USA > Michigan > St Clair County > History of the St. Clair County, Michigan, containing an account of its settlement, growth, development and resources.. > Part 68
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444
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.
were unavailable. Some survived, but the majority went down in the storm, and were heard of no more.
The events which followed this crisis are familiar to many who are alive to-day. Gloom and discouragement usurped the places of hope and prosperity. Farm lands were cultivated only that the necessaries of life might be harvested. In some remote instances they lay idle. There was no money in the country, and this absence of a circulating medium prevented the sale of crops. Merchants for similar reasons were unable to buy or sell commodities, and the most terrible distress followed, threatening almost permanent poverty, if not complete annihilation. In 1861, when the war broke out, there was a brief revival of business and exchange for a sea- son, which gave a temporary impetus to trade, but in a brief time, business resumed its slug- gish channel. Thus were cast the lines of life throughout the county. Inquiry was insti- tuted to discover, if possible, the cause of these unfortunate effects, and the endeavor made to ascertain if their recurrence could be prevented. In all former revulsions, it was reasoned, the blame might be fairly attributed to a variety of co-operating causes, but not in the case under consideration. There were no patent reasons for the failures, of which that of the Trust Company was the beginning-a failure unequaled in its extent and disastrous results since the collapse of the United States Bank. Reasonings induced the conclusion that the ruin which at one time hung over the country and the people was due almost entirely to the system of pa- per currency and bank credits, exciting wild speculations and gambling in stocks. So long as the amount of the paper currency, bank loans and discounts of the country should be left to the discretion of irresponsible banking institutions, which, from the very law of their nature, consult the interests of the stockholders rather than the public, a repetition of these exper- iences would come at intervals. This had been the financial history of the country for years 1817, 1837, 1857. It had been a history of extravagant expansions, followed by ruinous con tractions. At successive intervals the most enterprising men had been tempted to their ruin by bank loans of mere paper credit, exciting them to speculations and ruinous and demoralizing stock operations. In a vain endeavor to redeem their liabilities in specie, they were com- pelled to contraet their loans and their issues, and when their assistance was most needed, they and their debtors sank into insolvency.
Deplorable, however, as were the prospects, the people indulged in bright hopes for the future. No other nation ever existed that could have endured such violent expansions and contractions of the currency, and live. But the buoyancy of youth, the energies of the people. and the spirit which never quails before difficulties, enabled the country to recover from its financial embarrassment. Its coming was long delayed. but it came at last and dissipated the troubles existent, without permitting the people to forget the lesson these troubles inculcated. The wheat crop of 1861 was sold for gold and silver, and though the price paid was compara- tively less than was expected, it was the beginning ef the end of the crisis. As the war con- tinned. and fresh levies were made upon the State and county. the demand for supplies in- creased proportionately, and necessitated their production. The demand augmented almost with every month, until in 1863 it had became so generons that it seemed as if the denials and privations of the people were about to yield precedence to days of plenty. The erops were constantly on the move, money became casier, and merchants experienced difficulty in keeping pace with the wants of their customers. Lands increased in value, and the area upon which cultivation had been wholly or in part abandoned. was replanted and harvested with profit. The towns also revived under these benign influences. and that better days had come indeed was a conclusion both cheerful and universal. The experiences through which this people passed in these years of woe were not, however, without results to the county and city, which have proved advantageous and beneficial. Speculators, adventurers, soldiers of fortune and vissionaries were weeded out. The dross was separated from the pure gold; the country was shorn of its superficial inhabitants, and men only remained, consoling compensations for the ruin that had been wrought, who are motive powers by which communities are sustained and character for manhood and integrity created. The decade in which were included occurrences of which mention has been made, consisted of a series of years, characterized by events, as has been seen, which tended to the civilization of the age, the education of the world by exam-
445
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.
ple, and the discipline of humanity by experience Commencing at a period in the history of St. Clair County when the days of frial were yielding place to more auspicious seasons, run- ning the gantlet of an experience both varied and checkered, and closing amid surroundings calculated both to encourage and approve, illustrate how nations, peoples, and communities, like individuals, are subject to canses and motives as incomprehensible as they are irresistible. The dullness of 1873 reached its climax in 1877. and the third panie was a reality. This last and most serious season of depression continued from 1873 to 1879, when the revival in all branches of trade restored confidence.
