USA > Illinois > Illinois in 1818, 2nd ed > Part 22
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The same issue of the paper which contained information on the passage of the enabling bill by the senate, announced the can- didacy of Elias K. Kane "for the Convention from the county of Randolph" and that of Daniel P. Cook "for Congress to represent us in the Lower House." The convention campaign began at least two months earlier, however, for the Intelligencer of March
"Intelligencer, February 25, March 4, April 22, 1818.
250 Ibid., April 22 to May 27, 1818.
233
THE CONVENTION CAMPAIGN
II, in which the bill was first printed, contained an editorial on the importance of the election of members of the convention: "In this election, party and private feeling should alike be suspended, and the public interest alone should be the polestar of every voter. Let not a difference of opinion on one particular and unimportant point, influence you to reject men, whose reading, and whose experience, qualifies them for so arduous and impor- tant an undertaking; for although you may find men enough who will agree to support any measure to secure their election ; yet it is not on any one measure alone, that the public interest will depend. No! it depend [s] on many. Then let us urge you to elect those men, who are best qualified to decide on all measures-and not suffer the ambitious, without merit, to use their flexibility, to the injury of intelligent men, and the public weal."257
The advice of the editors as to party feeling may have been heeded, for there is no evidence that the political factions played even as slight a part in this election as they had in the territorial elections ; but the "one particular and unimportant point," which was doubtless the slavery question, was the only real issue of the campaign. Because of the existing situation, however, this was not the clear-cut issue as to whether Illinois should be a free or a slave state. It involved also the questions of what to do with existing slavery, of the validity of the indentures based on the territorial law, and of the continuance of the indenture system. Congress, moreover, in the enabling act, directed that the constitution of the new state should not be repugnant to the Ordinance of 1787, and this enabled some of the leaders, ignoring all questions of interpretation, to claim that the matter was settled. As a result, no simple classification can cover the situation with reference to the slavery question. There were some who favored unrestricted slavery for the new state, there were some who would at once wipe out every vestige of the institu- tion, but most of the politicians and voters appear to have occu- pied a variety of positions between these two extremes.
The campaign of the extreme proslavery men was a quiet one
257 Intelligencer, May 6, March 11, 1818.
234
ILLINOIS IN 1818
and took the form of urging delay, doubtless with the expecta- tion that congress could be induced to remove the restriction. Some, however, feeling that they could not be bound by an ordi- nance in the making of which they had had no part, would have ignored the slavery article. "The United States," wrote an Englishman familiar with the eastern part of the territory, has forbidden Slavery, according to its Ordinance for the Government of the North Western Territory. But the people here are utterly regardless of ordinances, and will take the subject into their own hands, and say they will make a treaty with Congress as an independent State."258 No communications openly advocating unrestricted slavery were published in the Intelligencer during the campaign, and arguments in favor of the institution put forth by this faction can only be inferred from the answers of those opposed to it.
The campaign over slavery really began, as has been seen, with the attempt to repeal the indenture law in the last session of the territorial legislature, but it was only as the passage of the enabling bill became a probability that the issue came to be connected with the selection of representatives to the convention. As early as April I, Cook opened up the subject in the Intelli- gencer with a communication over the signature "A republican." "The certainty," he wrote, "of our obtaining leave to form a state government, in a short time, induces me to call the public atten- tion to that question which some call the 'great desideratum' with the people, I mean the question of slavery. This question, which is now convulsing the public mind, presents itself in differ- ent shapes, to different characters. . Our country is thinly settled, and the great desire is, to see it filled. The cry is, 'admit slavery and the forests will immediately be converted into the cultivated habitations of men.' The beast of prey will relinquish his abode to that of domestic utility. Such is the beguiling lan- guage of sophistry, and such the fanaticism of her followers. But where the calm voice of reason has reached the intellectual ear, sophistry has been invariably disarmed, and an opposition to slavery has been universally excited. And first, the assertion 'that slavery would increase the tide of emigration,' is flatly
258Ogg, Fordham's Personal Narrative, 221.
1
The Illinois Intelligencer.
Kaskakia, Illinois, Wednesday, September 1, 1515.
Từ:
One Hundred Dollars Reward.
