Peoria County, Illinois - Chapter 19: States of the Union, 1880

Chapter 19: States of the Union

DateofSettlement - Origin and Meaningof Names - Cognomen - Mottoes - When Admitted totlie Union - Area - Population - Number of Soldiers Furnislied During tlie War of the Rebellion - Number of Representatives in Congress - Present Governors, etc.

Alabama. - This State was first explored by LaSalle in 1684, and settled by the French at Mobile in 1711, and admitted as a State in 1817. Its name is Indian, and means " Here we rest." Has no motto. Population in 1860, 964,201 ; in 1870, 996,992. Furnished 2,576 soldiers for the Union army. Area 50,722 square miles. Montgomery is the capital. Has eight Representatives and ten Presidential electors. Rufus W. Cobb is Governor ; salary, f 3,000 ; politics. Democratic. Length of term, two years.

Arkansas - Became a State in 1836. Population in 1860, 435,450 ; in 1870, 484,471. Area 52,198 square miles. Little Rock, the " City of Roses," is the capital. Its motto is Regnant Populi - '-The people rule." It has the Indian name of its principal river. Is called the " Bear State." Furnished 8,289 soldiers. She is entitled four members in Congress, and six electoral votes. Governor, W. R. Miller, Democrat ; salary, $3,500 ; term, two years.

California - Has a Greek motto. Eureka, which means "I have found it.' It derived its name from the bay forming the peninsula of Lower California, and was first applied by Cortez. It was first visited by the Spaniards in 1542, and b}' the celebrated English navigator. Sir Francis Drake, in 1578. In 1846 Fremont took possession of it, defeating the Mexicans, in the name of the United States, and it was admitted as a State in 1850. Its gold mines from 1868 to 1878 produced over $800,000,000. Area 188,982 square miles. Population in 1860, 379,994. In 1870, 560,247. She gave to defend the Union 15,225 soldiers. Sacramento is the capital. Has four Representatives in Congress. Is entitled to six Presidential electors. Present Governor is William Irwin, a Democrat; term, four years ; salary, $6,000.

Colorado - Contains 106,475 square miles, and had a population in 1860 of 34,277, and in 1870, 39,864. She furnished 4,903 soldiers. Was admitted as a State in 1876. It has a Latin motto. Nil sine Numine, which means, " Nothing can be done without divine aid." It was named from its river. Denver is the capital. Has one member in Congress, and three electors. T. W. Pitkin is Governor ; salary. $3,000 ; term two years; politics. Republican.

Connecticut - Qui transtulit sustinet, "He who brought us over sustains us," is her motto. It was named from the Indian Quon-ch-ta-Cut, signifying " Long River." It is called the "Nutmeg State." Area 4,674 square miles. Population 1860, 460,147 ; in 1870, 537,454. Gave to the Union army 55,755 soldiers. Hartford is the capital. Has four Representatives in Congress, and is entitled to six Presidential electors. Salary of Governor, $2,000 ; term, two years.

Delaware. - " Liberty and Independence," is the motto of this State. It was named after Lord De La Ware, an English statesman, and is called " The Blue Hen," and the " Diamond State." It was first settled by the Swedes in 1638. It was one of the original thirteen States. Has an area of 2,120 square miles. Population in 1860, 112,216 ; in 1870, 125.015. She sent to the front to defend the Union, 12,265 soldiers. Dover is the capital. Has but one member in Congress ; entitled to three Presidential electors. John W. Hall, Democrat, is Governor ; salary, ^2,000 ; term two years.

Florida - Was discovered by Ponce de Leon in 1.512, on Easter Sunday, called by the Spaniards, Pascua Florida, which, with tiie variety and beauty of the tlowers at this early season, caused him to name it Florida - wliich means in Spanish, flowery. Its motto is, " In God we trust." It was admitted into the Union in 184o. It has an area of .59,268 square miles. Population in 18lJ0, 140.424 ; in 1870, 187,757. Its capital is Tallahassee. Has two members in Congress. Has four Presidential electors. George F. Drew, Democrat, Governor; term, four yeare ; salarj-, f3,500.

Georgia - Owes its name to George II., of England, who first established a colony there in 1732. Its motto is, " Wisdom, justice and moderation." It was one of the original States. Population in 1860, 1.057,286 ; 1870, 1,184,109. Capital, Atlanta. Area, 58,000 square miles. Has 9 representatives in Congress, and 11 Presidential electoi-s. Her Governor is A. H. Colquitt, Democrat ; term, four years ; salary, *4,000.

