> tor
their side of the cause. \\ illiam Kiiuu'y, alterward lieutenant
governor, to his vcunition as a pro-slaveiy politician a<hled that of
a baptist jireacher, nnngliui; the two with much fieedom, traveled
constantly oxer the State, actiiij^; with /A-al ami eiiei-^y in arousing;
the people to the Itlessings (»f the institution of shtxery. Kiiiiissa-
ries of both parties ranged the Stale in every direction (hiring the
canvass, with bitter partisan tracts, and all manner of inllaniatory
appeals, to arouse the |»assions of the people, and awakened tiu'iii
to the duty of the lioii''. The ]»rin«Mpal newspapers of the pro-
slavery party wore located at Kaskaskia and ICdwardsville.
In looking oxer the arrav of prominent names, ii has been
thought the most talented and inlliieiilial pid»lic men were on liie
side of the convention party,* but in energy and zeal, which grew
with the progress of the campaign, the opposition werelietter or-
ganized. Their attacks were, besides, direct upon thesuliject in-
Aohing themeiits of slavery ; while the other side showed signs of
avoiding the direct issue. The latter argued that tlie constitution
needed amendment in many particulars; that the convention
would not probably inteii'ere in behalf of slavery, and if it did, it
wouM estaiilish it oidy toia limited iteriod, or prov idtt tor inden-
turing and gradual eimmcipation. ISnt the oppom-nts were uot to
*Ford"8 History.
coles' abministratioi^.
327
!)(' hoodwinked ill tlii.s mainu'r; indeed as tlie jteoplc took a very
al).sorhiii}>' interest in tlie subjeet, nnd as the eanvass was exten-
ded lor a ])erio(l of IS inonths. they came to tlioroiiyhly ai>i)re-
ciate all there was in it It.v the day of election. Thecontest was
not devoid of extraneons pio-slavery inllnenees frcm heyond the
borders of the State, as ini,i;lit well be expected, brd; snch inij>ertc-
iieiice was promptly met as it deserved.
\Vlien the day of election tinally arrived, the ntmost exertions at
the polls thron,i;liont the State wei'ensed by both sides to brin;;' ont
a fidl vote. The aji'ed, the crippled, the chronic; invalids, all that
could be conveyed with theii' bodily inlirmities, were bron.uht ont
and cast their votes, either for a;;ainst the call. The result was
that the convention scheme was (lefeated by s ine 18()() nnijoiity.
This was a womlerfnl victoiy to achieve, showing a yain for the
anti-slavery canse, excc'cdin;;' .'{.")(»(> votes since the ^iibermitorial
contest of two yeais before. The ajj',iirej;ate vote was ll,(ilLJ;
4,i>7L' for, and (!,(I40 aj>ainst. This was a laryc vote; at the ])resi-
•lential election in November following, the a;;j;rej;ate vote of the
►State was 4,707.
And thus ended the most important, excited, and anjiiy election
that took ])lace at that early day in Illinois. All feelini;, however,
speedily subsided, ami in (I months alter, is it said, a politician
who favored tin- introduction of slavery was a rara avis. The
victory was decisive of the question for all time.
Chapter XXVI II.
lSL't-0— MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS.
Ler/islafio)! — h'e-on/duization of the Judiciari/ — Cliirf Justia^ Wil-
fioit — Hubbard as Gonrnor ad htterim — Pitpulation of l.Sii,"i —
Visit of LaFaycltc.
The {convention strun^ilt- ovci', oilier ndaii'.s elaini our attention.
And liist as to the leyislatnit'. wliicii was aiiti-eonveiition in
its i)olitieal sentiments, Tiie nieiuhers eliosen siinnllaneously with
the defeat of the convention call, eoiistituted in a .sensic the lirst
ever eh'cted in Illinois upon (ttlier than personal eonsidcrations.
J'ernianenI pait.v principles and oi'puii/ations had been, as Vi-t,
torei;;n to the vir^^in soil of Illinois. To land one and deliune the
other candidate was, nj) t(» that time, the oidy recoi^ni/.ed mode of
conduct in,i;' a ])()litical caii\ass, and the canii)aij;ns weit- usually
.shoit. (lovernor Coles, in his inessaj;<', eonuratulated the pe(»plo
ui)on the result over the slaveiy qnestion, and aj;ain recom-
mended the abolition of the remnant of Afiican slavery still exist-
inii;', as an anomaly in this free State. lint the lej^islaiure,
notwithstanding' its anti-convention majority, was n(»t abolition,
and it paid little heed to his reeommendation. Two United States
senators, four suprenu' Judj^t's, and hvi' circuit Jndjies, besides a
crowd of other oflicials, were to be electe<l at this session; but the
nmjority proved itself of (juite a forjiivinj;' disiiosition towai'd its
recent bitter o])poin'nts, and the convention (piestion was not
made a test in the choice of the niunerous oflicers durin}^' tiie ses-
sion. John McLean, a leadinji' pro-convention orator, was eh'cted
United States s«'nator over (lovernor Edwards, who was not
closely identilied with the aiij>Ty (contest, beinj;' absent in NNash-
in<:ton. It was at this tinu' that he becanu' involved in his unfor-
tunate (puirrel with .Mr. Crawford, secretary of the treasury,
which caused him to j;ive np the .Mexican nussioii to which he
had been appointed. Oiu' week later, IClias Kent Kaiu' was also
elected to the Cuited States senat«'. I h' defeated for the position siudi
prominent anti convention men as (lovernor Coles and Samuel I).
Lockwood. Kaiw was perhaps the ablest writer that the conven-
tion i»arty had duriuj;' the (contest, althouj;h a northern nmn by
birth and education. Two leading pro conveution nuMi were thus
houtu'cd by an anti-convention legislature with the two highest
ollices in their gift.
JJy the constitution, the terms of ollice of suprenu' Judges were
to expire with the close of the year lSli4. The legislatur(! re-or-
ganized the Judiciary by creating both circuit and suprenu^ courts.
The Statt! was divided into live Jiulicial circuits, providing two
terms of court annually in eueli county. Tlie salaries of the eir-
328
COLKS' AUMIMSTKATION.
;529
ciiit Jiulj^t's were lixcd at $<»(>(). Tlic IV)ll(>\viiij>- circuit jiulj;<'s were
cIioNcii : .ioiiii V. Sawyer. Samuel McKoherts, Ificliard M. Vouuj;',
James Hail and -loiiu O. Wattles, uamed iu the ordi-r ol' tlieir
resi)e(;tive circuits. Tiie sii|»reuie court was relieved of circuit
duties iiud made a court of appellate Jurisdictiou. It was to bo
held twice a year at tlie seat of ;;<>ve,iiiueid, aud as Iteforc, com-
jtosed of four Jud.ijcs, l»id uow eomuiissioued duriu,i;j;ood belunior.
Tlieir salaries Were cut down from ."jSHKH) to ."JSSOO. J)ec.eml)er ;>U,
18U4, the two houses met in joint session to elect one chief jus-
tice ami three asso<'iate justices. On the first ballot, William
Wilson received .■).') votes, Thomas lieynolds, chief justice up to
that time, li). Wilson havinj;' receiNcd a majority of the whole
number of votes (;ast, was duly dec^Iared t;hief justict' of tlio
State of Illinois.
For associate justices there were six candidates: Thomas (',
lirown, Samuel 1). Lockwood, Theophilus W. Smith, David
JUackwell, Thomas Iteynolds and John Iteynolds. in the course
of five ballotinjis, the Hrst three named were chosen. .lames
Turney was elected attorney ^^'eneral. The two Heynolds, Thomas
and .lolin, um-le and ne|)hew. wiio were rejected, had been on
tile siiprcnu' lieiich up to tliat time, and the former had been a
conspicuous convention man.
William Wilson, at th«' time of his elevatitm to the liiuh and
lioiioiable position of chief justice of Illinois, was but L".> years (»ld,
and had i»een already tivcyeais on the siipreiiM' bench as associate
justice. He was born in Loudon county, N'ir^iiiia, in 17!).")- When
quite youiij;' his father died, leavinj^' his widow w ith two sons an<l
an embarrassed estale. At an early aiic, his mother ol>tained for
him a situation in a store. Ibil the yoiiiii;' man discovered no apti-
tude for the business of nieicliandi/in.<i, and yoiiui;' as lie was,
deve]o|>ed an unusual ^reed for books, readiii.i;' e\cry one attaina-
ble, to the almost total ne.i;iecl of his duties in the store. At the
aj>e of 18 he was placed in a law ollice under the tuition (»f the
Hon. Jolni Cook, who ranked liiuii as a lawyer at the Itar of \ir-
fiinia, and who also served his country with honor and distinction
abioad as miiiist<'r to the court of !■' ranee. In IS! 7, \oiiiij;'
AVilson came to Illinois tt> look for a home, and siicli was his
jieisonal bearing and prepossessinii' appearance, that one Near
later, at the iiiaiii;iiratioii of the State j^overnmeiit. his name was
broiiylit before tlie le;;islatiue for associate supreme judaic, and
he came witinu votes of an eleiition. AN'ithin a year, as we have
M'cn, lie was cli(»sen in the |>lace of I-'oster. I'or live years he
ser\('d tln^ pe(»ple so acceptalily upon the bench as to be at this
time chosen to the lirst p(»sitioii by a larj;e majority over the
former chief justice, iieynolds. This was the more a mark of
apiii(»bation, because .liidjuc Wilson was totally de\(>id of, and
never in his life could wield, any (»f the arts of the ]»olitician or
])arty schemer. As rei;ar<ls political intriyiie, he was as iiiiio-
eciit as a child. lie wassinjiulariy pure in all ills convict ions of duty,
and in his loiiy' public career of nearly .U) years as a su])reme jiidije
of Illinois, he commanded the full respect, conlideiice and
esteem of the i»eoi>le for (he probity of his ollicial acts and
his upi"ij;ht conduct as a citizen and a man. His education
was s;utU as he had ac(piired Ity dilijicnt read in;;' and self cull lire.
As ii writer his diction was iiure, clear and elegant, as may be seen
330 IITSTORY OF IIJ.INOTS.
l».v it'lt'i'ciicc l(» Ills piiblislicd opinions in tiic snprcnicconrt reports.
"NVitli a niiiul of rare analytical power, iiis jiKlj^nient as a lawyer
Avas (liseriininatin^' and sound, and upon tlie heneli Ins learniii<;'
and iniparliaiity coninKinded res|)t>ci, wiiile Ids own di;;iiilie(i
deportment inspired decoiiini in others. I>,\ the niendiers of the
liar lie was lireatly esteiMiied ; no new iM'^iiniier was ever without
tint |>roteetioii of almost a fatherly iiand in his eonrt, a<4ainst the
arts ami poweis of an ohh-r o|ipoiient. In polities, ii|M»n the foini-
ati<in of the Wliij; and Deinoeialie parlies, he associated hiinself
with the former, ile was an amialile and accomplished ^icnlleinan
in private life, with manners most eiiyajiinujind friendships si ronj;'.
Jlis hospitality Wiis of the old \'irjiiiiia style. Seldom did n sum-
mer season jiass at his jileasant country seat, aliout two miles
from Carmi, on the hanks of the Little W'aliasli, llmt troojis of
fiieiids, relatives and distinjinisiied otiicial visitors did not sojourn
Avithlii:n. His oflicial career was tenninaled with the ^()in^ into
effect of the new constitution, Decemlier 1, l.Sl.s, when he rctii'ctl
to ]irivate life. He «lied at his home, in the ripem-ss of aj;e and
the consciousness of a life well sjicnt, April liO, 1<S,")7, in his (i.'Ul
year.
The le^iislatiire of ISL'4 was an important and able body.
Throii.yliont its session, hiinuony and coidiality obtained amonj;'
the members. ']"he men who wt'r<' proinoteti o;- elc\;ited to otlice,
and chaificd with iiiii»ortiint responsibilities, \\ei«' jicnerally wi'll
known to the iieojile for their chiirncter, merit and ability, and
failed not to <ii\e satisfaction. HcNciity thonsiind dollars ol the
Stiite biink currency were committed to the llames in the presence
of the <i(i\«'rnoi'. supreme Jml.ucs and directors of the jirinciiial
biink, accoidini; to the rcMpMiements of the law.
In the summer of ISii,"*, immigration rexived considerably A
jii'eat tide set in toward the cf'iitral parts of the Stale. Throiifih
\'andalia alone, ^.'iO wagons were counted in three weeks time, all
.U'oinn' northward. Destined for Sangamon county alone, SO
Wilsons and 4(M> people were couiiled in two weeks time. Sanj^a-
inoii connly was, at that time, without doubt the most i»opnlou8
county in tiie Stat<'. All the nortliein counties were most dispro-
]»idportionately represented in theiiciieial assembly. \\'hile such
counties as J\andoiph and White had each a senator and tlir«'e re|i-
reseiitatives, Sangamon had one re]ireseiital i\ c and one senator
«»nly.
It liaj»]iened at tliis time, that (!o\ernor Coles was temiioiarily
absent ona visit to N'iruinia.and Lieutenant {iovernor Hubbard was
the acting ji'oveiner. His Exc^'lleiicy ml hdcrhu, struck with the in-
justice of this uiietpial representation, issued his proclamation for
an e:vtra session of the h'^^islat lire, to coiixcne at the seal of j:(»v-
erninent on the llist .Monday in ilaniiary, 18-0, for the pnipose of
apportioning the State, and for busiix'ss <>'enerally. He was
not loth to claim ]M»wer. (loveriior Coles returned on the last
day <if October and resumed his o(1ice,l)ut the aclinji' ^ioveriior
Avas not inclined to yeild it up, claiminji' he had superseded tini
former and to be j;(>\ernor dv Jure under section IS, article 111
of the constitution, which icad :
" In case of an impciiciinieiit of llie fi;()vernor, his removal from ofTlce,
death, refusal to (|uality, resiiiiiatioii or aliseiici' from tiie State, tlie
lieuteuaut-goveruor shuii exercise all the power aud authority apper-
coles' ADMlNISTKATlOiV.
331
taiiiini; to the ottice of ^jovonior, until the time poiiitod out liy tlu' con-
HtitutioM for the clcclion of a governor, sluill arrive, inili-ss tlii' jreiitral
Uj^scnihly sliall oIluTwisf jn'ovide l)y law lor the (.'lection of a governor
to till sueii vacancy."
Alice the aniviil of Coles. FIul)l»iii<l, as a test, issued a coinniis-
sitHi to W. \j. I), lOwinu' as paymaster <i«'neial of the State militia,
vliieli was presented to the secretaiyol' Slate, (ieoijie l'"(ti(|Uei',
for his signature, who reliised to si/^n and allix llie ollicial seal
thereto, in I );'ceml)er I'ollowin!;. the suprenu' court beinj;- in ses-
sion, Mwinj;' ai»plied lor a rule on the secretary to slniw cause why
a uiandauius siiould not he awarded I'eipiirin^ him lo eoiintersiun
and allix thesealol' the Slate lo his commission issued an*l signed
by Adolpliiis FiedericU liul»l>ard. uox eiiior of Illinois. The rule
bein.u granted, tin' secretary answeied, slatinji' the facts, wlieichy
tin' wlntle (pu'slion was hionuld Itefore the court and ai'^ned at
leuf^th with luin-li ahiiity by talented counsel for both sides. 'I'iio
Jndincs, al'tcrmiM'h deliberation. delivered sepaiale opinions of yreat
learuini;' and research. I>nl all a ;i iced in the jud;:iiienl prouounced,
tinit ihe ride must be dischariicd. Ilid)bard was still irrepressible,
and next nn'nH)riali/.ed tin- lej^islalure in reference to liis j;rievance.
l>ul the senate (le<'ided that the subject was a Jiidicia! on.-, inex-
]»edient to leyislale upon, and the house laid his mcMuorial uikui the
table.
'l"he census of lSl*."> I'etnrned a population of 71'. SIT, beinti •"o"-
isidcrably l«'ss than the sanjiuiiu' expectations of niiUiy led them
to hojte for. The State was duly ai)poiti()ned anew at the sjn'cial
session in -lanuaiy, lS:,'(i, with rcferense to the (list rii)ut ion of pojui-
laliou. The (pu'stion was also nM)oted at this session of repealinj^"
the circuit court system, not that the court did not sidtserve a ,i;reat
])ublic need, but that |)o!ilicians in Iheir disappointment in obtain-
ing ollice the winter ]»rece(linji', soujiht to redress Iheir .yrievanees
liist by (lei)rivin,y' the circuit Jud.iics altoii't'ther of ollice, and next
by loadinji' the snurenu' Judj^cs with additiomd labor by remaudiuf^
them to circuit duty. Tin' latter, bein<i' life nu'ndters, could not
be otherwise reached asobjects of their venjicance, wherefore they
Were eharyi'd with having- loo easy a life as a court of apiteals
for a State so endtairassed as Illinois. The house, however,
struck out of the bill to repeal all after the enacting;' clause and
as a i>iece of pleasantry, inserted a section to lepeal the wolf-seali)
law, in which the seinite did not concur.*
'•THE nation's guest."
•Ill ^tiircli siu'ci'i'il iii«, witliin ."> miles of wlifrc tlio k'Kisliitiiri' had siit.a livi; your olil
cliild (it DiiiiU'l liiiliniiii, which had waiKleri'il triiin hoiiM' into tliu woods a niilo or
so, was attacked and killed by a wolf The aiiiinal was seen leaving Us nian^^led und
partly Cionsunicd boay by thu iioiglibors iu search of it ou the following' day.
332 UlSTOllY OF ILLINOIS.
eariKstly iiivitinji- liiiii to i'xtriid his western visit to Illinois. On
tile !)tii of Deceniher tiie addn'ss, witli an att'ectionateiy written
letter IVoni (iov. ( "oles, wlio liad fonried Ids peisonal a<'quaiiitaiic(^
in l-'raiiee in ISl", were transmitted to(ien. Iiai"'ayette. I'lider
date (»f WasliinjLiton, .Ian. 1(5, ISl',"), he expressed his j;rati(ieation
for the lionor doiu' Inni by Illinois, addinji': "It has excr been uiy
eaj^er desire, and it is now my earn«'st intention, to visit tlii' western
States and ]»articiilarly the State of Illinois. The feelinj;s which
ionr distant weleome eonid not fail to excite, have in-
creased that ]>atriotic euH'ernes.s to adndre on that blessed
.spot, the happy and lapid resnils of rei>id)lican institu-
tions, i»nblic and domestic virtues. I shall, after the celebration
of the L'L'd of Febrnary anniversary day, leaver this place for a
journey to the southern, and from Xew Orleans to tlar western
states, .so as to return to lloston on tlie 14tli of .lune, when the
■ corner stone of the Hunker's Hill monument is to be laid; a cere-
mony sacred to the whole rnion,aud in which llnive been enj;a;;«'d
to a(!t a peculiar ami honorable part."
On the L'Sth of April, ISl',"), the steand)oat Xache/, with (iencral
Lal-'ayette and suit on board, anchored below ^t. Louis at the old
Fieucli \ illaj;e of Carondolet. On the followin<;' nita'nin;^' };ov-
crnors Clark of ^Missouri, and Coles of Illinois, Col. l>enton. and
ollieis, ]'c|)aired thither to escoit the distinj;uished visitor ui> to the
city. During' the forenoon the boat with the entire party steamed
u[) to St. Louis, where, upon the wliarf.au immense concourse of
jteo|)le had asseinl»lcd to <;reet and honor the patriot liero. lie
landed amidst the boominji- of cannon ami the animated cheers of
the vast nudtituch'. lie was accom])anied by his son, named
(Jeorye Washiiij^ton Lafayette, and his secretary, Col. LeVassear;
by a deputation from Louisiana consist iuj^' of Col. .Morse, aid to tlie
y()\-eruor, .^Ir. LeCiair, his private secretary, and .Mr. l*riei', re-
corder of New Orleans, and Col. Ducros; by Col. Scott from the
State of ]\Iississip]»i, and by MaJ. (ien. (iibl>s, MaJ. Ivutlcd.nc, Mi'.
JJolcli and Ml'. Stewart, (»f Tciin. Addresses of welcome and
res]»onse.s were made, when the entire coiK^onrse moved to the-
ele,i;aiit mansion of Pierre Choteau, where; a reception was held.
Su]»i»er was had, followed by a number of toasts and a]»iiropi'iate
spi'cches, and in the eveiiiiiji a splendid ball at ^lassie's hotel,
attended by (icncral LaJ'ayette, liis suit, and all the dii^nitaries.
Jn person JjaFayette was about six feet tall, incliuiiijn to corpu-
lency, and a tiorid complexion. He limi»ed upon his left Icji, the
I'csult of a wound. He spoke the English lan^uaye fluently and
had a leady command of appropriate exi>ressioii.
On Saturday, April 30, ISL',"), (Jen. J.aFa.\ette and suit, attendi'd
by a lai';ne delcjuaiion of proniineiit citizt'iis of ^lissonri, made a
visit l)y the steamer Natchez to the ancient town of Kaskaskia. No
military i)arade was attemi»ted, but a f^reat multitude of patriotic
citizens bade him welcome. A reception was held at the elej;ant
residence of ]Mr. F^djiar. (iox. Coles, on lu'half of the jteople of
Illinois, delivered a .nlowinj4 address of welcome to the illustrious
ynest, to which LaFayette reiilied in a most feeliny and hapj)y
vein, expi'<'ssive of his exquisite gratiticatiou for the honor done
him uiK)n that occasion.
After this a general introduction of the citizens and hand-shaking
followed, when a most touching scene was presented. A few old
GOLKS' ADMINISTIIATION. .'533
icvolmitioiiiiry soldici's ('((Ilcctcd iinniiid tlic (Iciiciiil, who lijul
loiiylit uiidcr liis c'V(^ at IJiaiidywiiK^ and Vorktown, and
■svlio all r(!(!()llt'('l('(l liiiii and now <ir«'('t»'d liini most In-artily.
Altlioujili tlif }^i':;fial did not iicisoiially it'(M»ll('ct tlicni. tlic occa-
sion was to |i;in and all present most atlcctinj;-. Tliis meeting in
the winter Oi their lixcs seemed to awaken .vonthlnl I'eelinji' and
carry back thesis old soldier patriots to the event lid period
when th«'y wei'c associated in arms and lij;htin>;- the hattlts ot"
libei'ty.
The entire company of dislin;iiiislie(l j;nests, visitors, and citi-
zens next ]»ro(!eeded to tin- taxern kept liy Col. Swcel, where an
ample diunei- had Iteen i»re|»ared. The |»atriotic ladies had deco-
rated tlu' diidnj; hall with lanrel wreaths in u most tastefid and
appro{>riate manner, and over the table where tlu^ heroand hohoi-ed
guests were seated a beaut did rainlxtw of roses and flowers was
.S]>anned.
\V(! cjui oidy give a very few of the after dinner toasts that weici
drank:
lljl IjaFajictte — Kaskaskia and Illinois; may their Joint pros-
])eriry more and moi'c evince the blessings of congenial iudu^try
and freedom.
/»',// (jIi>v. Colas -The inmates of Lafirangos [LaFayotte'.'*liome]:
let them not be anxious; for though their father is 1,(100 miles
in the interior of America, he is yet in the Piidst of his alfectionatc
children. [Very good].
/>'// G. IV. lj((F<(i/i-tf('—T]u' grateful confidence of my father's
children and grand-children, in the kin<lness of his American family
towaids him.
/>// Oor. Hand — (leneral LaFayette; may he live to see tli:
libeity established in his native country which he helped to estai>-
lish in his ado])ted country. AN'hen this toast was given the
general arose and (»l)ser\('d that he woidd driidc the latter pari of
the toast — the liberty of his adopted country — standing.
After dinner the distinguished ]»arty icitaii'ed to the large
and commodious house of Wm. ^Morrison. Sr., Ksq., where a giand
ball was given for their delectation. Here during the night (piite
an interesting int<'rview took ]>Iace between the renowned (iencral
and an Indian s(pmw whose father had scrxcd under him in llu;
lievolutionary war. The squaw, learning that the great \N liite
Chief was to bt^ at Kaskaskia on that night, had ridden all day from
early dawn till some time in the night, from her distant home, to
see the nnui whose name had been so often upon her father's tongue
and witli which she was so familiar. In identitieation of her
claim U) his distinguished ac(puiintan(!e, she brought with her an
old worn letter which the general had written to her father, and
which the Indian chief had [(reserved with great care, ami finally
be(pu'atlied on liis death bed to his daughter as the most pre<;ious
legacy he had to leave hei*.
Jly \'l o'clock at night, (Jen. LaFayette returned to tlie steam-
boat, and started on hisi-oute to Nashville, (Jov. (Jole.s accomi)any-
iiig him, the boat being chartered by tluifState.
lie returned from Nashville on the steandioat IVIechanic. On
the 14th of May, l.S2o, when the boat appeared in sight at Shaw-
lU'ctown, a deputation of tluH-itizens waited on the general, anda})-
prised him of the reception in waiting for him. As the bout
3;u
IIIHTOKV (»K ILLINOIS.
npproiiclMMl till' liiiidin^, a .salute of 24 rounds was fict'd. 'I'Im' |»'0-
plcof tlu- town and snii'onndin^' connlry liad tninctl ont en in:issu
to <xn'v{ lilt' loved Iicro. Two lines were loriiie<l, extending' iVoiii
Kaw linji's hotel to the river. l>own this passed the eoiiiiiiitlecs
of reception, town ollieials. and other dignitaries, and received the
nation's yiiest. who with the distinynished party accoinpanvinj;'
him, passed up the line, tin' citi/eiis standiii;^ uncovered in per-
fect silence, niitii his arrival at the door of the iiolel. wheic a larjic
imiiiher <»[' ladies were ;isseiiil)led. Here an address of ;it1'ectioniite
welcome was delivered l»_v .ludj;(' .lames Hall, iial-'iiyette replied
witiiont preparation, in a voice Iremnloiis with emotion, tliankiii<;
the people for this evidence of their love and jiiat it nde. A colla-
tion Wiis then piirtakcn of, followed hy a iinmlter of toasts sniliii)le
t<) the occasion, Ai'lei- speiidiiiiii' a few hours in pleasant converse,
the jiciieral was conducled hack to the slcamci', when he took a
most alfectionate leave. A saliiti^ was lired af the departure.
The general appeared much vvcnn with the f;itij;ue of his tii|».
(ioveriior Coles quitted hiiii at Shawneetowii, and proceeded by
land to V^indalia.
CiiAPTEK XX rx.
]8LM)-.",()— ADMINISTK'ATIOX OF (lOVKIJXOIl KDWAIMhS.
Camim'ujn of 1S2(! — Tlir (HiihrnHitoridl Candidates — Coiift'st hetivecn
Jhinicl /'. Cool; and Jost'idi l>nnrmi for ('onj/rcsN — ('Immctcr of
(tor. Edirardn' spccclits — His eliafj/esayoinst the State Ji(iiik(>(ficers
and trsult of the iuiinit'ij into their eonduet — Uepeal of the Cirenit
Court system — dor. I'Jdirards eloinis for the ISt((te title toall puh-
lie funds within her limits.
At tlic {joiHTiil election of Aiiji^nst, ISL'O. there were tliree <jii1)er-
iiatoriiil caiididiites in tlie lieltl : Niiiian lOdwaids, I'lionias (J. Sloe,
and Adolpinis Kredericiv IInl>ltai'd. 'I'iie latter was at tlio tiiiio
lientenaiit-<;()Vernoi'. That lie was ambitions to beeonie governor,
we have s«'en in his attempt to snperedc^ (iov. Coles, failinj;' in
which lie now sonjiht that distinction, as was more hecomiiij^-,
directly from the hands of the people. ''As a pi(!tnre of the
tinn's," (Jov. ("oles '/ivv.s the following;- niorcean, from Ilnhlyard'.s
speeches to his constitntents : "Fellow citizens, I offer myself as
a candidate before yon, for the ottice of >;'overnoi-. J do not pre-
tend to be a- nnin of extraordinary talents; nor do I claim to be
tMjnal to Jidins Ca'sar or Napoleon IJonaparte, nor yet to be an
j;reat a nnin as my oi»p()nent, (lo\. ICdwards, Nevertheless, [
think I can jjjovern yon ]>retty well. I do not think it will re(piii*e
a veiy extraoidinary snnirt man to fi'overn yon; for to tell you
the truth, fellow-citizens, 1 do not thiidc yon will l)e very hard to
govern, no how." lie was an oddity.
The contest lay between Sloe and Edwards. Sloe was a {icu-
tlcMnan of <>()od sense and capacity, whose bnsinoss was merchan-
disinj;-. lie had been much in i»nl)hc life, and as a member of the
h'<iislatnre, time and a<;ain had wiehU'd a larj^e influence as a
l)ractical worker in that body. In deportment, he was difinilied
and urbane, but had not cultivated the art of public si)eakin.y',
in which Edwards, an A])ollo Belvedere in form and Titan iu
intellect, had cpute the a<lvantaoe of him.
" Edwai'ds,'' says Gov. Ford, " was a larjie, well made nuin, with
a noble, ])rincely ai)peai'ance," who " never condescended to the
common low arts of electioneering'. AVhenevcr ho went out amonj>'
the peoi)Ie he arrayed himself iu the style of a gentleman of the
olden time, dressed in tiiu' broadcloth, with short breeches, lonj?
stockings, and high, fair-to])i)ed boots; Avas drawn iu a fine car-
riage driven by a m^gro; and foi- success he relied upou his
speeches, which were delivered with great pomp and iu a style
of diffuse and florid eloqueuce. Wheu lie was inaugurated iu
335
.'{;«'.
nisroin oi" m.mnois.
1SL'(», he iii)|K'iir<Ml before tlie ;;eiicr;il asseiiildy weariti;^ ii ;;ol<leii
liieeil clnaU, iilid witli }i\v:[\ |Miiiip lie proiioiiiieed Ins tii'st iiies-
Nli;;e |i» llie iioilses ol' the le;;i.s!aliiic.''
I'"(H' tlieolliee (»!' lieutenant ;;oveni(»r llu'ic wereinit Iwueaedi-
<lates — llnl)haril iieiii;; wilhont an as.s(M'ia(e. Tliev were William
Kinnev ami Samuel II. 'riiompsDn, ami what mav appeal' a litll(>
.sin;;iilar at this tla,\ . holii were ministers of the gospel, I he I'tunier
a Kaptist, the lattec a .MelhiMlist. Kinney was <)n<> of the uhl
pioneei's, lijiviiii;' emi;iia!e.| to lllin(»is with his father in IT'.t?.
lie possessed natniallv a ;l;(io(I mind, lint hadieeiexed no ediiea-
tion. until after mania;;*', when liis wife tan.uht him its rndinu-nts.
lie had been nineh in pidtlie lite, and was an efticient and nntir-
iii;;' canvasser. In the eoiiveidion (contest, he had been nneeas-
iiiu in his elforis to lender it a success. He was wcaltlix, an<l in
a political canvass the dniies of his IioIn calliii;;- were not ii
stnndtlin;; block in his way. The Itev. .Mr. 'riioinpsoii, his oppo-
nent, while he was his superior in scholaslic attainments, had nof
his knowled.u'e of men, nor his political art. This was his vir^iiii
eibirt to attain honors which perish. His character was irre-
iM-oachable ami Ibriiade him to en^iaue in any elect ioiieeriii;;' con-
duct to sidly it. His candidacy was distasteful to him. The re-
sult of the secular contest between these twoftf t he sacred cloth,
\vas the reverse of that for ptv«'riior. The Itev. .Mr. Kinney,
althon^ih riinniii;^' on the Shu- ticket, which failed, was elected by
a small majoiiiy.
There was howexcr, a more important c(Hitest connected w ifh
the election of ISL'tl, in a political point of \ iew, than that tor tli(<
ollice of ;;overnor. We allude to the race tor conj;ress belwceii
J)aiiiel P.Cook and .loseph Duncan, which inaiked the be^in-
iiin^^of party principles, instead of mere local, personal scram-
bles for ollice. To liel]»oiir nndcrstandiii;;' w«' must take a short
view of national affairs.
Oiif of the presidential contest^ cd" ISi'l, yrew the parties known
afterwanls as the wliiy and democratic. The election had failed
before the [tcople, ami the lioiis<> of rcpi'cseiitatives, in disre;;ard
of the will of the people, chose the one who had received next to
the hi^ihest number of electoral Notes, Mr. Adams. Mr. Clay
accepted the liij;lu'st ])osition in the cabinet, but Mr. ("ruwford
refused otlice under tlie m-w adiniuistratiiMi. Some bitterness of
I'eelin;;- sprang;' up between Mr. Clay and (b'li. .Facksoii, the tbriner
liaviii;-' written a letter in which lu^ deprecated the election (d" ii
"military chieftian*' to the hi^ih ollice of |»resideiit, which Avas
tlioui^ht to rellect upon the latter. A coalition of the Clay and
Adams iikmi followed, and as dackson had received a plurality of
electoral votes, nnu'c than doultle tli(»se of Crawlbrd, and as Ik;
further, throu;;h the iiomination of the le;;islatiii'e ot Tennessee.
dire(!tly became a candidate a,naiii for the same p(»sitioii, it became
evident at an early day, that the next contest would lie between
bim and ]Mr. Adams. The friends of Mr. Crawford, therefore
{javo in tlieir adhesion to the .lackson ]»aity, as. by so doin;;-, was
there any hope of defeat in;;' Adams. I'arty i»riiiciples did not .is
yet obtain; indeed Jackson had voted, while in the senate, .vith
Adams and Clay, and supported attirmafively S different bills
jn'ovidin;;' for internal im|»rovenients by the ^i'cneral ^^overiimcnt,
and also the tariff of 1821, founded on the principle of lU'otection.
EDWAKDM' AnMTNrsrUATI(»N.
337
I'iirty «l'viMi()iN IiivoIvimI imtsoiijiI (•(iiisidcriitioiia only wliic^h
wiTc V('r,\ iiciiiiionioiis.
Diiiiii'l l\ Conk, ill tlic clfctiiiii of tS'JI, niii ii^siiiist (iov. I'oihI
for nui^ilTss, iiiiil Wiis rltTlcd. I )iiriiij;- I In- fiiiii|»;ii;ili, I lie pioliii-
liilil.v of tlic |)i'<-si(lriiliiil clt'ctioii ;i'oiii;> into tlic lioiiso Wiis not
iiiit'orsccii. iiiid he li;i(l pledged iiiiiisclf in siicli (•oiitin;4:riicy, "f(»
Mile, iis ii rcpiTsciitiilivc, in iircoidMncc willi I In- clciirclv cxpicss-
»'d sense ol" u iniijniity of tlinse w liose will lie should he called upon
to express." 'I'lie titliil popnliir \»>le ol' Illinois, whieli \oted hy
districts, was 4.707, of wliicrli loH wei'c cast lor I lie electors of
Aihims. rj7.'! lor .Jackson, 101(1 for Clay, L'lS for Crawford, and
(»_'!! for ,1 allies 'riiriic.N, elector lor Clay and Jackson joint l_\. If half
of these latter \(»tes had lieeii added to .lacksoii's. it would lia\(^
}ii\eii him a jiliiraliy but not a nnijorily. The electoral col|e;n'e'
of Illinois, in Deceiiilier followiiiLi', droppiii;;' Clay and Crawford,
j;a\e to .lackson two \(»tes, and to Adams oiH'; iiiit when the elec-
tion of president came hcforc the house of representatives in <'on-
jU'ress, Mr. ( 'ook cast the \<tte (»f Illinois for Sly. Ailaiiis, as it was
supposed l>y the peopli' (who proliahly made no distinction between
the highest ]iopnlar \oleaiid majority) in violaliiuiof his express-
ed picdtifes ; and they believed that (leii. Jackson had been ;;ross-
ly clicatcd, by their representative.*
And now Mr. Cook was a;;ain a candidate for eon;;rcss. Prior
to his votiiiy for Adams, he was the most ]M)pular man in the
Slate. This was attributable in ;j;'reat part l<< his social (pialil ies,
beiii;^- <;ifled with a natural charm ot" manner almost irresistible,
and ii ready adaplabilitv to surroiiiidiii^is, wliich were to him a
^reat aid in his clectionecriiin' inlercoursc with the people, and
wliic'' enabled him to accommodate himself with ac<'eptaltility to
every ciicuiiistance and condition of wesferii lifc.t Thus,
with iiotliiiijn' ai^ainst him but his vote for Adams, did he
start into the campaiirn of I.Sl'O. Ills former opponents, ,lohii
McLean, I'lias Keiil Kane, and x (Iov. I'xiiid had been Iieateii so
badlv and not aiipi'eciatiii;^' the piililic I'eseiitinent, they even now
feared to a.nain e.ssay the i-aeo, and Joseph Dnnciin, afterward
jiovernor, tlieii but little known in the State, liad the temerity to
come out against him. .Vt that time Duncan was an ori^^iiial .lack-
♦RoynoltVs Life aud Times, Jiajie 254.
l+l/iii'iii)f thociiMVi'iitioii cuniimiKn, in 1834, when Mr. Cook ininnlnif for cntfrcss, wiis
oppdscil Ity ex (iov. Iloiid, he lia<l (K'ciisiiin to stop over iilirht with ii riirmiM' in the
southern part of the Stiito. In (M)nversiition Vmik inquired the news, to whieh tlio
liu'uii-r replied "liiero was none, e.veept they were iitriiid that that d-d little Vatdtee,
("ooltj would be re-eleeted to congress." Tlie conversation eontinui'd duriiiji tlio
eveinnf? on various topics; in the ir.orninK when Mr. ("ook was about to tuk(' his
departure, the fanner, pleased with hia agreeable and intellitrent jrnest, inciuircd his
niinit! Mr. (^ook replied, that he was "that d — d little Yankee Cook," he had alluiUid
to tlie oveninjf previous ! The fanner bee one his devoted supporter. (Kdwards' life
of Kdwards.) In stature Mr. ('ook was below the ine<liiun hisrlit, slendcM' and erect,
wtd^rhtuK not exceeding: t^O ))ounds ; his voice was soft anil melodious, and his speech
rearly and fluent. Ho was born in Scott county, Kentvieky, and was a self made man,
haviiis: few educationa'. advantajres in liis youth. In olticial life hi,' e.vhibited an exten-
sive and varied knowledsrc of iniblie allaira. Ho settled in Illinois in IHIfi, was the first
attorney general of the State, and the second eouKrcssnuin. beatin^f .lohn Mi:Ijean in
181'.' and was bi-ennlally thereafter re elected up to 18:;u In coM^rress he stood hi-rh ;
in ' -tl he was transferred from the comndttee on imblic lands, to that of ways and
means, and, owinj; to the absence of the chairman, acted in tliat laborious and responsi-
ble capacity most of the time. During liis last term in eontfress ho procunil the
very important (?rant of near ;j()0,000 acres of land in this State for the construction
of the Illinois and Michiiran canal. Mr. Cook's health havinir been feeble for sonic
time, at the close of the session in the Sprint? of 18;i", he made a visit to ('ubii, but
soon returned. He died of consumption, at the home of his nativity. October 1(1, 1837,
at the early ajro ot 34. Ho was the son-in-law of (}ov. Edwards, and left one child,
Gen. .John Cook, now of Springfield. The county of Cook, was named appropriately
in bis honor.]
22
33S nisTOKY OF ILLINOIS.
8(Mi 111:111, iillaclu-d to liis political Ibrtiiiic in ii<lniiration of tlio
jjiorv of liis iiiiliiaiy acliim'ciiiciits. lie had been an riisi^u iiiidcr
till' (laiiiilicss {'roj^iiaii at Lowci' Saiidiiskv and a('((iiillcd liinisrH"
\vilii cr*'*!!!. In tin- Illinois !c;^i.slaturc he had st'i\cd as a senator
from Jackson conntv. His chances of success aj^i'ainst C-'ook wei'c,
re.uanicd as hopeless; lint he t'ntered ii))on the canipai,uii iin-
(lannled; his speeches. dcNoiil of ornament, Ihon.uh shoil, wcic I'ldl
of jidod sense, lie made a dilij;ent canvass of the Slate, Mr.
Cook heini^' mnch hindered liy the state of his health. The most
that was expected of I )nncan. howexer. was that he w(»nld ;;'ct a
I'cspectahle vote — not tliedi'feat of Cook, liolli friends and foes
were strnck with snrprise and amazement at the result. 'I'he \ io-
l«'nce of ]>arty feeliiif? smonlderin^' in the breasts of the peojde on
jicconnt of the defeat of .lackson, was not didy apprecialed nntil
the defeat of Cook and the election of Dniican by a majority of
(!tl — ihc \()te slandinji' t>,.'{21 for Duncan to ."ijtiSO foi-Cook. Aside
from the <'on\ cnt ion slrii,u,L;lc in ISi' t. none other than mere local and
j»er,sonal considerations hade\er before coni ■olleil the icsult of an
eh-ction in Illinois.
In the jiidternatorial contest the party lines were not so closely
drawn. Sloe was the nndonbted -lackson candidate, bi;| Ivlwards,
too. professed adherence to the political forlnnes of the '"military
chieftain."'' I hit the bnr<lenol' his speeches iciated to State alia irs and
j»ar(icnlarly the wasteful a<lmiiustration of the State linaiu'cs, and
olhci' abuses. He charactcii/cd in lit I iniv terms the wretched ic.uis-
lation which had tirst saddled the State with the bank whose worth,
less issues it was bound to redeem in ^'oldand sii\crby IS,;!; whose
notes it was bound t(» receixc at par for taxes and olhcr indeltted-
iicss, and which were paid out a.uain, or auditor's warrants as their
eipiivaleut. at >S.) Ibr 81; showed the loss from this policy must neces-
sarily be >f-2 tor )^l received; that a debt of .sl.-»(>.(IO(> had been
imposed upon the State yearly when the ordinary iMirreiit expenses
should have been but about >'2.">,0()(>; that these losses must event-
ually be wriiny (»ut of the jieople by ti'cble taxation; that no
State. liowt'\er jureat its eneriiies or resources, coiihl Ion;; wit list and
so enormous a (h'aft upon them : that it tended to check immigra-
tion: emi.urants as a class were •'ueilher the most able mn'themost
williii.y to pay hijih taxes;" thai while the annual Stat<' re\enue
amounted to between fjtOiddl) an<l ."i'.'tO.OOO. iiciiiu nearly (hnible tin;
current expenses of the j;d\('inment, these deplorable deficits and
deprciriation of currency were taking place, huiniliatin^ to our jtride
and disreputable to our character abroatl. He inveighed a;:;ainst
the unjust discrimination whereby residents were compelled to J>ay
taxes yearly and non-residents semi-annually; that as the State
revenue was chietly derived from the latter, human inyeniiity
could not hav<' devised a more ettect iial scheme to produce an annual
delicit in the State trcasui'y. This it was that created the demand
for new issues of lh»ods of auditor's warrants w hich de[)reciat('d
the currency and aftbided the opportunity for sjieculators to riot on
tlu' necessities of the people; but I'or this unfair ad\aiitaiLie the
further emission of these warrants would cease. '••Hut tlicii.'" he
exclaimed to his auditory, "this W(»uhl have withered, if not anni-
hilated, that spcculalioii which has so lonj;' Ix-en Inxiiriatinj;' upon
the resources of the State and the honest cai'iiinus of the sweat
of your brow s. Such impositions as these, upon a free, hiyhminded
EDWAUD.S AUMlNlSTliATION.
3.']9
;iihI iii(l<'|)('ii(lciit ]t<'o])l«'. I 1»ol<lly iissci't, liavr no ihiimUcI in the
iimiiils of iVi'f ^oxci'iiiiiciit. iind llicy an; only to be borne by that
I'iiaiilv wliicli liopctli all Ihinjis, bclicvctli all tliin<>s, and cndiuctli
all thin-s."*
Kdwai'ds loiifi'ld liis cainpai.Liii battles sini^ledianded, and solely
njion tlie yronnds of fiscal reform as atleetinn' tlie welfare of tlio
Slate. irres])eeti\(' ot" party afliliations. Tins bi'onylit liiin in array
ajiainst. nearly e\cry imbiie Mian of any proiniiieiiee in tlie State,
wiiile many of liis fri<'iids st(M»d aloof. (le<'inin.ii it liazardoiis to be
ideiitilied witli iiiiii. l>iit from li's triiimpli it may well be (lediie<'d
that Ills forcible and instriictixc addresses <:aiiied the <'ar of tlui
l)eo)»Ie. 'I'lie leuislatiire was. however, lai'.ii'ely a,uaiiist him. Ilis
caiii]iai;;ii s|teeclies ha\ ini;' |irodnced a j^ood effect iijion the jieopio,
as e\ iiiced iiy tlieir siistaiiiiii;^' him, and eiicoiirajicd by his remark-
able triiiiii])h. he now attempted to y'o fiirtiier. In his inaiiiiiiral
mes.>a^(' lie alluded to the (!eliii<|iieneies of the Slia wiieetowu
branch of the State bank, as reported by the committee of iiivestij;a-
tioii. statin.n' that "'its eoiieeins had iieeii htosely and iirej;idarly
conducted;" that the deraii^cil state of its aecoiints did not
exhil»it the amount of debts i\\n\ and that money had been loaned
wilhoid security, contrary to the refpnremeids of the law. sworn
l)y all its odicers to execute faithfully the injunction, "1 will
not peiiiiit money to be loaned to any iiidisidnal without security."
From which he deduced imM only irand and imposition, but the
dearest moral i»erjiiry, voluntarily and deliberately committed. t
And now followed in short f)rder several messaji'cs from him to
the lionse. charyiiiy s|»eeilic acts of eorriiption, particularly ii]>ou
the (dticers of the Ivlwanlsville branch of the State l)ank. A loan
of $2,0"''* '""' been ol>tained by a mort,iia,ii'e upon real estate, wliicdl
on execution was valued at *7.">7.7.~) and which actually sohl for
((Illy >'l'.n.S.'): another loan of ij<(),(L*5 was eU'eeted ujion realty
vahied at .f.'t.lKt.Tl. when the sworn duty of the oflicers was to
exact real estate seeiii'ity in doulile \alne of the loaii. and to loau
but .sl.OIMIoii such security atone lime to one man. Three days
Jater, in another message, he ehai\yed that these loans were to
Thus. .1. ^IcC.uire. i-jiianiiel .1. West, and Theoiihiliis AV. Smith,
to establish a press at JOdwardsx ille. inteudcfl to pi'omote the iiitro-
diu'tioii of shncry into the Slate; that lieiiteiiant-;:(>verinu' Kinney
jM'esideiii of the bank, advanced the money to buy the press, that
Mediiii'e was the pi'inter who oblainecl the loan with West as
security, and that Smith the cashier, became the eililor; that no
entries on the minute book showed when the loan was made, tS:c.
These details were ])erhaps indiscrete, as they ;;iive color to the,
charge that his excellency was a<'tiialed by somi'lhinj;' more than
i'eclinus purely of refoi'iii,
IIa\ iiiii' obta.iied further intbrmatioii, the yovermu', on the 2r)tli
of .lanuary, submitted to the house of representati\('s, as tlui
^raiid imi of the Slate. cliai',i.'('s of j^ijnc and serious import
against tiie oflicers and boai'd of ilireetors of the branch bank at
Mdwardsx ille, alleju'cd tc* be )U'edicat< <1 u])on the bo<iks, accounts,
and pa))crs. deliveretl by the late cashier, T. AV. Siiiilh, to his siic-
cessiu'. Mr. Miller: 1st, for makiui;- loans of mcuc than sKtOO upon
real estate security to various iudividuals: L*d, makinji' loans <d'
♦Kchvuvd'j* Lire, by Iiih hoii N. W.
+8ee House Joufnul, Hussion ol^ 18iJtl-7.
340 IIISTOUY Ol' ILLINOIS.
more Ihiiii ><1(M» MiHUi ixTsonal security — tiiiit tlir president liiin-
se!t' linil two several loaiis of sKKtO each oil ])ers(>iial security,
liiaile. too. out of the 10 per cent I'uiul whieli was nex'er to he put
into cireiilat loM ; ."xl. loaniiiu on real eslate not IVee Ironi iniaini-
braiices; 4tli, loaniu;^ on iiisuHieient secmily ; ."idi. culi»al)lc iic{»-
]eel ol' ilnly in not prot«'sl ini; o\ t-rilue i)aper and proeeedinn- to
llie eollei'tion tliereol'; all in \ iolat ion (»l' llu' jiositivc re(|iiire-
inents of tlie law ; statinji tliat anionu' the hatch of promissory
uotes due and nui'eiiewed. rnnnin,u' hack tor three years, and
lianded over hy 'I', ^\ . Smith (late cashier) to his successoi', there
■\v«'re eleven lorucries delected as early as ISi'i;, yet no ctl'ort had
l)een made to hriuji the olVender to punishment; that in ISi't,
Thomas , I. Mc(iuire had ohtained a loan ot ?!(1(>0 on a mortj;a,in('
improperly executed and without reliuipiishinii dower (he heinj:;
inariied). on a |»iece of property not woith s.'JOd ; the same to
]']uiaiuu'l J. West ou land valiu'd oii execution at 8.'>(H IS; that
h> the law. all loans, hel'ore made, wci'c to he i»assed ujion hy two-
thirds of the hoard, yet T. \V. Smith had »»htained a loan without
t)eiug' >so sauctiuueil, hccause at the tiuu' tlie jtresideut wasabseut
fr<»m the State, two of tlie four dir<'ctors were atteu<linu- the legis-
lature as senators, and Smith himself, on*' td' the sujueme jiul^cs,
Avas also tln-re in attendan<'e. The iiovernor further adroitly de-
clar«'d that he fully api»reciatcd the lormidahle couihinations that
had };ro\vu out oi' the haidiiu";' interest in the wState. hut as th(5
crisis had arrived he pioposed meetinji' it, not withstandiui: men-
aces to intimidate him had hceii made, lie woidd shrink from no
danji'ci', hul fearlessly discluu;;*' the hi^h trust reposj'd in hiui hy
the people. The messajic and accompanying- docnnu'iits were I'c-
I'erred to a select committee of se\ fu, com],osed of Henry J.
i\lills, (Jeor<;e Churchill, Thomas Ifeynolds, William Sim, \V.
("axarly and Conrad Will, with power t(» send for persons aud
pajH'rs.
i'Our days later, the ,i;(>veruor, Iia\ iu<;' eifd)arked in tiie uudei'-
taUin<i' of ferret inu' oi'.t fiscal corruptions, holdlyand circumstan-
tially hrou^iht foiward nine distinclixe chariics against the cashier
of th<' iirinei[tal hank at N'audalia, .1. M. Duncan, nM)stly relatin;;' t(»
Avithholdiu^H' the recpiired information as to the condition of the
l)aid<, failiufi' to make out desciiplive lists of the burnt nott's, and
failiny' to lay heftire the h-^islature his half yeaily rt'|i(u1 as to tlu>
condition of the hranches. all of which the law re(piircd, and
in all which i)articulars the law had Tmmmi violated. This ines-
saj^c. too, was referred t(t a connnittee. Still a;.;ain he charged
that The<ipliiliis W. Smith did, when actinj;' as easiuer. misajiply
and a]>i>ro|)riate to his own use a lar^ic amount of funds of the
bank, which he still withheld, and as he ])residcd over the circuit
court in the county of his residence, he asked that provision he
made foi instilntiiiu suit ai;ainst him outside of his own circuit.
And now there was intense ex«iteinent at the c: ,,iial. The ,<:<»v-
enioi' had, sinj-le handed, to deal with adroit and saj;acious ])oliti-
<'ians of the dominant parl.\, some hi;L;li in otlice, betore a
le<;islature with whom he was in a jiarty minority. The cry was
raised tiuit the charj;'es " emanated fiom a hase and maligna ♦".
(b'lerniinati(Ui. on the jiai't of the ;;(i\crnor, to prostrate e\cry in-
dividual who had dared to o]ipose his elect ion,"* (lovernor i''ord
*SeoJ. M. JDiiuaiii'siuttur, Housu Journal, Jaiiuui-y L'«,l«27.
EinVAKOS' ADMIMSTKATION.
341
says: "A ])()\v('ifnl ('<uiil)iiiiiti(»ii of iiilliu'iitial iiu'ii was thus formod
to thwart the iiivcstijiatioii. Tlic ^^ovcriioi' was o|»<'iily and boldly
(•liar>;«'d witli base motives ; aiidtlial kind of stiyiiia was altciiiptcd
to Im> cast on liini wiiicli is apt to li\ ilscil' upon aconiniun inrornicr.
His cliai-^cs aj^ainst .Mr. Ciawloid wj-rc icmcndicrcd, and lie was
now cliarurd willi hriny' inllncncccl l»y iiostility towards .Ind^'o
.Smith, wlio liad been a tVinid to.Mr. Craw ford's ch'ction."
'I'hc charges a.uainst .1. .M. !)iincan Wi'ic speedily dis|»os('d of.
'J'iic committee, I'eliniary Stii. rejiorted, "cxculitat in;;' the cashier
of the ))rincipal !>anli from all censure," and that there was •• not
the h-ast semidance of the \iohition of his duty," in any of the
<'hai'i;es preferred l>y his lv\celleu;'y ; and as t<» the misapi»licat ion
of the bank finals l»y ,Iu<l;ne Siintli, while cashier, they icpoited
that it was not the pro\in<'e of the ^'cneral assendtly to decide
upon the validity of the claims between the bank and its ollicers ;
the ipu'stion was ajadicial on<'; that a law already existed provid-
ini; for a clian;;!' of scnue, wheie tlu' Jnd^e of a^ comt was inter-
ested in a suit.*
The committee of 7, whidi (iovernor l''ordsa\s was -'■ ]»acked"
a.yainsl tlu' governor, ;;ave the subject a lon^ an<l a))parently care-
ful invest iyat ion, tlieii- ]>roce<'(lin;;s beiu^' taken down in writing
and fully reported to the house. + .Many of the cliai'.i;cs, apparently
hiistily made. wer<' satisfactorily explained, yet much inej^^nlarity
in the<'oiidu<'t and mana;.;«'mentof flu* bank also a|»p<'ared, chief of
which was in conne<'ti(ni with the insnllicieiicy of the real estate
security rcipiiied. Hut this was i)artly explained in that val-
nalion.s weie made al'tcr the (h'preciat ion <»fthe bank noti's, in
accordance with the real vaitu' of 1 he money received, while the
hanltintes incident to that pei'iod also caused a \erv lireat de|)re-
«'iatiou of pro|>crly generally. 'J'he loans e\cecdiu^ .* 10(1(1, made to
directors and otiicers. it aj>peai-ed, were aut horized bysection jSof
llie law, whi«'li allowed them to borrow 8T.-)t»*' in a<l(liti<m ((» the
amount which as individuals iliey mii^lit !»<■ enlith-d to." The law
was fniihcr cousiruc<i tiial they were entitled to borrow on per-
sonal s<'curity beyond liie .*l(l(> allowed to individuals, which luid
l»ecn sanctioned by llu' uoveriior himself in the case of Oaniel
r'aikins«)n. a direcitu' from Sanyamon. who ha<l borrow«'d ><S."((>,
An^iusl 0, bSL'l, on a n«»te. with N, ivlwardsas personal security.
it ai>]»eared turther that this .snne i'arkinson had presented and
di'awii the nnniey (Ui the eh'ven ><1(((» n(»tcs alle^cil by the ^ovcr-
iior to be forced. Tlu' nol<\s purported to be from a nund)er of
paities, but •' a|>peared to have been sii;ned in the handwritini:- ot"
tile dir<'cto>' from Sangamon. ( )u iuipiiry. I'arkinson said he was
not pei-sonally acqiiainted with the makeisnf the notes, but he
liad licard thai they were u<>od. and lived down on Indian creek.
T. \V. Smith made aflidavil that he had licm iiitbrnu'd by the
.slierilf and clerk of vSan^anion c(Hinl,\. who had made diligent
search for them in ordci' to serve tlnni witli process at ihe suit of
the bank, that no such pers<His evei' resided in ilie comity to their
know lcd;ic ami belief. The chai'iic that money had been re-loaned
out of the 10 |ter <'eid fnml, the uoverncM' took occasion t(» retract.|
'I'lie house oi' i-epresentatives, iu c(unnnttee of the whole, aftei"
*.Si'e llnMM'.Ioiirii!*!' lUMl, •UO-lliO,
tlhiii, ;,(i+ to r.<X)
ISce House Journal, p. •■"a,
342 HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
coiisitU'iiii^' tlic report of llic spicial coiimiiltic, rcixnlcd I'or
iidoplioii: •' /i'r.so/rr(/, 'riiiil iHilliiii;.', lias hrcii proved aj^aiiist tin*
late ](re,>ideiit. directors and cashier ol' tlie hraiicli hank at ImI-
AvardsviiU', t()-\vit : William Kiiuiev, .losepli A. IJeaird, 'I'lioiiias
("arliii. Ahi'aliam I'licUclt, I'MiJali iles and Tln'ophilus W.Snutli,
whicli Would Jiislilv tlie l>eliet' tiiat tliev had acled coriiipl i,v and
in had faith in the nianam-nient ol' I lie alfairs of said hank;"
which was adojited hy the house. Thus «lid Ihe atteiiipt of the
jiovernor to iiiipeacii the niaiia;i('rs of the old State Hank [)rovc ;i
coiii|ilete failure.
As illusi ratiNC hotli of tiic cordialit,\ existing;' hetnceii two of
tlie co-ordinate hranches of p>verniiieiit iiiid tlii' relative dignity
4»f tlie same, we i^ive the following-: Some joint r(>soluti(Uis,
addressed to eoiij;ress. were passed hv the lej;islature in favor ol'
ameiidinji' the constitution aecordi!i<; t(» Mr. Henton's idea, to allow
the people tovote directly foi' president an<l vice president. The j;ov-
eriioi' w as raiiiircd to transmit a copy of the icsoliitiims to the execu-
tives of the sext'ial States, witii lher«'(piesi that they be laid hefore.
tlH'le}iislatiires tlieicof, and also toour senatt»rs and rejuesentatives
ill eoiij;ress. Jiiit he returned tlu'iii to the house with an iiidi,miaiit
letter, pi'otestin^' ajiaiiist the •■unprecedented laii^ua;:,e of tln^
resohitions rciiiiiriiij/ Www to iransmit" tliem; that it implied an au-
thority over a co-ordinate branch of the government, and was an
assuin[>tion of p(»wer not j^ranled to I he two houses luuler the con-
stitution; that such ■• lan^iiajic was \iolative of llu'ir relative inde-
pendence," and that he " declined obedience to a cianniand sci
unwarranted;'' he would, however, conijdy with a "re(pu'st'"ltt that
i'ffect.* The otVeiisive word was cliaii_\;ed I
One of the most excitin.i; measures pass<'d at tliis .s<'ssion, was
the repeal of the circuit court system, established U year.s hefore.
Duiiiiji that time deiiiaj;(i;^ues. well knowiu!; how to t-reate polit-
ical ca[»ital hy inference in the absence of facts, charj^cd extrava-
j^ance and a prodijial waste of tlu' jteojile's money in sustaining ;i
Judiciary, and virtually i)ensioninj; the suju'cme court, which
uii.uhl well peilbrm all the cin'iiit duly. A j;ood deal of ujiposi-
tion had been stirred up amoii.u the i»eo[»le l>y the ^(ueriior duriii,ii'
liis eairvass, ami lu^ also iirjicd the rept al in hisinauj;iiral messaj;e.
Tpon the (»ther hand, all the nine jud.ufs, circuit and supreme,
ojiposed it. r>iit in this nu-asiire the governor was aided by some
«)f his wor.stenemies, who had failed in their judicial aspirations two
years before when the court was r( -or^ianized. and the hill pre-
vailed. The State was divide*! into (inc ciicuits. assi-^iiin^ one of
the sui»reme Judges to each of four, to hold two terms of court ill
each county \early. One of the circuit Jud,i;fs, tiie Hon. K. .M.
Youu;;', was retained on a circuit in the military disiiict. I'.ut i>ne
yearly term of the supreme couit was |>ro\ idcd. 'I'lie salaries id'
tliejudji'cs were increased from !<S{M to .'ii' 10(10. The salaries of the
live circuit judjics were $(i(»(t each. Thus was saved to the Stato
trt'asnry annually a <^ofal of .**L't()0 from this source, at an incal-
culable delay and vexation to suitors in itoth the supreme and cir-
cuit c(»urts. l>ut Ihe mere tpu'stion of expense, and the petty re-
venfi'eof sore aspii'ants, were not the only things which conspired
to tins repeal. One of the eii'cuit jud.ucs was to he ])unished tor
"pr<>seri]»tiou,"it was said. The circuit .jud;.;('sliad power to ajipoint
*t^ce liousu .Inuiiuil, p. i'>\.
EDWAKUS' ABMlNlSTltATION.
343
circuit clerks, hut that froui this as a coi'ollavy Innowcd tiic i)()\ver
of itinuN al, WHS uol so clear. Judjic McKoltcits so viewed it, aud
had exercised holli powers. |>r(»scrii»li\ civ, it was thought, lie,
had removed tVoni tliat ollice, in .Madison counl.v, .Iose|)li Com way,
SI political opponent, and a|)poiiited in ins stead. Knianuel .1. West,
his trieiid. ( 'onway. lieiny well known and i)opiilar, was electeil
to tile State senate, and after lidiiiu into ollice on iiis j;iievanc(^
before the jx'ople, in tiie le,nislature lie brought it to b-ar a.uainsC
tiie entire system, and completed his reveii;^-e aiiaiust McUobeiTs
by repi'alinL;- all the Jnd,i;<'s but one out of otiice. , Indue Mclfolt-
erts, inteliectnaly oiu^ of tin' lirst men of the State, was also un-
])opidar on account of arbitrarily enterin,!i' u]) Juduinciit a,uainst
(iovernor Coles, after he had been released by an act of the le,nis-
latiire iVom tiiM' in cmancipat iii.u' his lU'.iiroes witliout uivint;' bond
that they sliould not l)ecomea cinirj^c upon the county.
Tlu' supreme Jmlfi'es appointed at the session of bSl'l-.") to revise
the Stat uics, sulunitted tin' result of their labor so far a> com-
l»leted. Ap}»reciatinj;' the nia.unilude of such a worl<. frau,nlit;
with such <;Teat interests, to the jierfectiou of which j;reat and
uninterrupted research shotdd be brought, they had not com-
pleted many cliaplers. A joint commiltee iVom botii houses was
appointed, which went eariu'slly at woik to finish up the revisicm,
em]»loyin;4' as assistants the circuit Judges in attendance at tln^
.seat of j;-overnnn'nt. The revision embraced all the \arious laws
relatiui^- to the rii^lit of ))ro])erly, conti'acis ami civil actions, and
tlie riiilitsof persons aud society, and the unxles of redress. Jus-
tices of tilt; peace were at this sessicui made elective bv the peo-
1,S2S-J> — Harly in llu' session of bSUfi-T, the legislature had uii-
<h'r consideration some resolutions inemoi'lalizin,;;' c(Mii.;ress to
I'cducc the price of pul»lic lands, and for a luraiit to the Slate of
all tlu' puldic lands lyini;' therein, upon sm-li prim-iples as mi^ht
be, dcenu'd Just and cfpiitable. .Mr. Ulackwell ottered au amend-
ment — ••on i.jmlilion that tlu' State at all times j;ranl to actual
settlers each not less tha,ii ;t (piarter section, to b(! oecupie<l aud
improved." lu a comifninicalion to the house, the ji(iverm)r re-
('.omim'uded that our delegates in congress be instructed •'to
t'oiitract with the government for a^ surremh'r of the piiltlic lands
Milliin the State, on the Ibllowin.u terms: the State to lie at all
the expenses of selliu]!;' them at a price not exceedin.ii L'."> cents j»er
acre; to keep an otiice constantly open tor that purpose, ami to
])ay to tJM' n'eiieial .yoveriimeiit annually L'.~) cents per acre tor
all that shall have been sold." Lat<»r, the conunittee to which
the <;overin)r's conuiuinicatioii had been referred, rei»orled, and
takiiiix a st<'p in advance, re(iuii'ed from eonu'iess a surrender
ol' the public lauds '•uncomlitionally, subject to such disposition
as the people of the Statc,by their representatives, may deem
most ('(tudiicive to their prosjierity and happiiu'ss."
'J'his proi)osition threw the governor's effectually in t!u' siiado,
ami he was not heard from a.ii'ain diirint;' the session upon llie sub-
ject. Ibil by the meetin;n' (»f the le;.iislature in bSL'S. he had had
ample linu' to work this subject up to its larji'est i)roportions. lie
uow eclipsed the bold deumiid of the committee, by liroadly
claiminy in his message of extraordinary length, evincing unusii-
344 IIISTOHY OF ILLINOIS.
al U'jiJil rosciiicli and iKMiiiicii, that tlu^ |»iihli(! lands within tho
limits (if ililMois b('l(>nj;t'(l aUrad.v to tlic State, lie sh(t\vi'd that
the ailiclcs ol' contVucration not onl\ atl'iiiiicd the ri^^ht of every
iState to all the lands witiiiii its limits, lint e\i»ressly deelaicMl that
"lu) Stale shall he deprived of territory ibr the beiu'lit of the
United States." lie ariiiied tl at the I'nited States, 1»\ the terms
of the constitution, eoiild not acMinire or hold any land, in any
oriyiinii State, even witii its t)\vn eonsent, exeei)t what nniy l»c
necessary ''for the erection of forts, nni^iazines, arsenals, dock
yards, and other needful i»nildin;;s ; " that as liiis State had been
adnii'ted on an e(|nal fooiin^i' with the original States, the I'liited
States (H)nld hold no moic land than for these i»nri»oses within its
limits, and for anytliinji more the jicneral p)verninent had to
obtain "the consent of the le.uislatnre of the State;" that till
the ::diiiission of the Stale into the I'nioii, it had no rij;hts as a
State nnder the const itnl ion, and conse(iiieinly no competenc.v to
act in that character ; it was like a minor, not within thea.ucof
consent ; that the State coidd iu)t tiierefore be bound by the acts
of the territ(»ry, in conseidin,u' for the I'nited States to hoiil lands
within her limits; that if the federal j;-overiiment enjoyed tins
ltri\ ile;:;(' of dominion o\'er the public lands dnrinj;' "its political
mimirity, it ceased on the admission of the State into tlie Union,
having' thence forward the sanu' ri^^hts of sovereignty, freedom,
and indei)emlence as the other States; that the sovereij;iity of a
State includes the ri.Lilit to exercise snpreim' and exclnsive control
over all lands within it ; that the freedom of a State is the ri^^lit
to do whatever may be done by any nation, and inclndes tho
li^ht to dispose of all the jinblic lands within its limits, according;'
to its own will ami pleasure; that the imh pemU'iice of a State
includes an exemption from all coidrol by any ollu'r State or
jiation over its will or action, within its own territory. The gover-
nor seems t(» have been deeply in earnest.
Jleyond tiiis broad claim it was impossible Ibr the iej^islatiire to
p). 'riu'y did theret"ore the next best Ihiny, which was, to divide
the credit and honors of the ;;rand discovery with his excellency.
The commiltee who had considered the subject, re[)orU'd : That
from a carefid examination of tiie ^-overnor's arj;iiment and aided
by the best li.yhts they conld jjit, they believed the piisitioii
assumed in tin' messai^c to be correct. They close recommendiii<;-
the adoption of resolutions by the Semite and House of iicpn'scn-
talives of the State of illinois; that this State iu)ssesses the
exclnsive so\ ereiyidy over all lands within its limits; that the
United States jiossesses lu) rijiht of jurisdiction over any lands
within the limits of Illinois; that the I'lnted Slates cannot hold
any lijilit of soil within the limits of the State but Ibr the erei-tioii
of forts, maptziiies, arsenals, dock-yards and other needful bnild-
inji's, an*l that this State possesses the ri,uht of soil of all the public
lands within its limits. The resolutions were passed, and it was
fnrther }»rovided, that they be sij;iM'd by the sjieakers of both
houses and coi»ies thereof sent to our seimlors and re})resenta-
tives in conjiii'ss, with iiistriu'tions to lay ihem before that body.
Coi)ies were also to be transmitted to the ^^overnors of the several
States of th(^ Union. ''Having' thus laid a. broad foumlation to
euiich the State with the public lauds, the uieiubers retiuiied to
EDWAUDS' AUMINISTUA'l'IOX.
345
tlicir (•((iistitiiciits swclliii;;- with imiiortiiiicc and liiuli ( \|icctiitioii,s
of fiitiiic favor. J>iil i\\v people wi-re not sneli I »i^ fools as was
tlM)n<;lit, foi* nniny laii,uhe(l at tlieii' representatives in veiy seoni
of tiieir pfelensions."* Tiie splendid hiintliii^' I'ell still Itoi'u upon
the pul)li<:, and nothing more was heard of it aflerwanl.
•Foi'd'B History.
It-
CiiAi'iKi; XXX.
TS;!(>— A KKTKOSIMOCT.
Aih'diicc of til f Sitfh'iiH'nts — \n(c: (SnUiiii, its /■^(uli/ J/istorj/; Orif/iii
of the ftriii ".S//(7.v;;" l>oi(i/l<(s^ Humorous Account of it — Ttitds
uuil Troulilcs of I'iouccrs in New Counties — Enropcun ColonicH —
Fiudiicidl Condition of the Stotc — Triiilc and Commerce — J'Jitrh/
Mail lionles, Xeu'sixiperSj and Literati — I'olitics of the reople —
Militia Si/stem.
Tlic poimlatidii of tlic Slate in ISl'O was ir)7,H7, Iiavinj;' nearly
tiebled itself (liuiiin' the preeediii;;' deeade. I'lieie were at tliis
time .")() eoniities uryaiii/,('<l, Itiit those in tlie mtrliieni poition of tlie
State were mere skeletons and nnwieldiy in size. A tliinl of tin;
State, (»r more, l;> in^i' between (iaiena and ( 'iiieaji«»,exlendin;; sonlli-
\vard to the lvasl;askia. tlie headwaters of tiie Vermilion, alonj;'
the Ifoek Kiver and far down into the military tract, eonslitnlinji"
at present the most densely settled and liest improved portions,
Avasa trackless j)rairie waste, overrun by the Sac and l'\»x, Winne-
bago, and I'otawattoniie Indians. Mn<'h of the interior of the
south part, and the country Itorderin;; tiie i'anbjirrass. the San;;-
amon and their tiil>iiiaries, had ceased to be a wilderness. Into
the country of the Sanj^amon iiiimi,i;ralion had forsoiin'time
throiiu'ed. Alon.ii the Illinois to ('hica^^o, (hen j'lst be;iinnin,ii to
attract attention, there weic seal tered a few seitleiiients ion i;- dis-
tances apart, l-'or some years after, the settlers, eitlier in chister.s
or separat<'ly, continued to liuj;' the outskirts of the timber border-
inj;' the rivers and creeks, or the edyc of ^iroves, scart-ely any
\enturin,n' out on the open prairies. Alon;;' tiie .Mississijtpi,
►settlements were scattered at distant intervals, culminatinj;- at the
lead mines on Fever river, where had gathered a heterojicnous
l»oj»nlation from many parts of the world, nnnd»erin<i ubcait 1,(100
souls, niiH'-tenths bein;;' men enj;ayed in minin,i;'.*
•In 1804, (iovernor HiirrlMon lioiifflit froin the Sue and Kox trilx's ii triictof land at
tlio iiioiiili ol the Fever I'iver (Mec'apiasipo) 15 miles S(Hiure. I,e:i(l had been mined for
nian,\ years on tlie Iowa .lide and waM known to exist on the Illinois side The first
white settler at theniines on Kever river, was a Krenehman named lioutilier, In ISli).
Shortly after, .lesse Shall, a trader, oeeupied an island therein the river, and ii(dn«-
inlornied that the' Indians hail discovered lead near when; (JaliMia now stands, moved
thither. I'his proved to lie the notecl " hiiek leiid.'' A. 1*. Van Metre soon joined, and
"all took to themselves wives of the daughters of the land, and were traders lor llioir
liri'thii'ii." Latir. l)r Sanniel Mure also mariied to a squaw, and was associate of the
Well known Indian tradi'r, Davenport, of Itoek Island, loeated tliere. Me pave to Ga-
lena its name (from the (ii-eek, Oalanas, ,i spi/eies o( lead ore) In IM.'d, f'olonel .1. .lolm-
80I1. anthori/ed by the war department, arrived and assnmed almost exelnsive eontrol
of the M.inintf. Ho was followed liy a few others the sanu! year,and more in lH;.':i 4,
Float or p;ra\el mineral was extensively sown, some prospects sold,an<l thus hy fraud,
parties went further out, and some splendid " leads" wi're discovered.
In 18^'.'), the I'l ndlo boundary was overleaped, and the country of the W'inneliajjTOS
first trenched upon. The "Shuilsburg," " Kast Fork"' Hud "Now DiKginjfs" were found
KDWAKDS' ADMIMSTU'AI'ION. .'U7
As tlicrc Wits (lonUtlcss iimcli siiinciM'ss in tlic ciirly scttlcincnt
ol' new coiiiilics, iiai'liniliii'lv in tlic cciitnil iiiiil iioitlii'i'ii iMtitioiis
ol' ilif Sliilc, tin- (Ifliiils ul' wiiicli would pioitiililv pi'dxt' liotli dull
:iiii| iiiiproiitiiUlc to III*' ut'iiciid rciidcr ; iiiid as siicli ciirly tlatii
iiavc, t'\cci»t ill a few rasi's. nciirrally Ix'fii so iiiicniisiticiioiis as to
cause lliciii Mill lo lie pit'sci'N fd. and arc iiuwcillicr lost or liccoiiic
traditional, \\c snlijoin tiic lolhtwiiin- acconiil hy Nathan Dillon,
)»ii'liiiiii.'.rllic coiidilion of I wo coiiniics al'UT llicir liisl or;^aiiizatioii,
wliiciiuivcs perhaps tlic I'air avciayc experience of many an oUl
selllei.aiid conveys to lis their trials, privations and dillieiilties:
"As early iis iHiil, u few loir <'iil>iiiK were iiiready l>nilt in Sahj;ann»U
eouiiiy, wliieii iit tliat date eniUraeed all tlie northern purl of the Slate.
iitid ill' volopuil, i\nil till! iiiimliiT of mliKM's hint IniTcased toltlOO. Tn I8!i6, a one tiorso
iiiiiil WHS (sliihiishcil Irom Vnrnlaliii lo (iiilciui, oiicc every ^' wecl's.
In l'*:.'". till' ^loviiniiiciit liisl siiivi'.vcil the town, peniiitlinu- piirtiea to occiipv and
iiniiiovc lots, on I'onilition tliiil I liey \iieiiti' them on :ill ilujs not ice. 'I'll Is wiis nil tlu' ti-
tle .my oei'iiiiiiiil IkiiI ii|> to Isijs. Till- next tiei>;liliiirs (it the (iiilenliiMs, siiutli, were
the I'coiuins : and between the two jiliiees lay ii vast wilderness ot iininhalilteil t'lri-
tory. Ill IH.'.'i.Mr. Kelloif started his " trail" rroin I'eoria to (i.iiena, rossiiiK Uoek
river a lew miles alio\e t he |i resent Dixon, t hence I ly the West (irove to (jalena. Tlio
Wlniieliaiitis M-^sisted in lerryln'-' Hork rhcr. 'I'wo canoes phieed side liy side foiiiu^l
till' teny lioat, the wheels ot one t iile ot a waniin iiione, and thosi- of the opposite
in the other canoe. 'I'he hores swam, 'riie next year, "11 'lies 'I'rail" was estalilished.
The river was teriied at Dixon, wlierethe Illinois Central raiiriiad liridue now crosses.
This was more direct, and liecame shortly the main loiitt' ot travel to the lead miiicH.
In I he sprinu- ot IH.'T, the Inivel was so ureal that in a very tew day.sL'hl) teams passed
at this point, 'rhere were als()i)tlier'"trails' larther to the west, 'I'he ''I^'wistoii
t rail " crossed Itock river a little aliove I'roplietstowii, Whiteside county. (Kroni the
lli^lory ot OltIc county )
'rhe low co^'-iiomcn ot 'sucker," as applied tn Illlnoisans, Is said to have had Itsorltrin
at the lead mines. Says (ieia'^re UriiiiK, ot San'jainoii : I,ate in the tall of I.sL'ii. 1 was
St. I II iicj-on t lie levee of what is iio\s' (iaicna. watch iiii; a mmilier of our Illinois lioys no
on lio.ird of a steamiioat liouiid down the river, when a man Irom Missouri >itepped up
andaskeil— ''Hoys, where are you yointr y" 'I'he answer was, ''lioiiK,'.' "Well.' iic re-
plu'd. 'yiMi iMit me in iniiiil of siicivcrs: up in the spi'lny, spawn, and all ret iirnin tho
tali" 'I'he appellat ion stuck to the lllinoisaiis ; and when .liidye Sawyer ciinus up to
the niiiC'S on his circuit duty, he was styled '•Kiii'i' id' the Suckers " These who sta.ve(l
iivrr wiuli'i'. inii.stly IViaa Wisroiisin, wi-ir I'lilliil l!ailj;i'iH. 'I'lie I'lilliiwiii!; spriiit; tlic Misim-
riiiiis piiMii'il iatn till' MiiiiiiiL: ii'iiiiiii in siiili niiialiirs that I he State was saiil te'liavi' taken a
jiaki'. anil the nlli'iisivc appi'llatioii ef ■ Takes" was lliiniit'in ward applii'il tnull .MiHsDuriiius.
Jial ilii' fiillowiu^ is a imiie tasteful iiri'.;ili nf the appi'llatimi iif "SMrkrl'" :
Oa iii-i' isiiu lit a pirisuit calerLiiaiiii'iit at l'l'll'l■shlll■^■, Virginia, .Jiiil'ii' Diiii:;las ijave tho
fiilliiwini; himiiiriiMs ai'iniuit nf the miL^iii ef the lena "Siirkers" as applli'il In llliiiiiisaim^ tho
arniiiiit is valaahli' firttlii'i'. and riial'irs a piiiiiil ilist iiirtiiai Mpiin Illitiiiis. in that it clears up
all iliialit ii"4aiiliiii; the ilisrnvery i>f that iiiipnrtaiil anil inspiring; hevcraiii' rallcil "iniat
.jali'p." a ineiiiiiiliius i|ai'stiiiii heri'lefori' ciivi'iril with iih.si luily ami liesct w itli many iliaihts,
iiiit iiiiw ill the li'.;lit of llii'si' facts. lia|ipil.\ plareil at rest. It is iiul iaipnihahh' that a ;;las.s
lit (III' aiiiaatiai; hi'Vi'iaye served tn ipiii'kiii the iiieciiory iif the hiiiiiaahli' senater nil tlu)
ociasiiai.
': .\lmiil the year 1777, CJoiirne KiiijiM'H Cliirk applied to the iioverniir of Vlr;;iiua. and siij;-
fli'sti'il to him that, as peace iiiiuht he di'ilareil at any lime lietwei'ii (irriit Hiitaiii and the col-
oiiii'N. it uoiild he well for us to lie in po.s.-.i'>siiiii of the iiorlliwisl leriiloiy, so that wlirii the
I'liiiiiiiissiiiiicrs caiiie to lii'^oliate alriatv.we iiii;;ht act on thi'Well known ]>i'iai'i|ilt' of iffi
/los..' I </(■//;.■, e.irli party holding; all they hail in posse-sioii, lie sni;i;i'stcd to the mo\ irniir to jier-
mil liiai to <;o out to the niirtliwesl. loiniiier the I'oiintiy. and hold it riiilil ilic treaty iif
peaie. when we would hrronii' itossrssi-il iil it. 'fhe liovcriior consented anil sent him across
till' inoaiitaiiis to l'itlsliar;;li. Kroni there he and his coaipaiiions lloati'd down tlicOhioon
rafts lo tliefalls, where I.onisville now is. .\ tier riaiailiili.u thelea short tiiiie, llieyajiaiii
took lo their r.ifis and lloati'il down to the salines, pisl lii'low the pri'senl Sliawnectown in Illi-
iiiiis. Here they took n|i their niarili across I Ic iiHuilry to Kaskaskia. wlnii' the I'"rencli had
an old si'ttli'iijeiit. and hy the aid of a yniile they reached the Oi|naw river, and cncanipi'd
near I'dcr .Menard's lioii.^i'. soine little ilistani e finiii the town. Von see I am well ai'i|naiiiti'il
with till' loi'alily. [Laughter. | .Next niorninii. Ckirk i;ot his iittle army of ia;>amiilliiis toi;etlier
(for they li.iil niiarniy wai;iiiis with snpplii's, ii.' satli'i. and no stores, anil hy this time iooUeil
rau'u'cil eiiiiie.;h). anil lookup his line of inaich for the little Kreinli lowii of Kaskaski.i. It
wa- siunmer iiiiil a very hot day, and as lie entered the town he saw llie l-'ri'inhnii'ii sittinj;
ipi'i'lly on llicirliltle vi raailahs. in front of their houses, siickiiii; tlieir.jnli'ps lluiiii;;h straw.s.
Ill' rnshi'il ii]ioii them, cryiii!;;, "■larreniler, you suckers, yoa !" [(Ircat laili;liter.J 'riia
I'liniluneii surreialered, auil from that (lay to this, llliiii>isaii.s have been known as ".Suckers."
I .\pplaiise.|
• I hat was the orisiiii of oar ciiiiioiiicii. and when Geiir};e Uosers (.'larke returned to Vir-
,i;inia III' inlrodai'i'il llii'.jali')is here. [Laiijihter.] Xow, I want toKive \'ir',iiniaiis fair iiotioo,
thai when they elaiin tlic honor of a •leli'i'ison, of a Madison, of a .Marshall, and of as many
olln r ilislin^iiishcil sa^es and iiatriots as the world ever saw. we yield; when yoa i hum the
uliiry yon achieved on thetield of hattle. we yield; when yoa i^latni credit for the cession of the
iiiirtliwestern territory, that oat of it .soveroiun .States niiyht he created, ne yield; when you
liana the j;liivy of never hiivia;,; polleila vote a;;iiiiist the Di'inocnilii' party, we yield : hut
wlii'ji vou cl.um the nlorv of the mint jalep, hands olf; llliiuiis wants that. tShoiitB of laughter
anil applaiise.J— HI. Keg." Sept. 19, IHtiO.
.'MS IIISTOItY or ILLINOIS.
Till' ciiliiiiH wore ttllt'd to ovcrtlowinn witli the fiimilii'H, tli(> jjioiii't'is of
the ('(iimty, my taniily liciii^ iiiiioiitr llu' iiuiiilu'r. I wiis itrcst-iil at llm
clcclioii, August \H'2'2, licid at Sprinnlicld (tlicflcctioii prcciiicl fxtciMliii^?
many miles cast ami west, and ixiilli to llu- Slati' liiuM, and saw all llio
voters who could conu' to vote in that wide sco|n' of iininliahiled
coimtry. ^^os^ of the voters residing in the precinct attended thtt
elcclioii, though many of them had miles of wild country to travel in
order to do so.
The voti'i's were mostly imnn^niints from the east and south, thou^di a
laijic portion of the men present were Indians and ilarkies, they of
course not lieiiiji allowed the ri,tj:hl of sun'ra^e. The volin;; portion of
theeommuiuly were then called the Vankiis and white nun. Threo
men named Kinney, Parkinson, and Mdwards, had a long hench ranged
along side of the court house, on which they set their licpmrs. Tlu)
l)olls were held in the interior. We all got pleiily todrink. The wliito
men sang songs, the Indians anil darki'ys danced, and a geiu'ral frolic
occurred; hut what has surprised nu' as I have rellectcil upon these
early tiays, we had no lighting. The great evil was, that every candidate
had to till his jiortmanteau with widskey, and go around a'nd see and
treat every voter iind his wife and family with the poisonous stull', or
8tand u ehanct' of heing defeated. John Ileynolds was our circuit
judge. He held his court at Springfield, in a cahin huiltof round logs,
the walls of which were only (i feet high ; it was also destitute of a lloor ;
yet we continued to get along very well. The jury had to retire to tho
"jail, another such huilding as 1 have descrihed. Such is the outline <»f
those happy days.
hi tlu' winter of 1823, I emigrated to what is now culled Dillon settlo-
ment, in thiscouidy, 10 miles from Pekin, and 17 from Peoria, where [
spent the season in iiuielude; my nearest neigldxirs living in I'l'oriu,
e.\cei)t onei)y tlu' name of Avery, who had raised his cabin at l-'unk'rt
hill. lUit things did not remain in this eoiulitioa long; for during the
Hanu' winter the legislature made a new county, witli Peoria lor tho
county si'at, emiiracing all the country north of Sangamon county.
Pliclps, Stei)hcn French and myself were appointed justices of the
jieai-e lor the new county, which exten<led east as fai' as J'doonnugton,
and north and west to the State line. We sent our summonses tot'hicii-
go and (ialena, and they were jiromptly returned hy our constalile.
March, lHii4, we held an election at Avery's, \Vm. Holland, Josej)!!
Sndth and myself were elected county commissioners. The whoio
county was emhraced in one election distrii-t. The nundier of votes
poded' was liO ; hail some whiski-y on the occasion, hut it was well tem-
pered, having t)een imjiorted a long way by water; and we did notsuc-
ceeil in getting on as great a spree as we did at Springlield.
In those days 'vheii we could not get the store room of Hamlin or
Allen, or the dwelling house of John Dixon, wt' held our courts on the
river hank ; not heing as wealthy or strong handed as in Sangamon, we
had to do without a courthouse; Judge Sawyer was our circuit judge,
and it was some time hefore we could scare up a jury. At that date
there was not a cahin on thesite of the city of I'ekin, and jierogucs were
the oidy crafts we had to freight our whiskey, salt, and iron from the
Slate t<') Peoria.
iS'ow let me tell you how we got along about mills. There were 8 or 4
horse mills in Sangamon, at 40 or 4.') nulestlistance. Sometimes we wi'iit
to them; sometimes to Southwick's, siluateil at a distance ol tiO
miles; we did not nund the journey much, unless the streams were
swollen with rains, in which case the task of going to null was severe,
as there were nobridges and ferriesin those days. Jiy and by, to reini-dy
our wants, Samuel Tutter erected a small horse mill in the lu'ighlior-
hood of Peoria; and a few years after, William Kds put up one at Kim
drove; a public imprcn'cment which made us feel (juite rich. In lliose
early times, we only took corn to mill, jjaying one-sixth and one bit per
bushel, for grinding. The meal obtained was of an inferior (juality
when comiiared with what we now have. Our millers were good, hon-
est fellows, and the someMhat heavy tarills tliey laid on their customers
not at all wrong, for their income w as small.
KDWAKDS' ADMINISTRATION.
.". in
TiiiH'M arcHianncul. Tli«> render who tiow looks til the fertile pniirii'H
of Illinois, wIimI <loes he IicIidIiI. Liir^i' cities uiiil lloiirishini!; towns!
JJehold the pniiries, llien wild and nntrodden, now covered witli lino
farms and dwi'llint;s, Ixliolil llie liavel of oiir railroads and rivers, visit
onr eonnly fairs and lnconie aeipiainted willi onr inlellineiit fai'niers,
and Ihe vast an<l valiialile ainonni ol pi'odiiets derived from lliesoil they
till; lieliold on every hand onr nnnn-rons ehnrehes and school lionseH,
onr court honses anil scats of jnst ice, spread all over the wide territory
which l'"ri'ncli, Philips and ni>'sclf early p>vei'ncd as hninlile Jnsiices ;
and tell nie, has not the changed iniprovenient hci'ii ^^real and reniaiU-
ah|,>."^
I'lurnpvttu Coloiiisla, — ll ii;is heeii sliilrd tiiiit the early sellleis
were mostly tVoin the sinilheni slntes. There were also sonn'
toreij^n cnlonisls located in Illinois at :iii eailx date. Tin' lirst
were a lew Irish I'lnnilies, nnder llie leadership (d' SaniiKd ()".\lel-
vaiiy, ii i>()])iilar pioneer, who located (»ii the Oido river ahont
]SII.").
Shortly iilter the wai' (»f ISlL.', Morris ilirlteck. an l]ii<ilislniniii
inihned with republican principles, visited Illinois with a \ lew to
localin^' a colony (tf his conntiTinen. Ih-inii ii nian of line
scholarly at lainnn-nts, he wrote honu' lor |nd>lication a nnnilier (d'
letters lailhrnlly represent in, ;,;■ the ad\ anta;,;»'s of this coinit ry, w liicii
recei\ed a wide (;ir('nlati(»n and proved of j^ical Itcnelit to Illinois
abroad. In ii sliorf time after, he and (lein'^c l-'lowcr, hotlMnen
of wealth hroniilit oid from I'-n^land a lai-yc colony (MMisisiinu'
of several hnndred families. i'ei»resentin^- ahnost e\ery industrial
])ursnit. They located in Mdwards c<»nnly. The tow ii of Alhion,
the present connfy seat, was started l»y Mv. I'Mowei', and ahont a
mile west (d' il aimlher l»y Mr. l>irl)ecU. called W'annocU. wliicii
])roved a faihn*'. Tliei'e was sonu^ livalry. There was mnch
wealth and relinenu'nt in the (tolony, aside from that in the posses-
sion of thi! foinnlers. A few of the lirst sellleis are si ill living",
tlK'ir descendenis are (piite numerous in and alxnit Alltion.t
AhoiU, IiSlT), two (iernnin families, by the name of .Markee and
(lermain, iirst settled in a ;i'or^e of the .Mississippi blidV in St.
Clair county, known IVcnn that circumstance as I)ntch Hollow.
These fanulies became the nucleus of the present laryc (iernnin
]>opidatioii of St. (lair and adjacent eounlies. Ain)ther l'^n;^lisli
colony, Iloman Catholic in belief, comi»osed of l."» or L'O families
from Lancasliier, set tied in Prairie du Loiiy' Creek. Monro<' coiuity,
in JS17. Tlionms Winsfanly, ihimbei', Threltall and Newsham
were the founders. They became a thrifty settlenu'nt. Numerous
J'aiiilish immij;rants also settled in (irecn county in ISUO.
In IS1!» l''erdin;ind Hrnst, aj;entleinen of wealth, education riud
literary taste, from the kinj^doni of Hanover, canu' to N'andalia,
then just selectiid as the seat of ji(nernment, and l«»cated a (Jernmu
colony eonsistiny' of L'o or .'!(► families. In lS2ii IJernard Steiner
setlle(l a small Swiss cohniy of S or Id families in the sontheasiern
]iait of St. Clair county. Their location was on a beautiful and
♦Sep Illinois Stiitr .rimnial .rune HO 1854.
+ Mr. l''|ii\vi'f lost, liiH t'ortiiiic liy Uii^ IiiviiUinil of tlic T'lii tod States l)aii If, niiil afteiwarils ro-
inovi'il to -Mt. VcTiioii. Iniliaiia, liiit soiiir ol' his (Icscciiilciits still live in the rxillcnlionsH
Jirairic Mi'. Hirhi'cU was sii rrtiji'v of .Stati' unitcr (Inv. Coles. In tlm convention ciMilcstof
If'JI, lio conti'ihnti'il niort' liy his wi itinjis than iicrhaiis any one else to ilcfciit tho scImimi'S of
tile (•(iliciilM of slavery, lie was nnfoitnuately drowneil in a hayon of the };i'eat Walia.^h, cal.ed
l'"o\ liver, swollen t)y heavy rains, lie. aeeonipanieil iiy his, son was on his way lionie IVoin
'Srw Harmony, Iniliana, then in eharjii' of th(( liohert Owen eonimnnists, whither they had
made a visit. In utieiuptin;; to cross the stream, the r.ipid ciiri-eiit swept their hors(^< onl of
their coiirsn, and Mr. IJirheek and hotli liorsi s jierished. llis son harely escaped the same fate.
His nntimoly death was aijrout loss to the .Stale.
.■{."•(> IIISTOKV (tl' ILLINOIS.
cDiiiiiiiiiKliiiu: ciiiiiKMicc callfil iMitdi llil!. it was :ul<l<-tl to l),v siib-
s«-t|iifiil iiiiiiii;;i':nil.s until it Ioi'iimmI a lar;;*' s(>ttl)'iii«-iit.*
Flii<iiirl((l ('(iiiflllii)ii dl' llir Sl(ilt:—\\\\i'\' llic Slalt' ;;ovcrimn'iil.
Weill iiild t>|M'i'alinii. in l^is, ilii' luial i'c\ ciiiif i'«'|MM'lt'(| in tln^
tr<'a>iii',\, anil Id iM't'iiiift' tlnr on the tst ol' Dcmiilii'i', was
)5i7..'illl.l<l: il now aiiiiinnlnl tor I lie years ISJlt.'td to «7S.1»;;s,
of wliicli !S»7<l.'j;;7 was derived solel.\ iVoin taxes on iinii residents'
lands, !i<:j,7."-<7 IVoiii the Ohio .salines, ijfLl.SlKi iVcnii the sale of \'an-
dalia lots, and >««.">. (IS I colleeled li.v slieiill's. The hieiiiiial
Stale e\|Mnses were e>liiiialed h,\ the li'easiiier, for salaries and
to sii|i|M»it ihe (•oiitiii;^('nl I'liiid, at •■^ !.*.">( KM ►. and lor a session t)l' tin;
;4<'iieial assembly at ><1."),(M)0, total •»< Kl.Odd, or .*«_'(l.(HMI aiimiall.v,
leaving' al I he lowest esliniale a siii|iliis rexcniie of .'r<.' 10,(1(1(1 cNcry
two years. Tliat was a j;tiod healths eondilioii of the Stale's liseal
alVairs. (io\. I-Mwards was <;n'atly liislruiiieiilal in ltriii;;iii;; altoiil,
this highly cieditalsle eondilioii of the Slate treasury, wliieli li«^
found I years Itelori' empty, and auditor's warrants al a di,>eonnt.
of .■»(» per ceiil. Al the |Meseiil w rit iiij; wc have a popiiial ion 1(»
times as lar^c, lowit, L',.V);).(I()(I; we ha\e no pidilie debt of conse-
• pieiiee, anil our piin of properly is jiropoi tioiialely larger than
our ratio of increase in popnlalioii, yet our Slate expenses are.
.■)(> limes <;realer, as e\ery tax pa\er yearl\ feels.
Diiriiiu' the period over which we are now castiiij;' a relros|iect,
the treasuries of the State and eoiiiilies, and snilors at law in-
dividnaily, were subjected to serious losses b\ defaull in;; slieriU's,
lor taxes collected and moneys received on execiil ion. I f tlie sheiilV
was an aspirant for re cleclioii. the State or comity would iiofc
sillier much the lirsl term, because he could not be commissioiieil
for a second term w ithoni a cerlilicate of selll'iiieiit for all piildic;
i'linds placed in his hands; but to exhibit such a clearance, tlu;
money coilected on executions and belon.nin<i' to indixidiials would
be used; whilt^ with Ihe jn-ople ;;eiierallt, who fell little coiicerii
ill these private a Hairs, and amoii^' whom his ollicial duties con-
stantly called him, he was in the condition to contradict rumors,
and ill the face of his dereliction ciialded to maUe friends and
secure a renewed lease of power.! No ollicial who handles iarjio
sums of the people's money, or is so closely ideiitilicd with all our
]»ropcrly ri;;lils, either coipoiate or iiidi\ idiial, as a. shcriiV or
I reasiirer, onylit bylaw lobe allowed |o become his own successor
ill ollice. We can i>iil rc.uard this as a l>ad feature in the constitu-
tion of 1S7().
Tntilc (dill Cnmmnri: — rnternal improvements to fa(!ilitat(' trade,
and c(Mnmercial inli'rcourse, consisted, up to that linns mostly in
acts of the lenislatuic. declarin;;'' certain streams iiavi;.;able. In
Ihesedcclaralions that honorable body was not Ihe least parsimo-
jiioiis, but dealt them out to almost every rivulet with a prodi^inl
liand; and a stranger, in looking' o\er Ihe old statutes, aiite-datiii<;-,
' say, ISKI, would inevitably conchide that the State of Illinois was
inlersected by navi.uabic sticams in e\ery direction as abundantly
as could possibly be desired by Ihe most ccuiimercial people. To
the Illinois and Mi(tliijiUii canal liicre, was as yet iiothiiiy done
*|{oynol(l'R liil'o iind Times
tFoid's History.
KDWAKDS' ADMINrsTKATION
.'Wi
except Moiiu' very iiiiiH'rH'ft siirvi'.vs, tlinii;;li it liiul Im-cii (lie tliciiu^
of rccoiiiiiH-iMliitiuii hy every governor, iiml iln ;;riiiit of liiinl was
l>l'(»('iilt'(| iVoiii r»»ii;;i<'s.s.
Tlie |tro;^ie.s.s of euiiiiiK lie from I.S|S |o \S'.\{) Wiis jostled I lit
litl le from i Is hen I en truck l>\ t lie im|>i'o\ <mI fiiriiilit's of i|iiiek eoii-
veyiiiice olVereil liy t he iiit I'odiict ion of ste:im. Steiimlioiils upon
the Ohio and .Mississippi had become fieipieiit, Itiil the older
setllei's were not slirrol t'roiii their drowsy eoiidil ion of maUiii};'
simply eiioiii;li lolixcoiihy llie iit-w life, and the reeeni seltleis,
if I hey de 'ed, were iiol in a eondilion to raise anythiii;; Weyoiid
their presei., needs — the coiitlition of all new coiners, 'i'lie Illinois
?iver was not \isiled Ity the newly propelled craft, e\<'e|»t small
ones which ascended to ricardslown and occasionally to I'loiia
and above, as re(piired. (leii. Joseph Street, writini: Irom I'eoriji
iMi'l'-r ilale of March .'»(>, lSl,'7,says: "'I'liere is nothing doin^' on
land aid less on water. * * The harbor and town site are the
best, i presaiiie, in all the western coiiiitiy: init not one sail
enlivens the iiionotoiioiis prospect or one oar dips in the dark
blue waves of lie fairy lake irom one \ears" end to another — if
yon will excepi the i'viry boat, with now and then the canoe of a
few miserable savages in quest of a dram." Keel-boat transporta-
tion had been superseded, it is true, but the scanty commerce and
ieeble trade made no demai.ds for more extensive carrying facili-
ties than we have meiitioiieii. In development and wealth tli(>.
State was ill its merest infancy.
Merchaiidi/in;^' diirin;^' this peri(>d consisted in the bare relailin;;'
of a few dry ;;oods and ^roei'iies. None of the products of tli(!
country were taken in cxchanne, except peltries, l»ceswax* and
tallow. The peoples' chief supi»!y of money came from iinini';rants
who l)oii^ht of their ,tiraiii, stock or jirodiice, and often em|iloyed
their labor besides. The money went out auaiii into the hands
of the merchants who sent it abroad in payment lor j^oods. and
thus the coiinlry was kept drained of anything' like a siifticieiit;
enrrency. \\'lieii credit was obtaiiM'd at the stores, in default of
j»ayiiieiit ami to yaiii time, iiiort.i^a.ues would often be jiiveii, these,
tbrcclosed, the mercliant would in time iiiid himself the |»ossess(»r
of perhaps a iiiimber of ianns, retire from business on a compe-
tency and dream away his life in xilla^e idleness, without <'Ver
beiielitin^ the country in the least, but rniiiinj;' perlia|ts a number
of its ('itizens. I"\)r a loiij:' time there vvasjio class of iiiereliaiit.s
who did a bart<'r business. Tliey w re uii\villin<;' to exeliaiiue,
goods tor ]ir()diice and incur the resp- ..sibility ol' ownershiii until
ishipments to distant markets and sales could i)e eHected. There
was the risk of a lliic.tualing market in tlie interim ; their ca]>ital
as a rule was small, and a loss on produce might render them
••'Fifty yrars n^rn, or in tli" snmirior of 1821," writes CIiiis. Hobcrt^on of Arnzvllle,
undciMlatoof Keh. H, 1S7», to tlit; (;iii('ii«-o Journal, 'tliorc was not a busliel of corn to bo
had In Ocntnil Illinois. My I'atlicr settled In that year ~';i iiille.s west of Sprin-iHeld.
We had to live for a time on venison, hiackherrlesnnd milk, while tlie men were uono
to Fffypt to harvest and pronuri! hreads'tutlH. The land we improved was surveyed
that smnmer.and afterw;n(l lion^rht of the frovcrnment by sending beeswax down the
Illinois river to St. Louis in an Indian canoe. Dressed doer skins and tanned hides
were then In upc, and we matle one i)ieeo of cloth out of nettles instead of flax.
Cotton matured well tor a decade, initil tlie deep snow," in IKM).
The southevnpnrt of the State, known as Kjrypt, received tliis appellation, as '"ro
indicated, l)eeauso lieiufr older, better s. ttled and cultivated, it "fratliercd corn as tho
sand of the sea," ana the iinmijrrants of the central part of the iState, afterthe manner
of tho children of Israel in their wants went "thituer to buy and bring from tbenee
that tbcy might live and not die.
^i
! li
3")2 niSTORY OF ILLINOIS.
insolvent; no liusincss conned ions witli coniinission Iionses Inid
heeii estiil»lislie(l; added to tliese was (ti'len a limited capacity. A
I'ew veais later, it seeiiis, mercliaiils weic I'oreed into harler Wy the.
refusal of the I'nited .Slates liaiiiv at .Si. I.onis to exlead acconnao-
dations to thein, in nieelinu their Mialiired eoiiliaets lor p)ods
lioM^hl in theea>t. 'I'heii the .main. heel, and pork of the coniitry
\ver<' pnrehased and shipped forward 'n payment thereof, and not
unfie(pMMilly. it was found, a doul>le protii was rt-aiized, one on
t he .uoods .sold at ictail ami another on the piodaee forwarded.*
It was no nneommon piaeliee in early linu's foi' farmers to he-
conu^ their own cariiers and merchants; the practice obtained to
\vithin (piite a recent period in many parts of southern Illinois.
A llal'l)(»at wonld he hnilt on the hanks of a snitahle stre;/m,
lannehed, loade<l with the prodnce ol' the year — the Ihmr, Itaeon,
corn, etc., of perhajis a iieiyhhorhood — manned, and with the first
ris«' of the waters, cut loose and lioated down to New Orleans.
After a te<lions and often ha/.ai'dons \(»ya.i;e. on arrival at tlic
distant market a total stranji'er, it was not nnf:e(|nentl\ the case
tiiat the farmer merchant woidd fall into the clutches of sharpers
"vviio took a<lvanta,uc of his want (»f acquaintance with commercial
transactions and lleeeed him of his ear,L;(». I!ut these \('iitni'es
ju'oved at times exceediii^Iy prolitahle. IJefore the day of steam
the journey home was lon;^, toilsome and weary, eithei' on foot
thronji'ii the country inhabiied by savaj;es, or l»y keel-boats, labo-
ii(»usly jMislicd witli jioles, or ccrdclhd — towed with loii;^' ropes —
a;.;innst the sti'on;;' currents ol" the ri\ers. An eiitiic season would
thus often be wasted, a crop lost, and the farm abandoned to iiey-
lect, on account of the loni;' alisence of the pioprietor.t
Fori 1/ Mail FitcUitics. — The lirst inrdl loute crossin.i;- the Alle-
yliany mouutains, was oi»eiied from i'hiladelphia to Pittsburgh in
17.SS, and,a. intervals of six years, was extcniU'd, in 17!(4, to
Louisville, ami in IS(H) to \'iu«'eniH's. From the latter plac«', routes
Avere extended, in ISO."), to Cahokia. and in 1S(I(I, to Shawneetowu.
Ill ISIO, mail routes were established by act of con.i;ress froin Vin-
eeuiies toSt. Louis, via Kaskaskia. I'rairie dii liochi'iaud ("ahol >a,
and from the former i)]ace to Cape (lirardeaii. \ ia St. (ienevi- •,
and also from Louisvilh' ;o iShawnectow u
*~i i. I. .... / 1..1 i.-. iii;..,.: .\ 'i
ill l.SL't). Ill
n Viiiceiines to
Clii'-aiio to (ialeiia, and to Spriiijid.hl, were oi»ene(
1.S27-.S, foui'-liors'" coaches were juit on the line from \ iiiceiines to
St. liouis. The dilliculties and daiit-crs encountered )>y the early
iitail carriers, in time of Indian ti«ail)les, were very serious. The
bra\ery and ingenious devices of Harry AViltoii (subsecpu'iitly
L'liiteil States marshal), who, wlieii a boy, in hSlL', convey <'d the
*l''i)rrrH History.
tFoi'il's History,
EDWARDS' AD:\nXIsTRATIOX.
353
j)i!iil on a wild Frt'iicli i)(>iiy, ovci' swollen sti'ciiiiis. iiiid .Ip'oiiyli
tlif •• fiicm.v's coiiiitiy," IVoiii Hliiiwiit'ctowii to SI. Louis, arc iiicii-
lioMcd with s))0('i:il coiimiciidatioii. Stacy .McDonald, of IJaii-
do!)tli connty. an old jtionccr, who was at St. ( "laii's Defeat, and
iiiiiie)' Wayne in I71I4, was the .uovernnient mail con tract oi' on that
line. So infre(|nent and irre,i;nlai' were the coniinunications l>y
mail a jircat i)art of the time, that to-day, the remotest i»ai't of the
L'nited Statiss is nnal)le to appreciate it by example.*
Fdrh/ Xcirspapcrs. — Tlio first ncws]>ai)er i)nltlished north of
flic Ohio, and west of Cincinnati, was the N'incenncs Sioi. in l.so;>,
edited by Eiihii Stont. 'i'he next in the west was the .Missouri
(iii:rft(\ established at St. licniis, in ISdS. by ,Fose])h Oharless, and
continued ever since, but siibse(|uen11y iner,i;('d in the Ixi'juihlican.
Tlie next in the west, and the lirst within tin- limits of tlie State,
was the Illinois Ilmild, established at Kaskaskia, by .Matthew
Dnncan, brother* of the s\ibse(|uent jfovei'uor. There is some
variance as to the exact time of its establishment. \Vm. If.
]>i'own, afterward editoi' of the same |>a[>ei' at \'andalia, under the
inuiie of IftU'Uinciicer, aiul in aft<'r years president of the (Jliicaj;()
liistorical society, says, "at or before IS Ik" (lov. Ifeynolds says,
]S0!». lloo]»er Warren «'X])lains the latter statement by sayinj:',
''the press broujilit l»y .Mr. J)uncan was foryeai's only used forthe
l)nl)lic printinj;." Matthew Duncan sold out to IJobert lUackwcOl
and Daniei I', Cook in 1S1.1. The former suci-eeded Mr. Duncan,
as public i)rinter, and was, moreover, the territoi'ial anditoi' of
public accounts. In the iatter ollice he was succeeded, in the fall
of JS17, by Filijali ('. Herry, who also succeeded to the sanu' otlicc
under the St; S' <j;overnnient in ISIS, iunl who becanu' a cocditor
of {\w llcrnUl. In the hands of P.lackweil and iieriy the inune of
the paper was ehanj^'cd to lUitwiti Litcllificiicer, and iii)on the
I'cmoval of the seat of ji'overnmeiit to N'andalia in 1SL*(). the
Jiifcllif/i'iicn- establishment followed it. 3Ir. Uerry relincpiished
liis inte)<'st in tlie concern, and his place was taken by a brother
arid Wni. If. IJrown. In the convention <'ontest of ISL'I, ditlerinj;'
with his associates, .Air. r>r<iwn withdr<'w. The Intcllijicmrr was
lon^' an ably conduct<'d ]>aper, Mr. l>laekwell, a well known law-
yer, bein;^' for many years its editor.
The Illinois IJinij/ranf, the sec(nnl new.spa))Ci ])rinted in Illinois,
was established at Shawneetown by Henry Eddy and Sinulelou
]I. Kiujniel, in the fall of 181S, wlien the State was admitted to
the Union. Jjuiies Hall succeeded Mr. Kimniel. Thronj>;h this
l»ai)er ^\r. Eddy, a clear and vijiorons writer, in the convenliou
stru^ijU'le of JS24, dealt her(adean olows in opposition to slaveiy.
The mime had been changed to Illiitoin (iazvtte.
Tin; tiiird newspaper established in Illinois, was l';)unded by
Hooper Warren, at Kdwardsx ille, in 1S1!>, called the Spectator.
The lii'st year he had the assistance of the aticrward Hon.
Georji>c <'hnrchill, a practical ]irinter and expeiienc( d wiiter.
Mil ,., he met at St. Louis. Mr. Churchill I'ctired at the end of ii
■ 1' to his farm near lOdwardHville, wheic he livetl until tpiite
»! ..ently. Hooper Warren was a bold, abh', and vij;()rous writer,
and did mu(!ii to «lefeat the slavery schemes in l.SLM. In ISLT), he
•Piiper ri-nd before the Chicago Hist. Society, by W. H. Urown In 1800
23
3."i4 IIISTOKV OV ILLINOIS.
sold (»ii( to tlic Ikt'V. Tlioiiiiis liippiiicott iiiid .Ii'irciiiiali Abltof.
Mr. Will It'll iiltciwanl started iicwspaiH-is in various plact's in
tlic Stale. 1)111 iicxcr with the success tliat liis al»ilit\ promised.
Ill Septeiidier. ISL'l', \\n"'SI((r a/' tlic Wcsf" was started i)\ a
.Mr. Miller and sons, also at Mdwardsville. 'I'liev had just coiik;
I'roin re;iiis\ l\ ania with a jucss and iiialerial, seeiuny a location.
At ICdwaiilsN ille, while sloiJpiiiyoN cr iii.;;ht. liiev were persuaded
l»v the opponents of .Mr. NN'arreii, to unload and set up their i)ress.
lie remarks, "we had a lively rime for a leu months, when the:
'•Shd'"' went (low ii." They sold in Ajuil, ISl*.'). t(» 'I'lioiiias d. Mt;-
(iiiire tS: Co., w hoelian.m'<l the name to Ul'nioix licpiihlicdii. ,liid,ne
Theophiliis \\. Smith and iMiiaiiiiei .1. West were the leadiiij;'
editors during;' the convention c»»ntest, in counteracting' the inllii-
enceol' the Siicchifor. It was disconi iniied with the close <d' tiiat
eainpai<;n. the las number beiii};' issued Saturday pri'Ci'«linj;' the
election in Aiijiust, ISL't
III .lanuary, ISii.'l, l». K. l''lemin_u' comiueiiced to piiMisli the
]>'<l)Hl>lic((ii Aiirociilc, at KasUask'a, which was the orjian of the
Itro-eoiiveiitioli jiarty diiriiiu the contest.
In ISUd. at (ialeiia. on the 1th of duly, was issued the (irst niiin-
l>ei' of the Minrrs' J(H(rii<(L h\ .lames .loiies. In hS.'lL', he sold to
Dr. I'liillio, when its name was clian,y('d to (idUiiUin.
In the winter of lSL'(»-7, Hooper Warren estalilislied the Sun-
(liiiiio SjKvtiitor at Spiin;;tield. Mr. Warren says (letter to the old
settlers' meetiii,i;- of Sangamon county. Octoliei', l.S.V.t), "it was hut
a small alfair. a medium sheet, worked \\\ myself al(Uie most of
the time." It was transferred to S. C. Mt-rreditli in ISL'S. In the.
latter year was start( d at Mdwaidsx ille, the I llinoi.s ('(irrcctoi; and
at Kaskaskia, the h'l'iHililivnii. In lSi:!» was estalilislied liie UnUna
Ailrertiser, by >.'eAvhall, I'liillio tS: Co. The Alton SiHctator was
t'slalilished aliont l.SdO, hy ICdward IW'cath. The Tclciirapli wa.s
estalilislied hy Parks and Treadway, the latter transferrinji' his
interest in a short time to .Mr. Uailliaehe, who wuss its principal
editor lor many years. In Is;!!, Simeon I""raiicis estalilislied at
Sprin.nlicld. tln^ Saiifiioiin •foiiriKd, which he continued to edit
until IS,")."), when he sold to liailhaclie and IJaker. In Cliiea;;«i, on
tlie 2(itli of November, IS."..'!, was issued the first number of the
DniiDcnif, luiblisbed by John Calhoun, wldcli was the lir.st news-
paper there.
IJterature and Literati. — The literature of Illinoi.s, prior to IS.'JO,
aside from mer<' jiolitieal aitieles in the newspapers, often well
and forcibly w ritteii, was ediiliiied to few hands. AVe will here
mention the ])roniinent <'arly literati of Illinois, il/o/r/i Birbcclc^
an I']n,ulisliman, whom we have noted as settlinji' a colony in Ed-
wards county, ill IS,")."), wrote home sketches of t-onsiderable merit
re.t;ardinji' tlu' adsanlajit's of Illinois, which I'eeeived a wide iiub-
lication and were afterwards collected in book form. He aecpiired
considerable cehdirity as an author. I>i\ LiicisC. /itW.- wrote the
\ alual)le and well known (ia/etteei° of Missouri and Illinois, which
ill iSL'.;, was published in book foiiii. Jmlfic JaiuiN Hall was a
riiiladelphian, born 17JK5. He settled in Illinois about iSlS. lie
had been a soldier in the war of bSlL', having' participated under
Scott in the battles of Chippewa, Niajiara and Fort Erie, and been
with Coniniodore Decatur to Algiers. At I'itt.sburyh, iu 1817, he
EDWAlMiS' ADMINISTRATION.
oi}<)
cotiiplctcd liis liiw sliidics. r(»si,uii<'<l liis (Kmiiiiissioii in flic i'<'i;iiliir
iirmv, lloMtcd (hnviitlic Ohio and scfllcd ;il Sliawnct'towii. Jl(}
liiid idiCiKly devoted uiiicli time to lilciaiT coMiposilion. Here lie
Itccanic a co editor with Henry iMhly on the (lazffcc. He also
soon attained oHice at tiie handsol' the h'jiishit nre, l»ein,n' succes-
sively iiroseciiiin,:;- attorney, circuit .jiidji'e and Stat<' treasni'cr. In
tin' lirst named position he hecanie well acijnaiiited with the
operations of the ijan^s ot \illians, counterleiters an<l l'i'e<'l>ooters,
wiiich then inlestecl the shores of the Ohio and Mississippi, in
southern Illinois, and which doiil»tless i'ui'nished him many an
incident ont of which to \\ea\'e ins '••IJoi'dei' Tales.'' At \'aiidaii:i
he started the flliiiois M<itiii:iiir. He also at that lime edited tin*
ne siaried me iiiniins .\i<i(i(i:iiir. lie also ai iinir iimeeniied in«i
Wcsh'ni Siitirriiir, published at ('iiicinnati, whither he r<'mo\('d in
IS.").'!, and hccame connected witli ItanUini;'. luit he pni'sniMl his
literary iaiioi-s nntil his death in JStiS. 'i'liroii^hont life his pen
was constantly active. He wi'ote with ^rcat iacility, and his
^•olnn^no^ls woiks e\ince a lii.nh de;4ree of literaiT merit. He.
I'arly Ix'came distinL;iiish<'d as a scholar and anthor thron^hont
the ('nited States. As a jioet, t«»o, he was larely gifted. Anion;;'
Jiis works best known are perhaps, ''lieiicnds of the West.*'
'•Harpe's Head," ''I'.order Tales." "Life of (ieii. Harrison." '-Tales
of 1 lie \Vi,u wain and War i»ath," tS:c. He has also left an elabo-
rate '• History of the Xoilli American Indians."
h'er. 'f >liii M. I'rrh\ l>. I>. This distiii^^iiished liajitist divim*,
])iom*er and historian (»f Illinois, icsided tor near M> years on lii.s
i'aiiii at JJelleville, kii<»wii as "l.'ock Si»iiii;i'."' He <'ame to Illinois
about ISL'O. There was no man in all the west who traveled, lec-
tured or wrote so much as lie. diii'lny his Ion;;' life, thron.ulioiit
Mliicli he was also a constant, faithful and able preacher of the
.H'ospel. He was the founder in ISU7, of the '"Kock Spriiiii' tlieo-
louical seminary and hiiiili scliool." and became its ])rofessor of
christian theolo^iy. .lohn .Messin^cr was ]>rofessor of matheinatics
.11.. I ti.ifiii-.il i.liil.w.iiilii- Mil. I l.>..\' l.i^'liii.i I'i'.i.lK' •.I'iiK.iiwil If
tiuiiM laiiiier, .>ioiiM i ro;;re>i.>s oi iii«. ^uis.si.sMjipi > aney, jjiiu oi
liev. .leieniiali \^)rdenian, kv.\ but the work which will transmit
liis name to posterity the loii^-est is his re\ ision and enlar^^cineiit
of the "Annals of the West," by .las. H. Perkins. It evinces
iiMicli research and contains a veiy accurate history of the iioitli-
Avcst. We are c<»nsi(lcrably indebted to it in the i»rei»aration of
this work.
John Russell, a nativ<' of Vci'niont, after niariiaj;'e in 1819,
removed west, and a few years later settled in (Jreeii county, at
lUntV Dale, a beautiful and romantic site not far from tlie Illinois
liver. .Much of his life was spent as a professor in various
<'olle{iPS ill the west. He was a pi'ofessor at an early day iii
Shuitletf colleii'e. a ])rofound sciiolar and chaste and eleuaiit
wrilei', but his jiroducticnis were not voluminous. Like many
authors before him, he was uiiol»trusive with his talents. He led
a (piict and re.ired life in his western hoiue, but was ever an indc-
[i'iCi niSTORV OF ILLINOIS.
fiitij;;il)l<' stii(l<'iit. His litci'aiy iiiorcciiiis were ol'trii set alloiit
\vitli(»ut tlic aiitlini's iiiiiii*'.
Dr. I'cck sold a iiinmisciii)t fof liiiii in the cast, a iiia<;ii/iiie
aiti<'I(' called "Tlie l>ej;('iid of tlie Piasa," represent in j;' a teiril»le
bird of pi'c.v, wliieli t'casicd on the Indians, nndei' an injunclion
not t(» disclose the writer's name. It attracted eonsideralvle atten-
tion, and was afterwards translated into French, as orij^inal. Dr.
Peck c.Npost'd the plaj^iarisni, to the ;:reat inortilication of the
l"'renchnian. who resided ii> Anieri«-a. One of I'lof. Ifussefs
fn;;itive pieces, called the "\'en(tnions Worm," j^ained a wide cele-
brity, l)ein<i' tiansalat«'d into many lan^iiiajics. It conveys a det-p
nn)ral lesson in allejiitry on intein|teranct', and became a staiidard
jiiece in onr earlier school ItooUs.*
[Note] -To anticipiitca few yonrs, we lind Pcyasusnlsoliostnido upon tlu^ level plfiins
ol Illinois, scvciiil iirioiis liaviinr tli<'ir lncnJ poets. Kiuic county had ono uppiircntly
eiumioifd of the soliil advaiitajros which thi' State ol liis adoption ulloidcd. He suii[5
us loliows:
"The Jinibcr hero is very (rood —
The forest dense of stiiidy wood:
The maple tree its sweets affords
And walnut it is sawn to lioards;
The Riant oak the axinati hails
Its massive trunk is torn to rails.
And ^rame is))lenty in the State,
Wtiieli naikes the hiinler's ehaneos srent —
The prairie wolf infests the land.
And the wild eats all bristlintf stand.'
To show tlie comparative cxeellenoe of onr rivers, ht^ saiij? further:
" I've pizeil upon the wild Seioto,
And wondered where its waters a:o to;'
But the Illinois,
"Hnttlintr onward in its course.
Doth seek the .NHssissippi's source" —
afforded hiii no such niisffivintrs, for it will lie perceived that by a poetic license, per-
haps, but in Jetlance of natural law, he runs its waters up tl.c Mississippi.
Politics (//■ the I'eopJe — Mtfuiwr of coitdHcihKj Vntupa'ijitH — In-
tri(ji(t'Ho/ I'oliticians. — Ucjiardiny the political sentiment. (»f the
people, it is not tlatterinjj; to our re])ul)Ucan i>ride to read from an
accurate obseiver of the ])eriod: '' ri> U) the year 18t(t, lean say
Avith perfect truth, that considerations of mere l)arty, men's con-
descensions, ajireeable carriaoe and professions of friendship, liad
more intluence with the on^at body of the people, than the most
imi)ortant public services."t IWit it is more humiliatinj; to confess
tliat these <'onsiderat ions play to-day no less a part than they <lid
40 and ")() years ajio; and they probably always will be formidii.ble
ajitMieies in politics, however we may boast the intelli>;ence of the
masses.
The masses did not expect that, nor did thc' i»nblie serviints
think or study how, {iovernment miolit '.ic made et»nducive te the
elevation (»f the pe(>i>le. To advance the civil condition and hap-
piness of society was an object foreion to the puiposcsof le;^isla-
tioii. Government was tolerat<'d. and its forms and re<pnrements
ae»piiesced mi. by the masses, froui a feelin;;<»f habit, so lonj^as its
administration did not clash with or encntach upon their inter-
ests, enjcymeiits, or personal freecUtm too miich.f
KDWAUDS' ADMINISTRATION.
iim
AiiKtilt;- tlic j»ioii»'frs wri'c also iiiniiy iKhciitiirtTs ; iiiul nearly
all iiiinii;4iaiits soil.tilit tln' new coiiiitry Ibi' an t'asicr lit'c or tin;
acciininlation of property. r|>on <;(>vernnienta' alVaiis bnt littlo
tlion.i,f|il was bestowed. Wlien aioMsed to the e>ereise of tiie ;4i'eat
|)ri\ ile^eof tlie cilizeii — the elect i\e tVaiieliise — l)y interested deiil-
JiJi'ojiiU's, no otlier consideiatioii entered into the act tliaii to either
favor a iVioid oi- pniiisli ai enemy. This indilleienee. so unworthy
of the eiri/eii. I'edonnded In the advantage of the active and diii-
.H'ent |)lace liiiiiteis. in that i' pernntted tiu'iii, witliont molestation
or e\])osure, to j»erlect their " pipe la\ in.i;'' Ibi' the jtai'tition of
^•ovenniH'nlal ..atrona^c. TJm'j'c weie no ureat j»olitical questions
todividethe )ii'o])le prioi' to ls;{L.*-;5. I'olities wei'c ])ersonal. and
snlfra.i,'e, was bestowed, not with I'eyard l(» jjnblic welfare, bur as a
matti'r of ])ersonal favor. In sn<'li eii'ctions, tin' l»allot system,
which in deJisei' po))idations aHbids the greatest independence to
the votei- in eliciting' his trne intent, was hei'e )>rostitnted to
don1)ie-dealinjj; and dissininlation. Out of it ijrew what was known
as file "Ueep dark l>oon'' systenj, in which were saeritice<l on the,
]»art of i)oth olhce seekers and, to a ceiMain extent, the |>eoi»le, all
l»rinci])les of honor and sincerity, by mutual deceptions of every
lira de and (diaraeter, from whi(di the most adroit intiiyner enu'r^ed
^\it]l the .yreatest suiM-ess. i'ionns<'s of su])]ior1 uonid bi' ^•io-
lateil as jreely as tJjcy were made. To cure thee\il, the legislature
repealed the mod<' of votiny by ))allol at the session of ISL'S-'.I
The n.st; of ardent s])ii'its was abnost a nnivc'sal custom with
the j)e(>]»Ie, and •' treat in;;-," as it was called, duriiiU a political can-
vass, was a shi<- tjiia )io)i to sn<'cess. Not nnfrcipn ntly candidal<',s
lor oflice would uive orders to li(|Uor saloons to treat freely whoso-
ever would di'ink at their eN])ense. on ceitain days, usually every
?>atur<lay andotlu'r days of ]»ublie oc4-asion, for weeks betbre the
<lay of election. At such j>laces the voters woniii conj;j(';;aie trom
:ill ]mrts of the smroundini:' neiubborhoods on "• treating days"
durin,;: the cam])ai.yn, riding in to iiathei' the news, ami not unfre-
•juenl ly .ut'l d)-unk and en;^:ii" in i()U.i;h and tuiid)le li.iihts. The
randidati'S, t(»o, would often )nake it upoint lobe there on these
days, either tlKMiisi'Ives or by j»roxy, ami harangue the"sover-
t'iurns'' upon the issues of the eamj)ai^n, in a convenient shady
.yrove. the auditors, not iintretpu'iitly interspersed with ladies,
.seated about on tli<'. pei'U sward. The orators woidd tlnnnler
Ibrth their claims to oflice, mouuted on eomeuient waj^ous, loys,
or stuni|)s of trees, lience the phrase of "•stuini) sjx'ech." The
"vital (juestions of the day," discussed at these nn'etinj;s, were
not , measures i)nt )n«'n, and consisted in bitter jiersonal arraijiU-
nn-nts ol op))onents, oft<Mi of little .uen«'ral concern. Toward
ovenin^i'flie crowd would disju-rse, mounted on their diminutive
vcntiircil to (•onipliiin, im<l when Iiodui. the juries w»,re sure to punish his presump-
tion with llic «<istB ol the suit.
"Writ, imc ol tho old r lllcis, to whom t iilliiclc, ciiino to my otHco ono <\,\y, atatod
tliiit he liud lolled a Ix'C u'(<'ii|>oii his nci^lilMirV liiiid, iilhuli'd to the old ct'istom of
confi'i rill)/ title liy dlncoveiy. iind tliiit ii 8iiit wns thiciiteiieil, mid rei|\iesleil my ad-
vice in tlie ineiiiHes. 1 replied t hat he had eoiumltted a ti<«nasw and ndv'lsed hiV.i to
<.'(Mn|)i()iuis«' the alValr. llelefi the oHii elii hJKh dudL'eon, sayitisfas he was departliijf,
'• til is eoii'itrv I? uiMtlnii too d-d ii\ h/id I'o'- me; I II iiuiUe t I'm jis lor Oregon, or some
other count I- \, wliei-e the idd iiiotii'ii can (ret .)iielice " Mr. Itia kwcdl was, with other
works, the anihor ol' " lli lekwell on Tax 'I'it les." an exeelleiit standard treat ise. ludit
In hipli esteem tliroiifrhniit the I'liited Stales, lie was a nati\ e I lliiioisari and self
■•jiide iniin. endowed with line intellectual powers, tie diedal ChieaL'o, in l.sii:!, at the
early a»re iif MS yeiirs. His early life was an e\am|ile to tlie yoiiiii;- a d aspiiiinr his
mid Ueaue a moiiiiment to t-ulf iiiailc-ulory, iiiid liis early deal Ij a warning: to all.— ciii-
ciiKo Journal.l
SoS IIISTOIJY OF ILLINOIS.
liorscs, <iiill()i»iiij;' tliroiiji'li IIm- tow ii. |ifrli:i|>.s reeling lidiii tlic iii-
HiUMicc ol" liquor, liii/.zaliin;^ aiitl veiling lor tiicii' liivtirih- ciiiuli-
(latcs, iiiiil ui'oiillili^-. ciirsiii;; :iiiil licijit iiii; tlic o|)|Mi.sit ioli.*
'I'lic pioneers in nil |>;iils of tlie Siiile exeicised ii yrcat iiillu-
f-liee ill llie eleeliolis. TlicN were here liist , elailiied sii|ieiior pliv-
ilej^c on liiat aeeonnt, wliieli was inosllv ac«*onle(l to tliein, and
Iviiew \\<'ll every sultsetineni e<(nier. Thev were nnlortunatelv in
«(Mne instane(s not only extremely i;iin»rant. Iinl ^oNcnied Itesides
by passionate prejudices, and opposed every pnldie policy wliicU
looked to the elevation of society; and Iheinlescendants in nniny
cases at an early day, were no inipr(»venienl on their pi'otol_\ pes.
They were, as a ride, brave in personal cond tats and brawls, and had
a'piiipensity to indnl;^c intheni. Theyarrayed Iheniselves in luicU-
skin breeches, leather nntccasins, raccoon caps and red luintini;
sliirts belted al the waist, in which they carried a la r;ie knife,
Mhencethey were denominated •• Uutclier lioys." When pioi-laim-
in;; their bra\ery, a proceedin;; id' whii-li they were not chary,
they woidd swear that they were "half horse and half allij^ator,"
ineanin;^' that it was impossibU- to o\fr<-ome them in ('(Hnlial. The
inlliU'nce of tiiis«'lass was mncli courted hy candidates, ami with
tlii'se and their peculiar chai'acteristics thrown in the scale, succi'ss
"was no doui»tfnl i«'snlt.t
•' Like people, like |»ries|" — pidtlic sci\ants under any luiin (d*
piveruinent ultimatel\ rellect thecharacter of t lie ,>eople, for tliey
Jii'c of the people. In the lej;islature, while the ;;eneral interests
of the ]>(>ople received but little attention, all manner of c<un-
binations for the parceling' out and creation of otVices were
ibrmed. Kat .jobs were i'n;;ineered Ibr theitenelit of fiiends; to
'" rin<;Tejiislation," s(» rife in modern times, they were not strau-
fiers; the "^()(»(l thin;:s"' were ap|)orlioncd by disrepulaUle bar-
jiains made in ad\ance — -indei'd, it was very nuu-h as it is at
ju'csent — " the cohesive power of i)ublic plun<ler" was most potent;
and the possessor of the greatest capacity lor tact, blandishments,
and intri.uue jicnerally carried otVthe lion's share, IJovirmtr Fortl
relates of Samuel Cro/ier, senator from Randolph, '- a remaikable
example ol' i»ure, kind and single hearted honest \ , after ser\inj;-
two sessions, and alter he lia<l lieen boujild and .>old a hundred
times without knowini; it, said he '-reany did Iteliesc that some in-
tn;;ue had been ^oin^ lui.'' So little are honest men aware of the
necessity of keepinji" tlu'ireyes open, in sleepless watchfulness, or
otherwise, a few will nnuiopolize all the adsantajies of jiovern-
inent, and it will becbuu- in the most unfiiir and corrupt nmnm-r. ''
(lo(»(l laws badly adndnistered with the tacit acciuiesenee of the
])eople, cannot reform any <;<)\ ernim-nt. The virtue of the \»eoi)le
sl.oidd both demand and entbrcethem.
Militia. — The nMlitiii system was an important feature <d" tlie
early times in Illinois, both ilurinj; its territorial and State (Ujiiini-
zations. IMilitia duties, \iewed from a modern stand jtoint, dcudtt-
Icss appear droll, if not uninteresting, yet at the tim«' when the
system was fully in vojiiie, they wfre im[>«>rtant suul (>n<>r(ms.
])urinji" tlu' loiiji i»eaee whieii tlur country en)o.\ ed between the
uar «tf iSlli and that with Mexico in 1SK», it is not to l>e won-
» Ford's Hist.
tFora'sHlat.
KDWARDS' ADMIMSTUATION.
nr.o
♦Icrcd, as tlin systrm also licciiinc iho, roininoii tarji'ct of iimcli wif-
tii'isiii and i'i(ii(Mil*>, tliat it It'll iiiidcr rcproiirli and idtinndcly into
disuse. V<'t it is not nnr('asoiial)lt' to assert, tiiat it' a viyoi'ons
inililia system iiad all the tinu' heeii niainliiined up to the hreak-
inu' out of the late i-el»ellioii, |)eilia|ts uiau,\ oi'llie iieadiouy- (iaseos
ol' the Union forces in the earl.v part of thai war woidd lni\e lieen
axoided, and pr(»l»ald.v a year of the war — expended in peilectin;^'
and diilliiiii' the soldiery — sa\cd l»esides. 'I'iie niilitar> system of
I'lussia, wliieli in the late war with l''iaiiee has liron.i;ht tliat
country forwai'd as the vciy tiist military powei' of tlie world, is
nothing hilt the militia syslein in its ])erfeetion. \\liile the sys-
tem of tinit eonnlr,\ has demonstrated it to he tlie best, i| is also
l>y far the eheajiest mo(h^ of maintaining;' a slandini^' army, for
which it hecomes to a ji'i'eat extent a siil>stitiite. I!iit notwith-
iStaiidiii^' its |»erfection in that country, Ainerieaiis coiihl nevrr i»e
Ju'oii.Liht fully to siil>niit to its de|M'ndeiil and oiieroiis duties,
and it will, jtei'iiaps, never obtain any considerable foothold where,
tlie jfovernment is not strongly centrali/ed.
Diiriiii,' the territorial existence of lllimtisthe militia proved a
valiial)le auxiliary to the defence of the coiiiilry, in re|)ellin;^- hos-
tile sava;,fes and aflbrdin.y protection to the froiiliei' settlements.
The law was substantially the siime as that of iSj'.t, from which
we subjoin a synopsis. It contained e«piilai>le provisions tor dr;ift-
iiij^' or (M)nseription — a drafted militiaman was known as a "foi-ced
voliMitecr." From the militia spriin,!^', it may l>esaid, the mounted
raiiuei-s of that jtei-iod. An early law jtassed at N'ineeiines. iin-
]»oiled for Illinois Ity llie i^ov criior and jinl.u<'s. and siiliseqiieiilly
adopted by the territorial le;L;isliiiiire. prohiltited all commisioiied
olticei's, except justices of the peace and militia ollicers. from
serviii.ii' in either house of tin' lejiislatiire. This placed the road
to political ))i-e ferment in a nianner in the hands of the militia, reii-
deriufj it very obnoxious to other onie,e-holdiii<i' aspirants.
All free white inlial)itan(s i-esidcnt in the State, of the aii'e of
IS years and nndei- to, except as hereinafter excepted, shall l»e
einolled in the iinlitia by the comniandin;;' otlieer (»f the comjyany
within whose bounds such person shall reside, within ten days
next aftei- he shall be informed of such jcsidence: ai d at all times
thereafter in like manner, shall be enrolled those \ ho may from
time to time arrive at the aj;'e of IS, or come to ics de in tiie dis-
trict, beiiiii' of that lis(^ and under 4o. .Such eni-ollcd jx-rson was
to be notilied of Ids enrolliiH'nt Ity an otlieer of the .•oinpiiny. and
within six mtniths thereafter he was to provide himself with a j^ood
musket and bayonet, fusee or rille, knapsack', blanket, canteen,
two spare Hints, cartridge-box to contain not less than L't car-
tridi;es with ]»owd<'r and ball suited to the i)ore of his miiskel oi-
fusee, or ]>oueli and ])owd('i'-horn with 1-4 lb. powder, and 21 balls
.suited to the bore of his ritle; and <'Very enrolled peison wlieii
ciilled on shall so appeal' armed, aceontered and pro\ ided. except
when called to exei'cise by companies, battalion oi' regiment, w lien
lie may appear without kiia])sack or blanket. Field and stall'
(dlicers, rankinif as eommissioned otlicers, shall be armed with
sword or lian;i<'r and a ]>air of pistols. Company ollicers with
stiflieient sword or lian,i;<'r. Otlicei's were to furnish iiieir respec-
tive commands as follows: The colonel to each battalion a stand
of colors, with the number of the battalion, leyiineiit. Iniuade and
300 IIISTOUV (»1" I ILLINOIS.
division iiisciilHMJ (licrcoii. Tiic (taptiiin was lo I'liriiisli Iiis (•diii-
])iiiiv witii (Iniiii and lil'c; i'(';^iniciital dniiii and lite iiiajor.s
1(» riiniisli tlii'iiiscivi's, witli iiislriiiiit'ids of iiiitsic, Tiio
ollic'i'is wt'iv to be ri'-indaiisrd lor tin'.sc articles out of
til*' rc;:;iiiu'iital fund (lines and |)(-nalli«'s) n|i(ni tiic oidrr of
tilt' rc.uinicntal itoanl — a sli'iidci' cliaiicc. 'I'lic ciitirt' niiiilia
of lilt' State was apiHutioned iiili> divisions, l»rij;ades, rei^i-
nieiits, haltalioiis an<l i t>iii|ianies ; ail It) take rank wlien in tin;
lieitl, a;^real»l\ tt» llie date of tlie foinniissioiis ttf tiu' oflieers in
eoiiiMiaiitl. Kat'li tlivision was enlitled It) its inajor-jicneral, with
division iiispectoi' ami aitls; eaeli Ini.uaile lo a hriuatliei'-;^t'n»'ral,
niajoi', and aitl tle-eaiiip who was also jiid^t' ath tteale and t)nailer-
mastei'; eaeli re^iinenl It) a etilonel, lieutenant t'olonel. niajtir, sni'-
{;'eon. sm';j,('oii"s male, atljnlanl (ex-ttllicio clerk), tjiiailermasler. ser-
;;('an;, thiim-majoi'antl life-inajoi'. Tlie snpeiior olliceis appointed
tlieir siihortliiiales, ami their ranks weif delinetl acctatliiij;- to lln;
U. !S. ariii.N rej;idatitins. The I'tniipanies electetl their captains ami
lieiilenanls, antl these ai)pt)inte(l tlieir subalterns.
The ollieers must he eili/ens of Hie ('. S. and this State, and
take an oail. to support the consi itntions t»f liolh. The re};imeiiis,
ballalions and companies ch'cled their respective superior tillicers,
■who were commissioiietl by the j;t)vernor. The j;t)veriior, by virtu(^
of his otlice, was commamlerin-chief. I'rovision was made for
one conijiany of artillery ami t)ue of cavalry or Irottp of h(»ise to
each re^iimeiit. liy voluntary enrollmeiil. In llie same manner ii
company of rillemeii. jirenailier.s or lij;lit infantry, mij;lit be raised
ill tlie battalions; all of whicli were lo et|uii» antl uniform tliem-
.selves in manner fully poinletl out. They were to appoint their
ollieers in a manner siudlar to the lirst-menlit)ned. C'omi»anies
M'cre re<[uiretl to muster ar limes yearly, on Ihe^ first Satunlays
of A[iiil, .Iiiiie. Auj;iisl ami October; ami also the lirst lialtalioiis
of each first rejiinjent, tni the lirst ^Mondays in April; the lid on
the succeeding' Wednesdays; the Isl battalion of the lid regiments
on the sncceetlin;:,' iMitlays ; and the I'd battalion of the lid re^i.
anents on the succeedinj; Mondays in each and every year. liej;i-
meiital musters were [)rovided for similarly to theal)t)ve, in Septem-
l)er of each year. The e\(>liitioiis and exercises were to be con-
dnctetl ajireeably to the military discipline of the armies of the
I'. S. In athlition to these times tlu' ctimiminders of re<;iuieiits,
ballaliiuis or companies, were empowered to call their respective
ctdiimands out to muster, as '•' in their opinituis the exij;ency ol
the case may retpiire." The brijiadier-ycnerals were re<iuired to
call together for drill or exercise all the conuuissioued oliicers iii
April and September td" each year.
These rei>eate<l musters, it will be perceived, were no lij;ht duties.
Every otlicer anil soldier must a[»pear at the iihices of muster,
aiiiietl and etiuipiieil as the law diit-cted, at the proper time. The
roll was lo be called antl deliiKpieiits, either as to absence or im-
l»it>pt'r ('(piipmeiils, were to be duly notetl, for which fiue.>^; and tdr-
leiliires were to be assessetl by courts-martial, ranj^ing as follows:
privates from oO cents to 551 oO; commanders of divisions for neg-
lect of any duties enjoined, from $20 to .t!l'(K) ; commanders (d' brig-
atles, for disobetlience of ortlers or any tlutics enjoined by law,
from $lo to $150; of regiments from $10 to $100; of battalions
ii'um $8 to $80 ; of comi>anies from $5 to $oO. fathers w eve liable
EDWAKDS' ADMIMSTUATION*.
mi
for tlic tines of tlu'ii' iiiiiioi sons, •{'iiiirdiiuis Ibi' their wards, aixl
luiisters lor tlieir apprentiees. Kxeniiion was t(» issiH' ni)on (lie
lin(linj;s ol'tlie eouits martial, directed to the liaiids of eonstalties
to l»e levied as in other eases.
Tiie lieutenanljiON criioi', Jiidiics of the supreme and eiifiiit
courts, atlorne,v-;;'eMeral, licensed ministers of the (iospel, and
jailois, were, in addition to tliose by the laws of 'he T. S. <'X-
enipted from ndlitia dntv. i-'roni time to time acts were also
])asscd for the relief of Diinkaids, (^Miakei's, and othei' reli;;ioiis
jK'rsons coiiseientionsly scrni>nlons a^^ainst heariiij*' arms. I>y net
of .lan.L'l, ISi;i,siich persons were I'elieved lt\ [>ayinj;' ><."> each toihe
sheriff, and the entry of tlieir names with a statement of their
scru|»k'.s, with the assessor of the county, ihit when detachments
of militia for actual service wei'c i-e(piired. they like others, wen*
li(»t exempt from the tours of duty, liut nii.i;ht icspdud by siiloti-
tute like others.
'J'lie militia^ was liable to 1m; called into actual service at any tinu;
for the space of three months on the r«'(pnsition of the Ivveeutive
of IIma U. S. in actual or Ihicateued invasion of this or nei^idior-
in^' State's or territories; tor which purpose the nundter rccpiired
were to bo distributed amonji' tin; classes (into which eomi>aiues
were to be foi'mcd), one man to be furnished by \ olunteeriui; or
draft out of each class ; classes mi;;hl furnish siibstitides. 'I'iio
j>overiior could exempt the militia IVoin a call into a(;tiial service,
in such frontier settlements as in I lis opinion tlieir safety re( pi i red de-
fence, and make such fiirt her pro\ isioii as t he eiiieriii'iicy demanded.
\\ Idle in actual service the militia was to be subject to the same
rules and n-niilatioiis as the armies iA' the V. S., and to receive
the same i)ay, lations and fora^i'e ; but theii' transgressions were
to be tried and deteriidned by a court-martial of militia (»tlicers
only.
This is but a very brief outline of some of the main features of
the militia system of Illinois. The law contains many sections
and is a very lonu one.
Whih; the reijuirementsof tlu' militia system in times of profound
peace, without the stimulant of a common dan,ii('r to aid in tliedis-
eliarj;«> of itft oneidiis duties, were perhaps dull and irksome, it
nevertheless atfoi'ded to many a bnddiiij; ainbititui ibr the "bub-
ble r«'piitation at the caiimurs mouth." "that swelliiij; of the
heart you ne'er can feel a^ain, while with fearless hearts thouj^h
tired liiid)s, [theyj Ibiijiiit the mimic fray." The military titles
of ^^eneral, colonel, «S:e., of many of our jjublie men of the period,
from 1812 to 1840, were mostly of militia oriyin, and had little
other s i Jill iti can (H'.
The militia system was much the same in all the States ; and to
come down to a later period the people abhorred it. ISnt le-^isla-
tiires were unwillinji' to distuil> ihe lime lumored hiw, which in
many instances had been the means to oriuinally briuj;- them per-
haps into ]>romiiience. ibit the shafts of wit and ridicule were
liuiied at it with such effect as to inak(; it exentiially siiccumb.
The meiiiorable attack of Tom Corwiii in the Ohio lejiislature, by
his (icle rated *•' water melloii siieech," is familiar to every school-
boy. 11 w it fell into disuse all over Illinois, we do not prereiid
to recount, but we gleau the following account of the means used
3f{2
niSTOUY OK ILI-INOIS.
to l)iiiij>' it into coiitciiipt in one place, IVoiii ii spcccli (»f Mr. liiii-
(;olii :
'• A iHiiiiltt'i' of years ••y:o the aiililia laws of (liis state letiiiired
that the iiiililia sImhiIiI ■ ii at slale<l ititeivals. Tliese ti'aiiiiii;;s
beeaiiie a j^icat bore to .e people, and every persctii nearly was
t'oi' piittin;; them ilowii; liiit the law leipiii'ed t lieni to train and
tliev eonld ii(»t iH'l it lepealetl. S(» they tiied aintthei' way, and
that was to bnrlescpie tlu'in. And henee they elected old 'rim
Lanuwell, the j^reatest iliiinkaitl and l)laek;^ininl, lor colonel o\er
the lu'si nu-n ol' theconntiy. Ihil this did not sinceed alto;;ethei'.
Wo they laised a company ami elected (loidon Alnaiiis coininaii-
<ler. lie was dressed in peenliar style, one ]»art of his pants were
of one collor and maleiial, and the other different, lie wore a
jiastehoard cap about (I feet haij;-, resenddinj^ an inverted ox-yoke.
The shanks of his spurs were about S inches Ion;;', w itli rowels
about the circumference of common saucers. He carried a sword
made of pine wood. '.) feet lon.u. They als(» had 'rules and regu-
lations/ oin* of which was, ^ 'i hal no othcer should wear more than
liO lbs, of eodlish for e])aulets, inti moi'c than IW yards of r)olo<;iui
sausa,i;(' lor a sash ; an(l on the lianner was boin aloft these words:
' W'-'ll ti.^ht till we run and run till we die.' This succeeded to u
demonstration. They wer<' the last company that trained in
.Sl))iii-;tield."
wm
ClIAl'THW XXXI.
1S;',(M— ADMINISTIIATION OF (lOVHKNOi: K'KVNOI.DS.
77/r (iiilnrii<(t(>)ltil ('t(ii(li<l(ili's, tin if IJrrsiniil CliKnictrrs — 'I'ltc Cuni'
paillit — 'I'lif Wimiliin Lixdi — liiiiHKtIimnit of t^Kpninc JikIiic
tSiitith — \V. y.. />. Eiclnij (lorrninr for 1.") flai/s.
Ill Aiiiiiisl, IS.'IO. iiiiotlM-r tiiili:'riiii((>ri;il clrctiiwi \v;is t(» hike pliiro.
'J'Ih- cMiKlidjilcs wdf W'illiiiiii l\iiiiicv, llicii liciilciiiiiit p>\riii()r,
iiiid .loliii K'cviiolds. roiiiii'ilv one of tliti iissociiitc Jiistict's of tliC!
siipiciiM' ruiiit. l)()lli of the (loiiiiiiMiit iiiiity. SiiK-c ISi'd. tlio
,l;iclisoii piii'ty li;i(l hccii rcjiiiiiiit in liotli lioiiscs of the .uciicral
iissciiii»lv. 'I'lic o|>|M»siiioii. oi' Miiti .liicUsoii iiit'ii, l>roii;nlit forward
ito ciiiMlidiitr for j;()\('riioi' at lliis cU'ctioii ; tlicy were in a iiopr-
l(ss minority. In Illinois i)ai1y |)iinri|»I('s had not taken deep
rool, nor were tlicy as yet well defined aiiywliei-e hy the position
of presideiil riaekson. Those who weie ai'deiitly and nneoiiipro-
iiiisiiij,Hy attached to the fortunes of (len. .laekson, weiv deiioinina-
t('<l, in the political slaiii;' of the period, '"whole hoy nieii." Mr.
Kinney was a stron,i: example of the tlioroiij^h ;;(»in;i .lackson
men. Of those who nominally espoused tlie cause of Jackson,
not nniiii\ed with jtolicy jK-rhaps, as that jiarty was so largely iu
the majoiity, while at the same time, the support of the anti-
Jackson men was not nnacceptable. was Mr. L'eynolds, who, it
should I added, however, had always consistently acted with the
Jackson ])arty. The oi»position, intlnenced not so mnch hy any
clearly deliiied ])arty pi'inciples, as a dislikes to the str(Miji, arhi-
tiary and personal charact«'ristics of (len. .lackson, came to tlie
support of Iicynolds, not on acrconnt of love for the latter, but of
theii' hatred towaid theJbrmer. Kinney had \h'OU to Washin^^itou
and witnessed the inanji'iiration of jn-esident Jackson, and was
thoiii^ht to have much a;;encv in dire(;tin^' removal;? from federal
ollices in Illinois. It was rejtorted he said, in his i)ecnliar jiraphic
manner, that the whiys on<;ht to he w]iip]»e(l ont of otlice '"like
dojis out of a meat house."*
-Ml'. Kinney was horn 1781, in Kentucky, and emij^rated to
Illinois, in 17!).'{. As has hefore been stated, he acquired his echi-
eation after mai'irijic, hein<;' tanj>ht its rudiments by his wife. I>y
unwearied a])plication he became remarkable for intellijjenee and
business capiKtity. Shortly after iiis early marriage, contracted
with a most estinial)]e lady, he removed to a farm a short distance
mntheast of Belleville, and hefore long Mr. VonlMiul, of St. Louis,
induced liim to engage in merchandizing. He brougiit his first
'Itoynolds' Life and Tiinos.
303
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IMAGE EVALUATION
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SG4 HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
stock of goods IVoiii St. Louis, at out' load on liorschack. He pros-
])cr('d as a nicrcli.iiit. bccaiiit' an cxtciisix (^ tradci', and acciiimda-
tcd a rortiinc. Filiidy iinpivsscd with religions convictions, lie
eai'ly became a mendter of tlie ba)>tist clinrcii, and afteiwaid
forcibly )»reached tlie faitli of that denomination of christians.
]Ic lrc(|iH'ntly had the honor of a seat in the legislature wheie he
Avas noted for close attention to business. He was of a- social <lis-
])ositi()n, and had gathered a, wonderful store of pithy anec(l(»tes,
which serv<'d him a good ]>ur|)ose in electioneering. He was
regarded as one of iiie best ]»oIitical canvassers in the State, pos-
sessing uniionndcd energy and great and)ition. \\'ith his strong
]»artisan bias he, associated a rare Jovial and witty pleasantry,
which made him very acceptable in his intercourse with the peo-
ple. Notwithstanding his clerical calling, which he did not lay
aside while in (pu'st of ottiee, he availe(l himself fully of the
woildly jnactice of those days in elections, by "treating" \\itli
intoxicating li(|nors, as did all other candidates, it was wittily
n'lnarkedof liim that he was invincible, betiause he went forth to
the contest "arnu'd with the sword of the Lord and the spirit."
Tel with al) these I'avoi'able traits, he was not sulliciently guarded
dniing the canvass in his sarcastic ntterances, which were canght;
up and distoited by his enemies, to his disadvantage. His strong
(lenomiiiational iti'cjndiccs and clerical calling, induced him oc-
i'asiunali\ to beiate other churches, which hediseoNcred from the
drift of tilings to be arrayed against him, often fntm no other than
seciarian motives. He also ariayed himself in oi)position to thu
i-anal, then mnch belbi'c the j)nblic, not on account of its inlriesic
or j)nblic value, but because that great improvement would send
ji tide of '•Yankee" emigrants to the State, which he and his ultra
]»artisaiis affer'ted to despise ever since the defeat of the jiroposi-
tion to introduce slavery into the State six years belbic. 'fhese
jsentimeiits, inconsiderately expre.ssed, did him much injury in the
campaign.
His opjimu'ut, John K'eynolds, was born in I'cnnsylvania. in
17SS, ol' Ii'ish parents, who I'emoved to Tennessee while he was an
infant, and to Jllinoisin ISIH). in early manhood young Ueynolds
returned to Tennessee, where lie received a "classical education,"
as he asserts in his ••Life and Times," but Cor this assertion no
one would evei' have snsi»ected it, either from his conversation,
public addresses, or writings. He was reared among a frontier
])eople, ami imbilied their ehara<'terislics of nmnners, customs,
and speech — disliked polish, coiiten.ned fashion, and wasaddided
tt> inordinate i>rofanity, all of which attached to him through life,
of none of which he took any pains to dixcst himself, and mucdi
of which is said to have i)een alfecled, which we doubt. These,
garnished by his varied reading, a uali\e shrewdness, and a won-
deilnl faculty ol" gariulity, make him, considering the high olliees
to which he attained, one of the jiublic oddities in the annals of
Illinois. J lis imagination was fertile, but his ideas were poured
ibrth regardless of logical se(pu'nce, evidencing his Milesian
Itlood. lie had an extraordinary, disconn«'(!ted sort of memory,
and possessed a large fund of detached I'acts relative to the eaily
selliementof St. Clair and liandolph counties, which are cndxtd-
ied by him in a work entitled the " IMoneer History of Illinois,"
REYNOLDS' ADMINISTRATION. 305
and iirc in the main coiTcct and valnablc, tlion^li badly ananjicd.*
lie was tall (»r stalnrc; liis face i»»n<i', bouy and d('(']»ly liirrowcd,
and nndci- liis lii^^li, narrow toi'clicad rolled liis eyes, laryc and
]it|iiid, exitrcssivc of volnhility. His u.,m' \no\i'v\v{\ v. cU dowii-
■\vard to liis aiii]»l(; inontli. lie was kindly by nature, treasured
few icsentnu'nts, and was ever ready to do a I'avor. Mis
thoroughly democratic- manners, soeial disposition and talkative
Labit caused him to mingle readily with the peojde and eii.joy
their confidence. He was much in jtnblic; life. We hav(^ noted
liiiii as a Judge; he served three terms in congress, was afterward
commissioned (nM)st unwisely) one of the State linancial agents
to negotiate large loans to <'arry on the State internal imjirove-
)Ments, visiting Europe in tiiis (-apacity ; still again we tind liiui iu
the legislature, lie :vlways claimed tiie staun(^liest adhesion to
the democratic party. Iu 1S,">,S, however, he refused to foll(>w the
lead of Douglas, but si<led with President liuchanan in his effort
to fasten slavery upon Kausas by the Leconipton constituti«)n, and
Ins hatred of JJouglas was such tiiat he preferred Mr. Lincoli for
the senate. In l!S»JU, ohl and infirm, he attended the Charlestou
convention as an anti-Douglas delegate. Owing to his age. his
extreme pro-slavery views and l()(|uaciousness, no man froui the
north re<?eived more attention from tiie southern delegates than
lie. lie suj)]K)rted Ibcckinridge for the i)resideney. After the
elections of October, in Oiiio, Indiana and Pennsylvania, had
foreshadowed the suc(!ess of Mr. Lincoln, he however publisiied
an addrt'ss uiging democrats to rally to the; sni)port of Douglas,
that the election might be thrown into congress, where Ibeck-
iuridge would succeed. lmmediat<'ly preceding, and during the
war of the rebellion, his correspou<lence with extni-IJilly 8mitli
of Virginia, and his letter to his brother-in-law, J. L. Wilson of
Alabama, which was widely circulated, evinced a clear symi)a-
thy for the treason of the south. About the 1st of ]March, ISIil,
lie urged upon IJuchanan oflicials the seizure of the treasure
and arms in the custoni-h(»use and arsenal at St. Louis. He died
at r>elleville. May, l!^V)~>. lie left no will, and his fine property
descended to his wife, who survived him but a few months, lie
Lad no children by either of his wives.
During the ]>olitical (campaign, Keynolds professed great admi-
ration for the character of Jackson, though he was not accounted
idtra enough by the real Jacikson men who denounced him as an
'•outsider." lie and his competitor made a thorough canvass of
the Sfat«', and ])arty excitement ran exceedingly high. .Much
jiersonality entered into it, and bitter reproaciiies were indulged by
the partisans of the respective candidates. The press was loaded
with abusive articles on both sides, and hand-bills were scatteied
).i()adcast, cctntaining distorted reiioits of the speeches of tlu' can-
didates, and all sorts of scandalous charges. After a wearisomw
campaign of near 18 numths, Keynolds was elc, ^ed gov«'rnor.
Ibit with regard to the <'lection for lieutenant governor, the
same result did not obtain ; it was the same as four years before.
llig(h)ii IJ. Slocumb was on the tictket with lieynohls, and Zadock
Casey with Mr. Kinney. Both candidates for lieutenant govi-rnor
•Ho writes : "In the yenr 1794, the Morrison family emiprrafed to Illinois. They
were talented, industrious, and beciune very wealthy. In tlie same year the hoi-se
flies were very bad, and of these the greeu headed tly was the worst. '^
3G(] HISTORY OP ILLINOIS.
Avciv, ;;<'iitl('iii('ii of sti'iliiij;- wortli, cliariich'r niid ability. Slocmnb
AViis iiiiiiscd to tlic not iiiicoiiiiiioii ac('oiii|ilisliiiiciit of tlic Aiiu'i'i-
caii ]i(>liliciaii. |)iil>lic, spcakiiiii'; nor did lie electioneer nineli, it is
said, in any oIIut manner. Not so iM)\vevei' witii Casey; Ik; was
jiifled witii the j)o\ver of cliarndnn' oiat(»iy, Aillioiij-ii lacidnj;' in
tlioi()M;iii early education, by eonipi'eJM'nsive readinu' ii<' iiad stor-
ed iiis mind, naturally strong', witli varied kno\vled;;('. lie had
IVeciuently be«'n a member of the lej^islature, and his tine jiersonal
appearance and lar^c pnblic experience jiave him distinction
liironj^iionf the State. laiic his colleague, he, too, occnpied the,
]»idpit occasionally. The clerical ticket was somewhat injured by
the fact that the peo|>le could not brook the worldly aspirations (»f
men en^iajicd in a calliii.u so militant to honors that perish ; but
this objection did not cMend to b»ith .gentlemen, for Casey was
elecied. (iovciiior ( asey possessed in an eminent dej^ree the eom-
mandinji' tact of i»residinji' over a deliberative body.
In his messajic, (iovernoi- lleynolds invited atteidion to the sub-
ject of education, internal impro\('inent and {he canal; nr.ued
that congress be memorialized to imi>rove ChieajiO harbor; recom-
nu'nded three pnblic hiiihways, c(nnnn'ncin,ii' i'es]»('ctively at
( 'airtt. Shawneetown. and on the l()wer Wabash, all to terminate at
the lead mines; the completion of the ixMiiteiitiary ; winding; up of
the ol<l State bank; and, inoccnlated with his iiredecessor's theo-y,
stated he was '•satislied that this State, in ri,uht of its sovereijiUty
and independence, (wasj the rij;htfnl owiu-r of the soil within its
limits,"' Ibit His Ivxcellency advocatecl no hobby, and his adndn-
ist radon was not stronj;ly ixMsomil.
The ji'overnor was not in political accord with a majority of the
senate, and the usual contlicts between that body and the executive
obtained. The senate desired the removal of A. P. Field, secretary
of Stale, and with that view i)assed a resolution re(iuestinj;' his
lenomination — that they nufiht reject him.* ]>ut the }i«>vernor
refused eon>|)liance, and would neitlu'r remove nor remtnnnate him.
lie rein)nunated Henry iMldy, Sidiu'y Ureese. Thonms Ford, and
Alfred ('(^vles. who had been ellicient and acceptable prosecuting
attorneys, but as they had opposed the election of Kinney, the
senate rejected them and turned all out (»f oflice. exccjjt Thomas
Ford. They were aji'ain nominated and ajiain i'«jected; but alter
tile adjonrmnent .of the lejiislature, the "."overnor icappointed
them. He succeeded in liavinj; his choice of treasurer, .bdin De-
ment, conlirmed by the senate. ])em'ent was an idtra .lacksou
man, but had sup]>ort d Weynolds. The incundtent .ludj^c .lames
Hall, desired to bi' retained in the oflice; and althoujih an anti-
, Jackson man, he had, as editor of the Illinois IntdliiU'iurr, with
niiicli |»(»wei', snpported Kinney; but this tailed t(» avail him. That
curious |)olitical posture would indicate both as|»irants to the treas-
nrership to have been jioverned in theii- course more by the hoj»e
of ol1ic(^ than by party i)iincii)les. JJut that is a weakness m>t
l>ecnliarto those days alone.+
Amou^' the measures jiassed at the first lej^islative session of
Ikcynolds' adndnistration nniy be noted the adaptation of the crim-
inal code ti> the |»enitentiary system. Hut thenntst notable measure
of this session was the passaj;e of the act jtrovidiii}'' for the
"Kevnohis' Life and Times.
+Hull, us Trt'iisuror, was lii urreers with luStttte.
jfoiii!
REYNOLDS' AD>nNISTRATION. 3G7
r<'(l('ini)ti()ii of the notes of llic old State baiilc, wliidi would
liiatmc duriiin' the curiciit ycai'. The notorious "Wi;.v.i;iiis loan "
of >( 100,000 was autlioiizt'd, and if that provi'd insullicicnt to
rc'di'ein the out-staiidin}^' notes, tlie residue was to 1)e refunded by
issuinj;' State st<»cks l)eaiin,u' (5 per centum annual interest. This
siK'cdily raised the credit of the State and advanced its currency
to i)ar. But while tlie liiuuicial standiu};' of the State was tlins
])reserved, the honoral)le inend)ers who actively authoiized it, it is
said, sank beneatii the waves ot' |»oi»nlar iiidij^nation, never to rise,
ajiiiin as jioliticians, '^h(^ value of a financial character for the
younj; Stat«'. oi' the dis<;race of repudiation, was not duly appre-
ciated by the ))eople, DenioyojiUes availed themselves of this and
jjroclainu'd to the jteople that their I'eprcsentatives had corruptly
betraye(l theii- interests, and sold out them and the State to \N'i,ii-
jtins for judjnerations to come. The mend)ers <pmiled before the first
onset of ]»ublic iinli;;'nation as if stricken with the enormity of their
Avr(»nJ,^ Trnth was crushed to earth never to rise aj^ain, in the
case of these ixditicians. A bli<;ht swept ov«'r the State and laid
low many i>i'omisinj'- buds of incipient statesmen. It is left for us
at this day, who look back with swcUiiifi' pride t(t the fact that our
Stat" has emer;^ed from eveiy imi>eudin,i; financial crisis with her
{garments unsullied, to a])preciate the merits of their act, only
veyrettiuj;' that they did not boldly defend their course ami hold
up to publict ,s( ()rn tlu' unprincipled demayojiues who inflamed the
peoi)le to the contrary.*
The United States census returns of IS.'JO showed a ]>o]>ulatiou
for Illinois of ir>7.44r>, and in accordance therewith the State was
appcutione.d into three cont;ressional districts. ("[> to this time the
State had had but one represeidative in the lower house of congress.
A siX'cial eh'ction foi'oue conjiTcssman wasordered foi- Auj^ust JH.'U,
at wiiich .Jo.sei»h I >nm'an was elected; but for the general election of
Auj^ust IS.'Ji', iiud excry two years thereafter — it bein,y' jjrovided
that coujfressmen should be elected one year and overprior to taking'
their scyts — three ineiidK'rs were to be elected. Joseph Duncan,
Zadock Casey (the lieutenant {>overuor,) and Charles Slade were
elected.
In his message to tlie'sessiou of the general assembly of ]8;J2-3,
goveru(n' lieynolds stated the ordimiry receipts iido the treasiuy
tor the two years endiny Xo\e)nl>er 30th, IS32, to be in lound
numbers, .$102,000; the cunent e.\|>enses of the State government
for the same jteriod, were, in round inuubers. !*!tO.OOO. This indi-
cated a healthy condition of tlu' Stat(; finances, when it is
considered that the IJlaek Hawk war oeeuired during this period.
The. e.\i)enses of that war amouidingto some two million dollars,!
were however assiuned by the general gov(»rnnient. At this
session the first earnest efforts were nnide to build railroads;
several charters were gianted incor])oiating railroad companies,
but no stock, it is said, was ever subscribed to any of tiiem. It
Avas proposed to build a lailroad from Lake .Alichigan to the Illinois
river in place of the canal ; surveys for the Northern (!ross road
(now tlie T. W. & W.,) and for the Central, from Peru to Cairo,
were also pro[)o.sed. •
•Ford's History.
tBrowii's Ulinols, 355.
3fi.S HlsTOUY OF ILLINOIS.
r)iit tlic most iibsdibiiij;' topic, of this session \v;is the iiiipciicli-
liu'iit trial of Tlicoidiilus W. Siiiilli. oiic of the associjitc judges
of tlic siiiu'ciuo (M)tiit. I'ctilioiis imiiicroiisly signed were rcccixcd
by the lioiisc clmi'iiiii;^' liiiii witii inistlciiicaiiors in onicc, TIki
lioiisc \(>t('(l seven articles of inipeaclinient, wiiieli were tians-
iiiitted to the senate for trial. Tlie lirst three related to the eornii)t
sales of cii'cnit clerkships; he had anthori/ed his son, a minor, to
bar,i;ain otf the oHict' in Madison connly, l»y hiiin<i one (leorj^v,
Kelly at i^U.") ])er month, reservin<;' the fees and enn)lnments to
liimself; he did the sanu' — reservin;^' the fees and eniohnnents —
till his son became of ai^'c; and to subject said ollice to his will, he
liad nmde appointments thre(^ several times without re(piirin,y;
bonds from the appointees. He was also charged with bein.i;' ;i
('o-plaintitt' in several vexations suits foi' an alle.i;('d trespass, coni-
menced by allidaxit in a court where he himself i)i'esid(Ml, holdinj?
the defendants illegally to excessive bail npon a tritlin;^' pretext,
to o))press and injnie them, ami (tontinuinj^' the snits from term to
teiin to harrass and persecnte them. The .")th article (^harjicd him
with arbitiarily sasixMuliny .lolin S. (Ireathonse, a lawyer, from
])ractice for advising- his client to api)ly for a (;lianji:e of venue to ii
cir<'iiit where his honor did not preside; (!th, for tyranically con>-
mitlinii' to Jail, in .Mont^.i'omery connly, a (^naUer who entertained
conscientious scrui)li's apiinst removiiiJi; his hat in open court; 7th,
for decidinji" an agreed case between the sheriff and treasurer of
3Iadison county without process or plcadinji', to the lu'ejudice (»f the
county, rendering;' a])peal to the supreme court necessary. The
senate resolved itself into a hij>h court of impeachment antl ii
solemn trial was had, which lasted from January !>th to February
7th, 1S;{.'{. The jtrosecution was conducted by a committee of nian-
a^i'ers from tln^ house, consistiuji' of Benjamin Mills. Murray
jMcConnel, John T. Stuart, James Semple, and John DoujLrherty.
The defendant was rei)resented by Si<lney Ibeese, It. M. Yonnji',
ami Thomas Ford, subsecpiently j^overnor. The array of talent on
both sides, the exalt<'d i)(>siti(ui of the at;cused, and the excitement
thereby (caused in political circles, <>ave to the trial \uuisual public
attraction thronjihont the State, and duiinj;',its protracted i)endency
little else was transacted by the Iciiislature.
Tlie trial was conducted thron^ihout by nmrked ability ami learn-
in<>'. A ji'reat number of witnesses were examined ami nuu'li
documentary evideiuMi introduced. The arj^nments of counsel
were of the hijihest order; and in the final sunnnin,y' np for the
prosecution, the chairnmn of the house committee, Mr. Willis, (Uie
of the most brilliant orators of the time, s[»oke for three days in ii
strain of nnsui'passed elo<iuence. IVndiny the trial, the defendant,
after each adjonrnmt'ut, hiid the desks of senator.s carefully
searched for scraps of i)aper (!ontaininf>scril)blin}i" concernin<f their
status upon the respective charges. Beiu};' thus advised, his
counsel enjoyed i)eculiar advantai^cs in the inanainement of the
defence. The constitution required that "no person shall be con-
victed without the con(;urrence of two-thirds of all the seinitors
l)reseiit." When the vote was finally takvu upon each article
sel^amtely, 22 senators were preseid, 4 absent or excused. It
required 15 to convict, 12 voted "guilty" on some of the charges,
10 were in favor of acquittal, and 15 "voted him guilty of one or
other of the sijeciticatious, but as 12 was the highest vote on any
REYNOLDS' ABMINIKTIJATION. 309
Olio of tlioiii, lio, Wiis iU'<iuitt('<l.'** Tli('i'«'iii»oii tlic lioiis<' of r»'pro-
si'iitiitivcs, well coiiviiiccd of liis ^iiilt, iiimicdiiitcly jinsscd a
resolution by a two-tliinis vote niKlcr tlic coiisiitiitioii t(» iciiiove
liiiii from ollicc by iiddrcss; liut this, too, wlicn reported to tlie
seiiiite, failed in tliiit Ixxly, and .Indj^c Smith retiiineil his seat
iijion the supreme beiieli of Illinois until he died about ten years
afterward. t
W lien Lieutenant Clovernor Zadoek Casey was ele(;ted to eon-
gress in liS;{2 lie resijiiied his otlice and (icii. AV. Lee D. Ewinj;', a
senator, was chosen to preside over the. senate. At the August
eleetion of 1<S.">4, <;()vernor Keynolds was nlso elected to congress,
more than a year ahead, as was tiieii the law, to succeed ]\Ir. Slade;
but shortly after, the incnmbeiit died, wlieii Reynolds was also
chosen to serve out his uiiexj)ired term. Accoidiii^Iy ho set out
for Washin^i'ton in Xovenil)er of that yoiir to take his seat in con-
j>ress, and (Ion. J-^wiii^', by virtue of his ollicc its ])resident of the
senate, be(;aine j«'overnor of this Stiite for Just 15 da.Vs, when, upon
the meeting of the legislature, to which lie sent liis messaj;e as
iictin;jf {jfovernor, he was relieved of his exalted station by tlie
governor elect, Duncan, beiny sworn into otlice. This is the only
time that such a conjuncture has liapi)eiied in the history of the
State.
•Ford's History-
fiSco Senate Journals 1833, appendix, for full proceedings of this trial.
24
Chapter XXX rr.
1S27-1S;51— lU.ACK HAWK WAR.
1. Winnehaf/o JIoNiiliticif — IiKlians uitahle to lifsist the Eucroack-
mentis of the MinerH— Coalition with the ISioux — Attack on a
Steamboat — Compelled to sue for r<;ace.
2. 8acN and Fo.res — lilael- Han-l; — Keohnl: — Hae Vitlanes — Inva-
sion of the Slate — Militia and L'et/nlars Itroin/ht into h'eqnisition
— March to the Scene of Dantjer — Black llaick conqHlled to en-
ter into a Treaty of Peaee.
Tlio most ficqiKMit cause of the (lifliciiltics Avliicli from tiiiio to
time liave <listiiil)c(l the pcacc'iil rclalioiis of the wliiU' and red
men, has resulted from a desin of tlie former to possess the liuut-
\\\% ^liMuids of the latter. Iiitiiisioiis ui»oii Indian territory, led
to the war with i'ontiae and that of Kiny Phillip, 11 years after-
Avard, and at ii later date, and farther westward, to the saii-
jiiiinary contest with Tecnmseh. Tlu' orijiinal emij^rants from
JCurope and their des(;eiidanrs, recinirinji' lands tor cnltivalion,
purchased larj^e tracts from the Indians. As fast as these became
populated others were recjuired, till the savaj^cs, seeinji their for-
ests and hiuiting f>Tonnds rapidly disappearing;, endeavored to
re-possess them. The Europeans met them in arms, and as the
result, they lia\e been (lri\en from river to river an<l from forest
to forest till scarcely an abidinjj; jihice is left them. The last effort
toresist encroachments of this kind, was nnule by the AVinneba-
goes and the iSacs and Foxes, within the Hunts of Illinois.
Winnehapo War. — During' the latter part of (lovernor Edwards'
administration, the Indians on the uoithwestern frontier manifested
sym])tous of discontent. The dissatisfaction increased, and in the
snnnner of I(S27, culminated in what the writers of the tinu' style
the Winnebafi'o war, an atiray of no j;reat unignitude but the
precnisor of the hostilities umler IJlack IJawk, wliich tilled the na-
tion with alarm. This sudden ebnlition of savaye animosity, was
the unjust occupation of their lands by the miners of (lalena. At
this j)eriod larji'e number ol" adventurers tVom ditferent Stat(>s,
were hasteninj;' to the lead mines, and in i)assin<;' throuj;h the{!()un-
try of the Winnebagoes, i)urposely exasperated them with the in-
tention of i)i'ovokinjH' hostilities and securing- their lamls by way of
re|trisal. The right oi' this tribe to the lands in <pu'stion, was, how-
e\ cr, involved in doubt, liy the treaty of 1804, the iSacs and Foxes
370
BLACK HAWK WAR.
Ml
(•••(led to tlic riiitcd Stiitcs iill the land between tlie iikmiI lis of
the Illinois iind Wisconsin ii\ers. In ISltJ, tliat portion of tlK!
tenitority l.vinji norili of n line drawn west from tim soiitliern ex-
ticniit.v of I.aUe Mielii^an, was retrocededhy tlie, j^ovcinnient io tli«
(>t(a\\as, ('lii|»i»ewas ancl IVitawaltoniies, the \Vinnel»aj;(>es not
Ix'in;;- included in thcf^riint. Snl>se(|iieidly, however, u war Itioke
out anionji tlu'se tiiltes in re;^ard to tlicii' lespective honndaries,
and in ISLT* the comniissiinicrs <tf the I'liiled States interposed as
mediators to re-adjnst them and terminate liostilities. In the new
arranu'ement. tlie ri^^iit of the >Vinnel>aj;(»es to the land in the vi-
cinity of the Iea<l niin<'s, seems to have been admitted, althonyli
they were not recoiini/.ed in the preeedinj; treaty.
IJnt wai\ inii' the (piestion of title, they had been in possession
of the connlry for years, and l»elie\in.u' it belon;;i'd to them, re-
jjardcfl the intrusion of the whites with the same intense jealousy
and ill-will nmnifested by civilized men on similar occasions, liicli
deposits of lead ore had been found in tlieii' territory, and Mr.
Thomas, the ajicnt at (lalena. j;ave permissirui to the miners to
procure lar.Lfe <piantities of minei'al, despite the remonstrances of
the \Viiiutd>a;4(»es. The sava;;'('s at lenj;th, fiiidiu;;their complaints
unheeded, attempted to eject the trespassers l»y f(»rce, l>ut were
thems«'lv<'s repelle<l and "greatly exasperated at beiuj; unable to
protect their property. Assistance from others was now their
<uily alternative, and for this purpose they sent a (lele,uatiou to ask
the advice of their principal chiefs north of FMairie du ("iiien. An-
other object of their visit was to seeu'c the (Cooperation of the
Sioux, who had also become offended at the .Vmericaus and only
waited an opp(»rt unity to wreak their ven,n'eanceui»on tlieoltjectsof
their ill will. Soin<' of theirc(»uiitryinen had not lonj^- before surpri
ed and murdered a number of the (.'liippewasin the vicinity of Fort
Sncllinji', and the commandant immediately caused their arrest
an<l had them delivered up to the injuicd tribe formerited ])unish-
ment. The inteiposition of tiie American oflicer was ])i'om]»te(l
only by a sense of justice, yet IJed P.ird, the chief of tlietrilie, be-
<v.ime fj^reatly offeiuled and secretly resolved tolbrm a coalition with
tlu' Winneba^oes. Uotli tribes, therefoi'e, had yrievancesto re(lr(\ss,
and each foun<l the other ready to strike u united blow ayainst
the common enemy.
Accord in j^ly. while the Winnebayoes were in consultation with
their chiefs, tliey were visited by a messen^-er of the Sioux, who
after <letailin<i' the wroniis of his own tribe, resorted to falsehood
to further exasperate his auditors ayainst the Anu'iicans. lie
infoniH'd them that two Winneba;;(» jnisoners coutined at
Fort Snellinji', had recently been cruelly nuirdered by the whites,
under circumstances which demanded imnwdiate and bloody
retaliation. Xotwithstandiii};' the utter mendacity of this state-
nuMit, the Winneba^'oes, smarlin<;' under their treatment at the
hands of the nniu'rs, were easily persuaded it was true, ami
resolved upon revenp', while the visitor assured them that as
soon as they struck se first blow, his own tribes w<udd assist
them. They accordinj;ly killed - white men, and a more Jnstid-
able pretext was not lonj;' wi.ntin;;' for them to stiike another blow.
On the ;5(»thof .Inly 1S27, 2 keel boats, laden with supplies for Fort
Snellinji', landed at a larji<c Winnebajfo encanipnu'iit a short dis-
tance above Prairie du (jbien. While hei-e the Imlians collected
372 . HISTOllY OF ILLINOIS.
silioiit tlh- lioiits, (loiihtlcss tor the pui'posr of pliiiidci- Init were
I'oilt'd ill llit'ir (l('si;4iis. In llic uhsciici' (»!' oilier \vc;ip(»iis the
Aviiitcs iiiadc tliciii driiiik, anil tiikin;; ii(lvaiitii;:(> of tlicir liclpicss
('ontlitioii, captiii'cd several sipiaws, and took tlieni aboard for a
purpose too base *o mention. IW-fore their intoxicated hiishands
Iteeaiiu' aware of the injury they iiad sustained, the boats and
their s{|iia\vs weni too iUr up tin; river for pursuit, yet several
liMiidred infuriate warriors now assembled with the deternduatioii
of ineetin;^' out to tlie a;;;;ress(us the ni<)st severe punishment
w lien they retiii'iied. In due time, tiie boats were seen deseend-
iiiu the river, but th(^ crews awar*' tliat tiieir misdt'eds deserved
eastijiati(»n, iiad made preparati<Mi for di'feiice. One of the boats
]»assed l»y unobserved diirin;; tiie uij;ht, but tiie oilier, less fortu-
nate, was assailed by an (tverwhelmin;; force of sa\a;;es, who
fouj;Iit with a d«'teri iuation only e(pialled by their passion lor
Aeiijiearlee. The boat became ;;rouiided, and for a time the men
on board seeme<l doomed. I)ir«'ctly in tht; face of a ;;alliuj; lire,
the savages succeeded in lashiiifi solium of their canoes to the
iiumanaj;eable craft, but when tiiey attempted to board h«'r, they
were beaten back into the river, and tinally retire<l frctm the con-
test. Duriu}^- the en<;a<"''iieut the scpuiws escap«'d, and no doubt
"with the hearty c(mseut ot ;'ie b«tatmen, juovided it mi}iht be the
means of drawing; after them their iiduriate lords, Two of the
Americans >vei(> kil! ', and so many others v/ounded, it was with
ditliculty that Captain Lindsey, who had char<;'e of the b(»at, ran
d(»wii to flalena, and made known the hostile attack. Dire alarm
at the reception of the news spread amou}; the miners, and in n
short time not less than MHM men, women and ehildrtMi tied to
(laleuafor protei'tion. Exa<>ji'erate<l reports spread rai)idly over
the country, and most of the settlements in the northern part of
tlu' Htate partook of the fear and exeiteuu'ut incident to an
actual invasion. At (lalena a committee of safety was formed,
tem|»orary defenses were erected, and in pursuance of an order
from (Jov. Kdwards, the miners were formed into com])anies and
eipiipped for action. A re<;iment was also raised in Hanf-aiiHUi
and 5lor<ian counties, and under the conimand of T. M. Xeale,
inarched to the scene of danj^er. On his arrival, however, he
f(tund the war virtually at an end. (ien. Atkinson with (500 rej^u-
lars and the (lalena militia, under (ien. Dod^e, hadi>enetratetl the
enemy's country, as far as the portage of the Fox and Wiscitnsin,
and comiielled the hostile sava}j;es t<» sue for peace. The ariny
returned from I'rairie du Chieii, with 7 of their ])rinei|,*al men,
amon<»- whom were lied Bird the chief of the Sioux, and Ulaek
Hawk who shortly afterward beciame the insti}>ator of other and
};reater disturbanc<»s. They were all thrown into prison as
abettors of the murderous attack on the boat, and sutfered a long
conlinement befort; they were tried. As the result of the tardy
trial, some were acquitted, and others convicted, and more than a
year after tlieii' incarceration executed on the <;allows.
In the meantime, Ked Bird whose ])rou(l spirit could not endure
the humiliation of conlinement, si<'kened and died in prison.
There was associated with the latter days of his life a romantic
and melancholy interest, different from the usual phases of Indian
character. He had always been the favorite of his own peoi)le
and np to this illicit connection with the Winnebagoes the
nLAf'K HAWK WAI?.
373
nr<l<>iif iiiiil iiiiiiltcriiMc IViciid of tlic whites. ITnlikc other sii\a;{0
hNnh'i's, when lii.s allies were pressed with a victorious t'on-e, lio
rel'iised t(» (h'sert tiieiii. aiitl voliiiitiiiily ^''iive hiiiiseH' op t(t Niifler
not' only lor his own misdeeds, iiiil tor tlie eoiiiinoii otl'eiise ol' tiie
Iriiie. Chid in a roiie of skins, and hearing; a wliite tla<;, lie roth)
into camp, and witii dauntless ('onra<^e and an M'..i'lou(le(| brow,
])iii('ed iiini.seif in tin* iiands of his eih>ni\. Not even tlio
I'estraiiits of prison life. altlioii<^h they irnjiaiied his health, eonid
oltscnre the native vi;L;(>r of liis ndnd, and when called on hy whito
men all the iiohility of a j^reat savage lit up iiis niaidy feainres.
Incensed at the Americans hecanse they had (h-liNcied his ccmiii-
trynn'M into the hands of their enemy, he was doni)tless tin' secret
insli<;ator and riding s|»irit of the war. although tlu' NViniiehiiiLroe.s
committed the overt acts. 'I'his tribe now completely hundded, in a
,snhse«juent talk with the federal authorities abandoned idl their
lainis sonlh of the Wis(!onsin river, to the insatiate j-i-asp of tho
nanpierors.
Hardly had the (listurbances of the vampiished tribe ceased be-
fore the frontier inhabitants became endnoilcd in dillicnilies with
the Sacs ami l"\>.\es. The lirst reco;;nilion of these Indians by
the Dnitt'd States, was in a treaty cmiclnded at lM»rt, Marnier, in
17S7, by (iov. St. Clair, wherein the ^iovernnuMit i,fiiaranteed them
its protection. In I.S04, (Iov. \V. II. Ilariison was insirncted by
jnesident fJeltersoii to institnte ne,i,'otiations with them for tho
l)nrchase of lands, ami shortly aftei'ward a treaty was ratilied
with them, by which their beantifnl conidrytni IJock river was
tlivested of the Indian title. A.yain in IS.'iO, a third treaty was
«'iilered into, by the terms of wlii<'h they were to remove Irom the
lands whi(di they had sold to the United Stal<"s, east of the Mis-
sissippi, and peaceaidy retire across the rivei-.
At this time, Keokuk and l>lack Flawk were the two principal
chiefs of the nali(»n. The latter was born at tin' i>rincipal
villa;,'*' of his ti'ilte, on Rock river, in I 7()7. I'ossessiiii;- no here-
ditary lank. his chieftainship was due to the native vi<i<n' of his
charact(M-, and fjreat siicj-ess in war. In <'aily youth he dislin-
j;iiished himself as a brave; and in the iiiany liercecontlicts of his
.sui>se(|iient lite w'th the Osajres and Cherokees, he never lost a
battle. When tie war of 1.SI2, broke out between the lJiMt<'(l
{States and Kn.i,daml, he offered his services t«» the .Americans,
which frcMii motives of humanity they declined. He however,
.soon found patrtms ainonj; the IJritish, who reuaidless of the bru-
tal attrocities of savajj^e warfare, furnished his men with arms.
At the instaiKM' of their meiceiiary aycnts, he siicct'cded in collect-
in;; L'OO braves, and repaired to (Jreen Hay, where he nu't Col.
Dixon and a, larjjfe body of Indians assendtled irom the adjacent
tribes. Of th<^ interview wldch followe<l between him and the
l>ritish otiicer, he says: ''He received me with a hearty shaken of
the hand, and presenti'd me to the other otlicers who shook my
hand cordially, and seemed much pleased with my men. After I
vas seated, (!ol. Dixon said : '(Jen. Black Hawk, f sent foi-you to
explain what we are ;;<>in;;- to do, ami the reasons that have
bronjjht us here. Your l'ji;>lish father has found (mt that the
Americans want to take your country from you, and has sent me
and his braves to drive them bai-k. He has likewise sent a laiye
quantity of arms and ammunition, and we want your warriors to
874
IIISTOUT Ul' ILLINOIS.
Join us." II*' tlifii pliKM'd ii iiH'<l:i] iiroilixl iii,\ ikm-I;, :iimI<;:i\<> Hit- ii
Itiipri' <iii(l ii silk liii;:, siiviii;;, ■\'uii aw IimoiiiiiiiiikI iitl the braxcs
■Nvliii'li arc lo h'livc Ihtc day aiUT loiiioiiou, lu join our braves
at Detroit.' Illiick Hawk I'ou^lil in L' «'n;;a;i»'nii'Mls witii liis new
allies, antl aninialiv received |»a.\nienl loi liis sei\ ices ni» to liie
time of his own war a;>ainst tiie Anieiieans. h'toni tins eireuni-
staiiee liis I'oice was desi^unated the i'.rilisli hand.
Keoknk, his risai. indike iiiin, leinained I lie iViend ol'tiie Ainer-
it'ans. Not willistandiii;^ (lie insatiate l•as^ion of tiie Saes and
Foxes for war, and tin' lielief that tlie.v Innl l»e»'n injincd l»> tin;
])e(>l le of tin' Inited Stales, he drew alter him a majorit.s of the
nation, and thus weakened tlieen'ortsof IWaek Hawk. In *li|il«>-
maey and jinl};nn'nt he was nnMc than a mat« l| for his luotlier
chieftain, and as we shall see, throni^h the intliieiiee of the L'liiletl
States whoxe cause he had espoused, he lu'came llu> sole chief of
his |>eopIe.
In accordance with the treaty sti|Mdalioiis, Keoknk and Ids fol-
lowers renmined on tlie west sideof the river, llhu k Hawk, Inuv-
e\er, actuated no donht parllv by |>aU'iolism, but nntslly by the
ill will he entertaiiu'd toward the .Vnu-ricans ileclared all llie
ju-evious tn-aties \ (»id. and in the Sprin;; of bs;il n-crossed the Mis-
sissippi with his women and <'liildren and odb warriors. ICveiy
ar;iunn'nt had been nseil by his most prudent advisers, to deter
him from end)arkin;; in this hazardous enterprise, and even ihe
authorities of Canada, with whom he bad <'unsulted, counseled
liim t(» leave his village if he had sold it. Tht ;'overnment of the
I'niled States, desirous of preventing bUtodshed, bore with him m
l<m<>' time, hopin*; after due rcHection he wouUl al>andon his rash
desi;;n. This, however, bein;^ construed as weakness, he was
induced t(» believe that tin- ^t>\ernnient either (Muld not, or would
not attempt his removal, lie also atfecled to believe it was an act
of cowardice to abandon his villa;;*', and llius leavt' the <>raves of
his fathers, to be. ruthlessly plowed up by stran;;'ers, wlnvsi- ri;;lits
to the soil was of doid)tful anthoril.\.
This celebrated Indian tow n was romantically sit ua ted <tn a prom-
ontory fornu'd b\ thejnnction of the Mississippi and I Joi'k rivers, antl
the j;reat lu-auty and fertility of the adja/ent country made it the
centre of attracti'm tor emijiirants from all jiarts of the «'ounlry.
The village was callable of sheltcrinu a po|adati»»n (i.dlKt or 7,(100
inhabitants. The houses consisted of poles wrouj^lit into frames
and coNcred with bark, previ«tusly prejiaied by drying' to a«lapt it
to the walls of these structuics. Seven hundre«l such lodges of
various dinu'usions. the lai'<i('st of which did not p«'rhaps excee«l
](M> feet in len;:th and ."i(t in breadth, constitnbid the ilwellin^is of
the villa^'crs. About 7(HI acres of the adjacent prairie was sur-
rounded by a fence, and the enclosed soil cultivated by the Indian
Miuneii ill corn, beans, peas and s(pmshes. The place was said to
be ].")(» years old. and had for (1(1 orTO \ears been the principal vil-
hij;c of the Sac Nation. On the one hainl Hashed tlie broad wa-
ters of the ^lissiKssippi in the ray.s of the evening;- sun, t)ii the other
the rijiplinji" str<'am of l'«ick river stru;;;;led between the dark
Ibrest-chul islands wiiich obstructed its channel, ilardly an in-
dividual coidd be found who did not have friends and relatitin.s
"whose ashes were reposing in the adjacent j^rave yards. Hither,
in accordance with an immemorial custom of the nation, bereaved
nLA<,'K HAWK WAR.
375
inotlit'i's, wives ami sisters ix'tionncd iiiMiiiiil |»il;iiiiii;ii;es to pny
a triliille ((f respects to llicir (Icpiirtrd relatives. On these iiieliin-
(•iiol.\ oee;isi(»iis lliey eiii'erilll.\ removed tiie ;;ro\viii;^ ve;;etiil loll
from tiie moinids and addressed words ot° endearment to the dead,
intpnrJMii' iiow lhe\ fared in the land of spirits i\nd wlio peitorinecl
tlie kindly olliee -d' molliei', sisteior wife. The depttsji in;;' (d' lood
on the yi'ave vo 'Mded these time honored reli<;ioiis ser\ ices.
As is Msaallv tiie ease with lival factions l)ronL;lit in contact, tlie,
eondnci of hoih whites and Indians admitted of censure. 'I'lie
7lh arli«'le of the treaty of ISdt piov ided that as Ion;;' as the lands
which are now ceded to the I'. S. shall remain their property tho
.said Indians shall enjoy the pri\ ile;;e <d' li\ in;^ and Inintin;;' on
them. These lands wer«' not liidii;;ht into marUet till the year
1S2!), and cons«-(pM'ntly all who had pre\ ionsly settled on theiii
were lrespass<'rs, having: violated the laws <d'<'oninress and the pre-
exist inj^' treaties. The most adxanced settlements at that timedid
not approach nearer than oO or (>(> miles <d' Kock river, and the
lands for even a ^-reater <listaii(M' lia<l not l)een ott'ei'ed foi- sale,
yet the government disposed of a few (piaiter sections at the in(»nth
of this stream, enda'a«'iii;;' the site of the villa;iie and lields cidtiva-
ted by the inhahitaMts. The maiufest ohject of this advanced
movement upon the Indian settlements was t(» evade the ]>ro\is-
ions of the ti'eatv. by haxinj;' the ;;<»vernmental title to the lands
pass init) the hands of in<lividiials and thus obtain a pretext for
I'cmovinj; its owners west (d' the Mississippi. The white inhabi-
tants thns introduced, commenced depredations by (b'stroyin^' th(3
eoni <d' the Indians, killinu' their domesti<- animals, and in sonn;
instances whippin;- theii" women ami children. They <'arried with
tlienj as articles of tnitti<' iidctxicatin;; liquors, and by fre<iueidly
selling; them in vi<dation of law, introduced scem-s of drunkenness
and disorder. Sonu' of the chiefs renaaistrated a.uainst these out-
laj-es and even visited the house, of a white settler and emptied
the contents of his whiskey bairels (Ui the .uronnd, to prevent their
people from becomin;; intoxicat''d and mui-derini; the white iidiab-
itanls. 'I'he Ameri<'ans, on the other band. ])referi('d jurave,
<'har;4'es ajiainst the Iraliaas. many <d" which w«'i(' triU'. Notwith-
.standinjf, in bSl(» Ulack ilawk had rec<»<inized the treaty of ISOt,
and t<t use his own «'X])ression. he touched the i^oose quill to this
paper in it!< contirnmtion, he endeav«a'ed to de<'ei\(' his tribe with
statements that their lands were inalienal)le and that the picvions
eessi«ms ami treati<'s were fraudulent ami void. A^^ain. when the
ji'oveiiiment survey«'d and sold the site of their villaju'e, althoutih
the object which induced the pur<dnisers to pass ovei' such lar^ic
scope of unoccupied territoi'y was hardly justilialde, yet, when the
title of the <;(»verument bei-aau' \-ested in individuals the rijilil of
the Indians ceased and they shouhl liav<' ]>eaceably retired. l''ur-
thermore, HIack Hawk ami his band, when they cross«Ml the river,
not died the whit«'s that they nnist <lepart from the villaji'e. and the
latter refusini'' to coiajdy with theii' demand, tlu'ir jtroperty was
(h'stroyed and they sutlered in perscai various imli^'nities at the
hands of the suva#;es. A ix'tition si;j:iH>d l)y 40 ]»ersons, was sent
on the .'5(>th of April, IS.'il, to the executive of Illinois, repr<'seiit-
inj; that the i)revious fall the I>lack Hawk bami of Indians de-
stroyed most of the croi)s and ma<le several attem])ts ui)on the
lives of the owjuTs when they endeavored to prevent the depre-
370 IIlSTOJiY OF ILLINOIS.
diilitnis ; Uiiit now tlicy act in a more oiitnificoiis and menacing
iiiannei' and (lieir number, wiiicli amounts to ()()(» or TtK),
is to be liirtlier anj>nientt.'d it' neees.sar.v, by the I'otawatto-
mies ami Winnebaj^oes, A few days alter another i>etition was
hent, which al'/r detailing; sindlar outraj;es committed by the sav-
ages, states that it relief does not arriv*; the iidiabnaids will be
comi»eiled to leave their croi)s and homes. Several depositiens
■wer*! also [tresentcd to the j^overnor, eorroboratinj;- the above evi-
dence. 1>. l'\ I'ike stated under oath that the nendu'V of warriors
"was about .'!(»(); that they had in various instances done much
Uamag«' to the white inhabitants by throwinj;' dowu their fences,
destroyinji their fall j^rain, jjullinj;' olf the i oofs of their houses
and [to.silivt'ly asserting;- that if the An ricuns did not leave they
■would kill them.
(Jovernor Keynolds, thus informed in rej;ard to the state of ati'airs
at the mouth of Rock Itiver and believiuj'- that lUack Hawk and
his baud were deternuned to retain possession of the country by
force, resolv«'d to etlect their exitulsiou. A call was accordinj^ly
made for volunteers, and when it becanu' known the vvlutle n«»rlh-
Avestern part of the 8tate resounded with the clamor of war.
Many of the ohl citizens, who 2(1 years before had fouj;ht tlu'se
Indians in the war with Great Hritain, still survived and urjicil
their sons to ap])ear on the tented field aj^ainst the same enemy.
The exijiei.i'ies of the situation demanded that tr«)ops should
reach the scene of acttion in tlu^ shortest time practicable, and
tin refore the lOth of .luiu' was appointed as the tinu', and ileards-
town as the place for the asseml)lin^' of the forces. }so c^tuuty
south of St. ("lair and east of Sanjianion was included in the call,
it ''linj;' impossible for troops from the remote i»arts o[' the State
t(» nu'ct, or<;anize and reach the place of rendezvous in the brief
interval of 14 or 1,""> days, the allotted tinu'. The j^overuor circu-
lated docinnents amonj;' the i)eoi>l«' and made speeches showin;^"
that the defence of the northwestern frontier re<piired pnunpt and
ener;i('tic action. Notwithstandiuji' it was the most busy season
of the year, hundreds abandoned their plows and cornlields, and
more than twice the number called for volunteered. Jt was easier
to obtain men than provide means of sustenance. Cols. Enoch (J.
]\larch and Samuel (J. Christy were ap[)ointed quartermasters, who,
beinj;' extensive merchants, possessed sui)erior facilities for obtaiu-
iu<;' supplies. These ^entlenuMi were successful in the discharj;e
of their duties and [irovisions were in readiness at the appointed
tinu' for the expedition to nuinth.
Thi' <;()vernor, aware that CJeiu'ral Clark, the superintendent of
Indian affairs stationed at St. Louis, liad fiieat iuHuence with the
Sac and Fox tribes, on the 27th (»f Alay, 1S;U, the day on which he
made the call for volunteers, addressed a letter to him re(piestin}''
Ir's co-operation. In this letter he states: "1 have called out
aoout 700 militia to protect the citizens near Kock Island from
Indian depredations. I consi<ler it (but tlui yeneral {i'ovennnent to
State that in about 15 days ii sufhcient force will appear before the
hostile Indians to remove them dead or alive west *^' the Missis-
sippi, but [)«'rhaj)s a request from you would induce them to leave
withoid the necessity of lesortin;;' \o arms." On the 2<Sth another
letter was sent to (Jeueral Gaiiies at Jeil'erson liarracks, in which
BLACK HAWK WAR.
.>(
he also stated: "I have received undoubted inl'oiinatiou that tlio
seetiou of the State near IJoeU Island is ac^tuully inva(h'd by liostile
baiMls of Indians heaih'd l»_v Hhiek Hawk, and in orcU-r to ri-pel
tin' invasion and protect tin' <'itiz«'ns of tin' State. I lia\-e, uinlei' tlio
l)rovisions of tin' constitution of tlie I'nitcd States and the laws
of tliis State, called out the militia to the iiunil!"r of TOO nu'U, who
will be mounted and ready for service in a very shoit tinu'. I con-
sider it my duty to lay before yon tlie above information that you
may adopt such measures as you deem Just and proper." IJoth
j^cnerals (Jaines and Clark considt'red the j)recaution of raising;'
troops ])ursii('d by j;'o\ criM)!' Reynolds nnneces.sary, believinji' that
the t'orces of the regular army were snIUcient to protect the frontier
settlenu'uts. On the L'd of June, jicneral (laines replied to His
l^xccllency that he had ordered 10 companies to IJock Island, (}
I'roni Jetl'erson Barracks and 4 from Prairie du C'liien, which he
deenu'd sutlicient for the ]»rotection of the frontiers, that if the
entire Sac and I'ox nation and other tribes united with the band
of IJIack liank, he would call on him for additional forces to
repel the in\asion, but did not rej^ard it necessary at that tinu'.
Accompanied i»y six comi)anies from the barracks, (leu. (Jaines
j)ass('d uj) the rixcr in a steand)oat to Fort Armstrong;', situated on
ilock Ishiml, and on the 7tli of ,Iune a council was held with the
Indians. JJIack Hawk, Keokuk, Wapello, and a innnber of other
".hiefs and braves were i)resent. (ien. (laines stated in council
hat the President was disi)le <ed because the Sacs on Kock river
...(•.......I 4,. ,1... « 41. ..^ (1...; r..ii 1, ; i t\..,t ,. i.;..i.
that the President was disi)le <ed because the Sacs on Kock river
lefused to (lej)art, that their iireat lather only rccpiired that which
"was reasonable when he insisted that they should remove west of
therivei'. IJIack Hawk replied by asserting that they had lU'ver sold
their land and they weic (Ictermined nexcr to al'<andon them. (ien.
(laiiM's thereupon impiired, ''Who is IMack Hawk? is he a chief,
.iiwi .1-1.,- ,i,wo I..V ..If :. ...w.;i*" i!i.,,.i- II..,. 1- ii..... .......... (•..,..,. Mo
Avho niack Hawk is
A\lM» iJlacIv llawiv IS."
The result of the, conference was that P.lack Hawk icfused to
leave, and (ien. (laiiu's inlbrnu'd him that if he and his band were
m)t on tilt; west si(U' of the Mississippi in a short tinu' he would bo
compelled to remove him by lorce. The Ameiican connnander
■ ll^.v <i'i.,.fi. f.. ...,.!., ...I..... I.>,..'I.,.KK. >..... II. ....f III..- til.. .I..'v:ivt.>l>/>1> /.)' t)wk
also wi'ote to "governor Peynolds re(pu'.stin<;' the assistance of the
volunteers and iutinnitin<;' that it mi>;ht be necessary to <'all for
more troops as lilack Hawk was ( iideavorinj;' to secni'c the co-
operation of the lu'liiliborinji' tribes. It was hojx'd that by this
auftnientatioii of the forces tin' hnlians mif;ht be intimidatetl, and
thus i>revent the effusion of blood, and in <tase of actual eonflie
the army would be enabh-d to act with greater efliciency.
(Ireat enthusiasm was exhibited by the peoj)Ie in respondinj^' t(
the <;all for trooj)s, and instead of 7(H), HHH) men ofb'red their ser
vices. All were eaji'er to enlist havinji' made airan^icments on
leaving home to renniin and take a part in the expediti(»u. Tho
378 HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
('iitiiviiiiiiibercoiild bcinovisioiicd iiii(l('(iiiii)]UMl, and it was dt'oiiied
iblly to appear on tlic Held willioiit a foice siiniciciitly larj^c wlicii
one nioic iniposin;^ and adcipialc could Itc sccnrcd. Ani(tn<;' tlie
\ ohintcers were many of tlic best and most cnciji'ctic citizens of tho
►State, a number of wiiom afteiward attained celebrity and still live
to enjoy the respect of tlieir countrymen. The whole force consisted
of one bri<;ade, subdivided into two rej^iments, and a si)y and odd
battalion. The j;()vernor, wlioaccompani«'d theexpedition, appointed
J(»se]>ii JJunean, then u mend)er of confjress, brij;adier ;;('neral io
command the entiic brij^ade. and Samuel Whitesides a majoi' to
command the spy battalion. The other ollicers, not bein;^' rej;arded
so essential to the success of the campaign, were elected l>y the
volui>t<'ers.
Col. -JaiMcs U. Henry was chosen to command tiie first rejiinu'iit,
Col. IViniel 1 ieb tiie second, and major Nathaniel J>uckmaster the
odd battalion. Thus orjiauized and furnished witli the ne(;essary
supplies, the brij;ade left their encamjunent near liushville on the
loth of elune for the seat of the Indian disturbances. Altliou;;li
not hijihly disciplined, it was the larj;est military force that had
ever ass(!mbled in cliv' State, and made a very imixtsiuj;- appearance
in its march over the then broad expanse of prairie wilderiu'ss.
Ea<i(M for a fray with the Jiidians the utmost vi};ilaiice was re-
(piii'cd on the i)art of the otlicers, to keep the men from indiscrimi-
nately killinj;' every stra^jilinji' sava<ie they encountered in their
]tleasant journey of four days to the Mississippi. A halt was nmde
on its banks eight miles beh>w the old Sac village, where they were
met by Ji steand)oat containing i)rovisions, in charge of general
Gaines, who received them into the sei\ ice of the I'nited States,
A beautifid site was selected for an encampment, and as a battle
Avas considered innuinent, the greatest watchfulness was excr<Msed
during tln^ night to guard against surprise, but no distnibanct^
occured. Ih-re generals Duncan and (iaines concerted measures
of attack; the latter otlicer having been in the vicinity of thi^
Indian town for some time, thus became accpiainted with the to])o-
gra|>hy of the ]»Iace. Previous to the arrival of the volunteers he
had possessed and fortilied with cannon a commanding blulf in
range of the village, and in another directi(»n had i)ostcd a strong-
force of legnlars to aid if necessary in the conflict. In accoid-
ance with the plan adopted, on the following nu)rning (ienc'ial
(Jaines with ii force of regidars and cannon steamed up the rixcr
in the b<»at, while the volunteers miuched across the country, both
forming a junction at ^^'oodrufl"s Islands in the channel »»l the
river ojtposite the Sac village. The boat having conn' within
range of the islaml, lired several lounds of grai»e and canister into
the dense growth of timber and thickets to test thc^ picsence of the
Indians, who it was feared nught be concealed among them, to
intercej)t the ])assag(^ of the xolrnteers ai-ross the strt-am. The
spy battalion, followed by the main body of the forces in three
colinuns, passed over a. slough to the island, wheti it was discoxcred
that the rapid elevation of the laml from the water had i»reveuted
the shot taking effect nn)rethan 1(K» yards from the shore. Owing
to this circnnistance the Indians might have been con«"ealed in full
f(»rce without being discovei'cd. l-'ortunately no enemy was fotnul,
for the volunteers became so completely bewildere(| in the tangled
thickets as to discjualify them for ell'cctive resistance, and in case
BLACK HAWK WaK.
379
of ill 1 attiick tlic ai'tillciy looking' down from the blutt's on what
Avouhl liavc been tlic biitllc lichl, was too faraway to distiii^iiisli
friends fioni foes. On ariivin^' at tlni river between tiie ishmd and
town, it proved to be a (h'ep, bohl stream at tiiat point nntbr(h»l)h',
ami iienee the proorcvss of tlie troops was (h'hived till scows eonhl
be proeiired to terry them over. When the town Wiis liiialiy enleicd
it was found ch'serted, the i.i'aabitaiits ha\ iiiji' tlie previous ni;;iit
eiossed to tlie west sich- of tlie .Alississippi. It was sMp|)osed that
(ieneials Duncan and (laines, before leaviiijn' camp, bebeved tiiat
the Incbaus wouhl al»amh)n tiieir villajic and now that sucli was
tin' case, it served to e.\i»hiin the apparent nenh'ct in as«'ertaininj;'
tlie presence of Indians and tiie seeniinjily nufavorabh' <bsposilion
of the forces, (leueral (Jaines appears to iiave been an ellicient
olhcer, anxious to settle tin' <lit1iculties without tiie ett'usion of
blood, and ;4reat credit was undoubredly due (rovernor lieynolds
and (ieneral Duncan for the promptness with winch the troojjs
were called out, orj;ani/,ed and marclied to the seat of war.
1Mie nund)er of warriors who tied across the Mississippi coidd
never be delinitely ascertained. .Many of the stra;j;'^liiij;' and
disaffected \Viunei»a,ii()es, ami Potawattoniies, doui»tless united
witii the i)and of IJlack Hawk, and [xMiiaps the nnml)er amounted
to from 400 to (»()0. The Indians havinj^' escaped without injur}',
the volunteers took ven.u('ance on the villa;;e by btirniiiji" it to the
jiiound, althoujih the dwclliu,i;s would have sheltered them from
the incessant rains which pr«'vaile<l durin<;' the day. •• Thus
]»erislied this am'ient vilhiji'e which had been the delightful homo
of (»()()() or 7000 Indians, where ji'eneratiou after ncueration had
been l>orn, hiid died and been l)uried, wher(^ the old men had
tatiyht wisdom to the youth, whence the Indian youth had often
j^oue out in parties to hnid or to war, ami returned in triumph to
diince aroiuid the s]»oils of the forest or the scali)s of the enemy,
and whei'c the diirk-eyed Indian uniid«'ns, ity their presence and
cliainis. had made it a seem; of delij-htftU enchantment to nmny
an admirinu warrior.*'*
Clack Hawk ami his warriors having' dejiarted the uij^ht prrceding"
the destruction of their villaj;*', encamped on the west bank of the
]\lississip]>i, while the Aineri(taus t(K)k ai ])osition 12 miles .above
where l{o(dv Island now stands. (Jen. (Jsiines sent an order to
IJlack Hawk, re(piirinji him and his baml to retur and enter into
a treaty of ])eace, or he would move on them with all the troops
under his commnnd. Several days afterwar<l some of the chiefs
mmie their ai)pearance, but l>lack Hawk ami the majority of them
refusinj; to come, a more perem)»lory denuind was nnide, which
lijid the desired effect. H(! and about .50 chiefs of the Ibitish
biiml of the Sacs, now canu> and in full council with (leu. (iaiues,
and (lov. lieynolds, on the -'{Oth of dune, IS.'H, signed an aj;rec-
meut of which the followin<(is tlu^ first article.
"Tin' IJritish band of the Sac Indians, are required juMceably to
subuntto the authority of the friemlly chiefs ami braves of the
united Sac; and Fox mitions, and at all times hereafter to reside
and hunt with them upon their own lauds, west of the Mississij)pi
j'iver, ami to bo obedient to their laws ami treaties, and m) one or
more shall ever ho j)ermitt<'d to recross said liver, to the usual
place of residence, nor any part of their old huntinj;' {ifounds east
' •FordVHlVtory. '
380
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
ol' tlic Mississipiti, without j)t'nnis.si()ii of tlic lU'csidciit oC tlio
United Htatcs or fji'ovcnior of tln^ Stiitcctf Illinois.'"
The truism thiit th(^ brave are merciful, was well illustrated by
the treatment extended by (leii. (Jaines and (lov. Keynolds to tlui
vanquished and unfortunate Indians, after the eonclusioii of the
treaty. The lar;;'er part of the invadinji' force had been deluded
by listeniui;' to the bad counsel of IJlack llawU and other leaders,
and as a conseciuence, their heli)less wonuMiand children, were tiieu
destitnteof Ibod and clothiny. (Jov. Keynolds in a('(»nversatiou
on the subject rennirked, "I i)resume this is the last tinu^ the >i»»v-
prnnient will have any trouble with these Indians; the wonu'U and
childicn are not so miu'li to blame, and a sup[>ort for them one
sunmu'r, will be uothinj;' to the United States. The j;()vernment
has possessed their Hue country, and I cannot rest satislled to
leave them in a starvinj^' conditi(»n." Provisions were aecor(lin<;ly
dislribiiled anumj;' them at stateil ]»eriods, exceedinj; in amount
the (piantity th(\v would have raised. The volunteers seeiuj;' this
exhibition of charity, ridiculed the adjustmeni of the Indian dif-
licnities by calling' it a corn treaty, and sayinji, '"we give them
bread, when we oujiht to '/ivo them lead."
The enemy being' aiiparently hundded and (puet restored, the
army was disltanded and returiu'd honu' in the l»est of spirits, not
a single person, bv disease, accident or otherwise, having lost hi.s
liJe.
Chapteii XXXIII I
1S32— SECOND CAMl'AKJN OF THE WAR.
lilack Hairl- Uuhwcd hy White Chmd to recroxs the Mississippi —
J\'e/i(ses to obey the order of (ieii. Atkiiisou to return — State Forces
reonjanized — March to Rock Hirer and unite irith the Hef/idars —
Army proceeds up the river in 2>ursuit of the enemy — Battle of
iStiUman^s Run — Call for fresh troops — The old forces disbanded.
Prior to tlio ox])iilsi()n of tlic liidiinis from tlieir villiifio, Naopopo,
a cliier of tlio Ihitisli l>aii(l and second in <-oniniand to IJJack
Hawk, liad started on a visit to Maiden to consnlt his Enjilisli
fatlier (!on(',ernin<i' the lijiiit of tlie Indians ro retake ])ossession of
their lands on iJock river. Aecordinfi' to his statement, he was
a(h ised by tlu' anthoritios at Maiden that the Americans, without
a previous purchase, could not take possession of their lands. On
liis return he, also visitod Wa-bo-kies-shiek or White Cloud, the
])roi>het of the AViniiebaf-oes. His home was a village bearing' the
naiiu' of I'rophetstown, situated on liock river, 3."> miles from its
mouth. Like the projihet of the Wabash, he had great intluence
with his <;ouiitr,vnien. He was a stout, shrewd looking Indian,
about 40 years of age and claimed that one o^' his parents was a
Sac and the other a Winnebago. A full and tlowing suit of long
hair graced his head, which was surmounted by a white head-ih'ess
several inches in height, resembling a turb.an and emblamatic of
liis profession. Sagacity and cunning were prominent traits of
his character and essential to the ju'ophetic iiretensions by which
lii^ im])osed on the cnHlnlity of his ignorant followers.
Wiiite Cloud informed his visitor that not only the British but
the Ottawas, Chijipewas, Potawattomies and Winnebagoes would
assist his tribe in regaining their village and the lands around it.
AVlieii Naopope in tlie summer siu'ceeding the treaty, returned to
his friends he communicjated this information to Black Hawk who
att'ected to believe it, and immediately commenced recruiting to
increase the number of his braves. He also sent a messenger to
Keokuk apiirising him of the good news and recpiesting
his co-operation. The latter, however, was a chief of too miu^h sa-
gacity to be misled by these promises of British and Indian as-
sistance, and wisely admonished Bhutk Hawk that he was deceived
and should therefore abstain from hostile demonstrations. Tlie
latter, however, willing to credit any report that even faintly
promised an oi)portuiiity to wn»ak vengeance on his old adversa-
ries the Americans, rejected this good counsel and persistently
381
382
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
imrsucd his own plans. Ila\iii;; H'soIvjmI to l)i(l (h-liiiiicc lo I'nc
wliitcs. in tiic \vinl('i(tl' Is,'!! ;>l!, ;;rt'iil clforts wen' nnidclo ohtaiii
iccniits. and tiic number of iiis warriors cMihracinj;' tlic riiivalry
of lilt' nation, was aiij;in('nt»'(l to "lOO. His Iicachiuartcrs wen- sit
tlic site of old I-'ort iNIadison on tlic west sid*; of tlic .Mississij»|>i,
wImmicc lie nM»\('d np i!' river. Ids warriors proceeding; on horses
and his wonn-n and children and hai^^jajic ascending;- in canoes. A
halt was made ojiposite the site now occnpied hvOipiawka. where
the\ were met l»v White Clond the prophet. His mission was to
tiirtlier strenjithen l>lack Hawk's determination to recross the
^Mississippi. 1),\ assnrin^ him that he ndylit depend on the assist-
ance of oilier tribes. Nalmally i»roiie to mischief and eiiter-
taiiiiii.n' a stroii;;' i»r<'jndice ajiainst the whites, he was at all times
ready to stii' np si rife without carinji' for the e\ils that mij;lit be
inllicted on those wli(» listened to his advice. In a speech to tiie
warriors and biaxcs, hetoidlheiii that by followiiiii his advice they
had nothin"' to fear and much to
that I he .American war
...... ..w, .....^ ,,,.. ... ...... .,.,,,.. ,., j^..... , ...... .... ............. .....
chief would not interfere with them if they refrained from hos-
tilities, and that sti'en<;thened by reiiifoi'cemeiits the time would
come when they would be able lo i»ursiie a dilVereut course,
rieased with this ad\i«'e, on the 0th of Api'il, IS,')!*, they ]»idcccded
to the mouth of Hock river and the whole party crossed the 31is-
si.-2sippi and commenced ascciidin;;' the former stream, foi' tlui
avowed object of eiit<'rinj;' the territory of the >Vninebaji(»es and
raisiiij;' a crop with them, when the real object was to secure them
as allies. After they had ])roeee(led some distance they were
o\('ilaken by an order from (ieiieral Atkinson, then in command
»)f the regulars at Fort Armstronji, retpiirinj; them to rei -;s
the ^Mississippi, which they refuised to do, allejiin;;' that tlie <;eneral
had no iij;ht to make such a demand, as they were peaceably jour-
iieyinj;- to the village of their friends for the purpose of raisinj;
corn. JJefoie tlie\ had I'eaehed their destination an<ither courier
was sent in piii'suit, who this time informed them unless they re-
turned force would be used to effect their expulsion. The Indians
replied that they would not be driven back, but did not intend to
make the first attack upon the whites. I'.lack Hawk on arrivinj;
anionu the I'otawattomies and \Vinn<'ba,ii()es. readily obtained per-
mission to culli\ ate corn with them, but they refused to unite ill
any acts of hostility ajiainst the United {States, and denied liaxiu};-
yixcn the prophet any assurances of eo-o]ieration.
'I'he refusal of I'dack Hawk and his warriors to comi)ly with tlie.
demand of (ieiieral Atkinson, and the imposii!<i' eliaiaeter of his
military operations, created a j^'eneral panic alonji' the whole m)rth-
ern frontier from the Mississippi to Lake ^Michijian. ]M(>st of the
settlers abandoned their homes and moved into the interior, while
inessenjicrs were at the same time sent to inform (lov. Ifeynolds
of the hostile attitude assumed by the Indians. The j;(»veriior
uiiderstandinji' the bellij;'ei'ent chaiacter of the settlers and In-
dians, and knowinji' that tln^ sli<;litest indiscreti(Ui committed by
either jiarty nii;;hl iiivohe the whoU' frontier in a bloody wai', de-
termined, on the Kith of April, to call out a hnj;<' body of volun-
teers as the best .neans of aveitin*;' such a calamity or meeting' it
in cas(^ of its act mil occurrence. (len. Atkinson in eoni-
iiiaiid of the re<;ulai' forces near the scene of the threatened hos-
tilities, at the same time, made a reiiuisitiou for troops, stating
BLACK IIAAVK AVAR.
383
tilt' frontier was in <;r('iit (laii^icr and tliut the Corcc nndcr liis coni-
jiiaiKJ was insnllicicnt for its (IctViicc. Dan^^cr hcin;; i/nniincnt, llio
L'lM was made tiie time for uicetin;;, wiiicii pivo only (> <la,vs for
the troops to nu'ct at licardstown, aj;ain .selected as the ])hi(;e, of
ren(h'ZVons. Tiie j^overnor, with j^reat j>ronii)tness, sent inthien-
tial inessen<rers to tlii^ iiorthwestein eonnties of tiie State, in whieli
h'vies were to be nnuh' and aihlressed the foHowinj;' h'tter to the
citi/cns: " I-'eHow citizens : Vonr e<»nntry re(|iiires ycair ser\ ice.
The Indians iiave assnnied a liostile attitnck' and invaded tiit!
State, in viohition of the. treaty of hist sinniner. Tlie British band
of Sacs and otiier hostih' Indians are in jtossession of the country
on Ii'ock liver, to tiie j^reat terr.ir of tlie froiiiier inlialtitaiits, and
1 consider the settlers in ininiii:ent dan<;('r. Under these cinMini-
stances I have not hesitated what course I should pursue. No
(jitizen ouj;lit to I'cniain inactive when his country is in\a<led and
the iiejjtless i>art of coiuniunity is in dan;^('r. I have called out a
stioiii; 'letaclinient ot militia to rendezvous at Meardstown on the
lilM inst. Provisions for the men and iood for the horses will bo
furnislied in al)Uiidauce. I hoix' my '.-on n try men will realize my
ex[)('ctations and offer their services as heretofore with prompti-
tude and cheerfulness in defence of their country."
Daily accounts ies])ectin<;' the (»])erati(ms of the Indians were
received. -lud^e Vounj;', Col. Strode and IJciijamiii .Mills wrote
to the j;overnor ur^inji' tlu^ spee<ly protection of the frontiers as
the Potawattomif's and Winnebajioes had Joined IJlack Ilawkand
the inhabitants were in j;reat d.anj;cr. On the receipt of this in-
teiliiicnce L'UO nuMi under the commanil of .Major Stilbnan were
ordered to yiiard the frontier near the Mississi|)])i, an<l 200 un-
niider .Major Bailey the froiiiier between the JMississi[»i)i, and the
settlements on the Illinois. Such was the threatening;' aspect of
atfaiis; the call of troops was now extended to every portion of the
Stale, for the purjwse of raisiiij^ a reserve force of .5,000 men to be
ready in case of enierji'ency. Various causes operated to retard
the progress of the campaign, and this precaution pioved highly
advantaj^eous in the closing staj^es of the war. As in the prece-
dini; year, nniny of the most consi)icuous men of the State volun-
teered, their prominence in public lite j;ivinjj;' them eleyibility for
]>otions in the organization of the forces.
Eighteen Ini mired men met at the jilace rendezvous and were
divided into lour regiments, an odd and a si>y battalion. An elec-
tion being held for field oliict.'rs, Col. De\\ itt was chosen com-
mander of the tirst regiment; Col. Fry of the I'd ; Col. Thomas of
the 3d, Col. Thompson of the 4tli,an(i .Major James of the odd bat-
talion. The goveriU)r, who pai'ticipated in the cam[»aign, ])laced
(ien. Whitesides in (command of the biigade, and (,'ol. .Fanu's I).
Henry in comnniiul of the spy battalion. He also ai)pointe(l
Colonels Enoch C. March and Samuel C ('hristy to jtrocure
supplies; as brigade <piarternmster, >Villiam Thomas; as staff
oflicers, James IJ. Stapp and Joseph ]M. Chadwick; as pay-
master, Janu's Turney ; as adjutant general. Vital Jarrot, and
as ordnance otticer, Cyrus Edwards. On tin; 27th of April
the army started from their encampment, a few miles north
of llushville, for Ocpiawka on tin; Mississipi river, with only
M few days' rations, while Col. March was dis[)atched to St. Louis
for additional supplies which were to be sent up the river to tlie
384 HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
SiUiic i)lii('0. Aftt'i- tlic iirriiiijicinciit liixi liccii inndcii Irttcr ciiiiio
l),v express IVoiii IVdiii ( ieii. Alkiiisoii. iiilui iiiiiiji the j;(t\ eiiKir tliiit
tlie liostile Iiidiiiiis iiad <n>nc up l{».;-k iivcr. hill llu' iiitellijicueo
CiDiie too liite. Had it lieeii received one <la.v eai'Iier tlie i)roviH-
i(tiis iui<;ld have been or(h're(l to I'eoria in <;reater |»roxiniit y to
tlie enemy, and iiad tiie army marched to the same point it mi;;ht
liave ended the c(»ntest witiiont j^ivinj; tiie Indians an opi)ortnni(y
to esca)»e. Ivains iiad veceiitiy prexailed and tiie projires.s
of tlie troojis was retarded by tlie muddy |)rairies and swollen
.streams. On arriviii^i' at Oijiiawka they liojied to liiid Colonel
JMarcli and the supplies I'rom St. Louis, but they had not made
their a])pearance. 'J'he eveiiin<i' of the same day Captain Warren
and two com|»aiiies from Shelby county also arrived and wen;
j^ieeted with loud cheers for the energy which they exhibited in
swimiiiiiiji' streams and ov<'rcomin<i' other formidabh' obstacles en-
countered in tlieir route, (ireat anxiety was now t'elt for the
safety of the siipjdies. A considerable advance had been made
into the wilderness and any accident which prevented or proloii;;('(l
the cominji' of the boat mi,i;lit iieccssitat*' the disbandinj^' of the
army. On the ."ith day the provisions were exhausted, and miir-
murin^i' bciiiji heard aiiionji the men, the (iovernor eiijiiif^ed tliiee
trusty persons to deliver a messa^ic to (Jen. Atkinson informinj;'
]iim of the destitute condition of the army, and recpiestin;; relief.
Althoiiiili Itock Island was oO miles <listaiit. and it was necessary
to swim several streams in traveisinji' the intervening country, the
journey was .successfully accomplished and a boat load of iirovi.s-
iong arrived the next day. The siicceedinji' iiMnninji' the steam-
boat William Wallace from St. Louis, also came in and the army,
which a short time before was in a sulleringconditiiui, had now a
two-fold supjily.
Immediately on the receij)t of provisions rations were issued to
the men and i»a<ij>a<;(^ wagons were loaded pr«'paratory to moving
to Dixon, where, ac(!ordiiig to the latest intelligence, the enemy
was posted. Sjiies had iireviously been sent to obtain informa-
tion of the Indians, but instead of returning with proper dispatch
they loitered with the officers of Fort Armstrong and linally re-
turned on theboat wiiich brought the sni»plies. When the army was
ready to march, a letter was lirought from (Jen. Atkinson informing
the governor that Ulack Hawk and hisliand had descended liock
ri\er, and requesting hiin to niarcli immediately with the troops to
Fort Armstrong. l)isai)pointment was felt at the reception of
this news, and perliaps the re<iuest would liave been disregardiMl,
but according to the statement, the Indians had descended the
river, and it was tally to move up it to find them. Instead, how-
ever, of going to th.'i fort, the f()r(;e was niarclied to the mouth of
liock river wliere they were received into the .service of the United
States, and General Atlvin.son assumed command. It was now as-
certained that the infonnatioii in regard to the Indians was incor-
rect and the commanding general steamed up the river with an
armament of cannon and 400 regulars a<!(!oinpanied by the brig-
ade, which rode through the .swamps in the vicinity of the .stream.
As the expedition advanced, dogs immolated to appease the
Great Spirit were frequently found at the various Indian en(;amp-
ments. This relic of barbarism and super.stition common among
the oriental nations of antiquity, was employed by these Indians
BLACK nAWK WAR. 385
wlicii tlic iiiitioii wiis tlircatoiKMl wiJii ;;ivat caliimitv. Tlu^ body
of tlic iiiiiiiiiil, ill Mi«'S(! iiistiiiMM's liiiviii^i' tlit- vitals iciiiovcd, was
rastciicti to a tie*' over a small lire witii ils head in the tliirctioii
the Indians were tiin cliii;;'. instead of icndciiiijii' any assistance
itoiily served to jioiiit out tlicir trail to the piirsninji' foe.
On tile lOtli ol' .May some spies sent in ad.\anee captured near
I'i'oplierstowii. an Indian. iVom wiioiii iiil'ormalion was ohtaiiicd
that IMack Hawk and his warriors were on IJock river above tho
town of Dixon. In acconlance with this iiitbrmatioii the volun-
teers iiio\'ed ii|> t<» tiic town, where il was asccrlaiiied Iroiii scouts
who had scoured the cotiiitry. that the Indians had dispersed and
it was detcrniiiicd to aiiandoii the piirsnit and await thearrival
of (ieii Atkinson with the sfeamitoat ami |iro\ isions. It was con-
jeclnred that ISiacU llawU and his iKiiid contemphited resitlin;;' on
the lands of the, INttawattomies, and as a means of preveiitiii;; the
(•((iisnmation of such adesi;iii,an embassy of live iiersons was sent
to confer with (he chiefs of that nation upon the subject. In
coiise(pieiic<^ of cloudy weatlu'i' the parly became liewildcred, and
losiii;;- their way fell in with some, of Illack Hawk's band, who very
adroitly endeavored to decoy them into tii" jiower of the princii)al
iiidian fence. After niiicli skilll'nl maii<'U\ criiii;;' on horseltack the
sa\a;L;»'s retired and the Americans ictiirned to Dixon <>reatly cx-
liaiisted, havinj^' lieeii witli<»nt food or rest for two days.
.Majoi's Stillman and Uailey, who had previously been ordered to
]»rotect the fr<mtier were at Dixoii when the army arrive<l at that
j»lac<', and liaviii;^ done but little, service, they b«^souJ•ilt the
l)rivile<j;e of reconnoiterinj;' the country, and reportiiij:' the situation
of the enemy. It was rumored that a small party of IJlack ilawk's
J'orce was encamped at the head of Old .Man's creek J2 miles
above Dixon, ami in accordance with their re([iiest, the governor
issued (lie following order: " Major Stillmaii : Vou will cause the
troops under your immediate commaiid, and the battalion niuler
]Ma.jor Mailey, to jiroceed without delay to the head of Old Man's
creek, where it is supjiosed there are some hostile Indians, and
coerce them into submission."
On the following morning, tlie ^fajor with 275 men started on
liis mission, hoping to give a good account of himself when he
returned. The expedition, after reaching Old Man's creek,
although unauthorized to pass beyond it, continued their marcli
l-l miles higher up the stn^am to Sycamore creek, where they dis-
mounted for the piir[»oseof spending the night.
Here they were within a few miles of the main lodgment of DIack
Hawk and a part of his braves, and while engaged in eain[) duties
3 unarmed Indians bearing a white tlag made their appearance.
The Indians giving themselves up, were taken into (Uistody.
Shortly o other Indians were descried on horseback upon rising
ground about a mile distant. A party of Major Stillman's men
iinmediatelj' started in jiursuit, and others followed as fast as tlu'y
could mount; in a short time three-fourths of the whole detach-
ment werc^ scattered pell mell over the intervening prairie, in this
irregular running fight, the troops at the camp knowing that blood
had been shed, killed 1 of the 3 Indians who had been sent «s
envoys ur.der the white tlag, but the other 2 in the confusion escap-
ed. The Americans having the fastest horses, overtook and
killed 2 of the other party, and pursued the survivors to the edge
25
3S(; IIISTOKV OP JI.LINOIS.
of Uh' lorcsr. At tlii.s JiiiH'tiiic. IJlacU I lawk iiii(i alxmr 40 braves
rose up iVoiii their aiiihiisli, and with a tenilic veil, nisjicil on the
assailants. Those \\li(» had just e\liil)it«'d so iiiiieh hraxeiy ill
imisiiii ol' the Heeiii;^ I'oe, now reliealcd wiih a eoirespondiny;
swil'lncss. 'riu- tVi;;lillnl din attending the I'li^iilives, who icaciiecl
eanip aliout dark, eansedtiie leniaindei of the loice to think ihat.
lUaek Hawk and his whole hand wvw uhont to hnrst upon them
like an avalanche. .V pani<- ensued, and some with onlv a saddh^
i>r Iti'idle, and others without either, mounted their hoises and
joined their eiuniads in the in^^lorious lii;;ht, leaviii;; their wa^^ons,
ammunition and other property to the \ietors. .Ma,ior Stillmau
ordeit'd his men to reticat (»\t'r the creek and rally on more
elevated ji>'round, hut such was the consternation that no
elevated ;;round was found till they reached the foices at l)i\on.
The principal resistance ollered to th«' pnrsninj: Indians, was at
Old Man's creek, a small stream rising in ();;leconnly and I'aliinj;'
into ikock rivei' at the town of i!loonun;;\ ille. It has siniH' Iteeu
called Stilhnan's liun, in eommenoration of thi> haltle, a result inci-
dent to the delay caused in crossing; its mud ly hanks. Aft«'r
l)assin;;' the stream, .Major Terkins. Captain .Vdams and al»e ;t l.~>
other daring men made a stand, and by their heroic conduct
]»artially ehcck<'d the cai'cer of the Indians and saved the lives ol
others, who must otherwise have fallen victims of savajic veu-
ji'eaiu'e. Capti'.iu .\dains, however, in saviiiji the 1'^ esol hi.s fiieuds,
Kacrificed his own, his body beiu;;' found the m« \t day, nt'ar the
two Indians w hom in a personal encounter he had slain. Nou«' of
the parties lived to teil the story of the terrilic st rii,ujnle, bat lr<uu
the evidi'Uce left behind it nuist have been of the most (h'termined
character. Their ^nus were broken into iVajiMU'Uts, ami the
ghastly wounds iidlicted by rille balls, spears, butcher knives and
tomahawks were frij;htful luoofs ol' the etlbrts that had been nuule.
The Anu'ricans <;reatly lamented the death of Captain Adams,
and even the Indians, as a nuirk of respect tor his bravery, neither
scalped nor otherwise' mutilated his body, ^'ear was (lisMumuted
Major Ilackleton, who luul a severe encounter w ith with an Indian,
in which he killed his taw ny anta<''onist,and afterward made his es-
cape to the cani[» at Dixon J^'ime others, in the confused ami precip-
itate lijiht, oeeasi(»nally tii'ed on ■.he [UU'suin^' savaj^cs, and as the
residt of the ecuitlici, '.'bout 11 whites and 7 Indians lest tlu'ir
lives. The fuj^itives eonnneneed ;;:Tivinf> at Dixon about ll5 o'clock
at niji'ht, ami from that time till mornin<i' they continued to c(»me
in small s(]nads of 4 too (su;h, telliu<^' the most traj^it; stories of
the disaster. Every one seemed to be impressed witli the idea that
liis own party was all t'lat escaped, ami while tellin<;' the death of
a (;omra(le he would arrive and contradict the aercount.
Durinj; the night of the battle, which fully imiugurated the war,
Gov. Hey(H>lds nuule out a recpusition for HOOO men to be in readi-
ness for future oi»erations, and oi'ders were also ju-epared re(piir-
inji' Col. March to forward supplies for the nuMi, and Majcu- Adams
to j)rocure provisions for the horses. Letters wer«' also written to
(iens. Atkinson and l)od<;'e, apprising;- the fornu'r, who had not
yet arrived, that the army was without jiroivsions. and the latter,
that Stilhnau was defeated, and the frontiers of Wisconsin were
in dan«i<'i'. ^Vhen the news of tlu^ defeat reached the camp, the
oHicers were smumoned to meet at the tent of (Jen. VVhitesides,
BLACK HAWK WAR.
;w
it \\;is (IcfcnniiH'd to iiuirch the next irioiiiiiif; to the f'ntiil
( f tlic ('\ t'iiiii;;'s disiistcr. (^)ii;iilriiiiiislci' 'riiniiiiis wiiticip:)-
iind
fi('l<l
iIiil;' \ ..(' result oi' llic <Miiilicil, ohtiiiiu'd iVuiii .loliii Dixoii, tlicii llii^
oidy iidiidMliitil in that |)iirt of tiit- roiiiili \, S ay \u oxni, as a,
tt'iii|M>iiirv sii|i|il\ IoiIIh' expedition. 'I'lie animals were slan;;ht-
errd and disi I'll Ml led anioiii;' the rnen. w ho pa it akin;;' of their llesli
willioiit Itread or salt, started Ibr the iiattle Held. Arrixin;;
tliilher, llie liodies of their I'aMeii eoiiirades were I'oiiiid t'ri;;htriiil,v
niiililated, pieseiitiiiii- a seeiie appalling' t<» troops who liad ne\er
liel'ore witin-ssed such a speetaele. Some were heheaded, soliK!
had tlieir hands and feet cut ott', while their hearts and other
internal oi';;aiis, were torn out and scattered oxer tlie piairie. Tlu!
iiiaii.^letl l'ia;iiiieiits were ;;atliered lojict her, aixl Ixiried in a com-
mon j;ra\(', over which a rmle slaii hewn from the trunk of a tree,
was erected to mark the phu'c. Tiie troops encamped on tlin
siiouml. and heavy j;uiis Itein;; lieard diiiiii;;' tiie iiijihl, tiiey were
siip|»(ised l(» lie signals for colh'ctiiij;' the scattered wariioi's <»f
I>lack Hawk. The men rested in their saddles, exjteetinj;' every
moment an attack, luit the nioniinj;' dawned without the enemy
Iteiim' seen. Major lleiiix and his battalion were then ordered to
scour the siirroiiiidin^ counti.x, tiiil no traces of liie foe liciiij^
detected tiie whole detachment fell hack to Dixoii.
Perhaps no Itelter material for an army could be found than
Major Stiilman and iiis men. and their defeat was not the lack of,
braxcry, Itut tiie want of experience and discipline. \o body v,f,
men under similar circumstances, xvould have acted ijipi'j
elliciciitly. yet for years afterxvard tliey xvere made the siibiect^|.(,i|^
tlioii;;hlless merriment and ridicule, as iindeserviiiji' as theiy l;,>t>»e-
ditioii xvas disastrous.* Stillman's <lefeat spread consly.i'ij^tji,^^
tlirttn^hout the State and nation. The niimbei' of Iiid^l^j^xv^u'j
riors xvas jLiieatly exa;;jicrated, and the name of l>lH(fl^,^)t*'.V^k
- — - - - ■- ^-f^-- >*■■» ' _ *-p- / i ; i^
Note. — "It is said timt a liljr, tall Koiitucklnii, witli a very ioiul voi'fL-UiiH'^u ^i^
onloiu'l of the iiillltli\, liut private under Stillinnii, iiprin his arrival in oi'iiiip (.'ave \o
(ieii. Wliiiesiilis and tlie W(iMiler;iii.' multitude the loll()\vinir«-l"Wiiijraiirt.tii>tt(Biin(tUliiHi>
eou t (it tlie liatt le: •Sirs ' said he, 'ouidi'tach merit waseiieamiu'daiiioiiirsodiy svatiti'riuit
t miller on the iiortliside of Old Man's creek, with the prairie on the nortn W'YitlyMiSpinB
down to our eneainp.i.ent It was .ju»t after twiliKlu, in the Rloaiiiiii^ior.llio ('\^|lnw{
when we diseov(>red lilaek Hawk's ariexconiintr down upon iis in siiIkI e(^^inmi; tlieK
deployed in tlie form ol a crescent upon the Urow of Ihe prairie, and such ae»'fti'ae>Min<l
precision of uioveinents \v^•\■^' never witnessed by man ; they \MW'iUieM*V'' 'W'"!^'*''*'"
tr(i(ips<if XV'ellinifton, inSpiiin. I lia\esiiid that the Indians eaiiie nolwii i,:i solid coliiiiin,
and deplayed in tile form of u (irescent : and what was most wOilduHhi^, uWH-' Wl*i*S
laif-'c sipiiires of cavalry rest in tr upon the points of 1 he curve, whiilj sjyiaiyjSiViiire (\Ui(-
ported ajjrain !iv other eolunins I.') deep, e.vtendin^r liack throuitli the WoiWlWn moVer f
s\va\np tliree-(iuartersol a mile, which auain rested upon the ni)li|i|ii(»»ty ol;Ula(|k;|UlwJ}'{
army liivouaelied upon the hanks of the KIswakee. It was .a fvrriliji> aiid uJorlqUi
si)ilii to see the tawny warriors us they rode alonir our flanks alK'nljAilHrtVl ontMii'rttc'iW
with the irlitK-riiij;: inocuilieains triisteninu: from their poiisLipl Jiljiilofi, in\\ii\ iniyf\^\^\H
spear.s. It was a siwlit well calculated to strike consternaiiotVintV) the stonte'st luuu't
and uccordinuly our men soon he>ran to lireak in small sipnnls,/lj)iimilfit1inibfctv 'IHJi'wtiJ!
little tunc the route heoaiue tfeneral; tlii' India lis were upvii our /lanks-iinjt threal|CHUC ■
the ('estriietion of the entire detacliment. Alioiit this tini" ' M*a>U' Htiirnhfn. Cfmiiit :
Stephenson. .Major Perkins, (^apt, .Xdams, ,Mr. lIuekletoii,«u^ myijelf, v^t^i >itoi|i? rMbljftii^ji
threw ourselves into the rear to nillv the filtritlves and ti)'(it«^ef tlie.rcl reat. Hut ui u
Kliort time all my eoinpanions fell, briively llirhtiiiR IrttHil tVtWiit^d wit'h'Yhti ^uvAtKF
enemy, and f alone was left up n the Held of battle AlponV t.Uift . t.iwu , | dij^wiyeJitf^
not far to the left a corps of horsemen which secine<r rn hcS i;i toTiW-aiilo Order L lin-
iiK-'li.itely deployed to the left, when leaiiinjrdown andijlliWlfWtiW bntlylin* r(-c|(i»tll'Ri^
posture upon the mane of inv horse, so as to lirintr the lieiids of the horsenieii lietwceii
my eyoanrt the hori/.on.l discovered by t!ie liu'ht of thrtnTrnrr rtint thny'WTn^'-a'i'iiftP^
hien who did not wear hats, by which lokeu I kiie\v,|IJ^/u'fiiVr«(*',<) jn<t fiii)(l« <jJr' mind.! ''I
t'lerefure made n refro<.'rade ihovcment a'ld rceoV|»'j'k.'J uyiiirw^cr pflp|ti<i)ri,i, \rl«t',viMi r«rl
iniiined some time ineditatinyr what further I eoujii (|o ia1|lie,,*n,L-viv<.' <it ,i)iy id-'iHmM'Mo
when ii random ball came whistlinjr by my car a;j(Vi»l;|iiMy,iXyW*W"*'<llV'»».'. 'StruHgeifo
yon have no further business hero.' Upon henrujtf tills,! tolh^wt'd thoexntnpl* fliiuy^
companions inarms, and broke for tall timber, i|i^(|tJit;.XV^y 1 vnjn lys^s not » JvW|e/'?i-:;n'
•Fonrs History.
388 niSTOllY OP ILMNOIS.
riinictl with if iissnciatiiMis of ;;i»'iit inilitiir\ talnit, sinii;;*'
(•iiiiiiiiiji iiiiW ciiiflt.v. (icii. ScnII. uitli 10(1(1 liiilcd Stall's trnttps,
AViiM sent to till- iiidtliwi'sl to siipt'iiiiti'iitl tln' riiluic oiu'r;itioiis of
till' riiiiipiii^'ii.
Tin- lifw levies iiiidei' tlie |iroeliUii:ilioii of <iov. Uesiiolds, were
t(» meet, Koiiie on the M of .liiiie, ii;:iiiii at ISeiii'dslowii, and otiiers
on the KMli of the same montii at lleniiejin, and ellieieni messen
j:<'rs were sent to eonve.v intelli;;enee of liie re<|iiisition to dilVerent
i ]»iirfs of tin- Slate. Tiie jirealt'st dispatch was recpiired lo enaUh*
. forces in tlie most distant counties to ass«'ml)le and mareli more
tlian a linndred ndies to I'm- places of remie/vous in so short a
period of time. The pi«'\ ions oij;ani/ation of the volnnteers,
intwevcr. jjieally facilitated the liiltor of hrin;;inji' the piesenl call
into tin' Held.
'I'he nn'ii in the service nowasiicii to \h' dischar;red, nv^in;r that
tlu'V iiad enlisted at a nnnnent's waiiiin*;, IVirthe iirotectiou of the
frctnliei', withont pio\idin<; clothes for themselves or food
lor their families at honn>, and lioth must snIVer if the cam-
]»ai;;n was protractei'. 'I'he term of enlistuu'nt hein;; nndelined,
tlicy lni(i a rij^ht to return iiome, but tlie };<>veriu>r appealin}; to
theii" ])atriotism, they a;:ree<l to n'main lli or !"> days lon}i«'r. in
the meantime, (icM. Atkinson arrived at Dixon with provisions,
eiM'ami»ed on the in»rtliwest side of the rivi'r, and threw up
cmlKiidunents for tin' protection of his stores. Tlie companies of
("apts. liailey and Slillman, wi're organized asal»ri;iade under the
command of Col. .lohnson, and received iido tin* service «)f the
United States, and one part ordered to Ottawa for the dt-fence of
tinit ])lace, while the (»ther remained at Dixttn to <iuard the stores.
. On the UMIi of May, trie whole army consistinji «)f volnnteers
'■ and re;;ulars, under the command of (ieii. Atkinson, inarclied [\\t
tiie river in pursuit of tiie, enemy. Toward eveninj-' news was
received tliat several v.hite families !:;;,! l»een murdered liy the
savajics, (m Indian creek, not far fntm Ottawa. The story <»f tho
massacre is hut a re[)etition of the i>loody traf>edies whictli always
characteri/e sasa^^c: wiirfiire. About 70 warriors made a descent
on tlie settlement, and in Imtad dayli^^ht stealthily entered n
liousein wliicli ;{ families l»ad assembled, and murilered 15 of tiie
inmates.*
On the receipt of tlie news, Gen. Atlviusou ordered Gen. White-
sides and Col. Taylor, afterwards president of the United States,
to continue the pursuit of tlie Indians witli the volunteers, while
he witii tiie regulars fell back to Dixon. After several days
inarcli, the trail of Black Hawk led the army to a village of the
Potawattoniies on Sycamore creek, where were disc<n"ered several
relics of tlie traj^edy on Indian creek, and the battle of Stillman's
linn. Tlie inhabitants had tied, and the trail sepai'atin<>' led in
ditfi'rent directions, a precaution doubtless taken to elude the piir-
.sniiifi' force. It was the suppf)sition that Black Hawk had visited
the town to secure the co-opertion of tlie Potawattoniies, who were
perhajis deterred from renderinjjf assistance by the overwhelming
♦Thellends who pprpotrrttcd the butchery atterwitrd related, with Infernal (flee, that
the women siiuawked like (feese, us they were pierced with speurs.or felt the keen edge
ot the tnmnliuwk cnterlnjr thol" heads The bodies of the victims wore sculped and
otherwise nintilatcci. the children were chopped to pieces with axes, i.iid the women
8uspcn<led by tlieir feet to the walls of the houses, their clothes falling over their
hca<ls, leaving their persons exposed to the public guze.
k
380
IIIHTOUY OF IM.INOIS.
iiiiiiiImt of Mm' whites. WliiU* tlMMii'iny lay iit llic villii;;*', ii ro-
(Miiiiiiiilci'iii;; |t:ii'tv was .sriit out to search tor hist horses, and
I'ctiuniii;;' ill tlie iii^^hi, tliey tlisroverrd ii lar;;)' liitliiiii I'orcc steal-
ill;;' awa.v ill t lie <laik, evidently toa\<>i<l the whites, ami to join
their coiiMiKles, a lai-^e body (»!' whom it was iiilened was in tlio
vieinily. The trail of the Indians led iioitli, while the homeward
l'<Hileof the voliiiiteei-s now ahoiil to let iil'ii letl south, and it tlieie-
I'oi'e heeaine necessary to detcrniine whether tocoiitinne the |iiii'-
8iiif or reliii'ii home. Col. 'i'aylor am' Major Harney, of tliu
reijiilar army, and (iov. IJeyiiolds iir;;(Ml them l(» remain in the
service till llie Imliaiis could he oxcrtaltcn and chastised. Tho
volunteers, liow«'\ei', expri'ssed ureat reliietaiice to a eoiitiiiiiam-o
of llie |iiirsiMt, The private s(»ldiers also wcic not only displeas-
ed with the commaiidin;; .general, hiil they had left their hiisinc s
ill sm^li comliiion as )o reipiin^ theii* pi'Hseiic(t at home. (ieii.
\\ hiteside, upon whom the principal command devolved in tlio
sd»seiic4' ot' (ieii Alkins<»n, althoii;;li (tpposed to folhtvviii;; the
enemy, agreed to he piverncd hy a majority of the ollicers, and tlicj
question lieiii;;' snhiiiitled to a vol(>, one-lialf were for piirsniii;;
the Indians aixl the other half for letiirniii;; home. (iov. Key-
iiolds seein;^ t he deiiiorali/iii<;: condition. cans«>d them to he march-
ed to Ottawa, and on the I'Tlli and L'Stli of May they were
ilisi-harjucd and the campaign thus ended without etrecting any
imjtojtant resiilts.
1 1. .-n't'
ClIAl'TER XXXIV.
IS.".:;— TinUI) CAMl'AKiX OF THE WAR.
KcqulUion for AdilUloHul Troops — AttucU on Apple Creek Fort —
Captain ISteplieiis'' Eiieouiiter ivHli the In<lian>i — <)r<janizntion of
the N'etc Levies — Battle of Kelltx/K (Jroce — Battle of the Wis-
cousin.
Gen. Atkinson called ii|)(Hi tlic ;i()V('ni(»riit tlu" time these troops
Avere mustered out, and at his su;i;L;estioii aeall was made for liHH)
additional men to eo-oi>erate with the previous ri'ipiisitiou a\Ml 1(I(M»
more to guard the frontiers. Tiu' danp'r of <'.\posed si'ttlements
beiu'!,' very imminent, an appeal was made to the disbanded tntops,
and a re<;iment raised to serve till the new levies could he made
available. After the election of .laeol) Fry as c»>lonel and .lames
D. Henry as lieutenant colonel, tli(^ <litlerent companies of which
it was composed were immediately dispatched to the most exposed
localities. The > '"iimeni, after bravely .miardiiiji' the imperiled
frontier, was linally mustered out of service at Dixon, on the llHli
of dune by Col. 'I'aylor. One of the companies under Captain
Snyder, lia<l some sevei'c skirmishinu' with a l>ody of some seventy
Indians in the vicinity of Keiloii's grove, in which I of the savages
and '2 or iJ of his own men were kdled, 'i'he new levies arrived,
but before they could be oi-ganized or brought into the (ie-ld, the
Indians committed a number of murders in ditlerent {tarts of the
country.
On the 0th of Jun<' IJlack Hawk and about b")() warriors made
an attack on Ai)i>le Kiver lM>rt, situated a tpiarter of a mile north
of the present village of Kli/abeth and within lli miles of <ialena.
The fort was a stockade having strong bhu-k houses at the corners,
and had been erected tor the benelit of a small village of miners,
Avho resided in their homes during the day and retired to the fort
for protection at night. Three messengers chanced to he on their
Avay from (lalena t(» Dixon, and when within half a nule of the
village, were tired upon by Indians lurking in anduish. One of them
Avas wounded, l)ut l)y the assistance of his two companions he
reached the fort without further injury. The inhabitants, as usual
<luring tlnnlay, were scattered ahr<tad attending to husiness, when
the report of guns apprised them(»f danger and I lu'y tied to the tort
in advance of the enemy. Tlu' Indians canu' within tiring distance,
when the battle commenced and was continued with gr«'at fury
for 15 hours, (luiing which several attempts were made to burn
ami storm the tbrtitications. 'i'he assailants took jiossession of tin;
dwellings in the village, and while some knocked lioles in the
BLACK HAWK WAR.
301
\v;ills tliidujili wliicli ill siii'cty tli«\v finMl nnoii the fort, otlicrs (li>-
stio.vcd ])i(tvisi»)ii.s, broke crockcn, jiiul witli devilish jilee ripped
(»peii beds and iiestrewed tlie lioiises iind yiirds wifii leathers.
Tiiere were only IT) men in tlie ibrt, but they toii;;ht with the im-
petuosity of (h'si)eration, deeming' it better if they could U(»t
repulse their adversaries to die in (h'fence of their families, than
surt'er capitulation and \)utchery aft<'i\vard. The mothers and
children partook of the sanu' inspiration, and by moiihlin^ bullets
and ehar^iii;,' jiuns greatly assisted in warding' off the assaults of
the enemy. Tiie Indians at leiij;tli, tindinji' they could not prevail
a^iiinst the jj;arrison, rais«'d the seij^c and departed, takinj^- with
them lu>rses, cattle, tloiir and other provisions. The Americans
.sustained a loss of one man, tliat of 'he Indians could never be
asci'itaiiied as their killed and wounded were carried away in tlio
retreat. A messenger in *he meantime had hurried to (laleiia for
jissistaiM^e, and (,'ol. Stros.e of the militia marched to atford them
assistance, but the enemy had left before he arrived.
On the 24th of .Iniie two men were killed near Fort Hamilton,
..silimted amonj;" the lead mines i or 5 miles east of (ialeiia. (Jen.
J)odj;<>, of Wisconsin, wlio by chance visited the fort shortly after
the tr;ij,fedy was committed, immediately followed the trail of the
.Siiviiji'es to the I'ekatonica, when' they took r<'fu<;(' iiiidei- a hiuii
biink of the, river. The brave (commander and his e(pially brave
men immediately I'ushed on the sheltered foe and killed the entire
number, Imviiiy three of ilieir own men mortally wounded in the
assiiult. This action alth<Mi^ii small, exhibited the greatest daring
on tile part of those en<,'a,yed in it.
About the same time Capt. Stephenson of Galena, and a )>oitiou
of his company tell in with a [>arty of Indians between Apjile
liiver l'\»rt and lvello<;'s (irove, and ]>ursued them till they took
refu<j;e in a small grove in the midst of the prairie. The Ameri-
cims commenced a ramhmi tire into the timber but after the loss
of a few men retired. Notwitlistaiiding this loss neitlu'r otlicers
nor men were yet willing to iibaiidoii the contest, and the jiaity in
a sh(U't time returned and charged into the grove, receiving tlie
giiUiiig iii'i^ of the savages, who were so etfectually protected by
the trees it w;is imjiossilile to dislodge them. The charge was
renewed a seccuid and a third time, and not until li additional men
were killed and the ca]>tain supposed to be mortally woiiiided did
the lighting (U'ase. The Indians had greatly the advantage, and
the lashness of niiikiiig an attack under the ciicumstances is
perhaps as much an object of censure as the heroic dei'ds per-
formed are feiits of admiration.
As ]»reviously arranged in the call for troops, the new levies met
at IJeiirdstown and liennepin, but were afterward ordered to I'ort
AVilburn where a ])(rniaiieiit organiziition wiis etfecte<l.* A i)ro-
niiscnous multitude of several tliousiind persons had assembled at
this place, and the greatest i>atieiice and jiidgmeiit was riMpiired
to form them into an army. As many of the most prominent men
ill the State were present and wanted ]iositions, tlier<' was great
<lai)ger in the bestowal of oiliccs that <lissatisfactioii mi}.;lit
u.'ise and thus .seriously iinpaii the elliciencty of the army. It was
•This wiiBasmnii forlifltMtion (in lli'! sntrtli biuik of tlio Illinois, nboiit a iiiilo aliove
Pciii, and liaj been t'l-iM'tcil by liiciit. Wjibiiin, for tlie protection of the sujiidles
euti'usti'il to his cure by Col. March.
392
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
li()\v«'v«'r iijiT('«'»l ill a coiisiiltiitioii hctwi'cii tlic fiovcnior and
captains of llu' various <!oiii|»ani('s wiio iiad already been cliosi'ii,
tliat the principal olUccrs should bu (elected by the troops over
wlioin tlicy were t(» act. Tlir«'c brij;ad«'S were orj;anized, and on
the KUii of . I line Alexander I'osey was elect(^d j;eneral of tho
tirst, Milton K. Alexander j>eneral of the second, and on the ISth,
James 1). Henry ;;('iieral of tlu^ third, (leii. Atkinson i«'(!eive(l
them into the service of lln^ United States and acted as coin-
niander in-chief of the force thus or<;aiiized, which amounted to
31*.t2 men. The jiovernor ai)pointed on his staff Meiijamin l'\
llicliinan and Alex. F. (iraiit as aids, , James Tiiiney as adjutant
general, K. ('. March as (piartermaster general. IJesides the main
army 4 battali(»iis were organized lor spetiial purposes, and com-
jiiaiided severally by Majors l>oj;art and IJaily, anil Colonels I'.iiciv-
iiiaster and Dement.
In view of the disasters which threatened tlu' lua-fhern frontier
of the State, the jiovernor ordered a chain (»f forts to be erected
and ^arrisoiie<l from the Mississippi to ("hicaj;o. Indian war
parties lurked in every delile, beset every solitary road, hovered
altoiit every settlement, and woe to the traveler or nni»rotected
party of white men who atteiiijited to pass Ihroiiii'h the country.
J)es|»ite their vijiilance their supremacy in the lield was scton to
end; beaten, humbled and ideedinji- tney were to be driven belbro
the comiuerers, and their linntinji jiroiinds were to know them no
more.
On the I7fh (»f .hiiie, Col. Dement and his force wi-re ordered to
re[)oit themselves to C«»l. Taylor at Dixon, while the main army
Avas to follow. Here Col. Dement was ordi'ied to tak(> a position
ill Kelloji's (iroxc, where on tlM'2r>th (»f dune he was visited by Mr.
Tniik of McLean c(aiiity, who came dnriiij; the nijilit from the lead
niiiies and informed him that the trail of about .°i(H) Indians lead-
iii,i>' southward, had been seen the ])revioiis day, and that there
was perlia])s a larji'e body of them in the neighborhood. A eoiin.
eil of war was held the same iiij;lit, Avhi(di decided that Col-
])enient and TiO picked men should rec-oiiiioitre the siirronndiiifj
country the next day, while the remainder were to remain in the
fort near the ;;rove prepared for any enierj;('iicy that nii;;lit hap-
pen. This rude block house was an <d>l<)iifi' buildinj;' constructed
of \ojXx, contained .'5 rooms, and was fni'iiishcd with doors of slroii<>'
material. At di.yli^ht on the followiii^i' iiKtrninji the party sallicil
forth, but the more advanced jiortion of it had not i»roceeded
niore than ;'»()(> yards, wIkmi several Indian s|des wen? discovered
on the adjacent inairies. Col. Dement and Lieut. (Jov. Zadocrk
Casey wer<' mounting;' their liorses ]>reparatory to leavinji' the
fort, when a messenger returned to make known the <liscovery.
Tli(> news was soon (tommnnicated to the whole battalion ; A
i>lireiizy to tight the redskins took p«»ssession of tin' men, and
contrary to orders they mounted their horses and started alter
them. At their approach tin; Indians lied, but Col. Dement siis-
IH'cting that their intent was to decoy the whites into an ambus-
cade, galloped alter them to induce them to return and thus
))reveiit the occurr«Mice of such a catastroi»lie. Tlieex(Mted volun-
teers, howev«'r, mistook his iiitentions,siipposiiig he also was pursu-
ing the Indians to kilUhem, and the chase was conlinned till they
came near a bushy ravine in which Ulack Hawk and his men were
BLACK HAWK WAK.
393
coiHjcalcd. Tlic objccl coiitciiijdiitj'd by the hidden foe was now
consniiiiiiiilcd, and no ^^cncralsliij) of <'i\ilizcd wiirfaic could liave
been bftlei'idanncdoi' luort' succcsslidly executed tlian this stratejiy
of tlie booliless men of liu' forest. Suddenly a war-wiioop ])rocee(l-
inj;' from the tiiroats of 3(K) naivcd sava;i('s, wiio liad previously
l»re|)ared for batth* by divestin;;' themselves of their clothes, star-
tle<l the Americans. Determined to profit by the surprise and the
advaiitiijie of numerical strenj^th, they ruslied with the fury of
ilenioiis upon their adveisaries. ('ol. Dement and several other
ofti«;;'r'< made sev<'ra! att<'mi»ts to rally their j»aiji(^stricken men,
but tlu' dan;;('rof beinj^' out Manked by su]>erior nundiers rendered
their efforts futile. All subordination ceased, and each fugitive,
])i'omi>ted by the 'ustinct of self preservation, shaped his course
toward the fort with a speed e(pial to that with whi(rh a slioit time
before lie had left it. In tlu^ hurried and confused retreat which
followed. ."> Americans who wmv without horses were killed, while
the remainder reached the fort and dismounting; entered it, closely
pursued by the enemy. The fort was vifjorously attacked for near-
ly an lioui', but the foice within returned the tire of the assailants
with such rapidity and precision that they letired, leaving- nine of
their comrades dead on the Held, and carryin;^' others away with
thciit. No one in the fort was killed l)ut several were wounded
by bullets which occiisionally entered tlii-ouj;h crevices in the
walls. Three balls passed through the apparel of Col. Dement,
all of them touching' his person, but none e!iusin<; a wound.
About ")() hoi'ses weic killed, and suddeidy swelliu};- afterward it
was sui>posed they had been pierced with pctisoned arrows.
With the retreat of the Indians, sentinels were sent out to watch
their movements, and work was commence<l on the fort to j^et it
in rea(hness lor a ni<;ht attack. The heavy timber of which it
Mas built would withstand thc^ effect of l»ullets better than that
of tire, and lest an attempt should l»e made to l)urn it, barrels of
water were provided, and a larj>'e nundier of wet blankets were
hunj; on the walls.
At 8 o'clock in the morninji' when tlit- batth^ had ]»aitially sid)-
si(h'<l. Col. Dement sent live messen^cis to Dixon, a distance! of aO
nnhis, for assistance', and towaid sundown (ien. '*osey and his
brigade nnide their appearance. Shortly alter his arrival some
Indian spies were seen to enu'r-ic fiom the adjacent thicket, where
they had been watchiuy to see if any additional troops came to
the I'clief of the foit. Retirinu' to the miiin body of the enemy, a
consnlaticui was held, nnd doubtless fuither attemi»ts upon the
fcu't were abaiuloued, in conseciuence of the timely arrival of Gen.
Tosey.
Early the next niornin;;' an excavation was nuide with knives
ami tomahawks near the j;rove, and in this lonely jiiave were
buried the mutilated reniiuns of the five Americans killed the
jtrecedin;;' day. , When the melancholy task wasemled (Jen. Posey
starteil after the Indians, but soon discoverinn' by the trail that
they had scattered, the pursuit was discontinued. Thus tei inin-
ated this expedition. Nature had endowed in tin' hij;hest (le,uree
with .<oldiery (pndities those en,ua,ii'ed in it, and the only reason
their elfctrts were uoX u\orv successfid was the want of discii)liin', a
disideratum which the innnediate denuind for their .services had
not permitted them to acijuire.
4m
m
W
394
IIISTOllY OF ILLINOIS.
After tlir biittlf of Kclloji's drove, ilie forces of (leii. Posey and
Col. Dement retiiiiied to Dixon, where the icinuhirs and most of
the voluiitet'is wvvv concentiated nnder llie eommaiid of (Jen.
Atkinson. To prevent tiie escape of IIk; Indians if thev attempt-
ed to reci'oss the .Mississippi, (ien. Ah'xander was onh-red to tlie
country south of Galena, and (ien. Posey to I'ort liamiiton on llie
I'ekatonica. Wiiile the army was at Dixon, ;{ Potawattomie chiefs,
Wapello, Dilly Caldwell and Wauhansee, came to (Jen. Atkinson
asking' sonn- ])rotection aj;aiiist P>lack Hawk, 'i'lu' ire of the old
Sac warrior was aroused because the tribe of these chiefs i»ro-
l>osed an alliance witli tlie Anu'ricans, who deemed it better to
secui'c theii' CO opeialiou than have tueni lij;ht on the opposite side.
C!ol. l-'ry and his i'e<;iment were ac/ordin^ly sent in advance of
tbe main army to Sycann)re creek t'> alibrd protection, and to re-
ceive into the service 100 Potawattomie warriors, who had sij;ni-
tied their willin<iiM'ss to unite with the whites. ^luch was exjtec-
ted from this acc«'ssion to the army, l)ut they soon returiu'd home
and little was realized, altliouj;ii comnniinled by WabansiH', n
veteran chief of the tril»e. (Jen. Atkinson liavinj; heard that
JUack Hawk had fortified a position on the four lakes in southern
Wisconsin, started thither for the purpose of brin;;in<i' on a
{i'cneral cnj^aiicment and tiius termin;itinji the war. I'assinj;' Syc-
amore creek he was Joined by the Wiun<'ba,u() warriors, and on
the .')Otli of .lune, encamped near 'I'lirlle villajic, a considerable!
town of the Winnebaj^oes, then deserte<l by its inhabitants. Tlie
iiijiht following was one t)f continual alarms, tin- whole connnand
was fretpiently paraded in order of battle, but no enemy wasseeii
excei»t a tew jn'owlinj;' Indians. The next mornin,u the maicU
Avas resunu'd, and on the 4th of -Inly the aiiuy reached I-ake
Kush-ka non^:; an expansion of Pock rivi'r, wliei'c they fornu'd ti
Junction with the forces of ( ol. I'ry and (Jen. Alexandei'. These
liavin<;' scoured the whole of tin' a<ljacent countiy and not lindinji"
the enemy, the march of the mounted men was continued up the
east side of the Pock river lo PurnI villaji'c. another town of the
Winnebaj;()es situated on Whitewater, a ti-ibutary of the iirst
mentioned stream. Here they were joined by (Jen. Posey and a
l)attalion of 100 men under Slajor Dod^c oi' Wisconsin. The
evening- of theirarrixal at that i)lace, a company of scouts came
in ami reported the unun trail cd" tin; Jndians ■'! miles Idjiher up
the stream. l*re]»arations were inunediately made lo follow it,
and at an early hoiu' next day a delaclHueut proceeded u]) the
river a distan(!e of b") ndles, but no tra(;e (d" the eiu-my beinj; de-
tected the detaidnnent tell back to P»urnt villajit'.*
Kiyht wctdis had now been spent in maichinj; and counter-
inarchinji' to lind the <Miemy, and the attainment <d' the object did
itot seem any nearer at hand than when the caniitaign was eom-
[NoTK — * " In tills cxpcdlUoii tlio forcjo oiniuf upon tlio treinhliiiu' Imuls, whiuli are
iinniciiso tints (it tiirl Iroiii (1 to 1:.' liu'liis lliiik, L'Xli'iidiiin lur iiiilusiii cvi'i-y diiiji;-
tioii iiiul ie!?t1ii(r oil liccis ot \viit(!r uml (juicUsiiiKl A trooi) or even ii sniji'k' lioiseniuii
riiliiiy ()v<'r lliciii pi-o(liice(i nil muliiliitiiiK motion of the liiiicl from wliicli it nets its
niiiiie. Alllii)u;ili the sml'iicc is (piiti' dry v ( t there is no dillieiilty in j)i-oe\iiiiiK plenty
of Wilier by eiittiiif; iin opening llii-oii;!li itie stratum ot turf. The horses would
sometimes ioree n foot ihroiiuh or lull to the slioulders. y« t so fiieiit wiisthe teiineily
of the snrliice in no insliinee wns there iiiij- trouble in jrettiiiK then: out. In some
plieesthe weiiilit of tlieenrth loiced iistreiunof wiiter upw'iird, wliieh eurrylnif with
it mill deposiiiii^r liiitfo ipiiintitles of siiiid foinied mounds. The iiioimkIs »s they eii-
iiirireil im-reiised the pressure on I lie wiiter below pri'.seiil ii.R the novel sblit of a louii-
tiiiii on tluMU'iiiih'. tl"*"*^'"- its streiiin down the sides id I lie hillock then to bu ab-
sorbed by the suiul and rcturtied to the waters bfiiuatti." J— Ford's Hist. III.
BLACK HAWK WAR. 395
iiiciicctl. Tlic pro^tre.ss of the anny was uiHU'ssarily slow, tlio
('oiiiitiy was coiiipaiiitivt'Iy an uiicxplorcd wildciiicss of
]>i'aii'ii' and forest, none of tlic couiniand liad lu-cn tln*>n;;lL
it, and it was tlicrcfoic ini|»ossil)l(' to obtain irlialilc j^nides.
A niindtcr of \Viniit'l)a;;(»('s followed who from necessity
wei'e fi(M{nentiy coiisnlted, but (heir fidelity was of a doubtful
chaiaetei-, and the information they commnnicated ^x'neially de-
Insive. The residt was short nnirrin's, fi'e(|Ment delays, fiiiitles.s
explorations, ;:;ivin<;' the eiu'iny every opportunity to asctei'taiii the
intentions and moxcments of tlie pnisnin^' foi'eeand thns elude it.
The effoits of the comnnindinj;- <;eneral weii' further retarded l)y
the distance fiom the bas(^ of snpi)lies, and the jireat dillicnlty of
transportation, in conscMinem^e ol" which the troops were fre(piently
withont pi()\ isioiis ami iiirely had snilicient foi" protracted oper-
ations. ()win<;' to this dinicnlty, it now l)ecame ne(;essary to dis-
])erse th(( army to obtain food. Accordini;ly Major Dodjic and
(ienei'als Henry and Alexamler werc^ sent to I'ort Winnel)a;;o,
sitnateonthe porlau'e between the Fox and Wisconsin rivers, for
this ])nrpose, while (J»'n. I'osey marclu-d to Fort Hamilton foi' th(^
protection of the adjacent i'rontier, tiu' governor retni-ned to his
home at IJelleville ami (ieii. Atkinson fell back t(» lake Kushka-
non,i;. Here he erected a fort, which was called after the mime of
the lake, in which he exi)ected to remain till the volnnteer j^enerals
I'ctMrned with sn])plies.
l''ort \\'innel)a,u(), a distance of SO miles from the encampment,
on the Stillwater, was reached in three (lays, but themarcii thither
over the intervening;* swampy country so cripi>led some of the
horses as to render them nseless in the siicceedinj;' ]tart of the
campai,nii. Another calamity also befell the horses shortly after-
ward, which was worse than an ordinary battle. Abont J,0(K)
were peaceably ,t;razin,y on tlie praii'ie when a stanipedi' occnired,
cansed, as was supposed, by Indians attemj)lin,<;' to steal some of
them. Th(^ soldiers at tiie time were sound asleej) in their tents,
which were closely pitched to;nether and the friyhtiMH'd aiiinnds
in their nnnl Hiuiit jnshed directly over the eiicanii)inent, kiiock-
ini; the tents down on the faces of the jnen and tramplinj;' their
weapons ami camp etini[)a};e into the "ground. Then coursing
inirthward with j;reat rapidity, the sonml of their feet produced
an api)alliiiy noise resembling' the roll of distant tlmiuler. Tlio
[* '• A view of till' country from cimip ut Fort \Vinn('t)»(ro presented tlie most strik-
ina- pontniriety of feiiturcs. liookirig towaril tlu! fort wliu.li was u neat striieture
aiiionM' the (ireeii liills, two streams are seen the Fox and Wisconsin, with sources sev-
eral liundred miles apart, the former in tlie cast and the latter iu the north, RlidinH' as
if to miiiyle their waters, until within three miles of each other, when they sweep the
one to the northeast, and the other to the southwest, as if they had met to hid each
other a uiillant adieu before partinu', the Fox to mintrle its sweet and limped waters in
the (iiilf of St l,awrenee, and the Wisconsin to contribute its stained and hitter Hoods
toilie Gulf of Mexico.. The (Jourse of the Fox is short, crooked, narrow and deep, and
abounds ill the linest variety of fish, whilst the Wisconsin is large, wide and compara-
tively stiaiyrht, luid is said to have no flsh, owinir perhaiis to its passage throujjh cy-
press swamps which renders it unwholesome for the tinny tribes, ami also causes the
discoloration of its waters liesidestlK.' rivers the face of the country is no less I'e-
markable. The strip of land between the two rivers is low and marshy, with no other
(xrowth except a course variety of rush, atid at IiIkIi waters so - ompletely inun<lated
as to convert all that part of the United States east of the Mississippi into u vast island.
A wisp of straw heinjr thrown into the Hood where the twocurrents meet will separate
and one portion float Into the northern and the other into the southern sea. i'iast of
the Fox river the land Is p-enerally midulatiiijr, preKentinir an etpial di-tribution of
prairie of the richest mould and timber of the lliiest (jrowth. West of the Wisconsin
conmieneesth se frownina steppes of ru(rjre<l barren rocks covered with black and brist-
lliiM' pine and hemlock which toward the Mississipiii terminates in a rejrion mountaia-
CHJS, dreary, terrillc and truly Alpine In uU its features."— Ford's History.]
3!>G
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
l>i<'k('t fi:ii!inls and st'iitincls tli'd to tlic cimiii), supposiiiji' an attack
liiid hccii made hy tlic Indians, tlif bii;;l('s sonndtMl to aims, hnt
many of tlic soldit'i's were tcnipoi'aiily injured and in tlic conl'nsioii
wliicli |n('vail»'(l could ii(»t lind tlicir broken and scattered
ueapons. Tlie Wisconsin river clian;;<'d the direction ol'tlie stani-
])ede hut did not stop its I'nry, tor the t'ri;L:iiteiie<l animals Inmed
alt(»ut and aj;aiu ran into tiie nddst oil lie canip,an(l the soldiers now
snvai'c oftlie situation, en(h'avored to arrest their lieadlony cimrso
hut without success. It was suppos«'d that most of them ran a
distaiiie of .">(> miles before the alaiin suhsich'd. Some were fol-
lowed a distanc(^ of "»() miles helbn' they were fouiul, and about
100 were jK'rmanently disahlied in the siirroiindin;; swam]>s.
'i'wo (hiys were spent at the fort in re;;ainin,y Ihe iioises. recruit-
in^tiiemen and procuring' lu-cessary supplies, during- which sonic
AViiineha<:(» cliiefs said that I'dack llawk and Ids force were
encamped on IJock river, .)."» miles al)ove lake Kush ka-minii, the
head(juarters of (Jen. Atkinson. It was now evideid that if tiie
army attempted to return to (len. Atkinson the Indians would
perhaps escape to the west of the .Mississippi, and the only oppor-
tunity of closiuii' the war with prolit to the country and honor to
the service would he lost. A council of war was convened and it
was the unanimous opinion of all the olliccrs present that the,
exi.ycncy of the cas«> demanded that they should disregard the
orders of (len. Atkinson. i»y marciiin;;' directly upon the enemy
with the intention of taking' him hy surprise or i»reventinji his
retreat fui'ther northward. 'J'lie ir>lh of .Inly was accordinj;ly
ai»p»»inted as the tinu' of starting, and (ien. Henry at once com-
lueiiccd re()i',i;aMizinji- his hrijiade, and disencundtci'iiiji' it of tlui
sick and dismounted men, who would retard the celerity of his
march. IJefore, howevei', the day of depaiture canu' around,
(icn. .\le\andcr aniioiniced that his men becominj;' dissatislied
had determined not to accompany the e\|)e(lition, and Major
Dodiic re|K)rted that so uniny of his horses were disabled that he
coidd not mount a force sutliciently larj^c to render any valinihlo
assistance. At this Juncture ('apt. ( "rai;.; arrixcd with a linecom-
]>any of mounted men from (ialena and vicinity, which unitin;;'
with the battalion oi Major I )o(lji(' increased it to IL'O I'tfective
men. (leu. Henry's brij^ade was reduced to (100 men, and even
these associatinji with Alexander's malcontents, became so demor-
alized as to he at the point of open mutiny. A protest was hantled
to the former, si;;iied by all his suhoidinate olliccrs excej)t the
c(»lonel who presented it, rcmonstratinj;' ayainst the «'nterprise as
a violation of (ien. Atkinson's orders.
'J'his was the tuininj; |>oint on which hinjicd the fate of the cain-
paiiin. and but for the priulence and determination id' (Hen. Henry
all W(»uld have been lost. He was periiaps the only man in the
army who possessed the rare faculty of successfully connnandin;;"
the militia by inspirinj;' (heui with order and the honoralde im-
]»nlses of his own noble nature. He could command with sternness
and not ;iive otVeiice, and whih' he excited the fear he always
won Ihe love of the most ohduiate soldier. In this emergency lie
knew he was ri^lit and jn'omptly ordered all the olliccrs sinning
the protest (o be arrested and maii'hed to (leu. Atkinson, who he
knew would approve his course when he hceaine accpuiinted with
the cireiiuistances. This tlecided command fiom a iieiieral whom
DLAOK TIAWIC AVAR.
:vM
tlicy knew liud tlio <'onrii<"(' to cxcfiitc it, ciuiscd tin* oHiccis to
I'clciil, The colonel wlio prcsfiitcd (lie sliiiint'riil paper dcnit'd
kiiowinj'' its ('(Mitciils, and ail inoinisrd with tiie ^iicatest contiitioii
that they would never ajiiiin be ;;iiiltv of insidiordination, (leii.
Henry, who understood linnian natni'e and knew how to jMoiil by
it. spoke to tlM'ni with dijiuity and kindness, wisely t'or^i\ in,!; the
olt'enee and thus seeuiinj; their laithfid cooperation durinj; tho
remainder of the campaign.
At the appointed time (Jen. Tloury and Ma.joi- Dodjic, with two
Winiu'bii;;oes tbi- ;nuides, started in pursuit (»!" the Indiaui;, and
(len. Alexander w ith |)r(tvisiou.s returned to (leu. Atkinson. Tiui
former Avhile on tlu-ir way to the infested rej;ion, weri^
1Ve(pu'idly thrown 'oni a diieet course by interveninji' swamjts of
.several miles in extent, yet after three days hard marciiiuf;- they
aj^ain encamped on Kock livei'. Here information was iH'ceived
that Ulack Hawk was entrenched onCraidu'iry lake, hijiher up tiie
river, and relying' on this infornnition Henry determined to make ii
fcu'ced march to that i)hu!e the following day. Adjutaids 10. II.
IMerryumn and W. \V. Wood bridge, accomi)anied by Little
Thunder, a Winnebajio chief, as j;uide. were sent to (ien. Atkinson
to appiise him that they had discovered the situation of the enemy
and wore makiuji' pi'cparations to move aj;ainst him. The uu's-
seuji'crs started about dark and after i)]()c<'edin.y aliout S miles
soutliwest they struck the fresh trail (»f Ulack Hawk, who was
nudiinji' toward the Wisconsin river, evidently to elude his pur-
suers by crossin<ii- it. Little Thunder, juniic stricken at the si;;lit
of the trail, without ;>ermission returned to the camp an<l revealed
tlu' discovery to the two Indian jiuides, wiio attempted to make
their escape, but before their obJe(rt was fully accomplished they
were arrested and brought to the tent of (len. Henry. Confessing
that their motives for acting as giddes was to give false infoinia-
tion ami thus favor the escape of IJlack Hawk, they now
disclosed all they knew of his movements, with the hojx' of
escaping the ])unishment wliit'h their perlidy des(>rved. (Jeneral
Henry humanely si)ared their lives, and to invvent his nu'U who
Avouhl have wreaked summary vengeance on them for their
treachery, ])rudently ke]>t it a secret. The nussengers, when they
fouml themselves deserted by Little Thunder, also returned to the
camp, but Just before reaching it one of them canu' near being
killed by the fire of a seidinel. Karly the next mcuning the same
nu'ssengers ami gui<le were again dispatched to (ien. Atkinson,
and the aimy started in i)ursuit of tlie en«'my, leavingall tln^ heavy
baggage behind in the wilderness. Those who had jueviously l(»st
their horses, abandoned their blankets and all their clothing
exce]>t what they wore, and carrying their guns, ammunition ami
])i(»visions on their backs through thickets, swamps and prairie,
ke[»t i)aee with their comrades on horseback. The riders on reach-
ing a. slough through which their horses wore Uiiable to carry them,
dismounted a>id waded across, driving tlu'ir animals before them.
The large fresh tiail being strewn with various articles, belonging
to .lie Indians, gave aiiinuition to the pursuing force; there were
no nu>re complaints among the men, and even the horses seenu'd
to partake of the eidhusiasm which prevailed. Towards evening
there arose one of those terrific thumler storms common to the
prairies, frightfully dark and aecompained by torrents of rain and
;!!IS
nisTouY oi' ii,r,iN«»is.
|»<'iils (tf lliiirirlcr. TIh' rrnii, liowrAcr, ilaslicd on tcjiiiiillcs.s nf IIm',
i'ii;;iii;; clt'iriciils. tliroii^li II<i(m|s, iiuiislics, ;iii<l iiliiHtst iriipcnclijilthi
cliiiiips ol' iImiImt, IIm' lidrsciiini rr«'(|iifiil ly (lisnidiiiil in;; and
niiii't-liin^' mIuoI thai tin- rnoliiM'n nii;;lil Ix' rflicsod hy I'idin;^ t lirir
liDi'M's. 'I'lic si (II in rdiiliiiiH'd iiMisI III' the ni;;lil, and llir i-xliaii.stfd
iiicii llii'cu llicinsflM-s on llic niitddy raiHi lo olitain a lilllr rest,
lia\iii;4 liMi'laUi'ii of no .sii|i|M'r cxci-pl a lilllcrau iiical and sonic,
<ioii;;li, IIm- irsiill of llir di i-ncliiii;; lain on llic tloiii' lliry raiiird in
llu'ir sacks. A similar npasl serving tliciii lor Incaklast, liy early
da\li;4lil llicy were a;;aiii in niolioii and al'lcra inarcii :is iiard as
thai ol' llic |irc\ ions day, IIicn cn)'iini|icd on one of Hie lour lakes,
neai wlicrc jtlaek Hawk had rested the |irc\ioiis ni<^iit. The iiicii
iKiw ea;;crly cnilHaced the o|i|Mirtiiiiil.\ wliieii was ofl'ered to iiiiiiil
fires and cook liieir sii|i|iei.>, lia\ iii;^ nian-iied 100 miles w iliioiit.
eating- an.vlhin;;' except raw food. As soon as I heir liiin;^er was
appeased. Ilie\ a.i:ain lay down lores! w il li not liiii;^ under liieiii
lint the naked e;irlh. and iiolhin;;'o\cr llieiii Init the starry caimpy,
and slept swcelly liil iiroii>e(| iindciilled loarins. A sentinel who
diiiiii;; the iii^hl discovered an Indian sleall hily ;;lidiiij; toward
the slioi'c in a canoe, lired his ^nii which canseij an alarm, lint,
nolliiii;^ riirllicr occurred to indicate the presence of an eiiciny.
Maily llic follow in;; (lay ihe iiiiirch was res'imed wilh };rcat \ i;;or,
all liiiii;; elated with Ihe hope of soon oNcrlakin;^ the Indians and
tcrininalinj;' the war in a ;:eneral iiattle. ('idssin;^- the river lie-
tweeii Iwd of the lakes, the army ascended :iii cniineiice. whence
could lie seen a panorama iif wondcroits lieanty. Three of tliestt
loNcly sheets id' water einironcd liy svooded hills ami rollin<;'
prairies were in I'lill \iew. The hami of civili/alion had not,
marred their primi'\al liciuiiy and e\er,\iliiii;; was wild and still,
sa\c Ihcdislanl ioai' of the snr;;iii.n' waters lashed li_^ almost (ton-
slant winds.
The Indians, however, were only a few iniles distant emIea\orin;ij
to escape, and the hurried march lo overtake them ;;a\c lint little
time lo cfintemplate the snrronndin;; scciierx. '{'he path of tlu;
fnuilives was strewn with all kinds of lia;:jia;;e hi^^hly valued hy
t he ow iicrs, w liicli I hey were compelled to I hrow away to accelerate,
their lli^^ht. Some of the horses were foinid dead, the rcsnll of
exhanslion, and others were occasionally killed lo alford their
hniijiiy liders the means of siistenanc*-. Alioiit 1- o'clock on Ihe,
lilst <il' 'Inly, .'{ Indian spies were o\erlakeii and killed, and short-
ly afterward the rear ;;iiard lie;;iin to make fiiiiil stands as if
desirous of liriii;;iii;; on a lialtle. It was. however, soon apparent
thai their olijecl was to ;;ain time, for afler firing a few i-onnds
llicy would dasii ahead while the pnrsiiin;; force was forming; for
liallle. In this manner liy t o'clock they ;;aiiied the Idiilfs of
the Wisconsin, and as the van;;nard «if the i\ mericans, consisting,''
of Iwti liallalions commanded by .Majors l)od;;e and lOvviii;;', came
np they were tiled upon hy the Indians concealed in the timber
which skirts the bliin" of the stream, (leii. Henry soon arrived,
and the entire force was formed iiioiderof battle. Major Dodge's
bailalion consliliiled the cNtrcine ri;iht of the line; Col. .loncs'
ic.uimcnl llieeeiiter, siiid ('ol. ("olliiis' the left, while Major 10 win j:'s
battalion was phu-cd In front, and Col. l-'ry's rej^iiiient in tlio
rearas a reserve. A charge beinj;' order<'(i, lOwini^'s battalion ami
the regiments of Cols. .Jones and (.'ollins iiiatle a gallant onset up-
IJLAr'K HAWK \V\K.
300
on llic ciM-iiiv, <'!iiiHiii;; liiiii to rtlir<- <ilili<|iii-l,v to tin- i'i;^lil iiiiil
('i)ii<'ciitt':it<- ill IVdiil of the hiil liilioii nt' .Miijoi' l>o(l;;<-, wImi WiiS
then orflcml to ;i<l\ iiiicc ii)miii tlii'loc, hut ('((iisidcriii;; liis fuii-c,
iiiii(lt'(|iiiil«', iiiitl rcfincsliii^f iiMsistiiiKM', < 'ol, l''r.v'.s r»';;iiiM'rit Wiissciit
to his iii<l, ulicii ji, \ i;;(»roiis cliiir;;!' \\;is iiiiidr tVoiii oim* fiid ol" tlin
line lo Ilic <)tii<T. I'lv's I'c^iiiifiil :iiiil l)nil;;c's hill tiiiioii nitfu-d
IIm- liiiilMT iiiid till! ;;riiss, exposed to the jieiee lire of tiie liidiiiiis,
wlio iiiiiiiit:)iiied their ;:;'i'oiiiid till their iids ersiiries eoiild reiieli
tlieiii wilii their h:ivoiiels, when thev Ih'd iiiid took :i new |)(Kilioti
in the hend of a rii\iiie liiither weslwiinl. :iiid leiidiii;^ to the low-
hiiMlsol' the river. Here they nnide ;i more stiihhoni re.sistiinee,
ImiI :i ii;iii<lsoiiie eliiir^e hy Collins^ :iiid .loiies' re;;iinenls iiinl
IO\\iii;;'s l»;it t;ilioii, I'or'eed some of tliein down the hollow, :iii(l
others liirther westwiird ;doii^ the hlidls, whence they esciijied to
the hottom liorderin;; on the stre;iiii. This wns iihont. :i mile wido
iiiid next l(t the river, covered with lie;i\y tiiiiher, while nciir tli(i
Idiiir it w;is swiimpy :ind o\cr;irown with ;:i'iiss .>o tiill as to lie
iihost' the heads of the men on horsehack. it was now near siiii
down, and ( i<-ii. II' iiry eoiielnded it would lie too ha/ardoiis to dis-
lod;,'e the enemy diirin;;- I he ni;;iit, and a"i-ordiii;;ly remained on
the liallle ;:roniid.
The hattle of the Wineonsin was the first impoitant. victory
ohtaiiied over the enemy diirin;,' the war. The Indians had with
them their women and childien. and I'lilly alive to the disastioiis
(!(m.-<'<)iieiices wliieli would attend defeal, l'oiij;lit with ^real deti-r-
ininatioM. Diirin;; tlie en<;aj;eineiit Naopope, theii- commander,
jtosted himseir on an elevation near his wairiors and ;;ave his
ordei's ill a \oic<' of t linnder, vvhi<-li could he (listinctly heard aliovc,
the dill of ha! .*'. It was said that of all men he had the loudest;
voice, hilt it ceased to he heard when his hraves were diiveii IVoiii
tlieii- position, (ireat praise was due the eiilii'e army, the, oilicer.s
Jiavin;;' diseliar;;<'d their duties with j;reat ellicieiicy and tliepri-
vul<'s e\liihite(l nnnsnal hravery in the ditVeient eharj;es made.
upon the eneiriy. (len. Henry was yoiiiiy and iiie.\|>erieiiced, yet,
in his coolness and the Jiid^'meiit displayed in the disposit ion of
]iis forces aeteil the part of a veleran cc)mniaiider. He now <-on-
cliided that if the IndiaiiM intended to continue the contest they
uoiild make an at tack diirin;; the niulil. and as a precaution he
increased the slren;;tli <d' the j^iiard and caused fires to he huill in
Trout of the camp and kept iMirniii<; fill iiKniiin;;'. Orders were,
^^Mveiifhat the men should sleep on their arms, and they had iiof<
lont; heeii wrapt in sinmher when they were ai<»iised hy the trainp-
in;i of horses, it was siipp(»se<l that the latter had I ceii fri;;lit,-
eiied hy the appioachinji enemy, and the men were ord«'red to hold
themselves dnriiit; the lemaindci' of the iiinht in readiness for an
attack. Ahont ■> trclock in the mornin;^' Na(»pope took a stand on
the same ehrvation in; had occupied diirini^ the hattle, ami s|)oku
with a loud voice, in the \Vinnel»aj;'o toii;;iie, which in the calm of
the nij,dit reverheiated from hill t<» hill, it was ascertained v\heii
the war was over that he. wassiiin^ for peace, iie stated that his
(;oiintryiii<;ii \ver<Mii a sfarviti}; condition and iinahle to fi<;hf t.liu
Amerieatis, and that if they were permitted to peaceahly return
\v<'sf, of the Mississipjii with their families I hey would do no fur-
ther inischiid'. As tiie indiaii {guides iiad Med at, flie (tonimeiKHi-
ineiit of thti battle tliere waH Jio ^lei'son in the camp who uncUir-
400
IIISTOllY OF ILLINOIS.
8t(HHl liis liiii};iiii<:(', iinil it \v;is supposed lie was yix iiii;' coiiiiiimimIs
to liis Wiii'iiors. 'I'lic Americans cxpccliii^' every inoiiieiit to he
attacked, (ieii. Henry Muide a s|)irited speeeli in wliicli lie told
tliein lliev were altoiit to meet the savages who had iiidchered in
cold hlootl s(» many of their heljiless and nnollendin;; citi/eiis, re-
minded tlicni of the obstacles which they had encountered and
oNci'come dnrin;;' the campai;^'n, and nr^ed them not to tarnish th(>
reputation they had ;;ained in the battle of the |»reeedin<; day.
Every man then took his position and remained in it till early
dawn, wIm'U lOwinj^'s battalion proceeded t(» the top of tli«' hill
whence the voice proceeded, but only I'ouimI the fool piiiits of a
few horsemen. The army then nmrclied t«» the river and disco\ -
ered that the Indians had crossed and made their escape ann)n<j;'
tlie mountains betwe<>n it and the Mississippi. One lniiMli'<>d an*l
sixty eijiht of their fallen c(Murades were found dead on the field
of battle, and the nundter of the wcMindcd was perinips propor-
tionately ]ar};(', as 2i) of them were subsequenly found (h'a<l alon<;;
the track <»f their departinji' trail, (leii. Henry ha«l (me man
killed and S wounded. The <;i'eat dispariiy in tlMi loss of the
Anu'ricans, and that of the enemy was accounted for on the .sup-
liosition that the Indians had been taujiht to tire at men on horse-
back andconse<puMitIy aimed too high to hit tlieir iidversuries, who
dismouided before entering' battle.
CiiArTEU XXXV.
1832— CLOSE OK Til K WAU.
Pursuit of the Tiidiaiis — Battle of Had Axe — Anirnl of Gen.
tSeott — Treaties irith the fnilians — Eastern Tour of the I'risonerti —
J)eath of Blaek JIairk.
It will 1)0 rciiKMnbciuMl tluit Adjiitiiiifs Woodbridfre ami ^fcny-
liisiii, |»il<>t(Ml by liittU^ TIhiimIci', were s»>nt tlic, si-coiid limci to <l('ii.