RANAWAY from the antscri wenn the state of Mississippi, about bertern months ago, 2 nogto man amed OBEDI AH, about 30 tran
uot aal hay mak ha rvapr, al n sppwed habe mix in the territoft, The above inward will be sam fr jal so that I cần get lum ngàn: why ... evet should aunscheint the vsid negra
A.2: 20.1711. 1 0.
Treasury Department,
NOTICE n lượcby given, toth zopretors of the old wx jxt cen Axl, than the inst pas nicht on ac count of the principal and interest of Để vid Mạnh will ix come đục en thì Bryof October tn x1, chuing the dự bereut, and that the uime wnl he pad in tha da, at thị Trenuty ant at
Trường ơn thư bouản, tụ thị vĩ.x:k Filters or to their attresins, upon the bender of the regent estimates
It is lantiet madr known for th Pamatuand the proprietorand sam! dux per cent. sry. k tending mo fut og party, that in order to ota pate a
hàích aught ruit hy travn ul lens
Ook to stain correct coques of their certificates authenticated by a Notary Public duly sp rinird.
WN.H CRAWFORD. 4-O.t. Secretary of the Treasury Ten Dollars Reward
STRAYED away from the sub scrileer, a Lotzen of Edwardswahr ernst the 18th af May Lnt, a Sorte Horse, shout 14 handy loph, 3 tr b
tril. An pron nho na ***
I've at the principal meridian. 110 the tas Monday in February best. for the sale of Townships
4 tonth a sub of the t- 9h (une in range:)
W **** the principal meridian.
approved par st Masem ... his i U Harbor SO I. in the beer
It, and tap
CHEAP NEW GOODS.
CORD theK, vintage for
Commit of the lioneral Land Ofice.
Lor's in kakaokin.
11.
MIRCANDIZE,
ed pressed aus goud. in the ule. #. SIMONION.
By the President of the U.
LMILD STATES.
* an art to provide to il sereduce ased by the treaty web the turk lo
at Land (hfre, in the territory of +++
:and trifitt.ty, falar ilfored t,.t salr .
İbereite. | Janey Mustur. Ezen.
· Isse and stair Senare chat police file este and make knownto, that pustite wat for the tempest asievabily to las
tors, Salt Iw bold at Majkalarsale ...
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حا٨ ١٤٠٠٢٠ to: the tale ut atla in the land Đất Ant
to with the most ras-In this is sedethe ch principal wasellen low, smitte Mowi Shows) i Alabama ter-
story, shall be hold it Huntsviir, in the sun territory , nu the second Mon- das m October next.
T'he wirs shall contimme open far DEK work. am Innper il teresiaty, and the Ints shall be otkend tur var in tr. ubit numerical onkr, beginning with
lisan mmer un hand at the city of Washington, thị xích of Mwv. IKI5. JAMES MONROE. By the prosk at ; 48-10
JOSIAH MERES. Com'r of the lier! faut Offer.
BY THE. PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
Nathingtun, this vật dạy vị ttàs 1500 long than ând right buttered amat viel JIVES MONKOL.
By the Parmilest. 3051.18
By the President of the l'. Stalex:
Whereis, by an act of Congress JIMEN MOINHOZ. pivoaf ing the 34 March, 1813, enti. By the President. - thd. " An art to piswat for the as. sert um ; ant serving of the lama- hay les , fixed by the teraty with the VE# GOODS. Cio & Iulian and for other purpos- A ***** * * **** Conctem par " ilk Pirwent off the United States C. Chiss, in Kaslasius, twin anth vind er cause the lunds sequi- red by the sunl traty tu lwe offered for ** * ** *** * stranding the time box ofun, the subscriber has anet wal sale when surveyed; and whereas part En catenwe supply of Ven handize, of the sand lands have luth surveyed: Ined inthe tinstory of thisam." the consisting of every spectese Both
"resident of the L'aifed Math ant
a he upraed and the land offered for
Therefore. I. Jamitt Masree, Presi- teus withe I nited States, do hereby talare and make Inour, that paldie estes shalt In brid at tipekonntest, in the
tor following lamda, actersbly to law.
to the first Monday la Decemtet
1 :34.6
1 THIS. Cote legger Ne!
avenđường to law, tự the support of
Labem, Port. & Cheat HIVES. Porter by the band Forsteed = =
Randy, Sports, Whiskey 1. 9. |Ex hade dal comune open for two wokx, andlualonger, Juill comanice with the section, township and range of the lowest nemtær, and proceed MEDICINES autre calcolo ngular namental oder. Gas unky un hand at do vậy Để Wash.' ngton, the 34 Mach 1alx, JAMES MONROE.
