USA > Illinois > Perry County > Combined history of Randolph, Monroe and Perry counties, Illinois . With illustrations descriptive of their scenery and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers > Part 22
USA > Illinois > Randolph County > Combined history of Randolph, Monroe and Perry counties, Illinois . With illustrations descriptive of their scenery and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers > Part 22
USA > Illinois > Monroe County > Combined history of Randolph, Monroe and Perry counties, Illinois . With illustrations descriptive of their scenery and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers > Part 22
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Agriculture was at first, of course, carried on only to a limited extent. The inhabitants of the New Design settle- ment were the first to begin, about the year 1800, the culti- vation of fall wheat to any considerable extent. In cutting the wheat, sickles, or reap-hooks, were the only implements used. There were no eradles. Reaping with a sickle was a severe labor. Wheat at that day sold for one dollar a bushel. A short distance from the farms, on the prairies, or in places in the timber, patches of grass were selected and mowed, aud this, as well as reaping wheat, was hot, hard work. The Americans at that day, generally stacked their hay and wheat out, but the French had barns which they u-ed for this purpose. The French barns were made of large cedar posts, put in the ground some two feet, and set apart four or five feet-the space between filled up with puncheons put in grooves ou the posts, and the whole covered with a thatched rocf. Threshing and cleaning the wheat was in olden times a great trouble. The process of winnowing with a sheet was slow and hard work.
Considerable quantities of corn were shipped from Illinois in flat-boats to New Orleans before the purchase of Louisiana. It was an uncertain market, and the navigation of the river was more uncertain still. Stock, cattle and hogs were raised for the New Orleans market. The commerce on the river and the Indian trade consumed the small surplus product of the farms. Irish potatoes were raised in abundance, and the crops scarcely ever failed. Only small quantities of cheese and butter were made, scarcely enough for home consumption. The French scarcely ever troubled themselves with milking cows, but turned the calves out with the other cattle, and made little or no butter. That portion of the population scarcely ever used a churn, a loom, or a wheel. The apple orchards in propor- 12
tion to the population were numerous. The French also cultivated orchards of pears, but the peach-tree was entirely neglected. The greater portion of the merchants made the Indian trade their main object. The furs and peltries were articles in great demand, and were generally shipped to Mackinaw, Philadelphia, and New Orleans. The French horses, known as " French ponies," were sold in great num- bers to the Indians. Guns, powder, lead, and all Indian goods, blankets, blue strouding and made-up calico shirts, formed large items in the commerce of the day-as the Indians were much more numerous than the whites.
CHAPTER VIII.
CIVIL HISTORY FROM 1778 TO 1818.
RANDOLPH COUNTY.
OON after the capture of the British mili- tary posts north of the Ohio river by George Rogers Clark in 1778, the au- thorities of Virginia, in whose name Clark had made his conquests, effected arrangements for the organization [of a civil government of the newly acquired territory. The General Assembly of Virginia, in October, 1778, passed “nn Act for establishing the County of Illinois and for the more effectual protection and defense thereof." That County of Illinois " embraced all that territory out of which in subse- quent years were formed the States of Ohio Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin. The State of Virginia, then in its infancy, and with the twelve sister States engaged in the terrible struggle for independence, hastened to provide a gov- ernment for this immense territory, and selected the ancient French village of Kaskaskia as the seat for such govern- ment. The Act mentioned above authorized the governor to appoint a County-Lieutenant or commandant, who could appoint and commission deputy commandants, militia offi- cers and commissaries. The religion and customs of the inhabitants were to be respected and all civil officers were to be chosen by the people of the respective districts. The County Lieutenant had power to pardon all offenders, ex- cept murderers and traitors. The governor was authorized to levy 500 men to garrison and protect the county, and keep up communication with Virginia and with the settle- ments on the Spanish ( West ) side and to take measures to supply goods to the inhabitants and friendly Indians. Patrick Henry, the honored patriot, was then governor of Virginia ; he selected his friend, John Todd, for the diffi- eult and responsible position of County-Lieutenant on the 12th of December, 1778. The letter of appointment was dated at Williamsburg, then the capitol of Old Virginia. It is spread in full on the first five pages of Todd's Record Book, signed by Patrick Henry himself. This Record- Book was found among a number of documents removed from Kaskaskia to Chester in 1847, and is now in possession of
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the Historical Society of Chicago. Robert G. Detrick, Esq., of Chester, took the precaution of making a complete copy of the contents of said record-book, before placing it in the custody of said Society, and to him the writer is indebted for the following complete abstract, to wit:
" PATRICK HENRY'S LETTER TO JOHN TODD, EsQ. WILLIAMSBURG, December 12, 1778.
