A history of Illinois, from its commencement as a state in 1818 to 1847.

Front matter

FEOM ITS

COMMENCEMENT AS A STATE IN 1818 TO 1847.

CONTAINING A

Introduction

BY QEN. JAMES SHIELDS

In 1850, while the author of this work was on his death-bed, he placed in my hands a manuscript, with the contents of which I was then wholly unacquainted, with the injunction that after his decease I should have it published for the benefit of his family. He soon after departed this life, leaving his orphan children in a destitute condition.

In compliance with his dying request, I made repeated efforts to have the work published on terms that might secure some percentage to the orphans, but until my arrangements with the present publishers, all these efforts proved unsuccessful. By this arrangement the children will receive a liberal percentage on the sales of the work.

The author, during his whole life, had very favorable opportunities for observing events and collecting information connected with the history of his State. He was yet a child when his parents emigrated to Illinois. On arriving at maturity he was there admitted to the bar, and practised his profession for many years with

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very considerable success. He was afterwards elected an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the State, and discharged the duties of that responsible station with distinguished ability. Subsequently he was chosen Governor of the State, which was the last public office he held. From this office he retired to private life, and during his retirement prepared this history for publication. His opinions of men and measures are very freely and unreservedly expressed ; but they may be regarded as the opinions of a man of strong feelings, who took such an active part in many of the scenes which he represents, that it was impossible for him to describe them with ordinary moderation.

I regret the severity of some of the author's judgments, and the censure with which he assails the character of some of our public men, who are both my personal and political friends ; but I feel it to be incumbent upon me, by the very nature and circumstances of the trust, not only to have the work published according to his injunction, for the purpose intended by him, but also to abstain from making any alteration in the text. I therefore give it to the public just as I received it from the hands of the author, and with the sincere hope, for the sake of his destitute children, that it may meet with an indulgent and generous reception.

Washington, Feb. 3d, 1854

Chapter I

Petition of the Territorial Legislature to Congress to be admitted into the Union— Bill^^* reported by Judge Pope, the territorial Delegate— Amendments proposed by him— Boundaries of the State enlarged— Ordinances of 1787— Claim of Wisconsin to the fourteen northern counties— Reasons for extending the boundaries— Call of a Convention—Constitution adopted— E. K. Kane— Petition of the Covenanters— Organization of the State Government— Gov. Bond recommends the Canal to Lake Michigan—Judge Foster— Judge Thomas— Legislature of 1819— Code of laws— Removal ot the Seat of Government to Vandalia— Origin of the name Vandalia— Character of the people— Notice of the French villages and of the eariy American settlers—Schools, learned professions— The eariy preachers— Pursuits and business of the people— Their ingenuity— Anecdote of James Lemon— Commerce— Money— Speculation— Banks in Ohio and Kentucky— General indebtedness— Money crisis —Creation of the State Bank of 1821— Its history— Col. Menard— John M'Lean— Judge Young— First duel— Judge Lockwood jg

Chapter II

Gov. Coles, Judges Philips and Brown, and Gen. Moore— The question of Slavery— The Missouri question— Immigrants from the Slave States to Missouri— Growing desire for the introduction of Slavery— The Slavery party— Effort for a Convention to amend the Constitution— Hanson and Shaw— Resolution for a Convention passed—The riotous conduct of the Slave party— The free State party rally— Contest between them in the election of 1824- Principal men of each partv— The Convention defeated— Character of eariy political contests— No measures ;' and no parties of Whig or Democrat, Federalist or Republican— Effect of regular political parties- Reorganization of the Judiciary— Circuit Courts established— First case of proscription-Causes the repeal of the Circuit Courts— Road law and School law providing for a tax ; operated well, but were repealed— Hatred of taxation— School law of 1840; of 1845— Wm. Thomas, H. M. Wood, John S. Wright, and Thompson Campbell— Present state of Schools— Revision of the laws by Judges Lockwood and Smith— Gov. Edwards— Mr. Sloe— Lieut. Gov. Hubbard— His speech, as a candidate for Governor— His speech about Wolf scalps— The old State Bank again— Effort to investigate its management— Resisted by the Bank officers— Gov. Edwards' messages— A packed committee report against the Governor— Power of a broken Bank— Combinations to commit crime or resist law— Daniel P. Cook- Gov. Duncan— Change of political parties— Gen. Jackson's defeat, and subsequent election— Influence of this upon parties— Gov. Duncan's change— Winnebago War —Galena—" Suckers"—" Pukes"— The chief. Red Bird— Gov. Edwards' claim to the public lands— Sale of School lands— Borrowing of the School fund 50

