USA > Indiana > An illustrated history of the state of Indiana: being a full and authentic civil and political history of the state from its first exploration down to 1875 > Part 13
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Governor Hendrick's administration extended over a period from December 1822, to February 1825, during which the several industries of the State enjoyed considerable prosperity.
Although a complete history of the educational institutions of the State is given in other parts of this volume, it will not be improper to note, in this connection, the condition and prospects of the educational facilities of the State as they existed at the close of the administration of Governor Hen- dricks in 1825. By a grant of Congress, a section of land in each township in the State was invested in the inhabitants of such townships for the support of common schools; two entire townships were invested in the legislature for the use of a " State Seminary," and by a provision of the State constitu- tion, all fines assessed for a breach of the penal laws, and all commutations for militia service, were appropriated to the use of the "County Seminaries." The common school lands were estimated, at this date, at six hundred and eighty thousand two hundred and seven acres, which, at two dollars an acre, (their value in 1825,) would produce a fund of one million two hundred and sixteen thousand four hundred and forty-four dollars. Such were the facilities for establishing common schools, viewed from the standpoint of 1825.
At this time the seminary at Bloomington, supported in part by one of these township grants, was in a flourishing con-
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dition. Tuition was cheap, and "no pains were spared to make the institution respectable." But the common schools then existing in the youthful settlements of the State were in a poor condition.
CHAPTER. XX.
ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR RAY.
TN the year 1826, the State of Indiana had already a history of State progress. The foundation for the magnificent public school system which the State now enjoys was being carefully laid. The State government had reached a better policy, and confidence in business circles was in a great meas- ure restored. In short the State seems here to have reached a point when its inhabitants could look back over the events in its history, observe their results, and shape a policy consistent with the probable future demands of prosperity. The increase of population was made noticeable. At this date, 1825-6, the population exceeded 250,000 souls; in 1820, it was 147,178; in 1815, it was 68,780; in 1810, it was 24,000; in 1805, it was 11,000; and in 1800, the date of the organization of the terri- tory, it was only 5,000. Thus the people could perceive the increase, during the twenty-five years of their history. Begin- ning in 1800, with but five thousand, and reaching, in the short space of twenty-five years, the respectable number of two hundred and fifty thousand, there was every reason to take courage.
Aside from the growth in population, this year afforded a view from another standpoint. The influence of national policy from without, and the prospective effects upon the future of the State, its commerce and agricultural pursuits, were to be seen and measured. For a long period previous to the war
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of 1812, the continued struggle for power in Europe called immense numbers of their people from the plow to fill their armies. In consequence agriculture was neglected. Whole countries were overrun, and the people, as well as the armies, were in a measure compelled to look to the United States for a considerable portion of their subsistence. Ameri- can produce found a ready market in every port in Europe, and the high prices which it commanded enabled the farmers in every part of the country to incur the expense of a tedious and difficult transportation, and yet to realize handsome profits. Nor was this prosperous state of affairs changed by the war of 1812, for in consequence of this war, large disbursements of public money were made by the general government in every part of the Union; consequent upon this came a general rage for speculation; numerous banks with fictitious capital were established; immense issues of paper were made, and the circulating medium of the country was increased four fold in the course of two or three years. It will not be difficult for the intelligent reader of the day to predict the consequences of all this. The great increase of what was then deemed equivalent to money was the cause of a corresponding increase equally as fictitious in the value of labor and every species of property; the established value of every thing was a deception, a species of fraud upon the world; money-the money of those days-was easily acquired, and the people too generally and too easily indulged in visionary dreams of wealth and splendor. But this state of things could not always last. The general pacification of the old world, and the consequent disbandment of their numerous armies again tenanted their long unculti- vated fields; agriculture was so far encouraged that every nation on the continent produced an ample supply of the necessaries of life for their own consumption, and American produce could no longer find an extended market in that hem- isphere. About the same time that peace was concluded in Europe, war was brought to a close in this country, and of course the extraordinary flow of money from the treasury of the United States was discontinued; the American army was reduced, and the newly created banks, no longer supported by
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reckless speculation, began to fail. Specie disappeared, and the fictitious paper trash became worthless in the hands of the people. As a consequence wages and all kinds of property suffered an unprecedented depression in value, and the industry of the whole country was shocked. The evils and embarrass-
See page 21.
ments of this sudden change were felt severely among the farmers of Indiana. Then followed the "dark days " of Indi- ana. Who that lived in the State at the time will ever forget the winter of 1821 ?
To find a remedy for this depression in trade began to engage
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the attention of the people of Indiana, as well as those of the other States, in 1822-3, and many measures were adopted, all of which worked successfully in the long run, although many, for a time, were " eye-sores " to the people. In the first place the capital which was no longer needed in commercial enter- prise was employed in manufacturing establishments. This not only gave employment to thousands whose services were hitherto valueless, but created a market for a great portion of the surplus produce of the farmers. This measure was com- pletely successful in Indiana.