Illinois - Motto, "State Sovereignty, National Union." Name derived from the Indian word. Illini, meaning, superior men. It is called the '- Prairie State," and its inhabitants, " Suckers. " Was first explored by the French in 167o. and admitted into the Union in 1818. Area 55,410 square miles. Population, in 1860, 1,711,951 ; in 1870, 2,539,871. She sent to the front to defend the Union, 225,-300 soldiers. Capital. Springfield. Has 19 members in Congress, and 21 Presidential electors. Shelby M. Cullom, Republican, is Governor ; elected for 4 yeai-s ; salary, «6.000.

Indiana - Is called -- Hoosier State." Was explored in 1682, and admitted as a State in 1816. Its name was suggested by its numerous Inilian population. Area 33,809 square miles. Population in i860, 1,3-50,428 ; in 1870,1,680,637. She put into the Federal army, 194,363 men. Capital, Indianapolis. Has 13 members in Congress, and 15 Presidential electors. J. D.Williams, Governor, Democrat ; salary, ^3,000 ; term, 4 years.

Iowa - Is an Indian name and means "This is the land." Its motto is. "Our liberties we prize, our rights we will maintain." It is called the " Hawk Eye State." It was first visited by Marquette and Joliet in 1673 ; settled by New Englanders in 1833, and admitted into the Union in 1846. Des Moines is the capital. It has an area of 65,045 .square miles, and a population in 1860 of 674,913, and in 1870 of 1,191,802. She sent 75,793 soldiers to defend the Government. Has 9 members in Congress; 11 Presidential electors. John H. Gear, Republican, is Governor; salary. -^2,500 ; term, 2 years.

Kan»a» - Was admitted into the Union in 1861, making the thirty-fourth State. Its motto is j4(f ag^ra/Jcr (i«Bera, "To the stars through diCBculties." Its name means, "Smoky water," and is (lerived from one of her rivers. Area 78,841 sijuare miles. Population in I860, 107,209 ; in 1870 was 362,812. She furnished 20,095 soldiers. Capital is Topeka. Has 3 represenUitives in Congress, anil 5 Presidential electors. John P. St. John, Governor; politics, Ri'puldican ; salary, -'i'3, 000 ; term, 2 years.

Kentucky - Is tlie Indian name for " At the head of the rivers." Its motto is, " United we stand, divided we fall." The sobriquet of "dark and liloody ground " is applied to this State. It was first settled in 1769, and admitted in 1792 as tlie fifteenth State. Area 37,680 .sciuare miles. Population in 1860, l,l.">5,(is4 : in 1S70. I,:i21.000. She put into the Federal army 75,:J85 soldiers. Capital, Frankfort. Has 10 n»end)ers in Congress; 12 electors. J. H. McCreary, Democrat, is Governor; salary, $5,000 ; term, 4 years.

Louisiana - Was called after Louis XIV., who at one time owned that section of the country. Its motto is " Union and Cotifidence." It is called " The Creole State." It was visited by La Sallu in 1684, and admitted into the Union in 1812, making the eighteenth State. Population in 1860, 708,002 ; in 1870, 732,731. Area 46,431 square miles. It put into tlie Federal army 5,224 men. Capital, New Orleans. Has 6 representatives and 8 electors. F.T.Nichols, Governor, Democrat ; salary, #8,000; term, 4 years.

Maine - This State was called after the providence of Maine in France, in compliment of Queen Henrietta of England, who owned that province. Its motto is Dirigo, meaning " I direct." It is called "The Pine Tree State." It was settled by tlie English in 162"). It was admitted as a State in 1820. Area 31,766 square miles. Population in 1860, 628,279 ; in 1870, 626,463 ; 69,738 soldiers went from this State. Has 5 members in Congress, and 7 electors. Selden Conner, Republican, Governor; term, 1 year ; salary, $2,-500.

Maryland - Was named after Henrietta Maria, Queen of Charles I. of England. It has a Latin motto, C'recite et multiplicaniini., meaning " Increase and Multipl}'." It was settled in 1634, and was one of the original thirteen States. It has an area of 11,124 square miles. Population in 1860 was 687,049 ; in 1870, 780,806. This State furnished 46,053 soldiers. Capital, Annapolis. Has 6 representatives, and 8 Pi'esidential electors. J. H. Carroll, Democrat, Governor ; salary, #4,500 ; term, 4 years.

Massachusetts - Is the Indian for "The country around the great hills." It is called the "Bay State," from its numerous bays. Its motto is Ense petit placidam sub lihertate quietem, " By the sword she seeks placid rest in liberty." It was settled in 1620 at Plymouth by English Puritans. It was one of the original thirteen States, and was the first to take up arms agains the English during the Revolution. Area 7,800 square miles. Population in 1860, 1,231,066 ; in 1870, 1,457,351. She gave to the Union army 146,467 soldiers. Boston is the capital. Has 11 representatives in Congress, and 13 Presidential electors. Thomas Talbot, Republican, is Governor ; salary, $5,000 ; term, 1 year.