Atkinson's liciMbiUiirtcrs. Tlic.v iinivcd siil'ci.v. and alter cnnrcir-
inj;' witli him, tlicy were ordeicd to it'turn with instinct ions
antlioiizin;'' (Jen. llcniy to pursue the trail of IJlack Hawk, and if
l)ossil)le overtake and ca]»ture his lbr(!e, and that when his provis-
ions wei'e exhausted he siionld fid to the IJhie .Mounds tbi' sii]>plies,
when^ he and Ids army would meet him. The messengers reached
Gen. Ileniy duiin}>- the recent battle, and the next day, as the
army was without food and the means of lenderin^^- the wounded
comfortable, it was determiiuMl to visit the .Mounds for this pur-
pose and re])lenish their stores. No one in the bri<;a(le, howi^ver,
understood the topo<;ra])hy of the country sufliciently well to act
as jiuide. They had now ])(Mietrated 100 miles into an unex]>l(»r('d
■fl ildei iiess, and the AVinneb:iji;()es who had accompanied the
expedition fled at the commencement of the; battle and had not
returned. A council was called to consider the means of over-
C(»minji' the ditticulty, and whil'! in session a white tla^;' was seen
approachinji', boi-ne by a number of friendly Winnebajioes, who
a;ireed to act as {;ui<les. Litters were constructed for the wound-
ed, and on the 2;Jd of July the army was ajjain in motion, and
aftei- enconnteriuf;' a number of njuddy creeks and a larjue extent
of rou^h roads, they reached the l>lue Mounds in safety. Here,
as they had been advised, th(\v found (Jen. Atkinson, with the
reji'ular and volunteer forces under his imnu'diate command, and a
inunber of inliabitants, whose kind treatment made the wounded
forget the liardships they had suffered in the Jouiiiey thither.
It was now evident that Gen. Atkinson and other officers of the
reoular army were greatly mortified at the success ot Gen. Henry,
as they did not inteml that the militia should acquire any renown
in tlu^ war. Gen. Atkiiison relying mostly on the regulars, had
always kei)t them in front, but unexpectedly while they were
snugly ensconced at Lake Kushkanong, (ien. Henry discovei'cd
and vanquished the enemy as effectually as if the veterans had
participated in the engagement. This unmaidy jealousy was
further intensified by the fact, that the victory had been obtained
in opposition to the council and orders of those who arrogated to
26 401
L
402
IMSTOIIV OF IIJ.INOfM.
tiM'iiiNclM'M Hii|M'iioi' ntiiia;;)' iiii<l kii)iwi«'<l{ri* jn ihf pniiliri- iiiiil
nil III' Will'.
All lli«- ;;riicriils wt-if now to^fllit r, liiil iinl nil llii- iikmi. (irii.
I'iinc,v'n liri^'iidi* cniiliiiiitMl only LMIO flli-rtn <• iih-ii ; (it-ii. Ali-\iiii-
jln's .'{ri(», iiijil (ii'ii. Ilriii\',s lifiii;: iils(» ^(H'iills i<<liiiT<l, llif
llilff l)ri;;iiil)'N r'.iiiliiiiiMl writ- iiol iiiiirli ^Iidiik*!' Iliiili oiif at,
1li<^ I'OiiiiiH-nniiii-iil nt' llir raiiip:ii;;ii. Ill atlililiuii lo llii- \ uliiii
liM-r I'lirri-, llii-rc wi-n- idms tOd it ';;iilar,s iiihIit IIm- roiniiiaiMl ol'
(ii'ii. Iiridvaiiil his siilMirJiiiatf ntiicir.H, ( !itl. 'I'a,\ lor aiiti Majdt.s
li'lif.N aiil M(»i;^aii. A llci spi'iMliii;; - <la.\.s at lln Mounds. (»ii llici
'Sil\\ iiT Jiil.N llM-vvlioif ariii,\, iiiidt'i (lirt'cliiiii id'iini. .\l Uiiu-oii,
uUiiiii Hliirh'd at'trr till- Indians. 'I'ii*' rr;;iilai'H inaiclH-d in Iront,
l'oM<\\'s and A h-saiidri's liriyadrs ami h(id;;«'s itallaliun caiiK'
iH'Xf, and iasllv I Imrs'.s Id i^iKlc in cliai ;;•• of I In- lia^;;;a;;c ltmn;;lil
lip III*- rt-ar. 'I'lic positimi a.s,si;{ii<-d (itn. Ilmrs, tin- lit-ro of tin-,
liatlli* of W'isniiisin, slnnvcd Ion plain I \ lli<- iin^iiKioiis I'l-i-lin;; I ha I
laiiKh'd in lin- hrt-ast of tin- I'oiiiiiiandin;^ ^incral. 'I'lii wiioh^
iuin,\ nolircd tin* in.siilt. and lh<- liravi- iiirii who wrii- thus
<h-;^i'adrd Kih-w tln-v df.si-r\)d IhIIit lii-atiiK'nt, and .jiisll.V riaiiii
«-d iIm> post ol° honor and ol' daii;:i'r. It was now i-viih'tit thai if
oIIm-i' laiiK-ls w<-n' to lir won lli<-,v wonid dri-oiatc olhrr hiows.
i'n-i\. Il<-iir,\ and his inni, \M-r«- loo inif to tiiiirdiilii-sas ,soldi<-is to
Knfl'i r this injii.stiirc to iiitnl'ri*- witli tin; .sii(!i;<'n.h of tJM^ expedition,
and theidore )|iiietlv liii<l;;ed aloii;; in the rear, doiii;; th<- diud^
er,^ of tlieaiinv and taUiii;,' ehai-;;e of t he ha;;;;a;4e. On tiieL'dlh
they iii'i'ived at Helena, ssitii a view lo eiossiii;; Ihe Wi.s<-oiiNin at
that plaee.
This \ilia;.;e, t'oiinerly a proinisinu tow it, was now aliandoiied hy
its inhaliilanls, and the houses were pulled down and converted
into la Its on wliieh to eioss the river. DiiiiiiK tlie eonstriielion of
the rafts, seoiils wen; seid up Iherivei- to the Wattle. ^Moiind to
aseei'tain if the Indians had returned thither as theeoiirse tiiey
had taken in their lli;;ld alter the hattle. A ilay was s|teiit in
iiiaUiii^' explorations, hid no tiiKUMif the enemy Iteiii;; dis<-overe(i
the parts leluriied. On the L'Hth tin- w hole army had gained tiio
opposite hanU of the river, and afler marehiii;; a distaiiee. id' 5
miles fell ill with the, trail of the retreating fii^iliveM. Uefore tlm
discovery, the army was ffieatly disheartened, the distance to the.
Mississippi was siipjiosed to he MO miles, and it was seriously
feared that ere the enemy <;oiild ai;ain lie overtaken they would
make their escape vvesf of this stream. The men liad hecome,
M'cary in huiiliii;^ trails, hut now it was found, the. hope of a;:aiii
talliii;^ ill with the Indians was rev ived and all murmurs ceased. Tin;
trail at lirst followed the. course of the river, hut. soon turned
northward amoii<.,r liii<re moiiiitains, which never hefore, had eehoi'd
witli the tread of civili/ed men. Tliree weary (luys were consiiiiied
insealin;; these preeijtiious elevations and crossin;; the iirlerveii-
iii;f H(»r;^es, tin; om; heiii^ covered with heavy tiinher and a deiiHC,
iiiider<^rovvth of hriers and \ines, and theother tilled with swamps
of deep hiack mild, 'i'lie men were well siijtplied with provisions,
and liore, their lalioiN witli cheerfnlness, hut it was difUciilt for thi^
horses to liiid ^rass, and many of them hecomin;; dehilitated liy
liiin;^!'!' were left ',«» perish in these past iireless solitudes. TIkm-oii-
ditioii of the IiidiaiiN was extremely deplorahle. They were, com -
piiilcd to subsist on roots, bark uikI the Ihiwh of horwcs, iiaU their
III.ACK HAWK WAU.
403
trnil f^itld \w rt'iMlity liiicnl ii\ lil:iiik<*iH, k<'ttl<>N iiinl otlirDuiiclcH
iil>;iiiilutii <l lu hiistfii tlirir lli;:lil. hiMlli, Ion, liiiil niiiikril Ihiir
roiUNf Willi llif IkiiIm-.s ol IIiu.m- wliuliati Im-cii wiiiiiidrtl, iiiii.>l i»i'
ulioiii liiiil ilit'il tiMti'c I'lir IIm^ Uiiiit of |(i<i|M-r iiM-ilinil trniliiii'iiL
(liiiii riuiii iIh- liiliil ii;iliin'<tr tlii-ii' injiii i4-->.
Al lit n'l'liH-k oil lilt- iiKiiiiili;; III' III)' L'lj nl' All^ilst, lli<- ;il'rii,V
rtiiilicil iIh' ltliiH\ (»r iIm- .Mis>is.si|(|ii, wliicli ;il lliis iioiiii wcro
HMiiK* i|i>l;iiic)- liMiii IIh- .sti<';iiii. 'Jlii- liKJiiiiis liiixiii;; idmIici! IIii)
111:117; I II of I Ik- I i\ tr soiid- I inic lii-furc I lie 111 ri\ ill of I lir Aiiin it':iii>,
WIT)- hiisijy «'ii;;ii^<'(l in |ti'<'piiriilii(iiH to cioss. Soiim- IiimI iilitMily
ifiirliiMl IIm' o|i|iosil<- slioiT, iiiiil sonic ol' tlif woiim-ii Ii:i<I Ihiii |iiiI,
iiMMiiofs ;iii<| sliulril down to I'iMiric tin ('liitn, Wiii ikiiI ol lliir
j;ill<i' \M>n- ilrou mil, :iiiil I Iiom- w ho iiiiiliiil lii<- low 11 \\^^l^^ IoiiimI
ill ii stiii'v in;; loinlilioii. W liilc I liiiscni|ilo\i'ii |Ih-,\ wi-rr iilLickfil
Itv llii^ NtiMMilioiit VN'iiii'ioi', wliirli liiiij Imm-ii ('Iiiii'Ii-ii-<| for tin- pur-
po.si' of «'oii\ rv in;; Mipplifs lo I III- iniiiN. Oil lln' Isl ol' Aii;;ii.s|,
nIm- w:is si-nl iiji tin' liver lo nol H'n souh- |i'<'IhII.\ linliiiiis lliiit tin;
iSiK's wi'i'i' npproiii'liin;;, niiil to Inkt* IIk'Iii ilown lo I'niirii' dii
Cliirii. On Ins wii\, (';i|itiiiii 'I'licuckiiioiton lii'iinl llnil IMiirk
ll;n\k w lis iili'i'inlv tiiciiinpi'il (mi iIii' hunks of the ri\ti-, iiihI lin
ininii'iliiih'ly uiiMJi' piipiuiilions lor :mi nttiirk. i\.s tin* slriinilioiit.
lii'iH'i'il llicniinp ol' till' JiKliiiiis, tlicy I'liisi'd ji wliiti- Ihi;;, wiiirli
tin- nipliiin iill'rri in;; lo lM'li<'\c Wiis only ii.snj n.s n iriiisk lo comt
tlirir iciil (l('si;;iis. oiiN'icd llii'iii to .send ;i ciiiioc ;iloli;;.sidt' liis
lioiit. 'I'lii' order lii'iii;; dcrliiM'fl, llii'V wci')' idlowrd lo iniliiltes (o
reniovf tlieiV women :ind eliildreii, wlieii n nIx |ioiiiider, loiided
Willi eiinnistei', wiis dise|iiii;;('d into llieir midst, I'ollowed \>\ :i
severe lire (W innskeliy. 'I'lie hiillle eonlilined iilioiil an lioiir,
diirin;; wliieh the enemy had L'.'t men kilhd iind a proportionattt
iinnilier vv(Min<led. The lii''! ol' ihi- sieamer now lie;;aii to tail,
nnd iii;;lit eomin;; on, she tell down the river to i'raiiie dii Cliieii,
iiileiidin/r to j-etiirn the im-\I day.
The eiijdain (if the Warrior, e\eii if jii.s siirmises were eorrerl,
respeclin;; the peilidv of the Indians, was still lialile to eeiisiire,
I'or llie preeipitiinev with which he liroii;;lit on the en;;a;;emeiil.
lie and his men weie heyoiid the reach ol' harm, and coiisei|iieiilly
Iiolli iiiimanity and the rides of war reijtiircd that he should lia\<t
laken mine than lo miiinti's to discover the real motive ol' the In-
dians in lioisi in;; t lie s,v 111 1 lol orpeiK'c. iilack Hawk himsel I' assert eil
(hat he diici^ted hishraves not t«) lire on tlieW'anior, as he in tern led
;;oiii;; on hoard in order to save his women and children, and that he
raised a, white lla;; and ealleil to llie caplaiii of the lioal Utr tint
j)iiipos«' of eU'eclin;; tliisohjeel. His c(nHliti(»li was imw hopeless,
his warriors, lednced in iiiimliers, weie exhausted l»\ f'ati;;ne ami
liiMip'r. while an ovcrw hclmiii;; force ready to move a;;iiinst him,
Mas just in his lear. It is therefore hi;;hl\ prcdialile that he wi.
sincere ami aiixioMs to emi the contest, in which so many of Ids
)M'Oplc had heeii slaii;;litered ; and had the caplain of theWiir-
lior properly respected the Ha;; of Irnce, which all <'ivilized war-
fare holds sacred, the cainpai;;ii wtmld have tennlnatc<l without
the further eiriisioii of hlood.
iiefore the Warrior could reliirn to the Indian encampnienf,
wlii<;h was on the Mississipjii liclow the month of the Mad Axe,
<ien. Atkinson arrived ami ccmimcnced ii ;;cnei'al haltle. Itia<-k
Hawk, aware that the American force wa.s in close proximity, to
404
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
gain tijilo ior ciossiiifi-, with L'O wariiors, wtMit back to inoet them,
his (ihject bciiiy to make an attack aii<l then retreat nj* the river
to decoy the Americans from tiie princi])al force. Accordinjjiy,
wIhmi tlw army readied the blntVs of tlie 5lississii>[)i, it was lired
ni»on fr<»m heiiind trees by the Indians, tlie tall grass growing
ann>ng tlu' timl)er gieatly favoring their (h'sign. Tlie onU'r of
battle being the same r.s at iirst: Major Dodge's battalion was in
front, next the regnlars, then the brigades of Alexander and Posey
and lastly the command of Henry. At the lirst indications of oj)-
position, (ieii. Atkinson rode to the scene of action and in person
directed the charge against the Indians, who of course f<'ll l)ack,
and were pnrsiied n\) tln^ river by the whole armyex<*ei»t the force
under the immediate command of (.Jen. Henry and ^lajor Ewiiig.
In the linrrie<l ])Mrsnit In; was called on for one regiment to cover
the rear of the pursuing forces, and the rest v.ere left witliont or-
ders. It now seemed that fortnn<! was determined to distinguish
her favorite son, despite the inleiition to disgrace him. He who
during the whok^ march had been k( pt in the rear, now by the
strategy of a few untutored savages wlio had triumphed over the
science <»f the veteran geneial, was suddenly placed in fnnit.
While (leii, Atkinsmi was ascending tln^ river, the main trail
leading directly to it was discovered by Major Ewing's men, who
>vere in front. Ib'nry being notitied of the fact, followed to the loot
of the blutfs bordering the valley, where he left his horses and ar-
ranged his men Cor an attack. Eight men were sent tbrward as n
forlorn hope to draw the tire of the enemy, and thus rlisclose their
situation in the diitt wood and hiusli through which tlu^ trail led.
The men moved boldly forwic I till tliey came in sight of the river,
when they were tired n])oii l»y about oO Indians, who were in ad-
vance of the main force. Five of the eight instantly fell, eithei
killed or wounded, while the other three, protecj^ed by tiiiiber, re-
mained in their ]»ositi<)ii till the army came to their rescue. Henry
immediately ordered a charge, before which the Indians retreated
to the main body, amounting to .■iOO warriors and fully e^iual to
the forci! contending against them. The whole force of the enemy
beccuiiing invo »ed, fought with great bravery and determination,
yet they IumI evidently been surprisetl and there was little concert
of action. (Jlosely ])resse<l they fell bick from i)osiii«ni to posi-
tion, until tlie bank of the river was reached, where retreat being
impossible a frightful carnage ensued. The bloody bayonet in the
hands of an excited soldiery, drove them into the water, when
some of the surviVoi's endeavored to swim the river and others
sought refuge in a willow island 150 yards from the shore.
About this time Gen. Atkinson and that portion of tlie army
whi(;h luul been decoyed ui> the river, made their apjiearance at
the scent; of conllict. Henry had previously sent nussseiigers to
inform him that he had discovered the main for<*e of the enemy,
but tlm roar of battle ai)j)rised him of the situation before mes-
sengers had time to reach him. He came but found the battle
substantially over, the dead and dying strewn uiioii the fatal field,
disclosing tlie stern work which Innl been done in his absence.
Seeing the ])osition of the enemy, he immediately ordered a descent
upon the island. A force consisting of the regulars, Ewing's and
Dodge's battalions and Fry's regiineut, charged through the water
up to their arms, to dislodge, them from tlieir last refuge. When
BLACK HAWK WAR.
405
tlic isliiiid was inaiiuMl most of tlie ciKMuy who liad tied tliitlier
wci'c killed or capliiiod. tlioso attcmjstiiijj; to swim to the o]>|)osite
siiore hciiijLi; cither shot in the water or drowned. Lai'<;e numbers
of women and children lost their lives, owinj;' to the fact tliat they
were dressed s<» much like Ihe men it was inipossihle to distinjiiiisli
tluMU in the hiiyh firass and weeds which ol>struet<'d the view.
.Some of them ])hiiij4('d into the Mississipiti and were shot escapinfj
in th(^ ]>ronns('uous <trowd which was bulletin^ the waves in the
attemi>t to reach the opposite shore.*
It is snpi)osed that the entire Indiiui loss amounted to loO killed
and as many lost by drowninji' in the attempt to swim the I'iver.
About ")(>, <*oiisistin<4' mostly of W(»men and children, were taken
pris(»ners. The Ameiican loss amounted to 17 killed.
Soon after the l>attle was ov«'r, the captain of the AVarrior
steamed up (he river an^l commemted rakin<;' the island, thinking;
that the Imlians were still on it. The land forces hearing;' his
j>nns, suj>posed he was firiiij; a sahite in honor of the victory, and
tired n volley in a<'knowled;j;ment, and it was not till she came to
land that intelligence was for the tirst time interchanficd in regard
to Ihe battles which had previously beeu fou<,dit by the resi»ectivo
forces.
(ien. Atkinson eonsiderinj,' the war virtually ended, on the 4th
of Au};ust, with the rejiulars. ]»risoners and wounded, on board
the Wairior, fell down the river to Prairie du Chien, and the
mounted men marclu'd to the same ]»lace by lau''. The news of
the battle had prcced<'4l the a<lvent of tlu' army, an«l when it
jirrived the Menomon<'e Indians were expressinj; their joy at the
defeat of the .Sacs and Foxes by music; and dancinj"'. Having
obtained sevi'ral scalps from the sipmws of the enemy, they pre-
.seiited them to their own women, whose r<'latives had beeu
murdered the preci'din<;' year at Fort Crawford by the same tribes.
Thesi? tro]>hies, hehl alolt on poles, constituted a {uominent feature
of the dance, which was conducted in the followinj;" manner: the
men an<l women stood in tw(» lines facing ea<'h other, while the
scpniws lutlding the scalps were situated between. The party was
fnrnished with a rudely constructed drum, and each one who
participated in tlu' dance held in his hand a gourd ]»artially filled
with pebbles, which weie rattled to keep tinu' with the drnm.
Thns arranged, and e(piip])ed at the sound of the drum the exercise
commenced, each dancer moving around the central group, sup-
porting the scalps, and uttei'ing a loud monotonous ref;';iin, kept
time by stamping with his feet and shaking his gourd. As the
exercise wasi)rotracted the chant became louder and more animated,
the jumping correspondingly ' iglier an'' nn»re boisterous, and the
scali>s were twirh'd in the air with increased vehenuMice. iJuring
IN'oTE.— M.iiiv painful Bcones of ailvciitiiri.' and linrror were crowdtui into the 3 hours'
foiitiiiiiiiiu'i'ol tlu'liatth!. A Sa<' woman, the sister of a warrior of some notoriety,
loiiiiil lici-si'lf in the thiekost of tlietiirht, but at lenitth sneceeeded in roa<:liin(f the river,
when keeiiiiiL;- her io'.'aiit eliildsnfe in its l>lanke ts by nieanwot her teeth, she piunKedinto
the WMter. seized the tail of a horse with her hands whose rider was swltnniinir the
St ((Ml at and wasdrawnsafely aeross, A youiursquaw during the battle wasstiindin^i'liithe
"iniHs a short, illstanee from the Anieriean line, holdintf her oliild, a little jiirl of 4 years,
in her arms. In this iiositii)n a liallstniek the ri«ht arm of the child ami shntteriiifr tho
lione, passed into the breast of till? vouny mother anci instantly killed her. She fell
ii)i<in (lie elilM und eon lined it to the irround till the Indians were dii\-en from this part
of tlie Held (ien. Anderson of the Ihdied States arm.v, h"arinfi- Its cries went to the
spot and takniK it from \irider the dea<l bod.v, cairi(^d it to tlie surgeons to liave its
wound dri'ssed The arm was atninitated and ilnrinsr the operation the half starved
child ilid not cry, init sat quietly eatiuK a hard piece of biscuit. It was sent lo Pruirle
dn (.'lileu and entirely recovered.
400
HISTORY OF IT.LINOIS.
tlio oiitiio pcrtbiiiiiiiicc the bodies (tf tlic (liinccrs were bent Ibrwiinl
briiijiin<;' tlieir noses so (;lose tojiellier as frecjiiently to toncli, and
Avlien finally tliey becanu' exliaii.sted tlu' t-xereist' ended.
The 2(1 (lay at'ter their aiiival. (ien. Atkinson lia\ in<;' every
reason to luflieve that the Winnebago chiefs had been treacherous,
snnniioned them for the juirpose of liavinji a talk, lie accused
them of deception and rentlerinji' assistan«'e to the Sacs, anil
Winnesheik, one of their number, liavinj;' commanded the Indians
in the iccent battle, an'.l his sons who were subsecpuMitly ltrouj;ht
in wounded, were i)ut in i)ris(ui. (ien Street, the Indian ajicnt,
who was present at tiie conference, then told the chiefs that if they
■would brin^' in IMack Hawk and the prophet, it would be well with
them, an«l the <;()vernment would hold them in future as friends.
At this declaration, I )ec(tri, ("heater, an<l two other chiefs, at the
head of a. snudl i)arty of Si(»ux and WiiinebajiiH's, startt'd alter
the tw() fuj^itives, who with 20 men, durinji the battle of the IJad
Axe tied up the river. The Sioux and the Sa(^s had been at war
for yt-ars, and the former eaj;erly «'mbraced the op}»«»rlunity now
ottered to avenjiti their wronjis by brinjiinji them to punishment.
The \Vinnebaj;oes, altliou<;h first synipatlii/,inj>' with the ' ide
band, like civilized man in the hour of adversity, when friendship
is nutstly nec<led, provcil unfaithful. As soon as war had demon-
strated the (utmparative stren;ith of the two helli<;eients, their
criu<iin>>- and <'ratty nature commenced i»anderin;^' to the power
of the concpu'rors.
On the 7th of Anj^nst, (Ien. Scott who with companies ot"
infantry had been sent from the eastern sea-board, arrived and
assumed command, lie started from T'ortress Monroe, anil in 18
days 4of the companies reached Chicajio, distant IStlO miles, whii-li
before the existence of the i)resent railroad facilities was an
nnparelled tesit of <*elerity. The whole force was destined for
Chicaji'o, but the virus of a disease more fatill than the swoi«l
]>reyed u]»on their vitals, and prevented the accomplishment ot"
the object contemplated. The e\|>editiou, lilh'd with patriotic
ardor, arrive<l .safe at Detroit, and while moored at its wharves
tw<t cases of a stranyc disease made their appearance and .'reated
nnnsnal al;)v;n. Tiie army sinjicons and local plivsiciaiis were
immediately summoned, but despite all their ettbrls two soUliers
attacked were no nuue. The .\siati<' Choleia. then a new disease
on the continent of America was lajiinji in tlu' .\tlantie cities,
and had n»)w broken <tut in the army, causing; terror and ^looni
forest on every countemiiice. The expedition passed on to I'ort
(iratiot, distant 40 miles, where 5 companies, numherinj; 'JSO mi'ii,
who, either unwilliiiji' or nimble to proceed fiiither. were landed.
Some of them died in the hos]»itals, and others lU'cinj; to avoid
the i»estilence, wandered ho})elessly over the conntiy, shimnetl l)y
the inhabitants, not throujih inhumanity, but the fear of contaji-
ion, till nature becoming;- exhausted they laid «lown in the liehls
and expired. The entire nund)erwith the exception of i)erished,
without a friemlly hand to offer them assistance, or console them
in the last nu)ments of existeuic. Of the other 4 c(unpanies ;{0
• lied on the way to (jhieaj^o, and as a sustitnte for burial, were
lu'aved into the waters of the lake. Arriviuj^ at Chicajjo on the
<Sth of .Iidy, Fort Dearborn was couNcrted into a lios|)ital, and
the families which had taken lemitorary refuse within its walls
BLACK HAWK WAR. 407
from the attacks of the Tiuliaiis, \v(!r<! turned rootless on tlio
priiirie. In M) days 00 inniiitcs of the liosjjital became victims of
tlu^ destroyer, and life was hardly extinct before they were cast,
unwept and uucotlined, into pits, to prevent the .spread of the
ei)idemic.*
Alter the disease had abated, the march was resumed, and tinally
thii remnant of tlu^ force which had started with such brij-ht
anticii)ations of jj:lory, reached Fort Armstronf>-on the Mississipjti,
the latter part of Aujiust. Here not only m;;:i.v of the survivors
perished, but the Indians were alstt attacki'd, and hnj^c nunil)ers
of them swept away. (Jen. Scott arrived only in tinu' to partici-
pate in the nejiotiations w]ii(!h followed the war, but in hia
humane exertions in behalf of the soldiers, he won laurels far
transcending the ylory of the most brilliant <;amitaijin ayainst the
enemy.
The further ]MU"suit of the rndians beinjr considered unnecessai-y,
on the arrival of Gen. Scott the volunteers started for Dixon
to be mustered out of service. Arrivinj; tiiither on the 17th, they
were dischai'jjed, and each soldier now leleased from military life
returned to his home, kindred and friends, pleased with the con-
gratulations whi('h w«'re ever extended, aiul feeling honored iu
having been instrumental in freeing the country from the ravages
of t lie merciless foe.
Many of the noted men of the State had been engaged in the
war, ami many, at that time unknown to fame, atterward attained
the highest honors in tlie gilt of the country which they lisked
their lives to defend. Of the former class were Reynolds and
Scott, men of State and national reputations. Of the latter, S. 11.
Anderson becanu^ lieutenant governor, .Tames Turney, attorney gen-
eral ; W. L. I). Kwing, auditor of jiublic accounts; Sidney Ui-eese,
«'hief justice (»f the State : John Tlionms ami John Dement, State
treasurers; Thomas Ford and Jos<'ph Duncan, governors of the
State; Henry Dodge governor of Wisconsin, and (leneral Taylor
and Abraham Linc(»lii j)residents of the United States. .letfersoii
Davis, the rival of the latter, also participated in the war, but his
future career as the chief of the great rel>ellion, gave him a fame
iu striking <'ontrast with that which was won l)y the martyr of
liberty and the savior of his country.
Among the many who distinguished tluunselves in the war,
there was no one more elhcient as an oflicer, or more highly
resi>ected by the people of Illinois, than (Jen. .Tames 1). Henry.
His great sagacity anil (h'terminalion at Fort Winnebago, gave a
new direction to the campaign and enable<l the army 1o overtake
the Indians. He was the chief commanch'r in the l»attle (»f the
AViscousin, which followed the lirst decisive victoiy of the war,
and the battle of the Ma. I axe which closed it, was tlu' I'csult of
liis generalship and not of the superior otlicers who endeaxoied to
prevent his sharing in its dangers and honors.
•'•The li\n-liil of tho (lend wns entruBteil to n scrireiint, who cxo('iit(Ml his duty with
military procisloii, its soon iis life whs extinct. On (mk? oceiision scvi'iiil were icriioxc'l
I'roni tlio hospital to be bnrleii at onee. The tf'"iive hii<l iili'c.tily been diiL', mid tho
bodies wriipped in^jlunkets were l»id by its side, th(f Inst niilitiiry honors hud twcn piiid,
iind nothinir more reniiiined to eomplete the service liiu to tumble thcin one niter
another in, when ucorpse nppenred toinove. A brother soldier resortlnir thilln r, his
old ni(>ssninto. opened hiseyes nnd iiskcd liini for some wnter The ser«-ennt s;ii(l they
mifrht tiiiio him buck, as he wns !iot yet ready for burial. The <)rder was obeyed and
the soldier lived many years thoreulter." Urown's History of lllluois.
408
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
Tic was ii native of Peiiiis.vlvaiiia, and in tlic year ISl'L' cinijirii-
tcd to Illinois and located at lOdwardsville. liorn in poxcity and
ol)S(Mi)ity, liis earlier years were entirely devoted to iiiaiHial toil,
and when he attained the a<ie ol' manhood he was hardly able to
read or write. F(n- some lime alter his airival at Edwardsx ille, he
worked as a meehuMic dnrinj^' the day, and at ni,nht attended
school for the piirjutse of improvinji his education. Alter lea\ ing
school, and en^ajiinj^' for a shoit time in tiie mercantile business,
he removed in 182(1 to S|>rin<;tield, and was elected sheriff of San-
iianion county. The integrity and sound JudjinuMit exhibited in
discharuinji' the duties of this ottice, attraeted tlu' attention of
Gov. lieynohls, who at the breakinj;- out of the war made him one
of his aids, lie was e.\ceedinj;ly modest and retirinj; till his j)a.s-
sions were tally aroused, and then he showed an intensity of
ft'clinu' and an ii'on will, Avhich was iri'csistible so far as he had
power to act. The fear of n(»thin^' excei»t his maker ever entered
liis breast, and he knew and cared as little for danjicr and «leatli
as a marble statue. His extreme sensibility and dittidenee never
permitted him to api)ear in the .society of ladies. At the clo.se of
the lUack Hawk war, the citizens of Sitrinj^lield <iave liiin a
splendid reception in honor of his seivices, but he never entered
the apartments where the ladies presided. At the close of the
wai' iu' was the most jxipular man in Illinois, and had he lived
lie could have been elected to any ollice in the ;;ilt of the ])e<»i(le.
His health and constitution wereorij;inally iiood, but the hardshii)S
olihe war imluced consumplion. wliicli caused his death, on the
4lli of March, IS.'U. at New Oi'leans, whither he had <nn\i' for the
bcuelit of the climate and medical trealnu'Ut. Huch was his sin-
ji'ular modesty, that durin<; his sickness in the city, he never
nu'utioned his connection with the lUack Hawk war, and no one
knew he was den. Henry until aflei 'lis death.
While Henry was duly appreciated at home, he never received
abroad the honors to which he was entilletl. Tlienewsof the war
first made its a]»pearance in The ({alcniaii, a news])ai)er printed
at (ialena, and the only sheet issued north of Spriujilield. Dr.
Philleo, the editor belonged to Dodge's battalion, and when from
time to time he chronicled the events of the war and sent them
liom<» for publication, he ixnvo his own command a jirominence iu
the wai' to which it was not entitled. IJy a wilful perversion of
facts, he never mentioned Henry excejit as a subordinate ol'licer,
while ]\rajor Dodiic was spoken of as a general, thus ereatinj;' the
inipression that the former commanded a brijiade, and the latter
a battalion, when the i-everse was true. His letteis were cojiied
in the newspai)ers tliroujiliout the U. S., as authentic news, and iu
a number of (lities it was asserted that Dodye was the ])rincipal
eoiiiniandei' of the war, and the names of Ileniy, Atkinson and
Taylor, if mentioned at all, wei'C! only in connection with subordi-
nate ])ositioiis. This delusion was afterward (d' immense advan-
tage to .Major Dodfic, but independent of the pr«'stige thus
accpiired, he was a man of j^reat poitularity and iiiHuenee.
On the 27th of Auj>ust, Deeori and t'lieaters, after an absence
of 20 days, returiuHl with lUack Hawk, the prophet, and a number
of other prisoners. On handin;;' them over to (leu. Slicet, l)e«;ori
said: *'I''atlier, we deliver these men int(> your custody. We do
not entrust them even to your brother, the chief of the warriors,
BLACK HAWK WAR.
409
luit to you, bcciui.se ^ve know you, and \v(^ believe you are our
IVieiid. We want you to keep tlieiii safe; iltliey are to siitt'er wo
do not want to .see it. Wait until we are j;()ne i)erore it i.s done.
Fatlier, many little birds liave been ttyinj; about oiu" ear.s of late,
and we tliouj;Iit they wliisjiered to us tiiat there was evil intended
for us, and \\v now lioj)*' tlu'y will let us alone."" Gen. Stnu't
rei»lie(l : "My ehildren, you have don(! well. 1 told you to brinj;'
these men to me, and you have done so. i assured (len. Atkin-
son that if these men were in your eouidry, you would lind them
and brinj;' them to me, and now I can say mu(!h for your j^ood. I
will }4«) down to Koek Island with the prisoners, and I wish you as
you hav«' brought them, esix'cially to j^o with me, with sueh other
chiefs and warriors as you may select."
In pursuance of the treaty to be entered into, on the lOth ui'
Sei)tember JJIack Hawk, his two sons, Wishiek, Xaopope, the
proi»het, and a nundter of Winnebajio chiefs, were sent down to
Itoek Island, where Iveokuk and his wairiors were to meet tiieiii.
Likewise the remnant of Hlack Hawk's band also followed him to
to tln^ same jtlace. Hiwh was their utter destitution that tin'y
excited the c(niipassion of all who saw them, and (ien. 8cott, who
was as sympathetic as brave, kindly bestowed on them everythinji
that could su|>ply their waids oi' relieve their suliferin}^'. On the
ir)th a treaty was made with the Winnebajioes, whereby they sold
to the United States all their lands east of the ^Iississipi>i and
west of Green bay. As a consideration, the jictxcinment a^^iced
to ji'ive them a. Iar<;'e region of country west of the river, to ])ay
them ^7(1,000 in ten annual installments, to maintain schools for
the education of tlu-ir children for a period of !'(» years, and to in-
struct them in agriculture ami furnish them with cattle and
implenu'iits for its practical introduction amon,n theii'i.
To escape from the cholera, which was still rayin;;' at Koek Is-
land among the Indians and eastern tnuijjs, Gen. Scott and Gov.
lieynolds, with the i)riiicipal chiefs of the Sacs and Foxes, fell
down the river to -lelferson IJarracks, where they entere<l into a.
treaty with them also. They c«'ded to the j;»»vernmeid the tract
of land embraced in the ]»resent linuts of Iowa and a part of Wis-
consin, and I'eceived in retin'u, besides some minor considerations,
an annuity of $1'(),()(((( for a ])eriod of ;!(> years. As a reward to
Keokuk and his friendly band, a r<'servati(iu of 40 miles stpiarc
Mas made to them in I<»wa, includinji their jtrincipa! village. It
was also ])roposcd to Keokuk to establish schools for the itenelit
of his tribe, but he rejected the proposition, allej^inj;' that it iin<iht
do well enouyli for the whites, but he had (tbserved that it made
Indians worse to educate them. By these treaties the I iiite<l
States obtained ,'J(),0()( ),()()() acres of land, at a c(»st trrdy insii^nili-
cant compared with their real value. Such, however, is the
nu'asures usually meted by the stroniicrto the weaker power, and
such is the fate of sava«;(^ ra(*es when l)rou;.;ht in contact with the
di)>lomacy of civilized men. Vi<'wed in the li^ht of a commercial
transaction, such a disparity of values seems monstrous; but when
we consider the Earth is the common herila^^e of the humau
family, and that an advanced state of the arts and sciences is
esseidial toitsdeveloinnent, we become reconciled to it as aneccssity
in the ouwani march of civilization.
The Indian piisoners who weie to be retained during' the pleasure
of the i*resident, were coniineil in the barracks till the following
410 HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
sjniiif''. Of till! liuiulreds who visited tbciii dariiis' the winter, oue
of tlieiii writes:
" We were Immediately struck with admiratiou at the gigantic and
Hymnictrical figures of most of tlie warriors, who seemed as tliey re-
clined in their native ease and gracefulness, with their half naked i)odie8
ex})osc(i to view, ratlier like statues from some nuister hand than beinga
of a race whom we hud heard diaracterized as degenerate and debased."
Keokuk visited tliem tiie following;' spriiij;', and nnide ^fjreat ex-
eitioiis foi' tlieir release, ottering- to become resi>onsib]e for tlu'ir
future conduct, but a message was received by (ien. Atkins<ni
from llie Secretary of War, ordering them to be sent to the
national capital. Under tin; escuirt of an ollicer of the army on
tlui 2lM of A]>ril, 1833, tiu'y reaclu'd Wasliington, an«l had an
interview witii tlie President. IJIack Hawk (closed his speecli,
delivered on tliis oc(;asion, in the following words: "We did not
expect to con(juer the whites — they have too nmny houses, too
many men. I took up the hatcliet for my part, to revenge injuries
wliich my people could no longer endure. Had 1 borne thciu
longer without striking, my i)eople would have said lllaek Hawk
is a woman; he is too old to be a chief; lu; is no Sac. These retiec-
tions caused me to raise tlu' warwiioop. 1 say no more, it is
known to you. Keokuk once was here ; you took him by the
hand, and when he Avished to return to liis home, you wer«i willing.
IJIack Hawk exi»ects, like Keokuk, we shall be j)erniittcd to return,
too." The jnesident informed them that they must go to Fortress
IMonroe and remain there till the (conduct of their people satislicd
him tinit they intench'd to comply with the stipulations of the
treaty. Jle also assured them that their wonuMi and children,
for whom they exjjressed solicitude, should bej)rotected from their
enemies. On the UtJth of A])ril, they set oft' for the Fortress,
where they renniined until the 4th of duly following, when an order
was received from the president directing their release and retain
home. The kind treatuu'iit of ('olonel Eustice, in (!onnnan<l of the
piisoM, had so won the friendship of the captives, that when about
to leave IJIack Hawk waited on the colonel and said: "•The
nieuKuy of your fiiendshii) will remain till the (Jreat Spirit says
it is time for IMack Hawk to sing his death song.'' I'resenting
him hith a Inuding shirt and some eagh^'s feathers, he added :
"Accei)t these, my brother; 1 have given sonu' like them to the
AVliite Heaver; accei)t them as a mennuial of IMack Hawk. When
lie is faraway they will serve to remind you of him."
From Fortress ^Monroe they wert^ taken to l>altinn»re, where th"y
had another interview with the I'resident, who informed them that
(Jen. Atkinson ami Keokuk their principal chief were anxious for
their icturn lionu'. and that he had ordeied !MiiJor (larland, who
would accom])any them tliithei', lirst to conduct them through
some of the principal cities, that they might witness the i»ower ot
the United States and learn their own inability to co]»e with them
in war. "(Jo back," said he, "and listen to tlu^ counsel of Keo-
kuk :ind other chiefs; bury the tonmhawk and live in jteace with
the iiontiers, and 1 ])iay the Great Spirit to give a snuxdh path
and a> fair sky for your return."
Leaving IJaltimoie they reached l'liiladcl])hia onthelOth of
June, and renniined long enough to see the jtrincipal objects of in-
terest in the city and exhibited themselves to the curious thou-
BLACK HAWK WAK. 411
Siiiids \vIm» llofkcd to see them. IJIiiclc Hawk in rct'crriny to Iiis
coiMliict witli tlu' rnitcd Stales, said to the iiiidtitudc about iiiiii:
" My Jicait };r('\v bitter iiyaiiist tlie wiiites and my hands stron,y.
] dnji np tiie tonialiawk and led my waniors on to battle. I
foiijilit hard and much blood was shed, but the white men were
iniiihty; tin-y wen'inany and my i)eo|»le failed," On the morninj;'
oi'llie 1 Mil they started for N»'\v Voik and aiiivcd at the IJalleiy,
in the midst of a vast assembla;;'e of people who had been drawn
tojii'ther to witness Die ascent of a balloon. This novel .s])ec-
tacle <:reatly astonished the Indians, and one of them asked
the prophet if the a'ronaut was ^^oinji' to the (Ireat Spirit. On
landing, the press of the midtitnde wiiich crowded to see them was
so ureat that they could not reach the liotel till they were jdaced
in carria^ics and committed to tlu^ care of the ])olice. Wiiile in
the (;ity they were treated with marked civility, bein<'- condncted
Avith ceremony to theatres, public gardens, and other phu;es of in-
terest, and receivinji' many hamlsoiue presents.
.Major (iarland had Iteeii directed to conduct the ])risoners us
far north as r>()ston, but while in New York he was ordered to as-
cend the Hudson and pro(M'ed with them directly to their iiome iii
the West. In ]>ursMance of the ari-anjicments, on the L*2d of -lune
the party started w<'stward, to the j^reat disajtpointment of the
])Ostonians, who wanted an opjiortunity to see and lionize the sav-
aLic disturbers of the Northwest. At Albany, JJnttalo, Detroit,
and other ]>laces alonj;' the route, the attentions ]>aid them ren-
dered theii- progress tliroujih the country a triumphal procession,
instead of tli" custody of prisoners in the hands of an otticer. In
Itassini; the site of the old Sac villaj>e at the mouth of Kock river,
Jtlack Hawk l)ecanie melancholy and ex])ressed nniny rej^rets at
the causes which compelled him as an exile to leave it. The host
of warriors whom he delighted to h'ad to battle were now no more ;
liis villa;;e was r«'duced to aslu's, his family was disi)ersed amon<4'
stianj^ers. and he a suppliant foi' a home in a foreign country.
J'inaliy, alM»ut the 1st of Aujiust, the i>arty reached JJock Island,
wiiicii had l>een selected by .Major (larlaiid as a suitable [)lace for
the libeiai <n ot the capli\ cs. The river at this jdace is a beau-
tiiid sheet of clear, swift innnin^i' water, a mile wide and divided
near the «'entre i»y iJock Island, which lises to a considerable
lici^ht abov«' tin' surface and stretches s(iveral miles u]) and down
the river. It ori;;inally |trodu<'ed nuts and a variety of othci' wild
fruits. an<l beiny in tlie rapids, it was u favoritt' resort for Jndiaii
lislieiinan wiio <'au,uht lar^e ([uantities of excellent fish in the
swift, pure waters that wasli its i-ockybase. There was an Indian
tradition that the island was inhabited l)y a ^(tod si)irit which
dwelt ill a cave amoii^' the rocks. It hud a plumage white as
snow, Willi's much larjicr than those of the swan, and its vctice in
the Sac laiij;uaj;<' was thi^ sweetest music. The j^ood spirit had
sent it to tcacii the Sues and Foxes w isdom and <ioodness and as
a guardian divinity to preside over the destinies of the nation. In
former times it had ficiinently been seen, but alarmed at the
bnildiiijn- of Fort Armstroiifi' and the wickechiess of the w liite men,
it spread its snowy i)inions and was seen no more.
The white-washed walls of the fort loomed up from the hijih
bhiHs at the lower extremity of tlie island, jiiviiiji to the fortress
the ai»pearance of an enchanted castle when seen from a distance
412 insTouv OF Illinois.
in llic Itciiiity ol' till' siirrouiidiiiju' scenery. From its towers could
be seen the i>lne iiills, wiiicli risinj; by ii ;;('ntle ;iccli\ ity I'roni IIkj
river follow its niciinderin^ course jind bound the valley ttii'ou<;li
which it Hows. Tiie valley is se\«'ral miles in width, and at that
time was interspersed with ;>roves of timber, which <x;i\v it a ver-
luil sweetness and beauty rarely equalled. IvocU river could bo
seen in the distance, forciuj;' its puic wateis rxcr a rocky rapid
into the Hoods of the i\Iississi|>pi. On the north baid< of the for-
mer was the site <»f the Sac villa;i'e, and directly opposite, on the
west bank of the latter, that of tlie i-'oxes, whicii time ha<l con-
secrated as the Jerusalem of these! tribes. No other locality could
have awakened in the mind of ISlack Ilawk so many ])aiiiful
nu'mories. Here he had j;ainboled away his youth in its wooded
Iniunts; for half a century it had witnessed his power and iuHu-
ence, and now it was to be<!()me the scene of his submission to a
hal»'d rival.
Imnu'diately alter his arrival, .Ala.jor (Jailand sent out runners
to summon the nei<;hl)orin^' (Indians to meet him in council. Keo-
kuk and his braves had been out on a buffalo hunt, ami were about
LM» mih's below on their way to the tort in anticipation of meeting'
the captives. Jle infornu'd the messenj^crs that he woidd l»e at
]{ock Islaml at jkhui the followinj; day, and accordingly, at the
appointed time his fleet was seen ascendin;^ the river, the wild
.son;;s and shouts of his men echoin*;' from slioi'c to shore. A lar;;(!
craft, covered with a spacious can(»])y and bearinj; the American
flan', moved in the van, carryinj'' Keokuk and his three wi\<'s.
About 20 more canoes in the rear, each containing' several war-
vioi's. comi»leted the imposinji' ijajicaiit which j^allantly moved
()\-er the still waters. After ascendinj;- the stream some distance
ai»<»vc the fort and returninji, a landinji' was effected on the east-
ern baidt opposite the encampment of Mlack Ilawk, where the
Avari'iors spent scveial hours in paintinj;' their faces and eipiipiny
themselves with implements of wai'. These preparations bein;;-
completed, the party passed directly across the river, and Keokuk
landing tirst turnecl to his warriors and said: '•The (ireat Spiiit
has sent our brother back to us, let us shake hands with him in
friendship. Then fully armed he slowly approached and saluted
JUack Ilawk, who was leanin.y' on his stalf in iVoiit of his hxljic
His followers, in like nninner, havin<>' taken the old man by the
liaiid. thei»ii)e was introduced, and after an hour of pleasant civ-
iltics. Keokidi and his liraxes arose and took leave of the captixcs,
]»roniisin<i- to set! them ajiain at the council. The fort in the mean-
time had been fitted u^) for this purpose. A jirand convocation of
Indians assendded the m*xt day to witness the- lilteratiou (»f the
prisoners. At ten o'clock in the morninji Keokuk and 1(M» war-
liois pi'oceeded to the fort and were shown seats in the coun-
cil looms. Not loiift' after the captives nuide their ai)]U'arance, and
as they ent<'red the loom tin' chiefs who had ])recede(l them jia\c
them a cordial fiicetiny'. IJlack Ilawk and his son, who had pre-
Aiously objected to the council as unnecessary and painful to tlieir
feeliiijis, seemed much dejected. In the midst oi' the profound
silence, which for a time i>revailed in the hall, .Major (larland arose
and said to the assembled chiefs that he was much ]>leased at the
fralcriiiil feelinji' which they had extemU'd to the ]uisoiiers since
their arrival, and he trusted that this woidd continue, and there-
BLACK HAWK W\ll. 41J
aflor tlicy would dwell <(»<>(Mli('r in liaiiiMHiy iind peace, lie llieii
Ciiiised ji letter I'roiii tlie I'lesideiit to l»e icad, admoiiisliiii;; the
captives to cultivate tiie frieiidsiiip of tlieir iiei;;hl»oi'.s, to Imiit and
Hiippoit llieir laniiiies, and tiiieateiiinji' tiie seveiest penalties if
tliev a;iain distuihed the fiontieis. Keokuk replied: " \\'e re-
ceive our lu'otliers in fri<'ndslii]». Our liearts are ;;(»od towiTids
tiieni. Tli**y liave listened to l)ad counsel; now tlieir ears are
closed. I };ive my hand to tln-ni; wiien they shake it they shake
the hands of all. J will shake hands with th(;ni and then I am
done."
iMaJor (larland, to be morc^ explicit, ajuain arose Jind stated ihal
it must be (lisliiiclly understood that the two bands of the Sacs
and Foxes must now be.nierji'cd into one; that l>lack Hawk must
listen to the council of Keokuk, and that the President woidd
hereafter recognise the latter as the ]>rin»'ipal chief of the nation.
When lilack Hawk understood that he was required to conform to
the advice of his rival, he becairu- deej^ly aj;itated and his excitetl
]>assions burst forthwith uncontrollable \ ioience. With intense in-
dij;nation of countenancte and the vchenu'iict^ which characterizes
the savaji'c when roused to action, as soon as he could control his
feeliii;;s sullicieiit to articulate, he exclainu'd : "1 am a man; I will
iu)t conform to the counsel of any one. 1 will a(!t for myself; no
one shall jioxcrn me. 1 am old ; my hair is '^Vi\\. I once i^ave
counsel to my youn;^ men; am I now to conform to others? 1 will
soon iio the ilreat Spirit where I shall be at rest. What 1 said to
our ^i'leat father in Washinjitoii I say aj^ain. I will always listen
tt) him. J am done." Keokuk apoloj^ized for his indiscretion, say-
ing: "Our brother who has conu' to us has spoken, but he did it
in wrath; his toujiue was double and his words were not like ii
Sac. 11(! knew they were bad. He trend)led like the oak whose
roots have been wasted by many rains. lie is old ; what he said
let us forji'et. lie says he did not nu'an it; h(^ wishes it forgot-
ten. 1 have spoken for him. What 1 have said are his own words."
Major (Jarlaml ih)W iidbrnu'd the humbled chieftain that he was
satislied that his condiu't in the future would be acceptable to the
]>eople of the United States, and that lie and his fellow ]>risom'rs
might now consider themselves at liberty. Tin; council then ad-
journed, and early tin; next morning the Indians crossed the Mis-
sissijipi and dispersed to their respective homes in the forest.
A violent war having snbse<pieutly broken out \)etween the
Sacs ami Foxes and Sioux, in the autumn of ltS;i7 Black Hawk
again visited Washington with a dei)utati()n of chiefs who liad
been invited thither by the President, for the purpose of adjusting
their diiliculties. After their r»'turn he settled in what is iu)W Lee
county, Iowa, where he spent the; wintei'. Intliesi>ring of ls;{S
he moved his family to the Des 31oiiu>s, and built him a dwelling-
near the village of his tribe, 20 miles above the month of the river.
lie furnished his new wigwam after the manner of the whites, cul-
tivated a few acres in corn, melons and other vegetables, ami
"when visited by the Americans entertained them with true Indian
hospitality. The following autumn he visited an Indian trader,
near liurlington, and as the result of exposure, on his return he
contracted a disease which terminated his life. His countrymen
Avitb the reverential respect which tJiey had for the dead, assem-
414
niSTOUY OF ILLINOIS.
1)lc(l to biir.v tlio iiiortiil rciiiiiins of their (h-partcd vA\Utt'. Tiio
Ixxly dressed in a niiilonii wliicli iiad been presented toliini in oiiu
ol" iiis eastern tonrs l»_v tiie Seer<'(ary of War, was horn to ils last
restin^i' place by Ibnr of iiis wairiors. The yra\»' was an excavation
() leet deep, and into (ids tiie body was (U'iM)sited in an nini^tiit pos-
tnre, with the ri^ilit hand icslin;;' on a cane which lia<l lu-en pre-
sente<l to iiini by Jleiiry ("hiy. A nionnd several I'ce^ Iii;;h was
tlirow n np over the <ira\e, at the head «»f wiiicli was i)ianted a
stall' bearinj; tin* Ha;; of tlu' ['nited States, and at the foot a post
on which was carved in Indian characters, the a;;(' of the <leceased.
Those ill attendance at the funeral expressi-d tiieir s(uro\v alter
tiie nsiial manner of the tribe, by shaking;' hands and uttering
prayers that the spirit of the chief niiglit have ii s;ife entrance
into tlie lainl prepared for tiie rece]>t ion of souls.
Tluis, aftei an acheiitunais and sliiftin;; life of 72 years, JMack
Hawk Avas <;atliered to his fathers. The banner of war fell ner\e-
less from his <;ias]); his voice at the conneil tire was heard no
nMtre, and ids restless ambiti<»n was stilled in the sleep of death.
^\■hile the instlin^' October leaves, moved by the sighing winds,
chanted a re([niem over his ashes, the bberated shade sjied to
tlu' liai)py hiinlin;; gronnds bey(»nd the settinji' snii, which, ac-
cording to Indian theolojiy, only the };'ood and the brave are per-
mitted to enter.
rerliai>s no one of his race excelled IJlack Hawk in humanity
and lo\e of c(»iintry. He always repelled with indij-nation the
charj^e that he mnidered women and childivn, or mistreated his
inisonei's. His ])aa'iotism is seen in rhe last si»eech he ever nnule
in the presence of the Americans, who had driven him from the
ancestral seat of his tribe: "Ilock river was a beautiful country.
I like my towns, my cornfields, and the home of my people. 1
Ibnglit for it ; it is now yours; it will i)ro(lnce you fi'ood crops."
These sentiments were not only creilitable to the heart of the
speaker, but essential in forming a Just estimate of his motives
in contesting the removal of his people lr(»in their nativtt land.
In his domestic; relations, luMvas kind and effect ion ate, and unlike
other chiefs, never had but one wife.* After his campaign in the
British army, liis first act was to visit his family. '•! have
started," says he, "to visit my wife and children. I found them
well, and my boys growing finely. It is not customary for us to
say much about our women, as they generally perform their ]>art
dieerfully, and never interfere with the business belonging to the
men. This is the only wife I ever had, or ever will have; she is a
good woman, and teaches my boys to be brave." In liis ]uivate
relations his integrity was not <pu'stioned, and when in a i»ublic
capacity he disregarded treaties, he was actuated rather by
•It Is said, however, upon Kood auttiority, that on a certain occasion, his vow of
exclusive devotion to one wile hail well nltrh lioen broken. While visitinga respee-
tnltle frontier settler, many years sinife. he became pleased with the comely daugiiter
of his host, and having seriously contemplated the matter, decided in favor of the
expeiliency of adding the i)ale-faced beauty to the domesticcirole of his wigwam. Ho
aci'oi'<lln(rl.v expressed his wishes to the father of tiie young lady, and profiCered to
(five him a horse in exchange for his daughter, but to his surprise, the olfer was declin-
ed. Some days afterward, lie returned and tendered two fine horses, but still the
father refused to make the arrangement. The old chief's love for the young lady,
growing stronger, in i)ronortion t() the difflciilty of gaining her father's consent, sub-
se(|uently ht; offered six iiorses for her, but even this mnnifleent price was rejecteii by
the mercenary father. Black Hawk now gave up the negotiation, nut a llttio
surprised at the high value which the white men placed upon their daughters
HLACK HAWK WAR.
415
wroiifjs wliich ho liiul suft'crod, tliiui wiiiit of rcsitcct for his ohlijja-
ioiis. A dispiissioiiak' view (»{■ t lie wai' and its ('mis«'s, will sliow
that he had {^'liovanccs, and Avhcii it was iiiipossihh^ to icdn-ss
tht'iii ill a peaceable inaimer, aitpealed to ariiis as the only arbi-
tiaiJieiit.
ciiAPTKu xxxvr.
]S;U-18;]S— ADMINISTK'ATION OK (!()VHI{N()Il Dl'XCAN.
The <'(nn})(ii<in — Life and ClKO'dcfcr of Duncan — .][<nr Sfiilc lltiiikx
anil idhat hvatine <>/ tliein — Slarrry Atjilution by Jjuccjoy — His
Jhnth.
At. the j,'('ii(>ral election of Aii^iiist IS.!4. .Joseph Diiiiciin was
elected <>(»veiiiof oC the State. His |iriiicipal opponent was ex-
liieiil. (lov. KiniM'y, who was a;;ain an as|)irant I'oi' ^uhcrnaloiial
Immkms. Dnncan was elected li.v a hainlsonu^ niaj<nitv: 17,.'i.'i(> votes
to Kinney's l(>,l!l'4; Itobeit Mclian^lilin received t,.')l,M> and .lanie.s
Adams SST votes lor the sanicollice. Tin' candidates for lienlenant-
ji(»vernor were Alexander M. .lenlcins, whi> received l.'{,7i(r> votes;
.lann's Evans, .S.(i()!» ; Wi ii ]{. Archei', S,.")?'), ami Samuel Web-
ster. (li>.
(iov. Duncan was born at i*aris, Kentucky, Februar\ L'.'Jd. 17!(4.
We inivc already noted his ser\ ices in the; war of ISIU, under l"ol.
(^rofihan at Fort Ste]»henson, when he was yet (|uite youufi'. In
Illinois he first apjiearcd in a [uiblic capacity as nnijor-^icncral of
the militia, a position which his military fame i>rotaired him. Sub-
scipiently he became a State senator from .Jackson <!ounty, and is
Inniorably mentioned for introdncinj^ (he first bill pntvidinj;' for a
free school system. \\\ ISlMi, as we havi; seen, he gained ;;reat
eclat by beatinj-' Daniel P. Cook for C< ""ss, when in previous
contests with the latter, such men ; i 3Ic'Lean, Elias K.
Kane, ami (io\-. I>ond had im't " .ster. From that time
down to his election asyoverno' .etained his seat in Con-
gress. The first and bloodies.- ,i the IMack Hawk war ho
was appointed by (lov. Jteynolo. irigadier-general of the volun-
iintccrs, and conducted his brijiade t(» !{ock Island. Duncan was
a man of limited education, but with naturally tine abilities he
prolited greatly by his various public services, and gathered a .store
of knowledge regarding i)ublic affaii's which served him a ready
purpose. lie ]>ossessed a clear JudgenuMit, decision, contidemu^ in
himself ami moral cour.ige to vAVvy out his convictions of light.
In his deportment he wfis Avell adapted to gain the admiiation of
the people, llis intercomse with them was attable, courteous and
dignified. lie inspired confidence and attached to himself un-
swerving friends.*
During the gubernatorial campaign Bunc.in was absent in Wash-
ington attending congress, and did not personally participate in
"His pnrtrnltat the Governor's intinsion presents him with swarthy complexion, high
chei'k bones, broud I'oreheuU, piercing blacli eyes und straight blacli liair.
41G
DUNCAN'S ADMIXIHTllATKiV.
417
it, Wilt ixlilrcsst'd circiiliirs In liis constitiifiits. His chM'lKiii was
iitliilHitctI to tlic cirniiiistaiK-t' of his altsi'iicf, liccaiisc liis «'strMMy-
iiiciit iVoiii .lacksDii — erst liis political i<lol — ami llif DrinociiK'y,
lar;icl,v in ascrriKlcncy in the State, was rcall.\ I'oiiiplctt'; Imt wliiNi
liis (Iclt'ctioii was well known lo his Whiy: riiciiils. and also to
llic Icatliiiju 'lai-Usoii men of this State, the latter wen- iiiiaMe to
carry conviction of tin* fa<'f to liie iiiass«',s. The (lisseniiiiatioii of
]>iil>lie events was not then facilitated by means of the tele;:rapli
ami press, as now. I'resideiil Jackson had criished the T. S. liank
with an arbitrary if not lyranical hand; he had vetoed Itills con-
taining' appropriations for improving the channel of the ;:reat
\\aitash river and for the hail)or at ('liiea<;(t. 'I'liese wi're West-
em measures which Diiiicaii had greatly at heart, and hence he
refii .ed lo lon;^er follow the dictatorial ctairse of the "Military
Chietlain." Ills personal admiration (;f the old hero was ehaiificd
tit haired of his acts. This course, so far as ids politica for-
tune was rniicerncd, was an error; but no one could say iliat
tlic step thus taken was iM»t sincere. Jle iiad prefeniieiit to fiaiii
liy reniainin;:' attached to the dominant i»arty, and nothing but
disappointnient to look fo)'war<l to in breaking' with it. He com-
iiiifted the iiiipardoiialtle sin in politics, and was charjicd witli in-
<',oiisisteiicy and lietraxai of Ids former supporters.*
'I'liese will cner lie the the lossilized views of men rojiiinlinj;"
])arty ties or allliliations. I'lider siicli circumstances no concession
is made by old pinty associates for tlici chan>;ed <-ondition of tlic
limes; for the death of former issues or the obtrusion of liviMines,
iiiMiicountered in past strifes. >i'o ienieiicy for new public (pies-
tioMs is extended iietwceii violent partizans; every man isj;ua>ied
liy a paity standard, irresp<'ctiv(' of tlie principles lie advocates.
J)iiiican st(»od bravely to his new colors and never ref;T(^tt«'d, it is
said, his clianj;<', niade upon careful and candid examination of the
•lacksoii measur<'s.
In his inauj^ural inessafie, Aviiicli was iarfjcly devoted to tlie dis-
cussion of national jtolitics, Duncan threw oflf the mask and took
a bold stand ayaiiist the course of the President. [Notwithstand-
iiiii; liis defection, and tlie fact of a larj^c^ majority in the le;iisla-
tiM'e bein^j^ oi>i)osed to liiin, liis I'eeoiiiineiidations relatiii};' to State
atfaiis were most fully seconded and carried out. The laying' out
of [tublic. liifi iv.iiys while the State was unsettled and tliey could
be made strai.iiht between most of the important points witli little
ex]»eiise<)r diiliciilty, as nrji'ed by liim, was res])onded to by the
emictment of laws not only yiviiij^ authority to county commis-
sioners for tlu'se purposes, but by f>raiitin{; 42 State roads be-
sides, and at the si)e(;ial session of the year followiiif; 40 more
were added. Equally liberal were tliey with reference to the canal
and charters for railroads.
To the subject of bankinf>- he called attention as folknvs:
"r.auks may be made exceedin<;ly useful in society, not only by
attbidin^ an opportunity to the widow, the orphan and ajj^ed, who
possess cai)ital without the cai)acity of employing it in (mlinary
* It is relntetl that tin old ponstftncnt rebuked him ns follows: "Now Oov. Duncnn,
wi' Jiicks^on men took you up when you wn8 poor nnd friendless; we i)ut you In IiIkIi
oflice und ennbleii you to make a fortune, nnd for all this you have aesei-tcd us nntl
iroiie to the Adiiins men , You was like ii poor colt ; we eauffht you up out nf ii thicket,
fed you on the best, eoinbed the burrs out of your mane and tall, and made n fine horse
of you ; uud now you have strayed away from your owners."— Ford's History.
27
11
41S IIISTOUY or ILLINOIS.
biisiiit'ss, to invest it in siu-Ii stocks; hut by its n.^c (lie vouii,ii!iii(l
oiitcipi'isiii;; iiM'ciianic, nici'ciiaiil nmi ti'ii<l(-siii:iii niav he ciialtlt'd
imnv. success t'lilly to ciinv on liis business aiid iniin'oxc tiic cotiu-
try."
To lliis tlic willin.i; liCjiislatiirc. taking' no lesson of tiii' disas-
trous past, also responded iiy eiiarlerini; a new Slate hank witli ii
caiiitai ol' !:<1,,")0(>,()(K», and liie jjrivili'uc to increase' its stock
$1.(>0(».(I()(» more. Six hranclies weie antliorized; and tin' old ter-
ritorial \);\uk of Illinois, at Shawneetown. wliicli had siis|)ended
business loi upwards ol' IL' years, was revived witli a cajiital of
$;)(IO,(IO(>. In lieu of all taxes whatsoever the State hank was
to pay .\ of 1 percent, on capital actually , .d in.
The le^islatiu-e was not elected with reference t(» the creation <d'
a new haidv. It was in)i dreamed of hy the people, who with much
iiiuminnty were averse to local hanks, since the signal failure of
the hank of ISiM, the windinj;' up of wiiich, at a heavy loss to the
State, had hut four years before been provided for hy the unpo|m-
lar W'ifijiiiis' loan. The charterin;^' of these hanks was the open-
ing' of a Pandora's box out of which inshed that multitude of
evil legislation which followed with a promi>t step in the next few
years, and which overwhelmed the Slate with deht and almost
financial ruin. President Jackson had vetoed the hill to re-char-
ter the r. S. \\;\'\]i ^vhicli he re.narded as "a permanent eleclion-
eeriuii machine." Its old charter was ahout to ex[>ir(' :nid an in-
adecpiate supply of currency was dreadi'd ; to uieet which the
SecretaiT of tlu' Treasury '-had encoiira.ui'd the State and local
hanks liherally." This alforded to Democrats the |>retext that Presi-
dent -Jackson, while he op])osed a ('oiic<'rn of such ma^iuitude and
" elect ioneeriii;;' iidlnence" as t he U. S. hank, was really in favor of
innltipJN in;;' local hanks. P.ut the baidc jiarty was intt without
other arts and plots t(» i>ass this measure. lOxcry string' of the
liiinntn heart was i)layc(l upon. A hitter I'celin^' existed amonj;'
the peoi>le in some portions of the State toward nou-resideut land
ow iH'rs, who held their lands at exliorbitant i)rices, while I'very
imjnoN cnu'nt made in the vicinity added to their value.
The desire w^as to huiden these lands with taxes and force tliein
into the market at purchasalde jnices. The vote of an honoiahle
seiKitor, \iolentIy opposed to hanks from [)rinei])Ie, was ohtaini'd
in consideration of the passage of a law to levy a tax for road
jnirposes, in th»^ militai,\ tract, where the ^^reat body of non resi-
dent lands were located.* In the house, where the bank hill
passed hy a hare majority — -7 yeas to I'd miys — a vote is said to
have heeii obtained from a niend»er opposed, in consideration of
Li.'^ election to the oiiice of State's attoiiicy.t Thus, says (Jov.
Ford, the making' of a State's attorney niade a State bank, and it
•[NOTK —Tile fcclinp of hostility toward non-residents found vent also, it is said, in
trespasses ui)ontlieir lands lor tinil'jr, wliieli was talieii as if ooumion property. 'I'lie
mreiits of tlie owners (tlie most unpopular men ol tlie eountrj) I'otind no redress in tlie
iaw. liec luse witli witiKsses.iorors, and the syinpatliy of the eoiiit all on tlie same side,
tlie tilind- folded yrod less of Justice, in thi^se eases blimletl with prejudiee. was (I eon i so
with tlieiii. In this strait llie distant land owners adopted tlu' missionary plan, and
Soujiht to (.radicate the sin of timber thieving', and to coiuiliate the favor ol tlie peo-
ple, throiiirh the (fcntle ministrations cd' the trospel, for which purpose preachers were
sent out, the c untiv divided into circuits iiiul duly assiyned Hut the inhaliitunls were
Incorria-iide their lecdinjrs olidiirutc, and if tliey did not reject the gospel, they never-
theless continued to take the timlier. 'I'ollie land owners the trosjiel proved as inelt'ec-
tual a pr.jtection as the law. — Ko-d's Ilisl.]
+The .louriml shows that our late lieutenant (rnvernor, John Dougherty, wns chosen
to that ollico on the foUowuig day.
DUNOA^''S AllMTNISTR ATIOX
410
may bo added, tlio bank Avas the. incipient nieasme whicli led
to others, and bronylit uiinmiibered woes njxai tlie people of the
State. The banks were not oiiuinally pai'ly nieasnres.
One million Ibur hundred tiiousand rjoiliirs of tiie ea]>ital sto(;k
of tiie State bank were to be subscribed by in<li\ idiials, and .*1(»0,-
(100 were reserved lor the State to tal<e in sucii ani(»nnts ;is th<»
leuisliitnre siionld at any time (U'cni i)ropei'. Siiares were 8HH)
eacli. The biini< inui tiie nsual power to receive deposits. (U-mI ill
bills, jjfold, and silvci-, et<'.. but was ]»roliibite(l from deaiinj;' in real
estate or jK'rsonal pro]»erty, other than to dispose of such as it
nii,t;iit be coMipelled to buy or bid in at sales upon Jnd.ijinents.
Ibit it had ]»i>wer to borrow a million <lollais to loan out on real
estate mort;;ayes for live yeai's. This pi'ovision w;,s to conciliate
farmers, ;ind extend to tln'in lon;^' time accommodations. Tln^
]ii-im'ipal iiank was located ;it Spriiijili<'ld, with a branch at A'an-
dalia: other brandies miuljt be established and discontiimod as
tiie olliccrs should d<'t<'rmiiie. Ibisiness was not to be commenced
until •'r'<><l(».(l(MI \v;(s paid in in specie, ("ommissioiiers to open siib-
sci'iptioii books for the capital stock, were ai>i>ointed all over the
State. Nine diicctors, one of whom was to be chosen president,
were to niaiiaii'e the alfairs of the corporation. The circulafiou
was not to excec<l two and a half times the paid up <'apital stock.
No bills were to i>'' issued of a less denomination than >*•"». If the
bank refused to I'edeem tor ten days alter demand, it was to be
dosed and wound up. Siwli were some of the i>rovisions of its
chart<'r, which, i'i.i;hlly carried out. were not so ba<I.
The stock was eujicrly taken, tin' subscriptions greatly exceed-
in;;- the limits of tlie ciiarter. Shortly after the passa.i^'e of the
bank act. 'IMiomas Mather.of Kaskaskia. .b)hii Tillson. of Ilillsboro,
vSaiimd Wijxyi us, of ("inciniiali, T. W. Smith, associate jud^'e of the
siipreiiie court, and (Jodfrcy, (iilman «!v: Co., of Alton, iK'ii'otiated
for laryc sums of money in the east to invest in the stock. The
chaitcr provided fcr the o|)*'iiiii;L;' of the books in this Stale for L'O
days before elsewhere, and to li'uard against undue intliience from
larire stockholdei's. as their numl>er of shares increased, it i)ropor-
tioiialdy lessened theii' votes foi' directors. To ]iresei've the lull
vole of the stocks, therefore, it became desirable to obtain small
subscriptions by cilizens of this State, while they had the exclusive
opportunity. With the view to euiiross-enouuh stock to direct the
bank, liiese i)arti<>s procureil. t liroiij^h numlterless a.u'cuts scat tercel
over the State, powei's of attoiney. from any person disposed to
make them, emi»owerin,u' them respect i\ely to subscribe bank
stock for them and to absoliildy mana^-e it siibse(|ueiitly. Thus
there were many thousands of such subscri]»tioiis made by persons
wiioiii it never cost ; cent to own bank stock, and who remained,
ju'ihaps, ignorant of the fact they ever were l)ankei's. The stock
ran up to a ])remium of i;> i)ei' centum alioxe ])ar value.*
When the commissioners convened to award the stock, it was
iiioxed that subsciiplions made for residents sluatld have jirece-
(leiice over those, of non-residents, and that holders of jiroxies be
rei|iiired to make oath as to the actual residence of the luincipals.
This ]u'o])ositioii was sui>p<»rt<'d by .Fud.tic T. W. Smith, between
wlioiti upon the one hand, and the rest of the parties named n])on
llie other, the contcsl for the control of the institution obtained.
*l)imt'!in"s Mi'S>siitrc, IS.in
420
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
It is >iai(l tliiit lie, of iiiiix'iiclmu'iit tiimc, was i)i('piuv(l to take
isufli oatli, and tliat lie. liad in jiood laitli paid lor all his proxies
out of his own money; hut the others e<»idd not thus swear. The
resolntion therefoie did not prevail; and Mather, Tillsoii, (lodfn'y,
Gihnan & ( o., and Wijiuiiis united ajiainst Smith, contn^lled the
bank, and elected a. directory in ti;eir interest, with Mather as the
president. The bank was in N^'hi^j; control — ^^just enough demo-
crats were elioseu us directors to give a semblance of fairness to
the i»roce('din<;s.
At that time nearly the entire trade of the Upper ^Mississippi,
includii!;;' that of the lead mines of Illinois, was ct)ntrolled by St.
Loui, . The ami;!tio!i prevailed to binld up Alton, within our
own State, as the commercial ri\al (.f St. Louis. Alton, in 18;}4,
Lad been elected as the seat of government after the liO years
lim ation at Vandalia should expire; but this honor she now
reaaily yielded in consideration of beeoming the great emporium
of the valley of the ^Mississippi. The Alton interest in the new
bank was so large that, without a cond)ination of all the residue
of the st«u;k, it possessed a controlling iidiuenee. The bank
therefore loaned its ai<l to the building up of Alton, and to the
diversion of the trade of the west to it. Godfrey, (Jilman & (Jo.,
merchants, were accommodated to the amount of 4s(>(»,(HK> to con-
trol and divert to Alton the imnu'use lead trade of the mines on
1\'\ er river. The price of that <H)mmodity advanced directly 50
to lii i»er cent., by reason of local competition alone. To exclude
further competition several hundred thousand dollars were prodi-
gally invested in mines and smelting establishments. The agent
of the firm did not stoo 'vitli this, but as if furnished with the
puise of Fortunatus, recKlessly extended Ins investments to Galena
lots, which under the enchantment advanced in a short time, it is
said, L'(l(M> per cent. But this lavish enterprise to secure the lead
trade for Alton failed to have a corresponibng effect upon easteru
markets. After holding the lead a long time in store in the east
for an advance, sale had timdly to be made under accumulated
chaiges at a ruinous sacrilict'. To Stone, Planning «& Co., of
Alton, several hundred thousand (hillars were advanced to oi)erate
in pr<Hluce; and Sloo & Co. received acconnuo<l;Ui«)ns for like pur-
l»oses, all proving equally disastrous. It was estimated that the
l)ank lost by the Alton oi)eratious ij(l,0(M),OOU; but these reverses
Avere not generally known.
The legislature was convened in extraordinary session, Dec. 7,
18.'5r», and sat till Jan. iJSth, following. In his message, among
other measures, Gov. Duncan calle<l attention to the subject of
the banks, and reconnnended the subscription, by the State, of one
million dollars ])rovi(hMl for in the seconil section of the bank act,
for which no steps had as yet been taken by the i)resident and
directors, and no vestcMl right had yet accrued to any one. Dis
Excellency, in his sanguine expectations, stated that by so doing
tJie State treasury woidd realize l^;}((0,000 in premiums on the
is 1,(100,000; that the stock of the batdv was then at a ])remium of
13 per centum and that it would speedily rise to 30. The legisla-
ture did not fully fall in with liis extraordinary expectations, but
by act of Jan. 1(), 1830, the $100,000 of the cap'ital stock reserved
for the State was authorized to be sohl; additional branches
of discount and deposit, not more than three, were also authorized;
DUNCAN'S ADMINISTUATION. 421
and .■)(> <l;ivs in atldition to tlu' 10 were, iillowed lor tlic icdcniijtion
<-f not<'s, Tlicsc provisions were, not to taiu^ eltV'ct until tlu' bank
liist (contracted witii tlic <;<)vernor to rrdccni tiu' AVi^i^iiis' loan,
iiy anotlici' act of tiic .same date, the haidc paper was autiiorized to
be received in payment of the rcveiuie of the State, ( oileyc, scliool
and seniinaiy debts.
!>nt \\h' following;- year the leiiislature did not licsitate. At this
session were auliioiized ail those extravaj;unt measures of internal
i:ai>rovemeiit, which in a few yeiirs en tailed upon the youn^' State a
debt so vast as nearly lo )>aidv-ruj>t it. Hut of tiiis iarther aloiifi'.
i>y act of ]\Iarch 4, 1.S37, the (•a[)ital stock of the .State bank was in-
(•reas'Ml •'!(i;,(>(»(»,(MK), the wliole to be isid)scribed for the State by
the fund cominissioners, au executive body of the internal im-
)»ro\enieiit system. Tilt; t;apital sl^)ck of the liaidv of Illinois,
located at Sha wn('et(»wji, was in liUe manner authorized to be
iitt-reas<'(l sjl.ftMI.OOO, ■jSl.0(>O,(M)() beinj;- reserved for the Slate, and
.-?!()(),(>•)() for private siibs(;j'iption. The (-onsent of tiie banks
was lirsf to be obtiiined, but either ini.yht aecepl tlie State
siibscrijtiion, to the amount authorized, lu sultscribin;.;, the State
was to advance tiie .same jwr centum — •*<.■) a share — as ori<;iiially
p;iid l>y private stockholders. The fund comndssioners were
autlKH'ized to sell the State's certili(cate of stock, ami to use the
surplus levenues of tiie IJniled States from the sah^ of lauds, as
iiionev mi^ht be needed from time to time for sid>scriptions. Five
additional dire(ctors for the Stat«; baidc were also pro\ i<led, on be-
half of tlie State, to be eh^eted by the Ie<:islature, which still left
a majoiity to private stockhohlers, althou<;h the State owned a
uiajority of the stock by cx(U'edin<i' 1*0 per centum. The same
was iriM' of the Shawueetown bank, which was to have iniui
directors. This bank was also authorized to establish three
luam-ites, one at Jacksonville, at Alton and at. Lawreiiceville,
\vitl) each such amount of caj)ilal as the mother bank could safely
supply. 'J"]ie ))auks wi'iv desijiiiated as the places of deposit <»f
all the public rev<'niies, and the moneys borrowed by the fuml
commissioners to carry oji the internal improvenu-nts of tlu' State.
They we)-e to render rpiarterly staleiueiits of their linaiicial condi-
tion to the comndssioners, ami )h<' lej;isiature miinht institute such
examinations into tlieii' atl'airs, froin time to time, as mij;ht be
<Ieemed re<piisite. Xo charges for disbnrsenu'uts were to be made
by the Slate banks. 'I'he dividends accndnu upon the State's
stock, weri' lirst lo be applied in ]taynK'nt of the interest ui»on
loans: and the premium from State lutnds, fondly expected to be
at least 10 per centum, was to constitute a I'mid to be held inviola-
ble lor the payim'ut of interest on loans <'lfected to carry on the
intermil inii)rov<Mnent.s. .Many were the iiiueiuous aruunuMits,
ileduced from the fact that r\\o first .*l,ri(»().()(IO had with ^leat
avidity b'''H taken in the sprinji' of IS;».") — the premium risiu.;;' to
1.'5 per centum — that the ])resenl stock would readily command ten
per centum, and that the State's bank stock would yi«'ld a sulli-
cient dividend lo ]iay all interest on the bank b(»nds and leave a
niar;:iu besid<'s. W hen the State bonds were exposed in market
by tlje <'omiMissioners, i( was i'ound that they uould not oidy iu)t
brinjj a iu<'miuni. but «'ould not be ne<i()tiate<l evi'uat far. In this
strait the l»aiiks tlienisel\-es came to the rescue, ami, r:,ther than (he
sclieme s))ouldfail, took the bonds at par, amounting' to i?l',tt»i."),l)(H).
1IIS'J(»UV OF I1,LL\()I8.
The Sliiiwiicclowii bank ctrcctcd u sale of its slinic (SOOO.OOO). hut
tli(5 Italaiii'c .":«1,7(m,(I(M» lakcii l>,v tlic Slate hank, was not (hsimsi'd
ol'; they iiuwcvcr seixed \hv pnrposc of a capital lui tlic hank, and
its hnsincss was aniplilicd corrcspondinuiy.
The hanks, lliionulioiit tlicir career, met willi jtersi-stent opposi-
tion from intlinMilial pai t\ niana^cis, Tiiis was greatly augmen-
ted hy tin' fact tiiat their ot'licers, liie presitU-nt, cashiers, and a
larj;'c majority «>t tiie directors, wen; widjis, which anuised tii<'
jealousy of democrats, cansinjL; tln-m to char,ue that the hanks
were [lolitical com-erns, operated lor tin' adxancenu'nt ot parly
all'airs. .Jackson's expression respei-tin;; the I'niled States lianiv
— that it was a ''jiijianti*' electioiu'crin^- nnu'hine" — was not tori^nt-
toil. .Indjic T. \V. Smith, who had dral'ted the eliarterot the Slaie
bank, and worked earnest ly wilii democrats lor its passaj;*' in ilie
lejiislatnre, had e\er since his deh-at I'or its c«)ntrol, aninnited hy
thai spirit which if it cannitt iide is bent npon inin,made wai' up-
on it, and now hesitared not \o prononncc its cliarler nnconsiitu-
tional. He was joined hy many other sore parly leaders.
My an act of congress, [>asse(l at the itrccedinji session, it was
]>rovided that the surjihis revenne of tin' I'nited Stales, arising
from the sale of public lands, ».S:c., iniiiid be deixtsited with tiie
dillercnt States. The baidc accordin<ily solicited the treasury
<lepartment at Washin^^ton to heeonu' ihe depository of the jnib-
lic nH»ncys, but the <'redit of the State had bi'cn stahlu'd in the
back, hy its own disappi>inled eiti/ens furnishinji statenn-nts so
derogatory, that the secretary declined the re»piest. Auu)nj; I Ik-
nn)rc inlluential opponents ot' the banks was .hidjic MclvoUerts,
then receiver of llie ]niblic nntm^ys at Danville. l*arty malice
an<l ])rivate resentments outweighed the public ^idod. Tin.' bills
hll bel(»w i>ar and from that tinu' steadily depreciated. The notes
of tin' bank were j:athered nj* and presented h>r specie to enti'r
land. Had the specie been re deposited by the j;t>veriinn'nl, 1 he
relief from this annoyance would have been very jireat. l>nl
this, throuj^h the M-np'tul machinations of disaitpoinletl parti
fsans, was not to be. 'Ihe bank, lo retard tlic constant elih of
sjiecie from its vaults, had iccourse to the |ilan ol' e.\clian};in>;
issues between the respectixc branches, and thus throw inj; tlu'cir-
culali(m as far i'lom the place of redemption as j)ossible.
Hardly were the banks in operation, with their en<n'nM)Usly
au^nnn-nted capital slocks, when the disastrous linancial re\ ulsiou
of IS,')! occurred. Jn .May the hauk.s of Jlliuois suspi'uded specie
paynu'Uts. They were solvent. l>nt the drain ol' specie at that
tinn- could not he borne. Tln^ charters provided that if redemp-
tion ill s])t'cie was refused for (l(t days tojicther, they were to be-
conu' forfeited and the banks slntnld m* into litpiidation. Tin^y
were the dept»sitories (»f the moneys raised by the sale of Stale
bonds: of tin' State revenue; in a word the tiseal ajicuts of the
Stale, and their suspension would involve the Slate and all its
s|)lendid scheme of inteinal impro\(-ments in common ruin. In
this dilemiKi, the iLi(>vernor was ur^cd hy the canal commissioners
to coiivcm' Ihe legislature t<» lc};aliz(' an indeliniti' suspension of
specie jtaynM'Uts hy th«^ baidis. A s]»ecial session was called
tluly lOlh, ls;;7, and the bank suspensions w<'r«' leiiali/ed. I»ut to
hifj excellency's urgent apjieal to repeal tlic periiieioiiis system of
DUNCAN'S ADMINISTUATION.
423
lioiiiidcd pell iiH'll out (>[ tlic w iiKtows, l)iit witlioiit aviiil — ciioiin'li
Mere licld in (liiraiicc (o iiiako :i qtioniiii, and tlu' sine f//t' adjoiini-
liiciil was canit'd. Amoii.^ tlic iiiciiihci's of tlic House we liiiil
llic iiaiiK's of soiiicoC tlic most iittlabli' iiicii in the annals of Illin-
ois: John J, Hardin, Ahraliani Lincoln, Josiali Francis, «S:c., hut
w iictlicr f licsc wliijis ]»artici|»at«'d in tlic window csca]»adc is not
dcliiiilclv known. The session was the (irst in Siirinjilit'ld, and
...ji,.-. ,......< .|>.. .. .. ... .... ,,..... ..,,..,,.. .., ...
dcliiiilcly known. The session was the (irst in S|»rin^li«'ld, an
the house occii]>icd what is now the <»ld 2iid IM'cshytcrian clinrcdi,
iiurlli ol' the now edifice occiijiii'd by the lejiislatiirc in 1S71.
The hank.s were now thoniiht to be deat!, and that nothing
remained to be done but to wind ul) their uttairs. J'.ut their cue-
424
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
lilies it'ckoiicd without tlit'ir lii»st. Tli«' s])I('ii(li(l triiiiiiiili of tlio
deiiutcnits proved ii bancii victory. The le^iilar .se.ssi«>ii henaii
on tlie 1st ]M()iiday in Deeeinber, with the same nieinlu'rs, and
lu'i'ore the close ol" tlie niontii Ihe banks obtained not onlv a
fiirtiier h-ase of life, and license (o suspend s[»eei»' pa,vim'iit, but
were mithorizcd to issue one, two, and three dollar bills besides, to
ett'eet ehanjiC — silver haviiij; been dri\fn out of eiiculatioii by the
dejjreciated jKiper. The debtors of the bank were a^ain ahowed
to ;^ive new notes b\ payin,;; ten per cent, interest on their indel)t-
edness. Uy what potency these additional ]iiivileji'es were pro-
cured must be left to conjecture. The State bank was the
custodian of the public moneys and revenues of the State, as it
Merc, a substitute for the treasury. Auditor's warrants, at a dis-
count of oO percent, were diawn upon tln^ bank and paid in its
currency, worth a ^i'ood deal mori' than the warrants, both in and
outside of the State. All the State oflicers, iiu'lmlin^- the mem-
bers of the iissjMiibly, were for their pay in the power of the bank,
and if these would do nothiiiji' to ui>iiold the credit of that insti-
tution — their own creature — the honorable ^icntlemen niii^ht
return to their constituents without other in their pockets than
auditor's warrants ! This, tojicther with such Jndicioiisand timely
acciimmodations to inii»ecnnions party h-aders as the exiii;t'ncy
dictated, enabled tlu' bank to render tlu' glorious democratic
victory barren of results,
r>ut the new lease of jiower did not la.st lonji'. There weie other
inliuences arisin.u' from the inevitaiile laws of linance, more jtotcnt
in their etfeets than acts of the lej;islature. When inom'y is
abundant eiedit is extended without stint. With the vast system
of internal inii»roveiiients and the lar<ii' circulation of the baid<s,
this was the condition of Illinois. The i>e(»i>le were lar,>;,«'ly in debt
on account of siieculations which juoNcd delusiims, and also to
the merchants; the latter in turn had recei\<'d either a<"<'ommoda-
tions at the banks or ow«'d for >ioods abroad; contracts matured
but nobody paid. The State revenues bein<;' ina(le(|natt' to im'ct
its expenditures — the jieople averse to hijilior taxati<»n, and the
lejiislators, with a tender rei^ard to jtcrsonal conse(pieiices, disin-
cliiu'd to impose them — the bank, to j;ain the faxor of the lej;isla-
ture, taxed its resources to redeem the outstandinji' auditoi's
warrants, amoiintiiifi' to near .*;>()( ),(KK». Its bills had <;radiially
declined to lU and 1.1 per cent, discount. Now came the bank
directors themselves, as contractors to build the Northern (.'ros.s
railroad, and added the last feather to the canu'l's back. For the
buildiiiji of the iailroa<l they were to receive in i>ayment canal
bonds, which were at that Juncture not in'j;(>tiable. To obtain
accommodations from the banks, these directors defeated a pio-
jiosed order against expansion durinji' the suspension.* Keceiv-
in;> loans for themselves to carry forward the i)iiblic wcuks on
their contracts, they, to be consistent, voted like favors to others.
The credit of the bank was put to its utmost tension. Its volume
of money, further swollen, sank to a lower discount. And in
Febuary IS4L', the monster institution, with a circulation exceed-
inj4 .'?.'>,()(tO.(K>(», snapjK'd its thread of life and jiassed into dissolu-
tion, spreadiiifi devastation upon every hand, far and wide.
'See Gov. ForU'8 mistuko as to tliisiu his History of Illiuois,2:.'3-l.
DUNCANS ADMIXISTIJATION.
425
Tlic r.iiiik of Illinois, iit Sliiiwiu'ctowii, was siiiiili'.rly involved.
It loiiiM'd 1o tilt' Stilt*', ill the first pliicc, .'r'SO.tMtO to co'iiiidclc llio
new Stat*' House at Spriiijilield ; early in the aiitiiinii oi" l.s;}!>, upon
tlio earnest solicitation of (io\, railiii and his enua^einent to de-
jiosit as a ]»ledy(' ><•")< •(»,(»( 10 in internal iiiipioveiuent bonds, the
liaiili advanced the (Joiniiiissin.u'rs oi' ruhlic Works siiOdjdOO.
The collateral dei)osit was, liowever, never made nor the sniii bor-
rowed ever rei)aid. In .June following;', with a circulation of some,
.*<I.7(M>,()()(), it also collapsed. The people weie left destitute ol' an
addipiati^ circiilatinj;- niediuin, and were not supplied until the or-
dinary processes of their limited (commerce broii;.ilit in j^old and
silver, and the bills of solvent banks from neighboring Slates,
which was tardy enouj;h, there beiii^' but little eiuij;ration to Illi-
nois at that time. The banks and the State had been partuei.s
in speculation and they w<'re now partners in embarrassment.
The revenues wei'e jjayable in the notes of these broken banks;
the State pai'l no interest on her bonds, of wlii(;li the banks lii'hl
a larj^e amount, iviul they were worth in market but J-i cents on the
dollar.
Ibit the old tirm of Hanks and State was to be speedily dissolved,
r.y act of .January L'4, 1S4.'{,* to "diminish the State debt and jnit
the State Mank inio liquidation," the bank was j^iven 4 years to
wind up its business, but it was re((uircd to j^o into immediate
li;piidatioii and i»ay out all its specie /)ro rata to its bill hohler.s
and depositors, and issue to them certiticates of indebtedness for
the unpaid balances; 8b"),()(H) in specie, beinj;' however first re-
seixcd to the bank to pay the expenses of windini:' up its
alfaii's. The new certiticates weie to be re;;istered by the com-
niissi(»ner and made receivable in jiayment of any debt due tlie
bank, or for the re<leni]»tion <»f lands purchased by the bank under
e\('cuti(tn. The delitors of the bank upon i»ayin<i' instalments of
l-."* iiiin<"ii)al and interest, were authorized to execute new notes
from time to time for their indebtedness. The bank was to deliver
within tivedays to the (iovernor, State bonds, scriji and other evi-
dences of debt equal to ><L',().')(».()(H>, he to siiiieiider to the baidc a
like amount of State IJaiik stock, !:i<.")(M)Ob beiiiji reserved for the
liiial windinj;' np of the alfairs of the bank. All its baidvin<4'
l)ri\ile,<;es, (»ther than those necessary to wind ui» itsbiisiness, were
to immediately eeas«' ; no property of the bank was to be sold oil
execution or otherwise, except for two-thirds of its appraised
value. The bank mi,nlit reserve from its sale such real estate as
il deemed proi>er. Three days were allowed to file its acceptance
with the Secretary of State. It was a very favorable 'M't for the
bank and an administration measure stronuly seconded by a few
leading' Democrats, wliii-h caused it to prevail, as we shall see.
A somewhat similar bill, under the lii.yli soundinj^' title of •' An
act to reduce (he public deltt one million dollars and put tiie iJank
of Illinois into licpiidation," jiassed at the same session, in relation
to I lie Shawne<'towii bank. It was to surrender State stocks or other
lial»ilities of the State e(pial on their faces to «l,(KH>,(»0(>,lialf in five
days and half in 12 months, when the <;()vernor was to assis'ii
to it an eipiivaleiit of State l!ank stock. The charter of the Cairo
bank was repealed. IJy these acts the immediate extin.ituislimeiit
of 8-*,2(KI,000 was provided. I>ut these acts wer(^ not passed with-
* Sou Houae Ucport.8, 1842-3, 203-4-5.
420
IIISTOUY OF ILLINOIS.
out coiisidcriiblt' ((pposition. Tlio disposition on tlio i)iut of many
WHS to ciiisli tilt' Itiinks, to wliicii ail tlu' woe oi" the slniji^lin;n'
coiiiitiy was asciiiifd, with ttnc fell l»low l)y a dirt'ct repeal (»l their
charter, whicth they had frtMpientl.v forfeited, ln)wev«'r it uii<;lit in-
volvti till) best interests of the State in their disaster.
I'rior to this, and in anticipation of this coinpi'oniis«> le<;'islation
and the surrender by the Stale of her baid; stock in exclian^*' for
her bonds, after the failnre of the liank of Illinois in 1842, tiio
Avliole concern was jmrchased as a specniation by a c(»nii)any of
sharpers, who elected theinselxcs its ollicers. Some of the direc;-
tors then secretly Ixirrowed iVom the Itaidc ><1 (»(>,( 100 in specie,
which was tiansinitted to New York and purchased State scrip
and ?i<;!.;;i.(l()Oof thc!*S(lU)00 »»f intei'cst bonds hypothecated with
]Macallister and Ste.>bins in ISll by l''nnd Coniniissioner White-
.sides, for ."jlilil,.")!***, contrary to law. I'nder the law these bonds
Avcro to be solcl for what tiiey would brinji, but could not be hy-
]»()thecated. as the rcci]iients well kiM'W. The favored dirrctors,
l)y connivance of the l)oard, first paid the sjiecie borrowed from
the baidv with s 100.000 (d' these bonds, which cost them .'50 cents
on the dollar. Their nn]>ai<l stock inttes were similarly <liscliar<i('d.
.V member of the le^^islature. lit'ice in his denunciation of bank
coirupti<»n, availeil himself of these bonds and i»aid a ^iKMiOO
note to the bank. After the bonds and scrip had passed into the
control of the baidi, they were, in 1.S44. tendered to (ioxernor Ford
in ])ayiiient of the half ndllion dollars of the State's baidi stock,
which was to be surrendered in II! monthsafter the passa}^!' of the
]»ank Ijicpudation law of l<S4."i. The f;(>verin)r refused at lirst to
receive these bonds; a law had been passed to settle with Macal-
listcr and Stcbbins by ])iiyinj;- intt-rest on the sum actually a(b
vanced by them, and their surrender of tlu^ hypothecated biuuls,
makini!' alxtut I'S cents on the dollar; to have received a lariie
share of tiu'se bonds at their face \ alue would have defeated the
law for tliis adjustment. Later it became patent, however, that
3Iacallist<'r and Stebi>ins had jjarted with many nu)n' of the bonds
than the Bank of Illinois had receiv('<l. and that they were unable
to ('(Muply with the law if they had the will, and as the conditi(Ui
of the l»ank became constantly more hopeless aiul the jiresident
intended to return these bonds to Mew York, the ^i'overnor, in the
fall of 1S44. received them conditiomdly. subject to the ai»proval
of the legislature. That body, unwillin,n' to coiudeiiance the kna-
very of the bank ofiicers, at lirst refused to ratify the contract of
the li'overnor. but at the succeedinji' session, bS4(i-47, com[»ro-
mised l)y receivinji' the bonds at 4S cents on tin' dollar.*
Snlisequeiitly the State IJank of Missouii, jointly with several
other creditors, broujiht a chancery suit in the United States'
court for the district of Illinois against the Hank of Illinois, its
otiicersand ayenls. JJy the decree in the cause, three receivers were
appointed to take charf^c of the bank's assets, make sab' and api»ly
the proceeds in paynu'Ut of the debts, the redemption of its issues,
and to settle its at^'airs jiciu'rally. JJy ajiivemeid but one ui' tlu'se
trustees. Albert (1. Calwell. (piaiilied. r])on his death, soon after,
Jud{;e W. Thonms of Jacksonville, was appoiided in his ]>laee,
who acted in that capacity sonu' UO years. lOarly in the fall of
1871 he remitted to W. II. Uradly, cleik of the U. S. district court
• This cliapter has in great part beun gatliereil from Ford's History.
BrNCAN't^ ADMIMSrUATloX.
42;
iit Cliiciijio. tlic spcciiil ;iii(lil<»r, ii Itiitt-li of notes miiiI ('('I'tidcatt'sof
><7(Mt lur ciiiicclliitiuii. This it \v;is sii|i|h»s('(1. would l»c iihoiit the
lust to \h' |»i('s('iit('<l lor n'(l»'iii|>ti(»ii, and tiial the trust v ;,idd be
linall.v closed shortly a Iter.
SLAVKKV A(iI'l'A'l'I().\ — DKAllI ( )K LOVK.JOV.
Tlie year IS.'!? is iiieiiioralile lor the death of Illinois' first martyr
I0 lilierly. iOlijah I', l-ovcjoy. I !<• w as liorn at Alliioii. Keneitee
county, .\laine, No\-. !», isoi'. At the aye of I'l he entered Watei'-
ville college, and after jLiiadnatiiiji' with the first honors of ins
class. renioNcd to S|. Louis and eoMiiiM'iieed leaeliin;n. A \ear or
two a tier ward he e\elian,ucd the oeenpatioii of a teacher tor that
of the Jonrnalisl. l)e<'aine the editor of tiie St. Ltiiiis Tiiiiat, and
ad\(>eatcd the eleeiioii of Henry <'Iay as jiresideiil of the United
kSlales. Not lon^ after he had entere(l this new field of lal>or. he
united with the I'lesityterian ehiireh. and tleternuned to altandoii
it also for tin' eler.uieal i)rol'essioii. Aeeordin^ily at the a.^c of .'iO
lie repaired to the 1 iieolo,i;ical sehool at IMineeiowii, N. ,1.. entered
■with .^'i-eat ardor upon his studies, and in is.'!.! was licensed to
jtreaeh by the i'resbytery of l'hiiailel|iliia. 'i'lie following; sninnier
was spent '1 preacliiii,^' ill Newport. Wiiode Island, and at S]»i'in;;"
('liiirch, N. v., after which he returned to St. Louis. Here he
a.uain assniiied the editorial cliairand isMied the first iiuiuiier of the
*>7. Lduis Oh.scrrcr. a reli.i:'ioiis news|iaper. Now L'l'd. ls,'l;l. Soou
after he incurred the ill-will of the Catholic ('iiiireli. by eliaracter-
\'/A\\'^ llieir proceedings in iayiii;;' the corner stone of a <'alliedial
(Ml tlie Sabi)alli as a desecration of the day. and cliai',uin.U' that
the use of" the ''iiited States artillery and ea\aliy, which were
br(iii::ht in reipiisition to^ive presti'^c to the occasion, was a ]>ros-
titiilion of the purposes for which they weic intended, i-'roni the
clerical I'ancor excited by this ont-spokeii e\i»i'essi(»n of opinion,
)ie thought ]M'ocee<led the perseentittiis which be snbstMpieiitly
ciMMUiiilered, though masked in the ;;iiise of aliolifiou. 'J'he <ines-
tion of slavi'ry e\en at that early day was one of absorbing'
interest, and it was iiii]»ossible for a jierson with Lovejoy's vigorous
int<'l!ect and fearless manner of speaUinu', not to bec(»me involved
in its discussion and not incur flic hatred of its ad\ocal<'s. The
siiltject having' arrested his attention he wrote an editorial on it,
and left the city to attend a Presbyterian synod. Diiring' iris
absence it made its apjx'arance in tiie columns of the Ohscrrcr,
and siK'h was the coiiimoti<m it excited, lliat the owneis of the
]»ress were ('ompelled to publish a card to allay tlu' excitement and
]H'eveiit a nioi) from destroying' their ])i'o]»erty. On Iiis I'eturn a
]>aper was presented him by a number (tf leading <'iti/,eiis and the
minister who I'cceix'cd him into the church, in which they expressed
the opinion that slaveiy is sanctione<l i)y the bible, and asked him
to desist 1'rom its further discussion. Though the authors of this
reipiest rciireseiited tiie intelligence and morality of St. Louis, if
lionest. how little they iui<!erst<»od the ])ers(nial rights of mankind,
and how little they supposed this (piesti(»u was destined in less
than half a century to shake the continent witli civil commotion.
'^I'liis paper was inserted in the O'.wrrcr and also a reply from 31r.
Lovejoy. ill which he claimed the right to i>ublisli his honest (con-
victions. In answer to the biblical view given of shivery, he
428
III.STOHY OF ir.I.INOIS.
iciiiiiids Ilis censors (»f tilt' ^joldcii rule — iiiiikc not slsncs of otiicrs
if von do n(»t wisli to he uiiidt' slaves of yonrschcs. llisshilc-
nicnts. idtlioiitjli coiiclicd in Ilic inosi inotVcnsixc hm^inii;;*'. ii;L;;iin
(xciti'd the ire of liit' cili/cns, :ind tiir piopiictois <if the press
took |»ossession of it to pii'vcnt a reenirenee of tlie distniininee.
A fiieiid, liowevci', interposed iind a^rt'ed to I'cstore tiie picss to
liini, pro\ ided he woidd rein(»\(' it l(» Alton, where he niij;lil nse it
safely. The oU'ei' was ju'coptt'd, Imt after he had yoiie tidllier to
make arranj;('nients for pnl)lishin;; the paper, he was invited to
retnrn to St. Lonis. On ^'•>iii^ back he resnnied his editorial laltors
and eontiniied them indil tlie summer of lKi'>, when he a;;ain l»e-
(•anie involved in dillienlties.
On the L'.'id of April, the police arrested a nej^ro l»y the name of
IVlclntosh, who, while on the wa.v to piison, di<'W his knife and
killed one and hadly wonnded another of the otliceis having' him
in chari^c. In conse(pienc('i of the murderous assault, a larj^o
crowd surrounded the Jail in which he was imi)i'isoned, and takiuii;
liim thence they bound him to a stake and burnt him to death.
The community beinji' larjicls in sympathy with the i)erpetrator.s
of this unlawful and liendish act, it was a lon;^' time before they
wen- brouiiht to tiial. When at leiijith the matter \ias presenti'd
to a ^rand Jury, tlu^ Jud^'c, by the most ^ross ]terversion of facts,
infornu'd them that the O/Ascrrr/' had caused the nej;ro to murder
the p(»liceman, and that there was no law for i»unishinj;' them who
burnt him at the stake. A succeedin;;' luunber of this sheet
repelled the tlaj;rant cliaryc nnule by the JudjiC, alliuled to the
fact that he was a ("atholic, and intinnited tliat his views res]»ect-
inu' the eid'orcement ol" the law could only result from .Jesuitical
teaching;'. The editor, awaic that the statement wotdd be folhtwctl
by anolhei' outburst of indijiiiation and an attem]>t to destroy the
jtress, immedialely caused it to be shii>ped to Alton, wliitlier it
arrived -July L'lst, ISl'tJ. The day bein^i the Sabl>ath, .Mr. Lovcjoy
proi)ose<l to let it remain on the wharf till Monday, but tho
ensuinj^' ni^lit it was secretly visited by a nnndx'r of persons, who
bioke it into i)ieces and tliiew it into the river. When this
dastardly act becauie known the next day, the peoi»le became
excited and the eiisiiinji' evt'iiin*;' a lar;;e meetin<i- assembled in the
l*resbyteriaii church, to listen to addresses by Mr. Lovejoy and
other speakers. The former stated that he had conu' to Alton to
establish a relij;ions newsi)aper, that he was i)leasedwith the town,
and as most of his subscribers resided in Illinois, it would be best
for him to make it his future home; that he re;:;retted his presence
had caused so much t'Xcitemeiit, and the people must have a
wi'oiii; appreciation of liis oltject; that lie was not an abolitionist,
and liad been freipiently deiiounc<'d by (Jairison and others as
bein;;' pr<»-slavei\ because h(^ was not in favor of their iiH-asiires;
that he. was opposed to slavery, ever had been and hoped he
always would be. This statement (corresponds w itli his previous
declarations and jtosition in reji'ard to slavery. lie always mani-
fested a strong' sympathy for the oi»i)i('ssed, and in common with
a iar,u-e and iiiteilincnt class of ])e'sons at that time, in both the
north and south, repirded colonization as the best meaii.s of free-
\\\iX the country from the curse of slavery. With the pid.i;ress of
events, this scheme, tliou<ih it had enlisted the repird of statesmen
and philanthropists, Avas abandoned for more practieal views. Mr.
DUNCAN'S^ ADMIMSTllATIOX.
429
LoNcjo.v, who never peiriiitted liiiiiseH' to l;ill lieliind tlie iiiiireli of
i(le:is, iil.so tool; a more :Mi\iiiieetl |iosilioii. in tliesanie iiieeliii;;'
lie also said that "lie was now removed iVom slavery and t-oidd
])idilisli a newspaper without disciissin;^ it, and tinit it iooUed like
cowardice to lice from tiie place where the e\ il existed and come
to a place where it did M(»t exist to oppose il." \\ itii these decla-
rations, extorted to a j;ieat extent i>v the t.vranicai censorship of
t!ie slave powei', lie no doidtt after ins arrival at Alton intended
to eomplv. Indeed he mi]Lilit jnslly have coiiclinlcd that it was wsv-
less to waste his time and ener^iv in endeavoring; to Itenelit a
{■omMMinity which was endeav oiin;; to exercise over him a hon(la;;o
•worse than that wliicii fettered the l)ody of a slave. Yet, as the
contest between freedom and slavery uicvv warmer and earnest
champions were nt'cdcd to contend lor the ri;;ht, INlr. Lovejoy
(■oncindcd tiiat duty required him to a;;ain enter the aicna of
discussion.
As the result of tlie meetinj;', funds were raised, another press
was sent for, and tlu- lirst nundteritf tiu' Alton Ohserrer was issued
Sei)t. S, ls;i(l. its editor, jiifled witli nioretlmn ordinary ability,
soon e.xt<'n(led its circulation, its discussions at lirst Ix'in;;' mostly
conlined to sul)jects of it moral and literary chaiacter. i>y and
by the (juestion of slaveiy was also l)roached. Mr. T.ovejoy. no
doul)t smarting; und«'r the unjust surveillance to wliicli lu' was
subjected at the starting;' of his paper, seemed now deteiinined t(»
exercise liis constitulioiud rij;lits to free speech, lu'inji willing'
that tiie laws of Ids country, not the dictation of rutlians, should
decide as to wliether he abused this priv ilej^e.
in tlu^ issue of . I line !!!>, IS;>7, at the instances of the American
Anti-shivery Society, he favored the circulation of a i)«'titioii for tlio
abolition of slavery in the District of ('olumbia. and in the suc-
cecdinj; number lie si»eaks of the iiiii)ortaiice of or^iauiziny an anti-
slavery society for the State of Illinois. In tlie same paper he also
indiilned the followin;;' leliections, sujij^csted by the 4tli of .Inly:
'• This day i('iu'oaches us foroiirslotli and inactivity. It is tlio
day of our nation's birth. lOven as we write crowds are hurryin.i;'
past our window in ea;;'er anticipation to the api>ointed bower, to
listen to the declaration that ' AH men are created ecpnd ;' to hear
tht^ elo(|uent orator deiiounce, in strains of manly iiidi^iiiiatioii. the,
attempt of i'Jijiland to lay a yoke on the shoulders of our fathers
Avliicii neitlier they nor their cliildreii could bear. Alas what bit-
ter mockei'y is this. We assemble to thank (lod for our own free-
dom, and to eat with joy and j;iadiiess of heart vvliili^ our feet arc
on the ]ie<'ks of nearly ;i,()(KI,(l()(> of our fellow-men. Not all <»iir
shouts of seIf-c()n<;ratuIatiou can drown tlieir jiioans; even that
veiy daji' which waves over our head is formed from material cul-
tivated by slaves, on a soil moistened by their blood, drawn from
them by tlie whip of a re]»ublicau task-master." As soon as this
was lesid, the pro-slavery men asseiubled in the market house and
passed a number of resolutions, in wliicIi, with strange inconjiiuity,
they claim tlie right of free speecli foi' tlieuiselves, while they
])lot to dei)rive another of tlio, same ])rivile<>e. A coinniittee was
appointed to iiif(uin jMr. Lovejoy that lie must cease ayitatiiiji" tho
question of slavery, and they accordingly dropi)e(l a letter in tho
post-offlce, containing a douiaud to that eti'ect. The editor re]>lie«l
to the coininuiiication, by denying their right to dictate to him
430
IIISTOUY OF ILLINOIS.
uliiit if \viis proper tiMli.sciis.s, iiimI nt thosiiiiK^ time t(>ii<1(>nMl tliciii
till' use of his piipcr lo r'-l'iitc liis o|iiiiioiis if IIm'.v were wioiih;.
Tlit'V, however, chose :i iiioie siiiiiiiiiiiv iiiiiliiiei' Uty ei 'liny the eoii-
li'ovcisy. On the ni;;lil of the LTd h of Aii;^iist ii molt niiide sin iis-
siiiiM on Ihe ((Mice of lln- Ohncrrcr, with stones nnd l»rieUl»;its, nml
iitter »lii\ in;.; ont the employes entered iiiid eompletelv demolished
the press. .Mr. I.ovejov himself wns iifleiwiird snrroiinded in the.
street 1»\ il nnmlieiof infliiins, it was believed, tor the pnipeNC of
otVeriiij; him violence, 'i'hese ontiiij^cs were Itoldiv eommitted,
withonl any atti'mpt hein;; made Wythe city ollieials to liriny the
I'ioters lo justice. 'I'lie ani i sla\ cry parly oi the town, of course,
were justly incensed at tliis wanton outra^^'cand willlid disre^ai'd
of indi\ idnal riuhts, hut heiiij;- largely in the unnority. all they
could do was to (pnetly suhnnt and send for ii new press. This,
liowe\er. the prctsciihed <'diloi was never to see. LciiN iiiy .\itou
sh(»rtly after to atteml a preshytery, the press arrived Septem-
ber L'lst. and in ids absence it was demolished and. like its piede-
cessor. thrown into the Mississippi. These iiulawl'nl proceed in;'S
ha<l n(»w iM'cn perpclratcd so ol'icu in St. liouis and Alton with
impuuily, that not (udy these localities but other places were rap-
idly beconnn.u demorali/ed. Not Ion ji' after the destriM-tion oftluj
third pri'ss Mi'. Lox cjny \ isittMl his mother in-law at St. Chailes,
Mi). Here he was \ ioleully assailed by a crowd of rufiians, with
tlic iivowi'd object of takiii<>' ids life, and it wiis only at tiie iuter-
Itosition of his heroic and dexctted wife tiuit lie escaped Iheii- mur-
derous intent.
In the meantime tile friends of .Mi-. lovejoy sent for a fourth
jiress. and it was in connection with this thai the traj^cdy occiiired
A\liich cost him his life, in aiitieipatioii of its arrival a series of
mecliiius were lu'ld in which boih the friends (tf freedom and sla-
very wei'e represented. The object of the latter was to ellcct ii
compromise, but it was one in wliicli liberty was to make conces-
sions to oppression ; in which the proju'letors of the Ohscrrcr wero
to Ibi'cyo the le;^itimate use of liieir jtroperly to ai»pease an ijn'iio-
rant mob, and in wiiicli rij^ht and modern proyi-ess were n-qidred to
submit to injustice and the exploded ideas of the ))ast. Mr. Iloyan,
the Metlio<list minister, eiideaxored to jtrove from tiie I'dbic tlio
inexjK'diency of tiie coiuse itnrsiied l»y Mr. liovejoyand liisfriemls,
in which he remarked: "• 'I'lie jirear ajtostle had said all thinji's
are lawful for him. but all thinj:sare not expedient; if l*aul yielded
to the law of expediency would it be wrouu' foi' Mr. Lovejoy to fol-
low his example ' The spirit of (iod did not jtnrsue I'aul to Ids
destruction for thus actiiii;', but on tiie conti'ary commended his
eoui'se ; I'aul had never taken np arms to ]»ro]>ajiate tlie re-
lijiiion of his master, nor to defend himself from tiie attacks oflii.s
enemies; the peojile of Damascus wer(M)pposed to Paul, lint did
lie arjiue with the populace the (pnvstion of his lej>al riylit ; did he
say I am a minister of Christ and must not leave tiie work of my
master to Hee before tiie face of a mob."
Tills was strange a<lviee to eonie from the abettor of a faction,
lirst to inan.mirate violence, and at tiiat very time conspirinj;'
a.yainst the life of one who was legally void of olteiise. The rev-
erend gentleman seemed to think the a,tijirieved .should exercise
Ibrbearaiiee, while the mob mijilit insult and destroy with
impunity. Mr. lieecher, iiresident of Illinois College, was
DUNCAN'S ADMIMSTKATION. 431
41)2
IIISTOliY or ILLINOIS.
Miioiii was i\Ir. Lovcjoy, n'tiinicd tlio lire, by wliicli one of
llic iiMtlt Wiis killed and sevcial ollici-s woiiiidt'd. 'I'liis warm
i'c('c|ili(»ii <'ans(<l flioin 1(» retire, s(»iiie, !<» Itear away \\\v dyiiif^
man, (itliers to siiiiiiiioii reinroreenients, i)iit tlie most of tlieiii
visited the adjacent ;;r();;sli(»]»s t«tr Hie ]»iii|n)S(! of i-evivinj^ llieii'
eoiiiauc. Soon altei, tiie bells of the (!ity were rnn<,% liorns were
blown, and an excited niiititnde came rnsliin^' to tin- warehouse,
some ni';;in;;' on the drunken and ind)iiite<l mob, and others per-
snadinjn' them to desist, liadders were placed a;;ainst the side of
the bnildin;;', without windows, where, there was no danj:er Irian
within, and sexcral persons ascended lo lire the roof. Mr. Lovcjoy
and some others on learnin;;' their dan^^er, rnshed (inland lirin^
lilkitli tint lli«*itlii1!<ll*iittJ<ll*ik\-itlliiilkl tllt-iil- .\rfiil>iwtflll>lliliif ilk tliii
mob, who broke it into I'ra^nients and threw them into the river.
The Ibllowinj"' day a j^rave was dn;;' on a liij;h blnlf, in the
sonlliern pait of the city, and the body, w ithont ceremony, was
thrown into it and covered np. Some years afterward, the same
eh'xation was chosen as the site of a cemetery, and in layin;^ ont
the uronnds, the main axcnne chanced to pass o\'er the j^iaxe of
Lo\ejoy. 'J'oobsiate 1 he diflicidly, his ashes were interrcil in a
new locality, and within a few years past, a simple nntnnment was
erected ovei- the s])ot, bearing;' the inscription: Jlicjaccl Lorcjojj^
jam jKirci' scjhiKo.
or those wli(» jiaiticipated in this infaiiMMis crime, it may be
mentioned that the leader of the ontlaws tinally became a prisoner
in the Ohio ))enitentiary ; the person most instrnmental in com-
mit tin^H' the murder was killed in a brawl in New Orleans, while
many others, it is said, ended their lives in violence and dis-
cnice.
he anthors of its ])ro.uress, and it is not stran<;e that he lost his
lie. iCvery consideiable advance in theology has had its (a-rsei-'i-
lions and martyrs. The iiutijiKt rh(ntin>\' Mnj;lish liberty was wrnn^
from the j;rasp of tyranny by the (hath of patriots. France has
battled and bled Ibr re[iublican pivernment, yet her object is only
half attained. TIk^ <'ause for whi(;h Love joy di(Ml finally
triinnphed, yet it cost (»ne of tin- most bloody civil wars known to
history. Such has been in general the past history of reform.
ciiAi'TER XXXVI r.
STATE INTEIiNAL LMIMIOVEMKNT SYSTEM.
Ill liis ini^HSiif^c to tliD Icfijislatiirc iit I lie spcciiil sosision bcfjnn.
Dcccmlx'r 7, IS,')."), (Jov. I)iiii<riiii siiid: "Wlu'ii we look abroad
sunl s».'<^ flic, extensive lines of iiiter-eoiiinmiiieation peiK'tiwtiiif;
filniost every section of our sister StJiles — when we see tlie ciinal-
boiit iiiid the, locomotive bcjiriiij;', with seeniinjf ti'iiini]ili, the rich
jModiictions of the interior to the I'ivers, hikes and ocean, niniost
iiiiniliiliitiii<>' time, burthen and spnee, wlmt patriot bosom does not
Itciit hi;;h with a hiiidiible iimliitioii to ;;ive to Illinois her lull
sliiire of those adviintajit's which are adoriiiii;^ ]u'r sister States,
and wl(i<',Ii a iiiii;(iiilieent Providence seems to invite by tlii^ woii-
derfiil ii(l;i|)tiitioii of our whole country to such im|trovemeiits."
J'eiinsylviiiiia and other States were at the time en<;a;;(Ml in exten-
sive works of internal imi»rove,nieiit. Tlic^ lef;islatiire responded
to the ardent words of the governor in a, liberal manner, by char-
tcrin;^ a ;;reat number of railroads, alimtst clieckeriii};' the map of
the State, and jdedj^inji; its faith for $."((((),(I(K» of the canal loan;
but further than this they did iiotf^d; the siijueme folly of the
]»eiiod beiny' left for their siu'cessors to enact. After the adjoiini-
iiieiit, when the ])eo])le coiilemi)lat«'d the project of a vast system
of intei'iial improvements, as ]»ortrayed by Ills Ivxcelleiiey, they
W'i'W fired with an inordinate desire to have itsiieedily in successful
o)>cratioii.
They were already inoculate*! with the fever of speculation,
then rife tliroiij^hout the west, ('hiciiyo, a Tnere trading post in l.S.'{(),
had in a, few years ^rown into a city of several the •^and inhabi-
tants. This remarkable city had now started upon her woixleifnl
career of improvement, iiiisiirpassed by individual effort in the
annals of tln^ world, steadily niaintaiiied to this day; and at
])reseiit, after her lerribh^ visitation by the lire (lend, also niisiir-
]»assed in the annals of the; w rid for tin' nia;;iiitiide of its
destrueliveness, since the (hiys of Sodom and (loniorrah, she bids
fair to eclipse all her Ibrnier lapidity of growth. 'I'lie st<My of
speedy fortunes made in ('hicajfo, which excited w(Uideraiid adven-
ture 'Mi years ajjo, is still fraii;;ht with marvels. lOa*'- rej)orts
of tlie rajiid advan<!(^ of luojicrty in (Jlii(raf;<), spread .(» kk; east.
Every vess<'l came crowded with immi^'rants, briiifjinj;' their
iiioiiey, enterprise iiid iiubistry to the eiu'lianted spot of suddeii
o|»ulenc.e. They have not been disappointed. The rapid develoi>-
iiit'iit of (lie town iiis]»ired einiilation. 'I1irou};liout the State,
towns, and additions wer<^ plotfetl with the liojie of jirofitinj;' by
the influx of eniijirants. In some eases maps of splendidly sitn;ited
towns would be taken to Chicago, to attract the attention of tho
li8 4:y6
4;m
IIISTOUV or ILLINOIS.
eiiiii;i!iiil, :iim1 Miictioii sjilcs dI' lots would be niii(l(^ fill' (Voiii tin*.
j)I;icc ol' l((c;itioii. Othci's were sent, cast. It was sjii<l at tiui
time lliat llic staple articles of Illinois (export \v<'re town jdots, and
that tiieie was danuiT ol' ci'owdini;' the State with towns to llie,
exeliisioM ol" land for a;;ri(Mill inc.* I )niinj; t lie vtar 1S.'>(!, lands
tollie ainonnt of !!!."),(MIO.(IO(» w<'re eiileied in Illinois. h'roMilhis
it was not nni-eas<aialtiy dedneed that an extraordinary tide of
ennuialion W(»nld sp(M-dily set into this State, liven thesohei-
JMd^^nn'nt of earefid Inisiness men and staid fainieis llnetnated,
and they heeanie liied with the i<lea of leapin.^; intosndden lorlnne.
The j;<'nins (W speenlation oNcispread the State with her j;oldeii
win,L;s, east inji' da/.zlin.u beams of brijiht prondse a<'ross the paths
of (»ni' people, beyond which it was ditlienit to see. They invested
to the ntmosi of their ei'(Mlit, which at that lime of bank expan-
sion, was almost nnlimited. To prevent their e\lensi\-e imrchases
from becoming' a diiij; npon their hands, and to fni'lhei' invite
imndiiralion and place tlic^ pr<)s[)erity of the Slat<^ npon a lirni
basis, by de\ <'lopin,ii' it*^ "esonrees -biinjiinj;' its int<'rior within the.
I'an^^'e of markets; settling;' it np ; bnildin^' np its towns and cities;
lia\ inn the mnscle to wrinj;' from its vij;(»r((ns .soil the prodncts of
wealth, and enhance tin; price of jtroperty, was a <ireat, a ^rand
<lisi<leialnm. All this conld be aceomplislied, it was inj^cnionsly
iiryned, and doubtless <lemonslrated to many, by a j^cneial system
of internal improvements, ba.>ed on the faith and credit of the:
Stale. A new le<;islafnre was to be (deeted in An^Mstof that
year, IS,;*;. The da/./.lin^' scheme was now \ ij;'oronsly ajiilated.
The press es|>onsed the project. I'nblie meetinj;s were held all
o\cr the State, and icsolnlions, as (Ik; exjtressions of the peoples
ill la\()i' of the scheme, wcic adopted, 'i'lie subject was kept
alive. The j;reat natural siuface ad\antaj;('S of tlie State for the
biiildinj;' of railioads weni dilated upon; the State; which alr«'ady
j»ossessed every element of yi'eatness — extent (d' territory, ii(di-
iiess of soil, variety of climate, almost bounded by iiaviiiabU^
waters — lacked only these iniprox cmeiits to reach and develope its
vast and inaccessible inferior. Its broad and fertih' prairies lay
ready pre|)ared, awaitiii};' only population and the hand of industry
to respond with abumhint products, (o freight these avenues of
commerce connect in;;' them with the markets of the world. That
these \iews were in the main correct has by this time, with our
7(MI0 miles of completed I'ailroads, been demonstrated; but that
the State should carry Ibi'wardthe herciileaii project was most
vissionaiy, and proved most disastrous.
'ilie leuislatiire (dected Anjiust IS.'UI, was supitlemeiited by an
inlernal iiiipro\emenl convention, composed of many of the ablest
men <d" the Stale, which was to meet at the seat of j;(»\eriiment
simnltaiieoiisly with the leyislaliire. It is probai)lt! that the more
zealous advocates of the judjeet ('iitertained doubts re^ardiiij; the
slamina of the honorable members of the le^^islature, when the
vast |»i()je(;t should Ik; fully broiijiilit Ibrward foraction. The coi -
vent ion devi.sed a jjeneral .system of internal iiniwovements, tlio
leailiiin' charaeteristies of which was ••that it should be commeii-
siirate with the wants of the people." It was an iiresponsilde
body, det«'rmined to succ<m'(I in its om', obj(!e,t, re;;ardless of eoii-
.se(iueiices. 'I'Ik; wildest niasoning was in(liilj;e.d. Every theory
•Ford's History.
DUNCAN'S AinriNrSTKATION.
435
that tlio tcciniirji' briiiii of ii);iii could siiy'^^cst was l)i(>ii;;lil into
r<'(|iiisi(ion to fiirtln'r llic success of tlic scliciiic. I'ossildlilics
were ai'^^iied into prohaMlitics, iiiid tlie latter into iiil'alihilities.
I)()id>ts rej^ardiiin" the advaiilaj^es of tlie, system wci'e scouted;
the res(»urces of tlie State uiaiiiiilu'd a liiiiidred fold, and tlie ulti-
mate aoility of the works to meet all their liabilities without det-
riment to the State, i>redicled with a jiosif iveness as if ins|)ire(l
by the .nift of projiliecy. (loNcriior Duiiean in his iiiessa^^c reil«'r-
ateil his reeuiiimeiidatioii toestaltlish a ^^ciiei'al aiul uniform sys-
tei 1 of internal inipi'oNcments, in which the State iiii;;lit take :i
lliii'd or half interest to hasten the woiks to eom|i!etion, which
would secure to her a, laslin;;' and abundant revenue, to be aj*-
plied upon the principles of the |)laii profjosed, " until the whole
coiintiT shall be iulersect<'d by canals and railroads, and our
beautiful prairies enlivened by thousands of steam en^^iiies, draw-
ing;' after theiii len.utheiie(| trains, frei^iited with the abundant
prodiictiiuis of our fertile soil." The |troductioii of the conveii-
tiou was conlided to t he hands of lOdward Smith, of \\'aba.sli, chair-
man of IIk' committee on inleinal impioxements in the le;;islat ure,
who, after the inli'oduction of a set of rest il lit ions coxcriii;^ the same
^^round, on theJMli olMauuary, IS.'JT, made a report on the memo-
rial and the j;dveriior's iiiessaj^e relatinii' to the same siii)ject,
which it may safely be asserted is one of the most assiirinj;', ex-
|)ectaiit, and hopeful papers to be found amon;;the archives of
Illinois. It occupies some IL' i»a,n('s, and is replete with specious
rcasuiiinj;'. 'i'he commiltec ai'jiiicd that puidic ex])ectation, both
sitli >meaiid abroad, would lie .^reat ly disa|ip(iiiited if some system
of ihteriial iiiipi(»\ «'meiit was not adopted at- the pi'cscnt ses-
si<Mi ; that the internal trade of a country was the ;4reatest
lever of its prosperity ; that it was the Ic^islaloi's duty, by his ex-
ample, to calm the apprehension ot the timorous and meet the
attacks of calculatinjj; o])posers of measures which would multi-
ply the population and wealth of the State; that the surface of
the Slate was peculiarly adapted to the construction <d' railroads,
and that (he practicability of remox in^ obstructions to the navi-
;;ati(Ui of oui- fixers <'ould not be (loul)ted; that a ;iencral system
of internal inipiox eiiieiits was then within the policy and means
of the State, «h'iiianded by t he people as expressed l)y their highly
laleiitetl dele;nates, lately assembled iii <'onveiitioii, and also looked
forward to by the peoples abroad who had piiicliased lands here
with a \iew to sett lenient, and whose expectations ou;::lil not to be
disappointed by ox'ci' cautious h'j;islatiou, which wonlil <li\('rt ciui-
yi'atioii to other States ; that the (!ost of buildinji' railroads, from
the iiniforinity of the country, and by analogy with similar works
ill other States, could be calculated with the ntniosi pr*'cisioii
without pre\ ions surveys, (.*S,(MI(> pei' mile beinj;' the estimate);
than an iiitc'-nal ini|)rove!nent fund should be ctmstituted of all
moneys ari.^iii^' from loans, sale of stocks, tolls, rents <>[' land and
hydraulic jiowcrs, interest oii stocks, sale of Stale lands entered for
the works, a portion of thedeposits received from the national
treasury, and portions of tlu^ annual land lax; that with the ex-
piratiiui of the j;()\erniiieiil exemption in (i\e ycai's I iiiie. there
Would he IL',IMM».(I00 acresof land to lax; that by rhedisbiirsi'ineiilH
of larjfe sums of money, means would speedily be placed in the
hands of (he jieople to enable (hem (o purchase (heii- iioiries ;
4;i(! niSTOIlY OF ILLINOIS.
tliiit tlic iiiilioads its fast as coiiiplctcil liotli wavs iVoiii tlic cross-
iii;;s of livers and important towns, would yield tlH^ interests on
tlit'ir costs; that in the advance (if tlie routes of inii»roveineiits the
State should enter lauds to re-sell at an enhanced price; that a
board of fund eoniniissiouers should be elected, to consist of such
euiiueiit tiuanciers as to retlect j;ri'at credit upon the State, and
thus achl to its tinancial resources ; aiul that witli these active
rcsoun'cs at comuuiud no yreat financial skill was recjuired of fu-
ture lej;islatures to ])rovide the ways and means t«) carry to com-
l)letiou the public works without hart heniu";- the people with taxa-
tion. The works rccoin mended, together with the estinuited costs,
"were as follows:
1st. Ini])rovemeut-of the Great Wabash river - - fl(K),0(H)
2d. " " Illinois river - - - l(H»,(l(M)
3d. " " Hock river - - - l(Mi,(M»o
4tli. " " Kaska><kia river - - oU.OOO
5tli. " " Little Wabash river - - oO,()(»0
(itli. " " (Jreat Western Mail Route - 100,0(10
7tli. " " Central liailroad from mouth of the
Ohio to (Jaleua - - a.oOO.OOO
8t}i. " " Soutliern Cross railroad - l,{iOO,()00
yth. " " ^'ortllern Cross railroad - 1,^")0,0()0
?7,4o0.(K)0
A bill coverinj>- these provisions was submitted by the couunit-
tee, who concluded:
"The maxim is well understood by political economists, that the
wealth of a country does not consist so much in the abundance of its
coffers as in the numl)er and {lenoral prosperity of its citizens. In tlie
present situation of tiie country, tlie products of tlie interior l>y reason
of tlieir remoteness from uuirkct, are left upon the luiuds of tla produ-
cer, or sold barely at the price of the lal)or necessary to raise autl prepare
them for sale. IJut if tlie coutemjilated system should lie carried into
effect, these fertile and lieulthy districts which now hingiiisli for the
want of ready markets for their productions, would tiuti a tlemand at
home for them during the progress of the works, and after their comple-
tion woukl have the advantage of a cheap transit to a choice of markets
on the various navlgal)le streams. These would inevitably tend to build
towns and cities along the routes and at the terminal points of the re-
spective railroads."
The Icfiislatitre, in adopting "An act to establish and maintaiu
a general system of internal iini»rovemeut," ai»pi'oved February
27, IS,')", not (udy came fully up to the rciiuiieiueuts «)f the con-
ventioM as reported by the committee, but went over two uiilliou
and a »i! arter beyond — $1(»,1!;50,(HI(>, as follows: Toward the im-
pi'oveinent of the (Tieat AVabash, )i«l(l().(KK»; the Illinois river,
$l(l(>,(l(»0; Kock river, $1()(»,000; Kaskaskia, .*r>(),(KK); Little Wa-
bash, 8"><t.<><l(> ; ('it'it AVestern 3Iail lioute from Vincennes to 8t.
Louis, 82.")().(KMI, as follows: on the I'urgatory swaiiip', o]»posite
Vincennes, 8o(»,(M)0, Little "Wabash river bottoms, $15,000. on the
American bottom opitosite !St. Louis, 8;>0,000, the balance on
bridges and rcp;>.irs ; for the Central railroad from Cairo to the
Illinois and Michigan canal and railroads from Alton toMt. Car-
mel (Southern cross-road) and Alton to .Shawueetown, ,'jl,(iOO,000;
Northern cross-railroad from (>>niiicy to Indiana State line (present
T. W. i*c W.), Ml.SO0,OO0; a branch"of the Central from llillsboro'
via Shelhyville and Charleston to Terre Haute. !?(i.")0,()00; from
Peoria via iMcCoiub and Carthage to Warsaw, $700,000; from
DUNCAN'S ADMINISTRATION.
437
Alton to Ilillshoio, and the (Vntnil lailioiul, $()(»(t,(K»0; from
])('11('\ illc vi;i Lebanon to intersect tlie Sontliern cross-railioad,
,*l,"")(l,(l(l(>; from l>looniin<>ton to Mackinaw in Ta/e\vill county,
llience a, hrancli to I'ekin, ."?.')r)(>,()()0; and tinally, of the tirst
moneys oI»tain<'d. .*l.'(l(),(K)(» \v«'i'e t<» be distributed anioni;- tliose
comities tIiron;;ii w iiicii no roads or iiniuovenients were projected.
A boanl of fund <*oininissi()neis was })rovi(h'd to consi.^t of three
nieniliers, wlio siiould " be practical and experienced linanciers,"
'• wlio wei'c to i'ontract for and nej;otiate all loans anthori/cd by
the legislature on the faith ami credit of the State f<>r objects of
internal iini»rovements on the best and most favoi;tble terms,"
si^ii and execute bonds or certificates of stocks, I'cceive, manaj^e,
deposit and aj)ply all moiu'ys aiisiuyfroni said loans; make <juar-
terly reports, &c., and keep a conijdete record of all theii' fiscal
transactions. 'J'he conimissicuuMs ciiosen at this session by joint
vote of both houses, were: Charles Oakley, M. .M. I{awlinj;s, and
Thomas .Mather. Their tinst was en()rnn>us, and while they han-
dled millions of the i»eople's money, a bond was exacted of onlj''
^.lO.dOO. 'I'hey wei'<' allowed a secictary and a per diem compen-
sation «»f ?<■">. I'or the puipost^ of jiromotiny and unitin;^ the va-
rious branches t)f impi'ovenu'ut, a board of *'C(unmissionens of
Public Works" was created, consisting of seven meinbeis, one
from each judicial <listrict, to l>e elected biennially by joint vote of
the General Assembly, and to contiiuu' in office foi- two years.
An oath of otlice and a i)oinl of twenty thousand dollars was re-
tpiired of each; no coniniissioner was permitted to ivtain in his
liauds moie than ><1.'(»,(I00 at any one tinu". l5oth commis-
sioners and cuineers were reijnircd to take an oath to keep
secret, for tlie ben<fit of Ihe State, all infoinuition they mijiht le-
c;'i\ (' I'clatinu' to lauds or clioi<'e town sites, that other jiersons
mi^ii; not enter ())• i)urcliase them to the detriment of the State.
A violation of this provision was to be deemed a mis(' 'ineanor,
l>unishabl(' by tine not ex<'eedin^' $."».((()() and incapacity of hold-
iu.u' office. The commissioners were aiitlioii/ed to locate, su-
IH'iintend, and construct all the jiublic works for the State, except
thecanal. They weit* to organize and un-et semi-annually at the
seatof .tiovernmcnt, at which times the ficneral outlines of the
operations were to be deteriniiu'd; examine and audit the ex-
penditures of moneys on the works; make estimates of jirobable
costs; serve Jiuthenticated coi>ies on the fund commissioners, and
make out a report of their procee(liu,;;s for the ji'overuor to lay be-
fore the le;,nshiture. C'eitaiii duties or <li\isions of the work mij:iit
be assigned junong themselves ; they were to cause examimitions
and sni'veys of rivers to be made, and licnerally t(» let the works to
the lowest bidders, for which due notice was to be published and
sealed j)roposals received ; c<»ntracts were to i)rovide for foifeiture
in case of non-compliance, abandonment, &e., by contractors; no
sub-lettinji was jtcii'mitted.
Any vacant lands lyinj; within .") miles of any probable routes of
the works were to be entered for the State. The railroads were to
be built (»n the m<»st direct ami elijiible rcmtes between their speci-
fied termini. Individuals or ]uivate compani; s miuht connect
any railr()a<ls or branches with Ihe Stat«^ works. Finally ihe
board of public m oiks were empowered to adopt ami enforce all
4;ks
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
iSncli rules mid rc^iiihitioiis ;is tlicy iiiiylit dcciii iicccssiiry ;ui<l
c.\|)('<li('iit, to ciiiry into full cll't'ct rlu- oltjccls <»!' the iict.
The Norllicni Cross railroiul, lioiii .liirUsoiix illc tt» Siniiijilicld,
AViis to Itc iimiicdiiitcl.v coiistnictcd ; hid willi r»';;iird to tlic otiicr
ridlroiids, it wiis |)i'o\idt'd in .section 'S> ol' the iicl, tliiit fin' work
t>lioid(l bi' coiiiiiifiiccd siiiiultMiK'oMsly at rarii end, at iiiii)orlant
tradiii};- towns, and at tii<'ir iiitcrscc'tioiis willi )iavi<;al)l<' .sticaiiis,
to 1)(! tliciice l)uill ill botli diicctions. Tliis provision, wliicli lias
Ix'cii calU'd tlic crowniiin' lolly of tlic cntiic system, was tlie result
of those jealous eoiiihinatioiis, eiiiaiiat iiii; iVoiii the tear that
a<lvaiitayc's iiiij^lit aeeriie to one section over another in the <'oiii
meneenieiit and eoin|iIelioii of the works, which evince, both the
ueakness and shoit-si^htedness of hiiiiian nalnre. \\'«' can appre-
ciate the niajinitiide and eiioiiiiity of the "'^rand system" better
]H'rha])s, by ajiplyin^' lacls and li<:iires to it. The census taken in
is;;,"), returned the ]ioj)ulation of the State L'71.71'7 ; in IS7«> it is
LJ,.");)!>,S!)I, or nearly leu tiiiu's greater. The ratio of increase iu
the wealth of the State as fully as jiicat.'* The debt authori/ed
for these improvements iu the tiist instance was $l(»,l!;)(),(l(((>.
But it was shortly found, that the estimates of the <*ost of tla;
uorks were too low by half. \Ve may with certainty assert, there-
lore, that the State "was committed to a liability of $LM»,()0(M»"«»,
<'(piivalent to !?20I),(>()().(MK> at the present time, w'itli ten times the
]>oi»ulatioii, and more than ten times the wealth. Yet what wiiiiid
be the iiidij;natiou of the ]»eo])le, if any lejiislalure should now-
dare to impose the enormous lial>ility of .'i<L'(>(),(>()l),0()(), or «'\('U
luilf ihat sum, u])on the State, not wilhstainlin;;' its j^reat wealth
and resources '!
Tlu! bill did not meet the ajijirobation of the council of revision.
It was assigned as a reason, "that such works can only be made
safely and economically iu a free ;io\ eminent, by citizens or by
iudeix'udent corjtorations, aided or authorized by •iovcinmcnt."
Allusions was also made to the undue inHiicnce over legislation that
such vast jiublic works would exercise. Not wiihstandinj; these
objections the bill was aj^ain [lasscd by the coiisiitulional major-
ity and became a law. JMessis. E. IJ. AVebb and .)ohn McCowu,
luendx'rs of the House from White county, eutei'e<l their solemn
]>rotest aj;aiut its ])assa,ue, settiii.i;' forth their reasons at lariic,
which were spicad upon the journal.
\'arions combinations, or what is in modern pailcnc(^ teiiiied
''riu;;s," were formed in the lejiii^liiture to effect the i)assaj.',«' of
the act. Prexious to this all estimates of the cost of the canal,
then in (,'ourse of construction, were upon too low a scale, its
completioj. was very much <lesired by a larjic jtoitiou of the peo-
])le, and it had been iciuarded as a w<irk of ,ureat public utility
with much unanimity amon,i; public men, but now farthcraid was
meuaeed to be withheld if othei' ])oitions of the State were refused
the improvements which tlieii' situations deni7inded. The canal
Avas tlierefoi'e connected with the jicncial system, and a provision
made pled^iii<i- the faith oi' the State for a loan of !#.")(»(),( 100 toward
it. The canal is not yet done j»layin;.;au important part iu obtain-
ing appro[iriations Itom the State treasury. To enlist thereiiiiis-
ite number of members for its jtassa^-e of the bill, provision was
•The tiixiible wcultli (if tlio ^^t;itc in 1S;J1) was only Srj8,,S8»,rc'r), now it exceeds ^ulKstOO,-
OOC.
DUNCAN'S AmilNISTRATION. 439
iiiiulc lor iiiiprovciiuiifs in iilni(»,sl every part of the Stato, and
tliosc oiit-of tlic way coinitics wliicli could not Ix- icaclicil, were to
sliarc in a I'nnd ol' .'i<2(MI,(l(H>, fiist to bi' laiscd. Alton, tiicn ninni-
ficcnlly siipitlicil with millions by the State bank to buiM liei' up
as tlie mercantile center and metropolis ol'tlie west, would no! be
salisiied with h'ss than the termini ol" three lai I roads, in ls;U,
she Inid recei\ed the ]iij;hest number of votes as the seat of
j;(»vernmeiit, al'tei' the LM) years limitation at Vandalia should ex-
piic ; but upon this she did not now insist — she inefericd rail-
roads. Several ellorts were made to cut down the s<'iM'me to less
dinuMisions, with failures each time, an<l not unfr(>(pu'ntly more
works added. Althou;;li the internal imj)rovement convention
had lon.u' since adjourned, there was still a powerlul loblty l)M.^ily
en j;aj;(Ml applying; the pressure to [diant mendiersof the Iej;i slat are.
Th(( lobbies witnessed nmny oiatorical eltbrts of in^^cnious and
lofi'ieal arjiumcJit. The manifest destiny of j;'overnment was ])r()-
trayed in jiiowiui;' colors; dedin-tions from similai' systems in pro
j-ress in other States \\<'re madi' applicable to Illinois, and tln^r
certain success driven Lome and clinched with jticdictions; and
who can arj^ue aj^ainst '',tro|»hecy ? Tlu' sui»se(|ueiit fads of si^^nal
and <lisastrous I'ailure, wei(^ then hidden in the womb of lime.
What ai)pears ridiculous and absurd now, was then by many
conlidently believed, because there were no facets tojiainsay it, but
nnich ]»ositive asseivation that it would be a success.
Thecinestion of rem<tvin;.; the seat of •;'overnment from Vandalia,
the 20 years limitation under the constitution haviuj;' nearly ex-
]tired, played no inconsiih-rable part in the passage of tliis
measure. San,namon county, then the nu>st populous in the Slate,
was rei)resent<!d by two senators and seven I'cpresenlatives,
fandliarlv known as the ''lon<^' inne," all whiys but one. Savs
(biv. Ford:
"Amoufrst tlieni were some dexterous juji^lt'i's and nianii^ers in
polilics, wliose wliole (ibject was to olitain tlie scat of ,ii;()V('rMnu'iit for
J^priiiflfield. Tins (lelcfiation, t'rom the iie^iiniiii};; of the session, tlirew
itself as ii unit in support of, or oj>positi()n to, eveiy local measure of
interest, l>ut never witliont a Itarj^ain lor votes in return on the seal of
frovernnient (piestif)U. Most of the other counties were small, tuning
but v)ne representative, and many of them with l)ut one for the whole
district ; and this jiave San<j;um()n c(;L.ntya decided pri'iiouderance iiitiie
loji-rolliuf; system of those days. Ft is worthy of examinalion whether
any Just and e(pia] lef:islalion can <'ver he sustaiiu'd where somi' of the
counties arej^reatand powerful and otliers feeble. 15ut by such means
'the \ou^ nine' rolled alonji; like a siuiw hall, j;atherin^ accessions of
streufith at eviT.,- turn, until they swelled up Ji considerable party for
H|)riMj;field, which party they maiuiyed to take almest as a unit in favor
of the internal improvement system, in return for which the active siij)-
porteis of that system were to vote for Sprin^liehl to bi' the seal of ^ov-
ermuent. Tluisit was maile to cost the State about ?li,(l(iO, (Kin, to remove
the seatof f!;<)vernnieiit from Vandalia to 8i)riuKliold, half of whicli sum
would have purchased all the real istatein that town at three ju'lrts; ami
thus by lo,ii;-rollinK on the canal measure, l)y multiplyim^ railroads, by
terminating three railroads at Alton, that Alton nugiit l)ec()nii' a j-'i'eat
(iity in opposition to St. I^ouis, by distrilaiting money to some ol the
counties, to be wasted by the county connnissioners, and l)y giving the
.seal of government to Sjjringlield, was the whole State liouglil u|) and
hrilied, to a|ii»ro»'e the most senseless aiul disastrous policy which ever
cri])nled the energies of a growing country."
The tirst board of coinmissiom'rs of public, works, consisted of
Murray JNIcConnell, AVilliam Kinney, Elijah Willard, .Milton K.
440 HISTOKY OF ILLINOIS.
Alcxiiiidcr, rlocl A\ rij;lit, .lames W. ISti'itliciison, and Ehcnczcr
J\'('k. All I'llbit was luailc lo eloct lut'iubcis of tlie l«'>;i.sIatiUT to
tliis imixtrlaiit placi' of tiiust. To evade tlie provision of tlii' eon-
^titiitioii, lliat 'Mio sfiiator or representative siiall, durin^i' tiie linio
lor wiiifli lie shall have been elected, be a]»itoiiited to any eivil
oHlee nnder this State," and also the determination of (Jovernor
Duncan n(»t lo commission any member \vh(» niij;ht be chosen, a
hiw was endeavored to be passed to (»ver-ride the constittilion and
do away with a commission, notwithstanding; the iccpiirement
that ail civil otlicers shall lie commissioned. In the li^^ht of a late
decision of the snpreme conrt, howcNcr, a commissioner is not an
othcer. Still, at the Joint nieetin;; of the two houses an etfoit was
made to elect members as commissioners, but tlu're were some
scruples in the way ; an adjournment for a day was had, when
men w«'re chosen, not mend>ers of either house.
It was now fondly hoped by those whose heads were not entirely
turned that the fund commissioners would be unable to nejiotiato
the bonds of the State. Jlut this was soon swe])t away. Throuj^h
the aid of the I'nited States baidv, then tradinj;' in State stocks,
which served to bankrui»t it, loans were elfectt'd in the summer
of IS.'iT; work was commence<l at nniny ditferent points before
the end of the year. Throuj;hout the State public expectation
■was wi'oujiht to the highest i»ilch over the scheme, ^loney became
abundant by reason of local e.xitenditures and in payments for
estinnites upon woiks. It had been confidently belie\ed that the
bonds of the Slati; would brinj;' ten per centum premium in
market. Gov. J)uncan had disposed of $1(K>,(M)() in canal bonils
the summer preceding" at 5 per centum premium, which lie cou-
sidi'ied too low and declined a larj^cr sum at that rate. JUit now
the commissioners (;oiild elfect loans in this country only at par;
London was tried with worse eliect, "those in Europe were at 9
l)er cent discount. The bankers paid IK) cents on the dollar to the
State, and, as is alleged, 1 per cent, to the fund commissioners,
lor brokeraj^e.''* Besides which a heavy contract was yivt'ii for
railroad iion at a most exorbitant price. Labor progressed
meanwhile njion all the works.
♦Ford's History.
cnAi'TEu xxxvirr.
]S;1S-1S42— Al)>riNISTlJATI()N OF (lOVEKXOll CAKLIN.
Continuation of the Siiltjcct of Internal Imin-ovcmi'nt — VoHup.sc of
the Grand ISystem — Hard Timen — lieoryanizatioti of the Judiciary
in 1841.
While the unwichl.v intcnial iiii])i()venu'iit system of the State
was ill full opeiatidii, witii all its cxpciisivt' iiiaciiiiiciy, amidst
bank siispt'iisi(»iis tiiroiijihoiit the I'liitcd States, a j^icat stiiiiyciiey
ill tiie money market everywiiere. ami Illinois bonds forced to sale
at a heavy diseoiint, the ;4eiieral election of IS.'JS was appioach-
iiiji'. Discreet men who had (•herished the hope of a speedy siih-
sideuce of the public infatuation, met with disai»poiiitmeiit. A
.liovernor and legislature wei'e to be elected, and these were now
looked forward to for a icpcal <»f the ruinous State policy. Hut
the firand scheme had not yet lost its da/./liu,y iullueiiee ui»oii the
minds of the people. Time and experience had not demonstrated
its utter absurdity. Hence the (piestion of airestinj;' its career
of protli<4ate expenditures did not become a leadiu;; one with the
dominant party duriuy the cami)ai<in, and most of the old members
of the legislature were returned at fiiis election.
Of the <;uberiiatorial candidates, Cyius ImI wards (i)rotlier of the
late <>()vern(U',) whij:', came out stronjily for the system; while
Thomas Carliii, the democratic nominee, well a]»prised of the public
infatuation not yet sobered, failed to declare an emphatic o])iuiou
either for or aj^ainst. This was tiie lirst time timt the two ])olitical
parties had the tield to themselves in a <iiibeniatorial canii»aijiii,
unembavrasse<l by other tickets, in December piccediiii:, the
Democratic State convention had nominated -lames W. Stephen-
son for {governor, and .John S. Hacker for lieutenant j:<»vernor. In
April followiiifi', Hacker withdrew from the contest, and Stephen-
son, who was eharj^ed witii \h'\ujj: a defaultei'. also withdrew,
a sacrifice to the demands of party interests. The convention was
recalled and met June 4tli, when Thomas Carlin was nominated
for j4()vernor, and S. H. Amlerson for lieutenant fiovernor. Carliu
was elected, receiving;' 3i>^ii7'.i vot«'s to Edwards L".»,(l-!). Anderson
received ;}0,.'{;{r) votes, to W. H. Davidson, the wliiy nominee for
lieutenant governor, 2S,7l(>.
(lov. Carlin was born in Kentucky, near Frankfort, July 18th,
178!). His father was an Irishman. The education of young
Carlin was meagre. In early manhood he ai>plied himself to
remedy this delicieney, being his own tutor. He was fond of
reading through life. In 18(K) his father removed to Missouri,
then Si)anish, where he died in 1810. In ISll! the subject ot our
441
442
IIISTOUY ()1<" ILLINOIS.
skftcli ciiiiM' to Illiiipis and ]>arti('i|»at<'(l in all the "raiij^in^i" scr-
\ ice incident to llic uaiul' that |Mri(id, i>r<»\in;; liiins<'ll' a soldier
of iindaiinte(i luaNcrv. lie was married to Keiieea Miiitt in ISM,
uixl lived on the l)anU of liie .Mississippi opposite tlie month of ihv.
JMissonri 1 years, u lien he remo\ed to (ireene count v. lie located
the town site of Carrollion, and nnide a lilteral donation of land
Ibi' counl.v hniidin;; piiiposes in ISl!."), He was the lirst sherilV of
(Ireene connt.v, and afterwai-d was twice elected a senator to the
le.i;islalnre. In the lllacU llawU war he commanded a si»_v
Itatlalion, a [Ktst of «'onsid<'rai»l«' dan;;er. In is;;i he was appoinleil
b.V President Jackson receiver of puWIic moneys and renntved to
Qnincy. After the' clos(« of his unUei iiatorial term he remo\('d
back to his old home at ('arntlllou. where he spent the remainder
of his life, as ho^'ori^ his elevation to ollice, in aj;iicultiiral piiisuits.
In 184!> he served out the niu-xpired term of ,1. 1). I'vy in the
lower house of tlu' lej^islature. lie died I'eh. 11, ISol', leavinji'
isurvix in;; idm his wife and seven chihlren, out of tliirteen born to
them.*
Clov. Carlin was a man of remaikable physical ener^^y ami
capacity. In stature he wasal»o\(' the medium height ; li^ht coni-
jtlexioucd, a spare looking' face, hi;nli forelicad, Ion;;' nose, and thin
li[)s, ^iviny to his nK>utli a compressed apj>fc'arance. lie was un-
yielding if not obstinate in disposition, possessed in j)rivate life
an nnhlendslu'd characler, and was a democrat of the strai^htest
sect. While he did not seek i)rcfcrinent, he <lid not nj(rct ollice.
iM«'Utally he was not without vi^i'or. His messa^nes are smo(»tldy
and rather well wiitteii, l»ut he did not attempt public speakin;;'.
The 'ientenant governor elect, Amlersoii, was a initive of
Tennessee, lie proved an ellicieiit oflicer, ami attached to himself
many warm triends through life, lie resided in .lelferson county.
After the e.\])iralion of his term of oftice. he received tVom Trest-
dent i*olk the olli(;e of l'nite(l States .Marsli.d. In jiolitics, it is
iieedles.s to mU\, liti was a di'niocrat.
Tpon the meeting' of the legislature. IS,')!), the retiring' ^overno)',
J)uncan, in his message spoke in emphatic terms of the. im]iolicy
of the internal imi)rovemeiit system l>y the State; ])resa^tMl theevi.s
threatened by that measure, which experience liad already suflici-
ently shown woidil have a m(tst del<'terioiis etfect upon tiie pr<ii)erty
of the State; and ur^ed that to correct the ndstake, without too
{^reat a saerilice of i)id)iic or prisate interests, should occujty the
most Serious and i)atriolic deliljcration of the legislature. l>ut the
iiH'omitijLi' ^(tvernor, contrary to the hope of many wise and discrete
men, while lu' strongly assailed, in trni' iJacksonian style, the
baidcs and their susi)ensions, which had been le;;alized, lield the
followinj4' lan^ua^e on the sul>j«'et of internal improvements:
. "The signal success which htis attenilctl our sister States in tlie con-
struction of tliiiir oxtcnsivc systiius of iniiirovenieuts can leave no doulit
of tlie wise policy aiul utility of such works. They open new chiiunels
of commerce and trade, furnish the farmer iind mechanic the means of
transijortin^' the products of their lali'ir to market, develoj)e the uiitural
and hidden resources, of the country, and stinndate the enterprise and
industry of the pe()i)le. * * In the principles and jjolicy of this plan,
contrasted with that of joini stock companies and jjrivate corporations, I
entirely concur. Had 1 oci^upied my present situation at tlie estublisli-
♦From a memoir by his diiugliter, Mrs. E, C. Woodward.
OABLIN'h administration. 443
DUMit of till' syHti-iu, I would have ivcoinnu'iiikd its adoption on u Ichh
I'Xtciisivc scale, and tiic ('onstnictioii of llicniost iniiiortant woiks llist.
rntlcr tlif prcsiMil plan of piocccdlM^r, howi'vcr, near two million dollars
have lifcn expended, and whatever diversity of opinion nniy now exist
as to tlie exju'ilieney of the system as oiiVdnally projeeled, all must
admit tluU llieeliai'ucterund(;redilof tlie ."-^tate forljid its abandonment."
It was, tln-iclolt', to he expected linil tinise who saw tin' lolly of
the State in tiie prosecution ol' this system, and hail (dierisln-d the,
ln)pe of a (dninjie, would he disappointed. The new lej^islaturc.
not only did not repeal or nn)diry the expensive project, Init made
I'uriher specilic appropriations and anllnni/ed additional works,
in\ol\in,u' an (»id lay (d' m'ar a million dollars: m.')(»,(I(IO for tiie im-
]»r(»venM'nt (d' |{o<di river; Ml.'jIMtOO to im|»r(»ve the na\ i.iialion of
the Little Wahash; .-"(L'OJHMt (»n the western nmil r(Uite; '."iHMMl.OOl)
lor a new railroad from li'nshx ille to I'jie, on the hank (d' the Illinois
river; ><l;o,(MIO to improxc 'he na\ i.ualion of the I'lmharias ri\ cr;
lj(lJ(l,(HK» lor th(^ \V]<i Minidy; and .'!i<l().(Mt(l for a road from ('ain)kia
Crccdv to l\askaskia. Uesides these specilic amounts, the improves
inent of the na\ i,i;atioii of the Illinois river was directed to ho
cxteiuled to Ottawa (whicli accord in, u to i lern exia-riem-e would
have taken nniiiy uiilliims more) and a lateral hr-anch railroad tVoui
some eli.uihlc point on the Alton and Shell»y\ille railroad lictween
llillshoro and Alton to run to Carlinville. The governor was aUo
authori/ed to m'j;(diate a loan of !;< f,(H)0.(id(l to pi'osecute the work
on thecamil. The hiiuls ami pithlic woiksof tln^ State were ex-
empted fr(»m taxation. So thoroughly was the lenislatnre still
iiiilHH'd with the idea ofthe State exclusi\ely owning all the pnhlic;
works, that the chairnnin of the- Coniinittee on Interiuil linprovc-
ineid, .Mr. Smith, of Wahash, in reporting' adveisidy n]»ou a hill
tor "an act to im'(Uporate the Alhitm ami (iiay\ille Kailroad
("ompany,"'' at this session, said: "In the o])iiiiou (d" the eoui-
luitlee, it is inexpedient lor the legislature to authorize corporation*
or individuals to constrnct railroads or canals calculated to como
in comiietilion with similar woiks now in course of constructioil
xiinlcr tln^ State system of internal improvements."
Here let us sto]> and sjx'culate over the ])rohahle future o\' our
State, had this remarkahle Mr. Ivlward Snuth liscd. As chairmau
of the committee on internal improvcmeuts, hedral'ted that j;low-
iii};' report of the committee whicli so lired the liom)rable uuMuhers
U])ou th(^ stihject of developiuji' the resources of the State as to
cause them to vie with eacdi other in actually doin,n- nn)re tiiaii
that not very modest (htcument asked; and who, apparently,
possessed the um};ni'tie i»ow»'r to hriiii;' the memhers s(]uarely up
to the su])port of these improvemeut uu-asures, like a skillful
ji'cneral marshalinj;' his hosts for victory, lie seenu'd t(» he horu to
ooininuiul in this ])iirticulai' field of eiiteriuise. rnl'ortuuately,
before the next session, Mr. Smith died, when the splendid .system
collai»sed. IIa<l he renuiined in life, with the jteculiar force that
characterized him in ])ushinj,;' tlii'ouj;li these measures, the final
result of this lien'ulean nndertiikinji' of the State becomes u sub-
ject of curiotis contemplation. It must have either bankrii])te(l
the State beyond all hope of redemption, or made her treasury the
recipient of all the many millions of annual earniujis of the \ ast
net-woi'k of nearly 7, (MX) nules of completed railroads at the present
time, wdiich now liiul their way into the coffers of private corjiora-
444
UI8TOUV OJ" ILLINOIS.
tioiis, ciiiicliiii;;' tliciii to iiii tili1iiiiit<Ml iitid illiciMilrnlliiltlc rxiriit.
Willi siu-li iiii ciioi'iiKiiis iiiciiiiif l>,v llic Stii «■, lilt' Imii'IIii'Ii of l:i\ii-
tioii Wiiiiltl l>t> niliirly icniovt'd; wi- would hv. Mialiicd doiilitlcss
to sliipoiii' produce to iiiiirkct t'oi' liiilf of the pi'csciit liitcs, wliicii
voiild ddiiltic tiu' value of crops iiiid laniis, and iiicidciitalix all
otlicl real and pei'soiial piopei'l,\ ; tlie clieapeiiiii;; ol tiax el in a.
(■one.vptindiri;; ratio uoiild double the ainoiiiil of it; we would
visit our distant t'rieiids ot'leiier, ciilti\ ate an «-\teiisiv(> social inler-
coiiise l)y rail — indeed tlie whole eoniitiy wonld l»e iniich as a city
now is with its streel lailroads ; promote harinony and ;;(iod fellow -
ship tliroii<>lioiit the len;;th and breadth of the State — in a word,
ha\(' a very niilleninni in Illinois!
We ha\t' nolcd the fact that of the ;;o\ crnor bein;:' authorized
at the session of IS.IS it to ne<;otiate a further loan of !j«4,(MtO,(H)0
for the canal. Money was strin^icnt at the time both in lMiro|»o
and Ami'rica. The liscai ne^otialions of the fund conimissittners,
niaile in Mnrope prior t(» this, were anylhin;; but satisfactory.
(io\. Carliii, therefore, unwillin;^' to pii* the new canal loan in the
hands of these agents, and and li I ions doubtless for I lie juloiy of his
administration, coiiiiiiissioiicd ex-(ioveriior ife.N iiolds. the \cry last,
liublic man in the Stale, perhaps, for a duty so responsilde and
di'lieate, recpiirin;:' an extensive and accurate kiiowlod;;!' of
domestic and foieiiiii fiscal atl'airs. 'I'lie latter urycd the associa-
tion with liiniself of 1{. M. Voniij;. then a senator in ctui^ress. to
which the jiovernor ultimately acceded. In their over-wceiiiiij;'
desire to raise money to carry t'orward the public works, both the
fund commissioners and (i(»\. Carlin's tinancial a;.ieiits made some,
very ill-advised and bun^iluiy loans, attended with heavy losses to
the' State.
Keynolds Imrried immediately forward to New York, where ho
met and obtained the ad\ice and assistance i>\' Mr. I{awlin.us, oiui
of the fund commissioners. 'I'hey sold to Mr. Delalieid, ot' N. V.,
April L'.), IS.)!). ;;o(» bonds of ."!<l,(tOt» each, bearing;- (» per ci-nt.
interest, jtayable half. \ early at I'hiladelphia and New Yoik — the
jtrinci[)al becominj;' diu' in iSdO. In this the law was exceeded,
liecaiise it provided only for annual niterest. The whole of the ,'{(10
bonds were deli\ered. Mid iiaynieiit was sti|»ulatcd as follows:
$."■•(),()( 10 within 1.") days into the bank of the New York iJankinj;'
Company, thence to be drawn out on not less than ten days si};ht
drafts, in forty dilfereiit installments; the next payment of *.")(>,-
000 was not to be made till the Jst of Au^iiist, bS.'!!), in the notes
of SOUK' liank itv iiankin;:^' association of New York <'ity, of a
denomination not exceeding' t^lO; and in like mannerthe remainder,
comineneiiig Octobt-r Ist, in monthly installents of !itr)0,000 each.
Here was a sale <»f interest-bearin<i' bonds made in Ai>ril. the
bonds all immediately delivered, ami yet they were not tinally to
be paid for until the follow in}^' .January, 1840.
A])ril 20, 1<S;5!>, the same geutlemen contracted with Thomas
Dnnlaj) (whose performance was guaranteed by the I'liited States
bank of rennsylvania,) to sell him 10 00 bonds due in ISTOof
£L*1'."> each, annual interest ({percent.; and both principal ami
interest jtayable in London, ''at tlu' rate of 4s. Od. sterling to the
dollar."' rayment tor the bonds sold was to be made in ten equal
monthly installments of !!*100,00(» each, without interest, in 810
notes. This luilliou dollars it was estimated by the Louse com-
CAItLlN'H AUMINIHTUATION. 445
iiiittcc of tilt' Illinois nsscmhly, ctmld he itMlcfiiH'd with L.'."t(»,isr»
sov»'i»'i;;ii.s, lis. lM., iiislt'iHl of L"J'_'">.0(»0, n-ali/iii}; 11 ^iiiiii of IS,-
;{! ( SON t'lriKiiMf ^i^' H*<l. to the piiicliiiscrs, ('(|Mal to a loss of
ijiillilTiO.."!! to llu> Stale of Illinois, 'riic contiact was, Ix-sidcs. a
^lai'in;;' dcpaiinic of llic law, hccanst* the coniniissionfis hmind
t\w Htiitr to pay in Mrilisli coin .i"Ji.'.'»,()(»0, instead of >i(|,()(M>.(HMl ;
and while tin' State was pa,\in<^' interest on hei- Ixnids she not only
did witliiint the inone\ for leii months Itnt ;iot no inleres* for lliat
time. The nnniey was to l>e piiid in idlls of the I'niti Slates
Itank, l>nt liefore the Slate aetnally received it, it heeanu' depre-
ciated 10 pel- cent., making' a hiHs of >(|||(),imM) on tlu' ainonnt.
The total loss of this one transaction was neai' )!(1.'(K),I)00. The
law rc(piin'(l ready pa\ nn>nl in cash for all bonds sold.
These transactions wilh Delalield and Dnidap, ann)nntin<;' to
!!<1.'»0<>,(HH> in Illinois bonds, liecame in part the ba-sis for start-
in;;' into operation the New VoiU free bankinj;' system, abont that
time authorized, which n'(|nired a deposit of Stato stocks, in
doable value of the circulation, |o;;ellier witli a small i>ercenta,!i<'
of specie in the bank vaults. Our tinancieis ihus enalde sevcial
of the "wildcal" instil utions to start business, by furiMshin;; them
Illinois bonds on credit, and receiving;' in payment the nnuiey —
after pi'oper exchan;;(^ with other banks d(»ublless — issued in
l»uisinin<e of the charters, Illinois meanwhile payinj;' interest for
the pi'i\ ile;;(> of advancinjL;' their boiideil capital!
After the nej;'otiations in New York and I'hiladeli)hia, tlio ^i'ov-
crnor's a^i'ents, «'x-(iov. K'eynolds, and tw(» (»f the iiind comnds-
sioners, (Jen. IIawlin;>s an*l C(d. Oakley, in May. 1S;;!». repaired to
Europe to ctlect fnitlu'r loans for the State. ,hid;ic If. M. Yoiin;;-,
the other a^ncnt of (Jov. Cailin, in custody of the boiuls, subse-
quently Joined them in London. The money nmiket in lOui'ope
Avas ti^;ht, but the c(Hninissi(»ners, whom the law retpdred to Ixi
''cxpciienced and skilled in tinance," were not to be batlled. * Iter
considerable delay, Messrs. Vounj;aml hN-ynoIds, on October JJOtli,
IS,'!!), (lei)osited with .lolin Wrij^iit <S: ("o., of London, 1,(MK) bonds,
representiiiji !!*I.<><*t».0(M>, to be a};aiii reckoned in Hritish coin of
i'L'lT) each, anthoiizinj;' them to sell or nejiotiate the bonds at a
rate of not less than I'tH for the £1(M>. If uunv than 1)1 per cent,
couhl be ol)lained foi- them, the sur]»lus, iu>t exce«'diny 4 per cent,
was to be retained by Wrijiiit »S: Co. as commissioners; any excess
beyond !)."> percent, for said bonds, was to be ctpudly divi(h'(l ho-
tween the State and the said brokers. On this contract the
brokers a ;i reed to advance i'.'{(>,(MM).
The, law under which the linancial agents acted, we will reiterate,
expressly retpured ready ])aym«'iit in cash for all bonds ne<;-otiated,
and that uone s! ould he sold for less than par. Althou^^h the
biMids miffht be hypothecated, yet when the a<;eiits autlunized
Messrs. \Vrif>ht & (!o. to sell them at 01 per cent., they acted
without warrant of lav'. The brok<'rs sold about half a ndllion
dollars worth of the bonds, when they failed, with both the pro-
ceeds of these sales and the remainder of the bonds in tlieir
liands. The unsold bonds, bein^ the property of the State, were
afterward returned by the receivers, but the money received on
those sold was adjudfjed as assets of tin* firm, in which the State
was compelled to share prorata with other creditors, amounting to
a few shillings on the i)oninl.
440
IHSTOUY OF ILLINOIS.
Tli(^ Ilitn. E. r». Webb, Worn tlu; liotusc Jiidiciary t'oiiunittcc, to
wlioiii tlic iiccoiiiits i'or tlic sales of bonds wen; rcfcncd, r('|)ort('(l
.liiii. 1!{I, ISIO, saviiiji: "Tlic anxiety of the ai-cnts to i)i'(»(iiro
money for t lie State, oi' their ea^ciiiess to siieceed in eti'eetinjj
sales where others had tailed, induced tlieiii to enter into eonlraets
injiiiioiis to the lu'st iiitcrests of tlie State, derogatory to liei' di;ii'-
iiity. and in every way ealeidated to depreeiate liei securities."
IJe solutions wcK- adopted by the house, disaiiprovini;' of tlicso
transactions, wiiereby the State was recjuired to r«'ceive in ]»ay-
iiient local bank bills, as nnder the contracts with Dclatield and
Dnnlap, and tlu' sales made on credit ; c(tiideniniii,i:'. as in contra-
V( ntion of law, the hy|»o)li<'catioii of bonds with .loiiii Wi'i^ht »&
(Jo., to be sold at !M per cent.: declaring that the a.ycnts had tran-
scended the powers vested in theiii, and that tlii'ir liOndon iie,i;()-
tiation was void, copies wei'c to be tiaiisinitted to .1. \Vri,iilit. & (!o.,
* 'oveiit (iardeii. London. l\\ this time it had iteconie jiatent that
■,io more loans could b(^ eifected at i>ar, as the law recinired.
The dark clond of infatuation which obscured the vision of the
jx'ople beiiaii also to be dissipate<l. and as glimmers of liLjlit sliono
throii^ii they became clamorous a,i;aiiist t he larj;e exteii! in which
the works were feeltly pi'osecutcd siinultaneously at all points.
a total I'evohition with reiiard to the ;.;rand system of internal im-
})ro\emeiit, !le now found from coi'i'cct data, that the State would
speedily imjiose u])(iii herself a debt of not less than .^LM,74(i,444,
at an annual interest (»f iii'l.olO.TTO, with a revenue of less than
one sixth that amount — S-'(K>,(»(IO ; that the then debt of the State
exceeded already !j 11,(100,000, which rested u])on a cu imuiiity of
less than half million souls, remote from markets, and with little
com men e to brill <4' in money. 'J'lie jiiddy majiiiitude of the idea
became appailiiij;' to his excellency, ;ind he convok«>d the legisla-
ture in extraordinary session for December Utli, J(S;i9.
Ill his messa.yc, after alludinji' to the s]»irit of speculation so
rife in hS.'tO. whereby not only individuals but deliberative bodies
were lured from the paths of prudence and economy by this over-
weening delusion, he says:
"At tills critical and most important crislH, a bill was introduced into
the icfiislaturo, providiiiff for u },a'ueral f.ysteni of internal improve-
ments l)y the coiistnictiou of nearly 1,;U)() miles of railroad, ami the
iinpiovenieiit of various rivers ; and such was tiie zeal with wliicii it
was arfjed, and so luimerousaiul powerful were its friends, that it passed
tlir()U,!ili liotli houses l)y large majorities. No fear seemed to be enter-
tained by its advocates. 'l)ut tJie ability and resources of the State would
prove eijual to tlie accomplishment of sueli a herculean task, and 'ley
pointed with pride and exultation to that high ran': in the scale of
we.dth to wliicli the measure would finally eleViJe ua."
His excellency, now discoveriiif? imi>endin<;" ruin ami dishoiu)r,
inxokcc the le<;islattire to the exercise of wisdom and unity of
action in the adoi>tiou of such measures of reform as would best
subserve the ]uiblie welfare and save the Stat(; I'rom bankruptcy
and defiradation.
The lejiislatiire, whose ruthless hand was destined to destroy
the sttipendo'is system, was composed in the main of the same
members who had ori,i;inally ])assed it; who had but one short year
before snpi>leineiited and eudors«'<l it by the a<ldition of works in-
volving a further expend iture of $1,00U,».>00, now by their delib-
OARLIN'S ADMINISTRATION.
447
ei'iito action to })\nv,o tlio soul of coiidcnniiitioii upon their olicr-
islu'd oflsitiiiij;-, was ecrtiiinly most liiiiniliiitiii^', and tlicy licsitatcd
in llicir couisc. If tlicy could lunc wiped tiic system out, leaving
no debt or memory of it Ix'liind, it would not Imve lieen so disa-
gTceable, but wlieii they reflected that their folly would cost the
peojtle $1.")0,(»(»P for every member, tbe politicians Mere smitten
with fear rej^a rd i n ,n' the future of tiu'ir prefennents. J5ut thanks,
tiie uni)alatabk' task was jieiibruied, l>y the two acts of February
liSK), it was inovided that the board of fund commissioners and
<'oiinnissioners of pultlic woiics be abolisiied; oiu^ fund (com-
missioner was provided to ])eitorm the same duties as before re-
(piired of the board, "excei»t that he shall not be authorized to
sell State bonds or borrow money on behalf of the State.'' lie
was to receixe an<l lake cluirjic of the railroad iron ])urchased in
Europe and i)ay tlu' duty on it- receive back all l)onds from per-
sons failing to comply with their contra(cts, and register and burn
the same; to audit and settle the accounts of the late boai'd of
fund '.:oniinissioiiers and the late l»oar(l of ])ublic works, and bring
suit against each njendx'r in arrears in liu' Sanganuui cinaiit court,
for which ])ui'pose Jurisdiction was given it to any county. Three
instead of se\cn commissioners of jmblic works were mnv ])rovi-
ded who were to settle and adjust all liabilities under the internal
im]>rovt'nu'nt system, and give drafts for the amounts due con-
tractors on tiie Fund (Commissioners, wliereui»on such contracts
were to be, regarded as cancelled. If the drafts could not bo
wholly cashed, the amount paid was to be emlorsed, and the lesi-
due to draw interest. All engineers and agents whose services
were not indispensible to ascei-tain the amounts due c(»ntractors,
were to be immediately discharged. Tlu; board was to secure and
operate sucii roads or i)arts of roads as were eoit)pleted, lix and
establish tolls, and provide for their collection and payment over
to the fund connnissioners.
The ])rogress of the work on the canal was not arrested ; but
of tlie reimiimler of the wtn'ks of the grand syst"in (with the
exception of a ])art of the Northern Cross railroad) sinndtaneous-
ly begun in various parts of tlu; State, nothing was ever done,
except in detached parcels on every road, \vliere excavations ami
endtankments inay even yet be seen — memorials of supreme legis-
lative folly. That portion of the Xortlu'rn C)'<>ss Eailroad from
?ieredosia to Springfield, was afterwards finished at a cost to the
State of $1,0(K),()()() ; its income ])i'oved insufficient to keep it iii
rejiair anil it was subsequently sold for $100,(l()() in State indebt-
edness. Of this road some 8 nnles of track was h-rd in 1S.'{.S, Jroiu
IMcredosia east, the first rail being laid May Oth. The first
locomotive that ever turned a wheel in the great valley of the
jVIississippi was i)nt on the track of this road at Mcredosia, Nov.
8th, 18.38. George W. IMant, afterward a prondnent business
man of St. Louis, was the engineer. The locomotive ran over
the track 8 miles and ba<!k, carrying Gov. DuncrT' Murray Mc-
Connel, one of the commissioners of th(^ ni ic works, Janu^s
Dunlap and Thos. T. .Tainiary, contractor! ' arles Collins and
Miron Leslie of St. Louis, and the chief eng...eer, Geo. P. JMant.
Twelve years before only, 182(5, the first railroad in the United
States was built, connectiiig Albany and Schenectady, in New
York. Her eager desire in the race of empire now gave to Illinois
448 IIISTOKV OF ILLINOIS.
a clHM'k for lii yciirs before aiiollier railnKul was Imilt. Tliis
was tlie Cliicaiio and (laleiia, tiiiislicd as far as Elj;iii in ISoO.
Tlien dawned ii|m)1i lln- State tlie ^ieat railroai] era whieli lias
since covered lier sMrlace witli a network of iiiese iron arteiiesof
coninierce, alVordinj; ia]>i(l and easy communication witii almost
every connty.
'riiMs. in ISIO, alter a sliort but eventfni life of loss tlian three
years, fell by the hands of its creator the; nu)st slnitendons,
e.\tra\a,iiant and almost ruinous folly of a j;rand system of inter-
nal improvements, that any <'i\ilcommunity, |terha})s, ever enjiaj;'-
ed in, lea\inj^ a debt of .*l-t,L'.")7,.!IS. NNJiiU- i;i'eat disai»|)ointment
pervaded theiieoplejit the failure of the spienclid scheme, they were
not sui'priscul nor crushed with the news of its repeal. Indeed,
their s(»l»ered senses had for some time tanj;Iit them that to this
extremiry it must come at last, and tliey I'elt that sort of reli '.' a
nuin feels at the loss of Iialf his fortune! — he luis learned Ins fate
and is thankful it is no worse; possibly he leaiiis a profitable
lesson at the same time, ^^'llile they felt chajirined, there was no
one to blame in f^reat pait l>ut themselves, for in many cases their
re])resentatives had but obeyetl the voice of the people, as the
voice of (iod. .Many names since prominent, honored and great,
are recoi'ded in favor of the oiiyinal passaj^c of the measure, as
may be seen by reference to the Journal of the assend)ly of l.s;57.
llliin>is was not the only 8tate which end»arl<ed in these wild
■schemes of Stace undeitakiii,ns. Indiana, in 1<S,'{7, juirsued the
same <'ourf<e. Iler bonds to upward $1 1,(M)(),(H>0 were disposed of,
and sifter expemliny' the proeeeels iinprovidently, e>fraAa}iantly,
and doubtless fraudulently, there renmined nothinji' to show for it
but 40 miles of railroad, pieces of canal, and some untinished
turnpikes. Pennsylvania liad taken the lead in like si^hemes of
develoi»iii;;' the Slate, for which she at one tiini^ owed a debt of
$4(»,(M)(I,(I()(>, part of which was paid by the sale of the works.
The sauH' held gciod with Ohio; and Missiuiri, more recently, for
the i)urj)ose of buildinj;' railroads and other works of internal
iin]»rovement, on the breaking out of the rebellion, found herself
loaded Avith a debt exeeedinij a score of millions of dollars.
'!->
Hard Times. — With the eolla])se of the great internal ini])rove-
ment system, the suspension of banks and a de[»reeiated currency,
hard times obtaine(l. The total debt of the State was as
follows :
For bank stock, ..... $.5,614,190 94
On account of internal improvements, - - 5, 014, 19(5 94
Canal debt, ...... 4,338,907 71
State house, ...... 110,(KK» 00
School, college and seminary fund (borrowed) - 808,0H.'i 00
Due State bank for auditor's warrants, - - 294,190 (MJ
Auuualintereat upon this amount ($13,836,377,65) - 830,188 77
Total, $14,606,502 42
To meet this debt, outside of taxation, the State owned 42,000
acres of land, bouj-ht under refpiirenients of the internal improve-
ment law ; li.'JO,4(»7 acn's of eanal donation remained undisposed of,
besides 3,491 town lots in Ottawa, Chicago, and other places
along the line of the canal ; tho State obtained shortly alter by
the distribution act of congTess of 1841, 210,000 acres of land
caultn's administration. 449
Dion* IVoin tli;it soui'cc. Tlicsc, loncllicr ''ili tli<^ ill-udvised
KiiroiM'iiii piircliiisc of I'iiilioiid iron, "::- rlic Viirioiis jticccs of
uiiliiiislicd riiilroiids in dilVt'iciit piii'ls of the Sliitc, idiiiosf worth-
less, constituted tilt' rcsoniccs of liic StJtto to discliiirj^tr ii debt,
whicii, ("oiisidcrinj;' onr popnhition (4SS.!»i,'!» in ISKt), sis oiicsixth
of wiiiit it is now, our wcallli, (."if'^S,?."*!', KJS in ISKI), as one ci.iilitli
of wiiiif it is now, and liii' valnV of money tiien and now at si
dilferenee of KM) per cent, w ImcIi, owin;i to the iar;;e yields from
the C'aUfornia, Australia, and other nones since, is an estimate
perhaps not out of the way, was etpnil to a debt upon the Slate
at the present of at least .'il< 1. ■)(»,(»( M» (»()(». This was indeed a heavy
l»unlen. The annual icxt'iiues — 8117,SL»1, iii 1S4() — were; no more
than w'oidd nu'et the ordinary e.\pens(^ of the Slat(> ,i;overnment,
leaxin;;' a, delicil annually to the amount of llu; interest (m the
debt — •'j5S;;(»,!Sl', — to further yearly an;:nient the deltt. The
State had sold and hypotlieeate<l its itonds initil its credit was
well ni^h exhausted; the people were both unable and unwillinj;'
to ]tay iMjxher taxes, and they were besides larji'cly indebted t<» the
merchants; the nu'rchantslo the l>aidis, or for yoods ])urchased
abroad; while the l>anks, on accouuf of siispendinji' sj)ecie pay-
iiuMit, owed every body who carrie<l one of their laji's in his pocket.
None could i»ay in par funds, for they were not to be Imd.
In this (Muidition of the iState, it retpiired jireat iiiianiniity
of atrtion and harmony in ciounsel to carry it safely ov(M' the
tinancial crisis. This did not wholly obtain. The character ami
ji'einous of tiie jx'ople weie very inconj;ruous. Wide difi'crences,
social and jiolitical, of the two ;:reat ;iOojirai»hical sections
of the .State, have jirevailed even down to this day. Thedisjiarity
in wealth between llu^ north and south, the rajad settlement of
the former after the (;lose of the HlacU Ibiwk war, wei(» not with
',iithont Jealousy, of which [uiblic men ])artook and carried into
th(^ counsels of the State, 'J'his mutual misunderstandinjjf of
character and ]>urposes was a stumbling block in the way of
lunted and liarmonious action in the adoption of the wisest meas-
ures for ])ubli(! relief. The canal, as it afterward proved, afforded
the best and only avenue leadinj; <)Ut of the timmcial embarra.s-
nu'iits, and toward restorinj:^ tlie credit of the State. It .stood
iudepeiuh'nt, to a, certain extent, of tlie otlier wtuks of internal
improvement, upon a lauded capital of its own, the {jitt of the
iiati(Mi, and when «^he latter ,vere abamloned, the work n[»on it
was still nu)re or less prosecuted. l»ut tlu^-anal, from tlui want
of unity in the sentinuMits of the people, iu)w became the .sub-
ject of bitter attack, for no other reason that it was in the north-
ern part of the State.
Besides, there did not obtain with the people a clear conception
of State ])olicy. Men were elected to tlie legislature with refer-
en(!e to their national iiolities, f>reatly iiitensilied by the excit-
iujj contest of 1840, and not with re<jard to the affairs, of the
Stat*', then of deept^st concern to the w«'lfare of the peojilv.
Politicians were better acquainted with the devious ways of
olttainin;i; ofrhre than (pialitied to dischar};e its duties in accord-
ance^ with enlar^jfcd lu-iiu-iples of statesmanship. This is too much
the case at the])resent time; jieople in the i'lection of olhccrs are
a(;luated by a desire to <'(Uifer favor ujion the man, rather than
choosing a ?ervant who is to perform a service for them and tiie
21)
450
IIISI'OIM' OF ILLINOIS.
piibli(! at liii'j^c with wisdom iiii<l inipiiitiality. It was liicicloro
(litliciilt to make tiic <|ii4's|ioiis of iiicscnt niihai rassinciit ainl
I'atiirc Siiiic |tros|»('rily iiaraiiioiiiil, in a liroail view, to all otiicr
coii^idt'ialioiis.
I)V \aiioiis expedients, laeaiis were provided to meet t lie a<'eiii-
iii;; iiiteiesi ol" LSI I, on (Miiiil loans in New York and liondon. Init
not s(t with re;;ard Iti the inleiVsl on tile Stale deWl tieneially.
The t'nnd eommissioner. in his lepoit, stated the dii'lienlly oT
moelini; that which woidd tall dne daniiaiv 1st, is II ; the le^isia-
tnie, eleeled in Aiijinsi pw\ ions, was convoked some weeks eaiiicr
tiian the time of the re^idar session, for the express ]Mirpose of
dexisin^' means to this end. This was the session by the .sine tlie
adjoni'nment of winch it was attempted to cnisli the State hanks,
or compei tliem to resnme s|»ecie payments — a tliinj; impossihh;
for them to do. .Mnch eoiillict of ojtinion oUtaiiicd annui^ mem-
bers and tbund expression in a llood (»f resolutions, as usual at (he
outset of ;i session. The (piest ions of ditVci'ence were as lo not
jiayin.i;' interest at all, or w ilhiioldini;' it only on bonds for which,
by the mismana^incnl of the linaneial aucnls, tin- State had either
receivtMl less than par, or, as in some cases, nothiiiji'. To tluj
(•rc(lit of the State it is to be recordetl, that no itlea of icpmlia-
tion obtained amoiij;- a lar.uc majoiily of the members, (hi tlni
contrary, the desperate remedy was pro!)osed of issuiii;;' more
bonds ami hypothecating' them for what they would fetch ill
market. Tin' course pursued by the tinancial agents of the State
ill disposing of bonds contrary to law. at less than par \alue iiii
credit, was severely animadverted, and that the Stale should pay
interest only on what money she iiad actuallx received on her
bonds was slreiiu(»usly insisted upon. The opiionents «if this view
conti'nded that ixuids were articles of commerce, against which m>
e(piities could arise winle in the hands of inmtceiit purchasers;
that the Slate must l»e held rcspitiisible for tli<' comluct of its
a^^ents; that the legislature in the selection of the fund commis-
sioners, and the <i'ov«'rm)r in the appointment of Messrs. Voiiii^'
ami Ikcyiiolds, had fully committed the credit of the State to their
hands, and if they blnnd'-red, the State wab bound nevcrtheh'ss
by their acts — she shoidd have chosen aj^'ents more ''skilled ill
limiuee." In this (Mudlict of views, Ic^iislation was well iiij;h de-
leated alto;;et her. Alfred W. ('a\arly, of (Ireeii, now discovered
the liai»i»y expetlient by which to extricate the le;iisiature fr«uu il.s
dilemiia. lie prepared a bill of two sections, which became a law
J)ec. KJth, ISKI, empowcrin;^' the fund commissiom'r to hypotluv
cat»^ ii<»t exc<'edin<;- iJ«.">(M»,(HIO of (he Slate internal improvement
bonds, to raise a sulllcieiit suuief money to pay theiiderest which
would IcH'ilhf fall <lue on the internal improvemeid debt in
.January IStl ; the Ixnids were to be redeemed any time belbre
lSt.'», and not to draw interest unless forfeited. Thus was (he
(piestion of contention taken out of tin' halls of legislation, and
tlu' decision of the IcijaliUj (»f the loans imp(»sed njton the commis-
si(uiers — not an nid're(|ueid expedient of deliberative bodies. The
le};islatnre further autliorizeil (he issuance of S(ate interest bonds,
to be sold in nnirket for what (liey would brinj;:, the proceed.s to
be ap|>lied t(» the payment of interesf and the r<'(lemp(ion of hypo-
the(;a(ed bonds — a nios( ex«'crable measure. ]>yano(hei act. I'd).
27tli, 1S41, an additional tax of 10 cents on tlie *1(H) worth of
OAllLTN'S APMINTSTUATION.
451
]»i'o|K'i'ty was iiiiiM)S('<l, to be, set apait «'X('lii.sivt'Iy as an ''interest
I'nnd,'' plcfl^cd to pay the interest on fliese Itonds; and tiie niini-
niuin assessment of all lands was to he >«■'> per aeie. The fund
eoiiiinissioner, Mr. IJarrett, hy liyp(ttlieeiitini;' iiilernal inipr'ove-
iiient ImhiiIs, paid oil' tliedaiinary inlerest, tStI; hut h,\ the linio
tile .Inly intei'cst was to he raised, Illinois stoeks had depiceiated
ill niarliet so that Mr. d. 1). W'liitesides, the new t'liiid eoiniiiis-
sioiier. liypotliecated witli .Maeallisler and Sleidiiiis, of New \dili,
.sS(H.(l(M» in inteiest bonds for >!.{L'l. «»(!(►, as was promised liini, but
of which amoiinl only >(-<»I.l<>h was e\-er by them pjiid. 'I'hiswas
the oiiuiii of the notorious '-.Maeallisler and Slelibins iioiids."' of
wliicli more iiereafler. Another law, showiiiiL;' the cNtreiiiity to
which this le;;isl;ition went, was that of l''el», L'Ttli, JSH. rcmila-
tiii^i' the sale of property under execution. This serves to illus-
trate both the liiirti tiiiint and the incoiisiderale and unjust
leiiisiatioii to alford iclief to t!ie, debtor class at the expense of
the creditor. It piMivided that property levied upon slioiild be.
xalni'd as in '•ordinary times," to lie made ity three hoiiseholdei'S
siimnioned by tiie ollieers, id' whom the creditor, debtor, and
ofiieer should e;icli choose one — placiliu' it in the power of tliO
ol'lirer lo ia\ or eillier p;iily at his option ; the i>roperty was not to
sell unless it bioiiL^ht t wo I liirds of i heir \;iiiial ion ; no way was
provided by which ihe cicililor. if two thirds of the valuation was
not bid, could hold his lien — forcin,!;' him to stay collection or siilfer
a discount of .'!.'!.', percent. The la w was made appliciiblc to all
Jiidiziiieiits rendered and coniiaets aecrniiiii- jirior to tin' 1st of
May, without reference to the lejial oiiliiintions of the time when
coiitraets were i'litered into — bein^ in violiitioii of that clauses of
til" constitution of the I'liitefl Stiiirs, declaring tliiit '-no liiw shall
III' passed impar.'i,': til'' oblii;al ions ot' contracts.'' In the case of
Met'iackeii \ s. I'nvard. the supreme court of the United States
Mil'scfjiiently Ik'Ii the law to ite iiiicoiist it 111 ioiial.* The law in tlio
iiieiinlime had been instrii menial. Ity \ aiiousarian.ncments between
j»iirties, in extin-iuishiiij;- many debts. lint this species of lej^^ishi-
tion seldom elfecis the iteiielits intended. It is apt to lie liarrass-
iiii,' and vexations to i)otii (lel»ti>r and creditor, while (-xperience
teaches it to be distriictiv c of all conlideiice hetv/eeii men in busi-
ness, i'e(|uirin^' prompt compliam-c with cdiilracts ; and it tends
fiirlher to alfeet iniinieally the trade and eomnieree of the Slate.
'I liese views were enlar.ii'ed upon in a solemn proiest ajiainst its
p;issa.;;e, si;;iied by such names as .loliii ,1. Hardin, J). .M. Wood-
son, Lyman Trumliiill, and many others.!
After .Inly. ISll, no fnrllier elfoit was made to Jiax interest oil
tlic dehl of the Slate. Ib-r bonds declined ra]ii<IIy in market to
1 1 cents on the dollar. In a few months, l-'eb. 1.S42, from pi'ox-
iiiiiile causes alread.N staled, the Stale biiiik. with a circulation
excecdinii A;i.tMI(»,0(l(>, linally went down ; in.luiiethe Illinois bank
ill Sliawneelown, with a, circulation exceedin;;' .'?l.."»(>(».(l(M(. also
broke, thus reiiderin;.; worthless about the only money there had
lieeii for sometime in the country, and added materially to the
liiessiire. of the times. The banks had mami.yed to keep up tin-
\;iliie of their circulation far above lli<' bonds of the Slate, but to
coiieiliiite an mifiieiidlv lenislatiire l»v advances on auditor's war-
•S(!c;M, IIowiird.iKW.
+Sfc House .loiiriml, 1841,
452 HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
rants, foitlit' State liousc tlicii laiildiiiy', and to cairv I'orward tlio
public woiks, ail iiiiwananted t-xpansioii .snapped tlu'ii ilireads of
life, spreadiiifi' disastt'i' roiiiul about, tlieiu. Tlin condition of tills
fair State, with her eahimities lliiis anyincnted, was tinly distress-
u\<X. Ainoad, iier name was IVeely associated witii disiionor; em-
igrants, drcadinj;' hij;ii taxation, <4a\'c it a wide bertii, uidess it
were those wlio. liavin^' no charactei" of tiieir own, cart'd little
for that of the State of tlieii' adoption; while the i»eopl(! here
Avitli rare e.\<'e|t|i()iis were, anxious to sell out and lice a country
which i)resenled no alternative but disholuu' (tr t'xhorbitant taxa-
tion. The dianees to sell were, however, in inverse ratio to tiui
desii'e. and while impending;' linancial ruin, distirace, and the fear
of taxation kept the Slate from ^aininj;' population as rapidly as
had been her wont, the impracticability of elfet'tin;^' sales saved her
against loss. In the meaMtime, an utter deai'th and stagnation in
all Ivinds of business prevailed. Tli</ notes of the banks were
receivable in payment of taxes for which purpose they had been
to a small extent hoarded by the people ; but now the ;i(>vernor,
auditor and treasurer, forbade their leceijjt by the collectors of
the State revenue, except at s|»ecie rates — 50 cents on the dollar.
This stej) was unwarranted l)y tins law, and condennu'd by the
press and jK'oiile in pid)lic meetin<.;s, irrespective of jiarty until
such a breeze was raised about the ears of the "olUcers of State"
that they were fain to retract their pn^tentious proclamation, ami
takiu};- the other extreme, susi)ended the collection of the taxes
till the nu'etiniidf the lr<;islature.
At this crisis in the fair fame of our State, there were not want-
inj;' men, in ])osition to aid in moulding- iniblie opinion, who
favored repudiation, both by the plan of omission an(l by directly
declarin;;' this jturpose, and "setting the moral sense of mankind
at deiiance." Gov. Ford says :
"It is my solemn belief that when I came into office, I had the power
to make Illinois a repudiating State. It is true I was not the leader of
any party ; but my position as governor would have ;j'iveu me leader-
sliip enougli to liave carried the democratic party, except in a few coun-
ties in tlie uortli, in fiwor of repudiation. If I had merely stood still
and done notliing, the result would have been the same. In tliat case a
majority of both parties would liave led to either active or passive repu-
diation. The politicians on neither side, without a bold lead to the
contrary, by some higli in otiice, would never have dared to rislt their
Eopularity by being the fii-st to advocate an increase of taxes to be paid
y a tax-liating people."
Again he says :
"The people of Bond county, as soon as the internal improve-
ment system passed, had declared in a public meeting that tlie
system must lead to taxation and utter ruin ; that tlie people were not
bound to pay any of the debt to be contracted for it ; and that Bond
county would never assist in paying a cent of it. Accordingly, tiiey re-
fused to pay taxes for several years. Wlien the system went down, and
had left the State in the ruinous condition predicted by the Bond county
meeting, many people remembered that there might be a question
raised as to tlie obligation of payment. Public men everywhere, of all
parties, stood in awe of this question ; there was a kind of general silence
as to wlia„ would be popular or unpopular. The two great political
parties wfre watching each other witli eagle eyes, to see that no one
should gft the advantage of the other. The whigs, driven to despe-
ration by repeated ill-succcKs in elections, were many of them in favor of
repudiating, as a means of bettering their party. Tlie Sangamon Journal
carlin's admtntstuation. 453
aii<l tlie Alton T<:l'<irimfi, the two leatliii^' wliij,' nowspjipers of tlio State,
liolilly took uroiiiHl that tilt' (l('t)t iu'Vt>r could and never would l)e paid,
and Unit there waw no use to say anylhinn" ahout it.* Very nnmy deiuo-
enils were in luvorof the same eitiirse, lor fear of losing the power the
demoei'atif party ahiady possessed.
It was thought to lie 11 very daiiL^erous suhjeet to meddle with. At a
denioeralie convention winch nominated Mr. Snyder for y;overnor, u
resolution against rei)udiation oflered hy Mr. Arnold of Chicago, was
laid on the tal)le by an overwhelming vote of the convention, so as not
toconiniit the party one way or the other. It was evident that this was
to Ik.' a trouhle;>ome (|uestion, and a great many of the politicians on
hot h sides were as ready to take om' side of it as the other, and their
choice depended u|K)n which might finally a|)pear to he most jiowerful
'J'he whigs wei'e afraid, if they advocated the deht-paying polAL'y, tlie
democrats would t;ii<i' the other side, and leave the whigs no chance of
evi'i' coming into a imijority; and the democrats fcan-d lliat if tlwy
adv(»caled a correct p(>licy, the other side might he nn)rc i)oi)ular, and
might Ite taken hy the whigs. I speak only of tlu' leatk-rs of parties,
amongst whom on all sides there was a strong HUS])icion that repudiation
uiiglit be morei>opular than luxation."
KEORaANIZATION OF THE JUDICIARY.
Pariimn MaJice <tn<J KeroJutioiuinj Conduct. — liy net of Feb, 10,
lS41,tlie ' •gisl;iliiie i('[>e;ile(I oiil ofollice tlie tlieti ciiciiit jiidj^es,
incrciisiMi tlie niiinher <»i' s(ii>reim' jini;;('s t'loin 4 to !t, ami, iii
juldition to tlieir duties as a sii[>ieine couitaiultiieiitiim'tionsastlie
f'oiiiicil of revision, ini])o.se(l iijion tluMu all tlie eiiciiit eoiiit Ini.^i-
jiess ill I he Htate. Since IS.!.") ilie supreme jiid^cs, iclieved of
rirciiit iliity, had iiefed s(tlel\ ii.s a court of nppenis, errois and
revision. 'J^lie jiresent (•lnni,i,'e was a bitter i)ai'tisaii ineastire, in
tlie hnigiia^^e of Gov. Fold, ''confessedly \ ioleiit and soniewliat
revolutjonary."
I'liree of the, four su])reiiie Jiid;j;es weie of the wbitj' jtarty — the
iiiiiiority party of the .State — while .Iud<;<> 8milii was a democrat.
<iov. I'ortl says: ''It is due to truth here to say. that \\'ils,>n ami
Lock wood were in every res|>eet amiable and accomplished ;ieiitle-
Jiien ill jirivate life, ami coniniaiided the esteem and I'e.speet <d" all
i^ood men for the i»urity of their conduct and their lU'obity in
olf'cial station. Wilson was a Vir;>iiiiaii of tiie old .sort, a man
of good education, sound Jiidgineiit, and an elegant writer, as his
imblished ojiiiiions will show. Lockwood was a New Yorker. lie
was an excellent lawy<'r, a man of soiijid jiidgmeiit. and his face
iiidicat<'<l uiiconinioii ]>ii)ity, modesty, and intelligence, together
with energy and stronjj; determinatioii. Ilis face was the true
index of his character. IJrowii was a line, large, attable, and good
htokiiig- mail, had a tolerable, share of ta«!t and good si'iise, a eoiii-
Itliiiieiitary, smiling and laughing a<l(lress to all men, and had
lieeu elected and eontiiiued in olliee upon the ground that he was
believed to be a (;Iever fellow."
Tlie State, iu the ext'iling i>arty struggle of 1840, had gone for
Van JJiiren and both Innises of the legislature were largely demo-
eratie. I'lie sui>reme eourt had two years before otteiided the
•AlttT the t)i Iiiiciition of Cov. FdicIm history, in ln:il. iiinro tliiiri thrro y<>nrH iiftor
lii< il-'iith, liotli tlic Alton Telr' ini i)h awil lUimiix Sliilf .Jnurnnl, I'uriiicrl.v tlie SinujnmDii
■ iiiiiruni, ilctiiiMl l\!iviii!.'- fiivdic'il icpudiiitioii. citticr fliriH'tly <ir in liivctly ; tliiit tlicy
iiiiilKniily opiKwKl it with zpiil. iiii'l iilwiiys iidvociitcMl tlic llci'iildiitiDii ol'thi' ciitin^ pub-
lic ilobt at us emly i» (lay us the means ol: the State would justify.— See Illinois State
Journal, March 7, 1855.
454 HTSTOnY OF IIJJNOIS.
sense ol" siipreiiiiify ol' I lie tloiiiiiijiil piiily, in deeidiiii; a ease of
Sippoiiiliiiciit l(» olliee l»v llie ,i;ii\ eriioi'. I'ciMliiiL; lielore liiesaiiio
trilMiiial lliere was slill aiinl liercasc tVaii;;lil Willi polilical eniisc-
(pieiiees lar yiiiver, wliicli it was llieiiee surmised would also Ixf
decided against tile |»ait.\ in power. When men ar«' tlienisrlxcs
aetiialed 1 \ party t'eeliiiys and piejiidifcs in e\i'r\ tliiiii;-, lliev art;
apt totliink others are similarlv iiilluenced, no matti-r what their
'ixtsition oi' how exalted in piiblic lite.
Alexander I*. I''ield was and had heeii seeretai'V of 8ta(e, siiieci
Lis a|)pointnietit by (iov. iOdwards. ha\ in;; si'rved throii;;h both
the adniiinstiations of (iovs. ikcyiiolds and Diineaii. In polities he
"was a|>\hi;n. thoii;.;h ori;::inally, like Duneaii, he had been a vioh'Ul
flacUsoii man. NVheii (i(»\-. Cail'ii came into olliee in 1S;!S. he
claimed the power of appoint in;; a m-w secretary of State willioiit
a vacancy exist iiii; in that <»nice. Thi' claim was based upon the
idea that a secretary of State iimh'i' our liist eoiistitntioii, like <i
ealiiiiet ol'licer in the national ;;overiimeid, was a contldt'utial
adviser of the ;;()vernoi', and Ibr purposes of harmony in sucli
relation, should be (»f the same political paity with his exeelleney.
The governor nominat<'d •lohii A. .Mc( 'Icriiand, then of (tallalin,
to tli(r senate for that olliee. Hut tlu' senate, altlmu^jii deiuocrai ie,
l)y a vote of L'L' to bs passed a resolution, "-That the exicutivt^
<loes not i)ossess the i»ower to nominate to Ihesenalea secretary of
State, except in case of vacancy in that office, and that, inasmncli
as the senati' has not been advised of any vacancy in that olliee,
the nomination of .lohn A.Mc(Mernand be not advi.sed and consented
to by the senate." They were further of o}»iiiiou that the
tenure of oflice nn^ht be limited by the lc^isla.tnre; which had not
be<'n done, however. Dining' the session, tiie governor sent te
the senate several other names lor that olliee, but all wero
rejected.
Afte ' ;1k' adjoiiiiiment, lie again a])i)ointe(l ^b-Clernaiid secre-
tary ol State, w ho thereui»(»ii demamh'd possession of tlu' oflice
from the wliig incumbent, Mr. Field, Imt was refused. McCler-
iiand then laid an information in tiu^ nature of a (iiio trurraiilo
before .ludge JJreesc, in the circuit court of J'^iyette county, an»I
upon hearing, that court decided in favor of the comidainant.
Field took an appeal to the sui>reme court, where tlu^ cause was
reversed. The ((Uestion decided by the court, aside fr»»inthe jiolit-
ical or i)artisan bent given to it, derived imixtrtance from the fun-
damental ])rincij»le of go\'eninient involved, (^uite an array of
able (;ounscl appeared on either side. For tlu; api>ellant Field,
there were Cyrus Walker, Justin IJntterHeld and Levi Davis; an(l
foi- the a|>pellee McClernand, S. A. Douglas, ,Ias. Shields and
AVickliffe Kitcheli, attorney general. Three separate; opinions
were written by the judges, Wilson and Lockwood concurring,
Smith dissenting, and JJrown, being connected by atlinity, with
the relator, declined sitting in the cause.* Chief .lustice Wilson
rendered the decision of the court in language clear, cogent and
i'lcgant, which is both exhaustive of the subject and convincing
in its conclusions. The court decided that the governor had not
the constitutional power at his will and pleasure, to remove from
oflice the; Secretary of State; that when that functionary wiis
oiico ai)pointed, the ])ower of ai)p<'iiitment was suspended until a
'See )JU Sci\iu., HI. reports, p 70.
carlin'w administration. 456
ViU'iiiic.v ()C(riirnMl ; tliiit wlicii the coiistiliitioii ('rcatcd an oflico,
aii<l ici't tli(; tciiiii'c iiiKlfHiifd, till' otVict'i' lii'ld diiiiii.i; <nn>(\ ho-
liii\ ior, or until tlit- Ic.^islatiirc l»,v law limitfd tlic tcmiic or author-
i/cd .sonu' I'liiictioiiar^v of tlic j;o\ (■riiiiiciit to rciiiovc tlic ()Hic«'r at
will. The coiistitiitioii was the charter of tlic jiovcrnoi'saiitliority.
All llic |H)Wcrs d<'lc<;atcd to liiiii, <n' in accordance witli tliat in-
s'riiMicnl, lie was entitled to exercise and no other. While it was
a limitation upon tln^ powers of tint legislative department, it was
to be r<';^arded as a urant of powers to the others. Neither the
executive nor the Judiciary, theicfore, conid excicise any authoiily
or powej', except such as was cl(>arl.v ;^ranted i»\ the constitution.
In ICnj;lai><l tlu' Uinj; was the source of power, and all rights and
prcro^nalivi'S not j;rant<'d were adjiidjicd jo him, lait heie the
theorv is that the people are soxcici^^n and the source of jxtwer,
and tiiat the executive, could exercise onl.y those powers s[»ecially
delcjuati'd to him ; and as it was not even pretended that any ex-
\tvfss jxiant of this charact<'r was to he loun<l in the constitution,
it must he denied. A ^lant by ini])lication could not lie main-
tained, iM'cause the eninneration of the ])owersof a <lepartinent of
ji'ov crniiu'nt operated as a restriction and limifati<»n of a general
jii'aiil. " '1'Im' «'xecuti\<' jtower of the State shall he \esited in a
jiovi'rnor," was a mere <leclarat ion of a ^'eneral rule. I!esid«'s, the
jiowei- of appointment in <"ase a vacancy existed, was j>iven to
the !4«*\«'inor conjointly with llu' senate; and a noniiiialion would
not confer ollice without a]iiti'o\al by the senate.
TIk' (U'<;ision <'^iMs<'d a lireat partisan outcry aj^ainst the " wldg
I'ouit," as it was calU'd. 'I'he ilemocrats, laij;ely in the. ascend-
ancy in the State, weie yet <h'barred from ex«'rcisiiiji' uncontrolled
j)o\\erand the enjoyment of all the beiielits an<l emoluments of
ofliw* to which their ascendancy i'lititlcd tlu'in, by this (U'cision,
which proclaimed in their te«'th, asit were, the existence of oftiee
for li/e incinnbents.
IJut the other (juesf ion, still ])endinjj; and far more im])ort ant,
was frau<»ht in)t only with preclusion fi'om the secretaiy's ollice,
but with tlie dan>;<'r of losinu' political control of tlie State, and
ecMiscipu'ntly all jiower and ]»atrona<ie. This was the celebrated
(ialena alien case. Tiie alien vote was nine-tentlis <leinocrati(!,
and su(!ieiont in stren/^th — about. 10,(((K) — that if j, secluded from
the polls to det<'rinin«^ the election in favor of tlic whiys at the
api>roachinj;' i)resid<'ntial «'Iection of bS4(K As the McCIeinand-
Field ease wa.s by the unscrupulous boldly eharf;e<l to be])artisaii,
it was now doubth'ss beli<'ve<l by many that the court in this case
was i)repared to violate a plain pro\ ision of the constitution. The
constitution ]>rovide<l that ''in all elections, all white inale inhabi-
tants above the ajue of lil years. ha\ inj> resided in the State six
months next precciiinjj: the election, shall enjoy the rij^lit of an
elector."
The idea had jiained curreiu'y that suf[Va<'e and citizenship were
eonc(»mitant and indisi)ensable cpialitications to constitute a num
an elector, and therefore, the ]>rovision above (pioted, if broujiht
to the test beftae tlie i)roi)er tribunal, would be declared null and
void. All ajjTeed case had been made atCJalena, wliere there was
a larjie alien vote conceidrated in and about the inininj>' lenion,
betw<-en twowbifjs, one of whom sued tlie other, who had acted
as judge at the August election of 1838, and iu that capacity re-
450 HISTORY OF IIJJNOIS.
Ct'ivcd the vole (iT iiii ii'icii, to ircovcr ><l(((t iiikU'I' tlic cli'clioii law
«it" ISiMt. lor tlic list' of llic coiiiilN . wliicli it was supposed would
])i'<'S('iil tlic coiistiliilioiial i|ii(-stioii liiiri.v. 'I'lic suit was lM'oii;:lit
in 1 lie (Mrciiit court lit (iaifiia, .liid^^c Dan. Klonc, picsidin}; ; and
as tlic ras«^ was admitted, lie. w itlioul licariii;; armiiiicnt, or |nol)-
1>I\ j^'ivin^' the (|ii('stion niiicli cxaiiiiiiatioii, decided that an alien,
unlike a citi/cn, was not entitled to exer(!is«' tluM'leetion iVan-
cliis«'. Tlio decision, w lien it Iteeaine piihlic, produced jjicat ai»-
Iti'eliensioii in tlie ranks of tlie deiiioeiacv, and steps were iiiinic-
tliately taken to hriii^ tlie, case heioic the siipreiiu' court.
In view (»f the decision in the McClcriiand-l'ield case, It was
further iiiia^ined that that tribunal would atliriii the decision bit-
low, and that the remedy was the re\ oliitioiiary one to relorni tlio
supreme court b.v addiii;; a siillicieiit number of deiimcratic mem-
bers to chan;;!' its political complexion, and thus either avoid the
fearful conlin;;eiiey of such a decision, or, if too late for that, to
lia\(i it ov«'rrulcd. This precediMit is not without a tolerably close
inoderii parallel in national atl'airs.
The case was alily argued in the siipiciiie court at the Deceui-
ber term, 1<S.'I1), upon its merits and eoiitiniied to the .lime term,
iStO. This was dnrinji' the heat of the pr«'sidential canvass of
that y«'ai'. If the case, was now dicided adv«'rsely to the aliens
the State nii;:lit be lost to tin- (U'liiocracy. Tlu'ie was a jicneral
apprehension that such would be the decisimi. And now ,Iiidj;e
Smith, the only demociat (Ui the supreme bench, sharinj; in the
apiuchen.siou, clandestinely pointed out to counsi'l a delect in the
recMtrd, cousistinji in a clerical error. A motion to dismiss was
thereiipim fouii'led, because it appeared by the rec»»rd that the ease
arj^ued was alie;^ed to have occurred at a time, when by the laws
of the State, as the court must judicially take notice, no general
election could be held.lo-wit, on the (ith of Aiijiust, ISoi), tlie ycivr
meant beinj;' IS.'J.S. For the purpose of correct inj:!' the reccrd a
continuance was j^ranted to the December teini. which put it be-
yond the ]>residential election in >io\cmlier, bS-10. Ilie achieve-
ment of discovciin^' the Haw in the record was aceounte«l a re-
markable stroke of lej^al acumen.
When the case came nj) finally for decision at tlie December
term, 1S40, it was found that the (Muistitutional (iiiestion up«)U
which it was exi>ected the case should turn, was not really before
the court, but simply ii question under the election law of lHli!»:
If any jndjie of election shall knowinjily admit any jierson to
vote, not ([ualitied accordinj.; to law, he shall forfeit and ]>ay to the
county the sum of 5!l(K); and any person lueseiitiu'V himself to
vote, and his (jualitieation be snspeitted, he shall swear that lie is
a resident of the county; has resided in the Stat«^ six months next
precediu};' the election ; is lil years old and has not before voted
at that election. Tiie court held that, as it was adiiiitte<l that one
Kyle, upon the reception of whose vote the <piestion was made,
possesseil all the <pialilications recpiired by tlieal1ida\it, under the
law of 181i!>, it would have simi»ly been supero<:at(H'y either to
clialh U}i,e him or to have administered the oath to him ; and there-
fore the court below, in liniii};' the Jud};es of election, erred, and
the (!ase was reversed. The broad and imiMutant (piestion of alien
sutt'raji'e under the c<uistitution, di<l not arise in the case, and no
opiuiou of the court was expressed upon it. Judge Smith, how-
fAUMN'S ADMINISTIUTION. 4iil
(>v('r, not to (lisii|>p(>int partismi cxix'ctiitioii, took occiisioii, in a
st'|);iriitt' opinion cliihoiiitcd :i! livv.W lt'n;;tli. lo iiij^nc llit- consti-
tutioiiiil ipicstion, (pioliii;; iVrcIv iVoni ii spfcrli ol'.liinH's itnclianiin
iiiiitl*' in ( '(»nj;it'ss on liic atlniission <>r .Miciii^^iin as a State*
.Mcaiiwliil*' tlic Itill lo rcorjiani/.f liic Sapicnic conil was pcnd-
in<^° Ik-Ioi-c tlic lc;^islatnr«', an<i willi tin- icndit iin oi' tliis decision
In the court, it was circnlatcd altont l),v liic politicians, and boldly
ciiarjicd l»y Donj^las, in a spcccli made in tlic lolihv ol' tiic lions<',
tlial iIm' main (picstion liad been |»mposcl\ evaded Ity IIk' conrt
to allay tlic appreiiensions «>f' ileniocrats as to tlic ali<'n vot<-, and
to conciliate their lavor, with the object (»f defeating' the bill.
" J)<)iigla.s," says (Jov. ]'\ini, " liad been one of the counsel for the
aliens, and it appeared from his speech, that he and .Judge Smith had
iteen in eonstant communication in relation to the |)rogress of the ease.
Judge Smith, (I regret to say it of a man wiio is no more), was an ao
tivt', Itustliug, amldtious and tinl)ulent mendierof tlu' Democratic party.
He liad foi' a long time ainu'd to l)e elected to the I'. S. Si'uate: hi> de-
vices and intrigues to this emi had been inmnnerahle. In fact he never
hicked a plot to advance idmself, or blow up some other jjcrsoM. He
vasa laborious and ingenious schemer in politics, l)ut his jilaiis were
always t<M) complex and ramified for his power to execute thi'm. Jieing
always unsuccessful himself, he was delighted witli the mishaps alike
of friends aiideiienues, and was ever chuckling over the defeator Idasted
hopes of someone. In this ease besought to gain credit with the lead-
ing demoeiats, by the part be took, and atfected to take, in tlu' alien case
as lie liad before in the case of the secretary of State. He it was who
l)rivatcly suggested to counsel the defect in the record which resulted in
the continuance in .June 1H40, and during tlie whole time tlu' case was
pending, with the same view, be was giving out to Douglas and others,
the probable opinion of the court. He attirmed that the judges at one
tim<' all ha<l their opinions written ready to deliver, and all but liimself
decided against the aliens; and that the case Mould liave been decided if
he had not discovered the afori'said defect in tlie record. Upon his
autliority Douglas denoun<'ed the court and brought all these charges
against the whig judges, and endeavored to make it appear that lliey
had now onlyevaded a decision for the time l>eing, in tlie vain hope of
stopjiing the career of the legislature. The judges on their part, denied
all tliese cliarges; and Judge Smith uniting with the Wbi^ judges, pub-
lislietl tlieir denial in the Saiifianuiu Joicmat newspaper, j)ublislied at
Si)ringtield." (Jov. Ford further adds, " uud there is now uo doubt that
tlie wliole of it wa« falwe."
Ill this coiinoctiou wc .subjoin the followinj'' coiTo.spori deuce:
" House of Uephese.ntatives, Si'itiNOi'iEi.D, .Iiuiuiiry -'C, 1841.
"To IVi/liain Wilson, Titeophilns 1 1'. /Smith, 'J'hniitax C. JJrown and iSaiiiud JJ. Lock-
wood, Judge* of t/te Siipreme Court of the State of Jllinoin:
" Mr. McClemand, a member of this house, (wlio is now speaking)
has made the following statements, in substance, in his speech in favor
of the l)ill to reorganize tlie ju<liciary of this State. 'I am authorized to
say, mill I do say on my own responsibility, if any sudi responsibility is
needed, that the judges of tlie supreme court prepared an opinion against
the right of foreigners to vote at the last June term of tliat court; but
oil account of objections made by counsel to a mistake iu tlie record,
tlicy witliheld their opinions, but did so most reluctantly.
" I'lie opinion lias gone abroad that tiiese judges have made tlie decisiou
recently delivered on the subject of the right of foreiguers to vote, in
order to defeat the bill under consideration and to prevent these judges
from going on the circuit.
" This communication is made to call your attention to the statements,
and 1 think it but due to yourselves that an answer should he made to
* See ciise of Tbomtis JSpragius v. H. H. Hougluoii in ihe 111. S. (.'. rci oris.
IMAGE EVALUATION
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458 ' HISTORY OF Illinois.
thost' [statements], as dcdintioiis nmy and will be made from HJIence
wliieh would seem to imply an ac(iiiieseent'e in the truth of these state-
ments.
"Desiring to know whether these allegations are true, I trust au
answer will be given. Yours,
"JOHN J. HAIIDIN."
"Springfikld, January 2G, 1841.
"t/o/oi /, Iliirdin, Esq.
"Dkaii Sir: Your letter of to-day has just been received, and wepro
ceed to answer it without hesitation.
"Ill doinf; so, we cannot, however, but express our great astonishment
at tiie ciiarai^lerof tlie staleuK'nt to whieh you refer. You say tiiat .Mr.
MeClernand, a member of tiie house of representatives, has asserted in
debate, in sustance [here follows a quotation of the language as given by
Hardin.]
"To tliis statement we give the most unc(ualilied deni.il in all its parts;
neither of the memi)ers of the eourt having ever prepared or written
any opinion against the I'ight of aliens to vote at elections.
'■Jm reference to the mistake in the reeoni, the error alluded to was
discovered by one of the judges, and suggested to the counsel in the cause,
as interposing a supposeil dilliculty in coming to a decision, which, with
a subseijuent motion made by counsel for tlie iilaintiff in error to dismiss
the cause for that reason, and for tiie further reason, that the cause wasa
feigned and not a real one, produced the continuance oi the cause, as
will be seen by a copy of tlie motion herewith enclosed.
"As to the insinuation that the decision was made at this time to defeat
the judiciary bill, we rejily that it is in all its parts equally unjust, and
without a pretence for its justilicatiou. Having been repeatedly ursred
to come to a decision of the cause, and haviug been moreover assured
that individuals were industriously engaged in circulating reports that
the judges had opinions writtt'ii against the right of aliens to vote, and
that as soon as the judiciary bill before the legislature was tlefeated, these
t)j)iiiioiis would be delivered. To ri'fute these groundless assertions, on
this subject, we concluded to decide the case without further delay,
having no other means of refuting these asjiersions.
"We have thus jiromptly com])lied with your recjuest, and we cannot
close this communication witliout remarking on the great injusiice done
to ourselves, not only by the statements referred to, but numerous other
slanders which, in our situation, we have no means of repelling.
We have the honor to lie, resi>ectfully,
Y'our obedient servants,
TIIOS. W. SMITH,
HAMUEI, D. LOCKWOOD,
WM. WILSON,
TllOMAJS C. BKOWX."
"WitJi tliis oontriHh'ctioii, jMcClcrninid. under (lute of January
29, called upon his inroiiiKint, Mr. I )(iu<;las, to sustain liini — in-
vitinjn' iiiiinediatf attention to the subject. ISesides Doujihis, si.v
otlier ^( iitienien, viz: A. IJ. l)o(l<;c, V. Jlickox, .1. H. IJiiistoii,
John iViMS(in, ^I. Mc'ConneJi, ami J. A. McDougal, all of Mlioni
(leri\('(l their inl'ormalion IVom Judge Smith alone, I'urnisbcd
Ictter.s. some of wiiicli state posit iv«'ly that Smith had infoiined
tliein distinctly tliat all the Judjics luid their opinions written out
and ready to d('li\ cr at tin' June term, and others that they under-
stood from liim tiiat lie (Smith) was thus pn']»ared.* There is now
]n) doiihi tiiat Smith made tlie lormer statement, nor is there uiiy
doubt that it was fal.se.
'iAs to Judge Smith," says (Jov. Ford, "lie made iiotliiii}>' by all
Lis intrigues. I5y opiiosinj^' the reform hill, lie fell out and <|uar-
•See Illinois State Kctfister, Feb. h. 1841.
CARIJN'S ADMINIS'IKATION.
459
ivllcd witli tlic li'Jidcis <»r liis juirty. lie lost tlic credit he liad
<:iiiii('d li.v liciii^i tlif dciiMiciiitic clijiiiipioii (iii tlic bciicli, niid Ijiilcd
to ))(' elected to tlie I'liited Slntes SciiiUe; iilid was put hack to
tlie laUoiioiis duty of lioldiii.u' eireiiit eoiiits."
The Jiidieiaiy oill produced umeli exeiteineut and party
animosity at llie capital, both anions iiieinhers an<l the ^i'oadiny,
insatiate lobby ^idtiires. It was no easy task for the dominant
jiaity to rally its I'oree to the blintl support ot a nieasur<' so purely
one of reveii};('. A j^reat deal of opposition came from the friends
and interests of the !• circuit courl judges, every one of whom
would Ik- i('j)ealed out of oflicc and liie majarity of whom wert!
democrats. However, the bill finally passed both lioubes. The
<'ouncil of I'evision I'eturned it with their oitjections, ui'.i^ed at
]eu,utli.
The council re.yarded the re(piirement tliat tlie su]»reine court,
uitli li\(' additional judjies. hold ciicuit courts in all the countiv'b
of the State; attend at the seat of j^ox eminent, and act as coun-
cil of if'\isi()n durini:' the sessions of the Ie,iiislature, and i)resid(^
in the snj)reinc courl until all the business of tfat trd)unal was
tlisposed of, as ]»hysically impossible. Owin.i;' to the niajiuitiide
<d' the «'ii'cuit courl business, the nine circuit judp's, for no fault
of tlu'iis, had been unable to attend to it and fully subserxc the
interests of the jtublic. To thiust all this business upon the hands
of the supreme juducs, in atldilion to their other duties, would
result in such delay in the administration of justice as to l>e equiv-
alent to adenial of it. 'Jlie law would jirejudice the ii;;hts of
citi/ens and the character of the State.
'I'iie bill, howexcr, was re passed, notwithstandinji' tlieobjeetioii.s
of the council, in the senate, by a lariie majority, but in the house
by barely one. A solemn jtrotest liy tiie undersijiiied members,
many of whom haxc since attaiiM'd imperishable renown, was
spread ujion the journal. I"<'bjuary l!(;. 1,S4!. After statinj^- their
objections at len.utli. lliey sum up as follows:
1st. The l)ill viohites tlie jri-cat jirineiples of government by suhject-
in>r the Judieiiiry to tiie h'uisliUurc.
l2il. It is ii t'ulal blow at tiie iiidepemlence of the judges, and the cou-
stitiitieiial ti'ini of their oflicc.
;{(]. It is 11 measure not at-Ued for, or wislicd liy the people.
till. It will j:really iucreufeelhe expenses of our courts or greatly di-
Hiiiiisii their utility.
•"jtli. It will yive thecourts a political and ])artisan character, thereby
inipairiuK' public eonlidenee in tluir di'cisions.
<>tli. It will impair our standing iu the opinion of other States and
the world.
Till. It is a party measure for party purposis, from which no ja'acti-
cal Kood to the people can possibly arise, hut wliieli may lie the source of
iiiiuimerable evils. * * The tilnw bad alieady fallen, but they felt im-
pelled to point out the danger of the measure, its impolicy and' its nsnr-
pation, in order at least tliat the desjjotism of a momentary majority
may not become a iireeiMleiit for su<'ceeding enormities, or future crimes.
We have struggled ineflectually to guard the principles of our govern-
ment from unhallowed innovation, and contended for the siimemacy of
the constitution.
(Signed): .Joseph Gillespie, .John J. ]5rowu, LeaJider ^tunsell, Wil-
liam ii. Archer, .John F.Charles, Isaac Funk, Aldeii Hull, .John J)ar-
nielle, (Jeo. W. Waters, Cyrus Kdwards, James T. Cunningham John
IJennett, Thos. Threlkeld.'A. liincoln, J. M. yicLean,H. W. Thornton,
Wm. A. yiaishal, James M. Hiadford. John J. Hardin, Jeremiali Cox,
Peter Menard, jr., W. H. Henderson, James ileyuoUls, W. W. Bailey,
400 HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
1). ]M. Woodson, K. li. \\\'l)l», Joliu Denny, Isji..^f Fioman, Jas. A. Koal,
Josiiili Fiiini-is, Dimit'l (imy, James rurki'uson, John Canady, Alexan-
der I'liillips, James N. lirown.
Tlic five iulditional sujuonie judfiX's elected by the lejjjislatnre
niider this hiw were, Tlionuis Foril, (siib.se»ii;enlly j;<»v.) tSidney
IJi'cese, Walter 15. Heates, Samuel II. Treat, and !Stei)hen A.
Doiiulas,* ail democrats, liy this nutans all ai)prehensi()n was
allayed in the democratic breast re,iiardiii.n the continued sujjport
oT the alien vot( , so I'ar as any interlerence from the suj»ieme
court was concerned. Kor did the majority of that court now
<|Ucstioii tlie ri<;ht of the executiv<' to appoint his own secretary (tf
StaU' ; and had the (juestion been now presented to the court, the
]\lcCleniand- Field decision would have been overruled. iSuch is
party inllnenc(^ upon the, Judiciaiy. One of the newly api>ointed
jud;4('s, writinj^-of this n'orjianization of thecourt says: The hijih
est c(y.irtsare but inditierent tribunals for the settlement of j^ieat
political (juestion; * * when any yreat political (juestion ou
which parties aie are arrayed comes up lor decision, the utmost
which can be expected of them is, an able and learned ar<4U-
nu'nt in favor of their own party, whose views they must
naturally favor.t The court, however, as newly orj;anized, i>roved
not eiitiiely acc«'i>table to the dominant i)arty ; the Judges •gener-
ally enjoyed f^reat peisonal [)o]mlarity, but the bench became Ihe
subject of tmpu'ut malevolent assaults by the lej^islaturc. That
body, fresh from an exultant constituency, iudmed often with ex-
treme partisan views, could illy brook any independence in the
other departments of fi()verniiient.|
At this session of 1844-5, the lejiislalure, ostensibly as a nu'as-
ure of retrenchiiicnt, passed resolutions drafted by Mr. Trumbull,
Avlio Mas not a member though au aspirant for the ermine, callinj^-
*Thc Inst named Kontlcinnn hiul been of oiinscl for the iilicns, liad ilerived his inl'nr-
nmtioii of how the ease was uoiiifr to be Uecidetl in June (irecediiijr from JiidKO Smith,
liad obtained the eontiiuianfe then on the defect in llie record as pointed out by liiin,
had made a violent attack upon the old jud|?es by a characteristic si>"eeh in the lobby,
and had furnished McClernand the data upon which the latter dcnoiuiced the court;
in view of all of whieli, it seems stranjre that lie had soiiytht and obtained a position
side by side with the (fcntleman he had traduced and attempted so much to briiiK in-
to ilisrcpute. Partisan scheming and the cravings of oltice could not well go
further,
The new judROS were charpred witu partisan conduct, by the whijr press of the
period, iu the secret ai>j)ointnient of a clerk of the sujirenie court. Ebenezer Peck,
It seems, as a member ol the letrislature hat' orij/inally opjiosed the judiciary bill; but
his])osition became suddenly changed, and the bill i>a88ed the House by one ina.jority
over the objections of the council. After takmg tlieir seats, the new members of the
court had no consultation with the old judges on the subject of the clerkship, and not
a word was said iu open court about removing the incmntiant, Duncan. Indeed, one
of them had given out that to avoid the imputation of being a partisan court, the
clerkship was not to be disturbed. Tt)e pul)lic astonishment was not inconsiderable,
therefore, when shortly after its ndjourement. Peck annoiuiced himself as the clerk
by a))i)ointnientof the majority of the court.— SoTit/flmon Journal.
+Kord'8 History.
tAt the session of 1843-43. there was an effort made to remove Judge Brown, on the
ground of Incompetency. This gentleman, whose home was at Shnwneetown, upun
the reoruanization of that court, had been assigned to the remote Galena circuit, with
the view to render his position uncomfortable and irksoire, and worry lii'r. i'lto a
resignation. This failing, foin- lawyers from Ills circuit, viz : V. P. Hempstead, Thoiii.is
Druniiiioud. Thompson Campbell, ana A . L. Holmes, filed their speoitlcation.'^ chargir.g
that lie had not that natural strength of Intelicct, and lacked the legal and literary
learning, refitiisite anil indispensable to n proper discharge of tlie high an<l responsilile
duties devolvinif upon him as a judge of the supreme court ; that his opinions deliv-
ered in that court were M'litten and revised by others, and that his decisions upon tlie
circuit laid been the mere echoof some favorite attorney : and that by nature, educa-
tion and habit, he was wholly untlt for his high position. Their stinging langiiiige
Indicated something more than a purpose to solely subserve tlie public good. The
B' nate declined to participate in the e.xan.ination of the charges. The house in coiii-
niitteeof the wh' le went several times into the investigation of them, btit linally ask-
ed to be discharged from their further considerati.>n and so the matter ended and
Judge Brown retained his seat.— House Journal, session 1842-43.
carlin's administration.
401
on tlie judges and governor to reliiiquisli a portion of tlicir sala-
rios. Tliis was refused, on tlu' fjroiuid of tlie priiieijtle involved
as to tlie ri<ilit of tiie le^iishiture to make sueli a re<|uest. It im-
plied a control to a eeitain extent, of a eo-ordiiiiite department of
jioveriimeut, liowexcr tlie recpiest eoui>led with it the eoitsent of
tlie incumbents. Althouiih their salaiies were tixe<l, coercion was
in tliis manner sought thioujih the fear of losin<i" [)ub]ic favoi-,
interest, and jjoitularity. It was an unwortliy means, and des-
tructive of the first f^reat ])rin(!iple of free constitutional jiovern-
nient — the iiHl<'i)en<lence of the co-ordinate iuanches to each otli-
ov. The sui>jeme (!ouit, as c()nstitut<'d under the act of Feb. lOth,
]S41, was finally <lissolve(l by oi)eration of the constitution of
1848, the judges g()ins>- out of office December 4th, that year.
Hi
CnAPTER XXXIX.
1S42— i84r)— ai)mini8ti;ati()n of (JOVKHNOU fokd.
The (Utmpn'Kjn — Life and Charavtcr of (k'\ Ford — Lifiit. (ror.
Moore— M('(t lis of l{e(iej' from the Fi.Kiiieiitl Emh<trr<tsNmentn —
The State at the Turniny Point — Restoration of her Credit.
As rnvly ns Tlccciiibcr, ISll. tlic Sfiito (Icinoci'ntic roiivciitiou
met ;tt S|)riii;;lit'ltl. iiiid iKtiiiiiuitcd Adaiii W. Siivdvr. of Si. Chiir,
aii<l tloliii ,M()(»i(', of .McLc.'ii, as their <'aii(li<latcs Inr ;;()\rrii(ii aiid
liciitciiiiiit ju'ovcnior at t lie election o'' August 1S4L'. In tiie spriii;;'
lollow injn', e.\-(i(»v. .I(>se]»li Duncan and \\ . 11. Ilendeison hecauio
tlie candidates (if |1h' wliii; pai'ty lor tlie same onices. Charles
W. Ilnnter and Frederick Collins w«'re also, resjiect i\ c'!,y, candi-
dates lor the same jiositions. .Mr. 8iiyder was an ettective si)eaker
and possessed an ostentations and plansaltle adth«'ss. lie had
been a nn'mber ol' coni^ress and state senator, and in the latter
capacity, to finiii the favor of the Mormons, who ere loomin.u np
in the State as a consideralile political power l>y reason of their
unity, lia<l been laryely iiistruniental in t' e passage of the
obnoxious '' ;\Ioiinon charters." by wliicii that iiindern sect wei'c;
l)laced J'.bove and beyond (he law.s of the State — c(»nstitiited a
j»etty soverei,niity within their corporate limits, wlu'iice they issned
ibrtli, committed their (iei)redations npoii the iiei,i;liborhoods out-
si<le, retired to their le,i;al citadel of Nanxoo, an<'. delied the ]»rocess
of any court of the county to follow them.
The Mormons, driven from Missouri i»y a democratic <iovernor,
denied [trotcction Ity a democi'atic i»resident, but in con^^ress coun-
tenanced by Messrs. Clay and John T. Stiiait, in 1S1(> had ^iveii
their sujjport to the wlii/is. Ibit intw Joe Smith, their prophet,
issued his pro(;l«imation exhortinj;' his followers in favor (tf Mr.
Snyder, and '• declaring .Indue I)on,iilas to be a master spirit."
This mandate showed the wliij;s that the democracy had, by the
extension of these very liberal charters, woed the Mormons with
success. Hut the odium of this sect was already rapidly spread-
in;;' oxer the entire State ; and of this circumstaiuH', (Jlov. Duncan
as the whiji' candidate, who was not concerned in the i)assa<i<' of
the obnoxious charters, soii,yht to take advantajie, and more than
retrieve frcnn the jii'ople tin' whi^' loss by the .Mormon defection.
Indeed tiiin,i;s bore a very promising;- look in that direction. IJtit
at this juncture Mr. Snydersickened and died, and the newclioico
as the standard bearer of the democracy for <ioveriior, fell upon
the Hon. Thomas Ford, who, althon«;h well known as a
jurist, wass iu no wise prominently connected with politics,
FORD'S ADMINISTIIATION.
463
i\\u\ ('('rtiiiiily ii(»t witli the jKi.^Siij^c of tlic dltiioxioiis ^loniiou
cliiii'tt'i's. 'riic<i«>iii*)ci':i('y ii))|)i'clicii<liii!;'tlic drill oi' piiiilic opinion,
]ii!H'tMl .ludjic l-'oid in tlit- position niiidt' \;iciint li,v by tlic dcidli
of Mr. Sn.vd<'i', Itccnnsc of liis ii\iiil;il»ility. Il is doid>tful wlit'llicr
any t)f tin- dcniocralic li'iidcis, in liic tiicn tcuipcr of tlu' pcopio
toward tlie Mormons, conld Iiavc \h'vu clcctt'd over so adroit and
(•oniii,i:»'otis a conipctilor as Dnncan. Tlicdcalli «/f Snyder jtrovcd
til*' tiininpii of tJH- democracy.
IJesides the (»diou.> ."\Iormon cliarters and tlie allejicd intrijiiies
and coirnpt itar^iains Itetweeii certain politicians aixl tlie prophet,
the otiier piddic (piestions of the day were, a revival »»!' tlie work
on tiie canal, repeal of tiie hank ehartei's, and the claim (»f Wis-
eonsin to 1 A of onr northern counties. The position of the new
democratic candidate upon tho questions was variously and
oi>positely icpoited in tlie pnltlic press of dilfeienl sections of
the Stale, to he ev«'rywliere in iiariiiony with the varyiiifi. hut jue-
vailin;;, scnliments of the peoi)le. .Much allowance ou^ht to he
made, however, for tlie statements of the ]»ress (hiring a heated
})oIilical campaign. DuiK'an charged l''(a'(l during' the caii\ass
with <'oncealiiij;- his opinions on all these cpiestioiis.
The foUowiii};' are the number of votes cast for j^'overiior in 1.S42:
For Thomas I"or<l, -1(),!I01 ; Joseph Duncan, .'JS.riSf: Charles W.
Hiinlei-, !)!>!>. l''or lieutenant .u'overiKU': .loliii Moore, 4."), 507 ; W.
11. Henderson, ;)S,42(); Frederick ('tdlins, <.»().""».
Tlumias Ford was born at LIuiout(twn, Fa., in tlie year iSdO. ITo
was a half-bi'olher to (leoi-jic l*'or(pier, his senior by six years.
Their mother, after tlie death of her lirst husband, niarrietl IJobt.
FoJ'd, who, in I.SOL' was killed in the mountains of IVnnsylvauia
by Indians. She was left in indiju'eiit circiiiiTstaiices, with a lai'ye
family, mostly j^ii'ls. With a view to better her condition, she, in
ISOt, r<'mo\('d to .Missvuri, where it had been ciistoniiiiy by tht
Si>anish <io\<'rnment to ,i;i\i ^'.id to actual settlers, but upon lier
arrival at St. Louis she found the eountiy ceded to the Inited
Stat<'s, and this liberal policy, luilike as at ]iresent, chan.iicd by tho
new ownership. Alter some sickness to herself and i'amily she
finally removed to Illinois, and settled some three miles south of
Wati-rloo, but the followin.y year moved closer to the ^Nlississijipi
blulfs. Ileie the boys received their first sclioolinj;' under the
instructions of Mr. llumi)hrey, for which they walked three
miles.
Their mother, tliou<>h lackiufi" in a thoroujili education, was a
woman of superior mental endownu'Uts, joined to enerjiy and
determinalion of character. She inculcated in her children those
lii<;li-toned m<»ral juiiiciiiles which distiii,iiuislied her sons in i)id)lic
life. She exercised a ri<iid economy to ])r<)\i(le her children an
education, but Cleor^'e Fonpu-r, her oldest son, at an early ajic had
to quit s<'hool, to aid by his labor in the su])i)ort of tlie family.
He ac(|uired the trade of a house Joiner, afteiwards became a
merchant, failed, an<l studied law, which his vijiorous intelh'ct
enabled him to readily master in spite (»f a- detective early eduea-
lion. Hv was determined and ambitious, had a jjood voice and
beeame a fluent and elejiunt s])eaker. lie filled many ])ul)lio
ofHces; was a member. of the lejjislature from Monroes secretaiy
of state under (iov. Coles, attorney ycneial, senatoi' from Saiigil-
rnou, subsequently register of the land ol!ict- at Si>ringtield, and
*l
404 IIISTOUY OF ILLINOIS.
but lor liis early dt'uth would pvohably have been t'h'ctcd to tlie
United States senate. .Joined to liis other intelleetnal qualities
■was rare merit as a wiiter. He was ot an amiable and ^ienerous
dis|)osition, and was snciiesslul in aeeumulatinj;- u eonsiderablo
estate.*
The younper brother, Thomas Ford, with sonunvhat better oit]>or-
tunities, rec^'ived a better, thou;;h limited eonnnoii school, ednea-
tion. liis mind t;ave early ]»idmise of superior ('udowmenls, with
an inclination lor mathematics. His |)roticiency attracted the
attention «)tthe II(»n. Daniel i'. Cook, in whom yctun;; Kord found
an etlicient patron and friend. Tht^ jiratefid heart of the pyotct/e
(lid not forjict its benefactor. On pajic 7."> of his History of
Illinois, Kord pays that <:«'ntlennin such unwonted compliin«'nrs
as no other of all his ]»ublic cotemi>oraries receives at his hand.
Throuji'h (!ook, youny Ford turned his attention to the law, but
For(pier, then merchandising', rejiardinj;' his education defective,
sent liim to the Transylvania University, wln-re he remained,
however, but one term, owiu};' to Fonpu'i's failure in business.
On his return he alternated his law reading with teacliinj> school
for sui)port. Jn l.SL'K (lov. iMlwiU'ds appointed him prosci-utin}?
attorney; in LSol he was reai)pointed by (lov. Reynolds; after tliat
be was four tinies elected a judaic, by the lej;islatnre, without oi)po-
sition; twice as circuit Jiidjic, ju(l}ie of Chica^io, and as associate
judyc of the suprenu' court, when, in 1.S41, that tribunal lhron<;li
l)artisau nndice was reorganized by the addition of live judjics, all
democrats. Ford was assi<>ned to the Uth Judicial cin-uit, and at
the time of his nonnnatiou for governor was holdiuf; (!ourt in Oj^Ie
county. Jle immediately resif;iied hisotliiH", accopted the nomina-
tion and entered ui)ou the canvass. In Aujiust he was elected
governor. The oftices which he held, althouj>h perhajis lu; Avas
vvilliuf;' enongh to have them, wei'e unsolicited. He received them
upon the true Jefterson principle, never to ask and never to refuse
office.
As a lawyer. Gov. Ford stood deservedly high, but liis cast of
intelh' 't tittcd him rather fiu- a writer ui)on law than a ])racticing;
advocate in the courts. In the latter cai)acity he was void of the
moving i)ower of eloquence, so necessary to success. As a judge
his written opinions are sound, lucid and able exi)ositions of the
law. He was a stranger, in practice, to the tact, skill and insinu-
ating address of the politician ; but, as we may mcU infer from his
history, no man of his time had a clearer perception of the wiles
and sinuosities of that devious class than he. Yet desi)ite this
ai)ineciation, his contidence in the honest ]>urposes of others,
joined to indecision or hesitation perhaps, enabled the unscrupu-
lous to deceive him, and in the nondescrij)! Mormon war cause
him unwonted trouble and vexation.
As a nmn, Governor Ford was plain in his demeanor.t He
lacked that sanguine and determined boldness and decision of
character retpiisite to tit one for a great political leader. For
•Reynolil's Pioneer History.
t+ It l8 relnteil thut after the explrntlc'ii of his term of office, upon the occasion of
the nsseniblinK of the leirlsliiture, which Rlwnys collected a horde of frreedy seekers
for siibonilmilc positionsat the caplto), ii wajr pointed him out to a ceitMio "rint<" us a
formlilable iisplrnnt fop dnor-koeper of the house. He'wos hunted up in his room at
the hotel, in the small hoursof the night, and approached fora bargain or combination.
On discovery the "ring" felt mortified aud the ex-governor perhaps not highly tlat-
te:ed.J
ford's ADMINTSTUATTON.
405
money {jfottiiif; li« cared little more tliiiii would alloid liiiii a decent
support, and scarcely tliat. lie accnniMlatcd no wealth and upon
his retirement IVom the .^iibeinaloiial chair he re>nme(l the piaclice
oi' tin' law. (iiov. l''oi<l was small of stature, slender, dark coni-
plexioned, with a prolusion <tt' l)lack hair, sharp features, deep set
eyes, a pointed, accpiiline nose, with a decided twist to one side,
and had a small month. His appeai'ance was said to he somewhat
cynical and he was, peihaps, uol without vindictivenes;*;. lie was
Ity natiirt^ a student, ami I he traits of his mind litted him for close
thought ; thon^ih he lacked in ima.L;ei'y,the .liift of /.jcnius. lie
had his weak trail; (Uie hescltin.L; sin into which ids <-ou\ i\ iai in<-
tnre i>etraye(l him, ami which contributed to his early death.
As an antlnn' he deserves oni- si»e<'ial consideration. lie has
lefti to the State in whi<-h he wasicared, trusted and honoi'cd with
the hi^ihesl oflice in the<;ift of the peoj)le, ami which he dearly
loved, a legacy in the form of a history, which, thon^^h ind a fiaj-;-
inent compiisiii^- his own tinu", and not topically arran^fd, will he
moi'c and more appreciate<l with the advance oi" years.
Jlis wi'itinus show a natural flow of com]tact and forcible thouj^ht,
never failinj; to convey the incest sense. Jn tracing' with his trench-
ant j»en the devious operations of the i)rofessionaI politician,
in which he is inindlable, his text is open ])erhaps lo the ol>jec-
tion.s that all his eotemporaries, many of whom have since Inid
their nanu'S written hijuii on the scioll of national fame, vvereniero
politicians, and that he fails to discover little else iu all their acts
ami deeds than the sellish i)romi>tin;^s for ]>lace, power, or some
local benelit. It lias been infi-rrcd — indeed his hook is somewhat
calculated to to leave such an imjuession ni)on the nnnd of the
I'cadei — that it was dictated by sjileeii. and his enenues have
charjicd it to be the jealous bile of dis opointed ambition. lUit
excejit, ])erhaps, as to his own adnnnistration this is si mistaken
view. That he was an accurate observer of his own times, and
that he relates events truly and describes men coriectly, may aside
from the internal conviction which his book produces, be infeired
from the fact that he wrote concernin.ii' those who survived him,
bni who have never contradicted him.
The lieutenant-j^overnor elect, .b>hn INFoore, was born Se])lem-
ber (S, ITiK), in liincoinshire, Knjiland. JJereft of ]>arents at the
ag<^ of -!() he emijirated to America. Sojournin};' lor a while in Vir-
ji'inia, In; located in Ilamilttm county, Ohio, and about IS.'.n re-
nn)v»'d to Illinois, settlinj;' penmnn'ntly at Randolph (Irov*-,
McLean <!Ounty, where he pursued his vocation ui' wheelrifiht, ;i
trade which he had learned in Knjilaml. His force of cliaracter
"was such that he sju'cdily rose from obscurity. Jn l.S.'Jl he was
elected a justice of the peace;; twice afterward to the lower house
of the lej^islatnre ami in IS.S!) to the State senate. His sterlinji'
qualities of head and heart gained him distinction thronjiliont the
State, causing his party to designate him as its standard bearer
for lieutemmt-governor in LS4-. On the breaking out of the ^lexi-
can war, aninnited by an ardent patriotism for the cause of his
adoi)ted conidry, he volunteered in the ranks, was chosen lient.
colonel of the 4th regiment, and particijjated in all its active ser-
vices. After that, by the partiality of the i)eoi)le, he was twice
elected State treasurer, and in that cai)a(!ity earned the honored
soubriquet of " Honest John Moore." He was long and favora-
30
400
IIISTOUY Ol' ILMiNOIS.
bly known ill tlic Stiite sis a coiiHi.stciit lender of flie dciiioeriiev,
iiiid (lied Scj.t. 2;i<l, ISO,}.
\Nilli llir iidvciit of (lovcriior Ford's adiiiiiiistnitioii, lie sums
up llif coiiditioii of llii' Stair as lollows:
" 'riu' (loiuoHtic tronnury of the State wnn iudehted for tlie onliimry
I'-xpciises of governnu'iit to tlie iiiiiount of alioiit .■?;{].'!, 0()(». Audilor'H
wjuruiits on tlif ti't'iisury wero Hellion Jit •"'" per eeiit. (iiseouiit, aiitl lliere
was IK) iiioMcy ill the treasury wiiatever; not even to pay postage oii
h'llcrs. 'I'lie aiiiiiial n'Vciiues a|)pliealile to tiie payment of ordinary
expenses aiiKniiited to aliout Sl.'ill.liuo. 'I'lu' treasury was liaiikriipl ; the
revenues were insutlicii'iit ; the people were uiialile and unwilliiitc to
pay hiph taxes; and the State liad horrowed Itself out of all credit ; u
delit of near ^10,000,(10(1 had heeii contracted for the caiuil, railroads and
other purposes. The currency of the State had hi'i ii annihilated; there
was not over $:ioo,(l(io or S;!00,(i0(» in Kood money in the pockets of the
whoh' peo|>le, which occa.<ioned a j;eneral inahil'ity L'> pay taxes. The
whole peopK' were indelitetl to the merchants, nearly ai' of whom were
indehted to the hanks or foreign merchants; and thehanus owed every-
hody, and none were ahle to pay."
In liis iiu'ssaj;'e, the jiovenior says:
"We have suflered all the evils of a depreciated pajter ciriailition ;
the lirst of which is a ^''eat and sudden scarcity of money. Tl.'. specie,
which ought to he in circulation, is locked up in the banks, a largo
•Miiountof the depreciated paper has been ])urchased up and held on
sp ••ulation, and the residue has Just been sullicient to keep money of a
hettei character from coming among us. C'oiise((Uently, we have been
lelt without money, i)roperty has fallen unusually low in price, and the
products of the farmer have l)een almost unsaleable. Two courses have
operated to prevent an increase of poi)ulation for a year or two past; one
is the prevalent fear of exorbitant taxes; the other the reproach to
which we are subject abroad. The remedy for this is obvious. Let
it be known in the tirst place that no oppiessive and exterminating taxa-
tion is to be resorted to; in the second, we must convince our d'eilitom
and the world that the disgrace of repudiation is not countenanced
among us — that we are iionest and mean to pay as soon as we are able."
Ill the h'^islatiiie, Avliieli eaiiie into i)ower siimiltaneously with
floxcnior Ford, there was no party in favor of taxation to })ay
interest on tlie public (hd»t. Some wanted to make no effort for
live or ton years, but await lie intliix of iiiiini^rants, trusting' that
the future nii^Iit develope soiiietiiin,y fa\'orab!e; ail would j^ladly
yield nj) to the holders of the internal iin]>roveineut bonds the
public works as far as eoinideted, and the lands, railroad iron and
other i»roperty purchased to carry I'orward the .system, in licpiida-
tioii of the indebtedness, if they would liiiish the canal, but this
was imi>racticable for obvious reasons. Tln^ }>reat majority Avere
neither willing' to tax nor yet to reiuidiate. (iovernor J'\)r<l, in liis
niessa<;e, .saiil: " Altliouj^li the eleittions in August last were eon-
ducted with warmth on the part of the candidates and ])eop]e, not
more than one or two individuals were found willinji!,' to offer their
services upon princijiles of repudiation, and they were unsuccess-
ful." The majority quieted their (;onsciences by the adoption of
resolutions recognizing both the moral and legal obligations to
l»ay interest and principal, but that the present ability to do so
was out of the «juestion. Outside there were not wanting many
who were outspoken in favor of lepudiatioii. eouteiiding that
neither the legislature nor the State financial i. gents jiossessed the
power to legally obligate the people to the payment of debts in-
curred in a scheme of such gross and reckless infatuation as that
of the internal improvement .system of the State.
roiID'S ADMINISTRATION.
407
Aiiotlicr soiiicc ol" Miixicty iiiid tioiiltlc t<i llioiijililfiil iiiid coii-
s('i\!tli\ <• iiini. Wiis tlic prosHiitc Itiiiiks. Tlicv li:i(l Itccii lorn long
time (xlidiis to llic people on iiceoiiiit of tliciroft iiiliiiiiities. Any
t'xtn'iiiit.v iMirsiu'd toward tliein woidd meet tlie lienit.v iipprohu-
tioii of tlic people, li(»\vevei' siieli eoillse liiiyiit l»e (leiiiliieiitid to
tile eoiiiitrv. Ileiiee polit iciitiis, w lio looked oid.v lo popidiiiity
with tlieir eoiisl itiieiits, w. le cI^vmu'ous for the repeal of the hiiiik
cliiulers. Illinois lioiids ill iiiarUet weic worth <nil,v 14 eeiits on
the dollar at the time. The State owned hank stock lo the anionnt}
of m;I.I(I(I.<iO(>. whieh it was ni';L;('d l»v the lepndiatinj;- party should
lie I'etiirned to the hanks in exehan;;(' for State lionds held as col-
lateral : that tin' latter should he forced upon the market as assets,
and with the proceeds ]iay the dehts of the hanks. This woiihl
ha\c fiiiliiei' depressed Illinois honds. 'i'hehank stock was much
more \alnahle than Slate honds, the hills of the hank heiii";' worth
ahoiit oO (M'lits oil the dollar, yet the madness of the honr de-
manded a surrender and even exclian;;!'.
These were some of the ohstacles in the way of hannonious do-
liheratioii for the hest interests of the State. Uiit fertile itiains
Mere iinnwrsed in thonnht to (h'vise ways out of the ein-
hai'iassinj;' circnmstaiices nnder which the Slate lahored. Tho
canal, upon which work had been longer c(»ntinne<l than tlieotli(>r
jiultlic works, was <>reatly advanee'.l, recinirinj;' only soiim- S-'KOttO,-
OIKMiioic t«» finish it upon the first ma;4iiitieeiit i>ian. It was now
jn'oposed to iiiiike of this woik a fnlcriim hy which to raise the
credit of the State out of its sloiij^h of despond. And as some
soit (»f canal was better than none, it was fnrlher pro]»ose(l to liii-
isli the remainder of it 1).\ aliandoninji' the deep cut for the shallow,
Mliicli could Im' accomplished at abcnt half the price, or !!<1,(I(K>,-
0(10. The completion of thecanal would inspire confidence abroad,
invite emigration, and revive the droopin;;' enei.i^ies of the peojilo
at home. The plan was to induce the canal bondholdeis to ad-
vance this amount on the pledj;-e of tlu' canal, its lands and reve-
nues, as a first mortjiaj;<', ])ostpouin}:f all creditors who should
r(>fnse to contribut<> until the former were reimbursed. It seems
that Justin Ilutteifield, an eminent lawyer of ("hicauo, was entitled
to tluu'redit of suji^estiuj;' this plan, which, after a biief delay,
])r(>ved successful. He first mentioned it to Arthur Uronson, a
iieavy ofierator in Illinois stocks, and a lar.nc landholder in the
noi'thern jtart of the State, who was on a visit to ("hica;;(), in tlui
summer of IS-t'J, lookinj;- after his interests. Mr. Ihitterfield fur-
ther imbued Mr. iMiehael Kyaii with this i(U'a, and the latter, when
shortly after in New York, enlisted Mr. David Leavitt, JMr. Ilron-
son, and other ojierators in Illinois stocks, both in London and
Xow" York, ill the scheme. The jilaii received drfiiiite shape from
these financiers, and ujxui tlu^ ineetinj>' of the lejuislaf ure, J)e(!em-
ber, 1S4L', awaited the sanction <»f that body.
Ihit the more absorbiii<^ question of repealing the bank charters
and Avindinjx uj) those institutions, boded evil to the success of
the new canal loan, even if the bill to convey the canal in trust
for the advance of $l,<i(l().0(IO, did become a law. The financial
embarrassments of the State would ])robably become involved in
an inextricable coil, to disentanj;le which would (!onsinne years of
time. There was a question of law as t<» the vested rij;hts of the
banks under their charters, which they asserted their determiua-
4(;s
IIISTOUV Ol-' II.MNOIH.
tioii to coiitcMfM Willi till liic liiw's tU'la.N tiiiit tlic I'liittMl Htativs
(■(lints iiltoMlnl. if run-iltif li(|iii)liitit)ii wii.s iitit'iii|itt'tl. In tlic
IiiciilitiiiM-, tlii'ii' iissrsi \ oiilil 1m> iihsuilxMl in ]ili;;iilin!i oi' s<|iiiiii-
(Ini-d li,v \ iil;iiii(iiis oirn-iiils. It would, Itcsiilcs. pioiliicc inislnist
and ii w:inl of ronliilfiin' in tlic iiiin<ls of capitiilists abroad, upon
ulioin wt' dtpciidcd I'or tlic new loan to roiiiph'lc tlic canal. If
til)' iianU cliaitcis could lie rcpcalc. and liankin;^ corporations
ailiiliaiil.v cnislicd, what jiuanaiitcc was there that a siiccet'din;;
Ici^islatiire would not treat the new canal coinpan.v the same
way '!
(io\'. I'ord, tor the liest interests of the State, <letcrinincd upon
a just coinproinise with the hanks, and lahoit'd earnestly t») that
♦Mid. Hut Avitli tlie eoiivenin;;- of the lej;islalure, llu; retiiinj;
e\cciiti\(', (!ov ("arliii, (say.' l''ord), ••recoinniended repeal in his
Aaledictory inessa;;!'. When he liist «'ainc to the seat of };o\eni
ineiit he showed nie his nu'ssayc, recoiniiiendin}j' wise, Just, an<l
lionoralile nicasiires to the hanks, lie also showed me what he
had pi'i'parcd on thesiiliject of repeal. assiiriii<; m«- that he had
decided not to put it in. I'.ut shortly afterwards, some of the
iiltiaists <;*)t a hold of him, and induced him to alter U\s messa^^e,
by leeominendin;; repeal. This recoinniendatioii embarrassed me
then, anil has embarrassed me ever since. Here was a n'specta-
lile recommendation of somelhiii;; more ultra than i thought was
warranted by the b«'st interests of the State, It j^ave countenant;e
to the nltraists; tiiey cmild rally around it, win a character for
stern and iiith-xable item>>crats. It al once (iiit them alii'ad of the
new udveriior and his friends," As a further source of ojiposition
to the banks, (iov. Ford continnes: "There was (piite a paity
out of tin- legislature, expectants of otlice and others, win*
hoped that if lln' banks were repealed out of existeiue and
]Hit into forcibU' li(|iiidalioii, some of them inij^ht lie appoint-
ed comniissioners and put in chartie of their sjiecic^ and elTeets.
Jt was known that if the liank debts were paid pro rata, a lar<>c
amount of specie would remain on hand for a year or more, the
use of which epiild he uiade profitable iu the lueantime. Then
there were to be liank attorneys and agents iu collect iu;; and
securing' debts; and the whole would furnish a handsome picking
for the biiz/ards and vultures who h a n;;' about lobbies and sur-
round legislatures. As for myself, I decided at once in favor of a
eompioinise ; and T gave notice t<i all these greedy exjiectauts of
otlice, who were hanging ai'ound with eyes straining to devour
their substance, that if the hanks were repealed, and theappoint-
iiieiit of eouimissioners was vested in uie, iioue of them could
expect an appointment. This I know cooled some <if them."
The governor, who labored under a greater apprehension in re-
gard to the jiower of the ultia anti-bank ])arty than there was
jierhajis any call for, drafted the bank liill himself, giving it
rather a higher sounding title than its provisions deseived or its
effects would warrant, namely "an act to diminish the Stale debt
and put the State hank into li(piidation.'' The oHicers of the bank
Avere Avell ap])rised of its provisions and had agreed to them. "It
Avas then," says the goveriuu', "shown to ]Mr. JMcClernand, chair-
mail of the tinanee eommittee. CJeii. Shields, .Judge J)ouglas, and
myself, were invited to be jiresent at the meeting, I Avas desirous
of liaving the bill introduced as a democratic measure, and
FOKD'S AI):\IINIsrKATION. 4<JJ)
for fliis rc;is(Mi tlic wliiju's ol" lln' cniiiniiltc*' wcic not iii\it(Ml
tt) lie picsciil. 'I'lic piojcct wiis stilted tu llic ctmiiiiittfc, and nil
till' nu'iMltcrs iiyn'i'd to it hid one, and lie was soon ai'^fiicd out of
Ids (dtjcclioiis l»y .lnd;;(' I)oiij;las. 'I'lir iirxl ila\ it was iiitrodiircil
into till- lowi'i' lioiisi' as a rf|Mii't IVoiii tlii> linanct' coiiiniitttT.
'I'liis I'irciiiiistaiir)' put Mr. Mt'( 'Icniand in tln^ ]iosition of Ix-in;^
its p)-iiH'i|»al adx'ocatt' ; and it was soon known to he a t'avoiitc.
nicasiin> ol' tlu- ii<-w adniinislratioii.''' It nii-t with ;;ciin'al l'a\or
unions' tilt' iikmiiImts.
TIk' oppositiiiii to it <-anir niainlv Iroiii the oiitsidt' )-\|M>('tant.s
of tdlicc ill winding; up tiic concern. Sa.vs l-'ord : "li.vinan 'i'riini-
lillli, serretary of Slate, piil liiiiiself at liie liead of I liisoppositioii.
In ti.'kiiiL; this ;;roiiiid. Air. 'i'l iiiiiImiII was pioUaltiy less inlliieiiced
]iy a liopc of pecuniary advanta;;csto liiniself, than hy ii desire to
serve Ins fiieiids, to he considered a tlioroii,i;li ;;oiii;;' party man,
and liy a hatred of .Mc( 'leriiaiid and Shields, who hotli lavored
(he nieasiire.*
^'As soon as .M<'< 'lernaiid took Ids jxtsition on tin' hank ipiestion,
Triiitiliull arrayed hiiiisejf in op|M>sitioii. He preleiided that
Ali-f 'h'rnamrs measure was not siillicienlly democratic; in fact,
that iiotliiii^ could he dcinocralic in relation to the hanks hut to
tear llieiii up and destroy them root and hranch, a* ' he hoped to
Casteii upon Mc<'lernand tlie impiilatioii of heini; -'milk and
water democrat/ and thus lower him in the eslimatioa -,>!' the party.
At the instance of IOi»ene/er i'eck, clerk of the suprenu' court, and
others, lie put up a notice that he would address the loldty on the
siil»jec,r, in the evcidii;;' after the ic^^islatnie had ad join ncd. .Most
of till* niemhers att4-ndc<l to hear his discourse.
"The next day .Mc( 'lernand, who possessed a kind of hold and
«lciiiiii«tiat<M'y elo()iience, came down upon TriiinlMill and his con-
federates in a speech in the house, which for aijiumcnt, eloiiueiico,
and stiiti'smanship was far siiperi(»r to 'I'rumhiiil's. This speech
silenced all o))p<»sition thereafter to the hill in the house. The oiit-
<lo<tr opp(»siti<»ii, after this, fors<'ein,n' signal <lcfeat in the house,
tiiriiiid their attention to the s'eiiate. * * * TriinihuU took his
.stand in the l(d>hy uiid sent in amendments of every sort, to l)e,
jM'oposed hy < 'rain, of \Vashiii;;loii. {,'atliii, of St. ( 'lair, and otheis,
'i'iic inod(^ ol' attack was to load it <lo\\ii with ohiioxioiis aiiiend-
iiienls, .so as to make it odious to its aiit h' >i's ; and 'i'riimhiill openly
hoas(e<l that tiie i)ill would he .so altered and aim-ndcd in the sen-
ate that the frainers in the house w<»iild not know their own hant-
liiii'' wliea it cuiiie hack to them. From this inonieiit i detcnnined
r •'His (luiirri'i with .McClernurKl Kpniiii.' (iiit of his iip)u)iiitiMi.|it totlii! otrn'c ot sec-
rcliiry (if State twd yi'iiis bi'lori,'. .NlcfClci-tiand was ii mi'iiilicr iil' 1 1)( l(vlslat\ii-u in
I.SIH, iiiit not iR'ilitr Mil iip|ili<'ant ilii'ii, .III .(."(■ Il(>i|i;las was apiioiiitc I at the licfriiiiiin);
of the scHsioii without opposirioii Hut wlicii Oouirlas was olcctcil a Jiuiuc of tlic .su-
preme court, toward the end of I lie session, .VtcClernand ineited his f riend.s to jret up
III Ills faviir a stroiiti: re<;oiiiMiendation from the iiiemlMis of I lie !■ uislatiire for t he vu-
eaiit olliee. • • • (iov. Carliii liad already allo>\ed tlie iiienilieisof the li'^fislii-
tiireand his political friends to dictate to hini the appointnieiit of McCleriiaiid on a
former occasion He hail lately yiiilded to similar dictation in the ainiointinent of
OouKlaK in opposition to his own wishvs, for lie hiiii previously inoinisid t he olliee to
Isaac \ Morris, id tJiiincv |HeJ suliseipienlly used his inlluencc with the letrislature
to irct Morris elected to the olHce ol president of the board of canal coinmissioiiera.
Uiit tills ('(Jiitest lictween McC!ler;iaiid and Triindiull took placeat the close id' the aes-
Pioii. wlien the sroveriior had iiotliiiiur more to liopi' or fear from tual leifislatiire. * ♦
Truiiiluill was iioiiiinatetl to the setiate ; and .McClernand iind Sldelilstis iiiijiie(liiitely
went to work in that liody to procure the reject ioii of his appoint meiit. Tliey camb
within a xote or two of defeat insr his nomination. Ever since then t lie re has bleu uo
good leelinsf between McCleriiaiiU and Triiinbull,"— Ford's Hi.story.
470 IIISTOP.Y Ol' ILLINOIS.
to icmovc Triiiiilmll IVoin the oDU'v of jsccrctaiy ol' State, [which
■\vas (h)iH'J. Tiic obnoxious ainciMliiiciils were icjcctcd, aixl tlie
l)ill passed by a hirii'e majority, and \v;is approved l>y the eoiiiieil
of i'e\ isioii. Iiid^c Doii.uias, not \viliislaiidiii,i: lie had advised the?
ineasnve before the llnanee eoiiuiiitlee. voted aj^aiiist it in eouiieil.
[TIk^ bill i)assed the lionse by 107 foi- to 4 a,i;aii:st.1 A bill
somewhat similar, passed ii. iclation to the Sliawneetown Irnnk.
]'.y these two bills tin; domestic treasnry of the Slate v as 'it oneo
relieved, and another debt of !i!L!,.")0(i,()(l(> was extinj^uished imme-
diately.
'•The le.uislalure at this session also jiassed laws for the sale of
State lands and properi\ ; for the reception of the distribntiv(^
share of the Stat; in liie inoceeds of the sales of the i)nblic lands ;
foi- the re(h'mptio.i of interest bonds liypotheeated to IMacalister
and Stel)l)ins, and for a, loan of >'l.(i(l(),()0() to complete the Illinois
and Michij^an canal. I»y these vaiions laws provision was made
for the I'cdnction of the State debt to the anioniit of eijjht oi nine
inillions of dollars. * * From this moment the affairs of the
State be,i;an to bii^hten and improve. Anditor's warrants rose to
S3 and !MI per cent, "tate boinis rose from It to I'd, ;;(► and 40
I)er cent. Tlu' l>anks bejian to jtay out tlieir sju'cie. and within
thre«' iiKnilhs time the cnrreiu-y was restored, conlidenc*' was in-
creased in the prosj)ccts of the Stale, and the tide of emij^ratiou
was once more directed to Illinois"*
lint the new canal loan ol' .*1.()()0,000 v.wt v\itli delay in its ne-
j;()tiati(»n. ICnropean capitalists \\«'re well dispos«'d toward if. but
tliei'e was no reliable evidence placed before them as to the vahut
of the canal; nor wcic they willin.u' to take the loan without
S(»me evidence of public fnilh and icconiiition of tli: c.»lij;a.!on of
the State, and some le<;isIalion I'oi' taxation to make at least a be-
};iiinin<>' to i)ay interest on the public debt.
In liis messajic to the lcj;islature of lS44-r), tlx-refoie, (!ov.
jM)rd rccomnu'ndcd taxation. In Septcinbei' pr<'ccdin^, however,
]\Ir. \\'illiam S. AN'ait, of Kond connly, thion^li his puldished let-
ter to the f>'overnor against taxation, had already afforded him aii
opportunity to make known Ids views in a j>u!tlic letter written in
reply, which did ui'eat <"redit to his sentiments of honcU' and ca-
])acity as a sagacious slalesniiin. It j^ained a w idcciicul.ition and
])rodnced so favorable an ctfect in Kurope as to immediately cans(^
the comi)letiou of the subs<Miption to the loan, 'the State revenue
was derived from a land lax, a poition of which had been in l,Sl,'7
diverted to the counties then j;cnerally in debt, to aid them toward
the ere(!tion of conit-houses and Jails, which luul lun^ sine*' Iteen
built, and tin; .governor in his inessa,u(^ says :
" This land tax on^ht to bo rosunied to the State treasury. Fre(|uent
attempts have Ix'cn made to eircct this, liut witliout ^access. Theohjee-
tion Juis always licen that there was nioie land ta.valilc in the old tiian
in tlie new i)artof tlie State, and tliat tlu' nu'asnri' would l)e iiiK'(piaI.
[I'nder the ('onijiact with couKresH in tlie enaliliiiK act of ISIK, lauds
were uot to he taxed till live _>eais al'tei' their entry.] I would rt'ciiui-
ineud that the additioiud revenui- thus derivi'd. anil such additional
tax as the legislature in its wisdoui will jirovidc lor, ho lornu'd into a
fund, the proceoils and iu('roaso oi whicli shall he sacred and dotiieated
to the extinction of si i)ortion. however small at lirst, of Ihi' interest on
the puhlie dehl. Wluitever we do in this way, ought to have the greut-
♦Ford's History.
ford's administration. 471
est |)iTiimn('iicy. * * Ami tlius hy settiiij^ a limit to the fears and
imaKiiiatii)iiH of men in rt'lation to the Inifjc idianloni of expected taxes,
we nii^lit reasonably calculate to restore ourselves in the estimation of
mankind, turn the tide of em iff ration again into our country, acconi-
l)anied by wealth and intelligence."
But from various causes (piite iiu o])])ositi(Hi hud been raised to
llie a<lniinistralioii. Tlii,-' j^rcw out of tlie " .Morinan war,'' ami
llic Jealousies of [)olitieal aspiiants. Two hank coniiuissioiiers, a
secretary of state, three ju(lj>es of the sui)reine eouit, and a, IJ. 8.
sena'oi' had been ai>|iointed. I''or tli(>se olliees there were uiany
applicants, and tlie disa[)])ointed ones Joined tiieir inllnence too]>-
])ose the adiniiiistiation measures, i^lally eliai'^cs were bionj^Iit
a;nainst tli<' a<lministi'atiou and an iiivestij;atin<;' committee was
appointed, which, wiiiie it made a tiioronj;ii in(piisitiou of tlie (!X-
eeutive olliees and found uolidn};' amiss, still di<l not possess the
majiiianimity to make any report at all — "tlie newest way cd'dis-
ereditinj;' an adnuiiistratiou," which oufj;ht to be patented, says his
eoveelk'uey.
The main a<bninistration measure at this session was a sup]»le-
uuMital (!aual bill, and to]»)'o\ide for])ayin}>' a ]>ortion of the inter-
est on the State debt, it piovided for a transfer of 1 mill from
the county to tlx' State tax, so as to make the State tax ."i mills,
the latter to remain pernninent, and toj^'ether with all suiplus
money.' in tlu' treasury constitute an "interest Fuml," to be sa-
credly set ai)art for tln^ ])aynM'iit of interest on tlie ])ublie, debt.
'J'he bill jiiviiiji" to the foreijiu bondhohleis two canal trustees and
to the State but one, afterwaids divided and ]»assed in two laws,
was jirepared in aeeordance witli tlie proiiositions of tlie foreijuir
<'reditors, as made by the JJoston eommittee, (loverior Davis, of.
Massachusetts, and JMi*. Leavitt, (d" Is'ew York, beinj; present
duriiij;' the latter part of the session.
JU'sides disaffected democrats, a strenuous eifort vas made
to array the wlii<;' paity in oitjxisition to this measnic. To this
end a secret meetiiif;' of the \\lii>;' leach'rs was called <o form a
coalition with the soiithein democrats, JJiit to tlies« intri,iiiies,
fraii.uht witli mischief to the eicdit and i)rosperity of the Slate,
.liidjic Stephen T. Lo;;an, of Sjuin^ntield, N. I). Stronj;, of Alton,
and other whi^i's, set their faces as steel ; and in the liouse these
machinations met with si<>iial <lefeat, the bill passinji' by some L'O
majority. Jn the senate, altera siibstitue olfercd by Ivlwards and
aineiidments by \Vorthiii.yloii and Constable, (whijus,) all teiidin};-
toits defeat, were voted down, that body refused to order the bill
to a third icadiiii;' — 1!> to 22. Now followed much ])arliameiitary
maniieveriiiy, and cliarj;es of bribery and coirupt ion were IVcely
made.
"The vote on the bill in the senate beinji reeonsideicd. it was
referred to a select committee, tojicther with another iiill of an
important character, which had already ]»assed the lioiise of rep-
resentatives. It was known that one senator would not vote for
the taxand the canal both in the same bill. J>y their connect ion
the tax was made to appear as a local im'asure. intended only for
the beiielit of the north. The committee, therefore, divided tin;
bill. They struck out of tluM*anal bill all that related to a tax,
and they struck out all of tlie bill nderred with it, aiid inserted
the taxing part in that. And these two bills being now rexiorted
472 IIISTOUY OF ILLINOIS.
IdjicU to the soiiiilc, the senate eoiicuiTeil in tlii'ir passage as thus
anieiuk'd. Tlicy were sent back to the house the same hour for
concurrciice. wliich was jiiven ; and thus lliese important meas-
ures j)asse(l into laws; or jalliei' tlu'y wahbled throuyli the U'j;is-
hiture. To Tiionuis ^1. Kili>atriek, senator from Seott, is due the
]n)nor of tlie. <;(M)d imiiiaficnu-nt in tlie senate, in dividiu<i' and
anieiidiM^ tlie measure, and thus securiiij;' its passa;;('. J j^ive the
facts, curious as tiu'V mav ajqiear, to illustrate the fertile j^cuius of
Avestern men. ami as a specimen of the nu)dcs of le<;islatiou in a
new country.'"*
Thus \\as shown a recoj^iiitiou of our oltlijiatiou to i)ay t) ■ ^tub-
lie debt, and a wiliiugness to contribute to do so as far a. .tv in
our ]»ower. This, too, at a i)eriod of sore trial to the i»eople of the
tStale. For the two precedinu' seasons the crops had been a jiar-
tial I'ailure; th«' u ijaccedented freshets of the ^lississipj)], the
Illinois and many oilier streams in the JState, in 1S44, had de-
stroyed a l.iriic auHiunt of ])ro|ierty. and laid waste many a home-
stead ; and an unusual amount of sickne>s had not only Ibllowcd
in the wake of the thtods, but jii'iicrally pervaded the country.
Anothei "Hard Times'* measure, adopted at this session, was
the reduction of interest to (> ]»er cent. Duriuj; the tlush times,
juior to bS4((, when money was abundant and niilimiled, the peo-
ple overtraded tlii'iiiselves, and, liiially, on settlement, jiavc their
])romissory notes, bearing- lli ])er cent, interest, which they did
ral her than be sued and have their i)ro))crty sohl undei I'xeculioii.
The reader will Innc iiotici'd thai lor Iweuty-live yi'ars the ten-
dency of legislation in Illinois, and indeed all western states, u
leiideiicy not yet arrested, was to favor the debtor classes.
. At the close of (iov. l'\u(rs admiiiislratioii.t we liiid the domes-
tic debt tbi' the ordinary e.\|ieiises of the 8tale government to be
only !J.'>l,L'lL', instead of .•?);) lo.UdO as when he came into oflice ;
now, without the sum diu' from the general government to the
school fund being paid, there was in the treasury s^iM'liO, when at
that lime ii did notcontain enough to jtay [lostageon a letter; now,
auditor's warrants were worth over DO cents on the dollar, then,
not .")(> ; now, people were in the main out of debt, then they were
overwhelmed with luivate liabilities. The banks luul been put
into li<iui(latioii ami gradually wound U]), their depreciated circu-
lation retired and replaced by a reasonable aluindance of specie
and the issiu's of solvent banks from other IStates. J>y exchang-
ing the bank stock of tlu' State for the bonds, and tli<^ sale of
public jiroperty, about $;),(l()0.(l(H) of the jiublic deb.t had been
extinguished ; and by the canal, then i)romising to be complete«l
within the next year, some .*',"»,(I(MI,(I(»(» more were etfectually pro-
vided for in the enhanced value of the canal ])roperty, and the
fact of its conveyance in trust to the tbreign canal bond holders :
being a redact i<ni of some .*S,()()(>,(»()(), extinguished and juovided
for, during' (iov. Fords' adiuinistratiou, notwithstanding itsbegin-
ing under circumstances tlie most adverse and unpromising. T) 3
State, which lor years before had been overwhelmed with debt;
■which had not lor 4 y<'ars ])aid even interest on its bonds, and
loth to even recognize its jmblic debt; which was on the brink of
repudiation — discredited throughout the civilized world, had dur-
♦1 Ford's History.
*See Ills iiiessugo, Dec. 1848.
FORD'S ADMINISTRATION. 473
iii<>liis iKliiiiiiistiiition its credit jiiciitly restored, and wtib enabled
t(t borrow .'r'l.OiMMKtO (<> eoiiiplete file canal. It now liad a jiopu-
lalion of altont 7(10,0(10, and tlie 1.^ mill tax to be e.\clu-
sively ajiplied as intei'cst on tlie i)ublic debt, would yield ibi tlio
year" ISKI, !j'lL'.">,(iOO. ^\"\\]\ llie <lissi])at ion ol" llie clouds of
tlireateninji' dislionor, einiiiiation, with an increasing;' tide, a^aiu
sought onr lands for lionies, and i»oi)nlation was auj;ineiitinj>'
faster than any jirevious time. Tlie list of taxable projierty, and
tlie aj'<iTef;ate wealth of the State, was rajtidly on the increase.
From the people here, erst so anxious to sell out and de]»art the
State, the terrors of lii^li taxation had been I'cmoved, and now
when o])i>ortunity to sell and leave was almost daily i)reseiited,
they were content to remain. 'I'lie reputation of Illinois before
the ci\ ilized W(nld, now stood forth almost without spot or blem-
ish, the jH'er in honor and credit of any in the sisterhood of
States. The year 184.") was the turning;' ])oint in her linaneial em-
barrassments, and marks the l»e;;inninj; of her since unabated
pros]»ei'ity and march to .lireatness.
•'•Wv may date tins commencement of our returning:' jirospciity
to tlio passage of that law" — the law re(piiring the banks of this
Stale to ])ut their ali'aii's in process of uiadiial li<|uidation — says
(iov. French in his inaugural message. This law, we have seen,
wa.s conceived by the brain and drafted by the liand of Ciov.
Ford himself; tlirough his admirable letter in reply to W. S.
\Vait. of 1)011(1 county, onr foreign creditors took heart and siib-
.scribed the money for the completion of the canal ; he had the
courage to recommend taxation, and suggested the ])ermaiiant
tax or "interest fund" bill, which after a severe struggle became a
law. We see thus the directing linger of (lo\-. Ford in every im-
)>ortant measure which aided in restoiing the cicdit of the State,
and snatching it from the jaws of rejuuliation and dishoncu'.
z\nd this was done, not with the united sii])])ort of his own i>ai'ty
friends, but in the face of their many iiitiigues. Jealousies and
party nmchinatioMs. Illinois was most fortunat<^ in securing his
services for its helm of State at this ciilical Juncture of her linan-
eial career; and i)osterity will ever ow(^ a debt of gratitude to liim
for his clear insight into the comlition other affairs, the meas-
ures which his genius brought forward for her extrication, and the
fidelity with which he discharged the high trust rei)osed in him at
this crisis in her history. In his valedictoiT message he says:
"Without having indulged in wasteful or extraxagant habits of
living, I retire from oflice ])oorer than 1 canu' in ; and go to pii-
vate lite with a full deteiniination not to seek again any ])lace in
tlu^ government." (Jov. I'\)i'd died, Nov. I'd, Lsr)0, at i*eoria, in
very indigent (;ircumstances.
ClIAPTEK XL.
TnE ILLINOIS ANJ) i^IlCniGAN CANAL.
Trials and Troublca Incident to its Construction,
Tlu' iini)()i"tiiii('(' of a ciuial coniiccting tluMvaters of Lake Mi<!h-
i^aii and those of ilic Illinois livcr, and tlu-ncc by otlicr iiaA'i^ablo
Htieauis liuiidit'd miles in extent to the (lulf of iMexiito, was at a
very early tinieapiJiceiated. and its eoiisnniniation A/iidlyeherislied.
The I'reneh traders and voya,i;('iirs in their explorations of the
Avest, between one and two eentnries since, i)assed with their boats
from Ijake jNliehi^an into the l)es Plaines at some seasons of tlie
year, via the Calumet river and lake. The ])ortajie between thv
south branch ol' the Chica.^o river and the Des IMaines was only
some live or six miles. Cntil the artiticial connection between thi^
waters of Lake i\Iichij;a!i and the Illinois river \\ as ])raetically
essayeil, it was reyurded as of easy accomplishment; but the facts
lia\t shown the contrary. The camil, which in ISLM and])rior was
estimated at $04(),()()(). has lirst and last, in(;ludinj;' the Chica<;()
deepening- for sanitary puriK)ses, cost near twenty times that
sum.
During the war of 1S12, with the massacre at the n)outh of the
Chicago, and the reti'cat of the savages westward, initional atten-
tion was first directed to the importance of this work, and the
]>rcsidcnt in his message in ISM brought the subject to the atten-
of congress, and a select committee rejtorteil it as "tlu' great work
of the age," for both military and commercial purposes. "Jn
18H>," says (lov. Ivlwards. who was one of the commissioneis, "a
tract of laiul bounded on Lake Mi(;liigan, iiu-luding Chicago and
extending' to the Illinois river, was obtained from the Lulians, for
the ])urpose of opening a canal communication between the lake
and the river. * * I ]>ersona1ly know that the Indians were
induced to believe that the opening of the canal would be very
advantageous to them, and that, under authorized ex])eetations
that this would be done, they ceded the land fo'' a tritle.' * In
1817, Major liong nuide a report to congress that "a canal, uniting
the waters of the Illinois river with those of Lake IMichigan, nniy
be considered the lirst in importance of any in this quarter of the
country, ami the construction Avonld be attended with vei-y little
exiteuse comi)ai'ed with the magiutude of the object." Another
rejiort favorable to the canal was at that time nuide by IJichard
Graham and Chief .histice Phillips, of this Stafe.t In' l.Sl!>, ]\lr.
Calhoun, secretary of war, diiccted the atteiitior' of congress lo the
'EdwnrAs' Life of Edwiirds.
+:bi<l
474
ILLINOIS AND MICHIGAN CANAL.
475
Ciiiiiil on Jiccoiiiif of its importuiH'c for militiiry j)iiri)o.s('s,* In
ISL'L' coii^in'ss iuitlioriz»'(l tliis State to constnui the ciinal tliroii;;li
tli< ;»iil)lir lands, ;;iantin<;' for tlie purjjose a strip of };ronn(l \H)
feet in width on hotii sides of it, and rcscivinj;' tlic lands tlironiuli
uliicli it nii;;iil i>ass from sale until furtlicr direction. It \vastol»«!
cttinineneed witiiin three and eonijdeted witliin twelve .years. To
the State was iiiven the prixilej-c of takiii;:; Ironi tlu^ i^overMiiient
l!;nd, material for its eonstrnetion. I'pon this slender bej;inninj;'
conji'ress suhseipiently enlarjicd eonsideialily.
in ISIS, (iov. IJoncl, in his messa<i<', stronj;l.v rceomineiided the
eonstrnetion of tin; eanal; (lovernor ('oles, tbnr years later, did the
same, and every ^i'overnor of the State espoused its cause. No
sectional ((uestion was nnule of it lor many years. The lej;islatui'e,
at the session of JSl'1'-;J, appointed a hoard of eanal eommissoners
"to make or cause to Ix' made, estimates, etc., for com plelinj; said
eanal," and report to the next general. assend)ly. Emanuel ,1.
West, Kiiistus IJrown, Theoi»ilus \V. Snntli, 'J'homas Sloe, jr., and
Samuel Alexander were ajtpointed comnnssioners. The board
employed Jfene Paul, of St. Lous, and .lustine Post, as enuineers
to survey the loute and make out the estimates. They rei»orte<l
the r(»nte hi;.ihly practicable and estimated the (!osl of the work at
from .^(JIO.OOO to not exceediii.u $7!(!,1 10.71, wliicli lias proven to
be \ery wide of tin' mark. The examination was superficial and
no i<lea was foiined of the amount of rock excavation which
afterwards ]>rovod so tbnnidable. These preliminary stei).s cost the
State !ii<l(),r)Sl>.S7.t
J'>y act of ,Ian. 19, lS2r), the "Illinois and Michijian Canal Asso-
(tiation.'' with a capital of .'!*l,000,(H»b was incoi'porated. The com-
]>;;ny was \^: build and eomi)let(^ the canal within 10 year's tinui;
to receive for its own use and beiietitall the public lands which the
L'lii'ed States, St.;tes, oi' individuals ini,iiht donate in aid of the
undertakin.i;, and the tt)lls lor oO years after its completion; at the
exi)iratioii of Avhich time the canal and all its unsold lands were to
be tnined oxer to the State ami the total sum ex]»en(ledin its con-
struction, with (i i>er cent int«'rest. was to be i)aid.
TJK' act, alter its ])assa}ii', incurred the strenuous opposition of
the lion. Daniel 1*. Cook, (uir only mend)er in conyri'ss. A <:rant
of land for the consti'uction of the eanal, n])on the .ground of its
national <'haracter, was then with some def;ree of eonlideuce look-
ed Ibrward to duiinji' tln^ administration of Mr. Adams. The
House eomnnttee, thronjih Mr. Cook, had made a favorable re-
l)oit upon it. l>iit the act of tliP leyislature, by which any bonus
to aid the work, was in advaiu-e turned over to a <'oii)oration of
private individuals, would i)rol)ably defeat the nieasuie in con-
gress. Mr. ('ook pul)lished a lonj;' address to his constituents,
under date of Oct. I'S, ISL','), forcibly attacking;' the canal ])olicy of
the State; urgiujH' the Icfiislatuie to resume its ])ossession and re-
peal the charter befoic any work was commenced, and the claim
of vested rights should be set up. He demanded "that the rich
harvest wliich it was <lestined to yield, should f;o into the treas-
uie of the State;" and declared "that in less than .'50 years it
would relieve ilie peoi)le from the paynu'ut of taxi-r,, and even
leave a surplus to be api)lied to other works of jmblitt utility."
■.■;i
•Vol. 4 Put), line. 15 (Numri'ss. 3(1 session.
tSee Ueport ot George Foi(iiiei',Seiiute Journal, session 1834-5.
470
IIISTOKV OK ILLINOIS.
Tlii'so lioitcl'iil ])i('(li('tioiis liiive not hccii riillillcd. So <!iii;;iiiiio
Av;i.s lu', tliiit to liii.sc caitit;!! to Itiiild tlic caiuil, lie was ivudy to
sell or |(l('(l;n«' a niillioii acres of the sclictol lands to carry I'orward
llic work. r>ut no stock was cvci' snbscrilicd l>,v tlic"<"anal asso-
ciation;'' tlic incorporators \oIuntarily .siirrcudt'it'd their cliartcr
and tiie act was repealed.
Tlds obstacle out of the vay, tlie lefiislatnre, at tlic sjieeial ses-
sion of .January, IHUd, called l>y actin;^' (lov. lluhbard, transmitted
to con;i;ress a \ cry able memorial, diafted by Mr. Kussell, of Hond,
prayinj;' aid for tlie caiud. We (piote two sentences: '-TIh' cou-
strnction of the canal, unitin,ti' the waters <d' Lake iMiclii,i;an with
the lllin(»is ri\'er, will foiin an important addition to the .ureal con-
necting- linkb in the chain of internal na\a,nation. which will
ell'ectually >5ecure the indissoluble union of the confederate mem-
bers of this ,i;reat and powerful republic. I>y the completion of
this i^i'cat and \alual>le work, the connection between the north
and ^iouth, the east and west, would be stren,ulheiu'd by the ties
uf commercial intercourse and social neighborhood, and the union
of States bid defiance to internal commotion, sectituial Jealousy,
and I'oieij;!! in\asion."'
The memorial, toj;t'ther witli the cilbrts of our delej;ati(tn in
oon.L;rcss, ("ook (in tlic house.) and i\aiu' and 'I'homas (in the sen-
ate), but notably tlielirst named, whose ^enial inliuence and un-
tiling; labors in this l»ehalf lia\e placed the State, and ]iailiculary
(-'liica.uo, under lastin;u' obli,i;ation to his memory, ]»ro(lm-ed a
favorable eti'ect, and coiijiress by act of .March I'd, ISL'T, ;:;rant-
ed to the Slate ot Illinois "for the purpose of aiding' lier in
openin,n' a canal to connect the waters of the Illinois ri\er with
those of Lake i\Iichij;an," the alternate sections of the public
lands on either side of the canal for i 'miles, aloniu its entire
route, which when set aj»art by the president were fouiul to contain
l.'l!l,.'»l'l! acres. The lands were subject to the disposal of the lej^is-
lature '-for the ]»urposes afoi'csaid, and no other." The canal was
regarded as of national utility; it was to be coiiiinenced within o
years tlierealter and com[)leled within lid; and if not so comjile-
ted, the State was to pay the {general j;o\eiiimeiit for all lands
sold up to that tiiiu', and the remaimler were to re\er1. This
,i;rant was the bejiinninji' of those entuiiious landed subsidies to
western railroads which have become so frecpu'iit of late. i)ut it
will be noticed that this and the next, also in Illinois, for the con-
struction of the Central railroad, were made to the State, wheie-
as latterly the j;raiits are to ])rivnte corporations directly, it is ji
curious fact that the lar,y('ly democratic State of Illinois obtained
both these j;rants, by which she was more materially beiietited
than all else ever done ibr her, fi'om whin' administrations.
In !SL'!) the le^islatuie oi'<;ani/ed a new board of canal comnds-
sioners, " to exjilore, examine, fix and <Ieteriuiiie the route <tf the
canal," dispose by sale of the lauds and lots and coniinence the
W(uk. (iov<'riior Edwards a])pointed Charles Dunn, afterwards
V. S. Jiidjic of Wisconsin Territory, Dr. (iersham .layiie and lOd-
nioiid Roberts, both of Springfield, as cominissioiiers. ¥ov lack
of funds little or nothing;- was doiu' ; times were rather hard,
ow in;i to the financial embarrassments caused by the old State
bank of 1-S21. Im'I). L"), bS.il, an act amendat(»ry 'of that j*" iSliO,
was [lassed. Under the provisions of these two acts, he i <;ard
ILLINOIS AND MIC'IlIGAN CANAL.
47'
liiid outtlic towns of Cliic'a^o and Ottawa, tlic map of tlic foiinc r,
])n'pai('(l h.v .lames Tliomjison, wlio made the s'.uveys, beariii;;
date Aii<;ii,st 4, ISiU). W'lieii 'riiomi»soii be^iaii liis siiixcvs of
('liica;;'o, ill ISl'O, onl\ 7 families iixcd oiitsicle of I''ort Deailtorii.
Town lots and <'aiial lands were sold to the amount of .i!lS,l>Ll l.s;!,
and a re-examination and re-sinvey of the entire route of the canal
uere made, the eiijiineer tiiis lime heinjj; Mr. ihieklin, whose esti-
mate ran the Avork into millions instead of hundreds of thousands.
The (|nestion of bnildinj; a railroad over tJie roide, instead ol llie
canal was also considered. 'ihe <-oininissioiiers rejioited their
estimate to the lejiislatnie at the session of IS,'},'?, the cost of the
canal at $4,(>4.">,.'{.St ;,.")( I — still too low by about half — and the cost
of a railroad at !5<I,().')i;,4SS,l!l. The cxjxtiises of these examina-
tions and surveys was .*H),!>74,S;>. The board of canal commis-
sioiici's, by act of ]\Iar<'li 1, IS,'!;;, was abolished. 1'lie incumbents
Avere recpiired to ])ay over all moneys, and deliver up all papers,
vouchers, iScc, of their transactions, to tlii' (State treasurer, and
if ui)on examination any of the ollicers aforesaid had not taitli-
fidly andl'airly accounted for all moneys &c., suit was directed to
l)e commenced upon their oilicial bonds," for which purpose, jniis-
diction was jL;i veil to the Fayette circuit court, its process rnnniny
to any county in the State.
INleanwhile there were various ])roJectK of tnininji' the construe-
tioii of the canal and all its i)i()](erty j;ifts o\<.'r to a comi)aiiy,aiid
of bnildinj;' a lailroad instead between Cliica^^o and reiii. Ihe
distance was about 100 miles and the <'ost of a railroad was esti-
mated at about $10,000 pw mile. At the time, considerin.u the
exi)e(liti<)ii with which railroads are built, and the delay which has
attended the <'r>mpletion of the canal, the foiiner would doubthfss
liav(^ served the country more acce]>tably. A railroad would have
been fully adequate to all the wants of the country and Ibr pas-
sen j^cr travel it is lar preferable, while for the transportation of
freijiht it offers the advantajie of canyinj;' in winter as well as
summer. The consent of con<.;ress to divert so much of the avails
oi" the canal lands as mifilit be needed for this object was readily
obtained. I>y act of Marc-h 2d, 1<S;>3, the State was aJdhori/.ed to
use the lands f;ianted for the canal, in buildiiiji' either a railroad
or canal, as tlie legislature mi^ht electt; and the time for coin-
inencing- cither was extended live years.
