A history of Missouri

II Professor Of History, State Normal School Kirksville, Missouri

D. C. HEATH k CO., PUBLISHERS

BOSTON NEW YORK CHICAGO

Copyright, 191 8, By D. C. Heath & Co.

PRINTED IN U. S. A.

TO MY WIFE

Preface

Missouri has had a history of unusual interest. But unfortunately Missourians do not know the history of their own State as they should. This is due largely to the fact that not enough books of a more or less popular nature have been written on this subject. At present the only books available that cover the whole field of Missouri history are designed for use as texts in the elementary schools of the State, such as those by Rader, Williams, and Viles. The more standard works, such as those by Carr and Switzler, are either out of date or out of print. There are a number of special works deaHng with different periods or subjects in Missouri history, but they are more or less expensive and hence will never have a very wide circulation. Under these circumstances a new manual of Missouri history seems to be greatly needed, and it is in response to such g. need that this book has been written and offered to the reading public.

The plan of this book departs very widely from that which has been generally followed in the writing of state histories. Usually a state history relates in chronological order the more important events that have happened within the borders of the state, whether those events were strictly local in character or were of national import and connection. In this work no space is given to things that are strictly local. The effort has been to deal with only those topics in Missouri history that have significance in the history of the nation. And in order that the reader may know just what has been considered as the historical background for the topics in Missouri history that are dealt with in this book, a statement is made at the beginning of each chapter in-

VI PREFACE

dicating the subject in our national history that constitutes the historical setting for that chapter. The reader is presumed to be acquainted with the outlines of American history before he takes up the reading or the study of this book, but if he should feel uncertain as to his knowledge of American history or should wish to review those topics that furnish the background for this work, he will find that any of the standard texts in American history used in the high schools of the State will give him the essential information necessary for the successful use of this book.

Inasmuch as this work is constructed along lines altogether different from those that have usually been followed in the writing of state histories, persons who are familiar with the other histories of Missouri will find that many things are omitted from the present volume which they might expect to find. For example, many of the governors of the State are not mentioned. But the things omitted have made room for other matter that has been regarded as of greater historical importance, and hence certain topics have been developed more fully than they have been heretofore in the manuals of Missouri history.

In constructing this book on this plan, I have hoped that it might find a place not only in the Reading Circle course but also in the high schools of the State as a book of reference in connection with the courses in American history. Heretofore the history of Missouri has been taught only in the elementary school, as is the case with practically all state histories. But the study of state history in the elementary school has not proved an unqualified success, largely because it has been taught there without its natural setting. It is not likely that state history will ever be introduced into the high school as a separate subject. The curriculum of the high school is already crowded. And even if it were possible to introduce it there as a separate subject, it would fail of success as

PREFACE VII

it has in the elementary school. There is, therefore, but one way of getting state history into the high school, and that is by connecting it with the course in American history ; and effective connection with the course in American history can be secured only by selecting for study those topics in state history that have their historical setting in our national history.

This method of presenting Missouri history in the high school is not altogether untried. In 19 14 I published privately a few chapters on the early history of Missouri which were intended to be used in connection with the course in American history. These were placed in the hands of several teachers who were conducting high school classes in American history, to see if there were any merit in the method. The success which was reported as a result of this plan of study encouraged me to proceed with what I had started out to accomplish. This book is the result. In two of the best high schools of the State the manuscript of this book has been used either in part or as a whole by the teachers of history in their classes in American history. They have kindly reported that the experiment turned out very satisfactorily with them and that they are heartily in favor of this method of presenting Missouri history in the high school.

In compiling the references that are to be found at the close of each chapter, great care was taken to name only those books or articles that are fairly accessible. It would have been very easy to have made many of the lists several times as long as they are. But if that had been done, most of the books mentioned in these lengthened lists would have been either out of print or very high priced and hence out of the reach of the majority of the readers. For these reasons no reference is given to such standard works as Switzler's History of Missouri. This book is out of print and can be had only at second-hand book stores in large cities at a very high

Vlll PREFACE

price. The same is true of many other standard works on Missouri history. It is beHeved, however, that the titles that have been mentioned in the reference Hsts will furnish the reader with a workable bibliography.

