Bureau County, Illinois - Chapter 2: The Northwest Territory. Illinois, 1906

Chapter 2: The Northwest Territory. Illinois

The treaty of peace, which was signed in Paris September 3, 1783, by Benjamin Franklin, John Jay and John Adams, who represented the Colonies, granted the independence of the United States in the territory extending from the Atlantic Coast to the Mississippi River. Much of this territory, especially that part of it which George Rogers Clark had conquered in 1779 and which we had retained by labored diplomacy, when the treaty of 1782 was dravm, was claimed by Virginia and she really governed it. But New York. Massachusetts and Connecticut also contended (hat they, too. had rights therein. Some of the States, and especially Maryland, were opposed to having all of this vast stretch of territory, which included all of the country north of the Ohio River as far east as Pennsylvania and west to the Mis- River, containing about two hundred and thirty-eight thousand square miles, added to any one State, or divided between two or three States. ^Faryland proposed that this region should become the property of the general government and refused to ratify the Articles of Confederation until the four States that claimed the northwest territory should yield their claims to the United States. Finally this idea prevailed. For several years Congress wrestled with the different plans of organizing this territory which at last resulted in the Ordinance of 1787, which placed this property under the control of the general government. Out of this territory the five great States of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin were formed in the order named. Illinois being the third admitted, became a sovereign State in 1818. The famous ordinance of 1787 has been justly called the great "American Charter," for by its passage human slavery was forever prohibited within its borders. Strange as it may seem, this ordinnance received the unanimous vote of eight States, namely, Massachusetts, Virginia, Delaware, New York, New Jersey, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia, all that were present and all were slave holding States except Massachusetts. But at that time slavery had not become a political question. Indeed many of the foremost statesmen of the South were strongly opposed to the continuance of its existence. It is reported that Grayson of Virginia explained his vote by saying that the anti-slavery clause in the ordinance would prevent the raising of tobacco, cotton and indigo north of the Ohio River. So it seems that the South looked upon the measure as being beneficial to their commercial interests. In speaking of this enactment Daniel Webster said : "We are accustomed to praise the law-givers of antiquity; but I doubt not whether one single law, ancient or modern, has produced effects of more distinct, marked and lasting character than the ordinance of 1783."

Chief Justice Salmon P. Chase, speaking of this act said : "Never probably in the history of the world did a measure of legislation so accurately fulfill and yet so mightily exceed the anticipations of the legislators. It has been well described as having been a pillar of cloud by day and of fire bv night, in the settlement and government of the northwestern States." The concjuest of Clark in 1779 was one of the great victories which led to the successful termination of the Revolutionary war and to his foresight and indomitable will together with his matchless courage we owe as a nation and a State, a debt of gratitude that will probably never be fully realized by the generations that have and are to reap the benefits of his great achievements. We only regret that space forbids us to chronicle some few of his heroic struggles in . winter's cold and summer's heat and by so doing give the young readers of this volume an inspiration to read and to know the trials and hardships of the fathers of this great commonwealth, that have brought about the glorious privileges of the present time. In 1788 General Arthur St. Clair was appointed governor of this new territory. There was a revision of the ordinance of 1787 which Virginia accepted and St. Clair was again appointed governor in 1789. The seat of territorial government was located at Marietta (Ohio). The county of Washington (Ohio) was the first co\inty organized. Then followed Hamilton, which was also in Ohio. In 1790 Governor St. Clair came into the Illinois country and established a county which was named after himself. This was the first county established within the territory of Illinois and comprised about one-third of the State. The population at that time was about two thousand. Perrin's history of Illinois tells of the belief of witcheraf r at that time. In referring to the matter he says : "Two negroes were executed for witchery at Caliokia, as mentioned by Governor Reynolds in his 'Pioneer History of Illinois.' At this e.xecution a flock of crows was observed flying over the scene and it was remarked by the assembly that the spirits of the witches had gone into the crows and taken flight." He also says that in 1783 the first American schoolmaster arrived upon the soil of Illinois. In 1~'J5 St. Clair county was divided and the southern portion took the name of Randolph county, while the northern portion retained its original name.

After this division both counties remained subject to the government of the northwestern territory until May 7, 1800, when the original northwestern territory was diviiied into two parts. Soon after this the eastern part became the State of Ohio, and the western part was formed into the Indiana Territory and Gen. William Henry Harrison was appointed governor. The act of Congress provided that from July 4, 1800, the territory lying northwest of the Ohio River and "west of a line beginning at the Ohio River opposite the mouth of the Kentucky River" to Fort Recovery, thence north to the Canada line, should be known as Indiana Territory.