To JOHN TODD, ESQ :
By virtue of the act of the General Assembly which established the county of Illinois you are appointed County- Lieutenant or commandant there, and for the general ten- nour of your conduct I refer you to the law.
The grand objects which are disclosed to the view of your countrymen will prove beneficial or otherwise according to the value and abilities of those who are called to direct the affairs of that remote country. The present crisis rendered so favorable by the good disposition of the French and Indians may be improved to great purposes, but if unhap- pily it should be lost, a return of the same attachment to us may never happen ; considering therefore that early preju- dices are so hard to wear out you will take care to cultivate the affections of the French and Indians.
Although great reliance is placed on your prudence in managing the people you are to reside among, yet consider- ing you as unacquainted in some degree with their genius, usages and manners as well as the geography of the country, I commend it to you to consult and advise with the most intelligent and upright persons who may fall in your way.
You are to give particular attention to Colonel Clark and his corps, to whom the State has great obligations. You are to cooperate with him on any military undertaking when necessary, and to give the military every aid which the cir- cumstance of the people will admit of. The inhabitants of the Illinois must not expect settled peace and safety while their and our enemies have footing at Detroit and can inter- cept or stop the trade of the Mississippi. If the English have not the strength or courage to come to war against us themselves, their practice has been and will be to hire the savages to commit murders and depredations. Illinois must expect to pay in these a large price for her freedom, unless the English can be expelled from Detroit. The means of effecting this will not perhaps be found in your or Colonel Clark's power, but the French inhabiting the neighborhood of that place, it is presumed, may be brought to see it done with indifference or perhaps join in the enterprise with pleasure. This is but conjecture. When you are on the spot you and Col. Clark may discover its fallacy or reality, if the former appears. Defense only is to be the object of the latter or a good prospect of it. I hope the Frenchmen and Indians at your disposal will show a zeal for the affairs equal to the benefits to be derived from establishing liberty and permanent peace.
One great good expected from holding the Illinois is to overawe the Indians from warring on our settlers on this side of the Ohio; a close attention to the disposition, char- acter and movements of the hostile tribes is therefore neces- sary for you. The forces and militia at Illinois, by being
placed on the back of them, may inflict timely chastisement on these enemies, whose towns are an easy prey in absence of their warriors.
You perceive by these hints that something in the military line from you, so far as the occasion calls for assistance of the people composing the militia, it will be necessary to cooperate with the troops sent from here, and I know of no better general direction to give than this, that you consider yourself at the head of the civil department, and as such having the command of the militia, who are not to be under the command of the military until ordered out by the civil authority and to act in conjunction with them.
You are on all occasions to inculcate on the people the value of liberty, and the difference between the state of free citizens of this commonwealth and that slavery to which the Illinois was destined. A free and equal representation may be expected by them in a little time, together with all the improvements in jurisprudence and police which the other parts of the State enjoy.
It is necessary for the happiness, increase and prosperity of that country that the grievances that obstruct these blessings be known in order to their removal; let it, there- fore, be your care to obtain information on that subject that proper plans may be formed for the general utility. Let it be your constant attention to see that the inhabitants have justice administered to them for any injury rec'd from the troops ; the omission of this may be fatal. Col. Clark has instructions on this head and will, I doubt not, exert himself to curb all licentious practices of the soldiery, which, if un- restrained, will produce the most baneful effects.