In preparing this book I have drawn heavily from not only the standard works but also the special contributions that have been made to Missouri history by a number of writers in recent years. Fortunately several well-trained historical investigators have turned their attention to Missouri history in the last fifteen years or so, and they have brought forth some highly creditable productions. Special mention should be made of Houck's History of Missouri Down to 182 1, Shoemaker's Missouri's Struggle for Statehood, Million's State Aid to Railways, and Trexler's Slavery in Missouri. Besides these books and monographs a number of very fine articles have appeared in recent years in the Missouri Historical Review and the Missouri Historical Society Collections that are real contributions to our knowledge of Missouri history. These books and articles have been gleaned very thoroughly. No attempt has been made to indicate by footnotes the authorities from which material has been dra\vn. The footnotes have been used to elaborate upon the matter dealt with in the body of the text. But at the end of each chapter will be found the list of books and articles that have been my chief sources of information, and from which the quotations have generally been taken.

I am greatly indebted to a number of students of Missouri history for criticisms and suggestions. I cannot mention them all by name, but I must not fail to note my special obligation to Judge Walter B. Douglas of St. Louis, Professor C. H. McClure of the Warrensburg State Nonnal School, Miss Lucy Simmons of the Macon High School, Miss Benson Botts of the Mexico High School, Miss Reba Poison of the Muncie (Ind.) High School, Mr. F. C. Shoemaker, secretary of the State Historical Society, and Mr. William Clark Brecken-

PREFACE ix

ridge of St. Louis. The last two mentioned are deserving of the highest gratitude on my part. Both have placed at my disposal their extensive knowledge of Missouri history and have never been too busy to answer my inquiries and appeals for assistance. Mr. Breckenridge has patiently read every line of the manuscript and has offered valuable suggestions on every chapter.

I am also under great obligation to Professor Isidor Loeb of the University of Missouri for his permission to reproduce the series of county maps of Missouri which had been made by the PoHtical Science Department of that institution, and to the Missouri Historical Society, Mr. Louis Houck, Mrs. Vida E. Smith, and others for their permission to reproduce many of the maps and illustrations in this book.

E. M. ViOLETTE.

State Normal School, KiRKSviLLE, Missouri, May I, 1918.

Chapter I Early French Settlements In Missouri

Territorial Losses of France in America, 1762-63 Early French Settlements in Illinois .

1. Location ....

2. Kaskaskia ....

3. Character and Life of the Settlers

4. Government ....

Temporary French Settlements in Missour

1. River des Peres Settlement .

2. Fort Orleans ....

a. "Great Caravan," 1720

b. DeBourgmont's Expedition, 1722-23

c. Site of Fort Orleans .

d. Destruction of Fort Orleans, 1726 Ste. Genevieve, First Permanent Settlement in Missouri

1. Early Lead Mining in IMissouri

a. By Renault

b. By Illinois French Settlers

2. Founding of Ste. Genevieve, 1735

3. Removal to a New Site, 1785-91 St. Louis, the Second Permanent Settlement in Missouri

1. Grant to Maxent, Laclede and Company

2. Selection of the Site by Laclede

3. Founding of the Village, Feb. 15, 1764 .

4. Plan of the Village

Spanish Forts at the Mouth of the Missouri River . Conditions in Missouri, 1765-70 ....

1. Emigration from French Illinois Settlements into

Missouri

2. Life in the French Settlements in Missouri

3. Arrival of Piemas in St. Louis, 1770

xi

PAGE 2

Xll CONTENTS

Chapter II Page

George Rogers Clark Expedition, 1778-79 . . . 22

1. Cooperation of Spanish Authorities at New Orleans

with Virginia . . . . . . .22

2. Declaration of War by Spain against England,

1779 23

3. Capture of Illinois Settlements .... 23 Plan of England for an Expedition down the Mississippi . 24

St. Louis in 1780 25

The Attack, May 26, 1780 27

Causes of the Failure of the Expedition .... 29

Significance of the Attack 30

Spanish Expedition against St. Joseph, Michigan, 1781 . 30

DeLeyba 31

Chapter III Conditions In Missouri During The Spanish Period

Transfer of Louisiana from France to the United States Causes of Immigration to Missouri, 1 769-1 804 .