Thus il will lie seen that Indiana Territory contained within its borders all of Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin and over one-half of Michigan. Illinois remained as a part of this territory, being subject to its juris<liction until 1809 wl.en on February 3 of that year, by an act of Congress, the Indiana Territory was divided and Illinois commenced its territorial life on the first day of March following, embracing all the territory west of the Wabash River north to Canada. " The population as shown by the census of 1810 was 12,282. The first governor of Illinois Territory was Ninian Edwards. He was appointed by Presiden William Henry Harrison in 1809 and when the territory was raised to the second grade in 1812 he was again appointed and was held in that position until Illinois was admitted as a State in 1818. He was also elected first United States Senator together with James B. Thomas, and was elected governor in 1826. He died at Belleville in 1833. The county of Edwards was named after him. In 1812 Illinois was raised to a territory of the second grade and Gallatin, Johnson and Madison counties were formed that year. That the reader may fully underst^ind what'is meant by the territory being raised to a territory of the second grade the writer will say that in May, 1812, Congress provided for the extension of the rights of suffrage and gave to the territorial legislature unlimited powers of legislation unless it conflicted with the ordinance of 1787. From this time on to the admission of Illinois as a State no special historical events occurred, although during this period several new counties were formed, towit: Edwards county on November 28, 1814; White county on December 5, 1815 ; Monroe county on January 6, 1816; Jackson and Pope counties, on Jantiary 10, 1816; Crawford county on December 31, 1816; Bond county on January 4, 1817; Franklin, Union and Washington counties on January 2, 1818. During this period according to Perrin's history (which the author of this work has found to be reliable) steamboats first made their appearance upon the western waters. In \vriting of this period Perrin, in his history of Illinois, saj's: "After having passed through its various vicissitudes and changes involving different occupants, discoverers, claimants, possessors and owners to which were added nine j-ears of its own individual territorial period, Illinois finally, one hundred and forty-five years after its discovery by white men was admitted as an integral part of the Union and granted all the rights of sovereignty pertaining to each of the members of our great sisterhood of States. It was the twenty-first to be admitted. A new design for our national flag had been adopted some time previously and the first st.ar that was added to the constellation on the field of azure blue was the star of Illinois." The war of 1812 did not disturb the people of Illinois Territory to any great extent except as the British agents incited the Indians to deeds of cruelty and in many cases the white people had to flee to forts for protection, and in several places they pillaged the houses and massacred the occupants. The terrible slaughter by the Indians at Fort Dearborn was during this period. The government gave bounties to soldiers of the war of 1812. Land was jriven them in what is known as the Military Tract. The area of this tract embraced all of the land between the Illinois and Mississippi rivers for one hundred and sixty-nine miles north of the mouth of the former. Historians do not agree about the extent of this Military Tract. John Moses in his history published in 1895 says it extended one hundred and sixty miles north. Perrin and Stevens say one hundred and sixty-nine miles. We are inclined to believe the latter is correct. We insert this bit of history here, as a large portion of our population at the present time have only a vague idea of the extent of this tract. The ordinance of 1787, as before stated, provided that not less than three nor more than five States should be formed from this territory. If the Illinois Territory had been admitted as a whole the State would have embraced all of Wisconsin. But the act further provided as follows : "That, if Congress shall hereafter find it expedient, they shall have authority to form one or two States in that part of the said territory which lies north of an cast and west line drawn through the southerly bend or extreme of Lake Michigan." Congress finally decided to make two States from this territory and in 1818 a petition was presented to Congress by Nathaniel Pope, dele- gate from tlie territorial legislature, asking for admission as a State. Judge Pope, realizing the importance of Illinois having a good harbor on Lake Michigan made a strenuous effort to have the northern boundary on parallel 43° 30' north latitude instead of the southern limits of Lake Michigan, as the original act provided. Accordingly after a long and spirited discussion the present boundaries of Illinois were made permanent. It was a grand stroke of diplomacy on the part of Judge Pope, for by it fourteen of the most northerly counties were saved to the State. Had it not been for the earnest and efficient work of Judge Pope in all probability the northern boundary of our State, instead of being 42° 30', would have been at the extreme south end of Lake ^Michigan and Chicago would have been a city of Wisconsin. After ll.xing the boundaries of the State a convention was called to meet at Kaskaskia, at which place a constitution was framed and adopted August 26, 1818. Illinois had now become a member of this Union endowed with all the rights of statehood. This new State contains about 55,400 square miles. Its extreme length from north to south is 378 miles and its greatest width is 212 miles. At the first election held for the officers of this new State Shadrach Bond was elected governor. Governor Bond was inaugurated October 6. 1818. The capital of the State was fixed as Kaskaskia, which place had been the seat of the territorial government. During the administration of Governor Bond from 1818 to 1822 the following counties were formed : Alexander county on March 4, 1819; Clark and Wayne counties on March 26, the same year. The first legislature also provided for the removal of the capital and Vandalia was selected, to which place the seat of government was moved in December, 1820. The population of Illinois at that time was 55,211. In 1821 the following counties were formed, to-wit: Greene, Sangamon, Pike, Hamilton, Montgomery and Fayette. By an act of the legislature in 1821 the original boundaries of Pike county were as follows: "Beginning at the mouth of the Illinois River, and running thence up the middle of said river to tlie fork of same, thence up the south fork of said river until it strikes the state line of Indiana, thence north with said line to the northern boundary line of this State, and thence west with said line to the place of beginning." It will be seen that by this act of the legislature that Pike county contained nearly one-third of the State. Beck, in the Gazetteer of Illinois, writing of Chicago in 1823, savs it is "a village of Pike county, situated on Lake Michigan, at the mouth of Chii^ago creek. It contains twelve or fifteen houses and about sixty or seventy inhabitants."

In 1819 the legislature passed an act in regard to free negroes, mulattoes, servants and slaves. This art is known as the "Black Laws." AN .A'CT EEsrECTiNG Free Negroes, Mulattoes, Servants and Slaves. Approved March

Sec. 1. Be it e/nacted by the people of the state of Illinois represented in the general assembly, 'That from and after the passage of this act, no black or mulatto person shall be permitted to settle or reside in this state, unless he or she shall first produce a certificate, signed by some judge or clerk of some court in the United States, of his or her actual freedom ; which certificate shall have the seal of such court affixed to it; on producing the same to the clerk of the circuit court of the county in which he shall intend to settle, it shall be the duty of such clerk to make an entry therof, and endorse a certificate, stating the time the same was entered in his office, and the name and description of the person producing the same; after which it shall be lawful for such free negro or mulatto to reside in this state.

Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That it shall be the duty of all free negroes and mulattoes, who shall come to reside in this state after the first day of June next, and having a family of his or her own, and having a certificate as mentioned in the fir.st section of this act, to give to the clerk of the circuit court at the time of making an entry of his certificate, a description, with the name and ages of his, her or their family, which shall be stated by the clerk in the entry made by him of such certificate; and the clerk shall also state tlie same on the original certificate ; Provided, however. That nothing contained in this or the preceding section of this act, shall be construed to prevent the overseers of the poor in any township, from causing any such free negro or mulatto to be removed wdio shall come into this state contrary to the provisions of the act concerning the poor.

