USA > Missouri > Clinton County > The History of Clinton County, Missouri : containing a history of the County, its cities, towns, etc., biographical sketches of its citizens, Clinton County in the late war, general and local statistics, portraits of early settlers and prominent men etc > Part 1
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THE
HISTORY
OF
CLINTON COUNTY,
MISSOURI.
CONTAINING
A HISTORY OF THE COUNTY, ITS CITIES, TOWNS, ETC.,
BIOGRAPHICAL SKET HES OF ITS CITIZENS, CLINTON COUNTY IN THE LATE WAR, GENERAL AND LOCAL STATISTICS, PORTRAITS OF EARLY SETTLERS AND PR IMINENT MEN, HISTORY OF MISSOURI, MAP OF CLINTON COUNTY, ETC., ETC.
ILLUSTRATED.
ST. JOSEPH, MO .: NATIONAL HISTORICAL COMPANY,
T
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1881, by O. P. WILLIAMS & CO, in the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C.
ST. JOSEPH, MO., ST. JOSEPH STEAM PRINTING COMPANY, Printers, Binders, Etc
1981.
RIICHANA
MAP OF
Missouri. State 's of an euch to the mile
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Rango 32
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PREFACE.
What wonderful changes a few years have wrought in this western country ! Less than sixty years ago not a single white man dwelt within the present confines of Clinton County. Its soil, had doubtless, occa- sionally been pressed by the feet of the reckless hunter and the daring adventurer, but its beautifully rolling prairies, its charming timber- fringed streams and enchanting groves were the homes of the antelope, the elk, the deer and the red man. How all has been changed by the hand of progress! To-day the busy hum of industry everywhere resounds, and the voice of culture and refinement echo where once was heard the howl of the wild beast and the war-whoop of the Indian.
These have been years of important events; events fraught with interest to the sons and daughters from the old firesides of Kentucky, Virginia, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Indiana, and from the more distant homes beyond the Atlantic. The energy and bravery of these hardy pioneers and their descendants have made Clinton County what it is. Their labors have made the wilderness to "bud and blossom as the rose ;" and, to preserve the story of this wonderful change and to hand it down to posterity as a link in the history of the great country of which Clinton County forms an integral part, has been the object of this book. While the publishers do not arrogate to themselves a degree of accuracy beyond criticism, they hope to have attained a large measure of exact- ness in the compilation and arrangement of the almost innumerable incidents which are here treated. These incidents have been gleaned
iv
PREFACE.
from the memory and notes of the old settlers; and, though an error here and there may seemingly occur, the reader must not hastily con- clude that the history is in fault, but rather test his opinion with that of others familiar with the facts.
It only remains for us to tender the people of Clinton County in general our obligations for the courtesy extended to us and our repre- sentatives during the preparation of these annuals ; without their aid, this history would have been left buried beneath the debris of time, unwritten and unpreserved.
THE PUBLISHERS.
HISTORY OF MISSOURI.
Page.
CHAPTER 1.
LOUISIANA PURCHASE- Brief Historical Sketch . 9
CHAPTER 11.
DESCRIPTIVE AND GEOGRAPHICAL- Name - Extent-Surface - Rivers- Timber- Climate- Prairies-Soils --- Population by Counties . 14
CHAPTER III.
GEOLOGY OF MISSOURI-
Classification of Rocks-Quarternary Formation - Tertiary- Cretaceous- Carboniferous - Devonian - Silurian - Azoic - Economic Geology-Coal -Iron- Lead -· Copper -Zinc -- Build- ing Stone-Marble - Gypsum-Lime Paints-Springs-Water Power . .. 20
CHAPTER IV.
TITLE AND EARLY SETTLEMENTS-
Title to Missouri Lands - Right of Discovery-Tule of France and Spain -Cession to the United States- Fer- ritorial Changes-Treaties with In- dians-First Settlement-Ste. Gene- vieve and New Bourbon -St. Louis- When Incorporated - Potosi - St. Charles - Portage Des Sioux - New Madrid-St. Francois County- Perry - Mississippi - Loutre Island - ** Boone's Lick "- Cote Sins Dessein -Howard County . Some First Things - Counties - When Organized . . . 26
CHAPTER V.
