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A 
 
 GAZETTEER 
 
 OF 
 
 THE STATES 
 
 OF 
 
 Xllfiwf0 Hit¥ 
 
 CONTAINING 
 
 A GENERAL VIEW OF EACH STATE—A GENERAL VIEW OF 
 THEIR COUNTIES—AND A PARTICULAR DESCRIPTION 
 OF THEIR TOWNS, VILLAGES, RIVERS, &C. &C. 
 
 WITH A MAP, AND OTHER ENGRAVINGS. 
 
 BY LEWIS C. RECK, A. M. 
 
 'IEMBER. OF THE SEW-YOKK HISTORICAL SOCIETY, ASH OF TtfF 
 JiEW-YORK LYCEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 ALBANY: 
 
 * 
 
 PRINTED BY CHARLES R. AND GEORGE WEBSTER, 
 
 At their Bookstore, corner of State and Pearl-streets. 
 
 1325 . 
 
 

 Northern District of New-Fork, to wit: 
 
 B E it remembered, That on the first day of January, ill the forty-seventh year 
 of the independence of the United States of America, A. D. 1823, Lewis C. 
 Beck, A. M. of the said district has deposited in this office the title of a Book, the 
 right whereof he claims as Author, in the words following, to wit: 
 
 4 A Gazetteer of the States of Illinois and Missouri: containing a general view 
 of each state; a generat view of their counties, and a particular description of 
 the ; r towns, villages, rivers, &c. &.c.; with a map, and other engravings. By Lewis C. Beck, A. M. 
 Member of the New-York Historical Society, and of the New-York Lyceum of Natural History.” 
 
 In conformity to the act of the congress of the United States, entitled “An act for the encourage¬ 
 ment of learning, by securing the copies of maps, charts and books to the authors and proprietors 
 ot such copies, during the times therein mentionedand also to the act entitled “ An act supple¬ 
 mentary to an act entitled 4 An act for the encouragement of learning, by securing the copies of 
 jtt*jps, charts and books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies, during the times therein 
 y.entione.i,’ and extending the benefits thereof to the arts of designing, engraving, and etching 
 ■historical and other prints.” 
 
 1 R. R. LANSING, Cleric 
 
 of the Northern District of Nczc-York 
 
 j 
 
 ^ 
 
 ' • 
 
 / 
 
The growing importance of the states of Illinois and 
 Missouri—their mineral and vegetable riches—the fact 
 that numbers are in different ways interested in their 
 prosperity, and that in our country, a correct knowledge 
 of its component parts is necessary to all classes and de¬ 
 scriptions of its citizens, are my apologies for appearing 
 before the public. 
 
 Under the impression, that a more detailed description 
 of these states than had hitherto been published, would 
 be useful, and perhaps interesting, I commenced, shortly 
 after my removal to Missouri in 1819, the collection of 
 materials for the present work. I travelled over a con¬ 
 siderable portion of these states, and became acquainted 
 with a number of intelligent gentlemen, residing in dif¬ 
 ferent parts of them, who afforded me much assistance in 
 the prosecution of my design. The different state officers, 
 also, were so obliging as to allow me the privilege of 
 perusing many valuable documents in their offices, and 
 making such extracts from them as I desired. By these 
 means I acquired the greater part of the information 
 which is contained in the following pages. In the mean 
 time, my visit to New-York gave me an opportunity of 
 consulting many works which I was elsewhere unable to 
 obtain. In the very valuable library of the Historical 
 Society, to which I had access, I found, with few excep¬ 
 tions, all the earlier, as well as modern authors who 
 
VI 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 treated of that part of Louisiana and the western country, 
 now the states of Illinois and Missouri. Although these 
 works for the most part consisted of the narrations of 
 travellers or general descriptions, they afforded me the 
 means of comparing my own observations, and of adding 
 their descriptions of such places as I had either neglected, 
 or had been unable to visit. From the works of Mar¬ 
 quette, Hennepin, Tonti, and Charlevoix, I obtained 
 many interesting facts concerning the history of these 
 states, which I have presented in a condensed form. 
 From the more recent works of Stoddard, Brackenridge, 
 the travels of Lewis and Clark, Pike, and Bradbury, I 
 have also derived much assistance. In treating of the 
 lead mines and minerals of Missouri, I have constantly 
 referred to the 66 View of the Lead Mines of Mis¬ 
 souri,” published by Mr. Schoolcraft in 1820. 
 
 As my object was to present a comprehensive view of 
 all that is at present known concerning these states, I 
 also consulted several valuable papers which fell within 
 the scope of my plan, contained in the American Journal 
 of Science and the Arts, edited by Professor Silliman. 
 
 The map which is prefixed to this work, was protract¬ 
 ed from manuscript surveys obtained at St. Louis and 
 Vandalia, to which I made such additions as were from 
 time to time received through the kindness of my friends. 
 The county boundaries in Missouri, are the result of a 
 laborious examination of all the territorial and state 
 laws on the subject, to the present year. 
 
 The map of St. Louis contains a plan of the fortifica¬ 
 tion proposed for its defence in 1780, by Lieut. Colonel 
 Crusat, which I found in the possession of one of the old 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 • • 
 Vll 
 
 inhabitants of that place. I have also added a plan of 
 the ancient works in the vicinity, from actual survey, in 
 which I was assisted by W. S. Hamilton, Esquire, of 
 Illinois. 
 
 The kindness and hospitality with which I have every 
 where been treated while travelling through these states, 
 and particularly at St. Louis and Yandalia, and the 
 promptness with which their citizens have always fur¬ 
 nished me with such information as they possessed, de¬ 
 serve my warmest thanks. I shall ever fondly cherish 
 the recollection, although it is mingled with pain, that 
 many of those who took the deepest and most lively in¬ 
 terest in the success of this work, are now numbered with 
 the dead. 
 
 Although the Gazetteer has engaged my attention 
 nearly three years, and no labour has been spared to 
 render it accurate, I am not so sanguine as to suppose 
 that it is entirely free from errors. But when the candid 
 reader reflects, that the states which are here treated of 
 are as yet but thinly populated, and have been but par¬ 
 tially explored, he will be fully sensible of the difficulties 
 I had to contend with, and I doubt not will extend his 
 indulgence accordingly. 
 

 
 
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 DIRECTIONS TO THE BINDER. 
 
 
 Map of Illinois and Missouri to face the title page. 
 
 Plate I. to face 
 Plate II. 
 
 Plate III. 
 Plate IV. 
 Plate Y. 
 
 Page 110 
 163 
 306 
 326 
 330 
 
 ERRATA. 
 
 In page 111,18th line from the bottom, for « Captain Bradford,” read Lieut. Col. McNtal. 
 
 In page 306,14th line from the top, for M a large room Trailed with two entrances,” read a large 
 room with two entrances. 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 * 
 
GENERAL VIEW OP ILLINOIS. 
 
 13 
 
 water is clear and limpid, and the current gentle. Below, it is 
 every where obstructed by immense islands and sand bars, and 
 its banks present on every side extensive and fertile alluvions ; 
 the water is muddy, and the current impetuous. In fine, it may 
 be said to assume in every respect the character of the Missouri. 
 But as a change of names, though ever so correct, would at this 
 late day introduce much confusion, and produce no beneficial 
 results, it would be unwise to attempt it. 
 
 The Mississippi river is from \ to 1 mile in width, and in its 
 course is obstructed by few falls or rapids. The current is ge¬ 
 nerally from 2 to 4 miles an hour, varying according to the 
 height of the water. The mean descent of the river is nearly 6 
 inches per mile ;* its sources, which are about 3030 miles above 
 its mouth, being elevated about 1330 above the level of tide water. 
 The annual inundation takes place about May or June, and the 
 water rises from 10 to 50 feet throughout its whole course, by 
 which means the extensive bottoms which have been formed from 
 time to time are continually fertilized. Some of these, as has been 
 already observed, are very extensive, especially below the mouth 
 of the Missouri. The most extensive and fertile within the li¬ 
 mits of this state, is the American Bottom , a name which it re¬ 
 ceived when it constituted a part of the western boundary of the 
 United States, and which it has ever since retained. It com¬ 
 mences at the confluence of the Kaskaskia river, and extends 
 northwardly to the mouth of the Missouri, being bounded on the 
 east by a chain of bluffs, w hich in some places are sandy, and 
 in others rocky, and vary from 50 to 200 feet in height. This 
 bottom is about 100 miles in length, and comprises an area of 
 more than 500 square miles, or 320,000 square acres. On the 
 
 *Mr. Schoolcraft, in his “Narrative Journal,” estimates the mean descent of the Mississippi 
 river at 2 feet 2 8-10 inches per mile; a conclusion which I think is not warranted by the premises 
 he has previously laid down. 
 
 I cannot omit noticing a remark made upon this subject by the reviewer of Mr. Schoolcraft’s 
 Journal. It is as follows: “ Mr. Schoolcraft lias attempted (o estimate the height of the sources of 
 the Mississippi above the level of the sea, which he makes to be thirteen hundred and thirty feet. 
 The basis of bis calculation is tbc altitude of Lake Erie, as determined by tlie canal commissioners, 
 which is five hundred and sixty feet above the tide waters of the Hudson, to which his estimate 
 adds ten feet for the rise to St. Clair, nineteen to Huron, fifty-three to Superior, making the last 
 six hundred and forty-two above the same level; from this to Sandy lake, the rise is five hundred 
 and twenty-seven feet, and from that to Cassina one hundred and sixty-tw o fepl. If this estimate 
 be correct, or nearly so, and the length of the Mississippi as he gives it, three thousand and thirty, 
 eight miles, its average descent per mile is about three feet .”—North American Review , No. 36. 
 
 It is difficult to determine by what course of calculation the reviewer arrived at the result here 
 given, which should have been ab«ut 6 inches,^instead of “about three feet.” 
 
14 
 
 GENERAL VIEW OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 margin of the river is a strip of heavy timber, with a rank un¬ 
 dergrowth ; this extends from § to 2 miles, and from thence to 
 the bluffs is generally prairie. No soil can exceed this in fer¬ 
 tility, many parts of it having been under cultivation for more 
 than a century, without the least apparent deterioration The 
 oidy objection that can be offered to lids tract, is its unhealthi¬ 
 ness This arises from the circumstance of the lands dircc tly 
 on the margin of the river being higher than those under the 
 bluffs, where the water, after leaving the former subsides and 
 forms ponds and lagoons, which, during the summer, stagnate, 
 and throw off noxious effluvia. These however, might at a 
 trifling expense, be drained by lateral canals communicating 
 with the river. An act was passed by the legislature in 1819, 
 authorising a lottery for the purpose of raising funds to ac¬ 
 complish this object ; but no measures have as .vet been taken 
 to put it into execution. It is to he feared that the advantages 
 which would arise from it, would be more than counterbalanced 
 by the evils attendant upon this iniquitous, although licensed 
 system of gambling. 
 
 The first settlement of this state was commenced upon the 
 tract of land above described, and its uncommon fertility gave 
 emigrants a favourable idea of the whole country. The French 
 having hardy constitutions, were little affected by the miasma, 
 and generally enjoyed good health. The villages of Kaskaskia, 
 Prairie du Rocher and Cahokia, were built up by their industry 
 in places where Americans would have perished. Cultivation 
 has, no doubt, rendered this tract more salubrious than former¬ 
 ly ; and an increase of it, together with the construction of drains 
 and canals, will make it one of the most eligible in the States. 
 The old inhabitants advise the emigrants not to plant corn in 
 the immediate vicinity of their dwellings, as its rich and massy 
 foliage prevents the sun from dispelling the deleterious vapours. 
 
 Coal , exists in abundance on this alluvion and the bluffs which 
 bound it. Its first discovery was made in a very singular man¬ 
 ner. Many years since, a tree taking fire, communicated to its 
 roots, which continued burning for some time. Upon examina¬ 
 tion, they were found to communicate with a bed of coal, which 
 continued to burn until the fire was completely smothered by the 
 falling in of a large mass of incumbent earth. The appearance 
 of fire is still evident for a considerable distance. About two 
 
GENERAL VIEW OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 15 
 
 miles from this pi are a coal bank has been opened—the vein is 
 as thick as any at Pittsburg.* 
 
 Besides the American Bottom above mentioned, there are oth¬ 
 ers which resemble it in its general characters, but which are 
 much less extensive. In many places, however, the banks of 
 tin river are high and perfectly secure from inundation, here 
 having a gradual ascent, and there presenting perpendicular 
 ledges of rock, surmounted with a starved growth of cedars. 
 
 The most prominent characteristic of the Mississippi below 
 the mouth of the Missouri, is the peculiar colour of the water, 
 occasioned by the sand which it contains. It is owing to this 
 circumstance that bars'are so frequently ami so suddenly form¬ 
 ed. Whenever the current is partially obstructed from any lo¬ 
 cal cause, the consequence is that a portion of sand is deposited ; 
 and this again increases the obstruction, and consequently the 
 deposition of sand. In this way immense bars are frequently 
 formed in one season, and swept away the next. It is supposed 
 by many that the water of this stream is medicinal, and hence 
 it is very common to see the old inhabitants drinking it daily, 
 impregnated as it is with filth and sand. When cleared and 
 cooled with ice, it has a pleasant taste, without the rankness of 
 the Ohio or Illinois waters. 
 
 The Mississippi is obstructed by planters , sawyers , and 
 wooden islands , which are frequently the cause of injury and 
 even destruction to the boats which navigate it. Planters , are 
 large bodies of trees firmly fixed by their roots in the bottom of 
 the river in a perpendicular manner, and appearing no more 
 than about one foot above the surface of the water, when at its 
 medium height. So firmly are they rooted, that the largest 
 hoars running against them will not move them ; but on the 
 contrary they materially injure the boats, lawyers, are likewise 
 large bodies of trees fixed less perpendicularly in the river, and 
 rather of a less size, yielding to the pressure of the current, dis¬ 
 appearing and appearing at intervals, and having a motion sim¬ 
 ilar to the saw of a saw mill, from which they have taken their 
 name. Wooden Islands are places where, by some cause or oth¬ 
 er, large quantities of driftwood have been arrested and matted 
 
 * Bracken ridge’s View ef Louisiana- 
 
16 
 
 GENERAL VIEW OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 together in different parts of the river.* Formerly, these were 
 the cause of heavy losses to the merchant, and danger to the 
 traveller. But since the introduction of steam boats accidents 
 rarely occur. More than 100 of these vessels are now in opera¬ 
 tion on the Mississippi and its tributaries ; an incontestible 
 proof of the enterprize of the western Americans. 
 
 The principal branches of the Mississippi running through 
 this state, are Rock, the Illinois, Kaskaskia and Muddy rivers. 
 
 The Ohio is formed by the junction of the Alleghany and Mo- 
 nongahela rivers, and after running a W. S\V. course about 
 1100 miles, empties into the Mississippi, in lat. 37° N. It 
 meanders through a pleasant and fertile country, and is from 4 
 to 600 yards in width, to near its confluence with the Mississip¬ 
 pi, where it is about 1000. This stream has been called the 
 most beautiful in the world, and is justly entitled to the name of 
 66 La belle Riviere” originally given to it by the French. From 
 the mouth of the Wabash to its confluence with the Mississippi, 
 a distance of nearly £00 miles, the right bank of the Ohio forms 
 the southern boundary of the state. In this distance, its banks 
 are generally low and subject to inundation, but very fertile.— 
 These inundations, as on*the Mississippi, are fruitful sources of 
 disease, and effectual barriers against improvement. There are 
 however, a few elevated situations which afford good town sites, 
 and which must become places of considerable importance. It 
 is much to be regretted, that at the confluence of the Ohio and 
 Mississippi, there is an extensive recently formed alluvion, 
 which is annually inundated, and which cannot, without im¬ 
 mense expense, be made an eligible town site. At the mouth of 
 the Wabash, the land is similarly situated. Below this, no 
 streams of any considerable size empty into the Ohio within 
 this state. The largest are Saline and Cash rivers, and Big 
 Bay Creek. 
 
 The Wabash rises in the northern part of Indiana, and run¬ 
 ning first a southwest and then a south course, empties into the 
 Ohio nearly 200 miles above its confluence with the Mississippi. 
 It is a beautiful stream, about 600 miles in length, with but one 
 considerable fall or rapid, which is near the junction of White 
 
 * See the Ohio and Mississippi Navigator, where valuable directions are given for avoiding these 
 
 obstructions. 
 
GENERAL VIEW OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 11 
 
 liver, below Vincennes. In low water, it obstructs the naviga¬ 
 tion very considerably. An act was passed in 1819, to raise 
 funds for the purpose of improving the navigation at this place, 
 by means of a canal. 
 
 For more than 200 miles, the Wabash forms the eastern boun¬ 
 dary of the state. The character of the lands bordering on it, 
 is similar to that on the Ohio and Mississippi, although the al¬ 
 luvions of the Wabash are more extensive, and the inundations 
 more formidable, in many places on its hanks, the soil is of 
 such a nature as to render travelling extremely dangerous when 
 it has been recently inundated. The surface appears perfectly 
 safe and solid, hut it is supported only by strata of quicksand of 
 gr eat depth, into which it is dangerous to sink. The bottoms 
 of the Wabash are an intermixture of prairie and woodland. 
 
 The principal tributaries of the W abash in this state, are the 
 Vermilion, Em harass and Little Wabash rivers. The head 
 waters of the Wabash approach within a short distance of St. 
 Joseph of the Lakes, and it is proposed to unite them by 
 means of a canal. It is said the expence would be trifling in 
 compar ison to the advantages which would arise from it. 
 
 It will at mice he observed, that this state possesses great ad¬ 
 vantages in regard to water communication, being bounded on 
 thi •ee sides by those noble streams above described. By these 
 means, she has a constant intercourse with every part of the im¬ 
 mense valley of the Mississippi. But the interior is also inter¬ 
 sected in various directions by large navigable streams, which 
 afford every facility of transportation from one part of the state 
 to the other. The largest and most important of these is ihe 
 one from which this state received its name, and upon whose 
 b anks the settlement of the western country w as first commenc¬ 
 ed. 
 
 The Illinois river is formed by the union of the Des Plaines 
 and Theakiki rivers, and after running a west < nurse about 80 
 miles, changes to southwest and south, and empties into the 
 Mississippi, about 25 miles above the mouth of the Missouri.— 
 Above the mouth of Vermilion river, it is much obstructed by 
 rapids; below this the current is gentle, and the navigation) 
 good during the whole summer. At Fort Clark, about 200 
 miles above its mouth, it expands into a beautiful lake about 20 
 
18 
 
 GENERAL VIEW OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 miles in length, and from \ to 2 miles in width, called Lake Pe- 
 oria. The banks of the Illinois are uniformly low as far up as 
 the mouth of Spoon river, particularly on the west side. The 
 alluvions are bounded by bluffs, which frequently consist of per¬ 
 pendicular ledges of rock from 2 to 500 feet in height. Some¬ 
 times they approach very near to the river, and present a very 
 picturesque appearance. 
 
 The Illinois has proportionally a less number of islands than 
 any of the western rivers, and is seldom obstructed by bars. In 
 many places the banks are elevated, and present the most beau¬ 
 tiful town sites, being surrounded on all sides by the most fertile 
 lands. Coal is very abundant on this stream, and is valuable 
 on account of the scarcity of timber. Small masses of copper 
 have also been found in various places upon the banks ; but 
 they are always detached, and afford no evidence of any quanti¬ 
 ty of that mineral in the vicinity. Large rounded masses of 
 primitive locks arc also scattered along its banks, and on the 
 prairies of the interior. 
 
 Along the course of this l iver are. a number of lakes, which 
 communicate with it, and without great care and attention, mis¬ 
 lead those who navigate it. They may be known by having less 
 current than the river, and generally in being of a much greater 
 width. The lauds near the bluffs being lower than on the im¬ 
 mediate bank of the river, extensive ponds are also formed^ 
 Which here, as elsewhere, are fruitful sources of disease. 
 
 The principal tributaries of the Illinois are Fox, Vermilion, 
 Spoon ami Sangamo rivers. 
 
 Lakes. A part of Lake Michigan is included in the bounda¬ 
 ries of this state. This is very important, inasmuch as it af¬ 
 fords a medium of communication with the northern states and 
 the Canadas. The union of this lake with the Illinois, and thus 
 with the Mississippi, lias for a long time excited the attention of 
 those who were in favor of internal improvements. During the 
 last session of congress, an appropriation of land was made 
 for the purpose of furnishing the state with the means of accom¬ 
 plishing this object it is to he feared, however, that the ex¬ 
 pense of constructing this canal has been estimated too low, and 
 that the state, even with the assistance afforded by the general 
 gover nment, is not yet sufficiently wealthy to complete it. Blit 
 this should not deter her from making the attempt. 
 
GENERAL VIEW OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 19 
 
 This subject is so important, that a detail of the routes propos¬ 
 ed for this canal, and the results which will probably arise from 
 its final accomplishment, may not be uninteresting. 
 
 A mere glance at the map of Illinois will be sufficient to con¬ 
 vince a person of the least observation, that the union of Lake 
 Michigan with the Illinois river, by means of a canal, is not only 
 practicable, but of easy accomplishment. The position, howev¬ 
 er does not rest upon so slight a basis ; but in its support, can 
 be adduced the concurrent testimony of all who have explored 
 and examined the country. The fact of an easy, and during \ 
 some seasons an uninterrupted communication between LakeMi- 
 chigan, and the head waters of the Illinois, was observed by the 
 French at the first discovery of the country ; and on this ac¬ 
 count, they immediately erected trading establishments on dif¬ 
 ferent parts of the route. This trade was for a long time enjoy¬ 
 ed exclusively by the French, and it contributed in no small de¬ 
 gree to the importance of the Canadas. But, as is well known, 
 this has since passed into other hands, and those who discover¬ 
 ed the country and were for a longtime the lords of the soil, are 
 now the mere “ hewers of wood and drawers of water.” Alas ! 
 who can account for the strange vicissitudes of fortune ! Per¬ 
 haps, in a few more years, those republican institutions, which 
 are now our pride and boast, may be demolished, and the eagle 
 of liberty, now soaring proudly in our air, be driven from our 
 shores to distant and more congenial climes! 
 
 The information of traders and voyageurs was such as left no 
 doubt of the existence of a natural canal between Lake Michi- 
 gan and the Illinois, at some seasons of the year. But as the 
 country had never been carefully examined by men of science 
 and observation, it was difficult to ascertain what were the faci¬ 
 lities of forming an artificial communication. All talked of the 
 project as practicable, but none knew the mariner in which it 
 was to be accomplished. That the lakes should be united with 
 the Hudson and Mississippi rivers, was a project none were 
 willing to scrutinize, lest its beauty might be destroyed. But 
 thanks to the genius and enterprise of our citizens, theories 
 and dreams have passed away, and have been succeeded by ex¬ 
 periment and practice. 
 
20 
 
 GENERAL VIEW OF ILLINOIS 8 . 
 
 A few years since the country south arid west of Lake Michi¬ 
 gan, was explored by Messrs. Phillips and Graham In a ' cry 
 interesting report, which they made to the secretary of war, 
 four different methods of forming a communication between 
 Lake Michigan and the Illinois were proposed, viz : 
 
 First —By uniting a branch of Chicago river, which empties 
 into Lake Michigan, and a branch of the Des Plaines, which 
 runs a southeast course, and approaches within ten or eleven 
 miles of the lakes, and then turning to the southwest, blends its 
 waters with the Thcakiki. These streams approximate within 
 three miles of each other, and when swelled by heavj falls of 
 rain, actually unite, so that boats of 8 or 10 tons burthen 
 pass and repass from the lakes to the Mississippi, through this 
 natural route. 
 
 Secondly —It could be effec ted by opening a channel from a 
 point on Lake Michigan, south of Chicago, to enter the Des 
 Plaines below Lake Du Page. 
 
 Thirdly —By uniting Lake Michigan with the Theakiki* 
 above its junction with the Des Plaines. And lastly , by joining 
 the Theakiki and St-Joseph of the Lake, by which the French 
 enjoyed a partial navigation when the Canadas were an appen¬ 
 dage to their empire. 
 
 I shall examine each of these plans somewhat in detail ; and 
 first the junction of the Chicago river with the Des Plaines. 
 
 What is called Chicago river or creek, is merely an arm of 
 the lake, extending in a southwesterly direction three or four 
 miles, and fed by one or two small streams coming from the 
 north- Hence it is on a level with the lake, but at some seas¬ 
 ons has a gentle current, owing to the rains and freshets. On 
 tins stream, about 4 or 5 miles from the lake, is a trailing esiah- 
 lislnnent; and here the portage commences, which, except in 
 very dry seasons, is seldom more than 3 miles. From this port¬ 
 age to the Des Plaines, a distance of 4 or 5 miles, is a swamp 
 which is generally filled with water, and is navigable The 
 whole distance from the Des Plaines to the lake is about 12 
 miles. The height of the Des Plaines, at the point where the 
 swamp unites with it, is calculated at from 8 to 12 feet. It ap¬ 
 proaches so near a level, that the view from the swamp to the 
 laK.© is almost uninterrupted. This is further proved by the 
 
GENERAL VIEW OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 21 
 
 very fart, that at some seasons there is a communication between 
 the Chicago and the Des Plaines which could not be the case 
 if there was any high land intermediate. 
 
 The Des Plaines, for 14 or 16 miles below its junction with 
 the swamp above mentioned, has scarcely any fall, and may be 
 said to be on a level. Below this the rapids commence, and 
 continue for a considerable distance. A short distance below 
 the commencement of the rapids, the Lake and Des Plaines are 
 supposed to be on a level. To this place, therefore, the canal 
 would only require an average excavation of 6 or 8 feet. It is 
 the opinion of some who have attended to this subject, that the 
 canal should be fed from the Des Plaines ; but the objections to 
 livers for supplies of water, apply with double force in this sec¬ 
 tion of country. It is well known, that in the spring, all these 
 streams are so filled with water as to overflow their banks for a 
 considerable distance ; during this season no canal would be 
 safe, but must unquestionably be swept away. Again, in the 
 autumn they are on the opposite extreme; creeks, ponds and 
 rivers, are completely drained of their water, to supply that 
 immense and greedy conductor, the Mississippi. It is not un- 
 frequently the case, that the savages and travellers are compel¬ 
 led to carry water with them in bladders, and that they cross the 
 beds of large streams without finding sufficient to quench their 
 thirst. But there is another objection to using rivers as feeders? 
 which, though not so imminent, becomes eventually of serious 
 moment. When the country shall be cultivated, streams swollen 
 by showers will bring down, mixed with their waters, a propor¬ 
 tion of mud, and that, in the stillness of a level canal, will sub¬ 
 side and choak it up. There are also other objections, which 
 are, that those who construct the canal may not be acquainted 
 with the true character of the streams ; and that by the progress 
 of industry, the large springs and sw amps which arc the princi¬ 
 pal supply of those streams, will he dried up.* 
 
 All these objections and difficulties would be obviated by feed¬ 
 ing the canal with the pure water from the lake. And accord¬ 
 ing to the facts above stated, every thing is in favour of supply¬ 
 ing it from that inexhaustible reservoir. It would afford such a 
 constant supply of water, with so little variation, that the safety 
 
 *See the 1st annual report of the New-York canal commissioners—1311. 
 
22 
 
 GENERAL VIEW OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 of the canal would never be endangered. No supposable fall 
 of rain or melting of snow, even if both were to take place at the 
 same time, in the country which surrounds the great lakes, 
 could raise in any considerable degree their extended surface. 
 Indeed, we know from experience, that a greater difference of 
 elevation is occasioned by a change of winds, than any variation 
 of the seasons. Even granting the truth of the. existence of a 
 tide* in the lakes, its effect is so inconsiderable that it would 
 never be attended with danger. 
 
 The project of feeding from the lakes, was one which attract¬ 
 ed the attention of the first commissioners appointed by the le¬ 
 gislature of New-York, to examine the route between Lake 
 Erie and the Hudson ; and so much importance did they attach 
 to it, that they then thought it practicable to supply the canal 
 for nearly the whole distance from this source. This, however, 
 on account of the ascent from the lake, was found inexpedient. 
 In the canal under consideration, there could be no objection to 
 using this for any distance ; for after leaving the level of the 
 lake, 16 or 18 miles below the portage, there is a constant, but 
 gradual descent to the foot of the main rapids of the Illinois, 
 which is the point at which the canal should terminate. 
 
 The expense of the canal, following the route by the portage 
 to the point where the first lock would be required, a distance 
 of about 26 miles, would be comparatively trilling. An estimate 
 may be made by examining the expense of other canals under 
 similar circumstances. In the report made by the New-Y r ork 
 canal commissioners in 1816, a minute survey of the distances 
 and levels was given, and also a calculation of the expense for 
 each mile. From this it appears, that the summit level of the 
 southwestern section of the western canal is 17 miles ; and it 
 passes through a country so very level, that an average depth of 
 four feet of excavation is all that is required. To effect this, 
 sa> the commissioners, the removal of 5,550 cords of earth per 
 mile, will be necessary; and such removal may be performed 
 for seventy-five cents per cord, amounting, for 17 miles, to 
 
 64,387 dollars. The Illinois canal, from the lake to the first 
 
 0 
 
 *This opinion, which was advanced by some of the earliest travellers through this territory, is 
 supported at considerable length by Judge Woodward of Michigan, in aletler to Dr. S. L.Mitchi 1 ! 
 of New-York, published in the New-York Spectator. 
 
GENERAL VIEW OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 23 
 
 rapids of the Dos Plaines, a distance of 26 miles, would require an 
 average excavation of about 6 feet. This would require the re¬ 
 moval of 8325 cords of earth per mile ; and such removal, at 75 
 cents per cord for 26 miles, would amount to 162,337 dollars. 
 
 The second plan of uniting Lake Michigan with the Illinois, 
 is by opening a channel from a point of Lake Michigan south 
 of Chicago, to enter the Dcs Plaines below Lake du Page. This 
 point on Lake Michigan is about 13 miles south of Chicago. 
 At this place commences a swamp, which in high water stretches 
 itself in a southwesterly direction, and forms a communication 
 with the Des Plaines near the first rapids ; it also interlocks 
 with the Little Kalimick, and thus unites with the lake. The 
 distance is 18 miles, and it is nearly on a level with the lake. 
 It is said that boats have frequently passed through this channel 
 to the Des Plaines ; and when such is the case, it is impossible 
 in many places to say whether the current sets to the lake or 
 the Des Plaines. At a point about half way between the lake 
 and the Des Plaines, a feather or a piece of wood cast on the 
 surface of the water, will sometimes float one w ay and sometimes 
 the other. 
 
 It is urged in favour of this route, that the distance is shorter, 
 and the country through which it passes more favourable for 
 canalling. But there are also objections to it, which are, that 
 the adjacent country is very swampy, and that there is no point 
 on the lake below Chicago which would be an eligible site for a 
 place of entrepot. Chicago is situated on a rise of ground, and 
 is in every respect admirably calculated for this purpose. 
 
 With the advantages of the two last routes we are at present 
 but little acquainted. By the latter, however, the French en¬ 
 joyed a partial communication while in possession of the Ca¬ 
 nadas. It was through this passage that the first discoverers 
 of this country entered the Illinois ; and it was used for many 
 years afterwards. But the superior facilities of the northern 
 routes are such that these are now scarcely thought of. The 
 distance by the two former routes arc much less, and in every 
 respect the facilities are increased. 
 
 I have thus briefly examined the different routes which have 
 been suggested for uniting the head waters of the Illinois with 
 Lake Michigan. Whichever of these routes is finally adopted 
 
24 
 
 GENERAL VIEW OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 as the most practicable am! least expensive, it will he necessary 
 to continue the canal to the foot of the lower rapids of the Illi¬ 
 nois, near the mouth of Vermilion river, a distance of about 90 
 miles from Chicago. These rapids, which are observed at in¬ 
 tervals for 20 or 30 miles, are occasioned in some places by 
 ledges of rock, and in others by detached masses, which at some 
 seasons are bare, and at others covered onl> by a few inches ot 
 water; and on this account the navigation is obstructed for a 
 considerable portion of the year. Below these rapids to the 
 mouth of the Illinois, the river is deep, its current gentle, and 
 the navigation unobstructed throughout the >ear. 
 
 I do not know w hether any calculations have been as yet made 
 to ascertain the fall from the rapids of the Des Plaines to the 
 termination of those of the Illinois ; but persons who have re¬ 
 peatedly ascended and descended these streams, suppose it to be 
 from 50 to 70 feet. Taking the highest number, and allow ing 
 the distance from the point on the Des Plaines, where that 
 stream is supposed to be on a level with Lake Michigan, to be 
 60 miles, let us make an estimate of the expense by referring to 
 that of other canals. 
 
 The Middlesex canal, in Massachusetts, runs over twenty- 
 eight miles of ground, presenting obstacles much greater than 
 can possibly be expected on the route we propc.se. This canal 
 cost 478,000 dollars, which is about 17,000 dollars a mile. It 
 contains 22 locks of solid masonry and excellent workmanship, 
 and to accomplish this work, it was necessary to dig in some 
 places to the depth of 20 feet, to cut through ledges of rocks, to 
 fill valleys and morasses, and to throw several aqueducts 
 across the intervening rivers. One of these across the river 
 Shawshine is 280 feet long, and 22 feet above the river. 
 
 The expense of the northern canal from Lake Champlain to 
 Waterford, is calculated at 800,000 dollars—the distance is 61 
 miles ; the ascent from the lake to the summit level, between 
 Fort Ann and Fort Edward, is 53 feet 6 inches, and from this 
 to Waterford the descent is 140 feet—and upwards of twenty 
 locks are required. 
 
 According to the report of theNew-York canal commission¬ 
 ers in 1817, the following estimate was given : 
 
GENERAL VIEW OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 25 
 
 On the Tonewanta creek, thirty miles from the west end of 
 the canal, at a point where the level of the lake terminates, to 
 the ommencetnent of the summit level, between Lake Erie and 
 the Genessee river, the distance is 12 miles. “ In this distance,' 1 
 sav the commissioners, “ locks must be construc ted for a rise 
 of 74 feet and eighty hundredths. It would probably be expe- • 
 dieut to divide this rise equally between ten locks, in which case 
 the lift of each would be seven feet and forty-eight hundredths. 
 The expense of tln m would not exceed § 100,000.” The expen¬ 
 ses of excavation, &c. are estimated at §28,000 
 
 Making § 128,000 
 
 Again, from the east end of the summit level down the valley of 
 Black creek, and along the west banks of the Genesee river, is 
 about 80 miles, and it would require locks for a fall of 139 feet* 
 The expense of these locks might be estimated at § 15,000 
 The other expenses at b6,000 per mile, 180,000 
 
 Add 
 
 §195,000 
 
 128,000 
 
 Making in all, §323,000 
 
 For a distance of 42 miles, with a fall of 213 feet, requiring 
 about 30 locks. 
 
 The expense of the whole extent of the middle section of the 
 western canal, occupying an extent of 77 miles, and requiring 
 six locks, is estimated at §853,000. 
 
 The average expense of the eastern section of the canal per 
 mile is §13,800. In this section there is a fall of 418 feet, and 
 46 locks are required. 
 
 The average expense of the whole canal from Lake Erie to 
 the Hudson, a distance of 365 miles, is about §13,400 per mile. 
 
 Taking then the highest estimates, the expense of the con¬ 
 templated canal from the Michigan to the foot of the lower rap¬ 
 ids of the Illinois, would not much exceed §1,000,000 ; but the 
 facilities which are here presented, viz. the levelness of the 
 country, and the ease with which a canal could he supplied with 
 water, would render it much less expensive, and perhaps one 
 half the amount abo\e mentioned would he amply sufficient. 
 
 In a national point of view, the canal under consideration will 
 
 4 
 
26 
 
 GENERAL VIEW OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 be of the greatest importance ; for there is no political principle 
 more clearly established than this, “ that after the formation of 
 a good government , it is the next interest of a nation to adopt such 
 a system of internal policy, as will enable the people to enjoy , as 
 soon as practicable , all the natural advantages of the country in 
 which they live.” And it is no less a fact, that when nations 
 have acted upon this principle, they have uniformly risen to 
 wealth and prosperity. In order to test the truth of this re¬ 
 mark, look at the situation of those countries where internal im¬ 
 provements have been brought to the highest degree of per¬ 
 fection. China , it is said, by means of its numerous canals in¬ 
 tersecting each other over the face of that immense empire, and 
 opening communications between the greatest cities in the 
 world, has created a home market nearly equal to the whole 
 market in Europe. It is to he regretted that we have no de¬ 
 tailed account of those stupendous monuments of genius and en¬ 
 terprise, which have thus contributed to make her the most 
 wealthy and independent nation on earth.* But China is not 
 the only example. Look at Holland , who by her industry and 
 enterprise, has‘Stolen territory from the ocean, and has intersec¬ 
 ted its surface in every direction with canals. And did these 
 produce no effects ? We need only answer by an appeal to her 
 history. But a few years since, she was mistress of the ocean, 
 and her thousand sails whitened every sea, and enlivened every 
 port. No nation dared then restrict her commerce or insult her 
 flag ; the cannon of her ships always thundered successfully, and 
 her flag waved triumphantly over her enemies. But although 
 her naval glory has been eclipsed by the appearance of a bright¬ 
 er constellation, she yet possesses within herself wealth and in¬ 
 dependence. Other instances might readily be adduced, bu^ 
 they would be unnecessary. The history of the poverty and 
 wealth, the weakness and power, the rise and fall of nations, 
 furnish incontestible proofs of the truth of the position, that the 
 most intimate connection which can be formed between the re¬ 
 mote sections of a country, is the-most certain method of pre¬ 
 serving its independence, of calling forth its latent energies, 
 and thus increasing its wealth and political consequence. 
 
 * Col. Haines’ introduction to the reports of the canal commissioners, a very valuable memoir 
 on the subject of internal improvements. 
 
GENERAL VIEW OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 27 
 
 To the American people , the progress of internal improvement 
 is a subject which should claim their most serious attention, in¬ 
 asmuch as it concerns their deepest interests. In a republic so 
 extensive as ours, the conclusion is reasonable, nay irresistible, 
 that when its different sections become thickly populated, jeal¬ 
 ousies will arise which will disturb its peace and endanger its 
 liberties. The history of our country, although yet in its infan¬ 
 cy, has already furnished ample proof of this fact; but we are 
 unwilling to enter into the disgraceful detail. Since then we 
 have already seen sectional interests arise, and local jealousies 
 excited, what may we not expect, when our country shall be¬ 
 come thickly populated, from the shores of the Atlantic to those 
 of the Pacific. Can it be supposed that patriotism, innocent 
 and defenceless as she is, can resist the attacks of those arch 
 fiends, interest and avarice ? No ! the presumption is as idle, as 
 the reality would be dreadful: the experience of the world 
 proves its falsity. It follows then, that a community of interest, 
 arising from a mutual dependence of one section of country 
 upon the other, is the only bond of union, and consequently, it 
 should be the business of every wise statesman and legislator to 
 effect this object. Again, if it is true that mutual wants consti¬ 
 tute one of the principal links of political connexion, it is no less 
 true, that it is much strengthened by the ease with which those 
 wants can be supplied. Thus we find that in the early ages of 
 society, when governments were composed of distinct petty clans, 
 or monarchies without a single bond of interest to unite them, 
 or without the means of interchange between their different com¬ 
 ponent parts, they were a continual prey to jealousies and feuds. 
 They, one after another, sunk into oblivion, and now scarcely 
 a single trace of their former existence remains. “ England, 
 which at one time was divided into several petty kingdoms, 
 through the influence of the general diffusion of knowledge, and 
 a liberal course of policy, has become united into one. And dur¬ 
 ing the last fifty years, the facilities of internal communication 
 have been so much increased, that the demands of one place can 
 be supplied by the resources of another, and thus industry has 
 been so extensively diffused, as to enable her to supply her own 
 wants, and to furnish vast exports to exchange for the wealth of 
 other countries. Scotland , by succession, became united to Eng- 
 
28 
 
 GENERAL VIEW OE ILLINOIS. 
 
 land, and is now bound to her by habit, by turnpike roads, ca¬ 
 nals and ret ip rural interests. In like maimer, all the counties of 
 England, or departments of France, are bound to each other ; 
 and when the United States shall be bound together by canals, 
 by cheap and easy access to a market in all directions, by a sense 
 of mutual interests, arising from mutual intercourse, and ming¬ 
 led commerce, it will no more be possible to split them into inde¬ 
 pendent and separate governments, each lining its frontiers with 
 fortifications and troops, to shackle their own exports to and 
 from the neighbouring states, than it is now possible for the gov¬ 
 ernment of England to divide and form again into seven king¬ 
 doms. But it is necessary to bind the states together by the 
 people’s interests , one of which is to enable every man to sell the 
 produce of his labor at the best market, and purchase at the 
 cheapest. This accords with the idea of Hume, 4 that the gov¬ 
 ernment of a wise people would be little more than a system of 
 civil police, for the best interests of man is industry, and a free 
 exchange of the produce of his labour, for the thing he may re¬ 
 quire.’ 
 
 4 * On this humane principle what stronger bond of union can 
 be invented, than those which enable each individual to trans¬ 
 port the produce of his industry, 1200 miles for sixty rents the 
 hundred weight ? Here then is a certain method of securing the 
 union of the states, and of rendering it as lasting as the conti¬ 
 nent we inhabit.”* 
 
 This is the language of one, than whom none has contributed 
 more to the honour and prosperity of the country. 
 
 The view which 1 have thus far taken of the improvement of 
 internal communications, relates only to its necessity for the 
 preservation of our union and independence. There are, how¬ 
 ever, other considerations, which should not be overlooked or 
 treated lightly. Before entering on this subject, it is proper to 
 premise, that a nation, in order to become prosperous and 
 wealthy, must depend upon her own resources, and not those of 
 foreign countries ; for the latter may at any time be withdrawn, 
 and the nation depending on them reduced to the most embar¬ 
 rassed situation. A nation, in order to become wealthy, must 
 
 * See Fulton’s Treatise on Canals, in which, at an early period, he called the attention of the peo¬ 
 ple of the state of New-York to the subject of the union of Lake Erie withy he Hudson river- 
 
GENERAL VIEW OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 29 
 
 live within herself;—she must manufacture her own raw mate¬ 
 rials, instead of sending them to foreign countries, and depend¬ 
 ing for her supply of the manufactured articles upon foreign 
 markets. “ To rely upon foreign markets,” says Governor 
 Clinton,* “ is to expose ourselves to the caprice of foreign po¬ 
 licy, and to commit primary interests to the guardianship of 
 rival nations. We must, therefore, consult the substantial and 
 permanent prosperity of agriculture, by providing for the do¬ 
 mestic consumption of its productions ; and this can only be ac¬ 
 complished by the dense population of manufacturing towns and 
 commercial < ities.” 
 
 Among the many arguments in favour of this position, one 
 which is more intimately connected with the subject under con¬ 
 sideration, is, that it creates in some instances a new , and secures 
 in all a more certain and steady demand for the surplus produce of 
 the soil. One of the greatest statesmen! who has ever adorned 
 the history of our country, in treating of this subject, observes, 
 “ This is a principal means by which the establishment of ma¬ 
 nufactures contributes to an augmentation of the produce or re¬ 
 venue of the country, and has an immediate and direct relation 
 to the prosperity of agriculture. 
 
 <• It is evident, that the exertions of the husbandman will be 
 steady or fluctuating, vigorous or feeble, in proportion to the 
 steadiness or fluctuation, adequateness or inadequateness of the 
 markets on which he must depend for the vent of the surplus 
 which may be produced by his labour ; and that such surplus, 
 in the ordinary course of things, will be greater or less in the 
 same proportion. 
 
 “ For the purpose of this vent, a domestic market is greatly to 
 be preferred to a foreign one ; for it is, in the nature of things, 
 far more to be relied on. 
 
 “ But the foreign demand for the products of agricultural 
 countries, is , in a great degree , rather casual and occasional , than 
 certain or constant. To what extent injurious interruptions of 
 the demand for some of the staple commodities of the United 
 Slates, may have been experienced from that cause, must be re¬ 
 ferred to the judgment of those who are engaged in carrying on 
 
 * See his speech to the legislatureof New-York,in Jan. 1322. 
 
 1 Alexander Hamilton—See his report on manufactures, Jan. 179Q. 
 
30 
 
 GENERAL VIEW OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 the commerce of the country ; but it may be safely affirmed* 
 that such interruptions are at times very inconveniently felt, 
 and that cases not unfrequently occur in which markets are so 
 confined and restricted as to render the demand very unequal to 
 the supply. 
 
 “ Independently likewise, of these artificial impediments, 
 which are created by the policy in question, there are natural 
 causes tending to render the external demand for the surplus of 
 agricultural nations , a precarious reliance • The differences of 
 seasons in the countries which are the consumers, make im¬ 
 mense differences in the produce of their own soils in different 
 years, and consequently in the degrees of their necessity for 
 foreign supply. Plentiful harvests with them, especially if si¬ 
 milar ones occur at the same time in the countries which are the 
 furnishers, occasion of course a glut in the markets of the latter. 
 
 “ Considering how fast and how much the progress of new 7 
 settlements in the United States must increase the surplus pro¬ 
 duce of the soil, and weighing seriously the tendency of the sys¬ 
 tem which prevails among most of the commercial nations of 
 Europe, whatever dependence may be placed on the force of na¬ 
 tural circumstances to counteract the effects of artificial policy, 
 there appear strong reasons to regard the foreign demand for •hat 
 surplus , as too uncertain a reliance , and to desire a substitute for it 
 in an extensive domestic market 
 
 “ To secure such a market, there is no other expedient , than to 
 promote manufacturing establishments. Manufacturers, who con¬ 
 stitute the most numerous class after the cultivators of land, are 
 for that reason the principal consumers of the surplus of their 
 labour. 
 
 “ This idea of an extensive domestic market for the surplus 
 produce of the soil, is of the first consequence. It is. of all things, 
 that which most effectually conduces to a flourishing state of agri¬ 
 culture.” 
 
 If the principles w hich are here laid down by a master hand, 
 and which are confirmed and strengthened by the experience of 
 thirty years, arc correct, it follows as a necessary consequence, 
 that it is the policy of our government to encourage manufac¬ 
 tures, and by this means promote national industry. 
 
 But granting it to he the interest of our country to encourage 
 
GENERAL VIEW OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 31 
 
 manufactures, how can they he bcnefitted hy internal improve- 
 merits ? To this \vc reply : If we should become a great manu¬ 
 facturing nation, it is probable that the northern and middle 
 states will be the principal scenes of those establishments ; 
 which would immediately benefit the more southern, by creating 
 a demand for productions, some of which they have in common 
 with the other states, and others of which are either peculiar to, 
 or more abundant, or of better quality than elsewhere.* But it 
 is evident, that in proportion as produce is remote from market, 
 its value is diminished in consequence of the expense of carriage, 
 and hence remote parts are excluded from the market, or a fa¬ 
 cility of exchanging their surplus produce for the necessaries 
 they may require ; and thus every inducement for exertion is 
 destroyed, and the country remains barren and uncultivated. 
 
 To encourage population,” says a writerf before referred to, 
 “ and to increase the value of the lands, the cheapest possible 
 conveyance of the produce must be established on sound princi¬ 
 ples ; for exactly in proportion to the ease of reaching the mar¬ 
 ket, the remote countries of equal fertility will be of more or less 
 consequence in the scale of society.” If it is a fact that manu¬ 
 factures cannot exist without agriculture, it is no less true that 
 in proportion to the diminution of transportation will be the in¬ 
 crease of the quantity of produce sent to market, the greater . 
 will be the commercial interchange of returning merchandize, 
 and the greater the encouragement to manufactures, by the in¬ 
 creased cheapness and comfort of living, together with the 
 cheapness and abundance of raw materials. 
 
 No truth is better established than that labour is the wealth of 
 a nation, and that that which saves labour rewards labour. It 
 is upon this that the whole operations of civilized societies de¬ 
 pend, as it regards political economy and social intercourse. 
 Labour is first required in obtaining the raw materials, then in 
 preparing them for use, and lastly in transporting them to the 
 places where they are to be used. This last, viz. transportation , 
 necessarily forms a heavy charge on the fund of labour ; and in 
 proportion to the reduction of labour in this respect, will be the 
 
 * See addresses of the Philadelphia society for promoting national industry. They contain much 
 valuable information on the subject of domestic manufactures. 
 
 1 See aletterof Robert Fulton, Ksq. to Thomas Mifflin, Governor of Pennsylvania, 1796. 
 
*12 
 
 GENERAL VIEW OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 gain of a nation, as the part saved can be employed to advantage 
 in other objects.* 
 
 Having thus presented some of the general advantages to be 
 derived from the union of Lake Michigan with the Illinois, I 
 shall next proceed to show in what manner it will be particularly 
 advantageous to the states of Illinois and Missouri. 
 
 The fertility of the soil of these states is such as leaves no 
 doubt that they are destined to become great agricultural states. 
 All the grains of the eastern, and many of the staples of the 
 southern states, flourish here. From the success which has at¬ 
 tended the cultivation of cotton on the eastern side of Illinois, 
 on the Missouri river, and in many other parts of these states, 
 it is highly probable that in a few years this article will be 
 abundantly and profitably raised. Tobacco also flourishes here, 
 and is perfectly congenial to the climate. The richness of the 
 soil pledges an abundant reward to industry, and forbids the 
 idea that it will remain sterile, or yield only a sufficiency for 
 our own consumption. An immense surplus produce may be 
 raised, and althongh the demand for it may sometimes be inter¬ 
 rupted, the interruption is seldom of long continuance ; for the 
 history of the world proves that all the surplus produce which 
 is raised in one region, is generally required in another. 
 
 We are justified in the conclusion, that while man remains 
 what he is, influenced by ambition, the love of glory, the hope of 
 empire, and the baser passions, wars will continue to desolate 
 and destroy ; and in proportion to the numbers concerned in 
 these, the number of agriculturalists w ill be diminished, and the 
 demand for agricultural products increased. These events, until 
 we turn our attention exclusively to manufactures, will always 
 have an important effect upon our country. They will create a 
 demand for the products of our industry, and of course will have 
 a tendency to make the agricultural interest flourish. It then 
 becomes a question of much importance, in what manner these 
 states shall be best enabled to take advantage of the demand in 
 foreign countries ? For this purpose three outlets present them¬ 
 selves—the St. Lawrence, the Mississippi, and the Hudson. 
 The objections to the St. Lawrence on account of its rapids and 
 
 * Report of the committee on roads and canals, in the house of representatives; Jan. 2,182?. 
 
GENERAL VIEW OF ILLINOIS* 
 
 33 
 
 obstructions, and tlie fact that it is closed by the intensity of 
 climate about seven months in the year, are such that it never 
 can compete with the others. The export trade must then be 
 divided between New-Orleans and New-York. The former is 
 destined to become one of the greatest commercial cities in this 
 or any other country. She commands the greatest interior; 
 she is the key to the richest and most extensive inland region of 
 any mercantile capital in the world.* As such she will always 
 be an important market for the western states. Besides the pro¬ 
 duce required for her own consumption, and that of Louisiana 
 and Mississippi, she will be the entrepot of the produce destined 
 for the West Indies and the provinces of South America. But 
 every day’s experience must convince us that this outlet is not 
 sufficient for the produce of the western states ; and as their 
 agricultural resources are brought into more active operation, 
 this consideration will become of more serious import. It is, 
 therefore, their true policy to open a communication with New- 
 York , so that they can avail themselves of both markets. The 
 correctness of this position will be manifest from the following 
 considerations :—The capital of New-Orleans is disproportion¬ 
 ate to the quantity of produce landed there. The warmth and 
 unhealthiness of the climate prevents the farmer from sending 
 his produce to that place, at a time when he may be most in need, 
 of the articles for which he would barter. During this time, he 
 is at present completely deprived of a market for his produce, 
 and is moreover obliged to pay the merchant an exorbitant price 
 for his necessaries. It frequently happens, that in the western 
 states, during the summer and fall, the price of those articles 
 for which they depend upon New-Orleans, is raised 50, and 
 sometimes 100 per cent. But New-Orleans is at all times a 
 very uncertain market. It not unfrequently happens that a few 
 boat loads of produce completely supply the demand. If another 
 cargo then arrives, the owner is obliged either to sacrific e it, or 
 leave it in store ; in the latter case, if it consists of Hour or ba¬ 
 con, it suffers much from the beat and humidity of the climate, 
 and its value is not unfrequently diminished one half or three 
 fourths. This is also the case with furs and several other ar- 
 
 i 
 
 -* Col. Haines’ introduction before referred to. 
 
 5 
 
GENERAL VIEW OF ILLINOIS, 
 
 tides, which cannot be transported by New-Orleans to a foreign 
 market, without a considerable depreciation in their value. 
 
 T hese considerations clearly prove the importance of opening 
 a communication with New-York, by which means the states 
 bordering on the Mississippi will be enabled to find a market 
 for their produce during those seasons when they are completely 
 excluded from New-Orleans. They will then be enabled to take 
 the advantage of both tlie markets of New-Orleans and New- 
 York. Their produce then, instead of remaining with the agri¬ 
 culturalist, or wasting in the store-houses at Orleans, will find 
 its way to the great exporting market; and in return, goods 
 will be received upon the most advantageous terms. Even at this 
 time, merchants at St. Louis, and in different parts of Illinois 
 and Missouri, purchase their goods in the eastern cities, and 
 transport them across the mountains, in preference to sending 
 them by New-Orleans. If, then, they now find it their interest 
 to do this, how much more so will it be when, by the completion 
 of this canal, the price of transportation will be much diminish¬ 
 ed ; and when, in addition to this, they can secure at New-York 
 the highest possible price for their produce, during those sea¬ 
 sons when they are completely excluded from the southern 
 market. 
 
 But let us enter somewhat into detail, and compare the pre¬ 
 sent price of transportation with what it will be when this inland 
 communication shall be established. For example, from St. • 
 Louis, a central point on the Mississippi, to New-York, by the 
 way of New-Orleans, the present price of transportation is about 
 $45 per ton. The freight of the return cargo is not less than 
 $80 per ton : add to this the risque of shipwreck at sea, and the 
 delay in consequence of the sickness at New-Orleans. After 
 the completion of the Illinois and New-York canals, the expense 
 of transportation from St. Louis to New-York, will be about as 
 
 follows :— 
 
 From St. Louis to Chicago, say per ton, $10 
 
 From Chicago to Buffalo, 10 
 
 From Buffalo to New-York, say 20 
 
 Making $40 
 
GENERAL VIEW OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 35 
 
 But the return cargo would be no more expensive ; and con¬ 
 sequently by this route there would be a saving of from 40 to 50 
 dollars, besides the risque and delay above mentioned. 
 
 But as we have spoken of delay , let us compare the time con¬ 
 
 sumed in these different routes :— 
 
 First—by the way of the Lakes. 
 
 From St. Louis to the foot of the lower rapids of the 
 liii nois, a distance of about 250 miles, against a 
 gentle current, by steam-boats, about 3 days. 
 
 From the rapids to Chicago, about 90 miles, by the 
 canal, say 3 days. 
 
 From Chicago to Buffalo, say 10 days. 
 
 From Buffalo to New-York, 12 days. 
 
 Making 28 days. 
 
 Return Voyage. 
 
 From Nevv-York to St. Louis, 28 days. 
 
 In all, 56 
 
 Second—by the way of New-Orleans. 
 
 From St, Louis to New-Orleans, average about 15 days. 
 
 From New-Orleans to Ncw-York, 25 days. 
 
 Making 40 days. 
 
 Return Voyage. 
 
 From New-York to New-Orleans, average about 35 days. 
 From New-Orleans to St. Louis, 30 days. 
 
 In all, 105 
 
 So that the northern or canal voyage could be accomplished in 
 less than half the time necessary for the southern. 
 
 These several estimates, which it is believed are generally 
 correct, clearly demonstrate the immense advantages which 
 would accrue to these states from a direct internal communica¬ 
 tion with New-York ; by which means, instead of being con¬ 
 fined to the fluctuating and uncertain market of New-Orleans, 
 they would be enabled at all seasons to take advantage of the 
 demand for their produce in foreign countries, and to obtain in 
 return such imported articles as they might need, upon the most 
 advantageous terms, and with the least trouble and delay. 
 
66 
 
 GENERAL VIEW OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 I have thus concluded my remarks on the union of Lake 
 Michigan with the Illinois, having endeavoured to point out its 
 practicability, to make an estimate ot* its probable expense, and 
 to unfold its advantages. My main object has been to call the 
 attention of the people of Illinois and Missouri to a subject which 
 to them is all important. 
 
 Besides Michigan, there are several other lakes in different 
 parts of the state, but they are small and unimportant, and ra¬ 
 ther deserve the name of ponds ; it is hence not necessary to 
 notice them particularly in this place. 
 
 Vegetable Productions.— The botany of this state, al¬ 
 though a very interesting subject, would be by far too extensive 
 for our present purpose. Those who have in the least degree 
 attended to the diversity of the soil and climate of Illinois, must 
 be convinced of its botanical riches. 
 
 T he forest trees most common upon the recently formed al¬ 
 luvions, are the cotton wood, (Populus angulata, L ) sycamore, 
 (Platanus occidentalis, L.) and several different species of the 
 willow, (Salix.) On the older alluvions, and on the uplands, 
 the variety is much greater. The following catalogue may not 
 be uninteresting :— 
 
 Ulmus Americana, Mx. 
 Ulmus fulva, Mx. 
 
 Acer rub rum, L. 
 
 Acer saccharinum, L. 
 Acer nigrum, Mx. 
 
 Acer dasycarpuin, L. 
 
 Acer striatum, Mx. 
 Quercus tine toria, Wild. 
 Quercus palustris, \\ ild. 
 Quercus alba, Wild. 
 Quercus palustris, \V. 
 Quercus nigra, W. 
 Quercus macrocarpa, Mx. 
 Juglans nigra, L. 
 
 Juglans cinerea, L. 
 
 Cana olivoeformis, Nutt. 
 Cary a alba, Nutt, 
 
 American, or White elm. 
 Slippery, or Red elm. 
 
 Red maple. 
 
 Sugar maple. 
 
 Black maple. 
 
 Soft maple. 
 
 Striped maple, or Moose wood. 
 Black oak. 
 
 Swamp oak. 
 
 White oak. 
 
 Pin oak. 
 
 Blackjack. 
 
 Over-cup white oak, 
 
 Black walnut. 
 
 Butter nut. 
 
 Pecan nut. 
 
 Shag bark. 
 
GENERAL VIEW OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 37 
 
 Carya glabra, Nutt. 
 Castanea vesca, Mx. 
 Betula nigra, L. 
 
 Betula excelsa, Ait. 
 Betula papyracea. Wild. 
 Fraxinus concolor, Mx. f. 
 
 Pig nut. 
 
 Chesnut, (rare.) 
 Black birch. 
 Yellow birch. 
 Canoe birch. 
 White ash. 
 
 Fraxinus quadrangulata, Mx,f. Blue ash. 
 
 Tilia Americana, Wild. 
 Celtis crassifolia, Wild. 
 Laurus sassifras, L. 
 
 Di ospyros Yirginica, L. 
 Prunus serotina, Wild 
 Gleditschia triacanthos, L. 
 Gleditschia monosperma, 
 Porcelia triloba, Pers. 
 Carpinus Americana, Wild. 
 Ostrya Yirginica, Wild. 
 Fagus ferruginea. Ait. 
 
 Bass-wood. 
 
 Hagberry, or Hoop ash. 
 Sassifras. 
 
 Percimon. 
 
 Wihl cherry. 
 
 Honey locust. 
 
 Swamp locust. 
 
 Papaw. 
 
 Hornbeam. 
 
 Iron wood. 
 
 Beech. 
 
 Gyinnocladus canadensis,Wild. Coffee tree. 
 
 Pinus strobus, L. White pine, said to be common 
 
 in the northern parts of the state. 
 Cupressus disticha, Wild. Cypress, on the Ohio river. 
 
 Many other names might be added to this list, but the above 
 will convey an idea of the general character of the forests. 
 
 On the banks of the Illinois and Ohio, indigenous vines are 
 abundant, and yield grapes, which might advantageously be 
 made into wine. It is also probable, from the success that has 
 attended the cultivation of foreign vines in similar situations, 
 that they would flourish in the southern and middle sections of 
 this state. Most of the vines of France are cultivated on bar¬ 
 ren, broken and sandy soil. Some of them, however, are found 
 to flourish on low moist land, where in some seasons they pro¬ 
 duce abundantly. Such are the vineyards of lower Burgundy* 
 which are very extensive, and which, in dry seasons, afford 
 wines little inferior to those of upper Burgundy From the ma¬ 
 ny facts which are at present known in regard to the culture of 
 the vine in different parts of France and other countries, its suc¬ 
 cess appears to depend more upon local circumstances than 
 latitude. In France, it is found to succeed in all the different 
 
38 
 
 GENERAL VIEW OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 situations, from the valleys in the neighbourhood of Briancon 
 to Mount Lyons, in the higher Alps, which has the climate of 
 Sweden. From a number of observations made on this subject, 
 it appears that a southern exposure is the only one favorable to 
 the cultivation of the vine. 
 
 Exotic vines have been successfully cultivated at Glascow, in 
 Kentucky, in lat. 37° N. at Vevay, in Indiana, lat. 38° 30' N. at 
 Harmony, in the same state, in lat. 38° 45'N. and at Harmony, 
 in Pennsylvania, still farther north. In Illinois, they were for¬ 
 merly cultivated by the Monks of La Trappe, at their establish¬ 
 ment on the American Bottom, opposite St. Louis. From these 
 facts, there can be no doubt that on the banks of the Ohio, Mis¬ 
 sissippi and Illinois in this state, the vine might be made a val¬ 
 uable production. The climate here is mild, and the banks of. 
 these streams, for nearly two thirds of the year, are fanned by 
 warm southerly winds. 
 
 But if the cultivation of the exotic vines should prove unsuc¬ 
 cessful, the indigenous ones might be substituted. The Vitis 
 sestivalis produces excellent fruit on the banks of the Ohio, Mis¬ 
 sissippi and Illinois, in what may be called a deep vegetable loam. 
 It is much used by the French inhabitants of this state, who con¬ 
 vert it into a tolerable wine. No doubt, by cultivation and care, 
 this grape would be greatly improved. At all events, when we 
 reflect what a vast revenue is derived from this article in foreign 
 countries, the experiment deserves a fair trial upon an extensive 
 scale. A consideration not less important is, that it would pro¬ 
 bably be the means of introducing a wholesome beverage in the 
 place of those slow but certain poisons now so extensively used. 
 
 Maize is at present the staple production of this state : This 
 is chiefly owing to the ease with which it can be cultivated. It 
 generally yields from 50 to 80 bushels an acre ; but if attended 
 to during the season, it frequently yields from 100 to 120, and 
 130 bushels. 
 
 But although maize is by far the most extensively cultivated, 
 wheat and rye also flourish here, and yield abundant crops, par¬ 
 ticularly in the interior of the state. The soil is also well 
 adapted to the cultivation of oats, flax, barley, &c. &c. The do¬ 
 mestic grasses are as yet but little attended to, as the inhabit¬ 
 ants depend chiefly upon those which are found indigenous to 
 the prairies. 
 
GENERAL VIEW OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 39 
 
 Cotton lias been for many years succ essfully cultivated in this 
 state. It is not probable that it will ever become a profitable 
 article of export, but a sufficiency will always be raised for 
 home consumption. 
 
 Tobacco , will be one of the most valuable productions of Illi¬ 
 nois, the soil and climate being in every respect congenial to its 
 growth. 
 
 Hemp, is indigenous in the southern part of this state, as well 
 as Missouri ; a proof that its cultivation would he attended with 
 very little labour. As we are in a great measure indebted to 
 foreign countries for this article, there is no doubt but it would 
 become a most valuable production. 
 
 As might well be supposed, agriculture in this state is still in 
 its infancy, the attention of the inhabitants having been thus far 
 chiefly directed to raising a sufficiency for their own consump¬ 
 tion. Now, however, that many of them are comfortably situ¬ 
 ated, possessing not only all the necessaries, but even the luxu¬ 
 ries of life, they arc directing their attention to their vast agri¬ 
 cultural resources. About two years since, a state agricultural 
 society was formed ; and from what has already been done, the 
 most beneficial results may be anticipated. Premiums are of¬ 
 fered for the best crops of wheat, rye, corn, barley, hemp, to¬ 
 bacco, &c. In order the more completely to carry into effect 
 the objects of the society, auxiliaries are forming in the different 
 counties. The important results which have uniformly followed 
 from the formation of these societies in different parts of Europe 
 and the United States, warrant the conclusion that their influ¬ 
 ence will be sensibly felt in every part of this extensive state, 
 
 A fact stated by the president* of the state agricultural so¬ 
 ciety, in an address delivered at the last annual meeting, de¬ 
 serves to be particularly mentioned, inasmuch as it proves the 
 fertility of the soil of the prairies, formerly considered unfit for 
 cultivation. “ In March last,” he observes, 66 1 broke up a piece 
 of fresh prairie, and sow ed it with oats, on the first ploughing, 
 harrowing them in, but not until the latter end of April, through 
 a delay in obtaining the seed. The crop was about SO bushels 
 per acre. In September it was ploughed again, and sown with 
 
 * Morris Birdbeck, Esq. who is well known to the literary world as the author of a Year in France, 
 Travels in America, kc. 
 