Sec. 3. And be it further enacted. That it shall not lie lawful for any person or persons to bring into this state after the passage of this act, any negro or mulatto who shall be a slave or held to service at the time, for the purpose of emancipating or setting at liberty any such negro or mulatto; and any person or persons, who shall so bring in any such negro or mulatto for the purpose aforesaid, shall give a bond to the county commissioners of the county where such slave or slaves are emancipated, in the penalty of one thousand dollars, conditioned that such per.son so emancipated by him, shall not become a charge on any county in this state ; and every per.son neglecting nr refusing to give such bond, shall forfeit and pay the sum of two hundred dollars for eacli negro or mulatto so emancipated or set at liberty, to be recovered by action of debt before any court competent to try the same, to be sued for in the name of the county commissioners of the county, where the same shall happen, to the use of the county.

Sec. 4. And he it further enacted. That every black or mulatto person (slave and persons held unto service excepted), residing in this state at the passage of this act, shall on or before the first day of June next, enter his or their name (unless they have heretofore entered the same), together with the name or names of his or her family, with the clerk of the circuit court of the county in which they reside, together with the evidence of his or her freedom; which shall be entered on record by the said clerk, together with a description of all such persons; and thereafter the clerk's certificate of such record sliall be sufficient evidence of his or her freedom: Provided, nevertheless, That nothing in this act contained, shall be construed to bar the lawful claim of any person or nersons to any such negro or mulatto.

Sec. 5. And he it further enacted. That it shall not be lawful for any person or persons residing in this state after the first day of June ne.xt, to hire, or in anywise employ any black or mulatto person, unless such person shall have one of the certificates aforesaid; and any person who shall hire or employ any black or mulatto person contrary to the provisions of this section, shall pay the sum of one dollar and fifty cents for each day they shall hire or employ any such black or mulatto person, recoverable before any justice of the peace, or court competent to try the same, in the name of the county commissioner of the county w-here the offense may be committed ; one-tliird thereof to the person giving the information, and the other twothirds shall be paid to the owner or owners of the black or mulatto person, if any there shall be, and apply for the same.

Sec. 6. And he it further cnarted. That if any person or persons, shall liarbor or secrete any black or mulatto person, the same being a slave or owing service or labor to any other person or persons, and knowing the same, or shall in anywise hinder or prevent the lawful owner or owners of such slaves or servants from retaking and possessing his or their slave or servant, shall be deemed guilty of felony, and upon conviction thereof, before any court competent to try the same, shall sufTer the pains and penalties prescribed by law for persons guilty of receiving stolen goods, knowing Uiem to be stolen.

Sec. 7. And be it further enacted. That every black or mulatto person who shall be found in this state, and not having such a cprtificate as is required by this act, shall he deemed a runaway slave or servant; and it shall be lawful for anv inhabitant of this, to take such black or mulatto person and carry them before some justice of the peace: and should such black or mulatto person not produce such certificate as aforesaid, it shall be the duty of such justice to cause such black or mulatto person, to be committed to the custody of the sheriiT of the county, who shall keep such black or mulatto person, and in three days after recei%'ing them, shall advert'se (hem at the door of the courthouse, and shnll transmit a notice and cause the same to be advertised for six weeks in some public newspaper, printed nearest to the place of apprehending such black person or mulatto, stating a description of the most remarkable features of such supposed runaway ; and if such person, so committed, shall not procure a certificate or other evidence of their freeilom within the time aforesaid, it shall be the duty of the sheriff to hire them out for the best price he can get, after having given five days' previous notice thereof, from mouth to month, for the space of one year. And if no owner shall appear and substantiate their claim before the expiration of the year, the sheriff shall give a certificate to such black or mulatto person, who on producing the same to the next circuit court of the county, may obtain a certificate from the court, stating the facts, and that the person shall be deemed a free person, unless they shall be lawfully claimed by their proper owner or owners thereafter. And as a reward to the taker up of such negro, there shall be paid by the owner, if any, before he shall receive him from the sheriff, ten dollars, and the owner shall, moreover, pay to the sheriff for the justice, two dollars, and reasonable costs for carrying such runaway to the sheriff; and shall also pay the sheriff all fees for keeping such runaway as other prisoners: Provided, however. That the property owner, if any there be, shall be entitled to the hire of any such runaway from the sheriff, after deducting the expenses of the same: And provided also. That the taker up shall have a right to claim any reward which the owner shall have offered for the apprehension of such runaway; should any taker up claim such offered reward, he shall not be entitled to the allowance made by this act.

Sec. 8. And be it further enacted. That in case any black or mulatto person shall not be claimed by the owner in the time aforesaid, and such person shall have obtained a certificate from the court aforesaid, they shall receive all the amount of the wages for which they may have been hired, after paying the expenses; and any person applying to the proper authority as provided by the laws of the Fnited States, or of this state, for judging in such ca.ses for reclaiming any black or mulatto person as his. her of their slave or servant, and who.se character for veracity is not such as to satisfy any judge or justice of the peace, or other proper authority, that the oath or representation of such claimant is entitled to credit: and should such claimant he a stranser, it will be necessary that such aulhority should be made satisfied that such claimant or claimants are citizens of the United States, and that they are entitled to such credit as is before required, before they act thereon, otherwise than securing those claimed, until a decision can be had therein : and sliould any person or persons fraudulently obtain possession of any free negro or mulatto, by false swearing before any competent authority, such person or persons so offending, shall he deemed guilty nf perjury, and on conviction thereof shall be

Sec. 9. And be it further enacted. That any person or persons, who shall forcibly take and carry out of this state any negro or mulatto (slaves excepted by their owners), owing service or labor to any person in this state, or who shall forcibly take out of this state, any free negro or mulatto having gained a legal settlement in this state, shall forfeit and pay for every such offense the sum of one thousand dollars to the party injured, to be recovered in the name of the people of the state of Illinois, by action of debt in any court having cognizance of the same: Provided, however. That this section shall not be construed so as to prevent the owner or owners, or their agents, from removing their servants, who shall run away and be found in th's state, to any state or territory where they may belong, nor to persons who shall be traveling or removing their servants through this state, to any other state or territory.