Chapter III

Review -Election of State Treasurer in 1827— Election and defalcation of Sheriffs- Courts— Judges— Sentence of Green— Instructions to juries— The hung jury— Law of 1846— Eminent lawyers— Character of litigation— Election by ballot— The keepdark system— The " butcher-knife boys"— Influences in the Legislature— Greasing

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and swallowing, &c — Aims of politicians and of the people — Anecdote of Senator Crozier— Good and bad self-government— Rule to test the capacity of the people for either — Educated ministers of the Gospel — Ill-will towards them of some of the old ministers — Room enough for both — Benevolentj institutions and education — Colleges — Change of dress among young people — Regrets of llie old folks — Effects of attending church on Sundays— Effects of not attending church on Sundays upon young people — Progress in commerce — Character of first merchants— Selling for money supplied by emigration — Nothing raised for or shipped to foreign markets — Flat-boats— Farmers taking their own crops to market, and bad effects of it — Foreign markets— Steamboats and high rates of exchange encourage the merchants to become exporters — Bad efl'ects of farmers holding their produce from market, expecting a higher price — This practice contrasted with the New England practice of selling at the market price— Good effects of this practice— Prosperity of northern Illinois in a great measure owing to this 81

Chapter IV

Extent of settlements in 1830— Election for Governor that year— Judge John Reynolds — William Kinney — f\n-ther development of party — Description of an election of contest — Reynolds elected by Jackson and anti-Jackson men — Legislature of 1831 bound to redeem the notes of the old State bank — Horror of increasing taxes — Fears of the Legislature— The Wiggins' loan — All the members broke down — The little bull law— Penitentiary punishments — Curious contest for State Treasurer — Indian disturbances — Treaties with the Indians — Black Hawk's account of them — His character — He invades the Rock river country — Call for volunteers — Rlarch to Rock Island— Escape of the Indians— New treaty with them— Next year Black Hawk returns — Volunteers again called for — March of Gov. Reynolds and • Gen. Whiteside — Burning of Prophet's town — Arrival at Dixon — Majors Stillman and Bailey — Route at Stillman's run — Account of it by a volunteer Colonel — Council of war— Gen. Whiteside marches in pursuit of the Indians — Massacre of Indian Creek— Two young ladies captured and restored— Gen. Whiteside buries the dead and marches back to Dixon — Meets Gen. Atkinson — Dissatisfaction of the men — Marches to Ottawa— Army discharged — New call for volunteers — Volunteer regiment left as a guard of the frontiers — Col. Jacob Fry — Capt. Snyder— Battle with the Indians— Bravery of Gen. Wliiteside— Gen. Semple and Capt. Snyder— Indian murders— St. Vrain and others— Siege of Apple-river Fort— Col. Strode— Galena — Martial law there — Gen. Dodge's successful attack — Capt. Stephenson — Martial spirit of the Indians — Major Dement — Defence of Kellogg's Grove — Gen. Posey's march — Gen. Alexander — Gen. Atkinson— Gen. Henry — March up Rock river— Turtle village— Burnt village— Lake Keshkonong— Search for the Indians —Two regular soldiers fired on— Expedition to the "trembling lands"— Army dispersed in search of provisions 102