In addition to the establishment of factories, large portions of the dormant capital of the State and country which had been withdrawn from mercantile pursuits, now no longer profitable, was invested and circulated among the people in works of internal improvement. Some of these works were, as we shall see, for a time unsuccessful, yet it is now apparent that all worked out, in a measure, the ultimate prosperity of the State.
Such were the views which the people of Indiana were enabled to take of the past in 1825. In this year Governor Ray, in his message to the legislature, urged upon them the necessity of adopting that system of internal improvements which was not fully entered upon as a policy until 1836. He said: "On the construction of roads and canals, then, we must rely as the safest and most certain State policy to relieve our situation, place us among the first States in the Union, and change the cry of 'hard times' into an open acknowledgment of contentedness. * * We must strike at the internal improvement of the State, or form our minds to remain poor and unacquainted with each other." In the following year he urged the same policy, and in 1829 he added: "This subject, (State internal improvement,) though more than once pressed upon the attention of the legislature, can never grow irksome, since it must be the source of the blessings of civilized life; to secure its benefits is a duty enjoined upon the legislature by the obligations of the social compact."
It was in the year 1825, and during the administration of Governor Ray, that the State of Indiana had the honor of
1
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welcoming the illustrious General Lafayette within its borders. The reception of this great friend of American and national liberty was extended by the Executive of Indiana in true and genuine republican simplicity; and that so many of the pioneers of the State had the honor to greet the presence of this illustrious veteran in the cause of our liberty and country, and to express to him as far as possible, their unutterable sentiments of gratitude and admiration, will ever be a source of the most greatful recollection.
On the important question of asylums, it was urged by the Executive in 1825, that radical changes should be made in the law for the support of the poor, and measures adopted "to provide by law for a general system of education, ascending in a regular gradation from township schools to a State univer- sity, wherein tuition shall be gratis, and equally open to all."
In 1826, Governor Ray expressed the sentiments of the people of Indiana when, in his message to the legislature he used this exciting language: "All that the most ardent could rationally wish for has fallen within the lap of the State. The history of other nations furnishes us with no parallel for our gigantic growth. 'A wonder among wonders,' our amazing young State, with each annual revolution of the earth, seems destined, by the force of circumstances and the energies of her people, to outstrip the geographer with all his sagacity; to develop some dormant treasure, and exhibit to public view some facinating projects eminently calculated to attach our citizens to their homes and country, and to enable us to look prospectively to the period when we shall be among the first in power, wealth, and respectability in the grand confederation of North American States." And in the year 1827, in the same official capacity, he added: "When we bring in review before us the successive currents of emigration which annually penetrate the deep recesses of the western forests; when we behold the generous efforts of the enlightened statesman and philanthropist for the establishment of primary and higher schools that education may be equal and universal; when we witness the enterprise and industry of the people, their moral ity and order, the conclusion follows that all the essential
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elements are concentrating to prosecute and consummate the great design of the social compact." And again in 1828, Governor Ray reflects the steady flow of prosperity in his usual style: "Peace, plenty, and an increase of moral feeling have blessed our growing community; * * * and if a dense population is in any respect essential to the happiness of the people, or the prosperity of the State, the continuous influx of emigration which we are now experiencing without a parallel, augur the most auspicious to both."
It was in this year, 1828, that the disaffection of the Southern States first became a subject for executive or legislative atten- tion in Indiana. In this year Governor Ray, little suspecting the terrible results that would grow out of the subject of his remarks, observed to the legislature: "Since our last separa- tion, while we have witnessed with anxious solicitude the belligerent operations of another hemisphere, the cross con- tending against the cresent, and the prospect of a general rupture among the legitimates of other quarters of the globe, * * * our attention has been arrested by proceedings in our own country truly dangerous to liberty, if seriously premeditated, and disgraceful to its authors if agitated only to tamper with the American people. If such experiments as we see attempted in certain deluded quarters, do not fall with a burst of thunder upon the heads of their seditious projectors, then, indeed, the republic has begun to experience the days of its degeneracy. * * The Union of these States is the people's only sure charter for their liberties and independ- ence. Dissolve it and each State will soon be in a condition as deplorable as Alexandria's conquered countries after they were divided amongst his victorious military captains."