Sec. 10. And he it further enacted. That servants shall be provided by the master with wholesome and sufficient food, clothing and lodging, and at the end of their service, if they shall not have contracted for any reward, food, cothing and lodging, shall receive from him one new and complete suit of clothing suited to the season of the year, to-wit: A coat, waist coat, pair of breeches and shoes, two pair of stockings, two shirts, a hat and blanket.

Sec. 11. And he it further enacted, That the benefit of the said contract of service, shall be assignable by the master to any person being a citizen of this state, to whom the servant shall in the presence of a justice of the peace, freely consent that it shall he assis.ned ; the said justice attesting such free consent in writing; and shall also pass to the executors, administrators and legatees of the master.

Sec. 12. And he it further enacted. That any such servant being lazy, disorderly, guilty of misbehavior to his master, or master's family, shall be corrected by stripes, on order from a justice of the county, wherein he resides : or refusing to work, shall be compelled thereto in like manner, and moreover shall serve two days for every one he shall have so refused to serve, or shall otherwise have lost, without sufficient justification : all necessary expenses incurred by any master for appreliendintr and bringintj home any absconiling servant, shall be repaid by further services, after such rates as the circuit court of the county shall direct, unless such servant shall give security, to be approved of by the court for the payment in money within six months after he shall be free from service, and shall accordingly pay the same.

Sec. 13. And he it further cnnctcd. That if any master shall fail in the duties proscribed by this act, or shall be guilty of injurious demeanor toward his servant, it shall be redressed on motion hv the circuit court of the countv wherein the servant resides, who may hear and determine such cases in a summary way, making such orders thereupon, as in their judgment will relieve the party injured in future.

Sec. 15. And he it further enacted. That the circuit court of every county shall, at all times, receive the complaints of servants, being citizens of any of the United States of America, who reside within the jurisdiction of such court, against their masters or mistresses, alleging undeserved or immoderate correction, insufficient allowances of food, raiment, or lodging, and may hear and determine such case in a summary way, making such orders thereupon as in their judgment will relieve the party injured in future ; and may also, in the same manner hear and determine complaints of masters and mistresses against their servants, for desertion without good cause, and may oblige the latter for loss thereby occasioned, to make restitution by further services after the expiration of the time for which they had been bound.

Sec. 16. And he it further enacted, That if any servant shall at any time bring in goods or money, during time of their service, shall by gift, or other lawful means, acquire goods or money, they shall have the property and benefit thereof to their own use ; and if any servant shall be sick or lame, and so become useless or chargeable, his or her master or owner shall maintain such servant until his or her time of service shall be expired ; and if any master or owner shall put away any lame or sick servant, under pretense of freedom, and such servant becomes chargeable to the county, such master or owner shall forfeit and pay thirty dollars to the overseers of the poor of the county where'n such offence shall be committed, to the use of the poor of the county, recoverable, with costs, by action of debt in any circuit court; and, moreover, shall be liable to the action of the said overseers of the poor at the common law for damages.

Sec. 17. And he it further enarfed. That no negro, mulatto, or Indian shall at any time purchase any servant, other than of their own complexion, and if any of the persons aforesaid shall nevertheless presume to purchase a white servant, such servant shall immediately become free, and shall be so held, deemed and taken.

Sec. 18. And he it further enacted. That no person shall buy, sell or receive of, to, or from any servant or slave any coin or commodity without leave or consent of the master or owner of such slave or servant: and any person so offending shall forfeit and pay to the master or owner of such slave or servant four times the value of the thing so bouglit. sold or recovered, to be recovei'ed with costs of suit before any court having cognizance of the same ; and every servant upon the expiration of his or her time shall be entitled to a certificate from the clerk of the court of the county where such sersant is indentured or registered, and such certificate shall indemnify any person for hiring or employing such person.

Sec. 19. And be it further enacted. That in all cases of penal laws where free persons are punishable by fine, servants sliall be punished by whipping, after the rate of twenty lashes for every eight dollars, so that no servant shall receive more than forty lashes at any one time, unless such offender can procure some person to pay the fine.

Sec. 20. And be it further enacted. That every servant, upon the expiration of his or her time, and proof thereof made before the circuit court of the county wliere he or she last served, shall have his or her freedom recorded and a certificate thereof, under the hand of the clerk, which shall be sufficient to indemnify any person for entertaining or hiring such servant; and if such certificate should happen to be torn or lost, the clerk, upon request, shall issue another, reciting therein the loss of the former.

Sec. 21. And be it further enacted, That if anv slave or servant shall be found at a distance of ten miles from tenement of his or her master, or the person with whom he or she lives, without a pass or some letter of token, whereby it may appear that he or she is proceeding by authority froni liis or her master, employer or overseer, it shall and may be lawful for any person to apprehend and carry him or her before a justice of the peace, to be by his order punished with stripes, not exceeding thirty-five, at his discretion.

Sec. 22. And be it further enacted. That if any slave or servant shall presume to come and be upon the plantation, or at the dwelling of any person whatsoever, without leave fmra his or her owner, not being sent \ipon lawful business, it shall bo lawful for the owner of such plantation or dwelling house to give or order such slave or servant ten lashes on his or her bare back.

Sec. 2.S. And he it further enacted. That riots, routs, unlawful assemblies, trespasses and seditions speeches by any slave or slaves, servant or servants, shall be punished with stripes, at the discretion of a justice of the peace, not exceeding thirty-nine, and he who will, may apprehend and carry him, or her, or them before such justice.