Chapter V

Gen. Posey marches to Fort Hamilton — Gens. Henry and Alexander, and Major Dodge, to Fort Winnebago — Gen. Atkinson remained behind to build a fort— Description of the country and the rivers at Fort Winnebago — Gen. Henry informed as to the position of Black Hawk — Coimcil of war— Agreement to violate orders and march after the Indians — Alexander's men refuse to march^ — Dodge's horses broke down — Arrival of Craig's comjjany — Protest of officers and signs of mutiny — Put down by Gen. Henry — His character as a military man — March for Rock river — Description of Rock river — March for Cranberry lake — Express to Gen. Atkinson — Discovery of the retreat of Black Hawk to the Wisconsin — Confession of the Winnebagoes — March for the Wisconsin — Thunder storm — Privations of the men — Arrival at the four lakes — False alarm — Description of the four lakes — Gen. Ewing and the spies— Major D(flige— Ardor of the men— Come close upon the Indians— Battle of the Wisconsin heights — Defeat of the Indians — Their retreat across the river — Reasons why Gen. Henry and the Illinois volunteers never received credit abroad for what they deserved — Gen^,Henry's death — His singular modesty — Return of the troops to the Blue Mounds — Bad treatment of Henry and his brigade by Gen.

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Atkinson— Gen. Atkinson pursues the Indians across the Wisconsin— Order of march— Henry's men put in charge of the baggage— They resent, but submit— Gen, Atkinson in front decoyed by the Indians— Drawn off on a false scent— Henry advances on the main trail— Comes upon the main body of the Indians, and again defeats them before Gen. Atkinson arrived with the rest of the army— Retreat of Black Hawk Indians— Sent in pursuit of him— The one-eyed Decori— Capture of Black Hawk and the Prophet— Description of ihe Prophet— Indian speeches — Gen. Scott— Discharge of the volunteers— Treaty of peace— Black Hawk and other prisoners taken to Washington— Makes the tuur of the Union, and are returned to their own country, west of the Mississippi 136

Chapter VI

First efforts for a Railroad system— Central Railroad— Impeachment of Judge Smith — Benjamin Mills— Other efforts to impeach judges— Effect on the public mind — Election of Governor — Gov. Duncau' — Creation of a new State Bank — Conrad Will — Means of passing its charter— Road tax — Hooking timber— Preachers employed to preach against trespasses— Veto power— Banking in Illinois— Increase of the Bank Stock — Stock readily taken — Intrigues of the subscribers— State Bank goes into the hands of Thomas Mather and his friends — Effort to build up Alton— The Lead trade — Unfortunate speculations — Real estate fund — Hostility of the Democrats — Illinois and Michigan canal — George Forquer's report — Bill to borrow money — Passed with an amendment to borrow on the credit of canal lands — Great speculation in 1835-'6 — Internal Improvement system — Means of passing it— Calculations of its funds — Election of Board of Public Works^Bank suspensions, negotiations—Election of Governor in 1838 — Thomas Corlin — Cyrus Edwards — Maxim of politicians— Explosion of the Internal Improvement system — Presidential election of 1840 — Further history of parties— Work on the canal— Payment of interest—Mr. Cavarly's biU 166

Chapter VII

Reform of the Supreme Court— Chief Justice Wilson— Justices Lockwood and Brown — Secretary of State and alien questions— Alexander P. Field— John A. McClernand —Decision of the Supreme Court— Popular excitement— Decision of a Circuit Judge on the alien question— Commotioij among the Democrats—Suspicions of the Supreme Court— Mode of deciding political questions— Mode of reforming the Court — Violence of the measure— Reluctance of some Democrats— Obstinacy of others — How a poliliclan must work in a party— Judge Douglass' speech in the lobby — Evasive decision of the Court— Judge Smith's intrigues and character— Passage of the bill— Motives of both parties— Prejudice against the Supreme Court— Moral power with the people of the Judges of the Supreme and Circuit Courts— Breaking of the banks— Causes which lead to it— Bank suspensions— Power of the State Bank over the Legislature— Special session— Struggle to forfeit the Bank Charters — Whigs secede— Call of the House— Jumping out of the windows— Democratic victory— Thrown away before the end of the session— New suspensions— Small bills — Fierceness of parties against each other— Views of both parlies concerning banking, and of each other 212