1. Disorder in the Illinois Country, 1778-90

a. Virginia Misrule ..... h. Peace between England and the United States

2. Northwest Ordinance, 1787 ....

3. Spanish Offers to Settlers .... a. Free Grants of Land .....

h. Laxness in the Enforcement of Religious Re strictions

4. Purchase of Louisiana, 1803 ....

Predominance of Americans in Missouri by 1 804 Growth of Settlements in Missouri during the Spanish

Period

I. St. Charles District

a. St. Charles

h. Portage des Sioux

32 35 35 35 36 36 37 37

37 39 39

39 39 39 41

Xlll c.

d.

St.

a.

h.

c.

d.

e.

La Charette

Settlements along the Creeks of the District Louis District ....

Carondelet ....

Florissant .....

Creve Coeur and Point Labadie Settlements along the Meramec Ste. Genevieve District .

New Bourbon ....

Mine a Breton ....

Farmington and Fredericktown Ste. Genevieve, the Most Populous District in 1804 ....

4. Cape Girardeau District

a. Cape Girardeau

b. Americans in the Majority

5. New Madrid District a. L'Anse a la Graise h. Morgan's Colonization Scheme

c. Founding of New Madrid .

d. CaruthersviUe and Portageville Areas of Settlement in Missouri in 1804 Distribution of French and American Settlers Government of Louisiana .

1. Governor General and Cabildo

2. Officials of Upper Louisiana

3. Administration of Laws

4. Lack of Popular Government Life among the French Settlers .

I.

Houses ....

Farms ....

a. Common Fields b. Commons .

c. Agricultural Implements

Trading in Furs

Industries

Dress ....

Manners

Education and Religion

43 43 43 44 44 44 45 46

46 47

47 48 48 48

XIV

PAGE

Life of the American Settlers 6i

1. Houses 6i

2. Occupations 6i

Daniel Boone 62

1. Early Life 62

2. In Kentucky 62

3. In Missouri 63

4. Death 64

Chapter IV Indian Troubles In Missouri During The War

Indian Tribes in Missouri in 181 2

1 . South of the Missouri River ....

2. North of the Missouri River ....

Growth of Settlements, 1803-12 ....

1 . Doubling of Population

2. Extension of Area of Settlement .

Indian Warfare

1. Activity of the Indians East of the Mississippi

2. Militia Expeditions under General Howard and

General Dodge

3. Erection of Forts .......

Treaties of Peace with the Indians ....

1 . Ratification of Cessions of Lands by the Sacs and

Foxes

2. Cessions by the Osages

Extinction of Indian Titles in Missouri

Munitions of War from Missouri in the War of 181 2

66 66 67 67

67 67

69 69

71 71 72 72

Chapter V Conditions In Missouri During The Terri- Torial Period

Increase in Population 74

I. Immigration from Virginia, Kentucky, and Other

States 74

XV

Growth of Frontier Settlements in Missouri .

PAGE

Decline in Population of New Madrid .

Formation of New Counties, 1804-20

Pioneer Conditions in Missouri

I.

Turbulence and Disorder . . .

a. Drunkenness and Gambling b. Sunday Desecration c. Fighting .

d. Raids on Indians

Speculations .

Political Agitations

Indications of Progress

I.

Professional Classes

Schools .

Churches a. Removal of Religious Restrictions .

h. Adaptability of Baptists and Methodists tc

Pioneer Conditions ....

c. Baptists in Missouri d. Methodists in Missouri ....

e. Protestant Churches in St. Louis

/. Influence of Pioneer Preachers .

g. Catholics in Missouri ....

Newspapers

Postal Facilities

Transportation Facilities ....

a. Roads and Ferries

• 95 h. Steamboats

Industrial Improvements ....

. 96

Taverns

CHAPTER VI THE STRUGGLE OF MISSOURI FOR STATEHOOD Significance of the Missouri Question

Act of Congress, 1803 ....