During the war, the county subscribed men and money to meet the levies made upon her resources for material to be sent to the field and for other purposes. The sums appropriated amounted to $322,719. 59: but between 1857 and IS65, the exits were more numerons than the arrivals. In the latter part of the war, lumber appreciated in value and attracted a number of Dew-comers. In 1967, villages were laid out. Between 1960 and 1870, villages improved gradually; but until 1576, or thereabouts, the increase in population, development of the com- try and building up of the villages, was so gradual as to be scarcely perceptible. During the decade succeeding 1866, remarked one of the oldest settlers in the county, there have been more arrivals and more business than during the period of the county's growth prior to that date. This was due to the railroad and other improvements which were completed in those years, and attracted a generous immigration. principally from Maine and New York, who located in villages where they became merchants and professionals or in the humber districts and on farms. To-day the population of the county is not far from 50.000. Yet there is a large number of towns only partially settled, and only portions of the county available for agricult ural purposes utilized therefor. The facilities for getting to and from the outside world are excellent by turnpike roads, railway lines and steamboats. What the statistics may show in 1900 is a matter on which imagination alone may speculate. The prospect points out a county rich in everything.
DECENNIAL CENSUS.
Year IS10, 100; 1820, 500: 1830, 1, 115: 1540. 1,606; 1550. 10,111: 1560, 26,814: 1570, 36.759; 1880, 15,685.
In IS40, the population of St. Clair County was 1,606, distributed throughout the various towns. Five years later it reached 7,680, as shown in the following list, giving the returns of 1545: Port Huron. 1,196; St. Clair, 1,009; China. 570: Cottrellville, 727: Clyde. 153: Burtchville. 355; Ira, 392; Clay. 569; Lexington. 865: Columbus, 315: Wales, IN: Berlin, 176: Riley. 231; Polk. 72. Of this total 4.203 were males and 3,359 females; 19 Africans; 2 lunatics: 2 mutes: 12 males and 6 females over 75 years.
In 1550. the population was 10. 11], increased to 16,800 in 1851. The increase is romark. able: over tifty per cent in four years:
1851.
Berlin.
Cottrellville
1.112
Brockway
8$3 Emmett. (new town).
137
Burtchville.
17
1,009
Ira.
397
l'asco
151
526
China
1,037
1,210
Port Huron
2.301
Clay
932
Riley
311
Clyde.
1.03%
St Clair
1.79%
3.090
Columbus
659 Wales .
1-9
141
Population in 1810. of St. Clair and Sanitae Counties then united. was 1,606.
The census returns of 1550 as compared with those of 1510 and IS15 show an increase of population in this county which is truly astonishing. In IS10. the population of the whole county was 4,619. In 1815. it was 7,562, showing an increase in five years of 2,913. In ]>50. the population of St. Clair was 10. 111, from which Sanilac, containing 2. 115 inhabitants, had been ent off since 1845. The increase, therefore, in what was St. Clair County in 1815. was in five years 4,961, the whole population of St. Clair and Sanilac Counties in 1850 being 12,526. and the whole increase since IS10. 7,907.
The following is the number of inhabitants in each town and city in St. Clair County.
14:30). 918
1-51
446
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY,
according to the census taken August, 1864. Brockway, 792; Burtchville, 1,695; Berlin, 963: Clay, 1,227; Columbus, 1,028; Casco, 759: China, 1,443; Cottrellville, 1,930; Clyde, 1,123; East China, 204; Emmett, 854; Greenwood, 625; Ira, 1,072; Kimball, 715; Kenockee, 783; Lynn, 457; Mussey, 806; Port Huron City. 4,015; Port Huron Towns hip, 1, 470; Riley 1, 750; St. Clair City, 1,675; St. Clair Township, 1,659; Wales, 1,100. Total, 27,480.
The returns as given in the Census Statistics for 1880 and 1870 are as follows:
TOWNSHIPS.
1880,
1870.
TOWNSHIPS.
1880.
1870
Berlin. .
1283
1231
Greenwood
1568
898
Brockway
1839
1330
lra. .
1645
1580
Burtehville
752
726
Kenockee
1591
1299
Casco
2212
1991
Kimball
1429
1091
China
1628
1637
Lynn.