TERRITORIAL ORGANIZATION-
Organization 1812-Council- House of Representatives - Wm. Clark First Territorial Governor-Edward Hemp- stead First Delegate-Spanish Grants -First General Assembly-Proceed- ings->econd Assembly- Proceedings -Population of 'Territory-Vote of Territory - Rufus Easton - Absent Members-Third Assembly -- Proceed- ings-Application for Admission . . 32
CHAPTER VI. Page.
MISSOURI ADMITTED INTO THE UNION- Application of Missouri to be Admit- ted Into the Union-Agitation of the Slavery Question- " Missouri Compro- mise "-Constitutional Convention of 1820-Constitution Presented to Con- gress-Further Resistance to Admis- sion-Mr. Clay and his Committee Make Report-Second Compromise -- Missouri Admitted .. 35
CHAPTER VII.
MISSOURI AS A STATE-
First Election for Governor and Other State Officers -- Senators and Represen- tatives to General Assembly-Sheriffs and Coroners- United States Senators -Representatives in Congress-Su- preme Court Judges-Counties Organ- ized-Capital Moved to St. Charles- Official Record of Territorial and State Officers . 40
CHAPTER VIII.
EARLY MILITARY RECORD-
Black Hawk War-Mormon Difficul- ties-Florida War-Mexican War . . 46
CHAPTER IX.
CIVIL WAR IN MISSOURI-
Fort Sumpter Fired Upon-Call for 75,000 Men- Gov. Jackson Refuses to Furnish a Man-U. S. Arsenal at ] ib- erty Seized- Proclamation of Gov. Jackson- General Order No. 7-Leg- islature Convenes - Camp Jackson Organized-Sterling Price A[ pointed Major Gener: 1 - Frost's Letter to Lyon -- Lyon's Letter to Frost -- Sur- render of Camp Jackson -- Proclama- tion of Gen. Ilarney -- Conference Be- tween Price and Harney -- Ilarney Superceded by Lyon -- Second Confer- ence- Governor Jackson Buins the Bridges Behind Him -- Proclamation of Gov. Jackson -- Gen. Blair Takes Possession of Jefferson City -- Procla- mation of Lyon -- Lyon at Springfield
vi
CONTENTS.
Page.
-- State Offices Declared Vacant -- Gen Fremont Assumes Command --- Proclamation of Lieut. Gov. Rey- nolds -- Proclamation of Jeff. Thomp- son and Gov. Jackson -- Death of Gen. Lyon -- Succeeded by Sturgis -- Procla- mation of Mccullough and Gamble -Martial Law Declared -- Second Proclamation of Jeff. Thompson -- President Modifies Fremont's Order- Fremont Relieved by Hunter -- Pro- clamation of Price -- Hunter's Order of Assessment - Hunter Declares Martial Law - Order Relating to Newspapers -- Halleck Succeeds Hun- ter -- Halleck's Order 81 -- Similar Or- der by Halleck -- Boone County Standard Confiscated -- Execution of Prisoners at Macon and Palmyra -- Gen. Ewing's Order No. 11 -- Gen. Rosecrans Takes Command-Massa- cre at Centralia-Death of Bill An- derson -- Gen. Dodge Succeeds Gen. Rosecrans -- List of Battles . 51
CHAPTER X.
AGRICULTURE AND MATERIAL WEALTH Missouri as an Agricultural State - The Different Crops-Live Stock- Horses and Mules -- Milch Cows- Oxen and Other Cattle -- Sheep -- Hogs -- Comparisons-Missouri Adapted to Live Stock - Cotton -- Broom Corn and Other Products -- Fruits -- Berries
Page.
-- Grapes -- Railroads -- First Neigh of the " Iron Horse " in Missouri -- Names of Railroads -- Manufactures -- Great Bridge at St. Louis . 6c
CHAPTER XI.
EDUCATION-
Public School System-Public School System of Missouri-Lincoln Insti- tute -- Officers af Public School Sys- tem -- Certificates of Teachers-Uni. versity of Missouri -- Schools -- Col- leges-Institutions of Learning-Lo- cation -- Libraries -- Newspapers and Periodicals -- Number of School Children -- Amount Expended- Value of Grounds and Buildings-" The Press " 66
CHAPTER XII.
RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS-
Baptist Church-Its History-Congre- gational-When Founded-Its His- tory-Christian Church-Its History -Cumberland Presbyterian Church- Its History - Methodist Episcopal Church - Its History - Presbyterian Church - Its History - Protestant Episcopal Church - Its History - United Presbyterian Church - Its History- Unitarian Church-Its His- tory-Roman Catholic Church-Its History 73
HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
CHAPTER I.
PREFATORY - The County, its Location-Name- Plan and Scope of this Work. 79
CHAPTER II.
PHYSICAL FEATURES-
Location-Boundary-Civil and Con- gressional Townships - Surface - Streams-Timber-Its Importance to Early Settlers-Climate-Rainfall- Health-Prairie-Waste Land . S7
CHAPTER III.
Legislative Act Organizing Clinton County-Appointment of Commis- sioners to Locate County Seat- Organization of the County-First Courts - Their Work - Townships Erected-Election Precincts-Roads, Etc. . . 98
CHAPTER IV.
County and Township System-Gov. ernment Surveys-Organization of Townships-Townships Named and Described-Shoal-Platte-La Fay- ette-Lathrop-Concord-Atchison- Jackson-Clinton-Hardin. . . . 109
CHAPTER V.
EARLY SETTLEMENTS- Importance of First Beginnings- When and Where Commenced . . . 121
CHAPTER VI.
PIONEER LIFE- The Pioneers' Peculiarities-Con- veniences and Inconveniences-The Historical Log Cabin-Agricultural Implements -Household Furniture --- Pioneer Corn-Bread-Hand Mills and Hominy Blocks-Going to Mill- Trading Points -Bee-Trees-Shoot- ing Matches and Quiltings . . . . 125
CHAPTER VII.
SETTLEMENT OF ATCHISON TOWNSHIP- 136
CHAPTER VIII.
SETTLEMENT OF CONCORD TOWNSHIP- Plattsburg-Its Early History-Loca- tion-Names-Commissioners-Town Laid Out-Sale of Lots-First Deed Recorded-Town Incorporated-Ad . ditions-Official Record-Old Settlers and What They Did-Private and
vii
CONTENTS.
Page.
Public Schools-Plattsburg College- Churches-M. E. Church South-M. E. Church-First Baptist Church -Christian Church - Presbyterian Church-St. Mary's Episcopal Church -Catholic Church-Secret Societies -Newspapers-Banks and Bankers- Hotels 145
CHAPTER IX.
PLATTSBURG CONTINUED --
Moot Legislature - Death of David Trice-Earthquake-Plattsburg Mar- kets-Grasshoppers-A Beet-Indian Summer - Plattsburg Cornet Band- School Exhibition-Death of Judge Culver-Disastrous Fire-Base Ball Clubs - Masonic Installation - The Storm of 1870 - Death of Josiah Brown-Organization of Fire Depart- ment-Building and Completion of the Brick Block-Cane Presentation- Death of Tyre Thorp-Cold Weather -- Death of Judge James H. Birch- Business Review for 18So-Memorial Services-Postmasters 178
CHAPTER X.
SETTLEMENT OF CLINTON TOWNSHIP, AND OF HARDIN TOWNSHIP-
210
CHAPTER XI. SETTLEMENT OF JACKSON TOWNSHIP-
217
CHAPTER XII.
SETTLEMENT OF LATHROP TOWNSHIP -- 231
CHAPTER XIII.
SETTLEMENT OF SHOAL TOWNSHIP -- Cameron-Its History-Its Early Set- tlers-First Building-First House of Public Entertainment-First Store- Colonel Tiernan-Dr. King-Pioneer Business Houses-Post Office-Mills -Foundry-Burning of Cameron- Public Halls-Hotels-Town Incor- porated-Official Directory-Stock in Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Rail- road - Musser's Block - Schools- Churches-Newspapers - Banks . . 245
CHAPTER XIV.
CAMERON CONTINUED- Secret and Benevolent Societies- Park --- Agricultural and Mechanical Association - The Last Fair - Pre- miums-To Whom Awarded - Resi- dences-Review of 1880 -- The Oc- currence of October 24, 1874 . . . 270 CHAPTER XV.
SETTLEMENT OF LAFAYETTE TOWNSHIP -STEWARTSVILLE- 289
CHAPTER XVI.
Page.