1 . Creation of the District of Louisiana

2. Protest against this Act

100 100 100

lOI

XVI

1. Creation of the Territory of Louisiana

2. Territorial Institutions .

Act of 1812

1. Creation of the Territory of Missouri

2. Changes in the Territorial Institutions

Boundary Changes .....

Petitions for Statehood ....

1. Popular Petitions of 1817

2. Legislative Memorial of 181 8

3. Popular Petitions of 18 19

4. Differences in the Petitions Regarding Boundaries First Missouri Compromise

1. The Thomas Amendment

2. Provisions Regarding a Constitutional Amendment

3. Boundaries .......

Public Opinion in Missouri over the Struggle in Congress

1. Methods Employed in Expressing Opinions .

2. Opposition to Restrictions Regarding Slavery Reception of the News of the Compromise

Election of Delegates to the Constitutional Convention

1 . State Restriction upon Slavery — the Issue .

2. No State Restrictionists Elected Personnel of the Convention

1 . Nationality of Members

2. Place of Birth

3. Place of Rearing .

4. Occupation .

Work of the Convention .

1. Adoption of the Constitution

it to the People

2. Adoption of an Ordinance

Propositions of Congress Constitution of 1820 .

1. Preamble

2. Boundaries

3. Frame of Government .

a. Legislative Department

b. Executive Department without Submitting Accepting the Five

XVll c. Judicial Department

d. Local Officials

4. Declaration of Rights and the Schedule

Framers of the Constitution

Sources of the Constitution .....

Missouri, a State, on July 19, 1820 .

First State Election

First General Assembly ......

1 . Election of Barton and Benton as Senators .

2. Other Business

Second Missouri Compromise .....

1. Objectional Clause in the Constitution Regarding

Free Negroes

2. Terms of the Compromise ....

3. Expressions of Public Opinion in Missouri Regard

ing Congressional Delay ....

4. Rejoicing in Missouri on the Reception of the News Solemn Public Act of the General Assembly of Missouri

1. Provisions of the Act

2. Observance of the Act until 1 847 . Admission of the State into the Union

134 135 136 136 138 138

CHAPTER VII EARLY BANKING IN MISSOURI Present Banking System in Missouri

Early Barter System

First Banks in Missouri ....

1. Bank of St. Louis and Bank of Missouri

2. Collapse of these Banks United States Bank in St. Louis Bank of the State of Missouri .

1 . Need for a Bank ....

2. Chartered by the Legislature, 1837

3. Management of the Bank

4. Effects of the Panic of 1837 on the Bank

5. Laws against the Use of "Wildcat" Currency Banking Law of 1857 ....

I . Need for more Banks of Issue

145 146

147 147 147

XVIU

2. Constitutional Amendment .

3. Creation of New Banks .

4. Effects of the Panic of 1857 .

Private Banks in St. Joseph and Kansas City End of the Bank of the State of Missouri

PAGE

148 148 149 149 149

CHAPTER VIII KEARNY AND DONIPHAN'S EXPEDITIONS Interest of Missourians in the Annexation of Texas . .151

1. BeUef in " Manifest Destiny " . . . .151

2. Blood Relationship between the People of Missouri

and Texas 151

3. No Interest in the Extension of Slave Territory . 152 First Missouri Volunteers for the Mexican War . -152 Preparation for the Santa Fe Expedition . . . -153

1. Reasons for the Expedition 153

2. Gathering of Troops at Fort Leavenworth . -154

3. Election of Doniphan as Colonel . . . -154 March to Santa Fe 155

1 . Difficulties of the March 155

2. Entry into Santa Fe 156

3. Kearny's Proclamation Annexing New Mexico . 157

Kearny's Expedition to California 157

Price's Expedition to Santa Fe . . . . . .158

Doniphan's Expedition against the Navajos . . .158

1. Severe Suffering of the Men 159

2. Suppression of the Navajos 160

Doniphan's Expedition through Mexico . . . .160

1. Battle of Brazito 161

2. Entry into El Paso 161

3. March to Chihuahua 162

4. Battle of Sacramento . . . . . .162

5. Advance to Saltillo and Matamoras . . -163

6. Embarkation for Home 163

Reception of the Troops at St. Louis . . . .164

Rebellion in New Mexico 164

Return of Price to New Mexico 165

Significance of Doniphan's Expedition . , , . 166

CONTENTS XIX

Chapter IX

Missouri as a Colonizer of the Far West . Significance of the Fur Trade in the History of Missouri Early Fur Trade in Missouri .....