Michigan - Latin motto, Luebor, and Si qiueris peninsulam ama'nam circumspice, " I will defend " - "If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look around you." The name is a contracrion of two Indian words meaning " Great Lake." It was early explored by Jesuit missionaries, and in 1837 was admitted into the Union. It is known as the " Wolverine State." It contains 56,243 square miles. In 1860 it had a population of 749,173; in 1870, 1,184,059. She furnished 88,111 soldiers. Capital, Lansing. Has 9 representatives and 11 Presidential electors. C. M. Croswell is Governor ; politics. Republican ; salar3\ $1,000; term, 2 years.

Minnesota - Is an Indian name, meaning " Cloudy Water." It has a French motto, UEtoile du Nord - " The Star of the North." It was visited in 1680 by LaSalle, settled in 1846, and admitted into the Union in 1858. It contains 83,531 square miles. In 1860 had a population of 172,023 ; in 1870,439,511. She gave to the Union army 24,002 soldiers. St. Paul is the capital. Has 3 members in Congress ; 5 Presidential electors. Governor, J. S. Pillsbury, Republican ; salary, $3,000 ; term, 2 years.

Mississippi - Is an Indian name, meaning "Long River," and the State is named from the " Father of Waters." The State was first explored by De Soto in 1541 ; setUed 1)V the French at Natchez in 1716, and was admitted into the Union in 1817. It has an area of 47,156 square miles. Population in 1860, 791,305 ; in 1870, 827,922. She gave to suppress the Rebellion 545 soldiers. Jackson is the capital. Has 6 representatives in Congress, and 8 Presidential electors. J. M. Stone is Governor, Democrat ; salary, $4,000; term, 4 years.

Missouri - Is derived from the Indian word "muddy," which more properly applies to the river that flows through it. Its motto is Salus populi suprema lex esto, " Let the welfare of the people be the supreme law." The State was first settled by the French near Jefferson City in 1719, and in 1821 was admitted into the Union. It has an area of 67,380 square miles, equal to 43,123,200 acres. It had a population in 1860 of 1,182,012 ; in 1870, 1,721,000. She gave to defend the Union 108,162 soldiers. Capital, Jefferson

Job Uenehai, History Of Illinois

City. Its inhabitants are known by the offensive cognoman of Pukes." Has 13 representatives in Congress, and 15 Presidential electors. J. S.Phelps is Governor : politics. Democratic ; salary, f5,000 ; term, 4 j-ears.

Nebraska - Has for its motto, " Equality before the law." Its name is derived from one of its rivers, meaning " broad aiul shallow, or low." It was admitted into the Union in 1867. Its capital is Lincoln. It had a population in 1860 of 28,841, and in 1870, 123, - 993, and in 1875, 246,280. It has an area of 75,995 square miles. She furnished to defend the Union 3,157 soldiers. Has but 1 representative and 3 Presidential electors. A. Nance, Republican, is Governor; salary, 82,500; term, 2 years.

Nevada - '- Tlie Snowy Land" derived its name from the Spanish. Its motto is Latin. Voleim et potens, and means " wiliinLj and able." It wa.s settled in 1850. and admitted into the Union in 1864. Capital, Carson City. Its population in 1860 was 6,857 ; in 1870 it was 42,491. It has an area of 112,090 square miles. She furnished 1,080 soldiers to suppress the Rebellion. Has 1 representative and 3 electors. Governor, J. H. Kiukhead, Republican ; salary, -S6.000 : term, 4 years.

New Haripshire - Was first settled at Dover by the English in 1623. Was one of the original States. Has no motto. It is named from Hampshire county in England. It also bears the name of " The Old Granite State." It has an area of 9,280 miles, which equals 9,239,200 acres. It had a population in 1860 of 326,073. and in 1870 of 318,300. She increased the Union army with 33,913 soldiers. Concord is the capital. Has 3 representatives and 5 Presidential electors. N. Head, Republican, Governor ; salary, 81,000; term, 1 \ear.

Neiv Jergey - Was named in honor of the Island of Jersey in the British channel. Its motto is " Liberty and Independence." It »vas first settled at Bergen by the Swedes in 1624. It is one of the original thirteen States. It has an area of 8,320 square miles, or 5,324,800 acres. Population in 1860 was 672,035 ; in 1870 it was 906.09 . She put into the Federal army 75,315 soldiers. Capital, Trenton. Has 7 representatives and 9 Presidential electors. Governor, George B. McClelland, Democrat ; salary; 000 : term, 8 years.