In 1<S;35 the governor was authorized to negotiate a loan not ex-
ceei'- ■i'-"'>.w>-> <...., I.. .. .... . 1 ,, x- ., I 1 1
toll,>
calk. _ ^
sold for less than par. (ioveiiior Duncan told the h'gislature such
was the univeisal estimate^ of the importanc(^ of the canal by all
men of intelligen(H', that he had no hesitation in believing ample
funds could be pro<;ured for its si»eedy comidetion. ISut tlie «'IVort
to obtain the le;.n i)roved a failure. Kx-Gov. ("oles, residing at
Philadelphia, vvas deputed to negotiate the loan for the full sum
authorized, tinder date of April L'8, 1S;}5, he wrote tliat capital-
ists wore unwilling to take it because the bonds were not based up-
on the faith of the State. Nor were any funds for the payment ot
either principal or interest provided, excei)t su<!U as might arise
from the lands and net revenues of the canal.
In 1<S;35 the governor was authorized to negotiate a loan not ex-
ceeding $000,000, "solely on the pledge of the canal lands and
tolls," for the construction of the canal. The stock was to be
called '' Illinois and Michigan canal stock," and in no case to be
478
mSTOIlY OF ILLINOIS.
To iiKM't tlicsc objections, tlie act of .Iiiii. 1), IH'M'., wa.s pufssed,
Aviiicli icpt-iilcd tlic roi'iiicr net :iii<l Miitliori/cd tlic siiiiic lo.iii of
iis."iO(>,()0(( oil tlic nvdit uimI I'liitli of the Slate, iirevoeaMy i»le(l<;('(l
for tlie payiMeiit. oi' tlie. eaiial stoek and its aceruiii;^- interest.
.James .M. Strode, a senator I lien i(']»reseiitin;i all the eoiiiitiy iioith
of and inelinlin;;' I'eoriii, iiitrodiieed this Itill, wiiicli served as an
enterin;;' wedj^e to llie Stale treasury, and became the inoiU'l for
siil»se(jiient liUi' le;;islalioii. Tlie money boi'i'owed, lacininms on
sales ol sloek. tlie proceeds of the canal lands and lots, and all
other moneys arisini; from the canal, were to constitute a fiiiul
sacred to the canal till il was completed, except to pay interest on
the stocks. The board of canal eoiiiiiiissioncrs was constituted ii
body politic and corporate, subject to the control of the j;o\»'riioi",
one was to be the acting;' commissioner and general s\ijicrinten-
deiit of the work, who was to report to the board. They were to
hoi<l till .binnary Ibllowiii;^:. when commissioners were, made elec-
tive biennially. The salaiy <»!' the aclinji' coimiiissioiier was
$1,1.'()(>, and the compensation of tin' otlier tw(» -i!;) per day when
employed, .\baieys from sale of sf»»ck or other sources were to be
deposited in the Slat<' banks, to be thence diawn as needed by
wariaiits on the treasurer. Imniediate steps were to be taken for
the constrnction of the canal, the contracts to l>e let to the lowest
Itidder. .Materials for the canal were exemitted from execution.
''Town sites were to be located and lots sold at auction. A sale of
Ottawa lots, and the fractional section No. 15, atljoininj;- Chicaj^'o,
Avas made .June I'O, bSKJ; the latter under the extraordinary iiiania
of speculation liieii rile ic^ardinji ("hicajno,* is said to liavc
b;ou<;ht f?I,.")t)3,4'.l."). Tlie dimensions of the canal were to be not
less tlian 45 feet at the suilace, 35 at the base, and a navij^able
dei)tli of at least 4 feet of water. (^)uarterly reports were to be
made to the <;()\('rnor. The commissioners appointed by (Jov.
J)uncan were William I'\ Thornton (act iii,ii' commissioner), Gurdoii
S. Hubbard an<l W illiani 15. Archer, all wliij;s. The v-aiial was to
extend from Chieaj;() to the moiilli of the Little V'eriiiilion, work
to be bc;L;i"M at its northern terminus. Of the loan now aulhor-
i/ed, (btvernor J)uncan iiej^otiated §1(K>,(MH» in 2S'ew York at a jire-
mium of 5 jjcr ceiit., which he deemed too lo"' .tiid declined ;i
laij^cr amount at that rate. Subscciuent exiierieiice showed that
he should lane taken more. The survey and estimate made at this
time by chief engineer (loodwin, was §S,(il)4,.');5.51 — ahundied per
cent hi{>her than that of Jbicklin — $«(»,(((•() per mile, beinj;- 4 times
the cost of the I'^ru' canal. The estimate was based ui»on a sur-
face width of 00 fe"t, 40 at the bottom, and dejttli of water (to
ilow from the lake) of feet. These dimensions were larjicr than
the Krie, and would Ikivc made it one of the most splendid works
of internal imi»rovement anywhere to be Ibuiid. JJut lor such a
work the estimate was yet too low. Contiacts were let, and on the
4th of July, J8.30, j^round was first broken for the canal. The
occasion was publicly celebrated at Chieafi'o, by readin<>- the
Declaiation of Indepeiidem;e, and the delivery of an able and
ai)propriafe address l)y ])r. Kj;an, ]Mcturin}i' in j^lowiii;;- colors the
future of Chicajio and of the State of Illinois. Those glowing
colors have been already dimmed bv the realitv.
See Tirowu'8 History Illinois, p. 417. Note— Evidently a inistnlie.
II-I.INOIS AM) .■MlCIIUiAi' r;AXAL.
47'J
IVJucli of llic route «>l" tlic ciiiuil liiy tliioii^li iiiiirsliy yioiind,
iiiuiidatcd ill tlic spring' :iiiil t'lili, I't-iKlciiii;; it •lilliciiit oi' iiccrss.
Forty tliousuiid dollars was ('X|M'ii<lcd tiic tirst year iiiioii roads
l('adiii<j: to tlic work. Tlic coiiiitry Itordciiiiji' upon its route was
but scatleriii.Liiy settled, atlordiiij; iieillier provisions nor slielttH' lor
laiiorers. Supplies liad to l»e ;;atliered Ironi alnoad. Tlie work
preceded the local demands of tiie country, otiier tliaii those, (-on-
eeived in tlie, brilliant iiiiauinations of "corner" or "water lot"
speculators in C'hicano. Laltor and ]>ro\isioiis were hijiii. The
I'oinier iVoiii •*!-<• to .*■>() per iiioiitli and board. i'orU at Chicago
was iV $1M) to )j<.'50 per barrel; rtour$!» to^l'i; salt $Ili to $1.");
oats and potatoes T"* cents per busliel ; and other articles of con-
suniption in ratio.
'I'o liive a further idea of tbe dilliculty of this <;reat woik, we
rei)rodii('e from an exhaustive legislative report, made by the lion.
Newton Cloud in is;>7, the IbllowiiijH'. The canal is treated in three
<livisioiis: The th'st, j'omprisin^- a liii^Ii le\-el from Chicaino to
where itj runs out (Loclqxirt) distaiUH' L'S miles. On this, from
(.'liica;;'o river to I'oiiit of Oaks, a cut of 18 feet was recjuired, to
allow the waters of Lake ]Micliij;aii to tlow throuj;]i. Half ol the
excavation for the cut ir<' L'S miles consisted of stratiiied and solid
r()(!k. The whole of this summit division was described as a sunken
plain, hu<;'ely underlaid with rock, the waters of the Des I'h'.iiies,
rorta,ne Lake, and tlie Saj^aiiaskee swaiii]> exteiidinj;' over it and
forminu: at times a contiiiuous lak<'; IT) or 10 feet of the canal cut,
on this division, lay below tlie surface of the Des I'lainesand con-
tiji'iioiis to it; and as draiiiaj^i! was imprac^ticable, tlie ditliciilties
and ex])ense to be, encountered fiom this oliject alone baflled tlio
power of calculation. Ik'siih's, as the line was many feet below
the river and the surface of the lake, subterrane<ms veins or foun-
tains of water miyht bc^exjiected. In the rock cnttinu', much would
de[K'iid iijion tli(! comi)actness of the rock and its (rai)acity to ex-
clude the snberincumlx'iit water from the prism of the canal. If
tissiires, peculiar to lime stone rejiions, should hv, met with the
work would be exceedingly slow, eiioriiiously expensive at any
time of the year, and impracticable durinj;' rainy seasons. An
ahstract of the engineers estimate put the total cost of this
division at $5,81)7, 701.1.'?; but the legislative committee, by
referriiif;- to contracts already let, (which Miey cite) found tliat
solid rock exttiivation per cubic yard would cost $2..5(), instead of
$l.r»4; earth excavation 40 cents, instead of 3.'}; continj^encies
and superinteiidance 15 ])er cent, instead of .'3, &e., &(•,; whence
they deduced that the summit level would cost $10,ll>2,4(il, a
dilference ajjjainst the en<j;ineer's estimate exceedin<i' Sf«4,L'r)0,0()().
These obstacles led to the coiisideiation of the hi.iili li'vcl or
shallow cut plan, as run by engineer Bucklin, ten feet abov(^ Lake
Mi(;liijj;an, nsiny' the Calumet or Des Plaiiies rivers for feeders.
They estimated that upon this plan the summit division, including
the necessary feeders, might be constructed for ojie-fonith the cost,
or $2,r)00,00(). The ( ■aluniet was prefernMl for a feeder, because
of its connecting 80 miles of navigation with tlu! canal from the then
contemplated internal improvements of the State of Indiana in that
region. Theniiddledivision of 37 miles Avas estimated at$l,510,957;
and the western division at $1,272,055— total $5,283,012. They
further reported that bj^ connecting the canal with the river at lake
480
IIISTOKV (»!•' Il.l.INolS.
tliilicf, (!(» miles would lie sii\('(l; tliiil llic liviT (^ould 1)0 locked and
da II I Died tlieiiee In Terii ill ae«i:;t (i1'.*.")7<I.(;(m, redileiiiii I lie cusl olllio
I'litiic work looiil_v!i<.'l,rMl,(l(M — llie iiii|»ro\ eiiieiils olllie i i\ ei ;^i\ iiiy;
to the Stale, iieside.s, a li.\diaiilie jiowci' eapalde of niiiiiiiij; 7(K> Jiair
of mill stones, vieldiii;^ an aiiiiiial rental of i](L' Id, ()()(). iS'oiie ol'
these sn^ucslions were adopted; llioii;;li the State was, IVoin
linaiicial emhariassineiits, ai'leiwards I'oieed into the adoption of
the sliallow eiil plan.
Ii.v act of March I'd, IS;57, sMi»pleiiieiital lo the law of ,Iaii. !»,
].h;U'», the canal <'ommissioiieis were rendered independent (d' the
p»\ernor. IJesides an actiny coinmissioiier, one was to lie presi-
dent of the board and the other treasurer, tin' hitler lo ;;ivo
additional bond for I lie sale keeping and dishiirsemeiit of the I'm ids.
]ii llie alisence of the actiiij;' commissioner, the others were to
]»erfoiin his duties. They were lo, without delay, prosecute the
canal to final comiiletion upon tlie plan of 1S;{(>. A new survey
and estimates, on the eslahlished route, were to lie made under
•latli. with the \ lew to ascertain if sullicient water coidd be
obtained to \\'i'*\ the canal on the siimiiiit level. A route diver;;iiiji'
from the main trunk wa« to be surv<'ye<l throu^i'h tlie Aiij^-sa;;-
liasli y-e-ke swam]> and (irassy lake to i tersect the ("aluiiiel river,
ostimates to be made, and the canal built whenever the Slate of
Indiana .should iinderiake a coirespondiii;i work couiu'ctin;;'
thercwitli. A iiavij;able feeder, from the best practii'able point on
Fox river to Ottawa, was to be (•(•iistriicted, and at the latter
jilace, basins or ii lateral canal coiiuectin,ti witji the Illinois river
vere also to be built. Sales of Chicago lots to the aiiMaint of
$1,()(I0,0(K) were ordered; the <;ovenior was to borrow $.-)00,(K)0
upon tli(! credit of the State, to be expended on the canal in IS.J.S;
to jiromote competition between conlractois, no bond sliould b«
re(piii'ed, but ii certain jiprcentage on estimates reserved until tlie
liiial completion of tlieir jobs. Notwillistandinj;' coiij>ress had
many years before <;iven license to the State to take materials from
the imblic lands for the construction of the canal, the lej;islature
now authorized the circuit courts to ajijioint men to ajipraise all
damages arising to settlei's ni»on tlM'iii from the construction of the
canal. Many daim.s were ])resented and allowed, costing the
State many thousands of dollais. ]>ut at this time the "anal had
become connected with the great internal improvement system,
and with the then iiiHated notions pervadir.g the public miml
nobody doubted either the credit or ability of he State to coiiipas.s
all these grand works, and such a power c<mld not attbrd to be
niggard to individuals with claims.
Up to .Tannary 1, 1839, the gross expenditures on the canal,
derived from the variou.s sources cf loans, lot and land, amountecl
to 81,400,000. All of it, but about -3 miles between Dresden and
Marseilles, was contracted, and the job.s let were roughly estimated
at $7,50(>,000. The legislature, still infatuated with the huge
State internal imi»rovenient .system, at the .session of 1838-9,
encouraged tlie canal by directing tlu; fund commissioners to loan
to its fund $300,000, and authorizing the governor to make a
further loan for it by the sale of $4,000,000 of State bonds. This
was the canal loan, to negotiate which. Gov. Carlin, unwilling to
put it into the hands of the fund commissioners, employed INIessrs.
Young and lleynolds, who made a very bungling job of it, entail-
ILLINOIS AND MICHIGAN CANAL. 481
in;; ii])on the Htiitt' ii loss of .m'vcnil Imndrcd tlioiisiind dollars, by
tlu-ir various ti'aiisa<-tioiis witli Diinlap, ol' JMiiladi-lpliia, Dclalicld,
of N<'\v Voik, and \\'ii;;Iit ^S: ('(»., of liondon. Tlic latter, lorn
luillioii dollai's, except the advance of L';{(),(MK>, proved almost a
total failure; Dclalicld hccanie nnalilcto pay liis installments, and
was unwillin;;' to surrender tlic lM»n<ls; and that of Diiidap was
]iaid in siu-li dribs (»f depreciated ciiironcy as to be of little avail
in carrying' f()r\vard the work.
In the meantime it became apparent that no nior«^ loans could
be ellected for the State without iieavy sacrifice; the yreat system
of interuid impr(»vements showed symptoms of a sju'edy e(»IIaj»se,
and in I"'ebruarv, 1SK», the le^jislatnre put a period t(» its wil and
n'ckless career. Tlu^ W(»ik upon the canal was not interrupted by
le;;islativ(^ action; provision was made to meet the liabilities or
the State to contractors by issuing- to them checks for the amounts
found due on estimates, to bear interest at the rate of (5 ]>er cent.
The (MUitraetors had taken their Jobs duiin;; the flush times
(foi' Illinois) of IcS.'W!-7, when pri(M's ruled much hi^'her than in
1840. They (Mudd afford to lose !!■'» per cent, on them and still do
well ; and as the State hesitated to sell her bonds much below par,
they en^a^ed to receive them on their estimates at i)ar. $1,()(M>,()(J0
were in that nuiiiner paid to them. (ien. Thorntou, canal com-
inissi«Mier, was deputed to f;() to London witii the bonds, where
lie em'(!ted a sale of )?1, ()(»(),(»(•(> at «."> cents on the dollar, the con-
tractors sntfcriii^ the disctount — bein^' ten i>er cent. Ix'ttcr than
liis instriKitions. By this exi>e(lient lite was kept in the canal,
thoujuh work on every other internal imju-ovenient had lon^' since
been abamloned. With the completion of their jobs some of the
contractors proposed tor«>ceive, in like manner, thei'esidue of their
estimates, and $li>7,0(K> more was paid to them, when, with the
final breaking' of the State bank in Febrnaiy, LS-12, an extraor-
dinary depreciation of Illinois stocks in nuirket took place, which
put a period to this character of i)ayineiits. After that no fnr-
tluT payment was made to (•ontractors for over two years, when
the canal passed into the haiuls of the foreign bondholders, though
W(»rk was not wholly intermitted upon many of the jobs during
this time. The new hoard of canal commissioners, elected by the
legislatnre at the session of lS-11, were: Isaac N. Morris, presi-
dent; Jacob Fry, acting commissioner, and Newton Cloud, treas-
urer.
After July, 1841, no further eftbrts were made to pay interest on
the public debt. The financial end)aiTassments of the State be-
came alaninng. To add to the di, stress of the peoi)le, the State
banks, early iu 1842, broke down conijiletely. The governor,
auditor, and treasurer issued their cinadar, stating that the notes
of these institutions would not be received in i)aymontof taxes —
nothing but gold and silver. The treasury was empty. There
prevailed a dearth in trade and business amounting to stagnation;
values declined; many desi)aired of the State's abilitj* to everi)ay
oif its enormous debt, exceeding $14,()00,()00, and equal to a pres-
ent debt of at least $150,000,000, counting the lessened value of
money and increased population, resources and capacity of the
State. The people were unwilling to submit to higher taxatiou.
Eepudiatiou was openly agitated by not a few at borne and abroad,
and the fair name of Illinois became freely associated with dishonor.
31
482
111MT(»RY OV lI,I,IN()l^^.
u
III tliis crisiH, bcsitics tlio coiiiproiiii.sc l(><;'isl!ititiii with the baiiUs,
till' caiiiil atVui'drd llii- oiilv |>r:i<-li(Mlilr :i\ t'liiic out (if iIm- diHi-
t'ull.v; its rum|ij('iioii, it Wiis liioii;;lit, wtnild ^ivc a new aiiti pow-
I'l'lul iiiipiilsc to vwvy (It'parliiiriit nf imsiiicss and industry
tliionulnait tin' Slate; and tin' advaiil. '^rs and larilitics to Im<
iitVordt'd i)v it wiaild cansf tides ol' *'iiii;^i'aiits and lloDds <»!'
uraltli to pour into tlie Stat*'. 'I'lic want of inonc.v and anxiety
to iiavc any sort of canal, now caused an advocacy of tlie lii.uli
level or sjudlow cut, wliicli could lie coinpleted at liall' llie cost of
tlie deep cut. Tlic idea was to iinliiee tlie iioldei's of canal bonds
to advance tlie inoiiey for its com piet ion, upon a pled;;e of the canal,
its li'iids and revenues in the natinc u\' a lirst iiiort;;a;;«', and thus
infuse life into a work now dorinaiit, which would tpiickeii every-
thing else. .Insliii Kntterheld. (»f < 'liica;;(>, lirst sii;i';;esl»Ml this idea;
Michael Ifyaii, a canal eii;iiiieer and Slate sciiattir, in tlu' sniiiiiicr
«)f is III. 111(1 .Messrs. l>r(aisoii. Lea' itt and other lar;;*' canal hoiid-
liolders in New VorU. and devised ii plan for raisin;^ .'t«I,(i()(MMK) to
linisli Ihe canal on the shallow cut ; and (iov. Fortl n-coinincndcd
it in his lirst nicssa;;*',
III accordance with the above ])laii, the act of I'ebrnary 21, 184'{,
was passed aiilhori/inji' the ji<»vcriior to ne;i(»liatca loan of ><i,(!(HI,
UOO, solely on the "it'dil and pledjic of the canal properly, its
revenues and tolls for a term <»f (» years at (i per c»'iit. interest.
])ayable out ol' the lirst moneys reali/cd. The holders of the canal
bonds and other evidences of canal indebtedness, were lirst enti-
tled to subscribe the loan. A bonrd of .'> trustees was established,
1 to be apjioiiited by the ;;overiior and 2 by the snbscril»eis of tlio
loan — one vote for every !*l.(M)0 of stock. The former vver«' to ap-
jtortion their diiiies anion;;' t liemseh cs. The canal ]>roi)erly was
to be coiiv«'yed by the jn-overnor in trust, and to be nianaincd by
the trustees much in the iiianiier of forinei' i>roeeedin;;s. They
iiiiiiht adopt siicli alterations (»f the oii;L;iiial jilan as they deemed
■,'dvisable, vv iiltop.l nmterially <'haii;iin;; the location, haviii^diu!
regard to economy, permanancy of tluMVork and an ade(juate sup-
ply of water. It was to be coiiipleted in a yood, substantial, woik-
inaiilike manner, ready for use, if practicable, in two and a half
years lime. On ])ayiiient of all debts the canal was to revert to
the State. In the interest of econom.v, by another act, the num-
ber of canal ollicers were ;nreally reduced.
And now, when there app« ared every favorable jirospcct for the
spi'cdy compleli(Ui of the canal, it became invidved in the meshes
of national jiolitics. Col. Charles Oakley and senator Michael
livan wer(^ by the governor app<tiiited ajucnts to nej^cttiate the new
loan of 81, <»<•<>,<>(•'►. The treasury was einjity ; to ^ive them an
out tit 8;5,0()0 of the school fund was borrowed, wliicli became the
stdijcct of attack u])on (iov. Im»i<1 by Mr. Trumbull,* the lately re-
moved secretary of State. The agents proceeded to New York; but
with a view to the making' of jiolitical capital, letter writers at homo
and partisan editor.s abntad attacked the canal ixdicy of the State,
ill the liop(^ that a measure so fraught with good should not re-
dound to the credit of the <lomiiiant i)aity. The action of the
le,t;islature was misre])r<'sented, the party in power charged with
disre^ai'dingthe interests of the ])eople, and the State creditors
advised that if they advanced further funds, the succeeding legis-
•ford's History.
nJ.INOIS AM) MTCIIKIAN CANAL. 4S3
latiii'*' wiiiild hrciik t'siitli with tliciii iiiid n'lical tlicii- ri-iiiH'liis«;.
ISiil tlicsf piililiciitioiis ihimIihmmI the ii|i|iosit*' ctlt'ct iiilcinlftl. 'I'liu
liiiiilirial :i;;('iits, will) tnilli dm I licii' side, niiplo.Nril llic |iiil)li(i
pri'ss ill ii sciics of iirliflcs ill icpiv. 'I'ii«' rciil <'tni(iitinii ol" Ijm
Slatf, tiir IcjL^'isliilinii iidoplt'd In reduce its deitts, iiiid its I'litlirei
prospects, were ciiiididl.v iiiid aids ladii^lit Itcl'ore tiie piildic, and
tile lesiiit \v;is tliat llie Slate stociis ;ii|\aiiced ill a wcelc lloiii I t
to -tl cents oil the (hillar. and in a slioii time (htiildcd on tliat.
'i'iii'(aiji;li the aid (d' David Leavilt, presitleiit of the Aineiicaii
IC\ciiaii;;c liaiiU ( New Voil;, wliieh owned ."i«L.'."i(tJtOO caiini iioiids,
the American creditors weie caMed to;;etln'r, \\li(» iesolv«'d to
siiliscriia' their ratio of the new htan.
'I'hiis assured. Messrs. ( )akiev and li.vaii hastened to Kiiropo
with h'ttersof tliese proceed iii;;s to I'.jiin;; IW'others, of Ijondoli,
I lope tS: Co., of Anister(hiiii, and to .Ma<:iiiac, .lardine iS: Co., ail
weiiltli.v Itanlicrs and cicdiltMs (d" the St .le. lint tliese iioiises
disiippointcd the ardent hopes of the State agents, 'i'iie.v de-
manded soiiK'thinu morcsiiltslantial than iiewspap«-r articles, which
liiid raised tiie spirits of the New York lionddiolders. They
wanted aeciirat*' data of the siillicieiicy of the canal property as
seciiritv foi' hotii the preseiir loan, and iilfimat(d.\ the pa\meiil of
thtfiitire canal dei»t. some M."».(Ki(>,0(Mt hioic; and fiirtiier, some
lejiislative etfort at taxation and submission of the people thereto,
in pa.vmciit (d' interest on the ]iiildic delit. It was linally ar-
ran;i(*d tiial .Mdiott Lawrence. Thomas \V. Ward, and William
Stiirjiis, of r>ostoii, should dcsiiiiuite two c<iiiipeteiit men to exam-
ine the canal and its prop«'rty, estimate the value thereof, ascer-
tain tiie total deld and report the wiiole; that !i:<KM>,(»(»(» should bo
siiitscribed in America toward |irose<'Utiii;i' the W(»rk; and that tlio
governor recoiimieiid taxation in his next inessiijic to the lejiisla-
Itire; whereupon theajicnts retiiined home in Novmiber, IS^.'J.
Iv\ <lov. ,I(din Davis, of Mass.. and W. II. Swift, a reputable eii-
jiiiieer and a ca|)taiii in the C. S. aiiiiy, were sele( ted by tia^ I'.os-
toii e<»mmittee to i-xamine the canal, its ]»ropeity and debts. This
excite<l the politic al Jealousy of the eastern ])rcss to a renewed in-
terference with the doiiiesiic atfairs of Illinois.
(iov. Davis' name was at the time ii-entioned in coiinectioii with
the viee-i»resi»U'iicy on the wlii;;- ticket in I.S44. The (ilobe news-
paper jit AVashiiifiton, the f:reat orj^aii (d' the demoeraey, boldly
charji<'d that Gov. Davis had been sclectetl for this work with tho
view to iiitliienee the iieople of Illinois toward the siipj)ort of the
whi^' ticket, and in favor of the jiolicy of the j^eneral novernineiit
assuming- tiie State debts. Senator K'yan came afiain to tlie res-
cue and [>til»lislie(l a merited and vigorous reply, in which (Jov.
Davis, tiie foreign bond holders, and the i)eoide of Illinois, were
al)ly defended, and tlie editor of the Globe deservedly relaiked for
liis inipertineiieo.
The careful examination of the canal and elaborate lejxtrt of
^lessrs. Davis and Swift, confirmed substantially tlu; representa-
tions of Messr.s. Eyan and Oakley, and they roconimeiided the
loan as a safe iiiv<'stiiieiit. (Iov. Ford jiromised to recoiiinieiid to
tiie legislature increased taxation toward ]>aying- interest on the
public debt. Thus armed, the sanguine iiiiancial agents again re-
liaired to Europe, only to meet again with failure. The subscrip-
tion of $4:00,000 was wuutiug. The foreign bond holders refused
484 IIIS'I'ORY (»!■' II-MN(ilS.
to lici-rci't the. new loiiii, allr;;iii;; lli:tt tli<- Ic^isliitillo and pcoplt;
sliitiild t:iki' soiiif stfpH ill ;;oim1 I'liitli l(»\v:ir(l ii i'cco;>iiil,i<)iM)t' t licit'
(»I»li;^ii(i(.iis to llicir cicdildrs. (Idv. I);ivi,s \\;i.s si-iil for in Hie
liMsiiil iiiic, to |iid('i'<'i| to liOiidoii lor liillt'i' <'\|tl:iii;itioiis ol' the d*--
t:iils oi' llif work mid iii.s|iit'f ^iciilci' (^oiilidtiici- lor IIk; Nulis(;ri|i-
lioiis. 'riiiis t he siliiiliiiT ol' I'SI I piissfd ; in I >«'c<'IiiIm-I', llic llli-
iKiis Ic^isliiliiir would iiKM-l, :iiid t'iirtli<'i' cilort u:is siispciidi-d to
:i\\:iit tlH' iiclioii ol' tliiil liodv, ol' wliicli Ifvuii was u Miiiitor.
J{.\aii, (•liii;^riii<'d at this lailiirc, now .\ icldt-d to IIm^ ninvoitii.v
wcaUiicss of alli'iiiptin;; lo cast tlic hlaiiK^ upon (iov. l>a,vis, IVoiii
)»olitical iiioti\c.s. 'I'liioiij^li the piililic press of new N<w ^'o^ii, lie
lrit<'ratc(| tin- caliimiiifs ol' t lie \\ asliiii;;loii ^/7«/yr, a;;aiiist, thai
P'litlciiiaii, which he hiiiiscH' had roniici ly so alii.v icl'iitcd ; and
riiilhei ('liai';4('i| him with causing; t he delay ol' the loan pending
llie piesideiil iai cleelion. Messrs. Kai'ili^ I'li'os. of London, took
occasion, in an open letter addressed to Mr. It'yaii, in a very plain
liiaiiiicr lo deny the cliar;ies.*
In the fall oi' ISI I, alter the election of the ineniliers of the.
le;;islatiire, l»iit prior to I heir iiieel in;^, Wiiliani S. Wait, ol' l'>ond,
iidtiressed a Ion;; letter to (iov. I'Ord through llie. public press,
l'cvi<;w'iii;; the ille;;al action of the Htutc's linancial a;;ciits in dis-
]iosiii;4 1)1' hoiids, and iiiltcrly iii\ ei;;hiii<{ a<4ainst taxation to piiy
the piil)li(t d( III. The ohject was to elicit an expression i'roni the
t{()\('i'iioi' as lo repudiation or taxation. Now this waHllu; v(!ry
])retext the };()\ ei nor waiite(|, and he enilH'a<;ed it with alacrity.
i\ltlioii;;li his ex<'ellency well Knew the iin|to|Milarily (d'an advitca-
<ry of increased taxation, he re|ilied in a vciyalile letter, remarka-
ble not only as a. literary |iroduction of rare merit, lint for its
clear <-xpositioii oi' the einliarrassed condilion ol' the State, i'roin
vhieli there was no hope ol' hoiiorahly escapin;", <'xcept l»y taxii-
tioii ; and while it was replete with hroad, comiiion Ncnse, and
Ka;;acious views, it, «;haractcrized in littinj; teiiiiH lli(Mlisj.;iii(;e of
repudiation, lirealhin;; a iiohic spirit of sell' ahiie;:al ion and
]iatriotism. 'Ihi- ;;o\ ei nor's reply was extensively ic piildished in
newspapers, and elicited ;;('iieral coinmcndatioii for its hi};'li lone.
l\lr. licavilt, ol'the American lOxchan^ic i'>aiik ol'Ncw York, \viii('li
Iield Iai;;cl\ ('''the canal slock, was yreally eiiconra;;ed, and alter
])rocuiiii;; sultscriplions to the, new loan in New V'ork, Joined (Jol.
Oakley, who was still in tiiat city, and early in the winteiol' IMII-
4."> they ret III lied to. I'liiroiie. The jioveniois letter iiad piccedcd
them, and caused a marked clian};c in the views of our London
crcditois, who now, wilhotit hesitation, siil)scrilie<l liheially to the,
new loan, each more than oi'i|;iiially intended. Thus, al'tci' many
delays, (such are the vexations incident to a ruined credit) di<l the
new loan of 8 1, ♦><•<*,"•"' heeoine an accomplished i'actt, and tlie,<;om-
])letioli of the eaiial assiiied.
Mr. Leaxiit and Col. Oakley, on their return home, Joined hy
(!o\. I>a\is, hastened to Illinois hel'ore the. adjournment of the
le;;islatiiie. 'i'liey arriv*^! in Spiiii;;lield IIk; miildh^ ol' i'"el(riiary,
LSI."), wlieie they hecaiue diieetly IIh; curious olije<;ts ol attraction
as the eiivoyH(d' Illinois' creditors, A pifjudice was attempted to
])(• excited a;;ainst the atlministratioii jiolicy of taxation, and thcHc
gciitleiiien wen; sl,> ly denounced us moneyed kiii^s, aristocrals,
•lA,'ttorof lliiiliiK lii'os toMluliuiil Uyiiii, In Fi)ril"s Hlntory.
IM.lNOrH AND >ir('irr(!AN CANAL.
485
i'\r,.* Hut l».v llidi' kindly iiiid pIciiNiml, iiitcrcoiirKc, witli Ww.
iii('inl)f'r,s, :ill pi_]^Bdi«M' ;i^;iiiisl, tlit-iii \v;i.s spiM'dily dissipiilid.
'I'lu'.v r<'|M»rt(d I Wl>i<»|><i.siliiiii (»r 'lie lurci^iii liond liolflcis tliit)ii;^li
the <'\<'<-iit ivi', iiiid IIm- riiiiiiicf roiiiiiiillcc lii'<iii;;lil in ii hill, to
wliicii \vc Inivc ni:id(' nlln.sion in tlit- piiTt-din;; ('li;i|it(r, wliicli
]»r(tvidcd for inisin;;' hy liixiition :in "interest, rnnd" to Itc .siicrcdly
set iipiii'l I'di- llic |)iiyni('nf ni' inlrrrst on tlicSUitc drlit ; ;ind ;in
snplt-nHMilnl lo tlir <-iin:d ;i('l ol' isi.t, licit the ^^ov cinoi' .siioidd
«!X('c,ii)(', and dclivri', nndcr tlic sen! <»1' tin' .Slntf, a (U't'(\ oC trust to
the canal Inislrcs, (d" all tlic canal pid|(city liotli real and person-
al, as the llrst niort;^a'ie, the snhscrihers oi'tlii' new loan lo hav(^
jiriority in the jtaynieid <d' their ailvances lor liolh interi-st and
principal, out ol' the proceeds ol' said trust propeity. 'i'lie l)ill in
its present roiin, met with decided opposition; it passed the
jiouse, hut was dereated in the senal«-.
"he «',\pedient was now lesorled to of dividinj; the measure,
piiitin;; the. provision for tiixut ion ami that relatin;^ lo the canal
jjilo two separate hills. It was takiii;^ tw(» hites at one cherry,
loi'l)otli hills hecame laws. 'I'he opponents, alter Iheadjourn-
nienl, took their depaiture in ill humor, threatening^ that tin;
.southern jtart ol" the State shoidd he tlior(»u;;hly canvassed to
arouse the people a;;ainst the emtrniity ol' lhe.se measures. Itut.
when they I'onud the liiends of the measures as ri-ady as t hem-
selves to entei the field, lo expose their maehiualions and dema-
yo;;uery, the purpose was ahondoned. I)urin<i the summer lol-
lo\\in;4, two c(m\entions in that portion of the Stale, one at,
Marion ami one at I'^airlield, passed lesolntions holh in I'axor of
the canal and <d' taxation to pay th<^ pultlic deht. In these
measures of the le;;islatui'e, tin- h\(lra of repudiation nu't its linal
ijuicln.s.
The canal, its lands and appurtenances were conveyed l»y the
yoNcrnor to the trustees, the bond holders under Iheact of I.SI.'J,
lia\ iu}^ eleel«(l two, -Messrs. William II. Swill and l)a\id Leaxitt,
I lie Slal<' I riislee liein^ .lacoh l'"iy ; the m-w loan was perfected in
.liine. I.s|,") ; the new hoaid w as «M';.;anized, the canal was accurately
examined and carel'id esliimdes of its cost made; jol»s weie let,
and work was r^sunu'd in Septendter, ISITt. Thus, much of the,
woi'kin;; st'ason was ^one, the autumn proving; unpropilious on
acconiMof sickness in the \alle,\ of the Illinois, and hut little,
inriyress was nmde. The jteople were iuipalient at this tar-
diness. The\ were n<'Xl promised that the canal should he in
na\i;iahle order hy .Inly llli, ISI7, only to he aj^ain disap-
pointed. .Meanwhih-, a host of canal olVu-ials wim<- drawing'
their lar^-c salaries with iinerriny fidelity. The foreign (jiisteeH
received ML',.'*"* each, the eiijiineer the same, secretary >«lf.(l(M>,
tVc. There were a do/en or more snliordinate ollicials. These
were la r^e salaries for the period, exceeding,' th<».s«' of our Stale
ollicials at the I inie i>y neai'ly KM) per ceid. Ivstimales of woik
were made (piarterly, hut hy the time they were approved l»,v the.
foreii.;ri tiiistees, residing in \\'asliin;;ton and New N'ork, and the,
money sent on and paid out to t he eontractois and hands, <i weeks
were eoirsunn-d. Mm-h dissatisfactioii and puhlic clamor pie-
vailed. Mvcn the eastern piess <omim-nted willi severity upon
the delay, while the money on deposit was drawin;; iiit<rest.
*I''urU'H iliittory.
>
4S6 HTSTOKY OF ILLINOIS.
I'iiiiilly, by tlic oi)t'iiiiig season of 1.S48, tlic Illinois iuul ^licliiiian
Canal, a stniH-ndoiis ])ul»li(' work, uijicd \'w .!(> years, and in
course of actual eonstruetiou loi- 11', alter niawy slruiz^Ies with
adverse eiicunistanees. was completed. Il was liuislied on the
sliallow cur jilan, tlie datum line on the summit level being 12
feet above liake .Michigan. On this level, exten<linj;' fioni tlic
Cliicajio river to Lockiiort. the water was supplied liy jtumpin;;-.*
The success attending;' its (irst season's operations, yieldinji', as
it did durinj:' that of LSl.s, ^sST,. Sl,'(» .S7 in tolls, seemed an earnest
to tlie ho]ies of its warmest friends. For the iirst season its
C'ai)acity for business was com])arativeiy but slightly taxed, and
its promises of rcvejiues for the future trom a largely iinTeased
business were undoubted. The law reqniied that the lands and
lots, constituting jiart of the canal fund, siiould within a very
short time alter its completion, be appraised and otfcred for sale,
A sale Avas accordingly had in September, bS-IS. at Chicago and
other towns, which yielded ,*7S(»,7."').S ST, less !<ll,(M;(t, on which
payment was n<tt made ; which sum exceeded the oiiginal a alu;*-
tion of all the canal lands by L' pel' cent., and was ;in excess oxer
the ap|)raisal of ^KKTl'-i <S7. 'I'iie appraisal of all the canal lands
and lots, before the sale, was -^l',!!.'*;,;),").") {)[)• but if the remainder
bi'ought as great an advance o\er the api)raisenient as this sale,
$;],.-)0(>,bOO would be obtained from this source; a most ('ucourag-
ing ]»rosi)ect, as thisi»ro[»erty would go far toward li(iuidating the
canal debt, aside from its tolls.
The aggregate amount ultinnitely realized iVom the congres-
sional grant of land to tlH> canal, from is.to to lS«il», when the
selling ceased, was 4'.'),r);)7,.">."")4. The total r(cei[)ts for tolls, from
the opening of the canal, in 1848. to the close of lH{if>, 21 :^'asons,
vere $;i,0i»7.28l 22. The total expenditures on the canab under
the act of 18a(), were !?4,'.»7!»,!lo;) ; under the act of LSI.;}, .*S 1.421),-
(HH)— total cost $(),4(HI,.')(M). The entire canal debt at this time
(1848) AVrts some ^'•^OOO.OdO.t
*We have set'ii tliiit Mr. LcMvilt, I'iirly ill tlif wiiitfi- (if lS44-r>, lolurncrt to Kun)|H',
and till- Go\ enim-'s letter u> Wiiit li:i\ in;.; jireeedeil liiin, tlii.' l(neij;ii eniiiil Imiirl Imlilers
readily sub.sci-iheil t Ik new luiiii ol iiSl.CliO.i Wi. 'lli:s ayeiie.v ot Mr. Ijmv itt, (iov. Kurd
suiil, '• was entirely \i)lmitiir.\, anil Ihe wasi not iui\ ised that any eoMi|ieii.sutiiMi um-j
expeeteil." Uiit in If'41<Mr. Learitt -In u.iilit 'forward a elaiiii ol iili.lKiu lor iieyoi iatiiiji
the loan. As the toreifin 'loiulladders were (IImiuIImi il loallow it, Mr. L leliouneed his
(leiiumd and was re electeu trustee Snlisi ([Uenl ly ilie elaiiii was variously relerred,
but not deeided. In l>-r>4 he (diiained ilie eeriilleales ol a iiuii]l)er of linnkers ami
proniinent eiti/cns ol I his State, statinu' that the;. '.j per cent, was a reasonable ehai ye.
Gov. Matteson, alt»'r some hesilaliun. approxed tlu' elaini, and eertilled it to the canal
trustees, .losiali .^lcltol]erls. Slate tiustee, drew a eliei k lor t he iiinount, l>uf with-
held it till the claim was Iirst approved li.\ the linarii, whah lii'.d lo be done by mail, as
the members resided apart. Capt Swilt, tlie olhi )■ member besides l.eavitt, objeele'l
to the allowanee, and McUolierls dill not aet luil'u:. 'Ilius the naittir rested until
theadministration ot (!ov. Ilis.-ell, wh^ n ('. li Way.ol the Cliieaio '1 ribiine. relieveil
>l('l;oberts. The (iovernor approved Ihe <•! lim and Hay paid II oiil (d tlie canal fund.
Swift entoi'ind a viuorous protest ajjainsi it , Itay was furiousl.v assailed lor his m-\ ion
by tlie press ot Illinois. and suit was iinaifihf asiiiinsl liiin and l.eavitl to recover tlic
ninoiint. IJy atireement the matter was referred to Hon. II. !•'. 'J'honias, of lioston, ami
Edwin llartiett. New A'otk, as arbitrators. In \K>'.i, the matter became the subject of
invcsti^iation by our legislature, which reported aiiiilnst the allowance. An award
Wiistinallv niiiiie by the arbiti-alins by uhicli Lcavilt wasallowed i^b ,IMI, and after eii-
joyiiiK the money for I! years, he dlsnoifeed ti;):.',!'!)^ HO, the costs ol suit und Jjl.UOO US
eompcnsatinn to the arbitrators.
+ lt isii eurionsfact that the eai ly growth of ChlcHffO was greatly inuceord with the
protiress of thecanal The canal may be said to have made ChicaKo. When thesnr-
vcy of the site was commenced and platttd, by onk'r of the canal comniis.sioiiers, in
lH-^.\ there resided upon its site only about a half dozen families outside the palisades
ot Kort Dearborn ; but with the prospect of the inauuiiration of thistrrcat work, |iop-
ulalloii bejran to pour in Ireely. The lllack Hawk war p( rhiips checked it a little, but
with the removal of tlu Indians, tlie l ide ol in; mivrrti ii was resumed. Wlien, in IKt."),
the Iirst canal loan ol ?r.'i(:o.< l.li was aulhorizt d. a new inipulsc was >:i veil to the settle-
ment of the town, and with t he additional icri slat Ion of .laniiary, IStii, her population,
swollen to about 4,000, the ext raoi (Unary lever lor speculating in town lots still rile,
ILLINOIS AND MICIIIflAN CANAL. 487
111 l.S,")7tlic aiTeiUiif^cs of interest on tlie ])nl>li(! debt, iiicliidiii.y
tliiit of the canal, weic fmided l».v the act of that vear. '\']\v new
loan of $l.(iO(l,(t()() and interest were linally ])ai(l off in LS.^ilS, jiiid
tilt; same yeai' the trnstees coinnieneed payiiij; niY the principal of
the registered canal debt, the Htate aidin;^ to the amoiiiit of .*<(iO(),-
0(10. J>iit the incninbrances Avere not hnally removed until Auji'.,
](S71, when the trustees, after u faithful service of 1'.") yearx, turned
over the canal to the State with a sur]»lus of 8'.t-,0!)!».(il.
Thele.!L;islatnre, by act of 1805, sui»i»lemented in J.S07, authorized
the city of Chicaj;<» to deeiien that jiortion of the canal known as
tile summit level, a hereuiean feat which has been accom|»lished.
The city was inii)elle(l by sanitary reasons toeut down the channel,
turn the i»m'e waters of the lake into the disease breeding ('liica;;o
river, reverse its curi'ent, allow it to course through the deeiK'iied
canal into the Illinois in order to cleanse it. Foi' this most necessary
work to the city the State j;ave heia lien ni>on the canal revenues,
after its old indebtedness was dischaijued, for a sum not exceedinjf
$l*.r)00,(IOO, from which redemption mijiht however at any time b'j
made. The annual net ie\ enues of the canal averajicd only about
811(\0(K), not near payinji' tlie interest on tlie outlay of tiie city.
The canal, contrary to the ardent hojies of its early friends, who
incdieted for it a source of unfailin^ti' revenue Millicient fodefiay
the exjienses of the State j;()vernment, utterly disappointed these
fond expectations. The more there was exjiended upon it the
nioK' wa^ demanded, and neithci'Chica<;'o nor the State wanted it as
a financial investment. Ibit when on the'.lth of October, ISTl. the
j;Teat nu'tropolis was overwhelmed by the lire lieiid and prostrated
in ashes and want, the State, unable by the terms of the constitu-
tion to directly render the aid and succor that charity and the
exijieuey demanch'd, tlirouj;li her le<;islatiire at the extraoidinary
session of October l.'Hh, indirectly extended a noble bounty
bv redeeming the non-paying canal from her lien of some $.'},0()0,-
000.
There is a further history of the canal, as <'onnected with the
various efforts to obtain government aid to enlarge it to the
diiiM'nsions of a ship-canal; the river imin'ovements; the lock at
Henry ; and the rejicated struggles in the legislature to jtrocure
a])])roi)riations; but the details would bo voluminous, and unin-
teresting. AVe will only add that the year IHiili was the lirst to
obtriule npon ])ublie, lecognitioii the disagreeable fact that the
Illinois river reijuired artificial aid to riMidcr it navigable tiirough
the boating season. That of bSo.'J lasted from iMarch to December,
9 months; but Irom the first of July on, the river for its greater
length was useless for craft of any considei'able tonnagi', curtailing
the through carrying trade of the canal very greatly.
niid tlu' iictiial ooiiiiiiencciiiciit ol' the work, wo lind the prospcilty of thnt lu'iiod to
ciilniiiiato. Shortly iittcr (imie I lie ff rent revulsion ol' IKiT, whleh, with the eolhiiise
of the visionury interim 1 improvement system of the States two ivl a linll veins Inter,
W(>\il(l have iitterl.v prostrated Chieajro but lorthe persis eiK > with .vhielitiie work on
the eaniil was sustained. As it was her ]iros|)erity was eh <'k"ed miiterinlly toi- T venrs.
ni 1S;17 the taxniili' VHliiatioii of her real estate was $X';W,;'4:i. luit in 1H4(l' it lapseil to
§!U.4;i7 ; and in the course of the next two years real estate was otTered at less than 5
per eent of the price paid iliirin^' the perioil of inflation in ISlMl Bv IWt the work on
tl'e eaiial. not havintr lieen eiitirely suspended, the population had slowly Inei'eascd
til 7,5S>) hut with the resumpf i(i'i of work, in 1845, we fiial her inhaliltaiits in tiiat year
speedily swollen to the number of of ll'.OSK, an<t a eorrespondiuM increase in the A-'alue
of taxable real estate ; and in 1H48, witli the completion of the canal, they hutl reiicbed
the number of 20,923 bouIs.— His. Chicago.
488 HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
Had llic lunijiiition of the river duriiin' that hmj;' season not
been int<'rriii)te(l, the tolls of the eanal, it was estimated, would
have reached ,*;5(I(>,01K> instead of $1 7;},;)L'7. The faet is reeoj^uized
all over the State, that as the country becomes settled many tribu-
taries of the laifjcr rivers beconu^ almost dry every season, aiul iu
all, by tlu' removal of obstructions, the water runs spee<lily to a low
staye. iSurfaee water ftvi't'i'iilly has fallen many feet in the past
few years. Wells, whi(!li formerly atforded a bounttums supply at
a depth of 10 to 20 feet, have gone dry and -'5 to 40 feet are now
re(|uired to reach water. Splines that have become histoiic and
lakes that dotted our maps liave disa])i)eared, and while the health
of the country has been materially improved, the scarcity of water
is a very g« neral com[>laint. To render the Illinois river lu-rnui-
nently navi<;able during- the forwarding season, there is no
alternative out to thoroughly improve it by dredging and by locks
ami ilams.
Chapter XLI. !l||||
1840-4— MOEMONS OR LATTER DAY SAINTS.
Joe Smith — Prophetic Mimon — Followers Remove to Missouri — Ex-
'pulsion from the State — Settlement in Illinois — Obnoxious Xaui'oo
Charter and Ordinances — Arrest and Acquittal of Smith — His U
Assassination.
In the spriiij? of 1840, a relif^ioiis sect styled ]Moniioiis or Latter !ij|l |;
Day Saints, made its advent in Illinois, and kx'ated on tlie east '^ '*J:
bank of the Mississip])i, in the county of Hancock. This stranj^e #
people had previously resided in Missouri, but haviuf-,' been j;uilty 'jt'
of larceny and other crimes, they souj^ht refujje in Illinois to
escai)e the indiyiiati<ni of the inhabitants and the penalties of
outraged law. Tiiey purchased a considerable tract of land
and conunenced bnUdiii};" a city, which they called Xauvoo, a '
name signifying peaceable orjdeasant. Joseph Smith, the founder
and pretended prophet of the religion, was born at Sharon, Wind-
sor county, Vermont, Dec. 23(1, 1805. His parents being in hundde
circumstances, the proi)het's oi)i)ortunities for accpuring knowl-
edge in early life were limited, and when to the want mwans is ad-
ded the want of capacity, it is lujt strange that he lived and died a
person of ordinary attainments.
In 1815 his father left Vermont, and settled on a farm near
Palmyra, Wayne county, New York, where young Smith began to
exhibit the traits whicli distinguished his sul)se(iuent life. Both
be and his father became famous as water wizzards, professing to
discover the presence of water in the earth from the movements
of a green rod, and ottering their services to point out sni'ablo
localities for the digging of weils. Many anecdotes foi/nerly
existed, respecting the vagrant habits of the son, who si)ent most
of his time wandering in the woods, dreaming of hidden treasures,
and endeavoring to tind theju by the use of charms. Such
was the character of the young i)rotligate when he nnide the
acquaintance of Sidney Rigdon, a person of some intelligence and
natural ability, who had conceivcid the design of starting a new
religion. A religious r<mnince, written by a Presbyterian clergy-
man of Ohio, who was then dead, falling into the hands of Rig-
don, suggested this idea, and tinding in Smith the re(pusite <lui)li-
city and cunning to reduce it to practice, it was agreed that he
should act in the capaiiity of proi)het. They then devised the
Story th.it Smith had discovered golden plates buried in the
earth, near Palmyra, containing a record engraved in uid<nowu
characters, and that this romance was a translation of the
iuscrii)tiou.
489
490
HlSTOllT OF ILLINOIS.
The lictioii inirports to be a history of the t«Mi lost tribes of
Isnu'l, K'viiiji iiii account of (heir \vaiuU'riii<is in Asia and snbse-
<lut'Ml ciiiij;rali(»n to Aiiiciica, wlicrc th«'\ tlonrishcd as a nation,
and \vh< re C'luisl in dnc time appeared and establishi-d his relig-
ion as he had done anion;' the .Jews. It also containe«l the histo-
ry of the Anieiican christians for several hnn<ired years after-
ward, w lien in conseciiience of their wicUedness, jiidgineiits were
visited upon them and (hey were destro.vi'd. According' to the
account sewral powerful nations inhabiting the continent were en-
gaged in war, and at last a decisixc battle was foiigiit, between the
Lamaiiites or heathen, and tiie Nephites or Ciirisiiaii, and tlie lat-
ter wert^ defeated. 1'his mighty contest, calit'd tlie battle of {'iiiii-
orah, was fongiit at ralm,\ra, ]S'ew York; hundreds of thousands
Avere kiih'd on l)otii sides, and all the >('e])hites, excejtt a few who
lied to the southern part of the continent, were exteriiiiiiated.
Among the survivors were IMormon and hissoii JMoroni, who were
righteous men, and who were directed i»y (iod toengraxc the his-
tory of these important events on plates of gold anil depttsit them
in tlie earth lor the beiietit of future generations.
Smith pretends tiiat when he arrived at the age of lifteeii he
began (o rellect on the necessity of ]>rei>ariiig for a future state
of existence, bur the nature of tlie prei)aration was an unsettled
question in his mind. Jle regarded (his a coiisidei-ation of inii-
nite importance, for if he did not understand the way it was im-
jiossible to walk in it, and the thought of resdiig his scad's salva-
tion on nnceilaiiities was mon* than he could endure. If he sought
information of the diiferent sects of religion, they all claimed to be
right, but as their doctrines wen; in many resjiects in direct con-
tiict, it i.< impossible for most of them to be true. The vital issue
to be determined was, ii" any of the ('(Uitlicting systems of theolo-
gy ini'valeiit in the world are correct, which one is it; and until
this (piestion was dt'cided he could not rest content, ruder these
circumstances he concluded t(» study the scrijitures, and soon be-
eame coin inced that if he sought wisdom of Ciod he would be
enabled to judge which of the opposing creeds coidbrmed (o the
teachings of Christ. Jle theretbre retired to a grove, in the
vicinity of his father's house, and kneeling down, commem-ed call-
ing on the Jiord. At first the jxiwers of darkness endeavored to
overcome him, bat continuing in ])rayer the darkness Hed away,
and he was enabled to ask ibr knowledge with great faith ami
fervency of spirit. While thus ])ouriiig out his soul in supplica-
tion, there api)eare(l in the heavens above a blight and gloiions
light, which, as it drew near the to])s of the trees increased in
splendor and magiiitiide. the whole wildeiness glowi'd with the
most Itrilliant illumination. JJe ex[)ected to s«'e the tbliage of the
trees consumed, but not perceiving any effect produced, he was
encouraged to ho])e that he also would lu^ able to abide its ])res-
ence,and<juickly he was enveloi>ed in the midst of it widiout sus-
taiinng any injury. The nadiral objects about him soon vanished
and he was caught away in a heavenly vision, in which two glori-
ous personages a[ti)eared and inlbinied him that his sins were
forgiven, and that none of the existing e<;lesiastical organi/ation.s
were accepted by (iod as his church and kingdom. After being
especially informed not to go after them, and promised that in
THE MORMONS.
401
tlic I'liIliicsH of time tlu' triii' j^ospol .should be iiiadc known to
him, iIk^ vision disappciircd.
Notwitiistiindinj; tliis jilorions iinnoniwcini-nt, lie iii'tcrwjird lic-
cinnc <'ntiMi;4l('d in tlic \;initit's of tlic world, hnt sccinj:' llic crroi'
of his wiiy, and tinl,v rcpfntin,!.;-, it pleased (iod to aj;ain hear his
l)rayers. On the L'lsl of Sept., ISH."), he retiied to rest as usnal,
Avhen Ins soni was lilleil with a desiie to eonininne with some nies-
sen;;('!' whuconid make known the princiides of the tine ehurcli
and his aceeptanee with (Jod as promised in the foiiner vision.
AVliile in this state of mind, suddenly a splendor, ]»ni('r and more
.uioi'ioMs tiian the ii^lil of day. hnist into the room and tiie entire
bniidinu' was illnminaled as if filled with a eonsnmiuy lire. The
nnexpeeted appearance of a lijilit so brilliant, caused in hiswiniU'
system a shock which was soon followed by ])eace of nund and
overwhelinin;;' raptnr<'s of Joy. In the nndst of this hai»piness ii
l)ersona;ie stood before him, whose stature was above theordinary
heiji'ht of nnin, whose ^arnieids were perleetly white and without
8eam. Xotwithslandinj;- the j;lare which Idled the room, Iheiilory
which accom[)anied him enhaiM'ed its bri^'htn(>ss, and though his
countenance was as lijihtninj;', thebenij;nity of its exitression ban-
ished all fear. This >ilorions bein^' inlbrmed him that he was an
anycl sent tVoni (Iod to declare the Joyful tidin^ns that the cove-
nant which had been made with ancient Israel concerninji' their
jiosterity, was about to be fnllilled,and that the second ccMniuji' of
the ^b'ssiah was at hand, when the (lospel would be jneached in
its purity and a people i>re]>ared tor the nnllennial reijiin of uni-
versal i»eace and Joy. Jle was als(» informed that the American
Imlians were a reinnantof the aneient Hebrews, who had come
to the<'ountry; that for several hundred years after their aiTi-
val they enjoyed a knowh-dj^-e of the true (Iod. and that their
sacred writinj;s contain an acconnt of the ]»rincipal events that
transpired anionj^' them dnrinji' this interval. \\ hen, however,
they ne.nk'ctcfl tln^ r«'li,iiion of their fathers most of them jierished
in battle, but at the comnmnd of (Iod, their sacred oracles were
entrusted to a, survivinjj' proidier who buried them in the earth to
prevent their fallinj;' into the hands of the w icked, who sou<;ht to
destroy them. He was then told if he continued faithful he would
be the hij;hly favored instrument of brinj;in<^' these important
documents to lij;ht. but it must be done for the ji'lory of God and
iM)m' could be entrusted Avith them who would use them for sel-
fish purjtoses. ^M'ter <iivin<;' him many instructions concerning-
the past aiid i'luure, the heavenly messenger disappeared and the
glory of (Iod withdiew, leaving the nnnd of the i)rophet in per-
fect jx'aco. Not nmny days thereafter, the vision was renewed and
the angel appearing, pointed out the place where the records were
dei)oslted, and directed him to go immediately and view them.
A('(;or<ling' to the Ah>rmon account they were tlepo.-iled in a stone
box, buried in the side of a hill, ;> nnles from the village of Man-
chestei', New York. When Snuth first visited the depository,
September -5-d, J.S2;?, the crow aing stone was visible above the
surface and a slight ettbrt brouglit the eontents to view. The
words wen^ beautifully «'ngraved in Egy]>tian characteis, on both
sides of i)lates, eight inches long and seven inches wide, having
the thickness of tin ami the appearance of gold. Three rings
pas>-ing through the edges of the plates united them iu the form
41):
IllsroUV OK ILLINOIS.
«)!' ii lidok iilntiit six iiiclu's in tliickiicss. Jit'sitU's tlio iiliitcs llio
1)()X <()iitjiiiic(i two tiiiiis]»iii('iit st(»iu'.s, ck'iii' iLs it.n stal, tlu' rriui
iiiiil 'i'lmiiiiiiiin of iiiu'iciit seers, by wiiicli tliey obtiiiiietl revela-
tions of tliiii;;s i»iis( and liilnn-.
Wliile <'t)ntenii»latin};' the sacred treasnre tlic heavens were
opened, the <>;Uny ot(iod slione about him, and he was Idled with
tiie Holy (ihost. The heaveidy niessen<ier who had visited liiiu
on previous occasions, aj^ain stood in his ])resence aiul said, look;
and as he si)ake he beheld the power of darkness with an im-
mense retinue ot associates tiee away. The anncl iiistruetin;; him
declared that it was then impossible to possess the records, that
they could (»nly be obtirined by i>ra\er and faithfulness in servnij^'
(jod who liad preserved them, not for the temi)oiiil but the spirit-
ual welfaiv of the world. In them is contained the (los[»el of
Christ as it was deliven-d to his i»eo])le <»f this land, and when
broujiht forth by the powi'r of (Jod it shall be preached to the
nations; the Clentiles receiving; will be saved and Israel obeyiny;
it will be brou;:ht into the foldof the Kedei'mer. After it is known
that the Lonl Inis shown you these things the wicked will en-
dea\ or by falsehoods to <lestroy your reputation ; nay, they will
even attempt y(mr life, but you observe the commandments, and
in due time you shall brinjj' them forth. AVhen interpreted the
Lord will appoint a holy jjriesthood, who will i»roclaim the (ios-
pel, baptize with water, and Jiave i>ower to confer the ll(»ly
(ihost by the layinj>- on of hands. In due time the ten tribes of
Israel shall be revealed in the north country, where they for a
loii^' time have resided. The knowledj^e of the Lord shall be
P'catly extended, and your name shall be known amonj; the na-
tions Ity the works which shall Ix; wroufilit by your Inind.
On the liUd of Septendu'r, ISl'T, altera i)r(»bation of four years,
dnrinj;' wliii'h he was fre(piently counseled by the an;;el, tlie re-
cords were delivered into his hands. When it was known anmng'
the iidnibitants of the 'surrounding;- (!ountiy that the pro]>het
had seen visions and discovered the records, he was not oidy
ridiculed and slandered but waylaid and assaidted, for the puf-
])ose of destroying tlie i)lates. These i)ersecutit)ns increased to
such an extent that the house in which \w lived was fre(iuently
beset by mobs, and tindinj; his life thus exi>ose<| to constant dan-
ger he (HHicluded to leave tlie place and go to Pennsylvania. Dur-
ing' the journey thither he was twice overtaken by ottlcers Avith
search-warrants for the i)lates, but they failed in the accomjtlish-
ment of their desipis. Alter arriving' in the northern i)art of I'enu-
sylvania, where his father-in-law resided, by the aid of the Urim
and Thummim, he made the translation of the i)lates known as tlie
book of JNIormon. This translation is from an abridgnuMit c(nn-
posed bylMormon from the sacred Avritings of his forefathers, with
ad<litions subsequently made by his son Maioni. who suivived
]iim. The lattei', in his continuation of the narrative, informs us
that the Lamonites destroyed all the Nei»hites who escajied tlie
battle of Curniorah, except such as foi'sook their religion, and that
he, for the preservation of his own life, was compelleil to hide him-
self.
This story, in its pretended miracles, visions and ])ropheei< s, is
like other forgeries of tlie kind, which at dittei'cnt times have been
imposed on the credulity of mankind. As dishonesty and iguo-
TIIE MOUMONS. 493
raiit'c will :ihvays exist, it iiiiiy yet tlonrisli jiiid exert upon tlie fu-
ture of tlie race! an intluence as contiitlin^' as tliat of other sys-
teniH which have ])rece<Ie(l it in the i)ast. While the holiest atl'ee-
tinns of the iieart cluster about the relifjious element of nian's
nature, there is also ii weakness eonneeted Mitli it which in all
{i<;es of the world has sulijected him to the jjrossest inipositiont;.
In his soi'ial and ])oliti('al relations he exhibits a saj^aeity which,
if it does not always j)rotect Iiim aj^ainst abuse, is at least divested
of the superstition wliich beclouds his reli;iious aspirations and
so fretjuently makes him the dupe of falsehood, lb' insists in his
S(MMdar investiji'ations ui»on the most rij^id inductions, theoiies are
subjei^ted to the most st'aichin^i' analysis, and no doctrine can ob-
t.iin credence unless sustained by indubitable lacts; but in tlicol-
og,y A'aj'ue conjecture is substituted for jiositive know led;;*', and
errors which outrage the character of Deity and imhruit the intel-
lect of nuin are a<'ce]»tcd without even (juestioninu their auliien-
ticity. To this infirmity of human nature, and thecnjiidity of de-
signing men, Mormonism and otlu l- similar d«'lusions owe their
oripn. If the i»arti«'s who ori^iriate and manage them are intel-
ligent tlicy give them plausibility, but this is not important, for
no system can be devised so absurd that fools will not believe it,
and that knaves will iH)t be found to profit by their ignorance.
According to the statements of the saints, after the book of
Mormon was translated, the Lord raised uj) witnesses totestify lo its
truth. Oliver Cowdry, Daniel Whitmoieand ]\lartin Harris thus
attiiiu: "We certify that we have seen thei)lates which iiontain the
records ; tliat they were translated by the gift and ])ower of (lod,
for his voice hath declared it unto us, -.vheretbre we know that the
work is true, and declare with words of soberness that an angel
of God came down from heaven and laid the plates before our
eyes, and we saw the engravings on them." Eight other witnesses
also declare : "Josei>h JSmith, the translator of this work, hath
shown us the plates herein spoken of, wliich have the appearance
of gold, and as many of the leaves as the said Smith hath trans-
lated we have handled with our hands, and we also saw the en-
gravings thereon, all of which had the appearance of ancient and
curious workmanship." The parties connected with these certili-
eates were no doubt accomplices in the fraud, for if humanity
coidd furnish a spawn base enough to originate the decei»tit)n,
plenty of men could be found sufficiently degraded to assist in its
promulgation.
Another statement is given respecting the plates, by those in
the confidence of the prophet, which does not coincide with the
above certificates. It is sr'.d that the early followers of the
prophet were desirous of seeing the plates, and importuning him
for the iirivilege, he told theui that they could not be seen by the
carnal eye, that they nuist obtain a lively faith by fasting and
prayer if they Avouhl have their holy curiosity gratified. Acting
upon his suggestion, they engaged in continuous supi>lica-
tions that the hidden things of God might be made manifest, and
when finally becoming imi)atient, Smith produced the box con-
taining the treasure and opened it iu their midst. Not seeing
anything in it, they said, "Brother Joseph, we do not see the
plates." The prophet answering said "Oh ye of little faith, how
long will God bear w'itli a wicked and perverse generation ? Dowu
494
IILSTORY OF ILLINOIS.
Oil your kiit'j'M, bivtliicii, cvory one of yon, and pray Oo«l for the
for;:i\('iM'.ss of Noiii' sins :umI for tin- li> inj; fiiitli wliicli conies
(low M fi'oni licaxcn." As coniniiiiKU-d they fell npon their knees,
iind lu'sceeliin;;- (Jod with ;;re;it eiinu'slness for inor«i than two
hoiii's I'orfiiitli iind s|iii'ilM:d diseernnient, they ii<;ain looked iind
tlie pliiles weie \ isihie. I n t liis ease it lias Iteeii sn;;';;('Sted tliat
tlie parlies, operated upon iiy a fanatieal enthusiasm, may |)er-
liapsha\e iiiiayiiied they saw tlie phites, Init it is far moi<' proha-
l)l(' thai they liad sctlish ends lu aeeoiiiplish and wiifnily niisrep-
reseiilcd to impose on llie iyiioiaiit.
On tlie (itii of April, IS.IO, the ehiireh of the Latter Day Saints
was ur;L;anized al .Manchester, New York. Their numbers now
rapidly incieased, and with a \ iew to securing' a iiernianeiit Idea-
tion, in is;;;;, they moNcd to .Missouri, inirchased land in .lackson
eonnty, and c(niinienee<l linildin;.:' the town of Independence.
'I'lu'ie the coiiiniissi(ni cd' petty erinies, and their ariojiaiit pre-
sii'iii lions tiiat as saints of the Lord lliey had a ri;;lit to the whole
eoiintry, incensed the neijililioriii;^' people a]nainst them. After
some of their nnnihcr had iiecn ducked in the river, s(niie tarred
and feathered, and otiiers killed, the whole community removed to
(lay county, on the opposite side of the .Missouri river. IJemainin;;'
in this jilace only a slnnt time, most of them went eastward, ami
located at Kirtland, Oiiio, twenty miles from Cleveland, and c(»m-
mciiccd hnildiiiii a temple. In is;i(la laiji'e c(nivo(;ati<ui of their
elders met, and acccn'diny to their ri'ports, the work of the Lord
had yreatly iiu;reased in America, Enroi)e and the islands of the
sea.
About tills time a financial institntiini, styled the Kirtland Sav-
in,us Lank, was orjianized, and Smith a)>poinle<l president. For
the want (d' capital and intejirily aimni;;' the manaj^ers, it soon
failed, niider circnmslanccs of more than ordinary depravity.
I'lopcrty to a Iai,^e amount was itnichased with the bills, andalter
the title became \ested in the saints, the bank failed and its notes
were never redeemed. Thus swindled, the peoi)le of the adja-
cent conntry, as at other places, became exasperated ami a
third hej;ira became necessary. Aecordin^ily the]»ropliet, ajiostles,
eldeis and a yn'at body of tlie saints, shakinj«' the dnst from their
teet as a testimony ajjainst Ohio, started !br Missonri, and this
time settle<l in Davisand ("alhonn comities. There they also pur-
chased land of the Lnited States, and built the town of Far ^Vesfc
and other small villages. Still c.\hibitin,n' the same eondnct that
at oiliei' places had involved them in ditlienlties, it was not long
till they were acctised of every ]u»ssible (trinie. The breach thns
ojx'iied between the saints and <;entiles eontinned to widen, and
in a few years both parties became so embittered that a resort to
jihysical foice was the only alternative by which the qnarrel could
be adjusted. The ^Iwiinon leaders declared that they would no
louficr submit to to the j>-overnment of Missouri. Joe Smith, as
he was <j;enerally called, cndered the circuit clerk, who was a disci-
I>Ie, not to issue any more writs apaints the saints, and one of the
elders, in a sermon, informed his i)eoi>le that henee'orth they were
not amenable to the laws of the State. Armed ])arties of Mor-
mons eomnu'iiced ]»atrolinf;' the country and ])lunderinf>- the pro-
jierty of the inhabitants, who assembled in arms to protect them-
selves and drive the felons from the State. A comi)auy, under
niE MOUMONS. 496
Major Mo^rnrt, wlioliiid rniiiicily coniiiiinKlcil ii Itiittnlioii of ran^jcrs
in tltc lUack Hawk wai, iiit't one of tlit-sc iiiaraialiii^ pailirs, and
a Itattic cnsnin;;', lli*> iMornions wnc rontcd after llit-.v liad laiint
two towns and ia\aj;cd a lar;;*' extent, of eoimlry. (lov. l)o;;^s
called out the militia foi' the pin pose of either externiinat-
iuj;' the phindeieis (»r driving' thern IVoin the eountry. A
lai'j;e loici', eoninianded lt,v (ien. Liieas and l>iij;adiei' (len. Doni-
phan, sui'i'onnd<-d tlieni in the town of Far West, and althon};h
armed with the deteiinination of I'esistin-;' to the last extiMinity,
they snirendered without an eu;:aj;ement. A laryc part of tho
stolen property was iceoven-d, and, with the exeeptittu of the,
leadeis, the Mormons wen^ dismissed under promise to h-ave
tin' State. Smitli and other principal men were tried hetoie a
eoui't martial and si-nteneed to he shot. The eiiminals would
ih>ul)lless ha\(' been executed had not (ien. J>oniphan, who con-
sidered the proc<'edin;;s aj^ainst them illegal, interfered and savi'd
their lives. They weic next arraij;n<'d hefore a ci\ il trilmnal, and
indictments heinj;' found a^^ainst them tor muider, tieason, rob-
bery and other crimes, they wen^ committed to jail, but before
their trials canu' on they escaped from prison, and lied the State.
In tlie years lS;t!>-40 tlie w hob' body of saints arrived in Illinois,
and, accoi'dinj; to their own account, the cruel treatment (»f their
enemies, and their perils by field and Hood, would make a st<»rv
without a ])arallel in the ainials of sutierin<;', IkCpresentinji that
they had been persecuted in ^Missouri on account of theii- reli/^ion,
and bein^' tho vamiuished jiarty, they soon excited the sympathy
of our people. The inhabitants of Illinois have always been
Justly <'steenied for their enlij;htcned sjtirit of tolcrati<»u, and the
.Alormons were kindly received as sulfeiers in the cause of reli-
jiion. Several conimnnities e\('n vied with each other in offers of
hospitality and efforts to induce the persecuted stranj^crs to settle
amonji' them. As already stated, they linally located on the east
bank of the ^lississippi, in the county (»f Hancock, where they
comni<'nce<l building- the city of ^'anvoo, which they tlesij^ned
should I)e the center of their future oi»eration.s in the conversion
of the world to the lU'W reli«;ion.
On their arrival in the State the effort of politicians to get their
patroinij^e soon brouf^ht them into notice. As they were already
numerous and rapidly increasin<i- in nund)ers, it was su])]»osed
that at no distant day they would exert a controlii^- influence in
the elections. Knowin<;' their jiower in this icspcct, and iiitimat-
in^i;' that they would supi)ort the men ami measures nu)st likely to
promote their own welfare, both jtarties by acts of kindness and
l»roniises of lu'lp endeav(»r<'(l to win their s1ij»port. In .Alissouri
they had always sustained the democratic party, but havinji' been
expelled from the State by a denio(rratie governor, and having
afterwards been refused relief by Van Bnren, a democratic presi-
dent, in a spirit of nitaliation, they voted for a time with the
Avliigs. When, liowevei', the legislature met in ].S4(), Avishing to
obtain the passage of seveial bills for the incorporation of Js'au-
voo and otlier i)urposes, they flattered both ])arties in order to
secure their joint influence. With these objects in view Dr. John
C.Bennett, a Mormon by profession and one of the most profligate
men in the State, was sent as their agent to the seat of govern-
ment to operate as a lobbyist. Arriving in Springfield, he api)lied
400
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
I
to Ml'. I.iHIc, the wlii;; st-iiiitor tVoiii IliinrocU, iiiid to Mr. DitixrlaH,
the <l*'iii*ici'iitic si'CK'tiiiA ol' stiitc, wlio hotli proiiiiscil liiiii tli*>ir
inlliM'iirf, Mild wlicii ill) act iiiforiHtratiii;^ tlic cit.v of NaiiNou was
]>r*-.s<'iitc(l to llic lt';>islatiirc, alllioii;ili in iiiaiiy i'i'N|)trtN in tliu
lii;:lu'st firjiirc <»l)j('ctioiialtl(', siicii was tlHMlcxtcrit.v witii wliicli
tiM'sc politicians iiiana;;c(l tlicir rcs|iccti\c parties tliat it passed
both houses witluait discnssion or opposition. In tiie lower lioiise
it is uaid it w as not ev«'n read, each party lieiii^ al'raid to oppose
it tor tear of losin;; tlie Moiiiioii vote, and each in sustaining it
veiily believed it woidd secure their fa\(»r.
Tliis act, which is a ))ei feet aiHtinal.v in legislation, made the
ori^iinal Itoundaries of Nauvoo not only e<|iial to the limits of some
of the lar<;er cities. Itiit also jtrovided for their indelinite exten-
sion. It reads: "^\'hellevel• any tract of land adjoininj: Naiivoo
shall liav<' lu'cn laid (ait into town lots, and duly recorded accord-
inj; to law, the samc^ shall form a pait of the city." The
coiporatioii was also empowered to deal in real and jtersonal
IMdpeity for s])eciilative ]tiirposes, a privilege not at that
time conferred njton any other cities of the Htate by le;;isla-
tive enactment. One He<'tion of the law pive to the city coiimril
the extraordinary power to enact any ordinance not re|>u(;iiaiit to
the State and national c<»nstitiitions, whereby they coiihl nullify
nt ])leasiire the statutes of the Stati' within the corporate limits
of the city and over as much of flie adjacent c(Minty as they could
extend them. A mayor's court was established, with t'xclusive
jurisdiction ot all cases arisinji' under the city ordinaiie<'s, but sub-
ject to the rifiht of apixal to the municipal coiiit. Tlnunayorand
tour ahlermeii as associates coni]»osed the muni<-ipal court, w hich
■was elotlicd with power to issue writs of habeas coipns, and had
jurisdiction of apjieals from the mayor's court, subject a;;ain to
appeal to the circuit court of Hancock county. It made the iS'auvoo
legion. M'itli the excei)tion of beinj;' subject to the ^-overnor,
inde])endent of the military organization of tlie State, and
its c(»mniissioned oflicers a i>eri)etual court martial, liaving
authority to enact such ref-ulations as should be considered neces-
sary for its Avelfare. The lejiion was made subservient to the
mayor in exccntiiif;' the laws of the city, was entitled to its propor-
tion of the State arms, and by subsequent enactments of the
]ej;islatnre any citiz<'n of Hancock county miyht unite with it,
viietlier he med in the city or out of it. A bill was also passed
in('or])orating the >Ianvoo House, in whicli Joe Smith and his
heirs were to liave a suite of rooms in periietual succession. By
this unusual le<iislation the courts had little dei»enden<;e on the
constitutional judiciary, and the military establishment, empow-
ered to re'gulate itself, was indejiendent of the laws of the State.
The ditlerent departments of the city ;;oA'ernment weie blended
into one, whereby the same public functionary could be entrusted
with the disdiarge of legislative, executive, judicial and military
duties at the same tinu>, and such instances frequently occurred
as the events which immediately foUoM'ed jirove.
In tlie year 1841, the Mormons organized a city government and
Smith was elected mayor; presidijig in the council as a legislator
lie assisted in making laws for the government of the city, and as
mayor it was his duty to see that the laws were faithfully executed.
By virtue of his oftice he was judge of the mayor's court and chief
THE MOUM0N8.
w:
Jiisficc (tf llic nnniicipiil <'(tiir(, in wliicli sitiinliim lie wiis IIk-cx-
]i*iiiimI«'I' jiihI mroicfr i>\' \\\v laws \^lli*■ll lit> Initl :issi,st<'<| In iiiiiUc.
Jii the oi';;'aiii/iitinn of tli*' Niiinoo li'^ititi it wii.s iiia(l<' t(^ consist
of divisions, Itiiu^iidcs, iind <'oliorls, imcIi of wliicli lisnl ii ^icncial
iind ov«T tlu> wliolr as coniniand* r in eld* I' Sndtli prt-sidtd as
licntcnant ^tMM-ial. If to tlnsr ninltilurni dutirs \\i> ad<l Ids call-
in;; as a leal estate a;>'eid anil Ids anticipated position as tavern
keeper, tlie list of Ids \oealions will lie complete.
Il lias already been said llial Sniitli and oilier lea'iin;; Mornioiis
('scap«'d from jail in Missouri, and lieiice in llie autumn of l<S41,
tlie ^{dveriior of tinit State made a demand on (Soveriior (.'arliii of
Illinois for llie arrest and delixerv of llie fn;iilives. A warrant
was a<*cor<linnly issued 1»\ wliicli Sniilli wasanested and hion^ilit
befon^ .Iud;;e J)ou;ilas, who, at that time was lioldin;;' <'ouit in
Hancock am' ndjoinin;; countii's. In the trial which ensued. Smith
was (liscliar^"d on the plea that the writ b\ which In- had been
niresled was <lefeeti\«'. TIm' projihet, not bein,", ue|| eii(»u<;h
versed in law *■'. uiiderstaiKl llie leyal nal'ire of the fpu'stioii,
re^iai'ded his ac»|uiMal as a ;;reat fa\oi' from the democrati<' parly.
In <'oiiseqiience of this decision the Mormons once more renewed
their alle;>iaiiec with that political or;;ani/ation and to stren;;tlieli
the alliance, liennett, who was tiien an alderman in Nauvoo aixl
the major ^icm-ral of the lejiion, was made master in chancery and
adjutant jicneral of the State militia. At these si^iiial marks of
iavor, Smith issued a ]»roclaiiialion exlnntiii;;- his followers to unite
with the deniociatic party, and the wlii^is on seeing' themselves
out ;;eiieral<'d in this manner, commenced a tirade of dennnciationH
Jl^jainst the Mormons, their jiapers teeniin;;' with the eiiormilies of
INaiivoo and the wickedness of the jiarty which wouhl consent to
receive the support of siu'h miscreants.
As soon as the machinery id' the ^overninent <if !N"anvoo was
projierly put in motion, oi'dinances were ena<'tcd in (umiiict with
the laws of the State. The Mormons, believin<; that another
uttein]»t would be made by the pivei'iior of IMissoui i for the arrest
of their leaders, declared that the piildie mind in that State was
so pnjudiced apiinst them that a, fair trial there was imjiossible,
and should any of their fraternity be taken tliitlu'r, if they could
not be legally convicted and punished, they would be niur<h'red by
a mob before they could get out of the State. ])etermined to
guard againstany futur(Mleinandsof this kind, they commenced de-
vising a scheme whereby they could protect themselves through
the instrumentality of the city ordinances. A law was therefore
passed by the conunon council virtually declaring that the, muni-
cipal court should have jurisdiction whatever might b(^ the nature
of ilic offense, thus giving a latitiidinarian construction to the
charter, wliicli was only intench'd to grant the right of adniinks-
tering justice in cases where imprisonment resulted from a breach
of the city ordinances. Smith was aftcvard arrested by a writ
from tlie governor, but it is unknown whether he was rescued by
his followers or discharged in consequence of this ordinance.
A combination of circumstances now concurred in rendering the
Mormons uni)opular. Besides impolitic enactments, they were
furnished by the State with three i)ieces of cannon and 25() stands
of small sirms, which jealousy and popular rumor increased to 30
cannons and 5,000 or 0,000 muskets. Many thought they enter-
32
-198 HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
tiiiiicd tli(> troasonablo <li'sij>ii of ovcrtuniiii;;' flic yovcniiiiciit,
diiviii;;' out tlic oriyiiiiil iiilialtitiiiits iuid siihstitntiiiji' tlicii' own
]»oiiiiliitioii .11 their stead, as tlie eliildreii of Israel luuldoni.' in the
land of Canaan.
Jii 1S41*, the Mormon )»o])nlatit»ii of Hancock county had in-
crea.u'd to about Ki.OdO. and several thousand more were scattered
over various |»arts of tiu' I'nited States and Murojie. "S\v. Henry
Caswel, an lOnjilisli <;'en(leman of talent and i'esi)ectal)ility,
aseendiii.n' the ^Mississippi in a steamboat, <;ives tlie followin.;;'
ji'rapliic account of his observations respecting;' the Saints at that
i" time:
" Iliivhifr licon told that tliroe Inindrcd En^rlish emigrants were on
I board to join tlie prophet at Xaiivoo, I walked to that ])art of the vessel
f| ap|)ropriated to the poorer classes of travi'lers, and beheld n»y eoinitryiiien
crowded to^'ether in a conifortlesH manner. I addressed them and iound
they were from the neighborhood of Preston, in Lancaster; they were
decent lookiiifr i)e()])le and by no means of the lower class. I took the
:5. liberty of (inestioninjftheni concerning their jilans, and found they were
',' the dupes of Mormon missionaries. Karly on Sunday moridnfi; I was
landed opposite Nauvoo, and erossinj; the river in a larjje canoe, filled
'I ■with Mormons ^oinj;' to cluireb, in a few minutes I found myself in tbis
s; extraordinary city. It is built on a ijjrand plan, accommodated to the site
'.i of the temj)le and the bend of the river. The view of the winding
Ct Mississii)pi from the elevation where the temple stands is truly niajrnili-
%_ cent. Tbe temple being uutinished, about half past ten o'clock a con-
Vli' gregation of perhaps J, (HIU persons assembled in a grove, within a short
'v" distance from the sanctuary. Their appearance was quite respectable
rj- and fully eciual to that exhitiited at the nu'ctings of other denomin»tioiis
■^ in the \vestern country. Many gray-headed old men were there and
: many vvcll dressed females. Their sturdy forms, clear complexions, and
aeavy movements, strongly contrasted with the slight tigure, the
sallow visage, ami the elastic ste)) of the Americans. There, to(;, were the
bright aiul unconscious looks of little children, who born among the
privileges of England's churches liaptized with her consecrated waters
' and taught to lisp her prayers and repeat iier catechisms, had now been
'•• led into this clan of heresy, to listen to the ravings of a false prophet
I: and to iud)ibe the priiu'iples of a semi-pagan delusion. Two elders
shortly came forward and one of them having made a tew coiemou-place
remarks on the nature of prayer, and dwelt for a considerable time on
the character and perfections of the Almighty, proceeded in the follow-
ing strain : 'We thank tlu-e, () I^ord, that thou luist in ihese latter days
restored the gifts of i)rophecy of revelation, and of great signs and
( wonders as in the days of old. We thank thee that thou didst tormerly
raise up thy servant Joseph to deliver his brethren in Egypt, so hast
thou raised up another .Iosei)h to save his brethrei\ from bondage of
sectarian delusion, and to bring them into this great and good land,
flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands, and which
thou didst promise to be an inheritance for the seed of .Jacob for ever-
more. We pray for this servant and prophet, Joseph, that thou wouldst
prosper ami bless him ; that although the archers have sorely grieved
, him, and shot at him, and hated him, his bow may abide in strength,
and the arms of his hands may lie ma'iL> strong by the hand of the
Ahuighty (Jod of Jacob. We pray, also, for thy temple that the nations
JJ of the earth may Itringgold and incense, that the sons of strangers U'ay
build up its walls and tly to it as a cloud and as doves to their windows,
• AVe iiray thee, also, to hasten the ingathering of thy people, every nuui
to his heritage and every man to his land. We pray that as thou hast
set up this i)laceas an ensign for the nations, so thou wouldst continue to
i; assendile here the outcasts, and irather together the dispersed fnmi the
;. four coi'iiersof the earth. May every valley he exidted and every moun-
tain and hill be made low and crooked places be made straight and the
,; rough jilaces plain, and ma,y the glory of the Lord be revealed and all
the tlesh iu it together. Bring thy sons from afar and thy daughters
THE MOHMONS.
409
from the endsof tlie earth, and let tliem bring then* gold juid silver witii
them.'
" After prayer Uic other elder commenced a discourse on tlie necessity
of a revelation for America as well as Asia, and on llie i)rol>aiiility of
continued revelations. At its close a liymn was sung, and a tliirti
elder canu' forwai'd and observed that his ollice reiiuired liim to speak
of l)usiness, and esi)cci,diy of thi- N.muvoo House, and among other
tilings said, 'the Lord had commanded this work and it must i)e done;
yes it shall lie done, it will lie done; tliata small amount of the stock
l:ad hitlierlo licen taken, tliat the committee liad gone on borrowing and
liorrowing till Ihey could borrow no longer; that nieclnmies liad lieen
employed on the house, that they wanted tlieir jiay and tlu' committee
are not able to pay them; tlnit lie came theiv with seven tliousand
dollars iind now had but two tliousand, liaving exjjended five thousand
on the work of the Lord;' that tie therefore called upon the brethren to
oliey Ooii's command and take stock. The address being concluded,
otiiers followed in tlie same strain, and ajipeared as familiar witli wordly
business and operations of finance as witli jtropiiecies and tlie book of
Mormon. None, however, came forward to take stock, and one of the
elders thereupon remarked, that as they liad not made uji tiieir minds as
to tlie amount of stock they would take, he wished tliem to come to his
house on the next day for that pnrinise. Tlie j)ublic exercises being closed,
accompanied liy a i)roniinent member of the churcli, I next visited the
temple. Its position is eommandiiig, and desiirned to be one of the best
edifices in tlie country, it is one liundred and twenty feet l)y one liuu-
dred, and wlien eomiileted will be fifty feet up to the eaves. Its expense
is estimated at three hundred thousand dollars. The liajitismal fount is
finished. It is a capacious laver, above twenty feet s(iuare, rests on the
liaoks of twelve oxen, well st'iilptured, and a,s large as life. Tlie laver
and oxeu are of wood painted, hut ai'e to be gilded. Here baptisms
for the dead are celebrated as well as baptisms for the healint' of disease.
Baptisms for tlie remiss' .n of sins are iierlbrmed in the .Mississippi. I
was next introduced to the jiropliet, and liad tlie honor of an interview
wi*h him. He is a coarse, pleiieian person in aspect, and his countenance
exhibits a <'urious mixture of tlie knave and clown. His iiands are large
and fat, and on one of his fingers h"! wears a massive gold ring^vitll some
inscription u))on it. His (h'l'ss was of coarse country manufacture, and
his wliite liat was envelojied in a piece of black crape, lieing in mourning
for a brother. I liad no opportunity of observing the eyes of Smith, he
ainiearing deficient in tliat ojn'ii, staid-fixed look wliich chara(!teri/es an
honest man. Tlie Mormon system, mad as it is, liad method in its
madness, and many shrewd hands are at work in its maintainance and
propagation, and wlialever may l)efall itsorigiiiators, it has tlie elements
of increase and endurance. Mormon missionarii's liave been sent forth
and are now at work in almost every country in Christendom. They
have recently gone to Uussia with letters of credence from the Mormon
projihet. Tlieir numbers in England, we have no doubt, are increasing
rapidly, and it remains for ehristains of the present day to determine
whetlier Mormonism shall work to the level of those famitical sects,
which like new stars have bla/,e<i for a little while and then sunk into
obscurity, or whether like asecoiid Maliumedanisin it siiall extend it.elf,
sword in hand, till Christianity is leveled in the dust."
Til IS 12. Dr. .loliii C. IJemictt was expelled from tlie ^rdniioix
enmcii, iiiid tbereat'tcr tiaveled tliroiiuli ditlereiit part.s nf tlie
('ouiitry, avowiiifi;, in lecttires and inihlication.s, that tlie ^loriiioiis
entertained treasonahlc desi<>ii.s ajiaiiist the ,ii(i\eriiiiieiit. One oi"
lii'iMM'tt's principiil dhjects was to indnce tiie anthorilies (if Missouri
to hiing aiiotlier iii(li(;tiiieiit ayainst Siiiitii tor an alleged attem[»t
to imirderdov. I'oggs. I>eiiig' siicees.sfiil in liis endeavors. .Iiiiie
.">. ISl."), an iinlietineiit was found against the jnopliet and anotiu'r
]>roiniiient .Mormon, and shortly afterwards a messiMiger jiresen-
ted himself to (Jov. I'Vird with a new demand for tlieir arrest. In
pursuance of the laws of the United States, the writ was given to
600 mSTORY OF ILLINOIS.
a coiistiililc in IIaii(;ock coimty Coroxeciitioii. Tlie ]\Iissoni'i iifjcnt
svikI ii coiistahlc liastciicd t(» Naiivoo lor llic i)iiii»(>.sc of sfivinj;
it, but liiidiii}^ on their iiirival that Smith was on a visit to Kock
river, thev repaired thither, and made the arrest in Palestine
j^rove, in tlic county of Lee. Tii(> prisoner was then h^ft in th(^
custody ol' the af^cnt, Avho set oil' with him to JMissouri, but had
not proceeded I'ar, when he was met and eai)tured hy an armed
body of ]\Iormons, who released tlie ]»rophet an<l conducted liim
in triumi»li to Nauvoo. A writ t)f liabeas corpus was sued out in
tlie municipal coiirt of that city, and Cyrus Walker, tiie whiy can-
didate for conj^ress, a])peared as attorney for the accused. In a
labored eifort of j;reat h'njith, he endeavored to show that this
court, which was composed of Smith and his frieiuls, bad juris-
diction to issue the writ, and proceed in the defense of the ])risou-
er, under the ordiimm-es of the city, and he aecordiii};ly was
ac<iuitt<'d. Mr. llod^c, tlie denutci-atic candidate, was visitiuji'
Is^auvoo at the tiuu' of the trial, and both he ancl Walker were
called on in a political convention to j;ive their opinion relative to
tlu' city ordinance, empoweriuj;' the municipal court to issuer writs
of habeas corpus in all cases of ii'ii)risonuu'nt, and \)oth solemnly
declared that they considerc" L >alid. it is haidly necessary to
state that this advice was jiiven for the purpose of obtaining
votes, as both candidates knew it was false. Instead of beiny
actuated by that intejiiity which combats and corrects jiublic
oi)inion when wrou}^' ,the only true passport to ollicial i»osition,
both willfully sanctioned an error for the accimiplishment of sellish
ends.
The IMormons, on the other liand, in consequence of stupidity
and ijiuorauce, were ever ready to be duped and brouj;ht in
antaji'onism to the laws of the State, by the chicanery of )>arty.
]f the action of the {i'overnment l)ore luird upon them, however
justly it mijiht be administered, they reganled it as wantonly
oppressive, or if judicious advice was given them, it was rejected
with scorn whenever op])osed to their favorite schemes. Un-
scrui»ulous i>oliticians becoming aware of this (characteristic,
would first learn their ])redelictions and advise them accordingly,
whereby they becanu» the sport of party and the victims of the
DHist corrupt men in the country.
On the release of Smith, the ^lissouri agent api>lied to Gov.
Ford for a military force to assist in ariestiug him, but the
application was refused. Smith having once been arrested, and
the writ returned as fully executed, the governor had no further
cognizances of the case except to issue anew warrant, jirovided
another re(piisition should be nutde for liis re-arrest by the execu-
tive of ^Missouri. "While it was readily admitted that Smith had
been forcibly rescue<l and sutlered to go unpunished by a court
trans(;ending its authority, yet it wouhl have been an illegal and
perhaps dangerous exjxHlient to attempt to call out the militia to
correct or reverse the decision.
The Mormons, emboldened by success in this trial, in the winter
of 1843-1, ])assed another ordinance to further pi-otect their
leaders. They enacted a law providing that uo writ issued from
any other place except Nauvoo for the arrest of any i)erson in the
city, should be executed \\itliout an approval <'udorse<l thereon
bjr the uuiyor; that if any x)ublic ollicer, by virtue of any foreign
THE MORMONS. 501
writ, shoiiM iitteiiii>t to niiikc iiii iirrcjst in the city witlioiit sucii an
approval of liis j)ro(.'('ss, he shoiihl Ix; subject to iiiipri.soiiineiit for
life, and the governor of the State shouhl not liave the power of
panloninj"' tlie offender >vithont tlie consent of the mayor.
Tlie[»assa<;eof tiiisordinan(!e created great astonisli men t, and in-
duced mauy to believe that there was a reality in the cic(;usations
which had been made against them, respe(;ting the establishment
of an independent government. After this law went into o])era-
ti()n, if robberies were committed in the adjoining country,
the thieves would tlce into ZS'auvoo, and if the i)lundered
parties followed them, they wen^ tined by the ^lormon courts for
daring to seek after their ]>ro})erty in the holy city. The
INIormons themselves were fre<juently the guilty jiarties, and by
this means sought both to retain the stolen goods and escape
the just punishment of their crimes.
Tlie UKtst [K)sitive evidence that they contenii>lated rhe organi-
zati(ni of a se[»arate gt>vernment, was based on the fact that about
this time they sent a. ])etition to congress, asking for the estab-
lislnnent of a teriitoiial government, of which Nauvoo was to be
the center. Another act cliaiiutteristic of their vanity, was the
announcement of Saiith, in the spring of LS44, as a candidate for
the presidency ot the LTnited States. His followers, sanguine of suc-
cess, sent fiom two to thi'ce thousand missionaries into the field
t()«'onvert the jK'ople, and labor for the election of the prophet. It
was stated by <lisseiiters in the Mormon chiu-ch, that Smith
also entertained the idea of making liijnself the tempoial as well
as the si>iritua! leader of his jteopje, and that, for this purpose, he
instituted a new order of church dignitaries, the mend)ers of
which w<'re to be both kings aiul ]>riests.
He next caused him.self to be annointe<l king and ])riest, but of a
higher order than theotheis, who were to be his nobility, and to
whom as the u{)lu»lders of liis throne he administered the oath of
allegiance. To give chara<'ter to his [)r<'tensions he declai'e<l hi.s
lin<'!!ge in an uid>r()ken line from -Joseph the son of Jacob, and
that of his wife from some other important personage <»f the
ancient Hebrews. To strengthen his jiolitical ])ower lie also in-
stituted a Itodyof police styh'd the Danite ban<l, who were sworn
to proteiit his i»erson and to obey his oi'ilers as the commands of
(iod. A female order i»reviously existing in Hie church, called
sjiiritjial wives, was modified so as to suit the licentiousness of
the proi»het. A doctrine was revealed that it was impossible lor
a woman to get to heaven <'xce]>t as the wife of a .Mormon elder;
that each elder might marry as many women as he (;ould main-
tain, and that any female might be sealed to eteinal life by
becoming their concubine. This licentiousness, the origin of
])olygamy in the eliiirch, they endea\(»r«'(l to justify liy an appeal
to A iuaham, Jacob and otlier favorites of Ciod in a former age
of the world.
After th(^ establishment of these institutions, Smith began to
]>lay the tyrant over his i>eo]»le, as all persons of inferior intel-
lect and unduly developed jKissicais always do when others
become subjeet to their will. One of his tii'st att<'mpts to abuse
the power with which he was intrusted, was an etVort to talce the
Mile of William Law, one of his most talented and respectaiile
followers, and make her a spiritual wife. ^Villlout the sanctiou
502 HISTORY 0"F ILLINOIS,
of law li(! I'.stablislu'd ollk'o.s in Naiivoo forrccordinji' inojti'itv titles
and issuiii};' niaiiia<;o lii^cnccs, whcivhy he .sought to ninnopolize
tin' tiallic in real estate* and control tiie nniritai relations of Ins
l)eo)»le. Tlu' despotism tlins jtractieed soon eansed a spirit of in-
snhoi'dination and disatt'ection in the .Moiiinin ehiireh and (toni-
ninnity. Law and the other leaders determined to resist the en-
ei'oaehnients of Siiutli. and for the pnrijose of exposiiij; the aliases
<ii'owin^ ont of the new inst it nl ions, they proenred a press and
eonimeiieed the i)nl»lieation of a newspajier. Tlie appearance of
the i»aper was the siunal for opi)osition, and before tin* second
jHindter conld l)e issned, by an orderof the council, the heretical
press was denu)lished, and the pnblishers ejected troni iheehiircli.
It is ditlicnlt to decide whether this trial, which is one of the
]in)st sinjinlar instances of adjudication to be Ibund on re«'ord,
Avas the result of insanity or dejirax ity. The proi-eediuys were
instituted aji'ainst the ])ress instead of the owners, who were in)t
iM»tilied to attend. No Jury was called, the witin'sses were not
re(piired to testify under (lath, and the evideuj-e was all furnished
by the plaintitfs in the absence of tin' defendants. It was not
dinicult, under these circumstances, to prt>ve that the publish-
ers of the ]taper were the vilest of sinners, andthat the press was
the <;reatest nuisance, hence theordei' to have it abated.
The holy city beconiin>; a dan^t-rons place of resi«lence for tlie
seceding- Mormons, they retired to ("artliaj'-e, the county seat, and
obtained warrants I'or the arrest of Smith and the mt'Uibers of
the city council and others <'ouuect»'d with tin- destruction of the
press. Sonu' of the ])arties having been arrested and diseharj;cd
by the authorities in Nauvoo. a con\('ntion of citizens assembled
at Carthaiii', and appointed a committee to wait on the <;overnoi
for the purpose of jirocurinj:' military assistance to enforce the ex-
eeuticni of the law in the city. The jiovernor, on learning the
posit. ./n of affairs, deteiiuined to visit the county an<l in([uiri' into
the nature of the complaints before he i;ave his otlicial saut-tiou to
any jiarticnlar conise of action. When he arrived a messa<;(' was
isent to the nniyor and c«innnon council inibrniin*;' them of tlu* com-
plaints nnide against them, and r<'(piirinji- that a committei' mi^ht
\»e sent to answer the chaij^c. A uumlier of jiersons were accord-
injl'ly sent, and in the examination which ensut'd, it became evi-
dent that the whole i>rocee(iiu^s of the ma\or and comnuiu
council were irrejiular and illc.iial. Thoujihsuch pr*iceedin^s coidd
not be tolerated in a country claiminij to be f;t>verned by law and
order, yet they were excnsabh' to some extent in consecinence ot
undue statements frecpK-ntly nnule to the Nauvoo otlieials by
THE MORMONS. 503
some of tlic best lawyers in tlu^ Htate who, as caiulidatt's for
ollico, soujilit tlii'ir support by purposely exa^yenitinj; tlie extent
of tiieir authority.
Tile (lestruetioii of the i)ress was a blow dealt a<;ainst eivil lib-
erty, and hence anion*; a republican people Ji-alous of their rij^lits,
it was well calculated to raise a llanu' of excitement. The
JVlonnon leaders, if honest, little unih-rstood the fact that a well
('on<lu<'ted press is essential to a free {government, and that a
]»roHi^ate one, by venality and falsehood, is sure to h)se its inliu-
enc*<' and thus deteat the improper object it seeks to acc»»ni|.lisli.
Attempts to iiiteilere with tiie freedom of the press causes the
sujipression of information which should lu' dessiininated amoMj;'
the j»eoi>le, and are always attended with a j^Tcater loss to civil
lilierty than can possildy result irom the temporary indiscretions
of a few inii)rudent publishers. JJesides, when calumnies arc ci)-
oulated in this nnmner theauthois aie amenable to the law, which
is the projier means of redress, and not the wanton destruction of
pro])erty.
Ju the investijjations made by the f,M)vernor while at Carthaye,
it was proved that Smith sent a number of his followers to ]\lis-
.souri for the purpose of kidnappiuy two witnesses a.iiainst a mciii-
Ijei' of the church, soon to be tried for larceny; that he had as-
sailed and brutally Ix'aten an (Sllicer of the county for an alU'jicd
non-[»erformanc(^ of duty, when in conse(iuence of sickiu'ss iie
was not able t«) attend to it; that he stood indicted for ]»erjury, liav-
iu<x i'alsely sworn to an accusation of nuu'der aj;ainst a real estate
aycnt, thai he mi<;lit be expelled Irom the city, and not interfere
with his ]non(:poly as aland speculator; and timt the municipal
court of whifli he was chi«'f justice, had frccpu'utly discharged
Mormons accused of crimes committed in various ])arts of the
i'ounty, thus obslrnctin.ii' the administration of Justice and makin<;'
the commoii council of Nai oo indei»endent of the State jiovern-
nu'nt.
In addition to tlieso actual infrinjicmejits of law, other causes
.served to increase the tide of opposition now turned aj;ainst the
saint.s. The ext)ava<;ance of tlu'ir theoloj^ical ]»retensions had
inciUTcd the ill will of other denominations of relijiion, while the
elf<irt lo eh'ct tlu'ir jtrojihet to the i»residency bioujiht them in con-
tlict with the zealots and bi<;(»ts of both political jtarties and cov-
ered them with ridicule. A fruitful cause of hostile feeliny jircw
out of the fact that at several juecedinfi elections they cast their
vot<' as a unit, whereby it was e\id<'nt that no one in the country
i'ould ol)tain official [losition without fiist seeming' iheir snppnit.
It was believed that Smith instructed the Danite band, which he
had chosen as the ministeis of his Nenj^cance. and the instiiimciits
of the intolerable tyianny which he i'xercised over his i»eoph', that
no blo(»d, except that of the idiunth, was to be regai'ded sacred if
it contravi'iu'd the accomi)lishment of his ol)Ject. It was asserted
ihat he inculcated the legality of jwijuiy and other crimes, if com-
mitted to advaiuie the cause of the true believers; that (loil had
j;i\('n the world ami all that it contained to his saints, and since
they were kei>t out of their ri<ihtful inheritance by force, it was no
nioial ofi'ense tt) j;«'t jMissession of it by stealinji. It was reported
that an establishment exist«'d in >«auvo<» for the manuiacture of
counterfeit money, ami that a set of outlaws were nudntained
V 7
504
ni STORY OF ILLINOIS.
tlu'iv tor tlic luiipose of ]>uttiiig it in ('insulation. Stutcnicnts
vere cinMilatcd to llic cncct that a reward liad hciMi otfcicd lor tlie
dcstinclion of tlic Warsaw Si(/ii<il, a newsjtajx'r puhlislicd at
>Var.saw, in opposition to Mormon interests, and tiiat 3loiinon.s
dispersed over Die eonntry threatened all jtersons wlio ottered to
assist tlie eonstal)U' in I lie i^xecntion of the law, with the destruc-
tion of their property and the murder of their faudlies. There
weic rumors also alloat thai an alliance had been fornie<l with the
Western Indians, and in case of war they would be used in mur-
derinji' their enemies. In short, if oidy one-half of these rei)ort.s
vere true the JMoinions must have been the most infamous }>eo))le
that ever existed, ami if one half of them were false they must
Lave been the worst slandered.
Previous to the arrival of the }»()vernor the whole body of the
unlilia in Schuyler and .McI)onou<;h counties had be«'n (-ailed
out, and armed forces commenced assembling in Carthajic and
Waisaw to enforce the seivice of civil ]»r(»cess. Alter the forces
liad ai)pointed their ollicers, the governor, apprehensive that the
Rlormon leaders mijiht be made the victims of ixijudar fury, ex-
acted a pledjic from both ollicers and men that in the disclnirye
of their duties they would, under all circinustanees, keep witlnii
the ]);iU' of the law. All sijiidlied their wiliinj;ness to ('((-operate
with him in prcseiviii};- order, promised to ])ursue a strictly lejj;al
course and protect the persons oi' the accused in case of violence.
The constable and ten men were then sent to nndce the arrest,
beinji' instructed to inform the accused that if they jjcaceably
submitted they would be i»rotected, but if m)t, they m\ist rect ive
the ('oiise(iuences, as tin; whole force of the State, if necessary,
would be called out to entbrce submission.
Jn the meanlime. Smith had declared martial law; his f<»llowers
residing' the coiintrv, were snMnnon(sd to his assistance; the
legion was assembled and under arms, and the ( ntire city was one
SiTcat military en('ami»ment, no in^iicss or ej;ress being' permitted
L'xcept on the strictest examination. However, on the arrival of
the constalde and his escort, the mayor and mendters of the com-
uion council at on(;e signili(!d their williiigiu'ss to snrrender, and
accompany tju'in on the following morning to Carthage. Failing
to make their ai»])earance at the appointed time, the constu;.,ro
hastened away without attempting to make the arrest. It was
subse(juently ascertained that the cause of the hurried dei)arture
was the fear that the ]\Iornn)ns woidd subnut and thus entitle
themselves to the pnttection of the law. There were daring and
active men traversing the country and making intlamatory speeclies,
with the lio}>e that a jiopidar movemcjit might be inaugurated for
the expulsion of the .^iormons from the State. The constable
and those who accompanied him were in the conspiracy, and en-
deavored, by the partial ])erforina)ice of their duty, to create a
lUM'cssity lor calling out an overwhelmning Ibrce to eflect this
object. The artitice was, however, soon detected by the governor,
and another opportunity given the accused to surrender. A re(jui-
sition was also made on them tor the return of the State arms, be-
cause the legion to wliich they had been entrusted had used them
illegally in the destruction of the jness, and the enforcenu'nt of
martial law as a means of ]>reventing civil jjrocess. On thel'4th of
June, 1845, iu obedience to the last summons, Joe Suuth, bis brotlier
THE :mobmons. 505
Ilirani, the iiicinlx'is of tli(^ city (umiicil and otlicis, went to
Caitliayc, and suncndt'icd tlii-nist'lvt'.s piisoncr.s to the constaltle,
on the cliarj>e of riot. All cntcivd into ivcof-nizance before ii
jn.stice of the ]>euee to apjx'ar at eonrt, and were diseharjied. A
new writ was, however, ininiediatel.v issued and ser\ ed on the two
Smiths, and both were arrested and thrown into ])rison. The
prophet, it is said, wiiether desinuis of courtinj^ martyrdom or
alarmed at the popular stoini whirh threatened him, seemed to
have a pn'sentiment tiiat he never would return to Nauvoo alive.
Aeeordinji' to the statenu'iit at Carthaj-e, he remarked, "1 am
goiufi' like .'i land) to the slaiijihter, but 1 have a conscience void
of offence toward (lod and man."
The Jail in wliieii the prisoners were confined, was a stone
buildinji' of considerable size, furnished with a suite of rooms for
the jailer, cells for the close contiiienient of convicts, and a larfje
apartment not so stronj-' but more comfortable than the ceils. Tlie
l)risoncrs were lirst confined in tlu^ cells by the Jailor, but at the
remonstrance of the Mormons, and the advice of the ji'overnor,
they were afterwards transferred to the lar^e ai)artnient, where
they were more pleasantly situated, and where they icmained till
the occurrence of the tra<;edy in which they lost their lives. No
seriou8 apprehensions weie entertained of an attack on the jail,
nor was it sni»posed that the Smiths would nndic an eliort to es-
cape. At tjie time the prisoners were incarcerated, the forces at
Cartha<;e an<l Warsaw, amounted to 17(»() men, most of whom were
anxious to be led into Nauvoo to destroy the ajtparatus with
wliich it was said the jMormons maniifactuaed counterfeit money.
It was also believed by the jiovernor, that if an imposinj; demon-
stration of the State forces should be made, it mi^ht overaw the
]\lormons and exert a salutary intliien<;e in preventiiij;' the murders,
robberies and biirninjis ai>prehende(l as tlu^ residt of the proceed-
ings aga'{i.-<t their prophet. In accordance with this view, ar-
rangements were made for the maichiny' of the troops on the L'7,
of June, and (lolden's I'oint near the Mississippi, aiul midway
between Warsaw and Xauvoo,was selected as the ])lace of ren-
dezvous. IJefore, however, the movi'uu'Ut was fully inaugurated,
the jiovernor discovi'ied his mistake, and immediately counter-
niaiided his previous orders for the assend>lin{> of the forces.
It was observed, as the preparations for marcliiu};' advanced,
the excitement prevadinji' the public miiul coriesiK»ndin<;ly
increase<l, and threats were occassioiudly made to destroy the <!ity
and exi)el the inhabitants from the State. Subse(pient de\elop-
ments rendered it evident that an aj^reement had been made by
some of the most darin;;' and reckless spirits, to tire on the forces
of the State when they arrived in Nauvoo, and afterwards attiib
ute it to the Mormons, as a means of brin<iinf> on a j;eneral
enjia<>ement. The city at that time contained a i)oj»ulatii»n of
12,()(M) to 1.1,000 inhabitants, many of whom were helpless women
and children, and humanity shudders at the wanton destruction
of life and ]»ro])erty that must have resulted from such blind and
obdurate fury. IJesides, if the disposition had existed to preci]»i-
tate upon the city a calamity of this kiml, the forces of the State
were inadcfpiate to afford such ])rotection to the adjacent country
as would have been necessary. After the surrender of the
Suutlis, at their request, Captain Singleton with a company from
50(5 mSTOUY OF ILLINOIS.
IJrowii coiiiity, was .sent totak*^ coiiiinaiidoftlH^ Xiiiivoo N'^ioiiiiiid
f>iiiii(l tlic citv. Acconlin^ to liis ivjioil, wlicii Uu; Irjiioii wasi-allcd
out lor iii.s|i{'clioii, llicv asscnihlcd 2(I(MI stroiiji and were tally ('«inii»-
\)V{\ with anas. Tlus was after tlu' i»nhlic arms had luni taken
away, and now they Mere prepared witii w»'a])oiis of their own for
any enierjjcncy. The State forees had thre«' pieces ofeannon, IL'OK
mnskets ancl rations for two thiys, alter which they woidd
Lave been coniiH'ih'd to discoiitinue o]»eiations lor the want of
subsistence. Jt was tiierefore deemed ad\ isable to abaiulon the
enteiprise as impracticable, and the forces with the exception
of three companies were accor<lin^ly disbanded. Two of these
Mere selected to {;nar(l the Jail, and tlie remaiidn^' one was r^'tain-
ed as an escort for the jiovernor, who proposed to visit xs'auvoo
Ibi- tlie i)nrpos(^ of in(niiriii<i' into the cliarjics preferred aj:ainst
the inhabitants, and to warn them that if any secret violence
should be counnitted by them on the persons or ju'operty of
those who had assisted in the execution of the law, it would
ine\ itably be followed by the most summary retribution.
Leaviny (Jen. Demninji'in command of the j;uards, on tlie 27th,
of .June, the jiovernor accompanied by Col. iJnckmasti'r, and
("aplain ])aviN' drajioons, dejiarted for Nanvoo, eighteen miles
distant. Jlefore proceedinj;' iar. Col. Huckmaster informed tla^
f>o\eiiior that while at Cartha,u(i souu^ ciicumstances of a susj)ic-
ions character induced him to believe that an attack upon the jail
uas meditated. The latter, however was in«'redidous. It was
notorious that he had j^oiu' to >«'auvoo, and it was not ]>robable
that while then- any outrage would be connnitted on the Sndth.s,
Avliich would eiidan^ci his own safety and that of his I'ompan-
ions. Nexertheless, to j;uard aj^ainst all jtossible contiujicncies, a
messenger was sent bac^k to iidbrm the jiuard of danj^cr, and to
insist on their defendinji the jail at the peril of their lives, till
the "governor retuiiied. It was also deci<led, to defer to some
future time the examination of the misdemeanors allej;ed aji'ainst
the Mormons, that the com]tany mijuht immediately return ami
render assistance, in case the jail shouldbe assaulted.
The ])arties ariivcd in Mau\(io about 4 o'clock on th(^ 27th of
June, and as s<»on as iu)tice could be j;iven, a larj;e number of the
inhabitants convened to hear a discourse fiom the ^overnoi-. In
the address delivered, the illegal action of their i)ublic tuiu'tiona-
ries was explained ; they were advised of the infamous reports
rife in all the countiy i'esi»ectin<i- their conduct, and tlu^ conse-
(pU'Ut prejudice and hostility enj^cndered in the })ublic ndnd, and
admonished that in future they would have to act with ^reat cir-
cumspection, or their lives and the safety of their city would fall
a sacrilice to popular indij;nation. Durinji the deliveiy of the
speech, .some impatience and excitement was cxhibiteil by the
auditors at the various alle<^ations made a<iainst them, which they
])ersistently denied as untrue. They claimed to be a law abidiii}^-
l»eople, and carelully observed its provisions, that they mifiht in
turn liave the benefitof its i)rotection. After the conclusion of
theaddress, the (pu'stioii, as to whether they would coidbiin to the
laws of the State, in ojijiosition to the advice of their leaders, was
.submitted to a vote, which resulted Tinanimously in lavor of the
l)rox)osition. Their subsequent condvict, however, proved that
THK MOltMONS. /)()<
Avlicii j;iiilty of the jiiciitcst ('\tnivii;;iiiic('s, tlicy would liiiikc tlic
loiitlcsl professions of iittiicliiiiciit to law iiiid older.
'I'lic piirty left the citx a sli(»rt tiiiic before^ siiiidow ii. and liad
iidl uiinc fai' Itflbic llicy met t\v«» ni('ss('nj;('i's. wlio infoiMicd llicni
lliat llu'Sinillis liad Ween assassinali'd aliont live o'clock that
afternoon. All were astounded at tlie reception of tins intelli-
«:ence, and feaiful aitpreliensions weic entertained respectin;^ tlie
consiMpUMices likely to ensue IVoni tlie niassacie. 'I'he .Aloiinons
were an infatuated, fanatical jK'opIe, not likely to he inllueiu'ed by
the iuoti\('s which ordinarily iioxcin the conduct of men, and a
desidloiy war nii.uiil be llieresiill. 'l"o prevent t he lu'ws reacliini;
Xauxoo the niessen.ycrs were ordered into custody, and the ;;(iv-
ernor hastened lo ( 'artliaj;<' to lie in rea<liness for the outiturst oi' e.\-
citenu'Ut and lawlessness that nd.uht foilowthedisseniination of the
iidelli,i;«'nce. A couiier was also despiitched to (yarlha^^c to iiH'orni
the citizens of the trajicdy. 'I'hey, howe\ er, a]»pcMrt'd to undei'-
stand tlu' nuttter better than the inesseu;:>er, and befoic hisai-rival
Inul eonnnenced renioxinj; their families across the river to ^iimid
aj^ainst imiieiidiiijidaiiiit'i". The ensuin;^;' ni,i;ht they sent a com-
mit tee to (^>uincy for lielp, and at an early iioiir (Ui the following;
mcuninj^' a larj^c concourse of the citi/eus assend)Ied to devise
means of defense. At the ine<'tin^' it was reported that the Mor-
jnons had attempted to i«'scue the Smiths; that a party of Mis-
sourians and others had killed them toi)r;'\ent their escajie ; that
the {governor and liis cortej;*', wh(» wen^ in Nauvoo at th<' time,
had been attacked by the leyion and forced to take refu^i'e in a
liousc, and that if assistance was not fiiridshcd within two days
he would fall II victim to Mormon venjicancc. A force of some
i-'aO men was imme<liately I'aised, and by ten o'clock the sanu3
morning they emiiarked on a lioat and steanu'd down to Xauvoo
to assist in rescuing the tiovernor. On arrixiny at the city the
whole story proved a fabrication ori;;inated to intensify the excite-
ment and cause a collision between the,Morim)Us and Stale forces.
Snbse»pient evidence also I'cudered it hijihiy ]»robable that the
cons])irators connected with the; assassination conteniphit(?(l
invohinin' the. jiovi-rnor in the same nnsfortune. ("intumstan-
ces warranted the conclusion that the assassins had arian^ii-d
that the muider should occur wliih^ the j;'overnor was in
Nnuvoo ; that the ]\Ioiinons on hearing;' the catastroplu' would
suspect him as an accomjilice, ami at the (irst outburst of indij;--
nation i)Ut him tctdeath as a nu'ans of rt'taliation. The motive
for this treacherous attemi»t aj;ainst the executive oflicer of the
State was to arouse a sjtiiit of opposition, and cause the exter-
mination of tlu' i\lormons.
The noxcinor arii\ cd in ("ai'tha;;' about ten o'clock, and found
the citizens in a state of const«'rnation, some havin.u' left and
others i)repariin'- to follow. One of tlie companies which had
been h-ft to fiiiard the Jail, departed before the attack was made,
and many of the otlu'is leftslMutly atterward. (leneral Deminj.;',
who was absent when tlu^ niurder occurred, voliiuteen'd to remain
and fiuard the town with the small force which remained, unless
compelled to n^tire before suiierior numbers. The <i()\ eriior retired
to (^)iiincy and immediately issued orders for i)rovisi«)nally raising
and equipping an inii>osiiiy force, in case they should bt needed.
lu
'< '•
Chapteu XLII.
1814-0— MO HMON WAK.
MiODicr of Smith's Jkath — Vhuractcr of the Mormom — Apontles
Asmime the Goveniniciit tf the Church — TrUd ami Avquittul of
the Assassins— iStiints J>rii'in from the Vieinitij of lAma and
Green Vluins — Lealinj/ Mormons L'etire Across the Mississijtpi —
Battle at ]S\(ui'oo — Exindsion of the Inhabitants,
W-'
AVIhmi tlio assiussiiiation of tlic jMoriiioiis bcciuiic known, it ap
pcaicd that tlii' lor<'(' at Naiivoo, afi'rccabl.v to orders, had niaiched
on tin- nioininj^ of tlic L'Ttli in the direction of (iohU'n's Point to
forma connection witii ti'o<»i>s at tiiat phice, bnt after they liad
advanced about H miles tiie.y \vei(! nu-t by a messenjicr from
Carthaji'C with an order to disltand and retnrn ln)me ; the jjover-
nor, who issued it, fearinji' lie coidd not eontiol the intlammable
material he was collectiM<i', determined to scatter it. About loO
of the men, nistead of complyinj;' with the onler, blackened
their faces with ])owder, hurriedly started for Carthajix^ and en-
camj)ed sonu' distance from the villaj;e. Here they learned that
one of the companies left to {iiiard the Smiths, had j;(»iie liome
and that the other, the Carthaj^e (irays, was stationed in the
s«pnire, lot) yards distant, and that Serjicant Franklin A. AVorrel,
with ouly S nu'U, was detailed to watch the j)risoiiers. As soon
as messages could be interchanged it was agreed among tlu^ con-
spirators tlnit the guns of the gnard shoidd bo charged with
blank cartridges and fired on the assailants, when they should
attempt to enter the jail.
Lien. J)eming, who had been left in command, discovering the
plot toassassiuatetheSmiths, and having been deseited by the prin-
cipal i>art of tlie troo[)s, retired from the village, lest an attem|»t
slnaild be made on his own life. After perfecting their scheme of
niunh'i', the assailants scaled the slight fence eiutlosing the jail,
and immediately disarming the guards, w!io according to agree-
ment discharged their pieces, they ascended the tlight of
stairs leading to the room containing the prisoiu'is. At the time
the assault was made, two other jMormons, liichards and Tailor
as visit(»rs, were in the large apartment with the Smiths. Hearing
the rush on the stairs, the imperilled men instinctively held the
door by pressing their weight against it. The attacking party
thus denied entrance, tired upon the door, and the bullets i)assing
through it, killed Hiram Smith, who falling, exclaimed "lama
dead man." Tailor receiving 4 wounds, retreated nnder the
bed, and Kichards, after the door was burst open, secreted himself
508
Mf»UMON WAll.
noo
boliiiid it, tIioii{;li uftcnvanl in n'liitiiij;' tlic iininlcr, lie cliiiiiicil
tiiat lii> stood ill Uw midst of diiii^ci', \\:ir<iiii^' oil' tiu' Itidib wilii
a consecrated wand. Tiic proplict. armed witiiasix barrelled pii^-
tol wliicli liad been Iniiiislied by iiis friends, foii;;iit Itraxeiv in
defence of liis life, and wonnded foui' of ids anta;;onists before lie
■was killed. At lenj;tli when Ids pistol was exiiansted, se\( rely
Monnded, he ran to the window, and {tartly leaped an<l partly fell
into the yard behnv ; tlieie witii his last dyinj;- em'r}>iefi he yalli-
ered himself np in a sittin<>' postine, lint his disabled condition
and vayiU', wandering;' <;lances excited no compassion in the in-
fnriated mob, thirsting; for his blood. 'J'he broils which had so
Ion;;- distracted the (country, infused into the avenjit'is tin' spirit
of demons, and the shootinj;' of ISmitli was not consideicd any
more crinnnal tlian takinj; the life of a wolf or tiper. \Nhile in
this ])osition a party of Missonrians dischar^icd their ;>nns at liim,
and lie fell cryinj;' out "Oh Lord my (lod." Fonr balls iiad
pierced Ids body and before the smoke cleared away the ^Mormon
prophet was no inore.*
When the tragedy was over horror sn<!(!e<'de(l tlie frenzied lajnc
which had possessed the assassins, and in silence they hurried
across the dnsty ]irairies to Warsaw, 18 nnles distant.
The mnrder occmrred at half-past live, and at a qnaiter before
eight the fugitives dragged their weary limbs along the streets
of Warsaw, at snch an astonnding rate had the lash of a guilty
conscience driven them. An ontbiirst of vengeance on the jiart of
the jMoinions was anticipated, bnt n<ithing of the kind oecnned.
The ajipalling disaster which had thus befallen the chur(;h was
not followed liy revenge, and it was a long time before they re-
covered from the stupor and desjiair attending it. A delegation
repaired to Carthage for their dead, and on leturning to 2s'auvoo
they were buried with the honors belonging to the general of the
legion.
"Thus fell Joe Smith, tlie most successful im[>ost()r of modern
tinu's. A man who, though ignorant and coarse, had some great
natural parts which lifted him for temporary success, bnt which
were so obscured and (;ounteracted by the inherent corruptioi' and
vices of Lis nature that he could never succeed in establishing a
system of policy which looked to ])ermanent success in the future.
His lusts, Ins Jove of money and power, always set him to study-
ing present gratificaticui and convenience, rather than the reunite
consequences of his plans. It seems that no ])ower of intelle(!t
can save a corrupt man from this error. The strong cravings of
the animal nature will never give fair jilay to a tine nn<leistanding;
the judgment is never allowed to choose that good which is far
away, in preference to enticing evil near at hand. And this nniy
be considered a wise ordinance of Providenc^e, by which the coun-
sels of talented but corrupt men are defeated iu the very act which
jiromised success.
" It must not be supposed that the pretended prophet pra<;ticed
the tricks of a common impostor; that he was a dark and gloomy
person, with a long beard and graAe and severe aspect, and a re-
served and saintly carriage; on the contrary he was full of levity,
even to boyish romping, dressed like a dandy and at times drank
* John Hay In the Atlantic Monthly of December, 1869
nio
HISTOIIY OK IM.IM'ls.
lii
liUf ii sailor iiiitl swurv likt* a piiatc. Il<> t-oiild, as (Mrasiuii ri>-
(|nii'<'(l. I)t> t'\c*'i'iliii;4lv iiiiM'U ill Ills (U'liorliiM'iit, ami liifii a;:aiii,
loii^li and boistcidiis as a iii;nli\\a,v rohlici', liciii;; al\\a\M aiiic lo
salisiy lii.H Ibllowfis di' tlir propiicly of liin coiKlnrt. He alwa.va
(|iiail('(l itcrorc pi>\\t-r. aiMJ was ai'i'(i;;aiit to wraiiiifss. At times
lie could put on the air ol' a pcnilciil. as it' Iridiii;; tin* dccpcsi Im-
miliaiioii lor liis sins, Mililci'iii;i; iinuttcraitlc an^iiisli and tin- most
julooiiiv toi<'l)odin;^s of I'Icinal woe. At such times he would ciil!
Ibr the pi a vers of the i>retiii'eii in his helialf with a wild and fear-
ful eiierjiA and eaiiiesiiiess. lie was full six feet hi^ih, stnuiyly
liiiilt ami uneoiiiiiioiilv well muscled. No (hiiiitt he was as mucli
indeliied Ibr liis iiitiiience over an i;;norant peo|>l(> to the siiperi-
oril V of his phvsiciil \ inor as to his cuiininf;' and intellect.*"
The Alonnoii ehiirch at this lime, eonsisled of two classes, the
rulers and tlie ruled, knaxcrv in the «ine and credulity in thu
other lu'iny the hcleio^cne* us characteristics wliieli kept theiti
touetheii. The Ibiiner c(Hisisled of unprincipled men of talent,
w' ). abandoned in character and hankiupt in fortune, es|iouse(l
the cause of .Mormoiiism for s|ieciihiti\c pni)M»ses, Unowiiij; it was
iiii adventure in wiii<'h they had nolhin^v to lose, while it mi^ht he
the means of rclriev in,:;' their Ibrtiines. Having' neither respect
for (b)d nor man, and not rexcreiicinj; any reli;4ioii, they proposed,
like Mahomet and <»tliers, to tbiind a new .syst«'m of theolo;;y, juhI
if they could impose it on the credulity of mankiixl and liv(> t)ii
the lalior of their dupes, they had no hi;; her object to aecomplish.
They IbriiK'd a nucleus which attracted to >«auvoo adventurers
and adepts in every species of criiiie, while the extraordinary
jiowers which had been conferred on the city authorities enabled
them to screen the guilty from the iieiialties of the laws they habit-
ually violated. At theiisocial «'hterlainiiieiits, wiiere ninsie, and
daiiciii;;;' eoiistitnted the ]»riiicipal jiastime, {ireat attention was
]iaid to dress, while little prudence was exercised in the selection
of their comiiany. There were in the same juay assemblage the
brazen-faced desperado who despised the law, and the venal inaj;-
istrate who iiroteeted him in his crimes, the wanton wife and the
truant hiisitand on an c(|iial Ibotiiiji;' with those who respected the
saiu tity < '•'iajie. the reckless adventurer in search of fortune,
and tin till impostor in ]tossessioii of ecclesiastical emolii-
mer nors. l)iseordant and incoiifiriious in nature, they
II .o keep time to the same niusie, and to lbr};et minor dit-
t« ., |»rovided their i)riiici[)al objects, sensual pleasure and
l»ui....- jiliinder, were snbserxcd.
The lay members of the church, on the otliei" hand, were f^ener-
ally honest and imhistrious but ijiiioraiit, and the dupes of aii
artful <lelusion. In devotion to the jninciples which they jiro-
I'essed. they were not surpassed by the lu'lievers of other cieeds,
for humanity exhibits little difl'erence in this resjiecf, whatever
may be the system of relij^iicm. Jf the system is crude, the intel-
lijivnt devotee rejects it, but if his want of knowledge allows him
to beliexc it he will adhere to its do<;nias with a tenacity equal to
that exhibited by the eiili<ihleiied advocate of a rational tlieolofiy.
With the fireat majority of tne ^lormons their ndiyious belief
sunounted almost to infatuation, and they were, therefore, more
•Ford's History.
MOUMON WAK.
r.ii
l)ro|(('rly ohjectH of cnmpafiHinn tlitiii pi'iwi-iition. ('rrtniiily no
^n-iit<>rciiiaiiiit,v «'iiii hctail ii iiiniilicr of tlic liiiiiian I'linil.N lliuii
to liiivr tlic iKloiatioii wliicli lie otVt'is the I)»'il.v |m'I \ crtt'tl lt.\ (Iio
vayaiics of siicli a iiioiislroiis .sii|i('i'.stilioii.
.Mniiiioiiisi!!, insti-ad nf pcrisliiii;; l(\ tlx- dcalli ofSiiiitli, icccivcd
a new iiii|M>tiis IVoin lijs iiiai't.vrtloiii. His tullowcrs now r<>;>:aril(>(l
liiiii as a saint; liis words on ^oin^;' to ('aitliajL:t- \V('<". ::<l<lnrc(l
as IVcsli proof of liis piopliflic cliaiactci', anil a tlioiisand'sloiicd
wri'c circiilatrd icspcclin;: llir nic«-kiirss with wliii;! In- met tlt-alli.
rroplifcii-s vci'c pnltlislird that in imitation ol'Clin.t he wonhi
raise I'loHi thrdi-ad. Manv <'onlid('ntlv <-\|M'('tnl thr I'idlillnicnt
of tlifsi' |ii'('di('tions, anti indue linn- it was icportcd he was seen,
ath'niled b.v a ceh'stialarniy, conrsiii}; his way tUronj;htlie heiiveiitt
on a <;r«'at wliite liorse.
'l"he principh' tiiat tlie death of the inartvr is tlie s^ed of the
cliiMv'li, proxcd triu' in regard to .Morni(»nisni. Snnth, th(»n<:h well
qnalith'd to ori;;inate a nio\enient of this kind, was n^jahle to
safely direct it throujih tiie ' 'nij>lieation of perils which always
besets n'li;;ions innoxation. I!y dyin;: he made room foi' l)ii};hani
Youn;;', the ]»resent head oi" the chnich, who, liy his snperior ad-
ministrative ability, periiaps, sa\(><l the Mormon theocracy Irom
disor'^ani/ation and its subjects from dispersion, ('iinnin,:; and
duplicity may be used by the founders of a sect, but j^rcal piii-
di'uce and jud;;nienf best betits Inm \vIh» woidd afterwards iiar-
nionize its jarrin;; elements and slia]»e its fut'ire <'areer.
The church, as originally or^^anized, contained .'{ iiresiib'nts,
Jos<-ph Smith. Hiram Smith and Sidney Ki^doii, an(l IL! apos-
tles. The latter were abioad,and till they could return home the
saints were in d<Md)t as to the future fioxcrnnuMit of the church.
Kiydon, beiny the only surviving; member of the jiresid* iicy,
claime<l the government, and fortilied his i>retensions l»y declaring'
that the will of tlie i>ro]»lu't was in his favor, and that he had re-
ceived s<'veral new revelations to the sameetlcct One of his rev-
elations, r«'(iuirinji the wealthy to dis]»oseof their i)ossessioiis and
follow him to Pennsylvania, rendered him unpopular, the rich
beiufi' reluctant to ]iart with their propeity, and the ])oor un-
willinj; to be deserted by those whose, patronage enabled them to
live. When the aposth's returned a tierce contlict arose between
them and Kijidon for supremacy, which resulteil in the expulsion
of the latter from the ('hnrch.
lie afterwards retired with a small frafiinent of the s;i:ii!s, and
established a little delusion of his own near l'ittsburj;h, while the
larjicr part submitted to the aiK>stles, with 15rij;hain Younji, a
talented but (Tishon<'st ami licentious man, as their leader.
.Missionaries to the iiundier of liMK) were now sent abroad
to itrea(!h in the name of the martyred .Joseph, and Mor-
moiiism in(!reased moie rajtidly than it had at an.\ time in its past
history. In their wild eiitlinsiasm they were willinj' to compas.s
sea and land to nndve a sinjile convcit, and everywhere they went
they found the iynorant and credulous rea<ly to become infatuated
with their stranjie fanaticism. Ko other reli/^ion prondsed sneli
great spiritnal and temimral advantage with such little selfdeinal,
and not only dupes but sharpers nidted w itL the church, and it
is said that within 14 years after it.s organization it numbered 200,-
000 members. The missionaries always informed theii- wondering
512 ni.sTOUY or Illinois.
and (U'ludcd coiivcits that it was iiceossary to ro])air to the place of
jiatlicriiiji' wlu'iv tlie snhliiiic rnlliicss of tlic jiosjx'l alone eonld be
inlly i('\('iil"(l and enjoved. AVlieii removed thither, b.v seein*;'
and liearinj; nothing;' lint ^lornionisni. and associating' with those
viioi»hi(U'd implicit conlidence in its do<iinas, they nltimately be-
came so delinled as to believe the jireatest extravajiiinces and
siii»niit to the most intolerable despotism. iMaiiy by this system
of trainin,n became de\()ted discijiles. who would have spurn<'«l
the empty pi'clensions ai.d iicj-ntiousness of tiieir religion, had it
at first been presented to them in its real deformity.
About a year aftei' the ajtostles had assumed the reins of gov-
ernment, they CO 'liided to sus]»end for a time their eflbrts to
convert the \V(-..,i, and accordingly their missionaries and all
others connected with the ch'uich were called home, lu a short
time ^loinions commenced pouring inio >.'auv(»(» from all parts of
the W(»rld. and the infuriated elders, instead of expounding the
gospel t«» the congregations which wcie regularly calU'd together,,
indulged in a tirade of abuse against the gentiles, curses on the
goveinment and all who were not of the ^loiiiuui church or its
tools. Noi- were the anti ^Mormons or those who opposed theui
idle. The death of the ISmiths had not ajipcased their desire
for vengeance, and laore determined tluin ever to cxjiel their
adveisaries from the country, they fiecpu'iitly called on the gov-
ernor (or aid. The ^Mormons also invoked tlie assistance of the
executixc in jmnishing the mnrdereis t.i" their ]>i(t]iliet. and both
]»aities\vei(' thoroughly disgusted with the constitutional i)ro\ isons
uliich imjxised restraint on the snniii:ary attainment of tlieir
unlaw tul designs. The elections comingoif in August, 1S44, for
members of the legislatui'c and congress, and anotlu-r iteiiding
for the presidency of the United iSlate, further complicated the
dilliculties and enmities of the i)arties. The Avliig politicians,
■who were nimble to secure their su]iport, uniting with tlie anti-
jMormons. sent imitations to the militia ca])tainsof llaiicock ami
all the adjoining counties of Illinois, j\Iissouii and Iowa to ren-
dezvous with their com})anies in the vicinity of ^'auvoo, jncpara-
toiy to engaging in a wolf Imnt, it being iindeistood that tlie
INIormons were the game to be hunted. J'lcpaiations were made
for raising several thousand men; the antiivioiiiions commenced
anew the most exaggerated accounts of ^lormon outiages, the
whig i)ress in every pint of the United States came to their assist-
ance, and the ])ubIi<'ations of the o])])osite ]>arty, which liad hith-
erty bi-en friendly, now quailed under the temjx'st which followed,
leaving the denunciatt'd and discredited sheet at !Nauvoo alone to
collect public o]iinion. J'rominent ])oliticians who had received
thcMormon \<)te, were now unwilling to risk their re]tutati()ii in
defending them, so great was the cowardice of the one and the
odious character of the other.
In the meantime, the aiiti-IMormon force, which liad been suni-
riioned to meet in the guise of hunters, conuiienced ass«'inbling Ibr
the puri)ose of assaulting Nauvoo, and driving its inhabitants out
of the ('(aintry. To avert the blow, the governor, assisted by Cen.
J. .1. llai'din, and Cols. ]>akt'r and iMcrriman, raised a force of aOO
men ami marched to the si'ene of tlie threatened outbreak. "When
lie arriviKl a large itart of the malcontents tied across the river into
Missouri. Flight, however, was unnecessary, for the State forces
MORMON WAR.
513
liiul iiotltccii loiijiiii tli<Mlisaff"<'ctf(I district Itclorc tlicy espoused tlie
Ciiiise of tlie lioteis, uJid instead of driviii;; tlieiii out as eueinies,
vere disi)osed to recfive them as friends. J)espite liis denior-
al i/ed forces, tlie goveiiior, Avliosesens<' of Justice seems to liave been
in jjart sliarjiened by jiolitical motives, deteiuiined to follow tlio
fnj;itives and arrest tliree of tlieir leaders, a,iiainst wlunn writs liad
be<'n issued for the murder of tlie Smiths. l!oats were procured
and se<!retl,v landed a mile above Waisaw. and the troo]>K marelied
to the same place, prejtaratory to crossing;' the river and seizinytlie
accused.
In the meantime, liowever, Colonel llaker visited the encamp-
ment and effected arranjLiemeiits for tlie surrender of tlie alle<^('d
assassins, and tlie fuither prosecution of the exitedition was
abandoned. Two of the susjiected persons accordinjily recrossed
tlie rixcr '.ind surrendei«'d themselves jirisonei's, it havinj^' been
a.yn'ed that tliey sliould be talcen to (,)uin<'y for examin itioii ; that
tiie attorney for the i)eople should be advised to admit thiiii to
bail, and that they should be ti'ied at the next teiin of the Oaitha^e
court. The faith of tiiegovernorhadbeen pledjicdforthe inotectiou
of the Smiths, and he deemed it especially inipoitant that their
assassijis should be j»iinished as a means of vindicatin;i' the honor
of the State, restori)i<i- the supremacy of the law and preventinj^-
tlie recurrence of such infamous crimes in the future. Able
lawyei's weic therefore secured to ])rosecute th<' prisoneis, and the,
trial came oil' in tlie summer of 1845. 'J'lie i)anel of Jurors
selected by th<> 3Iormon ollitnals of the county was rejected, in con-
se(pience of beinii etl'ected by ])r(Jiidice, and two elisors were
chosen, one a Mormon and the other an anti Mormon, to select ii
new one. Ninety-six persons were ]»reseiitcd, before any
could be foun<l sulliciently i,iinorant and indiiferent to administer
Justice, They all swore they liad never formed nor expressed an
opinion as to the guilt or innocence of the i)risoners, aithoi|i;li
at the same time they belonficd to a military mob, which to the
}iumber of 1,()()0 men was in attendance with arms to overawe the
[Mormons and extort from the court the verdict in favor of the
accused. The ]trincipal ]Mornion witiK'sses Avere 15rackeiibury,
]>aniels, ami a ]Miss (iraliam. The iirst two had accom]»anied the
expedition from Warsaw to Cartliaf>e, had witnessed the kiiliiiy;
of the Smiths, and were able to identify the murderers. From
('arthayc they went to Naiivoo, where they united witli the
cliuich and were boarded by the jMormons to secure their evidence
at the trial. \\'hile here JJi'ackenbury secure<l the servi<'es of ;i
siyii painter wlio executed tlie (h'ath and ascension of Smith,
which he exhibited osteiisibility for tlie si)iritual editication of the
saints, but more for the i'Ufinientation of his own i»rivate resources,
Daniels, not to be out<lone by his associate, wrote an account of
the death of Smith, in which, amonji a jireat many other absurd-
ities, he says he lu'iield descending' from lieaven and restinjion the
liead of Smith, a bright light, which struck some of his murderers
Avith blindness, and that lie heard celestial voices contirining his
mission asaprojthet. Owing to these lictions, the evidence both of
the showman and sciibbler was rejected as invalid. Miss (irahani
vas ])resent and assisted in feeding the hungry mob at tlu' War-
saw ilouse, after it came straggling in from Carthage. Her
nervous and sensitive organization, however, had been so wrought
33
514 HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
\\\u)U by tlK'^Monnoii dclusioii, tliatsliowas unable to (listiiiijnisli her
siisjiicioiis iuid I'iiiuMcs iVoiii nctiiiil t'iicts, ii;i(l so hlcmlcd llicin in
licr t'vidciH'o tlmt il \v;is coiitciKlfd slic proved notliiiiji' cxfcpt
her own lunii'st bnt insiinc zeal. Oilier wiiiiessess wt'ic examined
wlio knew all the facts, bnt under tlie doniinalinf>- intinenee of a
faelion tliey refused to divulji'e tlieni. Tlie jndjic was lield in
duress !>v an armed mob, wliieli fdled tliecourt house, and stanijied
ai>i)l;iiise or iiissed detiiuiee, aceoi'din;^' iis tliey a|>]>roved or disaj)-
]>roved tlie proceedings. Tlie trial closed and tliou,uli there was
not a man in the .jury, court iiouse, or coiuily, tii;it (lid not know
the piisoners bad committed the murder, yet nolhiuj;' could l)e
proved and they were accordingly actpiitted.
At i> ,'^;ubsequejit term of tliecourt the Mormons were tried for
the dcsfn'ctit)n of tlie heretical press. The tribunal in this c;ise
consisted of a ^lornion court, a Mormon slieriff and a Mormon
jury, selected on account of their ]»artiality for the accused, as iu
tlie previous trial, yet all swore that they knew nothiuj;' of the
j^nilt oi' innocence of the dei'endaiits. wli(» of course were ae-
«piitted. No leadiii,!.;' man of eitiier faction could now be arrested
Avithtmt the lud of an army, and when thus • 'Cured, neither i)arty
Avould permit an imiiartial trial in their owi ^-ounty, and since a
chanjic of venue to a disinterested locality could n<it be elVected
■without the consent of the accused, it was impossible to convict
any one of a partisan crime. The administration of tlii' criminal
law was impossible, civil ,i:(>\eiiiiiient was at an end, and the en-
tire commuiiity was in a frightful state of anarchy.
l)uriii<i' the summer and fall of ;s4o, several occurreiHH'is trans-
]»iri'd. calculated to increase tlie irritation existiuji' between tiio
Mormons and their neijihbors. A suit was institntetl in the cir-
cuit court of the riiittd States ayainst one of the apostles to re-
cover a note ^iveii in v)liio. and a marshal was sent to summon
the defendants, but they refused to be served with the process.
Indignation meetin<;s were held by the saints, intlamatory s]»eech-
es delivered by their principal men, and the marshal threatened
lor attemi>tin,s;' to serve the wiits, while it was ajireed that no
further attempts of that kind should be made iu Nauvoo. About
the same tinu^ an anti-Mormon made an assault upon (ieii.
J)emin;;' the sherilV of the court, and was killed by the lattt-r in
n'ltelliii.u' the attack. The vampiished jiarty had many friends,
and his death occasione<l a fresh outburst of jiassion. To allay
the storm, the ollicer who was believed to be friendly to the 31or-
iiions was held to bail, althon^iih he had ai'ted strictly in self-
defence, and was therefoie not jiuilty. Jt was also discovered iu
trying the rijilit of property at Lima, in Adams county, that the
Alormons had an institution (Connected with their eliurch to secure
their effects from execution. It was an association of five i)ersons,
any of whom was to own all the ]>roperty. and in the avent of its
beiii;i' levied on for debt, they could I'efer tlu^ owiH'rship to such a
meiiilter of the liiin as would defeat the execution. Incensed at
this action, the anti-Mormons of Lima and (Ireeu Plains, held a
meeting to devise means for the expulsion of the .Mormons from
tliat part of the country. Jt was accordiufi'ly ai'ianiicd thai a
number of their own party should lire on the buildiiij; in which
they were assembled, in such a manner as not to injure any on«',
and then report that tlie Mormons had comiueneed the work of
MOIJMON WAR.
515
l)lnii(loi' and (Icjitli. Tliis ])l()f *\viis duly cxcciitiMl, iind 1 lie start-
ling' iiilclli^ciicc N(»oii called tttji'ctlicr a iiKih, wldcli tliifatciicd the
]M(iiiii()iis with lire and sword if they did not inmicdiatciy leave
the nei,iild)()iii<)od. 'I'lie ."Monnons of this loeality lia<l pi'cx ionslj'
anii(»,vi'd the iniial>itants by petty larcenies, and now reriisin;;' to
de]tait, the mob at (»nee executed their threats by burning' IL'5
houses and forcing- the inniales to tiee loi- tiieir lives. The i'ii.!4itive.s
aiii\ed in Namoo in the midst ol' tiie sickly season, carrying;' with
them the inlirm, whos*' piliable condition excited tiie utmost indij;-
iiation amoni; tlie inhabitants.
As soon as the intelligence of these events reached Sprinjitield,
the uoxciiior ordered (Icn. Hardin to raisea body ol' men snllicient
to enl'orce the law, but i)el'ore it was leady to march, the shei'itt'
oi' tlie county took the matter in his own hands, (len. I)er..n<jr,
tiie 'brmei' slierilV. was dead, and .1. 15. l>ackinstos, his successor
and a i)rominent Mormon, owiii.u to unpopularity was unable to
.yet assistance IVom the anti -Mormons, althon^uh many ol' them
were strongly opposed to the riotous ]irocee(linj;s. He, therefore,
liaslened to Nauvoo and armed sc\cral hundred ]\!ormons, estab-
lished a j)ermanent .i^uaid at t'arthauc. and swept over other
l)arts ol" the county in search of the incendiaries. The jiuiity
parlies lleein,^' to the ncij^idiorinj;' c((unties of Illinois, Iowa and
jMissoiiri, he was unaide to brinj^- them to battle or make any
aricsts. One man, however, was killed without provocation,
another attemi>tinj>' to escape was shot, and afterwards hacked and
mutilated as if he had been murdered by Indians, and I-'iaiddin A.
'\V(»rrel, who had command of the jail, and betrayed his liiist iu
consent inji' to the assassination of the Smiths, lost his life from
the cfl'cct of a I'iHe ball discharj^cd by sonu' uidcnown person con-
cealed foi' that purpose in a thicket. The anti-.Mormons also com-
milte<l one muider, A ]n\y\\ of them set lire to a (juantity of
.straw n<'ar the bain of an old Moiinon ninety years of a<ie, and
when he appeare<l to extinuuish the liames, he was shot and
kille<l. The perpetrators of this cold Idooded inurdei' w»'re after-
wards examined before an anti-JMormon justice of the peace and
dis(;har};ed, thonnh their jiiiilt was snllicieutly ap])arent.
TIm' .\nti-]MornM>ns ha\ int; left their proi»eity exposed iu their
precipitati' I'etriat from tin- county, those who had been burnt out
of tlieir honu's sallied forth from Nauvoo and i)Uindered the whole
country, takiny wliate\('r they could eairy or diive away. (ieii.
Ilai'din tinally succeeded in raising' a force of .■».")(> men, and marcjli-
iuii to Carthajic disi»ersed the "^uartl which had been stationed at
that jilace by the sheritl', checked the Mormon raxaj^fs, and re-
called the fuj^itive anti-Mormons luune.
While he was here a convention, consistiiij;" of <lele.iiates from
ei;:ht of the adjoiuinj;' counties, assembled to concert measures for
the exjuilsion of the Mornums from the State. The ])eople of these
counties becauu' fearfid that Hancock would be deserted by the
oiiyinal inhabitants, an<l that their own homes and properly would
thereby become exposed to th(^ dei»redations of the (ommoii
en«'my. The Mormons, on the other hand, belii'v'uin the times
forboded a series of IVcsli disasters, seri(»usly contem|)lated e:.M-
^ratioii westward, ha\ inji' tlispaired of establisliin,ti' their reliuiou
in the nndst of a peo]>le whose oi)inions and prejudices were hos-
tile to its teachings. At ihin juncture they were a<l vised by the
51 G HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
;i(>\('iii()i' iuul (»lli<'i' proiiiiiK'iit incii tliiit ii witlidrawul fnnii the
JState was the only ])()ssihl(' altcniativc loi('sca|»in;'i the iiiiitciiding
cahunitic's aiuKlcii. Hardin Ucin^isciit with iiistnictioiis (uvctfcctiny
this jMiiposc, was succi'sst'nl in ncjiotiatinj; anan^cnu'iits for tlicir
removal. It was aj^reed that tiie },nealer part of the .Mormons
slioidd retire from the State dnrin{>- the foilowinj^ sprinji'; that no
arrests shonld he «ia«le by either hostile party for crimes pie-
vionsly committed, and tliata military foice shonld remain in the
comity to preserve the peace. A small force was accordinj-ly left
in command of Major Warren, who discharged hi.s dnties witli
such elticieiicy that the turbulent spirit of faction was kejit in
subjection.
J)iirinj; the v inter of 184.")-({, the most stupendous iireparatioiis
Mere made by the Mormons for removal ; all the principal dwellin<;s
and even the temi)le was converted into workshoiis, and before
spriii<>' 12,(KK» wajioiis were in readiness, rrevions to the depar-
ture indictments had bi'en found a<;aiiist mosfcof the apostles for
counterfeit in<;' the coin of the Unite<l States, ami an ajiplication
was made to the <;(>vernor for a sulliiMcnt force to arrest them,
but in i»nisuaiice of the amnesty aj;recd on for ohl offences, the
application was dismissed, it was deemed impolitic to arrest the
leaders aiMl thus terminate the preparations for removal when it
was notorious that they could conimand witnesses and evidence
sutlicieiit to render conviction iiuiiossible. >Vitli a view, however,
to hasten their dej»arture, the iiiii»ression was made that a jiortiou
of the rejiular army would be ordered to Nauvoo as soon as navi-
gation o]>ened, to enforce the writs, and hence the leaders, on the
loth of February, with l.',()()0 of their followers, cros.sed the river
on the ice and startetl westward in advance of the others, liy the
middle of Slay it was estimated l,4(Kt more, w ith their flocks, their
wives and little ones, followed tlie former band, to seek a new
home in the mountain fastnesses of the western wilderness.
Xauvoo, before the Mormon exodus, contained a population of
17,0(10 souls. Jts bnildin^is, commeiicin<;- at the maifiiu of the
river and s])readinj;-over the nitland, sparsely covered an area of
('» s(iuare miles. The temple, risiiij;- hiffh above the adjacent ob-
jects, was built of comjiact polished limestone, obtained in the
limits of (he city. !No order of architecture was obseived in its
erection, and the ]\I(uinons claimed that it was commenced with-
out a jihiii and built in accordance with instructions received
directly from heaven as the work advanced. It was VJS feet
lony, .SS feet wide, (io feet to the toi) of the cornice, and 105 to the
top of the <'U])ola. The basement was a larj-e, imperfectly venti-
lated room, coiitainin{> a baptistry, supported by ]2 oxen, hewn
out of liiiK.'stoiie. In the main story was the audience room used
for i»ublic woishij). At the end of this larj^e apartment were 4
seats, rejiularly elevated one above the other, on which were sta-
tioned, according;- to their resjiective rank, the elders Avho ad-
dressed the ]>eoi»le, Tiie second story also contained an audience
room, and the third a larj;e hall for etlncational purpose-'.
Besides the larjie apartments there were in all the stories rooms
connected with the ecitlesiastical and jjovernmental interests of
the ])eople. l-'iom the top of the cupola a scene of enchanting
beauty met the eye, from which few could turn away with indiffer-
ence. Woodlands and prairies, diversitied with gentle undula-
MORMON AVAU. 517
tions iiud <'()V(M'e<l \villi iiinii lioiisos, licnls of <'iittl('. Hi'lds of
ujiviiij; ^niiii uihI otiicr t'\ idt'iunvs of iijiiicultiiral tliiift, could he
Kct'ii for u distnucc of 20 iiiiU's. Tlironjili tliis extensive liiiid-
scjipe. f,dided the Fatlier of Waters, in wliose floods repose a ;^reiit
laiinher of islands, all in tlie ranjit^ of vision, and captivating the
eye of the l)e]iolder Ity tlieirsnipassinj;' loveliness,
A small remnant of about 1,(K)(>, nmible todisjtose o*' their ])ro-
IH'rty, remained behind. These were ,snni('i<'nt, ]io\ve\er, to con-
trol Die vot4' of the connty, and lest they slionld endeavor to
make the attempt, tlieir o]>i)onents discovered a pretext for new
broils. Fortiiis pnrjtose a i)arty of JMormons who had been sent
to harvest some Avheatti<'lds in the vicinity of Nanvoo, w<'re
severely whipped, tlie jterpetrators declarinj;' that they liad dis-
tur])ed tin' neijild»orhoo<l by tlu'ir boisterons condnct. Writs
vere sworn ont in the city against those wiio had inflicted the
t'a.stigation, and they were arrested an<l k<'pt nnder strict <;nard
until tiiey conld uive bail. The anti. Mormons in tnrn jtrocnreil
writs for the arr<'st of the constable and )»osse who had served
the first writs. Tlu' IMoijnons, believin.i;' that instea<l of beini;'
tried tliey would be murdered, i-efnsed to be taken, wliereniton
several linndied anti-^Mormons assend>led to enfoice the ])rocess.
The difiieulty Ava.s, however, adjust<'d without niakin<;' tiu' arrest.
A committee havinj;' be<'n sent to >«auvoo reported the ."Nrormons
liad a.yriH'd not to voti' in the ensuing elect ion, ami that they were
inakin<;' eveiy ])<»ssible j)rei»aiation for reino\al, and i)rocee<lin;;s
n^ainst tlu'm weie suspended. Xotwithstandinii' this a;:;reement,
V lien tlie <'lection cam«' off tiiey all voted the demociatic ticket,
iind so deti'rmined were they that their support should be efficient,
Jill voted three or four times for each mend)erof con<4ress. Their
excuse for violatin;^' their ])le4l«ie was that the jtresident of
the Tnited .States had jtermitted theii' friends to temporarily oc-
eujty the liidijin lands on the .Missouri river, and for this favor
they felt under obliiiatious to sui)port Ins administiation. The
want of .yood faith in this resjiect greatly incensed the whins,
juid the certainty that manydesiynin^' men were einleavoriui; to
induce them to remain permanently in the country, revived the
•jcneral opi)osition which pre\ iousiy prevailed ai^ainst them.
Writs were ajiain issued for tlu^ anest of i)rominent Mormons,
and to create a pretext for assendtlin;; a lar.i;e force t<» execute them,
it wa.s asserted by the constable tliat if the accused were taken
iind carried out of tlie city they would l)e murdered. Umler these
<'ir('nmstances they refused to be arrested, and the ]»osse sum-
nioui'd to enforce the law soon amoinited to several hundred men.
The .'Mormons in like mannerobtained writs foi' the arrest of prom-
inent anti-.'Mormons, and under the pretense of execntinj;- them
<*alledouta posse of their own ])eoi)le, and hence constable was
ariayed against constable, law ayaiiist law and posse against
posse.
While the hostile j)artie8 were a.sseudtling their for<;es, the new
citizens of Naux'oo, who liad purchased proj)erty of the Mormons
at llie time of their exodus, applied to the governoi' for suflieient
force to restore order and confiilence. Major Parker, a whig, was
accordingly sent, it being supposed, in <'onse(pienee of liis poli-
'" -s, he would have more intlnenci^ with tlu' malcontents, wli<i\vere
ostly of liis party. When, however, he arrived the anti-Mor-
tii
mos
518 IIISTOltV 01-' ILLINOIS.
jiKiii constiihic icriiscd to l)t' siipcrscdod by liiiii,iiiHl dcclnrcd that
he ciirfd little loi' tlu' ancsts, iii»'i<'lty .cvidciiciiij:' that liis tai'ti«)ii
vas only iisiiiji the junccss oi' tiit'law a.sa pretext lor ace<>iM|»lish-
iii^i tlieir leal object, the expulsion of tiie ^b»l■lll(»lls. Tlieaiiti-
]\loriiioii I'aetioii eoiiliiiiied to increase till il nnnibeied SOO men, and
uliih' Ihey were picpai'in^' to nnircli on Nan\oo tlie inlialtitant.s
were |>ieparinj; lor a vij;t>ron.s delense. a i»oitioii of the new eiti-
zen.s iniitin;; with them, and some assistinj;' their enemies. At
this sta<;e of the ])rocei'diiij;sMason iWaynian. a citi/eii (►!' Spiin.y-
lield, was sent l>y the j;()vernor to in(piire into and lepoit th(^
mUiire of tho diflicnlties. When he ariived an attempt was made
to cHeet a reconciliation. It was agreed l>y tin? leadeis of l)otIi
factions that the .Mormons shoidd remove from the Siatt- in two
months, and that tlieii' arms in the meantime should be placed i?i
the custody of a ])crson apitoinled to receivf and rcdelivci' them
to the owners at the time of their departure. When this
agreement was submitted for ratilicali<»n to the antiMormon
f(»rces it was rejected, (len. Sinj^leton and Col. Chittenden, their
C'ommamU'r.s, then withdrew and the j;overnor was informed by
^Ir. IJraymaii that tlu' belter porti(Ui of the antiMormons would
abandon theeiilerpiise and ret n in home. !Snbs»'tjUent CN cuts, how-
ever, jtroved that JMr. lUaymaii wa.s mistaken in his conJectiir«'s.
AVheii (ieii. Singleton retired, Thomas S. Ibockman, a dishonest
and vulj;ar man, bij^otcd and bitter in his prejudices against t lie. Mor-
mons, was ])ut in command. Ibockman immediately marched
his forces to >iaiivooan(l commenced skir?iiisliiii^\viili the inhabi-
tants, while .Mr. l'>ra\niiiii. owin^' to the thieateiiiiit; aspect of
affairs, hasleiied to Siu'iii,i;tield to obtain fiiither assistance for
"the delense of the city. in Ibis emerj^ency. troops «'ould not be
called from a distance in time to be made availal)le, ami hence an
elVort was made to procure liiem in the nci^hlioiliond of the coii-
tlict. Orders were issued to Major William '1'. Mood, cominaiidiT
of the militia of the adjoining; populous county of Adams, anthor-
izinji' him to raise a v(»lnnteer tbice siitlicieiit to restore the ol»-
ser\auce of law. The excitement by ihistiiiie had spread tliroui^h
Adams and all thi' adjoinin.n- counties, and it was e\ ident that if
tile iState attempled to raise a force a much hirjicr «Mie woiiUt
march to the assistance of the iiisur>ieiits, and hence this otlicer
(lecbned makinu any efibrt.
To meet this contingency he had [ucsioiisly liccn instructed, in
case he failed to raise the re(piired force, to hand over liis coiii-
inaiid to some one who would properly execute it. ^lajor Flood,
]ioweve.r, without immediately aiitiioiizin,t4- any one to act in his
stead, hastened to Nanvoo to use his inlliieiice with tin* antajio-
iiistic factions for the restora4ion of peace, l-'ailiii};' in his media-
tion, he enti'iisted liis authority to the 3h)rmons, who .selected
Jlajor Clifford to command them.
The forces under IJrockman numbered SOO, and were armed
Avith nmsket.s and live pieces oi' small cannon, belonjiinj;- to
tlie State, ;;iven them by indepeiulent militia companies in the ad-
jacent counties. The M<trmoii forces, includi::^;' a portion of the
new citizens, at first amounted to L'.-)0 men, but before
any decisive (ij;litinj>' commenced, were diminislu'd by de-
.sertion to b^O. Their weapons consisted of sixteen-shoot-
iiig rifles, common muskets, ami live pieces ol" caimoii,
MORMON WAK.
519
hastily and iiulcly coiistnictt'd by tliciii.si'lvi'fs t'roiii tlir sliaft of a
istcamhoat. Actin^i' on the, (k'lcnsivi' tlicy t(tok a ]>o.sitioii in the
Hninirhs of the city, a mile cast of tlu' Icniplc, and tlircw np Idcasfc
uorks lor tiic jtrolcction of tlicir ailillcry. Tiic atlackiiij;' loico
was snllicicntly niinicrons to liavc siniiiltancousiy niarclicd on
both Hanks of tlic bcsit'^^cd, beyond llic ranj;c of their battery,
and Ihns iiavc taken tiie city witiiout lirin,:; a sinjile j;iin. Uroek-
•nian, however, ai>i>roaciiin^- directly in front, i<lationcd his men
jdiont half a mile from the battery, and each party commenced a
tire from their cannon, while some of the cond)atants with snndl
urins occasionally ai)i»roachcd closer, bnt never snllicicntly near
to <1<» any damajic
The conli'st was thns cont inned at a j;reat distance, with little
skill till the ammnnition of the besiejicrs was exhansted, Mhen
they relircd to their camp to await a fresh snpitly. Jn a lew days
ammninlion was broiij^ht from (^nincy, and the contlict a^ain jc-
sum<'<l, and kept nj) several <lays, dnrinj; which the 3Iormons ad-
mitted a loss of on<> man killed and U wonndcd, and the anti .Alor-
irions of 'A killed and 4 wounded. It was estimated that some S(M)
cannon balls were lired on each side, ami the snndl number killed
<*an (»iily be accounted fttr on the siii»position that the belli;.;('rciits
either kept at a safe distance, or wcr*' very unskillful in the use of
arms. 'I'lie contest was linally ended by the interposition of an
aidi-.Mormon committee from (^)iiiiicv. Accordin^i' to the terms of
cai)ilnlation dictated by the superior force of the besiejicrs, the
i\lormons were to surrcmler their iirms to the committee. All,
witii the exception of trustees for the sale of their property, were
to remove out of tlie city, and the aidi^Iormon ](osse was to march
ill and have a suHicient force thcic to j;iiaraiitee the performance
of the stii»iilations. The i)osse with IJi'ockman at its head, ac-
c»)rdin,i>ly started on its mission, followed by several hundred
spectators, who had come from all the surroundinji' country to see
the once proud city of iS'auvoo humbled and delivered into the
hands of its enemies.
As soon as they got ]>()sscssion of the city Jb'ockman, whose
vulji'ar soul became intoxicated with success, commenced a<tiiij;-
the ]»artof a tyraid. Arrogatiiiji' to himself the rijiht to decith;
wlioslionid renniin and who should iic driven away, lie summoned
tlu' iidmbitants to Ins i)resencc, and at his dictum most of them
were compelled to leave their homes in a few hours in a destitide
condition. It was sti]>ulate<l that only .^lormons were to be ex-
]iatriated, yet at his behests armed rultians commi'iu'cd e.\pellin<;'
the new citizens, dnckinn' some of them in the ri\«'r, and ibr<'in<4-
others to cross it at the poiid of the bayonet. In a few days the
entire IMormon ])opuiation and the new citizens who had co-(»p-
crated with them in icsisting the mob, were exi)elled. The latter
class had stron<>' claims to be treat<'d with more generosity by the
coiKpierors. Having been attracted to Xauvoo from vaii(»us jiarts
of tli«' I'nited States by the low price of i>ro])erty, and knowing
but littU' of the previous dilllcnlties, it was bnt natural that they
should offer their services to delend the town from mob a iolence
and their ]»roperty from «iestrnction. They saw that the3Iormons
were industriously preparing to h'ave, and therefore considered
the effort to expel them not only unnecessary but unjust ami cruel.
620 HISTORY or ILLINOIS.
Tlic iiiol), liowt'vci', uiidfr tlic inlliiciic*' of ])iissi»)ii, could sec no
iiKiit ill tliis porlitMi ol tlicir advcrsiiiics, iiiid in the lliisli »»f vic-
toiy dealt out iiidiscriiiiiiiiitf hiiitiilily to all.
lii'ockiiiaii iiavinj; siiniciciilly jiiiittcd liis vciijioaiicc, vcliiniod
liomc, Icaviiij;' !(»(» of the lowest and most violent of liis followers
to i>ie\ciit tlie letiirii of those who had been driven into exile.
This reninaiit of tln^ mob eontiiiiied its acts of violeiH'c and
oppression till they heard that a force was uioviii<;' aj^ainst them
from the seat of jiovernmeiit, when they also departed.
Jn the nu'antiiiie, the iMoniions were thrown houseless on th(>
Iowa shore, witliout jirovisions and means to inocure tliem, and
Mere in a starvinj; condition. It was also the lieif;lit of the sickly
Kcasoii, and many ha<l been hurried away while sulVeriiij; with
disease to die from e.\p(»sure and privation. Without food, med-
iciiie or elotliin}4, the mother matched her sick babe till it died, and
then became herself a victim to the epidemic, liiidiiiji the {^rave a
refiijif from ])ersecution and a balm for her sulferiiij;s. After this
distress became known all parties hastenetl to their assistance, tho
antiMormons vieinji' w ith the JMoriiions in furiiishin;i relief. Tho
people of the State at first looked with inditference ii|miii tlieso
outrajies, but the hardships attendin;; them at leiijith bejian to
cause reflection. They had seen a lar<i[e tract of country com-
IX'lled to submit tt» the domination of a self-constituted power,
the lejiitimate j;(>veriiiiient trampled under foot aJid a reign of
terror substituted in its ]»lace.
With this change of sentiment, a force Avas raised in and near
Springfield, of IL'O men, and the governor procee«led with it to the
scene of the disturbance. The pi iiicii)al oi>Ject the expedition was
to restore tlie <'xiled * ii izeiis to their new homes and i»roj)erty, a
large part of the latter having been stolen in their absence. ^Vhen
the force arrived the riotous population was greatly incensed at
the governor and could hardly find language siiniciently strong to
exi)ress their astonishment that he and the i)eoj)Ie of other
conutie.s should interfere in the domestic attairs of Hancock.
IMiblic meetings were held in ><'anvoo and Carthage, at which it
uas iest)lved to again drive out the citizens as soon as the State
I'orces should be w itlidrawn.
Writs were also again sworn out against some otlicers of the
State forces, with a view to calling out a posse and expelling them
from the county, but the mob failed to enlist inori' than "JbO or ."idO
men, and these hesitated and linally abandoned their design of
making the arri'sts or resorting to vioh'iice. To i»reveiit further
outbreaks a small forces was left in tln^ county till the assembling
of the legislature on the loth of December, i(S4(», when the cohl
weather jtut an end to the agitation and they were withdrawn.
The westeiu march of the ^Mormons who left the State the pre-
ceding s]>ring, was attended with greater snifering than had been
endured in their banishment from ^lissouri. On the Jotli of Feb.,
l.S4(>, the leaders crossed the ^Mississippi and sojourned at
]\Ioiitrose, Iowa, till the latter i)art of i\larch, in couse(]uence
of the <leep snow which obstructed the way.
When linally the journey Avas resumed, the fugitives taking the
road thi'ougli JVlissouri, were forcibly ejected from the State and
comi)elled to move indirectly through Iowa. After innumerablo
haKlships, the advance guard of emigration reached the Missouri
MOllMON WAR.
r)21
river, lit ('< micil r.liitts, wlicii u I'nitcd States ofliccr pri'smtcd ii
i'('(|iiisiti(»ii for .'i(l(l nicii 1(» scixc in tlic Wiiiajiaiiist .Mexico. Coiii-
jiliance witli lliis (iniei' so diiiiiiiislied tiie iiiiiiil»er of ell'cclive
men, that the exju'dition wa.s aj;ain dehi.ved and {hv reinainder,
eoMsistin;^' mostly of old me!i. women and ehildreii, liastily pre-
jiared liabitations t'oi' winte/. Tiieii' rudely coiistiiicted tenis were
liardly eom|ileted iteloic wilder set in willi f;reat severity, tho
bleak prairies liein^' incessantly swept by pierein;;- winds.
^Vllile lieie cholera, lever and other diseases, a^ij^ravaled l)y the,
previous liardships wliicli they had endured, the want ol'cond'ort-
able quaiters and medical ticatmenl, hurried many of tliem to
]>remaliire j^raves Yet, un(ier the inlluenee of relitjious fervor and
i'anaticisni, they looked dentil in the lace with i('sij;nati(»n an<l
eheerfidness, and even exhibited a j^ayety which luanifesled itself
ill music and dancniyduriii}; t lie saddest hours of this sad winter.
At length welcome sj>riii;;niade its iip]»eaiance ; by April, the peo-
ple were a^^ain organized for the Journey, iind a |>ioneer party,
coiisistiii<; of l>rij;hani Voniij;' and 1 10 others, wus sent in advance
to locat<' a honu! for the colonists. On tlu'l'lst of .luly, l.S47,a day
memorable in Moiinon annals, the vanguard reached tlie valley of
(Ireat Salt Lake, liaxinu been directed thither, according:' to their
accounts, by the hand of the Almijihty. Here, in a destitute wil-
derness, midway between th(^ settlements of tlie east and the
]'a<*i(ic, and at that lime a thousand miles from the utmost vei\i;e
of civilization, they comiiieiiced preparations foi' foi iidiuy a
colony. Those who were lelt behind arrived al dilteieiit limes
afterward, in companies sulli<'iently larj;*' t(» preserve disci]»linc
aial jiuard against the attacks of the Indians who continuously
liovered about them for pnii»oses of jilunder. At lirst they endur-
ed ;ireat .sntleriiijis for the want of food; iinmeiisc numbers of
j;Tasshoi)[»ers iiavin;;' come down from the mountains and coiisnm-
ed a lireat portion of llieir crops. According to the ]\Iormon
liislorian, the whole would have been (h'stroyed had not the
Almi.iihty sent great tl<»cks of gulls w liicli devoured the grassh(»p-
pers and thus saved the peo]»le from famine and (hath. The
lands, as soon as they were ]»i-operly inigated, procbiced abund-
antly all tlie necessaries of life; ami at length iilenty alle\ iated
the privations of huiigei', and jteace followed the lierce persecutions
which had atteiide<l them in their former place of residence. New
settlements were made as fresh ('omitanies of emigrants arrixcd,
and in a short tinu' the space occupied by the colonists extended
nearly a hundred miles north and south, and Salt Lake City, the
present cajtital of the territory, became a i)oi)ulous city. Nestled
in a sea of verdure, at tlie base of tli(^ surrounding mountains,
washed on the west by the .loidan, and commanding a \ iew I'/i
miles soutliward, over a luxuriant i)lain silvered with fertilizing
streams, it is now one of the most ntmantically situated cities (Ui
the continent. So jdcturescpie is the valley, and its metroi>olis
especiuUy, when decked in the l)eauty of s])ring, that the
traveler when lie crosses the desert, imitating the enthusiasin of
the saints, is wont to liken it to the New .Jerusalem, surrounded
by green pastures, and fonntiiins of li\ iiig water.
i'
ClIAPTEllXLIII.
1810.— ILLINOIS IN THE MEXICAN ^VAK.
"We ciuiiiot ('nl«'i' iiitt» dctiiils icjiiirdin;^' all tlic Ciiiisrs of tin's
Wiir. I'roxiinatcly. it urcw out of llic annexation of Texas. In
is.'iti tiie Anieriean seltieisin that eoiniti v del'eated tiie Mexican
t'oires at San .lacinlo, ea|)tiii'e(l Santa Anna, tiie (li<-lator of all
[Mexico, and under dnress wiiinj;' from Inni a treaty acknow led^--
in;^ tile independence of Texas. J5ut tins ti'eaty the rei>nhlic of
Mexico ever repudiated. I-'roni ls;!(i on, (»\crt ures were fre(|nent-
Iv uukU' to the L'!iite<l States by the '• Lone Stai','' tor adnnssion
into tlio Union. ^lexico to(»k occasion several times to inform the
p»vernnieut of the I'nited States that the annexation of Texas
would l>e rei;arded as a cdsiiN hrlli. 'I'lic ((uestion enlei'ed into the
l»residential contest of lS4t, and the election of I'olk was construed
into a ]»opular approval of the ste|». Conj^ress no lon;i'ei" hesitated,
and on the 1st of .March, lSi,~», j^avc its assent to the admission of
Texas into the I'nion. Mexico immediately broke off diplomatic
intercourse with tlu,' V. S. In fhdy tin- army of occupation, under
(ieii. Zachariah Taylor, was ordered to (,'or])Us Christ i. l>uriuj;
the folIowin>j' winter, while ]\Iexico was in the thioes of rcNolu-
tioii, durinji which I'arades came to the surface as president, and
while the adnnidstration soujiht an adjustment of tlieipiestious of
bouuda'y, throu;L;h an envoy (]\Ir. Slidell). it oi'dei'cd the army of
occuiiatiou to a i)oiiit opposite .Matamoias, to take i>ossessiou of
the teiritory lonj;- in dispute, lyinj; between the Nuees and the Kio
(Jrande. This was a repetition of the diplomacy of Kredeiick the
(ireat in Silesia. The .Mexicans occupied the territory at the time
Avitli a uiilitaiy foice stationed at Ui'azos Sautiaj^d, whicli, on the
ai)i)i()ach of Taylor to INtint isabel, withdrew west of the Kio
ilraude. [Many outrajies and robberies upon our citizens residing
in [Mexico had also been ]terpetrated throuj^li ollicial sanction,
Avitli losses amountiuji to sexcral million dollars, which our jiovt'i'u-
meut had labored to have adjusted, but with veiy tardy proures.s.
On the 2Sth of [March, iNld. Taylor's army of s<»me j(l(l(l t'rooi).s
took ])osition on the left baidv of the iJio (iraude within cainu)n
shot of Matamoras, op]»osite. On the L'ttli of April (Jen. Arista
assunu'd connuand of the [Mexican forces. On the same dayCen.
Taylor, havinji' leariu'd that a lar;.;(' body of [Mexicans had crossed
the Ikio (Iraude I'O nnles above, detached a forct' of (10 men, under
Cai>tains Thom])son ami Hardee, to reconnoitre the enemy. They
fell ill with what they supposed was a scoutinjj' ]»aity, but which
proved to be the advance 'fiuard of a stronji bctdy of theeiu'iny
posted in thechapparal. The Ameiican (;oiinnanders, contrary to
the advice of their jNlexicuu guide, charged and pursued the
522
MEXICAN WAH. 523
jiiiiird iici'oss ;i clciiiiii;;, iiiid in an instiint tlicir forces wciv siir-
niiMnlcd l»y tin' main iMxIynf tlic .McNicans, wlio liifd upon tlicni,
killing I'i and takin;^ prisont'i's tlif rniiaindci'. A wnnndcd .soldifi'
was .sent iMt(» Ta.N loi's camp l»v llic Mexican coniniandci, w itii ii
nn'ssa;;c tliat he iiad no tiaxclin;; hospital to icmh'i' iiini the needed
mcciical aid.
'I'lins were hostilities actnally coMinicneed. Not withstanding; it
was leasonahl.v well known that war was almost ine\ilal>le IVoni
Ihe advance of the aiiny of occupation, which was ahont all tiie
army the country had. all military preparation to meet Mich a ca-
lamity was ealndy a\ «)i<led. 'I'his ;;a\e il Ihe appearance of a sur-
l»rise, Heports of this disastifuis en^a,i;('nH'nt reached \\ashin;;-
ton May !»lii, to;;ether with many painful rumors that Taylor was
suridunded and cut olf fiom his base of supplies at I'oint Isabel.
Consternation was rife; the iiresideni sent into cou;;ress an ex-
traordinary messaj^c, declaiin;; that Mexico had "at last invaded
our territoiy, and siud the hlood of our fellow citizens on our own
soil." ("oiiuress, with an alacrity unusual, two days after, passed
an act declarinj;' that "liy the acl of the rcpid>lic of Mexico a state
of war exists between that jnctvernnu'nt and Ihe Inited Stales;"
aulhiui/.ed the president to accept the services of ."iO.IIDI) volunteers,
and appropriatetl .*!( »,(»()(»,( 1(10 to carr\ on the war. The intent
was to (MUKpM'r a peace in short order with an overpowcriuj; force.
All this was in tlu' midst of the public excitcnuMit incident to
the ()rej;<in bonndai'y <pU'stiou — '•'r)4 40 or ti;;ht." bein<;-
onr motto. Mr. Polk had been <-lectid with t he understanding;'
that he would insist upon the line. 'I'he notice terminating- tlu^
Joint occupation of ()re;i;'on had passed con;;ress, Apiil L'-'id. l>ut
now happily with one war «ui our hands a collision with (ireat
I'.rilaiu was a\oided b.\ adoptinj; the UMii paiallel of north lati-
tude, and sacriliciuj; all that vast re;;ion of the northwest, otpial
to s<'\-eral States; but we <;ained lar;L;('ly in the southwest.
'I'lie <'all for volunte<'i's was apjtortioned naistly to the western
and southern States. The icquisilion upon Illinois was for ••three
ie<;iments ot infantry or ritleuieu." The pay was ."riS per nutnth,
but with counnntations it amounted to )!<lfj..")0. The enlistnuMits
Avere for 1- months from the time of musterinj;' into ser\ ice at the
]»lace ol' icmlezvous. The men were to uniform themselves, for
which they wt»uld be allowed. The selection of ollicers was left
to the \(ilunteers, ill accordaiwe with the militia laws of the State
whence they were taken. The nund>er of privates were linutetl
to SO men in each company. I'mler date of May I'otli, (Jov. Ford,
commander-in-chief of the militia of the State, issiu'd his j;-em'ral
oidei' callin,!;' upon the major and bri;.;adier j;('nerals and other
militia ollicers to aid in raisin,!;' and or;;anizin};' the three re;;inu'nts.
As th«' militia had for a lonj;' time been in a disorj;anized state, it
Avas further ordei'ed that the sheriffs convene the ie<;inH'nts or old
biittalions en ina-ssc, ami enroll such volunteers as mi,i;lit offer in
their respective counties. The jnovcruor proposed to lec-eive the
first full comi)aiiies that otfered. The company ofHcers were to
act umler their certificates of election until commissioned. And
now many portions of tin; State seeiued alive with the zeal of
])atriotism. The animating;' strains of martial music, were wafted
upitii the air, everywhere inspiriiij;' the soldierly imi)ulse. Our
public men rallied the people with spirited, i)atriotic and etleclivo
S24
IIIMTOUY OF ILLINOIS.
iippt'iils. Tlic iiiilitiii ^iciicrals issiu'd tlicir ordci.s convniiiij;' tlicir
l)i'i;;iMlc.s, iiiid cxliortcd tliciii to voliiiilfcr iiiid '' iiiiiiiitiiiii their
lu)ii(iriil)l(>. ]M).siti()ii oil tin' |n«'.s<'iit ((cciisioii." \V«' iiol«' tlir lirst (»f
tlirsr ui'dtTS iis liy tli<> <:'illliilit .1. .1. Iliii'dili, wlit) ^'fliiollfd liiiiisflf
as iIh- lirst \ oliiiitccr ti'oiii Illinois."* Tlic icspoiiscs to the dciiKiiids
of pMliiotisiii were prompt, cii^icr, niid ovcrwlicliniii^i'. It wnn
ctrtrciiicd iiii honor to be pcrinittt'd to coiiti ihiilc to the iiiition's
call. In 10 dii.vs time .Ti coinpiinirs <liil,v (M-iiinizcd were olliciiilly
rcporti'd to the ^iovciiior, wiiilc the busy notes of prcpiiriition still
I'csonndt'd t'roni all parts of the State. Wy the middle of .Iniio
the ie(|nisitioii was ex<'eeded b.v more than 10 eoinpanies. 'I'lio
la<lies, loo, animated Itv the patriotism of their brothers, with a free
will lormed sewin;;' soeieties and made uniforms and garments for
the volunteers.
'I'lie place of rendezvous was a|)pointed at Alton. r>rij;adier
(i«'iieral dames Shieldst was by the ^^overiior desi^^nated to inspect
and muster into servici^ th(> Illinois volunteers; this was not his
cxcelh-ney's piovinee, however, and the? war department sent out
t'ol. S. Chnrchill, Inspector (icneral of the I'nited Slates Army, to
supervise (he mnsteriii}; in. This ^icnlleinan entertained tlironj;li-
ont the war ar atfectioiiate rejiard for the Illinois troops, l-'roni
the jioveinor's oilie*' the ."iO lull companies were ordered, by letters
addi<'ssed to their respective captains, to repair to the |»!ace of
I'cnde/Noiis as fast as uniformed. Of course, out of the more than
7.") companies, some fra^iim-ntary and others rei»lele tooverllow inj;",
more than half were disappointed. Much faidt was now found
A\ith (ioNcrnor Kord, here and tlicic oxer the Slate, by the disai)-
jioiutcd ones, who, in their chagrin, char^^cd him witli partiality,
hnorilism and dishonorable conduct, in the ac(M'ptanee of compa-
nies, iisin^' laii;;ua.i.;(' anythinj; but tenii)erate.|
Tiic lirst re;i;iment of Illinois volunteers was oi'<iani/,ed July 'Jd,
as follows: The first battalion consisted of companies commandeil
by Captiiiiis J. I). iMoryan, of Adams ; Klisha Wells, of ("ook ;
>«oali Fry, of (Irecne; ,1. S. Kobcrts. of .Moi\nan ; and \V. A. Hich-
ardson, of Schuyler. The I'd battalion consisted of companies
under the command of Captains liyniau Mowers, of Cook ; T. Lylo
])ickey, of LaSalle ; A. \V. Crow, of ,Io Daviess; William Weatli-
erford.of .Moif^an ; and Samuel Montgomery, of Scott, (ieii. John
.1. Jlardin was elected colonel with <ireat unanimity; Captain
ANilliam AN'eatherford was elected lieutenant colonel, and W. I>.
AVarren, major — all three of Morjian county. JJ. M. Prentiss was
appointed adjutant, .John Scanlan commissary, S. M. rarsons
•See Illinois RtatP UctfiPtfi-, Miiy 20, 184fi.
+N(i'i K.— .Jiulifi- SliioUls. who residud at Wushliijrton, as Coiiiinissioncr of tin: (icncrnl
T4\n<l OIHct', on tlio oiitlireakliiy fif the war, ever lull of tUv martial spirit, piomiitly
rotmln (I to Illinois and ialioriMlclIicicntl.v to rouse the patriotic sentiments ol t lie peo-
l)le, laiUfriuK with him the President's promise of a hriuadler-tfeneralslilp. the Illinois
re';inienls to oonstitute his briiiade. Humors inadvanee of the faet of Ins appointment
reaehed Illinois and consideruhle flissatisfaetion (rrew out of it at lionie. lint the Presi-
dent nominated him and he was eonttrmed . Criticisms and sneers at his rnilitarj' (pial-
iticaticins were freely indultred, lint when hiSRallant lielmvior at Cerro Gordo, and his
great services at ('hurnlaiscoand('liepnltepe( were heralded ovir the country, toiiethor
witli the Weil deserved praises of his superior comnuitiders, it aiipcared that a lielter
choice from civil life could not well have lieen nuide, and his own State rowanled him
with th(' lii^fliest ollice a foreiKUer can hold.
ISee ('ai)t.Ci. W. Aiken's letter dated lienton, .Tiulo LOth, in Illinois State Kejristcr of
.Inly HI, 1H4(). See also i>roceedin>rs of the Clark (^ounty Ciaiipany at a public meeting
iu Marshall, July (ith, published In Illinois State Ueglsier, July IT, lS4t}.
MEXICAN WAR.
523
f]iiiirt«'iiiiiiNlcr, I'j. A.<5illcr scrjjcniit iiiiijor, \. W. Fry (Inimiii.ijni',
IM. White siirjit'oii, iiii<! I>i'. Zal»riskic» asfsistaiit hiirycon. W. J.
W'viitt was also a captain in this r«';:iiiu-iil.
'I'lir 'J(l rcniiiiciit Wiis <>ryaiii/('<l on IIh- sanM'<lay. It ('(tnsiKird
of ronipanifs iin<i«>r the coniinantl of ( aptains I't-lti' (iotV. of M:i<l-
ison county; .1. L. 1). M((irison, of St. Clair; i'lraslns Wht-cicr, of
Madison ; A. l)o(l;;«>, of Kendall, .lersev and Madison eonnlies ;
AV. II. r.isseil, of St. (lair; H. ('. ('otree,(»f \Vashinjit(»n ; II. T.
Trail, of Monroe ; John S. Ilaeker. of I' n ion ; L. (l. . I ones, of Tcriy ;
nnd II. L. Wehl>, of I'nlaski. Captain W ni. II. Ilis»;ell was elected
i'oionel hy SOT votes a;;ainst (I, one of t lie iattei' hein;; in hitii ounconi-
jiany and "> in Captain Morrison's, ('apt. .1. I>. I). Morrison was
elected lientenant coioni'l, and Capt. II. I<\ Trail iinijor. liient. A.
AVhitesi(h>N Wiis appointed adjutant, an<l Lewis J. Clawson sutler,
dulius Kaitli, Joseph Lenntn and .Madison Miller were also captains
in this i'e;>inM>id.
The ."{(l rcj^inient was conipos«'(l of the followin^i companies :
Cai»tains I'\'rris I"'<»iinan, of I'\iyett«' county; .1. C. Mc.\dains. (d"
IJond ; .M. K. Lawler, of (lallatin ; Theo.iMcCinnis, of Pope ; \V.
AV. Wiley, of r.(nni ; d. A. Caniphell, of Wayne; W. W. I'.isliop,
of Coh's; S. (1. Hicks, of flelVerson ; .lames Frecnnin, of Slieliiy ;
and d. V. Hardy, of Ilandlton. Capt. F<uinan, of Fayette, was
elected colonel ; W. W. Wiley, of llond, lieutenant c<tlonel, and
Samuel I). Marshall of (lallatin, nnijor. Lieut. •!. T. I>. Sta|»p was
appointed adjutant. Philip Stoid and- II. S. Sellers were also cap-
tains in this re;;inient. Col. (Jhurchill,of the l'. S. army, inspected
and mustered it into service. The Isl innnbcred S77 men, rank
and lile; the lid SlU', ami tln^ .'Jd ".KMI. The inspect in;;- ollicer i»ro-
iiounced them as tine iv body of mh'U as ever he saw mustered. It
Mas a sul»Je(!t of remark how little iidoxication there was amoii^-
the V(tlunteers.
In tlu; meantinio the IFon. E. D. Baker, then a nu'ndier of con-
press from the Sangamon district, Inul received authority from tlio
secretary of war to raise an additional regiment of Illinois xoliin-
toers. (lov. Ford issued his onlei'of ajtproval undei' date of .lune
5th, and authorized com)>aines raised, or to he raised, to Join this
regiment by pernnssion of Mr, IJaker. He also authori/ed him to
a]>point the time and i)hu'e of rendezvous for the re;;iment, and to
provide for its sustenance, e(jui]»ment and transi)ortation. The
foUowiuis;' comi)anies (uuistituted this re^iineid : Captains J'uph,
of Macon county ; Klkin, of McLean ; Koberts, of Sangamon ;
Harris, of Menard; Morris, of Sangamon ; Newcomb, of DeWitt;
Hurt, of Lopan; Jones, (d Tazewell; McK<)id«'y. (d" Ed;;ar— 9
companies. The lOth company did not Join until after its ariival
atthejdaceof rendezvous, Alton. It was at first exi)ected that
this Avould be either Captain (iarrett's, of Chiira^o, or tlmt of Cap-
tain lOajian, of LaSalle ; but these failing- to arrive in time, Caj)-
tain Murphy's, of Terry, formed the l(>th company. The regimen-
tal otlicers elected were: E. I). Baker, colonel; ex-Lieut. (Jov.
John Moore, < ' McLean, lientenant colonel ; and Capt. T. L.
Harris, of Menard, major. The regiment lacked a few privates of
being full ; but Illinois had raised a larger ]iund)er of volunteers
'Capt. Uoberts resigned nt Alton, and the brave Zabriskic, who fell by the side of
the noble Hardin at Uucna Viata, was chosen in his place.
520 IIISTOUY OF ILLINOIS.
tliiiii any otlicr State in llu^ riiioii. Lewis W. Ross and A. W.
AN'i'i.ulit wcic also ciiptaiiis in liiis rciiinient.
IiniiMMJiately al'ter the ai'iixal of tiie ttli i'e<>'iinent at Alton, Ji
(jnestion ol' rank arose lietween its colonel, HaUer, and Col. .loliu
,1. Hardin, of the 1st refiiineiit. Col. IJaker had been elected at
Si>rinjitield, and his coninnssioii ante-dated that of tin; other col-
onels, whence he claimed seniority. This was resisted by Colonel
Hardin, who cliar;i('d such iri'cj^iilarity in IJaker's choice as to he
no election at all by the re<;iuient, first, beeanse the s'ov<'i"in»r had
never ordered the election: second, hecanse there were bnt seven
e()ini>aiiies present to particiiiate in the election ; therefore the ini-
]n(>|ter issnance of the coiinnission eonid not <iive prioiity to Col.
JJaker. TIm' inattei- was referred to a conrt of in<|niry, eonsistinj^
of Captains IJishop. Dickey, ('row, .lones. l''.lkin. Hicks, McAdanis,
Wiley, ColVce. K'oherts anil .Aloryan. with (1. T. M. l)a\is aseleik.
After dne inx'esliynlion Col. Hardin was declared the seniorotlieer*
At a nieetinji' of the ollicers of the .'i first r<';iinients, subsecpuMitly,
a formal piotest was sii;iH'd and forwarded to the incsident
a.'.;aiiisi the appoint nu'iit of otlicerson the rcconunendation of mem-
lpcrs of coni^ress.t The -tth re<;inM'nl passed on to .lell'ersctn 15ar-
lacks.
Alter the disaster to Cajttain Thoni])so->'s reeonnoitf'rini;' |)arty
on the L'-ttli of April, and befoi'c the news reached ^\'ashin,uton,
the impoitant battles of i'alo Alto and IJesaca de la I'alnia, JNIay
.sth an<l !Mli, were fonjuht aifd won by Taylor's forces, on the route
between his camp and Point Isaltel, his depot of snp]ilies, which
t he ^Mexicans sonjiht to cat ofif. They had also bombarded Tay-
lor's camp opjtosire 3Iatamoras, called Fort llrown, but the siej^e
\vas raised by the ai'ri\al of the \ictorions army on the lOth ot"
31ay, and ^latannaas was surrendered without a further stiii,i;<jle.
'J'henceforward the Rio (Jiande wasassuiiu'd as the base oi nnlitary
operations, and the Mexican villa. yes at the mouth of the San -liian
haxinyalso surrendered. Connirji'o, ISO miles above the mouth of
the IJio Crande, was selected as the dcjiot of supplies tor (ieu.
Taylor's army. Thither the vaiious volunteer regiments which
■were to reint'oice Taylor's army were to be sent.
r>ut V Idle (len. Taylor was passing the IJio (iramle and direct-
in;^ his coluninstowai-d the interior of Mexico, the cabinet at Wash-
ington formed the i)lan of movinj>acor)ts on Santa Fe, and another
to march on the capital of Chihuahua, believed to be the centre of
mu<-h wealth and strength — a gross nnstake. It was also sup-
]M).se(l thai the northern States of Mexico were ready foi' I'cxolt.
The foiiner, called the army of the west, was assendtli'd at I-'ort
Leavenworth and jtlaced undei' the command of (len. Keainey ;
and the lattei'. under llrig. (Jen..Iolin F. Wool, was called the
army of the centre, the fi'oops for which weie ordered by the war
depaitment to assemble at Antonio de llaxar, on the San Antoido
river, whence they were to pioceed westwaid to Chihuahua. The
troops for these expeditions were the \(»lnnteers. scattei'cd at the
time in ditterent ]>aits of the F. S., strangers to the \ icissitudes
of war. and I'eniote from the points of rendezvous. I)Ut the' celer-
ity of their assendtling. their prodigious marches and esprit du
carps are among the Avonderful incidents of that war.
~* Illinois snu~K<(r .riilylo, \m\. ~ ~~
T i*fu >I(). Hci'Ublic'iin July, It^lO.
MEXICAN WAR.
527
The Illinois rcf-iinciits were not all formed into one briyiule, as
many liiul fondly liojjed. Tlie 1st and L'd were assijjncd to the
army of the centre, and the destination of the .'5d and 4th was
ComaijiO. Tliey proceeded hy watei', Tiie 1st and L'd left Alton,
July 17th, l<Stli and l!Mh, on hoard the steamers Convoy, lAlissonri
ami llannil)al; weie transhipjicd at New Orlciins, and linally
debarked at Levacca, on .Mntaj^orda Hay, July liHth. (!en. Wool
accompanied them from Alton. They arrived at Pallida creek, 12
miles from Levacca, A'.ijiMst 7tli. and commenci'd their march 4
days later. The loiitettt tSan Antonio de Hexar was over an arid
]trairie under a ti'opical sun, whose rays were coole<l hut litth' l)y
the frequent showers. At the crossin<;s of the head streams of
the Antonio and the (JnadaIon])e, the jtarched ajid weary volun-
teers of the north found the only yood water to (juench their
thirst, or shade for rest. An Illinois soldier wrote: "Heat—
heat — heat: rain — rain — i-ain; mud — mud — nnid, interminjiled
with spots of sand .uravel. form the ]>rincipal fi'atur'es of the route
from he\acca to San Antonio. Loaded wa.uons, of course, moved
slowly over the roads, and our troo])s moreover were scoin\!ied on
the r(»ute hy the mumps and measles."* On the L'.'id, the 1st and
2(1 Illinois iciiiments were encami>ed on the San Antonio, 2 nnles
below the Alamo, at Camp Crocket.
The oil regiment (Col. lM»rnian's) took its dei)arture IVom Alton,
July 22(1. on hoiird the steamers Gleneoe and .John Anil. On the
lu'xt (hiy the steamers Sultana and Kclipse took on hoard the 4th
re<;iment (Col. IJaker's) at defl'erson Haiiacks. It came lirst to
St. Jjouis and made a ])ara(le thron,<;h some of the streets, and
in front of the Planters' Hotel executed with nice ])recision its
evolutions and diill. It was handsomely uniformed and was much
admired. The boats jnot off the same e\eiiini:'. and the troops,
after considerable, detention at tlu; mouth of the Ifio (irande and
Matamoras, arrived at C()mar,n(» toward the close of Se])tember.
Our northern troo)»s reached the enervatin.u' southern climate
in the very heat of summer; they were used to a nuue bracin.u air,
a variety of wholesome foo(l, well cooked, jjood water, cleanliness
of clotliin*'' and body, comfortable bed(lin<>' and reiiularity of
Avork and I'cst. All this was changed in their lU'w life of the sol-
dier, with its iricjiidai'ities, its excitenu'nts, its unrest and its
restraints. The food was new and untiied, its (puility often infe-
rior, and its jucparati ■• unskillful. The result was a i)ercenta,ije
of sickness unprecedented, and a death rate extraoi'dinary. The
sufferinj;' of our once hale, yet brave young men, in this re-
spect, was fearful. The burden of niessafies home was sickness —
measles, diarrluea, ajiiu' — the first luimed very fatal.
den. Taylor's army, reinforced by volunteers, had f>radually
eoneentrated at Comarno, and aooutthe first of September beji'au
to march up the valley of tin San Juan, towards the imixutant
city of ."\l(»nlerey, whither the INIexicans, after e\acuatin,n' Mata-
m')ras, had retreated. '"' 'or's three, after leavinj; a stronj,' f>ar-
rison behind, consisted of about 7,(KI(> ettectiv" men. On tin; JUtli
of September, IVlonterey was reached. (Jen. Ampudia was in
command of the city with an ainiy of r»,()()0, and some raw re-
cruits, tlionjih up to the time of attack (ien. Taylor supposed it
to consist of otdy about .■i,(((l(>. The defences of the city, both
"•Uondennc" to Nnt. Intel. Nllus Hcgis. 71-lX)
528 IIISTOEY OF ILLINOIS.
uatiiiiil and artificial, were very .stroiij;'; and GcMi. Ainiaidia for 3
(lays made a vijioroMs resistance. On tin' L'ltli lie sent a tla<;' to
tlie American conunander iccinestijij;' a cessation of tirinji'. Alter
negotiation, teinis of caj)!! illation weie entered into by which the
Mexicans evacnated and snireiidered the city, and retired ln-yond
a line Cornied by the i»ass of the Ivinconada, the city of Linares
and San Fernando de I'resas, beyond wiiich the Ibrces of the
United States ^vere not t(» advance diirinji' a i)criod cd' S \ve«'ks, or
until the orders of their respective fiovernnients could be received.
The war dei)artnient disai)])roved the arniistice, and under date
of October l.'itli, directed (ien, Taylor lo^^ive notice that it should
cease. By the middle of November, Saltillo w as occupied by Gen.
AA'orth's cori»s.
The army of the centre under Gen. Wool, some 3,000 strong',
bejian its inarch westward September liotli. Its declared oliject
was t(» aid in establishiii};' the indepi'iKhMice of the northein States
of Mexico. Its route lay over a jireat barren ivf^ion of country,
reiKlerin^' its subsistence extraordinarily ex]K'nsive. AVith it were
the Isl and Ud Illinois re};inienfs. The ;>d and 4th rejiimeiits on
the Kio Grande, did not reach Comarj^o in time to parti«'i|)ate in
the niovenients (d'Taylor's army uj) the pleasant valley of tlieSau
diiaii and the reduction of Monterey. On the J!io Grande a j;reat
dearth in army movements jncvailed, reiiderinj;- the volunteer otli-
eers, ea,n<'rly seekinj;' the '•bubble rei)utation at the cannon's
mouth,"' extremely impatient, (ien. Sliields was now, however,
detached from his brigade, coiisistinji' of the .'Jd and 4tli Illinois
rejiimenis, and ordered to join the moving- column under
Gen. Wool. In addition to his stall', (Jen. Shiehls called upon
Gen. Patterson, in command of all the forces at Gonnirj;o, f(,r an
escort, for which he received from the 1st battalion of the 4th Illi-
nois, IS privates, a lieutenant, serf;eant and corporal. They were
niouiited and had (! pack mules. Their destination was the I'resi-
dio, where they arrived before the middle of Octobei', the 1st and
2(1 Illinois beinji' now assigned to Shields' brijiade. At the time (Oct.
14th) Hissells' re<;iment, which had not started with the advance,
was a week behind. Aftei- the detachment of Gen, Shields from
liis briji'ade on the IJio (iiaiide, tin' (piestion of rank or seniority,
which, as we have before noted, had its origin in Illinois, came up
between Colonels Formau and l>aker, of the.'{d and 4th regiments.
The Older to Gen. Patterson was to assign the senior colonel to
th«' command of the biigade. The (pustion, however, was left
open for the ])resent, Baker, taking the temporary command. (Jen.
Shields remained in his new i»osition but a sliort time, when he
was again detached and retiirned to ^latamoras. An entire change
in the conduct of the war had been i)lanned at Washington. This
consisted in an attack on Tanii)ico, (which invited deliveraiico
from [Mexican misrule), the invasion of Tamaulii)as, and most im-
portant, the descent on Vera Cruz. Inls'ovember (Jen. Scott was
assigned with full ]»ower to the conduct of the exju'dition against
Vera Cruz. Gen. Taylor had been itstrueted to organize a force
in accordance w ith these i»lans, for w hich luupose Generals Twiggs,
(Quitman and I'illow were ordered from Monterey, and (Jen. I'at-
tcrson from ^latamoras, to march by way of Victoiia and conceu-
tiate at Tampico. This was a hard and apparently n«'edless manth
for Gen. I'atterson's division, to which the 3d and 4th Illinois regi-
MEXICAN WAR.
529
iiioiits l»«>l()ii<i('(l. 1 1 should liavo goiicbywiitcv, a** ^vi^s first iiittMidcd.
Tlie ti()<)i)s did not <ivt finally staitcd till in J)('<'<'nn)('r. (icn.
Shields in tlic nicantinic had iticccdcd liis l)rij;ad(' by water ;ind
on Dcccinlu'r lUlh he took Ibrnial ('((niiiiand of Tainpieo. On the
L'Hd lie issued his ]iolice regulations, which were of a rigid char-
acter. Taini>ico had hei'ii captured by CoinnuKJore Terry, but was
garrisoned by land I'orces.*
We i)ro]iose (irst now to follow and sketch the career of the 1st
and lid Illinois regiments. They were in (ien. Wool's expedilion,
j)lini:ied by the cabinet at Wiishington, tomai'ch to Chihuahua and
to i>i'oui<»te the i'e\()it of the northeiii States of ^lexico. 'J"he
army, some ;i,(i()(> strctng, broke caiup near San Aidonio, Texas,
Sei»tend>er 2(i, IS-ifi. Two months later it crossed the IJio (iriiiide
at San -luan. l)ett<'r known as the Presidio, an old Mexican towu,
containing many Jesuit ruins, distant JS2 miles. Thence their
route lay over a level but now desohite plain, through the dilapi-
date<l town of Xava, in the midst of it, by the Grove of the Angels,
to San F«'rnan<lo de Ivosas. This phice was end)osomed appa-
jcMtly in an aililicial gioxc, suridunded on 3 sides by a tine stream
of «'lear water, an<l stretching oil' in every direction were fertile
plains. It contained some 4,(Hi() inhabitants, was neatly built up
in tlu' Mexican style of architectuic, the material being stone and
adol)e. Jt was a [terfect oasis in the long and weary marches of
the army. The army thence traversed over si)nrs of mountains,
through rugged defiles, to the valley of the Saidarita, and emeiged
by a tortuous gorge upon the broa<l i)lain of San Jose, stretching'
3(» miles away before them. Through it flowed two rivers, 4 or 5
feet deep, with currents so swift that it was ditlieult to hold a
footing in f()r<ling'. ]>ut with consideiably delay, by the aid of
i()]ies, all the forces, cannon, ]»ro\ ision tiains, &c., were passed
over. On theL'4th of October, the army entered the city of Santa
Ivdsa. The inhabitants, nnndiering some 3.(M)(>, offered no resis-
tance, but furid.shed the sui)plies reipured. This i)lace was situ-
ated at the base of the Sierra Ciorda, a range of nnaintains rising
4,(KK) feet above the level of the plain. Through these they now-
ascertained there were no defiles westward affording ])assage to other
than mule trains. It was impossiltle to lead an army over them. It
became api>iirent that the martial ambition of the War Depart-
ment exceeded its geographical knowledge, which hiul thus been
obtained at a cost of many millions to the treasury of the nation.
The only alternatixe was to jiush hundreds of nules out of the way
south, to Monclova and Parras. and strike tlu! gr<'at road from
Saltillo to Chiluuihua. This course was decided u])on, and the
army again took up its weary line of march over the most rug-
ged, mountainous and sterile country it had yet ])assed, about
the only vegetation met with being the Mnf/uei/, celebrated as the
plant from which an intoxi<'iiting Ii(pH)r, called mescal, \s distilled.
After a short halt at the hiicienda of Senor Miguel ISlanco, they
finally emerged into the valley of Monclova; crossing which, (Ien.
AVool encampe<l his column before the city of that name. This
Mas ill (;onse<|uence of the formal lU'otest of the pn-feet, the first
show of ojiposition with which the army had met thus far on the
route. Gen. Wool immediately took jjossession of the town,
^'(»vember yd, and <lisplayed the American flag from the top of the
• See letter from Secretary ot War to Gen. Taylor, Oct. 2:.', 1«46.
34
r/M HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
ptvci'iior's ]);i!iH'(' on the piiiicipMl |)l;izii. In tlic inciiiitiiiic. (Icii.
Ta\ l(»i' liad oiilcrcd (It-n. NN'ool. willi wlioiii lie had ('oniniunicatcd
sovfial times, not to advance beyond Monclova until tiie tt'iinina-
tion of Ills ainiistiee with Anipiidia. Heiiiji now some TOO miles from
Linacea. (ien. AVool determined to estaltlisii a depot of snppliesat
jNIonclova, for whi(;li pnipose lie employed ilie time to collect hiijic,
(inantities of stoi'cs and provisions and in veconnoiterin^i' the conn-
try, while lie also pci'fccled the (lisci|»line of the tidops. After llu^
delay of a month, the '•Centre Dixision." e\cei)t L'.">0 men left to
{i'lnird the di'jtot at Monclova, once more took np its line of march
lor I'arras, distant ISO miles. Tlie ront<' was south, and led
tiironyh a nnnilier of towns l)cfore reachinj;' i'arras, <'ontaiiiiii,;i'
about (i.OOO inhabitants, located near the centre of the best ,urain
rejiiou of Mexico, at the base of tlu' Uolsoii de Malpami, 100 mile.s
southwest from : altillo ami 'MW miles from San liUis de I'otosi.
This key to Cliihnaliua (distant 4oO miles) was reached on the
othol' December. IJy thistinu' the coiKpiest of ( 'hihuahiia had been
abaiuloned.and, as we have seen. other i)laiis of prosecuting' the war
were in process (»f execution. Scott v as in supreme command ;
the army of occupation had dispersed from .Monterey, Taylor
bein<;' at A'ictoria, ami Tatterson ordered from C'onmrjio to
Tampico. Santa Anna was collectinj; a lar.ii(' force at San Luis
I'otosi, thrcateuinji' .Monterey, the IJio (Irande, and all the con-
(piests of Taylor's army. (ieii. Wool therefore left I'arras, after
12 days' stay, to throw himself across the jtrobable route of Santii
Anna's advam-e, and on the I'lst of ])ecend)er occupied Aj^ini
Isneva, his movement culminatin,y Just two months later in the
■severest and most impoitant battle of the war, that of Unena
A'ista. Thus was comi»leted a fatijiuinji' nuirch of lu-ar a 1.000
miles, imule in about (i w«'eks time (dednctinii stoppaj;i's at Mon-
clova and I'arras), over a barren and desolate country, throiiuh
■which supplies were transported at an inlinite exi)ensc'; which
proved utterly fruitlejss of results; and viewed at this day seeni.s
to have been ])lanned without considerafion, if not conceived iu
folly. Throujihout the arduous and excessive nuircht's the Illinois
tr(K»ps conducted tliemselves as veterans.
lialtle of Bucna Vhta. — Tt becojiiinf;; more and more ai)pareiit
that Santa Anna meditated a descent npou Saltillo, and i)robably
the entire c<tuntry over which the army of occnj)ation had foujiht,
Gen, Taylor, in .lanimry, 1.S47, left Victoria and established his
heaibpiarters at ]\lonterey. Directly, further infornmtiim of Santa
Aniui's purposes were discoveied in the capture of ('. INI. (lay,
and Majors Uorlaiul and Clains at Encarnacion. Leavinj;- l.oOO
men behind, Taylor now advaiu-ed with all his available force to
Saltillo, distant 40 miles. Altera short halt he pioceeded forward
to the cant]* of Gen. Wool at Aj;ua Nueva, the whole eU'ectivc
forces com-entrated there now beinj; swollen to about 0,000 men,
all volunteers excei)t oOO.
A;nna Nneva was situated at the south(>ast coriu'r of the elevated
and well watered valley of Encantada, where the jireat road from
San Luis Potosi entered it. From thence north to Saltillo, a dis-
tance of !'(► miles, the road followed the ])ass of iliiemi Vista,
which varied in width from 1^ to 4 miles, l)ut ixi: a point <» miles
south of Saltillo contracted to the "^'arrows" — La Angosturea.
JFEXIOAN WAR.
r»;}i
]M('iin(I('riiij«' tlii'()n<>Ii tlic, Pass was a siiiull sticam of watci', wliicli
liad waslu'd out at the Narrows a net work ofjiullics 20 tcct ilccp,
^vitll jnccipiloiis hanks. On tlic cast side of the stream tlic jiroiiiid
Avas elevated to tlie lieiylit of (iO uv 70 feet. Into this, at ri;4ht
anti'les from the Narrows, extended ii /n'orji'es of iine(|nal h-nytli,
varying fiom perhaps a \ to ^ mile, the sontliermost bein.ii tiie
h)n;;('st and th'cpest. Uetween these were liij;h ridges riuiiiinj;'
back into a ]»hiteaii, which extended to tlie monntain liirtlici- east
about A a mih'. IJetween theyuilies and the table hind thus cut
into ridfi'cs there was a narrow strip of uroiind for the road, down
on the lower level, hsivinn' hardly room for two wa^i'ons to i)iiss.
r>ack ol' the plateau a deci) ravine ran up to the mountain, and to
the south of it ther<' was also a ravin<', broad, but not so dillicnlt to
cross. I'rcciscly two mouths befoic the battle, (len. AVool. on a
trip to Haltillo, pointed out this defile as the s]>ot of all others for
a small army to ti,iilit a. laru,e one. And it was in fact a perfect
Thermoi>yhe.
When, tlK'refoi'c, vSuiitiV Anna with his s])lendid army of 20,000,
poured into the valley at A<;ua Nueva, early on the morniu.n' of
the 22d ot I"'ebruary. hoi»inj; to surprise Taylor, he found iu)thinf;'
but destroyed dwelliuj^s. burning;' stacks of f;rain, and a small
mounted foi'ce. which .tiavehim room without i)arloy. Hvcrythinj''
indicate*! a hurried dej)arture, which his icady imajiiiuition con-
strued into a precipitate retreat. Thus (leliule<l, after a bare
lialt, he mad<' jtursuit. hopin.n' to overtake the Americans and con-
vert their rcireat into a rout. Jle iirj^cd forward his famished
and jade< I forces 14 miles faithei', without adecpiate rest or nour-
ishment. aii<l when he did oveitake the AnuMicans it was at theso
very "Nariows." where he could not recede without defeat or
a\()i(l battl« without dishonor.
(ieu. .Minou, who had hovered around Gen. AVool's forces for a
week, had been disjwitclK'd with 2,000 cavalry by a circuitous
route to the east, to llireaten Saltillo ami cut off their n'treat;
and (Jen, I'lica, with 1,000 "ancheros, had been sent by a circuit-
ous route to the west of the road.
The approach of the Mexicans tlirou<;li the Pass was made visi-
ble at a considerable distance by tiie clouds of dust raised. Our
troops had halted north of the Narrows, about lA Jiiiles, at the
hamlet of IJuena Vista. After refreshment on the morniu^df the
22d. they were marched back and jilaced in ]»ositi<)U on the held
l»y (ieu. Wool. (ieu. Taylor was away miles, at Sallillo, direct-
iu.i;' the defences of the de[iot of supi>lies. ('apt. \\'asliiii_i; ton's
battery of S pieces was jdaced to occupy the road at the Nari-ows,
sujipoitcd by the 1st Illinois rejiimeut. Col. Ilaidin, jiostcd on the
hi,i;li roa<l to the east of it. Still farther to tlu- east, on the main
jdateau, was the 2d Illinois rciiiment and one company of Texans
(('apt. Conner's.) under Col. IJissell. Ca]»tains Moi'jiini's and
i'rentiss' companies of the 1st Jlliuois, and Captains Hacker's
and Wheeler'sof the 2d Illinois, were dcsitatched under command
of .\lajoi' Warren to Saltillo, to jiuard the train and depot ajiainst
attack from (ieu. Minon. To the left of the 2d Illinois, near the
base of the mountain, were the niounled Kentucky and Arkansas
re.iiinu'uts, Colonels ^Marshall and Veil; and on the ridj;e to the
rear of the Illinois troops, as a reserve, were jtlaced the 2d and
3d Indiana regiments ((Jen. Lane's brigadi'),the Mississippi rilles,
632 HISTORY cv Illinois.
tlu' Isl iiinl LM (liiijiooiis, iiiid tlu' lijilit batti'iiesof Ciii)tiiiii.s Uniyg
and Slicriiiiiii. 'I'lic iM Kentucky rrj;i"'*''d (of loot), Col. MrKt'c,
ttcciiitifd a ii(l;;c. aKMiiid wliich the road divided to the rear of
AVasliiiinlon's l)attei-v.
As tlie Mexican cavalry came clatterin};' down llio road, llie first
intimation lliey received ol' an enemy in tiie way was to behold
liim thus stationed in battle array. l>etnn' they came within
ran;;(' their bn^iles sounded a luilt, and they directly wheeled to
the iij;ht behind u protectin.n' elevation of "ground. As those in
the rear came up, the whole were formed into three columns, one
to carry \\'a.shinj;loM"s battery and the others to tiiin our left;
Avith still a larjic reserve. The enemy had liO ;^uns, amonj;' which
there were three L'l -poiiiiders, three H>, live 12, besides a 7-inch
liowilzer. iJefore attackiii^i', iSanta Aniui sent Cien. Tayhtra tlaj;'
of truce, assiiriuin' him he would be cut in pieces, and summoning"
Inin to surrender, which was juomptly declined. Jt was now ;j
1). m. In the meaidime (ien. Wool had passed alonj; the lines,
addressinji a few spirited words to our troops, lie reminded his
own column, mostly Illinoisans, of their protracted and impatient
inarches, liiit that eveiy one would now have an oi»p<»rtunity to
Avin all the dislinction ch'sired. In honor of the day the wateh-
Avor<l was : ••The nu'inory of Washington."
The enemy opened with a brisk cannonade ni)on our rij^ht and
centre, but he tbuj;ht maiidy to jict possession of the two
slopes of the mountain risiu};' from the plateau on the east, to
turn oui' tlak. This was met by the Kentucky ami Arkansas rej;-
inients (disnu)Uiite(l), and a jiortion of the Indiana brijiade,arnu'<l
with lilies. A movement was also imide on the west, to meet
which I!ra;4>i"s battery was seid across the stream on an eminence
opposite the Narrows, supjiorled by McKee's lid Kentucky. A des-
ultory i\ii]\[ was kept up till nij;htfall, but the two arndes <lid not
bec(nne fully eiijiajicd. (Ien. Taylor, who had returned, dejiarted
for Saltillo to hxik after the safety of the stores ami the protec-
tion of his rear.
J)urin<i the day ( ol. Hardin's 1st Illinois tliiCAV up a parapet
alon<4 his whole front, cut a trench across the road to the brink
of the jiiillies, in front of Washin;itoirs battery, ami covered his
position with an epaulmenl, leaviu}; an open in;;' for the a(hance
of the battery choked with two wa^ions loaded with .stones, their
wheels lockt'd that the em-my should not i»rolit by it. The troops
bivouai'ked on the tiehl without lires, restinj;ui»on their arms. The
iii^-ht was cold and dreary, with rain and yusts of wind, causing
them tosnil'er with cold. iSanta Anmimade a spirited address to his
troops, reciting in burning words the wrongs heaped upon their
country by the barbarians of the north, their rirax being distinctly
heard by the Americans. The delicious strains of his own band
till late in the night, |»laying the excjuisite airs of the sunny
south, nu'llowcd liy distance, were fully audible to our troojKs.
But at last siieiu'c lell over the hosts that were to contend unt(»
death in that narrow jiass on the morroAV.
The battle was resumed early on the monuiig of the 23d, and con-
tinued without inteiinission uidil the shades of night precludetl
further etVort. 2sever did armies conteiul iihuc bravely, determin-
edly, stubbornly and aiduously than these on this long and toil-
someday. Jt was again opened on the mountain !sloi)e to the east
MEXICAN WAR.
533
of flic ]>liit('iiu by (Jcii. Aiiipiidiii's division of li^lit infant ly, licav-
ily reinforced. At 2 a. in. tliey <rland)ered up tiie nionntain to
Hank onr ritlenK'ii, wlio liad kindled fii'es, and at dawn tiie en<;a<;e-
inent l)e(;anie jicneral. (len. \VooI sent reinl'oreenients toonrriHc-
)iien, under the eoniniand of Majoi' Trail, of tiie I'd Illinois, consist-
inj;' of Captains Lemon's and Woodward's (•onij)anies, and Captain
Connei's Texans, and a lli-poiiinl liowilzei- and two j;nns nnder
Lieut. O'lJrien, whieli did j^reat execution ui)on the .Mexicans, as
they jxiuied upon our nusn in the number of ei^lit to one.
About <S a. m. the enemy made a stronj;' demonstration aji'ainst
our centre, doubtless lor a feint. His forci^ was soon disjx'rsed by
llie well directt'd shots from AVasliiuf^ton's batteiy ; but in the
meantime he was collecting' a larji(; force in the bioad ravine south
of the main j)lateau, under (Jen. I'aciieco, while (ien. Lombardini's
division maivhed u[) the rid<;e (which hid the former) in plain view,
supi>oiled by draji'ooiis ;• ' lancers, the whole in their si)lendid
iiniibinis presenting' a beautiful siulit. The object was to form a
Juncti<»non the south side of the main plateau, and, that jiained,
ovei'whelm our forces. The plateau at the time w;is occui»ied by
the L'd Illinois, Col. Jiissell's, and the L'd Indiami, Col. Bowies',
the latter of (Jen. Lane's lnij;a(h'. The object of the enemy was
))('rc4'ived ; and to j)revent tlie Junction of his two divisions, (Jen.
Lane ordeii'd forward Lieut. ()'l>ii<'n with three [>ieces of artillery
an<l the L'd Indiana in suj)j>ort. Tlu'y proceedeil between !.'()(( and
;>(»() yards in advance of all other troops, turninj; down the rid^e
uj) which Lond>ardini's division was advancing:. No sooner had
tiiey formed than tlie ]\Iexicans o])ened niton them, the odds
against tlu-m beinjj;- as ten to one. There, isolated, they stood and
lou^lit thecohoits of Santa Anna with tenibU^ effect. J5iit a .Mex-
ican battery, south-east of them and somewhat to their rear, bejiau
to play a nuu'deroiis cross lire of ;;rai)e and cannister upon them.
I'lie uiu'ipial contest was maintained not less than '2'> minutes; to
<;('t out «»f the rani^e of this battery (Jen. Lane now oidcred liis
force still forward and to the riyht, oO yards faither, wliicli was
]irom]>tIy <lone ; but at this Juncturv, perhaps from a niisapjne-
liension of (Jen. Lamp's order, Col.Uowlescried out to his rejiinu'ut,
''cease lirinu', an<l retreat", which was obeyed not only with alac-
rity but ]>reci[)itancy. It was sought to rally the nu'U back to their
]>osition, but without elfect. The battery, Avith the loss of one
piece, u'ot away.
Pac]ie<'o's division, having by this time made the ravine, Join«'d
Lond>ai<lini's, ami the two ])oured upon the main jtlateau, so form-
idable in iMunbcrs as to ,apj>ear irresistible. At this time the I'd
Illinois, Col. Ilissell, six companies, a squadron of ca\iilry, and
Lieutenants I>'r<'nch and Thomas with their pieces of artillery, the
whole having alrea<ly advanced t(» a closer point, came haiulsomely
into action and gallantly receive<l the concentrated lire of the en-
emy, wiiicli they returned witii delibeiate aim and tenible eifect ;
t'\i'y\ <lischarge of the artillery seeming to tear a bloody path
ihi'ough the heavy columns of the enemy. Ways a writer: "The
rn]»id nuisketiy of the gallant troops of Illinois jtoured a storm of
lca<l into their seri'ied ranks, which litcially sticwcd the ground
with lh<'dea<l and dying." Uut. notwithstanding his losses, the
enemy steadily advanced, throwing a large body lielween the left
ol' the illincjisans and Sherman's battei'y, which had come uj), so
r).'54 lUSTOUV OF 1 ILLINOIS.
tliiit 4)111- •i'allaiit iv^'iint'iit n'Ci'ived a tire from Wnvv sides, trout,
k't't Hank and Ict't ri-ar; but tlicy niainlainrd tlicir position tor h
linicwitii nntlinriiin;;' firmness a^^ainsl tiial immense liost — loiiave
(•iiarj;i'(l wliieii would lia\«' Iteen speedv and conii'lel*' desliuelion.
At len^tii, i>ereei\ iiiji' tiie danj;cr of Itein^ entirely siii voiimled, it
was determined to lali Itaeic to a ravine. Col. Hissell, willi llie eool-
iH'ss as if on ordinary drill, ordered the sij^nal "cease tirinj;'" to liv
made; lie tlien, willi tlie same delilieration, <^ave tlie command,
*' l*'acc to tlie I'car ! nattalion, about face; forward marcli !'" — wliicli
AViis t*xecute<l l>y tin- lllinoisans witli the rej;nlarity of veterans to
u point beyond tlie peril of Itein;;' ontfianked. .\;;ain,in olu'dienc*'
to command, these intrepid and snbonlinate men lialtcd, faced
abont, and, under a mnrderons tempest of ballets from the foe, re-
snmed with itromi>tness and precision their well-directed lir«' on
his left, as lie essayed to cr«»sstlic plateau and^ain iheirit-ar. The
coiidiicl of no troops any where conld have been mor*' admiralile.
AN'ill it add any cncominm to state that they had never till that day
been nmh-r lir*- ? — that in the space of less than half an hourthey
liad seen drop by their sid<' their fellows to the number of SO —
otiieers and men? Jlow dilfercnt from the four companies i>f the
Arkansas rcfiiinent, wliii'li (dismounted) were ordered to the pla-
tt'an, but <^a\e way and (lisi»cised after deliverinj; their tirsl tire!
There now came to the aid of our stiu^jiiin;;' and shattered rej;i-
ment four conipaiiies from the 1st Illinois under the •gallant Uardiii
liimself, the I'd Iventiicky, Col. McKee, and ('apt. iha^ij;, with two
j»ieces of artilkry. Hereon the plateau now the battle loiii; in evtii
l)alance linii.n'. In the meantime the enemy's left, l.CHUt struii,ii-,
was repulsed by the iron tempest from Washington's battery, lint
behind his Berried ranks on the plati-au, next to the base of the
mountain, his cavalry swi'pt past, driviiijj;- the Kentucky and Ar-
kansas mounted volunteers back. Seeing' this, our ritlemen altan-
doned theii- position with ^reat loss under the pursuit of Ampu-
din's li^lit infantry, who iionr«'d dovii in peat masses o)i a sec-
tion of the plain half a mile north «d' the jtlateau, completely tnrii-
in.i: (Uir left. With the exct'ption of Col. Hardin's paiapet, and
AVashin};ton's batteiy at the narrows, both held and supporteil l»y
a i>ortion of his rejiinu'Ut, our forces had now been <lriveu from
evei'y fii'st i»osition on the field, and our loss Mas immense, (ien.
AVool had conducted the brilliant achievements of onrarmy up to
this time; but thedemand for reinibrcemeiits was in»w imperative.
It was at this critical jieriod that (W'U. Taylor arrived from Saltillo,
accompanied b.\ the .Mississippi IJitlcs, Col. .letieison Davis, a
S(pmdron of dra.y()ons, I.ieut. ('(»!. Alay, two comjianies of infantry,
Captains I'ike and J'reston, and a piece of artillery. This force,
trie<l in the stoiniin;^' oI'Monterey, threw themselves with intrepid
•iiillantry a<;ainst Ampndia's lioides as they came po\irin};' down
the ]»lain flushed with victory. From their unerrin*;' riHes men
di'opped as j^rass before the scythe. Tlic tide of victo^ry was
checked ; and the .'?d Indiana comiii};- to their suppoit, the Mexi-
cans weie driven be>oiid ranj;e.
In the meantime Santa Anna bad, with infinite labor, biou^^ht
his l(attali(»n de 8an Patricio (deserted liish soldiers from our
army) forward with a battery of IS and 24-]>ounders, enfilading'
with <ira|»e and cannister the whole plateau. J>ut by a vigorous
sortie his heavy column was broken near its centre, ii portion fly-
MEXICAN WAR. 635
iiiy iioitli towiuds AiiiiHidin ; tlic otlicr, with Santa Anna in tlicir
midst, (liis lioisc sliot,) jncssin;;' soiitliwaid, and Hardin, I'.is-
st'll and McKcc, willi tlicir lorct's dasiiin;; in pnisuit tu a point
witliin close mnskct laiiyc. wlicrc tlic,\ j)oiii'C(l a rapid and most
dcsti iictivc lire into his lanks till lie j^aincd the cover of the la-
vine. His Itatteiy, however, held its itosition. I)irectl\ alter, (ien.
Ta\ lor ordered Ura^^u's and Sherman's hatteiies to anothei' ]>art of
the Held, leaving;- Itnt 1 i)ieces on tlu' plateau. The Isl and iM Illi-
nois and the 2(1 Kentucky rej;im«'nts, toj^ether with 4 pieeesofar-
tilleiy, w<'i'e now stationed near the lieads of tlie Hist and second
}:(>r.ues. holdiuii in check the enemy's Isl and I'd attaekinj;' columns
lillin;^ the ravin*' next south of the jdateau. l''oi' a Ion;; time the
contest was maintained without decided advantage to either side
on the ])lateau, the main theatre of the battle.
We ha\(' not si)ace to follow in <letail all the ^iallaid ti;;htiii<;'
aiound on oiii' left. Snllice it to say that the pieces of iira;;^;',
Slierman, Keynolds, and Kilhurn, the ;\lississipj)i l\illes, tiie .'{(I
Indiana and a Ira.Liincnt of the L'd. and ]\Ia.jor Trail with twocom-
I)anies of the I'd Illinois, and ('apt. Conner's Texans, the 1st and
L'd drajioons, ami Colonels ^Maishall's and Yell's mounted Ken-
tiu'ky and Arkansas volunteers, and others, with si;;iial success,
beat hack the enemy, ca\ airy and infantry, from the hacienda do
liuena Vista, ai'ound on our left under the hase of the mountain.
Hut now we luive to relate the saddest, and for Illinois, the most
moiind'ul event of that battle I'ati.y ned day. As tlu^ enemy on our
left was moving' in retreat alon^ the head of the ]»laleau. our
artillery was ad\ anced well within lanyc, and oi)eued a heavy tiro
njion him, while
" ("dIoucIs Hardin. Bisscll and McKoe, witli tlieh- Illinois and Ken-
(uclxy troops, dasln'tl f^ailiintly forward in iiot i(ursuit. A powerCul re-
serve of the Mexican army was just tlieu eini'rfiiiif; from the ravine,
where it had been orjjani/.ed, and advanced on the i>lateau opposite tlie
head of the southerniost fjorj^e. Those who wei'e f^ivinji; way rallied
qui<'kly upon it; wlii'ii tlie whole force, thus increased to over 1l', (»()(»
men, eame forward in a jierlVet i)iaze of fire. It was ii single eohimn,
composed <tf the l)est soldiers of the Kepuiilie, having for its advanced
battalions the vetiTan regiments, 'i'iie Iveiitueky and Illinois troojjs
were soon oliliged to give ground ht'fore it and set'k shelter of the L'd
gorge, [The enemy piessed on, and] ariiving opposite the heail of the
2(1 gorge, one half of the column siwlileidy enveloped it, while the other
half jiressed on across the plateau, having for the monu'iit nothing to
resist them hut the .'5 guns in their IVoiit. 'Plie portion that was inime-
diately opposed to the Kentucky and Illinois troops, ran down along
each side of the gorge in which they iiad sought shelter, and also cir-
cled ai'ound its ln'ad, h-aving no j)ossil>le way of t'Kcape for them except
l)y its mouth, which opened upon the road. Its sides [which] were
steep — at least an angle of 4") degrees — wer<' covered with loose pel>liles
and stones, and went to a ])oint at the hottom. Down there were our
poor fellows, nearly ',i regiments of them [1st and L'd Illinois and 2d
Kentui'ky,] with butlittle opi)ortuuity to load or fire a gun, Iteing hardly
able to keep their feet. Ahove the whole edge of the gorge, all the way
uround, wjt.s darkened by the .seried masses of the enemy, aiul was brist-
lii g with muskets diiected upon the crowd heneatb. It was no time to
pause; those who were not immediately shot down, rushed on toward
the i'()a<l, their numhers growing less and less as they went ; Kentuckian.s
and Jllinoksans, ollieers ami men, all mixed u}) in eonfusion, and all
pressing on over the the loose pebbles and rolling stones of those shelv-
ing, precipitous banks, and having lines and lines of the enemy tiring
down from eaeli side and rear, as they went. Just then, the enemy's
cavalry, which bad goue to the left of the reserve, had come over the
530 HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
Hpiir that dividcH till' mouth of the 2(1 fjr<»'RO from tlmt of the .'td, and
wviv now (•h)siiif< iijt tht' only door throii^jli wliii'h tht-it' was tlic IcaMt
shadow of a i-haiue lor llicir lives. Many of tliosc ahead ondtavoit'd to
force their way out ; hut (vw sueeeeded ; tiu' hun-ers were fully (i to 1,
and their lonu weajjons were already reeking with hlood. It wasat this
time that those who were still haek in that dreadful >;or^;t' iieard, ahovo
the din of the musketry and the shouts of the enemy around them, tiiu
roar ol' \\'ashin).;ton's Itatlery. No music could have heen more j^rale-
ful to their ears. A moment only,:ind the whole o|ieninj;, wherethe lan-
<'»'rs were husy, ranjrwith the repi'ated explosions «)rspiu'rical-case shot.
They nave way. 'I'he nate, as it were, was clear, and out upon ihe road
« stream of our j)o()r fellows issued. They ran, pantinj^ down towards
tlu' liattery and dirt'ctiy under the tlij-ht ol iron then jiassin^i over their
lieads into the retreatinfj; cavalry. JIardin, M<Kee, (lay, Willis, Za-
hriskie, Houghton — lull why go '•"'•' 't would ht-a sad task indeed to
name over all who fell ilurin^c this liO minutes' slau.tihter. The whole
gor;;*', from the plateau to its mouth, wasstrewed with ourdead; all dead ;
lu) woundeil there, not a man; for the infantry had rushed down the
sides and < ompleted the work with the bayonet. "*t
On the ])];iteiiu our uitinciy did its utmost to hold at buy the
lionU's of Mexicans while reinlbiceiiu'iits pressed l'()rwar<l to this
the center of coulliet. The enemy toii<;lit with a perfecl aban-
don of life, Tiie heavy battery steadily held its jirouiul. 'I'lie
remnants of the iM and 1st Illinois re<;iuu'nts, after issuinj;' lV«»ui
the fatal }i()r<;«', were ridbiined and a/^ain broujiht into action, the
Ibrnu'r under the nnidest but intrepid Uissell. antl the latter, after
the fall of tiie nobU' JIardin, under the eouiinand id" laeutenant
Col(»nel Weatlieribrd. The lid refiiuieiit to«)k a position to the
riylit of our batteries, and the 1st somi'wliat toward the left of
them. The enemy also brou<;ht rciiiforeeuients lo tlii! tielii. A
brisk artilleiT duel was now steadily maintained; but <iradnally.
with t lie sett inji' ol' the orb of day, the cannoinule and rattlt' of
snuill arms slackened, and when ni^lit siiread iiei' pall over the
tii'ld of carnage, it eeasi'd alloycther, and the {;lo(Uu of silence
succeeded. Jiolli armies, al'tei' t he lonj;' day's stiu|.ij;le, occupied
liitieh tin sanu' position as in the inorninj> ; the I'ueniy, with his
overwhelniinii- nnndt<'rs, having' ,t;ained but little };roun(l. Karly
on the Ibilowini;- nu»rninj^' ihe j:iad tidin^^s spread rapidly amouj;'
our {;aliaut troojis that lie liad, under the cover of darkness, re-
treated ; and victory oiiee more jierched ui»on the banners of the
Amei-icans.
Our total loss was 7l(i — killed, LMJl; that of the enemy, L',r)(i(K
The loss of the 1st Illinois rej;iinenl was 4.")— killed, I'll; of the I'd,
I'M — killed, (L*. This battle, as it was the heavii'st and most stub-
born, proved also to be the turninji' jioiut of the war — like thai t»f
!Saratoj;a in the war of the revolution. It ended the eainpai};u iu
that i)art of JNIexico.
In the moveineiit a;;ainst Vera Cruz, the .'5d and Itli Illinois
rejiiments. Colonels J''orman and Uaker, loj:i'ther with a Ni'W
York rej^imeiit, (,'ol. I'.urnett, conslitiited the ltri^a>le of (ieneral
81iields. After reeonnoiteiinji' the city by (leii. Scott, the spot
selected for the landinji place of the army was the main shore to
•Coltoii's HiBtoryot' tlio IJiittle ot Biifiin Vista ; to which, with Oeii. Tuylor's odluial
report, we iii'c lin-Kcly liKlclitcd tor our ut'coiitit of this imttlc.
+('oi. Ilisscll in n speech siiliseiiiient ly nuule at .Iiic'l\Soii\ illc (?). suid thiit iieillior
llnriliii nor liny ot tlie thi-ei' Colonels liiid oriU'TS I'or their lust ruriiuis elnirse nmilo
upon the retreiitiiiu' iii-rny iicross the plateiiii, Crnylor lieiiiji' iiwuy): timl it aiose liy a
ppeeiesof connnon consent between tliiin. lor as Hanliii started, ho iHlssell) followed,
and MeKee, with liis Ki ntuckliins, tell in in support ot the movement. Hu stated
turtlier tliut it was thai terrllile eiiurge whieli saved the lortunes of the day.
MEXICAN WAR.
537
llic west (»r tlic Isliind of Siicrilicios, iiiid isoutli of tliP rit.y. Tlui
liicii wcic l;iii»l»'(l .Miir<*li !>, I.SI7, l»,v siii riiiiiits, coiiipilliics A, V
iiiiil (i of tilt- till Illinois, iindfr till- iiiiiiicdiiitt- roiiiniiiiid of iiiciit.
('i)l. .loliii .Moore, itciii;; :iiii(>ii}{ tin* Vfiy first to iiiii'iicipiitc in that
iidniiniitlv cxccnit'd acliifvcint'nt in wliicii not a nianwii^ lotit.
On landini:, the t loops of Slii<'lds' and Pillow's l»ii;;ad('s were as-
si;;nfd to tli<> adxaiice, and tlu'v clfaird hill ath'i' hill of the Mexi-
cans, wno, with a fecidc elforl at icsistaiicc, to,>U it'fnjic ii' t!io
chaparral. Tln^ army, after experiencin;; veiy waiin \v»'ather,
alternated with a " noither" — a <M»ld and Idindinj;' sand st(trin —
and slet'pin;; on sand hanks at ni;;ht, ;;radiially gained in its ap-
]>roaches npoii the city, coiiipletin};" the iiivcsUnent in about .'}
days' time.
Nearly two weeks later, after due summons and refusal to sur-
leiider, our artilleiy opened its feirihie lir(^ of shot and shell iipou
the city and the far-famed castle of San Juan de' llloa, reputed
to he the St roufiest fortress on the continent. After a stid)l»(»rii
I'esistance to the dieadful ell'ects (»f our moitars, howitzers and
Taixhau <;iins in the hatteiy on shore, at a distance of .stl(» yards,
an<l the hroadsidesof our ships of war for 5 days, thecity and castlo
hoth. iinahle to eo|K> with the advance in science which Americau
artillei-y ha<l made, sur;('iideit'd. Our loss in men was very tri-
tliii^'. Durinj'- the bombanhneut there were thrown into the
walled city .'{,(>(»(> ten inch shells of !M» pounds each, l'(»(> howitzer
shells, l.OOO I'aixhan shot and _,.'>()() round shot — a half niilliou
weight of metal. The wreck of the city and its mourniny attested
botli the power and the sadness (»f war.
On theSthof April thearmy bc>ian its forward movement on the
.T;ila]>a road. Four dayslater it reached the Plan del i;i()at the Pass
of Ceiro (lordo. Here a deej) river breaks throu;^li the mountain,
whose siiles tower aloft 1,0(10 feet. ^ViudiuJ^ alonj^' throuj^h this
<;()r;;'e, on the north side of the river, lan tlu' national road, the
only highway by which our army could j^ain the interior. On
these ramparts of nature. Santa Anna, by a si-ries of rapid
marches, after his defeat at IJueiia \'ista, had concentrated an army
(»f l."».(M)() uu'U, and had further fortitied thu i»ositioii by entrench-
ments and the erection of batteries, which, one above auothei', com-
manded a sweep of the road and frowned j;rimly upon our aiiny
below. It was concluded, after a thoroujjh recounoisauite by (leii.
Scott himself, that the position was imiire^iuable. The )»lan was
next formed of cutting a new road throuj;h the chaparral to the
noith of and windiuji' ai'ound the base of the mountain, thence
to ascend and unite with the national road in tlu^ rear of the
enemy's position. The ])lan was feasible only with ^^reat toil and
labor, lint our brave men were e(]ual to the task. So well was
the enemy's attentitui emi>loyed by movements in his trout, that
for .'{ days he was iu)t apprised of this work, when he assailed the
lalxu'ers with jurape and musket I'y. Twi<:j;s' division was there-
upon a<l\aiic(Ml alonj;' the new route, which was nearly (,'omiileted,
and carried theennuenee oe<!upied by the enemy and protecti'd
the workin.y parties. During' the darkness of theni^ht followiiij;',
by almost superhuman exertion, a L'l-pounder bnllery was silently
liftr<l hundreds <»f feet to the top of this height. This was done
by (Jen. Shields' brijiade. tlie.''>d and Itii Illinois and the Kew York
reyiment. It was a herculean labor gallantly performed.
638
IIISTOIIY (»K ILLINOIS.
Kvcr.v tiling hvh\<f n-udy, in lU'coidiiiicc with tlie onitToriiatflc,
T\vi;;j;,s' (li\ i.sioii, l>.v ii soiiu'wliiit rarllicr route, was to turn aiitl
assail tilt' position ot" tin- nu-ni.v (lii<'<tl\ on liisicar; still Im'voimI.
luit in snitpoilin;; disliincc of him, wcic ordcicd ili«> VMhinltcr
l'(';;inicnts nndt-r (it-n. Shields, the .'id and llii Illinois and the
IS'«'W VoiU, which were to cairv a battery of (he eneni.\'s on
Ins extreme left (Santa Anna's), ^ain the national road and eat oil'
his retreat liy that r<»nte; rillow'.-; hri^^ade was to attaek his river
batteries in front. A\ a ;;iven si;:nal the j^cneral attack on the
enemy's line was to he;;in. I'illow's assault was repulsed ;
T\\ iyj^s' men aihaiiced from the rear with a phinjiin;; lire in their
iV(ait and a rolliniL: one on either think, climbed the rocky ascent,
and under the lead of Col. Harney, stormed the enemy's center,
(■allied the forlilicalions, naited his main itody, and turned his
jiiiiis upon the fu;;itives as they lied, while Shields' brigade as-
saiilt<'d and carried the enemy's battery on the extreme h'fl, dis-
jieised its siippoilin;; iiiliintiy, ;iaiin'd the .lalapa road, cut oil"
liis retreat in that direction and prevented his rallying beyond.
In the stormiiij;' of this battery, the heroic Sliields received a
jjrape shot tlirou.uli his liiiij;s. He fell apparently morlally
wounded; his obituary was published in many newspapers
Ihroujilioiit the country; he recovered, however, and is still in
life. 'I'lu' command of his brigade dcNolved upon < 'oloiiel K. I>.
llaker, of the Itli Illinois, I'roiii whose oHicial report we extract
the following; ;
"At (Inyli^lit on tbe morniiijj of the istli the l)rljfatk' was under arins,
and moved iit an early liour to turn tlie (Jcrro (iordo uiid attack the ex-
treme left of the enemy's po^iti<)n, on tlie .Jaliipa road. Thiw waseU'ected
over very (liinciilt fjjroiiiid, throuKli thick ehaparal, and under a jjall-
iiijj,' lire of the eiieniy'.s ^^uiih on the iieijihls. I'jjon ap])niaehiii}^ tlio
main road the enemy was found upon and iiearif, witlia tietd l)attery of
six fiUiiH, supported' hy a larj^e force of infantry and cavalry. Wliilst
formin^i for the attack, and inider a heavy tire from tlie enemy's
guns, l'.l•i;,^ (Jen. Sliields, who had gallantly led his command, fell,
Heverely, if not mortally, wounded. I then directed ii company
to deploy as skirmishers on the right Hank, and ordered u charge
upon the enemy's line, which was accomplished with spirit ami suocesa
by those <'omi(anies, which were enabled l)y the nature of the grouiul to
Diaketheadvance. They wereiiromptly and gallantly sui)ported liy the
remainder of the tth regiment Illinois volunteers, under Afajor Il'arris.
The .id regiment iniderCol. Forman, and the New York regiment, under
Col JUirnett, being ordered by me to move to the right and left ui)on the
enemy, the rout hicame lomplete at that point, and the enemy tied in
great confusion, leaving his guns and liaggage, a large amount of sj;ecie,
provisions and camp eqiiipjiage in our hands. Portions of the M ami
4tli Illinois volunteers and several companies of the New York regi-
ment, all under the immediate command of (Jen. Twiggs, pursued the
enemy on the Jalapa road as far as l-lncerro, when they were pabsed by
the dragoons and halted for the uiglit."*
Col. Ihiker furl lier ex]tressed liis obligalions to Cols. Forman
and JJurnett, and to ^lajor Harris lor the coolness, i»r<»m]>tiliide
and {•allantry with which they (;ariicd into execution the several
dis]>osilions of their commands; also to his regimental staff (the
4th), ('apt. Post. A. C. S., and Adjutant I'ondey ; and to the statl"
of the brigade, Jaents. K. I', llaminond, 3(1 artillery A. A. A., and
*Col. Kornmn siiys tluit " Riikcr's report in the iiiaiii 1b correi't, except tlint the reffi-
nicuts louKht under their own eouiniuiKlers— we liiiew wliiit we liiiU to do und did it."
MKXH'AN WAIl. 539
<J.'r. M. I);ivis, A. I). ("., lor llicir a.HsiMtiiiicc :iii(l tlicir in'oinpt-
iifss ill iIm- (liscliiirjir ol' llirir iliilics.
His loss was: Itli n'^jiiiiciil, »» oriiccis, (L* hciii};' killed — Lit'iits.
31iii|>ii,\ anil Cowoi'tliii), anil i- iioii riiiiiniissiiincil oHiri-i.saml pii-
vales ; .'til, 1 oIliiHTanil !."• nun eiiiiiniissitined ollieers and piivales;
I lie New York re;;iiiieiil, I nlllicer and ."> privates — total of 70 in
the l»ri;;ade. The loss of oiir aiiii,\ was 117— killed, (il, and
Avonniled, ■'>.">,'{. The eiieinv's loss in killed and wounded is not
known ; Itiit we took ;{,<)()<> lu-iHoiuTH, '),WM istandu ol' anus and l.'S
pieces id' aililleiA .
(irii. Twi^ijis in his leport speaks in ylowin;:' and enlhiisiastie
terms ol'lhe eiiiidiiel ol'llie Illinois le^iiiiciits, hot li in llie'stotiniii;;'
ol' Saiila Anna's hallery and in Ihe pnisiii) of the ll\ in;; eiiein.v,
iiiidei' his iniinediate eoniiiiaiid. The battle of Ceiro (lordo, as it
V as one of niisKipassed dinieiilly, |ii'o\ cil also one of I he most liril-
liaiil and imptilanl in Ihe war. lis results were to la,v op«-ii Ihe
road lo the eajiital, and place the empire of Mexico under the feet
of the coinpie 'or. The gallant troops of illinoit; shared to no in-
considerable extent in the dangers, toils and hardships, as their
larjic ratio of losses allests ; and Iheir heroic deeds have retlected
imperishaltle honor and miory upon oiir Slate.
The hallleof Cerro (lordo was the last in the war with Mexico
in which any Illinois imops parlicipatcd. At rlalapa, the year's
time for which they had been enlisted Inniii;; nearly expired, and
il lieiii^ ascertained that the .'Sd and Itli re;;iments would not re-
enlist, (ieii. Scott disbanded them ; the campaijiii on the IJio
(i ramie having been \ irtually ended by the bat tie of Ihieiia N'ista,
the 1st and L'd rcjLiiniciiis were disbanded at Comaryo, and all our
troops of the first four Illinois re;:imeiits returned home about the
same time, Jiieiit.Col. Moore with companies |>,( i and ix, of the llh,
rcMcliin^- Sprin.ulleld .Iiine ith, and '.'M) men of the 1st arriving; at
Si. lionis .May .'list. IN47. The latter bioii;;lit home the remains
of their bel()ve<l <'oloiicl, llardiu ; and Ihe people of .Morr'n eoiiiity
iiniled the entire regiment lo accompany them to tiTT'ir linal rest-
ing place at .lacksoin ille. The funeral (-Inly iLMli.) was one of
the larii«'st and most iinposin;n ever held in the State.*
The s(ddiers j:;(»nerally on their reliirn home were received witli
mark of atfection, and tendered, as tliey well deserved, the t'litliu-
siastic, Avelconies of the jn'ople. Public diiineis, complimentary
toasts. Ilatteiin^' addresses and fulsome siiceclies wen profusely
showered iijioii I hem; the new spaper press \iedwitli 111 orators of
the period in praises of the heroic deeds of (uir volniueer soldierN,
while, as aspirants for ollice. all mere ci\ ilians had to stand aside
and leave the track for the proud patrons of Mars, or be crushed
in the icsult. Mere ci\ il accomplishments or services will ever as
uothiii;;- be in the average pophlar mind i-omparcd with the deeds
heralded by the pomp and circumstance of i^lorious war. The
JMexican war was such a wonderful level' to oftice and political jire-
fermeiit that som(> envious Whiys, whose party had oi>posed it,
took early occasion, it was .said, to declare themselves in i'uvor of
the next w ar, w hatever it might be for !
"Col. Koniuin broiirtlit homo and prcsi'iitcd to the Slate a I! pound jruni now in the
ni'sciinl lit Spfi?iiftlcl<l, as n trophy troni the Mexican baltcry in tlie liattle of(\'i'ro
<ioiMl(i,slationed near Santa Anna's hfttclciuurteis, which wast alien l>v the Illinois troops
shoitly alter the talloftJen. Shields.
540 HISTORY OF ILLINOIS,
Mine \'(>linitms.^h\ the niciintinn', tlic <i<)Vi'iiiiiM'iit Inn iiiji de-
tcrmiiicd t(t raise (»,(»(»(► moic troops, a <'all ui».->ii llliiidis liad \>i'vn
made for ten additional companies of infantry, oi' one rcjiinu'nt
nioic. and one ('oini)any of cavalry, by the secretary of war, W.
Ji. .Alarcy, under date of April lUtii. 1S47. Tlie enlistments wcio
to he dnrinjj- tlie war; tlie other vcii..s were the same as under
jnevious calls ; Alton was aji'ain desijiiiated as the MJace of rende/-
voiis. Under date of Ajtril I'Tth, tlie commander-in-chief ((iov.
French )* hy ^r. K.Anderson, adjutant j^'eiieral of the Illinois militia,
issued his jicneral orders caliinj" for volunteers. In lessthantwo
weelis had not only the 11 companies icported and been accepted,
but S more wcjc teiulered, which had to be rejected. Knnilation
nevt'r lau hij^her; e\i)i'esses hurried to iSprinjilield with the utmost
dispatch to secure places on the list before it should be tilled. The
disappointment to those who were too late was most bittt<r.
The iollowinj;' wi're the acceitted companies, which, under date
of ^liiy 10th, were ordered to nnirch to the place of rendezvous :
Coinpiiny A, Clinton county, Thomas iJond, captain,
C()m])aiiy li, Williamson county, .r. M. Cunningham, captain.
C()m])any C, Marion county, Vantrump Turner, cai)tain.
Comi)any 1>, Hrown eount.> , John ('. JNIoses, captain,
Conii)auy K, St. ("lair county, (i. \V. Hook, captain.
Coinjiany b\ Cook county, Tlios. B. Kinney, captain.
Company (J, LaSallecounty, Henry J. Rood, cajjtain.
C^unpany H. Williamson county, James Hampton, captain.
Company I, Shelby county, it. Niadison, captain.
Company K, Pike county, \V. Kinnum, captain.
The cavalry conii»any was from iSchuyler county, Adams Dun-
la]* beinn' the cajttain.
Tlic i')tlt Jicjiiniott of Illinois volunteers was orjianized of the
forejioinj;- comjianies, at Alton, June Sth, 1S47. K. AV. 15. Newby
of Brown county, was elected colonel; lleiHlerson Boyakin. of
Marion, lieutenant colonel; and ,J. U. Donaldson, of Tike, nuijor,
excellent selections. The iegiment took its departure by steam-
b(»at <I days later for Fort Leavenworth. Its destinaticm was
Santa l'\', whither it marclied across the plains from l'\)rt Leav-
enworth in the hottest i)art of the summer, the consequeiu'e being
an unusual anu)unt of sickness, traceable in yreat i>art to tliis ex-
haustive nnuvh. AVhile the «lays were extremely w arm, the nijihts
were frecpuMitly very cold; the tioops ^iU'atly fatigued, would lie
down of nights with their blood heated beyoml a healtliy staiul-
ard ; ere nH)rning they would be chilled by the transi'.ion of the
atnn»sj)here; besides seveial tinu's on the Journey thi-y were over-
taken by severe storms, against which there was no shelter; thus
the seeds of disease were sown .lUd its virulence intensitied. The
measles had already • p])eared anu)ng them at Fort Leavenworth.
l>y the first of December the loss of the battalion stati(»ne(l at
Santa I''e was reported at <)S, of which 42 were by death.
In October, at Santa Fe, tlu' regiment was divided into tw(» bat-
talions, the lirst, together with a battalion from a i\Iissouri regi-
ment, under Col. Newlty, the senior ollicer, being ordered to move
in an expeditiim smith t(» Kl I'aso. The I'd battalion, under Lieut.
Col. l>oyakin, renniined as a garrison at Santa Fe. The regiment
saw no service in <'ontli<'t with the i-iu'my, the war by that time
being virtually over. We will note, however, that these Illinois-
IVreXICAN WAR. 54 1
aiis wi'W the first to oij^iiiiizc a l()(lj;e of the Masonic order at the
rt'inotc post (»!' Santa Fc.
iitli Rcijiminit of Illinois voliiiitt'crs. We lia\e noted th<^ fact
tliat when in Ajiril a new call upon Illinois for ten companies of
infantry and one of cavalrv was made, that in less than lwowcek>i
time 1J» offered, and still more continued to olfer, not knowing; that
tiie ."itli rc^iiment was full. .Mucli disappointment was felt at their
rejection; but their hope was speedily icvived. Under date of
]\Iay L'Otii, the secictary of war wrote to (iov. French : '• Yielding
to the earnest solicitations of the i)atriotic citizens of your State,
the I'resident has instructed nie to rcipu'st that ycair excellency
will cause to he raised and ii'n(!e/,\()used at Alton another rcj;i-
inent of volunteer infantry." The enlistments werc^ to be for the
same jteriod and luive the same orjianization as those of the oth
rejiiment, hut its destination was Vera Cruz.
'!"Mie organization of the surplus comi)anies ha<l been held intact
until tlie I'resident's i)leasnre in thei)reniisescouhl he ascertained
Accordinjily, when the reepiisition came to Inind, (Iov. French, on
the very same day (.May -U), notitied the exi)ectant (;ompaiues of
their acceptance; oi'»U'red them to the i)la(;e of rendezvous to be
nuistei'cd in, and the war department, two thiys later, that the
compaines were all oi'<;anize(l and ready to march.
The following are the conii)anies of the Gth regiment :
Company A, of Madison county, Franklin \ik\s, captain
Company B, Madiwon county, Kdwanl W. Dill, captain.
Company 0, Fayette county, Hiirv<'y I^ee, jr., captain. j
Company D, (ireene county, Jolm JJristow, cajjtain. i
Company E, >rac'oupin county, JJurrcP Tctrick, captain.
Company F, Coolt county, JamcH 1{. lluj^uuiii, cai)tain.
Company G, JJoone county, William .Shepherd, captain.
Comj)any H, Wi'l and Inxjuois counties, U. Jenlvins, captain.
Company I, Jefferson county, James Bowman, captwiu.
Company K, Jo Daviess county, C. L. Wright, captain.
Company A, Capt.ain Nilcs, was ordered into the 5th regiment,
and Capt. Collins' company from Jo iJiiviess, took its phice in tho
0th.*
For colonel of the 0th regiment, Cai)t. Collins, of Jo Daviess, was
elected, receiving 472 votes, to Capt. Wright of thesanie county .'5;J4;
lientenant-colonel, Caj)t. Ilicksof Jelferson, received 448, to Lieut.
Omlveny of Monroe, 371); for nuijor, Lieut. Livington, of Jeffer-
son, received 340: (^apt. Sheplienl, of Boone, L*20; Capt. Lee, of
Fayette, 142, and ii. Hunter, 102. Lieut. Fitch, of CJreene, was
apiK>inted adjutant, W. G. Taylor quartermaster, and J. B. 1 lines
sergeant in.ajor. At New Orleans the 0th regiment was divided,
the first battalion, companies A, 1), E, F, 1'., being sent to Vera
Cruz under the Col. Collins, and the 2d in coiianaud of Lieut.
Col. Hicks, toTanipico. The division caused no litle dissatisfac-
tion among the men. The 2d battalion saw no service other than
garrison duty. The 1st arrived at Vera Cruz, Angnst 31st, and
after remaining in camp Bergara awhile, was ordered out on the
national road and stationed at the San Juan Bridge. Here a skir-
mish with guer'il ,-, was had, in which one private was killed and
♦ NoTE.—Cnptal; .lUC. Horry. .THincs Biirris. Ed. E. Hnrney iind .John Ewlnpr
Also served in tliis rtwimcnt. The Itostor In th>- Aci,jntiint-GeneriU"8 Ofllce, in giving
tlie roKlments wliich servesl in the Mexican War is very Imperfect and inuecurate. It
gives tiie 5th regiment as the Ist. We have collated our facts from the prees of the
period.
542 riisTOKY OF Illinois.
two wouikUmI. ("ol. Collins was vciy sick m-iuly nil tlic time; in-
deed, more tliiiii llie usual aiiioiiiit ol' sickness attended tlie wliole
regiment. JU'ports were ciiiient in the press that one-tilth of its
force, in five nionrhs after leavinj;' camp at Alton, found a i^nwe
in ^Mexico, not from the foe, but l».v sickn(^ss. The 1st battalion
lost 7 out of its L'(» otlicers : aii<l tlie battalion at Tampicct, while
it snt1'ei'e<l as yreatly in men. lost but one ollicer.
I'nder date of .June .■>(>. 1S17. the lion. I{. W. Youny, comiids-
sioner of the (Jeneral Land Ollice at \Vashin<it(»n. wrote that the
Hecretary of War consenteil to accept two more comi)anies of cav-
alry from Illinois, which had been raised, ('ai)t. AVilliam l*r<'n-
tice's to rendezxous aslJov. I"'rench direct, and Cajit. \V. 1>. Stai>p's
of Warren county, to rendezNous at (ijuincy, on horseback, and
proceed thence to St. Loins by steaml)oat.*
The destination of these cavalry (companies was Vera Cruz, to
operate ajiainst the encjuy's ^^i 'rrilla ])aities, and keep ojieii tlio
roads from the f;idf to the City of .Mexico. Captain Lawler of
Shawneetown, also I'aised a cavalry company: and to show the
tronblesomeness of this arm of the service, we will stale that,
owinii' to delays on the river — nearli weeks beinj;' oc.cu])ied in ,uoin<;'
to r>at(»n L'ouiic — he was compelled at that point to land, rest
and recruit his exhausted horses.
After Ids return. Col. V'. 1). liakcr, in ])ursuancc of hi.s re<pic'st,
was autlnnized to raise a battalion of live companies from the
veteran volunteers, recently retiirnt'd. The battalion was not
raised; tlu' fall of the City of ^lexico speedily followed, virtually
ontlinjithe war, althou,i;li the treaty of (iuadalupe llidalyo \vasn^>t
made till February 1', KS4S.
' !?«■(• IIMrois Stiitc Ui (listor, .Tiily 8, IH~. Josiuli Little iilso ruined a cavalry company.
Ho was coiiiniissloiiL'd Sept. 24, 184T.
CnAPTEU XLIV.
COXSTITTITIONAL CONVENTION OF 1S17, AND SOME-
THING OF TUE OKCiANIC LAW FKAMKI) JJY IT.
Al'IcM' tlio violent ]K)liti('nl s(ni,ii,!;l(^ of 1^24 coiiccniiiij;' tlic iuliiiis-
sioii of sliivt'iy into the State, tiie (inestion of ciillinji' a eonxcntion
to revise, or amend tlu^ first constitution was not ajiiiin revived for
a peiiod of l.s years. At tliis time sueli was tlie lii^lit of ])artisan
t'eeliiiii ai'oiised ayainst tlie supreme ('oiirt in decidiiij;' tlie MeCiei'-
naiid-I'ield case aj^ainst tlie wislie.s of tlio dominant i)art.v, and
tlie imiK'eessary a]»i)reliension tliat tlu' (lalena alien case Avonld
als<» 1-e <i<'ci»led against tiie wislies and interests of tiie democracy,
in\(>i\ inji' a possible loss of its politi<'al supremacy in tlie State,
tiial tlie lejiislatiire, at its session of IStO-I, jiassed a resolution
recomiiieiMlin^- to the electors at tlie jicneral election of 1S42 to
\ (»te for <»r a.yainst tlie caliinj;' of a constitutional convention. IJiit
ill tlie meantime tlie Judiciary was i'eori>aiiized by tlic addition of
live judges to the sn])reme court, all democrats, to overbalance
the \\ liij;' Jiidii'es. The democracy havinji' by this act secured their
]>oIitieal su]»remacy in every branch of tliv fiONcniiuent, had no
flirt lier use for a convention to remodel tin; constitution, and at
the Aiijiust election the resolution failed to carry, thonjih the whig
jiarty, against whom it was originally aimed, ardently suiiportetl
the call.
Still the insufficient limitations of the old constitution became
more apparent from year to year, and in 1>S-1.') the legislatuie again
passe<l a resolution recommending to the electors to vote for or
against a constitutional convention at the ensuing general election
of August, 184(J. The democratic 'iress this time urged the jieople
to vote for the call of the convention, publishing the resolution to
be voted for as a standing advertisement and jiart of the regular
democratic ticket ; but the whig jness, if not opposed to the call,
(h'emiiig, perhaps, that its esjtousal of the (piestion might tend to
defeat it, was totally silent upon the subject, and did not once
(lire«'t the attention of the people to the importance of the measure.
Being thus a democratic measure, the call prevailed.
ill the passage of the act to provide for the meeting of the con-
vention, the main (juestion over which there was any considerable
contest, was whether it should consist of as many members of the
then general assembly, ai)i)ortioJied upon the population of 1840
(47(».1S.'{), or whether the number should correspond to the new
apportionment act of that session, based upon the census of 1845
((i«)li,12r)). The contest was between the north and south parts of
the State; the former, which hud been benefited most by the immi-
543
644 HISTORY OF Illinois.
gratioii of tlio prt'ccdiiifi' yciirs, Avas in I'avor of a rcpio.soiitation
based ii))oii tlic ct'iisns of J SI."). Tlic coiistitiition reads: " Tlie
geiieiiil asseinhly shall, at tlie next session, call a <'onvention to
consist of as many inenibeis as there maybe in llie <;eneial assem-
bly." Ml'. J)ouj;lierty, since lienteiiant {governor, introduced a l)ill
lixinj;- the numbei' of dele;;ates to eoiresitond witli tlie number ()f
niendx'is of tin' tlien two liouses, and 3Ir. N. 15, Judd, of Cool;, of-
fered a substitute based upon the ceii.susof 1845, wliieh tinally i»re-
vailed and became a hiw.
A sjiecial eh'ctioii of (h'lefi'ates Avas fixed for the ,'5d IMonday of
Apiil. IS47, who were to meet in comcntiou at Sprin^lield on tho
first 3b>nday of June foliowinK'. J)uiin<; the canvass the wliig
l)ress in the stroii;:j-democi'ati(!(bstricts arji^ued i»hiusibly and truly
tluit foi' a duty so imi»ortant as the fiamin<i of a new or^anii- law
for tlie State,. which was to alfect not only the jiresent but per-
hi\\>s future {generations, when present political questions mi;iht
be classed w ith the thinj;s that were, the ablest talent of the State
should be called u]»on, irrespecti\e of jtarty i)redeli(!tions ; but at
the same time ^ood care was taken by them to brinj;' out and sup-
port none but their own partisans. The democratic juess, liaving
the utmost faith in the i)ermanency and well-beiny of democratic
principles, came scpuirely out and urj^ed its ])arty to lally as one
man and secure such a nnijority in the convention as would insure
tlu' infusion of pure <lemocratic princii)les into the instrument
Avliich was to be the }:,uide for futun^ lej;islation ; to attain which
care should be taken to select candidates whose democra<'y was
unimpeachable. The election resulted in a return of a {greater pro-
portion of whiji' delej^ate-s than was to be exi)ected from the lela-
tive strength of the two parties, although the democracy liad a
consideiable nnijority.
The denu)cracy required tlie convention, as paramount to all
other consideraliims, 1st, to abolish all life oflices or long tenures,
and to i)rovide for an elective judiciary, from the sni»reme coiirt
down; lid, to ju'ohibit the legislatnre trom ever again creating a
bank — all the linancial evils which liad ever aftiicted the ])eople
of Illinois, itAvas charged, liad inoceeded from the oi)i»ressions of
banks ; .Sd, to limit the power of the legislature to borrow money,
Avliich had been ant)tlu'r great source of calamity to the people.
This ])oAver should, be so limited as to prevent the legislature from
l)ledging the credit and faith of the State in all cases except, j)er-
liaps, in gTcat emergencies, as of tliieatened danger from invasion,
and then only to defray the exjienses of the State government. If
such a proAisiou had been embodied in tlie constitution of 1818 the
financial embarrassments groAving out of the reckless internal im-
provement system of the State Avould not have opiiressed the peo-
ple. It required, 4th, a veto poA\er to the governor equal to that
of til.e ])resident of the United States. The veto poA\er, iiotAvith-
standing the terrible ordeal of its denunciation, had been a favo-
rite democratic measure ever since Jackson had saved the coun-
try, as itAvas supposed, by refusing liii/ assent to the re-charter of
the U. S. Bank. Of course the democracy were opjiosed to any
change in the qualifications of an alien elector.
The whigs wanted, 1st, a longer residence than 6 months before
any man slunild be entitled to exercise the elective franchise, and
that no alien should be entitled to that sacred privilege of an
CONSTITUTION OF 1848.
545
AiiMMitMii citizen until hv wiis lirst iiatiiralizod ; "id, to take from
tlic l(';;isliitiir(' the power of electing;' or iip]»oiiitinj;' ollicers for tlic
people, i)arti('iilarly as it re^iarded tiie meiiibers of that Ixxly, ami
tlierehy i)reveiit tliat barinaiiiiii;;' and coriiiption which <ire\v up in
the ;i(>ncral assembly, and to prevent that luidy from exercisinj;'
nearly all tlie ])o\vers of ji'-overnment, executive as well as lej^isla-
tive; .'5d, to limit the nnmlter of representatives in the fieneral
assembly, and to lix the a,ii<' at which men shonid be elijiil)le to
seatsin that body, and tluis prexcnt the many mischiefs j^rowiiij"-
out of legislation by yonnji' men whose minds were immatnre; 4th,
to lix the a<i('s at which men mi;;ht hold the oflice of jnd^c, and at
which jndjit's shonid retire iVoni the Itcnch ; ."»ih, to ]ire\t'nt a ma-
jority ofthe two-thirds whicii constitnted a qnornm in the le;;isla-
tnre from tinally ])assinj;' a bill.
Tlici'c wei'c also many provisions mooted by the jncss and])eoi)le,
upon which there was no }tolitical or [>arly division. The most
im[>(n'tant and jicncrally demanded wore retrenchment and
economy ; to disconnect the sni»reme jad^ics from legislative <lnty
as a: conncil of revision ; to abolish clijiibilily to s«'veral oliices
sit the same time; to limit the power of the le<;islatnre in con-
tractinj>- debts and imiiosin<;' taxes; to organize a more etlicient
tribiunil for the maimycment and control of county att'airs than
the county commissionei's court ; to limit the powers of jjovern-
nu'Ut so as to secuie the ])eople aj;ainst opi)ression by those ill
authority, (in view of what was done dnrin<j the har<l times of
]S4l', when the officials of the executive department re(piired that
nothinii' lait j^'ohi and silver should be paid for taxes, while there
was nothinj;' but depreciated bank ra,<4s in the country, the State
Imviu^' made tlie issues of the Slate bank rec<'ivable for taxes) ;
to prov id*} against successive si)ecial sessions of the legislature at
the will and pleasure of the governor without specifying the char-
acter of the business to be transacted ; to tlx the pay of inend)ers,
and to devise some way to prevent an accidetital nmjority from
continuing or adjourning sessions for the sake of compensation.
A\nong' the democratic delegates there was not entire unaidmity
upon the bank question. Tlie following is one of the bolts
launched at the recussants by the press of that party:
"These bank-democrats occupy rather paradoxical ground. They
assert that banks are pernicious, dangerous and anti-republican, but
inasmuch as tlie bank paper of other States naturally circulates among
us, it is our true policy to establish these engines of evil as a nieasure of
self-defense. They admit that we are injured by the |)aper of other
States, and they propose to mitigate the iuj ry by producing it them-
selves — if any miscliief is to be done, the citizens of the Slate ought to
have the privilege and enjoy the profits of doing it. If other .States
choose to injure us, weouglit to seek redress by injuring ourselves."*
Tlie convention met on the Ttn of June, 1847, and concluded its
labors on the 31st of August following:. When its work first
came before the people (for unlike the constitution of 1818, this
was to be jiassed upon by tln-m), nobody .seemed entirely satisfied
with it, yet all concurre(l that the new was jncferable to the oid
constitution. Judging it from the partisan >tand.-point of that
day, it must be confessed that the the greater ^laccess in grafting
it with their i»eculiar views was with the wbigs. The old allowed
♦111. StiitoReK.
35
54(J
HISTOllY OF ILLINOIS.
aliens iiiid citizens alike to vote after iiresideuee, of iiiontlis, to
maintain wliicli featiiie wlieii snjiposed to be in (lan};er in 1SK>,
tlie (leniocracy wajicd ii im ice warl'are a^iainst the snpreine conit,
resnllin^ in a partisan reorganization. Vet tiie very lliin;;- fearecl
from tliat eouit was now enilKMlied in llie <'oiistitnti<in ; every
olector must lirst be a citizen, and second have a residence of one
year in the State. The elective principle by the jK'ople was ex-
tended to the lillin;;' ot eveiy ollice, a tiioroii^ihly democratic pro-
vision, and the only one which oiij;ht ever to obtain nn(U'r any
repnblican government. Vet the democracy, for ob\ ions jiarty
reasons, desired to coidine this to the life oftices — thesn|ireme,
jnd.u('s — lca\ in.ti' the jircat ball; of the oftices to be doled out, if
m)t barj;aiiied, asln'fore by the le<;ishitin(', and tlins fasten tlicii' in-
cnndients ii|)on every connty in tiu' Slate, re,i;ardlcss of local [»olit-
ical majorities. J''or like i>arty reasons the \vhi;.;s desired to de-
prive the dominant [»aity of the power to elect this j^reat t-rowd
of ollicers — -Jadjics and clerks, both circnil and comity — to the
legislature, but favored life ollicers for the sn|>reme bench. In
this particnlar. fortunately for the State, the partisan cravings
of both, to a certain extent, were <lefcatcd, yet the deprivation of
the jiower to elect all the host of the former by the legislatiui' was
a greater loss to the democracy than the latter was to the
wliigs. This took from the legislatnre a fertile sonrce of jiatron-
age by dei)iiving it of the choice of some LMIO c(»nnty ollicers fro a
time to time, who by their intimate relations to the people are in the
sitnation to exei'cise a most potent political intliieiice. During
the ix'iideiicy af the coiistitnlion before the ]>eople, the provision
I'elaliiig to ;> county judges, cidled the " i>uppy court," was made
to do peculiar service against it. I'pou the subject of banks, too,
the democracy may be said to have been in a manner (h'feated.
The democratic <'onvention of I'cluuary, ISKI, the largest ever
assembled in the State, had declared that the creation of any new
banks, either State or other banking institution w hatever. should
be frowned u[)oii l)y the party; and throughout tlu^ sitting of tlie
conxention the press of that ]tarty was strenuous in iisopposition
to banks of any kind. Yet banks, (tther than State banks, were
not prohibited by the constitution, though a general banking
law was re(iuired to be submitted to a vote of tlie people.
We note but a few features wherein the constitution of 1848 dif-
fered trom that of 1818. rroliting by the lesson of experience
taught by the State internal improvement system, wh(»s<' enor-
mous debt was then ])ressing heavily ujion the i)eoi»le, no debt was
allowed to be contracted by the legislature exceeding ij'oO.OOO, and
that only to meet casual deticits or failuies in revenue; nitr was
the credit of the State to be extended to any individual, associa-
tion or corporation. Article l-i, sei>arately submitted, provitled
for the yearly collection of a tax of 'J mills upon the dollar, in ad-
dition to all other taxes, the i)roeeeds of which were to be paid
out in extinguishment of the public debt, other than the canal
and scho )1 indebtedness, pro rata to sucli holders as might pre-
sent their evidences. This was a nobh' self-subjection of the peo-
X)le to a tax for an indefinite time at that dark period of i)ublic
and private embarrussnient, for which we ought to profoundly
honor them.
CONSTITT'TION OF 1S48.
547
IJciLiiiidiii;;' tiix titles, tin' Inw of IS.']!) wjisoiic of peculiar liiiid-
sliip, rcndciiiij; tln-ir (Ictciisiiiicc most ditliciilt Ity llirowiii;; the
oiiKN piohdiidi as to iiiiy iiicjiiiliiiity in llic iimiinci' of ;ic(|iiiriii<;
tlifiii ii]ioi) tlic I'Cii] owiio's of Ilic liiiKJ. A (Iced Wiis prinia facie
(•\i<lcii('»' tiint tlic iiiiid was siihjcrt to tiixillioii ; tliiit tlic tiixes
wcic iiiipiiid ; tliiit liic liiiids wt'iv iiiiicdccmcd; lliat it had been
l(';^all,v adv(Mti/i'd ; tliat it was sold for taxes; tliat tlic ^^laiitco
was the pmcliasci'; and tliat the sale was condncted in tiic nniu-
nt'i' ictpiircd i»ylaw.* It was possiitic lor a nnin to Icfsc tin; title
to liisland, aIllion;^li lesidiiiji' on it and having paid liis taxes. All
this was ladieally elian;;('d hy section 4, article !• of the new (H)n-
stitntion, introdnced by .ludjic Lockwood, the recpurenients of
which the coni'ts ha\e consli'ned stiictly, and it may well be infer-
red that since then not many tax titles liaxc stood this ordeal of
the organic law.
Tile h'nislatni'e was required to enconra<;e intei-nal inii)rove-
menls by passing' liberal general laws of in<'()r[»oration and for
other coiporatc jHirposes ; s])ecial acts for which were not to be
<irantcd nnless the objects could not be attained under the Ibriner.
It seems that in the le.tiislatnres since scarcely any cor]»orate ob-
jects coidd b<' attained nnrler ;;eiieral laws, for lln'onjihoiit the
sway of the c<»nstitnti()n of 184S, were not only no <;eneral incor-
]»oration laws of any deyree of jteri'ection passed, but from ses-
sion to session wer<' granted, with most la\isli hand, i)ri\ate and
special acts of incoi'poration for every concei\al)le i)urpose,
passed in packa<;es of hundreds at a time, making; hu^c tomes,
whose contents and ju'ovisions were e(iually uuknow n to the lueii-
eral pui>tic and the honoral)le mcndiers whose nanu's staml re-
<'(irded in favor of their enactnu-nt. This species of lejiislation,
in many cases, has been attended with the niostpernicious results,
as tli«' peojde to their cost can testify.
Thejud,n('s of the supreme an<l circuit courts were luade ineligi-
ble to any other ottice of i)rolit or pid>lic trust in tins State or the
I uited States durinu- the terms for which they were el(>cted, auil
for <uie year thereafter. This clause, as it reads, has been lepeat-
j'dly violated by the election of Jud,i;('s to coujiress; and while it
is true that bo<ly has held that it is the Kolejud.ii'e of tiie (pmlitica-
tioii of its memlters, and that State la\Ns or constitutions in such
cases are of no l>in(lin<: force, it is e(pial|y trr.ethat the .iicnrlemeii
thus elected had swoiii u]»on their installation asjudj^es to observe
the <'onstitution of Illiiu)is in all its provisions, witlnuit any reser-
vation as to the clause in (juestion, or they could not have taken
their seats upon the Ix'iieh.
in the le^iislature bills were to be read on three different days
before becominji' laws, and on final i)ass:('4(' the ayes ai:d noes were
to be recorded. This well intended jtrovision was most shamefidly
violated in actual jtractice iu after yea is by a readin*;' of the title oj:"
a bill only, and by the so-cailer! '■oinnil»us ''system, by which hun-
dreds of bills — many ])ro\idin}^' for ]>rivate jobs and eorrnpt
schemes — were i)assed at om-e, few of the members kiiowiii<i' their
contents. t The readinji' of bills tiie tu'st and second time by their
title only pive rise to the reprehensible practice of iutiodiicing"
•niackwollTu.x.Tit. 84.
+It sei'ins thai the Hon. J. Y. Scammon, of Cook, first suggested the passage of bills by
the paukage.
648
HISTORY Ol' ILLINOIS.
nnd i»!issiii;i iiloiij;' in tlieir onler wliat miih known jih ".skolctoii
bills" — hills witli simply a lu'iul, but no body, tlie latter being at'>
terward siipplicd.*
Ibit tlif cliifl' Icatnic of tlu' constitntion of 1S4S was its rigid
economy. Tlic salary of tlie goveriioi' was lixed at ijsl, ;"»(»(» ; su-
]»ri'mt' judges — tlircc, made elective^!*' I, L'OO each ; circuit judges,
$l.(l(i(» each; auditor of iiul)lie accounts, !i«i.(KUI; treasurer and
secretary of State, each, !!<.S(I(); the compensation of mendters
of the general assenddy was tixed at ?<- per day for the lirst 12
days' attendance, and .*1 a day thereatler. It was a hard times'
instrument. K'eti'enchment in everything, as inaugurated Ity (lo\'.
Fold and then with severity being carried <»ut by Ciov. J-'rench,
was the order of the day. iJut in this i)artienlar the constitntion
rather overdid the thing. The trin- medium between |)aying oiu
elcctixc servants ajust compensation and aUowing our represent
iltives the exi'rci.se of a sound discretion in all the transa(;tions of
])ublic business, and at the same time to bind tiiem down so
that they may work no nuschief or in.jury to those who choose and
delegate them, is, jierhaps, dillicult of attaiumeid. Jt is one of tho
prol)lems e(»nnected with a representative form of gxtvernment.
In evi<lencing the severe economy of the new organic act, we
will mention that the amount of warrants di'awn upon the treas-
urer on account of the g«'neial assendily for the session of 1S45
was over $.").~),(KtO ; and that the total amount of mileage and jJtr
(linu eom](ensatiou jtaid to the nu-ndiers and oHicers of the two
housLs for the lirst session under the new regime in 1.S4!), was not
quite $l."i,(i(M», a material reduction — exceeding ','>(){) ]ier centum.
But in this connection, to show that we are a jtrogrt'ssive ])eople,
and at the same time indicate the ])roticieucy whi<'h our Solons
have attained in the "ways that ai'^ dark", we will give the total
amount of legislative e.xix'iiditnres for the same luirposes on ac-
count of the last session, that of lcS('»)», under the same economical
constitution, which wt-re .fl'Oti.lSI, exclusive of ]>rinting, jiajier
ami binding, nudving nearly 557r),(MI(» more. The four items of n<'ws-
pa]iers, stationery, i)ostage and i)ocket-kidves alone amounted to
The salary of tho governor, it was provided, was "not to be in-
creased or (linnuished ;"' and by way of emphasis in fixing the com-
pensation of the (»ther ollicers wliich we have enumerated, the
words ''and no more" were added. Yet by indirection, under i)re-
tense of paying a gardener to take charge of the grounds surround-
ing the executive mansion, welindin IStJl $2,r)((0was ai)])ropriated
to be expended or not by the governor, as lie i)leased, being in-
tended as an increase of his salary. Afterwar<ls this unlawful
gift was annnally increased to $4,.~)0(). Indeed, the auditor's ollice
shows that the inciiinbi'nts of the executive office have received,
from j)ecember, 1800, to December, 1S72, twelve years, $()(),(KK», to
Avhicrh they were not entitled. All the State offices became im-
mensely profitable in fees — rnniiiiig the emolumonts of their iu-
cninbeiits into thousands of dollars, instead of the hundreds fixed
by the constitntion. The compensation of the supreme Judges
Avas evasively increased to $4,(>0(>, by allowing them each a chief
•See ilelmte In senate. Feb., IKT)'.
tCoiweiitlon Journal 1870. p. SiS
CONSTITUTION OF 1H48. 549
clerk at Ji<l, (»(»(» jiiid $1,200 for an assistant (neither of which they
»'ni|)lt»,vc(l), instead of ?(1,L'00, their coiislitutional salary; and to
the circuit jii(l<;('s, in delianc(^ of tlie words ><1.(»0(( " and ii(» more,"
were, yearly ;;iven an achlitionul ><l,0()0 each, for revisions and sag-
jicstions of chan;;('S in tiie laws, a. labor which tliey were not ex-
l»ected to, and did not, jM-rforin ; besides which a docket I'ecMtf 81
for each suit bronj^ht was wiiinj;' out of litij;ants, als<» for their
bcnclit. lint the altnses which crejjt into the lej^islative dei»ait-
inent were still j;rosser and more alarniin<;'. The jm'*w//mh com-
pensation of niend)ers, which for the session of ISfil, for instance,
amounted to .*S,,S()(», was supplemented by ]>ostaj;e .i<S,,S!tL», news-
l»apers *1,IS1l;^ pencils >«L',(!(il, few of which items were actually
received, but the money taken in place of them, on "commutation"
as it was called with Stale ofliceis, and thus by indiiection they
.tiot •'i'S j»er <lay each, instead of !f2 '-and no more." The jnactice
was sul)se(pi<'ntly increased by Aurious subterfu;n'esof rent for com-
mittee looms never used luu' paid for, tS:c., to sonu'timcs amount to
jnoi'i' than ^'20 a day for each mendier. Ten cents a mile was
all(»wed to each as nec<'ssaiy ti'a\»'linj;' expenses to and from the
seat of <;o\-ei'iiment. While it would be dillicult to tiavel more
thaji L'OO niih's from any i>oint in the State to the cajtifal, the Jour-
nals show honorai)Ie m«'mbers tohave char<;ed and received l)ay for
1, L'OO miles ;;()inyand comin;;'. Thusdid our pid)Iic servants debauch
themselves, one dej)artment tin; other. JJut iiolwitiistandiny its
abuses, tlu^ constitution of IS 18 was, in many particulars, a great
inii>r(»vci)U'nt ujton that of ISIS.
That the wliigs had succeeded more than the democrats in
stamping that instrument with their princi]»les, soon had its iidlu-
en<'<'. The whig ]tress advocated its ado]ttion constantly and ur-
gently, while tlie d«>mocratic ])rcss, where it did n(»t ojtpose, waa
lukewarm in it.s advo(;acy, yet cand(U' conii)elh'd an acknowledg-
ment that the elective jtrinciple as applied to every imjiortant
otlice was a thoroughly democi'ati(! idea, which covered a multitude
of bad provisions; that on the whole, the new was jueferable to
the old, and it justly regretted the "abrogation of the provision
peiniitting foieigners to a paiticipation in the right of sutfiage
al'tev a I'csideiiee of months, the same as the most unlettered Uit-
tivi'," predi(;ting that that would ])rove i)ernicious by diverting
emigration from the State. No evil had resulted, and, it may bo
added, never will, from adnntting foreigners to this privilege. It
is a most foolish proserii>tion. The provision limiting the power
of the State to borrow money, and piohibiting the credit anil faith
of the State in aid of any individual or corporation, was a most ex-
celh'ut one.
The i)eoi)le had ample time to consider its provisions, and they
did not fail to see its great s!i])eriority over the ohl organic law.
For the points of party signiticancein it, which at best might ])rove
but transitory, they (-onld not atford to throw away the many safo
and ex<!elh'nt limitations tor their proteittion against the chances
of a wild, reckless and extravagant legislature to involve them iu
ruin.
'J'he black clause — prohibiting negro immigration — met with
considerable opposition in the ncnthern ])art of the State, particu-
larly iu Cook county, which voted two to cue against it ; but the
680 IIISTOUY OP ILLINOIS.
yn'iih'st ;;oiU'nil ()|ii)«»sitit»ii wus to Uic L* mill tax. Tlie followiny;
i.stlic vote iipoii tlic coiistitiitioii :iii(l tlit' sci>iiiiit(' iiiticlcs :
I'or tilt' foiistitiUioii pin|»cr, r»!l,SS7 ; ii;;iiiii.sl it, ir>,sr»!t.
Imh iUticU- X I \' — ii(';iro cjiiusc, l'J,(Mi)i ; ji^aiiisi it,l.MI,S,Sk
For iiiticU' W — li mill tiix, U,(ll7; ajiaiiist it, .■!(»,r»,S(».
The vote tor I'iititicatioii or itjcctioii was taken t)ii tlic lii'st Mon-
day ill .March, I>S1S; and the ii«-\v roiistit iition went into opi'iation
on IIk' lirst of April follow in;;. Tlit' election of ;;()Vcriior was aiiti-
cipatt'd two years, and iiccordiii^l.v the tirst j>('iieral «'lection nnder
it tt)ok place in Novemher. ISIS. The comiiieiicemeiit of llierc.mi-
lar legislative sessions was deterred from JJecembei' to January,
tlio ilrst convening ut tbiit time in 1JS4U.
Chaptkti XL v.
1810-1852— ADMIXISTRATIOX OF (JOVEKXOK FIMINCII.
Lit'CN (iiul (liarmtcr of tlic (Juhcniatoridl VamJidntvs — Finidiny
of thv Stulc Dvht — Refusal of the J'eople to (/ire the Letjinhitiire
Control of the 2 ^fiU Tax — Toininhip On/a nidation — Uoiiiextead
Exempt ion — The IUdoiIij Island J)ike and a tSpeek of H'tjr —
iStato roliey reyardintj L'ailroads.
Tlic Di'inocratic Stale CoiivcMition of ISlfi, to noiiiiiiato cniHli-
(latcs i'or jioxcnior and licntciiaiit ^^ovciiior, iiict at S|>riii;;fi('lil on
tlic KMliot' Kchiiiary. Tlicie was no lack of aspirants for i-itlier
of tlicso i><)sitions. In coiincotioii witli the first we will name six
in tlie orch'r of their siii)i)ose(1 strenj^tli, before flie ineetiii;^" of tlio
eonvention : Kynian Trnnilnill, .lolin Ciiliioun, (lie of snlise(|uent
Leconijitoii Constitution notoriety), Anjiustiis ('. I'^reiicli, Walter
1). Scates, IJieliard M. Youn;^, and A. W. Cavarly, an array of
Aciy al)leand |)roniinent names. Tlie eontest was sni»i)osed to lie
lielween llielii'st two mentioned, hut tlie hallotin;;' <;av<' a dilfer-
ent exliihit. After sundry efforts hy their friends, it was found
that neither could be nominate<l, and as usual in such cases, both
]»arties went over to the supjxu't of another. Trumbull received
the hijiliest nundter on the first ballot, it is true, but Freiu-h, as
the cominj;' man, wasa'^eady next, and on the 2d ballot advanced
to the front. On the 4th ballot all the names excejtt those of
French, Calhoun and TiumbuU beinji' withdrawn, the friends
of Calhoun, feariii;;' tlie ultimate success of Trund)ull, also with-
drew his uanu'. The, friends of Trund)ull saw in this move
their iiu'vitable defeat, and for tlie sake of harmony, they
also withdrew the name of the latter. French was there-
upon i)ro(^lainie(l the nominee of the convention for j;overnor,
amidst a s'H'at tumult of shoutin<;' aiul extdtation. Owinj;- to the
many able and determined <lemocratic itspirants, and the strong
attachment of tlieir respective friends, the whijis had iudul;:>ed
a ]io])e that the convention would break up in disorder, but iu
this they were disappointed. Trund)ull's effort in 1.S45 to defeat
the canal had been revived against him ami industriously circu-
lated by ( Jov. Ford and others, as being still his i)osition, which
doid)tless ])roved his discomfiture.
For lieutenant-goveriM)r, the names of J. B. Wells, Lewis Ross,
"William McMurtry, Newton Cloud, .1. B. Hamilton and W. W.
Thompson, were presented for nomination. On the 4th ballot all
the names except the first two mentioned, were withdrawn, when
the voting resulted in the choice of Wells, who received 132 to
551
IMAGE EVALUATION
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£162 HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
]ios.s {(.■) ballots. The icsoliUioiis adopted stronj^ly coiidciiim'd tho
resuscitation oftlic old State banks, and deehiicd aj;ainstiuiy nioro
of any kind in this State.*
The whij^s, wiio were in a hopeless minoiity, seemed averse for
a time to lioldinji' a State convention. Their jjress «liscussed the
idea ol' some suitable candidate running; \ty j^cneral consent with-
out nomination. Names to this end were proijosed, of which we
may mention that of .James Davis of iSond. Jt was also i)roposed
that the Whij:' State Central Committee sliould make the ticket.
Finally, on theSth of June, a convention was held atl'eoria, over
■which .Major Richard CuUom, of Tazewell, presided, which nomi-
nated Thomas M. Jvilj»atri(!k, of Scott, for j;<>veriior, and Cien.
Nathaniel (1. AVilcox, of Schuyler, for lieutenaiity()veru()r.t
Kiipatrick was boin in Crawford county, iVnn., in 1S()7. His
early education consisted solely in instruction from his mother.
lie lost his father at the ajic of 1.1, became a mechanic, married
in ISL'8, and removed to Illinois in LSoi. In IiSiO he beat ]Mur-
ray McConnel for the State senate. In 1844 he was elected to the
lower house of the le;;islature, where he was j^rcatly instrumental
in the passage of the school law of that i)erio(l. lie was a man
of easy manners, ]>Ieasaiit address, stronji', jtractical sense, and
Avithal <piite a forcible speakei' on the stumj). In this cami)ai}in,
however, he deemed it doubtless a waste of time to canvass the
State, and contented himself with issuinj^' an address to the jteo-
l)le, in which he oi>posed repudiation of tlie State debt and ar<iued
the ample resources of the State to pay, if })r()]»erly develo]»ed.
lie looked forward to the completion of the canal as a means to
arouse the desi)ondent enerf;ies of the peo])le. As Illinois was
then the only State: destitute of bankinj;' facilities, he favored
banks based exclusively on si)ecie ; ajid a revision of the constitu-
tion (a convention call for that purpose was then pendin<;' before
the people), sayinj^;': "At the commencement of the session, tho
cajiitol is crowded witu asi)irants from different parts of the State
seekin;^' ditl'erent otlices ; each has his friends amon<>' the members;
a system of electioneerinj*' inti'ij;ue and loj^-roUinj;" commences,
which enters into the discussion and i)assa,iie of alnutst every bill,
until these oilices are disposed of; and it is not unfrequently the
case that the success of the most important nu'asuies of State
policy (h'i>end upon the election of some little fourth-rate lawyer
to the ottice of distri(;t attorney. I attributed the bad le};;islatiou
mainly to this intluen(!e."'|
In the cam]»ai,!4n, the whij>s exposed Gov. Freneli's record and
connection with the passajic of the internal improvement system,
and ur<;ed it aj^ainst his election; but in the meantime the. war
Avith iMexico broke out, re^ardinj^' which the wliij;' record was un-
favorable. The war was the absorbinj; ami dominatinji «iuestion
of the jx'riod, sweei)in^' every other political issu<' in its course.
The election of Auj^ust, 184(1, resiultcd in the choice of the deni-
o(;ralic candidate, A. CFicncli, over Kil)»atrick, his princii»al com-
petitor, by o8,7(M) votes for the former, to 30,775 votes for the lat-
ter. \Ve say principal competitor, becanse liichard Fells (aboli-
tion) was runninff for the same ollice and received r),lo2 votes.
•Sl'o niinois State llcKister, Feb. 27, 1846.
+IIUriois Stntc .rnurnitl.
4:See Illiuuis State Journal.
FRENCH'S ADMINISTRATION. 553
For Ik'uteiiant-fjovenior, Josoj)!! B. AVclls, tlif (Iciiiociiitic ciiiidi-
(liitc, received 55,221 votes ; Natliaiiiel G. Wilcox, wliiy, 20,041, aud
x\.l>raiiaiii Smith, abolition, 5,171) votes.
JJy the constitution of 1.S48, a new election for State oHicers
Avas ordered in y,vend)er of that year, before (Jovernor rr( iicli's
term was half out. Jle was reelected for the term of 4 years.
Crov. I'^rencU thus is the only man who has ever held the oiliee of
jiovernor in this State for (J consecutive yeais. At the election of
1.S48 there was no organized oi)i)osition to hiin. tliou<;h a number
of other j^entlemen were honored as the recii)ieuts of the votes of
tile people. Augustus C. French received 07,453 votes; Pierre
]\Ienard (son of the tirst lieuteinmt-yovernor), 5,03!); Charles V.
])yer, 4,74.S; AV. L. ]). ^Morrison, 3,S;J4; and Janu's L. J). ^Morrison,
1,301. William McMurtry, of Ivnox, was elected lieutenant "jov-
ernor (in place of Joseph B. Wells, the incumbent, Avho did not
run aji'ain), receiving (J5,304 votes. O. 11. Ibowning, Henry 11.