T'hitefore I, James Monroe, Pre-
si the newest f nhion and most b. su Francis and bula grands, embracing salut of the Wanted States, do here- In derlire and make known, that pub- Endul toney patterns, for cahier ladies"the sales for the disposal of certain gentleman's ware -- with a Row lands with of the Tennessee river - t boice arucies of red jewelry, silver, and in the district of Madison county, gill, and plated ware, buthe's Puanets, places, artificial, pocket books, &r. &c. Domestic, Plaut ant Str pes. Chambrays, Vertingi, Ihrele and Ginghame. Writing. Wir ping and Letter Pope. Bomb Books, Hurdwar, Horaseur. Chans, & Glossary for the Box
shall be held at Huntsville in said county in Alabama Territory, riz. ()a ine first Monday in July next. for the sur of the landy in ranges 1,2, 3. 4. 5. On the first Monday in Sep- trader west for the lands in ranges 6. 7. 8, 9, and ett the first Monday in Novemtur next, Bør the lands in ran. ge- 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 excepting
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INK1 2, 90DGL .. 42
[Original owned by St. Louis Mercantile Library]
(sent ." the present at of the United Laals, that was fost towns, and cause the Thời luch to be Ind -ff ints toàn bents I'lerine. 1. James Munroe, P'tr. sident of the U. Sans to herin de- wls for the disposed of the late to the townen Maatteaus. (Ivertafore called Milton's Ball.) on the with bank of the rart Temw wer, (near the head of
aid dates, all be renard from
************* band at the City of Was at ch. the thingth đơn el Xơ.
235
THE CONVENTION CAMPAIGN
denied. We all know that the emigration from the Eastern and Northern states has been far greater to every part of the Western country, than from the Southern. We know that those states are possessed of a greater population, and will therefore admit of greater emigration; and our emigration has been . mostly from the former. . Many are in favor of admit- ting slavery because it is already admitted in some of our sister states-they say that it will render them less dangerous if they are dispersed all over the nation. Such may be the fact for a moment .- But who can reason and deny that they will ultimately become more dangerous than if concentrated to narrow limits."
After presenting at some length the economic and social dis- advantages of slavery, "for the purpose of attempting to prove the impolicy of wishing to have slavery in our state," the writer declared that "the friends of this measure must doubtless fail. By the compact between Virginia and Congress, it is provided expressly, that 'there shall be neither slavery nor involuntary servitude in the territory,' and this provision is made 'unalter- able,' except with the consent, both of congress and the people and this state. . After the expression of the policy, both of Congress and Virginia, can we suppose that a change of that policy is likely to be affected? It seems improbable. Let us then drop the hobby-let us all unite in trying to obtain the best constitution we can, and put the question of slavery to rest."259 It is significant that the communication contains no reference to indentured servitude or to the slavery already exist- ing in Illinois.
Commenting on this communication the editors declared slav- ery to be "a subject which the people are greatly interested in- they should examine it deliberately and thoroughly before they form an opinion .- Some would oppose it from popular motives, and others, doubtless, from principle. And on the other hand, we believe that the most of the advocates for the admission of slavery in this territory, are candidly of the opinion that it would tend very much to draw the tide of emigration hither. What- ever the people shall dispassionately say on the subject, we will
25ºCook evidently confused the Ordinance of 1787 with the Virginia act of cession. See above, p. 181, 183.