40 
 
 GENERAL VIEW OE ILLINOIS# 
 
 barley, which is promising. In the spring I intend to sow 
 mothy and clover. Thus, with two ploughings and two liar- 
 rowings, may be obtained two crops, and the land brought into 
 a state to receive grass seeds.” 
 
 Animals. — Wolves, •panthers, and wild cats, are as yet very 
 numerous. The increase of the former is said to keep pace with 
 the increase of live stock, so much so that it requires all the 
 care and attention of the farmer to prevent their ravages. It 
 has been suggested by some, that premiums should be offered 
 by the legislature for their destruction. Among the many ex¬ 
 pedients offered for destroying these animals, we quote the fol¬ 
 lowing from a celebrated French work.* The first consists of 
 two needles, tied in the form of an X, with horse hair, and point¬ 
 ed at both ends. After bringing them together at the points, 
 and thus forcing the hair by which they are bound, and then tied 
 lip with a piece of gut or meat of middling size, these pieces are 
 scattered in the place frequented by the wolves ; they are swal¬ 
 lowed nearly whole, and the digestion which ensues, disengages 
 the ligature, and restores the form X, which pricking the sto¬ 
 mach of the animal, causes its death. The second expedient 
 was proposed by the Abbe Rosier, who served himself of it with 
 effect. Take a dead dog, goat or sheep, and introduce into the 
 flesh a sufficient quantity of nux vomica , finely pulverized ; the 
 meat to be then smoked, to destroy the human odour. A dog is 
 preferable, as another animal of that species will not attack it. 
 
 Deer, are also very abundant in this state, and are very va¬ 
 luable, particularly to the poorer class of its inhabitants, the 
 flesh affording them food, and the skin, clothing.— Foxes , rac¬ 
 coons, oppossums , gophars, and prairie squirrels, are also nume¬ 
 rous ; the two for mer are valuable for their skins. The flesh of 
 the oppossum is by many considered a great luxury. 
 
 The brorvn bear is also an inhabitant of this state, although ho 
 is continually retreating before the advance of civilization. 
 
 Wild horses , are found ranging the prairies and forests in dif¬ 
 ferent parts of the state. They are generally rather diminutive 
 in size, but are well formed and very hardy. They are caught 
 in pens, and with ropes having nooses attached to them. When 
 
 * Statistics of France, by M. Peuchet and others. This work has been abridged and translated by 
 J. N. Taylor of Washington city. 
 
GENERAL VIEW OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 4l 
 
 caught, they are easily broken either to the saddle or harness. 
 The poor French, win* monopolize the business of catching and 
 breaking these horses, make them an article of traffic ; their 
 common price is from 20 to 40 dollars. In a wooded alluvion at 
 the junction of the Kaskaskia and Mississippi rivers, called 
 
 the pointy 9 these horses are so abundant that their use entirely 
 supercedes that of any others. It has been supposed by some 
 that they arc indigenous, but it is most probable that they arc 
 the offspring of those horses which were brought there by the 
 first settlers, and which were suffered to run at large. They 
 are much used by the Indians, for which reason they arc fre¬ 
 quently called Indian ponies. 
 
 MiNEUALs.-Frotn the description which has already been giv¬ 
 en of this state, it will not appear surprising that it is not very 
 rich in minerals. The soil is its most invaluable and inexhaust¬ 
 ible mine, and will ever constitute its greatest source of wealth. 
 
 In the southern part of the state, sand stone is very abundant, 
 and is useful as a material for architectural purposes. North of 
 this region* secondary limestone forms the basis rock, and it is 
 readily burnt into lime. Coal is found in great abundance in 
 different parts of the state ; it is of a good quality, and is very 
 valuable on account of the scarcity of timber. Lead is also found 
 in large quantities near the junction of Bean river with tho 
 Mississippi. The mines in this region are extensively and pro¬ 
 fitably worked by Col. J. Johnson, who, during the last session of 
 congress, obtained the exclusive right of working them for three 
 years. Copper has been found in detac hed masses on the banks 
 of the Illinois and Big Muddy rivers, but it is very doubtful 
 whether it exists in any quantity. A large grant made by the 
 Spanish government to Philip Renault, includes a copper mine 
 at Peoria.”* The. Indians have at different times informed the 
 traders that this mineral is very abundant, but they are as yet 
 unwilling to give its locality. The specimens which they ex* 
 liibit, are, according to the best information 1 have been able to 
 obtain, similar to those found on the alluvion ; being small de¬ 
 tached masses, which appear to have undergone fusion. Iron 
 orCy of a good quality, is found in abundance in the southern part 
 of the state. Steatite is found on the banks of the Illinois below 
 
 See Fort Clark, 
 
 6 
 
42 
 
 GENERAL VIEW OE ILLINOIS# 
 
 the rapids, and is wrought by the Indians into pipes and orna¬ 
 ments ot* different kinds. Its colour is deep red ; in hardness it 
 approaches the softer varieties of serpentine : it hardens by ex¬ 
 posure. Fluate of lime occurs at alead mine near Shawneetown. 
 Its colours, which are very beautiful, are various shades of pur¬ 
 ple, violet, and blue; some specimens are entirely limpid. It 
 is found accompanied by galena, blende, pyrites, Ike imbedded 
 in a stiff red clay, resting on secondary limestone. ( Schoolcraft. J 
 —Gypsum is also found in a crystallized form in St. Clair coun¬ 
 ty. CSchoolcraft.J — Buhr-stone, of a good quality, has also been 
 found near the confluence of the Illinois and Mississippi ; but it 
 has not yet been ascertained whether it exists in any considera¬ 
 ble quantity .—Salt springs are found in almost every county in 
 the state, and are an inexhaustible source of wealth. The Ohio 
 saline, near Shawneetown, is at present the most valuable, 
 yielding to the state a revenue of about $ 10,000 per annum. 
 The Muddy saline, near Brownsville, is also extensively work¬ 
 ed, and affords good salt. The salines on the Sangamo and 
 Vermilion of the Wabash, are also very valuable. 
 
 Climate. —The climate of Illinois being similar to that of 
 Missouri, the reader is referred to that article in the genera! 
 view of Missouri. 
 
 Natural Curiosities. —The bank of the Ohio in this state 
 presents many singular appearances. It frequently consists of 
 ledges of rock, which assume the most fanciful forms, and are 
 penetrated in various places by caverns of different dimensions. 
 Of these, the most remarkable is that which is generally known 
 by the name ofCave in Rock/’ or “ House of Nature,” which 
 was for a long time the rendezvous of a gang of robbers, who 
 plundered and murdered the crews of boats navigating the Ohio. 
 It still serves as a temporary abode for those who want shelter 
 in case of shipwreck, or other accidents which happen to emi¬ 
 grants. It consists of several large rooms, handsomely arched, 
 and bounded on each side by benches of solid rock, which is co¬ 
 vered with stalactites, and abounds with organic reliquse.*— 
 Besides this cave, there are a number of others, though smaller, 
 and less celebrated. 
 
 * For a more particular description of this cave- see Cave in Rock. 
 
GENERAL VIEW OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 4a 
 
 Large caves are also very abundant in the steep and pictur¬ 
 esque cliffs of* the Illinois. The Indians suppose them to be the 
 residence of the Great Spirit, or Manitou , and are their places 
 of worship and sacrifice, either for success in war or the chase. 
 
 The Fossil tree of the Dos Plaines, though not uncommon in 
 this country, is well worthy the attention of the curious and sci¬ 
 entific. It has been described by Mr. Schoolcraft, and will be 
 more particularly noticed under the head of ( Riviere Des Plaines .* 
 
 Antiquities. On the American Bottom, mounds are very 
 numerous. The most considerable assemblage is about 8 miles 
 above St. Louis In the circuit of 4 or 5 miles there are up¬ 
 wards of 40 mounds of different forms and dimensions. The 
 largest of these is called the Monk mound, from its having for¬ 
 merly been the residence of a few monks of the order of La 
 Trappe. Its shape is that of a parallelogram, extending from 
 north to south. The circumference of its base is about 800 yards, 
 and the height about 30. The other mounds are of a smaller 
 size, and are scattered through the plain at irregular distances 
 from each other. Near them are found pieces of flint, frag¬ 
 ments of earthen vessels, and frequently human bones. Mount 
 Joliet , situated on the west bank of Riviere des Plaines, is about 
 3 or 400 yards in length, and 2 or 300 in breadth. Its form is 
 that of a prism ; it is evidently the work of art, and is probably 
 the largest mound in the United States. From the river, it ap¬ 
 pears nearly square. It received its name from Joliet, a Cana¬ 
 dian, who first observed it in 1773. Near the Ohio saline, 
 large fragments of earthenware, are continually found, both on 
 and under the surface of the earth. They have the impression 
 of basket or wicker work, similar to those found on the Merri- 
 mack and Missouri rivers. Similar fragments have also been 
 found near Harrissonville, in St. Clair county. 
 
 Land Districts. For the purpose of survey and sale, the 
 state of Illinois is divided into land districts, which are desig¬ 
 nated as follows : 
 
 The Land District of Vandalia , is bounded north by the north¬ 
 ern boundary of the state, east by the range line between numbers 
 3 and 9, south by the base line, and west by the 3d principal 
 meridian. The land office is at Vandalia. 
 
GENERAL VIEW OF ILLINOIS, 
 
 The Land District at Shawneetown , comprehends that part of 
 the state, bounded north by the base line, east and south by the 
 by the boundaries of the state, and west by the 3d principal me¬ 
 ridian. Land office at Shawneetown. 
 
 The Land District of Kaskaskias, is bounded north by the base 
 line, east by the 3d principal meridian, south and west by the 
 Ohio and Mississippi rivers. Land office at Kaskaskias. 
 
 The Land District of Palestine, is bounded north and east by 
 the boundaries of the state, south by the base line, and west by 
 the range line between the lines numbered 8 and 9, east of the 
 3d principal meridian. The land office is at Palestine. 
 
 The Land District of EdivurdsviUe, is bounded north and west 
 by the boundaries of the state, east by the 3d principal meridi¬ 
 an, and south by the base line, 1 he land office is at Edwards- 
 ville. 
 
 By an act passed during the last session of congress, a new 
 land district was erected from the land district of Edwardsville, 
 comprising so much of the public lands of the United States as 
 lie north of the line separating the thirteenth and fourteenth 
 tiers of townships north of the base line, and west of the third 
 pri ncipal meridian. The act also provides that a land office 
 shall be established at such place therein, as the president of the 
 United States shall designate, until the same shall be perma¬ 
 nently fixed by law ; but the appointments of register and re~ 
 ceiver are not to he made until a sufficient quantity of public 
 lands shall have been surveyed within the said district, to au¬ 
 thorize, in the opinion of the president, a public sale of lands. 
 
 Government. The constitution of Illinois was adopted by 
 a convention held at Kaskaskia, in August, 1818. It provides 
 for the distribution of the powers of government into three dis¬ 
 tinct departments—the legislative, executive and judiciary.— 
 The legislative authority is vested in a general assembly, con¬ 
 sisting of a senate and house of representatives, each of which 
 bodies are elected every two years by the people. The senators 
 va< ate their seats in rotation. The executive is vested in the 
 governor, who is chosen every fourth year by the electors for 
 representatives; at which time the lieutenant governor is also 
 elected. The judicial power is vested in a supreme court, and 
 such inferior courts as the general assembly shall from time to 
 
GENERAL VIEW OF ILLINOIS, 
 
 45 
 
 time establish. The supreme court consists of a chief justice 
 and three associates, who are appointed by joint ballot of both 
 houses of the assembly, and they hold their offices until 1824, 
 at which time their commissions expire ; but after that period, 
 the justices of the supreme court, and of the inferior courts, hold 
 their offices during good behaviour. The governor and judges 
 of the supreme court constitute a council of revision, to w hich 
 all bills that have passed the assembly must be presented. Al¬ 
 though the council of revision may return a bill with their ob~ 
 jertions, a majority of the members may pass it into a law 7 * 
 The governor nominates, and with the consent of the senate, 
 appoints to all offices not otherwise provided for by the consti¬ 
 tution. The right of suffrage is universal. All white male in¬ 
 habitants who have resided in the state six months preceding 
 elections, enjoy the right of electors ; and it was provided that 
 all votes should be given viva voce, until altered by the general 
 assembly. Slavery is prohibited in this state. The constitution 
 can only be altered by a convention. 
 
 Education. —By the act of congress admitting the state of 
 Illinois into the union upon an equal footing with the original 
 states, the U. States granted to it the sixteenth section in every 
 township, and where such section has been sold or otherwise 
 disposed of, other lands equiv alent thereto, as contiguous as may 
 be, for the use of schools ; besides three per cent of the nett: 
 proceeds of lands lying within this state, and which shall be sold 
 by congress from and after the 1st January, 1819—of which 
 one sixth part is to be exclusively bestowed on a college or uni¬ 
 versity. In addition to which, two entire townships were grant¬ 
 ed for the use of a seminary of learning, and vested in the le¬ 
 gislature of the state, to be appropriated solely to the use of such 
 seminary. 
 
 As the condition of these liberal grants, the convention which 
 formed the constitution of this state, ordained by a statute, 
 which is irrevocable without the consent of the United States, 
 that every tract of land sold by the United States after January 
 1819, should be exempt from any tax tor five years ; and that 
 bounty lands granted for military services during the war, 
 should, while they continue in the hands of the soldier, be exempt 
 from taxes for three years from and after the date of each pa- 
 
46 
 
 GENERAL VIEW OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 tent ; and that all lands belonging to the citizens of the United 
 States residing without the said state, should never be taxed 
 higher than lands belonging to persons residing therein. 
 
 History. —About the middle of the 17th century, the French 
 began to turn their attention to the discovery of the Mississippi, 
 They had heard from some Indians who visited Canada, that 
 there was towards the west a large river , but they could obtain no 
 information in regard to its course or extent. The attention of 
 the enterprizing had for a long time been directed to the disco¬ 
 very of a North West passage; and the hints which they re¬ 
 ceived of the existence of a river west of the lakes, were calcu¬ 
 lated to give additional confidence, and render them more san¬ 
 guine. They supposed that this river emptied itself into the 
 Pacific ocean, and that it also formed a communication with the 
 lakes, and thus vainly imagined that they had at once discovered 
 the great object of their wishes. Anxious to signalize himself 
 and his nation, M. Talon, the intendant of New-France, a man 
 of superior genius, determined to settle this important question 
 previous to leaving America. He gave the charge of the in¬ 
 vestigation to P. Marquette, a Jesuit, who had already travelled 
 over almost all the Canadas, and who was much respected by 
 the savages ; and associated with him a man of courage and 
 experience, named Joliet. Having made the necessary prepa¬ 
 rations, they embarked from the mouth of Fox river, and as¬ 
 cended it to near its source; then crossed westward by land, 
 until they intersected the Ouisconsin ; and descending this, they 
 reached the Mississippi on the 17th of June, 1673. They found 
 that river much larger and deeper than it had been represented 
 to them by the savages. They were delighted with the beauty 
 and fertility of its banks, and every day’s journey furnished 
 them with new subjects of admiration. Unfortunately, the regular 
 journal which they kept, was lost, when on their return to Ca¬ 
 nada. It appears, however, from the account of Joliet, that 
 they found the natives friendly, and with the assistance of a few 
 presents, they obtained such provisions as they were in need of. 
 But a tradition existed among the savages, that there was on 
 the banks of the Mississippi below r the Missouri, a Manitou , or 
 Spirit, which it was impossible for any being to pass. This in¬ 
 formation was communicated to the adventurers, and being: but 
 
 * tj 
 
GENERAL VIEW OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 47 
 
 lew in number, they determined not to pursue their journey 
 south, but to return to Canada bv the way of the Illinois. It is 
 uncertain how far they descended the Mississippi; it being as¬ 
 serted by .some that they readied the mouth of the Arkansas, 
 (or Akanccas, as it was then called ;) by others, that they did 
 not proceed farther south than the mouth of the Missouri. 
 
 Upon ascending the Illinois,* they found new objects of ad¬ 
 miration. It formed such a contrast with the stream which they 
 had just left, its water being clear, its current gentle, and its 
 Jbanks interspersed with plains and woodlands, that they were en¬ 
 raptured with its beauty. They were well received, and were 
 treated very hospitably by the natives, particularly by the Illi¬ 
 nois. They found this tribe destitute of that savage cruelty so 
 characteristic of the natives of that day ; on the contrary, they 
 prided themselves much upon their hospitality and generosity. 
 The pious Marquette, touched with their deplorable situation, 
 and their desire of learning the arts of civilization, determined 
 to remain among them, and spend the remainder of his life in. 
 the service of his God.f Thus we see, that even at that early 
 period, there were those who were willing to endure every pri¬ 
 vation, that they might be serviceable to their fellow-creatures ; 
 and it is but justice to observe, that the Jesuits were at that day 
 foremost on the list of philanthropists throughout the world. 
 Joliet parted with Marquette, and in a short time reached Ca¬ 
 nada, where he gave an account of the discoveries he had made. 
 
 After the return of Joliet, and the departure of M. Talon from 
 Canada, the French appear to have lost sight of the Mississippi, 
 and no measures were taken to prosecute a discovery commen¬ 
 ced under such favourable auspices; and although an extensive 
 field of speculation was opened to the adventurous, several years 
 elapsed before any one attempted to follow the track of Marquette 
 and Joliet. 
 
 M. de la Salle, a native of Rouen in Normandy, who had re¬ 
 sided for many years in Canada, and who was a man of enter- 
 prize and intelligence, was the first to revive the plan of M. 
 
 * According to Hennepin, this name is derived from Mini; which, in the language of the Illinois, 
 signifies a perfect and accomplished man. 
 
 * Charlevoix gives an affecting account of the extraordinary death of this good old man. 
 
48 
 
 GENERAL VIEW OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 Talon, in regard to the discovery of the Mississippi and tho 
 country which it watered. 
 
 When Joliet arrived in Montreal with the news of his disco¬ 
 veries, La Salle was engaged in the favorite project of a North¬ 
 west passage to China and Japan * He did not doubt what was 
 asserted by this traveller, that the Mississippi discharges itself 
 into the Gulf of Mexico ; hut he flattered himself that by ascend¬ 
 ing it he should discover the object of his researches. Should 
 he fail in this, how ever, he had no doubt but the discovery of its 
 junction with the ocean would have a tendency to establish his 
 fortune and his reputation. Being zealous for the honour of his 
 nation, he determined to signalize the French name by a plan 
 of operations, than which none could be more important, none 
 more splendid. Having already given frequent proofs of his 
 uncommon talents, he had gained the esteem of the governors of 
 Canada, and had several times been employed in expeditions 
 which contributed much to the honour and advantage of the co¬ 
 lony ; this facilitated, in a material degree, the prosecution of 
 his plans. He accordingly left Canada for France, to obtain 
 the sanction and assistance of his sovereign, and to make the 
 necessary arrangements for the prosecution of the discovery. 
 When he arrived at court, he unfolded his plans, proved its vast 
 importance to the French nation, and the facility with which 
 they might be accomplished. The king was so well pleased 
 with the views of La Saile, that he riot only sanctioned his en¬ 
 ter-prize, but supplied him with men and means for tiie prosecu¬ 
 tion of the discovery. In the language ofTonti, 66 His Majesty, 
 not content with merely approving his design, caused orders to 
 be given him, granting him permission to go and put it into ex¬ 
 ecution, and to assist him to carry so vast a project into effect; 
 shortly after, the necessary succours were furnished him, with 
 entire liberty to dispose of all the countries which he should 
 discover:” 
 
 La Salle, after making the necessary arrangements, left 
 Fram e in July, 1678, and arrived in Quebec during the month 
 ot September of that year. He then proceeded to Fort Fron- 
 tenac, on Lake Ontario, of which he had been appointed gover¬ 
 nor. Here he made some repairs, and leaving a few men as a 
 
 * Charlevoix’s History ot New France. 
 
GENERAL VIEW OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 4 $ 
 
 garrison* proceeded on his journey. On the 18th of November 
 of this year, he left the fort, with the Chevalier Tonti as his 
 lieutenant, Father Hennepin as his chaplain, and 30 or 40 men. 
 La Salle now engaged himself for about a year in examining 
 the country bordering on the lakes, and in selecting proper sites 
 for the erection of forts. His object in this was, to secure to 
 the Canadas the whole trade of the Indians residing in the coun¬ 
 try now known as the northern and western parts of the states 
 of New-York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. This was rendered the 
 more necessary, on account of the exertions which were made 
 by the English and Dutch to divert the trade to the south. 
 After La Salle had effected this object, and had commenced a 
 profitable trade at his different posts, he determined to continue 
 his discovery. Previous to his departure, however, he com¬ 
 menced a considerable fort at Niagara, then a village of the 
 Iroquois, which be intended as his place of entrepot between 
 Canada and the countries he should discover. The Iroquois, 
 who were then a powerful nation, viewed this with considerable 
 jealousy ; and La Salle, fearing that it might be the cause of 
 hostility, abandoned the project, and contented himself with the 
 erection of pallisadoes merely for the protection of his magazine. 
 His object was to influence the savages by mild and conciliatory 
 measures, and he was therefore unwilling to persevere in any 
 plan which had to them the appearance of coercion or force, 
 unless it was absolutely necessary for the protection of himself 
 or his party. After he had built a small vessel at Niagara, and 
 left a few men for the defence of the fort and stores, he passed 
 through Lake Erie and entered the Huron, where he had to en¬ 
 counter much difficulty on account of the storms which now pre¬ 
 vailed. He, however, passed through in safety, and entered 
 Lake Michigan ; and after remaining a short time at the Bay 
 of Puants, (Cireen Bay,) for the purpose of trading, proceeded 
 with his men in canoes to the southern extremity of the lake, 
 and landed at the mouth of the river of the Miamis on the 1st of 
 November, 1679.* After building a small fort at this place, 
 and leaving it in c harge of 8 or 10 men, he passed over to the 
 head waters of the Illinois, and descended that stream for a 
 considerable distance, but was obliged to stop for the want of 
 
 * Tonti ? s account of the voyage of La Salle. 
 
50 
 
 GENERAL VIEW OF ILLINOIS, 
 
 supplies. This was occasioned by the loss of a boat which hail 
 been sent from his establishment at the Bay of Founts. Ne¬ 
 cessity now compelled him to turn his attention to the construc¬ 
 tion of a fort for his defence ; and after having selected a suit- 
 aide site, he commenced building it, which, when completed, he 
 ca ted Creve-ccenr , (broken heart;) for he had suffered much 
 anxiety and distress of mind, on account of the disappointments 
 he had met with, and the appearance of hostility among the In¬ 
 dians. This hostility, strange as it may appear, w as occasioned 
 by the perfidy of some of his own men. The French, as has 
 been before mentioned, ever since their first visit to this country, 
 had been well treated by the Illinois, and were considered by 
 them as their true friends. The Illinois being engaged in a war 
 with the Iroquois, a numerous, warlike, and cruel tribe, accord¬ 
 ing to their savage, and perhaps correct notions of friendship, 
 expected assistance from the French. La Salle, however, being 
 convinced that his safety as well as his success depended upon 
 the termination of this warfare, used ail his efforts to accomplish 
 this object. This was construed by some of the evil spirits of 
 the Illinois, into treachery ; and their suspicions were strength¬ 
 ened by the w icked and malicious representations of some of the 
 French, who told them that it was La Salle’s intention to form 
 an alliance with their enemies the Iroquois, t he Illinois now 
 pronounced the sentence of death upon La Salle, and would have 
 put it into execution, had it not been for the firmness and cour¬ 
 age which he afterwards evinced. As soon as he was apprised 
 of what had taken place, he went forth alone to the camp of the 
 Illinois, and addressing the chiefs, stated, that in coming among 
 them, he had the most honourable, as well as pea* eful intentions; 
 that he h#d always considered them as his friends, and that he 
 was ready and w illing to give them all the assistance in his 
 power. He stated to them the impropriety of being thus en¬ 
 gaged in war, as he w ished to he friendly with all the tribes, 
 which he could not, under existing circumstances. He declared 
 to them, that he had never offered any assistance to the Iroquois* 
 but that his object in visiting them was to terminate the war. 
 He then concluded, by demanding of them the author of this 
 base and wilful misrepresentation ; stating -hat i {'he would now 
 appear and substantiate the charge, ne was willing to suffer the 
 
GENERAL VIEW OP ILLINOIS. 
 
 51 * 
 
 Sentence which they iia<! so hastily pronounced upon him. The 
 Savages were lost in astonishment. The coolness and bravery 
 which La Salle displayed, together with the eloquence of his 
 harangue, had such an overpowering effect, that they instantly 
 abandoned the purposes of revenge upon which they had deter¬ 
 mined. The calumet of peace was now smoked ; presents were 
 mutually exchanged, and the Illinois made the most solemn pro¬ 
 mises that they would he the friends of La Salle, and would 
 never again give credence to the accusations which might be 
 brought against him * 
 
 Peace being now established, La Salle again turned his at¬ 
 tention to the prosecution of his discoveries ; and in order the 
 more expeditiously to explore the northern and southern coun¬ 
 try, his plati was, that Father Hennepin should ascend the Mis¬ 
 sissippi to its source ; that Touti should remain at Creve-coeur, 
 while he should descend the river to its mouth Accordingly, 
 Hennepin embarked on the 28th of February, 1680 ; and having 
 passed down the Illinois into the Mississippi, ascended the latter 
 as high as the Falls of St. Anthony. Shortly after he was taken 
 prisoner, robbed of his property, and carried to some Indian 
 villages. But he soon made his escape, and returned to Canada 
 by the way of the Ouisconsin ; and from thence he sailed im¬ 
 mediately for France, where he published an account of his 
 travels.f 
 
 La Salle, after having visited Canada for the purpose of 
 making further arrangements, returned to Cre\e-roeur; and 
 shortly after descended the Illinois to the Mississippi, where he 
 arrived in February, 1683. He then descended the latter 
 stream, built one or two forts on its banks, and took a form il 
 possession of the country in the name of the king of Fn nee, 
 and in honour of him called it Louisiana . 
 
 It is not necessary to my present purpose, to give a detailed 
 account of the subsequent operations of La Salle. Suffice it to 
 say, that after descending the Mississippi to its mouth, he re¬ 
 turned to Canada by the way of the Illinois ; that from Canada 
 he went to France, where an expedition was immediately fitted 
 
 * Tonti, as before referred to. 
 
 fin a subsequent edition of this work, Hennepin asserts that he descended the Mississippi to the 
 sea; but in this he lias been detected in attempting a most shameful imposture. 
 
52 
 
 GENERAL VIEW OF ILLINOIS, 
 
 for the purpose of forming a colony at the mouth of the Missis* 
 sippi ; that he sailed from France to the Gulf of Mexico, where 
 he made several unsuccessful attempts to accomplish his pur¬ 
 pose ; that being unable to discover the mouth ot the Missis¬ 
 sippi, he determined on going by land to his fort on the Illinois ; 
 and that on tins journey he was basely assassinated by two oi 
 his own men, in 1687. 
 
 Tonti, who had been left in command on the Illinois, after 
 building a new fort* a short distance above Creve-cceur, de¬ 
 scended the Mississippi to meet La Salle, in pursuance ot an 
 agreement which had been made between them. But this plan 
 being frustrated by the unfortunate events already related, he 
 again returned to the Illinois. On his return, his companions 
 were pleased with many parts of the country through which they 
 passed, and some of them desired permission to remain, which 
 was readily granted. It is probable that this was the first com¬ 
 mencement of the settlement at Kaskaskia, Prairie du Roc her, 
 and Cahokia. 
 
 After the death of La Salle, no attempts were made to dis¬ 
 cover the mouth of the Mississippi, until about the year 1699. 
 In the mean time, however, the settlements on the Illinois were 
 gradually increasing in population, by emigration from Canada. 
 
 In 1712, the whole colony of Louisiana was granted to M. 
 Crosat, by letters patent from the king of France. This grant 
 secured to him all the commerce of the colony, and all the profits 
 accruing from the mines and minerals he should discover, with 
 the exception of one fifth of the gold and silver, which was re¬ 
 served to the king. But Crosat was disappointed in his ex¬ 
 pectations in regard to the profits of the trade of Louisiana. 
 There were many causes which operated to produce this effect. 
 Without paying the least attention to the cultivation ol the soil, 
 which possessed in itself hidden treasure, the whole object of his 
 attention was the search for the precious metals. These he 
 supposed to exist in large quantities ; and such was his folly and 
 infatuation, that when he failed in this, he considered the coun¬ 
 try of little or no consequence. He therefore gave up his pri¬ 
 vilege to the Ring in 17 17. The colony was soon after granted 
 to the Mississippi company, projected by the celebrated Law. 
 
 * Fort St. Louis, probably a few miles above Peoria. 
 
GENERAL VIEW OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 53 
 
 This company, which had engrossed almost the whole commerce 
 of France, under the name of the “ Company of the Indies," took 
 possession of Louisiana, and appointed M. Bienville governor of 
 the colony. At this time, the most extravagant accounts of this 
 country were industriously circulated throughout all Europe, 
 and “ the Mississippi became the centre of all men’s wishes, 
 hopes, and expectations.” 
 
 Shortly after this, several forts were built within the present 
 limits of the state of Illinois, the most considerable of which 
 were Fort Chartres, and one at Kaskaskia. By this means 
 they were enabled not only to protect their trade, but to form a 
 complete chain of communication and defence from the Canadas 
 to the French forts at the mouth of the Mississippi. 
 
 For some time previous to, and after the time that the Missis¬ 
 sippi company relinquished their concerns to the government, 
 the settlements of the Illinois country, as well as those of the 
 whole colony, appear to have been in a languishing condition. 
 An unhappy dispute now arose between the English and French, 
 in regard to the true boundary between their colonies, which 
 had never been defined. The French anticipating a struggle 
 for their American possessions, strengthened their posts along 
 the Mississippi and the lakes, by which means they intended to 
 engross the whole fur trade of the west. This was a measure 
 which excited the jealousy of the English, who, by virtue of 
 their charters, conceived they had a right to navigate the Mis¬ 
 sissippi. With these views, a company of merchants and plant¬ 
 ers obtained a considerable tract of land near the Ohio, but 
 within the province of Virginia; and were established by a 
 charter, under the name of the Ohio company, with the exclusive 
 privilege of trading to that river. ^ This was cause of hostilities 
 between the two powers, which continued until 1763, when the 
 Illinois country was ceded to the English. 
 
 In 1765, Capt. Sterling, of the royal Highlanders, in his 
 majesty’s name, took possession of that part of the Illinois 
 country which had been ceded to Great Britain. He continued 
 in command but a short time, and was succeeded by Major 
 Farmer, who was relieved by Col. Reed in 1766. With the ad¬ 
 ministration of the latter, the inhabitants were much displeased. 
 
 * Bissett’s continuation of Hume and Smollett’s History of England. 
 
54 
 
 GENERAL VIEW OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 The administration of justice, which was wholly in the hands of 
 the military commandant, was an engine of the most grievous 
 oppression. Complaints were made by the inhabitants, but they 
 produced little or no effect. Col. Reed, however, left the colony 
 in 1768, and was succeeded hy Lieut. Col. Wilkins, who arrived 
 at K tskaskia on the 5th of September in the same year. 
 
 On the 21st of November, 1768, Col. W ilkins made a procla¬ 
 mation, in which he stated that he had received orders from 
 General Gage, commander in chief in America, to establish a 
 court of justice, for settling and determining all the differences 
 and affairs which the inhabitants might have among themselves. 
 In pursuance of these orders, he appointed seven judges, to 
 settle all matters in relation to debt and property, both real 
 ami personal. They were ordered to meet for the first time 
 at Fort Chartres on the 6th of December following, and after¬ 
 wards once in every month Although this was far preferable 
 to the former judiciary system, the inhabitants remonstrated 
 against it, and insisted on the right of trial by jury, which was 
 denied them. 
 
 Little change was produced in the situation of this colony, 
 until the breaking out of the American revolution. In 1778, in 
 consequence of the outrages committed hy the savages at the 
 instigation of the English, the Virginia militia made some suc¬ 
 cessful incursions into the Illinois country, and took possession 
 of the British posts on the Mississippi. These, hy an act of the 
 Virginia legislature, were erected into a county, called the coun¬ 
 ty of Illinois ; and a regiment of infantry, with a troop of ca¬ 
 valry, were voted for its protection. The command of these 
 troops was given to Col. George Rogers Clark, a gentleman 
 whose great courage, uncommon hardihood, and capacity for 
 Indian warfare, had given him repeated success in enterprizes 
 against the savages. He remained for a short time at Kaskas- 
 kia. and then conducted a successful expedition against Post St. 
 Vincent, now Vincennes.* 
 
 This territory, which hy conquest became the property of 
 Virginia, was afterwards ceded to the United States, and was 
 included within the limits of Indiana territory, established in 
 1800 ; a which time, the country, within the present boundaries 
 
 * Marshall’s Life of Washington. 
 
GENERAL VIEW OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 55 
 
 of Illinois* contained about 3000 inhabitants. But on account 
 of the fertility of the lands, and the inducements which were 
 pre.semed to enterprising men, the population rapidly increased. 
 In 1809, it was erected into a territory, the population ol which, 
 in 1810, amounted to 12,282. 
 
 During the last contest between the United States and Great 
 Britain, the inhabitants of Illinois, in common with the other 
 frontier districts, felt the evils of warfare. The most barbar¬ 
 ous and cruel acts were continually committed by the savages, 
 many of which were caused by the intrigue and perfidy of the. 
 British Indian agents and traders. Fearful that the Americans 
 would share with them in their profitable trade, their agents 
 had, for a long time, used every exertion to attach the tribes to 
 the interests of the British government. Presents of arms, am¬ 
 munition and clothing were profusely made to the warriors, 
 their women and children; and promises were made, that am¬ 
 ple aid would he given to them, to regain all their former pos¬ 
 sessions, and to drive the Americans beyond the mountains. 
 
 The effects of this disgraceful system were perceived some 
 time previous to, but were not fully developed uniil after the 
 declaration of war. In consequence of the surrender of General 
 Hull, the garrison at Chicago had been ordered to evacuate the 
 fort. On the 15th of August, 1812, Captain Heald, with the 
 troops, amounting to 60 or 70 men, the women and children, 
 marched from the fort, and had proceeded but a short distance, 
 when they were attacked by a large body of savages. A de¬ 
 termined resistance was made, but it proved ineffectual against 
 the superior force of the enemy. At length Capt. Heald, finding 
 his number of soldiers much diminished, consented to surrender, 
 upon the promise of protection. But no sooner did the Ameri¬ 
 cans hiy down their arms, than the savages commenced an in¬ 
 discriminate massacre.* This affair, added to the other acts of 
 cruelty which had been committed by the Indians, induced Gov. 
 Edwards to prepare an expedition against them. Accordingly, 
 in October, 1812, after having dispatched two boats up the Illi¬ 
 nois, with ammunition and provisions, the governor, with Col. 
 Russell ,and 4 or 500 men, married for Peoria, which was the 
 head quarters of the enemy. About the same time, Genera! 
 
 * M’Affee’s History of the War in the Western country. 
 
56 
 
 GENERAL VIEW OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 Hopkins, with 3 or 4000 Kentucky volunteers, left Vincennes, 
 in order to form a junction with Gov. Edwards. Unfortunately, 
 however, the general was deceived by his guides, who led him 
 in various directions through the grand prairie, where his army 
 suffered much on account of the excessive coldness of the weather. 
 The Indians, observing their approach from an eminence, tired 
 the prairie, and obliged the general to retreat in disorder and con¬ 
 fusion. Governor Edw ards remained for some time near Peoria, 
 waiting for the expected reinforcements; but being disappointed 
 in this, and thinking his force not sufficiently large to cope with 
 that of the Indians, he was obliged to abandon his favorite pro¬ 
 ject, and retire to winter quarters; not, how ever, without having 
 destroyed all the Indian villages w hich lay in his route. Capt* 
 Craig, who commanded the boats, also returned, after having 
 reduced to ashes the village of Peoria. It is much to be regret¬ 
 ted, that through the w ant of concert between the commanding 
 officers of the different detachments, the principal design of this 
 campaign was completely frustrated. After this, the seat of 
 military operations was transferred to Michigan and Missouri; 
 and during the remainder of the war, no events of consequence 
 transpired in Illinois. 
 
 In 1818, this territory was formed into a state, and admitted 
 into the union on an equal footing with the original states. This 
 event soon produced a great increase of its population, which 
 in 1820 amounted to 55,211, including blacks. Since that time, 
 however, the number of its inhabitants has been much increased. 
 At present the state of Illinois is divided into 26 counties, as 
 follows:— 
 
 :es of Counties. 
 
 No. of Inhabitants in 1820- 
 
 County Seats. 
 
 Alexander 
 
 626 
 
 America 
 
 Bond 
 
 2,931 
 
 Greenville 
 
 Clark 
 
 931 
 
 Aurora 
 
 Crawford 
 
 5,022 
 
 Palestine 
 
 Edwards 
 
 3,444 
 
 Albion 
 
 *Fa> ettc 
 
 
 Vandalia 
 
 Franklin 
 
 1,763 
 
 Frankfort 
 
 Gallatin 
 
 3,155 
 
 Sliavvneetow T n 
 
 * Greene 
 
 
 Carrolton 
 
GENERAL VIEW OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 57 
 
 ^Hamilton 
 
 
 Me Leant orough 
 
 Jackson 
 
 1,542 
 
 Brownsville 
 
 Jefferson 
 
 691 
 
 Mount Vernon 
 
 Johnson 
 
 843 
 
 Vienna 
 
 ^Lawrence 
 
 
 Lawrenceville 
 
 Madison 
 
 13,550 
 
 Edwardsvillc 
 
 Monroe 
 
 1,537 
 
 Harrisonville 
 
 ^Montgomery 
 
 
 Hamilton 
 
 *Pike 
 
 
 Colesgrove 
 
 Pope 
 
 2,610 
 
 Golcorida 
 
 Randolph 
 
 3,492 
 
 Kaskaskia 
 
 ^Sangamon 
 
 
 Springfield 
 
 St Clair 
 
 5,243 
 
 Belleville 
 
 Union 
 
 2,236 
 
 Jonesborough 
 
 Washington 
 
 1,517 
 
 Covington 
 
 Wayne 
 
 1,114 
 
 Fairfield 
 
 White 
 
 4,82S 
 
 Carmi 
 
 The counties marked thus have been erected since the 
 census of 1820. 
 
GENERAL VIEW OF THE COUNTIES 
 
 IN THE 
 
 ARRANGED IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER. 
 
 <*> 
 
 
 Alexander County. 
 
 Alexander county comprises tlie peninsula between the Ohio 
 and Mississippi. It is bounded north by Union county, east by 
 Johnson county and the Ohio river, south by the Ohio and Mis¬ 
 sissippi rivers, and west by the Mississippi. It is 24 miles long, 
 with an average width of IS miles : the area is about 378 square 
 miles. This county is generally well timbered, and its soil fer¬ 
 tile. It is watered by Cash river, a small stream emptying into 
 the Ohio seven miles above its junction with the Mississippi. 
 This stream, after meandering through the northern part of the 
 county, approaches to within one mile and a half of the Missis¬ 
 sippi, ten miles above the mouth of the Ohio. At this place it is 
 contemplated to unite the two streams by means of a canal. 
 Should this be accomplished, it would not only be a considerable 
 saving of distance, but afford the means of avoiding the excessive 
 current at the junction of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. 
 
 This county, although so favourably situated at the junction 
 of two large and important rivers, derives from this circum¬ 
 stance little or no advantage. Here, where we should naturally 
 cxj>ect to find a large and flourishing town, the entrepot of pro¬ 
 duce and merchandize passing to and from the north, east, south 
 and west, we find little else than the remains of a deserted ware¬ 
 house. It unfortunately happens, that at. and for a considerable 
 distance above the junction of these streams, their banks are low, 
 and subject to annual inundations; and such is the height to which 
 the water rises on them, that they could not, without much ex¬ 
 pense, be made safe, and far less comfortable places of residence. 
 
 The importance of a good town site immediately at the junc¬ 
 tion of these two streams, has for many years excited the atten- 
 
60 
 
 GAZETTEER OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 tion of the enterprising; and accordingly, various plans have 
 been suggested to accomplish this object by artificial means. 
 One of these received the sanction of the legislative council of 
 the territory at their last session in 1818. An act was then 
 passed, incorporating a body politic, by the name and style of 
 the president and directors of the bank of Cairo, upon the fol¬ 
 lowing terms and conditions, viz : That of the land lying at the 
 junction of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, south of Cash river, 
 there shall be laid off no less than 2000 lots, of one third of an acre 
 each. These lots to be sold under the direction of commissioners, 
 in the manner following: Books of subscription to be opened 
 for the said lots, at SI50 each : a deposit of S50 to be made at 
 the time of subscribing, and the residue to be paid in three and 
 six months. Five hundred lots being thus sold, an election will 
 be held for president and directors of said hank, to be located 
 at Kaskaskia. The proceeds of the sales of the said 500 lots, 
 and of the remaining ones, form the capital of the bank. The 
 charter is granted for the term of SO years, and without a bonus. 
 One third of the proceeds of the sale of the lots is appropriated, 
 and to be expended, under the direction of commissioners, for 
 the embankment of the town. The residue of S100, entitles 
 the proprietor to one share in the said bank. The title of 
 the land is derived immediately from the United States ; has 
 been paid for by the purchasers, and by them conveyed to 
 trustees for the aforesaid purposes. This law, although under 
 existing circumstances it is perhaps the best that could have 
 been enacted, is not altogether unexceptionable ; and it is doubt¬ 
 ful whether it will have the desired effect. Five years have al¬ 
 ready elapsed since its passage, and no progress has as yet been 
 made either in the sale of lots or the erection of an embankment. 
 It is, however, an object so important, that it will no doubt 
 claim the attention of the state, when she shall have become 
 more populous and more wealthy. The immense trade on the 
 Ohio and Mississippi will then warrant the expense, and insure 
 an ample remuneration. 
 
 The county of Alexander is attached to the fourth judicial 
 circuit. It contains 626 inhabitants ; sends one member to the 
 house of representatives, and with Union county, one to the se¬ 
 nate. I ts seat of justice is America. 
 
GENERAL VIEW OF COUNTIES. 
 
 61 
 
 Bond County. 
 
 Bond county was formerly very extensive, being upwards 
 of 100 miles in length, and 30 miles in breadth. At present 
 it is reduced to an area of 468 square miles. Its form is 
 that of a parallelogram, £6 miles in length, and 18 in breadth. 
 It is hounded north by the county of Montgomery, east by Fay¬ 
 ette, south by Washington, and'west by Montgomery and Ma¬ 
 dison. 
 
 This county is watered by the Kaskaskia river and its tribu¬ 
 taries. Its surface is generally level, or gently undulating. 
 The soil is fertile, particularly on the branches of Shoal creek. 
 The prairies in this county are numerous and extensive, and in 
 area exceed the timbered land. 
 
 Bond county contains about 1400 inhabitants. It is attached 
 to the third judicial circuit; sends one member to the house of 
 representatives, and with Fayette and Montgomery, one to the 
 senate. Its seat of justice is Greenville. 
 
 Clark County. 
 
 Clark county is situated in the eastern part of the state, and is 
 very extensive. It extends from Lat. 39° 15' to 41° 20' N. Its 
 medium width is 50 miles. It is bounded north by the Illinois 
 and Kankakee rivers, east by the state of Indiana, south by 
 Crawford county, and west by Fayette. 
 
 This county being so extensive, contains almost every variety 
 of soil and surface. The eastern part is traversed by the Grand 
 Prairie, by far the most extensive in the state. It stretches it¬ 
 self from about the base line near the third principal meridian, 
 in a northeasterly direction between the Kaskaskia and Wabash 
 rivers, for about 100 miles ; then turning to the northwest, con¬ 
 tinues in that direction between the head waters of Vermilion of 
 the Wabash, Woman river ofTippecanoe, and the Iroquois river 
 of the Kankakee, to near the junction of the Illinois and Kan¬ 
 kakee. Its average width is from 20 to 30 miles. Besides this 
 there are many other, though less extensive prairies, in different 
 parts of the county. The banks of the streams, however, are 
 well timbered. 
 
62 
 
 GAZETTEER OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 In the northern and northeastern parts of this county, swamps 
 and low wet prairies are very common ; some of which, espe¬ 
 cially those near the Illinois and Kankakee rivers, are very ex- 
 tensive. The lands on the head waters of Vermilion river are 
 said to be higher and more uneven than in an)' other part of the 
 state. The soil is sandy, water pure, and the timber of a good 
 quality. Coal is very abundant. There are also numerous and 
 valuable salt springs, which are already extensively worked. 
 This part of the county is rapidly increasing in population. The 
 southern part is handsomely interspersed with prairie and wood¬ 
 land. 
 
 Clark county is watered by the Illinois and Kankakee rivers, 
 and several of their branches—the Kaskaskia, Embarass, Big 
 and Little Vermilion, and Pickamink rivers, besides a great 
 number of smaller streams The div iding ridge between these 
 streams, which runs northwardly and eastwardly, traverses the 
 upper part of this county ; and from a height of land, several 
 of the sources of these streams can be seen at one view.* 
 
 The northern part of Clark county was, during the late war, 
 the theatre of important, though' unsuccessful military opera¬ 
 tions. General Hopkins, with about 3000 men, after having 
 destroyed several Indian towns on the Wabash, took up his line 
 of march to form a junction with Gov. Edwards at Peoria, in 
 order to give battle to a large body of Indians who were there 
 encamped, and who were very troublesome to the frontier inha¬ 
 bitants. Unfortunately for the general, he was deceived by his 
 guides, who led him in various directions through the Grand 
 Prairie. The Indians, observing their approach from an eini- 
 
 * As so little is as yet known concerning the geography of this county, I should not omit the fol¬ 
 lowing extract from the report of the commissioners for defining the boundary line between the 
 states ot Illinois and Indiana: 
 
 “ Left Vincennes on the 29th May, with a due north line, which last leaves the northwest shore of 
 the Wabash,46 miles from Vincennes; from which point commenced the line dividing the states of 
 Indiana and Illinois. The country is mostly well timbered, and soil good for the distance of 45 
 miles. After crossing the Vermilion a few miles, intersected the Grand Prairie the first 25 miles of 
 which is good dry soil, afterwards it becomes either broken and poor, or low and marshy. Two 
 branches of the Kankakee river pass through the Grand Prairie. At 123 miles from where we left the 
 Wabash, we came to the main Kankakee, three chains wide, and navigable tor craft ot considerable 
 burthen. North of this stream lie a chain of almost impassible ponds, which lie nearly parallel 
 with the river for the distance of 50 or 60 miles, and from 3 to 5 miles wide. From these ponds to 
 Lake Michigan, the distance of 36 miles, the country is most generally poor sandy ridges, covered 
 with scrubby 7 oak timber and whortleberry hushes, or low, marsh prairies.” 
 
 Col. Berry, of Vandaiia, obligingly furnished me with a copy of the above survey. 
 
GENERAL VIEW OF COUNTIES. 
 
 6a 
 
 nence, fired the prairie, and obliged the army to retreat in dis¬ 
 order and confusion. On account of this unfortunate circum¬ 
 stance, Gov. Edwards waited a considerable time near Peoria, 
 for the expected reinforcement; but being disappointed in this, 
 he was obliged to abandon his favorite project, and retire to 
 winter quarters. 
 
 Clark county contains 931 inhabitants. It is at:ached to the 
 second judicial circuit; sends one member to the house of re¬ 
 presentatives, and with Crawford, one to the senate. Its county 
 seat is Aurora . 
 
 Crawford County. 
 
 Crawford county is situated in the eastern part of the state, 
 and is about 44 miles long, with an average breadth of 24 miles. 
 It is bounded north by Clark county, east by the state of In¬ 
 diana, south by the counties of Lawrence and YVayne, and west 
 by Fayette. Its area is 1332 square miles. 
 
 This county is watered by the Embarass, and several tribu¬ 
 taries of the Big and Little Wabash rivers. It contains much 
 prairie land, which is generally low and level. The banks of 
 the streams are heavily timbered, but low and subject to inunda¬ 
 tion : this is particularly the case on the Embarass, and the 
 branches of the Little Wabash. It is not unfrequently the case, 
 that the bottoms of those streams which are more than 2 miles 
 in width, aie covered with from four to eight feet of water, so as 
 to render them perfectly impassible. During the last season, a 
 complete water communication was formed from the Embarass 
 to Vincennes, a distance of about seven miles. Travelling 
 through this county during these seasons, is attended with much 
 difficulty and danger. In the low prairies near the Wabash, 
 there are quagmires called by the common people purgatory 
 swamps , or devils holes , the surface of which appears dry and 
 level, but is only supported by quicksand. A stick can be 
 thrust into them to any distance; and when the prairies are 
 covered with water, should a traveller be so unfortunate as to 
 sink, it is generally fatal to him. Instances of this kind fre¬ 
 quently occur ; and those whom necessity compels to travel at 
 this season, unless the water is sufficiently high for the ferry 
 
64 
 
 GAZETTEER OF ILLINOIS* 
 
 boats, employ some person who is well acquainted with the lo¬ 
 cality of the swamps, to pilot them through the prairie. It was 
 on account of the difficulties attendant upon travelling from the 
 Wabash to the Embarass, that the latter received its name from 
 the early French settlers. 
 
 Crawford county raises a considerable quantity of surplus 
 produce, principally corn and wheat, which is sent down during 
 the high water to New-Orleans. Cotton has also been raised 
 in small quantities ; and from the success which has attended 
 its cultivation, it is thought that in a few years it will become 
 an article of export. 
 
 This county contains 3022 inhabitants. It is attached to the 
 second judicial circuit; sends two members to the house of re¬ 
 presentatives, and with Clark, one to the senate. Its seat of 
 justice is Palestine. 
 
 Edwards County. 
 
 Edwards county is situated in the eastern part of the state. 
 It is bounded north by Lawrence county, east by the Wabash, 
 south by the Wabash and the county of White, and west by the 
 county of Wayne. It is 30 miles long, with a medium width of 
 about 18 : area, 522 square miles. 
 
 Edwards county is watered by the Little Wabash, Bonpas, 
 and several smaller streams. It contains a considerable pro¬ 
 portion of prairie land, lying between the Big and Little Wa¬ 
 bash, most of which is very fertile. The prairies are generally 
 small, high, undulating, and bounded by heavy timber; thus 
 presenting every inducement to the agriculturalist- It is on one 
 of these that the English settlement, probably the most flourish¬ 
 ing in the state, is located. The banks of the streams, like those 
 of Crawford, are heavily timbered, and like them subject to in¬ 
 undation. 
 
 This county raises a surplus quantity of produce, the principal 
 part of which is shipped down the Wabash. Like the other 
 counties lying on this stream, it possesses the advantage of a 
 water conveyance to the different parts of the valley of the Mis¬ 
 sissippi. The Wabash, for several months in the year, is navi¬ 
 gable for 200 or 300 miles. This, together with the Little Wa- 
 
GENERAL VIEW OE COUNTIES. 
 
 65 
 
 bash, which is also navigable for a short distance, affords the 
 inhabitants of this county every facility for transporting their 
 produce. 
 
 Edwards county, previous to its division, contained 3444 in¬ 
 habitants ; at present it contains about 2000 . it is attached to 
 the second judicial circuit 5 sends one member to the house of 
 representatives, and one to the senate. Its seat of justice is 
 Albion, 
 
 Fayette County. 
 
 Fayette county is situated in the centre of the state, and was 
 erected in 1821. It comprises all that tract of country lying 
 north of a line, beginning at the southwest corner of township 
 No. 3, north of range No. 1 west, extending east to the southeast 
 corner of township No. three, north of range No. six, east of 
 the 3d principal meridian. This county, if continued to the nor¬ 
 thern boundary of the state as the law directs, would separate 
 the county of Pike, which was erected during the same session 
 of the legislature, into two separate districts. Whether this 
 was the intention of the framers of the law, I am unable to say ; 
 but as there is a manifest collision in the boundaries of these 
 two counties, I have left Pike in the form which was given to 
 it, and have only continued Fayette to the Illinois river. 
 
 Fayette county is bounded north by the Illinois river, east by 
 Clark, Crawford and Wayne counties, south by Wayne, Jeffer¬ 
 son and Washington, and west by Bond, Montgomery and San¬ 
 gamon. It is 190 miles long, and 42 broad—its area is 
 68 , ^44 square miles. 
 
 The Kaskaskia river meanders through this county for nearly 
 100 miles, receiving numerous tributaries from the east and 
 west. The eastern part is watered by the principal sources of 
 the Sangamo, Michillimackinac, and several other smaller 
 streams, O 11 the north, it is supplied by the waters which fall 
 into the Illinois. 
 
 The great predominance of prairie land is a serious objection 
 to this county. The grand prairie of which we have already- 
 spoken, stretches itself through a considerable part of this coun¬ 
 ty, and is little else than a dreary uninhabited waste. Besides 
 
 9 
 
66 
 
 GAZETTEER OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 this, there are other extensive prairies towards its northern and 
 southern boundaries. The country on the head waters of the 
 Sangamo, and some of the branches of the Kaskaskia, is very 
 fertile, and calculated to support a dense population. It is high 
 and undulating, and beautifully interspersed with small prairies, 
 containing groves of the finest timber. In addition to this, it is 
 healthy and well watered. In the vicinity of Vandalia, the soil 
 is clayey ; but soon changes into sand and loam, which produ¬ 
 ces heavy crops of corn, wheat, &c. although very little surplus 
 is as vet raised. 
 
 The banks of the Kaskaskia, like most of the streams in this 
 state, are generally low, and subject to inundation. A rise in this 
 stream is frequently occasioned by slight rains, in consequence 
 of its numerous tributaries. This, however, is only of short con¬ 
 tinuance. Its excess of water is soon carried away by the 
 “ greedy” river, into which it empties. Since the location of 
 Yandalia as the capital of the state, the country in the vicinity 
 has improved rapidly. The market which is now created at 
 this place, has given a stimulus to the agriculturalist which was 
 before unknown ; and the increase of Yandalia, which is now a 
 flourishing town, has been fully equalled by that of the surround¬ 
 ing country. The formation of agricultural societies h&s alrea¬ 
 dy produced a most salutary effect, and will no doubt contribute 
 much to its future prosperity, wealth and greatness. Many of 
 the citizens of Vandalia are turning their attention both to 
 theoretical and practical agriculture ; and the effects of this 
 are already to be seen in the fine plantations which are scatter¬ 
 ed through the vicinity. To a country so new', so thinly inhab¬ 
 ited, but yet possessing such vast advantages, this is a subject 
 of the deepest interest. 
 
 This county having been erected since the census of 1820, 
 the exact number of its inhabitants is not known, but is sup¬ 
 posed to be about 1500. It is attached to the 3d judicial circuit 
 —with Montgomery, sends one member to the house of repre¬ 
 sentatives ; and with Bond and Montgomery, one to the senate. 
 Its seat of justice is Vandalia. 
 
GENERAL VIEW OF COUNTIES. 
 
 67 
 
 Franklin County. 
 
 Franklin county is situated in the southern part of the state; 
 and is bounded north by Jefferson county, east by White and 
 Gallatin, soutli by Johnson and Union, and west by Jackson and 
 Randolph counties. Its form is that of a parallelogram, 36 
 miles in length, and 24 in breadth : its area is 864 square miles. 
 
 This county is watered by Big Muddy river, and the branches 
 of Saline creek. It is well timbered : the prairies are generally 
 small and fertile—sand predominates in the soil. The banks of 
 the streams are low, and subject to annual inundations. 
 
 Franklin is similar in character to the neighbouring counties, 
 and cannot be said to possess any peculiar advantages. It 
 will probably become a very great agricultural county, when¬ 
 ever the demand for produce shall be increased. 
 
 This county contains 1763 inhabitants. It is attached to the 
 fourth judicial circuit; sends one member to the house of repre¬ 
 sentatives, and with Johnson, one to the senate. Its seat of 
 justice is Frankfort. 
 
 Gallatin Countav 
 
 Gallatin county is situated in the southeastern'part of the state* 
 Its length is 37 miles, with a medium breadth of about 25, and its 
 area is 864 square miles. It is bounded north by White county, 
 cast by the states of Indiana and Kentucky, south by Pope coun¬ 
 ty, and west by Franklin. Situated as it is at the junction of 
 the Wabash and Ohio rivers, its eastern boundary is washed by 
 those streams. The interior is watered by Saline creek and its 
 tributaries. 
 
 According to Mr. Birkbeck, sand predominates in the soil in 
 this section of country. The basis rock is sand stone, lying, he 
 thinks, on clay slate. The bed of tlie Ohio at Shawneetown is 
 sand stone. This formation extends a considerable distance 
 above and below this place, and forms the ledge, known by the 
 name of the battery rocks. It also frequently appears on the 
 Kittle Wabash and Skillet fork. Limestone has not as yet been 
 discovered in this district.* Flour spar and Galena are abund¬ 
 ant near Shawneetown.f 
 
 k See Birkbeck’s notes on a journey in America. 
 
 t For a more particular description, see Shazvneetcnm. 
 
68 
 
 GAZETTEER OP ILLINOIS. 
 
 This county contains a great proportion of timbered land, which 
 is particularly valuable on account of its contiguity to the salt 
 springs, which must be an inexhaustible source ot wealth, lhe 
 valuable saline, commonly known by the name of the Ohio Sa¬ 
 line, is situated on Saline creek, about 10 or 11 miles above its 
 junction with the Ohio. The Indians, who formerly possessed 
 it, valued it highly, and called it the Great Suit Spring ; and it 
 appears probable, from a variety of circumstances, that they * 
 have long been acquainted with the method ot making salt.—- 
 Large fragments of earthenware are continually found near the 
 works, both on and under the surface of the earth. They have 
 the impression of basket oi* wicker work, similar to those found 
 on the Merrimack and Missouri rivers. From this circum¬ 
 stance, Mr. Bradbury infers, that the Indians practised the art 
 of evaporating the brine to make salt, long before the discovery 
 of America. In a treaty between the United States, and the 
 Delaware, Shawanoe, Pottawatomie, Eel River, \\ eea, Kicka- 
 poo and Piankasaw tribes, at Fort Wayne, on the 7th of June, 
 1803, this saline was ceded to the United States, with a quanti¬ 
 ty of land, not exceeding four miles, surrounding it : Iti consid¬ 
 eration of which, the United States engaged to deliver yearly 
 and every year to the said Indians, a quantity of salt, not ex¬ 
 ceeding 150 bushels, to be divided among the several tribes in 
 such manner as the general council of chiefs may determine.—- 
 For a number of years it w as possessed by the United States, 
 with a reservation of 161 seel ions of land in the vicinity, the 
 whole of which were ceded in 1818 to the state of Illinois, by 
 whom it was leased to different individuals for about SI0,000 
 per annum. The works are situated on section 20, township 9, 
 south range 8, east of the third principal meridian. Saline 
 creek is navigable to the works, and the surplus salt is thus ship¬ 
 ped to soul hern markets. 
 
 In order to guard against the improper conduct of the lessees 
 and to prevent the injury or destruction of the works, the legis¬ 
 lature at their last session passed an act authorising the appoint* 
 mem of a superintendent. The act provides that he shall be 
 elected by the general assembly, and shall receive a salary of 
 $800 per annum. That ho shall reside on the premises, and 
 
GENERAL VIEW OF COUNTIES. 
 
 69 
 
 shall give bonds to the governor and his successors in office, in 
 the sum of £8000, with security, approved by him, for the faith¬ 
 ful performance of his duty. The superintendent shall continue in 
 office till the expiration of the present leases, it is made his dir 
 ty to take possession of any establishment at tlie said saline, 
 where the lessee or lessees thereof have v iolated his or their lease, 
 or leases by failing to comply with any of its covenants or condi¬ 
 tions. And when any lease of any establishment at said saline, 
 now made, or that may hereafter be made, shall be violated by 
 the lessee or lessees, it shall be the duty of the said superintend¬ 
 ent to enter upon and take possession of the premises ; which, 
 after due notice thereof being given, shall be leased to the high¬ 
 est bidder. The superintendent is also invested with the povv- 
 er of sueing and distraining for rents. 
 
 Gallatin county contains 3155 inhabitants. It is attached to 
 the 4th judicial circuit; sends two members to the house of re¬ 
 presentatives, and one to the senate. Its seat of justice is 
 Shawneetown. 
 
 Greene County. 
 
 Greene county is situated on the Illinois river, near the western 
 part of the state, and was erected from Madison county in 1821. 
 Its boundaries are as follows, to wit: Beginning at the south¬ 
 east corner of township No. 7 north, in range No. 10, west of 
 the third principal meridian ; thence north between ranges 9 
 and 10, to the northeast corner of township 12 north : thence 
 west along the line between townships 12 and 13, to the middle 
 of the Illinois river; thence down said river to its junction with 
 the Mississippi river; thence down the Mississippi river to a 
 point parallel with the southwest corner of township No 6 north 
 in range 10 west; thence north with the range line between 10 
 and 11, to the township line between 6 and 7 ; thence east with 
 the said township line, to the place of beginning. 
 
 The tract of country within the following boundaries is at" 
 tachcd to Greene, until otherwise disposed of by the legislature, 
 viz : Beginning at the southwest corner of township 7, north of 
 range nine, west of the third principal meridian ; thence eas^ 
 to the southeast corner of township 7 north, in range 6 west ; 
 
70 
 
 GAZETTEER OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 thence north to the northeast corner of township 12 north ; 
 thence west to the northwest corner of township 12, in range 7, 
 west; thence along the prairie between the waters of Sangamo 
 and Mauvaise terre, to the head of Balance creek ; thence down 
 said creek to the Illinois river ; thence down said river to the 
 northwest corner of Greene county. 
 
 The county of Greene is nearly in the form of a parallelo¬ 
 gram. Its length is 40 miles—average breadth 22 ; its area is 
 about 880 square miles. The tract attached to it is nearly dou¬ 
 ble this size. 
 
 Greene county is watered by the Ma qua-pin, (Magopin) and 
 Otter creeks, and several other small streams emptying into the 
 Illinois and Mississippi. The attached portion is supplied by 
 Balance creek, the Mauvaise terre, and branches of the Sanga¬ 
 mo and Ma-qua-pin. 
 
 This county, (I mean also the tract attached to it) forms a 
 part of the finest district of country in the state ; and all who 
 have seen it, agree in the opinion that it is without a parallel.— 
 Fine water courses, a salubrious climate, a fertile soil, and con¬ 
 tiguity to navigable streams, are some of the many advantages 
 which it possesses. The face of the country is in general level, 
 or gently undulating. With the exception of those under the 
 bluffs of the Illinois, there are few of those stagnant ponds which 
 in some parts of the state are such fruitful sources of disease. 
 
 Although this county contains a large proportion of 
 timbered land, it is diversified with prairies, some of which 
 are beautiful beyond description. In many of these are 
 large groves of timber, which form the most pleasant as well as 
 advantageous situations for settlers. The most celebrated of 
 these is Diamond Grove, situated on the head waters of the 
 Mauvaise terre, about twenty miles from the Illinois. In the 
 centre of a beautiful prairie is a large grove of timber, in the 
 form of a diamond, somewhat elevated above the surrounding 
 country. The skirts of this grove are already thickly settled 
 by an industrious and enterprising population, principally from 
 the north and east. The plantations embrace a portion of wood 
 land and prairie. Besides this, there are several small prairies, 
 which arc in like manner settling very rapidly. 
 
 The banks of the Mississippi in the southcrly part of this county 
 
GENERAL VIEW OF COUNTIES, 
 
 71 
 
 are generally composed of perpendicular cliffs, varying in height 
 from 80 to 150 feet, consisting of horizontal strata of* sand stone? 
 limestone, slate and coal—Although the latter does not appear ob 
 the face of the cliffs, it is found in great abundance a short distance 
 from it, near Alton. I would remark that coal is also found simi¬ 
 larly situated on the banks of the Kirkapno creek, a small stream 
 emptying into the Illinois near Fort Clark. In many places the 
 upper strata overhang, and have all the terrific appearance of 
 the table rock at Niagara. From the number of excavations on 
 the face of the bluff, it appeal s to have been at some former pe¬ 
 riod laved by an immense body of water. This bluff continues 
 along the Mississippi and Illinois to the northern part of the coun¬ 
 ty, sometimes, however, receding several miles east, leaving a 
 low but fertile alluvion, which in general is heavily timbered. 
 At the mouth of the Mauvaise ter re creek, there is a beautiful 
 high prairie, which is a fine town site. 
 