Snow, IMerre Menard and .1. L. ]). M(nrison, were also liDUorcd by
votes for this otlice, ranging from 2,000 to 5,000. it-
Gov. FreiKth was born in the town of Hill, Xew Hampshire, ';
August 2, 1 SOS. He was the des(!endant in the 4th generation of
jS'atlianiel French, who emigrated Irom England in 10S7, and set- i',-
tied in Saybury, ^Massachusetts. In early life young French lost ' | '
liis father, but continued to receive instruction from an exem])lary |
and christian mother until he was 10 yeai^s old, when she also if
died, conliding to his care and trust four younger brothers and 'i.'i
one sister, lie discharged his trust with i)arental devotion. His \'
education in early life was such mainly as a common school af- ''
forded; for a brief period he attended Daitnumth College, but -
from pecuniary causes and care of his brothers and sister, he did
uot graduate. He subse<pu'ntly read law, was admitt(>d to the
bar in JS31, and shortly after removed to Illinois, settling lirst and ?!
practising his profession at Albion, Edwards county. The ioliowing i,'
year Ih' removed to Faris, Edgar county. Here he attained emi- ';|i
nence in his profession, and entered ]>ublic life by rei)resentiiig J;
that county in the legislature. A sti'ong attachment sjtraiig up ;;
between him and Stephen A. Douglas. In JS30, French became re- ji
ceiverof the United States laiul otiice at I'alestine, Crawford ;:
county, at which place he resided when elevated to the guberna-
torial chair. In 1844 lu^ was a i)residential elector, and as such
voted for James K. Polk. After the expiration of his term of
cilice as governor, he occupied for some years the professor's
chair of the law department of McKendree College, at Leba-
non, and did not reappear in public life except as a mendjer of
the constitutional convention of 18(!2.
In stature, Gov. Fn'nch was of medium height ; squarely built,
^•ell proi)ortioned, light complexed, with ruddy face and plensant
countenaiu'c. In manners he was plain, agreeable, and of easy ap-
proach by the most humble; neitherotti(;e nor position changeil him
in his bciiring toward those he had met while in the nune hund)le
walks of life. Though by nature dittident, ami at tinu's appar-
ently timid, yet when occasion (h'lnanded he Avas outsi)oken and
Arm in his views of i)ub]ie questions and convictions of duty. As
a speaker, while he did not approa(!h to the higher arts *of oratory,
he was chaste, earnest and persuasive. In business he was accu-
rate and methodical, and as the executive of this State admiuis-
55 t mSTOKY OF ILLINOIS.
ti*re<l its attairs witli jircat economy, pvudonce and discretion.
Ik' was an honest and consciontions nuMi in all his transactions,
and the State was fortnnate in secairiiij^' his services jnst at tlie
tiiiK^ siie did. ^VhiIe stronj;' common sense, vij;ihince in iookinj;'
to tiie pnlilic wellare, and conscientions convictions of duty are
often more desirable in an executive oHicer than briilianj-y or
genius, it was peculiarly so at this Juncture in the atl'airs of the
(State. In tlu; ix'cuniary embarrassnu'nts of those times the credit
of the State had been in a measure rest(U'ed, and the overwhelm-
in}; <lebt ])r()i)erly directed in the course of ultimate extinction
dnriny' the adnunistration i>recedinj;', yet it still required a clear,
careful executive bi-ain to briu};' onler. out of chaos, and a steady
hand to <iuide the shi]) of state into the haven of safety. AVlieu
Ciov. FreuclHiuitted the helm, in 1852, it was with the proud con -
S(;ionsness that her credit was fully restored, an<l her indebtedness,
Avhich had for many weary years pressed lu'r iucubus-like to the
earth, woidd be faithfidly and honestly tlischarj^ed ; that prosper-
oua days had at length dawned for her i)eoi)le ; that her unex-
ampled resources were upon the eve of developir.ent, and that she
would now make giant strides toward Avealth, greatness ami em-
pire, in all of which his excellency had boine a jnst and faithi'ul
part. lie was zealously devoted to the best interests of the State,
ever a(;ting for the i)ublie good, without regard to peisonal ad-
vantages or aggrandizement. He lived in his exalted station with
much frugality. As the lirst governor umler the liard times con-
stitution of 1S4S, he received simply the salary provided, 8l,.")<><),
and no more. The legislative art of evading this stringent i»ro-
Aisi(»n by allowing the exe<'utive $4,500 for a gardener, had not
as yet been evoked, nor would it, we nuiy safely say, have been
sanctioned by an acceptaiu-e of the doucieur.
In 1845 a tax of li mills on the dollar was authorized, to be ex-
clusively ai)]»lied in i»a,vment of accrued interest up(»n the public
debt. The ])roceeds of this tax were applied to all the interest-
bearing debts of the State alike, including the canal bonds, leav-
ing only about half of the tax to be applied to the interest accru-
ing uiHui the debt proper, and causing a yearly deticit of uni)ai<l
interest exceeding -*.'500,000, which was unprovided for. The
canal, subject to all its arrearages, under the loan of $1,()00,000,
had been transferred in trust to the new subscribers. To carry
forward the woik so well begun of gra])pling with the monster
debt. (lov. French n'commeiided the registration and i'unding of
the debts. The uncertainty, he urged, which hung over the exact
amount of our liabilities, had ]>roduced a vague and painful ap-
prehension in the j)nblie mind that the eftbrts then making to
meet a i)ortion of it were of little avail, to correct which, and
elicit its true amount, this cour.«(e should be adopted. Ex(tluding'
the canal debt, the residue of all bonds or scrip should be con-
verted into uniform transferable stock. For the arreai.-^ of inter-
est due ni»on the bonds, a defeired stock of sinular character, dif-
fering oidy in that it bore no interest for a number of years, was
reconimeuiled. The expense of funding, it was thought, would
be less than the loss alrea<ly sutfered from counterfeiting the cou-
l)ons. Jn ficcordance with the.s<' views the legislatuie passed two
funding acts, one authorizing the funding of the State bonds, and
the other fiuuling the State scrii) and accrued interest on the
FRENCH'S ADMINISTRATION. 555
!>•:
debts. Tlie fuiuliiit>; of accrued interest met with considerable
opposition, on tiie fironnd that tlie ett'ect wouhl be to cause tlie
State to pay compound interest after JS.">7. But the measures
passed, and bv 18.")() the entire State debt, exchulin;^;- that of tlie
canal, was nearly refunded in uniform securities, wliicli f;reatly
simpiilied the debt, and precluded further losses from the liee
counterfeitiu};- of the bonds, both to the State and holders of the
bonds. ; ;|
The State of Illinois, as a condition to her adnussion into the j ,i
Union, like many other States, had entered into a compact notto
impose a tax upon the land sold by <;overnment within lun- limits '
foi' ti\e years after sale, which was a serious cloj;' ui)on her revc;- ;
nues. During' the ])eriod of our liiiancial embarrassment, the !
h'jiislature earnestly petitioned (!()nj;ress to remove this restric- , [
tioii ; to these ai)i>e:ds, urj;ed with much force by Senator JJreese, ' ; ;;
that body had finally acceded. And now, by act of February C
11), 1S47, the lejiislature provided thai all lands hereafter sold by ,v
government within this State should be immediately subject to '/(
taxation. This measure materially iiu-reased the revenue of the
State, as after the close of the Mexican war, the distribution by r|
the government of land warrants among the soldiers as bounty, j;
caused a large (puintity to be thrown upon the market, and great j •:
nnmbeis were loca'ed in Illinois. Indeed, so cheap did land war- i| i
rants become, that they operated greatly to check the sale of ; iV
State lands, which were held higher; and to avoid sacritice, the .;K
legislature peremi)toiily suspended from further sale the ])ublic -7:
]>r(ipcrty, as ]>rovided by act of March -1, 1843, to wind up the in- !;
ternal im[)rovement system. ?!
The legislature, in 1S47, in accordance with the recommenda- ,J
tion of the governor, authoiized the sale of the ^'orthern Cross (|'
llaili'oad, from Springfield to Meredosia, now the T., W'.itW. i
Upon the jiurchaser was imi)osed the duty of putting it in good fj-
repair, safe for the transportation of i>ersons and in'oju'rty. The
roiul and its etiuijunents sold for !ifl(Kt,(KI(> in State bonds, though
it had cost the State not less than ><1,(I(K»,(I(H). The salt wells and
canal lands in the Saline reserve in Gallatin county, granted by
the geneial government to the State, were also authorized to be
sold by the governor to pay State indebtedness.
The 2 mill tax provided liy the new constitution to be annually
distributed in payment of the principal of the public; debt, other
than tiie canal, and which, in ISM), amounted to$l(M,78.S 71, was
found t(i work badly and uni)rotitably to the best interests of the
Stiite. The legislature piissed a resolution subnntting to a vote
of the peo[)le an amemlmeiit to the constitution, to accord to that
body the discretion of using the fund arising from this tax in the
punthase of State boJids, in ojx'U markt't, at their current rates, at
any time, instead of keeping the fund idle in the treasury lui til
the 1st of Jamuiry in each year, then to be ajtportioned and cred-
ited pro rata at a i)ar valuation on thebomls pieseiited, no matter
at what discount they iinght berated in market. In this there
would undoubtedly have been a saving to the State, by her
agents going ui)ou the market and buying in her own pa])er
at a dis(;ount, the same as any individual ndght o^)erate;
but the people, who felt it to be more honorable that the State
should pay the full amount, refused to sanction this scheme or to
v^:-
sm
IIISTOIIY OV ILLINOIS.
enti'iist the ficuciiil Jifsscinbly in incddliiiy with this siU'icd fund,
and the luncndmcnt fiiiicd for wunt of that majority of votes
\\hi('h tho constitution rcciuircd to sccnirc its adoption. Tlio (iiics-
tion, thoM<;h nrj;«'d iiuain ni>on liic pcctple by tlu' j^overnor, ajis
never a^^ain })resented for tiieir action, one reason heinji' tiiat th(3
time re(iniied to a^ain Itrinj; it to a vote would essentially lessen
its iiii|tortance, as the bonds were rapidly a])proxinuitiii^' a ])ar
valuation in nnirket. Such were some of the elforts nnule durinj^
(Jov. French's administration to yain the mastery of the n»onster
public debt.
in 1S.")(), for the hrsttime since J.S;{1), the accruing' State revenue,
exclusive of si)ecilic approi»riatioris, was suhicient to meet tlio
current demands ui)on the treasr.iy. Prior to this it had been the
practicte to issue ai surplus of auditor's warrants to meet delicien-
cies. Of couise when the treasniy was not in a condition to re-
deem these warrants, they dei>i'eciated, resultiiifi in great losses
both to the holders and the Stale by their lessen^-d value, and the
prolonjicd time of their redemption. J'.ut these embarrassments
and sacritices were now ha])pily overcome. The a ji'gref;ate taxa-
ble property of the State at this time was oser $l()(»,(IO(t,U()(», the
annual constitutional L'niill tax yielded a revenue, after allowing
a pi(»j)er marj;in for defaults and casual lossc^ of about !*(1'JO,000,
and the poi)ulatiou was 851,470 souls.
Toirnship Orf/dnizathm. — Tn 1S49, in accordance with the per-
mission of the new constitution, and in obedience to the dennind
of the people from the northern i»art of the State, who had ob-
served its practi(!al workinj^ in the eastesti States, the first town-
ship orinanizatioH act was passed by the k;''>.iature. lint the law,
in attempting to put it into practical operaiion, disclosed radical
defects. It was revised and amended at tlu sesi-ion of IS")!, sub-
stantially as it has existed ni» to the present revision of 1S71. The
adoption of the townshi]) orj;anization system marks an era intlie
management of tiscal aftairs in many of the counties of this
State.
The system of township jiovcrnnuMit had itsorijiin in Xew Eng-
land, -but the root of this form of local government may bo
traced to the districting of England into tithings by King Alfred,
in the t)th century, to curb the wide-spread local disorders which
disturbed his realm.* Upon this ancient idea of tithing districts,
the Puritans grafted their greatly improved township system. The
county system origiinited in this country with A'irginia, and was
also derived from England. The tobacco ]>lanters of the Old
Dominion, owning their laborers more com])letely than did the
barons of England their vassals, lived isolated and indci)endent
on their large landed estates in imitation of the aristocracy of
the mother country. They also modeled their county and munici-
pal institutions with certain moditlcations suitable to tli<! condi-
tion of the new coiuitry after the same prototype r whence has
spread the county system into all the southern and nuiny of the
]Hirthein Slates. All of the northwest territory, now cctnstitiitiiig
live States, aiterthe compu'st of Clark, was by Virginia, in 177S,
formed into a county uncler her jurisdiction, called Illinois. The
•See further Blacksioue's Commentaries, B 1. p, 114-116.
French's administka'iton. 557
comity feature was aftonvards rotaiiu'd in all the States carved
out of tlic iioitliwcstcrii territory. The county business in Illi-
nois was transiictcd by 3 comiiiissiouers, in the reK])ectivc eoun-
ties, who constituted a (bounty court, wiiidi, besides the nianase-
nieiit of county atl'airs, had usually othei' jurisdiction conferred
upon it, such as that of a Justice of the peace and probate busi-
ness. J»y the constitution of ISIS, owinj;' t(» the intiuence of east-
ern or iS'ew JOufiland settlers in tlie northern i»ortion of the State,
township orjiiiuizati >n was autlnuized, lea\iiij; it optional lor any
county to adopt or not tlu^ law to be enacted. Our township sys-
tt'iu, however, is not closely modeled alter that of the >i'ew Kw^-
land States. There, a rei)resentative is sent directly from each
town to the lower braju-h of the lejiislatnre. In New York, owiny
to her larf:;'e extent of territory, this was found to be iniiua 'tica-
ble, and a county assend)ly, (lenominated a board of supervisors,
com])osed of a mendter from each town, was there established.
This niodilied system we have copied, almost exactly, in Illinois.
Townshii)s are olten compareil by wiiters to ])etty rei»ul)lics,
])()ssessin<;' unlindted soveieij^idy in nmtters of local concern; and
lioards of sujtervisors are popularly supposed to be vested with
certain Hunted legislative i)owers. I>ut neither is the case. Uoth
the county and township boards arc mere tiscal ayents. They
hold the purse strinjis of the counties; they may contract, incur
debts or create liabilities — very fzicat powei's, it is true — but they
cannot prescribe or vary the duties, nor control in any manner the
county or township officers authorized by law. While the county
court, consisting;" of three mend)ers, is a smaller, and, therefore, as
a rule, more nuina^eable or controllable body by outside iuHu-
ences, there is little doubt that a board of sui»ervisors is not only
directly more expensive, but also that a thousand and one petty
claims of every conceivable character, having often no foundation
in law or justice, are coi..'<^antly i)resented, and, being loosely in-
vestigated and tacitly allosved, aggregate no insiginticant sum. A
board of sujiervisors also acts or is controlled more by partisan
feelings. There ought to be unifornuty througlumt the State in
the management of county affairs. No little confusion seems to
pervade the laws at the present time relating to our two classes
of counties.
Jlomestead Exemption, — The general assembly, at its session of
1851, first passed the act to exempt homesteads from sale on exe-
cutions. This subject had been brought before the legislature re-
peatedly by Gov. French in his messages. The priticiple of this be-
neficent law was not a new or untried one. Its jiractical effects
upon the social relations of communities had been fully and suc-
cessfully tested in ditterent States. The claims of society in main-
taiiung the integrity of the family relation, which is the founda-
tion of all society, it was argued, Avere superior to those of the in-
dividual; thiit some men, then as now, were to be found mean
enough to specially evade liouest debts, did not argue that such a
law, in the interests of a higher duty from man to mjin, would not
subsei^e, as a rule, a beneficent puri)ose, bj' shielding the widow
and orphans, the aged and decrcpid, from the cruel demands of
the Shylocks of the world. Prior to this, the exemption of certain
articles of personal jiroperty, which had been the law for a number
V,
558 HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
of .vt'ars, had not jn'ovfu iiiimicjil to tlic true interests of tlic cred-
itor. For tlie .*(!() worth olitropertv cxenipted. suit«'d to tiie (h-ht-
or'seondition or occiii>ati(»ii in life, lie niij;lit scloct a yoke of oxen
for the enltivation of land, l»nt no land was by tlie hiw allowed liini
from which to raise sonietliiii;;- wherewith to sni)i>ort liis family or
discliar^t' iiis debt.
The }»rovisions of the law (which was in force nj) to .Inly 1st,
]87l.',) are too well known to iccaiiitnlate here. It exemitted from
levy or forced sale, nndcr any process or order of court, the lot of
};ri)nn<l and the hnildin^^' theicon occMpied as a residence and
owmcmI by the del>tor, beinjj' a householder, and havinj;' a familv,
to tlie value of !!<1,0(K». The law of 1S7L' raises this to ij!l,r.OO. The
benefit of the act was extended to the widow and family, some or
one of them continuinn' to occupy the homestead until the youngest
child should become of aye, or until the death of the widow.
The Tiloodii Tslaiid DiJce—A Sped- of War. — Owiuf? to th<^ form-
ation of sand-bars in tiie Mississijipi river opposite the lower part
of St. Louis, which it was apprehended would di\ert the channel
of the river to its left bank, and gicatly injure, if not destnty, the
liarbor of that city, the municipal authorities tlu'reof, to prevent
that threatened calamity, i)assed an oi'dinance, Februaiy, ISt.S,
making approjtriations to construct a dike or dam across the east-
ern channel of the river, from the foot of IMoody Island to the
Illinois sImuc, to foice the main current of the water over to the
8t. Ijouis side. This effort, ma<le at a great exitense to the treas-
lU'v of that city, was met with deternuned oi»i»ositiou in llliuttis,
as defiant (o the sovereignty of this State and an infringeuu'it
ui)on the lights of our citizens. It was urged that the work
wouhl change the channel in the upper ]Mississii>pi ; that the effect
Mould be ♦^o inundate the American IJottom ; that the river would
cut around the dike, <bive the full force of its current towards
( ah')kia cieek,aiul destroy Illinoistown ; and that the ferry woidd
be c'uinged up the river to the island, to get to which the company
Avould charge enormous tolls over the dike.
T]u' work was commenced by St. Louis within the rightful Juris-
diction of this State, without jiermission from our legislsture or
notice to the governor, but s(»lely with the consent iuul a])]»robatiou
of the proj)rietors of the island, aiul the main shore opposite. tOmo
years pi'ior. it seems, congress had made appi'o])riations at differ-
ent times for the improvement of St. Ijouis harbor, i>art of which
had been exi)ended in the removal of a sand-bar at the south eiul
of the harbor. These a]>i)ropriations, together with the consent
of the owiH'rs of the giound where the dike was to be built, St.
Louis claimed as a sullici<'nt license for her invasion of the sov-
ereignty of Illin(»is w ith this woik. The rising cities of Alton and
Qnincy, watchful of theii' liglits ami Jealous of their big commer-
cial neighbor, through flieir municipal boards passed resolutions
exi)ressive of their a])pi'ehensions that these improvements would
be attended Avilh danger to the navigation of the great commercial
highway of the west, and pro\e detrimental to their interests. The
executive of the State was calle<l ui»(Ui to inquiie into the matter,
and to take such stejjs as would protect the sovereignty of this
State and the rights of its citizens. A large number of letters
FRENCH'S ADMINISTRATION. 639
from (liil'i'iTiit citizj'ii.s poured in upon his exoclloncy to tlu' .sJinie
iMKJ.
(iovornor Fi'cnc^li tlioreniton addrossod a letter to the municipal
authorities of St. Louis, reca pit ulatinj;" tiie re])res('ntatious ma<le
to him as to the threatened (hingcrsof tiiis weak, urj^injn tlieni
to pause in tlieir manilesi eiieioaeiiments ujtou tlie so\ freij^nty of
this State, and tin^ lipids of its citizens, wiiieii, if persisted in,
•»voMid it'cpiire liim to emphiy suitable means to aii'est.
To this somewiiiit lu'lheose document flavor Kiiim, of St. Loui«,
replied, clainiiiif;' tlie general j;()\ crnment had sonu- years ]U'e-
vioiisiy projected and partly constructed certain worlcs opposite ;;
the city, with the view to imi)rove the iiavij;ation of the river, and
at the sanu' time improve the hailtor of St. Louis; that the works i
now heinj;' ]ii'osecuted were sul)staidially the same, ori;;inaiiy de-
sijiued and in ])art constructed by tiie U. S.; that to the uiu'X-
jtended balance of the appropiiations by conjiress for tliis puipose, j'
St. Louis had likewise added moiu'vs to further the said oliieet; •'•■
joined tothis hijj:li authority he plead also the consent of the own- „
ers of tiie <;rouiid where the work was beiu;; erected, and assured
liis excellency that the (*outeini>lated improvenu'uts would in no lii
wise infrinj>e either the sovereij;idy of the State of Illinois, or the j:,
riji'iits of any citizen. After allud:ni>' to t'ee iiitlMcnces at work to i!i
create a false imjtression uimui the i)ul)licmind, he closed, trusting
that no im'onsiderate steps would be taken on the part of the (■,
authorities of Illinois without due deliberation. :i'
This answer, intended to disarm opposition and allay feeling', (.[
was not satisfactoiy in Illinois. It was not believed that the dike, f
in any manner, entered into the plan of imi)ro\ement by the gen- I
eial goveiiimei't, but that it was the otfs])ring of and solely |»ros- j;
ecuted by St. Louis, IS'either was it conceded that the general |i
government lia<l the right to carry foi .\ard this work witlun the
rightful jurisdi<'tion of this State. It was I'urtlier iiderred that
the work was to be vigiuonsly pushed forward by St. Louis, and
that the equivocal agency of the general government was held out
as a cloak to ward ott" molestation in its i)rosecution. 'fi
In vi<'W of the fact that it was sought to associate the general i''
government with the juoject, the goxernor i)roposed to snlanittho H;
question as an agiced case, to the U. S. ciicuit court, then sitting i|:
at Spiinglield, as the sjjeediest and nu)st satisfactory mode of set- .!';
tling the controversy. IJut this i)roposition was declined. Sub- Ij
sequeidly, in a letter to (lov. IJeynolds, he writes that there is left |j.
him but one alternative, either to cheek the work or have some i'j:
agreement that it shall await the meeting of the legislatiue.* A ij
committee of the connnon coun<'il of St. Louis, with pt)wer to treat, I*'
visit<'d (ioveriior I'-rench at Spriiiglield. His «'xcellency offered to
lay the imdter before the next general assembly, but as that iu-
voh cd a considerable loss of time, the commissi(tn was unwilling ijiL
to accede to it. The governcu' could not grant permission to i)ro- t;
ceed with the work. In the meantime an injunction, issuing from
the St. Clair circuit court, had been served upon the contnMJtors.
But the work was proceeded with in contemi)t of the order of court.
The governor now inaugurated "strong measures to cause the in-
junction to be respected." To this end, II. S. Cooley secretary of
• See Illinois State Uegister, July 14, ims. '
5G0
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
Slate, w.a.s sent to Illiiioistowii, to invest ijiiite the matter. Ho
leai'iit'd that a hii'jic iiiiiiilx'r of men wen? employed, that steamers
towed stone huh'ii hai';;('s from tlie St. Louis (|uarry, and that be-
tween l-'(K) ami .'{()() tons of rock were deitosiled upon the diUo
eveiy ni<4lit, notwithslandinj;- liie inji'nelion ; lliat 1- feet of wail
■was Mp, and that in I weeks time the whole line, fiom llie Island
to the main shor*', wotdd be built above the water's edj^e. At
]>elle\ ille he found the war feelinji' sostron^"^ that a {•cneial disposi-
tion was manifest to enforce obedience to the wiit of injunction.
The sherilf of .St. (lair county went beyond his bailiwick and
served the writ up(»n the JMayor in St. Louis, who treated tin' mat-
ter rather li;ilitly. NN'rits of attachment for conlemi>t were m)\v
issued for the arrest of every person found \iolatin^' the process
of the court, li' these civil measures failed ai"d the sheritf's posso
proved insulluMent, the governor was determineJ to resort to mil-
itary force, and all the able-bodied men of St. v'lair <'ounty ap-
l)eared ready to back him in tin; enforcement of the civil juocess.
It miji'lit be inferred that war was imminent. The sheritf ai-
rested two of the principal workmen on the dike and i-onveyed
to be tried foi' contem]»t. Tiie ])i'ess,
them before .Iud<;e Ivoeriu'r
both of St. Louis and Illinois, became violently iidlainaiory, por-
trayiiifi' all manner of dire results to yrow out of these acts, much
u^ if ail actual state of war existed.
In the meantime the governor's envoy found in minj;lin<j with
the citizens of St. Louis that the people took very little int<'rest
in the trouble, and that tlie (tity authorities had no disi)osilion to
defy tlu' ])rocess Oi" a court of lllimtis; that outside of the elVorts
of the Wi^'j^ins ferry com[>any, which owned in <;reat part the
island, and the contractors, who wanted to earn their iiu)ney, very
little concern was felt in the dike controversy. It wasrepresented
that beyond a desire to hold tlie city harmless in its contract,
(wherefore no etfort was made to imjiede or restrain the work of the
contractors) the authorities had no immediate interest in it; that
■willful coiitemi)t or double-dealing toward the authorities of JUi-
nois, while their committee was on a peace mission to the gover
nor, was not designed. It was the feriy com|»aiiy, owning the
islaml, which would nioiiopolize the causeway or dike leading to
it from the main shore ; the distance of its transit across the river
would be shortened by half; the "St. Clair ferry," (partly owned
by the State), together with Illiiioistown, to which it ran, would
by the new ferry landing be thrown so far out of the direct lino
of travel as to destroy both, and a new town, (the present East
St. Louis,) would spring up on the island, more convenient and
with shorter ferryage, which woidd enable that company to hold
the traveling public to their own terms without successful compe-
tition, and bid defiance to the State. For these reasons the AVig-
gins Company took a deep interest in the successful accomplish-
ment of the work.*
The injunction suit came up for hearing in September, before
Koerner, then one of the supreme judges, at Belleville.
After elaborate argument by Mayor Krum and Mr. Blannerhasset
of St Louis, and Col. Biswell, in favor of tho work, and Messrs.
Keeting and Trumbull against it, the jurisdiction of the State
* See letters of Gen. Cooley to Gov. French, Illinois State Rogister, August 4th and
nth, 184«.
M
FHKNni's ADMINISTUATK^N.
rM
coiiif wiiH In'Id to be coiiciineiit with Unit of tlic ft'dcral ; tlie
l»o\V('r of the State to proliihit ol)stiiit'tioiis Ix'iii;; pliicfd in luT
lii;^li\viiys or the coiistriictioii of tiiis dike in li;'r Maviyaldc walcrs,
uas ('(inaliy deal'. 'I'iic liill and writ were snstaincd as to Hall,
("annon and ilrnnct, tliiccM'ontractois scivcd witii pcoccss in St.
Clair connly, lail as t(» the city of St. l.onis, a foi('i<in nmnicipal
t',or|)oiation, and .Folm Scrl.icihci-, •served in St. Louis, out of the
jniisdiclion of tlic coiiit, it was dismissed. An appeal to tiie sii-
jti'enie coint was taken fictni the decision dismissing the case as
to the city of St. Louis and Shreilier.*
TIk' dike liad l)een Ituilt up to tiie water's level, and the main
«'<inlen(ion now wasoNei- the attempt tolaiild it 12 feet Jii;;lieraud
level with the shore for a highway. l»elon;;in;i to and in the control
of a private company, tiaversing the navigaitle waters of the
State. Another point was the conse<piential im])airnu'id of the
St. Clair terr\ below, in whicii the State had an inteicst. In de-
fense, it was clainie(l that the obstructed channel never was navi-
gabh', whicli uas the fact, exee]tt jx-rhaps on occasion of ex-
traordinary freshets, and that it had been cut within L'O years
tinough lan<ls beloiiginji' to the old Wiggins ferry (company, which,
with St. Loins, was making this dike, and thu.s reclaiming their
own land.
The legislature, at its session of 1S49, settled the trouble by the
l)assage of resolutions whicli ]»rovided that theeit,\ of St. liouis
should file a good and valid bond with the secretary of state,
binding the city to construct a safe and connnodious highway
over the dyke; and that the owners of the pro[)erty on the island
and main shore secure the luidisturbed right of way to the i)ublic
over it forevi'r without tax or toll. The right of way was not to
exteu«l to charteicd companies (except the St. Clair ferry) and
tinnitike conii>anies. 'J'iie city of St. Louis was also to secure to
the St. Clair ferry a landing in the city, all of vhich was done,
and thus was the cloud of war dispelled.
A comnnttee was also ap[ioiuted, consisting of J. L. D. Morri-
son, (from the aggrieve<l county), A. J. Knykendall and Herbert
Patterson, toexamiiu' the works, who rejjorted, Februaiy 1, 1S~A,
that tlu' dike was then completed, bi'ing a solid stone wall across
the chute, sunk in 40 feet of water, 'M feet wide and elevated to a
level of ;j feet above the lower store doors on the levee in St.
Louis, leaving- the distance fron) the islaiul across the river but
800 yards. A thriving city Mas predicted, to which at mtdistant
day the workshops, lioatyards ami i>',-nufactories of St. Louis
Avouhl in a great measure be transp'.anted. an<l where the tired
artisan or mechanic, after his day's labor in (he city, Avould repose
in a cheaper and more cond'ort able honu' than he (lonld enjoy in
the ci'owded city. The result of thebtiilding-of thedikehassliown,
after a lapse of 20 years, that stability has been imparted to the
Illinois shore of the turbulent river, that liloody Island has been
lieinuiiu'ntlyjoined to tlu' main land, and, while much remains to be
done to build up a consi<lerable city there, a half score of rail-
roads centre already in Easft St. Louis.
Sea 5 Oilman, 368.
36
5(12
IIISTOIJV oi' IM.INOIH.
" STATE I'OI.ICY."
Trilnitf Iai-UiI upon lUinniH Vvodnvc in llic St. Louis Market —
I!(iili<i4iils JUxiijijHiinl AiiihilipKs W./r/M, Uv. — I'mm I.Sl'.Miiilil tlin
.s|u'ci;il scssidii ol' l'«'l»i iiiirv, ISfd, tlicic prcviiilcd in I lie Icjiislu-
liuii of Illinois wliiil wiis i»n»i\\ n ii the " Sliitc I'olicv." 'I'lu' ol»-
Jcrt \v:i.s to so lociil*- iind ti\ liic tt'iniini of cross r;iilroiuls :is to
Itnild up ;^rcat comimk rci:)! iiimiIs iind nii;;litv titit's witliin llu;
limits of this State; iind if titis did not follow, niili'oiids should
not <:<> wIm'I'c tlicv woidd contrilMitt' to tli«- (-oniincr«'c iind wt-iiilli
of cilit's without the Sliilc Tiic •• policy " wiis directed ii^iiiiist
8t. Louis, a forcijiu city ostciisihi.v to lavor (uniispirin;; domestic,
(■i>ies fiillin;^' within her competition, sit mite on the hither hiink of
the I'iithei' oi' Wiiters; those on the W aluisli, N'incennes and
Teire lliiiite were iilso included.
The reasons u";;ediii lavor of thisiMilicv wcremiinv iind novel,
iind foi'cihie eiiou<;li to in ii measure hold the best interests of the
Slate in thiiill for ii period of six vciiis, A j;»'neral militiad iii-
eoi'lKii'iition law Wits opposed iind defeated, on the ^^roiinds thitt
aii.v raili'oiid coinpiiny, foreijiii or domestic, could ciioos*- its route
iicross tiie State in iiny <lirecti(»ii withoiit consulting the interests,
of the seeti(»n of countiv thioiijuh which it |»iisst'd, which was not
onl.v highly unjust, hut iimouiited to an iiifrin^eiueiit of the i'i<;lit
of ]ni\iite pi'opert.N • it mijilit be detritnental, and would certainly
be in bad fiiilh to ot .Uf roads already built or chartered. If a
roiid was i)uilt on the lii e of iind in direct competilion with the
yiciit public; work of the Stiile, the canal, the icsult would be to
diminish its revenue, injurious to the Stsite, the leversiouer, and
unjust to the bondholdeis of that work. It Wiis <:i lively arj^iied
that no shrewd capitiilist would uiiike an investment at all, iind
tliiit all improvements of tliiit character must be arrested, lu'causo
under a liberiil j;-eneral railioiid ineorponition hiw ii riiiniMis coiii-
pi'tition would inevitiibly ^row up. It was scouted as unworthy
and insultinj; to our Stiite pride tocoiiteiid that the fireat cities
of the Mississippi valley eould n«»t be built up in Illinois. All the
riuli'oads from ciist to west, north of the Ohio river, seeking; ter-
mini with or beyond the Mississijtpi. must piiss over Illinois terri-
tory. Let but these roads be compelled, by the statesmiinshi]) of
Illinois, to converj>e to a ))oint on tiiat river within our border,
jiiid capit.ii Would (enter there, storerooms and wiiiehouses spring;
up, dealers itml eomuiission merchiints would be there, i»rodiicc
and sliip])in;; would };iither there whence to seek an outlet to the
Atliintie seaboiird ; in ii word, a fiiciit eommereiiil mart and the
busy hum of a mij;hty city would hv there. While the resources
of the Stiite were beinj^ (level(»i»ed, iind i»ro])erty j:;t'neriilly upon
the lines of niilroiuls inereiised in value, iit the termini would be
built up ii city to rival in ji few yeiirs St. Louis, which ]>iiid one
third of the revenue of ^Missouri, Avith debt iiiid tiix-riddcn llli
uois contributing hidf to her cai)ital and substance, tnide and
prosperity.
Aj;iiin iind iij;ain were streuiious efforts made to ])i>ss an efti-
cient jiciieral niilroiid ineorporiition law in aceoidance with the ex-
press provision of the constitution : "The fjeueriil sissembly sliiill
encourage internal improvements by passing liberal general laws
rHKNCn'M ADMIMSTIIATION.
503
of iiic(>i'|i<>riiti<»ii tor tli;it piir|>(M(>;" tiiid ;i<,^iiiti iiihI ii^aiii (li<l tlit>
IKMIpIc tiom tllMl pOltidll (»r tllC Sliltf wIlOSC IM'illCSl, lIKISl (lilCCt
iiiul Itcst iiiMikct WAS St. I^oiiis, |M'liliuii the Icjiisliiliiif to j;iiint
cliiiilc rs tnn'iiili'oiiilsiici'Dss I lie Sliitc from N'iiH'ciiin's. Tct-n^lliiiitd
iiinl oilier points on tin- \\':il):isli, to tn ininiilc :it .1 point oppositi^
St. liOMJs, lint wi-i'c iis ol'li'n I'fliisftl, iin<l liill iilln' liill contiiinin;;'
sncli chiiitcrs wj'ic in\iiri:il»ly icjcctcd.
At 111*' close (>'■ tin' winter session of 1SI!> tin' nn'mliers of tlui
yeiMTiil !issenil>iy, to tile liiinilier of IS op L'(», representing t liat
l»e!t <»f counties acioss tiie State opposite St. l-oiiis, mainly alVected
hy this exclusive policy, issued a stiiriii.n address to tlicir constit-
uents and all the section immediately coiiceiiied, settin;;' forth that
jll^ticc had lieeii denied them ity the Ie;;islal lire, and stioii,i;l,\ ap-
pcaliiiii' to tlieiii to send delc;;ates to the niiliil er of not less than
ten from eiicli county to a railroad con\enti(>n to Ix^ held in Salem
in .lime. IS)*), to take into consideralioii their ;;rievaiices, and
<levisc such iiicasiires as miiiht lie deemed necessary in the eiiier-
<;ency to secure for their section those ii;;hts under the <'oiistitii-
tion fiMtm \vhi;'li they had liceit soniijiistly deharred. To the north,
it was cliari;c<l, nothiii;;' had heeii rel'iised. while to the south
nearly everythiiiii' had l)een deiii<'d — hut not l»y iiortlierii votes
alone !
The coiiv<'ution met at the appointed time and \\ attended hy
a la)';ie concourse of people; at least I. (MM! earnest mcii wcrcasscm-
l)U'd. and o\ci' 1. (KM) delegates from the counties a<:j;rie\»'d. iCx-
(Jov. /adock ('as«'y prcside<l, ,Mr. Wait, of l>oiid county, pre-
seiiled an aide address, scttiiii;' forth in apt lan.uiialic the j;riev-
anc»'sof that Itelt of country across the State tliroiij;h which the
Ohio and Mississippi lailroad would run. pointin;;' out the a(h aii-
taiics «d' St. Louisas a mai'ket, and holdly declarinj;' the interests
of tiiat se<'tioii of the State to he identical with those of that for-
eiiiii city. The exclusive jiolicy of the lej;islature was rehiiked ill
sever*' terms for denying;- them the railroad charteis which they
soujrht for their section ; the f;overnor was re(|Ut'sted to c( nveiio
the h'.nislatiiie in extraordinary session, and a general railroad in-
<'orpoi'at ion act, with lilteial jirovisions, was demanded from it ;
and finally the ix'c.ple tlirouf^hout the country were iccomiiiended
to assemhie in their home districts and take steps to ur<;e these
measures without ceasiiijn-.
It was jiciicrally siipjiosed at this time that tlie jioveriior would
convene the lej;islature tor the pui'i>ose of electing a I'nited States
senator in place of den. Sliields, rejected by the senate in .March
jaevioiis for want of elij;il»ility. As anticipated, tlie ^o\ernor. on
tile Itli of Sei)teiul»ei', issued his prochimation for a special session
in ()ct(d)er, lS4i>, invitinin' action upon several suhjects. among
thcni the estaldishineiit of a jiciieral railroad iiicoiporatioii law.
To counteract the iiitluence of the Salem convention, a ••State
policy" meetinji' was called at llillshoro. in .Mont,iiomery county,
for the L'Oth of .Iiily, 1S4!>, to consi<ler and take action in reference
to railroads crossinji' the State east and west, and. terniinatiiii:' at
suitable lutiiits for biiildiiiL; up commercial citie.; and towns within
the borders of oui- own State. The convention did not meet, how-
ever, until October. For the occasion an imiiu'nse barbecue wa.s
pi'cpared, and it was said sojiie TJ.tMK) ])eo]»le attended. Many
luiblie men and politicians participated in the proceed inj;s, and
564
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
imicli boMiliiist, ]Kirtni.viiij{- tlie {{Tcat question of "State policy" in
{;lo\viiiji' colors, was iinliil;;('<l. Ainoiij;' tlic iiaiticipaiits may be
iiolcd tlic names of ,Iosei)li (iillespie, liolu'it tSmitli, ( "ynis Ed-
wards, A. 2s'. Slai'l)ird, AV. IMckeiiiij;, (lei! Tlioiiitou, "\V. J). Lat-
sliaw, and otliers. These names show that the Alt(»n interest was
larjiily leprescntcd. licsolutions were adojttt'd in favor of the
" ]i(»licy ;" api>rovin^' the a( tion of tlu' legislature at its last ses-
sion in refnsinji charters to railroads leading; to St. Louis ; con -
demniiif; the '-all of <^he extra session ul' the j;('neial assembly by
tlu' ;;o\('ruor for tnat month, and asUinj'- its immediate adjonrn-
Jiient after the eh'i tion of a United States senator, without acting
iil>on any other question.
ller«' it may ' e iiie;.ti(»ue(l that the action of the ^lissouri lej;is-
lature contribried not a littU' to incense the lu'opie of Illinois
ajiainst St. Louis. That body had, in tlie winter of bS41>, i>rece-
dinji, passed an act levying tribute upon all i)roperty sold within
the limits of Missouri, being the growth. i>roduce or manufacture
of any State other than her sovereign self. The amount of sale-
tax re([uired to be paid was $4 .50 on every $1,00(» worth of mer-
chandize sold, for (j mnnths from and after the Ulst of August,
].S4!>. Commission merchants in charging this amount ba<'li to
their consignors, were required to nuike out sworn returns, much,
it is presunu'd, after the manner of our late government income
tax. It was estinmted upon accurate data, that the commerce of
Illinois alone, in the market of St. Louis, would yiehl, by this sale
tax, )Jb")().(M»0 annually to the treasury of ^lissouri. It was ;*
schenu' by which to lilt the burden of government and taxation
from the jjcople of 3lissouri, where it belonged, and impose it upon
the ix'oitle of Illinois, Iowa at'd ^Minnesota. A h- ■• . > obnoxious
to every prin«*ii>le of justice, gave immediate rise to much dissatis-
faction and clamor among the i)eople, with severe denunciati«ui of
tin' otfendiiig Slate by the press; it is but just to say, however,
that the }»res.- of St. Louis also contemned the law and its enac-
tors, charging that the legislature of Missouri, was controlled by
influences «intside of and antagonistic t«) that city, rather than
l)ronuttive of her interests. The law was clearly inimical to the
constitution of the Cnited States. Such a tax if at all admissa-
ble, congiess alone has the power to levy, on condition that it be
ina<le uniform throughout the Uidted States. Subseqiuntly the
.sui)reme court of Missouri set the law aside. l>ut it may be -well
imagined that it contributed not a little in arousing feeling and
])rejudice among our people and lawmakers against St. Jiouis.
The dike, too, afforded an ojti)ortunity to array prejudice against
that city, and neither was slowly taken advantage of.
The legislature, at the calh'd session of October, 1849, again re-
fused si)ecial chaiters to the Vincennes and St. Louis railroad. iV
geneial railroad incori)oration law was h(»wever established, but
so defective in its jtrctvisions that no c(nnpan,^ could well organ-
ize or oj)erate under it witliout fnrtlier legislation. The subjoined
declaration of ]»rinciples of State ])olicy, drawn ui> by Wesley
Sloan, of Pojx', the sage of Golconda, whidi ]>assed the house,
is'ov. ;{, lS4!t, by 4;5 to 27, . 'id the f-evite Avith only 2 dissenting
votes, illustrates the aiiiinus of the legislature upon the subject
of railroads, better than anything else:
fkench's administration.
505
limilreil 1st. Tliat the fjcographical position of the State of IllinoiH, con-
sideied in couneotioii witli tlie constnic'tioii of railroads witliin lii'r lim-
its, is one of the greatest natural a«lvantages wliich she possesses, and
wliicli under a judiei(»us system of legislative poliey must be very in-
strumental in promoting her general welfare as a State.
":id. Tliat the prosperity of a State or nation, consists not only in the
virtue and intelligence of a brave and energetic people; in the richness
of hor soil and mineral resources, but also in the number and extent of
her flourishing towns, cit.es and villages.
"8d. Tliat any internal improvement, whetJier constructed under a
genera! or special law, tending in its ojjeration to impede the growtli
and jtrospects of cities, towns and villages, within our own borders,
ought not to be encouraged.
"4th. That the construe tion which should be given to the 6th section
of the 10th article of the constitution is, that the general assembly shall
encourage iinpro'.ements that are of an internal character and advan-
tage, and not si.ch as are mainly intended to promote external interests.
•'otli. Thi'l a railroad commc'iiciug at our eastern boundary, running
across the State and terininatiiig at a point on the Mississippi river op-
positf» St Louis, and also uniting witli continous lines of railroads ex-
tending eastwardly through our sister States, either to Cincinnati, or the
Atlantic cities, would be immensely advantageous to St. Louis, at tlie
same time 'that it would impede the growtii and prosi)c'rity of tlie
cities, towns and other localities on tlie Illinois side of the Mississippi
river.'
"(itl. . That the connection of the Mississippi river by continuous lines
of rar'rratis with the Atlantic st^-aljoaid, is of vital imjiortance to the
whole U iiiou, and we willingly invite the construction of railroadv* pass-
ing througii other States, to our eastern Ixmndary, promising to grant
to them the right of way, and reserving to oui-selves only tlie jjiivilege
of fixing the termini; a privilege we CKinstitufionally claim, and wliich
we are entitled to exercise by reason of our geographical position.
"7th. Tliat the construction of the great Central Railroad is a subject
of vast importance to Illinois, and all laws, having for their object the
completion of the same on proper principles, ought to lie encouraged;
provided such laws do not infringe too much upon our latural advan-
tages growing out of the geographical position of the State."*
The passage of theso, resohitioiis by the very deeiiU'l inajorities
we have noted, was rather ahtnning'. And nowtlie iiiti'nial i»oli(;y
of the Suite, ^o eniphatieally annoiineed, was attacked without
gloves by the foreign jness, antl «)iir own. partly, too. The news-
papers of St. Louis and Citieiimati, directly affected by the refusal
of tlie legislature to grant a charter to the Oiiio iv Mississippi
IJailroad Ooiiiitany, were unsparing in their abuse. The State
policy was denotmeed as sellish, narrow and eonteiniitible —
we were re-enacting tlie fable of the dog in ^lie manger. The
press of New York ehiinitig in, v'haracterized our '• State jiolicy"
as tmreasoiiable, vain and ehnrlish; we would neither helji the
parties attected by it, nor permit them to help tiieinselves;
to the great railroads pushing their lines from the Atlantic eitie.s
westward, eonferring permanent benefit and untold wealth along
their routes, when they arrived upon oiu' eastern l>order we ex-
elaijiied in the blindness of our own interests, thus far shalt thou
go and no farther, because they wanted logo to St. Louis, the
great '/oininercial centre on the Mississippi. It was urged that
Illinois stood in the light of her own interests: that our short-
sighted policy was proving ruinous to the south and middle parts
of the State; that it was the Altmi inHiience. as o}>posed to St.
Louis, which had produced the conflict between the three .sections
* See laws of Special Scsjiion, 1849.
600 HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
of tilt' State, but tliat after all the iKtrtli was taking advaiitago
of it, \\sh\<i Alton to i»ull the chestnuts out of the tire for CliieafiO.
Alton had been ambitious of coininereial distinction for many
years, always waitinji' Micawber-liUe for some fortuitous ciivum-
stances, or involved in some injicnious schemes to accomi)lisli this
grand object. ]>nt tlu'se, witliout energy, labor and capital will
not alone succeed in bnildinj;' up a <>reat city. It will be remem-
bered by the reader that the State bank in l.S;?r» was bankruptcil
within tw(t years after it started by its <'fl"orts to sui)i)ly the capi-
tal to monopolize the lea<l mines of (Jalena, diveit all the ujtriver
trade from St. Louis, and build uj* Alton, nearly o]»' "^ite the
mouth of the Missouii, as the emporium of the Mississi ; valley.
The completion of the canal, also, it was fondly hoi>ed, would
check the prosperity of St. Louis. Canal boats, it was main-
tained, m ,4ht with safety and exi>editi(tn be towed down as low
as Alton, Itut the increased dillicultics and dangers in tlu' curr«'nt
of the ]Mississii)])i, below the moutli of the ^lissouri, would pre-
vent their being taken to St. Louis, Avhile freigl.t could at all
times be brought as cheaply from New Orleans to Alton as to St.
Louis.
Thus by the deceptive cry of this grand internal State policy,
and various combinations formed in conse(iiU'nce thereof, hostile
legislation was evoked toward that part of the State which by
nature is not so well adapted to the construction of railroads as
the great prairie regions of the center and north, and which slioidd
rather have received the fostering care of friendly legislation than
the blight of this policy, whose effects are not entirely removed to
this day. The great northern i)ortion of the State, seeking an
outlet by railroads to markets on the lake, and mainly within our
own borders, was not inimical to the exclusive jxilicy ; but while
that region was liberally rewarded with railroatl charters for its
develoi)ment, it Avas not without aid, infatuated let us hope, from
the south to impose the ''ixdicy" upon the latter.
Notwithstanding this withering i)olicy, and the just strictures
upon it by our own and the foreign ]»ress, which disseminated ii
knowledge of it far and wide; and also that thi^ State geni'rally
had been greatly retarded in her onward career by an enormous
i publii! debt, without ('(piivalent, weighing her down like an incu-
\\ bus, there was not, as we api>roach the close of the decade termi-
,1 nating with ISob, another State in the Union increasing so raj)-
M idly in poiiulation, wealth and resources. Not Illinois alone, but
i! the entire northwest was settling up rapidly. The whole of this
jl vast wildernt'ss in 182(>, contained oidy about 800,(100 smUs, (being
; ij less than Illinois had in IS.^O^, while now it numbered 0,000,000.
i li The action of steam had eheapeiu'd and immeasurably increase<l
the speed of transportation and immigration. The comple-
tion of the canal had given an impetus to the agricultural
resouiccs of Illinois, long needed. It had also been indirectly n
means of wonderfully imi)r'»ving her financial affairs. "With the
advent of Gov. Ford's administration, it was olticially announced
that there was not nH)ney enough in the State treasury to ]>ay
postage on a letter. Sin(;e then the new loan of •! 1,(100,000 had
been made, with which the caind had beer, completed, yielding now
an annual revenue in tolls of over $l!ir),000 ; canal lands worth half
luilliou dollars had been sold, far above the appraisement ; 3-5ths
ii
Hi
i;
FRENCH'S ADMINISTIIATION.
56:
of the U mill tax autliorizcd in lS4r> now paid ^V2 out of every •$ (iO
of annually aecrnin<>' interest; and if the two null tax authorized
l>y the new couHtitution could have been diverted in that way the
whole annual interest on the internal inii)roveinent debt ])roi)er
eould have been paid. Auditor's warrants were worth 9.") cents
on the dollar. Such was our improved condition at this time,
])rou}>ht about by a ri^^id economy in expenditures, a thorough
system of retrenclnnent und<'r the new constitution, and a wise
administration of ]»ublic allairs under (lovs. Ford and French.
And now came in addition such glad tidings which, luit for
the thorough schooling in the se rigid economies and dearly bought
experienc<'.s, might have sent us again headlong into a wild course
of proriigacy an<l schemes of ini'atuation. This was the magniti-
cent donation by congress of some . ■},')(»(),()(»<( acres of land to the
8tate, which secure<l the building the llliiu)is Central Kailroad ;
also at the same session, the grant to the State of all the unsohl
swamp lands within her limits, estimat<'d at 1 ,r)()(),()((() acres; and
what was also of incalculable benefit to many a faiiily, the act of
congress granting bounty land to the brave men who jteriled their
lives in the l)nt rec«'ntly closed ]Mexican war. With these encour-
aging and hopeful ai<ls, Joined to an ever thronging emigration
l»ouring in upon our rich ]»rairies, -stitling legislation could no
longer retard our march to empire.
In the fall <»f ISoO, a new legislature, fresh from anew jteople —
new in great accessions, and also in that they had cast ott' their
garnH'Uts of despondency, and were full of hope — was elected.
This lK)dy met in Januaiy, ISi]], aiul Avliile it did not inconsider-
ately crowd important bills through, performed a great deal of
labor, giving life to those measures which have become the in-
struments of an enduring gTcatness to this eni])ire State, and
from which, with propel' additions since, we behold to-day unfold-
ing tlu' full glory of a grand future. These instriunents were
mainly imi»oitant railroad <'harters, which in nuiid)er were even
then said to mark up the snrface of the State into a network of
these improvements.
The incubus of ''State policy" was not altogether shaken off,
but a good beginning was made by granting a charter to the Ohio
and Mississij>pi railroad comitany. Mr. Douglas, taking a broader
view than theconlines of Illinois, wasi)rompted to address a letter
fi'om Washington to IJr Maidy, of Coles, saying if he were a leg-
islator he would certainly graid a charter tor tlie proposed load
froi'i lllinoistown to Terre Haute, ami also to Vincennes, and to
otluT lines across the State when any considerable portion of the
jx'ople desii(>d it. lie w«ndd give a i)refereiice to the towns and
cities of Illinois wheic it could l>e done without injury or injustice
to others, but he woid<l never sacrifice the great agricultural in-
terests f<u' the benefit of a much smaller interest in the towns. The
country was not made for the towns, but the towns for the con-
venience of the country.* ^J'he Hon. Y. li. Young, ]\I. C, also
Avrote to Mr. AV. S. Waite, of Bond county, that good faith on the
jiart of the legislature rciiiuied them to charter all cross railroads
contemjilated, as most probably the Illinois Central railroad grant
of land wimld not have been obtained if the delegation in congress
had withheld the positive assurance that the State would change
~^Vi(Ie~lll. IteK., Jan., 1851.
5G8 IIISTOKY OF ILLINOIS.
Ler ])()li(!y in relation to cross roads. Tliat siicli assiuaiKU's were
{iivcii was also corroborated by J\Ir. ])onf>liisaiid Col. W.Il. liissell,
the latter writiii^i tliatlii' felt (luite sure xotes were obtained in that
^vay, and that the result showed that they had but \ery few to
spare in the tinal trial.* Thus was the le^iislature indueed to yield
and grant just one cross road leading to St. Louis. JUit that was
all.
And now, to illustrate the bad faith of soulless (lorporations —
the many disappointments and heart-burnings which tlM.y have
caused, and the bitter curses they ha\e invited from rising towns
and and)itious cities throughout the length and breadth of the
State, it may here be mentioned in connection with this road,
which gave one of the earliest eases of the kind, and which, too,
will serve as a tyj)e of nuiny others whose local, history cannot
well be obtained, that, alter being a suppliant for years before the
legislature for Just the right of way, and in its obse<piiousness full
of the most honorable and humble promises, no sooner had it ob-
tained its charter than it turned and violateil them, becoming per-
fectly oblivious to everything else excei)t what was expressed in
that instrument. Belleville, at thatdiiy, was an and)itious and nour-
ishing young city. In the passage of the charter for the Ohio and
JMississijjpi railroad company, it is alleged that it was distiiu;tly
understood that the interests of Belleville should not be sacrificed,
and therefore the naming of that place as a i)oint in the charter
Avas magnaninu)usly omitted. This nuignanimity that c«)rporatioa
failed to api»reciate, and grievous disappointment followed. J>elle-
ville thereupon tendered a sid)scription of $r)(),()()0 on condition
that she be nnule a point ; she entreated and remonstiated, but a
deaf ciU' was turned to all her requests, l.elleville was lelt some
six miles to the south. She held an indignation meeting and de-
clared it inconsistent with the honor, interests or duty of any
citi/eu to participate in the ceremonies of breaking ground at llli-
iioistown for that road, February S, ISijL'. On that occasion was
presented the singular spectacle of Cincinnati, Viucennes and St.
Louis, three foreign cities, taking possession of the soil of Illinois
upon which to inaugurate a great improvement, without our coun-
tenance or api»robation, but we were i)owerless to prevent it.
Other ]>laces in this State, similarly aggrieved by other roads, are
I'niont(twn, Salem, Charleston, Shelbyville, IJrbana, iS:c., &e.
Verily, in our legislation niton the subject of railioads, and the
granting to them of valuable franchises, we have gone from one
extreme to the other. AVhile our action toward them in respect
of the State policy was entirely too mirrow and illiberal, savoring
too much of proscription, when chartered privileges were ex-
tended to them it seems that the bars were let clear down, and
we failed to retain any snfticient control over them. These, to-day,
giant foreign corporations, some of whom erst begged in a most
su]»pliant nuinner of this siivereign State nu'rely for the right of
way, now set u[» their vested rights and defy not only legislative
but constit\itional control.
The ''State policy" imuntaiiu'd its sui)rennu'y longer with regard
to the Atlantic^ and ]Mississippi railroad, known as the " IJrough "
road, trom Terie Haute via Vandalia to St. Louis «lirect, than any
other. This road was regarded as in direct condict with the Alton
• Ibid
FRENCH'S ADMINISTRATION.
569
opi
iiitc'it'st, and a ruinous roniiu'tition to the Tvnv Ilauto and Alton
road, tlicn buildinj;'. Col. .lolin lUou^Ii, a Icadiii;;' imblic, citizen
of !niliana, was at its head, and siiowed niiicli dctcrnnnation to
accoini)lisli it. AVlicn lie was denied a special eliaiter by the lej--
islatiire. of 1<S,>1, a. conijtan.v was organized under Ihcf^'eueral laws
of 1S4!> ; subsciii»tion books to the capital stock were opened in
New York cit.v, capital $2,(H)(),()(t(), shares ijSriO each ; $470,(M)0 were
spee<lily subseiibed, and Col. J5rouj;h, the i)resident, issued his
bulletin, auuouncin<>' his inteidi(jn to buihl a I'oad fidui Teire
Ilaule to St. liouis, not only without, but ayainst, le;iislati(»n. The
idea that 8t. Loins should have two railroad hij^hways across the
State of Illinois was simply monstrous to Alton. An Alton news-
l>a]>er of Nt)vember, LSol], says :
'At the close of the last wssion of our leglHJatnre we expressed tlie
iniou tluitCoI. Jolin JJrough, of Indiana, would l)e satisfied with the
explicit refusal of our State to j^rranta charter of incorporation to liis pet
pioje t * * and tliat lie would al)ideby the several times rejK'ated de-
cisio I. The citizens of Illinois Inid reason to suppose that they were
rid, or all time to come, of tliisiiretended friend, l)ut real enemy, to their
best int^'rests. It seems, liowever, that this valiant Imliana colonel is
determined. uotwitiistandiuK his former repulses, to continue bis unsoli-
cited andottielousintermeddlingwith the domestic policy of this State."
Ibit it was found impracticable to build the road luulerthc law
of liS4!>, and a[>plication was ayain made to the j>eneral assenddy
♦)f IS.").'} for a special clnuter. Col. J>ron^h was personally jues-
ent and labored earnestly to sneceed, but the JState policy ]»arty,
afU'r strenuous oi»positiou, led by jMcssrs. Wyini, Kuykeiidal and
others, were a;^ain enabled to defeat the bill. Another bill look-
injj; to the accomi>lishmeut of .lie same result, perhaps, was for a
charter of tlii' Terre Haute and Vandalia railroad, but the Jeal-
ous and watchful State policy ]»arty, rejiardinj;- this as a piece-
meal resui. rection of the " IJroujih road," i»romptly defeated it.
The extension of the Jielleville and lllinoist(»wn chaiter <'ast\vard
across the State, the 1'erre Haute and ^Marshall branch, and sev-
eral others, which looked to ai)proach theMississijipi at St. Louis,
all met witli si^niial defeat. The triumi)h of the State ])olicy jiarty
was complete, and the pr«'ss in its interest boldly proclaimed that
it had waxed stron>ier than ever.
Alxiut this time, too, Chicaj^jowasjireatly exercised over the Joliet
Cut-oil' yrievanee, a road wliich would save to the public from the
east, west or south — not desiriu;;' (o makethe detiuir to Cliica<;«) —
COmilesin transi»ortation or travel, jicting- and comiiift'. Yet Chi-
ca<i(), for some fan(;ied benefit, was anxious that that circnit slutuld
be maintaiui'd and enforced, uolois rclois, u\H)n all freij^ht and
passen<ier transportation. Jt is bur just to say, howevei', tlia* in
this tliere was not entire unanimity. Notably the Chicago Jk'mo-
crnt became all at once the most ardent advocate of State ]>olicy,
and sti'oiifiiy nr^cd this <'nforced deviation upon the publi*-, <le-
iiouiiciufi ,loliet and her citizens prominently connected with the
steps taken to buiUl a short railroatl directly east, in unmeasured
terms of abuse.
It was at the session of ISo.^, that Jose])li Gilles])ie, eliam])ion
of the Alton interest, introdu(;ed into the senate a bill by which
all these existing' chartered railroad corporations were to. be
pioteeti'd for ten years a;;ainst the buildiuy of any eomi»eting
ruuds within 25 miles distance, unless existing corporations lirst
''1
'\ r
570 inSTOUY OF ILLINOIS.
c'oiisciilcd tlicri'to. Tliis iinia/.i'iji' urojjosition was a fir cliinax to
all tlic iiioKstroiis, ahsiiid and jtciiiifioiis scliciiics of (lie Stalt'
Itolicv parly. ^Vilil(' many <»!' tlic (itlicr States ol' tlic L'nion, aiii-
iiiatiMl by a iioblt' spirit of t'iir('r]>iis«', were icni(>\ iiij;- h'^^al ob-
stinctions and instead adojjtin;; broad and liberal railroad ineoi--
poration laws, tlirowinj;' wide open tlieir borders, and inxitinj;'
eapilal iVoiii abroad to binld railroads and create competition
wherever it inclined, it was cooly projjosed in tlie }>reat Slate
of Illinois, wliicli needed develo]>inent very badly, to draw a cor-
don of exclnsivcness around Jier borders, ami v itliin to condtine
witli soulless corporations in the monopoly of all iinpr«»vements,
and hand over to lliem, bound by tlie stronj>- clionls of the law,
the jx'ople of the State to be lleeeed \vithout stint. The bill
tailed to become a law.
The Salem railroad convention of 1.S40 haviii<;' ultimately ])roved
successful in obtaininjia charter for the Ohio and ^lis«issippi rail-
road, another convention now met at the same ]>lace, >sov. "St, ISij;?,
to uvin' upon the governor the calling; to<;<'ther of the ji'eneral as-
senddy in extraoi'dinary session. The counties of Clark, Ciim-
borland, Eflinjiham, Crawford, Fayeth', .Jasper, Edwards, JJond,
St. Clair, .Jackson, ^Monroe, AVilliamsou, Randolph, Clin-
ton, .leff'eison, i'eiiy, INIariou, Clay, sonu' 11), all south of the
Terre Haute and Alton railroad, whose best and most accessable
nnuket woidd l)e St. I^ouis, were ably represented by their most
public spirited and cnti iprisin<i' men. Tlu' Hon. Zadock Casey
was unaiumonsly chosen cliairnnin. A committee was a])pointed
of which the lion. Sidney IJreese was ehairnuin, to draft an ad-
dress, settinji' forth their <;rievances and nrjiinj; the p)vernor to
con\('iie the legislature. Action ii, ii seven measures was de-
nninded, but the railroad grievance was the luaiu one. The eom-
nnttee say:
"J he sjR'cial ucts and tlie j^eueral law, so-called, for railroad incorpo-
ration demand action tliat would alone justify an extra session. Ke-
strictions upon the accomplisliment of useful enterprises might be re-
moved l)y an act of ten lines, opening the way to immediate construc-
tion of works tiiat would bring in capital froni abroad and enhance the
value of real estate to the amount of several millions of dollars. That
Southern Illinois has a peculiar interest in this important measure, she
has no disposition to deny. Look at tlie single fact tliat in the vast and
increasing railroad eiitei]>iises, which is giving new life to the State, and
which already exceed li,()()0 miles in extent, less than 800 are permitted
to Soutliern Hlinois."
A committee of some 20 was a]>i)()inted to ]m>sent the address
in ])erson to the governor. It had the desired eft'ect. The governor
issiu'd his iiroclamation, convening the legislature in Feb., l.sr»4,
Tliis special session was a very busy, and in many respects, a
iiio.st important one for the State. But we now can only notice
the subject in hand. The State policy was narrowed down to the
oiu' (dijcct of again defeating the '• IJrougli road," for which jMir-
jiose a great effort was made, aided by foreign lobbyists interested
in the Terre Ilante and Alton road. IJut their efforts failed ; the
liberal policy triumphed, tliechartei- "recognizing and authorizing
the coustructi(Ui of the JMississijipi and Atlantic railroad" jiasscd
in both houses by decisive majorilies. Exit ''State policy" — a
policy wliicli has done mudi to hiinler and retard thi^ growth and
develoinnent of the southern jiortion of the State, anu whose
blight has lingered more or less to this day.
ClIAPTEK XL VI.
THE ILLINOIS CENTRAL KAILKOAD.
Confircmonal Grant of LumJ — H(>U>rool< Charters — BomUioUlci's'
tScJH'mfs — The 1 per eeitt. of its (Iro.ss Earniui/s — FanHaije of its
Charter — Ileuejits to the Co)iq)a)iij, the AStateaud IiaUri(liial,s —
Kote : Jealouny of rolitieians on Aceonnt of its Glory — C'orres-
pomlence of Messrs. Breese and Douglas.
Tlic snbjcct of this cliiiptcr iiiaiks iiii ciji in the ])i'()gre)ii« of tlie
State. The {iiiiiid schciiit' of coiiiR'ctiiij'', by nieiuis of iron bands
of coinnicrcc, Lalic Miciiijian wilh the jiivat waleiy hif^hway of
tlie .Mis,sissi|)i»i VaUey at tiic conHiu'iicc of tiie Ohio, liad long
Ihhmi a (k'si(h'iatnin with oyr i^'oplo. It had constituted part of
tlio State internal improvement system of IS.iT, and some work ou
tiie hue was actually done, hut was abandoned with the gen-
eral collapse of tha^ system. The Central Jiailroad, from the
southein terminus of the canal to Cairo, was snbsecpU'Utly revived
by legislation, i>rocured by scheming brains with an eye to the
future, but the whole subject lacked vitality until the passage of
the act of congress of Septend)er, 1.S50, granting to the State a
nuiniticent donation of near .'{,(KK),0(H) acres of land through the
lieart of Illinois in aid of its comi)letion. This noble tribute by
the nation had its birth sinndtaneously with and amidst the
throes of the great adjustment nu'asures of 1850, which, during
that long and extraordinary session of Congress, shook the Union
from center to circumference. Twice before had a similar bill
passed the senate, and twice had it failed in the house, but now it
was a law, and the State |(o,ssesse<l the nu-ans to complete the
great work. The linal ])assage of the measure was hailed with
demonstrations of great joy by the people ami press of our State.*
Illinois internal improvement bonds nnide a bound forward of 10
percent, in the New York market. At tliis time the lunount of
railroad comi)leted in the State consisted of a section of the
N(nthern Cross Kailroa<l, fiom iMeredosia and Najtles, on the Illi-
nois river, to Si'iinglield ; the Chicago & Galeini, irom the former
city as far as >]lgin ; and a mile coal ti-ack across the American
bottom from oi>i)osite St. Louis to the mines in the bluffs.
♦After the adjourninent of conjrress, 8enntors no\i(flBS nml Sliiehls, on Ihcir return
hoini', were tenilereil a publle (iiiiner iit ("liieii)!<) in lionor ol the oeeiisinn, but for reii-
B0I18 of flelieiiey tliey deeliiUMl heeoiiilutr the e.xeluslve leelph tits of siieh iitteutions,
awanliiijj to their eolleiitrues of the house — where the tlniil buttle whs fought luia
won- Messrs. MeClernand, Hitrris. Wentworth, YounM', Kii'hiiidson. HiFsellnnd Ilaker,
the )irinei|)»l merit of its passnjre. The honors tor tlie success of the measure were a
fruittul source of jealousy among our public men.
571
572 HLSTOUY OF 1LLIN(»IK.
Tlic iict jirantcd tlic lij^lit of \\'.\y lor I lie lailroiul tliroii^ili the
]>iil)l!i' liUKls of the width of _(!() feet, from tlic .soiithciii tcniiiiius
of the Illinois iiixl .Miclii<^iiii Canal to a [toiiit at or near tli«^
jiMuMion of the t)hio and .Mississippi rivers, and for Itranchcs to
Chicago and (iali'iia; also lli*- ])rivil('^(' to take from them mate-
rials of eai'tli, stone and tindter lor its construction. l>nt the
main ;^rant to the State was the alternate sections of land desij;--
luited by even numbers for (J sections deep on each sid(> of its
trunk and branches; for the landssoldor pre-ein|)ted within thi.s
lli mile belt or area, enough nnj;ht be seletrtetl from t'ven num-
bered sections to the distance of lo ndlcs on either side of the
tracks e(pnd in <piantit,v to them. The coiistructioiiof the road was
to be simultaneously commenced at its northern and s(Mitherii
teiiniid, and vhcn completed the branches were to be constructed.
It was to be completed within ten y<'ars, in (b'fault of which the
unsold lands were to n^vcrt to the L'idted States, and for
those sold the State was to ]y,\\ the {government jirice.
The minimum i)riee of the alteinale or odd numbered sections of
the •;<)\<'rnment land was laised from !?1 IT) to >f'2 oO per acre.
"While the i)ublic lands were thus by the prospect of the bnildiu";'
of this road rendered imue saleable at double ]>rice, it followed
that the j^eneral p>vernment not oidy lost n<tthin;i' in dollars
and cents, but in p(tint of' time was actually the ;;ainer by this
»plen<lid j;ift. The land was taken out of market for two yc^irs,
and when restored, in the fall of ISoli, it in fact brouj;ht an aver-
a<ie<»f ){!.■) per acre. The ^rant was siibject to the disjtosal of the
legislature for the ])uipose s])ecitied, and the road and branches
Avere to be and I'cmain a i>ubli<', hi<;hway for the use of the jiov-
ernment of the I'nitcd States, i'ree from all t(dls or other charges
for the transj)oitation of any troops, munitions or other ]iroperty
of the j;-eneral j;()vernment. This i>rovision, had it applied to
the rolliiifi' stock as well as the use of the rails, would doubtless
liave saved the <;eneral j'-overnment durinjf the rebellion many
liundrcils of thousaujls of dollars; but it has been construed ad-
v<'rsel,\ to the rij;hts of the ji'overnment in this ]»articular. For
the i)urpose of c(Mitiiiuin<;' the road south to JNIobile, all the rijilits,
])rivil«',m's an<l liabilities, with rejiard to the jirant of th(! i)ublie
lands and in every respect as conferred on this State, weie ex-
tended to Alabanni and .Mississi|)pi. Such is a synojysis of the
imj)oi'taiit jnovisions contained in this, the lirst land sultsidy made
by conuicss in aid of railroads, latterly so lamentably frequent
as t(» well ni{>h despoil the country of its jjublie domain.
Upon the passaj;e of the bill, Mr. ])ouj;las immediately pre-
]tarcd a ])etition, si{>ned by theconjiressional delcfJiations of all the
Slates alonj;' the route of the road from ^Mobile north, d<'scrib-
in^ the ])robable location of the road and its branches throuyh Illi-
nois, and recjuestin};' the ]>resident to order the suspension of land
sales alon*;' the lines desijiuated, which was immediately done.*
The act of coii.uivss threw upon the le^^islature of Illinois liie
entire duty of making a prudent, wise and satisfactory disposi-
ILLINOIS CENTRAL KAi; V.OAD.
573
tioii of tlu'iiia^iiiilicciit {iriuit. Tlic. i>oiiit ot'dcpiutiircof tlic Clii-
ca^<» Uriiiicli fioiii tlic iiiaiii Iniiik wiis not lixcd It.v the act, and this
dclicatf duty tli«' l('j;i.slatui(', it was f;('ii('iall_\ cxpt'ctcd, \\()iddtak«i
in liand. JU'turr tlir ni»'ctin<;of Ihatliody, in.lannaiy, l.sr»l, ninch
contention pcivadcd tlic press of tlu^ Stati' rcj;ardin<;' the location
of the main tiiiidv, and jtaiticnlarly the rontcs of the branches,
Many worthy ami andtilions towns were arrayed a^^aini^t each
other. The liaSalle interest wanted the ('liicajU'o branch taken
off at that point. IMooniin^^ton, looking; to a continnation of the
Alton \' San;^anion road (now the Cliicjijio, Alton k St. Lonis) to
that i)lace, wanted the Chica;4<) branch to connect her with the
lake. Hhclbyville, which was a point on the old line of the Illi-
nois Central, not dreaniinj;' but that slie wonld have the main
trunk, was <;ras|)in<; for the departure thence of the ('liica;;()
branch also, and lost both. Aiudlier route, which oujulit to have
coinnnnided jireat strenj;th, was proposed on tin' most direct line
from Cairo, nnddiij-' the jtoint of connection with the nmin trunk
ill I'ulaski county, and takinj;' oft" the (ialena branch at Mt.
A'einon, thence throu^di Carlyle, (Ireeiiville, Ilillsboro, Sprinj;-
lield, J'eoria, (Ialena and on to J)id>n<iin'. lint of course it was
to llu' int( rest of any company to nndvc the location where Iheie
Avas the larficst amount of \ acant land that could be brouylit
witliin the bi'lt of 1.5 ndles on either si(l(^ of the road. And this
proxcd the <'ontrollinf> intluence ultinnitely, both in the location
of the nndn stem and the branches.
The disastrous failure of only u do/en short years before, as con-
nected with the Utopia of the internal improvement system by tho
State, was not forj^otteii ; and now when the means of achie\in}»
{jreatyood for develoi»inj;' tlie Htate were in hand, the stump and
press teemed with advice as to the best mode of disixtsiiij; of the
yrant of land, which, it may be a(hled, was seldom free tVoin bias
or a hiok to local advantaj^cs. Swarms <»f land specidators and
town site owners, it was anti<'ipated, would infest the lobby at the
next session of the legislature. The peojjle were very properly ad-
vised that to jiiiard ayainst the influences and intrigues of these
sharks they must select their best and ablest lueu to represent
them.
The Holhrooli Charters. — One of the idiantoms Avhich looined
into ])nblic recognition, casting its shadow across the path of bright
jiromise for the State, was what was kn«)wn as the ''Jlolbrook
Charters," whose inctorporators, it was feared, woidd step in and
swallow ivp the congressional grant of land under the broad terms
of their franchises.
The Cairo City and Canal Company was originally incor])oiated
for the purpose of constructing dikes, levees or embankments to
secure and preserve Cairo city and adjacent lands against tho
freshets of the rivers. The cutting of a canal to unite the iNIissis-
sippi with the Ohio through Cash river, was also authorized. In
the fall of 1835 the Hon. Sydney Breese, through a well-considered
published letter, had first called attention to the plan of a central
railroad, connectingthe southern terminus of the Illinois and JMich-
igan canal at Peru with the contliience of the Ohio and Mississippi
rivers at Cairo. An eft'ort was nuxde at the special session of
1835-6 to unite this project with the canal, for which an appropri-
1 1
674 mSTOllY (»K ILI.LNOIS.
titioii <»t'$.')()(),0(l()NVjis tlicii ;;i-iiiit('(]. This riiiliii<j:, ti cliiirtiT tor tliu
railroad wiis };raiit('(l, .siipplfiiM-iitiii;;' tliis itiojt'ct wilii tlicCiiiro
Citv ("oriipaii.v, llic coriioratois Itfiii;; l>aiiii.s l>. Ilojliiooi;, (wlio
was also llic |)i'«-si<lciil of tli** coiiipaiiv.) Milrs A. (iillM-it, .lolm S,
HacUcr, Al«'.\aii(lci' M. .Iciikiiis, Aiillioiiy Oliu-v and William ''.
W'alkfi'. Application was ilicn t'lsi made to con^iicss for aid Ity
])i'('-('iii|)tion. One .year later tlic Slate entered upon tliejireat in-
teiiial improvement system, and, nnwillin;;' to ItrooU a rival, ap-
])lied lo the Cairo company to snrreiider the charter tor the laiild-
injn of this railroad thron;;h the centre of the State, which was
complied witli on condition tinit the Slat(> iinild the roati on a
route leadiii;;' from Cairo thi<iii!;h N'andalia, Shelhyville. Decatur,
JMoominuton, rein, an<l via Dixon to Calena. The State expended
more than a million dollars, it is said, on this route lietore the
"^rand system"' collapsed in ISIO. Snltsetpu-ntlv, l»y act of .March
(>, l.S4.'S, the roa<l, in the condition that it was abandoned, was re-
stored to the ( 'airo company under the title of tiie (Ireat W esterii
IJailvvay Company, with the ]»ower to construct the I'oad from
1 Cairo yia the jtlaces i.amcd, to a ]ioint at or near the south-
ern terminus of the Illinois and .Michi^^an canal, in such manner
as they nii;^ht deem most exped.' nt. The Cairo C(»mpaiiy was
vested with the title and ellccts of the old Central railroad. All
the usual fianchise.s w«'re jirauted to the (ireat Western Company
as part of the Caii'o Company, and in sectiiui IS it was added that
, ''.mII lands that may come into the ]iossession of said company,
whetlu'r l>y donati<iM or jturchas*'," vveiv pled^^cd and inortj;aj;e(l
' in advance as security for the payment ol the bonds ami obji^ia-
'. tioiis of the company autliorizi'd to l)e issued and contracted under
the i)royisions of the charter. IJy act of JMarch ;$, 184"), tlie charter
, of this Cireat W«'stern J{ailroad Company was repealed ; l»ut by
' act oi l'"ei)ruary 10, l.S4!>, it was rev iyed for the benetit of the Cairo
City ;ii:dCaiud Coni|)any, with the addition of some 'M) names as
;, incorporators, taken from ail i>arts of the State, many «>f whom
; Avt're well-knovvii politicians. The company thus reyiyed was aii-
; thorized in the construction of the Central Jfailroad to extend it
i on from the southern terminus of the canal — KaSalle — 1<» Clncajio
*j "in strict <'ouformity to all obligations, restrictions, powers and
j; priyilc^ics of the act of bs4.')." The jiovcrnor was 'uipowered to
,• liold in trust foi' the use and beiielit of said company whateyer
jf lands niijiht be donated to the State by the {-eneral jioverinnent,
jl< to aid in the completion of t!u' Central or (Jreat Western Railway,
,:i subject to"t he conditions and proyisionsof the bill (then pendiuj; be-
i; fore conjiiess and expected to become a law,) jjiantinj;' the subsidy
Aj' of .'>,(H)(»,(I0() acres of land. The company was further ant hoiized
;-^ to receiye, hold and dispose ov' any and all lands secured to it by
2 donation, ]>re('mption or otherwise. There were other details of
5 minor impcnlaiice, but these sutticiently nidicate the nice scheme
jl entertained by the lonju-headed si)ecidators.
l| IJut J)ou<;las, thonjih absent at Washiufjton, was not to be
!| hoodwinked by tln'se schenu's ajininst the best interests of
I the Statu. At the s)»ecial session of the lejiislatnre in the au-
' tumn of 184{>, in his able si)eech deliyered to tluit body, October
L'.WI, he demonstrated that a fraud had been jiracticed upon it the
winter itrecediii};' in ])rocuriny from it this charter; and that had
the bill in congress donating this land met with no delay on this
ILLINOIS CENTRAL UAH.KOAn.
r>75
account, (Iiis vast propcit.v woiiNI liav«' yoiic into tlic iiands of
Ilollnook kS: Co., to cniirli ilicsc sclimiinn rorpoiiilois. willi liltlc,
assniancc, as tla-y ri'prcst'nicd no wcaltli, tliat llic roa<l \voul<l
over li(> iMiilt. Con^irrss liad an insnpcialtlc ohjcction to inakin}{
tlic •;rant lor the Ix-nfit ol' a private coipoialion. 'I'lic connrctioii
of tlirs4- Ilollti'ooii companifs witii the Ccntial railroati, in tiit'cs-
tiniali(»n of (•onj;i<'ss, prcscntt'd an inipassiltlc hairici' to tiic i^rant.
l>nt lliis l(><;islatni'c, wiiicli had granted the chaitci, refused to re-
peal it.
To obviate the dillienit.v, Mr. II(»ll»rook, presideid (»f the eoni-
l)anies, who aidentl.N sou;nhl the sin-eess of the I'oad, «'.\ecutetl a
))ronns4^ of rehase to the yoveiiior, Ih'cendx'i' l.'ttli, I.Sl!», a dupli-
eate of which was transmitted t<» Mi'. Douglas at \Vashiii;;ton.
lint the senatordid not re;;ard tliis release as valid or Itintlin;: upon
tlu^ c»»niitanv, because it was wiilKMit tiie saiiclion or authority of
tiu' stockhohU'rs. or «'ven tin' board of direct ois. While he did
not impute anv such motive, the company, he bclit xcd, was still
in tii(> condition which would enable it to take all th«' lands
^'ranted, <livi<le them amon^ its stockholders, and retain its char-
tered privilcfi'es without buildin^ilhe road, lie was niiw illinji' to
j;ive his a|>pro\ al t<» any arranfienu'Ut by which tiie State could
possii>Iy be deinived <»f any of the lu'iietils resul;in<> from the ex-
pected }irant. Kor the iU'ote(rtiou of the State, and as an assur-
ance to conjiress. t lie execution of a full and complete release of
all rijihts :ind priviie<i«'s, and a surri-nder (»f the cliart»'rs, and all
acts or parcels of acts supplemental or ann-ndatory there(»f, or
relating in any wise to the ("enlral lailroad, so as to leave the.
State, tlironuh its le<iislature, free to make such disp»»sition of tho
lan<ls and su<-h arrangement for tiie construction of the road as
mi<jlil be deemed liest, was demanded. These re(piireiiieiits were
<leeiiied Hot unreasonable liy tlie ajicnts of the company at Wash-
iiij;ton, tiie lion, .lohii A. IJockwell, of ('onnecticiit, and Mr. (r.
^\'. UilliiiHs, and a few days after a reh-ase, in duplicate, was exe-
eute<l in New Yoik, one copy of whicli was forwarded to the
jjoveriKH' of Illinois, and one retained by Mr. I)(»ii^!as, to be used,
if necessary, in coii;;ress, containing these conditions:
"1st. That tlie Iej;;'>^l:'tiii"e of said State sliall, within the period of TEN
YIOAHS from the Ist of January, 1K.")0, eonstruct and liiially conii)lete, or
cause to lieet)n8tnRte»l and completed, a railroad IVoiu Cairo toChicaf^o,
and dial the southern terminus ot said road shall be the city of Cairo.
2d. That tlie leKishdure of said State shall, duriiiv; its next session, elect
whether to accjpt or decline this release upon the conditions herein
stated. .'5d. That until said State, through tlieir legislature, shall have
made their election, this company may inih //it <ipi,i-i,/i,ii'iui, of /fi<' nm'inior of
t/ii s/iii,\ ))r()ceed in the coiislruction of said road, and if said cliarter
aliall be released as aforesaid to said State of Illinois, the said Stateshall,
within one year from the time of said election, refund to this eomi)any
the amount which lietween that period and the present time, shall liave
been expended in tlie construction of said road, with (i i-ercent. interest
thereon, and shall assume all /»<);«« //Wt contracts /leniifUi made by this
company in the construction of the same, which shali liave been previ-
ously approved l)y the governor of said State."
Notlnvitlistandiiif? this release, after the ])assaj>e of the bill
g'rantin<j;' the land by eonj;re.ss, there was a doubt in the mind.s of
the people of Illinois, which was freely canvassed i)endin}^' the
election of the le<;islature, which was to dispose of the splendid
donation to the best interests of the State, regardless of local con-
r.7(;
niHTolfV <»l' II.I.INOIH.
HiihTiilioiiN (»!' MTliuiiiil ilcHiri'N, thill ihi- ('iiii(M-oiii|)iiii,v, tlii'<iii{jli
Km |tr«'.sii|«-lit, coiilil iiliil wniihl ri|iii*liiil)' IIm* tflliH|iiiNliiiii-lil ol'itH
I'liiir li'i's, or' iisf soiiD- t'\|M-t|iiiit lu itiiliirr (In- ^fiiri'iil !i>N<'iiilily
to liiil ill iicn-|iliii;; il iirronliii;; to its 'J ' ht ipiiliil ion, ulmli Uolihl
Miiililf lliiil roiM'i-iii Im ii'Miiim- il> toiliii'i' |Mi>ilioii iihil (^liisp llio
iiii;;!- '^liiiil of 1)111)1 iiiiih r till- plov i>ioii.s of IIn rliiii Iii' oI IM|!I,
'I'lif follow in;; nirioiis Irttt-r, ovit IIm- iiiiiiif of llir pii'siilMit of lliu
rom|piiii\, wIihIi ii|i|i)-in*'il in tiir lllimiis Aihomlr ;it l,<lt;inoii,
iiiiil lloiili'il iiImmiI ('(in>iili-riili|_\ ill lli*' inililic |ii«'nm of IIm- <lii,\,
Ni'i'tiiM to cviiin* il (li'sin* to iiolij on, iiiiil it iJoiilitlcMH ^mm' rolor to
tli<- |iiililir ii|ipi'ilii'iiHioiiH:
'•Ni;w YoHK, H«'|.t, IT,, ihfio.
"J/im, !•:. a. Smith:
"I>I':ak Hue I I'liii Irnly hii.v that I iiiii iiiiil<'r(ilill|;MlioiiH lo tiioHi- ulio
Witli (iov. ( 'iihty pifVriilctI llic II)) III of 111!' fliiiili r of llic < iiiiil VV'cmI-
«-rii Kallvsay ( oiiipiiiiy. Il wtm ^ <oil<'il in \ii>m\ lailli aii<l iimlrr no
oIIk'I llial lilt- Slii(<' IIIII now xranl. I inn liii|i|iy to hii,y lliiil wlii'ii I <'X-
plailH'ii lilt' lilll lo .Iinl^'f DniivtliiH, iiliij lliat my olijrcl Watt to liuvr llii)
I'oml mail)' fur the li<'>l liilrii'Ht III' till' wIimIi' Slalc, I would rctnii lliti
fliarli't' iiillii-r lliaii liavr any iippovliinn limn liii- Stale, lie wiih HMliyili-il ;
iiinl llii- •■oiiht'ipM'nci' luiH lircn lliat we liavr woiKcil lujfi'lInT iil W'lifli-
in^'liiii lliJH Willi) r, ami liiiv)- olilaim'il ilie unnil )ir laml rinni i'oii^D'hh
tow Mill makiiiK III)' i'<a)l. W'c tiD' miw Hiiir I lial IId roiul Iroiii < 'iiiin l)>
]')'i'ii, (iali'iiii ami ( 'l:iraK'> w ill !»' I'lnll. 1 am now ii''Kanl/lii).> tlir cMm-
]iaiiy to i-iiiniiD'nr)' llie woil''. IIiIh fall, ami jiiil a lar^e pari ol Hit- r)>nil
iiii)l)'r conliai'l an i-iirly iim jiuhMilil)'. \\')- nliiill inalo' lln- dhkI on Mh-oIiI
IIm- III llie < I'liiial riMil)-, HikuiuIi V'aiDlalia, >^li)'lliy villc, l)i')'aliir ami
JiluiiiiiiiiKlon. I rijolri' w illi III)' p)'iipl)- III IIIIiioIh llial HiIh liiipoi'liiiit
I'oud liillie wlml)' .sinir, will now lie imiilt'.
"Vt-ry riHpi.tfiilly, D. H. llOLHIlOOlv."
This W)iN <-oii.st)iici| iis il |ii'ftfii.sioii on IIh* piiit of the pri'si-
<1<>iit, thiit thr Stiitc )'oiil)i not ;:riint iinv otlii'i' cliii'tiT lliiin tlnit
wliii'h hi,s coinpiiiiN owiii-ii, to roinpiil)- I In- ( 'ciilriil riiiiioiiij, im-
]il,\in;^ii njimliii! ion of tin- reh-iiM-. Il*-ri- wiiNiiiho ji I'hiiin lo ii
Hhiin- of the \i,\u\y in proniiiii;; tin- /^riiiit from i-on^ii-ss, iiinl the
iisM rtioii thill hi.s coinpiiny wiiN iiiiily to ii'siiinc thi' woi'k (iiifii-
lioniii;; till- rout)- of lilt' roiiil; in)li('iil)i| thiit tin* Ciiiro <-oiiipiiiiy
Wiis iiiiistrr of the hitiliilion. I'lii IId-I', llic ('liir!i;;o ('oiHtnrrciiil
AdrcrtiHcr^ n ncw.spiipi-r in llolliidok'M iiili'icNt, in no very rl«';;ant
l!in<^nii;j;)-, iimi not <ii-\),i*l )if iiitli'rni-s,s. liol)lly hi-I ii|i for him il r«',-
|iii)liiition of hin icli-iisi- iif tin- cliiirlfi'.s, l>y the following; its iiw ill :
''JiiiIk<* D'hikIkh hiiH tifcliin'il the lli'Ht n-li-uHtMif the (,'alro ciiiiipniiy
illegal iiidI iIiI) rllvc ; lnit llial Id- olilaimii a Hii'oml one that wimli'Kal,
iiflor)- ti<! wiiulil vol)' lor llie k>'»'>I of laml. That will likely he roiimi
i'lpMilly ho For, although he In an ex Jutlge, il Ik (loiiht)'il it' he kiioWH
eiioiiKli )>f law to eillDr ilietale or )li'aw a h'^al ii'leuMe in Hiich a I'lme;
anil liih whole eomiTii in IIm- mailer may he limki'il upon iih iniii'li a
iiiei')- of political Irii'kery ic IiIh hraKKOiK alioul il Ih liomhaHlic, ami that
le hail no iiDiri^ iiitliii-ni'i' in pi'0)'urinp; tlu- Ki'u»t' than Uie harUiiiK )>t a
jiooilli' (lo>^, • * 'J'lie Culro ('oiiipany liave lu'VeraMlicd anylhiiig
of tliif StaU' hilt the privilege l)i cxpemi Ihcir own inoiie; In 11, which
would m^ver injur*', liut do much j^ood 1)1 th«' Hlate. • " * • jf
JirecHc, and < 'awy ami HolhnioU can he killed oil' hy the polllielunH of
llliiiolH, look out for more plunder."
'J'licsc pi'<'tciisioiiH hi'oii^lit liown upon the < 'iiiro cniiipsinit'.s, iiiiil
pailictthu'ly tlicir picMiilcnt, tlic H('v«'i'cHt iUiiniiidvt'nsionH of tiit*
]in'S!s iiiid inaiiy iioliticiium. lint tlie coinpiinieis wcri! not witlioiit
li'ii'iids in tiic h'gihhitiU'e and out of it. It i« luobiible that tho
M
II.MNrilH (I'.NTUAI. IMII.ItiiAM.
u t
itlniM* si;*!!))! in Ni-w York wiim iioI aiillioii/iMl Its iIh- llliiioiM
K'siili'lil ml |tiii iilois iiimIi-i llir lt'\i\iil iirl ol' |M|!I.
Ill Ni)\rliilMl, Im'I'oic llif liHrliii;; ol III)- lt';{i.s|!il iiir, WiilliT li.
SnilfN, iiiM' lit' till- iH'W ciii'iMiniltirM III' ilic (ill-ill Ufsifiii Kiiiiniiiil
( 'niii|i;iii,\ III ISIO, iiijilirsM'il a li't liT iit' ill \ it:il ion In nil lii>i ro
rni iioiiiloi >, )|iil\ iiiiiiii'il, lo liM-i-l ill >S)ii iii;:rK'hl. .iiiiiiiiirv l>, JHril,
III! I III- |iiir|io>i- ol liiLiii;; sIhIi iirlioii ii.s iiii;:lil In- ijrriiirii <'\|M'
tliriii lor iIm- |tiililii' ;;ooil li,\ Mil n-iiiin in;; up liu-ii' rliiii li-i lo llii*
tSiiiii'. or Niii'li uiIm-i i-oiUNc iiM ini^lil In- «li-,sii<-il l>\ Ilii* ;(«-iifnil
ii-M-iiiliiv, to ri-ii'o\(- ill) iloiilil i iiinl r|ii<-slioii,s ii-liili\i- lo tin- coin-
|i;iii.\ \ I i;;lils lino |iou< r>, iind lo (liMiiiliiii rasN llml lioil\ uilli ir-
;:iii<l lo llii- <li^|lo J of llii- ;:i'aiit of lainl lioin run^n'MN lor llii*
liiiililiii;^ oC III- niiirli n h-iM 'i-nliiil liiiJioinl.
W illi till- o|Miiiii;; ol till- yiiiriiil iismimIiIn ll.i-ir wi-ii' not Wiilil
in;; vsniltliN r;i|iiliili>l.s irii(l,\ toa\ail iL'-iiim-Im-h ol llii.s iniiiiili
n-iM't- of till- nalioii, uiio |irolIi-ii-<l to Iniii'l tin- ('i-iiliii! riiiiroaij
and ils hr:inrlii-.s. 'I'lii- roljowiii;; inriiioriiil u\|)laiii.s IIm-H':
" '/'•> llii //iiiiinnli/t llir Sriiiiliirn iinl /if/irixiiiliiliinH nf lIu- Slule of /llinoin, in llin-
Hill Afiiiili/i) ciiiiviiiiil:
'V\h' na-iiiiiiiiil ot UoImtI KdiiiyUT, (Ji-oik"- (iiIm\M(I<I, (foiivriiii-r
MoI'I'Ih, Joiialliaii SIiii'^'Ih, <ii-or^i- W. I.iiillow iiml .lolin I*'. A. Sun-
lord, of ihi-rlly of N<-\v N'ork.iiiid Diivid A. Ni-al, I'laiiUIln llaviii and
Kolit'i'i Kaiiloiil, jr., of liuHlon iiimI virinily, ri-M|ii>ririiil_\' ii'iirt-HriilH :
lliivin;^ rxiiiiiiiii-d and (-iiiiHldci'itl an ad of ('iiiiKi'<'HH ol Ilii- I'liili.-d
iSiiili'H. wli<-r<'liy land \^ doiialid lor llir |Mir|i<mi- of msiiiin^ lln- i-oii-
hi 11 II 'I ion of a railroad liuni ( 'airo, at tlii' nioiilli of lln- Ohio, to < iaii-iiu
iiikI till- noi'lliwi'hl an)^li- of lln- ,S|a|i- ol' JllinuiH with a luanili i-xti-nd-
iiiK lo ( 'lilciiKo on IjmKi- iMirldiraii on ri-rlain ('oiiditioiiH llirii-in i-x-
|ii<Mhi'<l ; and liavin;r kIho i-xaniincd lln- rrMoiircrM of tin- tractor i-oiiii-
try lluoii;;li wliicii it in |iro|ioM-il that Haid rallruad Hliall iiiihh, and lliu
aiiiniint ol' roHl and H|iiiri- of linn- nrrcHhary lo i-oiiMtrin-t lln- Haim-, tin;
HiiliHi-rilii-rH |iro|ioHi' In I'lirni a roiii|iaii.\' wild hiii-h MlocUholdi th mm lln-y
may HHHoi-iati- with Ihiin, imliidin^ aiiion;; tlx-ir niiinhcr pi rHoiiH oV
liiim- I'XiH-riinrc- In lln- ronMlrnrlion of hi-vi-iiiI of the i)iin(l|ial lailroadH
ill the I nitt-il iSlali'H, and of iiii'iiiim anil cri-ilit Hiitlicii'il lo jilari- hryond
diiiiM lh<-ir ahillly to iicifoin wlial tln-y ln-r<'lnafl< r propoHi-, niaUidhc
I'ollowin;^ olli-r to till' Stall- of lllinoiH ior thdr <-onMiil»-iation :
'I'hi- roinpany ho forincil hy Hit- HiihMriiln-rM will, iindi-r lin- aiiliiorily
and din rlioii of Ihi- iSlalc ol^ llliiioiM, fully and faithfully pi rfoiin IIk;
Ht-vi'i'al rondilioiiH, and cxi-i-tili- the Iriinl in Kiiid art of r(iiiKr»-HM i-on-
taiiK'd. And will liiiild a railroad, with liraiichi-H hit wii-n tin- li-rniini
Hct I'oi'th in Hiiid art, with a sin^li- tnn-k, and ('oni|>lili- lln- Hann- nady
lor lln- transportation of nn-rrhainlihi- and |)aHMt-iiKi-rM, on or hi-fon; tlio
4tli day of July, wliii-li will hi- i . fin- yi-arof our l.ord IHM.
And the Haid railroadH Hhall li<- in all riMpictH as will and ''loroiiKlily
ItiiilliLs till- railroad ni.niinK lioni Koston to Alhaiiy, with hik-Ii iin-
)irov*-!n<-iitH tln-rt-on imi-xpi-rii-nci- has Hlniwn t,o he di-Mirahln and i-xjm-
diciil, and HJiall he ciiiiijipi-it in a iiiaiiiR-r Huilaldi- to tin; hiiHiin-sH to ho
ta-roininodati-d t iicriliy.
And the- Hiiid <-oni])any, I'loiii and iifttir thi* coinpiction of Hiiid road,
will)»ay to thu iStat<- of lllinoiH, annually, — pi-r ciiil. <»f tin- uroMHi-arn-
iiigH ol Miid roud, without, diMlintioii or clmrK*' lor (-xjii-iiHi-M, or lor any
otin-r mat li-r or cause : /V'/icA./, tiiat the (State of lllinoiH will Kiaiit to
tin; Hiili«(!riherM a charter of iiK-orporation, with l«-rmH niutiially advaii-
tiiKcoiis, with ))ow(-rHaiid limitiitioiiHaH tlii-y in their wisilom may think
111, aMMliall he a<!cept«!il hy the Haid company, ami an will Hiilllcleiitly re-
iiiiiiu-rate tiie HuhH(Mih(-rH for thi-ir care, lalior and expemliture, in tliat
liehalf incurred, and will eiiahle them to avail theiiiHeivi-H of tin- latidH
lioiialeii Ity tile said act, to raise tiie fiiniiH, or Home portion of tiie fiiridH,
MeceHHury for tlie c-ouMtructiou uud tiquipnifnt uf Huid ruud."
37
578 IIISTOUY OF ILLINOIS.
]\lr. ]\iiiit()u1, one of tlic iiu'iiiorialists, was the uccrcditcd iijicnt
of the otlicis, with full power to act. He attended jHTsoiially at
Spiinjilield diirinj;' the .sittinji of the lesislatiire, and tiie above
propoNition, coming from ^cnlleinen of sueh hi<;li iinaneial stand-
in};, was very favorahlv received from his hands, particularly as
ir otfcrcd the completion of the road and .branches in a much
shorter space (»f time than was by any one antici)>ated. lie was
williufi'to adjust the C(UMlitionsoi the (tontract so as to render the
completion of the road certain, and without a possibility of the
misapplication of the lan<ls, or the bestowal of a monopoly ujxtu
the company, which was ready to j;ive any ;;narantee that ndj^lit
reasonably be asked to jjuard the State aj;ainst loss from defalca-
tion, both as respected the prosecution of the work and the ap-
plication of the ]»roeeeds of the sales of lands. The terms <>en-
erally were re;;arded as highly advantageous, both to tiie State
and the company, and they were nltinnitely nuule the basis of the
Central railroad charter.
i'lUt ojjposition to the gift of lan<l from the nation beinji,' turned
over by the State to a private corporation was not wantinji. The
maj^iiilude of the j^rant was so ov«'rpoweriny to the minds of some
l)ersons that they fancied and arj;iied that the State, by i)ropev
mana/^ement of the nu'ans, mi;;ht build not oidy the TOO miles of
railroad, but pay olf thei)ul)lic debt of nuiiiy millions besides. If the
State could ha\e nuunijicd its finances and iu()i)erty with the «'cou-
omy, sajiacity and flexibility of a })rivate corporation, mu<*h of this
doubtless could have been done. Mr. John S. Wrijiht, of Chicajio,
published a pam])hlet, insistinjj that the Static wcudd l)e everlast-
injily dishonored if the lej;islature did m>t devise laws to\)uild the
road and disenthral the State of its enormous debt besides out of
th(^ avails of this grant.
Three-fourths of the lands donated, it is true, in quality of soil
an.d fertility were niisuri)assed, and there was a most excellent
bargain in them so soon as iron arteries of commerce could be ex-
tended to tlu'in ; but there they lay, and had lain for Uo years,
free to any purchaser at $1.2.") an acre, ami recently, with the
abundance of land warrants thrown ui)on the market by the sol-
diers of th<-' ^Mexican war, they might be had at about 70 cents
j)er acre, out they rennuued unenti'red. The bargain in them was
to be inn)arted to them by the construction of a railroad, ami the
bringing of them within the range of nuirkets. It was a <piestion
of development, for which large ami ready capital was necessary.
Even if the credit of the Stat(^ would have comnninded the recpu-
site capital to build the road. Judging by her experience then some
12 years past, it is questionable w hether she ought to have under-
taken it. Certainly there was no such disposition on the part of
the legislature. The shortness of time in which the road w as jtrof-
fered to be built was a eardimd consideration. The great interior
of the State, then of no taxable value to the treasury, being almost
a howling wilderness, would in soim^ three years' time be pene-
trated by a commercial highway, and brought within ready access
of the great markets af the world througliout the year. From the
great lakes and upper Mississippi on tlie north, to the extreme
})eninsula of tlie State on the south, a back-bone of well-settled
country, populous towns and tlourisliing cities, with ribs extend-
ing out on eitlier side, would spring into being, and the life cur-
ILLINOIS CENTRAL RAILKOAD.
579
rents of coiiiiiicico and ])i'o.spi'nty wonld sjn'i'dily flow stron*;' and
liealtliy from the scntrt' to the I'xtri'Hiitics.
Tlic hill linincrcil in tlic^ Icjjislatnic niiicli lonj^cr than its ardent
friends had anlii-ipated, to (lieir no little anxiety. JMany amend-
ments were ottered and rejeeled, sneh as riMjniiin};- i)aynient for
the rijilit of way to ih'e«'nii»tionists, or settlers n[)()n the j;«»vern-
me'it land, the same as to aetnal owners, thonjih llu'ir benelits,
and tlu' eidianeed valne of their lands by the bnildinj'' of the voiul
wonld be otM) ])er «'ent. The ]toint of dixerj^enci^ for tin; C'hiea,<>o
braneh was str<'iinonsly attenii>ted to be (ixed, bnt was iinally left
with the eomi)any anywhere "north of the i>arallel of .'>!)d. 'M)
m. of north latitnde." Ahn-h disenssion was had npon the location
of tlu' main stem, what towns it shonid toneh between its termini
desifinated in tlu' eonj;ressiona] ^rant, bnt all intermediate points
failed of beiny (ixed in the a>. .' exee].t a single one, the M. E, eor-
• r of T. 21 N., If. 1' K. ;?d P. M., from uliieh the road in it eonrse
slionid not vary more than live miles, which was ettected by (Jen.
Gridley, of tlu' senate, and by which the towns of Deeatnr, Clinton
an<l JJloondnji'ton were assured of the road.
A selienK' was als<» developed, bnt never yet explained, by which
it was proposed to jdace this jirand enteri»rise into the hands of
the state bondiioldeis. addiniia bank. It was known as tlu^ boncb
holders' plan. Kaily in .laniiaiy the leyishitare received a vol-
uminous printi'd l>ill for a charter, the ])i-ovisions whereof, closely
scridinize<l. contaiiK'd about as hard a bargain as cieditoi' ever
ottered l)ondsuian. it was coolly jtroposed, amonjiother jnovisions,
that the State appoint commissioners to locate the roa<l, survey
the loutes for the main stem and branches, and select tlie lands
.eranted by conjiress, all at the expense of the State ; ajjents were
liirther to l)e ai»pointed by tlu' fjovernor to apply to land holders
along- the routes, who might be b<'nelite<l by the road, for sul)-
scription.s, also at the expense of the State.
•' All persons sul)serihliij>;an(l iidvuiiciiifr money for said purpose, shall
he ciititkii to draw interest upon tiie sums advanced, at tlie rate of — per
ceui. per annum troni the day of said ailvance, and s'hail be entitled to
dt'sifi;nate autl rcfrister an auioinit of 'New Intenuil Improvement stock
«)f this (State' e<jual to four times tlu' amount so advanced, or of stock of
tills State known as 'Interest Honds,' e<jual to tlireetinu-s the money so
advanced ; and said stock, so described, luay be rej^istered at th eaj::eney
of the State of Illiuois, iu the city of New York, Ity the i)aity suliscrib-
injr.or by any othtr persons to wlu)m they niay assign tlie r)<;ht at any
time after jiayin^ the suliscription, in the proportion of the amount paid;
and said stock shall beeudorst'd, refjistered and signed l>y the ajient ap-
lioiutcd l)y tlie fioveruor for the purpose, and a cojiy of said ref^istershail
lie tiled ill theofiieeof the auditor of iiuiilic accounts, as evidence to show
the particular stock secured or provided for as hereiuafler mentioned."
The laiuls wer(> to be conveyed by the State to tlie managers of
the road ; to be by them ottered for sale u])on the completion of
sections of (iO i.iili's, exi»ejis( sto l)e jtaid l)y the State; the money
was to go to the n tmagevs, but the State was to re(!eive certifi-
cates of stock for the same; two of the acting nmimgers were to
receive salaries of .fL'.ohO and the others $l,."tO()— large sums at
that time; the company, with the .sanction of the governor, to
l>nrcliase iron, <S:c.. pledging the road for payment; and the road,
Itroperty and stock, to be exempt frcuu taxation. The l)ill also
embraced a bank iu accordance with the provisions of the gen-
•i 'i.
580 HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
oiiviil free biuilcin^' law adopted at that session, niakiny- the rail-
road sto<-k rlic basis. It also ]»i(»\ idcd that if tlie constitution was
anuMMU'd (wliidi failed to carry.) cljan^iinj;' tlu' li mill tax to ;i
siukinj;' fund to be {ienerall.v api)lied in redenii>tion of the State
debt, that then the sto<'k re<;istered «unler this act should also par-
ticijtate in the proceeds thereof.
Here was a scheme to fasten \\\)()u the State treasury a liorde
of hijih salaiied otiicials to eat out the substain-e of the i)eo))le,
empowering tlu' company to create ad<litioiial otliceis and fix their
compensation at i»leasure; no limit was tixed for the completion
of the road ; extended advantajics weie offered to holders of in-
terest bonds, then low in nuuket, to control the road to an amount
of four times their actual outlay, mort^iajie it for iron, attach u
wild-cat bank to the enterprise, and strangle it to «leath. J>ut
the measure was so preposterous that it received little cuunte-
uance.*
The next ap])rehensions of the friends of the measure were the
ettbrts inteipt)sed early in February, thi'oufih the Ilolbrook iutlu-
ence, to delay acti(tn at the \hen session of the j^eneral assembly,
Avhich wo\dd revive the Cairo city company's charters by the
terms of tlicir release. To this end a resolution was offered in the
senate instructing the committee on internal improvements to
prepare and bring in a bill providing for the appointment of agents
to locate the retail, with a view to future construction, and to
select the lands umler the grant of congress. It is one of the
unfortunate features incident to repri'sentative forms of govern-
ment that for sellish and ]>artisan ends nu-n will entail large losses
indirectly upon a tax-iidden j-ommunity. So now men were not
wanting who exerted themselves to create a luddty for their future
political advancement by eflbvts to delay a work which wt)uld iu
a short time render the central portion of the State po]>ulous by
l)onring into it a flood of immigration to build towns and cities
and inii)rove the country, create wealth an«l increase by millions,
annindly, the aggregate taxable jtroperty of the State — so badly
needed to relieve her of an ojtpressive <lebt. For "the State might
own, in fee simple, many milli(»ns of acres of land and yet be all
the i)oorer !br it, uidess the lands by settlement and imjtrovement
were rendered capable of yielding a revenue." Such were some
of the arguments held up to these men.
It will l)e remembered that the memorialists, in their projiosi-
tion to the legislature to «)btain the charter, offered, among otlier
things, to i)ay the State of Illinois annually a certain i»er centum
of the gross earnings of the road, without deduction for ex])ense
or otlier cause. Tin' amount was left blaid;, to lix whii'h, how-
ever, became subsecjuently a nuitter of no little scheming and
trouble. In the first gush of desire to obtain the si)lendid grant
of land from the State, it is said, the eorpoiators would liave
readily consented to fill this blank at 10 per centum of the gross
earnings. IJut unfortunately for the tax payers and the treasury
of the State, as is charged in the press of the day, the shrewd
•The oriirin of the linndh<'l(lcrs" phin wiis Involved In mystery. Dr. Holford, tlie
lHr>re«t of the Uliiiols l)on(lholiler!>, (ieiioimeiMl It, nnil (ieelnred he hud no hiiiul In it.
Mr. Kln(f. ol New .lerscy. the next liirKest, hIso refiifed to endorse it. It Wiisa iines-
tlon from wlioin did it eniuniite ; who wns it that wnnted to roll Illinois mid urind her
further in the dust? It wns niiinif('stl.\ iin unilcihiinded scheme for i>nrpo!'e.'' of spec-
ulation. Hiid the hill heconie a law, the bcnellclarles would <';iubtles» have avowed
thenisclvcB readily enough.
ILLINOIS CENTRAL RAILROAD.
581
capitalists t'liiploycd a yviitlenuiii as their attorney — a citizen of
Illinois and member of (!on<;ress at the time, than \vliom none vum
more po^mlar and wielded a /greater intlnenee at home — an orator,
statesman and soldier of renown — who had within the year
emer<ied from an aftair of honor with no little eclat, and winch
•iained national notoriety — who left his seat in congress and at-
tended at Sprinf^tield iu the capacity of a lobbyist for the com-
pany, and the result was the State conceded a deduct ioji of 3 per
cent, from that ti<>iire, the amount beiii},' fixed at 7 i>er centum,
and that in lieu of all taxi-s, State or local.* The <;ross earninjis
of that corporation now amount to about half a million dollars
annually. No little effort has been nnide to gvt rid of tlie pay-
ment of this percentage into the State treasury, but since the
lands turned <tver to the company have yielded so well in price,
repaying the cost of the road perha]»s twice over, the people set
their faces ajj;aiiist it, and have been exercised by no little anxi<'ty
that this now wealtliy cor]»oration would succeed in buyinj^' up
en()U<>li memln'rs of the legislature at some future session to re-
lieve it of this percentage. To satisfy the poimlar clamor a limi-
tation has been irrevocably fixed in the organic^ law of 1870,
which places the subje<'t beyond the control of further legislative
meddling, and the public anxiety is allayed.f
In tiie legislature, after procrastinating action until the heel of
the s<'Ksion, ^Ir. J. L. I). AIorrist)n, of the senate, brought in a
sul»s(itute for the pending bill, which, after being amended iu
.several important particulars — that by CJen. (Jridley has already
becji n«»ticed — was passe<l finally with but two dissenting votes;
:nul shortly after, the house took up the senate bill and ]»assed it
williout amendment, also by two dissenting votes, an<l it became
a law February 10, 18ol. The law is so accessible that it is unne-
cessary to give a synopsis of it. The final passage of the bill
was celebrated in Chicago by the tiling of cannon and other civic
demotistrations in honor of the glorious event.
But in the spring following, when the surveys of the Chicago
branch were under way, there arose quite a fever of excite-
nu-nt in that city, fearing that the branch road would be carried
to the Indiana line to form a jiniction with the ^Michigan Central,
an<l thus pra<'tically become an extension of the latter road to
Cairo, leaving Chicago iKtrthwMd of this thoroughfare about L'O
or 30 luiley. r-'ominen<: gei tit .iien addressed a letter to Mr.
Douglas, requesting his opinion respecting the power of the c(un-
pany to make sucli a divergence from a direct line. Mr. Douglas
replied at length, denying the powi'r of tlu' company to do so;
citing the language of the charter that the Chicago bran<-h should
ilivcrge "from the main trunk at a jxtint north of the parallel of
.'{!) <leg. ;«) luin., ami ruiMiing on the most eligible route /h^> the
city of Chicago ;" that one obje<'t in the grant of land by Congress
wa^s to render saleable the publi<* land in Illinoi.-' which had been
L'Oor oO years in imirket ; that the unittn with another road nega-
tived the i»rovision of free transportation ut' United States troops
*Soc ChioHiro D(»iii(>criit, Aujr. 1851).
+Whlle the Stnto trensury Is dniilitlpss Inrp-cly bencfltpfl liy this (HTinnnont iirrHtiKf-
niiMit, it, is a qiii'stiiiii wlR-tlier tin- ooir.imiiy is not uftor nil the (riiincr in lii-inu- liii of
all tiixi'iJ !(>r Stiite. ooimty, towiisliip. Pi'liDol 1111(1 iiiunicipiil purposes alons' the entire
line uf its ruuds, and whel Iter this is Just to the localities coneenied. .
582 HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
and ]ti<)i)city i'oivv«'r IVoni Cliicayo to ^Mobilo — from the lakes of
the north to IheCJnlf of jNIexieo, &(•.
There was some <!ela,v in eoinnieiieinj;- the voik, ocH-asioned hy
the Commissioner of the (ien«'ral J.and Olliee at \Vasliin<;ton,
Justin Mnlterliehl. Th«' eoinjtan.v liad ne<i»itiated a kian of Jt'4(l(l,-
0(10, hut before it <:ouhl be eonsummated it was neeessary that
there siioidd be a conveyance of tiie Uiiids I'roni {iovernment.
Tht- commission«'r, who was from Chicaj^o, construed the j^rant as
entitlinji' the conijiany to hinds for the branch on si strai^lit line
to Chicajio, wliicli would avoid the junction with IIk^ ^liehi^an
Central. l>nt this construction was reversed by the I'resident and
(Secretary of the Interior. In ^larcli, 1S.")L*, tlie necessary docu-
ments of conveyance were linally si'cured, coiMracts were let, and
the work carried forward. The road was completed with liltU' in-
terrupticMi.
As an instructive example of how money may quicken other
jiroperty into manifold life, scatteriiif^' its j>ains in many nnex-
pected directions, the Illinois Central railroatl is a subji-et in point.
This work was one of the most stupendous ami ingenious specu-
hitions of modern times. IJy means of it ii few sagacious capital-
ists became the owners of a tirst-class railroad, more than 700
miles lonji', in full runnin;;' order, comjtlete in rollin}>' stock and
every eipiipajic, and millions of acres of land, worth in the ajiyie-
gate perhajys, ft<40,000,000, without the actual outlay of a cent of
their own money. This project was amony the lirst to illustrato
the immense lield there was opening' uj) in this country for bold
and yijiantic railroad operations by capitalists; and as contrasted
with the State internal imi)rovenient scheme of l.So(>-7, it was
fui thermore an example of the superiority of private enterprise
over State or yovermeiital uiidertakin<4s. The State at that time,
with a population of about 3r)0,000, mostly small farmers, author-
ized a loan exceedinj;' $10,(H»0,000, to construct public works. One
of these was the Central Ifailroad, U}»on which a considerable
sum was expended. Hard times and a j^eneral collapse foll«>\vetl
in rapid order. Now, with this j;iaiit of land from the fieneral
government, not far short of ;},000,000 acres within a belt of 15
miles alonj"' the route of the road, to ai»l its construction, these
gentlemen, backed by credit and capital, step forw ard, projiose to
take the lands and build the road, which is tt) Vielonj; to them
when built. The State a(;c»'}>ts the offer, incorp«)rates the gentle-
men's scheme by perjietual charter, and endows them with this
muniliceiit domain ami all the property and remains of the old
Central roa<l. After the road is put in operation, the c«)nij>aiiy
pays the State annually 7 per (MMitum of its gross earnings in lieu
of al' taxes forever. Having acquired a vested right, tlie State
has no other than police control over the comi»aiiy, and as it is a
foieigu cori)oratioii, disjjutes between them must be settled in
foreign, /. c. U. S., courts. The nnnimum valuation of the lands
accpiired, so soon as theroad should be completed, was $20,000,000,
exceeding by $(i,()00,000, the cost of the road, estimated at $20,000
per mile, which in iilinois, was liberal, because she i)resented the
most uniform and favorable surface for the construction <»f rail-
roads of any other State in the Union. Two-thirds of the land
was stipulated as security for the principal of the construction
bonds J 250,000 acres to secure the interest fund, and the remain-
ILLINOIS CENTRAL KMLROAD.
583
(ler as ii> contiiiyi'iit fund. The coii.st ruction bonds found icudy
sale at pai', and built the road. Th<, land sales yielded interestto
set off in [>art the- acciuinj;' interes. on the bonds. The redenii)-
tion of the bonds completed, the road and all its appurtenances
remains the pi-operty of the fortunate <;;entlemeu who liad the sa-
gacity to see how it could be built without costing them a cent.
lint they did not reap all the developed benelits of this <;)inul
enter[)rise. The alternate sections of land reserved by the federal
government within IT) miles of the route of the road, num-
bered as many acres as the grant to the State; it had been
for L'O odd years in market at -isl -o per acre without sale, but
now when again i>ut in market in the fall of LS.5L', it was eagerly
taken up ancl readily brought irom $li to $7 per acre, and more,
had not settlers and si>ecidators coiid)ined not to bid againsi each
other. As it was, the sales aveiiiged $'> per acre. The govern-
ment thus realized a profit of some $!>,0(M>,(HM) by its munilicent
policy of giving away half its lands in this locality. This was
in(le<'d casting bread upon the water, which after many <lays re-
turned several fold. The lands in the railroau belt, so long neg-
lecied by liuyers, were situated as follows: In the Kaskaskia land
ottice district, i;.'},(><SI acres, over .'}() years on the market; Shaw-
iieetown, 401,!S7.'J acres, over .'}() years; Vandalia, 34-l,(*7U acres,
over 2~> years; Danville, 345,702 acres, over 20 years; and in the
l^ixon 4(j5,!)4!) acres, over 10 years.
lint besides the general government, the State too, was at the
same time benefited by having its unsettled interior opened up to
rides of thi'onging immigrants; its ri(dj soil brought into cultivii-
tion; j)oj»ulation increased, and its resources and taxable wealth
augmented by many millions of <lollars. The products of the
newly develoj)ed region found a ready avenue to the markets or
the world. Chicago, too, was thus furnished with another iron
tentacndum to reach far into the interior of the State for commer-
<'ial food to give increase to her marvelous life, liut the greatest
iiiinu'diate benefit resulting from the building of the road and
branches, acciued to the lands within due and proper marketing
<listan<-e of th<' lines, estimated at the enormous amount <jf $10,-
(HHM»00 acres in private hands, selected early because of their
choice <piality, which were directly enhanced at least $4 per acre
and rendeied more saleable. Here was an increase of wealth,
aiiiounling to $40,000,000.
lif
IP
[Note.] — KntVrcnce lii\8 already been iiiiidc to the jealousy which the success of ob-
tiiinliiK this subsidy f roin. Coiijiress, excited niiiotiK some ot our pul)lic men ns to who
was entitled to the inec<l of praise for carryinj? the measure throutrh, and tlie honor
of oriirnially suKjfestinti: the plan or line of such a railroad. It was a conception and
labor worth}' the pride and ambition of any man. Visions of office, emolument mid
fame were d<iubtlcss discovered in it. While some apparently shunned it but to make
it sure, others bolilly claimed the credit. In this connection wo are tempted to ex-
tract from the piquant correspondence between the HonH. Sidney Rreese and S. A.
J)outtlat>. The former had been u senator In con(rres8 up toMarch 4th, 1S4(I, when he
was succeeded by Gen. Shields. In 1H.")() he was elected to the Lefrislalurc, I'lider
date of December a;), isru), amontr other thing's in reply to the Illinois State Kegister,
regardinu: his favoriuK the '• Holbrook Chart'i-s," he says:
"The Central Railroad has been a controlling object with me for more than 15 years,
and I would sacritlce all my personal advantages to see it made. These fellows who aro
making sucli an ado ubout it now have been whipped into its support. They are not
for It now. and do not desire to have it nmde because I get the credit of it. This is in-
evitable. I must have the credit of it, for I originated it in IKln. and, when In the sen-
ate, pas.'ied three different bills through that body to aid in its cpnstruetion. My suc-
cessor luid an easy task, as I liad opened the way for him. It was the argument con-
tained in my reports on it that silenced all opposition, and made Itb passage easy- I
claim the credit, and no one can take it from me."
■t'
li
1
584 HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
Tliis fell uikUt thu eye of Si'iiator UoukIhs, at Wnslilntfton, who took occasion to re-
ply on January ntli, IK'il, at lentftli, Khintr a <li'taili'<l history of all the etlorts niaiie in
conifres8 to procure either pre-eniptldii or K'r»»t ot laud in aid of buildlntr this road,
saying ; "You were the clianipion (jf ilie policy of if ranting pre-emption rijfhts for tlio
benefit of u private company II he llollirook,] anil I wast lie ad vi/cate of alternato sec-
tions to the State." Tile letter is (lultc loiiK, but very interest intf, and may bi3 tound
in the llUiiiils State /.'<o(s^ /•, and papi'isof the State ot that period generally.
Judt^e llreese rejoincil inider date of January '£>, IMTil, throuKh the columns of tho
same paper, at jrreut leuRth. claiming tliat beside seekinnto ol)taiii pre-emption aid he
also was the Hrst to introduce "a bill for un absolute tfraiit of the alternate sections for
theCetitral and Northern Cross Kuiiroads," but ttndiii).' no favorable time toeall it up,
It failed. "It was known from my first entrance into contfress that I would accomplish
the measure, in some sliape, If possible ;" but tlie Illinois members of the house, he as-
serts, took no interest in the inissatfc of any law for tho bencllt of the Cent rul road,
either by jjrrant or pre-emption. He cItiimB no share in the passage of the law of IKiO :
"Your (UoUKlas',) claiin shall not, witli my consent, be disparaKeil, nor tliose of your
nssociates. 1 will myself weave your chaplet, and i)lace it, with no envious hand, upon
your brow. At the same time history sliull do me justice, [claim to have lirst pro-
jected thisyrroiit road, in my letter of 1K55, and in the judjiinent of impartial and disin-
terested men my claim will be allowed. 1 have said and written more in favor of it
than any other. It has been the hi^rhcst object of my amliition to accoinplisli it, and
when my last restinsr i>l«ei! shall be marked by the cold marble which jfratitude oraf-
ffection may erect I (lesire for it no other inscription than tills, that lie who sleeps be-
neath it projected the Central Kailroad."
He also cited at len^itli his letter of ()ctol)er It), 18.'i.">, to John Y . Sawyer, in wlii<;li tho
plan of the Central Itiiilroad was first foreshadowed, which opens as follows • "Havinif
some leisure from the lalMir of my circuit, I am induced to devute u portion of it in
(rivin); to the public a plan, the outline of which was suKKCsted to mc by an intelligent
friend in Uond county, afew days since." * *
To this Douglas, under date ot Washington, Feb. liS, IW'il, surrejoins at considerable
lenifth, and in lefercnco to this oponintr sentence In the Sawyer letter, exclaims, "How
is this ! The father of the Central railroad, with a Christian meekness wurthy of all
praise, kindly consents to be the reputed parent of a hopeful son bcROtten for him by
an intelligent friend in ii iielKhborinK county ! I forbear pushing this iiiipiir> further.
It involves a ((Uestion of morals too nice, of domestic relations too delicate, lor me to
'[* expose to the public jrazc. Inasmuch, however, as you have furnished me with bccora-
ln(f gravity, the epitaph which you desire i imrrossed upon your toiiil). when called upon
to pay tlii'.last dolit ot natiire,you will allow me to su»i>fest that as sucli an inscription is
a solemn lind a sucrea thintr, and truth its essential in)rredient, would it not lie well to
make a slinht modification, so as to correspond with the facts as stated in your letter
to Mr. Sawyer, which would make it read thus, in your letter to me : "it nan liicn the
hidlied otiject of mil ninlMiim tn mnmiiilinh the Central I{ailfiiail,ami when mil Ui.tt restinf/
place nhatl }»• niarlati Jrji ttie cold martile xrliicli {/ratituile or affcctiou man erect, 1 ilesircfor
it no other iiixcriplUm tliantliiK: He whosi^eei'S beneath this stone voi.untauii,v con-
sented to UECOME THE putative KATHEIl OF A I-OVEl,V ClI ILU, CA LI.EI) THE CENTUAL
K.MI.UOAI). AND IIEGOTTEN KOK HI.M IIY AN INTELLIGENT FHIEND IN THE COlINTy OF
Bond." Wc And no further correspondence. See Illinois State Journal, Maruh, 1831.
Chapter XLVII.
OUE FEEE OK STOCK BANKS— 1851-1805.
IIoiP a BanJ; mu/Jtt he started — Ultimate kSevuriti/ of the Bill holder —
The Small Xotc Act — ranicof 1854 — lU'Vulniono/ 1857 — Wind-
i)uj up.
NotAvitlistiimliiig the State, in 1851, was in tlic liaiuls of the
democratic party by an increased majority, and tliat this domi-
nant i)arty liad for years in its State platforms fulminated resohi-
tions a,!;aiMst the enormity of banking;' as tiie s<»urce (»f all our
financial woes, the lej;islatnie, also larj;ely democratic, neverthe-
less passed another j^eneral banking' law, authorizing free or stock
banks. The democratic governor vetoed the bill, but it was
l)romptly i)assed over iiis objeclions, an<l the peojde of the State,
notwithstanding their experiences of the disastrous results from
the banks authorized in 18L'l and in I83G-7, and in si)ite of their
teachings ami democratic majority, a]>proved it by their votes at
the election of Novendter of that year. As a rule, the masses
favor any scheme which ])i()mises an abundant currency — they are
naturally for e.\i)ansion — while capitalists favor contraction.
Directly after the adoi)tion of the constitution of 1848, the es-
tablishment of another banking system was agitated. The i»rojeet
advaiu'cd was to divide up the State into 3 banking districts,
Avith boards of bank trustees for each. As security, banking
associations were to deposit United States stock and a certain ])or-
tion of gold, when circulating luites as nu)ney were to be issued to
them. The democratic juess made a great outcry against the
Mhig schenu', as it was called, to fasten again upon the then once
more thriving and prosiicnms State the withering curse of banks.
This ]»lan, which proposed but one class of securities — United
States (J's — was certainly preferable to tlmt ad()i)ted two years
later, wliich allowed as secuiity the stocks of any or all the States.
The foiniei' presented the advantage of having a uniform secu-
rity for all the banks of the country, giving a like uniformity of
value to their issues all over our broad domain ; while to the hit-
t<'r, with bonds of any State, many far from home i»erlui])s, the
fluctuations of a varying market would severely attach. But in
l)rinciple the State stock banks were the forerunners of the pre-
sent nati(»nal banking system.
The banking law of bS5l required as a basis or security for all
baidcs operating under it, the depctst with the auditor of, 1st,
United States stocks ; 2d, stocks of any other State; 3d, stocks
of Illinois valued at 20 per cent, below the market price. Stocks
585
6SG
IIISTOllY OF ILLINOIS.
on wliit'li till' iiitfivst was notiiniiiially paid could not lie deposited
except ill (loiible aiiioiiiits. II tlit-v dcpifciatcd in the iiiaiUct,
i'mllicv deposits were to Itc made. Tlic df]»ositors were ciititlccl
to tiic inlcrt'st arciiiin};' on the bonds. \\ lit'ii tlic d('p(»sit of
stoi'Us was pel fcctrd, tlic anditoi\vas autlioiizcd loliavccn>;iiivcd
and issue hank notes to tlic owners in nearly c(|iial anioiints, not
less than .*«.""»0,(M»0. to eiieulate as money. The notes on presenta-
tion at the bank wcie rctpiircd to be redeemed in specie, the
amount to he kcjjt on hand not beiii};' speeilied, and for refusal
and after protest it became liable to llM percent daiiiajics in lieu
of intci'cst. On failure of the bank, it was to be wound uj) liy
sale of its stocks at auction in New York, and the proceeds wcie
first to be i)aid out on the circulatin;^- notes. If the stocks and
other etfeets of the banks jirovcd insullicient, then the stockhold-
ers became liable respectively to the amount of their stocks in
their ])rivate projierty, to jiay the bill holders. Interest was
iixed at 7 ])er cent., and loans mijihtbe made on real or jiersonal
l»ropeity. Dealinj; in real estate was not allowed, other than to
sell that which fell into their hands as security. The usual bank-
in<i pri\ilej;«'s of buyiiij; and sclliiij; exclianj:i', coin, &<•., wcie ex-
tended to them. A board of .'5 bank commissioners, witli jtower
of examination into their affairs, was also piovided ; and the oitl-
eeis of the banks wi-re re(piired to render (piarterly statement.s
to the auditor, under oath, as to their condition.
A\'itli these juov isions, it was tlioii;^lit that the notes would vx'V-
taiiily be safe. indeed the law was lirst rcjiarded as so st-riii-
jicnt that few would attem])t banking;- under it — certainly mere
speculators would not. The bill holders appeared to be ultimately
seciiie. New York, we have seen, as early as 1S,'5(S, authorized
bajikiiift' on State stocks, and by the time IJIinois, which subse-
quently coiiicd the 2sew York law, embarked in the project, half
the States of the I'nion ran wild after the discovery of the new
and safe scheme, by means of which the capitalist, contrary to
Franklin's ajthorism, niij;lit "eat his cake and lune his cake" —
invest his money in boiuls, deposit them, and from the hands of
the auditor have his money ayain and own his bonds too.
^Vhile the hankinj;' bill was jiendiny before the peojile, the
friencls of the measure, to secure its adoption, jtointed to the fact
that the State was inundated with millions of the notes of banks
of foreifiii States, of the value, solvency, or jieniiiueiiess of which
little oi' Mothinji' was known here; that b}' allowin}>' aliens to fur-
nish us a circulating medium we not only ])aid tribute to tlieiii but
yielded our State pri(b' ; that it was but just to ourselves and to
our iut<'rests to re[)lace this exotic trash by a sound and safecur-
lency of our own ; that the basis for banks re(piired by this law
made tlu'in not only jicrfectly secure to the bill holders, but that
a home cuirency, Avithin easy reach of the i)laces of redemption
and its ready convertibility into specie, would directly drive out
the fon'ijiii bills; that with the greater abundance of nu)ney,
times would become easy, produce would rise in price, lands en-
hance in value, the influx of emi<>iants be augmented, and gen-
eral juosjierity would sliowei'its glad smiles upon all our i)eoi>le
with a jn'ofuse hand. p]xperience shows that the masses aie but
too ready to gras}) at a jiroject wliich ])roniises plenty of money
to-day, although assured that it will be worthless to-morrow.
FREK OR STOCK BANKS.
587
Its i>|>p()m'iit.s su};u('(l tluit uimUt the in'W law, lliccurn'nc.v pro-
])os<mI Io l)t' iiitni(iiic(Ml wiis siisct'ptihic of iniiltiplication to an in-
(Idiiiilc aiiioiiiit, ami if the bill canicd, an axalaiiclic of |iapcr
inoiicy iiii^iit hv thrown into ciiculatioii, (la/.zliii;; and binvihlcriiig
the st'iiscs of the itcoplc, leading lliciii into a wild, lu'adlonj; mania
of s]i('cidation, the sciincl to wldcli, as had ever Ix-cn the rase,
must he disaster and rnin. NN'ith an inllated enrreney ]iroi»erty
would attain to unhealthy prices, purchases would be made at
p<'rliai»s half cash, balance on time, secured by mortjiaj^cs on the
premis«'s. ^^■llile llu! obli;;ati(Uis were; maturinj^' a contrac-
tion would take ])lace, stagnation ensue and prices be de-
]tresse(l below the noimal standard ; claims Avouhl be pressed
n|)on debtois, moit^a^^cs foicclosed, and many an unwary i)ur-
chaser woidd be strip])ed of his all under the inimmer of the
sheiitt", Iii.s vendor buyinj^ back the i)roi)erty at less than the
mort;;a,ii'e claim, leavinji'an unsatislied ju<ljiinent still hanjjinj;' <»ver
liini. The bank nu-asure was held to be a project to swell the cof-
fers of the rich from the lab'irand necessities of the poor.
They lurther showed that the bank securities mi;;lit be of un-
stai)!e value, which would rise and fall in the nmrket with the
operations and nuu-hinations of linanciers; that moiu'y based
upon them would be snbjei't" to similar tluctualions ; that these
]iied}ies of st(«!k were as nothinji to the man with this nn)n»'y in
liis hand which he desired t«» convert. Let but an actual cast; of
suspension be conteniplate<l. To sell the stocks ami redeem the
notes retpiired tinu' and was attended by eircnndocution. The
jtoor or needy <'annot wait. Want and i'xi^jcnce ])ress from
myriad directions. Now the broker steps in, liimsclf perhaps a
sharelmlder in the susix-nded bank, and otters ,"»() or 7') cents on
the broken |)romises. The holder of this moiu'y received in ex-
ehan<i<' for his labor oi- other ecpiivalent, cannot wait the ultimate
red«'mption l>y the anditiu, but is ccnnitelled to snilfer a shave to
this dei»th. The broker, however, is in no such stress; he (piietly
awaits the sale of the stocks, the iedemj)tionof the notes with the
jtroceeds, and I'eali/.es the -.") (tr .*() j)er cent, which his thousands
of victtimshave lost, and with tliejiains starts another bank.
TJM'dth section of the bank bill piovided for the association of
persons '-to establish otlices ol" discount, deposit and cirvulatio)!,''^
with an aji,y'rej;ate capital stock of not less than ?^.">(»,(HK). This
section served the opponents of the bill a j^ood turn before the
])eople. It was deduced thence and asserted that the bill was a
trick, concealing decei)tive phraseology ; that it ])rovided for two
elasst'sof banks, one secured by the i)led<;-e of ])ublic stocks, the
other totally iiresponsible, all /winji' its issues to ''circulate" on no
other basis than ])en, ink and i)aper to wiite out its articles of as-
sociation, money enoujih to i»ay for recordin<>' and jiostinji' co]>ie.s
thereof to Sprinj;field to be tiled with the secretary of state; that
the former were to eatch the votes of tlu' ]»eople, but the latter
('oncerns were to furnish tlie cuncncy. The phraseolofiy of this
section in connection with the woi-d '• circulate," it must be con-
fessed, was somewhat ambij^uous.*
ft
*Tho Olilcnpo Prri's. necptnlicr. IHrc', siiys it lins win-ncil tlic people thnt pnpor would
bclssiu'd not -ccin'cd by stocks, niiil tlii'it' wcro then various issues of CLTtifieates of
deposit in llie siiniliturie of Imnk notes, signed iind sul«crlbed by the officers, desig-
niited by the uiterers to circulute the same as bank notes.
588 IIISTOUY OF ILLINOIS.
^■(»l\vitli.stiin(liii;f tlu'sc iir<:iiiii('nts jijiiiiiist it, tlic pj'oplc in No-
v«-iiil)('r, l.srtl, cifctcd the Itaiik l)iii,iiii(l it l)«'ciiiiii' tli«> l:i\v of tliu
Stiitc. TIh' vote stood ;{7.<!lj(i lor to ;{|, tO.") ii;;iiiiist it. This poll
Wiis Ics.s by 7,0(10 tiiaii liiill' the \<>U's (;iist at tiio ;>iilK-riiatoii:ii
t'lt'ctioii one yv.w later, hciiif;' 1 ."».'i,S,SL'.
'I'lic const itutioii |)i(»\i(l('(l that no bankinj; law slionld lie «'n-
actcd except by tlie sunt;! ion of a nnijority of the people \dlin<>'
for it at a fieneial election. A special eleittion, it whs doid»tles.s
thonjiht by the fraineis, wouhl not call foith a full ex|>ression of
the sentiment uf the people npon sneh a nieasnre. In their haste
to have the i)eo|)le i)ass npon the bank bill, the lej;islatnre
created a jii'neral elcctt ion for this jturpose, by repealing; all the
connty treasnrers ont of ollice, and oi'derin<;' a new eh'ction for
I • tlntse olticials at the same time the bank bill was to be voted upon.
; With this action of the lej;islatni'e, after the eh'ction, the defeated
()I|)onents of the measnre fonnd mnch fault, and it was severely
denounced. It \\i\>i claimed that a presidential, biennial election
for nu'ndters of (!on<;re.ss, or the state lej^islatun^ alone, wore (/cii-
(■)■<(! elections, where the bill would have been fully discus.sed be-
fore the people. Ihe spirit of the constitution was doubtles.s vio-
lated by th(^ Icfiislature.
The a]>i»rehensioiis that the law Avas so strinj;ent that few, if
any, banks would be organized under it, was speedily dispelled.
i "Within the first year the denio(;ratic press cried aloud that the
f country was Hoodetl with ]»aper mcuu-y to an alarmiu}; extent.
i J'roperty rose in ]»rice, and a specniatixe s|>irit became rife. All
who could command the nu'ans w«'re enhnjiin;; the area of their
territorial jiossessions and d«'bts were fieely incurred. The mania
of l(S;}()-7, it was ur{;ed, would be repeated, and irretrievable ruin
overtake thousands. Indeed the new plan of stock bank-
in<i be(!ame very <it'neral throughout the I'nion, and there was no
little exi)ansi()n. IJut in Illinois mnch of all this was (twin}; to the
inaujiuration of the railroad era Just at that tinu', and enhance-
ments had a solid basis, very unlike the jteriod of lS.'J(i-S.
When the orjianization of banks under the new loan was com-
menced, not bin <;• further was lu'ard of thej^reat ])art the associations
undei' section (i were to play; no issues \\ere uttered without the
deposit of sto(!ks by any associations. I5ut as the law stood and
the couits afterwards held, the dei)osit of $50,000 in bonds was
a sntlicient compliance with its lu'ovisions as to cnpital. The
ainotint of specie cajiital to f)e kept on hands was a question of
risk for the banks, the law not tixinj;- any amont. This caused
much of the business of free bankin{>' to go into the hands of ir-
responsible and non resident ]»ersons, who, havin<;' uo object or in-
terest fuither than to j^et their notes into ciicula. ou and leaving
the bill-holders to take care of them, located tlieii c-oncerns in re-
mote and inaccessible ]>laces, Avhere no legitimate baiddng busi-
ness could or was expected to be done, ami Hooded the country
with "wild cats." And as such bai.ks did not often keej) any
place of business in the ap])arent location thereof, the i)ower of
demand aud protest was destroyed.*
Hoiv a Stock Bank Miffht he Started — While doubtless nniny
of these free bauks were started with an actual paid u^) capital,
* See Keport House Committee, 1801.
FREE OR STOCK HANKS.
-.80
hihI <li<l ii n>;;ul:ir anil l(><iitiiiiiit(' l)iiiiUiii^ liiisiiicss, for t]i(> rciiiii-
iKTiitioii Wits iiiiipic, il is also tnic thai tlic rollo\viii<^ pcilrrtly
Irasal.lc iiiaiinci' of orj-aiiizatioii iiiidcr the law, was I'lccly rcro;;--
iii/cd and ot'tcii ap|)roa<-lialil.v ]Mit into practice. A lew sharp
opciatois, hailiii;i (Voni, it inattcicd little whcic, with icad.v money
enough to meet tlu' expeiis«'s of ficttin;^ up tlie l»ills, notit\ the
auditor in the proper way, that they have or^ani/ed a company to
start the, say ''Al»soliite Safety ltaid< of the town of Wildcat, in
Jirnsii comity ; capital fj*L'()(».(MIO."' 'J'hey now contrihnte perhainj
i!<."».(M»() for tin' cost of en^iiaxin;; the plates, printiii;;- the hills and
other incidental expenses. Ila\ in^ credit tln-y ohtain letters and
next apply to a broker ami borrow on short time, say Missonri i>\s
or stocks (»f otln-r States, to the ainonnt tlu-y want. Perhaps as
security tiiey liy]>othecate or mortj;a;:(' (»ther property, «'it her to
the bi'oker ur some wvU kiH)Wii timincier. I>y the time the notes
are printed, count ersi«;ited ami re;;istered the bomis are taken to
Spi'in^tiehl and deposite<'.. '^Fhe auditor, in a<-cordance with the
hiw, turns over to them their nicely executeil bri};ht new bills,
le present in ji .t!-0(»,(M)(>, declared by law to lie nuMu-y. Apjtropriate
and excpiisite de\ ices, representing; peihaps stacks of nmncy ba;;s,
out of which a stalwart Imlian is pourin;;- the yellow ea^ilcs in
jlieat iu'ai)s of precious j^old, embellish tlie crisp "promisi'.« on
(h-nniml.' The bills an* lu'xt taken or sent, say to (ieor;;ia, or
SiuiK' other distant State where a similar bankinj^ system is in
oi»eration, ami there swapped for the issues of various baidis, the
more scattered the bett»'r, so as to have tlu'Ui from home as far an
])ossible. The money receive<l in exchaiijic is now either directly
]»aid over for tlu' bonds bonjilit or de])osited, or ])erhaps brou;;ht
liome ami vested in j>rain, jMuk or beef, which is shijiped cast, the
bills of ladinj; transmitted to the broker, who pays out of the j>ro-
ceeds for the bonds a<lvaiiced, and foiwards the residue, i»erhai»s
a hamlsome nmr^in besides, to the baidcers in Illinois. And thus
the money is turned. In the nu>antime the baidc at AVildcat is
opem'd for a, few hours each day, but no piles of bank notes ap-
]K'ar on its desks, no exchanf>e is bou<^ht or sold, mt accommoda-
tions are j;ranted or discounts made. !No drearier lookiii}; baidc
ever opened its doors. Jbit then in the out of the way ])lace of
its location there is little denmnd for these ordinary tratisactions
of a baidv. Jv^otwithstamlinj;' the rathersorry lookinj;' appearance
of this coniiern with itscapitalof $200,000, the owners are imikinj;'
the interest on the bonds deposited, amountinj>' to double the oriy-
imtl capital invested in the bank. If the bills are a lonj; time in
lindiii<>' the retreat for their redemption, it is a <;()od tliinj,^ for the
in<;enious baidvers. To };iiard a<;ainst their ready presentation
for this i)uri)ose the institution has been located in Brush county,
where it nmy be both dillicult to lind and tedious of ac<!ess, ami
■where a snuill amount of coin in the vault serves to sustain it
ayainst failure. Perhaps, by fortunate investments, the baidc
prospers ; the owners add some paid up capital, ami with th^se
means a general banking business is engage<l in. Of the banks
located in cities, or at conveniently accessible points, it was noted
that the same companies would start several bank.s with a large
lunninal capital for each, though the actual banking, or the utter-
ing of their bills, was restricted to the minimum amount allowed
by the law. This would enable them, by shifting coin from one to
w
i.f
'< !l
11 i
C!»0
aiH»tli(<i
IllsroliV III' ILT,; NOIH.
aiH»tli(<i' ill titiM'N <>riiniti to p't alon;; wiili pi'iinips imU'oi- li-ss of
tlic ()i'(liiiiii',v aiiioiiiil of spccit' kr|it on IiiiimIs I'oi' ifdciiiptiiiii. IW-
(Iriiiplioii oi' ciicli liill sr|iiiiiitfl,\ w iis iillowiilil*- at lliislJiiM-, iiikI
M'piiiiilc pKth'sts wcif liKrwisc ir(|iiii('(|. In is.'iT llic Ic^iislatiiri^
HiiH'iidt'iI tlii' law so liiat in presenting; notes tor pii.viiieiit it was
not rcMpiii'iMJ to lerrivc riMJcinption tor tsu'li note scpaialely, lait
tlic wiinie anioiiMt ini;^lit Ix- pirseiitcil as a p'licial ol)li;;atiuii aii(
uiic pa,\iiii>nl (Iciiiaiiiicil.
and Willi a raillirnl
llic coiintr.v and Itcnetiti-d vcr,v many ])<M)pii>;
iiiMi iiiiii.i i.iMiiiiii aiidilor to lotdc alter tliese . ecnrilies. wlm. in
case liiey depieeialed in market would pi'omptl,\ ciiii on llie l>aid;s
iiU'ected to niak(> <;(i(id the niai';>in declined with ad<lilioiial depos-
its, no iiltiiiiale loss cunld well occur lo tiie bill holder.* Nolliin;;'
wonld permaiieiilly liavc depreciated these stat*' securities except
the nil precedeiUed occasion oHeied by tliu rebellion of lli tSt sites
of the Union.
•As n (rood comniciitnry on the iiiyiiincnt of iiltlnintc scourlty to the bill holder, how-
ever. 11 1 X III which niiieh stress uiis liild ill the time hy the iidviieiiles of the slock liiiiik
E<ystein, and also us illiistnitiiiM: the niiiniiciof hinderiiiir iiiiil Ihrowinir olititiieles in tho
wiiy of II leiulv redeiiLiition in specie thai iiilKht l)e niiicle use of by hankers, the fol-
lowiim ]il' asantly related exiierience, current at the tiiiic, thoiiirh ap|iiied to Indiana,
titled Illinois as well, and will, we trust, proxe not iiiiiiiterestliiK to the reader. It la
the iiiveiition of some fertile newspaper K<''ilii» of the time, aiia tlrKt a|)peiirud In the
Cincinnati ('(Hiiiiii irial ;
Suppose II ttenileinan should be so unfortiinatn ns to full heir to n five dollar note
iiimii oiieof tlie.se institution, and desires loroali/.e upon It specde or e.\clianirc, t '
what is he to do? First, find the bank ! that of course ; and that is not always an easy
matter. lianUs in Indiana lurk in otit-ol-tlie-wiiy places l.lke the Insect hunted by
the ciitoniolotficiil HIberniiin, when you lliid them they ar'iit there. They don't atfect
corner lots, but shun the din of crowded cities. licstlinK close under the loe of prime-
val forests, marked by an ancient Indian trail or solitary cow path. They are thinirs
to bi' found liy the bee tiuntiM-s, are seen far olf by the midnight Ninirod In search of
coons, with IliiMiioonliKht sleepinijr upon tliclr »hiii|jlo rooln andprimitivo cornices.
Capital lias become modest, and wealth retires from the world into the cloisters of tho
deep old woods, or tho holy solitudes of the iirairies, convcrsinK with nature — layiiifJT
u|i its treasures "where ncdtntr moth nor rust doth corrupt," and where none I but the
aiiilitorid state] can llnd them.
Hut suppose that the institution Is rrvealod, and the monetary anchorite stands con-
fessed, : suppose that the business hours have n'Tlved, and the shlnirle whose opposing
sides (five each oihertlie lie, faces the sun with the unnouneenient — 'bank ojien'' —
we see the aforesaid heir, with rapid steps, approach the edifice, llecnters; tie dniws
his pi<'torlal evidence of a promise from nis pocket book; he approaches the counter,
presents his note to the payin>r teller, and u coloquy ensues;
•' Can vou Rive me specie lor thIsV"
"No."
'•Siiilit or short time eastern exehangc I"
"Nothing."
"Why ■!"
"Vou are making: a run on our institution ; this species of presentation wc are hound
to resist. You are trying to break us, sir— to make us stop payment, sir; you can'tdo
it, sir."
" Hut haven't you stopped nnvment when you refuse to redeem ?"
"No, eir; ours in a stock iDstltutton. There's your ultimate security, sir, deposited
FREK on STOCK BANKS.
501
'■'Tilt- Forih/ii Small Notr .Ir/."— Willi tJu' iiH'cliiij; of llic Ic;;-
j.sl:itiir«s ill 1S.*>:{, a contiiiiiftv of <)|)ini<iii (il)t:iiiit'<i iiiii()ii<^ IIh^
iiii'iiiht'i-s iis to the powri' to iiiiit>ii<l, iiiiMlil'y or ifptiil tlic ;:ciifnil
tVrr Itiiiikiii^' liiw. (>ii(> \i<'w \^!ls tliiil tlif ori;;iiiiii ai-t liiiviii);
hcfii siil)iiiittc<l (Oil \ot<' of tlic |M'o|)li' I'oi' tiifii' siiiM-lioii, it was
now tJM'ir law and l)c,\oii*l I lie control of llic lf;;i.slatiir(>, lixfil as
tlic laws of tilt' .Mnlcs and I'crsiaiis; that tlic voicoof tlu^ iicoplu
liad iiiipai)*'d to it its \ italitv, aii<l it iiiiist livr to proi-icat*- itK
nai>liii<>- itaiiks until tlir saiiu' ini^ilitv Mtice deprived it of its t-x-
istciu'c; that l),v the tiTiiis of tin- constitiitioii tlit' people had tu
saiieli«iii siieh law l»,v their vote, liist aiitliori/ed Its the ie;;islatiir«i;
and that the same KMitiiie had tolie iiiider^^oiie with all its aiiieiid-
iiieiits. A ^'siippleiiieiital" haiikiii;: law w illiont all this routine
was, however, v<'ntiired upon and adopted \iy the lej;islatiirt'.
ISiit its reception l>\ tlie peo]de indicated that the le;^islatiire
niijiht have spared themselves this tioiil>le ; for the want of ohe-
dieiic*' to this law was intt based upon aii,v l.'chnl'al jiroiind of
Wiiiit of power 1,;; the le;;islaliire. It was prohably untie a ijues-
tion (d" <'oiiveiii«'iic»'.
This was the w<'l| Umnvn "foreign small nole act," by wliieli to
foster lioi.ie Itaiiks and prevent the retirement of specie froiii cir-
cnlatioii, a penalty of ><.■)(( was imposed for every ioici;-!! hank
Itill of a less deiioiiiination than ^'>, uttered after the 1st of Au<;iist,
1S."»;{. It was soiijiht to absolutely scpielch the l'oiei;;n small
trash. JJankers and j;eiieral deah'is, or their emplo,\ees, ^^ailty
of this otl'eiisi^ were to !>«' additionally )Miiiislied l>y iiiiprisonmetit
in the coniityjail; and no suit could be maintained upon any ob-
lij;atioiis the <'«»iisideratioii of whi(th was thesi^ small notes of
banks of alien States. Great latitude in itleadiiigs under the act
was specially enjoined.
■witli tho luiclltor. Wo cnn'f bronk, (tir; wo can't stop pnyinent. liook at the law I
liOiik lit tlut (iiiKlitor'sl circiiliir !"
" H\it have you no Kpccic on himd ?"'
•• Vi's, Hir; iind we lire lioimd to keep It. Tho liiw ol)ll(r('S us to keop }2\i per oont. of
ppt'cio on Imiid, If wo piiy out ovory time oiio ot yon ti'llows call, how oun wo keep
ft on hiinil ?" .
" Then 1 shiill proceed nnd have tho note protested."
"V«-ry well, sir. You will find a notary piilillc at Indianapolis, provided he if) nt
homo, whUrh is only ahoiit 140 miles Ironi hero. Mnl, sir, voii hud lieiler tro homo, and
rely upon your iiltiniateseeiirity. We ean't pay speeit!- (Ind it won't do; but you are
ultlinaKdy -ocurc; you ean't lose your money, thoujfh you never jfet it. Uenicinbcr
that."
We will suppose our Rontloman so iinroasonahio ns not to be satisfied with the pre-
sentation of the pay int? toller of tiie Kroat priiieipio of ultimate seeiirlty. He linds
his way to Indiunapolis, iniikos protest in due form, and, iioto In hand, proceeds to the
auditor of state, where anollier dialoirue ensues:
" Sir. I liave a note ot the Siiuash Hank, at Lost Prairie, with cortllleate of protest,
whieli I want to deposit in your hands, with a re(iuest that you miikc collcetion as
8pee<lily as possible."
"Certainlv, Sir."
" How lonif before I can expect to reall/.e upon the ultimate securities of tho insti-
tution ? Thirty ilays, is if not ?"
'• Not quite us soon as that sir. T shall «lve notieo to the ollleers of the Squash Ititnk.
If they pay no attention to it, I shall offer its securities in iiiy hands for sale; but in
dis hiinrinir my duty to all the creditors of tlio institution, 1 shall net proceed to offer
any of its assets in this market until afterat least (.' lays' notice in Now Vork, I^on-
doii and Paris, so as to Insure tho lurtfcst and host pnco for tho securities; and not
then. If, In my opinion, the ultimate liiterestBof all concerned will he promoted by
a further extension ! Hem I"
" IJiit, my dear sir, how Iour will It he before I can realize upon my demand ?"'
"Can't say, sir; stocks are down just now — may rise in a year or two— depends some-
what upon tiio fate of the war in P.urope. But never fear, your ultimate security is
undoubted. If yoti should nevcrKct it. you will never lose it; remember that. Kely
upon your ultimate security and you are safe.'"
" D-n ultimate .securityl 1 want my money."
" Well, sir. If that's your ^me, when you get It, please give us the information."
m
m.
592 IIISTOKY OF ILLINOIS.
Tlic, exceeding .striiigeney of tlie provisions overle.aped them-
selves. While ro law was ever more generally luuh'rstood, both
as regards its provisions and the tinn^ when it was to go into
effect, for the jtress ciMislimtly invited attention to it, niging its
observance in every iiiirticulai', so no law was ever more totally
ignored by everybody, or became a more complete <lead letter
from the start. It was violated tliroughout the length and breadth
of the State inany thousands of times daily in tlie multiform bnsi-
iiess relations of society, without tlu' least attention being paid to
it. Tiie Hoods of foreign small notes continued to infest our com-
munities and retained their ground.
The Panic of 1854. — In the fall of 1854 there was, for a short
time, (jnite a monetary crisis in the <'ountry. Among the
free banks of esi)ecially Ohio and Indiana there were a num-
ber of failures, and much alarm prevailed. JMissouri and Virginia
bonds had been thrown in huge amounts upon the Xew York
market, and declined to 1)5 and OIJ cents j though their interests
had been regularly k<'pt up. Dame rumor, with her many tongues,
doubtless considerably eidarged upon the facts, and much distrust
obtained in Illinois. Chicago was Hooded with Georgia shiu-
plasters. Brokers sought to take advantage of the public solici-
tude to precijtitate a panic ; its effects, however, did not extend
lunch beyond the city. There, a heavy run was made on the baidcs
by bill holders and depositors, and a pretty general suspension
took place.
In the nfeantime, AY. B. Fondey, of the bank commission, couu-
selkd the people that the i)anic was a mere brokers' trick, that no
default had been made in interest payments on the depreciated
bonds, and therefore it could only be tensporary, and warned them
not to part with their money at discount or sacritice. The mer-
chants of Chicago had steadily taken the money in exchange for
goods, and the wholesale dealers, feeling assured of the ultimate
se(!urity of the stock banks, and perceiving iu> adequate ca' .se for
the ])anic, also lent their su[>port in sustaining the banlis, and the
result was that in a few days they resumed business, and the panic
only gave them greater confidence with the people. The storm
was suc(!essfidly weathered, ami those banks whose deposits were
dei)reciated comjdied with the call of the commissioners, and put
up an additiomd margin of security.
After the tlurry the j)ress took uj) the subject of revising otu-
banking law. The discrimination of UO ]>er cent, against Illinois
bonds as a banking basis was denninded to be removed. Under
the law of 1849 i)rivate i)ersons might make valid agreements for
interest at 10 per cent.; not s<., liowever, the banks — they were re-
stricted to 7. In this conne(!tion the bank commissioners, ex-Gov.
A. C. French, P. Maxwell and W. B. Fondey, in their report of
Dec. 30, 1S54, say it had been the custom with banks to loan their
money to other cor])orations and associations composed for the
most part of the same stockholders, to be re-loaned by them as
individuals at an advance<l rate of interest, 1() per cent., and the
result was that the community had not been enabled to get money
any (cheaper than formerly, while the difference of 3 ])er cent, in
the rate of interest obtained in this manner, had induced the
banks to evade the intention of the law, and pursue a course cal-
PREE OE STOCK BANKS.
593
(!nliit('(l to wciikoii tlic confidence wliicli tliey Kliould endeaAor to
inspire in the comnninity where h)cat<'(l. Jt was also nijicd that
those bjiidvs whicli wanted to, slioiild lu' ])eiinitted to withdraw
their hills I'roni cirenlation and take np their bonds with the au-
ditor in sums of .$ri,0()(» or .Sl(»,(K»(>. instead of all but 10 jier cent.,
as the law tlien stoo(l. l>ut the lej^islafnre of LSo.l disrej^arded
all the objections with the sin^ule exception of the last, and sim-
ply allowed banks to surrender to the auditor their bills in sums
of •* 1.000 for their securities.
Two yeais later, however, another Icfjislature ])ut Illinois bonds
on an etjual footin;;' with those of otln-r States as a basis for bank-
inin, all to be valued 10 per cent, less than the market price;
allowed banks to discount ]»a[ier oi' make loans at the rate of 10
)»er cent; forbade the location of banks at places of less than 200
inhabitants; made the issues redeemable at the places wliere
<lated. in packages, to be treated as a sin^ileoblijjation, and whicli
uiiyhi ilnis likewise be protested for non-payment.
The Revnhion of 1857. — On the first of tlainiary, 1857, the whole
iHunber of banks which liad been organized since the law took
<'ffect in 1.S51, was (H, eleven had been closed voluntarily or by
j»rotest and forfeiture of charter, leaving 50 in operation, with a
ciicnlatioii of -%(». 480,87.'}, on a, basis of stock security whose cash
valuation was $(>,0();},.'{8!) ; and u]> to the tinu> when the financial
crash swept the country in Sei>t(inber of this year banking ca[»ital
and operations were largel; <)n the increase.
The period of tiie existence of the. banks up to this time had
iMt'ii one of un])ai'alleled pros])erity in this State. Its rapid strides
to opideuvieand empire had lu'ver been ('(juidled befoie, nor have
tiu'V since. Our taxable wealth had nearly trebled itself, being,
for "the year 1851, $i;{7.818,07!», and for the year 1857, $407,447,;j<j7.
This period being within the lailroad era, the increase of wealth
was either solid or based ujton a Just and reasonable expectation
of values, tliongh s<Mnething was attribntable to bank expansions.
The whole country was ]»'os|)ei'ous, stimulated greatly by the
lunnber of free banks then very generally in vogue. It is in pe-
riods of this sort, when times are good, pajicj- money abundant,
and c(»nfidence strong, that communities incline to the abandon-
ment of the old, slow but saiV' pursuits, for the tempting prospects
of realizing laigi; gains on small capital in short times. There
was an intlation of values throughout the west, which atfected
landed i)r()perty in cities, towns and country. Chicago corner lets
shai'ed in this to Ji wonderful degree. A spirit of speculation was
rife, but it was more intensified in the east than the west. 'There
large i:,(ioants of western tinproductive property had been bought
purely ou speculation, witli money borrowed from the abundant
cotters of the banks at home, <lepending upon its steady advances
in quoted values to meet payments as tliey matured ; here pur-
chases were made, many of them on better time, and the j)rop('rty
develoi)ed and made ])r()ductive. ^Vhen the fimmcial storm burst
upon the countiy its disastrous efif'ects were tlu'refore more se\crely
and nuuv lastingly exi)erienced in tlu' east than the west. As
W(!stern lands and lots had been in great pait the means, but not
the cause, of the nioiu'tary crisis, so now western industry and
western i)roducts became the medium of unlocking the wheels of
38
694
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
I I:
I
5i
c
*1
ii
coiiiinrri't' and iij;litiii};' tlu^ biisiiu'ssot' tlit' country. Tlu' ciistcru
CMUvnt-y iscnt west to nn»vc tlu' (•i(»i)s, had been, on tlic lirst niut-
teiinys of tlic aiyproacliin^ storui, M'ly j;('iit'iall,v it'callcd. West-
ern merelianls had bouj^lit very ]ar;;ely on time in tlie east. It
now be(!anie the (Uity of the western ])rodneers to throw their
staples of ji'rain, pork, beef and other eoniinoditii's into the market
on time to release these merchants and debt(<rs, which was iidbly
done.
In .lannary, 18r»7, an eilbrt had been made, mostly on the part
of western biokers, titdiscredit some ol the stock securities of Illi-
nois banks, which v-ieated some alarm. 8t. Louis juerchauts issued
a cir<'ular statinj;' that they would continue to receive the notes
of thi' discrediteil baidcs as heretofore. The determined stand thus
taken ins[»ired lhe]»ublic with coidideiice. and the brokers' scheme
j)roved a failure. Later, the securities of sonu' of the banks liavinj;'
sustained a dinnnution in value, the bank c<uunMssioneis, on the
8th of JNLiy, nnidea rcijuisitiou on them to (lie, within 40 days, ad-
ditional security. All responded but two. l>\ the UTtli (»f .lidy,
such was the tluctmition of stocks in market, aiul the sij^ns ot the
impendinj;- icvulsion, tluit it be» ., necessary to nuike a similar
requisition, this time on 11!> banks, beiiiji' more than half of those
in theiState. They weic jiiveii ilO days to make j^ood the marjiin.
These •-'*.» banks had a deposit of stock secniilit's of ,¥-t. ;")<•*>. ()()(», of
which iijl',7.'5.s,((()0 were Missouri ()"s. The total nnnd)cr of JNiissouri
bonds u[i(m which bankinji was done in Illinois was at this time
iu)t less than 5?4,o()(»,()(IO ; not withstaiidiu'^ which the brokeis and
inerchants of iSt. Louis now icfuscd Illinois currency, eausin}"- much
embarrassment to our people in the central and southern [tarts
of the iState. One of the bank comnussiont'rs visited {St. Louis,
andy belbre a meetiny of her merchants, brokers and busincs nu-n,
made a masterly exposition of oui' baidan<; system, and failed not
to show to those j^cntlcmen that the credit of Alissouri, whose
bonds formed nearly thi'ce-iburths of the bases of o.ir baidis, was
also invohed in their attempts to brinji Jllinois currency into dis-
re]uite. His action was also seconded by caiulid and intellij^cnt
discussions by the newspajiers of the city. The whole wascrowni'd
with the success of rcsioriny- illiiKiis currency to its foruu'r staml-
iiiy in St. Louis at yold ]>:ir. This was a noble stand for a ft»r-
ei.un city to take, but a .scNcre shock lo her comnicrce. ChicajiO
banks and business men arranjicd a liiffercut standard for Ihi.s
currency, nominally known as a jiar standard- — jiar for that city
— which was never less than Id, an«i jicuerally L") iter cent, below
a real ])ar leitreseiitiufi a sjiecie e(pn\ alent.
Owinji to the j;('neral i»ros]»erity of the country ami the ]»ublic
feeliu};' of se«'uiity, many of our banks which <lesired to do oidy
a le^itiimite business, had been tempted iido excessive issues.
Now the larjic nnmbei' of suspensions ami failure of banks, in-
surance and trust companies in othei' States, carryinji' down with
them inany of the staunchest nu'rcantile houses in the c<mutry,
created a panic which bore heavily u])oii our banks, brokers, capi-
talists and business nu'ii jicncrally. Tlu' divscrcditi'd baidis
protested their iimbility of complying;' with the rcMiuisition of the
commissioners, but these functionaries were lirm in their demand.
And the banks, notwithstandiii};' their condition aiul the disas-
trous monetary crisis luevailing, with but very lew exceptions,
( m
FREE OR STOCnC BANKS.
595
slni<if>l('(l nobly tliroiijili tlie ])rostratiii;ji' stoiiii, and .subsnjiicntly
«'iiJoyi'(l it hnjicr isliare of jjuhlit; conrKlciicc tlinii at any forincr pe-
riod* 'i'lit' financial standinji of the Slate anionji all tlie private
and eorponite ealaniities of that jieriod stood nnsliaken.
The ett'eets of tins revulsion of 1857 was stated as fol]()M'.s :
Whole iMunber of tinns in the 11. S. (except California) which
failed was 2(>4,(»n ; liability .<!2!»!»,S(M,(I(»0; assets $i:)(MH' I, <»()(>;
total loss !{<14*.),7.S(»,()()(>, of annihilated coniinereial wealth. The
niunberof (irnis failing' in Illinois, was oK), with an aj;|nreyate lia-
bility of !j<l),;i."W,0()(». Of these 117 beIon«;cd to Chieaf^o, with a
liabi'lity of !!S(J,r)(;L',(KK). Tiie reinainin.n- l!l!» Illinois liVnis had a
liability of ii<L',7()(i,(>(»0.t if the losses in Illinois avera;;ed with
that of the country at lar<;e they were about $4, ")()(),()()(). These
incredible sums must have been larj^cly sitecnlative. In Chicaji'o,
lejiitimate business r«'cei\e<l only a staj:j;t'rin<i blow, b\it specula-
tion was totally jaostrated. The depreciating; t'hect son the prices
of real estate, with the hai'rassinj; iidluence (»f maturing pay-
ments, were not checked ibr L*y<'ars; and. the business of erecting?
buildinj;s, or in some cases tinisliinj>' those be<:un. wji;' stopped.
AN'orkmeii in larjic numbers ibrsook the city, imi>rovenM'nts lan-
liuished, store-rooms and houses stood vacant, rents declined, and
vendors and mort,i>a<i('es received back the i»ioiierty sold, with the
added inipro\enieiits, finished ov otherwise, and the forfeituie of
one or moreitaynients by jiurchasers besides.
The revjdsion c.f isr)7, unlike that of l.S,i7, involved mostly only
indi\ iduals and certain speculative and commercial centres. Had
the State been involved by its connection with the banks, as liO
years lietbre, the extent of this mad i>anic tcni'cnt upon the en-
tire people, with tlu* expanded credits and inflated prices of the
jteriod, is fearful to coiitem[>late. IJut thanks to the ju-o\ isiou of
tiie constitution, forliiddinj;' JState connection with banking oper-
ations. And the collajtse eominj; when our altiindant crops
were matnicil, with exchan,ii<' in our favor, the mines of Calilbr-
nia ponriuii' theii' \(»lumes of precious metals into the cui'rent «d'
specie exchaujie, the i»anie could not and did not inciduce a last-
in jn' eft'cet upon the ]>rosj>erity of the State. Still the taxable
wealth of the State the second year aftei' the rc\ulsioii was re-
iH.rted )isl(l.(l(!(l.(M)0 less than in IS;")?.
ill Inn- |S(i<) the free banking;' system iiad amply demonstrated
il.ii. ii()\\('\-er a law mi;^lil comiK'l a banker to liilly seciuc his
i -lies by pledji'e of State slocks, il was piaclic;ill\ inipossilile to
eit<;iaft upon it peremptory and inuncdiate icdcmption of issues
in speeie.f The notes of Illinois banks were current only in our
own Slate, and to any considerable extent bcxond they were at a
discount of oiu' jier <'ent. or more.|| J!e!<iellie close of this year
the banks had incicased to lib, with a ciiculation of .*lL*..')liO,*.)()4,
which cmistitnted almost exclusively, the cui'rency of this State.
The bank se<'nrities on deposit were valued at $i;5.J»S(),<>71. Of
the 14 banks withdrawn from existence nj) to this time in the 1)
l)recediny years, sonu' voluntary and others by Ibrfeituri^ under
the law, the securities of all save one had been ample to redeem
• See nic. Con.'s. Uopoit, .Inn. 1H(;9.
+ n. DokIiis & Co.'h Coin. Ajreiicy. N.
t Sci' Kepoit H. Coin. IKCl.
II UiBSbll'B Mi'Bsuge 1859.
Y. Ikrahl.
590
HISTOUY OF ILLINOIS.
-'(
every note, dolliir for dollar in siK'cic; and in the exceptional ease
tlu'i*' was omIv a loss of ."> per cent.* Tiiis (leMi(»nstrale(l their nl-
tiniate seenrit.v to the bill holder in ordinary civil times.
And now with this larye volnme of home enrremry, based for
the most part npon llu' stocks of southern States, in the midst
of rapid and solid prosperity to this State, was wantonly jn-ecipi-
tated the j;reat and disastrous war of the rebellion, State after
State shot madly from the orbit of the ridon, (Jonliih'uce in their
securities was disturbed, liefore the close of November, 1S(J(», 18
banks were already in dis<'redit on account of depreciated se<'uri-
ties, and were sidtjeeted to the call of the eonnnissioners. Eastern
exchanjue advanced to S i)er cent. i>usiiiess men lield nu-etinjis to
eitnnsel lojictlur ami devise ways out of the linancial trouble that
wa.'s thickeiiiuj; daily. In tln^ impenetrable political darkness of
the times, the bank commissioners left the bankinji' interests of
the State to the correction of the lejiislature. That body, which
nu't ill .lanuary, J,S(il, revised the free baidiinj;' law by restricting;'
banks thereatter to be oi'j;ani/ed, to the dei)osit of U. S. and Illi-
nois stocks as security, which would also enhance the salable value
of our State stocks; {^ranted to existinji banks (! nn)nths' time alter
call in which t«» unike <;(M)d any nnir^in sult'ered by the decline (»f
their secniities in market, before beiuj;' forced into li(juidation or
their assets could be reached for failure to redeem; desij;inited
C'hicajio and Sprinjitield as jiciu'ral i)oints of redemption, throu<;li
aj;ents of the baidis, at a discount <»f ^ of 1 per cent., the money
haviiiu for some time been 1 per c«'nt. below i)ar, whiclj was in ac-
cordance with the lecommemlation of Chieajjo business men ;
laised the interest damaj;es on notes protested for non-payment ,
from iL'i to I.*.") ]»ereent., and allowed the auditor t«) surren«ler
bonds deiiosited jiro rata to holders of innes i)rotested, or on banks
in pioces.-^ of li(iuidation Ironi other causes. If the lejiislature had
not thus temporized, but with a due ap]»reeiation of that Juncture
in national alfaiis, rijiidly foici'd every bank in default into liqui-
dation on 10 day's call, and r«M|uir«'d the auditor to sell the securi-
ties innnediately, if the nnii'ket was a little depr«'ssed by the abun-
dance of bonds cast ui)on it, it would liavt' would have wouml up
almost excry one. and the linal result w*ould have been better for
I'dih the bill holders and the banks.
The legislature at this session passed alsoanothei' <>eneral baidc-
inj;' bill pretlicated solely ujion a sjjccie basis. We will not syn-
opsi/e this nn'asure; siilhce it, the people, tired of a rotten bank
currency which the history of the State showed lia«l been fur-
nished l)y eveiy bankinj; system which had ever yet been in oper-
ation, they, by their votes cast at the Is'ovember election «)f 1801,
rejected it. JJesides, a revision of the constitution had been or-
dered, and it was not deemed advisable to hami)er in any way the
convention soon lo meet. "^^
JJut besides this Icjiislation, the <lays of free banking in Illinois,
as in every other State, were numbered. Secession was on the
ram})aj;('. In the latter part of March, but before •»i)en hostilities,
Chicago lMdk<'rs threw out the issues of .'U Illinois stock brinks.
F(»rty odd were m»w uneurrent. This act was purely arbitrary,
for the audit(»i's report showed many of these to stand as well as
immy of those bank quotable. I'erliajjs it was shrewdly calculat<'d
■ Gov. WooU'8 inessugcriaul!
mm..
FREK OR STOCK BANKS.
597
that the masses, with small amount of uiiciuTciit inoiioy, would
sa(Mi(i<'<; it l)liii(lly at the tirst broloi's ortice. St. Louis continued
to receive this euirency. Prior to this, owin^' to tlie <;eneral dis-
trust, in which country shared perhaps more fully than (^ity, larj^o
amounts of the Illinois issues had accumulated in Chicago, where
they were ciu'rent, making? trade brisk. Before lon^- the Merchants'
Loan and Trust Company, anticipatiiiff an early heavy deprecia-
tion, and having i)erhai>s first worke(l off its supply, refused to
further take this currency. The other banks, with their cotiV'-s
full of it, attempted to sustain it, doubtless with no other view
than to {iiun time to get rid of it. Hence it remained current in
trade, and large amounts were sent to the country to buy i)roduce,
which iwlvanced rapidly in pri(!e ; but as the country was fully
infected with the distrust, the money showed evidence of exceed
ing nind)leues.v, and would return to th'.. city faster than it could
be shoved otf. Local trade was unusually active. In this straight,
to keep the stuff u]), leading business nuMi and bankers in Chicago
actually pledged themselves, and signed and issued a circular, to
take the money at par during the war. Hut the pledge was broken
a very few days utter. Other distinctiojis now obtained iu
this currency, such as ''Illinois jtrefened," which the seller of pro-
due*^ C4>uld only obtain at a dee}) shave. Exchange on >'ew York
speedily advanced above the "preferred" to i;i j)er cent. "While
the farmer thus got a few cents more for his grain, it cost him a
heavy percentage to exchange for good money, or he ])aid it out
in double profit to the merchant. The list of iliscredited baidcs
rapidly increased. All the stoi-k banks, regardless of the State
»st(K'ks which formed their security, shared more or less in the de-
pri'ciation, but after the breaking out of actual hostilities those
biise<l upon southern stocks declined directly to 50 cents on the
d<»llar.
With the jneetiiig of the legislature iu extraordinary session,
Ajjril, 18G1, there were various schemes mooted to have the State
guarranty the ultimate reilemjttion of this free bank money of the
Illinois banks. Some plans end)raced all of the 8lL*,()()(>,(KK) of
circulation, and others half, seU'cting thos<^ secured by the best
stocks. In Ix'half of the latter proposition petitions w<'re freely
eirculated among the i)eople praying the legislatnr<' to this end.
This plan was by a certain portion of the i)ress (h-nouiiced as an
invidious distinction. To obviate the constitutional pi'ovision, the
power of the legislature was claimed u[)on thegrouncl of necessity,
this money in that desperate crisis constituting the sole circula-
ting mediiun of the peo[)le of the State. There was a senate bill
guarantying the issues of certain banks, and tiu're was an effort
made to have the State take this bank currency for its war bonds,
authorized at that session, but all failed.
After this the money got into a still more mercurial and unset-
tled condition. No one knew what his money would be worth on
the morrow. Of course the wiles and arts of the brokers added
no little to this instability, and the perph'xity of the people, lie-
fore June every important city and many diffeient railroa4ls issued
fn»m (lay today their sjiecial, and sometimes their exclusive, lists
of banks, whose notes they designated as cnneiit. Tlu'se "lists
were, for tlie most i)art, arbitrary. Every tra<lesman, and even
farmers, carried in their pockets bank lists of this kind, often onlj'
50S
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
to lu'wr of new Inciik-downs iiiid icviscd lists just alter liiiving
taki'ii in soiik' ot'tli*' inoiicy. Jt was ii ix'iiod of iiiiiioyiiiK.'c, trial
uiid vexation.
Tlic hanks, from tlicir location — often at remote and inaccessi-
ble |)oints — liad earned tlie not inexpressive soul)re<inet of ''wild
cats;" and now, since tlieir j>('neral depreciation, tlieir issnes ic-
ceived the rather inelej;ant a]ipelation of "stump-tail." To aid in
linrryinj>- forward the a]ipi(>acliin<; end of their reiyn, the press in
many ways lent its ]»owers of ridicule.*
I>y the time theratlier abundant wlieat crop of 1801, notwith-
utandinj; the devastation of the army worm that season, went into
the market, the stock baidis were driven to the wall, anil <ioU\ and
silver sent from the east was ])aid into the farmer's hand, though
the prices lanjicd low — (»<t to 70 cents j)er Itnsliel. By l.S<i;} all
excei)t 17 of the 110 banks were in ]»rocess of li(piidatioii, with the
circulation reduced from about .*$ll.',000,000 to about l!(."ttl(!,U);j.
The retirement of this vast circulation was etlected mainly by Xha
bill-holders voluntarily surrenderin<i' the money for tiie bonds de-
l)Osited, for which purpose every facility was extended to them by
the amlitor in accordance with the law. Five banks had or};anized
under the amended act of IStJl, with an a{;jire<;ate circulation of
$.">1,04.'5. By the first of tlauuary, 1<S(m, the circulation of Illinois
banks had dwindled down to .i!l;}2,4.'>(!, all sciMired by Illinois (Ts
— 1^ 1 7.">,0;U. Some of the tree banks were under the act of con-
gress of ISO,'} converted into national banks; and it was the
national banking law, taxing the issues of all other banks 2 i)er
cent., which has hnally wholly extinguished them.
*(Oneof the bunks lu'<:anit' tlic iiropertv of the Hon. J. YoiinR Scrtminon, a well known
weiilthy resident or ('hiciijro, who, ti) (five them eurreney, endorsed nil its notes. Mi-.
Wentworth. of the Dcinocriit, who h;id roiiyht the "wild eats" witli an iintlii^jrinjf will,
hendinjr liis editorials on tlmt suli.jcct with a family uroiipof wild eats in various siiu-
Kestive attitudes, wlien tliis Seanimon money came to liis hands, wtiieli was not slow,
|irinted across the haek of ea<'h note, his fayorite family Mi'oupof wild eats, and set
it nfioat aKain. These earicatiires, it wassaid, hud tlie elfect to irreutly stimulate the
proiirietor of the notes to retire them.)
Chapter XLVIII.
1853-1857— ADjMINISTRATION OP GOV. MATTESOK
Ikmocrathi and Whiff Conrcntiom — SJxctches of the Ovheniatorial
Candidates — Financial Condition and Phyfiical Development of
the t^tate — Tjeijislation^ 185,'J-5 — Maine Law and Riot at Chieaf/o —
Onr Common /Schools and trials in the establishment of the Free
School ISystem,
Tlio Domocrutic Stat«5 Convention of 1852, to make a ticket for
State oHiceis, met in Spi'iii<;tiel<l April L'Otli. Tlie political out-
look lor that party appeared clear all around the horizon au<j;uriiig
an easy victoiy at the coming November election. IIen(!e there
Avas no lack of as]>irants for place on ii ticket of such promise.
For the position of governor seven names were presented. For
some time ])revious it had been confidently exi)ected thattlie Hon.
J)avid L. (iregg, then secretary of State, an ac(!omplished gentle-
man of learning, varied political e.\])erien(!e, and great intluence
\vitli his ]»arty. would re(;eive tlu' nomination. Quite a number
of counties had instructed for him, tin? public press in its com-
ments and surmises, had settled on liim with a degreeof certainty,
causing the opi)osition to discharge their batteries at him, as if his
nomination had been consuninnited. The atta<'k upon him was
mainly on account of his religion, he being a Catholic, The even-
ing before the meeting of the convention, a sermon of a ])olitical
bciiiing, violently attacking Konmnism, was pi-eached at the Cap-
ital, which was hugely attended by the assembled members of the
conv<'ntion. Some controversy was indulged afterward as to
whether the minister was a whig or democrat. One thing, how-
ever, was certain, it was ])reached to intlueiu'e the action of the
convention in the defeat oi' j\Ir. (iregg. How much intluence it
had we do not say. No sooner had members begun to collect than
it was whispered about that it woidd never do to nominate Cregg
because of his Catholicism; and this objection was industriously
but quietly urged against liini in the convention. After his sacri-
tice there was an elfort to smother the nnitter, but it could not be
d()n<'. "Sir. (Jregg knew and felt it all the time, but he Mas to true
to party to bolt the ticket, and he gave it the supp(nt of all his
l»ower. In a letter to 1. X. Morris, scouting the idea that the con-
vention was governed by such intolerant motives, he nevertheless
adds, " it is doubtless true that a few men in the convention
sought to stir u]) religious ]m'Judices with the view of accom-
l)lishing my defeat." Aside from this quiet persecuting intrigue,
the convention was entirelv harmonius.
599
GOO , IIISTOUY OF ILLINOIS.
'J'lic coiivciitioii Wiis orjijuiizt'd witli llic Hon. ,1. A. McClt'iiiaiul
as its pcriiiiiiit'iit cliairiiiaii. Tlic iiaiiics pit'sciitt'd lor t lie posi-
tion of ;i(»v«'iiioroii tlic ticket, tojictlii'i' witii tiii' iiuiiiltcr of votes
on tiie lirst ballot, were as follows: 1). L. (ire<;ji, of<!ook, HI votes;
Joel A. Matteson, of \\ill, ."id; .lolin Dement, of Lee, ">;{; F. C
Slieniian, of ("ook, L'.">; Thomas L. Ilaiiis. o!' Menard, Hi; Lewis
W. IJoss, of J-'ulton, 7; and I). P. Jinsli, (»f I'ike, (i. Joel A. Mat-
teson afterwards received a majority of tlie votes east and was
declared tlie nominee of tlie conxcntion for {governor, (iustavus
Koi'rner re;'eive<l the nomination for lieutenant-jiovi'rnor; Alex-
ander Starne, secretary of State; Tlionnis JL Campbell, auditor,
and .John Moore, State treasnrer.
Tlu' platform stood by tin; com}»roniis(> measures of bSoO, and
non-intervention; ajiainst meddlinj;' witn the domestic all'airs of
other States to stir up strife and hatred; lor free homesteads to
heads of families on the public <lomain ; and declared in I'avor of
])ou<;las for the jnesidency — that he '• end)odied all the elenieids
of j)opularity and success to such adej;ree as to stamp him
as the nuiu for tlie. cominff crisis." State atlairs received uo
notice at its hands, and as the free bankinj;' law was in fidl opera-
tion, democratic hostility to banks, so strenously asserted in l.SU>-
'48, was not rejx'atecL
The Whiji State Convention of l.S.")2, m«'t also at Si»rinj;tield on
the 7th of July. Jt was but si)ariuj;ly attended. The rej;ularly
a]>i»ointed delejiates failed to ai)i)earand their i)laces \vere in i»art
tilled by proxies taken from the j;rand ami petit juries, litijiants
and witnesses in attendance ujion the U. S. district and circuit
couits then in term. It was orj;anized by the choice of the lion.
O. IL Jirowuinji', of Adams, as (ihairmaii, who in his
oi)enin}i' si)eech candidly renmrked in etfectt, that it was not
expected that the ticket to be by them nominated would carry
the State, but it would ju'ove im])ortant in tendinji to hold uj) the
hands of their party friends in those States where there was hope
of success for (ieii. Scott, candidate for the i)residency.
The ticket was nu)s{ly made by acclamation. Aspirants
for the barren honors were not nunu'rons as in the case of the de-
niocrac,\. The Hon. K. 15. Webb, of White, was nt»minated for
governor; J. L.l). ^loirison. of St. Clair, for lieuteiuint-jioveinor;
IJuckiu'r S. 3Iorris for secretary of State; Charles lietts for audi-
tor; and Fiancis Arnz, a tlermaii, then on a visit to Europe, for
treasurer. Owinji' to the wide spreatl disjiust i»i the whij;' ranks
rejiardinji' the conii)roniise measures of 1<S.")(), and the national
■whij: platform, which ai)proved them, it was planned on the part;
of the nniuajiers that with the endorsement of the nomina-
tion of Cen. S(H)tt, to show ])arty loyalty, it inij^ht be best to
quietly stop, leuvinj;' candidates free to assunu' siu'h j^irounds upon
the slavery (pu'stion and fuiiitive slave law, either jiro oi' eon, as
miiilit be deenu'd to accord best with tin; \aryin};' sentiments of
ditlerent localities in the State. But thisi)lan was sadly (leranj;ed
by .Mr. Herndon, of Sanjiamon, who un(>xpectedly, introduced a
resolution, api)rovin}:i ihe Ualtinuuc jdatform. Here was a dilem-
ma. To refuse to adopt what was clearly their duty as national
Avhi<is, would be to break their i)arty adhesions and Itecome des-
pised »lisorj^anizers ; to do so, division and estranj;einent in their
ranks, at home w as inevitable. The whig' party, iii the north of
MATTESON'S ADMINISTllATION.
001
tills State «'s|K'('iiill.v, was liir<;»'ly iiiiti-sliivciy. Ilcriidoii was
linii,iiii(l llic n'soliitioii piisscd, it is siiid, with l'('('liii;;s of mt'lau-
cliol.v 1111(1 iiiiiltt'riii;L;s of (liscoiitciit. It was lirst oinittcd from
the piiltlislicd report of the prociu'din^s, but tlio alert deiiiociacy
inoiiiptl.v called attention to tlie direlicti )n, whereupon llic ollicial
proecedinjiis were lepnblislied "to conect the many inaeciiraeies
of the (irst re]»ort."*
Tiu' aholilioiiists, who ]»rol)aI)Iy exju'cted to piin by the larj^o
defection in tli(^ whi^' i»arty, also bron-^ht out a State ticket with
Dexter A. Ivnowltou, of Stepiienson, for j;ovenior, and J'hilo Car-
penter, of Cook, for lieutenant };overn(»r.
.Mr. Webb, the head of the whij; ticket, was a lawyer, deeply
read in his ]>r(»fes.sion, and of e.xceilent standinj^' in the State. Ilo
Iiad been for many years State's attorney, and rei>eate(lly repre-
Kented his county in the lejiislature. He did not possess the ;;ifts
of oiatoiy. Ill 1>S.'{(», as a member of the legislature, he opposed
the a(l<»ption of the State imiirovement system, and spread his
protest upon the Journal, containin;i lanjiuaye of pro]>liesy, whose
verilication in a tewyeais, was but too emphatic, lii bs."),") be was
a candidate for the su|)reme bench aj^ainst .ludj^c JJreese, who was
elected While yet a boy his father removed to Carmi, Illinois,
wiiere ."Mr. Webb continued to live, and died in IS,")!). When tlio
vriter i)ersonally knew him in tiie latter years of liis life, be was
exceediiijily fond (.f a small sociial circle of friends with whom to
discuss tlie political and other (pu'stions of tluMlay, and to talk
over old times in his ])eculiar didactic and instructive maiiner.t
The whin' candidate for lieutenant-^iovernor, Col. JJon Morrison,
was also by profession a lawyer. He had served with accei»tability
in both the State and national lej;islatures, and as lieutenant-col-
onel of the 2d Illinois regiment in the Mcxii^an war. He was a
native lilinoisan; an oratoi' of distinj;uished manners, dariu;; ad-
dress, and an ardent wlii""'. lie had i)een very successful in accum-
idatinj;' a larye and valuable landed estate, which he still li\es to
enjoy. Neither of these caiulidates was tinctured with the grow-
in,;: anti-slavery sentiments of the jiarty at that day.
lieside the (lisappointmeiit of pul>lic expectation in the <lefeat
of (irejift' before the democratic convention, the nomination of
JMattesou for jiovernor did not at first j^ive jiciu-ral satisfaction to
the party in all paits of the State. From tlu' south, hostile to all
banks, the pn'ss indicated the impression to be that the head of
the ticket had warmly advocated the a(h)ptiou of the jicneral
banking law ; that he favored a U. S. bank, or any kind of ''wild
cat system ;" that he had not besides been soiiml on the W ilmot
proviso; was against the compromise measures of l.S.V), and fa-
vored free soilism. The democratic organ at the capital called on
the Joli<'t pajK-r (where ]Matleson resided,) to give to the democ-
racy a "full and explicit statement of [hisj views" upon the im-
portant subjects named. To Koerner was ascribed a position ui)oii
these (luestituis in perfect accord with the sentiments of the party.
■|r,
• Si'c IlliiHiis Stiite .Toiirnal.
|.N()i'i:- + lM>r liis own imiiisi'tiient, viniiidcd by iiny toiiclior !in<l portiiips bd'ore he
WHS uwiiri' 111' his proHcieiU'y, lie Imilmiik; a most i-xoolliMit Kiinich scholar, without
liciiiK al)l(', liowovcr, to his knowlrilBi'. to pronounce u word of the lan«uaire corri'ctly.
Tills WHS ilono by re^rviiarly r adinK tlic Courier <if it Kfat IJiiin, a Kreiicli newspaper
printed in New York, lor wliieli he was a subscriber. The writer has lieard liiin read
in Kiifrlish fresh from its eoUmiiis, timcatiilauain. translatinjr witli such readiness thut
oue would suppose him to be reading from uu ordinary American newspaper.
002 HISTORY OF ILLliNOlS.
It Wiis siiid fliiit ifllic ti('k<'t liixl been reversed us re^^anls tln-so
ciiiididates it would liave Iteeii preleralile — "lint an it is we adiiere
to it," eoiuinaiided tlie i»arl,v drill ser^ieaiits. Two slioit .years or
less (ieiiioiist rated Hie t'allac.v of these a|iprelieiisioiis hy the }i(iiii};"
over of Koeriier to the aiiti-Neluaska parly, and Mattesou's sup-
port of the repeal of the Missouri (■oiiiproiiiise.
The eaiiipaijiii of IS.")!*, as nii;;hl ha\ e been expected by the whi^iS
jiiviii;; lip the eontesi in advanee, was attended by littU' exeiteiiient ;
nothinji' of interest oeenrred, and npon its close in No\enii)er, I'e-
suited in an ovt'ivvhelniiii;; victory for the deniociaey. iloel A.
IMalteson received .S(>,»>tr) voti's, lOdwin li. Webb (»4,4CKS, and
Dexter A. Knowlloii S,SLM».
fbiel A. Malteson was born August H, 1808, in Jeflerson county
Xew York, whither iiis father had removed from Vermont thie«5
years lietbre. His lather was a farmei' in fair eirciiiiislances. but
a common ICiijiiish edncaliiin was all that his only son received.
,b»el lirst tempted foitiiiK' as a small tradesman in Pn'seott. Can-
, aila, before his majority. Ih* returne<l thence home, eiiten'd an
; academy, tau<;ht scliool, visited the lar};e eastern cities. ini])ro\ed
; a faini his father had uiveii him, made later a tour south, worked
; there in Imildiiif; railroads, «'.\perieiice<l a storm, on the (iulf of
^ JMexico, visited the jiold di;ijiinj;s of uortlu'rii (leorj;ia, wlienc*' h«i
j returned via Nashville to St. Louis and through Illinois to his fatli-
, er's home, and married. In 1S.I.'>, lia\ iiiji; sold his farm, he removed
i^ Avil li his w ife and one child to Illinois, and took a claim on <;()vcrn-
meiit laud near tlu' head of An Sable liver, in the jiresent Ken-
dall couiily. At the time tlieic were not exceedinj; two lu-ij^libors
I wilhin a raujuc of leu mile;:, and only three or four houses between
his location and ('hica^^o. He opened a larj;(' farm ; his family
l was boarded twelve miles away while lu^ erected a house on his
I claim, sleepiiiji, dniiuiL; this time, under a rude pole shed. Here
I his life was iilaced in imminent ]»eril by a huj^c jiraiiie rattlesnak*!
I shariiiji' his bed. In bS.'i.") he boujiiht larf^cly at the j;»iveriiment
j laud sales, J)iiriiiji' the s]ieculative real estate mania which broke
! out in Chicajio in IS.'ii;. and sju'cad all over the State, he sold his
lauds undei' the intlatioii of that period, and removed to doliet.
In IiS.iS he became a heavy contractor on the Illinois and iMiclii-
}»an eanal. Ujion the com])letiou of his Job in 1841, mIicu hard
times prevailed, business at a stand, contracts jiaid in State scrip;
Avhen all the public works i'xcejit the <'aual were abandoned, the
State oti'ered lor sale 700 tons of railroad iron, which was jiur-
cliased by JMatteson at a ureal barjiain. This he shipped and sold
at Detidit, icalizinj;' a very handsome ])rolit, enoujih to ])ay otV all
his canal debts, and leave him a surplus of several thousand dol-
lars. His ent<'rprise next ])roni])ted liiiu to start a Moolen mill at
Joliet, ill which he prosjiered, and which, after successive enlarjie-
inents, becaiiK! an enormous establishment. In J842 he was tirst
ele<'ted a State senator, but, by a l)unjilinj«' apportionment, .lohu
Pearson, a senator holdinj-' over, was found to be in the same dis-
trict, and decided to be entitled to reiiresent it. IMatteson's seat
was declared vacant. Tearson, however, with a nobleness ditlicult
to apjueciate in this day of forced tor olliee, unwilling' to reju'esent
his district under the circumstances, immediately resijjned his un-
expired term of two yeais. A bill was passed in a few hours or-
dering a new election, and in ten days' time Mattesou was re-
mattkson'h administration.
cm
tiii'iicd i'(>-('U>ct('<l and took liis s«>at tis sciiiitor. From IiIn w(>]1-
Kiiowii ciipiicilx iis a IxisiiM'ss iiiiiii, li<^ was iiiatU* cliainiiiiii of tlic.
coiniiiittt'con liiiaiict', a posilioii wliicli lit' lii'ld (hiiiii;; litis liallaiid
two lull succeeding; scniitorial terms, diseliar;;iM;; its iiapoilanl
duties with ahililv iilid rnitiirulMess. jicsides iiis exieiisiv*' woolen
mill interest, when woiU wiis i-esumed on lliccauiil nndei' (lie new
or cilizeii, lie had i«'W superiors, ills niessaj;fs present a perspur-
uonsiiriay of facts as to the condition of the Stale, and lire often
couched in fnr<Ml»le and elcj;ant dit!ti«)n. The helm of Klale was
coiilided to no iiiisUilll'ul hands.
- 1 .- ■" ■■■■■■■■ I-. •'.... ., .....,..., ....,.»
he sought exile. l''iiidiii,i>- no security in Fiance, then under Louis
J'hilippe, in .Mav, l.S.'>.'{, at the ajicofl'l', he embarked at Jlavre for
America, and on arrival proi'ceded to Illinois, and settled in
IJelleville. Jlere he determiiKMl to pursue the ])ractice of the law,
not witlistandin^' the obstacles of a forcij;ii toiijiue, of which lie
had but a student's knowle<l<'(', and iimiiediately commenco<l a dil-
jjiciit course of readin<>', attended the Lexin^itoii liiw sithool, and
• 1 f f i 1 1' \i-ti fil 1 kiti*ti iiiit fliik 1>iti' 1 k>i ff 1 iiii< i k4' Aj1>iiii \\* Sill tw liti* •im I .I'liDiio
* See speech of D. L. (ji-ogj?, 185:i
004
IIlSTOllY OF ILLINOIS.
jdiK'c Wits )»ro('m»'<l lor liim l>.v liis politicii! IViciids, kiiowinji' well
liis ai'tlfiit wislii's to rev i.sil I lie scciu's of his .vttiilli diiiiii;; tin- tlicii
Mtiii]uj;lt' of tliiit ('(Miiitry for liltcri.v. Hut wlicii the rlVoit wiis
cnislitMl, :iii«| crowds of politiciti rcfii^icrs lied IIm' opinfsscd
fiitlit'ihiiid, Kocnicr. not liii\ iii;^ sliiitcd, icsi;;ii»'d his coiiiinissioii.*
Ill IS,")l lie went olfwilh the iiiili NcdinisUii iiioxciih'IiI, siiicr wiicii
lit- has iictcd witii tlic icpiililicaii piirty. lie presided over tiitt
State lepiihlicaii eoinciitioii in IS.")S, when Mr. liiiiccdii was desij;'-
nated as a candidate for I'.S. senator. In iSlid lie wasa d» deviate
at lar^c to the Ciiica;'*) coii\('nti<»n. On tlie l>reakiii;;(»iit (»f tlio
reiteiiion he raised the i<'{d llhiiois re;^iiiieiit,lnit liefore it was fully
oif;aiii/.cd lie was apiioinl«'d a coi(»nel on thestalV (d" (ieii. Freiiionr.
In IStiL' he was appointed iiiinister to Spain, which place he re-
Ni;;ned in l<S(tr). Since then lie has acted in various public (;apa-
cities for tiie State, lie was in ISTU the liberal republican and
deiiiocritic candidate for jiOveriMir, but was deleated.
The la'W adniinistration was entrusted with the helm of State at
ii tiling when she was risiii.n with };reat rapidity from tlie Ion;;' and
<;:looiuy spell of pecuniary embarrassment follow iiii; the failure of
the internal im]irovement systi'in of 1S.'57. The buildiii<;- of the
{•reat network of railroads was just fairly inaii;;urated, and about
400 miles of track completed. The first year of this adniinistru-
tion the increase of taxable wealth in tin- Stale ainounte<l to )i!7.'>,-
<SO.">,.">L'<S, ecjiial to about ~>\ percent. Only a small portion of this
unprecedented increase was reasonably attributable to the new
assessiiieiit law. The coinmerce of ("hicayo, with a population of
50,0(10, had j^one beyond .'i<L'0,(l()0.0(IO, and the trade and eommerce
of the Illinois river and canal amounted to )!!4L',.'J4."»,000. The State
debt, jtrincipal and interest, on the 1st of .lannary, IS,"},'}, was .*17,-
;i!tS,OS.")..'{r), which, as the Slate increased at the rale of JO i»er
cent, and the debt at per cent., was estimated to be extin};iiish-
able in 11 years' time — by lS(i4.
In his elaborate inaugural messafie, indieatiiiji that a master of
flmin«'<' had cast his eye over the liehl of Slate, (iov. .Matteson al-
luded to hei Hatterinji' ])rospecls ; how she was in the track of
eiiii»iro; th' nunil»er of railioads in course (d" constiuction,
and besr ,iberality of the legislature in {irantinji fuilher
(•hurt' I'ordinji every projx'r eneouiajicmeiit to briii^' new
field /!• into market. TiiU' to tin' jdact' of his abode, he re-
eonii. .cd the buildin;;' of a State prison in the northern i»art of
the State. The Alton penitentiary was then crowded with -'27
eon\ icts. lie also iccommended the adoption of a free scho(»l sys-
tem, and if that should be deemed prenialure, at any rate to au-
tliori/e a. general superintendent of the common s('hools. The new
free bankinjj' law he did not want to see disturbed by the lejiisla-
tiire, but those unauthorized institutions still operatinjf under the
semblance of banks and issuinj;' their notes, should be stopi)ed.
He also desii'ed a re-submission to a vote of the ])eoi)le the (pies-
tion of chunj^iiijn' the distribution of the 2 mill tax ; and such
amendment of the constitution as would {•ivc; to the foreijiiier a
siteedici- rifiht of sutlrajic, out of which, la; ar^iued at lenjith, no
evil could .<;row. In his \ iew the hard times constitution was too
parsimonious in the salaries and fees lixed for ollicers ; the Judi-
♦Sec D. L. Grojrg's speech, 1852.
MAT'I'KHON'S ADMIMSTUATION.
(;(),■»
<-iiir,v .should lie ])Iii<-cil iil>i>V(> pcciiiiiiir.v waiir, ii|m>ii (hat hifth
^riMitiil wliicli wiiiiM coiiiiiiiiiiil III)' <-()iilii|t'iic(' iiml rt-spt'ct ol' intcl-
li;:fiit iiicii. lit' r«>;;iinliMl tli<> coiiiix-lisiitioii of iiiniiixTs of tlii;
p'lM'iiil nssciiiltlv so low iis to Im' altriitl»'<l willi ciiiliai liisHiiu'iits.
Tliis lif (h'siiiMl also amciidnl. 'I'lic roiistitiition wab not anH'iidctl,
liowt'vcr, ill any •»!' these or other paitieidars for 17 years; j'IhI
these oltjeetions, nr^ed from so hi<;h a source, doiilttless enilrii)-
iited to the lirst feelin}; and impulse that license taken .•iliiits
ri^'id |)i'ovisions woidd not perhaps incur au,\ j^reat pidilic (dthi*|Uy,
wiiich was .suhsecpiently iniproxed upon until theii' \ iolati(»!«8 w to
l>iacticed i»y every departnu-ut of j;overinnent in the j;n>sNest
manner.
Ihiiiny" the le;;islative session oi' lS."i3 was enacted the small
liank Itill law, wideh was, from the start, as dead a letter as law
evei- l»c<'ame; also a<'ls to use the sur]>lus fund of the Ireasniy
ill the purchase of State indehtedncss ; to condemn the ri;;lit of
vay for pui|M»ses of internal impro incut ; to Itiiild the present
j;()\('riiiuent mansion; incorporate the State Af^ricultural Society;
sell the State lauds, of which 1 L'S,!**! I acres, valued at *7 17. 1'.lo,
^vere still on hand, and ^irantiii};' the ri;;lit of pr(^elnptioll on
them; re-enact tlu' law prohiltitin;:' the rctailiii};" of iiitoxica-
tinjj drinks, fixin;;' the license at, from !?."»0 to !?<;{()(); and, under tho
partisan lash, that inhuman and dis^^racefiil act, preveiitin;; freo
iie;>roes and mulattoes from st'ttliu};' in the State, under severe pen-
alties, was passed.
Ill IS.M was ])assed that law, more than any other upon (air
statutes fraught with untold l)eiiefactious to the youth of our
State, to maintain a system of free sclatols ; also an act auth(ui/in;;
the erection of 150 addition. 1 ]»risoii cells to the Alton peniten-
tiary. The most important measure beariiif;' upon the treasury
of the State, at this session, was the act for a settlement (»f old
canal claim damaj''es, datinj;" hack beyond IStO, in favor of <'er-
taiii contractors, tS:c. The commission appointed for the tinal ad-
justiiM'Ut of these claims consisted of S. II. Treat, ,Iolin J), ("aton,
and Walter V>. Scates. Ily resolution it was ordered that with
the State census to be taken in ]>>~>') should be separately returned
the name, residence and jiostoltii'e address of all the deaf and
diiin]), blind and insane jiersons in the State. A resolution reki-
tive to tlie ealliiif'' of a convention to alter the eonstitutiou Wi.s
also aj^aiii submitted to tlu^ peoi)le, to a^aiii meet defeat.
Dnrinji' the 4 years of IMatteson's admiiiistration the taxabio
wealth of the State was about trebled, beiii};' for the year IS^il^
$i;{7,.Sl.S,()7!>, and for the year ISad, $;{4!».!»r.l,L'7L'; there were
raised and paid out on the public debt, $7,(>71>, IIKS, reducing it
from $17,398,985 to 112,840,144; in the jueaiitime taxation had
been reduced, and the State had resumed payinj;' interest in New
York as it fell due. AVliile the public debt was thus bein}«- re-
duced, the means of its ultimate extinction were rapidly on the
increase. When IMatteson came into office, less than 400 miles of
railroad were constructed in the State; when lie went out, the
number would vary little from 3,000, " peuetratiiiff almost every
section and tillinj? the conntry Avith activity and business." Dur-
ing his term, the impulatiou of Chicago was nearly doubled and.
its commerce more than quadrupled.
(JOG
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
:-P;
The Maine JAqnor Lair iu Illinois. — In 185"* tlio Icji'isliitnro
passed a very stiin^ciit jtroliihitorv liciiioi' bill, (•(Himionly known
fis tlic "Maine law" — Itcinj;' a total prohibition of both the sale
and ma nn fact MIC of spirit nous, viiionsor and tli(i Mors, nndcr heavy
jtenalties of tines, iinpiisoninents, or both, and destinetion of li-
(jMoi's. It contained certain exct-ptions in linorof the nnikiii^i (»f
cider, wines and beer and ale for export. Inii)orters were allowed
to sell in the orijiinal pa(ka^<'s only. The law was not to ^ointo
effect nnless appioved by a majority vote of tlic people at a
bpecial ("lection to be held in Jane of that year.
In 1S.">1 had i)eei; opted a •somewhat strin^^cnt act known as
the "(pnu't law." It was desi<ined to stiike at tippliii};' establish-
ments, in prohiltitin^' the sale of spiritnoMs and mixed (not malt)
licpiois in less (jnantity than a (piart.by forbiddin,i; tiiem to bedraidc
on the premises where sold or j;iven away; and by icpealin^ all laws
jjiaiitiiiji' license for these [)Mrposes. The i)enalty was a tine of
$L'r>. The law jirodnced a jireat ontcry of popnlar indijination,
and was in l.S,"»,"> repealed. While the leyislatnre wasthns bowinj;'
to low clamor, the friends of tem|)eranci^ were not idle. A State
tempeiance convention met at the capital in -lannary. Delej^ates
to the iinmber of l'(t(). iVom all paits of the State, were in attgid-
ance. The leadinji' j)ai'licipants were S. I). Lockwood, formerly
sui»i'enie jndji'e, the (listinj;Mislied pionet'r and divine, .J. ]\I. Peck,
I). I)., llmis. 15. S. Edwards. S. W. Hobins, Thomas M. Taylor, (1.
r. West, W. C. \'anmeter, .iMd^^c (Jrover, (S:c. lU'lievinj;' intoxi-
cating drink to be the j^ieat incentive to crime, they sonjiht to re-
fona society by abolishinji' this terrible temj)tation. Tlu' Elaine
law was nndei'ii'oin^' trial in several States at the time. The iise
of tiie hall of icpresentativ cs was denied them after a pi<)tracte<l
debate in the lionse, by a vote of .'i;5 1(» M. The convention diafted
a bill similar in its provisions to the Maine law, which was ])re-
sented to the "iciieral assembly for adoption, bnt met with speedy
del'eal ; some of the stronj^cst temperance members believinj;' that
moral snasion, and not arbitrary le^^islation, was the only mode of
api>roacliin<; a free, Ihinkinu pcojile like the Americans, voted
against it. At the special session (»f Febrnary, l.S,")4, the friends
of tcmjx'rance a.nain assembled at Spiin,utleld. 'I'lie attendi'.ncc
was chietly from the iiorlherii part of the State. The jirohibilory
bill was a,i:aiii intiodnced in the U'jiislatnie, and this time favora-
bly reported ii|(oii by the select coMimittee on temj)eraiice. Mv.
i'almer (since .yoveiiior,) moved the submission clanse as an amend-
ment, but for want of time no final action was had ni»on it.
'Ihere were at the time jiiavcdonbts as to the coMstitutionality of
Kuch a law; bat at the .iMiieterm of th<> Supreme court, in the
case of .lacksonville r.v. (iodai'd, these were in a measure r»'nu)ved.
Jacksonville by ordinance had declared tiie saleof li(pu)rs a nui-
saFice, makiiij; the offense i>unishable by fine, It was contended
by the defendant that li(pior was projierty, and that the ri};ht to
accpiire ]»ro|K'rty, and lioldiu};', nsinj; and (lisi)osinji' of it was both
naluial and constitutional, and could not be invaded by any nni-
ni<i|»ality under authoiity of the State; the rifiht 1ni;;ht be rej-u-
lated but not destroyed. The court held that this doctrine as a
iiiMversal jtrinciple was not tenable. It deiu'iided upon the kind
of [U'operty; its use and disi)()sal. We surrendered both natural
matteson's administration.
007
ami social ri^ilits in tli«^ jjolitical stati', wiiicli was iieeesbaiy and
j»aiiiiii()iiiit tor t lie well hciiiii ol" society. Tlicsc ixilicc jiowcis <le-
slioycd iH'itlici' .Majiiia Cliaita iu»r any constitution. Tinsict and
tJM' tliinji', with its nsc, must be Jud;;;('d by its ctl'ccts, and wlicii
tlicy bi'oti<;lit it wit'iin tlu^ i'<'asoii and niiscliicfs of the law the
}»ower of <>(»vernnient innst rejiidate them. AVeliad a lijiht to our
jioldand silver, and the disposal of it, yet conltl not coin it, We
mi.uid labor and icst, yet were disallowed to become idlers, va-
jirants or va<;abonds. We mijilit dispose of onr ])roperty, yet had
no riyht to fiand>le it olf. And to jtnnish the eifect we mij;ht re-
move the canse. .hid<>e Scates delivered the opinion of the conrt.
The i)rohibitory bill came a^aiii before the lejiislatiire in l.sr)5.
That Itody was unex])ectedly rei)nblican, or rather " fnsion" by
a combination of wiiiys and anti-Nebraska democrats. Vov the
tirst time in tiie history of the State, since the orjianization of the
Avhiy antl <lemociatic ])arties, it was not in the control of the latter.
The bill, aftei' bein^ amended by the senate, i»assed both honses,
and inider the snbmissit)!! clause went before the people for ap-
l»i(>\al.
It may not be uninterestinf;; to <>ive an idea of the ar<;ument.s
advanced for and against the nieasnie. The opjtonents held that
driiikin,ir men must l>e lestrained, if restrained at all, by convinc-
inji their jud^in«'nt that dissipation led to ruin and death ; by a
conviction that temiu'iance was the way to ja'osjjcrity, happiness,
heiilth and lon.ii'evity ; that their sympathies must be enlisted in
tiie canse by moral suasion, whicii was the only eftectual lever to
bear on such a work ; tiiat jtenal and prohibitory laws liad in
every instance, iiroved a total failure, and were calculated to pro-
voke resistance. It was hard to establish tlM» belief that liipior
uas not iiropcrty which nn ii mij^ht not defend from destruction,
and the jninciple was the same whether ten dollars worth of li-
quor was destroyed or ten millions woith.*
The friends of the bill arjuned that as the ])eoplo of this State
weic law abiding;' tiiey would not resist solx-neticent a law. Every
man in society or ji'ovcrnment had to yieh! somethinji- of his sav-
aj,'e liberty — the libeity of each was circumscriited by the e(pnil
liliertv of all. The effect of intemperance in ]troducin,!4 crime and
paupeiism <'alled forlaxalion to delray mul -iipporl a double wron<>'.
il ini,i;ht destroy a husiiand or son. in \> in .1 i lie w ife or mother had
a riiiiit of support — a form of properi;^ . 1 1 li(|M!»r was properly, so
was iron, yet c(»nvert that iron intocoiiin iiiniiij^- tools it became
contraband and lost the character of property. All thin^iswere
sacied until desecrated. Man was entitled to ])ersomd liberty,
yet inebiiation would sul>ject him to arrest under ])olic«' rej^ula-
tions; liberty was regulated ay law; <>-overnments wei-e instituted
amoni; nu'ii to promote their j;eneial welfare, and ]trevent wronji^
and injury to the rights of ]>eison.s ami i)roi)erty. The }>eneral
jiodd of the ])eo|»le was the object of all law, ami whatever stood
in the way of its iittainment shoidd be renM)ved by a])i)roi)riate
lejiislation. Finally, it simply resolved itself intoa<pu'stion whether
intemperance was an evil, and whether iidoxieating licpiors pro-
duced intemperance.t
• Illiniils Stnte Keprlster, April WO.
i Journal (111. State,) March. 1855.
COS
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
The, Jlon. 1>. S. Edwiuds, a lawyer of ability and ('iiiiiiciit
staiidiiifj, i'raiiu'd the bill, and labored eaiiiestly before; 1 lie ]ieo-
pie to secure its adoption; many others, intlneneed by pliiian-
tliropie motives, did tlie same. Tlie iState received a ])i'etty tlior-
on^li canvassin};' by si>eakers and the i)ress. J>nt politicianw, si
craven .set, with an eye ever lo tlie t'ntnro of their personal ad-
vancement, stood aloof fnmi it. 'J'hp opponents circulated f-ar-
bled coj)ies of it amonji' fanners, with l'or};('d inter])olations, foi'-
biddin;^' the niaiiufacliire ami sale of cich'r. The bill vead, if ii
man was foniid drunk and committed a breach of the ])eace, he
.should be arrested. From this tin; words "committing! a bicacli of
the peace" were omitted, it was further cliara«'teri/e(l as the j^reat
abomination oi" modern times — it circumscribed the ]»riviU',ii(' of the
citizen, it outraged his free conscience, and by its ado])ti(»ii liberty
M'onld be crnshed. The bill was defeated before the i»eople by ii
small a<><ire;;ate majority. The sonthern comities voted mostly
against it, and the northern, with the exception of Cook and IJoclc
Island, for it.
Maine Law Biot in Chicofjo. — Section ^Ct of th proliibitory bill
provid«-.l that " all laws aiitiioriziiif;' the jiiantiiij;' of licenses to
sell spiritnons, intoxicatinj^- or mixed li(iiiors shall be repealed
from and after the date of the passaj^c of this act " — February
12tli. Section o!) read : "The provisions of this act shall take
effect on the tirst jMonday of .hily next," luovided that if a major-
ity of the ballots to be dei)()sited were .'f;ai list prohibition tlien the
act was to be of no force or effee^t whatever. Section J}'.) beiii<i a
later exjiression of the will of the lejiislatnre than the contlictiiif;"
jirovision of section .'i(», accordiiij^' to numerical order, on;:;ht
plainly to liiive prevailed. In ^larch the city council of ('hicajio,
said to have been Knownothinji', rc(iiiired all persons seilinj;'
lifpior to take out licens(> at the rate of $;}()() a year. Many of the
saloonkeepers weie (Jermans. Tiiese, actiii};' under le<>al advi(;e
as to the construction of the State' prohibitory law, that the city
had no leyal authority to issue licenses from February to July,
and that every ])erson choosing to had the right to sell licjnor
Avithiii that jieriod according to secrtion ;')(!, icfiiscil to comjily with
the lequiremeiits of the council, and continued to sell liepiors.
"Warrants were issued, and some oO (ieriiian saloon-keepers were
arrested. The Cjuestion being an important one, it was comtliided
to try them before Judge Ifucker. On the <lay set (iermaiis
tl'.: iiigc*! the court room until it was iiii] ossible to ])rocee(l with
the trials. The poli(!e cleared the room, and the crow«l letired to
the next, from which, on account of their noise, they were also ex-
cluded. With the beating of drums the crowd now took jiosses-
sion of the sidewalk on Randolph street, excluded the passing ]»e-
(lestrians, and, armed with bludgeons, knives and jHutols, sjieed-
ily develojied into a mol), insultingevery one coming within range,
ami bidding detiance to th« ])olice. The latter attempted to oi)eu
the sidewalk by force, and a general melee ensued, resulting iu
tlie death of two policemen, as many Germans, and the serious
wounding of a grciit number. The streets were cleared, and order
re-established by the aid of the military ; SMi (Tcrnians were ar-
rested and lodged in jail. It was a day of outraged law, disgrace
Mm^.
MATTESON'S ADMINISTRATION.
609
aiul blood lor Cliiciifio. On the next day (Sunday,) the city was
put under martial law.
OUR COMMON SCHOOLS.
Trials Incident to the EstohJishment of the Free School StfNfem. —
The free .seliool system, enteicd iii)on in ISoo, marks the tiirn-
infi' i>oint in the history of common school education of the State..
Theri^^lit of the State to Jiiaintain su(;ii a system is founded upon
the idea that where i^noran<;e ]>rc(loniinates vice and erinu' are its
inseparable <'on<'oniitants, and that by education the masses will
be ('levated, society benelited, offenses lessened, and yood <;ov-
ernnu'nt i>r«Miioted. lint the main incentive to its establish-
ment in Illinois was the <:reat necessity that etticiency be infused
into the cause (»f education; and tiie awakeninj^ of the people from
the deep lethargy into which they had sunk to an api)reciation of
its imp<»rtaiice. Keei>in<i in \ie\v the wonderful power of money
up<»n all the affairs of men, it was inv(»ked in this case to stir them
up, and a law was devised which offered essentially a premium to
stimulate them to take hold of those beiK'tits which had been ten-
dered them for 10 years ])ast under then existing laws, but which
they had steadily refused to fully acce])t. The main feature of the
law is brin<;in<i' thestronji' hand of f;()vernment, operatiufj' through
the taxing power, to bear ui)on the ]>roi>erty of the State, and
causing it to contrilaite to the education of its youth. To effect
this was Jio easy task. Many old and deep-rooted prejudices as to
taxation for this puri)ose had to be eiadicated ; the judgment of
'lien as to its power and rightfulness was to be cominced ; false
ideas of economy for ten years sedulously ])ursued by The State,
were to be uidearned ; ignorant ]>areiits eidightened ; and teachers
of the re(piisit<' (puditications and earnestness obtained. It was a
jtroblem both <litticult and delicate; but indefatigable men labored
unceasingly for its solution, and it was finally accomplished ; and
the law and its results point an instructive lesson In the science
of government.
The ordinance of 1787, declared knowledge in connection with
religion and morality, " to be necessary to the good government
and happiness of mankind." and enjoined that "schools and tlie
means of education shall foie\ cr be encouraged." Accordingly,
congress, in the Enabling Act for this State, A])ril 18, 1818, ap-
propriated .'3 [K'r cent, of the net ])roceeds of the sales of the ])ub-
lic lands, lying within her limits, for the encouragement of learn-
ing, l-l(!th partli thereof to be exclusively bestowed on a college
or university. Two townships, one then and oiu' sometime ]uior,
were besides donated tor founding and maintaining a sendnary of
learning. The i)rocee<ls of the ."i i>er cent, fund and the sales of
the sendnary lands, were blended in 18.'{r), and boriowed by the
State at per cent., the interest to be annually distributed for
school imrposes. In 1845 the leceipts of the procee<ls of the 3
per cent, school fund were suspended for a time. Owing to the
embarrassed condition of the finances, this State, like nnniy others,
had stopped i)aying interest on lier public debt, and congress, by
resolution, ordered the 3 per cent, fund to be withheld from them
and applied t«»ward tlie payni', nt of iiderest on bonds held in trust
bv the geiu'ral goveinnu'nt. Thii; action was denounced at home
1 1'
610
HISTOKY OF ILLINOIS.
as ii ^i'l'iovoiis and iui\vaiTaiit»'<l \vi()ii<;-, but our <U'k'}{ati(»n in con-
gress riiised no voice aj;ainst it. After the Me.\i«'iin war the tree
entry ot hinds b,v land wairaiits caused the .'> j)er cent. I'und to lu;
materially lessene<l, and the lejiisiature, in lS4i(, authttrized its
proceeds to be invested in Illinois bonds, tlien low in market,
wiiich W(»idd have been a wise exi»cdient Ibr the(S preceding years
but now nothiuf'' much came of it. The seminary fund received
additions from time to tinu', as sales were nuule. and in l<S(tl, th(>
residiu' of the land was tiiriu'd over to the ajiricultural college,
the principal of the lund beinj;- ,*."»0,S.'{S. The State in IS.")! had
set apart tiie interest of the colU'^iC and seminaiy funds for tlie^
maintenance of the nornud university, excej>t one-fourtii for
the deaf and dund) asylum, in 1S.">7 the legislature added to
the common school fund the juoceeds of the sur|)lus revenue of
tlur II. S., distributed to the seveial .States by act of c(Hi<iress,
amountin;;' at that tinu', to !s!l.'>l,',,S.")(l, the State jiayinji interest
thereon at the rate of <> per cent. This fuml thus escajted bein<>-
swallowed up in the vortex of the internal impro\ement system of
that period. The seveial sums thus deiived may be calU'd the
permanent State connnon school fuml, the whole amountin;;',
when the free school system was entered upon in 1S."(,"», to )?!)."> 1,-
004, yielding an annual interest of ."is,")?, 7(H), (uie-fourth of whicli
was distributed to the deaf and dumb asylum.
r>ut a more im])oitant and really muniticent donation from con-
gress was the Kith section of every congressional township, or if
sold, lands ecpiivalent thereto, as contiguous as mij^ht be, for the
use of the inhabitants of such township for school pur]»oses.
This amounted to {)*.tS,44S SiKlOO acres, which, had it been proj)-
erly liusbiinded and managed, would have gixcn the peopU' such
an ample school fund as would have saved them from local taxa-
tion. One trouble of most new countries is that immigrants come
em])ty-handed and are both averse and unable to ])ay taxes. Sudi
Mas emphatically the case in Illinois at an early day. To the
sentiments of a i>eoi)le, law nud<ers, seeking oflice at their hands,
Avill bend, and the result in Illinois, was that as early as l.SliS,
with an em])ty treasury and the fear of providing adeipuite rev-
enue by taxation, the legislature unlbrtunately authorized the sale
of the school huu.s, ancl borrowed the ])roceeds to defray the cur-
rent public expense. At first the lands were lease<l an«l sipuitted
on to a large extent. The <»ccupants shortly <lesiring better titles,
2)osscssing the t'lcctive franchise, and being united by a common
interest, their iuHuence with our hiw-nudvcrs was suHicient to j>ro-
ciire the |)assage of laws to sell them at very low prices, and thus
this niagiidicent gift of the nation lor the liighest of purposes, was
in great part squandered. The seminary t(»wnsliii» larj!:ely shared
the sanu' fate. JJy bSo;? tlie townshij) lund amounted to $1,441, -
4L'7, yielding then an annual interest of $111,H)1. In l.S(!S the
])rincipal was )!*4,S7.'5,L'.'{2, varying in different townshii)s from $1(10
to more than $100,000, owing to l(»sses and mal-a<lministration in
the one cas<', and provident management, a later settlenu'Ut of the
districts, and fortuitous circumstances as to location in the other.
In is;}."*,, as we ha\e noted, the interest on the several school
funds thus borrowed by the State, was first distributed to tlie
counties ac<'ording to the number of children under 21 years, to
be i)aid to teachers at u rate of not more than oiie-half due them
MATTESON'S ABMINISTUATION.
Oil
for scrvict's iciidcii'd in llii' prt'codiiij? 12 inoiitlis, tlie overplus,
if any, to constilntc forever a county scIi(»oI fund, a wise pro-
vision, but I(»st in the subsequent elianjues of tlu' law. Of course
tin-re was nocoinity fund made if tiu'd istiibntixe share was lesstlian
one-indf tin' sums due to teaclntrs ; iu'nce tliere are some counties
without tliis fund. Tlu' aj>j;re^at«' county fund in IS't't was about
$,")0,()(((». In 1X52 the balance of the swamp and overflowed lands,
afl<'i' payin<i' for diainaj;!' and levees bnill to reclaim tlu'm, was
•granted totliG counties where situate, their proceeds to be ccpndly
divided amonj>' the townships for educational purposes, loads and
biidiics, as miyht be deemed exjx'dient. In IS.").'! the tines c(»l-
lected and criminal forfeit nres on bail were fuithei' added to the
school fund and s<'hooI projK'rty was exempted from taxation.
Tlie Hrst free school system of this State was adopted .'!() years
before the piesent one. Schools flourished in almost every neijih-
borluKHl, and tli<' law "worked adnuiably well."* (lov. Coles, in
his messajnc to the lejiislatuic ol" 1S24— ."), directed attention to the
liberal donation of (^on<{'ress in lands for e<lucational pnrjtoses,
askin^i' that they Ite husbanded as a rich treasure for futuic jicn-
eiations, and in the meantime to make pro\ ision for the sujjport
of l<»«'al schools. Later duiin^' the .session, Joseph Duncan, after-
ward.s ^•ov<'rnor. then a senator, introduced the bill for this act.
Tlu' preand»le declares that :
" Toenjoy our ri^Iits and iilnTtics, we must understand them ; their
sccnrity and protection oiisjfht to be tlie first ol>Ject of a I'lee ixople ; and
it is u well estal)lislied fact that no nation lias ever continued lonjf iu
the enjoyment ()t'«'lvil and political freedom which was not liotii virtu-
ous and c-niiglitened. .And lielieviuK that tlie advancement of literature
jilways iias been and ever will lie the means of more fully developing
(lie I'ights of man — that the mind of every citizen in a rej)ul)li(! is the
eonnnoii [>r<>perty of society, and constitutes die liasis of its stienj^tli and
liaj>pin( ss — it is tlierelbre consi<U red the peculiar duty of a free govern-
ni( lit, like ours, to eneourajie and extend the improvement and cultiva-
tion of the intellectual enerfj;ies of the whole."
It was |»rovided that common schools should be established,
freeaiKl ojx'n to every class <if white citi/eiis between theaj;es of .5
and 21 ; and persons over 21 mijiht be adndtted on such terms as
the trustees should prescribe. i)istrictsof in)t less than 1") fami-
Ii(>s wei'c to be fornuMl by the county courts upon petition of a ma-
Joiity of the voters theicof; oUicers were to be elected, sworn in,
and llieii- duties were |)resci-ibed in detail. The system was full
and comi»Iete in all |)arlicnlars. The le,i;al voters were empowered
at flu' annual nu'ctinjn to levy a tax, in money or meicliantable
jiroduce at its cash vahu', not <'xceedin<;- i of 1 ])er cent., subject
to a nniximinn limitation of $l(Mo any one person. lint aside
from this fax, the best and most elTcctivc feature of the law, iu
principle the nicat stimulant of our ]»resent .system, was an an-
nual appropriation by the State (d' $2 out of every $]0{) I'eceived
into the treasury, and the distiibiition of o-d of the interest arising
from the s<'liool funds, apjiorfioned anion;; the sev«'ral c(nu.ties ac-
cording to the nnndierof white children under the age of 21 years,
which sums were then re-disfributed by the counties among their
respective disfiicds, none paiticipating tliei'cin where iM)t at least
.J months .school had been taught dining the 12 nmntlis pieeed-
ing. In this law were foresliadowed some (d" the most valuable
♦ Gov. Ford.
612
HISTORY OP ILLIJfOIS.
M
*.■■
IViUiucs ol" our i»i('si'iil cHiciciit free .s(;li()ol system. But it is as-
serted tliiit the l;i\v of ISLTi \vas in iidviiiice of tlie times ; tliut the
]KM)i»le preleriiMl to pay tlieir tuition lees, (»r do without edueation
for tlieir eliihlren, raliier than suhinit to the bare idea of taxation,
liowever it ini^ht fall in th(^ nniin upon the wealthier i»roperty-
holders lor the Itenelit o'all ; and tln' law was so amended in ISliT
as to virtually nullify it, by ])rovidinj; that no person should be
taxed for the maintenanee of any school unless his consent was
iirst obtained in writinj;, and the continuance of thfc Htate tiit]>ro-
l)riation of $2 out of (^very sjiKlO reiteived into the treasury, b«'in;4'
its \cry life, was denied. The lej;islature.of ISL'T, uidiUe its ])rede-
cessor, not only in this but many other respects, was one of the
woist that lias ever afllicted the State.
After that there were reiteated amendments and revisions of tiie
school law by the lejiislature, but for the want of tlie vital prin-
ci]»le of the taxiiij^' jiower, little ellicieney was iini)arted to the
cause of education in Illiiu)js. For JcS years, it may be said, the
darkness of i;;norance hunji' over the land, unrelieved by a ray of
l)r(tmise in the rij;ht diiection. Still, zealous men labored inde-
fatijjably in the cause. In bS44 an earnest common school conven-
tion met in I'eoiia. and, after deliberation, jMessrs. .lolin S. Wrij^ht,
of Chicajno, II. JM. Weed, of bewiston, and Thomas M. Kilj>atiick,
of AVinchester, drafted a memorial to the lef^islature in favor of
an ellicient c<unmon scJiool syst«'m, which is an al)le and exhaust-
ive document on the subjectt.* To arouse i»ubli«; interest and stir
up the masses to the necessity of educatinj; their children they
deemed of ]»rime imjtortance, and to this end pleaded earnestly
for a State superintendent (»f jmblic instruction, as a separate and
distinct ollicer, with a fair salary, whose duty it sliould be, amony
other thin;;s, to travel into every county and neij;hborh(»od in the
Ptate, deliver lectures to the peoi»le, impress upon them the
importance of education, carefully examine such schools as there
were, note the ojx'ration of the existing law, learn the wishes and
plans of the ])eoi)le, and Irom sources outside of thi; State ct)lleet
such valuable infoiiuation as could be obtained respeiitin;; im-
Itrovenients, &.{'.. and I'cport from time to time to tlie legislature.
That such an ollicer would see to it that the public moneys raised
\vcre rijilitfiilly apitlied and made useful in the hifihest dejiree.
Gov. Foitl added his rccommen<lation, sayinj^' sncli an ollicer
" must be a laie man. endowed with talents, zeal and discretion
of the hifihest order.'' They further declared education a pnl)lic
benelit, indis])ensable to the welfare of the State, and as nnudi en-
titled to supi>ort from jicneral taxation as the juiliciaiy, or the
maintenance of public; liij;hways; and asked why sinj;le out edu-
cation Irom all other public beiielits and exemj^t a man's prop-
erty IVoni ]»ayiii,ii its exi»eiise. Well kiiowinj>, however, the then
cripitled condition of the State treasury, resultin<;' from the late
internal improvement scheme, they asked no contribution Irom
it, but Itoldly recommended local taxation, and frankly acknowl-
ed;;»'d that their every etfoit was intended as a lure to draw the
peo]»le into the jirasj» of th(> awful monster, a scliool tax. Let
them but j^ixe peiinission to use this monster to those so inclined,
and others, seeinju' tlie result, would fall into his embrace. In
* See 111, llepoits, 1815.
matteson's administration.
013
otlicr words, allow stick townships or «listricts as waiifed, by a
majoritv <»t'tli<'ii' k'f,'al voters, 1o adojtt this iiicthod of sustaiiiiiijf
tln'ir sciiools. The local tax would incite iiKjuiry, and insure the
faitlitnl use of the public money, both from the (State treasury and
the township fund.
The legislature at the session of 1844-5, uinible to resist the
force of this reasoning', yielded its partial assent. Actuated by a
fcelin;;' of economy, inider the jtressurt^ of tlie times, tlie secretary
of State, already l)urdened with the business of his office, was
nnule ex-ollicio State superintendent of i)ui)lic instruction ; and in
reference to local taxation it was re<piired that a two-thirds le<;al
vote of any districit concur in or<lerinf;- the tax. Coiisiderinj;' the
intluence of lar^'c property holders, who were mostly opposed to
the assessment of taxes for school purposes, it may well be ima^'-
ined that little school revemie was thence derived. Indeed the
whole of the local scJu)ol taxes for the years 1.S40-47 <lid not
amount to 1 mill on the gslOO of taxable wealth of the State. The
auditor was t« distribute the interest of the State school fund ac-
cordinji,' to the number of children in eacdi county under 20 years,
based ui)on the preceding' census, and these distributive shares
weic a^^ain to be distributed by tin; counties to the townships ac-
conlin^' to the number of children in each, under lil. But if no
tschool had been tauyht for JO months i)recedin^, the moiu'y was
to be adde<l to the i)rinci]>al of the townshi[» fund. I\I;uiy of the
fciitnresof the law of LSio are incoi'jjorated in that of IS.V).
As a (pialification for teaching', the law reipiired a knowledfjeof
reading, writing, arithmetic, ;;eo;;ra[)hy, fjrannnar and history,
wliich, .straufj^e a.s it may now apj)ear, wax far too hi.uh a standard,
nn<l nniny districts were deju-ived of their distributive shares of
tlu' State .s<rhool fuiid on this account.
Thus, whil*', tlie statute books were swollen with school laws,
tliis, like many others wliich pre(;cded it bein^' most voluminous
and anything but clear, repellinii' nearly all from reading it, the
cause of education wa.s not (jairied into as vigorous and ellicient
o^teration as mi^lit have been done under the law, and a most la-
mentjU)le ajyathy still pervaded the i)e«tple. In many <'ounties in
the northern part of the State, and notably in Cook, the schools
Mere in a Hourishiii"; condition. But out «)f the 00 i-ountij's in the
.. ..- . ... „, ^ -
State, the secretary of Stat*', ex-otlicio sui>erinteiident, in ISKi,
was able to obtain rejtorts from o7 only, as to the condition of
their .schools. The county school commissioners received very
inadequate <M)mi)ensation, and weie mostly neylijjent of their du-
ties or incompetent.
lu 1847 the standard of tlie qualitication for teachers was low-
ered, or souyht to be brou<;ht within th(^ reach of the material that
existi'd, by amendin;;' the school law so as to allow the <;Tantiiig
of certificates for any one or more of the before named branches,
as till! applicant mi^ht desire; and the requirenu'iit of a § vote
to levy a local tax was was modilled to a majority of all the legal
Aolcs of any district — whcjice it followed that a simple absen(;e
could defeat the tax, an<l as mi<;ht be eNjJected, jjfreat diihculty
wasexiierienced to induce a sullicieiit number of voters to assem-
ble, and efliciency was still in abeyance. In 1840 the qiuililication
ol teacthers was raised to the former grade, subject, however, to
Die will of directin's, as to any of the branches, and a certificate
I r
nU IITSTOItY OF ILLINOIS.
of tliat kind was valid. Tin' local tax wliii-li iiii>;lit bo levied was
limited to L'.") cents *>ii tiie -"isKM), its iMiipose t(» lu^lesi^iiali-d. lii-
eorpoiated towns and cities were allowed to <;(> to ^ti) (rents on tlie
$!(((>. Ill I.S.")I a nia.jt»iity of tiie le;iiil voters, attendiiij; at any
legally convened ineeliii"; lor llic |»iir|)ose. were allowed to levy
u local tax not exceeding fjfl on ev«Ty ><l(»() t>l the taxaltie prop
ertyoftlie distiict. The taxaltie wealth of the Slate at this tiinei-x-
eeede(l.*l(»(l,(»()(l,(IO(>, and m!.(I(I(M'<»<> nii<;lit have been raised, whi.li
added to the State school fund annnally distrilMited,aiid that of the
township, would have furnished the people an ample fund for acom-
]dete free school system, iliit it <lepeiided upon their elcetioii
to avail of it, and instead ot° :;; 1. 1 1(10,(1(1(1 and more, we lind that
tbi' the year IS,'*!' the total local ad valorem school tax in tln' whole
State amounted to only .*."il,(l()0, ln'inj;- less than one-twentieth
l)art of the limits of the law. .Mr. (lre<;^', seeretaiy of Stat*- and
sni>erintendent of public instruction at the tinu'. says: ''• I am not
awai'c that in a single instance has this been done [that is, the
full benelit of the law avaih'd ofj, nor eun any motive be assi};iie»l
for the action t>f the iieo|)le in this r<'spect, unless it ^rows <»ut of
a itreference for the sNstcni which now pievails." The school law,
in educational elfi'cts, way a dea»l letter.
As stated in the outset, the i»ro\)lem remained how to lift pub-
lic sentiment from the slouch of apathy into which it had sunk,
to the ^reat importanct^ ot education. Happily, from many
l>arts of the State the question of a ;;eneral free school system
was be<;innin;: to be agitated. The press, which had lonj; sto«)d
aloof, took hold and bc;:an to discuss the siil»ject in earnest. The
lllinoin Tcavli(t\ a publication devoted to the cause of edm-atioii
and uumberiu};' amoiij; its (tontiibutors many of the ablest teach-
ers, exerted a wide inllucnci' and did ellicient service. The linaii-
(•ial condition of the Slate, too, was under^oinj; a most desirable
change. Our ra|>id increase in population ami wealth was <iissi-
])aliii<; the clouds «d' emltarrassmeiit which for 10 years had cast
their shadow over the land, and the people beheld the future
briiiht with ]»roinise. The lailroad era had dawned iip«tn the
State, a new imiudse was j;iven to its develoi>ineiit, and its strides
to empire were uncijiialed. (Jov. AIatteson,in his iuanj^ural mes-
saj;t', ill a forcible manner <lirecle<l attention to the jireat iiiipor-
tance of a broad and <'omprehensive common school system, tree
to all alike, and sujtported by a tax ujton all the i)roi)erty in the
State, to fit the rising generation in its intellectual cajtaeity for
the proper direction of tlu^ grand futiin' of the Slate. Still there
■were in the then views of the iteojtle many weighty objecrtions to a
scheme of such extiaordinary State dictation, as it was called.
Jt was regarded as wholly at war with (he proj»erty rights of tin?
iiidi\ idual, exacting and o])prcssive to those unable or unwilling
from various motives, to favorably view or participate in the com-
mon advantages to be <lerived from it; and the h'gislatun' ad-
journed without having accomplished anything toward a solution
of the problem.
Jn December, 1853, antici[»ating an extra session of the legisla-
ture, two large common school conventions met, one at Jerseyville
eom[»osed of nniny adjoining counties, and one at liloomington,
for ihe whole Slate. These conventions, whose earnest s])irit was
widely felt, indicated not only a growing dissatisfaction with the
MATTESON'H ADMINISTRATION.
r.i.j
cxistiiifi" coiniiion scliool systtMii, Init ovinofd a riiK'iicd (It'tcnniiia-
tioii in tlic imlilii', iiiiiid to iiiiikc u radiciil diaii};'*'. Tlicsi; iiiovc-
iiiciits, iiiid the very jicnciid iippinhidion of their <'X|»r«'s.sioiiH,
were so (■iiipliiiti(; as to |ii'odiirf a 'I'.i'idcd iiiiprcssioii upon tiio
ficncial ass«'nil>i.v, wliicii uict in ]'\'l»iiiar.v followiiij;-, and to»»k the
first st('i)in tiic ri<;ht direction, 1 ythc cnactnicnt of a hiw s<'para-
tin^' tiic otiicc of superintendent of public iiistruetion frou) tiiat
of secretary of State, the former Iteinj;' ne;;Ie(;ted ou account of
tin' arduous duties (d'tlu' hitter, and creating;- it a distinct dep:'.rt-
luent of State j^overnnient, tlie incundx'nt to receive, a salary of
$l.")(l(>. IW'sidcs otlier duties, iu^ was rcipdred to diaft a bill «'Ui-
hodyiuji' a system of free educati(>n for all theciiildren of Die State,
and repoit it to tlie next {i'eiu'ral assendtly. On the loth of ^M arch,
IS.")!, (iov. Matteson appointed the IIou. N. \V. P'dwards Slate
superintenth-nt of counnon sciiools. Tiiis most important otiice,
at tiud juncture, was bestowed upon Mr. Kd wards on account of
his louj; experience in pidtlic life, and from the conviction that lie
would cai ly into etlV'ct the lH)pes of the people and the desinns of
the le;^islature in creating' it. In .January tdllowin<;' he submitted
to tli<' ^^cneral assendtly a full rei)ort upon the condition of tht!
])ublic schools throutihout tlu' State, al)ly nr^cd the education of
the children in the State at the public expense, and ))r«'senle(l a well-
drawn bill for a complete system of free schools, whi(!h, with some
alterations, became a law. And tiius the j>reat d(;sideratuni, l»n}^
souyht, was found ; and the earnest and iiulcfatij;able men, .vlio
liad laltoi'cd unceasinjily to advance the cause of education, and
who ha<l never faltered even in the darkest hours of the Statcf's
linances, were rewarde<l by belioldin*; tlie completed machinery
prepared for its accomplishment.
The act liore date Feb. lo, IHoo, and endu'aced all the essential
principles now in force. In them, as we said in the outset, is
evinced soniethinj;' of the science of government. We have noted
the educational ne<'ds of the ])eople, and how they mij;]d ha\e
l)i()\ided the means Under tln^ laws for free schools in every dis-
trict (d"tlie State, but they would not. It renniined, therefore, to
<"omi)('I them, not by force or the stronj,' arm of the jiovernuu'Ut,
but in a way who.s«' results would be fully as etlicieiit. And this
was accomplishe<l by iccojiiii/inji and enforcinj;' the ])rinciple that
the State has the sovereign rij;ht to levy and collect a snllicieiit
tax from the real and peisonal ])roperty within its limits, and ex-
jx'iid it III jiivin.n' its youth a common education. Foi' State ]»ur-
poses the school lax was fixed at 2 mills on the !jSl(t(). To this was
a<lded the intere: t from the permanent school fund, when the
whole would bejiiveii back to tIiepeo]»le, s of it in ])roi»oition to
the niimlu'rof children under 21 in each county, and the residue to
the townships, whole or fractional. In allowiiiji' territory to con-
trol .\ of the fund, which ks nnvaryinj^' in the distribution, new or
sparsely settled counties were stimulated to the establishineiit of
schools, which otherwise could not hsne, co]>od with the denser
.settlements. iJut before the Stare fund could be shared in, (cer-
tain pierecpiisifes must be coni])lied with. A free school had to
be maintained for at least (I months in the year, ami it Avas made
imperative upon the directors of every or^ianized school district
to levy such a tax annually as if added to tlie iniblic funds would
be suflicieut for that purpose; and, as if fearing that this might
.1
610
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
not prove su('(H>ssfnl, it was iiuuii' «'()lli'('tiiblf (lie saiiic as tlm State
and couiit.v tax. Ollit-r taxes niij^lit still he voliiiitiiiily ihidcd l»y
a vott' of till' piMtplf, to cxtriid tlic term of schools, build oi' rcpiiir
Hcliool lioiisi's, purchiisc sites, 6n\ The local tiix laiide thus obli-
gatory, is, ho\vev«'r, the iiiinii resoiiice of our I'ree school syslein,
vhicli, in ISdS, ajinrejiated ij« l,L'.~)0,(;7!». The pnblic school IimkI.s
hiivin;; reached the hands of the township trustees, a new rule ob-
tains as to their distribution anionj; the <listricls. To eiicoura;;o
school attendance, hair (d' llu^ I'iiikIs art^ iippoitioned on the ex-
hibits of the teuchers^ sciu-dides, iind liidf in proportion to the
number of (thildreii under 21 years old in each district. Such iiro
tlH> leadin<> and sa^^iieious combinations of the s(;heme to brin<;
education iM>arer to the ]>eople, and induce them to partake of it.
This is the force resorted to by j;(ivciiinienl to reiidei' the system
etlicient. It is essentially the ollerin;;- of laij;e yearly picnnnms
to every district to establish and nniintain a free school for its
youth.
The new schocd system showed directly a marked iiniiro\('ment
in educational efforts and results. Of the number of children in
the Slate, un<ler 151, only about one-third attcinled any kind of
school before its establishment, now the average reached nearly
half; before, the total nund)er of schools was 4, L'lo, now the num-
ber rose diri'cttly to 7,(i5U; before, the avera^ic monthly waj;cs of
teaciiers were .^L'.') for males and $12 for fenmles, now they were
reported at $4r» and 5'-7, n-sixctivcly ; and while for l(Srt4 the
school fund (interest) distiibnted was oidy $1^1,1'*'), for IHo.j it
-was )jf(»(;."),025— ^ddli.SOJ) bein<; the yield of the 2 mill tax. The
cause of education thus at (»nce received an impetus wliicli has
since not only been well niaintained but j;ainc(l vehtcity, until
to-day the free school system of Illinois, amon;; the very best iu
the Union, is one of the ]»rondest and noblest monuments which
she has elected alonj;' the lii;;hway of her career toward j;reat-
ness, and who will dare to raise his ruthless hand to tear it down i
But now a new leatnre of oi)i)osition to tiie new scliool system
was suddenly develoiu'd, which clouded the vision of some of its
stanncliest friends, and threatened its destruction. This yrcw
ont of the collection and distribution of the 2 mill tax, whit-h acted
very nnetpially in the ditfeient counties. Thus, from ("ook was
collected $.'{(>,(l()(hnore than she received back as her «listributive
share; Sangamon ]»aid into the State treasury $2.'},i;)2, and
received back .*! 1,027; and from all the wealthier and more poi>ii-
lons eonnties, with vaiyiu}; amounts, the same results obtained;
vliile others — for instance White— contributed $2,o7!) as her share
of the 2 mill tax, and received back a distributive share of
$5,409, a yain of ovi'r 100 ]»er cent.; Pope paid in $l,0.~)r), and
received $4,230, and Hardin paid $S04, and received back $2,417,
beiny nn)re than 4 times the sums raised. AVhilc the i»eoj>le had
been yradmdly biou^ht to view as but ri;;ht that one man's juo-
perly might be taxed to defray the exjtense of tcachin;;' another's
child, the idea that one county shonld similarly contribute to
another, ])crhaps hnndreds of miles distaid, was rejiai'ded as the
essence of injustice. In many ])arts of the State tlunr (complaints
•were loud and deep, and nu'ctinys were held in bS.'iG seveiely de-
nonnciiifi' the law, and requirinji' of can<lidates for the Icjiislatm-e
pledyes to favor its niodilication or repeal. It was manifest that
M attkhon's ai):\i i m k r u ation.
017
a f1ii;iTiiiit wroiifj cxistt'd soiiu'wlu'n', and it ri'slcd, ddiibtlcss, in
;:r(>:it piirt witii the iiii('(|iiiil ViiliiiUions of ical and pcrsuiial
])i'(i|M>i't,v in till' ditlcrciit counties, as in San;:ani<in lands were
valned at $12M; in Christian, $;{.(>«»; in White, i!<L'..VJ, ^Sic.; hnt
e(|iiali/ati(»n of assessments ronid nctt wholly remedy it — tlui
spirit iind cardinal piineiples of the free school system were that
tin* i»roperty an«l wealth of the State, should bear the hurdi-n of
edncatinji' its youth, no iimtler in whose hands it was, nv whero
silnate. Tin; framers of the law had huilded hettei' than they
Knew, and with tiiis l)road idea, compreluMided in its fullest sense,
the etlorts at amendmeid Ity the le;;islatnre in IS'u proved abor-
tive. It is the vital juinciple of the law t(t day,
Tlu're bein^' still a ;^reat dearth in teachers, and with tlu^ vi(nv
also to attain nniforniity in the modes of teaciiin<; and conducting'
si'hools, at the session of 1857 the State Nornnd University was
e«(ablislic'd at IJIoonnngton.
Chai'ikk XLIX.
DUELS IN ILLINOIS, AM) ATTK.MITS AT DUELS.
Affairn of Honor and Permnul JUffivtiltieH,
Tlic sciil of Illinois liiis liccii l»l(»o(lstiiiii<'(l hiil coiiiiNinitivcly ,'i
finv times l»_v llic l»iirit;iroiis codcdiit'llo. Tiiosc licn-f iiii<l iiiipl.u'ii-
blc jiii.s.sions wliicli in <•(^nt^o^ ('is,v know no linal arj^unicnt hut mor-
tal coniltat have not found con^icnial cultuic on tlif level plains of
tlic I'raiiic Slate, '"he reeoids and details of the a«:tiial duels fou;;lit
are pailieidaily nu'af;i'e, ohseuie and unsatisl'aetoiy. lint we aru
temj)ted to ii'wi' what there are. Of the (irst duel fou;;ht within
the jtresi-nt linuts of this State Ity residents, the names of the prin-
cipals even are not transmitted. All that we have l)een al)le tt»
liiid recorded re;;ardin;; it may be found in lieynold's Tioncer His-
tory, in the words folhtwiny :
"At the time the i']nylisli ti'oops camo to talio possi-ssion of
Fort ("hartres, |17(mJ, two younj; otlicers, one French and the
other 10nj;lisli, luid a misunderstanding;' at the Eort. This quar-
rel ai'ose as did the war ot the (Ireeks aj;ainst the Trojans, on
account of a lady. These otticeis fouf;ht with small swcuds early
on a Sunday morniii;;', near the fort, and in the comUat one was
killed. 'J"he other left the fort and descended the riv<'r. J was
inlormcd of the above duel nearly oO years aj;o, by u very ajicd
French man, \lv informed me of the details, and said lie was lucs-
ent and saw the combat." L'eynolds wrote this about IS,")!*, and
lie must hiive received tlu^ information when lie was barely lU
years old.
The next duel of wliieli we have any record, occurred in 1<S(){>,
and may Ite found in the same book. It proved a bloodless aH'air
at the time, but an anjiiy quarrel ^-rew out of it, resnltinji atter-
wards in the dastardly assassination of one of the ])rincipals.
The duel was arianyt'd between Ivice Jones, son of .lt)lin Iviee
Jones, a Welchman, theliist and also oiu' of the ablest lawyers
llliuois has ever known, and Shadraeh Bond, afterwards the iirst
jiovernor of the State. Jones, the elder, settled at Kaskaskia in
171K), but u])on the foiination of the Indiana territory, which in-
ebuU'd Illinois, renioved to the ca]»ital, Vincenues, where lie at-
tained prominence. The son ])ossessed a hi<;h order of intelUnrt,
was well educated, and located at Kaskaskia in 1<S(H» to practiv;e
the j)rofessiou of the law. He diifti'd into ]K)litics, and by his
rare ability sjieedily attained to the leadership of hisjjarty. Jle
was elected a member of tlu^ teiritorial lej^islature, which met at
Vin(;ennes. His talents, prominence and influence was distasteful
to the opposite party, if it did not arouse jealousy iu his own.
018
DUKLINU.
nio
Tlic qiUMtioii i)t' piihlic iiiti-i:>Ht, mid no litllc vinilciit ('Xcitciiiciit
at llic time, wlis the division olllu' ti'iiiloiy by llic th'tiU'liiiM'Ut of
lliiimis. Voiiii;; .loiK's iiiid ISoiid Ix'Ciiiiic iiivoh <mI in ;i pci'soiial
cnnlinvcr.sy ; a rliiillfii<;r and acccplanrt' lollowcd, and the par-
ti<'.s nift foi- mortal rond>at on an island in tin- Mississippi, ))«-t\vc«-n
niMi'dci'oiis an aM\ania;;r oi nis a<iv<'i'sar\ , cxclainii'd mat ''it was
an accidt-nt," and ifl'iiscd to lii<-. 'I'o condnrt so noble tlic nature
of .baics at once it-.spondfd in an aniicaltic spiiii. 'i'lic two prin-
<-ipals I'cconcilfd tiicir diDiruit v and (putted liie Held witboiit liir-
tlit'i' *-ontli<-l. Ibit tlie i;;Mol)l(' (-(MKlnct of Dnnlap lankled ami l(>(l
to*a r«-l«'ntl('ss ipiaiicl brtwcrn Immi and .b)nfs. Hatred ;:rew'
.Ill i:....ii. ii i: I 1 1 ..I' It.. ..I... •. .1 I.:...
II l>~^ I I H I l\>^* 1 II I li^ II 1 I I r^> I 111 11(1 I 11 I « M (I I I I 11 III II 1 > 4l>'^>^(l>^.'M I I ^ I II I 1 Ml^ II
a I'eihl en^icndei'ed i),V tiie most foolish ndsealled code of iionor, in
tliel'Stli _v<'ar of ids aj^c, jteibaps the most promisin;^' younj; nniu
of the period. His untimely death, eonpled witii the manner of
it, shocked the whole comniMnity, which sincerely monrned his
loss. His ninrd«'rer escaped to Texas and siiccessfnll,\ exaded tlu)
Just lainishmcnt tine him fiom an earthly tribunal. In ISina law
wa.s adopted by Uw governor and judjics. t(t suppress the prac-
tic<' of duelin;;, wIMcli c(mstituted a fatal result in diicliiij; mur-
der, makinj; the aidi'rs, abettor.s or counselors ]trincipals in tiie
Clime.
Still later, in the sanu' work, ;;ivin;j; a sketch of the well kiiowji
and <lanntless jtioncer Kector family, consi^tin<^■ of *.) sons and 4
tlauuhteis, ami recounting; the deeds of valoi' perfornu'd by sonui
ot thcni in the west dnrinj; the war of l.SlL', the author records
that *"Thonnis JJector, on(^ of the younjicr brothers, had a duel
M'itli .T(i<liiiti lltirfitii nil llliwiilv l<]<iitil nitiwi^itit S\f I.ftiii<.: '>Mil
17 11 '
]»robably sometime diirinji' the war of ISlii. Uloody Island, within
the jurisdiction of Illinois, was more frctpu-ntly the conxcnieiit
and safe battle j^round resorted to by St. Louis or ^lissouri bel-
lijii'ients for the settlement of their personal dilticidties by the
barbarous Idles of the bloody code, than lllinoisans, ami this i.s
(Sidd to have given origin to the horrid name by which the island
Avas km)wn.
The n«'xt and last duel w hicli icsulted fatally between Illinois
eitizen.s and upon its soil, was fought within tlie limits of Uelle-
ville, in February, ISl!), between Alonzo ('. Stuart and ^Villian^
BeiMU'tt. It grew out of a druukencarousal in which besides the
eond»atants, many citizens of St. Clair couidy i)articii)ated.
Stuart and JJennett fell out, and with the view to having some
!!«■
620
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
rare sport niul inaldiift' a butt of BiMiiii'tt, it was proposed ainoiiif
tlic outsiders tliiit flics*^ two, to settle tlieir qiinrirl, should liylit
a sliiiiu duel. tStuart was let into tlie secret but IJeniiett was kept
in tiie dark. Both parties readily agreed to the duel. Niitliiiii
Fike iind .Iae(»b Short aeted as seeonds. The weaiKUis selected
were ritles, which were loaded with ]»owder oidy. The coinl>at-
ants fearlessly took their i»osition on the Held at 40 paces, and at
the proper sij;nal, Bennett tired with j^ood aim, and to the horror
of every one present, Stuart fell mortally wounded in the breast
and expired almost instantly. Stuart, to hi<>hten the merriment
ayaiust his anta{;onist, had not tired his weapon at all, but Ben-
nett, i)robably .suspecting a cheat or trick, and animated by malice
was ])roven on the trial to liave secretly slipjx'd a ball into his
ritie. Stuart was a most estimable citizen and his untimely death
was deeply and generally regretted.
Bennett and the two seconds, Fike and Short, were arrested and
im]>risoned. In the spring they Aveie indicted i'or murder. Daniel
1*. ("ook was prosecuting attorney, and Thomas M. JJenton, «)f St.
Louis, appeared tor the defendants. A se]»arate trial was granted
and the two seconds were ac(piitted. The transaction was con-
denuied, yet as it clearly appeared that the seitonds intended no
harm, the verdict was generally approved.* Next Bennett was to
be tried, but having leanu'd that the testimony elicited in the other
oases was damaging to him, he broke Jail and made his escape
into Arkansas, lli.s whereabouts was some two years later dis-
covered, and by means of artifice, ("which was not ai»i»r(>ved,"
says Beynolds, tlur Judge, who sat in his trial), he was taken back
to Melleville, tried in LSlil, at a sjjecial term of the court, con-
victed of nuirder, sentenced and executed.
(Jov. Bond was strenuously and clamorously besieged for a
considerable time Avith petitions praying a i>ardon for the dt)omed
man, but without avail. He, who on the Held, as avc have seen,
was unwilling to take an advantage of his deadly foe, would not
yield to entreaty in this case, and William B<'nnett <langled at
the rojte's end till he was dead, in ]>resenceof a gieat multitude
of spectators, who doubtless took in a great moial lesson. To
the advocates of the code, his fate must have appeared ])eculiarly
hard. They may have well conceived that ISennett, in igiuuance
of the sham intended, by ])utting a ball into his ritle was but
doubly assuiing his defense against an adversaiy who was enti-
tled to an ecpud chance with him. But fatal dueling was nuirder
in the eye of the law, as it ever should be.
iStone Dnel. — Anuuig the motly and heterogenious collection of
men at the Galena lead mines in ISl'i), representing almost every
nationality of the civilized world, together with a sprinkling of
Indians, on the lioly Sabbath might be v.itnessed, within the limi-
ted area of the town, the preaching of the gospel, dancing, all
manner of gambling and horse-racing under tlie hill — it was, i)er-
haps, not astonishing to them that a duel, exceptionable and
outlandish in form, should therealsobe fought. This was nothing
less than a deadly set to by the throwing of stones. The chas-
tisement intlicted by such a combat is something feiul'ul to cou-
• Hcynolds' Life and Times.
DITELING.
621
t('in])l;itc — better be shot into rrii<j,iiieiits tbiiii bruised iuid iiiiinj;l('<l
to death with stones. The name of but one of tlie itrincipalss in
tliis liylit is recorded — the same Thomas llijij^ins of whom we
lniv(; already related a marvelous Indian rencontre durinji' the
Avar of 1.SI2. A (luarrel between him and another was arrani^cd
to be settled by this cruel wa^crof battle. A pile of stones care-
fully assorted, both as to number and size, was placed witiiin
easy reach of the stand or post of the respective combatants,
who took their i)ositions ten ])aces ajiarr. The dreadful (tontlict
vas to o]ien by the hurliii};' of these stones at each other on a
given signal from the seconds. The stones flew fast and thick
ioi' a moment, but the battle was of short duration, llijij;ius pro-
\\uiX too brave, dexter<»us and poweiful for his adversary, who
lied ill great precipitation to save his life.*
We now approach a period of something less than two years in
the annals of of Illinois, exceedingly rife with belligerent bluster.
The legislative session of 1840-1, attended by much ]K)liti(;al strife
and vengeful ]»artisan legislation, was also fruitful of threatened
combats and "affairs of honor" betwi^en mend)ersand otlie)' oHi-
cial dignitaries. Indeed, one hoiioiable senator, ]Mr. Ihutker, fond
of making a good jtoint, improved the occasion to move the sus-
pension of the dueling law for two weeks, to accommodate all the
doughty and chivalrous gentlemen with full oi)portunity to settle
their personal dillicnlties. The occasion of this was a ])eisoiuil
question between two senators, ]\Iessrs. E. ]). linker and .ludge
rearson. The former, smarting under the epithet of "falsohootl,"
threatened chastisement to the latter by a "list-fight" in the public
street. I'earson de(;lined making a "l;lackguard" of himself, but
intinuited a readiness to light as gentlemen, accor«ling to the code
of honor.t
Tli(» exciting presidential contest of 1840 resulted in tlie defeat
of the democracy. The chajiriu of the dominant party in Illim)is,
Avhich had goiu^ democratic, seems to have imi>elled them to pro-
ceed to any length to secure absolute control of every dei>artmeut
of government in (he State. The two questions before the legisla-
ture in 1840-1 to secure these revengeful ])artisan ends, weic a re-
peal of the State bank charters, ami the reorganization of the ju-
diciary. It had been assumed by the democrats that the su])reme
court, which was com]»osi ' (»f 3 Miiigs and 1 democrat, would
decide the (ialena alien case, pending lor some time, against
the aliens, and against the wishes and iiit<'rests of that party. To
prevent this, or to overrule a decision fraught with such dire re-
sults to that party, 5 democratic judges were added to the court.
The mo.tsure, h)oked upon as a revolutionary one, was lesisted
step by step by the whigs; the debates iiuMdent to it took a wide
range, were often bitter in persoi al invective and defiant contra-
dictions, and threats of combats ami affairs of honor were not un-
freqiieiit. Among others in " se debates, the Hon. .1. J. Ilardiu
slioiMi with unwonted powe. and brilliancy. In oiw of his speeches
the Hon. A. K. Dodge, of Peoria, discovering, as he thought, an
indignity personal to himself, took excei)tion, and an "affair"
seemed imminent. The controversy was referred to "friends," the
'Heynolds' Life nnd Times,
+See ill. Stute Kcffister, Feb. 12, 1841
622
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
spciilcin- Hon. W. ]>. Leo Ewiiifj, and Win. A. Ki('liiir<ls()n acting
for Dodjic, and .1. .1. lUown and 10. 1>. AVcbb for Ilardin. These
ros]»('('ti\(', and we will add, sonsihlc and jndi(!iou.s "friends," re-
ported as follows:
"111 the matter of controversy and niisunderstandingexisting between
the Hon. J. J. Hardin and the Hon. A II. Dodge, tlie underKigned (the
respective friends of tlie parties,) believe tliat no cause of (juarii'l now
exir*ts ; tiie Hon. J. J. Hiirdiii disavows the imputation of falseliood as
aiJplicd to tlie Hon. A. K. Dodge personally — but was and should be un-
derstood as denying tlic cliargt- that the whig jiarty was opposed to ex-
tending the rigid of suffrage to uiinaturalizeil foreigners ; and to tlie
ciiarge in general terms he apjilied the ei)ithets ''falsehood and calumny,"
and not to Mr. Dodge ; the uudersigned, on this statement of the case
and the facts, pronounce theditriculty honorably and amicably arranged
ami settled, and should be so received by those gentlemen.
Hereunto we set our hands."
Another " affair" j;id\vin<>" out of tlio same ]iart!san moastire,
which jiained coiisidciahlc notoriety at the time, .iiid which went
a step farther, was that of the [I, hi. Tiieoidiilns W. Sniitli, one of
tlie supreme jiidjics, and the lion, .lolin A. ]\Ic('lernand, then a
yonnjiinemher of the house. ^IcCh'rnand, as we liave seen, had
some two years jirior received the ap[»ointnient of secretary of
State from (lov. Carlin, but the oldincnnibeiit, A. V. Field, a wliif>',
refused to yield np the otiice to him, in wiiicli the supreme court
had sustained him. .Much partisan I'eeling had been stirred np
against the court in connection with this ease. JMcCleriunul now
took a leading' and very active jiart in the jiassage of the act
uliicli returned the old sui»reme Judges to the<lrndgery of circuit
duty. He made an aciimonioiis speech against the whig mem lers
of tlie court, charging tliat a majority of that tribunal liad opinions
]»repaied at one time to deciih' the alien case adversely to tiiat
class, and that bnt recently tlie whig judges, with the view to iii-
tiiience legislation upon the judiciary bill, had evaded the consti-
tutional (piestion in the case, and decided it njion an nniiniiortant
jioiiit. Jle had this information, it seems, from S. A. J)oiiglas,
but held himself jicrsonnlly rcsjionsible also for the asseitioii.
fliidge Smith (democrat,) had given currency to tlies(^ rejiorts
against his associates, bnt now, at the re(|uest of J. J. Hardin, he
joined them in a published card denying that such ever was the
iact. A immber of gentlemen in their cards sustained JMcClernand
that Smith had given out sncli reiiorts. The issue of lin^t being
thus nairowed down against this functionary of the suiireiiie
bench, and placed thus in no very enviable position before^ the
])ul)lic and liis associates, Ik^ was stung to tli<^ sending of a note to
jMcC'leinand by the hands of his "frieml," Dr. ^lerriman (said to
liave Ix'cn an old rover of the high seas, and who, we shall see,
was mixed n]» in nearly all the "affairs" of that period,) pennetl
in sncli discieet language that it might be construed into a chal-
lenge or not; btit the impetiions ]Mc("lei'nan<l iiromjitly accepted it
as a challenge, holding his second resp(>nsible if his jirincipal should
attempt a ditfereiit interpretation, and, without fuitlier parley, a.s
tin' challenged party, named the place of meeting, which was to be
in Alissonri ; the time, early ; the wea]ions, rifles; and distance, 40
l»aces.* This meant business, as the phrase now goes. We have
' The III Stnto JniirnnI nt' Fikluy, Mtirch 0th, 1801, in evident allusion to this cose,
gives the distunce at OU yards
DUELING.
G23
btH'ii diiiibk' t()<»btaiii ii view of tlie ('oitc'S](oii(1(>ii(U' lu'twi'di the
lu'llif^t'iyiits, wliic'h was not puhlislicd, Imt Icaiii from reliable au-
tlioiity, that with this seiioiis asi)('(;t of the ease, .losiah Laiuboni,
the attorney fteneral of the State, lodged a eonipliint before, a Jus-
tice of the peace at Spriiifi'ield, wherenpon a warrant issued and
tlie pnf>iiaci(»as <>-entleinan of tlie. judicial ermine was arrested and
placed under bonds to keep the peace. The '* affair " bein^' thus
interinpted, Judp' Smith took Iiis dej)arturt for Chicago to enter
upon theduties of his ciictnit. This unexi»ected termination of the
"atfair" afforded no little merriment to the old-time wags and
jokers about the cai»ital.
Shields and Lincoln. — In the summer of 1S4L*, at tlie worst pe-
riod of the hard times, when l>oth the Stat<' bank with itsbranchea
and tile Shawneetown bank had tinall.v collapsed with a circnlii-
tiou of $-i,r)(»(),()(K), about the only circiilatin;; medinni the peojile
had; ilie notes hardly wortli oO (U'lits on the dollar, {^old and sil-
ver very scMi-ce, business prostrated and tlit; people dejected,
(loveriior Carlin, Ainlitor Shields and Treasurer Carpenter, as
"orticers of Stat<'," issued their ])roclaniation, notifying the va-
rious tax collectors that the revenue would have to be i)aid into
the treasury in .si»ecie or at specie rates, that the State bank
notes would not betaken at their face value, and that they would
be hi'hi ri'sponsible for any deficit between their current value
and s[)ecie. Whereupon the collectors demanded jjold and silver
or its equivalent from the peoi»le in payment of their taxes. This
was a peat hardship at the time. An act of 1«S.'>() had authorized
the collection of taxes in State bank i)aper, j^iving discretion,
liowever, to the governor, auditor and treasurer, to snsi)end this
jnovisioii of the law and demand payment in specie. The notes
of the Shawneetown bank were not coxcred by the law. l»ut
by another act of bS."i{(. it was declared generally and without re-
servation, that the ])aper of both the State banks and Shawnee-
town bank should be received in ]»ayment of taxes — the act of
l.S.{(» not iM'iiig in terms repealed. Tliese State otiicers, however,
took the view that the law of 1<S.'U» was still in force, and they
deemed it their duty to ])rotect the interests of the State by de-
inainling the revenue in specie or its e<piivalent. They held that
the law of 18,'5;>, allowing ])aynieiit of tax«'s in bank ]»aper meant
and intended that that paper should be receixcd only at its actual
value on a specie standard. This a<'tion of the State otlicials pro-
voked much feeling and opposition tlirougiioiit the State. Indig-
nation meetings were held by the jn'ople. irrespective of party,
for it concerni'd all alike, the action <lenounced and resistance to
its enforceiiK'Ht threatened. It was charged that these otlicials
aimed only at securing their fees and salaries in specie from a dis-
tressed people. The <lemoerati(; i>ress, to a certain extent, like
the whig, characterized it as an unwarrantable assumption of
authority. The jiressure became so great that in a shoit time a
supplemental proclamatiiui was issued suspending the (collection
of the taxes of 1S42 until the meeting of the legislature. What-
ever may have been thv'w jxtwer to enforce the collecction of taxes
"n specie, the susiieiHliitg of the collection altogether was certainly
beyond their province.
624
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
]\lr. Lincoln, in an artide pnbli.slicd in the Sanf/nmo Journal,
of 8t*i»t('inlK'r 2(1, 1S42, datcMl ''Lost Townsliip, Aug-. 27," and
signed "Jicbecea," attacked tliiss avti(tn of tlie "otlticersctf State"
pretty roughly, though done in a jesting .style. The foiin of a
dialogue is adopted, rei)resi'ntinga (leniocratic neighbor of '*Aunt
Becca's," who lias •'tugged" hard getting out his wheat t<t raise
bank p;ii»er enough to pay his taxes and a snndl school debt
which he owes, and just after he gets his money, in looking over
the iStdfc J\'e(fi,ster, he is confronted with the prodanuition forbid-
ding tax collectors and s(;hool coinniissioneis to receive bank pa-
l)er, whereupon he indulges in some intem[)erate language against
these otlicials in general, denouncing them as a hypocritical set
who disgrace their places, which ouglit to be tilled with nu'n who
will do more work for less pay and take lewer airs while doing it.
Auditor Shields is especially assailed, lie alone had signed the
su])i>lemental proclamal-ion suspending the collection of the rev-
enue tor thecurient year. lie is called a liar and a fool — dull as
a " cake of tallow" — for presuming to make an order so illegal.
But that was not all. (Shields was a bachelor, and his aj)pear-
ance at a fair in the city is caricatured, his demeanor criticisi'd,
and he is named a ''conceited dunce." The article is somewhat
long, cutting and humorous, but abounds in such indelicate allu-
sions generally as to render it untlt for insertion in this work. The
fanciful idea, as reitresented by some of the since great n)an'8
biographers, that it was a poetical eHusion of a lady, and that
when the author was denuinded Mr. Lincoln in a spirit of gallan-
try gave his name, nniy be dismissed as a delusion.
The mercurial blood of the Milesian gentlenuin thus assailed,
was sent to the top of the tube. He demanded of the editor,
Simeon Francis, the luune of the author, and that of Mr. Jjincoln
was given to him. Ihning a pre-arranged trij) to make to Quin-
cy on public business, on his return, in company with Ciejt. AN h'te-
side as his "friend," he jtursued Mr. Lincoln to Tremout in Taze-
well county, where the latter was attending court, and imme-
diately sent him a note, stating that his name had been given liim
by the editor as the author of the Kebecca paper "and leijuiring
a lull, i»ositive, and absolute retraction of ail otfensive allusions"
iinule to him in relation to his "j)rivate charactei' and standing as
a man, or an apidogy for the insults conveyed." In the meantime
Dr. Merrinian and William Butler of Springtield, having learned
the errand of Shields to Fremont, had started a few hours later,
and by riding all night had ])reeeded Shields and AVhiteside in
their ariival there. They informed 3h'. Lincoln what he might
t>xi)ect. In the evening of the saiiu' day, September 17, ^Ir. Lin-
coln answered Shield's note, refusing to olier any explanation on
the grounds that Shields' note assumed the fact of his (Lincoln's)
authorship of the article in the Journal, not pointing out what
the otfensive part was, and aecom[tanying the same with menaces
as to consequences. Mr, Shields on the same day, addressed him
another note, disavowing all intention to menace; inquired if he
was the author of the article in question and if so, asked a re-
traction of the ott'ensive nuitter relating to his private character.
Rtill technical, Mr. Lincoln returned tliis note with the verbal
statement "that there conhl be no further negotiation until the
thst note was witLdrawu." Mr. Shields now sent u note designa-
DUELING.
r.2r>
tiiij; (icn. Wliitsidc us his friend, to wiiicli Mr. liiiicidii iiishmtly
replied Ity iiiimiiiii Dr. Merriiiiiui as liis i'rieiid. Tliis was on Mon-
day iiMiriiiii.t;' tlie l!Hii <d" SejtteMiher.
Tliesetwo "fiieiids" now secretly itle<l<>(>d tlieir honor to eaeli
othisr to a^i'rei' upon some amicable terms and compel their [»riii-
cipals to Mceept tiiem ; and to ]»iocrastinute tlio nnitter adJoniiuHl
i'lirllier ]>roceedinfis to S))rin;:lield, wnillier all parties re])airedex-
('e]tl Siiields. wiiose iioise was lame — tiie two s«'eonds. Whiteside
and Mei-riani, ridinj^' in tlie same bujijiy, thon<ili i)ai't of tlie time
Whiteside r(»(le with Lincoln. Merriman saysthatthe ''valorous
•i'eneral" iiej^iiiled the tedium of the joniiiey by reeoiintinji- hisex-
l>loits in many a well fonmht battle,'dan,i;('i's l,y tlood and lield,
doubtless with a view to i)roduce a salutory effect on his nerves
juid impress him with a i)roper noticm of his lire-eatinfi' piojtensi-
ties. They airive<l at Sprinj^iield latelNlonday ni;:ht, and Mr. Lin-
coln to prevent arrest, left early on Tuesday niorninj;' for .Tackson-
ville, in ('omi)any with Mr. Butler, leaving the following instruc-
tions as a guide to ])i'. .Merriman :
'' In case Wlutesides shall sifjjnify a wisli to adjust this affair without
furtiier (lifHcidty. let him know that if the present papers he withdrawn
and a note from Mi-. Shields, askinjf to know if I am the author of the
articles of wliicii he complains, and asking? that I shall make him gen-
tlomaidy satisfaction, if I am the author, and this without menace or
dictation as to what that satisfaction shall be, a pledge is made that the
following answer shall be given:
" T did write the " Lost Township" letter which appeared in theJour-
«'(/ of the -i\ inst., but liad no participation, in any form, in any other
article alluding to you. I wrote that wholly for })olitical efiect. Iliad
no intention of injuring your personal or private character or standing
as a man or gentleman ; and F did not then think, and do not now think,
tliat that article could produce or has produced that efl'ect against you ;
and liad I anticipated sucIj an effect wouhl luive forborne to write it.
Anil I will add that your conduct towards me, so far as I know, had
always been gentlemanly; and that I had no personal pique against
you, and no cause for any."
" If this should be done, I leave ' with you to manage what shall and
what shall not l>e published. If nothing like this is done, the prelimi-
naries of the fight are to l)e:
1st. l(r<(;)r<»ji— C'avalry broad swords of the largest size, precisely
equal in all respects and such as are now used by the cavalry company
at .Jacksonville.
2d. J'ii.iiiio}i — A plank ten feet long, and from 9 to 12 inches broad,
to be firmly fixed on edge, on the ground, as the line between us which
neither is to jiass his foot over on I'orleit of his life. Next a line drawn
on the ground on either side of said plank, and parallel with it, each at
the distance of the whole length of the sword and 3 feet additional from
the plank ; and the passing of his own such line by either party during
the fight, shall be deemed a surrender of the contest.
3d. Titne — On Thursday evening at o o'clock, if you can get it so ; but
in no case to be at a greater distance of time than Friday evening at 5
o'clock.
4th. /*(?(•(?— Within .S miles of Alton, on the opposite side of the river,
the particular spot to be agreed on by .you.
" Any preliunnary details conung within the above rules, you are at
liberty to nuike at your discretion, but you are in no case to swerve from
these rules or pass beyond their linuts."
The position secondly proscribed for the combatants on the liehl
looks ji good deal like the cropping out of one of Liin^oln's irre-
])ressible j(dves ; as if Loth were placed out of harm's way, and
that they nught beat the air with tlieir trenchant blades forever
40
620
HISTORY OF -LLINOIS.
iiiid not coiiu", witliiii (liiiiiiij;iii^' ivacli ol' ciicli oilier, iiiil il must
be rciiiciiilx'ictl t!i:i1 Sliii'hl.s' ii(lvci.Niiry \v;i.s woiidcil'iilly piovidcd
willi iciicliiiiji' powers.
These iiistructioiis to Dr. .Merriiiiaii, to«;etliei' witli tlie terms of
tli(^ hostile meeting', were read l»v liiiii lo (ieii. Wliiteside. wlio, in
tlie absence ol'iiis principal, deciiaed aj^reein;; upon terms of set-
tleiiieiil until they should meet in Missouri. l»esides, Sldelds auil
AN'hiteside both held States ollices, the latter bein;; fund commis-
sioner, and to liiive accepted the challenjie would ha\t' interfere*!
with their <»aths of ollice and the laws of the State. Alljiarties
now left f(U' the held of coudiat.^Ir. Lincoln (who had };one be-
fore,) ami his party \ ia .Jaelvson\ilh', wlure they were joined
by l)octor iiiedsoe, and where they procured the weapons;
and Shields, whom Whiteside went to meet, \ ia ilillsixiro, where
they were Joined by (ieu. iCwiuji, and at Alton, which they icached
ill ad\ance of the other party, they were further joined by J)r.
Hope.
lloth parties shortly after, bein^' Thursday, crossed the river to
]\Iissouri. In the meantime (ieii. Hardin ami J)r. 10n};lish had also
arrived, who now, as the mutual friends of both parties, presented
the following proposition:
"Alton, Rkpt. 22,1843.
"JIfc.wrs. niiitfxidi- and Merriman : As the miitunl pcrsomiL fiionds ol' Mi ssis. Shields
and Lincohi, liut witliout iiutliority from either, wn eiiincslly dfsirc u rccoiicilialioii
ol tlu' inisiindcisiiiiidiiiM: wliicli exists lie twee ii tlieiii. Siieti dillicultieR sliuiild ulwiiys
be itriMMjred iiiiiieahly, if it is possilile tixlc) so, witti lioiKir to liol h iiiiitics IJolievin;?
oiirsolvi'S tlisit SMcli iirnmjreiiieiit e.iii possildy lie ellected, we respect fully l)iit emn-
estly subtnit thi' followin'r proposition for your eoiifiiderutioii: Let tlio whole dillleully
he siil>niitted to four or more jieiil lemen, la be selected by yourselves, who stuilli.'oii-
sider llieiilbiir, and report Lhcrciipon for your eonsideriition.
JOHN .T. IlAltDINf.
K. W. ENULIiSU."
This proi)osition was submitted to tlio respective principals,
"wii(» both sijiuilled a disi)osition to accommodate the alfaii', and it
Avas accepted with slij^ht modilication — Mr. Shields declining to
settle the matter throuf;h any other than the friends he liad
already selected. The following etfrrespondeuce then took place,
wlricli ended this most ridiculous controversy :
"Mr.ssouur, Sept. 2;.', 1842.
''G6ntktnai:-~A\\ papers In relation to the matter in controversy between Mr. Shields
and Mr. liincoln, having!- been withdrawn liy the friends of the parties eoneerned, the
friends of Mr. Shields ask the friends of .Mr Lincoln to explain all otfensive matter in
the arlielcR which iippcarcil in the S(iii(i(im<i JmiiiKil of the M, iuh and Ititli of Septem-
ber, over thesimiatiire of Uebecea, and headed •Lost 'I'ownship '
It isdueto(ien Hardin and Mr Knjflish to state that their interference was of the
moBt courteuua and geiitiemanly character.
JOHN D WHITESIDE,
WM. LKEl). EWINU,
T. M. JJOHli."
' Missouri, Sept. 22, 1843
"QeiitUmen : All papers in relation to the matter in controversy between Mr. Lincoln
and Mr. Sliields luiviiiR- been withdrawn by the friciicis of the parties eoneerned, we,
the wnder-iuned, friends of Mr. Lincoln, in accordance with your renuest, that an ex-
planation of Mr. Lincoln's publieiition In rthition to Mr. Shields in the ^'«7I(/((Hi() c/oiir-
»i(i/ of the 2d, !)tli and lOth of September, be made, lake iileasiire in sayintf that
althoiiL'li .Mr. tyincoln was the writer of the article sitrned Kebecea in the Jaunial of tlio
2d, anil lliat only, yet he had no intention of injuring the personal or private character
or slamlinM: of Mr. Shields as a freutleman or a man, ami tliat Mr. Lincoln did not think,
nor does luMiow think, that said article could iiroiliice such an ell'eet, and had Mr.
Lincoln anticipated such an etfect he would have forborne to write it ; we will liirtlicr
state that said article was written solely for political ell'eet, and not to (rratify any
personal pique against Mr. Shields, lor he nad none, and knew of no cause lor any.
DITELINO.
027
It if" clue to Opii. IFiinlin imd Mr. Entrlish to say thiit their
most courteous unci tfciitlcnmnly cliuracter.
interference was of the
E. H. MKIdtTMAN,
A.T. lll-i;i)S(tK,
AVM. IMJTt.Klt.*
Slih'ldfi and T'liflrr. — Out oftlio Sliiclds and IiutltT //V^s■<v) yrow
(lin'ctly iiiiotlicr iill'iiir oC lioiuir, tliis time hctwccii (Icii. Sliiclds
iiiid .Mr. Will, iliitlcr. Tlic hitter <;»>iitl('iii;iii liiid been one of Mr.
liiiicolii'.s .•seconds, :i)id .'^iiys that he wa.s lor t lie fray. Disapjjoiiitcd
ill tliis, iiiiiiifdiatcly after the hloodle.s.s teiiiiiiiatioii of that affair,
lie wrote a not veiy coiiiitliiiieiitary accoiiiit of the coiidiict of the
hellioerciits, from Alton, to Wm' S(tii</<iiiio 'f(iiini<il (\\h\f\\ tlie writer
lia.s been nnahle to tiiid after careful searcii.) in wiiich h«^ tliinks
lie hole; fully as severely upon hi.s priiicijtal as his adversary.
The latter, however, who ajiaiii evinced that tlie blood of Doiiny-
brook conrsed in his veins, on Butler's arrival home from St. Louis
at (Hi(!e addres.sed him a curt, nieiiacini;' note, by flic hands of his
former friend, (ien. Whiteside, which was ]>r<>m|)tly accepted as ii
ehallen^-e, and the inevitable J)r. Meirinian desionated as his
friend, tln'oiiyh whom the preliminaries were, without further cir-
('umlociiti<Mi. submitted t(» (uMi. Whiteside about, !) p. in. on the
same day, October .5(1, IS|L*. These were:
Time — Snni'ise on the followin<;- mornin*;'.
ri((('c — Col. Jvobert Allen's farm — (about 1 mile north of the
State II(»iise).
Wcojjous — llifles.
IHstaiice — loo yard.s.
'I'he parties to stand with their riyht sides toward each other —
the rifles to be held in both hands horizontally and cocked, arms
e.\tended downwards. Neither ]»arty to move his person or liis
rifle, after bei no- ]>laced, before the word fire. The .>^i,t.'nal to be :
"Are you ready ' — fire ! — one — two — three!" about a second of
time interxciuno- between each word. Neither party to fire before
the word fire, nor after the woid three. The word to be "iveii by
the friend of the challen.i;('d jiarty. The principals to bt^ attended
by one fri«'iid each, v> ho wer<> to be placi'd midway between the
principals, .'50 yards back from a straioht line between them, to
the rear of each. t
These terms were indionantly refused b\ ]\rr. Shields' friend,
elaimiiio' that he had waited all day for the answer which now
came at *.) ]>. m. while his piineipal was attemling a social party,
lie. as a State ofllcer. had also uniformly refused to violate the
laws of the Slate by dueling within its limits to which he would
not .subject his principal, also a State ofHcer. 'i'he terms were sat-
isfactoiy with the exception of the i)lace, which he further claimed
the ehalleiiyed ]>arty had no exclusive ri,iiht to dictate, and that
the time should be a matter of ajireenient. The lanoiiao-e used
was curt and abriijjt. It seems that the terms were further unfair
ill the position assi<;ned to the combatants on the field, with their
ri^ht sides towards each other, in that it would oive Mr. Ibitler
the ad\antao-e, he beino left-handed, as was alleged. (Ien. White-
side, late on the night of tlie od sonoht Dv. Merriman at his lody-
' lioth Ocn. Wbitpside and T)r. Mcniiiuiii pulilislied card'J in tlip K(i)i(/<(mo.7oi(7-;(nJ,
llic I'ornicr in that of Oct. T, IW^', and the latter on the Itth of the sanie month, detail-
iat', with isonie variance, all th(^ circuinstuncesof thisulfair, from l)oth of wliieh wo
have uatliered this account.
t SeeSungamo Journal, Oct. 7, 1843.
628
IIIHTOKY OF ILLINOIH.
in;;.s, to liaiiil in IiIh objection, but did not find liiin. 'So in(>ctin<i^
tonii pliice on tlu' moininj; of llic ttii. I>nrin;;' tlic <lii,v, Iiowcvcr,
(twin;; to a iiiptnic between liie se;'onds, Mr. Shields iiddicssed
anotiiei' note to Mr. Ilntiei', explainin;;' tiie stains of liis second,
ciieeirnlly aeeeptin;; tlie preliminaries iiiniseif, and olVeiinj: to >n}
out to a lonel\ i»laeeon tlie piairieto lijiiit wiieie lliere would l)e no
(lan^^cr olinteri iiption ; or, if that did not suit, lie would meet him
on his own coiidii ions when and where he jdeased. This note was
declined by Mr. 15utl«'r, ehiiming tliat the allair wa.s closed, ami
this was the end of it.
Wliiiesidr tntd Merriman — And now the dou};hty secoiul.s
wound \\\) this series of affairs by one of their own; which ;;rew"
out of the iie\l prece<lin«;' one. We have already said that White-
si<le's refusal of Uiitlers terms was couched in curt and abrni»t
lan^uajic, and that the jtlace of combat could not be di«'lated to
liini, for it was as much his rijiht as Merriman's, w ho, if he was a
gentleman would rcco;;nize ami concede it. To this the latter re-
re]>lied, October 4, S a. m : "That the arro;;ant, dictatorial, rude,
and unt;-eiillenianly (;haract<'r" of this note precluded the possi
bility of his comninnicatinj; farther on the subject to which it
alluded, which was sent by the hands of ('apt. Lincoln, Avho now
served his iormei' second in the same capacity «)f "friend.''
"NVhiteside then wrote to ]\Ierriman : "1 have to request that you
"will meet me at the IManters' House, in the city of St. Louis, on
next Friday, where you will hear from me further.'" Merrimaii
i:ow' wrote: "1 wish to know if you intend that note as a chal-
lenj;e; if so, my fiiiknd will wait ui»on you with the conditions
of our nieetiiij;." At 4 ]). m. Whiteside replied : "You shall have
a not«' of the ciiaracter you allude to when we meet at the IMant-
ers' House, on Friday next, at St. Louis." j\Ierrimau lejoiued, de-
nying' AVhiteside's right to uaine the time and jtlace for tlie
adjust nieiit of their dilliciilty, but proffered to meet him on that
day at Louisiana, Mo. \\ hen this last note was ])resented to Cieii.
AVhiteside, he replied verbally: "IJncoln, 1 cannot accept any-
thing from him now. 1 hav(^ business at St. Louis, and it is as
near as Lituisiana." *()ii the .Jlh of October', (i en. AVliitesi«le ad-
dressed another note to Dr. ^Merriman, which was deliv*'re«l by
Gen. Shields, offering to acci'pt the jtroposition to meet at Louisi-
ana, jMo., but the doctor, deeming tlie alfair closed, now declined
to re-open it, and the matter w'a.s dropped. t
It seems that out of all these bellicose manifestations one on-
gagementor one hostile jtass at least might have been had. But
it was better that they all terminated pacilically, as they did.
7>>-.s'. Hope and rrice had a duel in Texas during the Mexican
war. Dr. Ilojte was a well known gentleman from Alton. We
have seen his name connected with the Shields-Lincoln alfair as
one of the seconds. The 1st and 2d Illinois volunteers. Colonels
Hardin and l>issell, were encamjted at San Antonio, two miles
from the Ahuno. J)r. Hope was surgeon to the Lst regiment. The
dilhcully gr(!w out of Dr. Price's repeating a conversation having
•Piinniiinon .Tour. Ont. 7. 1843.
+ 111. Statu Reg. 0(!t. 14, 1842.
DITELINO.
629
occurred in J)r. Hope's tent. TIn^ latter, feeliii}; liiiii.self ng-
jiricvctl, (l(»<fj;('(] tlu' loniier in llie streets of H;m Antonio, where-
upon I'riee sent liiiii ii eliallen;;e. Mujor Cross, of the I'nited
States army, acted as the seeoiul of Dr. I'lice, iiinl ('ii|tt. Wilhiinis,
of tile Kentucky Ijjfe Guards, acted for Dr. Hope. 'I'lie enjiaye-
iiient was louj;iit Septend)er 14, iy4(>, and rrice was badly
WDUUiled in tiie abdomen.*
I'luitt ((ml Cduipbcll. — The next aitair of this sort was the occa-
sion of fixing' in tlu", constitution of 1S4S the stiinj^cMt clause n;-
latinj; to dueling. Durin<^ the sitting of the conventiop, in 1S47,
wiiich framed that instrument, when the^ (piestion of alien suf-
frajii' was under consideration, Mr. (). C Pratt, from .loDaviess,^
a democrat, opposed foreigners enjoying;' the elective franchise
until tlu'y were natuialized. His colleaj'iie, Thompson Oanipbell,
also a dem(»crat, who favored j^reat leniency in this resi)ect to
aliens, attacked and taunted him with havin<> obtained the votes
of f(uv,i};;ners for his position (to which he was elected by only 9
majority) on ple<lj;es to them that he would recpiin- no more than
a year's residence aial a declaration of intention, citinj^' an occa-
sion where some ()<><»r 70 foreijiners were at work on somt^ public
vorks. Pnitt denied this, attributing' Ins collea<;iU''s mistake to
th<' l>resence there of a, barrel of beer and a ke;;(»f whisky. Camp-
bell denounced the insinuation as untpialitiedly false, and that if
lie (Pratt) Ma.s a man he wouhl notice it, ami settle it personally.
On t!i<' same <lay, Wediu'sday, Pratt sent him a in»te recpu'stinjjf
liis presen(;e at the Planters' House, St. Louis. Campbell ans-
\vei«'<l that he would be there on Monday following;', but icpaired
thither immediately, puttin<>' up at the Plant«'rs' Hotel. His
^'friend" in St, Lous was Col. Feid. Kentiett. Late on Saturday
ni;^iit Pratt also arrived, with his "friend,'' takih;;' lod;;iiijis at the
]\Ionroe House. Hut tlu' bnsin<'ss of the belli;iei'ents, "(»n bloody
de<'ds int<'nt," who thus souj^iit a forei<;ii jurisdiction to airanne
their preliminaries and settle their dniculty by tin^ duello, had-
leake<l out; indeed it was well known, and one HIenneihassctt,
an ahlerman, nia<le aftidavit to the fact, and late on Saturday
iii<;ht both pai'ties were arrested and jibnu'd under heavy bonds to
keep the peacH'. This plan of jiivinji' an "affair" notoriety ouj^ht
to he effective, in these<laysof t<'le<iraph and news)>aper enterprise
to <iain a name for bravery, and at the sanu' tinu' by Judicious
arrests riui no danf;er of sustainin{>' jiersonal injury. It is a won-
der that it is not more impi'oved. Tlx'se ^-entlemen new returned
and resumed their seats in the convention.
P>y the old law of this State the penalty for duclinji', when the
issue was fatal, was death, the sanu' as in case of murder, but for
the.se "affairs" it was disalnlity from holdinji-otlice ot honor, trust
or emolument, and snuill lines after conviction. The law was
without r<'straint; there never had been a conviction for this lesser
olfeiise, Ix'cause parties always eva«l«'d the law by <i(>in<i' beyond
the Jiuis<lietion of the State to carry out their juiriioses. The
facts and ciri'umstances of the Pratt-Canii»bell affair, as well as
the K'jieiited evasions of the law, well known t(» the niend)ers of
the convention, stinuilated them now to etfectually circumvent and
~~ "Bee 111. State Res. Oct. 16, im.
OM)
HISTOUY (»r ILLINOIS.
m
lm>a1v u]> tlic ])riu;tic(', more coiiiiiion iiiiioii^ (iHicijIs and politiciil
asi»iraiils, as will liavc W'vu liitlicfd, tliaii otiiiiis. IIciicc tlicy
(Icvist'd and tVanird an oath of otlicc, and incinpoiatcd it in tlii^
constiltition, so hroad in its tciins of dislVanciiiscnicMt and tlio
strncluic ol' its ian^naj^t' as to conci' not oniv Illinois. Imt all the
Avorld hcsidi's. Not ptTliaps that Illinois (•(»nM pnnish th" pcr-
jni'cr, \vlu), having' coinniittcd an otVcns** of tiu^ kind ontsidc its
Jurisdiction, slionld he take this oath of olVicc, lint rather to ap-
pall the coiiscicnco of those pnhlie men who wonid he most likely
to yiehl to snch ninrderoiis piactices. The inischi<'f aimed at was
the suppicssion of the out la/^eons practice of diu'linji, witliont
respect to place, eirenmstance or time, save only that the offense
.sh()iild *hile since the adoption (d' the constitntion.
The oath may be lonnd in the constitntion of 1S4S, article l.'>,
section IM!. ;\lr. K. H. .Servant, oi' Ifamhtlph, introdnced ami
iin)ved its adoption. It passed the convention hy 7 I yeas to 41
miys — neither of the above eoiid>atants voting'. Amon;;' the nays
appear.s tlie name of (Jen. \\hitesid«', who, it mij^lit thence be in-
ferred. notwithstaiHliii;;' the lidsra with which W(^ have seen his
name ('(»nnect«'d. still believed in tlu' code of honor.