236
ILLINOIS IN 1818
acquiesce in without a murmur, and for that purpose, we invite investigation. Our columns will be open as well to the friends of the measure, as the opponents."260
Two weeks later appeared a communication signed "Caution" and dated at "Silver creek, St. Clair county, March 29th, 1818," before the appearance of Cook's article. This writer, though opposed to slavery, apparently differed with the other antislav- ery leaders as to the expediency of bringing on the contest at that time. Besides expressing doubts as to the "sufficiency of men of talents and political experience to form a constitution" and as to the benefits of statehood in general under existing circumstances, he propounded the following query: "In equity ought not our constitution to be formed as well for the future emigrant, as for the present settler? And does not the influx begin to flow from a different channel than it did formerly? I mean from the northern states and of people opposed to a certain toleration, which will be the grand question at the election for members of the convention. Whether would members chosen now, or members chosen in 1823 be most in favor of the toleration of slavery?" Answering his own question, he declared that : "Our future population will be principally from the northern states, and avowed enemies to slavery. The wealthy southern planter, will not part with the plantation Gods, which he wor- ships, starves and whips, for the blessings of the western woods, while we are a territory, and doubtful as to the future toleration of slavery. To those that are uninterested, I need not say a word as to the horrors of slavery, and to those who are, they would be words thrown away. But I caution the enemies of this hellish system against the fascinating bate of 'state govern- ment' at present, although, it might be doubtful if at this time a majority could be had in favor of the barter of human flesh, and placing a part of mankind on an equality with brutes; yet, a few years patience, in our present state, will certainly prepon- derate the scale in favor of humanity and freedom."261
"Intelligencer, April 1, 1818.
*1Ibid., April 15, 1818.
237
THE CONVENTION CAMPAIGN
The editors of the Intelligencer replied to "Caution" in the same number, and Cook answered in the issue of the following week. In both replies the advantages of statehood were set forth, stress being laid on the opportunity it offered for securing internal improvements and for putting an end to the judiciary troubles. Cook made no reference, however, to that part of the argument relating to slavery and the prospects of the increase of antislavery sentiment by immigration, while the editors merely said that, in spite of the disastrous results of the judiciary diffi- culties, "friend Caution would beseech us to wait five years, till his brothers of the north could come in with their notions and make a constitution for us. We like the northern emigration, but we don't think it proper to wait for them exclusively to frame our constitution."
A statement made by Cook in his reply to "Caution" throws light on the form which the campaign was taking: "The oppo- sition which some are making to our going into a state govern- ment, is as I understand it, for the purpose of preventing the elec- tion of men to the convention, who are in favor of our now framing a constitution, but to promote the election of men who will decide in favor of postponing that work to a future period. It is as I remarked in the commencement to oppose this idea that I venture before the public. If we should have it in our power to elect a convention, we should certainly know beforehand what the elected will do on this subject. If the advantages of a state government are worth struggling for, I should certainly recom- mend the election of men who will favor such a decision when in the convention. And if our bill do not pass, I should also recommend the election of a Delegate who will favor its pas- sage at the next session of congress." The advocates of delay whom Cook had in mind, as will appear later, were probably the proslavery rather than the antislavery men.
Another opponent of slavery from St. Clair county, writing under the signature of "Candor," in a communication dated April 25, took exception to Cook's theory that the slavery question was settled by the ordinance. This, he contended, would be a "sure
238
ILLINOIS IN 1818
plan to lull the people to sleep, and conteract the principle for which he [Cook] would seem to contend." "Candor's" position was that "the Ordinance of Congress and cession of Virginia could only govern us whilst a territory. The principle was never doubted in forming the constitutions for the states of Ohio and Indiana, that they might either tolerate or prohibit slavery; and that if the matter were passed over in silence, slaves might then be imported with impunity; for the ordinance for the government of the north western territory would no longer be binding, but merely a dead letter, superceded by the constitution. In this manner it would be decided in a court of law or equity. The last named states made the exclusion of slaves, leading fea- tures of their constitutions : We doubt the framers of these were as wise and as capable of explaining our jurisprudence, as we could expect to find men in this territory. Yet here in this secluded corner, we find people start up and gravely tell us, that it would be unnecessary trouble; that these men did not under- stand the matter as well as they do." A great majority of the people, he contended, were "opposed to the toleration of slavery ; yet I fear this majority will be defeated, by the cunning of those who have a contrary interest; and where interest is opposed, the public good is too often forgotten. On people of this descrip- tion, I would advise to be kept a scrutinizing eye." The writer was opposed, therefore, to dropping the hobby, for he considered it to be "the hobby by which we, and our posterity, are either to be happy or miserable. In electing men to form a constitution, we may find those as capable among the opposers, as among the friends of slavery."262
The best opportunity for those favorable to delay, whether for or against slavery, came in June, when the results of the census were made known. Governor Edwards appointed the first com- missioners for the taking of the census on January 9, two days after the act was passed, and by the nineteenth they had been appointed in all but three counties. On March II and 13, ap- pointments were made for Washington and Jackson, and on May 18 for Franklin, but the man selected for Franklin refused to