 In addition to these, Greene county possesses the advantage 
 of having good town sites near the confluence of the Illinois and 
 Mississippi, from which she will be enabled at all seasons of the 
 year to export her produce, and to obtain the necessaries and 
 luxuries of life. 
 
 As this county has been erected since the census of 1820, 
 its population is not known. It must however be near 2000. It 
 is attached to the first judicial circuit ; sends one member to the 
 house of representatives, and with Pike, one to the senate. Its 
 seat of justice is Carrolton. 
 
 Hamilton County. 
 
 Hamilton county was erected from White in 1821, and is situ¬ 
 ated in the southeastern part of the state. It is bounded north 
 by Wayne county, east by White, south by Gallatin, and west 
 by Franklin and Jefferson. Its form is that of a parallelogram, 21 
 miles in length, and 18 in breadth ; its area is 378 square miles* 
 
 This county is watered by branches of Saline creek and Lit¬ 
 tle Wabash river, and contains about an equal proportion of 
 prairie and timbered land. It is attached to the second judicial 
 circuit, and with Jefferson, sends one member to the house of re¬ 
 presentatives, and one to the senate. Its population is about 
 2000- Seat of justice McLcanborough. 
 
GAZETTEER OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 r\ 
 
 72 
 
 Jackson County. 
 
 Jackson comity is situated in the southeastern section of the 
 state. It is bounded north by Randolph county, east by Franklin, 
 south by Union, and west by Randolph and the Mississippi riv¬ 
 er. Its length is 30 miles, with a medium width of 24 ; its area 
 is 720 square miles. 
 
 This county is watered by Muddy river and its tributaries.— 
 It is generally timbered land, although it contains many prai¬ 
 ries. That part of the Mississippi which forms its western 
 boundary, is, with few exceptions, high and rocky. Six or sev¬ 
 en miles above the mouth of Muddy river, a chain of rocks ex¬ 
 tend across the Mississippi, and forms its bed ; and from the 
 height of the banks on each side, and the immense masses of 
 rock which are still to be seen rising from them, we are irresis¬ 
 tibly led to conclude, that here was once a complete barrier to 
 the passage of the water from the north. But as it is not our 
 present intention to indulge in geological speculations, we shall 
 only speak of things as they are. The Grand Tower, which is a 
 perpendicular rock rising from the river at this place, is at pres¬ 
 ent about 70 or 80 feet in height, but has the appearance of having 
 been worn down. It consists of horizontal strata of sand stone, 
 and corresponds in its appearance and its stratifications, with the 
 banks of the Mississippi. The high bank which commences here, 
 continues with little interruption to the mouth of the Kaskaskia 
 river ; sometimes presenting a bare perpendicular rock, with 
 those numerous excavations and fanciful appearances, to which 
 the boatmen have given the names of the 6 Devil’s tea table , 5 
 * bake oven’ ‘ back bone,* $*c. ; at others, gently or abruptly slop¬ 
 ing, covered with a light soil, and a scanty growth of cedars. 
 
 Muddy river, which meanders through the interior of this 
 county, is navigable for a considerable distance, and affords to 
 the inhabitants every facility for exporting their surplus produce. 
 On this stream, near Brownsville, there is a saline, which has 
 been leased for 10 years. It is not so extensive as the Ohio Sa¬ 
 line, but is sufficiently so to supply this and the adjoining coun¬ 
 ties. A large body of good stone coal is also said to exist about 
 25 miles up this stream, from which the smith’s in the vicinity 
 receive their supplies, and some is even taken to New-Orleans, 
 
GENERAL VIEW OF COUNTIES. 
 
 73 
 
 Native copper, similar to that found on the Illinois near Peoria, 
 has also been found on the banks of Muddy river. It appears, 
 however, merely in the form of detached masses lying on the 
 surface, and affords no evidence of the existence of that 
 mineral in any quantity in the vicinity. On the margin of this 
 stream are several beautiful prairies, which are very fertile and 
 quite thickly settled. 
 
 Jackson county contains 1542 inhabitants. It is attached to 
 the third judicial circuit ; sends one member to the house of re¬ 
 presentatives, and one to the senate. Its seat of justice is 
 Brownsville . 
 
 Jefferson County. 
 
 Jefferson county is situated in the central part of the state. It, 
 is bounded north by Fayette county, east by Wayne and Ham¬ 
 ilton, south by Franklin, and west by Washington and Ran¬ 
 dolph. Its form is that of a parallelogram, 36 miles in length, 
 and 24 in breadth ; its area is 864 square miles, being of the 
 same size with Franklin. 
 
 Jefferson county is watered by several branches of the Muddy, 
 Little Wabash and Kaskaskia rivers. The northern partis tra¬ 
 versed by the grand prairie ; the southern part contains a con U 
 derable portion of timbered land. It is, however, as yet but thin¬ 
 ly populated ; and although the soil in many places is fertile, 
 still this county possesses no peculiar advantages. 
 
 It contains only 691 inhabitants. It is attached to the third 
 judicial circuit ; with Hamilton, sends one member to the house 
 of representatives, and one to the senate. Its seat of justice is 
 Mount Vernon, 
 
 Johnson County. 
 
 Johnson county is situated in the southern part of the state. 
 It is hounded north by Franklin county, east by Pope, south by 
 the Ohio river, and west by Union and Alexander counties, its 
 length is 30 miles ; breadth 18 : its area is 486 square miles. 
 
 The interior of this county is watered by the heads of Cash 
 river and Rig-hay creek. The southern boundary is washed 
 
 by the Ohio, the banks of which are generally fertile. Oeca- 
 
 10 
 
GAZETTEER OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 74 
 
 sionally they consist of ledges of perpendicular rocks, which by 
 extending across the river, form what are called the Little and 
 Grand Chain, so much dreaded by those who navigate this 
 river. Near these, however, are pilots, who are acquainted 
 with the channel, and who generally bring boats through in 
 safety. In the southeastern part of this county are the remains 
 of Fort Massac and W ilkinsonville, of w hich particular descrip¬ 
 tions will be given hereafter. 
 
 This county has a large proportion of level land, which is 
 generally well wooded. Its soil is sandy. As yet it is but thinly 
 populated, owing perhaps to the unhealthiness occasioned by 
 the overflowing of the Obit), and the marshes which abound near 
 the southern boundary. When these shall be drained, and the 
 inhabitants turn their attention to the cultivation of tobacco, 
 cotton, and the grape, all of which would yield profitable crops, 
 it will no doubt become flourishing and wealthy. 
 
 Johnson county contains 843 inhabitants. It is attached to 
 the second judicial circuit; sends one member to the house of 
 representatives, and with Franklin, one to the senate. Its seat 
 of justice is Vienna . 
 
 Lawrence County. 
 
 Lawrence county , erected in 1821, from apart of Edwards 
 and Crawford, is situated in the eastern part of the state. It is 
 bounded north by Crawford county, east by the Wabash river, 
 south by Edwards county, and west by Wayne and Crawford. 
 It is about 40 miles in length, with a medium w idth of 19 miles. 
 Its area is about 700 square miles. 
 
 This county is watered by the Embarrass, Little Wabash, 
 Fox rivers, and several other smaller streams ; the banks of all 
 which are low, and subject to inundations. A great proportion 
 of the land in the interior, and at a short distance from the 
 streams, is prairie, most of which is very fertile. What has 
 been said of the purgatory swamps, and the excessive inunda¬ 
 tions of the streams, under the description of Crawford county, 
 appl ics also to this. 
 
 As Lawrence county has been erected since the census of 
 1820 , its present population is not known ; judging, however. 
 
GENERAL VIEW OF COUNTIES. 
 
 T5 
 
 from the previous population of Edwards and Crawford, it must 
 contain about 1500 inhabitants. It is attached to the second 
 judicial circuit; sends one member to the house of representa¬ 
 tives, and with Wayne, one to the senate. Its seat of justice is 
 Lawrencevillc. 
 
 Madison County. 
 
 Madison county is situated in the western part of the state, and 
 is very extensive. It is 36 miles in length, and £4 in breadth : 
 its area is 756 square miles. It is bounded north by Greene 
 and Montgomery counties, east by Bond, south by Washington 
 and St. Clair, and west by the Mississippi river and a part of 
 Greene county. 
 
 This county, both on account of its soil and situation, pos¬ 
 sesses uncommon advantages. On the west it is washed by the 
 Mississippi, above and below the junction of the Missouri. 
 South of Alton the bank is low, being a continuation of the 
 American bottom, which is upwards of one hundred miles in ex¬ 
 tent. North of Alton the bank is generally high, and affords 
 several good town sites. The importance of these situations, 
 so near the junctions of the Missouri and Illinois with the Mis¬ 
 sissippi, can at this time scarcely be realized. A mere glance 
 at the map must convince every person of the least observation, 
 that few districts of country possess greater advantages than 
 this. Looking forward to the time when the Illinois shall be 
 united with Lake Michigan, and by this means a complete com¬ 
 munication formed between the Mississippi river and New-York, 
 we may observe a continuation of lively commercial towns from 
 the mouth of the Missouri to that of the Illinois. Here will be 
 stored the produce of the fertile interior of the state : here will 
 be deposited for exchange or transportation, the furs and mi¬ 
 nerals of the Missouri and Mississippi, which will then he ship¬ 
 ped at all seasons to New-York : here will be the point from 
 which the whole northwestern part of (he state will receive their 
 supplies. These are not air-built castles, or phantoms of the 
 imagination. No : it would be an anomaly in the history of the 
 world, if a section of country, upon which the productions of 
 every climate and soil, from the north to the south, and from the 
 
76 
 
 GAZETTEER of ILLINOIS. 
 
 east to tlie west, rould be thrown, and front which valuable pro¬ 
 ductions could be received in return ; I say, it would be an ano¬ 
 maly, if such a section of country should not rise to wealth and 
 importance. It must necessarily be the place where these differ¬ 
 ent productions will be exchanged. It is worthy of remark, that 
 the American bottom, which is a low alluvion, subject to inun¬ 
 dation, extends from the mouth of the Kaskaskia to Alton, a few 
 miles above the mouth of the Missouri, and does not affor d a 
 single site for a healthy town. Above this, the bank is high, 
 watered by fine springs ; contains building stone and coal of 
 the best quality, and in fact every advantage for large and 
 healthy commercial towns. The interior of Madison county is 
 generally high and undulating, though not hilly. Outlie banks 
 of the Mississippi below Alton, it is low and wet, and in many 
 places very marshy. No soil, howe\er, can exceed it in fer¬ 
 tility. Upon rising the bluff which bounds this bottom upon the 
 east, there is a district of country which continues east to the 
 Kaskaskia river, and is called the table land. This is also very 
 fertile, and is by many considered the most desirable tract in 
 the state. The banks of the streams which pass through the 
 interior of this county, are generally well wooded, leaving be¬ 
 tween them prairies of considerable size, but very fertile, and 
 very advantageously situated for settlement. Some of these 
 have already a large population. The following statement, 
 published by order of the agricultural society of the state of Illi¬ 
 nois, will convey an idea of the soil ; and this is the more in¬ 
 teresting, as it is the only one of this kind ever published in the 
 state. 
 
 “ Mr. Curtis Blakeman, of Silver creek, in this county, ga- 
 (i thered from 9 acres 3 quarters and 6 roods, 1600 bushels of 
 “ ears of corn, of a very superior quality. One bushel and a 
 “ half of ears, (consisting of 134 ears,) just as they run from 
 4 ‘ the crib, shelled, made one bushel and four quarts of shelled 
 “ corn. The seed of this corn was brought from Kentucky. 
 * It is quite white and hard ; the grains a little indented on the 
 “ outside of the ear ; the cob very small in proportion to the ear. 
 
 The mode of cultivation was quite common. It was planted 
 4t late in May, in hills about four feet apart, and was three times 
 
 ploughed. 
 
GENERAL VIEW OP COUNTIES. 
 
 77 
 
 tS From the above it appears, that there was raised from some- 
 wha «ess than 10 acres, the prodigious quantity of 1350 bu- 
 sliels of shelled corn, making an average of above 135 bushels 
 66 • er acre- It is understood that the field was newly turned up 
 46 prairie, this being the first year’s cultivation ” 
 
 Although corn is as yet the staple of this county, wheat and 
 all other grains flourish here, and yield abundant crops. 
 
 Madison county, at the time of taking the last census, con¬ 
 tained 13,550 inhabitants; hut since this it has been so subdi¬ 
 vided, that it is impossible to form any estimate of its present 
 population It is attached to the first judicial circuit ; sends 
 th ree members to the house of representatives, and one to the 
 senate, its seat of justice is Edwardsville. 
 
 Monuoe County. 
 
 Monroe county is situated in the western part of the state, and 
 is 26 miles in length, and 16 in breadth : its area is 286 square 
 miles. It is hounded north by St. Clair county, east by St. 
 Clair and Randolph, south by Randolph, and west by the Mis- 
 sissi ppi. 
 
 The interior of this county is watered by a few small branches 
 of Horse, Prairie du long, and L Eagle creeks. On the Mis¬ 
 sissippi there is a timbered alluvion ; east of this the county is 
 generally broken and hilly. It is, however, a rich county, and 
 exports a considerable quantity of produce. 
 
 Monroe contains 1537 inhabitants. It is attached to the third 
 judicial circuit ; sends one member to the house of representa¬ 
 tives, and one to the senate. Its seat of justice is Harrisonville. 
 
 Montgomery County. 
 
 Montgomery county was erected from Bond in 1821. Its form 
 is nearly that of a parallelogram, 35 miles in length, and 24 in 
 breadth : its area is 828 square miles. It is bounded north by 
 Sangamon county, east by Fayette, south by Bond and Madi¬ 
 son, and west by Greene. 
 
 This county is watered by some of the tributaries of the San- 
 gamo and the Kaskaskia rivers. It contains a considerable 
 proportion of prairie land, which is generally high and undu¬ 
 lating. 
 
GAZETTEER OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 78 
 
 Montgomery contains about 1500 inhabitants. It is attached 
 to the first judicial circuit; with Fayette, sends one member to 
 the house of representatives, and with Bond and Fayette, one 
 to the senate. Its seat of justice is Hamilton . 
 
 Pike County. 
 
 Pike county is situated in the northwestern part of the state, 
 and was erected from Madison and other counties in 1821. Its 
 boundaries, as defined by the act of the legislature, are as fol¬ 
 lows, viz : Beginning at the mouth of the Illinois river, and 
 running thence up the middle of said river to the fork of the 
 same ; thence up the south fork of said river, until it strikes the 
 state line of Indiana ; thence north with said line to the north 
 boundary line of the state ; thence west with said line to the 
 western boundary line of the state ; and thence with said line 
 to the place of beginning. By this description, it will be ob¬ 
 served that this county includes all the northern and northwest¬ 
 ern part of the state ; of course it embraces almost every variety 
 of soil and surface. 
 
 The southern part of this county includes a part of the lands 
 appropriated by congress for the payment of military bounties. 
 The lands which constitute the Illinois military tract, are in¬ 
 cluded within the peninsula of the Illinois and Mississippi 
 rivers, and extend on the meridian line passing through the 
 mouth of the Illinois, one hundred and sixtv-two miles north. 
 The breadth of the tract varies, its form being that of an irreg¬ 
 ular triangle. 
 
 The quality of the soil of this tract has been variously de¬ 
 scribed. Very little, however, is as yet known with regard to 
 the interior. Those who have explored the country, have ge¬ 
 nerally confined their excursions to the banks of the streams 
 which they have ascended. Some, however, have gone into the 
 interior, and have returned pleased with its appearance, both as 
 it respects soil and situation. No account of this interesting 
 tract has as yet been published, except the notes of the survey¬ 
 ors, drawn up in a compendious form by N. Van Zant, Esq. 
 who has also accompanied them with a map. This book is va¬ 
 luable, on account of the minute and detailed description which 
 it contains of the quality of each individual section of land. 
 
GENERAL VIEW OF COUNTIES. 
 
 79 
 
 The Illinois bounty tract, altogether, may be called a valuable 
 one ; but there are, however, objections to it, which shall be 
 briefly noticed. In the lower part, south of the base line, there 
 is a great body of land subject to inundation ; so much so, that 
 in some seasons you can sail over thousands of acres of timbered 
 alluvion. The soil of this is generally fertile ; but no depend- 
 ance can be placed upon the crops, as they are continually ex¬ 
 posed to the ravages of the water. This circumstance is also a 
 fruitful source of disease; for, as is common in the western 
 country, the land under the bluffs is much lower than that di¬ 
 rect!) on the river—hence there is here formed a chain of ponds, 
 which become stagnant, and send forth their effluvia. These 
 causes will naturally affect the settlement of this portion of the 
 military tract; for it can hardly be supposed, that while there 
 is such an immense quantity of fertile and well situated public 
 land in market, that emigrants will settle on such unfavourable 
 spots as these. There is comparatively but a small proportion 
 of the land below the township line 2, south of the base line, fa¬ 
 vourable for settlement; that on banks of rivers being subject 
 to inundation, and that in the interior being very hilly and 
 broken. 
 
 As you approach the base line, the country begins to improve ; 
 the river banks becoming gradually more elevated, and the in¬ 
 terior levelled down to beautiful prairies, interspersed with 
 groves and strips of timber. You now occasionally meet with 
 a landing place, which below is rarely to be found. The situa¬ 
 tions most favorable for settlement, are on Otter creek, Chenail- 
 ecarte, Crooked creek, and Spoon river, and in the vicinity of 
 Fort Clark and Fort Edwards. This section of the tract is well 
 watered, and contains a handsome proportion of prairie and 
 wood land. 
 
 The northern part of the tract is not so favorable for settle 
 ment. The prairies become very extensive, and arc badly wa¬ 
 tered. In fact, this last is an objection to the whole tract. In 
 dry seasons it is not unusual to walk through the beds of the 
 largest streams without finding a drop of water. It is not sur¬ 
 prising that a country so far distant from the sea, ami drained 
 by such large rivers, which have a course of several thousand 
 miles before they reach the great reservoir, should not be well 
 
80 
 
 GAZETTEER OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 watered. This we observe is the case with all the fine flowing 
 streams of the high land, whereas those of the champaign and 
 prairie settle in the form of ponds, which stagnate and putiify. 
 Besides, on the same account there are very few heavy rains in 
 the summer ; and hence, during that season, water is exceed¬ 
 ingly scarce. The Indians, in their journeys, pass by places 
 where they know there are ponds, but generally they are under 
 the necessity of carrying water in bladders. This drought is 
 not confined to the military tract, but in some seasons is very 
 general. During the summer of 1820 , it was truly alarm¬ 
 ing. Travellers in many instances were obliged to pass 
 whole days in the warmest weather, without being able to 
 procure a cupfull of water for themselves or their horses, and 
 that which they occasionally did find was almost putrid. It 
 may, however, be remarked, that such seasons rarely occur; 
 but on account of its being washed by rivers of such immense 
 length, this section of the country is peculiarly liable to suffer 
 from excessive drought. 
 
 There is another obstruction to the rapid settlement of this 
 tract, which is, that it is owned by many different individuals, 
 residing in different parts of the United States. This circum¬ 
 stance subjects the emigrant to many difficulties. He may ex¬ 
 plore the country, and find a spot which he is anxious to pur¬ 
 chase ; but he is unable to find the owner, and is on this ac¬ 
 count obliged to abandon his intention, in this way, many who 
 have wished to become settlers, have been deterred from accom¬ 
 plishing their object. 
 
 The most convenient plan for those who wish to settle on the 
 tract, is to obtain from some large landholder, or from some person 
 having an extensive agency, a list of quarter sections for sale ; 
 these can be examined with the certainty that if they are suita¬ 
 ble, they can be purchased. This is the plan that is at present 
 adopted. The terms of sale are generally very moderate, as it 
 is the object of the proprietors to have the lands settled. It 
 would in every case he advisable for the emigrant to visit the 
 tract, and make a selection for himself previous to settlement. 
 
 Upon the whole, it can with safety be said, that notwithstand¬ 
 ing these objections to the Illinois military tract, it bids fair 
 to become one of the most eligible in the western country. 
 
GENERAL VIEW OF COUNTIES. 
 
 81 
 
 it embraces a great variety of climate, anil is favorable 
 to the cultivation of the different kinds of grain. In the north¬ 
 ern and middle sections, wheat, rye and oats, would no doubt 
 thrive well; and in the southern part, particularly on the river, 
 tobacco might be profitably raised. From the mouth of the Illi¬ 
 nois, which is in Iat. 38° 54' N, to lat. 40, on the river, the vine 
 could probably be cultivated with success. 
 
 There are some directions which are of the greatest import¬ 
 ance to those who are about to examine this tract of country.# 
 The best season for this purpose is the month of November. In 
 the spring, the country is so inundated, that it is almost impos¬ 
 sible to travel ; in the summer* the weather is so warm and dis¬ 
 agreeable, that an exploring journey is very hazardous. Be¬ 
 sides, at this season, the flies and musquitocs are exceedingly 
 troublesome, and so poisonous, that they have been frequently 
 known to kill horses and other animals in the course of a few 
 hours. 
 
 The northern part of this county, extending from the eastern to 
 the western boundary of the state, embraces a considerable variety 
 of soil and surface. Near Lake Michigan, the country abounds 
 ■with prairies, some of which are low and wet, and frequently 
 form swamps and ponds ; such are those on the Kankakee, and 
 Dos Plaines rivers, and Kalamick creeks. It is on this account 
 that in high water, a communication is frequently formed be¬ 
 tween the waters of Lake Michigan, and those of the Illinois.— 
 Towards the interior and western part of this county, the sur¬ 
 face becomes more uneven, sometimes hilly, and sometimes gen¬ 
 tly undulating, abounding w ith the ores of lead and iron, partic¬ 
 ularly on the Mississippi, above Rock river. Little is as yef. 
 known of the geography in the interior, as it is but thinly set¬ 
 tled, and has seldom been explored by men of science or obser¬ 
 vation. 
 
 Pike county will no doubt in a few years be divided into seve¬ 
 ral counties ; some of which will become very wealthy and im¬ 
 portant, particularly those on the Mississippi, and on the lake. 
 It is probable that the Section about Fort Clark will be the most 
 thickly settled, and perhaps, in an agricultural point of view, it 
 
 * For particular directions concerning the recording of deeds,end the payment of taxes on tie** 
 InndSjSee Militcn-y Bounty Tract. 
 
 1 l 
 
82 
 
 GAZETTEER OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 is the most important. But should a canal be opened between the 
 Illinois river and Lake Michigan, it is difficult to form any cor¬ 
 rect idea of the relative importance of the different sections of 
 this extensive county. 
 
 This county contains many minerals, which prove of conside¬ 
 rable advantage to it. On the Mississippi, above Rock river, 
 lead ore is found in abundance. It is of an excellent quality, 
 and yields from 80 to 85 per cent pure lead. Iron is found in 
 large quantities. At different places on the Illinois, there are 
 immense strata of coal, of the best quality. Copper is also found 
 in detached masses near Fort Clark. The Indians say it exists 
 in large quantities, but as yet, there is no evidence of the truth 
 of their assertion. Ochres of various kinds are found in the south¬ 
 ern part of the military tract, and buhr stone of an excellent qua¬ 
 lity has also been discovered near the mouth of the Illinois. 
 
 Pike county contains between 7 and 800 inhabitants. It is 
 attached to the first judicial circuit ; sends one member to the 
 house of representatives, and with Greene, one to the senate.— 
 Its county seat is Colesgrove. 
 
 Pope County. 
 
 Pope county is situated in the southern part of the state. It is 
 bounded north by Gallatin, east and south by the Ohio river, 
 and west by Johnson county. Its length is 36 miles, with 
 a medium width of about 16 : its area is about 576 square miles. 
 
 This county is washed on the east and south by the Ohio 
 river ; the interior is watered by Big Bay creek, and some other 
 small streams, emptying into the Ohio. It is generally well 
 timbered. The surface is generally level, except on the banks 
 of the Ohio. The soil is sandy, but yields good crops. 
 
 Pope county contains 2610 inhabitants. It is attached to the 
 fourth judicial circuit; sends two members to the house of re¬ 
 presentatives, and one to the senate. Its seat of justice is Gol- 
 condn. 
 
 Randolph County. 
 
 Randolph county is situated in the western part of the state, 
 and is large and populous. It is bounded north by the counties 
 of Monroe, St. Clair and Washington, east by Jefferson and 
 
GENERAL VIEW OF COUNTIES. 
 
 83 
 
 Franklin, and south and vest by Jackson county and the Mis¬ 
 sissippi river. Its greatest length is 54 miles ; greatest breadth, 
 27 : area, 828 square miles. 
 
 This county is watered by the Kaskaskia and Little Muddy 
 rivers, Beaucoup creek, and several other smaller streams. 
 
 At the mouth of the Kaskaskia river commences the Ameri¬ 
 can bottom, which extends along the bank of the Mississippi 
 northwardly upwards of one hundred miles. It is the most fer¬ 
 tile tract of land in the state. Upon this the first settlements 
 were made by the French of Canada. Their villages still retain 
 much of their antique appearance. Below the mouth of the 
 Kaskaskia, the bank of the Mississippi is generally high and 
 rocky, affording good sites for towns. 
 
 In the interior of this county, the surface is frequently undu¬ 
 lating, and sometimes hilly. It contains 3492 inhabitants. It 
 is attached to the third judicial circuit; sends three members to 
 the house of representatives, and one to the senate. Its seat of 
 justice is Kaskaskia. 
 
 Sangamon County. 
 
 Sangamon county was erected from Bond and Madison in 
 1821. It is bounded north by the county of Pike, east by Fay¬ 
 ette, south and west by the counties of Montgomery, Greene 
 and Pike. Its greatest length is 126 miles ; greatest breadth, 
 75 miles: its area is 5292 square miles. 
 
 This county is washed on the west by the Illinois. The in¬ 
 terior is watered by the Sangamo river and its numerous tribu¬ 
 taries, and also by several considerable streams emptying into 
 the Illinois above and below. 
 
 The county of Sangamon, ever since its first settlemenf, has 
 been justly esteemed the most desirable tract in the state ; and it 
 consequently has been settled with a rapidity heretofore unequal¬ 
 led. Previous to 1819, not a white inhabitant was to be found 
 on the waters of the Sangamo; at present the population amounts 
 to near 5000, while not a single acre of the land has as yet been 
 brought into market. The Sangamo river, which runs a north¬ 
 easterly course through the southern part of this county, may, 
 at a trifling expense, be made navigable for nearly two hundred 
 
84 
 
 GAZETTEER OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 miles: it is now obstructed by timber. This stream passes 
 through a tract of country which is seldom excelled in fertility. 
 It is high and undulating, well watered with creeks and springs, 
 and is beautifully interspersed with timber and prairie, the for¬ 
 mer of which consists principally of hickory, maple, oak, &c. 
 The prairies frequently contain fine groves of timber, some ot 
 which, from their appearance, have received the names ot Elk- 
 heart grove, Buffaloe-heart grove, &c. These groves are ge¬ 
 nerally elevated above the surrounding prairie, and are most 
 advantageous situations for settlement. The inhabitants reside 
 on the margin of the timber, extending their plantations to any 
 distance into the prairie. The groves above mentioned already 
 contain a large and respectable population, from different parts 
 of the United States. During the last session of the legislature, 
 a company was incorporated by the name of the Sangamo 
 milling companywith a capital of S20,000. This will be of 
 immense advantage to the inhabitants of this tract. 
 
 This county contains a number of salt springs, some of which 
 will prove valuable when the land in the vicinity shall have been 
 surveyed and sold to individuals. Coal is also abundant. 
 
 The population of Sangamon county cannot be correctly esti¬ 
 mated. It is attached to the first judicial circuit; sends one 
 member to the house of representatives, and one to the senate* 
 Its seat of justice is Springfield. 
 
 St. Clair County. 
 
 St Clair county is situated in the western part of the state. 
 It is hounded north by Madison county, east by Washington, 
 south by Randolph, and west by Monroe county and the Misr 
 sissippi river, its greatest length is 36 miles ; greatest breadth 
 as : its area is 702 square miles. 
 
 This county is watered by the Kaskaskia river, Silver, Rich¬ 
 land, and Cahokia creeks. On the west it is washed by the 
 Mississippi. The surface is generally undulating, and some¬ 
 times hilly. On the banks of the Mississippi there is a low and 
 fertile alluvion. In the interior are several very rich and flour¬ 
 ishing settlements. Maize is as yet the staple of* (his county, al¬ 
 though other grains are raised in considerable abundance. 
 
GENERAL VIEW OF COUNTIES, 
 
 85 
 
 St Clair county contains 5243 inhabitants. It is attached to 
 the first judicial circuit ; sends three members to the house of 
 representatives, and one to the senate. Its seat of justice is 
 Belleville . 
 
 Union County. 
 
 Union county is situated in the southern part of the state, and 
 js small, but populous. It is bounded north by the counties of 
 Jackson and Franklin, east by Johnson, south by Alexander, 
 and west by the Mississippi river. Its greatest length is 24 
 miles, and its breadth 18 : its area is 396 square miles. 
 
 This county is washed on the west by the Mississippi river. 
 The interior is watered by Muddy river, Clear creek, and the 
 sources of Cash river. 
 
 Union county contains a population of 2236. It is attached 
 to the fourth judicial circuit; sends two members to the house of 
 representatives, and with Alexander, one to the senate. Its seat 
 pf justice is Jonesborough . 
 
 Washington County. 
 
 Washington county is situated near the central part of the 
 state. Its form is a square of 30 miles, with an area of 900 
 square miles. It is bounded north by the counties of xMadison, 
 Bond and Fayette ; east by Jefferson ; south by Randolph, and 
 west by St Clair. 
 
 This county is watered by the Kaskaskia river, and numerous 
 tributaries emptying into it on the east and west side. The 
 banks of these streams are generally well timbered, but in the 
 interior, the prairies are extensive, and sometimes sterile. The 
 surface is generally level. The grand prairie passes through the 
 northeast corner of the county. Washington contains 1517 in¬ 
 habitants. It is attached to the third judicial circuit ; sends one 
 member to the house of representatives, and one to the senate. 
 Its seat of justice is Covington. 
 
 Wayne County. 
 
 Wayne county is situated in the interior of the state. It is 
 bounded north by the counties of Crawford and Fayette $ east 
 
86 
 
 GAZETTEER OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 \ 
 
 by Lawrence and Edwards ; south by White and Hamilton, and 
 west by Jefferson. Its greatest length is 33 miles—breadth 24 
 —its area is 720 square miles. This county is watered by the 
 Little Wabash river, and several of its tributaries. It is hand¬ 
 somely interspersed with prairie and woodland, and contains 
 several saliue springs. 
 
 Wayne contains 1114 inhabitants. It is attached to the sec¬ 
 ond judicial circuit; sends one member to the house of repre¬ 
 sentatives, and with Lawrence, one to the senate. Its seat of 
 justice is Fairfield . 
 
 White County. 
 
 . • K f 
 
 White county is situated in the southeastern part of the state. 
 Its form is nearly a square, of 21 miles, containing an area of 
 441 square miles. It is bounded north by the counties of Ed¬ 
 wards and Wayne ; east by the Wabash river ; south by Gal¬ 
 latin county, and west by Hamilton. 
 
 The eastern boundary of this county is washed by the Wabash 
 river; the interior is watered by the Little Wabash, and its 
 numerous tributaries. The remarks heretofore made with re¬ 
 gard to (he inundation of these streams in the counties of Ed¬ 
 wards and Lawrence, apply here. The banks of these streams 
 are generally timbered. In the interior are large prairies. The 
 situation of this county is so very advantageous, that it will no 
 doubt become populous and wealthy. It already furnishes a 
 considerable quantity of surplus produce for the southern mar¬ 
 ket. 
 
 White county contains upwards of 2000 inhabitants. It is at¬ 
 tached to the second judicial circuit; sends three members to 
 the house of representatives^ and one to the senate. Its seat of 
 justice is Carmi. 
 
 > 
 
TOPOGRAPHICAL VIEW, 
 
 OF THE 
 
 TOWNS, VILLAGES, RIVERS, CREEKS, &c. &c. 
 IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, 
 
 ARRANGED ALPHABETICALLY*. 
 
 Albion, a post town, the capital of Edwards county, situated 
 on section 2, of township 2 south, in range 10, east of the third 
 principal meridian, 40 miles southwest of Vincennes, and 110 
 southeast of Vandalra. It was laid out 3 years since by Messrs. 
 Birkbeck and Flowers, and is principally inhabited by English 
 emigrants. It contains 4 or 5 stores, a market, a mill, and a pop¬ 
 ulation of upwards of 200. The situation of this place is high 
 and healthy, being little subject to those diseases which are so 
 prevalent in many parts of this state during the summer and au¬ 
 tumn. The surrounding c ountry, which is rapidly increasing 
 in population, is very fertile, and is handsomely diversified with 
 woodland and prairie. 
 
 Alton ( lower ,) a small post town of Madison county, laid out 
 by Col. R. Easton, in 1818, on fractional sections thirteen and 
 fourteen, in township 5 n rth, in range 10, west of the third 
 principal meridian. It is situated on the east side of the 
 Mississippi river, on a rocky bluff, which forms the nor¬ 
 thern boundary of the American bottom, two miles above the 
 junction of the Missouri with the Mississippi, and 18 miles be¬ 
 low the mouth of the Illinois. The population of this place is 
 rapidly increasing, and the improvements are going on with 
 great activity. Alton, although as vet small and unimportant, 
 possesses natural advantages rarely equalled. Situated as it is 
 at the junction of three large and navigable rivers ; possessing a 
 fine commodious harbor, and landing for boats at all seasons of 
 the year ; surrounded by a fertile and thickly settled country, it 
 bids fair to become a populous, wealthy and commercial town. 
 The fact that this is almost the only good town site on the eastern 
 
 4 
 
88 
 
 GAZETTEER OE ILLINOIS. 
 
 bank of the Mississippi, is much in its favour. Stone coal, of e, 
 good quality, is found in abundance at a short distance from this 
 place. It is overlaid by strata of limestone and sandstone ; the 
 former of which furnishes good lime ; and the latter, possessing a 
 fine grit,is quarried for architectural purposes. Gypsum has also 
 been discovered in this vicinity, but it is still uncertain whether 
 it exists in any considerable quantity. In addition to these ad¬ 
 vantages, the road leading from the east to Boonslick and Salt 
 river countries, passes through this place, and crosses the Mis¬ 
 sissippi at Fountain ferry. Alton is in lat. 38° 52' N. 20 miles 
 north of St. Louis, and 60 miles w est of Vandalia. 
 
 Mon , (upper, J a small post-town of Madison county, about 
 one mile east of Lower Alton, laid out in 1816, and incorpora¬ 
 ted under the government of a board of trustees in 1821. The 
 limits of the incorporation include all that part of section 7 of 
 township 5 north, in range 9, west of the 3d principal meridian, 
 lying south of a tract in said section, commonly called the 
 Hodges tract, of 255 acres. 
 
 The situation of this town is high and healthy. It contains 
 nearly 100 houses. The inhabitants, a great proportion of 
 whom are from the eastern states, are enterprising and indus¬ 
 trious. The soil of the surrounding lands is generally fertile; 
 the face of the country undulating ; the prevailing growth, w al¬ 
 nut, hickory, and oak. 
 
 The original proprietors of Alton made a donation of 100 
 town lots, one half for the support of the gospel, and the other 
 half for the support of public schools. These, by the act of in¬ 
 corporation, are placed under the direction of the trustees. 
 
 •America* a post town, and the county seat of Alexander, si¬ 
 tuated on the west bank of the Ohio river, 10 miles above its 
 junction with the Mississippi. It was incorporated in 1821, 
 under the government of five trustees. Tire boundaries of the 
 incorporation included sections nine, ten, three and four of 
 township 16 south, in range 1, east of the 3d principal meridian. 
 
 This tow n is situated at the mouth of Cash river, a small 
 stream emptying into the Ohio, and on the first high land above 
 the junction of the Ohio and Mississippi. On this account it 
 may become a place of some importance. At present, however* 
 
TOPOGRAPHICAL VIEW OF TOWNS, &C. 
 
 89 
 
 it contains but few inhabitants. The surrounding country is 
 low, marshy, and subject to intermittent and bilious remittent 
 fevers. 
 
 America is situated in Lat. 37° 10' N. and 125 miles due 
 south of Vandalia. 
 
 Apple creek , a small stream of Greene county ; runs a west 
 course, and empties into the Illinois river, in section 36. town¬ 
 ship II north, in range 14, west of the 3d principal meridian. 
 
 Athens , a small town in St. Clair county, 27 miles southeast 
 from St. Louis, and 14 miles nearly south from Belleville. It 
 is situated on a high bank of the Kaskaskia river. The lands 
 in the vicinity are generally of a good quality, and abound 
 with springs of the finest water. There is a ferry here, and a 
 number of saw and grist mills in the vicinity. The new road 
 from St. Louis to Shavvneetown by this place and Big Beaucoup, 
 is said to shorten the distance several miles. 
 
 Aurora , a post town, and the seat of justice of Clark county. 
 
 Au Vase river , see Big Muddy. 
 
 Balance creek, a small stream, forming a part of the boundary 
 between Sangamo and Greene counties* It runs a westerly 
 course, and empties into the Illinois on the left side, four miles 
 below the mouth of Crooked creek. 
 
 Bachelor’s run , a small stream of Sangamon county ; holds 
 a west course,'and empties into the Illinois on ihe east side, 
 nearly opposite Fort Clark. On its banks are several beautiful 
 and fertile prairies, which already contain a comparatively 
 dense population, constituting the most northern settlement on 
 the east bank of the Illinois. 
 
 Battery rocks , a ledge of perpendicular rocks on the right 
 bank of the Ohio, 24 miles below the mouth of the Wabash, and 
 8 above Cave in Rock. 
 
 Bean river , (Riviere au Feve, Fr.) a navigable stream of 
 Pike county, emptying into the Mississippi three miles below 
 Cattish creek, twenty miles below Dubuque s mines, and about 
 
 1 o 
 
90 
 
 GAZETTEER OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 seventy above Rock river. Nine miles up this stream, a smalt 
 creek empties into it from the west. The hanks of this creek, 
 and the hills which hound its alluvion, are filled with lead ore 
 of the best quality. Three miles below this, on the banks of 
 Bean river, is the Trader’s village, consisting of 10 or 12 
 houses or cabins. At this place, the ore procured from, or 
 brought in by the Indians, is smelted, and then sent in boats 
 cither to Canada or New-Orleans. The mines are at present 
 extensively worked by Col. Johnson of Kentucky, who, during 
 the last session of congress, obtained the exclusive right of 
 working them for three years. 
 
 From the rapids of Bean river, which are about three miles 
 above the creek, to its mouth, the current is very gentle, and 
 the water deep—affording navigation at all seasons to boats of 
 the largest size, and thus presenting every facility for exporting 
 the lead. 
 
 The lands on this stream are poor, and only valuable on ac¬ 
 count of the immense quantities of mineral which they contain. 
 
 Bear creek , (Mah-waw-kee-ta, Ind.) a stream of the north¬ 
 western part of the state. It runs a westerly course, and emp¬ 
 ties into the Mississippi near the northern boundary line of Illi¬ 
 nois. At the mouth of this stream the bluffs approach the Mis¬ 
 sissippi, and form a commanding site for a fort. 
 
 Beaver creek , a small stream, rising in tow nship 5 north, in 
 range 2 and 3 west of the 3d principal meridian, and running a 
 southerly course through Bond and Washington counties, emp¬ 
 ties into Shoal creek on the leftside, in the upper part of town¬ 
 ship 1 north, in range 4 west. It is about twenty-five miles in 
 length, and waters a very fertile tract of country. 
 
 Beaucoup creek , see Big and Little Beaucoup. 
 
 Beck's creek, a small stream of Fayette county. It. rises in 
 township 11 north, in range 1, eastof the 3d principal meridian • 
 runs a southeast course about 20 miles, and empties into the 
 Kaskaskia river on the west side. The lands between this creek 
 and an easterly branch which rises in township 10 north, in range 
 3 east, are first rate, handsomely diversified with timber and 
 
TOPOGRAPHICAL VIEW OF TOWNS, &C. 
 
 91 
 
 prairie. On this stream arc situated Beck’s and Wakefield’s 
 settlements, each consisting of about 20 families. 
 
 Belleville , a flourishing post town, and the seat of justice of St. 
 Clair county. It is situated on the east bank ofRichland creek, 
 four miles east of the bluffs, which bound the American bottom, 
 and fifteen miles southeast of St. Louis. It contains a court 
 house, a jail, an academy, and a public library. The academy 
 is under the government often trustees, who have the power of 
 leasing upon their own terms for ten years, section 16 of 
 township 1 in range 8, west of the third principal meridian, re¬ 
 served for the use of schools in said township. The population 
 of this town is upwards of five hundred. It is in the centre of 
 the Turkev-Hill settlement, which is one of the most flourish¬ 
 ing in the state. 
 
 Belleville is in latitude 38° £5' north, 60 miles southwest of 
 Yandalia. It is located on an old Spanish claim, including parts 
 of sections £2, £3, £7 and 28, of township I north, in range 8 
 west of the third principal meridian. 
 
 Belgrade , a post town in Pope county. It is situated on the 
 Ohio river, on the southern parts of sections 8 and 9, of town¬ 
 ship 16 south, in range 5, east of the third principal meridian.—« 
 It contains from 1£ to £0 houses and cabins, which are frequent¬ 
 ly deserted on account of the inundations of the Ohio. The sur¬ 
 rounding country is low and marshy. 
 
 Big Buy creek , a small stream rising in the northeastern part 
 of Johnson county, and running in a southwardly direction 
 through the centre of Pope county, falls into the Ohio in section 
 36, of township 14 south, in range 6, east of the third principal 
 meridian, ten miles above the mouth of Cumberland river. It 
 is nearly 30 miles in length. 
 
 Big Beaucoup creek , rises in the southeastern part of Washing¬ 
 ton county, and running a southwardly course through Ran¬ 
 dolph and Jackson counties, about 40 miles, falls into Big Mud¬ 
 dy river, in section 35, of township 7 south, in range 2, west of 
 the third principal meridian. A toll bridge has lately been built 
 across this stream, where the state road leading from Shawnee- 
 town to Kaskaskia crosses it. 
 
92 
 
 GAZETTEER OP ILLINOIS. 
 
 Big Muddy river , (Riviere au Vase, ou Vaseux, discovered 
 and named I)} the French,) a considerable stream in the south¬ 
 western part of the state. It rises between the waters of the 
 Kaskaskia and Little Wabash, and running a southern and 
 Southwestern course through the counties of Jefferson, Franklin, 
 Jackson and Union, empties into the Mississippi, between sec¬ 
 tions 1 and 12, of township 11 south, in range 4, west of the 3d 
 principal meridian, about 50 miles above the mouth of the Ohio. 
 Being fed by Little Muddy river, Beacoup creek, and several 
 other smaller streams, it is rendered boatable for 40 or 50 miles 
 through a line prairie country. About 25 miles from its mouth? 
 stone coal of a good quality, is found in a sufficient quantity to 
 supply the surrounding country, and afford a surplus for expor¬ 
 tation. Native copper has also been found in detached masses 
 on the banks of this stream. 
 
 Big Fiasau creek , a considerable stream of Greene and Mad¬ 
 ison counties, running a southwest course, and emptying into 
 the Mississippi on the leftside, at Smeltzer’s Ferry, 5 miles 
 above Alton, and 12 below the mouth of the Illinois, in section 
 25, of township 6 north, in range 11, west of the third princi¬ 
 pal meridian, its length is about forty miles. 
 
 Birkbeck settlement , a flourishing settlement on English prai¬ 
 rie, near Albion. 
 
 Blackbird creek , a small stream, running a southeasterly 
 course, and emptying into the Kaskaskia river, on the right 
 side near its source. 
 
 Bon Pas , a creek in Edwards county. It empties into the 
 Wabash in section 14, township 3 south, in range 14, west of the 
 second principal meridian—25 miles below the mouth of White 
 river. 
 
 Bon Pas , a small town in the northeastern part of White 
 county. It is situated on Big Wabash river. 
 
 Brnlette river , a stream of Clark county, runs a southeast 
 course, and falls into the Wabash river, a few miles above Fort 
 H arrison. It crosses fc the eastern boundary line of the state, 70 
 miles north of Vincennes, At this place it is 100 links in width. 
 
TOPOGRAPHICAL VIEW OF TOWNS, &C. 93 
 
 Bonntyvttle, a town in Pike county, laid out in 1819, on the 
 east half of section 31,$ of township 10south, in range 2, west 
 of the third principal meridian, between the bluffs and a bayou 
 of the Mississippi. The surrounding country is fertile, but sub¬ 
 ject to inundation. 
 
 Bridgewater , a small town in Monroe county, situated on 
 L’Eagle creek, one mile east of the Mississippi, and about the 
 same distance north of Harrisonville. 
 
 Brownsville , a flourishing post town, and the seat of justice 
 of Jackson county, incorporated in 1819, under the direction of 
 fi\e trustees. It is situated on Big Muddy river, on section 2, 
 of township 9 south, in range 3, west of the third principal meri¬ 
 dian. The inhabitants are principally German. About 4 miles 
 above this place, on the east bank of Muddy, is a saline : build¬ 
 ing stone of the best quality also exists in abundance. 
 
 Brownsville is in latitude 37° 45' north, 84 miles, somewhat 
 west of south, from Vandalia. 
 
 Brush creek , empties into the Sangamo river from the south, 
 a short distance from Mowaweequa creek. There is a conside¬ 
 rable settlement on this stream. 
 
 Buffaloe heart , a fine settlement of Sangamon county, in a 
 grove so called, situated between Salt creek and Sangamo river, 
 in township 14 north, in range 4, west of the 3d principal meri¬ 
 dian. The grove is about 2 miles square, and is surrounded by 
 a large prairie, which is gently undulating, and very fertile. 
 The prairie is also surrounded by timber of the best quality, 
 such as oak, walnut, maple, &c. The settlers reside on the 
 edges of the timber, extending their plantations into the prairie. 
 The grove, which received its name from its resemblance to the 
 buffaloe’s heart, is considerably elevated above the surrounding 
 prairie, and affords the most beautiful situations for farm houses. 
 It already contains a dense population. 
 
 Cairo , a town in Alexander county, laid out under the au¬ 
 thority of the legislative council of the territory of Illinois. I* 
 is situated three miles above the mouth of the Ohio river. (See 
 Alexander county.) 
 
94 
 
 GAZETTEER OP ILLINOIS. 
 
 Cahokia creek , rises in Greene county ; runs in a southwardly 
 direction through the counties of Madison and St. Clair, and 
 empties into the Mississippi four miles below St Louis. On 
 this stream are several flour mills, which, though of great im¬ 
 portance to the inhabitants, are a prolific source of disease. 
 This stream is so sluggish, that one dam across it in the Ameri¬ 
 can bottom, backs the water, following its meanders, 15 miles. 
 In this distance it communicates with numerous ponds and 
 marshes, which, during freshets, are filled with water backed 
 into them from the mill-pond ; and which, when the water falls, 
 are exposed to the action of the sun.* It is observed by the 
 French inhabitants who reside on this stream, that they for¬ 
 merly enjoyed good health ; but that fevers have been much 
 more frequent among them since mill-dams have been erected. 
 Near the upper dam on the bottom on the same creek, scarcely 
 an individual has ever been known to spend the summer and 
 autumn, without an attack of fever of the intermittent or remit¬ 
 tent kind.—On the banks of this stream are an immense number 
 of mounds, of different sizes and descriptions. 
 
 Cahokia , a post village in St. Clair county, three fourths of 
 a mile east of the Mississippi river, and five miles south of St. 
 Louis. It is one of the oldest settlements in the state. The 
 Caoquias, a considerable tribe of the Illinois, had, for a long 
 time previous to the discovery of the Mississippi, made it a 
 resting place, probably on account of the game with which the 
 river and the ponds in the vicinity abounded. We have no dis¬ 
 tinct account of the first settlement of this place by the French ; 
 but it is probable that it occurred shortly after La Salle de¬ 
 scended the Mississippi in 1683. Pleased as some of his fol¬ 
 lowers were with the apparent ease and happiness which the 
 savages enjoyed, it is probable that they chose rather to remain 
 among them, than return to their own country, instances of 
 this kind are frequently mentioned by Tonti and Hennepin ; 
 and as the object of the adventurous La Salle was to settle and 
 civilize the country, their choice seldom met with opposition. 
 Father Charlevoix, who visited this place in 1721, observes :— 
 
 * See Dr. Woodworth’s essay on the injurious effects of mill-dams, read before the Illinois agri¬ 
 cultural society in 1821 . 
 
TOPOGRAPHICAL VIEW OP TOWNS, &C. 
 
 95 
 
 6i I was astonished that they had pitched upon so inconvenient a 
 situation, (being §o far from the river,) especially as they had 
 so many better places in their choice ; but I was told the Mis¬ 
 sissippi washed the foot of that village when it was built; that 
 in three years it has lost half a league of its breadth, and that, 
 they were thinking of seeking out another habitation.’’—The 
 Indians gradually abandoned Cahokia, as the French settlers 
 increased : they were, however, always on the most friendly 
 terms with them. 
 
 In 1766, Cahokia contained forty families ; and at the com¬ 
 mencement of the revolution, their number had increased to 
 about fifty. By an act of congress passed in 1788, 400 acres of 
 land adjoining the village was granted to each family ; and by 
 a subsequent act, the lands used by the inhabitants of Cahokia 
 and Prairie du Pont in common, were appropriated to the use of 
 said inhabitants, until otherwise directed by law. 
 
 Cahokia contains above 100 houses, the majority of which are 
 built of pickets, one story high : they generally have piazzas on 
 every side, and being whitewashed on the outside, have a lively 
 appearance. Here is also a Roman Catholic chapel, in which 
 service is regularly performed. The inhabitants, between 4 and 
 500 in number, are principally French. These preserve all their 
 ancient manners and customs ; with few exceptions, are poor, 
 indolent and illiterate. The utmost extent of their industry is 
 to raise a few acres of corn, and procure a few loads of prairie 
 hay. 
 
 This place formerly enjoyed, on account of its proximity to 
 the Indians, an extensive and valuable fur trade ; but at present 
 it possesses few or no advantages, and from the number of de- 
 caved and deserted houses, appears to be on the decline. The 
 situation, although somewhat elevated, is damp and disagreea¬ 
 ble : in high water it is frequently inundated. The xAmericans 
 seldom pass a season without suffering from the effects of the 
 miasma arising from the ponds in the vicinity. The French, 
 whether on account of their being inured to the climate, their 
 manner of living, or from their possessing more hardy constitu¬ 
 tions, are little affected by it, but generally enjoy good health. 
 -—Coal is found in the vicinity of this place. Its discovery was 
 singular, arid deserves to be noticed. 6t Some years since, a 
 
96 
 
 GAZETTEER OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 tree taking fire, communicated to its* roots, which continued 
 burning for some time : upon examination, the} were found to 
 have passed through a bed of coal. The fire continued until it 
 was completely smothered by the falling in of large masses of 
 incumbent earth.”# * 
 
 It may be remarked here, that a town has been laid out on a 
 part of the commons of Cahokia, called the City of Illinois ,* the 
 lots have been distributed among the citizens, and the distribu¬ 
 tion has been confirmed by a late act of congress. Its govern¬ 
 ment is vested in five trustees. It possesses no advantages, and 
 will probably never be valuable, except for corn-fields and po¬ 
 tato patches. 
 
 Cawwaga, f Riviere des Iroquois, Fr.) a considerable river ; 
 rises in the western part of the state of Indiana, and running a 
 north course about 100 miles, empties into the Kankakee river* 
 It received the name of Iroquois river, from the circumstance of 
 a large party of the Iroquois being surprised and massacred on 
 its banks by the Illinois.f This is probably the same stream 
 which is named upon the map, Pickamink river, upon the au¬ 
 thority of the commissioners appointed by Illinois and Indiana 
 for settling the boundary line between those states. Tire Kick- 
 apoo Indians call it Mocabella. It crosses the boundary line 
 about 23 miles south of the Theakiki, in township 27 north. 
 Its banks resemble very much those of the Illinois : its current 
 is gentle, and the lands bordering on it are generally of a good 
 quality. The width of this stream where it crosses the eastern 
 boundary line of the state, is 175 links. 
 
 Canteen creek , a small branch of Cahokia creek, emptying in 
 from the cast about fifteen miles above its mouth. 
 
 Cap an Grais , (big,) a small stream of Greene county, empty¬ 
 ing into the Illinois river, near its junction w ith the Mississippi. 
 
 Cap an Grais , (little,) a trifling stream of the southern part of 
 Pike county. 
 
 Carlyle , a post town in Washington county, laid out in 1818, 
 
 * Brae kenriuge’s View of Louisiana. 
 
 * Sec Charlevoix. 
 
TOPOGRAPHICAL VIEW OF TOWNS, &C. 
 
 97 
 
 on flic west bank ofthe Kaskaskia river, at Hill s ferry, in sec¬ 
 tion 18. in township 2, not th of range 2, west ofthe third prin¬ 
 cipal meridian, a few miles below Hurric ane and Eastforks. The 
 situation is considerably elevated, but not so healthy as one 
 unacquainted with it would imagine. It contains several 
 stores, and is generally in a state of improvement. The Kas- 
 kaskia at some seasons is navigable to this plac e for boats of 
 considerable burthen. The surrounding c ountry is principally 
 prairie, and this circumstance will perhaps be a serious injury 
 to the town. There are several grist and saw mills here, and 
 several quarries of good building stone. Salt water has been 
 lately discovered in the vicinity, about 30 feet from the surface, 
 whic h, from its strength, promises to he valuable. . 
 
 Carljle is settled by an enterprising and industrious popula¬ 
 tion, and already contains 100 houses. It was incorporated in 
 1819, under the government of seven trustees. Washington 
 academy, in this place, is under the direction of seven trustees, 
 and is in a very flourishing situation. The public road 
 from Vincennes to St. Louis, passes through this place, as also 
 that from Shawneetovvn, the Saline, and the ferries on the lower 
 Ohio, to the mouth of the Missouri, Varidalia and the Sangamo 
 country. The intersection of these roads from different parts of 
 the country frequently gives it an appearance of life and busi¬ 
 ness rarely to be seen in a place so remote from commerce and 
 trade. The distance from this place to St. Louis is 60 miles— 
 from Vandalia 35 south. 
 
 Carmi, an incorporated post town, and the seat of justice of 
 White countv. It is situated on the west bank ofthe Little Wa- 
 bash river, about l' 0 miles above its mouth, nearly in the centre 
 of the county. It is surrounded by lands of good quality. 
 
 Carmi is in lat. 33 ° 5 ' N. 80 miles southeast of Vandalia. 
 
 Carroltoiiy the seat of justice of Greene county, laid out in 1821, 
 on a prairie between the timber ofthe Apple creek and Ma-qua- 
 pin, in township 10 north, in range 12, west of the 3d principal 
 meridian. The surrounding country is very fertile, and is rapidly 
 increasing iti population. The prairie west of tlm town is low 
 and wet, hut with little expense could be completely drained. 
 
 13 
 
98 
 
 GAZETTEER OP ILLINOIS* 
 
 Cash river , a navigable stream in the southern part of the 
 state. It rises in the northei n parts of Johnson and Union coun¬ 
 ties, near the third principal meridian, runs a south course about 
 20 miles ; then turns to the southeast, and continues in that 
 direction until it empties into the Ohio seven or eight miles above 
 its mouth. Previous to its turning to the southeast, it approach¬ 
 es within a mile and a half of the Mississippi, several miles 
 above the junction of the Ohio. At this place it is contemplated 
 to unite the Cash and Mississippi, by means of a canal. This will 
 be a considerable saving of distance, and the means of avoiding 
 the disagreeable navigation at the mouth of the Ohio. This 
 stream was declared navigable by the legislature of the state, 
 from its mouth to the junction of its two main forks, in township 
 13 south, in range 3, east of the third principal meridian. The 
 obj ect of this is to prevent its being obstructed by mill dams.— 
 It is, however, only navigable about 12 or 15 miles. 
 
 Cash river is about 30 miles in length ; receives several tribu¬ 
 taries, on one of which, Big creek, iron ore of a good quality 
 has been found. 
 
 Cave Creek , rises in the southern part of Gallatin county, and 
 empties into the Ohio, 12 miles below Saline creek. It is a very 
 inconsiderable stream. 
 
 Cave in Itock. —This natural curiosity is to be seen on the 
 Ohio river, 30 miles below the mouth of the Wabash. It is a 
 large cave, called by the Indians, the habitation of the Great 
 Spirit.” 'Pbe following description was taken on the spot by a 
 gentleman of observation.* “ For about 3 or 4 miles before 
 you come to this place, you are presented with a scene truly ro¬ 
 mantic. On the Illinois side of the river, you see large ponderous 
 rocks piled one upon another, of different colours, shapes and si¬ 
 zes Some appear to have gone through the hands of the most 
 skilful artist ; some represent the ruins of ancient edifices ; oth¬ 
 ers thrown promiscuously in and out of the river, as if nature 
 intended to show us with what ease she could handle those moun¬ 
 tains of solid ro<k. In some places, you see purling streams 
 winding their course dow n their rugged front; while in others, 
 
 * Set-Journal of a tour into the territory northwest of the Alleghany Mountains, made in the 
 spring of 1803, »itb a geographical and historical account of thestate of Ohio.by Tbaddeus M. Har¬ 
 ris, A. M Boston, 1805, 
 
TOPOGRAPHICAL VIEW OF TOWNS, &C. 99 
 
 the rorks project so far, that they seem almost disposed to leave 
 their doubtful situations After a short relief from this scene, 
 you come to a second, which is something similar to the first ; 
 and here, with strict scrutiny, you can discover the ca\e. Be¬ 
 fore its mouth stands a delightful grove of cypress trees, arran¬ 
 ged immediately on the bank of the river. They have a fine ap¬ 
 pearance, and add much to the cheerfulness of the place. The 
 mouth of the cave is hut a few' feet above the ordinary level of 
 the river, and is formed by a semicircular arch of about 80 feet 
 at its base, and 25 feet in height, the top projecting considera¬ 
 bly over, forming a regular conca\e. From the entrance to the 
 extremity, which is about 180 feet, it has a regular and gradual 
 ascent. On either side is a solid bench of rock ; the arch com¬ 
 ing to a point about the middle of the ca\e, where you discover 
 an opening sufficiently large to receive the body of a man, through 
 which comes a small stream of tine water, made use of by those 
 who visit this place. From this hole, a second cave is discover¬ 
 ed, whose dimensions, form, &c. are not known. The rock is 
 of limestone. The sides of the cave are covered with inscrip¬ 
 tions, names of persons, dates, &c.” In 1797, this cave was the 
 rendezvous of Mason’s gang of robbers, w ho plundered and mur¬ 
 dered the crews of boats descending the Ohio. It still serves 
 as a temporary abode for those wanting shelter, in case of ship¬ 
 wreck, or other accidents, which frequently happen to emi¬ 
 grants. Families have been known to reside here for a con¬ 
 siderable length of time. The trees which formerly sheltered 
 the mouth of this cave, have been cut down, and it is now com¬ 
 pletely exposed to view. The limestone, which forms its walls, 
 abounds with shells , at once pointing out its secondary char¬ 
 acter. 
 
 Although this cave is inferior to many others on the Illinois 
 and Mississippi, it is well worthy the attention ot the curious 
 and scientific. 
 
 Cedar creek, a small stream of Jackson and Union counties. 
 It runs a northwest course, and empties into Big Muddy river, 
 in section 11, of township 10 south, in range 5, west oi the third 
 
 principal meridian. 
 
 Cedar creek , a small stream of Pike county, runs a westerly 
 
UNIVERSITY OR 
 ILLINOIS LIBRARY 
 
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TOPOGRAPHICj 
 
 the rocks project so far] 
 their doubtful situations! 
 you come to a second, 
 and here, with strict scH 
 fore its mouth stands a dl 
 ged immediately on the b;l 
 pearance, and add much 
 mouth of the cave is hut a 
 the river, and is formed by 
 at its base, and 25 feet in lie! 
 bly over, forming a regular cd 
 extremity, which is about 180 
 ascent. On either side is a solid 
 ing to a point about the middle ol 
 an opening sufficiently large to recel 
 which comes a small stream of line \va! 
 who visit this place. From this hole, a sec< 
 ed, whose dimensions, form, &c. are not known!* 
 of limestone. The sides of the cave arc covered wi 
 tions. names of persons, dates, &c.” In 1797, this cavi 
 rendezvous of Mason’s gang of robbers, who plundered and 1 
 dered the crews of boats descending the Ohio. It still ser 
 as a temporary abode for those wanting shelter, in case of ship^ 
 wreck, or other accidents, which frequently happen to emi¬ 
 grants. Families have been know n to reside here for a con¬ 
 siderable length of time. The trees which formerly sheltered 
 the mouth of this cave, ha\e been cut down, and it is now com¬ 
 pletely exposed to view. The limestone, which forms its walls, 
 abounds with shells , at once pointing out its secondary char¬ 
 acter. 
 
 Although this cave is inferior to many others on the Illinois 
 
 n 
 
 and Mississippi, it is well worthy the attention ot the curious 
 and scientific. 
 
 Cedar creek, j i small stream of Jackson and Union counties. 
 It runs a northwest course, and empties into Big Muddy river, 
 insertion 11, of township 10 south, in range 3, west ot the third 
 principal meridian. 
 
 Cedar creek, a small stream of Pike county, runs a westerly 
 
LLINOIS. 
 
 &ver on the left side, 15 
 
 5>r bayou of the Mississip- 
 “ sloo ” It extends from 
 ontinues through the allu- 
 river, to the uppei part of 
 es in length. f Hie Ian is in 
 uhjet t to annual inundations 
 
 • y. situated on Lake Michigan, 
 contains 12 or 15 houses* and 
 fi'oin this place to Green Bay, hy 
 e is 27 5 miles, and 400 to the isl- 
 >n the south side of the creek stands 
 "country around Chicago is the most fertile 
 [Tran be imagined. It consists of an intermix- 
 sand prairies, diversified with gentle slopes, some- 
 lining the elevation of hills, and irrigated with a num- 
 ar streams and rivers, which throw their waters part- 
 fro Lake Michigan, and partly into the Mississippi river.—. 
 a farming country, it unites the fertile soil of the finest low¬ 
 land prairies, with an elevation, which exempts it from the influ¬ 
 ence of stagnant waters, and a summer climate of delightful se¬ 
 renity ; while its natural meadows present all the advantages for 
 raising stock, of the most favored part of the valley of the Mis¬ 
 sissippi. It is already the seat of several flourishing plantations, 
 and only requires the extinguishment of the Indian title to the 
 lands, to become one of the most attractive lields for the emi¬ 
 grant. To the ordinary advantages of an agricultural mar ket 
 town, it must hereafter add that of a depot for the inland com¬ 
 merce, between the northern and southern sections of the union, 
 and a great thoroughfare for strangers, merchants and travel¬ 
 lers.” (Schoolcraft s Travels.) 
 
 Chicago creek, an arm of Lake Michigan, dividing itself into 
 two branches at the distance of one mile inland from its commu¬ 
 nication with the lake. The north branch extends along the 
 west side of the lake \ is about 10 or 11 miles in length, and is 
 
UNIVERSITY Of? -v, 
 ILLINOIS LIBRARY 
 
 AT UR3ANA-CHAM RA1GN 
 
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 100 
 
 GAZETTEER OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 course, ami empties into Henderson river on the left side, 15 
 miles above its mouth. 
 
 Chenail-ecarte, (Snicarty,) an arm or bayou of the Mississip¬ 
 pi, in Pike county, commonly called a** sloo ” It extends from 
 the middle of township 3 south, and continues through the allu¬ 
 vion, from one to four miles from the river, to the uppei part of 
 township 8 south. It is about 40 miles in length. The lands in 
 the vicinity are first rate, but are subject to annual inundations 
 from the river. 
 
 Chicago, a village in Pike county, situated on Lake Michigan, 
 at the mouth of Chicago creek. It contains 12 or 15 houses, and 
 about 60 or 70 inhabitants. From this place to Green Bay, by 
 the way of the lake, the distance is 275 miles, and 400 to the isl¬ 
 and of Mb hillimackinac. On the south side of the creek stands 
 Fort Dearborn. “ The country around Chicago is the most fertile 
 and beautiful that can be imagined It consists of an intermix¬ 
 ture of woods and prairies, diversified with gentle slopes, some¬ 
 times attaining the tdevation of hills, and irrigated with a num¬ 
 ber of clear streams and rivers, w hich throw their wafers part- 
 ly into Lake Michigan, and partly into the Mississippi river.— 
 As a farming country, it unites the. fertile soil of the finest low¬ 
 land prairies, with an elevation, which exempts itfromtbe influ¬ 
 ence of stagnant waters, and a summer climate of delightful se¬ 
 renity ; while its natural meadows present all the advantages for 
 raising stock, of the most favored part of the valley of the Mis¬ 
 sissippi. It is already the seat of several flourishing plantations, 
 and only requires the extinguishment of the Indian title to the 
 lands, to become one of the most attractive fields for the emi¬ 
 grant. *To the ordinary advantages of an agricultural market 
 town, it must hereafter add that of a depot for the inland . om- 
 merce, between the northern and southern sections of the union, 
 and a great thoroughfare for strangers, merchants and travel¬ 
 lers” (Schoolcraft's Travels.) 
 