Harriii and Ih')ni/. — The Mexican war, wliich pioved such a(iod-
send to democratic jtoliticians thai a noted and witty whin', whose
])arty was oat in the cold, shortly after its close announced him-
self in favi)r (d' the next war, was also frnitfnlof jx-rsonal (Ullicnl-
ties. Dnrinji the election cainpai;;ii of bS4S, Dr. A. (i. Henry, in
a speech at l'.ear<lstown, char;;cd .Major Thomas L. Harris, one of
the truest and noblest men of Illinois, then runniiif; for eon<>r*'ss,
with "skulkin;^' at the battle of Cerio (lordo; that lie (;ould prove
this, and would repeal -it to his face the followinji wet'k.'' Here
was a ji(»od oiijtoitunity Ibran "alfair." When Hari'is arrived at
Hprin<;lieid he asked an interview with tin* doctor. 15ut that j;«'n-
tieman answered: "1 have lu) business with Major Harris, and
do not desire a personal interview.'" Harris then (U'manded that
he nndvc jjood his llcardstown statement. The doctor now (U'nied
haviny uttered exactly this lanj;naj;e ; disclaimed wantinj; to do
Harris knowingly an injustice, l»ut that iie could not be deterred
from saying' what lie bcli*'ved to be true; ollered to refer the mat-
ter to John Calhoiui and .hnnes JJarrett, of Harrks' ]»arty, and at
their iustaiwe would umke a ](ublic apolojiv. addiny that he would
leave town the followinii morninj: to meet his speakinji apjioint-
ments. ]MaJor Harris then i»ro\('d by four yood citizens, who pub-
lished theii' card, that the doctor had made the statements refer-
red to at IJeardsfown. and in tlu> words yiven, whereupon he de-
nounced him to the norld as a liar, a scoundrel aiul a coward —
and that was the last of this alVair.*
^ Doris and liifiNcU. — Alter the constitution went into operation,
no other duels or attempts at duels have been engaj^'ed in or had
an oiiyiii within the Jurisdiction of Illinois, to the knoH]ed<;e of
the writei:t and there were onlv three outside of its limits to
•Sec Hl.Stiitc Uejr. Oct. 0,1848-
+Of cniirsi- tins docs not niciin to inclndo the fliiols of parties outside the Stutc, who
foiiiul in Illinois a Siite iiiKl ciMivciiicnt rendezvous lor the settlement of thcM' per-
sonal difficulties, Viirioii'; Islands In the I'pper Mississippi within thojurisdiction of
Illinois — notnlilc, lllooily Island— linve I)ccn the scenes of these barbarous fr.iys he-
twccti (Citizens or r(si(lents from nciulilKiriiiL"- territoricsuud States, the latest belujf
between IJ. Gralz Urown and (jov. Ueynolds,of Missouri.
DrEMNO.
031
Aviiich (»ni' citizniM wcro jKirtics, Two of tlicsiucsiiltcd latall.v,*
and tli*> otiicr attaiiit'd iiatioiud <-('l«-l)rity and was no little sonrci;
of i»iid»' to lllinoisans at tlic lime; and as it was snl>sc<|ii»'htly
tlic occasion of nincli political and personal ccnsnicand ahnsc, in
connection with the constitntional oath of oflice, \\v heic insert it.
Dnrinji' the lonj;' and an;^r,v contest in con<;ress over the adjust-
ment of l<sr»0, s(»nthern niendiers, more thai. «'ver, indulged their
f;asconade in vanntinj; sontheni chivaliy, defeiidin;^ slaxeiy and
poitiayiii}; the beanties and advanta;ics of disunion. T(» dispar-
a<;e northern c.oura;,'(! and exa;;;;erate .•(outhciii valoi', the then
late Mexican war was dra^^^cd in as ])roof and illustration. Mi:
Seddon, of Virginia, enconraj;ed Ity otliei' ■.oiilhern licntleinen,
went further and attempted, in couDucntin^^'on tii(> hattleof liuena
A'ista, toawartl the entire i-redit of savinj;' the fortune of the day
ata very critical period of thathattle to a Mississippi re;;inu'nt,
of which .lefferson Davis had heen the ('olonel, for the purpose
of UKiintainin<;' the southern boast that tlcre was more personal
bravery and prowws.s in that se(!tion than in the north.
Mr. Uissell was a new nu'inbei-, with a j^ood record in tliat war
as the colonel of the Ud rei^inicnt of Illinois volunteers. Shocked
at these utterances, and tired with the di.-^irace attempted to i»e
cast upon his section, he on the ."Jlst of {"'ebiiuiry, I.S,")(>, essayeil a
reply to these ceaseless tirades of bia^|;adocio. which proved to
be one ol" tl: " keeiu'st, most incisive and brilliant s]>eeclies ever
sjtoken in the halls of conjiress, not only in vindication of his own
section, but in jtrickiiiy- the vain assumption of the other. This
sjieech stam])ed jlissell at once with national distinction and fame.
Tlie chivalry were touched to tlu' <iuick ; and failing' to answer
him in debate, it was sought to <!rnsh him in another way. 'I'lie
followini; jtassajic was ostensibly claimed ti; be the offensive i>or-
tion, and the since well known chief of the southern confederacy
was put forward to test IJissell's mettle:
"Tills i)r()iiont'ss, liowever, [lo un(l<'rrati' Die bnivery of others and
Viunit tlu'M' own,] IS not always liarniless," ixclaimed Jiissell, "and I
must now refer to asniijcvt wliicli I would iiavc <:ladly avoided I al-
ludo to till' claim |iut forth for a soutiiern refi;iuu'iit iiy tiii' jieutleniaii
from Virginia, [.Mr. Scddou,] of liaviiiK met and repulsed the enemy on
the Held of lUieiia \'ista, at the critieal moment when the Indiana
ref^iiiuMit, throiijrii an un fortunate order of tlu'ir colonel, }x:\\v way.
Justice to those li'iUK, as well as those wiio fell on tliat occasion, do-
maiuis of UK !' j)ri.inj)t correction of this most erroneous >tatenieiit. And
I allirm di.-^iincily, sir, and sucii is the fact, that at the time tiie iM In-
diana regiment trave way tlie Mississippi rei;inienl, foi- wiiom tiii'claini
is jrratuitously set up, was not within a mile and a half of the scene of
action, nor yet had it Hred a ;::nn or pulled a tri;j:,uer. J allirm further,
sir, tliat the trooi)s which at that time iiiet and resisted the enemy, and
thus, to use the jieiitleman's own lan;rua^e, 'sualched victory from tlie
jaws of defeat,' were the lid Kentucky, the l.'d Illinois and a portion of
the 1st Illinois retrimeiits. It jrives n\v no pleasure, sir, to he compelled
to allude to this sultject, nor can 1 see the necessity or lu'ojjriety of its iu-
troduc'ion into /this dehate. It having l)een introduced, however, I
could not sit in silence and witness the intlietion of sucli cruel injustice
ui)on men, livinj;; and <lead, whose wcll-eiU'iied fame I were a monster
not to j)rotect. The true and l)rave hearts of too many of them, alas,
have alreatly minjiled with the soil of a foreign country; hut their
claims upon the justiccof their countrymen can never cease, nor can my
oh! '"rations to them lie ever forgotten or disregarded. No, sir, the voice
"Botli inCulifornla-FertiuSDii ami Llppincott being tlic Illiuoisans— the former was
killed aud the latter now holds ollicehure.
lit
o;i2
IIISTOUT OF ILLINOIS.
i
I
of Hanlln, tluit voice wliifli lins ko often been heard in tills liaii, na
mini' now is, tiioiij;ii fur niorc cioiiUfMlly, tin- voice of llaniin ! aye, iuhI
of .McKcc ami liic iicconipilsiicii Ciiiy — cadi \via|i|ictl in liin liiiuMly
HJiroini— tiicir voices woiilii rcproacli nie from tlie >,'rave lia<l I failcii in
tliiH actof juMtlce to thoni, an«l tiie oliitTH who (<)U),'lit anci IVi. I>y my
Bide.
"Von wiil Hnspect me, Mr. ("iiairman, of liavinKwarm feeliii^json liiis
HUl)J«'ct. Sir, 1 nave; and inive tiivcn tiu'ni ulterancc a.^i a matler of
dnty Fn aii tiiis, lidwever, I Ity no means detract I'rom tiie ^faiianl
eominct of tlie .Mississiiipi icKinient. At otlier timesand places on tluit
lilootiy field liiey tlid all tiint tiieir warmest admirers conld desire, ihit,
let me ask ayain, why was tliis suliject inlrodnced into tliis deliatc?
Wliy does tile K*'"tk'man say 'Iroojm of tiie nortii' K»ve way, wiii'ii l-e
means only a single iv^fiinent'.'* W iiy is all this i»nt lor tiie puri)ose of
dispaiiijfinn tlie nortli for the iieiieflt of tlie somli? Why, hut for the
pnrposeof furnishinjf material for that ceaseless, never-ending tiieine
of 'Houthern oliivairy ?' "
As soon as it tiansjiiicd thiil Davis, upon this sIcikU'I' pretext,
and as if ho conld vary a historical lad hy a dnd, iiad cliallcn;;cd
IJissdl, all Wasliin<;ton was on the (/»/ rirr. The (|nciy ran lioni
inuntli to nionlli, ''will he accept — will he stand lire V Those who
knew the man were emphatic in tlicir answers that he wonld. It is
said that Daniel Widister came over to the indl of the house lor
an intr<idnction to this notthcrn man who proposed to meet thi^
sonthroii in his favorite method of sdllin;; a dispute, savin;;-, "I
wish to look him in the eye." IJissdl was called and the two
grasped hands heaitily. As Wehslei' withdrew with an i-lastic.
step and a kindling' eye, he olis^-rved to a hi;;h di;;iiitiiny of the
pivernnient who understood the olijed of his visit, '-lie will do,
the south has mistaken its man," w liii'li was the fad. I»issell
l»i'onii»tly accepted the challen;i«', lie left the iireliminaries to his
friends, except weapons and distance, tliesc lu' detcrniincd njion
himseir, selecting;' the conunon army ninsket, to be loaded willi a
ball and thive luick-shot ; the combatants to be stationcil at 40
])aces, with liberty to advance to 10. This evinced a cool and de-
termined |tiirpose to li^lit to the dealli, and the tire caters stood
annized. Davis had desi;;natcd S. \V. In^e as his rri«'iid, and Bis-
sell named Major Cross, of the IJ. S. army. The medin^was to
take place on the following; day, Feb. L'Sth, the rendezvous beiiijj;
rinderstood.
lint at a late hour in tli(> evening; another ettbrt at recom-iliatiou
was made by the, mutual friends who had lie«'n of counsel in the
atfair, tlndfic Dawson, of (icorj^ia, and <'ol. ^V. A. Ifichanlson, of
Illinois. After further conl'erenc(* it was a^i«'ed that the challeii;;e,
and Jill corresp<uideiice therewith connected, should he treated as
withdiawn, and that Col. liissell add to his lirst letter, to be in-
serted after the word I'e^iment in tin-last paraj;raph, "■but 1 am will-
iuj; to awai'd to them the credit due to tli«'ir jialiaiit and distiii-
fjuished servi(;es in that battle." The reconciliation thus elfected
was satisfactory to the parties innnedialely coiicerne*!, and a source
of t;rati(ication to tlieii- tVieiids.
in the meantime it was said that rresident Taylor, the father in-,
law of Col. Davis, havin;>' been apprised of the arraiif^enieuts for
the hostile nieetinj;', accom]»aiiied by Col. liliss, his jirivate secre-
tary, had instituted Ic^al imKH'edinj^' to check the intende<l hostile
*II)e~d Indiana. Col. Bowles.
DITKI.INO.
033
ht:iiic<> tlu'HtiiiK' ]^>r()|)<)siti(>ii otrcrcd l>y nii> (i-nihraccd in nu'iiioraiKliini
kj.r.^'Hi'd luy williiiKiiCMs to atct'iit it. Aftci- foiisult-
ovciit, l>ii( |ui(»r to this intcrCcri'iHu', \vlii<'h was aftrr ini(1iii;;iit, the
l<)i-c;;oiii;; iiiiiicaldt' iiiith'isdiiHliii;; li:i(l iiIrciKlv Itt'cii airivcd at.
\Vc sithjoiii Ihi! uieiuoniiKliiiM and coiicspoiHlt'iicc:
"[Mi;m()kani)a No. 3.]
"Mot iiim. Kiiit'ldH and Major (-'roHHat 8 o'clock p. in., to arrange terms
of coniliat. It< 'fori' ciiteriiifr iipoii liiiHiiicsH .hid^t; Dawson, of (it'oi>;ia,
and .Miijor Uicliardson, of Illinois, cnltrcd, and proposed HuiiniittiiiK to
lis a proposition \vhi<-li they iioped would oliviate a ineetinf^. We con-
sented on liotli sides to hear 't, and the I'oliowiiiK projiosilion was Mieu
HUliinitled : That all corres, idenee he withdrawn snhseqnent to Col.
Davis' (Irst letter, and that ( 'oi. Dissell add to Imh tirst letter a statement
(to come in afii'r the won! re|,'iment, at the foot of the first paue.ias fol-
lows, to-wit : ' ikit r am willing to award them the cre<lil due to tlieir
pdlaid an<l distinKuished services in that hattle.' This hein^; in sul)-
stunce the same proposition od'crcd I
No. ] ), of course I '. Api'.^'sed my willi
ini;, (Jen. Shields an<l Miijor Cross expressed their "willingness to make
the addendum, which was accordiiifily done. IJy mutual consnet,
all c<»rresp(»ndon('e sul)sc((ueiit to Col. iJi.ssell's amended leller was with-
drawn, and thuH the dilliculty wa« adjusted.
S. W. IN(jiE."
"Washington, D. C, Feb. 27, 1850."
The matter belli,!;- adjiisfed on this basi.s, the followiiie- apiicaied
ill the Union, of Feb. I'S, l<SijO :
"Washinoton, Feb. 34, 1K")0.
"(lintlrmrn: In or.lpr to roindvo nny orronoous linprcssioti wlilcli may liiivo hecn
niiidr () till' piilillc iiiiiKl. liy llic siiiiiiisea of letter wiltciH, in rcliitloii to ii forresiion-
iIi'IU'i' wlilcli lias piisscd l)(!t ween Col. DiivU iind Col. Ilissell, we tukt; the iiherty ot re-
<Hiestln(f )()u to piiblisli the followintr correspoiidenee, which will show tliiit the rniit-
tet' liiiH iii'en must honurubly udJustoU to the gntlilluutiou ttiid entire siitiHt'uetiou uf
the luuluul I'rieuds.
.JAMKS SHIELDS,
S. W. INtiU.'
After wliic'h follow the first two letttn-s subjoined, Uisst^ll's be-
iu}; iiineiided by the words inclosed in braclcets in the 2d para-
graph :
"Wartitnoton, r>. r., Keh. 23.
"Sir : I nin informed ttiiit In yesterday's debate you iissiMted that at the time it was
claimed for the Mississippi reifimcnt, on the Held of Hiieiia Vista, to have passed
fhrou^'h the seattcrcd tiles of the ~d Indiana reaimeiit . ami to have met the Mexican
forces, who had routed and were pursiiinjf that letjinicnt, the Mississippi reyiment
was not wttliln one mile and a half of that particular spot. Not liavinn- been able to
find a "report" of your remarks, and beimr the proper person to answer any eliarffo
which a resi)onsibli! man may make airainst the Mississippi retfln.ent referred lo, I
take this mode of asking whether the information I liave received is correct.
" Yours respectfully, JEFF. DAVIS."
"Hon. Mr. Hissell."
"Wasiii.noto Feb. 32.
"Sill: In yotir note of thi.i date, you inquire whether I asserted in j icrday's de-
bate that 'at the time It was claimed for the Mississippi retrlnu'nt, on tlie (leld of
niiena Vista, to have passed throujfh the scattered files of th(' :.M Iixliaiia reiriment,
and to liavi' met the Mexican forces, who had routc<l and were pursuinjf I hat re^i'iment,
the Mississippi retfimont was not within one mile and a half of the spot."
"The lust answer I can Mrive to your imiuiry is to state what I did say, which was this,
that "at tlu> lime the 3d Indiana retriment w'ave way, the .Mississippi re^.'inlent was not
within a nule and a lialf of the scene of action .' This substantially, was all I said iu
reference to the Mississippi rcM-iment. 1 also said that the ;.'d Kentucky rejrimcnt, the
I'll Illinois and a portion of the 1st Illinois repiments, were the troops that at that
time, met and repulsed the advaneinpr column of the enemy. In my remarks, I re-
ferred to what occurred 'at that particular spot' at that partlctdar lime.
Ilaviiiii answered yoin' in(|';ii'y, I deem it due In .justiee alike to myself and the
Mississippi reiriment to say that I maih.' no (rharire aMiiinst that reulmcnt, [but I am
willinir to award them the credit due their Mrallant and distiniruished services in that
battle) My only oli.ieet was to do .justice to the character of others, iivinu' and
dead, whose conduct fell under my own observation on that occasion— a duty im-
posed upnn me, by remarks previ' uslv made in the course of the same debate.
Very respectfully, yours, &e., W. H. lUSSELL."
"IIo.N. JEFf Davis.'"
• lUiaola State Journal,- March 3, 1850.
634
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
Jj((iit' and DoiKjlas. — In (lie si)niij;" of IH~)(), .slioitly beloie tlie
Kiitioiuil DciiiiK'iatic convention, tliciv was an eviclcnt atti'Mipt
made t(» clialc and i)i(>vok<^ i\lr, Don^las into an all'air of honor.
There were donbtless nniny anxions to tlins end>roil Illinois' j^reat
seiuitor at that particular Jinn'tnrc^ of his public career. Tho
occasion of this was the presentation to conj^ress of the Topeku
constitution, a(!('oni]»anied hv a forj;('(l inenu)rial, pra,VMi<;' a«lniis-
siou into the Union. The ;;eniiin(; memorial took the hi^h, not
to say I'cvolutionary, jiround, that conj;ress had no power to es-
tablish }>overnnients for tlie territories, and thiit the Kansas Ne-
braska act was unconstitutional and \(»id; that the people owed
ao alle;;iance to I hem, and that they assertt'd their inlierent rij;ht
to overthrow the teiritorial government without tlie consent and
ill deliaiute of the authority of conj^ress. (ien. J. 11. Lane had
been chosen one of the senators, and naturally desirin;'; to take his
seat as sncli, per(;eived that this document woidd i>i()bal)ly not
tend to fuither his chances to that end. A forj;«'d copy, couched
in mon' ()bedii>nt phraseolo,yy, was therefore pn'sentedto (M)n<4ress.
The trick was disclosed, however, and Mr. l)oujilas, as <'hairmaii
of the committee on territories, denounced it in unnu'asured teiins,
as was his riylit and duty, as a fraud and forj;ery, and it was re-
jected. The (luidniincs and \Vashin,nton letter writers hostile to
Mr. Douj^las, immediately snutfed a battle from afar. IJiimorsbe-
came rife of an expectted hostile meetinj;' accordinj'' to tlie code of
honor, between the fierce border };eneral and the j;ieat chaiiijiiou
of i)opular soveri'ijiiity. A determination seemed to be evinced
to intensify the all'air in e\ cry way possible. The time and min-
utest details of the expec ed iiostile event w«'re carefully an-
nounced. Mr. l)ouj;las, however, was not deceived, lie <livined
the purpose to be to };ive the matter notoriety, ]>ro\ oke the send-
ing; of a hostile niessaj;e, j^et arresteil, and come out of the affair
with a name for bravery. When the message of Gen. Lane, there-
foie, under date of April, l<Si)(;, finally came, askinj;' "for stKih
an exi)Ianation of your lanyuaj^e as will remove all imputation
upon the intejiiity of my action or motives in connection with
that memorial," Douylas answered, reiteratinj; in scathiiifr
phrase, all the facts of the case and concluded — "My rei)Iy is
that tlu're are n() facts within my knowle«li;e which can remove
all imputation upon the intejirity of your action or mctivs in
connection with that memorial."* After that there were no fur-
ther rumors of a duel, but Gen. Lane, sixty days later, i»i(blished
an abusive card in the Wasliiiifiton papers, which injured the
author more than tSenator Douiilas.
* See III, State Ui'Kis^er, May ' Ibuii.
liMto
Chaptek L.
1852-1 sr)(i— ORGANIZATION OF Tllli; KEl'lJBLICAN PARTY
The Illinois Wilniot Prorino — DisNoliition of the ^yhig Vmiij — Ixe-
penl of the Missouri Compromise — Intense I'olitieal Feelintj —
Donjilas denied Free Speech in Chie<(</o — Know Xothinyism — Jktn-
ocralic and IiepHblie<ni Conventions o/lSoG — Result of the Cum-
paiffn — Lineohi's Plea for Harmony at the Chicago lianquet.
After the Missouri couiiJioinisc of ISi'O, the question of slavery,
ever an aiij;r,v one, did not aj^ain attain national prondnence for
sonietidM,^ like ."JO ycai's. Tlic cause of its revival j;iv\v out of tlio
annexation of Texas and tiie acquisition of teriitoiy from ]\Icxieo.
The object for which the Ibrnier was sought and secured — involv-
iuf^- a war with Mexico: the avowed jnupose of the most active
friends of Ihe movement, the annexation of Texas hein.i^' a para-
mount issue of tlie national caiiipaij>n of 1.S44; the iutliK'nces
whi(!h prevailed in securing;' the administration to the south ; and
the overt aim and otliiMal declarations of its supporters, althoujih
foreiji'n to the i)inpose of tiiis work to either trace or analyze, all
poiid to tlie extension of sla\i'ry.
Shivery was distastel'ul f>enerally to the north, but jtarticularly
so to a lai\i;e ])ortion of the whiy i>arty at this time. It was more
j>'eiu'rally obnoxious in an early day of the <;overnnu'nt than at a
later [X'riod, but it did mit become a (piestion of i)arty fealty until
ettbrts were made to extend its area ; and had slaveiy not bect»me
anf^ressive for territorial ex]»ansion, it would have taken a long
time [uobably for the antislavt'i\v party to have risen above the
contemi)t with which it was j;enerally re>;arded in its early days.
in August, l.S4(>, pending th<^ deliberations of congress to ap-
propriate i2,()0(>,()()0 for the executive to prosecute negotiations
witli Mexico, looking to the acqidsition of territoiy, Mr. Wilmot,
of Penn., nutved the (*elebiated i)roviso (almost in the woi'ds of
the Gth article of the ordimim;e of 1787): ''SlaverV, or involuntary
servitude, excej)t as a punisliuK'nt I'or crime, shall be forever pro-
hibited in any territory which may be acquired from Mexico."
When this amendnn nt came up for action in the house it pre-
vailed by a nuijority of (», the only names from non slave-hohling
States recorded against 't being from Illinois, viz : Messrs. JJoug-
las, Fickliii, Hoge d ivlcClernand — a fair counlerpait to the
action of the 111"' ■- senators on the adriission of Missouri a
quarter of a cei. .» before. 'Mr. J)o;<gIas, subsequently, in the
senat<'. nn)ved a substitute for the " proviso,"' i)rohibiting shivery
in the acquired territory north of 3Gd. oOm., which was lost.
035
R^tt
630
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
!r
II
1^
To show tliiit tlic sciitiiiiciit of tin' uorlli was averse^ 1o tlio cx-
tciisioii of bliivciy, iiiid that tlic iioi'llicrii (h'liiociacv was not ,vet
wiioUy ill tlu' ^lasj) of the slave luopajiaiidists, tiie lc';;isIatiiro
(larjicly (U'liKxuatic), at its ri'j;iihir wiiitci' session of 1(S4'.>, passed
Joint icsohitioiis instiiicliiif;' our scnatois and rcin'csciitativcs in
<'onj;r('ss to use all lioiiorahic nicaiis in their power to procure the
eiiaetmeiit of such laws for the j;o\erniiieiit of the teiiitories of the
I'. S.. aecpiiicd by the ticaty of peace with Mexico as should con-
tain llie express declaration that "there shall be neither slavery
nor iiivolnntary servitude in said territories otherwise than in
]mnisliinent tor criiiie whereof the party shall have been duly con-
victed." The "^Villnof proviso" had lia<l niucli (tdiiini east upon it
by this time, and this iiiodilicatioii oi' it Ity oniittinj^- the word '-for-
e\er" would ai)ply to territorial conditions only, leaving- tStates to
be formed out of it free to establish or excbide shivery — a vastly
ditferent thiiij;'! The discovery <.:'tliis ni(H'. distinction, inaetically
without a ditference, it was tlioujiht by no means recoj^iiized the
odious '' proviso," fast becoming' a i)aity test. A poition of the
Illinois democracy at tlie time held that conjiress had no constitu-
tional ii<;ht to eitlier establish, proliibit, or in anywise interfere
with slavery in the territories.
The proceedinjis in both houses incident to the ])assa^(' of these
resolutions of instruction were exeitiii;^ and protracted, and the
(b'bates, in which all the leadin<>' members shared, exceed iiij^ly
abh' and not without acrimony. They were a(ht])ted in the house
by .'is to 34, all tlie whijis (LM) and 14 democrats voting- for them,
•while the 34 noes were all democrats; in the senate the vote stood
14 to 1 1, all the whij;s {',) and 7 democrats voting aye, the 11 noes
l)ein<;all democrats.
There was soinecjuestion at the time as to whether our dele.-iates
in con<>ress would obey these instructions. IN-ndinj;' the eoinpro-
niise measures of l.s.")(», a mass meetinjj, in Chiitajio called upon
Senator Douglas to obey the resolutions in their spirit as well as
teehnieiil letter, or resign. Douglas had ever oi)])osed the Wil-
niof provis(>. Now, having written the eompiomise bills and re-
jiorted them from the committee on territories witlumt the pro-
viso, an amendment was ottered in the jirecise language of the
Illinois instrn(;tions. He believed in the right of instruction, but
rather than resign his seat and knowing that it would not i»revail
even with the vote of Illinois, he denounced it in severe terms,
and then in obedience to instructions, voted for it.
At the session of the legislature in l.S.~)l, the so-called Illinois
Wilmot proviso resolutions were lescinded. It was further re-
solved to sustain the executive oi' the U. S. in his deterinination
to enforce the fugitive slave law ; and as the adjustment measures
l)assed by congiess, coini»rising the admission of (.'alifornia, the
establishment of territoiial governments for Utah and Is'ew Mex-
ico u])on the ])rinciple of non-intervention, the settlement of the
Texan boundary, amendment of the fugitive slave law of 17J>3,
and abolition of the slave trade in the District of ("oliimbia, were
eminently calculated to remove all contritxcisy and restore ]>eace,
<piietiide and conlidence between the two sections of the country,
they met their lieaity concurrence. Our delegation in (;ongi('ss
was fill tli«'r instructed to resist all attempts to disturb or unsettle
them. The resolutions were ad'Hited in the house by u vote of
THE REPTTBLIOAN PAKTY.
037
49 to 11, and ill the senate, by L'L' t(t 1'. The deniocratie press eon-
gi'atiilated tlie people upon tlie removal of tliis stijiiiia Iroiii tlio
State, wiiich indicates the advance I lie <picsti(»n ol' slavery was
iiiakinj;' as a ]»arty issue. In reseindiii<; the resolutions, botli dem-
ocrats and whi^s laiji'ely i)art i<'iitat('(l, while iait tw<) yearti jaior
every whi^ in i)otii houses iiad voted to a(h)pt them. In the iiiean-
time the a^iitations incident to tlie j;reat adjustment iiieasnres of
1S.")(>, whicii shook the I'liion to its centre, iiad taUeii jtlace and
been i'laieriially settled, and tiiis action of the lej^islatiire was
an earnest of its acceptance in <;(»od faith, and a hearty accpiics-
C'lice in the national comiiromise ol that period by both whij^saiid
democrats.
I'lider this fraternal fcelinti' the national election of IS.lL* re-
sulted in favor of the democratic ]iai'ty by an overwlielmiii';' ma-
jority. Tliis was hardly exjx'cted. They had casttlu'ir represen-
tative men overboard and selected ]Mr. Pierce, at the instance of
the South (A'ir.yiiiia briii,iiinj:' him forward in convention) on ae-
coniit of a\ailability, v.hile the whi^^s had for their candidate a
soldier chieftain of renown, who had carried our tia^' to victory
from Canada to the City (»f ^lexico, in the person of (icii. Scott.
"While many whi>is had labored with ])atrioti(^ zeal in the adoption
of the adjustment nieasiires of I.S.IO, there was still a \('iy larj;e
aiiti slavery element in that i)arty throuj-hoiit tln^ ]S'orth, whicli
j^ave but a sullen acipuesceiice to the eomi»romise; many (»f the
leaders spit u]»oii the JJaltimore platform. JJesides, in the election
of Taylor ill 1848, tlie whij;s had swerved from i)rinciple for per-
sonal considerations, and while crowned with success, forfeited
the contideiice of the country. With the oveiwhelminjidefcat in
1802, and the northern disatieetion in itsianks, symptoms of dis-
solution in that jirand old ])arty were now evry where manifest.
It was ])rononneed in articiih martin by its leaders, and its aban-
donment daily advocated.
Ill Illinois the democracy were in such a«eendeiicy in 185L' that
"wlien the whi<;' Static convention assemliled to juit forth a ticket,
it was candidly stated by the chairman in his openinj;' speech, that
they had nolioi)e of success, but it was hij^hly important to make
a decent show, and thus encourage and uphold their friends
abroad.
After the accessiou of rrosi<leut Pierce democracy was not
without its mutt<'rin}is of discontent. In the election the A'an
Buren breach of 1848 was bridjicd over, it seems largely by the
" cohesive junver of public idunder" in ])rosi)ect, but disappointment
in the division of the loaves and fishes now caused a wide and
deejier hostility than ever, in many portions of the country. The
troubles of a country emanate from uneasy and ambitious politi-
cians, its safety reposes in the tranquil masses.*
Duriiifj a period of dead calm in general jiolitics, the op])ositiou
for tlie October contest in Ohio in 18.')3, sought to fuse all the va-
rious party factions and unite them agaii^st the party in power,
and the Keimblieaii party was in a manner forshadowed by their
platform of principles: opjjosition to the fugitive slave law and
the further extension of slavery ; freedom of the public lands;
ecpial taxation and the suitjuession of int(!mperance. This was
known as the Giddings ukase. The movement met with defeat.
* Oentoti. ~~
638
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
TIk! \ iirioiis i)iirt.v ('l«'in('iit;i released by the dissoliitioii of the
Avhi;L;- piirly, to.uethcr willi otlier (lisailecte*! elements, were at this
]>eri(»(l (iril'tiii}; hitlier and tliitlier, ready and eaiicr to eateh or
(•liii;4' (() tliis rock or that \ine, to erystalize alioiit any stronj;' ob-
ject wliicli oHered tlieni a liojiel'id opposition t(» tlie pai'ty in jxtwer;
bnt lliey were as yet nnwillinj; toendiraee unadulterated aboli-
tionism. A larf^e porti(»n of the whiffs were still eonservalive and
disinclined to uive in their adhesion to a new party. I51ind to the
l»lain purposes of the South, they icasoned justly that to base a
l)arty on i-ce graphical boumhiries in one section of the country,
raliu'r than upon the broa<l constitution for the whole, Avas to jus-
tify the same in the opposite section, in utter disrejiard uot only
of tlie soh'mn injunction of W'asiiinjiton's farewell addicss, but
revolutionary in sjiirit and result, if not intent, and utt<'rly sub-
versive of all fiaternity of action in the nation at larue. IJepos-
h\'fX conlideiice in a continuance of the tianiiuility alfor<led by the
c(»nipromise of l.S,j(», they saw no exi.u('ncy which jiistilied the
sacrilice of the peace and harmony L'."i,(i()(),()(l(> of i)coi»Ie foi' the
ima^inaiv beiielits to result to 0,500,000 Africans in our coun-
try.*
Some tireat (piestion to convulse the tranipnlity of the eountry
and awaken the slumberinj;' sentiments of tlie masses to a new
conllict of jxilitical opinion was thereibi'e i-ecpiired ; and to erys-
talize tlieii' lirst lioiror and astoiiishnu'iit into a new jiai'ty was
the duty of the hour. JCxpectants did not have to wait lonj;-. At
the session of conf>ress of IS-'^'l-i. the re])eal of the jMissonri Com-
l)romise, l»y the oi'<;anization of Kansas and Nebiaska into teni-
torial ,ii<)veiiiments, ])resented an ain|ile held for the arts and skill
of i)arly discii)Iinaiians, and the ojjportuidty was well im])iove(l.
The Missouri compromise, since ISL'O. had iidiibited slavery from
that vast and temjK'rate rejiion which faced the turbulent river
of that name for ."iOO nuh's on the west, and extendinji' south-
Avar<l to the line of .'{(id. .'>0 ui. All this ext<'iisive aud su]tj)osed
fertile leiritory was thus opened to the intioductiou of tlu' bli^hb
and curse of slavery, otheiwise s(t well adapted for ndllions of
free and haj»py honu's. The fact was rejiarded as an unpaialleled
outraj;*', and the excitement throujihout the north was extraordi-
nary ; nor was the public, mind at all a])[>eased by the fact that it
Avas tendered the south by iM)rthern m<'n.
Mr. J)ouj>las, as chairman of theeomndttee on territories, was
the auth(»r of tin' Kansas-Nebraska bill, yet the superoj^atory
amendnu'id (according- to Ids \ iew), which, in express ti'rms, re-
l)ealed the restriction as to slavery, was ottered by Mr. J)ixon, of
KentiKtky, a Avhij;. ^\\: Doufilas ]iromj)t!y acce]>te<l it, feeling
that he couhl not consistently do otherwise, I'or his ori;iinal bill,
(lrav<n in accordance with the priiuiples of non-intervention, re-
cofiuized in the comi»romise measures of J<S."»0, of which lu' was
the real aidhor, rendered the inhibition in ett'ect nuj^atory. While
such was the case with rcj^ai'd to the or}ianizati(Ui of Utah and
IS'ew Mexico, it is also ti'Ue that lh«^ Missouri restriction was not
exi)resNly rei)ealed; n(»r was it ever intimated duiin}^ the pro-
tracted discussions in c«»nyress. in 1850, that such would be the
ettect.
• Hi'soluttons of Wliljf Convention.
•^ ,lfc
THE REPITnLIOAN PARTY.
G39
The iiioiisiirc was of such absoibiiiji iiitoiost lliiit loii};' lu'lVtrc it
l)OC!im«' ii hiw llic ix'Oplc in pulilit; iiict'liii^s •■•avc ('.\])rc6>si(»ii to
tlu'ii' iii(li<4iiati()ii in many parts of the couiitr.v. Early in I*'t'hni-
ary, IS.")-!, wlicn it was apparent tiiat tlichiil wonid hcf-onic a law,
a larj^e nii'ctin^ was licid in ('liicaj;'), to place the ban, as was said,
upon the movements of Senator J)on.i;las. It was comprised of
citizens of all i)arties, bnt more larjicly pai'ticipated in by tbrmer
jMomin.'nt sn]»porteis of the senator tiian others. Siteeches com-
mend itory of his course were nnide by U. S. IJiackwell, 8. S. JIay.s,
E. C. Larned, T. L. Dickey, Mr. ]\Iannieirc. Mark Skinner, and
otiiers. Of the resolutions adoi»ted we sul>join the Ibllowinj^':
''That the passa<ie of the [Nebraska] bill for the repeal or moles-
tation of the IMissonri comitromise. will destroy the harmony which
now exists between the noitii and the sonth, crt-ate sectional dis-
turbances and perpetual agitation of (juestions which have hereto-
fore been rejiarded as settled by the unanimous consent of tho
nation." Tlie immediate action of the lej;islature, then in extia-
ordinary session, was invited to tln^ subject, and instructions de-
maiuled for our conji'ressional delejiiition to votc.a;;ainst the bill.*
1"li<' question si)ei'dily fjot into the lcf;islature, whi(!h was !ar<^(^]y
demociatic, and Inirdly )('(]uired tlie Chicago invitation. Two sets
of resolutions were introduced, one known as the (lillespie,
(stroufily condemniufi: the pur])osed action of conjiress, and the
other by I\Ir. Omelveny, a])provin;4' thu Xebiaska bill as but an-
other a])i)licatiou of the ])rincii»les of adjustment of ISoO. After
a ;»rotracted debate, in which jNIcssrs. Louan, Siiy<I"r and Siu-
jlleton (wliiji) took a leadinji' i»art in advoca(\\, the Onu'lveny res-
olution j)assed in the House by .'JO to 22 — 3 whii;s and 27 demo-
crats foi', and 11 democrats and 11 whiys votinj;' a<;ainst.
'My. 1 louji'las was Ihe cham]»ion of the measure in congress.
This drew upon him much of the ))ublic resentment. The excite-
ment invaded the ])oitais of the church. Twenty six nnnisters
of the .u()S]»cl at Chica.n() addressed him a letter on the ini(pnty of
rejtealing' the Missouri comi)iondse, to which he replied in adiid-
rable lempi'r, objectinji to the use (»f the Sa1>bath as a day for elec-
lionccring', or converting' thepul[)it into a place for stump speeches;
''the purity of the christian chuich and our holy religion, and the
l)reservatioii of our i'ree institutions require that church and state
bi. separate, that the preacher on the Sabbath day shall find his
text in the IJible; shall picach Jesus Christ and him cruciHed ;
shall jtreach Irom the holy sciiptures. and not attenqtt to control
the i>olitical organisations and political parties of the day."
After the passage of the measure, the indign.ttion vented by an
enraged jtcople (lid mit abate, and the brunt of it contiinu'd to
fall upon its gifted champion. Illinois' great senator was de-
nounced as a traitor to hi- sectio?! and the cause of human lib-
erty, fiom New England to ("alifornia; the press of tin; north
teemed with ibuse and censure; he was burnt in elligy along his
route home, and in the chief city of his ovvn State deniecl tho
right of free speech iu vindication of himself by a tumultuous
mob.
Dnuplas Doiied Free Spnvh hi Chicago. — Four years before,
wlu'u liu'city (iouncjj passed resolutions denouneinj^ the coinpro-
*Seo HousoJour. Feb. SSi, 1864.
040
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS,
misc nioasiircs as a violation of tlic laws of (Jod and tlii' con-
stitution, cnjoiniiiji' tlic citv police to (lisfc^anl tlic, fu<;iti\c slave
law, and ail jiood citizens i disoliey it, Mr. Donj^las, in a speech
of jii'cat force and conxincin- eloipience, attacked this action witli
such elfect as to rcvolulioni/e the scntinicnt of the people, and
the next day the council reconsidered tin; I'csolutions by IL' to 1.
His |tower in vindication of himself was now Justly dreaded. It
■was sou.i^ht to s(|uelch him. iJeforc his ariival tlie opi)osition press
cried out : "We have i)retty j{ood reason for helievinji that Sena-
tor I)on,!4las will arrive in the city to day or to-morrow. If so,
it will lie seen that the rene.i;ade is endeavoring; to sneak iionu;
(]ui«'tly, and avoid tiie odious public dcnninstration whi<'h, iu' must
know, awaits him. The peojtle arc ready for him."* And alter
his arri\al we find the following;' lan^inij;e :
"Had Douglas dared to come to Chicago jsooii after the passage of the
Ncl>raska infamy, wlien the sting of tlie wound was yet rankling fresh
in tlie hearts of Ills insulted constituency, and when tlieir liiood was vet
boiling at tlie treachery of their servant, to whom tiiey had eiitrnsti'd so
luucii, lie would have lieen met witii a storm of indignation, and seorii,
ami retrlliutiou, which might have swept him from the eartli, and re-
lieved the world of the disgrace and siillering which he may yet entail
upon it. * * Stephen A. Douglas has no claims upon the cour-
tesy or kindness of the j)eople of Chicago, l>ut he has the deepest reasons
to fear their detestation, tlieir abhorence, tln'ir rebukes, and their ven-
geance. He lias betrayed us ; be has disregradetl us; be lius iiiHulted
us ; be has disgraced us ; be has injured us- in our reputation, our fair
fame, our lionor, and oiM' pecuniary interest. * He is now in our
midst. If lie is content to remain in the oliseurity into wbicli he lias
sunlv, we shall not pull him forth. * * But if, in bis madnesH
and liis folly, be attemjits to get up what lie calls a 'viudicatiou' of liis
crimes * it will not be our fault if be arouses a lion wbicb be can-
not tame. Let him add no more insults to those wbicb be has already
heaped upon us. There is a poiut beyond wbicb the people will not en-
dure."
"NVe j>ive these extracts to show the hight to which polit ical feel-
ing was aroused.
Douglas, however, nothing daunted, caused an announcement
to be made that he woidd address the peojile in vimlication of the
Kansas Nebraska bill on Saturday evening, September the 1st. Jn
the meantime rumors were rife on the streets regarding theetforts
nuiking to ])i'cvcnf his siu'aking, and others, that he should have n
lieariug at any cost ; that thousands ol (5-shooters would bcon the
ground to enforce the freedom of .speech. Jlis fiiend.s opeidy in-
dulged in the taunting remarks that his oppcuu'nts would bi' si-
lenced and *'made to «'rouch at his feet like whijiped curs,'' .md the
like. On the afteiiioon luecediiig the speaking, one of the ojiiio-
sition lU'Wspapers issued an intlanimatory haiKl-ldll, as.serting that
an "Irish body guaid" had been oiganizcd to prevent Americans
participating in the meeting. Kuowuothiugism was beginning to
make a show in the land, A threatening letter was sent to Dong-
las from the secretary of an organization formed since his arrival,
which recjinrcd him to leave the city or remain silent; '-if he dis-
regarded the notice the organi/ution was jiledged, at the sacriliee
of life, to prevent his being heard." Shortly after noon the dag.s
of all the shipjiing were displayed at half-mast ; and at a quarter
jiast p. m, the city bells began to toll, and continued to till the
•Tilbuuo, Aug. l»o4
THE KEPUULICAN TAllTY.
r.41
nir with their nioiirnfiil tones lor over an liour. The Kubject was
soiij;iit to 1>(^ impressed witii an air (>finonl*niny.
At the ajutointed hour of ineetinj;' in llie eveninjy tlie vast spaeo
in front of llie Nortli -Market Hall was thronji'ed with men. Crowds
of \ isitors from a distance, some as far as J)etroit and 8t. Louis,
had arrived by every train, desin)ns to hear liim.
On tiie ai»|>earanee of the senator on the open bah-oiiy, wlien,
after a suitable allusion to the excitement of the occasion, he at-
tempted to launch out into the subje(;t of liis addiess, lie was at
once ureetcd with hisses and <;roans followed by a wild tnmidt of
shout injj^ and outrageous noise. He folded his arms across his
bi'cast, and with a silent determination (;abnly surveyed the anj;iy,
,seethiu<;' multitude around and beneath him. Anon, upon the
cessation of the din, lu^ stretched forth his hand to resnnu' his
speech, oidy to have his voice drowiu'd by a redoubled uproar,
and there, fearlessly above that suryinj;' and maddened mass of
men, stood the " Little (riant" for four hours, essayinjLf tinu' and
ajiain to s])eak only to be overpowered by the hootinj'- and demo-
niac! yells of the infuriate multitude of ten thousaiul. The most
oppr(»brious epithets were hurled at liim, and the; most insulting
words were shouted and bandied back and forth by the crowd. Jp
vain did well known gentlemen circulate among the throng ami
counsel order — but there was uo order. It was an intolerable out-
rage ottered to a distinguished citizen and a man of towering in-
tellect. No violence or collision oc(!uned, however, as had been
feared. It was said that Douglas' nuxnner teiuled to a<1d to the
flame of passion alrea<ly high. Inspired by a conscious feeling of
excelling power, lie appeared rather as a master tliaii a servant
of the people. This iieculiarity has frequently been observed of
liim — doulttless it was highteued at this time. An o])position pa-
l»er, describing the scene, says of him : "Dictator Hashed from out
liis eye, curled upon his lij), and mingled its cold irony iu every
tone of his voice au<l every gesture of his body. At this, as in
water fa(!e answereth to lace, so the heart of man to man." Many
of the op])Ositiou felt deeply mortitied that Mr. Douglas had not
been [)ennitte(l to speak.
Prominent among the early mass meetings in Illinois, irrespec-
tive of party, but in which leading democrats acted a controlling
part for tlie purpose of sinking all previous party predelictions,
and pledging themselves to unite in the organization of a new
party to make common cause against the extension of slavery,
either by the abrogation of tlie Missouri compromise or the annex-
ation of more territory for the use of slavery (the acquisition of
Cuba then being in the public eye), was held at Freeport in the
spring of 1854. Many other meetings of a similar character, all
sliowing how earnestly the people took this matter to heart, were
held during the summer of 1854, mostly in the northern portion
of the State. We subjoin a summary of one held in Kane county
August 19, 1854:
"We, tlie people of Kane county. In mass convention assembled, irre-
spective of party, In view of tlie loug-contiuued encroachment8 of tlie
slave power, culminating at last in the repeal of the law of freedom iu all
the hitherto unorganized territoriesof the ITiiion, will co-operate with the
frieuds of freedom throughout the State in au effort to bring the govorn-
lueutback to just principles ; to restore Kansas and Nelu-aska to the po-
41
642
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
Ritioii of free territories ; to repeal the fugitive sliive law ; to restrictHliiv-
ery to the StateH in whivii it exists; to piohiliit (he adiuissioii of any
more slave Slates into the I'liioii ; lo exclude slavery iVoiii ail Ih'.' terri-
tories over which the Keneral ^{oveniineiit lias t'xchisivi'JurisiJiclioM ; re-
eist the ac(Hiireiiieiit of any new slave terrilory, anil' the repeal of the iu-
hiiniuii and ImrUiroiiH hluek lawH of this State."
These were tlic sentitnciits of tlie |)eoph> to a larju'e exfeiit.
Tlie Tiizeweli Minor (wliiji) proixjsed a "Slate ,coiiveiiliou of
all parties and divisions of parlies oi)posed to tiie repeal of llu;
IMissuiiri eoininoinise, to he held at sonic coiixcnient place in tlu^
t>tate early cnoiijih in i»oiiil of time lo make arranjicini'iils for the
fail elections of l.sr»4.'" IJiit this proposition did not iiu'ct with
general favor, ^^■|lile llie old whijis in Illinois stood aliiHtst as a,
unit in op])ositi<)n to the repeal of the Missouri eoinproniise, tiiey
were yet unwillinj;' at that tiini' to lose their identity to aeconiplisli
one sinjile ohjcct which it was supposed would [)rove transitory,
and it was apprehended that when the Nebraska matter was dis-
posed of the disafVected democrats woidd do as thc_\ had done iu
the elei!tion of rierce in IS.")!,*, after support inj;' Xixu IJiircn in ISIS.
The wliiys arj;iie(l that as their antajiionisni to the Nebraska swin-
dle was well known, all that the <lisallcctcd democrats ami frce-
soilers had to do was to join them, ami unitedly place the seal of
condemnation upon it.
In the north part of the State, liowevcr, in every eonfiicssional
district, and also that of Madison in the south, anti Nebiaska or
fusion caiulidate.s were broujiht out, anti Nebraska i»lalform.s
adoi)te(l (a notable oiu' at lUoomin^lon), and the whij;s may be
said to have been fully merfi'cd with all the oiiposition elements.
l>ut in the central or cai»ita! district it was otherwise; there, while
the whiji's had a larj^e majurily, and Air. Yati's, their idol, had
taken extreme pound ujion the (piestion in eon}jress, they yet
dared not adopt an anti-Nebraska platform for fear an abolition
plank would drive off the mitional whij^s;. and if the whi};s shonhl
adopt a natioiml platfonn the free-soilers ami abolitionists would
be (Iriveu off. The wliij's there incrlined nH)re to know-m)tliinjiisin.
On Tuesday, October 3d, 1854, however, a small anti-Ne-
braska or fusion State convention, which assumed the name of
Ivepublican. nu t at S]»rin;.;fcld. It was alteiided by some I'd dele-
gates, and ehielly ii;aiia.L;cd by icadini;- and cNcr ardent abolition-
ists — Mr. J.ovcjoy, of lliireau, Ichabnd Codding (the Tom Coiwin
of Illinois), of Cook, Krastus Wright, of Sangamon, &e. The con-
vention was held at arms length by the great body of anti-Ne-
braska democrats and whigs, both on account of iiisignifieance iu
point of numbers and the ixditieal status of its fuglemen. It
has never been generally acknowled as the first Stale republican
convention. There was, besides, but one State officer to eh'(!t, the
treasurer. It conelude<l its labors on the 5th by )iominating J.
E. M'Cluu of M'Lean, for that ollice. The lion. John Moore, the
old incumbent, was the democratic candidate. McChin's name
vas in a few (lays after withdrawn, and that of James Miller, a
whig of the same county, substituted. A platlbrm of principles
was adopted, as follows:
Wherean, Tlio present congress by a majority of the members elected to the house,
has (lellberiitoly and wantonly re-opencd the f ontroversy respectInK the extension or
slavery undor our national jurisdiction, which a majority of the people had uuder-
Mtood to be closed forever by the Bucceseive compromises of 1820 and 1850 ; and
m
THE 15KPUTJLICAN PAKTT.
013
ir/i^TCrtn. This oonifrcRH, iililoil iind iiiipolluil by tlit' li'ilcral executive', tins hy Ww act
curri'iillv kiiDwn us llic NcliniHUii hill, dcslKncilly siilivcrlcil mt miii'li ol the (•(piii|iiH't
ciiniiiiDiily tiiiiu'il t 111' MIssoiiil <'cimi>i'(iiiiis(', us cxrliidi'il sliiviiv I i.iji l,liMt vi'sl ic-
)fliiii 111 (iiir I'Diitini'iil sti'i'ti'liiiiK t'l-iiiii till' Mississippi III tlir Kiii'kv .NiihiiiIiiIms, anil
rriiiii till! iiiinilU'l (iI'MIl il. :«) III. to lliL- iiiirtlici'ii hoiiiiilaiy lit nur I'liloii, tlii' Stutc tif
Missouri uloiic exti'ptt'il ; thiTcfort'.
/iVfiii/iif'<y, 'I'liai tlii'Sliiti- (it Illliiiils iilllniis and uialiitaliis the I'liilit mill tlicdiityof
the ^I'licnil uii\ I'l'iiiiK'iit to pi'oliiliil ami pni'liidi' tlii' I'Mi'iisioii, cslalillsliiiiciit or prr-
pctimtlon (d liuiiiiiii slavery in any mid every terriloi j id the I' S. and In any terri-
tory, possession and country over wliieli tlilseoiintry now lias or may lienalter aeiniiro
I'Xeiiislve .jiirisdiel ion.
Iii!<iiUril, That the doetrliie aillrined liy the Ncdiniskii bill, and ndiled over by Its ad-
vocates with the spetHoiis phrases (d noii-iiitei\enlioii mid popiiiar soveielirnly, ia
rciiiiy and clearly a eoiiipiete surrender ol all the ^iromiil liltherio asserted and nialn-
tiilui'd by the tederal u''o\ eminent, with respect lo I he liiiiitat Imi ol sla \ery, Is a plain
coule.-'sioii ol the rljflit ol the slave holder to transler his hiiiiian iliiilteis to any part
ol the piiliiK' iloinain, and there hold tlieiii as slines as loiur as incliiial ion or interest
may dielate ; that this is an attempt totally li> rev rse the doetiiii liil liei lo iiiiHorinly
held by stntesiiieii and .|uiist-, that slavery Is the creature ol local and State law, ami
to make It a national Instiiiilion.
lirxiilviil, That as rreedoiu is national mid slavery seetlniial mid local, the absence of
1)11 law upon the subject ol' slavery prcsiiincs the existence of a slate of freedom uloiio,
while sUiviTv "xlstedoidy by virtue <d positne law.
U(siilr<il, That slavery can exist In a tiiritoiy only by nsiirpiitlon and In violation of
law, and we believe that conurcss has tin' rivlit mid should prohibit Its extension Into
such territory, so loiitf as It remains under the iruanUanship of the >ieiicral (Jovern-
meiit.
lirsiilriil, That we willlntfly concede to neiirl\b(iilii»r States all theicKiil lights on our
soil Ineliided in the sa<'rcd compact of the I'onsi it lit ion, but we rcuaid the trial b\ .iiiry
and the writ of habeas corpus as safeguards of personal liberty so necessary tiial no
interests of any cltl/.cu of our own State ever arc or can be perniitlcd to siisiieiid tlicni;
and therefore no eiti/.cn of other States can lalrl,v ask iis to consent to their iibrofia-
tion.
llfHdlrcd, That wo recoK'iiizo no antagonism of national Intrrestsbef ween us and the
citizens of soiitfiern States, iku' do we entertain any fecMii>;9 of hostility toward them,
but wo recofrni/.c them as kindred and brethren id'thc same national family, liav;ii^u
common oriurin, and we hope a c(aiini(in and glorious dcstin.v.
/tesiid'cd, That in that fraternal spirit we call upon Iheiii to aid us in rostorinir the
action of government to its primitive iisatic. under which we have so loii>r cn.joyed
prosperity and peace, as the only «:iiarant''e of futiii'o liarmony, and a certain, if not
the only, means of perpi'tiiation id the rnion.
Uisiilrrd. That the rixciiiiiil harbor lmpro\ cnicnts. when necessary to the safely and
J'onvenltnce of commerce with foreivrn nations, or amonn tlu" several States, are ob-
jects of national concern, an<l it is the duty of coiifrress. in the exercise of itsoonstitu-
tional power, to pniviile for tlie same,
JlisiilrnI, That we heart il.v approve the course of the freemen of ronnecticiit. Ver-
mont, Iowa, Ohio, Indiana. New York, Wisconsin, Michifiiin mil Maine, post polling- or
disrenardlny their iiiinor diirerences of opinion or pr< feretices, and actiiii;- toiretlier
cordially and triistinirly in the same i aiise of Ircedom. of frei- lalinr and free soil, and
we commend their spirit to the freemen of this and other States, exhorting each to re-
nounce Iii8 jiarty whenevoranU wherever that party proves unfaithful to humup free-
dom
Tlu' tVdlowiiiji' State otMitral ('(tiniiiittct! was (Icsionatctl ; Jud^e
David J. liaktT of IMadiscui, ]\Iaj. V. I), ("oy of Knox, ]S\ (J.
(Jocr of Lake, A. (1. Tliioop, of (look, Edwin S. Lelaiid of La-
Salle, M. L. Diiiilap of Cook, lion. A, Idiicolii of Saiigainon,
1], M. Sheets of Stevenson, /. l']astiii:iii, ol' ("ook, .1. F. Faiii.s-
vMdlli of Cook, J. I>. Faiiliank.s of Morgan. leiiabod Codtliiiu of
( i(ic.|0(».*
\V'(' eannot forbear to relalc an cpi.sodc \\lii( ii occurred during'
(l:e .sittin<>-of tiie eoiivention, wliicii, by its brilliaii(!y, tloiibtiess
aided to east that body in the shade. On the 4th tlay of Oeto-
ber a mass meeting, b,N previous ai>pointineiit, was held atSpring-
lield, at whitili Mr, Doujiias, Gen. Singleton and Major Jlarris
(running for congress agiinst Yates,) were to speak. A large as-
semblage of people liatl gathered from far and near, in eonse-
tpieiiee. Jt was also the occasion of the first State fair at Spring-
Held, wliicli had drawn a lai'ge attendance from all over the State,
ami was a great success. It had been rumored that Judges Ureese
and Trumbull, anti-Nebraska democrats, both looking to Shields'
]»laee in the United States senate, would be juesent to answer
Douglas. ]\rr. Lincoln, too, l(K»king forward to tliat exalted posi-
tion, had carefully i»repared for the occasioji, and the two former
• See Chicago Tribune, Oct. 7, 1854.
(»U lIlSTOltY Ol' ILLINOIS.
i'iiiliii;; to ii|i|)Ciir iit till' ap|i*>iiitc(l time, liit divided t)i(Miiii(^ iiiid
discussed t lie mII ;il»s()ri)iii;; ((iiestioii of tiie diiy with Mr. Dou^iiiis.
Tliib was tlie llrst oeensioii tliiit. tiirse i;i'eat rival eliaiii|)i()ii.s, wlio
lia\e <)eeu|)ied so lai';i(> a sliai'o of pnl)li<; attention, and wlio.su
just lame lias sunk deep into tlie |ialriotie heart of the nation,
measured their sti'en};tli in dehate; and the intelleetnal etl'ort.s of
liotii, eanvin^' the assembled mnltitiide alternately by storm, arc
sp(dceii of in the lii,i;hest of terms 1)V their lesix-etive friends.
The iiieeliii;;, on aeeoiint of the weather was held in tln' hall of
represeiil;iti\es.
.Mr. IjiicoIii sjioke first, oeeiipyiiiji' two hours. lie (whi;j)
elainuMl to be national in his views; was opposed to disturbin;;
slaveiy where il existed in the States; would sustain an ellieient
slave law, beeaiue of the eiear ^rant of power in the eonstilutiou
lor the re(!OVery of fu;;itives from labor; believed that eonj;r«>ss
had the power, and should exercise it, to prohibit slavery in the
territories, citiiij; the ordinance of 17M7. He also took the broad
^r(uiud derived from the d<'elaration of independence, that the
white man bad no rif;ht to iniposi laws upon the blacks for their
ji'o\ criimeiit without their consent ; and concluded with a vi^^orous
attack iijion Douglas personally, takiii]H' as his text the eelebratt'd
ajiostropho of that jicntlemau in lSi!», that the Missouri compro-
iiiise was caiioiii/ed in the lu'urts of the American people, wliieli
no ruthless hand would dare to be reckless eiioiijili to disturb. lie
sjioke with singular power, and beinj; deeply moved himself, car-
ried his audience with him step by sti'j) in wra]»t attention to his
el(Mpience, until his ar<;nnient broke like a sun over tlieii' uuder-
sfandiii};-. *^lr. Lincoln's speech was heartily endorseil by the
convciitiou.
JMr. l)ou,iilas, in answer, sliowed that the priucijili' of lej;islatiou
ill the adjustment measures of bSoO, sniiported by patriot whij;s
and deiiiociats aliki! as a linality, was precisely the same as that
embodied in the Kansas-Nebraska bill, and that the insertion of
tlie words declariiiji the ^Missouri line iii(»]terative and void by a
southern whi^', was nieie surplussajne, and did not chanjic the
Ir^^al elFect at all ; that aside from those words the act was the
same in its ;;jraiit of lejiislative jiowers as tliat of Utah and New
JNIexico, which had met the apjirobation of all jiarties e.\eei»t ultra
abolitionists. The ar};uiiient of his adversary, his friends (tiaimed,
was met, ])oint by jtoiiit, repellinj; his assaults and exi»osiii^' his
sojtliistry in a scathinf^and triuini»hant manner, as only the Ijittle
(iiaiit, with'liis ready powers of debate, of all men in Ameriea
e(nild have done, <'arryin{>' eonviistion home to the minds of his
liearers until their ])ent u]) enlhusiasm, knowing- no bounds, burst
forth in ringing- apjilause rom a thousand throats.
Tlie closing hours of the (^invention were also graced by the
presence of Alessrs. IJreese and Trumbull, who had been heralded
to answer Douglas, but failed to arrive until the day after the
great debate. The hour of their speaking was .leferred till 4 p.
ill. for the eonveiition to close its labor, when Mr. JJreese made
the oiiening- spe<>ch of about an liour's duration, in which he de-
nounced the rejieal of the Missouri compromise, declaring: he
would have sulfered liis ri:j:lit ar n to be cut ott' rather than have
•See III. Jour. Oct. 1 1854.
TUK UKiniJLlCAN PART if.
(515
voted for tliat iinMisjire, liiid lio bccu! in tlio soiuitc* In tlic iiIiscih'O
of |)on;;liis, .lolin Caliionn (of sii))s«M|ii('iit |j('i-oiii|)t(in conslilu-
lioii notoriety,) to(tk tlu' piivilcyr to reply, siiyin;;- lliiit willi re-
mind to tlii^ peisoniil diMlikc to Mr. I>oii;;la.s wliieli appeiireil to
iiMiiii:it<^ .lii(l;;e iSreese, lie IimiI nothing to<lo; and tlieii proceeded
to sliuw that tlie eonijironii.se of IS."»((.sii|»ris(Ml('d the Missouri e<»ni-
jiroinise, hy establishing,' the i»rin(di»le of non inteix cntion, to
which luttli nati«)nal whi^s and democrats uere eoinniitted ; ha
tainite<i the speakers with not meeting Doii^dasat hisapoiiitiiieiit,
but waiting until the eneinv innl departed, and then, I'aithiau like,
<lischiir<;inji;' theii' jioisoned iviiows after him. Calhoun had few
eipiiils in point of ability, but he lacked <'nerj,'y and was theslav«i
4il' tlie eu]». In tlit^ eveiiiuj;' a \ery larye aiulience assembled in
respnscnlativ<'s' iiall to hear the very able aif^iiiuent of .Iiid<j;e
'i'riimbull, and doui)tless also to heai'tiie self ai)pointed and iniin-
italde ( 'UUioMii in reply, Trnmbiill luade tin' '"one (pu'stion of
tliH r<'peal of the, Missouri comproiinse the text," scouting' the idea
that he was ever either a wlii;; or abolition!' t."t Met 'Icruaud's
jtosition was the same. Indeed, those who had atliliated with tin;
democratic ]»arty rebelled ostensibly only a<;aiMst Nebraskaisia
bein<;' nnule a ])aity test or tenet, l»eeause it re\ i\<'tl slavery aj;itii-
tion ; ami they studiously masked all app<'aiances of, and (lis-
<'iaiiiu'<l all sympathy with, anti-sla\ery sentinu'uts in the sense
«)f ultolitionism.
Tlitj weeks' discussion at S])rinji:tield. as it uas called, did not
Jesuit in i'stablishinj;' a nnity of ]M)sition, or cause a full espousal
of a iimv party oij^anization by all the o]>position ; the convc^ntion
was not openly subscribed to, an<l the whij;' picss feai'cd t(» ap-
l»rove or notice it ; but in all the tiimnnnj;' of the i»eiiod there
was entire unanimity in thorough oppo.sitiou to the repeal of the
jMissouri eompronuse.
The iiicipieut r<'j)ubli(^an party of Illinois nmde a vigorous and
spirited <'am)taiyn. Messrs. Chase and (liddin^s, of Ohio, lent it
their ai<l, and spoke words of cheer and em^ourajienu'nt to the
new and untried part,> m nniny counties of our State; the result
uas the development of a stn'ii^th in the election astounding- to
the <leniocrac\, gratifying to themselves, and uiu'xpeeted to all.
They emerged from their first i)olitical eonliict, in l.sr)4, in a num-
ner triumphant. The oidy State otiicer to elect was the treasurer,
and the tried ami ineoiru|)tible veteran ini'undx'nt, honest ,Iohu
]\Ioore, it is true, was re-elected, but wlnit was far unnv imi>ortant
in a political ])oint of view, five <mt of the nine j'ongressmen were
republican, viz : Washburne, Woodward, Knox, ^'orton and
'i'rundudl, Yates, ])ersonally popidar, but forsaken by the pro-
slavery wliigs, was lost. The straight Nebraska deino(!raey were
in a nniiority in the general assenddy, lost the organization of
both houses and the election of a United States senator. Thus
closed the first contest in lllinoii-. between the incijiient party of
freedom, though sectional, and the old democratic party, winch,
to hold in its grasp a united south, was leaning too much to
slavery. In Illinois the scepter of power had departed from the
hands of the deniocraey.
♦S.e III. Kotf. Oct. IS, IR-4.
tSce )iiB Letter Oct. U, 1854, in 111. Kegister.
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646
HISTOllY OF ILLINOIS.
■I:
£ !
'M\
THE KNOW-NOTHING, OB A3IERI0AN, PARTY.
The (Mirious stu(l(>ut who will take tin; trouble, may easily trace
soiiu'tliinj; of a coiiiicction from the old federal party down totiio
kiio\v-iiothiii{;i.siii of half aeeiitiiry later. The former eidmiiiated un-
der the elder Adain.s in disaster and dis<;raee, by theemu'tment of
the alien and sedition laus and itsfinal overthrow in the election of
]Mr. rietferson. Fiom that time, however, uativist orj^anizat ions
existed juore or less in the larger cities of the Union, where tlu'ir
contests wei'c mostly personal and local, meeting with varying
success and faihire. Later, in State and national elections tliey
mo.stly co-operated with the whig party, and occasionally sought
to commit it to their narrow doctiines. ITpon the dissolntion of the
Avhig party this elcnu'nt devised a uew secret organization more
snittle in its o[)erations, and by its mysterious ways enticing the
yonng and unwary (for the hunuiu mind loves a mystery) with
ininciples prescriptive of foreigiu'rs and intolerant of catholics.
The dark ceremonies of The order, <;onducted with mysterious
secresy, were peculiarly impressive. In admissions to member-
ship much solemn parade was made, sacred oaths administered,
and horrid i)enalties retpiired to be underwritten by candi<!ates
f(U' violating any behest of the order; and to all inquiry t lie mem-
ber was to "know nothing." They were bound by their onths to
deny that they belonged t') the order. In this feature of the in-
stitution is found the meaning of the name "Know-nothing." It
was signiiicant of their oliligations. The local organi/iitit»ns were
deiu)minated lodges, the nu'ctings of whicL were usually hehl un-
der cover of night, as if their deeds were evil, by aid of dark
lanterns, in lonely and unire<iuented places, in the recesses of
forests, i)rairie hollows, deserted or unteinmted buihlings, untin-
ished attics, dtc., rei)airing thither stealthily, though none i)ur-
sued — conduct most unbecoming i)atriotic citizens of a free coun-
try. Lodges sent delegates to the council which nominated can-
didates, designated other delegates to other councils or conven-
tions, issued orders, <}tc., all <jf w hich the members had solemnly
8worn to imi»llcitly sui)poit and obey, under penalty of expulsion,
l)roscri]»tion, ]>ersonal indignity if not outrage.
At tirst tlicir nomimitions were made from the other political
parties, and by their seciet and united weight they would gener-
ally tui'u the scale as to them s<'empd meet. Thus emboldened,
the operations of the oi'der were extended and fuudly its own dis-
tinctive nominations o])enly announced for either local or other
offices. Adviincing with clandestine! and rapid strides, it attained
]>olitical suprenuu'y in several States, and cast a large vote in
many others. Still aspiring, in l.sr»(>, a presidential ticket was put
forth. ]>ut it may be said that the Know-nothing order lost
}iower so so(m as it openly made separate and distinct nomina-
tions from its (»wn i)arty ami (juit secretly espousing the nomina-
tions of other parties. While many of the pretensions of all
parties are hollow— advanced to make political capital anu)ng tlie
nmsses — the cry of "Americans to rule America" bv the ostracism
of foieign-born citizens and ])roscription in religion, the two cardi-
nal tenets of the i)arty, was both unrep\d)lican and unconstitutional
— unrepublican, because in contiict w ith the Declaration of Inde-
THE REPUBLICAN PARTY. 64T
peiKk'iicc, which charges the King of Engliuid with "ciideavoring
to prwveut the i)opulatioii of these States ; for tliat jmrpose ob-
structing the laws for the uaturahzatioii of foreigners, refusing to
j)ass others encouraging their eniigmtion hitlior;" unconstitu-
tional, because that instrument says : " No religions test shall
ever be required as a qualification to any office of public trust un-
der the United States." Further, the constitution not only ])er-
niits but fosters the freest discussion. With frequent ajjpcals to
the people, a tribunal than which none is higher, with the duty of
tlu' citizen to arraign and investigate the conduct of govern men t,
and scrutinize the operation of the laws, what can justify i)()]iti-
cal organizations which avoid the open day meet in darkness and
seclusion, which otter no ground to open (!ombat, whose ])rinci-
l)les are a sealed book, and whose adherents, under sworn
obligations, " know nothing f" It tended to segregate foreign-
born and Catholic residents into communities distinct in feeling
and in political and i jligious interests, and to excite in their breasts
tlie animosities and hatreds of race by fastening ui)on them i»o-
litically the brand of Helots. Every consideration of exix'diency
no less than justice demand that this large and valuable element
be in every way enconi-aged to amalganuite freeiy with the masses
in order that its character and impulses may be lendered homo-
geneous with the vast aggregate of American >-iO(!iety,
At first the order had no clearly detined i)osition ujjon the
slavery question. It sought to ignore it for a time ; but that
all-absorbing subject which enlisted both the s.^;Mpatlly and (!U-
l)idity of men, and excited them as no other ]m")lic question has
ever done, would not down at the bidding of the secix't cabal. It
liad to be met and it ultimately proved its ruin.
in Illinois the order was not early developed, neither did it take
deep root. In coud)ination with the whigs of central and south-
ern, an<lthe free soilers of northern, Illinois, it fused and enteicd
witli its strength into the contest of l.So-I. rerhai)s its most deter-
mined ett'ort was then made on W. B. Archer for congress in the
7th district, which, singularly, resulted in a tie vote, tliough Alleu
was said to Imve had ouc majority. In 1S;V) it i»resented the most
disjointed issue, and made the largest ett'ort ever essayed by it iu
Illinois. In the spring of that year the State council, which met
in Chicago, endorsed for snpieme judge of the central division the
Hon. Ste[tlien T. J^ogan, and for clerk S. A. Corneau, botli of San-
gamon ; and the conclave issued its secret edict to tiie mendx'isof
tlie lodges requiring obedience to its behests. In the council, it is
said, the contest for the control of its organization was wanidy
waged l)etween the open anti-slavery mendters and those who
sought to dodge tinit obtrusive issue.
Judge Logan (probably not persomvlly identified with the order,
it being its practice to sn[)port candidates irresjjecrtive of their
personal connection with tliem,) was known far and wide as a(k'ei)
read lawyer and able jurist, and had been a whig leader for a long
time.* The democratic ticket for the same ottices was comjiosed
of (). C. Skinner, of Adams, forjudge, and W. A. Turm^y, of JMor-
gan, for clerk. Mr. Skinner was comparatively a young man for
' In the constitutionnl convention of 1847 .Iiultfc Lojran had ndvocated a proposition
rtMiuirinR 15 yt-ars citizenship (SO years residence,) from a foreigner as a qualitlcatlon
for the oiHce of governor.
C48
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
,)3iH:
ii i»la(;c oil tlic, sui)i(Mm; b('ii(;Ii ; not ^(Miciall.v know ii, but of f^ood
jibility. Under tlic firtMinistanccs Loi^iin's election was eonlidently
exjteeted ; but lie met witli ovciwliebninj; defeat, bein^ beaten some
1(»,00() votes. In ^lovember befoie San;;amon bad sent Inm to the
legislature! by SOO majority; now he was icpudiated in liis own
county by 1,100 nmjority. Tiiis was but further |»n)of that the
end)ittered slavery (juestiou dominated every otlicir political tie,
however oath-bound. It was a manifestation of the old whiji ])ro-
siaveiy sentinu-nt whicii felt that Lo^an had been too closely
allied in the legislature the winter Itefore with the anti-slavery fu-
.si(»n which elected Mr. 'rrund)nll to the V. S. senate, and which
now broke its old adhesions and went en masse to the democracy,
Avhere it nniy be found to-day in c«'ntral Illinois.
The national K. iS'. council, after a ]»rotracled and stormy ses-
sion at rhihulelphia, Febnuiry, IS.IO, nominated Filmore and Don-
aldson and adopted a i>latform reco^ni/in^ the iirincii)les of the
Kansas-Mebraska act, whereui»on the northern members bolted
the (lonventntn and repudiated the i»latform. Thus theovershad-
owin<;- (pu'stion of slavery ruptured and overthrew know-nothinj;-
ism, though the orj^ainzation was kept up, both State and national,
for some time after.
On the(Jth of May, IS-jO, theknow-nothinj;' State couticil of Illi-
nois convened at Sprinjilield. The attendance exhibited a])orten-
tious falliujn" ott" in innnber.s. The deliuerations were conducted
Avith (!l(»sed doors. On the part of many of the manajicrs who
played with the ordei' only for rei)id»Iican purjtoses, a stronj; ettbrt
was made to defer proceediiij^s until after the meetinj;- of the State
reitublican conventum on the liOth inst. JJut this scheme was de-
feated, and the followinj^ ticket was brouj;ht out: For };'overin)r,
AV. It. Archer, of Clark ; for lieutenant-ji»)\ernor, M. L. Duidaii,
of Cook ; for secretary of State, A. Thornton, of Shelby ; for treas-
urer, Jiimes IVliller, of McLean; for auditor, l)r. JJarber, of "Wash-
injiton ; and for superintendent of i)ublic instruction, E. Jenkins,
of Fayette. JNlr. Danenhowei-, of Cook, and .Joseph (lillesjtie, of
Madison, were api)ointed seiuitcrial electors. The I'hiladelphia
K. N. platform, totally at variance with republicanism, was
udo])ted, and the nomimition of Filmore and Donaldson ratitied.
J\ir. Archer, who was at Washington contesting; the seat l)f J.
C Allen in conj;ress, lefused to ac(;ej>t, and snbsecjuently i)iirtici-
])ate(l in the national I'epnblican conveidion which nondnated
Frenujut. JJuckner S. Morris, of Cook, was snbstitnteil. Others
refused to accept, and T. 1». Hickman, of Fayette, was substituted
for Mr. Duida]); \V. Jl. Vounji', of Lojian, for Mr. Thornton. James
Miller, of Mcljcan, without acceptinji his nomination, received the
same place on the ticket of the liloomin};ton convention a few
days later. Indeed, it is said that numy inend)ers of the council
Avent direct to IJIoomiiijiion, and that some icceived places on the
republican ticket. At the JS'ovend)er election of JSoCithe K. N.
ticket i»olled alumt 20,000 votes, and this was about the last ettort
of tlu! order in Illinois.
I'.esides k!U)w-nothinfi, the Anieiican party was also desijiuated
" Sam," from " Uncle Sam " or U. S., the initials of United Slates.
The i)ersonally fij^urative rejjresentative of slavei'y tvas often
S])oken of as " Sand)o," denoting;', in concrete, the anti-slavery
party. Hence the slavery question in the K. N. c(.)uucil was spokeu
THE REPUBLICAN PARTY. 049
of iis ii set-to between "Sam " and "Sambo." At Pliiludelpliia
" Sam " eanied tlie day, but tlie vi(!tory was dear as defeat. The
terms of repioaeli ai>i)Iied to the i)arty were Hindoos or Tlni};s, the
latter an association of robbers and miM(h'rers of India. Tliis,
from tlie fact that its (course was marked by riots and the (h'struo-
tion of life and property. Tlu'se, it will be remembered, were
fearfid in the years l.sr)4-5 in many of our larj;(' cities — I5altimore,
Louisville, St. Louis, Cincinnati and other places.
It is well that such orf^ani/ations, from the condition of enlight-
ened soitiety, must ever prove short-lived, as did this. Their ten-
<len<ry is to diffuse distrust, suspicion, hati'ed, insincerity ; they
disturb the order and (piiet of societ}, poison contidence, and
eventuate in mobs and crimes. This onler taught nuMi to think
li,ii,litly of the prin(;iples of liberty as set forth in the Declaration
of Independence, and of treason by administerinfj' oaths in \ iola-
tion of the (;onstitution ; it profaned reliyion by appeals to the
weak juejudices of bij^otry and famiticism ; and i)lant;'d t]ie seeds
of riot, aison and blood-shed, by arrayiny the i)eople of one laco
or nationality in deadly hostility against the other. Its name
should be anathema.
During the year 185ii the republican organization gave renewed
evidences of vitality and imaeasing strength. In Ohio, JNIr. Chase
was elected by a large majority. The (lenn)cracy of Illinois felt
impelled to look to tlieir position, and inmiediately after began to
])repare for the great contest, nearly a year ahead. A stirring
address, dated December I, l.S.'i.j, was issued by the State gene-
ral committ(!e, of which the lion. J. A. McClernand was ehair-
nnm, diiecting the appointment of delegates to the State demo-
cratic convention, to be held at Springfield, May 1st, l<sr)(». A
portion of the address, which, by Us terse, aigumentative di(!tion,
r(!veals the author in tlie chairman of the committee, is lu^re <]uo-
t»Ml, as portraying in a nmnner the intense and acrimonious party
feeling of that day :
"Tlie nijileontents, the iiitoloraiita, and the religious liifrots of the
country. Imvedeterniined upon making a desperate effort to seize the
reins of government. Tlielr oidy wish and lione is to excite poj)ular
passion and upon it ride into oltiee and power. They have raised their
black flag, witli "Abolition" upon the one side, and "Disunion" upon
the other, surmounted with the know nothing deatli's head and cross
bones, and with hideous outcries are rallying their motley forces for the
coming struggle They pretend to be the peculiar friend of the negro,
while they would make slaves of white men; tliey i)retend to be the
friends of freedom, yet murder men for exercising a i)lain constitutional
right ; they pretend' to love liberty, while they denounce the constitu-
tion as a ' league with hell ;' they make loud professions of policy while
they persecute others for ditterence of relitjious opinions, and slander
amf belie all who entertain sentiments ditferint from their own. One
day they profess to be diarmed by ' that ricli Irish brogue and that
sweet tieiman accent,'* and the next they shoot down, burn and mur-
der men, women and ddldren for not being born in the same country
as themselves; they illustrate their principle of 'Americans ruling
America' by mobbing the elections, breaking up the ballot boxes, and
destroying the votes ; they urge their own will as higher than the con-
stitution, while they deny to the people of the territories the right to
have any will atal! ; they seek to revolutionize government by violence
when its acts contlict witli tlieir own ; they resist the constitutional acts
of congress by armed mobs, which is treason by the law. Devoid of po-
''Guii. Scott's speech wbUe a cundidate for president.
650
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
litical priiiciplo themselves, they are for fusion with men of every sha<le
of political jirinciple, and men of no political princii>le, ho they can
'vote a vou!,' and add strength to their political organization. In bold
contrast and aloof from all tliis confusion stands the democratic party."*
Tlie (convention met acconliuff to tlie time and place desifiiiatcd,
and nominated the Jlon. W. A. liichardson, of Adams, as their
candidate lor j;overn()r, on the 3d ballot ; the old treasurer, John
Moore, heinji' his strongest op])onent, and leading him on the (irst
ballot 113 votes. Tin^ iH)minati()n of Kichardson was not unex-
l)ected. It Avas foreshadowed by a little circumstance that took
place the preceding' summer. A coini>any of Chicaf'o nulitia
made Senator Douglas a complinu'ntary visit at his residence on
the lake shore, below the city, and duriii};' tlie aiternooii's enter-
tainjnent, in their hilarity, nominated Col. liichardson lor gover-
nor. Jle, more than perinii)s anj' other mend)er from the free
States had proven himself the lirm and reliable Iriend and suj»-
l)orter of the senator in the i)assa}ie of tlu^ Kansas -Is'ebraaka bill
tlin)U};li the lower house of congiess. The fusion press, which
constantly taunted the; democracy with the dictatorshij) of Doiij^-
las, took this circumstance of a social occasion and settled Hi)on
Kichardson as the candidate with whom the State convention had
nothinj? else to do but to confirm ; in which they i)roved to be
correct. Col. li.J. Hamilton, of Cook, was nominated tor lieuten-
ant j-overnor ; W. 11. Snyder, of St. Clair, for secretary of state ;
lionest John Moore, of McLean, the old incinnbent, again Ibi
treasurer; Samuel K. Casey, of Jefferson, for auditor, and J. 11.
St. Matthew, of Tazewell, for superintendent of jaiblie schools.
In tlie platform the convention atlirmed that conjjress had no
rij^htfid authority to establish, abolish or imdnbit slavery in the
States or teriitories; approved non-intervention and jmpular sov-
ei'ei}j;nty, the (!()inproinis(M>f ISoO, and declared that the restora-
tion of the Missouri restrictioii would be a llagTant violation of
the constitution aiul the principles of sell'-j>overnment ; asserted
th(^ national rijiht of all men to religious freed(nn, declaring their
oi)position to i)ros(;ription of foreign born citizens; and instruc-
ted tiui delegates to the Cincinnati national democraticconveutiou
to vote for Stephen A. Douglas for president.
During all this time, it may well be imagined, the leaders of
tlie new party, which had met with unexpected success in 1854-5,
■were not idle. vVhile they were sanguine, they Averealso cautious
in taking extreme or advanced anti-slavery ground. They sought
to form a coalition of all the various factions, odds and ends
outside of the democratic party oi)posed to the Nebraska meas-
ure, with a view rather rather to success than the espousal of rad-
ical i)rinciples. The democracy characterized this coalition as the
"s]»eckled progeny of many conjunctions." But v^uccess, it was
well reasoned, would do more to confirm lukewarm friends than
unanswerable siiguments. In this connection we quote the apt
language of the Chicago Tribune at the time :
"TiiK Bloominoton Convention. — Only two weeky will intervene be-
tween the present time andtheday fixed for holding the anti-Nebraska
State convention at Blooinington. But, though the time is short, we
wish to correct one misapprehension that has gone abroad in relation to
the proposed gathering. It is this: that the couvenliou is to be exclusive-
•See 111. Reg., Dec. 4, 1855.
THE RKPmiLICAN PARTY. G51
ly repiiblican. Such is not the case. The republicans, so far as we arcin-
fornifd, consent to be represented tliere purely as anti-Nebrasku men,
ami if there is anything? in tlieir political creed, which points to more
radical measures than old line whij^s and anti-Nebraska democrats can
consent to, they have expressed their willinj;ness, without dissent, to
])Ut sudi thin)j;s in abeyance, and unite upon the platform ui)on which
all northern men, who are .not avowedly pro-slavery, ou^ht to stand. As
one of the organs of republican opinion, we liave no hesitation in say-
iiifj that we advise our friends throughout the State to such a course of
action. We say further, that we know of no man whois identified with
the re])ublican party who desires or would accept a nomination from the
convention, forany place whatever. The republicans of the north wisli
to testify their sincerity by taking the places of privates in the ranks,
reserving the right to do battle wherever the fight is fiercest. They ex-
pect that the nominee for governor will possibly be a man who differs
with them u\Hni some matte-sconnectetl with national politics, but they
do not demand uniformity ot belief— do not expect it. We know not
who may be on the ticket witli Col. IJissell, and we do not care what
they are called, or what may be their political antecedents, so that they
arc men of personal and political integrity, who may be dejiended upon
to carry out the views that they will announce. The republicans ask
notliiiig."
On the 22(1 of February, 185G, an auti-Nebrtiska editorial con-
vention had jnet at Decatur, with Paul Selby as chairiuan, and
"NV. J. IJ.sre.v as secretary, whidi gave a free airiiij? to its i)olitical
views, both State and national, as editors are wont to d(». They
demanded, in a, set of resolutions, the lestoration of tlie Missouri
compromise; opposed the (b'inands of slavery for territorial ex-
pansion as inconsistent with freedom; de(rlared tliere' was an ur-
gent demand for refoiiu in the State adininistri'tion ; stood to tlie
free school system; and aske<l all who concurred in their views of
national (piestions to dro}) all party differences i^pon other issues
and nnit^^ in a conimon ettbrt to give these practical effe(;t. For
this purpose they lecoinnieiulcvl a delegate State convention to be
held Thursday, i\lay 29, at Bloomiiigton. They designated a
State central committee, one from ea<di eongressioiud district, to
niake the call, lix the ratio of representation, and take such other
steps as woidd secure a full rei»resentation from all parts of the
State. We name the committee in the order of the nund)er of
their respective districts : W. 1>. Ogden, Chicago; S. M. Church,
Kockfort; (r. A. 1). Farks, Joliet ; T. J. Frickett, Feoria ; E. A.
Dudley, f^uincy; Wni. II. llerndon, Springlield; K. J. Oglesby,
Decatur; Joseph Gillespie, Edwardsville; D. L. Phillips, Jones-
boro. Gov. Koerner 'and Ira O. Wilkinson were designated for
the State at large.
Accordingly the rei)td)lican State convention of 1850, met at
P>loomington, in .Arajor's Hall, jMay 29th. Out of the 101 counties
m'aiiy one-third were unrepre.sented, naiiu'ly : Alexander, Pulaski,
]\lassac, Joiinson, Pope, Hardin, Saline, Galiatin, Ilamili*,!!,
White, Wayne, Wabash, Clay, Crawford, .Jasper, Effingham, Cum-
berland. CJark, Douglas, Fayette, Shelby, Brown, Jefferson, Frank-
lin, Williamson, Jackson, Perry ami JNIonroe, nearly all in the
soul hern part of the State. The Hon. John M. Palmer of Macou-
l»iii. was chosen i)ermanent cliainnan. The following were chosen
as vice presidents: J. A. Davis of Stephenson, Wni. Kossof Pike,
James McKee of Cook, J. H. Bryant of Bureau, A, C. Harding of
Warren, Itiehard Yates of Morgan, H. O. Jones of Piatt, 1). L.
Phillips of Union, Geo. Smith of Madisou, J. U. Marshall of Coles,
652
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
J. JM. Kn^gles of Vinson, (J. A. 1). Turks of Will, Jolm Claik of
Scliiivlcr. Sccictiirit's: II. S. Ilakcr of .Miidison, ('. L. Wilson of
CooU", .loliii Tilsoii (.f Adams, \V. lJiisliin-11 of LaSalif, Jl. .1. F.
Ilaiiiiii of Kaiidolpli.
Tlw [)i'()('('i'diii}is of llic coiivciitioii were liariiioiiioiis. Tlic iioiii-
iiialinii of the Ihtii. W. H. IJisscIl of St. (•'lair, wlio was siiiiitly an
anti Nebraska democrat, liad been {•eiit'rall.v a{;ri'od ii])on before
tlie eoiiventi(»ii met, by tlie ]»ress and jteople. The iJelleville Atf-
ranife had lirst broujilit forward his name in connection with this
olliee, ill March inecedinj;', ^v|licll was shortly seconded by tlie
o]»])osition ]>ress jjeneially and in nieetin<;s of tlie i)eo]>le. lie was
very ])o[mlar, but liis health had been impaired by paralysis of
liis lower extremities and there wasai)i)re]iensioii as to his ability
to make a vigorous canvass. lUit in a letter to (jleo. T. Jirowii of
Alton, dated May U4, he wrote that lie was reeoveriii};' from his
inlirniity, and hoped for entile restoration ; that his general health
and capacity for business were as {;ood us ever; and while he
inijiht not be able to eii}>aye in an active canvass he would not
decline the iioininati<»n if tendered him. After the readinji of this
letter to the convention, ]»nblic expectation was conlirined by his
uiianiiiums nomination. Francis Hott'mun of J)uTaj;e, a tlerman,
vas also unaniimnisly nominate(' for lieutenant jiovernor.*
O. ]M. Hatch of I'iUe, was nominated for secretary of State, the
lion. Jesse K. Dubois of liawreiice, for auditor, and James ]\lil-
ler of McLean, for treasurer. These last named gentlemen were
charged with being members of the know-nothing order, which
was doubtless tlici fact; that the two former had attended excry
State council of that order since its organization, and been dele-
gates and prominent leaders in its late State convention held at
Springtiehl on the Oth iust.t At the same know-nothing
convention, we have seen that Mi\ ]\Iiller had been hon-
ored with the nomination for the same place on the ticket
at IMooniington. l>ut to the nominating committee at the
latter place he stated that he had not nor did not intend to
acce])t the place on the know-nothing ticket. \V. II. Powell of
Peoria, was nominated for sujieiinteiKh'iit of iiublic instruction.
Thes<> latter names were selected by a committee of 0, one from
each congressional district, ai»i)ointed by the chair. They were:
S. \\. Lawr'Mice, Cyrus Alden, W. W. Orme, J. J^. Arnold, A.
AVilliams, A, Lincoln, T. A. IMarshall, Thos. McCluken and J5eii.
T. Wiley, named in the order of their resi)ective districts. The
candidates selected by them were coniirmedby the convention.
The following is the platform adopted:
liffohrd. That forcM-oinjr iiU fornier rtiffproiu'es of opinion upon other questions,
we pl('(l«e ourselves to unite in opposition to the present admin istnitlon anil to the
party which upholds an<l supports it, and to use all honorable and constitutional
meuns to wrest the jrovcriunent from the unworthy hands which now coiitrid it and
to i)rin!i: it back in its adniinistration to the principles and ))ractices of Wasliinnton,
Jellerson, and their i^reat and v;ood compatriots of the revolution
lU'iiiJriil, Tliat we hold, in accordance with tlie opinions and practices of all the urcat
statesuien of all parties, for the llrst 60 years of tbeudniinistration of the jfoverinnonl,
* This jrentleman fonnd dnrlnji: the canvass that he was inclifrlble for that office— not
haviniir been naturalized 14 jcars, a <|uali(lcation jncsenbed by tlie constitution, and
he icsiH'iicd his place on the ticket. 'I'lie convention subsequr'ntly met ajiain and
substituted the name of .lohn Wood of Adams, an old whig. H S. Edwards, at the
sanu' time, received 20 votes, iJr. Euan IT, J.M. Itugirles 10, Joseph SeifllKer S, S. M.
Chinch II, and Leonard Swctt, H.
+ We have it from undoubted authority that the candidate for auditor not only re-
l'u.scd to come Into the convention but cursed it for its ubulitiouism while he accepted
the place upon its ticket.
THE REPUBIJOAN PARTY. 053
that under tho constitution conifi-uss possesses the jiower to prohibit slavery in the
territories ; nnil thiit wlillst we will iniiintiiin all eonslitiitionul rltrhts ol tlie south, wo
tllso hold tliiit justiee, huiniuiit.v,the prineipies of treedoiii lis expressed in ourdecliir-
ntion lit independence, iind our niitintiiil constitution atid the purity and pcrpct uity
of our K<'vernnu-nt reipiire that that power shoulil be exerted to prevent the exten-
sion ol' slavery into tcriitories heretofore free.
I{r><iili'i<l, That the repeal of the .Missouri coniproinisc was unwise, unjust, and inju-
rious; an open and a^Kravated violation of the pliKJiteil faltii of the States, atiil that
the attempt of tlie present adniini.slration to loree slavery into K;insas analiist the
known wishes of the letral vo'crs of that territory, is an arbitrary and tyrannous vio-
lation of tht! ri(fhts of the people to iiovern themselves, and that we will strive liy ail
eonslltutional means to secure to Kansas and Neliraska the IckhI tfuaranty aj^nlnst
slavcM'y of which they were deprived at the cost of the violation of the plljfhtcd faith
of the nailon,
tte^iihiil. That we arc devoted to tiic union and will, to the last extremity, defend it
"(falnst the elforts now beiiiH: made l)y the disiuiionlsts of this administration to eom-
pass its dissolution, and that we will support the constitution of the United Slates in
all its provisions, retranlintr it as the sat^'ed bond of oiu- union, and the only salc«iiard
for th(! preservation of the rights of ourselves and o\u' posterity.
Ucxiilnil, That we lue in favor of the innnediate adniissloii ot Kansas as a member
of this confederacy, imder the constitution adopted by the people of said territory.
litxiilrtri, Tliat tlie spirit of our Institutions as well as the constitution of our coun-
try, guaranties the lilierty of conseience as well as |>oliticai freedom, and tlnit we will
l)roseribe no one, by le>rlsiation or otherwise, on ueeount of reliffious oplidons, or in
conseiiuencc of place of birth."
Eesolutioiis approving of the course of Soiuitor Trmiibul], and
roii(leniiiin<j iliat of Senator Donpla.s were also adopted ; one by
]\Ir. Wentwork, in favor of an eeononiieal administration of tlie
aflairs of tlie State; and one by O. H. Browning, that the pro-
eeedinoH of the convention be signed by all the ofiice.s, and
piiblislicd. The Slate central coniinittee appointed cons!.-;led of
J. C. Conkling of Sanganion, Asabel (Jridley of ]\I(!L<Mn, 13. C.
Cook of JiaSalle, and C 11. Kay antl N. IJ. Jndd of Cook.
It will be observed that the platform omits to demand the repeal
of the fngiti\e slave law, omits to assert the right of trial by jury
for the captured slave, and omits to claim the writ of /<«?><'«« ror-
JH/.S- in his behalf ; nor is the institution of slavery denounced as
tiie sum of all villainies. The Hon. Owen Lovejoy, an original ab-
olitionist, who had vainly emleavored in the legislature, in is'i't,
to coni iiit the new party to a declaration against the admission
of more slave States into the Union and in favor of the rejieal of
the fugitive slave law, which, by the way, received a large vote in
that body at the time, now in the convention strove to have a
plank in.serted in the i)latform Avhich Avould retlect a more ad-
vanced position for the party, but was defeated. But with a keen
insight into the future, he observed that while lie would like to
have inoculated them with the virus more thoroughly at the time,
he <lidn't care much; for having been exposed to the infection
they would all take the disease in the natural way, and break out
all over with it before the campaign was ended anyhow- — which
was the case.
'The perso)inel of the republican ticket thus made showed that
tlie Chicago Tribune, bespeaking for advanced republicanism a
subordinate part — tlie post of honor as privates in the battle —
was taken at its words, for iu)t a i)ure aud simple republican re-
ceived a place on the ticket. It was a coalition which the lepub-
licans were content to support with the hope of future reward.
They did not reckon without their host. Success, the touchstone
of all human undertakings, attended them, and cemented all these
various elements into one great and liomogeneous paity, leading
to the most radical results. With success, all the halting, the timitl
and the doubting ones, now perhaps beholding the reward of oflice
in the future, became immediately the most pronounced and un-
yielding, if not radical, partisans.
054
HISTORY OP ILLINOIS.
It liasbct'ii sui)i)(».s('(l tlmt tlie wlii<>- and kiiow-iiotliiiij'' i)aiti(.'8
Aveii- wholly absoi'licd l»,v tlii- icpiiltlicaii party. Siicli is only paitly
inw. Itistnus in llic iioitliciii i»a»l o'" tlu; Slate, jtciliaps, but not
in the central antl s(»ullM'rn parts, m the latter, while tlie deuio-
cratie]»arty contributed larjicly toward its ranks, it received back
a greater nund)er of wliijis. The (iernians, wholly deiiiocratic! in
IMadison and St. Clair counties, went o\er almost in a body, but the
whi;;s of San<;anion, Tazewell, INIorj^an and Aiianis largely joined
the donocracy, where they are to this day.
The H'pcal of the IMissouri compromise was both a ]»arty blunder
and mistaken statesmanship. The south, with a sectional institu-
tion in ItiL' nn«lst, ought to have broadly ap]>reciated thegreat noith
with its giant stejts towaid empire, its teennng millions, its innu-
nu'rable w():k-shops, skilled laborers and vast industries. In the
faceof this, wi;ile it had piaclical control ot the government, its pol-
icy was to excit*' into beiugLhe party whoso i)rincii>les, however
they maybe said in the abstr.ictto have been national by aiti)roxi-
nuiting to the landmarks of the fathers, wore s«'ctional, because it
ojtposed the sjireadof mi institution which was itself sectional ; and
it becaiue national oii'y through the operation of a wr nuidly ])re-
cipitated by the south. The ]iarty wldch ostensibly sought only to
restrain the sectionalism of the south, has accom])lished greater
and miglitier dee<ls than the most ardent abolitionist of 2i> years
ago could have dreamed. And what it has done it has done so
thoronghly that it can never be undone. It has abolislied slavery ;
raised more than r),(»()0,()()() of negroes to citizenship, and enfran-
chised them — all this by constitntional i)rovisions.
W. H. Bissell was elected governor by a i)huality of 4,729 votes
over Col. liichardson ; Morris, K. N., receiving ]!),241 votes for tlie
same office, while Jiuchanan's plurality over Fremont was J),104;
Filmore, K. N., receiving ;J7,4.j1. The legislature was democratic.
The democracy liad thrown no obstacles in the way >f the ojtposi-
tion dividing npon Filmore, but rather encouraged it ; but the
maiJi reason wliy Buchanan carried the State and liichardson failed
was owing to the former's want of identification with the iei)eal of
the Missouri compnunise, though he had a(!cepte<l the Cincinnati
]>latform and dilated ni)on the beauties of ])o))nlar sovereignty. It
was. ill s])i|e of tiiis. believed that in his , onvictions and ])olicy he
would be apart frctui its ])riucipl('s, and lucaii laitli with itsdevoled
friends — an opinion which jnoNc-d jiiojihctic within the year of his
installation. The Missouri Democrat, while it esjjoiised republi-
canism and 8U])ported JJissell, by a strange inconsistency, laborM
even with iepid)licans to sei)arate liuchanan in the public mind
from the outrage of the rejical of the Missouri compromise.
We close tins chapter by the concluding portion of Mr. Lincoln's
speech made after the election at the republican banquet in Chi-
cago, Dec. 17, 1856 :
"All of us who did not vote for Mr. Buchanan, taken together, are a
majority of 400,000. But in the late contest we were divided between Fre-
mont and Filmore. Can we not come together for the future ? Let every
one who r ally believes, and is resolved, that free society is not, and shall
not be, a failure, and who can conscientiously declare that in the past
contest he has done only what he thought best — let every such an one
have charity to believe that every other one can say as much. Thus let
by-gones be by-gones. Let past differences as nothing be, and m ith steady
T»TE RKPUBLIflAN PAKTT. 655
tveon the roal iHsue, let ua re i milieu rate the k<>'>"1 <•'<! 'central lileaH* of
the repuhljc. We can do it. Thehiuaaii heart is withijH— (Jod in with uh.
AVe Hhail analii heahle not t<»<leclarethat 'all States, aHStateH, an- equal,'
nor yet that 'all eitizenw, an citizenH, are ecjiial,' hut to renew the hroad-
er, hetter declaration, including hoth these and nuieh more, that all nieu
are created equal.'"
Chapter L.
1S57 ISIM— ADMINKSTllATION OK (iOVEKNOU IJISSKLL,
Life nnd (Jlidnicter of the (fovenior — droHH Attack upon him in
the Ijrjiinhdiire on Account of hin Duelinff Affiiir — 1 urbnicnce
of Party tStrife and ir(tnt of Official (Jourtcnij — IHHj'raccf'ul
Action in On/aniziny the JJouhc — Apportionment Ililh of 1H"»7-1>
— The Canal iScrip Fraud — The McAlliHter and /Stelfbinn .Hands-
Aside from the i,'Mienil exeiti'ineiit incident to onr quadreiiiiial
ixditical eaiii])ai;;iis, tliat of l.sr)(;, owin^ toit.s sectional cliaiaeter.
was liioic than (trdiiiaril.v hitter. Tiie content forStateand hxal
otliees in Illinois, wheie the new repnhlican party had developed
iniexpe(!ted streM};th two ,v»'arn hefore, was iinusuall.v aerinioni-
oiis and personal. Of the candidates for ji'overnor, Itiehaidson
canvassed the State tlioronghly, hnf l^i.'isell, owing to his physiiid
ailment, was uiuible to do .so, and nia<le but one sjieech, whit'ii
Avas to his old neighbors at iJelleville. Jbit his character thron}:]i-
out the campaign was the target of vindictive assaults, some of
which he felt iiimself impelled to <len.y as utterly untrue. In let-
ters addressed to theCiuincy Herald and Siiringtieldij;tY/''''''f'' J'*' b'ok
occasion to reitel the charges that in lS5l,}is the paid attorney for
the cai>italists who sought the incorporation of the Illinois Central
Kailroad, he had been authorized to otier 10 per cent, of the
gross earnings of the road for the charter, or that he had from
liis knowledge of luiblii; men in the legislature, labored as Ji lob-
byist with Mr. llantoul to obtain the reduction to 7 per cent, to
the lasting detriment of the treasury of the State.
Upon Richardson was concentrated and poured out all the pent
lip rage of the opposition. He, it was urged, as a northern man,
next to Douglas, had advocated in congress with determined
zeal, persistence and cifectiveness the disturbance of the Missouri
compromise, and was joint author in opening the Pandora's box
to precipitate the evils of shivery agitation upon the entire coun-
try, and a border war upon the ill-fated territory of Kansas, to
crush out her freooom ft)r the purpose of eidarging the area of
human bondag'j. These impassioned appeals tokt with effect
upon the people — Bissell was elected by a jdurality of 4,729 votes
over liichardson. The legislature, nearly jalanced, was politi-
caliy opposed to the governor elect. The senate stood, 13 demo-
crats, 11 republicans and 1 American (K. N.); house, 37 demo-
crats, 31 republicans and G Americans, besides a contested election
case from Peoria, which w^as the occasion of a fierce partisan
struggle, as we shall see.
656
niSSKLL'H ADMINIHTUATION.
G't'i
Willi;un II. Ilisscll was l)orii April L'.">, ISI 1, in the Stiitc of
IS'i'W Voik, near I'aiiitc<i Post, Vates comity. Mis itaiciils were
oltsciuc, IkmicsI, (i(hI I'ra'iii';' people, who rcaied llicii' cliildien un-
der tile daily e\aiiii>le of iiidiistrv and fni;;alit,\, as is the wont of
that class of eastern society. Vonn;; iJissell received a respecta-
ble but not thoroiiKii academical education. Ily application lie
ae(piiu>d a knowledge of medicine, and iti his (>ai-|y manhood caino
west and lo<'aled in Monroe county, Illinois, wheic he eii;;a;L;ed in
the piactice of that pi(»fession. Miit he was not enamored of his
i-allin;;; he was swayed by a bioader andtitioii, and the mysteries
of (lie iiealinm' ait and its arduous duti«'s possessed no charms for
him. In a few years he discovered his choice of a profession to
lie a mistake; and wiieii he approached the a<re of :>0 sou;;lit to
iM'iUin anew. Dr. Missell, no doubt unexpectedly to himself, dis-
covered a sin^-nlar facility aixl charm of speech, the exercise (»f
w hicli acquired liim ready local notoriety. It soon came to be iin-
derstoo<l that he desired to abandon Iii.s profession and takc^ up
that of the law. Durin;^' terms of court he woidd spend his time
at the county seat amon^ the members of the bar, who extended
to him ii ready welcome.
It was not stran;;e that he should drift into i»nblic life. In 1SK>
lie was eh'cted •■ a democrat to the lej;islature from Monroe
county and made ellicient inenii»er. On his rt'tiirn home lie
(piaiilied himself '"or admission to tin; bar and speedily rose to
front rank as an advocate. His powers of oratory were captivat-
injx: with a pure diction, charminjj and inimitable gestures,
clearness of stateiiM'iit, and a remarkabh^ \ ein of sly hnnior, his
efforts before a Jury told with almost irresistible I'ffect. lb' was
chosen by the le<iislature i)rosecutin}i' attorney for the circuit in
which he lived, in whi«'h position he fully dischar^icd his duty to
the State. };aine(l tin' esteem (tf tln^ bar, and .seldom failed to con-
vict the (tttender of law. in stature h(^ was s(inewhat tall and
sleiuU'r, and with a straijiht, military bearinj;' i>i sented a distin-
guished ai)i)earance. 1 1 is comi»lexioii was dark, his head well
l»oised, thoujih not larjie, his address pleasant and manner win-
niiiji-. lie was exemplary in habits, a devoted husband, and kind
ami induljiXMif piiient. lie Avas twice married, the first time to
]\liss .lames, of Monroe county, by whom he had 2 children, both
daufihtei's, now living in IJelleville. She died .soon after l.S4b.
]Iis second wife was a datij^hter of Elias K. Kane, formerly
I'nited States senator from this State. She snrvived him but a
short time, and died without issue.*
When war was declared with iVfexico, in 1840, lie. enlisted and
was elected colonel of his r<'{;inient, over Hon. Don. Moirison, by
an almost unanimous vote — <S07 to (». For his opportunities he
eviiK^cda hi{>h order of military talent. On the bloody field of
IJuena Vista lie acquitted himself with intre])id and distiufruislied
ability, contributing with his rej>iment, the Ud Illinois, in no small
degree toward saving" the wavering fortunes of our arms during
that long and fiercely contested battle.
After his return home, at the close of tlie war, he was elected
to congress, his opponents being the lions. P.B. Foukcand .losepli
(lillesi)ie. He served two terms in congress. He was an ardent
politician. Huring the great contest oi 18o0 he voted in favor of
'Letter from the Hon. Joseph Gillespie.
42
658
niSTOTlY OF ILLINOIS.
the adJustiiH'iit iiH'iisures, lioldiiiii: the f't»llo\viiifi- laiif'iiiii'o on tlio
doctrine of noii-iiitcivcntioii : "It is ii priiici])!*', sir, n|>(»n wliicii I
liiivc ;il\.<<.vs stood, and I'roui wliicli I liave no idcii of dcpartinj;,
a priMciplc, niaintaincd and ulicrislicd by my (tonstitucnts. and one
wliicli tlicy will 1)(^ slow to snirriKU'r." lint in 1S,")4. wlicn tiie
same principle was sonjilit to l»e applied to the orjuanizalion of
the territories of Kansas and Nel»rasUa, involvm;;' a lejteal of the
JMissouri coin]tr()niise, lie oppctsed that nnnecessary assanlt n))on
the domain which for .')(> years had been consecrated to freedom,
and ni»on its consummation became iden tilled with the ori^aniza-
tioii of the republican ])arty.
On account of <'xposure in the army, the remote cause of a ner-
uous foiiu of disease j>aine<l entrance to his system, and event-
vally develojM'd i»araplile,i;ia, affect in;^' his lower extremities, which,
while it left his body in comparative health, deprived him of loco-
motion, other than by the aid of crutches. While he was ficnerally
hopeful of ultimate recovery, this mysterious disease ))ursued liim
without on<'e relaxiiijn' its stealthy hold to the close of his life, on
the ISth of Miirch, IStJO, over Ihnouths before the expiration of
his gubernatorial term, at the early aj;e of 4S years, lie died in
the faith of the Homaii Catholic church, of which he had been
a membc! since 1854. When it is remembered that William 11.
Bissi'll, in the short period of l(i years, without eaily educational
advaiitajics, abandoned at the mature a<ie of 'M) years one jtrofes-
sion by castin<^ aside his pharmacojjia, his vade mecnm and arma-
mentiim cliiru<;ienm — quittinji the <lnll and laborioiis routiiu' of a
country doctor, and resolutely tnrninj^' his attention lotlie i>n»fes-
sion of the hi". ,i,> I'ttbrdiny him a wider field for his a<-tive im-
ayination and as])irii),u ambition ; attained sjx'edily at the latter
eminence as an irresistible advocate; distinji'uished himself as a
soldier; as an accom])lished orator took front rank in the halls of
the national Ie}>islature; and as the standard bearer of a new
l)arty marchiiifi' toward national freedom, was elevated to the lirst
position of his State by the ])artiality of a <>ratefnl and conlidinp;
peoj)le, his life nnty be considered a brilliant success.* Yet, in
the annals of this State, as will be seen, jh) ])ublic man was ever
subjected to contumely so j^ross, abuse more harrowin<;', or pur-
sued with nnilice more vindictive; and that these cruelties caused
him many a lieart-]>an<,% castinjia shadow over his exalted posi-
tion, or embittered his closing;' <lays, is not :i foreijiii infeiencc.
It was durinji his first conj^ressioiial term, before he was stricketi
with ])aralysis,that his hi{;h sense of f^allantry wasdeeply wounded
by an ettbrt on the part of the southern chivalry, throujuh Mr. Sed-
don, of Vir.yinia, to depreciate the valor of northern troops at J>u-
ena Vista, while the victory upon that field — "snatched from the
jaws of defeat'' — was attributed solely to south', li) troops, and par-
ticularly (daimed lor the Mississi])]*! rities, a rej^iment commanded
by Jert'erson Davis, the late rebel chief. The discissions in con-
gress, fiTowiiifi- out of the acquisition of territory, of a character to
l)ode dissolution to tlu^ I'liion for a time, were attended by nnu-
iJinil explosions of luilMilent passictns. Personal insults and mena-
ces to noilhern members, with a \ lew to their intimidation, were
frequent, 'riiese iiisulls and the bra<>jj;adocio of swajifi'ering dis-
unionists to overawe the north, which were submitted to in many
'Gov. Puliiit-r'sluiiuml orntioD, May, 1801.
BISSELL'S ADMINTSTRATION. Oof)
instances \vi|li ii nu'ekness to cause one even now tohlnsh with in-
dijiUiitioii, ISisscH's ardent nature could not brook, and the vile
shiiidcr of Se(l(h)n was repcHcd in a speecii rej)lete with facts,
stiufiinj^' rebuke aiul moving' ehxiueuce, which iic(|uired for liiui
national fame, and was a sounte of pride to his secition and Stat(\
Such bold utterances in su(!h ucconiplished oratory was more than
the vauntiuf; chi\ alrv could bear. lie was challen<;ed by .lelfersoii
Davis to mortal cond»at. Uissell liad indulp'd in honorable de-
bate, warm, it is true, but in terms decorous v.ithal, and in maii-
lU'r courteous, yet his life was souj^ht. it was explicable oid.N oil
the jiround that the challen<'e was addressed to the entire north.
It could not chaiific or vary the fact of history connected with the
battle of IJuena. Vista. l>ut when IJissell coolly attcepted the (thal-
lenfi'e, without unseendy parade, evincinji- not only his individual
iiitrejudity but an earnest of a deliberate intention to tijiiit, which
won him the admiration and gratitude of the country, the nuitter
was accommodated.
Jbit the constitution of Illinois, besides the regular oath of office
l)resc4ibed the following in addition :
"I do solemidy swear that I have not fought a duel, nor sent or ncc/'pied
a .'hallenge to H^lit a duel, the i)r<>l>able issue of which nilfijht have been
the <leath of eillier party, nor been a second to either party, uor in any
manner aide lor assistetl in sucli duel, nor been knowingly the bearerof
siieli dialienge oraceptance, since ihe adoption of the constitution ; and
that I will not be so engaged or concerned, directly or indiret-tly, iu or
aboutsuch duel during my continuance inoliice:solielpuie God."
The democracy, which luul indulged confident expectations of
success in the election of bSofi to the very last, when they foujul
the scepter of power, so long wielded by them in Illinois, i)ass
from their grasp, tneir chagrin and mortitication knew lU) bounds.
J)uiing the canvas.*- their press and stump orators had not been
silent on IMssell's disability on account of this att'air with Jeff.
l)a\i i, and after the election, the ]>resstiie and onslaught in this
direction was furious and unintermittent. The disease-snntten
ma;i was i»ursued with a, bitterness and ghoul-like spirit painful to
read, using the circumstance of accepting the challenge, erst a
source of such pride to every citizen, as a means now to ])rostrate
Idm. Their pi-ess teenu'd with comnu'uts upon the deliberate in-
t<'n(iou of so distinguished, exalted and honorable a ]>ersonage as
the governor of- this great State committing the dark and fearful
crime of perjury.
lint these assaults, that they should have no deterring effect
uiion their object, were met by the rcpnblicran press, politicians
and orators, at meetings and banquets cclebiating the great vic-
tory, in various parts of the State, by every known art of encour-
agement, legal soi>histry, and assurances that the governor elect
could and would without hesitation, take the oath of otU(^e pre-
scribed by the constitution. It would not do to lose the fruits of
a great victory on acciount of a jtaltry oath of office. The consti-
tution, it was exclainu'd, by the simplest rules of law could not
and did not have any extra-territorial Jurisdicition, wherefore he
could not per[>etrate an infraction of it where it did not extend —
he was a rectua in curia in this respect. J>issell himself ]uiblishcd
a letter in the Alton Courier^ in which he went over the wlioh'. legal
grounds applicable to the question, resting upou the fact that be
6()0 HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
Mas beyond tlic U'j^al jurisdiction of the coii.stitution of Illinois.
He furtlu'inKtro icgavdcd the objections so vclK'niontiy urjicd as a
political persecution of himself, the result of inortitUi;tioii conse-
quent upon denu)cratic defeat, and announced his determinatiou
to take the re([uired oath. In this he was ai»i)lau<led by his party,
declaring that he was right, that the people looked to and relied
upon him, that his incorrujitible integrity Vfus above rejjroacb,
and that he would take uo step or do aught which his conscience
could not fully justify.
He further, it seems, took counsel from and fortified himself
with the opinions of tl x'st legal talent of the State among his
political friends. At ine time of IJissell's election as governor he
had been an invalid exceeding three years, his paralysis rendering
him for much of the tinui physically hel]»less, and it is not in ac-
cordance with ])hysiol()gical law that tlie mind connected with
such a body should maintain its wonted vigor, strengh of purpose
or independence of will the same as if the system was unimpaired ;
and though he himself wrote at tlie time of the meeting of the
Bloom ingtou convention that his intellect knew no abatement of
its vigor and strength, " it was Ufauifest to his friends that his ac-
tive career was ended.''* A man smitten with incurable disease
leans upon the support of his friends, and is then more than ordi-
narily intluenced by them. Did they not, therefore, assume a
cnli)able responsibility in putting him forward for this place, and
after election further impel a step which exposed him to the en-
venomed shafts of an implacable political enemy, if not fraught
with serious consequences to the peace of Lis conscience? Demo-
crats deiisively avowed that his moral constitution was not spared
by the blow w liii^li prostrated his nervous system.
In .January, l.sr»7. Governor-elect Bissell and family arrived by
the Chicago and Alton railroad at the seat of government. Gov-
ernor Matteson met them with his carriage at the depot, and con-
ducted them to the elegant mansion to which they had been in-
vited by the flattering partiality of the people of this great State.
On the 13th inst., at. U p. m., the two houses of the general assem-
bly, which had been in session since the oth inst., preceded by
their respective officers and escorted by Capt. Hopkins' artillery
and a large concourse of citizens, proceeded to the executive man-
sion in pmsuance of a joint lesolution to witness the installation
of the governor-elect. The oath of ol!ice having been taken, and
the ceremonies and congratulations over, the two houses returned
to the hall of the house of representatives, the lobby and gallery
of which were crowded. Lieutenant-Governor-elect Wood was
then sworn in by Chief Justice Scates, and the inaugural message
of Governor Bissell received and read to the two houses, after
which ti.e senate retired to their ciuunber, where Lieutenant-Gov-
ernor Wood delivered a neat and appropriate address.
Governor Bissell's inaugural message was short and a very or-
dinary document, noticeable oidy in that it stepi)e<l out of the
usual course in "distinguishing" the incorporators of the Illinois
Central railroad company, " that our i)eoi>le in future nniy never
forget to whom they are mostly indebted for the great work of
that road." For the handsome grant of land that those gentle-
men got from the State, ntore than enough to build and lully
* Palmer's funeral oratiun,May, 1871.
bissell's administration. CGI
I'ciuip tliiit road, one would suppose that the peoi)U' did not owe
tlu'Ui much eitlier iu debt oi- {gratitude. Hut the pcu-tion of tliU
iiiessafje particularly ort'ciidinjj; to the democratic majority was a
cursory view and discussion of the all absoi'oinn' slaveiy (]uestiou
as connected with Kansas. Now in this there was ])erliaps noth-
ing- luinsual, but the out-<i'oin^' governor, ]\latteson, in his eom-
plet*' and a(luiirable vah'dictory message, then a week old, had
studiously avoided the subject ;>f politics in any ]>liase whatever,
and Inul invoked harnuniy in couiu-il with his distini^nished suc-
cessor. This, then, was the fire-braiul for an exjilosion, donbtless
but too {iiadly received, and a most extraordinary debate, both
as to character and <luration, spnni<j up.
In the house, ilr. 1. N. Ariu)ld, upon the coiu'lnsion of the
rea(lin<i' of the message, made a motion to have the usnal number
of l.'(),(KK> copies printed. This was the signal lor attack. ]Mr.
Logan (now senator in congress), moved to amend by insei'ting
10,000, and followed up his motion by a si)eech of two days dura-
tion, which in severity of language ex<!els peiimps anything that
that gi'iitlenjan lias ever uttered. It shocked the better sense of
all (WMsiileiitte men not wholly devoiu'ed by i)artisan malignity,
and nuist have dec jdy woun<led the sensitive feelings of Hissell's
liigh strung nature rendered more acute by a long entailed, en-
lc<Ming nervous disord«'r. To many democrats the speech was no
siii»rise. Due prei)arati<)n, i)articii)ated in by some of the party
h'aders, hiul early been made. Material for eviden-.^e to cover the
entire ground had been <*arefully collected, and an orator to exe-
cute the «uife<'ling task selected with skilUnl penetration. In
August preceding, Col. llichardson had written to .Jetleison Davis
for a VA)\\y of the corresjtoiulence between the latter and (k)l. Bis-
sel, connected with their dueling affair. In the published cories-
pondence the challenge and its acceptance, or the n)eniorandun»
of final settlement had never appeared. Davis had to write to
C'alilornia to Mr. Inge lor it, and it had now arrived to be used to
convict Bissel of perjury. Major Harris harl written from Wash-
ington, stating he knew Bissell had accepted a challenge from
Davis, for he had cx>pied it. The Hon P. B. Fouke, wiio was
present in Springtiehl, furnished a written statenuMit that Bissell
in tlu! canvass against him lH~y2, for congress, ha<l urged his ac-
cejitance of this challenge in his own favor, because he was ineli-
gible to any State ottice on account of the constituti(nial oath of
oHice. Col. John Crain said he had heard Bissell state the same
iu a speech at Nashville in W.")!. The Hon. W. H. Mcuriscui wrote
that Bissell during the late canvass for governor, had said in his
hearing, that he did accept the challenge from Jetf J)avis, &c.;all
these letters are paraded in the speech of Logan, Jan. l.'}-14, 1.S,j7.
Thus fortified, Logan exclaimed: " If coriuption enters into
high places, it is my duty as a faithful public servant, to drag it
from its iK>lluted <len and expose its hideous deformity to public
ciiticism and c(intemi>t." He would "demonstrate to the world
a degree of moral turpitude without parallel in the histcuy of the
Htate. No governor of Illinois has ever sought retirement to
take the (Kitli of oflu'c" — the oath was taken at tin' ex«'cutive man-
sion, as we have seen. " We might infer from this, that a guilty
and bleeding conscience had sought seclusion rather than stainl
erect upon this floor and pass the fiery ordeal. The secluded
602
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS,
ll
and iiiMisal i)liic(^ iit wliiitli it Wiin takiMi iiiiiv afionl j;nniii(l.s (or an
inrcrcucc as to tlic workinji' of a mind ;;()ad('d to d('s|iiMjition l»y
a wcijility conviction ol 'moral tnipitiidc." That the cxccntive
had «aid ''lie must t-onnnit perjury to hold the oi'lice of j;overnor;
and tlien hear of his taiiinj; tht; very oath wliicii lie said would
amount to ])eriury ; 1 am lost in aniazi^nent — standinj;' bctore
the peopli^ with I'alseliood upon his lips, and averrinj; his own
<;uilt of a reckless disre;,ard of all that can inspire c»>nlidenee in
man; ^° * the moral sense of a million and a half of the
l)eople has been shocked by that fi'arful oath. Truth, sir, lias
been crushed to (^artli. The liij-li standanl of moral rectitude has
bci'ii broken. The votaries of virtue and honesty have been van-
quished, and one univeisal wail, from (Miic^aj^i) to Cairo, ha.s bt-t'ii
heard in consecpieiice of the i>rostralion of the exeiuUive (;liair by
the hands of a man whose lips an' «piiverinji' with falscho«)d. *
The constitution of my beloved State lies prostrate in the dust —
bleediii"; and man<;led, * * I warn yoiiu};' men and old
a^iaiiist tlKM'xample set. I l>ray (lod that we may never aj;aiu
witness siicli an ocrcasion ; Virtue and Truth liereft ui' all their
charms, while the liideous and hateful <4<>dsof vice hold dominion
over the peojile," Such are only a few salient extracts from this
lonji' speecli,t
Th(i ariay of able names, both (h'lnocrat and rei>ijblicaii, as
members of the house at this session, is excellent. Much i>arty
feelinj;' had been already elicited, as we shall see, in the lirst ettorts
to orj^aiiize the house, and the debates iiHiideiit to this (juestion,
nominally ujioii the printing;' of the jioveriior's messajje, were not
only generally i)articipated in but were protracted, exeitinj; and
exceedinji'ly acrimonious. We cannot do more than to state that
the posi' ion of the friends of the {governor, in defense of him, was
{icnerally the same as has already been indicated — that the hniis
(h'livti was the District of Columbia; that he had otteiuled no law
of Illinois, either statutory or orj>anic, for neither <;ouhl liave le^al
jurisdiction beyond the State; wherefore his < xcelleney iiii<Lilit
safely and truly swear that he liiul not accepted a (;hallen};(' to
i'\}ih\ a duel since tin; adoption of the constitution. And Mr. De-
nio, in the debate, ass«'rted that Davis "to this day declar«'s to
Gov JJissell, thi'onjili Senator Trumbull, that he «ird not consider
the notes exchanji'ed between them equivalent tt> a challenj^e."
But the »h)ciimeiitary evidence shows this to be untenable.
The locuN (klictl, which the {governor and his friends set up and
used as a defense, was not in question. That the otleiise commit-
ted in the District of Colinnbia was dehned as an olfense by our
statutes is tru(>, but that it was not punishable here is etpially
true. It was circumstances and evasions of that character, how-
ever, that the constitutional oath souj^ht to comi)asK and jirevent.
The intent of the law may be <;atliered from the eircumstances of
its passa{;e. To mark the ])o])ular abhorence of tlu^ duello, and to
impose upon its votaries the disability of holding;" ollice in spite of
their constant evasions of its punishments by {^oiny beyond the
confines of the State, was the aim of its framers, ami it has faih d
of etticacy in (nily two instances. The offense now and hert; wus
not in acceptinj;' a ehalleii};e in Wasliinj^ton, hut in swearinji' at
tliis time, in Illinois, that he had not. The reasoning in the one
* See 111, State IteKistur, Feb. im.
mSSELL's ADMIMSTUATION.
m3
ciisc (Iocs not iij)i)ear to fit the other. Was Dissell tlien only a tie-
facto j^ovcrnor 1
'llw. coiirtcssy of printing; the usual imiuhcr of (;opies of the
lucssaj^e was denied. Attacks on the jtiivalc character of his ex-
eellcncy continued Ihrou^liout tin' session. No annoyance oi' ein-
barrassin<'nt that could be inflicted was spared him. In tlic pas-
.safjfe of the bill establishing; tJu^ uoithern or .loliet penitentiary,
icconiniended in his nie.ssaj^c, his (Mistoniary pri\ ilejjes as a co or-
<linat(! branch of the law-inaUinj;" jiower were encroached upon,
and the a]>pointnu'nt of tluMMunniissioners taken from him. The
dignity of oflicial ])osition, ami the courtesies and amenities inci-
dent tiiereto, were, to a j^reat extent, sunk out of view.
In the Semite, which c(Uitained a democratic majority of one. no
dis(;ouitesy was .shown to the <>'overnor by a refusal to order the
juiidinj;' of the usual munber of (topics of his nu'ssaj^c. Jn that
chamber, besides, ficneral harniouy and yood t'eeliuj;- i)re\aile(l
Ihrou^hout the session, and business moved alou.u' with acce[»table
dispatch. Lieutenant-dovernor Wood, a ,i;('ntleman of line, eoin-
nnindin<>- personal appearance, ]»reside(l in an impartial manner,
and his conciliatory deportment, meetinj;' out to all the senators
the .same (iourtesy, was received and nu;t in return by a like iiuirk
of respect ami cordiality.
The house, notwithstanding- its many able and talented mend)ers,
was the tlu'atre of much tnrbulencc and partisan strife throiij^h-
out the session. It was said to liav(> opened as a mob and closed
in a rout. In political comi)lexion it stood, deunxMats .'$S,republi-
cans.'il, and Ameiicans (J. There wciv, however, two contestants
to this democratic nuijority, and in the I'eoria case of Eastman,
rcpid>lican, aj^ainst Shellabarj;er, democrat, it would .seem that
Eastman was justly entitled to the seat. A few votes cast i\>v ('.
L. inst<'ad of C M. Eastman had been thrown out, and the certifi-
cate awarded toiShellabar<;er, whereas had they been counted the
former wonld have had the majority.
In t)u' first efibrtto effect a temporary organization of the house
was enacted one of those uuseendy , (pmbbles, which, while they
aie not unfre<|uent in this free country, are nevertheless a dis-
^ra(*e to any deliberative body. The republicans were piimarily
in fault. I)y unitin<i the () Americans with their ^il meml)ers they
had planned to .secure the or<>anizatiou of the house in accordance
with the usaficsof the lower house ofconj^ress and the Ibitisli par-
liament. For this pn!i)ose Mr. Ibidjjcs, clerk of the house for the
pre<*ediu<>' {;viieral assend)ly, a rei»ublican, was on hand to call the
house to order and temitorarily orjianize it ; to act as temi)orary
.sj)eaker, and in that capacity exclude all contestants from xotiuf;',
which would leave the re])ublicans in a majority, and throw its
peiinanent organization into their hands. IJut the democrats wc ro
on the alert, and the trick was suspected. The moment the old
eleik essayed to call the house to order, F. 1). rreston nominated
J<»hn Dougherty for s])eaker pro tern. A srx'uv of uni)arallele(l
confusion and uproar, mixed with ])ersonal menac(», now ensued,
Preston, in .steutoriau tones ami with much firnuiess, i)utting
Dougherty's nonnnation to vote ami declariufr it carried, and
Ibidfi'es, persistent in his rijjht to orjiauize flu; house, callin;: the
roll for this i)urpose, and many members answerin*; in reeojiiiition
of his right. Mr. Latshaw was declared secretary ^^^'o fe?«. in the
6G4
niSTOUY OF ILLINOIS.
KUiiie lUiiinicr tliiit Dou^licrty had bcoii (;li(KSi'ii Npcakcr, aiul lie
also was calling; tln' i(»ll of iiiciiiIhts. Above tlii'. (.in a motion was
now made tbrtln' sci'^caiit at arms to »j«'('t tlic.dd cleik, Uric'^ics.
Amid the ^icat uproar it was dt'clanMl- cariicd, and at once exe-
cuted with a rush, by his Ibreible removal, in wliieh t|uite a num-
ber of tiie honorable ji'entlemen volunt«'ered their assistance, Tho
gicatest eoidusion prevailed, muscU' was triumitiiaiit and order
was restored. The vi(!tory was with thedcMuocrats ; Slieilabaiger,
one of the I'eoria contestants, was retained in ids seat, which pive
them a clear w yrkinj"' nnijorit.v and the or;;aid/ation of the lionse.
As there were many able nuMubeis in the house, tins Peoria con-
tested election case, as well as the (jnestion of printiu}; tlie j^over-
nor's nu'ssajie, elicited their fidl jtower of debate, and many line
and eloquent speeches from both sides were made during the ses-
sion.
Eari.> in the session an ai>]M)rtionment bill, based upon tho
State census of ISo.l, was introduced into the house by the repub-
licans. The population of Illinois, in 1S.")(), was .sr)l,470, and in
18r>."i, l,.'500,l'5l — an in(;r«'ase of 4t7,7iSl — about 50 per cent., or
one-third her entii(^ ])()])ulation in o years. This gain was two-
thirds in the northern parts of the State, the main rej>ublieau
strongholds. The bill was therefore at once spurned by the iWiw
ocrats, who ottered a substitute which was provocative of the
most stubborn parliauuMitary resistan(^e at every stej) by the re-
publicans. Such measures are nearly al wa.\ s ])assed in the interests
of the dominant party. J>oth bills souglit to secure ascemlency
in the next legislature, when a Uidted States senator was to be
elc 'ed to Douglas' jilace.
'J lie constitution rcipnred districts to be com])osed of contigu-
ous territory, bounded by county lines. The substitiu' was
claiuH'd to be unconstitutional, in fact a perfe(!t libel on the theory
of e(pnil representation, hi that it "gerryman(lere<l'' the State into
all sorts of deformity, the nu're cornering of counties in many in-
stances being deemed a sntlicient contiguity of territory for the
formation of districts; in one«listrict ;} votes were nuide equal to
4 in another; in another 5 were nnule to e(pnd more than in still
another; and that in a certain contingency one county would
be without rejueseutation at all. With much show of rea-
son, doubtless, the opposition regarded the .substitute as a imist
villainous piece of i>arty legislation, and they exhausted every
l)arliamentary ettbit and devi(!e to defeat it, but failed. The bill
was i)assed towanl the heel of the session. It now went to the
govennu' for his signature. That fun<'tionary, it was confidently
exiK'cted, would veto it; the surprise, therefore, was simply as-
tounding when his secretary, on the last day of the session, with
other bills reported his approval of it to the house.
And now everything was bustle, there was huiryiug to and fro.
Uis excelleiu'y was coni'nmted by disaiq)ointed but detern>iiied
Xiolitical friemts, and within an hour he sought to icciall his .ues-
sage of ai)pioval, alleging it to have been made by mistake. Some
republicans oi)enly boasted that they had comi>elled the recall and
thereto. An infirnml note explanatoiy of the circumstances
was sent to the house, tbllowed afterwards by his veto and return
of the bill. The ciiaynn and mortitication was now changed from
the republican to the democratic side. The house, where it origi-
-t 'iiii;
iiisskll's administration.
G65
iiutt'd, refused to receive hack the bill, or allow the veto inessage
to h«^ read or eiileicd upon tiie Journal, as tlie (ronstitutio.i rc-
(jiiiicd, and both were taken to the otllei^ of the. Secretary of State,
and tlier(i filed. It was held that after the <j^overnor had au-
n(»unced his approval of the hill it heeanie a law, and j)assed for-
e\ t'l be.vond his control, and the only way to reach it would bo
by repeal.
The republican members sij;iied a protest, which was spread
upon the minutes, as was the undoubted rif>ht of any two or
more. liut now that party feeliuj; was thorou<;hly aroused, the
jirotest was not allowed to stand. On motion, it was expunged
from the journal. This conduct, both with reference to the rejec-
tion ol" the veto messa;^*' and the expuiiKiiij^' of the i)rotest, was
contrary to the c(vnstitution, revolutionary and most reprehensi-
ble. With these partisan acts, and amidst the fi'reatest ujtroar,
without indnlj^in;,^ the ordinary courtesy of passinj;' a resolution of
thanks to tlu; speaker, the hour of the sine die, a<l)ournuu!nt hav-
iuix been i)osti>oned by stoppin<;- the clock, this deliberative body
tinally, late in the ni},dit, adjourned in a rout.
Some democrats having confidence in the le{;ality of the point
ui)on whi(!h the house acted, that the governor could not recall
his apitroval, the act was by mandamus cj cried up to the su-
l)reme court to test its validity. IJut the opinion of that tribunal
was adverse. The constitutionality of the objectionable ])rovi-
sions of tlu' bill were not jtassed ui)on, but whether the forms of
legislation which it followed ren<lered it valid or not. Judge
< atiui, delivering the ojiinion of the court, held that while a
bill is in the possession and control of the executive, within the pe-
ri(»d limited by the constitution, it has not the force of law, and
lie may exeicise a veto power, and so return to the house where it
originated, with his minu' eiased, uotwithstanding he had ouco
announced ids approval of it.
Apportioihiient Bill of ISoJ). — Two years later, at the close
of tile session, another bedlam, more outrageous and undignified
than the foregoing, was ena(;ted by the legislature. Theoccasiou
was again an api>ortionment nuiasure. The democracy, through
the herculean labors of Douglas in his senatorial canvass against
Mr. Lincoln, were in a small majority in both hou.ses, although
the popular vote of the State was against them. Se(Mng the
<'lose of their rule approaching, jnobably in the next election as
it proved, they sought to [)erpetuate their power, and possibly
with the view to elect a democratic successor to the then hated
Trund)ull in the United States senate, in 18(51, by so shaping the
senatorial a)id rei»resentative distrii'ts as to give them the gen-
eisd assembly atid accomidish the ends in view.
The l)ill, itseems, was indeed a most unfair gerrymander, looking
s(»lely to partisan ends. Ckauities seitarately entitled to represen-
tatives weregrou[)ed with others, and large districts formed whose
aggregate democratic vote woukl oveibalance their snndl republi-
can majo)'ities, and thus force upon them re})reseutatives they did
m>t want. Instead of forming districts out of contiguous and
compact territory, they were stretc'hed over two degrees of lati-
tude. To the republican counties of the State, whose population
was stated at 040,718, were accorded 33 representatives, while to
606
UISTOUV OF ILLINOIS.
tilt' licinociiitic, coiiiitics, with a population of 477,078, were nivt'U
41 rcpicsciitativcs.
Tii«' hill was iutixliiccd the lliinl week of the session iiiid the
(Iciiiociatic majority fop'.'d it aloii;; in its ordtT, Tln' rcpidilicans
Avlio wcn' ahl.v n'prcsciitcd, jiaiticulaiiy in tlir lions*', fon^ht it at
every sici). Thns all tlu; l«'j;islati(»n behind this bill was held in
abeyance (11 its account. The 41.* days (tonteiui»lateil by the e»ni-
stitution as the limit of the session, were frittered away in I'eso-
lulions, parliamentary contention, and bunconib speeelies. When
it finally i>assed, lirst the lieutenant-Mt»vernor, whose si<;nature
was re(piired to it, was said to be absent durinj^' th«>
iii^ht session, ami r<'fused to sij;n it except at the cajtital.
N.*xt (lov. IJisse'l retained it a week bef«)re he sent in his
veto, in the meantime everythinji' of impoitance was delayed.
The enrolling;- clerks, in obedience lo orders it was said, retarded
their labors. Chairmen of the enj;rossinji' committees had tlii'ir
po(;kets crammed with bills, which they would neither leport tln'm-
selves nor dis,iL'(>rj;e for others to <lo it. IMivate bills of friend
and I'oe were kept back, so ^^reat was the feelinj; of determination.
Conlident of veto, it was deterndned to re](ass the bill over it b»'-
fore any other business should be transacted. It was tlu^ nniin
appropriation bill, tlirou<ih n(»n action upon which the ends of the
nnijority were souj^ht to be .iccomplished by failing to i>rovide the
means for carrying;' on the {"'overnnu'iit and a<lministerin};' the laws
during the comiuf; two years' interrej;num. The rei»ublicans sou;ilit
to [)ass it out of the re<iular order but failed, it was well un-
der:;tood that with the passaj^e of this bill they would leave 'illelsi'
in the lurch, stampede, and break a (juorum to <lefeat the hated
apportionment.
Finally the f^overnor sent in his veto. The house Imd niet at
9 A. M. Immediati'ly after )>rayer, the lion. Jj. IS. Church an-
nounced the <;(»vernor's private secretary, and as he commenced to
read a violent tumult ensued. The democrats almost in a body
spran,i; to their feet, vociferatinj>" fiercely, while above the din
rai)i)ed the speaker with his gavel, crying "silence — order — there
is lU) quorum present. Ko communication can be made to the
house in the absen»',e of a <]Uorum! Doorkeejier put that man
out'' — meaning the secretary. Others shouted '• Knock him
down," " Jvi(;k him out,"&c., with other threats and im])recatious.
The door-keeper starte<l to execute the sjieaker's older, but by
this time the secretary had read the veto message, and delivering
it and the bill to a j)age, tuined to dejiart. As the l)age started
to the clerk's desk, the sjieakcr oideied the palters to be retunu'd
to the secretary, and Mr. CJreiMi of Massac; volunteered to execute
the order. He snatched them from the boy's haml, ptirsued the
secretary into the lobby and thrust them at him. Upon refusal
they were violently cast on the floor. Mr. Church gathered them
up, folded them together, walked leisurely up the aisle and laid
them carefully on the speaker's desk. That gentleman, with a
contem])tu()Usexi»iessiou, brushed then> off. They were exandned
by sev<'ral members ami thrown back, when JNlr. Green picked
them off the Hoor and thrust them in his jiocket, with the remark
that he had as much right to them as anyluxly and he would as-
sume the responsibility; meanwhile the wildest disorder prevailed.
bisskll's administuation.
607
^Vll('n (|iii('tii(U^ was rcstorcMl, si «'all of tin* house sliowcd <»iily 42
nu'iiiltcrs present, less tliaii a (|iioi'iiin, and tlu^ lionse ailjonined.
Tlie ohjeetions of tln' j-ovenior to tlie a|>i.',ii1ionieiit bill were
tliat its eHeet wcadd be to con tin n«^ tlic control of the };eneral as-
senil»ly in the hands of a minority of the people; that the new
county <»f Ford was i>laee<l wholly within both tln^ !)th and ISth
senatorial districts; that in the nuitter of <;ivin<if excess the
loth section of the the lOth article of the constitution was
disre^ai(U'd ; that there was an unnecessary <U[»artnre from sin-
gle districts — a ^larin<{- instance bein^' the ."{I'd, composed <»f the
counties of ("hampaiyn, I'iatt, DeWitt, Macon, JNhudtrie, Shelby
and Kllin^ham, to whicl- ',> representatives were j;i\en, when the
census showed that the 7 counties would divi<le neatly into 3 sep-
arate distrl(;ts, <S:c.
Messrs. S. A. Ilurlbut, A. W. Mack, L. S. Church, Leonard
Swett and J. A. I)a\ is, iei»ublicaus, ottered a protest a;i;ainst the
action of tli«' house in its rejection of the veto nu'ssaj^c, st'tting
forth in scathing'' lanj;ua^e the conduct of the house and the
speaker, as detailed ; (]uotinji' also the {governor's uu'ssajic to make
it appear of record. The speakei, Jlon. W. K. JMorrisoii, doubt-
in;i the the necessity of receivin<i' the protest without the house
first passiiifi' upon the )»ropriety of its laujiuayc, held it for ad-
visement, but subsetpU'Utly, with the uiodilication of some of its
allusions to individual meud)ers, not himself, he admitted it, and
it was spread upon the journal. The democrats sjjrcad a counter
protest against receiviufi' tlie liist i)rotest npiui thejouiiial.
In the meantimu the not um'.\i>ected n'judtlican he^ira to(>k
l)lac«'— a few beinji' left behind to attend to the i)rotest and Ictok
alter thiujis generally. The (pu»runi was broken, the re-passaj-e
of the api)ortionnient bill over the j;<)vcruor's veto prevented, and
all the uidinislied business broujiht to a dead lock ; involvinji hun-
«lr«'dsof bills, both public and i)rivate, inclndinji' the general ap-
propriation bill uecessary to keep the wheels of gcneiinnent iu
motion. The lesnlt was not s<» bad, howevei', as was at first
anticipated. The approjtriations for the northern i»eiiitcntiary
and the asylums at Ja(:ksonville had been gotten through early in
the session, as also for the i)aynu'Ut of the semi-annual interest
on the State d«'bt ; and the judges, by a law of J<S41t, could draw
their salaries on vouchers certilied fntni the govcnu)r to the
aiulitor. The cou<luct of tlie re]»ublicans in leaving- was revolu-
tionary, and the whole proceedings not oidy undignified but dis-
creditable to the State. If the minority, not a]»iireciating that in
their capacity as legislators they acted foi' the whole State ami the
entii<' peo])le, sought only to discharge partisan duty to their con-
stitiU'uts, then they should have defeated there-election of 1,)'*"^"'
las, and, indeed, they might in the same way have altogether ]»re-
veiite«l legislation. After waiting two days for the retuiii of the
delin(juents, the democrats adjourned the general assembly sine
(lie.
Upon the death of Gov. Bissell, March 18, ISCO, tlie Lieut. Gov.,
John Wood, by virtue of his ofllice, became governor for the unex-
pired term of near 10 months time Bissell was the only execu-
tive of the State who died iu that olBce.
OOH
HIST<»UY OF ILLINOIS.
TIIH (;ANAL SCIMP FltAl'I).
In IIh^ winter «>!' IS.IU was hroii ;lit to li;;lit llic most stnpcMdoiis
iniliv itlnal fV:iii<l txri- pt'i |icli'iit I n|Miii lli*- Stiilc of Illinois. It
Wiis ;;i'('atl> inlcnsiiinl in tliat all tli<^ attrndant ciiciinistant-cs
])ointf<i to a i;cntlcnnin as llio pciix'trator, wlio lait a short time
Im lore liad hern ImhioiimI with tlic most <>\altcii station in tlir ^ilt
of tin- ))<'o|)h- of linr Stale, and who eanieil inio his retirement
their eonliilenee and «-steem. The Irand consisted in the re-issiio
of )}<1-'- I,1SL' (Kiof !K» da.N s redeemed canal scrip, dalin;^ i>acU some
.'{(> \eais. Owinji to tiie pecuniai'.v ntM'cssities ol' tliat peiiod, tiie
ennal ti iistees liaci issncdiiLMJ."),!'.!? ninety da\ checks,(hited May l.st,
and .'!<lL'.'-{,.'il7, (hited An};iisl 1st, l.S.'J!). Miicii looseness had i)e»'ii
ohseiNfd in the, oii;;iind issiu^ of theses elu'cks us well as in their
redemption, tiiey lia\in^' i)een |int aside witinMit liein^' cancelled.
A snjK'ralaindanee of them had been prepared (not know in;; how
many mi}{l>t be needed) all sij;ned and i'xeented except lilliii;; in
the name of thiMreasnrer. They it-mained nnre^^istered and nn-
tr 'lined nntil dctaciied ami signed, when the amount of the dif-
ferent denominations were entered in a hook, which served as a
memorandum of the actual ainonnt in circulation. These checks
had i)een put in ciicnlal ion in l'A'A\) fur a temp(M'ary })nrpose from
the canal ollice at liockporl, and were redeemed partly hy the
kSlate haidi hiain-hat (Jliica';(), in puyment for (lues to the canul,
and otherwise. It a])pears from the reports of the canal oilicers
to th<» legislature, in InIO, that all of both thes(^ May and Anjinst
issues ha<l been redeemed, except IjS.SLiJ, ami in 18-ili-3 otdy iflillli
remained outstanding.
J)Mrin;;' Ww. session of the lej;islatnre, in 1H."»!>, (icn. Jatutb I'^ry, for
man;, years canal trustee, called at the audilor'solticc and showed
.Mr. Dubois, auditor, one oi' these old camd checks, which had been
offered for sale in Sprin;;lield, a:id <'auti(»ued the State ollicers
aj^ainst receix iii<; sncii scrip, explaining; how it was Ion;; since re-
deemed, and that what was then in circulation must be frandit-
lent. lie was ntferi'cil to the fund commissioner's oHicc — the ii*>\-
ernor having been f' (iflicio fund commissioner simte IMI.'i — where
he h-ai'iied to his amazement that scrip of that d<-.scription to a
\(iy liUiiv sum had been fiimled, ami that lu'w bonds ot the State
under the fiindiiif; acts had been issued tlu'refor. The checks
were duly si;4iied W. r. Thornton, presideid, ami counteisi^ncd
]»y .lacob Fry, commissioner, and by those jifntletncn, and also
]\lr. .Joel iManniu};, r<'(;o<;iii/ed as the Kanu*, IJifoO ami $!()(> checks
issued by them in is;{!>, and redeemed and carefully packed away
m abox, but now doinj;ser\ ice af;ain, after exchaufic as free-
bank' deposits. With this rev«'lalion consteination became rife in
every State department, in which the lejiislatnre particii»ated,
the pcojde ineiu'ially shared, and the newspaper press fairly
leveled. Noi' was this les.seued when it also transpired that the
whole of this s<iip thus fraiMlnlenlly coineited was presented by
no less a ))ersoiia;j;e, than exdov. Matteson.
In th(^ Stat<^ Semite, Mr. Marshall of Coles, introduced a i<'solu-
tion. which was adopted, instnuMiii}; tlu; fimince committee to
in<iuire into certain State stocks said to \h', issued and based on
count<'rfeit or .spurious scri]», empowering them to send for per-
HTHHFXI.'H ADMINfSTKATION. fWJO
Hoiis iitiil |):i|M'i-.s, :iii<l to I'l'port to tin* s(>ii)it<- tli<- n-siilt ol tlicir
invest i}iiil ion. Tiiis coininitlrc <'on,si.sl«(| ni" S. W. l-'iilicr, clniir
iniin, l>. ('. < 'ool<, A. •!. Kn,\ Ivi-mliill, /. A|>|)lin;;ton, S. A. I>n*-U-
luiisti-r iind SiliiN Ij. Ilryiin. Tlicy r»')»oit :
"ll ii|t|ii'niH llml in Dcm inilxr, |H")(1, Just licloic llic cIoho of IiIh frnn
«)f olllcc, iiliont Sl.'i,(i(M», ill jiniDiiiit, (if lilt' cliccks iiliovc (Icscrilird, were,
liyOov. MiillcsDii, |ii-('M('iil<'il to I'liKicli Mouic, xrcii'Ini'y of tlic riiiiil
fDiiiiiiissioiicr, iiikI new Stale IioikIh ImhiiciI liicrclor. 'i'iiat (iiiriii^r the
jciir IH.'>7, iilioiit ^!»;t,ri(H) additioiiiil of llic Maine elieekM were, Ity <<<)V«'r-
nor MalleHon, |iresente<l to tlie Maine otlleer, \nIi(» isMiieil new IkhkIm tor
tlial aiiKiiiiit ami tliat at diseiH tinieM llieiel.a) lietii paid to (idvernur
MalleMon, from tlie Slate lieasiir.v, an anioniit of nioiiev, lor |iriiiei|iitl
and liitereMt, to nialie, witii tlie IioikIm mo i^Miied to liiin, tiie hiiiii ol'.'r^iili.'i,-
]H'2 lid, on ueeouilt ol the eanal clieekM so |ileMenled li_y liini. 'I'lie jjiealer
hart i>r tlie eiieciiM are reeiinni/ed \>y (Jen. 'i'liornton, (ieii. Fry and
^Ir. .Manning; aM the n<'nuin<•?^')(lall(i i^l<ln ehic Us of May ist and An-
^riiMl Ist, is.'!!), I»y llieiii issued and ii'deeiiied, and iim part of Ilic
redeemed eheeks packed Ity Mr. Manning and tier Kry in tlie Itox de-
|>osiled in tlie liankat Cliiea^o, in tlie year 1K|(). 'there are also ri>nii«l
anions theelieeks I'linded iiy (Jov. Malteson, I wo pa^ka^eM of tlieelieekH,
«lated An^nst 1st, ls;>!i, ainoiintiiiK to $10,5(1(1, whieh are IVesli in appear-
aiiee, liave the ed^es tint riniiiied , tint Inlly sifcned liy the euniiiiissidtier
and secretary of liie canal conmiissioiieiM, and iiMcd liy tlie ti>'aMiirer of
the lioard. liiitwaiilinK the name of the Ireasiirer tilled in ii|)on their
futf, and lyiiiK njioneai'h other in conseeiitive iiiimlpers."
It iippciiicil iilso in testimony licf'oie the cotninittcc. tlnit (icii.
F) y, ticiisni'cf of the ciiiiiii hoaid, iind .loel Miinniii;;, secretiiry,
ill tlu' I'iill of iSttl, coiintiMl iiiitl piiciuMJ ill iv l:ii'<;(' senlcd iioxtlio
c1h'<'J\n I'cdcciiicd iiiid otlicr evidences of ciiiiiil indebtedness, and
llie.v iM'Iieve some of the part iaily exeeiited <'iieel<s; that Ml'. Man-
liin;; toolv tiie liox toChiea^o and deposited it in tlie liiaiKtii Static
JJaiik, where it remained midistiiilied until IMS, wlieii if, witli
oilier lioxes and i»aeUa;;('s left there hy the eanal ollicers, was re-
jnov<*<l to th(! canal (dlicc^ in Cliicaj:*). This box and other divers
jtackaj^es of redeemed eanal iiidehledness, were; receipted foi \>y
wi(!<u'.ssors to preihu'cssors Ikmii lime to time as ehan^ics in tiiat
otll(re<»eciirr<'d. And none, of these W) day clieeks were seen in eir-
cnlatioii from lSIO-1 down to ISaJJ. (ien. Hart li. Ktnart t<'stilie(l
that for years after I.S47 he hoiij-ht altttj-ctln-r near half a million
<lollars woi'Mi of all kinds of Illinois eanal intlelitedmsss, adverti-
Kin{>' therefor in Chica^fo and New Voik, Init ainoii}; all his pur-
chases he saw only about iJKH) of tln^ lcS;{l» eanal checks.
Jn IS').'} (lov. Mattt'son appointed .Fosiah McKoberts State; canal
trustee, who went to Chieaj-o to receive from ex-Lieiit.dov. .1. U.
Wells theassets of tin* eanal otliee, ainon<,' which was this sealed
box, eorrespoiidiii}^ to th(! above, deseiiptioii. He received also
Jinother box with a loose lid or cover, e.(mtaiiiiii;;' broken ]>aekae(;s
of canal indebtedness, defa<;e<l with a (^aneelin^ hammer, but on
conntiii}; the contents they were Ibiind to be short in many instan-
ces of the anionnts noted on the wrappers. He also found divers
piiekagos of canal in<lebtedness in the; oflicie, i)aTtially broken, and
part of the contents niissiii},'. An<l "he was advised by (lov.
Wells, his predecessor, in Ksubstan(;e, that the vouchers and all'airs
of the <%'inal oflice would not hold otit, or prov(; corr<!(;t, but such as
were there then of the pajiers, vouchers and furniture of the ollice,
be received from (lov. W(;lls."
Mdtoberts then advised (lov. Mutteson that the books, vouch-
ers, &c., of tbo canal olUcc Lad been turned over to bim, among
070
HIHTOHY OP ILLINOIS.
wliicli tlici'i' Wiis iiiiicli iis*'l«-s.s iiiiillcr wiiicli slioiilil In* disposed of;
mill l»v tlif ^^ovcriKir's (liicctioii lie piicUrd nil llic ('\ iticiiccs of
caiiiil (1. ollici' iii(|cl>t*-<liH-.s.s K'crivril tioiii Wrlls in :i iniiiU iiiid a
l)()\ (iiii (U'diiiiii'.v sliuc Imix.) foi li'iiiisinissioii to S|)i'iii;;(icld. Iiiiso
(loin;: iir. tried to piil the siiiiic sridrd l)o\ '•into the tniiik and
siioc l)o\, lint it was too lar;;<-, and li*' broke it open and packed
llie eonleiits eilliei' in the liiiiik oi' slioe lio\, or a part in eaili,
wiiicii, lie cannot certainl,\ slate. Alter paekiii<4 the tiiink ami
shoe box, he loeki'd and sealed the trunk and box," directed
them to (lo\. .loel A. Matteson, at Sprin};liel(l, Illinois, put them
on boai'd the railioad at <'liiea;;o, and came with them to I^a-
Salle, witli (lov. Matteson, and there lell them in ehar^t' of (Jov.
Mattesoii, who directed them to be sent to the Central I'ail
load depot at LaSalle. r« »7>»^' for Sprin;;lleld, Illinois, in charyo
of (lo\. .Malteson, who was then {ioiii;; to Spriii;;ticld.
"There is no distinct e\ ideiice before the (tommii tee that the shoo
box lijis ever been seen since, but the tiiiiik was found diirin^i the;
course of this in\ esti;;ation in a basement room of the ca]iilol at
Spiiii;;lieid. It was<»pene<l (thei'c wert; n[>oii it some appeaia.iices
of havinj;b«'en sealed twice, as if ojiened and seaU'd a};ain), an<l
the conleiits fonml to consist of a ;;reat variety of evidences of
caiiul indebtedness, some complete, that ha<l been in circulation
and redeem(>d and caii<;elled, and some unfinished scrip, also can-
celled with a hammer, the whole contents counted to near $li,.')()0,-
0(10, of all sons, altliou;;h Ml'. McKobcrts stated in his icport to
(Jov. Matteson, in l.S,"i;{, that the con I en Is of the trunk and box de-
livered by him to (iov. Malteson, in the sjirinj; of that .Near, were
only <'stimated to amount to )j!(I.SO,000.'' The uncancelled cheeks
were not lound ii) the truidv, and no trace of the box was ever dis-
covered.
Thus the box and trunk, which the evidence and !itten<lant cir-
eumstances all show contained the redeemed and unused canal
checks of 1S;>!», wcit^ directly traced into the (;ustody of the gov-
ernor ; he siibserpiently ap]»eari'd with the identical bonds in his
possesion, and had them exchan<;('d or funded for new State bonds
by the secretary of the fund commissioner, to the amount of $L'L'.'{,-
l.SL',00; and he appeared furthevas the sole beneficiary of their pro-
ceeds. Aprimafucievusv, was tlius stronj-ly made out aj^ainsttho
ex-yoveriior, anil the onus prohaiidi was shifted to him to relieve
Iwmself of the charg(\
Under this grave state of the case, it was only sliown in defense
that the j^overnor, after his retirement in the winter of 1857, took
rooms at the St. Nicholas Hotel in 8prin<;tield, where he bou{,dit
Liigcly <; ■ the public indebtedness of the State— $.'380,000 of all
sorts, otlier than canal checks of 1831). Mr. Niles testified that
$L'00,000 of this sum was funded for and on account of Clark,
Dodjii'it Co. "Messrs. li. K. (ioodell (a son-in-law of the govern-
or), AVm. Smith and J\Ir. Nesbitt, swore that Gov. Matteson re-
ceiv(!d from the Merchants' and Drovers' Hank, at Joliet, from
December 12, 18r)(», to about the first of May, 18r>7, a little over
S:iOO,000, whi(th Mr. Smith nmlerstood was to be used in buying
State or canal indebtedness. Mr. Goodell states he knew that Gov.
Matteson was about that time buying public indebtedness; and
Mr. Nesbitt, that he brought to him packages of money, which he
delivered to him at his room iu the St. Nicholas Hotel." Geu. I. B.
UIMMELL'S ADMINISTRATION. 071
Ciirnui Jiiul A. II. McKirc testified "tliat tlicy, cncli, iit ditt'crent
times, were in liis i'oimiis ill tliiit liotej, iiiiii siiw liiiii hiiyiii;; ol' pcr-
soiis iiiiiviiowii to llH'iii,iiii(| ii|i|)iii'riiil,\ slriiii;;ei's in tin- town, ciiniil
si'i'ip iinti rlh'flis, to iin iinionnt on some o(-<-iisions, of altont !jir>,-
000, vvliieli In' |>iiid lor in eiisli al tin' linn', except in one oi' two
instiiiM'es he WiiM noticed to ^^ivc a check." Cniian thon;;lil pnr-
clnises were nnnle oiMsionally at T'l cents on the dollar tor piinc.i-
]>al, to which was added tlieaccrned intei'csl ; ami he also thon;;lit
that heohsorved pnichiises to the amount of -iCil^OOO to lit.'iO.OOO,
and that sonn' of these were !M)(lay (du'cks. .Moore swore liiat he
tlioM;r|it he Inn! oliserved the ^'overnor pay from ijSl.L'O to tj;|.:iO for
principal and inti'rest of pnhlic indelttedin'ss dn«'. A letter from
(lovernor l!iss(dl staled that shoitly after his accession he was
frei|Mently appli«'d to hy letters and persons stran^^t'is to him,
ilesirin^' to dispose of e\idenc<'s of State indelttedness, and he nni-
forndy referreil them todov. .Matteson asdealin;;' in siu'h evidences.
Tin; . while the trunk fidl of cancelled and woithless evidentu'S
of State. indel)tedn4>ss wa.s readily fonnd, no sn(M'<'ssfnl etl'ort a|)-
l>ears to have been nniih^ to show wliat becaim^ of IIh' box con-
taininji; the nncan<-ell('d ami nniised canal scri|i; ami while Mat-
teson «»blained the new Slate bonds and money, he failed to show
whert* he {fot the 00 (hiy canal checks exciianficd for tlH-m,
slhMvn to liax'e lu-en in the lost sho»^ box.
l-'rom the tiin«' thecxchan<'(^ wasett'ected in ISoT, np to the frimo
of its detecttion in IS.'tO, neitinT (lov. IJissell, althonjih ex (dlicio
final commissioner, nor any otlier Slate oflieer; tln^ fund commis-
sioner's clerk, .Mr. Moore, who had also been JMatteson's cleik,
alone excepted, knew anythinf; of the transaction. (Joxcriior
Matteson was not personally examined before tin' '•ommitlee. of
in\('sti«:ation, Messrs. (Irimsliaw, IJrowniny and Koerner were
jneseiit oil behalf of the State, and .Messrs. Stuart and E(\-
wards <d' Spriii^jlicld, as counsel for (Jov. Matteson. The exann-
nation was reported in detail, and may be found in full in tho
weeklv Illimiis Ntate Journal iA' A\m\ 27, and May 4tli, 11th an 1
l.Slh, "hSoO.
The comnnttoe foreboro to express any oi)inion of the j>uilt or
innocen<;e! of any party conceriH'il, and were apparently j;lad that
(lOV. Matteson had saved them "the necessity of determiniii}^
many einbarrassinj'- questions arising; out of the forej>()iiij> state-
ment of facts, by otferin;;- to indenniify the State ajjaiiist all los.s
or liability by reason of moneys paid him, or bonds issued to him
on account of said canal ehectks." The fi'overnor's letter to this
effect, dated Si»riiigliehl, February 9th, ISoO, appears with their
report. This letter, notwithstanding its fair laii^iiajne that he had
" uneon.sciously and innocently be(ii made the instrument tlirouj>h
whom a };toss frau<l upon the State has been attempted," and his
"earnest desire for the preserxation of [his] own reputation pure
and spotless, rendered [him] unwilliufi" to retain tlie.se bond.s,
aitliouj-h i)urc,hased by and issued to [him] bona fide and for a val-
uable consideration," was eommonly regarded as a confession of
the transaction.
These funded bonds were on deposit with the auditor of State
as security for the State bank (so-called) located at Shawnec-
town, a free or stock bank owned by Gov. Matteson. To indeni-
""•See in. Keports 1859, vol. 1, 644.
672
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
f
iiiiy the Stiito ajiiiiiist loss by tliose securities tlius fraiululcntly
obtained lor the canal sciij), the governor and his wife, under
date of April Ul, ISal), inortj;a}jied his Quincy piopertv to the
State.*
The comniittee aslvcd leave to sit duriu}? vacation for fnrtlier
invest if^ation, which was {^ranted, and in ]<S(il tiiey ina<le a volund-
uonui re])ort, enibracinji' a ficneral exatninati(»n into tlie ditteicnt
cla;-ses of indebtedness <»f tln^ State. They found in the course
of their investigation additional frauds uixni the State jierpetra-
ted duriuin' tlie i>eriod in (juestion, with various idnds of scrip,
!(niountin<;' in the ajijiicgate, estiniatinj"' princijial and interest up
to .lannary 1, bS(51. to !j!l()5,.'54({.
To pay off a claim of $.'{.S,iil4 44 to ]\Ir. Kenedy, authorized by
the leyisliiture in l.S4()-7, (Jov. French had couiineiic«'d to reserve,
undefaced, internal improvement scrip i»aid in for State lands sold,
but as this was slow in cominj; in, he, in Sei>tember ' ;sued bonds
t(» Kenedy, which paid him off. In the meantime $4,o()l 04 (»f the
land scrip had accumnlated, and tlie governor caused a descrip-
tive list of it to be juade and liled away, which was found by the
committee; but the scrip was fraudulently funded May 14, 1<S57,
amounting then, principal and inteiest, to $(),(».")(> 71>. In Decem-
ber, 1841, (lov. (Jarlin jilaced in the hands of the canal j-ommis-
sioners 2(18 bonds of $1,((00 each, 1!).5 werei)aid out, JOl returiicil,
and 2, Nos. 105 aud 100, reserved in blank for ^Messrs. J. (i, and
I). L. Jioberts, mIio never called for then), and they were never
paid out to anyone. The bonds were dated .Tuly 1,1841, a-nd
fully executed except inserting tlieuame of the payee. The com-
mittee uow found tlie two bonds in the au<litor's office caui-elled.
" The evidence before the committee tends to show that the name
of J. Cratty, the payee of bonds Kos. 105 and 100, aforesaid, is
in the handwriting of Joel A. Matteson ; that while 10 bonds,
nmnbered consecutively from 126 to 144 inclusive, Avere i»aid out
to Cratty by the commissioners, these two never Avere, but were
reserved as above stated. The loss to the State, as we have
seen, was estimated at $165,346, besides the $22.'}, 182 66, based
upon the uncancelled canal checks of 1830, total $368,528 00.
The comniittee conclude: "Whether this scri])thus fraudulently
taken from the State was the scri]) Avhich was in the box ami
trunk ;iV)ove mentioiu'd cannot be determined, because no des-
criptive lists of the scrip was kept. The only facts in evidence
before ns tending to throw light upon that subject are above
stated."
In the si)rin{j of 1859 the offense was brought to the attention
of the grand jury of Sangtunon county by three of the State
offlcials, Messrs. Dubois, Jiatch and JVIiller, who by their letter
of April 27th, furnished that body a list of Avitnesses in va-
rious i)arts of the State, all of Avhoni had been before the
senate committee. The witnesses Avere subpa'uaed, and the evi-
dence elicited Avassuch that the grand jury, by aA'ote of 16 to 7,
determined to indict; but, on die next day their action Avas on
motiim reconsidered. The inquiry wa.s extended, but nothing
new being elicited they again determined to lind a true bill, only
to be again reconsidered. And noAv sundry members of the jury
began to falter in their determination, and Avhen they again bal-
* Sue Uook N. ot Murtguges, pp. 550-22, Adums Co.
niSSELL'S ADMINISTRATION. 67.'5
lottod the bill wns refused by a vote of 10 for to 12 against — 5
lia\ iiiji' reversed tlieir opinions. Many rumors and surmises, both
of a political and Hiiiineial eharaeter, j-ained currency in connec-
tion with tlu^se "b!i(!kin<js and lillin^s" of that body.
A yrand Jury's investifiations niv ex parte. It is not their prov-
ince to in<piire into the defense. Tiie attorneys of the accused
ji'overnor planned a letter, which reached tlie Jury throu};h tlie
prosecutinj;' attorney, suyp'stiiif; (besides some witnesses who
had testilied fav()ral>l\' to Matteson before the committee) the
names of Capt. (). II. i'ratt of LaSalle and Dr. A. li. Knapp of
Jerseyville, as parties who would make important disclosures.
According to the rumcmsof the period, which were exceed inj;ly
numerous, the ca]>tain and the doctor mentioned were expected
t<» shift '^'le brand from the f^overnor, anil fix it u]»oii ex- Lieut,
(xov. J. B. Wells, then deceased, who, Ave have seen, when he
yielded up the canal otlice to his successor, JVh'HobiV' ts, had re-
marked "that the vouchers and affairs of the canal oiiice would
not liold out." But the scheme failed; tliouj;h these runuirs
promptly brouylit to the capital of Illinois Judj;e Wells, of Mas-
sachusetts, his brother, who unwilling that the inii)Utation rest
longer on idle and mischievous rumors, demanded that the cliaige
be avowed and the grcmnds disti'ictly set out— when they iiu-
nu'diately ceased.*
The sum subsequently recovered by tlie State, under decree len-
dered in the Sangamon circuit court against Matteson, was $L'.">5,-
500. On the L>7th of Ai»ril, ISiii^ the master's sale of the ex-gov-
ernor's property took place at the door of the court house in
Spriiiglield, to satisfy the decree. The property sold realized
$238,00(>, leaving a deficit to the Siate of $27,500. The State
became the purcliaserof the larger share of it. His splendid man-
sion and grounds at Springfield, which cost $93,000, brought only
$40,000. This property was afterwards redeemed and never
passed out of the possession of the family; a son-in-law being the
reiiuted owner, and the ex-governor making his very retired home
there. Never did a governor retire from oflice in Illinois Avith more
iv.'.pect by the people of both parties ; with more general confi-
dence in his integrity or administrative ability; with prospects
for future iiolitical prefernu'Ut of exceeding high promise ; but the
disclosure of these frauds iipou the State, i)rostrated as by a sin-
gle blow all these cherishe<l hopes, and to-day there are doubt-
less many people in Illinois who eveu do not know that such a
man is in life among us.t
THE MACALISTER AND STEBBINS BONDS.
Attempted Swindle by Funding them in 1859. — And now at the
very liight of the great hue and cry of corruption, theft, robbery.
&c., raised in connection with the canal scrip fraud, over which
the republican press fairly gloafc^l with demoniac delight, and
while in the full tide of its onward career, a shadov was suddenly
thrown across its track by a dark cloud replete with ominous [K)r-
tent, implicating the existing State government in au attempted
• The full proceedings of the grand jury are published in the weekly 111. State Jour-
nal of July lit, 18r)9.
t The fcx-Kovernor died in the winter of 1S73-3 nt Chloago.
43
674
HISTORY OP ILLINOIS.
^Ul\
swiiidlo 111)011 the treasury of tin; State, ainouiitiiij;' to $244.-(IH, by
tlic iciiiiKliiij;' of tli«' Macalister and Stchbiiis Itoiids, so-called,
vlii(!li sliii(;lc consternation into the ranks of t lie leadeis. The
(lentociatic press, winch had stood almost diiiiih under the r(;vehi-
tion of Ihecanal check frand and meekly received the vehement
blows of its adversary, was not slow to avail itself of the ojtpor-
tuiiity thus allorded to <»tt-setthe foiiiier, and it rallied to I he onset
A\ith a will. ANhile Ihe two wronj^s did not make one iij;lil, it
was nevertheless aj;reat relief (such is Iniman nature) for the lat-
ter to find j;rounds to clunjic liie former e(|ually with cidi>ahility.
Ill l<S4i, .lime I7th, .John I). Whiteside, fund •oiiiinissiouer, re-
ceived an advaiK^e of )j!L'(»l,4<i(( from Macalister & Slei»l)ins, hank-
ers in New York, for a short period, and as security, hy [tot hecated
with them 804 Slate bonds ol' ."ismKHt each, Ix-arin;;' (J jter cent, in-
terest from May 1, 1.S41. ]'2i<;lit days later he delivered to them
30 .'Jll.OOO (i per cent, internal iini)i()veineiit l)onds; on the 1st of
July foUowinj;' he <;ave them an orderon Nevins, Towiisend <S:Co.,
of New York, for a further batch of 41 bonds of $1,00(» each,
which they received; and on the L'Tth of ()<'tober follow iiij;, tlu-y
receixcd from iMichael Kenedy §.").S,l!l."» 44 in canal s<'rip — the
Mliole afijiic^atinj;- ^\}\2,2\'> 44 of Illinois interest heariii;; indebl-
ediiess, whicii that linn received to secure their advance of .i(li(»l,-
4(!0 to the State. The receipt of these sums they acknowledj^cd
ill their account ciiricnt reiider<'d in IS42, diiiinj; the session of
the jicneral assembly, beinj;li<S (»4-lOO cents on the dollar of se<;iir-
ity in their hands. Upon the bonds and oblij^alions received by
them, after the lirst .S04, they had a<ii<'ed to make further advances
to iiay the State's -Inly interest for 1841, if it was found necessary,
but the State stopitiii^' her interest payments, the advance was
never made ; and under her then linaiiciiil emliiirrassiiieiits, the
$LM)l,4(iO ad\aiiced was not repaid; the hypothecated bonds, ac-
cording' to the contract with the fund commissioner, b<'came for-
leit, and JMacalister & Stebbins claimed their lull redeiiiittion in
iiu)iiey. lint it was answered that tiiis contract was made in vio-
lation of law ; that it was the duty of the lender to have iiMiuired
into the fund commissioner's lej^ai authority to hypothecate the. e
obli<;ations, and as he had manifestly been overreached by the
arts and cuiininjj; of money Jobbers, the State, at the barofeoii-
isei(;iic,e, would only rejiay the aiiKUint actually receive<l with the
interest ajiieed to be paid, liut these just terms of settlement
Avere refused, after which the pled}j;ed securities were known as
the "iMacalister & Stebbins' bonds."
In 1847 (Feb. 28tli,) the les'islature passed "an act to authorize
the fundin{4' of the State debt." r.y its provisions the IMacalister
& Stebbins bonds were specially excluded from its operation. The
new "certilicates of indebtedness" authorized by it were desi};-
liated "New Internal Im]»)()vement Stock of the Stateof Illinois,"
of ijsl, 000 each. "Certilicates" for matured interest of over <5 yciirs
were to be issued, not to draw interest till alter 1857, beinj;' willi-
out coupons, as the interest was stipulated in the bo«ly of the cer-
tilicates. A "transfer iiyeiit" was to be ai»pointed in New York to
attend to the funding of the compli<!ated Illinois imiebtedness.
Three days after a supplemental act was i)assed to authorize a
settlement with Macalister & Stebbins, by the provisions of which
bissell's at>:mtnistration.
G75
'M (UMits (»n tlic, dollar were otlcicd, in new b(»ii(l.'i on tlic, anionnt
li.vi>oflu'cat<'«l; the bonds to Ix-ar upon tlicir face the words, "li(ini-
dation Itonds," wliicli, it will Itc observed, would lia\(' made two
classes (»!" Illinois I'nnded iionds. Wy its terms tlio law exi)ired on
the 4tli of, Inly, I.SlT, and as the holders of the bonds ictiised to
surrender them, or setth; aeeordinj^ to its i)ro\isions, nolhinf; moro
was done.
Snl»se(inent],v better counsel pi-evailed, and at the session of the
lejiislalui'e in the winter of IS1!(, Win. II. Hissell, then a member
of ('on<iress from Illinois, was sent by .Maeallister tS: Stel)i)ins to
S]>rin;;ti<'ld to nutke as ji'ood a l)ar^aiu with tin^ Stale as he eonhl
lor the redemption and settlenn-nt of theses securities. '-An acit"
was i)assed "to prevent loss to the State on the .Macalistei' &
Stebl)ins bonds." It w'.is ena<'ted that upon suri«'uder of the lion«ls
and .scrip hypothecated with Macalister tS: Slebbins, aiiu)Uiitin<;- in
tlu^ aji'jii'einate to $!n.'5,LM."».4'I, toj^ether with the inteicst coupons,
the governor was to settle and pay the amount of money ori<;inally
advane<'d with 7 percent. iiit<'resl thereon fiom the(lat<' ofdeposit
to the time of settlement, in $l.(l(H) bonds diw aftei' l.S()."). I»earinj;
<{ per cent, interest, j)ayable semi annually in New York, pro rata
oufot the interest IiukI. The old Itonds to be surrendered in such
amounts at a time as $i;o,()()(> of the new bonds woidd settle; an<V
all h«'ret()fore surrendered to be credited in lull at li(i cents on the
dollar of the .SOI bonds first hypothecated. TIm' now bonds, like
those provided foiin the act of 1S47, weic 'o bear upon their face
tli«' words "]i(piidation bonds.'' Hence no "new internal improve-
ment stock" <;onld lejially be issued for thes«' l)ouds; these liipiida-
fi<m bonds weic a distin<'t class. The <ireat«'r ]»ortion of the
Macalister & Stebl)ins bomls were funded nniler this act at the
rat<' otTei'cd, but not all — 114 havinii passed out of their hamls.
Huriui; tlie session of th<' ficneral assembly in lS.-»7, Dr. \V. W.
IJoman, nu'inber fiom St. ("lair, intioduced a bill which became a
law. entitled "An act to iund th<^ arrears of inteiest acctined and
nnpai<l on the i»ublic debt of the State of Illinois," It authoiized
the governor to take up all arrears of interest due and unpaid, and
to issue to the holders thereof boiuls of )t!l,()()() each, the same as
those iUitho)i/ed by the fundiny act of 1^47; for old boiuls with-
out coupons, interest ccitificates wei'c to be issued to the holder,
for which new bonds were to be issued njion j)i'esental ion ; ami
"any holder of canal or internal imi)rovement scrip holdinj; less
than .i!l.(M)() may i)resent the same with interest ccitificates enouj^h
to make $l.(KU>or more, and the governor shall issue a boiul as be-
fore staled for such amount."
After its jiassa^e it was ai>prehend<'d that tin; law was broad
enoujih in its leinis to include the oiilslandin<; Macalisler & Steb-
bins bonds. To i»re\-ent such a construction, a Joint resolution
was promptly passed : "That no bonds or certilicales for arrears
of interest ujx)'! the IVIacalister & Slebbins bonds, Iwld hy lieu,
shall be issuvd by the<>'o\('riioi- toihe holdersof the aforementiom'd
indebledii'ss, to tluMr agents, or to any person ei- i)ersons claimin<;'
under them."
The outstandinj; 1 14 Ma('alister& Slebbins bomls of $1,000 each
had passed into tlu' possessnui of other jtarties in N<'W York, who
ulle<>-e(l that they liad puichased them s(une 1(J y<'ars ajio at public
unction without the knowledge that the State refused to pay them
670
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
Sit pill'. Tliev now, under the law of 1857, made application to the
governor to liavc thcni funded at i)ar, which was refused. They
next ai)plied to the supreme court i'ov a viandamuH to compel the
governor to fund them, but the writ was also refused, tlie court
lioldinj;' tliat the exe(;utive is a coordinate and independent branch
of the goveniMHMit, and that they had no jtower to command him
to do an ollicMai act. No opinion was expresse<l relative to the
power of the governor, under the hiM, to issue the bonds ; but
Judge IJreese, in delivering the opinion of the (M)urt, adde<l : ''If
the goveiiior asks our opinion on the point of duty, we will cheer-
fully give it ; but we refer him to the high tribunal of his own
conscience and the public judgment."
Jiut notwithstanding the refusal of (Jov. Bissell at this time to
fund them, and ap]»arently in the face of the joint resolution above
quoted, he subsciiuently ciianged his mind, signed the requisite
number of new bonds in blaid<, as did also the treasurer, Rliller,
and sent thetn on to New Ycnk to be idled up, as was the rejMe-
hensible custon of the tinu\ In 18i5t) he further ordere«l the State
transfer agent, Edward IJement, resident in New York, to fund
the old INIacalister & iStebbins bonds at their full value, i)rineipiil
and interest, in the "New Internal lmi)rovenient stock" of J.S47,
authorized by the funding a(!t of that period, which in express
terms forbade the funding of these bonds. The jtrincipal, $1 14,(l()(),
was accordingly funded, February oth, 18;>1), leaving $78,(»()(>, the
arrears of inteivst, still unfumled. The bonds were hehi at the
time by the New York Bowery Insurance Company, $85,000 ; the
Mechanics' Banking Association, $2(5,000; and Morris Ketcthuiii,
$3,(H)0. Under the existing laws of the State, the governor hail
no power to settle with these parties upon any other terms than
those ])roposed by the law of 184!), at 28.04 cents on the dolliir;
and the just liability of the State on these outstanding Macalister
«& Stebbins bonds, including interest, was less than $45,000,
•whereas bv this action it would have been directly $102,083, and
idtinuitely '$244,208— a loss of near $200,000.
The transaction seems to have been kept a profound secret.
But at tliis time the canal scrip fraud having transjtired, a bill
was introduced into the legislature abolishing the funding agency
in New York, and ordering the books of the oflice, containing the
evidences of this transacttion, to be forwarded to Springfield — and
now on "a more careful examination of the law [the governor] be-
came doubtful of his authority in the matter, and immediately
telegra])hed Mr. ]>enient to stop funding, whicdi was done at once.'"*
Immediately after this the governor informed the auditor
of the fact. "I was for blowing it at once," said that function-
ary, "but he [the governoi] insisted that that wouUl lessen his
chances of liaving the bonds returned, and 1 reluctantly consented
to keej) still for a time."f A (!(U'resi)ondence was immediately
opened by the governor with j\Ir. Bement and the holders, to
negotiate with them for their vsurrender, which did not at once suc-
ceed. In May the books of the New York funding agency were
brought to S[)ringtield. The auditor, i)rofessing now to derive
his infornnition from them, broke the subject to the treasurer,
■ "who was already apprised of it. These gentlemen, before the
•Seo Dr. Muck's letter to the Oliicnuro.Tournnl. .luly 12,1859.
tSee Dubois' letter, 111. State Jour., July 20, 1869."'
bissell's administration. 677
treasurer started to New York to pay the July inteicst oii the
State bouds jjeuerally, ajjreed and deteriiiiiu'd positively between
themselves "that nothing should ever be paid upon the bonds of
either prineipal or interest, while [they] were in the ofliees," With
this resolution on their part, the closure of (he transfer office in
New York, and the fact that the new bonds issued undei' the law
of 1841) were hixcribed bonds — not transferable exeei>t n[(on the
books — they could not be used or placed upon the market at any
price ; nothiufjf could be done with them, and as neither i)rincipal
nor interest had been paid to any considerable extent, the State
could not be, and was luit, financially, harmed. The scheme was
nipped in the bud ; thou}»h before the transfer agency was closed
in New Yoik Mr. Ketehum succeeded in liaviufi' liis three new or
funded certificates of $1,000 each transferred on the books to a
Mr. (Jraham.
"The plan embraced the funding of the 114 bonds under the
general law of 1847, whicli expressly i>rohibited its being done;
to issue for them 'New Internal Improvement Stock,' to the credit
of which new stock was to be placed, the aj>gTef;ate of pro rata
interest which the State had paid in cash on its bonds since 1847,
anjountingon these $114,000 of 'stock' to $37,298, which sum would
be payable on the 1st of July, 18,")!>, the first int«'rest pay dav after
tlu' funding of the bonds, (the bonds being funded on theijth of
Fel»ruary, 1H59); in addition to which two sums there was issued
certificates for interest due from date of tlie original bonds sur-
rendered, up to the passage of the law of 1847 under which they
were funded, amounting to $41 ,."{88 83; and the holders were en-
titled to the further sum of $41,382, being the balance of the 12
year's interest remaining uncredited to tlie 'new stock,' for which,
under Dr. liomau's law of 1857, they would be entitled to certifi-
cates"*— making a total of $244,208 83, or just about $200,000
more than the State justly owed.
Dui'iug the summer of 1850, Dr. Mack was sent to New York to
negotiate! for tlie surrender of the refunded bonds. As the hold-
ers f«»und they couhl not make them available — oenig inscribed
bonds they could not be sold without transfer on the books —
the Stiite department unwilling to recognize hem or pay interest
on them either accruing or in arrear, tliey were finally, in Octo-
ber, 1850, sun'endere<l. Tl' ' holders were unwilling, however, to
settle by the law of 1840, Six years later, at the session of 18U5,
the legislature jKussed a law compelling the sum-nder of the Mac-
alister and Stebbins bouds, under penalty of a forfeiture of inter-
est after .Inly, and princii)al after January following, ]8(!(). The
amount allowed to be paid l)y this law on each $1000 was $248 13.
The action of Gov, IJissell in ordering the funding <>f tlie Mac-
alister and Stebbins bonds is difficult to explain. He apparently
disr<'garded the Dr. K(unan resolution, inisreniend»ered the nian-
danuis pnx'x'edings in 1857 to compel him to do what he now did,
and violat<?d the law of 1847, under which the fuiuling was done,
whi<'li expressly forba<le it; while even if lie had been legally au-
tliorized to pay their full value of principal and interest, as only
about 28 cents <m the dollar had ever been received for them by
Letter of "Investigfator** to Chicago Times, Aug. 1859.
078
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
the State, it was pliiiiily contrary to the justice and equity of tlie
case, and i)()])ular opinion would have sustained Idni in a refusal,
for the protection of the treasury of the State.*
NcvTE — "When the transaction KnI'li'il the lixtit, (liirinR the heijfht of the ciinitl scrip
friiiKl invcstitfiitlon, Uiuscll's enemies, stiiiiiiltitcd doiibtlcss to udditioniil |)Mrti!<iin
feeiiniur, or ititlueiiccd l).v personal aniinotsity, put the very worst const rucit ion possil)lo
upon it, and the most corrupt motives ol combining with New Yorii sliurpers to rob
the treasury were attril)utod to his exi ellency . A loin; letter fiom New Vork to the
Chicago Tinier, dated AujrusfiO, is,")!), signed "InvestlKator," evinces a "workiiiy op of
the ease'" witli apparently danunrinu' eflect to liisexeellcncy. From it, it seems, tliat
an old Hellevillea(Miaintance of llissell'.i, thron^rh letters of introduction from him, in
lH"it<, (rained credit enon^h in New York to buy 111 of the l)onds, with their accrued in-
terest of «13(),(K)() besides, tor $8i),000. He broujfht an installment to Illinois to ^et
funded, but owintr to a ipiarrel as to how tlie prollts were to l)e divided between him
and Ills confederates, the sale was rescinded, and after some threats with the law, tho
bonds were Kiven back. Ne.xt, the New York owners, one of whom was Morris Keteh-
uni, a close friend of the (fovernor's nnd one of the oriKinal Illinois Central Kailrond
incorpoiMtors, ha vinvr also resiRned the State transfer agency, Ills partner, Ui.'incnt,
beiiiK appointed in tlic place, all with a view to tlie cnnsummation of tliis fraud.it is
hinted, tried their skill tiiid ultinuitely succeed, as we liave seen, in having tin; lionds
partially funded; and with all these elforts Uisscii, who had the power to fund the
bonds, is so.'^tit by letters, conjectvires and deductions, to be eoniK^cted as a eorriipt
Rhanu' ill tlio profits of the transaction. The lettei- Is the careful, elaborate and able
arRiiinent of a Icfral j)rosecutor, who manifestly has much personal feeling in the mat-
ter. It contains a complete history of the Maealisler and Slebbins ii«)iiils, and many
of the points ajraiiist the ifovernor appear to be well sustained by liis own correspond-
ence. At the meeting of the democratic State convention at SpriiiRlield, in .laniiary,
18*50, Hon. ,7. L. Don Morrison avowed liimself its author, and in a speech supple-
mented his charges anainst liis excellency l)y tlie pnxiiiction of a number of letters
from liim to the New York parties and his nelleville aeiiuaintance +
Prior to Morrison's convention speech, Bissell had been under many intlietions; but
this was too much and in the Ulinoix State Journal »{ .Tanuary 11. l.siK). he publisheil it
stinwnx reply, evincing the rekindling? of his old flame of scathing invective. Ho
attributes the causeless attack upon him to the envy and jealousy of his assailant, as
the key to all his malice; they wtM-e neitrhbors, both living in nelleville — one. obscure,
had been honored with otlice repeatedly; the other, wealthy and eons|)iciious. had met
Tvitii constant disappointment In this rcsi)ect. He deni. d receivlnt* one cent during
his lontf offleial career that did not properly nnd legally belonsr to him; pronounced
the ■•Investitrator" letter "a tissue of vile assumptions, inferences, deductions and
downright lies;" nccu.ced Morrison of dislionorably suppressinjrn letter of his to I'en-
seneau (the nelleville friend) re.lectinyr a dishonorable proposition in reference to the
fundinH of the Maoalister andStebl)ins bonds, which would have "blown his pitiful
cobwebs 8ky-hitjh,"and by way of counter charges, proceeds netratively to intimate his
assailant's connection with many dishonoialjle acts. overreachiiiK widows and orphans,
&c., to obtain titles to lands, prompting the Old Kantfcr to exclaim : "If that mail
keeps outof the ponitentiafy -'0 years he will be the richest man In Illinoia.
+Seo 111. State UcKister, Jan. W, 180O,
Chapter LII.
OUR SENATORS IN CONGRESS.
Their Lives and Characters — Senatorial Contest between Lincoln
and Douglas in 1858.
Edwards and, Thomas. — Upon tlie iiieetiiif;' of tlio first State
Icjfislature in ()<'l(/.)ei', 1818, Niniaii Edwards, wlio had been tlio
abiiA and iK)i)ular territorial j^overiior tip to that time, and .Jesse
IJ. Thomas, one of the federal judjjfes duriiij^' the entire sejyarate
territorial existtJiee of Illinois, were ele<!te(l as senators to con-
gress ; the former on the lirst ballot by a large majority, .'Wont
of the U) votes, aiul the latter on the .'kl ballot by 21 ont of tiio
40 votes east; Leonard White receiving 18, and jNIichael Jones 1.
The full term of a senator is years, or .'i congresses. The con-
stitntion of the U. S. divides the senators into 3 classes, one going
out with the expiration of each congress. Upon the admission of
a State the new senat()rs draw lots for classes. Edwards drew the
'M class, being the existing 15th congress which expired with the
.'5(1 of JMarcli, 181J), and Thomas the i^lass which ex])ired with the
17th congress on tlie 3d of ?!aich 1823. Both were re-cdected for
full terms. Edwards in 1819, till March 4th 1825, and Thomas at
the session of 1822-3 till ]\Iarch 4th, 1829.
Of Edwards we have already spoken fully, as governor.
Tiiomas, as a federal judge, had l)orne himself with mnch dignity
upon the bench, but it is recorded that he did not api)ly his
talents to the mastery of the law. By natnre ho was rather a poli-
tician, an avocation which absorbed his better abilities through
life, ^^'ith<mt talent as a speaker, he exhibited shrewdness and
tact in the management of men and questions. We have alreadj'
noted the manner of his election as a delegate to congress by the
Indiana territorial legislature in 1808, his pledge being that he
l)rocure the separation of Illinois from Indiana, a valuable^ pnblic
service to ns, wliich he fidly discharged. Both senators actively
snpported, in 1820, the adndssion of Missonri as a slave state.
Mr. Thomas gained considerable notoriety for originally suggest-
ing the line of 3Gd. 30m., known as the Missouri compronnse.
AVith this proviso the Missouri bill passed the senate, 24 to 20;
the senators of all the slaveholding States, with one from Indiana
and two from Illinois, the last admitted State into the Union,
voting for it. Mr. Randolph, the leader of the ultra southern fac-
tion in the house, indignantly characterized the compromise as a
"dirty bargain," and the northern men by whose co-opera-
tion it was carried as " doughfaces," which was the origin of that
appelatiou. Thomas was the intimate friend of Mr. Crawford,
079
GSO
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
m
I
III
i iii
advociitiiij'lii.s election totlie presidency in 1824, bnt after the huc-
cesH of AdiiMis, came over to tlie su))p(>rt of liis administration.
Diirin;;' tlie convention striij;';ile lie advtx-ated tiie enj;rartiii};- of
slaveiy upon our consiitution. After tlie expiration ol' liis last
senatorial term he renu)ved to Ohio, wheie he died in 185;{.
John McLean, — In ISL'l: Edwards resigned the senatorship to
accept tli(^ ndssioii to Mexico tendei-ed him l».v Pn'sident Monroe.
On the nieetin}>' of the lejiisiatuic in Novemher of that .vear, .lolin
]Meliean was eh'cted to till the iniexpired term of Edwar<ls, the
latter havin<; tlirown n]> tiu^ iMexican mission, bein;; his competi-
tor. MctLean is said to have been in many respects, the nM)st
{;ifted man of his peiiod in Illinois, lie was lt<»iii 171)1, in North
Carolina. At the a};e »»f 4 years his father's family removed to
Lopin connty, Kentucky, where he received such iimitetl educa-
tion as the new country iilfor<led. lie studied law, and in ISlii, at
the a<ie of 1!,'{, (%ime to Illiiu)is and settled at Siniwneetown, with
little nu'ans and less credit, bnt endowed with j;reat natural tal-
ents and swayed by a lofty ambition. JJe s])eedily became eon-
spicnouH at the bar and in political life. Three years after, ho
became a (landidate for congress, Daniel I*, ','ook beinj;- his oi)po-
nent. The contest was one of the nn)st animated an«i vij;orou.s
ever made in the State, (dniracterized thronjihont by a lii<;h-tt)ned
courtesy, which eminently distin<;nished both competitors. They
were youn}^' nn'u of rare jironuseand alike won the esteem of the
people. Melican was elected by a small majority, but at the next
election Cook succeeded over him and continued to hold the i>lace
until 181i(), when Duncan beat him. IVhtLean was frequently a
member of the lej^islature and speaker vif the house.
He looked the born orator; with a larj-e symmetrical li<;iire, tine
lijiht complexion, a frank, nnifiiinnimous soul, he exer<'ise«l that
magnetism over his uaditory which stamped hiin as the leader of
men. Possessed of strong ccmim)!) sense, a lively ima;;inati(»ii,
a pleasant humor, ready command of lan<fua]ue, his oratory llowed
with a nu)vinft' toirent, ahnost irresistible to the masses of his
day. With these native attributes and a compass of intellect
oxceedinf>ly great, consciousness of jiower caused him to rely
perhaps too nnich u])(m them to the exclusion of that diseii)line,
constant and itainstaking study which make the ])rofound scholar.
He was twice elected to the U. S. senate, tlu' la:.ttiuu', December
6th, 1828, unanimously, as the successor of Jesse B. Thonnis, for
a full term; but he only served the (irst session, ami after coming
home died at Shawneetown in 18,'{(>, in the very |)rime of his nnvn-
hood, at the age of .'59 years. His death was a great ])«d)li(; loss,
and the legislature, as a titling testimonial to his memory, nanu-d
the large, fertile and now populous county of McLean hi honor of
him.
I]lias Kent Kane — was elected a senator in congress Novem-
ber .'{(>, 1824, for the term commencing March 4, 182."), and termi-
nating March 3, 1831 — to the place of M(tLean. The latter, at the
time of his election, 7 «lays before fVu- the .'3 numtlis unexiiired term
of Edwards, was also a candidate for the long term, and, not
doubting his ehoi(!e, immediately departed for Washington ; bnt
a new candidate a^ipeared in the field, and after a protracted
SKNATORS IN CONGRESS. 081
stiuftnle, lie failed becoiniiijiliis own successor, and lOlias K. Kane
was elected. This was on tlie KHli ballot, wlien Kane received
US votes, ami Saninel I). Lockwood, tlu^ tn-xt lii^iliest, L'."}. Mr.
Kane was a native of New Yorl< ; had received a thoron^ih ednc-a-
tion, heinjf a jiiadnalc of Yale Collejic, stinlied law, and in 1.S14,
when qnite yoiinj;', son<;ht tln^ sonth and west, and located linally
at Kaskaskia. lie was possessed of a stronj;', clear mind ; was a
close reasoner, a ])rol'onnd lawyer, an aj^reeable speaker, a Ineid wri-
ter and attained eminencH' in his profession as well as in public lift .
When the wheels of the new State {iovernment were put in mo-
tion, in October, ISIS, (Jov. IJoml apitointcd him secretiiry of State.
Atl<'rwards he was a State senator. l)ecend)er 11, IS.'iO, lie was
re-cletrted, on the first ballot, to the (I, S. senate for the full term
from the 4tli of Mar(;h followin<;', .1. M. Robinson, his principal
opponent, receiving; G votes; but before the exi)iration of his 2nd
term, his health, which had loii};- been feeble, }^ave way, and ho
died at VVashinj;ton, Decend»er iLHh, IS^o. lie was a man of
purity of character, honesty of intention, amiable and benevolent
in disposition, and very jicnerally esteemed. The legislature
named the county of Kane in honor to his memory.
Darid Jewett Baler — was, Xovember IL'th, IS.'^O, api)ointed by
Gov. Edwards to till the unexpired term of John ^IcLean, deceased;
but the lejiislature, between which ami his excellency there was
little accord, nuH^ting shortly afterwaids, refused to sanction the
executive choice, and on the IJth of Dccendicr, ISoO, elected .lohii
]\I. Robinson instead. Baker was born in Connecticut, in 17i)li,
and after receivinfj' a colh'giate education, and stiulyiuf;' law, in
ISH) with his young bri<le renH)ve<l to Illinois, ami located at Kas-
kaskia. lie was a studious, i)ainstakiiig lawer, and attained a
stan<ling with the ablest of the Illinois bar. He was long probate
judg«'<)f Randolph county. He eschewed i)olitics, except in 1824,
whvu he actively, both with pen an<l tongue, opjKised the intro-
duction of slavery into Illinois. For his warm utterances, the
then chief justi(^e of the State, Thonnis Reynolds, afterwards gov-
ernor of Missouri, attacked him with a bludgeon in the streets of
Kaskaskia. During his short stay in congress he originate<l the
nu'asurefor disj)osing of the governjneid lands in tracts of 40 acres,
which facilitated the settlement of the State — the law up t(» that
tinu' not ])ermitting the entry of less than 1(10 acres. In ISoli he
was appoiided by .Jackson IJ. S. attorney for Illinois, nn<l reap-
jjointed in 1S."J7 by Van IJuren. In 1S40 he united with the whig
])arty. In 1S4.S he was defeated for supreme judge by Mi'. Trum-
bull, in the 3d grand division. In lHo4 he helped to orgaiuze the
republican party. He died at Alton, August 10, 1809. *
John M. Bohinson — had the following o]>]>onents : Theopliilus
W, Smith, Thomas Mather, R. M. Young, .1. Kitchell and ex-Gov.
Bond, but his strength incieased at every ballot, and on the oth
obtained a majority. Gen. Robinson was a Kentuckian by
birth, with a liberal education and a lawyer by profession. While
still a young man he came to Illinois and settled at Carmi, where
he married, and continued to make his home; a member of his
•See Weekly Illlnnia State Journul, Aug. U, 1869.
(iS2
IIISTOUY 01-' Il.LINOIH.
•fiiiiiily — ii (laiiniiicr, tlnMHily survivor — still rcsitifs i\unv. He was
tall and erect in statiii-e, well ])i-oi><irti<)ne(l, of li^lit coinitlexion,
\villi hnj;*' head, i)lt'asinn' eoiiidenanee and winninjf ad»lr«'s,s— n
lliH^ .specimen ol" nnmly beanlv. A distinj^nislied trait (»!' liis eliar-
aeter was soeiabilit.v; indeed, Ids convivial dis|)osition carried liiin
into fre(|ueiit excesses. His title of j^cneral was derixcd lioin a
connection with the ndlitia or^^ani/ation of tli(> State, lit* was re-
eh'cted to the 1". S. senate l)e<'end)er L'Olh, I.s;M, on Ihetlrst ballot
by a vote ol'-lT to .'50 — \l. M. Vonn;; beinj;- his opponent — for a fall
term, which expin-d Man-h IJd, iJsil. In 1S4.'{ he was elected on*'
of our supreme Jndfics, but within two months after, April L'Tth,
died at Ottawa, away from home, w hither his rennuns were taUen.
Willldni Lie J>. J<]i('!)i</ — was elected l)e<'ember LMttli, IS,'}'), to
serve out the unexpired term of lOlias K. Kane, dei'cased. 'J'his
election was a ))r()!ract.ed strnjij>le. Ilis comi»elilors were ilanies
Semple and \l. M. Yoiin<;, both of whom led him on the liist Itailot,
the vote stan<lin^', Semple L'o, Vounj;' 15) and ICwinj; IS, On llie
Sth ballot Younji was dropped, the !(lli and KMli sl(tod a ti»', but
on the llMli lOwin;.; received 40 to S«'mple 'M, and was elected,
(Jen. Kwin;;' was a ;;cntlennin of cnltui'c, a lawyer ''y profession,
and had been much in pulilic lile. He had been receivi'rof the
pid)lic moneys at Vandalia and lost a !J(1,(KM» deposit by the job-
bery of the State bank in ISU.'J, He was speaki'r of the Stat*"!
senate in 1S;{4, ami by virtue of that ]»osition had been acting'
y(>vern(»r for 1.") days. His tith' of j;<'iu'ral was of militia origin,
luul he attained some distinction in the Jilack Hawk war. He was
ii Kentuckian. above medium hi;;ht, and of heavy build, with
auburn hair, blue eyes, lar^c-sized head and short face. He was
{i'cnial, social, fiicndly and affable, with fair talent, thou}"!! little
oiiyinality. Under Clov. Fortl lie was elected State auditor.
h'ichard M. Yoioxj — succeeded to the seat of (Jen. Ewinjj', and
served out a full term from JMarch 4, ISI}?, to March 4, lS4;i, He
was elci'ted ])ecend)er 14, ]83G, on the 3d balh)t, Samuel McK(d)-
erts beiuf^' his primnpal opj)onent; Archie Williams and (Jen.
PJwinji' also received sonu' votes, the former 21 and the latter 1,'J.
Judj^e Youn<>' was gilted with line colloquial }>owers, ami his inter-
course with men was nninaf;ed with i.ii urbanity, smoothness and
address well cahMdated to impiess thv m with his excellence and
worth, in which lay the secret of his uccess, lather than force «u-
enerji'y of character, or vij^'or aud <;om]>ass of nu>ntal endowments.
His talents, which were resju'ct able and above mediocrity, derived
additional lustre from these anuable attributes. He wasu Kentuck-
ian, of spare build, lather tall, educated, and a lawyer by i»rofes-
siou. In 1824 he was elected by the legislature one of the o circuit
judges, and assigned to the 2d circuit. During his senatorial term
in 1<S3{>, he was ajjpointed by Gov. Carlin one of the State agents
ill connection with ex-Gov, Keynolds, to negotiate the $4,0()(),0()0
canal loan, for which purpose, they repaired to Euv(»pe, and tlu'ir
advances of $1,000,000 in Illinois bonds to the house of \Vright &
Co,, of London, proved a heavy loss to the State. Still, under
party operations, before his senatorial term ex])ired, he was made,
February ,'Jd, 1842, a supreme judge, a position which he held
uutil 1847. He died at Washington, in au iusaue asylum.
SKNATOHS IN t'<)N(JHKHS. 083
r"!'*)!)) tilis time oil tlie (rauciis systviii w>i»4 rcNoitt'tl to l>.v par-
lies to <lcli'niiiii*> tlicir choice of ciiiiditlatcs I'oi olllccs, iiicliHliii};
tliiit of I'liitcd States s<>iiatoi-, and aspiiiiitt.s to tliat exalted |)o.si-
tioii were no l<tii;;ei' di,-tra<'ted with the whims of individual U-yis-
hitois. The selieniiny or party |>ipe hiyiii},' was now all with tluj
view to secure the favor of leaders aiul the manipulators of the
caiUMis. Whom Uin;;'caucus designated as the party iKuninee no
one was to yaiiisay. Thesysteni wasadopt<'d Ity the minority as well
as the majority jtarty, hul it is to be noted that Illinois ne\er had
a wlii;;- senator throughout the existence of that party. Tli(llrst
democratic senatorial (taucus I'csidted in th(> selection of per
haps the most uii(-ompromisiii<i party man in the State.
Samuel Mclioherts — the lirst native lllinoisan ever elevated to
the hij;li ollhte of a United States senatorfrom this State, was horn
April IL', 17!M), in what is now Monroe county, his lather residing'
on a farm, ilei'cceived a ^ood lCn<>'lish education from a conijte-
teiit private tiitor, Edwaril Humphrey, and attained also somo
]u'oliciency in latin, Itut his naturally stroii<>' mind inclined him to
mathematics. At tlu^ early aj^c of L'O he wasappointed circuit
clerk of Monroe county, a i)osition which art'oi(l«'d iiim opportu-
nity to he(;omo familiarized with forms of law, wliicli he eaj;erly
embraced, jxirsuiu};" at the same time a most assiduous cours«' of
n'adinj;. Two years later he entered the law dei)artment >>f Tran-
sylvania University at Jiexin;>ton, Ky., where, after ."{ full coiii'ses
of lectures, he graduated with tlu* dejjreeof bachelor of law.s. lie
eommeiKu-d the ]»ractice of law in competition with such men a.s
Kane, Ueynolds, Mills,Mears, JJIackwell, Star, Clark, JJaker, Eddy,
jMcl.ean. ike. In 1824, at the a}>e of lio, he was elected by the
Icfiislature one of the o circuit Judges. As Judge he lirst publicly
exhibited strong partisan bias. In ISl'l h«^ had been a violent
convention advocate, and now, in detiamie of a release by the leg-
islature, he assessed a liiK^ against (Jov. Coles for settling his
emancipated slaves ill Madison (bounty, without giving bond that
they should not become a public charge ; he also removed a cir<'uit
clerk in the same county, and api>oiiited another in his place,
from partisan motives, which caused a great outcry at the time
and contributed laigely to the i'e]»eal of the (circuit court system
in 1827. In 1828 he was elected a State senator; in ]8;i0 appointed
United States district attorney for this State ; in 181^2 receiver of
the jinblic moneys at the Danville laud otlice, and in IS.'Ji) s(»licitor
of the general land ollic(^at Washington. When the State bank.s
of I8;{7 jiassed int() whig control by their organization. Judge
M(d{oberts, with others, opjjosed them, and th(\v were refused tlie
land offiw moneys as deposits, to aid in crippling them. On the
Kith of December, 1840, Samuel McHoberts was elected Lnited
States senator for a full term, comnuuicing March 4tli, 1841. He
received ou the first ballot 77 votes, Cyrus Edwards, the whig
nominee, 50, and E. D. Baker, 1. lie died March 22, 184;}, at Cin-
cinnati, at tlie house of his old friend. Judge James Hall, formerly
of Shawneetown, on his route home •from "Washington, in the
vigor of intellectual manhood, at the age of 44 years.
Judge McRoberts was a little above medium hight, sparely
built, of a nervous-bilious temi)eranient, and had a good head.*
*He tmd a defect lu one eye.
G84
HISTOHY OF ILMNdlS.
Ho WHM Hwaycd by a Htiililidni will, a lii;>li aiiil)itloii, mid
iiiil)oiiii(l('<l ciici'^y. Ills iiiiihl \\!i.s rli'iir stn)ii<; aiul jticcisc, aiid
ill' was ad('('|> n-ad lawyer, lit' was ever a voiacioiis stiidnit,
jfivcii t()ov«'r-nx»'ilioii. Wiiih' li«' i'xcrti'd ar,o}i«'iit iiillii('ii<-«> oxer
his party, lir was y<-t witlioiit tlir sinootli and oily arts of tlir
ordinary politiriaii. lie };»t\('iiu'd hy tliu powiT of will ladii'i'
than a(idi'(>ss and blandishment.
Sidney lirecHC — succeeded U. M. Yonnj;- to tho United i>tates
sj'uate for a fall term, from MaTch 1, 1S4.'{. 1I(! was thedemociatic
cancus nondnce and was c'leettd l)eecnd)er 17, ISIL*, on the tlrst
ballot, by KKS votes t<t his •.■pjioiu-nt, Archibald Williams', 4!>.
lie was born ab«»nt the close of the Inst <'entuiy, in Oneida
county, N. Y., received acollcj^iatc education and };iadnatcd with
distinction from I'nion {'ollcf^e. lie had been the schoolfellow
of I'ilias Kent Kaiu', who was his si-nior. After the latter was
appointed secretary of State, in ISbS, I u' wrote for you n<'- Hrecse
to Join him, which he did by the close of the year, and read lav/
Mith him. Aside tVoin the ability of his preceptor, thisjiave him
the advanta;;e of fornnn;; a wide actpnuntanct; in the new Slate.
In ISL'O h<' essayed the practice t)f the law in flackson ccainty, but
iiH't with failure in court befon* a Jnry, and, overwhelmed with
mortitication, n'sohed to abandon his profession. The next .\ear
he becann^ jtostnuister of the ancient town of Kaskaskia. In ISL'2
(iov. IjoihI a))pointed him circuit att«>rney, in which ])osition Ciov.
Coles retained inm, bnt Edwards did not. In IHJil he prepare«l
and publishe<l ''IJreese's Reports" of our sui>renu'C(uirt decisions,
belli/;- the lirst book ever i»ublishc<l in the State. The next year
lie took part in the lihu'k Hawk war — beiiij;- a niajm-. On the
establishment of the circuit court system, in 1<S;{5, he was chosen
jiidjie. in which capacity the McClernand-Field case came before
iiiin — an excitinj;' political (piestion — concernin};' the jjower of
the y()\ eriior to remove the incumbent of the ottiee of the secre-
tary (»f State, which he decide<l with an elaborate opinion in
favor of the relator, but which the supreme court reversed. Upon
the reor{;anization of that court, in 1S41, resiiltiuf^ in great part
from this question, he vt as elected one of the. live democratic
supreme judges.
As senator, he occni)ied the seat of his old school-mate and
friend, E. K. Kane. Upon the expiration of his term he was
electe<l, in IHiiO, to the legislature, and was made sjieaker of the
house. In ltSo5 he was again electt'd (Mrcuit judge, and two years
latei'. on the resignation of Judge Scates, again elevated to the
supreme bench, where he has held a position ever since ; and
here it is, by his numerous and able opinions, that he has made a
lasting record in the annals of this State, being a finished scholar
and iirofound jurist.
In congress he fav<u'ed the annexation of Texas, our title to
Oregon np to the line of r>4d. 4()ni., and carrying the war
with Mexico into the heart of that country. To his connection
with the land grant for the lieiietit of the Illinois Central
railroad, we have alluded — his original plan lieing a i»re-emption
insteail of a. grant, lie procured the i)assage of acts f(tr the sale
of the mineral lands at Galena and other places, and the repeal
of the 5 years exemption from taxation of the public lands in this
SENATOnS IN C()N(UIEH8.
or-^
8tiit(>, wliicli wen; valiialilc aids to tlu* State at tliat JMiictiirt' of
her lliiaiiriiil (listless. II*' iiiaWc also an altic report in I'avoi' of a
grant of lan<l to a lailroad from Lake Mi('lii<>aM to llic l'a*-ili(;.
fitnucs Scnipic — was appointed Unitnl Stat<'s senator l»y (lov.
I'onl, in ISI.J, as tiie suceessoi' of .Sainuei Meifoltcits, deceased,
and aftei' st-rvin^' tor one session as sneli a, 'pointer, the leyisla-
tnre, Decendter 1 1, IXU, eopiirnied Ins a|»pointnient li.v elect in;;'
Inni for the nnexpired term of ids predecessor, '\v a vote of lOli
to •lolin .1. Hardin 47. In politics Semph^ was a democrat, and
the eancus nominee of his parly, as was Hardin of the \vhi<:s.
He had been miK'h in public life. He was speaker of the lioiise
in I.S,'«t-7, when tlu^ Stat(> Internal TmproveiiM measure was
passed; afterward Chaijic dc Alfairs to New (Irci.. ,i and Jiid;;e
of thesnpr(;me (;oiirt. (ieii. Sempie was a line looking' man, and
detested the plots and iiiti'i;;iies of politicians. Maiiyot the ohlcr
residents of Alton and Sprini^jlield will rememi»cr iiim as the pro-
jector of th<^ "steam wafioii" wliicli lay for years a wreck on the
prairie south of Sin'in<;lleld. He wntte an elaborate lii.story of
Mexico, wJdcli lias never been [»iiblished.
Shaken Arnold Douf/las — became the .successor of Semple. ITo
received the Democratic caucus nomination and wa.s eU'cted De-
cember 14, 184(5, on the llist ballot, by KM) votes to Cyrus Ed-
wards, the whi;;' nominee, 4."). Doujilas was not unknown in the
national lej;islature, liaviii};- already .served ]>arts of li terms in
the lower house. With the advent of this remarkable man, whonj
we do not hesitate to call j^reat, into the U. S. .senate, Illinois,
took at once hif>li rank in that august body, re<loundiiig not only
to her glory, but .solid advantage smrh as no State before nor since
lias received from the hands of congress. We allude to the pro-
curing of the Illinois Central railroad land grant, a liereiileau
task, in which he received the earnest support of his colleague and
the entire delegation in the lower hoii.se. Douglas, though young
in year.s, was directly a<!knowledged the peer of the great states-
men, Clay, Web.ster and Calhoun, with whom he serve<l his tirst
term. Since his ^^Icuu;, Trumbull has maintained a high jiosition
for Illinois down to the i.''*sent time. Douglas became his own
successor in 1853, and ag.iii. in 18.")!) ; but we defer a more ex-
tended sketch of his life aiul ci:'iracter to an acc^ount of the cele-
brated .senatorial contest between him and JVlr. Lincoln in 1858,
contained in this chapter.
James Shields — was chosen to succeed Sidney Breese for a full
term from Marcli 4tli, 1849. He was the caucus nominee of the
democracy, largely in the ascendant in Illinois. The contest — an
exc'^ing one — wai; over the caucus nomination. Breese strove
eiirnestly to become his own succes.sor, and John A. McClernand,
ambitious for the exalted seat, Mas also hi the tield. Both Avere
greatly the superio'-s of Shields in ability and probably in art and
address, but the later had the advantage of military glory be-
fcm which mere civi^ services, however valuable, have ever paled.
Neither was he a novice in civil official experience. Born in county
Tyrone, Ireland, in 1810, he emigrated to the U. S. in 1827, and
settled iu iu Illinois, 3 years later. In. 7 years time, without being
G8G
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
W^
naturalized, \w was sent to tlie lo<>isIatiii(' from l{aii(l<)l[)li ('(unity,
(iov. Carliii ai)p()iiit('(l liiiii aiiditor, and in J.S43, lie was elected a
supieiiie jiidjie. Under President Polk he was eoniniissioner of
tlie ji'eneral land oilice at Wasliinjiton. In tlie ^lexiean war lio
entered h\ favor of the jtresident as a brif-adier-jieneral and was
afterward breveted nnijor-jieneral for jiallant services. lie was
a fortunate soldier. I)orue Ironi the tield of Cerro (iordo shot
throujiii and tlirouj;li, and icported atlntnu^ as killed, he recovered
in time to take a eons](icuous ])art in the triuni]»h of our arms un-
der Scott in the valley of Mexico, In this latter cam[)aign such
was his soldierly conduct that the State of South Carolina \'oted
him a handsome and costly swoid, inscribed with the battles of
Cherrebnsco and Cheoultepec, and the foUowinji' sentiment:
"FKOM THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA,
"TO (iKNEKAL SHIELDS.
•'In testimony of lier iuhniratioii of gallantry in the Mexican war, and
asatriliute of gratitudes for his parental attention to tlie Palmetto
regiment."
From Mexi(!o, after the fall of the cai>ital of that coTUitry, had
first come the annouu(!eiuent by letter that the };allant soldier
would be a comi)etitor for semitorial honors before the ensuing"
legislature of l.S41>. On his way honu', at VVashin<>ton, a public
dinner was tendered him and (leu. Quitman, at which, in a s[)eech
Shields s[toke incautiously in flowing- terms of (Jen. Scott, then
undei' ban with the administration. IJieese tbrseeing in this
soldier of renown a formidable coini)etitor for his j»hu;e, did not
attend the banrpu't. IJefoic long Shields was ordered to Tamjiico,
but on his I'oute thither, at >s'ew Orleans, a dispatch from the
War department ordered him back to Washington, to testify in
the tri;il of (Jeii. Pillow. The order to return to Tampico was not
renewed, iind Shields (!ame :o Illinois and uuived about among his
fiiends. Now he was appor.ited governor of rciiiote Oregon, which
created the impression upon the pul)lic mind that the obje<;t of the
administration, which did not relish his fearless prais(^, of (Jen.
Scott, was to banish him beyond being a competitor against
Breese for the senate, but he did n\)t accept the governorship of
tliat remote post.
In the senatorial canvass it was urged against Breese that he
differed \\itli his colleague on a subject of vital importance to the
State, the procuring of the Illinois (Jentral railroad grant of land ;
.against McClerimnd it was objected that Ids iirinciples of democ-
racy were so thoroughly .Facksonian that consistency would lead
Irim to oppose the vital interest of th(^ west, the imiirovement of
rivers and harbors; iind against Shields, that he was ineligible,
because, as a foreigner, he had wot been naturalized long enough
to entitle him to a, seat in the U. S. Ser.ate, tln^ constitution of
the U. S. re(piiiing a citizenshi|» of U years, Shields having been
naturalized in O^-tober, 1S40. These valid objections failed, and
he Wiis elected.
Shields repaired to Washington to take his seat on the 4th of
March following. And now this most im])ulsive son of Erin
committed a most foolish blunder, to call it no worse, as public
SENATORS IN CONGRESS
G87
nicn arc, wont to do wIismi tlicy write letters. To overcoino tlie
qiusstioii of his iiu'lij^ibility, wlii(!li would probably be raised
aj;aiiist his takiiiy a seat in the senate, he athlicssed Mr. IJreese
II h'tter uiKh'r (hite of February L'.'i, l.S4!>, ehai';4in<r liini, aniony
other "meannesses," toward him, with propanatiii.u' tiiis in Illinois,
sayiny : "Had I been defeated by yon on that j;round, 1 had swoi'u
in my iieart that you never should have profited by yoursuecess;
and de[>end upon it, 1 would have ke])t that vow, rejiardless of
coiisetpu'uces." Hut that beiu<;' past, he demaiuied of him then a
h'tter, aeknowledjiinj;-, iu effect, that in 1840, when he (Shields,)
talked of p["'"fi" to Canada, in case of war, tlmt lie (IJreese) as
circuit.jud<>-e, offered to j;ive him something' in tiie shape of a final
naturalization ceitilicatc; to take along — to simply pr()v)f in case of
difficulty ; adding, '-and refuse this request,! Iierc give you fair
Marning- — let tin; consequences fail on youi' own head — I shall hold
myself acMpiitted l)oth befoie (lod an man for tlie course 1 shall
feel bound to ])ursue toward you."
i»ut Hreese di<i not scare as well as it was evidently hoped. lie
refused conqdianire with tlie demand, which he (Construed as a
threat of assassination, publishing his refusal, t(»getlier with
Shields' letter, in the newsi»apers. Shields, in a sidtscipient letter,
attempted to explain tliis away. When his credentials were pre-
sentecl in the senate on the 5th of Marcli, obj<'ctions to his eligi-
l>ility wer<^ pi'omptly interi)()sed ; Douglas, howin'cr, suc(!eeded iu
liaving- him sworn in, wliidi eiuil)led him to participate in tho
debate. After due investigation, a resolution was reported tliat
^Ir. Shields was not eligible at the commencement of the term for
\vhi('h he was elected, and that his election was void. IJefore its
adoption lie tendered his resignation, and thus addressed the
senate: "To my own State, sir, 1 shall appeal, and hear what she
has to say ; and if she deseits me now, if my State shall not an-
swer to tlie ai)i)eal 1 am about to make to her, I will say furtlier
tlnit it is my intention (though I have endeavored to prove my
fidelity to my country by every act of my life,) nt^er to offer
iiiyself again for office in the United States." As his resignation
should have been tendered to the governor rathertliau tlie senate,
the resolution was a(loi)ted.
The question at home now was as to tlie power of the governor
to fill the vacancy thus occasioned. The constitution of the IJ. S.
says if vacancies liai)pen by resignation or otherwise, during the
rece.ss of tlie legislature of any State, the e.\e(;utive thereof may
make temporary appointment.-, uiitil the next meeting. Was this
such a vacancy as the constitution <M>ntemplated that the governor
had power to fill by a]>poiiitment, and thus save the expense of a
called session ? The (luestion was thoroughly discussed in the
jiublic press, and by letters from public men, both for and against.
Air. Douglas, jierhaps fearing a new election before Mr. Shields
would become eligible, held that the governor had the power;* but
that functionary, in a long letter published, disclaimed the i)ower,t
and finally, in September of that year, issued his proclamation,
C(mveniiig the legislature in extraordinary session, Octolier L'2,
181!>, to ele(!t a IJ. S. senator, including in his call a number of
other subjects for legislative action. Under the decision of the
•Soe his letter in III. State Register, Auff. 30, 1849.
flbid, June 21, 1849.
688 HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
U. S. senate Gov. French liad it in his ])ower to cut oil" Sliiehls
from tliis position, but he convened the le<;islature for a time Just
after iSliiehls would be rendered eligibh; by being 9 years natural-
ized.
After the call the canvass waxed exceedingly warm. The whig
jM'ess opeidy espoused the cause of Siiields, crying out itersccution,
and charging that those democrats who usually controlled the
party in the 8tate ha<l determined to sacrili(;e the gallant soldier,
and that to attain their ends wicked means were being emidoycd.
Breese, ]\IcClernand and Shields were again the candidates, ;.ind
the friends of the resjjective as])irants were exceedingly active.
The contest was again for the caucus nomination. The friends <»f
Mc('Ieriiand, fewest in nuiid)er, sui»posing that su(;h a state of
hostility existed between the respective adiieients of Ureese and
Shields, that neither would yield in cau(;ns, but would finally as a
compromise (concentrate u])on their candidate, i)roved very tena-
cious. LJl ballotings weic ha<l ; on the first Shields received I'S,
Breese LM, and IMcCIernand 18; on the last, Ureese L'O, JMcClernand
12 a' d Shields HI — a niajcuity. The highest for Breese was on
...c ;th ballot, 29 ; the highest for McClernand on the 2d, 11).
Shields was again elected senator, and thus ended the very bitter
struggle.
Lyman TnimbuU — succeeded to the seat of Senator Shields for
a full term from the 4tli of March, 18.15 ; and became his own
successor in 1801. Since the hrst organization of the deniocnatic
party, and dating beyond that to 1824, Avhen it was in its forma-
ij.^^- five stage, those who afterwards constituted it never failed of
*'\l'-':' electing men of their political views and i)rinciples to the U. S.
senate from this State. Their defeat now was attended by a
bitterness and de])th of feeling unprecedented. The occiasiou wc
have already traced to the repeal of the Missouri compronnse,
resulting, unexpectedly to all parties, in this State going anti -Ne-
' ■ .;, braska at the election of November, 18i")4,
f^v' ;' At the meeting of the legislature the choice of a U. 8. senator
■was to be the political event of the session. The exact ])olitical
status of that body after the election was not at once fully realized,
and while the democracy Avere api)rehensive they yet hoped to
prevail. But upon its assembling in January, 185r», it became
speedily apparent that by a fusion of all the anti-Xebraska mem-
bers the democracy were in a minority. The house, on the 2d
day, was organized by the election of an ti -Nebraska oflrtcers: Thos.
J. Turner, of Stephenson, being chosen si»eaker by 40 votes over
J. P. Kichmond, of Schuyler, democrat, 24. The senate acted
more tardily on account of the conduct of Messrs. Jaridgan and
Morton, Nebraska democrats, rei)resenting anti-Nebraska (listricts,
in absenting themseh'es. The fusionists, however, prevailed, and
organized both houses.
" Alarm now seized the democracy. Their press cried out to the
fold: the Avolf is on his walk — let the old party awaken to the
danger which threatens it from the allied isms; traitors are con-
si>iring to stab «k^ep into its vitals ; nefarious schemes are con-
cocted and combinations of an unholy ambition formed, moved
uuto by a deep-«cated antipathy against the truest and best mcu
SENATORS IN CONCilJESS.
089
of tlic State* Aiioii intiiiiidatioii and cajnlci-y were botli tiicd
upon tlic disaffccti'd wanderers I'roin tlie democratic fold, Tliey
wen) denounced as malcontents wlio illy reijuited the ])ast favors
bestowed u|»on tliem at tlu' Iiands of tlie demociacy by tlieir base
attempts lo disrupt the old party — in<;rates, prompted by malice
and jealousy to rule or ruin. Tliey were apj)rised that the ])eople
were viyilant and would narrowly seiutinize tlieii' (^very act, arti-
lice and departure from piinciple, and would not fail to \isit si,<;nal
retribution ujxin those who biaved, delied and trampled u])on the
popular will. The name of Donjilas — a tower of strength, and
dear to the democratic heart — was invoked ; it was necessary that
liis colleague should be a man who would uphold his Iiands to
battle for the success of those j>i'eat principles ol" non-interven-
tion which were founded in justice, and which by the maj;i<!ofliis
p'liius would eventually triumph and overwhehn all its oi)poueiits
with confusion.t
All this was ])reliminary to the senatorial election. The contest
■was tai'dily a}»pi(>ached and was not linall,\ reached until the Sth
of February, owin.n partly to a snow blockade which kept many
members from the capital beyond the time of the temporary
adjournnu'iit. .lanu's Shields, the re<>ular democratic caucus
nominee, was placed in nomination by Mr. (Jraliam ; Abraham
Lincoln, the idol of the old wliijis and stroiijily anti-Nebraska,
by Stephen T. Logan; and Lyman Tiiimbull the nominee of the
less than luilf a dozen anti-Nebiaska democrats, by .John j\L
I'almer. Ar(diibald Williams, W. I>. Oj-tb'U, Joel A. Matteson,
Cyrus ICdwards and W. 15. Kellogy' were also ]>ut in nomination.
ni votes were necesrary to a choice on joint ballot. On the lirst,
Shields received 41, Lincoln 44, Trumbull ">, and the others nanuMl
each 1. On the 7th ballot Shields was out of the tield and JMat-
tesoii being- substituted, rect'ived on the Sth 4() votes, the utmost
strength of the democracy. On the lOth ]\lr. Lincoln's name was
witlalrawu and the whig vote being concentrated on IMr, Ti'umbidl,
lie leceived ~t{) votes <lir<'ct, and before the result was announced,
]\Ir. Sullivan changed from Williams to Trumbull, electing him by
just the requisite niiml)er.
Neither i)ersiiasiou nor menace could move or intimidate the
Trumbidl phalanx of live. ]\Ir. Lincoln, though ambitious of
senatorial honors, for he had been elected a member of the same
legislature, butsupposing he could be elected senator. had resigned
shortly after; now when it became api)arent that he coidd not suc-
oeetl, lu^ pressed his friends tosujtport Air. Trumbull, which was ulti-
mately done, (with tears by his old friend. Judge Logan, it is said),
not that they loved him less, but the cause of ireedom demanded
it. Governor jNLitteson, though he was not the caucus choice of
his party, not being in full accord with J)ouglas on the (]uestion of
harbor and river imi)roveinents in the west, the levy of tonnage
duty fortius puipose, <S:c.,the democracy boasted (as was done by
]\Ir. Aloultou upon the lloor of the house, notwithstanding their
knowledge of an anti-Nebraska majority,) that in the last resort
enough mend)ers, iiitiiuMU'ed by a high regard of personal consid-
♦ See III, 8t4\to Reiriftor, .Thh. 1856.
t See the press of tlio period.
u
GOO
IIISTOKY OF TLLTXOTS,
ciiitioii i'ov his exci'lli'iKiy, would inlly toliis .stippoif, and Iriiiinpli-
antly fleet liiiii. JJiit tliey reekuued witliuiit tiieir liost.*
Mv. Trmiilndl, at tlu' tiiiu^ of ids election to tiie senate of tiio
IT. S., was about 4;> years old. He was born in Connectieut, wiierc
he received a jiood education. Subse<|ueiitly lie turned his atten-
tion to the law and later settled in iUinois to i)iactice ins piot'es-
sion, which he did with niaiked success, sju'edily attaining dis-
tinction as an able lawyer. In l.S4d lu' was elect<'d to tiie ieyisla-
tuie. \N'iien Douglas was elected a suprem*' Jud;.te in IStl.liov.
Carlin, resistin;^ lej;islative dictation, appoiiiteci 'rrund)ull to tlie.
vacant otlice of secretary of State, ovei- .SicK'Iernand, but iie <*anie,
nearbi'inji' defeated in tiie senate l)y tiu'clVorts of tin- latter and
his friends, out of which <;rew sonu' ill-fcelinj;'. At tiie openin.^of
Clov. Ford's a(iiiunistration,he incurred tiie displeasiueof tliat func-
tionary by opi»osiii<4 his ])oii<'y toward the State Iianks, causing; ids
dismissal from ollice. The same year and the following' one, ho
.soujilit the coiij;ressi(»nal nomination in the l>eileville district,
but lailiny', ui»on the ineetinj;' of the h'<;islatur(^ he asjiiied to
the senatorial nomination aj;ainst .Tames Semple, the ji-overnoi's
apixiiiitee, and faile<i a,iiaiii. In 1S4(> liis name a]»i)cars anions tlie,
candidates for j;overnor, but failed tlirou;:ii tlu; inlliience of (iov.
Ford, and on account of his opposition to the canal. He iiniiie-
diately sou,i;lit and obtained the candidacy for con^iress in the
Dellevilie district, but was did'eated by over 2.(K)0 majoiity, though
tlie district was larji'ely denmcratic. As a ])oliticiaii 'rriinibnll
lacke<l tiiat liearty and cordial ficniality of manner wiiicli wins
popularity anion^' the masses. His intercourse witii the peo])ie, if
not formal, left the impression of reserve, and his nature was re-
jiellant rather than ma<;iietic. I>ut no such disadvantaj;<' obtained
Avitli him ill rej>ard to politicians — o\-er such as niij;lit l)e reached
by the forceof intellect he ever exercised a lar^e inlluence. How-
ever, after the:;e repeated trials for place, in 1848 he was elected
one of the sui>renie jud.nes under the new constitution, which
ollice he resij>iied July 4, LSo.'}, on acctuint of insidlieient salary.
By nature, study and habit he was admirably fitted for tiiel»eiicli;
witii a mind stron{>, clear and i)enerratin<i-, wliich, while it incliiie(i
to detail, never lost its broad yrasp of i)rinciple — iiere lie was
capacitated for jireat eminence. He was an aide, searchin.i;' and
comiireliensive constitutional pleader. Uv. was ever a stieiiiioiis
and ultra democrat, but in 1854, unable to brook the repeal of tli-e
]\lissouii compromise', he ojtposed his party upon that (piestion,
and was in 2soveml)i'r eh'cted to congress as an anti-2s'el)raskii
democrat, which place he resij^ned to accept the senatorshij).
His record in eonj>ress, which is national, and not our province
to jiive, stands very hij;li. He was for many years the al)U'cliair-
inan of the judiciary committee, and few conftressioual acts of
importance l»ut what bear the im})res.s of his far reaciiinj;- mind.
As an orator he is devoid of imagery and ornateness of diction,
* The whitrs for n lotur time felt soio over the defeat of Mr. Lincoln nnd tlie forcintf
of iiti (il)ii(ixioiis eandidiite upon tlieni liy the iirtiltriii-y conduct of only n men. In
ISTuitlic Hon J. H. Miitheny. H whijf, in ii Kiltnore speech at Petersburg, \isinjx most
Bcatliins-' iaupuatrc towird Mr. Trumbull, boldly chartred a pre-aiianxed biuviiin be-
tween all the anti-Nebriiska elements to the ellect that Trumbull was to bu elicted to
contiicss. which was done : that the abolitlonistH were tf> have the olllccs on the con-
vening: of the let?islature, which they Kot; and that the whitrs were to have the IT. S,
senator, which I hey did not >ret. The charire was denieil at the time by a brother-in-
law of Mr. Trumbull, and in 1H.")H, Mr. Lincoln, du'iuK hi.s senatorial canvass with Mr.
Dougrlas, in his speech ut Churlestua cburucterizcd it us u " cock unci bull story ."J
SENATORS IN OONGRKSS. (591
but as a close, clear, compact and systematic tliiiiker, with an
exc(^llellt memory, a wide ac(iiiaiiitaii(!e of puhlii! atlUirs, and an
extensive knowledge of the law, he was the most formidable de-
bater of the an<;iist senate. As a in'a(!tical expounder of the
l)riii;'i])les of his party, he eclipsed i\Ir. Seward. He ever has
been a hard stndtMit, but notwithstandinj;' his mental labor he
bears his near three-score years well and looks youthful.*
DOUGLAS AND LINCOLN.
firnatorialCampni(jnofM^~>^. — The contest between these pen-
tkMuen for a seat in the IJ. 8. senate is not only tiuMuost memorable
in the annals of Illinois, but involving;' jiieat national issues at the
tinu', i'^sumed a scope beyond tlic mere peisonal success of the
contestants, and an impcutance whicii arrested public attention
fronj all parts of the Union. I)ou;;las was the leadinj;' r('])rcscnta-
tive man of the democracy, and Liiic(>!ii t)ein<i- pitted ajiaiust him,
became the same for the rei)nlilic.in party. It wascalled the battle
ot the f>iants, and results nicw out of it, both as iclatcs to the men
concerned and tli<^ [>rin(!iplcs inv(»lved, the most nu)mentousro the
nation siiu'c its foundation was laid in the blocnlof the Kevolution.
To apiueciate this contest fully we are compelled to present a
short view of the status of parties at the time.
The all-abstnbinji' political (piestion was that of slavery. Since
the flay that AV^hitiU'y invented the cottonjiin, slave labor had
jiradually become so piolitable that the whole south favored the
eniarjjement of its tcrritt)rial area, and so far as the south, acting
as a unit, could control the democrati(r party, it was pro-slavery.
To this was arrayed in sectional anta.iionism the new republi(;au
party, which, wliih; it professed to be anti-slaveiy only so far as
extending;' the territorial area of slavery, had thron<;h sympathy
swept into its ranks as co-workers all the old abolition element of
the country. JJetween these two, thus presenting a dangerous
sectional issue, it was attem[>ted to interpose the broad national
doctriiuH)f non-intervention, or as it wascalled, popular sovereignty,
of which .Mr. Douglas was the actknowledged chani[)ion. This prin-
ciple, honestly api>lied to the orgaidzation of the territories, and
fairly carried out, offered the only peaceable solution for the fierce
sectionalism of the period. Hut this plausible theory was practically
subjected to the grossest abuses. Kansas and Xel)raska had been
organized upon it, but no sooner done than emigrant aid societies
were fornu'd throughout the north sending thither men armed with
Sharp's riHes to locally organiz(^ the territory in the interests of
freedom, while the slaveholders of the south with their emissaries
pressed over the borders to effect the first organization in the in-
terests of slavery. Two paities with totally o])posite views thus
strove for supremacy in a new csuntry where theni was no legal
restraint im[»ose(l ui)on them, and it is not strange that collision and
an actual border war followed. — :
(* Oov. Muttoson rofuscrt Mr. Trumbull Ills certlllciito of i-lpctlon «s senator in
18,")."), Iicpiiiisc tli(.' conNtltmion provided tliut"tlii) Judg-ca ot' tlie su))roine and ("ircuit
courts sliiill iiDt lie eligible to iitiy olflcc or piil)lii: trust in this St.itc or tlie United
Sti\tL's, durlny tlio term for wliioh they are eleeted, nor for one year thereafter. "
But the senate of the V. S., when the (inestion was raised, held tluit it was the jiidtte
of the qiialifleation of its niemi)ers, a riirlit 'vhich no State law, eithor organic or statu-
tory, could take away or circumscribe.]
602
IITSTORY OF ILLINOIS.
Wliile tlie soiilli vi('\v('<l iK)i»uliir sovcn'ijiiit.v as tlio sliort cut to
all the ends of iiholitioiiism. tlic (Iciiiocratic l»arty, of wliicli, by its
unity it was tlu'contidllin^ party at Cincinnati in national conven-
tion assenihled, solemnly allirnied it as its <!ieed. JMr. ]>uchanan,
its noinine(>, in his letter of ac(!e|)tan(;e, said "that the jieojdi^ of n
territory, lik<' those of a State, sliall decide for themselves whether
thivery shall or shall not exist within their limits," The natio)i
giivo its confidence to these fair ]»romises only to be deceived.
After linchanan's accession to jtower, with a cabinet maiidy of
southein men about him, he threw off the mask, and in his uiani-
I'esto to the New Kn^jland nu'morialists, said : 'Slavery exi.-'ed at
that iH'riod — when the Kansas-Nebraska bill was jtassed — and
still exists in Kansas under the constitution of the K. S, This point
has at hist been decided by the liij-hest tribunal known to our
liiws [alludin;;' to the Dred Scott decision]. How it could havei
been seriously doubted is a mystery,"
I)urin<;' the sunmu'r of 1S,")7 was concocted iu Kansas the infa-
mous Leconipton constitution. After the election of the pro-slavery
deleji'ates — the fre<' State; men notvotinj;' — and when the character
of their work was well anticii)ated, nunors were current that tlu^
])resi(lent would sustain it ; and after the adoption of its i)ro-
slavery chuise by a lari;ely fraudulent vote, in which all the j^reat
historic nanu's of the country, from Geoijic Wasliinytoii down,
wv.iv re(!oi(led in its favor — the fret; State nu'u iu)t voting at all,
because the constitution i)roper, whi(;h also recognized slavery,
Hot beiufi' submitted — upon the meetinji' of cou<;ress he boldly an(l
iu slnnneless deliancte of his previous ple(i;ji'es to the country, urjicd
the admission of Kansas under this fraud,* He made it the test
of i)arty fealty, and brou,nht to bear iu its fav<U' the full jiowerof
his otli(!ial i»atronaj;e, J)ouj;las, in a speech at Milwauke, in KStJO,
says :
" Ff you look into the Lecompton constitution you will find that the
origiuiil document nuulc! Kansas a slave State, and tluiu the sclu'chde
sul)mittc'd anotlier slavery clause to the pe(.ple to vote for or aj^ainst ; if
they voted for it, Kansas was a slave State, and if they voted ajj;aiMst it
still it was a slave State. When 1 reached Washington, three days before
the meeting of congress, I went directly to the president, and had a talk
witii himupon tiiissubjecit, in whioh I informed him, as a fiiend, not ti>
send the constitution into congress for aeceptauce 1 told him that it
was a violation of every pledge we iiad made to the people ; a violatiou
of tiie fundamental j)rincii)les of the democratic party, and a violation
of the principles of all parties in all republican governments ; because \t
was an attempt to force a constitution upon an unwilling people. He
begged me not to say anything upon the subject until we should hear the
news as to how the vote stood on the slavery clause. The vote, you re-
member, was to be taken on the slavery clause on the 21st of December,
three or four weeks subse(|uent to this convention. I told the president
that if he would withhold his recommendation until the vote was taken
on that clause L would withhold my speech against the measure. He
said he must reconuuend it in his message, and I replied that if he did,
I would denounce it the moment his message was read. At last the
president l)ccame somewhat excited upon the subject, and he arose and
said to me : 'Mr. Douglas, I desire you to remember that no democrat
♦ "My polUicul life hiis no Kreater error to atone for than my neglect to crush this
reptile of Peiiiisylvunia when I hu(i hlin In my nower. tfe was the ca\ise of a bitter
wnr lietween two men of this rcpuhlio (Cliiy ami .Ki^kson,) who should not have been so
cstratured. His representations eauseil the eharife of 'bar)»-»in and sale,' and when
bro\i«ht home to him he meanly left mo to laee it. Friends interfered to save him from
belnjT exposed, and I listened to them." — .lneUson's oiiinion of Uuehanan, expressed
to Moses Diiwsonln ISJr. See WushiiiH:ton litpahlir.
SENATORS IN CONORESS.
G93
ever yet differed from an administration of liisown choice witliout being
cruslied.' Tlien lie added : 'Beware of the fate of Tallmadge and Ilivers.'
r arose and said : 'Mr. President, I wish you to remember that (lieneral
Jackson is dead, sir.' From that day to this he and I have been trying
the (lue^tion whether General Jackson is dead. And one thing is certain
— the people of Illinois decided in 1858 that James Buchanan was not
General Jackson."
At the opeiiiuf; of congress in the fall of 1857, the slave propa-
giiudists, assured of the powerful aid of theexeculive, proclaimed
loudly that Kansas must be admitted under the Leeomptou con-
stitution uiU!onditioually, supplemented with their oft repeated
threats of «lisunioii. But the great cham})ion of i)opular sover-
eignty, unwilling to do this violence, both to the law of his country
and the pledges of his party, now ]»romptIy stei>ped forward and
fought the battle of freedom for Kausas, almost single-handed of
his party in the senate, but well seconded in the liouse by the
democrats of the Illinois delegation, ably led by the lamented
Thomas L. Ilarris. li! disregard of old and dear i)arty ties, the
popular sovereignty democrats stood side by side with the repub-
licans iu congress, ami the recreant president with his disunion
allies were deieated in their outrageous scheme to force slavery
on the unwilling peoi)le of Kansas.
From a volume entitled "Our Living Representative Men," by
John Savage, we copy a few graphic sentences des(!ril)ing a mem-
orable scene in the United States senate, on the occasion of Mr.
Doiigias' delivering his celebi-ated anti- Leeomptou speech, March
Uli, 1858. JJesides citizens from all parts of the Union and mem-
bers of the house, the dignitaries and representatives of foreign
eourt.s at Washington weiv iu atendance:
"If tlie immense mass of people who crowded the galleries, the
lobbies, tlie stairways and the ante-rooms of the senate is any evidence
of interest in the question of debate, then Kansas is the most interest-
ing topic of the day. * * Senator Douglas entered the chamber just
after a fainting lady had been carried out of the gallery. * * He was
congratulated by men of all parties, and soon was engaged in an earnest
confab with Green, upon wliose spirits, however, the Little Giant did
not seem to make any especial cliange. » * * *
Gwin and Keward rose sinmltaueously and moved to admit the ladies
to the lloor of the senate, and a perfect flood of beauty poured into the
chamber. The appearance of Senator Douglas was the t<)l<en for around
of api»lause. The sight must have been as deeply gratifying lo him as
it was entrancing to that mother and daughter, Mrs. Douglas and her
mother, who, from the report<'rs' gallery, looked upon the scene witli
tliat anxious pleasure which tell thb physiognomist that they, of all
the gay and brilliant crow<l, had the deepest interest in it. For three
hours Senator Douglas spoke— he warmed up by degrees, lifting the
head and heart of the multitude with liim, until one almost felt as if
he were in Europe during the revolutions, listening to some powerful
tribune of the i)eople expounding tiieir riglits and inspiring them to
such action as made America a lepiiblic. Me went through his public
course. The period enJbliU'^•d some of the most prominent and vital acts
in the liistory of American poltics. He showed — not as a «lefenee, but
in a proud, manly, and almost defiant sj)irit — what his acts had been;
he echoed his own words ; he was proud of his deeds — deeds and worda
which were recognized portions of the policy of the democratic party.
As lie proceeded, with emphatic aiul measured dignity, to define his
posifirju iu the present crisis — wluit tlie duly of a senator from a «>ver-
eigii State was, and the respousii)ility he (»wed to the people whose voice
ciihuinate in him — he iield the multitude chained with that pecul'ar
eUKjuence which, base(t on common sense and the rights of man, reachea
Its destinatioa witliout the aid of winged rhetoric. Buch eloquence
694
HISTOUY OF ILLINOIS.
does not (la/./.lf, it couviiiccs , it doos not Mtrttdi tlu) fuiicy, Imt Holidilics
the head; it does not hold tlie bieatli, l)ut niulies one luealiie freer, tor
it eheers tlie lieart.
Tlie ^?reat l>urst of Hi>i>laiise wiiich hrolce from tiie fralleries and rolled
over the ehunil)er was a iiohler testimony to the ))rineiples eniineiated
by tlie elo(juent senator than rnJKlit be written. He was there the
defender of the i)eoi)le, the represiiiitative of (lie Stale, and not the
vassal of the t'xeeiitlve, nor the valet of the athninistration, to do its
biddiiij? without eonsidtinj^ tlu'ir own jud^nient or the interests of the
people. He stood forth as the (champion of State sovereij^nty." He
j?rew in eiithusiasm witli the progress of his sulyeet, and the ellec^t was*
elei!trie.
Tims was convoytMl ii lesson whicrli slioiihl liiivc tini{>Iit the<'liit'i'
inii^istiiUe of this iiatioM that tlien^ may be ])0[>iihtr leaders moio
Ijowerliii tliaii tli(^ executive, with all his einuinous pati'oiia^'c at.
his haeiv ; Itiit ills peiceptioii was b]iinl(>(l l>y morlitication, ami
lie looked only iv, i'eveii^<>, and tor this purpose, piitsned Douglas,
who looked forward to a renewed seinitorial t»'nn at the ensuing;
session of the le<;islature, with all hisollicial i)owcrand patronage,
into Illinois.
The adherents of the president in this State, the federal otlicers
and appointees, and other recipients of his bounty ami favors,
joined by the broken down i)oliti(;ians and place hunters, whose
future depemled not upon the i»reservalion but rather the de-
.slru(!tioii of the deimx-ratic party, ami iilso those moved by envy
or hatred of the^Iiittle (liant," were rallied ami thor«»ii<;hly orj;aii-
ized. A few (U'lnoftratic m-wspapersyii-lded to subsidy, but more
weriMlireirtly established ; and itinerant orators were enii)ioyed to
perambulate the State tliroiifi'h its len<;th ami breadth. Tiie: adher-
ents of the i)resideiit wei(^ designated a.s Danite.s. A secret
politi(!()-military order in Kansas, of whose fearful oaths and
frijihtful doings, horrid accounts had been published, was
demaiueed in congress by INlr. Douglas, and characterized as an
imitation of actit-throat IMormon band, called Danites. ()n<i of
the reputed leaders of the Kansas (U'der was employed in Illinois
as a general ])ost ollice agent, in wliieli capacity he traversed the
State constantly, notoriously doing more to organize the adminis-
tration oi)osition against Douglas, by threats of dismissal or intim-
idation, than ferreting out governmtMit delinquencies.
The democracy of Illinois met in convention at Springfndd,
April 21, l.SoS, to nominate candidates for State treasnicr aiul
superiidemlent of pul)lic instrmttion, and i>articularly to declare
its status with regard to the great question of variance between
the ]»resident and Senator Douglas. In 97 of the 101 counties
resolutions had already been ])assed by the democracy, approving
the course of tin' Illinois delegation in congress upon this Le(M)mi)-
ton question. Two conventions met at the appointe<l time ami
idace, both claiming to repr<'sent the true democracy of the Stiite,
one sustaining i)opular sover<'ignty and approving the course of
onr delegation in congress during the Lecomi)ton struggle, the
other endorsing the administratioJi and repudiating Douglas as
afliliating with republicans. The hitter wasbut sparingly attended,
the represeidation being from 24 counties, and its proceedings
were somewhiit spiritless. John Dougherty (since lientemmt
governor) i)resided. Ike Cook, a Chictago postmaster, was chief
inamiger, and Dr. Leroy, .lohn L. IMcCoimel, Ii. B. Carpenter ami
B. F, lilackbtiru were the speakers. As it was partly composed
SEIJATOBS IN CONGRESH. fl05
ol" scccdcM's, no ticket was iiiiidc, Jiiid an adjoiiriiiiiciit till llic !Mli
of fJiiiU! was liud, wiicii it met a^aiii with a soiiu'wliat iarj^cr
atli'iidaiicc. .loliii I)«>ii;ilu'rty was iiomiiiatcd for ti'casiiier, and
<'.\ (idv. .lolin IkC.vnolds tor State scliooi snpeiintendent, bolli by
aeeianiation. The 'Miationals^' met with nineli en(M)nra;;einent
from the rejinhlieans, but now, in their h)n};' phitloiin of prinei-
l)h's, tliey ])aid their resjieets to them as follows: We deem thn
])rineiples and i)oliey of the blaek republicans as utterly opposed
to lliespiiit in which the Union was formed, and the su(;cess of
that i>arty would be disastrous to its prosperity — which was not
so palatable to the latter. The presich-nt was v«'ry much dissat-
islied with these meaf^re and spiritless affairs; county meetinju's
and district conventions were therefore held, and administration
lejiisiative tickets were generally put in the field with the ho[>e of
<livertin{;- votes enouj;h to (tariy the State for tlu^ republicaiis.
The re^iidar democratic^ convention was hujicly atlentU'd, 84
counties i)ein<;' fully repr<'sented, embracing' more of the endnent
and distinguished men of the State, than was (!ommon on sn(!li
oci-asions. lOx Lieut. (Jov. .John INIoore presided. The ticket
made was W. Jj. FomU'y for treasuier, and ex-Gov. l''reiich for
suiierinlendent of i)ublic instruction. While, the resolutions of
the <'onvcntion were firm in tiu'ir tone, they did not oj»enly ami
decisively mention Doujilas by name and api)lau(l his course, nor
<lid they condemn the president in direct terms. It was sought
rather to avoi<l an oix-n riii»ture with the administi'ation. A reso-
lution olfere<l by ,Iud;;e l)rumnu)nd, ''That this convention view
with ic'^^ret the course pursued by tlu^ present adnnnistration in
rem<»vin^' <;ood men from oflicefor the expression of opinionsupon
any yiveu ])roposition," was, upon motion of Jud^eO. ('. Skinnei",
l)roniptiy laid on the table. 'J'his looks like a piece of ariant
tru<klin^' to an arl>itrary and recreant ])resi(lent. It was hoped
that the Jvunsas troultles would jtrove evanescent and that party
unity would be ]»reserved.- The convention did not nominate or'
recoiiiniend Mr. I)oii;;las as the senatorial candidate, as did the
icpMblicans Mr. Lincoln, sonn; time after. IJut his candidacy was
j;<'nerally' conceded. There were other aspirants in the demo-
cratic lanks, but when it was jH'rceived what lier(;ulean blows
v.eie recpiisite in the fi^ht, the field was left by conwnon consent to
the Litth' (iiant.
IJiit with the efforts and exceptions mentioned, the democracy
jienerally, both press and i>eople, sustained Senator l)ouj;las.
During the daikest hour of the Lecompton strujiyle, the reitnbli-
can ju-ess, layinj;' aside party, heartily i)raised the course of l)ou<;-
las and his colleaji'iu's of the house for their noble stand in vimli-
cation of law ami jiopul' ■ right, a<;aiiist the slave olif-arcdiy, with
a treacherous president at its head. I)urin<>' the canvass Mr.
(Ireeley, a warm admirer of theeliara(!ter of Doujilas, howexer he
warred against his politi(!al principles, held the followinglanguage
in the New York 2V/7jjfH6' regarding his or Mr. Lincoln's success:
"There is a conthigency in \Thich even lie [Mr. Lincobi] might be
elected, tiiat would cause sucii election to be viewed with regret i)y
repuhiicaus in other States. * * Weallude to mcret coalition l)etween
repul)lican leaders and the little faction of postmasters, tide-waiters ami
federal otHce seekers, who, for the sake of tlieir dirty pu<iding, present
and hoped for, pretend to approve the Lecompton fraud, and are now
hounding ou the truck of Senator Douglas. Any couspiriug or conniv-
OIXJ
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
iiiu,' Willi tliiH jtack on tli<> part of n-pulilicaiis of IlliiiniH, no itiattcr l>y
wlial iiunic KltwML'il, uiidiT wliat pivtfXl vt-ilcd, would bu regarded by
republi('auH in other Ktuteswitli prolound disfavor."
Of DotifiliiH, ho lieldthe loUowiiiji; laii^iia;;!' :
"Tliey have seen Idin sepande liiinHeU' from a triumphant iui<lah>ioHt
iiivin('i()le adniinistiation, wliicli luid iionors to dispense and millions
todislmrse, braving the denuneiation.s of party orpmi/.ation and party
pro^rets, which liave for lid years l)orne him on"ard from triiimpli
to triumph, and from indiirene<- and obsenrity to opulence and dis-
linction — they have seen him incur the deadly and uni|ueiichalile
liatred of I lie slave power, blasting? in a moment all the ri'asonal)lehoi)e8
of obtaining the i)residency throuj!;li tlii" machinery and Hj)ell of the
democratic party. * * When a statesman so hi^h in position, in jjower,
in hojies, separates himself from a triumphant majority to iii^lit a
momentous l)'attle on the side of a iidnority, to whom lie had always
stood in deadly opposition, it is scarcely reasonable to attribute that
chaufie to any motive which does not honor his conscienciousness and
his courage. And it seems to us particularly uiifiiaciouH in those to
whom he has lent the weijjlit of liis powerful arm to unite with his
and their implacable enemies, in disparaKinfr his motives, belittleiim his
influence, and i)aralyzinK his exertions. * * However pointed may be
our future dillereiices, we sliall never forget that in the Lecomidon
struggle he proved faithful, in deliance of great tem])tation, not toour
l)rinciiiles but to his own, * * If this course was taken, the conse-
quences braved by IMr. Douglas, solely upon the strength of liis eonvic-
tions <.f rigid, and of the moral weight of th(> ))ledges given in the
Nebraska bill and the Cincinnati i)latform, no public man in our day
has evinced a nobler lidelity and courage "
lint tliis out spoken iippiovnl of Donjilii.s' coiirsclty llu' icpiibli-
caii jn-ess ontside (d" tlic Stuti' was bitterly ami (leOantly resisted
in IlliiMiis. Tlie administration oi'^^aiis iiad n'ad liiin ami his tul-
lowcrs out of the dcinocratict ])arty, and the retleeiicm had been
indiiljicd tiiat he iniyld find a hxlfiinu phiee in the r('i>nl»ii('aii. but,
llie jtress ol' the latter ]»arty, kiiowin;^ well the man, scouted this
its an ej;i'ej;i(»ns i'alac^v. Their |>olitical hatred of their old foe was
revived with all its fornu'r iinimosity, and they i»n»claiine<l that
there was iioeoidlict into which the republicans of Illinois entered
so heartily, so thoroii<;hIy, so unitedly as this. Tiiey (b'sired to
bo avenjicd on him with an intensity not to be appreciated by
ontsideis, and lor the ]nirpose in hand asked to be let alone in
the fijilitl>y the sentimental philosophers and eidhiisiasts abroad.*
The feeblest eH'orts, siiyiiij^saiid i>nrposesof tlie Unchanan men, to
divide tli«', democracy of tiieStalt , were jiicedily taken up. paraded
bel\)re the ]»nblic and lieralded abroacl in a iiiajiiiiiieent form.
The stran<«e anonndy was e.\liil>ited of a most persistent jtraise
and llattery bestowed by the republicans upon the slave party,
Avlnle these who had in eon<;ress stood side by side with them in
tiie defeat of the Lecoinpton iiii<|iiity, reeeive<l <ndy their abuse
and slander. All this to promote the scliism in tlie democratic
party, and redouml to the benefit (d" tlieirowii.
The State republican conveidion metat Sitriiififield, Jnm^ lo, ]858
atid wasorji'anized 1 -y select i ii};' ex- Lieu t.-Cio v. Koenier as ])resident.
It was laryel.N attended. 87 counties lieinji- represented, ami niiicii
eidhnsiasm was exhibitetl. .Faiiu's Millei'. tiie then inenmbent, was
renominated for treasurer without opposition. For the (candidacy
of the oHiee of siiperiiiten<lent of public, instriietiini ten names
were presented. The second ballot showed the (tontest to li<! be-
'tce Chicago pnpers ol' June, I808,
SENATOUH IN (ONOKKHS.
007
twjM'ii W. II. Powell, tilt' (licii iiifiiiiilK'iil, and Newton Hiiteiiiaii,
of Moi';>iiii, wlin on tlietliii'd liallot iceeived the nomination.
In tlieir declaration of inineiples tliey '■disclaimed all intention
of altemptin};, either directly or indirectly, to assail or alaidye the
ri;;lils olaiiy of the mcndiers of the cont'ederacy yinirantied Ity the
eonslitnlion, or in any manner to inteilere with the instilntioii of
.slavery in the States wln-re it existed." They denounced the ad-
ini,nistrali(»n ; ditf«i('d with the decision of the l". S. supreme eonrt
in the l)r<'d Scroti case; nniiiitained the. ri^ilit of eonjiress to pro-
Inhit sla\«'ry in theterril(»ri«'s,and its duty to exercise it ; appr(»ve(l
the llien recent decision of the snpreme court of Illinois deelarin**;
that property in per.sons was repn^nant to the eonstitntion, and
that shivery was the t'reatiire of local or mnnicipal law. Charles
L. \Vils<Hi oU'ered a I'esolntion, which was iinaninionsly adojtled
anddst shouts of applanse : '^ That Abraham liineoln is the first
and oidy choice of the repnhlicans of Illinois for the U. S. senate,
as the sncccessor of Stephen A. Donylas."
DfHTGl.AS AND Lincoln. — These two most eminent and illustri-
ons UM-n of Illinois and of the nation deserve at tnir hands sonnv
what moi'c extended hittj-raphical sketches than aic ;;«'neially
^i\('n in this work, which we deem it proper to make before pro-
iseedin;!;- to detail their great <!ontest for senatorial honors.
tSh'jtIini Aniolil Doiujlas — was born April 2.'{, ISl.'l, at Urandon,
Vermont, "a j; I State to emi;;rate from," as he has said. Ili-s
father, wlnt died when Stephen was an infant of .'{ months, was Vk
pii,\sician of considerable eminence, and a native of New York.
His grandfather was a i'ennsylvanian, and a soldier in the iJcvo-
liilion, beiny with Washington at Valley Foi'^ic and at Yoiktown.
Ilisyreatfiiandfathei' was also native born, bnt the remote ancestry
\\ as from Scotland, and, it has been said, traceable to Ihc^ blood of
tin' Donju'las. In yonth Stei»hen received the oidinary s<'hool
edncation of his native State, aiul was an apt and dilijicnt pnj)!!.
At 1.*), nnuble to <ii'atify an ai'dent <lesir<' to ]>repare for colle;^'e,
owinjito his mother's slrai,nhti'ned cii-cnmstai'iM's, he apprenticed
liimselfto the cabim-t trade. In IS niontl .; afterwards, tindinj-' it
to(» hard tor his constiliition, he abandonod it and entered the
academy ut Hrandon. The foilowin,n year, his mother having
mai-ricd a Mi', (iranger, whose son liad i»re\ iously married his
eldest sister, the family removed to (,'anadagiia, N. Y. Jlere
Steplu'n resnmed Ids academical eonrse, and also connneneed to
r«'ad law. At the age of 20 he started west to seek an eligible
location. At Cleveland he was long detained by sickness, IJecov-
ering, he went to Cincinnati, an(l thence by river to St. Lonis,
tinding his way, lat<^ in the fall of 1S;>;5, to X\w village of Winclies-
tcr, S<'ott (;onnty, Illinois, \vhither he walked from Jacksonville,
in (pu'st of a school to tea( h, his exchetpu'r being reduced to 'M^
cents. His first work was clerking at a vendne, which yielded him
§<>, bnt he obtained, shoitly after, a school of 40 jtnpils at $3 a
(piaitci'. H<' kept n]» his law studies meanwhile, and the following
.March was adnutted to the bar by tlu' snpreme court sitting at,
Vandalia. He now betook himself to the ]>ra(ttiee of the law, and.
speedily won distinction in his ]»rofession. Within a year of Ids
admission to the bar, before he was 22 years old, he waL' chosen by
608
niSTOHY OF ILUNOIfl.
tlic l('y:isl;i(iiir attorney h;<'Ii»'I'iiI <•' '•'•' State. In 1S;U» lie was
elected to tlie le;:islal lire IVoiii M(ir;;aii ediiiily, l»eiii;i t he y(Hm;icst
iiieiiiher ill that Ixidy. Al this se- sjoii the internal iiiipioNeinent
tolly of the State was entered upon. In 1>S.'{7 Ih> was appointed l>y
\'aii l>iiren rejuislei' of the land olliee at S|»iiii;;lieid. The same
year he was noiiiinaled tor eon ^ less, and a I the eleetioii of An^^iisi,
1S."(S, (tame within ~> votes of an election out of .'U»,(MM» east, his op-
])oiient hein;:' the lion, .loliii T. Stiiarl, wlii;;. lie now d<>voted
iiimseif assidnonsly to his new profession, and pro\ed himself iiii
able lawyer and siieeessfnl advocate. His tact and skill in the
examination of witnesses was iiiii'i\ ailed. In ISIO he enlei'ed willi
fi'reat ardor into the exeitiny presidential eanipai;;ii, eanvassiii;n
the Stale thoroii;ilily, hy addressinj; HOT iiieelin;;s in fa\(»r of \aii
]>iireii. I poll tile meetin;; »»f the le;;islatiire in Di-eemln'r of that
year, he was appointed seeietary of State by (Jov. ('arlin, wlio was
iiiiabie to withstand the |>ressiire in his favor. Diirinji the session,
from partisan motives, the supreme «'oiirt was reoijiani/ed, in
which I)oii;;las took an aelive ])art through lobby addresses, \e.,
and was also eleet<'d to a seat upon the bench, iciideriii;; the
(toiirt democratic. The supreme Jnd^^cs had to iK-rforin eir»'uit
duty, l)oii;ilas beiii;; assij;iied to theC^idney district.
I:i the tth volume of the '"Law IkCportei'," lioston, 1S4L', may be
found a letter from a lawyer, wlio had emi;;rate(l to Illinois, yiv-
in;; the Ibllowinj' deseiiption of liim on the beneh :
"Tiie judKt' of ourcnvuit is S. A. Dou^^las, a youth of -'8, wlio wns the
democnitic candidate for coiiKress in IH.'ts, in opixwition to [J. T.] 8tuiirt,
tlu' lute nii'inlxT. He is a Vermonter, a man of c(iiiHidt'ial>le talent, and,
in (lie way of desiiatcldnj^ business, is a i)ertect 'steam enjfiiie in Incecli-
es.' Tins' (iispalcli is the only Iteiietit our circuit will derive from the
ehaiijre. He is the m()j*t democratic jud>j;e I ever knew. VV'hih' a ease is
goiiiH' on he leaves the bench and ^^>e» among the people, and among the
inemlu'rs of the i)ar, takes acigar and nas a social smoke with them, or
often sitting in their laps, i)eiiigiii jjeisonsay live feet nothing, or tliere-
ahouts.and probably weighing alKUit 100 pounds. I have often thought
we should cut a queer tlgure if one of our Sutlolk l)ar should aeeidenlal-
ly drop in."
Ibit Doujilas' manners ui)on the bencrli wore unexceptional. He
was studious, clear, comprehensive }in«l expediti<)us, smd it may be
said that a nior*' popular Judge never wore the ermine in this
State, notwithstanding his youth and sli<;lit tlgure.
In l<S4.'j li(t was tirst elected to congress by a majority of about
40(K He was twice re-elected, his majority being' increased each
time — the last time to .'},()(((>. In the lower house he is said to
have been cautions and sparing of d(d)ate, studious ami closely
observant, and when he did arise for a sju'ceh it was apt, forcible,
and to the purpose. His early education was not so thorough and
scholastic as it might have been, as he well knew, but this fact
could never have been gathered from his speeches. Ashamed to
be either unintbrmed or misinformed, he was a studious toiler
throughout his busy and boisterous political life, amidst all its
engrossing cares and unceasing occnipation, and a wide and vaiied
reader of history and its kindred <d' ])olitics aud law. Contact
with public atlairs gave s(!ope to his understanding and de])tli to
his Jiulgement, and his knowledge became vast, eomjjlete and
accurate. Oik; of his tirst masterly eftbrts in congress to attract
national attcutiun, was his speech on the bill to refund to Gen.
BKNATORR IN CONOBEB8.
099
tliicUsoii tli(^ tiiu^ imposed iipDii liiiii lor plariiio; New Orlcmis iiiiilcr
tiiiii'liiil l;i\v ;it IIm' lime of tlic liatllt* in ii^ (l*-t'*'iic(« on llio Sili of
flaniiiir.v, ISI'J. Tlie vmcrulilc licio of that ;;loriou,s rvcnt siil»,s«'
<|ii(-ntly lliankt'il l)oii<;las foi' tliis iiltic vintlication, sa,vin},' : I kiMW
uii*-n I pioflainn-<l an<l cnfon-fd niartial law tiiat I was (loin}{
ri;;lil; Init never, until I read vour speeeii, eoidd I express tlio
reas(»ns wiiicli actuated in.v eond.iet.
Ill I.S17 l)oii<;las ei.ii red tlie senate, which was tiie arena of his
herculean laixtrs. His imnie, _voun«>' ,;s •:; was, Itecaine sjieedily
associated with the;;i<'at national is^^lles which alfecled the des-
tiny of this people. Il(> inoiilded and anw them direction in pub-
lic allairs. iSelweeii Mie u;>';{iessi()iis of tiie south and the resist-
ance of the north over the anj;ry siiltject of shivery in our terri-
tories, it has heen said that there is no escape from the coiiclnsioii
that tin* ;;i-iiius of l>ou;;las offered the only peaceable solution of
■> eomiiKUi national ^ii'onnd upon which all could meet in the tlietuy
' ' territorial sovereif^nty. To it, throii;;li his labors, the demo-
cratic party was committed in isrwi, <;ained a triumph at the pollt)
and I hell was basely betrayed by Jiiichanan and the south. Ibit
J)oii;{las was true and faithful to it to the last and defended it
whenever and wherexei' assaih-d. And while lu' was peisoiially
jiiirsiied by bitter, implacable, open political o]>ponents, his dar
liiij'' idea, wliiith was i!iiii>ire or niin with him, was more yrossly
betrayed by jx'ilidious tViends who rode into powei- upon it.
The iiKist slrikiiiji' peculiarity in the ])lii/.si<ii(c of Mr. Doujila.s
was his stature which was <;reatly below tlu' medium hij;lit — not
abovi' ") feet. Mis tiunk was ample, compact and erect, with lull
chest and s(|uare, well deliiied, though not broad shoulders; but
his extremities were <lispi(»portioi ately short. In the latter ,\ear.s
of his life he j;rew stout, tluMi^h not obese. Mis li;;ure would have
been fatal to the divinity of the Appollo J>elve(lere. Whih^ his
<limiiiiiti\(^ stature \vould arrest attention, his facile aii<1 natural
dijiiiity of manner, not to say <;race, with an aii', as if boni to
command, would cause idle curiosity in tlu^ contemplation of his
jM-rsoii to ])ass into sp«'edy for^^ct fulness by the resjx'ct and
attention which he inspired. His splendid head, covere<l with ii
heavy suit of dark hair, nicely poised upon his slioiddcrs and
connected by a short neck. w is massive in its brain develoj»ement,
coii\«>yin<i, under animatior the impression of almost inlinitc
jiower. The ample forehead \\as scpiarely built up over the wide
aiclies of his heavy blows, under which rolled a pair of laryo,
restless, deep-set, dark blue eyes, capable of shootiii};<)ut j;luiices
of I'lectiic tire, wli.'U under the imi)u]se of the jxtwerlid brain
battery back of them. His nose was broad and shoit, with llarinj;'
nostrils, denoting coolness and courage. At its junction with the
l>r(»jectinji' forehead it lefta ])eculiar traiis\-erso <!rease. His mouth
Avas ample, cleanly cut, with lips finely ar(!hed. the whole e\iiiciiig
decision,iind by the depression at the angles, cokiveying a mingled
idea of sadness and disdain. His cliin, backed by a lirm Jaw,
squared well to the general outline of his face, indicating ardor,
strength and vigor, llv wore no beard, but [>resented smoothly
shaven cheeks and handsome throat with slight double-chin. The,
general contour of his face was regular, and its muscles wonder-
fully mobile, giving a pleasing and winning countenance; his
complexion, though somewhat dark, with his usually good health,
roo
IIISTOUY OF ILLINOIS.
wsis (;le;u'; the cxiilK'ninceof liis iiiiiinal spirits was oxtnioidiuiuy.
lie was of tiic vital tciiipcraiiiciit. Such is a brief physical
(Icscriptioiiof tlu' "Little (Jiaiit.'"*
As an oiiitor Doiij^ias possessed the pecnhar niaji'iietisiii of
iiiil>artiii^' to iiis auditory tlie hue of his sentiineiits and \iews —
swayiiiji' liieir will or diicctiu^' llieir sensibility at i»leasure. He
affected no senatorial airs, betrayed no aristocratic spirit, but
natnially and easily identilied himself with the denioeraey. He
had Ween the ;^<-nial companion of many an early ]>ioneei', and his
intinnite knowledge of the i)eoj»le and sympathy with them,
enaliled him on the stump to convey to their common understand-
in,u', in their own accustonu'<l vehicles of thouj;iit. his reasoning
upon tlu' political <|uestioiisof the day, often enl'or<Mnj;an(l cliiich-
i}\<i an arj;uinent to those who remendiered the frtuitier times by a
peculiar boitb-r lijiure, cairyinj^' conviction to their minds as
evinced by a spontaneous outburst of ajiplanse at fre<incnt inter-
vals. IJut his most insei»arable attributes were rapidiiy and l)()l(b
iicss of thought, and his dexterity in debate- — of wliich he became
a consumnnite nnistei- — ciopped out in early life, <;ivin;;' promise
of niKMjualed ])ower in his first elfbrtson thestuni]). lie had the
faculty of sumnioninjiiill his mental resources with a ]>i(»ni]»titnde
uhicli served admiraltly the occasion, even if re(pured instantly
in reply to a powerlul anta,ii<)nist in the senate. Tlicrefore, while
bis Ibite lay toac<'rtain extent in his nnitchless [)ower njion the
liuslinjis, he swayed a no less ]»ower in the caucus or the anj;ust
jsenate. His manner of treatinji a subj<'et was bold and inde-
(le[)en(lent, always St rikiuii' the hai'd and stronj;' points. To halt-
inji' friends he appeared at times to be overbearing'; ami there
■was a vein of cold irony in his nature which, with a defiant tone
in his I'cnnirks. a hauj^hty maniu-r and a curling of the lip. sunk
deci» into the heart of an eiu'my. Knergy and activity, courage
and fortitude, were of the essence of his nature. The assaults
that would excruciate sonu' nu'U only excited a smile of derision
on his intrepid face. Elastic in both body and mind, he was ca[)a-
blc of perlbi'ining an incredible amount of political labor in the
oiten field. Thus with sagacity as if inspired by genius, a nnnd
* 'I'liis soiiVi iquot orisriiiateil very fiirly in liis |)ul)lic litV. In ISW President .Taek-
snn iidilcd to li.'i rclusiil to rcoliiiiter tlic V. S. Uunk, tlic reiiioMil of tiie deposits,
{iieiit Wiis tlie (■(flistcrniition (d tlie people, and a freneral panie prevailed, Tarty leel-
IML' I an extreii.ely liititi, tlii' president's .su)ip(irters were nn.«ettled in their views and
thousands ditfered witli him on these mea.sures Dontilas had just located at .laeltson-
ville and opened a law olliee in a room in tJie eoiirt-hoii.se. Tlie wliiusot Morwau
coiiiil •■, from t heir nimiber n' d staiidinjr, were arrotrant and audiieioiis in tlieirdeinin-
ciatloii of the administration. Doiijiliis mintrled freely with tlie people, who usually
> Hjwded tlieooiinty seat on Saturdays, and amoiijr tliem, was outspoken in liisiipiiro-
liallon (d' tlieaels(")f tlie administration. He and the editor of the deniocratie paper
at .lacksoiiville, deemiiiK it advisalile to rally the iindeeid"!, elfeet an or)r»niz ittoii of
tlu' administration iiarty, and define its position, in opp sition to the views of many
Irieuds, called a mass meet iiifr, and prepared a set ol re. lotions endorsinu- the banlt
p.ilicy of the Hdmlnistration. On the day of the nieetiiiK' the eourl house was throiijiied
Acitli peoide of both parties, Doiiyliis lieinireoirpaiatividy a stnuiner.deelincd to offer
resolutions, Iml as i^ soon liccame aiiparent unless he did it would not lie done, ho
lioldly lelvaneed and read them, followinji- with a few liricf explanatory remarks,
Iiiniicdiatelj upon his eoiieliision, .fosiaii I.nnilxirn, a whijr of nieat influence ami
oratorical powi iv. attacked the resolulions and their reader in a severe anil causlio
manner. The Mood of Doiitrhis was up; this was his llrst political ell'ort, liiit he met
h|; antauniiist wit h such aiMTiMiu'iits, so \-ehcment and clVective, that the e.vcitemeiit
ol his Iriends reached the liijihcst point of emliiiance; they cheered, seized, and horo
hliu alolt tliroiiKli the crowd and around the piililie sciiiare, in gratitude and admira-
tion. appl,\ iiip- to hi in sucli ('(unplii'ictitary I it Ics as '■hluh-i^omhcd cock," ''liitli' niant"
&c , wliicli last, liy its peculiar appropriateness, ailliered to him to the last. Ills elVort
thiit day. in a measure, chan«ed tlie political destiny of Moruaii county. It was lonjf
ri'iiieniiie.ed, an<l the old veterans of Moriran always helil that DoukIus lievur eijuulled
this speech of March, laH.—Slttahaii'n Lift iif D(iuula».
SENATORS IN CONGRESS. 701
iiiiitiircd l)y careful study, si JiKljiiiicnt cloar iuid (h-cisivo; a cour-
a;:(' wliicli sliiaiik tVoni no (laii;4('r, aiiioiiiitiiiy' at times to apitareiit
audacity, yet always teniixTcd with discretion; a \^ill to yield to
no diiliculty, and uiiapjialled by any obstacle; appreciation of tlio
people and tlie rate faenlty to lead tlieni, J)ou};lus was a .states-
man of the very lirst order.*
J)oiijiias' speeches contain few rlietorictal tionrishes. 15iU they
are models of exact la iijuiiaji'e, orderly and systeiaalic in thouuht,
fall and com]trehensive in ^rasp There is iievera strained elfort
at mere beauty of word paintiii<i'. The aichitecture of Ids sen-
tences, as well as tlu' ideas, ar(^ solid, massive masonry, w ith
broad foundation laid on tirm rock, and the details and workin<;
plans so accurate as to be perfect in tlioir adaptation, with notli-
iiij;' annss or foiei,yn and no surplus or waste nmterial. So well
and thoi'oiijuhly are his sentences w<»ven tojicther that it is diili-
cuU: to extraet from his s])eeches any separat(! sentence con-
veying', text-like, a summary of the whole. While theyare complete
they yet seem paits necessaiily connected with the whole. His
•Ituv. \V. H. Milburn.
NnTK— To fiu-tlii'r illustrate Dousln?" power ninonjr the people, wo sulijolna rhalty
1)11 1 uriiphie sk(5t('li by the editor ot t lie Newlmry port (M.iss.) J u raid (repulilieaii), wlio
was a lellow piissonner in the ears witli Mr. Omuflas tlirou^'h Illinois on ocertsion of
opciiiiif"' the Ohio & Mississippi railroad, and afteiwards:
'Tlmtnian witlia bife\ round head, a brow almost as l>roada9 Webster's, and a ipiiok,
aetivc eye that rolls under the heavy pro.jeetiii}? brow, watehinirevery othcu- man, and
not allowinfr a. motion to cseape him —wit harms too short I'or his body, wlileh is lull and
round as though it nc'ver lacked tlie.iuictes that supply life; and with small duek lews,
which, had tliey Krown as thick as his back-bone (and they would, ])robably, it I'rovi-
dcncc had not foreseen that he would want back-bone more than IcffS in his buttle of
lile,) would have nuido him of respectable statiu-e,- that little man is no less than the
^^rcat polil ieian of the west, who has attracted more attendon in the last lour years
than any other man of the nation, and done more to jrive direction to pul)lie aifairs
than even the president, with a million and a half of voters at his back, and the army,
navy and treasury of North America at his eonunand. It is the 'Little Giant.' Stephen
A. Douylas, with whom we i)arted company at VincenneH, and who has slowly come
alonsr, feelinjf the public pulso to learn the political health of the 'Suckers' up to
Spriiifrlleld, the capital of the State.
•'The means of success In Senator noiiirlas are very apparent. First, he is really and
intellectually a >rreat man. Eastern people who view him only as a low politician,
should disalius'' their minds in relation to one who is toexercis' a wide inlbiencc in
theallairs of the country, and very probably, for he is yet youiij?, to be the head of the
ropublii!. He ifc massive in his conceptions, broad and comprehensive in his views, and
in a liciod measure is endowed with all those powcrsot mind that make a statesman.
Ibit he is ftreatcr still in enerfry of eliarac;ter. Tlierc are those that think that a
defeat of him next year would be his death in polities ; but the man who sprutiH' Irom
a cabinet-maker shop in Vermont, and without fatheror friend worked his way to an
iionoralile place upon the liench of .iudircs, who entered Illinois with less than riii cents
in money, and not one cent in credit, and has acquired great wealth, and the hiyhest
station lind iiilluencc, is not ready to be whippe<l out. Hut if he is M^reat in mind, and
frrcater in energy, he Is (freatest in those winnlnif niannera for which the world calls
him a deinrtKojnie. Scarcely a man, woman or child in the cars eseajicd his attention,
or passed liy unspoken to. At one moment he talks with the old, stern vlsatred politi-
cian, who has been soured by a thousand defeats and di.sappointiiK.nts : in the ne.vt . to
th:d well formed and M:enial Kentuckian, who has just fou;fht a fr^e State ; now he .-its
down with the little (firl aiiproachiuR her teens, and asks of h'^r school studies ; and ho
pats the little tioy on the head, and in presenceof his mother and proud father (what
fath(;r Is not proud to see his l)oy noticed V) says a word of his mild eyes and (flossy
locks. Anain t he lady is approached with a fair word aud a bland smile, and jioes homo
pleased to tell her father how he looks, and then half a do/.cn are about him, nil stand-
Injf tottether. He can talk .elision with tiie priest as well as polities with the states-
man; ho can conRratulate the iiewly appointed Buchanan ollice-holdcr, who has sup-
plimted his friend, tell the disi)lneed friend of the Kood time comlnpr. when his wimr
shall he up: and at every station, more retfularly than the conductor, Mr. Doiitrlas is
iipiMi the platform with a wrood-bye to the loavintr, and a welcome to the dcpartintr
traveler— u shake of the hand with one man that stands at the depot, and a touch of
the hat to another. He knows everybody; can tell the question that aflects each
locality ; call the name of every farm owner on the way; tell all travelers soinetl-.inK'
of the homes they left, that they nevm- knew themselves, and suffjrc.st what jilaco
they deserve In heaven. Now, such a man as that. In contact with everybody, ktiow-
Injf evervl)ody, and at the bottom wrapped up with the one Idea of preferment, power
and domfnion amontr men is not easily to be put down; and his opponents niijfht as well
believe at once, that when they fltrhr him they tijfhta strong' man— a little Kiant indeed.
He would be popular in Hoston or anywhere else, and half the 'three thousand clergy-
men' ho denounced would have their hearts stolen U he could speak to them a halt
hour.'
(02
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
ar^imu'iils si'ccccd cacli otiior like tlic wcijjiity blows of an ciior-
iiioiis liip liamiiior, sliapiiifi- the subject in liaiid witli irresistible
l>t)\ver, llatt('niii<;- the points (»p[)ose(l to Lini, and possibly the
adversary nnder its niijilily tilts.
In the eii'cle of Wasiiiii<:ton life. Douglas, with the honors of
II senator, ai»peared with a natnral <;ra(,'e and dij^nity larely
excelled. At the social board or in dinner table conversation,
Col. Forney in bis sketches «»f i>nblic men, says: "Don^Ias was
almost imrivaled. His ri'partee was a Hash, and his courtesy as
kni"htlv as if he had beeen born in the best society."'*
Abraham Liiwohi. — The life of one who hasbecomi^ so exalted in
American history as Abraham Lincoln, must ever possess a charm
to the reader in its minutest detail, ibit the j;i'eat acts with which
bis name is associated are national, and it is foreijiii to the scojje
of this work to .yive more than a cursory fjlancc^ at the nnm as lie
apiK'ared in Illinois. We desire rather to sj) -ak of Ids mea/iie
early life, his ' ttributes of jjcrson, character a'ld mind — his cpial-
itiesofliead itl heart — as they appeared h< re, than the j;reat
events with which he was subse(iuently connected, liowever the
latter nniy have liown from the former. His bioad executi\(' ca-
pacity, so su<ldenly developed under fireat trials. constitntinji' the
bublimest events in our history ; his tidelity to the rijiht, and ids
couraj^e and firmness which {ire w out of that, it amy here bi' sidd,
were not with<)ur astonishment to those who knew him best in
Illinois, and who iniaj^ined that they (comprehended all that was
to be learned of his ehariicter.t Possibly it was so to himself. The
great lesson of nnm — know tiiyself — is ever least nmlerstood.
The nu)st striking;' contrast between Mr. Lincoln and his antafjf-
onist for semitorial lioii(»rs, was in their physical apjiearance. It
would be diflicnlt to lind two nu'n with the reijuisite capacity for
S(t exalted a position, more opposite in physical develoinnent than
these. Mr. Douglas, as we have seen, was low of stature, scarce il
feet, erect, with trunk lar<;(^ and rotund, and extremities unduly
short. JMr. Lincoln, on the other Inind, was tall, exceediii<>' feet,
si>.ire, an<;ular body, with a slight forward inclination, extrennties
long and laidv, the ui)p<'i' ternnnating in huge iiands and the latter
in large feet, llis shoulders, of me<lium breadth, (hooped slightly
f(»rward, giving him theaiipeaiance of being hollow-breasted. As it
isa fa(;t, it is not derogatory to say of him that hisai»pearance was
somewhat nngaiidy. He was of the nervous bilious teini»erament.
llis head, covered with thick masses of dark hair, was large, with
a reeeeding but ami)le forehead, well and prominently developed
at its base, and under the aiclied and projecting brows rolled his
clear, dark-blue eyes of nnue than medium size, with a ndld and
benignant expression, sjieaking the synii»athetic soul witldn. His
nose was his most prondnent facial organ — high, thin, straight,
neither long nor shoit,— a line nose, expressive of even force of
character. His ami)i(^ mouth, wlnle it indicated enough of decision
and strength of will, was totally devoid of anything like disdainfid
expression. It wouhl liav(^ been diilicult for Mr. liincolu, capable
as he was to express in his face inindtable grotes(pieness, to imve
curled Ids lip in contempt, deliance or dis(hdn. llis chin, mostly
•WiiihlntrtonSiindiiy Chronicle, 1872.
tSfu Gov. Palmer's luHoral uddrfss ut ttic rcburlal of Olsscll's remaiaB, May 31, 1871.
SENATOnS IN CONGKEHS. 703
covoivd with whiskers, Wiis of fair inoiiiiiuMico; tli(»u,nh it lacked
tliat siiuaieiiess whicii j;ives a full and agreeable devi'lopineiit to
tlie lower face, while at the same time it is indicative of ardemry and
c.onihativeness — it was not tiie niilitarv «*hin. I lis cheeks were jjan lit,
and the jicneial outline of his face, as lias been aptly said, was that
of craji'uy j;randeiir. it wore a habitual expression of sadness;
yet his countenance could beam with n kindliness oi" heart whicli
fiave license for the ap|)roach of the humblest, and revealed a hnj^o-
iiess of soul replete with a> charitable ami forj;iviiij;' dis])»tsition.
llis health, thoiijih never apparently robust, was uniformly j^ood,
and he was capable of j^reat physical endurance.
Abraham Lincoln was b(»rn i>i La L'ue (now Hardin) county
Kentucky, about li miles south of the \ illaj;e of Iloiiinsville, Feb-
ruary lUth, I.S()!>. (He was thus the seiiitu' of his (;ompetitor by 3
years.) Here his father had taken up a lainl claim ol' .'}()(» acres,
roiinh, broken and poor, contaiiiin<; a line sjuiiiji, known to this
day as the ''Liiikum Spriiii;'." L'nabhi to pay for the unprodiictivti
land, the claim was abandoned, and the family moved from i>lace
to place in tlie iiei<;hborliood, beiiij;' very destitute. These icmoxals
occurrin;^' while Aliraliam was scarcely more than an infant, has
jfjven rise to ditt'ereiit. statements as to the exact i)lace of his birth.
Jt is said that in that part of Kentucky four places now claim the
lioiKU'. In l.SKj the family started westward, fOllowin.n' the Ohio
river, and settlin;;' in 8])enccr county, Indiana. Two years later
the mother died, and also an only sister; the thriftless father
imiiried ayain, and Aliraham work<>d in th(^ iieiyldiorhood oil
farms, and in clearin<;' away the dense forest underwent the stui'dy
discipline of toil. He recei\ed the mea,nre edu(tation which the
new country afforded, but his boyhood had few advaiita,n('s of
culture, aini he was emphatically self-made.* '•! have not a lino
education ; I am not ca[»able of euterinj;' into a dis(piisitioii ui)ou
dialectics, I believe you call it" — he himself complained in his
Cliica.no speiM'li in answer to I)ouj;ias at tht^ oiteniny of the sena-
torial canvass in hS.18. He was of, and j;rew uj) aiiion,y, the com-
mon pcitple, the hardhanded yeomanry of toil. His warm and
benevolent heart was thus early tauj-ht to synipatliis<? with labor,
and later his brain appreciated the importance of its freedom.
He lirew to manhood rapidly, and such were his (pialities of
head that before he attained to majority he was eini)loyed as
supercargo to take a tlat-boat load of produce to New Orleans,
whicli he did ^i\iii^' full satisfaction. In IS.'JO the family rcmovecl
to lilimtis, settling' on thesouth side of the north fork of the 8aii-
jiainou river, 10 miles southwest of I)e(tatur, in Macon county.
IIei«? youn<;' LiiH^oln spent his first winter in Illinois, duriiin' whicli
he aided in biiildinj;' for the I'amily a cal>in, stables and other
building's; mauled and sjdit rails, clearecl and fenced in 10 acres
of ground. From this i)lace the rails whicli played so important
apart in the (!ami)aiyn of ].S(i({ were procured. t The following
♦ It Isnsscrtetl tliat he learned to cipher on n smooth clap hoard by tholiR'ht of a
ciitiin Hri' after ReltiiiK rliroii^'h with the diiy'i: ''ibor, while wiirknin' on tin; Ciew lariii
iiilmliaiiil When the board was written over wnli llirures, reeourwi' wiis hail to adraw-
iiii^ knile to shave it down, and with the clean surface thus prescMited it wus I'eady
tor further use. The hooks that he could get to read were very tow, but the Bible
wai evidently one of them.
+One (Miarles Hanks, a cousin on the mother's side, who had nil the time lived within
{'woanda half miles of this place, publlshediii IHW a letter sayinjf, that 5 years after-
ward the entir(M'en(!e was burneil up, and that he helped to build a new one; but his
brother John niuintuiucd the geuuiueuuss of the ruUs. Sue Uecutur papers 180U.
704
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
spiiii};, boinj;- now of aj?*', he aided in coiidiictiiis' a tiat-boat down
tlu' Siiii.iHiniioii, hociiiiic a(M]iiaiiilcd with tlic country, and hitcv
found ('Mii»h).vnicnl as cU'ik in a country store, at a- vilia<i<' on its
■west bank named New SakMn,a nnh^ from tiie present I'etersltuifi'.
Aviiither its teiienients were finally removed. Lincoln, with a
])artuer. sru'ceeded his emitloyer, tlie slock of <;-oods probably not
lari>e and the purchase beiuft- inacki on time. Tiie merciiants, as
nu'rchiints are wont to do, speedily failed. Ijincoln now turned
his jitleution to siirx'eyinji'. but wlieu the l>l:ick Hawk war broke
out. in bs;iii, he voluiiteei'cd and was elected cai)taiu of his coui-
l)auy. Me served three months but was in no en<ia<i'ement with
theeuemy. The same year he becaiue a candidate lor the lejiis-
hitiirc luit was defeate(l. Ih' was an Adauis man, the whi,y party
in)t yet iuivin*;' assuuied its luime. He now ])ursued suivcyinj;
and occupied liis spure tiaie in rcadiuji' law. In 1S,".4 lie a^ain
olfei'cd f(»r the le;;isl;itui'e and was elected as a member for San-
oaiuou. the \ iilaj^c of liisi'csidence, sincti Menard county, was then
still in Sanjiiimon. He was for four sueeessive terms re-elected
from tlie sanu> couiity, but after his lirst session, by the ad\ice
of a Iriend, to whom lie ever felt ;^'rateful. lieyave up tlie businessof
surveyiii.ii'. settled in Sprinylield and tlieiiceforward j:ave his atten-
tion wholly to the law. Diirin.iihisS years in thele^iislature lie was a
serviceable member, belonj:iii,n' to tlie minority ])arty all tlie time,
and attained some distinction. Hewas twice the whiii;' candidate
for speaker, which was a compliment but an empty lionor. In
ISoT he sustained the visionary scheme of the State Internal
Improvement system, which nearly b:iid<nii»te<l the State. <loubt-
less like all others, with the best, but mistaken iiUi'Utioiis. Still
it is to be reinembeicd tluit as one of the "lonn' nine" from San-
gamon, who actinii' constinitly as a unit, artfully contriNed many
combinations durin;.;' (hat e\'entful session, always with an eye
sinyle to removinji' the capital from Vandalia toSjirinjifield. Out
of all the recklessschemes of that session, the constitut-nts of Mr.
Lincoln in S[)rinjitield were the oidy ones who ever deiived any
])('riiiaiient benefit from any of them. He was a vi<j'oi'ous opponent
of the ])artisan reor<.iani7.;ition of the supieme court in KS41.
Hi! IM)W (bS42) devoted himself exclusively to the practice of his
])i()fess!i()n, in wliich he iittained a hi;^h standin.ii;' as a lawyer, and
piirticiilarly as an advocate. Uetbre a Jury he had few e(puils
either in originality, humor or i)ath()s. His most effective oratory
^vas of the i)ersuasive order. NVliile he sou<;]it to lead a jury by
the force of lofiical reasoniii<;aiid strikinji' similes, whatever his jios-
tulate, lie seldom attempted to drive them either by intimidation
or 1 he power of detailed arj;unientation, to awaken jierhaps their
obstinacy or tire them into listlessness. He would contrive to jmt
them in j^ood humor by ajit and ori<;ina1 turns on his anta.t;'oiiist,
his inimitable manner ami comiilete actinjibeinji' his most eil'e<;tivo
aids for this purjiose ; pain their favor; enlist their inteii'st ; then
touch their sympathies by the ])owerof his pathos, and wriiijifrom
them a verdi(!t. Jlis nmst etfecitive weaiions with which to assail
or demolish the arj>uments of opposinj;- ecmnsel, either of attack or
defense, were his jiowers of ridicule, orifjiiiality and quaint lojiical
reasoninji'. To the be<>inner at the bar he was kind, indulgent
and ever ready to render assistance without ostentation. He was
full of humor, overflowing with anecdote, and loved a neat, harm-
SENATORS IN CONGRESS. 705
less practical Joke. With rare capacity fortreasiiiiii''- up anecdotes,
lie liad a fund to aptly illustrate almost every circmnstaiiee in
life. Many were orijjfinal \vitli liini, as lie had an eye «'onstaiitly
on the l(»ok-ont for tlie Innnoions or <irotes(pie in evcrythinj;', and
a j;'oodp(»int nev( r escaped his attenti()n. nor .snifered in the ren-
<lerinj;'. Aniony' the ohh'r members of the Illinois bar his hnniorous
sayinjis. oddities, and jiointed aiH'cdotes are yet enrrent.
Dnrin^' the presidential contest of 1.S44, Mr. Lincoln canvasse<l
the 8tate for Henry Clay, the beloved chief of all the old whifi-s.
In 1S4(> he was elected to con;;ress, takinj;- his seat in the lower
houseat the same time that I )onj;las entered the senate. lie was tiio
only whiji' in the Illinois deh'f>a,tion, and in common with his party,
oi>posed the Mexican war. He introdnceda set of resolntions shortly
after, i)roj»osin<;' an incpiiry as to the exact spot npori Texan soil
where American blood was liist sitilled by the [Mexicans. These
resolntions j^ained sinne notoriety for their cpiisical and witty char-
acter, and have been j;"enerally known as his '-spot resolntions.'" He
sni»i)ort<'d the ''Wilmot proviso" attached to the bill appiopriatini;
$;{,(K)0,(KM) for the war — beinj; die same wlii(!li Mr. l)oii<;las moved
to amend by prohibiting" slavery from all accpuied territory north of
of .'KJd. .'iOm., l>nt which waslost. iMr. LiiKtoln de<!lined the candidacy
for re-election in I.S-IS, In 1S4J> he first received the coiiiplimeiitary
vote of his party for U. S, senator. He was ayain their <'andi(late
ill l.sr».'). bnt thron.n'h the obstinacy of a handful of anti-Xebraska
democrats, Mr. Trnmbnll was elected, as we have seen.
Mr. Lincoln was trnly };reat in many traits of his character.
(Jliief amonj;' theses may be mentioned liis fidelity to the rijiht,
firmness to principle, fortitude to duty, honesty and tenacity of
l)nipose, and moral conraj>«', united to such amiable attribntes as
kindness of heart, forbearance for others, endurinf>' patience, mod-
esty and jicntleiiess of disposition. All these virtues he possessed
in an eminent deree. Sonu'of his old. intimate and loviiifi' friends*
say that he was ambitious, but his ambition was so tempeied with
patience, that it never wouhl have, as it did not, overleap itself.