202 Intelligencer, April 22, May 6, 1818.
ALETTI FORTE ET FIDELL'
James Monroe President of the United States of America.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, GREETING:
That, in pursuance of the Socks of Congres appropriating and granting Lund to the late Army of the United States, pufred on and since the sixth day of May en Mi tham D Virat Jon and the other have it daw of Georg to Climb having deposted in the General Land Office a Warrant in thein favour, numbered 18. 434
decearã
there is granted unio the Said William
cam D dinal, Jon and the other him at law of George W Final deceased lave an Atifler in Whotiry Company of the third thegement of ottillery
"a certain Tract of Land, containing One Hundred and dexty chaves~ being the North Cost of ~ of Section Ten of Tomship Jeven Forthin Range One last in the Fract appropriated (by the Scis aforesaid) for Abilitary Bounts, in the Territory of Illinois C. To Give and to hold the suit y warten Section of Land, with the appartenances thereof, unto the said William & Reinal Son and the other him at Law of GeorgeW. Ocual Do and to Their heirs and afsigns for ever, aux tenants un Common not allobut tonavols .~
En Testimony whereof, I have caused these Letters to be made Patent, and the Seul. of the General Land- Office to be hereunto affixed. Given under my Hand, at the City of Washington, this this tenth C day of hely in the Year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and Leg Iteeve and of the Independence of the United States of America the forty Thevel Lamis Mourox By the President,
Derved Nol 18 haga 369
Fortan Meigo, Commissioner of the General Land Ofice .
A LAND GRANT
239
THE CONVENTION CAMPAIGN
serve, and the final appointment was not made until June 14, two weeks after the returns were due. The pay was small, and most of the men appointed were local politicians, men who had held nothing higher than county offices. The only one of greater prominence was Samuel Omelveny of Pope, a member of the house of representatives at the time of his appointment. Two were young men who had held no offices themselves but whose fathers were in politics-William Cullom of Crawford and William Moore of St. Clair. For them and a number of others the taking of the census was the beginning of a political career.
There were not enough returns in by the tenth of June for the Intelligencer to give an estimate of the territorial population. A week later, however, the paper published a statement supplied by the secretary, showing a total population, for all the counties except Franklin, of only 34,620. It was obvious that the returns from Franklin county would not bring the total up to forty thousand. There was a chance, however, that the supplementary act might yet save the day, and the editors of the paper expressed the hope that "the honest vigilance of the Commissioners author- [i]sed to take the census will not be suffered to sleep so long as our population is found increasing." Four weeks later, July 15, the paper contained another communication from the secre- tary dated July 6, which indicates that the reliability of even these meager returns was open to question. "It appears," he wrote, "that we have not yet the population required to form a constitution and state government, which with the repeated reports of official abuse on the part of some of the commissioners employed in taking our territorial census, induces me to renew to them your just request, that they proceed in the discharge of their duties with honest vigilance, and make additional returns to my office on or before the first Monday in August next. We are told that some commissioners have neglected to take even the citizens of their respective counties; while others with a zeal unbecoming their situation, have taken some people two or three times, and have placed on their lists the mere pas- sengers through their counties, and even the territory."
The secretary expressed disbelief in these reports, but a com- parison of the returns with those of the United States census
240
ILLINOIS IN 1818
of 1820 bears out, to some extent, the charge of padding. The return for Gallatin county was 3,256 which is 101 more than the United States census figures for the same county. Undoubtedly the permanent population of the county increased during the two years, and, as Shawneetown was a port of entry for emigrants, it is probable that many were included in the census who were merely passing through. In Washington county also, a similar situation appears, the return of a population of 1,707 being 190 above the figures of the United States census of 1820. This county even more than Gallatin was attracting permanent settlers during the two years and there is ample reason for believing that many travelers along the Vincennes road, which passed through the county, were included in the census. The returns for Madi- son county were padded in a different way. To his regular report the commissioner added, by way of postscript, that "from good information," there were 680 souls at Fort Crawford, 70 at Fort Edwards, and 80 at Fort Clark, "making in the whole 5466 souls within the boundary of Madison County." Fort Crawford was located at the mouth of the Wisconsin river and thus north of the Illinois boundary.263 The enabling act had stipulated that there should be forty thousand inhabitants "within the proposed state;" yet these figures were included in the secretary's statement.
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