Chapter VIII

Progressof settlements— Colleges— Education— Society— Religion— Literature— John M. Peck— James Hall— John Russell— Newspapers— Effects of speculation— Plenty of money— Credit— Debts— Usury— High rates of interest— History of mobs— Alton —Mob— Lovejoy— Abolitionists— Mobs in Pope county— Mobs in the north— Ogle county mob— Cause of mobs in free countries— Joe Smith— Origin of the Mormons —Their settlement in Missouri— Troubles there— Settlemnnt in Ohio— Kirtland

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Bank— IMonnons return to Missouri— Mormon war there— Expulsion from Missouri-Settlement of the Mormons in Illinois— PuUtics of the Mormons— Martin Van Buren— Henry Clay— John J. Stuart— Dr. Bennett— Senator Lillle— Stephen A. Douglass— Mormon Charters— Nauvoo Legion— Popular cliunor against the Mormons— Arrest ot Joe Smith— Trial before Jiaige Douglass— Nomination of Mr. Snyder as the democratic candidate for Governor— Gov. Dimcan again a candidate —the Mormons declare for the Democrats— Gov. Duucan attacks the xMormons and the Mormon Charters— Death of Snyder— His character— Nomination of tlie author in his place— Reasons for this nomination— Further examination into the practical operations of government— Election of the author— The Governor, Auditor, and Treasurer forbid the receipt of Bank paper for Taxes— Condition of the

State in 1842.

Chapter IX

Character of the people— North and South— Causes of discord -Principle upon which elections were made— Character of candidates— Reasons for preference— Further maxims of politicians— John Grammar— Want of unity in the democratic party- Want of great leaders— Members of the Legislature— Legislative elections— Neglect of other business— Love of popularity— Account of lobby members— Their motives and influence— Professional politicians— Ultraists and " Milk and water men" tending to repudiation— Plans lor public relief— Illinois Canal— Justus But^ terfleld— Michael Ryan -Arthur Bronson— Compromise with the Banks— Proposed repeal of their Charters- Gov. Carlin's message— Arguments for compromise and for repeal— Ayes and Noes in the House— John A. McClernand— Lyman Trumbull —James Shields— Feuds among politicians growing out of the appointment of Secretary of Slate— Amalgamation of the co-ordinate branches of government- Opposition to the Compromise Bill in the Senate— Character of the leader of this opposition— Removal of Trumbull from the office of Secretary of Slate— Humbug set off against humbug — Improvement of public affairs — Execution laws; debtor and creditor 270