You will also discountenance and punish every attempt to violate the property of the Indians, particularly in their land. Our enemies have alarmed them much on that score, but I hope from your prudence and justice that no grounds of complaint will be administered on this subject. You will embrace every opportunity to manifest the high regard and friendly sentiments of this commonwealth toward all the subjects of his Catholic Majesty for whose safety, prosperity and advantage you will give every possi- ble advantage. You will make a tender of the friendship and services of your people to the Spanish commandant near Kaskaskia and cultivate the strictest connection with him and his people. I deliver you a letter which you will hand to him in person. The details of your duty in the civil department I need not give yon, its best direction will be found in your innate love of justice and zeal to be in- tensely useful to your fellow-men. A general direction to act according to the best of your judgment in cases where these instructions are silent and the laws have not other- wise directed is given to you from the necessity of the cases for your great distance from government will not permit you to wait for orders in many cases of great importance.
In your negotiations with the Indians coufine the stipula' as much as possible to the single object of obtaining from them touch not the subject of land or boundaries till par- ticular orders are received ; where necessity requires it presents may be made, but be as frugal in that matter as possible, and let them know that Goods at present is scarce
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with us, but we expect soon to trade freely with all the world and they shall not want when we can get them. The matters given you in charge are singular in their nature and weighty iu their consequences to the people imme- diately concerned, and the whole state they require the fullest exertion of your ability and unwearied diligence. From matters of general concern you must turn occasionally to others of less consequence. Mr. Roseblave's wife and family mus; not suffer for want of that property of which they were bereft by our troops, it is to be restored to them if possible, if this cannot be done the public must support them.
I think it proper for you to send me an express once in three months with a general account of affairs with you and any particulars you wish to communicate It is in con- templation to appoint an agent to manage trade on public accounts to supply Ilinois and Indians with goods. If such an appointment takes place you will give it every possible aid. The people with you should not intermit their en- deavors to procure supplies on the expectation of this, and you may act accordingly.
P. HENRY."
Hon. Edward G. Mason, in his " Illinois in the 18th Century " counnents on the contents of said letter as follows: " This letter is not su h a one as territorial governors would be likely to receive in our days. It deals with higher things than those which occupy the modern politician. The Lieu- tenant's care must be to remove the grievances that obstruct the happiness and prosperity of that country, and his con- stant attention to see that the inhabitants have justice ad- ministered. He is to discountenance and punish every attempt to violate the property of the Indians To the Spanish Commandant near Kaskaskia he is to tender friend- ship and services, and he is warned that the matters given in his charge are ' singular in their nature and weighty in their consequences to the people immediately concerned, and to the whole state.' Then with that high sense of justice and humanity which distinguished the man, Henry turns from state affairs to right the wrongs of the helpless wife and children of his country's enemy. The family of Mr. Roseblave, the late British commandant at Kaskaskia, had been left among the hostile people there, while the husband and father was a prisoner in Virginia and their possessions had been confiscated.
Conciliation of the newly enfranchised inhabitants, selec- tion of competent advisers, defense against foreign and native enemies, subordination of the military to the civil arm of the government, establishment of Republican insti- tutions, administration of equal justice to all, an alliance with friendly neighbors, encouragement of trade, and the exertion of the commandant of unwearied diligence, zeal and ability in behalf of his people ; such are the principal heads of this able and, for its time, extraordinary State paper. It shows us that the man, who had taken the grave responsibility of the secret instructions which led to the cap- ture of the Illinois country, was competent to direct the next step in its career. He could wisely govern what had been
bravely won. With all the cares of a new state engaged in a war for its independence resting upon his shoulders, pro- scribed as a traitor to the mother country, and writing almost within sound of the guns of the British fleet upon the James, he looked with calm vision into the future and laid well the foundations of another commonwealth beyond the Ohio."
John Todd arrived at Kaskaskia ou the first day of May, 1779, as stated in the journal of Col. Clark who says: "The civil department in the Illinois had heretofore robbed me of too much of my time that ought to be spent in military reflection. I was now likely to be relieved by Col. John Todd, appointed by government for that purpose. I was anxious for his arrival and happy in his appointment, as the greatest intimacy and friendship subsisted between us; and on the - day of May, 1779, had the pleasure of seeing him safely landed at Kaskaskia to the joy of every person. I now saw myself happily rid of a piece of trouble that I had uo delight in."
Col. Todd was not slow to assume his labors, as will be seen from his record book, page 6, containing bis first entry in reference to appointing and commissioning deputy-com- mandants and officers of the militia, dated May 14, 1779, to wit: (copied verbatim.)