 Chicago creek , an arm of Lake Michigan, dividing itself into 
 two branches at the distance of one mile inland from its commu¬ 
 nication with the lake The north branch extends along the 
 west side ot the lake; is about 10 or 11 miles in length, and is 
 
TOPOGRAPHICAL VIEW OF TOWNS, &C. 
 
 101 
 
 supplied from the prairies. The south branch has an extent of 
 several miles, anil communicates with a lake. In wet seasons, 
 boats of considerable size pass from this stream to the Des 
 Plaines, ami thence down the Illinois. The entrance of the 
 Chicago into the lake is about 80 yards wide. At present it 
 is obstructed by a sand-bar, which will only admit boats to 
 pass over it. Several expedients have been proposed for re¬ 
 moving this bar ; and among the number, one of the most in¬ 
 genious, and perhaps the most practicable, is that of turning the 
 Xalamick river, by means of a short canal, into the Chicago 
 above the fort, and thus, by the increased volume of water, to 
 drive out the sand which is continually thrown up by the lake. 
 It is feared, however, that the construction of a good harbour 
 will be attended with much difficulty and expense. 
 
 This stream has, for nearly a century, been one of the most 
 cotnmou northern routes to the Illinois and Mississippi. The 
 greatest proportion of the furs of the northwest are conveyed 
 through this channel to the lower lakes. 
 
 City of Illinois, see Illinois city . 
 
 Clear creek , a small stream in the southern part of the state. 
 It rises in Union county, and running in a southerly direction 
 about 25 miles, empties into the Mississippi in the northern part 
 of Alexander county, 40 miles above the mouth of the Ohio* 
 There are many small branches emptying into it from the east. 
 
 Colesgrove . a post town and the seat of justice of Pike county. 
 It was laid out in 1821, and is situated in township 11 south, in 
 range 2, west of the fourth principal meridian. Very little im¬ 
 provement has as yet been made in this place, or the vicinity. 
 The situation ol the town is high and healthy, and it bids fair 
 to become a place of some importance. 
 
 College township, 5 north, in range 1, west of the 3d principal 
 meridian, 6 miles square, granted by the United States to this 
 state for the support of a seminary of learning. The northern 
 boundary is three miles below Vandalia. It is watered by the 
 Kaskaskia and several of its tributaries, and is in general first 
 rate land. It is situated in Fayette county. 
 
 By an act passed in 1821, the auditor of public accounts was 
 
102 
 
 GAZETTEER OF ILLINOIS, 
 
 authorised to lease, to any individuals apph mg for that purpose, 
 any of the lands in tins township, upon the following terms, viz . 
 The lessee shall make his entry either for one hundred and sixty 
 or eighty acres, as he may choose, in a hook kept by the audi¬ 
 tor for that purpose, and shall have the land the first three years 
 free and clear of all rents whatever ; and after that time, shall 
 pay at the rate of 6 per cent per annum, on the quantity of land 
 he may enter, estimating the land in every instance at two dol¬ 
 lars per acre : the lessee to be bound to commit no waste ; and 
 should he not take possession within twelve months of the date 
 of his entry, to perfect his lease, the auditor shall have power to 
 distrain for rent, in the same way that any landlord in this state 
 could or might do. Provided , however , that no lease be for a 
 longer term than ten years ; and that any, or all of the lessees 
 shall be entitled to a credit out of his rent for the value thereof, 
 if he chooses to plant any apple trees, not exceeding two hun¬ 
 dred, upon any one quarter section ; which he must do to entitle 
 him to credit within the first seven years of his lease. The im¬ 
 provements are also bound for rent, and may be sold therefor. 
 
 Colombo creek , runs a southeast course through the northwest¬ 
 ern part of Jackson county, and empties into Big Beaucoup 
 creek. 
 
 Columbia , a small post town, and formerly the seat of justice 
 of Franklin county. It is situated about three miles east of Big 
 Muddy river, in section 19 of township 7 south, in range 3, 
 west of the 3d principal meridian. 
 
 Copperas creek , a small stream of Pike county. It rises in 
 township 8 north, in range 5, east of the 4th principal meridian; 
 runs a southerly course, and empties into the Illinois river in 
 section 24 of township 6 north, in range 5, east of the 4th prin¬ 
 cipal meridian. 
 
 Covington, an incorporated post town, and the seat of justice 
 of Washington county, situated on the left bank of the Kaskaskia 
 river, in section 33 of township 1 north, in range 3, west of the 
 3d principal meridian. This place is nearly central for the 
 county, and from present appearances promises to become of 
 considerable importance. It is under tiie government of five 
 
TOPOGRAPHICAL VIEW OP TOWNS, &C. 
 
 103 
 
 % 
 
 trustees. B> an act of the last legislature, a toll bridge is to be 
 built aerbss the ka- kaskia, opposite the town. 
 
 Covington is in latitude 3b° 25' north; 50 miles east-south¬ 
 east of St. Louis, and 45 southwest of Vandalia. 
 
 Crooked creek , a small stream of Washington countv. It 
 rises in township 1 north, in range 1, east of the 3d principal 
 meridian, and running a westerly course, empties into the 
 Kaskaskia river in section 2 7 of township 1 north, in range 3, 
 west of the 3d principal meridian. 
 
 Crooked creek , a navigable stream of the Illinois military 
 tract, which, from its length, deserves more properly the name 
 of river. It rises by two heads in township 7 north, and after 
 their union, runs a southeasterly course, and empties into the 
 Ill inois river in section 15 of township l south, in range 1, west 
 of the 4th principal meridian, 100 miles above its junction with 
 the Mississippi. The length of this stream is about 100 miles, 
 and it extends nearly the whole distance across the tract The 
 lands Mh this stream are generally first rate, hut those imme¬ 
 diately on its banks are subject to occasional inundation It has 
 many small tributaries emptying into it from the east ami west, 
 which afford good mill seats. A short distance above its mouth 
 is a very large pond, which no doubt will be a source of disease 
 to the. settlers.—Coal, iron ore, and fine freestone abound in the 
 banks of Crooked creek. 
 
 Crow Meadow river, a considerable stream in the northern 
 part of the state. It rises in the bills near the head waters of the 
 Vermilion of the Wabash, and running a northwest course, 
 empties into the Illinois a short distance above Lake Peoria. 
 It is more than 20 yards wide at its month, and is navigable 
 for some distance. Little is as yet known of the lands on the 
 hanks of this stream. 
 
 JDemiquain , a large lake emptying into the Illinois on the 
 east side, 3 miles below the mouth of Spoon river. It is several 
 miles in length, and from 1 to 2 in breadth. In ascending the 
 Illinois, it is very common for those who are unacquainted w ith 
 the navigation, to run up the lake ; to avoid this, it is necessary 
 to keep close to the west shore from Spoon river. At the lake, 
 
104 
 
 GAZETTEER OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 the river (urns to the west, nearly at right angles with its former 
 course. 
 
 Des Plaines , see Riviere des Plaines . 
 
 Diamond Grove , a fine settlement in Greene county. It is 
 situated in the centre of a large prairie, on the head waters of 
 Mauvaise-terre creek, 25 miles from the Illinois river. The 
 grove is in the form of a diam md. The surrounding country is 
 beautifully interspersed with prairie and woodland ; and its ad¬ 
 vantages in point of health, good water, fertility, &c. are such as 
 to insure to it a dense population. St may be considered as one 
 of the most desirable tracts in the state. 
 
 Diamond grove is 75 miles northwest of Alton, from which 
 place there is a public road. The first settlement w as com¬ 
 menced in 1820. 
 
 Donaldson , a town in Washington county, one mile east of 
 Carlyle. It is laid out on sections 17 and 20, of township 2 
 north, in range 2 , west of the 3d principal meridian, about 2 or 
 500 yards from the Kaskaskia river, on an elevated Tastern 
 bank. This town is as yet liitle more than laid out on paper. 
 The country in the vicinity is tolerably fertile, but the propor¬ 
 tion of prairie is too great to secure to it a very dense popula¬ 
 tion. In the vicinity of Donaldson there is a spring, which is 
 said to be medicinal. 
 
 Ducket river , a considerable stream in the northern part of 
 the state. It empties into the Wabash river between Fort Har¬ 
 rison and Tippecanoe river. (I have noticed this stream upon 
 the authority of several authors, although it is not laid down 
 upon the survey of the eastern boundary line of Illinois, which it 
 must cross if the above description is correct. 
 
 Du Page river , see Riviere du Page . 
 
 Eagle creek , see VJligle creek . 
 
 Edwards river , a considerable stream in the northern part 
 of the Illinois military tract. It rises in township 15 north, in 
 range 1, west of the 4th principal meridian, and running a west- 
 rly course to the middle of township 14 north, in range 5 
 
TOPOGRAPHICAL VIEW OF TOWNS, &C. 
 
 105 
 
 west, turns to the south, and empties into the Mississippi 
 on the east side, in section 16, of township 13 north, in range 5 
 west of the fourth principal meridian. It is navigable for a short 
 distance, and passes through “a district of country high and 
 undulating, but abounding with prairies, which, in many instan¬ 
 ces, are very extensive. 
 
 Edwardsville , an incorporated post town, and the seat of 
 justice of Madison county. The old town was laid out in 1815, 
 on a branch of the Cahokia creek, in sections 2, 3 and 11, of 
 township 4 north, in range 8, west of the third principal meridian, 
 and 20 miles northeast of St. Louis. It contains a court house, a 
 jail, a land office, a brick market, and about 60 or 70 dwelling 
 houses. The inhabitants are generally enterprising and indus¬ 
 trious. In the vicinity, is a grist mill, on the branch of 
 the Cahokia creek. The growth of this place has been very ra¬ 
 pid, and it bids fair to become an important inland town. The 
 new town was laid out about three or four years since, and be¬ 
 ing principally owned by a few wealthy individuals, it flourish¬ 
 ed considerably. Here is a bank, and a printing office, from 
 which is issued a weekly paper, entitled the “ Edwardsville 
 Spectator.” A great rivalship exists between the inhabitants 
 of these towns, which, though it may have been a temporary 
 advantage, will finally be an injury to both. 
 
 The local situation of Edwardsville is pleasant. It is on the 
 highlands, which bound the American bottom, and the centre of 
 a fertile and healthy country, well watered and timbered, and 
 gently undulating, presenting at once to the agriculturalist the 
 most desirable place for settlement. It would be useless to ob¬ 
 serve that this country is rapidly settling with frugal and indus¬ 
 trious farmers. In the vicinity, many plantations have been 
 opened by persons residing in the town, who find it much to their 
 advantage to devote a paid of their attention to agriculture. 
 
 Edwardsville is in latitude 38° 45' north, 50 miles east-south¬ 
 east ofVandalia. 
 
 Elkheart grove, a fine settlement of Sangamon county, in 
 township 17 north, in range 5, w est of the third principal merid¬ 
 ian, between Saline creek and the Sangamo river. The grove. 
 
 14 
 
106 
 
 GAZETTEER OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 contains about 1000 acres of the finest timber ; it is considera¬ 
 bly elevated above the surrounding prairie, and is already thick¬ 
 ly settled. The surrounding country, for some distance, is gen¬ 
 erally interspersed with prairies and woodland ; high, undulat¬ 
 ing, healthy and well-watered, and for farming purposes, can¬ 
 not be excelled. 
 
 Elkhorn creek, a small stream of Washington county. It ri¬ 
 ses in township 3 south, in range 4, west of the third principal 
 meridian, and running a northwest course about 20 miles, 
 empties into the Kaskaskia on the left side, in section 30, of 
 township 1 south, in range 5, west of the third principal merid¬ 
 ian. 
 
 Ellison*s prairie , a beautiful prairie, situated between the Em- 
 barras and Wabash rivers, and containing a large and flou¬ 
 rishing settlement. Jt is surrounded by a belt of the finest tim¬ 
 ber. 
 
 Elvira , a town of Union county, situated on Cash river. 
 
 Embarras river, fEmbroy.J a navigable stream in the east¬ 
 ern part of the state. It rises in Clark county, near the sources 
 of the Kaskaskia and Little Wabash rivers, and running a 
 southeast course, empties into the Wabash on the west side, 
 5 miles below Vincennes. r i he banks of this stream are low 
 and subject to inundations, but heavily timbered and fertile. 
 There are many valuable, mill-seats on the Euibarras and its 
 tributaries. 
 
 Fairfield, a small post town, and the seat of justice of Wayne 
 county. It has been but recently laid out, and contains as yet 
 but few inhabitants. 
 
 Feve river , see Bean river. 
 
 Fort Chartres , a large stone fort, built by the French while 
 in possession of the Illinois country. It is situated about a half 
 mile east of the Mississippi river, six miles above the village of 
 Prairie du Roeher, and about a mile west of the bottom road 
 from St. Louis to Kaskaskia. It is unquestionably among the 
 most astonishing works of art in our country. 
 
TOPOGRAPHICAL VIEW OF TOWNS, &C. 
 
 107 
 
 This fai t was originally built by the French in the year 1720, 
 to defend themselves against the Spaniards—about the same 
 time that New-Orleans was founded. In 1756 it was rebuilt in 
 its present form. 
 
 The only particular description of this fort which I have been 
 able to find, is contained in Capt. Pittman’s history of the Eu¬ 
 ropean settlements on the Mississippi, published in 1770. it is 
 as follows : 
 
 “ Fort Chartres, when it belonged to France, was the seat of 
 government of the Illinois. The head quarters of the English 
 commanding officer is now here, who in fact is the arbitrary go¬ 
 vernor of this country. The fort is an irregular quadrangle ; 
 the sides of the exterior polygon are 490 feet. It is built of 
 stone, and plastered over, and is only designed as a defence 
 against the Indians. The walls are two feet two inches thick, 
 and are pierced with loop-holes at regular distances, and with two 
 port holes for cannon in the faces, and tw 7 o in the flanks of each 
 bastion. The ditch has never been finished. The entrance to the 
 fort is through a very handsome rustic gate. Within the walls 
 is a banquette raised three feet, for the men to stand on when 
 they fire through the loop-holes. The buildings within the fort 
 are, a commandant’s ami commissary’s house, the magazine of 
 stores, corps de garde, and two barracks ; the.se occupy the 
 square. Within the gorges of the bastion are a pow der maga¬ 
 zine. a bake-house, and a prison, in the lower floor of which are 
 four dungeons, and in the upper, two rooms, and an out house 
 belonging to the commandant. The commandant’s house is 
 thirty-two yards long and ten broad, and contains a kitchen, a 
 dining-room, a bed-chamber, one small room, five closets for 
 servants, and a cellar. The commissary’s house (now occupie d 
 b) officers) is built on the same linens this,and its proportion and 
 the distribution of its apartments are the same. Opposite these 
 are the store-house and guard-house ; they are each thirty yards 
 long and eight broad. The former consists of two large sho e- 
 rooms, (under which is a large vaulted cellar,) a large room, a 
 bed-chamber, and a closet for the store keeper ; the latter, of a 
 soldier s’ and officers’ guard-room, a chapel, a bed-chamber, a 
 closet for the chaplain, and an artillery store-room. The lines 
 of barracks have never been finished ; they at present consist 
 
108 
 
 GAZETTEER OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 of two rooms each for officers, and three for soldiers : they are 
 each twenty feet square, and have betwixt them a small passage. 
 There are fine spacious lofts over each building, which reach 
 from end to end ; these are made use of to lodge regimental 
 stores, working and intrenching tools, &c. It is generally be¬ 
 lieved that this is the most convenient and best built fort in 
 North America.” 
 
 Such was this fort half a century since. Since it was first 
 erected, several changes have taken place in the channel of the 
 Mississippi, which it may not be uninteresting to notice. 
 
 Father Charlevoix, who visited the Mississippi in 1721, ob¬ 
 serves, that“ Fort Chartres stands about the distance of a mus¬ 
 ket shot from the river ; and that M. Duque de Boisbrillard, a 
 gentleman of Canada, commands here for the company, to whom 
 this place belongs.” 
 
 In 1756, it was a half mile from the water side ; in 1766, it 
 was but eighty paces. In 1770, Capt. Pittman observes, “ the 
 hank of the Mississippi is continually falling in, being worn 
 aw ay by the current, which has been turned from its course by a 
 sand-bank, now increased to a considerable island, covered with 
 willows. Eight years ago the river was fordable to the island ; 
 the channel is now forty feet deep.” After this time the river 
 was gradually making encroachments, and about 1772, it in¬ 
 undated its banks, and formed a channel so near the fort, that 
 one side of it, and two of its bastions were thrown down, which 
 circumstance induced the British to abandon it. Since its aban¬ 
 donment, a bar has again been formed in front of the fort, near¬ 
 ly half a mile in width, and is covered with a thick growth of 
 cotton wood and willows. 
 
 At. present this work exhibits only a splendid ruin. The Mis¬ 
 sissippi, as before stated, has, by its encroachments, torn away 
 the front or w est face, and those parts of the wall which have es¬ 
 caped, have been destroyed by the neighboring inhabitants. 
 In front, all that remains, is a small stone cellar, w hich has no 
 doubt been a magazine : some distance above, or north 
 of this, is an excavation in the earth, which has the appearance 
 of having been burned ; it may have been a furnace for heating 
 shot, as one of the cannon must have been in this vicinity. Not 
 a vestige of the wall is to be seen on this side, except a few 
 
TOPOGRAPHICAL VIEW OP TOWNS, &C. 109 
 
 stones, which still remain in the ravine below. At the south¬ 
 east angle there is a gate, and the wall is perfect. It is about fif¬ 
 teen feet high and three feet thick, and is built of coarse lime¬ 
 stone, quarried in the hills about two miles distant, and is well 
 cemented. The south side is, with few exceptions, perfect; 
 as is also the southeast bastion. The northeast is generally 
 in ruins. On the east face are two port holes for cannon, 
 which are still perfect ; they are about three feet square, 
 formed by solid rocks or clefts worked smooth, and into proper 
 shape ; here is also a large gate, 18 feet wide, the sides of which 
 still remain in a state of tolerable preservation ; the cornices 
 and casements, however, which formerly ornamented it, have 
 all been taken away. A considerable portion of the north side 
 of the fort, has also been destroyed. 
 
 The houses, which make up the square in the inside, are gen¬ 
 erally in ruins. Sufficient, however, remains to enable the visit¬ 
 or to ascertain exactly their dimensions and relative situations. 
 The well, which is little injured by time, is about twenty-four 
 feet north of the northeast house, which, according to Pittman, 
 was the commandant’s house. The banquette is entirely destroy¬ 
 ed. The magazine is in a perfect state, and is an uncommon 
 specimen of solidity. Its wails are four feet thick, and it is arch¬ 
 ed in the inside. 
 
 Over the whole fort, there is a considerable growth of trees, 
 and in the hall of one of the houses, there is an oak about eigh¬ 
 teen inches in diameter 
 
 In the vicinity of the fort are the ruins of a small village. In 
 1764, it contained about forty families, and also a parish church, 
 dedicated to St. Anne, and served by a Franciscan friar. When 
 the English took possession of the country, they all abandoned 
 their houses, except three or four poor fainiles, and settled in the 
 villages on the west side of the Mississippi, choosing to con¬ 
 tinue under the French government. 
 
 The history of this fort is interesting, as it is intimately con¬ 
 nected with the early history of the country. 
 
 Ever since the discovery of Louisiana by the French, it ap¬ 
 pears to have been a favourite object with them to secure a com¬ 
 munication between the Canadas and the sea. As soon as the 
 Spaniards became aware of their designs, and the vast import 
 
110 
 
 GAZETTEER OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 ance which (he country thus secured would be to them, they be¬ 
 came jealous of their neighbours, and began to make encroach¬ 
 ments upon them, and as early as the year 1699, they attempt¬ 
 ed to prevent the landing of M. D’Iberville, with his colony at 
 the mouth of the Mississippi. 
 
 It was not, however, until after the grant made by Louis XIV- 
 to Crozat had been retroceded, and the celebrated company of 
 the west formed, that the possession of Louisiana excited such 
 lively interest. When it was supposed that the precious metals 
 were to be found here in abundance, then it was that the eyes of all 
 the speculating capitalists of Europe were turned to the new world. 
 They seized with avidity an opportunity to enrol themselves as 
 members of the company, and partake of the promised wealth. 
 Under the direction and management of M. Law, whose genius, 
 talents and influence were of the highest order, each supposed 
 that his coffers were already filled, and his happiness complete* 
 
 It was during this paroxysm, that the establishment of Fort 
 Chartres was first projected. It was considered an advanta¬ 
 geous site, being in the centre of the settlements ; but more par¬ 
 ticularly as being in the vicinity of the mines, which they sup¬ 
 posed would need protection and defence. It continued under 
 the direction of the company until 1731, when their splendid 
 schemes having totally failed, this, together with the whole ter¬ 
 ritory, was retroceded to the crown, and continued in its pos¬ 
 session until the year 1762, when it was ceded to the British, 
 who, however, did not take possession of it until 1765. In 1772, 
 Fort Chartres was abandoned by the British, and has never 
 since been occupied. At present, its only use is to furnish buil¬ 
 ding materials to the inhabitants in the vicinity. 
 
 Annexed is a plan of the fort, drawn from a survey made by 
 N. Hansen, Esq. of Illinois, and myself, in 1820. 
 
 aaaaaaaaa The exterior wall—1447 feet. 
 e T he gate or entrance to the fort, 
 c A small gate. 
 
 dd The two houses formerly occupied by the commandant and 
 commissary, each 96 feet in length, and 30 in breadth. 
 e The well. 
 f The magazine. 
 

TOPOGRAPHICAL VIEW OF TOWNS, &C. 
 
 11J 
 
 gggg Houses formerly occupied as barracks, 135 feet in length, 
 36 in breadth. 
 
 mi Formerly occupied as a store house and guard house, 90 
 feet by 24. 
 
 i The remains of a small magazine. 
 k The remains of a furnace. 
 
 ill A ravine, whirl) in the spring, is filled with water. Be¬ 
 tween this and the river, which is about half a mile, is 
 a thick growth of cotton wood. 
 
 The area of the fort is about four square acres. 
 
 Fort Ctark 9 see Peoria . 
 
 Fort Dearborn , a military post on the south shore of Chicago 
 creek, 4 or 500 yards from its entrance into Lake Michigan— 
 consisting of a square stockade, inclosing barracks, quarters for 
 the officers, a magazine, provision-store, &c. and defended by 
 bastions at the northwest and southeast angles. Its situation is 
 high and pleasant; and should the canal be completed between 
 the lake and the Illinois river, this must become a place of con¬ 
 siderable consequence, being the only good town site on the 
 margin of the lake for several miles. It is at present occupied 
 by a hundred and sixty men, under the command of Captain 
 Bradford. It is 63 miles due west from the St. Joseph of the 
 lakes, and by the meanders of the south limb of the lake, 99 
 miles, according to the survey of Major Whistler. 
 
 This fort was abandoned in 1812, in consequence of the dis¬ 
 graceful surrender of Gen. Hull. A great number of the troops 
 shortly after leaving the fort, were inhumanly murdered by the 
 savages, who lay in ambush on the margin of the lake. The 
 follow ing account of this affair is extracted from M’Afee’s his¬ 
 tory of the late war in the western country. “ On the morning 
 of the 15th (Aug.) at sunrise, the troops, consisting of about 70 
 men, with some women and children, marched from the fort* 
 with pack horses in the centre,and Capt, Wells with his Indians 
 in the rear. They had proceeded about a mile from the fort? 
 w hen the front guard w as fired on by the savages, w ho were pos¬ 
 ted behind a sandbank on the margin of the lake, and in a skirt 
 of woods w hi( h the party was approaching, the rest of the coun¬ 
 try around them being an open prairie. At the same time they 
 
112 
 
 GAZETTEER OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 saw a body of Indians passing to their rear, to cutoff their re¬ 
 treat, to the fort. r I he firing now became general* and the 
 troops seeing nothing but death and massacre before them, form¬ 
 ed in line of battle, and returned the fire of the enemy with much 
 bravery and success, as they slowly retreated in the prairie.— 
 The Indians made several desper ate efforts to rush up and tom¬ 
 ahawk them ; but every charge was repulsed by the firmness of 
 the troops, who fought with desperation, determined to sell their 
 lives as dear as possible. Capt. Wells being killed, his Indians 
 retired from the party and joined the others. Several women 
 and children were also killed ; and our ranks were at last so re¬ 
 duced. as scarcely to exceed twenty effective men : yet they con¬ 
 tinued resolute, and stuck together, resolved to fight while one 
 remained able to fire. But the Indians now withdrew some dis¬ 
 tance, and sent a small French boy to demand a surrender. The 
 boy was Capt. Heald’s interpreter, who had run off to the In¬ 
 dians at the commencement of the action. He advanced cau¬ 
 tiously ; and Mr. Griffith, who was afterwards a lieutenant in a 
 company of spies, in Col. Johnson’s regiment from Kentucky, 
 advanced to meet him, intending to kill him for his perfidy. But 
 the boy declared, that it was the only way he had to save his 
 life, and appeared sorry that he had been obliged to act in that 
 manner. He then made known his business ; the Indians pro¬ 
 posed to spare the lives of our men, provided they would surren¬ 
 der. The proposal being made known to the surviving soldiers, 
 they unanimously determined to reject it. The boy returned 
 with this answer to the Indians ; but in a short time he came 
 back, and entreated Mr. Griffith to use his influence with Capt 
 Heald, to make him surrender, as the Indians were very nume¬ 
 rous. The captain, his lady, and Mr. Griffith, were all wound¬ 
 ed. He at last consented to surrender ; and the troops having 
 laid down their arms, the Indians advanced to receive them ? 
 and notwithstanding their promises, they now perfidiously toma¬ 
 hawked three or four of the men. One Indian with the fury of a 
 demon in his countenance, advanced to Mrs. Heald, with his tom¬ 
 ahawk drawn. She had been accustomed to danger ; and knowing 
 the temper of the Indians, with great presence of mind, she look¬ 
 ed him in the face, and smiling, said, “ Surely you would not 
 kill a squaw.” His arm fell nerveless ; the conciliating smile of 
 
T0POGRAPHICAL VIEW OF TOWNS, &G. 113 
 
 an innocent female, appealing to the magnanimity of a warrior, 
 reached the heart of the savage, and subdued the barbarity of 
 his soul. He immediately took the lady under his protection.— 
 She was the daughter of Gen. Samuel Wells, of Kentucky. The 
 head of Capt. Wells was cut off, and his heart was cut out and 
 eaten by the savages. - 
 
 The Indians having divided their prisoners, as usual in such 
 cases, it was the fate of Capt. Heald, his lady, and Mr. Griffith, 
 to be taken by the Ottawas on the lake beyond the mouth of the 
 river St. Joseph. Their wounds being severe, they looked upon 
 destruction as inevitable ; but Heaven often smiles when we 
 least expect it. Griffith had observed a canoe, which was large 
 enough to carry them ; and they contrived to escape in it by 
 night. In this frail bark they traversed the lake 200 miles to 
 Mackinaw, where the British commander afforded them the 
 means of returning to the United States.’’ 
 
 After the war, this fort was repaired, and again taken posses¬ 
 sion of by the American troops. Since which time, it has al¬ 
 ways been occupied by a garrison. “ About twenty miles north 
 of this fort, there is a bed of red oxide of iron, in a state of great 
 purity, and its preparation as a pigment, may be expected to re¬ 
 sult from the influx of emigrants. Pyrites are also very com¬ 
 mon in this vicinity ; yet it is a singular fact, that the bricks at 
 Chicago, which are manufactured from the earth, taken upon the 
 banks of the creek, burn white , like the Stourbridge fire-bricks, 
 indicating, as I am led to conclude, an absence of iron, in any of 
 its numerous forms of combination, at least, in the usual degree.” 
 Schoolcraft. 
 
 Fort Dearborn is in latitude 41° 45' N. 
 
 Fort Edwards , is situated on the east bank of the Mississippi, 
 in Pike county, at the foot of the rapids of the Riviere des Moi¬ 
 nes. These rapids are in the Mississippi, and take their name 
 from being uear the mouth of the Riviere des Moines. They are 
 nine miles in length, and terminate about half a mile above the 
 junction of the two streams. Opposite the fort, the water is deep 
 and gentle 
 
 The fort is situated on a high rocky bluff, consisting of sand¬ 
 stone, which, however, but rarely appears on the surface. The 
 
 15 
 
114 
 
 GAZETTEER OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 country cast, is undulating, well timbered and well watered. In 
 the vicinity of the fort, in Pike county, native alum is found in 
 abundance. It is somewhat darker in its colour than the man¬ 
 ufactured, but is said to be almost equally pure. There are also 
 a number of caves, in which salt petre is found in abundance.— 
 In many of them, the bottom of the cave is white, and the mine¬ 
 ral appears in the form of waves. 
 
 Fort Massac , a small settlement of Johnson county, formerly 
 a military post, situated on the bank of the Ohio, nine miles be¬ 
 low the mouth of Tennessee river, and forty above its junction 
 with the Mississippi. A fort was first built here by the French, 
 when in possession of this country. The Indians, who were 
 then at war with them, laid a curious stratagem to take it, and 
 it answered their purpose. A number of them appeared in the 
 day time on the opposite side of the river, each of whom was 
 covered with a bear-skin, and walked on all fours. Supposing 
 them to be bears, a party of the French crossed the river in pur¬ 
 suit of them. The remainder of the troops left their quarters, 
 and resorted to the bank of the river in front of the garrison, to 
 observe the sport. In the mean time, a large body of warriors, 
 who were concealed in the woods near by, came silently up be¬ 
 hind the fort, and entered it w ithout opposition, and very few of 
 the French escaped the carnage. They afterwards built another 
 fort on the same ground, and called it Massac , in memory of 
 this disastrous event * It was occupied by them until about 
 1750, when it was abandoned. After the revolutionary war, it 
 was repaired by the Americans, and was garrisoned for se¬ 
 veral years. At present it is in a state of decay. The travel¬ 
 ler can, however, still observe the ruins of three block-houses, 
 and a number of barracks built in the form of a square. 
 
 The latitude of Fort Massac, according to Ellicott, is 57° 15' 
 N. It is 120 miles below the mouth of the Wabash. 
 
 Fort river , a small branch of the Kaskaskia river, emptying 
 into it from the w 7 est, in township 11 north, in range 5, east of the 
 Sd principal meridian. Its general course is southeast. About 
 12 miles above the mouth is a bluff, on which is a fort called 
 
 * Stoddard’s Sketches of Louisiana:. 
 
TOPOGRAPHICAL VIEW OF TOWNS, &C. 115 
 
 Chickcsaw. It was erected by the Kaskaskia Indians, and 
 taken from them by the Kickapoos. 
 
 Fountain ferry, at Lower Alton, on the Mississippi. It is 
 supplied with a convenient ferry boat. Travellers from the east 
 to the northern part of Missouri, generally cross here. 
 
 Fox river, a navigable stream in the northern part of the 
 state. It rises near Lake Michigan, passes within 12 miles of 
 the Melwakec, (which discharges itself into Lake Michigan, 90 
 miles north of Chicago,) runs a southwest course, and empties 
 into the Illinois on the right side, a short distance above the 
 great bend. At the place where Fox river approaches to within 
 twelve miles of the Melwakee, there is an Indian village, from 
 which, fifty miles due west, is a portage to a large Winebago vil¬ 
 lage, called Coscoenage , (or republic,) on Rock river. Fox river 
 is a clear and beautiful stream, with a gentle current, uninter¬ 
 rupted by rapids. Near the point of its embouchure is an ex¬ 
 tensive and valuable bed of mineral coal. “ The stratum appears 
 on the banks of the river, and is said to have an extensive range 
 to the northwest, and is only covered by a light deposit of allu¬ 
 vial soil of a few feet in thickness.”— Schoolcraft . 
 
 Fox river , a small stream, runs a southeast course through 
 Crawford and Edwards counties, and falls into the Wabash on 
 the right side. 
 
 Frankfort , a small post town, recently fixed as the permanent 
 seat of justice of Franklin county. 
 
 French village , ( Village du Cote, Fr.) a small village of St. 
 Clair county. It is situated about seven miles southeast of St. 
 Louis, at the foot of the Mississippi bluffs, in sections 28 and 35 
 of township 2 north, in range 9, west of the 3d principal meridian. 
 The inhabitants are principally French, who preserve all their 
 ancient manners and customs. 
 
 Gibraltar, a small post town in Madison county, on the east 
 bank of the Mississippi, opposite to the mouth of the Missouri 
 river. It is located on a high rocky bluff, on sections 17, 18 and 
 20, of township 5 north, in range 9, west of the 3d principal 
 
lit> 
 
 GAZETTEER OE ILLINOIS. 
 
 meridian. There is an ox*mill at this place, a post-oftice, ami 
 five or six houses. 
 
 Golconda , (formerly Lusk’s ferry, J a small post town, and the 
 seat of justice of Pope county. It is situated on the right bank 
 of the Ohio river, about eighty miles above its junction with the 
 Mississippi, and twenty below the mouth of Cumberland river. 
 It contains about fifty houses, and is in a state of improve¬ 
 ment. Here is a ferry across the Ohio, which affords a direct 
 communication by roads with different parts of Kentucky and 
 Tennessee. 
 
 Grand Kalimick river , a considerable stream in the northern 
 part of the state. Its course is devious, forming a semicircle 
 nearly parallel with the south limb of Lake Michigan, into 
 which it empties in the state of Indiana. It unites with the 
 Little Kalimick, and at some seasons forms a communication 
 with it. 
 
 Grand Pierre creek , a small stream of Pope county, emptying 
 into the Ohio four miles above Golconda. 
 
 Grand Prairie. —This is by far the most extensive prairie in 
 the state. It extends from about the base line near the third 
 principal meridian, between the Kaskaskia and Wabash rivers, 
 in a northeast direction ; then veering to the north, between the 
 head waters of Vermilion of the Wabash, Woman river of Tip¬ 
 pecanoe, Iroquois and Ma-qua-pin-a-con of the Kankakee, on 
 the north side, to near the junction of the Illinois and Kankakee 
 rivers, leaving on the southwest the Sangamo, Michilimacinac 
 and Vermilion river of the Illinois ; thence crossing the Kan¬ 
 kakee, bordered with small skirts of timber, passing northeast 
 to Chicago, leaving on the west the Illinois river, and on the 
 east the Kalimick of Lake Michigan ; thence continuing north 
 between Lake Michigan and the River des Pleines, to the north¬ 
 ern boundary of the state, and eastvvardly between the waters 
 of the Kankakee, to within nine miles of the Cowpen trading- 
 house on St. Joseph’s river. North and east of this, wood land 
 prevails. This prairie is generally high and undulating, with 
 a sandy soil. It is very questionable whether it will ever be 
 thickly settled. 
 
TOPOGRAPHICAL VIEW OF TOWNS, &C. 
 
 117 
 
 Greenville , a flourishing post town, and the seat of justice of 
 Bond county. It is situated in section 10 of township 5 north, 
 in range 3, west of the third principal meridian, on the east fork 
 of Shoal creek. The first house was built here in 1819. At 
 present it contains upwards of fifty. The situation of the place 
 is high and healthy. The surrounding country is well watered, 
 and contains a sufficiency of timber. The soil is generally fer¬ 
 tile. Both the town and country in the vicinity are in a state of 
 rapid improvement. 
 
 Greenville is in latitude 38° 50' N. $ 18 miles southwest from 
 Vandal ia. 
 
 Hamburg , (formerly Penrod 9 s ferry,) a small town in Union 
 county, on the left bank of the Mississippi river, in section 11 
 of township 13 south, in range 3, west of the third principal me¬ 
 ridian. its situation is low and unhealthy. As yet this place 
 contains but 10 or 12 houses, which are chiefly built of logs. 
 Here is a ferry, at which the road from America to Boon’s Lick 
 crosses the Mississippi. The distance from America is 30 miles. 
 
 Hamilton , the seat of justice of Montgomery, laid out in 1821, 
 in sections 10 and 15 of township 8 north, in range 4, west of 
 the third principal meridian—three quarters of a mile west of 
 the middle fork of Shoal creek, at the edge of a small prairie, 
 on high, firm, and commanding ground. It contains within its 
 limits several never failing springs of excellent running water. 
 The surrounding country is well timbered, well watered, fertile, 
 and thickly populated. Its situation, in point of healthiness, is 
 not exceeded by any in the state. 
 
 Hamilton is in latitude 39° 8' N. $ about 30 miles northwest 
 from Vandalia. 
 
 Harrisonvillc, a post town, and the seat of justice of Monroe 
 county, situated in section 18 of township 3 south, in range II, 
 west of the third principal meridian. It^contains 40 or 50 
 houses, scattered over an extensive surface, which is low arid 
 subject to inundation. The surrounding country is very fertile, 
 and a considerable quantity of its surplus produce is shipped 
 to the southern market. A sand-bar is forming in front of 
 this place, which will greatly, affect its commercial import- 
 
118 
 
 GAZETTEER OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 ancc. The town is surrounded by a heavy growth of timber, 
 consisting of oak, maple, elm, &c. In its vicinity are seve¬ 
 ral distilleries, and saw and grist-mills. Some time since, a 
 small quantity of native copper was found on the highlands, a 
 short distance east of this place. A shaft was sunk in 1817; 
 hut in consequence of some untoward circumstances, was shortly 
 after abandoned, and has not since been worked. About 5 miles 
 east of this place there is a salt-lick, near which were found, 
 about twenty years ago, fragments of vessels, which appeared 
 to have been about four feet square, two or three feet deep, and 
 one inch thick. They were made of clay, sand and shells, were 
 very hard, and appeared to have been used as salt kettles. 
 
 Harrisonville is nearly opposite Herculaneum, in latitude 38° 
 20' N. ; 30 miles south of St. Louis, and 85 miles southwest of 
 Vandal ia. 
 
 Henderson’s river , a navigable stream in the northwestern part 
 of the Illinois bounty tract. It rises in township 12 north, in 
 range 1, east of the fourth principal meridian ; runs a westerly 
 course for some distance, then turns to the southwest, and emp¬ 
 ties into the Mississippi on the left side, in section 14 of town¬ 
 ship 10 north, in range 6, west of the fourth principal meridian. 
 It is about 50 miles in length, a considerable part of which is 
 navigable. The lands bordering on this stream are generally 
 prairie. For some distance below its mouth, the banks of the 
 Mississippi are very low, and subject to annual inundation. 
 
 Horse creek , a small stream of Randolph county. It rises in 
 township 4 south, in range 9, west of the third principal meri¬ 
 dian, and running a southerly course, empties into the Kas- 
 kaskia on the right side, in section 12 of township 5 south, in 
 range 8, west of the third principal meridian. 
 
 Hurricane fork of Kaskashia river , rises near the sources 
 of the south fork of the Sangamo, and running a southerly 
 course, empties into the Kaskaskia on the right side, twelve 
 miles below Vandalia. The banks of this stream are mostly 
 well timbered, but in many places subject to inundation. It not 
 unfrequently happens, that a rain of two or three hours renders 
 this stream impassible; its fall, however, is generally as sudden 
 as its rise. 
 
TOPOGRAPHICAL VIEW OP TOWNS, &C. 
 
 119 
 
 Illinois bounty tract , see Military bounty tract . 
 
 Illinois city , a town of St. Clair county, located in 1819, on a 
 part of the common fields of the village of Cahokia. The lots 
 were distributed among the inhabitants of the village, and were 
 confirmed to them by an act of congress passed in 1820. Nq 
 improvement has as yet been made on the premises. The town 
 is laid out on the prairie, a short distance from Cahokia. 
 
 Illinois lake , an expansion of the Illinois river, commencing at 
 Fort Clark, two hundred miles above its junction with the Mis¬ 
 sissippi, and extending in a northerly direction about twenty 
 miles. It receives its name from the circumstance of its being 
 wider than the river, and having scarcely any current. The 
 name given to it by the Indians, is Pin-a-tah-wee; on account 
 of its being frequently covered with a scum which has a greasy 
 appearance. The water of the lake is clear, and its bottom gra¬ 
 velly. It abounds with fish of various kinds, such as sturgeon, 
 huffaloe, carp, several different species of bass, pickerel, pike, 
 perch, white-fish, &c. These fish are so abundant, that they 
 form an important article of export. The shore of the lake in 
 many places is sandy; the descent gradual, and unobstructed 
 by trees, affording every facility for carrying on an extensive 
 fishery. 
 
 Independence , a town in Bond county, situated on a bluff, one 
 hundred and sixty yards from the right bank of the Kaskaskia 
 river, on the northwest quarter of section 19, of township 4 
 north, in range 1, west of the third principal meridian. The sit¬ 
 uation of this place is very unhealthy, being surrounded by a 
 number of stagnant ponds and marshes. The town is laid out 
 on a very extensive scale, but no improvements have as yet been 
 made on the ground. It only exists on paper, and constitutes a 
 part of the speculating medium of the state. It was laid out dur¬ 
 ing the time of the town-making mania, and a few of the lots 
 were sold to those who were either ignorant of their true situa¬ 
 tion, or who expected to sell them to other persons at a large 
 profit. 
 
120 
 
 GAZETTEER OP ILLINOIS. 
 
 Iroquois river, see Canawaga river . 
 
 Johnsonsport , nearly opposite the mouth of the Missouri, in 
 Madison county, contains a large ware house, formerly owned 
 by Col. Johnson, and two or three dwelling houses. At present 
 it is merely a stopping place for the boats bound to the northern 
 part of this state. 
 
 Jonesborough, a flourishing post town, and the seat of justice 
 of Union county, incorporated in 1821, under the government of 
 five trustees. The limits of the incorporation include the whole 
 of section 30, of township 12 south, in range 1, west of the third 
 principal meridian. It is situated on one of the branches of 
 Clear creek, and contains about 40 or 50 houses. A great pro¬ 
 portion of the inhabitants are Germans, who, by their industry, 
 have contributed much to the improvement of the settlement.— 
 They chiefly belong to the religious sect called Dunkards. 
 
 Jonesborough is 28 miles north of the town of America, from 
 which a post road has been established, by an act of congress.— 
 It is in latitude 37° 25' north, 25 miles south of Brownsville, 18 
 east of the Mississippi, and 102 nearly due south of Vandalia. 
 
 Jortae river , a considerable stream in the northeastern part of 
 the state, running a serpentine course for a considerable distance 
 east, and emptying into the Wabash between Vincennes and Fort 
 Harrison. 
 
 (1 have noticed this stream on the authority of several au¬ 
 thors, although it is not mentioned in the survey of tho boun¬ 
 dary line between Illinois and Indiana, which it must cross, if 
 the above description is at all correct.) 
 
 Kankakee river, see Theakiki . 
 
 Kaskaskia , an incorporated post town, and the seat of justice 
 of Randolph county, and formerly the capital of the state. It is 
 situated on the right bank of the river of the same name, seven 
 miles above its junction with the Mississippi, from which it is 
 about three miles east. It is near the southern extremity of the 
 American bottom. The first settlement made here was by the 
 French of Canada, shortly after the visit of La Salle in 1683 ; 
 and so long as the French continued in possession of the Illinois 
 
TOPOGRAPHICAL VIEW OF TOWNS, &C. 121 
 
 country, Kaskaskia was its capital, and was flourishing and po¬ 
 pulous. When Charlevoix visited it in 1721, it contained a Jes¬ 
 uit college, the ruins of which only remain. In 1763, this 
 place, as well as the country east of tiie Mississippi, was ceded 
 by France to Great Britain. In 1766, it contained about 100 
 families, w hich number it retained until the revolutionary war. 
 In 1778, the fort situated on the east side of the Kaskaskia river, 
 was taken by Col. afterwards Gen. George Rogers Clarke.— 
 After that time, and until within a few years, this town continued 
 gradually to decline ; owing chiefly to the ordinance of 1787, 
 which prohibited slavery and involuntary servitude, in what was 
 then denominated the northwestern territory. The slave hold- 
 ers were disposed to preserve this species of property, and in 
 order to do it effectually, they abandoned their ancient hab¬ 
 itations, and joined their friends in the new dominions of' 
 Spain, on the west side of the Mississippi. 
 
 At present this place contains upwards of 150 houses. They 
 are scattered over an extensive plain; and the greatest propor¬ 
 tion are built of wood, in the French style. Many of them have 
 fine gardens in front and rear, which give them a rural appear¬ 
 ance. Here is a Catholic church, a court house and jail, and a 
 land-office for the sale of public lands in this district. A bridge is 
 about to be erected across the Kaskaskia river, under the au¬ 
 thority of an act of the legislature. This w ill he of immense ad¬ 
 vantage to the town and surrounding country. On the east side 
 of the river, directly opposite the town, the bluffs approach the 
 river, and continue parallel with it to its junction w ith the Mis¬ 
 sissippi, when they follow the course of that stream in a south¬ 
 erly direction, and terminate thirty-five miles above the mouth 
 of the Ohio, forming the southern boundary of the highlands on 
 the Mississippi. From the tow n to the junction of the Kaskas¬ 
 kia with the Mississippi, there is a body of land, called “ the 
 Point ,” which is low, and subject to inundation, but well timber¬ 
 ed. It abounds in wild horses, numbers of which are annually 
 caught 
 
 By an act of congress, passed in 1788, a large tract of land 
 was granted to the different French villages on the cast side of 
 the Mississippi, and a separate tract to the inhabitants of Kas- 
 
 16 
 
122 
 
 GAZETTEER OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 kaskia, to bp used as a common. It is situated on the Missis¬ 
 sippi. and contains twenty thousand acres. It is under the di¬ 
 rection of the trustees of the town, in conformity with the special 
 acts of the legislature. 
 
 Kaskaskia is in latitude 57° 57' north, Smiles east of the Mis¬ 
 sissippi river, 60 miles south-southeast of St. Louis, and 85 
 south-southwest of Vandalia. 
 
 Kaskaskia reservation , a tract of land containing about 70© 
 acres, situated on Big Muddy l iver, in township 9 south, in 
 range S, west of the third principal meridian. This is all that 
 at present belongs to the Kaskaskia Indians, w ho, but a few 
 years ago posses ed nearly the w hole state of Illinois. Should the 
 land become tah.able, il is not probable that they will continue 
 to keep possession even of this small d art. 
 
 Kaskaskia river , a large stream, rising in the northeastern 
 part of the state, near the head waters of the Embarras and Lit¬ 
 tle Wabash rivers, anti running in a southwestern direction 
 through the state, empties into the Mississippi on the left side, 
 in sections 14 and 15, of township 9 south, in range 7 w est of the 
 third principal meridian, about 100 miles above the mouth of the 
 Ohio. It is upwards of 300 miles in length, and receives numer¬ 
 ous tributaries. The most considerable of these are Lost, Croo¬ 
 ked, Elkhorn and Plumb creeks from the east ; the West fork, 
 Turkey, Blackbird and Meahkaninon creeks. Fort Rive]-, Hur¬ 
 ricane fork. Shoal, Sugar, Silver, Richland and Horse creeks, 
 from the west. This river is navigable in high water to Van- 
 dalia, 150 miles from its mouth. Us banks, and those of 
 its tributaries, are generally fertile, and contain some ofthe rich¬ 
 est and most flourishing settlements in the state. The country 
 is generally undulating, and is well adapted to the cultivation of 
 corn, wheat, rye, oats and tobacco. Cotton is not a sure crop, 
 on account of the early frosts. With care and attention, a suffi¬ 
 cient quantity is raised for home consumption, and it may in 
 time become an article of export. The Kaskaskia is about 150 
 yards wide at its mouth. The left hank is high, and affords 
 a line situation for a town; but in many places the hanks of this 
 
123 
 
 TOPOGRAPHICAL VIEW OF TOWNS, &C. 
 
 stream are low, ami subject to inundation, which is a fruitful 
 source of disease. 
 
 Keys 9 settlement , is situated in Sangamon county. It is 68 
 miles north of Edwardsvilie, on the main road between that place 
 and Fort Clark. 
 
 Kickapoo , or Redbud creek , a small stream of Pike county, 
 running a south and southeast course, and emptying into the 
 Illinois river on the right side, two miles below Fort Clark. 
 On the banks of this stream is an extensive bed of coal, which 
 furnished fuel to the garrison and the inhabitants of Peoria. 
 The stratum is about 12 or 14 feet below the surface, and is 
 overlaid by slate, limestone and sandstone. There are also 
 several valuable mill-seats on this stream. 
 
 Kincaid creek , a trifling branch of Big Muddy river. 
 
 L’Jligle creek , a small stream of Monroe county, running a 
 northeast course, then bending to the southwest, and emptying 
 into the Mississippi on the left side, in section 7, of township 3 
 south, in range 11, west of the 3d principal meridian, about one 
 mile above Harrisonville. 
 
 Lake Peoria , see Illinois Luke . 
 
 La Page river , sec Riviere du Page. 
 
 Lawrenceville , the county seat of Lawrence, situated on the 
 west bank of Embarras river, about ten miles west of Vin¬ 
 cennes, on the direct road to Vandalia, in the centre of a fertile 
 and thickly settled country. The Embarras is navigable to 
 this place. It is in latitude 38° 40' north ; 77 miles east-south¬ 
 east of Vandalia, 
 
 Lebanon , a flourishing post town of St. Clair county, situated 
 on the west bank of Silver creek, in section 24 of township 2 
 north, in range 7, west of the 3d principal meridian—about 20 
 miles east of St. Louis, on the direct road from Vincennes to 
 that place. The town is located on the ridge of a small prairie ; 
 the streets cross each other at right angles, and are from 60 to 
 75 feet wide. This place, although as yet small, promises to 
 
GAZETTEER OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 124 
 
 become a considerable inland town. The situation is very plea¬ 
 sant and healthy, and has many local advantages. There are a 
 number of mills of different descriptions in the vicinity, and the 
 country generally is rapidly increasing in population. 
 
 , < I .1 ’j| ® : i. . , •< « 
 
 Lick creek , a small stream, emptying into the Kaskaskia river 
 on the left side, a short distance above the mouth of Sugar creek. 
 It heads in the Grand Prairie, and receives its name from the 
 number of salt-licks on its hanks. The lands on this stream 
 are generally well timbered: the soil is what is called by the 
 surveyors, second rate. 
 
 Little Beaucoup creek , a small branch of Big Beaucoup, run¬ 
 ning through Randolph and Jackson counties. 
 
 Little Detroit , an Indian village, situated on the east hank of 
 Lake Peoria, six miles above Fort Clark. 
 
 Little Kalmuck river, a small stream of Clark county ; runs a 
 north course, and falls into Lake Michigan some distance west 
 of Grand Kalimiek. The lands between these two streams are 
 very low ; and during the prevalence of north winds, they form 
 a junction, w hich affords a navigation for small boats. About 
 500 Ottawa Indians reside on the banks of these streams. 
 
 Little Michillimacinac, a navigable stream of Sangamon. It 
 runs in a westerly direction through the county, and empties 
 into the Illinois on the east side, twelve miles below Fort Clark. 
 Its head waters interlock with those of the Kaskaskia. 
 
 Little Muddy creek , a small stream in the southern part of the 
 state, running a southern direction, and emptying into Big 
 Muddy on the right side, in section 13 of township 8 south, in 
 range 1, west of the 3d principal meridian. 
 
 Little Piasau, a small creek, running a westerly course through 
 Madison county, and emptying into the Mississippi on the left 
 side, near Fountain ferry. 
 
 Little Prairie , is situated on the east side of Illinois river, op¬ 
 posite Fort Clark. It contains a fine settlement. The soil of 
 the prairie is very fertile, being a rich vegetable mould—having 
 
TOPOGRAPHICAL VIEW OF TOWNS, &C. 
 
 125 
 
 been under cultivation many years since, by the inhabitants of 
 Peoria. Corn was raised here, during the last season, without 
 the use of a plough. This prairie is washed by Bachelor’s run, 
 and is hounded on all sides by hills. 
 
 Li tie Vermilion river, a small stream, running a southeast 
 course through Clark county, and emptying into the Wabash 
 below Big Vermilion river* It crosses the eastern boundary 
 line of the state 85 miles north of Vincennes, at which place it 
 is 100 links in width. 
 
 Little Wabash river , rises near the head waters of the Kas- 
 kaskia, and running a southern course through the counties of 
 Clark. Fayette, Crawford, Lawrence, Wayne, Edwards, White 
 and Gallatin, empties into the Big Wabash, a short distance 
 above its junction with the Ohio. It is about 150 miles in length, 
 and receives many tributaries, of which West and Skillet forks 
 are the most considerable. The banks of this stream are in ge¬ 
 neral fertile, but in many places subject to excessive inundations. 
 This is particularly the case with the country between it and 
 the Skillet fork. In many places it is flat and swampy, so that 
 the water remains upon it during the whole season. In the au¬ 
 tumn this stream is very sluggish, and has a very scanty supply 
 of water. A company has been incorporated by the legislature 
 of the state, called the Little Wabash navigation company, for 
 the purpose of erecting a toll bridge across it at the town of 
 Car mi. 
 
 Lusk s creek, a trifling stream, running a southerly course 
 through the county of Pope, and emptying into the Ohio at Goi - 
 eonda. 
 
 Lusk's ferry, see Golem,da* 
 
 Madison, a town in Madison county, laid out in 1820, on a 
 high prairie, in the centre of the Marine settlement. No im¬ 
 provement has as vet been made on the premises. 
 
 Magopin creek , sec Ma-qua-pin. 
 
 Mah-waw-kee-ta, see Lear creek . 
 
426 
 
 GAZETTEER OF ILLINOIS* 
 
 Mantua, a town in Hamilton county, situated on a branch of 
 Saline creek, in sections 12 and 13 of township 6 south, in range 
 7, east of the 3d principal meridian. 
 
 Ma-qua-pin creek, a small stream, running a westerly course 
 through Greene county, and emptying into the Illinois on the 
 left side, twenty-six miles above its junction with the Mississippi. 
 It received its name from certain roots, so called, found on the 
 hanks, which if eaten raw, are rank poison ; but boiled for five 
 or six days or longer, lose their noxious qualities * The coun¬ 
 try on the banks of this stream is fertile, and rapidly increasing 
 in population. The creek is 25 yards wide at its mouth, which 
 is in section 24, of tow nship 8 north, in range 14, west of the 3d 
 principal meridian, and is hoatable lor a short distance. Iron 
 ore has been found on the head waters. 
 
 Marais Casu, an inconsiderable stream in the northern part 
 of the state. It runs a westerly course, and empties into the 
 Mississippi, 20 miles above the mouth of Rock river, nearly op¬ 
 posite the mouth of Swan river, at which place is an Indian vil¬ 
 lage. 
 
 Marais de Pronlcc, a considerable stream, running a southeas¬ 
 terly course through the northern part of the state, and emptying 
 into the Illinois on the right side, neartlje northeastern bounda¬ 
 ry of the military tract. In wet seasons, there is a communica¬ 
 tion formed between this stream and Rock river, which is navi¬ 
 gable for boats of considerable burthen. 
 
 Marine settlement, a very flourishing settlement of Madison 
 county. It is situated on a beautiful prairie, near a branch of 
 Silver creek, in township 4 north, in range 6, west of the third 
 principal meridian. The settlement was commenced in IS19, 
 by Capts. Blakeman and Allen, and is now one of the most flour¬ 
 ishing in the state. It is healthy and well watered ; the lands arc 
 gently undulating, and the soil very fertile. (See a report of the 
 Illinois agricultural society, in the description of Madison coun¬ 
 ty.) Marine settlement is about 12 miles east of Edwardsville, 
 on the mail route between St. Louis and Vandalia. 
 
 See Charlevoix’s voyage to North America, 1721. 
 
TOPOGRAPHICAL VIEW OF TOWNS, kc. 
 
 127 
 
 Mary's liver, a stream of Randolph county, running in a south¬ 
 west direction about 20 or 30 miles, and emptying into the Mis¬ 
 sissippi, 85 miles above the mouth of the Ohio, and six below 
 the Kaskaskia, in township 7 south, in range 6, west of the 3d 
 principal meridian. It has several tributaries. 
 
 Mascontin river , a stream of the northern part of the state, 
 running in an eastern course, and emptying into the Wabash on 
 the west side between Vincennes and Fort Harrison. 
 
 Mauvaise Terre creek , (called by traders, Negro Creek.) a 
 beautiful stream of Greene county, running a west course, and 
 emptying into the Illinois on the left side, 80 miles above its 
 junction with the Mississippi, and three miles below McKee’s 
 creek, opposite section 3 of township 4 south, in range 2, west 
 of the 4th principal meridian. At present, it is only navigable 
 for a short distance, owing to the quantity of timber with which 
 it is obstructed. The banks of this stream are generally fertile. 
 About 20 miles above its mouth is Diamond Grove, which has al¬ 
 ready become a considerable settlement. There is also another 
 within a mile of the Illinois. The beautiful prairie which is call¬ 
 ed the Mauvaise terre extends for some distance on both sides of 
 the creek. It is several feet above high water mark, and has been 
 considered an eligible situation for a town. The only objection to 
 it is the ponds under the bluff. The French, who first visited this 
 country, supposed from its appearance, that the soil was poor, 
 and as this was uncommon on this river, they gave it, as they 
 thought, an appropriate name. The Americans generally call it 
 6i Yellow Banks.” The soil is fertile, and this prairie and the 
 surrounding country, in every other respect, is desirable for set¬ 
 tlers. Nothing can exceed its beautiful appearance in the spring. 
 
 Meahkaninon , a creek of Bond county, emptying into the Kas¬ 
 kaskia river, on the right side above Fort River. 
 
 Melwakee river , runs in a northern direction through the 
 northeastern part of the state, and empties into Lake Michigan, 
 in lat. 43° N. Father Hennepin calls it Melleoki, and observes 
 that Maskontins and Outtouagamies resided on its banks. 
 
128 
 
 GAZETTEER OP ILLINOIS. 
 
 McDonald's creek , a small stream in the southern part of Pike 
 county. It heads in township 3 south, in range 6, west of the 
 fourth principal meridian, and running in a southerly direction, 
 empties into Chenail Ecarte, in section 29, of township 4 south, in 
 range, 7 west of the fourth principal meridian. The lands at the 
 mouth of this stream are reported, by the surveyors, as first 
 rate. 
 
 McDonald creek , a small stream of Clark county, rises in the 
 state of Indiana, and running an east-northeast course, empties 
 into Canawaga or Iroquois river. It crosses the eastern boun¬ 
 dary line of Illinois, 130 miles north of V incennes. The lands 
 on the banks of this stream arc high and undulating. 
 
 McKee's creek , a considerable stream of Pike county. It rises 
 in township 1 south, in range 7, west of the fourth principal me. 
 ridian, and running an cast and southeast course* empties into the 
 Illinois river, ninety miles above its junction with the Mississippi, 
 in section 26, of township 3 south, in range 2 west, of the fourth 
 principal meridian. It is about 30 miles in length, and the lands 
 bordering on it are generally of the first quality. 
 
 McLeansborough , the seat of justice of Hamilton county, laid 
 out in 1821. 
 
 Michillimacindc river , see Little Michillimacinac . 
 
 Military Bounty Tract. Having given a general description 
 of the lands in this tract under the head of Pike county, I shall 
 here present extracts of the several laws of the state, with re¬ 
 gard to the recording of deeds, and the payment of taxes. 
 
 LAWS CONCERNING DEEDS. 
 
 Extract from an act of the Legislature of Illinois , entitled iC An act 
 
 establishing the Recorder's Office, and for other purposespass¬ 
 ed February 19, 1819. 
 
 That all deeds to be recorded in pursuance of this act, where¬ 
 by any state of inheritance in fee simple shall hereafter be limit¬ 
 ed to the grantor, and his heirs ; the words, grant 9 bargain , self 
 shall be adjudged an express covenant to the grantee, his heirs 
 
TOPOGRAPHICAL VIEW OF TOWNS; &C. 129 
 
 and assigns, to w it: That the grantor was seised of an indefea¬ 
 sible estate, in fee simple, freed from incumbrances, done or suf¬ 
 fered from the grantor, except the rents and services, that may 
 be reserved ; as also for quiet enjoyment against the grantor, 
 his heirs and assigns, unless limited by express words contained 
 in such deed; and that the grantee, his heirs, executors and ad¬ 
 ministrators, and assigns, may, in any action, assign brea< lies, 
 as if such covenants were expressly inserted : Provided always , 
 That this law shall not extend to leases at rack rent, or to leases 
 not exceeding one and twenty } ears, where the actual possession 
 goes w ith the lease. 
 
 All deeds and conveyances, which shall he made and executed 
 of, or concerning any lands, tenements, or hereditaments, with¬ 
 in this state, or whereby the same may in any way be effected 
 in law or equity, (if such deeds and conveyances shall be made 
 in this state) shall be acknow ledged by one of the grantors, pro¬ 
 ved by one or more of the subscribing witnesses to such deed or 
 conveyance, before one of the justices of the supreme court, or 
 before some county commissioner, of the county w here the deed or 
 conveyance was executed, or before some justice of the peace of 
 sui h county. But if such deed or conveyance shall he made and 
 executed without this state, then the same shall he acknowledg¬ 
 ed by the grantor 1 , or proved by one of the subscribing witness¬ 
 es, before some judge of a superior court of the state, mayor or 
 other chief magistrate of the city, or before the clerk of the 
 county, or other court of the county, where such deeds or con¬ 
 veyances shall be made and executed, and certified under the 
 common or public seal of such city or county. And all such 
 deeds and conveyances, whether executed within or without the 
 state, shall he recorded in the recorder’s office of the county 
 where such lands, tenements or hereditaments are lying, and 
 being within 12 months after the execution of such deeds and 
 conveyances ; and every such deed or conveyance, that shall at 
 any time after the publication hereof, be made and executed, 
 and which shall not he proved and recorded as aforesaid, shall 
 be adjudged fraudulent and void against any subsequent purcha¬ 
 ser or mortgagee, for valuable consideration, unless such deed 
 or conveyance be recorded as aforesaid, before the proving and 
 
 nr 
 
130 
 
 GAZETTEER OP ILLINOIS* 
 
 recording of the deed of conveyance, under which such subse¬ 
 quent purchaser or mortgagee shall claim. 
 
 When the grantors and witnesses of any deed or conveyance, 
 are deceased or cannot he had, it shall and may be lawful to and 
 for the justices of the supreme court, or county commissioners, 
 or any justice of the peace, to take the examination of any wit¬ 
 ness or witnesses on oath or affirmation, to prove the hand writ¬ 
 ing of such deceased witness or witnesses; or where such proof 
 cannot be had, then to prove the hand writing of the grantor or 
 grantors, which shall be certified by the judge or justice, before 
 whom such proof shall be made; and such deed or conveyance 
 being so proved, shall be recorded as is usual in other cases, di¬ 
 rected above by this law. 
 
 Every recorder shall keep a fair book, in which he shall im¬ 
 mediately make an entry of every deed or writing brought into 
 his office to be recorded, mentioning therein the date, the parties 
 and the place, where the lands, tenements, or hereditaments 
 granted or conveyed by the said deed or writing, are situated, 
 dating the same entry on the day in which such deed or writing 
 was brought into his office ; and shall record all such deeds and 
 writings, in regular succession, according to their priority of time 
 in being brought in said office ; and shall also immediately give 
 a receipt to the person bringing such deed or writing to be re¬ 
 corded, bearing date on the same day with the entry, and con¬ 
 taining the abstract aforesaid ; for which entry and receipt he 
 shall take no fee or reward whatever. And if any recorder shalj 
 record any deed or writing before another first brought into his 
 office to he recorded, or in any other manner than is herein di¬ 
 rected, or shall neglect or refuse to make such entry, or give 
 receipt as is herein before directed, or shall directly or indirectly 
 take or receive any fee or reward, he shall forfeit and pay for eve¬ 
 ry such offence, a sum not exceeding three hundred, nor less than 
 one hundred dollars ; one half to the use of the state, and the 
 other half to him or them, that shall sue for the same ; to be re¬ 
 covered in any court of record, by action of debt, bill or plaint, 
 wherein no essoin, protection, or wager of law, or more than one 
 imparlance shall be granted. 
 
 When any husband and wife shall hereafter be inclined to dis¬ 
 pose of, and convey the estate of the wife, or her right of, in, or 
 
TOPOGRAPHICAL VIEW OF TOWNS, &C. 
 