New York - The " Empire State " was named by liie Duke of York, afterward King James II. of Englan<l. It has a Latin motto, Uxcehior, which means " Still Higher." It was first settled by tlic Dutch in 1614 at Manhattan. It has an area of 17,000 s(iuare miles, or 30,080,000 acres. The population in IStiO was 3.ss0,735 ; in 1870 it was 4.:!32,- 759. It is one of the original tliirteen States. Ca[)ital is Alliany. It gave to defend our (iovernment 445,959 men. Has .13 members in Congress, and 35 Presidential electors. Governor, L. Robinson, Democrat; salary, 810,000 ; term, 3 years.

North Carolina - Was named after Charles IX., King of France. It is called "The Old Nortli," or " Tlie Turpentine State." It was first visited in 152 t by a Floreiiline navigator, sent out iiy Francis I., King of France. It was settled at .\lbemarle in \M'.\. It was one of the original tliirteen Slates. It has an area of 50,704 square miles, ('(pial to 32,450,5-;0 acres. It had in 1860 a population of 992,622, and in 1870, 1,071,:;61. Raleigh is the capital. She furnished 3,156 soldiers to put down the Rebellion. Has 8 members in Congress, and is entitled to 10 Presidential electors. Z. B. Vance, (democrat, is Governor; salary, 85,000; term, 1 years.

Ohio - Took its name from tiie river on its Southern boundary, and means " Beautiful." Its motto is Iinperium in Imperio - " An Empire in an ICinpire." It was first |>ermanently settled in 1788 at Marietta by New Euglanders. It was admitted as a State in 1803. Its capital is Columbus. It contains 39,9(54 square miles, or 25,576,960 acres. Population in 1860, 2,339,511 ; in 1S70 it had 2,665,260. She sent to the fpmt during tlir; Rebellion 310,t'.54 sohliers. Has 20 re|ueseiitatives, and 22 Presidential eleetore. Governor, R. M. Bishop. Deinoeiai ; salary. 81.000; term. 2 y<ais.

General History Of Illinois

- "She flies with her own wings." It was first visited by the Spaniards in the sixteenth century. It was settled by the English in 1813, and admitted into the Union in 1859. Its capital is Salem. It has an area of 95,274 square miles, equal to 60, 975, -360 acres. It had in 1860 a population of 52,465 ; in 1870, 90,922. She furnished 1,810 soldiers. She is entitled to 1 member in Congress, and 3 Presidential electors. W. W. Thayer, Republican, is Governor ; salary, $1,500 ; term, 4 years.

Pennslyvania - This is the "Keystone State," and means " Penn's Woods," and was so called after William Penn, its original owner. Its motto is, " Virtue, liberty and independence." A colony was established by Penn in 1682. The State was one of the original tiiirteen. It lias an area of 46,000 square miles, equaling 29,440,000 acres. It had in 1860 a population of 2,906,215: and in 1870, 3,515,993. She gave to suppress the Rebellion, 338,155 soldiers. Harrisburg is the capital. Has 27 representatives and 29 electors. H. M. Hoyt, is Governor ; salary, il0,000 ; politics. Republican ; term of office, S years.

Rhode Island - This, the smallest of the States, owes its name to the Island of Rhodes in the Mediterranean, which domain it is said to greatly resemble. Its motto is " Hope," and it is familiarly called, "Little Rhody." It was settled by Roger Williams in 1636. It was one of the original thirteen States. It has an area of 1,306 square miles, or 835,840 acres. Its population in 1860 numbered 174,620; in 1870, 217,356. She gave to defend the Union, 23,248 soldiers. Its capitals are Providence and Newport. Has 2 representatives, and 4 Presidential electors. C. Vanzandt is Governor ; politics. Republican ; salary, §1,000 ; term, 1 year.

South Carolina - The Palmetto State wears the Latin name of Charles IX., of France (Carolus). Its motto is Latin, Animis opibusque parati, " Ready in will and deed." The first permanent settlement was made at Port Royal in 1670, where the French Huguenots had failed three-quarters of a century before to found a settlement. It is one of the original thirteen States. Its capital is Columbia. It has an area of 29,- 385 square miles, or 18,806,400 acres, with a population in 1860 of 703,708 ; in 1870, 728,000. Has 5 representatives in Congress, and is entitled to 7 Presidential electors. Salary of governor, $3,500 ; term, 2 years.

Tennessee - Is the Indian name for the "River of the Bend," i. e. the Mississippi, which forms its western boundary. She is called " The Big Bend State." Her motto is, " Agriculture, Commerce." It was settled in 1757, and admitted iuto the Union in 1796, making the sixteenth State, or the third admitted after the Revolutionary War - Vermont being the first, and Kentucky the second. It has an area of 45,600 square miles, or 29.184,000 acres. In 1860 its population numbered 1,109,801, and in 1870, 1,257,983. She furnished 31,092 soldiers to suppress the Rebellion. Nashville is the capital. Has 10 representatives, and 12 Presidential electors. Governor, A. S. Marks, Democrat ; salary, $4,000 ; terra, 2 years.