His opposition to slavery was fjrouinled upon its inherent moral
wroii<;iulness — that it was a jireat evil, socially, politically, and
materially. His consciencie revolted at its injustice, its de<;rada-
tion and cruelty. His heart naturally sympathized with the op-
pressed. Douj-ias, born and reared in free States, while ho
doulitless regarded slavery as a clog and hindrance to the material
advancement of a people or State, never disclosed by any expres-
sion, either written or spoken, his conception of its moral enor-
mity. The refrain of his spee(;lies was ever to let the people decide
it in their own way — '•! do not care whether shivery is voted u[) or
down."
Mr. Lincoln's speeches and writings bear the stamp of stronj?
individuality — peculiarly Lincolnian — which crops out in nearly
every paragraph. They abound in short pithy sentences, sejiarato
and distinct in themselves, a])[U'oaching to aplumsms. 3Iany of
them are stamped with immortality. They are sublime concei)tions
of great truths, clothed in few but ample words, which will live in
the remote cycles of time, when his more painstaking sentences
and carefully-studied arguments may be lost under the nioldering
' Hon. J. K.Dubois.
45
70fl
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
i
<lust of iifi'cs. '•Slavery is foiiiiilcd in the scHislincss of iiuin's
iiiiturc — ojtpositioii to it in tlic love of justice," lie exelaiiiied at
J'eoria in lS,"tl:. ''iiepeai tiie Missouri eoniproniise — repeal all
compromises — repeal the Deehualion of Independenet^ — re|»eal all
]>asl liisloiy — ,von still cannot repeal human nature. It still will
be in the abundance of mail's heart that slavery extension is wron;:',
ami, out of the abundance of his heart his month will continue to
speaU." Evidently he was deeply read in the book of b )oks, the
JJible, as the last sentence above shows, and he possessed the
happy faculty of weavinj;' its sublinu' sentiments with his ^)\\u
thou.ulits and expressions, ills speeches bore abundant testimony
to this. Politicians shoidd ever bear in mind this broad text from
1dm. that ours is a "•fioverniiu'nt of the people, for the people and
by the people." Unt time and circnmsianci's considered, it will
be diflicidt to lind sentiments outside of the inspired book mor(>.
tonchin<;'ly beautiful than the closini;- paragraph of his last inaii-
jiural address : "With nmliee toward iioni'. with charity for all,
with lirium'ss in the riiiht as (lod j^ives us to see the I'iuht. let ns
istrix con to linish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's woinids,
and care tor him who shall ha\e borne the battle, and lor his
widow and his orphans — to do all which may achieve and cliei'isli
ajust and lastinj>' peace amonj;' ourselves and with all nations."
To fidly appreciate JMr. Lincroln as an orator he must be both
heard and seen -he conveyed so nim-h meanin,u' by p-sture and
manner. And even then nniny of his sentiments were so terse
that it was im|)ossible to do him Justice; nor <!an this be done by
a casual rcadinj; after him. lie seeine<i to be aware of this him-
self, for in preparii!;;' his early writings or s))eeches Ibr the press,
underslrokes tor italics and capitals were freely resorted to, to
give them power and emphasis.
IJoth these senatorial candidates used simple, ])lain but exact
lanj;ua!H(', and eschewed mere word-painting'. They sou^iht to
reach the nnderstandiii};' of the common peoi>le, aiul iiulul^ed little
in the sweeiiing rouinlness of grand oratory. The best si)eeches
of Mr. liincoln's life are said to have been made fotir years jn-ior to
this ('outcast, when the Missouri compromise was tirst repealed, in
answer to J)ouglas, who sought tojustify himself befon^ the ])eo-
l)le. Mr. Ijiiu'oln was looking forwai'd at the tiuu' to beconu> the
siu'cessor to Shields in the seiuitc. One made at I'eoria. ()(.'tober
10, isr)4, is recorded, and is a chaste ami jiowerful argument. It
received a wide circulation. The one nnide 12 days before at
Springfield, in debate with 3Ir. Douglas, being the first time that
these champions measured their strength, is not recorded. It is
said to have greatly exceeded the former in boldness of sentiment,
force of argument, beauty and moving eloquence. It was made
in the re[»resentatives' hall in presence of the fiist State rei)ubli-
can convention, when that party was in its chrysalis state, and a
great throng of people from all ]>arts of the State attending the
first State fair. A contemporaiy writer describing it says: lOvery
mind i)resent did homage to the num who took heart and broke
like a sun over tJie umlerstanding ; he shivered the Nebraska
ini(pdty as a tree of the forest is torn and rent asunder, by hot
bolts of truth.*
• See III. State Journal, Oct. 18, 1864.
SENATORS IN CONGRESS. 707
Siic.Ii is our biicf suniiniii;:;' up of flic livos and cliiinictcr of those
iiivnt icpicsciitativc iiicii, upon wliosc contest in Illiin>is for the.
s«'nalorship rested tlic eajicr eyes of tlie entire nation, so important
weic the political issiu's for which they contended. The coinhat-
ants were not unac(pniinted with each (tthcr's stien>ith, for as wo
Inive seen they had previously crossed their trenchant blades of
ar<;innent, loj^ic and debute in tiie political arena.*
THE CANVASS.
We have seen that the State rei»ubli(!an convention in June de-
«'lared Mr. liincoln the first and only choice of its party for the
senatorial seat of Mv. Donj^las. Mr. Lincoln was not unprepared
for this acticMi of the convention. The choice of Tiunibull o\er
iiini in bSordiad gained him the sym|)athy of his party, and he was
thence tacitly looked forward to as the successor (»f Mr. i)ou<;las
four years later. This he apjucciated himself. When Doujjlas,
(who well understood this also.) therefore, in ,Iune. l.sr»7, duriu,i;a.
!idl in p(»liti<'al excitement, found, or (treated, an (K'casiou. thi'ouiih
the in\itation of the (■. S. ;irand jury sittiufi' at Si)rinfitield, to air
his politi<'al views and possibly forestall ))ublic opinion, Mr. lii*!!-
e(»ln was on the alert, and after some time for prei>aration, two
weeks latei- answered Douglas' sjieech from the same stand, and
had it also published. The convention now (dune Hi, ISoS,) took
a recess until <S o'clock in the evening;', when Mr. Lincoln addressed
them in a carefully prepared sp«'ech, whose opeiiinji' sentences —
truly Linc<dnian — aftewards attained so much celebrity, we sub-
join :
"If we couUl first know vfme we are, and whUhcr we are tending, we
could tiieii better jud<?e what to do, and iiow to do it.
"We are now Car into the fifth year since a policy was initiated with
tlie <n"t/¥(/ object, and ronjiikiu promise, of putting an end to slavery
agitation.
"Under tlie operation of tliat policj', that agitation has not only no<
iV'W(/, Imt has roiistinit/i/ nncjinciilfd
"In r.iy opinion it inll not cease until a n-'nh shall have been reached
and passed— 'A liouse divided against itself cannot stand.'
"I believe this governiueut cannot endure permanently halfs/dir and
half /'/•'(. I do not expect the IJidon to be ili.ixo/ved — I do not expect
t lie house to fall — but I do expect it will cease to be divided. It will
become "// one thing, or »// (he other. Kither the o/ip'Hifn/.f of slavery
will arrest tlie further spread of it, and place it where the public mind
siiall rest in the belief that it is in the course of ultimate extinction ; or,
ilsiiifrocc.ies will i»ut it forward, till it shall become alike lawful in till
the States, <*/(/ as well as /ifMi — north as well as xonl/i. Have we uo taufaiiy
to the latter condition?"
— proceeding' to arft'ue that we had under the Nebraska doctrine
and the Dred 8cott decision.t
These at thetinu' bold and advanced political sentiments wei-c
uttered 4 months prior to the enunciation of Mv. Seward's cele-
*'riio I'dllowintr figure, to illustnUe the rcliitivc merits of the lOiitestimts, current tit
the time, views this civil buttle from n" inilititry stamlpoint. We leiwe the reader to
estimate its fuirness: DouKhis marshnllefi all his faeis wilh the view to eoiicentrate
tluMii witli teiril)leaii(l iriesistil>le onslaught upon a i^lven point of his adyersiiiy's line
of battle, and with p-reat power and etiertiy attempts to rout the enemy from his
Mronsrest position. Lineoin in his argument brealisont all alonj^ his entire buttle line
in sudden ehartfes, misurpassod in billlianey of exi'cution, ullording subjeets for tho
poet's pen to live in heroic verse for perhaps countless ages
+Sec 111 . State .lournul, June 18, 1858. Tho ubove is from a drutt made by Mr. Lincoln
himself, italics and all.
ros
HISTORY OF n.LINOIS.
briitcd '•iiTciircssihU'coiiHict" «lo(^triiM', wliicOi rciKU'ij'd tliut sriites-
iiian tlic ('oiniiioii tiir^'ct for all the opposition political sliat't-s
IIii()ii};iioiit tlic land. Ml-. liincolirs had not only prcccdcnc*', lint
tlu'v well' more coniprcln'nsivc and <lir«'ct ; and is it an,v wondt-r
thar political sentiments so a\ioniati(; <lwelt in the liearts of thu
]>eople, and sniisequentl.v turned the nation\s eye upon the man
whose mind conceived them ? iJnt they also furnished Mr, Don;;--
las a handle with which to rin^' nptni his opponent, with incessant
re)>etition, all the chan^(>s of detest<-d abolitionism, disunion and
civil war with its horrid (concomitants, until they tohl with <leep
etlect ujion the masses.
The republican jucss di>nian(h'd for Mr. Lincoln, witli frequent
iteration, a free political liM'ht, \vhi(!h was no h'ss fr«'ely tendered
by Mr. I)on;nlas, who, befonr lu^ left \Vashin;;1on, nuituicd his
ltrei»aiations for a vijiorous and thoroiijih stumping;- canvass, to
e.inl)race the amph' held of the entire State, ^iowithstandinj" his
o])en ru|)tnre with tlxc administration, which was i>ursuin;> him
into Illinois, the ;;rudj;in<; supi>ort of the State democratic: con-
vention at its meeting in A]>ril forced him into a )ilaii of cam-
]>ai<;n .somewhat conciliatory toward the administration, but war
to the knife against the anti-slavery heresies, as he called them,
enunciated in the platform of ininciples adt>pted by the State
republican convention, and particularly against tlie advanced anti-
slavery i)osition of their senatorial nondnee. The republicans, to
]>romote tliechism in the dennxnatic ranks, encoura<;t'd tlu' iJiic-
lianan followers in* \arious ways by favorable notices (»f their
meetings, publishin<;' their i»roceedin}is, tlatterinj;- their etlbrts, &(!.
Donyhid, on his arrival from Wasldnjiton, was received at ("hi-
cajio by an imnn-nse concourse of i)eople with shouts and hn/,/,ahs,
amidst the roar of (;annon, musi<c from bands and the escort of iv
blaze of lire-w oiks. Jle entered dirci^tly upon the cam]iai<>'n by
a<ldressin^ his lirst si)eech from the balcony of theTremont Hotel
to a jterfect sea of hunuin faces upturned in the throuj^cd street
below. lie re allirmed his do(;trine of popular soverei};nty with
great foice, stood by the ](latform, ami ac(iuiesced in the J)re<l
Scott decision while it rennvined the law, Jle tlieu jtaid his
respects to 3Ir. Lincoln, who was present on the balcony, taking
for a text his convention speech, that a house divided against
itself cannot stand — that the government could not endure half
.slave ami half free, which he assailed with a logical p()wer and
vehenu'nc*! unsurpassed in his generation, leaving a de«'p and
abiding impr«'ssion upon his auditory. He further denounced the
unholy alliance of the republicans with the unscrupulous pro-
slavery lluchanan oHice-holders to (compass his defeat, as unnatu-
ral, declaring his purpose to tire hks broadsides, as the llussians
did !it Sebastopol. regardless of which were hit, Turk or Christian.
At the conclusion of his speech, loud calls were made l)y the
crowd Ibr iMr. Lincoln. lie declined speaking, but made an
ajipoiidnient for the following evening, when he rei>lied to Mr.
Douglas from the same stand. A larger, denser and more enthu-
siastic (crowd, if that were possible, greeted Ww republican chief-
tain, the windows and balconies of the houses on both sides of
the street and the street itself being literally packed with men
and women. Piocession after i»ro(;ession with bands of music
arrived on tlie ground anndsta brilliant pyrotechnic display. Mr.
SENATOU.S IN f'ONUUESS. 709
Lincoln on his a)>]>oiiriuice wiis liailcd witii a storm of iipplause.
He denied tlie (;Iiiii'};e of an alliance between the i'e[)iil)lieaiis and
Die federal ollieeholders, but the former would eeitainly do noth-
ing to i)re\ent the denuxnatic sclnsm,and reminded l)ou<;las that
if he was the "ru^'^cd Kussiau l)ear," it was u very suyjiestive
fireumsfaiu'.o that the. "allies" did take Sebastopol — which was
vi'ry hapi»y. He declared J)ouf,das' <;reat doctrine of squatter
sovereignty as old as the Declaration <tf Inde[»endeii(u' itself; that
fiONernments derived their Just powers from the consent of the
j^overned; but ridicule<l the idea of its ('ompatil)ility with the
Dred Scott decision, which held shivery to exist in all the territo-
ries by virtueof the constitnticni, with which neither coiif;r»ss nor
the territorial legislature could interfere, llencu' no man coidd
consisti'utly stand both by that decision and the C'in(;innati jtlat-
form, which declared the soverei^^nty of the territ(»ries absolute
usthatof the States. He maintained the power of congress to
exclude slavery from the territories, uotwithstandinjf the (lecisiou
of the supreme court.
IJut Doujilas' j^reat assault upon his (u)iivention speech, that a
divided house could not stand, that the {government (.-ould not
endure half slave and half free — had the effect to throw him upon
(he defensive, from whi«*h he did not recover duiinj; the canvass.
He |»lciid — "I did not say that I was in favor of anything' in it.
I only said what 1 expecttd .vould take place. I made a predic-
tion (Uily; it may have been a foolish one perhajts."
Mr. Lincoln had taken bold and advanced j;round. We who
liave lived to see his words fultilled can hardly api>reciate their
full import as apjjlied to those tinu's. The striUinj;' deductions
that Douglas made from them, ajtparently iriesi i »le in their con-
clusions then, and which have Itecouu' history since, tended to
drive their author into the then detestf'd ranks of the abtdition-
disunioaists, hated of nearly all men, and need we wonder at Mr.
Lincoln's shrijikinjjf from tin; position thus lof^ically assij^ned to
lum, or at the defense of himself, as we have (pioted If Douj^las
did not interrijit his blows upcm this ])oint durin^i the canvass, but
hammered ami batteied away at it continuously. It was his
stronjihold, and under it he crowded his antagonist un(!easinj;ly.
Indeed some republican papers j;ot to denyinjj; that Lincoln ever
littered the sentiment. It lost him the senatoishi|> then, but
its iiiKreasiiij,' iteration jdaced him prominently betbre thecoiintry,
and two years later it {gained for him the presidency. A pro[»het
is nor without honor save in his own country.
An I now blazed forth in full splendor that remarkable canvass
all over the State. The ju-airies seeemed animated with ))oliti(!aI
fervor and discussions. The peo^de did or talked little else. The
Ijusini'ss (»f railroads increased enormously. The trains were alive
with the people and ■exciirsi(»ns were the order of the day. In
attendance upon the <;reat leaders were swaiins of politicians,
replaced from time to time as rapidly as they droi»j)ed off, besides
joiiriialists, reporters and others drawn by the excitement of the
occasion. The ladies not unfre<pu'ntly met the trains (Containing
the leaders and atteiidaiitsand s[»read for them boiinteoiisicitasts.
Indeed cieatiire comforts were occasionally furnished on thecals.
I'p and down the State and through its lengtli and breadth, by
rail, by carriage, raged th»? great political battle of the giants.
710
IIISTOIIV OK ILLINOIS.
Tlir people Heemiiif,'ly \v«'re ajylow witli tlie tire of their respeetivn
jmit.V Iciiders. The eoiitest was the most exeitiiiy in our liisloiy.
As ill! illiistniliiHi ol'wliiit was kepi up all o\ei' iIm' Stah-, ImiiIi
on occasion of the joint debates and lln; sepaiale dis<;nssi«inN, \\ii
will (U'seribe Doni^ias' llrsi trip, made on the ('liiea;;(> iV Alton
raili'oad to Spiiii^^llcld, Mr. Lincoln bcin;;' als<) aboard. Don^ilas
and a jiait.v <>!' tiiciids Icl'l Cliica^^o l''ridav morning, .Iiinc i(>tli.
The (rain. alllion«;h it was tlie re;,ndar passen;:(*r, was taslils dec-
orated with ila<:s and Itanners, iiis«-i'ibed with the name ol' the
senator, appropriate mottoes, such as ^'champion ol the people,"
"p«»pnlar soverei;;ntv."' iJv:c. At l>rid;;'cport a nmiu'rons Itodv of
laborers <piil their work to cheer the senator as tlitr train swe[>t l).v.
At LocUpoit a moment's halt was made, and hearty yr<'etinj;;s
were exclian;i('d with the assend)Ied IViends, amidst tlie liandKer-
eliiel' wa\ in;;s otw»'lcome iVom numerous ladies. At .lt>liel itsaiiival
wa.s annoiMKH'd by the boomin;; of cannon, and upon the senator's
ai)pear.ince the thousands assembled rent the air with their cheers,
lie had only time to thaidv them ibr their (-ordial welcome. A
numeidiis party (»t" I'riends here joined them Ibr k5prin;L;licid. A
idatl'orm car was attached to the rear of the train, carr.siii^ a can-
non to herald their approach at every station a Ion ;^ the route.
At Wiliniii<it(»n the salute of a (5 poiiihlcr was answered by this
j»ieee on board, A hnjic concourse of people had assembled, ami
as tlu! train drew up a tine band i>layed '•Hail to the <,1ii(^f !'' fol-
lowed, on the ai)pearance of the senator, by air splittiiij;' cIm'cjs
from the crowd, men swiii;;inji their hats, and ladies wa^iaj;' tlu'ir
liandkerchiefs, mykin;;' a si^ene of indescribable ('uthusiasin ami
joy. Tender jiicftinys and kindly expiessions were exchan;;'ed
with the reprcselllali^(' of the ^reat juiiKMple (tl' self-}j;overiimenl.
At every station these j^iowinii scenes were repeated.
At l)loomin;;toii, where it was appointed tor I)ouj;las to sjieak,
suitable arraiijicmcnts for his welcome had been made, Tlie day
Avas inauspicious, but the peo])le had j;athered in hn>;e nunrbcrs
throu<;h rain and mud, Tlu^ Hloomin^ton (iiiards in full uniform,
citi/eiis, nn>uiited, on foot and in carriai^es, foriiu-d into line as an
escort to the civic hero. A salute of .'>2 liiins was tired on tli(> ap-
l)roach of the train, and theai»pearance of the senator was followed
l>y the usual expressions of onlhusiasm <;reatly au^iuiented. Douji-
las entered a carria};'*' and a pr(»cession was formed which moved
through the principal srreets, lined on eithei- side witii (b'U.so
masses of ])eoi>le, the windows an<l balconies of the houses tilled
with ladies wavin.i;' their haiidkei-chiefs. The Laiidon House, the
stoppinj^l)lace, was appropriately decorated w ith llaj>s and mottoes
of welcome forthe oc(;asion. At nij;ht there wasa ^raiid pyrot»'(;Ii-
iiie display, the court house was brilliantly illuminated, and
I )oujiIas addressed th<! i)eo])le in tli(^ publi*^ sfjiiare, 3Ir. Lincoln
M'as called out, but excused himself on tile, ground of its being
Douglas' ovation.
On the following morning a special train took the part}', which
was fiirlher joined by tin; IJloomingtou (luards with their ^^•,u\■
lion and a large nund)er of (;iti/ens, to ISi>ringlield, The train
was appro))riately decorated with beautiful flags and inscriptions.
At Atlanta both Douglas and Lincoln were called out by a
larg(? assenddage of ])eople, and both (excused themselves from
speaking. At Lincoln a halt was made for dinner. The towu
HKNATOUa IN CONCJRKSS.
711
Wiis crowded Willi iicopic, and tlic icccplioii was .s|)I('iidid. Tlio
])iiii('i|»id sfi'dfl was spaiiiicd \)\ a tiiiiiiipliiil aicli — a ;;ia('r('iil
«-uiiiliiiia(ioii of leaves, tltiweis and excr^reens, and snndl l)annerH
willi niolloc^s, siinnonnted by a lar;ne one inscribed "Donylas Kor-
ever." Tlie laneoln llunse was also bcaiititiillv decoialed, and,
alter paitakin;;' of ii snnipl lions tepasl, l)oii;;las made a Itrii-f but
liappv address, received tiie conyialulalioiis of ids Iriends, wlieii
Die excursionists sped on tlieir way towards tiie capital, tlie |)re-
\ ions scenes liein;;' icpeated at every station. At W'iiliaiiisv ille,
••oniinittccs from counties sontli, east and west of Saii;iamoii, met
tlie train, and the party beinj;' <;rcally increased, two eiijiines weio
broti;;lit into rccjiiisition ; and thus with cannons lirini;, bands
playiii;; martial airs, the train, amidst the ;;reetinys, bhoiitiiijus,
and, joys of a lar;;(^ iimltiiMde, sped into the capital city. A halt
was made at Eclwards' (irove, where, notwithstandin;;' the own-
.sional rain, the jieoplc from far and near liad waitt'd by thousands,
and wei«! now addressed by JJoughi.s for thiee liours in one of his
most masterly elfoi'ts.*
At iii^ht Mr. Lincoln si)oko in tliP city, lie had not hoard
J)oii;;las. We subjoin the openiiij;' remarks :
"Fcllow-CMti/.eiiH : Anotiier election which is deemed an iniportimt
one is approucihiiif;, and, as I suppose, the repulilicaii i)iuty will, with-
out nuicli ditliculty, elect their State ticket. Hut in icpinl to the IckIm-
lature we, tlie iei)ul»licanH, labor under Home disaiivantajies." 'i'his He
uttril)ute(l to a want of change i» the ai)p()rti<)nmeiit of iH'preseiilatives
ill the legislature, still based upon the census of I Sod, which hore with
uiKMiua! eflect upon the north part of the State, the repul)lican stroiiy;-
l\()l(l, wliicli had nearly (loui)le(l its population since then, while in the
south part no conesnoiuliii)? increase had taken place.
He further alluded to some disadvantages of a personal chanuiter, in
the following humorous vein :
"There is still another disadvantage under which wo labor, and to
wliich [ ask your attention. It arises out of the relative positions of the
two persons who stand before you as candidates for the senate. Senator
Douglas is of world-wide renown. All the anxious politicians of his
party have been looking to him as certainly, at no very distant day to lie
the president of the Ihiited States. They have seen in his round, jolly
fruitful face post-oltices, land-ollices, niarshalships, and cabinet ap-
pointments, chargeships and foreign missions, bursting and spouting
out in wonderful exuberance, rea«ly to be laid hold of by their greedy
hands, ((jireat laughter.) And as they have been gazing upon (his at-
tractive picture so long they cannot, in the little distraction that has
taken place in the party, bring themselves to quite give up the charming
hope ; but with greedier anxiety they rush about him, sustain him,
give him m trches, triumphal entries, »nd receptions beyond what even
ill the days of his highest prosi)erity they could have brought about iu
his favor. On the contrary, nobody has ever expected nie to be i)resi-
deut. In my poor, lean, lank face nobody has ever seen that any cabba-
ges were sprouting out." [See Illinois State Ilegister, July -'2, 1(S.')8.]
How differently two year's time showed the result. But not-
withstandin<>- all these disadvantajjes, one week later he addressed
J)oii;;las a note dated CIiica<>o July 24tli, by the hand of tlie Hon.
N. I). »Indd, for an arranjicment to "address the same andieiices
the present canvass.'.' Air. Douglas answered on the same day
that under the advice of tlu^ democratic State central committee
a list of apiiointments running" into October had been made for
him, at which legislative and congressional camlidates would also
•Condensed from 111. State Register of July 19, 1858.
•13
IIIHTOUV OF ILLINOIS.
l)('])i»'8('iit occtipyiiifr tlu» wlioh' tiiiH'. His wily iiiitiin' Ird him
I'lii'llicr to .sii;;;^('st tiiiit ill coiiipiiiiy witli .Mr. liiiicolii would Ik* a
lliiiil (MiHliiliilc lor \\w sciiiilc. ciiiixassiii;; llic S.'iilc Inr tlic soiti
|iiirpo.sf of tlividiii;; tlic (Iciiiocriit it- \o|i', wlio woiiM iiiso claiiii a
])oi'lioii of tlic time t'l'oin tlit> same stiiiKl ; ami t'iirlii«'r in tlii> saiiio
polilif vfiii cxiMfsscil ills siirpi'isf tlial Mr. Lincoln slioiild ii;i\(;
waited till aflci' his iippointiiK'iiis were out when tlic.v had Ixcii
to^ctlicr a niiinhcr of times lu>fon> ; hut whih^ not at liliert.v to
chiin^e his iippointiiifiits he took the respoit.siltility to sli)iiihite
for joint discussions in 7 coiiyressioiiiil districts, one iu each, tiiev
lia\ inn alrcjidy '•'*''' spoken in the L'diiiidtllii — Chicajidand Spiiiiy-
tield. lie named Oltiiwii, Frceporl, (^)iiiiicy. .loneslioro, Charlcs-
t(»li, (iiilcshili;; iilid Ailoii, the spciikiii;; to iiilciiiatc l»_\ opciiiiij;'
lor 1 lioiii', iiiisweiin;; U, and rcplyiiij; \ — he tukiii;;' the openiii<;s
at the lirst iind last places. Mr. Lincoln replied protestiiiji;i};aiiist
the insinnalions of iinfairness, which, he ihoiinht ;;roiiiidlcss iiml
unjust; denied any know !(■;;<' of his |daii of appointments;
thoiijilit Douglas hiid the iidviiiitii;:;e in tlie openinj;s and closiii;f.s
of the speaking', iiml iicce|ite(| tli(> pro|)osition. lint theirsepa-
liite iippointmeiits were siicli also that lliey usually followed cacli
otherin rapid order, in one |)iace, Sullivan, on the same day.
Thcchampioiistirst met for Joint disciissionat Ottawa. Tlu'y were
attended liy shorthand reporters, many Icadinji' n(^\vs|»apersal>roa(l
i...,i ti,.,;.. .!.......:..! .•....,. I. ...t^. .... il... ........ I.. I .....I ti... ^.. ....... 1...W
iij>oii a re.s(»liitioii that he mistakenly siii>posed the lirst Slate
republican convention had adojited at Sprin^tleld, (K'to\>er 4,
IS,") 1, and which had recognized Mr. Lincoln l»y jtlacin;; him on
the Slate central committee. The leadiii;^ ijiM'stion was wlielher
lie favored the unconditional iei)eal of the tiij;itive slave law ?
The resolution ]iropose<l " to repeal and entirely al»roj;ate the {'w/i-
tive slave law;" hut .Mr. Lincoln had already declared his reluct-
ant support of a Just and ecpiitable fii<;itive slave law, hecaii.sc the
constitution was mandatory upon that j)oiiit, and the repuhlicaii
conventions of 1S,")(;-.S had omitted to declare a<;aiist the rendi-
tion of fujuitives from lahor. Doiijilas, to prove Lincoln's posi-
tion extreme (»r incoiisisK lit, as also the republicans ;.teiierally,
..,,..!.. ,.o.. ..I- fi.:.. .......i..f ;.... ;..t.. .. i.;..i. i... i...^ 1...1 u. ti... si. . ..;..'..-
ardly iiifain\," &c.*
At T'lcejuut. <! days after. Mr. Lincoln answeretl Douglas's inter-
roj;atories, this one in the iie<;ative, and tlieii itropounded 4 to
* Ti) ,=hnw the iU'))tli of part}' anrl porsoniil feelinj;: nij'nin.st DouKliis iit tlu; time, the
Cliioiiyo /'/v.^.i ,(• Tn'/doic spoke of hitii lit Oi til wii. ns follows : "lie liowle(.", lie rmitod,
he bellowed, he piiw(.(i clirt, lie shook his lieuil, he turned livid in the fiiee. ho struck
his riplit hiinu Into Ills left, he toiiiiied iit tlie mouth, be uimthematizeU, be cursed, he
exulted, he Uomineured— he pluyed Duuirlua."
HKNATOIIB IN C'ONtJUKSS.
713
J)<)ii<;lii.s, wliicli the, latter procccdctl to iiiiswcr iiiiiiictliiitcly,
liiaUiii;; llicni tlic siihjcct of his spcrcli. Wliilc this piovt-d liis
I't'atly iiiid woiMh'il'iil powers of deltate, it woiihl lui\e perhaps
been well to have delilM-rateil some time as Mr. I.ineolii had done,
'i'he LM intenoj;iiloi'.v was : '•('an tiie people of a I'nited States t<'r-
litor.v, in any lawfnl way, a;;ainst the wishes of any eiti/.eii of tho
I'nited States, exelnde slavery from its lindts jtiior to the forma-
tion (d' a State eonstitiition T
The iMi'd Seoil d»'eision was, lliat eoiiffiess had n()i'i}>'lit to pro-
luhit u citizen of the IJidted States from takinjiany proi>erty wideli
lie lawfully held into a territory (d' the I'nited States; iind tiiat
if eoii;.;ress (;t»uld not <lo this, it eoidil not anthori/e a territorial
j,'ov«'rnment, in the absence of any distinction in j>ro|ieity, to
i'Xelnde slaves, wid(rh W('i(^ pro|»erty under the constitution. In
his ('liica;;o speech, I)ouj;la> had said tiiat to tiiis decision of tho
aiu;;usL triiinnal of the sM|>reme court lie bowed with deferi'uce,
Now he said : *'l answer emphatically that in my opinion thtr peo-
ple of a territory can l)y lawful UM'ans exclude slavery before it
comes in as a State. !\lr. Lincoln knew that I had };iven that
answer over and overa^iain." Jbit in the \ery next breath he inti-
mated that this could only be done by th(^ adoption of unfriendly
police ic^idat ions, by the territoiial le<;islatuir withholding- tho
needed local <u' munici[)al laws, without which slavery could not
exist a day anywhere.
The Freep«>rt speech caused J)ou^las to be severely denounced,
not onlyat home but abroad, by repidtlicans, for his ;.;ross inconsist-
ency and (;lian<.;e of front, an<l throughout the south as havin;;' at
last shown his cloven foot ; they could ha\e no further conlidenceiii
SI noithern nnin who unnecessarily espoused their interests aj^ainst
his own section.
Alter this the general scojk' of their discussions was not inate-
lially enlarged. It was slavery in thu territories and the rights
of tiu' p«'oplc in rel;iti<Hi thereto, Mr. Lincoln insisting that <'on-
gress, notwithstanding the <)l>it('r ilictinn of the supreme court in
tlie Died Scott decision, had the right, the same as when the ordi-
nance of ITS? was ado|»ted, to exclude slavery, and ought to <'x-
ereise it ; and Mr. Douglas holding that the vexed (piestion i>ught
to be refeired to the people of the teiiitory immediately con-
cerned, to settle as their otlier domestic institutions in their own
boveieign way, std>ject only to the constituli(Ui id" the I'ldted
States. Mr. Jiincolii did not assume an attitude (d" hostility to
slavery in the States, other than that he desired it '"to be jtut in
course of ultimate extinction," the language of his lbs' c«»nveu-
tion speech. He did not repeat or enlarge upon the extrenio
ground (d' this si»eech, but constantly guarded against it, though
Douglas throughout tin* debates essayed to push him on to it.
Whilst there were but 7 joiid discussions, the two <'ham])ion.s
Lad their separate programmes for si»eaking so arranged for them
that they addressed very nearly the same crowds in nuiny coun-
ties of the State, some times on the same day, but oftener with only
a very short time intervening. In Sidlivan, ALoultrie (county, where
they spoke on the same day, a serious collision bet ween their
respective (U'owds was innninent for u time. Mr. Lincoln had pur
po.sed deferring his spee<!h to the last, but asa separate stand had
been erected by the republicans in the north part of the town,
714
IIISTOllY (»!<' ILLINOIS.
tlu'v ioniH'd ;i iJi-occssicni of tlieir ibrci's, aiid in Jiiarcliiiig' tliiflicr
iittciiiiitcd \o p) lij^lit tliioiijili tlu'otlici' crowd in tiii' stivct \v1mm:o
])oiij;Iii.s was spfaiciiij;. and out of tin-ir way. Tiiiswas not to l»ii
brooked ; a parley eiisuetl. diirini;- wiiicii tini band wajion was
attempted to he driven tlironjili tiie crowd and a contiict was tlie
iiiiniedate result. l>ut tliiouj^Ii tlie coMiniandiiij;' voice of Doug-
las, beyond a few blows, a general melee was averted.
At NN'incbester, liis first li(»me, Douglas' entliusiastic greeting
Masdeei)ly touching. The old county of Scott was never so aronsetl
before. His arrival was aiMKumced by tluM'oar of cannon and
the glad shouts of a large assendtlage. Here among these people
the now great senator had lirst cast his lot a pennilt-ss stranger.
Here he had taught school, ami aiming his auditt>ry were gray-
haired siics and foiul old matrons who had entrusted to him the
education of their children, and ] in j tils w hom he had taught. All
the old settlers well reinembei'cd him in his ]»overty and obscurity,
and doubtless the entire community weie now aninnitcd liy that
l)leasant pride ami alfection which said "we are the makers ol' this
great man" — glor,\iiig in his fame and ])ros))eiity — and with that
feeling welconu'd the whilom schoolmaster in his present character
of the great ^vinerican statesman. Let the reader trust both the
heart and mind of Douglas to suitably deal with the occasion of
sucii a kindly reunion, and display to the utmost those wondeil'ul
powers ot' ehHjneiice whi<'li were placed under additiomil tribute*
l>y the time, circumstance and ])Iace. lie alluded, in the most
touching manner, to his advent and residence at NN'inchester, his
early struggles and hoiu'st efforts for a beginning in a slrange
hin<l ; the ready imagination of his hearers readily suggesting the
rest, while many a tear of Joy crept down furrowed cliceks as the
spontaneous outburst of cheers from frieml and political foe rent
the air, and rdtcstcd the opinion of all in entire approbation of his
subs«'(picnt career, more exalted, but among true Ameriv-ans, m»t
more htinoralile. The audience and occasion were suggestixe of a
rich vein of sentimental topics to tint orator, and none escaped
him or were omittcil. It is a source of regret that this speech, so
Avell calcidated to gi\e us a fuller insight into the depth of Doug-
his' better nature, was not recorded.
The result <»f the election I'eturiied to the legislattire, in tlio
house, 4(( dem(»crats and .')."> re])ul)licans ; the senate stood it dem-
ocrats and 11 rci»ul)licans. giving the tbriner <S majority on joint
ballot. The rc|»ul>licaiis carried the State by a ])lnrality, the vote
standing: repuldicaiis, ll't,(i!».S ; democrats, J21,11M>; Ituchanaii
democrats, and s<'atteiing. 4..S(i.').
And now th(> administiatioii cli(pie, defeated in their etforts f(»
beat Douglas, fell out among themselves, ami blamed each other
for the icsidt. It seems that some of the Ibn-hanan ollice-holdcrs,
like Ike Cook ami others, favored the direct su])])(nt of the lepub-
licans at the polls, while others, like \l. 15. (,'ari»enter,t et<'., made
the tight against Douglas and the rejaiblicans, both, on ]>rinciple.
Many charges of subserviency, gi'oss dece]>tion of the president as
to their strength, blumlers, tollies and \illainies. were bandied.
back and forth. C'ol. -John J)otigherty, the adnunistration candi-
•SeeUl. State Ht'trister, Sept. ^n, ia."i8
tSeo hl8 letter to ChicuKO Democrat, Nov., 1858.
SENATORS IN CONGKKSS.
715.
(late inr treasurer, wiio liad received less than i"),0()0 votes out of
tlic one loiiitli of ii million cast, issued a manifesto to llie jx'ople
of Illinois, through tlu' Cairo (iaztlt.., '■'H'iuV\U}i tiie entire demo-
cratic party out of tlu; party, and insisting;- that their (lelej^ates
should not l)(^ admitted to the Charleston convention [in ISflO].''*
1'lie Uuclianan party now atfeeted to believe that J)ou;;las would
he defeated before the lejiisiaturc; but wiien the time came tlu're
Avere no o]>pom'nts to him l)efore the <lemo('rati(! eaueus,t tliouiili
he was absent, and he was re-elected by ~)i votes to 31r. Lincoln
4(5. lie telegiaphed back from lialtimore — '"Let tlie voice of tlie
people rule."
Tims ternnuated this unprecedented senatorial contest, which
was wa,i;»'d throuiihont with a vi>;<»r and spirit which ha<l no par-
allel in the liistoiT of parties in this or any otiier fcltate. JJotli the
yreat politi(!al or;Lianiziitions fought witli a liercjcuess which never
]a,ui;c(l for a moment, but increased with every cominji' day. W'nh
Douglas, a[»pai(Mitly, liis political fortune was ut stake. The repub-
licans, after the election, complimented 3Ir. Lincoln for the strong
and noble fn;ht he had made, vihat no otiier man in the State
could have done for the cause; and they consoled him in the lau-
guaye of Tope:
"More true Joy ISrarcellua exiled feels
Tlmn Ciesar with iixniu/int his //c/.v.''
]\rr. Lincoln was thus broujiht consi»iciU)uly before the uatioi) as
one of the altlesf leaders of the oppt).sition ; and. in tlu' humble
opinion of tlu^ writer, tliis ^^reat contest, which i)rinnirily li'sultcd
simpl\ in the nudcin<;' ot a U. S. semitor of one of the contestants,
directed the pidtlic eye to the merits of the otliei'. and caused him
to bccouu' the standard bearer, two years later, of that j»arty
whose cardimd principle denninded freedom for the public donunn,
and wliicli. aided Ity the divisions in the laidcs of the democracy,
carried him by their voices trium|)hantly into the jti'esidential
chair; which the south deemed asullicient alfront tor disunion.
ilavinji' consunu'd so much space to complete the sketch of our
senators in con^i'css. we can only say tinit to the seat of l)ou<:las,
aft«'r his death in lS(iL succeeded. 1st, the lion. (). II. I'.rowninj;'
by appointment fr(un ()o\-. Vates; 2d, the legislature in lS(i."». be-
inji democratic, and iierce in partisan si>irit, IJrownin;; failed of
conlirmatiiMi. and the Hon. \\'. A. IJichardson was elected for the
remainder of i>ouj;ias' unexpired teiiu. in the three e\ccuti\i-
appoinlnu'iits to seimtorial vacancties in the history of the State —
Jlaker in l.S.'5(>, Semple in IS4.'). and Ibownin.n' in ]iS(ll — only one,
that of Sem}»le, has Iteen conlirmed by the legislature. In ISO,")
IJichard Yates was elected to the same seat for a full t«'rm, and he
in ISTl was succeeded by (ieu. .John A. L();;an, who i'^ the second
uutivc lllinoisan that has ever tilled that exalted c>,lice for thi.s
State.
* "Not linvintf the fear of nimiliers licfort' his I'.vos, ho bolilly ruled ttic l:il, ((00 di'ino-
cnits who voti'ti for Ooiiiflus, out, to graze ii|)on the (toinnion, as unworihy n associate
Willi him, undsat thetiutucrut ot'tho party in Illinois"— said tlie St. LouIb iVf/'"''"''"" at
tho tiiiio.
+ Thonirh in Soptoiiilior .Tiuipro Bropso inrtletti>rto >Jr. Tloyakiii. of the Hcllevillo
Demiivrot. wrote : "rdeiiiaml asa rivlit to know who reiinested you to say as you have
sail! in an editorial in your paper of the 4th. that ",1 udue Ilreeso is not, nor will hu be,
u eundiUatu for the U. S. senate in ooposltiou to Mr. Douglas.''
Chapter LIII.
I«fil-18C5— ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR YATES.
rurt}i Conventions of 18(50 — The two Great Labor Systems of the
Country in Direct Antaf/onism — Life and Character of Gover-
nor Yates — Lieutenant Governor Hoffman — Condition of the
State and Compatutive Growth since 1850.
The reimbliciiii Stiito coiiveiitioii of 18G0 met at Decatur, May
9tli. Every (;<)unt,v ex('ei)t I'uliiski was represented. The Hon.
Joseph (Jillespie, of 3Ia<lisoii, was ehosen to preside over its
deliberations. For tlie candidacy of "governor there were tliree
asi)irants: Norman IJ. Jinhl, of Cook, Leonard Swett, of McLean,
and Jvicluird Yates, of Morjian. On tlie first babot Ju(hl received
24."» votes, Swett 101, Yates 18.'{and .Fames Knox 12; on the tliird
ballot Jnchl received liis highest number, 2(5;}; on tiie fourth all
the Swett men but ;{() went to the su]>port of Yates, jiivin<i' liim
3(5.'{ votes, which nominated him. Ju(l(l had incurred the Ibiinid-
able op[)osition of the Chiciip,<) ./>('H««c>vr^, then a, power with the
republican i)arty of the State. Fraiu'is A. notfman, of DuPag^e,
was next nominated as a candidate for lieuti'uant jioverm)r by
acclamation. The lenuiinder of the ticket was : For auditor, Jesse
K. Dubois; for treasurer, AVilliam Ibitler ; for secretary o^" State,
O. M. Hatch, and for superintendent of jtublie iiistnu'tion, New-
ton Jiateman — all incund)ents. The JUoomin<;ton idatform of 4
years before was I'e-adoitted with a stron^^er i»lank regardinji the
rij^Iit of tbrciyners, doubtless to sweeten the slijihtly remaininjjf
taint oi' know nothinjiisni that democrats mif^htsc'cnt about repub-
lican jiarmcnts. They als(» declared lor a homestciul act by con-
gress, iind the imnu'diate admission of Kansas as a fiee State. A
lesolution was adopted that Abraham Lin(;olii was the choice of
the re]>ublican ])arty (»f Illinois tor i»resident, and tlu' delejiates
from this State were instructed to use all honorable means to
secure his nomiiuition at the Chictajio convention, aiul to vote for
him as a unit. A motion to strike out the last ehmse was
defeated.
Ml'. II )ffriian, candidate for lieul. iiant governor, it will be
rcmemlt( red by the reader, was nominated lor the same i>lace: on
the republican ticket in 18r)(5. but shortly after was found not t(»
be eliuihle to the ollice if elected, lie being a (ieniian and not a
cili/.cM for It years as the constitution re(piired. lb :iow refused
to run for tlu^ position, alleging ill health. The Slate central com-
mittee put the name of Hon. Vital -lariot, of St. Claii'. (Ui the
ticket in his stead. iJut the congressional convenlion of the 3d
716
YATES' ADMINISTRATION. 717
disti'ii't iit l)l()()iiiiiij>t(>n li'fiiscd to nitify liis iioiniiiiitioii, wlieie-
ui)<)ii li(i also (Iccliiicd to inn. The objciition was that it ^avcbotli
jjnbi'niatoiial caMdidatcs to tlie sontlnMii portion of tin; kStati^.
The StattMtonvcntion was thcrcniton rccalltMl and met aj;ain, tiiin
time at Sprin^iiield, An«;nst (Stli, on occasion of tlic: j;reat republi-
can mass meetinjjat tlieliomcof Lincoln, one of tlu' jirandest out-
l»ourin<;s of the people and largest ci\ icdcmonstration with which
any public man was ever iionored. In convention, on motion of
i\lr. Janot, Air. Iloti'man Inul leave; to withdraw his letter of
declination, and his nomination was auaiii unanimously coidhined.
The State democratic coiivenrion of 1S(»(> met at Sprinjificld in
the hall of the house of reju'esentatives, ,hine l.'Jth. Hon. Wm.
]\IcMuitry, of Knox, presided. On the lirst ballot to nominate a can-
didate for <;()Vernor, J. (J. Allen, (»f Crawford, received loT votes ; S.
A. ]>u(!kmaster, of .Madison, SI •,,!. L. I). Morrison, of St.Clair. SS;
iS'ewton Cloud, of Alorj^an, (m ; W. J>. Scates, of Cook, 14; ,J. A.
McCleinand and 1». 8. Edwards, both of Sanj^amon, 2 each. U\i
the second ballot it was soon disclosed that Allen was the favorite,
and all the other comi>etitors beinj;' withdrawn before the
annouiu'emeid of the vote, Allen's nomiimtion was made nnanim-
ons. The balance of the ticket was: i-'or lieutenant jiovernor, L.
AV.lvoss, of Fulton; secretary of !State,(r. 11. Campbell, of Loj;an ;
auditor, Bernard Arnt/eii, of Adams; treasurer, llnjih Maher, of
Cook; superinteuilent of public instiiu-tion. Dr. E. It. Roe, of
McLean. Their resolutions ivatlirnu'd the princii>les of the Cin-
cinnati i)latform of IS.KI, approved the course of the delej;ntes to
the Charleston convention, and expressed their contidence in Ste-
phen A. Doufilas for presideid.
On July the 11th, the Ibu'hanan or 15reckinrid<;(! democracy met
in convention also at Sprinjitield, and put the followinj;' State
ticket in the field: For governor. Dr. Thonnis iM. Hope, of a^Lldi-
son ; lieutenant fi'overnor. Thomas Sui'li, of DeAVitt; secretary <»f
State, 13. T. IJurke, of Maitonpin ; auditor, Henry S. Smi-'i, of
Ivnox; treasurer, W. H. Catlier, of Adams; su])erintendei.t of
])nblic instruction, J. II. Dennis, of St. Clair; the electors at la r<ie
beinj4' John Dougherty ami Thompson C'ampbell. illeven coun-
ties out of lOli wen; represented by o.'} (U'lejiates, 41 of whom
V ere currently rei)orted at the time as federal otti(;e-holders.
The IJell-Everett State convention met at Decatur, Auj-'. 1«», ISOO.
Thirty couidies were re])resented by an aujiiejiate of ItU delejiates.
They nonunated the followinj;' ticket: For {i'overnor, the Hon.
John T. Stuart, of Sanj;amon ; lieutemint governor, Heniy S.
IMackburn, of Kock Island; secretary of State, James Monroe, of
Coles; auditor, James D. Smith, of Sanyamon ; treasurer, ,Ioiui-
than Stamper, of Macon ; .sui)erintendent of public instruction,
D. J. Sm)w, of San<>amon ; electors at la rye, M. Y.Johnson, of
JoDaviess and D. M. Woodson, of Cheen.
Thus 4 tickets were in the field. The juditical contest of 18(50
over the question of slavery was the most nH)mentous in the his-
tory of this nation. The two great labor systems of the country,
free an<l slave, rei)resentin}>- their respective sections, were brought
into direct antagonism for the first time in a i)residential election.
The southern wing of the denu)cratic party, si>urning Douglas and
liis theory of po[)ular sovereignty at Charleston, si)lit from ds
northern associate, and eagerly brought forward the labor
718
IIISTOKY OF ILLINOIS.
M .-'
systoiii of its section iiiid oi>|)os(i(l it to that of tlio north. Tlie
issue thus iii('S(*nt<'(l was so clcaily (U'lincd tliat it was impossi-
ble to lonj;' oeciipy any iniddU- jjronnd. The power of Donyhis
tUone liehl his foHowers to one for a time, but it was apparent liiat
all between would soon l)e but a eliaotie mass, whose j)nrtieies,
drifting hither and thither, nuist find lodyinent on the side within
vhose, sectional or loeal focus of attracttion lliey ehaiieed to come.
The iiM'Xorable logic of events disclosed the completion of au
inevitable destiny. The house was indeed divided against itself,
and the irrepressible contlict was at hand. The canvass jtroved
both an exciting and determined oiu", and the fearful cousecpieu-
(picuces ha\-e jtassed into history, ai)undantly and ably written up
by other hands.
The victory at the ])olls for the rei>ublicans of Illinois" in bS(5()
was complete. They carried the presidential and State tickets,
ami gained both houses oi the legislature, each by a small um-
jority. For goveiiioi-, Vates received J72.1JKJ, Allen ir>U,'2'>',>,
istua'rt l.fJlM;, Hope ]l,m\) ami Chickering l.l-t(>. The vote on the
presidential ticket was: for i.iucoln, 171. UKi; Douglas, l.">S,L'r»-t;
IJcll-lOverctt, 4,.sr)l ; iind lireckenridge, 2,L'!>2. With few excep.
tions the adherents of the latter two tickets — i)articularly the
leaders of the Hreckiuridge faction— were shortly afterwards ab-
sorbed by the republican party, where some of the IJuchanan nu'U
have sin(!e attaiiu'd <listiuetion, both for their radicalism and suc-
cess in obtaining oHice,
Iiichard Yates was born January IS, ISIS, on the banks of the
Ohio river, at \N'arsaw, (iallatin county. Kentucky. His fiithcr,
in 1.S;{1, moved to Illinois, and setth^l (ii ;er stoitjiing f(U' a time
in Springtield,) at islan<I (irove. Sangamon county. Here, after
attending school, IJichard Join;'d the family. Subse(pu'ntly, he
entered Illinois College, at .Jaeksoiixille, where, in 1(S.'>7, he grad-
uated with first honors. lie chose for his profession the law, the
Hon. .1. .). Hardin being his instructor. After admission to the
bar he soon rose to distiucticui as an advocate, (lifted with a
fluent ami ready oratory, he soon a])peared in the pcvlitical hust-
ings, and being a passionate admirer of the great whig leader of
tli«' west, Henry ('lay, lu^ joined his jiolitical fortunes to the party
of his idol. In 1S4(> he engaged with gieat ardor in the exciting
''hard cider ('ami)aign"' for Harrison. Two years later he was
elected to the legislaluic fro.i Morgan c(uinty, a democratic
sti'(Uigliold. lie served three or tour terms in the legislatuic,
and such was the fascination of his oratory, that by IHiiO hks
larg<' eougressioual district, extending from Morgan and Sanga-
mon iKUtli to include La Salle, unanimously tendered him the
wdiig: nomiimtion. His opponent of the democratic ])arty, was
Major Thomas L. Harris, a xcry ]!opular imin, who had won dis-
tinction at the battle of Cerro (Jordo, in the late war with Mexico,
a4id who, though the district was whig, ha<l beaten tor the same
])osition. tw(» years belbre, the Hon, Stephen T. Logan by a huge
majority. The contest between Yates and Ilairis, animating and
persevering, icsidted in the election of the fornu'r. Twt> years
later, the (b'Uiocracy ungenerously thrust asi<le Major Harris and
pitted .lolin Calhoun against Yates, and, though Calhoun was a
man of great intellect, and w hen aroused, of unsurpassed ability
YATKS' ahaitntstkatiox. 719
as a political debater — wlioiii Mr. Miicniii iiiid siiid lie would
dreiid u^^)i•^' in dehiit" than sinv niiiii in IliiMitis — tiic it-sidl \vi\H
as Itetbre. It was dnrinj;' V;ites' second term tiiat (lie ^reat;
question of the repcid of tiu^ Missouri (M>nii>ronnse (^iinie l)erore
citn-iress, ajjidnst which he early arniyed ininseU', iind took de-
cided iind advanced anti-slavery j;ronntl in a speech of raro
oratory and I'lMuarkalde i)ower, whicii gained idni natianal rej)-
ntation. IJut we have seen that at tins formative peiiod of tho
republican party, the whiji's of central Illinois, unwiiiinj;- to join
their fortunes with a sectional party, went with the democracy,
and in l<S."il, Major Harris beiu};' a<>ain his opponent for conjuri'ss,
Yates was defeated on the. >«'ebraska. issuer by only about LMK)
votes in the district which had ;.':iven Pierce two years before
2,()(M> majority over Scott. Six years later he was elected {gov-
ernor by the |)arty, tor tlie aid in the formation (»f which he had
snlfered this defeat.
liichard Yates occupied the (tliair of State durin*;' the most
critical peiiod of our country's Idstory. In the fate of the nation
was invol\('»l the destiny of the States. Tlu^ lil;'-strujr,ule of the
f'(»rmei' derived its sustenance from the loyalty of the latter. The
position of j^overnor of a j^reat State was, therefon', impoi'tant
and responsible, as it was capable of beinj;' exerted foi- vast
<>()od or inimens<^ evil. Need it l)e said that in this tryiui^' period
lie discliarj;«'<l his duty with i>atriotic fidelity to tlu^ cause of the
nation? (Jov. Yates had many valuable attributes for his Injuh
station in this ordeal of the (U)untry. His loyalty was as undoul)ted
as it proved itself true. He was tlicM-lose ])ersonal fiieiul of Pres-
ident Lincoln. liis ardent devotion to the I'nion \^■as founded
upon a deep love for it. AVhih' he had been early identilied with
the formation of the republican party, he had not been connected
with the ohl abolitionists, a.nion<'' whom were persons who ])re-
ferreilthe success of their lioltby to the safety of the I'lnon. l>ut
above all, he had a deep hold upon the atfections of the people,
won by his movin<i' ehxiuence and jicnial manners. He inspired
stronj;- attachments anionj;liis partisan friends. Nature had fash-
i(»ne(l him to be a<lnnred by the masses. Handsome, ei'cct and
symmetrical iu peison, with a winnin,u- address and a magnetic
power, few men jtosssessed moi'e of the elements of popularity.
Ilis (»rat(uy, into the spirit of which he entered with appaicnt for-
{t'ctfulness of self, was scholarly and captivatin<i', the hearer hardly
knowinj; why he was transported. Thou<;h less logical than elo-
quent, he reasoned well, and alway; inspired deep and en<]uiin<if
partisan attachments. He was social and con vivial toanenniu'nt
dej^ree, traits of character, which, however, were sul»jecte<l to
little of puritanic denial ; but in the very excesses of his appetites
lie has cairie<l witli him the sympathies of the people, almost irre-
spective of party, on account of liis many noble attributes of head
and heart.
The very creditable military eflforts of this State durinjj the war
of the rebellion, in puttinj;' her (piotas, aj>jnrej;atin;4 the enormous
number of about 2(H),00()* soldiers in the tield, wereever[>roin[)tly
"In IHTiO Illinois had II population of 851,470, iind accordinir to tho arniv rc^iUicr for
IK.')!, licr militia nuinl)eri;d 17i>,;V)9, 4,lt)H of vhorn were coinniissionerl o'lliocrs: m IKdO,
Blie had a population of 1.711. uril, whicli would have Kiven her at the breakin«- out of
theiehellion. In 18(11. a niilitiu force of 350,000, uud out of this number nearly ^00,000
volunteers were furnished.
720
niSTOKT OF ILLTNOrS.
and iibl.v .so(!Oii(U>(l li),v liis oxciillciuty : lie was iiinhitioiis to dosorve
tilt' title of tlie soldiers' friend. Ilis proeliiniations eallinji for vol-
unteers are iMii)assioniite iippeids, iirjiiii;; the <luties and recpiiie-
ments of patriotism njion tlie])eopIe; and liis special nu'ssajics to
tlie last denuxrratie le;;islatnre of this State, pleadinj;' for material
aid for the sick and wonnded soldiers of Illinois i'ej;iments, 'oicathe.
a deep fervor of noltle sentiment and feelin<;- rarely ecpialled in
beanty or felicity of expression, (li'iieially his messajicson politi-
cal or civil affairs were al>le and comprehensive; tlionj;h on these
suUJects, i)articnlarly th<^ formei', his style is perhaps too tlorid
uikI ditfuse. There were no (State ci\ il events of an en^rossinj;'
character dnrinj'' (lov. Yates' adnnnistration ; two years of it,
however, were re])lete with partisan (piarrels of j^reat bitterness,
dnrinj;' the sittinj^' of the constitutional conxcntion of l.S(J2, and
the sessions of the last democratic lej;islatni'e in I<S<I.'), which hit-
ter body he finally s(|nelclied by his act of prorojiation. These
the reader will find summed up further alonji'. The oi>eiiition.s
of Illinois regiments in the Held are also elsewhere recorded in
detail.
Lieut.Gov. TToffman was born at Ilerford, Prussia, 1822. He
was the son of a bookseller, ami educated at the Frederich Wil-
liam (lymnasium of his native town. At the age of bS he enn-
grated to America, lamling i)euniless in IS'ew York, lionowing
$8 he started west, and after a toilsome Journey re,a(;lu'd Chi-
cago in 1840. INIoneyless and unable to speak the English lan-
guage, he taught a simdl (iernmu school at Dunkh'y's Grove,
Dul'age county, at $'>() a year, with the privilege of "boarding
ai'ound'' among its ]iatrons. Next, having stmlie(l theology, ho
was ordained a minister of the Lutheran church. l>i J8r)2 he
remoAed to Chicago, .^^tudied law, was successful in the real estate
business, became a. free-banker in 18."»4, and as such, with the
secession of 18<>1 and the downfall of our "stumptail" cuii'cncy,
failed, lie had annually published, in German, a review of the
commerce and finances of Chicago, and scattering thousands of
copies in his native land, nuitei'ially benefited her growth ; and ah
commissioner of the foreign land department of the Central IJail-
road Com])any, he was instrumeidal in inducing iminy thousands
of Gernnin fannlies to purchase lands and settle in Illinois.
lie early took an active interest in public affairs, in 1847 he
was a member of the famous Kiver and Harbor convention at
Chicago. In 1853 he was elected alderman for the 8tli ward of that
city. lie was among the first of the prominent Germans of the
northwest to advocate the anti-slavery cause by writing tb:;- the first
German newspaper of Chicago, and translating from the (iermau
for tlm Democrat. In 1848 hesupjiorted Van lluren for the i)resi-
dency; with the I'epeal of the Missouri coni])romise he aided in
the orgaiiizatiou of the republican party, and in 185(5 canvassed
the State for Fremont. Well ediuiated, a clear mind, decision and
energy, he acquitted himself with dignity and impartiality as the
presiding officer of the Senate during a period replete with parti-
san strife, and the nu)st perilous iu our history.t
Comparative Growth of the State since 1850. — The national cen-
sus of 18C0 revealed for Illinois a population of 1,711,951, against
tSue ''UiutjfruphiL'al Skutchea of leading luea of Chicugo," by A. Sliuinan.
YATES' ADMINISTRATION. 721
H-IU^TO in l<Hr»() — iiu increase of ovor 100 por cent, in tlic jnvcjod-
in<;- «l('(M(i('. Tiiis rimkcd licr as tlic, lourtli State in tiie Union in
point of |io])iiIation, and entitl<>d lier to 11 mendx-rs in tlie lower
iionsc^ of (•on<;ress.
The followinj; table from the census re[)()rts show her increase
in wealtii during tins peiiod :
ClosAiK iif J'i«jiirty. IHM. ISOO
Uciiliiixl pcrsorml $ir)0.(KM),()00 $H71.(K)0.000
ViiliK- of tiirina !«i,tK)(i,(HK» 4:):.'.(kmi,{)
Viiliic of fiirir:lritf iinplementa (i,(KK),(M)0 1S.(kh),(kio
Viildc of on^lmnl producfs 44(MMl» 1,1 t.V.tHil
ViiliR' of livestock 24.()0(I,(KK) 7;t.4:»,(KiO
Viiliie of aniiiials sliiuiifhtered 4,»7~',UOO 15,0. u.tHM
Whont nilsed. No. bushelB 9,414,000 L'l,ir.!t.00.1
rorii raised, No. I)\i8liel8 57,54(i.H(M( lir),:.".ni,(XK)
Hnrli-v. No. Inishfls 110,(i{K) l,nr),(XlO
Itiickwiieat, No. liushels 1H4,(HK) ;il.")(K«l
Potatoes, N(i. bushels 2,r)14,0(iO .'),7!m,iH'4
Hnv.tons (iOl.a^S l.KU.LMlj
Hatter. Il)s l.aKMMK) 2S,;!:t7,(KK)
Tohaeeo. lbs H41,:m4 7,(il4,2;U
Total No of acres Improved 500,000 l;V~i>liDOO
This shows the a}j}.;rej;ate wealth of ISoO to have multiplied live
times in one decade ; the value of farms 4^ times. P.ut wiiile the
census of 18(»0 j^ave us a total proi»ert,v value of $871,000,000 the
assessed value for the same year was not quite $;j90,000,000. Illi-
nois was the first corn and wheat producing;' State in the Union ;
in value of her live stock she was .second; in cattle, Texas and
Ohio were ahead ; in the number of horse.s, Ohio was also ahead,
havinj; 022,829 to Illinois 575,1(51 ; in the number of improved
acres, Xew York alone led her by about 1,000,000 acres.
The permanent debt of the State in 18G0 was $10,277,101.
46
ClIAPTKK T.IV.
ILLINOIS IN TlIK WAK OF THE IfKUKLLION.
Slavery — Sectional Anta{foui.sm — Sevesnion — Inauffxratioit i>/ Linci>hi
— Call for Volunteers — Proclamation of (Jov. Yaten — Uprisiny of
the People.
Ill 1801 the (Ircat Ikchcllioii iissmiicd ii (Idiiiito sliiipc, iind a civil
war of the most astoiiiidiii^' iiiannitiKlc roUowcd. Tlic |»iiiiiary
cause oftlic aiitaji'oiiisiii wiiich existed iietwecii the Noillieni and
Soiillieni sections of the rni(»n was the institution of sla\t'ry.
Other afi'eiicies doiibth'ss served proxiinatclv to intensify tiie Iios-
tility iinfortniiately eiijiciKh'icd, l»nt in e\ery instance, if ii<tt
directly connected with this yrear national evil, their remote orij;iii
could he tracked to it.
The fedei-al constitution i'eco;L;nized slavery, but itsfrainers su])-
])osed that in the dinerent States where it existed the lu'ui<4ii iii-
tluences (»f free institutions and the palpable advanta.^cs of iVee
hibor, would extiri>ate it without the intervention of the .ucneral
government. These happy anticipations at lirst seemed likely to
l)e realized. Cominenciiii;' with the more norlhern of tiie slave
States the work of emancipation jiradually extended soutiiward
till it reached Virjiinia, Maryland and Kentucky, wliere its further
|)ro,uress was stayed. The i^rowth of cotton in the (liilf States
had in the meantime become a source of vast wealth, and the be-
lief that slavery was essential to its (cultivation jjcreutly m<»dilied
the repu;inance with which it had hitherto been re.yarded. The
remaininji" sla\e States, now actuated In pecuniary considera-
tions, abandoned the idea of emancipation ami acce])ted shivery
as a ]>ermancnl institution. The invention of the cotton-.iiin and
other machinery <;ave a new impetus to the cultivation of cotton,
and the fabrics maiuifactured Irom it, and those eii.i;a<;'ed in this
great branch (jf industry soon resolved not only t(» protect slavery
where it existed, but demanded new territory for its future expan-
sion. Ill carving new States out of the vast iinoccu])ied porlioii
of the national domain, a bitter sec'tional contest arose as to
whether the new members of the confederacy should belong to the
empire of freedom or slavery. The opponents of slavery were de-
sirous of restricting it to its original limits, but the cotton States
threatened to withdraw from the Union if their demands were not
granted, thus causing grave a]>prehensions for tln^ satV'ty of the
rejuiblic unless the question could be amicably adjusted. Pend-
ing the admission of Missouri into the Union a compromise wa;' at
length eflected, making the southern boundary of that State tlie
THE WAR OF THE IlEIIBLIitQN.
723
liiii' nC(l('iii;iikati<»ii bctwi^iMi free and sliivi' territory. Tliis wiis
siipiHistMl iit tilt' tiiiu' to l)t' :i tiiial scttlcirifiit of the <laii<;fi'(>iis
«|(ifsti(Mi, tor no one jtroposcd to intcitVn' with slavery witiiin its
origin:)! limits.
The reeomiition and jnoteetion tlins otlered inspired new eontl-
denee in tlie advoeales of slaxeiy, and so eidianeed the valne of
its capital thai lliey nltiinately became the principal elements of
sonthein wealtii. \\'itii her capital thus in\('ste«[ the sonth nee-
«'ssarily hecanu' aj;ricnltiiral, and iience the a;;itation that arose
in regard to the tarilf, eidminatlMj^ in the attempt of Sonth Caro-
lina to nnllify the laws ol'the I'. S. for eolleetinj; dnties. ^'otwitli-
standing: ri'peated threats on the part of tliis refractory inenilMU'
of the i"ni<tn to withdraw, the sturdy deterndnation of .Jackson
.sccuri'd llie enlbicenieiit of law. Imt the cause which had l»ro-
dneed the distnri>ance still existed, ami soon dis(;lose(l itself in
nnother form. IJy the treaty with Mexico vast aeiiessions of
territory wi<ire made to the national domain, and sonthern ])oliti-
e.iaiis insisted on the repeal of the Missouri eompronnse, declarinj^
they had a ri^ht under the eonstitntioii to take their chattels to
any part of the west<'i'n territory an<l compete with the north in
the Co; m.ition of new States. The «|iiestion was bronj^lit before
tiie national le}j;islatnre, and this compact, oriyinally established
for the benefit of slavery, for the same purpose was now annulled,
thei'eby renew inj"- sectional agitation and ainmosity. The fertili!
plains of Kansas, situated within the re;;ion which had bewn con-
.secrated to frecMlom, were rapidly attraetinj;' population, and a
(ier<'e stiiijii^le imm«'diately arose t(t decide whether the territory
sliould be admitted int(» the I'nion as a fr«'e or slave State. As
its elmracler in this respect must now be determined by the \ote
of actual resi<U'nts, eini^ranls in ureat numbers were hurried into
it IV(un the rival seeti(»ns. Altera protra«'ted (loiitest tluM-ham-
pions ofshneiy. liinlinj;- themselvi's in the minority, ami knowiiii-'
jlie result of the ballot aould be a<iainst them, endeavored to<;aiii
aseenden(;y by inti-i^iie and vi(dence.
The starllinj^- fact ii<»w becnnie ai»]iarent, even to the southei-n
mind, that while slavery euiiblcd the few who owned and con-
trolled it to anmss princely foitunes, and live idle and pi()tlj;ate
lives, it correspondingly imi»overished the States in which it ex-
isted. At the adoption of the lederal constitution both sections
.started with i)erhaps etpial natural ad\ antajics, but one havinj;'
free and th<' ctther compids<»ry laboi', an innnense disparity now
existed between them in all the <'lements of power and civilization.
Till' Xoitli. with its vastly prei»onderatin.ii' population, (lould now
|)cople and control the j^ieater ])art of the un(K-eu[>ied territory,
and with the repeal of tlu^ Missouri (M)ni[>r<)mise the South had
•iivcn the lejial ri<iht to it.
Durinj; the years of inereasin<i- excitement the general govern-
ment remained unc(Hninitted to either section, but the States in
which the contest originally commenced daily became more hos-
tile, and in some instances hiws were enacteil calculated to further
iuHame the laibiic mind. A remarkable fact, however anomalous
it may ap>)ear, was that tlu' extreme northern and southern States,
the most remote from the evils complained of and the least likely
to be atfected by the issue which entered into the controversy,
maidfested the greatest hostility. In many northern localities the
734
IIISTOKY OF ILLINOIS.
jtiipicssioii ])i'('Viiil«-*l that \hv iciiilitioii of slaves to tlicir masters
■was wroii;,', and \\\v fiil'oict'iiit'iit of tin: fiij-ilivc nlavr law met
■with stroiij;- opposition, wliih' in tin- South those wiio cxpi't'ssi'd
tlicnisfivt's (•(iii(lriniiiilor,\ of slaxci'v wcrr siihjrrtcd to iii(li;;nitit'.s
Avliich «'Vcii harhaiiibni would hrsitate to impose. Ti'iitii e\ er
demands investigation, and eiror ever siinns it, eonse(pientl,v
those who in the interest id' slavery inijtosed lestraini npon IVee
speech \iilnali\ aeiuiowledjied tlie,v were endeavoiin;; to nj>l)ol<l
iin institntion intrinsically wr()n<>. This mond des|>()tism set np
in the nndst oftlu'. repnhlie further exasperated the nortiiern ndnd,
the indignation beconnn^ so nnmana^cahle in some instances as
to tianycend the recpiirements of law and order.
Am h resnit of the sectional feelin<>', eonveidions assendiled in
the dilleient parts of the Sontli ostensibly lor eommer<Mal pnr-
poses, hnt in reality to plot treason a;;ainst the ;;«'neral jjovern-
ment. The ehnreli, foi' a Ion j; time involved in the j-oiitroversy, in
i'ome of its hranches,endea\ored to maiidain conservative ;;roiind^
■while others were torn asnnd«'r l»y the violence and sintaj;<»idsni
of the contest. Sonthern cleijiymen, while i>reachin<x r»'demptioii
from apiritnal Ix.ndajic, stran^jely insisted that the politi<'al bond-
age of the African, which indtrnited both the soul ami body of
its victims, was a divine institution. Kouthern disunionists also
endeavored to |)oison the public uund with the impression that
the future triumph of the rei)ublicaii i)arty would be a justiliablc
pretext foi' dissolving;' th<^ Tnion. tSaid .lefl'erson Davis in a sjieecli
at .Jackson. Miss.: '4f an abolitionist be <-hosen presidi'ut of tlio
United States yon will have i)resented to you the (piestion
Avhetheryou will permit the overnment to i>ass into the ''indsof
your avo\\«'d and implacable enemies. Without i)ausiu}; for an
answer, I will state my own jxtsition to be that such aicsult would
be a species of revolution by winch the i)urposes of the j,fovein-
ment would be destroye<l, and the observaiu'cs of its mere forms
entitled to no respect. In that event, in su«'li mainu>r as shoidd be
most exi»edient, 1 should de«'m it your <lnty tojnovide for yoi-r
safety ontside of the Union." Said the nnseriii»ulons i»olitieian,
AV. ]j. Yancy: "The remedy of the south is in a dili};cnt orjiani-
zation of her tru«' men for prompt resistanet; to the next ajijiies-
.sion. It must come in the nature of thiiifis. Xo a<lditioiial i)arty
can savi'us: no sectional jiarty can everdoit. I>utif weeoulddo
as oiir fathers did, oijianizecoiiDidtteesof safety all over the cotton
States, and it is only by these that we can ho\w for any etlective
movement. We shall fire the southern heart, instruct the south-
ern mind, };ive courage to each and at the proper moment, by ono
orjianized concMted action, we can precipitate the cotton States
into a revolnti(Hi."
While the political horizon was assuming this alarndng aspe«tt
the piesidential contest »d" IStJO gave additional intensity to sec-
tional excitement. The su])porters of 3Ir. Breckenridge evinced
the gri'atest hostility toward the republicans, and oi)enly declared
their determination never to submit to tlu: government if it should
pass into their hands. Formerly similar denunciations and threats
caused the most serious alarm, bnt now they liad become so com-
mon that in the fierce storms of political e\cit«'ment that swept
over the country tiny were little regarded. The ]>rotracted con-
test at length terminated in the election of Mr. Lincoln. It was
THE WAU OF TRK KKUKLMON.
eviiU'iit 1(» all who were coiivorMaiit with tho prtt^rcs.s of events
thtit the Hiipiciiiiic.v which thu tsouth hud so Ion;; iiiaiiitaincd in
tlu- ;^<iv«Tnin*'iit was at an end. Tiie Nontlicrii iiialcoiitcnts iiiust
now *'itlit>r Niiluiiit t«> irpuUlican rule or put in piaclic*- their oll-
lepeated threat todinsolve tho Union. Tlie latter alternative was
eliosen.
As the reHtilt of this election was tlashed over the telegraph
wires, it was hailed as a pretext lor secession. The cities of tiie
(iulf States were nightly illnniinat.'*], and jtreparations icru
iianiediately coniineiiced for the coming' conlliet. l;;Morin},' tho
moral sense of mankind, which had Ion;;' since condemned slavciy,
they jtroposed to fonnd a inilion rceo;;nizin;; the absolute snpicin-
jicy<»fthe white man and tho perpetnal l»onda;;e of tho ne;;ro.
lion;;' accnstomed to the exercise of arUilrary power over the body
and soul of the bondman, they had l(»st all syni|ialliy for free
inslitnlions, and while ostensibly jnoitosing to establish a iepid»-
lic, their nl(imat<' oi>jcct was donlitless the nitbnildin;;' of a mon-
archy. »Statcs and nations when snbjected to ;^r«'at evils which
the jioveinin;;' ]to>.v«'i" refnses to rectify have the ri;;lit of re\(»ln-
tion, bnt th«' al)ettors of the present moxement had no snch jnsti-
tilicutiiHi. The dominant party had come into jutwer strictly
within the pale of the constitntion and law, and with a ])latform
fully reco;;iii/.in;^ the ri;;ht of each Stale to mana;;t' its donicsti(5
institutions in its own way. It is true the ineomin;; president had
i;iven it as his opinicni that the;;<»vernnM'nt c.(»nld not remain per-
manently half slaveand half free, bnt this wasin \ iew of the fact
that nalnral law rendered the two comlitions wholly incompati-
ble, and not liecause he wished to nndie tin' (tivil law a distnrbiii'jf
ehMitent. On the contrary, he had said in a speech at Cincinnati
the previ<Mis year, "I now assure? yon that J neither had nor no\r
have any purpose in any way of interfering^ with i!ie institution
of slavery where it exists. I believe w«' have no power under the
eonstilntion of the Tnited States, or rather under the fojin of
j^overnnu'Ut under which we live, to interfere with the institution
of slavery or any other institution of our sister States."
lint independent of ;;rievances, the south nniintained that tho
several Stales on entering; the rnion, reserved t(» themselves tho
ri;;ht to secede from it whenever they deenu'd tlicii- interest ren-
«lercd it exjiedient. In the north it was contended that the power, if
not expressed, is implied in thefundamental law of all ^iovernnnMits
to protect ami in<lelinitely prolong; their existence that the fraim-rs
<»f our constitution never intemud to incorporate in it any pro-
vision for its destruction ; that its checks and balam-es for pro-
servin;; harmony in thediU'erent departments of ;;(>vernMient were
<lesi;;ne<l to make it ami;;hty fabric capable of resisting;; the nn>sb
adverse vicissitudes of coining; tin»e; that the doctrine of voluu-
tary secession if admitted would disintcirrate all existing; ;;<>vein-
nuMits, and reduce society to a ch;ios, tlu'.t nninkind, wliethei- in
au individnal or corporate capacity, must therefore submit to
just restraint iiionh'r to secure the benehcent ends contemplafed
i»y ^food ;;overnment. It was «'(nitended nn)reover the States of
Louisiana. Khn-idaand Texascost tln^ ;;en«'ral ^iovernment between
$L:(M),(»00,()(»(»iind !?:5(KK<>!m,0(m, and it was unreas(»nal)leto suppose
that they could witiidraw at pleasn.re after the obli;;ati(Ui incur-
red by tho o-vpenditiires of this vast sum of money, tluirt a pri-
726
IIISTDUV Ol' ILLI.NDIS.
iiiai'v olijt'rt III' tlit'ii' iirt|iiisitii)ii nvms to ohtniii miifrol of llir Mis-
uissippi, iiiiil III*' |H'ii|ilc ul' llif iioi iliwt'.sl <-oiilil iifVrr niii>fiit llial
it .slioiiM tlow liiiiKlrnIs of iiiil"s tliroii;;li lorri;>ii jiirisilictioii iiiiil
lliiis I.I- roiiipi'lli'il to siiluiiit to till- iii'liitriii'v iiiipositiiiii of iliitit-H
ll|ioii tli(-ir (-oiiiiiii'iri-.
W'lii-ii. lio\vi>M>r. till- liiiiii' liii:ill,\ i-iiiiK- lor roiiiiiiil tin;: IJii- ovi-it
iict wiiii-li slioiilil ilisiiii-iiilii-r till' ;;r(-iil i'i-|tiih!ir, i-m-ii iIh- n-i-kli-ss
coiispiialoi's, who liiiil lor vcai's lii-riili-il tin- \Viiriiiii;;.H ol' stiitcs-
iiii-ii, mill sti;:iiiiiti/ril tliriii :is I'nioii mi\4>I's. tn-iiihlril in \ ii-vv ot'
till- (-oii>i-i|lirii('c,s \vlii(-|i liilist I'ollov. . 'I"li»' p«-opli- «'.spi-ri;ill\ ,
aiiioii;^' \>|ioiii tlii-rr wiTc Miiiiiy loyalists, lii-sitiitcd to «-iii«-i' ilii^
yaw iiiii;;; altvss. wliusi- dark and aii^^rv di-pllis tin- ken ol lniiiiaii
wi^ilotii \>as iiiiahli- lo rallioin. >Soiii«- of tlii-ir w i.M-st and iiio.sl pa
triotic U-adcrs, till lioriit* down Ity Mm> tide of revolution, coiiliiui
ally ciidravori-d to avi-rt tin- iiiipi-iidiii;^ ralaniity.
Said A. 11. Str|ili(-iis in tin- (ii>or;;ia conv riil ion pciidiii;!: Il>*'
disnission of si-i-cssioii ; '-'I'liis sti-p oiirt- takrii ran n»-\«-r i>i- it-
callrd, and all tlic liali-liil and witlM-iin;; i-oiisripii-iin-s thai will
follow niiist rest on this i-unvi-iitiun foi- all i-omiii;; liim-. Wlu-n
wi- and oiir po.sti-rily shall si-i- our lovi>l\ land di-suiali-il h\ ilu*
(k'liioii of war w hich this arl of yours will iiM-\ ital)l\ in\ il«> ami i-ali
forth ; when our ^recii licldsaiid waving; harvests shall be troiitii ii
down hy a iiiiirderoiis soldieiy. and the lieiy car of war swii-pin;;
over our land, our teinples of jiistiee laid in ashi-s, all the Imrrors
and desolations of war upon us— who hut tiiis (touvenlion will \h'
held responsilde foi' it ? and who hut him who shall liave ;;iveii
his vote for this unwise and ill timed nn-asiiri' shall he lieiii ii> u
striet aeeount by this suieidal act by the present ^ieneralioii. anil
jirobably t'lirsed and exeerated by posti-rity for all lime, for I he
wide and desolating I'uin that will iii(-vital)ly follow this at-t u>\\
now propose to perpelrate?"
At thiserilieal period, pie^iiiant with the uniiinnbered woes that
jvftewiirds befell the eomitry, the re]H'(-sentatives of Illinois in
eoiij^rt-ss all united in eoiidemiiinu secession, and maintain;: tlu^
ri;;lit of coercion. Douulas, in his last spee«-h before thedistin-
jiuished body of whi(-h he was ii nieiulM'i', remarked: "JSir, the
word ^iovernmeiif means coen-ioii. There i-an be no ^joveiiiment
'without coercion. Coercion is the vital jtriiiciple upon which all
yoveiumeiils rest. Withdraw the ri;;ht of i-oercion ami you dis-
solve your ^iovernment. If every man would do his duty and
resjiect the ri;;hls of his iiei;;hbor tlieie would be no necessity for
j;overnmeiit. The neci-ssity ol ;;overiiineiit is found to «-onsist in
the fact that some men will not do ri;;ht unless forced. The object
of all <>()vernmiMit is to coerce and compt-1 every man to do his
(bity who would not otherwisi- perform it, and hence I do not sub-
scribe to this doctrine that coercion is not to be used in a free
{i'overnnient. Jt must be used in all j;overnm;'nts, no matter wiiat
their form or what their ]>riiicii>les.'' Mr, Trumbull, his <'ollea<iue,
in speakin;;' of compromise said, iflliey wanted anythiii;;, li-t them
go back to the ]\[issouri compromise and stand by it. All ajireed
that con;;r«'ss had no ri^^lit to interfere w itli slavery in the States ;
but lie would never, by his vote, mak«^ one shive, and the ])eoplo
of the ^jreat Northwest would never tronsent by their act to estab-
lish slavery any w here. Jle did not believe the constitution needed
«
TIIK WAR OK TIIK KKHKI.I-ION. 727
utiH'iiiliM(r« liiit wttH willing; to vote u rcconiiiifiHliii}; to tii<> Shitcs
to iiiiikc a pi'oposiil to rail a coiivt'iitioii to <>oiisi<lci' aiiM'iHliiK'iits.
Dining IIm> iiitfiNa! of liiiu'lVoiii tlic rh>clioii tot Id- iiian;;iii'atioii
of Mr. iiiiicolii, tlir coiispiiatoi's liiiiiifil I'orwaitl tlirii iiiiliallow t'll
Mt'liciiu'. 'I'Ih! .s«'v«'U •'Xti'<'iih' Soiitlicrii Stal«'.s a<t(i|)t(Ml ortliiiaiircs of
sicrssioii, cacii (Icciariii;;' it liail a^aiii rt'siiint'd its placr aiiioii<j^
till' iii(l*'pni(lciit iial ions of tli)> world, with full powrrs to tlt'ciaic
war, rslaltiisli roiinii*-rc(>, coiilrarl alliaiict-s, ami prrfonn all otiicr
acts pcrtaiiiiiiu' to iiidrpfialfiit States. In order tonn'«-l the I'varfnl
responsiiiilities tiius inenrred, tliev iniinediately sei/.ed a lar<;'e
nnnilter of the forts and aisenals within their limits, and investe<l
the <»lliers with troops to enl'oree their snltmission. in nuiny in
.stances those in coniinand basely betrayed the ;;oveinnient that
liad edncated and ;;'iven them positions. I)ele<;ates from the
sevi'ral lehellions states assembled at Monl;;(»meiy, Alabama,
and or^^ani/ed a provisional ju:overnment, adopting;' the constitu-
tion of the II. S., moditii'd so as to suit ti'eason and slavery,
and ('lectin;; .Fetferson Davis president, and Alexander 11. Steph-
ens vice president. I'lniiors in the meantime prevailed that armed
r<>bels were abont to march a;;ainst the national ca])ita1, and (f(>n.
8(M»tt or;;anized the militia of the District of Columbia, placed
re^^nlars in the navy yard, and ad<»]»ted otiiei' preeaiitionary meas-
ures to picvent an attack. Vet tin' president, while admittin;;
tluit secession was treason ami revolution, said that the federal
}i"oveniment had no power to coerce into submission rebellions
States. ICven when tin' nation was crnmblin;; into fragments.
and an ener;;etie ellbrt mi^iiit, to a ;;reat extent, have jirevented
the teniltle oi'deal of blood throii^iii which it snbserpu'ntly passed,
he i»l('aded for fnrlhei" concessi»»ns to its implacable enemies. Pa
tri(»ts all over the land had keenly felt the indi;;nities and insnlts
so deliantly perpetiated by rebels, whose ai ii <;ance, insteatl of
bein;: severely pnnished, only met with enconra^icment under the
im!)ccile rale of Ibichanan. It was, theicfore, with no little anxi-
ety and impatience that all KK)ked forward to tluMucomin;; ad-
ministration, hoping; that those about to assume the reins of
jxovernment would have the wisdom to compr«'hend the situation
of the country, and tli<^ couia^ic to i»unish the traitors who were
iMideavorin^i' to ruin it. On the lltli of l"'ebruary. IStil, the i>resi-
<lent-elect left his lionu' in Sprinnlield preparatory to assume the
{i'rave resiKtusibility wh 'h devolved on hiu) as ciiief mayistiate
of the nation now re? ' with ci\il feuds and upon the excof a
bloody war. A hn<i«' number of his old friends asseml)le(l at the
depot to bid him farewell, and express their sympathy in view of
the perilous and nuunentons <luties that awaited him. Said he:
"My friends, no one, not in my position, can appreciate tlu' sadness T
feel attliis parting. To tins jjcople I owe all that am. Here' I have lived
more than aipiarterof a century, liere my eliildren were l)orn,an(i lure
one of them lies buried. I Iviiow not iiow soon 1 will see you a^ain. A
duty devolves upon me wliieli is perlia))s j^reater tlian tliat wliieli lias
rested upon any otlier man since tliedayof Waslnnglon. Ih' would
never liave succeeded exce))t for the aiii of Jiivine Providence, on wliich
lie at all times relied. I feel tliat t cannot succeed without the same
divine aid whieli sustained Inm. On the same Almighty Being I place
my reliance for sui)port, and I liope you, my triends, wilTpra.N that 1 may
receive that divine assistance, without wliii'li I cannot succeed, hut with
Mil icli success is certain. Again Ibi you allun all'ectionate farewell."
728
niSTOUY OF ILLI^'OIS.
llitlicrto ho li;i(l iiiiiintainod a (iiiiet reserve resijcetiiiji- the
luoiiit'iitoiis crisis in iiatiouiil atlairs, but now as he Jomiieyed
towiinl tiic <;apital of tiic republic, he found it impossible toUtuj^er
reiuiiin silent. In all the principal cities tliron>;h which he passed
vast crowds assembled to f^icet him and listen to the brict speeches
made in (ionneetion wi'h the interc)iant;e of civiliti(^s. In these
jiiiardcd utterances he did not coni'iiit himself to any deliuite lino
of policy save to express his intention to leave uninoleste<l the
institutions of the disatt'ected states, his devotion to the Union
and his desire to maintain it without a resort to arms. The vast
extent of the cons])iraey was not yet fully understood, and he in
common with a j;reat many others still hoped lor ii peaceful solu-
tion of thediftieulties. At (Jiiujinnati he said
•' Mr. iMdi/or and Fel/<»r-ritizc>ts: J have sjioken l)ut ouce l)efore this in
Cincinnitti. That was a year previous to tlie late presidential election.
On that occasion, inaplayful nianiu""butwith sincere words, laddrcssed
mucli of wiiat I said to tlie Keutuckiaiis. I jj;ave my opinion tliat we
as reoublicans would ultimately beat tliem as deniocrats, l)ut that they
could postpone tlie result lonjjer by nominating yeiuitor Douglas for the
}/resi(iency than in any other way. Tlicy did not in any true sense nom-
inate Mr. Douglas, and the result has come certainly as soon as ever I
expected. I told them how I expected tliey would t>e treated after they
should be lieaten, and I now wisli to call their attention to vvliat 1 then
said. AVhei. l>eaten you perhaj)s will want to know what we will do
witli you. I will tell you so far as I am authorized t()s])eak lor the opposi-
tion. We mean to treat you as near as we possibly can as Waslungton,
Jetferson and Madison treated you. We mean to leave you alone and in
no wa.y interfere with your institutions. We mean to recognize and
bear in ndnd that yon have as good hearts in your l)osoms as other pco-
])le, or as we claim to have, ami treat you accordingly. Fellow-citizens
of Kentucky, brethren may I call you, in my new jjosition 1 sec nooeca-
sion and feel no inclination to retract a w'ord from tins. If it shall
not be made good l)e assured the fault shall not be mine."
Arriving iu New York he said : .
"In my devotion to the Uidon lam liehind no man in the nation, but
I fear too great confidence may have been placed in my wisdom to i)re-
serve it I am sure I bring a heart devoted to the work, and there is
nothing that could ever inihice me to consent willingly to the destruction
of this Union, in which not only the great city of New York, l)ut the
whole country has accpured its greatness, unless it should be the object
for which the Union itself was made. I umlerstand that the ship was
nuule for the carrying and preservation of the cargo, and so long as the
ship is safe with the cargo it shall not J)e abandoned."
Wliile thus speaking to large assemblies in dilferent (dties,
rumors reached him that an attempt would be made to assassin-
ate him on the way to the eai)ital, or if he reached it an armed
nu)l) would assemble and pieveiit his inauguration. These icports
were at first regarded with incredulity but when he reached
IMiiladelphiii he was warned by (Jen, Scott that if he attempted
to]>ass through IJaltimore in thcHlaytinu' his life would be exjiosed
to imminent danger. Acting on the advice of tlios' who knew
the extent of the danger and the vast importance of his reaching
the seat of government in safety, he left his fandiy at llarrisburg
and jn'oceeded in disguise! on the nighttrain to Washiiigtcm. Had
it been known that such malignity existed that such a criinii was
meditated against the life of him whos(! only cause of ollense con-
sisted in assuming the important responsibilities to which he had
been constitutionally called by a majority of his countrymen,
THE WAR OF THE REBELLION. 729
a liiilf a inillioii of iiumi would liave voliiiitccrcd to escort liim
tlii()ii<;li tlic rcht'llioiis city. I'licxju'ctcd by tlic conspiiators who
linil iiKiikcd liiin lor their l»i'cy, iiiid liis Iriciids wlio were iiiMkiiij^'
]M<'ii;iratioii,s lor liis rece|itit>ii, he iiirived in ^^';^slliIlJ;toll on tho
inoiiiin.i;" of tlie L'.'id of Febniiiry. On tlu^ 4tii of .March lu' was
in;ni.yur;ited i>r<'.sideiit of tlie ['nited States in tlie itreseiice of a
Aiist niidtilnde wlio had iissenihled to witness tlie iniposinj;' sj»c(v
tilde. His iiiau^iiiiil address is a state paper of more than ordi-
nary ability, and whatever may have been the suspcions jirevi-
oiisly entertained in the South in rej^ard to his policy after this
expicssion (»f his views, the rebellion was wholly without ajiistili-
able pretext. \\'liih' the most amiile assiuances aic ^ixcn of pio-
tection ill the Union, lie also refers to his obligations to maintain
it, and his determination to do it. Its <;reat leiijith renders it
impracticaiile to rep<'at it ill full, but the following passages arc
characteristic of its spirit :
"Api»relit'iisi()ns Hoein to exist amoiifi; tlie people of the Southern
Stales that liy the accession of a repul)lican adiuiuistratioiL that their
property and their peace and personal security are to he eiidanj^eied.
There has never been any reasonable cause for sueli a))i)iehension.
Indeed, tlie most anij)le evidence to the contrary has all the while ex-
isted and been open to their inspection. It is found in nearly all the
piil)lic si)eeclies of him who now addresses you. I consider that in view
of the constitution and laws the Union is uiil)rokeu, and to the extent
of my ai)ility I willtake care as the constitution expressly enjoins ujion
nie tliat the laws of the Union l)e faithfully executed in all the States.
Doinjf this I deem it only a simple duty on my part, and I shall i)erforni
il so far us practicable unless my rightful nnisters, the American |ieoi)le,
shall witlihold the re(iuisite means, or shall in some other authoritative
niaiiiu'r dii'e(!t tlie contrary. ]'hysically speakiiiff, we cannot separate.
We cannot move the re8i)ective sections from each other, nor build an
impa-ssjible wall between them. A luisl)and and wife may be divorced
and go out of the presence and beyond the reach of each other, but the
different parts of our eountrj' cannot do this. Theycannot but remain
face t<) face, and intercourse either amicable or hostile must contiue
between them. Is it possible then to make that intercourse more advan-
tageous or more satisfactory after separation than before? Uan aliens
make treatise more easily than friends can make laws among friends?
SupiM)seyougo to war, y<ai cannot tight always, and when after much
loss on both sides, and no gain on either, you cease fighting the identical
old questions are upon you. In your hands, my dissatistied fellow coun-
trymen, and not in mine, is tiie momentous issue of civil war. The gov-
ernment will not as.sail you. You can have no conlliet without l)eiiig
yourselves the aggressors. You liave no solemn oath registered inlieaven
to destroy the goveriMnent, while I shall have the most s '^1:1 one to
preserve, protect and defend it. I am loth to close. We are not enemies,
but friends. W^e must not lie enemies. Though passion may ha', e
strained it must not break our bonds of atleetion. The mystic chorda
of memory stretching from every battle field and patrio't's grave to
every living lieart and hearth-stone all over this broad land will yet
swell the chorusof the Union, wlieu again touched, as surely tliey will
be, by the better angels of our nature."
At tlie time of Mi". Lincoln's accession to power several nu iii-
bers of the Union claimed that they had witlnlrawn from it, and
styling tliemselves the "Confederate States of America," had
orgaFiized a seiiarate government. The reinaiiiing slave States
were convulsed with exciteineiit, and traitors iakiiig advantage
of the magiianiinity which the new administration would fain
liave exentist'd, with fit'ndish i'agerness wi'i'c endeavoring to pre-
cipitate them also into revolution. The confederate authorities,
730
IllSTOllY OV ILLINOIS.
('inl)()l(l('ii«'(l In tliis (orhcaraiicc, and actiiiji' on tlic assnini>f ion of
their independence, sent eoniniissioners to Wasliin^ton to aniiealtly
ananjic all ditlerenees "•rowjii}'' out of their .se[>aiatioii from the
United States, They, iiowever, failed toreeeive any i'eeo<;nifion,
an I were informed by 'Sir. Seward, Secretary of State, that the
action of their Statt's was an unJustiHable and niiconstitntional
aii'uression upon the authoiity of tiie I'ecU'ral jiovernment. The
convt'iition of Virginia heiii<>- in session at the time, also sent eoin-
missioners to ascertain from Mr. I^incoln the jtolicy he intended
to i>ursue in re>;ard to the ( -onfeiU'rate States. In reply, tiie pres-
iiU'ut reatlirmed the opinion i»re\ioiisly expressed in his inanuu-
ral that he woidd repossess tlu' i)roi)erty and places Itelonyini; to
the I'ldted States, and collect the duties on imports. lie like-
wi ^ informed them that he would uot needlessly invade any
State, yet Avhen sucheoiuluct as the tirinji' upon Fort Sumter ren-
(h'red it n<'cessary he would rei)«'l foice by fon^e.
This celebrated fortress was situated in Charleston harbor, and
just ])rior to the assault had been occupied by Major An(h'rsoii as
a place of jiii'ater strenj^th and security than Fort Moultrie, from
M Inch lie remoxcd. >.'otwitlistandin<4' tlu' fact that South Caro-
liiui was in oj>en icvolt, Mr. Jhu-hanan had allowed the most for-
midable works to be erect<'d aioued the fort. Had jiermissiou
l)een planted to^Majcti' Anderson with his heavy artillery lie could
ha\(' swept the adjacent shores and thus have i»revented tin"!
l»reparations which he (huly witnessed for hisovertiirow. As tlie
batteries commanded the entrance to the harbor cut olf sujtplies
from the s(>a, and the hostile shore refuse<l to furnish provisi(»ns, an
attack for the rediu'tion of the fort was wholly unnecessary. When,
Iiowever, the ju'cparations were completed, l>eaure<;ard, who luul
desdted the tiaji of his ccumtry, liurriedly optMU'd fire upon it,
as if fearful that starvation mi<;ht, by jiivinj;' him i)ea(!('able pos-
session, frustrate his desire for an oppoitiinity to inaugurate civil
war l)v a bloody assault. After a furious cannonade of ."54 hours
the fort was wrapi>ed in flames, and Major Anderson and his
small band of heroes were forced to capitulate.
Thus had been struck the tirst blow of the <!onrtict which suni-
luoned vast armies into the flehl, brouj>ht State into collision with
State, and drenched the himl in fraternal blood. When the news
of the bond)ardment and surrender reached the Xortli, the whole
country rocked with excatement. Lonfj:er forbearance was now
impossible, and I'resident Liiutoln immediately issued a procla-
mation callinj;' for 7r),(KK) volunteers. The prochinuition stated
that combinations existed in several of the States too]»owerful to
be suppressed by ordinary judicial proceedings, and that the
force to be raised would Iw employe<l to re])ossess the projierty of
the United States in the hands of the insurjjents and enforce the
observance of law. It also sumnu)ned coiijuress to meet on the
4tli of Jidy to institute in view of the extraordinary condition of
])ublic, atfairs such measures as the safety of the nation inij;ht
demand.
The details connected with raisin;;- the troops having been
arianjicd by the war de])artment, (lov. Yates was infornu'd that
the (|uota of Illinois was six reginu'ids. On the loth of Apiil, the
day on which the inielliyence wascommunicated by Mi'. (Jameron,
THE WAll OF THE KKBELLION. 731
tlic sccicliiiy ot" war, tlic yovenior issued tlic lollowiiiji' pioclaiiui-
tioii :
"I, RicluiriJ Yutea, jijoveriior of the State of Illinois, by virtue of tiie
autliority vesteii in nie liy tlie constitution, liori-hy conveni' tlie leirisiu-
tnre oftiu' State, and the nieniliersofllie ijiid ;;eneral assembly ari' lH'i"ei)y
re(|Uired to lie and appear in their respective i)iaees in tlie capital on 'I'ues-
(lay, tlie 2,U\ day of April A. J). l.S(il, for llie purpose of enacting such
laws and adoptiiif^sucli measures as may be deemed necessary upon the
folio\\in,iisul(jects: Tlie more perfect orfi,ani/,atioii and t'cjuipment of
the militia of the State and placing the same on the l)est footing to ren-
der assistance to the general government in preserving tlie Union,
enforcing the laws, and protecting the projierty and rights of the jieo-
jile; also, the raisingof such money and other means as may be required
to carry out the foregoing object, and also to provide for the expense of
such session."
CJeiieial orders on*^' ami two weie issued from liead((uarters at
Spiinji'lield, the lirsteomniauded disisiiUis, l>iij>ades and li'^inu'Uts
to hold themselves in readiness tor actual service, and the second
providiu;;' lor tiu' iinniediate oryauization of six rej^iments.
Tiie i>resident's proclamation at the Soutli was re<;ard«'d as a
declaration of war. and l)a\is issued a similar one eallin,u' lor
volunteers and .yrantin^' letters of mar(|ue lor privateers to lU'ey
on imrtlu'rn eonnnerce. The 'shouts of approval witii which it
was received everywiiere in the north showed tim people weie
jireatly in advance of the fioverniueiit as to the projiriety of usiujj
military forcie. They inid louj^' writlu-d undertlie murderous stabs
thrust by traitors at the vitals of tin; nation, ami now when this re-
straint was removed, and thetiiiu' hadconu'forai^tiou, tlierebouml
of popular feelinji' ami indi,ymitiou was overwiu'lmin^i'. Tiie prai-
I'ies, liainlets and cities of Illinois became ablaze with excitement.
Tulliits tliiindered with anathemas a<;aiust tluM-iinu' of treason,
secular orators s]>oke e]o(pieutly of the Haj;' which, as the symbol
of the nation's majesty, had lieeii so ruthlessly insulted, and
newspaiiers teemed with proclamations and jireparations for war.
All ayes, sexes and conditions as if moved by a eommon impulse
jiartook of the enthusiasm. The ajicd ami feeble ayain assumed
lin^ burdens of civil life that the youiiy and vijiorous mijilit f^rap-
jile witli the sterner duties of war; the wealthy provided for the
i'amilies of the imligeiit whose natural jirotectors were guarding
the life of tlie nation. Fair woman laid the incense of her syin-
jiathy and devotion on the altar of her country; and even chil-
dren, imbibiii};' the iiisjiiration, converted their jilay yioiinds into
i-aiiil) and parade j;roumls, and miniature drums and cannon
became the common toys of their nmsery.
A similar uprising oc(uirre(l in all the hiyal States of the Union,
and men ami money, the sinews of war, were furnished with lav-
ish ]»rofusion. Witiiin two weeks after the p.vesident issued
his ])roclamation, beside a large surplus of rejected applicants,
there were a Iminlred thousand men preparing for active ojiera-
tions, while more than thirty millions of ilollars had been otl'cred
by private individuals, corporations, tuul legislatures to procure
arms and iiiuuitious.
ISOl-lHOl — ILLINOIS IN TJIIO UKUKLMON.
Unpninetleiitrd Hnc.cfHH in Fiuninhliiij Mt n-l'uhiotic KJJ'tnlH of
Wnnu.H — Millldri/ O/it'iolluiin W'lllilii llii; SInh:.
I'hiliHlnifnlH. — Almost Kiiiiiilliiiicoii.il.v willi IIm- <;iII for troops
«'iili>liiM'iits <:oiiiiiiciM-i"(l, ;iinl uilliin ten <lii\.s 1().(MK» \olmilfcrH
ojlrrcrl si')\ ice, iiiid I lie Mini of iiciir Jj I ,(MK», <»()(» \\ii,> IciKlcird liy
])iiti'ioti«; citixctis to prordit- siii^plirs, for wliii-ii tlx; tStiitc, in tiu^
t>inl(lfii ('iiH'r;;<'ii<'V, liiiil imimIi- iio |(ro\i>ioii. At tin- tiim- tin;
r<'<|ui-it ion u;i.s iiijkIc IIic mililiUN liiw of (lie .Sliilc wjis ini)ni fcf|,
;in<i in iniinv rcspi'ctts in coiiliifi wnh t In- ;<';4iiliil ion.i of I In- \\;ii'
(l<-|t:ii I ni<-nl, while p<-rli;(ps not nion- tiiiin-'iO niililiirv <'onip:iiii*-s
w <•!■(■ to Im- foiMMJ in tl/c en tile Sliitc In sonic of tin- i;ii^cr low ns
:in<l cities, Intwcscr, there were :i nnnihei' of w ell ilnih'ti com-
piitiies which \ olnnteeii'd, iind proved ;i \ :ilii:il*le iictpii.silion in
t he or;;;iniziitioii of the i in nn-nse, forces Hiii».se(pientl.v sent lotln;
ticld. It w iis e;irl\ I lioM;;hl th:it (';iiro \.'s in diiii;;er of sei/.iirc
l»V the lehels, ;ind these companies formed 1 k* IHK^Icms of I he force,
liMrriedl\ yiilhered :uid sent thitl.ier for its defense. On tlie llliii
of Apiii, LSOI, Simon ('iimeron, secret ;ir\ of w;u', telei^riiplied <io\ .
lilies to liike )»osses>ion of this import;int stnileiiic point iis
so(Hi ;is ii foi<'e, itonid he raised for that pnrjtosc. The j^ovcrnor
foilhwilh sent, a dispatch to (Jen. Swill, of (!hica}<o, to raise and
e(piip as lar;;e, a ixuly of men as jtossilth- foi' immeiliate sei\ ir-c,
:iiid sent a messeii;;er Itv rail with fall insti'Mctions foi the oeeiipa-
tion of (lairo. With c(»nimcndalil<' pi<»mi»tness this ollit^ei', on IIk;
lilst (d' tli<^ month, ;^ot. on hoard the sonlhern honnd tiaijn of the
(Central lailroati with four pieces of cann<ni and the foliowin;^
<'ompanies: ("oinpan,\ A, ('hica;;o /onaxes, r;iplain I la,\den, .S!l
men ; (Company l{, (!lijcau<» /onaves, (.'aptain (;i\l»onrne, K.i men ;
Chica;:!) liiylM Art illerv, < 'aptain Smith, lot) men; ('aptain Hard-
iny's compaiiv, HO men; 'riiinei's Cnion Cadets, {»7 men; and
iiincoln iJilles, Taptain .Miiiaiol/.v, f»«i men. These \\(-u- followed,
onlheL!Ud, hv Captain I lon;jhlellin;:\ Myld Artillery, of Ottawa,
Hli men ; Cajdain Haw lin;.;'- l/i;,dil Ai lillers , of Lockpoit, and (^aj*-
t<nn .McAlisler's liij^ht Aililleiy, of I'lainlield.
Of llie voiiinte«'is whooireied their services niider tiie call of the
{Governor only rejiinn-nts conhl l»e accepted under the (|iiota of
tiie Slate, 'i'hcse, in accfadaiice with an act of ihe le;^! ial inc.
whicji met on the li.'M. were de>i;;iialcd l»y the nMml»ei> commen-
cing; with 7 and ending with ll'. a.s a mark of respect for the <!
re^^imenls whicJi had served in the Mexican war. The entire foicc
7^2
'I III; \\ ,\\i oi' riii; i;i;iii;i,i,I(>n.
TMi
WHS mIvIciI llii' l,st iJiitiiKlc (»r llliiioi.s NoliiiilfcrN, 'I'lm n'tiiiliilioiirt
urilif \\;ir tlrj);ii liiiciil rr(|iiii((| ciirli rc;:iin(lit to foii.si.sl oT I r<»lo
lifi, I li<-iilrii:iiit coloiK-l, I iiiiijoi', I iiiijiitiiiil, i rc;:iitt<-iil:il (|ii:ii'l<-r
llliislcr, I HillJifdii, I siir;fci)ir.s iniiti-. I .scf;4c;iiit liiiijor, I iliiilii
iiiiijoi., I lil'i' iiiiiJoi'. 10 <':i|>l:iiiis, ID lit-iili-iiiiiil.s, 10 i'ii>i;iiih, 10
• IniliiiiHTs, 10 lilci-, 10 roriMiiiils. 10 .sfr;;ciilit s :iii<l 10 jiii \ iiti-s.
'i'liiis or}iiiiii/.<-)| ;i i'<-^iiiii-iil iiiiiiilx't'fil T'SO iiii'ii, r;iiil< iiinl til)', iiikI
t In- fill ii<- iiii^iHJi- l.dSO. ( icii. I'rciili.-»,s wiis pliui-d in fiimiii;iii<l,
iiml jiioci-cdiii;^ to (';iiiu willi lln' liir;^i'i' |i;iil oj' tin- ioicf. In- n-
lif\ <•<! < iiii. Su ill. TIk- coimiiiiiMliii;,'^ kIVhmt of <;icIi n ;jiiii(iil. I In-
r;ill iiiii|i-i' w liif'li il, was ()|-;;aiiizril, I lie linii' a lid |ila<-f it \\;i^ iniih
tcifd into .'CIV ice, and tin- a;:;:ir;:al<- st iiMi;:t li an- ;;i\<-ii in \\\i:
Milijoind .sclii-dnlf, taken IVoiri tiic i<-|.'»il oltlif adjutant ^^t-iHMal.
'1 In-rc was a laf;^c siir|»liis of men in raniji, and .-^iirli was liic |»a
1i iol jc di'siic Id cntfi' tln' Kf)\ icf, lliat, /naii,\ of l.licin wi-jd wlicii
icriiscd adiiii-^ion.
'I'lii' N-;;islal lire, antici|)at iiij^ aiiollici' call lor troops, uiit Inn i/iii
IIh' I'onnalion of 10 additional if^^itncnls oriiiranti'\, I of <-a\aliy,
and a lialtalion (daft ilicrv . Tiic law |iio\iilf(| that oin- H';;iiMi-iil,
should Id- riiinidn'il l»> ca)-,!! conj^n-.s.sional di^ti i(-t, and oin- li,\ tliti
tStalc at lar;i<-. Over liOO coin) (allies iiMincdiat(-l.\ \ olnnh-iicd, and
I'loin this laryc nnnilicr tlic, i*-<jiiirc<| loicc was selected and oi-
deied into cainj). The jicl, ciealin;; the lej^inieids had liaidly
passed the le<<;isl;ilnre. he-Core the |)iesideiit, IhsikmI a call lo)' rj,000
volunteers to serve (or three years unless sooner dischar^M-d. 'I'Ik;
(jiiota of Illinois iui<ler this call was only <i r( /iineids, aii<l :i iiieK-
Keii;,''er was sent, lo \\'asliin;,'toii to \n<^i- upon tlie war- de|(artineii(,
Hie iiii)iorfaiic.e, ol" a(;ceptiii;r the entire force or^uiii/.ed l»y tin;
Stale. It was helieved Ihal. more men would he needed, and jih
they were already in camp, and had made coiisideralde piolicieney
in <irill, to disband tiiem would cause distiiisl in the wisdom of Ihe,
j^ovcnimeiif. As Die result, of pcrsisleiit importunity the j'oiir
HcilKlin.K — Hhiiwinn Hlatrinmt. iif mlimteer Uuirpii iiriiitnizril within the SluU, antl nfiit to Ihe flflil,
c.iiiiiiiii'iiiiitii April, Xfi'A anil miliiiii llniinhir'M. If-firi, nill, iiiiiiilirrnf nfiiini'nt, nniiieiifnriiiiiinl
vi/initniii'luui ulllfff, fuiii iiiiili'r nhi'-li rt'mnli-il tinU f,rifiini/i-'l tluli- i,f imfniti/alntn inul niUHlitt
into 1,'niffd iSlah;tf tinrvU'f, jUwr uj /nititlfr, nnfJ thr i.-f/ijtfi/ati^ Mtfunf/fh itj ttimh ttr[jaiiuiittitn.
INKANTKV.
No.
Cninmiiii<llii|{ ri()lr<;r at '.'itll iinrtpr wlilcli rn- I)al<- ufiiiKiiii-
oi';{;iiil/.:itl<iii. < I iiiti;<l iiliii i<i;{itlil/.i:il. i/iilimi uiiil
liiiinliti liiUi
i;. K. »(!rvii:<!
7
Col
f.
' '
II
10
V< "
VI "
i;r ••
U "
ir. '
l« ■'
17 "
IK "
lit "
a, ..
tti "
IH "
K) •■
IM "
an
' '
.foil II Cook
Kii It'll .I.OkIi'nIiv
Kl«-it/..i A. I'liliMi
•lux. I). Moi'iruii
W. il. I-. WhIUi;.!
.loliii .Mi:Ailiiiir
.liiliii It. WyiiiHii
.loliii M. J'ttliiii'i-
'IIh'H. .). 'I'lil'lM^r
Jli.li I !'■ .Siiiltli .
I. ('Oil till I'" Il'lHH -
Mill. I K. I.awlfi'
.lollll ii. 'llll<l>',l.
OliaH.C. Iklurnli .
riyitw!* H. (ti'uiit.
Jl-nrv l)oiiulii!ily,
■Inn. A Mllflii^HII I
Kri-il'k Hi-.:k<r. . |
Win. N. Color
Au|{. Il, 1H4I.
May \r,, \mi.
May 15, IHfll.
May 15, IWI.
July 'A IWll
May !i4, I HOI
May «.'>, iwn
May 'H, Mii
IMnr.fi whcrn mnh ' g --^J
Imi'il into I II >■ ^-^ »
I'liitiiil Ktatnn iii'i " ^ T
vl.:i,. a. 'IX
■ n V
Cairo, IlliiioU.
May !M, IHfil
1)1X011
.lai:kHOiivtlln.
l''ri'i!|iort
Cjoliii:y
Anna .
A iitliipi l/.i'il hy the K«i:
of War, July, I no I .
Jniii^
Jiitii'
'Jiitii-
Jtini-
July
•I-
i:i, iftii .f.ili.-t ...
I.'., |wa .Mat loon ..
'£,. 1H,I |il:Ul!vlll« .
II, Iffil ChicaKo. . .
>!, l««l.|CljlcttKO...
1747
UIS3
liMS
17.'i9
i:(K4
itn.'s
ni'4
stoaH
I KM
vea
ao4:i
1U».'}
imn
1906
IIM
\Wi
980
lOtRi
lU
II18T011Y OF ILLINOIS.
rcmiiiiiiiif; li'fiiiMoiitH were iicccptcd, aiid tlic ciitire ibire was inus-
ten'<l intosi'ivice, as shown in tin' scliciliiK'.
Owinji' to till' ^rcat j'xpcnsc coMiU'ctcd witli tlic iMinipnicnt of
cavalry and tilt' opposition ol' (icii. Scott to tlic eiiiplox iiiciit of
any considcinlilt' loicc of tliis mim of tlic scin ice, tlic jidvciiior
a('<M'pt»'d only ."» coiiipanii's but (li'sij;iiat('d the rcinainiii.n "», w liicli
jslioiild he i('(!('iv('d in case tlic {governor slioidd need tlieiii. TIk^
battalion of artillery aiitlioii/cd l»y the l«'j;islatiii'e was iicxcr or-
f^faiiizcd as coiitciiiplatcd in the law, yet several coiiipanies, some
of which were in (ieii. Swift's expedititni, were received into tlic
service, as per schedule.
The more than kiiijihtly ardor with which the yoiinj;' men of tli(i
State at first exhibiteil \>as still unabated, and several thousand
beinji' denied the i»rivile<:'e of serviiiy' in rejiimcnts of their own
State, went abroad and enlisted in the Ibices of other States.
In view of the alariiiinu aspect of the iebclli<»n. the secretary
«>f wai', in .May, .Iiiiie and .Inly, ISIIl, ant horized some 17 ie;ii-
nieiits of infantry and ."> of cavalry. These re;.;iineiits w«'re
siicedily filled up, and in answer to an application tor fnriiishinj;'
additional ibrces, the secretary of war replied that no more troops
would be received till authorized byeoiifiress. Ooiijiiess convened
.Inly 4tli, and coiisetpient upon the iiatlles of liidl K'nn and
\N'iIsoirs t'reek with the national < ipital imiierilled and I'"ieiiioiit's
force thieateiied by superior niimliers, empowered the president to
call into the service ."»(HI.(»(IO volunteers; l.'J reiiiments of infan-
try, ;J of cavalry, as a itait of the (piota of the State under the call
were forthwith tendered; the peo|ile impatient at the slow jirojiress
of the war, would ha\t' increased this force by thousands had they
been permitted. From ilie 14tli of August till the.'Jd of December, it
was a;4reed to accept all the infantry wlii(di should be williii!;' to
enter the service. As the result, If re>;iiiients of infantiy, 4 ot
cavalry, and 8 compaiile.s for the lid ref;inient of artillery voltin-
'.Hi Col
37
88
89
30
.31
3'i
•Xi
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
4H
49
50
51
58
53
54
.55
56
57
58
•SH
60
Hovcy. 1
X. Kirk
, Smith.. ^
Nidi, (irmisol.
Julius Wliitii. . . J
Jdliii M. Ldoiins.
Nap. I{. Uiit'ciril..
A. K. iToliiisiiii...
Jas. S. Ufardmi..
I'liilij) li. jMmke.
.Icilm A. Li)j;au. ..
ildliii L(ij;aii
Clias. E Hoycy
KcUvaid
(>ii8. A. Smith. .
N
J
Will. P. Carlin.
Austin Lijiliti...
Stt-pli. (>. Hick8.
Imiiic ('. I'li-fh..
Wni. A. Webb..
.Julius Raitli
(.'bun. Xiililt'sdiirff ^
.lohn K. Smith. . 3
tlohii A. Davis
.Tobu HiyiHT
iHhaiu N. Ilayiii*)
Will. K. Miin'imiu.
MiiHpg M. Ham-. ..
(J. W. ('iiiiiniiujf. .
Isaac <). Wilsdii..
W.lI.W.Ciisliniaii
'Pliiis. W. Manis ..
David Stuait ...
HiibiM't Kirkbaiii
Silas I), lialdwiii ,
Will. V. LviM'li . . .
I'. Sidiii y i'ost . . .
SiliiBC. 'filler
Julys.'), ICOl.
julv 25,' "I'sei.
Authorized by the See-
n^tary of War, in
Hay, June and July,
ISiii '..
July 25, 1861
Author zed by the Se.f-
retary of War, in
Slav, June and July,
18(ii
Jiily-r), 1861
Autlicirized. Sec, War,
May. June, July, 1861
July 2.'), l.-Til
Sec. War, July, 1861...
July '25, 1861
Oct. 31, 1861.|Caniii Jiiitler.
Aiij:. 3,
J Illy 27,
Sept. 30,
Sept. 8,
Dec. 31,
Aiiji, 1.'),
Sept. 7,
1861.
1861.
1801.
1861
1861
1861.
1861.
Camp
Cani]>
Camp
Caiii]!
(,'aiiip
Cam|>
Camp
Uutler.
Butler,
lliitler.
Uiitler.
Htitler.
Jbitler.
Butler.
Autho! 'zed Sept. '20, '61
Authorized July 1, '61
.AiitlKiiized Sept. I(i. 'til
Aulbcpiized Oct. 3, 'til
A ulliiirized .ruly, 1861
Aiithiiiized All};. 14. '61
Authorized Seiit. '25, '61
Julv 2.-), ntil
Authorized Oct. 3. '31
Sept. 23, 1861
Sept. 18, 1861
Aug. 15,
Decemb.
A UK. 10,
All};. 9,
Sept. 17,
Dec. Id,
13,
26,
28,
1,
18,
31,
1'.',
1861
1861
1861
1861
1861
1861
1861
1861
1861
1861
1861
1861
1861
Dec '61 Feb''i2
Xov. 19, 1861
March 1862
Fell. 18, 1862
Oct. 31,
Feb. 27.
Dec. 86,
Dec. 21,
AllgUHt,
Feb. 17,
Sept.
Dec.
Dec
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
Sept.
1 Aurora
iChicajio
!Camp Butler.
Chicago
Salem
Decatur
iChicRgo
(/'amp Butler.
1 Chicago
(ialeiia.
Caniji Butler.
I'eoria
IWil
1862
1861
1861
1H6I
1862
(Jamp Butler. ..
(.'amp Butlar. ..
IJiiiiicv
Camp Douglas.
(ieneva
Ottawa
Anna
(Jaiii]i Douglas.
Shawucetowii..
('amp Douglas.
Camp Douglas.
St. Louis, Mo..
Anna
1603
1193
1939
1.^47
1878
1973
nil
1660
lii.'iS
1018
1593
1157
1388
1807
1277
1811
1824
1903
1513
1716
S0I5
'2051
1874
1488
1761
15.50
1519
1434
1720
1'287
1180
17.54
2'202
1762
1647
TlIK WAR or TlIK UEKKLI-ION.
735
teerod and were iicccptcd. On tlif ."xl of Dccciiihcr an ordci' was
l)i«»inMl;^at('(l w liifli si(i|»|»t'd all riirtlicr rcrniitini;, cxcciit lor tlu?
c()ni|ilcli(Mi of (Miiiipanifs alit'adv in process ot' rorniation. With
tilt' fnlistniont of over 4,(l()() lor this piirpost'duiiny- tlic remainder
of the Mionlh, the record of tlie\ear was completed. Despite Iho
rehiitfs and op[»osilion freqiuMitly nninilesled l»_v the war depart-
ment, the States at the dose of the year inid in camps of instruc-
tion o\cr I7,(MK) men, had sent to the Held neaily ."iiKOOO, ami con-
ise(|Menlly had exceeded hei' qnolas abont 1"), ()()(».
On I lie I'd of Apiil, ISlJl', all the corps authorized previons to
Decemlier, were full and the ollicers who had been delached for
rccrnitiiij; purposes were ordered to rejoin their re;L;iiiients. ,'Many
of the old rt'.uimenfs. however, as the residt of disease and recent
battles, had been reduced lielow the proper standard, and recriiit-
iua was still (•(iiitinin'd foi'tiic purpose ol' icpleiiisliin^ liiem with
their complement of men. JOaily in .May Wasliiiijilon was thieat-
oiied by a lar;;e force of tiie enemy, and .Mr. Stanton, secretaiy of
Avar, telegraphed (lovernor Yates on the iMlh instant, for inoro
troojts and several rejiimeiits of infantry and cavalry were lilh'd
ii|> and sent to the Held.
On the «ith of -Inly, 1S(;l>, the president issued a call for ;;()(»,00()
V(diintecrs to serve for M yt^ars, and on the Tlh of .\u;iust another
call for ."iOO.OOO militia, to serve for a peiiod of nine moiitlis. Tlui
secretary, believiiij;' that ,i draft would be necessaiT. oidered
tilt* enrollment of the militia that it mij^ht take eUcct on the l.Stli
of Aniiiist if the tjut)ta under tin? first call was nt)t c,t)mi)leled by
that time, 'I'liis vij^orous tletermination ttn the part t)f llui jiov-
(.'ruinent was hailed with demonstratituis tif a[)i»rt)val by the pi'ople
of the State, and everywhere i»reparations were eommencetl to
make a res))onsect)minensurate with tiie ma<;nitutU} of the iftjuisi-
tion. The atljutant-ytMieials' oilice was at once thron<>etl by mes-
senyer.s from every part of the State, demanding for their several
61 1
Col
62
' '
63
' '
64
T-t.
6r>
Oil
6t>
' '
67
' '
68
' '
60
1 1
70
t <
71
' '
72
1 1
73
1 1
74
1 4
75
' '
7«
' '
78
..
79
' '
80
1 t
81
' '
8-J
1 1
h;i
' '
84
' '
8.-.
' '
8C
' '
87
' '
8H
' '
8!)
' '
90
1 t
91
' '
92
' '
93
t 1
04
' '
. Jiicol) Fry
Jhiiu's M. Triio. ..
KianciM Miira . . .
CI. D.I). Williamsi
. Dunipl C'iiiiit'Miii . .
I'atiick K. Burke
KoHfll M. Iloiiffh .
EliaN .Stuart
JoH. II. Tii'rkiT...
t). T. IJcevcs
OtliiiicI Gilbert . .
Kri'il'k .\. Starring
Jn.s. F. Ja(iufHH ..
Jawiii MarMli
CitMirtfu U.van
Alimzci AV'. Muck..
David I'. tJricr. , .
\Y. II. lieiiniHon. .
L.vmaii (iuiniiip. .
TJKIH. ti. AIll'II
Ja.H. J. DiiIIiiiM
Krcclcrick llnckcv.
Abticr (,'. Ilardiiij;.
I.oiiiH H Wtttors.
Kobt'rt S. Mooro..
Daviil I). Irons
John E. Whiting.
F. 'r. Shcrnuin
John Chr(8toph(M'.
Timothy O'Mera
llinry .Si. Day....
Smith I), .\tklu8..
Uoliltin I'utnam. . .
Wm. W. Ormo....
Authori/.iMl Aiij;- H, '61 March 7, 1862
.Vuthorizcil Oct 3, '61 .Vpril 10, Istia
Authorizpil Aug. 14, CI Dtc. 31, 1862
!lay 15, 1862
Tnuisf'd from Mo. 14th .,i|)ril, 1862 ..
May 25, 1862 J uno l.'t, lHfi2
Juno 20, 1862
" lune 14, lpl)2
" ..uly 4, 1862
July 26, 1862
July, 1862 jAug. 21, 1862
Sept. 4,
1862
Sept. 2,
1862
Aug. 22,
18(i2
♦Sept. 2 9 ciKs.
Sept. 1,
Ir(i2
Aug. 28,
1862
Aug. 25,
1862
Aug. 2(i,
1862
Aug. 21,
Sept. 1,
1862
186v
I Aug. 27, 1862
Sept. 22, 1862
Au;r. 27, 1862
*Aiin.25,9coH
Nov. -22, 1862
Sejit. 8, 18(i2
Sr|it. 4. 1862
Oct. 13, 1862
Aug. 20, 1862
CarroUton
'Anna
1 Anna
Camp Butler
(.'amp Dougla.s
;St. I.ouis, Mo
Camp Dougla.s
Camp IJutler
('amp Douglas
(^amp Butler
(."nni|) Douglas
('amp Douglas
it 'amp Butler
iHockford
[Dixon
Kankakee
I'eoria
(jtuincy
I Danville
.Ceutrulia
I Anna
jCanip Butler
' Monmouth
Quincy
Peoi'ltt"
Peoria
Shawneetown
(^nmi) Dmiglas
Camp Oougliis
Camp Douglas
(amp Butler
Kockford . .,
I'rinc'tn & Chicago.
Blouwiugtou
1385
1730
1228
1624
1684
1694
!)-9
889
912
1006
940
1471
968
989
987
1110
1051
1028
974
928
1187
961
1286
956
9.59
993
994
907
1285
95»
1041
1265
1036
1091
7.1(5
niSTOUV OF ILIJNOIS.
counties tin' piiviU'se <>t' vnliiiitccrin*;', iiiid tlicrcby sccmiiif;
exPiiiptitMi from the dnift. Tliis prercrcncc for volmitccrin;:, iiiid
iin iir.U('iit i'c<|ii('st tli:it llic <|iiot;i of tlic Slate iiiidei' Itotli eidls
iiiijilit he iiiiiiiediiitely ascciliiiiicd. was made known lo tlieseci*'-
tnry of war. Infoiiiiatioii was duly received that tiie entire num-
ber was ."»L*,2!)(I, and volunteers would l»e aeeepted till the l.">tli of
Au;i'ust for forminji' new rf;^iments. and after that for. lillini; old
ones already in the field. The State had now furnished U».!»7S in
excess of previous (piotas. and it was at liist intended that this
siiri)lus should he dediH'ted from the ])rescnt I'cipiisition. This,
however, was afterwards countei inaiided and it was therefore,
iu'ce«sary to raise the eiitiic nundier in !.'> days or submit to the
{ilteniative of a draft. The r<'sult is tiius elocpiontly yiveii in the
h>iijiua<ie of AdJutant-(Jen. Fuller:
" Tlit'sc new volunteiM'M must come, if ('onic at all, from the farmers
and mechanics of the State. 'I'lie farniers were in tiie midst of liarvest,
and it is no exafr^eration to say lliat, inspired liy a holy zeal, animatetl
by a coMuuDU purpose, anil firmly resolved on rescuin.ij the goverument
from the very iiriiik of ruin, and restorin>r it to the condition our lathers
left it, tliat over .')!), 00(1 of llu'ui left their harvests un^aUhered, tlieir tools
and their henehes, tl>e plows in tlieir furrows, and turning tlieir Lacks
on their houu's, and lielore 11 days expired the ilemands of the )4()\'eru-
nieiit were met and lioth (piotas were tilled. Proud indeed was the day
to all Illinoisaiis wlien the aiinouucemeiit was made tiiat the enlist-
ments were full. And when the historian sliall reconi tlie eventful
days of August, hSfiii, no j)rou(ler record can he erected to the honor and
memory of a free people than a plain and full narrative of actual reali-
ties. Jt is not my j>rovince in this rejiort to liestow fulsome praise or
write glowing eulogies, hut when I reiuemher what we all witut'ssed in
those days; when 1 rememl)er the patriotism and unselllsh inijtulse
which aninuited every soul, and the universal liherality of tlume wlio
were either too young or too old to enlist to aid tiiose who were eager
to join their bretiireu iu the tiehi ; when I remember the holy ardor
wliicti aged mothers aud fair daughters infused into husbauds, sons and
95 Col. Lawp'n S. Chiircli.
96 " Thou. K.CIiaiiipioii
97 " FS. Riitlififord..
98 "J. .T. Fiiiikliiiimbr.
99 •' G. W. K. Kiiilnv..
100 " Fred. A. liarUesoii
101 " ClinH. II. Fox
108 " AVm. McMurtry.,
103 " Aiiios C. Uabcock.
104 " Absalom 15. Moore
105 " Daniel Uustin....
106 " Koli'tlJ. Latham..
107 " ThoniBH Siiell
108 " John Warner
109 " Alex. , I. Nlninio..
110 " ThoH. S. Casey
111 " JanwH S. Martin. .
lis " T. J. Ilendernon...
113 " Ge^). B. Hoge
114 " Jaa. W. .'uUy
115 ' ' ,Teti»e II. Moore. . .
116 " Nalhanll.Tupper
117 " IJiHdeuM. Moore.
118 " .Tnhn G. Fonda. .. .
119 '• Thos. J. Konney. .
120 ' ' Geo. W, McKeaig.
121 Never Organized
132 Col. John I. Kinaker..
123 " Jaineg Moore
184 " Thomas J. Sloan..
125 " OHearF. Harmon.
136 ' ' Jonth'n Kichniond
107 " John VanArnian..
1S8 ' ' Kobert M. Hudley
129 " Geo. P. Smith
3,
26,
30,
,S.
Oct. 8,
Aug. 27,
Sept. 2.
Sept. 17,
Sept. 4,
Aug. 28,
Sept. 11,
t I
Sept. 18,
Sept. 12,
Oct. 1,
Sept. 18,
Sept. 13,
Sept. 30,
Sept. lit,
Nov. 29,
Oct. 7,
Oct. 29,
im'i Kockford
IWia Kockford
18G2 Canij) 15uUer
Icfls! Centralia
1W>2 Florence, Pike co.
1tf«l! Joliet
1 862 1 .lackBon ville
iKnoxville
1862 Peoria
1862 Ottawa
1H62 Chicago
lt!62i Lincoln
1862 Camp llii tier
1862 Peoria
1861:Anna
'Anna
1862'Salem
1862 Peoria
1862 Cam|i Douglas
1862 Camp Bntler
1862 Cami) Butler
1862 Decatur
1862 CampBuUer
1862 Cam]) Butler
1862 Quincy
1862 Camp Butler
July, 1862 ISept. 4, 1862
Sept. 6, 1862
Sept. 10, 1862
Sept. 4, 1862
♦Sept. 5, 9co8
Dec. 18, 1862
Sept. 8, 1862
Carlinville ...
Mattoon
Camp Butler.
Danville . . .
Chicago
Camp D(mgla
Camp Butler.
Poutlao
1427
1200
1083
1078
936
921
911
998
917
977
1001
1097
944
927
967
873
994
1095
1238
990
!)60
952
995
1101
958
844
934
1050
1130
933
998
957
866
1011
TiiK \Y\n or TiiH im;hkllion.
737
lu'dtlKTH — T sny wlu'ii I roniombor all these things, I eaiinot hut feel
jiistilicit ill il('|i^ii'tjii<^ IVoiu tile iliili I'uutiue of stiitislics uiid l)est()W
iil)i>n llie suliji'cl tills palling notice."
A vast army was tlnis suddenly iisjiered into oxiHtcnee, and
the udveiniuent hein^' unahle to supply tents, how to provide coni-
Ibitaith^ (punters hecaine an inii)orlant consideration. In iiiaiiy
<'ouiities, tlMTclore, iar^e nmnlieis were temporarily lodged uuiUt
11m' sheds ol' lair grounds till l)arraeks eonld he elected at the pi'iii-
cipal cauijis of instruction at .Sprin;;lield and (^iiicajio. 1( was •,[\^o
dilllciilt to i)ro(!ure ch)thin<i'. Tiu! vast inultitU(U' of recruits in iIk;
ditlerent States, and llu^ sudden enier,uency wliicii liad called llieiri
I'orlh, taxed the <;()\('rnineut to its utmost capacity to liiiiii.-;Ii
e(piipments. 15el'ore the <;losc ot" tin; year, however, there were
(•lot lied, ai'med ami sent IVom the State ."»!> rej;iments of inl'antry,
and I'our batteries of artillery, a.u',urej;alinj;' a I'oice of o.'J.Sl!) men.
There was also eidisted durin,t;- tlii^ same time for the I Ith
cavalry, and for old re;;iments an additional number, whi(di,adde<l
to the foruK!!', makes a f^rand total of, 58,H(J men, an excess of
L*.'5,0!t7 o\er the (piotas of the State.
The last call for troops wason the lOfli of December, IStU. The
number re<piired was ;{(M>.(M»(I, and if not raised by voluntary en-
listments, by the loth of February followinji' the State was to bo
<lrafted. Tast expcsrience had shown that troops coidd be more
I'cadily secured by the formation of new or<;ani/ati()ns, and appli-
(tation was made to the war department fori he i)rivile^(! of raising
ten additional i'e,i;'iinents. l*ermission was <iranted, and a number
of i)ersons wh(» had dislin,<;uished themsehes in the service, but
Avliose tvrms of eidistment had expired, commenced recruit inj^,
each auth(»rized to raise a sinj^le company. Formerly one iiersou
had been i)ermitted to raise a whole re<;imeiit, but it recpdred a
much lonj^cr time for its acc()m])lisliinent than where the work
was sub-divided amoii<4' a number. TJiis modification in the i)rac-
ticc wliich had hitliertoprevailed o])erated with astoiiisliinf>' success.
The adjutant {;eiierars oflice was aj>aiii thronged with applications
130
i:ti
i:w
]3:i
i;i-i
i;t:.
136
137
13S
139
140
141
142
143
144
IC)
140
147
14S
140
mo
ir>i
132
1!)3
]r>4
155
156
Col. Katliaiiicl Xili*...
(r01ir<I(! W. Ni'clov.
' Tlios. 0. I'iikc^tt."
Tliad. riiillips...
AV.W.McCli.'HMoy
John S. Wolfo...
Fred A. Johns..
John AVooil
J. W. (loodwiu..
I'otcr Davidson. -
L. JI. Whitney..
Stppiipn lironwin.
Uollin V. Ankney
' Dinlley C. Smith
Cyrns Hall
(i(,'(>r;;o W. Lackey.
•' itonrv II. Donu
" IliramF. Sickh>s...
" lloraco JI. Wilsio..
" Win. (;. Kni'trner..
" Goo. W. Keener. ..
" French H. Woodall
" V. 1). Stepln>nn(Mi..
" Sfeplien jiron.son..
" ^lel.ean I''. Wood..
" On.stav 11.H A. Smith
" Alfred K. Smith...
" J. W. Wilson
" Jidin A. lirnss
Capt. John Cnrtis
Simon J. Stookey
■' Jauie.s Stuelo
47
July, 1862.
100 day orpanizntiona
tcncU'Ved liy tin; Gov-
ernor ot'IUinois, April
21, 'C4. and aceepteil
by tho I'rosident,
April 23, 1864.
Jnly. 18C4
100 day'H ori^anization..
Jiilv, 1804..
December 19, 1864
War.
Spec auth'ty Soo.
,*Sepf.24, 1863
ilOO day'.s organization.
100 da'v'.s orgauizatiou .
i April 15, 1861
Oct. 25,
Nov. 13,
June 1,
May 31,
June C,
Juno 1,
June .5,
Juno 21,
•fiino 1,
June 18,
June 16,
June 18,
Juno 11,
Oct. 21,
June 9,
Sept. 20,
Feb. 18,
Feb. 18,
Feb. 11,
Feb. 14,
Feb. 25,
Feb. IH,
Feb. 27,
Feb. 22,
Feb. 28,
March 9,
Dee. 1,
1805.
1802.
1864.
1864.
1804.
1864.
1864.
1864.
1864.
1864.
18.M.
1864.
1864.
1H14.
1864.
1864.
1865.
1865.
1865.
1865.
1865.
1865.
1865.
1*:65.
1865.
1865.
1861.
June 21,
June 21,
June 15,
1864.
1864.
1864.
Cam]) Duller
Camp JIas.sac
Camp Fry
('amp liiitler
Camp Fry
JIattoon
Centralia
Quincy
Qnincy
I'l'oria
Camp IJutler
Klfiin
jCainp Butler
Mattoon
Alton. Ills
(/"anij) ISutlor
(.'amp llutler
(;hica.!;o
(Juincy
(:ani]) Hutler,
<'anii> Ituth^r ,
(Juincy
Camp l5utler
(Jhicafro
(.'amp Itutler
Cam]) liutler
Chicago
('hicajio
(^uiney
(.'am]) llutler
Camp Butler
Chlcaijo
932
8f0
853
851
878
8.52
842
849
835
878
871
842
851
8U5
11, -.9
8i^0
10.^,6
1047
917
983
933
970
915
107S
994
929
975
985
903
91
90
86
738
IIISTOllY ()!•' ILLINOIS.
for iuittioi'ify toviiiHc (;()iii])iiiii('s, iiiid as fast as a .siiniciciit niiiiilx'r
•\vas HCHMHt'tl tor a. rc^-imciit it was orji;aiiiz('(l and inantlicd to llio
IVoiit. I')aily ill I'N'lti'iiiiry it was rcarrd that rccniiliiij; was ;^<tiii,'4
on so rapidly Dial more Noiiiiilccrs would oil'*-!' tliiiii could |)ossil)ly
eiitortlic 10 rcfiinu'iits, and tlic draft was temporarily postponed.
These re^^iments were soon eomplete(|,aiid it was diieeled that llui
reniaiiiiii<;' eoiiip:iiiies aniviii;;' under voliinlary enlist nieiils should
!)(> disposed of in tilliiijn' up old reuinieiils. This course was con-
tinued till the l.'ith of April, ISli."), when, l>y an order ofthe war
department, recriiitiiij4' ceased tIironj;liout the U. S. 'I'lie, State now
only lacked ■l,S!l(! of eompletin;;' her (piota. These would lia\e
been speedily obtained had not the termination of tiie war nil-
dered it unnecessary.
Toward the close of tlie, war, in eonse(|uence of an impel Cect
enrollment of those subject to military duly, it becaiin^ e\ ideiit
tliat thci State was fnriiisliiii;^- tlioiisiinds in exci'ss of what a cor-
ri'ci estimates would liave re(juire(l. So lilarinj;' had this dispro-
])ortioii become, that under the last call the tpiola in a number tA'
sub-districts exceeded tlu^ number of able-bodied iiieii. Vet tlio
people, when it was found inexpedient to (torrect the enrollment,
(h'termiiied to raise the nundier re<iuii'ed, believiii*'- that in liie
extraordinary exijieiicies of the times the sal'ety of thecoiinliy
demanded tlu^ saitriliee. Let the thoiisiinds of i)rave men which
the State thus vohmtarily hiid on the altar of the eoiintry forc^ver
remain a proud monumentof thepatriolism which so triumphantly
sustained it in the hour of (hin};er.
Theoffiee ofthe Adjutant GcneraJ^ wliicli ]»layed such an iini>ortaiit
part in the or<;'anization of the troops, was ocrenpied at the com-
nuMUHMiient of the war by Thomas S. .Mather. The duties ofthe
olfiee were then executed l)y viitue of the militia, law of bS45, and
acts amendatory thereof. J\Ir. lAFather held the ollifie till November,
1S(!1, when (!en. Allen C. Fuller assumed (tontrol. The, latter in-
cnnil)ent, possessing superior (pialilications, soon redi'.-ed the
military records of the State, hitherto si)arse and confused, to
order, and systematized the business of tln^ oflice. A fruitful source
of disorder grew out of the aece])tance by tlu'- war dei)artnientof
what were termed indepcMident regiments. The corresi)ondeiico
of the first 22 regiments of infantry and 4of cavalry were, addressed
direetlyto the war department, and for a time their otticers were
disiucjlincd to furnish the adjutant general with muster rolls,
and other official information. To remedy this evil and promote
CAVA Lit Y
Auth'd by Sec'y War. .
July 2, \k\\
July 2.'), IWil
Autlioiizcd July, '01.
AutU'd Aui:. 27, 1801...
Julyan, 1801
July 25, 1801
Authoii/.(i(l July, 1801.
Authoiizi'd July, 1801,
AutUMSppt. 5, 1801....
*July. 1801
Auth'd Sei>t. 28, 1801.
Autli-d Ni)v. 27, 1801...
July, 1802
July, 1801
April, l8fll, July, 1802.
1863 ■
Col. T)i()8. A. Marshall
Silas Niililo
Ku)i<'ue \. Carr
T. Lyhi Dickey
John J. rj],..lcgri)ff
ThoH. n.C'avanaui;li
AVni. I'itt KolIofiL'
John F. Fam.sworth
A Hunt G. Hra<^I<ett
JaniiM A. Barrett
IlolicrtO. Insersoll
Ajiio Vo.sn .'.
Joscpli W. Ihdl..
Horace (.'apron . .
Warreu Slewart-
Christiau Tliiolniaii
John L. Boveridge
June, 1861
Auj;. 24, 1801
Sept. 21, 1801.
Sejit. ;I0, 1801.
Dee. IfOl
Nov.Ol Jan'02|
Au}!. 1801
Sept. 18, 1801.
Oet. 2(i, 18IU
Nov.S.'i, 1801
Dee. 20, 1801
Dcc'OlFcb'Ca;
Jan. 7, 180;i
or^'d Dee2.'i'o;)
Jan.Apl, 1803.
Jan. •£», 1804.
Hlooniington
1206
('amp Butler
1801
Camp iiutler
2183
Ottawa
Iti.'iO
Camp Butler..,
1009
Camp Butler
2248
Camp Butler
St.tJliarlea
2282
2412
(lamp Douijla.s
2019
(Jamp Butler
Peoria
11134
2302
Camp Butler
2174
Camp Diuiijlas
n.w
l*eoiia
1,-|C5
(Jam)) Butler
1473
Camp Butler
1162
St. Charles
1217
THE WAR OF THE llEnELLTON.
r;{0
liiinnoiiy Ix'twj'cn tlic. fcdcriil ami Stiitc antlKuitics, tin'. scci-ctnry
of war proimil^'iitcd «(r(lt'i' IS, which coiitaiiis 1li(> tollowiii};' pro-
A'isioii: '''riic :4<>V('iii(irs of th<' States nvc l('j;iilly the authorities
for laisii)'^ voiiiiileiT iej;iiiieiit.s and eoiiiiiiissioiiiiiy tlieir ollicei's.
Aceoi'diii^iiy no iii(h'|ieii(h'iit orfiani/atioiis. as siieli, will lierealter
he. n'e,o;ini/ed in tiin IJ. S. scuvice. (Copies of tlie i(»lisoi' ninster
into service, will he sent as soon as pnielicahh' to llie ;;()veiiioi'f^
of tiie Stales to uliich they )'.eioii;Li' l»y I lie eoniniandeis of In-i-
j;a(h>s, refiiineiit (»f corps, iieretofore n'co;inized as independent
of Staty oi';4anizationH, and all va(!ai;".ies of eonindssions in snch
re<;inients and corps will he heiea'.ter fdled l>y tlie res[»eclivo
j>-oV( mors ai-cordiufi' lo law."' Mr. I''nller retained possession of
the ollice. till .lanuary 1. lS(i;{. '{"hence lo the installation of
(len. I. N. llaynie, .lannary M, isori, the duties of the ollice were
dischai',iL;c(l hy Lieut. Col. Kdward !'. Niles. who, I'rotn the eoni-
inein-enient of I he. war. had heen intinialely connected with its
ronline. i»y the pro\ isions of an act to piovide for Hie ajtpoint-
nient, and tr, prescrihe the ilnties of. the adjutant ^icneial, ap-
proxcd fohiiiary lid, 1S(;,"», the ollice hecanie an orjiani/ed de-
jiartnient of tiic State j^oveiiinient. in ucconlaiice with the law
KIKST KKCJIMENT— ILLINOIS LIGHT AUTILLEUY.
A
(;
1)
K
V
(!
11
I
K
L
Kiflil nnd Start' '
CiiiPt. ('. M. Williiiil iApiil, 18(il.
•• Kzni ■rnvliir ....[
" ■ (;. Uiin-hlaliiii;.. I
" ■ Kil. .McAllister.. July, IHf.l
" . A. ('. Willi-llliillsr
" .Idliii T. Clicni'v..
" AilliiM O'l.ciu'y.
" Am'I SilvciHimrr.
" KilwMiil liduliin .
" A. Kriiiikli.! ....
" iliilin KoiirUc . . .
" .Jiiliii li. .\Iillfi-...|Jia.v,
Itci'rult.s
.1 .
mvi.
Oct. :ii,
.Ian. II,
]).<•. I!l.
Kci). -r..
Kfll. 'JH,
Krii. -Jl.
K.b. I.'..
Jan. !l,
Kcl). ii-J,
Ann- 1--J,
|("1iI<;h>jo
Cliirauo
IWll Ottawa
Irli-^ I'lainlli'ld
l.-'lil, flil.a«i(
IHivi ('nin|i Butler..
Irti'J ('aim
lci;-i Cliuajio
IHtlJ Cliira;:!!
IHiU SliawMoctown.
IrtW (liica^o
If'W ('liiia''(>
7
KiM
UUJ
173
141
MS
l.VJ
113
147
KiO
!I6
1.'.3
l.'>4
8e'3
SECOKI) REdlMENT— ILLINOIS LIGHT AUTILLERY.
Capt
. I'ctci' Daviil.son.. July, It'iil
Uilcv MiH ison .\|ivil, Ir'OI
Calili lliiiikiii.'i iJiilv. If'lil
.laspci- M. incssrrAntU'd, St-pt, IrfCl...
Adiilpli Scliwartzl "
Joliii W. I'liwcll. I "
('lia.s. J. StiiUirand: ' '
Andrew Steiiiliec'U Aiith'd Sept. 15, IMl.
Charles W. iCeitli.j
Wni. 11. ]toltcin...:Anth(irized IHfil
John ('. IMiillipH.. Authorized I.'^IU
Field and .stall". . i
Keuruits '
Ani;. 17. IWU.
.lime MO. Irtil
■I All};,
. ;l>ee.
. I Kel>.
.Ore.
. illee.
. IDer.
. I Dee.
.lOec.
. i Fell. 'M.
. Mnnn (i.
IHIil
Irlll
IHIi-.'
Irfil
im;i
lf<lll
l.-(il
l.^lil
l.*J.
I'l'onii
Springfield
Cairo
(.'airo
(!aiio
Cape (iirardenil.Mo.
Camp IJiitler
("iinip liiitler
iCaiop IJutler
'Caiii|) Hiitlcr
jChica;;!) >..
jChii'iiKo
116
l'J7
l.-vi
117
i:i6
1110
1(18
11.5
107
108
14.5
lUO
10
1171
INDEPENDENT HATTEIUES.
Hdcd- Trade
Cajit. JaiiKis S. StoUes. July IWiS IJulv ill, 1H02. iChieaao
ar.R
Sprinulleld
" Tints. F. Viinelni , " ! Awji. 91, Wi-i
(lamp Butler.
l!l!»
Jlereantilo
" ("lias. (}. Coi.lev, 1 •• lAu;:. 9!l, iwy
('liieaco
270
r.litfin
" (ieo.W. IJenwiclv' ■ 1 Xov. 1.".. l.-li-J.
Eljlin
242
CofTjlswoir.
" Wni. Cjiv'swclLAiitli'dSopt. l.'i, 18fil. Sep. 2:!. IWil.
("'nip Dnuijlas
221
Ilonshaw's
" Ed. C. Ilenshaw. Jiilv. IHti-J Oi-,t. l.'), l.^li-J.
Ottawa
1(16
Hrid;;es.. ..
" Lvniaii lirid^M.s.. Authd Jan. I, 1862.. Jan. 1, lf<(i2
(.'hieago
2..2
Colvin's ...
" John ir. 'Jolvin.. Auth'd .fnly, 18(i;i... Oct. 10, If-m.
C'liiea;r(i
HI
BuHtued'H . .
',
Chicago
127
KECAPITULATION.
Infantry 18.") 941
Cavalry 3\082
Artlllerv 7,277
IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGPT (MT-S)
A
/
A
O
i/.X
1.0
u
1^
i^
IIIIIM
■;£
|a2
ill 2.2
lU
124
us
1^
i^°
1. ^
■mUi
1.8
1-25 lil.4 ill 1.6
m
<9!
7:
o
7
/A
i 1
^
740
nrSTOKY OF ILLINOIS.
Gen. Hivyiiio provided n sejil of ollice. Previously, to give validity
to (!()imiiis.sioiis iind other olli(;iiil iiistniineuts, it Avas necessary
to ])ro('iire tlie seal and siniiatnre of the secretary of State.
After a suitable iin]>rii)t was provided, this indirect method of
transacting- the business of the office Mas discontinued. The ex-
tensive re])orts, issued under the supervision of (Jen. Kaynie,
contain all the military information that can be interesting to the
reader or iiseful in the organization of future armies, and may
justly be regarded as a monument of industiy, of which the State
should be ])roud.
From data, thus furnished, the whole number of enlistments
(luring the war was L'o(>,(KK), average, strength -!.(!►,!)(>;}, nuiiiiier
killed in action, 5,888; died of Avounds, 3,0;{L'; of disease, 11),4U(),
in prison, 1)07 ; lost at sea, 205 ; aggregate, 2!),588.*
Medical Depart ment. — At the instance of the Secretary of War,
tlie governor a[)i)ointe(l a board of medical examiners consisting
of A. 11. elohnsvtn, president, and O. M. Ityan, secretary. The
medical i)rotession sharing the enthusiasm that animated the
masses, tendered their services to the government with a zeal
Avliich, in many instances, sui'i)ass('d their (p^alilicatioiis for tlio
work they were I'equired to ix'rfoiiii. They went forth in large
numbers from the prairie, the village and country where their
undiversilicd practice little qualilieil theUi for the more arduous
and extensive duties of the army.
The board nu-t on the 18tli of June, 1801, in Spi'ingfleld, and in
accordance with the aimy regulations they i)roceeded to "inves-
tigate carefnlly the i>hysi(;al ability, moial character and 2)i'<»fes-
sional attainments of ciwh candidate. To accommodate the large
number who applied for ]tositions, sessions were held in Chicago,
Alton, ('airo and the field. Tlu^ imi)ortance of the work which
they pcilbriHC'd may be inferred from tlu^ fact that much the
larger part of the nH)rtality connected with armies results from
diseases instead of the sword, and that many of those who i)ro-
posed to assume the resijonsibilities of physicians had never
received the first rudiments of a medical education. It is but
justice to state that the selections made by the board were judi-
cious, and that the medical treatment enjoyed by our volunteers
was clHcient. Many not only evinced a high order of skill in the
practi(te of surgery and therajieutics, butwliat was of nu)re import-
ance, witli a i)aternal solicitude instituted the most rigid sanitary
regulatiojis for the prevention of disease.
Camps. — The two ])rinci]»al camps in the State were Camp But-
ler, at Springtield, and Camj) Douglas, at Chicago. The immedi-
ate lo(;ation of tlu^ former was near v. here tin; Toledo, Wabash &
"Western raili'oad crosses the Sangamon river, and that of the lat-
ter just by tlie last resting place of the great statesnuin alter whom
it was named. Each was ])rovided with commissary and ordnance
warehouses, general piison and small pox hospitals, companyand
])risoii bairaclfi^, olticers' <piarters and other structures necessary
for the outlit of an extensive encampment. IJoth places — espe-
cially Camp liutler — became the princii)al points for the rendez-
'Computatioii by Adjutant General E. L. Higgins.
THE WAR OF THE REBELLION. 741
1
von.s tiud iiistriictioii of volunteers and uuisteriiig them out of ser-
vice after the war.
As the result of the battle of Fort Donelson some 10,000 i)ri.so-
iiers were sent to these eainp.s, aud thereafter they became places
of custody for otiier prisoners captured in the war. Their treat-
nuiiit by the ollicers in charge was always humane, though if the
statements of rebel writers could be caedited, they sulfered more
hellish barbarities than were perpetrated in the i»rison pens of
the South. Of the 30,000 prisoners received at different times at
Cam]) Douglas 3,500 died, about 10 per cent., while of the number
of prisoners received at Belle Isle m(ne than 50 per cent, died
from exposure, starvation and brutality. The site of Camp But-
ler is still preserved as a natioiuil cemetery, in which man}' of
i\w galhiut sons of Illinois sleei) in honored graves. Other camps
were formed in different parts of the iState, but they iu general
Bubser\'ed only temporary i)urposes.
Women of Illinois. — We have spoken of the parriotic sons
of Illinois, her daughters must not be omitN'd. i'erhaps the
brightest page in the history of the State is that which records
tlieir ettbrts in behalf of the soldier. Their devotioi' to the
national cause was rather the pronii)tings of insi)iration than the
oidinary impulse of patriotism, and its defenders weve objects of
their deepest sympatliy. AVomen in all ages have i)rompted men
to deeds of noble daring, while with the progress of civilization
in modern times her intlueiiee has become more i)otent tl'an ]»resi-
dents, cal)inets or crowns. ]t is a true adage that she who rocks
the cradle rules the world. In the hallowed associations of home
are born and nurtur<'d the great intellects, large hearts ami the
staiuuth integrity Avhich has accomplished all that is noble in the
liistoiy of the race.
Tlie women of Illinois, in common with others all over the land,
were the lirstto commiserate the sutferingsof the soldier, and the
first to make ett'orts to nttbrd relief. In this they were actuated
not oidy by a heroic love of country, but their kiudi'ed were
endnriiig the privations of war, and who like them could feel for
their distress? Though jihysically inca})acitate(l to share with
them the toil and ])i'rils of battle, yet before its smoke and the
eciu)es of its artillery i)assed away they could bind up their
wounds, and by their.self-denial inspire them with a holier ardor
for the cause they were defending. How many weary suflerers on
the held of carnage, in the lonely hospital relieved by their
bounty and cheereil by their presence, none but the recording
angel can tell.
Their labors soon assumed an organized form ; hundreds of relief
societies s])rang u]) all »'er the State, and proportionately as the
ten ihle eifects of the war increased, the warm current of their
sympathies and cliarities augmented. These consisted of food,
clothing, medicine, hospital delicacies, reading nnitter and thou-
sands of (tther articles in such quaidities as to necessitate the
chartering of cars, and in some instances steamboats to carry
them to their destination.
The counties of the State next became eidisted in the Avork of
benevolence. In tiie (>'.) where records were nnide and reported,
the sums domitetl as bounties to Aolunteers for the sui)port of sol-
742
HISTOKY OP ILLINOIS.
dici'.s' fiiinilics iind otiii'r (thjccts aiiioiiiitcd to iiioic tluiii 8l.-")0(>,-
()(K>. Jii tliis cstiiimtc llic (Inimtioiis of .■>;> coiiiitics, iiiirl flic imic-
conlcd bciicvoU'iict.' of tliotisiiiidsof individuals all over tlic State,
i.s not included.
Anotlicr form wliicli (he work assumed was llie establislii/ieut
of soldiers' homes in tlie jtriucipal cities. In tliese places of I'cf-
lijic tlic travcliiii;- soldier, when he had no (»ucclse to care lor him,
uas pio'.ided with hoard and lodjiiuji free of cost. Durin,^' tin;
Avar the. several homes in Illinois and other parts af the West fur-
lushed lodfiiu-i- for (>()0.(Ml(» nu-n aud aieals valued at 8-;,.")(l(M)t»0.
The relief thus alfor<led was not intended as a substitute hut as
supplemental to that of the ^iovcrnment. The troojis of Illinois
]»articipatcd in sonu' of the most jji^antic struj;,nics of the wai',
in which no };<)veriinient system, however jnovident or elastic, can
do nnu'c than niiti<;atc the sulf«'rinj;'. In these bloody conllicts
the i)ri\ ate benevolence of the peo))le nobly seconded the ellbrts
of the j;overnmeiit, and could the relief a llbrded by both have been
tenfold moie elVective, the wounded would still have suifered
iiusi)eakable pri\atious and a^^'ony.
Tlie sanitary commission <;n'atly assisted in arousinji' and ^iv-
iiiji' direction to the benevolent enteri)rise of the State. The tirst
luendters of the society were appointed on the iUli of .June, ISIll,
by the Secretary of Wai'. They met and or<;anized in Washinj'-
ton the same month, and in the autumn of the same year J)r.
Kewberry, one of the most eflicienC mend)ers, organized the
Northwestern bnnicli at Chica.i;().
" This Wiis one of the most etticient of all its anxilaries in colli'ctinp;
supplies, and its various tril)Utaries scattcrid l]ir<)nf;iinut tiu' States of
Illinois, Iowa iuul \\'isci)nsin, did more fur the it'lief of the soldier
j)r()li;ilily in propdrlion to their means, tluin tiio^-e of any oilier section
of the country. Nowhere liadthe eonunission warniei'or iMoreeiithusias-
ti«' Iriendsthan at Chieajro. llwasmost fortunateiri enlistiui^at an early
period tlie active sympathy of some of the most iiitluential and trusted
men of that im])orlant place. The names of the 'icntlemeu who cou-
dueted its operations, .Judj;e Skinner, K. li. MeCaj^ ' and K. W. Hlateh-
ford were alone a tower of stren.uth to its cause throughout the Nortli-
west and the commission reajied the heiielU in the vast eontrihutions of
that rejiion of their widi' si)read reputation and active exertions."*
The most successful effort in turninji' the groat tick; of i)oi)u]ar
sym]>!>tli.v into the clmniM'l of tin commission, occurred at <"hica,no
in Miiy, IStJ."). The means emi)loyed was a fair in whii;h not
otily Illinois, but her sister States of tlie West, were larj^ely rep-
resented. Thon<;h all j^axe it a hearty support the conception of
ita plan and the success with which it was carried out was mostly
due to the efforts of Madiims Ilof^e and Livennore. These ladies
Avho are the persoinlication of benevolence and ener<>y wrote
ai»]>eals, distributed circulars, and addressed public meetiujis till
the .yi'cat heait of the Northwest was m(#ed to its utmost dejiths.
Union Hall, the princii)al buildinji', occu[)ied the whole of Dear-
born I'ark and was brilliantly illnminated with ,nas from floor to
apex. In the centre were tasfefidly arran;L;i'd in booths ami on
tables the consecrated otferin^^s of churches, and rare and beaidi-
ful contributions from the nations of Enro])e. In the two
A\in,i>s business and industry were rejiresentcd by f;oods and
nntchinery, less ormimental but more usefid. Eastward a whole
* History of the Sanitary Commisaion.
THE WAR OF THE REBELLH N.
743
"block was covcvcd by Fl(»ral ITall, wiiose, contciits a pj tea red likcu
ci'v.stalizcd vision of beauty, in wiiicli both iiatiux' and art liad
been laid under contribution for tlioir most exquisite productions.
Bryan's ilall, tlien tiie largest room in tlie city, was used as a
dejiository for battle-torn banners and other tropliiesof the war,
indicative of llUnoisand western valor.
(Jenerals (Iraut and Hooker, Senator Vates, ami a lai'<;e number
of otlier distin^i'uished ])ersoua,ues, j^ave the presti.^e of tlieir
presence totiu^ occasion. A vast multitude thronii'cd the dilfercut
avenues of approach to tlie city, and thou;ih the relicliion had
■suddenly collapsed and tlui necessity tor raisinj;' funds had greatly
ceased, the i^ross |)roc('eds amounted to more than $o(H>,0(K) and
the net prolits to $250,000.
Military Movc)ne)itHi)i the State. — The operations of the imnuMiso
hosts furnished by the State within her borders, was liuiitcd in
extent. We have; already s]M)ken of th(» occui)ation of <Jaii(»,
located at the jinu'tion of tlu^ Ohio and ^Mississippi rivers and
Illinois Central I'ailroad, which was early re]i;arded as a stratej^ic
]>oiut of moi'c tlian ordinary si^iiilicance. Its near ]U(ixiiiiity to
Kentucky, ^Missouri and Tennessee, whose jjoveiinnents were con-
trolled l>y disloyal men, rendered it liable to seizjire. One of the
first acts of the .garrison was to sujjpress the trallic; in lead and
other contraband mei-chandise carried on by (.rah'na, St. Louis
and Cincinnati, with the rebellious cities on the Lower Mississippi.
Amon<i' other contraban<l shipments (Jov. Yates received intelli-
gence tiiat two steaiueas, the (J. K. llillman and John 1). Peiry,
carryinj;- arms and amMiunition, were about to descend the river
from St. jjouis and telej^raphed Col. Prentiss to stop liiem and
take possession of tlieir carj^oes. In due time the vessels made
their ap[)earance and weie iaimediately boaided and bi'ou.uht to
the wharf. A larj^e nund)er of arms and otlu'r militaiy stores
were seized and confiscated, a i)roceedin_!;' at the time soiuewhat
infoi'und, but subsc(pu'ntly a])i)roved by the Si'cretary of war.
To prevent the recuri'ence of similar attemi)ts on the part of the
rebels to obtidn sui)plies all fuither shipments to posts tiuder in-
surrectionary control wei'e interdicted.
The State was almost destitute, of arms, and the Cairo expedi-
tion had been ecptipped to a j^reat extent Avith sh<)t <;uns ami ritics,
taken from the stores in Cliica,i:;'o. Accordin.u- to the report of the
ordinance qartcrniaster, the arsenal contained oidy ."(»- muskets,
10.") rities. i;>.''i muskctoons, and I'OT pistols, lii addition to tlitso
there were a nund)cr of other armsin jiossession ofditl'erent militia
coini)anies of the State, of anticpu' patterns, and tar inferior to
wea]»onsof a more nuMlern (construction, lender these circum-
stances an eflbrt was nnule to obtain arms from the arsenal of
>rew York, and a messenjier was sent to Washington for a similar
purpost!. It, liowev(>r, soon became evident that this destitution
Avas not coiilined to Illinois, but as tlu' re.>Mlt of Floyd's treacheiy,
common to all the XorHiern States. Accordinj>' to rebel newsjia-
pers, there had been ileposited at different i)oiuts in the South
1(?7,00() stand of muskets, and 200.000 pistols for the avowed ]>ur-
pose of overtui'uinj;' the <i()vernnu'nt to which they rij;htfidly be-
lonjicu. ]''urtlieruu)re, of the home squadron, consistin,:;- of 12
vessels, carrying' 187 gnus and 2,000 men, oidy 4 snudl vessels,
:u
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS^.
B'-
f;in,> iiij;' !'."> ^iiiiiss and -SO iiicii, were available, the others having
been dispersed to distant seas.
Wliile the subject ol' procuring anus was under advisement, the
UH'ssenger who liad been dispalclied to Wasiiinglon returned with
an order on tlie arsenal at St. Louis for 1(),()()0 muskets. Tliisre-
jiosilory of n;ili I a'.y stores was now clo.>ely watclied by traitois,
ami a mob of tliem were ready to seize tlie arms wlucli it contained
the monu'Ut an attempt slionld be made to remove them. Wiiiie
those in charge ofliie recpiif^ition weie lool^ing about for (iompe-
tent men, and couisidering an a\ailable j)]an tor getting possession
of them. Captain Stokes, of C'lu(;ago, volunteered to undertake the
hazardous enterprise. (lov. Yates at once put into his liands the
order issued by tlie secretary of war, and hastening to St. Jiouis,
he found the arsenal surrounded by a disorderly, treasonable
rabble. After a number (if nmivailing alteni[>ts to pass through
the crowd, he at length r< ..( lied tlie building, and communicated
to the ollicer in clnu^ie the ol)ject of his visit. Tiie commamler in-
formed him thai the arsei'al >vus surrouiuled by hundreds of spies
iucommunicatu)U with the ^.■ct^ssionists of the city, and that the
most trivial movement might excits sus[>icion, and bring an over-
powering force ujton the garrison at any nu)ment. Although he
doubted the possibility of complying with tlie requisition, it Avas
evident that delay would render it more dillicnlt, and pernussiou
was given to Captain Stokes to make the attempt. These appre-
hensions were well founded, for the next <lay information was re-
ceived that Gov. Jackson ]ia<l oi'dered 2,(M)0 armed men dowu
from .lefferson City, and was evidently contemplating by this
movement the cai)ture of the arsenal. Two batteries had already
been planted by his friends, one near the arsenal, and one on the
St. Louis levee, and were eitlier designed for this purpose, or some
other treasonable ob,?';c. Captain Stokes inunediately telegraphed
to Alton to have a steamer descend the river and about midnight
land opposite tlie arsesnd, and proceeding to the same place with
700 men of the 7th Illinois, soon commenced lowering the heavy
boxes containing the guns from the ui)per to the lower portion of
the building. At the same time, to divert attention from his real
design, he caused 500 ttnserviceable muskets to be openly placed
on a different boat. As intended, this movement was soon de-
tected, and the shouts and excitement upon their seizure, drew
most of the crowd from the arsenal. Cai)tain Stokes ordered the
remaimler, who were acting as a i)osse, to be shut up in the guard
house, ami as soon as the boat came along side commenced
freighting her with guns. When the 10,000 muskets were aboard
he asked pernnssion to empty the entire art,enal, and was told to
go ahead and take what he wanted. lie, therefore, instead of
coniining himself to the re(juisition, besides cannon and a large
uumber of other valuable accoutrements, took 500 carbines, 500
pistols, and 20,000 muskets, leaving only 7,000 to arm the St.
Louis volunteers. When all was on board and the order was giveu
to start, it was found that the innnense weight of the cargo had
bound the bow of the boat to a rock, which at every turn of the
wheel was crushing through the bottom. Tlie arms had been ])iled
in large quantities about the engines to i)rotect thm from the bat-
teiy on the levee, ami assistance was immediately summoned from
tlie arsenal to remove them to the stern. Fortunately, when this
THE WAK OF THE KEBELI.ION. 7i5
was piiitiully I'ftoctcd the boat loll iiway fioiii tho shore and tloated
into deep water.
'•Wliicli way V said (.'aplaiii Mitchell, ofthe stt'amer. '•S(rai,i;ht
ill the rej;iilar channel to Alton," replied Captain Stokes. '>N\liat
if we an; attacked T said Captain Mitcln-ll. ''Tiien we will lij;lit,''
Avas tlie re]ily ofC.iptain StoUes. '-What if we are oveipowcnMl '"'
said 31itchell. "linn tin; boat to the deepest part of tiie liver and
sink her," replied SSiokes. ''I'll do it," was the heroic iinswer of
3Iitehell, and away they went ])ast the secession battery, i)asl the
!St. Louis levee, and in the r<'<;'nlar channel on to Alton, Mhcre they
arrived at o o'clock in the niorninj;'. When they touched the huul-
in<j', Captain Stokes, feaiin<i" pursuit by some ofthe secession mili-
tary conii)aiiies by which the city of St. Louis was disj^raced, ran
to the market house and ranj;' the five bell. The citizens caino
Hockiii,i>' pell-mell to the liver in all sorts of habiliments. Captain
Stokes inl'ormed them as to the state of affairs, and pointed to the
frei;4lit ears. Instantly men, women and children boarded the
steamer, seized the freight, and clambered up the levee to the
cars. Kich mid poortn^j;ed together with mijiiit and main for two
Lours, when the car^o was all dejMjsited on the cars, and the train
moved off to Sprinj;lield amid the most entliusiustie cheers."*Theso
arms thus rescued from the very j'rasp of traitors, served to ecpiip
the tirst rej;iments of the State, anil on many a bloody field be-
came the terrible avengers of those who sought to use them against
their country.
• Putrlotism of Illiuois.
CnArTER LYI.
ISCl— 18G2. ILLINOIS IN INIISSOURI.
Batiks of Lcxiuy ton, Monroe, Cltarlenton, Fredcricltoivn, Belmont and
I'ea Ridije.
ITnviiic; sivoii a luirf slcotch of llio opoi'atioii of Illinois at homo
let us look abroad at tli«> exi)loits of Ikt soldiiTs in the field.
Ill till' valley of llie Mississippi, east of llie Alle^lianies, and on
tlie Sontliern seahoaitl, every eohiiiiereial liiiL;ii\vay was blockaded
l\v the terrible en<;iiiery of war, and every inoiintaiii pass and sa-
lient out-post echoed with the traiiii* of liostile sa'i.adrons. In the
disposition of the Union armies, Illinois troops were mostly cou-
fine(l to operations on the .Mississippi, the Tennessee, the Cum-
Ixaland, the White, the lied, the Savannah, and in the battles of
JJelinont, Pea Kid;;!', Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth, Perryville, Vi(;ks-
luirj;', Jackson, Stone river, Chickaman,<,a and Lookout Mountain,
jMissioiiary ltidj>e, I'each Tree Creek, Jonesboro, Atlanta, Savan-
nah, Franklin and Nashville, aiul they won fame for themselves
and a proud record for the State.
Military operations in the West coninieneed with the occiii)ation
of Cairo. Alissouri lyini;' westward, with a treasonable executive
and a i)opulation ))artly disloyal, soon became involved in civil
strife. (Jov. Jackson appointed Storliii<>' Price bri;;;'adier f^eneral
of the State troops, which were to be oijianized and ecpiipjied for
action, lie niana<i('d to j;et the i>oliceof St. Louis under his con-
trol, and endeavored to [)ersuade the people of the city and State
to cuist their destiny with their brethren of the Soulhern Confed-
eiacy. Actinj;' ni)on his advice a body of armed men, notoriously
hostile to the }>(>ve]'nmeiit, and in communication with traitors in
the seceded Stat(>s, met near the city, styling' their place of ren-
dezvous Cain]> Ja<;ks()n, in honor of the ji()\ernor. Captain Lyon,
then in command of the arsenal, had in the meantime been em-
powered by the president to enroll 1(>,(K)() loyal men to maintain
the authority of the f>overnment within the limits of the State.
With the i)romptitude which the emerjicncy demanded, he ap-
peared on the niorninjn' of jNFay 10th with a force of (>,<*()() men before
the hostile camp, and deman<h'd its surrender. Taken wholly by
surpiise, and threatened by a superior force, there was no alterna-
tive but to submit, and accoidinjily L'O cannons, 1200 rifles, and a
larj^e amount of ammunition fell into the hands of the Unionists.
Till' force, after dispersiiifif tlie rebels retired to the city, and l)eing
assaulted with showers of stones and i)istol shots from disnnion-
ists, tliey (ired into their ranks and killed some of their leaders.
Great excitement ensued, and but for the vigorous interposition
740
TIIR WAR OV THE llEBELLION. 747
ol" Lyou the conniicnMiil metropolis of Missouri would liiivc hccoiiio
IIk' s<'ciie of slriti' hctwccii Wiuriiij;' iactioiis. His cuiiisc hciiin'
liii;lil\ ji|>i»1'ov»m1 ill \Viisliiii;;toii, lie Wiis raised to the rank of bri-
jjadiei" jiciierai, and jtlaced in coiiiniand of the government forces
then oin-ratinn' in llie State.
I'ereeix in;;' tliat \]h'. militia force tinder I'liee, altlioii^h organ-
ized witii the i)rofessed intention of preserving' jteace, was also
treasonal)le in its sympathies and ulterior designs, he ordered them
to surrender theii" arms. NVhen this (leman<l was made .lacUsou
issut'd a ]>rociamaHon (iallin;;" .lO.dOO Slate militia to repel t\'d-
eral invasion, thus further disclosing- th<^ real</«//«H.v of the or;;an-
izafion undei' his contiol. With ii view of arrestin;;- further
proceed i u ;is (»1' tins kind, Lyon started in steamers for .Jelfersou
City with a force of L',(HK> men, and arriving' thither he found that
Jackson had evacuated the city and ictreated to IJoonexille,
lii;;hei' uptlu^ river. Following' him to tlu^ latter i»lace, he, on the
]7lli of dune, uiet aiul completely routed the rebel t'orce, and most
of their military stores tell into his hands. With the Union force
in lapid pursuit Juc-ksou and his followers Hed to the southwest-
ern part of tlie State, wln-re he expected assistance Ironi I'lice.
lie was, however, met in daspei' county by irt,()0(> men undci' (!ol.
Fianz Si^cl, a si)irite(l oflicer, who was ]»ushin^' forward to [»ri!Vent
Ids juucriou with I'cinfoi'cements. On the 4th of duly Si^^cl had
an cii,i;a.u'emeiit with his force near (lartha^e, and although out-
]iuiid)ere(l two to one, inllicted upon him a severe blow, the rebel
loss bein.i; ."iO killed anil loO wouniKd, while his own was only 13
killed an(l .')! wounde<l. Si.ii'cl's ammunition bein;;- exhauslcd, he
Avas coni]M'lle(l to fall back.lirst to iMt. Vernon, and then loSprin;;-
iield, where he met (Jen. Lyon. The retreat was fortunate, for
the next day I ■'wv, reinforced by several thousand men from
'J'cxas and Arkansas, under (U)mmand of .AlcCulloch, advanced to
tlu' support of Jackson. This force continued its inarch in the
direction taken by Sijuel, and took ii position on Wilson's creek,
vith the intention of moving' a^aiustSpriii^tield,only t(Mi miles dis-
tant. Lyon's forceat- tin; latter place was oidy r),()(Mtmeii.aiKlmany
of these were inexperi<'nced recruits, who had just taken the [ilace
of .'••months troops, wliile he was confronted with l!(»,(H)() enemies.
A coiircil of war was held, and in view of the demoralizing ell'ect
a retreat would havi^ iii»on the I'niou cause, it wii^ '^"cided to risk
a battle with even this superior fon^e.
Accordingly on the Stli of Aiij^iist Lyon led his forces against
the enemy. A bloody li^iit ensued, iii which Ly(»n, at the head of
one of his re;.;iineiits, in ii heavy charge a,iiainst the foe, was
pit'iced through the he-art by two bullets, and fell liJeless from his
srciMl.
The (Command now devolved on Major Stur^is, and after three
hours' hard ti^yhtiny the enemy was (Iriveii from the iicld. The
rnion troops, bein<4' now without ammunition, retired to S]U'iujn-
ficid, where Si^el took command, and condncted them to JJolla.
The loss of the enemy was rejiorted at 1,.'»17, ours at i.2;5.">, besides
the death of Lyon, who was himself a host, llis j^lorious ])ast,
the ")urity of his life, and almost reckless daring, had made him
the idol of the peo])le, and when stricken down the nation was
lillcd with mournin;;'. llebel authorities endeavored to ma^nity
this battle into a victory, notwithstanding the fact that L'0,000 of
748
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
their incii liiul been iiict by "),()()() federals and so badly disiibled
llial tliey coald not pursue tlie lalter wlir-ii tliey retreated. As
I'l'iee was unable t<» resume oiteialions for more tliaii a moiitli. it
vas evidently a irnion triumidi, altliouyli dearly pureliased at the
cost of Lyon's life.
I^arly in -Iidy, lS(il, ••'remont was entrii.'ste<l with the chief eoni-
inandof the westei'n de|»artment, embracini;- the iState of Illin(»is,
and the States iiiul territories between the Mississii>i>i and the
liochy Mountains. He found the situation (tf alVairs in his lU'W
held of labor veiy unproniisini^'. Pope was in northern .Missoiiri
Mith asnuUl foire, Prentiss atCairo with a fewre;;inu'nls. Confront-
inu' these and rea(\v to ]>ounee u))on them uith irresistible mi.ulit
Aviienevertiu'varyir j;- fortunes<.f war furnished an opportunity, were
l.'(».(»(KMnen under Pii'ow at ^^ew .Madrid, and ;5(>.(l(l(» under Price in
the southwest part of tl." State. One of •<''■; .nont's lirst acts was to
reintbrce Cairo and I>ird s I'oint, on theo]>posite sideof the Missis-
sipiii, both imiK'iiled by the overwhelmiu';' •'orces on the river
below. On tlu^ oOth of Auj^iist he issue<l a proelannitien plaeinj;'
the whole State of ^lissouri und*. r martial law, ami declariiif; the
l)roperty of relu'ls confiscated, .".d tiieir slaves free men. Pitl 'i(!
opinion, however, was not yet jucparcd for emancipation, and
President Lincoln annulled that portion relating' to slavery.
BaitU of Lexington. — After reeoverins from the battle of "Wil-
son's creek, Price started northward to the ^lissouri ri\er, it was
.Mi])]»osed to jiet possession of .bdierson ("ity, and reinstate the au-
tliority of Gov. Jackson. Despite small detachnu'nts sent out to
intercept his nu)vemeids, he turned his coui'scr to the northwest,
and on the 11th of September set down before Lexinjiton, <jn the
]\lissouri, .'500 miles above St. Louis. Col. ]\lulligan, in command
of the L'.'Jd Illinois infantry, 1st Illinois cavalry, and about 1,L'(K»
IVlissouri troops, had previously taken position between Old and
New Lexin;>ton, distant about half a mile, and c(»mmeneed fortify-
ing' it. His entire force was less than ;},()(>(), Avhile the assailants
Mere estimated at nearly L'(»,(KK), and consisted, according' to rebel
statements, of the elite of the Confederate army. As early as the
12tli an assault was made on his works, but the lien e and derter-
niined manner in whi(;h itwasmet soon ecuivinced 7 rice that even
Avitli his overwhelming' numbers, it would not be prudent to at-
temi)t to carry the i)Iaee by storm. Accordingly, as a means of
gradual approach, bales of hemi), saturated with water, to i)reveiit
ignition from the hot shots of IMulligan's guns, were rolled in
front of his batteries. Mulligan, in the meantime, had burnt a
portion of the old town to i)revent the enemy taking shelter iu it,
and sent messengers by different routes for more troops.
Piice, who had been waiting for ammunition, receivi'd a su])))ly
and on the 18th 13 guns, posted in eommanding jiositions, opened
their fiery throats upon the federal intenchmeiits. The I'liiou
commander had five small biass i)ieces which were brought into
l)osition and worked with great gallantry, being eharge<i with
rough shot manufact'.red for the occasion in a neighboring foundry.
Piice having previously seized the boats in tliv river, and fortilied
the adjacent bluffs., the besieged trooiis were cutoff from water,
and suffered the most intense agonies of thirst. This hardship
was further aggravated by the stench arising from the putrid ear-
THE WAR OF Tlir UKTIKLIJON. 71!)
ciisscs of liorscH wliicli in liivfrc iminln'r.s liiul been slaiifilifciiMl l>y
tlic liri'of the rt'bcl j;iiiis. It, however, liiiiied ;it iiiterviils, iiiiil
the thirsty men, by si»reii(liii,u tlieir hhiiikels till tliey Ix-ciiiiie snt-
iiuiled witli wilier. Mini tlieii wiiiiuiii.L; t iieiii in ciinip disiies, were
eiiiiltled to prohtlij;' tiie sei;;e till tlie L'Oth, when tiiey suricmiered.
Col. .Muiiijiiin fiieelKMisly reniiirivs of tlie iionie jumirds, a portion
of the Missouri troops under Ids eoniniiind wlio icfnsed to fi.uht,
tinit they were "invinciltle in ite;iee ;ind in\isil»ie in war." Col.
l"^st\iin, of thereltei service, in writin^i' of tiie eapilulation, said :
'•TiiissurremU'r (h)es not cast the «lijihte.st «lise,redit on ("oi. Mnl-
]ij:an, his oMieers and men. After iiavini;' exliansted all their
nn-ans ajuainsi an enemy three times tiieir strength, they had no
(•lM»iee hut <!aiiitidation. Tiu^ booty wits (•<»iisideral>le. In addi-
tion to arms, ejothin;;' and annnnnition, we took more than a mil-
lion dollars in hard easii. These dollars nearly rendered our
fellows frantic, for this was theoliject which had induced the ma-
jority of them to take up arms ajiainst their former government."*
A writer in the ('liica;;(» /'r>,v/tlius sjyeaks of Mulligan's command
known as the Irish r.ri,i>ade, of whicli he wa.s a i»rivate :
''(In tlie 17th the enemy commoiioed erectinsj: lireastworks of hemp
liali's from liehuul wliidi tlu'y contimu'd to (ire as tiiey rolled them to-
wan Is us. Aliiiut .'{o'clock of the same (lay tlu'y charged over our eii-
treiicliMU'iits, upon ("ol. lVal)oily's lioni(> gaanis, ami planted their lla;^s
on the toj) ot'oiir breastworks, Th'-Jrish JJriyade was ordered to have
its position on tlieopixisite wide lo retake the ground which Piahody had
lost. NN'e tired on the run, and continued on the doulile (|Uick. The
reliels scattered and tied liki' a tlock of slieep, but left tlie top oftiio
breastworks covi'red witli dead and wounded. Ju this single charge we
killed and wounded some .")•"> and lost aliout .'!!). They had no i)ayonets,
and most of their wea])ous being sliot guns we did not give them time to
use them. Tliey tired at ran<ioni. Col. ^lulligau received a Imck-sliot
through one of Ids legs, which lanu'd but did not disable inm ; si.x or
seven |)assed through iiislilouse. Six dillerent times during the ensuing
night the rel)els were allowed to aiijiroach the ditch on tlie side next the
city. When they f?<>t sutlicieutly near, our boys on the inside
would exj)lode a none, hurling them jtromiseuously in every direction,
and shuiglitering tlu-ni by hundreds. Six mines were tlius s})rung un-
der their feet, and tln.'y evidently began to regard that side of the en-
tr"uchment as a dangerous locality."
Col. Mulli<;an, who by the jiullant thou<;lniiisnc(;o.'«.sfu]defensc of
lA'xington, won thr esteem of Illinois, was born in 182!), in the
city of irtica, Xew York. While a child his father died and his
mother moved with him to Chicaj;(). At the a;;e of L'l he eom-
meiieed studying law in the othee of Isaac X. Arnold, .M. C from
the Chicago district, and in ISotl was admitted to the bar. At the
commcMU'emeiit of the war he was captain of a militia comi)any,
the Shiehls Guivrd, in the drilling of which ho accjuired a knowl-
edge of military tactics. At the fall of Sumter he threw his
.soul into the cause of the Union, assisted in foiniing the Jrish-
Anierican companies of Chicago into a regiment, known as the
Irish brigade, of which he was elected colonel. The conduct of
the regiment at Lexington and elsewhere was brave and eflicient.
Fremont had sent reinforcements to ]Mulligan, and nn fortu-
nately his men had hardly laid down their arms when the .succor-
ing force made its appearance on the opi)osite side of the river.
* Tliif? admission but Illy ooiiirnrts with the oft-repoatorl stiitcmcnt of rebols that
they Imd taken up arms to resist the a^Bfressioas ol the north.
700
HIST(>I^^' <»l' IMJNOIH.
TTrtloffc St. Loll I H oil tlH'.L!7tli, fur llic piiiposc ol' iiiiclin.L; I'lico
unil K>v>>>K' I'i'o '»>)''*' »l sniiM' )Miiiil on til)' Missoiii'i. His I'ukm;
Mils »'(»m|Hisi'(l of li\c divisions, ('iiininaniltMl r<'S|M'rti\ cIn I>,\ (lens,
l'<i|>(', Si;;rl, IIiinhT, A.siiii)»tli ;in(i Mrl\instrv, iini(Hinl iii;^' in liic
jinj^icoj,!,, I,, ;;!»,(i(((i men. 'I'lic wary i-cIm-I ;:;('iifr;il, iiowrv cr,
Hdoii iip|)i'isr<l 1)1' liis inlciitintis, (■niniiiriiccd r<-ti'<':iliii<; soul liwiiid
illid l».\ oH iisiv<' <';i\iiliv Icinls siicrccdcd in iiliiciii" (lie <)s;i;;(!
bet wri'ii liini ;iiid liis |»iiisnt'is. ImcmihiiI still lull' ' 'ii^, on llic,
L'Sili of Octohcr (lie ;id\ miicc divisions of his iirniy cnuifd Sprin^-
lirld iind drove a poilion of the icltcl loriH' iVoin tin- town. As
soon :is Im' riiirn' lip preprint ions (■oiniiicncfd to ;;i\ c I lie ciirniy
l"::!!!',', hilt iinloi I iin;it<'l.\ iit t his jiinci iiic when thciiiniy wns
<'ii;i<'r lor tin- contest :ind «'\ «'r_ytliiiij; seemed to pioinise sikm-css,
he wiis I't'lii'vcd of his eoinin:ind.
This \\;is not entirely iine.\|)ecied iis Iiis lehitioiis willi the \\;ir
depiiitiiient had lor some tinu^ lieeii iinsiitislaetoiy. Its oei iir-
reiiee at this critical time, howexcr, was a matter of re;.;ret, for
wliatevi'i' i'rrors may have been committed, the retreat of the army
ami the ahaiidonment of this portion of the Slate to reliels. w liieh
I'ollowcd, w;w far more disastrous. The. failure to promi)liy send
troops to tin' relief of .Mulligan eaiiscil a stoiin to hreaU out ajL-aiiist
liiin, and his eiiemies m'\er aflerwards lie<-ame leeoiieiled. lie,
was ehar;;cd with defraiidiii.L; the j;(i\ erniiieni in piiicliasiii;; sup-
jilies for the army ; with siirioiiiiHiii;; himselt" with fa\(trites to llii!
exclusion of inerilorions ollicers, and limilly ineompeleiiey in tin',
!naiia;:;ement of his deparlineiit; it should, however, lie iiuii-
lioiied in exteiiiialion of these eharjics, that the failure to jcliext!
Le\iii;;ton was rather the result ol' adverse circiinistanees than
the iaiilt of l-'reinont ; that ids attempt to free the slaves (d' rehel
masters. alllnMiiih rejected at the time, snl»se(pieiitl\ heeiiine I lie
policy of the ;L;(i\crnmeiit, and that had lie Iteeii cnaiilcd to carry
Old his plans i'ov tiie descent of the .Mississippi, wliieii his succes-
sors moiillis afterward adopted, it would have saved the coiiiilry
thousands of lives and millions of treasure.
litdllc (if Mouroc. — I'esides tlie hattle of Lexin/^toii, a niimlier
of minor en;;a;;<'meiits occurred in .Missouri during P'remoiil's
administration, in w liicli tlie troops of Illinois I tore a distin^iiished
Jtart. A spiiited ti.i;ht occnrred helvveeii Col. if. T. .Siiiilh of the
Kith Illinois and the rehel (iov . Harris, in eemniand of -,r)(IO con-
federates statioiieil at I'lorida. Tlie federal ollicer with a force of
(>(•() men detached from his own r<';4iment) ami the.'Jd Iowa, lel't
Ills (;iun}> at Monroe, .iO miles west of llannihul, to eii;L>a;;'e tliii
enemy. On Hearing' tiie ford itii Salt river, lie was siichlcnly
attacked and ('a])t. McAlister of the Hitli Illinois, mortally
uoiiiMh'd. Finding; himself confronted 1>.V f;reatly superior num-
bers (.'ol. Hmitli fell hack to .Monroe and statione«l his force in an
academy. Here he maintained his position till the arrival of r(;-
inforcements fioni (^)uiiicy, iindei' ex-(iov. Wood, when the enemy
was cliai'.iicd and lonted with a loss of 70 men and ' lar^c, iiuiii-
ber of horses.
llattlc of VharlfHton. — On tlie liMli of Aii.iiiist an en<;a;4eincnt
oe(;iirred at Cliarleston, of wliicIi (Jen. Ficmont j^ives tlie follow-
ing account: " IJeporl Irom cummandiny ofiicer at Cairo says tliat
TIIK WAIl OK TIIK Kl'.UKI.I.ION.
751
('<»l. I)oii;;lin't\ of (lie UlM Illinois, with ."{00 mni snit out yt'strr-
(l;i,v III 7 o'rliirk Ikiiii liird'.s I'uitit, iit hicUcd the Miniiy at
< 'liiii'Ifstdii, l,L20l) .sti'oti;;, tlrovc liiin ItacU, Uilhil 10. tuoK 17 piiso-
iK'i's iiii*l I.") horses iiiiil icIiiriHMl ill 12 A. AI. to liiiiTs I'oiiil, willi
ii loss of I Uillcd 1111(1 (» woiiinh'd." A <MUii'S|Mm«l('iit ol'lln' New
York Tiihidti irhlli'S till- I'ollow in;; of Ll. Col. Iiillisoiii ol' llir Mill
IlliiiolM: '' lie was iii';;iii;; Ills iiii-ii to lli<- (tli!ii';;c wlirii a man
roilr lip anil callnl out "Dovoii know voii ate killiti'^ our own
incur K'ansoin ifplinl '• I know wlial I am doiii;; ; w ho arr youT'
'J'lic reply was " I am lor.lcIV Davis." Ikaiisom nplicd, '» Voii aro
the man I am after," and inslanlly two pistols were drawn. 'I'lic
rehi'l tired tirsl. takiii'^ elfeel in < 'ol. Itaiisom's arm near lliu
Klioiilder. The (-oloiiel tired, killin<;' ills aiita;;oiiist iiistanlly.
Iltilllc of Frcthriclcfoioi. — Another [spirited eiiya^fement eaimi
olT on the 1,'lst of Oelolier near l-'iederiektown. <ieii. (liaiil llieii
coinmandiii,!; the southwest distiiel of Missouri, wii h headipiarlers
iitCairo, Ilea rill!; that tin' town was oeenpied by a eliel foriio
undersell. .lelV. 'I'lioinpson, sent Col. IMiiiiiiiier, of the lith .Mis-
.soiiri. to operate against them. 'I'liis re;;imenl was eom|iosed of
Illinois men who enlisted in .Missouri. 'I'lie eoinpletion of tho
<|iiota rendered it impossiitle to olitaiii admission to the ser\ ice at
lioiiie, and hence they went. >a.d. The force of the latter con-
sisted of his own regiment, tin ITlli Illinois, Col. K'oss, the LMMli,
Col. .Marsh, White's secti(»n of 'I'aylor's (;iiica;;(» Itaftery ami
('aptaiiis Stewart and Saunders' compan.cs of Illinois cavalry.
On his airival at i-'rcdcricktowii he found it in possession of Col.
Carlin, .'!S|h Illinois, whose command, in addition to the ."iSih,
included the 21st and L't'td Illinois, Colonels .Vlexaiider and Har-
vey and several companies of infantry and cavalry from W'ls-
consin and Iowa. Tlie entire force under tlie leadership of ( !ol.
I'liimlier rapidly iiiirsiied and oveitook the enemy, when a scNcro
<'n;;a,L;emeiit, followcil, 'I'lie I7tli Illinois and Taylor' s battery
(tommenced the attack in the rear, wlii'e th(! other rc;;iments dc-
]»loy<'d to the ii;;lil and left as they came up and delivered their
lire, 'i'lie left of thereiicl force soon ;;avc way, and their retreat
was converted into a I'oiit. The ri;;lil under Thompson sii|>port('<l
by a battery mainlained its position longer, but the battery
Avas at length captured and the rout became ;;eiieral. The
retreating loe was pursued a distance of 20 miles, and lost in the,
en^a;;('!neiit 200 men ity death and iSO by ca]»tiire. 'i'lie federal
loss was (I killed and tlO wounded.
(icii. Hunter, who was sent to succeed (!eii. I'" remont, arrived on
tlie .'»d of November, and declining' an en^a;;enienl with I'lici- coin-
meiiccd I'ctreatin^in the direction (d" St. Louis. Price followed him
and eiidea voied to deslroy t he Northern railroad for the purpose of
ciillin,^on' commiinicalion v ithSt. Louis. On the iStli of .Noxcm-
ber (Jen. Ilalleck rea<-lied that city, and relieving;' (len. liiintcr,
took ((tnimaiid of the Western Department. lie immediately
issued a proclamat i<»n lixin;;' the penally of death against all per-
sons en^a;;cd in destroying' railroads and telegraphs, and by sii|)(i-
rior stratejuy succeeded in circaiiiiventin;;' the designs (»f Prico.
On tln^ 7th of December Pope was ])laced in (Mimmand of llu;
troops ill Xorthern Missouri, and i»ushiny' forwa. ' lie occnjiied ii
position between Warrensburg ami Clinton. Oiierating from this
niSTORY OF ILLINOIS.
i
position lie ('ii!il»li'<l (Jol. T, i\ Diivis to iimct and (•oin])lot('lv ront
the enemy near tlie nioiitli ol' ("Icar cicck. U'iiis victory was
iitniuMliiiti'ly foDo'ved l)y an ejx'dition to JJ(^\in^■t()n for the i>iiii)ose
of (h'sti(»yin,u' a loiindiy and a small lleet in jiossession of rebel
troops. This was speedily accomplished, and witli it aim."- the
' ntire rejiiitn between the Missouri and Osage rivers fell liil) the
hands of the federals.
Battle of Belmont. — In tlie meantime Gen. Grant made an
attempt to eai>ture the rebel foree at Jielmont, on theAlissouri
side of the ]\Iississip]»i. Henceforth the history of this olhccT
is too well known to re(iuire recital. AVitli his ])ast history Ave
are not so familiar. I'lyssesS. Grant was born in (Merinont county,
Ohio. April 27, LS21!. At the aye of 17 he was adndtted to
the nulitary academy at ^Vest I'oint, and giaduated .June .'<<>,
184.'{, Immediately after his jiiaduation he rec^'ived the l)revet
of 2(1 lieutenant, and was i)laced in the 4th re.uinient of United
iSt^'.tes infantiy, then stationed in Missouri. J)urin<4' the war
with .Mexico his i'e,niment was ordercil to join the army of
oeeui>ation under (ien. Taylor, and sMbsecpu'Utly he ])articii»ated
in the battles of Palo Alto, IJeseea de la Talma and Monterey.
On the arrival of Gen. 8('ott he was transferred to his (;ommand,
and in the battles of Vera (Jiuz and JMolino del Jfey his brsivery
was soc()nspi(;uous, he was nuide Jst lieutenant on thebattle field.
In the battle of Cliepultepec;, which followed, he further distin-
guished himself and wasaj;ain ])rom<)ted, receivinj;' the brevet of
captain in the reji'idar army. "\Vith the cessation of the war he
returned home, resi}>ned I'^-- "ommission and lived a private life till
the commencjement of rhe rebellion.
In April ISIJl, he waited on (iov. Yates and tendered him his
services, modestly statin;;' that he had been educnted at the ex-
j.ense of the {^overnnu'ut ; that lie now thought it his duty
to assist in defending it, and would regard it a privilege to
be assigned to any position where he could render himself use-
ful. The first important duty with which he was entrusted was
the organization of the first regiments furnished by the State
under the call of April ir», 18(51. Evincing in the])erformance of
this work his sujierior military qualitications, the governor placed
liim in command of the 21st Illinois, his commission as colonel dat-
ing from the lath of June, 18(51. Atthetime he took command the
regiment was demoi'alized and in(!om]>lete, but in 10 days after-
ward he tilled it to the maximum standard and brought it to a
state of discipline seldom attained in so short a time. JJeing
ordered to Korthern Missouri, his regiment proceeded cm foot from
Springtield to the Illinois river, thence on the cars to (^uincy,
where its tirst (bity was the protection of the Quiney & Talmyra
and the Hannibal and St. Jose[>h railroads.
On the 31st of July Grant was placed in commandof the troo])s
atlNlexico, in the North Missouri District, commanded by Ibig.
Gen. roi)e. Early distinguishing himself in the held, his claims
ft »• increased rank were recognized by his friends in Illinois before
bis worth was fully ai)preeiated in Washington. His vigorous
prosecution of the campaign in North ]\Iissouri, liowever, soon
won universal recognition, and he was promoted August 23d to
the rank of brigadier general, his commission dating from May
Till') ■WAR OF THE REBELLION. 753
ITtli. Alter liis promotion he was pliiced in eoiiimandof tlie Dis-
trict of Cairo, einhraciii^ in its Jurisdiction Soutlieni Illinois and
]Missouri and that i)ait of Kentucky west of the Cuniherhind.
Tlic iorce now under liis coniinaiid consisted of two hrif-ades nnni-
berinj;' 2,.S,")0 men. Tiie first undei- (leu. John A. JMcCMernand con-
sisted of the L»7tii, Col. JJuford ; ;!Oth, Col. Fouke ; .'Ust, Col. .1. A.
Lo^^an ;Cai)t. Dollins' company of 4th cavalry and Tayloi's batterj^
of li,i;ht artilleiy. The second, under Col II. l)ou<ili,iiy, coin-
l>ris('d his own rejuiinent, the L'lst Illinois, and the 7th Jowa, Col.
Jiaunnm. The entire force except the last regiment was from Illi-
nois.
(1 rant's first movement was to .seize Smithland and Padticah
respctively at the nnrnths of the Cumberland and Tennessee, and
use them as the base of future operations in the rebel States.
Having garrisoned these places, his next movement was to dis-
lodge a rebel force stationed at JJelmont, on the.JMissouri side of
the Mississippi. The entire force under his command was em-
barked on board the gunboats Tyler and Lexington and landed
November 7th, 1801, at Lucas' beinl, about two miles from the
canii) of the enemy. As soon as debarkation was effected a line
of battle was formed, Jiuford commanding the right, Fouke the
centei' and Logan the left. The advance toward the camp was
a continueus running tight, in which a storm of the enemy's mis-
siles battered and tore down the timber in the faces of our men.
Passing over all obstacles and surmounting all oi)i)os'.tion the
three divisions vied with each other for the honor of tiist reach-
ing the rebel positi(m. The scene became terrific, men grappled
with men, cohimn charged uiK)n column, musketry rsittled can-
non thundered and tore frightful gai)s in the contending forces.
Piesently the 57th planted i<^s colors in the midst of the hostile
encampment, and a loud and i)rolonged shout was heard above
the din ofbattle. Next, the 21st captured a ll*-pound gun battery,
one of the enemy's i>rincipal defences, when a final im])etuous,
irresistible charge drove him 'n every direction and left the field
in possessioji of the federals. The victory was complete. The
captured canij) was immediately fired, and all the rebel baggage
and ammunition destroved.
In the meantinu^ a heavy rebel force was thrown across the
river from Colund)us and moved up to repair the disaster, while
batteries opened upon our men from the opposite shore. Unable
to cope with such formidalle nund)ers, a retreat became necessary
to avoid being cut off from the boats. The command Mas there-
fore given to retire, but before it could be executed the passage
became blocked up with rebel forces. The boys of Illinois and
Iowa, iu)wever, had fought their "nay forward, and they now in
opposition to a foe of greatly superior numbers fought their way
back. Every regiment suffered severely, but it was believed the
enemy suttered worse. Grant in his official rei)ort gives the loss
of the former at 84: killed and 150 wounded; that of the latter was
not known.
The object of the battle was to prevent the enemy from send-
ing reinforcements to Price Jind Thompson in Missouri.
IJut how this was to be done does not appear, when the
impossibility of holding the position under the heavy guns of
Columbus wasai)parent. Though the propriety of the expedition
48
754
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
iniiy bo questioned the valorof Illinois -was uiuloulited. den. INFc-
Cleniiind was in tliiunidstof (liinj;er<lispla.vin<ijiieiit eoolness and
skill in liandlinjj liis forces, (len. Lojuan e.\liii)ited the inti<'|)id-
it,v and Jtidf;iaent which distiiiji'nished him in su'l)se(iiient
battles, and Col. Donjjheity at the head of his bvij;ade was three
times wounded and at lenj;th taken jaisoner. Says McClernand:
"I cannot bestow too hijjh commendation upon all 1 luul the honor to
conniiand on that day. Sui)])Ile(i witl> inferior and defective arms, many
of wliicii could notl)e discluirgcd, many l)urstinf;f in use, they fou^>iit an
an enemy in woods witli which h" was fauuiiar, liehind defensive works
which he Iiad hccn preparing fo onths, in the face of a Itattery at Jiel-
niont and under the huge jfuns .it'ohuubus, and although nunil)erinj»
thrc^e or four to our one, we heat him and ca|)turcd several stand of colors,
destroying his camp and carrying otfa large amount of property already
mentioned. To mention all who did well would include every man of
my command who came under my jjcrsomd notice. Jioth otiicers and
privates did their whole duty, nobly sustaining the character of Ameri-
cans and Illinoisans. They shed new luster upon the flag of their country
by holding it in triumph Mirough the shock of l)attleand thedin ofarms.
Tlie lilooil they so freely poured out proved their devotion to tiioir coun-
try and serves to hallow a just cause witli glorious recollections. Their
success was that of citizen soldiers."
Bditle of Pea Ridrjc. — The fim^os operatinjr in Missouri at the
eloseot .lannary, 1<S()2, were (combined under the comnnind of (ien.
S. H. Curtis, II distinjiuished otlicer of the U. H. army. Early the
following;' month they pushed rapidly toward Sprin^ti<d(l, wiiere
on tiie iL'tli they encountered I'ric-e with about 4,(HK) men. Siiarp
skiiinishin<;' ensued and the rebel f-eneral lieeins;' dininj;' the ni^ht
to a\()i(I an en<;a}4enH'nt, was jtursued for )nore than 100 miles.
kStoppiiij;- in the vicinity of tla^ Boston mountains he was re-intbreed
by McCulIoch and Van Dorn, Avher(d»y his army was an^niented
to near 40,000 men, and lie was ayain enabled to resume oftensive
operations. Curtis thus threatened, had distributed jjortions ol
Lis command for ftarris<»n duty alon<; Ids extensive line of com-
niuiiication, ami now Ii.mI leftoidy 12,(t00men and about ")() ])ieces
of artilleiy. His several divisions had been sent in various diice-
tions ibr the purjio-se of (d)tainin<;' ibraj;e and dispeisinj;- ](d)el
bands !;atliering at different points in the s(»utheasteni part of the
State. TIk! bst ami lid were; under Sij>('l near IJentonviile, the .'Id
under Davis near Suyar Creek, and the 4(h under Carr at Cioss
]b>liow, Early in March intelli};ence was received that Van J)oiii
who assumed chief command, was advaiu'iuf;' to nmke an attack
A correspondent of the ChicBjro Piwt, wrltinjr of nelmont,sn}H : "An incidont wor-
thy of iK'in^r recorded oecurn^d during' the recent battle. Col. I'hil. U. I'ouke, of the
31st niinois. and Col. JohnV. WrlKht, of the 13th Tennessee, both members of the last
con>;ress, w»ue warm friends and oci^iipled seats tojrethtr. When the war liroki^ out
beloro Ihey had left Washington, Mr. Writfht received the appointment of colonel
from the Bovernor of Tennessee. W'"n about to separate Mr. Wrijrht said ; 'Phil., I
am iroinff into the war. and I suppose joii will be in italso, and I promise if we meet
on the battle field that I will take care of your men if you will take care of mine.'
The pledire wasinutual, and the ' cxt time they met wason the bloody Held of Ilelinont.
At one time during the %ht Col. Foukes men were lyinK down waiting for the enemy
and he was stnndiniron a log- in full view wnltinpr for them, when about twenty or
Wrijrht's men leveled their musketsat liini, which movement belnjrseen by Col.WriRht,
he looked in tlie direction and rcco^'■nizedCol. Fouke, ordered his men to desist, sayini?
that man was his friend and lie did not want him harmed This interposition iloiibt-
less saved Col. Fouke's life n.s these Tennesseeans are crack shots. Col. Wrinht was
was afterwards severely wounded, but the next day sent his ad.iutant to inform Col.
Fouko that he had not forsotton his pled^;o. Ueforc the battle was ended Cf)l. Fouke's
regiment took a number ol Col. Wright's men, and he relijrously <>bsesved his share of
the pledge, looking after tbo wants of the prisoners as though they were his own
men."
THE WAR OF THK REBELLION.
7.)a
and the .sovcral divisions of tho Union fonnvs were ordered to(U)n-
(HMitrate on 8n<(ar Creek, a point re^^arded favorable for effeetive
resistenee. Sij^cl in brinjiin?;' up liis division Avas assailed hy larjio
niiinhers of the enemy, and for live hom\s <;oni))ellod to cut his
way throiifih theii' midst to etfeet a Jnnc^tion witii tiie othei's.
On th(^ (ith of Mareh, ISdl', the entire foree was l)ron.niit to,nether
on tiie western ed/^e of i'ea, Jli(l>it', and in nnlieipation of au
enj;a,!4ement, slept on their arms. Tiie battle <%')mmeneed at early
dawn and rajicd furiously tlu^ whole day, daiiiiy which Van Dorii
su(;ceeded in marehinj;' round the Federal army, ami took a i)()si-
tion in the rear. Curtis was thus compelled to chanjie his front,
and allhoii^h exposed to the continued tire of the enemy, the
movement wa.s executed with the most intrepid j>allaiitry. In the
(H'Utre and on the left the battle ra^'ed with inci-eased fury, and
wlien eveninj;' put an end to the carnage, McCulloch and Mc'lntosh,
two of the nu)st efticient rebel oilicers, were amonj;- the slain. The
weather was cold and the army lay down to pass a comfortless
iiifilit, beiny unable to kindle lires without drawing;' the attention
of the enemy. During tlie nij;ht the rebels etfeete(l a Junction of
their I'orces, and as the rising' sun lighted up tlie battle pound,
they recommenced the contliet, contident of overwhelmiiij;' the
federals by superior numbers. The latter, however, were handled
witii jiiciit skill and Sij^cl served the artillery with such accuracy
that the rebel line in ashorttinu^ was seriously shaken and finally
fcaced from the iield. The routed army llecl in the directtion of
Keitsville and was followe<l a distance of 12 miles, when further
pursuit, in conseijuence of the woodeil and broken country, became
impracticable. That portion of the battle field jiounded by our
artillery presented a j;hastly sceiM> of dismounted cannons,
shivered c;irriaj;('s and mangii'd bodies. Price's loss was estiniatecl
at .■),()()() in killed, wounded and missinf>'. A novel featuie intro-
duced at this battle was Ihe eni])loyment of some 2,r)()() Jndiiins
sediu'cd from tiieir alieyia-nee by the rebels. They were of little
sei'vi<'(> to their allies in fij;htinj;' the livinj;- but vented their brutal
fenxaty in mutulatin;;- the bodies of the dead.
Tlie Illinois troops particiitatinj-' in the en<:'a<>'enuMit were the
3r>th, Col. (J. A. Smith ; oOth, Col. \ireusel ; ;{7th. Col. .T. White ;
.'jTth, .Major Post ; iU\ cavalry. Col. E. A. Carr ; a battalion of the
lath cavaliy, Ciipt. Jenks, and Davidson's Peoria, battery. All
a('(piitte(l (Iiemselves in such a manner as to I'cflect honor ui)ou
the State. Day Klmore, a drumnu'r of the .'{(ith, exchan,i;ed his
drum for a musket and fouylit with the bravery of a veteran dur-
ing;' the intire battle.
After this enf^'a.u'enuMit lai'j>e numbers of the ]Missourians who
had fou.iilit with the rebels, were [tei'mitted to return home, and
on takinji' tlu^ oath of allegiance, the State for a short tinu^ en-
Joyed comparativequiet. In .lune, at tli(^su<i|H('stiou of Cien.( -urtis
.Missouri was erected in to a sejtarate military district, and (Jen. J. j\r.
Scholield, who had served with distinction as chief of the hunented
Lyon's staff, was ]>laced in command. JMarandiufi' bands again
began to be troublesome, iind Scholield, on thel'L'd inst., issued a
l)roclamat ion holding rebel sympallii/ers and their projiery re-
sponsible for the depredations committed in their respective dis-
tricts. lOncouiaged by Price at Helena, nunu'rous rebel emissaiies
next spread themselves over the 8tate, and while openly profess-
750
HISTORY OP ILLINOIS.
ing Union sentinnMits, they secretly oi-f^iini zed a force estiniated
at 40,(K)0 men, and aj>reed upon sif^nal.s whereby tliey could sud-
denly seize all the important points in the country. To prepare
for the conspiracy Schotield obtained from the general government
authority to orji^anize the militia, and as the loyal people readily
submitted to the e'lrollmt.it, ami tlie disloyal refused, thus dis-
closing the real character of each nnin. Some 20,000 men -vvero
rei)orted for military duty, ami lo raise funds for their support,
the wealthy in St. Jjouis county <vlio refused to serve, were re-
quired to furnish $500,000. A bloody struf'-gie was now goinj? on
in the northeast i)ortion of tlie State between bands of guerillas
and the militia. By the 1st of Septeiid)er as many as a hundred
small engagements had occurred in which Illinois troops largely
])articii)ated, and some 10,000 rebels were killed, wouiuled or
driven from the State. At this date the rebels imder llindman,
in northern Arkansas, numbering 50,000, Avere also conteni])lating
an invasion of south-western Missouri. As the result, battles of
considerable magnitude were fought at Fort Wayne, Cane Hill,
and Fayetteville, in which the rebels sustained such serious losses
that Uiudmau abandoned his designs.
...i .
Chapter LVII.
1801-18G2— ILLINOIS ON THE CUMBERLAND, TENNES-
SEE AND MISSISSIPPI.
Battle of Forts Henry ami DoneUon — Capture of Columbus. New
Madrid and Island No. 10.
We must now jjo ])ack to the commencement of the oj)erations
for oiHMiins" the Mississippi. The course of this maj,Tn'ficont river
from north to south and the intercourse necessarilj- existing among
the inhabitants of its fertile valley will always render it impossi-
ble to form them into separate nationalities by arbitrary boumla-
ries. Kunning entirely across the rebel confederacy and making
it vulnerable to the assaults of a fleet, the government at an early
day commenced making preparation for ottensivo naval operations.
Columbus, Kentucky, situated on the east bank, 20 miles below
Cairo, had been seized as early as Sept. 1801, and so fortified as
to be termed the rebel Cibralter. Its massive works and heavy
giuis rendering capture by a direct assault almost impossible, it
was determined to cut ofl:' its supplies and thus compel its aban-
donment by an expedition up the Tennessee and Cumberland
rivers. Near where these streams flow across the northern boun-
dary of Tennessee, the rebels had erected two strong fortiflcitions
known as Forts Henry and Donelson. After nuiture delil)eration,
Gen, Halleck decided first to attack the tbrmer of these strong-
holds, and then moving across the intervening land, attack the
latter. For this purpose ('ommodore A. H. Foote, as gallant au
oflicer as ever sailed the deep, with a fleet of 7 guid)oats, the St.
Louis, Cincinnati, C^arondelet, Essex, Tyler, Lexington and
Mound City, ami Gen. Grant, with a co-operating land force from
Cairo and I'aducah, were sent up the Tennessee. On the 5th of
February, 18<!2, the land fonies disembarked from their transports
and pi-epared to spend the night, during which a thunder storm
burst on the encampment, portraying in its terrific grandeur, the
fury of the coming battle. Grant ordered Gen. Mc'Clernand com-
manding the flrst division, to take a position in the rear of the
fort for the two-fold purpose of guarding against reinforcements,
or preventing the escape of the garrison as the exigencies of the
engagement might require. His division consisted of 2 brigades
commanded res])e(!tively by Cols. Oglesby and W, H. L. "NValhu'e;
tlie iirst comi»rising the 8th, 18th, "27tli,'the 29th, 30th and 31st
Illinois infantry. Dresser's and Scliwartz's batteries; the 2d, the
11th, 12tli, 4r)tii and 48th Illinois infantry, Taylor's and McAhs-
ters' batteries and 4th cavalry.
757
7r>8
IIISTOIIY or ILLINOIS.
The LM division iiiidcr (m'P. ('. V. Siiiitli, was thrown across the
riviT anil ordcicd to i)roct"fd up tin- Kfiiiiick^v siiorc and occnpy
till* ht'ijihts adjact'nl tiic foil, whicii the oncniy had hi';;nn lol'oi--
tify. Thi- yth,"lL'th, L'Sth and -list Illinois constitntcd a part of
the force.
Owinj; to the badness of the I'oads, none of tlie land foices
arrived soon enonjih to share in its caplnic. Alxait 10 o'clock
Foote steamed n|) toward the fort, which standinji in a Itend of
the river, had eonii»lete eonmnind of the channel for a lonj;' dis-
tance below. JWiinji' ■\ bastioned earth work and inoiintin,ii 17
guns of the largest calibre, it was deemed ea|>able of resisting any
assailing force however formidable. An island lav in the stream
abont a ndle below, under eov«'r of which the licet advanced
Avithoiit becoming exi)osed to the lire of its long ranged rilled
guns. The wooden vessels r«'maine<l at the island while the iron-
clads emerging from behii 1 it, and proceeding in the direction of
the fort were met by the ponderous shot of the fort. The boats
immediately I'eturned this greeting, ami their screaming missiles
fell with such rapidity in and around the fort as to cause some
4,000 infantry to tiee with i»recii»itation. Coming within (tloscr
range the breastworks were pU)wed u[) and dashed in the face ot
'the garrison, gun after guu was dismounted, and within an hour
from the commencement of the engagejnent, tin; stronghold was
surreiulered. Sixty jjrkvonersainl a large amount of nulitary stores
fell into our liands. Unfortunately the infantry wliich tied at the
commencement of the eugagement, were beyoml the rtiu^li of pur-
suit, before Mc'Clernand and his Illinois men (!ould arrive ami in-
tercept tli< The principal danmge inllieted on the licet was
.sustained b\ tlie Ksf ex. A 24-poun(l shot passing in at a i)oit-
hole, and plunging iido one of her boilers, caused the steam to
escape and comi)letely envelope the crew. JSonie in their terrible
agony throwing themselves out of portholes iuto the river while
others struggling in vain to escape, sank gasping for breath,
scalded in the liery vapor.
This important \ ietory was the first won on the western waters;
the telegram announcing the event was read in both houses of
congress, and a vote of thanks tendered Commodore Foote. The
fleet under Lieut. Pheli)s was sent uj) the river to <!a]>tuie two
rebel boats which were pursued so closely that their crews blew
them up to prevent their falling into the hands of the ])uisuers.
The expedition sailed up the river as far as Florence, destroying
the bridge of the M. «& O. railroad connecting IJowling (jieen,
]\Iemphis and Columbus, and compelling the rebels to burn live
of their valuable steamers. All along the route I'helps met willi
many cheeiing evidences of loyalty among the peojde of Tennes-
see and Kentucky, old men and women Hocking to the shoie, and
shedding tears at again beholding the old flag.
Donehon. — The fall of Henry ojiened the way for an advjince
upon Donelson. This formidable rebel stronghold was situated
on the west bank of the Cumberland, and served as an ouli)ost
for the defense of Nashvill •. 80 miles higher up the river. The
ground upon which it Wfis situated is about 100 feet above the
level of the river, which at tiiac point bends toward the west, and
after running a few hundred yards turns agaiu and i>ursues its
THE WAR OF THE REBELLION.
gciicriil conrsc iiortliwivnl. To conunaiid tlio river iiortliwiird niid
guard against a naval atta(;k, two Ijattcrics of heavy ordiiaiiee had
been phinted at tiie Coot of the hliiff near tiie edge of liie water.
Tlie fort itself was an irregnlar work enclosing aliont 1(K> acres,
and except on the river side swrronn<led at the distance of a milo
with ritle pits. On the west sid(^ a forniidalde altatis ran between
the tort and riHe-pits, widle from every (^oiiinianding point along
the whole line, howitzers and lield-i)ieces, itointed their grim muz
zles directly at the fa(;e of the; besieging army. These almost
imi)regnable v orks were occupied by HO.OttO impetuous lire eaters
from the southwest under (tommand of Floyd, Pillow, J5u<"kuer,
and Joimson. Additional trooi)s being necessary to effect its
reduction, (ieu. Grant ordered forward all the availa)»le Ibices in
his district, wliilo troops Irom (Cincinnati and the right wing of
Gen. Unci's divisior from ICentucky, underden. Crittenden, wei'e
hurried forward an<l i»laced at his disposal. The army thus aug-
uuMited, consisted of .'! divisions under McClcruaud, Smith and
AVallace and numbered some 25,000 men, the elite of western
troops.
Oil the nu)rning of the IL'th, Gen. Grant, with Snuth's and AFc-
Clcrnand's di\ isions started for Fort Doiielson and by noon
arrived within two miles of the enemy's outposts, ^/ter driving
in the rebel pi(!kets, and investing the works, Col, Mayine of W,
11. \j. Walace's brigade, MeClernand's division, witli the 17th,
48th and 4!)th Illinois, was sent to make an assault on the
enemy's middle redoid)t, "Forming a line of battle they moved
in tine order across the intervening ravines and mounted with the
coolness of veterans the steep heiglit on which the redoubt stot)d.
The enemy screened behind their embankments, pouied into the
exposed ranks ii terrible fire of iiuisketry. Still the brave llli-
noisans, undaunted, steadly advanced. lUit at this (;ritical Jiuu;-
ture it was fouiul tluit the line was not long enough to envelope
the works and the -l.'ith Illinois was ordered to their su[)j>ort.
While these movements were being (!arried out the enemy sent
forward heavy reinforccnu'iits of men and field artillery, which
soon swept the advancing line with nuirdeious effect. J>ut onward
pressed the undaunted reginu'uts leaving their dead and wounded
strewing the slope till they came to the foot of tlu^ works, where
an abatis presented a tangled wall of jagged ]>oints, through
which no soldiers under heaven could forcj their way in the f;u'c of
su(?h ii Hre, liriiver oflicers never led men to death, but they found
they had been sent to accomidish impossible work, and gave the
reluctant connnand to fall back,*"
This determined assault remhn-edit evident thattlie task l>efore
the army was one of no ordinary magnitude, and it was d«'cmed
best to await the arrival of Wallace's division and the fleet under
Foote, before attempting any further denu)ustrations, ^lean-
while the pleasant weather which had previously cheered the army
suddenly changed- A coutinous storm of sleet and snow pre-
vailed during tlu^ night of the l.'Jth and tl.e army, destitute of
blankets and tents, was com])eIlcd to suffer the unmitigated rigors
of winter. On the 14th an irregular fire of sharp-shooters occa-
sionally interluded with bursts of artillery, was kept up but uu-
Headley's Rebellion
700
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
attended by iiiiportiuit results. Tlie saiiio day the ex])e(!ted re-
in Ibiceiiiciit.s eanie up and the coininiUKU'r «>[' the lh>el ])iit his
btKits in motion for an assanil on liic hattciies at IIm; fool of tiie
biulf, tlie wooden vessels in llie rear and tli(! ii'on-clads in IVont.
Coming' wit inn ranj:;e, the eoutest <'onMneneed«iind eontiinu'd to
increase as tlie distance between the combatants dindnished. Thci
h)ii(l explosions of tin' jiuiis siiook tiie adjaeenf sliores and revi-r-
beratiuf;' far inland, spread disma.v ani()ii<;' the icbellitais inhabi-
tants. Still fartlier ami farther tiu'y advanced, disehar^inj; their
lieaxy ordnance dia-ctly into the batteries, and in turn exposed to
the storm of shot and shell rained down ni)on the rixcr. The tire
of the batteries at lenj;th be<;an to slack, but unfortunately bcforii
they were entirely sileiu'cd, a shot destroyed tin- steering ai>para-
tus of the Louisv ille and another disabled the St. Louis, and both
cralts unmanajicalde, lapidly drifted with the swift current from
under the enemy's j;uns.
(irant miw deternnned to stien^then his line of investnu'ut so
as to render ej;ress impossible, and await the repair ami farther
co-oi)eratiou of tin; boats. The rebels, however, beconunji' alarmed
at tindinj; themselves ahnost literally vvalied in by the besicyinj;'
lV)rces, resoh ed to o])en an exit and t-scajie to the country. Accord-
inj;ly early in the nu)ridnj;- of the \'}\\i, the enemy, sonu' 7,.")((0
sti'on^, eim'ij;i'd from his works and in separate cidinnns, huiled
himself aj;ainst McClernand's division on tlu' ri};ht (tf the fedeial
line. Ojilesby's bri-:ade, the Sth, IStli, L'Htli, .'iOth and ."Jlst Illinois
recei\('d the lirst concussion. Is'cxt \N'allace"s, the 11th, -(Mh, 4,'»d
and hSih ; Morrison's, the J 7th and 4!)th, and ^Ic Arthurs', the l»th,
llitli, L'iUh and Ust weic slriu-k by the anj^ry foe, and the entire
division Ibr four hours alone coidendcd with his overwhelming
numbers. It was an irrejiular baTtle-tield of hill, ia\ ine and forest ;
and concert of action anion;;' the several rcj^iuu'Uts en^^a^ifd at
dilVerent j)oints of attack was diihcult. Stid)bornly, /.^idlautly,
enthusiastically, howe\er, tlu^ sons of Illinois nu't the (Uislau.uht,
till' advauiauy ami ivt-edin;;- roar of musketry and cannon throu;;h
the Ibrest nuirkinji' theshiftin;;' tide of battle. At length from the
incessant jioundinj;- of shot, shell, and canuister, tlie exticme
right t>f the line began to crumble away and the I'xullaut enemy
com^entrating- at a single point, an<l hurling himself in overwhelm-
ing masses against the dixision, it was compelled to fall back, not
howcNcr, till the regiment
some of them had lost near a third of their men.
2\evei' fought braver men than ours on ihar bloody day, some
of the coiii[»aiiies remaining rooted to their position till the
enemy's forces rolled about and swallowed them up. Some of the
regiments were literally cut to [ticces, while the loss of othcea.s was
great beyond proportion. Col. (ijuinn of the L'Oth, IMajor J'ost of
the 8th,'Cai»tain IJigby of the olst, laeut.Col. Smith of the 4<Sth,
Capt. Craig, and Jjieuts. Skeats and ]Mansker of the 18th, Capt.
Shaw and Liefits. Ifoyce and Vore of the 11th, Adjutant Kirk-
patrick of the lUth, Capt. ^lendell of the 7th and Cai>t. IJrokaw
of the 4{)th, were among the many who laid down their lives oil
the fatal Held that liberty, right, and progress might live. In the
retrograde movement, McAllister's battery having exhausted the
!">(> rounds of iimmunition with which it went hito action, was
captureil while waitujg a fresh supply.
had exhausted their ammunition, and
TTIK WAR OF THE REBELLION. 701
III the I'iiily ])iirt of tlio. assanlt MctCk'niiiiid, fcaifiil lie niifjlit
be ()\ crhoiiie by superior niiiiibtM's, sent to Wiilliiee, whose division
o('ciii»ie(l tlie center of the line, for reinforcements. Tiie liitti-r
si'nt Ciiift's bripule to his assistiince, bnt beinj;' iinperfectly
jinided, it was carried too far to the rijiiit to ren(h'r siiccessfnl aid.
The enemy still advancin};'. he n«'.\t interposed Thayer's brijiado
between them and the retirin;;' re;4inients, which liad expended
their ammunition. The force was immediately placed in 11, le by
pusliin<4 forward Wood's ('hica<;o battery to the road alon<>' which
tiie foe was ntovinj;', jyostinn' the .'hStli Illinois and Ist Ne-
braska on th(^ rijiht of the battery, and ."iiSth Ohio ami a portion
of the .{I'd Illinois on the left. I>ehiml the line thus formed at
rifiht anj-les with the road, the 7()th Ohio and 4(!th and oTtli Illi-
nois were stationed as reserves. Hardly wi-re tln'se arrajicments
complete bi'fore the rebels emerged from the woods and dashed
lip in front of the bn<>ade. A blimlin<>' sheet of Hanie burst forth
from cannon and nnisketry, cansin;;' the exultant foe to recoil and
fall back to the elevated ;:;round previously taken from IMcCIernand,
Battered and buffeted by the lilows which had been i)reviously
dealt him, his furthor advance was stayed, and this was the last
otfensive movement he was able to make.
At ."} oVdockCJen. (Jrant made his appearance on the field, having
been in consultation with Commodore Foote in reference to
another attack by the fleet, lie immediately ordered the division
of (len. Smith, containiiifi- the 7th, 4.")d, iJOth, o'th and 3<Sth Illinois
to move ajjainst tlie enemy in their front, and a renewed attack
on the rijilit. • At tlie refpiest of Gen. McClernand, whose divisiou
had borne the brunt of the battle, (Jen. Wallace took the advance.
Placinji theSth Missouri and-itli Indiana in the lead, and pushing
the 17th and 40tli Illinois far ah)nji' the enemy's flank, he <;avethe
command, 'Mbrwaid." Knowing' well the fearfulobjeet hismen liad
to accomplish, he ftuve them the simple insti'U(;tiou to ascend the
lieijiht in coluinnsof rejiimentsand then actas circumstances mijiht
su<i<;est. The men pleased with the contidence reposed in their
judjiinent, and nerving themselves for the bloody work, moved
forward and commenced ascending the hill, when plunging volley
after volley tore through and decimated their ranks. Nothing
short of annihilation, however, could stay their advance, and in
the face of the murderous tire they bounded to the summit and
diove the rebels behind their inner works.
While this imiiortant success was achieved on the right, (len.S.
F. Smith, with the -M and 7th Iowa and oL'd Indiana, performed
an ecpially brilliant exjtloiton the left. After feigning an attack
in a ditterent direction, he commenced ascending the steej) hill on
which was posted the rebel force he proposed to attack. The
enemy perceiving his design at once opened a destructive fireui»()u
the advancing regiments, yet without discharging asingle gun in
reply, tJiey swept iq* the slippery heights. ^lounting higher and
higlier they at length gained the summit from Avhich volcano-like
had been hurled tlie storm of fiery })roJectiles encountered in the
ascent. A determined bayonet charge (piickly ended the contest,
and high above and within the rebel rami)arts their colors Mere
flung to the breeze, while a prolonged shout announced the wel-
come victory to their comrades on other parts of the field. The
7<:'>
7<;i
IIISTOUY OF ILLINOIS.
position Wits iiniiuMliiit«'ly fortiflcMl, niHl wlu'ii tlio sun wt'nt down
the oiu'Miy was iij;ain conruKMl witliiii his works.
('on\ iiict'il tiial thfv could not hohl tiic works, I-'iovd and I'il-
h)W passed tiic coniniand over to KiickMcr, and diuin;;' tiie ni;;iit
Avitli about r»,(l(l<) men (*inhai'ked on board steandioats and escaped
up the river. The lollowin}; niornin;;', ltiionj;ii (»ur ti(»ops iiad
niarclied from Fort Henry with only such food as liiey conid carry
in their haversacks, and for three ni;^lils Innl been exposi'd to the
rigors of winter, yi'l at early (hiwn they eaficrly awaited orcU-rs to
renew the conlliet. The liesi(';;cd antieii».ilin;;' an imme(Uato
attack, and satislied that all fnrtiier attempts to extricates them-
schcs from tlie iron ;;rasp with wliieh they were bound woidd be-
futile, ran up ii Haj^ as evich-ncc of subudssion. CorrespomU'Ut'O
uas immediately intcrchan^^cd respe(;t in;;' terms of surrender, (iiant
to the overtures of the rebel general said : " iS^o tirmn othvr than
nui'otnlitioHdl aiul bumcdinte Hvrrvnder V(in he dcnplcd. 1 propose
to niorr immtdidtclj/ upon ijour n-orhx.''' T.uekner thou;;ht the terms
nM;;('nerous, but was compelled to submit, and Sunday inornin;;'
February Kith, ISOi', Donelson, of abnost fal)nlous stren;;th, fell
intotluslu !dK of the fedcial coiMpu'rers. The spoils obtained con-
sisted of 4(5 cannon, l.'0,()(Kt stand of arms, ."»,(KK> horses and a lar.n'o
amount of commissary stoics; while as the result of the victory
J){)wlin^' (rreen, Nashville and C'olinnbus became untenable. The
federal loss in men was 44<» killed, I,?.'}.") wounded ; that of the
enemy 2'M killed, l,(t()7 wounded and l.l.OOO captured.
The people of the North oxi»ress<'d t lu'ir apjireciation of this
j^reat victoiy by public meetings, illunnnations and'Other sindhir
(h'monstrations ; (Jraut <'onj;ratulate(l his soldiei's njion the lii
U)npli ^aini'd by their valor ; while Davis and other rebel autlioi'-
ities were deeply mortitied at their disyrace, and Floyd ami IMl-
low were suspended from conunand.
IJesidcs the Illinois infantry already ennnu>rated, Scliwart/'s,
Dresser's, Taylor's, Wood's, .AIcAlister's and Willard's batteries,
]Mc('lermind's division a ml 8le wart's, ()' 11 arnett's,('ariiMchaers, Ivt-l-
lo^fi's and Dickey's cavalry of the same command also participated
in the battle. The want of space renders it imi)ossible to mention
the many instances of Illinois valor noticed in \\w reports of the
battle. Says ]Mr. Stevenson, authorof Jndiami's Itoll of llonoi':
"U])on IMcClernand's division was first hurled the rebel thunder.
Under lire from seveial batteries an innnense nuiss of infantry
char^icd n])on his line. Sudden as was the attack, the j;allant
sons of Illinois weie ready to meet it. Into the enemy's teeth they
poured a. steady, deadly fire. Taylor's battery and JMcAlistei's
guns met ) hem with a storm of ;4ra[)e ami shell, and a bri<i,adc
charyiny drove four times their nund)er back into their embank-
ments. The strn<ii;le was haml to hand. The bayonet, the bowie-
knife and the but end of the musket were freely use<l. Sirarct a
leginu'nt, company or battery from the State failed to distinj;uish
itst'lf, and if there was failure it was for the want of opportunity.
A New Enjiland poet readinf-- the telej^rams of the battle as they
came in, and adndring' the audacity of Illinois' daring, wrote the
following- stanzas:
THE WAH OP TIIK REIIKLLION 703
''Oil, f^alt'H tliiit (IiihIi tli(> Atluntic'aHwell
A loin; '""■ r<)cUy slioros,
Wliosf llMiiulfr (iiaiiii.Hdii swell
Nt>\v KiikIuikI's glail hmniliH.
"Hear to llu; praliieHof the WeHt
'IMii' I'clioi'Hol' our Joy, * •
Tlu' piaviT tiiat spriiijis in every breast,
Godbk'KH thee, Illinois.
"Oil, awful lioiu'H wiii'M urapc isiid shell
Tore tln'oii;>li the iiiillincliiii;; line,
StaM<l lirni, remove the men who fell,
Close up and wait the sign.
"It came at last, now lads the steel.
The rushing hosts deploy,
<'lnn;ic l)oys, the Itrolien traitors reel,
iln/./a for Illinois.
"In vain thy ramparts, ])()nelson,
'J'he iiving torrent hars.
It leiips tlie wall, the fort is won,
lll> jj;o the strijies and stars.
"Thy proudest mother's eyelids till,
As dales hergallantl)ov,
And I'lymouth Uoek and Hunker Hill
Yearn to thee, Illinois."*
Tln> news of tlic siirrendiH' rcuclMMl Xiislivillo as tlio ])('oj)lo,
ueic ;is,seinl)linji ;it clmicli. A (lisiiatcli Imd been i('<'('i\iMl tlic
]ii('\ ions ('Veiling liom I'illow flaimiii^' the victory, ami now tln'y
wcie iM'-etiny in the saiicttiaiy to oll'ci' thanks to tlieCJod ol' battles
I'of liie success ol' their cause. Tlic tnitli I'cll like a tliiiii(lcr-
bdlt. doy and exultation j;av(' i)la(;e to alarm, and tin^ whole
])oiMiialioii ill a slioit time was in commotion, (lov. Harris, it is
said, nisln'tl wildly throiijili streets cryinj;', tln^ enemy will soon be
in the city, and the tcrrilied iidialiitants seiziiij;' every available
means of conveyance Hed as if from certain (b'striiction. Says
I'olhii'd. "An cartli(|iiake conhl not have; shocked the city more."
The con<;re<;atioMs oi" the chiirciies wi-re broken it]) in coiifnsion
and (bsmay. Women and (diildreii riislied into the stnu'ts wailiiifj
witii terror, trnid<s were tlirown from three-story windows in the
rush (d' the fugitives, and tlnnisands hastened to leave tlieirbeau-
tiiul <'it.. in the midst of the most distressing scenes of terror and
confusion and plunder by tlie mob.
On the 24tli of I'ebrnary, the Union forces under Buell entered
and took ]»ossession of tluj city. A jicneral order was issued
promising' protection to all peaceably <lis])osed citizens, and on tlui
refusal of the municipal aiitiiorities to take tlie oatli of allcf'ianee
they were ejected from otlice. Andrew Johnson Avas appointed
mililary ^((vernor of the State, and while lie was enterinji' on
the vij;(»rous i)roseention of iiis (luties the federal army was slowly
nioviiij;' southward in the rear of tlie fugitive enemy.
Occiipafionof Cohimhus. — Colambns, from the formidable cliar-
aeti'r of its fortifications called the Gibralter of the West, was
•Atlantic Monthly^ ~
70t
IIISTOUY OF ILLINOIS.
1 t
s«'I»'cl«'(l as tlie lu'xt pliU'(< of iittiu'k. Tlio force <l«'si<.fiiiih'<l to
operate n^fiiiiisti* was tli<^ fleet niider CoiiiiiKKloie I'odle, and a
eoopciatiiij; lorce of iiiliiiitr.x iiiMlei' (Icii. \V. 'I'. Slieiiiiiiii. Tlie
lalter coiisistetl of tlie 1*71 li and .Mill Illinois and TttliOhio, llie
loiiner oft* ;;iin and I nu)i'tar boats in ehai-^e of Capt. I'lielps, of
the I'nited States navy. Tlie ponderons mortars, of wldeli tliere,
was onl.v one on each l»oat, \\eij;lied 17, (MM) pounds, and llircw
shells of more than LMM) pounds a distance of three miles. Such
was the deal'eiiinn' elVect of the concussion when liicd, the ;iun-
iiers \\er«' c(»nipelled to take refujic behind the limber work which
enclosed them to escajte the shock.
With evcr.vthinj;- in readiness the entire forc<', the infantry on
transpoits, slowly ami cautiously descended the Mississippi, till
on the till of March the bluffs of Columbus becanu* visilde.
I'lcparations weie <'ommenced to open liii- when n strai'<^(' ihij^'
v.as discovered floating' above the works, different frou> the rebel
coloi's, an<l it became (pU'stiomible who were in jiossession of th(^
jdace, our own forces or t la »se of the enemy. To sohc the mystery
Ciipt. I'hel]>s and oO Illinois voluideers nuuh^ a dashing' recoil-
lioisance in a tuj^directly under the watei' batteries, but failed to
elicit a. sin;;l«' li(»stile shot. It was now evident that the town had
b«'en evacuated. A rush was nnule loi' tli»' shore, and in less than
live minutes the tlaj^' of the L' 1st Illinois proudly waved over the
fort which the chivalrous soulhrcuis re<;ar(h'd as imprejiuable.
Ciiecr aftercheer fiom soldier and tar rent the air at this hajipy
eonsumnnition of the e.\[)edition. The strange buntinj;' which liad
been discried, proved to be a tia<;' imitrovisecl from pii'ces of calico
by soldiers of the 2d Illinois cavalry, who the i)revio.is day, to the
nund)('r of 4(M), had <ialloi)(;! from I'adueah and taken jiossession
of the town. (ien. I'olk with LM),(MH) men had been intrusted with
the (custody of this almost impre};nable fortress, but lindinu him-
self <!ompletely turned on itotli sides of the .Mississippi, the residt
of I'nion tiiumphs in Missouri, and the compiests ol' Henry and
J)om'lson, he was compelled to evacuate it without strikinj; a
single blow in its defense. Says an oflicer in the expedition: '•!
could not resist landinji' to examine the works, which aie of im-
mense strenj>th, consisting;' of ti<'rs upon tiers of batteries on the
river front, and a strong;' parajtet and ditch strenjithene<l by a
thick abatis on tlie hind side. The fortifications appear to have
been evacuated liastily considerin;;;' the (iiiantities of ordinance
stores, a number of anchors, the remnant of the chain which was
one(^ stretched across the river, and a larye siii)]»ly of torpedoes
remaininfi'. J>es(»lation was visible eveiywliere, huts, tents and
barricades juesenting their blackened remains, though the town
was spared."
Capture of Kcw Madrid. — The tide of victory folhtw ing the cur-
rent of the ^Iississipi)i, New ]\Iadiid and Island No. 10, w er( soon
added to the list of Union triumi)hs. On the li2d of February,
the anniversary of Washington's birth day, (Jen. l'o]»e was ordered
by (b'li. Ilalleck to dislodge a large rebel force stationed at New
jNIadrid. On the l'4tli of March his force arrived at ("ommeice,
and on h'arning that . left' Thomiison with a rebel force, was in the
neighborliood, it was determined to give him battle. Accordingly
two companies of the 7th Illinois <"ivalryj and the 20tU Illinois
TIIK WAll OP THE UKIIKLLION. 703
Infmitry wan wilt in piii-snil iiiid sdoii •■ncoimlt'n'd (lie loc, Iiii\iii<,'
a inniiiiK'd t'nrcc ol' L'.IXM) mrii :iihI >"> pirrrs of iiit illriv. A tliisli
iuji cliiir;:!' \v;is iiiiiiictliiilcl.v (tnlficd. 'i'lic icIm-Is iil'lcr drliNciiii;;
II .sr:itt<>i'iii;;' vollc.v, liiinicdlv tlrd, witli our iiicii in itiirsiiit. As
tlic rliiisf Wiis «'oiitiiiiii'd 111 slioil iiitcrv ills, s(|iiiid.s ol'tlif I'liciiiy
brokf iiilo tli<> woods mid liifd ill our iiicii iis llirv piisscd, till not
nioi'f tliiiii one t'oiii'lli of tli*'oii;^iniil iinnilii'i- rcniiiiiicd in tlio roiid.
TIh'sc Io cxpcdilc tlicir fiiinlir tli.ulil, Icfl tiicir tiiick slicwcd w itli
coil Is, 1 lilts, Idiiiilxcts, ;iiiiisiiiid olin'i' itii;i;:iij;(' ; ."» piccfs of iiililiciy
M'ci'c nin (low n iiiid riiplMi't'd, iiiid tiiiis for _() ndlrs tiit' pii't-ipi-
tiilc lli;;iit iind piirsiiil wiis iu-pl up lill tlic tl.yiiijH' foe soiijilil siud-
tiT iiiidt'r llic flic idly ;;iiiih of New iMiidiid.
TIm' niiiiii ('011111111 of our I'orccs iirrivcd on tlic .'!d of Miircli,
wlicii Pope, not kiiowin;;' tiic cxiKd posilioii of the ciu'iiiy, sent
forwiird .') rcjilnicnts iiiid ii Imltcry of iirlillcry to iiiaki! a rccoii-
lioisiiiict'. On .-0111111;; witiiin riiii;;iii;;' dis'-iiicc llicy were met l»y
siicils from ;;iinl»oiits sliitioncd in t lie river, wlicii tlicy fell itiicic
and (>tu*!iiii]ic(l beyond their iciudi. Tlie rebel eiitrenelini"ntsiiii;'lit
li;i\(' lieeii eiisily ciirried, but it \voiiid liiive been iiii|»ossiide to
liold liieiii in eolise(|iieiiee of tlie (leslriietiv(r lire(dllie ;;iin boiits.
It Wiis tiierefore deemed best to orib'r t sei^jc ;;iins from Ciiiro
before niiikiii;;' the iilleiiipt. In the iiieantiine ii force uiKb-r Col.
IMiininier, consisting; of tiie lllh .Missouri and the L'tttli iiiid ITlli
Jlliiiois, Wiis sent with all speed to occupy i'oiiit ricasiint, lli
miles below, for the i»iiri»ose of blockadin;;- the river iied cut tin;;'
ott" reinforcenieiits. This was successfully iicconiplished tliou;;li
not till the rebel force was increased to 11 ;;iiiiboats and !•,((()(> iu-
I'antry and sevcnil batteries (d' artillery. The relxd tieet was 'inii-
inaiuled by (.'ommodore llollins, and the liiiid forces by ^Ict.'own,
Stiiiirt iiiiddiint. 'I'lie sie;;e yiins iinive(l iit sunset on the J-'tli,
and tiie Idtli and lOlli Illinois, Cols. .Mor;;iiii and kSniith, were de-
tached to cover th(^ iiositioii chosen for the batti-ry, and iissist in
its ere(;ti()ii. Alth()u;;h (Exposed to constiiiit V(»IIeys of musketry,
ritle pits were excavared, iind tlie;;iiiis moiiiitcd reiuly for action,
within .'}.■» hours after tiiey Inid been shipped from Cairo. At
early dawn, on the l.'Uh, the battery oi>eiied with tellin;;' elfeet,
and in a few hours disabled S(!veral ot the {>un-b()iits and dis-
mounted the heavy i»ieces of artillery in the enemy's niiiiii works.
While this tirioiis ciinnoiiiide was maiiitained throiijihout the day
on the ii;;ht, I'aiiie's division, (uiiitainin;;' the iilstand (!4tli Illinois,
supported liy I'jilmer's, forced their wii,\ up to the rebel works on
the ri;;ht, (HimpelliiijH' the rebel [lickets to seek shelter within their
works. At ni;;htfall, diiriii;;- a blinding;' thunder storm, thj hostile
force hurriedly tied, Iciivinj^ their dead iiuburied, their supi>ers
untiisted on tlie tabl(\s, their ciindles burning in their tents and
other evidences of a disjiiiU'eful i»anic.
Tlie details of the biittle show that the Illinois troops who par-
tiei])iite(l in itfon;i;ht with no ordinary bravery and success, iind
added aihlitional lustre to their previous record. Gen. l*oi)e in his
official report says:
"The 10th and 16th Illinois, commanded respectively by Cols. Morgan
and J. R. Smith, were detailed as guards to the proposed trenches, and
to aid ill constructing them. Tiiey marclied from camp at sunset on the
12tli, and drove in tlie pickets and guard of the enemy, as they were or-
dered, at shoulder arms, and without returning a shot, covereil the front
766
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
of tlio entrenching purties, and occupied the trenches and rille pits dur-
inf.i; tlie wliolc day and nijjht of the l.'Uli, under a furious and incjessant
eannonadin^ from lOO pieces of licavy artillery. At tlie earnest request
of their colonels, their rejiiniental (l:iji;s wwe kept Hying over our
trendies thougli they ottered a <'Ouspicuous mark to the enemy. 'l"he
coolness, courage and cheerfulness of lliese troops, exp(>sed for two
nights and a day to tlie incessant fire of tne enemy at short range, and
the severe storm wliich raged the whole night, are ahove ail praise.'
Capture of Isldiid No. 10. — I'opo now i)laiito(l liis butteries on
tlie hunks of tlie river iiinl slnit n|> the rebel Heet between iiiin-
seli" uikI Isluinl No. I(». the next i>luee of iittack. TIm^ isljind. sit-
uated just above New Madrid and 4r» iniies below Colmnbns, was
I'oitilied with eleven eaitii works and 70 heavy caiinoii.. 'J'lie day
after the. ('a[»tiire of New .Alailrid, Koote, with the fleet, made his
ai>peaiance above it, eHeeted a re('onnoi-;sain:(M)f the adjacent
siiores jiml placed his mortar boats in position foi' attack. n tlic
morninj;' of the Kith of ;\Iarch, 1S(52, the boinbardmeiit eom-
menced, but the rebel batteries were targets too small to be hurt
by shells thrown at an aiij^leof -lo dejirees a distancof three miles.
The sli,uhtest breath of air oi)eratiiiji' on a ))roJe(ttiIe thrown so
great a flistainre was sutheient to frustrate the nicest mathemati-
cal <'alculations. and hence the caniionadiii<;' continued day after
day without lienelicial results. The jiiinboats eoitld easily have
prevailed against the hostile works but for the dan/^icr of becom-
in.y disabled and diiftiiiin' helplessly in the swift ciirrent directly
under the enemy's jiiiiis. i'ope was expected to co-operate with
the fleet, his plan beiiij;' to jiaiii the Keiitiicky shore, where, he
could oi)erate directly af^ains the foe and cut off his retreat in ease
of ail attempted escai»e. The want of transports beinj>' the only
(linicnlty attending the execution of this plan, the tbllowini;' expe-
dient was adopted :
Xear where the fleet lay there was a slou<;li rnniiiny inland uliich
coiiiK'cted with a stream einjityiuu' into the river below the island,
not far from New ."Madrid, l*ope determined to oju'ii this for the
passaji'e of transports round the island, haviiij;' pievitiusly sent
(.'ol. nissell to aseeitain the praeticabilitv of the umlertakinti'.
The levee was cut, and the surface inland beiiifi' lower tlaii the
bank of the river, when tlu; openinj;' was effected water passed
thronyh in a stream of sntlic.ieiit depth to tloat ordinary trans-
ports. The route to be oi»ened was ILJ miles in leiijith, on»'-lialf
of it extendiii}^ tliroiij;h a j^rowth of trees, nuiny of which W(ie
two feet in diainetei', Toadmit thejiassageof boatsitwasnecessary
tosawthein off" four feet below the surface of the waterforthe spa<re
of oO feet in width. The maeliiueryem]»loyed for this pur])ose was
placed on boats a id operated by twenty men who, in some
instances consumed several hours in theretiioval of one tree. The
traiis[)orts slowly advancin<>' as the channel was opened, at
leniith a<:ain entered the turbid ]Mississip[ti, the crew chant iii<4'
"On the other side of Jordan" in lieu of ".Jordan is a haid road to
travel," witii which they had previously be<;iiiled their labors.
Duriiijn- the accomplishment of this splendid achiev<'meut of
eiij;iiieering skill, two other feats were perfonnedecjually biilliaut,
but of a different character. The rebels in possessiim of rnion
City, bec<)iniii<;- very tronblesonu', Col. Jbiford, of tiie lUth Illinois
infantry, with his own regiment, two couiiianies of the lid Illinois
THE WAR OP THE RERELTJON.
707
cavalry iuxl KM) otlicr troops was oidi'icd to <lislo(l<;o thoin. En-
teriii.y the t(»\vii by forced iiiantlics lie siirpiiscd and dispersed a
lai<;('lbi('eof tlie enemy under (lie coin ma nd of t lie notorious Henry
Cliiy Kiiij;'. i'anie-striekentliey tied lit everydireetion, leavin^itlieir
liorses, arms and a. considerable amount oT otiiei'iiroperty asspoils
for tile victors. On tlie Ibilowiiij;' day Col. Jkoberts, of the 4LM Illi-
nois, with twenty of his most dariiif;- men, ha\in<; ])rovided boats
with mutlledoars, made for the island I'or the purpose of destroy-
in<;- the up[)er battery. As the ni^ht advanced the suri'ace of the
river became rnitled witli iitful f^iists of wind; i)i'eseiitly the eor-
ru<>ated edj^c of a cloud rose up from the west«'rn horizon, and the
niutterinji' of distant thunder presaijed an a|)proaciiinL;' storm.
Faxored by thedarkness and the roar ol" the coining; storm they
reached the shore and started for the battery about L'OO y aids dis-
tant. When arrivinj;' at the ditch in front of the works a > ivid
Hash of lijiiitniii^i' made their presence known to the sentinel, Vi lio
lired liisj;iiii and tied, evidently thinkiiij;' the whole Lincoln army
was alter him. The flash also revealed the situation of the ]L;uns,
and hardly had the reverberatiini- thunder died away in the dis-
taiici; before that which a ibrtni^^lit's boniliardineiit had failed to
accomplish was consummated. Six heavy jiUiiS weie si)iked,
amonj;' which wasa superb !) inch i)ivot ji'iin, calh d Lady J)avis, in
honor of the rebel lucsideiit's wife. The romance of war does
not furnish a deed of more dashinj;' <;alla!itry than the perforni-
aiice of these men, who all returneil niiharmed.
lU'fore th(^ trans])orts could be made available in niovinj>" troops
t(» the ojyposite shore of the river, it was necessary to fi'ct some of
the <iiiiii)oats below the island to ])rotect them in case of an attiick.
Accordiiijuly on the ni<;ht of the 3d of April, the Carondelet with
her \ ulnerable parts protected, was cut loose and started down
the river for the i)urpose of riiiiiiinj;' the rebel batteries. A storm
of'ureat fury had aj^ain burst on the river, and completely siiroud-
inin' the boat in darkness, it raj)idly mo\('(l forward on its ])erilous
mission. As it approached tlu^ island the soot in the chiniiiey
caught fire and suddenly, with spectral j;!are, lijihted up the river.
The tliie caps were immediately opened and forlunately thethimes
sid;si(U'd before the en, my discovered their real character in the
blindinji' daikness of the storm. A second time while Ihecrew were
con,i:ratulatin<;' themselves on their miraculous escape, the Hiimes
burst forth, casting' a brilliant liju'ht in the face of the foe,
rendering;' further concealment iinj)ossible. Huddeiily signal
rockets from the island and Kentucky shore streamed n]» in the
darkness; drums beat to quarters and cannon and musketry
opened upon the bout in deafeiiinji" roar. The storm was still
un:ib;ited, and wairin^' elements jihiyed in wild response to hos-
tile batteries. Klashinj;- }^uns alternatinji' with {fleams of li<;lit-
ninj:', peals of thunder answerinj;" to boomiiij;' cannon, and
dreiicliin,y torrents of rain, iiiterminjiled with lallin;;' missiles,
enxcloped the ciew in a i)af4eant of tei'ific jiiandeur. Ciilm,
h(>W(!ver, as if about to enter a peaceful harbor, they put (Ui steam
and steered dire<!tly under the enemy's jiuns. Owing to the dif-
ficulty of dei)i'essin,u' their <>uns so as to cover the vessel, she ran
the ih'ry juaiintlet without sustaining the sli<:htest injury. The
lirinjj of a sij>'iial jLjun announced to friends ab(»ve and below the
island, the .successful result, and as the boat neared the wharf at
768
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
New Miidrid it was jjreottMl witli the wildest (Mitimsiiism. Soldiers
nlniost Intiitie witlijoy, seized llie suilors and ean-ied tiieiii up tlie
banks of the river to tlie nearest hotel, where they l>e(;anie ohjects
of absorbinj:^' intei'est. On the nij^ht of the (!lli th(^ rittsbinj^h
also sne(!essfnlly performed the same feat, conipletiu};- the prepa-
rations for the, reduction of the island.
Taine's division, in which were the L'2d and alst Illinois was now
embarked and crossed over the wild floods of the31ississipi)i, pre-
sentinjj;' in its i)assaf;e, one of the most ma;;riificent spectacles ever
witnessed. Stanly and JIaniilton's divisions followed, "ud by 12
o'clock the ensuiny nijiht, Ai)ril 7th, all the force re(piired, was
safe on the Iv<nitncky shore. As soon as the rebels <lis(tovered
that a iodj^nient had been effected they evacuated 'he island as
untenable and (;oncentrated at Tiptonville, situated at the
lower extrenuty of the lli miles of batteries which stretched along
the Kentucky side of the river. The three divisions, Pain«!'s
command in advance, immediately started in pursuit. The enemy
7,0(K) stron<;', under McCown, Avas encountered and driven back
into the swamjjs, where he was forced to unconditionally surren-
der. Says Pope: "Gen. l^tiine tVu'tunate in havinf^' the advance,
exhibited unusual vigor and courage, aiul had the satisfaction to
receive the surrender of the enemy. Three generals, ,5,000 pris-
oners, 17 steamboats, 74 heavy pieces of artillery, 10,000 lbs. of
l)owder fell into the hands of the victors."
Besides the Illinois regiments mentioned, the 7th (cavalry) and
the GOth also particii)ated iu the battle and demeaned them-
selves with the alacrity, courage ajid i)rudence which shoidd ever
characterize the citizen soldiery of the republic. Their acknowl-
edged elliciency furnishes ample proof that the soldier is not a
nutchine moved and contrplled independently of liis volition, but
that intelligence and moral worth are as essential to his success
as they are in other pursuits of life, however exalted.
IMaj. Gen. John Pope, to whom we are indebted for the two pre-
ceding brilliant victories, Avas born at Kaskaskia, Illinois, March
12th, 1823. His father, Nathaniel Pope, was a prominent actor
in the early history of Illinois. His son John graduated at West
Point in 18-42, fought his way through the Mexican war, and for
his meritorious conduct was made captain by brevet, his commis-
sion dating from Feb. 23d, 1840. In 1841) he commanded an
expedition sent out from Minnesota to test the practicability
of obtaining water by artesian borings iu the great plain Avhich
stretches Avith sm;h terrible aridity between Texas and New
JMexico. The enterinise proved a failure. The interval from 1804
to 1839 he spent in exploring the liocky Mountains and was pro-
moted to a cai)taincy in the corps of topographical engineers.
When the rebellion commenced he was nnule brigadier-general of
volunteers and assigned to command the district of North ]\Iis-
souri, where after dispersiiig the predatory rebel bands, he made
bis way to New Madrid and Island No. 10.
Chapter LVIII
1862— ILLINOIS IN NORTHERN MISSISSIRPI AND
ALABAMA.
Battle of Pittsburg Landing — Mitchell's Camjjaign — Siege of
* Corinth
While tliese events were transpii-ing on the Mississippi a battle of
much grander proportions was rajjingon thebanks oftheTennessee.
The rebel line of defense, extending from Columbus eastward
through Forts Henry and Donelson to the Alleghanies, havingbeeu
broken by federal forces the enemy fell back and established a new
one farther southward on the Memphis and Ch; 'leston railroad.
This great thoroughfare runs eastward from Memphis through
Corinth, Florence, Huntsville, Chattanooga and other im])ortant
places, hence the rebels regarded its defense essential to the pre-
servation of Northern Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia. The
Union forces, after having secured possession of the Tennessee, kept
it oi)en by means of gunboats as far as Eastport, Mississippi, and
made it the base of operations. The rebel autliorities aware of
the tremendous issues at stake, commenced concentrating all their
available forces at Corinth, situated at the intersection of the
Memphis and Charleston and the Ohio and Mobile railroads.
Johnson after bis escape from Donelson, led his forces through
Nashville to this strategic point, and hither also came Price from
Western Arkansas, Bragg from Pensacola, and Polk from
Columbus.
For the purpose of tapping this great central line of transpor-
tation reaching from the Mississippi to the sea, on which the
rebels were rallying, Ilalleck ordered forward the difl'erent divis-
ions of the Union army. About the middle of March Grant, with
the conquerors of Donelson, moved forward to Savannah, when
the division of Lew. Wallace was thrown across the river at
Crumps landing, about 2 miles above, and those of Prentiss,
Smith and McCitjrnand at Pittsburg landing, 5 miles higher uji
the stream. Buel, who \vith a separate army from the department
of the Ohio, had taken possession of Nashville, and on learning in
the meantime the destination of Johnson also started to co-operate
with the forces on the Tennessee.
Pittsburgh Landing, where most of Grant's arfny was now
posted, was the point of debarkation for Corinth, Purely and some
other towns on the west side of the river. The bank hero rises
to a height of 80 feet and is cloven by ravines, through one of
which the Coriuth road {».sceud8 to the general level of the coun-
49 7C9
770
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
li
try where it sonds ott" bniiiclu'S to iicij^liboriiifj: towns, l-^ioin tlio
river an irrogulnr iiliitt'iui sweeps inland, l)()nnded on the noith
and west by iSnalve Creek, on tlie soutli by Liclv ereek, both small
streams, emptyin*;' into the Tennessee a niih's apart, 0MeJ;)eh»w and
tlie otlier above tlie huiding. Variegated witli ravines and ridges,
l)artly wooded and partly eiiltivated, it lay like a ])ietnre in a
frame, green with the oi)ening verdnre ot' April. Three miles
from the landing, on the Corinth road, near the eentre of the tield,
was a small ehureh styled Shiloh, from which the snbsiMpient
battle received its name. On the -Ith of March (Jrant had been
superseded by C. F. Smith, one of his commanders, who shortly
afterwards was attacked by a fatal disease, when his ilivision was
transferred to W. U. L. "Wallace and Grant was re-instated.
Sunday morning, April (ith, the several divisions of his arnty
were situated as follows : Couunencing on the right near the river
below, and sweeping round in the form of an irregular semi-circle
to the river above were the divisions of W. H. L. Wallace,
M(;Clernand, Slierman, Prentiss and llurlbut, while that of Lew.
Wallace was still at Crump's Landing. The confederate army
consisted of 3 corps and the following principal ofiicers:
A. Sidney Johnson, first in cominan<l, P. T. G. Beau-
regard second, and Polk, Bragg and Hardee, cori)s com-
manders. It was well known in the rebel camj) that Buell was
rapidly advancing from Nashville to reinforce Grant, and it was
determined to attack and defeat the latter before he was strength-
ened. By the aid of spies Johnson was apprised of the daily
progress made bj' Buell, and when on the 3d of April his junction
with Grant became imminent, he started with all his available
forties for Pittsburg Landing. Owirig to bad roads the whole day
was consumed ni reaching the Union outposts, and after some
slight skirmishing the army encamped with the exi)ectation of
making an attack on the morrow. Fortunately a severe storm
fell the next day and the contemplated attack was postponed till
the Sabbath morning following. Buell in the meantime i)ushed
forward with all ijossible dispatch over the nuuldy roads and
gained a day, which, as the sequel shows, was of vital importance.
The rebels, although unable to make an attack moved up to
to within a mile of the Union pickets, and though some skirmish-
ing had occurred, their presence in force was unsuspected.
As previously arranged, with the early gray of the Sabbath's
dawn, the confederate army started across the narrow belts of
woods which separated them from the unsuspecting federals. On
emerging from the timber such was the impetuosity of their onset
they swooped down in comp^!t masses on our advanced out-
posts before the snmll force which had been sent out to reconnoi-
tre could return and apprise them of their danger. So sudden
and complete was the surprise of the federals that some of them
were overtaken preparing for breakfast, some sitting listlessly iu
tlieir tents, while others still wrapt in unconscious slum-
bers, were bayoneted before they had time to rise from their beds.
Prentiss and Sherman who were considerably in advance, thus
rudely awakened by the thunders of battle, immediately dis-
patched messengers to the other divisions to apprise tliem of the
enemy's ajjproacli and recpiest their co-operation. The latter by
Lis stirring appeals and the reckless exi)osure of his X)ersou iu the
THE WAR OP THE REBELLION. 7 < 1
midst of the greatest dangers, siK'oeeded in restoring conftden(!e.
and ]iis divisions, in wliieli were the 40th and Hath Illinois, halt
dressed, fell into line. The swhlen charge of the foe Jind
the want of prei)aratidii to recei\e him, cansed one of his
brigades to fall back in confusion and McClernand came ii]) with
the 11th, 30th and 43d Illinois to fill the gap. Convinced from
the roar of cannon that the engagement was liecoming general, he
ai>i)rised Hnrlburtof Prentiss' danger and requested his assistance.
The contest along Sherman's line be(!nme desi)erate and bloody,
the rebels dashing up to the very muzzles of Waterhouse's guns,
and in a hand to hand tight, contending for their possession.
Although further re-infoi'ced by the 14th, loth and 4(>th Illinois
froju I lurlburt.'s division and Schwartz's, Dresser's, Taylor's and
iMcAlister's batteries from McClernand's, his battered and bleed-
ing forces were driven from their position and their camp des-
l>()iled by the the shouting enemy. I>y his protracted stand iind
friglittulsacrittce of men tlie enemy was, however, partially checked
and the army escaped the calamity of being driven into the Ten-
nessee.
In the meantime the division of Prentiss, containing the filst
Illinois, had become involved and alnu)st annihilated. At the first
intimation of danger, he hastily formed his line, but nnfor-
tnnately it was in an open field. The enemy soon came stream-
ing tlnoiigli the woods, an<l taking advantage of the sheltci- they
afforded, poured volley after volley into the ranks of the exposed
ti<)i>i»s and coverrd tlu». field with their slain. While Prentiss
stubbornly refused to retire before this wasting slaughter. Har-
dee massing his impetuous brigades, forced them through the
gn]» l)etweeu him and Sherman, and flanked him on the right,
while Jackson with his Mississippi flre-eaters, sweeping round
in an oi)posite direction, turned his left. Hurlburt hastened to
his assistance but came too late. liatteries were immediately
opened on both sides of the division, and ploughing a passage
through it Prentiss and 3,000 men were surrounded and taken
))risoners. As the captured troops were borne to the rear of the
victorious foe, the remnant of the division, in a c^ .ifused nniss,
was driven in the opjiosite direction.
We have seen that wheit the con'^'ict commenced the convexity of
the llniv/U line was turned from the river, now, by the beating l)ack
of the center, it formed an arc in the direction of the stream.
Prentiss and McOlernainl, constituting the two wings, still
retained their positions, ami Ilurlbut moving to the center had
been forced back. The conflict had been fierce, terrific, deter-
mined and bloody ; great forest trees were riven into fragments
by the incessant crash of artillery, and the fatal field lay ghastly
with huge piles of victims, (irant, as at Donelson, was absent,
and each command was compelled to act upon its own responsi-
bility.
The division of McClernand, containing the 8th, 11th, 17th,
18th, 20th, L'9th, 31st, 42d, 43d, 4r>th, 48th and 49th Illinois, which
had supported Sherman in the first onset of the battle, when the
hitler feil back, became exposed to a dangerous liank movement on
the right. Dresser was ordered forward with his rified guns to
the vulnerable point, and for a time checked the infiowing tide of
assailants. Schwartz and McAllister, in other parts of the line,
772
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
rciidcrod cfliciciit aid. and rebel cliariie after cliar^e was repnl.sed,
but oidy to make room for IVesli rej;)meiits to pour in and repeat
them with redoubled fury. Wiu'U at len;;th it became necu'ssary
tt» retire before tlie (>verwlielniin;;i)res.sure, there were not artillery
lunses remaininj; alive suttieient to renu)ve the batteries, and por-
tions fell into tlu' hands of the enemy. By 11 o'clock the divisiou
was driven back t(» a liiu' with Hurlbut.
The division of the latter, comprising the 14th, loth, 28th, .'52d,
41.st and Kith Illinois, as the others were fallinji' back, took a
position in the ed<;e of a wood frontiii}; an open iield over which
the enemy unist]»ass to attack him. Thither also Sherman, with
a faint hoix' of savinj;- the army from annihilation, led the bat-
tered fra<inients of his command. The rebel otlicers, <Ietcrmined
not to be checked in their advance toward the river, into which
they i)roposed to hurl the <lefcnders of the Union, threw forward
tiieir victorious lej^ions with almost resistless momentum. Three
times they emerged from the timbtrr on the opposite side of the
open spacer, and three times were tlu'y swe])t back by the huiri-
cane of lire which nu't them, leaviii<; their jiory track covered
■with the dead and dying'. Clallantly leading his columns in these
tr«'men<lous charges, ilolm.son was])ierced with a ball, and stretch-
ing out his arms fell on one of his aids and exi)i]ed. Unde-
terred by loss of men or leader, fresh regiments dashed into the
deadly vortex with renewed vigor, and tiiuvlly exhausted and
overwhelmed by numbers, the federals were comi)elled to retire
and join their discomfited companions in the rear.
After Urentiss had been driven from his position, the onset of
the enemy fell with tremetidous force on the 7th, 5>th, 12th, oOth,
52d, 57th and .jSth Illinois, a part ef the division of ^V. 11. L. Wal-
lace, which had been nu)ved to an advanced jjosition in the Union
line. Serving his batteries planted on commanding ridges with
great skill, and his infantry fighting with the determination of
battle-scarred veteians, four times he repulsed the enemy with
teriific slaughter. The other divisions had, however, given way,
and his also, under the concentrated tire of Polk's and Har-
dee's united coluunis, was compelled to yield, its brave
commander falling mortally wounded in bis atteuijits to resist th'^
overwhelming tiood.
It was now 5 o'clock. All day the battle had raged, but the
field cleft by ravines and obstructed by timber, ha«l rendered the
contest irregular and indecisive. When it commeiu-ed Grant was
atiSavannah, and until his arrival on the field each division com-
mander managed his own force to suit the exigencies of the en-
gagement. There was little unity of action. Ilearing the heavy
and continuous booming- of artillery, he hurried to the scene of
conflict and arrived about I) o'clock, but skillful generalship could
not then avert the evil caused by surprise, nor screen him from
the angry criticism Avlnch he encountered. In the desultory con-
llict the i)rinci]»al resistance was afforded by McClernand, W. II.
L. Wallace and Hurlbut, the divisions of Sherman and Prentiss
Laving become too mucli demorali.ed by the nuuning's surprise
to render the aid which otherwise would have been furnished.
Lew. Wallace, at Crump's Landing, had been ordered to form on
the Union right,, but nnfortunately was misled by a change in
the position of the army. What in the morning had been the
THE WAR OF THE REBELLIOX. 773
fcdoiiil rij;cl't was now tlie enemy's reiir. Thoufjii apparently he
niijjfht liave hurled his tVesli ti'0(>i)s afjainst tlie jaded enemy,
doubled up liis left and thus ha\'e j^iveii a nunv fiivorable issue to
tlie eoutest, he retraced his steps, and moviiifj; along the river
did not arrive till ni<,'littall, when the battle was over.* Had the
enemy known the vulnerable eondition of our rif>ht aiid made his
principal attack iu that direction instead of the Ieft,'his success
■would doubtless have been more complete.
The tide of battle which had hitherto drifted adversely, was
now to clianjj^e. The exultant threat of treason, that it would
overwhelm the defenders of the Republic in the dark waters of
the Tennessee, was never to be executed ; but, beaten and hum-
bled, its iliiuions were to be driven from the tield. The army
in the morninj? was extended out in a semi-cirt^le of 5 miles;
now it was in a com])act body around the landing, and though
bleeding aiul reduced in numbers, it still presented a bold front.
There was a lull in tli.(; contJi(!t, caused, perhaps, by preparations
of the enemy for the tinal charge which was to execiute his threat.
This pause was also iiuproved by our jaded and imperilled men.
Fortunately there had been deposited on the bluif a number of
siege guns and other heavy ordnance designed for future opera-
tions against C-orinth. These with the fragmentsof tield artillery
which had escaped capture Col. Webster chief of Grant's stait*
hurriedly placed in i>osition. This defense was rendered more
etffctive by a deei) ravine which, on the left sei)arated the Union
from the Confederate army, the latter now concentrated in that
direction. Hardly had our guns been mounted when a shower
of projectiles, some of which exi»loded on the oi)posite baidc of
the river, announced his coming, and presently eveiy avenue
of ai»i)ro;u'.h was cro*vded by Ids dark masses of infantry.
Streaming across the raAine they scaled the opposite gun-crowned
slopes, liutas soon as they had gained the summit they were
met by a blinding tire and swei)t back bleeding into the gorge.
I'lushed, however, with previous success, they were easily rallied,
and while they were advancing and recoiling iu a series of linal
charges, the gun-boats Lexington and Tyler opened upon them
with their heavy guns. All day they had been anxious spectators
of the combat, moving restlessly up and down the river in vain
seeking an op[)ortunity to cooperate. Now, liowever, the foe was
in range and they sent their ponderous shells screaming disnndly
and deathly into his ranks, oi)ening huge gaps ami exerting a
moral effect ui)on the hostile army more fatal than the physical
results of their death dealing explosions. The rebel olhcers tried iu
• Wall-.ioo's arrival w.is nwaitod with all the nnxicty which an imperiled eondltion'of
the iinny <!oul(l inspire. The suspenso incroHsiiiR, about H o'eloelc a stall' officer rode
lip til tile ;.M battalion of the 4th Illinois cavalry and asked for volunteers to no an the
|i(Milivii8 iiiisfsion of moetinpr and ur»rintr upon him the importance of hurryin>r ior-
wanl Ins division. Lieut. Frank Fislt and HerKcant Henry Stnr(fC8 ininiediately rode
to t!u' fi'ont and culled for others tojoin them. A party of seven was soon formed,
and dashinsr l)y the enemy's left in easy rantic of his musketry, nnd lioiindinjf over
Owl Creek they I'ound Wallace near its intei-soction of the Corinth road, made knowa
their errand, a'nd advised a direct attack upon the enemy, He replied that his artil-
lery had not yet eotne up and the movement would leave it exposed and liable to eap-
tiire They also pointed out the elevated (fround oeeiiplcd by the rebels, nnd the im-
possibility Of his nsin^r his artiller.v, and insisted that it was better to alnindonhis
own ^luiis than lose the udvantajre of an assault on the expcsed rebel tiank. These
aruuments were, however, rejected, nnd the heroic little band safely returned and
reported the result. They were then instructed to ride amonur the soldiersand pro-
claim that Wiillace was at hand with li>,0<)0 fresh troops. The effect was electric, the
loud uuawerlnyr shout of our almost overpowered men rielni;: above the din of battle.
774
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
vain to get tln'ir nicii to taco tlie new tMif-iiios of dcstriiclion, but
wt'it' <!OiiiiU'll('(l to fall i)a('k hcyoiid tlu'ir raiijic !S1m»ii1.v alter tlic
{iiiii-boats came into action tin* ;;littfiiii;4 arms of IWicl's advanced
division were .seen across tile river. It iiad arrived at Havannah
3(» iiours before, and Nelson, the <!()niniandi'i'. (b'tectin^- in liie
deep and continuous roarof artillery tlieexislence of i»attle,i»nslied
forward to render assistance. A brij^ade immediately erossinj;
tilt! streauj and rushing directly to the front, j;reatly revived tiie
(Spirits of the exiiausted army.
Tlie sun now as if to end the shiujihter, withdrew his]i<;lit from
the };ory field — a lield literally covered over with piles of victims,
some torn into fraj;inents, otlu'rs exhibitinj;' but liltU^ e\ idencc^ of
the nu'ans by which they had lost their lives; sonu' still writliinj;
in the aj;onies of death, ami others less injured crying for help.
Interspersed among them were the fragments of guns and tln-ir
carriages, si)liutered trunks and branches of ibrest tices, nil indi-
cating the fury of the battle storm whi(^h luul wrought their <le-
st ruction. Xight came on but the period of repose which it
brougiit alforded little rest to either belligerent. As soon as the
position of tlie enemy was ascertained, the two gun-boats again
commenced throwing among them immense shells whieli, exjjlod-
ing far inland, gave back reports resend)ling those of replying
guns. This heavy cannonade, with slight inteimission, was con-
tinued the wbole inght, and the exhausted enemy aroused from
bis imperfect slumbers, was forced back farther and farther from
the river.
The landing also became the scene of importiint oi)erations.
Crittenden's division of Buel's army having reacl"'d Savanah, was
brought up on steamers and placed in jiosition. xlieiu'xt news re-
ceived was that McCook's division had also arrived at iSavanah,
but owing to the lateness of the hour, it was not brought up till
the next nn)rning. The heavy explosu)ns of artillery reveiberat-
ing far up aiul down the Tennessee had ai)i»risedthe coniman<lers
of these gallant divisions of what was going on, and regardless of
almost impassable roads they pushed forward to ])articipate in the
battle. With this augmentation of its forces the Union army was
able to act on the offensive and a(!cor<lingly the several divisions
w ere assigned places for an attack the next morning. Commenc-
ing on the right and extending to the left were the coinniands of
Kelson, Crittenden, llurlbut, McCleiiiand, Sherman, and Lew
"Wallace, the latter including the divisions of I'rentiss and W. II. L.
"Wallace. Each took the place assigned it, and as is usually the
case after a heavy cannonade a storm arose and the remainder of
the night was spent in a drenching rain. AVhen morning dawned
the Confederates beheld with surprise Buell's handsomely deployed
columns and doubtless with increased anxiety thought of the work
still before them. Their consternation was farther increased when
the strains of martial music announced the arrival of McCook's
division which at once advanced and took a position between
Crittenden and llurlbut.
Nelson's and Crittenden's divisions, eager to measure their
strength with the foe, first commenced the attack. For a time
the contest was an artillery duel of grand porportions and pro-
portionately bloody. Notwithstanding the severe fire, one of Nel-
son's brigades charged across the open space between the two lines
THE "WAK OF THE KEBELLION. 775
and captured one of the hostile batteries. Before the, i)rize, how-
ever, eotild be reinoved, its eiii)tors were driven back with u U)S8
of one-third their number. Tliis reverse only partially checked
the forward movement of the division over the ground which their
less fortunate comrades had lost the daj' before. Crittenden
ni'xt became involved; one of his ln-i<;ades made a dcsi»crate at-
tac^k on a battery of the enemy, and tliis tiiue after captiirinj;' re-
tained it. Exasperated by the loss of his j^uns he char<;-ed with
redoubled fury to recover them, stubbcuidy rcfusinjito yield till the
{i'rouiid was strewn with the victims of the bloody stru;;j;le. The
tide of battle sweeping farther on the right at length fell upon
McC/ook, whose men fought witli the heroism of veterans, driving
the enemy before them as they moved forward.
About 10 o'clock the rebels rallied in some heavy timber, and,
under cover of a furious cajnionade, threw themselves with great
impetuousity mostly against Nelson and Crittenden and turned
them back. At this juncture the artillery was taken to the front
and oi)ened a murderous fire directly in the face of the shouting
foe, dashing uj* in pursuit of the retreating Federals. The nu)ve-
immt of both lines was arrested, but the incessant jday of artil-
lery and musketry went on with increased ettect, the commanders
on bothsideshohling their men to the grim work as if to determine
which could stand pounding the longest. In the meantime ]>uel
came up, and, seeing that the enemy's line was badly shaken by
the continuous volleys ploughing through it, ordered a charge as
the nu)st successfid method of endingthe contest. Cheer after cheer
rent the air as the war-begrimmed legions of the two divisions
swept down like a dark cloud on the recoiling foe till all the ground
whicii h'uX been lost in this ])art of the iield the day before was
regaineu. Still unwilling to lose all the prestige of previous suc-
cess, the rebels again halted in front of JMcCook's division in a
clump of tind)er near Shiloh Church where for an hour they stub-
bornly maintained their position. Kehiforcements from iShennau
and McClernand were, however, sent n^), when an irresistible
charge swept them from their place of refuge and the battle on
this part of the tield was over.
On the right the contest had been equally severe and bloody.
As Wallace in the morning moved forward he halted on an eleva-
tion overlooking the tield in front, and suddenly a strong rebel
column emerged from the woods and formed in lire of battle par-
allel with his own division. JJoth immediately became engaged,
and Wallace threw forward shar])-slio()ters to pick off the rebel
art'.Ierymen till he could get his batteries with infantrv sui)i)orts
on the open fteld in front. For an hour the tlash and roar of guns
was incessant when Sherman with the remnant of his heroic di-
vision, came up, and, regardless of danger, dashed forward across
the tield ; midway between the two lines he met such a destruct-
ive tire he was compelled to return, having received a wound and
lost his horse by the fearless exposure of his person. Leai)ing
into the saddle of another, and arousing the enthusiasm of his
men, he gave the order, "forward," and again they started on the
perilous mission with the brave Col. Marsh, of the 20tli III., as
their leader. Sweeping across the field and gaining in the woods,
beyond, a i)osition that lianked the enemy, the latter retreated iu
hot haste to another part of the timber farther from danger. Here
776
niHTOUY OF ILLINOIS.
lie iiiiidc ii (Ictcniiiiicd stand ajid u K('<!<»iid time coiuiu'llcd Slier-
man to rccuil l>i-tort> iiis iniirdrroiis lii.c ; hut a second tinu' lut
rallied liis men and iiislied into l>altle tlioUiL;li lileedin}; iVom 2
uonnds, and lia\ in;; had L' hoises slM)t under him. (Mliei' foiccs
in the meantime eann- up, the jiusition was taicen and the diseom-
lilted lelu'l ln>sts driven IVom the Held. Thus the action com-
meneed on the lel't and, as if the foe was I'eelin;;' Cor a vulncrahlo
point, s\v«'[»t al(»n;; each dixision to the ri^ht wlien he struck ln.s
last l)lo\v and retired. In the iinal char;;(' on this ])art ol' tlio
field, .McClcrinind's and lluillmt's divisions participate*! and
iuhled new laurels to those which they had picviously won.
On the I'ollowin;; nuunin^' (leu. Siu'rnmn witli his cavalry and
two l»ri;^ades, were sent in i)Ui'suit of the enemy. J'roccedin^
alon^' tlu' Corintli road they encountered the cavalry of the
enemy which temporarily checked their ad\anee. A liiu' of battle
Avas, however, somi formed, and (.'ol. l)iek.\'s 4th 111. cavalry,
leading' in a dashin;;' char,i;(' on the rel»el foice, put them tolli;;lit.
After ci'.rin^' for the wounded and buryinn the dead, the weary
troops returned, finding' the road strewn with blankets, haversacks
und muskets, which the rebels had abandoned in their lli^ht.
!No ollicial statenu-nts of the numbers cn^a;;('d in this I»attle
was nuule by either party. In the first day's li^ht, however, tho
Confe(U'rate army was considerably in excess, whileon the lid tho
Federal having' been reinforced by r)iu'll,was largest. Tlu' loss
of the fornu'r was l,7liS killed; 8,0115 wounded, and O.V.) missin;; ;
that of the latter 1,7."».") killed; wounded ('.SSU; and i{,{).'")(> taken
l)risoners. The rebels ha\in;^' lied, the mournful task of burying
the dead of both armies fell to the lot of the con(iuerors. Nearly
4,()(K) vi(!tims, recently brothers of the sanu' ^reat national family,
hiy pulseless ami still in the sleej) of death. They were consigned
to their graves, and would that the demon of hate and the ear-
iiiXiii', of war had been buried with them.
Gov. Yates, who had already earned the ai)i)ellation of "soldiei's'
friend" by his devotion .to the interest <»f those eiijL;a;;('(l in the
peilbrmance «»f military duty, immediately i)roceede(l to the battle
Held to look after the wounded. His ajipi-als for the means of
a ti'ordin}4' relief met with a response from the people c(unmensur-
ate with the extraordinary lu'cessities that existed. Every city
and village of the State poni'cd forth contriliutions ; i)hysiciaus
and nurses volunteered their services, and steamboats ladeu
with every appliance for nunisteriny- to the distressed, were sent
on their errands of mercy. Such an extensive slaughter had been
unknown in the history of the war, and n()twitlistamlin;n the pro-
fusion of means which had been furnished, many ot the soldiers
still sufl'ered from unavoidable neglect. The Cioxernor therefore
returned honu', and, procuring another corps of surgeons and
additional stoi'es, a second time repaired to the scene of suffer-
ing. As fast as transi)ortation could be obtained, the wounded
were conveyed to northern homes and hospitals where facilities
for im)re skilll^ul treatment could be furnished.
Illinois was more lai'^ely represented in the battle than any
sinyle State. On its death-smitten Held her citizen-soldiers traced,
in characters of blood a record of deeds which will be read
not only in the i)atriotic homes of the broad i)raixues, but wherever
free institutions have a votary or the honor of the reimblic
awakes an echo in the human heart.
THE WAR OP THE REBELLION. 777
It was ii])(>ii the troopH of llliiioifi iiiid tliosc iiiiiiicdiati'ly asso-
ciiitcd with tlicm ill the llrst (lay's halllc, tiiat the ciiciiiy (h-alt
his iiravicst blows ami ivccIv^mI in turn a stroke which rendered
his siil»se(inent(leteat eoinpaiatively easy, lioth siistaiiiiii;:' u loss
liithei'to without a parallel in the history ot'tlit^ war. Tlioii<;h our
dixisions were driven haek as the result td' surprise and siii>erioi'
niiinbers, the advaiHie of Ihci'iieiiiy was (liially cheeked, and when
the gallant cohorts of l>iiell(;aiii(^ to their rescue, were prei»ariii<;' for
otVeiisive ()])eratioiis, and hugely shaicd in tin- nia^iiiiliceiil ciiarj;'es
which snl»se(piently bore our blood-stained banners triiiini»haiit
over the tield.
The contest was one in wliich (;aiinon and musketry i)layed the
most conspicuous part. Yet, in the constant shiftin^iof bii<iad»'S
and divisions the cavalryjiuardedtheirmoNciiients, protected their
exposed winjisor dashed <»ver the Held with iiii])ortaut disi»atclies.
The Ud, ttli, t!harmicliaers, O'llarnett's and holliiis', were ainon<?
the oi'{;aiiizations from Illinois, and distinguished themselves by
their soldierly conibu't.
Amoii}:; the bravest of the heroes who died on the bloody field
ofShiloh, that their country mif^ht live, was (len. William lleiiry
L. Wallace. He was bm-n on the <Sth of duly, ISL'l, at Trbana,
Ohio. Jlis father, in JS.'};5, removed to Illinois, and settled in the
vicinity of LaSalle. After 4 years residence he removed to Mt.
IVIoiiis, ()<.';le county, for the i>urpose of yiviny hisfamily the ben-
etit of tuition in Jiock Hiver seminary. Younj;' Wallace <*ompIeted
a course of study in the; institution and, after some preliminary
study of the hvw, repaired to S])rin<itiel(l to enter the ottice of
Lof-an and Lincoln, lawyers of j;reat celebrity and lej-al ability.
AVliile in the capital he formed the acfpniintancc! ot T. LyleJ)icky,
also a lawyer of ability, to whom he became attached and shortly
afterward went to Ottawa and entered the otlice of hisnew friend.
Hi; was admitted to the bar in ].S4n, but the Mexican war break-
iiifi'outthe followin<;year, Wallace abandoned his profession and
enlisted in the ref^iinent raised by the brave andelociuent Hardin.
He was mustered in as orderly seryeant, Co. 1, commanded by
iludfi'e Dicky, whom they eknited as cai)tain. After their arrival
in ]\rexic(), the .Tiid<>e, in consequence of his ill ho- 1th, was com-
])elled to resign, and was succeeded by Ids 1st Lieut., L. M.
Prentiss, and Wallace became adjutant. In this capacity ho
bravely encountered the thunders of IJueiia Vista and was by the
side of his gallant colonel when he was stricken down in this
menu>rable conflict. When the rebellion commenced he was
among the first to i-espond to the call of the government for
troops, and exerted himself to arouse the people to the magnitude
of the struggle. In May ho was chosen colonel of the 11th regi-
ment, and June 2()th, 18(51, was placed in command of J>ird's
Toint. In February following he was promoted to the command
of a brigade in jMcClernand's division, participated in the capture
of Forts Henry and l^onelson and aciquitted Inmself Mith great
bravery in the heavy charges in.the last day's battle. From Hon-
elsttn his brigade was onlered to Pittsburg Landing, and u^xm
the death of the brave C. F. Smith, AVallace was placed in com-
mand of his division. In the appalling fi'ry of the first day's
(.'oidlict, his division, in conJun(;tion with TTurlbnt's, for a time
stood between the army and destruction, but without suin^rts
778
niSTORY OF ILLINOIS.
it (
m
tlit'ir isolated iuhaiicf liad to lie altaiHloncd. IN'cklcssly cxposiiifj
hiij iK't'soii ill tlit> arcoiiiplisiiiiiciit of this iiiovciiiciit lie was sliot
tlii'oii;;li tilt' head and I'ril iiisciisililc IVoiii liis lioi's(>, llis coiiiradcs
csaa.vrd to canv liiiii iVoiii tlif Held, Inil, picsscd hy tin- piirsiiiii;;-
fiiciiiy, tlic,v sadl.v laid liiiii down on tli«- licldand abandoned liini
to llis late. On tlie lollowinj'- day tlie lost ;ii(nnid was rcnaiiied
and Wallace Mas toiiiid still alive. The enemy, ju'vliaps out of
respect for his Itraxcry, had placed a jiilloN under his head and
covered liis body with a blankiit. His wound was, however, mor-
tal and he died, ;;reatly ie;;iettcd by the army whose conlidence
and atVectioii he had won by his many noble ipialities.
r.eiijainin V. I'lj-ntiss, the brother in arms of Wallace, was the,
first lllinoisan to secure the commission of a bri;ia(lier};eneral, tlio
first to (M)mniand a division, and tlu^ first to lie ca)>tnred. lie was
born in 1SI!>, at llelleville, Va., whence his father removed to Mis-
bonri, and thence in ISU to (^nincy, III. His lirst military cxjn;-
rieuce was in the Mormon war, beiiif;' 1st liieiit. of tln' t^iiin<*y
rifles, comniaiided Itydcii. Moiji'aii, wliicli visited Hancock comity
dnriii;; the prevalence of its civil lends. In the call for volunteers
to s<'ive in tlu' Mexican war, he entered tli(^ same conii»aiiy with
AVallace, and as w«' have already seen by the resi<;iiation of ('apt.
Dicky, lie was elected to till his jilace. In tiie liattle »d" IJueiia
Vista his company won merited distinction for its superior drill
and soldierly «'llicieiicy. Jtctniiiiii};' to(i)iiiiicy lie eii^a^^cd in nier-
caiitiUi pursuits until the i'ommeiiceiiient of the rebellion. \\'lien
intcllijicnce was received of tli(^ outrage on the national lla^' at
Sumter, lie rcor;ianized the Qiiiiicy ritles, and within a week af-
terwanl was on his way to Cairo. Here as soon as tliere- was a
sullieiency of men to or};anize a brij;ado, 1h'. was elt'cte<l its ;>en-
eral. At the close of the JJ months term, for which his men liad en
listed, 1h! was made brij;adier {general l>y a])pointmeiit of the
President and sent to Southern Missouri. 2s'ext he was or-
dered to report to (len. (Irant at IMttsbnrj-' Landiii<r, whither he
arrived .'} days before the battle, and was selected to take coin-
niand of a division. W(^ have already spoken of his cai»ture in
the battle. Jn his ]»assa^e thi()uj;h the Southern towns as a i)ris-
oiier, it is said the Soutiirons crowded to see the Yankee jjeneral,
and that ho made them a number of rousinj;- Union speeches siurh
as had not for many months been lieard in their sunny latitude.
He and his men were conveyed to Montjjonirry, Alabama, where
they were parolled, after which they returned home by way of
Nashville.
]Major Gen. Stephen A. llurlbut, the commander of the 4tU
division in the battle of Shiloh, was born at Charleston, S. C,
Nov. 2yth,181;"). Having studied law in his native city, he moved
to Belvidere Illinois, and comuseneed the i)ra('tice of his profes-
sion. Two years afterward he was elected a member of the con-
stitutional convention, and subsequently sei'ved several terms in
the legislature. Lincoln, aware of his ability and patriotism, aj)-
jwinted him one of the first civilisiu commanders of the war. lie
was Hrst ordered to North ^Missouri, where he rendered efHcient
service in protecting- railroads against rebel marauders by holding
the districts througli which they ran resjionsible for their destruc-
tion. After having taught the " borderers " that treason was
THE WAR OP TIIK TlKHKLLrON.
r7«
expensive as well u.s (limiu'tTons »uul iinliiwf'iil, lie was tiaiisifeire«l
to (iraiitV coiiiiiiaiKl, itarlicipattMl in the biittle of Donelsoii, uiid
tlieliee iiinvcd to I'iltsltni'^ liaiidili;;.
iSaltles may he (Uvi<le<l into .'{ chiMses : (l''(^i»ivc ciiKiin'>>*'i>t^'^>
Hiicli as Itriii;;' tlitMii on and tlios(> tiiat tlorv IVoiu tl.eni. I'lonr
int'iit anion;; llie ;;r('at batllt's oltlie first ehiss was tiie coiiteist of
Sliiloli ; not only liccanse it elian<;('d tlu* eoin|ile\ion of llie «■ ar in
tlie West, hut (nfaccomit of tiie permanent ad\antaj;i's ch-rived from
it. I'.otli parties elaiined it as a victory, hut it was some time after
tlie immediate levj'rheratioiis of the hatth- liefore its tine sij^niti-
caiice was tiilly appieeiated. l>eanre;;ar<l, the hero of Siiint iiid
JNIanassas, had lieeiicalled westhya deputation of eitizeiiH too ..ri-
eatethem from ini|)eiidiii;;' dan};'er,detei'niiiied upon a elian;te of
Itolicy. llillieito tlie ( 'onfederates had lidj^cd theiihroa«l valleys
with parallelsof earthworksand scattered tlieir tioops fordefeiisivo
Opel at ions, hut lleaiirejiard, reversing: the <»rder, coniiiieiiced
tlicir conceiitiation for a;;';i;ressive inoveiiieiits. lie proposed first
to move a;!;aiiist Ihiell, hut the pioinpt denionstratioiis of (iiant
on I lie Tennessee made a eonntt-ractiii}^ force in that direction a
more pressiii;^' necessity. Accordinj;ly he assembled his troops
at ("oriiith where they were hurled upon (Jraiit at Shiloli with tlio
inleiitioii next of overwhelmiii;: l>uell, and tiiially swe»'pin<;iiorth-
>vard thronjih Tennessee and Kentucky to the Ohio. Shiloli was
then in a ;ireat measure a contest for sni>remacy in the valley of
tlie Mississippi, and the terrilile tierceness with which it was
l'onj;ht. only eorresiioiided with the momentous interests involv-
ed. l"'rom its terrible shock, the rebel army recoiled, too much
bi(»keii to afterwai'd act on the ot1'ensiv«>, while its commander
bitteily rejii'ctted the necessity which compelled him to abandon
his lon^' clierislu'd schemes of Northern conquest. Jbit for this
success it would have been impossible to check the rebel army
till it had recovcii'd all that jiortion of the j;reat valley from
which they had recently bci'ii driven, and the war would liiivo
thus been indelinitely prolonjicd.
N'ictory not only forced the foe to abandon all further {ittem)tt8
to overrun tln^ North, but caused the loss of a larji'e addi-
tional scope of teriitory. As the fall of Donelson comiielled the
icIiiKpiishment of the tirst Confederate line of defense, so the re-
]Hilse of Shiloli resulted in the abandonment of the sei'ond. Thus
the whole of Middle and Eastern Tenni'ssee became exposed to
the rnion army, whose columns could now penetrate to the very
eentre of the Confederacy ; but even here the etVeetdid notecase.
The Confederate authorities becominj; alariiietl at the claiij-ers
threateiiinfi' their defenses on the upper JNIississippi, commenced
the concentration of their naval forces at Memiihi-s. This transfer
])roi»ortionally \s akened the means of ])roteetion at the mouth of
the river, and thus jiieatly facilitated the capture of Kew Orleans
Mhicli occurred shortly afterward.
Mit(-h<n\s Campaipn. — At the same time the 3 divisions of RueU's
army left for Nashville to cooperate with Grant, 10,000 men
started southward under the command of Gen. JMitchell. The
obje(;tive ])oint of the expedition was Hnntsville, Ala., where, by
Severing' the Memphis & Charleston Eailroad, it was in-oposed to
cut off reinforcements and supplies destined for Corinth. After
arri\ injj iu Nashville he remained there till the 4th of April, en-
780
niSTOKY OF ILLINOIS.
giif;v<l in or<>aiiiziii}«' his army, bnildiiift- bri(l};os, and otliciwiso
pivi)ai'inj;' for liis (jainpaij;!!. When cvcr.N fliiiij;' was ifi readiness
tlie mareli was resumed on tlie, 7th, and Fayettevillc was reaelied
and occupied witliont opposition. Jlere mu(!]i anxiety was felt in
rei:ardto tlic issues of the exix-dition, i'or sliouhl our army either
in Tennessee or Virginia, meet witli a reverse, tlie destruction of
JMilciiell's force would be almost unavoidable. While harrassed by
rliese forebodiufis, Col. Turchin of the lOth Illinois came forward
and asked permission to moveat once upon JIuntsville before <le]ay
sliouhl add* new i)erils to those which already threatened, (ien.