 131 
 
 to any lands, tenements or hereditaments whatsoever, it shall 
 and may be lawful to and for the said husband and wife, the wife 
 not being less than eighteen years of age, to make, seal, deliv er 
 and execute any grant, bargain and sale, lease, release, feoff¬ 
 ment, deed, conveyance or assurance in the law whatsoever, for 
 the lands, tenements and hereditaments, intended to be by them 
 passed and conveyed ; and after such execution to appear before 
 one of the justices of the supreme court, or county commissioner, 
 or justices of the peace, and to acknowledge the said deed or con. 
 veyance, w hich justice of the supreme court, county commis¬ 
 sioner, or justice of the peace, shall, and he is hereby authorized 
 and required to take such acknowledgment, in doing whereof, 
 he shall examine the wife separate and apart from her husband, 
 and shall read and otherwise make known the full contents of 
 such deed or conveyance to the said wife : and if upon such sep¬ 
 arate examination, she shall declare that she did voluntarily, and 
 of her own free will and accord, seal, and as her act and deed, 
 deliver the said deed or conveyance without any compulsion or 
 coercion of her said husband, every such deed or conveyance 
 shall be, and the same is hereby declared to be good and valid 
 in law, to all intents and purposes, as if the said wife had been 
 sole, and not covert at the time of such sealing and delivery ; 
 any law, usage or custom to the contrary in any wise notwith¬ 
 standing: Provided , That the judge or justice taking such ac¬ 
 knowledgment shall, under his hand and seal, certify the same 
 upon the back of such deed or conveyance. 
 
 Extract from an act entitled “ An act regulating the fees of the 
 several officers and persons therein named,” passed March 20, 
 1819. 
 
 recorder’s fees. 
 
 Recording deeds, mortgages, and all other instruments of 
 
 writing, per one hundred words, S00 18 
 
 For certificate of any writing recorded, 00 50 
 
GAZETTEER OT ILLINOIS. 
 
 LAWS CONCERNING TAXES. 
 
 Extract of a law of Congress , entitled 6S Jin act to enable the peo¬ 
 ple of the Illinois territory , to form a constitution and state gov¬ 
 ernment , and for the admission of such state into the Union on 
 an equal footing with the original states ,” passed April 18.1818. 
 
 66 Provided always , That the four foregoing propositions, 
 herein offered* are on tlie conditions that the convention of the 
 said state shall provide by an ordinance, irrevocable without the 
 consent of tire United States, that every and each tract of land 
 sold by the United States, from and after the first day of Janua¬ 
 ry, one thousand eight hundred and nineteen, shall remain ex¬ 
 empt from any tax laid by order, or under any authority of the 
 state, whether for state, county or township, or any other* pur¬ 
 pose whatever, for* the term of live years from and after the day 
 of sale : And further , 'That the bounty lands granted, or hereaf¬ 
 ter to be granted, for military servi< es during the late war, shall, 
 while they continue to be held by the patentees or their heirs, 
 remain exempt as aforesaid from all taxes, for the term of three 
 year* from and after the date of the patents respectively ; and 
 that aii the lands belonging to the citizens of the United States, 
 residing without the said state, shall never be taxed higher than 
 lands belonging to persons residing therein. 
 
 Extract from an ordinance passed by the Convention of the state of 
 
 Illinois , August 26, 1818, 
 
 “ Therefore, this convention, on behalf of and by the authori¬ 
 ty of the people of the state, do further ordain and declare, that 
 every and each tract of land sold by thu United States, from and 
 after* the first day of January, 1819, shall remain exempt from 
 any tax laid by order or under any authority of the state, wheth¬ 
 er for state, county or tow nship, or any purpose whatever*, for 
 the term of five years from and after the day of sale. And that 
 the bounty lands granted or hereafter to be granted for* military- 
 services during the late war, shall while they continue to he held 
 by the patentees or their heirs, remain exempt as aforesaid, from 
 all taxes for the term of three years from and after the date of 
 the patents respectively $ and that all the lands belonging to the 
 
TOPOGRAPHICAL VIEW OP TOWNS, &C. 
 
 IBS 
 
 citizens of the United States residing without the said state, shall 
 never he taxed higher than lands belonging to persons residing 
 therein And this convention do further ordain and declare, 
 that the foregoing ordinance shall not be revoked, without the 
 consent of the United States. 
 
 Extract from a law of the stale of Illinois , entitled “ An act pro¬ 
 viding for the valuation of lands and other properly, and laying 
 a tax thereon,' 9 passed March 27, 1819. 
 
 That all lands claimed by individuals, whether by deed, entry, 
 bond for conveyance, patent, grant or otherwise, or where the 
 same has been entered in any land-office established for the sale 
 of lands lying within this state, for the purposes of taxation, 
 shall be, and they are hereby divided into three classes, as fol¬ 
 lows, to wits Lauds of the first quality shall compose the first 
 class ; of the second quality, the second class ; and of the third 
 quality, the third class. 
 
 That for the purposes aforesaid, the lands aforesaid shall be, 
 and they are hereby valued as follows, to wit: Lands of the first 
 class, at four dollars per acre ; of the second class, at three dol¬ 
 lars per acre ; of the third class, at two dollars per acre. 
 
 That each and every person claiming lands as aforesaid, shall 
 pay, in the manner hereinafter pointed out, a tax of one half per 
 centum per annum upon the value of his or her lands, fixed as 
 aforesaid ; and the state shall have a lien upon all and every 
 tract of land or claim thereto, hoi den or claimed as aforesaid. 
 
 That ail sales and other proceedings hereinafter directed, 
 shall be good and valid, in whose name soever the said land or 
 claim thereto shall be listed, entered or sold, unless he, she or 
 they, contesting the validity thereof, shall shew that the tax had 
 actually been paid thereon ; which in all cases shall be the first 
 thing required of any one attempting to set aside any sale under 
 this act. 
 
 That all non-residents claiming land as aforesaid, shall enter 
 the same with the auditor of public accounts, at his office at the 
 seat of government, on or before the first day of August next, 
 and on or before the first day of August yearly and every year; 
 and all such non-residents shall pay to the treasurer of this state 
 the taxes imposed by this law, on or before the first day of Oc- 
 
134 
 
 GAZETTEER OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 tober next, and on or before the first day of October yearly and 
 every year ; and it shall be the duty of every such non-resident, 
 at the time he enters his lands with the auditor as aforesaid, 
 either by himself or agent, to present to the auditor a list of his 
 lands, describing the quality thereof, and the class to which 
 each tract belongs, and the county in which each tract of land 
 is situated ; which list shall be accompanied with an affidavit of 
 such non-resident or his agent, wherein it shall be stated, that 
 such list contains a true description of the lands therein described, 
 to the best of the affiant’s knowledge and belief. 
 
 That if any non-resident shall fail, neglect or refuse to enter 
 with the auditor his lands as aforesaid, or if any such non-resi¬ 
 dent shall fail, neglect or refuse to pay the taxes to the treasurer 
 as aforesaid, each and every non-resident so failing, neglecting 
 or refusing, shall pay three times the amount of the taxes by 
 this law imposed as aforesaid, and the lands of such delinquent 
 shall be rated in the first class ; and it shall be the duty of the 
 auditor to transmit a list of lands not entered by non-residents, 
 together with a list of lands entered where the tax has not been 
 levied thereon conformably to the directions of this act, to the 
 sheriff* of the county wherein the seat of government is situated, 
 as soon as may be ; whereupon the said sheriff shall advertise 
 the said lands as listed for sale, in some public newspaper print¬ 
 ed at the seat of government of the state, and if there shall be no 
 such newspaper printed at the seat of government, then in the 
 paper printed nearest thereto, as many as five weeks successive¬ 
 ly, giving notice of the day of sale ; and shall accordingly, con¬ 
 tinuing the sale from day to day, if necessary, sell the whole, or 
 so much of each tract as will pay the tax, the sheriff’s fees, and 
 the costs of advertising ; which sale shall be at the door of the 
 house where court is or may be usually held for the county. 
 
 That if any tract of land, of either residents or non-residents, 
 will not, when exposed to sale as aforesaid, sell for the taxes and 
 costs due thereon, it shall be struck off to the state, which shall 
 be considered the purchaser thereof. And in all cases of non¬ 
 resident’s lands, the sheriff who sells the same shall return to 
 the auditor a list of the sales, specifying the quantity of each 
 that has been sold, the price it sold for, and the purchaser’s 
 name to whom it was sold. And it shall moreover be the duty 
 
TOPOGRAPHICAL VIEW OF TOWNS; &C. 
 
 135 
 
 of the said sheriff, to give to each purchaser a certificate of the 
 sale to him, which shall vest the title, right, claim or interest of 
 whatever description, of all and every person or persons whom¬ 
 soever, in him completely and perfectly, unless the property 
 sold shall be redeemed in manner hereinafter pointed out. 
 
 That all residents shall be allowed two years from and after 
 the day of sale, to redeem their property sold for taxes, by pay¬ 
 ing the price the same sold for, with one hundred per centum 
 thereon, to the clerk of the county commissioner’s court. The 
 non-residents may redeem their lands by paying the same rate 
 to the auditor of public accounts, within two years from the day 
 of sale ; which money the said clerks and auditor shall pay to 
 the respective purchasers, their agents or attornies, whenever 
 required, and of the receipt of which they shall keep a record 
 in their respective offices, which at ail times shall be sufficient 
 to vacate the sales aforesaid. Provided always , That where 
 any property, sold for taxes by virtue of this act, shall belong 
 to heirs, any one of w hom is not of lawful age, the same lands 
 may be redeemed as aforesaid, at any time within one year after 
 the youngest heir becomes of age 
 
 That the auditor of public accounts be, and he is hereby di¬ 
 rected to postpone the further collection of the tax which may 
 be due upon the lands owned by non-residents for the year 
 eighteen hundred and eighteen, until the first day of October 
 next: Provided , That nothing in this section shall prevent the 
 auditor from certifying to the treasurer the amount of tax re¬ 
 maining due on any tract of land, w hen required by the owner. 
 
 That all non-residents who shall, by themselves or agents, 
 pay into the treasury of the state the full amount of single tax 
 due for the year eighteen hundred and eighteen, and for every 
 previous year for which tax may remain due, on or befor e the 
 first day of October next, shall be exempt from the penalties of 
 the territorial laws, laying a triple tax for a failure to list their 
 lands with the auditor of public accounts. 
 
 That each and every non-resident owning lands within this 
 state, who shall fail to pay the tax which may remain due and 
 unpaid, for the year eighteen hundred and eighteen, as well as 
 any previous year, on or before the first day of October next, 
 shall be subject to pay triple the amount of the tax for the year 
 
136 
 
 GAZETTEER OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 eighteen hundred and eighteen ; and the auditor is required to 
 proceed against such delinquent, agreeably to the provisions of 
 this act. 
 
 That all lands lying within the military tract set apart by flic 
 United States for the bounty lands, upon which a triple tax has 
 been paid, except such as have been advertised and sold for the 
 tax due thereon, shall lie allowed a credit on their tax list for 
 the following years, for the sum which may have been paid over 
 a single tax ; and the auditor is authorised to credit all such 
 lands on his books accordingly. 
 
 That all persons who may hereafter become the ow ners of any 
 Sands lying within the military bounty tract, shall be allowed 
 nine months from the date of such purchase, to list the same with 
 the auditor. 
 
 Extract from a law of the state of Illinois , entitled “ An act for 
 
 the relief of certain persons , whose lands , bank stock , <$*c. have 
 
 been sold for taxes," passed January 31, 1821. 
 
 That all persons, whether residents or non-residents of this 
 state, whose lands or other property have been stricken off to 
 the state, to pay the triple tax incurred by the owner or owners 
 failing or neglecting to perform any of the requisites prescribed 
 in the above act of the 27th of March 1819. shall be allowed 
 until the first day of January next to redeem the same, by pay¬ 
 ing into the state treasury the amount of single tax to which the 
 said laud or other property would have been liable under the 
 provisions of the above mentioned act, the costs which have ac¬ 
 crued on account of such striking off to the state, and interest at 
 the rate of six per cent per annum on said single tax and costs, 
 from the time the said taxes should respectively have been paid, 
 to the time of redemption. Provided however. That in all cases 
 where any person may apply to the auditor, to redeem the land 
 or other property that may have been sold to the state or to in¬ 
 dividuals, pursuant to the provisions of the act before mention¬ 
 ed, it shall be the duty of the auditor to demand of such person 
 (and certify the same to the treasurer, as in other cases) the 
 amount of the tex that said land or other property would have 
 been liable to, in case the same had not been sold, before such 
 person applying shall be permitted to redeem the same. 
 
137 
 
 TOPOGRAPHICAL VIEW OF TOWNS, &C. 
 
 That all persons, who may heretofore have redeemed their 
 lands or other property so stricken off to the state, by paying 
 the price the same sold for, with one hundred per centum there¬ 
 on, to the clerk of the county commissioner’s court, or to the 
 auditor, and the other costs and char ges, shall, after there has 
 been deducted from the sum so by them paid, the amount of the 
 single tax to which such land or other property was of right 
 liable, and the costs of sale, and sheriff’s fees, be entitled to (and 
 the proper officer shall enter up) a credit for the balance then 
 remaining with said county commissioners or auditor, on the 
 books respectively kept for that purpose; and the sum so cre¬ 
 dited shall he considered as a deposit, and may be applied by 
 the owner or owners, or his or their agent, to the payment of 
 any taxes which may already have accrued, or which may here¬ 
 after accrue upon the same, or upon any oilier property what¬ 
 ever. 
 
 That in all cases where the taxes on land or other property 
 of non-resident proprietors or owners, have been paid to the 
 sheriff of the county wherein the same was situated, such non¬ 
 resident proprietor or owner shall not he required to pay the 
 same again, but shall, upon pr esenting said sheriff’s receipt to 
 the auditor, be entitled to a credit on his books for the taxes so 
 paid to the sheriff of such county, for the particular year. 
 
 That where the tax or taxes on the land or other property of 
 non-residents have been paid in the county where the same is 
 situated, and the same land sold to individuals, or stricken off to 
 the state, for the triple tax incurred by such non-residents hav ing 
 failed or omitted to enter the same with the proper officer at the 
 seat of government, for taxation, it shall he the duty of the au¬ 
 ditor, knowing or being informed of any such case, forthwith to 
 redeem the said laud or other property, if the same has been 
 sold to individuals ; and if stricken off to the state, to erase the 
 record thereof; in both cases giving the owner a receipt for the 
 payment by him of the taxor taxes for which his said land or 
 other property was so sold to individuals, or stricken off to the 
 state. 
 
 That in all cases where resident or non-resident owners of 
 
 land in this state have redeemed the same from sale, by paying 
 
 a triple tax, sheriff’s fees, and costs of advertising, to the proper 
 
 18 
 
138 
 
 GAZETTEER OE ILLINOIS. 
 
 officer, as provided by the act of the 27th March 1819, above 
 referred to, they shall have a credit for all above the proper 
 single tax, sheriff’s fees, and costs of advertising, which may he 
 applied by such resident or non-resident owners, or their agent, in 
 the same manner as is permitted by the second section of this act. 
 
 That all persons, whether residents or non-residents, who 
 heretofore have redeemed, or hereafter shall redeem their lands 
 from sales to individuals, under the provisions of the above 
 mentioned act of 1819, shall he allowed a credit for so much of 
 the sum paid by them to redeem their laud or other property, as 
 shall remain after deducting therefrom the amount of single tax 
 or taxes which may or shall have accrued upon such land or 
 other property, with interest at the rate of six per centum per 
 annum, from the time when such taxes became due, to the time 
 of redemption, and the costs of sale ; which credit may also be 
 applied as above permitted. 
 
 That in all cases where land or other property have been 
 charged with, hut not as yet sold for a triple tax, in consequence 
 of the owner or ow ners thereof having failed, neglected or re¬ 
 fused to comply with the requisitions of the act of the 27th of 
 March aforesaid, such owner or owners shall be exonerated 
 from the payment of such triple tax, by paying into the treasury 
 of the state, any time previous to the first day of January next, 
 the lull amount of single tax or other property, together with 
 interest thereon, at the rate of six per centum per annum, from 
 the tin e when such taxes became due, to the time of their pay¬ 
 ment. 
 
 That no sale of non-residents’ lands or other property, for 
 taxes, shall take place until the first day of January next; and 
 that the auditor of public accounts shall cause a notice, in few 
 words, of the sale on that day, to be published in the several 
 newspapers in this state, and in the following places, to wit: 
 Boston, in Massachusetts ; Nevv-Haven, in Connecticut; New- 
 York, in the state of New-York ; Rutland, in Vermont; Phila¬ 
 delphia, in Pennsylvania; Washington city, in the district of 
 Columbia ; and in such other places as he may deem necessary : 
 such notice to he published six weeks in succession, at least five 
 months before the sale ; and shall further give six weeks’ notice 
 of said sale, by publishing, in the paper printed at the scat of 
 
TOPOGRAPHICAL VIEW OF TOWNS, &C. 139 
 
 government, a list ot* all lands and bank stock liable to be thus 
 sold, with the owners’ names, and amount of the tax and costs 
 due thereon. 
 
 Milton, a town in Madison county, situated on Wood river, 
 three miles from its mouth, and one and a half southeast of Al¬ 
 ton. It contains 50 or 40 houses ; but a large mill-pond in the 
 centre of the town has rendered it unhealthy, and prevented its 
 increase. In the vicinity are a number of mills and distilleries. 
 
 Mill creek, a small stream, running a southwest course through 
 the southwestern part of Pike county, and emptying into the 
 Mississippi in section 12 of township 3 south, in range 9, west 
 of the fourth principal meridian. Its banks arc low, and abound 
 with ponds. 
 
 Monk mound, situated on the American bottom, eight miles 
 north-northeast from St. Louis. Its shape is that of a parallelo¬ 
 gram, extending from north to south. On the south side there 
 is a broad apron or step, about half way down ; and from this 
 another projection into the plain, about 15 feet wide, which was 
 probably intended as an ascent to the mound. The circum¬ 
 ference of the base of the mound is about 600 yards, and its 
 height about 90 feet. The step or apron was formerly used as 
 a kitchen garden by the monks of La Trappe settled near this, 
 and the top was sowed with wheat. Nearly west is another 
 mound of smaller size, and thirty others are scattered through 
 the plain. Two also are seen on the bluffs, three miles distant. 
 Several of them are of a conical form. There are also a great 
 number of small elevations of earth, which rise to the height of a 
 few feet, at regular distances from each other, and which appear 
 to observe some order. Near them are found pieces of flint, 
 and fragments of earthen vessels, and frequently human bones. 
 The mound received its name from having been for some time 
 the residence of the monks of La Trappe. “ This monastery 
 was formerly situated in the province of Perche in France, 
 in one of the most solitary spots that could be chosen. It was 
 founded in 1140, by Rotrou, count of Perche. This monastery 
 Fad fallen into decay, and its discipline much relaxed, when re¬ 
 formed by the Abbe Ranee in 1664. Raucc had met with some 
 
140 
 
 GAZETTEER OE ILLINOIS. 
 
 misfortune which rendered life hateful to him—some assert the 
 
 sudden death of Madame Montbazon, whose favourite lover he 
 
 ♦ 
 
 had been. He had been a man of fashion, and possessed of some 
 pretensions to literature : be is said to have translated the poems 
 of Anacreon. Into this monastery, whither he came, he commen¬ 
 ced a reform of the most sav age austerity. S he vow was perpetual 
 silence ; the miserable Trappist denied himself, during his ex¬ 
 istence, every comfort of life. He laid himself on a stone, and 
 was frequently called in the dead of night to his devotions. His 
 food was bread and water, and this but once.in 24 hours. Each 
 day he was to remove from his intended grave one spadeful of 
 earth, in order to keep ever present to his mind that he must 
 soon cease to be of this world. 9 — (Breckenridge.J 
 
 Some years sine e, a few of these miserable beings came to the 
 United States, and having stopped a short time in Kentucky, 
 removed to Florissant near St. Louis, and from thence to the 
 place above described. By their industry, they here raised a 
 sufficiency for their own support Their number gradually in¬ 
 creased, and at one time amounted to eighty, including boys. 
 Upon the accession of Louis 18th to the throne of France, they 
 returned to their native country. Nothing now remains, except 
 the ruins of their former habitations. 
 
 Monroe , a town in Pike county, laid out in 1820. It is situat¬ 
 ed on the first high ground above the junction of the Illinois and 
 Mississippi livers, on the borders of a prairie about one mile in 
 width, and within half a mile of a good steam boat landing. In 
 the vicinity, are several good stone quarries, good timber, and 
 many line springs of water. Withiilhalf a mile of the town is 
 a good mil) seat. From the town to the river, there is a gradu¬ 
 al descent. The situation of this place, near the confluence of 
 three of the largest streams in the western country, must secure 
 to it important commercial advantages. 
 
 Monroe is situated in section 25, of township 12 south, in 
 range 2, west of the fourth principal meridian, SO miles north¬ 
 west of St. Louis, and 10 from St. Charles. 
 
 Mound Prairie , is situated in Madison county, ten miles south¬ 
 east of the junction of the Illinois with the Mississippi, and con- 
 
TOPOGRAPHICAL VIEW OF TOWNS', &C. 
 
 141 
 
 tains a flourishing settlement. The prairie is from four to six 
 miles in length, surrounded by a tlib k growth of timber. The 
 soil is of the best quality, and the surface is undulating, present¬ 
 ing the most eligible situation to the agriculturalist. 
 
 Mount Carmel , a post town in Edwards county, situated on the 
 west side of the Wabash, nearly opposite the mouth of White ri¬ 
 ver, in section 20, of township 1 south, in range 12, west of the 
 2d principal meridian. * 
 
 Mount Joliet , a mound situated on the west hank of Riviere 
 des Plaines, about 16 or 18 miles above its junction with the 
 Kankakee. It is 3 or 400 yards in length, north and south, and 
 2 or 300 in breadth, east and west, it is in the form of a pyr¬ 
 amid, and is evidently the work of art. From the river, it ap¬ 
 pears nearly square. The companions of Joliet, who visited this 
 country in 1673, gave it this name. It is about 150 miles above 
 Fort Clark. 
 
 Mount Pleasant , a small settlement, one mile southwest of Car- 
 ralton, the seat of justice in Greene county. Its inhabitants 
 consist principally of persons from the eastern states. 
 
 Mount Vernon , a post tow n, and the county seat of Jefferson, 
 situated in section 29, of township 2 south, in range 3 east of the 
 third principal meridian. It is in latitude 38° 20' north, 40 miles 
 south-southeast from Vandalia. 
 
 Morcaweqna creek , (sooth fork of Sangamo,J a small stream 
 running a northwesterly course, and emptying into the Sariga- 
 mo river on the left side, a short distance above Brush creek.— 
 On an east fork of this stream, is a rock five feet in height, and 
 twenty-four in circumference, to which the natives pay homage? 
 by depositing on it some tobacco or paint. 
 
 Mud creek , a small stream running, a northwesterly course 
 through the counties of Washington and St. Clair, and emptying 
 into the Kaskaskia on the leftside, 40 miles above its mouth, in 
 township 2 south, in range 6, west of the third principal merid- 
 
142 
 
 GAZETTEER OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 Muddy saline , situated on the Muddy river near Brownsville, 
 the county seat of Jackson. It is owned, and has been leased by 
 the state to different individuals. 
 
 Otter creek , a small but beautiful stream of Greene county, run¬ 
 ning in a westerly direction, and emptying into the Illinois about 
 18 miles above its junction with the Mississippi, in section 6, of 
 township 7 north, in range 13, west of the third principal merid¬ 
 ian, opposite section 23, of township 11 south, in range 2, west 
 of the 4th principal meridian. 
 
 Otter creek, a stream of Pike county, rises in township 4 
 north, in range 1, east of the 4th principal meridian, and running 
 a soul beast course, empties into the Illinois, 130 miles above 
 its mouth, in section 22, of township 3 north, in range 3, east of 
 the fourth principal meridian. In high v\ater it is navigable for 
 a short distance, but is much obstructed with drift wood. On 
 the banks of this stream, are several advantageous situations 
 for settlement. There is a mill seat about 10 miles from its 
 mouth. The lands in this vicinity are first rate, and contain a 
 sufficient quantity of timber for the supply of a saw-mill. Lum¬ 
 ber might be sent down the Illinois to St. Louis, where it gener¬ 
 ally commands a good price. Coal is found in abundance on the 
 banks of this stream. 
 
 Oxford , a post town in Hamilton county, situated in section 
 22, of township 3 south, in range 5, east of the third principal 
 meridian. 
 
 Ovid , a town in Jackson county, laid out in 1820. It is sit¬ 
 uated eight miles east of the Mississippi river, near the line 
 which divides Jackson and Union counties. The main road 
 leading from America and Golconda through Jonesborough and 
 Brownsville, to Kaskaskia and St. Louis, passes through this 
 place. It is 15 miles south of Brownsville, and about the same 
 distance nearly north of Jonesborough. The lands in the vicin¬ 
 ity, are of a very good quality, and mill seats are numerous with¬ 
 in a few miles of the place. 
 
 Paddock 9 s settlement , a small settlement, seven miles north of 
 Edwardsvillc, on the main road between that place and Fort 
 Clark. 
 
TOPOGRAPHICAL VIEW OF TOWNS, &C. 
 
 143 
 
 Palestine , a post town, and the county seat of Crawford, situ¬ 
 ated three miles west of the Wabash river, in sections S3 and 34 
 of township 7 north, in range 11, west of the second principal 
 meridian, 25 miles north of Vincennes. Here is the register’s 
 and receiver’s office for the land district of Palestine. 
 
 This town is in latitude 38° 58' north, 82 miles nearly due 
 east from Vandalia. 
 
 Palmyra , a post town, and formerly the county seat of Ed¬ 
 wards. It is situated on the west side of the Wabash, in sec¬ 
 tion 31, of township 1 south, in range 12, west of the 2d princi¬ 
 pal meridian, 20 miles southwest of Vincennes. It is considered 
 very unhealthy, and on this account the county seat was remov¬ 
 ed to Albion. 
 
 Peoria 9 a small settlement in Pike county, situated on the west 
 bank of the Illinois river, about 200 miles above its junction 
 with the Mississippi. 66 The old village of Peoria was situated 
 about one mile and a half above the lower extremity or outlet of 
 the Peoria lake. This village had been inhabited by the French 
 previous to the recollection of any of the present generation. 
 About the year 1778 or 1779, the first house was built in what 
 was then called La Ville de Maillet, afterwards the new village 
 of Peoria, and which has recently been known by the name of 
 Fort Clark, situated about one mile and a half below the old 
 village, immediately at the lower point or outlet of the lake. 
 The situation being preferred in consequence of the w ater being 
 better, and its being thought more healthy, the inhabitants gra¬ 
 dually deserted the old village, and by the year 1796 or 1797. 
 had entirely abandoned it, and removed to the new village. 
 
 The inhabitants of Peoria consisted generally of Indian tra¬ 
 ders, hunters and voyageurs, and had long formed a link of 
 connection between the French residing on the waters of the 
 great lakes, and the Mississippi river. From that happy facility 
 of adapting themselves to their situation and associates, for 
 which the French are so remarkable, the inhabitants of Peoria 
 lived generally in harmony with their savage neighbours. It 
 appears, however, that about the year 1781, they were induced 
 to abandon the village, from the apprehension of Indian hosti¬ 
 lity i but soon after the peace of 1783, they again returned, and 
 
GAZETTEER OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 continued to reside there until the autumn of 1812, when they 
 were forcibly removed from it, and the place destroyed by a 
 Captain Craig, of tbe Illinois militia, on the ground, as it was 
 said, that his company of militia were fired on in the night, 
 while at anchor in their boats before the village, by Indians, 
 with whom the inhabitants were suspected by Craig to be too 
 intimate and friendly.”* The poor inhabitants, being thus de¬ 
 prived of shelter, fled for refuge to the different villages on the 
 Mississippi. 
 
 In September, 1813, General Howard marched, with about 
 1400 men, from Portage des Sioux, for Peoria. The regulars, 
 who manned the boats, arrived, and commenced building a 
 block-house, which they named Fort Clark, in honour of Gen. 
 George Rogers Clark. General Howard, with his mounted 
 rangers, ascended the Mississippi as high as Two Rivers, and 
 then crossed over to the Illinois. By this judicious plan, the 
 ■whole frontier was swept of the enemy, who was continually 
 harassing them- 
 
 On the 29th of September, the general arrived at Fort Clark. 
 The Indians had attacked it two days before ; but Lieut. Col. 
 Nicholas, who commanded, gave them so warm a reception that 
 they soon retired. It was concluded that they had gone to 
 Gorno’s town, about thirty miles distant. The general imme¬ 
 diately made arrangements, and marched the next morning to 
 attack it. When he arrived, he found the enemy had taken 
 w ater and ascended the Illinois. He burnt the village, and tw o 
 others, and remained in the vicinity for two nights. He then 
 marched back to Peoria, to assist the regulars in building Fort 
 Clark, w hich had been commenced and christened previous to 
 his arrival. 
 
 With considerable labour, they cut and hauled the necessary 
 timber across the lake, and the fort w as in a complete state of 
 defence in twelve days. While they were engaged about the 
 fort, Majors Christy and Boone were detached on separate 
 commands. Maj. C. w as ordered to ascend the river, in two 
 
 •'■'See a report to the Secretary of the Treasury, in conformity with the provisions of the act of 
 loth May, 1820, for the relief of the inhabitants of the village of Peoria in the state of Illinois, by 
 Edward (Joies, Esq. formerly register of the land-cilice at Edwardsyille, and now governor of flu- 
 slate oflliinois. 
 
TOPOGRAPHICAL VIEW OF TOWNS, &C. 
 
 145 
 
 armed boats, to the foot of the rapids, (about SO miles) to ascer¬ 
 tain if the Indians had embodied, or formed an}’ new establish¬ 
 ments in that quarter. Maj. Boone was sent over in the direc¬ 
 tion of Rock river, to collect every necessary information con¬ 
 cerning their traces, &c. Both these officers returned in five or 
 six days, and reported that the enemy had fled at all points. 
 
 Soon after this the weather became cold, and as no provision 
 had been made for a winter campaign, Gen. Howard determined 
 on returning; and accordingly took up his line of march on the 
 15th of October* leaving a small garrison in the fort. 
 
 About the termination of the war, Fort Clark was abandoned 
 by the Americans ; and a short time afterwards, it was burnt by 
 the Indians, as they assert, through the instigation of the tra¬ 
 ders. A settlement has been recommenced near its ruins. 
 
 The situation of this place is beautiful beyond description. 
 From the mouth of the Kickapoo or Redbud creek, which emp¬ 
 ties into the Illinois two miles below the old fort, the alluvion is 
 a prairie, which stretches itself along the river in a northwest¬ 
 erly direction three or four miles. The shore is chiefly made 
 up of rounded pebbles, and is fdled with springs of tiie finest 
 water. The first bank, which is from six to twelve feet above 
 high water mark, extends west about a quarter of a mile from 
 the river, gradually ascending ; when it rises five or six feet to 
 the second bank. This extends nearly on a level to the bluffs, 
 which are from 60 to 100 feet in height. These bluffs consist of 
 rounded pebbles overlaying strata of limestone and sandstone, 
 rounded at the top, and corresponding in their course with the 
 meanders of the river and lake- The ascent, although steep, is 
 not perpendicular. On the bluffs the surface again becomes 
 level, and is beautifully interspersed with prairie and woodland. 
 
 From the bluffs the prospect is uncommonly fine. Looking 
 towards the east, you first behold an extensive prairie, which in 
 spring and summer is covered with grass, with whose green the 
 brilliant hues of a thousand flowers form the most lively contrast. 
 Beyond this, the lake, clear and calm, may be seen emptying 
 itself into, or by its contraction forming the river, whose me¬ 
 anders, only hid from the view by the beautiful groves of tim¬ 
 ber which here and there arise, can be traced to the utmost 
 extent of vision. 
 
 19 
 
146 
 
 GAZETTEER OF ILLINOIS, 
 
 From the preceding description, it may be inferred that this 
 section of country is not very rich in minerals. Coal , however, 
 is abundant on the hanks of Kiekapoo creek, about one mile 
 above its mouth. It was first discovered by the soldiers station¬ 
 ed at the fort, and being of a good quality, was used by them 
 for fuel. It is found 12 or 14 feet below the surface; is over¬ 
 laid by slate, limestone and sandstone, and contains vegetable 
 
 remains. 
 
 Steatite is found on the banks of Lake Peoria, a few miles 
 above the fort, and is wrought by the natives into pipes ami 
 other utensils. It is of a dark green colour, and ha rdens on 
 exposure. 
 
 It is probable that copper exists in this vicinity ; for a grant 
 made by the king of France to M. Renault, at the old village ot 
 
 Peoria, embraces a copper mine. The Indians frequently ex¬ 
 hibit specimens of copper to the traders, but are unwilling to 
 give their locality. Those which I have seen are native, in the 
 form of rounded malleable masses # They are said to have 
 been found on the surface of the earth, and therefore afford no 
 evidence of a vein of the ore in the vicinity, any more than the 
 masses of granite which are found every where on the prairie, 
 of t lie existence of a primary formation in their immediate vi¬ 
 cinity. 
 
 The climate of this place is much influenced by its peculiar 
 situation. There is generally a fine current of air sweeping 
 through the valley of the river, either from the north or south— 
 South winds, which are by far the most common, are generally 
 pleasant. Winds from the north aiul northwest, generally hung 
 cold weather, and those from the east and northeast, are pre¬ 
 sages of storms. 
 
 *1 visited Fort Clark in 1G20, and obtained a specimen of native copper found in its vicinity. It 
 ■Weighs about two pounds, and is similar to that found on Lake Superior, of which the following 
 description was given at the mint of Utrecht in the Netherlands, at the request of Dr. Lusiis: 
 
 “From every appearance, the piece of copper seems to have been taken from a mass that has 
 undergone fusion. The melting was, however, not an operation of art, but a natural effect caused 
 by a volcanic eruption. 
 
 The stream of lava probably canned along in its course the aforesaid body of copper, that had 
 formed into one collection, as fast as it was heated enough to run, from all parts of the n.ine. The 
 ’-{Biled mass was probably borne in this manner to the place vv here it now rests ;n the soil.” 
 
 Phillips' Mineralogy^ Amtr. Ed-p. 191, note 
 
TOPOGRAPHICAL VIEW OF TOWNS, &C. 
 
 147 
 
 The diseases which prevail here, are such as are {'ound in all 
 newly settled countries. A few cases of intermittent and remit¬ 
 tent fever have occurred, occasioned, probably, by heat succeed¬ 
 ing to heavy rains, which inundated the alluvion on the opposite 
 side of the river. 
 
 The country in the v icinity of Fort Clark, presents many in¬ 
 ducements to emigrants. On the west side, the valleys of the 
 Illinois and Spoon rivers, and the tract of country forming the ta¬ 
 ble land between them, are celebrated for their beauty and fer- 
 tility, and are calculated to support a very dense population.— 
 On the east side, directly on the bank of the river, is a laige 
 growth of timber, consisting principally of oak, hicory, walnut, 
 pecan, maple, &c. which extends east about half a mile. Pro¬ 
 ceeding still farther east, vve reach a prairie, upon which is the 
 Bachelor’s Run settlement. The soil here is a rich loam, about 
 10 or 12 feet deep, and of such a nature, that it requires very 
 little labor to prepare it for the reception of seed, in a southeas¬ 
 terly direction from this, you reach the Sangatito country, which 
 lias already been described. 
 
 Peoria , a town of Pike county, laid out in the spring of 1820, 
 oil set lion 8, of township 8 north, in range 8, east of the fourth 
 princ ipal meridian, about half a mile south of the ruins of Fort 
 Clark. No improvement has as yet been made, but from its lo¬ 
 cal advantages, and the fertility of the surrounding country, 
 there is no doubt but it will become a place of the first conse¬ 
 quence. 
 
 Peoria lake , see Illinois lake . 
 
 Perryville , a post town in Fayette county, situated on the west 
 bank of the Hurricane fork of the Raskaskia river, in sections 
 5 and 6, of township 4 north, in range 1, west of the third prin¬ 
 cipal meridian. It was formerly the county seat of Bond, but 
 upon the erection of the new county of Fayette, Greenville was 
 substituted. Commissioners were appointed to assess the dam¬ 
 age done to Perryville, in consequence of the removal. It is a 
 very trilling place, containing only about 12 or 15 houses. 
 
 Petersburgh , a town in 
 
 St. Clair county, situated on Silver 
 
148 
 
 GAZETTEER OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 creek, in section 24, of township 1 north, in range 7, west of the 
 third principal meridian, about 12 miles east of Belleville. 
 
 Pickamink river , see Canawnga . 
 
 Plumb creek , a small stream of Randolph county, rises in town¬ 
 ship 4 south, in range 5, west of the 3d principal meridian, and 
 running in a southwest direction ten or twelve miles, empties 
 into the Kaskaskia river on the left side, a short distance above 
 Ilorsc creek. 
 
 Pope's river , a considerable stream in the northern part of 
 Pike county, it rises in township 14 no rth, in range 1, west of 
 the 4th principal meridian, and running in a westerly direction 
 about 30 miles, empties into the Mississippi on the left side, in 
 section 34, of township IS north, in range 5, west of the 4th prin¬ 
 cipal meridian, A great proportion of the land on this stream 
 is prairie. 
 
 Portage creek, a small stream in the northern part of the state. 
 It rises about seven miles east of Lake Michigan, runs in a 
 southerly direction, and empties into the Riviere des Plaines, 
 on the left side, twelve miles west of Chicago. 
 
 Portland , a town in Randolph county, laid out in 1819, on sec¬ 
 tions 23 and 14, in township 7 south, in range 7 west of the 3d 
 principal meridian, being on the east bank of the Kaskaskia ri¬ 
 ver, at its junction with the Mississippi. This is perhaps the 
 Lest town site on the Illinois side of the Mississippi, from the 
 mouth of the Ohio to Alton. The situation is high and healthy. 
 It is supplied with a number of fine springs, and the vicinity fur¬ 
 nishes building materials and fuel in great abundance. The 
 shore at tiiis place is hold and rocky, and the mouth of the Kas¬ 
 kaskia furnishes What is very rare on the Mississippi—a good 
 harbor for boats at all seasons of the year. The first building 
 was erected here in the spring of 1820, and there is now in oper¬ 
 ation an ox, saw and grist mill, whic h are not only useful to the 
 inhabitants, but profitable to the enterprising proprietor. This 
 place also contains a number of good mechanics of different 
 kinds. A large ware house has also been erected here. 
 
TOPOGRAPHICAL VIEW OF TOWNS, &C. 
 
 149 
 
 From the ease with whirl) produce ciin he shipped to 
 this place, and the constant intercourse which may be had be¬ 
 tween it and New-Orleans, it bids fair to become (he principal 
 depot of the country, watered by the Kaskaskia and its tributa¬ 
 ries. 
 
 Prairie du Long creek, a trifling stream of St. Clair county. 
 It runs in a southeast direction, unites w ith Richland creek, and 
 empties into the Kaskaskia, in section 30, of township 3 south, 
 in range 7, west of the 3d principal meridian. 
 
 Prairie du Pont , a small village in St. Clair county, one mile 
 south of Cahokia. It contains a few houses, which are generally 
 in a state of decay. The inhabitants are chiefly French. Like 
 the other French villages, it has a common field in the vicinity. 
 This place was settled about the same time with Cahokia. 
 
 Prairie du Pont creek , a small stream of St. Clair county, ris¬ 
 es in a pond under the bluff of the American bottom, and run¬ 
 ning a devious course south and west, empties into the Missis¬ 
 sippi, two miles below Cahokia. 
 
 Prairie du Rocher , an incorporated post village in Randolph 
 county, on the American bottom, near the rocky bluff, from 
 whence it derives its name, twelve miles northwest of Kaskaskia. 
 It was settled by the French about the same time with the other 
 villages on the Mississippi. Its situation is low and unhealthy, 
 and during wet seasons is very disagreeable. The houses are 
 generally built in the French style, and the inhabitants are, with 
 few exceptions, poor and illiterate. The streets are very nar¬ 
 row and dirty. Here is a Roman Catholic chapel, which is its 
 only public building. In the vicinity, is an extensive common, 
 which is attached to the \illage, and is under the controui of the 
 trustees. 
 
 Prairie du Rocher, in 1766, contained 14 families; at present, 
 between 30 and 40. It is about three miles east of the Missis¬ 
 sippi, and 50 miles south of St. Louis. Few Americans have 
 as yet disturbed the repose of the ancient inhabitants of this 
 
150 
 
 GAZETTEER OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 place, nor is it probable they ever will, as it possesses no advan¬ 
 tages, and is withal very unhealthy. 
 
 Rainy river , a small stream* runs a west course, and empties 
 into the Illinois river on the left side, near the head of Lake Pe¬ 
 oria. 
 
 Red bud creek , see Kickapoo creek. 
 
 Rejoicing creek* heads in the northeastern part of the state, 
 and running in a southeasterly direction, empties into the Wa¬ 
 bash, between Fort Harrison and Tippecanoe rivers, in the state 
 of Indiana. At its mouth it is about 100 yards in width. 
 
 Richland creek 9 a small stream, emptying into the Sangamo 
 river, below the south fork. Its course is about north. The 
 country on the banks of this stream is very fertile, and is settling 
 rapidly. 
 
 Richland creek , an inconsiderable stream of St. Clair county, 
 runs in a southerly direction, and after uniting with Prairie du 
 Long creek, in section 22, of township 3 south, in iange 8, west 
 of the third principal meridian, empties into the Kaskaskia riv¬ 
 er on the right side. Iron ore of a good quality has been found 
 on the hanks of this stream. 
 
 Ridge prairie , so called from the appearance of its surface. It 
 is several miles in extent, and is hounded on all sides by fine 
 timber. Such is the fertility of its soil, and the pleasantness of 
 its situation that it already contains a flourishing settlement. It 
 is situated in Madison county. 
 
 Ripley , a town in Bond county, situated on Shoal creek, a 
 branch of the Kaskaskia river, S3 miles east of the Mississippi, 
 in section 9 of township 5 north, in range 4, west of the third 
 principal meridian. This place possesses few advantages, and 
 it is riot probable that it will ever become of much import¬ 
 ance. Scarcely any improvement has as yet been made here, 
 and had it not been staked off into squares and lots, it would 
 never be noticed as a town. The laud in the vicinity is gene¬ 
 rally fertile. The road from St. Louis to Vandalia passes 
 through this place. 
 
151 
 
 TOPOGRAPHICAL VIEW OF TOWNS, &G. 
 
 Riviere au Feve , see Bean river. 
 
 Riviere ties Iroquois, see Canawaga . 
 
 Riviere des Plaines , a considerable stream in the northeastern 
 part of the state. It rises in the low lands bordering on Lake 
 Michigan, has a southern and southwestern course, and by its 
 union with the Theakiki, forms the Illinois. The valley of the 
 river, which is generally about one mile in width, is in the form 
 of an inverted cone, terminated on both sides by regular banks, 
 nearly parallel to each other. In ascending the river, the hanks 
 gradually decrease in height, and at the distance of thirty or 
 forty miles up the river, they form right angles w ith the course 
 of the river—that on the right taking an easterly, and that on 
 the west a northwesterly course.* They then form an extensive 
 curve, encircling a large tract of flat prairie. This in summer 
 is dry, but in the spring, during high water, is a lake of about 
 twenty miles in area. This lake communicates with both the 
 Riviere des Plaines and Chicago rivers, by means of a canal, 
 which has been made partly by the current of the water, and 
 partly by the French and Indians, for the purpose of getting 
 their boats across in high water. The distance from the Riviere 
 des Plaines at the mouth of Portage creek, to Chicago, is twelve 
 miles ; but from the head of the creek to the head of Chicago 
 river, it is only three miles. In wet seasons, boats of consi¬ 
 derable burthen pass from Lake Michigan to the Illinois river, 
 with the greatest ease.f 
 
 In the bed of the Des Plaines, about forty rods above its 
 junction with the Theakiki, there is a fossil tree , of a very con¬ 
 siderable size. The following description of it is given by Mr. 
 
 H. R. Schoolcraft, in a memoir read before the American geo¬ 
 logical society, in 1821 : 
 
 This extraordinary species of phytolites occurs, imbedded 
 in a horizontal position, in a stratum of newer ficetz sandstone, 
 of a grey colour and close grain. There are now fifty-one feet 
 six inches of the trunk visible. It is eighteen inches in diameter 
 
 *See a report made to the war office in 1819, by L. H. Long, major of topographical engineers, 
 extracted in N. 11. Van Zant’s description of the Illinois territory, 
 t The practicability of uniting them by means el a canal, is treated of in the General Fiezu, page 
 
 I, 8, et seq. 
 
152 
 
 GAZETTEER OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 at the smallest end, which appears to have been violently broken 
 off prior to the era of its mineralization. The root end is still 
 overlaid by the rock and earth of the western bank of the river, 
 and is two feet six inches in diameter at the point of disappear¬ 
 ance ; but circumstances will justify the conclusion, that its 
 diameter at the concealed end cannot be less than three feet. 
 The trunk is straight, simple, scabrous, without branches, and 
 lias the gradual longitudinal taper observed in the living speci¬ 
 men. it lies nearly at right angles to the course of the river, 
 pointing towards the southeast, and extends about half the width 
 of the stream. Notwithstanding the continual abrasion to which 
 it is exposed by the volume of passing water, it has suffered 
 little apparent diminution, and is still firmly imbedded in the 
 rock, with the exception of two or three places where the por¬ 
 tions of it have been disengaged and carried away ; but no por¬ 
 tion of what remains is elevated more than a few inches above 
 the surface of the rock. It is owing, however, to these partial 
 disturbances, that we are enabled to perceive the columnar for¬ 
 mation of the trunk, its cortical layers, the bark by which it is 
 enveloped, and the peculiar cross fracture, which unite to render 
 the evidence of its ligneous origin so striking and complete. 
 From these characters and appearances, little doubt can remain 
 that it is referable to the species jugtans nigra , a tree very 
 common to the forests of the Illinois, as well as to most other 
 parts of the immense region drained by the waters of the. Mis¬ 
 sissippi. The woody structure is most obvious in the outer 
 rind of the trunk, extending to the depth of two or three inches, 
 and these appearances become less evident as we approximate 
 the heart. Indeed, the traces of organic structure in the inte¬ 
 rior, particularly when viewed in the hand specimen, are almost 
 totally obliterated and exchanged, the vegetable matter being 
 replaced by a mixed substance, analogous in its external cha¬ 
 racter to some of the silicated and impure calcareous carbonats 
 of the region. Like those carbonats, it is of a brownish grey 
 colour and compact texture, effervesces slightly in the nitric 
 and muriatic acids, yields a white streak under the knife, and 
 presents solitary points or facets of crystals resembling calc 
 spar. All parts of the tree are penetrated by pyrites of a brass 
 yellow colour, disseminated through the most solid and stony 
 
TOPOGRAPHICAL VIEW OF TOWNS, &C. 
 
 153 
 
 parts of the interior, filling interstices in the enter rind, or in¬ 
 vesting its capillary pores. There are also the appearance of 
 rents or seams between the fibres of the wood, caused by its own 
 shrinkage, which are now filled with a carbonat of lime, of a 
 white colour, and crystallized.’'* 
 
 Riviere da Page , a considerable stream in the northeastern 
 part of the state. It rises a few miles west of the Riviere d< s 
 Plaines, and running a south course, empties into it six miles 
 above its junction with the Theakiki. It is about 40 miles in 
 length. 
 
 • # 
 
 Riviere la Mine , see Crooked creek . 
 
 Rock river , a large stream in the northern part of the state, 
 running in a westerly direction, and emptying into the Missis¬ 
 sippi above the Illinois bounty tract, 300 miles above the mouth 
 of the Illinois river. Opposite to the mouth of this river is Rock 
 island, on which is a fort, garrisoned by a company of U. States 
 troops. Rock river is a beautiful stream, and the lands on its 
 banks are very fertile, it is navigable for 2 or 300 miles, and 
 is connected by a short portage with the Melwakee river, about 
 100 miles above its junction with Lake Michigan A short dis¬ 
 tance below its mouth, on the banks of the Mississippi, are se¬ 
 veral groups of mounds, some of which are very large. Near 
 these is a lai ‘ge village of the Sacs and Foxes, living promis¬ 
 cuously together. It consists of 60 lodges, being, it is said, one 
 of the largest and most populous Indian villages on the continent. 
 
 Saline creek) a small stream of Gallatin county, rises by two 
 heads, the one in Franklin and the other in White county, and 
 running a southeast course, empties into the Ohio a few miles 
 below Shawnectown. It is nav igable for boats to the Saline* 
 which is eleven miles from its mouth. 
 
 Saline creek , a considerable branch of the Sangarno, emptying 
 
 into it on the right side, after running a southwest course through 
 
 a fertile tract of country, and receiving a number of tributaries. 
 
 * 
 
 Saline fork of Little Wabash , a small stream, running a * u h- 
 
 east course, and emptying into the Little Wabash in White 
 
 count v, 25 miles above its month, 
 
 20 
 
154 
 
 GAZETTEER OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 Salines are so numerous in this state, that it would he, im¬ 
 possible to give a detailed enumeration of* them. They exist in 
 almost every county, and promise to become .sources of wealth 
 to the inhabitants, and of revenue to the state. The one near 
 Sliawneetown, ( ailed the Ohio saline, is at present the most va- 
 luaule. (vide Gallatin county.) Near Brownsville is another of 
 considerable value, ( ailed Muddy saline ; as also on Shoal creek, 
 in section 36 of township 6 north, in range 4, west of the third 
 principal meridian. These are the most extensively worked. 
 Salines have also been discovered on the main or north fork of 
 the Sangamo—between Little Vermilion river and Fox river of 
 the Illinois—on the north side of the Illinois river, about nine 
 miles above the military bounty tract, which was once worked 
 by the French—and in township 11 south, in range 2, west of 
 the fourth principal meridian. 
 
 &alu f a town in Madison county, laid out in 1819. It is si¬ 
 tuated on the bluff, a mile and a half east of the Mississippi, and 
 one mile north of Alton, in section 6 of township 5 north, in 
 range 9, west of the third principal meridian. The road lead¬ 
 ing through the state from east to west, runs near this place, 
 and forks so as to cross at Smetzcr’s, or Fountain ferry. The 
 town is well supplied with springs, and its situation is consider¬ 
 ed healthy and advantageous. 
 
 Sandy creek , a small stream of Greene county, running a 
 westerly course, and emptying into the Illinois above Apple 
 creek, in section 13 of township 13 north, in range 13, west of 
 the third prim ipal meridian, and opposite to section 36 of town¬ 
 ship 5 south, in range 2, west of the fourth principal meridian. 
 
 Sangamo river , a large stream in the northern part of the state. 
 It rises near the head waters of the Kaskaskia river, Vermilion 
 of the Vabash. Woman river of 1 ippecanoe, and Iroquois river 
 ol ihe Illinois, about 70 miles northwest of Fort Harrison, and 
 running a northwesterly course, empties into the Illinois, about 
 130 miles above its mouth. It is about 150 miles in length, 70 
 ol* which are navigable. Its tributaries are Mowawequa or 
 South fork, Brush, Sugar, Spring and Richland creeks from the 
 south, and Sait creek, and several other smaller streams, from 
 
TOPOGRAPHICAL VIEW OF TOWNS, &C. 155 
 
 the north. The current of the Sangamo is brisk, and the water 
 clear. The land bordering on it and its tributaries, are uncom¬ 
 monly fertile ; the soil being of such a nature, that immense 
 crops are raised with very little labour. Emigration to this 
 section of the state has been so great, that it already contains a 
 population of several thousands. On the head waters are sever¬ 
 al salines, which must become valuable, as the demand for salt 
 increases. 
 
 Seaton's creek, a small stream of Alexander county, running a 
 westerly course, and emptying into the Mississippi near the 
 southern part of township 14 south, about 35 miles above the 
 mouth of the Ohio. 
 
 Shawneetown , a post town, and the seat of justice of Galla¬ 
 tin county, situated on the Ohio river, nine miles below the 
 mouth of the Wabash, in section 6, of township 10 south, in 
 range 10, east of the third principal meridian. The bank of 
 the Ohio at this place has a gradual ascent, but is annually sub¬ 
 ject to inundation. On account of the peculiar situation of 
 this town, it commands a hue view of the river for sev. 
 eral miles above and below. It contains a bank, a printing 
 office, from which a weekly paper is issued, a land office for 
 the district, and about 100 dwelling houses, a great propor¬ 
 tion of which are built of wood. he town extends along 
 the river about half a mile, but has rather the appearance of de¬ 
 cline. This may be owing to the inundations of the river, and 
 the unhealthiness which they occasion. Mr. Birkbeck, in his 
 notes on a journey in America, remarks : “ This place I account 
 as a phenomenon, evincing the pertinacious adhesion of the hu¬ 
 man animal to the spot where it once has fixed itself. As the 
 Java of Mount Etna cannot dislodge tins strange being from the 
 cities which have been repeatedly ravaged by its eruptions, so 
 the Ohio, by its annual overflowings, is unable to wash away 
 the inhabitants of Shawneetown. Once a year, for a series of 
 successive springs, it has carried away the fences from the 
 cleared lands, till at length they have surrendered and ceased 
 to cultivate them. Once a year, the inhabitants make their es¬ 
 cape to higher lands, or take refuge in their upper stories, until 
 
156 
 
 GAZETTEER OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 the waters subside, when they recover their position on this des¬ 
 olate sand bank.” 
 
 IS haw nee town is in latitude 57° 40' north, 110 miles southeast 
 of Vandalia. 
 
 Shoal creek , a beautiful stream, running in a southerly direc¬ 
 tion through the counties of Bom! and Washington, and empty¬ 
 ing into the Kaskaskia, in section 6, of township 1 south, in 
 range 4, west of the third principal meridian. It is formed by 
 the union of the east and west fork, and is navigable for small 
 craft a considerable distance. 
 
 Silver creek , a considerable stream, running a southerly 
 course through the counties of Madison and St. Clair, and emp¬ 
 tying into the Kaskaskia in section 28, of township 2 south, in 
 
 * 
 
 range 7, west of the third principal meridian. It is about 50 miles 
 in length, and has several small branches watering tlie western 
 parts of Washington and Bond counties. On these are some of 
 the most flourishing settlements in the state. 
 
 Smallsburg , a hamlet, containing a mill and five or six hous¬ 
 es, situated on the west bank of the Embarras river, five miles 
 
 / . . ' . / ' * ' ; J ' • t ' ' y. 
 
 above its mouth, am! about six miles southwest of Vincennes.—- 
 The alluv ion between this plac e and the Wabash, is heav ily tim¬ 
 bered and subject to inundation. The water is frequently from 
 twelve to fourteen feet in depth, so that an uninterrupted boat 
 navigation is established through the timber, from Smallsburg 
 to the W abash, a distance of three miles. 
 
 Smelt&er’s ferry , on the Mississippi, a mile above Alton. 
 
 Snicarty sloo , see Chenail ecarte. 
 
 South fork of the Sangamo , see Mowawequa. 
 
 Sjtoon river , a large and beautiful stream of Pike county. It 
 rises in the northeastern part of the Illinois bounty trad, and 
 runs a southwest and south course, until it reaches the line be¬ 
 tween townships 5 and 6 north, in range 1, east of the 4th prin¬ 
 cipal meridian ; it tin n c hanges to southeast, which course it 
 continues with little variation, until it empties into the Illinois, 
 
TOPOGRAPHICAL VIEW OF TOWNS, &C. 157 
 
 150 miles above its tnout.li, in section 32, of township 4 north, in 
 range 4 east of the 4th principal meridian. This stream is navi ¬ 
 gable for some distance, but it is much obstructed by rafts of tim¬ 
 ber. At its junction with the Illinois, is a large lake, which, ex¬ 
 tending north and south, is frequently the <ause of embarrassment 
 to the emigrant, who is liable to mistake it for the channel of the 
 river. The mouth of Spoon river, is about 30 or 40 yards wide, 
 and may be known by its being 3 miles below a sandy bluff on 
 the east side of the Illinois, on which are small mamclles . The 
 land on this river and its tributaries, is considered the most eli¬ 
 gible in this section of the state, being high and undulating, well 
 watered, and handsomely diversified with prairie and timber.— 
 Coal, of a very fine quality, is abundant on the banks of this 
 stream, and w ill be \aluable, on account of the scarcity of tim¬ 
 ber, particularly in the northern part of the military tract. 
 
 Spring creek , a small stream, running a northwest course, and 
 emptying into the Sangamo river on the left side below the south 
 fork. On its banks are a number of flourishing settlements. 
 
 Springfield , a post town, and the seat of justice of Sangamo 
 county , laid out in 1821. It is situated on Spring creek, a branch 
 of the Sangamo river, in township 16 north, in range 5, west of 
 the third principal meridian. Although this place is as yet in its 
 infancy, the circumstance of its being the centre of a fertile and 
 thickly-settled district of country, must soon render it of consid¬ 
 erable importance. 
 
 Springfield is in latitude 39° 50' north, 96 miles northeast of 
 St. Louis, and 65 northwest of Vandalia. 
 
 Sterling , a town of Clark county, situated on the Wabash, in 
 township 10 north, in range 11, west of the third principal me¬ 
 ridian. 
 
 St. Germain , a small stream, running through the northeast¬ 
 ern part of the state, and flowing into the Wabash between Vin¬ 
 cennes and St- Harrison It was discovered by the French. 
 
 Stinking creek , see Beaver creek . 
 
158 
 
 GAZETTEER OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 St Mary, a town in Madison county, situated on the east hank 
 of the Mississippi, at the mouth of Wood river, and nearly op¬ 
 posite to the mouth of the Missouri. It is 18 miles north of St. 
 Louis, and 22 south of the junction of the Illinois with the Mis¬ 
 sissippi. Wood river, which runs through the town, affords a 
 good harbor for boats, and has on it several valuable grist and 
 saw mills, and distilleries No improvement has as yet been 
 made in this place, and it is doubtful whether it will become oth¬ 
 er than a mere settlement. The situation is in many respects 
 unfavorable, and on this account can never rival Alton, and the 
 other towns above. About a mile south is a ferry across the 
 Mississippi. 
 
 St. Philip , a French village of Monroe county, now almost 
 entirely deserted. It is situated on the American bottom, near 
 Fort Chartres, 45 miles below Cahokia. While the French 
 continued in possession of the territory east of the Mississippi, 
 this was the residence of several families. Like all the other 
 French villages, St. Philip has a large common field for the use 
 of its inhabitants. 
 
 Sugar creek , a small stream of Fayette county, rising in the 
 prairies, and running a southeast course about 20 miles, empties 
 into the Kaskaskia river near the centre of township 8 north, in 
 range 2, east of the third principal meridian. Near the mouth 
 of this creek is a flourishing settlement. The lands on its banks 
 arc generally first rate, and handsomely diversified with prairie 
 and timber. 
 
 Sugar creek, runs a northerly course, and empties into the 
 Sangamo river on the left side, a short distance below the forks. 
 
 Sugar creek , a small stream, rising in township 4 north, in 
 range 5, west of the third principal meridian, and running a 
 southerly course through the western parts of Madison and 
 Washington counties, empties into the Kaskaskia river, by two 
 mouths, near the base line, in range 5, west of the third principal 
 meridian, it is about 20 miles in length, and waters a fertile 
 country, which is rapidly settling. Coal is found in great 
 abundance on the banks of this stream. 
 
TOPOGRAPHICAL VIEW OF TOWNS, &C. 
 
 159 
 
 Theakiki river, a large navigable stream, rises in the north¬ 
 western part of Indiana, and interlocking with the head waters of 
 St. Joseph of the Lakes and Tippecanoe, runs a northwesterly 
 course through the northeastern part of Illinois. After receiv¬ 
 ing Yellow river, Iroquois river, and several other tributaries, 
 it unites with the Des Plaines, and forms the Illinois, SO miles 
 above the mouth of Fox river. Navigation can be effected 
 through the Pheakiki and St. Joseph of the Lakes, when it can¬ 
 not through Chicago creek and the Des Plaines. Boats of or¬ 
 dinary size may ascend as high as British lake, at which place 
 is a trading house, 60 miles due south of Chicago. From this 
 lake the river loses itself in a cranberry marsh, extending 50 
 miles east, and rising at the big spring, near the state line be¬ 
 tween Illinois and Indiana. To this spr ing it is navigable, at 
 all seasons of the year, for small boats. From this to the St. 
 Joseph’s is a portage of nine miles, across a sandy ridge. 
 
 The Theakiki was discovered by the French at a very early 
 period, and was one of the principal routes to the Illinois. 
 Charlevoix, in his travels, gives the following account of it :— 
 “ I yesterday departed from the fort on the river St. Joseph, 
 and sailed up that river six leagues. I went ashore in the night, 
 and walked a league and a quarter, first along the water side, 
 and afterwards across a field, in an immense meadow, entirely 
 covered with copses of wood, which produce a very fine effect. 
 It is called the meadow of the buffaloe’s head , because it is said 
 that a head of that animal, of monstrous size, was once found 
 
 there. 
 
 This morning I walked a league further in the meadows, 
 having my feet almost always in the water ; afterwards 1 met 
 with a kind of pool or marsh, which had a communication with 
 several others of different sizes, hut the largest not a hundred 
 paces in circuit. These are the sources of the river Theakiki, 
 which, by a corrupted pronunciation, our Indians call Kiakihi- 
 Theak signifies a wolf, in I do not remember what language ; 
 hut this river hears that name, because the Mahingans, who are 
 likewise called the Wolves, had formerly their refuge on its 
 banks.” 
 
 He further observes, 44 This river is very narrow at its source, 
 and very crooked,* but ten men would in two days make a 
 
160 
 
 GAZETTEER OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 straight and navigable canal, which would save a great deal of 
 trouble, and ten or twelve leagues of way.” 
 
 " After this, the river by degrees takes a straighter course ; 
 hut its banks are not pleasant, till at the distance of fifty leagues 
 from its source. It is, even throughout that whole space, very 
 narrow, and it is bordered by trees, which have their roots in 
 the water: when any one happens to fall, it bars up the whole 
 river, and a great deal of time is lost in clearing a passage for a 
 canoe. All these difficulties being passed, the river, at the dis¬ 
 tance of fifty leagues from its source, forms a small lake ; after 
 which it grows considerably broader. The country becomes 
 beautiful, consisting of unbounded meadows, where buffaloes are 
 to be seen grazing in herds of two or three hundred.” 
 
 The junction of this stream with the River des Plaines or the 
 Illinois, is called by the Canadians the Forks. It is here a 
 beautiful stream, while the Illinois is very shallow. From the 
 Forks to Cowpens, on St. Joseph of the Lakes, by water, is 180 
 miles ; by land SO. 
 
 The natives and traders still call this stream the Teaukeekee, 
 according to the French orthography, Tueakiki; of which 
 Charlevoix has given the correct definition. But it is frequently 
 called Kankakee , a corruption of the corruption mentioned by 
 the same author. It is, however, proper that the aboriginal 
 name should be preserved. 
 
 The Theakiki crosses the eastern boundary line of the state, 
 180 miles north of Vincennes, and 35 miles south of Lake Mi¬ 
 chigan. At this place its width is 300 links. 
 
 Town of Illinois , (forme: ly Jacksonville,) a posl town in St. 
 Clair county, situated on the east bank of Cahokia creek, about 
 400 yards from the Mississippi, directly opposite to St. Louis. 
 It is surrounded by a fertile tract of country, but has few com¬ 
 mercial advantages. Here are 20 or SO houses, and upwards of 
 100 inhabitants. The situation is unhealthy, hut in this respect 
 has improved much within a few years. The road from Vin¬ 
 cennes to St. Louis passes through this place, and its contiguity 
 to the latter will always secure to it some importance. 
 
 Tro !/, a small town in Madison.county, situated in section 10 
 of township 3 north, in range 7, w est of the third principal me¬ 
 ridian* seven miles southeast of Edwardsville. 
 
TOPOGRAPHICAL VIEW OF TOWNS, &C. 
 
 161 
 
 Turkey creek , a small stream of Fayette county, running a 
 southeasterly course, and emptying into the Kaskaskia river on 
 the right side, above Blac kbird creek. 
 
 Turkey hill , a flourishing settlement of St. Clair county, and 
 one of the oldest American settlements in the state. If includes 
 the town of Belleville, and much of the surrounding country. 
 Many of the inhabitants are Methodists. 
 
 Valid alia, the capital of the state, and the seat of justice of 
 Fayette county, laid out in 181^, by commissioners appointed for 
 that purpose, under the authority of the state. It is situated on 
 the west bank of the Kaskaskia river, in sections 8, 9,16, and 17, 
 of township 6 north, in range 1, west of the 3d principal meridian. 
 The site is high and undulating, and entirely above the inunda¬ 
 tions of the river. The streets cross each other at right angles, 
 and are 80 feet in width. The public square is a high and com¬ 
 manding situation, and is already ornamented with a tempo¬ 
 rary state house, and a brick bank. There are also in 
 the tow n, several stores, a printing offic e, from which is issued 
 a weekly paper, entitled the “ Illinois Intelligencer,” about 150 
 dwelling houses, and 700 inhabitants, among which are profes¬ 
 sional men, and mechanics of every description. 
 