Sec. 24. And be it further enacted. That if any person or persons shall permit or suffer any slave or slaves, servant or servants of color, to the number of three or more, to assemble in his, her or their house, outhouse, yard or shed, for the purpose of dancing or reveling, either by night or by day, the person or persons so offending shall forfeit and pay the sum of twenty dollars, with costs, to any person or persons who will sue for and recover the same, by action of debt or indictment, in nnv court of record nroper to try the same.

Sec. 25. And be it further enacted. That it shall be the duty of all coroners, sheriffs, judges and justices of the peace, who shall see or know of, or be informed of any such assemblage of slaves or servants, immediately to commit such slaves or servants to the jail of the county; and on view of proof thereof, order each and every such slave or servant to be whipped, not exceeding thirtynine stripes, on his or her bare back, on the day next succeeding such assemblage, unless it shall happen on a Sunday, then on the Monday following; which said stripes shall be inflicted by any constable of the township, if there should be one therein, or otherwise by any person or persons whom the said justices shall appoint, and who shall be willing so to inflict the same; Provided, however, that the provisions hereof shall not apply to any persons of color who may assemble for the purpose of amusement by permission of their masters, first had in writing, on condition that no disorderly conduct is made use of by them in such assemblage.

In 1822 Edward Coles was elected Governor. During his administration in 1825 La Fayette visited this country, and, by invitation of the legislature, made a short tour through Illinois, and was given a reception at Ivaskaskia. The act establishing free schools was passed January 15 the same year. The following counties were also formed during Governor Coles' term of office: Edgar, Marion, Fulton and Morgan, in 1823 ; Clay, Clinton and Wabash, in 1824; Calhoun, Adams, Hancock, Henry, Knox, Mercer, Peoria, Putnam, Schuyler and Warren, in 1825; Vermilion and McDonough, in 1826. The administration of Governor Coles was somewhat stormy and vexatious. Although the ordinance of 1787 provided that slavery should not exist within the borders of the Northwest Territory, and ought to forever have settled that question, yet various interpretations were presented, from time to time, trying to sot that ordinance aside. Governor Coles was anti-slavery in sentiment, and in his inaugural address he met the issue frankly and squarely, giving his views in a bold and fearless manner. After a long and bitter fight over the proposition to change the constitution, the legislature finally adopted a resolution subrnitling the question to the people. In the remarkable campaign that followed most of the leading men of the state arrayed themselves against the state administration. This struggle for supremacy must ever be considered one of the greatest triumphs for human liberty. When the ballots were counted on the second day of August, 1824, there wore 4972 votes for and 6640 against the amendment, making Illinois at once and for all time a free state. Ninian Edwards was governor of Illinois from 1826 to 1830. During his administration the legislature authorized the selling of school lands, for the purpose of loaning the funds to the state to meet its current expenses. This was an era of educational awakening, during which time McKendree College was located at Lebanon and Illinois College located at Jacksonville; also the starting of what is known as Shurtleff College, now located at Upper Alton, sprang into existence. These three institutions have done much toward establishing the higher education of the present time. The population at the close of Governor Edwards' administration, in 1830, had increased to 157,445. During the four years he was governor the following counties were formed: Shelby, Perry, Tazewell and Jo Daviess, in 1827 ; Macoupin and Macon, in 1829. I quote the following from Perrin's History of Illinois: "The ordinance of 1787 contained the following language: 'Eeligion, morality and knowledge, being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and means of education shall forever be encouraged.' "

The act of Congress which enabled Illinois to prepare for statehood provided that section sixteen in every township should be "for the use of schools.'" Also that 5 per cent of the net proceeds of the sale of land by Congress should be divided by devoting two-fifths thereof to the making of roads and the balance for the encouragement of education. One-sixth of this balance was to be used for a university. Also an entire township, to be designated by the President, together with one already reserved for the purpose, was to be appropriated for the use of a seminary, which provision was accepted by Illinois and became the basis of our school and university system. The law of 1849 made the secretary of state ex officio superintendent of schools. This law led up to that of 1854, by which the office of state superintendent was established and also the system of free schools. In 1870 Illinois framed a new constitution, which made the state superintendent of public instruction an executive officer and extended his term of office to four years. The following have been state superintendents :

The following are the state educational institutions: Illinois State Nomial University, Normal, established by an act of the legislature, February IS, 1857; Northern Illinois State Normal School, De Kalb ; Eastern Illinois State Normal School, Charleston; Western Illinois State Normal School, Macomb ; Southern Illinois Normal University, Carbondale; University of Illinois, Urbana; Illinois Institute for Education of Blind, Jacksonville, Illinois; Institute for Education of Deaf and Dumb, Jacksonville. John Eeynolds was inaugurated Governor December 9, 1830. In 1834 he was elected to Congress, and resigned as Governor. Zadoe Casey was elected Lieutenant Governor in 1830, but was elected to Congress in 1832, so that on the resignation of Governor Reynolds, there being no Lieutenant Governor, the office fell to William L. D. Ewing, who had been elected president pro tem of the Senate, which made him the next officer in rank. The Black Hawk war, which we shall speak of in another part of this volume occurred during this administration. The following counties were formed during this period: Coles and McLean in December, 1830; Cook and La Salle in January, 1831; Eock Island, Effingham and Jasper in February, 1831; Champaign and Iroquois in February, 1833. The inauguration of Joseph Duncan occurred on December 3, 1834. In his inaugural address he urged the legislature to take under consideration the improvement of our public school system. Also a general system of public improvements, chief among which was the construction of the Illinois and Michigan canal. The question of removing the state capital had been discussed under the preceding administratiori and had been submitted to the people. Jacksonville, Alton, Peoria, Springfield and Vandalia were contestants, but neither received a majority. As the people made no choice it was decided by the legislature, and on the fourth ballot Springfield was selected and the seat of government moved there in 1839. An act for the construction of the Illinois and Michigan canal was passed by the legislature in January, 1836. The governor was given authority to negotiate a loan of five hundred thousand dollars and three commissioners were named to look after the interests of the state. This canal was to begin "at or near the lown of Chicago," and "end near the mouth of little Vermillion in La Salle county." It was to be not less than forty-five feet wide on the surface and thirty feet at the bottom and at least four feet deep. After considering the matter and consulting canal experts, the commissioners accepteil the recommendation of the chief engineer and finally constructed the canal with a surface width (if sixty feet, and with a bottom width of thirty-six feet and a depth of six feet. Much money was expended during this period of our statehood on internal improvements.