Texas - Is the American word for the Mexican name by which all that section of the couutr}^ was known before it was ceded to the United States. It is known as "The Lone Star State." The first settlement was made by LaSalle in 1685. After the independence of Mexico in 1822, it remained a Mexican Province until 1836, when it gained its independence, and in 1845 was admitted into the Union. It has an area of 237,504 square miles, equal to 152,002,560 acres. Its population in 1860 was 604,215; in 1870, 818,579. She gave to put down the Rebellion 1,965 soldiers. Capital, Austin, Has 6 representatives, and 8 Presidential electors. Governor, O. M. Roberts, Democrat ; salary, $5,000 ; term, 2 years.

Vermont - Bears the Freucli name of her mountains Verde Mont, "Green Mountains." Its motto is " Freedom and Unity." It was settled in 1731, and admitted into the Union in 1791. Area, 10,212 square miles. Population in 1860, 315,098 ; in 1870, 330,551. She gave to defend the Government 33,272 soldiers. Capital. Montpelier.

Virginia - The Old Dominion, as the State is called, is the oldest of the States. It was named in honor of Queen Elizabeth, the " Virgin Queen," in whose reign Sir Walter Raleigh made iiis lirst attempt to colonize that region. Its motto is Sic semper tyrannig, " .So always with tyrants." It was first settled at Jamestown, in 1007, by the English, being the first settlement in the United States. It is one of the original thirteen States, and had before its division in 1862. (51,3.52 square miles, but at present contains but 38,- 352 square miles, equal to 24, .545, 280 acres. Tlie population in 1860 amounted to 1,596,318, and in 1870 it was 1,224,830. Richmond is the capital. Has 9 representatives, and 11 electors. Governor, F. W. M. Halliday, Democrat; salary, $5,500; term, 4 years.

West Virginia - Motto, Montani semper liberi, " Mountaineers are always free." This is the onl}' State ever formed, under the Constitution, by the division of an organized State. This was done in 1862. and in 1863 was admitted into the Union. It has an area of 23,000 square miles, or 14,720,000 acres. The population in 1860 was 376,000; in 1870 it numbered 445,616. She furnished 32,003 soldiers. Capital, Wheeling. Has three representatives in Congress, and is entitled to 5 Presidential electors. The Governor is H. M. Matliews, Democrat; term, 4 years; salary, $2,700.

Wiscorisin - Is an Indian name, and means "Wild-rushing channel." Its motto, Vivitatas successit harharum, " The civilized man succeeds the barbarous." It is called " The Badger State." The State was visited by the French explorers in 1665, and a settlement was made in 1669 at Green Bay. It was admitted into the Union in 1848. It has an area of 52,924 square miles, equal to 34,511,360 acres. In 1860 its population numbered 775,881 ; in 1870, 1,055,167. Madison is the capital. She furnished for the L'nion army 91,021 soldiers. Has 8 members in Congress, and is entitled to 10 Presidential electors. The Governor is W. E. Smitli ; politics. Republican ; salary, $5,000 ; term, 2 years.

Miscellaneous

Origin of ihe Name of ihc Siale - "Suckers," "I'ukes" ,ind "Hadpcrs" - " l''Kyi>> " - The Si.itc B.ink - Visii ol I.aFaycUc - Early (Jovernors - Adolphiis F. Ilulibard - Wolves and Wolf Sca'ps - A Funny Speech - Gov. Edwards - The First Mail Route - First N'-wspaper - Population of Illinois by Counties - Production of .\griculturc by Counties - Population of Fifty Principal American Cities - Population of Ihc United Stales - Principal Countries of the World - Practical Business Rules.

The name of this beautiful " Prairie State " is deriveil fioni lllini, an Indian wortl signifying superior men. It has a French termination, and is a symbol of the manner in whicli the two races, the F^rendi and Indians, were intermixed during the early history of the country. The appellation was no dmibt well ajiplied to tiie primitive iidialiitants of the soil, wiiose prowess in savage warfare long withstood the eombined attacks of the fierce Iroquois on the one side, and the no less savage and relentless .Sacs antl Foxes on the other. The Illinois were once a powiu-fid confederacy, occupying the most beautiful ami fertile region in the great valley of the Mississippi, which their enemies coveted aiul struggled long and hard to wrest from tiiem. By the fortunes of war they were diminishetl in niuubor and finally destroyed. " Starvetl Rock," on tlie Illinois river, according to tradition, eomniemoniles their last tragedy, where, it is said, the entin- tribe starved rather than surrender.