 Yandalia is under the government of five trustees, who 
 are elected annually by all the free white male inhabitants 
 of twenty-one years and upwards, who shall hav e resided six 
 months immediately preceding the election, within the limits of 
 the following boundaries, to wit: Beginning at the southeast 
 corner of section 16, in township 6 north, in range l, east of the 
 3d principal meridian, thence north to the northeast corner of 
 sec tion 9, in the same township, thence west to the northwest 
 corner of section 8, in the same township, thence south to the 
 southwest corner of section 17, in the same township, and thence 
 east to the place of beginning. The trustees have the power of 
 appointing an assessor, whose duty it shall be to value and as¬ 
 sess all the lots, regularly laid off in the said town, and make a 
 return of them to the trustees, having previously taken an oath 
 before some justice of the peace, truly and impartially to perforin 
 the same, but in the valuation of said lots, the houses aiid other 
 
 21 
 
162 
 
 GAZETTEER OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 improvements thereon, shall not be taken into consideration ; 
 and upon the return, of such list of taxable property by the as¬ 
 sessor, the trustees shall levy a tax thereon, at a rate not exceed¬ 
 ing three per cent per annum on the valuation of said lots, for the 
 purpose of paying for the clearing, cleansing and repairing the 
 streets, and such other improvements as may be deemed by them 
 expedient and necessary. 
 
 The act of the legislature appointing trustees to the town of 
 Yandalia, of which the above is an extract, also provides, that 
 for the purpose of enabling the said trustees to drain any ponds 
 or slashes which may be in the neighborhood of said town, and 
 erecting a bridge across the Raskaskia river opposite the same, 
 and constructing a road from said bridge across the bottom on 
 the east side of the river to the highlands, there shall be grant¬ 
 ed to the said trustees and their successors in office, in fee sim¬ 
 ple, fifty lots in said town, to be selected by them, in conjunction 
 with the auditor of the state, under certain provisions mention¬ 
 ed. These lots may be disposed of by the trustees in such man¬ 
 lier as, in their opinion, shall be most conducive to the object for 
 which the grant is made. 
 
 The same act also authorises the trustees to lease out any part 
 of the prairie lying within the town tract, and any quantity of 
 land within said tract, not exceeding six acres to any one person, 
 nor for a longer period of time than six years, for the purpose of 
 brickyards, mills, &c. on such terms as they may think most 
 advantageous to the state ; and the said trustees shall allow a 
 sufficiency of timber for the purpose of fencing any lands w hich 
 they may lease. 
 
 The advantages of Yandalia are by no means few or incon¬ 
 siderable. Many intelligent men are still, however, of opinion 
 that a more eligible situation might have been selected. Soon 
 after it was located, 150 lots were sold for an average amount of 
 $234.89 each. The highest brought $780, and the aggregate 
 sale amounted to $35,234.76. Considering that the town was 
 then a wilderness, and not a stick of timber missing in it, except 
 what was necessarily removed for the purposes of surveying, this 
 was a more favorable sale than could have been anticipated— 
 Although it does not possess commercial advantages, the 
 Kaskaskia being too low for navigation for more than nine 
 
Saritvp 
 
TOPOGRAPHICAL VIEW OF TOWNS, &C. 168 
 
 months in the year, yet the fact of its being the seat of govern¬ 
 ment for 20years, must secure to it a rapid increase of population. 
 Besides this, the fertility of the surrounding country, must also 
 contribute much to its improvement. Here must of course be a 
 considerable market, to which the farmers of the vicinity will 
 send their produce. In regard to health, Vandalia may be said 
 to differ little from the neighboring towns. Although its local 
 situation is such as to lead to the conclusion, that it will be heal¬ 
 thy, yet the inundated alluvion, and the ponds by which it is sur¬ 
 rounded, bring with them their train of summer and autumnal 
 fevers. But as this is a calamity attendant upon all newly set¬ 
 tled countries, it can form no particular objection to this place. 
 Among the advantages which it possesses, are fine springs in 
 abundance. Good water may be obtained in any place b) dig_ 
 ging about 20 feet. A large proportion of the inhabitants of this 
 place and the vicinity are Germans, who emigrated in 1820.— 
 In general they are good citizens, and sustain the character of 
 their countrymen, in different sections of the United States, for 
 industry and frugality. West of this place are a number of prai¬ 
 ries, considerable portions of which are under cultivation. On 
 the east side of the river, is an extensive bottom, about two miles 
 in width, heavily timbered, and subject to inundation, which 
 sometimes renders it impassible. Beyond this, prairie predom¬ 
 inates. 
 
 Vandalia is in latitude 38° 55' north, 70 miles northeast of St. 
 Louis, and on the mail route from Vincennes to that place. 
 
 Vermilion river of the Illinois , a considerable stream, running 
 a westerly course through the northern part of this state, and 
 emptying into the Illinois river on the leftside, a short distance 
 below the rapids. 
 
 Vermilion river of the TVahash , rises in township 23 north, in 
 range 11, west of the 2d principal meridian, near the eastern 
 boundary line of the state, within 16 or 20 miles of the Wabash* 
 It then runs a west-southwest course, until it receives two con¬ 
 siderable tributaries, one of which rises near the source of the 
 Sangamo, when it changes its course to the southeast, and con¬ 
 tinues in this manner to its junction with the Wabash. For this 
 information, I am indebted to W. S. Hamilton, Esq. who, during 
 
164 
 
 GAZETTEER OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 the last season, explored the country bordering on this stream. 
 Hr also informs nue, that the country is fine, and will support a 
 dense population. On the south fork, are valuable salines, which 
 are worked. The water is found at the distance of 12 feet below 
 the surface. They are as yet worked entirely by squatters ; the 
 land having been recently surveyed, and of course still in the 
 possession of the U. States. On this account, the improvements 
 are very inconsiderable. The lands on the banks of this stream 
 are settling rapidly, and when brought into market, will no doubt 
 command a high price on a< count of the number of salt springs. 
 The Vermilion is navigable for some distance above its mouth. 
 It crosses the eastern boundary line of the state, 100 miles north 
 of Vincennes, at whic h place it is 300 links in width. It faIG in¬ 
 to the Wabash, near latitude 40° north. Little Vermilion emp¬ 
 ties in a short distance below. 
 
 Vienna, an incorporated post town, and the seat of justice of 
 Johnson county, situated on the waters of Cash river, in sections 
 5 and 6, of township 13 south, in range 3, east of the 3d principal 
 meridian. The main road from Golc onda to Kaskaskia passes 
 through this plac e. It is in latitude 37° 25'north, 110 miles 
 nearly due south of Vandalia. 
 
 Wanborough , a settlement of Edwards county, situated near 
 Albion. 
 
 Washington, a post town in Washington county, situated on 
 the east bank of Shoal creek, in section 12, of townships north, 
 in range 4, west of the 3d principal meridian. 
 
 Waterloo, a town in Monroe county, laid out in 1819. It is 
 situated about 12 miles east of the Mississippi river, on the ridge 
 road between St. Louis and Kaskaskia, in section 25 of town¬ 
 ship 2 south, in range 10, west of the 3d principal meridian — 
 So iittle improvement has as yet been made here, that a travel¬ 
 ler would scarcely be able to find the town. 
 
 Wilkinsonville , formerly a military post on the Ohio, 25 miles 
 abov e its mouth, commanded by General \\ ilkinson. It was 
 situated on a high bank, called Cedar bluff's. There were a few 
 inhabitants here, but it is now deserted. 
 
TOPOGRAPHICAL VIEW OF TOWNS, &C. 
 
 165 
 
 Wind river , a small stream in the northern part of the sta-e, 
 runs a southwest course, ami empties into Fox river on the left 
 side. 
 
 Wolf’s head river, a branch of the Sangamo, emptying into it 
 on the left side, helow the forks. 
 
 Woman rv er of Tippecanoe , a considerable stream, rises in the 
 northeastern part of the stare, above the Vermilion of the Wa¬ 
 bash, and running an east course, empties into Tippecanoe river, 
 in the state of Indiana. A small part of this stream only runs 
 within the state of Illinois. 
 
 Wood river, a small stream of Madison countv. runs a wester- 
 
 - ' 
 
 1} < oufsie, and empties into the Mississippi, nearly opposite to rhe 
 mouth of the Missouri. On this stream are many fine mill 
 seats and flourishing settlements. 
 
 Yellow banks , on the Einbarras river, in Crawford county.— 
 A company has been incorporated with a capital of SI50,000, 
 for the purpose of making a turnpike from this place to V incen- 
 nes, called the 6 ‘ Embarras turnpike company.” 
 
 Yellow banks , see Mauvaise terre creek. 
 
 York , a town, situated on the W abash, near the line between 
 Clark and Crawford counties, in township 8 north, in range 11? 
 west of the 2d principal meridian. 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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GENERAL 
 
 GEOGRAPHICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 ARRANGED UNDER THE FOLLOWING HEADS : 
 
 j 
 
 Situation, Boundaries and Extent—Face of the 
 Country—Rivers—Vegetable Productions— Anim¬ 
 als—Minerals—Climate—Antiquities— Land Dis¬ 
 tricts-Government—Education-Internal 1m- 
 
 trovements—History. 
 
 Situation, Boundaries and Extent. The state of Mis¬ 
 souri is situated between 36° and 40° 30' N. !at and 11° 45' and 
 3 7° 30' W. long. It is bounded north and west by Missouri ter¬ 
 ritory ; cast by the states of Illinois, Kentucky and Tennessee ; 
 and south by Arkansas territory. Its medium length is about 
 270 miles, and medium breadth about 220 miles, the area being 
 about 60.300 square miles, or 38,592,000 square acres. The 
 boundaries, as prescribed by the act of congress, admitting this 
 state into the union, areas follows : Beginning in the middle of 
 the Mississippi river, on the parallel of thirty-six degrees of 
 north latitude ; thence west along the said parallel of latitude 
 to the St. Francois river ; thence up and f Slowing the course of 
 that river, in the middle of the main channel thereof, to the par¬ 
 allel of latitude of thirty six degrees and thirty minutes ; thence 
 west along the. same to a point where the said parallel is inter¬ 
 sected by a meridian line passing through the middle of the mouth 
 of the Kansas river, where the same empties into the Missou¬ 
 ri ; thence from the point aforesaid north, along the said merid¬ 
 ian line, to the intersection of the parallel of latitude, which pas¬ 
 ses through the rapids of the river Des Moines, making the said 
 line correspond with the Indian boundary line ; thence easi, from 
 
170 
 
 GENERAL VIEW OF MISSOURI. 
 
 the point of intersection last aforesaid, along the said parallel of 
 latitude, to the middle of the main fork of the said river Des 
 Moines ; thence down and along the middle of the main channel 
 of the said river Des Moines to the mouth of the same, where it 
 empties into the Mississippi river ; thence due east to the mid¬ 
 dle of the main channel of the Mississippi river ; thence down 
 and following the course of the Mississippi river, in the middle 
 of the main channel thereof, to the place of beginning. 
 
 Face of the Country. The lands bordering on the Mis¬ 
 sissippi, Missouri, and other streams in this state, are generally 
 like those of Illinois, low, subject to inundation, and very fertile, 
 consisting of a stratum of alluv ial soil of great depth. As you 
 recede from the banks of the rivers, the land rises, becoming 
 gradually and abruptly elevated, and forming wlirt is termed 
 
 roiling land." It is handsomely diversified with prairie and 
 wood land, and the soil, although inferior to that of the alluvion, 
 is of a very good quality. The interior and southern part of the 
 state is traversed in many places by ranges of flinty hills, which 
 are totally unfit for cultivation, hut which abound with minerals 
 of various kinds. 1 
 
 Rivers. The Mississippi is the eastern boundary of this 
 state. Having already given a general description of this river, 
 1 shall at present confine my attention to the character of the 
 lands which border it. 
 
 From the southern boundary of the state to about thirty-five 
 miles above the mouth of the Ohio, where the limestone rock 
 terminates abruptly, is a plain ofseveral miles in width. t4 The 
 soil is generally rich, and lias the appearance of being alluvial, 
 though there is a greater proportion of sand than is usual in the 
 neighborhood of the rivers. It is a common idea, but very erro¬ 
 neous, that this is a continued swamp, or rather low land, sub¬ 
 ject to inundation. There are doubtless a great many swamps 
 and lakes interspersed with the plains ■; but there are aiso exten¬ 
 sive bodies of land fit for cultivation. The swamps and wet 
 lands might be drained without any great difficulty.” 
 
 Tywapety bottom, which extends along the Mississippi be¬ 
 tween the bluffs before mentioned and Cape Girardeau, is sever¬ 
 al miles in width, and is covered in many places with a heavy 
 
GENERAL VIEW OF MISSOURI. 
 
 171 
 
 growth offices, such as arc peculiar to the most fertile alluvion. 
 It is hounded by a ridge of highland, which, in approaching the 
 St. Fr ancois westward, subsides. In passing over it, we appear 
 to be in a hilly country, possessing springs and rivulets ; the 
 soil, though generally poor and sandy, is tolerably well timber¬ 
 ed, and not altogether unfit for cultivation, 
 
 “ From Cape Girardeau to the Missouri, the country may be 
 called elevated and uneven, but with excellent Hats or bottoms, 
 on the creeks or rivulets, of a width usually proportioned to the 
 size of the stream. The river hills of the Mississippi, from 5 to 
 10 miles west, are in many places far from prepossessing. They 
 are badly watered, have many rugged and abrupt acclivities, 
 and considerable precipices on the river. A strange appearance 
 is also given by the number of funnels, or sink holes , formed by 
 the washing of the earth into fissures of the limestone rock, on 
 which the country reposes. In other places, flint knobs present 
 themselves, strewed with huge masses of hornstone, and afford¬ 
 ing a scanty nourishment to a few straggling black jacks, or 
 gr ov es of pine. But it is not to be understood, that this forms 
 the greatest proportion of the lands ; a more minute description 
 of particular parts will prove the contrary. Even in these pla¬ 
 ces, there is abundance of fine grass, affording excellent pastur¬ 
 
 age.”* 
 
 North of the Missouri, the country on the bank of the Missis¬ 
 sippi is level for some distance. Standing on I he Mamelles, 
 formed by the union of the bluffs of the Mississippi and Missou¬ 
 ri, three miles below St. Charles, and looking towards the north 
 and east, you have a view of more than 30,000 acres of prairie, 
 which has the appearance of an extended plain or meadow, 
 checkered here and there with a few groves of timber. But in 
 travelling over it, we discover many undulations in the surface 
 —the Marais croche meanders through it for several miles, 
 and its banks appear as if they had formerly been the hanks of 
 either the Mississippi or Missouri rivers. This is also the case 
 with Guide sac , a short distance below St. Charles. In the 
 spring, these places are cov ered with three or four feet of water ; 
 in the summer, they are generally exiccated. The soil of this 
 
 Brackenridge's Views off.ouisiana. 
 
172 
 
 GENERAL VIEW OF MISSOURI. 
 
 tract, near the Missouri, is very rich, but towards the Missis¬ 
 sippi is a heavy clay, which, by exposure to the sun, becomes 
 very hard. 
 
 Above this tract, the country is undulating and hilly, and con- 
 tinues so with little variation to the L)es Moines. On the head 
 waters of Salt River, there is a considerable proportion of good 
 land, but the prairies are very extensive, and are not calculated 
 for a dense population. These continue to the head waters of 
 the Chariton, which empties into the Missouri. 
 
 The principal tributaries of the Mississippi in this state, are 
 Des Moines, Salt, Missouri, Merrimac k and St. Francois riv¬ 
 ers. 
 
 The Missouri river rises in the Chippevvan mountains, in lat. 
 44° 20' IS. long S5°W. from W ashington c ity. Its general course 
 to the Mandan villages is northeast and east, and in this distance 
 it receives several large tributaries. At the Mandan villages, it 
 turns to the south, ami continues that course for 3 or 400 miles. 
 In this distanc e it receives a few unimportant tributaries from 
 the left, and from the right, the large streams of Cannon Ball, 
 Wetarhoo, Sarwarcarna, Chayenne. Teton and White rivers. 
 Below the mouth of the latter, the Missouri turns to the south¬ 
 east, east and south, 300 miles, to its junction with the La 
 Platte, an immense bod} of water* flowing from the west, and 
 heading with the Arkansas. Lewis’s and Yellow Stone rivers.— 
 In the latter course, the Missouri has also received from the left 
 the Jaques, Great and Little Sioux rivers. Below its junction 
 with the Platte,-4he Missouri flows 200 miles southeast to the 
 mouth of the Lanzas liver, a large tributary flowing from the 
 west. The Missouri has now gained nearly the 39th degree of 
 north latitude, and turning a little south of east 250 miles, joins 
 its vast volume to the Mississippi, after an entire comparative 
 course of 1870 miles, and particular course of about 3000 miles * 
 One of the most remarkable features of the valley of the Mis¬ 
 souri, is the great differenc e in the length and volume of the con¬ 
 fluent streams from the right, when compared with those from the 
 left bank ot the main recipient. W hilst from the right, the Mis- 
 
 * Article Mississippi river , in the American edition of Dr. Brewster’s new Edinburgh Encyclope¬ 
 dia, written by W- Darby, Esq. author of Emigrant’s Guide, kc. 
 
GENERAL VTEW OF MISSOURI. 
 
 113 
 
 Bonn receives such vast branches as the Yellow Stone, Chay- 
 enne, Quicourre, Platte, K*nzas, Osage and Gasconade, from 
 the left all she branches are of minor importance. 
 
 The most peculiar apj)earance of the Missouri, is the muddy 
 ash-colour of its water, occasioned by the sand with which it is 
 impregnated This character is derived from the mountains in 
 which it rises, and the vast plains through which it passes. To 
 this cause also may he ascribed the formation of the numerous 
 sand hanks and islands, and the alluvious nature of the lands on 
 the Missouri. The water is lively and soft, and the specific gra¬ 
 vity of it about the same as that of rain or snow water. A ves¬ 
 sel tilled w ith the Missouri water, will, after remaining for some 
 time undisturbed, he about one third full of sediment. The 
 quantity of the sediment varies with the rise and fall of the riv¬ 
 er, it being much greater in the spring than in the summer or 
 autumn. This arises from the increased volume of water ; by 
 which means the vast plains which bound the Missouri and its 
 tributaries are inundated, and the current of the streams is 
 rendered more impetuous. But the muddiness of the Missouri 
 water appears to be no objection to its use ; on the contrary, those 
 inhabitants who reside on the hanks of this stream, consider the 
 water preferable to any other. Some of them put it into lar ge 
 earthen jars, and let it stand till the sediment has subsided. Oth¬ 
 ers filtrate it through stone or sand, and others again render it 
 clear and tr ansparent, by putting into it a small quantity of alum, 
 or the kernels ol a pear h-stone, either of which precipitate the im¬ 
 purities to the bottom. The greatest number, however, use the 
 water in its impure state, and experience no bad effects from it. 
 The Missouri water is impregnated with sulphur and nitre, and 
 those who drink of it pretend, that it is a remedy fur cutaneous 
 diseases^* It generally has a slightly cathartic effect upon those 
 who are unaccustomed to its use. 
 
 The current of the Missouri is considerably greater than that 
 of the Mississippi, or any of the western rivers, being generally 
 about four miles an hour. It is on this account that the bed of 
 the river is continually changing, and shoal islands and sand¬ 
 bars ar e constantly forming. Hence it is Unsafe to settle on the 
 
 * Stoddard’s Sketches of Louisiana. 
 
174 
 
 GENERAL VIEW OF MISSOURI. 
 
 alluvions banks of this stream ; for it not unfrequently happens, 
 that thousands of acres, containing houses and plantations, are 
 swept away by the impetuosity of its current. 
 
 The floods of the Missouri usually begin early in March, and 
 continue until the latter end of July ; during which time it rises 
 and subsides, as its different tributaries bring down their in¬ 
 creased volume of water. It so happens that seldom more than 
 two great rivers are high at the same period. Many of these 
 floods are never felt in the Mississippi. The great rise of the 
 Missouri itself from the melting of the snows, takes place about 
 the middle of June, and begins to subside about the latter end of 
 July. In some of the northern branches, the ice does not break 
 up until late in the season. Mr. Brackenridge observes, that 
 about one thousand miles up the Missouri, he saw a large cake 
 of ice floating in the river on the last of May.* About the be¬ 
 ginning of August the Missouri begins to subside, and continues 
 to do so until it is closed with ice. 
 
 From several circumstances, it is probable that the rapidity 
 of the current of the Missouri was occasioned by some compara¬ 
 tively recent convulsion. For such enormous quantities of earth 
 as is every year brought down, would have broken and mutr 
 lated the country in an astonishing degree. “ W hat immense 
 quantities of earth,” says a writerf on this subject, “ must have 
 been carried off* to form the great alluvions of the Mississippi, 
 by means of the Arkansas, Red river, and chiefly the Missouri! 
 not to mention the vast quantities lost in the Gulf of Mexico. 
 The result of a calculation would be curious. The marks of this 
 loss are very evident in the neighbourhood of nearly all the ri¬ 
 vers which discharge themselves into the Missouri above the 
 Platte. Some of the appearances may rank among the greatest 
 natural curiosities in the world. The traveller, on entering a 
 plain, is deceived at the first glance by what appears to be the 
 ruins of some great citv—rows of houses for several miles in 
 length, and regular streets. At the first view, there appears to 
 be all the precision of design, with the usual dev iations in single 
 buildings, representing palaces, temples, &c. which appearances 
 are caused by the washing away of bills as before described- 
 
 Views of Louisiana. 
 
 : Brackenridg’e. 
 
GENERAL VIEW OF MISSOURI. 
 
 175 
 
 These remains, being composed of more dur able substance, con¬ 
 tinue undecayed, while the rest is carried off. The strata have 
 the appearance of different stones; tire isolated and detached 
 hills constitute the remainder.' 9 
 
 But that these effects have been recently produced, and that 
 the character of the Missouri has been changed by some re¬ 
 cent convulsion, are facts which might be satisfactorily proved 
 by calculating the vast quantities of earth which ar e annually 
 brought down. But the calculation would be tedious, and of 
 little importance in a work of this kind. 
 
 Pumice, and other volcanic productions, are continually float¬ 
 ing down the Missouri, and are deposited on the sand-bars and 
 islands. By some, these ar e said to be caused by the burning 
 coal banks on the Upper Missouri ; but the proof in favour of 
 the existence of volcanoes in the northwest is so strong, that 
 there is little doubt but they are referable to them. Immense 
 beds of coal are found in every part of the valleys of the Ohio 
 and Illinois, arid yet they are entirely destitute of these volcanic 
 productions ; a convincing proof that they must be produced by 
 some other cause. 
 
 On the north side of the Missouri, after leaving the alluvion 
 at its junction with the Mississippi, the land becomes undulating 
 and sometimes hilly ; the soil is generally fertile, although there 
 is a tolerable proportion of second rate land. 
 
 From St. Charles to Cote sans dessein, the north bank of the 
 Missouri, with the exception of the high craggy cliffs on Roche 
 Percee and Bonne Femme creeks, consists of a handsome up¬ 
 land, gently sloping to the river, and heavily timbered with oak, 
 hickory, ash, &c. The alluvions of the small streams are very 
 fertile. 
 
 Cote sans dessein, two or three miles below the mouth of the 
 Osage river, is situated on a single detached hill, about half a 
 mile in length. North of this the land becomes hilly, and in ma¬ 
 ny places sterile, and continues in this manner for some dis¬ 
 tance. 
 
 The military bounty tract is generally fertile, but in the nor¬ 
 thern part the prairies are too large to support a dense popu¬ 
 lation. Coal, however, is very abundant. According to the re- 
 
176 
 
 GENERAL VIEW OF MISSOURI. 
 
 port of surveyors, the military road from Grand river to the 
 Council Bind's, passes through a country well watered, and 
 handsomely interspersed with prairie and woodland. It crosses 
 the heads of the small streams, which empty into the Missouri. 
 The land is level or gently undulating; the soil is generally fer¬ 
 tile. 
 
 On Fishing river, which empties into the Missouri, near 
 
 the western boundary of the state, there is a beautiful tract of 
 
 * 
 
 country, which is rapidly increasing in population. 
 
 On the Rauzas river, which empties into the Missouri from 
 the southwest, extensive plains and prairies are very common* 
 and timber is rarely found, except in the immediate vicinity of 
 the water. Below Fort Osage, which is situated on a high and 
 rocky bank, the country is handsomely interspersed with prairie 
 and woodland, which continues so for some distance. Opposite 
 to the mouth of the C hariton rivers, ihe banks of the Mis¬ 
 souri become high and undulating, and as you approach the 
 Gasconade, become elevated into bills, which are sterile, and 
 generally destitute of timber. To compensate for this, they 
 abound with minerals. 
 
 After leaving these hills, the country to the mouth of the Mis¬ 
 souri is level, sometimes alluvial and at others upland ; contains 
 a sufficient quantity of timber, and is very fertile. 
 
 The principal tributaries of the Missouri in this state, are 
 Rauzas, Fishing. Grand, Osage and Gasconade rivers. 
 
 The Kansas river rises in the plains between the Arkansas 
 and Platte, and running a northeast course seven or eight hun¬ 
 dred miles, unites with the Missouri, about three hundred miles 
 above its confluence with the Mississippi. Its principal tributa¬ 
 ries are Smoaky Hill fork, Grand Saline, Solomon s fork ami 
 Republican fork, which last appears to be the principal stream* 
 At the confluence of the Kansas and Missouri, there is a recent¬ 
 ly formed alluvion, which is low, and subject to annual inunda¬ 
 tion. This, however, soon rises to a second bank, which ex¬ 
 tends to the hills. On the south side of the Kansas the high¬ 
 lands approa< h to within a udie and a half of Ihe river ; on Ihe 
 north they are several miles distant. The water of this stream 
 
GENERAL VIEW OF MISSOURI. 
 
 177 
 
 lias a disagreeable taste, and is often very muddy. Its banks 
 are generally prairie, and the cliffs frequently consist of “ solid 
 strata of gypsum.”* The Kansas Indians reside on this stream 
 in two villages, the one about twenty and the other about forty 
 miles above its confluence with the Missouri. Their number 
 amounts to about three hundred warriors. 
 
 The Des Moines river (La Riviere des Moines,) forms apart of 
 the northern boundary of the state. It rises in Pelican lake, be¬ 
 tween the Mississippi and Missouri rivers, in lat. 44° N. near 
 the Great Sioux of the Missouri. It runs a southeasterly course, 
 nearly parallel with the Mississippi, about five hundred miles, 
 and empties into it about two hundred and fifty miles above the 
 mouth of the Missouri, in lat. 40° 22' N. In its course it re¬ 
 ceives Raccoon creek, North fork, and several other large trib¬ 
 utaries, so that the size of the Des Moines continues the same for 
 several hundred miles. 
 
 The banks of this stream are generally well timbered ; in 
 some places low and subject to inundation, and in others high 
 and hilly ; in the latter, lead and iron ores are very abundant. 
 Several mines of lead have been opened, and are worked by the 
 Indians. They sell the ore to the traders, who smelt and export 
 it to the southern and eastern markets. The Indians are so te¬ 
 nacious of their exclusive right of working these mines, that 
 they will not suffer the traders even to visit them. Should the 
 government or individuals ever attempt to work them, a large 
 armed force will be necessary, in order to protect the frontier 
 settlers. An Indian chief not long since observed, that the mines 
 were an unalienable gift from the Great Spirit, and that the whole 
 of his tribe would rather suffer death to a man, than yield them 
 to the whites. It is to be feared, however, that these poor delu¬ 
 ded natives will soon be prevailed on to barter their inheritance 
 for a song, and that the strong arm of American power v% ill again 
 drive them from their present possessions, to the sterile and in¬ 
 hospitable regions of the north and west. 
 
 At the mouth of this river, there is said to be a fine town site. 
 Above this for some distance, the stream is narrow and shal¬ 
 low, and frequently hounded by low marshy land. 
 
 1 Brackenridge. 
 
178 
 
 GENERAL VIEW OF MISSOURI. 
 
 The banks of the Des Moines abound with game of all kinds, 
 and on this account are the residence of large numbers of In- 
 dians. At present, they are inhabited by the lowas, who are 
 neighbours to the Sacs and Foxes, residing on the west bank 
 of the upper Mississippi. 
 
 The rapids of the river Des Moines, are about nine miles in 
 length, and they terminate half a mile above the mouth of this 
 river. These are in the Mississippi, but take their name from 
 the circumstance of their being at the junction of the stream 
 which 1 have just described. 
 
 The river Des Moines was discovered at a very early period. 
 It is mentioned by Charlevoix, who calls it “ La Riviere des 
 
 Moines , or Moingona .” 
 
 Vegetable Productions. In respect to its vegetable pro¬ 
 ductions, tlie state of Missouri differs little from that of Illi¬ 
 nois. The forest trees peculiar to the one, are found in the 
 other, with very little difference in their general localities, 
 hi the southern part of this state, the cypress (cupressus disticha) 
 is very common. Red cedar , (Juniperus virginiana) is found upon 
 the high rocky banks of the Mississippi, and upon the flint bills 
 of the mine district. On the Gasconade river, about one hun¬ 
 dred miles above its confluence with the Missouri, the timber is 
 principally white and yellow pine, which is very valuable on ac¬ 
 count of its being so rare throughout the valley of the Mississippi. 
 Several saw mills are now in operation at this place, and it is 
 probable the number will be much increased. Formerly , lumber 
 was brought at great expense from the Alleghany and Ohio riv¬ 
 ers. At present it can be sent down the Gasconade to St. Louis, 
 and the other towns along the Missouri and Mississippi, for 
 one fourth the price.* 
 
 * See Gasconade rive/. 
 
GENERAL VIEW OF MISSOURI. 
 
 179 
 
 The following catalogue of some of the genera of plants, which 
 I observed in this state and Illinois, will convey an idea of their 
 botanical riches, and afford an opportunity of comparison with 
 the floras of other parts of the United States. 
 
 DIANDRIA. 
 
 Monogynia. 
 
 Veronica, L. (speedwell.) Gratiola, L (hedge-hyssop.) Ca- 
 talpa, Jus. (calalpa-tree.) Lycopus, L. (water horehound ) Cu- 
 Jiila, L. (mountain dittany.) Hedeoma, Pers. (wild pennyroy¬ 
 al.) Alonarda, L. (mountain balm.) Uircsea, L. (enchanter’s 
 nightshade.) Leptandra, Nutt. 
 
 TRIANDRIA. 
 
 Monogynia. 
 
 Fedia, Gcert. Iris, L. (flag.) Sisyrinchium, L. (blue-eyed 
 grass ) Ualymenia, Pers. (Nuttall.) Leptanthus, Mx. Scir- 
 pus, L. (club-rush.) Cyperus, L. (cypress-grass.) S^eersia 
 Swartz. (Bradbury,) (rice-grass.) Panicum, L. (panic k-grass.) 
 Aristida, L. (Brad.) Stipa, L. (Brad.) (feather-grass.) Aira, 
 L. (hair-grass.) Festuca, L. Poa, L. (meadow-grass ) Hor- 
 deum, L. (Nutt.) (barley.) Miegia, Pers. (cane.) 
 
 Trigynia. 
 
 Mollugo, L. 
 
 TETRANDRIA. 
 
 Monogynia. 
 
 Cephalanthus, L. (button-bush.) Galium, L. (bed-straw.) 
 Houstonia, L. Cornus, L. (dogwood.) Plantago, L. (plaintain.) 
 Pteiea, L. Viscuin, L. (misseltoe.) 
 
 Dyginia. 
 
 Hamamelis, L. (witch-hazel,) Ilex, L. (ilex.) Potamoge- 
 ton, L. (pond-weed ) 
 
tsu 
 
 GENERAL VIEW OF MISSOURI. 
 
 PENTANDRIA. 
 
 Monogynia. 
 
 “Myosoiis, L. (scorpion-grass.) Lythospermum, L. (groin- 
 well.) Batchia, Mx. Cynoglossum, L. (hound’s-tongue.) Pul- 
 monaria, L. (lung-wort.) Onosmodium, Mx Phacelia, Jus¬ 
 sieu. Hydrophyllum, L. (water-leaf.) Ellisia, L. Dodecan- 
 theon, L (American rowslip.) Convolvulus, L. (bindweed.) 
 Phlox, L. Polemonium, L. (jacob’s-ladder.) Physalis, L. (win¬ 
 ter-cherry.) Datura, L. (Jamestown-weed.) Sabbatia, Adam¬ 
 son. Campanula, L (bell-flower.) Triosteum, L. (feverwort.) 
 Ribes, L. (currant and gooseberry.) Vitis, L. (vine.) Impa¬ 
 tient, L. (touch-me-not.) Viola, L. (violet.) Claytonia, Gro- 
 novius. Solarium, L. (nightshade.) Ceanothus, L. (New-Jer- 
 sey-tea.) Evonymus, L. (spindle-tree.) Thesium, L. Ver- 
 bascurn, L. (mullein.) 
 
 Digynia. 
 
 Apocynum, L (Jndian-hemp.) Asclepias, L. (milk-weed.) 
 Gentiana. L. (gentian.) Heuchera, L. (alum root.) Sanicula, 
 L. (sanicle.) Erigenia, Nutt. Cicuta, L. (water-hemlock.) 
 Myrrhis, Morison, (chervil.) Uraspermum ? Nutt. Smyrni- 
 unij L. (alexanders.) Thapsium, Nutt. Chenopodium, L. 
 (goosefoot.) TJlmus, L. (elm.) Celtis, L. (nettle-tree, hack- 
 berry.) 
 
 Trigynia. 
 
 Viburnum, L. Sambucus, L. (elder.) Rhus, L. (sumach.) 
 Staph} lea, L. 
 
 Tetragynia. 
 
 Aralia, L. Linum, L. (flax.) 
 
 HEXANDRIA. 
 
 Moxogynia. 
 
 Tradescantia, L. (spider-wort.) Allium, L. (gariick.) Hy- 
 poxis, L. Lilium, L. (lily*) Erythronium, L. (dog’s tooth- 
 violet, adder’s tongue.) Uvularia, L. (bellwort.) Convallaria, 
 
GENERAL VIEW OF MISSOURI. 
 
 181 
 
 L. Polygonatum, Desfontaines, (solomon’s seal.) Juncus, 
 L. (rush.) Streptopus, Mx. Phalangiutn, Tournefort. 
 
 Trigynia. 
 
 Trillium, L. (three- leaved nightshade.) Rumex, L. (dock.) 
 
 PoLYGYNIA. 
 
 Alisma, L . (water plantain.) 
 
 HEPTANRRIA. 
 
 Monogynia. 
 
 JEscuIus, L . (horse chesnut—buck-eye.) 
 
 t * * i 
 
 OCTANDRIA. 
 
 Monogynia. 
 
 Rhexia,L. CEuothera, L. (tree primrose.) Gaura, L. Epi- 
 lobiuin.L. (willow herb.) Oxycoccus, Fers- (cranberry.) Acer, 
 L. (maple.) 
 
 Trigynia. 
 
 Polygonum, L. (buckwheat.) 
 
 ENNEANDRIA. 
 
 Monogynia. 
 
 Laurus, L, (spicewood.) 
 
 DECANDRIA. 
 
 Monogynia. 
 
 Vaccinium, L. (whortle-berry.) Cassia, L . Babtisia, Veil- 
 tenut 9 (wild indigo.) Cercis, L. (red-bud.) 
 
 Tiarella, L. 
 
 Digynia. 
 
 Trigynia. 
 
 Stellaria, L> (stitch-wort.) 
 
182 
 
 GENERAL VIEW OF MISSOURI. 
 
 Pentagynia. 
 
 Cerastium, L. (mouse ear—chi< kweed.) Agrostemma, L. 
 (corn cockle ) Oxalis, L . Peuthorum, L. Sedum, L . (stone- 
 crop) 
 
 Decagynia. 
 
 Phytolacca, L. (poke.) 
 
 ICOSANDRIA. 
 
 Monogynia. 
 
 Prunus, L . (plum anil cherry.) Ly thrum, L. (loose-strife.) 
 
 Digynia. 
 
 Agrimonia, L (agrimony .) Crataegus, L . (hawthorn.) 
 
 Pentagynia. 
 
 Pyrus, L. (the apple and pear ) Spiraea, L. Gillenia, ffloench. 
 (Indian physic.) 
 
 Polygynia. 
 
 Rosa, L (rose.) Rubus, L. (bramble.) Geum, L. (avens.) 
 Potentilla, L. (cinquefoil.) Fragaria, L. (strawberry.) 
 
 POLYANDRIA. 
 
 Monogynia. 
 
 Tilia, L . (linden or lime-tree.) Sanguinaria, L. (puccoon.) 
 Podophyllum, L (May apple) Actaea, L (bane-berries.) Nu- 
 pliar, Smith , (yellow pond-lily.) Helianthemum, Tournefort, 
 
 Di-Pentagynia. 
 
 Delphinium, L. (larkspur.) Aquilegia, L. (columbine.) Hy¬ 
 pericum, L. (St. John’s wort.) 
 
 Polygynia. 
 
 Porcelia, Pers. (papaw.) Clematis, L. (virgin’s bower.)— 
 Anemone, L . Thalictruin, L (meadow rue.) Hydrastis, L. 
 Caltha, L. (marsh marigold.) Hepatica, WilUl (liver-wort.) 
 Ranunculus, L. (crow-foot.) 
 
GENERAL VIEW OF MISSOURI* 
 
 183 
 
 DIDYNAM1A. 
 
 Gymnospermia. 
 
 Teucrium, Z. (germander.) Mentha, Z. (mint.) Isanthus, 
 Jlx. Nepeta, Z (cat-mint.) Stachys,Z (hedge nettle.) Mar- 
 rubium* Z (borehound.) Pycnanthemum, Mx (mountain mint.) 
 Prunella, Z. (self-heal.) Scutellaria, Z. (scull-cap.) Cunila> 
 Z. (dittany.) 
 
 Angiospermia. 
 
 Phryma, Z. Verbena, Z (vervain.) Scrophularia, Z. (fig- 
 wort.) Bignonia, Z. (trum|)et flower.) Ruellia, Z. Buclmera, 
 Z. Collinsia. Nutt. Gerardia, Z. Ptdicularis, Z. (louse-wort.) 
 Mimulus, Z. (monkey flower.) Chelone, Z. Pentstemon, Z. 
 Martynia, Z. Bartsia, Z. Orobanche, Z. (broom-rape.) 
 
 TETRAD Y N AM I A. 
 
 SlLXCULOSA. 
 
 Draba, Z. (whitlow grass.) Lepidium, Z. (cress.) Thlaspi, 
 Z. (shepherdVpurse.) 
 
 t 
 
 SlLIQUOSA- 
 
 Dentaria, Z. (tooth-wort.) Cardamine, Z. (American water¬ 
 cress.) Sisymbrium, Z. (water radish.) Turritis, Z. (tower 
 mustard.) Cleome, Z. 
 
 MONADELPHIA. 
 
 Pentandria. 
 
 Lobelia, Z. Passiflora, Z. (passion flower.) 
 
 Decandria. 
 
 Geranium, Z. Schrankia, fVilld . 
 
 Polyandria. 
 
 Sida, Z. Malva, Z. (mallow.) 
 
 D1ADELPHIA. 
 
 Pentaadria. 
 
 Pctalostcmon, Mx. 
 
184 
 
 GENERAL VIEW OP MISSOURI, 
 
 Hexandria. 
 
 Cory dal is. Vent. 
 
 OtTANDRIA. 
 
 Polygala, L. (milk-wort.) 
 
 Decandria. 
 
 Amorpha, X. Lupinus, X. (lupin.) Vicia, X. (vetch.) La- 
 thyrus, X. Astragalus, X. (milk-vetch.) Psoralea, X. Tri¬ 
 folium, L. (trefoil.) Glycyrrhiza, X. Lespedeza, Mx. He- 
 dysarum, X. Phaseolus, X. (kidney bean.) Robitiia, X. (locust 
 tree.) Tephrosia, Fers. JDolichos, L . 
 
 SYNGENESIA. 
 
 POLYGAMIA XE<*UALIS. 
 
 Leontodon, L . (dandelion.) Prenanthes, L. Sonchus, L. 
 (sow-thistle.) Hieracium, X. (hawkvveed.) Cnicus, Witld. 
 (thistle.) Liatris, Schreber . Vernonia, Schrebcr. Eupatorium, 
 X. Cacalia, L . 
 
 PoLYGAMIA SUPERFLTJA. 
 
 Gnaphalium, L . (life-everlasting.) Erigeron, X. (flea-bane.) 
 Aster, L. (star-wort.) Solidago, L . (golden-rod.) Senecio, X. 
 (rag-wort) Anthemis, X. (May-weed.) Achillea, L. (millfoil.) 
 Heliopsis, L’Heretier. Helenium, L. (American sneezewort.) 
 Boebera, Willd . 
 
 POLYGAMIA FRUSTRANEA. 
 
 Helianthus, X. (sunflower.) Rudbeckia, Bidens, X. (bur 
 marygold.) Coreopsis, X. Actinomeris, Nutt. 
 
 POLYGAMIA NeCESSARIA, 
 
 Silphium, X. Ambrosia, X. (bitter weed.) 
 
 PoLYGAMIA SEGREGATAo 
 
 Elephantopus, X. (elephant’s foot.) 
 
 GYNANDRIA. 
 
 Orchis, L. 
 
 Monawdria. 
 

 GENERAL VIEW OF MISSOURI. 185 
 
 Diandria. 
 
 Cypripedium, Swartz. 
 
 MONOECIA. 
 
 Triandria. 
 
 Sparganium, L. (bur-reed.) Carex, L. (sedge.) Comptonia, 
 Goertner, (sweet fern.) 
 
 Tetrandria. 
 
 Alnus, Willd . (alder.) Urtica, L . (nettle.) Moms, L . (mul¬ 
 berry.) 
 
 PoLYANDRIA. 
 
 Sagittaria, L. (arrowhead.) Quercus, L. (oak.) Corylus, L. 
 (hazle-nut tree.) Fagus, L. (beech tree.) Castanea* Tourne- 
 Jort 9 (chesnut.) Platanus, L. (button-wood.) Juglans, L. (wal¬ 
 nut.) Arum, L. (wake robin.) 
 
 Monadelphia. 
 
 Pinus, L. (pine tree.) Cupressus, L. (cypress.) Euphorbia, 
 I*, (spurge.) 
 
 DICECIA. 
 
 ! ' > ' \ 
 
 Biajvdria. 
 
 Salix, L . (willow.) Fraxinus, L. (ash.) 
 
 Hexandria. 
 
 - .1 - . . ^ 'S 
 
 Smilax, L. (green-briar.) Gleditschia, L, (honey locust.) 
 
 OCTANDRIA. 
 
 , A 5 • A V , • . - ' t 
 
 Populus, L. (poplar.) Diospyros, L. (percimon.) 
 
 POLYANDRIA. 
 
 Menispermmn, L. (moon-seed.) 
 
 Maize , is as yet the staple production of this state, as well as 
 Illinois, a large surplus quantity of which is annually raised* 
 and exported to New-Orleans. Wheat, rye, oats, &e. also 
 flourish here, and yield large crops. 
 
 9A 
 
186 
 
 GENERAL VIEW OF MISSOURI. 
 
 Cotton , is cultivated in the southern part of the state, and ora 
 the Missouri river ; and although the crop is sometimes destroy¬ 
 ed by early frosts, it amply repays the labour and expense of 
 cultivation. 
 
 Tobacco , will no doubt become one of the most valuable pro¬ 
 ductions of this state. It is already so extensively cultivated, 
 that a considerable quantity is exported. The act establishing 
 and regulating inspections of tobacco, passed by the general as¬ 
 sembly of this state during their session of 1821 — 22 , will have 
 the effect of encouraging its cultivation, by establishing its 
 reputation in foreign markets. This act provides, that the 
 the several county cour ts shall authorise the erection of ware¬ 
 houses for the reception and inspection of tobacco, at such places 
 in their respective counties as they may deem necessary and 
 proper ; and that all the tobacco which shall be brought to the 
 warehouses thus established, shall be viewed, examined, and in¬ 
 spected by a person skilful in tobacco, who shall be annually ap¬ 
 pointed for that purpose, by the county courts of the several 
 counties wherein any warehouse or warehouses shall be esta¬ 
 blished. The act further provides, that every person who shall be 
 appointed an inspector, shall, before he enters on the duties of 
 his office, enter into bonds, with a sufficient security, in the pe¬ 
 nalty of not less than one thousand dollars, payable to the coun¬ 
 ty * ourt for the benefit of the county, for the faithful performance 
 of his duty ; and that he shall also take an oath to the same ef- 
 fect That is shall be the duty of the inspectors, to attend at 
 their respective warehouses from the first to the tenth ol* every 
 month, (Sundays excepted.) to receive, inspect, and deliver out 
 tobacco. That he inspector shall enter, in a book to be kept 
 for that purpose, the marks and owners’ names of all tobacco 
 brought to the respective warehouses for inspection, in the 
 order in which the same shhll be brought in ; and such 
 inspector shall view and inspect the same in due time, as 
 shall he entered in such hook, without favor or partiality, and 
 shall uncase and break in at least two places in every hogshead 
 or cask of tobacco brought to be inspected as aforesaid ; and if 
 he shall find the same to he good and well conditioned, mer¬ 
 chantable and free from trash, he shall determine whether such 
 tobacco is of the first, second, or third quality $ shall weigh the 
 
GENERAL VTEW OF MISSOURI. 
 
 187 
 
 same, and shall stamp or mark upon the hogshead or cask, with 
 the name of the owner and of the person by whom raised (if 
 known,) the name of the warehouse at which inspected, and 
 also the tare of the hogshead or cask, the quantity of nett to¬ 
 bacco therein contained, and whether the same is of the first, se¬ 
 cond, or third quality. The inspector shall issue a receipt to ibis 
 effect if required by the owner. The act also provides that when 
 any tobacco shall be refused by the inspector, the proprietor 
 thereof shall be at liberty to separate the good from the bad for 
 re inspection ; but if he refuse so to do, then it shall be the duty 
 of the said inspector to weigh, prize and cooper up the same, 
 and mark the gross v\ eight on the cask, and take care of and de¬ 
 liver the same to the owner. And for the prevention of frauds, 
 the inspector shall grant a manifest or certificate for each hogs¬ 
 head* of tobacco so refused, specifying the weight of the same, 
 and that the same had been inspected and refused ; and if any 
 person shall sell refused tobacco, or manufacture the same with¬ 
 out such manifest, he shall forfeit and pay the sum of fifty dol¬ 
 lars for every hogshead so sold or manufactured, one half to the 
 person sueing for the same, and the residue for the benefit of the 
 county in which the offence shall be committed. This act further 
 provides, that no tobacco shall be exported from this state unless 
 the same shall he packed in hogsheads or casks taken from some 
 public warehouse thus established, and received and inspected 
 as above directed—and that any person exporting any uninspec¬ 
 ted tobacco to any port or place without the limits of this state, 
 shall forfeit and pay the sum of six and one fourth cents for ev ery 
 pound of tobacco so exported, to be received and applied as is 
 directed in the case of penalties for shipping refused tobacco. 
 
 Animals. In addition to the animals mentioned in the gen¬ 
 eral view' of Illinois, may be added, as common in this state, the 
 Bison and Elk. Immense herds of the former are frequently seen 
 covering the extensive plains which stretch along the western 
 part of this state. During dry seasons, they remain in the 
 neighbourhood of rivers ,* but they uniformly emigrate to the 
 south upon the approach of winter. 
 
 Minerals. The mineral riches of Missouri arc not excelled, 
 if equalled, by any of the United States, and must render it pros- 
 
188 
 
 GENERAL VIEW OF MISSOURI. 
 
 perous and wealthy. Of the ores, the most abundant and valu¬ 
 able that have as yet been discovered, arc those of lead and 
 iron. 
 
 According to Mr. Schoolcraft, who lias written a very excel¬ 
 lent work on the lead mines of Missouri, “ the district of coun¬ 
 try which is characterized by affording lead ore, extends in 
 length from the head waters of the St. Francis in a northwest 
 direction, to the Merrimack, a distance of 70 miles ; and in 
 breadth from the Mississippi in a southwest direction to the 
 Fourche a Courtois, a distance of about 45 miles, and covering 
 an area of 3150 square miles.” The same author observes, 
 
 that it is not upon every particular section of this tract that 
 the ore can be traced, and that the fact of its existence cannot 
 he ascertained by the character of the soil, rocks, or other fossil 
 bodies. But still there is no considerable part of the tract on 
 which the ore is not to be found. The general aspect of the 
 country is sterile and hilly ; in some places the hills rise into 
 abrupt cliffs. Highland barrens, level and sterile, are here and 
 there to be seen. The soil, is of a reddish coloured clay, 
 stiff and hard, and full of fragments of flinty stone, quartz 
 and gravel : this extends to the depth of from 10 to 20 feet, and 
 is bottomed on limestone rock. It is so compact in many places 
 as almost to resist the pickaxe ; in others, it seems to partake of 
 marl, is less gravelly, and readily penetrated. The country is 
 particularly characterized by quartz, which is strewed in de¬ 
 tached pieces over the surface of the ground, and is also imbed¬ 
 ded in the soil at all depths. This is here called blossom of lead. 
 Iron ores and pyrites are also sc attered over the surface of the 
 ground, and occasionally lead ore. ?? 
 
 The following is a list of the mines given by Mr. Schoolcraft 
 It comprises those of most note in 1818; since w hich time, how¬ 
 ever. in consequence of the increased attention paid to the work¬ 
 ing of this valuable ore, the number has been much increased. 
 
 Mine a Burton, 
 Mine a Robino, 
 Mine a Martin, 
 New Diggings, 
 Ferry’s Diggings, 
 
 Moreau’s Diggings, 
 Tapley’s Diggings, 
 Lambert’s Diggings, 
 Old Mines, 
 
 Min$ Shibboleth, 
 
general view qp Missouri. 
 
 180 
 
 Hawkins’ Mine, 
 
 Elliot’s Mines, 
 
 Rosebury’s Mine, 
 
 Belle Fountaine, 
 
 Austin’s Shaft, 
 
 Cannon’s Mines, 
 
 Jones’ Shaft, 
 
 Little Diggings, 
 
 Rocky Diggings, 
 
 Becquet’s Diggings, 
 
 Gravelly Diggings, 
 
 Mine Liberty, 
 
 Brushy-run Diggings, 
 
 Renault’s Mines, 
 
 Stricklin’s Diggings, 
 
 Miller’s Mines, 
 
 Bibb's Diggings, 
 
 Mine Silvers, ^ 
 
 Tebault’s Diggings, 
 
 Fourche a Courtois, 
 
 Mine Astraddle, 
 
 Pratt’s Mine, 
 
 Masson’s Diggings, alias Part- 
 
 Lebaum’s Mine, 
 
 ney’s do. 
 
 Mine a Joe, 
 
 I. Scott’s Diggings, 
 
 Brian’s Mine, 
 
 T. Scott’s Diggings, 
 
 Doggefs Mine, 
 
 Micheaux’s Diggings, 
 
 Mine La Motte, 
 
 Henry’s Diggings, 
 
 McKane’s Mine, 
 
 Citadel Diggings, 
 
 Gray’s Mine. 
 
 By far the greatest proportion ol these mines are situated in 
 Washington and St. Francois counties 5 a few of them, however? 
 are in St. Genevieve and Jefferson. 
 
 According to the author above quoted, “ the ore is found in 
 detached pieces, and solid masses, in veins and beds, in red ( lay, 
 and accompanied by sulphate of barytes , calcareous spar , blende, 
 iron pyrites and quartz. The ore is of that kind called by mirr 
 eralogists, lead glance, or galena, and is the sulphuret of lead of 
 chemistry. As it is dug up, or quarried from the adhering spar, 
 it presents a very rich appearance. It has a broa<J glittering 
 grain, of a lead-gray colour, which sometimes passes into a blu¬ 
 ish shade. This particular colour may not be recognized on a 
 superficial view, for when the ore is piled in shining heaps at the 
 mouths of the mines, there is so rich and dazzling a reflection of 
 light, that it appears white, and a person unacquainted with ores, 
 might readily mistake it for silver. The ore is easily broken 
 by the blow of a hammer, and may be pounded to a fine powder ; 
 it still preserves its glittering appearance, and is sometimes used 
 in this state as paper sand, for which it is an elegant substitute 
 In breaking it, a mathematical law is observable ^ it always se- 
 
190 
 
 GENERAL VIEW OF MISSOURI. 
 
 parates in rubes, which are more or less perfects and on pound¬ 
 ing, it continues to preserve this figure, until the particles be¬ 
 come too minute to discover their partic ular shape. Sometimes 
 detached lumps of four or five pounds weight, of a cubical form, 
 are found imbedded in the clay. Its primitive figure of crystal* 
 lization, is particularly observable after the ore Iras been dcsul- 
 phurated by heat, which, at the same time, increases its splen¬ 
 dor, and renders the lines of intersection between the facets in 
 which the ore is crystallized, more plainly discoverable.” 
 
 “ The most valuable substance accompanying the lead ore, is 
 blende , an ore of zinc, which is found at several of the mines ; 
 and there is reason to conclude that large bodies of it exist # 
 This is the sulphuret of zinc of chemistry, and is the same sub¬ 
 stance called blackjack by tire English miners, and sometimes 
 called pseudo galena, and mock lead , in writings on this subject. 
 As few are acquainted w ith its nature or* properties, and no one 
 appears to be aware of its uses, no search has been made for it ; 
 and, indeed, in digging, they have rather avoided places where 
 it is most abundant, considering it a useless thing.” 
 
 Besides the inexhaustible quantities of lead which are found 
 in the mine tract, iron is also very abundant in different parts of 
 the state, and is not exceeded in richness by any ore in the U. 
 States. “ In Bellevue, Washington county,” says Mr. School¬ 
 craft, “ in the richness of the ore, and extent of the beds or 
 mines, it is nowhere paralleled. The most noted place is called 
 the Iron mountain , where the ore is piled in such enormous 
 masses as to constitute the entire southern extremity of a lofty 
 ridge, which is elevated five or six hundred feet above the plain. 
 The ore is very heavy and brilliant, and is of that kind denomi¬ 
 nated micaceous oocyd of iron in mineralogy.” 
 
 “There is another remarkable body of iron ore in Stout’s 
 settlement, five miles west of the Iron mountain, scarcely in¬ 
 ferior to it either in the extent or richness of its ore. It has also 
 a seat for w ater works near it. Several other beds exist in the 
 same neighbourhood, but none equal to the surprising bodies 
 already mentioned.” 
 
 I shall conclude this article with the following catalogue of 
 minerals, which occur in Missouri and Illinois. With few ex¬ 
 ceptions, however, they exclusively belong to the former. 
 
GENERAL VIEW OP MISSOURI 
 
 191 
 
 Alkaline Salts. 
 
 Nitrate of potash , salt petre. (Localities) This mineral is 
 foun.'l in abundance in several caverns on the Merrimack and 
 Currents rivers, (Schoolcraft.) Also in similar situations, 
 near Ashley’s powder mills on the Gasconade, 100 miles west of 
 St. Louis. 
 
 Muriate of soda , common salt. Salt springs are found in al¬ 
 most every part of the state. The most extensive works are 
 situated near Franklin, Herculaneum, and St. Genevieve.* 
 
 Earthy Salts. 
 
 Sulphate of barytes , heavy spar. In ’Washington, Jefferson, 
 and St. Francois counties, where it forms the gangue of the lead 
 
 *The general assembly have caused to be selected six of the twelve salt springs for the use of 
 this state, with the land adjoining to each, under an act of the congress of the United States, entitled 
 “ An act to authorise the people of Missouri territory to form a constitution and state government, 
 and fur the admission of such state into the union on an equal footing with the original states, and 
 to prohibit slavery in certain territories,” viz: First, the Buffalo lick, in range 1G, town 50 north, 
 sections 12, 13, and the north half of section 14, they being reserved by government, and of the ad¬ 
 joining lands the folio wing, northeast and northwest of 15, n rtheast, southwest and southeast frac¬ 
 tion of 10, containing 60 acres, southeast and east half of southwest of 1, range 15, town 50, west half 
 of northwest of 19 northwest, southwest and southeast of 18,and also the west half of northeast of 
 18, southwest and east half of southeast of 7, and northeast of same, w est half of 6, and so much of 
 the northeast oi 6 as shall make the complement, including the southeast quarter of 36, town 51, 
 range 16. Second, Salt pond, in range 15 west, and town 50 north, section 12, on the northwest of 
 which is the spring northeast, northwest and southeast of 1, sections 2 11, northeast and southeast 
 of 10, northwest and west half of northeast of 14. northeast and northwest of 13, in range 14, town 50, 
 northwest and west half of northeast of 7, southwest and southeast of 6, situated on the north of the 
 Missouri river, and about 14 miles from Fran klin. Third, the Moneteau lick, in range 15 west, and 
 township49 north, sections 2and 11, reserved by government, and the following, viz northeastand 
 east half of northwest of 12, west half of southeast of 1, northeast and southeast of 4, northwest and 
 east half of southwest of 10 in town 50, southeast ami east half of southwest of 26, northeast, south¬ 
 east and southwest of 35, southwest of 36, .own 49, range 14, northeast and northwest of 7, northeast, 
 northwest and west half of southeast of 6, southwest and west half of the southeast of31 of town 50, 
 range!4, situated on the north of the Missouri, and about 6 miles from the Missouri river. Fourth, 
 in range 20 west, town 50 north, sections 27, 28 and 33. reserved by government, situate about 8 
 miles from the Missouri river, on the south side, and on the Salt fork of theLamine. Fifth, range 
 
 19 and 20, township 43, aspring at present occupied by Elias Barcroft and Bird Lockhart, situated 
 on the northeast, northwest, southeast quarters of section 24, the northeast of 25, the northeast aDd 
 southeast of 14, entire section 13 of range 19, town 48, sections 19 and 30, northeast and northwest of 
 
 20 and 21, north half of 31, being situated about 7 miles from the navigable water of the Lamiue. 
 Sixth, range 19, town 48, spring situated on the southwest quarter of section 13, (at present occupied 
 by Kobert and John G. Heath) and the residue of section 13, sections 1 and 2, southeast of 3, north¬ 
 east of 10, the whole of il,and the northeast aud northwest of 23. and section 12, being within a 
 half amde of the navigable water of the Lamine. 
 
 Commissioners have also been appointed by the general assembly, for the purpose of making a 
 selection of six additional salt springs, with six section of land adjoining each, in pursuance of the 
 above act of congress; who are to report to the next general assembly. 
 
192 
 
 GENERAL VIEW OF MISSOURI. 
 
 ore. It has also been found in small quantities in St. Louis^ 
 accompanying the same ore. The specimen which I saw p 
 avhs obtained from a well which had been recently dug, about 
 twelve or fifteen feet below the surface of the earth. This mi¬ 
 neral is also found on the Gasconade river, and in the northern 
 part of the state. 
 
 Calcareous spar In the mine district it occurs in white or 
 honey yellow, transparent masses, in a red marly clay. At 
 Bryan’s mines it forms the matrix of the lead ore.— (School¬ 
 craft. J 
 
 Compact limestone. This constitutes the basis rock at St. 
 Louis, and other places on the Mississippi. It is of a greyish 
 blue colour, and is filled with shells. 
 
 Chalk. On the banks of the Mississippi in Cape Girardeau 
 county. (Schoolcraft.J 
 
 Agaric mineral. This mineral is found as a sediment in a 
 spring in St. Clair county, Illinois. (Schoolcraft.) 
 
 Concreted carbonate of lime . In Gallatin county, Illinois, on 
 Peter’s creek, in globular concretions about the size of mustard- 
 seed shot, composed of concentric layers, embracing a nucleus ; 
 sometimes the nucleus is wanting, and a cavity appears in or 
 near the centre of the globule. The globules are united by a 
 calcareous cement. (Jessup, in Cleaveland’s Minerulogij.J 
 
 Calcareous sinter. Beautiful specimens are found in the ca¬ 
 verns about one mile and a half south of St. Louis. In one of 
 these there is a stalactite of upwards of three feet in diameter, 
 extending from the roof to the floor. 
 
 Foetidfluate of lime. In Gallatin county, Illinois, on Peter’s 
 creek, 17 miles from Shawneetown ; at the three forks of 
 Grand Pierre creek, 27 miles from Shaw neetown; and also 
 occasionally on the soil, for 30 miles southwest from Cave 
 in Rock on the Ohio. It occurs massive, and in cubes, either 
 perfect or truncated, solitary or aggregated, and is associated 
 with galena, &c. in alluvial deposite, or in veins which appear 
 to traverse compact limestone and calcareous sandstone. At 
 Peter’s creek, it is almost always in crystals, sometimes several 
 inches in diameter, presenting verv rich and beautiful colours. 
 Though sometimes limpid, and sometimes nearly black, its more 
 
GENERAL VIEW OF MISSOURI. 
 
 193 
 
 common colours are sonic shade of v iolet, purple, red or yellow. 
 The limpid and yellow crystals are sometimes invested with a 
 thin violet or red coat. It is usually phosphorescent by heat, 
 excepting when nearly black. The coloured crystals are often 
 fetid by percussion. At the forks of Grand Pierre cr eek, it oc¬ 
 curs on the surface of the soil in masses, which are sometimes 
 several feet in diameter. Its colours are violet, rose, and green. 
 CJessup and Stillman , in Cleaveland's Minei alogy.J 
 
 Sulphate of lime. Gypsum. In Missouri. The cliffs on the 
 Kansas river frequently consist of solid strata of this mineral. 
 (Brackenridge ) On Blue-water cr eek. (Lewis <$• Clark )— 
 On the banks of the Femme Osage, about 40 miles from St. 
 Charles, in compact masses. In Illinois , St.Clair county, where 
 it occurs crystallized. (Schoolcraft.J 
 
 Salts with an Alkaline and Earthy Base. 
 
 Sulphate of Mumine and Potash. Alum. In Missouri , in a cave 
 in Bellevue, Washington county, where it is found effloresced. 
 (Schoolcraft.) In Illinois , near Fort Edwards, in Pike county- 
 
 i 
 
 Earthy Compounds. 
 
 Common quartz. On the south bank of White river, where it 
 occurs in large masses. (ScJwolcraf.J 
 
 Fellow quartz. Citrine. On the banks of the Mississippi, be¬ 
 tween Cape Girardeau and St. Louis, Missouri, where it occurs 
 in rolled masses, varying in colour from pale orange yellow to 
 yellowish red. (Schoolcraft J 
 
 Radiated quartz. This variety is very abundant in Washing¬ 
 ton and St. Francois counties, Missouri. It is found in the soil 
 in masses of different sizes, and is called by the inhabitants mi¬ 
 neral blossom , from its being supposed, erroneously however, to 
 indicate the presence of lead ore. 
 
 Granular quartz. In Missouri , eight miles nearly west of St. 
 Genevieve, it is white, friable, and falls into transparent 
 grains. (Schoolcraft.) On the banks of the Mississippi river, 
 a few miles above St. Genevieve, and in Montgomery county. 
 
 Ferruginous quartz. In Missouri , on the banks ot the Mer- 
 
 deep red colour, possessing a flinty hardness and vitreous lustre* 
 
 ( Schoolcraft. J 
 
 S5 
 
194 
 
 GENERAL VIEW OF MISSOURI, 
 
 Chalcedony . In Missouri , on the banks of the Mississippi at 
 Herculaneum ; also on Establishment creek, in St. Genevieve 
 county. Its colour is milk white, yellowish white, or brownish 
 yellow; sometimes spotted, zoned, or dentritic. Also in Wash¬ 
 ington county, where it appears in concentric bluish white lay¬ 
 ers, invested with crystals of radiated and mamillary quartz, 
 CSchoolcraft,j In amorphous masses, on the banks of the Mis¬ 
 souri near St. Charles. In Illinois , on the banks of the Illinois 
 river near Fort Clark. 
 
 Cornelian. On the banks of the Mississippi at Herculaneum 
 and St. Louis, and on the Missouri at St. Charles, in rolled, 
 brown, red and yellow masses. 
 
 Precious opal Beautiful specimens of this mineral are found 
 near Cave in Rock, Gallatin county, Illinois. I have a single 
 specimen, similar to that described by Mr. Schoolcraft. 
 
 Opalizea wood . On the banks of the Mississippi and Missouri 
 rivers, at St. Louis and St. Charles. 
 
 Flint, On the banks of the Mississippi near Cape Girardeau, 
 in nodules and veins, or strata, embraced in a horizontal bed of 
 white clay. ('Jessup in Cleaveland.) Also at St. Louis, in the 
 secondary limestone, in nodules and veins. 
 