It was during Governor UuiKan"s term of oftice that the country was thrown into a state of great excitement on account of the assassination of Elijah Lovejoy at Alton in 1837. This event will be discussed in another part of this volume. The following counties were formed under this administration: Will, Kane, Mcllenry, Ogle, Whiteside and Winnebago, in January, 1836; Livingston, Bureau, Cass, Boone, De Kalb and Stephenson in 1837.

Thomas Carlin was inaugurated governor on December 7, 1838. Instead of following the conservative views of his predecessor in regard to internal improvements. Governor Carlin urged the wisdom of an opposite policy. As a result of this unwise policy all kinds of schemes were set on foot for the "supposed betterment of the internal affairs of the state. Railroads, water ways, banking and. in fact, almost every kind of improvements imaginable were advocated and many of them commenced. The state was bonded heavily. some of the bonds were sold in foreign countries, others to banks on credit, which afterwards failed, these with other blunders on the part of the oversanguine officials of this young commonwealth, entailed great loss upon the state. The extravagant vagaries thus seemed to have possession of the legislators of this period in regard to finance. n>ads ahnost like a chapter from the Arabian Knights. The five millions that had been ap- [)ropriatcd for the Illinois and ilichigan canal were nearly all expended and the work was suspended until 1845, at which time the state made a loan of one million six hundred thousand dollars for its completion, wliich was effected in 1848. In 1871, all indebtedness having been settled, it was turned over to the state.

This is a brief sketch of the most important events of Governor Carlin's administration. The following counties were formed during this time: Marshall, January, 1839; Brown, Du Page, Dane (changed to Christian in 1840), Logan, Jlenard. Scott, Carroll, Lee, Jersey, Williamson, De Witt, Lake, Hardin and Stark, in Febr\iary, 1839 ; Henderson, Mason and Piatt, in January, 1841 ; Grimily. Kendal], I\iclilanil and Woodford, in February. 1841.

Thomas Ford was inaugurated governor on December 8, 1842. During the four years of his ailministration the Mormon disturbance, which ha<l been felt for some time previous, was at its height. This sect, which numbered at that time about sixteen thousand, had become obnoxious to the people in that part of the state, not only on account of their religious teachings, hut almost every charge in the category of crime was laid at their door. Their headquarters were located at Nauvoo. in Hancock county. They organized a kind of special court or council, which provided by an ordinance that none of their number could be arrested unless the writ was issued and served by the officers of their own council. This practically amounted to setting up a separate government in defiance of the constitution and laws of the state. The people became more and more aroused at the depredations that were being committed until finally the governor ordered arrests to be made and assured the parties arrested that they should receive a fair trial. Joseph Smith, the Mormon leader, and his brother Hiram were arrested and sent to the county jail at Carthage to await their trial. Notwithstanding the fact that Governor Ford had stationed there three companies of the state militia to guard the prisoners, the infuriated populace rose en masse and marched to Carthage, surrounded the jail and demanded that the Smiths be delivered into their hands; this being refused by the officers, the jail was broken into and a charge made by the mob. At the first volley fired Hiram Smith, the brother of Joseph, the self-styled prophet, was killed. The so-called prophet made a determined effort to escape, but he soon fell riddled with bullets. Those accused of being connected with the mobbing of the Smiths were arrested, tried and acqnitted in 1845. The successor of Joseph Smith was Brigham Young. The killing of the Smiths did not allay the determination on the part of citizens that the Mormons must go. Accordingly, through the instrumentality of Governor Ford, an agreement was entered into whereby the Mormons were to leave tiie state, as a sect, in the spring of 1846. During the intervening time arrangements wore made and by the first of June the sixteen thousand Morjnons, wdio had claimed to possess in their creed, a new and direct revelation from God, had, like the red men of the forest, commenced their journey tovVard the setting sun, and finally established theniselves in 1847 in the Great Salt I^ake valley of TTtah. Thus was settled one of the most perplexing questions that the state has ever encountered.

In addition to the foregoing facts, this administration was called upon to furnish troops for the ^fexican war, and nobly did it respond. Six regiments were mustered into the service and sent to the front with the gallant General James Shields at the head. If space would permit we should be more than ])lea"ed to write a short review of his eventful life. Born in a foreign land and coming to this country when a lad, w-here he lived more than half a century, during which time he fought for us in two wars, was wounded and carried off the bloody field of Cerro Gordo, as his comrades thought to die, but rose to new life and to new honors, representing three great commonwealths in the United States senate, and died in 1870, i-i|M' in years and honored, and mourned by the ubiili' (iiiniirN'.

Courthouse, Peinceton

On December 9, 1846, Augustus C. French took his seat as governor of Illinois. At this time the public generally was interested in discussion of the proposed revision of the constitution of the state. The constitutional convention met on June 7, and continued in session until August 31, 1847, after which the proposed revision was submitted on March 6, 1848, to a vote of the people and ratified. Governor French was elected for a second time, practically receiving the whole vote, and on January 8, 1840, he was reinaugurated. This new constitution provided that, "no state bank shall hereafter be created." In 1850 the population was S51,.570. In 18.51 the Illinois legislature passed an act incorporating the Illinois Central Railroad Company. This act also ceded each alternate section for six miles each side of the road to aid in its construction. In return for this grant, the company agreed to give back to the state 7 per cent of its gross earnings, which has proven to be a source of a largo annual income to the state. During this administration Saline county in February, 1847, and Kankakee county in February, 1851, were formed.