]M i tcliell assented and with the 18th and37thlnd., 4th O. cavalry and
the l!»th and 2ttli lllinoii'', he left Fayetteville on the moriiin.i>' of
April loth, l)S(i2. With the Illinois re.i-iments in advance the
bri;;ade toiled over roads vendered extremely dillicidt by the pre-
cipitous hills, swampy yiades, and tanyled forests of the country.
I're(|uently it became necessary, in consequeiuie of its impassable
condition, to harness two or three teams to a sin<ile wa<;()n and in
some i)laceB to drag the guns by hand. The indomitable energy
of Tiirehin, however, pervaded his men, and they struggled on
over almost insurmountable obstacles without complaint. When
night came on they partook of a hearty rei)ast and threw them-
seh es round their camp tires till the moon went down and the
march couhl be resumed with greater se<'urity. The roads now
beciime better, and the progress being more ra])id, in the grey
ligiit of morning, the city became visibU; behind a grove of (;e-
dars. A battery was immediately ])laced in ])osition and present-
ly two trains came dashing up on the railroad toward Stevenson.
Tlic one in advance was cliased a distance of ten miles by a scjuad
of cavalry, but the engineer crowded on steam and the iron horse
proved too fteet for those bestrode by the cavalrvmen. The one
in the rear, less fortunate, was brought to by a shot from the l.'at-
tery and all its passengers were made prisoners.
Ill the meantime Col. Maliilotzy, of the 24th Illinois, dis-
patched a Ibrce to tear ui) the ti'uck in the direction of IJecatur,
to prevent the esca[»e of other trains in the future. The ordei' was
then given to advance on the town, and an exciting cavalry race
ensued for the honor of tirst entering it. Three trooiiers became the
wiiiiiers, who, dashing far in advance of the other!'., entered and
(•aptiired 170 rebels betbre they had time to rise from their
coiiclies. The inliabitants of the city were still wrai)t in sleep,
dreaming, ])erhaps, of "Southern Independence or troubled Avith
Yankee nightmares, " when the clatter of cavalry in the streets
tirst ai»prised them of danger. On being awakened they rushed
half naked into the streets to ascertain the character and object
of the unexiiected visitors, and learned, with deep mortilica^ii;:),
that tluMr beautiful city was in the hands of the enemy. A reign
of terror succeeded, all classes being seized with consternation,
except the negro(!s, who, though naturally the most timid, on tliiS
occasion maintained a wonderfiile(juanimity. The mayor, Jifter re-
gaining to some extent his coiii]»osure, determined toex])el tlie in-
truders, but the other forces soon came uj) and he abandoned his
design. As the result of cajitiinng the (Mt.v, 17 locomotives. b')0
cars and a large amount of war material fell into the hands of the
victors. The rolling stock was soon put in motion for the traiis-
jiortation of troops, and within three days, not only llunts\ille,
■;
THE WAR OP THE REBELLION. 781
l)Ut 8ti'\eiisoii, Deciitur, Ttisciiinbiii and 107 miles of rail road were
ill tlie i»()sse.ssioii oftlie IJiiioiiists. The .sif^jiial Villus of Tnrcliiii'8
force wiiieli liad oi^eupied Tu.scuinbia, eould now be heard at Cor-
iiitli, the centre oftlie enemy's operations.
The ;;reat disi»ersion of Mitchell's division for the pnrpose of
holdiiij;- the captnred towns and such a jjreat extent of railroad,
soon rendered his situation precarious. The enemej' began to gather
ill force and threaten him; no reinforcements had reached him,
and a large part of the subsistence which had been sent by
llallecilc was burnt to prevent its falling into the hands of the en-
emy. (Ten.Turchin, finding his position at Tnscnmbia becoming
untenable, fell back to Decatur, where, after crossing the Tenn-
essee river, he burnt the bridge Just in time to i)rev4'nt the enemy
from following him. This was the only crossing between Bridge-
port and Florence, hence its destruction was a severe blow on
rebel oi)eratioiis in that part of the vjonntry. On the 27th of April
Tnrchin evacuated Decatur and continued his retrograde move-
ment to lluntsville.
Shortly after an episode occurre(< at Athens, on account of
uliicli the 10th Illinois was seventy, but unjustly, censured. The
town had previously been occupied by anOliio regiment, to which
the inhabitants made loud professions of loyalty. >\liile in peace-
able custody of the place the regiment Avas unexi)ecte(lly fired
upon by a squad of rebel cavalry, and returned to lluntsville
under the impression that the attack was made by a large force
of the enemy. As they left Athens, notwithstanding the pre-
• ions juofessions of the inhabitants, guns were discliarged at
them from dwellings*, women derided them with the vilest eju-
tliets, while a crowd of rebels followed in the streets and threw
ui)on them the most disgusting garbage. Turchin's brigade was
nt'xt ordered to take possession of the town, but no enemy was
found. The inhabitants were again loyal, but the 19th Illinois,
remembering the indignities which had been offered their (com-
rades, retaliated by the destruction of proi)erty. This outrage, as
it was termed, was the legitimate fruit of the previous pi'ovoca-
tioii, and would never have occurred had not the i)eople who so
loudly complained, been the aggressors.
In the meantime the rebels were concentrating a force at r>ri(lge-
poit, a small town near Chattanooga, which gets its name from
the bridge over the Tennessee at that point. Mitchell having
ascertained the position of the force, on the 29th of April ap-
proached their encainpnient under cover of a hill, and made his
lu'esence known by liring a volley ot grape and cannister into
their midst. Some immediately iled, while others, seizing their
gnus, endeavored to make a stand, but the Federals, with fixed
bayonets, charged upon and (piickly put them to flight. In their
retreat they attempted to blow up the bridge, but were too closely
pursued to succeed. Another portion of the enemy stationed on
the railroad after the firing commenced debouched into an open
Held ami formed a line of battle. By mistake, he moved u]» to-
ward one of MitchelTs batteries Avhicli had been planted for their
reception. When within easy range a terrific fire of cannister was
poured into their ranks, and both cavalry and infantry, taken by
surprise, threw down their arms and tied in confusion. Tlius ended
the battle of Bridgeport, and with it virtually terminated Mitch-
782
HISTORY OP ILLINOIS.
ell's caniitai;'!!. In his icjxnt to the Secietiiry of War lie .said :
''The cainpaifj:!! is ended and I now oeciipy Iluntsville in ]terteet
secnrity, while in all Ahibanni, north ofthe Tennessee, theie floats
not a iiag; bnt that of the Union. " As the .seqnenee of his ojtera-
tions and successes innorthern Alabama, a nninberof niin«)r exjie-
ditions were sent in various directions after rovin;; baiuls of reliel
cavalry, but the numbers engaged and the results accomplished
Avere not important.
Gen. Basil Turchin, whose genius and energy contributed so
Inrgely to the success of the campaign, was born in the vallpy of
the Don, Kussia, Jan. 18, 1822. At the age of li he entered the
military school of St. Petersburg, and nfterhis graduation his re-
markable military talent rapidly gained him pr«»motion, At the
outbreak of the Crinu'an war he received an appointment on the
stall' of tlie Crown Prince, the present Emjjeror of Kussia, i)lanned
and superintended the coast defenses of Finland, among the most
elab(>rate and scientific feats of military ingineering in Kur()]»e.
Ila\ing in early life formed a ])artiality for free institutions, in
1850 he emigrated to the United States, and was eniployed as an
engineer on the Illinois Central railroad. When he saw that the
libei ,, xv»r which he had abandoned his fatherland was in danger
of being blotted out by the overshadowing power of slaxcry, he
at once rushed to its rescue. He was apjiointed Colonel of tiie
IDth Illinois, one of the most maligne(l though ellicient regiments
in the service. Immediately after its organization it became not«'d
for the excellence of its drill ; nor was it long in the lield, as Me
have seen, before the fighting qualities of botli men and conunand-
er made it the synonym of success.
Siege of Corinth. — While Mitchell was thus engaged in severing
the rebel communications between theeastand the west, two hostile
armies were gathering at Corinth for another deadly struggle. So
long as this strategic point remained in the hands of the r(4»els,
it (mdangeved Nashville on the one haml. and retarded operations
against Memphis on the other. Hither Peauregard had led his
army from the fatal field of Shiloh, and hither Ilalleck had come
to suiierintend in person the operations of the Union forces. Hav-
ing ordered Pope and liis army from New IVladrid, and reoigan-
zed his other forces, he assumed the leadershij) of tli" whole,
])laced Grant second in connnand and transferred his army to
Thomas. Pope's comimmd was placed on the right, liuelTsin the
centre, ami that of Thonuis on the left, the entire army o(;cupy-
ing a semi-circle of six miles and numbering 108,00(1 men. Tlins
arranged the army began to advance but moved cautiously, it
being a part of Ilalleck's plan to approach the rebel wcnks in
front after the iminiu'r of a, siege while he cut the railroads in their
rear and on each Hank.
On the ;U)th of April, 1802, a reconnoisance was made toward
Pui'dy, on the Ohio & Mobile railroad, about 20 miles north of
Corinth. The force detailed for this i»nri)ose was commanded by
Lew Wallace, consisting of 2 batteries of artillery, 2 regiments of
infantry and, J of cavalry, 2 of the latter being the 4th and 11th
Illinois. At night the infantry and artillery encamped midway
between Pittsburg Lamling and Purdy, while the cavalry com-
manded by Col. T. Lyle Dickey, pushed on till I hey arrived at the
THE WAR OF THE REBELLION.
783
town. The prevalence of a storm and the intense (hirkness of the
uiylit, liowever, rendered inexpedient any attempt at the redac-
tion of tlie place, and they relnrned to the eneami)ment. The
next morning Col. Dickey again advanced on the town, and, having
severed its connection with Corinth by destroying a i)ortion of the
railroad, the principal object of the expedition was accomplished.
Farmiiigton. — A second reconnoisance was made on the 'M of
May in the direction of Farmington, a commanding position four
miles east of Corinth, in possession of a rebel force of ;"»,000 men.
The men engaged in this expedition were almost entirely from
Illinois, consisting of the lOtli, KJtli, l'2d, I'Gth, 27th, 4lM, 47th and
5Uth regimentsof infantry, Yates shurp-shooters and lioughtaling's
battery of light artillery, the whole under theeomnnuidof Paineand
Palmer. The force moved forward live ndles on the Farmington
road where they met the enemy, and in a skirmishing light drove
him back some distance to an endnencefrom the sumndtof which
his artillery for a time checked their advance, lioughtaling's
battery moved immediately to the front and ojtened such destruc-
tive tire on his position that he fell back to Farmington. Here
he again made a stand when the same battery was brougiit up
and opened on his lelt, and an Ohio battery on his right, fr<»m the
cond)ined tire of which he retreated with the federal cavalry in
hot pursuit. Farnnngtou fell into the hands of the Unioidsts.
The enemy returned on the Otli and made a deternuued elfort to
flank and (!ut off from themain army the forces which occui)i('d it.
A tierce battle of live hours duration commenced, in whicii l*aiue
ami I'ainuu', who were perem{)toriIy ordered not to bring on a
general cMgagement, slowly retreated. This wasprennnenlly an Il-
linois battle, and an exhibition of Illinois i)rowess, although the 2d
Iowa cavalry greatly distinguished itself in charging on the ene-
my's batteries.
Finally, on the 2Stl« of May, after some other fighting by
detached portions of both arnues, llalleck sent forward three
heavy reconoitering columns against Corinth to feel the strength
of the enemy's entire line, and unmask hi . battel ies. The rebels
hotly coidesting the grouiul at the several points of appioach
on tlu^ right centre and left, but were driven back. On the
2{)th I'oj)e and Siierman oi)ened upon the rebel entrenchments
with their powerful guns and drove the enemy from his advan(;ed
battery. But while the movement of the federal army, entrenched
in su(;cessive parallels, was slowly converging on the hostile
works with their heavy siege guns, IJeanregard, aware that he
was unable to cope with such a formidable force, was secretly
withdrawing from the town to prevent capture. During the
entire succeeding night from Ilalleck's advanced position could
be heard the rund)ling of ears and the shrieking locomotive
whistles, terndnating at daylight with several h)nd explosions.
kSkirnnsh parties were immediately thrown out and a general ad-
van<!e being ordered, the troops entered (jorinl) and found it de-
serted. All the heavy ordnance had been carried away while com-
ndsary stores, powder and other valuable property, which, for the
want of transportjition could not be removed, was destroyed.
The news of the evacuation soon spread from regiment to regi-
ment and from division to division till the air eehoeilwith jubilant
784
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
shouts ill every jmrt of the wiclcly extended fiehl. The mnyoreiiine
forward iiiul surrendered tlie towu, and tlie njitional ensifjn was
hoisted over thepubhc buihlinjis wlu're the i'(d)el tlaj^liad sohnig
delhuitly floated its treasoiuible folds. The rebels fled with givni
preeij>itatiou notwithstanding their oft-repeated boasts to iitiiuo-
late tiie Yankees if they ever ventured beyond the Tennessee. The
jmrsuit of the fugitive enemy wasiuiinediate and the same day a
cavalry force overtook his rear guard on Tuseund)ia creek S miles
south of Corinth. The retreat and pursuit wascontiuued for sev-
eral days with skirmisliing at various points, and linally ended
in the occupation of Gnntown and Baldwin by the federals, and
Tupello by the confederates.
The lengthening list of regiments wliich Illinois added to the cat-
alogue of battles in the siege of Corinth attained its greatest dinien-
The following array of numbers constitute a roll of honor
sions
7 / i 7 in
and otticered as at Sliiloh and Island No. 10, and advanced upon
Corinth in Thomas' (!orps. Prominent among the many organiza-
tions which were distinguished in the fighting about tlie besieged
city were a portion of the 2d, 4th, 7th and 11th cavalry, and the
batteries of Waterhouse, Ilonghtaling, IJouton and ttilverspare.
Lieut. Baker, of Yates' sharp-shooters was the first to enter the
rebel works, and Col. Stuart, of the o'tth, was the flrst to hoist the
federal flag over the capture<l city. Gen. Sherman thus .alliules
to Logan: "I feel niuler sjiecial obligations to this ofticer, who,
during the two days he served under me, held the entire ground
on my right extending down to the railroad. All the time he liad
in his front a large force of the enemy, but so dense was the for-
est he could not reckon their strength save what he could see ou
the railroad. "
Chapter LIX.
i8G2— ILLINOIS m KENTUCKY, NORTH EEN MISSISSIPPI
AND MIDDLE TENNESSEE.
Battles of Ferryville, Bolivar, Brittoti's Lane, luha, Corinth and
tStone Biver.
Shortly after the reduction of Corinth important changes oc-
curred ill the Army of the West.
On the 27th of June, 1802, Pope left to take command of the
Army of the Potomac. On tlie 23d of July Halleck,' by order of
the President, assumed command of the armies of the United
States, and Grant occupied Northern Alabama and West Ten-
nessee.
Buell, on the 10th of June, started eastward to counteract the
designs of Bragg, who was colJecting a large force for an otfeiisive
movement northward. One corps of his army was stationed at
Kuoxville, under the command of E. Kirby Smith, and two Jit Chat-
tanooga under Polk and Hardee. The troops under the immediate
command of Buell numbered 25,000, with an auxiliary force of
13,000, at different places in Northern Alabama and Middle Ten-
nest ', under the command of the gallant Mitchell. Buell's lirst
object was to repair the railroads which had previously been de-
stroyed by raiding parties of rebel cavalry, and» thus maintain
read J" access to his depot of supi)lie8 at Nashville. The perform ■
ance of this important work was eutrusted to Mitchell, who soon
restored the road between Nashville and Murfreesboro j but un-
fortunately, Forrest, with 3,000 cavalry, immediately afterwards
made a descent on the latter place, captured the small garrison,
again destroyed the railroad and escaped with his prisoners and a
large amount of booty to Chattanooga. Next the startling intel-
ligence was received that the force under Smith, had burst tlirough
a gap of the (Jumberland Mountains, for the purpose of invading
Kentucky. Passing without opposition through the State, he ap-
approached within seven miles of Cincinnati, but finding the
city prepared to receive him, he retired without attempting its
capture.
When war exists one of the belligerents must be subdued before
peace can be restored; and however prudently it may be conduc-
ted, the destruction of life and property is unavoidable. The
forces employed if divested of the restraint common to regular
military organizations, frequently foi'get the object of legit-
imate warfare, and plunder indiscriminately both friend and foe.
Such was the character of the nmrauding parties which the rebels
now emploved as a means of obtaining sui)i)lies and a\enging
50—785
ill:
78G
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
their iniafiiiiiiry wrong's, rirqnoiitly tlicy daslicd into ii villii<;e
01' district iuid hiiviiifj sci/A'd tlie property of tlie iuiisibitaiits, if any
dsired to resist they were eitlier shot or dra<;j;ed into captivity.
Lyiiiy in wait for railroad trains, they were not content witli
destroying" tlie road and robbing tiie mails, bnt ninrdered the
passengers. If dispersed at one point they snddenly api)eared at
another, and renewed their depr<'dations, seriously interfeiint^' with
the business of the country without leading to any decisive mili-
tary ad\antages.
Ahnost simultaneously with the passage of the Cumberlaml
Mountains by Smith, IJragg with an army of (iO,(MH) nu'ii, crossed
the Tennessee for a similar otfiMisive movement. IJuell ha<l ex-
tended his line of operations along the Memphis and Charleston
railroad tolluntsville, where he had established his headciuaiters.
Owing to the manifold dangers which now beset him, instead of
penetrating farther eastward as contemplated, he found it neces-
sary to return for the J)urj)ose of guarding the movements of
Bragg. The latter proceeding by way of rikeville, Sparta and
Carthage, entered Kentucky on ;he oth of Sei)teml>er. During
the march, Buell harrassed his rear ; on ilie 17th drove his forces
out of jMumfordsville, and deducing from his nu)vements that he
was aiming at Louisville, he hastened thither in .advance.
The inhabitants were laboring under the most serious appre-
hensions for the safetj^ of the city, and w hen his advancing col-
umns awoke them fromtheirnightly slumbers, the cry "Buell has
come," was repeated as when his advent Avas greeted by the im-
I)eriled army at Shiloh. Anticipating an attack by the rebel army,
a large number of fresh troops had been liurriedlj' pushed forward
from Illinois, ludiana and Ohio for the protectiou^of the city,
when some niisunderstanding arising between Gens. Davis and
Nelson, as to whose comnnind they belonged, the latter was shot
and killed by the former. After the adjustment of this difficulty,
Buell's army was reorganized, he being first and Thomas second in
conuuaud, and its three corps being commanded by Generals A. M.
McCook, Critteudeu and C. C. Gilbert.
Battle of PerryviUe. — Thus officered and numbering near
100,000 men, the army on the 1st of October left Louisville in i>ur-
suit of Bragg, who being unable to proceed farther northward,
commenced returning. Btiell following in his wake by way of
Bardslown, heard there was a large force of the enemy at Perry-
viUe. He determined to move against him and accordingly or-
dered his three corps to advance without <lelay by different roads.
On the 7th of October, 1802, Gilbert's corps moved along the
Springtield pike to within 5 miles of PerryviUe when lieavy skir-
mishing commenced. Mitchell's, the leading division, was tbrmed
in line of battle across the road and Sheridan's division, contain-
ing the 3(5th, 44th, 73d, Soth, 8(»th, 88th and 125th Illinois, was
shortly after brought np and stationed beyond Doctm's Creek
on Mitchell's right. This movement brought McCook's brig-
ade of Sherman's division, within 2J miles of the enemy's position
and early in the morning of the 8th he deployed the 8.jth Illinois
on his right, the 52d Ohio on his left, while the 12oth Illinois was
placed as a reserve, and the 80th Illinois pushed forward as pickets.
The rebel xnckets uow commenced the contest by a severe lire on
THE "WAR OF THE REBELLION. 787
tlie 85tli, whicli, without hiiviiif? previojisly boon under fire, cliiir;iC'd
up the liill on whicih the enemy was iK)ste(l, and drove iiiin Iroiu
his position. Exasperated at their disconititure tiie rebels now
massed their forces on the rijjht and left of the brigade, and for
an hour ])oured upon the devoted men a furious tire of shrapnel.
Stubbornly, heroically they breasted the storm till Barrets' Ud
Illinois battery was brouj^lit into position when the rebels were
three times driven from their fiuns, which at leiiffth were i)eTma-
uently silenced. The 125th Illinois had in the meanwhile been
ordered up to support tlie battery and so etticiently was the task
performed tluit the rebels retired leavinjj: the federals in i)osses-
sion of the field which they had so heroically won.
In the meantime .Jackson's and lloussnau's divisions, A. M.
McCook's corps, the forniercontaiiiinj;' theJUth, 80th, 8!)th and 123d
Illinois and the latter the lUth, L'4th and 39th ML, were brought up
and formed on Gilbert's left. Bragg' fearing the arrival of (Jritteu-
den, determined to take advantage of his al>sence by an immediate
assault with his entire force. Acconliiigly about 11 o'clock hia
batteries opened from G different positions, and were answered by
the federal artillery, but no efie(!t being produced on either side,
the filing ceased. The lull, however, only presaged the coming
storm. Again the rebel guns opened with redoubled furj' and
presently the dark masses of the enemy were seen emerging from
the woods. Bragghad concentrated the flower of his army against
the left center of the Union line, while Buckner massing another
force, moved against Jockson's division further to the left. The
latter gave way and lionsseau next becoming involved, for half
an hour the fighting was terriffic and the carnage fearful. In the
heat of the contli(;t the 24th Illinois was ordered nj) for the de-
fense of a vulnerable point in tlie line, and although frequently
assailed by overwhelming numbers, they tenaciously maintained
their i)osition. While tlie battle was thus raging on tlie left
Gens. JMitchell ami Sheridan ■.itta(!ked the enemy on the right and
driving him from the field, ended the contest.
During the afternoon Mitchell's division, in which were the 21st,
25th, 35th, 38th, 42d, 58th, .51Hh, 74th and 75th Illinois, had been
moved up to the supi)ort of Gen. Shei-idan, who was hard pressed
by the enemy. Col. Carlin of the 38th Illinois, with a brigade,
pushed forward on the right aiul upon ascending a hill, dis-
covered a strong fonuA of the enemy reJidy to hurl themselves
against Sheridan's overtasked men. Ordering a charge his men
met the advancing rebels with such irresistable momentum as to
completely pierce their (ientre and i)ut them to flight. He then pur-
sued the fugitives a distance of two miles, when finding in the
ardor of pursuit he had isolated himself from the other forces, he
returned before the confused enemy could take advantage of his
situation. While in this advanced position his own regiment, the
38th Illinois, (laptured an ammunition train of the enemy, and its
guard, nund)ering 14() men.* As an evidence of the heroism with
which the .jOtli and 75th exposed themselves and the deadly
ordeal through which they passed, the former lost 153 out of
325, and the latter 221 out of 700. In another part of the field
the 80th and 123d behaved with great gallantry, the first having
11 killed, 32 wounded, and 13 missing and the 2d 35 killed, 119
wounded and 35 missing.
♦ Mitchell's Heport.
788
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
Otlier rcjiiiiuMits, tlioujjh not spccMiilly iiiciitionoil in tlie reports
of tlu^ battk', tbii;ilit as l)niv('ly, loved tluMtaiise as devotedly aiul
are a.s iiiucli entitled to our rosi)ect and <;ratitude as tliosc; wiio
Lave a more pieteiitious reeord. Tiiat none eoidd have siiiuined
dan;;er is evident from tlii^ fatal effects of the battle, wliieh Mc-
Cook says, for the number enjiajjed, was the bhxxliest eoiitliet of
modern times. Aeeordiiifjc to IJuell's report, th.e entire federal htss
in kiUed, wounded and missinj;- was 4, (»()(>; that of the enemy
beiiifi" abont the same. Had Crittenih'ii's corps, which did not
arrive till after the lighting- was t)ver, been present, the result
ini;^ht have been diftereiit.
As nraji}"" retreated it was snp])osed he would nnike a stand on
Dick river, and IJuell accordingly sent Critten^leii forward to en-
{ia,ne him in front wljile M('Cook and (iilbert were to turn his
flank and compel him to tijiht or surrender. The sagacious Con-
federate, however, suspecting the design of his adversary, evac^u-
ated his position and resumed his march. Possessing an aitcurate
knowledge of the country and skilfully nsing the advantages
which it afforded, he managed to elude the Union troops. The
pursuit was continued as far as London, when its farther prose-
cution Mas deemed inexix'dient. Bragg thus es(!ai>ed laden with
the rich spoils gathered in Kentucky; and Buell falling back to
Nashville, was superseded by Kosecrans.
The l{iclinu>nd autliorities evidently supposed that the people
of Kentucky were ready to espouse the cause of the confederacy if
they could have some assurance of i)rotection when the decisive
step was taken. One object of the invasion was, therefore, to in-
si)ire the necessary contidence, and much disai)pointment was felt
at the apathy with which these overtures were received, and,
therefore, except a large amcmnt of supplies JJragg carried
with hiuj to Tennessee, he derived no advantage from the expe-
dition.
Battle of Bolivar. — After the reduction of Corinth Grant's army
occupied Northern Alabanui. His forces having been seriously
weakened by detailing a iiortion of them for the defense of Lou-
isville, a strong rebel force of cavalry, under the command of
Armstrong, undertook the capture of Bolivar, for 'he i)uri)ose of
severing the railroad at that i)oint and thus interrupting the fed-
eral lines of communication. Col. Crocker with a small L^^nion
force Avas in command of the town, and as soon as he learned the
intentions of Armstrong, he dispatched, on the 30tli of August,
18()L!, two comi)anies of the llth and four of the 2d III. cavalry,
Cols, i'uterbaugh and Hogg, and the 20th and 78th Ohio infantry,
to give him battle. About noon Col. Leggett, who had charge of
the force, met a large body of rebels, who immediately endeavored
by a flank movement on the I\Iiddleburg- road, to get in his reai".
Here with the two conji)anies of the llth 111. cavalry and some
mounted infantry he engaged the enemy, and after an liour's fight-
ing, drove him back. After the tirst struggle was over a ])ortioii
of the Ohio infantry arrived, and Leggett, leaving a suflicient
force for the })rote(!tion of his left, massed the remainder of his
troops on the load where it was evident the enemy was making-
preparations for a second attack, for the purpose of gtiining' his
rear. Hardly had this disposition of the forces been made, when
THE WAR OP THE REBELLION. 789
tho ononij' charged with ii;i\'at iinpotuosity down tlie road, but
Avas twico iv)»ulsod by tlio <U'adly tiro of tlio intantry. Fiiidinj[>;
tills i)art of tlio lii'ld impregnable, tl»e foe next turned on tlie left,
whcrci had jirevionsly been posted the four companies of the L'd
111, eav<:lry, under Col. lloj,';;. Col. Lejjjiett soon discovered that
a full r('<;ime.nt of rebel cavalry was preparing to swoop down upon
and gobble u[) his small force, and sent him word to fall back if
he had any doubt as to his ability to resist the intended charge,
" For God's sake don't order me back," were the nuMuorable words
of the daring cavalryman. "Then meet them," replied Leggett,
"and may (lod bless yoiir effort." Imnu'diately giving the com-
mand " Forwanl" to his men, and putting spurs to his steed, with
a daring that heeded not the dangers to which he exposed himself,
dashed forward in advance of his for(!e. Thus isolated, he became
a consi)icuous mark for rebel sharpshooters, and fell pierced by
nine bullets. The next moment the two lines came together with
a crash, fr(un the effects of which both recoiled. In the meantime
reinforcements of infantry came, ami a battery opening upon tho
hostile force, drove them from the lield. The victory was com-
l)U'te, but dearly Ixmght at the sacrifice of the heroic Colonel.
Chivalrous, generous and daring, in his death Illinois lost one of
her noblest sons, liberty an admiring votary ami the ]>rofessiou
of arms a hero of more than ordinary courage. Says Col. Leggett
in his otlicial report: "The lid III. cavalry was on the field so
.short a time, 1 can only particulaiize their commander, the la-
mented Col. Hogg. A l>raver, truer man never lifted his sword
in defense of his country. lie was brave to a fault, and fell
while leading one of the most gallant cavalry charges of the
war
>
Battle of B)-ittnn\'i Lane. — Armstrong next attacked a force of
S(K) men under command of Col. Dennis, while on his way from
Estinaula, Aug. .'iO, lS(i2, to Jackson, Tenn. Having been (udered
to the latter place with his force, consisting of the 2()th and 30th
Illinois, two ])ieces of artillery and two companies of cavalry, on
the 1st of !Se]ttember his vanguard encountered at Uritton's Lane
a rebel cavalry force of ij,0((0 men. A battle immediately com-
nic'nce<l, in which he lost his trains, yet after fighting heroically
for four hours he remained master of the field, and infiicted a loss
on the enemy of 4(U(, while that of his own wasoidy a. The great
dispnrity in numbers engaged in this contest and the results which
followed fully refutes the rebelidea that one Southron was equal
to five Northern men.*
' Battle of Tula. — After the reduction of Corinth, Giant's line
of commiinication with Buell was threatened by the rebels
under I'rice, who, after their destruction, propos-^.l to cross
the Tennessee and cooperate with IJragg in his invasion of
Kentucky. With these designs in view he had already taken pos-
session of Tuka, a small town on the jNlemphis and Charleston
railroad, about 20 iuiles southeast of Corinth. To dislodge hiiu
from tliis position Grant directed Gen. Ord, with lS,OuO men, to
move forward by way of Urownville, and to make a direct attack,
while Gen. Uosecrans with another force was to proceed by way
* ISoss* lleport.
700
MISTOUY OF ILLINOIS.
of Jiicinto, to ojM'riito on the flniik of tlio ciieni.v jiihI cut off his
i«'tn'iil in ciisi' lie .sliould iiiiikt' liis cscuim' soiitiiwiud. At 10
o'clock oil tilt' iiioiiiiii;> (»r tiic null of Sc|»lciiil>cr, I.S(i2, lliiiiiiil(»ir.s
division of Itosccriiiis' force fiicoiiiitcrcd tlic rebel piciu'ls, and
drove tliein buck a dislinu-e of .six miles. The pnisnit was llieu
discontiiined, and liosecians wailed, at-cordiii^ to prex ions under-
standinj;, to hear tlu' sound of Ord's aitilU'r.v as a sij;nal to iiio\c
forward. About noon a dispatch was received from (Iran t rever.s-
jii;;' the previous ord«'r of battle, and llosecraiis now becoming
the attackinj; i)arty, pushed forward till he discovered the enemy
posted on a (Hinimandin;; rid^c about two miles I'rom tlu' villa^ic
iSIcirmisliers were immediatel.v thrown out, undercover of which
Hamilton's division moved up and commenced an attack. 'I'he
Ciijia^iement soon became f;eiieral; (he rebels in oNcrw lielniin<j
numbers tlghling with j^reat detiuininalion till ni<:ht put an end
to the contest. The lltli ^Missouri, composed of Illinois soldiers,
distinjiuished itself in the battle by the terrible blows which it in-
tlicted on the enemy. At the time the brave men of this rej;imeiit
ottered their services to the };(»v('rninent, the <[Uotiiof Illinois was
complete, and they went to Missouri wlierc tliey souj^ht and ob-
tiiined admission into the service.
Diirinj; tlieiiij;lit the troops lay on their arms expectint>' to re-
new the fij;ht the next moinin>;,biit when the time arrived they
found the enemy had lied. Iiosei'ians immediately sent hiscavalry
iind the 47th Illinois after them, but not Iteinj;' snihcieiitly strong;'
to elfeet any important result, after a pursuit of 'S> miles, the
force leturned. Owinj;' to some unforlmiate mistake, the force
under Ord ditl not arrive at luka till the next day, and the enemy
thus doubtless escaped an overwhelming defeat.
Battle of Corhtth.—Cion. Crant with a portion of llic forces re-
tired to Jackson, Cien. Ord to I5olivar,aiid on the L'Otli Jvosecrans fell
l)ack to Corinth, where he soon learned that the enemy was col-
lecting;' his forces to aj;ain olfer him battle. I'rice, ^'alll)orn and
]iOvell were <!oncentratiiij;' (heir forces, amounting' in the aj4^rej;atc
to over 4;(),00(> men, for the jiurpose ol' crushing' the compa.atiM'ly
small Union force befoie it could l)e reinforced. Jvosecrans, in
in his prei)arations for an. attack, so arranged his defenses that if
he could draw the rebel forcesnnder them, theymightbe defeated,
notwithstanding their superior numbers. For this purpose as
they ai)i)ioached, Davis' division, containing the 7th, l>tli, iL'th,
notli, oL'd and r)7tli Illinois, was thrown out to meet them, and after
t;ome heavy skirmishing and considerable loss, retired in thedesired
direction, followed by the enemy. The next day Price moved his
forces lip, as contemplated by the strategy, directly toward the
])oiiit coveied by the heavy artillery. Wlieu within range they
were met l)y a destructive lire, but despite the frightful rents
Avhich were oi)ened in their ranks, they steadily moved on till they
reached the crest of the liill where Davis' division was now ])oste(l.
I'nder the heavy pressure the division gave way and the assailing
force, seeing the ad\ antage gained, rushed forward with redoubled
speed, Itosecran's headquarters being entirely engulfed by the
inflowing tide. Hamilton's division, containing the uOtii Illinois,
Avas next compelled to retire, and instantly the rebels made for Fort
Stevenson, the key of the position. Here their first onset was
THE WAn OP THK REBKLLION. 71)1
vopulscd, l)iit (iiiicUIy nillyiiij;, tlit'v iif-aiii ciiiiu^ lorward with iii-
cn'iisid (h'lcniiiiiiitioii jiiid coiniiH'ii.'cd Icapin;; ov«'i' tlu' linhvaiks
into tlu' loit. At tliisjuiictun' tlu'TiOtli Illinois, wliicli liad Itccii
(•onc«'ai('d in a ravine, insiicd foith as if lisiiin' (Voni tlic earth,
and, ciniifiinj;' into tiie fort, drove tiie astonished reltels out as
rapidl.v as they liad entered. 'I'his onsIan;;ht was immediately
Keconded hy llamilton's whole division which swept forward with
snch ri'sistless niij;ht tliat the rehel host broke wildly for the
woods throwing awav their arms as a useless eneimdirance in their
tli-ht.
While Trieo was tlins foiled on the rijjht, Van Horn's men came
up on the left in front of Stanley's division, ami, facing' the heavy
{i'uns of hatterries Willaims and Hobinette, Col. l\o};('rs h'ading"
the cliarj;t' with a body of Mississippi and Texas troojis with a
heroism worthy of a better cause, colors in hand, leaped to the
top of the bi'eastworks, when he was ]»ierced with bullets anil fell
back lifeless into tlie ditch. A concealed Ohio re<;iineiit next rose
up and ]>onrin<; into thi^ ranks of his followers a continuous nuis-
ketry lire at short ran,i;e, put them to tlij;ht.
A sui»portiii;n- bri;iade, maddened by the terrible fate of Koyers,
Avith wild shouts dashed ni)on tiie llth Missouri, c<»mposed of Il-
linois men, and some Oliio re<;imeiits, and instantly, friend and
foe were locked in a hand to hand death strugj^le. Whef) bayo-
lu'ts, pistols and sabres failed, the list was used as a substitute,
while the yells and imprecations which were uttered, sonndi'd as
if wiiMi};- from the throats of demons. >.'(»rthern brawn i)rove(l too
uuM-li tor the impetuosity of the Southronsandthe latter <iave way.
As they tied the batteries double sliotttul, i)layed ujton and decima-
ted their ranks; arms were thrown away to exi>edit(^ their lliyht,
which soon become a rout, and termimited the battle. The federal
loss was estimated at ii\'> killed, 1,S12 wounded ; ami tlnit of the
enemy 1,42;> killed, and from ."i.OOO t(H).(KM> wounded. AnM)n<'the
Avoundeil Union oHicers were (tcus. Oj^lesby and McArthur, both
of whom exhibited undaunted bravery and {•reat skill in tlie man-
ajiement of their commamls. Yates' sharpshooters went into the
lijjht on the monnn>; of the 4th, ami cam? out with a loss of 73
men killed, showinj;- that rajiardless of consecpuMUH's they had
braved the l>attle's tieicesv storm, adding new laurels to the
military renown which the troops of the State had i)reviously ac-
quired. The magniticent charue of the oOth lias already been
mentioned. The 7th, oOth and oTtli, for a lougtinu^ sustained the
pressure of a greatly superior for(;e of the enemy, drove them
ba(;k and recaptured several guns previously taken by the enemy.
The rebels left closely pursiu'd by a fresh brigade under thecom-
nuind of McPherson, wlio captured a large number of prisoners
and valuable nuiterials of war. To ensure the safety of the fugi-
tive army it was necessary for it to detail a force to occui)y the
Uatcliie river bridge over which it niust pass to prevent its fall-
ing into the hamls of the federals. This movement was, however,
too late. Gens, llurlbut and Ord, aware of this necessity, had
sent a force in advance, and when the rebels came up and made a
stand on the north l)ank of the river, they were inunediately
charged by the Union troops ami driven across the river, losing 2
batteries and several hundred ])risoners. In this onset the 2Sth,
32d, 4:1st, aud ood Illinois, bore a conspicuous part and Geu. Liiu-
(
702
IIISTOKY OF ILLINOIS.
iiiiiii, ulio foiiiiiiiiiMlctlthc bi'i^iHlc. ill liis ofliciiil rcpoit lii;;lil,v
conipliincnts liis .siilxtrdiiiiiU^ Illinois olVu-crs lor their grcut sUill
and Uruvfiy in loadin*;' tlu; men in the cliiii'^c.
IStoiu^ lihur or Mitr/'irtxhoro. — As picvioiisly statcfl Kost'craiis
NUpci'ccded liiicll, and on tlic L'Ttli of ()ctolM>i' coninicnctMl ivor^aii-
i'/.'u\ii tlic arniy. liis coniniand Wiis tlic icninant of tlif luavc incii
^vilo, niidci Andfison, .Milclicil, am! I'.ncli had ri'pciicd tlic iii\a-
sion of Kentucky and (;arried tlie iialional hanneis almost to the
cenlit' (»rtlie eoiirt'dcraey lliroiij;li Middle 'l\'iinessee. A new mil-
itary (listriet styled tlu^ Depai'tnieiit of the Cnmlieiland was erea-
te*! in whi(^h it was to operate, eonipiisiii;;' Middht and lOast^
Tennessee, and such portions of Noil hein Alabama and (ieor;;ia,
as mij;ht be wrested from the power of tin* rebels. With his army
an;iiiiente(l and streii;;tlieiied by new recruits ht^ left LonisN ille,
liis base of supplies, and procccdiii;;' by way of J»o\\lin<;' (Irecii,
leached Nash\ille on the loth of No\('inber and took a iiositiou
n(>ar the city. Krom this time till Christmas he improved in dis-
cipliniii;;' the army and fiiriiisliin;;' it with clothing' and other in-
disi»((iisil»le snpi)lies.
The rebels on the other hand, were not idle, and before tla; close
of Noveiiibi'r liad massed at iMurfrcesbtao' an army of aiioiit
50,000 men under lJra;;j;. The rebel coiiiiiiiinder, under the im-
l»iession that Kosecjaus was ji'oin^i' into winter quarters, sent a
]arj;e cavalry force into Jventiicky under iMor;;aii and another
under Forrest, into West Teniiess«'e, for the puii>ose of «U'stroyinj>;
the railroads and (aittin;; oil' the communications of the advanced
Union forces from their respective bases of supplies. J>raj:j;'.s
army bcin<; weakened by these (h'tiKthinents, Kosecransjud};('d it
an opportune; time to fiive him battle, and a('(M)rdin;ily on ("lirist-
iiias eve, l.SfHJ, a consultation was held to concert measures for an
ajijircissive m(»vement. Arran<;'eiiieiits beinj^- iierfectcd the next
liioiniiij;', in torrents of rain the army started for Miirfreesboro',
Thomas' corps moviii};' in the centre, McX)ook's on the ri};lit ami
Crittenden's on the left. As the diiy wore away the tedium of the
march was relieved liy the occasional rattle of musketry or the
explosions of cannon, heraldinji' encounters with advanc<'d
Sipiads of rebid i»ickets. Heavy rains prevailed and the army
was compelled to feel its way over the muddy roads throujih a
foj4{iy atmosjihere in opposition to skirmishin<;' i>arties of the
enemy. Sunday December 2iSth the army I'ested, llosecrans beiiif;'
averse to active opinationson the Sabbath unless the exigency of
his situation urj;ently demanded it. In the afternoon of Monday,
(Jen. Palmer leadinjf the advance of Crittenden's (;(a'ps moved up
in si;;lit of Murfreesboro' and sent a dis])atch back that the
enemy wasretreatin<ij,Critteiiden, thereupon was ordered to occui)y
tlie town but advancing and liinbiij;' the rebels siill in iKissession,
lie fell back liaviny exposed liimself to great danger in conse-
quence of the misai»i)i'elieiisioii.
A stormy night supervened which so saturated the ground
that the following day the artillery carriages in passing over the
fields sanlv up to their axels in mud. Ilose(!rans rose at an early
hour and carefully pushed his columns forward over the miry
ground through cedar brakes in front of the enemy, liy
uoou the aruiy was in position, stretching froiu Stone lliver across
THE WAR OF THE REBELLION. 793
tliuroiiiilry in a .soiitlicil.v tliirctioii ii:s tar as tlic Franklin pike, a
<listau('i> of ■'{ miles, ('I'ittfntlt'M on tlic Ict'l willi .'I <li\ i^ions, N'an-
clcvf, \V(H»(I, and I'alnicr, Tlionias in llic ('cntic with two divis-
ions, N«'}ilt'y and IJonsscan, and McCook on the- ii;;iit with 3
divisions, Sheridan, Davis'and .Johnson's. Ontstretehed between
the l-'^nion ai'ni,\ and Mnilreevl.oii;' and paiailel v ith tlu^ foiiner
was the n^liel line. I>i('(;ke'irid;;-e's (Jivision lay leross the river
on the exlrenu' ri;;lit, nii-'er I'olk in Mm; ceidir wi're U divis-
ions, Wither's and ('heat ininTs, and nn(h'r !lii!.ieeon the extrenio
left were L' divisions, (!iehnrne and McCown. The rebel eentro
was niiisked in . dense cedar i'orests, while the rixcrwas in tho
rear, whieh bein^' lonhdde, <!ould in case of muiessity readily bo
ciossed and made available as a nu'ans of defense. I)iirin<;' tho
iii;^lit the rebels nnissed their for(M'S on tiui rij;ht of IfoseeraiiH,
who inferrinj;' their intention, met with his corps coninnunh'rsand
planned the battle of .MnrtVeeslxno. It was decided to hold tho
ri;:;ht tationery, while th(^ left nnder Wood and N'anchnc cross-
iiij;' Sione river, Wi're to diive l>re(;kenrid^e from his position,
oecn]>y Murfreesboro and flimlly j;et in the rear of tlit^ enemy,
lira-;';;' had also decrided to act on the otfensive, his plan b(!ing
similar to that (»f his adversary. Jloth intended to strike with tho
left of their respective lines, and had accordingly massed their
forces to suit their plan of operations.
At early dawn on th(^ last day of tln^ year, whiles IJosecrans' left
was crossin;^" the liver, .McCown's division emer^in;;' from the fojj
which had settled on the battlelield and strikinj;' our rij^ht under
.Tohnscni, hnrled it back at a sinj;le blow and captured two of tho
batteries beforeaji'iin could belired. The next division u.ider Davis
in which were the ;5.'>th, r»!)tli, 7.">d and 7r)th Illinois, after a thiter-
inined resistance, met with a similar fate. It was only when tho
exultant foe came in contaet with Sheridan's, coiitainiiij>- tin; JJOtli,
44th, "(Ist and SStli Illinois that its terrilie onset was stayed.
Directly in front of a battery vomitinj.? forth death, and exposed
to a cross fire from two others, the hostile eolnmns moved till
within close ranji'e when a musketry lire poured into the faces of the
men sent them sta-ijierinj;' back. Itallyinj; aj^ain and streiijithened
by the victorious divisions whi<^h had crumbled Johnson's and
Davis' command to fra<;ineiits, tln^v a^ain bore down on Sheridan
with the determination tooverwhe m liim. Hastily attacliinj;' his
riji'Iit to the rear of Ne<;ly's divisit i., ami placing his artillery in
the atijii'le formed by the two lines, lanes were plowed through tho
advaiKung masses, llepnlsed they three times renewed the
assault but Avitli such appaling slaujihter that Vaughn's brigade
of Tolk's division lost one third of its men and all the horses of
its brigade and stall" officers excei)t one were killed. Sheridan
Mas seriously damaged, having all his brigade cominanders killed
and losing 1,6.'}() men. AVith his ammunition exhausted he also was
comi)elle(l to retire, losing guns, owing to the dillieulty of getting
them through the dense cedar thickets which covered his rear,
^egly, exposed by the movement, was soon outllank^'d and com-
pelled to cut his way out of overwhelming numbers. A magnifi-
cent charge by the 10th Illinois, 11th oMichigan and LMst Ohio,
forced the enemy back in confusion and the environed divisions
passed out, renio\ing their guns in safety. The force of the rebel
701
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
onset next fallinjioii tlie division ol' Palmer, his two rijiiit biijUiulos
\v(MV soon juislicd back with the otlieis, leaving' Hazen alone to
cope with the hostil(^ snrji'ing- masses.
By the sudden and territi^! assanlt of the enemy, Eoseerans' of-
fensive movement on the left was ])aralyzed, and lie commenced
massing his artillery on a knoll in the plain whither his shattered
divisions had r !treated. lie also commenced forming a new line,
on the comi)letion of which entirely depeinled the ability of Palmer
to maintain his position till the broken forces could be restored
to order and placed in position. He saw at a glance the danger
Avhich threatened the entire army, and with a detormination com-
nieiisiirate with the stupendous interests involved, determined to
maintain hi.s position or perish in its defense. The rebels on the
other hand, aware that he was the only obstacle between them and
victory, rushed on him with tenfold fury, only to bo swept back by
the terrillc lire which met them.
Time was thus gained and the new line sufliciently peifected to
receive the enemy, and presently the gray costunu'd confederates
emerged from the cedars, their long lines of burnished weapons like
a forest of glittering steel Hashing in the sunlight, as they swept for-
ward over the plain. With fearful gramleur the pageant moved up
w illiin range, when the federal batteries, which had been previously
posted on the eminence, opeiu'd ui)on them with merciless volleys,
gasjiing and distorting their compact ranks. Kosecrans observing
the etfect of the tire on the enemy, dashed up to the line where hos-
tile shot wei'e falling like a hail-storm, and ordex'ed a charge. The
men catching ttie inspiration of their leader, sprang to theirfeet
and with a shout swept them back to their cedar coverts. Four times
they rallied and returned to the contliet, but the tempest which as-
sailed tlier.i, more fatal than the blasts of the simoon, piled up the
plain with heaps of their mangled carcasses. Finding at length that
lu'irher numbers nor desperate daring could prevail against Kose-
crans' front, the.v determined to make a tinal attempt on his left.
]jre(d<enridge's division of 7,000 fresh troops was brought into the
contest. Advancing in an im[)osing manner till they en(!ouiitered
the lire of the Union artillery, when they turned and disa])])eared
from the field. The day's fighting was over; many a dying sol-
dier looked for the last tinu'. on the azure sunset, and soon the
ghastly field was enshnmded in the pall of night.
A council of war was held during the night to consider the pro-
priety of continuing the contest. There was a scarcity of ammu-
nition, seven generals and 20 colonels had been killed, and 7,000
men or about one-seventh of the entire army were either killed,
wounded or missing. It was fouiul, however, that there was am-
mnnition sutlicient for another day's battle, an ^ after making
slight changes in the disposition of his forces, l{o.-.ecrans waited
till morning feu- a renewal of the contliet. JMorning came, but the
enemy had been too severely punished to make another aggressive
movement, and New Year's day was mostly spent by both armies
in recruiting their exhausted energies for another death straggle
on \\w. morrow. At .'3 o clock Jan. LM, a double line of skirmishers
was seen advancing from P>reckenridge's position across the river,
•with heavy columns of infantry a short distance in the rear. Soon
the moving mass burst like a swollen torrent on VanCleve's divis-
ion, and partially forced it back into the stream. Prior to the
THE WAxl OF THE REBELLION. 795
assault, Koseeraus was inakiii};' pirparations to exocMite tlio orig-
inal i»liiii of s\viii<;iii<;' his left loiind aj^aiiist lircckiniidgt', and
si'ciiriiig till' liiglit oil wiiicli Ids division was posted. For this
l)uii>os»' he had mounted 58 guns on an eniinenee enlilading the
attacking foire, and so destructive was the cannonade, that in less
than half an hour Hragg lost 2,000 men,
Jilccding and torn, the enemy turned and lied as if from the
crater of an exploding volcano, closely pressed by the L^nion
troops. A violent storm [)revented the renewal of hostilities on the
3d, and the succeeding night Bragg retired to Tullahonia, lea\ ing
his antagonists in the possession of tlie field. The L'nion army was
again victorious, but another such a victox-y would have ruined
it. It had lost one-third of its artillery and one-fourth of its men,
nearly l.',(**'*^ *^t them being killed. Tlie loss of the Confederates
was equally severe, being in killed, wounded and missing 14,700.
Just prior to the battle they had celebrated the festivities of
Christmas by dancing in halls carpeted with American Hags; now
defeated and humiliated, they were compelled to dei)art, leaving
the n;vtional emblem which they had insulted proudly Moating over
the city of their giddy revels.
The battle of Stone Eiver, with its fearful perils, persistent
fighting and deeds of desperate daring, furnished a rare oi)])ortuni-
ties for the troops of Illinois to further distinguish themselves.
Nor was it misimproved, as the pioud record of their skill and
bravery in the midst of the most appalling dangers abundantly
])r(>ve. ^laiiy of the Illinois regiments were, however, placed in
situations where overpowering rebel assaults in greatly sujx'rior
ninnbers rendered success frcipiently impossible. Yet there is as-
sociated with the stern resistance which was oli'ered a moral sub-
limity that almost surpasses the glory of victory itself, especially
when we renu'mber the patriotism which prompted and the adveise
ciicumstances attending it. ^
No regiment in the battle evinced more intre]nd ecmrage or ren
dered greater service than the old regiinent of (len. Kirk, the.'! 1th
Illinois. Early on the morning of the first day's conllict, when
the icbt'ls, in overwhelming numbers assaulted the right of the
Tiiion line, Ivirk's brigade became exposed and the .'Uth Illinois,
stationed in front, soon became engaged. Although exposed to a
teirilic lire, they stood as if rooted to the earth, and by their well
directed volleys kept the rebel liost at bay till reinforcements
could come to their supi>ort. A Hank movenu'Ut of the enemy at
length rendered Kirk's position untenable, and brought the .Uth
into a hand to haml contest. Jn the bloody strife which ensued i\\a
c( lor bearers heroicrally laid down their lives to prevent the stand-
ards of their reginu'iits from falling into the hands of the enemy.
Ibit neither courage nor skilful generalship could coi)e with supe-
rior nnnd)ers, and the old fiag was at last seized by traitois, and
Kirk compelled to fall back. In directing his troops he had two
hoi'scs shot under him, when, alter receivnig a .severe wound and
faint from loss of blood he was carried to the rear. Col. Dodge
took command, and with a iHH'tion of the men fell back to the
Xasliville Pike. The remainder joined the 20th. .'?Oth and o4th
Indiana, supjxtrted by the 70th Illinois, and hurriedly prejtared to
again meet the advancing rebels. The latter coming ui) and hurl-
ing themselves with great vii>lence on the Union Uank, the 70th
roG
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
recoiviiiji' the prin.Mpal shock, was coiupcllcd to fall hacik, followed
by the re.st of tlie foice. Another stand was iiiiiiiediately made,
aiul ajiaiii the 79th was exj^osed to a destructive artillery fire, and
Avithdrew to the Nashville Pike, where liosecraiis was iorininy a
new line. Anion<>- the fallen heroes, with which the track was
strewn was the mortal remains of its Colonel, the brave 8heridau
P. licad. While f>allantly k^adinjj his men regardless of menacing
danjjcrs, he was shot and instantly expired.
When on the morninj'" of the first day's battle Gen. Kirk's brig-
ade was broken to pieces by the fierce onset of the enemy, the
fragments fell back through the SUtli Illinois, which brought that
regiment into action. The men lay down on their faces till all the
fugitives had passed from their front, when they arose and deliv-
ered a well directed tire into the ranks of the foe only oO yaids
distant. Before this volley the colors of the rebel advance were
lowered, but the other regiments were falling back and the <Sl)th
was ordei'ed to follow.
From this time ti'l inght-fall, at every available i)oint they in-
flicted heavy blov> : on the enemy, aud suttered terribly from the
incesi^ant tire of reoel musketry and artillery. As an evidence of
the fiery ordeal to which they were exposed, they came out of the
conflict with a loss of 149. Though warring against fate itself
and success impossible, the regiment seriously damaged the enemy
and won a proud name by its lieroic and determined resistance.
lUit to no regiment from the prairie State nor to any engaged
in the baitle does the country owe a greater debt of gratitude for
what it accomplished, than the 19th Illinois. Reference has al-
ready been made to its magniticant charge on the moining of the
flrst day's battle. A nu)re daring feat was, however, executed in
the afrernoon of the second day. Yancleve's division having l)een
thrown across the river to operate against lireckenridge, the lat-
ter at the head of his own and two other divisions hurled them with
irresistible force against his antag<mist. Two of the Union brigades
"were instantly shivered by the con(!Ussion, and the other pushed
back into the river, when Negley, riding to the front and compre-
hending the situation shouted, " Who will save the left?" " The
19tli Illinois," was the immediate resi)onse of Scott, the com-
nmtuler of the regiment. Then giving the command, "forward,"
his men sprang to their feet and pouring a destructive lire into the
face of the foe, leaj)ed forward with fixed bayonets. Plunging
into tiie river they scaled the o[)posite baidvs despite the volleys
and bristling bayonets of a whole rebel division posted on tlio
stream to dispute their advance. On gaining the summit of the
shore, the rebels, astounded at the audacity of the charge, turned
and fle<l for the protection of their batteries. The 19th Illinois,
11th Michigan and 7<Sth Pennsylvania in close i)ursuit. In vain
the Confederates endeavored to rally at every available point, or
sought to secure themselves by intervening timber, but deter-
mined men were after them, and not even an army of devils could
have interi)osed an obstacle to their juogress. With accelerated
velocity charging up to the nuiz/.Ies of the enciuy's guns, and lcai»-
ing tlie parapets, the battery was captun d The victory was com-
plete, but moic than a third of the men had fallen oi' disappeared
along the highway of death which they so gallantly trod.
THE WAR OF THE REBELLION, 797
Aiiotlier diarjie splendid in cxi'cutioii iuid iiiii)ortiint in rcsnlts,
■Wiis niado by tlic HStli and o(»tli Illinois. A li',:!vy icl»'I colnniu
vas adviinc.inj;' across im ()i)en ticld, on tiic IohUt of which these
re};inients were drawn up to receive th'-ni. The SStli lay down
till the enemy approa(!lied within 40 yj'.rds, when they arose and
after ilriiij;' two rounds, both re>;inients bounded forward and
swept their adxcrsary frt)in tlieli<'ld.
(len. AVoodrnlV, mIio was on the ri<;ht of the Union line, hif^hly
complimented the ollicers and men of the 25tli ami 3r)rh Illinois.
Tlir<'e of their comi)aiiies under Major Mcllvain as skirmisheis in
front of the brij^ade, behaved with j^reat gallantry, and both rej;!-
ments duriiij>' the entire battle intlie^.d heavy blows on the enemy,
lie says : "I desire to call tin; attention of the commandinj;- olli-
cer to the jjallant conduct of Lt. Col. Chandler, connnandinj; the
3.")th Illinois, whose cool, steady coinage, admirable deportnu'ut
and skillful management, evin<;ed the soldier true and tried;
and who, at all times, proved himself worthy of the trust he holds.
jMaJor 3Icllvain, of the same regiment, who had the supervision of
skirmishers, I cannot praise too much. His good judgment and'
skillful handling elicited encomiums of well merited compliments
at all times, lie was cool, di'termined and i)ersevering. Ca])t.
AV. Taggart, who succeeded to the comnuiml of the 25th Illinois,
behaved as a soldier should, eflicient and ever ready to execute
orders."
"While we renieniber the nobhi dead let us pay a tribute of re-
spect to the gallant Col. L. J). Williams, of the 2.jth Illinois, who
died in the performance of his duty. lie fell with his regimental
colors in his hands, exclaiming: "'We will i)lant it here, boys, and
rally the old 2;"»tli around it, and here will we die!" The 25th
lost in killed, wound(!d and missing 142 men, the 35th, 81 men.
The 74th Illinois, Col. IMarsh, while on its way to Murfreesboro,
intlicted serious danmge on a greatly sujierior force of the enemy,
and in the subesecpuMit battle it established a rei)utation for
braver;y and other soldierly (pialities. The 100th and 110th in con-
jui)(!tion with the 41st Ohio, kept back the heavy masses of the
enemy in his ellbrts to overwhelm the brigade of Gen.Ilazen. The
amunition of the llOtli be(;oming exhausted, the men clubbed their
unisketsand fought with the coolness of veterans, although they
bad never before been under tire. The 21st, 22d and S4th, in com-
mon with other Illinois reginnnits, passed through the battle's
carnage and came out reduced in nujubers but with increased
rei)utation. Where the shafts of the enemy fell thickest, or valor
most needed, they were found with strong ai'ins to battle for the
nation's life.
The moral prestige attending the battle of IMurfreesboro was
greater than the resulting material benelit. The rebel authorities
during the early part of the summer had pushed forward their
aggressive movement with comparative immunity beyond the
bounds of the Confederacy. Expectation raised by the brilliant
spring campaign in the West had become (''sai)pointed at the results
of the army in the East. The public mind was brooding over the
rejudse and frightful slaughter of Fredericksburg. When there-
fore the tidings of Murfreesboro were read inthecities audhandets
cf tin North, the people becanu' more hopeful, and with increased
detenuinatiou, resohed that the nation's honor and integrity
798
HISTORY OP ILLINOIS.
should be maiutaiued. If the Union army had received a bhjw it
was eviiU'iit it had dealt a counter-stroke which sent its reeling
and disabled enemy from the field antl its sacrifice was not iu
vain. Moreover the skillful {^jeneralship ami detei'uiined lij^liting
Avliich had triumphed when the first onset of the battle had i)laced
success almost in the grasp of the foe j;ave additional lustre to the
victcny. lint while its moral eftect j;ave confidence to the fed-
erals it correspondingly depi'essed the confederates. In the shock
of Stone Kiver the spirit of Jiragg's army was broken and subse-
quent efforts were feeble, compared with the dash and vigor of its
first campaign. As a remote sequence Kosecrans next planted
liis standards within the rocky bulwarks of Chattanoooga from
which the enemy was unable afterward to dislodge him. The
Union army thus entrenched in the liefirt of the confederacy won
new trium[)hs under Grant, and subsequently Sherman sent its
veteran columns to Atlanta and theuce to the sea.
Chapter LX
ILLINOIS IN THE VIOKSBURG CAMPAIGNS.
18G2-18G3 — Movements on the Mmissippl — Battle of Coffecville,
Holly Springs, Parlcer^s Cross lioads, Chkkasaic Bayou and
Arkansas Post.
Topographically considered North America must ever be the
home of oiie people. The destiny of the Mississippi Valley, the
repository of the vast resources which past a^es have accumulated
for the benefit of man, will be the destiny of the continent. The
immense river system by which it is drained, haviu'-' its source iu
the regions of the remote north, and its outlet in the distant south
will, through the agency of commercial intercourse, neutralize the
diversity of race, caused by climatic difterences and thus i»revent
the rise of separate nationalities. Further more the wide area
thus bound by commercial ties, is not only inseparable but will so
dominate in population and power over the continental borders which
surrontui it as to extend over them the same institutions and a
common government. Should an attempt be made to close the
gateways to the Paciflc through the Kocky ^lountains, there are
not elements of power in the region beyond to cope with the force
that would be arrayed against it. The St. Lawreiu;e, the priiicii)al
outlet to the Atlantic, although now subject to foreign Jurisdic-
tion, must ultimately become wholly subservient to the great val-
ley. Nor is access to the sea through the Mississippi any more
likely to be permanently disturbed by a rival power on the south
than are its resistless floods to be held hy artificial barriers. Tiie
great lieart of the continent with its exhaustless resources must
through the vast river systems with which its surfacie is furrowed,
send life sustaining supplies to its most distant extremities.
At least so thought the hardy race of freemen wiio dwell on the
Mississippi and its hundred tributaries, when the rebels attempted
to obstruct its navigation, and in their might resolved tliat its
conunerce, iu common with its waters, should flow undisturbed to
the sea. Measures for the accomplishment of this object were
first projected by Fremont, and commenced by the formation of the
fleet an«l army under Foote and Grant at Cairo. Subsequently it
gave character to the military o[>erations of the West and ended
with some of the most brilliant victoiies of the war.
In erecting defences for the Mississippi the confederate authori-
ties had to make them sutti(!iently formidable to withstand the
attacks of the Union fleet on tlie one hand, and the operations of
the land forces on the other. In the first particular they were far
more successful than in the second, as the fate of nearly all their
fortified forts was determined by contests between armies on the
field, Columbus, the first position taken by the rebels, although
799 ♦
800
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
iiiviiicil)li! in ii iiiival assault, wlicii uncovered by the capture of
])(>ii('ls<)ii, its ji'uus aiul fianisou were tian starred to Island No.
10. Koote with the navy, followed to the same place, hut after a
l)oinl)ardnient of three w«'cUs, he was uual)le to prevail a<,fainst it.
l'oj)e'.s victory on th(^ Kentucky shore, in the meantime, however,
rendered it untenable and its munitions were sent to Fort IMllow,
sitiuited on Chi(tasaw blutf. To miles above Memphis. This strong-
hold withstood a bombardment of six weeks without sustaininj^
serious injury, lint at length becomin<;' entangled in the evil for-
tunes attending the Confederate army at Corinth, it was like the
other places unavoidably abandoned.
Commodore Foote, suttering severely in the meantime from
a wound received at Donelson, was ndieved of his com-
mand and Capt. Davis appointed in his place. The latter
immediately started in puisuit of the rebels who next tied to
Memphis, and on the 5th of June anchored his scpnulrou
above the city and prepared for an engagement the next day.
Five boats and two rams constituted his naval force, while the
rebels had 7 boats, which in addition to their armament of guns
"were so constructed as to act as rams. Tin; following morning, as
the lofty spires of the city were glittering in the rising sun, the
federal Meet slowly drifted d(»\vn the river till that of the enemy
was dii^covered near the western shore. IJavis then ordered his
boats to steam np the stream to give the men an opportunity to
breakfast before going into the tight. The I'cbels regarding this
as a retreat and elated with the hope of an easy victory, imme-
diately started in pursuit, tiring round after round as they ad-
vanced. The contest now commenced with terrible earnestness,
and in an hour and twenty minutes the entire rebel tleet, except
one boat, was either captured or destroyed. Van ])orn, the rebel
leader, who sat upon his horse a spectator of the tight, exclaimed:
" It is all over with us,'' and galloi)ed away. The federal tars,
none of whoa had been killed, were now ready for breakfast. On
the 4th of June, 1802, the fleet proceeded southward to tlie mouth
of White river, which it ascended for the purpose of removing
rebel obstructions an<l opening communications with northwest-
ern Arkansas.
The first movement for opening the mouth of the Mississippi
was the occupation of Shii) Island in December, ISOl. The fol-
lowing winter Gen. Bntle" took charge of the land forces, number-
ing 8,000 men, an I prepared to cooperate with the Heet nnder
Commodore Farragiit. The latter arrived at the Island on the
20th of February, 1802, and by great labor got his heavy shii)s
over the bars into the river and commenced ascending its turbid
currents. At 3 o'clock on the 2ith of April he came within I'ange
of Forts Jackson and St. Philip and the rebel navy, when 500
cannon opened with deafening roar their ponderous missiles,
weaving a fiery net work on the face of the sky, and falling with
a thuiulerous crash into the midst of the opposing forts and fleets.
Breasting the furious battle storm the federal scpuidron continued on
its way toward the city of New Orleans, whither it arrived on the
25th to the great astonishment of its rebellious inhabitants. C>en.
Butler took immediate possession and a portion of the fleet was
sent up the river under Conunodore Lee. It was not known
what obstructions the enemy had interposed in the long
THE WAR OF THE REIIELTJON. SOI
stretch of niilos tlii()ii<;li t\w confcdcnuiy, iviul the expedition
moved slowly iiiid ejiiitioiisly. Tiikinj; possession of IJatoii Koiifj^e,
Natchez tuul other places, on the 15th of May arrived at VicUs-
burs" and tho city at once became famous in the annals of the
rebellion.
Only three days before the arrival of Lee, Beauregard liad com-
menced the erection of batteries on the hi-jh bluffs overlooking
the river. Had he come three days sooner the vast expenditure
of tn^asure and blood which the subsecpient reduction of the
jdact! cost the country, nii<;ht have been saved. The w«)rk of for-
tifying' was prosecuted with such enerj^y that when Lee demanded
the surrender the rebels were ready to defend it and refused to
comply. ConcIudin<,' that hisVon-e was insutlicient for the reduction
of the works he wated till t]H> 28th, when having received addi-
tional boats from New Orleans, he commenced the bond)ar(lment.
Still the force proved inadequate for the enemy meanwhile liad
proportionally increased the strength of the fortifications. The
seige, nevertiuiless, was continued till Farragut with the entire
fleet of gun and nu^rtar boats, about the middle of June, aiuihored
in the river below the city. Four regiments of infantry under
Gen. Williams, also came up up and commenced cutting a canal
across the narrow i)eninsula west of the city that the boats iu
passing might avoid the batteries located on the channel of the
river. The fleet of Commodore Davis next came down tlu^ river,
and it was determined with the combined force to again attemi)t
the reduction. Accordingly the bombardment was renewed at
close range and broadside after broadside was fired into the bat-
teries without apparent effect. Although the gunboats were
unable to silence them, several succeeded iu running by them and
joining the fleet above.
July the 15th the monotony of naval warfare was broken by the
api>earance of the ])owerfixl iron jdated ram Arkansas, which
steamed down the Yazoo, and after disabling two of the federal
gunboats, sought safety under the fortifications. It was now
feared the ram might destroy the niorter fleet below, and the boats
Avhi(;h had passed up the river ^'frc ordered to return, and Anally
on the 27th, the entire squadron withdrew from the city. Farra-
gut fell down the river to New Orleans, while Davis in connection
with Curtis, made a successful expedition up the Yazoo. The
canal also proved a failure, ami Williams retired with his force to
Baton Kongo ami the TOdays of the Vicksburg seige were at an eml.
During its continuance some 25,(K)0 shot and sliell were thrown
into the town by the fleet \vhen it became evident that like the
other strongholds on the river fibove, it \vonld require the co-oper-
ation of the land forces to eft'ect its reduction. Let us now see
how this was to be effected.
We have seen that after the second battle of Corinth, Ken-
tuckj^ and Middle Tennessee became the lu'incnpal theatres of
western military movements, and a large portion of Grant's force
was sent to augment the army of Buell and that of his successor,
Eosecrans, and hence he found it impossible to co-operate with the
naval operations for the opening of the Mississippi. When, how-
ever, in the latter part of the year 1862, he could command the
requisite number of men, a movement against Vicksburg, the
great stronghold of the river, again became the principal military
51
802
HISTORY OP ILLINOIS.
'^
I
eiitcjpiisc of the west. Tlu' line held ;it this tiiiioliy tlic ITiiioii aniiy
WiiH tlic Mciiipliis ;in(l ("liailcstoii railrond, llu; ii;^lit wiiif;' rcstiiijr
on .Memphis iiiid tlie h'I't on Coriiitli. In front iiniloeeup^x in;; tlie
line of the Vazoo and TaUainilciliie its principal tiilnitaiy, weretlio
forces of \'an Dorn and i*rice, whicli, durin^i'lhe month of >«'ovem-
ber, \V(!re concentrated under (len. I'emherton. To eiindnate this
force th(; real defense of Vicksbnr;;' from tiie numberless bayoius
and swamps i»eculiar tt» the country occupied, was now the prob-
lem which (hunt had to solve.
He aceordinjiiy ordered Sherman, commandiuf;' tlie ii;;ht wing
of the army at Memphis, to fall down theri\er and operateayainst
the rebel liiieuear Vicksl)ur;;,acavalr\ Ibrce from the trans-Slissis-
eippi army to cross the river and menace the railroad connections
in Pemberton's rear, while he proi»()sed to press him in front. The
cavalry force under (lens. Jlovey and Washhurne, as arran;;ed,
crossed the river at Helena and destroying the railroad, I'em-
berton was forced to fall Itack to (Ireinida KM) miles further
south. Grant immediately followed and on the .'5d of I)eeend)er,
established his lieathpiarters at Oxford, nnikiny Holly Springs
through which he passed, his principal depot of supplies. As tlie
result of these movements o engagements occurrecl with the ene-
my, in rapid succession.
Battle of Cofceville. — After the occupation of Oxford Colonels
Dickey and Lee, with the 4th and 7th Illinois, and three other
regiments of cavalry, on the (>th day of Decendier, 1S(!2, advanced
from Watervalley for the ])urpose of cai>turing Cotfeeville, sii-
uated 11 miles north of Grenada. A short distance from the town
they encountered the enemy, and after vainly endeavoring to dis-
lodge him from his i)osition,(!ol. Lee i)ushed forward a lOpounder
and opened upon them. A full rebel battery innnediately rei)lied
and soon after a large force of infantry rose ui> from the ground
where they had been concealed and poured volley after volley into
the ranks of the federal skirmishers, compelling them to retire
witli severe loss. The Union oflicers,seeingtheir inahiiity to cope
Avitli su(!h a large force i)repared to fall back, leaving part of the
4tli Illinois to cover their retreat. This small ]>roteeting force,
however, was innnediately driven by five regiments of rel)el in-
fantry who soon overtook the principal force and a retreating tight
commenced. For a distance of three miles the contest was stub-
bornly maintained, the retiring force halting at ditterent i)oints,
suHiciently long to iKuir a volley into the ranks of their pursuers
and then resume their march. Night at length terminated the
work of death and the federals retired without further molestation
to their camping ground. The loss of the 4tli Illinois in killed,
wounded and missing was 17 ; that of the 7th, 34, and that of
the entire force 99. Among the killed was the veteran McCulloch,
Lieut. Col. commanding the 4th, who fell at the head of his regi-
ment.
Battle of Holly Sjmnffst. — Among a number of other important
cavalry exi>editions thrown out in different directions, that of Col.
Dickey was sent to destroy a portion of the Mobile and Ohio rail-
road. He left camp with the 7th and a portion of the 4th Illinois
cavalry and subsequently joined by some trooi)ers from Iowa, ou
-'«'^°—«"~
THE WAR OF THE REBELLION. SO.']
the Kith and 17th thoy (Icstroyod tho raihoud from C)kah)iia to
Baltillo, a disraiicc of M miles. 'IMic force was now ready to re-
turn but hearinj;' tluit there was a hirf;(! body of reb(^l (!avalry at
P'idtotoc, Di(ilcoy (h^termined to move in tliat direetion and lake
jb.servations. In the re('(»nnoisaii('e some li2 rej^iments were (lis-
;!overed wl)i<!h sul)se(|uently proved to be tlie cavalry of Van Doru
who was on his way to capture Holly Spiino-s. The next <lay the
foi'ce hastened to return, and witlioiit furtiier detention arrivi'd at
Oxford and reporte<l the movement of the rebel cavalry to (len.
Grant, The latter immediately divined \'anl)orn's oitject and
telef;rai»hed (1<>1. iMnrphy, the commandant of Holly Spiin<;s that
he would be attacked tiie next day, and that reinforccMuents would
be sent to him.
As intimated, on the 2()tli of l)ecend)or the rebel cavalry dashed
into town and the infantry {iiiardinj; the fi'overnment stoirs, only
100 in numl)er, were soon ovei whelmed and forced to submit. The
remainiuf-' infantry disi)ersed in dirt'erent i>arts of the town on
l)icket duty, unable to act in concert, were captured in snuUl de-
tachments. The cavalrv, (J companies of the 2d Illinois, were com-
l>elled to cut their way tiirouj-ii thousands to avoid a sindlar
fate. The r«'bels had come prepared with canteens tilled
with tnri)eiitiiie and immediately used it in llrinj,'' the rail-
road trains, one of wlii(!ii was laden with cotton. Soon all the
railroad buildinjis, some 30 dwelliiiys, 1,800 bales of cotton, and
the j^reat arsenal whi(!h the rebels themselves had built, and in
wliicli (Irant had de])osited innnense quantities of army su])i»Ii<'s,
were wrapjied in Haines, By dej;rees the contlaijTation spread to the
s(|uaie where larjie (piantitiesof powder iiad been st'i d, and snd-
<lenly an explosion o(!Curred which shook the earth ai<a t<u'eall tiie
adjoiuiufj; biuldinji^s to frajiinents. Whiskey was found amoiij>' the
spoils and the rebel soldiery i)reviously intoxicated by vi(;toxy
and now maddened by the effects of si>irits, shouted and yelled
in unison with the rii<;iny' elements. It was kiuiwn to Van Doru
that a niunber of cotton buyei's were in town and srpiads of cav-
alry were detailed to j^o roun<l and con<luct them to his head-
(luarteis. Each was closely <pu'stioiuMl as to his business, then
searched, and his money handed over to ai receiver. Jn this nuiu-
iier more than 8100,000 were taken from i)rivate individuals.*
As Murphy's force of 1,S00 men was sntliciently larjjfe to defend
the place till the arrival of aid, he was severely and Justly censured
for his culpability. In pleasant contrast with his cowardice was the
con<luct of the Illinois cavalry, which was thuscomi)linuM)ted by the
corresi)ondent of tha Missouri Democrat: " Six comi»anies of the
LM Illinois cavaby were completely surrounded in the town by at
least as nuiny thousands, ami were called ou to surrender,
to which demand they made rei)ly by dashing on the
eiuMuy's forces and nobly cuttiuic their way out. Not a more gal-
lant deed has been done durin<;' the war. Six hundred aj^iiinst
8,000, and still they hewed their way throuj^h them and escai)ed.''
♦ Some of the speoulntors managed to save their fuiwls by phiclnjf them in the cus-
tody of the lii(lio8 witli wliom tliey were lioardiiin: On<! jrentleiiian wlio had arrived in
town only the day iieforc, entrusted some S4t),0(K) to his landlady who, althoutrh a stronsf
seeeBSionist, faitlit'ully returned it. It is said a numtier of ladies wore Itelts during
the rebel oeeiipiition of tlic town, eontaininsr northern funds amountinj^in some in-
stances to $5U,UU0, and in no instunco was the trust reposed iu them betrayed.
m-i
IIISTOUY OF ILLINOIS.
liiitllr of I'iirhrf'H Cross liotuls, — ^(iraiil's coiiiriiiiiiiciitioiis wci*^
iilsd ||ii'c:iI<'iumI I)\ tlic opfiiitioiis of l''orrt>.sl. On tlir istli of
Di'cciiiImt, (ini. Sullivan ill <;(MiiiiiiiiMl of fliicKsoii, learning; tliat
I''on'('.s| ill cliar;;*' »»f a IkumI of icWcl casalry, liad crossed tlic Tcii-
iH'sscr lo capture llic (own, coiiiiiiciiccd prcparalions to picvciil
tlic coiisiiiiiiiiatioii of liis (lcsi;;'ii. IIavin<; lu'cii icinfoiccil liy two
lni<;atics iinticr (Jens. I<'iillei' anil i'.iayiiiaii, llic next da.v Im' sent
on! tiie l.'Sd Illinois to oppose the ad\aiice of the eneiii.v. Tluf
i'e;;iiii(>iit liaviii;;' (Miiicealcd itself, awaited the appearaiKu; of
I<'oi'est, when it tired a desi riicliv c volley inl*> the midst ol' his
men. Not i»eiii;i' siidicieiitly stroii;^ toclicck the reltels it slowly
retired till ( ieii. i>ra\ man's hri;.;ade was thrown out and drove them
back. Ilavin;; heard on the L'IsI that detaclimeiits of l''ori'est\s
men had destroyed ;i portion of IIm^ Moliile and Ohio lvailroa<l,
and eaptiired I Inmholdt, 'f rciilon and a niimher (d' other sta-
tions, (leii. Ilayiiie was onleied to repair the damaj;es. With tin?
lOllili, llielP.Mh Illinois, 1 company of the IStli iiiid *.M)meii of Mio
lllli Illinois cavalry, and a hii^iade of Iowa, froops, he itroceeded
on the railroad t«> the lirst break and commenced repairin;^' it.
ilaxin:; pill the road in riinnin^onUu' he moved to llninboldt,
where he was rciiiforiu'd by the iL'Otli and the iL'L'd Illinois ami
the Till 'I'ennessee. Theiic(! iiiovin;; io Trenton he, learned IIh;
isitiialion of l''orest and (communicated the information by tele-
graph to (ieii. iSnllivaii, who immediately joined him with all his
available force. Forrest, was ail vaiiciii;^ toward the'reniicsse whitili
he desired to cross and (Icii. Sullivan at once seized the brid^^CH
on th<> most available routes, and tln^ enemy, as the only alterna-
tive, moved soiUliwcst and yol on the Li-xin^foii road. The; fed-
eral cominander soon b(>camc apprised of this mov einent and sent
Col. Dunham of the otii Indiana, with a bri^ailc,to intercc|it' him.
On the inoniiiifi'of tlie.'Wst of December, I.S(iL', the force reached
J'arker's (Iross iioads, a short, distance south of (-'larksbiir^, and
(.\il. Dunham was sni'inised to find himself confronted by several
thousand rebels, commanded by the, redoubtable Forri'st, and the
road throii;;li which lu^ must pass nearly encircled by rebid cav-
alry. I'jscapc^ beiii<>- impossible, Col. Diiiiliain formed his men in
solid coldinn ami soon they wiTC enveloped in a .storm of shot and
shell.
A lllioiij;li out numbered two to one, they returned the tin; with
such well directed aim and invincibli^ determiiiat-ion, that the en-
emy was kcjtt back till theii' amnnition became! exhausted when,
by a sudden llank movement, they were <!onii»letely surrounded,
JJaycmets were now substituted for powder and bullets, and still
they persis((Ml in lifilitiii;^'. lM)rrest, bclieviii}' their position hope-
less and not kiiowinj^ whether it was jiossibk; for a Yankee };en-
jjcral ever to coiisiiler himsi'lf whipiied, ordered a cessation of
hostilities and sent a llaji' of truce to demand a surrendii. J)iiii-
ham replied, ''(iivc my compliments to the general and tell him [
never surrender. II he thinks he can take me let him try." Some
of this jiliick and indejuMideiice was doubtless based on an expec-
tation of rcinfoi'i-ements. ^ior was this antieiiiation unfounded,
"\NhiIe the rebel jicneral was <'onsideriii};' what conr.se to pursue,
(b'lis. Sullivan and llaynie came iij) with their forces an<i i)re-
l»a red foi' action. Stricken with ama/eineiit at their sudden aj)-
pearance the rebels lied, despite the almost frantic exertions of
THE WAR OF THK IMCnKLUOK.
805
ili(>ir oflici'i's lo liold tlicin in ]>()siti()ii. Tlu>, loss of tlin (Mutiny in
killi'd, womnlcfl ;iiiil piisoncis, ;is ri'intrlcd l»y I'Nucsl, liiiiiMt'lf,
to :i «-:i|)liii-c(l iVdcraJ olliccr, Wiis I'lilly n tlioiisiiiid. Tlic iiiitioiiiil
loss was one liiiiidrcd, mostly sustained l>y tli<> lL"Jd Illinois. This
gallant i-i'^irnt-iit and a portion of tlie ISth Illinois, constitntcd
pail of C'ol. Diinliani's l>i'i;^Md«- and were tliUK conipliUH-nttMl in
jiis report : "The iL'L'd III. deserves especial noti(te. It. is (tonipam-
tively a new i'e;;iment and pait of it vviis at* one time more exposed
to the enemy's lire than any other; at;iny rate it isnUei'ed more in
killed and wonnded. Its t^allant coImmO fell severely wounded,
yel its (',onra;;e never tla;;j;ed and it mot every duty and dan;;er
with nnwaverin^j; resolnti(»n. The detaehment of the JSth Illi-
nois acted Cor the most part with it and <lcservc8 the hamocoia-
nieiidation."
The fnMpient raids on (Irant's eommnnications and tln^ destriu!-
tioii of ills stores at len^'lh compelle<l him to fall back to Holly
Hprin.i,'s and ai>atidoii his orij^inal plan of formiiiif a junction with
Siierman (wi tlio Yaz<«».
liiittir of (■liiraHdw Jhijioii. — The latter in tluMneantime had em-
barked his division in tiaiisports at Memphis, steamed down tin)
IMississi|>pi, formed a, Junction with the llect. of t;iin i>oals under
Admiral I'oiier, asc'cnded the Va/ooand atC'hicasaw bayoii made
an assanll on the enemy. This Itayoii is tln^ northern portion of
an old channel of the Yazoo exteiidin;;; from the present river to
the Mississippi near Vicksbnr;jf and with the excreption of oiui or
two places wasstill (illed with water. Immediately east ai'e the,
Walinil Mills, a lii>;h laiiLje of land tn'iidiiif;' iKntheasterly from
X'icksbiir;; to Haines' binlf where they impinge aj;aiiist t he Yazoo.
l''rom tin' Mississippi, a. distanceof lo miles, the, sides and siim-
iiiitsofllie lii^dilands IVowned with rebel lille pits and batteries,
while, at llieir base, ran the N'icksbiii;;- and Yazoo (!ity road
aloii^ which the eiKMiiy could push his artiiley and infantiy if any
attempt should be ma<le to cross the bayon.
It was this exterior line of the Vicksbur^jf defenses that Sher-
man inleiided to ]>ierce when, on the 2(»th of December iSIJl', Ikj
debarked his army of some 40,(MM) men. The bayon could only bo
(•rossed at ."{ points, vvliere the torrents from the hills had washed
sulhcienl tpiantity of material to form a natural (causeway for the
l)assa;;(M)f troops. On the niorninjj; of the L'Tth Steele's division
on the riiijlit, |»assinji; around the north end of the, bayon, endeavor-
ed to move alonj,' the west side to silence, a battery <!ommandiii}^
»>ne of the i)a,ssa^<'s, Morfiiin's division, (•(•ntainin;'' the IlSth Il-
linois, proc<'e(led around the. south cud, while jMor;.;an L. Smith's,
and A., I. Smith's, tin? former contaiiiin;;' the o.ltli and li;{th Illi-
nois, and the latter the 77lh and lOSth, further southward ad-
vanced loward the la>:;oous (connect iiifj; the. bayou and the .Missis-
sippi. Mefore, however, the eiif^aiceinent properly comiiKMiced,
Steele found it impossible to reach the hostile battery, and was
ordered lo return and reinforce Mor;;an L. Smith, th«' united force
mo\cd lapiilly foiu:ird and soon c(»mmenced skirmishin}^' with
tlii' enemy who, during' the entire day, stubbornly resisted but
were slowly dri\en back. Ulair's brigade of Steehs's, and De<;our-
ce.v's. of Mor;iaii's division, while feelin<jtlie enemy, unmask 'd a
buttery which immediately opened on them. The battery was
806
IIISTOIIY Ol" ILLINOIH.
BOOH si]i.>iic(>(l iiiul th(> l.'Uli iiii(] KSth Illinois niii<lo a uiillaiit cliiir^ife
on llii^flM-ls, and wlu'ii ni;;iill'iiil <'n»l»'(l \hv. conU-st they Wfio
(li'i\(-n a (|narl('i' of a mile iVoni tiicir ori^iMal linr.
Dni'in;; tli*Mii;;iit the cncin.v icccivi'd ii-inturccuiciit.s, and at
diiwM on t lie 2.Stli, heavy cannonadin}'' was coniniciu-i>d on l>lair\s
brigade and Mor;;an'.s divisimi. Tiu' latter also i»ronj;lit I'oruard
liitillery, ami alter a sliarp e.\(!lian;;e of.siiot ami sliiapnej, pii'iia-
rations were nnide for a «'iiar>;('. IJIair's i)riyadeand (len. Wyniaii
witli tile I'ltli and Killi Illinois, were diawn ii|> tor tlie a.--saMlr.
Tlie order was j;i\('n to advance and (len. W'yniaii iilaein;^ liini-
8ell' at tlie la^ad of tlie Kilii, arrived witiiin <S0 yanls of liiereltel
batteries and sneeeeded in unmanning L' of tlie ^^iiiis. Here rats-
iii;i Ills sword in the air, as he was alioiil i^ivin;^ tlie eoniiiiand to
(•liarj''e, ho was pierced thntiijiii the body by a ininnie ritle l)all.
Col. (ioifjas ininiediately lan to ids assistance, when he raised
liiinself ii|) and seeinj;' his re;iiinent in eoiifusion, exidaiined, " For
(tod's sake Coioiiel, leave nie and attend to these nieii." As
directed(!ol. (ior;;as at once rallied the men, took the battery and
in coiiiiinction with Gen. lUair dntve tlie enemy from llie Held.
Wyman's wound jiroved to be mortal and lie died in the arms of
an attendant on the battle ground immortali/eil by his valor, lie
liad entered the service as (^olonel of the l.'Jtli Illinois, and for
liis bravery on the Held, was commissioned bri;;adier-j;('iieral by
the |)r»'sid(Mit and was hi;;hly estei'ined for his many virtues by
all \\ ho knew liim.
On thelilUh it was proposeil to make a concerted attack with a
view of crossinj;' the bayou and carryin;-' the hei;;lits beyond.
]\Ioij;an's division reinforced by the bri;;ades of Illair and 'Ihayer
moved forward as a storming' column under a furious eaiinoiiade.
Blair's men siujceeded iu ctrossinj;' tlu; bayou and eaptnriii|i>' two
lines of riHe ]»its, and while he returned to fict reinlbicemeiits.
foii;;lit with desperate enerj;y to reach the saiiimit of the hills.
The rebel lillemeii whom they had driven back, retired into a
growth of willows higher up the hill. Into this covert the the loth
Illinois fearlessly charj;('d, and in a hand to hand contest (jui/kly
dislodged them. Thaver's bri<;ade also j;ained the ritle pits, but
beiii;; unable to };el siipiiorts, both bii^iades were compelled to
retire. Au assault by M. L. Smith's division waslikewis" uiisiic-
sessful. One rej;imeiit, the (itli Missouri, crossed the ba; ou but
the oi)posite bank was too abrupt to be ascended and the suceed-
iiij;' niyht it was ordered ba(^k. A. J. Smith's division bridj;ed the
liayou within two miles of Vicksbury, but the enemy was so strong
in Ids front an assault was not deemed ad\isable. The d<iy thus
ended with defeat, a!tliouf;h the national trooi)s foujiiit and ex-
posed theuiselves with almost reckless daring. The loth Illinois
esi)eeially exhibited a bravery which ueitlier overwhelming num-
ber', nor the terrilic lire to wiiich they were exposed during most
oV the battle could ett'e(;t. The loss of the federal troops was,
killed, 11)1 ; wounded, 982 ; missing, 750.
The position oftheeiiemy naturally strong, was rendered almost
ini[)regnable by every appliance of nulitary art. Siy.ials were
established on the highest peaks and batteries })lantid on every
available bluli'and their guns wherever an assault wfis attempted,
could be turned with destructive ettect. Sherman, therefore con-
cluding it imi)ossible to force the confederate line of defences
THE WAR OF THE REBELLION. 807
(Ictrrmiiicd to throw a Iiii';,'»' toicc in transports n|t tlic Ya/oo to
pass roiiiitl lliciii. It was proposed to cllrct a hiiiiliii;; af> ilainrs'
ISIiitl' tliirin;;' tlic iii;^lit, and Stcch-'s ilivision was cndtarluMl tor tins
pnip(»s«', hut a ln'avy fog scttlt'd on llic river and the cntcrpriso
was abandoned.
The cntiiJ' army now };ot altoard transpoits and sailed down tlio
Vazoo to tlie Mississippi wliere (len. Me'Clei iiaml awaited in llio
steann-r Ti^iii'ss to assume eoniinand. The eonceplion and or;4an-
i/alion of lln> e\pe<lition was in a •;real measure tin* result of his
sa;;acit,v and lahois and he was now rej;ai'd(Ml as a suitaltle peivon
to conduct its I'utnre operations. As early asthcL'Sth of Seplem-
her, while on a visit to Washington lie sulnnitted an elahoiato
plan for the openin;;- of the Mississii>pi. It not only contem)»la-
ted th(^ rediu'tion of V^ickshury- hy nntvinij: a column of soum
0(),(tO(> men l)y way of the Mississippi and Yazoo, hut jiroposed to
follow up the advanlaj;«'s of victory hy sieziii;;' important cities,
railroad (renters and other ])(>ints of military value, east (tf the
river. Its aiithoi', as the suhsetpu'Ut events of the war in the
Southwest ahiindantly proNc, had i^raspcd the full sijiiiilicance of
the enterprise and the hest met hod of condnctin;!;- it to a suv-cess-
ful completion. He .sums up its inii)ortan(;«' in a military view as
follows:
1st. Ik'Otuise it would uffoni the nunoH ofcheni) ""*' easy coninuiiiica-
tlou lietwecn our troops dispiTsed at (lillereiit points on tlie Mississippi
river and its navif^ahle triimtaries, and liecause it would facilitate their
eonct'iitratiou at any one or more of those points.
lid. Ik'cause it would cheapen the cost of sui)i)iyiMj; our men and ani-
mals at or near Xew Orleans, with provision ami forage. It would do
tliat hy suiistitutinjjf the overllowiu^ jjranaries of the Nortliwest for the
rt'moter sources of sucii supplies in the Va\M.
;!<1. HtM'ause in seeuriuK to us tlie command of the ?.Iississippi, it would
enalile us to stop tlie communication between the revolted States and
tlieir armies east and west of Ued river, thus isolating; eacli section as to
the other, destroyiiij^ the unity of tlieir iilaiisaiid combinations and cut-
tiiiji olf tlui Hibel forces east of tiuit river from their wonted source of
supplies in Texas.
Tlu' presid(Mit and secretary of war havinj;' approved his plans
as early as October, he received the foUowiiij;- dispatch IVoni the
lattei', urjiin^him to hasten forward the expedition. ]Mr. Limuilii
in the, order which (conferred upon him the. authority for this pur-
l)()se, thus sjieaks of this enterprise: "I feel a deep interest iix
the success of the expedition ami desire it to he pushed forward
with all }»ossihIe despatch, consistent with other i)arts of the mili-
tary service."
In a(!cordance with these instructions, Gen. McClernanu for-
warded from Illinois, Indiana and Ohio, some 4(>,(M)() men for this
purpose, and on tlnr 18th of l)ecend)er the following despatch
was sent from the War Departnieid to (len. (Jrant at Oxford,
jNIiss. "The troops of yonr de])artnient including' those from
(len. Curtis' commainl, whi(!h Join tlu^ down river expedition will
he divided into i (iorps. It is the wish of the i)resident that (len.
McClernand's cor[)s shall constitute a i)art of the river ex[»edi-
tion and that he shall have the immediate comnnind under your
direction." (len. ]Mc(Jlernand left iSi)rin.t>lield <m the L'oth of l)e-
ceud)er for Memphis where he received communications from
Grant in relation to his new command. Thence descending the
Mississippi to the mouth of the Yazoo, he assumed commaud as
previously stated.
808
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
lie now .styled lii.s forces t ho Army of the Mi.ssis.sii)i)i, iind desiring
to devote hi.s undivided attention to the };eneral interests of the
expedition, retained Gen. Sherman in eommand of tlie 15tli army
corps, and assigned the l.'Uh to (rcn. Mt)rgan. The former con-
sisted of two divisions commanded by Steele and Stuart, the lirst
containing the Kith Illinois infantry, the ."id and acomjtanyof the
L')th Illinois cavalry; and the Ud the U.'jth and IltJth Illinois in-
fant rv, Willard's and Taylor's batteries and two comi)anies of
Thielnian's battalion of Illinois cavalry. The latter eori)s also
consisted of two divisions, tiie 1st (!ommanded by A. J. Snnth,
containing the 77th, l)7th, lOSth, l.'Jlst Illinois infantry, and the
Chicago Mercaidile battery ; the lid commanded by 1*. J. U ter
Laus, of the 118th Illinois.
Capture of Arkansas Post. — The same day he Assumed command
Lc started with the army for Arkansas i'ost, or Fort llindman,
situated on a bend of the Arkansas river about lifty ndles from
its mouth. It was a strong bastioned fort ilieat ion surrounded by
a deej) moat and furnished with ten guns. Two of them were
Columbiads surrounded by immense casciiuiuts, one on the river
side and the other in the northeastern bastion. On the bank of
the river below was a line of ritle i)its and a lunnber of embra-
sures made in f'O levee for the use of cannon. This rebel Htrong-
hold formed the kej' to Little liock, 117 nules above and was
the source whence a launber of rebel detachnu'nts had proceed-
ed for the purpose destroying the sup[)lies destined for the forces
operating on the Mississippi. Only a few days before the Blue
Wing a governmont transport laden with valuable stores had
beeiid(\stroyedby a predatory party of this kind and (Jen. .MeCler-
nand now proposed to end these annoyances by the capture of
the fort.
The expedition ascended the !Mississip[>i to the mouth of "White
Itivev and after a shoit pause entered its narrow channel which
wound serpent like through dense forests centuries old and grey
bearded with Spanish moss, whose dim aisles strangely rever-
berated with the whistles of the struggling engines and sent
back in weird echoes the voi(;es of men on board the lleet. Af-
ter threading this mere ribbon of waters the boats turned into
the Arkansas where the channels of the two rivers unite and con-
tinued to ascend the latter stream. On arriving within three
miles of the fort they drew near a great plantation on the
eastern side of the stream for debarkation. Xight came on be-
fore this could be elfeeted an<l a strong i)icket force was thrown
out between the Heet and the rebels who could be heard busily
engaged in felling trees in the woods beyond to strengthen th ;ir
defense.
At early dawn the work of landing commenced, each boat ap-
proaching tlie shore and [touring forth its (aowds of soldiers. Reg-
iments, brigades and divisions soon collected and eonnnenced
stretching out in line to the right for the puri»ose of investing the
works. After toiling for several hours in this direction, impassa-
ble bayous and swamps were encountered and the right ami cen-
tre of the line were compelled to return. When niglit came ou
they entered a more practicable route near the enemy's works
and by o o'clock the next morning reached the opposite side of
THE WAU OF THE llEBELLION. 809
the bend and woiv able to (joiiiiiiaiHl tlic; liver above and be-
low tlic fort. When the investing bne was tlius nia(h' eoniiylete,
Steele's divisou ocenpied the rij;ht, and those of iStuart, Smith,
and Osterhaus extended towaidthe left in in rheonler mentioned.
Admiral Porter witii threes iron clads and a Heet of liylit draft
gunboats had ae('omi)anied the expedition to co-o[)erate with the
land forees. While the latter was inakinj^ the neeessary detour to
surround the fort, Porter pushed forward the fleet to ascertain
the raiiji'e and strenf>th of the enemy's nuns. 0])enin<;' within 4(K)
yards of the works he soon demonstrated the superiority of his
lire by partially silencinj;- the hostile batteries. Duiin^' the en-
gajiement the Katler, one of the light draft boats, ran by the fort
and eommeneed an enfilading fire, butbeeomingentangled among
snags was compelled to return. The attaek was made late in the
afternoon of Saturday, and night soon (toming on ended tlu; (ton-
test. Sunday morning, the ilth of January lS(i.'{, the enemy,
tinding himself greatly outnuml)ered, had retired to his inner
defenses, where, owing to their great strength he hoped to make
a su<'(;essful resistaiute. All the federal batteries having lieea
placed in position at 1 o'clock, a simiultaneous assault commenced
by both navj' and army. The tire was terrific, the rebel batteries
swee[)ing the plain in front of the works witheaimister while they
hulled at the gnnl)oats their own shot recently taken from the
BlueAVing. Twice charges were made by different coinniand.s,
but so destru(!tive was the fire they were compelled to returu
without reaching the coveted goal. ^Meanwhile a tremendous con-
centrated fire from the surrounding federal batteries on land and
water was rapidly silencing those of the fort. Their huge shells,
after continual liouuding at the great casemates at length affected
an entrance, and, exploding within, tore the rebel artillerists into
fragments. As the afternoon wore away the fire was increased
till the bomb-proofs were battered to ]>ieces and all the heavy
guns were either broken or dismounted. The infantry had, in the
meantime, fought its way foward and just as it was about to
charge into the fortawhit<' flag was run up and the battle ceased.
At 4^ o'clock the national troops took possession of the works.
Seven stand of colors, 17 cannon, o,()00 ])risoners, besides large
imnd)ers of other munitions fell into the hands of the compierors.
The loss of the latter was 12!> killed, S;}1 wounded, and 17 missing.
This signal triumph coming after the reverses of (irant and
Sherman, greatly encouraged the army and thus prepared for the
arduous labors yet to be performed in the ledncitiou of Vicksl)urg,
the primary object of the campaign. The goveinmeiit became
more hopeful, and its chief magistrate returned thanks to Gen.
McClernand and his brave army for the iini)ortant services which
they had rendered the country. One fourth of the troo]>s who
fought in the battle and shared in the glory of victory were from
Illinois. The commanding general, John Alexander McClernand,
Avas born in Kentucky of Scot(!h parents, who while he was young,
•moved to Sliawneetown, Illinois. Here he studied law and soon
rose to distinction in the practice of his ju'ofession. His lirst mil-
itary exiH'iience was aopiired in tlu^ P>lack Hawk war,during which
in the ])eift)rmance of a. number of gallant actions, he evinced
superior address and daring. In 1S;5(J he was elected a member
of the legislature, in which he was made commissioner and treas-
810
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
nrer of the Illinois ;iiul Michigiin Ciiuiil. In liS.'58 he was ten-
dered the otHce of lieutenaiit-yovernor, which he declined, not
hii viiij;- attained the constitntional a<;eof 30 years, lie served two
additional terms in the lej-isiatnre, and while still ii member in
1.S4;}, was elected a rei)resentative to the L'.Sth eon<;ress. Dnring
the session, as one of the committee on public lands, he bronjLjht
forward a bill donatinfi" land to aid in the completion of the Illi-
nois and Mi(!his'an Canal. He was four times reelected to con-
jiiess. Dnrinj;' the summer of 1850 ho prepared and introduced
tne first draft of the famous compromise measures and the same
yeai' drafted a bill, <-niiitinj;' land to aid in the construction of
the Illinois Central liailroad. While still a member of congress,
in 1801, at the instance of Gov. Yates, he took command of a
volunteer force at Cairo and assisted in suppressing the contra-
band trade then carried on by means of the Mississippi and Ohio
ri\'ers. We have already spoken of his operations at Donaldson
and Sliiloh. As a sold'er he was vigilant, sagacious and brave.
As a memorial of Illinois valor, one of the broken guns of the
fort was sent to Gov. Yates, and is still preserved as a State
relic*
1' The folloTTintr corrospondence occurred in connection with Its presentation :
"His E.rccUcncii litc)iard i'af<'.s, Uinr.rimr of i/(i/«ji.s;
"I liavo the honor toseiul you a brolcen Pi'irrott piece, captured liy the forco underray
coninumd at Arliansas I'ost. 'I'lie i)iec(> was l>ri)lion by ii shot from one of the guns ot
my batteries. Please accept it on l)elialf of tlio noble State you si> worthily represent,
as an hmnblc testimonial of the esteem and admiration of the brave men whose valor
wrested it as a trophy Irom tho enemy. J. A. McCLBUNAND,
"Major-General Commanding."
^'Maj. Gen. J. A. McClrrmvui, Viekshurv, Mhn.
" Dkaii sik : I ha\ e the honor to acknowletlje tho roccipt of tho broken Parrot gun
captured by the army under your couuuand 1 1 Arkansas Post, and to express my ac-
knowledgenu'nt in the name of the peoi)le therefor. It also givt- me great pride
and satisfaction to do so, from the fact that I regai'd the victory at Arkansas Post,
gained imder able and enera-etic generalship of a distinguished olHcer and citizen of
Illinois, as second in importance and conseiiuenee only to Fort Donelson, In which that
olHceralso piommently participated. Fort Donelson and Arkansas Post, dear general,
I regard as the two great and positive victories of the war in the West. May your par-
ticipation in the tliird be equally promnient and attended by as substantial advanta-
ges and glorious results.
"With sentiments of respect and esteem, lam your most obedient servant.
KICHAKD YATES, Governor."
Chapter LXI.
1S03— ILLINOIS IN THE V.CKSBURG CAMPAIGNS.
Baffles of Port Gibfton, Rnymond, JacLson, Chfoiipion Hills diul
Black liiver, Gnersoti's liaid — (Siege and Capture of Vicksburg
M(!'(^Iernaii(l next proi)oso(l to strike a blow at Little Rock, but
Gen. Grant arrivinj;- at the fort a few days after 1 he battle, or-
dered the army to Yttung's Point ojjposite the niontli t»f the Yazoo
whither lie arrived on tlie -*Jth of Jannary, l.S(J3. llis forees,
greatly strengthened by the addition of ^hilMx'rson's eorps from
tiie river above, and the Heet under Coniniodcne Porter, he was
reai'.y to resume more immediate operations for the reduction of
Viekslmrg". For tiiis ]>urpos(^ it was necessary to get liis army on
the cast side of the ]\lississij)pi and in the rear of the city, u feat
which he found extremely ditlicult to i>erf()rm. Five dilfereiit ex-
pedients were tried, tiiree of which wen^ to get around tiu' bat-
teries on the ^Mississippi at Vicksburg, and two round those oltiie
Y'azoo at Haines' JJlutf. The lirst was an attempt to comiilcle the
eaiKil commenced by(ien. ^Villianis, but unfortunately when maily
liuislied a tiood in the ^Mississippi rendered it iiupracticable. The
second was a canal fi'om Millikin's P>end through a iinmber of
bayous communicating witii the Tensas river, and thence to tlie .Mis-
sissipi)i at New Carthage. The third was an inland i)assage by
way of Lake Provid«'nce, the Tensas, AVashita, IJIack and IJcl
riveis. The 4th and most promising plan was to get from the
]Mississii>pi into tlie Y'azoo above the batteries at Ilaines' I>luft
through 5loon Lake ami the Coldwater and Tallahatchie rivers.
The oth was to ettect a circuit of the Haines' JJIurt" batteries by
way of Steel's bayou, connecting with the Yazoo 7 miles above its
mouth thence by JJIack bayou, Dear Creek and Suntiower
river to the Yazoo, some 00 miles above its mouth.
Siu'h is the remarkable hydrographical character of the region
in which the army was operating, that by cutting the levees of the
IMississippi, and removing obstructions from the chaniu'ls of
bayous, jtassages could be o])ened for the advance of the gun-
boats and transi)orts along the several routes mentioned. \"ast
latxMs were expended and the whole of February and jMarcli
eonsunu'd in attempts to axoid the iiostile batteries by these idutes,
and when in two or three instauces success was abnost attained,
some unexi)ected or unavoidable obstacle inrervened and they
were all tinally abandoned. A man of less <leterniined tibre tiian
Grant would have been overwhelmed by the repeated failures.
Defeat, however, only nerved him for renewed exertions. When
one expedient failed auother was «piickly substituted, and at
length the city which had so long delied the approach of his army
was laid under seige and com])elled to surrender. Sll
812
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
Tlie number of probable openitions for its reduetion was now
reduced to one, that of moving tlie army on tlie west side of llio
river, erossin<>' below the rebel fortilieations and ascending on the
Vicksburj;' sidt". The eoneeption of this plan was easy, but its
execution a[)pallin<;-. As a requisit j^unboats and transports must
descend the Mississippi in oiiposition to the hostile batteries to
furnish facilities for crossing;', and the army, when on the eastern
side of the rivei', must cut itself otf from its base of supi)Iies and
depend upon the contingency of beatinj;" the enemy in the lield
before another could be established. The eommamling general
unmoved by these perils, determined to hazard a trial. Accord-
ingly the l.'ith army corps, comnninded by McCleriumd, consisting
of 4 divisions in charge of Gens. Osterhaus, A.J. Smith, Carrand
Ilovey, and containing the ;{3d, 77th, !)7th, IJOtli, KKSth and lliOtU
Illinois infantry, portions of the 2d and 'M Illinois (tavalry and the
IVctria and Chicago JMercantile batteries, on the L'Oth of March left
Milliken's IJend above Vicksburg for Kew Carthage below.
McPlierson with the 17th corps, followed us fast as the imperfect
roads would permit. Vast bogs intersected with bayous were
encountered, and it became necessary to construct causeways over
the one aiul bridges over the other. Arriving at Xew Carthage it
■was found to be an island, the rebels having tlooded the entire
region round by cutting the adjacent levees of the jMississiiipi.
Under these circumstancies the march was continued to (Irand
Gulf farther down the river, wheie the lowest of the Vicksburg
works was located.
In the meantime Porter was making i)reparations to execute the
fearless enterprise of descending the river with a portion of the
fleet. It being deemed best not to compel the crews of the boats
designated for this jmrimse to accompany th n, volunteers to man
them were called for. Soon moie men ottered their services tlian
coidd be accepted. Logan's division of the 17th cori)S, a](»ne
furnishing the num1)er reipured. Of the O.") men furnished by
the Illinois troops for this daring feat the 81st furnished 10, the
5th 1-4, the -loth 13, the 31st 9, the 20th 8, the 3()th 4, and the 11th
1. It was arranged that 8 gunboats should proceed in si:i-
gle tile down the river and engage the batteries, while 3 accom-
l)anying transports should pass unnoticed near the western shore.
A little betbre midnight the boats with their lights concealed,
moved like huge phantoms down the stream. l)es[)ite the at-
tempt at concealment they were discovered and suddenly a sheet
of llame, keeping pace with the advancing boats, flashed ahmg
the 8 mile of rebel batteries which lined the bank of the river.
Simultaneously the fleet replied, and for miles distant the tor-
tuous windings of the JMississipi»i echoed with the tlunnlers of
artillery. It was hoped in the general commotion the frail trans-
ports might escai)e unobserved, but suddenly a huge bonllre threw
a glare over the waters with such brilliancy that the most minute ol)-
jects could be seen, and they soon became targets for the enemy's
guns. From the ett('(!ts of shot oneof them was set on Are and soon
became a mass of flame, while another was remlered unmanagnble,
but Ibitunately a gunboat towed it beyond the range of the bat-
teries without further injury. The rest of the fleet, altliongli ex-
jiosed for an hour to an incessant fire, i»assed through in safety,
and with the exceptiou of cue killed and two wounded, tin; crews
THE WAR OF THE T^EnELLION.*
813
AviMC fiivorod witli like iiniiuuiity. Tliis unexpected siieeess in-
duced (Irant to order (» inon; transports and IL' barj;e.s to run the
blocicade, and troni tiie list of ea<;er aiiplit-aiits wiio at once volun-
teered to man them in tlie(hin};'erouse.\])eriment,the requisite num-
ber \vaseh»»sen by lot.* With the(;oinplelion ot'tliei»reparations the
boats started down the river, ami witli stranj;(i <;'ood foitune most
of them <40t below witliout injury. Ilavin;ii- now a sulliei<'nt num-
ber of transports ami fjmd)oats to allbrd the necessary pioteetiou
it was determined to effect a passa;>e of the river at (irand Cip.lf.
The rebels in the meantinu', had erected batteiies on the a<lJa(H'nt
heights and a eond)ined land and mival atta(!k was planned for
their leduction. Porter (lommenced the assault but a bombard-
nu'nt of o hours failin<;' to make any serious impression, and (Irant
beini>- unwilling to expose his men in an attack by land, ordered a
continuance of the manih to Uruinsburji', farther down the river.
AVlu'u ni<>lit came ou the gunboats again oix'ued on the batteries,
and umlercover of thelirethetransi>orts, safely passed below while
the land forces passed unobserved through thc^ foivst to the jdaco
selected lor crossing. The next day, without farther <listurbance,
the army was ferried to the opposite shore, and Grant as the re-
ward of unparalled perseverance, at length had the satisfacttioii
of seeing it in a situation ^vhere he (!ould effectually oi)erate
against the enemy. This result was i>artly due to the vigor with
■which it had been executed, and partly to the success with whicU
the attention of the enemy had been drawn in a dilierent direc-
tion. Sherman, with IJlair's division, had steamed uj) the Yazoo,
and feigning an atta(!k, successfully diverted the attention of the
rebel <H)mmamler from the real object which Grant sought to
accom[»lisli at Uruinsburg.
After the passage of the river, McClernand with the 13th corps
pushed forward iu the direction of Port Gibson, ami ou the 18th
of May encountered the enemy four miles from the town. The
force proved to be 11,000 men under Gen. IJowen whohad marched
from Grand Gulf, when it becanui known that Grant had suc-
ceeded in crossing the river. Carr's division in advance was met
by a light tire of artillery and musketry which it soon silenced.
The troops rested on their arms the short renuunder of the night,
wliere at <lawn the enemy was found strongly posted on a narrow
ridge with impassable ravines on either side. McClernand having
made a reconnoisance of the situation at an early hour, a portion
of the 35th Illinois was nioved to the rear of the position signal-
ized by the night attacik with orders to hold it till relieved by
Gen. Osterhaus. In a few minutes their skirmishers were at the
outi»osts of the enemy and a sharp tire of artillery and musketry
ensued. Osterhaus soon marcihed to their relief and in a lierce
struggle of an hour's duration suc(;eeded in driving the enemy
from this position. While he was thus engaged on tlie right (Jen.
Carr made an assault ou the left which, after several hours' furi-
ous lighting, terminated in a maginticent charge by the division
of Gen Ilovey. As the result, the enemy was driven back several
miles and lost one stand of colors, two guns and 400 prisoners,
• One Incident wiU illustrate tlie spirit whicli animated the troops. A small l)oy
whom the fates had favored with a successful number, was ottered 8100 for his privi-
Iciro which he refused to accept and afterwards lived to tell ot the part he performed
ill the duugerous feat.
:ij]
814
HISTOUT OF ILLINOIS.
A second jtositioii was takcMi by the letrL'iifiii.i'' iirniy in the bot-
toiii ofa (Mt'ck wlicreit was sheltered by timber aiidliadthcaflvaii-
ta^i'e of an <)i»eii liehl in front. Tiie e(»niniands of Carr and Jlovey
Ibilowed till they arrived at the slope overlookinj;' theereek when
the battle af;ain coinnienci'd. The rebels massed a hu\ye fon-e for
the purpose of turniiifi' the federal rijulit but their exposed Hank was
promptly snpi»orted by Smith's division till Ilovey j^ot his artillery
in position and drove them baek. A second time they (!oiieentratt'(l
their Ibrees for a sinnlar purpose but Carr's division with detach-
ments irom llov<'y's and Smith's, and after an obstinate
strnjif^ie aj-ain beat them ba(;k, when nij^lit ended the
coldest. Tlie confederates hastily retreatinj;' under cover of dark-
ness across IJayou I'ierre, burnt the bridjies in their rear,
uhile the Union army the next day occupied Fort (iibson.
The loss of the latter in killed and wounded was some (iOO, but
the victory was worth the cost. Five <j,uns and 4,000 piisoners
fell into the hands of the victors. Furtliernn)re, (Irant Iwid now
isecured a firm lodj;('ment(jn thehij;h [)lateau east of the river upon
Avhi(;li, as exij^ency mij;ht deMuiiul, he could nH)ve ajiainst any
point of the rebel line. Also with the retreat of the vanquished
army the j>arrison withdii^w from (Jrand (Julf and it became the
base of snp[tlies for the I'niou army.
Illinois was largely repieseiited in the battle, ami its auspicious
tei'mimition was larjidy (twin j;- to the sturdy blowsdealt by her hardy
sons. As Lo.i;an's division of .MclMierson's corjiscame up in time
to partiei[)ate in the action, the Illiiniis troops eiij;ayed were de-
tachnu'nts of the 2d ami .'3d cavalry, the I'eoria li<;ht artillery and
rhica-io Mercantile batteiy, and the -Sth, lltli, L'Oth, .'JOth, ' .'ilst,
;j;{d, "4rjth, 77th, «lst, !)7th llOth, lO.Sth, iind 118th rejiinu-nts
of infaidry. Of the latter the ;}3d, DOtli andllSth, are meii-
tioiu'd in the otlicial rei>orts of the battle as having fought with
great sm;cess anci daring.
Jiowen, after his defeat at Port (Iibson, crossed Big JJIack
river ami was ordered thence by Pend)erton to the vicinity of
Vicksburg. As the residt of the victory Grand Gtdf was evacu-
ated and (Jrant changed his base of supplies from IJruinsbtirg to
that place, ami followed the retreating rebels as far as Ilankin-
son's ferry, where they crossed the river. Here, while awaiting the
arrival of Sherman's coips, he made afeint in thedireetion of Vicks-
burg to com-eal his contemplated o[)erations eastwai'd. General
Johnson, who at this time had supreme comnuiml of the confed-
erate forces of the West, was with Ikaggin Tennessee, but in con-
staid c(MnniuiMcation with I'emberton. Grant was therefore afraid
to move directly on Vicksburg lest Johnson with a force f nan the
East should assail him in the rear. To avoid a contingency of
this kiml he (lirect<'d McClernand and Shennan to nK)ve along the
eastern side of IJIack river so as to strike the Yic^ksburg raiii-oad
at Edward's station, while McPherson was to make a detour far-
ther eastward ami destroy the rebel stores and lines of commnni-
eation.
Battle of h'aymomJ. — On the nn)rning of May 12th McPherson's
advanced cavalry metnear Jiaymomla strongbodyof rebelinfantry.
A severe engagement ensued in which the 2d Illinois cavalry be-
haved with great gallantly and lo>t several men. Owing to the
THE WAR OF THE REBELLION. ' 815
situation of tlio foe in tlic woods, it was found iinpossiblo for
niountcd iiicn to disIodj;T liini, and Ijoii'iiii's division was oi'dcivd
forward to make an attack. Tiie <'(»liinin adxanccd toward tiio
wood and foiifilit witii j;reat dt't<'rniination aitiiouyli exposed to
the murderous lire of ail almost concealed enemy. Slioitly after
tlie fiiiiitiuiy; commenced a battery was pnslied forward to assist
in dislodjiiii};' liimand made su(!li Jiavoe that after an attempt to
cliarj^e and take it, lie was <;omi>e]U'd to fall back to a new ])osi-
tion. Jlere lie was a;4ain assailed by the same troops strenj;tli-
eiied by additional fon^es. In resist iiiji' an attemi»t to turn our
left Hank the UOth Illinois foufiht with Spartan conraji'e. llavinj;
lost their colonel, Stevenson's brij;ade coiitaininy the Sth Illinois,
Avitli tixed bayonets bounded forward to the rescue and the rebels
were driven in wild disorder from the Held.
Battle nfJacJcson. — Ketreatiup,' to Jackson they were followed
by the ."{d corps of the Union army. Sherman and M(;Clernand
had been ordered to Edward's station but (irant in the mean-
time learnin,i>' that fresh actcessions of rebel troops were daily ar-
rivinj>at Jackson, and fearin;^: that McLMierson's force mi<;lit not
beadecpiate to (U)pe with them, countermanded the ordei'. On the
niornint;' of the 14th, MxtlMierson's advanced divisons, closely fol-
lowed by Sherman's, came up with the main force of the enemy
about three miles from the city. Artillery was ojieiied on both
sides and after tiring for sometime without any decisive results, the
infantry were led into action. "With measured tread and colors
tlyinj;' the Union columns slowly ascended the hill on which the
rebel force was posted, sutferiny terribly from the trenu'iidon.s
volleys hurled at them from the summit. When within .'{()(» paces
they delivered their first lire and with a shout that rose above
the report of artillery rushed upon the astonished confedeiates
Avilo broke and tied in the wildest terror, throwinj;- away their
knapsacks, blankets and muskets, to accelerate their tlijiht.
This was one of the most spirited charjues of thecam}»aign and
no re<;iinent eiifiiif^'ed in it foujiht with more bravery and success
than the uuth Illinois. The ;i(»th, Had, 4Sth, lUth and ilStli also
parti(;ii)ated in and largely contributed to the successful issue of
the battle. Among the generals of this and the two ]>rece(ling
engagements, Gen. Logan was c<)ns])icuons for the indomitable
energy and skill with which he handled his men.
The rebels retreated northward on the Canton road and the re-
bellious capital of Mississipi)i became the prize of the cuiKiuerors.
The governor and others holding odicial relations with the local
and confederate governments left the day before with the funds
and archives of the State.
Battle of Champion Hills. — Grant leaving Sherman to destroy
the railroads, bridges, arsenals and other [lublic property, turned
the remainder of tlie army westward to pay his respects to Peni-
berton. The latter illy conceiving the military necessities of his
situation, now rapidly became entangled in toils from which at
length extri(;ation was impossible. Johnson in the meantime had
arrived and beheld with regret the confederate army separated in
detachments with that of (irant between them. He saw that with
his interior communications now cut off by the destruction of the
810
inS'lOUY OP ILLINOIS.
railroiid to •liK'ksoii, tlint Vicksbiiij;' miglit bccoiiic tin* firavo of
an iiniiy but eoiild hoof no possible use to tin; (!onl"t'(U'riu\v. Ilo
tlu'it'loic oidcrctl l'«'nib('i'ton to make a detour noitliward ronnd
the federal army andl'oiiM a, jiiiicl ion willi the forces wiiieh had
been expelled from daekson. I'endteiton, liowcvor, had a i)lau
of his own which was to move in the op]tosite diicetictn and
cnt oil" (Irant's supplies. With tliisintent In* set his eoinnnis in
nM)tion in the afleinoon of the ir)th, mo\ in;;' from Kdwaid's sta-
tion in the direction of iiayinond. lint (irant, inn had no base
of snpplies, lia\ in;;' ent himself loose from (irand (Inlf as early
as the 11th, and was uo\y pnshin;;' forward with the intenti(»n of
overpowering;' all opposition and openin;;' a new base on the Mis-
sissij)pi by way of the Yazoo. Little reeked ho of commnnieat-
ing with (Irand (Jnlf, and thelnckless l\Mnberton wassallyin;;' forth
on a bootless errand. Mor had he ;;'one far before the advancini?
Union pickets convineed him that his movements instead of harni-
\ug his adversary, was only comprondsin;;' his own safety. Ho
therefore resolved to retniu to tin; station and then move north-
ward in the direction of Urow nsville in eontbi'inity with the pi'e-
vions adviceof his snperior oHicer. 'J'his wasaji'ood resolntion bntit
came too late, for while hv was dallyin;;', the Union army had moved
u]) to the same place and was reaily with its lu-avy ;;'nns to dis-
jmte his advance. As the only alternative the confederate force
■was hastily drawn np for action, the left division nnder Steven-
son occni»yin;;- a thickly wooded hei;:lit of Champion Hills, while
the centre and ri;;ht divisions nnder l>owen and Loriny extended
across IJaker's creek to a munberof abinpt elevations and yawinng
ravines. Lo;;an\s and Crocker's divisions of JNhd'herson's eor])s,
Avere thrown ronnd the above mention»'d hei;;ht so as to Hank the
confederate left. JJovey's division of ]\Ic('lernand's cor]»s ad-
vanced a;;ainst Stevenson leaving the other division of the corps
to engage liowen an<l J^oring.
A conrier was sent to Jackson with oiders for Sherman to has-
ten forward with his comnnind, and in less than an honr he Avas
on the road to the scene of coidlict. Hovey's division Avhich
first engaged the enemy was in (h'adly grajiple with him before
the others, owing to the nnfavoral»le natnre of the ground, could
come in striking distance. The situation in which he oi)erated
compelled him to contract his lines and expose his men to the
tierce tire of the rebels who, under cover of heavy tind)er, suffer-
ed little. After facing, m ith heroic tenacity for an hour, the re-
lentless fire of anenemy greatly exceedinghim innund)ers, and hav-
ing every advantage of i)Osition, he was compelled to give way.
He, however, retired only a short distance when two brigadt'S of
Crocker's division were sent to his aid and he reformed and
again went into action. Logan in the meantime had turned the
enemy's left and commenced operating in his rear which partially
relieved the ju-essure in front. Seeingtheadvantagesof theposition
he had gainedhe rode up toGrant and informed him if Hovey could
make another dash atthe enemy, it would enable him to come ui)and
capture the greater part of the confederate forces. Preparations
for this purpose were made, but before it w as executed l'end)er-
ton, seeing his position was compromised, commenced drawing
off. Sinmltaueously the national troops presse<l forward and the
rebel host breaking, tied in a panic iiud rout from the field. Al-
llliililliiiiMMifcMliilll
TUB WAR OP THK UEIIKLLION. 817
tlioiijili the brunt ol" tlic biittlc I'l'll on riOjiJin and Hovcy. Ilicro
was severe li;;litinji<»M the eiieni,\',s iij;lit by (^arr and Osteiliaiis.
The ini]>assal>le character of th(^ f-roiind on wliieli tliey Innjulit
l)revent«'d them from netting' into action as soon as tiie others,
but wiieii at lenj'tii this dillicnlty was overconu', tliey yreatiy as-
sisted in turninj;' tlie ti(h' of battle in our favor.
A fjreat many instances of iieroism are mentioned in tlie rei)ort3
of tiie battle. Ijo<;an's di\isi()n, comi)osed laij^cly of Illinois
ti'oops, en,i'a;;<'d the enemy on Iiis h'ft and sncceedcil in capturinj;'
moire than 1,()(M) prisoners and 12 ]»ieces of artillery. An ollicer
was sent to iii(|uire how tlie contest was ji'oinj;' on in ids fiont.
"Tell (Jen. (Jrant," he replied, "my divisictn can't be wliii)ped by
all tlu" rebels this side of hell. We are ^oinj;- ahead and won't
stop till we set orders."* (Jen. Leji'ji'eff ^'""'""""''"ri" ''i'* second
brigade, containing the .'{Otli Illinois, was ordered up to ])rotecttho
ris'ht of Ilovey's division, seriously threatened i)y the enemy.
Tlie rebels suddenly emerged from the woods and iu'ei)nred for au
attack, when the IJOth Illinois charged u])on them an(l drov<' them
hiwk in (ionfusiou. In the afternoon, on th(> extrenu^ rij^ht. the
8th Illinois and .'JlM Ohio charged U]»on and rei)ulsed one of the
enemy's most elfective batteries. A section of Co. D, Illinois
artilleiy is also favorably mentioned in the reports.
IJesides the vesiments nieiition<'d, the I7th. .'>Ist, r^tli, .^Stli. 7LM,
Toth, 77th, 7mh, 81st, !»;}(!, <)7tli, l«»8th, IKJth, llSth and lUltli
were a part of the troops en.iiased in the battle, and with the aid
of their comrades from other iStates added another victory to the
list of Union triumphs.
I'endierton's force was estimated at .'50,000, somewhat exeeediufj
the Union troops eii<>'ajj'ed, as all of (Jrant's divisions did not
arrive in time to i)articipnte in the battle. The victory cost us in
killed, wounded and ndssinji', 2,500 men, but gave in exchange 200
pieces of artillery and 1,000 prisoners, l)esides intiictinya serious
loss of killed, wounded and misaing on the enemy.
Battle of Blade River BrUhje. — So quickly was the retreating
army followed that Loring's division became completely detached
and was compelled to make a circuit in a soutlnvest(Mly direction
round the federal army and report to Johnson. The main force
retreated to lUack Kiver, and with the excei)tion of two brigades,
crossed the stream. The latter to dispute the advance of the pur-
suing army took a position within a bayou which leaves the river
abo\e and sweeping round in the form of a semi-circle, unites with
it below. In addition to the natural defences offered bv the mirv
channel of the bayou, breastworks were thrown up, and cannon
placed within the enclosure swept the plain beyond and com-
manded the bridge a(!ross the river. On the nuirning of the 17th
of ]May, McClernand's and JMcFlierson's corps move<l directly
against the position of the enemy, while that of Sherman ad-
vanced in the direction of Bridgeport, higher up the river for the
purpose of crossing at that point. The rebel pickets were sor>n
encountered and McClernand, who was in advance, hastily deploy-
ing his division, on each side of the road brought on ahot engage-
ment in the forest which skirts thebaidvs of the river. Artillery
was placed in position and served with such effectiveness, that
* Ciiiciunati Commercial "
818
UlSTOUV OK ILLLNOl.S.
11m> ciu'iiiv boon lied Itt'liiixl liis works lo csciiim' its I'iiit. Mf(!Icr-
iiiiihI now r«'solvc»l lt> ciirrv the wctrks l»y stoirii ami (Icii. hawlci's
lui^iidc of (y'ari'b (li\isi«»ii iiiiiiu'dialcl.v si.i^iiilicd tlu-ir readiness lor
tiie eliar;^e. l\\ nioxin;^' round on llie ri;^iil nnder eo\cr of tlut
rivei' Itank, he had gained a |iosilion iVoni uliieli I he reWel del'enees
mijilit be easily assaulted. 'I'lie order loiwaid was ;;i\en, and the
ea^er men pinn^in;; across tin- Itayon and sealing; the lucasl works,
re;;ardless of the fatal rir(^ that I'oM-red their traek with fallen
coinradcB, with lixed lia.xonels, drove the reliefs from their j^nns.
The \ ietory was eoniplele. To < arr, one of liliimis Wiavest oflieers,
and ids ;>'alliuit division more than any otiier, its iionors are dne.
Constilntiny th(^ advance of .MeClernand's corps, 1 hey not only
eonnnenced the en^^auement, linl ended it in the spienditl charge.
Avhi(di placed them in possession of the skillfidly const riiel(*(l
M(»rks. I'romiinmt anion;'' the re;^iments whitrh distinguished Ihem-
.sel\«'s wei'c the.'5.')d, 4St|i and 77lh Illinois. The fruits <»f the \ ii;-
tory W('i»! l,r)(l() prisoneis and IS pieces of artillery.
The. aiiny on the opposite, side of the river, wilnessin;; the de-
feat, set liie to tlu' luidj^c. iiiid hastily retreated in llu' direction
of ^'icksl>ur^^ The afternoon of the same day the inhaWilants of
the city weie startled l>y theinlliix of the fu;^iti\cs, who, exhaust-
ed by privations and iuirdships, tuud)led almost helplessly
into t h(^ surrounding;' entreucliUMMils. The, ni;;hl after the battle
brid;;(\s w('r(^ thrown across Hiack river, and Sherman. Nlill
holding- the riyht. took possession of llaine.s' lilulf, as the denntr-
ali/ed eonfedeiates departed, while .MctCyleinaud an<l Mcl'herson,
movin;;' farther southward, (tlosed in on the, doouu'd city.
In the daring and siutcessful passage of the \'i(^ksbnr^' and
Grand (lulf Ijatteries, in the audacity wliic^h at»audoned one base
of supplies, with the necessity of crushing; an enemy of uid<n<>w'u
strength befoie am)t her <'oul(l be established, and in the deter-
mined (;oura,n(', ami endurance wlii(;h wrun.t;' siu;c,ess from the
most untoward cireumstanecs in live eonse(;utive victories, the
campai;;n may be regarded as one of tin; most brilliant furiuslied
by the aniuds of the war. The celerity of movement and
strategy l»y wlii<!h the enemy was se[iarated ami beaten in detail,
rank it with iSajtoleon's celebrated Italian campaign. I'oit (iib-
son, Ivaymoiid, .laekson, (Miampion ILills, and lilack river, will
always o(!CUi>y a proud jdace in the, history of the nation, endure
as a muniiiiu'nt of Illinois \alor, and perpetuat(> the names and
{•'(Mieralship of Grant, ]M<;CIernaud, Carr, M(;Artliur, and other
brave men of Illinois whoso gallantly maintained the reputation
of the State.
It was now evident, if the sie^e was successfully maintained that
famine would ultimately brin;i;' the garrison to t«'rms. .Johnson,
howcvci', was making j^reat elforts to (ioUect a relieviii;;' force, ami
(irant, therefore, to avoid all possilde eontin;;en(;ies, d(!termin«'d
to make an attempt to carry the jdaee by storm. The deniorali/ed
condition of the foice within favored immediate a(;tion, and
atu'ordiiiyly an assjlult was made in the afternoon of tlm ITtli.
]S'o permaiuoit advanta^ti was gained, although the 127th Illinois
and M.'id Indiana, succeeded in planting their colors on the exte-
rior slope of the enemy's entrenchments. Not witlistamlinu' the
want of snce(^ss, it was beleved under more favorable eircum-
jstauces, a second attempt might be attended with better results,
Eii^mmm
TUK WAR OF THE UKI»KIJ-I()N.
.SlU
anil tlic f wosiiccccdiii;;' (liiys were s|iciit in inakinii' tlic Mfccssiiry
incpiiiations. At 10 (("clock on llic nioniin;; ol' liic L'L.'(I llic ."mI
coips, Sherman's on Ilic rif,dit, .Mcl'licison's in tiit^ centre, and
Mc( 'lenianil's on tliu lel'l. niovcil lorwanl, linl sncli was the iialnvu
of the ^I'onnd that only naiiow IVonts could lie l)i'oii<;lit. into acr-
tion, 'I'iie juanisoii reserved its tircit.ill the storniin;; lorci^ wen^ in
close ranye, when they opened with the most deadly elfectt. Many
turned hack as it' IVom insianl deslrnction, hutolhei-s, disdainin;;'
to let ii'c, pushed on, and port ions of ea(th corps siu'ceeded in reac'i-
in;;' the lu'eastworks. ('onspiciU)Ms in Mcl'lierson's corps, was
the 1)1 i!;a(l(M)l' (ien. Kansom, containin^v' the llih, 7lM, *Xt\\\ and
1 Ititli Illinois. The hri;;adc* s|)raM<;' forward with a slioiit when
the order was ;;iven to ad\ane,e. At the. distance, of a U'W paces
a storm of jirape ami (bannister toic throu.iih thedifl'erenl re.i,Mments
disahlin;;' Col. Humphrey of the !»."»ili, killing (!ol. N'evins (»f tho
1 It h, and for a sluul time clieckinj; the ad \ a nee. At this junclur(!
Clen. h'ansoni rushed forward to the head of the liri;;ade and,
seizin^' the colors of tlu,' !>r)th. and wa\ iny; them .ixcrhcad, sliout-
ed, "l''orward men, we musl and will ;;('l into the fort. Who will fol-
low f 'i"he column a^ain nioxcd foiw a rd directly in I he face of the,
wastiiijnv(»lleys,and, on reaching; tiur works, foujiht for half an hour
1o e|]('('t, an entranite. I''indinj;' at lenulh this was ini|»ossihle. the
re;;inu'nts w<'ie rctornu'd and marched hack without the sli;Lihlest
c(»nfusion or the apj)earance of a sin;^I(^ stru,u;;le. Within I"* nnn-
utes after tlie cliai';i<' was ((rdered, (Hens. liaw lei's and Ijandrum's
hri^ades, tlnUatter (tontainin:; the !)7tli.lOSth and l.'Slst Illinois,
W('i(iat the W(»rks. Twi'lve men entered a bastion, II of whom
were killed, while the sur\ivor, aided l»y shaip-shooters (Ui tlu!
jiaiapet, captured and l»i'ou;;ht out Ili reltels. It hein;.; instant
death to the force within to expose themselves above the works,
they lit the fuse of shells and Ihi'cw them amon.n' the fe<lerals who
coolly picked them up and threw them back in tinu> to explode.
'J'ne Mercantile batteiy of (Jhica^i'o, approached within a few feet
and tiled into an embrasure, and as a reward for their brav<'ry
(leii. .McCleriiand presented ihemwith tw(» Najioleon guns cap-
tured at J)la<;U river. No permanent eiitranco could be effected
and at iiiyht the Ibrces were recalled.
(iraiit, now coiiciiidin;; that the position of the enemy was too
stroiifi', both by nature and art, to be carried l»y storm, sat down
before it in regular sieye.
(irifr.soii''.s UaUJ. — Leavinj>- the l)elea,<>Mired stronghold to tho
c;ire <if the. iiivestiiifi' army, we will now rclati^ one of the most
brilliant episodes of the war, the raid of (leii. !». II. (iriersoii.
NN'hile (Iraiit wasclosin.u round Vicksbiirji' with his gallant troop-
ers, he was dashing througii .Mississippi to destroy the railroads
and prcn'ent the enemy frcuii sending forwiird supplies and rein-
tbrcemeiits.
On the 17th of April with 3 regiments of ciivaliy, the Gtli and
7th Illinois, and the I'd Iowa, he left Ijagrangc 'i'eiinessee. Arriv-
ing at IJouston on the 2(Ml:, Col. Hatch wiih'llic 2iid Iowa was
sent to Columbus to di'slroy a portion ol the .Mobile & Ohio J^ail-
road. and it ai»le to capture the tow n. On the way he was at tacked
i>y StK) rebel caAalry, which he reiuil.sed, and at night reacdied
the railroad at Okuloiia. Having burnt the depot, barracks
620
IIIS'JOUY ()!-' II.LIXOI.^.
(IihI lios|iital, lie .stiirlcd on liis lioiiirwiii'il iiiiirrli. r><'riii-(> •^oiii^
fill, ii luit'c of (MMiliy iiiii<l»':i tlii.sli ill liis i»Mi-, iiinl ii;;iiiii hv ovrr-
tlirc'W tliciti, iiillirtiii;; on lliciii a loss til'L'ti mni wliilc liis own sns-
taint'd littlo injury. Tlui icniiiiiitlcr of the Miarcli was without
0[)|M)siti()M iiiid llic rt>;;ini('nts anivctl in li:i;;i'an;;(! willi L'O piiso-
luis, .")() nfj;r(M'S and ."iOd lioiscs ami innlcs.
Col. (iiinson was now Icl't w'illi only tin; Illinois i«';;inu'nls to
copi' Willi tlic iiiiincrons lorccs of iclxd cavalry wliicli were scour-
in,u llif coiinlry in every diiccti<»n lo intcrcc|»! Iiiiii. Their oppo-
isilion and t lie attending; daii;;('rs, however, instead of discoiira;;'-
in;; hiiii and his hi'iivo. followers, only <;ave /est to the enterprise
^vllicil they now proposed to linish by a heiidlon;^(lash to liatoii
lioiiuc, tliroii^h the, heart of .Mississip|»i. 'Jo diveit attenlioii
from their principal movements and diima^^^'e the enemy, Ciipt.
J"'orlies, with .>.") men, were sent on a detour east ward to destroy
the lele<;'rai)li and another portion of the M. and (). \l. it. at
JMaeoii. Tliey left their comradeH with stout hearts hut little
hope of sc(!iii;; tlu'in a;;ain, as tlioy would lia\»' to pass throiitili a
country swarmiiif;' with enemies and march at least ."iO miles
laither than the main force. Ci'ot. (Jrahani. with a battalion was
also sent to l»urii a shoe fa(!tory in the iiei^^hborliood, and suc-
ceeded in destroyinj;- a larj;e amount of leather and stiveral
tlntusand boots, shoes, hats ,iiid ca])s, b«'sides capturing: ii cpiar-
terniasler, \\lio had come to ;;('t supplies for the rebi'l army at
I'orl Hudson.
With these i>reliniinary arrangements. Col. (Iriersoii ]»ushed
forward for Pearl river bridjic, the r<'acliiii;i' of which was now an
object of vital importance. Hostile bands of ca\alry were on the
alert, and should their scouts who preceeded him destroy it, the
result wouid be fatal. With an earnestneHS, therefore, commeii-
8urate with the risk involved, they urjicd their way forward.
(Irierson with his kindlinj;' eye ami thounhtl'ul face, leading;' the
van. Xeariiijf the bridj^c and hearing' the sound of ])ersons en-
ga.iit'd in its destruction, they firove spurs into their foamin<?
fharjicrs to increas(; their spe<'d, and swoopin*;' down on the de-
ist royers as an eaf-h; in lairsiiit of his prey, <piickly dispersed
them. TIk^ entirci party reaching' the opposite shore in sal'ety,
again (hislied forward, and on the I'ttli rea(;hed Newton iStatiou
on M. & (). R. Iv. Here they cai)tiired 7."> rebels, tore u]i the
railroad track, biirnt^ 4 car loads of ammunition and '2 ware-
houses tilled with commissary stores, and destroyed the bridges >
on the west side of tlie station. Tarrying oidy long enough to
complete the work of d(!struction, they were again on the wing,
and after an exhausting ride by way of (larlaiKlville, JJaleigh and
AVestville, were ready t(t recross the river at ^Georgetown terry.
Gaining tlu! ferry, as in (lase of {liel)ridge, was a matter of life or
death; f(»r altlioiigh they moved with gr(;at rapidity, ^he miws of
tlu'ir exploits usualy pre«'eded them, and it was believed that the
citizens were now arming to stoj) their progress. Arriving at the
river the i)roi)rietor of the ferry made Ids ai»[)earance, and in a
careless way, asked if they wanted to cross, siip[)osing them to l»e
a foi-ce of Alabama cavalry which was exiieeted in the neigh-
Itorliood. (.'ol. PriiKM'. (tf the 7th, imitating his ])ro\'incial vernacu-
hir, replied in tin; atlirmative, and added that "it to<tk more time
to wake up his negro ferryman than to catch the d — d conscripts."
TlIK WAll OF THK UKllELLION.
821
'l'li(ii(»ii;;lily «l«'C('iv<i(l l>,v his Yiiiikcc iiitcilociifor, ;ui(l ii|»ol(»;;iy.iii<;;
tor tlifir (It'tciitioii, lie :i\voUt> liis lu'i^iocs, \vli(» Icnifil tli*>iii ovrr,
iiiMl tlt«'ii Willi tnic Noiitlicrii linspitiilifv, iiivitcti tlinii t(» hi't>iii;t'iiHt,
lu'licviii^ he wiisciitcrtaiiiiti;;' tin- Ist rc;;iiiit'iit oC Aljiliiiiiiii ciiviiiry.
As soon as llic rcpiisl was owv llic ]»ait\ n'smiit'd their niairli
1111(1 shortly a1't('r\vai<l captured a courier, Hyinj^' with liu' start liriff
iiitelli<i('ii('e tliat tlie Yniik«'es were coiiiiiij;' and tliat tlu^ I'eriy ninwt
l)e destroyed. At Ila/.h'hiirst on the New Orh-ans and .laeixsoii
railroad, the next" j)hice visited, ii hirjic nnnil»er of ears were
destroyed, containiii};' powder, shell and other supplies Cor the con-
federate army.
At this jM»int ('apt. I'\»rl)es sent to destioy the railroad at Ma-
con lejoined them, in his retnrn heunwittinjuly lieeame tlie hero of
a darinj;' adventnre. lOnteriii^i' Newttni stati<»n wiiere he expected
to meet with the men nnder (irierson he was astonished to find
liimself in tiie midst (»!' ;!(H»0 reltels in the act of debarkinii from
the cars. With remarkaltle presence of ndnd lie hoisted a Ha/;" of
truce, and, Iioldly ridin;;' up. demanded the snrreiider of the loiHte,
in the nameof Col. (iiieison. The rei)el otiieer in ennimand, siip-
l)osi II ij (irierson's whole foi'ce wlii(rli inmor ha«l nia;;nilied to a
niii^liiiiy host, was close at hand, asked an hour to consider tho
demand. Forlies yranted the re(piest with feij;ned reluctance,
and starte*! for the itreteiided troops in reserve to whom the con-
federate was to semi his I'eply at the expiration of the time, Tho
raiders, amused at the sell, dashed away, j^ivinn' the enemy a l(»n;^
time to consult in regard to terms of the capitulation, and a
Ion;;' distance to travel before they could make them known. Tho
entire c<nnmand left llazleliiirst on the L'Tthand, iiiisliiiij;alonj;the
>'. <).&.!. Iv. 1{., thi'ou^ih the stations of IJahala, Hrookhaven and
Summit, t(U'e up the railroad destroyed its rolliii;;' stock, and
iiiimeiisi^ (piantities of <'ommissary's st<H'es and munitions on
tlie way to N'ickshurj;, J'ort Hudson and (iraiid (lulf. On leavinj;;
the railroad they reached I'.aton liouyc on the L'd of May, the oh-
j<'('live point of the expedition. Within the last .'50 hours with-
out eatiiij>' or sleepinji', they had ridden 80 miles, destioyed a num-
ber of bridj^es and larfi;e (piantities of inilitaiy stores, swam one
river, had three skirmishes with tiie enemy, and took 42 itrisonens.
So exhausted were th«' men that they slept on their horses till tho
report of (carbines roused them to actum, and wlieu tho fray was
over afiiiiu relapse into slun Iter.
A resume of their opera -ms sh«)ws that in the brief interval
of KJ days they had ridden from the iHUthern to the southern
part of .Mississi]»pi, and, altlioiijih opei'atinj;' between tw(> };reat
rel»el lines of communication, tlicMoitile vS: Ohio aiidXew Orleans
and.Iacksoii railroads, by skillful mameuNers, usually su<'ceeded in
eiudiiii; the enemy. In their march of .SOU miles they took oOO
prisoiiei's, destroyed fromoOtoiJO miles of railroad, li locomotives,
L'OO ear.^ and milit.iry stores, and other]>i"oi)erty valued at$40,(K)0 ;
while tluy crossed into tho Union lines with 1,200 horses and nudes
and oOO iietrroes.
The most determined efforts were made to capture tliem.
A thousand cavalrynu'ii from south of I'oi't Hudson, l,;iOI> from
;M()l»ile. and 2.000 fiom the vicinity (»f Columbia, were sent for
tiiis purpose, but (Irieison's strategy I'eiidered their elforts abor-
tive. Their safe arrival in IJaton iiouye, whither the story of
822
nrSTOllY OF ILLINOK^.
tliciradNciiliirc li;i(l ])r('('('(l('(l tlicm, crcjitcil the uiciitcst ciitliiisi-
jisiii and rcjoiciii,!;. .Maiiv ^(■^ll^.(Ml to l>('li('\(^ what liicy liad licaid
till tlicy saw the. iiicii and lislciicd toarccilalol' tlicir feats. .So iiii-
iiieiit were the dangers and so eoMii»lele tlie .sueeesSjit seems more
like a leatof romance tlian an oeiMirreiiee of actual life. The reb-
els were tanjiiil, not witlistandin,!; the elliciencN of their ea\;ilry,
tlie.v could be '"outrode, oi twitted and out l'ou,uht," and hence the
moral results achieved were no less im]»ortant than llie ith,vsieal.
Si('!ic and Siirrciider of Vivhahto-ff. — From the in\-esiment of the
city till the surrender, little occurred to dixcrsify the routine of
duty performed by the investinj;' army. On the 22d of ,Iuiie. the
r«'bels in a, sortie drove the 11th Illinois from their trenches which,
!is a worUiujH' i»arty, they were enj;a,u('d in exca\atin.i;' round the
city. Tim succeedin<4' ni;4lit the 41st Illinois and some other forces,
'Acre ordered to the sanu' trenches and the rebels a,iiaiu sallied
I'orMi and demanded their surrender The colonel of theJist in-
stantly ordered the artillery to open and in a severe li^ht the reb-
els were driven back to their wcnks.
On the 2."')tli the miners of INIcPherson's cor])s blew up
the rebel F(Ut Ilill. Haviuj;' dejxtsited a Ion of ])owder in an ex-
cavation under the fort, and selected the 4.")th Illinois to occupy
the breach, the ndne was sjfrunji'. Almost noiselessly the <;rouud
"was lifted ui>asifsome subierrancan luonstt-rhad suddenly risen
from his lair and toss«'d asid*- his coveiinj;()f earth. Ayawninji' cra-
ter some 20 feet in width was oiiened, and hai'dly had tiie cloud
of white smoke which issued from it, cleared away, before the bat-
tle-scarred veterans of the -tritli were at their post. 'I'lie reliels
crowded up to the breach with j^reat rajjidity, and the lijilit on both
sides was one of (les])eration. For want of room the federal regi-
ments subsecpu'ntly enj;af;('d, went in one at a time, and as each
exhausted its amunition another took its phu!(^ In this manner
the 2.)d, 2."Kh,;>!)th, ;Jlst, Kith, 5<>th and I24th, Illinois, success-
ively entered the vortex of lire and stru,n<;led like demi-j^ods to
quench its tlanu'S.
The object of these minin;i;oi)crations was t(» ])ossess important
points in the enemy's line of defenses and thereby i)ress himbaek
toward the riv^r. When, however, it l)ec.«nie evident that the
gariison was short of provisioi:s, the excavations of i)aiTalleltJ
and nnnes was discontinued. The. supply of food, thoujih it
had l)eei) carefully husbanded, ami the tl(;sh of nudes extensively
used, was now lu'arly exhausted. A failure of amunition also en-
sued, Mie ardoi' of the pirrison was dampened by protracted pri-
A'ations, and the citizens livinj;' in caves to avoid danger, found
their suffering' too great to longer continue the siege.
induced by these stiingent ne(!essities, I'endierton, on the 2d of
July, disjdayed a white tlag on the rami)arts in view of the invest-
ing army, and an oHlcer being sent to ascertain its meaiung
learned that he wisheil to confer in regard to terms of vapitula-
tion. Corresi>ondeiU!e was iiderehanged, resulting in a i)ersonal
inicrview between the two chiefs of the contending forces, and
finally in the uncomliliomU surrender of the city and confederate
army. So great was themnnberof ]»risoners to avoid theex[)ens(^ of
theii luaintainanceand trans|io''talion to northern prisons, they were
parolled. It was also believed that the demoralization consecjuent
\t''
THE WAR OF TIIK llEBELLION.
823
upon their return lioiiie after dcitViit, wonll ^nore tliaii connter-
balaiicre the ertorts of tliose who iiii;;lit be a,iiaiii iiidiu^ed to take
up anus. The stars and stri])es were lioisted over tlie (!oiiqiier(!d
stroii,nliohl, thus symbolizing tiie nation's majesty in the presence
of her errinj;' and rebellions (Odldren,
Only three days after tlie tall of Vieksburj^, as the innnediate
result of the vietory, l*ort Hudson surrendered to the besiejiing
force under Banks. Tlie eainpai,i;ns for the ojtening of the Mis-
sissi])pi were now at an end. To Illiiutis far more than to any
other State, the nation is indebted for this successful termination.
Her rei>resentatives in the lon<;' list of bloody battles and brilliiint
victorieswerethe.Sthjl 1th, l.'Jth, Utli, 17th.LM>th,l';}d,L'r)th,l*,Sth,L".tth,
oOtli, ;{lst, ;i2d.;«(l, ;55th, ;J8th, 41st, 4r>tli, 4(»th, 47th, 4<Sth, olst,
aad,.Mth,o7th,()3d, 7L'd, 7")th, 7f)th, 77th, 81st, l>3d,!)."»th, l>7th, IMttli,
lOSth, ILJth, n4th, 110th, IbStii, 120th, IL'lth, 12(ith, 127th and
l.'Jlst rejiinn'uts (»f infantry, Willard's I'eoria and the Chi(!aji<) mid
^Mercantile battery, theOtii,7th and jtortions of tlie2i{d, loth and
Til iel man's ca\ airy.
Step by step they Imd liew(Ml their way toward the ^ulf, stroiijj;-
hohl after stronjihold hiid fnllen beneath their stalwart blows, iiiid
now the liist fetter which treiison ]iadfor<;-ed to bind the Father of
Waters, was riven asun<ler. No victory of the war was so decisive
in its results as the capture of N'icksbur};'. It lias been truthfully
said that the i)ossession of the Mississip[)i valley is the i»ossession
of America. Had tin' Riclinioiid jiovernment been able to maiiitiiin
the power it set up in the lower part of the ijreat valley, the upper
portion woidd have •;ravitated into the confederacy as naturally as
its waters fall iiitotlu! j;ulf. I'nrthei'inore the river not only served
as a means of defense but was the dividing line between two great
sections of the revolted territory. That lying on the west,althongh
less imimrtant tlmn the Atliinti(! region, was uevertheless the
vast storehouse whence suppli(ss had l)een drawn for the supi»ort
of the arnues in Virginia and Tennessee. Now isolated Texas
could no longer (!ontribut(i her vast herds of cattle, Arkan.^as
her serials and Louisiana her siigiir. Witii a tieet of federal gun-
boats patrolling the river, (iohcert in the military operations oitlie
severed JStates was impossible, and in those of the west the war
Avas virtually at aii end.
To the material ett'ects of the blow the moral must be added to
fully appreciate the extent of the damage sustained by the con-
federacy. The surprise and constermition consequent ur m the
Mississippi disaster fell like a thunderbolt from iv clear sky viii die
people of the south. The spirit of their high vaulting chivalry
was broken, and gloon;,> lioubts l)rooded in the minds of many as
to the possibility of ever realizing the success of their cause. The
confederate authorities were early convinced of the importance of
the Mississipi)i. At the time Ciraiit commenced liisdeseent against
Vicksburg, Jefferson Davis harangued the people of Jackson on
the necessity of i)reserving the Mississippi, as the great artery of
the country and the only means of securing the i)erpetuity of the
new government. Pollard in referring to its loss, saj's: "It com-
pelled as its necessary consequence, the surrender of other posts
on the Mississiiqti and cue the confederacy in twain. Its defense
had worked exposiu-e and wcnkness in other quarters, it had
about stripped (Jliarleston of troopsj it hail taken many thousand
»r
824
IIISTOUY OF ILLINOIS.
of incii iVoiii ]>raj;<;'s aiiiiy, iiiid it had made such r(!(|iii.siti(H) on
Iji-s l'()i'c(! loi'tlic newly (Hjianizcd lines in .Mississipjii that lu- was
(•(»ni[ii'lle(l or induced, wisely or unwisely, to fall hack from Talla-
hassee, Tullalioniii to ;;ive u\) the country on the jMeinphis and
Charleston railroad and probably to abandon the defences of .Mid-
dle Tennessee."
JJrijiadiei-Cienoral John A. Losan, whose deeds and liune
are so inseparable blended with tlu! openinji of the Mississijtpi,
was born at ]\lurfieesboro, Jackson county, February Utii,
].SL'(>. Jn connnon with others, ;it that early day in Illinois,
his educational privilej^es were liniite<l. Xatural ability, however,
tiiuMii)lied over all obstacles, and he early become noted for the
luoriciency of his attainnu'uts. At tlu! outbreak of thi^ .Mexican
Avai' he entered as a lieutenant in the Jst rejiinu'ut of Illinois vol-
unleers, and valiently fouj;iit with his comrades till they retuined
hoi. . Itesumin;;' the duties of civil life, lie conimencecl the study
of law in the otiice of his uncle A. M. .leidvins, formerly lieuteii
ant jioveriior of the State. On the complelioii of his studies he
rapidly r(>se in his profession and obtaiiu'd a. wide-s|>rea(l poi>u]arity.
In lS.j.'i 1k'. was ele(;ted piosecutinu' attorney of the M Ju<licial dis-
trict. In the fall of the same year he was chosen to represent the
counties of Franklin and .Jackson in the legislature, and was re-
elected in LS.jG. After the exi>iratioii of his last term in the le<;is-
lature he was twice elected to conj^ress, ami while still a nu'mber
in 1,S()1, he returned home, and ui)on the organization of the ;»lst
Illinois, was cliosen its colonel. Of his subsccpient operations in
the war we have already si)oken. From the iron libre of liis (torn-
position and his deeds of lieiy valor, he has been styled the ]\Iurat
of Illinois bravery
Chapter LXII.
1SG3— ILLINOIS IX TUE (JlIATTANOOdA CAMPAIGX.
Battles of Chicamauf/a — Wauhtvhic — Loohtut Mountidn and Mis-
sion likhje — RdieJ' of Knoxvillc.
After tlic battle of Mnrfreesboio .scvt'ial inontlis wore spent by
liosecnui.s in recruitiiij^' his iinny, jd'ociiriiij;' supplies and opcniiij;'
u[> lines of coniiunnieation to again advance on liiaji'^'. lvij;i(l
discipline was enjoincnl aiul no effort spared to create in the
minds of his men a proper appreciation of the work before
them.
AVIiile these prei)arations were }>()inf>()n a number of minor en-
gajienients occnried in JMiddle Tennessee, in whieh Illinois troojis
were prominent actors. On the 3(1 of Febriuiry, IStJ.J, Forrest
made a determined attack to recapture F(nt Doiu'lsoii, garrisoned
by (he.S.'Jd Jliinois, but was repulsed. iMarch 2(tth the .Stli..S(Hh
and 123d Illinois and some other tioops under Col. Hall had a se-
vere en(;ounter with Morgan's cavalry near .Milton, and the latter
were forced to rctveat. Again on the I'Oth of Apiil the L'tth. S(»th,
9Sth and 12,3(1 Illinois, assisted by a force of cavalry, overtook a
body of rebels at Woodbury and drove them trom the town.
At length, the Washington authorities, believing that Ibagg's
army had been weakened to strengthen that of Lee's, insisted on
a forward movement. The rebel commander, after his defeat, re-
tired to Tullahoma and Shelbyville, making Duck Kiver his line
of defense. His position in the towns was strongly fortified, while
the occupation of the roads leading south, as well as the natural
featiues of the country gave him additional security in case of
an atta(ik. liosecrans determined to neutralize these advantages
by a Hank movement on the left and c()m])el him either to retreat
or light outside of his fortifications. Ac(rordingly on the 24th of
June the Union army set out from Murfreesboro, Thomas' corps
in the centre, McCook's on the right and Crittenden's on the left.
By a feint on Shelby ville with a portion of his army, ho deceived
the eiuMuy, causing him to uncover Liberty, Hoover's and other
principal gaps in tlie Cumberland Mountains through which the
main advance was to be nuide. After hard tighting these were
possessed by the national troops, the enemy's position at Shelby-
ville Hanked and Bragg com[)elled to evacuate his works and es-
cape toTidlahoma. l)is[>ositions were immediately nuide to get
in his i-ear and destroy his (communications at the latter place, but
he immediately abandoned it and retired in the direction of Chat-
tanooga, pressed as far as pra(!licableby the Union troops. Thus in
a cam]>aign of nine days, during which the roads were remlered
825
«■!
820
IIISTOIIY OF ILIJNOIS.
iiciirl.v iiiipassiiblc by one of tlic most cxti'iiordiiuii'y laiii storms
VM'V known in the country, tlic cnciny wns drivt'ii from his eu-
trcncliod p(»sition and ^Middle Tennessee relieved from rebel domi-
nation. Also in tlu; various renc.ouiitres wliieli occurrcil, there
were captured l,(5;3i prisoners, six pieces of artillery iiiid a largo
amount of stores,
Tlie next ste|) in following up the enemy was Chattanooga, the
approa(;hes to which were strong by mitui'e and rendered more so
by art. llosecrans having put the railroad in operation to 8te-
ACiison for the tiansportation of su])plies, comniemHul ciossingthe
Cumberland Mountains, whose towering nuisses of rock lay be-
tween him and the stronghold he wished to snbdue. Availing
himself of the mountain passes previously cai)tured, he reached
the Tennessee and, descending it, ])repare(l to cross in thevicinity
of Chattanooga. The city being imjuegnable to a direct attack,
Itosecrans decided to Hank it on the west and south, and either
force Ibagg to evacuate it or suffer isolation from his base of sup-
l»lies. With the ex(*ei)tion of llazeii's division the enemy crossed
tiie liver below the city and commenced moving into Lookout val-
ley. This, with the parallel valleys of ChattanoogaandChicamauga,
extends soutinvanl from the Tennessee, which, at this point, runs
in a westi'rly direction. Creeks bearing the mimes and coursing
through each valley fall into the river, the two most western be-
low the (iity and the one farthest east above it. Separating
the watei's of the creeks are Lookout Mountain and Missioii liidge,
the former abutting on the river opposite Chattanooga and the
latter a short distance above.
Ilazeii was instructed to watch the fords and make Bragg be-
lieve that till' nniin body of the national troops was still on the
north bank of the river. His force, although numbering only 7,(K)()
nu'U, was accordingly so dispersed ; the hea>\s of columns and
canip-lires (!<)uld be seen simultaneously at th. fords along the
river a distance of 70 miles. So adroitly was die ruse managed
that .M<!( 'ook's corjis had advanced up the valley 45 miles, and
Thomas' l.'i, while Crittenden was on the river only 8 miles from
Chattanooga before it was discovered by liragg. He was now iu
a (piandary. lie could easily maintain himself against any as-
sault of his adversary witliin his fortiticatioiis, but how lorg could
lie defy starvarion when the investing army had cut off his sup-
jilies. If he attempted to defend both Chattanooga and his com-
munications his army would be divided and easily beaten in
detail, and, if he abandoned the city, it would provoke a clamor,
amoiigtliei»eoi)le of the South eigerly watching his movements. The
last expedient wa.^, however, chosen as the least of three evils, and
^abandoning the city and its well constructe«l fortiftcations, he
moved his army up Oiicamauga valley in the direction of Lafa-
yette.
Crittenden having taken possession of the town without oppo-
sition, was ordered to leave a brigade as a garrison, and with the
remainder of his cor[)s pursue the retiring army up the valley.
Iiosecrans, believing that 13ragg was in full retreat, and that his
chief oltject should be to intercept him, McCook and Thomas were
ordered through the jiasses of Lookout and IMission mountains to
get in a<lvance of him on the south. Li making this disposition
of his forces, like many other good generals before him, he was
I
THE WAR OF TIIK KKBELLION.
827
(Icccivcd. Hrajiju" mjis not n'trcatiiij^'. Imr coiicciitiiitiiiji', in tlic vi-
cinity of Ijiilaycttc, tlie most nuiiu'roiisaniiy liiat iiad evor tou.iilit
nndcr rebel standards west of tin; Allciiiiaiiie!!;. IJnckner iiad
Itccii siiimiioiicd trom Knoxville, .loiinson iiad Ween drawn njion
for one or' liis stroiiijcst divisions, and Lee, satisfied tliat Kicli-
niond was not in danjicr, dispatched Lon^street's heavy corps of
veterans from the l{aj)idan. Kre this was luiown (hitteinleii,
dellcciinj;' easteily, had collided with a ])ortion of liii> foice in llie
A ieiniiy of Kinfiiiold. Tlnanas had develoi»ed it near Lafayette,
i,nd -Ah^CJoolc had completely turned his jjosition on tiie soiitli.
.'n tins detaclied condition of the Knion (!orps a rare oi)poi'tn-
nily was offered I)ra<ij>' to crush them in detail. All it reciuired
■was to fail on Tlionias with such a for';e as to overwhelm him,
tlicn turn down C'liicamaufia valley, and throwin<;' hiuiself between
the city and Crittenden crush him, and finally, turning;' n\t Lookout,
valley, inter(;ei)t and capture .^IcCook. l'\iilin^' to immediately
avail himself of his advantajjes our fi(^neials discovered tiieir mis-
take and I'apidly ('omnu'nced concentratin<!: to avoid its eonse-
(pu'nces. Tliomas at once imshed down the valley to within sup-
portiiij;' distance of (h'ittendeii, while McCook, whose isolation
Avas greater, marched back into Lookout Valley and (lesccndini;'
it, recrossed tlui mountains at Ste])heu"s (iap. I>y tins /iji za^'
course he etfected a junction wiih the other coips and eluded
IJiauy, who had ])osted a heavy force to intercept him in the
dii'cct route down the Chicamauua. Li the meantime affairs on
the ('hicamaujiii had assunu'd an alaruiin<>' aspect. JJraji'ji' had re-
ceixed r«'iiilbrcenu'nts, and,endeavorin<4' to j^ct between his autajio-
nists, and Chatanoo;iii, a ra(H' commenced between tlieii- respective
armii'son o[)i»osite sides of the (treek in thedire(;ti<)n of the city. This
moveuu'.nt evinced a determination on the part of IJraii'n' to turn our
left, ami Thomas was ordered to tliat end of the line, K-avin^'
Crittenden's and M(;Cook\s on the ri^ht. Its 7 divisions, Wood's
Van Cleves', L'almer's, Iteyuold's, .Johnson's, Baird's and IJran-
nan's, now concentrated, extended down the west bank of the
Chicamaujia in the order mentioned, some 12 miles southward of
Cliattanoojiii. >.'e.nley's, Davis' and Sheridan's were yet seveial
miles south of tlu' main force, ami (Tran}>er's at Kossville. but
after the commen(!ement of the battle, they came up and partici-
pated, swelliii};' the entire force to some r).~),0()().
Larly on the nn)rninj? of the lOtli of Septend)er, 1803, clouds of
dust were seen hau^in<>' over the road beyond the creek, caused by
the heavy columns of the emMuy nu)vin<;' in the direction of Chatta-
nooga. At 10 o'i.'bx'k the loud explosion of artillery on tlie ex-
treme left sifi'iialled the commencement of battle, and Thomas,
ridin.y forward to ascertain the nature of the attack, found ibau-
nan's division hard juessed. To his surprise, also, the enemy had
crossed the eieek, and all the advanta}.'es which it afforded as ii
means of defense was lost. The imjx'tiitsity of the assault came
near sweepi.ij:' his entire corps from ciie field before it could bo
rallied an<l reiid'orceil. When at leuj>tli this was etfected, its
sturdy rejiuliirs, .--luns by the disaster they had sustained, and
eat(tliin<r the resolution of their connnauder, threw themselves
Willi irresistable force a<>'aiiist (heir assailants. Kveii Lon.nstreet's
veterans stroxcin vain to check the advance, and were swept back
the distance of a ndle, and all the lost ground recovered — the
82S
lILST()i:V OF ILLINOIS.
iiliiu'fio wliicli stnieU the left, cxteiidcil towanl tlie vi^ijlif, ciiiisiiiLy
tliiU end of tlie line to sway hiickward and forward aceordiiiu' to
the varyinfi' success of the coiiihal ants. At tlie centre sucli was
tlie violence ()f t!u', assault tliat Davis, who had come into the
liuiit, was thrown to the ri;iht and Van Cleve to the left,
and the rebels i)oniiiiiii" into tiie j-ap the. battle seemed to be
lost. At this juncture llazen massed some I'O pieces of
ariiilery at the threatened point and dischar;>iny a cross-
lire of {.^rape and canister into the (ihar^^iinj;' columns,
forced them ba(;k. On the extreme ri^nlit no very serious denuni-
stratioiis were made till the afternoon, when several n'bel bri;4-
ades charj^ed on one of our batteries and captured .'> of its };imis.
These were afterward retaken and the assault at this end of the
line in the end ])rove(l a failure. At different tinu's dnrin<;' the
day vi(;tory was almost within the j^rasp of the eiu'iny, but when
niji'lit ended the eoulliet, the two armies stood face to face on
ground that offered little advantaj^e to eitluu-.
Duriuji' the nij;ht, Lonjistreet with additional veterans from the
army of Virginia, reinforced IJragg, swelling his army to 7().(M»(>,
and giving him an exc^ess over liosecraus, of ir),OU(). The latter
made some slight changes in the disposition of his divisions to
.streughten the left, against which it was expected the n-bels would
next liurl their greatly i)reponderatinv forces. With these prepa-
rations the trooi)s rested in the bleak September air of the moun-
tain region on the ground where they had so ])ersistently fought.
At daybreak the aiinies were ilrawn np for battle, but a dense
fog filling the valley and rendering objects invisible, it did not
commence till near S o'clock. The time was improved by further
streiigteiiing Thoiuas, whose 'force now constituted about half of
the entire army, liudo breastworks were also thrown np on his
fi'ont which altorded great )>rotection in the subsecpient battle.
As s ;on as the fog disai»peared the rebel s(pmdrons moved np in
an overwhelming charge. Thomas received the brunt of the on-
slaught.
liragg
was agani endeavoring to niterpose his army
between that of Kosecrans and Chattanooga, Avhich the preceding'
day he had failed to effect. For a time the battle raged with
fright fid caiiiage and varying success. The rebels, hov> ever, when
repulsed, continued to swarm np with fresh troops and angmentecl
numbers, and at length threw themselves with such momentum on
Tliomas as to force iiim back. A new position Avas, however,
taken and all further attempts to turn his Hank and get into Chatta-
nooga i)roved abortive.
The right, in the meantime, had suffered irreparable disaster.
Negley's and Van Cleves' divisions, having been ordered to the
sui)port of Thomas, oi)ened a gap wldch the division commanders
on the right were ordered to close, but owing to a misunderstand-
ing in regard to the movement and the consciiucnt delay. Long-
street threw Hood's command into the breach. The result was
fatal. Davis' division moving iij) forthesame purpose, was struck
and severed by the blow which smote it. I'almer and Van Cleve
Oil the oi)posite side, shared a similar fate, and soon the whole
right wing crumbled into fragments, was sent in impotent dis-
order in the direction of Chattanooga. Jtosccrans,with oilier i)iomi-
nent ollicers was swept along by the tide, and on ariiving in tin' city
he commenced preparations to defend tl.e place and .sa\e the I'rag-
TIIK AVAK OF THE UKllKLLION.
8L»!)
iiM'iits of tlio iiiiiiy, for it scciimmI In !)(' utterly loiitcd iuid ;it tlio
iiificy «»l'lli»! t'lu'iiiy. Till! it'siilt, (lioiij:ii siiniciciitly bad, did not
prove ill the end s(» disiistroiis as was siipjKised.
Tiioinas, snl)se(|Meiitiy styled the rock ol'( 'iiieainaiijiii, jiatheriiig
his l)leediii;4- forces and inassinj;" his j^iins in a seiiii-eirele on the
side of .Mission Ixid^c. stood like a wall of adamant l»et\veeii the
routed divisions and the eiieiny. Si|iiadroH after scjnadron at-
tenii>t<'d to !)reast tlit! terrific lire of his artillery hnt were melted
away like I'rost work in the hia/e of the inorniui;' snii. Four of
the W divisions of the army iiad been swept entirely away, and
with the remnants of the remainder he kejit the entire rebel army
at bay. About 4 o'clock a new i»eril threatened him. The enemy
[)ressiii<i' him in Iron t and on both Hanks,' discovered a yorpi on
the ri;4ht crossinji' the ridyi! on which he was i)ost<'<], and coiii-
ineiieed streamin;^' tlirouj:h it to ;i'et in his rear. The dan<;('r was
•!een, but he could not spare a sin;;le man to aA'ert it. In a, few
minutes he would be surrounded by a shoutinji' foe and com-
l)elled either to surrender oi' i»e cut to pieces. Fortunately, at llie
very moment on which liuii;;' the fate of his army, Clranyer came
up and otfered the necessary assistance.
J'osted at liossville, and iu'ariiij;' the continuous tliunderof bat-
tle in the dire(;tion of Thomas, he waited impatiently — anxiously for
orders to Join the conllict. As tin; tumult swelled and dee]iened,
tliouiili (contrary to orders, he was unable to resist its loud appeal
for iielp, and started where his intuitions told him assistaiure was
needed. On arri\ in^' he reported himself to Thomas, and was at
once ordered to the i)oint of tlaiiji'er. His troops, in wliicli was the
1 lotii Illinois. altliouj;ii new recruits, (•omprehendiii;;' themomeiitoud
issues at stake, were soon breast to breast with the veterans of
llindmaii, now ])ouriiiji' through the gap and triumphantly
shout iuji'. In 20 minutes the j^or^e was carried and Thomas was
saved, l)ut l.OOO of our brav(' men had been killed and wounded
in the (;har{;e. Lonj^street, the rebel Achilles of the battle, det(4'-
mined to retake it, and re[)eatedly chariied up to the very nin/zles
of our guns, double-shotted with gra])e and canister, rinding
at length this ])oint imi)regiiable, Ibagfj determined to improve
thiMcmainder of the day in a tinal assault on the front and left.
The national trooi)s, having exliausted their anmiunition, waited
in the gathering gloom of twilight with lixed bayoni^ts, to receive
them. When within striking distance, they precipitated them-
selves on the enemy with sucli vigor as not only to rout him but
cai>ture some -00 i>risoners.
Itosi'crans, having informed Thomas to use his own judgement
as to the propriety of htnger holding his position, heconelnded to
fall back to llossville — the want of ammunition, food, and watei
being the prin(;ipal inducements for the change. After reaching
this place a new line was formed and the advance of the enemy
awaited. Although hovering near, he had been too severely juiu-
ished to renew the attack, and on the night of the 21st Thomas
fell bark to Chattanooga, liosecrans estimated his losses in
the bloody conllict at 30 pieces of artillery and 1(J,()00 men and
claimed the cai)ture of 2,000 prisoners. Bragg admitted a loss of
18,000 men and claimed the (tai)ture of 51 guns .'^nd 8,000 prison
ers. He also vauutingly announced a gicat victory, yet he evi-
dently either lacked tlie ability or the courage to improve it.
830
IHSTOUY OK ILLINOIS.
Tlioiiins ()ll'ci('<l liiiii hiittlo tlic next day, mid altlioii;;!! oiitimm-
Ix'iiiij;' the Icdciuls two to one, Ih^ (Ircliiu'd it, KiirtlH'niiorc, if
J'.ni,iij;' hud j;iiiii»'d a victoi'.v its IViiits were citiiliiicd totiic hiitllc-
licld, wiiilc, Rosi'C'raiis iiad st'cmt'd ('liattati()(»j;a. tii(^ slralc^ic-
objcct of the viauipaijiii. TIki kc.v to tiic nioiintain systciu
cMciidiiin' to tlu' heart of the coiifcthTacv, it also served as an
iiiipn';;iial)U' Itastioii to coiiimaiid tiie I'cbel lines of coiaiiiiiiiica-
tioii w lueli traveised its ru,n<;ed i)asses.
Says I'olhird: " Itosecaaiis still held the piize of Chattaiioo-'ii
and with it the possession of East Tennessee. Two-thirds of our
nitre beds were in that re.uion and a larjje proportion of the coal
w iueli snpplied onr fonnderies. It al)onMded in the necessaries of
life. It Was one of the stronj^'est eonntries in the world, so fidl of
lofly iMonntains that it has l)eeii called, not inaptly, the Switzer-
land of America. As the possession of Switzerland opened tlio
door for tiie invasion of Italy, (ierniiUiy and Franci', .so the pos-
sessi(»n of Kast Tennessee ji'ave easy access to Vir;;inia, North
Carolina, (leor,i:ia and ^^labanni."'
The representatives of Illinois in the bloody conllict were the
](ttli, KJth, ItMli, lilst, 2L'd, litth, L'otii, L'Tth, .'iith, ;j:)lh, .'Kith, .'JSth,
4L'd, 44tli, olst, 7;5d, 7-lth, 7.")th. TSth, Tilth. SOtli, Stth, S.')tli, S(ith,
8.Srh, .S'.Mh, ILM.KSih, lO(ltli,l()Hh. 1 Kith, ll."")th, lL'<jd, lL'.')th and
iL'Tth. Cols, Chandler and Mihalotzy and a loni;- list of others,
were anionji' the slain. The L'lst lost L'.W, 'Jld L*.{5, ."J-jtii 152, 3.Sth
IS, .■)lst'.IO, and Tilth IL'I.
Tin' battle of Chicanianj;a was inade the sid>jeet of remark both
aihon<4 rebels and IJnioidsts. Ilrajij;, by failin;; to take ad\an-
ta,n(' of the victory which he so |)om|>onsly <'laimed, completed the
overthi'ow of his repntation, whicii had been totlerin.u' since the
battle ot Stont! liiver. Kosecrans, suffering' greatly in fame, was
Una My relieved of hi.s command, ami Thomas, whose sniierior
tijilitin^' (inalities had saved the army from destruction, was
placed ill liis stead.
To .secure .greater unity of desi^i'ii and co-operation. and therel)y
ji'ieater efliciency, the .separate armies operating;' in the region of
Chattaiiot)jia were jtlaced under the coiiimand of Grant. He im-
mediately teleiiiaphed Thomas to liold Clnittanooj^a at all liaz-
ard.s, and recteived in rejdy assurances that starvation was the
only eoiitinj;ency that could lead to its abandonineiit. Had ho
been force(l to relimpiish it, all its possession had cost would have
been thrown away, and the struj^gle for a.seendancy in the valley
of the ]Mississii)pi again to re-eiiaitt. To prevent such a disaster
(Jraiit immediately eommeiiced preparations to forward .supplies
and leinforceiiients. On the 22d day of September, Sbermaii,
then on liig IJhu^k river, was notilied by a dispatch to send over
one of his divisions, and the next day Osterbaus was steaming up
the Mississipi>i v/ii the way to Chattanooga. Four days after, in
jiccordancewith further instructions, Sherman and bis entire corps
embarked in steamboats and started for the same place. At Mein-
]>liis he commenced the repair of the ]\[emi>his and Charleston 14.
li., with the design of using it for the conveyance of his supplies
as he advanced, ^^■hile vigorously engaged in pushing forward
this enterpri.se directly in the face of tlie eiieiny, he was ordered
to abandon it and jiroceed directly forward to effect a junction
with the other forces at Cbattaiioogii.
TUK WAR OF TIIK UKBELLION.
.s;5L
Tli(i partial i«'\cisi' at ( Miicamaii^ia also iiidiu't'd Ilallcck f<» dc-
tacii two divisions IVoni tli«> ariiiv ol' tiic I'oloiiiac and snid tliciii
under Hooker to operate in tiic same Held. (Irant liiniself arrived
on the L'.'td of ()elol)ei', and seeinu' t'"' l»reearioiis eondifioii of
8ni»plies, instituted nn'asiires to plact^ tlieni hevoiid the rca<'ii of
future contin^fucies. Ilotli troo|»s ami animals were already
sntVerin;;' for the want of j)ro\isions which had been hroujilit in
waji'ons (»ver tlie nuineious mountain ridges sepaiatiuji:' ( 'hat ta-
nooj;a from Middle Tennessee. I'.ra.i;;;', awaiethal he eoidd neither
think nor earry l>y storm the stronj;iiold whieii he had so reeently
lost, wa,sendeavorin<;toy:etitossessionof the ri\ci' and theraiiroads
leailiiiii' to it with the intention of starving' onr aiiny out of it.
Foi' the two-fold pur^iose of ohtainin;^' relief and facilitatini; the
operations of Hooker, who was api)roae,liinj;' the eity hy way of
Lookout valley, (ii-aiit delei'mined to seize the heiuhts on tlio
west side where it connects with the Tennessee. After a recon-
uoisance, 1,."»(M> picked troops under Ilazen were sent in ))ontoon.s
down the river to Jlrown's feriy adjacent tln^ heij^hts. wliile a co-
operatin<; force of L'.oOO secretely followed on the north hank of
the river. The i»ontoons cairyinji the advance paity noiselessly
Hoaled down the stream to the point chosen for deliarkalion.
Here a picket alai'ui aroused the nei}ild)orin<>- camps of the enemy
and I [a/en's men Jumped (pii(;kly ashore and formed to repel an
atta(;k. The former, wl.olly taken by surprise, after a feeble re-
sistance retreated up the valley, and the siauson the east sidi^ of
it were seized and fortilied. The pontoons were next employed
to ]»ass over the force on the ojjposite side, and at davli;:lit the
liei.ii'lits, which '^aw (irant the key to Braji'n's position, were made
imprej^nable. Durinji' the day Hooker came down the valley,
and havin,i>' disiiersed the rebel forces on the river below, it was
opened to navigation and all fears of starvation removed. A
bridine was thrown across the river opposite, and should J>ia<;<]f
nniss his forces either against Hooker or Chattanooga, we now
bad the shorter line of concentration.
Battle of Wauhatchie. — The rebels, alarmed at the denninstra-
tions in Lookout valley, determined, on the night of the L'Stli of
October, to interpose a connteracting inovenu'ut. Bragg, unable
to cope with Hooker's iMitire corps, made an assault on deary's
division encamped at Wauhatchie, the point where he had I'tfect-
ed an entrance into Lookout valley. About midnight they rushed
forward with loud yells and great impetuosity, but found their
antagonists wide awake and ready to receive them with a lire
tierce and deadlier than their own. Hooker, hearing the rej^ort
of guns, and anxious for the safety of Geary, immediately sent
forward Schurz's division of Howard's corps to his aid. As the
force rai)idly nnirched forward in the moonlight they wen; sud-
denly and unexpectedly fired upon by 2,000 rebels posted on an
adjoining hill. One of brigades moved on to the assistance of
Geary while the other halted to charge the heights. The latter,
imnuHliately scaling" the steep acclivity with fixed bayonets. clear-
ed the ritie pits on its suinmit. In the meantime the wild hills
wdiich girt Geary about were ablaze with Hashes of musketry and
exploding shells. Although several times nearly overwhelmed,
832
IIISTOUY OF ILLINOIS.
lie clunu: to liis position iind iit Iciifilli tnrccd his jiHsiiiliiiils biick
aiMl roiiipcllcd tiit'iii to seek rt'l'ii^tr in tln-ii' woiUs on Lookout,
]\loiiiil:iin.
'I'lic lOlst Illinois was iinion^tlic heroes ot'tlio biittlc, and nni-
teiiallv aided in the enemy's overthrow.
Iltilllf of Lookout Mountain. — lliaji;^', weakened by <Ieta('hinj>"
Loii^istreet's corps to operate a/^ainst IJnrnside at Knoxville, now
conclndcd to remain in his trenches and act on the del'ensive. Mis
jxisilion stretched across the valley of Chattanooga, and hiL:'li oil
the western and lUM'thern slopes of Lookout and Mission KidjiO
■was one of fi'reat natural sirenjith. The \ali«'y here is narr(»\v and
was so enliladed by hatteiies planteil on the sides of the ad-
jacent nn>untaiiis as to render it wholly impi(';;iial»le to a direct
assault. 1 looker, holding' the valley of Lookout, confronted the
enemy on the adjacent mountain. Thomas occupied a (central po-
sition in the valley of ('hattanooj^a in the front of the city, and
Sherman was ordered to seize t Ik; northern extremity of Alissioii
liidjic. With the b'ith army <torps he moved fi'om lliid^cportand
on enterinj;' liOokout valley, dispatched Kwinji's division up it to
threaten l)ra^-,n'b extreme left and thus divert attention from
his riuht, wherelie was ordered to operate. AVith the. remainder of
his force hecrossed tin; bridge at Hrawn's ferry, and, pro(!cediii<;'
unol»serve(l alon<>' the north bank of the river, he recrossed it
lu'ar the mouth of the ()liicamau<;a ami seized the position assi/^ii-
ed him before the rebels had time to interposes any serious op[)o-
sition. JOwin;i's division was now ordered back to rejoin Sher-
man, but the bridge haviiijj; given away, he returned and fought
under Hooker.
The latter in tlie meantime climbing the precipitous steeiis of
Lookout, had planted his veteran standards high on its clond-
cajiped summit. To favor Sherman's movement lie had been di-
rected to threaten the enemy. With this object in view, on the
morning of the L*4th his forces were in motion, but the rain of the
previous days had swollen Lookout creek and swept away the
]M)ntooiis prepared for crossing it. While rebuilding the bridge
Geary was ordered to move up the valley and cross at a more
available point. Favored by a heavy mist the force unobserved
crossed the creek and secured a lodgment on its western bank.
By 11 o'clock tlie bridge was com])leted, and the force augmented
to some 1),()0() men, swept down between the creek and the moini-
taiii, carried the ritlei)its at its base and captured a large number
of prisoiier.s. Next commenced the fearful ascent of the mouii-
tain, our men enthusiastically climbing over splintered crests and
yawning chasms, directly under the muzzles of the enemy's bat-
teries. Soon the Hashes and thunderpeals resembling the crash
of heaven's artillery, announced the storm of war raging in the
clouds above. Wlien the dense masses of fog that liad become
banked againstthe side of the mountain rolled away, and the splen-
did jiageantry of battle burst on the vision of the thousands who had
been shrouded iu the mist-clouded valleys below, charging
squadrons, shouting multitudes and clashing arms appeared liigh
abc-.e them, as if the gods, having espoused the cause of the con-
tending armies were warring to decide their fate;. Our columns,
flushed bysuccess,iu the faceof a plunging lire of heavy ordnance.
TIIK WAR OF TlIK REUELLION. 833
lUHlicd on the I'oc ciiptiiriiij; niuii,\ jh'Isoimts jiikI liuilinj; llic lo-
liiiiimlrr of liis loiccs down the piicipilous castt'in (U'clivil.v of
tin- iMoimtiiin. TluM'.ntin^ m my witli iilinost iiainfiil fxcitcnifut
liavinn' witnessed tlit'snltliiiM' scents, rcspondetl witli loud acrliiini
to tlie hIioiU wliich rose IVoni tlie «ron*|uei'in}{ eolunins, till the wild
mountain «4()r},n's liecanie vocal witli tlic echoes and seemed to par-
tsike of the rejoiein|^.
'i'lie Illinois re;;iments in and otherwise connected mIiIi tin' bat-
tle were the iL'th, ;Uth, ;r>th, o'Jth, (JOth, 73d, Tilth, lOlstand lir)th.
Battle of MisNion liulin: — tSherman, after liaving ;;aini'd a foot-
hold on Mission J{id;;e, irni>roved the succeedinjj nij;lit in fortiiy-
in;^ ills position, and was ready on the niorninj;()f the-.")tli to m(»vo
a;;ainst the enemy. The i'id;;e he oecni)ii'd was not continnon-s
but a succession of eminen<;es. A <leep <;ap lay between liini and
the elevation on which the enemy was posted, and shonld he j;et
jjossession of this, there was still a second higher and fartlier
back whose guns commanded it. At early dawn (Jen.M. L. Smith
Mas directed to move along the east base of the ridge, C'ol. Loonns
the west base and (len.C'Orse with the lOth Illinois, supported by
the UOth and 4()tli Ohio, along the cn'st. The latter advanced to
within 80 yards of the enemy's works where he gained a secoiul-
ary crest and commenced an assault, but was unabh^ to
cany the works of the rebels, and they nimble to drive him
from his position. Smith and Loonns were however gaining
on each tlank, and Jbagg nuissing his for<!es to protect the
most vulnerable ])oints of hisi)osition, the battle raged with con-
stantly increasing fury. From every salient point and ])roJecting
(spur, batteries tlamed an<l thundered, wrappingthe combatants in a
cloud of smoke. As the day wore away this fearful pounding was
continued without intermission and without either belligerant gain-
ing any decided advantage. Grant nu^unvhile had been listening to
the stern work in which his favorite lieutenant was engaged, and
anxiously waiting for the time to come when he could relieve him
by a move on the centre. At length, when Bragg had weakened
this part of his line to su])port his right, and Hooker had come
down from the heights of Lookout without a co-operating force,
Thomas was ordered to advancie.
That portion of liragg's position which he was uow to assail lay
on a bald rugged height of Mission Itidge, 800 feet above Chatta-
nooga. A line of ritle pits protected its base, while on its summit
were batteries which had achieved fame in previous battles support-
ed by veteran regiments. As soon as the command was given
Wood's, Baird's and Johnson's divisions under Granger, immedi-
diately started rapidly forward. So openly and deliberately was
the movement that the enemy regarded it as a review, and those
in the rifle pits, surprised, fled precipitately up the mountain as
the assaulting columns approached. The rebels greatly astonished
at the attack made at the base of the mountain wei'e more so when
theybeheldthe national troops climbing its precipitous sides to assail
them on its summit. Nearly 30 pieces of artillery commenced hurling
at them grape and canister to dispute the ascentyet the works were
carried simultaneously at six different points. A shout made known
the result, and soldiers clinging to steeps and spurs and deep in
the vallev below, answered with a loud response. Bragg, seeing
63
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834
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
all was lost, coiniiienccd Avitlidiinviiifi', iiloscly followed till iii<ilit-
t'all, \vlii(;h put ail end to fuither movciiiciits. The next day tlio
pursuit was eontiniied and the eneniy o\ertaken in a ,i;ap of the
niountaiiis near Kinj^jiold. Here he made a stul)l»orn resistanee
but was tinally forced from his stroiii;' position, the loth Illinois
bearinj;' an honorable part in the tight.
The Illinois rejiiments in the majinilieent eharfres of ]\nssioii
Eidj^e and tlie co-operative struggles, were the iLMli, the IDth, 2l'd,
2Gth, L'7tli,3ath, ■iL'd, 44th, 4.Stli, olst, i5!>th, G;{(l, 7;5d, TiUli, SOth,
S4th, 8(!th, 8>Sth, HOtli, {>3d, 104tli and 115th. The liOth lost 101
men, the 4lid, 45 and the 51st, 3(h They were lirst in kSheiiiuin'.s
and tirst in Thomas' advance, and first to surmount the battery
crowned crests of the ridge.
Considering Bragg's almost iinpre;;]iable position on the snm-
niits of the mountains and the daring a, id skillful generalshij) used
in wresting it from his grasp, the battles in the \ ieinity of Chatta-
nooga must be regarded among the most reiuarkabie on record.
Though outnumbered toward the close of the campaign, the lofty
eyry in which he had perched his forces gave him de(!idedly the
advantage. Failing to hold it the passes which it overlooked and
commanded now became salient i)oints for the farther advaiute
of the national armies, and Chattanooga became henceforth as ser-
viceable in the cause of the Union as it had hitherto been defuint
to loyalty. The Union loss in tlie series of engagements, termi-
nating in this auspicious result, was reported 5,(i0(); that of the
enemy in killed and Avouuded at -J,500 ; prisoners G,000; artillery
40 guns.
Siege and Relief of Knoxville. — The sequence of the campaign
was the relief of Burnside at Knoxville. While in command of
tlie department of the Ohio before it had been merged into that of
the Mississippi and Grant assumed command, Burnside under-
took an expedition into East Tennessee to relieve the loyal inhabi-
tants. The iieople of this region had been devotedly attached to the
Union and as aconsequencehad suffered terribly from conscription
persecution and spoliation. The dungeon, bullet and halter, nsed to
crush out their loyalty, had only served to intensify it, and Burnside
was Avelcomed among them with every expression of de-
light. He immediately took possession of Knoxville, and shortly
after the battle of Chicamanga Longstreet was sent Avith an army
of 20,000 to crush him before he could be reinforced.
After severe fighting the city was closely environed and prepa-
rations matle to carry it by storm. The garrison, consisting in
part of the (JSth and 112th Illinois, entertained no doubt of their
ability to defend themselves, but their sui)plies wei'e nearly ex-
hausted and the danger of starvation compelling a surrender was
iminent. Messengers had informed Grant of their destitution
and as soon as i\\Q fate of Chattanooga was decided Granger was
ordered to Knoxville svith a relieving force. Grant, however,
on finding his command inadequate, substituted Sherman's,
containing the 27th, 44th, 48th, GOth and 80th Illinois, although it
was imposing a severe task on his brave but exhausted men.
Leaving their surplus clothing behind to angment their speed,
they had mar(!he<l by land trom Memphis, fought their way
through the battles of Chattanooga, and now, without a moment's
THE WAR OP THE REBELLION.
835
SimV .^"/i.;?^''^ r"^''^"^ "l'I^^«^^^J~fo^the altered t^
J ei.itiue of the advanced season-witliout a word of (•oiiii.hiint
tliey eheerfully set out the nifflit after the order was issued dbv
morn.ng they had made 15 miles, a..d at ni«htoftlu3 s ,Si d'W
20 more, though the rebels had'delayed their ad inccX t^n " ^
bridges and otherwise iiiterposin- obstacles ^ umumg
Lo.iffstreet had entertained hopes that starvation wonid induce
;'f,:^ f " **'^'*' Y'^'^ *ioinni- determined, on the 2<)th of No-
M^ mber, to carry the place by storm. A storining column aceoid-
11 gly "/'-^^l^ 1 « ;JPI>o^ir<;ii.ce, and for hours a deadl ^truS ensue
M re than 1,000 m kdled and woun.led was the cost ..f tl e is^ 1 '
but the lort was not taken. Sherman, fearing the ganisorm ht
despair oi success, when his anny was .vithin 40 nd is o 1 " \)e-
leagured place, sent forward a biigaxle of his fleetest civalrv to
announce h,s connng. The clatteiM.f their h(>oft were leanl on
the n.ght ot the Jd of December, and the beseiged armv w h in
expvess. ble del.ght received the A^elcon.e intelligenU %ie irch
was .K)nt.nued till the night of the 5th, when L^\vat received
Shi^lsSii:^^^^^^
''Tf
18(14— ILLINOIS IN
Chapter LXIIL
THE ATLANTA
CAMPAIGNS.
AND NASHVILLE
Battles of Focly Face Mountain, Eesaca, New Hope Church, Peach
Tree Creel:, Atlanta, Jonesboro\ Alutoona, iSpring Hill, Franlxlin
and Nashville.
'%■'
(xrant, tlie former colonel of the 21st Illinois, bad now fully
■won the confidence of the i)eoi)le, and congress reviving the grade
of lieutenant-general on the 2d of March, 18G4, he was connnis-
sioiied as tiio gcnerulissimo of the nation's armies. For a long
time there had existed a feeling of dissatisfaction in regard to the
want of concert in the movements of the armies in the eavSt and
west. It was to(» frequently the case when a success occurred in
one i)art of the field the enemy was ])crmitted to send a relieving
force from another, and thus neuti dize the ettect of victory.
"Whether this was the fault of Halleck or not, public o])inion re-
quired a new liciul for the army, and (Ti'.uit whose fitness was
wisely estimated l)y his past successes, was raised to the high po-
sition which only Washington before him had filled.
If the task befoie him was not more diflicult than that of his
predecessor, the field of his operations was far more extensive.
"Never bef»)re had one command'jr surveyed such a vast field of
operations and looked over such a mighiy array subject to his sin-
gle control. From the Potomac xO the liio Grande, for 5,()(t0 miles
arose the smoke of camj) fires, and the shouts of embattled hosts,
evoking his leadership. To aicl him in the gigantic task before him
600 vessels lined the rivers and darkened coasts for 2,500 nnles,
while 4,000 guns lay ready to send their stern summons into rebel
defenses.*
As a conseijuence of Grant's promotion, Shernmn was
placed in command of the department of the Mississii»pi, com-
prising the arnnes of the ('umbeilnnd, Tennessee and Ohio. The
army of the Cuml)eiiand, consisting of the 4th, 14th and 20th
Cori)s, was commanded by Thonms; the 4th corps by Howard; and
its divisions by Stanley, Newton and Wood, the 14th by Palmer,
and its divisions by Davis, Joiinson and Baired; the 20tii cori)s
by Hooker, and its divisions by Williams and IJutterlield.
The army of the Tennessee, consisting of the loth corps and por-
tions of the 10th ami 1 Tth, was UTider McPlierson; the loth corps
•was uTider Logan and its divisions under 'M. L. Snnth, J. F. Smith,
Heiidlc
830
THE WAR OF THE REBELLION. 837
Ostcrluuis and Harrow; the IGth corps under Dodge and its divis-
ions nnder liaiisoni, Corse and Sweeney; tlie 17th corps unih^r
lilair, and its divisions undei (J. K. Woods and Lcgyet. The army
of tlie Ohio was under the leadersliip of Scliotiehl.
Tlie (*avah',y consisted of Kilpatrick's and Garrards' divisions of
the army of tlie Cuniberhmd, E. JMcCoolv's brij;a(h^ of tlie army of
the Tennessee and McCook's division of the army of the Ohio.
Sherman, the central figure of the dranui now about to be
enacted iu Georgia, had by great energy and skillful generalship
a('(|nired a prestige of great value and assistance in playing the
ditili(ndt role that fell to his lot. He had wou high scholastic hon-
ors in the military curriculum of West Point. As the conunander
of a brigade at IjuU linn he exhibited noticeable soldierly skill;
at Sliiloli, as the head of a raw division, both Grant and Ilalleck
declared that they were indebted to him for the success of the
battle; and finally, in the well earned plaudits as the commander
of a corps in the recent battle of Chattanooga, other laurels
Aven' won and his present pronuttion secured. His i)rincipal sub-
ordinate officers were men of repute, generals whom the stem
ordeal of war had tried and proved to possess a high order of mil-
itaiy talent.
Grant, before repairing to his new field of labor, had a long in-
terview with Sherman, in which the plans of the cam}»aigiis it was
l>roi»osed to institute against Richmond and Atlanta were fully
discnssed. It was dct4(led to simultaneously move from the liapi-
dan and Tennessee, with two great armies southward, and so vig-
orously press the confederate forces both east and west that re-
lieving parties could not be sent from one departmeut to another.
It was also settled that the cami)aigns should comnu'nce about
the first of May, and Sherman acciu'dingly set out from his winter
quarters around (jhattanooga, with an army of near 100,000 meu
and L',j4 guns.
Johnson, who assumed command after Bragg's ill-starred cam-
paign, confronted him with an army of some (iO,000 men, consist-
ing of 3 corps under Polk, Hardee, and Hood. To compensate
for his want of numbers he had selected and fortified his position,
and the national army, as it followed him into Georgia, was forced
to kcej) open a long line of communications, which greatly re-
duced the number of men available for the field. His army liiy
at Dalton, so strongly fortified that an at<^ack in front was impos-
sible. Barring his approaches in this direction was Bocky l-'ace
Jlounfain, here cloven by Mill Creek, on the banks of which the
railroad found a passage to the town. This narrow defile, the only
g;ite\viiy to the rebel position, was artificially tiooded and swept by
artillery placed on its rocky a})aulments, wlide inaccessible spurs,
frowning with batteries proteclod his tiauks.
litttUe of Rocky Face Mountain. — Sherman now commenced that
series of nunements which won for him the appellation o.'" the "Great
rlankei'," and by which he jiroposed to turn Johnson's <'raggy cita-
del and com])!'! him to tight outside <»f its im])regnable fjistnesses.
Besiica is situated IS miles farther southward on the railroad, and
for this j)urpose .MclMierson was sent on a westward detour
throngh Ship and Siial.c (i;ii»s to cut off the conlederare comnni-
nicationsat ihat j>oint. To cover this movement Ihonuis eutered
838 HISTOUY OF ILLINOIS.
tln' Mill t'lccl' (lai>, and on llic Stli and 1ttli(»t' May, ISOi, made a
bold pusii lor tlie sunnnit of tlic mountain, the iL'd, 41tli, ~>\s\,
G!»th, TDtli, S.Stli, SOtli and lOTtli Illinois, lijilitinj;' with jiifat deter-
mination, bnt without dislodjiin^' the enemy. His attention was,
liowever, diverted from Mcl'hcr.son, who annu)lested arrived wiliiiu
a tew miles of Kcsacsi.
Battle of liesaca. — A recoiinoisaiifio, lH)wever, showed that the
town was too strong;- to he carried, .lohnson havint;' provided Ibr
su('h eontin<i('ney l>y sendiu''' thither troops at the first intimation
of (hinj^cr. It was designed not only to unike the enemy retreat
southward by g-ettinj^' on his basc^ of supplies, but to iiave Mc-
IMierson strike him on the llaidi and the rest of tin; army in tiio
rear after lie had been dislod^icd from his i>osition. ^IcI'herson
beinj>' unable to aeeomplish hispai't of the j)ro<:rafnme, all the re-
maining' foi'ces, with the exception of Howard's eorjjs, which was
left to watch Dalton, were sent to his aid, and ,b)hnson, seeing his
position was no longer tenable, siuldenly evacuated it ancl fell
back to l\esaca. Sherman linding him strongly ibrtilied, deter-
mined to institute another think movement, and turn him out of it.
For this pur]K)se on thelltli he I'ontooned the Ostenaula, which
crosses tlie railroad south of Kes ica, and on the Jijtli Sweeney's
division and a force of <-avalry weic sent to break the railroad bc-
liin<l Calhoun and Kingston. Simultaneously, McJMierson's,
Thomas' and Sehoiield's forces assaulted the right and centre of
the rebel line. The former diiving Polk trom his i)osition. jdanted
his artillei'y on coninuinding heights, and swept the confeih'rate
bridge over the river, while Sweeney, unmolested, crossed faither
down the stream. The crossing of the stream, as is usually the
case in exposed situations, was attended w ith a number of bril-
liant incidents. A« Dodge's corps moved u[) to Lay's ferry a
heavy lire was opened upon them from the opposite bank to pre-
vent its crossing'. Six companies of the (Kitli Illinois and Nlst
Ohio were sent across in pontoons to dislodge them, during wliich
a storm -^f bullets was encountered, top]»iing many of tiiem oxer
into the water, and ruefully singing their re(piienis as they disap-
peantd beneatli the waves. Undaunted by the loss of their com-
rades, they gained the shore, and charging uf) the bank, soon
drove the enemy from his position. The next day and succeeding
night the fight was renewed. Hooker, (lri\ingtlie enemy from
several points, cai>tured 4 of his guns and a large number of pris-
oners. A short time aftt-r nudnight the enemy gave way and re-
treated across the Ostenaula, leaving liesaca the prize of tlie in-
vading army. In the several engagements our loss amounted to
some r),0()b, that of the confederates being much less, as they
fought behind breastworks.
The lllin(»is regiments present uere the 27tii, 42d, 44th. 4Sth,
51st, olM, ."i'.tth, tlOth, (Uth, Toth, SOth, 84th, Htltli, 88th, S'lth, JU'd,
98th, lOlst, lOLM, l()4th, lO.'jth, lOTth, lllth, 112th, lloth and
127tli. Outnumbering the troops of any other single State, th«^
victory was largely an Illinois triumi>h. On one occasion our men
had been ordered back, which evoked exultant shouts from the
enemy, who sup[)osed we were repulsed. The color-bearer of the
lliTth Illinois, becondng exasperated, and, ri'gardless of danger,
returned to au embrasure and delnintly Haunted his standard in
. ■:<'£ ■ ■
TnK WAR OF THE REBELLION. .S'59
the lace orilic iisloiiislu'd ciu'iiir. His lil'c Wiistlii^ forcit of his tc-
iiiciily, lur hit and others ut'lcr him wlio alleiiii)te(l to talvc up the
colors were shot.
Battle of Xcn- Hope Church. — The main body of the army now
moved afler tlie vclreatiii^' enemy, wiiiie Davis' division, lollowinjj
tli(' Oslenaida to liome, capture*! S iieavy |>ieees of aitillery and
desti'oyed roiiin;^' miiis and fonndriesof .yreat valuta totiie enemy.
At Adaii's\ iljc and Kinjiston. dolinson lield stronj; positions, hat,
alter a siiar|» l)nisii witli the piirsiiin;:' army, in wiiieh tiie tL'd,
4itli, olHi', S(»th, SUh and SSth Illinois heeame enjiiijicd, he aban-
doned tliem and occupied Alloona, a ]>lace sti'otij;' by nature and
more so by ait. iJy -lolinson's last mo\<'ment, tin; valley of the
Etowah was abandoned to Sherman, who now bcf^an to think it
was the intention ol" ids adversai'y to draw the I'nion army far
into the interior before risking' a ^^'cneral en^ancment. lie never-
theless accepted tlie issue, and det<'iinined to make another at-
tempt to draw him out of his entrenchments for the purpose of
lijilit in,n' him on open .li'round. Accoi'diiijily, with sui»|)lies foi'liO
days, on the L'Otli of .May, 1h' set out with tiie army on a westward
deloui' to Dallas, intendinji', afte<- arrivinji' thither, to seize and de-
stroy the. railroad west of the town. .Foimson quickly divined
the (d»jeet of the movenu'Ut, and Hooker, in oui" van, encountered
Ji stubborn I'esistance at New IIojki church, in the vicinity of Dal-
las. Alloona had been evacuated and the rebel ai'iny was stretch-
ed fi'om Dallas to Marietta on the I'aili'oad. fn • rujiji'ed character
of the ground oce,ui)ied^i\ inj^- it every facility foi- opposition and de-
fensive operations. Siierman, i)usliin,!4' up his forces toward the
enemy's entrenchments, brouj;ht on heavy skirmishin;;', which, on
tlu'-Dth, culminated in a liei'(;e assault on -lohnson's position, the
assailants sutterinj;' heavy loss and j;ainin^ no permanent advau-
tajic
The next day the rebels made an assaidt on JNIeriierson, oc(!U-
pyiny- the Cniim riiiht. Oui- nn-n wei'e sheltered by earth woiks,
np to which the rebels advanced in one of those overwhelming^
ehai'ji'cs ibr wlii(;h they were distinj^nislu'd, and, with a shout
Avhich rose above their erashiii,n' volleys. The federals reserved
their lire till the surjiins masses canu? within deadly ran,m', when
they opened with such destructive eifect tinit lln^ stormin:.;- party
was comix'lled to retire. A^aiu andaji.vin they rallied and inaich-
ed up alnu)st to the muzzles of <nn' ,uuns, refusiufi" todesist till the
ground on which they Ibu^ht was covered with heajts of dead
and (lyin^; in tiu' terrible onslaujiht the former colonel of the
52(1 Illinois, now styled IJull Do<;' Sween«'y, on aec(mnt of his stui)-
boi'ii liyhtin;^' (pndities, with his division twice received the rebels
ami sent them in disorderly masses froiu the field. The Illinois
re<;iments enjia.i;ed at New Hope church and its vicinitv, were the
4LM, Uth, -IStl'i, r)lst, ."il'd, 5!)tli, (JOtli, 04th, 79th, SOth, 84th,
8(>th, SSth, lOlst, 104th, ](>r>th and 111th.
Battle of Kcnuemw Mountain. — After this death grapple, sev-
eral days were s])ent in skirmishing;, when Sherman again (leter-
iintied to turn the i)osition of the enemy. He therefore gradually
moved his forces in the direction of the railroad and Johnson,
closely watching' him, led his troops to Marietta, whence he fell
840 HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
buck to K('iiii('.>-;i\v inouiitiiiii. This towciiiijjj lici^^lit, iiiul its iil-
iiKJst i'<iiiiilly I'oiiiiiduhlo. iici^ihbors, IMnc and Lost iiiouiitiiiiis, now
l<»onic(l lip hclbiv llic pursuini;' aiiny, duik witli panoplied hosts
and tiicir inacccssibU' spurs frown in.u' witii batteries. Sliernian,
alter reconnoiterinj; tiie new situation of tiie enemy, coninieiiceil
forcing; a i)assa;;e between Pine and Kennesaw, which eaused iiini
to concentrate on tlie hitter so as to co\ cr Maiietta and the rail-
road. In eti'ectin<;- these chanj^cs, the liylitin;; was desultory, but
severe, the rebels from their hiyh i»osition beiiij;' ai»le to minute-
ly scrutinize the movements of our men and poiirdown upon their
beads a pell in;;' rain of iron.*
Johnson, sceiii;;' the Union army ^racbially appro;icliinj;' his i»osi-
tion, on the I'-d of .Inne, ordered Hood to malcc aik assault on
Hooker's corps, which had moved to aji advanced position. The
onset was lierce and delernnned but repulsed with heavy loss to
the enemy in killed, wounded and piisoners. iSlierman now de-
termined to deal a counter blow, and, on the 27th, after a heavy
cannonade, Thomas and iMclMierson, at ditferent points, moved
simultaneously up to the rebel W(uks. Soon the mountain, volca-
no-like, became wrapped in tire and shook fiom base to sumndt
under the incessant jieals of heavy guns. Our men foughtwith
unparalleled <levotion, and portions of Newton's and Wood's divi-
sions succeeded in captnrinj^' the liist line of leltel works, but
the side of the mountain above them was abru]>l and inaccessi-
ble, and they were compelled to return.
The entire loss of the army in the ^"iital cliar<ie was o,0()0. A
large part of this fell on the Illinois troops, as nnght beexix'cted
fiom the long list of regiments. The ll'th, L'Tth, ."ilst, .'5l!d. .'{."itli,
o.Stli, 42(1, 41th, 4Sth,r)lst, oL'd, ."Mth, oDth, (lOth, (!4th, (loth, 7J)th,
8(lth, iSlth, S(Jth, S.Sth,S{)th, lOlst, l(>4tli, lOTth and 111th, were
ill the hottest part; of the engagement and correspondingly suf-
fered.
Tins was Sherman's first defeat and perhaps the greatest nus-
take of till! cami)aign. lie had so IVecjuently out Hanked the ene-
luy that an idea prevailed, l)oth among his own and the rebel
otiicers, that he would not nuike an assault, and he says he or-
dered the attack partly for the moral etVec-t. The l)est nu'thod o'^'
procedure in every (;ase, isto secure victory with the least exi)eM-
diture of life, and, tlu'refore, his jiretext hardly seems satisfactory.
Besides, in this instance, the chanites of suci^'ss were in favor of
the enemy, and the assault proving unsuccessful, the nioial efi'eet
was in his fax'or also.
After the bloody repulse he buried his dead and again resorted
to Haidcing, which, as the result shows, should have been tried in
the lirst place. iNIcPhersou was sent o)i the right toward the
Chattahoochie, and Johnson, as soon as he became aware of tl,e,
movement, departed from his fortified heights, and also hurried to
the river. Shernnui pushed after hiiii with the hope of striking a
•While thus tnakin^ observntions, Gen. Polk, the Episcopal bishop of Loiiisiiina. was
struck by a 3-inoh ball I'roin our Kuns, and instantly killca. In coiiipaiiy with John-
son luid Hardee, the jfroup was discovered on its lofty lookout, and, at tlio in-
stance of Sherman, a (f un was turned upon it and fired. The missile passed diiectly
over the i)arty, which caused them to dismount and retire to a place of safety. I'olk,
howovc)', rofusiuK to remain undercover, returned, and a second shot directed with
unorrinif aim, struck and tore his body into frairinents. Our men havintr disuovcvcil
the niVaninjf of the sifinals employed by the enemy by readinj? the dispatches sent
along his lines, learned suou afterwards that bo hud been killed.
■■r)''
THE WAR OP THE REBELLION. 841
fiitiil blow when he. iittom|>t<'(l to cross, but the \v;iry con federate
bad provided for this(!OMtiii;>('iicy by .seizing- and lortifyiii;;' a, po-
sition on its banks. Tliis was licid til! tlic ]»ass:,;4e of tiie men was (
onc(!t(Ml wlien he retired into liis works around Atlanta, where bo
was tlestiued to meet liis final overthrow.
Baffle of Peach Tree Creek. — Tho, Chatalioocliie herois a liirijo
strejini runniu)^ in a sou! li westerly direction aiul n»'ar where the
railroad cross<>.s it, receives the waters of Peach Tree creek, a deep
tributary fallinjf into it from the west. Within tli'' anjule formed,
by tlie streams and 8 miles distant from each, Atlanta, thti jjriu-
eii»al objective point, is situated. The rebels, taking- advantage
of the i)eculiar conformation of the streams, had arran;;ed their
lines of defense with a view of disputinf;' the passaj^e of these nat-
ural barriers which lay between them and tla^ national army. To
sui mount this ditliculty was the problem which Sherman had to
solve. With his army on tlie west side of the river below the
mouth of Peach Tree creek, he could easily ajiproach the city on
the south and west where it was comparatively defenseless, but
to cross it in the fa(!e of a powerful foe, ami risk a battle with ;
it in his immediate rear, was adanyerous undertakiiij;. Another j
plan was to cross the river above the mouth of Peach Tree creek, / i.
where little opposition would be en(!ountered, and then turning
southwvrd, risk the contingem'.ies of crossing the snudler stream.
The latter alternative was adopted as the least ditflcadt, but, du-
ring its execution, Johnson was relieved of his coi inand. ,
This was oidy one of tlu! many acts of stupendous folly which . i
characterized the Iticl.mond authorities during the latter days of !
the confederacy and materially hastened its downfall. He had j
skillfidly used the advantages of defense offered by the rugged '■
moiiiitaiii passes through which he had been driven ; yet, because
he had failed to annihilate his advei'sary, who exceeded him in
iiumliers, the rebel president was displeased and sui»erseded him. ;
L.iys Pollard: "• He lost 10,000 men in kilhdaiid wounded, and ;
4,700 more from other causes, a fact which ])Voves his men ne\ er
failed to meet the invaciing army whenever an op])ortunity offered
tostrike a danuiging blow." The fiery and impetuous Hood was
jdaced in his stead, and, comuuMuanga furious offensive warfare,
and remorselessly slaughtered his men when there was little pios-
l)ect of success. Hood, in takingcommandof the rebel army, louiid
it, in (consequence of reinforcenu'iits, some .5,000 stronger than at
the comnu'iicement of the campaign, while that of his advei^ary
had also been kept ui)tothe original standard, and, tlushed with
triumph, was better prepared than at first to gra[»ple with the
foe.
As the army was develoi)ing a line along Pea(;li Tree creek,
Thomas on the right, Schotield in the centre, and Mcl'herson on
the left, Hood, on the 20th, massed his forces and endeavored to
penetrate 11 gap between Thomas and Schotiehl which Sherman
Avas trying to fill. The assault, although as sudden as a thunder
clap, was received by Palmer's, Hooker's and Howard's corps,
with such determined resistance tiiat defeat was impossible. .Mus-
ketry ami artillery mowed them down by hundieds, yet, wit^h a de-
votion worthy of a better cause, they continued to (rrowd up in the
wasting fire which no amount of blood was able to (luench. The
842
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
fjn'iit sacrificcMlid not uviiil, Cor, aflcr ji flvc-liours' battle and tlie
loss of TijOOO iiicii, tlu'y wore driven baek to tlieii- entreiichnieiitH.
BattlcH of Atlanta. — The main army now closed in on the I'ated
city, in the Ibrni of a scini-eiicle of two miles radins, and lloodde-
terMiined to strike anotlier oHensive blow to extrieate himself
from its toils. Movin*;- upon the extreme left, llie most vidnera-
ble part of onr line, he mass(>d his forces for an assault. MclMier-
s(/ii, in coMimand of this wiiij;-, had made ai wide circuit byway of
Decatur, and it was Hood's intention to fall on and crush him be-
fore he could pro[)erly }>et in position. Accordingly, on the ULM
the latter was impetuously assaulted, the chai';;in<,f squadrons
sweeping; alony the whole line, foratinu! itseenu'd abnost irresist-
able. Tile first blow fell on HIair's corps, but soon that of I)od<;e,
which, movin*;' around him in the rear to form on his left, became
involved. l)od;;e, findiu};' his rif-ht about tobeturn<'d, ordered a
charj^e on the enem,\'s Hank by the JL'th Illinois and Slst Ohio,
wiiicii, s\\ 'e])inj;' up to the foe, captured two stand of colors and
left the fiioMud e(»\(U'ed wiil? hio dead. lianU^e had entered a
gap between the two corps, when Sweeney's division met him, and
by stubborn ti,uhtin,t;-, in wlii( h the !)th Illinois bore a distingnisli-
edpart, kept him at bay till other forces could arrive and assist
liim. While Dodge roi'.ghly haiulledtlie rebels and took many of
them prisoners, ther assaults on JJlair were nu)r' successful.
^Vith their customary daring they rushed up ami both armies
fought on oi)posite sides of the same bieastworks on which were
planted their respective standaids. The orders of ofticers were
unheard, and each cond)atant rallying rouml his colors struck
such blows as seemed likely to do tln^ greatest execution.
In the meantime a heavy force of the enemy got in our rear and
captured VI guns. Sherman sent word to Logan, whose corps was
on Klaii's right, that he nuist charge and retake them. Two bat-
teries [)laced on commanding hills, were now ordered to open upon
the enemy, and under cover of their converging tire, he massed
and i»nshed irresistibly forward his charging columns. AI; the
guns were retaken except two, which had been canie<l from ihe
held, and when night i>ut an ciid to the contest, llood found him-
self again foiled, ami his forces exhausted.
The Illinois jegiments in the two ])receding battles were the
Kith, 2<ith, L*7th, ;}()th, ;{lst,;55th, 38th, 4l'd, 4-tth, 18th, 51st, oL'd,
5;5(l, ."i-lth, r/.Uh, OOth, (Uth, 73d, 74th, Toth, 8(>th, 84th, 8()th, 88th,
8!Mh, l)2d, 101st, KL'd, 104tli, 105th, 107th, illth, IV1X\ ILlth and
l!20th. In the heavy charging and counter charging of the opposinjg
for<;es in the battle they fre(pieutly became intermingled in hatul
to hand contests. On one occasion. Col. Flynn, of the
12!)th Illinois, met a rebel colonel, and while their regiments were
engaged in a death grapple they had a coir.bat from behind trees,
with guns, each dodging round his (M)vert so as to give and .avoid
shots. One of our batteries planted on the Atlanta road did such
terrible execution upon the enemy, a heavy column was sent up to
cai»ture it. The 74th Illinois, stationed on the right of the road,
and the 88tli on the left, poured into the assaulting force such a
destructive lire, it was compelled to forego the prize, and pay
dearlv for the attempt to get it. One stand of colors was cap-
tured" by tb i 12yth, two by the lOoth. The 104tli div>tiuguisUed
«j^
THE WAR OF THE REUKLLTON.
843
itself by tlio (lotcrmiiKMl stand it iiiiulo in an ndvaiifcd imsitioii,
wiicic lli(^ tMicniy lirst cam*' tiiiiiKlfrinji' down on oiir lines. In
tliis .stubbornly eontested battle, the rebel loss was IS stand of
colors and .S,(KH> men. of whom .■{,(K»(> wiwcOiilled and 1,(>(K) taken
prisoners. Onr own loss iimonnted to .'},0()(), of wliom 1,0()() were
made prisoners.
AiMonx the dead was Gen. IMeTlKTson, wlio, at tbe time lie lost
his iile, was ridinj? unprotected in the rear. While i)roeeedinj; in
fancied secui'ity he, (;am(^ niu'xpecitedly npon a detaclnnent of
reluls who shot him, ami his steed escaping; wounded and rider-
less out of the forest, fjavc the first intimation of his tale. lie
•was a youny man of lin<! personal appearance, of rare iiltility as
an ollicer, and possessed a heart aboundinj; in kimlness and win-
ning; foi' him the esteem and atlection of all who came near him.
It is said Sherman burst into tears when he lieard of his death,
and the whole army e.\])ressed the nH)st intense sorrow. l>y order
of the i)resident, (len. Howard assu..,ed (tommaml of the Army of
the 'i'enncsscc. (reus. Hooker and Palmer resii;;ned, and their
respective places were filled by Gens. Stanley ami Davis.
^Vith this assaidt the direct oi»erations on the north and east
terminated. Sherman deteruuned to try a flank movement
on the south and west. To assist in this movement Stone-
nmn, with r),(HU> cavalry, was ordered to move round the city on
the left, and .McCook, with •4,000 on the rij;ht, to destroy Hood's
communications. The latter nu)ved alonj;' the west bank of the
Cliattalioochie, aiul (a-ossiny the West Point railroad, tore up a
portion of the track, and proceedinf>' thence to Fayetteville, cap-
tured L',"iO i)risoners, ."iOO wagons and SOO mules. Next Lovejoy, <in
the -Macon railnnid, was visited, to form a Juncticui with Stoueman,
who liad ananned to meet him at that place. The latter lailins;' to
come, lie destj'oyed part of the road, after whicli, beinj;' confronted
by a Ibrcte of Mississippi infantry on their waj' to join Hood, lui
was forced to retuiii with a loss of 500 nu'U. StoiuMuan had
started with tlic maj^niticent project of sweeping- down tlie ^Iact)U
road, capturing;' tlie city, and then turninj;' on Andersonville and
rcieasiuj'- our suffering' soldiers coidined in its prison. wSlu'rnmn
<ia\('liis assent to it, with the understanding that he should meet
l\Ic('ook at Lovejoy, and with the united forces juoceed to Andcr-
son\ ille. Stonenuiii, however, failed to comply with his part of
tlie engagement, and as tlie result he made his ai)pearance l)efore
jNIacon with an inadecpnUe force, and in attempting to retire he and
J,(>0() of his men wei'c ca[)tured by the cavalry of the enemy.
The army of the Tennessee now moved round the (Mty on the
riuiif. and Hood, detecting the movement, pn^pared to risk another
ollciisive l)attle. On the -<Sth his infantry poured in dense masses
li(i:n the west side of the city, and moved in magnificent style up
to Logan's corps on the Bell Ferry road. Our troops having
leained from experience Hood's method of warfare, huiriedly
made lu'eastworks, and with comparative immunity, as the rcl)els
came within range, slaughtered them by hundreds, forcing theiu
to retire. Six (liti'erent times, however, they were reformed and
puslied up to our works by their infuriated oiticers, and it was
only when their loss reached some 5,000 men, and the survivors
could no longer be driven to the slaughter, that the battle ceased.
844
flIS'fOKY OF ILLINOIS.
Slicriniin now coiitiniH'd the inovcincut of his force on tlicii^ilif,
with the vii'wof disabliiij;' tlic niilroiid on whicii tlu' city dcjK'iKh'il
for siippIicH. Hood also dctcrtiiiiK^s to niako a siiiiihir attempt
a^iiiiiist tho coinniiMii(!iilioiisof tlie Union urtny. Whcch'i-, in com-
iniiiid of liis ciividry, was Ihcrcfori; sent noitlnvard and sncceeth-d
in Iticakinj;- the ('hattano(>j;a railroad and i'apturin;^ KOO heeves, u
I>ait of onr snpplies. Sherman, howtncr, foreseeiii};' einer;;'eiicies,
of t his kind had i>iiilt and <;'arrisoned hlockhon.;es for the protection
of his hridjics. In these he had stored vast (pnuitiliesof provisictns,
V hereby he conld snhsist his army till any ordinary breaka;;i' iu
his lin<' of eonininnic'ition conld be resto '^ The withdrawal of
"Wheeler, therefore, whihi it wonld not lie of any serions coiise-
qneiice to Sherman's snpjdies, was on the whole an advanta;;c\
"NVithont any effective opposition, he now sent his own cavalry to
operate on the roads in Hood's rear, whih^ he followed with tho
rest of the army to comi)let(^ the work of destruction, conii)el hid
adversary to abanilon the city.
Buttle of JoncHhoro, — Sendiiifj the sick, wounded and surplus
stoics to his entrenched position on the Chatalioochie, and Ic.'vii'y;
{Sloiuin withtlu^ 2Uth cori)s to fiuard them, the advance of the re-
mainder of the army was continued in a southwj'sterly direction.
JJelore Hood was ai)i)rised of the movement, the West lN)int road
Avas destroyed and the army ai)proiiclu'd .Jonesboro to tear up tho
!Maconroad. For the want of cavalry Hood had sent one-half of
his army under llardoeto the same [dace to <;uard liis connnuni-
calions, and on the nu)rninji' of Anj^ust .'Ust, each army learniiij;;
the position of the other, lU'epaicd forliattle. Howard was on tho
]ij;iii, Schofield iu the centre and Thomas on the left, or nearest
Atlanta. Hood attacked the former with };reat viyor hopinj;- to
overwhelm him before the others vunhX va)Uw. to his assistance.
Our men, expe(;tinfj an assault, had hurriedly thrown up breast-
works, and, with compartively slight losses, frijiht fully slauf^hter-
ed the char}>in}j: columns. After two hours of carnaji'e the assail-
ants retired, Imvinj;- lost in the attack 2,.")()0 uien, of whom -HIO
Avere killed. Sherman, hearing; the din of liattle ou his ri<;ht,
pnslu'd foi'ward Thomas and Schotield in the direction of the con-
llict. At t o'clock Davis' corps came uit and at once char{4in<i ou
the enemy's i)osit ion, ca]>tiire(l 8 <iiins and intiictcd ou him aloss
of ."i.dOO men. Almost one entire briji'ade was captured.
The Illinois iej;inu'nts in the battle were tho .■^.Sth, 42d, 44th,
4Sth. alst, 51.M, r).")th, 0(»th, (loth, 7i»th, SOth, S4th, Sdth, -SSth, S!»th,
l>L'd, 104th and 111th. Side by sid<j with their equally brave com-
rades of other States t'hey lbuj;ht for the Union which, instead of
l)eint>- disru]>ted by treason, is destined to expand by the acces-
sion of new States till one lanjiuajic, the same institutions and a
common j^'overument extend over the whole continent.
Tiie siUMieedinji" nijiht ominous sounds were heard iu the direc-
ti(m of Atlanta, 20 miles distant, which proved to be the rebel
uiayazines which Hood was blowing ni) prcpaiatory to leaving the
city. After destroying a large amount of other property by tho
light of 1,000 bales of cotton to which he had applied the torch, he
led the bleeding I'emnant of his army from t" •■ scenes of his bloody
and bootless assaults. He was pursued the next day a distanco
of .'ii") miles, when our army, greatly fatigued, returned ami occu-
pied the stroughold which they had so valorously wou.
TIIK WAR OF THE BKHKLLTON.
SI.")
Tlir cll't'ct produced on the despondent public mind by tlieciuu-
pai^in nt)\v closed, was abnont nuiKical. Wlu'ii tlie t\voj;reat I'liion
uiinies started sonthward in tlie eurl.v Mpriny, it was believed by
many the, Mucceedin<ji suninier wonld witness the eiul of the rebel
lion.
lint how often an the fondest anticipations dispelled by tho
stern loji'ic! of events. Midsnninier canu' and Vir;;inia, the f;r«'at
'•liarncl liiouse of tln^ nation's dcfcndcis, was u;;aiii dnj;' over to
maUe graves for tln^ arniywhicii had cr»»ss«'(l iicr holders, i.i fore
snniiner was ended more Union troops had perished than in all the
previous (!unipaif;:ns of the war on the same illfateil Held.
As the mimths wore away hope was, sncci-edcd by sober rcllci!-
tion and linally by despair, when it beann^ known that Lee had
destroyed a tbrc»» etpiul to his own army, ami was still dcliant.
In the midst of this ;;loom and national innniliation, 8hermairs
series of victories was crownt'd by the fall of Atlanta, and tho
shout which rose from the sturdy sons of the Wt'st was taken u[t
and prolon<;ed by itealin;^ bells, booming' cannon and the loud re-
sponses of ndllions throuj;hout the North. A joy as hopeful as tho
preceding;' despair had been j;ioomy, succeeded, ami never, alter
the autumn of l.SOt, was a reasonabh' d(»ubt entertained that tho
republic would not only live, but maintain intact the intej;rity of
her wide domain.
l>ut the nmterial advantages must not beoverlooked. Atlanta
wasoneoftlu Micipal manufactuiinj;- (;ities of the South, from
■s\iiose rolling n s, foundries and other hibratories, had proceed-
ed lar{;o supjdi^s of munitions for the rebel armies. Jt was tho
centre of the great railway system, connneneing in the eastern
and western i)()rtions of the coid'edi-racy, and the heart of tho
rich grain-growing region of Georgia whi(;h had contributed largo
quantities of serials for tho sustenance of Lee's army. All these
soui'('es of supply, after the capture of the city, became tributary
to Sherman's army. A rebel newspaper, in expatiating upon the
conse(iuences, declared that the fall of Kichmond in simati'rial
point of view could not have been half so disastrous.
Nashville Campaign —As the result of Shornnin's inroad into
Georgia and the downfall of Atlanta, tho southwest suddenly be-
came tho principle focus of confederate alarm. As soon as its
sigiiilicanco become fully known, tho llichmond president hur-
riedly made his appearance at tho scene of danger and found tho
deliles of tho Alleghanies, which he had claimed would furnish
citadels for a century's warfare, pierced in a single campaign, and
the stalwart invader ready, by another advance, to bisect the re-
mainder oi his donuun. By frantic api)eals to the desponding ( leor-
gians be succeeded in reinforcing llood, but still being unable to
cope with the federal army in open liehl, ho proposed to draw it
out of Georgia by operating ou its long lino of communications.
"With this intent he left his camp at Palmetto, and re-crossing the
Cliatahoochie on the 5th of October, 1804, made an assault ou
AUatoona for the purpose of breaking the railroad and capturing
Sherman's supplies. The latter, sending Thomas to guard against
demonstrations north of tho Tennessee, and leaving Slocum iu
possession of Atlanta, started after Hood, and came up in time
to save his supplies.
840
HISTORY OP ILLINOIS.
A fierce battle had been vajiiiifj, in which the little garrison lost
TOO men or near a third of its ; iitire nnniber. From the Sjiartan
valor witii which the liDrh lonti and the 7th and !>;5d Illinois met
the enemy, CUmi. Corse, their commander, was styled the Leonidas
and Allatoona pass the Tiierinopyhe of the cami»aign.
Hood next ai»i)eared before Kesaca, bnt lemembering' his bloody
reccp'ion :it AUatoomi, he Wiis content after disabling- tlie rnilroad
to leave withont molesting the town. Sherman, ndeavoring to
bring on a general engagement, followed him as far as Gaylesville
on the Coosa, when it became evident that th(; object of the re-
treat was to tiansfer the war from Georgia to Tennessee, and the
pursuit was abandoTied.
The national comnmnder, acce])ting the issue, ordered the 4th
and I'.'id cordis, under Stanley and tSchofield, and all the cavalry,
excei>t one division, under Kilpatrick, to report to Thomas at
JS'asliville, who was now (entrusted with the departmentof theTen-
nessee, with discretionary powers as to the use of all its availiiblc
military resources. Xot, however, intending by this disposition
of his forces to be deprived of the fruits of his victories in the
previous campaigns, he lead the renniinder of his comnnmd back
to Atlanta i)repiiratory to making his g.and march to the sea.
Hood apiiroached the Tennessee at Decnitur and made an
attack on it as a feint to cover his crossing at Florence, farther
westward. Schotield and Stiinley were ordi-red to keep the field
and check his advance as nnuth as possible till Thonnis could con-
centrate his forces, scattered at widely separated points of his de-
partment. ]Sovend>er 24th they encountered Jlood at Columbia,
and while Schofield remained to prevent his crossing ])uck river,
Siaidey followed our heavy trains to Spring Ilill, whither he arrived
just in time to save them from capture by the rebel cavalry. The
enemy, in the meantime, effected a passage of the river miles
above the town :ind when night fell, Schotield started after Stan-
ley and fouiid the rebels encamped in force at Spring Hill, only
half mile from liis line of retreat. More anxious to place liarpcth
river between tluMU and our long trains than to interfere with their
nocturnal repose, he i)ushe(l on with all possible dispatch.
Battle of Franklin. — ^Marcthing ami fighting the next day and
night, November 30, he halted on the south side of Franklin for
his trains to cross the llarpeth, and get fairly on their way to
IKashville. The river on the north and east sides of the village
forms a right angle, and slight breastworks thrown upon the south
and west sides, fornied a rude square, which inclosed and protected
the most of the Union army. Works were also thrown up on Car-
ter's Jlill, a few hundred yards in advance of the position where
it is crossed by the Franklin and Columbia pike. Hood in close
l)ursuit, came up the same day at 4 o'clock, and with his accus-
tomed impetuosity, commenced an attack. Expecting to crush our
little army by sheer weight of numbers, he shouted to his men :
" Ijr<'ak these, and there is nothing to withstand you on this side
of the Ohio river." So o\erwhelming was the onset that Wngon-
er's division, occupying Carter's Hill, was swept back through our
general line, jwul 8 of his guns captured without materially check
ing its progress. The exultant victors rapidly formed on the in-
side of the ,Uuiou works to follow up the advantages of their tri-
1^^
THE WAR OF THE REBELLION. 847
uni])li, when Opd.vkc'.s brif>a(le, of Wood's division, suddenly moved
agiiinst tlieui, their bayonet!:* Hashing baek the rays of the setting
sun as they were bronght down for a charge. A strnggh', tierco
and bloody, followed, terminating in the expulsion of the enemy
from their entrenelinu'nts, the recovery of all our guns, the eaj)-
ture of 10 battle-Hags and ."M) prisoners. Hood, more exaspera-
ted than disconcertiHl by liis reverse, nnjved r::;::;',' to the right of
our line, and made a nnmbei' of bloody assaults to again bieak it,
Tint witliont sue<;ess. At W o'clock the battle ceased. H:>o(l
Lining sustained a loss of 7(12 prisoners, 3,S(K) womnU'd, among
whom were 7 generals, and l,7oO privates, and (J generals killed.
The Tnion U)ss was oflicially re])orted at ISD killed and J,(H4
wounded, the latter including Gen. Stanley, who was temporarilly
sn]>ersede(l by T. J. Wood.
The severe blow inflicted on the enemy at Fraiddin, assuredhis
defeat atXashville. To none, more than the troops of Illinois, are
we indebted for this desirable result. The t4tli, 7;5d, 74th and
88th constituted a part of Oi»dyke's brigade, which was accorded
th«' honor of saving the battle. Gen. Wood, to whose division it
belonged, accompanied by Gen. Thomas, sought out the colonel of
the 88th ami thus addressed him: "Col. Smith 1 desire to report to
you, in the presence of Gen. Thomas, that whi(;h Gen. Stanley said
to me respecting you and the troops you command: that with the
exception of Col. Opdyke, comnumding the brigade with who.a
you share the honor, to your special gallantry and exertions, more
than any other man, is owing the repulse of the rebel columns and
the safety of the army." T!ie olst lost 14!) men, and the 71.M 9
ollicers and 152 men. The 72d, having lost its colors, subsecpiently
retook them and captured 2 flags belonging to the rebels. The
other Illinois regiments in the engagement were the 38tb, 42d,
4Uth, 50th, Goth, 84tli, 89tli and 112th.
Battle of i/nshi'iUe. — Schofteld, having saved his valuable
trains and dealt the enemy a fatal blow, drew out of his defenses
about midnight, and by noon the next day was safe in the shel-
tering fortiHcati«;ns of Nashville. Hitherto Hood, with a force
of some 40,000 infantry and 12,000 cavalry, had only to con-
tend with 20,000 Unionists, but when he arrived at Nashville the
respective strength of the two armies was reversed. The original
garrison of the city had been reinforced by a portion of the l(Jtli
corps umler A. J. Smith, Steedman's division from Chattanooga,
and now by the accession of Schotield's army, so that when he ef-
fected to lay the placu under siege, it, was evident that Thomas
consideiably outnumbered him in the way of infantry. Ti»e latter
was, however, greatly inferior U\ cavalry, and, on this ac(!Ount,
deferred an engagement till additional ft>rces could be procured
and he should be able to follow up his advantages when he i)nt his
adversary to flight. The Secretary of War was immediately ap-
l)rised of the fact, and Gen. Wilson, chief of cavalry, was ordered
to inii)ress all the serviceable horses he could find in Tennessee
and Kentucky, to supply the detiicieu.''.y. Grant, becoming ner-
vous over the delay and the displays of rebel audacity in thelu»art
of Tennessee, left his camp near Richmond and started westward
to superintend in ])erson the movements of the national trooi)s.
Ou reaching Washington and hearing tlie Nashville reports, he
848
HISTORY OF ILI-INOIS.
■\vjis .satisfied that lii.s ToiniesscH' lieutenant was i'liUy eijual to the
enicijiciicy ot'ljis situation, and, like Sherman of (ieoigia, did not
reiinire any supervision.
The employes of the commissary, quartermaster aud railroadde-
partments were immediately set to work on the fortilieatious,
and soon two lines of defense, furidshed with forts, redoubts and
ritie jtits, encircled the southern side of the city. Oi» the uoith
side the Cuud)erland was patrolled by a fleet of gunboats, which
served as a defense to the city, and to prevent Jlood from throw-
in }i' cavalry across the river to operate on the national line ol'coiii-
luuiiication. Hood occupied a raii<;e of hills some four or live
miles from the city, .'ind evidently wished to completely invest it,
but the lieet prevented the coiisnnnnation of his design. J5y the
14th of December, the day preceding the battle, Thonuis' forces
were collected and j hmI in position, Steedmau liolding the ex-
treme left. Wood, ir ^ijmniand of Stanley's cori)s, the left centre,
SuMth, w'th thel(»thcori)s, the right centre, aud Wilson's cavalry
the right, while Scholield, with the 23d corps, was held as a re-
serve.
The plan of battle ordered for the next day, December ]r)t.h,
was to nnike a feint on the enemy's right, and then, falling with
an overwhelming force on the left, ftuce it back on the centre.
The morning broke auspiciously, and Steedmau pushed forward a
heavy force ofskinnishers, who drove back the enemy's pickiits till
the moven)eut was checked by a deep railroadexcavatiou defended
by batteries. Hood at an early hour was aroused by tiring on his
right but before he could ascertain the cause, Wood and Smith struck
his left, which now became the focus of soli(!itude. Crumbling to
])ie('es under the heavy concussion it was soon liurled back in cou-
fusion on the centre. Wilson's cavalry, mean wliile hanging like a
thunder cloud on their tiaidv and rear, captured twobatteries and,
dismounting, turned them on their late ownei's. The centre and
principal salient of the rebel army rested on Montgomery Hill, to
which his hurrying squadrons of infantry and artillery wero now
sweei>ing to reverse the unpropitious tide of battle. At 10 o'clock
Wood moved against this strong i)osition and carried it. Col.
Post, of the oOth Illinois, leading the charge. Eiibrts in other
parts of the lield were attended with similar success, and
Hood was compelled to abandon his entire line of defense and
seek a new i)ositiou at the foot of Harpeth Hills, two miles in the
rear of the tirst.
The national troops fought with great alacrity and success, find
their day's labor was rewarded with the capture of several battle
flags, a large number of small arms, 10 pieces of artillery, and
1,200 prisoners. The disposition of the Union troops for the next
day's battle remained the same as on the first, with the excep-
tion of S(!hofleld's army, which, during the day, had moved into
position between Wood's corps and Wilson's cavalry. Hood, con-
tracting his line from six to three lines in length, took a strong
position on Overton's Hill, whei'e he aw^aited the coming battle.
At an early hour the next day Wilson was ordered on a recou-
noisance round the enemy's position, and if practicable, to cut off
bis line of retreat in the direction of Franklin. Hood was supe-
rior to Thomas in the strength of his ca\alry, but he had nnide
the mistake of seudiug a portion of his force down the Cumber-
M
TIIK WAR OP THE RKBELLION.
S49
lainl iifhT our trans]»orts, and siift'crod .i portion to dash itself to
l)ioc('.s ajj;ain,st the iinprcjiiiahlc. defenses of Mmfreeshoio, wliicii
left Wilson almost witliont ojjposition. While tlie cavalry was
execMtinjjf this movement, the entire front of the Union army ad-
vanced to within (»(>(> yards of the enemy's line, and Wood and
Steedman made an assanlt on Overton's Hill, Tost, as on the day
befoi'c leading' the charj^e. The enemy, anticipatinjj an atra<-k,
had covered the sIojh's of the hill 'with abattis, and, oi)eninjji: with
ji'vape, canistei and mnsketry, repnlsed the assailants with heavy
loss.
."Meanwhile Smith and Schofhdd, farther to the risht, witli level-
ed l)cyonets had marched strai<;ht over the works in tlu^r front,
and in one fell swooj) completely tnrned the enemy's Hank Ilear-
i)i<;' the victoiions sliont". Wood and Sti'ednian immediately re-
formed their broken line and a second time moved auainst ihe
key of the reb«il ])ositior.. tScalins;' the hill and (;liarjiin<i' over the
abattis directly in the face of aterrible tire, theycaptnred the fort
and its !) [»ieces of aitillery, which had so fearfidly slanjihtercd
their comrades in the (list assanlt. The charjic was final ; the
dis(!omlitted rebels hnrriedly tied thron<?h Urentwood l*ass lead-
inj>' to Ilai'peth river, and the day being spent the Union army
rested on the field it had so nobly won.
AVilson's cavalry started in ])nrsnit early the next day, and four
miles north of Franklin cai)tuied U.'5 of the rear jiuanl. A.i:ain
iittackinfi' them at tiie. viilaiic, they were forced to decani)), leavin<>;
l.SOO of their woniidcd in the hands of the pnrsuers. The fngi-
tive army was followed till it crossed the Tennessee, but, as it
burned the bridfjes after it, and heavy rains rendered the roads
almost impassable, it was not aji'ain overtaken.
Amonj;' the batteries which achieved distinction at tlie battle of
Kashville, none thundered hmder or sent its bolts with more
deadly effect, than that of Lyman Mrid<>es. During the euiiai^e-
mentitwas commanded by Lieut. White, Capt. liridj^^es having
become chief of artillery. The 72d Illinois liad a number of severe
encounters with the enemy, and in a high degree exhibited the
soldierlv qualities for whi(!h it had been previouslv distinguish-
ed. Tlie 47th, 4Sth, 114th and ILJLM were in A. J. Smith's ccmi-
mand, which on the morning of the loth, made the magniti<;ent
charge on the enemy's left, crumbling it to ])ieces and hurling it
back on the centre. The oDth Illinois lead the storming columns
against the rebel works on Montgomery Hill, and was tlie first to
plant its colors within the enti'emihments. The next day it was
in the famous assault on Overton's Hill, in which it lost one-third
of its number. The 80th captured 3 guns and 100 prisoners ; the
12iM 4 pieces of artillery ancl one l)attle Hag. The other Illinois
regiments in the battle Averethe 38th, 4LM, 44th, 4!>th, olst, Ootb,
73d, 79th, 84th, 88th, 89th, 107th, 112th, 114th, 115th, 117th and
119th.
To the confederacy the results of the Nashville cam])aign were
overwhelming. Thomas, in auditing his accounts after its bril-
liant actions, found he had captured 1,000 ofluiers, over 12,00(1
men, while more than 2,000 threw down their arms and took the
oath of allegiance. Among the spoils were 3,000 small arms, 72
heavy pieces of artillery and imiueuse quantities of militarv stores.
54
850 IIISTOllY OF ILLINOIS.
lUit the crowning stroke was tlie (lestruction of tlie con federate
army of tlie West. With the eliniination of the invaders from
Tennessee,it only remained for the Union army to resolve itself iito
separate columns and i)roceed to other fields. Sherman, with his
veterans of a hundred battle fields, was now enabled to reai^li the
Atlantic almoi^t without opposition. Scihofield, with si heavy body
oi" infantry, ]n-oceeded to the coast of Noith Carolina to co-oper-
ate with iiim and converge on Kichmond ; and Canby, with an-
other large force, advanced by way of the Mississippi to Mobile
for the redu(!tion of the adjacent forts, wliile Wilson, without a
foe to confront i.i the W.'st, dashed in a raid through Alabama
and Ge<n'gia. The df.ys of the rebellion were numben'd and the
silver tracery of the dawn of peace began to light up the cloud of
war.
Chaptku LX IV.
1.S«;4—1S()5— ILLINOIS IN Tllh] MERIDIAN (LXMPAKIN—
KHI) KIVER EXPEDITION— IJEDITTION (>K MOl'.ILE
—SHERMAN'S MARCH TO THE SEA— REDUCTION
OF \VILMIX(iTON— MARCH THROUOH THE CAROLI-
NAS— CLOSE OF TII1<: WAR.
Coi)SP(]U(Mit upon the rt'duclion of Vioksburj^and tlif oi)('iiin<;
oCiIk! Mississippi some iniiitJiry inovcincnrsociciinvd in the Soiith-
wi'st, in wliicli our troops wi'ieliononibly enpiged.
MaritJhtn Campnign After Sliprniiin inimtliod to tlui relief of
Kiioxville, lie returned to Viiiksbiufi^ iind or<;anized ii foree to op-
er;it(r a;iainst Bishop (leu. Polk, in (Command of an army at Meri-
diiiii. iilso t() destroy the Sontliern Mississippi and the Ohio and
Moltiie niilroads. For this purpose (len. \V. S. Smith, with a
la rye eavalry foree was ordered to proceed from Memi»his on the
1st of l-'fbruitry, 1804, while Shenmin, with li divisions of the Kith
army e(»ri>s under Ilurlbut, ami 2 of the 17tli under MePherson,
left Vieksburj'- on the 4th. Meetiiifj with little oi)])ositiou they
cMfei-ed Morton on the i)th, where IVIePherson was halted to tear
up the siirro'indiuff railroads. Ilurlbut moved on to Meridian,
but Polk, api>rise(iof his ai)proaeh, decamped, covering his retreat
witii a cavalry force under Lee.
Siiiitii i'ailiny: to arrive with his cavalry, pursuit was deemed
useless. Havinj; no enemy to figiit, a warfare was commenced on
the railroads enterinjj: the town— Ilurlbut on the north and east
fh'stroyiiiff (50 miles of track, one lo(!omotive and ei<;ht bridfjes,
and MePherson on the south and west, o.j miles, o.'i l)ridf>('s, 11) lo-
comotives and ii.S cars. TiieTond)if>be(U»ein,i'now between the army
and Polk, and no other foe in sti'ikin<r distance, Sherman headed
iiis columns toward the Mississippi, whither he arrived without
further noticeable incidents.
His losses in the cani[tai<>n were Ul killed, OS womuled and SI
missinjj. Tiie Illinois oifjanizations in the expedition were tho
srii, l.-)th, .'{()th, ."Jlst, 4!)th, .')Sth, 7r>th, 112tli, Il7th, llOth, 124th
the 5th cavalry and Powell's battery. Its leader, as we have seen,
next rei)aired to Chattanooga i)reparatory to entering upon his
(Jeorgia campaign.
Red River ExpccJiHon. — During the spring of 1S04 an expedition
was j)rojected to drive Price, from Arkansas, Taylor from Louis-
iana, ami Magruder from Texas. This was to be effected by the
joint ettbrts of three columns, one moving under Steele, from Lit-
851
8r)3
HISTOUY OF ILLINOIS,
tic Ikock, allot iMTiiiidcr lianUs i'roin ISntwn.svillc, iiiid a tliinl uii-
liiissv, SI stroii^i' (niii(liiiii<;iilai' \v(»ik liiiiiislicd witli bastions and
covtMcd witli railroad iron. The assailants nio\in<i' upon tln^ 14tli,
Dick Taylor, in <v)Minnind of the fort, marclicil out to meet tlieni,
when Smilli, i>v a skillful niovi-nient, threw himself hetween the
rebels and the fort, which, after a sharji li^lit, Ih^ forced to
surrender, the 47tli, 411th, nsth, Hist, DOlli, 117th and UDth Illi-
nois demeaning themselves with jireat ^allanti'v in the en^a;;e.-
mcnt, the .■),Stli beiiifi; the first to plant its colors on th(^ works.
As the expedition afiaiii moved toward Shreve]»ort, the ibrce
under IJanks, en route for the same point. en(M)unter"d a rel)el
lbi('(^at Pleasant II ill, and Smitli,advis(Ml of the situation, nnirched
to his assistance, (ifu. Jiobinson, commiuidinn' tiie advainie I'nion
cavalry, had en<;a};cd that of the enemy under (icneial
(ii'cen, after which the latter fell back t(»Saline(!ross Itoads wliei'e
the main foice umler Taylor lay masked in the foiest. Thither he
1,',.,.. (v.n....,wi .... <!.,. <fi. Ar A....;i i..- u... i'i.i..i. ...•.■.. it.<- i...,.- ....:,.
0))
t
)i ineenem_\ were imme(iiaiei,\ iiirusi lorwaru anu iikc nuj;e len-
acnlii (closed in on them and before they could escape lost 2, (KM)
ueu and 1(5 jiiiJis,G of which belonj^ed to Taylor'.s Illinois battery.
llnttle of Pleasant IIUL — Tlu»- remainder of the forces returned
to IMeasant Hill, whither had arrived Gen. Fiaidclin with the llHli
cor]>s and the force under Smith. The trooi)s of the latter \vere
jtiaced in jxsition behind a low lidjj'c on the riiiht the lOth cor))s
on the left. Kansom'smen in thereara.sare.sei've,and4,t;uns of Tay-
lor's batteiy on an eminence comnnindinj;' the approaches of the
enemy. On the IMh he advan(!ed and nia.de an assault on Emery's
(li\ ision thrown in advance of Smith, wliiiih, acuiordinj'' to pre-
vious arranjicment, fell back. This brought the assailants directly
iij) to the crest of the ridge behind wlii(!h wore conceale<l the
Yicksbur^' veterans of Smith, who, to tiie inimber of 7.(KM), imme-
diately rose up, and, poiirinj'' an incessant blaze of musketry lire
into tiieir fa(;es, caused them to stayj-er back, when a bayonet
cliaruc was or<lered which swe]»t them from tlni held.
TIie4!)tli,5Stli, 77th, 1 17th and 1 H)tli Illinois bore themselves
honorably in tin; (MUitest and larficly contributed to the result.
The Union losses in the two battles a <;';i related the enormous
iniiiiber of ;!,0(M) men, lil pieces of artillery, l.'M) wasi'ons, and
1,-00 horses and mules. Stiude, in playinji' his i)art of tlu^ pvo-
p,rainnie, was e(iually unfortunate, and with heavy losses iiiid
great ditliculty, (ought his wa^' back to Little Itock, whence ho
THE WAR OV TIIK REHKLL10N. 853
Iiiul stiiiti'd. Tims endes iti irretrievabU' diMiistcr, tlioill-stiirroKl
»'\|M'(lilioii, \vliicli,in it^. retiini, c.iiiiu^ near bc^iii};' entirely cut oil' ill
(;oiise»|iieiice of a low staf^e of water in tlic river.
Hri^iadier-Cicneral T. KAr. Kaiisom, wlio at, Sahiiis' Cross Roads
Wiiriied his supeiior odieer ofdaiij^ei', and n)ade sncli heroic ettbrts
to repair the disiisters ejinsedb.v his mistake, wiis born at Norwieh,
Vermont, Novendter lii), 1(S;{|. I liivin;^' completed his edneation in
the nniversity i>f his native town, in 1S51 he rem<»ved to Pern, Illi-
nois, and enis;a<>'ed in the i)ra(!tice of enfijineifrinin'. At the oi';;aiii-
zalioii of liie llth Illinois, in April, iSdl, he was elected a major.
For his bravery and skill in the battle of Donelson, he was pro-
moted to the (tolom'ley of his rej;iment; ayain, as the rewai'd of
disliiiiinished sei'v ice, at Khiloh and Corinth, he was raised to (he
};\uk of major-fi'eneral. After the battle of Pleasant Hill, in which
lie commaiideci a division ami received a Avonnd fioni which he
never r«'(M»vered, lie temporarily took chartye of the 17th army
corps in (leorfjia. While <j:atlierin;i' new ianrels in the Atlanta
campaifi^n, he died of a diseast^ contracted by ])revions e\'])osnre.
lie was retiring, modest, and nnnsnally brave. Devotedly at-
ta(;lie(l to his men, while an invalid lu^ was fretpiently advised by
his pliysieia,!) to (pnt the field, but re])lied, "/ will stay with my
command till I am carried away in my coffin.''''
Reduction of M'dnlc, — Aft(U" the disastrous Hcd River expedi-
tion, the department of tin; Arkansas and Cnlf, inc^ludiii};' Texas,
and Louisiana, were mnted in one, styled the West Mississip]»i,
and .Majoi'-den. Canby ]»laced in ('(tuiinand. In thespiinj*- of IStU,
all the rebel posts had either been suc(;essfnlly blockaded, or (!ap-
tured, ex<!e]»t Wibniiijiton and Mobile. To Canby was now as-
si^iiKMl tin; task of redu(!in}f the latter, while the fiu'UM'r, as we
shall see further on, fell beneath the sturdy blows of the con-
(pierors of Naslnille.
The entrance to Mobih' bay is by two iidets, om; on each side of
Diiupliiii Island. They were jiuarded by Forts (raines on the
island, and ?.[;)r<>an ami Powell on tin; mainland o)»posit«'. Hither
FarraiLiUt led his fleet of some IS vessels, and as a co ojierating;
land for(u% t'aid)y in .Tnly, oi'dere<l i'>,(HM> men under <iran<>er,
tVom New Orlean:-. The latter wen; <h;bai"ked on Dauphin Island,
on the 4th of August, to operate a;4ainst the adjacent fort, and the
followinfi' mornin;4' the Heet moved nj) the; ))riiu'ipal channel, its
•gallant commander lashed in (he nn»into]> of the llai'tford to over-
look the liehi of action. Seeinj.^ his vessels arrested by torpedoes,
lie dashed ahead under the tremendous volleys of the enemy's
}.;iius, and in an hour and a (piarter was above the fcuts. Tho
otiiers, animated by his fearless- heioism, followed, (Mnjityiiija;
broadsides after broadsides into the liostih^ works, and partially
clicckiiii;' their tire. Next (Mimmenced the capture of the tjreat
iron-clad i-ani Tennessee, whicth Farra<>ut declai'es was one of the
" (iei'c<'st naval enin;aj;ements on reciord." Dnrinji" the month the
.'j flirts surreudei-ed, and the door waso]»ened for a farther advance
toward Mol)iIe.
This was not effected fill the followiiifj spi'inj;:. In the mean-
time the l.'itli corps, under (Iranj^er, was reiidbrced by A. J.
Smith with tin; KWli, arri\inii' mosrly by way of New Orleans, and
a force in command of fSteel from i'eusacola. The army marched
i'
854
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
ii|» (HI tlic ciist sU\v, 01 the Uii.v in ilie din-ctioii <tr I'oiis SpaiiLsli
iiiid llliikcly, which it \v;is necessary to reduce hel'ure liie licet
could rciu;! tin city. 'I"he liist heiuj^' moic acccssihit". uu invest-
iu'^ force iron til Ml) n^' ih • Siii, I Itii, L'Siii, lilHli, .'>.'>d, tTtii, 72d. TTlli,
«lst, iUst, i>r>th, !»!)rli, UWlli, 117th, lllMli iuid iL'ttii Illinois, wns
])uslied up, the iirtillery, a part of which was ('oj^^swelTs hiit-
tery, phice(l in position, and on the 4lli of April ii trciiieiMlous
boiiihardnieiit opened on the I'ort. OiiIIh^iSiIi ihc assault was
renewed, and utter a I'lirious cannonade, ut ."5 o'clock, U l>ii;iad<'s of
Carr's division, containinj;' the 7-d, Slst and ll'4fh Illinois, moved
forward in an impetuous charge, and niounlin;^;' the ramparts, car-
ried ;>00 yards of the works. The advaiu^e jiosition was held till
the next day, wiien the garrison lindiiij;' that further oj)position
■was useless, capitulated.
Tlu^ same day (jieii. .Steel made a successful assault on I'ort
Blakely. Amidst a furious liartle storm, shells explodiii;;' ovei-
liead, and torpeihies underfoot, (JarrinTs division made its way u]>
in front, and Itiiinaker's and (lilhert's brij^iuk's on the rijihl, and
simnltaneonsly Icapinj^' the parapets, the stron^^hold was won.
The iSth Illinois was the tir.st to entiu-and lioist its colors over tlie
works; the 5.Sth and li7tli are also honorably mentioned in coii-
iiection with the cliarj;e. The other Illinois orjianizations in the
(Mij;a«ement were the 1 ltli,l.'!ltli,;j;>d, 7lM,7(5th, 77th, Slst, JUst, '.t!»lh,
ll!Mh, ll'2d infantry, an<l Coj;jiswell's l>atter3'. Our loss in the
assault was 1,(100 men, while the fruits of the victory were more
tlian 3,000 inisouers, 4,000 stand of arms, and 3li pieces of artil-
lery.
Mobile was uow uncovered and the national columns [iiit in
motion to effect its capture. On the iLJtIi, however, news
Avas received of its evacuation, and the army enter«'d with-
out oi)position. its approaches had been cairied with un-
jiaralleled pallantry, caused l»y the excitinf;' intelligence of the fall
of Kichniond and other j^reat events, marking the close of the
war. The beginninn of the end was at hand.
Brifiadier-General Eiijiene A. Carr, who so brilliantly closed his
rebellion record in the assault on Fort IJlakely, was born in Erie
county. New York, ^landi .'50th, IS.'JO. In 1848 he removed with
liis lather to Galesburj;, Illinois, which, up to the time of the rebel-
lion, was his recognized home. At the age of 1(> he entered the
IMilitary Academy of West Point. After his graduation he was
commissioned 2d lieutenant of mounted riflemen, and for several
years was engaged in sujipressing Indian hostilities on the west-
ern i)lains. Sulisequently he was assigned as aid to Gov. Walker
in the border rufliau war of Kansas. As a ca])tain in the regular
army, he took an active ])art i'l the battles of S]>ringHeld and Wil-
son's Creek, ]\lissoari. Xext Ave tind him at the head of the 3d
Illinois cavalry and a division comuiaiider under Curtis. In the
latte)' ]>osition he served with such distinguished success that on
JVlarch 7th, 1802, lie received the commission of brigadier general
of volunteers.
March to the Sea. — Shernuin, after sending a jtortion of Li.s forces
to co-o])erate with Thomas in Tennessee, still retained under his
immediate command .some 00,000 infantry and artillery, and .5,000
cavalry. These forces were organized iu two great wings, the right
THE WAB OF TUE BEBELLION. 856
under Howard, coiiiprisiiijj tlio ITitli corps, Ccn. Ostcrliaiib, iiiid
♦lie ITtli, Gen. iJlair ; and the left under Slocnni, eonijtrisiny the
litli corps, (len. Davis, and th(! L'Otli, (Jen. Williams. The cav-
ahy was h'd by (len. Kilpalridc, a (hirinj;' trooper, who liadaheady
won distiii(;tion by his I'earh'ss encounters with the enemy. For
the results of the canipai<;n, so valuable to the cause of the ITniou
and so fatal to Unit of the reb»'llion, the nation is larj'ely indebted
to Illinois organizations: the 7rh, !>th, lOth, 12th, 11th, "l.lth, Kith,
20lii, L'(itii,;{(Hh, ;{lst, ;JLM, ;Ut!i, 40th, list, lath, 4.Sth, .^Oth, oL'd,
o.'Jd, ornh, .">()th,r>7th, OOtli, (>:M, Olth, (>(ith, 78th, Slid, <sr>th, S()th,
IXtth, i»2(l, O.Jd, KUst, KLM, lO.'id, l(»4th, lO.jth, 110th, 111th, llOth,
lii.lth, lL'7th, iL'iHh regiments of infantryi companies C and TI 1st,
and c()in[)any I, 2d aitillery and 11th cavalry. As his trooi)s
would have to subsist on tlie(M)untry through which they marched,
iSlierinan issued strin<^ent regulations to prevent, as far as jmssible,
the excesses incident to this method of obtaiinng supplies. J»rig-
ade commanders were, ordered to organize foraging parties, under
one or nu)re discreet ollicers, to collect provisions, aiming always
to kee[» on hand 10 days supply for the nuMi and .'J days for tlie
horses. Soldiers were not to enter the houses of the inhabitants,
and were to leave with each family a reasonable amount of foo<l
for its maintenance. The cavalry and artillery were authorized
to press horses and wagons when needed, «liscriminating between
the rich and the i)oor. Cori>s comnumders were empowered lo ac-
cept the services of able-bodied negroes, ;ind to burn mills, bridgc-s,
cotton gins, &c., whenever local hostilities were manifested ; but
no such devastations were to be sutiered if the inhabitants re-
imiined quiet.
Could these humane regulations have been properly enforced,
many unpleasant occuirences connected with the expeditit)n wouhl
liiive been avoidiul. Says an ottieer who comnuinded in it: "In
all cases where the foraging parties were under the direction of
discreet ofticers, no improprieties were committed, and only neces-
sary supplies were taken." Following, ami preceding them, how-
ever, were swarms of strangers and vagabonds, such as always hover
about large armies, to indulge their propensities for violen(!e and
plunder. These, wi'h imi)unity, fre(pu'Utly entered the houses of
the planters and relieved them of their silks, Jewehy and other
articles of value, and to climax their dei>redati()ns, burnt the
houses of their victims and committed acts of violence upon their
persons.
Before Sherman put his columns in motion, Eome was set on fire
and its fouiulries, machine shops, hotels and stores were burnt, and
everything that conid be of value to the army was tidvcn. A few
days afterwards the torch was also applied to Atlanta aiul all its
public buildings, theatres and costly numsions were consunu'd iii
a common conflagration. The few renuiining inhabitants alarmed
at the devouring tlanu\s, rushed through the streets and tied from
the i)erishing city. The railroads in the rear were destroyed, and
ab(mt the middle of Xovember the famous inarch was coiiunenced.
Howard with the right wing moved along the Georgia Central
Kailroad, and Slocum with the left along the parallel road leading
to Augusta. The latter tore up the track as he advanced, reached
Madison without opposition, and while the soldiers were engaged
iu destroying its depot, a band of stragglers becoming drunk ou
8.")0
HIHTOBY OF ILLINOIS.
V!
til*} coateiitM of \viiH» ctill<us, HiutktMl tlu( Htoivs uikI h1i()|)s oC tlio
citi/.ciiH. Tiic. raAii^'cs wcri' coiitiiiiUMl till tiic iiiaiii ImmIvoI' tliu
luiiiy cjiiiio lip, wIh'Ii il wiis <|iiickl.v l»roii;;lit to a (ilosc uikI hiiiiiiIh
hitiitioiifd to l>rot('cl wliiit rt'iiiiiiiicd of t lie town. Kroiii Miitiisoii
ShKtiiiii iiioved (lii'c(;il,v on MilU'i|;;c\ illc, uimI i\h' legislature, then in
Bessioii, liiiriiedly lied, cairyiny' with them the funds, archives and
other valuables beloiiyin;; to tlie State. Tiie rebels at liist sup-
posed that kSlieriiiaii was only on u raidin<{ expedition, but now
tliey were eoinpelled to admit, that a powerful invadinj;' army was
inovinji' directly throiiiih tlie heart of (ieoi-^iia. and unless it could
be met the most disastrous <•■ ciimstances must follow.
iloward, in the nu'anwhile, had advanced and destroyed the iail-
road after liiiu till within u few miles of Macon, wlu're there was
a la r}^(^ force pi'otectetl by bn-ast works well mounted with cannon.
The rebels siii»posed of course the city would be laitl under sie<;e,
but Hherman not iittachin^i' as much importan(;e> to it as its de-
fendants, concluded to pass it by with but sli^^ht recojiiiition.
Wifshiu;;, however, to (iross without opposition the; ()cniiil;;ee,
which runs by the place, Kilpatrick was sent to makt^ demonslra-
tioiis against it and thus conceal the real movement intended.
The latter charj;ed up to th(! breastworks of the town, and while
the alarmed jiiiirison was preiiarinj> for di'fense, Iloward <|uietly
slipped across the sti<'am ai (Iriswoldville below the city. Jjcav-
iii<;lieie a poition of the loth (!orps to cover Ins rear, he i)iished
on in the direction of JMilledf;eville, wliirher he arrived the day
after its occupation by fcilociim.
The Macon rebels, exasperated at lindin<; themselves out-
witted, made a Ihrious assault on the fovce left at Clriswoldville,
but were r<'pnlsed with the loss of 1,000 men.
The army havinj'' now (lonsnmed a week, and marched a dis-
tance of 9.> miles, was aj;ain united in the capital of Georj;ia. At
Milieu, located on the Central railroad, soim; SO miles south, was a
jjreat prison ]»en where thousands of ourcai)tured soldiers had suf-
fered unspeakableprivations,and Sherman's nextobjc'ct was to lib-
erate them. AViththisdesifi'i in vie wKilpatiick was directed to move
in the direction of Aujiusta, to create the impression that that
l)lace, rather than Sava-'nah, was the objective jjoiiit of the expe-
dition. Wheeler, with tlu^ rebel (tavalry, was encountered on the
way, and, after some severe skirnushinj; with him, Kil]>atrick
learned that tlie enemy had removed the prisoners from i\lillen,
and, deeniinji' it useless to peisist in the liazardoiis marcih after
the m (five which promi)ted it had ceased, commenced falling
back. Closely pursued he retreated and fortified a stronji' posi-
tion, and when Wheeler came up, althoujih iie lcu<;lit with the
jrreatest determination, he was repulsed at all points without dif-
ficulty.
After the attack Kilpatrick joined the left wing and moved on
its tiank. Though the prisoners had not been liberated, the cav-
aliy demonstrations served to keej) the enemy in doubt as to
the real destination of the expedition, and crnisequently unable
to concentrate his forces at any salient point. Sherman meanwhile
w ilh the other wing, leaving Macon far in his rear Avas advancing
on Milieu, whither he arrived on the 2d ot December.
The railroad and other public property behind hiiu was com-
pletely destroyed, while the country traversed abounding iu the
TlIK WAR OF TUK UKUKLLION. 807
lUMM'ssiirics of life, Wii.s tU'spcdlcd of hii';;*^ <niiiiililit's of provisions.
Jiis iiicii liiul I'iiKMl Miiiipltioii.slv on cliicktMis and tnrkcvs and u
]irot'usion of oilier Inxnrics, besides eolieelin;^' lai'^M> ipiantities for
fntnre (tonsnniplion. This was a neeessaiv precaution, for liiearni.v
was now ainail to enter a Ion;; stiip of eonnlr,v covered witli pino
f(»rests comparatively destitute of food. Millen bein^ tlio seat of
tlieabov»^ nu'iMiftned 'oastiles wlien^ lar^t^ nnnd)ers of I'nion pris-
oners bad hickeiu'd, starxcd an<l died, it retpiiicil ^^reaf eH'orls to
keep onr in<li^nant men from la.vin;;' it in aslies. Tiie prison was
u stockade in(!losin;; ]aacres,and bai'd by was the binyin^'^^ronnd
containing (»■>(► graves as the result of one montlTs mortality,
l''rom Millen Sherman next swept d()wn on each si(U' of tlio
Oycechee in the direction of Savannah, Kilpatrick careering in
front and inakinfjf thej^reen ar<;lies of tlie pine forests eclio with
the I ramp of his stpiadrons and tlie shrill notes of nis bn^les. On
tlic Itth of Novemlu'r, Howard strnck th«' itanal eonnectinn' the
Oncechee and Savannah, 10 miles in the rear and west of the city.
The Ihiiiidei' (»f si^^nal guns could now i)e heard bo«»iidng over the
swamps from the fleet, awaiting Slierman's advent upon tin* (;oast.
Col. Duncan Wiis .sent down the Ogeechee, and three days after-
ward, stepping on boai'd of one of J)ahlgren's vessels, oiu-e more
l>Mt the army in communication with the outer wcrld. The next
diiy Sherman advanced to within 5 miles of Savannah, and laid the
city under .siege, the LMJth, 3(Mh, ;iL'd, IStli, r>M, i;4th, IKJd, and
KL'd Illinois constituting a i)art. of tlie Investing force. Having,
liowever, only brought held pieces in the long marches through
(leorgia, it was necessary to get siege guns from the tieet before
he (MKdcl nndvc a su(!ces.sful assault. These con.ld (»nly be brought
ui» the Ogeechee, hence Fort ^IcAlister, comnmnding the mouth,
must tirst be reduced.
The enemy, in guardingagainstthe tleet, whi(!h had ])reviously as-
sailed it, failed to strengthen its landwai'd defenses, and Sherman
ordeied a bold attack on this point, hoping its vulnerable charac-
ter might facilitate its capture, llazen with his well tried division
and a detachnRMit of th(! ITth corps, consisting in part of the litUh,
4.Sth, OOth, lllth ami IKJth Illinois, was .sehT-ted for this luirjxKse,
but having to throw a long bridge over the Ogeechee in the ])lace
of one i)reviously burnt by the rebels, it was not till the afternoon
of the l.ith of l)ecend)er that the fort was reached, and j»repara-
tions completed for the assault. The fortress stood on the right
baidc of the river and could only be reached over a level ])laiii
three fourths (tf a mile wide swei)t by heavy cannon. Theseopened
upon the charging columns as soon as they comnuMiced moving
lip, but produced little damage as the advance was made in a
single line. The plain, however, w'as sown with tori)edoes, which,
e.\i)loding, threw up i)iles of dust on the men and sent Jiiany of
them mangled and lifeless into the air. Pushing on regardless of
danger they tore open an abatis, forced a i)assage over a ditch
thickly studded with jiikes, and, with a bound, made for the par-
apets. Hushing in, onevery side for an instant was heard the clash
of steel and the whistling of bullets, nnngled with the .shouts of ' jj
the cond)atants, and victory was com[)lete.
Sherman, who ha<l witnessed the charge from the top of a rice
mill across the Ogeechee, when he '-tviv the national colors run up,
called for a boat, and being rowed over, w'armly congratulated
S58
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
ll;i/('ii iiiid liis luiivc troops for liii\ iii^' ciiptiinMl the key to Siivuii-
iiiili. ('oitiiiiiiiiittalioii was ()|)ciic*l witii llu; tlct-i, and Slirniiaii
visitftl At.iiiiial Dalil^^icii and niadi^ arraii^^rnicnt.s ^^ itii liin' ro
si-nil surnr heavy .si«>;;'(> pit'ccs from 1 1 ill mi Head InitlK^ icdnctioii
oi' Savannali. 'I'lic ;;nnH iinived on tliu JTtii iiii'l Miociiiii
was onlcrctl to place tlicni in ]>ositi<>n. At tlie hiumo tiiia*
SliciMian stalled to sccuici tlict co-opcialioii of (i«'iicial l-'os-
tcr, coiiiiiiandin;;' tli<> ticpart incut of tlu> Soiitli, in intercepting' tlu>
relx'ls, siioiild tiiey attempt to make an exit in the <iirectioa of
Cliai lestcMi. I'iiiconnteriii;;' hi;;h adverse, winds he did not jtroceed
far hel'or*'. lie was overtaken hy ii stj'ain vessel and iiilbrmed tiiat
JIai'iU'e, in eoinmand ofihe<;'an'isoii. Iiad already accoiiiplislied tha^
which lie waseiideaxoriiif;' to pn^veiit. 'i'lie movement at the time
was unsnspe(;ted, and when discovered the fii;;itives were beyond
the reach of pursuit. IJefore leaviiij; they destroyed the navy
yaid, two iron dads and a lar;;e nnmber of smaller vtissels, be-
sides ;;rejit (piantities of military stores and i)rovision8. Clen.
(ieary i»uslied up to tlie city next day and received its surrender
from the mayor, and Sherman, returning', sent the tbilowinjf dis-
]>ateh to the president : "1 beg- to i>resent yon as a Chiistmas
jiilt the city of Savannali with \r>{) heavy {iiins and plenty of am-
munition, and also about L'."),00(» liales of cotton."
Thus ansi>icioii^ly ended the cainpai;;n which the lOuropeaii
l)re. s had picdicted would meetwithtoal failure, and which many
of our own journals sjjoke of as one of doubtful issue. Much of
its success was due to the skill with which Sheiinaii had deceived
the reltels respectinj;' his ol»jectiv(^ i)oint whereby the larj^e tbrces
stationed at Macon, Anf^usta and Savannah, which mi<;ht have
been concentrated to oi>i)o.se his advance, were rendoed ineftect-
ive.
Its results may be, summed up as follows : The army in tlie
brief space of :'4 days had destroyed .'520 miles of railroad sub-
stantially made, a eon(iuest of (leoij;ia and ajjain divided the
confederacy. With an inconsiderable loss of men, l.'WS of tho
enemy had been iiiadepiisoners, theie had been captured 1 ($7 f;uns,
2."),(K»0 bales of cotton, and Ibrajjed from the (country 1,;{00 beeves,
lO.OOO bushels of corn and 5,(K)() tons of fodder. This abundance
had been ^atli 'red in the region wheretlie Union prisoners of An-
derson ville had been starved to death, or idi(>cy, under the pre-
text that their captors were nnable to furnish them with the
iie(H;ssaries of life. Some 4,()(K) mules and 5,0(H> hoises had been im-
pressed into the service, while 10,000 ne};roes, abjuriuj;' the servi-
tude of their masters, followed the naticnial tlaj;", and thousands
more would have been added to the iinnd>er had not some of the
oflicers <lriven them back. Sherman paitially atoned for this cru-
elty l)y assi<«ning lands on the sea islands, deserted by the rebel
owners, to tliose who were so fortunate as to reach the coast.
Sherman remained in Savannah over a month, resting his army
and preparing for more arduous lab(us. Correspondeju;e liad been
inter(!hanged between him and (Jrant, respecting his future nu)ve-
ments, and the South looked with alarm at his anticipated depar-
ture from the city. Some thought he would strike at Charleston,
others Augusta, but i' greater object was to be a(!(^omplished than
either. As arranged !>y Grant, he was to lead his gallant army
through the heart of the Caroliuas, and after destroying the rail-
THE WAR OF TRK KEni-n-TJON. 850
( •
I",
I'oikIh iiikI sci/.iii;,' tlicir «-ii|)itiils, ho wan to ('o-opcrato witli tiio li
fniccs (ipcriitiiii;- ii;;aiiisf IticliiiioiMl. One rclx'l iiiiiiy wiitcln'ti liini j'^ /]
III Aii;:iislii, Mini :iiiutiit>r iit ('li:irlfstuii, ihiis atloKliii;; liiiii :iii op- t'?'
]>ortiiiiil\ to pursue liis liivorito slriitc^iy of tlin'at('iiiii;i' l»iiili 'jlj
jdiK'cs iiiiil prt'Xfiitiii^ llie <'(Hiceiitriitiii;n of :i foicc a;;iiiiist liis real
liiM- of iiiai'cli. Ili)\var<l, on tlic i'i;;lit, was oidt'icd to I'ocalali^o,
II si Ml ion oM I III' I'M i 1 11 Kill Icatliii^' to( 'liarlcsion, to nicnacf t lie city.
iital Slociiiu on tiu> Icl't and Kilpatrick with tin- cavalry to tlircalcn
Aii;;'iista. Tlic torincr started on the lotii of .laniiary, iMti,!, tlic
ITlli corps yoinji' l»,v water, and the l.">th i»y land. .\t I'oeatalijiio,
a di'|Mit of supplies was estahlislh-d and deiiionslratiors inatle in
tlie direction of Charleston, caiisin;^' tlie rebels to keep all their
availalile forces ready for the defense of the city.
Incessant rains pres ailed, and Sontheiii South Carolina lieiii<;' a
re;;i<)U of swamps, became saturated with water and the roads
almost impassaltle. The streams, which lay in IVont of
Kheiinaii, unable to carry ott" the surplus water, tiie ectnntry for
lir'cs on each side of them was .sul)mer;;ed. These ditlicidti 's
})rove(l far inoic foiniidable tiiaii tliose ottered l)y the rciiel army,
altliou;;h (Jov. Mc(irath liad impressed «'very white male eiti/eii
of the Static, between th(^ a<4es of 1(» and (iO, to au;>'meut its iiiini-
hvrs.
'i'he next point aimed at by Howard, was mitlway on the SiMith
Caioliiia Railroad. Ueloie this could be reached it was necessary
to cross the SalUahatchie, behind which, at IJiver J>rid<ie, was
jxtstcd a rel)el force and artillery, to ilis])ute its passa;^'e. blower's
and Ci. A. Smith's divisions, however, affected a lodjiuu'iit on the
o)»|)osire side below the bridj^e, by vadiii^' for .'} miles through
chilly waters, from li to ."» feet in deptli. Tlie rebels tied jirecipi-
tantly l»eyoml the ICdisto, while the Union cor])s pushed rapidly
for the railway at Midway, which it reached on Uie 7th and coin-
lueiiced teariii};' up the track.
'i'lie extraordinary freshet in the Savannah had detained Slocnin
in the city till ilie I'd of February, when the flood partially sub-
siding', he succeeded in crossing the stream. I'he demonstiatioiis
of Kilpalri<-k kept the, force at Auj'usta shut nj) in its fort iiica-
tions, appichendini'' an attack, while Slocnni, encouiiterinj; little
opposiiion, moxcd rapidly forward, and also struck the South
« "Midliiia railroad farther westward, and assisted in its destrueti(in.
Slieinian's army now lay between Aiij^iista and Charleston, and
tiic forces stationed at the two places hopelessly divided and una-
ble lo act in concert. Leavinj;' the left winj;- still en<;afied in
brcMkinn' np the lailroad, the rij;ht started northward for the
Edisto. where they found the bri(l<;(^ ])artially destroyed, and a
forc<' on the oi)p« site side to prevent their erossinj;. Foices'
division dropping;' down the river, landed a number of p(»ntoons,
and passinji' over, ponneed upon the astonished I'cbels and i)ut
them to tlijilit. The bridge was soon rej)aired, and the national
troojtson the south side of the river rapidly moved on Oran^je-
buii;-, aji'ain Avakin^ up the enemy. x\fter a sli};ht brush with him,
in which the ."iOth, ;?lst and 32d Illinois became engaged, they tore
up the railroad.
Sweeping on tluougUthe heart of the rebellions State, Howard
on rhe HJth drew np on the banks of the Saluda, in front of its
capital. Almost fiimnltaneously Slocuiu ai)peared ou the same
SCO
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
i-tn';nii, liivviiii,^ met witli no (»])i)()siti()ii, ('xcp]»t froiu ^^'ils()ll^s
Siiviilry, wliicli Kilpatiick alone was sutliciciit tokcc]* at a luiidfiit
<iistaii'(H'. T\w ir»tli, ;i(>rli, 81.st, .'JlM, 4Sth iuul (t.'M Illinois, wirli
otlicr advanced forces, drove back the reliel cavalry and the river
was crossed without opjxjsition. The mayor, tindin.ii' the city at
the mercy of the Union f^iins, surremh'red it. Sherman, het'ore
enterinir, issued an order for burnin<i' the public, i)roi»erty. it.s
schools, college.'*, asylums and other buildin;:s, wiiich could not be
made available in war, bein<j' exempted. The main body of the
arniyiyassed west of the city, and the l.")th corps marching- through
it, encamped on the Camden road beyond.
Col AVade Hami)ton. commanding the r<'ar guard of rebel
cavalry, ordered all cotton belonging to the inhabitants to be col-
lectted aiul burned. Piles of the intlammable material were ignited
ill rill 1 eart of the city, and. swept by the wind, soon conimunica-
led lire to the adjactent buililings. At dark the tlames got beyond
the control of the brigade on duty in the city, and AVood's entire
division was brought in to assist in subduing them. Still the
devouring element raged uncoiitrolable. lighting i> the midnight
sky with the brightness of noonday, and tilling it with myriads of
brands, which drifting in eddying circles on the buildings, ex-
tended wider and wider the contlagrati'tn. At 4 o'clock in the
morning the wind ceased and the fire was checked, but the princely
abodes of many who had been prime movers in the rebellion,
together with the old state-house, which 4 years before had rung
■with acclamations at the passage of the first secession ordinance,
uere now shapeless masses of glowing embers. Says Sherman :
'•J disclaim, on the ])artof my army, any agency in the tire, but oil
the contrary, claim that we saved what of Columbia remains un-
consumed. And without hesitatit)ii,l charge Gen. Wade Ilamploii
with having burned his own citv of Columbia, not with malicious
intent, or as the manifestation of a silly lioman stoicism, but from
folly an<l the want of sense, in filling it with c(»tton and tinder.
Our otiiceis and men on duty worked well to extinguish the fiaiiies,
li'.t others, not on duty, including the officers long imprisoned
there, rescued by us, may have a.ssisted in spreading the fire after
it had once begun, and may Jiave indulged in unconcealed joy to
see the ruin of the capital of S<mth Carolina."
The fall of Columbia involved that of Charleston. Hardee, de-
clining isolation and capture, evaluated the city. This he effected
on the ISth of February, by the westerly line of the coast railroad,
the only avenue of escajK' which the federal blockaders and in-
vasioi; had left intact, liefore his departure he fired the arsenal,
commis.sary stores and cotton warehouse, the latter eontiiining
4.(11)0 bales, which perished in the fiames Frfun the burning cot-
ton, fire was communicated to a large quantity of jxnvder slctred
in the iiortliw<'stern depot, causing an ex)>losion which setit the
building a whirling mass of ruins through the air, destroyed L'(»0
lives, ami shook the city to its foundations. Spreading thence,
the flames w<'re soon leaping and crackling among the adjoining
buildings, and 4 S(iuares were consumed before they could he tx-
tiiigiiisjied. The city was formally surrendered to (len. (lilinoic
and the national flag again hoisted (.vev the ruins of its jniblic
buildings, where, for the first time in the history of the republic, it
Lad been ruthlessly a.ssailed by those who owed it allegiance.
THE WAR OF THE REBELLION.
SGI
Forts Sumter and Kii)ley and Castle Pinkney siilmiitted f-racefiilly
to a similar embellislimciit. and tlic^ lormidablc armaments un-
liarmed passed into our jtossession. (ien. (lilmore reported t.lO
jiii'ces fonnd in all the defences, many of tliem S and 10 iudi
(•olumbiads, and 7-ineli riHed cannon of foreijiii constrnction.
Ilist(»ry fiirnislies U'w such reverses as that which in the luief
spa(!e of 4 years liad befallen tiie city. Here lelicll ion had l)eeii
sp.iwned for the purj>ose of renderinu i»erpetnal tlie servile condi-
tion of the black man. and now ;i rejriiiient of the emanciiiated
raci'. wearinji" the national uniform, was the lirst to maicih as con-
quer(»rs tlirou,uh its scarre<l and blackened streets. Everywhere
ruin had been wrou<iht by the loiiji'and (tontinuous l)ond)arduient;
of the fleet. Many of the oiK-e palatial buildiii^is were jio\s the
blackened wrecks of contla;;ration, some yawning- and tott* riufj
with seams caused by explodinji' shells, or i>ouii(ied to a mass of
riibliish and strewn in the adjacent streets. As if to make the
desolation more comi)lete, a lai-ife ]»art of tiie city which had
escajted the f>nns of the besiejicrs had been set on lire by it.s
defenders and thvis met a common doom.
There was a I'eelinji' prevalent in the army that South ("ar-
oliiia, the cradh; of secession and rebellion, should l»e made to feel
some of the evil.s which she had been so active ip brinjjjiug on her
sister States. Hence not only her cities, but her rural dwellin.us,
rice mills, and pine forests and other property, were tired and
served as a bonfire to signalize the advance of the invading
army. In Georj>ia little private proju-rty was destroyed; here
little escaped. The devastation was forbidden, but could not be
prevented where so many of the army, if not directly coni\ected
with it, evidently regarded it as Justitialile retaliation.
Let no one imaf>ine tliat he can see in l lie deplorable fate of
South Carolina the sjtecial displeasure of an anj;ered God. Let
him rather re^iard her calamities as the inevitable penalty which
always attends the infraction of moral and physical law; whether
the wronjr doer be an individual, State, or nation. Our forefathers
wantonly disreffarded the rijihts of tlie nejiro when they kidnai)i»e(l
him on the coast of Africa and introduced him a slave into the
American colonies. Ajiain they were ^iiiltN *>t' a moral breach
when they soujiht to nnike his de;;radation perpetual by tolerating;
slavery in the national constitution. From this abnormal element
in our political ami so(!ial fabric sprang sectional discord, treason,
and civil war with its rapine, burnin<;s and siaujihters. The blood
shed by the sword in the Avar was tlie penalty for that which had
been drawn by the lash from the backs of the bondsmen ; the deso-
lation caused by the destruction of cities, wa'i the price paid for
the wealth which had been piled ui) by long years of unre-
quited toil; and the wail which went uj) from homes all over the
land had its precurser in the cry wruiifr from the families of the
oppressed when ruthlessly torn asunder by the dealers in humau
souls. Crimt <uid i>unishnieiit are cause and effe(;t and cannot be
separated. IS^i one can trample on the Just and inevitable laws of
God without sutterinj;, and if tlie transjiression is continued he
must of necessity perish, not by a special bolt from heaven, but
as the unavoidable consec^uenec of his own crime.
Sherman, leaving at Columbia i)rovisions to sustain for some
time its destitute and houseless population, resumed his march,
862
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
inoviiifr in tluMliiec'tioii of CiiiU'lotto. Ilitlior liud pivcodrd him
uikU'v Hi'iUU('}iiU(l tlic- ^iiiTisoi) of tlui (U'vastatcd ciipital, and
liitlior Clieatiiaiii iiad lead tlic dilapidated divisions of Hood's old
arm\ wliictliliadsiiivivc'd the blowsiiitlictedon it in Tennessee. Not-
M'ithstandinjj^ thehea\ystornisand almost impassable roads, hecon-
tiiiued in his <!onrsc till the 23d, wiu'ii suddenly, headin.i; his col-
umns for Fayetteville, N. C, Charlotte, liiie otlier jioints which
had been threatened, was left fai' in the rear. Ills line of maicOi
now lay across the Catwba and (Jreat Pedee, \\hich, 1(H) years
before, had emibled (iieen to elude the j>ursuit of Lord Cornwal-
lis. Kilpatrick, while man<etiverinf; with the en<Mny, toenableonr
army to cross the river without opposition, was siiri)rised by a
force of i-ebcd cavalry and driven back into a swanij), losiii}? all
his jfuns and most of his stafi". lie, howevei', rallied his men,
and, charging;' upon the rebels while they were plunderinj^' his
cam)), put them to Hight and retook his captured fjuns.
The army having rapidly ciossed Pedee, brin<;in,y the '^Oth and
31st Illinois into action and capturinj; 2o {;uns, the opposing
force, the ill-starred j^arrisons of Mobile and Charleston, under
the luckless Hardee, hurriedly retreated to Fay^'tteville. Hither
they were closely followed, and, after a sharp fray, on the
lltli of March, with the loth, 30th and 31st Illinois, retreated up
Cape Fear river.
While the army lay in Fayetteville, the steam tu<r Davidson,
and ji'im-boat Eolus steamed up from Wilmington, bringing news
of the(!apturc of that city and other imi)ortant events, which had
transpired during the six weeks that our army had been forcing
its way through the interminable swam])s and over the swollen
streams of the Carolinas.
lieduction of Wilmim/ton. — The cnpture of Wilmington, in
which the Cotli, 107th and 112th Illinois particii)ated, was inti-
mately connected with, and had an important bearing on the op-
erations of Sherman. As tending to facilitate his movements
Grant, on the 14fh of rianuary, ordered SchoHeld from Tennessee
to the seaboard of North Caiolimi. ilis instruc^tions were to de-
bark at Wilmington if the place should be captured, but if not, to
land at Newbern. In acconlance with this arrangement he trans-
porte<l his corjjs to the latter place, but detached Cox's division to
co-operate with Porter in the reduction of Wilmington, still in i)os-
session of the enemy. The only obstacle which now remained to
prevent the advance of our Heet to the city, was Fort Anderson,
a plaxte of immense strength inclosing about 4 scpuire miles. To
ettect its overthrow, a movement was commenced u)) the river on
thellth of February, and, on reaching the fort, Cox's division, by
wading through aditlicult swamp, took a jmsition in the rear. On
the l.Sth the gunboats oi)eued on the works, while SchoHeld made
arrangenuMits to inter(;ept the garrison in case of retreat. Ibdic,
in commaml, tinding himseU' likely to be surrounded by a formid-
able force, and Sherman's army in a ))osition to isolate him as it
had done Hardee at (yharleston, the succeeding night eva(!uated
the place and pushed noithwaid to foi in a Junction with .lohnson.
The works were occupied, and 700 prisoners and 50 pieces of artil-
lery passed into the hands of the victors.
THE WAR OP THE REBELLION. 8(53
Slicrmaii now directed Scliofield to meet him in (Hold.sboio. and,
after destro.vinjjftlie arsenals of Fayetteville, and costly inacOiineiy
which had l)een broufilit from tlie, armory of Harper's I"\'rry, re-
sumed his marclk llanh'e liaving tied on tlie approacli of our
a.rmy, moved fiirtlicr up the river and fortified a position on tlio
left banic near Areysboro. Here lie encountered the (lOtli, StJth,
101st, lOL'd and lo.lth Illinois, under Slocnm, who was moviiijf in
thesaMUMlire(;tion to makeafeinton Kalei};li and tlins conceal Slier-
man's movement ou (xoldsboro. The enemy's position was ahuost
inaccessible on account of swauips, yet it was iiecessarT to dis-
lodjie him, and Wood's division of the 2()th corps was thrown for-
Avard to develoi> his lines. Immediately char<iin<j ni)on the outer
works the division captlired three jjuus and a considerable num-
ber of prisoners. Kiljiatrick, farther to the ri<;lit, was, however,
vifjorouslj- attacked and driveu back, j^fallantly tij;htin<i'. Slocum
in the meantime had ordered up three additional divisions, which,
falliufx upon the enemy, forced him to retire within his entrench-
ments, where he was held during the remainder of the day. The
succeeding night being stormy, under cover of the darkness Ilar-
de(^ abandoned his i)ositiou and retreated over the road to Smith-
field.
Hitherto Sherman had succeeded in interposing his army be
twe(Mi the scattered detachments of the rebel forces, but now they
were rapidly coU(!entrating, and it be(!ame nectessary to move with
more caution. There were gathering about him Cheatham, with
n(»od's forces from Tennessee; Hoke, Avith the recent garrison of
Fort Anderson; Hardee, with that of Charleston, audWheeler's
cavalry reinforced by Wade Hampto... These forces, numbering
40,000 veterans, were under the command of Johnson, Sherman's
old antagonist, rendering it necessary for the latter to keep his
columns within supporting distance. Sh)cum, after making the
feint on lialeigh, wheeled to the right and took the road to GohUs-
boro, whither Howard, on his right, with his forces was also march-
ing.
Hopes were entertained by Sherman that the army might reach
its destination without further opposition. Suddenly, however,
as Slocum on the 18th neared Bent(mville, he found himself con-
fronted by the whole of Johnson's army. Beforedispositions could
be made to receive the unexi)ected enemy, two brigades were
driven back on the main force with a loss of three guns. Slocum,
as soon as i)ossible, deployed four divisions behind barricades ami
stood on the defensive. Kilpatrick hearing the roar of artillery,
also dashed up and moved his forces on the left. Hardly had
these preparations been made when Hoke, Hardee and Cheatham
swept up their massive columns, hoping by sheer weight of num-
bers to overwhelm and break the Union line. The whole fury of
the assault spent itself within an hour, .-set, in this time the rebels
made six suc(!essive charges, all of which w»?re successfully re-
pulsed. The rapid volleys of our batteries did immense execution
ui)on the foe. who, divesting himself of artillery, had hurried up
expecting tc' ''rush Slocum before he could be supported. How-
ard, l.»owever, iu obedience to orders from Sherman, came up the
next Jay, and the I'ebel gemaal finding himself opposed by an
army of 00,000 strong, decamped the succeeding night, and le-
(i
;!
804
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
trcntcd in the (lircctioii of IJiih'ijili. Tlie followiiij; dny, tlx' 2.3(1
of Miircli. tlie, iiriiiy, witliout fiiitlicr o]>positioii. cntcretl (Jiolds-
boro, whither Schoficld two (lays before had preceded it.
'JMi«' battle of JJeiitoiiviiU', honored by the pro^nee of the 'JOth,
oiJd, r)(ith, ({(Mil, (;.'}d, (Utii, SOtii, HL'd", JOlst, 104tli and lOoth
lihiiois, was the hist enfiajieiiient of the caiiipaij>ii. It is needless
to say they, in eoninion with the rest of tlieir eouirades, fon<;ht
well. The resnlts si»eak for themselves. A track of (ionntry from
Savannah to CJoldsboro, 40 miles wide and nearly !){){) lonj^;-, had
been sneeessfiilly overridden. The immediate frnits of the niaich
were Mol>ile, Charleston and AVilminjiton, which, hitherto, had
defie<l some of the most <lestriictive naval enginery the world has
ever seen, while it lar<;ely contribnted to thed<>wnfall of the con-
fe(b'rate capital. Walled in on one side by the army of Grant,
witli Sherman rapidly ap])roachin<;' on the other, its evacnatiou
was a military necessity.
