USA > Illinois > Illinois in 1818, 2nd ed > Part 15
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that it must be done now? that no regard should be paid to the expediency of the thing ?- "So much desired by the people!" Tis false ! the people never desired it-it is a gross insult to the good sense of the community-the people know that some citizens of Kaskaskia, and none else, desired it-and that there was not virtue enough in their representatives to preserve the state from disgrace, and themselves from the imputation of trifling with their powers and the wishes of the people. But, it is asked will the governour and counsel give their sanction to this bill? For our parts, we think they will not-we cannot believe that Mr. Bond will so far forget the sacred duty he owes the good people of this state, as to assign them over to the management of a set of bank directors; as in fact he will, if this bank go into operation with his consent -So fraught is banking with every evil consequence-so truly is it "the offspring of ignorance, chicanery, and a spirit of speculation.'
"The spirit of speculation" was pushing Illinois beyond the point of discretion, not only in its banking ventures, but more particularly in its attempts to stimulate the growth. of towns. Speculation in land was the only outlet for any considerable amount of capital. But it was more than that-it was prac- tically the only activity in which men could give free scope to their business ability, could take the chances of success or failure which make the game worth playing. The limitations in farm- ing and trade have been pointed out. The development of the lead mines in the north had not begun. The manufacture of salt, which was conducted on a larger scale than any other industry in the territory, was owned by the United States. Milling was necessarily on a small scale, for grain was not raised for export. There was very little manufacturing outside the homes.168 168 No one's business was on a large enough scale to occupy his whole time, and consequently land speculation was universally in- dulged in.
Among the leaders in land speculation in Illinois were to be
167 Illinois Emigrant, March 20, 1819.
108In November, 1817, Birkbeck wrote to Fearon: "The manufactures you mention may hereafter be eligible; cotton, woollen, linen, stockings, &c., Certainly not at present." Letters from Illinois, 32. In 1818, Jesse B. Thomas advertised that by June he would have in operation two carding machines; this was the first establishment of its kind in Illinois. Intelli- gencer, January I, June 3, 1818.
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THE ECONOMIC SITUATION
found all the principal politicians. In a previous chapter atten- tion was called to Governor Ninian Edwards' activities at Ed- wardsville. According to an early settler at Upper Alton, he held land there also. There was scarcely an issue of the Intel- ligencer which did not contain an advertisement signed by him. Under date of January 13, 1818, he ran the following notice :
NOTICE.
I SHALL continue to sell LOTS in Belville (the seat of justice for St. Clair county) at $60 a lot, until the Ist January next, after which time, I do not intend to take less than $100 for any lot, unless it should be to ac- commodate some respectable mechanck [sic] who may be desirous of settling in that village.
NINIAN EDWARDS. Kaskaskia, Dec. 8, 1127, [sic]
A little later this notice appeared :
Notice.
I WILL sell upon liberal terms, ONE HUNDRED ACRES OF LAND, including a very valuable mill seat on Mary's river, ten miles below this place and about three miles from the Mississippi.
The proximity of this situation to a great extent of fertile country, already, much improved, and rapidly improving its being surrounded with a great abundance of poplar and other timber suitable for making plank, the facility of transporting grain and timber to it-and a practicable and safe navigation to and from it-all combine to render it a most eligible seat for water works of any kind. A complete dam has been recently erected that has withstood all the late floods, and a very inconsiderable sum would be sufficient to put a saw mill into operation within a short time, that would most probably yield a profit of two thousand dollars a year.
If I should not sell shortly, I shall wish to employ workmen to build me both a sawmill and merchant mill.
I have also for sale, several HORSES and MULES. NINIAN EDWARDS.
Kaskaskia, Dec. 20.
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ILLINOIS IN 1818
While this notice was still running, Edwards began to adver- tise an addition to Kaskaskia as follows :
Notice.
Is hereby given, that I shall make application to the circuit court for Randolph county, at its next August term, for an order to add to the village of Kas- kaskia, a tract of land adjoining said villiage [sic], con- taining thirty four acres and three quarters; which was conveyed by John Edgar to Benjamin Stephenson, and by said Stephenson to myself, as by reference to both deeds now on record, will more fully appear.
Ninian Edwards.