It should be borne in mind by the reader that this part of the history, extending from the organization of the State in 1816, to 1875, treating of the administrations of the various governors, is not supposed to include, as it advances, a history of the educational institutions, benevolent institutions, and settlements. These chapters are designed to cover merelv a
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political and exceedingly condensed documentary history of the State, and the reader is directed to look elsewhere for a complete history and description of those special features and institutions of the State, as well as of the cities, towns and villages, all of which date their commencement in some one of these administrations, and receive only a passing notice in this connection. It is also desirable to state, in this place, that our political history is necessarily condensed in order that these special features of the State may receive the space which their importance demands.
CHAPTER XXI.
ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR RAY, CONTINUED.
TN 1830 the current of emigration was still flowing into the State and spreading itself throughout the limits of the territory, affording the surest indications of a continued growth and prosperity. These assurances were considerably supported by the great increase of agricultural productions, facilities for transportation, and increasing wealth, enterprise, intelligence, temperance and morality; and of the general and rapidly accumulating masses of the people. During these months, the people were daily cheered by witnessing from twenty to fifty wagons, containing families, moving through Indianapolis and other large towns, on their way to the val- leys of the White and Wabash rivers. It was estimated that every day, during the year 1826, over thirty families settled in the State of Indiana. It is only from a contemplation of these facts that the reader can form any correct idea of the rapid growth of the State.
At no former period within the history of the State had the people enjoyed a more ample reward for the various agricul- tural products than in 1830. This market was created from
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many causes - principally from the wars existing at that time.
In the same year the farmer, the mechanic and the merchant of Indiana were excited by the " gigantic purpose of wedding the extremes of our vast country by one of the most approved
HON. PLINEY HOAGLAND. See page 21.
methods of conveyance "-a railroad, notably the "National, New York and Mississippi Railroad."
The " National Road," and the " Michigan and Ohio Turn- pike " were enterprises in which the people and legislature of
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Indiana were deeply interested, in 1830. The latter had already been the cause of much bitter controversy, and its location was then the subject of contention.
In his message to the legislature, in 1830, Governor Ray, on the delicate question of excluding a certain class of colored people from the State, remarked: " A non-productive and, in many instances, a superanuated colored population, is pouring in upon us, possessing all the affirmative bad qualities of the uneducated, immoralized bondsman, without affording any of his advantages, living without visible means, or labor, most of whom are paupers on society. * * While our laws and institutions proclaim the State an asylum for the good, virtu- ous and useful of all nations and colors, it is due to ourselves and to the rights of posterity that we should not tamely sub- mit to any imposition which is the direct effect of foreign legislation. Though it might savor somewhat of injustice to interfere with any that are already here, it will still become your province, as it is your right, to regulate for the future, by prompt correctives, the emigration into the State, and the continuance of known paupers thrown upon us from any quarter."
In 1830 there were still two tribes of Indians living within the borders of Indiana, but their growing indolence, their intemperate habits, their primitive ignorance, their increasing dependence upon their neighbors for the bread of life, their diminished prospects of living by the chase, their perpetration of murders and other outrages of dangerous precedent, their unrestrained exhibitions of their own savage customs before the children of the settlers, combined to make them subjects for a more rigid government.
One of the features of interest in the history of Governor Ray's last term of office was the part taken by Indiana in the election of a President of the United States, which effected a considerable change in the national policy.
In the same period the task of preparing a civil code of laws for the State was commenced. In 1830 a question of jurisdiction was presented for the consideration of the legisla- ture. The trial and acquittal of William Rothwell, in Perry
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county, on a charge of murder, gave rise to great dissatisfac- tion. The alleged crime was committed on the Ohio river, and it was successfully claimed by the counsel for the defend- ant that the State of Indiana had no jurisdiction over acts committed on that river. This defect in the laws was promptly adjusted.
It would appear that the legislature of Indiana was pain- fully backward in establishing an asylum for the poor. Gov- ernor Ray, in his last message to the legislature used these remarks: "Let the philanthropical but look at home for opportunities to display his pious benevolence, and his eye will recognize many a friendless, moneyless orphan child, whose soul only waits to be kindled into flame upon educa- tion's heavenly altar, that he may leave his rags and wretch- edness behind him, and, wielding the sword of the hero, or the pen of the statesman, by the force of moral precept in the pulpit, or of eloquence at the bar, or in the senate, rise to the noblest summit of fame and become a pillar of support to his country - but without some aid is doomed to die unseen. Whilst our own unfortunate poor are sold in the public streets to the lowest bidder, many of whom have seen days that pos- sessed them with the means and rank far above their pur- chasers, now compelled to feed upon the crumbs of a scanty meal, and to experience, after a life well spent, just as their sun is setting, their worst days, and even the degradation of mastery, and the separation of kindred ties - and while thousands of families are without the word of truth -and tens of thousands of youths, who must soon take the reins of this mighty Republic into their hands, are fast rising to maturity, without sufficient intelligence for the stupenduous business of self-government, we are admonished by everything sacred and dear to look first to the deranged concerns at home."