 Hornstone. This mineral is continually found on the banks of 
 the Mississippi and Missouri, imbedded in the secondary lime¬ 
 stone. 
 
 Jlgatized wood. On the banks of the Mississippi at Hercu¬ 
 laneum, St. Louis, and St. Charles, accompanying jasper and 
 carnelian. 
 
 Buhrs one. Millstone. In Illinois , near the junction of the Il¬ 
 linois river with the Mississippi. 
 
 Jasper. In Missouri, in the bed of Cave creek, near the head 
 of Currents river, in a stratum of secondary limestone (School¬ 
 craft.) Also in rolled masses of different colours, on the banks 
 of the Mississippi and Missouri, at St Louis and St. Charles, 
 accompanying agatized wood and carnelian 
 
 Onyx agate . This variety of agate is found on the w est bank 
 of Establishment creek, eight miles from St. Genevieve, n he; 
 road to Potosi. It occurs in bluish white, pale blue, and dark 
 blue masses, on the surface of the ground, and also associated 
 with chalcedony and hornstone. (Schoolcraft.J 
 
GENERAL VIEW OF MISSOURI. 
 
 193 
 
 Pumice . This mineral floats down the Missouri, and is found 
 deposited on the sand-bars at St. Louis and St. Charles. 
 
 Short. Ill defined crystals of this mineral are found in cer¬ 
 tain granitic aggregates in Madison county, Missouri. {School¬ 
 er aft.) 
 
 Feldspar. Flesh red crystals of this mineral are found im¬ 
 bedded in greenstone on St. Francis river, at a place railed the 
 Narrows, in Madison county, Missouri. ( Schoolcraft ) 
 
 Hornblende. Crystals of this mineral, imbedded in masses of 
 greenstone, are found near Fort Clark on the Illinois river. 
 
 Steatite . Soapstone. In Missouri , it is found in the vicinity of 
 old Fort Mason, of a yellow and green colour intermixed— 
 ( Schoolcraft .) I have in my possession a pipe made of this mi¬ 
 neral, which I was informed had been obtained a few miles above 
 Fort Clark on the Illinois river. 
 
 Jlrgillaceous slate. It is found overlaying shale on the Mis¬ 
 souri, at La Charboniere, six miles above St. Charles. 
 
 Shale. On the Missouri under the above. It rests upon coal 
 and sometimes alternates with it, 
 
 Novaculite. In Arkansas Territory , this mineral occurs of a 
 good quality. It is of a grayish and greenish white colour, and 
 is translucent. (Schoolcraft.) I have been informed that this 
 mineral is also found in the southern part of Missouri 
 
 Potters 9 Clay. On the right bank of the Mississippi, commen¬ 
 cing at the head of Tywapety bottom, about 40 miles above the 
 junction of the Ohio, and extending for 34 miles to nearly six 
 miles above the Grand Tower. The stratum varies in thickness 
 from one to ten feet, rests upon sandstone and is covered by shell 
 limestone, containing well characterized nodules and veins of 
 flint. ('Jessup, in Cleaveland) Also, at Gray’s mine in Jeffer¬ 
 son county, ten feet below the surface of the ground, snow 
 white, unctious, becomes plactic by mixture with water and is 
 infusible in a very high heat. (Schoolcraft.) 
 
 Fuller's Earth. In Missouri , on the banks of the Mississippi 
 river at Tywapety and Bois-brule bottoms, and also near St. 
 Genevieve. ( Schooler aft.) 
 
 Reddle. Red Chalk. This mineral occurs in a bed of con¬ 
 siderable extent in Washington county, Missouri. fSc/toeb- 
 waft.) 
 
196 
 
 GENERAL VIEW OF MISSOURI, 
 
 Combustibles. 
 
 Sulphur . Several springs in the vic inity of Herculaneum arc 
 liighly impregnated with this mineral. It is deposited on the 
 stones over which the water runs in the form of a yellowish crust. 
 This is also the c ase at the spring, five miles west of St. Louis. 
 
 Graphite. In Madison and Washington counties, Missouri* 
 It occ urs in lamina; and nodules, disseminated in iron ore. 
 
 Coal. In Missouri, at Florissant, 18 miles north of St. Louis, 
 and on Osage river. (Schoolcraft.) At La Charboniere, on 
 the Missouri river. Judge Pettibone has also recently discov¬ 
 ered this mineral in the town of St. Charles. In Illinois , near 
 the junction of Fox river with the Illinois, 40 miles southwest 
 from Chicago. (Schoolcraft.J Also, near Alton, on the Mis¬ 
 sissippi. 
 
 OllES. 
 
 Native copper. In Illinois, in detached masses, lying on the 
 surface of the ground, seven miles east of Han isonville, Monroe 
 county ; also on Big Muddy river. (Schoolcraft.J Also in 
 rounded masses near Peoria. 1 obtained a specimen from this 
 place which weighed about two pounds. (See Fort Clark.) 
 
 Snlphuret of iron. Iron pyrites. In Missouri, on the branch¬ 
 es of the Merrimack, and at several mines in Washington coun¬ 
 ty ; crystallized, and in lamellar masses, sometimes intersper¬ 
 sed with blende, heavy spar and galena. (Schoolcraft.) Also, 
 in Pike county, near Louisiana, in globular masses, which are 
 sometimes radiated. In Illinois , near Alton, alternating with 
 coal. 
 
 Magnetic oxide of iron . I have in my possession a specimen 
 of this mineral, found near the Hot Springs, in Arkansas terri¬ 
 tory. 1 have been informed that it occurs in the southern part 
 of Missouri. 
 
 Micaceous oxide of iron. At the Narrows, Madison county ' 
 Missouri, a vein of this ore is found traversing red granite.— 
 (Schoolcraft) Also in Bellevue, Washington county. (Sec 
 page 190.J 
 
 Compact red oxide of iron . On the head waters of Gasconade 
 river. ( School craft. J 
 
 Ochrey red oxide of iron. Red ochre. In Cape Girardeau 
 county, six iniics west of the Mississippi river. (Schoolcraft.J 
 
GENERAL VIEW OF MISSOURI. 
 
 m 
 
 ffemalitic brown oxide of iron . Brown hematite. In Illinois , 
 Gallatin county, on Peter s creek, 17 miles from Shawneetowo 
 and at the three forks of Grand Pierre creek, in considerable 
 quantities. (Jessup , in Cleaveland.J Capt. Kennedy of St* 
 Louis, presented me with a specimen of this mineral, which was 
 found on the Missouri, near the junction of the Kansas river. 
 
 Sulphate of iron. Copperas. This mineral is found efflores¬ 
 ced on the sulphuret of iron at Alton, in Madison county, Illi¬ 
 nois. 
 
 Sulphuret of lead . Galena. In Missouri , in the counties of 
 Washington, St. Genevieve, St. Francoise, Madison and Jeffer¬ 
 son. ( See page 189.) Also, at St. Louis, and in the vicinity of 
 St. Charles, and on the head waters of the Osage river. In Illi¬ 
 nois, in Gallatin county, near Shawneetown. (Jessup.) Also on 
 Bean river, w here the ore is extensively worked. 
 
 Carbonate of lead. In Missouri , at Mine a Burton. In Illi¬ 
 nois, at Cave in Rock. In both these situations, it is frequently 
 found incrusting galena. ( Schoolcraft .) 
 
 Sulphuret of zinc. Blende. This mineral is found associated 
 with sulphuret of lead at the mines in Washington, Jefferson and 
 St. Francois counties, Missouri. 
 
 Oxide of manganese. Near the head of the Merrimack river, 
 in Missouri, accompanying ores of iron. (Schoolcraft.) 
 
 Sulphuret of antimony- Specimens of this mineral have been 
 found in Washington county, Missouri, and thirty miles north of 
 Edvvardsville in Illinois. (Schoolcraft ) 
 
 Climate. It should be remembered that the valley of the 
 Mississippi is bounded on the east and w est by ranges of moun¬ 
 tains, and on the north by a chain of lakes extending in a north¬ 
 westerly direction to the Frozen Ocean. These of course have 
 a powerful influence upon its winds, and consequently upon its 
 climate. W ithout farther introduction, I shall proceed to state 
 the results of observations made at St. Louis, which is about a 
 central point for the states of Missouri and Illinois. 
 
 Temperature. The following results are drawn from three 
 years’ observations,* made upon the state of the thermometer. 
 
 * Duringtlie years 1817—18—19, these observations were made by the Rev. Mr.Giddings,pa$tos: 
 <5f the Presbyterian chixych at St. Jiouis, who permitted me to calculate their results. 
 
198 
 
 GENERAL VIEW OF MISSOURI, 
 
 Mean temperature for 1817, 55.52 
 
 Do. do. from the beginning of 
 May, 1818, to the end of April, 1819, 56.98 
 
 Mean temperature for 1820, 56.18 
 
 The mean of these results is about fifty-six degrees and a quar¬ 
 ter, which, although the number of observations does not war¬ 
 rant a positive conclusion, may be regarded as the standard tem¬ 
 perature of this place. 
 
 The mean temperature of each month during the above years, 
 is as follows : 
 
 January, 
 
 30.62 
 
 February, 
 
 38.65 
 
 March, 
 
 43.13 
 
 April, 
 
 58.47 
 
 May, 
 
 62.66 
 
 June, 
 
 74.47 
 
 July, 
 
 7 8.66 
 
 August, 
 
 72.88 
 
 September, 
 
 70.10 
 
 October, 
 
 59.00 
 
 November, 
 
 53.13 
 
 December, 
 
 34.33] 
 
 The following statement will exhibit the annual range of the 
 thermometer: 
 
 1817 Lowest 5° below 0 Highest 1G1 Range 96 
 1818—19 8° above 0 96 88 
 
 1820 6° below 0 100 94 
 
 The average monthly range during these years, is as follows* 
 
 January, from 
 
 3 to 
 
 59 Range 
 
 56 
 
 February, 
 
 6 
 
 74 
 
 68 
 
 March, 
 
 16 
 
 73 
 
 57 
 
 April, 
 
 32 
 
 83 
 
 51 
 
 May, 
 
 43 
 
 89 
 
 46 
 
 June, 
 
 52 
 
 94 
 
 42 
 
 July, 
 
 61 
 
 99 
 
 38 
 
 August, 
 
 59 
 
 96 
 
 37 
 
 September, 
 
 40 
 
 92 
 
 50 
 
GENERAL VIEW OF MISSOURI. 
 
 199 
 
 October, from 
 
 24 to 
 
 81 Range 
 
 57 
 
 November, 
 
 37 
 
 78 
 
 41 
 
 December, 
 
 19 
 
 63 
 
 44 
 
 The mean temperature of the different seasons is as follows : 
 Winter, 34,53—Spring, 54.74—Summer, 75.34—Autumn, 60.7 7 
 
 The winter generally sets in about the beginning of Decem¬ 
 ber, and continues until the end of February. It sometimes, 
 however, varies much, being either longer or shorter. Within the 
 last 20 years, the character mf the winters appears to have been 
 continually changing. Maj. Stoddard, in his sketches of Louis¬ 
 iana, observes : “ For three successive winters, commencing in 
 1802, the Mississippi at St, Louis was passable on the ice before 
 the 20th of December each year ; and it w as clear of all obstruc¬ 
 tion, with one exception, by the last of February. In January, 
 1805, the ice in that river rather exceeded twenty-two inches in 
 thickness. There is seldom more than six inches of snow on the 
 ground at the same time ; but the severity of the weather at St, 
 Louis is generally about the same as in the back parts of the state 
 of New-Jersey. The mercury frequently falls below 0 ; and 
 the cold keeps it depressed as low as ten or fifteen degrees for 
 several weeks during each winter.” 
 
 * % The winters of St. Louis,” says Mr. Brackenridge, “ are 
 usually more mild than in the same latitudes east of the Allegha¬ 
 ny mountains, but there are frequently several days in succes¬ 
 sion of weather as cold as in Canada. Last January, (1811) af¬ 
 ter several weeks of delightful weather, wheu the w armth was 
 even disagreeable, the thermometer standing at 78 degrees, a 
 change took place, and so sudden, that in four days it fell to 10 
 degrees below 0. This winter was also remarkable for a cir¬ 
 cumstance which the oldest inhabitant does not recollect to 
 have ever witnessed ; the Mississippi closed over twice, whereas 
 it most usually remains open during winter.” We have no par¬ 
 ticular account of the winters between this time and 1817 ; but 
 it we may credit the assertions of the old inhabitants, they were 
 generally temperate. 
 
 The mean temperature of January, 1817, was 26°: about 
 equal to that of the same month in New-York. The winter of 
 
200 
 
 GENERAL VIEW OF MISSOURI. 
 
 1818—19 was very mild, and exhibited a singular contrast with 
 the two or three preceding. The mean temperature of January 
 was nearly 39° : the weather continued mild during the month 
 of February, and the thermometer on some days rose to 72°. 
 
 • w 
 
 At St. Louis the Mississippi remained open during the whole 
 season. During the winter of 1819—20, the Mississippi closed 
 about the 20th of December, and remained in this situation until 
 the 10th of February. The mean temperature of January was 
 27°; varying but little from that of the same month in 1817. 
 On two occasions the mercury fell to six degrees below 0.— 
 From ten to twelve inches of snow fell during the month, and 
 continued on the ground for three or four weeks. The winter 
 of 1820—21 differed but little from the last. The Mississippi 
 continued closed for six or seven weeks, and the earth was 
 covered, during the months of December and January, with 
 from six to twelve inches of snow. 
 
 The winter of 1821—22 was less severe than the two former. 
 About the first of December the cold weather commenced. On 
 the 22d, the Mississippi closed opposite St. Louis ; and during 
 the remainder of the month, the weather was clear and pleasant, 
 and the thermometer frequently rose to 60°. On the 4th of Ja¬ 
 nuary, the mercury fell to 4° below 0 ; but after this the weather 
 again became mild, and continued so during the month. On the 
 22d the Mississippi opened, having been closed since the 22d of 
 December. The depth of snow this winter never exceeded six 
 inches. 
 
 Concerning the summers, so little authentic information can 
 be obtained, that it is difficult to determine whether they have 
 undergone any change; but it is probable that they remain 
 nearly the same. Major Stoddard, in the work to which we 
 have so often referred, observes, 44 We cannot estimate the de¬ 
 grees of beat by any regular thermomctrieal observations for 
 any number of years ; but in the summer of 1805, a thermometer 
 was suspended in a large drawing-room at St. Louis, against a 
 stone partition wall, and constantly in a current of air; and 
 from about the last of June to some time in August, the mercury 
 frequently rose to ninety-six degrees, and remained at that point 
 for several hours in the day.” By a reference to the thermo- 
 metrical observations of which we have given an abstract, it 
 
GENERAL VIEW OF MISSOURI. 
 
 201 
 
 appears, that on the 30th of July, 18t7, the mercury rose to 
 101 degrees ; and on the 19th of August it rose to 99 degrees ; 
 and that during these two months it was frequently up to 96° : 
 that in June and July, 1818, the thermometer frequently attain- 
 cd the height of 96 degrees, but did not in any instance rise 
 higher : and that in June and August, 1820, it frequently rose 
 to 96°, and in July to 100°: The mean temperature of these 
 three summers is as follows : 
 
 1817, 72°—1818, 77°—1820, 78° nearly. 
 
 It may be remarked, that so far as my information extends, 
 July is invariably the hottest month. 
 
 The rains which succeed the breaking up of the Mississippi, 
 generally continue at intervals through the greater part of 
 February and March, and constitute what is called the rainy 
 season. The first spring month is, therefore, disagreeable 
 and cheerless ; and the emigrant who arrives in Missouri 
 during this time, forms a sad opinion of its climate. But as 
 soon as the rains subside, he is delighted with the contrast. The 
 forests now put forth their foliage, the prairies are covered with 
 their brilliant carpets, and all nature around him appears to 
 smile. He is fanned by a gentler and more fragrant breeze, 
 and is covered by a bluer‘and more beautiful sky, than those to 
 which he has been accustomed. 
 
 It has been justly observed, that plants furnish data for the 
 most correct conclusions concerning the climate of a country. 
 For the purpose of giving all the information in my power upon 
 this interesting subject, I have been induced to present the fol¬ 
 lowing floral calendar. It comprises the mean results of ob¬ 
 servations made upon the most common indigenous and culti¬ 
 vated plants in St. Louis and the vicinity. 
 
 March 7. Whitlow grass, (draba verna,) in flower. 
 
 8. Honeysuckles putting forth their leaves. 
 
 15. Buds of the peach and cherry trees beginning to open. 
 
 18. Elm, (ulmus amerirana,) in flower. 
 
 20. Wind-flower, (anemone thalictroides,) in blossom. 
 
 22. Crow foot, (ranunculus fascicularis,) beginning to 
 flower. 
 
 26 
 
GENERAL VIEW OF MISSOURI. 
 
 24. Liver-wort, (hepatica triloba,) in flower. 
 
 Blood-root, (sanguinaria canadensis,) do. 
 
 Cherry trees in lull bloom. 
 
 •* 
 
 30. Peach trees do. 
 
 April 8. Strawberries beginning to flower. 
 
 Peas in full bloom. 
 
 10. American cowslip, (caltha palustris,) in flower. 
 
 12. Redbud, (cercis canadensis,) do. 
 
 Red currants do. 
 
 18. Dogwood, (cornus florida,) do. 
 
 Columbine, (aquilegia canadensis,) do. 
 
 Sugar maple, (acer saccharinum.) do. 
 
 22. May-apple, (podophyllum peltatum,) do. 
 
 Papaw, (porcelia triloba,) do. 
 
 Dewberry, (rubus trivialis,) do. 
 
 30. Full grown radishes in market. 
 
 May 8. Green peas do. 
 
 9. Spider wort, (tradescantia virginica,) in flower. 
 
 13. Strawberries beginning to ripen. 
 
 Ladies’-slipper, (cypripedium spectabile,) in flower. 
 
 15. Blue flag, (iris virginica,) do. 
 
 Milkweed, (asclepias syriaca,) do. 
 
 New-Jersey tea, (ceanothua») do. 
 
 29. Cherries beginning to ripen. 
 
 June 3. Wild lily, (lilium catesbei,) in flower. 
 
 7. Poke, (phytolacca decandria,) do. 
 
 10. Catalpa tree in full bloom. 
 
 15. Locust trees do. 
 
 21. St John’s wort, (hypericum perforatum,) in flower. 
 July 10 Blackberries ripe. 
 
 22. Scullcap, (scutellaria lateriflora,) in flower. 
 
 28. Bone-set, (eupatorium perfoliatum,) do. 
 
 Wild senna, (cassia marylandica,) do. 
 
 Peaches beginning to ripen. 
 
 Aug. 10. Common golden-rod, (solidago,) beginning to flower. 
 13. Several species of aster do. 
 
 The autumn is generally temperate. About the middle of 
 October, or beginning of JNovember, the Indian summer com- 
 
GENERAL VIEW OF MISSOURI. 
 
 203 
 
 rnences, and continues from fifteen to twenty days. During this 
 season the weather is dull and cheerless, the atmosphere is 
 smoky, and the sun and moon are sometimes almost totally ob¬ 
 scured- It is now generally admitted, that this is caused by the 
 burning of the withered grass and herbs on the extensive prairies 
 of the north and west, which also accounts for its increased du¬ 
 ration as you proceed westward. 
 
 Winds. During the spring, summer and autumn, southerhj 
 winds are the most prevalent. These are sometimes warm and 
 arid, at others cool and humid. They seldom, however, cause 
 heavy rains West and northwest winds prevail during the 
 months of December and January. Although these are generally 
 dry and piercing, they frequently accompany storms of bail and 
 snow. North and northeast winds are comparatively rare. The 
 latter usually cause heavy rains. 
 
 Weather . A striking feature in the climate of this place, is 
 the great proportion of clear days. The observations which I 
 made during the year 1820, furnish the following results : 
 
 Clear days, 245. Cloudy, 110.* 
 
 As no regular record of the weather has been kept for any 
 length of time, either before or since, I am unable to compare 
 the above results. But if any reliance is to be placed upon the 
 information of those who have resided here for many years, the 
 proportion of clear days is by no means uncommon. 
 
 Antiquities. Mounds, similar to those in Illinois, exist in 
 different parts of this state. They are of different forms and 
 
 dimensions; sometimes solitary, and sometimes in groups__ 
 
 Fragments of earthen ware, arrow heads, and human bones, are 
 frequently found in their vicinity. The ruins of stone buildings 
 are also found on the Gasconade river and Noyer creek, of 
 which no account can be given by the present inhabitants. They 
 appear to have been erected by a people tolerably skilled in ar¬ 
 chitecture, and certainly more civilized than the present gene¬ 
 ration of savages. ( See St» Louis , Gasconade river , and Noyer 
 creek. J 
 
 ' This includes nil the variable days. 
 
204 
 
 GENERAL VIEW OF MISSOURI. 
 
 Land Districts. For the sale of public lands in this state, 
 three districts have been formed, and land offices established. 
 
 The Land District of Howard , is comprised within the follow¬ 
 ing boundaries : Beginning at a point where the western line of 
 range 10, west from the 5th principal meridian, intersects the 
 north line of township 34 north ; thence west with said township 
 line, to where the same intersects the Osage boundary line; 
 thence north with the Osage boundary line, to the Missouri ri¬ 
 ver ; thence up and with the Missouri river, to the western In¬ 
 dian boundary line at the mouth of Kansas river ; thence north 
 with the said western Indian boundary line, to where the same 
 shall intersect the northern Indian boundary line ; thence east 
 with the said northern Indian boundary line, to where the same 
 shall intersect the aforesaid west line of range 10 ; thence south 
 with the said range line, to the place of beginning. The land 
 office is at Franklin. 
 
 The Land District of St. Louis , is comprised within the fol¬ 
 lowing boundaries : Beginning on the Mississippi river, where 
 the north line of township 34 north intersects the same ; thence 
 up and with the Mississippi river, to the mouth of the Des 
 Moines river ; thence up and with the Des Moines, to the north 
 Indian boundary line ; thence west with the said boundary line, 
 to the west line of range 10 west; thence south with the said 
 range line, to the north line of township 34 north ; thence east 
 with the said township line, to the place of beginning. The land 
 office is at St. Louis. 
 
 The Land District of Cape Girardeau , is comprised within the 
 following boundaries: Beginning on the Mississippi river, 
 where the north line of township 15 north intersects the same ; 
 thence up and with the Mississippi, to its intersection by the 
 north line of township 54 north ; thence w est with the said north 
 line of tow nship 34, to the Osage boundary line ; thence w ith the 
 said boundary, to the north line of township 15 north; thence 
 cast w ith the said township line, to the place of beginning. The 
 land office is at Jackson. 
 
 Government. The constitution of this state w as adopted by 
 aconvention at St. Louis, on the 12th of June, 1820. The pow¬ 
 ers of government arc divided into three distinct departments. 
 
GENERAL "VIEW OF MISSOURI. 
 
 205 
 
 viz: the legislative, the executive, and the judiciary. The le¬ 
 gislative power is vested in a general assembly, consisting of a 
 senate and a house of representatives. The representatives arc 
 chosen every second year. Each county shall have at least one 
 representative, but the whole number of representatives shall 
 never exceed one hundred. No person shall be a member of 
 this house, who shall not have attained the age of twenty-four 
 years ; who shall not be a free white male citizen of the United 
 States ; w ho shall not have been an inhabitant of the state two 
 years, and of the county which he represents, one year previ¬ 
 ous to the election. Senators arc chosen every four years, but 
 vacate their seats in rotation. No person can be a senator who 
 has not attained to the age of thirty years ; who shall not be a free 
 white male citizen of the United States ; and who shall not have 
 been an inhabitant of the state four years, and of the district 
 which he may be chosen to represent, one year before his elec¬ 
 tion. The senate shall not consist of less than fourteen nor more 
 than thirty-three members. The executive power is vested in a 
 gov ernor, who is elected by the people every four years. He 
 shall be at least thirty-five years of age, and a natural born cit¬ 
 izen of the United States, or a citizen at the adoption of the con¬ 
 stitution of the United States, or an inhabitant of that part of 
 Louisiana, now in the state of Missouri, at the time of the ces¬ 
 sion thereof from France to the United States, and shall have 
 been a resident of the same at least four years next before his 
 election. The governor is ineligible for the next four years af¬ 
 ter the expiration of his term of service. Every bill which shall 
 have been passed by both houses of the general assembly shall, 
 before it becomes a law, be presented to the governor for his sig¬ 
 nature. If he refuses to sign it, he shall return it with his objec¬ 
 tions to the house in which it originated. After which, a major¬ 
 ity of all the members elected to both houses, may pass it into a 
 law. A lieutenant governor is also elected at the same time, in 
 the same manner, and for the same term with the governor. The 
 judiciary is vested in a supreme court, in a chancellor, in circuit 
 courts, and in such other inferior tribunals as the general assem¬ 
 bly shall from time to time establish. The governor nominates, 
 and with the advice of the senate, appoints the judges, who con- 
 
206 
 
 GENERAL VIEW OF MISSOURI. 
 
 tinue in office during good behaviour, until they arrive at the age 
 of sixty-five years. The right of suffrage is universal. Every 
 free white male citizen of the United States, who shall have at¬ 
 tained to the age of twenty-one years, and who shall have resid¬ 
 ed in this state one year before an election, the last three months 
 whereof shall have been in the county or district in which he of¬ 
 fers to vote, shall be deemed a qualified elector of all elective offi¬ 
 cers ; Provided, that no soldier, seaman or marine, in the regu¬ 
 lar army or navy of the United States, shall be entitled to vote 
 at any election in this state. 
 
 Education. By the act of congress admitting this state into 
 the union, one thirty-sixth part of each township was granted to 
 the state for the support of schools, and one entire township of 
 six miles square for the support of a college. 
 
 The constitution of Missouri provides, that schools and means 
 of education shall forever be encouraged in this state ; and that 
 the general assembly shall take measures to preserve from waste 
 or damage, such lands as have been, or hereafter may be, gran¬ 
 ted by the United States for the use of schools within each town¬ 
 ship in this state, and shall apply the funds which may arise 
 from such lands in strict conformity to the object of the grant; 
 and one school, or more, shall be established in each township 
 as soon as practicable and necessary, where the poor shall be 
 taught gratis. 
 
 It also provides, that the general assembly shall take meas¬ 
 ures for the improvement of such lands as have been, or hereaf¬ 
 ter may be granted by the United States to this state, for the sup¬ 
 port of a seminary of learning ; and the funds accruing from 
 such lands, by rent, lease, or in any other manner, or which 
 may be attained from any other source for the purposes afore¬ 
 said, shall be and remain a permanent fund to support a univer¬ 
 sity for the promotion of literature, and of the arts and sciences ; 
 and it shall be the duty of the general assembly, as soon as 
 may be, to provide effectual means for the improvement of the 
 funds and endowments of such institution. 
 
 Internal Improvements. In the act of congress admitting 
 this state into the union, five per cent of the net proceeds of the 
 
GENERAL VIEW OR MISSOURI. 
 
 207 
 
 sale of public lands was appropriated to making roads and ca¬ 
 nals for the benefit of this state. 
 
 By the constitution of Missouri, it is made the duty of the gen¬ 
 eral assembly, as soon as may be, to make provision by law for 
 as< ertaining the most proper objects of improvement in relation 
 both to roads and navigable waters ; and also to provide by 
 law for a systematic and economical application of the funds ap¬ 
 propriated to these objects. 
 
 As the condition of the above grants for the encouragement 
 of education and for internal improvements,, the constitution of 
 this state provides, that the general assembly shall never inter¬ 
 fere with the primary disposal of the soil by the United States, 
 nor with any regulation congress may find necessary for secur¬ 
 ing the title in such soil to the bona fide purchasers. That no 
 tax shall be imposed on lands, the property of the United States ; 
 that lands belonging to persons residing out of the limits of this 
 state, shall never be taxed higher than the lands belonging to 
 persons residing within the state ; and that the Mississippi riv¬ 
 er, and the navigable waters leading into the same, whether 
 bordering on, or within this state, shall be common highways, 
 and forever free to the citizens of the United States, without any 
 tax, duty, impost or toll therefor, imposed by the state. 
 
 History. For many years after the discovery of the Missis¬ 
 sippi, the French settlements were confined exclusively to the 
 east side of that river. But the vain hope of discovering the. 
 precious metals, which was raised by the report of a few strag¬ 
 gling adventurers, induced them to turn their attention to the 
 west. Accordingly, in the early part of the 18th century, the 
 governor of Louisiana prepared an expedition to visit the mines 
 of the* upper Mississippi. A fort was erected, and a settle¬ 
 ment commenced ; but the prejudices of the savages were soon 
 excited, and the French found it prudent to abandon this part 
 of the country. 
 
 The French next turned their attention to the Missouri ; 
 which they ascended in 1705, to the mouth of the Kansas river, 
 where they met with a welcome reception from the Indians.— 
 Their success in this quarter soon obliterated from their minds 
 
208 
 
 GENERAL VIEW OF MISSOURI - . 
 
 the reverses which they had experienced on the upper Missis¬ 
 sippi.* 
 
 In consequence of the wars in Europe, which demanded all 
 the attention and resources of France, the colony of Louisiana 
 was reduced to the most embarrassing situation. “The king, 
 though obliged to wit hhold from it the usual supplies of men and 
 money, v\as determined to keep it out of the hands of his ene¬ 
 mies ; and for this purpose, granted it to Crozat by letters pat¬ 
 ent, in 1712. The great wealth and credit of this gentleman* 
 and the important services he had rendered to the crown, were 
 sure pledges of his ability and exertions ; and it was confidently 
 expected, that he would prevent the extinction of the colony.— 
 Another motive still stronger led to the concession. The pro¬ 
 vincial authorities were hostile to each other, and it required 
 some steady and energetic hand to heal the disorders among 
 them. M. de la Motte, who was the first governor under the 
 giant, arrived in 1713, and took possession of his govern¬ 
 ment.” f 
 
 But Crozat was disappointed in his expectations with regard 
 to the mineral resources of Louisiana ; and although vast sums 
 of money had been expended, there was no prospect of an imme¬ 
 diate indemnity. Those who had left their native country to set¬ 
 tle in the colony, finding that they had been deceived by false 
 promises, became discontented. As agriculture, which would 
 have ensured to them wealth and prosperity, was totally neglec¬ 
 ted, they did not raise even a sufficiency for their own consump¬ 
 tion. Large sums were therefore necessary to purchase provis¬ 
 ions, which, together with the other expenses of the colony, by 
 far exceeded the profits of its trade. A trial of five years with 
 like results, induced Crozat in 1717, to relinquish his patent to 
 the king. 
 
 A short time after this relinquishment, the colony of Louisiana 
 was granted by a patent, containing similar privileges and re¬ 
 strictions, to the Mississippi company, or company of the west, 
 projected by the celebrated John Law. From the ability and 
 enterprize of this company, the greatest expectations were form- 
 
 t ib. 
 
 * Stoddard’s Sketches ofLouisiana. 
 
GENERAL VIEW OP MISSOURI* 
 
 209 
 
 ed, and the colony of Louisiana began to excite the attention 
 of all the capitalists of the. French metropolis. The fertility of 
 its soil, and its vast mineral resources, presented prospects of 
 uncommon gain, promised to fill the exhausted coffers of France* 
 and yield princely fortunes to the numerous adventurers. 
 
 Soon after the company of the west had obtained their patent 
 from the king, they formed an establishment at Fort Chartres? 
 and in order to promote the objects of their institution, and to 
 encourage the settlement of the country, held out the most liberal 
 inducements to French emigrants, and made them donations of all 
 lands which they should cultivate or improve. Miners and me¬ 
 chanics were also encouraged to emigrate, and the city of New- 
 Oi leans, which had been founded during the last year of the au¬ 
 thority of Crozat, (1717) received a considerable accession to its 
 population in the fall of the same year, and the settlements be¬ 
 gan to extend along the banks of the Mississippi, and in the 
 country of the Illinois 
 
 “in the year 1719, the Sieur de Lochon having been sent out 
 by the company in the quality of a founder, commenced dig ¬ 
 ging on the Merrimack. He drew up a large quantity 
 of ore, a pound whereof, which took up four days in melting, 
 produced, accordingto his account, two drachms of silver ; but 
 his statement was generally disbelieved by the settlers. A few 
 months afterwards he returned thither, and without thinking any 
 thing more of the silver, he extracted from two or three thous¬ 
 and weight of ore, fourteen pounds of very had lead, which stood 
 him in fourteen hundred franks. Disgusted with a labour which 
 was so unprofitable, be returned to France. 
 
 “The company, persuaded of the truth of the indications 
 which had been given them, and that the incapacity of the foun¬ 
 der had been the sole cause of their had success, sent in his room 
 a Spaniard, called Antonio, who had been taken at the siege o^ 
 Pensacola, had afterwards been a galley-slave, and boasted 
 much of his having wrought in a mine at Mexico. They gave 
 him very considerable appointments, but he succeeded no better 
 than had done the Sieur de Lochon. He was not discouraged 
 himself, and others were inclined to believe he had failed* from 
 
 * ^rhonlrraft’s View of the lead Mines ofMissourt 
 
 o — 
 
210 
 
 GENERAL VIEW OP MISSOURI. 
 
 Ins not being versed in the construction of furnaces. He gave 
 over the search after lead, and undertook to make si!\ei He 
 dug down to the rock, which was found to be eight or ten feet in 
 thickness; several pieces of it were blown up and put into a cru¬ 
 cible, from whence it is reported that he extracted three or four 
 d;*ams of si]\ e •. 
 
 “ About this time arrived a company of the king’s miners, un¬ 
 der the diic< tic n of one La Renauditre, who, resolving to begin 
 with the lead mine, was able to do nothing, because neither he 
 hitnself, nor any of his company, were in the least acquainted with 
 the construct ion of furnaces Nothing could be more surprising 
 than the facility with which the company at that time exposed 
 themselves to great expcnces, and the little precaution they took 
 to be satisfied of the capacity of those they employed. La Re¬ 
 na i ere and his miners, not being able to produce any lead, a 
 pri vate company undertook the mines of the Merrimack, and the 
 Sieur Renault, one of the directors, superintended them with 
 care.”^ 
 
 “ Renault w as the son of a celebrated iron-founder in France, 
 and came over to this colony as the agent of this company, which 
 had been formed under the patronage of the company of the west, 
 for prosecuting the mining business in the upper country of Lou¬ 
 isiana and Illinois. He left France in 1719, with two hundred 
 artificers and miners, provided with tools, and whatever else was 
 necessary for carrying the objects of the company into effect.— 
 In his passage, lie touched at the island of St. Domingo, and 
 purchased live hundred slaves for working the mines ; and en¬ 
 tering the Mississippi, pursued his voyage up that river to New- 
 Orleans, which he reached some time in the year 1720, arid soon 
 afterwards proceeded on his way toKaskaskia, in Illinois. Re¬ 
 nault, established himself in the vicinity of this town, near Fort, 
 Chartres, at a spot which he named St. Philip (now called the Lil¬ 
 lie Village ,) and from this place, sent out his mining and explor¬ 
 ing parties into various sections of Illinois and Louisiana. These 
 parties were either headed by himself, or M. La Motte, an agent 
 versed in the knowledge of minerals, whom he had brought over 
 with him. In one of the earliest of these excursions, La Motte 
 
 v Charlevoix’s Journal ofa Voyage to North America, in 1721 
 
tjENETlAL VIEW OF MISSOURI. 
 
 211 
 
 discovered the lead mines on St. Francis, which bears Ids name ; 
 and at a subsequent period, Renault made a discovery of (hose 
 extensive mines north of Potosi, which continue to be called af¬ 
 ter the discoverer. Other mines of* lead were also found, but 
 their distinctive appellations have not survived ; and a proof 
 of the diligence with which Renault prosecuted the object, is fur¬ 
 nished by the number and extent of the old diggings which are 
 now found in various parts of the country. These diggings are 
 scattered over the whole mine district, and lrardly a season pas¬ 
 ses, in which some antique works, overgrown with brush and 
 trees, are not found. 
 
 “ Renault being probably disappointed in the high expecta¬ 
 tions he had formed of finding gold and silver, turned his whole 
 force to the smelting of lead, and there is reason to conclude, 
 that very great quantities were made. It was conveyed from the 
 interior on pack-horses, (the only mode of transportation which 
 was practicable at that early period.) The lead made by Re¬ 
 nault, was sent to New-Orleans, and from thence chiefly ship¬ 
 ped for France.”* 
 
 Thecolony ofLouisianasuffered much from the war which broke 
 out between France and Spain in 1719. Although the contest 
 was chiefly confined to the posts on the gulf of Mexico, the upper 
 settlements severely felt its injurious effects. Their commerce 
 was interrupted, and the immense expenditures-which were ne¬ 
 cessary to carry on the war, impoverished both the company 
 and the colony. The war, however, was not long carried on in 
 a systematic manner: but as these two nations had always been 
 competitors for the Indian trade, and as continual disputes arose 
 concerning the rights of territory, they kept up a predatory war¬ 
 fare for several years. In 1720, the Spaniards formed the de¬ 
 sign of destroying the nation of the Missouris, situated on the 
 Missouri river, and of forming a settlement in their country. The 
 object of tliis was to divert the current of the Indian trade, and 
 to confine the settlements of the French to the borders of the 
 Mississippi. 
 
 * For the above facts concerning the operations of Renault, I am indebted to Schoolcraft’s View 
 of the Lead Mines of Missouri,and 1 believe they have never before been published. This author oh" 
 serves, “ They were elicited in the course ol a legal investigation, recently instituted between the 
 heirs at law of Renault and sundry individuals, who claimed lands in Missouri and Illinois, granted, 
 to hipi A- D-1723, in consideration of is.Is services.” 
 
212 
 
 GENERAL VIEW OE MISSOURI, 
 
 The Spaniards believed, that in order to put their colony iti 
 safety, it was nec essary they should entirely destroy the Mis- 
 souris, who were the warm and constant friends of the French. 
 But concluding that it would he impossible to subdue them with 
 their own forces alone, they resolved to enter into an alliance 
 with the Os ages,* a people who were the neighbours of the Mis¬ 
 souri, and at the same time their most mortal enemies. With 
 these intentions they formed a caravan at Santa Fc, consisting 
 of men* women, and soldiers ; having a priest for chaplain, ami 
 an engineer captain for their chief and conductor, with the 
 horses and cattle necessary for a permanent settlement. 
 
 The caravan set out in 1720; hut being unacquainted with 
 the country, and not having proper guides, they mistook their 
 way. They wandered about for some time in the wilderness, 
 and at length arr ived at the Missouris, whom they supposed to 
 he Usages. Under this impression, the conductor of the ca¬ 
 ravan, with his interpreter, immediately held a council with the 
 chiefs. He explained to them tire object of his visit, telling them 
 that he had come to form an alliance with their tribe, in order 
 to destroy their common enemies, the Missouris. 
 
 The great chief of the Missouris, concealing his thoughts 
 upon this expedition, evinced the greatest joy. He shewed the 
 Spaniards every possible attention, and promised to act in con¬ 
 cert with them. For this purpose, he invited them to rest for 
 a few days, after their tiresome journey, till he had assembled 
 3iis warriors, and held a council with the old men. The Spa¬ 
 niards acceded to this proposal; a council of war was held, and 
 the result w 7 as« that they should entertain their guests, and af¬ 
 fect the siwerest friendship for them. 
 
 They agreed to set out in three days. The Spanish captain 
 immediately distributed several hundred muskets among them, 
 with an equal number of pistols, sabres, and hatchets. But the 
 very morning after this agreement, the Missouris came by break 
 of day, and killed them all except the priest, whose singular 
 dress convinced them that he was not a warrior. They kept 
 him for some time among them, hut he finally made his escape. 
 
 *This assertion rests upon the authority of several respectable writers. Major Stoddard, how¬ 
 ever, states, that the Spaniards marched in pursuit of the Pawnee, and not the Osage villages. For 
 the truth of this he refers to the records of Santa Fc. See his Historical Sketches of Louisiana. 
 
i.ENEHAL VIEW OF MISSOURI. 
 
 218 
 
 The boldness of the Spaniards, in thus penetrating into a 
 country of which they had no previous knowledge, made the 
 French sensible of their danger, and warned them to prov ide 
 against further encroachments. They suspected the intentions 
 of the Spaniards, and determined to prevent, if possible, their 
 being put into execution. Accordingly, they despatched j* con¬ 
 siderable force, which ascended the Missouri river, and to»*k 
 possession of an island some distance above the month of the 
 Osage, upon which was built Fort Orleans. 
 
 On the arrival of this force, the different tribes in this vicinity 
 were engaged in a sanguinary warfare, which diminished the 
 trade, and rendered all intercourse extremely hazardous. Hence 
 it became an object of importance to bring about a general 
 peace. This was attempted with the desired success in 1724. 
 Soon after this event, however. Fort Orleans was attacked and 
 totally destroyed, when all the French were massacred ; hut it 
 was never known by whom this bloody work was performed.* 
 About this period the French began to experience troubles of a 
 serious nature from the Indians, which were not entirely sur¬ 
 mounted until after a lapse of sixteen years. These, however, 
 were chiefly confined to the southern part of the colony. 
 
 In consequence of a succession of such disastrous events, Lou¬ 
 isiana was reduced to the most distressing situation. It not only 
 suffered from the effects of war, hut from famine and disease, 
 w hich continually swept off numbers of its unfortunate inhabit¬ 
 ants. The company also having been grossly disappointed in 
 their expectations, and having already expended vast sums of 
 money, were unable to render them any further assistance.— 
 Those who were concerned in it, and had thus foolishly lost their 
 fortunes, made the most hitter complaints against the projector, 
 of a scheme, which they w ere now w illing to give up as wild and 
 visionary. This circumstance, together with the powerful ene¬ 
 mies which Mr. Law had at court, not only completed his ruin, 
 but entirely destroyed the credit of the company ; so that in 
 1731, the charter was resigned to the crown. 
 
 Between this time and 1762, when the whole territory west of 
 the Mississippi w as ceded to Spain, few events transpired worthy 
 of notice. Renault, however, of whom we have before spoken, 
 
 * Stoddard. 
 
214 
 
 GENER A.LrVIEW OF MISSOURI. 
 
 remained in the colony, and continued working flic lead mines 
 until 1642, when he returned to France. 
 
 ft is proper to remark, that although the country included 
 within the present limits of Missouri* excited the attention of the 
 French in consequence of its mineral resources, their settlements 
 were generally confined to the east hank of the Mississippi— 
 AVhen, however, by the treaty of 1763, the Mississippi became 
 the boundary between the possessions of England and France, 
 many of the French inhabitants, preferring their old to their 
 new masters, crossed the river and commenced new settlements. 
 For it should be rec ollected, that although the territory west of 
 the Mississippi was ceded to Spain in 1762, the fact w as not 
 known to the colonists until two years afterwards. 
 
 The first permanent settlements in the state of Missouri, were 
 made by the French of St. Philip and Kaskaskia, in the autumn 
 of 1763, at St. Genevieve and New-Bourbon. During the suc¬ 
 ceeding year, St. Louis was founded by a company of merchants, 
 to whom M. D’Abbadie, the director general, had granted the 
 exclusive right of commerce with the Indian nations residing on 
 the Missouri. And for the encouragement of this settlement, the 
 French officers were ordered to remove thither, upon surrender¬ 
 ing Fort Chartres to the English. In consequence of the ad¬ 
 vantageous situation of this place, and the lucrative trade w hich 
 w as carried on, it increased in population, and became the parent 
 of a number of small villages in the vicinity. 
 
 Four years elapsed after the treaty of 1762, before any at¬ 
 tempts were made on the part of Spain to take possession of her 
 newly acquired territory. The inhabitants were so indignant 
 that a transfer should have been made without their knowledge 
 or consent, that they determined to resort to arms, in order to 
 oppose the exercise of Spanish authority. They considered it 
 as an insult to their feelings, and as an outrage against morality, 
 which they were resolved not to submit to without a manly op¬ 
 position. Nor were these determinations, although made irt a 
 moment of irritation, without their effect. The Spanish gover¬ 
 nor, w ho arrived in 1766, with a body of troops, to take posses¬ 
 sion of the colony, in consequence of the excitement which it 
 occasioned, was obliged to abandon his design, and return to the 
 Havana. 
 
GENERAL VIE'W OF MISSOURI. 
 
 215 
 
 The government of this colony continued to he administered 
 in lhe name of the French king, until the arrival of O’Reilly., 
 the Spanish governor, in 1769, when it was peaceably transfer¬ 
 red, the colonists having become reconciled to the change, irom 
 a conviction that it was inevitable. But O’Reilly, stimulated by 
 malignity and revenge, determined to punish them for their past 
 misconduct, so as to leave an impression of terror upon the 
 minds of the inhabitants, and to secure their future obedience. 
 Twelve of the principal men among them were selected as the 
 victims of his resentment, and were consigned to a cruel and 
 ignominious deaih. Several others, whom he supposed to be 
 less guilty, were doomed to drag out their existence in the dun¬ 
 geons of Cuba. Although these outrages made a deep impres¬ 
 sion upon the minds of the people, the subsequent conduct of 
 O’Reilly was very favourable to the interests of the colony ; for 
 he adopted a system of colonial government which ensured its 
 prosperity, and which was preserved with little alteration by his 
 successors. 
 
 The country included within the present limits of Missouri, 
 was not taken possession of by the Spaniards until 1770 ; and 
 for the next ten years, few events transpired worthy of notice. 
 In 1780, an expedition was fitted out by the British commander 
 at Michiilimacinac, in order to conquer the towns on the right 
 bank of the Mississippi, in consequence of the part which the 
 king of Spain had taken in favour of the independence of the 
 United States. The expedition consisted of upwards of fifteen 
 hundred Indians and British, and was first directed against St. 
 Louis ; after the reduction of which, the conquest of the other 
 towns and villages would have been attended with little difficulty. 
 During the short time this siege lasted, upwards of sixty of the 
 inhabitants were murdered, and thirty taken prisoners. For¬ 
 tunately, however. General Clarke, with a considerable force, 
 was on the opposite side of the river; and when he saw the 
 danger to which the inhabitants were exposed from these cruel 
 and merciless invaders, he crossed to the town, and took them by 
 surprise. The British suddenly retired, and the Indians ac¬ 
 knowledging that they had no hostile intentions against the 
 
216 
 
 GENERAL VIEW OF MISSOURI. 
 
 Spaniards, but that they had been deceived by the British, soon 
 afterwards dispersed and returned to their homes.* 
 
 During the same year, the first village was founded on the 
 Missouri, named Village du Cote, and now St. Charles. In 1787, 
 New-Madrid, on the Mississippi, which had for along time been 
 a settlement of hunters and traders, was laid out under the di¬ 
 rection of General Morgan, of New-Jersey. Other settlements 
 were gradually commenced in different places on these two 
 rivers. 
 
 Missouri now began to assume a more favourable appearance, 
 and numbers of emigrants were continually flocking in from the 
 United States. This emigration was greatly encouraged, in 
 consequence of the ordinance which had been passed, prohibit¬ 
 ing slavery in what was then called the Northwestern territory. 
 Large grants of land were also made by the Spanish govern¬ 
 ment, to all those who should make actual settlements ; and 
 these lands were entirely exempted from taxation. The inhabit¬ 
 ants now began to forget their idle notions of digging for gold 
 and silver ; and as hunting had become an unprofitable employ¬ 
 ment, they gradually turned their attention to the cultivation of 
 the soil. 
 
 « 
 
 By the treaty of St. Ildefonso, made in 1800, Spain retroceded 
 Louisiana to France, by whom, in 1803, it was ceded to the 
 United States. When the territory of Orleans was erected into 
 a state, the remaining part of this colony was attached to In¬ 
 diana, until the year 1812, when it was formed into a distinct 
 territory. 
 
 From the exposed situation of this territory, and the thinness 
 of its population, it suffered severely from the effects of Indian 
 and British hostility, a short time previous to, ami during the 
 late war. Tecnmseh, that courageous and accomplished Indian 
 warrior, had already visited Malden, and had received presents 
 and promises from the British agent. On his return, he endea¬ 
 voured to engage all the Indian nations in a common cause 
 against the Americans. But although Tccumseh gave the sig¬ 
 nal, by commencing warlike operations on the Wabash, the In¬ 
 dians on the Missouri continued for some time to give proofs of 
 
 * For a more particular account of this distressing affair, sec St. r.oni? 
 
GENERAL VIEW OF MISSOURI. 
 
 217 
 
 the most pacific intentions towards the United States. But large 
 presents were continually made, and every argument was used to 
 induce them to take up the tomahawk—a fact which is clearly 
 proved by the speech of a Sac chief* to Gen. Clarke, the Indian 
 agent at St. Louis, in 1810. 
 
 “ My father,” said he, “ I left my home to see my great¬ 
 grandfather, (the president of the United States) ; but as l can¬ 
 not proceed on to see him, 1 give you my hand, as to himself. 
 I have no father to whom 1 have paid any attention, but your¬ 
 self. If you hear any thing, 1 hope you will let me know; and 
 I will do the same. 1 have been advised several times to raise 
 the tomahawk. Since the last war, we have looked upon the 
 Americans as friends, and shall hold you fast by the hand. The 
 Great Spirit has not put us on this earth to war with the whites ; 
 we have never struck a white man : if we go to war, it is with 
 red flesh. Other nations sent belts among us, and urged us to 
 go to war; they say, if we do not, in less than eight years the 
 Americans will encroach on us, and drive us off our lauds. 
 
 “ Since General Wayne’s campaign, the nations have often 
 asked us to join in war with the white flesh ; we have not listen¬ 
 ed to them : our rivers, our country have always been, and still 
 are open to our friends the Americans. I have spoken to yon 
 as 1 should speak to the president of the United States ; and as 
 it is your desire that i shall not proceed to see him, 1 will cheer¬ 
 fully return to my nation again, and hope you will send my 
 word to him.” 
 
 With few exceptions, the Indians on the Missouri remained 
 peaceable until the summer of 1811, when they committed some 
 outrages in Boon’s settlement, and on Salt river. Gen. Clarke, 
 who commanded this department, made every exertion to detect 
 the murderers ; but as tbe American force was not yet organ¬ 
 ized, it proved unavailing. During tbe winter of 1811-12, 
 murders became more frequent, and this territory began to suffer 
 all the dreadful effects of Indian warfare. Tbe Wihnebasoes. 
 determined to have revenge for their loss at Tippecanoe, con¬ 
 tinually displayed hostile intentions. From Fort Madison to 
 St. Charles, men, women, and children were continually put 
 
 28 
 
 * Quashq^amst* 
 
218 
 
 GENERAL VIEW OP MISSOURI, 
 
 to death, and tboir habitations consigned to the flames, by these 
 unrelenting toes. 
 
 Upon the receipt of this melancholy intelligence, Governor 
 How aril sent orders to Col. Kibby, who commanded the militia 
 of St. Charles, to call out a portion of the men, w ho had been in 
 requisition to march at a moment’s warning. An express was 
 also sent to the officer commanding the regular forces of this dis¬ 
 trict, and the go' ernor himself immediately set out for. St.Charles. 
 On his arrival at this place, he organized a company of rangers, 
 consisting of the most hardy woodsmen, who covered, by con¬ 
 stant and rapid movements, the tract of country from Sait river 
 to t he Missouri, near the join tion of the Loutre. He also esta¬ 
 blished a small fort on the Mississippi, which was garrisoned by 
 a body of regular troops detached from Belle Fontaine, under 
 the command of Lieut. Mason. With these he was enabled, in 
 a considerable degree, to afford protection to the exposed fron¬ 
 tiers. 
 
 About the beginning of May, 1812 , the chiefs of the Great and 
 Little Usages, the Sacs, Reynards, Shawanees and Delawares, 
 met in St. Louis, in order to accompany Gen. Clarke to Wash¬ 
 ington city ; a plan which it was thought would have a happy 
 effect. After their departure, few outrages were committed by 
 the Indians for a considerable time ; and although large parties 
 of them continual!} lurked about Fort Mason, and the other 
 posts on the Mississippi, such was the vigilance of the regulars 
 and rangers then on duty, that they were generally frustrated 
 in their designs. But Tecumseh, and his brother the prophet, 
 were becoming more and more popular among the Indians ; and 
 so long as this was the case, no favourable termination of the 
 contest could be expected. Many, it is true, were, as they al¬ 
 ways had been, opposed to his ambitious views ; but the ma¬ 
 jority in his favour was so great, that these were obliged to sub¬ 
 mit. * 
 
 On the 26 th of June, ( 1812 ,) a council was held between the 
 following nations of Indians, viz. the Winebagoes, Pottawata- 
 mics, Ki< kapoos, Shawanese, Miarnies, Wild Oats (from Green 
 Bay,) Sioux (from the river Des Moines,) Otto’s, Sacs, Foxes 
 and ioways. The five first named were decidedly in favour of 
 the prophet $ some others refused any participation in the wav 
 
GENERAL VIEW OF MISSOURI. 
 
 219 
 
 with the United States; and the remainder were unwilling to 
 give a derided answer, but rather encouraged the idea that they 
 would unite with the hostile tribes. Thus through the influence 
 of the prophet, many of the tribes who had uniformly been at 
 peace with the Americ ans, now appeared in arms on the fron¬ 
 tiers of the territory, and were onlv waiting for the removal of 
 the rangers,' to commence a dreadful slaughter. 
 
 The effects of this alliance were soon manifested. On the 5th 
 of September, (1812) Fort Bellevue on the Mississippi, was at¬ 
 tacked by about 200 Winnebagoes. A constant firing was kept 
 up on both sides until dark. Early the next morning the In¬ 
 dians renewed the attack, and shortly after burnt three boats, 
 with their cargoes, consisting of provisions and stor es. They now 
 commenced throwing lire on a block house that stood near the 
 river, but failed in their plan of consuming it. They conti¬ 
 nued the siege for several days# but were finally obliged to dis¬ 
 perse, after having lost many of their men. On the paid of the 
 Americans, only one man was slightly wounded—.the loss of 
 property, however, was very considerable. After this affair, 
 no events of importance transpired during this or the succeeding 
 year. M urders, however, were frequently committed in the vi¬ 
 cinity of Portage des Sioux, St. Charles, and Fort Madison. 
 
 Early in the spring of 1S14, Gov. Clarke was instructed by 
 the war department to ascend the Mississippi, and establish a 
 garrison at Prairie du Chien, which, for several years, bad been 
 the principal rendezvous of the Indians, and their allies, the Bri¬ 
 tish. Accordingly, be left St. Louis about the first of May, with 
 five armed barges, and about 200 volunteers, under the command 
 of Capts. Ycizer and Sullivan, arid Lieut. Perkins. He reach¬ 
 ed the place of his destination without difficulty, all the Indians 
 lie met with being friendly, or at least not disposed to engage 
 him Col. Dickson, the British Indian agent at the Prairie, ha¬ 
 ving received information of the approach of Gov. Clarke, had 
 left that place about a month previous to his arrival, and procee¬ 
 ded to Mackinaw with a number of Indian recruits, for the Brit¬ 
 ish army on the lake. Capt. Drace, who was left in command 
 with a small force, consisting chiefly of Mackinaw fencibies* 
 made his escape immediately upon the arrival of the governor. 
 “ The inhabitants of the village, mostly French people, also fled 
 
220 
 
 GENERAL VIEW OP MISSOURI. 
 
 from their homes, but were induced to return. Lieut. Perkins, 
 with sixty regulars, took possession of the house formerly occu¬ 
 pied by the British Mackinaw company, and immediately began 
 to build a fort, about 200 yards from the bank of the river, which 
 was (ailed fort Shelby. As soon as this post was tolerably 
 strengthened. Gov. Clarke returned to St. Louis, leaving Capts. 
 Yeizer and Sullivan with a gun boat and an armed barge, and a 
 crew of 100 men, to co-operatewith Lieut. Perkins in main¬ 
 taining it. Capt. Sullivan’s company in the barge, and a 
 part of the crew belonging to the gun-boat were militia, who had 
 engaged only for sixty days. When their time, expired, they re¬ 
 turned home in the barge, leaving about 100 men at the Prairie. 
 ISo indications of hostility had yet appeared ; but early in July, 
 Lieut. Perkins was informed that preparations for an attack 
 were in progress among the Indians.’** 
 
 As soon as Gov. Clarke returned to St. Louis, Gen. Howard, 
 who commanded this district, thought it advisable to send up a 
 force to relieve the volunteers at Prairie du Chien, and thus pre¬ 
 serve a post so important to the western country. Accordingly 
 Lieut. Campbell, of the 1st reg. entrusted with the command of 
 42 regulars and 65 rangers, embarked in three keel boats, toge¬ 
 ther with a fourth, belonging to the contractor and sutler. 
 
 The whole party, amounting to one hundred and thirty-three 
 souls, reached Rock river, w ithin 180 or 200 miles of the Prai¬ 
 rie, without any accident. As soon as they entered the rapids, 
 they were visited by hundreds of Sacs and Foxes, some of the 
 latter bearing letters from the garrison above to St. Louis. The 
 officers, not being acquainted with the arts of the Indians, ima¬ 
 gined them to be friendly ; and to this fatal security may be at¬ 
 tributed the catastrophe which followed. The sutler’s and con¬ 
 tractor's boats bad arrived near the head of the rapids and pro¬ 
 ceeded on, having on board the ammunition, with a sergeant’s 
 guard ; the rangers in their boats followed, and had proceeded 
 two miles in advance of the commander’s barge. The latter ha¬ 
 ving inclined to the east side of the river in search of the main 
 channel, was now drifted by the. wind to the lee-shore and groun¬ 
 ded within a few yards of a high bank, covered with a thick 
 growth of grass and willows. 
 
 * BI’Afee's history cf the latp war in the western country 
 
GENERAL VIEW OF MISSOURI. 
 
 22 i 
 
 In this position, the commanding officer thought it advisable 
 to remain until the wind abated Sentries were stationed at pro¬ 
 per intervals, and several of the men were engaged on shore, 
 when the report of guns announced an attack. At tlie first 
 tire, all the sentries were killed, and before those who were 
 on shore could reach the barge, fifteen out of thirty were killed 
 or wounded. At this time, the force and intentions of the In¬ 
 dians were fully developed. On each shore they were observed 
 in quick motion, some in canoes, crossing to the battle ground ; 
 others running from above and below to the scene of at¬ 
 tack. In a few minutes from 5 to 700 were assembled on the 
 bank and among the willows, within a few yards of the bow 
 and stern of the barge. They now gave the w hoop, and com¬ 
 menced a tremendous fire—the few surviving brave men in the 
 barge cheered and returned the fire from their swivel and small 
 arms. At this critical juncture, Lieuts. Rector and Riggs saw 
 the smoke, and concluding that an attac k had been made, drop¬ 
 ped down. Riggs’ boat stranded about 100 yards below Camp¬ 
 bell’s, and Rector to avoid a similar misfortune, and preserve 
 himself from a raking fire, anchored above ; both barges open¬ 
 ed a brisk fire on the Indians, but as the latter were under cover, 
 little execution was done. 
 
 About an hour was spent in this unequal contest, when Camp¬ 
 bell’s barge was discovered to be on fire, to relieve which. Rec¬ 
 tor cut bis cables, and fell to w indw ard of him, and took out the 
 survivors. Finding, however, that he w as unable to assist Riggs, 
 having a number of wounded on board, and being in danger of 
 running on a lee-shore, he determined on descending the river. 
 The whole loss on the part of the Americans, amounted to 12 
 killed, and between 20 and SO wounded. 
 
 On the 17th of July,the long expected enemy,consisting of about 
 1500 British and Indians, under the command of Col M’Kay, 
 appeared in view, marching from the Ouisconsin to the Prairie. 
 Every possible exertion was made by (lie Americans to give (hem 
 a warm reception. Capt. Yeizer bad anchored the gun-boat in (lie 
 river opposite to the fort. As soon as Col. M’Kay had arranged 
 his force, and directed a small battery against the boat, be sent 
 in a flag demanding a surrender of (he garrison. Lieut. Pei kins 
 refused, and returned for answer that be was able and ready to 
 defend the post committed to his charge. 
 
222 
 
 GENERAL VIEW OP MISSOURI. 
 
 A general attack was now commenced upon the gun-boat from 
 the battery, which was answered by a six pounder. The dis¬ 
 tance, however, was so great, that little effect was produced_ 
 
 The enemy now changed their situation, and crossed to an island, 
 which is in front of the \illage, from which they were enabled 
 to fire upon Yeizer, (who had also changed his position) with 
 small arms, and screen themselves behind the trees, from the 
 grape which was incessantly poured from the boat. In this 
 manner the contest lasted for two hours, when, from the decided 
 advantage of the enemy, Capt. Y« izer was induced to retreat 
 dow n the river, which he effected under a heavy fire of musketry 
 for several miles. 
 
 After the departure of the gun-boat, the attack was continued 
 by the enemy, but with little effect, as the Americans remained 
 within the fort. The British now began to approach it by reg¬ 
 ular intrenchments, which they continued day and night, until 
 they reached within 150 yards of the pickets. On the evening 
 of the 19th, Lieut. Perkins being in want of ammunition and 
 hospital stores, and being without a surgeon to dress the wound¬ 
 ed, held a council with his officers. It was then determined, that 
 as it was impossible to maintain the post, their most proper 
 course was to surrender. Accordingly a flag was dispatched to 
 the enemy, with their terms. Capt. G. Kennerly was the 
 bearer, and on his entering into the British camp, he was 
 immediately surrounded by a number of Indians ; but was re¬ 
 lieved from his perilous situation by three British officers, who 
 ran to his protection. The terms of capitulation were immedi¬ 
 ately agreed on, and the fort wassui*rendered the next day, upon 
 condition that the Americans should be protected from the sav¬ 
 ages—that their private property should be respected—and that 
 they should be sent down to some American post, not to serve 
 until regularly exchanged. Col. M’lvay found it necessary to 
 place a strong guard over the prisoners, in order to prevent 
 the savages from murdering them. He afterwards sent them on 
 their way to St. Louis, under a strong escort, as far as Rock riv¬ 
 er ; and although the Indians laid several plans to murder them 
 on their passage, such was the vigilance of the guard, that not 
 one of them suffered. This may be recorded as a rare instance 
 
GENERAL VIEW OF MISSOURI. 
 
 223 
 
 of humane awl honourable conduct on the part of the British dur¬ 
 ing the late war in the west. 
 
 Capt Yeizer, who had left Fort Shelby during the battle? 
 on approaching the rapids? fell in with Lieut. Campbell, in 
 the situation before mentioned. He arrived in time to save the 
 contractor’s boat from destruction. Having ascertained tho 
 fate of the other boats? he now proceeded down the river, and 
 arrived at St. Louis soon after them. Thus terminated the ex¬ 
 pedition to Prairie du Chien? and with it, also, in a great meas¬ 
 ure? the war in Missouri. 
 
 In 1818, the people of this territory petitioned congress for 
 authority to form a state government. A bill was accordingly 
 introduced during the session of 1818-19, and contained among 
 other provisions that of prohibiting slavery or involuntary ser¬ 
 vitude. It passed the house of representatives? hut was rejected 
 by the senate, and of course failed of success, die ensuing ses¬ 
 sion the hill was again brought up, and after a succession of an¬ 
 imated and interesting debates, continued through several weeks? 
 a compromise or agreement was entered into by the advocates 
 and opposers of the “ restriction,” The result of this was, that 
 slavery should he tolerated in Missouri, but in no other part of 
 Louisiana as ceded by France to the United States, north of 36® 
 30' of north latitude. Accordingly the people of this territory 
 were authorised to form a constitution, under which? when ap¬ 
 proved by congress, Missouri should be admitted into the union 
 on an equal looting with the original states. 
 