1 . Furs as Media of Exchange ....

2. Grant to Maxent, Laclede and Company

3. Individual Traders

4. Restricted Fields of Operation New Era in the Fur Trade of Missouri

1 . Enlargement of Field of Operation

2. Creation of Large Fur Companies .

Missouri Fur Company or Manuel Lisa and Company

1. Operations along the Upper Missouri

2. Manuel Lisa .

Rocky Mountain Fur Company

1 . Operations in the Rockies

2. General William Ashley

a. Early Career

b. The Annual Rendezvous

c. The Pack Train

3. Importance of the Rocky Mountain Fur Company

in the Development of the West American Fur Company

1. John Jacob Astor

2. Monopoly . . . .

3. Pratte, Chouteau and Company .

Decline of the St. Louis Fur Trade by i860 Revival since 1890

1. New Methods

2. Auction Sales

3. St. Louis, the " Fur City of the World " Early Means of River Transportation

1. Canoe

2. Mackinaw

3. Bull Boat

4. Keel Boat

170 170

170 171 171 172 172 172

175 175 176 176 176 177

XX CONTENTS

Steamboat on the Missouri River . . .

1 . First Appearance

2. The Yellowstone

3. Disappearance from the Missouri River

4. Reappearance in Recent Years The Overland Routes ......

Early Santa Fe Expeditions

2. First Expedition

4. Imprisonment of American Traders in Mexico

5. Pike's Expedition, 1806-07 ....

6. Mexican Revolution, 1821 .

Becknell's Expeditions, 1821-22 ....

Difficulties in Developing the Santa Fe Trade .

1. Indian Attacks ......

a. Appeal to the United States Government for

Protection ......

b. Organization of the Caravans .

2. Mexican Tariffs and Customs Regulations Character of the Santa Fe Trade and its Value

1. Traders

2. Wares

3. Returns

4. Profits

Comparison between the Oregon and the Santa Fe Trails Origin of the Oregon Trail .....

Common Starting Point of the Two Trails

1. Franklin

2. Independence

3. Westport

Importance of the Trails in the History of Missouri . Marking the Trails

CHAPTER X "Forty-niners" . 204

Book of Mormon 204

I . Records on Gold Plates 205

XXI

2. Translation of the Plates

3. Growth in the Number of Mormons Lamanite Mission .....

1. Journey to Independence, Missouri

2. Failure of the Mission .

The Founding of Zion at Independence

1. Ceremonies, August 2 and 3, 1831

2. Plan for the Rebuilding of Independence

3. Migration of Mormons to the Land of Zion Expulsion from Jackson County

1. First Signs of Hostility ....

2. Address of the Citizens of Jackson County to

Mormons ......

3. Mobbing of the Mormons

4. The Mormons Agree to Leave the County

5. Mormons Decide Not to Leave

6. Renewal of Hostilities against the Mormons

7. Mormons Move to Clay County .

8. Reception in Clay County Attempts of the Mormons to Secure Redress Troubles in Clay County .....

1. Increase in the Number of Mormons

2. Mass Meeting of Citizens at Liberty Settlement of the Mormons in Caldwell County

1. Creation of Caldwell County

2. Far West

3. Mormon Control of the County

4. Arrival of Joseph Smith at Far West

5. Dissensions among the Mormons .

The Gathering of the Storm ....

1. Rigdon's Salt Sermon, July 4, 1838

2. Clash at Gallatin, August 6, 1838 .

3. Other Hostilities

Expulsion from the State .....

1. Governor Boggs' Exterminating Order .

2. Surrender of Mormons to General Lucas

3. Trial of Smith and Others

4. Exodus of Mormons to Illinois Return of the Mormons to Missouri .

the

XXll

CHAPTER XI THE RAILROADS OF MISSOURI First Railroads in the United States

Reasons Why Missouri Delayed Building Railroads

1. Conservatism of the People .

2. Natural Highways ....

3. Lack of Money

Early Agitation in Missouri in Favor of Railroads

1 . First Railroad Convention, 1 836 .