Ueneiul History Ok Illinois

The low cof^noitien of " Sucker," as applied to Illinoisans, is said to have had its orifjin at the Galena lead mines. In an early day. when these extensive mines were l)eing worked, men would run up the Mississippi river in steamboats in the Sprinjr. work tiie lead mines, and in the Fall return, thus estahlishiujj, as was supposed, a similitude between their migratory habits and those of the fishy tribe called " Suckers." For this reason the Illinoisans ha\e ever since been distinguished liy the epithet *- Suckers." Those who stayed at the mines over Winter were mostly from Wisconsin, and were called " Badgers." One Spring the Missourians poured into the mines in such numbers that the State was said to have taken a puke, and the offensive appellation of " Pukes" was afterwards applied to all Missourians.

The southern part of the State, known as " Egypt," received this appellation because, being older, better settled and cultivated, grain was had in greater abundance than in the central and northern jjortion, and the immigrants of this region, after the manner of the children of Israel, went " thither to buy and to bring from thence that they might live and not die."

State Bank

The Legislature, during the latter years of territorial existence, granted charters to several banks. The result was that paper money became very abundant, times flush, and credit unlimited; and every body invested to the utmost limit of his credit, with confident expectation of realizing a handsome advance befoie the expiration of liis credit, from the throng of immigrants then pouring into the country. By 1819 it became apparent that a day of reckoning would approach liefore their dreams of fortune could be realized. Banks everywhere began to waver, paper money became depreciated, and gold and silver driven out of the country. The Legislature sought to bolster up the times by incorporating the " Bank of Illinois." wliich, with several l)ranches. was created l)y tlie session of 1821. This bank, ijeing wholly supported liy the credit of the State, was to issue one. two, three, five, ten and twenty-dollar notes. It was the duty of the bank to advance, upon personal property, money to the amount of -islOO. and a larger amount upon real estate. All taxes and public salaries could be paid in such bills ; and if a creditor refused to take them, he had to wait three years longer before he could collect his debt. Tlie people imagined that simply l)ecause the Government had issued the notes, they would remain at par ; and although this evidently could not l>e the case, they wei'e yet so infatuated with their project as actually to reijuest tiie United States Governinent to receive tiiem in payment for their pui)liu lands I Although they were not wanting men who, like John McLean, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, foresaw tiie dangers and evils likely to arise from the creation of such a bank, by far the gieattn- part of tlie jieople were in favor of it. The new bank Wiis tlieiefore started. The new issue of bills by the bank of course only aggravated the evil, heretofore so grievously felt, of the absence of specie, so tiuit the people were soon compelled to cut tiieir bills in halves and (|uarters, in order to make small change in trade. Finally the ])aper currency so rapidly depreciated that three dollars in these bills were considered worth only one in specie, and the State not only did not increase its revenue, but lost fully two-thirds of it, and expended three times the amount reijuired to pay the expenses of the Stale Government.

In the Spring of 182.') the brave and generous LaFayette visited Illinois, accepting the earnest invitation of the General Assembly, and an affectionately written letter of Gov. Cole's, who had formed his personal aciiiniintance in Fiance in lNl7. The General in reply said: " It has been my eager desire, and it is now my earnest intention, to visit the Western States, and particularly the Slate of Illinois. The feelings which your distant welcome could nut fail to excite have increased that patriotic eagerness to admire on that blessed spot the happy and rapid results of republican institutions, public and domestic virtues. I shall, after the 22d of Fuliruary (anniversary day), leave here for a journey to the Southern States, and from New Orleans to tlie SVestern States, so as to return to Boston on the 14th of June, when the corner-stone of the Bunker Hill monument is to be laid, - a ceremony sacred to the whole Union and in which I have been engaged to act a peculiar and honorable part."

General LaFayette and suite, attended by a large delei^ation of prominent citizens of Missouri, made a visit by the steamer Natchez to the ancient town of K;uskaskia. No military parade was attempted, but a multitude of patriotic citizens made liim welcome. A reception was held. Gov. Cole delivering a glowing address of welcome. During the progress of a grand ball held that night, a very interesting interview took place between the honored General and an Indian squaw whose father had served under him in the Revolutionary war. The squaw, learning that the great white chief was to be at Kaskaskia on that night, had ridden all day, from early dawn till some time in the night, from her distant home, to see the man whose name had been so often on her father's tongue, and with which she was so familiar. In identification of her claim to his distinguished acquaintance, she had brought with her an old, worn letter which the General had written to her father, and which the Indian chief iiad preserved with great care, and finally bequeathed on his death-bed to his daughter as the most precious legac)' he had to leave her.