March 30, 1818
That he had land in the northern settlements as well is shown from this advertisement :
I HAVE for Sale several valuable Tracts of Land near Belleville, and in other parts of Saint Clair county- Two quarter sections on Cahokia creek, in the vicinity of Edwardsville-and three quarter sections on Shoal creek, near Mr. Swearingen's; all of which, Mr. Thomas Estes of St. Louis, is fully empowered to sell. Ninian Edwards.169
March 30, 1818
Not far behind Edwards in land speculation were his political coworkers Stephenson and Cook. The former has already been spoken of ; his interest centered in Edwardsville, where he was receiver of the land office as well as merchant and president of the bank. Cook advertised land in localities as far apart as Madison and Edwards counties. To him, as to most other law- yers, land speculation held out peculiar charms. Most of the average lawyer's work was in connection with disputed claims to land; it was an easy and natural step for the lawyer who had capital to buy up claims which came under his notice and ad- vance them for himself instead of for a client. The following letter from John Reynolds to Ninian Edwards gives a good picture of a lawyer's interest in land claims.170
100 Intelligencer, January I, April 15, April 29, 1818.
170Reynolds to Edwards, December 4, 1818, in Chicago Historical Society manuscripts, 50:294.
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THE ECONOMIC SITUATION
Cahokia 4th Decemb 1818 Dear Sir
Permit me to trouble you on my private business ; and the greatest excuse I have to say in my favor is : that my claims of Government are just, and of course, should you befriend me therein; you will have the sen- . sations of a person who knows he has done right.
In the first place; Mr Pope concluded the affair of the Piasa Land. I have executed to him an equal fifth of the claim; and has made the same contract in writ- ing to you. Mr. Pope is to endeavor to send the Pat- ent Certificate to the Commissioner of the General Land office but of this, no doubt, he will let you know in a more ample manner than I can do: so you can nourish the Claim in the hands of Mr. Meigs. as to the value of the Land it is immense. Major Hunter of St. Louis (so reports say) gave Meachan $10.000 for half of one quarter sec. of the Denegan Entry; that Bates had. this is to shew, that this Piasa Claim will justify great industry to gain it.
I have this day bo't a claim on the United States for 100 Acres of Land from a certain Jean Baptiste Ladu- cier who was Subject to militia duty in the Illinois Country on the Ist Aug.t 1790 but neglected to claim and prove it before the board of Commissioners in proper time. he had it proved by Mr. Arundale and others to the satisfaction of the Kaskaskia Register and Receiver and they reported to the Congress at the last session to the same effect. there is no doubt; this man was and is entitled to a hundred Acres from the Act of Congress. The proof were so late giting [sic] before the Land Committee last term ; that there was no report made. Joseph A. Baird and myself bo't and paid for three hundred Acres of Land in the same situation. When we bo't; we thought his Donation was confirmed to him; but on examination, it was not. this right was proved by the most of the old people of our Village. this went on with the Claim of Laducier-this person, whose name is Jacques Miotte, had a militia right of 100 Acres confirmed to him; there then remains to him 300 to make his Donation of 400. where the proof of these two Claims have lain since last Congress, I know not. and I suppose it requires some friendly hand to put it operation [sic] again .- Some years past, there
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were given by Congress Claims to Land in the same sit- uation reported favorably on by the Kaskaskia Register and Receiver. I see no reason, why Congress will not extend its favors in similar cases. they are just ; If you see the host of testimony, you will say, they are just- even should "Doctor" "Doubty" himself be in Congress ; he would not doubt. I bo't a soldier's right of 160 Acres of Land his name is Enoch Jones and got his discharge from Kennerly commanding there at "PASS CHRIS- TIONNE" below New Orleans. this Discharge was sent too late to Mr. Pope last year. I wrote Mr. Pope how I should git his old letters ; one of which contained Jone's Discharge, and to let you know; I wrote our Represen- tative McLean to manage this affair, If you or he could git the Discharge .-
I have with Major Whiteside a pre emption right on the Mississippi out of the tract reserved for preemp- tions. yet I believe the first act of congress meant to embrace all settlers in the Territory : but Col. Stephen- son had instructions to the Contrary. there were but a few out of the survey, and in good conscience are as much entitled to this previliage [sic] as other settlers, when any of them first settled there were no surveys made. I will If you please send this Claim with the proof to support it by the next mail to you. It is of considerable magnitude to me. you can, If you please, as with the above Claims, present it before the proper tribunal for Justice. I want no more. I fear by this time you are much tired with me and my claims but treat them and me as your feelings and Judgement may dictate and I shall be satisfied. I will write the other members on the above. I was lately at Edwardsville when I understood your family were well. no news. Pope is Register.