Chapter X

Mormons- New warrant for the arrest of Joe Smith— Tried before Judge Pope— Intrigues of the Whigs— The Mormons determine to vote for Whig candidates for Congress- Cyrus V^'alker— Joseph P. Hoge— Dr. Bennett— Prejudices against the Mormons — New demand for the arrest of Joe Smith — Arrest and discharge by the Municipal Court — Walker's speech — Walkers and Hoge's opinion — Mormons always prefer bad advice— Demand for a call of the Militia— Reasons for not calling Ihein — Intrigues of the Democrats— Backiiistos— Hiram Smith — William Law — Revelation in favor of Hoge— Joe Smith's speech — Hoge elected — Indignation of the W^higs — Determination to expel the Mormons — Stephen A.Douglass — City ordinances — Insolence of the Mormons — Joe Smith a candidate for President— Conceives the idea of making himself a Prince — Danife band — Spiritual wives — Attempt on William Law's wife — Tyranny of Joe Smith— Opposition to him — "Nauvoo Expositor" — Trial of the press as a nuisance — Its destruction- Secession of the refractory Mormons — Warrant for Joe Smith and Common Council— Their arrest and discharge by the Municipal Court— Committee of anti-Mormons— Journey to Carthage— Militia assembled— Complaints against the Mormons— Cause of popular fury — False reports and camp news — Pledge of the troops to protect the prisoners —Martial law— Conduct of a Constable and Civil Posse— Council of officers— The great flood of 1841— Surrender of Joe Smith and the Common Council — Warrant for treason— Commitment of Joe and Hiram Smith — Preparations to march into Nauvoo— Council of officers— Militia disbanded— Journey to Nauvoo— Guard left for the protection of the prisoners — Further precautions— The leading anti-Morinons by false reports undermine the Governor's influence— Governor's speech in Nauvoo— Vote of the Mormons— News of the death of the Smiths — Preparation for defence of the country- Mischievous influence of the press 313

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Chapter XI. Page

Account of the assassination of the Smiths— Done by the forces at Waraw— Treachery of the Carthage Greys— Franklin A. Worrell— Attack on the Jail— Murder of Joe and Hiram Smith — Character of Joe Smith — Character of the leading Mormons — Character of the Mormon people- Affairs of the Church— Sidney Rigdon's prophecies — The Twelve Apostles— Triumph of the Twelve— Increase of Mormonism — Causes of it — Gov. Ford and Herod and Pilate— The Mormons quit preaching to the Gentiles — Character of their preaching— Increased hostility of the "-Saints" — Determination t») expel the Mormons — Both parties ready to set aside free government — Natural inclination to despotism — Presidential election of 1H44 — Infatuation of the people— Stale election — Col. Taylor's visit to the Mormons induces them to vote the democratic ticket — The fault laid on the Governor — Fresh determination to expel the Mormons — Conduct of the Whig press — Pusillanimity of politicians — Gen. Hardin — Col. Baker — Col. Wealherford— Col. Merriman— Anli-.Vlormon wolf-hunt — Military expedition to Hancock — Militia infected with aui-Mormonisni — Surrender of two persons accused of the iMurder — Terms of surrender arranged by Co!. Baker — Incompetency of a Militia force in such cases — Prosecution of the murderers—Riotous trials — Constitution in relation to changes of venue — Trial of the Mormons for destroying the press— Both parties get a Jury to suit thenk— All acquitted — Anarchy in Hancock 353

Chapter XII

Canal Negotiations— Appointment of Oakley and Ryan to go t^ Europe— Factiousness of the letter-writers and newspapers — Proceedings of ihe Commissioners — David Leavitt— Meeting of American Bond-holders — Journey to Europe — Conditional agreement there — Appointment of Gov. Davis and Capt. Swift to examine and report on the Canal — Gov. Davis attacked by the Globe newspaper — Ryan's answer and attack on the Globe — Favorable Report — Ryan's second trip to Europe — Gov. Davis sent for — Failure of the negotiation — Ryan's attack on Gt)v. Davis — Letter from Baring, Brothers & Co. to Ryan— Letter of Wm. S. Wait, Esq., against taxation — Answer tliereto — Visit of Mr. Leavitt and Col. Oakley to Europe — New negotiations successful — Opposition to the Governor likely to defeat the Canal — Nature of this opposition — How to get up an opposititm to any Administration — Scandalous conduct of a Committee of Investigation— Trumbull and others— Conduct of the opposition— All their projects defeated — Visit of Gov. Davis and Mr. Leavitt to Springfield — Jealousy of the Legislature against monied men and foreign influence— They are well received— Propositions of the public creditors— Opposition arrayed— Miserable intrigues of George T. M. Davis and other Whigs— Patriotic conduct of Judge Logan and other Whigs— Norlh and South again — Messrs. Strong, Adams, Janney, and Dunlap— The Canal Bill defeated in the Senate— Talk of bribery — Vote reconsidered and divided — Good management of Senator Kilpatrick — The Canal Bill passed — The money for the Canal obtained — Election and. organization of the Board of Trustees— Rate of Interest reduced to six per cent. — Repeal of the Mormon Charters — Resolution calling on the Governor and Judges to relinquish their Salaries-The Governor's answer — Mistaken notions of Economy— Buncomb resolutions and speeches on this subject— Shawneetown Bank- Conditional contract with that Institution — Dr. Anderson — The true art of riding hobbies 370