In January, 1853, Joel A. Matteson was inaugurated as governor. During his term but little transpired of an historic nature. The country was in a state of general prosperity until near its close, when the panic of 1857 began to be feared. This was a period in Illinois when a large number of young men who afterwards became prominent in the state, Oglesby, Yates, Logan and many others were just coming into notice. Under this administration the republican party came into existence.

On the 15th day of January, 1857, William H. Bissell took the oath of ofEce as governor. This was followed by an era of great financial depression. Values depreciated to such an extent that many banks, corporations and personal institutions were forced out of business. So great was the financial crisis that it knocked at the door of every enterprise throughout the whole country. Governor Bissell had served in the Mexican war and at its close was three times elected to Congress. These were strenuous times, sectional feelings ran high, both north and south were alert to the signs of the times. In a reply to a speech made by one of the congressmen from the south, in regard to the parts the different regiments played at the battle of Buena Vista, Bissell aroused the ire of Jefferson Davis to the extent that he sent him a challenge, which Bissell accepted, but through the intervention of mutual friends the matter was honorably adjusted and no duel occurred. Governor Bissell died in March, I860, and his unexpired term was filled by Lieutenant Governor Wood. It was under this administration that the giant intellects of Lincoln and Douglas clashed in forensic debate.

At Bloomington Mr. Lincoln delivered his great speech before the republican convention, the keynote of which was: "A house divided against itself can not stand." ]\!oses, in his history of Illinois, published in 1895, says: "Before delivering this speech Mr. Lincoln submitted it to his friends, not one of whom approved of it except his law partner." But with his usual courage he arose and said : ''Friends, the time has come when these sentiments should be uttered; and if it is decreed that I shall go down because of this speech then let me go down linked to the truth - -let me die in the advocacy of what is just and right." During the campaign of 1858 Lincoln and Douglas held seven joint debates, to-wit, at Ottawa, Freeport, Jonesboro, Charleston, Galesburg, Quincy and Alton. These meetings attracted national attention and were attended by a great concourse of people at each place. During this administration Douglas county was formed, in February, 1857, and Ford county, in February, 1859. The last-named county finishes the list of counties. The population in 1869 was 1,711,951.

YATES - 1861-1865. On January 14, 1861, Richard Yates was inaugurated as governor. His administration was ushered in amid the throes of a great Civil war, a war that was waged with almost unparalleled tenacity and courage by both sides. Illinois sent to the front during this war 259,092 soldiers. The president's emancipation proclamation caused much wrangling and discord in the legislature. In fact, the session became so turbulent and seemingly disloyal that the governor tliought best to exercise his constitutional rights, which he finally did, and accordingly on the 10th day of June, 1863, the legislature was prorogued.

OGLESBY - 1865-1869. Richard J. Oglesby was inaugurated as governor on January IG, 1865. On January 31, 1865, the thirteenth amendment to the national constition was passed; the Illinois legislature being in session, it took quick action and became the first to ratify the amendment. During Governor Oglesby's term of office an attempt was made to remove the capital from Springfield, but the measure failed to carry. This question is probably settled for all time, as on February 25, 1867, the legislature voted to build a new state house, the cost of which was not to exceed $3,000,000.

feature of his administration were the constitutional convention and the Chicago fire. The new constitution was ratified hy the people July 2, 1870. The most important change made was the prohibiting of special legislation. The citizens of Chicago called for aid to protect them from the scores of thieves and robbers who had rushed to the city for the sole purpose of plunder. The government came to their rescue by sending United States troops. To this Governor Palmer strenuously objected on the ground that the state was amply able to furnish its own protection. After a bitter discussion in the legislature and by the people generally it was finally dropped by all parties and only the remembrance of it now remains. In this file $200,000,000 of property was destroyed and one hundred thousand made homeless. The loss of life was estimated at about two hundred and fifty. The population of Chicago, according to the census of 1870 was 298,977, and of the state, 2,539,891.

Richard J. Oglesby was inaugurated as governor for the second time on January 13, 1873. On January 21. he was elected United States senator and two days later he resigned his office as governor and John L. Beveridge took his seat as chief e.xecutive of the state. The centennial of the independence of the United States was celebrated during this administration and Illinois appropriated ten thousand dollars for its support.

CULLOM - 1877-1881. On January, 8, 1877, Shelby M. CuUom was inaugurated as governor. John A. Logan's office as senator expired on the fourth of March following. The two leading parties were so evenly divided that the inde[)on(k>nt members of the legislature held the balance of power. The contest was long and bitter, but finally on the fortieth ballot Judge David Davis of Bloomington was elected as Logan's successor. The great railroad strike of 1877 was about the only event that moved the people during this administration. The census of 1880 gave the pop\iiation as 3,077,871.

them together again in special session in March, 18.S2, to provide for these measures. At this special session the reapportionment was adjusted and the cession of the canal was referred to the people. In November of the same year the people voted to code the canal to the United States. Governor Cullom's message on this occasion was a strong and decided plea for water transportation, from which we quote the following paragraph : "I believe that the most important work is the improvement of our rivers, lakes and canals, and the construction of such new canals as will unite the waters, and whenever it can reasonably be done, -horten distances for the transportation of freights. The government in the past has contributed many millions of dollars and millions of acres of public domain in aid of the construction of railroads across the continent, and in different portions of the undeveloped territory of the United States. It should now direct its expenditures to utilizing the waters of the country in the interest of cheap transportation." January 16, 1883, Governor Cullom was elected to the United States senate. and Lieutenant Governor John M. Hamilton became governor on February 7. The Harper high license law was passed that year, which provides as follows: -'That not less" than $500 shall be paid jier annum for keeping a dram shop, nor less than $150 for the sale of malt liquors only."