May God preserve you and family for ever and longer. John Reynolds.
The Honorable N. Edwards.)
So generally was this combination of law and land specula- tion understood that from an Albany lawyer Kane received the following query: "Can an attorney expect to succeed [in Ilii- nois] without Some capital to embark in Speculations, and what is the Smallest Sum which will be requisite? . . I have
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from I to 2000 dollars. Will such funds justify the adventure ?"171 It was inevitable that the widespread specula- tion in land should make itself felt in politics. The entrepreneurs who had placed the heaviest stakes in the new territory were naturally the most keenly interested in its political development ; few of them had any scruples against using every political weapon available for the furtherance of their undertakings. The territorial laws on labor and on the opening up of the country bear unmistakable evidence of the work of interested individuals ; the Cairo scheme is not an unfair example of the kind of legis- lation that was passed. Undoubtedly the legislature merited the caricature which appeared in the Intelligencer for September 9, 1818. The writer, "Nemo," tells of a marvelous vision.
After passing Cape ne plus ultra, on the east, I saw in lat. 39° N. and Long. 8° W. in the open Prairie, above the head of the Little Wabash in the Illinois territory, another GREAT SEA SERPENT. As these monsters are now filling the world with wonder, I was determined to ascertain the size, nature, and if possible, to what tribe of animals this monster belonged. I therefore, hauled to my ship for that purpose, and I found this serpent to be exactly two hundred and seventy-five poles in length ; and in thickness, different, as seemed to be necessary for the ends of creating that animal. On one part of the back of this monster, there was a territorial legisla- ture in full session-at a small distance from the legis- lature, there was for the governor an house made very strong with absolute vetos. This legislature then, was discussing, whether nature had designed such and such rivers to be navigable or not.
I saw another place of bustle and business on this sea serpent, bearing from the legislature N. E. about one hundred poles. I made easy sale towards this place, and discovered its inhabitants to be very short men, with knocked knees, and crossed-eyes, fabricating new cities. I could distinctly perceive the stocks, where were built the famous cities of "Cairo," city of "Amer- ica," city of "Illinois," "Covington," "St. Mary," and many others; these creators of cities, were all stamped on the forehead with the word "moneyism."
111January II, 1819, in Chicago Historical Society manuscripts, 52 :179.
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ILLINOIS IN 1818
On a sudden, I saw this huge being in a great agita- tion of body, and on sailing to the S. W. towards the head of this serpent, I could discover very piainly [sic], that this monster was swallowing, and thereby exter- minating the several banks of the Illinois Territory. This appeared to be a fatal day on banks. The bank at EDWARDSVILLE, the Kaskaskia bank, and that of Cairo, and of the Little Wabash Company, were utterly anni- hilated with all the others of the above territory. This extermination of banks was not a difficult matter, as the people of the Illinois had learnt by experience, that banks without any capital, created for private specula- tion, were injurious to the public. After the serpent finished this necessary work, it changed its course to the S. E. and made great head away for the Floridas, to aid general Jackson in conquering those Spanish provinces in time of peace. This serpent had a head of a great size, and when its mouth was open, it appeared within a fiery furnace. NEMO.
Dated on board the ship
Prairie, 28 Aug. 1818.