788
539
Clay
1523
1475 }
Mussey
1746
1117
Algonac Village.
754 0
Port Huron
1010
832
Clyde
1252
1146
Port Huron City
8883
5973
Columbus
1327
1218
Riley ..
2002
1664
Cottrellville
2904
2372
St. Clair
1996
2002
East China.
337
: 297
Wales.
1820
1358
Emmett .
1480
960
Fort Gratiot.
1902
1032
Grant
1357 1143
46197
MILITARY EXPENDITURES 1861-67.
The amount expended by the county for the relief of soldiers' families from 1861 to 1867 was $89,427.99, together with a sum of $233, 291.90 appropriated for war purposes from 1861 to 1866. In the military history of the county, full statistics are given.
EQUALIZATION AND ASSESSMENT FOR 1881 AND 1882.
TOWNSHIP'S.
Acres.
Real Estatras
Real Estate as
Personal
Total as
Total
State Tax
County Tax.
Town Tax.
Assessed. Equalized. Assessed.
Assessed. Equalized.
Brockway
22,248
401,155
$ 341,370
70,378
471.533
411,748
823 50
$1,235 24
Berlin
22,935
451,250
350,860
46,380
497,630
397,240
794 18
1,191 72
$1,330 50
Burtchville
10,050
158,370
106,850
14,384
172.754
121,234
242 47
363 70
500 00
('lay
10,000
180,500
180,000
48,423
220,013
228,423
465 85
1185 27
327 50
Columbus
22,044
439,075
318,100
40,500
479,575
358,600
777 20
1,075 80
1,015 00
Casco ..
22,755
-120,470
350,000
45,680
466.150
395,680
791 36
1,187 01
961 50
China
20,955
458,575
#93,600
47,070
502,945
440,670
881 34
1,322 01
690 00
Cottrellville
13,811
566,350
518,650
81,350
727,700
600,000
1,200 00
1,800 00
1,050 (0)
('lyde ..
23,000
164.465
339,300
47,193
511,658
386,493
772 99
1,159 48
1,059 00
East China
3,833
134,655
120,000
18,205
152,860
138,205
276 41
414 62
90 00
Eminet
22,058
268,700
256,000
77,160
345,860
333,160
666 32
999 4%
194 63
Fort tiratiot
13,067
381,925
337,700
28 .- 140
410,365
366,140
732 28
1,098 12
1,550 18
Greenwood
22,773
207,125
282,-100
30,365
327,590
312,265
625 53
938 30
GOG 35
firant
19,072
283,680
356,900
55,340
4.19,020
412.240
821 48
1,236 72
407 00
Ira
11,173
179,085
134,500
34,255
213,340
178.755
337 51
536 27
230 00
Kimball
23,040
317,915
216,460
34,860
352.810
251,325
502 65
753 98
600 00
Kenockee
21,828
298,090
334,700
26,470
319,560
361,170
722 34
1,083 57
1.446 43
Lynn
21,008
214,600
139,000
26,470
241.070
165.470
330 94
496 42
553 00
Mussey
22,186
123,400
226,700
28,675
152,075
255,375
510 75
766 13
243 00)
Port Huron t'ity (Ist Ward).
10
500,375
595,380
279,700 1
111,600
595,825
429,480
858 96
1,258 4-1
1,200 92
Port Huron City (5th Ward).
120
443, 125
262,500
34,525
477,950
297,025
594 05
891 08
Port Huron City (nith Ward).
350
336,675
109,200
30,075
366,750
229,275
458 55
687 83
[iley .
23,800
531,970
395,200
×2,080
614,050
477,280
954 56
1.431 81
1,350 00
St. Clair Town
25,000
535,525
158,000
49,5.10
585,065
507,540
1,015 08
1,522 62
835 00
St. Clair City (Ist Ward)
469
327.100
199,080
119,565
146,665
318,645
637 27
955 94
St. ('lair L'ity (2d Ward)
481 |
267,320
171,300
73,220
340,540
247,520 :
495 04
742 56
Wales
23,520
337,300
324,980
37,755
375,055 1
361,735
723 17
1,085 21
805 00
Total
132,464 $11,695,675 $9,183,390 $1,957,688 $13,735,473 $11,141,088
872 36
1,111 65
Port Iluron
10,128
572,975
386,900
201,825
774.800
588,725
1.177 45
1,756 1G
2,634 24
484,225
317.580
67,525
568,725
400,305
>00 61
Port Huron City (4th Ward)
150
501,200
222,100
88,675
396 465
290,785
581 57
1790
Marine City.