Clo.se of the War. — Shertnan tem])orarily turned over Ins army
to iScholield and hastened to City Point, where he liad an inter-
view with Gen. (Jrant and President Lincoln. The object of the,
meetinj-' was to concert measures for striking- the death blow of
the rebellion. An important jiart in the closinjij drama was as-
signed to the army of the West, but the end was at hand. JJefore
any important movement conhl he ett'ected, Lee surrendered, and
the civil war, whose throes had convulsed the continent and dis-
turbed the commerce of the world, existed only in histcuy.
The slave power, corrupt, defnint and rebellious, had now meas-
ured its streiir'tli with the rei)ublic, and the latter had triumphed.
Not a stripe was erased from her banners; every star still revolves
in the frame work of the constitution; her domain is uiibrok<'n.
May she st-11 continue to prosper till her expanding dominion is only
limited by the billows wliicli at every point of the compasa, break
upon the ocean's shore; till her jiroud destiny becomes a lealiza-
tion oi" thei)ropiu'cies wvitten in her coal-tields, beds of iron and
seams of gold ; till all nations, tangiit by her exHmi)le, are released
from political oppression, and nuin attains the full measure of
hai)piiu\ss forshadowed in the divinity of his luiture.
llow nuich tlie nation is indebted to Illinois for the aus])icious ter-
mination of the war, nmy be inferred from the fact that in the two
great movements wliich severed the insurgent States, and so greatly
paralyzed their elibrts, her soldiers were more largely represented
than those of any other nuMnber of the Union. Fnrthermoi'e, we
must place on the credit side of her balance sheet a large amount
of legal talent, sui)erior generalship and executive ability ; for
Trumbull Avas our lawyer, Grant our soldier, and Lincoln our
president.
From the scene of its dangers and triumphs, Sherman's army
proceeded to the national cai)ital to share in the great review,
which came off on the 23d and 24th of May, as a titting close of
the struggle in which it had been so long engaged. At the ap-
iwiuted time, in presence of the president, the members of Ids cabi-
net, foreign ministers, and other eminent personages, the united
armies of the East and West moved along Pennsylvania avenue.
Never had more gallant legions been entrusted with the destinies
of empire than those which received the congratulations of the
J'HE WAR OF THE REBELLION.
X-:i:^i^!:;:si;^t^^ ti. parent
wJ.icJi could hire oZrvrnx ^ li^^S ^ ''^''" *''^ ""lil'ty host
melted away iut«£regin?e "s and SnecW^ Jf '-^.^^^ J»>'' .i<>yt"lly
. Again the cities and villao-i of ? i "ok I^"'^'^, '^'^t'^t Ironies,
siasn. when the leiigthened trafns\T,rK.?ntT? '?^''*'T ^'^^ <^"">"-
•orth the thousands Xla fgour^oSno I 4? "'"^ r "''^ ^^""^^^^
they were met with exnressionV nf I i "'?^^'*^- Everywhere
pared for their receSn imi 1/ ^^'?«»'e. Ovations were pre-
iowed them M'tHhe n^ntnil ,v7.f ^'""f ^""'"^'^ ^'^'^ ^"'^1 fol
perilous battles, ga^thmn^nnv^^/''"^''' weary man^hes and
M-ard however, wis thepr^ud coSuw'i"'?' > ^V^^^eatest re-
saved their country. La^inff SHE r^-rl^''"'''"^ '^^^'^^^^
again assumed the habSS an rwl. /' '^Tv''^^ they
the State is boundinrSrd ^n !«'''* ^'"'^l"^^' ''^"'^^ ^«-<^«y
^^Uo^slf^h^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Waters; where the Teiiiiesspe wn,,,ll>;. u .\ "" ""^ I atJier of
the traek of the sreat^S L^"t^ e/ ^VSh" '*'"'' t".«
last restniff places As Imio- qc ,.^^ 1 ' ^ ^t^'" "^ seen the r
to bloom, mayThe sons a f don.li J ""^ ??' ^',^'^" «''^"«e the earth
ers their graves ami ft nlf^i^^*®''^ ^^ freedom strew with flow
.rather newl'Stlon to S^^^^^ ^'-r deedj,
the country they died to save discharging their duties to
55
Chapter LXV.
POLITICAL AND TAllTY AFFAIKS DUKING THE RE-
BELLION.
Sentiments of the lUinow Dimocracy in the Winter of 1S(;()-1S(»1 —
I'atriotic Feeling on the hraiking out of Ifostilities, irrexiiective
of party ^ m iniipin'd hy Douglm — licriml of Fnrtisan Ferlii<<i —
Constitutional Convention of 1S(»2 — Its high pretensions — ConjUct
^yith the (iorernor — )<ome Features of the Instrument framed; it
becomes n party measure— The vote upon it — Farty Convention of
ISfJli — The last Democratic Legislature — Frauds in passing hills —
Feaction among the Feople against the I'eaee Movement — I\fili-
tary Arrests— Suppressing the Chicago Times — Secret FoUtico-
Military Societies— I >emoeratic Mass Convention of June 17 th,
18(53 — Republican Mass Convention, September, lcS(J3 — Feacc Meet-
ings of 18G4 — 2fote, Chicago Conspiracy.
During the wintor lu'eccodiiiff I\Ir. Lincoln's first iiian^uratioii as
president, wlioii State after State was sliootiii-; madly from tlio
orbit of liie rnioii by l)assiii^' secession ordinances, eonseivativo
men yiinj-rally, to avoid the horrors of imi)endin<; civil war, were
anxious to conciliate the existing? ndsiinderstandinf;- and restore
liai-mony between the different sections of our ciountry. Several
propositions were offered in eonpcss as plans for conii»romise ;
one by Mr. Doujilas; one by Mr. (Jrittenden, and one known as
the " Jiorder State Proposition." With the feelinj,M>f comprondso
the democracy of Illinois were fully imbued, and for the sake of
peace, they would have conceded much.
On the ioth of January, 18(51, a Democratic State convention
met in Sprinjiheld to fiive expression to their sentiments ujjon the
state of the Immou. Ninety-three counties were rei)resent<'d by
over oOO delcfiates. The venerable Zadock Casey presiiled. More
than 28 years before he had presided over the Illinois senate, when
the leji;islature declared the position of the Static upon the mdlili-
cation of South Carolina, sustaining President .Jackson in his
l)roclaniation, and instJuctiu'^- our senators and representatives in
Congress "to unite in the most s])eedy and vi;>()rous measures on
the jNirt of the governnu'ut for the preservation of the jx-ace, in-
tej-rity and honor of the Union; and we do most solemnly i)led^o
the faith of our State in support of the adnnnistration of the laws
and constitution of our beloved country;" resolving' further "That
YATES AnMINISTUATION.
867
(lisiinidii by iiniH'd force is trciiMon, iui<l slionld \iv troatcd iis sik'Ii
by [\w coiistitutcd iiiitlioritii's of tin; nation." J'.iit tiiis convention
of 18(J1 adopted si i)r(^iuid)le and set of resoliiUons, eoiin.sellin<j
(^nn'ession and <M)ni|»i'oniise, ami the acceptanc*' of any »>f tlio
jn'opositions pendin;;' in con^^rcss to restore liaimony between tlio
.sections; declait'd tiiat an etl'ort to coerce tiie sececbn;;' States,
woidd plnnn'e tlie conntry in civil Mar, and denied tlie niilit;<ry
])o\ver <»f tlie {i'overnnient to enforce its laws in any State, ex'iept
in strict snltordination to tlie civil antlnirities ; believed '• tlii;t tlie
jterilons (Mnidition of the conntry had l»een |>ro(iuced !;\ liie a;iita-
tion of the slav«'ry (piestion, creatin;^ discoid and enmity between
thcdillerent sections, which had i»ecn aj;jiiavaled by the election
of a sectional president ;■' condemned tlic* ])arty leaders, madly
bent on fraternal strife; did not reciojjnize any conflict in the
tlivei'sity of the domestic inslitnlions and indnstries of the conn-
try, but rather discoveicd <;ronnds for a more lasting- and iieifcct
union in its vaiiety of soil and climate, and modes of thou^^lit of
thejM'ople; denied the ri;;iit of secession ; commended thei»idposc(l
lionisviile convention, and proposed a initional (Convention to
amend the coiistit iilion so as to prodnce harmony and I'raternity
tlironj^hont the. whole Tnion.*
In th(^ ])r()ceedinj^s of this convention nniy be found the names
of men, wli(», in antan'onisni to the hijih national ;ii'oiind occnjiied
by Ml'. Donylas, ever souj;lit to place the democracy of lllin(»is in
a false li^iht i)ef(tr(! the conntry dnrinp' the icbellion. These reso-
lutions foi'ciihadoweil the views which two y<'ais later, in a modi-
tied form, re-appearcd in )Ik' Armistice resolutions of the L'.'Jd j^cn-
eral assembly, and a;;ain in the eiinnciations of the so-called Demo-
cratic mass convention of the ITtli of .Inne. I.S(I,'{. Ibit thcfnil force,
of the rebellion was not yet, iii.Iannary, l.SOl, realized. The bluster
of extremists was so lireat in those days that much of it was dis-
reyarde<l. When the wai" was actually upon us, many other names
seen there as parti<ripants, by their patrioti<; and ;;allant coiidnct,
j;ave the lie to these enunciations. And prior to this, in Decem-
ber, lS(i(), the Hon. .lolin A. McClernand, a leadinj; re|»reseiitative
<leme"rat in con<;ress from this State, in the discussions incident
to the state of the Union, had exclaimed that
"The s:\ercil oldiiLfiitions of i)atriotisiu would i)r()nii)t every loyal citi-
zen, whether in the rsorth or in the Soutli, to (h-feinl and iiiiiintain the
nite^rity of the I'liieii and the authority of its ooiunion K'*v<'riinieiit
against the inroads of violeiK-e. * * Is it eoercion of a Stale for
us to do what we are sworn to do — to support tlu^ «"(>iiHtitutioii and the
laws and treaties as the sui)reiiie law of tlie land '.' Is it coercion for us
to niaintain iteaeealily if we can, (■ori'il>ly if w<.' must, possession of the
tie.i^ure and oilier property of the United Slates? Is it coercion for us
lo stay the violent and lawless hand that woidd tear down the noliio
slrn<'ture of our government? Sir, it is a perversion of all lanj,Miage ; u
mockery of all ideas, to say so."
■Mr. I)ou.ijlas, devote<lIy attached to the riiion, and anxiously
laboring,' i'or conciliation and compr<niiise, exclaimed to the South:
'• What are you afraid of? Y<tii have nf>w, ami will have when Mr.
Lincoln becomes president, twothii'ds of the fi'overnment, the
suj)reme (M)urt. anil both branches of conj;r(!ss.'' I'nable to assign
a sullicient leason, it was answered that they could not endure
* Illinois state Kegistcr, Jan. 17, 1801.
8G8
HISTOUY OF ILLINOIS.
tln' (lisufi'iico of a man in the Wliite Ilonsc, ohuitcd picsid^nt by
tlic llcpiibliciiiis. "Well," replied Doiigliis, "If the South se-
cedes iiiid takes ni> arms ayainst liie yovernmiMit, there will then
be ail end of eompromise. You and your institutions will i)erish
to.ii«'tlier.'''
The legislature t)f Vir<;inia had adoi)ted resolutions, extendinjj
invitations to the other States of the Union, to ai)poiiit eonnnis-
iiioners to meet at \Vashinf.";ton, Febrniiry 4th, 18(11, with similar
commissioners from that State, to eonsider and sujif;<'st plans lor
the adjustment of the unhapjiy ditlereuees between the North aud
South. The Itasis of adjustment snij^yested by Virginia was the
" ('rittendt'ii Compromise;" or to so amend the federal constitu-
tion that "[)r. perty in African slaves should be etfectually pro-
tected in all the territory of the Uidted States, now held, or here-
after to be acipnred south of the i)araliel of .'3(j dey. 30 min., dur-
iuji' the continuance of territorial {••overnments therein." The
legislature of lUimns (Itepublican) authorized the govermu- toaii-
point o ct)niniissioners, as above, to be at all times, however, sul)-
ject to the c»)ntrol of the general assembly, but disclaimed any
admission, by their response to the invitation of Virginia, that any
amendment of the federal constitution was re(]uisite to secure the
l)eoi)le of the slaveholding States ade(piate guarantees for their
rights, or that it was an approval of the basis of settlement pro-
posed l)y A'irginia; aud declared it simply an expression of their
willingiu'ss to unite in an earnest ettort to adjust the present un-
happy controversies. The resolutions in that form did not mt'et
the a[»i>roval of the democrats. In the senate every democrat, but
one, voted against them. The governor appointed tlie following
gentlemen as commissioners: Ex-Governor John Wood, Ex-Gov-
ernor Koerner, (who declined, and the Hon. John M. Palmer was
named instead). Judge Stephen T. Logan, Hon. J3. 0. Cook
and Hon. Thomas J. Turner, all repul'"i;ans. The conference of
these commissioners, knowni as the "Peace Congress," was duly
held at Washington, but their labors were unsatisfactory from the
start, incurring the severest criticism from every direction and
their recommendations resulted in nothing.
The first deternuned expression from leading republican sources,
and sup[)osed to reflect the views of the new administration as to
the course to be pursvicd with the rebels, came, also, from
an Illinoisan. On the USth of March, ISGl, Mr. Trumbull,
lu the senate of the United States, offered a resolution that "in
the opinion of the senate the true way to preserve the Union [was]
to enforce the laws of the Union; that resistance to their enforce-
ment, whether under the name of anti-coercion or any other name,
Avas disunion ; and that it was the duty of the president to nse all
the means in his power to hold and protect the public property of
the United States, ami to enforce the laws thereof, as well in the
States of St)uth Carolina, Georgia, Alabanni, Mississii)pi, Florida,
Louisiana and Texas, as within the other States of the Uiuon."
It was not a(;ted on ; no fixed policy was settled upon or seemed
to exist at the time.
AVhen the news of the rebels opening their batteries upon Fort
Sumter was received at Washington, Douglas, the great champion
of popularriglits,whotruly representednu)re than nine-tenths of the
mass of the Illinois democracy, freed immediately of all partizan feel-
YATES' ADMINISTRATTON.
809
ing, rose at once, to the duty of the hour. He called ni)oii President
Lincoln and tciulered liini his sympathy and support in his ett'orts
to preserve the Union and maintain tlie government. It was a
toucliiuj;' seene to see these old political antagonists thus meet to
bury the political luitcdiet and address themselves only to the pa-
trioti<! work before them. Tlie president was deeply gratified by
tin' interview. To the west Dcmglas telegraphed, " I am for my
country and against all its assailants." Tiie lire of his patriotism
spread to the masses of tlio north, and democrat and republican
rallied to the supi)ort of the Hag. In Illinois the deniocratic and
republi(!an presses vied with each other in the utterance of patri-
otic; sentiments. From the former we quote n few sentences:
"Tlio trutrlcldnl blow hns boon stnu-k! Civil war Is \ipoii \ia. The rctxils hnvo opened
bmifriua on Siiintor, miii the jn'ospeet of ii Ioiir- mid bloody strlle Is before us. * *
The iroverniiient has been resisted in the porl'orniunce of its le^nl functions. Uebels
to the nut ioniil iiuthoi'ities have tired upon the Hag of the country luiil assaulted ono
of its (garrisons when effort was bein^ir niude to leinforce and provision the noble An-
derson and his ffulliint little band. ♦ ' Whatever may be men's opinions as to
the causes whieli liave brou)fht war upon us, there is but one fe(!linK, and that is in
behalf of the luitional jroTcrnineiit ami the llajr of the Union. This is as it sho'iid bo
with the true i)atriot. \Vhatever may be his opinions of tlio causes of the war witii hia
country's enemies, he is for his country and Ills country's tlajr, and liis hearty support,
nioriilly and physically, if neoi'ssary, should be rend'.'red to the (.'ountry's cause. * *
Civil war is our prrseiit condition, and the patriot can only syinpathi/.e with his Koveru-
meiit iiiiii with th(^ It i^', beneath the folds of which we have achieved our national
eminence, with which are associated so many glorious memories, and with wliich are
blendeil all our hojuis of future (freatiiess, liuppineas and piospejity of civil and relitr-
lousliherty, and tliec;iuseof deinoer.itlcrepul)ll(!;uiKoverninent.'' "Whatover may bo
our party loaning;j, our party principles, our lilies or dislikes, when the contest opens
bet weenthe country— between the If nion and its foes, and blows are struck, the pa-
triot's duty is plain— take sides with the stars and stripes. As Illinoisans, let us rally
to one standard. There is but one stamlard for good men and true. Let us lie there;
through good and through evil report, let us be there; llrst, lait and all the time."*
Large and niuiierously attended mass meetings met, as it were with
one accordj irrespective of parties, and the people oif all shades of
polititjal oi)ini()ns bulled tlieir party hatchets. Glowing and elo-
queut orators exhorted the people to ignore political differences in
the i)n'sei(( crisis, join in the common cause, and rally to the Hag
of the Union and the coustitutiou. it was a noble truce. From
the many resolutions of that great outpouring of patriotic senti-
ment which ignored all ^'revioiis party ties, we subjoin the follow-
ing : ,
"Kcso/ird.Thatitls tlie duty of all patriotic citizens of Illinois, without distinction of
party or sect, to sustain the government through the peril which now threatens the
existence of the Union; and of our legislature to grant such aid of men and money aa
the exigency of the hour und tlie patriotism of our people shall demand."
(xovernor Yates promi)tly issued his prochimation, dated the
15th of April, convening the legislatur-.i for the l'3d inst. in extra-
ordinary session.
That body remained in session ten days. Their labors ■were
ehielly aildressed toward [ilaciiig the State in proper position for
defense, and to enable it to respciid to the requisitions of the
general government. In addition to the Oregiments under the call of
the president, they authorized the organization, by the State, of ten
regiments of infantry, one of cavalry, and one batallion of light
artillery, to repel invasion, suppress insurrection, &c. The entire
militia of the State, including all able-bodied men between the
ages of l.S and 4r», was to be organized; $o,5(>(),00() were apjiropri-
atcd for war purjioses : !% 1,(100,(100 for the tiquipment of the ten
regiments of infiiiitry ; $r)00,000 for the purchase of arms ami the
establishment of an ar.seiial, and $U,000,000 for general war pur-
poses.
* Illinois State Register.
87(>
IIIHTOIJY OK ll.MNOIS.
i
n
Tiic o|tiiiioii of the Sii|)i('iiic ( (iinl, iiicii .sitting at Olluwii, vmih
lirst taken as totlu* power nf lliclf;;i.sliitiii'(> to traiiscciMl tliceoii-
Htitiilioiiiil limitation of ii<.*>(>,(i()0. 'I'iic «'.\lraoi(linar,v *'iiifr;;ciicy
N\ a.s tlt'i'itiiMl lolif Miriiciciji.
Tlie l']\c(uilive depart incut was also pro\itleil witli a i'nnti of
)j<,")(»,(l(M) lor exiiaoitlinarv exjieiises. An ael was al.s<» passed le-
tpiirin;; uar claims to lie ainliled li\ tlirec commissioners. Messrs,
i). II. Wdodwoi'lli. of ('liica;;o, W ni. Thomas, of .lacksonv iile and
(.'. II. lianpliiei, Spi'in;;liel*l, (the latter a dennx-ial,) were \t\ the
;;'overnor app(Mnled.
I'olil ical (M' pai't,\ tjiU'slions weie not oiiirnded to nnir the liar-
niony of the s|M'ciai session, otlier than a loohition li.v Aaron
Sliiiw — "That, while we are ever veadv to stand 1»\, and dereiid
with oiir loll lines, and on r li\ es, the eons! it ill ion, the honor and
lla;.Cor our coiinli',v, wi- w ill frown n|)on and condemn an\ elfoit,
on the part of the federal i^ovcriinicnl, w liicli looks to the siihjii-
j;ation of ihe Soiitliern Stales." .Mr. Miirr, demoi'ial <d' Scott, from
the com mi I lee on federal re la I ions, reported a siibsl itiite, w hich was
adopted l),\ (iTtoO, disclaiming; a purpose to .siili.iii;;ale the people;
of an,v Slat(' to anyolher duties than those imposed l),y tin-. <-oii-
Htitntioii and laws made in piirsiiance thereof.
On the evening of Ihe -."ilh of .\pril. .Mr. I)oii;;Ias, who liad ar-
riveti at Ihe cajntal the da.\ before, addressed the ycneial assem-
bly and H densely packed audience, in the hall of representatives,
in tliatinasterly eliort, which miisl live and lie enshrined in the
jieails of his count ryineii so Ion;; as onr ;:overiiment shall eiidnre.
I)on};las had ever deli^^hted in the mental conlli(;ts ol parly strife ;
l>iit now, when hiscoiinlry wasassaih'd by the red hand of trea
.son, he was instantly discstcd of his parly armor and stood forlli
jianoplied only in the pure ;;ai'b of a true patriot. He tan;;lit his
iindilory — he laii;;lit his country, for his speeches were tele;;raph-
ed all ()V<'r it — the duty ofpalriotism at that perilous hoiirof tin;
liatiotTs life. He im])lored boili democrats and repnblieans to lay
aside their l»aity creeds and platforms; to dispcnsi; with party or-
pinizations and party ai»peals; to for^^et that they were ever di-
vided until they had lirst. icsciied the ;;'overninent from its assail-
ants. His aii;iimeiits were clear, convincing; and nnanswcrable ;
his appeals for tin; salvation of his eountry, irre-sistible. Jt was
the last speech, but one, he ever made.
Tims excrythinj;' moved inacc(M'd,as it should at such a time.
The demon of paity seemed sw allow <'d np in the awakened patri-
otism. Eveiythinj; was haiiiiony, concord and unity, actuated by
Init one purjtose, to uphold the lla;;' and maintain tin; integrity uf
the Union.
The first rippl(! aeross this smooth sea, in which api)an!ntly was
en^ulphe<l all party animosity, arose from the appointment of a
KiK'cessor to the lame,nt(Ml Doujjlas, who dieil on the ."{il of flun<;,
IStil. Some of the leadini;' republican newspapers of the State,
aettiiated by sentiments that rose above, party, demanded of (lov.
Yates the appointment of a Demociat to till flu; vacancy. But
the lesser tlion<,di mor(( numerous republican lij;lits, who, so loiij;"
as there was nothing to lose or j;ain, had been loud in praise of
buryin;,' th<' party hatchet diirinj,' the war for the, Union, now,
however, opposed this ma;;naiiiin(nis concession, .so well eahtnla-
ted to promote harmony, and severely denounced this step and the
yateh' adminihtuation.
«71
iiidi'cj'iit Imsto of tlicir ])nrty associiitoH to tniido tlin jxilitical sen-
tiiiK'iits (»r ilni Htiilc. TIh'v (lid not wiiiil to tliiiM l»iiv Wtc l(»Milty
of tliti dciMocriicv, tlh'V Hiiid. 'I'lic dciiiocriiry was not to Ito
tiiistcd ill tlui ciiici'^ifiicy wliicli tiiiciitciM'd tjic pcipctiiity ol llio
('nioii — ciliii;;' tiii^ aiilicoficioii i'<>.soliilioris of tii<- .laiiiiiiry Statn
dcinocrati*; <-onv<'iilioii, that tiic ;;<>v('riiiiifiit liiid no conslitiition-
ui power to put, down insiii'i'cct ion l)y military foict'. I'loni tliis
doMH-stic warfat'o tlit-deinociacy stood aloof ; they did not ('\p('(;t
llic .senators I dp, ii political ollirc, as a ;;iri, at I lie liiinds of t In- n--
jaihlicaiis. lint it may wi-ll lie ima;;ined that tlie taunts and
ilin^^H of tlu; lii< >>i' wtMc. not promotive, of tli(! ninity uiid unity of
feelin;,' so aiispiei(Misly l)e;;nn. While the advocates of such a|»-
jHiinlment ;:ave thus an ciirnest to sink tiar |)aiti/iin out of view
diirin;; tlie wai', they onj,dit to hiive loreseen tlni inal)iiity of his ex-
celieney to thr(»w (df party shac^klcs and rise to the grandeur nnd
independiMKte of such an act. Their ;,'ood intentions residlcd oidy
in harm. The ;;oM-rnor appointed a ie|iui)licaii, th(^ llon.O. II.
Jirownin;,^, (d'C^nincy, a ;;cntieman who, hy his le;;al attainnu-nts,
(KM-npied a fi'oiit rank at the bar of Illinois, and who, hy edmta-
tion, lar;{e ac(piaintan<;e with pnl)li<' alfairs, n:itnral altiiity and
Hilis <d'<»ralory, was in every way (pialilied to adorn th«r senatorial
ollice.
In th(^ meantime the national administration proceeded witli
the work ofotlicial deciijiilation fnliy as ninch as in timi-s of j)ro-
fiMind pea(;e, with no common dan;;cr liireatenin^j; and no other
])nhiic feelin;:' tlnin party animosity, and a seramiiie for the loaves
and lishes. While the dondnant party press cried "(,'nion'' and
'Mio part.v" diirin;; the, war, they apjtndiatcd at the same time the,
coursi; ofth(! atlnnnistration, and said: '-TluMlemocrats )ielon;L;° to
that politicral trilxr which, for years, have been ;;iviny, aid and com-
fort to Southern trnitors, and are now only for the IJidon hy the
force, of circumstances an<l not iiurliniition ; that the repidtiicaii
party, after diivin;,;- thi! disunionists out of ollicre at Washin;;ton,
Khould not allow their sympathizers to liold ollici^ anywhen; elso
in the c<innlry ; that tln^ j»coi»le »!.\i»ected tlie political axe to ho
applied."*
Democrats and reiud)licaiis had alike rallied with alaciity totho
defense, of the, nation. The former voted unlindted siipjdies of
money, men anti credit, to an administration which, in its civil ap-
jtointments, drew the, line of strict party separation — ii poor le-
qnital, indeed, for the generous surrender of party feelin;;' in the
moment (»f;:reat jteril to a common ;;()vernment ; and while the i'<!-
puhiicaiis were thus rcvelliii;; in the, full enjoyment of the spoils
of party vititory, it could hardly b(M'Xp<'ctcd that f)arti/an fcelin;j
shoidd he entirelv sunk out of view I»\ the dem.niraciy thus iriita-
ted.
Tlic Cotixtitittioudl Conrentinn of ].S()2. — In Nove'n.ber, ISOl,
quite an important election was to take place for dele;;'ates to re-
vise th(^ constitution. This convention had tinally been author-
ized by a vote of the ]»eople, after several ju'cvious attempts and
failures. The le;;'islature at its vvintersession of 18(51, with Homo
relucitance, owing to the changed conditiou of the nation, had
*Seo Itepublican press of thu period.
873
III8TUUV OV ILLmoiH.
IMiNscd Ww. iu!l for tli« i'lc(!ti(>iiiiiMlni('HiitKof tliJH im|K»rlinit IhxI.v,
VVIi(;ii tlir (oiivciilioii '..iiH ciillcd liiin-.s wcr(i yootl aiiW llic Sliihi
ill II pro.sjM'iou.s coiKlilioii; now tln-y wi'ii! Iiinil, liaiikN <liiily
broakiii;,', inoiic.v woiHiIi-nh, iiiid produce cxlrciiicl.y low.
It was to coiiMisI of 7r> iiM'inlM'r.s, corit-HpoiHliii;,' l<i llic, iiiiiiilicr
of icpresi'iilalivcs in the lower Iioiinc, of llie ;ieiieral aHMeiiilily, to
lie eleeled from tiie NaiiK*, diKlriet.s. 'J'lie le^iisialille elecled jii
\HiH) was repiildieaii — the hoiiNe ity live iiiajorily ii'id tiie senate
by one. Vet the election of deh'«;afes to the (-(Histitiit ional eon-
vention, lint, one year later, resulted in 4'> denioerats, L'l lepnldi-
ciiiiN, 7 fiisioiiists, and lidonhtfnl; tlii^ latter U a<;tiiiu in the eoii-
veiiti«»n mostly with the demoeiats. l-'rom this result, wliieh was
entirely iinexpeeied l»y the lepuiilit-aiis, it may well Im; inferred
that the democrats, liko their opponents, iiad also not, when tliu
Hcramble for ollice was at stake, sunk all parly issues out. of \ i(!W
wliih- the war should last. Jiide<-d, for parly oiyaiiization and
alertness, demociatii- leaders have! ever out maneuvered their op-
jionents, piohahly liecanse the rank and tile (d" tlu'ir parly hav«}
liVer been tractable. It seems thai the democracy in some repub-
lican dist ricis readily at,M'eed toa fusion upon an eipiilabh- or s;''i.s-
factoiy division of candidates, but in disliicis where they had (tiear
liiajoriti(!S, tliise,o;,Miate riih; was i;inor(!d, a «trai;4ht party ticket
brou;^ht out, and <;le(;t<Ml.
Anion;,' the dele;;ates were, many well known ])oliticiaiis <d" the
State. In the list of names may be, recit^iiiized e.\j;(»vernors, ex-
coii^^iM'ssmen, e.\ State ollicials, ex lej,Mslalors, learned Jurists wlui
lield on to their seats upon the btMicli while they were, reiiiodelin;^
the oif^anic! law, distiii;;uisli<!d lawyers, experieiuMMl editors, anil
able civilians.
The convention assemliled .laniiary 7tli, 1S(>L', and at once t<iok
tlie lii;;li position that, after due oi<;aiii/atioii, the law (tailing it
was no longer biiidin;,^ and that it ha<l supreme jiower; that it
represented a virtual assembla^eof the whole, iieoph- of tlieState,
and wa.s sovenujiii in the <'xercise of all power iiecisssary to etleet
a peaceable revolution of the State J4<»\eriiiiieiit, aifd l(»the restab-
lishment of om^ for the '' ha|t|»iness, {uosiierity and freedom of
Die (;iti/<'ii,"limitedonly by the federal constitution. Nt)t withstand-
\u<X the law calliii;;' the (convention re(piired that, liefore eiiterin;^
upon their duties, the members should <-acli take an oath tosiip-
porl the, conslitiitioii of the l.'nited Slates, and of this State, th(!y
utterly refus((d to include the, liitter, denyiii<i the ri;;lit of the lej^-
islature to prescrilxt their oath of olliicc, and lioldiii;^- it inconsistent
for them to swear to inaiiitaiii wliat it was their duty to tear to
pieces.*
They claiiiKMl tlieir aiitliority from the votii of tlie people at tlio
election of bSOO, and iiol, from the siibsecpient actof the le;,nsla-
ture, which liad exhausti'd ilspowerby authorizing; their el(;c,tiou
and could atta(;li no condition to their dutil^s; that if the legisla-
ture could bind them in their oath, it could in the articbss to bo
amended, and thus in advanci! render null the voice of the peo-
ple and the labors of the convention.
*8ce roinurks of Mr. Anthony, of Cook, a republican, who Urat called atteatioa to
this view.
YATEH' ADMINIHTKATHIN. 873
TIh'.v went (artlicr, iiiiil aMHcrlcil llicii' MiiiiciiiiU'V, not on* with
icrcrciKM- tt) tlic liaiiiiiij^ of uroiistitiitioii, hut assiiiiictl tin- li^lit
t<> (control the <'X«'<'utiv«; i1<'|iaitiiii>iilH (if tin* Stiitit ^ovrrii-
)iH'iit--llH- i^ovi-nioi' aii<l Niiltonliiiatr, Stato ollicialH — tin* roiirtH
uiiil all ni;;iiat«r iiiatlfrH; that lh<-\ ^V('n^ HoVMci^ii with ir^'anl
l<i l)()tli cxistiiitr lawH and thf. roiiHtitiitioii,aH it, was their ph-asiim
to will. 'I'hiH was hich ami rxtraoriliiiai'.N ^khiikI to take, tlidii^h
lilt Mitin-ly new. Nor diil tl'i- (■oiiwiitioii .stop with tin- iimto
i'iaiiii of thcs*' cxtriionliiiar;, powci's — it ^'hsaycd to cxt'irist' tin'iii.
1'hi.s led dit'tMttly t«iaii oiiNl<iii;;ht, rroiii th< rcpiililiraii pics.s ol Iho
Htat«% which ;,'n'wiii Kliai|iii<'.s.s um itKsitti.it.' proyicsHcd. 'I'hc <-oii-
Aciitioii waH^h'iioiiiin'd as an il!(';;ally or^aiii/.ed body — u mere
Jiiol), rxcrciKiiijr (i,sui|i(mI ]iow<T8, Hh;.
'I'Im- h-yislatiin', at iln Hpcrial Hcssion ol' Api " l.'Sfil, liad, it will
J;»! icmcmlM'n'd, w itii a liln-ial hand, appidpii •! *.'>,.'iO(»,(i()(M'or
war piii'iiosi-H. WImmi tlm «;onv(Mitioii intit it MiKu-dily ascciia 'cd
that the uovci'iior iiad not stopped with the cxpcnditun- of tho
iippi'o|it'iatioii, lint, without authority ol'law, had ;;i'fatly t-xci-idcd
its limits — the at;';r(';iatt' ••laims audited liy the military audilinjf
board amounting to )!(l,SS."i,«8«i. This was in express violation of
the law. Iiiit these 'iaiiilities had lieeii contra* te<l in :i crisis of
«!Xtraordinary peril to our country, to feed clothe, eipiip and or-
^ani/.e the troops of Illinois at a tiim- wlhii the ;^(iveriiment itself
was in< xpeiienced in e\ery step it took, and should certainly not
have caused tlui arraiynnK'Ht of the j;(ivernoi' as lieinj^ false to his
(iHicial trust and olili;;ations. lie had a ri^iht t > and doulitles.s
did rely upon the people for his actpnttance, so lon^^ as it was
Hhown that tiicHe, expenditures were, m-iU'ssary, and the money
\VHH rightfully apiilied, to jiidiiiote, the comfort and eHieiency of
<iiir troops, r.esides, the {general f,fovernmeiit was under olilifia-
tioiis — which it has iiilly discharjicd — to reiniliurse the States for
uecu'ssary expendilunis in thee(|iiipnient of their volunteers.
I5ul in the fall of l.S(il, tln^ I'. S. (piarlermaster's dejiartment
Hcnt. its afjent to Sjirin;,'lield to lake char;;('of all exjiemlituics in-
cident to the NUpjilies and efjiiipment of Illinois troo]is.*
This did not accoi'd with the wishes of his excellency. To the
a^icnt's re(pM'st to ndieve, lli<! Slate, the governor rejilied that ho
{i\ailed himself of the ri;;ht confericd by act of (.'oii;:;ress upon
each Stat(! to fuinish supplies for its troops, (,'oiitracts foi- sup-
jilies wer(! still given out, one for clothing aloiu; umounting to
o\ cr )!f.SOO,()()().*
The State was for a time tlireatened with a loss of ^l.'JO-
((()(», on account of inferior clothing puichased by the gov-
criKir's agent, in I'hiladelphia. J-'inally, liiit nut till in January,
LSO.i, upon a sharii (h-mand from the Secietary of War, th»' ex-
jicnditures and rich drijijiings of the (juartermaster's department
wen; turned over to the geneial go\criinicnt. In this iiislaiHM!,
liowever, the conduct of the gov(;rn<ir, by thus (ixing a liability upon
th« Slat(5 beyond the war fund jirovided, in thefaceof tln^ demand
of the war (h'liartment to i('li(!V(! the State, cannot certainly be ex-
temiated upon the grounds of luicessity.
•Si!0 Q. M. Gen. McIks' lutter to the aovcruor Sept, 2f, IWJl.
*See corrc^iKiudencc of Q. M. Ueu. Meigs.
874
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
Till! con veil tion iiiiulc iiiuiiy of tlicse matters the subjoct of in-
quiry, Tliey (loiiiiiiidi'd of the governor, L)y resoUition, to know
whetlier the j;'eneriil jiovernnieiit had notitled him of its veadiiiess
to relieve the State of tjie further expenditures in the orj^aniza-
tioii, equipment and maintenance of troops enlisted in this iState
for the service of the 11. 8.; whethi'r the j;eiieral government had
not sent its agent here for that purpose, and if so why the arrange-
ment had not been made; also all corresiiondence with the gen-
eral government in relation thereto. They called upon him (by
resolution of iVIr. Wentwoith, republican) to fuinisli the conven-
tion the names and pay of all persons apiiointed to office by him
since the beginning of the war, and out of what aiiproprjutious
they were ])aid ; wliat civil oflicers or agents he was empowered to
api)oint under the constitnt ion ; and whether the militia of the State
called into service had been permitted toelect theirown officers, and
if not, by what authority he had exercised those functions, &:c. The
Illinois Central If. 11. Company, which, in its grant of land from
Congress, was bound, in exi)ress terms, to render to the general
governiiieiit transportation for troops and munitions of war, free
of charge, had brought against this State a claim for military
transportation of 8110,71!), which had been audited and ajj proved
by a majority (Messrs. Thomas and Woodward) of the State mili-
taiy auditing board. The company wanted to set ott" this claim
against the semi-annual dividend of 7 per centum of its gross
earnings. The convention iiistru(!ted the new board of army au-
ditors (the auditor, treasurer and governor,) to suspend all action
in relation to this claim until further notice from them. His excel-
lency, in several lengthy communications, comiilied with the de-
mands of the convention, setting forth in detail all his transactions
iiKpiired about; but iinally, in a short letter, dated February oth,
1802, after stating that he had, from the beginning, maintained
that the claims of the Central railroad could not be brought
against the State of Illinois, but were property chargeable against
the general government, he sharply delined his independence by
saying, "he did not acknowledge the right of the convention to
instruct him in the performance of his duty."
The convention went still further. Instead of revising the con-
stitution simply, it als'- assumed legislative jiowers and put its
linger into almost every conceivable State affiiir. It attempted
to crush the free banks by instruijting the auditor not to issue to
any more bank notes to circulate as money, unless the bank lirst
showed, by the affidavits of two credible witnesses that it had
on hands, always previous thereto, a cash capital of not less than
$i50,(»(»(> ; that it had never refused to redeem its circulation iu
specie; and that at the time of application for further issues, it
had actually, and in good faith, a paid in capital of $50,000. The
reipiireineiits of these impossibilities from the banks was, per-
haps, well enough, to save the people from further losses by
" stnnip-tail " currency.
It also passed, by a vote of 39 to 23, an ordinance ratifying the
amendment to the constitution of the U. S.. projiosed by joint res-
olution of Congress, March 2, 18(51: Article XIII — "Xo amend-
ment shall be made to the constitution which will give to Con-
gress the power to abolish orinterferewithin any State with tliedo-
inestic relations thereof, including that of persons held to labor
YATES' ADMINISTRATION. 875
or service by tlie laws of said State." Tlio coiiveiitioii liml not
been called for the purposeof ratifying this aniendinent, andCon-
gress, which has the selection of the mode of ratitication, had des-
igiiiitcd the lejjislatures. Some leading democratic members
protested against this step, not that they did not approve
the amendment, bnt becanse the convention had not legislative
power to act in thei)remise8.
A resolution was introduced to in(piire into the feasibility of
electing a U. S. senator in place of the api)ointee of the governor.
And this step was en(!ouraged by the democratic press, as it en-
eouniged all the proceedings. Jn these ways the bitter hostility of
the entire rei>ublican press of the State was provoked, and it did
not halt or hesitate, but came to the cliarge with a will. The cry
of usurpation was raised. It was charged that the convention
■went out of its legitimate si)here to provoke a collision with the
Stale authorities ; it was denounced as a mob of political dema-
gogues who sougiit by every means to discredit the war for the
Union, destroy the government and build up secession democra(!y
on its ruins. The strictures of the press were unparalleled in gross-
iiess and severity.*
And now, February 18, 1SG2, tlie convention, by a vote of 50 to
1(5, pas+sed an ordinance approiu'iating $.10(>,00() for the exclusive
pur[>ose of rel'eving the wants and sutferings of Jllinois sick and
Avoiinded soldiers battli)'g for the Union and the constitution.
To raise the necessary funds, 10 per cent, bomls were to be imme-
diately issued, redeemable at the pleasure of the State. The
governor, treasurer, and finance committee of the convention
"Were constituted a comnussion to properly expeml this fund. J)ut
this most gen ;'rous action was characterized by Kepuhlicans as a
Demociatic ell'ort to nuUie political capital out of the war. The cou-
Aeiilion was ridiculed as having gone off on a buiu;onib ordinance,
aiul its mend)i!rs snt^eringiy denounced as eleventh-hour [)atriots.
The bonds bearing the enormous rate of 10 i)er cent, interest, it
\vas argued, would astonish the iiiumcial centres of the country;
that tiie whole scheme was meant to aim a blow at the credit of
the State, to give aid and comfort to the rebellioji. So ditticult is
it Ibi' one party to [(lease another, with the most liberal acts even,
in favor of a cause es[)oused by both. Notwithstanding a resolu-
tion directing the prei)aratioii of the bonds and their sale, the
State odicials, all Republicans, wholly ignortnl the behests of the
convention, and the oidinance Ix'canie a dead letter. Thesicicand
wounded Jllim)is soldiers received no State aid, said the Demo-
crats, because it was not tln^ act of the dominant party. As the
convention i)ossessedi)robably no legislative power, the ordinance
was doubtless a nullity, and. t)ie bojids would have been worthless
in market.
;S'(>»/e Features of the Instrnmcnt framed: ' ~ ~
Sec. 30, Article 11, provided tluit " The people of this State hiive the
exclusive rif^lit of governing themselves as a free, sovereign and inde-
pendent Stale, and do ami forever shall enjoy and exercise every power
*A correspondent of tlio Chicoffo Tribune boldly charged that 31 members of the
convutition helonsrcd to the Kniiilits of the Golden Circle -coninionly rLMHitoil to bo a
trcusDiiiililc noliticiU orjriiiiizution In synipntliy with the rebellion. This I'oolisli and
uiis\i|il)<>ite(l cliarKo wii.s clignilled by the convention with tlio consideration of a
rcsoliilion to ininiire and I'errot out whothor any member did belong to any .such or-
der, or was in treasonable oorrespoudeucu with the Conl'edoracy; the resulutioa
went to Its urave by relcrenee.]
876
HISTORY OP ILLINOIS.
Hi
pertaining thereto, which is not and may not thereafter be by tliem ox-
Erossly delegated to the people of the United States of America, or pro-
ibitfd to tlie State by the constitution of the United States."
In this Kepiiblicans discovered lurking the aboniinahle lu'vesy
of State sovereignty and the right of secession, which set a iStiite
abo\ e tlie nation, and had proven the bane of tlie Union ; wiiich
fostered sectionaHsni and made of one's own countrvnien aliens.
Long before the labors of the convention were concluded, blind
l)artisaiusni,lashetl into fury, was arrayed against whatever might
be i»roduced by it, good or bad. When the work was linally com-
pleted and published, it was at once ruthlessly attacked by the
liepublicans, notwithstanding its many excellencies and great ini-
l>roveinent upon the old constitution. Its provisions Avere suck
that where responsibility could be attached it was done ; eveiy-
thing was tixed, determined and rigidly enforced upon the respec-
tive departments of go^"ernment, with nothing left to chance or
mischievous interpretation. It guarded the interestsof the people,
lessened taxation, and sought to compel an honest administration
of public afi'airs generally. It relieved from the useless 2 mill tax
of the old constitutioii. saving to the i)eople $1,0()(>,()()0 annually.
It abolished the grand jury system in all cases except felony.
This inquisitorial institution, though venei^able with age^ is a cum-
brous and expensive nuichinery in the administration of justice
illy adapted to the dexibility of our day. The statistics of ISOl
showed that out of ■4,(J8li indictments found in this iState, but 'MO
convictions were had, leaving ui)on the residue an indelible stain
ftu' the ringer of scorn to i)oint at, perhaps to the second genera-
tion. The constitution placed a curb uponaailroad corporations,
both existing and prospective, and effectually limite<l all monopo-
lies. The 7 per ciiut. fund, arising from the gross earnings of the
Central llailroad, was detinitely tixed so that no future legislature
might be tampered witii for its removal. Si)ecial legislation was
l)rohibited, cutting up. by the roots, the occupation of the lobby
coiinorants. All of wii'ch provoked the ardent hostility of the
many large and intluential interests affected, which thus reinforced
the partisan opposition to it with a powerful auxiliary.
lUit upon the other hand, it should also be said that in contradis-
tinctionof the ancient theory, that the iState is the fountain of jus-
tice which can do no wrong, it contained a ])r(»visi(>n ibr bringing
suits against the State prostrating its sovereignly at the feet of every
one, and opening a Pandora's box to let loose all manner of frauds
upon the common treasury. Apportionments, whether fair or
otherwise, always give partisan offense, and it was so with the
Avork of the convention. A revision of the census of 18G0, entitled
Illinois to 14 instead 13 congressmen, the State having been
apportioned for 13 by the legislature in 18G1. The convention
plan gave to each i)olitical party 7 members; but as the liepubli-
cans felt that they had a popular majority in the State, tliey pre-
ferred a congressnuin at large. The opjxjnents further charged
that while by the census of IStiO, the l{ei)ub!;can counties con-
tained a population of 1)-I2,00."i, and tlie Democratic 7()'.),74S, yet
by the api)ortioinnent ibr members of the legislature, the latter
Avould have 19 of the 3.'*) senators, and 57 of the 102 rejirescnta-
tives, and that it was so contrived that if the former should carry
the State by a popular majority the general assembly would still
YATES' ADMINISTRATION. 877
Ih> (Iciiioonitic. In makiiifj State ofticers elective biennially instead
ot'<|iia(li'eiiuiall.v, the eonveiition coinniitted its gravest bliuuler by
disiiii.s.sinjj' IVoin otlice the incumbents, wliose terms would be but
liiilf expired, and ordering a new election in November, ]8(!:3;
■\vliile tiie circuit and county clerks, mostly democratic, were re-
tained till the exi)iration of their full terms. This Avas an unjust
])iirtisan disminiination, whi(;Ii the peojjle would not brook, and
they defeated the instrument in June following. Six diflerent
])i'(>])ositions were sei)arately subnutted to a vote of the people.
The (Constitution ])roper, the article prohibiting baidvs, and the
congressional apportionment, were all defeated, the former by a
niiijority of 10,(>.">1. ]]ut the article pi'ohibiting negroes and nui-
luuoi's from settling in the State, was carried by l(H»,i"»i)0 majority ;
tiiat prohibiting their voting, by 176,271, with only ;i."),(U1) votes
agninstit; and the requiring these ])rovisions to be carried into
elfect by a[>])ropriate legislation, by 154,.j24 majority. Such was
tiieu still the overwhelmingly donnnant sentiment of the people
of this State with regard to tlie political status of the black man.
Three monthsafter tliis overwhebning expression of the people of
Illinois, Mv. Liiucoln issued his preliminaryproclamation of freedom,
totlu'Atiican bondsmen of America; and in November following,tho
State, which in .Tune cast over lO.OOO votes majority against the
constitution as a party mensure, went largely against the Itepub-
liciins, the J)emocrats electing 1) out of the 14 congressmen, in-
cluding the cougressnum from the State at large by 10,355; the
State Treasurer and Sui)erinteiHleut of Public Instniction, and
carried both houses of the general assembly. The sumnK.T of
1S<)2 had witnessed the great uprising of the peojde in the ready
volunteering of (3(K),()(M) men, and more, until the government re-
fused them. After the proclamation, contraiy to the predictions
of (I reel ey, Andrew and Yates, such patriotic scenes were not
again witnessed. The conscri])t law, threatened drafts and local
bounties afterward supplied tlie demand. Had the constitution
been adopted in June, the State, by the election of a governor and
Statci otlicers in November, Avould have wholly passed into the
Lands of the democrats — whether for good or evil, is left to the
conjecture of the reader.
Democratic and Republican Conventions of 1863. — On the 10th
of September, 1802, the State Democratic Convention was held at
Springflehl in Cook's Uall. The atteiulance was not full, the call
being for 529 and the attendance 381. The contest for congress-
man at large lay between C/ol. T. Lyle Dickey, of LaSalle, a war
democrat, himself and sons having enlisted in the service for the
Union, and James C. Allen, of Crawford. The latter was noud-
nated on the first ballot, by 17 majority, which was regarded as
an anti-war triumph. Alexander Starne, of Pike, was chosen as
tlie candidate for treasurer, and John P. Brooks, of Rock Island,
for superintendent of public instruction. At this stage of the pro-
ceedings no little commotion was produced by W. 13. Scales, of
Gen. 3IcClernand's staff, offering a series of resolutions, favoring
a vigorous prosecution of the war, " whether slavery survived or
perished," adoi)ting the language of Mr. Lincoln ; and using the
language of Mr. Douglas — " There are only two sides to the ques-
tion — every mau must be for the United States or against it.
878
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
m
There can be no nentnils in tliis Mar; only patriots and traitors.
The more stupendous our i)ro|)arations, tlie h'ss blood slicd and
the shorter the struj^jile ;" that it was the duty of American citi-
zens to rally around tlie tla<>; of their country ; approving-, also, of
the i)resident's call for ()()(>,(»()() volunteers. The resolutions were
immediately tabled by a lar<>e majority.
Of the resolutions rei)orted by the c.omnutteo on platform,
through the Hon. W. A. llic^liardson, and unanimously adopted,
we fiive the tirst and second in full, with a synopsis of tlie re-
mainder:
"HsKo/rctJ, Thnt the jonstltntion, nnd Inws rnnde Inpursunncc thereof, aro.nnd must
remain the siipronie law of flio liuid; mid iis such, must lie preserved and niiilntaiiHMl
In their proper and rifflitfiil sni)renuic,v ; that tlie rcbelliDii now in arms a^ruiiist tliiiu
must be 8iipj>resse(l; and it is the iliity of all good eitizens to aid the jieneral fiovcrn-
meiit in all iefral and eonstitutional measures neeessary anil proper to the aeeomplisli-
ment of this end.
^•HcKiilrnl, That the doctrines of Southern and Northern extremists arc alike ineon-
sislent with the I'lHleral constitution, and Irrecoiioilalile with the union and har.iiony
of the country. Tlie llrst have alrea<ly involved vis in civil war, and the latter. iV jicr-
uiltted to retain asfcendeney, will leave the nation but little hope of the restoration of
the ITnloain peace."
They further protested apiinst con<;ress ])led<jin<? the nation to
l)ay ior all slaves that should be emancii)ated ; condemned as
tyrannical, the recent arbitrary arrests of our citizens by the .yeu-
eral jioveniment, and their transportation beyond the State, de-
mandiiiji' their immediate restoration for trial at home; denounced
the military interference Avith the freedom of speech and the
press; viewed with alarm the reckless cxtravajjaiice peivadiiifi"
eveiy department of government; consi(U'red the new exci.se law
as unjust and oppressive to the af>ricultiiral States; commended
strict economy in State alfairs. and the payment of taxes in United
States treasury notes ; suslained the president in his recent declar-
ation to "save the Union the shortest way under the «;onstitution ;"
asked from the authorities of Illinois the enforcement of the nejiro-
exclusiou clause, recently added to the constitution; and teii-
deivd their thanks to the volunteei-s of Illinois, for their yaUant
services at Belmont, Donelson, Shiloh, Lexington and Frederick-
town. The convention was held about a week prior to the issu-
ance of the ])r()clamation of freedom.*
The Republican, or Union State Convention, as it calleil itself,
met September 24, 1<S(L*, two days after that proclamation. Out
of .'UO delegates entitled to, 1528 attended. For ('ongressman at
large there were a dozen candidates, but the Hon. Eben C. Inger-
soll, of Peoria, a strong war democrat, who, immediately after the
adjournment of the Democratic Convention, had taken occasion, in
a published letter, to denounce its secession procjiivities, and made
a strong call for a State convention, comi)osed of true, loyal
democrats, who would draw a line between union and disunion,
without ail ''if" or a " but," was now taken up by the liepnbii-
cans. and nominated on the 4th ballot, his strongest oiijunients
being such original republicans as II. P. H. Bromwell and Jack-
son (irimshaw. William Butler, of Sanganion, was nominated for
treasurer, and Newton Eatemau for superintendent of public iu-
strucfioii.
The committee on platform, through Lawrence Weldon, made
their rei)ort, wliiith was adopted, and which we condense. It de-
nounced the rebellion as the most causeless known to history j
. See Illinois State Kegister, Sept. IT, 1862.
^Bi
YATES' ADMINISTllATION. 879
aekno\^ k'djjed but two divisions of the jx'oplo — tlie lo^ al, loady to
inakc^ any saciitice lor the iiitvf^iity of tiic Union a' d the prt'scr-
A'ation of liberty, and those who openly or covertly endeavored to
sever tlie former and yield the latter; called upon nil patriotic
citizens to rally for an undivided <!ountry and oiu', 11 a;^, and the
prosecution of the war to any extent or sacrifice; cordially ap-
proved the proclamation of freedom as ii fi'reat and inii)erativewar
measure essential to the salvation of the Union, pledfiinj; all
trniy loyal citizens to the snj)port of the president in its enforce-
ment; conniuMHled the patriotic and ellicient aid of loyal demo-
crats, but deprecated the course of those i)olitical leaders, who,
while studiously avoidiuj^' all harsliiu'ss towaid the <'onspiratorsof
the sonth, found fanit with the administration for its manner of
l)rosecuting the war; favored a system of direct taxation to sup-
l)ress the rebellion, but ilenuindecl an eijuitable modilication of the
existinjjj excise law; (ionunended, ;'s a work of j^reat national im-
portance, the construction of a ship canal, connecting;' Lake .Michi-
f!;,.iu with the Mississippi river; expressed fjratitude to the j^over-
iu)r for his labors to brinji" into the field the Illinois troops, and
his efforts to care for them in sickness; and that the Illinois vol-
iint(un"s were entitled to our lasting gratitude for nobly periling
their lives in battle, from Kansas to the Potomac* We have
already stated that the election in Xo\ ember, 1(S()2, resulted in a
comi»lete vi(!t(uy for the democrats. The State ticket was caiiied
by an average of over 1(),()(K) majority, showing a change of c{l},()00
votes since Jnne, when the Ilepiibli(;ans defeated the new consti-
tution by 1G,0(K> niaj(uity. Deiinxtrats attributed this remarkable
change in the sentiments of the people to the proclamation of free-
dom of tSeptember L'li, 18G2.
The Last Democratic LegiNlaturc of Illinois. — The political status
of the L'.'Ul General Assembly, elettted November, 18(12, was as
follows: Senate, democrats 13, republicans 12; House, democrats
54, republicans 82. With the meeting of this body on the r)th of
January, 18(!;i, flushed with thedemociatic triumph at the polls,
not only in Illinois, but other Northern States, a large outside
force of well-kiu)wn politicians, like vultures to their feast, also
collected at the cajutal. These, joined by some of the members,
arranged a i)ublic meeting at tli^i Hall of liei)resentatives for the
evening of the first <lay of the session, in which every part of the
State was reiuesented. V. Hickox, of theState Democuatic Com-
mittee, presided, and Capt. Thos. W. ^McFall, of QuiiK^v, wasmado
secretary. A committee of 10 on resolutions, one from each con-
gressional district, and three from the State at large, was ap-
liointed, embracing the following prominent names : •!. N. ]Moiris,
L. W. Koss, John T. Lindsav, K. J). Tavlor, S. A. Buckmaster,
John T. Stuart, John Scliotield, O. B. Ficklin, W. A. Hacker, H.
M. Vandeveer, A. C. Harrington, M, Y. .lohnson, C. H. Lanphier
and B. L. Oaullield. Messrs. W. A. Kieliardson, S. S. ]\Iarshall,
Itichard L. Merrick and W. (J. Goudy addressed the vast audi-
ence, denouncing the president as a usur[iei', criticising the con-
duet of the Avar in unmeasured terms and characterizing it as bar-
barous and disgraceful.
* See Illinois State Journal, Sept. 25, 1862
880 HISTORY OF ILLINOIS-
Tlio coiumittoc rcpoitod tlio following resolution, wbioh was
vocifi'ionsly upplaiided and unaninjou.sly adopted:
Itcxdircd, That the eninnulpntion procliitmulon of tlie I'lcsidtnt of the U.S. isns
unwurniiitalile in iiillitiiry us In civil law; ii friKiintlo UHiirpatlon, lit once convertintj
tlie wiir, professoilly coniincntiod liy the iidniinistnitlon for the vlmllcation of the au-
thority ol the constitution, Into the crusaile for thosuiiilen, uncomlitional and violent
llilunition of 3,(KKI,0(I0 of iicjfro slaves; a result which would not only lie a toliil sub-
version ol' the federal Union, but a revolution in thesoeial orjriini/.uticin of the South-
ern States, theiniii.ediate and veinotc, the present and the tar-reuchinir conHcouonees
of wliieh to both races cannot be contemplated without the most dismal forcriodiiiKS
of horr'irand dismay. The procliimatioii invite? servile iusurre<!tlon as an element in
this eintineipatioa crusade -a nieiiiis of warfare, tlie Inhuinanity and dlatiolism of
which are without example In civilized warlare, and which we denounce, and which
the civilized world will denounce, as an ineifaceable disgrace to the American name."
The conunittce were inNtincted to rei)ort furtlieron the evening
of January 8tii, to wliieh time the meeting adjourned— -a day sa-
cred from its patriotic associations — when this scene was again
rehearsed.
Attiiat time the Hon. I. N. Morris, of the committee, reported
a set of 11 resolutions, condemning the administration for sn.spen-
ding the writ of habeas corpus in the arrest of private citizens, and
their incarceration in political biistiles ; the dismemberment of
Virginia; and "That while we condemn and denounce the flagrant
and monstrous usurpiitions of the administration, and llie en-
croachments of abolitionism, we remain equally hostile to the
Southern rebellion." They further commended a cessation of hos-
tilities with the rebellious foe, to allow, as they said, the peo^ile
of the Xorth and the South to express their wishes for peace,
and a maintenance of " the Union as it was and the constitntion
as it is," through a national convention to meet at Louisville,
Kentucky, to which the legislature was invited to send a suita-
ble number of discreet commissioners in behalf of Illinois. In
these resolutions we find foreshadowed and prescribed the subse-
quently notorious armistice or peace resolutions of the legislature,
which were attended with so much partizau strife antl loss of
tune.
The speeches made in support of the resolutions were of the
most intiainmable anti-war character. The speakers on this oc-
casion were Judge O'Melveny, Hon. O. B. Ficklin, li. L. Merrick,
B. Caulfleld and T. Lyle Dickey, the latter the only one who coun-
selled moderation, saying that to stir up a counter-revolution to
oppose revolution could only result in the destruction of our whole
political fabric. Detraction of the president for issuing the pro-
clamation of freedom, denunciation of the policy of his adnnnis-
tration, criticism of the conduct of the war, and opposition to it^
were indulged as on the preceding occasion, with added force and
bitterness of expression. They charged that the war had been
perverted, for political reasons, from a war for the restoration of
the Union, to a costlj' struggle of blood and treasure, purposely
protracted for the accomjdishment of partizan ends. It was de-
manded that not another dollar or a single man should be contri-
buted to carry on such a monstrous contest. The people of the
New England States were charged with causing all the trouble
leading to the deplorable war ; and a reconstruction of the Union
by joining with the South, leaving them out, was advocated. Not
a word was uttered in denunciation of the rebels. The in<!onsist-
eucy of the republican party was shown by quoting the Chicago
platform of 18G0: "That the maintenance inviolate of the
i
YATES' ADMINISTRATION. 881
lijilits of tlio States, and especially the rijihts of eaeli State to
Older and control its own domestic institutions, according" to its
own jndunient exclusively, was essenlial to that balance of ]>»nv(!r
on wiii(!h the perfection and endurance of our political faith de-
pends." The violation of the president's promise to the country
was shown by (piotini; from the inauf;ural address: "1 have no
l)urpose, directly or indirectly, to interfere with the institution of
slavery in the States where it exists; 1 believe 1 have no lawful
ri<>lit to do so, and hijve no inclination to doso. " And the repub-
lican congress, after the JJull Itun disaster, had pledj^ed the lui-
tiou " that this war was not waged, on tlieir part, in any spirit of
oppression, or for any purpose of conquest or subjugation, or pur-
pose of overthrowing or interfering with the rights or estublisiied
institutions of the States, but to defend and nniintain thesninem-
acy of the constitution, and to preserve the Uiuon, with all the
dignity, equality and the rights of the several States unim-
paired."*
But the numerous military arrests for treasonable utterances
which the general government had, for some time, caused to be
made — so)ne of tlu;sutterers being present — aftbrded tlieorators the
rarest field for the display of their declamatory powers, and 11. T.
IMerrick, gifted Avith a singular power of eloquent denunciation,
shone with unwonted brilliancy. Forcible resistence to these un-
lawful aggressions upon the rights of the citizen was freely coun-
seled. Tins was doubtless a political blunder on the part of tlie
general government by which little good was accomi)lished. In
many instances insignificant, if not contemptible treason-spouters
were arrested and imprisoned, men never heard of before beyond,
tlieir immediate neighborhoods, who, upon their return found
themselves notorious, sympathized with, and, often by many
sanctified into martyrs and heroes.
Thus duly impressed, and their course mapped out for them by
the democratic leaders, the dominant partizans of the 23d Gen-
eral Assembly were not slow to follow it. They refused, for a
long time, to print the usual number of copies of the governor's
long and able message. In the House, M. W. Fuller, of Cook,
on the 8th of January, introduced a resolution adroitly quoting'
the language of Gen. Juckon's farewell address : "The constitu-
tion cannot be mai?\tained, nor the Union jjreserved in opposition
to public feeling, by the mere exertion of the coercive powers of
the government." Mr. Wenger, of Tazewell, one to the effect that
after an unsuccessful war of two years' duration to crush the re-
bellion, hostilities ought to be immediately suspended and a na-
tional convention ai)i)ointed to settle the difticulty. In the Senate,
Mr. Vandeveer, of CLtistian, on the 21st of January, offered a i)re-
amble and set of resolutions, to the effect that the people of the
loyal States had acquiesced in, rather than approved of the coer-
cive policy of the federal administration; that the government
was impoverished, the people weighed down with an onerous
debt and the land filled with cripples, widows and orphans, with-
out restoring the Union ; and that as the Union was brought about
by concession and compromise, they should memorialize congress
to obtain an armistice and cessation of hostilities for a national
•Crittenden resolution, 1801.
882
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
coiivciitioii to asst'iiible iit Loiiisvillc, toiuljiist tlu' <lilliculti('.s. Mr.
Uii(U'i\V(M)(l, of St. Clair, uLso, with a like view, ((IVered a [ireainhle
and lefsoliitiDii Kolieitiiiy eoiiyresH to obtain llie (consent of tlie
(States to call a uatioiial convention to amend tlie constitution of
the U. S.
Ami now tlic lef>islature took a pleasure trip to .loliet and
Cbica<{o. At tlie latter place a larj^e democratic mass meeting
tortile occasion gave exiiression to the popular opposition to the
Lincoln misrule, as it was calle«l. Members participated in tlie
proceedings, and, by resolution, the JSpringlield meetings of the
5tli and Stli of January were ajiproved.
On the ith of February, Mr. VVike, of Pike, from the commit-
tee on federal relations, reported to the House the notorious ar-
mistice resolutions :
The prciiinble iisserted the supremacy of the constitution In time of war as well as
peace, iiiiij its su^peiii^iuii. whetlier by the North or South, to be alike disunion ; tliat It
could not be niaiiituined by eoeroion, but by ap|)eul to the people peaeetully asfieni-
blod ihrougl) llieir representatives ; tliat to it the ulleKiance of the eili/.en was alone
due— not to any uiau, ofliceror administration; that the aet ol the lederai admuiislra-
tlon in suspendiiiK tlie writ of habtaii airiiun, the arrest ol citizens not subject to mili-
tary law, without warrant or authority, transportiui? them to distant States, iiieareer-
UtiuK tliein in political prisoi)s, without charge or accusation, denying them the ri»;ht
of trial by jurv, witni.'Soes in their favor, or counsel for their k-fense; withholdinur
from tliem all knowledge ot their accusers, and the cause of their arrera; answering
their petitions for redress by repeated injury and insult; ijreseribing, in many eases, us
acon<lition of tiieir release, test oaths, arbitrary and illegal; in the abridMeiiient olf
freedom of speech, and of the press, by imprisoning the citizen (or expressing his sen-
timents, by siipnressing newspapers by military force, and establishing u censorship
over others, wholly incoinpatible with freedom of tliouglit and expression of opinion,
anil tlie establishment of a system of espionage, by a secret police, to invade the sacred
Srivacy of unsuspecting citizens; in declaring martial law overstates not in rebel-
on, and when the courts are open and unobstructed for the punishment of crime: in
declaring the slaves of loyal, us well as well as disloyal citlzeiis, In certain Slates and
parts ol States, free; the attempted enforcement <if compensated emanelpution; the
proposed taxation of the laboring white man to purchase the freedom and secure the
elevat ion of the negro; the transportation of negroes into the State ol Illinois, in dett-
ance of the repeatedly expressed will of the people; the arrest and imprisonment of
the representatives of a free and a sovereign State; the dismemberment of the State
of Virginia, erecting within her boundaries anew State, withouttheconsentot her leg-
islature are,oachand all, arbitrary and unconstitutional— a usiirpatiouof the legislative
functions, and a suspension of the judicial departments of the State and federal gov-
ernment— subverting the constitution— State and federal— invading the reserved
rights ol the people, and the sovereignty of the States, and, if sunetioned, destructive
of the Union— establishing, upon the coiiimon rulus of the liberties of the peo-
f)le, and the sovi reignty of the Statop, a consolidated military despotism. And we
lereby solemnly declare that no American citizen can, without the crime of inHdelity
to his country's constitutions, and the allegiance which lie bears to each, sanction such
usurpation. Believing that our silence will be c •iminal, and may be construed into
consent, in deep reverence forour constitution wliich has been ruthlessly violated, we
do lierel)y enter our most solemn protest against these usurpations f power, a d place
thesame before the world, intending therby to warn our public scrvauts against fur-
ther usurpations. Therefore,
licxiilvtit by the lioimeof Uepresentativeii, the Senate concvrringhcrcin, That the army was
organi/ed, eonllding iii the declaration of the president, in his inaugural address, to
wit: that he had no purpose, directly or indirectly, to interfere with tlie Institution of
slavery In the Stjilos where it existed, and that he believed he had no lawful right to do
so ; and upon the declaration of the federal congress, to wit: that this war is not waged
in any splritof oppression or subjugation, or any purpose of overthrowing any of the
institutions of any of the States; and that inasmucli as the whole policy of the adminis-
tration, since the organization of the army, has been at war with the declaration afore-
said, culminating in the emancipation proclamation, leaving the facts patent that the
warhasbeen divertid from its tlrstavowed object, to thatof subjugation and the abo-
liltoii of slavery, a fraud, both legal and moral, has been perpetrated upon the brave sons
of Illiaois, who have so nobly gone forth to battle for the constitution and the laws.
And while we protest against the continuance of this gross fraud upon our citizen sol-
diery, we thank them for that heroic conduct on the battle Held that sheds imperishu-
l)le glory on the State of Illinois.
JifKidvei, That we believe the further prosecution of the present war cannot result
in the restoration of the Union and the preservation of the constitution as our fathers
niitile it, unlet's the president's emancipation proclamation is withdrawn
Jiet«)lKd, That while we condemn and denounce the flagrant and monstrous usurpa-
tions of tlie adminisiration, and encroachments of abolitionism, we equally condemn
and denounce the ruinous heresy of secession, as unwarrantable by the constitution,
and destructive alllte of the security and perpetuity of our government, and tlie peace
and liberty of the people; and fearing, as we do, that it is the intention of the present
congress and administration, at no distant day, to acknowledge the independence of
the Southern Confederacy, and thereby sever the Union, wo hereby solemnly declare
that wo are unalterably opposed to any sucli severance of the Union, and that we never
can consent that the great Northwest shall be separated from the Southern States com-
prising the Mississippi valley. That river shall never water the soil of two nations,
nut, from its source to its confluence with the Gulf, shall belong to one great and
united people.
I"T
YATES' ADMINISTRATION. 883 ;
The fourth resolution rccoiniiuMMU'd the asseiubliiiff of a na-
tioual convention at Louisville, Ky., to adjust our ditliculties, re-
store peace, fraternity and politiiuil fellowshii) anion}? the Htates.
Ile^olvfd further, therefore. That to attain the ob.lcct of tho foreKoingr resolution, we
hereby inenioriiili/.i! the eont^resH oi the (J. 8., the adininlHtriition at Waahiufrton, and
tlie executives iinil letflslutures of the several States to take sueh iinmediute aetlon us
shall secure luiariulstlee, in wli!;!> therlKhts and safety of the jroverninent shall be
fully protected lor sucih leiiKth of time as may be necessary for the people to meet in
eoiivctitlon as aforesaid. And we therefore eiirnestly lecoinuKMid to our fellow-citizens
everywhere, toobserve and keep all thelrlawful and constitutional obliiratlons, to ub-
stiiln from violence. and to meet tojrcthcr and rciison ea<^h with the other, upon the
best mode toattain the threat blessings of peoce, unity and liberty.
Ami lu it fitrthir rexohyti. Tliiit to sreuro t lie eo operation of the States and the iren-
eral (rovernini.'iil, Stephen 'I. Lojrun, Samuel S. Miirshall, H. K. S. O'Melveny, William
C. Goudy, Antlir)ny Thornton and ,)oliu I). (Jaton.are hereby appointed eoinmissionera
to confer itumediately with the coui^ress and the president of the V . S., and urjfe tho
necessity of prompt action, to secure said artnistiee, and the election of delegates to,
and early assemblintr of said eonvention. and to arrauKc and atfree witli tho trenerai
jrovei-nment and the several States upon the lime and place of holding; said conven-
tion, and that they report their action In the premises to the General Assembly of this
State."
The resolutions elicited a Jono- and acrimonious debate in both
houses, to the delay of nearly all other business. Every parlia-
mentary expedient to retard lejiislatioii, centering; cliieHy uimu
the appropriation bills as usiud, was resorted to. The public press
took sides, the republicans aoain.st, of course, and tl>e democrats
for. Hut aiiioii};- the latter there were many notable e.vceptious
who deiu'ccated the extremity to which the resolutions looked j
who appealed to the maf>iianiinity of the democratic niiijority to
cease the bitter strife, unlock the wheels of le<>islation and allow
tho Important labors of the session to j;o on. This went unheeded;
and finally, two days before the recess, tlie resolutions were
adopted in the House by a vote of .^2 yeas to 28 nays.
Thus did the House of Kepreseiitatlves of the State of Illinois,
a body fresh from a loyal people whose patriotism never Hinched,
after beins; first systematically debauched in their sentiments by
the political meetiiifjs at theopeiiiu};' of the session, commit them-
.selvesui)on the record, and attempt to thrust the State also into
the erroneous position before the world, that the warfor the Uniou
was a failure, that secession was a right under the constitution
whi(!h could not be met or defeated by the sword, and that a ces-
sation of hostilities with an armed and defiant rebellion was ne-
cessary. Nay, if we construe the last clause of the 3d resolution
with the repeated utteraiu^esof their speakers and leaders, as well
as the entire resolution, wherein a man of straw is set up regard-
iiio' their fears of recojjnitionof the Southern Confederacy, we see
a quasi declaration for a union of the Northwest with the South
as more desirable than the connection with the hateful abolition-
ists of the East.
These legislators were not elected for the purpose which mairly
engro.ssed their attention ; tln^y assumed unauthorized power and
proved themselves recreant to their trust. No peace could have
lu'cn made with the defiant rebels at that time, nor for a long time
afterwards. It was tolly to talk of peace at that stage of the war.
The Indiana legislature at the time passed similar resolutions.*
* It was a curious conjuncture that on the iltith of .Tonuary, 1883. a preamble and set
of 8 resolutions were introdu ed into the Confederate Conitress at liichmond by Henry
S. Koote, of Tennessee, the fifth of which reads as follows:
"The (fovernmentof the Confederate States, in consideration of the change in the
public sentiment, which has occurred In several Northern States, wherein political
elections have been recently held— syinpathi/,in>{ most kindly with those by whose
manly exertious that change has been brought about — would bo willing to conclude a
884 HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
I'lirt of the uroffraniiiui in coiincittioii witli tl.ci pii.ssiif'eor tlio
peace resolutions was tlie joint resolution of Senator Underwood,
providinj;- for a lejjislative recess fntni the Mtii of February till
the I'd of June, b.v which time the piuice commissioners mij;ht re-
jKtrt jtro^iress of their negotiation for an armistice. This resolu-
tion was \ iolentl.v fought in the senate, and wluui a vote (U)nld bo
staved off no lonf;('r, the republican members bolted the chamlier,
leaviuj; the senate without a (piorum ; but enon};h were finally
brought in and the resolution passed. When it was brought up
in the house a similar attempt was there nuide, wiiich failed like-
vise, and the resolution was a«U)pted.
Butthe armistice resolutions shared a different fate in the senate.
They had been the subj«'ct of aciimonious debate in tliat body,
the same as in the house, for a long tinu', having been deferred
from time to time, and now, early in the week (the recess having
been fixed for the following Saturday,) to avoid a vote, the repub-
lican members absented thems»^lves, breaking the quorum for
business. The further consideiation of the ilistasteful resolutions
was deferred till Friday night. The repiibli<!ans came in and
business progressed. In the meantime the democrats lost a mem-
ber by sudden death, in the person of Senator llogers, of (/linton.
This left th(^ senate a tie, with the presiding officer, Lieut, (lov.
HotFman, wlio had tlie casting vote in such contingency, against
the demo<!iats. And thus the armistice resolutions failecl of adop-
tion in the senate and went over to tlie June session; whereat a
portion of the democratic press sent up its wailings and lamenta-
tions about the great disapi)ointment whicli the peoiile would feel
at this result; and the democratic members of the senate, who had
consented t() lliestaving ott' of a vote upon tlie resolutions to the
evening before the close of the session, were handled without
gloves.
As a fitting commentary upon this wasted session, and also to
indicate the violence of i)arty feeling, we will reproduce the nota-
ble speech of 'acob Fnnk, a senator from McLean, made a day or
two before the close of the session, the occasion being the intro-
duction of some trifling resolutions to stave off a vote ujum the
general appropriation bill. It also deserves to be jireserved for its
uni(pieness, and as otfi^ring a fair but now curious orat«)rical type
of the early settler of the West, and his manner of settling dis-
putes; true, brave, and patriotic, tliough devoid of the breadth of
di(!tion imparted by education. It created a great sensation at
the time, and was republished all over the Northern States. It
was delivered in a stentorian tone, gathering in the people from
around the capital square, till the hall was densely packed. The
speaker's great fervor and pathos, born of conviction, wrought
the audience to the highest pitch of excitement, and upon its con-
clusion, both members and spectators thronged about him with
congratulations:
just and honornble pence with nnv one or more of said States, who (renouncins: all
politicul connection with New EoKland) may bo found willing to stipulate for desisting:
at once from tlie furtlicr prosecution ->f the war against the South, and in such case,
the government of the Confederate t'tntes would be willing to enter Into a league,
offensive and defensive, with the States thus desisting, ot a permanent and enduring
chavacter." But in the 4th resolution, the confederates declared their unalterable op-
gosition, In the event of peace, to form any commercial treaty with the New Kngland
tates, "with whose people, and in whose ignoble love of gold and brutifying fanati-
cism, this disgraceful war has mainly originated."
YATES' ADMINISTRATION. 885
"Mr. Speaker — I cau net iii my Hca^ no loujjjer and wee ho uuicli l>v-
playiiiK K'>'"K*>u- Those men are trifliiij!; witli tlie hent intereHtM of the
country. They Mliouhl liave asseH' ears to set otF their heads, or they are
traitors and HeceH.«ii(mi8t8 at lieart. I miy there are traitors and secession-
ists at heart in tliis senate. Tlieir a( tions prove it. Tlieir speeeljos prove
it. Tlieir jijlbes and laughter and clieers here ni^htiy, wlien their speait-
ers net up to denounce the war and tiio administration, prove it. I can
get Itere no longer md not tell tliese traitors what I tlunk of them ; and
while HO telling them, I am responsible, myself, for what I say. 1 stand
upon my o>vn bottom. I am ready to muetany man on this floor in any
manner, fi jm a pin's point to the mouth of a cannon, upon this cliarge
aKainst these traitors. [Unat applause from the Kalleries.] I am an old
man of sixty-live. 1 came to Illinois a poor boy; I liave niadealittle some-
tlxing for myself aiul family. I i>ay $3,000 a year iu taxes. I am willing
to pay ifO.OOO ; aye $l;i,000! [striking his desk with a tremendous blow,
sending the ink whirling in the air.] Aye, I am willing to pay my whole
fortune, ami then give my life to save my country from tliese traitors
that are seeking to destroy it. [Tremendous clieerlng.]
Mr. Speaker, yon must excuse me ; I could not sit longer in my seat
and calmly I'slen to these traitors. My heart, tliat feels for my poor
country, v.'ould not let me. My heart, that cries out for the lives of our
brave volunteers in the field ; tii.'it tliesi' traitors at iiome are destroying by
thousands— would not let me. My he vrt tliat bleeds for the widows and
orphans at home, wcnild not let me. Yes, the.se traitors and villains in
the senate [striking the desk with his clenched fist, that made the
chaml)er resound] are killing my neighbors' boys, now fighting in the
field. I dare to tay this to tliese traitors riglit iiere, and I am re.sponsi-
l)le for what I say to any one or all of them. [Cheors.] Let them come
on now right here. I am sixty-five years old, and I liave made ui) my
mind to risk my life riglit here, on this floor, for my country. [Tliig
announcement was received with great clieering. Here thecrowtl gath-
ered around liim — his seat Ijeing near the railing — to protect him from
violence, while many sympathetic eyes flashed defiance.] Tliese men
sneered at Col. Mack, a few (lays since. He is a small man, but I am a
hirge man. I am ready to meet any of them in place of Col. Mack. I
am large enougli for any of them, and I liold myself ready for tiiem now
and at any time, [Cheering from tiie galleries.]
^Ir. !Sj)eaker, these traitors on this floor should be provided with
hempen collars. Tliey deserve tiiem. They deserve liangiug, I say [raising
his voice and striking the desk with great violence.] Tlie country would
be the Ijetter of swinging them up. 1 go for hanging them, and I dare
to tell them so, riglit here to their traitorous faces. Traitors sliould be
hung. It would be the salvation of the country to hang them. For
tliat reason I must rejoice at it. [Clieers.]
Mr. Speaker, I must beg tlie pardon of the gentlemen in this senate
wIk) are not traitors, but true, loyal men, for what I have said. I only
intend it and mean it for .secessionists at heart. They are liere in this
senate. I see tliem gibe and smirk and grin at a true Union man. Must
I defy tiieni? I stand here ready for them and dare them to come ou.
[Cheering.] What man, with the lieart of a patriot, could stand this
treason any longer? I have stood it long enough. I will stand it no
longer. [Cheers.] I denounce these men and their aiders and abettors,
as rank traitors and secessionists. Hell itself could not spew out a more
traitorous crew tlian some of the men that disgrace tliis legislature, tills
State and this country . For my.self I protest against and denounce their
treasonable acts. I have voted against their measures ; I will do so to
tlie end. I will denounce them as long as God gives me breatli ; and I
am ready to meet the traitors tliemselves liere or anywliere, and fight
them to the death. [Prolonged cheers.] I said I paid §3,000 a year taxes.
I do not say it to brajr of it. It is my duty, yes, Mr. Speaker, my privi-
lege to do it. But some of tliese traitors here, who are working night
and (lay to init some of their miserable little bills and claims tiirough tlie
leglsiaiure, to take money out of the pockets of the people, are talking
about high taxes. Tliey are hypocrites, as well as traitors. I heard
some of them talking about high taxes In this way, who did not pay $5
to the support of the government. 1 deuouuce them as hypocrites as
well as traitors. [Cheers.]
880
HISTORY OP ILLINOIS.
The reaHoii tlu-y pri-U'iid to bf ufniid of lii^li tiixos In tlmt tlicy tlo not
want to vole luonoy for llu' rcliff of llic soldi* ih Tlicy want to cnilisir-
riiMM tli»' p)veinnit'Mt and wtop tli«' wiir. Tlu-y vvimt to aid tin- Mi>»'fssion-
J«fH to coiKiueroiir hoys in tlu'lltdd. 'IMicy carciilxMil liiwli taxes! Tlicy
HIV picayune nu'n anyliow. and pay no taxes at all, and iiivcr did, an<l
never liope or expect to. This is tiieexcii.seof traitors. [Clieers,]
.Mr .Spi'iiker, excuse nie. I feel for my country, in lids inr liuur of
datiiicr, from the tips of my toes to the emls of my hair. Thai is the
reason I speak as ( do. I cannot help it . I am Itontid to tell tlies" mm
to their teeth what they are, and what the people, the true, loyal | pie,
think of thein. [CheeruiK, which ihe speaker attempted to sinp by
rapiiin^ on his desk bill really aided, not unwillingly J
Air. Speaker, I have said my say. 1 am no speaker. Tliis is tluM)nly
Bpeech I ever made, and 1 don't know that it deservi's to l>e called a
Hpeech. Itut I could not sit still any lon<;er and see these scoundrels and
traitors workout their hellish schemes todestroy the Union. They havtj
my sentiments; let them om^ and all make tlu- most of them, lam
ready to hai'k up all I say, and 1 rejjcat it, to meet tluse trail(»rs in any
manner they nuiy choose, from a pin's point to the mouth of a cannon"
With ii piutiiij'" whack on iiis desk, tli(^ loyal old h'*'"' '''"'•'" '<'•
stiined liiti iseat, aitiiiUt the din of clietuiiij^' and tlu; clapping' ol'
Iiaiid»).
Lkoislativk FilAlTUS. — The veiy last hour of this session was
dis,i;iac('d by the, perpetration of one of those pailianieiiiaiy
swindles wldcrh in modern times are not inl're(|nent in de-
liberative bodies. The partisan strife which obtained between
the eonstitiitioiiiil convention and the <;overnor, vvjis, if anythiiij;,
inteiisilied between fiiis lej^isjatiire and that fnnetionary. >\t the
t^pcciul session of ISdi the excculiM^ de|tarlmeiit had been pio-
vided in the most liberal spirit with ii iuud of !!5.")( »,(»!)(» for e.Mrji-
ordinary iind eonlin;;('nr expenses, which was larj;t'ly looked to as
aid for the sick and wounded Illinois soldiers in the field. Hut
owiii<>' to the jii'eat nitmber of ajicnts (Mnployed to visit dilferent
camps and accoini»any the ie;;ijncnts, to look after the saidtaiy
wants of the volunteers ; extra snrjicoiis .sent down the rivers in
anticipation of batth's; steaiidioals chartered, akso in expectation
of battles, to e'o and brin<;- home tlie wonmled and disabled sol-
diers, all of which, iiiid in itch more, wiis in eonstiiiit operation
dtiriiifj the winter of 18(51-1', prompted doubtless, by the most
charitiible of motives, but exhibitinj;- in some instances a prodij;al
disregard of economy and it lavish display of means, ainotiniiny
almost to recklessness, and resiiKiiij;- in tln^ wounded and disa-
bled .soldier.s, for whom ostensibly much of this paraib* was made,
recu'ivin^ only $1,111) ont of the 8.5(1,(100 appropriated.*
Much fault had been found by the Demociiuiy at home with his
excellency in the distribution of this fund. IJoth In^ and his many
a<;eiits were chareed with liavinji' been more zealous duriir';' their
l)erij;rinations anioii<; the Illinois volunteers in distributing docu-
ments to defeat the new constitution tban in alleviatiiii'' their siif.
* Tlio Stiito Treiisui'Of. .tune Iti, 18<V1, (fnvo the I'ollowintr lte?iis of expenditures, us
paid o\it of tliiit appropriiition : Stoiuiilmiit trips liy tlie jroveriuir and pnrty: CS.SHT; lor
the (lUiirtenniistor's dijpHrtnicnt, !jJ!),H74: receipts of .lohn Wood, Ijt'l-'CM; tor Adjutiint
Cieiieriirs odioc. $7,74H; Oonmiissiiry (Jt'iienU's Ofllcc, $;i.04:i; trips to Wnsiinnrton by
Messrs. YatfS, Truinlmll. KolloorK und otiiers, 84,449; niesson)rer imd clerk hlreintrov-
ernor's ollice, Sa.4H;i; J. K. Fori'Btlo Cairo and back, I61~(); sick and wounded tllinois
soldiers, who fought nt tielniont, Forts Henry and Uonelson, and at Shiloh, 81, IM.
The war demonstrated sanitary efforts to be most elflcient in the hands of private en-
terprise. Untold blessinirs wereineti-d out l>y the sanitary bureaus in chartro of noble"
ond devoted tnen and women, who, unlike politicians in the employ of the State, did
not seek personal glorilleation niuong the volunteers, but truly to mitlg'atethe suffer-
ings uf the sick and wounded.
yatkh' administration.
887
forinjjfs. Indcod, (Jov. Yatos in all tlio oxMibcnmco ol'liis patiiot-
isiii, was ever cliiirficd hy tlic Dciiiocrac.v as Ix'iiifj; actuated hy
l»artiMaii motives, and jiiiided hy <Mtiisideiati(>ii;s ol" persdiial aiuiii-
tioii ; tliat in all Ids traiisacttions witii tlu; raisin;; of the vast num-
ber ol' Illinois volunteers and in Ids appointments, lie looked tor-
ward to political a;;;;randi/ement ; and that in his ardent desire
to earn tlie, honoial>!e soul)ri(piet ol" tho ''soldiers' friend," he (lis-
(;over<Ml untold i>relernM>i:t to himself. And both tln^ convention,
and now tln^ l'<j:isliitnre, do;d)iless mninly from |)artisan niolixcb,
lefused fuithi'r to solely entrust hin' with tlu' distribution of nioru
sanitary fund.' Eurly in the session (.January 7th) an appropria-
tion of $10,000 1:1 ;;'old had been niiide for tln^ Illinois sick and
wounded soldiers in view of the batlh^ of Mnrfreesboro, and the
l)robabl(^ advances ui»on Vieksbur;^'. Time (tomndssioners, (Lewi.s
J). Erwin, W. W.Anderson, and lO/ekial Hoyden), were apixtintecl
to distribute this fund, who sold the ^old for paper, realizing,' a
larye prendum, and the whole, it seems, was carefully exi)ende('
, , , i«'<l
with yreat relief and benelit to the needy soldiers, wh(» icceived
over SO i»er cent, of it. IJnt the (lovernor was anxious for ain)ther
$."»0,000. lie sent in a si>e,eial messaj^^o upon the subject, »m)Uc1m'(1
in terms of rart! beauty and felicity of expression, evincing a noble
sympathy for our stru;i'^lin^' soldiery in upholdin;^' the tia;; of our
country. It was a i»lea such as few men are capable of making,
and should have ^one to tlu^ nH)st ealoused heart.
The senate had i>asse(l two appropriation bills of precisely sind-
lar titles. These i)ills were inimbered resi>ectively L'Oli and L'o;{ ;
they were in the same handwriting, and when folded looked alike,
except as to their numbers. Ko. 1*0.'» i)rovide(l for the i>ayment of
the salaries of executive olli(;ers, the ordinary expenses of the ex-
ecutive departnu'ut, the adjutant general's olliee, and the various
other usual items of approi)iiation. This was aiu^'ptable to the
Di'nioerats. Xo. L'OL* i»rovided besides all these items, a (-ontin-
gent fund of $10,000, and $-,500 fortius hire of a yardener, both
to be expeiided at the option of the governor; and an appro])ria-
tion of !i!«.-)O,0t)0 to the ''aid of the si(;k and wounded Illinois sol-
diers; to defray the contin^t'id expenses of the executive de[»art-
ment ; for the pay of e,<'rks in the governor's oflice ; of nu'ssen-
gers on public service; of assistants in the adjutant general's
otbce, (|uarternnister general's olliee and the comndssary general's
otliet', lithography, i»os age and other incidental expenses," all to
be exi)ended by order of the governor.
From this array of i)articipants in the .$.")0,000 fund, the sick
and wounded soldier, although tirst mentioned, it nniy bi^ x\ell
inuigined, woifld very likely be the last to receive a sleiuler share.
The Democrats opposed Xo. 202, as providing his excellency with
a "corruption fund," but were willing to pass No. .'J0.{. Wlieii
the latter came uj) for acttion in the house, a short tinn; before the
adjournment, it Mas upon demaml twice read at large to be cer-
tain that the $r»(),000 item was not in it. The third time the bill
was read by its title only and passed, .5!) to 2. The chief clerk who
had been out, came in as the roll was being called upon the pas-
sages of the bill, and being informed that it was necessary to usft
haste in repo"ting the bill back to the senate, as the hour of ad-
journment was at hand, he sat down to write the message to that
effect, but at this iuncture, by some adroit piestidigitatiouj the
888
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
obnoxious bill, No. liOli, was substituted and received the endorse-
ment of liavi:i<;' passed, due Im No. liiVA. It was iunnediately re-
l)orted back to the senati-, as hastily sent to the governor,
approved, and returned to the senate where it orginated.
The house had not proceeded far with other business, when the
noise and api)arent exultation among llepublican members at the
north end of the hall, and the adjiieent loliHjy, revealed the iact
that Democrats, notwithstanding their vigihmee, had been tricked
in the passage of this obnoxious measuie. A scene of the wildest
confusion ensued. Information was menacingly demanded of the
S])eaker; a resolution was introduced, recalling the bill from the
hands of the governor, but, as many members had in the meantime
left lor home, it failed for want of the re<inisite three-fourths vote.
A i)iotest, detailing the circumstances of the fraud, was signed
by 41 JJemocratic mend)ers and sjjread upon the journal. The
treasurer was reciuested not to honor any draiis upon the fund
thus fraudulently appropriated. Accordingly, when the governor
shortly after drew upon the fund, he fouml that guardian of the
people's strong box, (a Democrat), recalcitrant. A writ of mau-
damus was sued out of rhe Suprenu' Court, {\wu sitting at Ottawa,
a (lav before its adjournment, against the treasurer, re(juiring him
to show cause why he did not pay tiie warrants drawn 111)011 that
fund ; but before answer could be made the court adjournal. It
is probable that it was designed in advance by the suitors that the
case should not go to trial, rendering i)iiblicail the facts connected
with the passage of the bill, in which rumor at the time involved
a certain noted J)emocrat, a member and higli oilicial of the house.
And thus the perpetiators of this legislative swindle have escaped
deserved exi)osuie and merited pubUc disgrace.*
The winter session of the 2od general assembly proved a most
unprolitable one to the peojile. The dominant party, engrossed
with the peace resolutions, passed but one measure of public ad-
vantage, that of abolishing the State quartermaster and commis-
* Another most iuicineioiis lojrisliitivc gwlndio, well lllustriiting' the oiirek'ss
manner ol enacting liiws iiiulor tlie old constitution, unU the tricks by which cor-
rupt men, lioth as lolibiists and members, (rained advantajrcs, was the "Chicasro (Jrid-
iron tdll." as it was nicknamed, passed by this (general assembly at the June session,
Tlie 'itleof the bill, "An act to inoorporate the Wabash Railway Company,'" was calcu-
lated to convey the d<'ceptive Idea of a railroad in the Wabash reuioii of the State,
instead of which it >raveto a few sharpers in Cldeago most extraordinary friinchises
over the streets of that city. It provided for the exclusive construction of horse-
railways throuirh IH of the princiiial streets of Chicago, across 4 of Its most imiior-
tant bridifcs, and on any ccau'i on highways in either or all of the towns of South
Chicairo, Hyde Park, I.,iike, Worth. West Chicavro, I,yons, .Jeirerson, Cicero, and Proviso,
cul.jacent to the cit.v, and from to time to clian^io, enUuKe and I'xtend the location
thereof. It allowed the corporators to impose and collect such tolls as it should fl.v,
without restraint from the city council. This was an immense monopoly, affectinf^the
material interests of the whole city. It >vas a 8ub.)ect properly for the city council
of CliKMtro, but neither that body nor the people, whichtliey represented, knew auuht
of this monstrous movement which soutrht to fllch from them the control of theirowa
Streets and highways, though the recess had intervened between its passage ui the
senate and in the house.
It was lntrod\iccd into the senate by a member from the southeastern part of the
State, which added to the deception, and in a loose w;iy ')ermitted to pass that bod.r in
January, without beina: read other than by its title, the enate relyiiiK upon the state-
ment of the member Introdueinsf it, that it was simply a l):ll for an ordinary railroad
charter, containim? the usual privllejres. Its provisions were not ucneraliy known to
senators who passed it. or to the i)nblic until a few days before it was manouveretl
thrmitfh the house on the 8th of .June, inider the pressure of interested members and
a powerful lobby inlUn'tice. And now, the swindle havin;.'- transpired, the angry pro-
tests aiiaiiist it from the i)eople of Chicajro came loud and deep, the newspa))er press
of the State .folning itH voice to the indiM:nant refrain. The p-ovornor vetoed it. and in
his message of .Tune tilth, ISW), exposed its horrid enormity very fully. This mo.ssape was
addressed to the treneral assembly which ho had dissolved nine days before— the "rump"'
being titiU ill aessiou.
YATES ADMINISTRATION. 889
Siuy departing kts, wiiicli, since their supercediire by the {^eiu'iiil
govermiieiit, uot witiioiit rehietaiKic from Gov. Y'ates, as we have
seen, had become usek'ss and expensive encnnd)rances. Every
other of its i)arty nieasnies met witii disaster. The haheaa corpus
and illegal arrest bills; the prohibition of noj^ro immigration; the
congressional apportionment, and the armistice resolntions — suc-
ceedinff aU)ne with the recess re.solntion; wliile the Heimblicans,
by their vigilance, iidelity and (ionrage, succeeded in the(h'feat of
all these, they were also balked, as we have described, in the fidl
fruition of their only aftirmative measure, tlie $.jO,000 appropria-
tion tor the sick and wounded Illinois sokliers.
licaetion amomj the Per pie agaiust the Peace Movement of the Leg-
inlature. — Both during the session after the armistice resolutions
ha<l been biought forward and throughout the recess, tlie people,
being awakened by these schemes of the politicians who thus
sought to place Illinois on record as an anti-war State, held i)uhlic
meetings all over the State, givinj^ expression to tlieir loyal senti-
ments, and eviiu'ing the strongest devotion to the war for the
Union. From Egyi)t the Douglas (h'mocrats sent out their re-
solves "that, as citizens of Illinois and as democrats, we are in favor
of the continued and vigorous prosecution of the war until tlu^ su-
premacy of the constitution is acknowledged in every State of the
Union; that the errors of the administration, while they should
not be adopted by the peoi)le, form no excuse for any loyal citizen
to withhold his sujiport from the government ;" that they were in-
flexibly opposed to the secession heresy of a Northwestern Con-
federacy, «S:c., recommending- to tlie "true democracy to organ-
ize and be prepared to resist all schemes of disloyal men h)oking"
to a further disruittion of the Union."
It was a gloomy period of the war. The turning point in. the
great civil contiict had not been reached. Vicksburg — strong and
defiant — had not oidy not surrendered, but rei)ulsed the national
troops under Sliernuui in January preceding. Nor had Gettys-
burg been fought. The great captains of the war had not been
revealed on our side. In the West, the battles of Sliiloh, Perry-
ville and Murtreesboro had proven little better than defeats ;
while in the East, Fredericksburg, speedily followed by (,'liancel-
lorville, had spread a general gloom. Said the New York Tribune:
" If ;i months more of earnest lighting shall not serve to nud<e a se-
rious imi>ression on the rebels — if some malignant fate has de-
creed tluit the blood and treasure of the nation shall ever be
sciuamlered in fruitless efibrts, let us bow to our destiny, and make
the best attainable peace." It was at the time no doulu iionestly
believed by nuiny that the States could not be reunited by mili-
tary coercion — that the war was a failure.
Gold, tiu' most sensitive index of the fortunes of the war, was
steadily on the rise. Itebel bonds bore a premium in the London
marker. The ]>icture was a dark and dreaiyone and, in the ^^'est,
relicAcdonly by the brilliant military exploit of Gen. McClernand
in tiie capture of Arkansas Post.
Put amidst all these dreary scenes — the demand of the democ-
racy for ix'ace, the low ebb of the ticU; in the fortunes of the war,
ami the discouragenu'nt of the many staunch friends of the
Union — the heart of the soldier remained undismayed. Ilaidly
890 HISTOET OF ILLINOIS.
an Illinois rcfjinioiit. Icariiiiijjihe situiitioii at homo, and the false
and (lislioiioiahlc attitude in which the Icjiishitun; souj^ht to place
tiie State bel'oie the country, but w liat hehl in(!etin<;s and ex-
l)ress<'d their abhorrenceof the '' tire in the rear, " as it was ternu-d
— rei»lc;ij;c(l their loyalty to the Union aiul devotion to the Haj;- —
breathinj;' the noblest of patriotic; sentiments c(»mminj;led with
]»urp()ses of the most determined valor. These resolutions ])oured
in in ureat i)rofiision, the columns of the rei)ubli(!au press bciiij;
fairly laden with them. The; demo'-racy charj^ed the voluminous
loyal expressions to be nu'rely the dictates of those "whose
shoulders were adorned with the stars, ea;>les and bars," If such
was the case it but showed discipline in the rijiht diie(!tiou. Few
of the masses, even und(!rour form of f-'overmnent, exercise either
orij^inal or indei»endent political opinions.
It was the unworthy aiJtion of this legislature that precijutated
the defection of such men as Joiin A, Lof^an, Isham Is\ Ilaiuie,
John A. ^McClernand, and a host of others from the democratic
ranks.
in his address to the soldiers of the 17th army corps, dated
Memphis, Feb. 12th, 18(>.'J, Gen. Lo{>an, in allusion to the "falsify-
in<; of i)ubrc sentiment at home," said: '•Intrij;uin^' political
tricksters, <■ •Mnif;<)<;ues aiul time-servers, whose ciorrupt deeds are
but a faint reflex of their corrui)t hearts, seem detennined to drive
our peoi)Ie on to anarchy and destruction. The day is not far dis-
tant when traitors and cowards, Xortli and South, will cower before
the iiidij-natiou of an outra<;ed i)eople. ^[anih bravely onward!"
Gen, llainie, in a private lettei\ jjfave his un(iualilied endorsemcmt
to every paraji'raph, liiu' and word of tien. Loj^an's addi'css. (ien.
jMi (Bernard, in Ins letter to John Van IJuren, dated Feb, L'lid,
I<SO.'>, denounced these democratic fiuttionists as "Northern jjcace
moHyers, wiio 'will be carried away,' if not by the torrent of pub-
lic o|»inion, eventually by for(!e of arms." For the expression of
such sentiments, these ^entleuu'U were now read out of the party
by th(^ peace orj;ans of tlie democracy.
There were also a iiund)er of anti-war meetinj;s held in differ-
ent parts of the State under the manaj;ement of the demociatic
leaders, dedarin^f hostility to the poli(;y of the war as then prose-
cuted by the national administration, which <!ulminated in the lar{;e
mass meeting" of the 17th of June, at Springtield, of which more
further alonj;-.
Tiie party uomciiiclature of the period as api)lied to democrats
also evinced dee]) ])artisaii feelinji;' and was of the most insultiiijj
character: " Coi)]»erheads, " "Snakes," "Butternuts," "Secesh,"
&<;. The origin of these oi)probrious epithets, we will not stop to
give.
Military Arrefifs. — Of the many arrests of onr citizens by
military authority wo (!an only relate one or two of the most
notable. A (Ja]»t. Linslcy, by order of Col. Carrington of Indian-
apolis, was statioiu'd at Terre Haute to arrest deserters in Vigo
and surrounding counties of Indiajia, nothing being said about
Illinois. In JMarch, ISO,'}, he sent two sergi'auts into Clark (bounty
of this State wiu) arrested four deserter:.. Tiie mother of one of
them, at the instance of the Hon. John Scholield, a(;ting as her
attorney, to procure her sou's release swore out a warrant charg-
tvii
Tif'
YATES' ADMINTSTUATION.
891
in;;- tlic ofliccrs with kidiiiippiii'''. Tlie .ser^eiint.s were <•llT<^ste(l tiiul
taken hclbre tlie Hon. Clias. II. ('on.stahle, ein^uit ju(lf>e, the court
bein^- tlien in session at JMarsliall. In their exatninution thejnd^e
doubted the siifheieney of tlie papers exliil»ited as authority for
tlie sf-r^caiits t<» make tlie arrests ii; Illinois. Tluiir attorney, K.
L. Diilaney, tiien atti^nipted to |!;ove that tlie men alle;;ed to be
kidiiapi>e<l were in faet desertiU'S from the federal army, whom
any one mijiht airesi as in 'he ease of any criminal. Tiiis was
not idlowed to lie sjiown by the Jud,i;e. He bound them over
in a bond of $r){)U and discharged the (U'serters. At the request
of llie serycanls, ,Ind<'e (). <;ave them a written statement:
'•'I'lmt Messrs Mcl'iiiliiiiil nnd 'I'homiis Lnntr, h.ive been iirrustcd and brou^rlit before
inc lor (•xiimiimtiiiii on 11 clmrtfc of UiilimpiKiijf, inid t hat I Iiiiv(w1c(MI1('(1 it my (hity to
bolil tlK.iu over in ii bund of iMti to iippcar next Tlinrsday niornniu', tfi iinswcr tiirtliur
to siiiil cliiiiao, iinil I biivc orden d t' c dischurtfo from (Uistody of .liimus Gammun,
Hny^li Scott, M. Hclolier luid ,Tno. 1V..ni'r, luiiriiicn whom they Imd arrested upon the
ground lliut they wi-ri' ilcscrters from Co. K, *)th III. Vol."
Tlie serj^eaiits procMired bail without diiticulty, though they were
stran^^cis, iSul)se(iiiently, on tiu' day of their trial, and while it
was ill luoji're.ss, (!o]. (Jariin^iton, with a force of LMO infantry, sur-
rounded the couir house at .Marshall, and with ."»(» dismounted (;av-
aliymeii in (;itizeiis' dress entered the court, ro(»m without exciting
surprise, and at the very inonuMit. the adjournment of court for
dinner was announced, stepped forward and arrested ,Iud<;('! Con-
stable bet'ore he had (juitte<l the bench. Th(^ infantry were stii-
tioiied oiitsi(h' to (luell any attempt at rescue by the <!itizen.s.
There was no molesiation, howe\'er. Judge Constable, who wa.s
taken l)y siirpiise. was (M)rsiderably unmanned at tins summary
exhibition of military i)ower.*
The prisoners were released, and tlu^ Judge trying them wa.s
torn from his judicial seat in tlie midst of his I. dtors, his court
adjourned l)y military power, an<l hc^ itonveyed a i)iisoner to a
foreign State. Could auda(;ity, apparently, in a free govern-
ment, outside of the theatre of actual war, go further? Yet of all
the ndlitary arrests made in this State, this was the most Justifia-
ble. The offense c(»nsisted in no mere disl(»yal gasconath", but in
substantial acts whi(!]i. by the discharge (»f four deserters and the
impiisonment of two othcers, was an actual interference wirh and
injury t^o the military etJbrt of the governnu'iit to suppress the
icltellion.
About the 1st of Ajiril Judge Constable was brought from In-
dianapolis to Si»iingfiel(laiid delivered over to the civil authorities.
An affidavit was tiled before the U. S. Comndssioner, charging
him with encouraging desertion by ordering the release of the four
d(jserters from the (iustody of the othcers. liy agreement the ex-
amination was had before Judge Ti'cat, of the IJ. S. district (rouit,
tlie distri(!t attorney, Lawrence Weldon, ajipearing for the gov-
ernment, and Stuart «& Edwards for the prisoner. After hearing
all the evidence, tli(^ defendant was discharged.
fjat-er in tliesjiring of 1S().'), \V. II. (ireen, aState Senator from
IMassac, and (1. \V. Wall, of Perry, were arrested by order of the
provost marshal. The charges do not a]»i»ear. In the Senate J>lr.
(Jreeii had signalized himself as an ardent supjiorter of the armks-
tice resolutions, laboring earnestly to bring that body to a vote
upon them. The republican press brought forwai'd many of his
•SeeTerrc Haute Express.
892 HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
antiwar iittt'raiico.s, such as '' wo (hi' and his constitiu'iits) stand
upon the border as peace makers, and we intend tiiat uidess it be
over our dead bodies, tliere sliall be no fraternal blood shed," iVc.
]\[r. G. took occasion to denj- some of these charf;es,in a published
letter. lie was also found fault with for wearinj;- a " butternut''
s 't, &c. (ieneral liuford rccpiired each of theso gentlenu'n to
time the oathof allegiance to the U. S.; to write letters to the com-
mander of the post confessing the acts for wliicii they had been
arrested, with expressions of regret and promises of fntnre con
duct comporting with that of loyal citizens ; and to de(rlare they
had not aided deserters to escape nor discouraged enlistments,
whereupon they were released from arrest.*
JMany others of our citizens too numerous to mention were ar-
rested, some taken to AVashington bastiles and others incarcera-
ted in Fort Lafayette, in New York harbor. It was about tliis
tinu^. that the uoted arrest of Mr. Vallandigham of Ohio was
made.
Suppression of the Chicago Times. — But the general government
did not stop with military arrests and iniprisonnu;nt of the citi-
zen for his exercise of the rig;ht of free speech ; it also laid its
hand of power upon the freedom of the public i)ress. The
sui)pression of the Chicago limes — a newspai)er wlii(!h ex-
ercised an unusual license in its criticism of the policy of
the administration and the conduct of the war — fornuMl the
most notable event of that soi't in Illinois. This was done by or-
der of Maj<u' Gen. Burnside, in command of the dejiartnuMit of
the Ohio, dated Cineiniuiti, June 1st, bSOii. Brig. Gen. Jacob
AmnuMi, in command of the district of Illinois, stationed at Camp
Butler, was charged with its execution. The cause assigned in
the order was "the rei)eated expression of disloyal and incendiarj'
sentiuu'Uts" by that newspaper. The same order(Xt). S4), in i)ar-
agraph 1, included the N. Y. World. Gen. Ammeii was directed
to allow no nu)rc issues of the paper to ai)])ear, and if neccessary
to "take military possession of the Times otUce."' The editor was
also notitied of the order by telegrajdi from Gen. Burnside, June
2d. Late in the night of that day ^lessrs. Storey and AVorden,
the proprietors, made ai)plication to Judge Drunnnond, of the U.
S. (!ourt for the Northern district of Jllinois, for an injunction to
restrain Gens. A. E. Burnside, Jacob Animen, and Cai»t. Jas.
S. I'litnam, of Camp JJonglas, «letailed to a(;t, from carrying
into ettect the order of sujjpression. About midnight the court
granted a temporary restraining order ui)on the defendants, until
theapi)licution could be heard and determined in open court. Learn-
ing which, Capt. I'utiuim hastily departed tohispostatCani}) Doug-
las, gathereda suflicient military force, returned, andaboutio'clock
in the morning of the .'id, executed (Jen. Bnrnside's order by
taking jiossession of the Times office, in delianceand contemi>tof
tiie order of the civil tribunal. In the meantime the Times issues
of the ."id of June, in great part, had been struck off and found
circulation.
Here was pres(M)ted the grave question of a collision betweeu
the civil and military autlun-ity of the U. S. A stay of proceed-
ings in court was granted on the sanu' day to give time for service
_ =,
*See Illinois state Keglster, May 1863
TATES ADMINISTRATION. 893
on (U'U. Aiiuiien. Judge David Diivi.s, presiding in the U. S.
Circuit Court at Sitringfield, was teiegrai)h('(l to come to Chi-
cago and .join in liearing tlie application tor llie injunction, witli
^vlli(•h lie coini)lic(l.
.Meantime the exeiteuient created in Chicago was intense. On
the evening of" the same day a large concourse of citizens met and
expressed tlieir deep indignation against this military <lesj»otisMi.
On the following d!.,v the intensity of the i)opular feeling having
steadily iiuin ased, fears were entertaine<l that an outbreak of
mob violence would attack the T/vVvmhc est!d)lishnRiit (rei»ublican).
A secret met'ting of pionunent republicans, and a few democrats,
was now held in tlie circuit court r(M)m, to devise ways to i>reservo
the peace of the (;ity. It was participated in by Semitor Trum-
bull, lion. 1. N. Arnold, Wm. 15. Og<le:i, Judge Van lliggins, (a
heavy stockholder in the Tribune.) IS. W. Fuller, Jas. F. Joy,
C. i>eckwith, A. C. Coventry, Judge J)ickey, S. IS. Hayes,
A. W. Harrington and others. A petition to the i)resident
was prepared representing that the peace of the city, if
not the welfare of the country, would be promoted by rescinding
the order supiu'cssing the limes; that tliis was asked upon the
ground of expediency alone, without regai'd to i)arty ; and his fa-
v«)iable consideration was respectfully asked. Tin; petition ^as
telegraphed to the president. Messrs. Tnind)tdl and Arnold sent
an additional disi)at(;h especially inviting his prompt ami serious
consideration of the very grave state of affairs. By half-past six
1>. m. of the same day, he re[)lied by telegrai>h unconditionally re-
V(»kiiig the order of supi)ression. IJut one number of the Times'
issues, that of Thursday, June 4th, failetl to ajipear. Pecuinarily
it may well be guessed the paper was not long injured, as by this
it gained largely in its sales.
After thus saving it from the fury of the gathering mob, the
Tribune said : " The onler of revocation was, and is universally
felt, to be a most unfortunate blmuler. * As the matter stamlsitis
is a triumph of treason. The nnnionsofJetf. Davis have won a victory
by which they will not fail to profit. * Oh ! for a Gen. Jackson
w Idle this war lasts, and it would not last long." The repul)licaii
press was generally chagrined at the wavering comluct of the
president, and in a tone of irony exclaimed : " It is not true that
any republican has telegraphed to Washington to seek the presi-
dential revocation of Gen. Grant's order to suppress I'emberton's
issues of shot ami shell at Vicksburg." The Belleville Zeituug
(German re]>ublicaii), somewhat profanely said : " May the devil
take the 'honesty' of Lincoln and his (tabinet. We are for the en-
ergy and power of action of Fremont. Let Fremont be our next
president."
in the meantime Judges Davis ami Drummond had been hear-
ing the able arguments of counsel on the ai)plication for an in-
junction, but the president's revocation stayed all further proceed-
ings in court, and, wlnit is to be regretted, no oi)iinon was ren-
dered upon this very interesting question. From Judge Drum-
mond's remarks ui)on the motion to defer the application tdl after
service, we gather the following:
''As tlie officer of tIio Kovornmeiit, I wiU seek to innlntnin that government, but
I believe tlint the constitution iind the laws furnish ample means to suppress
the rebellion. * When there are military operations goinft on— when there are
armies in the Held iu hostile array, In buttle, in movement, then the civil law ceases
894
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
nnd then comes In the martial law. Uut the iirmles of the IT. S.. ilie mn.)or^'•('Ilc^lls of
the U S., act under the iiuthorlty of law, uikI the inllitar.v law is just as much under
th-! ooiistitutii/n anci under the law as js the eivil law, prciisily. * It Is de.siiulila
that we should know whether we live under a tfoverniiient ol law or under a (fovern-
ment ot forec. * i believe thai wc live under a (fovernnient of law, and I trust that
every eitlzeu of the coinniunity also rests undi'r the siiine belief, and that all, each for
himself, will remember tliat we live under Uffovernment of law "
iSecret PoJlticoMiliiary Societies.— Tho year 1S(;;? was also pio-
lific ill tilt' (iioanizatioii of .sui-n't i»oliticivl onlcis witli .sciiii-iiiiii-
tary attribiitcs. They were varioii.><ly known as •• Iviii<;iirs of the
CoMt'ii Circle,'' -riiioii Leajiues," tlie "S. IVs," (whatever that
stood for) &c. The former of these was of deiiioeiatic aiid the two
latter of repiihlieaii orioju. Various eireuiiistaiiees eoiiiribiited to
the wide exteiisit)!! (»f these orders. The open elaiiior forpeacie on
the part of many leadinjjr democrats; the opinion tliat the war
was a failure — indirectly conceded by some ot tliestauiichest rt;-
imblican iiewsjjapers; the uii])opularily of the coiist^iipt law with
the )5<')00 e.\eiiii»tioii clause and its I'rctiiient demiiieialion, these,
joined with the political excitement by the i)ea('e resolutions of
the lefjislature. and the many expressions fi(»iii pni>lic meetiii<;s in
opposition thereto, produced a serious impression aiiioii<i the jieo-
]»le not uiimiiigled with I'eelinos of ])ersoiial insccuiity, ])uring
this y(»ar, too. many deserters were at laro««, i)rowliiio about tho
iieijiiiborhoods of their homes, often leading' their friends or rela-
tives into ditlieulties with the setrret a<;ents of the {govern men t in
l)nrsuitof them, who, when they became known, of course swaooei^d
and boasted mttalittle of their prowessand tiie terrible retribution
to be visited upon certain localities supposed to harbor them.
There were also at home rather an unusual number of soldiers on
furlouoh — roistering blades, pompous in their lUMt, blue unifoinis
— into wliose oars were poured by ])artizan friends tales ot iiorror,
liow the venomous ••Copperhead tleinoerats" ()urposed resisting
the draft, subvert the State •iovernmeiit, and form an alliance
Avith the rebel confederacy. T!ie soldiers, thus incited by narrow
and [)rejutliced rei)ublicans, often swaggered about insulting good
citizens and making threats of dire vengeance, which they felt it
their duty and privilege to wreak, and sometimes they went so
far as to acvually i»er[)etrate indignities and outrages upon really
unott'ending democratic civilians. The genera! government, too,
as we have .seen, was making numerous military airests for the
mere utterance— often but an idle or thoughtless boast — of dis-
loyal sentiments.
There was con.-oqnontly little open discussion of the war in-
dulged on either side in many i)ortions of the State. A deep feel-
ing of mistrust regarding the thoughts and jmrposes of one's own
neighbor was all-pervading. The air was lile with wliisi)ers of
direst jiortent as to the treatment to be visited upon this or that
<'itizeii, who should have uttered tliis or done that disloyal thing.
The State was under martial law; and it was generally felt that
outrages growing out of the political condition of tiie times, or
l>eriietrated at such a period, would eitlu'r meetMith ready excuse
and esttape of i)iinishment, ui)on the one side, or a summary \ isita-
tion of revenge from the other. Each was thus steeled against tho
liist overt act. Under these cinmmstances men of prior partizau
atliniteis, even if not then in full accord upon the great questioa
of the war, instinctively sought to bind themselves together by
YATKS' ADMINISTRATION. 895
tics of tlic stroiifjcst oiitlis for iinitiial protection, wliicli doubtless
(lid not idwav.s stop with provisions iifiiiinst ]M'isonid iiidij;nilies
and local outrafjfps al(»ne, but may have included purposed resist-
once to the lawful <leinauds of the government in tlie enfoi-cement
of tlie conscript hiw to carr^* on a war odious to their political
sentiments.
l''or greater efticiency, here and there tliese combinations, on
botli sides, ]»artoolv of tlie ciiaractei' of uiilitaiy organizations ;
but it is (luesti(nud)le if any were furnislied with arms other
than home affairs, shot guns, &c. The (hilling was often d(»ne with
cornstalks. TheassocMations of one side caused tlie other to do
the same; while the utmost (juiet jtrevailed as to the usual
■wrangles and discussions inciilent to all public (luestions of gi'cat
interest in this country. Both sides feared and guarded against
])recipitating 5V general (collision. No one knew what a jxMsonal
iilfiay uMght instantly develop as to the number of sworn assist-
ants on either side, nor what wea])ons were concealed, ready to leap
forth upon the first enu'igency. To such considerations an active,
ijnaginatiou vas of course ready to add its legions of nuinbeis iuul
dire results. In some respects this mutual forbearance, born of
caution, may have been well. Hut these secret associations by
skillful and industrious agencies were extending their power and
intluence all over the country.
All secret political societies are dangerous to the State and to
the liberty of the i)eople. The very fact of their secrecy stamps
them as wrongful ami hazardous. Secrecy eviscerates true de-
mocracy or republicanism of its essential principles. To <leny an
open comparison of views and a free discussion of qiu'stions af-
fe(!ting the public; weal, or the rights of the citizen, is to remove
the tuiderlying safeguards of an intelligent liberty. It is but just
to say that the democratic press counselled the people against
them.
The rei)ubli(!an pres.s, with untiring iiulustry, circulated re])oi'ts
that the denu)crats were ])reparing and intended to resist the
draft under the cons(;rii»t law. A regiment; was organized and
armed by the State, by order of Adjutant Gemnal Fuller, "for
the luirpose of guard and protection of the State of Illinois" —
nu'aning that it was to aid in enforcing the draft. Col. J^ II.
Hough was assigned to its command. This ill-advised stej), one
would suppose, was rather calculated to provoke the armed col-
lision so much dreaded. ^lany imleed feared, that, by these va-
rious means, a struggle might be brought about in the State.
Judge O'Melveny, a fierce anti-war democrat, wrote: "I still
tliiidc we are nearing convulsion in the North. It must be with
lis the last alternative, but free si)eecli ought to be made the issue
— no point more available; to surrender it, is to perish; and if fato
and destiny so will it, let the democracy go down with t!ie consli-
tution and with libeity in one (!ommoii struggle forlife and power."
So much was said of secret traitorous political organizatio"!:., and
their threatened violent resistance to the draft underthe conscript
law, that Judge Davis, of the U. S. circuit court, during the June
term at SjjringHeld, ctharged the grand jury that there were
secret organizations with '•gri[)s, signs and pass-words, having for
their object, resistance to law, and the overthrow of the govern-
ineut. * If anywhere in this State bad men have combined
896
HISTORY OP ILLINOIS.
t«).ii('tli('r for sucli wicked imrjiosc, briiij;- tlicin to lij^Iit and let
tlit'iii receive liie jiiinisliiiieiit due tlieir crimes" — cliarjiiiij; tlieiii
further witli rel'ereuce to any kind of resistance or obstiiuMioii to
tiie enfoi'ceinent of the draft, and th(^ aiding or abcttinj;' of de-
serters by advi(!e, assistance or harborinj^' liiein.
Whih' the many rumors of lawless conibict on the part of these
oijianizations, with wiiich tlie j)ress teenu'd, were exaj;;;erated, all
was not smoke. A number of atrocious murders were committed,
and armed resistaiuie (»iiered to the arn'st of deserter.s
ill many jKntions of the State, wlii(!h we have neitiier tlic
space nor disj)osition to {jive in detail. Of the counties
in wiiich these disrejuitable proceed in<is (xtcuiTed, we may
nu'ution (comniencin*; south and i)roceedin{j nortii) LTnion, Wil-
liamson, lii(!hland, (JIark, Coles, Fayette, Montfj'omery, Ureene,
S(tott, Tazewell and J-'nlton. Tlie most jK-rtinacious resistance
vas offered in Scott and (Ireene, whither a detac^hment of over 100
mounted soldiei's was sent to ferret out the camps of lawless men
hid amon<j- the glades and swami)s borderin<;' the Illinois river.
The most fatal collision (XMturred in Coles, at (.'iuirleston, on the
22d of ."March, ISOt, between citizens in attendance npon circuit
court, un(U'r the lead of Sheritl O'llara, and the re-eidisted veter-
ans of the ."i-lth Illinois rejiinient. Four soldiers were killed and
8 wounded, one mortally; of tin; citizens, 3 were killed at the time;
one accidentally. Some time after, two of the O'llaras were way-
laid and assassinated in the woods.* Assaults upon various men
■were made in Ed}>ar and some other counties. A raid, projected
from Cass, was nmde upon .lacksonville to intimidate the federal
authoiities in the discharge of their duties. In Hancock, Adams,
Pike, Calhoun and other counties borderinjj- theiMississiiypi, in(Mir-
sions were made by rebel "bushwhackers" from JNIissouri, who
were said to be but too freely countenanced and harbored. It is
also doubtless true that these scenes of lawlessness uniforndy
occurred in regions where unconditional unionism was in ndnority
and the loyal sentiment of the people overborne. IJut aside from
these comparatively petty outbreaks of a few nusjjuided, i)erhaps
lawless men in scattered localities, no serious purpose to any con-
siderable extent really ever existed to resist the draft in Illinois,
or to obstruct the oi)erati()ns of the laws of the general goveru-
meid. The great mass of the people, Democrat as well as Ke-
publican, were ever willing and ready to obey the law, botli State
and national, dutifully, (piietly and cheerfully.
Prorogation of the Last Democratic Legislature. — The 23d gen-
eral assend)ly, upon the exi)iration of its recess, met again, June
2d, J>S(»;J. Besides a nund)er of bills of a private or local (;haracter,
patriotic resolutions, resolutions of thanks to the Illinois voluu-
teers for their valor in the field, and resolutions of a i)olitical char-
* Much disaffection obtained between citizens (who often pave vent to treasonable
utternnces by Bhoutln)r for Jeff. Davis, &c .,) and soldiers, and many personal Inditrni-
tles were intilcted b'y the latter iipon the lormer. In Coles, it is said that soldiers, per-
haps when intoxicated, out of mere wantoness. would seize farmers, (many of them
doubtless, bclonft-inir to theordcr of the Golden Circle), from their watfons and compel
then: to take an oath of alleirlance manufactured for the occasion: "You solemnly
swear to support the administration, v^braham Lincoln, all proclamations now issuecl,
and all that may hereafter be Issued, so help you God." At Vandalia a Mr. Smith whs
made to take the oath, and afterwards, in an altercation, killed. One of the soldiers
escaped, and his assoclates.on examination were diseharg-ed. Citizens, doubtless Amer-
ican Knights, to the number of 50 or CO, sought to revenge tlie murder, but falling In
this, burnt a railroad bridge and committed other depredatious.
YATES' ADMINISTRATION. 897
acter, covcriiifftlie military order .sIllll)^^^ssin^' the Cliiciijjo TinH'%
tlic iiiilitiiry arrests ol" Illinois (litizciis, particularly the case of
Jii(l;j:e Constable, were iiuineroiisly introduced. The (!on-
Bideratiou of the latter charac^ter of resolutions eliijited vvurni de-
bate and coiisunuid niu(;h valiuible tinK\ At this time the army
in the West, containiuff nearly all the IlliiH)is troops, had been
active in its approaches upon Vicksburj;, and all the se-
vere tifjhtinj; in the investment of that rebel fortress was
over. The casualties to Illinois volunteers were great, and the
demands for sanitary aid i)ressin<>-. On the first day of the ses-
sion, therefore, in the senate, JMr. tilreen, who had but recently
been the subject of military arrest, as we have seen, iutnxbuied a
bill, api>ropriating $50,()0() for the sick and wounded Illinois sol-
diers. In the lumse a similar bill was introduced by Mr. Fuller,
ai>proiu'iating $10(),()()() to be disbursed by a commission, consist-
ing of Messrs. John T. Stuart, C. JI. Lanphier, and W. A. Turiiey,
all o})posed to tlie administration 2>olic,y of the war. A bill for
taking the Illinois soldiers' vote was also introduced.
On the 3d day of the session, in the senate, a i)roposition to
adjourn sine die was extensively discussed and nuule the special
order for the following day. On Monday, June Sth, three Demo-
crats being absent, the senate, on motion of Mv. Vandeveer, a
Democrat, passed a rcisolution by a vote of 14 to 7, to adjourn tfine
die on that instant, at r. M. This the house amended by insert-
ing the 22d of June at 10 A. M. instead. The semite refused to
concur by yeas 11 to lays 12. By the constitution, in case of dis-
agreement between the two houses with respect to the time of
adjournment, the governor was empowered to adjourn the assi^m-
bly to such a day as he deemed proper. Such conjinujture now
obtained. On the 9th the senate transacted but little business.
There was also disagreement upon the Id se soldiers' relief bill,
the senate having added the names of the governor and the treas-
urer to the commission, to which the house refused to ac(!eed.
On the morning of June 10th, in the house, shortly after amotion
bj' Mr. Lawrence to take up the general appropriation bill had,
at the instance of Mr. Fuller, been laid on the table, and while
not a Democrat was dreaming of such a move, the governor's pri-
vate secretary entered the hall, and being announced by the door-
keeper, but without recognition from the chair, (Jlr. Burr), read
hurriedly, but in a loud tone, his message adjourning the general
assembly to the Saturday next i)receding the 1st Monday in Jan-
uary, 1805.
This unexpected stroke fell upon the dominant party like a clap
of thunder from a clear sky. Their chagrin and anger knew no
bounds. They were beaten by the hated governor in parliamen-
tary tactics. Amidst the unexampled din and confusion, all sorts
of motions were made. The Republican members at once with-
drew, breaking the quorum. The speaker vacated the chaii', and
the house took an informal recess. In the senate, upon the read-
ing of the prorogation message, a similar scene of excitement took
place. Lieutenant-Governor Hoffman said: " In obediance to this
order, I do now adjouni this senate until the Saturday i)receding
the 1st Monday in January, A. D. 1865." He then vacated the
chair and retired from the chamber. Senator Underwood was
called to the chair. In the afternoon 13 senators were i)reseut —
67
898
niSTOKY OF ILl-lNOIS.
the lli lv('i»tibli('iiii lucnilwrs lia\ in;: left. Tn the li(Hi.s(^ 41 iiiciii-
IxTs wcir pn'sciit ; a niiijority in ciiiifr lioiisr, hut not cnctu;;!! to
do hiisinrss, tiic conHtilulioii icMjiiiiiii;; tlic ]>r('.st'ii(H^ of two-liiinis
of tiic Miciiilicis ill ciicii house to const iliitf a (|iiorniii. lU^^-aniiiif^
the prorogation as illt'^al hntli houses eoiit limed tlio .session.
It is jirol>al»lo the ahs(!ondiii;:' nieniheis iiiiew of tiie yoveiiioi's
]mrpose, .jtid;:iii;f from th«^ promptness with wliieh they and liio
lieiiteiiaiit-yoveinor took their de|)aiture. Yet upon tiie othca*
hand, in the senate, Mr. VandevecM', a Democrat, made the motion
to adjourn, on whieii the «lisa;;reement oceiiried.
Prior to tiie [)roro^'atioii in the house a motion liad been adoji-
ted for a ('onfeieiic.(M!ommittee to rectoncih'. tiie difVereiKres upon
the soldiers' !!!1()(>,(KK) relief bill. This was, in the ]neseiit stiail,
l)r(»lfered to be aecommodated by tin^ house a;;ieeiii^- to th<'. senate
amendment to insert the names of the j;(»V(unor and treasurer
with the other commissioners. A joint resolution was thereupon
adopted, iiivitiiiji' the <!o-operation of eiion<;li Ivepubliean inemberH
to help pass this nuich needed measure. If a <piorum liad been
obtained and the bill res'uhvrly passed, it would have been void
because of the legfality of the proro^iation, as sul)se(pieutly deei«led
by the supreme court. I5ut the Itcpubliiians showed no disposi-
tion to acceedto this request, although thelegality of the a<l.jouni-
nient was tiien generaly dout>ted by both parties. The tiat had
gone fortli, politicial caiiital was a stake, to retract was to prove
vacillating' and contemptible, and they braved it through.
Thesincerity of the democrats — who believed the bill might be
legally i)assed if a quorum could be obtained — in making this
jiropositioii, has been doubted, as inferred from the fact that there
had been ample time to pass the bill. True, they liad showed no
haste, but after the disagreement, there was at stake thcpride of
consistency with either house, for which some allowance should be
made. It cannot be jiossible that such trifling was intended; that
the olive branch was held out only as a lure and deceitful snare.
It may also be safely asserted, that the bill would have passed had
more time been allowed and tlie prorogation not been interposed.
But for the sake of g;ratifying the vanity of partisan tri-
umph, the huv-makers were dispersed, and this beneticent measure
failed. Besides this measure, which appealed directly to one's
sympathy and humanity, there were others pending of great [lub-
lie utility, which were thus also defeated; the bill for the sale of'
coin and the payment of interest in treasury notes; an appropria-
tion to the State Normal University ; the general appropriation
bill; an appropriation for the erection of a monument to Douglas,
and some needed local measures, all iu an advanced state of ma-
turity.
Immediately after the prorogation the Democrats i)repared a
protest, setting forth in detail the injurious consequences to the
public of the governor's "monstrous usurpation" of power, signed
by ■)() representatives and 13 senators. A counterblast to this,
addressed to the people of Illinois, was published by 3 Republi-
cans of the senate, and 6 of the house, acting as a committee for
this i)urpose, in defense of the Kepublicaii members and the Jict
of the governor. Both were extreme partisan documents, full of
accusations of corruptioUj and devoid of neither errors of factnoi
intemperate language.
YATE8' ADMINISTRATION.
8»9
After tlie i)i(>ro;;ati()n, tli« "runip," or moot ij'^iislatiirc, as it
was vaiidiisly called, still kept ii|) tlic s«'ssi()ii ti'diiiically. The
roll call was .studiously avoided so as not to have it apijcar IVoui
tlu^ jounuils that a quoruai was uot present, and thus tlu^ Icf^ality
of tlieir acts would turn upon tlu^ validity of the pi(»ro;iatioii
alone, whi(!li was to be tested in tlu' Suiireine (^oiirt. On the-.'Jd
iiiul 21tli of .June business was transa(!ted. The {iovernor was in-
formed that tlu-y were about to dose, askinj;- if he had any fur-
tluir coniinunication to lay before theni. lie I'eplied that luUiad
not, and did not reeo;;nize tlieir le;;al existence. A Joint resolu-
tion was tlu'reupon passed, takinj;' a recess until Tuesday after
the first Monday in .January, l.S(i4.
JJefon^ the (!lose of the year a decision was obtaiiu'd from the
Suprenu' ('ourt, stistaininj;' the vali<lity of the prorogation. This
was the first political (iiiestion that had ln'en before the Suiiremo
C(»urt sinc(\ the alien case in lS4(t. A portion of tlu^ Democratic
press assailed the. (oiirl (which was Democratic in political senti-
Hient) with great virulence, charyinj;' that the
The deep clia<;riii of the Deino<;i'ats at the dispersion of tl
10
lej;islatiire by the governor is ehKpieiitly i)ortrayed by a member,
before the Supreme Court, in his capacity as attorney in one of
the cases iiivolviiii,' the validity of the prwrogation. He exclaims :
•'^I;iligiiaiit ])artizanship could <;o no farther. The annals of
liolitical warfare disi)l:iy no j>rosser infraction of the dij;nities
and amenities of pri\ ate or ((lllcial life. * * Since the inembera
of the loui;' i)arliaiiient were driven from their seats with oppro-
brious epithets by Cromwell, there has been no such exhibition of
virtuperative lawlessness."^'
AVe will carry this parallel further bj'' addiujf the concluding
part of Cromwell's address to the comimms, and see where it leads :
"Jjut now J say, your time hath come. The Lord hath disowned
you. The Goil of Abr;iliam, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, hath,
done with you. He hath no iiecnl of you any more. 80, he hath
judged you and cast you forth and chosen titter instruments to
Him to execute that work in which you have dishonored Him."
History repeats itself. The chronicler of the scene adds: "Sullen,
humiliated and unpitied, for they had lost the respect of honest
men of all denominations, tlui members of that parliament now
sneaked away to liiid a miserable refuge in the dispised obscurity
of private life, deserted by the .people in their turn, whom they
tlrst deserted at the dictates of a depraved and poor ambition."
The Oreat Democratic Mass Convention of June 11th, 1803. — The
Democratic State committee had issued a call on the 28th of May
for a mass convention to assemble at Springfield, June 17th, 1803,
being the anniversary of the battle of Bunker Hill, for the pur-
pose of consultation and deliberation upon the state of the couu-
' From the Chicngo Times.
*See M. W. Fuller's brief.
900 HmOBT OF ILLINOIS.
try, and to nive expression in an iiiillioritiitive Ibnu to the views
of piihlie IMtlic.v entertained by tiic Illinois Denioeniey. Prom-
inent, denuiciatic, orators from forei;;n States were adxertised to
be present to si>eak,(!onter andeounsel witli tiie Illinois Democracy.
Tlie resnlt was tlu' most ei.\tra(»rdiniiry j;atlierinn, In respeet of
Iinnil)ers, line personal appearance, lii;;li cliaracter of tlie nu'ii iu
atli'ndanec' and tlie spirit which pervaded them, that ever
assendded in Illinois. N(»t h'ss than 40,000 men were present,
representing; all parts of the State. It was not a f^ala day ass»'m-
bla^e of men, women and childicn, Imt of solid htokiny, well
attired men, wlH)se countenances betokened tliouj;ht, ejuneslni'ss
and determination. They were evidently polititialleadersof more
or less inllnene(( in whatt^vc^r sections llicy belonjicd. Tlii-ir out-
vard aiiiK'aiance indicated not only this, but also that tlm awat
body of them Avere men of means. While ail classes were uuire or
less represented, the solid element {jfreatly pre<h)minated, ;;iving
tone and character to the whole. No drunkenness, l)raw linj;;; or
Bendtlanc*' of unseemly combict nnured the occasion. No taunt-
iufi' acts of disloyalty by the display of s(>cession llaj;s, shouting
for .letf Davis, or like conduct cah^ulated to i)rovoke. a breach ot'
the i>eace, was manifested. A disturbanct; of tlie peace while tins
immense crowil was iu the capital citf, leading to u serious out
break, perhaps u collision with the soldiers, was gre.itly feared by
some prondnent otHcials. (Jen. Ammen, commandant of Camp
Butler, took the preciaution toorder that no soldier be allowed to
leave cami) during the whole of that day. IJut this crowd, though
large, was not a mob. It was composed ratlua' of respectable,
vell-to-do and reflective citizens avIio — Avhatever their opinion
regarding the war, and that vas lor peace — would not pie-
cipitate a collision voluntarily. Yet it nuiy be well considered,
bad it been forced ui)on them they -were not the men to quail;
doubtless nniny were well prepared for siu;h acontingem;y. They
Lad come, not for an excursion to seek relief from and vary the
monotony of home life, but, moved by a feeling of deep earjiest-
ness, to eomi)ai'e views ami take counsel of one anotlier, and
repledge their devotion to that democratic faith that was in them,
whicli stood steadfast for the "Uuiou as it was ami the constitu-
tion as it is ;" to (londemn the aggressions of arbitrary power both
State and Natiomd, and denouiu'-e the "abolitioni/ing'''of the con-
duct of the war. Prominent republicans liad theiiselves asserted
that "the problem would be [when the war was pastj to com-
bine the forms of republican governnu'nt with the i)owers of a
monarchical government."* They met to place their ban upon the war
at a time when many earnest hearts were trembling for the cause of
the Union, and when discouragement might be doubly effective.
In the west, Vicksburg was invested, it is true, but it had not
fallen. In the east the victorious legions of Lee, fresh from the
blundering contests on the Itappahannock, and inspired by a
contempt for the IJiuon forces under Hooker, with the utmost
audacity mo\ed clear around him, boldly crossed into Maryland
and deliberately pushed forward to Pennsylvania, while the conn-
try stood amazed, and the deepest anxiety pervaded every breast.
Gettysburg, tliough not far in the future, was noi, foreseen.
•Sec Forney's Press.
YATKS' ADMINISTIIATION. 901
The uH'«titi}j wiiH \u'h\ at tin) old Fair (irouiid or (^iiiiip Yatos,
about oiu> iiiilc dm; west of tlu) old Htato IIous(^ TIh', day was
oppressively warm. To jjivcwin idea ofwome oftlie leading' par-
ticipants we will ai)p(Mid a few names:
Ht<nut<ir W. A. Ult^lmrdHitii. pri'Klcloiit ; vIcoprcBlilcntu ; Horm. Chns. A. Coimtalilp,
Will. MoMurtry, I'ctor Swiiiit.J. M. Vounn-, Aaron Uliuw, O. M. Klcklln, Win. K. 'J'horn-
t()ti,.l. W. Morrill, II. M. Vundivfi'r, II. (•'. I'ri'ttynmu, (^huw. I). llodKCH, .lolin 8.
Mcl>()nal(l,.iiurieH Itolib, W fl. (iilniiin, Virxll Mlckox, JanicH K. Kwingr, l<). I). Tay-
lor, A. I). Wrlirlii, I.I* UotruiK. John V. Aycr, A. Wltlu-rM, David A. tiutfc, Haircut
Gobbli!, .Ii'hii (^'uiiidntrliHin, Noah .loliiiHon, .M. V .lohimon, II. H. Kdwardn, S. Staata
Taylor, .lolin I'kiHon. C. L. Hliihci', K. L.Mi'rrIck, H. H. Hays, Cynm Epliir, It. M. 11.
Wilson, .loliuU. Wood.S. A. lincknnmtcr, .lacoh Ik>wiiiaii, 8. .). CronH, .1. M. J'^>lur,
ICohert Halloway, Henry l)rt'»«<!r, .1. L. I). Morrlnon, .1. K.Stltt .luincH '. HoldnHon.
W. A. J. HparkH, K. C Sl-eriiiaii, .1. S. Ilox-an, .lolin C. (^haniplin, C. A. Walker, ana
Dr. N. S. Davis. Aiiioii»f lln- din'nkerN inattt'iKlaiu.'it I'roni abroad wo notice llie luiiuoHof
Daniel Voorlifus, of Indiana. h. S Cox of ()hio,aiid (MirlH. Krililiitn and (icn. M<!Kinl-
Btry, of tiU I»iiiH, and from our own State, KU.'liardHon.S S. MaiHliiill, .1. It. Kden,
.las. C Alien. Kx Oov. .John KcynolilH, .1 . C. ltoliln(<on, (SreatliouH. Ilrvaii, Connolly,
Wescott, ChiiH T. K. Merrllt, M. V. Johnxun, J. L D. Morrison, W. M SprliiKor,
Hilda host of olliui-g, SpeakiiiR wiiscuiiHlantly tiudfrum six diU'erent standi, cnthuHlus-
tle crowds thronKlHK about each.*
Tlie position of the Demoeracy of Illinois was dctilared at
leiiotli in L'l sei>arate paraj;raplis, which we summarize, extn-pttho
two last. They declareii the supremacy of the constitutiou
of the United States, as well in time of war as ptnice,
which they were rea<ly and willinj;' to obey, as also all laws made
ill jHirsiiaiiee thereof, so loiiy as they remained upon the statute
bool<s, (tlaimiii}^ the rij;ht to constitutionally chaiifie them; they
quoted the hill of rif>lits, and u[»on it arrai};iied the, federal admiii-
ist ration for violatiiij;" nearly every one of its guarantees to the
citizen ; they coiideniiied the arrest and banishment of Vallandig-
ham, deiiiandin;; his restoration ; denounced the arrest of Judge
Constable and the imprisonment of Hon. W. II. Carlin and other
citizens of the State, demanding their release; condemned the
supjiression of the Chicago Times; tleclared their determinatiou
to e.xercise the right of electing public officers in defiance of the
(h'liiaiids of power; adhered to the doctrine of State sovereignty ;
deiioiimted martial law in this State; condemned the recent act of
prorogation of the legislature by Gov. Yates as a high handed
usurpation by one department of government of the rights of
another; charged the governor with not only not protecting the
citizen in his constitutional rights, but violating them himself;
denounced secession as a ruinous heresy, and ottered their cordial
co-operation in securing to the seceded States equal rights if they
would return to their allegiance.
"at. That the further ofl'enehe prosecution of this war tends to subvert the consti-
tution and the Koverninent, and entail upon this nation all the disastrous consi'quences
ot misrule and anarchy. That we are in favor ot peace upon tbo basis of a restoration
of the Union, and for theaccoiiinllshinent of which we propose a national convention
to settle upon terms of peace, which shall have in view the restoration of the Union
a»« it was and the seeuriiifjr, Uy constitutional amendments, such righs to the several
Stat<'S and the people thereof, as honor and justice dcn.and.
":it. That we denounce as libellers of the Democratic part.v, and willful instiirators
of mischief, those fanatics whoare enf^aved in represcntint? the democracy as wanting
in sympathy for our soldiers in the fleld. Those soldiers are our kindred, our friends
anilour neifflibors, who.se interests are idcntiUed with our own; whose prosperity is
our iileiifi'uf ; whose sulferlns Is our pain ; and whose brilliant achievements are our
pri<le and a<imiration. Promptly rushing to arms as they did. in answer to the call of
their country, tlicy merit our wurinest thanks, our sympathy and our support ; and
we earnestly request the Prosi<lent of the United States to withdraw the " Proclama-
tion of Emancipation," and i>ermlt the brave sons of Illinois to fltfht only tor the
"ITiiioii, the coii.sfitution and the enforcement of the laws."
The assembled multitude testified their faith in the last of these
declarations by their works on the spot, in contributing the muni-
liceiit fund of 8^:7,4(10 for the sick and wounded Illinois soldiers.
This very liberal response was one of the noblest and most touch-
"Sec Illinois UeKister, June J8tb. 1863.
1 1
OOi
H; STORY 01? ILLINOIS.
•i^:
h)'^ s(;('ii('.s ever witnessed. AVlieii tlu' call ol' the eoiiiiiiittee for
tills purpose was aimomiced. wallets (lew out ol' poekels tliick aud
last, and thousands of upraised hands held waixiiij;' aloll iunuiiiei'-
id)le };reen backs, iiiscrilted witli the interest in^' fj! lij^ures of .Vs,
lO's, L'O's, "jO's, (Jce., impatiently waitin;;' for the ])assin.u' hats to
coMU^ r(»und to j;ather them in. The hats were Idled and (•raiinned,
passed to the eonnnittee, emptied, passed back a>;ain and as
(|uickly refilled. !Somc individual sul)serii)tions wertiashi.uh as
$.")(I0. And thus the errand of nu'rey ]>rosi»ered: tiie <;lorions eon-
tajiiou of a ])hilanthropie entiiusiasm si)readinj;' tlu^ while, eii-
c'oura^i'cd with insi)iriny cheers, winle many a thou;;iitrii! eye, set
l)erhaps in si steru countenaiu;e, drojiped a silent tear in sympa-
thy with this beautiful manifestation of a grateful ]»atriotism.
Thus wexe wrought U[) those tender emotions of love of country,
"whicb trans|)orted the fond recolle(;tions of affectionate hearts
after the abst-nt ones, gallantly defending the union and our
Lonu\s against the cohorts of treason. The; warm hearts of these
contributors ]»ulsated in uinson with a genuine ]>atriotisni. albeit
their unyielding heads, intluenced by partisan feelings,
enunciated what we lunv know to have been a wrongful stand
against the further prosecution of the war for the Union. Doubt-
less they were thoroughly honest in their belief at the time, but
its results upon this nation, if eiirried out, must have been attended
■with unnumbered woes.
In this muniticent oli'ering "the soldier's friend" and his
goadiug lackers, who, rather than forego the opi)ortuiiity of
■wreaking a. iiarrisan triumi»h by the prorogation of the legisla-
ture ill del'eating the appntpriatioii of s'lOOjdOO ibr the sick
sick and wounded Illinois soldiers, doubtless discovered a- meiiled
rebuke. It has been asserted that this feeling prompted the large
contribution rather than the dictates of a generous philanthrojjy.
3>ut a good deed should not be attributed to bad motives; to do
good to those that despitefully use you, is of the highest christian
8i)irit. Crowds of men are not likely to seek revenge in such
noble and generous actions; neither was this assemblage the legis-
lature which had been affronted. Col. W. IJ. ^Morrison was seletUed
to disburse the fund raised at this meeting, for the relief of the
sick and woumled Illinois soldiers.
AVIiile this nieeti!ig- was "called" to give .autlnn-itative expres-
sion to the views of public; policy entertained by the Illinois demo-
cracy, the position here assigned to lliem in the I'iid declaration,
■was but the position of those who framed it, or of that assemblage,
not that of the great mass of the ])arty. It was not si delegate
but a nuiss convention, each attendant representing himself and
no one else. By this declaration it was juoposed precisely to do
all the rebels liad ever asked — to be let alone. It did not express
the sentiments of the Democracy of Illinois. The Democracy had
ever been the war party of the country, in all the wars it cver h;id.
The great body of the rank and tile were loyal to the core and
nnconditionally for the war, contending, with rare excejitions, that
there was no other honctrable alternative but to prosecute it until
the authority of the government was acknowledged ami respected
over all the broad domain of our country. The leading spirits of
this meeting forsook the exalted loyal stai;d of the party as cor-
rectly delined by Mr. Douglas, an(l placed themselves iu perfect
YATES' ADlVnNTSTRATION. 003
aiitii};<)iiism with liis patriotic utterances, that wliik^ tlic war histed
there could be but two parties in the country — "patriots and
traitors." Tliey assumed to speak for the Democracy of Illinois,
^vitllout delegated authority so to do, and assign to them a ])osi-
tion before the country which they abhorred. Their unworthy
cfl'orts met with a witlierin<i' rebuke from the people and they dealt
tiie party a last blow, from which it has not recovered. If not in
artivulo mortis, it Inisbeen paralized ever since in the State.
The first fruit of these legishitive arid convention i)r()ceedings
was exhibited in the elections of ]Srovend)er, 18(i;$, feu- cotuity
oflicers, wlii(!h resnlted in favor of the Kepublicans by an a;^j;re-
gate nuijority of 8(),(»00 votes. A full vote wiis not polled, it is
true, yet there was an actual Union gain of 5,000, and a compar-
ative gain of 40,000 votes over the i)receding year.*
On Septend)er3d,l(S0;i — the country having l)een in the mean time
encouraged by the victory of (iettysbnrg and thefall of Vickslmrg —
the meeting of the 17th of June was offset by an inunense I'niou
gathering at Spiinglield. Ihms. Henry S. Lane, J. K. Doolittle,
Zachary Chandler, (iov. Yates, Gens. It. J. Oglesby, John A.
IMcCiernand, J. N. Haynie, B. M. Prentiss and many ,>lhers,
a<hb'essed the Aast assemblage. Mv. Lincoln sent a long and
patriotic letter, addressed to the chairnum, J. C. Conkling, which
was read. Many other patriotic letters from prominent gentle-
men in various parts of the country were likewise read. A vigor-
ous prosecution of the war for the Um'on was lu-ged by all the
si>eakers, and in all the letters — that that was the only true way
to an honorabU^ peace.*
The peace efforts of a faction of the Illinois Democracy may
be said to have culminated in 18(i.'). With the ai)proach of
the election contest of 1S(J4 we discover a manifest weakening in
the wonted unanimity of their denuinds tor peace. The desire for
party success was stronger than any other pobtical sentiment.
The leaders, not unmindful of the expression of the people of
Illinois at the i>olls in Xovend)er, 1803, were inclined to greater
caution in taking advanced unconditional i)eace gryund. Indeed
many were the other way. ^Ic('l(>llen had loomed up as the most i
available Democratic; candidate for tliei)resi(U'ncy. It could not be f
expected that the hero of Antietam, wlut it was suj)p()sed would
carry the soldiers' vote to a man, could consistantly be run as an
unconditional peace man. Accordingly when the first State D«'m-
ocratic Convention of 1804 met at Springlield, June ir»th, they
contented themselves with ai»pointing delegates to the national
convention, and State presidential electors, without putting a ticket
in the field, or adopting aplatforni. deferringthatniatter by an over-
whelming majority to the action of the national convention shortly
to meet at Chicago. A buincond) resolution was adopted to stand
by Vallandigliiun (who had Jnst returned from exile), and the de-
mocracy of Ohio (then, also, assendded in convention) in the preser-
*Out of tlic resolutions of the ITtli of June 8prun(Jr a curious quarrel between the
peace policy and no policy factions of that meeting, l.-d respectively l>y Col.
Ui<'liaiiiHon and Oeu. Sltif^ieton. The '■ileciarations.'' it seems, were prepariMl and
passed upon theday l)efore by a self constituted committee of eonjrrcsMuien, judjits,
olHcc holilei'S and olHceseekiTS, whose retreat, the latter ns he asserted for a lnnuf
time, could not. discover. Hi; claimed the i)aternity of the 2;td "declaration" with
only the word "otfenslve" In the Hrst lino added by the committee. Doubtless honors
are ensy upon that point by this time.
♦See Illinois State Journal, Sept. 9th, 18(«.
904
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
vatiou of their liberty, but the reiteration of the former bold staml
lor peace, for which the masses ill Illinois in their expression at
the i)olls had shown no relish, was shrewdly avoided. This was
rejiarded as a McClelleii triumph, and a rebuke to the i)eace-ou-
any-term's party. But the peace faction ayaiust which the tide
was thus stron;i>ly settinji', was not to be squelched without making
an eitbrt. With the view to intiuence tiu; approaching State con-
vention, a mass meeting to the number of perhai)s 'J0,0()0 assem-
bled at Peoria, August the 3d, under the management of the lead-
ing peace men of the State. The meeting was also said to have
been called by "a se(!ret organization whose jnend)ers acted with
the Deuu)cratic party. "*General Singleton, author of the 23d dec-
laration of the 17th of June, 18G3, presided; and Amos Green,
GrandCommander of the Order of American Knights in Illinois,
who, subsequently, in the trial of the Camp Douglas conspirators
at Cincinnati, turned state's evidence, H. JI. Vandeveer, W. W.
O'lirien and others, repented a series of resolutions, in the 2d
of which they "declare that the coercion and subjugation of sov-
ereign States wa, never contemplated as possible or authorized
by the constituiion, but was pronounced by its makers an act of
suicidal folly. But whatever may be the theory of constitutional
power, war, as a means of restoring the Union, has proved a fail-
ure and a delusion," etc. ; and in the 3d, "tliat the repeal and
revocation of all unconstitutional edicits and pretended laws, an
arnustice, aiul a national convention for the peaceful adjustment of
our troubles, are the only means of saving our mition from unlim-
ited calamity and ruin."*
In the meantime another Democratic nniss convention had
been called to assemble at the capital. The Peoria meeting,
doubtless fearing that the policy to harmonize all the discordant
elements manifest in the party would there imnail, now resolved
to then reassemble at Springlield, being the ISth of August fol-
lowing, an<l stamp thai meeting, also, with their character. Accord-
ingly, upon that occasion. General Singleton claimed that the
S[>ringfield meeting, which was very largely attended, was but a
continuation of the Peoria meeting ; that the olUcers were already
chosen, and nothing remained to be done but for him as president
to call the multitude to order, listen to the speaking, and pass the
Pecu'ia peace resolutions. But his assumptions met with earnest
protest; however, for the sake of harmony, it was agreed in cau-
cus that Singleton
should preside, that the Peoria resolutions
should be roi>orted stripped of two objectionable clauses, aiul in
addition to jtledge the party to the Chi(;ago nonunees. This was
strenuously opposed by the ultra peace faction, who declared they
would api»eal to the peojde. The meeting was forthwith called to
order, General Singleton became chairnmn and addressed the
nnisses in a forcible and able speech, lie was followed by Henry
Clay Dean, of Iowa, in an eloquent etl'ort. The Peoria resolutions
unchanged were then ottered for ado[>tion, as also those of June
17th, 18i}3, and by the chair declared passed. The caucus resolu-
tion pledging the etlicient support o^'t^he Illinois Democracy to the
ChicMgo nominee for president, WiK)ev(!r he nnght be, was then
•Sue correspondence Chicago Time?,
»8oo Illinois Ueglster, Aug. 6tli, 18M
YATES' ADMINISTRATION. 905
oliV'ivd. It was .sliarply attacked and laid on <^'ie table. Xext
the I'eoria and ITtli of June resolutions were ottered for adoption
at stand No. U, and there, also, declared passed. The resolution
pledging unconditional support to the Cliica};o nominees was
now ajiain ottered. A bitter debate, not unmixed with ^ross per-
sonalities, was instantly aroused, resultiu«>this time in tiio adop-
tion of the resolution. And now the cloven foot bavin*;' l)((eu
revealed to the nuxltitude, when the latter resolution was aj;ain
nu)\ed at stand No. 1, amidst nuieh confusion and opposition it
was there, also, vociferously adopted. The presiding otticer, who
had been assailed as a disorgauizer, thereupon retired from the
meeting in disgust.*
Tluis this meeting, after adopting the Peoria and 17th of June
resolutions, demanding an armistice, pronouncing the war for
the Union a failure and Unconstitutional, and proposing an almost
xincoiiditional peace with dettant rebels, in the next breath pledged
themselves in advance to sujjport a war Democrat for the presi-
dency. But this glaring incon.5istency only indicated after all that
many of the democratic leaders, in their ardent and ultr^ opposi-
tion to the war for the Union, had been really less disloyal in tlieir
true feelings and sentiments than partisan and factious. They were
anti-wiu- men because it was not, as they thought, the war of their
party. They did not love the Union less, but otti(!e more. The
partisan strife for place, power and position is a terrible thing in
our country, ami not at all on the Avane.
Nor wsis this meeting more inconsistent than the Chicago Dem-
ocratic national convention of lS(i4, which met a few days later,
in the adoption of their platform and the choice of a candi-
date to be placed upon it.
Tlio2(i resolution declared itiis thesenscot the American people "that after four
years of failure to restore the Union by the exijerimcnt of war, durinfr which, under
the pretense of military necessity or power nl^'herthan the constitution, the consti-
tution itself has beendisrefrtii'df d in every part, and the public liberty and private rights
alilto trodden down, andthe material prosperity of the country essentially inii)alred ;
justice, humanity, liberty and the public welfare demand that imnieilitttc ett'orts bo
made for the cessation of hostilities, with a view to an ultimate convention of the States
or other peaceable means to the end that at the earliest practicable moment peace
may be restored on the basis of the Federal Union of the States.
To which the distinguised military chieftain, Gen. INii'Clellen, a
strong Avar Democrat, who had dispersed the Maryland Democratic
legislature at the point of the bayonet, replied in his letter of
accepance :
"(lut the Union must be preserved at all hazards. I could not look in the face of my
jrallant comrades of the army and navy, who survived so many bloody battles, and tell
them that their labors and the sacriflec of so manyofour slain and wounded brethreu
have been in vain."
CHICAGO CONSPIHACY.
Durintrthe autumnof 'fllaoonspiracy wasdetectcd at Chieapo. which hndforits object
the liberation of theiirisoners at Camp Dousilas, the burning of the city, and the in-
auguration of rebellion in the north. Gen. Sweet, who had charjfe of the camp at
the time, first had his suspicions of danger aroused by a number of enigmatically
worded letters which passed through the Camp po.stolBce
From subseimcnt developments he became eonvinced It wns the intention of the
conspirators to carry out tneirnefavious designs during the session of the National
Democratie Convention in Auki. t, but before the time arrived defensive measures
were Instituted, and the leaders deemed It best to postpone the consunnuationof their
obieet till the presidential election. They were, however, agamdestined tebe foiit^d.
Oii till' ;.M of November, a citizen of St. Iwouis, an avowe<l seeessioni.st. l)\it in ifality
nirovernmeiit detective, followed a crlmiuKl from that city toSprinirlleld, and thence to
ChionL'o. Here, while on the alert for the fugitive, he met a former acipmintanee, a
member of the <u'der of Anu'riean Knights, from whom he learned that the rebel
•Sec Illinois Register, Aug. 19th, 1864.
90G
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
«.iin<iih uu iML-uuj oi itic eifi'ttoii, iiii' (U'lfciai' iniinodiatiily aillea on col. swec;
coiiiiminii'utod to biiii the stnrtliiitf iiitollitfi'iK.'e, mid ihc liitter telojrraplniti lor ti
|J'liL'ri' were Inthe oaiiip 8,1X10 prisoners, luiionif whom were MorgHn's freelio
J'exiis Kuiifrers ami otliers iirecoeioiis', lUirintf and ready tor reekless uilveuture
Maniuiilulvo was in the eity. After a short interview he met Dr. Eawnrds, n citizen of
tliicat,'<) aiiciu relieisyinpatliizer, wlioi.slied liiin if lie Itiiew Southeni soldiers were in
town riie detective aiiswerinj; in the iieKative, liii interlocutor further iiilornied
hull that Marniaduke was stopiiin^f uthis house under the iissuined name of UurliiiK,
and nieiitioned asa 'yood joke ' that he had a liritish passport made out under t lie same
eoguoinen by the American (.'onsui. The detective, in his report to the Provost Mar-
shal General of Mo., says: "Tlie same evening I againnict with Dr. Edwards on the
street going to my hotel. Me said Mariiiaduko desired to see me and I accompanied
him to ills house. Tliere in the course of a long conversation Marniaduke told me tliat
he aiHl several ollicers were in t'liicago to operate with other parties In relensiiig
the prisoners of Camp Douglas.aiid in inaugurating a retiellion in the north. He said
tile inoveiiicnl was under tlie auspices ol the American Knights, and waste begin ope-
rations on tlieday of the election. The detective iminediatoly called on Col. Sweet and
troops,
liooters.
--- ,-- , „ ^ .„. ire. To
guard the large force there were only TlK) effective men, and the commandant felt
ustlioiijih there was a mine b' neath liim, an<l only TO hours remained In which to i)re-
veiit its tieiiig si)rung with disastrous coiiseiiiK'iices to the garrison and adjacent city.
Disclosures soon reached liim from other sources whereby ho learned the full partie-
ulaisof the gigaiitl(! scheme. The blow was to be struck on the 8th of November,
and Camp Douglas was the tlrst objective point. The 8.000 jirisoners when liberated
were to be .joined by the 5,000 knights of (Chicago, making a nucleus of lit.OOOabout which
would gather Canadian refugees, bushwhackers from Mo., prisoners from otherCamps,
and iiicmbers of the same' order In other localities. The city of Chicago was first to lie
sacked and burned, after which a similar fate was to be meted out to the otlii-r cities
of tlie north. A general uprising of the traasonable element in tlie loyal States was to
follow, and simultaneously Hood was to move on Nashville, Buekiicr on Louisville, and
Price on St. Louis.
It must nolbe su])posed these seemingly cxtrc.vagant arrangements were without
some prospect of success. Investigations before military commissions in dilferent
partsof the west indicated the existence ot treasonable soeietiesof almost fabulous ex-
t(;iit. A report of the .Judge Advocate General of the U.S. disclosed "the existence
of a military organization having its comiiiander-in-chief, general and subordinate
oHieers, and !)00,000 enrolled members, all bound by a blind oliedience to their superiors,
and pledged to take up arms against any power loiind waging war against a i)eoplo
cnileiivoring to establish a government of their own choice."
Col. Sweet duly apprised the police of Cliicagoof the )>rcsenco of the conspirators,
nn<l at '^ o'clock ill the morning prece<ling the election, made a descent on their respec-
tive places of lodiring. Aiiiiiiig the arrests were the rebel odieers Gronfell, Morgan,
Ad.jutant (jeneral Marniaduke, brother of thegeneral. Cantrell, of Morgan's command,
liuckncr Morris, treasurer of tlie Sonsof Lilierty, Charles Walsh, a member of the order
were also arrested. Inthe house of the latter were loun<l two cart-loads of loaded
pistols, and in another luut of the city twolxixesof guns. The startling intolligciiee
ot the arrests spread with lightning rapidity, and as the sun rose up from the bosom
of the lake and looked down on the milesof palatial residences, stores and well-lilled
houses maikcjd out for rapine and burning.their inhabitants were inarms, patrols were
marching and countermarching through the entire eit.v which presented the appearance
of 1111 extetiiied military encanipment. Thus in one short hour the scheme which was
to transfer the tlieatn; of the war to the free states, and apply the torch to northera
cities, collapsed and Its reckless projectors were in the custody of the officers in tho
narrow cells of a prison.
Early in January, 180."). Gen. Hooker, commandant of the Northwestern Denarinient,
convened a court martial in Cincinnati to try the leaders of the conspiracy. They were
chargeii with violating the laws ot >.;«r by attempting to release the prisoners confined
at (.'ainii Douglas, and conspiring to la> waste the city of Chicago. 'The trial lasted till
Aiuil, when Walsh was si'utenced to three years' imprisonment in the penitentiary,
Grenrell to behung. Uafael Semines,cai)tured after the first arrests, to two years im-
prisonment. Of the (jther prisoners one eomniitted suicide by shooting himself, one
escaped from custody and the remainder were aciiuitted. After reniaininig in prison 9
monthsall the cunvicts except Grenfell, whose seiiteuce was commuted to imprison-
ment for life, were pardoned.
Chapter LVI.
1S(;5— 1800— AD^riNISTRATION OF GOV. OGLESDY.
Ecpiihlican and Democratic tState Conventioufi of 1804 — Lives and
Vhamcter of Oijh'shy and Bronx — Pros2)criti/<tnd ('audition of the
■ t^tate durimi the RvlwUion — Le(jiiilation, FoIiti<-aI and l^peeial, in
ISO.")--! — Hoard of Uqualisationestablinhed — Location of A(/rici(l'
tiiral CoUeye — Illinois Capitals and their removals — llintory of
the Penitentiary.
The llcpubliciiii, or Union Stiite Convention of 1804, wa.s lield
at Spiin^fu'ld, May Si'itli. A. J. Kuykendall, of Jolinson, was
clioscn to pii'sidc. For Govi'iiior fonr names were proposed. On
tilt' tirst or inlorinal ballot, Allen C. Fnller, of lioone, received liUU
votes; Kicliard J. Oylesby, of ^laeon, 283; Jesse K. Dubois, of
San<;anion, lOo; and John M. Palmer, t)f ^laeonpin. To. On the
ne.\t ballot Oylesby was nominated, receiving 358 out of 081
votes cast. William Bross, of Cook, was nominated for lieuten-
ant governor; Sharon Tyndale, of St. Clair, for Secretary of State;
O. II. Miner, of Sangamon, ibr Auditor ; James II. lieveridge, of
]){'i\ali>, for Treasurer ; ifewton l>ateman, of ^lorgan, for Super-
intendent of I'ublic Instruction ; S. W. Moulton, of Shelby, for
Congressman for the Stateat-large. Thus far all was harmony,
but now (!ame trouble. The committee on platform gave the na-
tional administration but a quasi endorsement, saying that the
president's "war measures were planned with all honest pui'imse;
that it was not necessary to ai»i)roveof every act of the adminis-
tralion to enable them to say ]\Ir. Lincoln was an honest man and
prudent statesman ; and that in the main the acts of the admin-
istration had been highly coiulucive in su])pressing the existing
relieilion, and should ^Ir. Lincoln receive the nominati<ni of the
Haiti more convention they would give him their earnest sup-
■ port."*
Tliis resolution excited intense opposition and was laid on the
table. A new committee was apjjointed and in the eveidng a new
set of re: olutions were rei)orted and adopted after a i)rotracted
sitting. The administration was strongly indorsed, and the dele-
gates to the Baltimore convention instructed to use all honorable
•See Illinois State Ketflster, May ;.'8th, 1804.
907
908
HISTORY OP ILLINOIS.
iiu'iiii.s to secure tlie re-iioiiiiiiiition of Mr. Lincoln ibr tlie presi-
dency; ii (leterMiiuation wiis expi-essed to i»roseciile tli«' wnr nntil
tliecanseof the Union trluniplicd; sliivery wiiscliarjicd as tlie cause
of I lie rebellion; tlie.v breathed the sentiments <»f a <;ciinine patriot-
ism and noble sympathy for the soldiers; extemled thanks to the
j>'o\ crnor and all the iState oftuaals ; indorsed tlui KUh amend-
menr abolishin};' slavery; and asserted the ^Monroe doctrine — that
it was the tluty of the U. S. to reinstate rei)ul)lican institutions
on the continent of America, which looked to the French opera-
tioiis in Mexico.
The J)eniocratic State Convention of 180-4 also met at Spring-
field, but not till September (5th. The Hon. S. S. Hayes, of Cook,
l)resided. The Chicago national democratic platform was adopted.
James C. Kobinson, of Clark, was nominated forCovernor; S.
Coridng Jiuld, of Fulton, for Lieutenant Governor; John Ilise, of
LaSalle, for Auditor; Alexander Starne, of Tike, for Treasurer ;
William A. Turney, of Morgan, for Secaetary of State; John P.
Brooks, for Superintendent of Public Instruction, and James C.
Allen, of Crawford, for Congressman for the Stateat-large.
The election in November, 1804:, resulted in fa\()r of the repub-
licans on the State ticket by an average nuijority exceeding .Jl,-
(KK> votes. The estimated gain of the republican vote on 1803
was over 09,000. The Legislature was republican, as follows:
Senate 14 republicans to 11 democrats; House ol republicans to
34 democrats ; Union nnijority ou joint ballot 20. Eleven out of
the 14 congressmen elected were also republicans.
Ivichard J. Oglesby was born July 25tli, 1824, in Oldham county,
Kentu(!ky. Bereft of parents at the tender age of eight, his
eai-ly education was neglected. When 12 years old he remo\ed
with an uncle to Decatur. He was subsequently ap})renticed to
the carpenter's trade, worked occasionally at farming, studied law,
essayed to imactice it at Sullivan, this State, returned to Decatur,
volunteered in the Mexican war, was elected 1st Lieut. Co. "C,"
4th Illinois regiment, and participated in the battle of Cerro
Gordo, On his return he sought to i)erfect his law studies by at-
tending the lectures at Louisville, took the gold fever then raging
and (Tossed the plains to California, returned, and, in 1852, lirst
appeared in politics as a Scott elector. Later he visited Europe
and the Holy Land, returned, and, in 1858, offered for congress,
but was beaten by the same competitor he had for governor in
18(!4. In 1800 he was elected a State Senator, but the following
spring when the rebellion broke out, his ardent nature quickly re-
sponded to the denninds of patriotism, and, as colonel of the 8th
regiment, he tendered it as the second raised by the State for that
contliet. He was shortly entrusted with important comnumds, and
for a time stationed at Bird's Point and Cairo. At Fort Donelson his
brigade was in the van, and, on the morning of the last day, the
first to be attacked by the enemy, resulting in the loss of 500
jneii before reinforcements came to his su[)port. At Corinth his
and ILuikleman's brigades held tlie rebels at bay during a larg6
part of the afternoon; but in a daring cliaige the latter was
killed, and Oglesby dangerously wounded in theleft Inngwasboiiie
from the field in expectation of immediate dissolution. On his re-
covery he WHS promoted for gallantry to a major generalship,
OCiLESBV's ADMINlJJiTKATION. 009
iiinl ill rlie spring of l.S(5;j iis,sij;ii('(l to tlio coiiiniiUKl of the Kith
iiiiiiy <(»ii»s, hut owiiin to tlii' trouble of liis wouikI, (lio ciinictl
till' ivlu'.l Iciiil ill liis p«a\soii) lie r«'liiHiiiislu'(l aetive service wiiliiii
three iiiontlis after.
(ioveruor Ouieisby is a fine appeariiij;' alValiie man, with re;;u-
liir, well (leliiied features and I'otiiiid face, lii stature he is a little
aliovc! medium heijiiit, lar^e iVaiiie and soiiu-wliat tlesliy. His
jilivsieal aitjiearaiuie is strikiiii;' and preiiossessiny, while his
'strai<;ht-out, not to say blulf, manner and speech are well ealeiiUi-
te(l to favoralily impress the aveiaf^c masses. Ardent in IVeliii;^
and strong in party bias, he inspires <leep ]>artisan i)rejudices
in others. He is quite an elfective stump orator. With a v«'heiii-
ent, passionate and scornful tone iuid <;estures, treineiKhms piiys-
ieiil power, which, in speakiiif;-, he exercises to the utmost ; with
frcMpient descents to the grotesque, and witli abundant homely
comparisons or frontier lijiures, expressed in tlie broadest vermuai-
lar and enforced with steiitoriun emphasis, he (U'li^^hts a ])romis-
cuous audience lieyoiid measui'e ; wliih' his bitter invective, be-
stowed without stint ui»on the opposition must gratify tiie
extremest feeling of itartisan hatred and animosity.
Lieut. Gov. liross was born in Sussex county, New Jersey.
His youth was mostly spent in tlie wilds of Pennsylvania, aiding
his father in the hard toil of a lumberman and rafting on the Del-
ewaio. He acciuired, however, a classi(;al education, and after-
wards, for many years, taught school. In LSiS he removed to
Chicago and becamea jiartner in the i»ublishing house of (iriggs,
Bross & Co. But ill Illinois he isdiiefly known by his career as
an editor. In 1852 he united with John L. Scripps and started tlie
Democratic PrcHH^ a political and comnier(;ial newspaper. He was
originally a democrat, but with the repeal of tlie 5lissouri com-
promise this paper forsook the democracy and aided in forming
the republican party. In 1858 it was "t'onsoliilated" with the
Tribune, and in 1800 the name of "Press" was dropped. Xo
paper has perhaps exercised a larger intluence upon the politics
of Illinois, while at an early day it was the leading commercial
medium of the northwest. Mr. Bross is a man of sound jtrac-
tical sense, varied and extensive inlormation, exact, thorough,
and untiring in ett'ort. He had shown himself an able statistical,
commercial and political writer. Energy and resoluteness are of
the essence of his nature, and with wonderful rapidity of utter-
ance, as presiding otlhjer of the senate, he was capable of dis-
patching a large amount of business in those days of ouniibuslegis-
lation. He is of medium height and robust frame, with angular
features, high forehead, and ruddy complexion. Honest himself,
he despises the tricks and arts of the politician ; and his own
achievements being the result of industry, he entertains little rev-
erance for genius.*
Governor Oglesby was duly inaugurated January the ITtli,
ISO."),* butbefore proceeding with his administration it is proi)erthat
we take ii short retrospect at our nniterial prosperity during tlie
rebellion.
•Sec Ward's speech In eenato Jan. 11, '00, and Western Monthly, Juno, '6!).
'The (lay before the time first set for Gov. OKlesby to assume the duties of bis office,
deatli visited his homeat Decatur, and tools therefrom his only son, an ititoilifrent and
sprljrhtly lad ot 6 years, a grreut favorite with the bereaved parents. This cause I the
iuaug'uration to be postponed for one week.
910
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
Notwitlistiiiidiiij;' tlicdi'maiKls ol'tlic war liiid diaw ii ii|)(>ii Illi-
nois to tlu' extent of near l.'(»(»,()U(> men — hale, vi;^<)roiis and with-
out [ihysical l»Ieniisli, taken from tin; mo,-t active itrodiieiiig
classes — the ;,'reat indnst lies of the State had not only spei'diiy
recovered from thisenormons tiral't, hut her material i»'os[»eiity,
retardcMl the first one or two years, was unparalleled by any other
State. The census of ISd,! reveah'd a population of L', UK. "ilO, he-
inj;- :;n incrt'ase of 4-!>,.~».")!), or near 2r> per cent, since IstiO ; and
nearly every dei>artnn'nt of jiroduction and industry exhibited a
like ratio in advancement, as eviden(!ed by the area of land under
cultivation, and its yield of a;irici Itural wealth, the triunii>h of
invention and substitution of nuKshinery for nmnual labor, the au<;-
meiitation of skilled laborers and mechanical i>roduction, the rai»id
growtli of our cities, villages and increase of lixed capital, the
excellent leniuiu'ration for all employment, the hij;h i)rices for all
])roducts, and above all the abundance of moiu-y which stimulated
all manncT of business to unusual activity.
While this material prosjyerity prevailed with the <!lose of the
war, and for some time before, the times were hard with us during
the first two years of the civil (tonllict. The writer saw corn, onr
iiveat staple, sell in 18(52, in Central Illinois, as low as 1) (lents a
busliel. The failure of our local banks, whicdi in a uumuer left u.s
witliouta currency, contributed not a little to the condition of the
times. l*rosi)erity durin<f the war was iirst exi)erieiiced in the
Eastern States,\vhere the lavish expenditures of the ^iovernment for
i^lothinji' and munitions of war caused '.noney to be profusely scat-
tered from the outset. AVith us, beef and povk, and the jtroducts
of the soil, were the first to experience an advance in pieces.
Corn, our most unfailinjf crop, made its first ;.;reat bound up-
Mard immediately after the severe frost of AujiUst lilhh, lS(i3.
Lamls remained for a lonj; time a dru|;'. This (;lass of property
the exiierience of centuries has shown to ever be the hist to rise
in price, but once starting it excels all other, as it affords the
safest and surest investment, and not uufrequeiitly the largest
s])ecnlative return. Finally the tide of abundant money set into
Illinois and began to influence realty. Xow, to many of our ])eo-
ple, was heard abroad in the land the pleasant voice of the stran-
ger iucpiiring the price of lands, and seeking to invest his abund-
ant and daily chea[»ening money in lots, lands and farms. I'opn-
lation, with a renewed current, was pouring over our borders ;
houses in cities and towns became scarce ; rents rose beyond pre-
cedent, and the piices of lands passed the most sanguine expe(!ta-
tion. An enhancement of 100 per cent was not uinisual ; nniny
of our people never dreamed of such i)rices, and that all in cash,
too. Many transfers were made, the proceeds re-invested to bet-
tei' ad\ aiitage, ami comparative independence accpured by owners.
The abundance and cheapness of money, and high ]>rices of prop-
erly enabled others of our people to extinguisl; mortgages, which
had hung like a pall over their homes ; and thus thousaiuls ot
families were phuted in comfortable circumstances and lendered
happy. "While an intestine war piled a debt on the nation by the
billit)n, upon the individmd were conferred benelitsand unexju'ct-
ed independence. But, while some, for years dissatisfied, now that
they could get perhaps double their prices, were content to hold
their property and neither loose nor profit by the times, others,
,ix '■>)
OOLESBY'S ADMINISTRATION. 911
it Is sad toivliitc, who bad never lioped to realize old values, eaj^cr-
ly sold with the first advaiK^e ofpriees, failed or iie,!;leefed to rein-
vest, easily spent or sqiunuh-red the pmcreds. and are to-day
renters. It was jienerally better to buy than sell — to be in debt
for hinds purehased than hold (sredits for jtroperty sold. l)el>ts
did not inerease exeept by ae(!ruiny interest, while the money
wherewith to pay them, eheapened sometimes in a few days -."i to
50 pereent, takin;^ ^old for a standard.
The permanent debt of the State, funded and nn funded in
18(5,"), was 811,178,5(14, beiiii;an inerease since ISIJO of (/nly about
$l.(»(K»,()(((», notwithstandinj;' our heavy war a]ipro]>riations and
exi)enditures. But the j^eneral ^jovernment. it nniy be rennirked i
parenthetieally, larfi'ely leliinded tothe States their advances on *
account of the war. From December, 1S(!1, to Decendier, ISdS, i
our bonded debt was reduced $7,051, 7!K}, leaviiij;' a balance of j
85,!»8SM5S. The total taxable proi)erty of the State in lS<il was ]
835G,87S,8;^7 ; in 18(J8, 8475,379,194. TJie total number of acres in i
cultivation for 1808, was 8,(593,599, of which 5,19.'),747 were in corn.
LefjhlaUvc. — After 18G4 our field is barren of interesting or im- '
portant political or party events. Peace came to the Union in the.
followiu};- .si)ring'; and the results of electit)ns in the State have
sin(!e been uniformly the same, and generally so overwhelmiiinly
republican as to not only afford little show for equal party con-
tests over any (piestion, but to well in<;h crush all hope in the
democratic bosom. That party has made in conscipu'nce several
iuelfectind Hank movements and taken iiew departures, until, in a
manner, iti time-honored tenets are abandoiu'd, and it seems to be
in the throes of dissolution. (Jov. 0};lesby, in his inaujiural mes-
sage, commenting upon tluMuaJorityof the preceding election, said:
"So marked, imleed, has been the expression of the popular will,
1 do not fail to recognize in it the absence of mere ])arty triumph."
The political events of the legislative session of 18()5 were the
election of Ex-Gov. Yates to the U. S. Senate, and the ratilication
of the 13th amendment to the constitution of the United States
abolishing slavery. Early in the session a Joint resolution was
passed, instructing our delegation in congress to vote for this
amendment. On the 1st of February, a telegram was received by
the legislature from Senator Tnunbull, announcing its passage in
congress. The utnujst precipitation now obtained in both houses
to ratify the measure so immediately as to i)laee Illinois in the
van of prompt loyal States, and it was passed the same day.
This legislature also signalized itself by repealing the notorious
" black laws," part of which, although a dead letter, had held
their i)lace upon the statute books since 1819, to the disgra,(!e of
this free State, in the o})iniou of many of our citizens. In oppo-
sition it was earnestly argued by the democrats that these laws
were a i)ositive requirement under the amendment to the State
oonstitutioii adopted by an overwhelming majority of the people
iu 1802. The governor had urged the repeal in his message,
petitions numerously signed by colored men of the State and sent
in, prayed for the same. Another i^artisan measure ^^ as the (nit-
tiug down of the 4th judicial circuit, Judge Constable's, from (> to
2 counties, to punish that functionary for his decision in the
Clark county deserter-kidnapping case, some 2 years pre\iousiy.
This was done in the face of the remonstrance of the people of the
012 IIISTOllY OP ILLINOIS.
circuit. Aim! in tlio very opciiin}!; tiio lioitsc, it sccniH, i»asst'(l a
rc'soliilion, iiivitiiij;- only " tlic loyal (Ocij^y of Sprln;;!!*'!*! to open
cai'li (lay's Ncssion willi prayer." Tlic law rccpiiriii;;' tlie nj;is-
tratioii of ('U'ctors was also ('na(!t('(1 at this session. Tin* iniposi-
ti<»n ol" tills restriction npon the eleetivi; trancrhise has ever lieen
most (lislasleful to democrats; antl theyojjposed its passa;;(' l»y
all tiie arts Unown to jiarlianientary rules. ]{y recent modifi-
cation it now applies only to cities of ~)y{)U{) inhaltitants and ov(T.
I»nt it was tliis lej;islaturewliich,owin{; t(>theincreasinj,Mlenuinds
of a(!li\ity throu<;hout the State, first };avo itself ui) almost
uholly to the enactment of special, local and private laws. The.
pressure of an insatiate lobby was extraordinary all winter louff.
Now was entered u])on in full i)lenitude, that pernicious le{,nsla-
tion, continued afterwards with a most prodij^al hand, of jiianting
Kj)ecial privileges and jtrotection, l»y charter, for every conceivable
object of association or business, without reserving a chcclc or
rijiht of snbsecinent control in case of o])pression. Ami to-day, in
answer to the loud demands of the people to curb and repress one
class of these corporations in their exorbitant and ruinous charyea
for freight and [>assa}>'e, they defiantly set up their vested rij^hts
and chartered franchises, and it is the yrcat question whether or
not the lej^jislatnre is i)owerless in the i)remises.
Among- the uu'asures of general interest, not political or parti-
san, were the increased fees allowed to county oflicers. To com-
l^ass this, a systematic pressure was brought to bear npon the
legislature. Conventions of sheriffs, circuit clerks, county clerks,
and i)rosecuting attorneys were hehl at the capital. Tht e re-
Bpectfully deliberated upon their schedules of fees and i)re])ared
tlieir bills to be enacted into laws, and as to the denuinds of these
county otlicials, who are a power in elections, what could the
august legislature of the State of Illinois do but to yield to them.
The raising of the fees, which were already ample, has cost the
people many millions. To wind up for instance a small estate by
l)assing through all the various stages of tlie courts and the hands
of tliese oflicers, it would be found at the end to be wound up in-
deed! And the most difficult feat of legislation is the reduction
of fees or the abolishment of an office, however oppressive the one
or useless the other.
Gov. Oglesby interposed his veto to but one bill during the ses-
fuon, which was an amendment to a charter for a Chicago horse rail-
way, granted in 1859 for 25 years and now sought to be extended
91) years. This long period of time was an insuperable objection
with his excellency, which he elaborated at length, but as the
measure was promptly passed over his veto by both houses, he
doubtless deemed it useless to further attempt to check their head-
long career.
Tlie various appropriations made at this session amounted to
$1,120,000. The constitution limited the expenditures of the legis-
lature to l.J mills on the dollar of assessed value of the real and
personal property of the State, then aggregating about 8333,000,000
and yielding, at this rate, $759,000, which made an excess in the
api)ropriations of $301,000, and which was regarded as invalid and
denounced by the Democrats as prodigal.
The members, finding there was gold in the State treasury, that
commodity being then at a high premium in nmrket, coveted it in
I)ayment of their mileage and per diem. But in this enterprise
OOLESnY'S ADMINISTUATIOX. !)13
tliey wore banlkcMl. The auditor possessed no authority to issue to
tlieui warniuts ditlereut iu cliaracter tVoui those, for any other pur-
Iioseaiul without a specitiiration to tiiat etleet th(^ treasurer could not
])ay out th<^ ^^ohl; tlius tiiis ])re(Mous little s<;lienie was nipped iu
tlie l)ud, which pive very general satisfaction to ihe peoi>l«'. No
hiw of a {general useful chara(!ter or i)ul)lic interest was perfe<!te«l
at the s(!ssiou of 1.S«m, if we except the turning over of tlie(;anal
to ('lii(uiKo tx) bcileepened.
lS(i7. — The session of 18(57 was still more productive of i>rivato
and special acts than Jthe preeedinp. Inth'ed this class of legisla-
tion lunv reached perha[)s its culniinating point it successful
audacity. The oumihus* was very a(!tive throughout the session,
and that vehicle, by which laws were jKissed by the wholesale, was
time and again freighted with bills, exceeding liOO iu nund>er. The
occasion was most piopitious for every axe i)resented to receive ready
grinding. The contests over tlie location of the Industrial College,
the Capital, the Southern I'enitentiary, and the canal eidargenient
and Illinois river improvement, dominated everything else. For
these engros.sing nu'asures mend»ers yielded a ready assent to all
others. Jt was a long and arduous session of 5,'i days, during
which an unprecedented amount of work was accomplished. The
nionoitolists and (iorporation kings, in faultless attire and with
amiable manner, were out in full force. The lobbyists, which fairly
swarmed the halls and toyed with the "rings," gloated in the
magnitude aiul number of their successes. The senate, as a par-
tial protection against the wiles of this u' iquitous and cheeky
race, adopted a resolution, forbidding any one but senators and
clerks of committees demanding the perusal of bills in the custody
of the secretary.
There were also a number of very important public laws j^assed.
Anu)ng these may be, nuMitioned the act establishing the State
Board of Equalization. This measure was advocated by the gov-
evuor in his message. The great need of it may be inferred from
the varying assessments of the same kinds of property in ditter-
ent portions of the State. Horses, in Kane county, were valued
at $15 52 per head— in Franklin, at $0008 ; cattle, in Piatt, $L'4 04
— in Jo Daviess and Futiuim, $4 30 ; mules, iu Madison, $129 80
— in Hamilton, $10 09 ; swine, in Douglas, $3 50 — iu Jetferson, 50
cents. The burdens of taxation ought ever to bo distributed
with the utmost uniformity.
There was also passed the important law enabling parties to
suits or civil actions to testify as witnesses, which worked a rad-
ical change in the time-honored rule of the common law. And
there was the law, adopted at the instance of the philanthropic
Mr. Bovee, which, in a manner, abolished capital i)unishmeut —
or rather which allows the jury iu case of murder to fix the punish-
ment either by hanging, or imprisonment iu the penitentiary not
less than 14 years.
But the question of most absorbing sectional interest, not ex-
cepting that of the capital removal, the canal enlargement, or the
Southern penitentiary, was the location of the Agricultural or In-
dustrial College. This had been a disturbing element two years
before. Under the terms of the land grant the question had now
* Tliis was the term applied to the passage of bills by the bundle, practiced under
the constitution of 1B48,
58
914 HISTOKY OF It,I.INf)IH.
to lu' tin't. Coii^n'NS, liy net t)t' tlul.v -', lh(!2, Woiiiitrtl to llm si'V-
t'liil Sliilt'S aiitl l«'iriloii»'s,\vliicli slioiiltl, w itliiii live vciifs IVoiii tlio
dale tlicrfot', |ii'ovi*l(> cnllcjiCH for the Itciiclit of a;,'ii('ultiii»' ami
tlic iiifcliaiiii! arts, land, (tr its <'(|iii\ah'iit in scrip, at tlir rate of
.'iO,(l(K> iu-rcs for facli senator and rcitrrscntativc in Congress. 'I'lio
amount apporliont-d to Illinois was l.S(),(iii() acres. TIh' Ic^islatnn;
in 1S(;.'{ Itad sijunitiiMl to the Sccrctarv of tiic Interior llie accep-
tance of the jiiant, and t lie ;;(»vernnient land scrij) was now in llio
hands of tlie ji«nenio»'. If one sn<'h colle";e at least was not pro-
vided t)\ .Inly -d, the State slioidd return the scrip or pay for it.
'I'o this niunihiH'Ut K'iU't tVoni Coi j;rcss many jtlaces in tho
State wens eaji'er to add further donations, in some instanc«'s ex-
ct'edin;^' that of Congress, to secure tlu' location of thecollej;e.
In the hiddinji' for tliat object, invited l»y the le;;islature, theic was
II j;en«'r(uis competition, tiacksonville, liiiicoln, I'ekin, iJloomni;:-
t(»n and Cha.mpiiif,Mi, paiticipated in it. 'I'lie best oHer was that
of the last naiued place, and consistetl of !t7(> acres of farm hi'id^
a lar;;e collcffc hinldin^' (completed with special icference to this
object) anditssiteof 1(1 acres of {ironnd in the city, and ><HI0,-
0(U» ten ])er cent, interest-bearinj;- Champaifiu county bonds, the
wlu>le estimated at $55'), KK). The l51oomin;;ton bid, estinnited .it
!tf 470,<>0(>, was the next best. A le<;islative committee was charj^cd
with the duty of visitiny the various points contending, and of
inspectinfi" th(^ proi)erty proffered to be donated. It was also a
season of numerous le<;islative visits, and the enterprise of the
friends of Champaign caused one to be made to that place.
Chanipaij^n being the highest bidder, it was next sought to
ptavc off the location and refer it to a commission. Jiut this lin-
esbc did not succeed. Having invited compiitition tlu; legislatnro
could not consistently do otherwise than accept the best bid and
nnike the location accordingly; and it was but i)roper and emi-
nently Just that Champaign was selected as the Industrial Uni-
versity seat.
Little tijue of this long and laborious session was wasted in ]>ar-
tisan debates, a circumstance as unusual as it was iiraiseworthy.
The political events were the re-election of Lynum Trumbull to the
U. S. Senate, and the adoption of the 14tb amendment to the
constitution of the U. Iri. conferring citizenship upon the blacks,
which was resisted, on the part of the democrats, by all the known
rules of parliamentary warfare. A set of resolutions was adopted
by the UoiLse, 43 to 15, against rebels settling in Illinois, and ex-
ercising the elective franchise which none but the truly loyal
should exercise, and that a bill should be framed forever exclud-
ing from ottice all traitors voluntarily taking the oath of allegi-
ance to the rebel confederacy, and those who left home to es(!apo
the draft, encouraged or concealed deserters, or by force of arms
opposed the draft. The feelings here manifested are by this time
greatly mitigated.
Illinois'' CapitaU — Our Sercral Seats of Government. — The loca-
tion of the Capital of any country has ever been a subject of
prime importance; audit is no less so with the States of this
Union than it has been with the empires of the old world. It is
a subject which, for obvious reasons, has ever been attended with
bitter dis])utations, jealousies and rivalries between contending
points for the honors or fancied benefits to be derived from it.
OGLESnY'H ADMINISTUATION. * 015
Comity scat (jiu'stioiis uie iiotoridiisly lU'riinoiiioiis, inul ol'icu for
a considcrahlt' time work a blight iipoii tlui prosperity of tlio seo-
tions contciMliii;'". In some States tlie seat of ;;overimieiit que.s-
tion lias only found ji <piietMs l»y tiieestalilislmieiil of two eapitaitt,
wiiile ill otliers, paitieiilaily in the ;;rowiii^ West, the llow of pop-
uhition, or i>ossil>ly tiie desire of h'^iislators to seiv«' the interests
or caprices of tlieir constituents, lias prevailed to keep the sub-
ject in ii ferment, causinjj: fr«'(pieiit ehaiiffes. Illinois, in her short
career as a Stale, has had three locations for her capital, and
moroa^Mtations for its removal. The lirst seat of j><>veriiment in
Illinois was at Kaskaskia, where it remained diiriii;,'' the *.» years
of oiir territorial existence and for two years afteiward. It was
then removed to Vaiidalia, wliero it remained for 20 years, since
when it has bweii at Spriiififield.
Wlieii (.'on^ress, in 18(»!», erected Illinois into a separate terri-
tory, it was pi'ovided that {"Caskaskia should be and remain tho
seat of }>()veriinieiit until the IcffislatiU'e should otherwise direct.
"The sessions of this aii^rust lioily were held In n lni'H:c. routfli liviildin!/, In tho centre
of n B(|iiiU'o, in (lie viilii^'e ol Kiiskiii^Uiii, tliu liody ot It licititr of iiiu'iit linicstone, the
(Tiiblcsiin 1 ro(if.-<, which WHS of till" pinibrrl siylc, of nii|iiilnti'(l lioi'.nis iind shlnirlcn,
with doi nicr windows. Tho lower floor, h liirKc and cheerless room, wiis fitted up for
tho House, whilst tlu' (^oiiiiell siit In ii sniiill elmnd)i'r iibove, around a circular lulde,
and, It l» said, when the labors of the day were over, the intcrcgtinv tiAino of "L<io''
nt once succeeded. This vem-rable sirueturc was, (lurlnjr tho time of tho French oc-
cupancy of tlioi'ounlrv, pi lor to ITllM, the head()uarter8()f the military commandant,
and doiibtlecs witliln it, iiiaiiy an arbitrary edict was framed, to lie executed with all
tho severity attemlant upon (lie admiiiistralion of military law by military men."*
The Convention which framed the llrst State Constitution also
met in this ''old stone house."
"It was i>rovlded by this instrument that the seat of provcrnmont sliould remain at
Kaskiiskia until iho general iissemlily should otherwise direct: and Hint body wasre-
((ulred, at its tlist session, to petition ("oinrress to irrant tothe State a (|Uttutity of land
of not more than four and not less than one section, or to ftivo to the State the rlKht
of pre-emption in the purchase of thiit quantity, the land to be situated on the Kaakng-
kla river, and as near as niltrlit be, east of the tliird principal meridian, on that river.
Slioijld the pelllioii bo K''atited, the ireiicrai assembly, at their next session, were re-
(liiired to appoint live commissioners to niiike the selection of the land, and provide
tor layioff out a town upon it ; which town, it wa.s declared, should be tho seat of gov-
ernnient lor tlic term of -K) years. * When the (luestion was before the conven-
tion two points were in contemplation by the members and outsiders; one was Cur-
lyl ^.ius; then located on the Kaskaskia river by two Virtflnin ffentiemen, and an elo-
vated site, liiKher up the river, known as 'Pope's Illutf,' tho property of Nathaniel
Pope. H« and his friends were of course very desirous the seat of government should
be located there, while the i>roprietors of Carlylc had no less desire that le latter
place should bo tho favored spot. While the subject was under discussion in doors
and out, there come to look in upon that body a noted hunter and trapper, one
Iteeves by name, who had his cabin still higher uj) the river, an,l near where the third
i)rincipal meridancroi:sod the strenin. He spoke in irlowintr terms of the beauties of
Heeves' Itliiir ; 'that Pope's IJIufT nor Carlylc, wasn't a priinin' to his blutr,'*:c. Such
was the force of his roiiresentation, that the lantrimpe -on the Kaskaskia river, U8
nearas miprht bo east of tlio third principal meridian,' wasadoptcd by theconvei,tion;
and when the leixlslftture, nt the session of 1810, appointed the commissioners to select
the Ir.ndtrranted by contrrcss, they fixed upon the old hiuiter's home, 'Iteeves' Hiutf.'
It proved to be a in .st lieautiful spot, a heavily wooded tract, covered by (riMrantIo
trees under wlioses ides the former lords of the soil miurht have held jrravo council.
A town was laid e- ,?ith a handsome public square and broad streets, and christenot'
'Vrtiidalia,' but these vandals did notsuffer one of these forest kin^s to remain on the
square, but cut thoin down to thesround, leavinj? not one to sigh in the suiumerwind
or bend to the blast."
(iov. Ford, pagfe 35 says:
''After tho place had boon selected. It became a matter of great Interest to
p-ive it a good sounding: name, one which would please the ear, and .it tho same
time ha\-c the cli'.ssic merit of perpetuating the memory of the ancient rat? of
Indians by whom tho country had first been inhabited. Tradition says that a waf?
who was present, sugeestcd to the coramissioncrs that the 'Vandals' were a powerful na-
tion of Indians who once inhabited the banks of the Kaskaskia river, and that 'Van-
diili:!.' formed from their name, would perpetuate tho iiieinory of that extinct but
renowned people. The suuifcstion pleased the commissioners, the name was adopted,
and they thus proved that the name of their new city (If they wore tit reprciontativesor
their cfliistituents) would better illustrate the character of the modern than the an-
cient inliabltunts of the country."
•Judse Caton's address at the Inylntrof the corner stone oi ■',.; npw State House,
Oct. 5, 1808, uslmr .Judge Hreose's language, Tlie headauartersof the I'rench military
commandants were at Fort Chartres. "the centre of life and faehlon In the West."
Monette'8 Val. of the Miss. Vo' 1, lM-3 Ibid.
916
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
-^
1
Tlic location was in the midst of the wilderness, northeast of
the settlements.
"Lots were sold at public auction on credit, at fabulous prices, few of which were
paid for In full. TlieentiTprisinKHndscheniiujf came to it, some from the old world, and
soon the nucleus of a town was formed . Measures were inaugurated for the ere<'tion
of H State House which culminated in a plain two-story frame buiidinx, of rude archi-
tecture, set upon a roujrh stone foundation and placed in the centre of the siiuure.the
lower floor of which was devoted to a passajre and stair-way to tlie upper story, and a
larne, plain room, devoid of ornament, (lor the accommodation of the House;) tuo up-
per lloor was divided into two rooms, the larKcst for the accommodation of the Senate
and the smaller one for the olliee of Secretary of State, the Auditor and Treasurer oc-
cuiwinir detached l)uildin(f8, hired for that purpose. NocercBionies wore observed In
lay intr the corner-stone of this unsightly structure; no music disturbed the solitude
of the forest, then in its primeval l)eauty; no crowd in paRcantry lent •xcitementto
the scene; no sound 'as heard save the rap of the mason's hanuncr and the sharp
click of the trowel.'"
Tlie archives of State Avere removed from Kaskaskia to Vanda-
lia early in December, ISL'O, at one load in a small wagon. Tliey
■were in the care of Sidney Breese, then clerk to the Secretary of
State, Mr. Kane, ;';id the route being- quite difficult, the driver
and he had to cut a road through the woods at several points.
The Auditor, Elijah 0. Berry, with his family, occupied the new
State House at the time, but soon moved out ir.to a cabin. The
day on which the session of the legislature opened in Vandalia,
■was most beautiful. "The sun shone in cloudless splendor and the
temperature of the air was .lutumnal ; all was excitement and all
seemed pleased," This structure was destroyed by fire about 2
o'clock in the night December 9, 1823. So rapidly did the flauies
spread that not a single article of furniture was saved. The U.
S. Laud lieceiver's office was kei)t in one of its rooms, and the
books, papers and every article pertaining to the office was con-
sumed. The cause of the fire was not aseertained. The house
had been occupied the day preceding for the sale of non-resident
lands for State taxes. A subscription paper was immediately
started by the citizens of Vandalia to rebuild it. In three days
$3,000 was raised. " It was succeeded by a commodious brick
building, of sufficient dimensions, built in part at the expense of
the citizens of Vandalia. The corner-stone was laid without any
public disjday; it still stands, renovated and embellished by the
people of Fayette county, and is now devoted to the administra-
tion of justice and the various public offices of the county."*
Eight years before the expiration of the 20 years' term
for which the capital was to remain at Vandalia, the question
of removal was already agitated in the legislature. The initiative
came from Greene county, strongly seconded by the delegation from
Sangamon. The house passed a bill providing for the appoint-
ment of commissioners to permanently locate the seat of govern-
ment; but the senate amended it by striking out all after the
enacting clause aud submitting the following places to be voted
for by the people at the next election for the legislature: The
geographical centre of the State, Jacksonville, Springfield, Alton,
Vandalia, and Peoria, the point or place receiving the highest
number of votes to be the permanent seat of government. The
Louse, at the instance of Cyrus Edwards, sought to further amend
this by having the two places receiving the highest number of
votes voted for again at the succeeding general election. The
•Caton'saddress—nreese's words.
*Caton a address— Ureeao's words.
OGLESBY'S ADJnNISTllATION. 917
senate ainendineut, after some reluctance by the house, was finally
a;,'ree(l to. As the time for taking the vote approached, the places
ambitious for this high and honorable distinction in the State be
stirred themselves to obtain concert of action. Spirited addresses
were issued to the people, ably setting forth the many excelleu-
cies and great advantages of the respective places contending.
The election took i)lace in August, 18;U. Altou received 7,511
votes; Vandalia, 7,148; Springfield, 7,044; the geographical cen-
tre (Illiopobs), 744; Peoria, 480; and Jacksonville, 272.
Alton was thus designated as the seat of government after the
20 years at Vandalia should expire. But it requires something
besides votes to erect capitol buildings. No appropriation was
made or further steps taken by the legislature to second this choice
and nothing came of it. Still the removal question would not
down ; it continued to be canvassed by the press at the various
IK)ints whose expectations had been raised by the election and in-
fluenced the local elections in many jiarts to no inconsideral-ie de-
gree. Springfield, particularly, felt greatly encouraged by the
vote of 1834. By the apportionment of 1835 Sangamon county
was accorded 2 senators and 7 representatives in the legislature.
Tliat county, in the incredibly short space of 15 years, had become
the most populous in the State. The tide of emigration had begun
to set into the north part of the State with a steadily augmenting
current, and it became apparent that the seat of government could
not be long retained at Vandalia, so far from the ceiitre of popu-
lation. It was a period before we had raihoads, and travel to and
from the capital, conducted in the same primitive manner it had
been all over the world since its earliest dawu, made distance no
inconsiderable object.
In the summer of 1836, the great fever of laud and town lot
speculation of that period spread from Chicago, like an epidemic,
all over the State, and the legislature at the session of 183(5-7
fully embarked in the disastrous policy of the State internal im-
provement system. And now the oi^portunity for the actual re-
moval of the capital had come. In the general .vage for de\'elop-
ing the infant resources of the State, the delegations from almost
every county bad improvement axes to grind, and to attain their
objects hesitated not to lend their aid in grinding those of all the
rest. What we call in modern parlance " rings," were thus
readilj' formed, and every bill of importance was i)assed without
inquiry, until everybody was satisfied, including that for the re-
moval of the seat of government. The Sangamon delegation of 9,
known as " the long nine," because they aver-'ged G feet in hight,
some more and some less — there being pi - „.., jly 54 feet in the
stature of them — were able, persistent and dextrous ma'iipulators,
actiiig u))o»i all questions as a unit, and exercising thus a most
potent influence. They gave it doubtless, a long pull, a strong
pull, and a pull altogether. They were: Senators — A. G, Hern-
don and Job Fletcher; Kepresentatives — Abrahj^m Lincoln,
Ninian W. Edwards, Dan Stone, John Dawson, W. F. Elkiu, An-
drew McCornii(!k and Itobert L. Wilson.
Tlie act required that the two houses meet in Kepresentatives
Hall on fhe 28th of February, 1837, at 10 o'clock, A. M., and pro-
ci'e<l to select a suit.able point or place for the i)ermanent location
of the seat of government, after the expirati(m of the constiti:-
^^^ mSTOr.Y OF ILLINOIS.
— Tt
tioiiiil term at Vtiiidiilia. Tlio doL'tioii was to be coiuliieto*! iiiiich
nl'tcr tlu' maiiiicr of clioosiny a I,'''. S. Senator. ])iiriiiji' the liallol-
iii,ns, lil) places were voted foi', of wliieli \v(! will only give tlie (>
bi<;liest. Spvinglield .started with o5, and on the -Ith 'received 73,
a inajoiity; Vandalia .started with, and eontinued to receivt-
tlir()u<;lioiU the 1 ballotin<;s, lO votes; Alton started with lo and
ran down to (5; the hij;hest Jacksonville received was lo, and tiic
lowest 10; Peoria came in on the 2d ballot with S, increased to 11,
but oil the 4th was down to S; Illiopolis started with .'}, inereaNcd
to 10 and fell bacdc to 3. Xo other place received a higher niiii:-
ber than 4 votes. $50,000 was ai)i)ropriated for the purpose of
erectin*;- ii state honse, bnt the act was to l)e null and void aniens
850,000 nion; was donated by individnals recined by their Ixind.jiiiy-
ableto tlie treasurer by the 1st of May Ibllowiny, to be ai)pro\\''d
by the governor, and to become due as he should diiect; and al.so,
unless not less than li acres of grotnid, u])on wliicli to erect the
State House, be donated and conveyed without expense to the
State. The donation of $50,0(H» was to be e.\(-lusively iipidieii
toward the erection of the building. The act of February 5, iS'So,
Avas repealed. By a supplemental act of March 3d, 18.37 the
county commissioners of Sangamon county were authori/.e'd to
convey to the State, for the use of tlie peoi>le, the i)ublic s(]uare at
Si)ringlield. Archibald Job of Morgan, and A. G. Henry and
T!!<,>!nas Houghton, of Sangamon, were appointed commissioneis
to superintend the erection of the State House at Si)riii.ufield.
They gave bonds in $10,000, and received a per diem compensa-
tion of $3 each. The legislature lirst met at Springfield (in cv-
traordinary .session), December 9, 1839; but as the new cai)it(:l
■was not then completed, the house was acconunodated in the Lid
rresbyteriau church, the senate in the 1st Methodist (an old frame
structure) and the supreme court in tin? Episcopal.*
As early as during the war of 1812, tlu>. troops and rangers, in
their various exi)editions against the liostile Indians on the I'eoiia
Lake, noted the country of the Sangamon as one of surpassing
attraction. The Indians well ai)preciated this fertile region, for
in the Potiiwatamie tongue the word Sangamo meant " the coun-
try where there is plenty to eat," in our phrase "the land flowing
"With milk and honey." It was not, liowever, until some years
after the close of that war that the hardy pioneer jjressed into it.
Then, with little delay, along the borders of the timber, the log
cabin of the adventurous settler began to rear its humble walls,
and the smoke from its ample chimney went curling heavenward.
The " St. Gamo Kedentr^-," as it was pronounced in the vernacu-
lar, so;;n became famous, and emigration set freely in that direc-
tion. In the autumn of 1810, a weary emigrant family, originally
from North Carolina, with its teams, encamped on the right bank
of Spring Creek, in the west part of the present city of Spring-
field. Tliis was the end of their journey. Soon the camp lires
were lighted, and parents and chiklren gathered ab( utthe homely
J * Sprtniffleki ulterwnrdfl paid off onc-tliird of her SSO.OOOlwniiswiththoevidcuccsof
« State liidehtednuss, whielinttcrtlio failure of the interniil improvement system, iit m o
4 time, lis we Imve seen, tonehed 14 <;onts on the dolliir In market Hut this trnnsaeiion,
j ■whleli hiis been occasloniilly animadverted, wns pcrfeetly le^ritimate. The lust Insial!-
. nient of SSUl.tWO O" whs obtained from the Htiite hunk on one year's time, at tl per cent ,
101 of the best eltl/.en8 execiitiiKr their proinlssoVy note to the bank : and if was this
'd note that was Hflerwards paid off with Internal improveniont scrip, whleh the Slaio
J,i has ultimately redeemed dollar for dollar.
OGLESBTS' ADINISTRATION.
919
sni>p('v-lK)ar(l for the first time on the spot of tlicir home in tlio
wikierness. lu the inoriiinj;' tlic eclioiiiji' riiiji' of the ax iesomi(U'd
ill tlie adjacent forest, and in a few (hiys a rongh cabin home slid-
tered John Kelly and family, the lirst wiiite settlers of tlu^ site
since become the ca[)ital of this great State. The county of San-
j;amon was orj^anizcd in 1S21. On the lOth of April, ihe same
year, tlie temi)orary county scat was fixed at Kelly's, the stake for
a court house being set at the northwest corner of tlie present L'd
and .Icfferson streets, and in honor Spring Creek and Kelly's field,
was chiistened Springfield. On May 1st, a term of court was
held at Kelly's (labin. In 182.] the public lands having been pre-
viously surveyed, were offered for sale by government. A town
had been laid off and i)lotted under the name of Calhoun, but as
setth^rs came iii, the name of Caliioun was gradually droi)[)ed and
that of Si»ringfield revived. In the name of Si)ringlieid for tho
capital of this State, there is nothing suggestive of meaning orof
origin —nothing to peritetuate any aboriginal race, dee<l, or histori-
cal name. Besides it is so common that in using it the name of
the State has ever to be added to give it deliniteness. When you
speak of Kaskaskia.Vandalia, I'eoria, LaSalle, Chicago, or Illiopo-
lis — the last best of all — your reference is clear, without adding
Illinois. Not so when you mention Springfield, for there are
places of that name in many States.*
Springfield, at the time of the location of the seat of govei'u-
menr, contained some 1, KM) inhabitants. The corner stone of the
Capitol was laid July -1th, 18.'?7. The brilliant orator, E. J). I'.aker,
then a resident of the phuic, ])ronounced a beautiful ami thrilling
a<ldress on the occasion. The estinmted cost of the structure was
$1.>(»,0()(), but this, as usual, in such cases, proved too low by
nearly l(tO i>ercent.
When the Capitol was first reared it was the wonder of the
conntry round. It was admired by the people as a nuxlel of arch-
itectural beauty, and supi)osed to be ample enough to answer
the purposes of the State for all time, lint such has been tho
march of Illinois to emjure that in less than a quarter of a cen-
tury the pnblie dennind became rife for a new structure commen-
surate with our growth, our pride and pretensions. Our pojjula-
tion in that time has been more than quadrupled, being, in 18-10,
470,18;?, and in 18(1"), 2,141,ol(». If, under the restrictions of the
constitutions of 3848 in the number of our legislators, we did not
actually lack for room to ae(!onnnodate the two houses, our pride
as a State was touched whenevev we cast a glance at tho squat
* The present capital gave early promise of rare capacity for letrislatire flneaso.
The county scat of Sangamon was periiiaiieiit;y locatcii at Sprliiirfleld in ISS. Prior
to tliut an election tor tl'e U'Rislature turned upon the question of location. One of
the ciiniliilatcs, W. S. Huniilton, favored Sanganio Town, a beautiful elevated bluff oa
tlio river, 7 miles northwest from the city, a most ehnrmtng town site. Jonathan H.
Pu«li was the Sprintrflold candiUatn. Hamilton, son of tho (jreat Alexander Hamilton
of iU'voliitionary fame, was elected, and the aspirations of Sprinitlleld seeuicd crushed.
Hut uuwillinK to yield, she raised a fund and sent her defeated candidate, a man of
lonsidcrahle ability, to Vaiidalia as u lobby member. His tact and skill in ihe manage-
nicnt of honorable members made him more than a nu teh for his competitor on the
floor. Hamilton tailed of having an act iiussed, tlxluif \he county seat at Sanjranio
Town; Puxh did succeeii in having special commissioneis iippointcd to make the loca-
tion. Tliesc came to Sprinirfleld to examine the sites. Conveyance was prepared to
take them over to Sanjramo Town. On the way they pasfiCd over so much low and wot
Kround, and through so many s1ouh:1is ami mu<l holes, particul.irly iis they approached
tho pr.>pased site, that their minds were made up. fliey decided in disiust that it
would never do to llx a ounty seat at a point so surrounded b.\ swamps. Whether the
route W;i3 chosen by accident or dosijfn does not appour, but it has been sli rewdly sus-
pected that so mucti iroo<l luck for Sprin;(tleld witanot wholly accidental.- Taken from
a volume of the Sprluglleld City Ordinances.
920 IIISTOUY OF ILLINOIS.
and uiisliiipely pile ivpicstMitiii}; the Capitol of the fourth State
of the Union. Tublic I'diliecs in uU a;;es and countries have beeu
t.vpes, or nuirked the {greatness and dignity of tlie rulers or peo-
ple wlio have reared them. This seems to be a law of man's civi-
li^^ation.
In 1.SG5 Senator Lindsey introduced a bill into the lejiislature to
remove the scat of government tolVoria. Tliiswas thefirst renewal
of the af>itation. (Jhicaj^o, Jaciisonville an<l Decatur, (tlie latt<!r
probably dreaminj^' of benelits because one of her buryhers
occupied the gubernatorial chair), were also elaun)r()us for the
eai)itol. Tlie C-'hicago Tribune, in an elaborate leader, favored
removal, and so did luany otlier papers. Spriugiiehl was much,
faulted for its inferior hotel accommodatious and their exorbi-
tant (iharges. The senate special eominittee, to whicli the ques-
tion had been referred, rei»orted in favor of lemoval to I'eoiia,
and no little alarm was experienced in Spriugtield. Later the
Chicago bill was laid upon the table in tiie liouse by(Jl to 10, and
the star of capital removal, erst so refulgent, waxed dim, and
gradually dipped its bright disk below the horizon. But it was
apparent that the (piestiou must be agaiu confronted with the
dawn of another legislature. The building of a new State House
could not be much longer delayed.
Intimations from various parts of the State began to be early
thrown out that powerful influences would be brought to bear in
favor of removal at the next session of the legislature. To the
various objections brought against Springfield as the capital,
that city, keenly appreciating tlie conseciuences which might en-
sue to her prosperity, did away with the chief one, the want of
hotel accommodations, by building the Leland, than which, except
perhaps in size, there is not a more elegant and commodious hotel
in all its appointments, in all tlie State. She further rc^olvisd to
take the threatening question by the forelock, and in Is'ovember,
186(i one of her most capable public spirited eitit^ens, the Hon.
J. C. Conkling, was elected to the lowe house of the legislature.
All the tact and address of her iironiiiient citizens were besides
brought into re(piisition. The county board agreed to take the
old State House and s(piare for a court liouse at $200,000; the
city council offered to furnish the Mather lot, some six or eight
acres, which cost $02,000, and cause it to be conveyed free to the
State as a site for the new c.ipitol — which was tc be so elegant
and ornate iu architecture, so grand and ample in its iiroportions,
as to control by its cost and magnificence the seat of government
question for along time. Upon the assembling of the legislature,
the honorable members became the objects of much polite atten-
tion. The ladies, with all the agreeable arts of the sex, lent the
charm of their presence in attendance upon the sittings of the
tMO houses. Invitations to pleasant social gatherings, to parties
and receptions at elegant private mansions, were frequent. The
Leland, just finished with the commencement of the session, was
oiiened with a grand ball and supper, to which the members and
high dignitaries from various parts of the State present in the
city, with their ladies, received free tickets of invitation. And
now, with the .assembly iu a projier frame of mind, the bill pro-
viding for the erection of a new State House at Springfield, wivs
ocilesby's administration. 921
introdiu'cd. It appiopriatcil $150,000, as a commencement, $200,-
000 of wliidi were to he tlie proceeds of tliesalo of the old State
House to the (!oant.v of San<;amon, its use being reserved until
the new one should be completed.*
Tiie bill was not free fron> opposition in the legislature;
but from many other local measures pending, such was the high
expectation of beuelits in various i)arts of the State, that, while
each section looked to its own interest, little was done towaixl
forming combinations for the defeat of this. One of the very ear-
liest to be introduced was the location of the Industrial Univer-
sity. It was the general understanding of the people that the
legislature at that session would take steps to secure the congres-
sional grant for that school. A number of places were bidding
high for its location. Jacksonville, Pekin, Lincoln, Bloomington ;
and Chicago wanted to divule the fund ; but in tlie eastern por-
tion of the State the Champaign interest was .'ill-absorbing and
dominated everything else. The south was moving for the South-
ern peiutcntiary, while Chicago was engrossed with her park bills
and the canal extension and eidargcnient, in which Peoria and
the Itock River country were also deeply interested. The imme-
diate oi)positiou to the State House bill was therefore in the main
narrowed down to the eiibrts of Decatur, which presented the
very munificeht offer for its location of a line 10-acre lot of
ground, and $l,000,000in uionejfrom Macon county, whose entire
taxable Avealth on realty amounted to oidy $2,422,000. The proposi-
tion was said to be backed by the Illinois Central It.E. Much indig-
nation was vented upon this effort to huckster or hawk the loca-
tion of the seat of government. Thenames of seven commissioners to
superintend the erection of the building and disburse the funds
appropriated, were also so judiciously chosen and distributed as
to impart to the measure much strength.f Besides, it was urged
that the present cajjital had become historic ground ; that it was
illustrated by the life and residence of the best, the purest, and
the noblest of American statesmen, Abraham Lincoln, and sacti-
fied by his gra\'e.|
The bill became a law February 25, 1867. This was the senate
bill of Mr. Cohr's; it limited the total cost of the new capitol
to $;},000,000.
The commissioners, in March, advertised for plans and specifi-
cations to be submitted by July 15, offering $3,000 for the success-
ful design. But, while the act for the new State House met gen-
erally with approval, some leading Chicago newspapers,* chagrined
l)robably over the canal legislation, continued their assaidtsupou
the measure, bitterly charging it to be a fraud and swindle upon
the j)e')ple. The aspiring city of Decatur, too, illy brooked her
disapi)ointment in not becoming the Cajntal. And now, May 13,
18(57, at her instigation and cost, a writ of quo warranto — an in-
quiry into the right or power to act — was granted against Philip
"NVadsworth and the other ctmmissioners, impleaded by Judge Wil-
son of the Su]»erior Court of Chicago, and judgment of ouster en-
tered. The. legal objection urged, was tluit the commissioners
•For « oopy of Vorls' hunarous bill to dislociito the Capitol, sec tho III. State
K irlstiM, Ki'b 3S, 1*17. It prnvi'lodfor apcrlKTiiiatrii); It'Klslutiin; by railroad, to stop at
every jilnce where a notice appeared that legislation was wanted.
+See nailey's speech.
$Hiirlbut'8 speech.
ITlmcs and Tribune.
1)22 ni£«TORY OF ILLINOIS.
Averc ([U'lccrs, whose iipitoiiitmcnt iui(U'r tlu! constitution .slioiild
Lave been made by tlie jioveiiior and conlirined by the senate,
and wlio eouhl not be desij^nated in tlie bill as had been dune.
On iippeal to the Siipieiiie C'onrt, that body, at the Sei)tendter
term Ibllowinji', reversed the decision of Judjie Wilson, liohlinj?
that the Commissioners were not officers, and therefore rightfully
entitled to carry out the law.
From the f;reat number of desij>iis submitted by ardiitects from
various parts of the Union, that of J. (J. Coehraiu', of Chicaj^o,
was chosen and adoi)ted. Its style does not exclusively follow any
one of the ancient or classic orders of architecture, but harnu)-
niously blends these with modern art, imparting nnissiveness,
Btrength and durability, while preserving external grace and airy-
ness. The ground plan is in the form of a great cross or 4 wings,
whose grand outlines are o'A) feet north and south by 200 east and
west, exclusive of the porticos. The basement story, excavated
to the depth of 10 feet, will contain the boilers for the heating
apparatus ami the elevators, storage room lor fuel, ami other
weighty articles. Next above is the lirst story, ID feet high, on
which are located the adjutant-general's oftice and museum, the
geological museum of specimens, and artists' rooms, &c. The lloor
is to be laid in mosaic marble, imbedded in cement, the w hole sup-
jjorted by brick arches. That part of the coiling constituting the
lloor of the rotunda, is to be of glass. Next above is tlie princi-
pal story, 22 feet in hight. The grand corridors, running the
Avhole length and breadth of th' building, crossing inich other at
riglit angles on the glass lloor of the rotunda, will be beautifully
Jinished with variegated marble pilasters jH-ojecting froui the walls,
forming panels, and opening from them on this floor are located
all the rooms of the different State departments, including the Su-
1)1 'ine Court-room aiul Clerk's office, and the state geologist's
ot ice. With the Treasurer's oflice are connected 4 massive stone
Are proof vaults. The floors are supported by wrought iron beams
imported from Belgium. The next, or 2d principal story, is 45
feet in altitude. Here is the great hall of the liouse of repre-
sentatives, in the southern arm of the cross, GO by 100 feet, and
the senate chamber, 02 by 75, in the northern wing. Here too, ou
the main floor, are rooms for the speaker, clerks, sergeants at-
arms, post-oflice, State library, &c., &c. Ou three sides of each
of the grand legislative halls, half way up, are to be magnificent
galleries, from which wi)l extend back floors, divided up into com-
mittee rooms. The means of communication between the difler-
ent stories are by grand marble stairways and two stoair eleva-
tors. The roofs over each wing are to be of the mansard style,
slated on the sides and covered with copper. Through the centre
of these will rise the stately dome 320 feet from the ground, sur-
mounted by a lantern 10 by 25 feet, crowned with ball and pinna-
cle. An iron stairway will ascend inside the dome to the floor of
the lantern. The rotunda is to be 70 feet in diameter, and from
its glass floor to the fresco painting ou its ceiling, will i)resent a
clear, dizzy view of 217 feet. The north, south, and east wings
are to have jwrticos of ten stone columns, each 45 feet in eleva-
tion. The oast wing is to be the lu'incipal front, and hero, from
each corner of the portico, 90 feet wide, will rise a turret 132 feet
in altitude. The north portico Avill be surmounted by a statute of
oglesdy's administration.
923
Liiu;()ln, iuultliat on the south by one of Doughis. Tlie outside
\v;ills of tlio .structure are of eut .stone, tiikinj;' 7r»0,0()0 eiibie feet,
and tlicir linings, toj^etlier witli the partitions, will take 20 millions
of l>iicl<; l.L'Odtons of wrought iion iind 1,800 tons of east iron
will be eonsuined in its building. ISueh is but an iniperfeet out-
line of the, new eapitol, whieh, in its niassiveiK'.s.s, durability, sym-
metry, beauty and grandeur, will .symbolize the extent, the le-
soiirei's, the power and pride of our y*)uug giant State.
Owing to the litigation, the year bS(>7 was little fruitful of re-
sults in building. The next, yuar the foundation, 8 feet thick, was
Avcll brought under Avay, and the corner stone laid, Octol)er r»lh.
In 1801) the legislature approi)riated 8()50,000, to be expended oidv
after a.scertaiuing that the work could be brought within the origi-
n;d nnixinnuu liuutation of $3,000,000, and reduced the nund>er of
comnd.s.sioners from 7 to 3. The stone work was to be piocured
from the penitentiary at Joliet. The eonstitutiomd eonveiiiioii,
inllnenced by the constant cry of a i)ortion of our Slate press,
forbade the legislature expending more than $3,500,000 on the
grounds, construction and furni.shiug of the new Sratehou.se, wilh-
out lirst submitting the (piestiou to the voters of the State.
Jn 1871 a further ai»propriation of $000,000 was a.sked. Bills
for this i)ur[)o.se were early introduced, and that in the senate
reiidiiy pas.sed. Vint in the hou.se opposition was developed. The
canal and Illinois river improvement i)roject was again ou foot.
The Chiciigo press, perhai)s with a view to making it a lever for
the liver imi)rovemeut measure, attacked the State house appro-
priation bill with exceeding virulence. Startling developments
bi regai'd to the building contracts, the character of the work, &c.,
♦ "Were threatened. The removal of the capital was advocated.
P( iiiiii cAUuv forward with a [iroposition to leimburse the State to
tlie lull amount ($800,303 08) already expended on the new struc-
ture, donate a beautiful ten acre lot as a site, and furnish free of
rem, for o years, accommodations for the meetings of the general
assinibiy, in consideration of the location of the capital there.
An otfei' .so munificent was well calculated to arrest attention.
This, with her other iinlebtedne.ss, would have placed Peoria
under obligations to about li df of all her taxable wealth. To
avoid the eonstitutiomd objeetiui which forbids the creation of a
del>t exceeding o i)er cent, on assessed values, her ])rivate citizens
of un<loubted character and ample means tendered their bond for
the amount. The capital remo\al (piestiou now ran up to fever
heat all over the State. A larga committee from Peoria, duly em-
powered, visited Springfield, and for a time creature condbrt.s
lacked in neithe.' style nor abundance. The two houses accepted
an invitatio'' of a free excursion to Peoria. The occasion proved
one of unusual enjoyment to the meud)ers, who were treated with
distinguished consideration. Upon arrival there carriages were
IJrovided and the visitors taken to view the site for the capitol ou
the bluff, than which there is not a nuu-e charming and comnnuid-
ing spot in all the State. A steand>oat trip past the city and a
few nnles up the lovely lake was next in order, followed by a ban-
quet at the hotel, and a grand ball at night. On their return the
nieinl)ers were accompanied by a large lobby force.
These movements were of a character and nnignitude to fairly
alarm the ciipital city. Its council hastened to pa.ss an ordinance,
tendering a guaranty of additional giouud for the capitol. The
924 mSTOUY OF ILLINOIS.
{;}ill«'rv of tlic house iiiid tlic, lobby wen; (liiil.y tliroufji-d by licr
;iiixiouH cifizciiH, dccjily intent on its procj-cdin^is. To remove tlio
Ciipital it wiis iieeessiuy lirst to defeat the a]»propiiation bill. 'I'iiis
Mas the test. Tlie house was a hiiffc, unwiehly body of 177 mem-
bers, aud its rules were sueh that by dilatory motions — jiarlianuiU'
tary " filiibustcuinfi" — tinuMjouid easily b(M;onsunied so as on no
day to r(!a<'h the, order of business in which the bill stood on tiio
calendar. AH manner of parliamentary tactics were practiced to
kill time aud tin^ out the house. (Quantities of weary memorials
on tlu', (japital (juestiou found their way in and wc^re dilif;cntly in-
sisted upon to be read at leupth, and when this was refused
S])e<'clies were nuule on the ri^ht of pi-tition. Thus the time of
iidjoiirnmont for the recess, April 17th, was reaclu^l without acti(m
on the bill, notwithstaiidin;^ a majority of the house were for it.
The feeliufj of depression at Si)rin;;lield was very f^reat. (Jov.
Palnu'r next eonviuied tlni lej^islature on tlu; tilth of May, aud re-
quiied, ainoufj many other important measures omitted, action oti
the State house appropriation. Jiills for this purpose were aj^ain
introduced and juessed duly forward under the rules. The i)re-
vioiis sceiu'S were re-enacted by the opposition ; but the calendar
Avas not so full. And now the move; was to tack on a submission
clause. The Peoria lobby, reinforced from other jiarts of the State,
was a^ain on hand. Day by day the beauty aud fashion ot
Sl»rin<(tield thronged the {galleries of the house like a brifjht {ial-
axy, as they were, and patiently set out the weary hours with the
punctuality of mend)eis, eafjerly and anxiously watching thedili-
tory movements below. Gradually but slowly the measure was
pressed along in its order Finally, wlu'u every parlianu^ntary re-
sistance; was under the rules exhausted, a vote was reached at 10'
o'(!lo(;k at night, June 7th, and the bill passed by 100 yeas to 7-]:
iKiys. I'eoria's apple of hojte was turned to ashes. The senate
the next day substituted the housebill ami passed it. It provided
for a bond of the citizens in the penal sum of $500,000, condi-
tioned that the oblig(U's procure siu;h additional ground as the
State might re(piire, not exceeding 4 acres, to beden)anded within
two years after the building is ready for use. Thus ended the
last eftort to remove the capital. The agitation of the question
had a most depressing elfect upon the building business and the
price of real estate at Springfield for a full year or more.
The Penitentiary — A Resume of its History. — In June 1807, Gov-
ernor Oglesby convened the Legislature in extraordinary session,
inviting action upon ten subjects, chief of which was to juovide
for the taxation of the sliares of banks, State and National. The
assembly, however, acted upon but Ave. But before the session
was two days gone another occasion arose to again convene that
body, which was done for the 14th inst. This was the aban<lon-
nient of the lUMiitentiary by the lessees, which threw ui)on the
hands m ihe State l,0.'i8 convicts to be immediately provided for,
led, clothed and put to work.
To go back 40 years, the first step taken toward the estab-
lishment of a peidtentiary in this State was at the legislative
session in lHL'U-27. The need of a State's prison had been greatly
felt for some time. The jails of the country were veiy inferior,
aud the breaking of them by the more energetic and despeiatu
OOLESBY'a ADMINISTRATION.
925
oflfiidci's was of fV('(|ii('nt (Krcun'MM!*'. TIhi Stiilo wiis poor and
oitpH'SNcd l»y tlic l»r<»l\<'ii ('iHTfiicv of tlic I'Mrst Stat(! I>aiik. Tlicici
was, lio\v«',V(!r, at tlui time a jtrojcct on hand for the Ic^iislatuit! to
in<'nioiializ(' (;on<,'r('HH to allow tlic Slate toHcll .'{(>,0()() acifs of tlio
Ohio ami I(>,0(M» acn-s of the, Vcrniilllon Saliiu! lands. The Saline
iCMiMVcs, which had been granted to tlie. Stale in liSlK on condi-
tion that they \n' never sold, had become nselesH for tin; manufac-
ture of salt, but they ictanled the s(!ttlement of tli(! country.
Conj^rcHH readily made the concession, the lands were sold, and
the i»ro(;eeds, according;' to i)revions arranj^ciments, were (li\ ided
belwiicn the eastern and western sections of the State — the former
ai)])lyin>; its share toward the imi»rovement (d" llie (ireat Wabash,
the draining' of I'nr};atory Swamp opposite \'incennes, and of liic
Cache river tlats ; the latter devoting its share toward the l)nil(lin^
of a penitentiaiy. (ioveinor Kdwards opi)osed tlie measure, and
fireat enbrts were made to further divide the fund for the benelit
of local river improvenuints, but all failed.
Ex-dov. iJond, J)r. Geisliam .lant! ami W. P. M'Kee were ap-
])ointed the lirst penitentiary eotnudssioners. They selected the
Kite at Alton, for which ten acres of jiroun'd were donated, lie-
sides the proceeds of the Saline land .nales, the lej^islature, in 18.51,
ni»proi)riated $10,000 toward the eom|)letion of the penitentiiiry.
The tirst buildiny. which was a neat stone structure, eoidained -4
cvU.-^j and was r.'idy for occupation in IHli'.i. The syntem of State
l)rison conlinement in Illinois has ever been (excejit in the ease
of some special .sentences) what is known as the congregated in
contradistinction of the dreadful .solitary plan, in vogue in renu-
isyhania and elsewhere.
The criminal code had been adapted the preceding legislative
session to the pejutentiary system by abolishing the barbarous i»un-
ishment of whipping, the stocks and pillory, and substitutingcoji-
finement and hard labor. A close ob.server of the eftects of this
change (Gov. Ford) states that the increase of crime for 15 years
following greatly exceeded the relidive increase of the population
in Illinois.
For the first 5 years the State conducted the prison herself, A
warden was biennially elected by the legislature, who received a
salary of $000, and 3 inspectors were also elected, whose i)owera
and duties were much the same as those of our present i)einten-
tiary comnnssioners. They received $2 a day each for the time
actually employed, not to exceed $100 each annually, however.
Whether candidates for this position were numerous or not we are
unable to say.
Under the law of 1837 the inspectors were authorized, in their
discretion, to farm out the convicts and give a bonus of $800
annually besides. Accordingly, on the 10th of June, 1838, the
penitentiary, then containing 38 convicts, passed from the control
of the State into the liands of a lessee, Mr. S. A. Buckmaster.
Thence forward the lease system was continued for 29 years — from
1838 to 1867. In 1842 it was leased to Isaac Greathouse and k.
Buckmaster, but without a bonus from or expense to the State.
In 1845 it was re-leased to S. A. Buckmaster for a term of 8 years,
the bonus — $5,000 annually—now coming to the State; besides
which he agreed to feed, bed and guard the prisoners, pay physi-
920 lU^TOUY OF ILLINOIS.
ciiiiis' bills, fof's of th(i insjxMttors, nnd sjivetlic State' hannlcss from
all cxpt'iisc. The Irjisi^ was siibsiMjuciitly extended '> years on tlio
same terms. Under the lease system tiic lessee was vested with
thei»owersof a warden.
As the nun>l)er of eonvicts increasi^l additiolnil eells were bnilt
from time to time, and oilier buildinj^s, sucdi as the warden's vesi-
dence, etc, for all of which the State paid. In IS 17 there were *.)({
eells anlliorizcd to be eonstrnctted. J>y l.S.~)7 the eells nundiered
-.")(), and the (;onvi('ts, averaj^inj; two to a cell, far ext;eed('<l the
capacity of the institntion. At this time the ]>enitentiary was
leased to 8. K. Casey for it years, on the same terms as the iJiick-
master lease of 1SI.">. The le};islalnre at the same session pro-
vided for the buildinjf of a new prison with 1,000 cells, which, it
was thou};fIit, wonld be ample for j^eni'vations to come; bat the
limits of its eapa(;ily were reached in less than 7 years. The old
l»rison was to be sold. The inspecttors were discontinned, a
snperintendent provided, and 3 commissioners eharyed with the
snpervision of the new strncture. They were instructed to (;on-
tract with the lessee«and employ the convict labor in the bnild-
iny of it. The new prison was located at Joliet on a tract of
7- lt)-100 acres of land. Its (construction was commenced the same
year, temporary structures for the workmen beinj; jnovided. In
May, IS.jO, i)risoners were forwarded in batches of 40 or 50, and
in . I line, 18()0, the Alton penitentiary was finally abandoned. An
area of 1(5 acres is at i)resent inclosed within the main walls of the
Joliet prison, which are feet thick and li.") hi;^h. The prison
proper contains !)00 congregate cells, 100 separate, and 100 tor
females.
In 1S63 a 6 year lease was given by the State to J. M. Pitman,
Avho was to keep, provide and work the convicts, and save iho
State harndess and free of all expense. Js"o bonus was to be paid
either way. Three others, Boyer, liuck and Buckmaster, each a
one fourth interest, bought in under Pitman. Owing to disagiee-
ineiit between them, Buckmaster, in April, ISOl, bought out all
his partners and received an assignment of the lease to himself,
Pitman surrendering his charge as warden to Gov. Yates. Buck-
master took in a number of lyartners, the two Mitchells, Acres, Job
and Judd, he retaining a one-third interest.
At this time, 400 cells were completed, but .500 in the west wing
still remained unttnished. The commissioners, under the pressure
for room (the number of i>risoners being very great and steadily ou
the increase), authorized the new firm to finish these cells, whicli,
together with repairs and other changes, made a claim against
the State by January, 18(57, considerably exceeding $100,000.
It now became apparent that State appropriations beyond a lim-
ited amount of a few thousand dollars could no longer be looked
forward to, and the Arm having found purchasers, on the 28th of
January, 1867, in consideration of $200,000, transferred the stock,
flxriires and lease to Messrs. Burns and Hatch. The latter ad-
mitted to the partnership tliree others— -Bane, Osburn and Dus-
tin—and sanguine in their new vocation, the firm obtained from
the legislature an extension, or rather a new lease for 8 years from
and after the expiration of their assigned lease iu 1869, upon the
same terms. They were thus the lessees till 1877.
OGLESBY'S ADMINISTRATION.
927
I'p to this time, owiii;^ to the Stntc's cxpciKlitiinvs lor work (lone,
wlih'li was wt'U paid I'or, as piii»li(! corpdratioiis always j»ay, llio
Icasiii};' of tlic coiivicl labor liad proved mor«'. or less protitaUIti to
tlit^ lessees, no! willistaiidin;;' the lii^ih prices of i»ro\ isioiis and
elolhiiii;, and th(> constaiilly an;;iiientiii^' niniilier of eon\ ids diir-
in;;- tli(^ war and iiiiniediately after, laany of whom were physically
disabled. Hut now, with the speedy completion of the buildin.y,
State appropriations tnust<'euse, and the lessees were tlii'own upon
their own business enteiprise for niannfa'tni'inii eoiiliaets and
outside jol>s. Tliese thin<;s had lieeu for a lonj;' time of secondary
consideration. The pc^iiitentiary work had eonse(pienily suIicicmI
in character and it (!ould illy * onipete in price with oth(>r like man-
ufactured articles.
Tlie new lessees in a short time ai>i)reluM!ded the situation, init
instead of attemptinj;' to improve the management of the concern,
the discipline of its innuites and character of the woik lik(^ Imsi-
ness men of enerj^y and i)]uck, they were apiialled l)y the prospect.
They saw nothin<r but utter ruin before them, as they alleged,
and tlirew ui)on the, State tlieir threatening;' losses. They notified
the <;'overnor they should aban(h)n the institution on the ."{Oth day
of .lune, 18(17. Jt is ever thus in contracts between States and
individuals ; the former are bound, but the latter w ill find methods
to either secure pn)fits to themselves, or if loss tlireateiis, to cast
it upon the State.
In this emei'^jency the governor, as we stated in the outset, con-
vened tlie legislature to take actionin tlie i»remises, either by again
leasing tlie penitentiary, or to provide for the State taking control
of it. The policy of State control had been mooted befoie upon
liumanitarian grounds. It was ugred as the duty of the State to
retain custody Jind control of its convicts, provide them employ-
ment, look after their welfare, and seek to reform them ; and that
the hiring of them out for private gain was unchristian and iu
contlict Avith public morals. The governor advocated uu
abauiloninent of the lease system, believing that the pen-
itentiary could be made self-sustiiining. A committee was
a|)i)ointed to make ii thorough investigation of the conduct and
workings of the prison during the recess, which the leigisluture
took until the 25th of June, ensuing. At this time it was deter-
mined that the State retain control of the penitentiary. Three
commissioners were provided for (to be then appointed but made
elective at the next regular election), a warden, chaplaiu, physi-
cian, matron, &c., and thus, ou the 1st day July, 1807, the peni-
tentiary passed agaui into tlw control of 'the State, the tirst time
for 29 years. At this time 000 cells ami the warden's reiiidence
Avere comi)leted ; $175,000 had been expended thereon, the orig-
inal estimate of the entire cost being but $550,000. It is how-
ever, a superb structure, complete iu all its appointments and
fully equal to any iu the United States. The convicts numbered
1,0()0. It proved a grievous burden to the State at tirst. Large
sums of money weredenmmled and obtained. Everything was to
buy almost — machinery, stock and tools. The sum of $300,000 w as
appropriated. In 1809, $350,000 more were api)ropriated to de-
fray its expenses, $50,000 going to pay the late lessees for stock,
machinery &c. Iu 1871 $175,000 more were required to i)ay de-
ficits.
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928 HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
Tlie choice of coiiiiiiit;sioiiersl)y the people, reiul?niig them in-
dependent of executive supervision, did rot tend to promote that
harmony and unity of action among tliem requisite to the attain-
ment of success. In the spring of 18G9, they were found to dif-
fer widely upon imi)ortant points in the management of the es-
tablishment, and in 1871 the legislature thoroughly revised the
law for the government of the penitentiary. Tlie a])pointment
of commissioners was vested in the governor after the expiration
of the terms of the then incumbents, and they were to be subject to
removal by him at his discretion. It was also made the executive's
duty to semi-annually visit the penitentiary and examine its af-
fairs thoroughly. The commissioners were empowei^ed to hire out
the labor of the convicts on sealed bids, a special or semi lease
system which seems to be the secret of its i)resent success. Since
then its uiauagemeut has steadily improved, the discipline is of
the highest order, and nnder the last year of Gov. Palmer's ad-
ministration the penitentiary has become self-sustaining and in
future will probably yield a surplus.
Chapter LXVII.
18G9-1873_ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERi^OR PALMER.
Bepublican and Democratic State Comentions-Ufe and Character
0/ Governor Palmer-Legislation, the Tax Grabbing Law, Lake
±ront Bill, Land Companies, dtc.—The Constitution of 1870—
Tlie Great Chicago Fire.
Wheij, m 18G7, Geu. Palmer failed to obtain the Republican
caucius nouHuation for 17. S. senator, the feeling iirhif S be
came very genera to reward him for his eminent servi^ei w h the
governor.shii,, and he was thence tacitly looked forwardio as tbe
Republican candidate for that oflBce in 1808. But the object of
tins high distinction was far from seeking it. In March 1865 he
wro e that the invalid condition of one ot" his chddreTwoiild cItJi
pel his absence from the State during the ensuing camjmirLm^a
he would consequently be unable to do his full sS of hibor ?n
the' .ti™ Asnb^r '""^T ''"' ^" «^^«"^^1 hJomXe itd o?
tion buf ihef ?v no .r^ uow sprang up for the exalted posi-
tion out the;y had no desire to embarrass Gen. Palmer. The Hon
R. G. IngersoU, under date of Chicago, April 3d asked Mm to
state explicitly whether he was a candidatl or av^uW ?Li t the
teZTbe'a ^^Tf '^' '^^^^"1^^' "^ -™ norand do uot in'
Leuu lo ue a canuulate lor uovernor" Tinf iiio ^ivj^„4-: . i
thought by some of the RepuWTpress might bfovSne S
the (Jarlmville Free Democrat, his former home organ tZCht
that '4or some time past it had observed strenZis ettSs madf hi
certain quarers to compel Gen. Palmer to annourcrr«;TrfthLt
ncn- " ^.r? ''''V^^ Republican party if nominater/Cgover
uoi , LhaL the party had not asked him to take the position -that
while he was not thrusting himself forward, it spokrSCur
ance, he would not decline the nomination if tendemi h m bv the
Peona convention To this the Illinois State ^o^mS^ied^
« We are requested to state that this is not the nosiLn wSh
01 ills menus , that if the nomination was jjressed upon him he
:ssttb:;^r" ''^ ^^^^•^^^^^'^ - ^ -— to"Su^;
6th ^'^rXiS'";^" ^^^^^ convention of 1868 met at Peoria, May
Pnn.iwi^t^- ^'''^''''" presided. An informal ballot to select I
candidate tor governor resulted: For John M. Palmer, 263 votes^
Robert G. IngersoU, 117; S. W. Moulton, 82; J. T.Dubois 42
' Chicago Post.
59
930 HISTORY OF ILIINOIS.
The irii'iids of Ansou S. ^liller ret'usiMl to submit his uaiiic ii<;aiiist
Geii. I'jihuL'r. After a spirited debute with reference to Palmer's
candidature, Gen. Kowett from Maeoui)in telejjraidied to him : "It
is asserted that you will be nominated for {iovernor. Will you
accept?" He replied pronii)tly, "Do not permit nie to be nomi-
nated. I cannot accept." AVhereupon he was immediately nomi-
nated ; the first foiMual ballot being, for Pahner, 317; Ingersoll,
118; Moulton, oli; Dubois, 17. Previous to this, however, a let-
ter from hiiu to Horace White had been read, stating that if nomi-
nated he would be governed by the duty of the hour. P>ut ibr
Gen. Palmer's repeated objections, he would undoubtedly have
been selected by acclamation. Lie more than came witliin the
Jetfersonian rule, neither to seek nor refuse ofrtce.
The remainder of the ticket was made up, either on the first bal-
lot, or by acclamation, of John Dougherty of Union, for lieuten-
ant-governor ; Edward Run*mel of Peoria, secretary of state;
Charles E. Lijjpincott of Casa, auditor ; E. N. Bates of Marion,
treasurer ; Washington Bushnell of LaSalle, attorney-geneial ;
and for penitentiary commissioners, after some delay and discus-
sion, the old board, Andrew Sluiman of Cook, Kobert E. Logan,
of Whiteside, and John IJeid of Will, were re-nominated, (leu.
John A. Logan was nominated for congress from the State at
large.
Tiie platform reannounced the Republican doctrine; condemned
the poIi<?y of President Johnson ; denounced all forms of re])udia-
tion, and aflirmed that the indebtedness of the United States
should be paid according to the letter and spirit of the law under
which it was contracted ; that the principal of the debt should be
a heritage o£ the future ; instructed in favor of U. S. Grant as
the Republican nominee for president and tlie natural successor
of Abraham Lincoln ; and oddly enough declared in favor of " the
most efficient means to raise the moral staiulard of the people."
The Democratic State Convention met at Springfield, April 15,
18G8. Hon. A. L. Thornton, of Shelby, presided. The proceed-
ings were not harmonious. The disturbing question was that of
l)aying the national debt in '' greenbacks," as i)roposed by Mr.
Pendleton of Ohio. The committee on resolutions brought in
majority and minority reports, the former, (which was adopted),
made by eight, favoring payment of the 5-120 bonds, the vast bulk
of the national debt, in legal tender notes, but where the faith of
the government was pledged to pay gold, to so fulfill the obliga-
tion ; favored the abolition of the national bank system ; and in-
structed the delegates to the national convention to vote as a unit
for the nomination of George H. Pendleton as a candidate for
president. The minority report, made by five members, insisted
upon paying the 5-20 bonds in "the lawful money of the country,"
gold ; and opposed trammeling our delegates to the national con-
vention by instruction in favor of Pendleton. For a candidate for
go\ernor, the names of S. A. Buckmaster and John R. Eden were
l)resente(l. On the first ballot, when it was found that Eden was
largely in the lea<l, the name of Buckmaster was withdrawn and
Eden was nominated by acclamation. The remainder of
the ticket was made up of William Van Epps of Leo for lieuten-
ant-governor j Gustavus Van Hoorbecke of Clinton, secretary
PALMER'S ADMINISTRATION. 031
of state; Jesse J. Phillips of Moiitfjomery, treasurer; eTolin E.
Sliannou of Kaiulolpli, auditor; W. W. O'Jirien, of Peoria, cou-
gressinau at larj^c; and for i)euitentiary couimissiouers, Joliu
W. (Joiuiett of Cook, W. W. Garrord of Edgar, Caluey Zarley
of Will.
The canvass of 1808 was iiuatteuded by interestiuf; events, and
the election in November resulted in favor of the Kepublicans by
large majorities, that for governor being 44,707.
John McAnley Palmer was born on Itlagle Creek, Scott county,
Kentucky, September i;3th, 1817. During his infancy his father,
who had been a soldier in the war of 1812, renmved to Christian
county in Western Kentucky, where lands were cheap. Here the
future governor of Illinois spent his childhood and received such
meagre schooling as the new a,nd sparsely settled country afforded,
to which he adcled materially b_v diligent reading, for Avhich he
evinced an early aptitude. The father, an ardent Jackson man,
was also noted for his anti-slavery sentiiuents, which he thoroughly
imi)ressed upon his (diildren. Jn 18;31 he emigrated to Illinois and
settled in Madison county. Here the labor of improving a farm
Avas pursued for about two years, when the death of the mother
broke up the family. About this time Alton College was opened
on the " nuinual labor system," and in the spring of 1834 young
Palmer with his elder brother, Elihu, afterward a minister of the
gospel and noted for his learning and eccentricities, entered this
school and remained 18 nu)nths. Next, for over three years, he
tried variously coopering, p"ddiingand school teaching.
During the summer of 1838 lie formed the acquaintance of
Douglas, then making his first (;anvass for congress, who, young,
elcxjuent and in political accord, won his confidence, fired his am-
bition, and fixed his puri)ose, Tiie following winter, while teach-
ing lu'ar Canton, he began to devote his spare time to a desultory
reading of law, and in spring entered a law ofJice at Carlinville,
making his home at his brother Elihu's, stationed at that place in
the ministry. On the next meeting of the Supreme Court he was
admitted to the bar, Douglas, who took a lively interest in
him, being one of his examiners. He was not immediately
successful in his profession, and would have located elsewhere
than Carlinville, but for the want of means. Thus his early
poverty was a blessing in disguise, for to it he now attributes the
success of his life. From 1839 on, while he diligently pursued the
practice of his profession, he was more or less involved in local
l)olitics. Jji 1843 he became i)robate judge ; in 1847 he was
elected to the constitutional convention, where he took a leading
part. In 1852 he was elected to the State Senate, and at the
spt'cial session of February, 18r)4, true to the anti-slavery senti-
ments bred in him, took a firm stand in opposition to the repeal
of the Missouri compromise on two sets of resolutions then
before the legislature ; and when the Nebraska question was made
a i)arty issue he refused to receive a lenominatior. for seiuitor at
tlie iiands of the Democracy, issuing a circular to this effect. Still,
as if hesitating to break with his i)arty, a few weeks later he par-
ticipated in the congressional <toiiventi«ui which nominated T. L.
Harris against llichard Yates, and which apjjroved unqualifiedly
the principles of the Kansas-Nebraska act. liut later in the cam-
932
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
))iii;;ii lie iiiixlc the pliiii/^c, iind niniiiii^ for t)i(^ scniitf; as hii aiiti-
Nf'liiiiskii (Iciiiocnit, was rlccrlrd. TIk^ Jbllftwiiifi' \\inf<'i' lie juit in
noiiiinatioii lor tlin (United Hiatrs Kciiati^ Mr. 'rniinhiili, and was
one of III*' t\y(' slcadfasl, uwu who voted for liini nntil all Mk; wliij^s
canni to tlicir .sn|»i)oi't. In JHrifJ lie, was made; cliaiiinan ol" tlio
licpnldican Static (Jonvciition at I{lt»()iiiin;!ton. In IS."*!) he, was
dclcatctl lor (!oii<rr('SK. In ISfJO iu'. was a rcpnblican elector for tiio
Stat«i at hwiii'. In 18(51 he. was ai)|)ointed one of the Hvc; dele;;ateH
(all repuhiicans) s(Mit by Illinois to tlu^ j>ea(M', eoiif^ress at VVash-
inj^ton. In that body hi' advoctated the call of a national conven-
tion Ibr an adjustment of th(^ <!ountry's dilliculties, and that
proposition failinj;, he favored the measures of compromise finally
n'commemled.*
When the civil e,onfli<!t br()ke out, ho ollered his services to his
country and was ekicted colonel of the llth re;;imerit. Of the
en^a<;ements in which he participated may Ik; nx'ntioned the ea|»-
tnre of Island No. 10; Karininj;ton, wlnire he. skillfully «'xtricate(l
his command from a dan^^erous position ; Htone Jiiver, wlnue his
division for seviual hours, on tln^ .'{1st of Decc^mber, held the
advance and stood like a rock, ami tor his f;allantry here lie was
made ."Major (leneral of volunteers; (!hi(;amau;4a, where his and
Van Cleve's divisioiis, for two hours, maintainecl tlieir position,
when, by overpowerin},^ numbers, they were cut olf. Umler Slier-
iinin .Major (leneral Palmer was assigned to the <'omnmnd of the
14th army corjis, and pi>rti<;i])ated in tin; Atlanta campaign. At
I'each Tree Creek his j)ruden(!e did much to avert disaster. When
(len. Mcl'herson fell, and (1(^1. Howard, a Junior olll<;er, was jtro-
inoted t() thecomnnmd of the! army of the Tennessee, bothGeniirals
IJooker and Palmer asked to be relieved.
In February, l-Sti"), (len. I'almer was assigned to the military
admmistratinn of Kentutrky. 1'his was a deli(;ate post. Ken-
tucky was about half rebel ami half union, the; latter daily
fretted by the loss <U' their slaves, lie, who had ))een bred
to the rules of the common law, In^ has said, trembled at the con-
templation of his (ixtraord i nary ])ower over th(^ ])ei'sons and ]n()-
I>erty of his fellowmen, with wliich he was vest«:d in the (;ai>a<Mty
of military (Governor, lint it is not our ])rovinc(! to detail his
jwlministration in Kentucky. Sutliciiit, m)twithstaiMling the many
objections urged against him, it is now conceded that he blemled
a conspicuous r(!spect for municipal law consistent with liis func-
tions as a military commander.
The business of Gov. Palmer's life has been the pursuit of the
law. Few e.xcel him in an accurate appreciation of tln^ dejyth and
scope of its prin(;iples. The great number of his able veto nn-s-
sages abumlantly testify not oidy this but also a rare capacity to
j)oint them out. iie is a logi(ral and cog«'nt reasoner, and an intei-
esting, forcible and (!()nvincing, though not tluent nor ornate,
S!]>eaker. Without brilliancy, his <lealings are rather with facts
and ideas, wlii(;h be marshals in solid phalanx and leads to invin-
cible c,on(!lusioiis. And while he ever betrays the hedgings of legal
rules, he is a statesman of a very high order. IMiysically, he is
above the medium hight, of robust Iranu', ruddy complexion and
sanguine-nervous tempeiament. >'ature has endowed him with a
' THken from "Annuls of the Army of the Cuinbcrlunil," a volume of biographical
8kutcbM.
PALMISU'S ADOTNIKT RATION. 033
lar<,'e craniiil (Icvclopinciit. ITo is Kocial in <liK])o.siti()ii, <^iisy of
iipproiidi, iiii()st(uiCati()U.s in his habits of lilo, cohva'X in deport-
nicnl, (li^Mioci'iitic. in liis nianncrs, and as a man of tlu^ ])i'o]>l<', ho
has a iar^^c syinjiathy tor liis chiss. JIc has btM'ii indiit'erent to tho
a('(|iiisition of' wealth.
On the, )ne<'tin{; of tlie h^{,nslatnre, in Jannary, 18(J(>, llio, llrst
thinjj; toaricst i>ui)Ii(; atteiilion was tliati>ortion of (lov. I'ahner's
inaugural inesKaife whic-li took broad State's rij^hts {ground. In
disenssinj; the ri^lits of railroa<ls, their oppressive. <'liar},'es, and
tlie leiiiedies, lie called attention to the pro[)osition in sonn^ qnar-
leis to enlist the national jjfovernnient in the (creation of rail-
I'oad ('orporations to constiiiet railways in this and otinT
Stales ami oi)erat(! them, wliieh he deprecated : "Alr(!a(ly the an-
thority of tin'- State is in a measnre j>aralyz(!<l by a ^"-rowin^j: con-
vi(t1ion that all their jtowers are in some sense deiivative and sub-
ordinate, and notorijfinal and indcj)endent;" lie asserted that" one
of (he bestestablishe«l and most distinctly recofinized fi)rinciples
which underlie our system of jjovernment, wasj that the federal
^oveininent is one of ('numerated powers;" that it was " lhe<!l(!ar
duty of the national {iovernment U> d(H!liiie the exercise of all
doubtful powers wIkmi the neglect to <lo so woidd brinji: it into
fu'lds of le^'islation already oe(Mii)ied by the Stat<'s;" aiul that "a
frecjueut recurnMice t<» the fundamental piinciples of government
[wasj essential to civil liberty."
Such old democrati(; docitrine was distasteful to many republi-
cans, who, with a portion of their press, <ook grouml in opposi-
tion to it. The (b'mocrats, on the other hand, we're heartily
])l<'ased with it, au<l it was moved by them in the hous(^ that .'{">,-
000 copies of the message be printed, which i»ass(;d with consid-
eial)l(^ reluctances In the senate; the republie-ans moved to cut
down this number to 2,000, and here also the democrats beetame
the cliami>ions of the reiHiblican governor in a debate which fol-
lowed, characterized by no little acrimony. Indeed, the coieliality
in the dominant party, between the legislative and <'xecutiv<; de-
]>aitmeuts, was for si time thn'atened with interruption. Finally
the senate coiu'-urred with the house, only to reconsider its vote;
after the lai)S(' of near two weeks, ami the intliction of many
sjx'cehes, the re'solution was agreed to.
The session of bStJO, th«'. last uneler the tlexible constitution of
IStS, a I'cvision of which had t!en been authorize'd by the i)eople,
was moved upon l)y the monopolists, the lobbyists and the; "rings"
with a, thirst for advantages and spoils, unprecedented in the his-
tory of legislation in this State. Their action was characterized
by an audacity, a j)rodigality, and an al)an(lon m-ver belbre ex-
hibited. Their remarkable success in ]S(J7 had but whetted the
apjx^tites of the cormorants. Notwithstanding (lov. I'alnier,in his
message, characterized speeiial legislati()n as anti-republican and
dangerous to the liberties of the people, saying: "Many of the
most important functions of government are now (tlainuMl and ex-
ercised by incorporations by special laws; they take private j»rop-
erty and imixise and cdllect taxes; they eonstru<:t railroads and
canals, and, in many instances, l)y the exercise of their vast pow-
ers, control tlie <;ouise of trade, and distract the business of the
whole countiy" — iiotwithstaiidingtliis warning,bills to theniimber
of L',l:78 w'lv, introduced, covering every conceivable object for
934 HISTOllY OF ILLINOIS.
c'orpoijite ])uiiK)se8, nearly all of whidi sought some adviuitaye
over tli(? {^t'lierul laws ol" tin* State or tlie people. Tlie then leail-
iiij;' orj^aii of llie (loiiiinaiit )>ait> was eoiistraiiied to say lliat " no
l)re\ itnis legislative body has exhibited such unblushing disregard
of all the re<pnrenients ot eoininon deeeney as the legislature now
in session,'' — that it was '' reckless beyond preee(U'ni."*
JJut it was early found thrre was an incumbent of the exec^niive
ollice with both the will and industry tolook intotheirlitllesclicines
before, they became laws, and with the courage and capacity to
expose their many machinations. l*erhai)s this exercised some
restraining iiilluence. In obedience to his determination to care-
fully overhaul every bill before signing it, and to give him time to
do so, the legislature took a recess from JMarcli.Sih to Aprill Ttli.
Of the 2,478 bills introduced nearly 1,700 were passed, an im-
mense mass of dry legal verbiage, but none escaped his i)atient
scrutiny — a labor and investigation never before bestowed npt)n
the acts of a legislature. lie sifted from the mass a large mnnber
which lie deemed inimical to the constitution, or to pui>lici)olicy,
and ut great pains reduced his objections to writing, in terms re-
spectful and indicating the ripe jurist and forcible reasoner. lint
Lis vetoes in nearly every important instance were overridden by
a detennined body, unwilling to brook what they were i»leased to
charaeterze an arrogance of both legislative and judicial fuiu;tions
by the executive. The veto under tlie constitution of J.S-lSwas of
little value further than as a short stay of proceedings to induce
the legislature to pause and reflect ui)ou their action. Its free
use by the executive was not without an interpretation as beiii??
only a greater exhibition of insubcudination to partisan require-
inents, after his first avowal of State's riglitsdoctrines. With a short
session of three days, the veto messages were disi>osed of; ajid
after voting eacli member $40 in addition to the $300 i)reviousIy
voted to each for roomrent,fuel and contingencies, over and above
his per diem, in utter violation of tlie constitution, the- general a:
sembly of 18G9, on the 20th of April, adjourjied sine die.
Among the a(!ts of general interest passed at this session, was
one limiting railioad charges for passenger travel to a maximum
rate of 3 cents per mile. The governor fulminated his veto against
it, holding that when a charter is om;e accepted by those to Mhoni
it is made, it '' in all essential circumstances, takes upon itself the
qualities of a contract, and at that instant passes from legislative
and becomes subject to judicial control. Such a contract upon
Avell settled principles of constitutional law, cannot be impaired."
It was passed over the veto, but has been a dead letter ever since.
If law grows out of the necessities of a people, then it is high time
that our courts overruled tlie Dartmouth College case, or revolu-
tion will do it for then.i.
What is known as the " tax grabbing law" to pay railroad sub-
scriptions, passed at this session, is such a reprehensible specimen
of legislation as to well merit consideration. It provided that all
counties, townships, cities or towns having contracted bonded
debts in aid of the construction of lailroads through any of them,
were entitled to register such bonds with the State Auditor, where-
upon it became the duty of the treasurer to set apart to their
"'^hlcayo Tribune,
palmer's administration. 035
credits, to be M])i)lif<l toward tlio ])ayin('iit of tlicir railroiid in-
debtedness, animiilly, tor 10 \ears. (1) all the taxes for any purpose
Aviiatsoever, arisinj; Ironi t lie properly ol a railntad so aided and
situate within such municipality; {-) so much of the 8tate tax as
miji'ht be collected upon an iiu-reased assessment on all the prop-
erly of any such municipality over and above the year 1<S(>S, ex-
cepliuff in both (;ases the - mill and Stale school taxes. It was a
qu<'sii(»n whether this was an appropriation of i)ublicnioMev, which
the Supreme Court had decided lo Ik^ within the province of the
legislature un<ler the power to appropriate money, or whether it
Avus violative of the princii)le of ecjuality of taxati(»n recoj::nized
by the constitution. The jiovernor took the latter view, and in a
very able message vetoed the bill ; but it was passed over his veto.
The act is very in{;eniously drawn with reference to these two
views and by its terms, really only diverts the taxes paid upon
the property concerned, the same a.s other property, however the
proceeds may return to the coiporation or nuinici])ality. The late
S. K. (Jasey, senator from Jefferson, championed it, but it is said
to have btH'ii framed by a ^Ir. Cassells. It was desi<;ned for the
benefit of Southern Illinois, which had fallen behind in the race
of railroad developement, and met with violent opi)ositi(>n from the
north, being' denounced as wron{j and nnjust by every prin-
ciple of law and honesty. It played an imiMutant part in the
cond)inations, rings, and manouvering generally, during that re-
maikable session, ami became a law. The bomls registei'cd under
the act amount to about $l.'J,()0(),()(t(), and the tax annually di-
verted by it amounts to over $00,()()0, which will probably be
largely i'crcased under the revenue act of 1873. This Wius not the
first and only time that a portion of the State tax has been di-
verted for the benefit of the localities which yield it. In ]S()7 a
law of that kind was passed for the benefit of Mound City, and' at
this session another to relieve Alexander county for her sui)port
of negro paupers.
LaJic Front Bill. — Chicago, like a modern Briareus, besides many
private measures, now grasped for four jtarks; i>arks the mu'th,
south, west and east of her; the three first named to be connected
by a grand boulevard or avenue, 400 feet wide. These .'i parks
were to end»race hundreds of acres of land, n\nch of which would
Lave to be acquired by process of condemnation, and which, un-
less duly guarded by just and proi)er legislation, was liable to be
converted into a business whereby to disi)ose of unsaleable lands
at high prices, and to acquire the poor man's lot without due com-
l)ensation, by setting off benefits against damages.
But of these park measures what wasknosvn as the Lake Front
bill was by far the most important. To raise a Dark fund it was
proposed to confer upon the city council of Chica;'-o power to
sell all the right, title, and interest of the State to a strip of canal
land, .'ilO feet wide, lying east of Michigan avenue, and extending
fnnn l*ark Kow north to Monroe street, containing 82 acres, land
and water; to confirm the Illinois Central railroad in its riparian
ownership to, and further for the State to make a grant to it of
the submerged lands constituting the bed of Lake Michigan, east
of its railroad track, extending north and south nearly two miles
in front of the city, and covering an area of 1,050 acres, over
D30 HISTORY OP ILLINOIS.
which the iiavifjabh! wiitiTs of the hike rolled to a depth o\' i'roia
10 to 1:5 feet. Tliis, of itself was i('};iU(l<Ml as an iin|)«aial j;iaiit;
but it was I'uJther proposed that llie tStale transfer to the three
railroad coiupaiiies (U'literiiij; there, her li bloeks of ;j;roiiiid iioith
of INIoiiroe street and east «)f Miehi^au avenue, iu consideration
of .'j!cS()0,(K)(), payable to the cit.v of (.!iiica;;(), for park puipost's, iu
four equal iiistalliuents — a price so ridiculously low as to fall short
of its a(;tual nuirket value by $1,S(K),(M)(). And, as if auti(M|)atiny:
objections from Chicra^^o, which claimed title by deilication, it was
provided that if the city couiu;il did iM>t quit claim to the railroad
coni|)anies within 4 months, Immu};' prior to the nuiturin^ of the
second installment, they sluadd be released from further i)ayment
and yet hohl the property by fee simi)le title from the Stale for
one-iourth the sum oli'ered. These lauds, excejit the bed of tiie
hUve, had been dedicated for i)ublic use, but while the State had
parted with her benelieial proprietory title, they were still rcfiarded
us subject to her paramount authority and mi;;ht control or dis-
pose of them as would best promote the purposes of dedieatioM.*
Tiie bill was passed contrary to the wishes of a lar};e majority
of the people of Chi<^ iji'o and her rei)resentatives. Tlie governor
vetoetl it on account of the inade<pnu!y of pri".e to be i)ai(l for the
3 blocks of ^rouiul ; of there beinj; no limitatioii lixed for the «:om-
iiieiieemetof the outside harbor imi)rovements; of the State having
reserved no rif;ht to limit 'duiryes for the lelief of comnier(!(>, and
because the i)roperty was not to be sid»ject to taxation. IJnr it
was promi)tly repassed over the veto. It was one of the measures
in the chaniied circle of legislation, ordained to becorie a la w.t
Steps under the law, however, have been arrested by injunction,
issuiujf from the U. S. Circuit Court at Chica<;().
Of tlie Hood of local and private acts i)ernicious iu princii»le and
contrary to public policy, we can only cite a few from the many
that incurred the governor's veto. A number of localities —
Bloomingtou, Joliet, Canton, Bond county, &c. — sought franchises
to enable theiu to employ the taxing power of the State to raise
money to be exi)emled for mere private si)eculative or fanciful
ol)jects, such as to induce railroad compaines to locate their ma-
chine shops and erect depots; to start private manufacturing
establislnnents; build hotels, &c., all sui)posed to be of general
value to the place securing them, and toward which those nu)St
deeply interested sought to compell all the helpless, voiceless and
reluctant, to contribute alike of their property.
Then there were acts for the iucori)oratiou of land companies
(already luunerous), whose sole aim was to create huge land nujuop-
olies, esca[)ethe embarrassments attaching to personal ownership;
the casualities incident to trade and business ; distribution after
death ; aiul keep out of market for a long term of years, with the
speculative intent of enhancing its value, property needed for
homes for the people, which in the hands of private parties would
be improved and rendered more valuable to the State.J A nota-
ble instance was the "Illinois Land Company," which owned scmie
1,200 acres iu East St. Louis, sought to be controlled as above, for
♦ Gov. Palmer's Message.
t There is a not a very secret scandalous lilstory connected wltli the passage of this
measure wliicti we do not care to revive liere.
:|: Gov. Palmer's Message.
PALMKK'S ADMINIS'l'RATlON. 037
a period of L*.') yt'ars. lliit the most |)r<'8Uin|)tnous of tlicso, cor-
])()niti()us, iimler ii titl(! at tli<^ .saiiu^ time the most sechielive, not
exeeptiii'>- lliat of the " Illinois lienevoh'iit lioan Companv"' lor
u pawn broker's establishment, was that of the " Sonthern lOmi-
jjnint Aid .Soeiety," a title, as the <;ovei'm)r said, which " sn;;';;»'st3
ideas of weary stninjiers, feeble and ]»oor, on tiie one liand, and of
benevolent men on the other, ministerinp; to their wants, feedin}?
the huiijjjry and elothinfj; the naked;" bnt winch really establisheil
otlices in about 30 counties of this State, (the principle one at
Cairo), to speculate in lands tlnit omi{;rants would be likely to
need, and receive their money and other valuables on depost, buy
and sell exchaufje, and by means of a captivatin;; title, win their
conlldence. * Not one i)rovi.v".)n of this act contemplated the aid
or relief which its title imported.
An imjiortant event of this session was the ratification of the
ir)th aiiu'iulment to the constitution of the United States, givinj?
Buflraye to tlie blacks.
Oiir Keic Connfitiition. — The year of {jfraco, 1870, will be distin-
guished in the annals of Illinois for the i»eaceful revolution of her
organic law. It is a grand feature in the governments composing
this (heat Kepublic that they frequently undergo most radical
and inii)ortant transfonnations without tunndt or outbreak IVom
the populace, showing that their will is the source of power. The
constitution of 1848 had tor years been systennitically violated in
its plain and positive ju-ovisions by nearly every dei)artment of
State. Tlie last executive under it, himself records that " The
history of American States presented no exau jle of a governnu'iit
more defe(!tive than that of Illinois." Ofticers received or took
compensation for their services under authority of laws known to
be inconsistent with the constitution ; and what was designed by
its framers to be a most economical go\ernment, became, iu fact,
extravagantly expensive. The (ilear limitation upon the powers
of the general assend)ly was overborne, and legislation was
often hasty, imprudent and depraved nntil the people felt
that their public and private rights were unsafe; that the ofticers
charged by the constitution with the enactment, the interpreta-
tion, and the enforcement of the laws were alike unworthy of their
full conlidence. t The notorious evasions of the plain requirements
of the constitution, and the ])ernicious practices thus indulged,
tended to sap the integrity of the jjublic service generally, while it
must have also contributed to lessen the respect if it did not beget
the contempt of the people for all law. A popular reverence for
Jaw is the most essential guaranty for the stability of the State, the
peace and good order of society, and the protection to life, liberty
and lu'operty of of the citizen.
It was therefore high time to erect new limitations upon the
l)owers of the several departments, instead of those persistently
disregarded, and viewed as obsolete. Upon the qiestion being
submitted to a vote of the jieople, at the election of November,
1S(!8, the revision of the old constitution was by them ordered.
The succieeding legislature authorized the election of delegates,
* Gov. Palmer's Veto Messaj^o.
+ Palmer's Message, 1871.
9.1«
HISTORY OP ILLINOIS.
()i])))oi'ti()ii(Ml to tlio districts iiiid (;()i'r('.s])()ii(liii;; in niiinhcr to the
ic|»i('s('Mtiitiv«'s in tin- lower iionso of tlir ^^ciicriil asscnilily.) wiio
wcic to nn'ct at Sprinniirhl, Dcccnilu'r Vi, l.S(51), to iiiti'j', ri'vi.se,
or anii'iid llie constitntion. Of tiio S'l nu'inbcrs ri-tnrncd, 14 wmv.
hct down an rcpnhlican in politics, and 11 as democrat ic. i>ut 1.1
Avere cli'cted on inde|)endcnt tieiu'ts, ail in repnldican districts, of
whom S were democrats and 7 re|»nl)liej Thns neitner i)art.v
had a majority in the convention, and tim " iniU'pendents" held
the balance of i»ower, of winch they made the most. ItsnuMuhers
Avere (composed of learned jnrists, experi«'n<!ed statesmen, and pro-
fonnd thinkers, whose work, prepared with much care, has been
very ;;('iierally jn'ononnced the best and wisest in its lindtations
ancl restrictions tinit the union affords. Whether time will api)rove
this hi;;h encominn) remains to be seen. We can alliidt^ to only a
lew of the i»rominent features wherein it dill'ers from the old, and
which are re<;arded as salutory reforms.
The chan;;e from the fee system to that of fixed salaries, fair
and amitle in their amounts, will tend more ])erhaps to eradicate
the vice of evading' the law and eh'vatin^ the standard of
the public servici! than anythinjjf else. The .salary system,
in the 0|»tion of county boards, may also be extended to county
otl'i'crs. and if settlenu'Uts with these are properly enforced,
will both save and in<;rease materially the revenue. — Special
le<;islation has been very p;reatly circumscribed, anil irrevocable,
private franchises and immunities are prohibited. This <loes
away with a most fruitful source of (;orruption in that departnu'iit
of irovernment. It breaks, in a measure, legislative riiiys and
<leRtroys the business of the professional lobbyist, and the result is
the halls and i-orridors of the eapitol and hotels are tlironj;ed no
more by this shrewd, j^enial and ele<>antl3' attired class, ever on
the alert and ready with a hint to this member and a whisper to
that, and an adroit sufjfiestion to another. — While the number of
members of the j>eneral assembly has been about double, thestejis
to be ]>ursued in the ena<!tment of laws are retarded and hedj;ed
by wise provisions ; the former i)ractiees of reading bills by their
titles only, and their passajje by the bundle, known as the omnibus
system, are i)revented ; ami while the per diem .;ompensation of
members is allowed to be raised, being now $5, the rein-ehensible
l)ractices of entering into speculative contracts or "commutations"
with State officials or others, for stationary, fuel, etc., voted to
themselves, which at the last session under the old constitution
axeraged $500 for each member, and aggregated $54,000, besides
their pay of $2 a day, and charges for committee rooms, often
neither occupied Mor perhaps rented, are all efl'ectually squelched,
ami instead members are allowed but $oO each. — To the governor,
w ho heretofore as part of the law-making jiower, was a mere ad-
visory agent and for want of power destitute of inllueuce, has
been given a qualified veto for the first time in the history of the
State, with good results so far as exercised. Prior to this a bare
majoritj' of the legislative department of government was practi-
cally the sui)reme i)ower in the State. — One of the grossest wrongs
to individuals heretofore was the taking of private property
by municipal and other cori)orations for i\ublic use, as it was
called, without compensation, by setting off fancied benefits, no
matter how general to the vicinity, against the damages of the
PALMER'S ADMINIHTUATIOX. 039
owner. Tliis cnniiot now be doinj. Ni-itluT (um a niiijori^y (ol'lou
r«'in('s»'ntinj{ little or no proixTt.v) of Jiny niiniicipiility, now vot«
to lend its crcciit or impose a <lcl)t upon tlu' jiropcrly of llu' niin-
orilv lor tin- hciiclit of sonu^ corpoiatioii or iinproxciiH'iit. — TI'O
H't'iicral asscnildy is proliiliitcd from disciiarjiiii;; an; county, city
or town fr(»m its proportionat*' siiarc of taxes, tiic (*oinmiitaM»»n of
Kiicli tuxes, oi- tliedivertiny' of tliem from the treasury, as n. drr liio
rnilroiid tiix ^jralthinj^ law of l.S(il». — The revenue article (tf lie old
const it uti(»n has been rcnden'd more clllcient, and with late lc;;is-
hition will bear nmre evenly upon the pntiterty of the State.— The
two mile tax was aliolished. — Minority representation in the le^-is-
lalnre, by means of cuniidiiti\e voting, is a new but jtromisin^
fciiture in the ori^anic act, ado[)ted f<jr the lirst time by any State
in the union. — Our judiciary system has been rendeied uniform,
and jireally modilied, whether for ;;<»od re(piires to be; iis(!ertained.
To county courts, as supplemented by a late law, Inive been yiven
extended civil Jurisdiction, and they are authorized to try ndnor
criminal cases with a view of savinj>' to counties larye expenibture.s
for boarding' i)risoneis while awailin;;' the terms of the circuit
courts. — Ibit the pidvision which seeks to control the railroads o*'
the Stii*^'- [)rohibitiiiy parallel or competinj; lines from eonsoli<la-
tion, auv. hicli declares all railroads [tublic hijiliways, re(|uirin}j
the j;('i!cral assembly to establish reasonable, nuiximum rates o '
char<;t's, and to iirevent unjust dircriminations and extortions, is
one which, if sustaincl by the courts, promises to be one of the
most important in its benelicial residts to the peoi)le, as it is one
now elicitinji' the ^-reatest public interest. The (picstion whether
a ])ower has j;rown up in the State greater than the State itself is
How in process of solution.
The Great Chieiujo Fire. — Chicago was first laid off in 1<S3(>, at
the mouth of the liver of that nanu;. Prior to that the i)()int was
known as J^'ort 13Marl)orn, built by the government in 1804. By
an uni)recedente(i growth and i)rosperity, Chicago had by 1871
attained lo a city of ,'iO(),()00 souls. As the ia<liating centre of
more than a dozen trunk lines of railroads, leaching far into tlie
interior, with their innumerable bran(;hes and connections, she is
enabled to grasp with iiriarian hands, as it were, the products of
a vast and feitile region ; possessed of an extended lake, (!anal,
and river commerce, and a large numufacturing interest, and ani-
mated by enterprising and sagacious capitalists, eneigetic mer-
chants and pushing business men generally, she was truly, iH)t
only the chief city of Illinois, but the emporium of the great
northwest— the pride of her State and the wonder of the civilized
world. While she had miles upon miles of structures of tlie nu)st
combustible nature, being wood, her large l)usincss centre was
built up of brick, stone and iron Wocks, massive in size and of
raie architectural beauty; her palatial residences, profusely s(!at-
tered through nuiny parts of the city, but particularly toward the
hike, front, were the admiration of every visitor, besides her many
well built, superb, and costly church edifices and various elegant
l»nblic institutions, all these were solid, non-combustible struc-
tures, regarded as fire proof. But in the great conllagration,
which, like death, knew no distinction, the stately block and most
ornate column, as well as the lowliest wooden shanty of the poor,
found a commoii leveler.
940 HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
It was on the night of October 8th ami 9th, 1871, that the ocoau
of tlauie burst upon the doomed city. For eighteen consecutive
hou.s, borne by a parched and strong soutliwesterly gale,tlie Firo
Fiend, gathering strengtli and volume as he marclied, strode
througli the fated city. The tire broke out in a poor quarter 1^
miles s(mth\vest from the business centre, which was closely built
xi}) of inferior structures that kindled like tinder and bhizc<^ like
a bon tire. The tiame, fanned by the gale, was so intense th it the
lire department was powerless before it. At midnight, having
devoured oOO buildings, and burnt over an area of 175 a(;res,
reaching the southern limits of the burnt district of the tire of the
night proceeding, which was of no inconsiderable magnitude ordi-
narily, and Avhich it was exiiected would arrest it, the licking
column, casting a shower of kindling brands far in advance, easily
leaped the south branch of the river, lighting where several blocks
of wooden rookeries, the abodes of s(]ualor and vice, aiibrdeil it
vivifying food. Sending otf liankii g columns to the right and
left, it pursued a due northeast course before the driving wind to-
ward the court house, the large stone, brick and iron structures in
its way, commoidy called Are-proof, many of them among Chica-
go's handsomest blocks, crumbling and melting dowMi by its su»
l)er-heated breath as completely, if not so speedily, as those of
wood. All hope of staying its progi-ess was now abandoneil, and
the eflbrts suspended. The court house, from whose basement,
(the common jail) 150 piisoners were released to save their lives,
Avas built of large blocks of stone, and though standing isolated
in the middle of a scpmre, succumbed, its great bell falling from
the dome n i-li a Ivst dying i)eal. At this time, as if instinct with
a deadly strategy, the tiie tlisabled the pumping engines a mile
in advance at the waterworks, which cut off the supply of water.
Buildings now would suddenly ignite all over, and the danger to
human life became exceedingly great.
The left flanking column of flame, gathering volume as it pro-
ceeded, swept all that part of the city in the angle made by the
south branch and the main river. The right also gathering head-
way as it went, took a detour almost due east from the south
branch toward the lake and northward, making a wide swath and
rioting in the destruction of the most superb hotels, sjdendid bus-
iness blocks, and elegant dwellings in the city. Ilere, in the sonth
di\ision, the fairest and most ornate portion of Chicago, and the
great centre of her wealth and commerce, -100 acres were swept over
by the terrible flames and 3,050 buildings laid in ashes. But aside
from the great value and beautj' of this i)ortion of the city, less
than one-third in territory, or the number of houses, was as yet
swei>t over, or cunsumed. The three colums of tiame, toward noon
on the Oth, (Monday) intensified by their union, now vaulted across
the river, and, nmrching in solid phalanx at double-quick, licked
up evei'ything in the way; the ocean of flame with a terrible
crackling roar as it advanced, in a few hours burnt oYcr an area
of 1,470 acres of the 2,533 in the north division, leaving oidy 500
buildings standing out of the 13,800 which it contained, and ren-
dering homeless 75,000 people.
As a spectacle the conflagration was at the same time the sub-
liniest and most appalling — terrifying to the weak and unnerv-
ing the strong. The roaring flame and crackling wood, the crash
PALMEll'S ADMINISTUATION. 941
of falling buildings, the detoiiiitions of explosive material iu
them, and the maddened Babel of human voices, all intermingled,
were awful ami terrifie in the last degree.
The scenes in the streets of the burning city beggar description.
All the baser attributes of the human heart founil manifestation.
Fear, precipitancy, profanity, insults, obscenity, rapacity, theft,
robbery, arson and assassination, all wrought to the highest pitch,
"with intoxi<!ation, and amid the noise, confusion and turmoil, found
Aeiit and ran riot. Great crowds, fascinated by a mingknl feeling
of horror and admiration at the grandeur of the terrible s])ectacle,
moved witli the dazzling columns of lire as it proceeded. Now and
then the crash of a wall near at hand, the report of explosive oils,
or the rumor that they were surrounded by the lire, or that a
bridge was burnt to cut off their retreat Mould scatter them iu
pi'ecipitate flight, panic stricken. In many cases, people were
driven into the lake for refuge against the scorching Hames. Capi-
talists, rushing to their vaults to save their valuables, were over-
l)owered by the suffocating heat, and never seen again ; others,
loaded with treasure, were stricken down by assassins and robbed.
The speed of the conflagration and its great heat were such that
it was impossible to save nuich property. Besides, owners of ve-
hicles, taking advantage of the occasion, charged enormous prices
for taking loads ; $10 to $50 was common and $1,000 is recorded.
Stores were opened and the crowds invited to help themselves to
goods, as they must all go at any rate, while others were entered
by ]u)rdes of pluiulerers uiuisked ; and goods piled up in the stieets
to be carted away, were si'ized aiul freely borne off". The torch of
the incendiary, for purposes of plundering, was added to the gen- '
eral conflagration. Saloons were thrown open, and under a free
invitation, their contents flowed unchecked, nuiddening the vicious
and stinuilating to ruftiaiiism. Amidst the turmoil of the cra{!k-
ling and roaring Are, falling walls, dazed animals dashing about,
streets gorged by i)assing vehicles and crowds of people, and the
shouting and uproar of men, fanulies became separated, children
cried for parents, wives and mothers wailed and became distracted
and husbands and fathers, skurrying hither and thither in vain
searchings for the lost ones, were frantic with agony and desjjair.
It was a night of iinspeakable horrors. Many incidents of tenants
occupying rooms in the upper stories of high business blocks wrai)t
in flames, suddenly appearing at their windows begging for assis-
tance from the frantic crowd below and some of whom found succor
aiul others that perished, are related with thrilling effect in the
papers of the time.
The loss of human life, which can never be accurately ascertained,
has beenes':imated at 250. During the first two weeks following, the
remains of 107 persons, consisting often of but fragments, or so
charred thf,t few could be identified, were collected by the coroner
and interred. It is supjwsed that the intensity of the heat iu
many cases wholly consumed the bodies, leaving no vestige be-
hind. Thy whole area burnt over, including streets, was -',124
acu'es; number of buildings destroyed, 17,500; sidewalks burnt,
121 miles; total value of property swallowed up by the devouring
element, $ 195,000,000, on which there was an insurance of some
$45,000,000, leaving a net loss $150,000,000 — these figures being
approximate.*
* See History of Chicago and the Great ConHagratiou.
I
942
H [STORY OF ILLINOIS.
About 08,5(K) people were bereft, not only of homes, business,
and property, but even shelter. These collected at points on the
beach of the lake, in the old cemetery south of Lincoln Park, but
mostly on the bleak prairie back of the city. Many were blinded
I'roin snu)ke and blistered with lu'at. Not less than one hundred
women were thrown into prenmture parturion from fri};htaiid the
excitement caused by the terrible scene. All, the sick and help-
less, the younjj and old, the vile and vicious, the beyfiar and mil-
lionaire, were here promiscuously huddled toji;ether. Without snf-
licient clothiiifj' in the chill Octoi)er rain, whicii set in durin<i' the
night of ^Monday; destitute of food since Sunday, and all more or
less, exhausted from liunger, the sufierings of the smitten ones
was exceedingly great.
And now was manifested on the part of the people of tliis broad
land and the civilized portions of Europe, whither the slio(tk had
thrilled, a ncble synii»athy and practical benevolence, attesting
the brotheihood of man. First the people for hundreds of miles
in every direction, in prompt response to the dick of the telegraph
(and but for this modern handmaid to the business of the world,
many nnist have perished), sent in hundreds of car loads ot cooked
food and provisions of all kinds an 1 raiment of every descrii>tion,
in (piantities more than sutlicient to ) lieve the wants of the suf-
ferers. JJureaus, to systennitically d libute the donations, were
organized. Next, and almost sinudtaneously, followed most liberal
contributions of nuniey in large sums by lu'arly all our great and
nuiny stnall cities and some from Europe, aggi-egating some
$7.(H)(),000. Governor Palmer, deeming it a propei occasion, con-
vened the genefal assembly in extraordinary session on the 4tli
day after the tire, and that body donated virtually to the stricken
city, $2,955,340 from the treasury of the State — finding in the
great emergency a way to evade the strict provisions of the new
constitution for this purpose by redeeming the camil from the lien
of its deepening by Chicago, which, though a valuable improve-
ment to that city, is dead and unyiehliug capital to the State; but
no one will blame the legislature for this benevolent act so neces-
sary umler the (!ircum;-,tances. Six i)er ccntun^ bonds, payable in
10 years, were to be issued for that amount. Not less than one-
fifth nor more than one-third of the jiroceeds were to be used in
restoring the bridges and public buildings on the old sites, and
the residue in payment of the bonded debt of the city, and to
maintain its fue and police departments.
Immediately succediug the tire, stories of incendiarism for pur-
poses of plunder became rife; that theft, robberies, and arson
were the order in the unburnt portionsof the city, and that hordes
of "roughs" from other large cities were on the point of invasion.
The ignorant, desjierate from their losses, were represented as
possessed by a mania for further destruction ; others in great
masseij. together with the police, as taking the law into their own
Laiuls, shooting down, beating to death, or hanging to lamp-])osts,
numerous alleged olienders, without close sciiitiny as to their
guilt or innocence. These stories which weic utterly untrue,
gained credence in the city at the time and a considerable panic
prevailed. Telegrams disseminating them were sent broad cast
over the land, and the flying fugitives from the city, whose exovlus
by the IGth, amounted to 00,000, impressed witii these stories,
palmer's administration. 943
s])reiul reports of seeing blackened e,ori)se.s of robbers and incen-
diaries banging to gibbets, (ien. Anson Stager, a prominent cit-
izen, telegraphed Gov. Palmer oi. the lOtli that gieat <^)nHterna-
tion and anxiety existed ()n account of the presence of •'roughs"
and thiew". olundering in all directions, and that two incendia-
ries were shot the night preceding while in the act of tiring build-
ings.
Under the ai)prehensions ju'evailing, the police force was largely
increased, 1,500 being sworn in on the west side, and oOO on the
south. Indeed, on Monday morning, j\[aJor Alstruf had tendered
the services of a battalion of three militia comi)anies to the su-
perintendent and were accepted. G(tv. Palmer, in answer toGeii.
Stager's dispatch, proliered a military force to the city, to preserve
property and enforce order, which, in the reply by telegraph, was
immediately requested by the mayor, to be sent by special train,
and later on the same day, 1,000 muskets and amunition was also
asked. Adjutant Gen. 11. Dilger, at once, by telegraph, ordered to
Chiea^'O, the ''liloomingtou National Guards," "Champaign
Cadets," "Sterling City Guards," Itock Fall Zouaves," "Rock
Island Light Artillery" with four pieces; and under his imiuediate
charge, the "Springtield Zouiives," "O'Mara Guards," and Capt.
Donigan's colored company, liOO men, the latter arriving there
early the next day, the lltli, and before evening the other militia
companies also arrived, nuiking a military force of 510 men, well
armed and equiped to protect the property, maintain order, and
enforce the laws in the city. l>ut Gen. Dilger now found the wild
rumors of lawlessness to have been greatly exaggerated, and the
mayor, professing no knowledge of the dispatches calling for
State troops and, at the time, conliding In the strong arm of the
military power of the U. S., was ready to issue his proclamation
entrusting the peace of the city to Lieut. Gen, Phil. II. Sheridan,
of the U. S. army, who was stationed there. The State authority
being thus superceded by that of the U. S., Gen. Dilger, with a
portion of his force, after some three days time, returned. Some
of the police authorities, jealous of the military occupation thus
assumed, protested against it for the reason that policemen were
acqainted with the people and possessed large discretionary pow-
ers in the arrest of i)arties, the prevention of breaches of the
peace, and the commission of crimes; whil« a soldier was the rig-
id instrument of orders, regardless of consequences. The city,
however, was surrendered to the military, U. S. regulars being
ordered thither from Omaha, Forts Leavenworth and S(!ott, and
from Louisville. The police were ordered to act in conjunction
with the military, good order was maintained throughout, and,
what .was perhaps of more iuqjortauce than all else, confidence
was restored.
At the time that the citj- wa^ thus turned over to military
rule. Gen. Sheridan directed a ^'.itizen of Chicago, Gen. Fraidc T.
Sherman, to enlist and organize a regiment of infantry for 20
days, to serve as guards in protecting the ])roperty of the city.
They swore allegiance to the U. S. and obedience to the officers ai>-
pointed over them; they were to arrest all citizens who, in their
judgment, might be suspicious persons, and fire upon, wound or
kill any one refusing to obey their commands to halt, after a cer-
tain hour iu the uight. I", the regiment was a comijauy of cadets
944 HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
— students from the University of Chicago, mostly yoiuifj and
non-residents. To this regiment, asserted by liigh authority to
have been illegally called into being. Gen. Thomas W. Gros-
venor, a citizen of Chicago, who had earned his title by mereto-
rious conduct in the late war and was maimed for life, became a
martyr. About 13 o'clock in the night of the 20th of October,
while quietly proceeding to his home, he was ordered bj' a young
cadtt to halt »'id give the countersign or pass-word, and, disre-
garding the order, was deliberately shot down, expiring in a few
hours after.
The Governor, who it seems was not adv^ed until about the
17th of the full extent of the military occupation of Chicago, which
he deemed a violation of law, both State and national, had in the
meantime, written a letter to the mayor, coached in no anibiguous
terms, vigorously protesting against that functionary's virtual ab-
dication of his office aiul turning the city over to the military
control of the U. S. soldiery, asserting the adequacy of the State
to furnish all needed protection to the smitten city. The mayor,
stung by the lecturing epistle, rei)lied that when the lives and
property of the people, the peace and good order of a large city,
were in danger, it was not the time to stop and consider ques-
tions of i)olicy. But the killing of Grosvenor was a circumstance
to awaken reflection upon the anmalous posture of affairs, and 2
days after, at the request of the mayor, the occupation was discon-
tinued.
His excellency, however, did not allow the matter to drop here.
He wrote and urged the State's Attorney of Cook county to bring
the murderer of Grosvenor before the grand jury, and to advise
that body to include in the indictments, besides the party doing
the act, 11. B. Mason, the mayor. Lieutenant General Sheridan,
and Frank T. Sherman, colonel of the 20 day regiment, as being
equally guilty. A sharp and not very elegant correspondence
followed, and the matter getting into the public press, much criti-
cism was evoked. Later General Sheridan was again appealed to
by prominent citizens, to cause 4 companies of U. S. soldiers to be
stationed at Chicago for the protection of the immense amount
of stores in charge of the lielief fund and Aid Society, and upou
his request at Washihgton they were granted. This still further
intensified the nuitter, and the governor, in a letter to President
Grant, protested againstthis step, asserting the abundant ability
of the Stat© to protect every interest of the people dependant
upon its internal i)eace and good order. The letter was referred
to Gen. Sheridan with instructions to rescind all orders in conflict
with the laws or consti*^^ution of this ►State. P-'otesting now against
an officer of the army pissing upon a matter so grave and lmi)or-
tant. Gov. Palmer broaght the whole subject before the legisla-
ture and that body, after a thorough investigation by a commit-
tee, who brought in majority and minority reports, on the 25th of
January, 1872, sustained the former, declaring "as unlawful, and
an infraction of the constitution, both of this State and the ^T. S.,
the so-called military occupation of Chicago ;" but the federal au-
thorities were exonerated from intent to wilfully trespass upon
the constitutional rights of this State, or to interfere with its
properly constituted authorities during the emergency of the
great fire.
I