CHAPTER VI SOCIAL CONDITIONS
On each of the successive American frontiers, pioneer life has advanced HANDMADE SPECTACLE CASE [Original owned by W. Wilk- inson, Roodhouse] by the same stages,-first a relapse to primitive conditions, followed by the gradual development of a more complex civilization. Illinois was no exception to the rule. Even the pioneer who came to the Illi- nois wilderness from a region only recently advanced out of the frontier stage encountered inconveniences and privations; the immigrant from New England or from across the water must have found this adjustment to the new conditions very difficult. Fortunately, however, a spirit of hospitality and neighborliness usually accompanied the early settlers and helped them to over- come the difficulties. "When a new-comer arrived in the coun- try," wrote a man who came to Illinois in 1817, "the settlers, without distinction or ceremony, went at once to pay him a visit, whom they usually found in a tent or camp. The warmest senti- ments of friendship and good-will were interchanged, the old settlers assuring their new neighbor, that every thing they pos- sessed, in the way of tools, teams, wagons, provisions, and their own personal services, were entirely at his command. Hence, in a few days, all hands, as the phrase then was, turned out, and built the new-comer a house, cut and split his rails, hauled them out, put them up in fence around the land he wished to cultivate, and then his land was broken up for him ready for the seed. Thus, in the space of a few days, the new-comer was in a comfortable con- dition, well acquainted, and upon the best terms of friendship, with the whole neighborhood. And to conclude these friendly attentions to the new-comer, a most joyous and convivial occasion
(159)
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ILLINOIS IN 1818
was enjoyed, when the younger portion of the company would trip the light, fantastic toe, over some rough puncheon floor. Thus would be formed the most warm and enduring friendships -such as no ordinary circumstances could disturb."172
The spirit of cooperation did not disappear once the new- comer was established. Whenever a task was to be performed which required many hands, the neighbors would gather from all directions. Most of the social gatherings in the country "had their origin in utility. Apple parings, quiltings, corn huskings and barn raisings, and often there was a combination of these entertainments, a barn raising, or a corn husking would be held, and at the same time and place there would be a quilting party, and the women guests would help to cook and serve the dinner for the men who were doing the rougher work; and at night the young people stayed to dance, the more opulent ladies going and coming on their own horses with habits and side saddles. The less fortunate (or were they less fortunate?) riding behind their husbands, brothers or sweet-hearts on the same horse. Even when neighbors went visiting they carried their knitting or sewing-'calling' in its present sense, there was not."173
But though the frontier men and women managed to com- bine some pleasure with their work, it was at best a hard life that they led. "There are in England," wrote Fordham, "com- forts, nay, sources of happiness, which will for ages be denied to these half savage countries, good houses, good roads, a mild and healthy climate, healthy, because the country is old, society, the arts of life carried almost to perfection, and Laws well administered." There is abundant testimony to the prevalence of disease, especially among the newcomers, who had not be- come acclimated. In February, 1819, Gershom Flagg wrote from Edwardsville: "The principal objection I have to this Country is its unhealthiness the months of Aug. & Sept. are generally very Sickly. I was taken sick with the feever & ague the 15 Sept. which lasted me nearly two months. I shall try it one season more and if I do not have my health better than I
172Wisconsin Historical Collections, 2:327-328.
173Illinois State Historical Society, Transactions, 1904, p. 510.
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SOCIAL CONDITIONS
have the season past I shall sell my property and leave the Country."174
Flower gives a more detailed description of his encounter with this disease: "The summer had been very hot and latterly wet. Thunder showers of daily occurrence sent mosquitoes in swarms. My cabin, recently built, of course, of green logs, un- furnished, with rank vegetation growing all around it and up to its very sides, was in its situation and in itself a sufficient
HANDMADE BABY CRADLE [Original owned by W. O. Converse, Springfield]
cause of disease. My shepherd and his family came, bringing a few choice sheep and an English high-bred cow. His whole family, in a few days, all fell sick, lying in a small cabin just built about a hundred yards from my own. Mr. White, car- penter, from London, wife, and two children, occupied a two- horse wagon and a soldier's tent. There was no house for him; they all fell sick. My two sons were speedily taken with fever and ague, to us then a new disease. Miss Fordham, who shared our cabin, was attacked with the same disease. My constitu- tion, strong and good, yielding from exposure to heat and rain, took another form of disease. Boils and irritable sores broke out on both my legs, from knee to ankle, incapacitating me, for a time, from walking. Thus we were situated for two or three weeks, without the slightest assistance from any source, or sup- plies other than from my own wagons, as they slowly arrived from Shawneetown, giving us sufficient bedding with flour and bacon. All the other merchandise and furniture did but add to our present embarrassment, in attempts to protect them from the weather, and in endeavoring to dry what was wet.
174Ogg, Fordham's Personal Narrative, 227 ; Illinois State Historical Society. Transactions, 1910, p. 163-164.
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ILLINOIS IN 1818
"We were carried through this period of trial by the unremit- ting labor and self-sacrifice of my wife. She alone prepared all our food and bedding, and attended to the wants of the sick and the suffering by night and day. To all this was added a fatigue that a strong man might have shrunk from, in bringing water from that distant well. Sustained in her unremitting labors by unbounded devotion to her family, and a high sense of duty to all within her reach, her spirit and her power seemed to rise above the manifold trials by which she was surrounded. And thus we were saved from probable death or certain disper- sion. The incessant labor of the mother told on the infant at the breast; it sickened and died. With returning health we worked our way unaided through our difficulties."