Made out the military commissions for the district of Kaskaskia, dated May 14th, 1779: Richard Winston, Commandant, as Capt. ; Nicholas Janis, First company, captain ; Baptiste Charleville, 1st Lieutenant ; Charles Charleville, 2nd Lieutenant ; Michael Godis, Ensign.
Second company : Joseph Du Plassy, captain ; Nicholas Le Chance, Ist Lieutenant; Charles Danee, 2d Lieutenant ; Baptiste Janis, Ensign.
" 17th May, sent a commission of commandant of Prairie du Rocher and captain of the militia to Jean B. Barbeau.
The District of Kohokia .- François Trotter (should be Trotier ), commandant ; - Tourangeau, captain 1-t com- pany ; - Girardin, lieutenant; (. Marthen, lieutenant ; - Sansfaron, ensign. Commission dated 14th May, 1779, "3d year of the Commonwealth." (This latter clause is not without significance. How firmly must the patriots of those days have been convinced of their success, to commence their reckoning of time from the date of the Declaration of Inde- pendence, years before it was established !)
The attention of Todd was next directed towards estab- lishing the courts. The statutory provision to have all civil officers elected by a majority of the people, was carried out, as appears from the entries made on pages 7 and 8, to which the reader is referred. This election was held in the month of May, 1779, and was the first election ever held in Hlinois. We have spent days in search of those election returns, which would have furnished a list of names of the voting population of the territory and been almost equivalent to a census. The search was in vain. The documents had been lost or destroyed. An effort to save them, made by Hon. W. C. Flagg, while senator of Madison county, in 1869, proved abortive, for the officer in custody of those documents per - emptorily refused to let Mr. Flagg have them. The latter, fully aware of the historical value of many of those docu-
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HISTORY OF RANDOLPH, MONROE AND PERRY COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
ments, pledged himself to return them, arranged in chrono- logical order, and substantially bound at his own expense, as soon as he had copied the most interesting documents. All was in vain. S. St. Vrain would listen to no proposals of the kind, although the county authorities had made an order to transmit those documents to Mr. Flagg. Was it a sense of duty that prompted St. Vrain to disobey ? Who knows ? The result of his refusal is in any event very much to be deplored.
The entry above referred to is as follows : " List of the Court of Kaskaskia, as elected by the people: 1. Gabriel Cerre ; 2. Joseph Du Plassy ; 3. Jaques Lesource ; 4. Ni- cholas .Janis ; 5 J. B Barbean; 6. Nicholas Le Chance ; 7. Charles Charleville ; 8. Autoin Duchafours de Louvirres, and 9. Girradot (probably Girardin). - Carbo- neau, clerk ; Richard Winston, sheriff. Court of Kohokias : 1. Touranjeau (Godin) ; 2. François Trottier ; 3. Charles Gratiot ; 4. Gieradin ; 5. B. Saucier; 6. M. Bean lieu ; 7. C. Martheu. François Saucier, clerk ; J. B. Le Croix, sheriff. The Court of St. Vincennes : 1. P. Legras ; 2. François Bosserau ; 3. - Perrot; 4. - Cardinal (refused to serve) ; 5. Guerry La Tulippe ; 6 P. Gamelin ; 7. - Edeline; 8. - Degenest ; 9. - Barron. Legrand, clerk ; - , sheriff.
Militia officers of St. Vincennes : P. Legras, lieut. col. ; F. Bosserou, major ; - La Tulippe, Ist captain ; - Ede- Jine, 2d; M. Bronilet, 3d (rank not settled) [capt.] ; P. Garmlin, 4th ; 1. ; 2. - Godin, lieut. ; 3. - Godin, lieut. ; 4. 1. -; 2. Joseph Rougas ; 3. -- Richerville ; 4. -- Richerville.
The reader will observe that by far the greater number of those officials elected as well of militia officers appointed are French. Anglo-American names are but few. The fact that many of the militia officers are also members of the courts, leads us to infer, that the material for "officers " was not as plentiful as in our days, and strange to say, one of the judges of Vincennes, Monsieur Cardinal, refused to serve. The reason for his refusal is not stated, but what "Cardinal" would be satisfied with the fourth place on the bench ?