SETTLEMENT OF PLATTE TOWNSHIP-
304
CHAPTER XVII.
FIRST RECORDS- Deeds - Marriages - Grand Jury --- Resignation of Richard R. Rees -- First Cases-Roll of Attorneys Pres- ent . 314
CHAPTER XVIII.
PUBLIC BUILDINGS- First, Second and Present Court Houses-County Poor Farm .
CHAPTER XIX.
RAILROADS- Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific- Wabash, St. Louis & l'acific-Han- nibal & St. Joseph Railroad-When Roads were Completed to Plattsburg -When Completed to Cameron. . 329
CHAPTER XX.
MEXICAN WAR- The War News-Enthusiasm in the County-Names of Volunteers -- Doni- phan's Expedition . 339
CHAPTER XXI.
CALIFORNIA GOLD EXCITEMENT-
Flattering Accounts-Names of Men who went from Clinton County-Cal - ifornia Enterprise Company-Address of Colonel Black-Letters-Califor- nia Emigrant Song-Cholera -Num- ber of Emigrants . 343
CHAPTER XXII.
CIVIL WAR, AND THE EVENTS OF 1866- Situation in 1860-61-Meetings- Conventions-State of Feeling-Sol- diers - Bushwhackers - Militia - Crime-Bloodshed-Arrest and Mur. der of Rev. A. H F. Payne-Peace Proclamation-Peace Jubilee in Clin- ton County-Ovation to Returned Soldiers-Address of Thomas J Por- ter-Names and Rank of Union and Confederate Soldiers-Speeches of Generals Shields, Blair and others- The Two Tickets-" Test Oath "- Rejected Voters-Election - Repub- licans Declared Elected-Judge Birch Gives Notice of Contest-Van Horn takes his Seat in Congress . 349
CHAPTER XXIII.
AGRICULTURE-
Hemp-Clinton County Agricultural and Mechanical Association -- Fairs- Premiums-Clinton County Farmers' Clubs-Patrons of Husbandry-Short Horn Association-Clinton County Compared with Other Counties- People .
374
viii
CONTENTS.
Page.
CHAPTER XXIV.
FINANCIAL AND POLITICAL-
Financial Condition of the County in 1833-4-Debt of the County in 1845 -Taxable Property in 1880-Re- ceipts and Expenditures in 1881- Political-Names of Voters in 1833 -- Election of 1834- Political Leaders- Official Vote for ISSO . 395
CHAPTER XXV.
CRIMES, INCIDENTS AND ACCIDENTS- Willard Murder-Trial of William Langston-Confession of Augustus Otis Jennings-Killing of Howard Glenn-Murder of Miss Mollie Steel - Execution of Albert Hughes- Accidental Shooting of Kennedy-A Terrible Crime-A Bloody Affray- Daring Robbery . 407
CHAPTER XXVI.
BENCH AND BAR-
Andrew S. Hughes - Ex Governor George Smith-William B. Almond - Peter H. Burnett - Henry M. Vories - James B. Gardenhire - David R Atchison- Willard P. Hall -Solomon L. Leonard - Bela M.
Hughes-Silas Woodson- J. M. Bas- sett -- A. W. Doniphan -- George W. Dunn-William T. Wood-Thomas E. Turney -- Thomas J. Porter -- Winslow Turner -- Austin A. King -- Resolutions of Respect- Benjamin F. Loan --- Resolutions of Respect of St. Joseph Bar - Roll of Attorneys -- Bench and Bar of Cameron 434
CHAPTER XXVII.
SCHOOLS-
State Constitution - Teachers' Insti- tutes -- Enumeration for 1880 -- Funds -- School Houses-Comparisons -- Ad- dress of Hon. John M. McMichael. . 464
CHAPTER XXVIII.
REUNIONS OF OLD SETTLERS -- Barbecue August 28, 1873-Bishop Marvin's Letter -- Reunions at St. Joseph, in 1874 and 1875 -- Speeches of Generals Craig, Doniphan, Atchi- son, Judge Birch, Judge Vories, and others. . 476
CHAPTER XXIX.
OFFICIAL RECORD-
501
PART II .- BIOGRAPHICAL.
Page.
Page.