Early Governors

In the year 1822 the terra of ofl&ce of the first Governor, Shadrach Bond, expired. Two parties sprung up at this time - one favorable, the other hostile, to the introduction of slavery, each proposing a candidate of its own for Governor. Both parties worked hard to secure the election of their respective candidates ; but the people at large decided, as they ever have l)een at lieart, in favor of a free State. Edward Coles, an antislavery man, was elected, although a majority of the Legislature were opposed to him. The subject of principal interest during his administration was to make Illinois a slave State. The greatest effort was made in 1824, and tiie proposition was defeated at the polls l)y a majority of 1,800. The aggregate vote polled was 11.612, being about 6,000 larger tlian at the previous State election. African slaves were first introduced into Illinois in 171!' by Renault, a Frenchman.

Senator Duncan, afterward Governor, presented to the Legislature of 1824-.") a bill for the support of schools by a public tax ; and William S. Hamilton presented anotlier bill requiring a tax to be used for the purpose of constructing and repairing the roads - both of wliich bills passed and became laws. But although these laws conferred an incalculalile benefit upon tlie public, the very name of a tax was so odious to the people tlr.it, rather than pay a lax of tlie smallest possil)le anmunt, tliey preferred working as the}- formerly did, five days during the yeiw on the roads, and would allow their children to grow u|) wiiiiout any instruction at all. Consequently both laws were abolished in 1826.

In the year 1826 the office of Governor became again vacant. Ninian Edwards, Adoljilius F. Hubbard and Thomas C. Sloe were candidates. Edwards, th<iugh the successful candidate, had made himself many enemies by urging strict inquiries to be made into the corruption of tlie State bank, so that had it not been for his talents and noble personal appearance, he would most probably not have been elected. Hubbard was a man of but little personal merit. Of him tradition hiw preserved, among other curious sayings, a spfccli on a lull granting a bounty on wolf-scalps. This speech, delivered before the Legislature, ib U6 follows : " Mr. Speaker, I rise before the question is put on this bill, to say a word for my constituents. Mr. Speaker, I have never seen a wolf. I can not say that I am very well acquainted with the nature and habits of wolves. Mr. Speaker. I have said that I had never seen a wolf ; but now I remember that once on a time, as Judge Brown and I were riding across the Bonpas prairie, we looked over the prairie about three miles, and Judge Brown said, ' Hubbard, look ! there goes a wolf ;' and I looked, and I looked, and I looked, and 1 said, ' Judge, where ?' and he said, ' There !' And 1 looked again, and this time in the edge of a hazel thicket, about three miles across the prairie, I think I saw the wolfs tail. Mr. Speaker, if I did not see a wolf that time, I think I never saw one ; but I have heard much, and read more, about this animal. I have studied his natural history.

" By the by, histor}' is divided into two parts. There is first the history of the fabulous ; and secondly, of the non-fabuloiis, or unknown age. Mr. Speaker, from all these sources of information I learn that the wolf is a very noxious animal ; that he goespiowling about, seeking something to devour ; that he rises up in the dead and secret hours of night, when all nature reposes in silent oblivion, and then commits the most terrible devastation upon the rising generation of hogs and sheep.

Gov. Edwards was a large and well-made man, with a noble, princely appearance. Of him Gov. Ford says : " He never condescended to the common low art of electioneering. Whenever he went out among the peojile he arrayed himself in the style of a gentleman of the olden time, dressed in fine broadcloth, with short breeches, long stockings, and higli, fair-topped boots ; was drawn in a fine carriage driven by a negro ; and for success he relied upon his speeches, which were delivered in great pomp and in style of diffuse and florid eloquence. When he was inaugurated in 1826, he appeared before the General Assembly wearing a golden-laced cloak, and with great pomp pronounced his first message to the Houses of the Legislature.

The first mail route in the State was established in 1805. This was from Vincennes to Cahokia. In 1824 there was a direct mail route from Vandalia to Springfield. The first route from the central part of the State to Chicago was established in 1832, from Shelbyville. The difficulties and dangers encountered by the early mail carriers, in t'me of Indian troubles, were very serious. The bravery and ingenious devices of Harry Milton are mentioned with special commendation. When a boy, in 1812, he conveyed the mail on a wild French pony from Shawneetown to St. Louis, over swollen streams and through the enem}''s country. So infrequent and irregular were the communications by mail a greater part of the time, that to-day, even the remotest part of the United States is unable to appreciate it by example.

The first newspaper published in Illinois was the Illinois Herald, established at Kaskaskia by Mathew Duncan. There is some difference of opinion as to the exact time of its establishment. Gov. Reynolds claimed it was started in 1809. Wm. H. Brown, afterwards its editor, gives the date as 1814.

In 1831 the criminal code was first adapted to penitentiarj' punishment, ever since which time the old system of whipping and pillory for the punishment of criminals has been disused.

There was no legal rate of interest till 1830. Previously the rate often reached as high as 150 per cent., but was usually 50 per cent. Then it was reduced to 12, then to 10, and lastly to 8 per cent.