The attention of Todd is next given to the encouragement of trade and business, for page eleven contains a copy of a license of trade issued to Ricbard McCarty. (The reader will find this name again in the subsequent chapter on Monroe county).
The document introduced here is the first of its kind issued in Illinois, from it the reader will learn, that to become a trader, a man had to be a patriot first, and also to prove his integrity, etc. We further learn, that the loyal citizens of those days were "liege subjects." Here follows the license :
LICENSE FOR TRADE.
To all to whom these presents shall come, Greeting : Know ye, that whereas Richard McCarty, gentleman, hath produced a recommendation from the Court of District of Kohokia, certifying his patriotism, integrity and knowledge in trade and merchandizing. These are, therefore, to license and permit the said R. McCarty to traffic and
merchandize with all the liege subjects and friends of the United States of America, of what nation soever they be, and to erect factories and stores at any convenient place or places he shall think proper within the commonwealth aforesaid. Provided, that by virtue bereof, no pretence shall be made to trespass upon the effects or property of individuals.
Given under my hand and seal at Kaskaskia, the 5th of June, 1779, in the third year of the commonwealth.
The financial question of the day now claimed the atten- tion of the indefatigable lieutenant. The paper money of the young commonwealth of Virginia, as well as that of the United States, was "cried down" in the streets of the villages. The rapid depreciation of this currency was severely felt in the county of Illinois, and attracted Todd's attention. His letter to the court of Kaskaskia on the subject is worth preserving, to wit :
LETTER TO THE COURT OF KASKASKIA.
"Gentlemen : The only method America has to support the present just war is by her credit. That credit at present is her bills emitted from the different treasuries, by which she engages to pay the bearer at a certain time gold and silver in exchange. There is no friend to American Inde- pendence who has any judgment but soon expects to see it equal to gold and silver. Some disaffected persons and designing speculators, discredit it through enmity or interest ; the ignorant multitude have not sagacity enough to examine into this matter, and merely from its uncommon quantity and in proportion to it arises the complaint of its want of credit. This has for some years been the case near the seat of war, the disorder bas spread at last as far as the Illinois, and calls loudly for a remedy. In the interior counties this remedy is a heavy tax now operating, from which an indulgent government has exempted us. One only remedy remains which is lodged within my power, that is by receiving on behalf of government such sums as the people shall be induced to lend upon a sure fund, and thereby decreasing the quantity ; the mode of doing this is already planned and shall be always open to your inspection and examination with the proceedings, and I must request your concurrence and assistance, I am gentlemen, your most obedient servant. JOIN TODD."
The record book next contains a plan or mode of relief, as follows :
Plan for borrowing 33,333} dollars of Treasury Notes both belonging to this State and the United States. Where- as, owing to no other reason than the prodigious quantity of Treasury Notes now in circulation the value of almost every commodity has risen to most enormous prices ; the preserving of the credit of the said bills by reducing the quantity requires some im mediate remedy it is therefore de- clared :
1. That 21,000 acres of land belonging to this common- wealth shall be laid off as soon as may be bounded thus : Beginning on the bank of the Mississippi in the district of Kohokia at Richard McCarty's corner, thence running up the said river 3,500 poles, when reduced to a straight line
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HISTORY OF RANDOLPH, MONROE AND PERRY COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
from the extremeties of which at right angles with the former on the Virginia side, two lines of equal length shall run so far, that with another line parallel with the course of the river plat shall contain the quantity aforesaid.
2. That the said 21,000 (except one thousand to be here- after laid off by the government for a town in the most convenient part thereof within and out lots) shall be a fund for the purpose aforesaid. Provided that every adventurer be subject to all laws and regulations in cultivating and settling, to which settlers in the county of Illinois shall hereafter be subjected.
3. That the lender of money take a certificate from the commissioner for the purpose appointed, for the sum but not being less than 100 dollars, for which, he, his heirs, execu- tors, administrators, or assigns shall be entitled to demand within two years, a title to his proportion of the land in the said fund or the sum originally advanced in gold or silver with 5 per cent. interest per annum at the option of the State. Provided first that no assignment of such certificate shall be made but in open court by deed to be recorded. 2 That a deduction shall be made for all money hereafter discovered to be counterfeited.
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