Chapter XIII

The city of Nauvoo— The Temple— New causes of quarrel— The " Oneness"— Antiftlormon meeting fired at by themselves— Character of the anti-Mormons— New mobs— House burning -Sherift's posse — Backinstos —Plundering — McBratney— Death of Worrell— Danbeneyer—Durfee— Trial of the Sherifi" for murder— Gen. Hardin sent over with 5U0 men— Stops the disorders on both sides — .A.nti Mormon Conven lion— The Mormons agree to leave the State— Maj. Warren with two companies left as a Guard— Good conduct of Major Warren— Indictments against the

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Twelve Apostles for counterfeiting— Exodus of the Mormons— Anti-Mormons anxious to expel the few that were left — Cause of a new quarrel — Writs sworn out — Old trick of calling the posse— The matter adjusted— Mormon vote in 1846- New excitements— New writs sworn out— The posse again— The new citizens petition for protection— Order to Major Parker — Order to Mr. Brayman — Treaty between the parlies — Not agreed to by the Anti-Mormons — Mr. Brayman's letter— James W. Singleton— Thomas S. Brockman— Order to Major Flood— His proceedings under it— Numbers of each party— Battles— Not many hurt- The Mormons surrender the City— Triumphant entry of the anti-Mormons— Their brutal conduct- Sufferings of the Mormons — Excitement against the anti-Mormons — Moderate men not to be relied on in times of excitement — Difficulties of the Executive— Expedition to Nauvoo — The anti-Mormon posse dispersed — Violence of the anti-Mormons against the Governor— Anti-Mormon meetings— Their resolutions— Anti-Mormon Committee of rogues and blackguards— The Irish Justice and Constable— Capt. Allen's expedition to Carthage— Major Webber — Attempts to arrest a Spy — Writs sworn out to arrest him and Capt. Allen — The old trick of the posse again — Instability of popular feeling — No disposition anywhere to assist, but a disposition everywhere to censure government, for not performing impossibilities — Popular notions of Martial Law — Like master like man — Anarchy and despotism — Liberty and slavery 403

Chapter XIV

Riots in Massac county in 1846 — Robbery in Pope county— The regulators— Their proceedings — Arrests made by them — The torture and confession of their prisoners — The rogues vote for the county officers of Massac in 1846 — Extorted and bribed evidence to implicate the sheriff and others, by the opposing candidates — The sheriff and others ordered to leave the county — Many whipped, tarred and feathered, and some drowned — Arrest of the rioters— They' are rescued by the regulators- Judge Scales' charge to the grand jury — Indictments against the regulators — Threats to lynch the judge and the grand jury — Order to Dr. Gibbs, and reason for such an order— His proceedings under it— The Militia refuse to turn out — Inefficiency of well-disposed moderate men in such times — A few bold, violent men can govern a county, and how they do it— The reasons why the Militia would not turn out — Attack on old Mathis, his wife shot, he is carried away, supposed to have been murdered — The regulators arrested, given up by the sheriff, prisoners taken to Kentucky — Some of them drowned — Proceedings of the new Governor and the Legislature, then in session— District Courts provided to evade the Constitution against changes of the venue in criminal cases— The disturbances die away of themselves — The situation in 1842 compared with its condition in December, 1846 437

TO THE PUBLIC.