1240 S
St. Clair City .
1923
1
1.170,075
878.080
1,700 1%
Port Huron tity (2d Ward)
Port Huron vily (hl Ward).
327,780
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147
HTISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNT .
DEALERS IN SPIRITUOU'S LIQUORS.
The following statement showing the names of persons dealing in liquors, their places of business and the amount of tax paid by each, published in accordance with Section 10, Act 265. Session Laws of 1879, prepared by M. F. Carleton, in December, ISSI, is as follows :
Selling Spirituons Liquors. Herman Springbone, Marine City, $15 ; James Buckley, Em- met. $50: William Roberts, Emmet, $100 ; Roberts & Walsh, Port Huron City, $200 ; James ('Inff, Port Huron City, $200 ; Gay & Co., Port Huron City, $200; O. H. Ewer, Port Huron City, $200 ; Benjamin J. Karrer. Port Huron City, $200 ; J. D. Whitney. Port Huron City, $200; D. J. Mulligan, Port Huron City, $200; J. W. Magee. Port Huron City. $183.33 ; Rich- ard Lund, Fort Gratiot, $200 ; Alex MeArthur, Fort Gratiot, $200 : Joseph Laffrey, St. Clair City, $200 ; Andrew Eber, St. Clair City, $200 ; Rotsey & Carleton, St. Clair City, $200; Oak- land House. St. Clair City, $150 ; James Maverty, Memphis. $200: John MeDonald, Marine City. $200 : Michael Dibbler, Marine City, $123.75 : John L. Robertson. Marine City. $150 ; Frank Dornoff, Marine City, $90 ; Mrs. F. C. Langer, Marino City, $90 : Herman Springbone. Marino City, $123.75 : George Christie, Ira, $200 ; John W. Jacob, Ira, $200 : Charles Fortin. Ira. $117.50 ; Burnet Conklin, Smith's Creek, $150.
Selling Brewed or Malt Liquors. O. K. Dodge and H. Griswold. Brockway Center. $21.67 : Charles C. Hodgson, St. Clair City. $21.67 ; Lewis Presley, Lynn, $10.81 : John Deloye. Port Huron City. 86.42: Honry Reaver. Fort Gratiot Village, $65 ; Charles Nelson. Port Huron City, 865 : F. Charles Eichhorn. Port Huron City, $65 : William Murray, Port Huron City. 865: E. B. Parsons, Port Huron City, $65 ; George A. Cameron, Port Huron City, 865 ; Mary Ann Taylor, Port Huron City, $65 : Charles Doe. Port Huron City, $65: John P. Hoffman. Port Huron City, $65 : Anton Wagner, Port Huron City. $65 : Robert Philbrick, Port Huron City. $65 : August Krenkie, Port Huron City, $65 : George J. Bradley, Port Huron City. 865 ; John D. Wright, Port Huron City. 865 : Henry Burde, Port Huron City, $65 : John Meier, Port Huron City, $65 : Patrick MeElroy. Port Huron City, 865 ; R. J. Jackson. Greenwood. $65 ; Come Allen, Algonac, 865 : John F. Antons. Marine City, $65 : Frank Dornoff. Marine City. 865 : Michael Dibbler, Marine City, 865 : Herman Springbone, Marina City. 865 : Elon J. Hall. St. Clair City. $65 : Joseph Winneger, Fort Gratiot Village. 865 : Catherine Langer, Marine City, 865 ; Robert Grenny, Fort Gratiot Village. 865 ; Isaac C. Cooper, Fort Gratiot Town. 865 : John Deloye, Port Huron City, $65 : Robert Judge. Port Huron City. 505 : George Grimmer, St. Clair City, $65 ; Gage M. Cooper, Port Huron Town. 865 : Christian Lanth, Port Huron City. $65 ; Gotlob Andrea, Port Huron City. 865 ; Moses H. Leverer. Port Huron City, 865 : George Stortz. Port Huron City. 865 : Philip Stenshorn, Port Huron City. 805 : Adam Dietz, Port Huron City. 865 : Tacea & Co. Port Huron City. Sub ; Wesley Burt. Capac, 905 : Charles F. Stewart. Port Huron City. 865 : John S. Brown, St. Clair City. 865 : Joseph Nehman, Capac. 865 : Thomas Rapley. Brockway Center. 865 : D. M. Church, Brock. way Center. 