CONCORD TOWNSHIP AND CITY OF PLATTS-
BURG . . 4 SHOAL TOWNSHIP AND CITY OF CAMERON, 72 PLATE TOWNSHIP AND CITY OF OSBORN, 125 JACKSON TOWNSHIP . 154 CLINTON TOWNSHIP 163
HARDIN TOWNSHIP . 169
ATCHISON TOWNSHIP . 178
LAFAYETTE TOWNSHIP . 203
CITY OF STEWARTSVILLE 219
LATHROP TOWNSHIP
234
ADDENDA.
CONCORD TOWNSHIP . 262 SHOAL TOWNSHIP 263
LITHOGRAPHIC PORTRAITS.
GENERAL DAVID R. ATCHISON . . . 179 | H. S. BUCK. 220
LITHOGRAPHIC VIEWS.
RESIDENCE OF H S. BUCK . . 303 RESIDENCE OF T G. MCCRUSKY 480
BUSINESS IlOUSE OF ED. G SHELDON . 369 -
Page.
0.000.0
HISTORY OF MISSOURI.
CHAPTER I.
LOUISIANA PURCHASE.
BRIEF HISTORICAL SKETCH
The purchase of the vast territory west of the Mississippi River, by the United States, extending through Oregon to the Pacific coast and south to the dominions of Mexico, constitutes the most important event that ever occurred in the history of the nation.
It gave to our republic additional room for that expansion and stu- pendous growth, to which it has since attained, in all that makes it strong and enduring, and forms the seat of an empire, from which will radiate an influence for good unequaled in the annals of time. In 1763, one hundred and eighteen years ago, the immense region of country, known at that time as Louisiana, was ceded to Spain by France. By a secret article, in the treaty of St. Ildefonso, concluded in 1800, Spain ceded it back to France. Napoleon, at that time, coveted the island of St. Domingo, not only because of the value of its products, but more especially because its location in the Gulf of Mexico would, in a military point of view, afford him a fine field, whence he could the more effec- tively guard his newly acquired possessions. Hence he desired this cession by Spain should be kept a profound secret until he succeeded in reducing St. Domingo to submission. In this undertaking, however, his hopes were blasted, and so great was his disappointment that he apparently became indifferent to the advantages to be derived to France from his purchase of Louisiana.
In 1803 he sent out Laussat as prefect of the colony, who gave the people of Louisiana the first intimation that they had had, that they had once more become the subjects of France. This was the occasion of great rejoicing among the inhabitants, who were Frenchmen in their origin, habits, manners and customs.
1
IO
HISTORY OF MISSOURI.
Mr. Jefferson, then President of the United States, on being in- formed of the retrocession, immediately dispatched instructions to Robert Livingston. the American Minister at Paris, to make known to Napoleon that the occupancy of New Orleans, by his government, would not only endanger the friendly relations existing between the two nations, but, perhaps, oblige the United States to make common cause with England, his bitterest and most dreaded enemy, as the possession of the city by France would give her command of the Mississippi, which was the only outlet for the produce of the Western States, and give her also control of the Gulf of Mexico, so necessary to the protection of American commerce. Mr. Jefferson was so fully impressed with the idea that the occupancy of New Orleans, by France, would bring about a conflict of interests between the two nations, which would finally cul- minate in an open rupture, that he urged Mr. Livingston, to not only insist upon the free navigation of the Mississippi, but to negotiate for the purchase of the city and the surrounding country.
The question of this negotiation was of so grave a character to the United States that the President appointed Mr. Monroe, with full power, to act in conjunction with Mr. Livingston. Ever equal to all emergen- cies, and prompt in the cabinet, as well as in the field, Napoleon came to the conclusion that, as he could not well defend his occupancy of New Orleans, he would dispose of it, on the best terms possible. Before, however, taking final action in the matter, he summoned two of his min- isters, and addressed them as follows :
"I am fully sensible of the value of Louisiana, and it was my wish to repair the error of the French diplomatists who abandoned it in 1763. I have scarcely recovered it before I run the risk of losing it; but if I am obliged to give it up, it shall hereafter cost more to those who force me to part with it, than to those to whom I shall yield it. The English have despoiled France of all her northern possessions in America, and now they covet those of the South. I am determined that they shall not have the Mississippi. Although Louisiana is but a trifle compared to their vast possessions in other parts of the globe, yet, judging from the vexation they have manifested on seeing it return to the power of France, I am certain that their first object will be to gain possession of it. They will probably commence the war in that quarter. They have twenty vessels in the Gulf of Mexico, and our affairs in St. Domingo are daily getting worse since the death of LeClerc. The conquest of Lou- isiana might be easily made, and I have not a moment to lose in getting it out of their reach. I am not sure but that they have already begun an attack upon it. Such a measure would be in accordance with their habits ; and in their place I should not wait. I am inclined, in order to deprive them of all prospect of ever possessing it, to cede it to the United States. Indeed, I can hardly say that I cede it, for I do not yet
II
HISTORY OF MISSOURI.