In 1880 Cullom was re-elected and on January 10, 1881, was inaugurated governor for the second time. In his message to the legislature he recommended the ceding of the Illinois and Michigan canal to the general government, hut the legislature failed to act on this matter and also failed to reapportion the state into congressional and legislative districts. Accordingly, he called

OGLESBY - 1885-1889. Richard J. Oglesby is the only man who has ever been honored by three elections to the governorship of Illinois, but on the 13th of January, 1885, he was seated for the third time. As General Logan's term as senator was to expire on the 4th of March, he again appeared before the legislature as the republican candidate for re-election, while the democrats presented the name of Col. William R. Jlorrison. The first joint session did not occur until February 18, when there were present fifty-one senators and one hundred and fifty-one representatives, and the first ballot stood as follows : Logan, 101 ; Morrison, 94 ; Haines, 4: scattering, 3; Logan lacking one vote of election. On the 19th and 20th every member of both houses was present and the balloting practically showed the same results. No more joint ballots were taken for about three months, as -sometimes one side and soinetinies the other, and at other times both parties refused to vote, the object being to prevent a quorum. On April 13, J. H. Shaw, a democrat from the thirty-fourth district, died. This district gave Cleveland a plurality vote of two thousand and sixty ; on account of its being so strongly democratic no efTorts were made by the democrats to get out the votes, but the republicans made what was called a "stillhunt," and to the great surprise and humiliation of the democrats, William H. Weaver, the repub- lican candidate, carried the district by 336 majority. On May 14, the day before Weaver took the oath of office, a supreme effort was made to elect Morrison, every democrat was present and he received 101 votes. After the fourth ballot the democrats began to change to ex-Judge Lambert Tree of Cliicago, who, on the sixth ballot, received 101 votes. No further ballots were taken until the ISth. when every member was present, at which time General Logan received 103 votes, Lambert Tree 96, scattering 5. Thus ended one of the most extraordinary political contests in the history of our state. The division of the parties was as follows : The senate was composed of twenty-six republicans and twenty-four democrats and one green back democrat; tlie house, of seventy-six members, each, and E. M. Haines, calling himself an independent. This gave Haines the balance of power.

FIFEE - 1889-1893. Joseph W. Fifer was inaugurated as governor on January 1-1, 1889. Nothing of a general historic nature occiirred diiring this administration, only the preparation for the World's Columbian Exposition and the creation of the Chicago sanitary district, and the construction of the drainage canal. The population of the state in 1890 was 3,826,351.

ALTGELD - 1893-1897. In January, 1893, John P. Altgeld was inaugurated as governor. He being the first and only foreign-born governor leads me to say that he was a native of Germany. Born in 1848, he came to this country when but a lad, and was reared on a farm in Ohio. When only sixteen years old he enlisted in the Union army and served till the close of the war. The most prominent feature of his administration was the pardoning of the three men who were imprisoned for the part they took in the Haymarket riot in Chicago, in 1886. This act of his was commended by some and criticised by others. I simply give this as a matter of history and leave it without comment. The Columbian Exposition, held during his term, is worthy of more than a passing notice. Four cities competed for its location, to-wit. New York, Washington, St. Louis and Chicago. Each city pressed its claims, New York taking tlic ground tliat the exposition was cosmopolitan in its design, consequently the location should be on the seacoast, where it could be easily reached'by visitors from other countries. In reply, the Chicago people said the exposition was mainly for our own country and consequently should be located somewhere near the center of poiiulalion so that it would receive the greatest patronage possible. They further argued that the foreign visitors would have no knowledge of our country and resources by simply landing at New York City and spending a few days on the exposition grounds; but if Chicago was chosen these people would pass over a long stretch of the country and be able to form some idea of our great and productive interior. On the eighth ballot the lower house of Congress voted that Chicago should be the place. The location was ideal. And the "White City" rose as by magic, overlooking the restless waters of the beautiful lake and for six months, from May 1 till the last of October, millions from all lands and climes came and went, until the grand final closing, when the curtain fell and all that is left of that ''Dream City" is its delightful memory.

In January, 1897, John R. Tanner was sworn in as governor. On February 15, 1898, the battleship Maine, while on a friendly visit to the harbor of Havana, was destroyed and many lives sacrificed. This tragedy aroused the whole people from all parts of the country, and war was soon declared with Spain. Governor Tanner convened the legislature in special session on February 17, 1898, and asked them to give him authority to tender the support of the state to the government, which was promptly given. This placed Illinois first on the list in offering assistance to the president in this crisis. President McKinley's first call for troops asked Illinois for seven regiments of infantry and one of cavalry. These regiments went into camp at Springfield. Under the second call for troops two more regiments of infantry wore furnished, also one battery of light artillery. The adjutant-general's report shows that the Illinois regiments saw service as follows :

The First and Second Infantry (Chicago) regiments, in Cuba ; the Third Infantry, in Porto Rico; the Fourth Infantry, in Cuba; the Fifth Infantry, at Cliickaniauga, Newport News and Ijexington; part of the Sixth Infantry in Cuba and part in Porto Rico ; the Seventh Infantry (Chicago), at Camp Alger and Camp George G. Meade; the Eighth Infantry (colored), in Cuba; the Ninth Infantry, in Cuba; the First Cavalry at Camp Thomas and Fort Sheridan ; Battery A (Lislit Artillery), in Porto Rico.

YATES - 1901-1905. Richard Yates was inaugurated January, 1901. He was born at Jacksonville, Illinois, December 13, 1860. just thiriy-three days before his father was inaugurated as governor. He was the only chief executive whose birth occurred within the borders of our state. The first session of the legislature after his election reapportioned the state into twenty-five congressional and fifty-one senatorial districts. It also appropriated $250,000 to cover the expenses of the St. Louis Exposition.

DENEEN - 1905. In January, 1905, Charles S. Deneen was inaugurated as governor of Illinois and is the present incumbent. Governor Deneen was born in Edwardsvillo, Illinois, May 4, 1863.