The author of this history has lived in Illinois from the year 1804 up to this time ; he attended the first session of the Legislature under the State government, at Kaskaskia, in 1818-19 ; and has been present at every session from 1825 up to 1847. He has not only had the means of becoming acquainted with events and results, but with the characters and motives of those who were the most active in bringing them about, which is the hidden soul and most instructive part of history. The events of such a government as that of Illinois, and the men of its history, must necessarily be matters of small interest in themselves. But the author has been encouraged to give some account of them by remembering that history is only philosophy teaching by examples ; and may, possibly, teach by small as well as large ones. Observation of the curious habits of small insects has thrown its light upon science, as much as the dissection of the elephant. Therefore, if any one is curious to see what very great things may be illustrated by very small matters, this book will give him some aid.

Xiv TO THE PUBLIC.

The author has written about small events and little men for two reasons : first, there was nothing else in the history of Illinois to write about ; secondly, these small matters seemed best calculated to illustrate what he wanted to promulgate to the people. The historical events and personages herein recorded and described, are related and delineated gravely and truthfully ; and by no means in a style of exaggeration, caricature, or romance, after the fashion of Knickerbocker's amusing history of New York ; but like a tale of romance, they are merely made a kind of thread upon which to string the author's speculations ; being his real, true, and genuine views, entertained as a man, not as a politician, concerning the practical operation of republican government and the machinery party, in the new States of the West. He has not ventured to call his book a history^ for the reason that much heavy lumbering matter, necessary to constitute it a complete history, but of no interest to the general reader, has been omitted. Indeed, every history is apt to contain much matter not only tiresome to read, but mischievous to be remembered ; and it is often the unprofitable task of the antiquarian to busy himself in raking and carefully saving from oblivion some stupid or mischievous piece of knowledge, which the good sense of the cotemporary generation of mankind had made them forget.

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The account of our very unimportant mobs and wars, and particularly the Mormon wars, — in which the autlior had the misfortune to figure in a small way himself, — is here introduced, with the single remark, that little events are recorded with a minuteness and particularity which, it is hoped, will not tire, but will certainly astonish the reader, until he sees the great principles which they illustrate. The author has earnestly endeavored to be as faithful and impartial as he well could, considering that he was himself an actor in some of the scenes described. For the history of the last four years, embracing the term of his own administration of the State government, the most difficult period of our history, he must bespeak some forbearance. The internal improvement system, the banks, the great plenty of money, had made every one morally drunk. The failure of all these brought about a sobering process, which just began when the author came into office. The different modes of relief for unparalleled calamity, brought about by unparalleled folly, which were proposed ; the hideous doctrine of repudiation, and its apposite of increasing the taxes to pay our just debts ; the everlasting intrigues of politicians with the Mormons ; the serious disturbances and mobs which these lead to ; and the strife between the north and the south about the canal, and their contests for power, were difficult subjects to

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deal with. The author aimed to act positively, and not negatively, in all these matters, which brought him into fierce collision with many prominent men. He will go down to the grave satisfied, in his own mind, that he was right, and they wrong ; and therefore it may be, that he has not spoken so flatteringly of some of them as they may have wished. But he has set nothing down in malice. It is believed that many public men in Illinois aim to succeed only for the present, and have acted their parts, with no idea of being responsible to history ; and of course they have acted much worse than they would have done, had they dreamed that history some time or other would record their selfish projects, and hand them down to another age. They were encouraged, by their insignificance, to hope for oblivion ; and it is, perhaps, after all, not very fair to take them by surprise, by recording their miserable conduct, giving a small immortality to their littleness.

In all those matters in which the author has figured personally, it will be some relief to the reader to find, that he has not attempted to blow himself up into a great man. He has no vanity of that sort ; and no one thinks more humbly of him than he does of himself. If he has been solicitous about anything concerning himself, it has been to be considered " a well-meaning sort of person ;" though he knows that this, of all oth-

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