As Flower indicated, the principal cause of ill health was the stagnant water and decaying vegetation. In October, 1820, Flagg wrote: "Several towns in this state have been very sickly this season especially those situated contiguous to Rivers or mill- Ponds. The waters are very low and in many places covered with a green poison looking skum. The fogs arising from this [sic] stagnated waters makes the air very unwholesome."175 2115 As the country became more thickly settled, and more land was brought under cultivation, this condition was ameliorated. Ap- parently some of the more enterprising people were not content to leave the remedy to time, but proposed to take action themselves ; for in November, 1819, Morris Birkbeck "returned from a tour through Illinois, by way of Kascasky, where he was chosen President of the agricultural society of Illinois, one grand object of which will be, to rid the state of stagnant waters."176
Various other factors doubtless contributed to the poor health of the people in the early days. Fordham reached the conclusion that "there is, upon the whole, a superiority in the Climate of the western Country to that of England; though not so great as I at first imagined, or as you would expect from the latitude. Consumptions are almost unknown here. Bilious fevers are rather prevalent, but not dangerous when early attended to.
115Flower, English Settlement, 122-123; Illinois State Historical Society, Transactions, 1910, p. 166.
176Thwaites, Early Western Travels, 11 :162.
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SOCIAL CONDITIONS
Women have not such good health as the men have; but that is to be attributed to their mode of life,-being always in the house, usually without shoes and stockings, and roasting them- selves over large fires.
"People are not so long-lived here as in England, and they look old sooner. This I think may be justly attributed to
Ist. The universal use of spirituous liquors.
2dly.
The disregard of personal comfort and cleanliness, exposure to bad air near swamps &c, and want of good Clothing.
3 dly. The great stimulus and excitement of the mental pas- sions, which adventurers and first settlers are, by their situation, subject to.
4thly. (Perhaps) violent religious enthusiasm.
5thly. In some instances, very early marriages."177
While the task of hewing out and developing a farm in the wilderness was undoubtedly an arduous one, many of the pio- neers were quite willing to progress slowly. In a land where the soil was fertile and the woods full of game, it was not difficult to make a bare living; and for most of the settlers, this was enough. Gershom Flagg wrote in 1818: "The people of This Territory are from all parts of the United States & do the least work I believe of any people in the world."178 This is corrobo- rated by Daniel M. Parkinson. "The surrounding country, how- ever," he wrote, with reference to Madison county in 1817, "was quite sparsely settled, and destitute of any energy or enter- prise among the people; their labors and attention being chiefly confined to the hunting of game, which then abounded, and till- ing a small patch of corn for bread, relying on game for the remaining supplies of the table. The inhabitants were of the most generous and hospitable character, and were principally from the southern States; harmony and the utmost good feeling prevailed throughout the country."179
Such descriptions, apply particularly to the first comers; and Flagg hastens to add that "these kind of People as soon as the
177Ogg, Fordham's Personal Narrative, 200-201.
178 Illinois State Historical Society, Transactions, 1910, p. 162.
179Wisconsin Historical Collections, 2:327.
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ILLINOIS IN 1818
settlements become thick Clear out and go further into the new Country." Even their successors, however, often took their farming operations very casually, and found plenty of time to devote to hunting and recreation of various sorts.
In the villages a favorite form of diversion was the celebra- tion of anniversaries, participated in by the people of the sur- rounding country. Thus the Fourth of July, 1818, was marked at Kaskaskia by a dinner to which all the people were invited and which was followed by an oration by one of the local lawyers. At Edwardsville, a year later, the day was ushered in by dis- charges of artillery, while "the American Flag waved trium- phantly from the top of a lofty liberty pole." At noon a proces- sion formed and marched through the main streets. After the Declaration of Independence had been read on the public square, dinner was served, followed by appropriate toasts. The Masonic lodge at Kaskaskia was accustomed to celebrate the anniversaries of St. John the Baptist in June and of St. John the Evangelist in December, usually with a dinner and an oration. The annual inspection and review of militia and the occasional elections and court sessions at the county seats also furnished occasions for amusements of various sorts. Horse racing, cockfighting, and gambling were favorite diversions, although attempts were made to suppress them by laws and ordinances. Everybody played cards, and to play for money was both fashionable and honor- able. Another and a somewhat more refined form of recreation was the singing school. There was a singing society in Edwards- ville in 1819 which was called to meet at the courthouse for the purpose of organizing a singing school for the coming winter. Three dozen of the "most choice selection of Music Books" had recently been received from Boston.180
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