Note. - It is generally assumed that the gross weight of Hogs diminishtd by 1-5 or 20 per cent, of itself gives the net weight, and the net weight increased by % or 25 per cent, of itself equals the gross weight.

Rule. - Multiply (by siiort method) the number of cubic feet by 6808, and point off ONE decimiil place - the result will be the correct answer in bushels and tenths of a bushel.

Rule. - Multiply the number of cubic feet by 54, short method, or by 4i ordinar)' method, and point off ONE decimal place - the result will be the answer in bushels.

Note. - In estimating corn in the ear, the quality and the limt it hat betn cribhrd must be taken into consideration, since cum will shrink considerably during the Winter and Spring. This rule generally holds good for com measured at the time it is cribbed, provided it is sound and clean.

Rule. - Multiply the square of the mean diameter by the deiitli (all in feet) and this product l)y (short method), iiiid point off one decimal place - the result will be the contents in liarrcls of '.il^ gallons.

Rule. - Under the square of the mean diameter, write the length (all in inches) in REVEHSeI) order, so that its units will fall under tlie TEN.s ; multiply by short method, and tills [iroduct again by 480; point off one decimal place, and the result will be the answer in wine gallons.

Rule. - Multiply the length (in feet) by the width (in inches) and divide the product by 12 - the result will l)e the contents in square feet.

Rule. - Multiply the width, the thickness, and the length together (the width and thickness in inches, and the length in feet), and divide the product by 12 - the result will be square feet.

Rule. - Multiply the length by the width (in rods), and divide the product by 160 (carrying the division to 2 decimal places if there is a remainder) ; the result will be the answer in acres and hundredths.

Bricks are usually made 8 inches long, 4 inches wide, aud two inches thick ; hence it requires 27 bricks to make a cubic foot without mortar, but it is generally assumed that the mortar fills 1-6 of the space.

To find the length of the rafters, at one-fourth pitch, multiply the width of the building by .56 (hundredths); at ONE-THIRD pitch, by .6 (tenths); at two-fifths pitch, by .64 (hundredths); at ONE-HALF pitch, by .71 (hundredths). This gives the length of the rafters from the apex to the end of the wall, and whatever they are to project must be taken into consideration.

Note. - By % or y% pitch is meant that the apex or comb of the roof is to be % or % the width of the building HIGHER than the walls or base of the rafters.

Rule. - Level the grain; ascertain the space it occupies in cubic feet; multiply the number of cubic feet by 8, and point off one place to the left.

If the corn in the box is in the ear, divide the answer by 2, to find the number of bushels of shelled corn, because it requires 2 bushels of ear corn to make 1 of shelled corn.

In measuiing land, the first thing to ascertain is the contents of any given plot in square yards; then, given the number of yards, find out the number of rods and acres.

The most ancient and simplest measure of distance is a step. Now, an ordinarysized man can train himself to cover one yard at a stride, on the average, with sufiicient accuracy for ordinary purposes.

line ; to do this, fix the eye on two objects in a line straight ahead, one comparatively near, the other remote ; and, in walking, keep these objects constantly in line.

Farmer* and other* by adopting the following gimple and ingenioiu contrivance, may alwayt carry with them the scale to construct a correct yard measure.

Take a foot rule, and commencing at the base of the little finger of the left hand, mark the quarters of the foot on the outer borders of the left arm, pricking in the marks with indelible ink.

Rule. - Multiply the square of one-fifth of the circumference in inches by twice the length, in feet, and divide by 144. Deduct 1-10 to 1-15, according to the thickness of the bark.

Rule. - The reciprocal of the rate is the time for which the interest on any sum of money will be shown by simply removing the decimal point two places to the left ; for ten times that time, remove the point one place to the left ; for 1-10 of the same time, remove the point three places to the left.

Note. - The reciprocal of the rale is found by inverting ihe rale ; thus 3 per cent, per month, in»erted, becomes J-^ of a month, or lo days.

The sections are divided into quarters, which arc named by the cardinal points. The quarters are divided in the same way. The descripticin of a forty-acre lot would reail : The south half of the west half of the south-west quarter of section 1 in township 24, north of range 7 west, or as the case might be ; and sometimes will fall short and sometimes overrun the number of acres it is supposed to contain.

The sacred cubit of the Jews was 24.024 inches in length. The common cubit of the Jews was 21.704 inches in length. A pace is equal to a yard or 36 inches. A fathom is equal to 6 feet.

A league is three miles, but its length is variable, for it is, strictly speaking, a nautical term, and should be three geographical miles, equal to 3.45 statute miles, but when used on land, three statute miles are said to be a league.

In cloth measure an aune is equal to 1|- yards, or 45 inches. An Amsterdam ell is equal to 26.796 inches. A Trieste ell is equal to 25.284 inches. A Brabant ell is equal to 27.116 inches.