2. Incorporation of Eighteen Railroads, 1837

3. Decline of Interest in Railroads Reasons for the Revival of Interest .

1 . Increase in Population . . . .

2. Recovery from the Panic of 1837 .

3. Lack of Adequate Transportation Facilities

4. Decline of the Santa Fe Trade

5. Rise of Chicago as a Commercial Center

6. Undeveloped Trade with the Interior of the State Efforts to Obtain Congressional Assistance

1. Grant of 500,000 Acres in 184 1

2. Plans for a Transcontinental Road Grant of State Aid

1. Governor King's Proposal to the Legislature

3. Issue of State Bonds to the Amount of $24,950,000

by i860

Construction of the Roads ....

1. Beginning of the Pacific Railroad in 1861

2. Grant of State Aid in 1852

3. Grant of Lands by Congress .

4. Delay in Construction ....

a. Legislative Inquiry ....

b. Report of the Legislative Commission

5. Legislative Grants, 1855

6. Gasconade Disaster ....

7. Last Legislative Grant, 1857 .

Railroad Mileage in Missouri in i860 Default of Railroads in Payment of Interest Private Loans to the Railroads ....

XXIU

Railroad Mileage in Missouri in 1865

Sale of the Railroads, 1868

1. Amount Received from the Sale .

2. Farcical Investigation of the Sale .

3. Conditions Imposed on Purchasing Companies

4. Liquidation of the State Debt

County and Municipal Aid to Railroads in Missouri . Railroad Development in Missouri since 1865 .

1. Establishment of Interstate Systems

2. Consolidation of the Railroads

Chapter XII Page 242

247 249

Early Life of Benton .

1. Removal to Tennessee .

2. In Tennessee Politics

3. Service in the War of 1812

4. Quarrel with Jackson Early Career in St. Louis .

1 . Entry into Politics

2. Editor of the Enquirer .

3. Election to the United States Senate Political Developments in Missouri, 1820-44

1. " Era of Good Feeling "

2. Early Elections in Missouri Not on Party Lines

3. Missouri and the Presidential Election of 1824

4. Formation of a Jackson Party in Missouri

5. Formation of a Whig Party in Missouri Split in the Democratic Party in Missouri

1. "Hards" and "Softs"

a. Benton a " Hard " Money Man

b. Opposition of the "Softs" to Benton

2. Other Issues .......

a. Tenure of Judges

b. Representation in the Legislature

c. District System for Congressional Elections Campaign of 1844 .......

I. Democratic State Convention Captured by the "Hards"

257 258 258 258

XXIV

2. Ticket Put Out by the "Softs'

3. Texas Question

a. Opposition of Benton to the Annexation of

Texas ....

b. Activity of Benton's Enemies

4. Victory of "Hards" and Reelection of Benton to

the Senate .......

Benton's Last Term in the Senate ....

1. Mexican War ......

2. Wilmot Proviso

3. Omnibus Bill and Compromise of 1850 . " Jackson Resolutions " in the Missouri Legislature .

1 . Widespread Interest in the Question of Slavery

2. Text of the Resolutions

3. Passage of the Resolutions Benton's Reply to the Resolutions

1. His "Appeal"

2. His Canvass over the State

3. Reply of Benton's Enemies Division in Whig Party Benton's Defeat in 185 1 Causes of Benton's Overthrow .

1. His Attitude toward Slavery

2. His "Appeal" and Addresses The Sources of His Strength with the People

1. His Fearlessness

2. His Fine Physique

3. His Wide Knowledge

4. His Political Integrity .

5. His Belief in the West .

Contributing Causes of His Downfall

1. His Vanity and Haughtiness

2. His Lack of Political Tact Loss of Influence during the Last Ten Years of Later Career

1 . In the House of Representatives .

2. Attempt to Reenter the Senate

3. Race for the Governorship

4. Literary Efforts ....

Missouri's Greatest Citizen

Service

CONTENTS XXV