865 : John Walsh. Port Huron City. 865 ; John Walsh, Port Huron City, 865 : R B. Elliott, Port Huron City, 865; John Dornoff. Marine City, $65: Joseph Sailer, St. Clair City. 865 ; Thomas Forbes. Port Huron City, 865 ; Patrick Gallagher, Port Huron City, 865 ; Conrad Elspass, St. Clair City. 865 : James Marshall, Marine City. 565 : Davis & Bice, Brock way Center, $65 : Thomas Murray. Port Huron City, $65 : Butter & O'Neill. Emmet. 805 ; Martin Pfanner, Kimball, 865 : George Holstein, Casco. 865 : Hiram Bartlet. Smith's Creek, $65 : Joseph Streit, Casco, 805 ; Perdina Bourbonnais. Port Huron City. 865 ; Charles Fortin. Tra. 865 ; Joseph Collins, Brockway, 805 : Patrick Dary. Brockway. 805 : Hiram H. Tyrrell. Port Huron City $54.20; Henry J. Bradbeer. Brockway. 805 : Henry Gushman. Brockway. $65: David Fitzgibbons. Fort Gratiot Village, 859.60 ; David Jackson, Capac. $51.20; Gus- tave Roth, Marine City, $51.20 : W. E. O'Neill. Emmet. $51.20 : Edward Sexton, Brockway. $48.75 ; Joseph Shurer, Burtehville. $65 ; Joseph Miller. Marine City, $65 ; George Allen. Port Huron City, $13.31 : Michael Magner, Broekway, $43.34 : George Jackson, Fort Gratiot, $100.
Wholesale Dealers .- Roberts & Walsh, spiritnous liquors at wholesale, Port Huron. $130 : Charles Samberg, manufacturing brewed or malt liquors in quantities not exceeding 1,500 bar. rels per annum, Port Huron. 865: Christian Kern, manufacturing brewed or malt liquors in quanti- ties not exceeding 1,500 barrels per annum, Port Huron. 865: John Slinkert, manufacturing brewed
448
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.
or malt liquors in quantities not exceeding 1,500 barrels per annum, St. Clair City, $65 ; Jo- seph Schwalm, manufacturing brewed or malt liquors in quantities not exceeding 1,500 barrels per annum. St. Clair City, $65 ; James Marshall, manufacturing brewed or malt liquors in quantities not exceeding 1.500 barrels per annum. Marine City, $65.
The druggists who filed bonds were Robert J. Burwell, Fort Gratiot ; C. J. Doswell & Co .. Algonac ; Ward H. Hurd and Nancy Backus. Marine City ; A. F. Millikin, George J. Ward and A. A. Currie, St. Clair City : Edwin C. Martin, Capac : E. P. Tibbals, Port Huron City.
SOCIAL STATISTICS.
The whole number of deaths in the county, during the year 1871, as taken from the records in the County Clerk's office, was 337. In 1870, there were 299 deaths, showing an increase over the previous year of 38. The records show quite a number to have attained a ripe old age. In the town of Berlin, Rachel Doty reached the age of eighty-two years seven months and four days. Columbus appears to be the most healthy town in the county, as three-fourths of the deaths there were at an age in advance of the average life of man. Here are a number of the older ones: Mary Barling, seventy-two years; Eleanor Harrison (single), seventy-nine; Alex- ander Allen, seventy-five; Abey Waterloo, eighty-two; Chloe Rumsey, seventy-five; Ezekiel Appleman, sixty-two. The greatest age attained by any one in Fort Gratiot was that of Jabez Meigs, who was ninety-five years five months and fifteen days old. In Casco, about two-thirds of the deaths were children under the age of fourteen. In Clay, we find the death of Mrs. Wellman recorded at the age of eighty; and in Cottrellville, that of Mrs. Margaret Flug at eighty years and ten months; and John Staley, eighty years eight months and twenty-five days. To Port Huron City belongs the honor of the death of the oldest person in the county, that of Catherine McGowan at one hundred and six years. The death of Elizabeth Prior, of St. Clair, is reported at ninety-four.