Governor James B. Ray served the people of the State of Indiana in the high and responsible position of Chief Magis- trate of the State, from 1725 to 1831-a period of special prosperity - and in December of the latter year was succeeded by Hon. Noah Noble.
CHAPTER XXII.
ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR NOBLE.
H ON. NOAH NOBLE assumed the duties of the high office of Governor of Indiana, in December, 1831, in which capacity he served until the close of 1837.
In the year 1832 the farmers of Indiana were not crowned with usual success, nor was the partial failure in agriculture the only affliction with which the Indianians were visited during that year. Cholera came in a terrible march among the settlements along the Ohio, sweeping hundreds from time into eternity.
This term is also memorable on account of the Black Hawk War, which, raging in Illinois, sent its terrifying effects into the western borders of the State. Several war parties invaded the western settlements, causing a vast amount of alarm, and a considerable degree of suffering.
During the first year of Governor Noble's administration the work of internal improvement was begun. In his mes- sage to the legislature, in 1832, the Governor remarked: "The agents of the State entrusted with the administration of the affairs of the canal, have, it is believed, faithfully discharged every duty enjoined by law. The Fund Commissioners during the last summer made a sale of canal stock, in the city of New York, to the amount of one hundred thousand dollars, at a premium of thirteen and one-quarter per cent., terms honorable to the character of the State and advantageous to the work. Having embarked in the undertaking, it is our imperious duty to maintain our credit, by the adoption of certain and efficient measures promptly to meet all our engagements."
(203)
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HISTORY OF INDIANA.
In 1832 we find the Michigan Road in a state of progress. In that year fifty-four thousand dollars were spent for its
Stres P. Long.
See page 21.
improvement, and fifty-two thousand dollars realized from the sale of lands appropriated for its construction. 1
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ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR NOBLE.
In May, 1832, the remainder of the Indianapolis donation belonging to the State, was valued by the commissioners selected for that purpose, and, in compliance with the direction of the legislature, it was offered at public sale, by the agent of the State. The sale amounted to upwards of thirteen thousand dollars, leaving unsold lots, at valuation, to the amount of about four thousand dollars. We learn from Gov- ernor Noble's message of 1832, that "at the suggestion of the architect who is to build the State house, with the concurrence of the commissioners, the block north of the State house square was reserved from sale, to await the determination of the legislature as to the propriety of adding it to the public ground, making it an oblong square, corresponding to the form of the edifice to be erected. The commissioners appointed to contract for the building of the State house and superintend its erection, have made an agreement with Mr. Town, the artist, whose plan was adopted by the legislature, by which he is to complete the building for fifty-eight thousand dollars. The work in all its parts is to be strictly conformable to the plans and specifications presented to the legislature, and in its construction, as regards ornament, neatness, strength and durability nothing is to be omitted. The whole is to be com- pleted by November, 1837.
In 1831, a joint resolution of the legislature of Indiana, requesting an appropriation by Congress for the extinguish- ment of the Indian title to lands within the State, was for- warded to that body, and, in compliance with the request, the necessary provision was made. Three citizens were designated by the Secretary of War, to constitute a commission to carry into effect the object of the appropriation. It was considered an object of great importance to extinguish the title of the Miamis to their lands, at that time surrounded on all sides by American settlers, situated almost in the heart of the State, and immediately on the line of the canal, then under con- struction. The prompt and cheerful manner in which the chiefs of the tribe obeyed the summons to the treaty, induced the belief that the negotiation would prove successful; but in their response to the propositions of the commissioners, they
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positively refused to go westward, or sell the remains of their lands.
The negotiation with the Pottawatomies was more success- ful. This tribe sold about six millions of acres in Indiana, Illinois and Michigan, including their entire claims in this State.
During Governor Noble's government the Wabash and Erie canal was commenced, and a portion completed. In 1832, thirty-two miles of this canal were placed under contract. During this year a communication was addressed to the Gov- ernor of Ohio, requesting him to call the attention of the legislature of that State to the subject of the extension of the canal, from the Indiana line through the territory of Ohio to the lake. In compliance with this request, Governor Lucas promptly laid the subject before the legislature of his State, and, in a spirit of courtesy, resolutions were adopted by that body, stipulating that if Ohio should ultimately decline to undertake the completion of that portion of the work within her limits, before the time fixed by the act of Congress for the completion of the canal, she would, on just and equitable terms, enable Indiana to avail herself of the benefit of the lands granted, by authorizing her to sell them and invest the proceeds in the stock of a company to be incorporated by Ohio; and that she would give Indiana notice of her final determination, on or before the first day of January, 1838. The legislature of Ohio also authorized and invited the agent of the State of Indiana to select, survey and set apart the lands lying within that State.
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