possess it ; and if I wait but a short time my encmics may leave me nothing but an empty title to grant to the republic I wish to conciliate. I consider the whole colony as lost, and I believe that in the hands of this rising power it will be more useful to the political and even com- mercial interests of France than if I should attempt to retain it. Let me have both your opinions on the subject."
One of his ministers approved of the contemplated cession, but the other opposed it. The matter was long and earnestly discussed by them, before the conference was ended. The next day Napoleon sent for the minister who had agreed with him, and said to him: "The season for deliberation is over. I have determined to renounce Louisiana. I shall give up not only New Orleans, but the whole colony, without reserva- tion. That I do not undervalue Louisiana, I have sufficiently proved, as the object of my first treaty with Spain was to recover it. But though I regret parting with it, I am convinced it would be folly to persist in try- ing to keep it. I commission you, therefore, to negotiate this affair with the envoys of the United States. Do not wait the arrival of Mr. Monroe, but go this very day and confer with Mr. Livingston. Remember, however, that I need ample funds for carrying on the war, and I do not wish to commence it by levying new taxes. For the last century France and Spain have incurred great expense in the improvement of Louisiana, for which her trade has never indemnified them. Large sums have been advanced to different companies, which have never been returned to the treasury. It is fair that I should require repayment for these. Were I to regulate my demands by the importance of this terri- tory to the United States, they would be unbounded ; but, being obliged to part with it, I shall be moderate in my terms. Still, remember, I must have fifty millions of francs, and I will not consent to take less. I would rather make some desperate effort to preserve this fine country."
That day the negotiations commenced. Mr. Monroe reached Paris on the 12th of April, and the two representatives of the United States, after holding a private interview, announced that they were ready to treat for the entire territory. On the 30th of April, 1803, eighteen days afterward, the treaty was signed, and on the 21st of October, of the same year, Congress ratified the treaty. The United States were to pay $11,250,000, and her citizens to be compensated for some illegal captures to the amount of $3,750,000, making in the aggregate the sum of $15,000,000, while it was agreed that the vessels and merchandise of France and Spain should be admitted into all the ports of Louisiana free of duty for twelve years. Bonaparte stipulated in favor of Louisiana, that it should be, as soon as possible, incorporated into the Union, and that its inhabitants should enjoy the same rights, privileges and immuni- ties as other citizens of the United States, and the clause giving to them
12
HISTORY OF MISSOURI.
these benefits, was drawn up by Bonaparte, who presented it to the plenipotentiaries with these words : "Make it known to the people of Louisiana, that we regret to part with them ; that we have stipulated for all the advantages they could desire ; and that France, in giving them up, has insured to them the greatest of all. They could never have pros- pered under any European government as they will when they become independent. But while they enjoy the privileges of liberty let them remember that they are French, and preserve for their mother country that affection which a common origin inspires."
Complete satisfaction was given to both parties in the terms of the treaty. Mr. Livingston said: "I consider that from this day the United States takes rank with the first powers of Europe, and now she has entirely escaped from the power of England," and Bonaparte expressed a similar sentiment when he said : "By this cession of terri- tory I have secured the power of the United States, and given to England a maritime rival, who, at some. future time, will humble her pride." These were prophetic words, for within a few years afterward the British met with a signal defeat, on the plains of the very territory of which the great Corsican had been speaking.
From 1800, the date of the cession made by Spain, to 1803, when it was purchased by the United States, no change had been made by the French authorities in the jurisprudence of the Upper and Lower Louis- iana, and during this period the Spanish laws remained in full force as the laws of the entire province ; a fact which is of interest to those who would understand the legal history and some of the present laws of Missouri
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