The whole number of births during the year 1871 was 957. During the previous year. there were 1,045. showing a decrease of eighty-eight. Port Huron City, with a population of a little over 6,000, in 1871, returns 168 births, while the lazy township of the same name, with a population of nearly 1.000. only returns two. Casco, with a population of 2.000. made a fruitful return of seventy-seven: Ira. sixty-nine. with a population of 1,600. Mussey, a very nnassuming town, only returned nine, with a population of 1,200.
The number of marriages recorded for the year 1871 was 352. In 1870, the number re- corded was 339.
Except in the case of octogenarians, the death rate is proportionate to the population at the present time; while the number of inarriages and deaths is proportionately greater.
INTERNATIONAL COMPARISONS.
There cannot be a comparison drawn between the United States and any other nation on the face of the globe; for the reason that the Republic is still in her formative condition, and while in such a state has made advances beside which the progress of all other countries ap- pears as nothing. Since such opportunity for comparisons is denied in this connection, another controversial channel was found open. Localities were chosen, and in the war of words which ensued, the interests of the American side were upheld. The ambitious, free and reasonably happy newspaper press of the little Confederation beyond the St. Clair. urged on this local com- bat. to which the Port Huron Times replied as follows: " As to the statement that the Canadian side of the St. Clair River has prospered while the American side has retrograded. the answer is that it is not true. Any person sailing up or down the St. Clair River on a clear day. will ob- serve on both sides of the river the decaying ruins of buildings at various points, but this dif- ference will be noted: On the American side the ruins are almost entirely old saw-mills. while on the Canadian side it is the villages that are going to seed.' On the American side. it will also be noticed, there are extensive ship-building and other industries, while the towns show signs of continued and renewed prosperity. On the Canadian side the farms generally look well, but there is nothing else indicating activity or prosperity. The signs of decadence on the American side are due almost entirely to the decline of the lumbering industry, by rea-
449
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.
son of the exhaustion of the timber lands in the vicinity. Thirty or forty years ago the Ium- bering business on the American side of the St. Clair River far exceeded that on the Saginaw. Now there is nothing left of it; nor can the people be held in any way responsible for its dis appearance. The whole section of country bordering on the St. Clair River has seen three stages of life and activity since it became settled by white men. The first was in the Indian trading days. As the interior of the State began to fill up with settlers, it became a great Im- ber entting and shipping point. and also entered largely into ship building. As the timber dis- appeared. more attention was paid to farming, but a large portion of the adjacent territory is still in its infancy as a farming country. What its future is to be is not in all respects clear. but largely commercial, no doubt, with a large portion of the river front devoted to fine coun- try houses, hotels, and summer residences. The era of permanent manufacturing establish ments along the river has hardly opened. but that its manufacturing industries will be impor- tant in the future, there can be no doubt."
A PAIR OF PIONEER LETTERS.
The means employed to open up the county to settlement, and to place within reach of the settlers the advantages which the post office offers, are portrayed in the following letters:
The first letter was addressed to Z. W. Buner by Gen. Cass. It refers to the laying ont of the Grafiot Turnpike, and the establishment of a post office at St. Clair:
WASHINGTON, February 6, 1826.
DEAR SIR : I received your letter with the accompanying papers a few days since You will have aseer. tained ere this that we have attempted to do as much for your road as for any other. The whole subject has been before the military committee, and they have unanimously reported that it is proper to lay out and make these roads. It is impossible, of course, to predict what will be the result of any particular measure where so numerous a body as Congress is called upon to decide it. But we are sanguine in the belief that all three of the roads proposed will be eventually established and made.
A mail will be established to St. Clair, and the office you ask for created.
I do not know whether our Council is yet appointed. In fact, it is about as easy to ascertain in Detroit what is doing here, as it is in Washington.
I am glad to learn that you have secured the land which you deemed important, and I sincerely hope you will be successful in your enterprise. With much regard. I am, dear sir. your obedient servant. LEWIS CASS. The second letter deals with the establishment of offices af Burehville and Lexington : WASHINGTON, December 26. 1814
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