 The convention being duly elected, met at St. Louis on the 
 12th of June, 1820, and formed a constitution, which was laid 
 before congress early in the session of 1820-21. The constitu¬ 
 tion contained a provision, by which it was made the duty of the 
 legislature to pass laws, 6i to prevent free negroes or mulattoes 
 from coming into and settling in this state under any pretext 
 whatsoever.” This was considered by many of the members as 
 a direct violation of the constitution of the United States, which 
 they had sworn to support. Missouri, who had thus far conten¬ 
 ded for every inch of ground in her passage from a territorial to 
 a state government, was now again'the subject of harangue, of 
 debate, and finally of compromise. The ‘ restrictionism 9 and 
 * anti-restnctionists ’ were again in hostile array? and the old 
 
GENERAL VIEW OF MISSOURI. 
 
 ova 
 
 X 
 
 contest was renewed and carried on with a spirit, which, in 
 too many instances, bordered upon the most gross intemperance. 
 After several months of time, and several thousands of dollars 
 had been consumed, nay, squandered, the following resolution 
 was passed by a majority of both houses of congress on the 2d of 
 March, 1821, viz : 
 
 “ Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
 United St&cs of America, in Congress assembled, That Missouri 
 shall be admitted into this union on an equal footing with the 
 original states, in all respects whatever, upon the fundamental 
 condition, that the fourth clause of the twenty-sixth section of 
 the third article of the constitution submitted on the part of said 
 state to congress, shall never be construed to authorise the pas¬ 
 sage of any law, and that no law shall be passed in conformity 
 thereto, by which any citizen of either of the states in this un¬ 
 ion, shall be excluded from the enjoyment of any of the privile- % 
 ges and immunities to which such citizen is entitled under the 
 constitution of the United States. Provided , That the legisla¬ 
 ture of the said state, by a solemn public act, shall declare the 
 assent of the said state to the said fundamental condition, and 
 shall transmit to the president of the United States, on or before 
 the fourth Monday in November next, an authentic copy of the 
 said act ; upon the receipt whereof, the president, by proclama¬ 
 tion, shall announce the fact ; whereupon, and without any fur¬ 
 ther proceeding on the part of congress, the admission of the 
 said state into the union, shall be considered as complete ” 
 
 On the 21st of June, 1821, the legislature of Missouri passed 
 a solemn public act of assent to the fundamental provision con¬ 
 tained in the above resolution, which was transmitted to the pre¬ 
 sident of the United States, who, on the 10th of August, issued 
 his proclamation, and gave Missouri her place in the union. 
 
 According to the census taken in September, 1821, it appears 
 that Missouri contained at that time 70,647 inhabitants, 11,234 
 of whom were slaves. At present, it is divided into 28 counties, 
 
 as follows: 
 
 
 
 Names of counties. 
 
 No. of inhabitants. 
 
 County seats. 
 
 Boone, 
 
 3692 
 
 Columbia. 
 
 Callaway, 
 
 1797 
 
 Elizabeth. 
 
GENERAL VIEW OF MISSOURI 
 
 225* 
 
 Names of counties. No. of inhabitants. .• • 
 
 County seats. 
 
 Cape Girardeau, 
 
 7852 
 
 Jackson. 
 
 Chariton, 
 
 1426 
 
 Chariton. 
 
 *Clay, 
 
 
 • 
 
 Cole, 
 
 1028 1 
 
 •Jt 4 . 
 
 Howard’s Bluff 
 
 Cooper, 
 
 3483 
 
 Boonville. 
 
 Franklin, 
 
 1928 
 
 Newport. 
 
 Gasconade, 
 
 1174 
 
 Gasconade. 
 
 Howard, 
 
 7321 
 
 Franklin. 
 
 Jefferson* 
 
 1838 
 
 Herculaneum. 
 
 Lillard, 
 
 1340 
 
 Mount Vernon* 
 
 Lincoln, 
 
 1674 
 
 Alexandria. 
 
 Madison, 
 
 1907 
 
 •s,. ' r . j 
 
 Frederick town. 
 
 Montgomery, 
 
 New-Madrid, 
 
 2032 . 
 
 -S7. •: . ■' 
 
 v. a • \ ..• <• t > r ■ 
 
 2444 
 
 * . T •■■■ r> 
 
 Pinkney. 
 
 Winchester. 
 
 Perry, 
 
 1599 ‘ *. 
 
 Perry-ville 
 
 Pike, 
 
 2677 
 
 Louisiana-ville. 
 
 Kalis, 
 
 1684 
 
 New-London. 
 
 Kay, 
 
 1789 
 
 Bluffton. 
 
 Saline, 
 
 ^Scott, 
 
 H76 
 
 Jeffersoiio 
 
 St. Charles, 
 
 4058 
 
 St. Charles. 
 
 ^St. Francois, 
 
 ✓ 
 
 
 St. Genevieve, 
 
 S181 
 
 St. Genevieve* 
 
 St. Louis, 
 
 8190 
 
 St. Louis. 
 
 Washington, 
 
 3741 
 
 Potosi. 
 
 Wayne, 
 
 1614,.,. 
 
 Greenville. 
 
 The counties marked thus 
 
 *, hav6 Feeh ejected since the emu 
 
 meration. 
 
 - . *1 * . 
 
 •> > 
 
 ■ ^ t «v 
 
 f 
 
 
 
 
 2.9 
 
f 
 
 A 
 
 GENERAL VIEW OF THE COUNTIES 
 
 IN THE . 
 
 ARRANGED IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER. 
 
 Boone County. 
 
 Boone county was erected from Howard in 1820, and named 
 in honour of Colonel Daniel Boone. It is bounded north by 
 the county of Ralls, east by Callaway, south by Cooper and 
 Cole, and west by Howard. It is 36 miles in length, and 21 
 in breadth : area 576 square miles. It is watered by Cedar, 
 Little Bonne-femme, and Roche Percee creeks. The surface is 
 generally uneven, and towards the northern boundary somewhat 
 hilly. The soil is for the most part fertile. 
 
 That part of Howard county which lies due nortli of Boone, 
 and not attached to, or comprising a part of any other county, 
 is attached to the latter for all legislative, judicial, and mi¬ 
 litary purposes, until the same may be formed into a separate 
 county. 
 
 This county has increased in population with uncommon ra¬ 
 pidity, and it offers inducements equal, if not superior to any 
 in the state. The attention of the inhabitants has lately been 
 turned to the cultivation of tobacco and cotton ; the former of 
 which is found to be a sure and profitable crop : the success of 
 the latter is as yet uncertain. The most considerable articles of 
 export have been bacon, corn, hogs, and poultry; these will 
 soon be followed by large quantities of flour and tobacco. As 
 the Missouri river washes the southern part of the county, every 
 facility for export is offered, and present appearances confirm 
 the opinion that it will be amply improved. 
 
 Boone county contains 3692 inhabitants. It is attached to 
 the first judicial circuit ; sends three members to the house of 
 assembly, and one to the senate. Its seat of justice is Columbia > 
 

 GAZETTEER OF MISSOURI. 
 
 Callaway County. 
 
 Callaway county was erected in 1820, and named in honour of 
 Capt. Callaway, who distinguished himself during the late war. 
 It is bounded north by the county of* Ralls, east by Mont¬ 
 gomery, south by Gasconade and Cole, and west by Boone. A 
 portion of country lying north of, and which was formerly at¬ 
 tached to Montgomery, is for the present attached to, and forms 
 a part of Callaway, although not included in its boundaries. 
 
 Callaway county is nearly in the form of a parallelogram, 44 
 miles in length, and 28 in breadth : its area is about 1116 square 
 miles. It is watered by Cedar creek, the Muddy’s, and the 
 sources of Loutre river, besides many other small streams emp- 
 tying into the Missouri, which forms its southern boundary. 
 The soil is generally of a good quality. The surface near the 
 Missouri is level, but towards the northern part of the county it 
 is broken and hilly, forming a part of the ridge which divides 
 thb waters of the Missouri from those of the Mississippi. 
 
 This county contains 1797 inhabitants. It is attached to the 
 second judicial circuit ; sends one member to the house of as¬ 
 sembly, and with Gasconade and Franklin, one to the senate. 
 Its scat of justice is Elizabeth . 
 
 Cape Girardeau. 
 
 Cape Girardeau county is one of the oldest in the state. - It 
 is bounded north by Ferry county, east by the strte of Illi¬ 
 nois and Scott county, south by Scott and New-Madrid, and 
 west by Madison and Wayne. Its length is about 50 miles ; 
 breadth 38 : area about 1300 square miles. The Mississippi 
 washes the eastern boundary, Apple creek a part of the north¬ 
 ern, and Castor creek a part of the western : the interior is 
 watered by Crooked and White-water creeks. 
 
 The first house built in this county, was at the town of Cape 
 Girardeau, in 1794, by a Frenchman. Since that period, set¬ 
 tlements have been rapidly for med by emigrants from the United 
 States ; and it is generally believed that the lands are inferior 
 to none in the state. Certain it is, that they are owmed by rich 
 and industrious farmers, who, among other articles, raise wheat, 
 corn, tobacco, liax, hemp and cotton, and manufacture large 
 
GENERAL VIEW OF COUNTIES. 
 
 229 
 
 quantities of maple sugar. They annually export considerable 
 quantities of beef, pork, lard, smoked hams, and some peltry. 
 Within a few years, also, tobacco has become a valuable article 
 of export. The lands in the northern and middle part of the 
 county are elevated, and well supplied with springs ; in general 
 free from stagnated waters and marshes. In the southern part, 
 however, a large swamp extends from the Mississippi to the St. 
 Francis river, and is filled with cypress trees of no great value.* 
 
 Few of the settlers in this county have planted themselves on 
 the Mississippi; but have generally preferred the country ten 
 or twelve miles west. Here the lands are high and rolling ; 
 possess a luxuriant soil ; are well covered with timber, and in¬ 
 tersected by a variety of excellent streams and springs. 
 
 The increase of population in this county is almost unparallel¬ 
 ed In 1799, the district of Cape Girardeau contained 521 in¬ 
 habitants ; in 1803, 1206 ; in 1804, about 1500 : in 1821, Cape 
 Girardeau county, which is but a part of the old district, con¬ 
 tained a population of 7852. It is attached to the fourth judicial 
 circuit; sends six members to the house of representatives, and 
 one to the senate. Its seat of justice is Jackson . 
 
 Chariton County. 
 
 Chariton countij is situated in the northern part of the state : 
 and is bounded north by the northern boundary of the state, east 
 by the county of Ralls, south by the counties of Howard, Cooper 
 and Saline, and west by Ray. With the attached portion, it is 
 100 miles in length, and 48 in breadth, and contains an area of 
 about 4700 square miles. A part of its southern boundary is 
 washed by the Missouri river; the interior is watered by the 
 two Charitons, and the tributaries of Grand river. 
 
 The lands in this county are generally elevated, possessing a 
 fertile soil ; well watered, but somewhat deficient in timber. The 
 northern part is broken by the range of bills which divide the 
 waters of the Missouri from those of tbs Mississippi. The Mis¬ 
 souri bounty tract is situated in the southern part of the county. 
 It is generally fertile, but contains very extensive prairies, which 
 will materially atfect its settlement. Coal, however, is very 
 
 Major Stoddard’s Sketches of Louisiana. 
 
230 
 
 GAZETTEER OP MISSOURI. 
 
 abundant, and will in a great measure supply the deficiency of 
 timber. 
 
 Chariton county was erected from Howard in 1820. It con¬ 
 tains 1426 inhabitants ; is attached to the first judicial circuit; 
 sends one member to the house of representatives, and with Clay, 
 Ray and Lillard, one to the senate. Its seat of justice is Chari¬ 
 ton . 
 
 Clay County. 
 
 Clay county was erected from Ray in 1822. It is bounded 
 north and west by the boundary lines of the state, east by 
 the county of Ray, and south by Lillard. Its form is that of a 
 parallelogram, about 100 miles in length, and 21 in breadth ; 
 containing an area of about 2000 square miles. The southern 
 boundary is washed by the Missouri river; the interior is well 
 watered by Fishing river, and several other small streams, run¬ 
 ning in a southerly and westerly direction. The lands -are ge¬ 
 nerally elevated, and in the northern part approaching to hilly. 
 Of the fertility of this county, and the inducements which it of¬ 
 fers to emigrants, I need not adduce a more convincing proof 
 than the fact, that but two or three years since, it was a complete 
 wilderness, without a single white inhabitant; while at present 
 its population is not less than 1000. The country north and 
 west is owned and inhabited by hordes of Indians. 
 
 Clay county is attached to the first judicial circuit; sends one 
 member to the house of representatives, and with Ray, Lillard 
 and Chariton, one to the senate. 
 
 Cole County. 
 
 Cole county , situated in the interior of the state, was erect¬ 
 ed from Cooper in 1820. It is bounded north, east and south 
 by the counties of Boone, Callaway and Gasconade, and west 
 by Cooper. Its form is nearly that of a triangle, 48 miles in 
 length, and S3 average breadth; containing an area of 756 square 
 miles. It is washed on two sides by the Osage and Missouri ri¬ 
 vers ; in the interior it is abundantly w atered by streams falling 
 into them. The lands are generally elevated; the soil in many 
 
GENERAL VIEW OF COUNTIES. 
 
 231 
 
 places is very inferior, and sometimes totally unfit for cultivation. 
 On the Osage are a number of caverns, in which native salt-petre 
 is found. Several powder mills have been already erected.— 
 Lead and iron ores are also very abundant. 
 
 Cole contains 1028 inhabitants. It is attached to the first 
 judicial cir< uit; sends one member to the house of representa¬ 
 tives, and with Saline^ and Cooper, one to the senate. Its seat of 
 j stice is Howard's Bluff. The city of Jefferson, the permanent 
 capital of the state, is also situated in this county. 
 
 Cooper County. 
 
 Cooper county was separated from Howard in 1818, since 
 which time it has been much diminished in size. At present it 
 is bounded north by the counties of Chariton, Howard and 
 Boone, east by Cole, south by Gasconade, and west by Saline- 
 It is 84 miles in length, and SO in breadth, and contains an area 
 of about 2160 square miles. The Missouri river washes the 
 northern, and the Osage the southern boundary ; the interior is 
 watered by La Mine river. Saline creek, and several other 
 streams falling into the Missouri, and by several tributaries of 
 the Osage. 
 
 Th is county is so extensive, that it contains almost every va¬ 
 riety of soil and surface. On the Missouri the lands are gene¬ 
 rally low, sometimes approaching the river in the form of inun¬ 
 dated alluvion, and sometimes a dry extensive prairie, occasion¬ 
 ally intersected by high rieges. The southern part of the coun¬ 
 ty is broken by the hills which divide the waters of the Osage 
 from those of the Missouri. Here it presents in many places a 
 sterile soil, destitute of every, advantage, except that it contains 
 iron and lead ore. There are several salt springs in the northern 
 part of the county, and in the vicinity of some of them, w orks 
 have been already established, which are a source of profit to 
 the proprietors. In the spring and fall, the salt is sent down the 
 Missouri to St. Charles, St Louis, and the more southern towns* 
 where it generally commands a good price and a ready sale. 
 
 Cooper county contains 3483 inhabitants. It is attached to 
 the first judicial circuit; sends three members to the house of re¬ 
 presentatives, and with Saline and Cole, one to the senate. Its 
 seat of justice is Boonville. 
 
232 
 
 GAZETTEER OF MISSOURI. 
 
 Franklin County. 
 
 Franklin county was erected from St. Louis in 1818, and is 
 bounded north by the counties of Montgomery and St. Charles, 
 east by St. Louis, south by Jefferson and Washington, and west 
 by Gasconade. It is 90 miles in length, and 32 in breadth, and 
 contains an area of about 1584 square miles. The Missouri 
 river washes the northern part of the county ; the interior is 
 watered by the Merrimack, St. John’s, and Bceuf river, and 
 several branches of the Gasconade. The lands are generally 
 elevated ; the surface broken, and sometimes hilly. On the 
 banks of the Missouri, Merrimack, and the other streams, *t,he 
 soil is in many places fertile ; hut the upland is sandy and sterile. 
 A range of silicious hills run through the southern and middle 
 sections of the county. They abound with lead and iron ore, but 
 are unfit for cultivation, and hence cannot support an agricul¬ 
 tural population. These hills are also badly timbered. 
 
 Franklin county contains 1928 inhabitants. It is attached to 
 the third judicial c ircuit; sends two members to the house of 
 representatives, and with Callaway and Gasconade, one to the 
 senate. Its seat of justice is Newport. 
 
 Gasconade County. 
 
 Gasconade county was erected from Franklin in 1820. Its 
 boundaries are as follows : Beginning in the middle of the main 
 channel of the Missouri river, opposite the termination of the 
 sectional line which forms the middle line in range No. 4, west 
 of the 5th principal meridian ; thence south to said line, and 
 along said line south to the corner in the township line of 41, 
 north of the base line ; thence west along the line of township 
 41, to the corner in the range line in range No. 8, west of the 
 5th principal meridian ; thence north along said range line, to 
 the Missouri river, and due north to the middle of the main 
 channel thereof; thence down along the middle of the main 
 channel of the Missouri river, to the beginning. All that por¬ 
 tion of country south and west of these boundaries, and formerly 
 included within the limits of Franklin county, is now attached 
 to Gasconade. The form of the county is an oblong square, 24 
 miles iu length, and 21 in breadth, with an area of about 504 
 
GENERAL VIEW OF COUNTIES. 
 
 238 
 
 square miles. The attached portion is very extensive, but its 
 precise limits are not yet known. 
 
 Gasconade county is washed on the north by the Missouri riv- 
 «r ; the interior is watered by the Gasconade, and its numerous 
 tributaries, together with those of; the Merrimack, Boeof river, 
 and several other smaller streams. The lands, like those of 
 Franklin, are generally elevated, * rolling ,’ and hilly. On the 
 banks of some of the streams, the soil is fertile ; hut by far the 
 largest portion of the county is rough, stony, and unfit for cuiii- 
 vation. it consists in many places of bald flint hills or knobs , 
 entirely destitute of timber, but which are said to abound with 
 lead and *iron ore. On the Gasconade is a quantity of pine 
 timber, which, from its scarcity in this section of the coun¬ 
 try', is peculiarly valuable. The }eilow pine is predomin¬ 
 ant, although there is a portion of white. There ar e alr eady 
 six saw mills erected, which are kept continually employed.— 
 The lumber is sent down the Missouri and Mississippi. Anoth¬ 
 er, and a very considerable source of wealth to this county, is 
 tire number* of salt-petre caves, which are every wher e found on 
 the Gasconade. Many of these are worked. The mineral is 
 either sent down the river, or consumed in the manufactory of 
 gunpowder, for which there arc several mills. Some of the 
 caves are very large and interesting, consisting frequently of a 
 succession of rooms joined to each other by arched halls of a 
 great height. The walls are uniformly of limestone, and 
 often present the most beautiful appearance. On these, as well 
 as (he floors, the salt-petre is found deposited, and in most 
 cases so pure, that it requires only one washing to render it lit 
 for use or export.* 
 
 When these caves were first discovered, it was not unusual to 
 
 * 1; The abundance of nitre generated in these caves,” observes Mr. Bradbury, ‘‘ is a-circumstance 
 which should not be passed over unnoticed. These caves are always in the limestone rocks; and in 
 those which produce the nitre, thebottom is covered with earth, which is strongly impregnated with 
 jt, and is visible in needle-form crystals. In order to obtain the nitre, the earth is-collected and lixiv¬ 
 iated ; the water, after being saturated, is boiled down, anti suffered to stand sill the crystals are 
 formed. In this manner, it is no uncommon thing for three men to make 100 lbs. of salt-petre in one 
 -day. As tliesecaves may probably have been the resort of wild animals in former times, the accumu¬ 
 lation of nitre inthe first instance is not surprising; but that theearth,on being again spread on the 
 bottom ofthe cave, should be re-impregnated in the space of four or live years, is not so easily ac¬ 
 counted for ; that this is a fact, many who have been employed in making salt-pette, have assured 
 ate-” Travels in the interior of the United States. 
 
 SO 
 
284 
 
 GAZETTEER OP MISSOURI. 
 
 find in them Indian axes and hammers, which led to the belie? 
 that they had formerly been worked for some unknown purpose 
 by the savages. It is difficult to decide whether these tools were 
 left here by the present rare, or by another and more civilized 
 which preceded them. Although it is unusual for the savages of 
 our day to take up their residence in caves, considering them the 
 places to which the Maniton resorts—although they are not 
 acquainted with any of the uses of the salt-petre, and would ra¬ 
 ther avoid than collect it; the circumstance of finding these tools 
 in the caves, would of itself, perhaps, furnish slight evidence that 
 the country of the Gasconade was formerly settled by a race of 
 men, who were acquainted with the uses of this mineral, or w ho 
 exceeded them in civilization, or in the knowledge of the arts. 
 But there are other facts connected with these, about which there 
 can be no mistake. Near the saw-mills, and at a short distance 
 from the road leading from them to St. Louis, are the ruins of an 
 ancient town. It appears to have been regularly laid out, and 
 the dimensions of the squares, streets, and some of the houses* 
 can yet he discovered. Stone walls are found in different parts 
 of the area, which are frequently covered by huge heaps of 
 earth. Again, a stone work exists, as 1 am informed by Gen. 
 Ashley, about 10 miles below the mills. It is on the west side of 
 the Gasconade, and is about 25 or SO feet square ; and although 
 at present in a dilapidated condition, appears to have been origi¬ 
 nally built with an uncommon degree of regularity. It is situa¬ 
 ted on a high bald cliff, which commands a fine and an extensive 
 view of the country on all sides. From this stone work is a 
 small foot path running a devious course down the cliff to the 
 the entrance of a cave, in w hich was found a quantity of ashes. 
 The mouth of the cav e commands an easterly view. 
 
 It would he useless at this time to hazard an opinion with re¬ 
 gard to the uses of this work, or the beings who erected it. In 
 connexion with those of a similar kind which exist on the Missis¬ 
 sippi, it forms an interesting subject for speculation. They evi¬ 
 dently form a distinct class of ancient works, of w hich i have as 
 yet seen uo description. 
 
 Gasconade county contains 1174 inhabitants. It is attached 
 ip the second judicial circuit j sends one member to the house 
 
GENERAL VIEW OP COUNTIES. 
 
 285> 
 
 of representatives, and with Callaway and Franklin, one to the 
 senate, its seat of justice is Gasconade. 
 
 Howard County. 
 
 Howard county was erected from St. Louis and St. Charles in 
 1818, and was then very extensive ; but by successive subdivis¬ 
 ions, it is now restricted to a much smaller area, its present 
 form is a rhomb, whose greatest length is 22 miles ; greatest 
 breadth 22 ; area about 470 square miles, it is bounded north 
 by the county of Chariton, east by Boone, south by Cooper, and 
 west by Cooper and Chariton. The southern boundary is wash¬ 
 ed by the Missouri; the interior is watered by Mauitou, Bonne- 
 femme, and other creeks running a southerly course, and emp¬ 
 tying into it. 
 
 The face of the country is generally level, and the soil of the 
 first quality. Ever since its discovery, no tract of country has 
 beenso highly esteemed as the “ Boone’s Lick,*’ It was first set¬ 
 tled by Col. Daniel Boone, so* celebrated in the history of the 
 western states. Its soil is fertile, and is watered by springs 
 ami streams, which afford the finest mill seats r it contains tim¬ 
 ber in abundance, and above all, is generally very healthy.— 
 In addition to these, salt is very abundant throughout every part 
 of this county; and is already an article of export. Three of the 
 springs have been selected by the commissioners appointed for 
 that purpose for the use of the state. 
 
 The inhabitants of this county have, within a few years, turn* 
 ed their attention to the cultivation of tobacco, which thus far 
 has exceeded their most sanguine expectations. A considerable 
 quantity is now annually exported, and this quantity will be in¬ 
 creased, in proportion to the demand. The establishment of in¬ 
 spections at the last session of the legislature, will have an im¬ 
 portant effect in raising the character of the Missouri tobacco> 
 and will serve to stimulate the planter to greater exertions. 
 
 The exports of Howard are bacon, hams, salt, furs and pel¬ 
 tries. It is thought by many, that cotton will soon be added to 
 the list ; but although success has attended its cultivation in se¬ 
 veral places on the Missouri river, it is extremely doubtful whe¬ 
 ther it will ever be of any consequence as an article of export.*— 
 
236 
 
 GAZETTEER OF MISSOURI, 
 
 A sufficiency will no doubt be raised for home consumption, bnl 
 the uncertainty of the crop, arising from the seasons, will pre¬ 
 vent it from competing in the least with that of the more south¬ 
 ern states. The bottoms of the Missouri in this count} are very 
 rich and extensive, and many of them already contain a very 
 dense population. The country for 40 or 50 miles north of this, 
 may bear the character of rich woodland ; the prairies forming 
 hut a trifling proportion. 
 
 Howard county contains 7331 inhabitants. It is attached to 
 the first judicial circuit; sends five members to the house of rep¬ 
 resentatives, and one to the senate. Its seat of justice is Frank¬ 
 lin . 
 
 Jefferson County# 
 
 Jefferson county was erected from St. Louis and St Genevieve 
 jii 1818. It is bounded north by the county of St. Louis, east by 
 the Mississippi river, south by the counties of St. Genevieve, St- 
 Francois and Washington, and west by Washington and Frank¬ 
 lin. Its greatest length is 33 miles ; greatest breadth 28 ; area 
 about 720 square miles. The eastern boundary is washed by 
 the Mississippi, and a part of the northern by the Merrimack : 
 the interior is watered by Grand river and its brandies, and by 
 several small streams running east into the Mississippi. 
 
 The banks of the Mississippi in this county, are in many pla¬ 
 ces high and rocky. Some of them have an elevation of two or 
 tin *ee hundred feet, and are so disposed as, on a distant view, to 
 exhibit the appearance of artificial towers. They arc solid mas¬ 
 ses of limestone, deposited in horizontal strata, in the northern 
 and eastern parts of the county, the surface is generally level ; 
 in the western it is rough and hilly. A prolific soil characteri¬ 
 zes the former; whereas the latter is comparatively sterile. The 
 principal farming districts, are on the banks of the Platten, Joa¬ 
 chim and Sandy creeks. The southern shores of the Merrimack, 
 and the eastern banks of Big river, also afford good land.* Lead 
 has been found in several places in this county, but has only been 
 worked at Gray’s mine and Mt Kane’s mine, the latter situated on 
 Dry creek, a stream runninginto Big river from the Jefferson side. 
 
 * Schoolcraft’s View of the Lear! Mines of Missouri- 
 
GENERAL VIEW OF COUNTIES. 
 
 237 
 
 It has also been found in several places on the banks of Platten 
 and Joachim creeks. Iron ore is found in Big river township, 
 and on the Platten and Sandy creeks. Salt was formerly made 
 at the works on the Merrimack. The water is represented to be 
 strong, but the works have been suffered to lie idle, in conse¬ 
 quence, it is understood, of a dispute respecting the land title.* 
 There are, however, other works now in operation, about 12 
 miles north of Herculaneum, where salt of a good quality is ma¬ 
 nufactured by the boiling process. There are also a number of 
 sulphur springs, which are frequently resorted to by valetudina¬ 
 rians. The waters are said to be signally beneficial in affections 
 of the liver ; but I am inclined to believe that their virtues have 
 been much o\errated. They are, however, gently laxative and 
 sudorific. 
 
 From the number of fine mill streams, and the many advanta¬ 
 geous situations which are every where presented, there is no 
 doubt this is destined to become a great manufacturing county. 
 It already contains several grist mills, shot manufactories and 
 distilleries. 
 
 Jefferson county contains 1838 inhabitants. It is attached to 
 the third judicial circuit; sends two members to the house of 
 representatives, and with Washington, one to the senate. Its 
 seat of justice is Herculaneum . 
 
 Lillard County. 
 
 Lillard county was erected from Cooper in 1820. It is situ¬ 
 ated in the western part of the state, and is included within the 
 following boundaries : Beginning at a point in the middle of the 
 main channel of the Missouri river, opposite the range line be¬ 
 tween ranges 23 and 24, thence with said line to the termination 
 thereof; thence due south to the middle of the main channel of 
 the Osage river; thence up said river in the middle of the main 
 channel thereof, to the western boundary line of the state ; 
 thence north with the said boundary line, to the middle of the 
 main channel of the Missouri river ; thence down the said river 
 in the middle of the main channel thereof, to the place of begin¬ 
 ning. Phis county is at present very extensive, its greatest 
 
 * SclioolcrafV 
 
338 
 
 GAZETTEER OF MISSOURI. 
 
 length being upwards of 100 miles, and its breadth about 60* 
 Its form is an irregular oblong, whose area may be about 6500 
 square miles. The northern boundary is washed by the Missouri 
 river; the interior is watered by the sources of La Mine river, 
 Talbot creek, Chenel-ebert, Blue-water river, and many other 
 streams running north, and emptying into the Missouri. The 
 southern part of the county is watered by the Osage river, and 
 numerous tributaries. 
 
 Lillard county , contains a large proportion of first rate farm¬ 
 ing land, particularly on the banks of the Missouri; there are 
 also some districts of good land on Talbot and Chenel-ebert. 
 In the interior the prairies are frequently very extensive, and 
 towards the southern section it is broken by the hills dividing 
 the w aters of the Osage from those of the Missouri. 
 
 The first settlements w T ere made in this county in 1817 : at 
 present it contains 1340 inhabitants. It is attached to the first 
 judicial circuit; sends one member to the house of representa¬ 
 tives, and with Clay, Ray and Chariton, one to the senate. Its 
 seat of justice is J)Iour\l Vernon. 
 
 Lincoln County. 
 
 Lincoln counhj was erected from St. Charles in 1818. Its form 
 is nearly a square, and its area is about 575 square miles. It is 
 bounded north by the county of Pike, east by the state of Illinois, 
 south by the counties of St. Charles and Montgomery, and west 
 by Montgomery and Pike. The eastern boundary is washed by 
 the Mississippi river; the interior is watered by Riviere au 
 Cuivre and its tributaries, and by several other streams running 
 east. 
 
 This county contains a considerable proportion of good land : 
 the soil is generally fertile, and the surface level. There exists 
 a fine proportion of prairie and timbered land. It contains a 
 population of 1674 ; is attached to the second judicial circuit; 
 sends one member to the house of representatives, and with 
 Montgomery, one to the senate. Its seat of justiefc is Alexandria, 
 
GENERAL VIEW OF COUNTIES. 
 
 239 
 
 Madison County* 
 
 Madison county was erected from the counties of St. Genevieve 
 and Cape Girardeau in 1818, but has since been much reduced 
 in its size. It is situated in what is called the “ Mine country,” 
 and is bounded north by the county of St. Francois, east by Ferry 
 and Cape Girardeau, south by Wayne, and west by Washing¬ 
 ton. Its form is an irregular oblong, whose greatest length is 
 36 miles : greatest breadth 28 : area about 900 square miles. 
 
 This county is watered by Castor creek, the St. Francis, and 
 Black river ; the latter forming a part of its western boundary. 
 Like other parts of the mine tract, of which Madison forms the 
 southern limit, the soil is rarely first rate ; and the surface is 
 generally broken and hilly The principal district of good farm¬ 
 ing land lies along Village creek, and the eastern shore of the 
 St. Francis, which runs nearly north and south.* The mineral 
 products of this county are lead, iron, and plumbago. Lead has 
 been found in several places, although it has not as yet been 
 worked except at Mine La Motto, situated four miles from the 
 St. Francis, near St. Michael’s. This is one of the oldest mines 
 in the state, having been discovered in 1720, by the person 
 whose name it bears. It has been constantly wrought tor many 
 years ; and although only a superficial system of mining has as 
 yet been pursued, it annually produces a large quantity of ore. 
 
 Madison county contains 1907 inhabitants. It is attached to 
 the fourth judicial circuit; sends one member to the house of 
 representatives, and with Wayne, one to the senate. Its seat of 
 justice is Fredencktown. 
 
 Montgomery County. 
 
 Montgomery county was erected from St. Charles in 1818. Its 
 form is irregular ; its greatest length is 36 miles; greatest 
 breadth 30 ; area about 900 square miles. Bounded north by 
 the counties of Lincoln, Bike and Ralls, cast by St. Charles, 
 south by Franklin and Gasconade, and west by Callaway. 
 
 This county is washed on the south by the Missouri river ; the 
 interior is abundantly watered by Loutre river, Lost and Cha* 
 
 -* Schoolcraft’s View. 
 
240 
 
 GAZETTEER OF MISSOURI. 
 
 Tette creeks, and by several small streams, running a norib 
 course, and emptying into the Cuivre river. The lands on the 
 Missouri arc generally level and very fertile ; the interior is tra¬ 
 versed by the range of hills, dividing the waters of the Missou¬ 
 ri from those of the Mississippi, on which there are but rarely 
 districts of good farming land. 
 
 The climate and productions of this county are similar to all 
 thdse bordering on the Missouri : like them, it possesses im¬ 
 mense agricultural resources ; and the never failing stream 
 which sweeps along its southern boundary, affords the inhabit¬ 
 ants every facility for exporting their surplus produce. 
 
 Montgomery county contains 2032 inhabitants. It is attach¬ 
 ed to the second judicial district ; sends two members to the 
 house of representatives, and with Lincoln, one to the senate.—• 
 Its seat of justice is Pinkney* 
 
 New-Madrid County. 
 
 New-Madrid county is the most southern in the state, and was 
 erected at an early period. Originally, it was very extensive* 
 but by subsequent subdivisions, its limits have been much redu¬ 
 ced. At present, its greatest length is 60 miles ; greatest 
 breadth 46 ; area about 2500 square miles. It is bounded north 
 by the counties of Scott and Cape Girardeau, east by the state 
 of Kentucky, south by the territory of Arkansas and Wayne 
 county. 
 
 The eastern boundary of New-Madrid is washed by the Mis¬ 
 sissippi, and the western by the St. Francois. The interior is 
 watered by numerous small streams, running east and west into 
 these rivers. It is, however, worthy of remark, that no consid¬ 
 erable stream empties into the Mississippi on the west side from 
 the Merrimack to the St. Francois, a distance of several hun¬ 
 dred miles. The lands in this county are generally flat in many 
 places, abounding with ponds and marshes, which are periodically 
 inundated. These marshes, filled with cypress, are mostly dry 
 in summer; and unless they be drained at great expense, or banks 
 be constructed to keep the water from them, they will never 
 be of any service to agriculturalists, other than as ranges for 
 cattle. Many creeks or bayous take their rise in them, and flow 
 
GENERAL VIEW OF COUNTIES. 
 
 241 
 
 into the Mississippi and St. Francois ; and it is calculated that 
 there are as many as one to every fifteen miles. The swamps 
 are generally in a central position between the two rivers ; and 
 frequently communicate with both by forming creeks or bayous, 
 which are navigable during freshets. The lands on the banks 
 of the rivers, and other streams, are much more elevated than 
 the intermediate tracts ; they are seldom overflowed, and pre¬ 
 sent a thrifty growth of large trees. Prairies abound in the in¬ 
 terior, as also some large tracts of upland, calculated for rich 
 and extensive plantations.* This county has no variety of soil* 
 The lands are mostly what are called bottoms or intervals, and 
 are composed of a deep rich mould, calculated for most kinds 
 of grain, cotton, tobacco, flax and hemp. The more elevated 
 grounds yield 30 bushels of wheat, and 80 of corn, to the acre. 
 Some of the bottoms are covered with a thick growth of trees, 
 to which large droves of cattle resort in the winter season. 
 
 The first settlement was made here in 1787, by Col. Morgan 
 of New-Jersey, who laid out the town of New-Madrid. It had, 
 however, for a long time previous been the rendezvous of hunters 
 and traders. After building a small number of houses, the in¬ 
 habitants bec ame very sit kly, and no farther progress was made 
 in the settlement. Morgan, in consequence of some obstacles to 
 his designs, created by the Spanish government, abandoned his 
 pursuits and left the country.f The settlements, however, havp 
 been gradually extended, and are formed chiefly along the Mis¬ 
 sissippi, not only because the lands near the banks are less ex¬ 
 posed to inundation, but because that navigable stream affords 
 the desired fut ilities for commerce. 
 
 The climate of this county is so mild, that the culture of cot¬ 
 ton and tobacco is attended with every success. Its sickli¬ 
 ness, however, has prevented it from being settled so rapidly as 
 other sections of the state. Whether this will materially retard 
 its prosperity, or w hether by continued, although partial culti¬ 
 vation, it will become healthy, is a question w hich time alone 
 can decide. At present, it must be acknowledged, that it is 
 more unhealthy than any other part of the state ; but from its 
 situation, a stranger would be inclined to believe that it was 
 
 t Ibid: 
 
 * Stoddard^ Sketches cf I.<n*i?ian?b 
 
 31 
 
242 ' 
 
 Gazetteer of Missouri. 
 
 more subject to dangerous diseases than it really is. The mias- 
 mata from the swamps no doubt poison the air, and produce in 
 termittents and bilious fevers, although they are seldom very 
 malignant. Indeed, the sick have suffered more from the want 
 of medicine, than from the obstinate nature of the diseases.* 
 
 New-Madrid county, previous to its late subdivision, contain¬ 
 ed 2443 inhabitants. At present it contains about 1500. It is 
 attached to the fourth judicial circuitsends one member to tbe 
 house of representatives, and with Scott, one to the senate. Its 
 seat of justice is Winchester. 
 
 Perry County. 
 
 Perry county was erected from St. Genevieve in 1820, and is 
 bounded north hy that county, east by the Mississippi river, 
 south by Cape Girardeau, and west by Madison, St. Francois 
 and St. Genevieve. Its greatest length is 33 miles; greatest 
 breadth 20 ; area about 430 square miles. 
 
 This county is washed by the Mississippi river on the east $ 
 the interior is watered hy Apple and Saline creeks, and other 
 streams falling into the Mississippi. The face of the country is 
 generally uneven, and the soil is second rate. The most valua¬ 
 ble district of farming land is Bois brule bottom, which extends 
 along the margin of the Mississippi, about 20 miles. It is about 
 3 miles in width, and is covered in many places with a heavy 
 growth of trees, such as are peculiar to the most fertile alluvi¬ 
 ons. The settlements on it are already very considerable, and 
 are daily increasing. In the interior, the soil is frequently ster¬ 
 ile, and unfit for cultivation. It contains lead and iron, but no 
 mines have as yet been opened. 
 
 Perry county contains 1599 inhabitants. It is attached to tbe 
 fourth judicial circuit; sends one member to the house of rep¬ 
 resentatives, and with St. Genevieve and St. Francois, one to the 
 senate. Its county seat is Perryville. 
 
 Pike County. 
 
 > 
 
 Pike county was erected from St. Charles in 1818, and named 
 in honour of Gen* Z. M* Pike, It was formerly very extensive. 
 
 * Stoddard. 
 
GENERAL VIEW OF COUNTIES. 
 
 out has been much reduced by recent subdivisions. At present, 
 its greatest length is 56 miles ; greatest breadth 50 ; area about 
 680 square miles. It is bounded north and west by the county 
 of Ral^s, east by the state of Illinois, south by the counties of 
 Lincoln and Montgomery. 
 
 This county is washed on the east hy the Mississippi river : 
 the interior is watered hy Salt river and its tributaries, and by 
 the head waters of Cuivre river, and sever al smaller streams.— 
 The largest bodies of farming laud are on Salt river, and along 
 the bank of the Mississippi. The bottoms are not exceeded by 
 any in the state for the fertility of their soil. Towards the west¬ 
 ern part of the county, the surface is undulating, and in some 
 places hilly, although the soil is of a good quality. Salt springs 
 are found in great abundance, and have been profitably worked 
 ever since the first settlement. Small quantities of lead have 
 also been found, but it is doubtful whether it is very abundant. 
 
 In this county, are several singular and interesting ancient 
 works, which are similar in some respects, to those on the Gas¬ 
 conade. They arc situated on JYoijer creek , and will be describ¬ 
 ed under that article. 
 
 Pike county contains 2677 inhabitants. It is attached to the 
 second judicial circuit; sends two members to the house of rep¬ 
 resentatives, and with Ralls one to the senate. Its seat of justice 
 is Louisiana-rille. 
 
 Ralls County. 
 
 Halls comity was erected from Pike in 1820, and is very ex¬ 
 tensive. Its form is an irregular oblong, 95 miles in length, 
 with a medium width of 50 miles ; area about 4600 square miles- 
 It is hounded north by the northern boundary of the state, east 
 hy Illinois, south hy the counties of Pike, Montgomery, Calla¬ 
 way and Boone, and west by Chariton. 
 
 This county is washed on the east by the Riviere des Moines 
 and Mississippi; the interior is abundantly watered by Salt ri¬ 
 ver and its tributaries, hy the Two rivers, the Fabbajand Waron- 
 da creeks, and a number of smaller streams. On the hanks of 
 the Mississippi and Salt river, are several extensive and fertile 
 bottoms, which are frequently covered with a heavy growth of 
 
244 
 
 GAZETTEER OF MISSOURI. 
 
 timber, and afford every inducement to the agriculturalist.—- 
 There are several small districts of good farming land on Two 
 Rivers, and the other streams north. The interior of the county 
 is uneven, and occasionally hilly, being crossed by the range di¬ 
 viding the waters of the Missouri from those of the Mississippi. 
 This county abounds with lead and iron ore. 
 
 Ralls contains 1684 inhabitants. It is attached to the 
 second judicial circuit; sends one member to the bouse of repre- 
 centatives. and with Pike, one to the senate. Its seat of justice 
 is New-London . 
 
 Ray County. 
 
 Kay countif was erected from Howard in 1820, and is bounded 
 north by the northern boundary of the state, east by the county 
 of Chariton, south by Saline and Lillard, and west by Clay, 
 Its form is an oblong, 100 miles in length, and 48 in breadth : 
 area about 4s00 square miles. The southern boundary is wash¬ 
 ed by the Missouri river ; the interior is abundantly watered by 
 Grand river and its tributaries, Fishing river, and numerous oth¬ 
 er streams emptying into the Missouri. The principal districts 
 of farming lauds are on the banks of Grand and Fishing river. 
 Frequently, however, rich bottoms occur on the Missouri, and 
 the smaller streams emptying into it between these. The principal 
 objection to the interior is the want of timber. The prairies, 
 allhough generally fertile, are so very extensive, that they must 
 for a great length of time, and perhaps forever, remain wild and 
 uncultivated ; yet such is the enterprise of the American citi¬ 
 zens—such the emigration to the west, that it almost amounts 
 to presumption to hazard an opinion on the subject. Perhaps 
 before the expiration of ten years, instead of being bleak and 
 desolate, they may have been converted into immense grazing 
 fields, covered with herds of cattle. It is not possible, however, 
 that the interior of these prairies can be inhabited ; for, setting 
 aside the difficulty of obtaining timber, it is on other accounts 
 unpleasant and uncomfortable. In winter the northern and 
 western blasts are excessively cold, and the snow is drifted like 
 hills and mountains, so as to render it impossible to cross from 
 one side of a prairie to the other. In summer, on the contrary. 
 
GENERAL VIEW OF COUNTIES. 
 
 245 
 
 the sun acting upon such an extensive surface, and the southerly 
 winds which uniformly prev ail during this season, produce a de¬ 
 gree of heat almost insupportable. 
 
 It should not, by any means, he understood that these otijec- » 
 lions apply to all the prairies. The smaller ones are not 
 subject to these inconveniences; on the contrary, they are 
 by far the most desirable and pleasant situations for settle¬ 
 ment. There are of this description in the county of which we 
 are treating ; surrounded by forests, and containing here and 
 there groves of the finest timber, watered by beautiful running 
 streams, presenting an elevated, rolling or undulating sur face, 
 and a soil rarely equalled in fertility. 
 
 This county is in many respects favourably situated. Grand 
 river, which passes through it, is navigable for some distance ; 
 and together with the Missouri, affords every advantage for 
 commerce. Very little, however, is as yet raised for export. 
 Its productions w ill be similar to those of the lower counties. 
 
 Ray county contains 1789 inhabitants. It is attached to the 
 first judicial circuit; sends one member to the house of repre¬ 
 sentatives, and with Clay, Li Hard and Chariton* one to the se,» 
 mate. Its seat of justice is Bluff toy. 
 
 Saline County. 
 
 Saline county was erected from Cooper in 1820, and is bound¬ 
 ed north by the counties of Chariton and Ray, east by Cooper, 
 south by the territory attached to Gasconade, and west by Lil- 
 lard county. Its form is an irregular oblong : its greatest length 
 is 100 miles ; greatest breadth SO miles : area about 1800 square 
 miles. The northern boundary is washed by the Missouri ri¬ 
 ver ; the interior is watered by La Mine river, Salt fork, and 
 several large tributaries of the Osage. 
 
 This county contains a considerable proportion of good farm¬ 
 ing land. The banks of the Missouri are beautifully interspersed 
 with alluvion and upland, which are alternately timbered and 
 prairie. In the interior, there are several bodies of good land 
 on La Mine river and Salt fork. The southern part of the coun¬ 
 ty is rough, broken, and sometimes hilly. In many places the 
 prairies are very extensive* and almost unfit for cultivation. 
 
246 
 
 GAZETTEER OF MISSOURI. 
 
 Salt is very abundant in this county, and also iron ore. Lead has 
 not been found in any considerable quantity. 
 
 Saline county contains 1176 inhabitants. It is attached to the 
 first judicial circuit; sends one member to the house of repre¬ 
 sentatives, and with Cooper and Cole, one to the senate. Its 
 seat of justice is Jefferson. 
 
 Scott County. 
 
 Scott comity was erected from New-Madrid in 1822. Its 
 form is somewhat triangular : greatest length 45 miles : greatest 
 breadth 40 : area about 800 square miles. It is bounded north 
 by the county of Cape Girardeau, east by the state of Illinois, 
 south and west by the county of New-Madrid. The eastern 
 boundary is washed by the Mississippi; the interior is watered 
 by \Y hite-water creek, and several small streams running east 
 and west into the Mississippi and St. Francis rivers. 
 
 The lands in this county are very similar in their character to 
 those of New-Madrid. They are generally champaign and fer¬ 
 tile. Tywapaty bottom, an extensive tract situated on the Mis¬ 
 sissippi above the mouth of the Ohio, is celebrated for its fertility. 
 It produces a thick growth of timber, and many of the trees are 
 of extraordinary size. Part of this bottom, which is about 20 
 miles long, and from three to six broad, produces an immense 
 quantity of rushes. These grow to the height of about eight 
 feet: they are large, and stand so thick that it is difficult for a 
 man to make his way among them. Large droves of cattle re¬ 
 sort here in winter, and fatten on them.* The interior of 
 the county is in many places covered with swamps, which arc 
 generally dry in summer, but will never be fit for cultivation. 
 Along the banks of the streams the lands arc elevated, and in 
 many places undulating, and calculated for rich and extensive 
 settlements. The productions are similar to those of New-Ma¬ 
 drid, and the same objection with regard to health exists here. 
 Indeed it could not be other than unhealthy, exposed as it is 
 to the annual inundations of the Mississippi on the one side, and 
 the miasmata arising from stagnant ponds and marshes on thp 
 other. 
 
 * Stoddard. 
 
GENERAL VIEW OF COUNTIES. 
 
 241 
 
 As this county lias been erected since the last census, its pre¬ 
 cise population is not known ; it may, however, be about 1000. 
 It sends one member to tbe house of representatives, and with 
 New-Madrid, one to the senate. 
 
 St. Charles County. 
 
 St. Charles county is one of the most ancient in the state, and 
 was originally very extensive, but has been greatly reduced by 
 recent divisions. Its form is very irregular : its greatest length 
 is 40 miles ; greatest breadth 24 : area about 500 square miles. 
 It is bounded north by Lincoln county and the state of Illinois, 
 east by the state of Illinois and the county of St. Louis, south by 
 St. Louis and Franklin, and west by Montgomery. The north¬ 
 ern and southern boundaries are washed by the Mississippi and 
 Missouri ; the interior is watered by Perrique, Dardenne. and 
 Femme Osage creeks, and several small branches of Cuivre 
 river. r 
 
 This county contains a large proportion of rich land, capable 
 of supporting a very dense population. On the banks of the 
 Mississippi, a prairie extends from the mouth of the. Missouri 50 
 or 60 miles north, being from three to ten miles in width. This 
 presents one uninterrupted extent of level rich land, intersected 
 here and there by a small creek or rivulet, bordered by a few 7 
 scattering trees. The. bottoms on the Missour i are generally 
 heavily timbered, and very fertile. After leaving these bottoms, 
 the lands become high and undulating, although not hilly ; lire 
 soil is deep and strong, and there is no w ant of timber, or good 
 wholesome water. The American settlers have generally pre¬ 
 ferred these situations, and have left the French undisturbed 
 in their* settlements at Portage dcs Sioux and Mar ais Croclie, 
 which are on the prair ie bottoms. 
 
 This county, situated as it is at the junction of three large 
 streams, combines numerous advantages, which point it out as 
 a most eligible part of the country for farmers. Exclusive of 
 the large streams, as has been already observed, it is intersect¬ 
 ed by a variety of smaller ones ; some of them affording an in¬ 
 land navigation of several miles, ami most of them calculated for 
 mills and other water w orks. 
 
248 
 
 GAZETTEER OF MISSOURI. 
 
 The lands in what is called the “Forks ot*the Missouri,” are 
 generally level. Ten miles above the mouth of the Missouri, 
 the Mississippi and the former stream approach each other with¬ 
 in 466 rods, a short distance below Portage des Sioux. From 
 this to St. Charles, a distance of about 12 miles, is one extended 
 prairie, leaving a strip of timbered land on the river from a mile 
 to a mile and a half in width. On the Mississippi, a narrow 
 strip of timber extends to the mouth of the Illinois. 
 
 The Mamedts , so called by the French from their resemblance 
 to human breasts, are the points where the bluffs of the Missouri 
 and Mississippi terminate. They are situated three miles below 
 St. Charles, six from the Mississippi, and one from the Missouri 
 l iver, and are upwards of 100 feet in height. Standing on these, 
 and casting the eye to the north and east, an extensive prairie is 
 presented to the view, variegated only by two or three small 
 groves of timber. From this eminence, the whole has the ap¬ 
 pearance of a perfectly level plain ; but in travelling over it, we 
 discover some undulations in the surface. 
 
 Above the river Uardenne, the banks, of which are low and 
 subject to inundation, the lands become elevated and undulating. 
 The range of hills dividing the waters of the Missouri from 
 those of the Mississippi, extend through the northwestern part 
 of the county. This contains a few districts of good farming 
 land, but in general the soil is second rate . 
 
 Unfortunately for this county, the lands at the junction of the 
 Illinois and Missouri with the Mississippi, like those at the junc¬ 
 tion of the Ohio, are low and unhealthy ; and in consequence of 
 their annual inundations, are rendered entirely unfit for town 
 sites. When, however, this county increases in population and 
 wealth, and when the northern and western parts of the slate 
 become more thickly settled, works of art will be accomplished 
 to remedy this defect. The situation of the village of Portage 
 des Sioux is elevated, and although there are a number of ponds 
 in the vicinity, these could be drained with a trifling expense. 
 At this place the Mississippi and Missouri approach within half 
 a mile, and a canal to unite them would be but the labour of a 
 few months, and an expense of a few thousand dollars. By 
 looking at the map, it will readily be perceived what immense 
 advantages will result from such a measure. Besides cutting off 
 
GENERAL VIEW OF COUNTIES. 
 
 249 
 
 a distance of more than twenty miles, in which the navigation is 
 both difficult and dangerous, it would open a commercial empo. 
 rium, possessing ail the advantages of being situated directly at 
 the junction of the Missouri and Mississippi. 
 
 The productions of St. Charles are similar to those of the 
 other counties on the Missouri. As it contains few minerals, it 
 must depend principally upon its agricultural resources for its 
 wealth and prosperity. At some future period, perhaps it may 
 become a considerable manufacturing county. A society has 
 recently been formed for the encouragement of agriculture and 
 manufactures, which will no doubt prove eminently useful. An 
 annual exhibition and fair is to be held, and premiums are to be 
 given to the most meritorious. 
 
 Lead ore has been found in small quantities in the vicinity of 
 the town of St. Charles, but it is still doubtful whether it exists 
 in any quantity. Gypsum, of a very good quality, has been 
 found on the banks of Femme Osage. There are also several 
 isolated sandstone rocks which are remarkable for their purity, 
 being so white as to resemble the purest lump sugar. They 
 w r ould furnish an excellent material for the manufacture of glass. 
 
 The first settlements in this county were commenced by the 
 French at the town of St. Charles, in 1780. In 1787, the dis¬ 
 trict, which comprised all the territory north of the Missouri, 
 contained 895 inhabitants. In 18 04, its population was esti¬ 
 mated at about 1400 whites, and 156 blacks. At the last enu¬ 
 meration in 1821, the county of St. Charles, which is but a 
 small portion of the original district, contained 4058, including 
 blacks. 
 
 St. Charles county is attached to the second judicial circuit; 
 sends three members to the house of representatives, and one to 
 the senate. Its seat of justice is St. Charles, the present capital 
 of the state. 
 
 St. Francois County. 
 
 St. Francois county was erected in 1822. from St. Genevieve, 
 Jefferson and Washington. Its form is very irregular : its 
 greatest length is 29 miles * greatest breadth 28 : area abou 
 
250 
 
 GAZETTEER OP MISSOURI. 
 
 400 square miles. St is bounded north by Jefferson, east by St. 
 Genevieve, south by Madison, and west by Washington. The 
 interior of the county is watered by Big river and its tributaries, 
 and by the sources of Castor creek, and the St. Francis river. 
 
 St. Francois county is situated in the centre of the mine tract, 
 and abounds with lead and iron ore. The surface is generally 
 uneven, sometimes hilly ; the soil is for the most part second 
 rate. The principal farming tracts are in the vicinity of Mur¬ 
 phy’s and Cook’s settlements, both of which are situated along 
 the main road leading from St. Louis to the Arkansas 
 
 This county hav ing been erected since the last enumeration, 
 the number of its inhabitants is not known. It is attached to 
 the third judicial circuit ; sends one member to the house of re¬ 
 presentatives, and with St. Genevieve and Perry, one to the 
 senate. 
 
 St. Genevieve County. 
 
 St Genevieve county , one of the most ancient in the state, was 
 originally very extensive, but, by recent subdivisions, has been 
 reduced to a small size. At present its greatest length is 27 
 miles ; greatest breadth 21 : area about 340 square miles. It is 
 'bounded north by Jefferson county, east by the state of Illinois 
 and Perry county, south and west by St. Francois. The eastern 
 boundary is washed by the Mississippi ; the interior is watered 
 by S aline and Gabourie creeks, and several branches of Big 
 river. 
 
 The banks of the Mississippi in this county are generally 
 high, in some places presenting a perpendicular wail of rock, in 
 others approaching the river in the form of hillocks. There are, 
 however, a few extensive bottoms, the soil of which is very pro¬ 
 lific That on the Mississippi between St. Genevieve and Nevv- 
 Bourbon, and claimed as the property of these villages, is under 
 good cultivation ; it is, however, Hooded once in about 10 or 12 
 years. Hie high grounds for several miles back are more or 
 less cultivated ; but they are in many instances broken, sterile, 
 and less productive than the lands of some of the other counties. 
 These defects, however, are more than counterbalanced by the 
 great quantities oi lead which arc found in various quarters, and 
 
GENERAL VIEW OF COUNTIES. 
 
 25 i 
 
 the salines, which yield a sufficient quantity of salt for the con¬ 
 sumption of the inhabitants, and some for exportation. 
 
 We have before observed, that the mineral productions of this 
 county are lead and salt. 44 The latter/’ says Mr. Schoolcraft* 
 “ is made on Saline creek, a stream which falls into the Missis- 
 “ sippi, eight miles below the great fields of St. Genevieve. The 
 66 works are at a village called Madansburgh, and are on a re- 
 “ spectable scale ; and much of the salt consumed in the interior 
 “ is the produce of these works. The springs are considered 
 “ lasting, and the water strongly impregnated ; and preparations 
 (i are now in forwardness to enlarge and improve the works ” 
 
 This author further observes, that 44 There is a large body of 
 “ silicious sand in the interior of this county, and which, from 
 “ examination, l think adapted for the manufacture of Hint glass. 
 * ( It lies eight miles on the road to Potosi, where it is found in a 
 “ cave of unexplored extent. The sand is in the aggregated 
 66 form, i. e. sandstone; is very w hite, easily crushed between 
 
 the fingers, and falls into a very fine, even grained, transpa- 
 “ rent, quartzosesand. It appears to me, from its external cha- 
 “ racier, to possess the property of easy fusibility, one of the 
 (t most desirable qualifications in glass sand ; and from an ac- 
 <4 quaintance with the subject, 1 am led to conclude that it will 
 C( prove a very valuable material in the manufacture.” 
 
 The agricultural products of this county are similar to those 
 by which it is hounded Tobacco flourishes well, and consider¬ 
 able quantities are annually exported. Wheat, rye, corn, and 
 all other grains, yield abundantly, and afford a considerable 
 surplus for exportation. 
 
 Hemp, although it is said to be an exotic, here appears to be 
 completely indigenous. It grows to the height of 8 or 10 feet, 
 and is said to be equal in quality to that of the north of Europe : 
 it covers the fields of the farmers in spite of their efforts to de¬ 
 stroy it. About 1500 weight may be obtained from the acre.* 
 Lead and salt are as yet the most valuable articles of export : 
 these are daily increasing in pr oportion to the increase of the in¬ 
 habitants, and the demand in the southern markets. The first 
 settlement in this county was made about the year 1763, at the 
 present town of St. Genevieve. Its population increased slowly. 
 
 * Stoddard. 
 
252 
 
 GAZETTEER OF MISSOURI. 
 
 until 1787, when an art was passed by congress prohibiting sla¬ 
 very or involuntary servitude, in what was then denominated the 
 northwestern territory. The slave-holders were disposed to 
 preserve this kind ot‘ property, and in order to do so, abandoned 
 their ancient possessions, and removed to the west side of the 
 Mississippi. Many of them settled at St. Genevieve, and New- 
 Bourbon ; others, attracted by the mineral riches, took up their 
 abode in the interior, and commenced the working of lead. In 
 1790, the number of inhabitants in the whole district of St. Gen¬ 
 evieve, was about 1600, including blacks. Previous to tbe erec¬ 
 tion of St. Francois, St Genevieve county, which is but a small 
 part of the original district, contained 3181 inhabitants, of 
 which 717 were slaves. 
 
 This county is attached to the fourth judicial district ; sends 
 two members to the house of representatives, and w ith Perry and 
 St. Francois, one to the senate. Its county seat is St. Genevieve . 
 
 St. Louis County. 
 
 St . Louis county , like the last, is one of the most ancient in the 
 state. It was formerly the district of St. Louis, and was very 
 extensive ; by recent divisions, however# it has been very much 
 reduced in its size. At present, its greatest length is 28 miles ; 
 greatest breadth 26 ; area about 500 square miles. It is bound¬ 
 ed north by the county of St. Charles, east by the St. of Illinois, 
 south by the county of Jefferson, and west by Franklin. 
 
 This county is washed on three sides by the Missouri, Missis¬ 
 sippi and Merrimack rivers ; the interior is abundantly watered 
 by the branches of these streams, running northwardly, east- 
 vvardly and southwardly. The lands bordering on the rivers 
 are generally very fertile, and are variegated with prairie and 
 woodland. From the Merrimack to the town of St. Louis, the 
 banks of the Mississippi are in many places, high and rocky, al¬ 
 though the interior soon becomes level, and presents a very fer¬ 
 tile soil. A short distance above St. Louis, commences an allu¬ 
 vion. which continues'north as far as the mouth of the Missouri. 
 This is low and subject to inundation, and does not, in its whole 
 extent, afford one good town site. It is from a half to one and 
 a half mile in widMi, and is covered with a thick grow th of lim¬ 
 ber. This bottom continues on the Missouri to Belle Fontaine, 
 
GENERAL VIEW OF COUNTIES. 
 
 253 
 
 four miles above its mouth. Above Belle Fontaine, on the Mis¬ 
 souri, the surface becomes elevated and undulating, and the soil 
 in many places equal in fertility to any in the state. On the Mer¬ 
 rimack river are also some considerable tracts of good land, 
 upon which extensive settlements have already been formed. 
 
 After ascending from the river bottoms, we enter a district of 
 country somewhat different in its character and appearance. It 
 is generally prairie, whose surface is elevated, undulating, and 
 occasionally hilly: soil second rate. Of this description, are 
 the lands west of St. Louis, after leaving the rich bottoms of the 
 Riviere des pores The most remar kable appearance of this 
 prairie-land, is the number of funnels or “ sink holes,' 9 which, 
 although not peculiar to this county, are perhaps more numer¬ 
 ous here than elsewhere. These are all of the same form, but 
 differ in magnitude, some not being more than 30 yards in dia¬ 
 meter at the top ; others exceeding 200. They are circular, but 
 diminish towards the bottom, and resemble an inverted hollow 
 cone ; some of the lar ge ones are so deep, that tall trees, grow¬ 
 ing at the bottom, cannot be seen until we approach the brink 
 of t he cavity. In many of these, the sound of water, as of a 
 considerable stream running below the bottom ofthe cavity, can 
 be distinctly heard. In others, a subterranean stream is visible, 
 and affor ds evidence, that it has caused the cavity by carrying 
 away the incumbent earth, which has fallen in from time to 
 time.* In the same distr ict, ar e found numerous caves, some of 
 which are quite extensive, and are well worthy the examination 
 of the curious and scientific. Several interesting ones have been 
 found in the vicinity of the town of St. Louis. They are proba¬ 
 bly the causes of those appearances above mentioned, as they 
 have frequently been found below the 4 sink holes.’ 
 
 Numerous ancient works are found scattered over this county. 
 Near the town of St. Louis, is a groupe of mounds, some of 
 which are very large and regularly formed. On the Merr i¬ 
 mack, near the town of Fenton, are the remains of a fort, with 
 several mounds in the vicinity, upon which are scattered, frag¬ 
 ments of potter’s ware, heads of spear s, axes and arrows, made 
 of flint and hornstone. At this place also is an ancient burying 
 ground, and the diminutive size of the graves, and the skeletons 
 
 * Bradbury’s Travels. 
 
254 
 
 GAZETTEER OF MISSOURI. 
 
 found in them, induced a belief that the country of the Merri¬ 
 mack had been originally inhabited by a race of pigmies . But 
 it is hardly necessary to resort to this theory in order to explain 
 the phenomena which are here presented. 
 
 The productions of this county are similar to those by which 
 it is bounded. All the grains flourish here, and such has hither¬ 
 to been the demand at St. Louis, in consequence of the current 
 of emigration, that very little has as yet been exported. In the 
 settlement of St. Ferdinand, wine of a good quality is made fr om 
 the native grape ; and should this subject claim the attention 
 of agriculturalists, it would no doubt be a source of profit.— 
 The ease with which the vine is cultivated, and the ready ami 
 profitable sale of thejuice, are inducements not to be overlooked. 
 It would be a sub ject of congratulation if the use of this whole¬ 
 some beverage could be introduced, in the place of distilled 
 liquors. 
 
 Iron ore is abundant in the western part of the county ; lead 
 lias also been found in small quantities. Potter’s ( lay is abundant 
 on the Riviere des Peres, five miles west of St. Louis, and a pot¬ 
 tery lias already been established. Saw and grist mills, and dis¬ 
 tilleries, some of which are very extensive, have been erected in 
 every part of the county. The first settlement in this county was 
 made at the town of St Louis, in 1764, by a company of traders. 
 In 1799, the settlements of St. Louis, Carondalet, St. Ferdinand 
 and Marais des Liards, contained about 1800 inhabitants. Ac¬ 
 cording to Maj. Stoddard, the population of the district of St. 
 Louis in 1800, was 2780, including blacks. This district exten¬ 
 ded along the Mississippi, from the Merrimack to the Missouri, 
 and as far west as the boundary of the state. In 1810, it con¬ 
 tained 5667 inhabitants, and in 1821, the county of St. Louis 
 alone contained 8190. 
 
 This county is attached to the third judicial circuit ; sends 
 six members to the house of representatives, and one to the sen¬ 
 ate. Its seat of justice is St. Louis. 
 
 Washington County. 
 
 Washington county was erected at an early period, and al¬ 
 though much reduced in its size, is still quite extensive. Its 
 
GENERAL VIEW OF COUNTIES. 
 
 255 
 
 greatest length is 55 miles ; greatest breadth 56 ; area about 
 3440 square miles. Bounded north by the counties of Frank¬ 
 lin and Jefferson, east by Sr Francois and Madison, south by 
 Wavne, and west by Franklin. It is abundantly watered by 
 Big river and its tributaries, and by several smaller branches of 
 the Merrimack, St. Francois and Black rivers. 
 
 The lands in this county are elevated, undulating and hilly. 
 They abound in minerals, and are much less fertile than many 
 other parts of the state. In some places, bald hills appear, con¬ 
 sisting of Hint rocks, which are perfectly sterile. There are, 
 however, several fine tracts of farming land, among which may 
 be mentioned Bellevue, Stouts, Rich wood's settlements, and the 
 Old mines. The southern banks of the Merrimack, Big river, 
 and Fourche a Courtois, also afford handsome tracts of the most 
 fertile bottom lands. Lead ore is found in different parts of this 
 county, four or five feet below the surface, in an alluvial deposit 
 of stiff red day, which is often marly, and contains numerous de¬ 
 tached masses of quartz, called by the inhabitants mineral bios - 
 som This alluvion, which varies from 10 to 20 feet in depth, 
 rests on limestone, which appears to belong to the transition 
 class. The iron ore at Bellevue is in very large quantities, and 
 is said not to be surpassed in richness by any in the United 
 States. “ The most noted plac e,” observes Mr. Schoolcraft, 
 “ is called the Iron Mountain, where the ore is piled in such 
 enormous masses, as to constitute the entire southern extremity 
 of a lofty ridge, which is 5 or 600 feet above the plain. Imme¬ 
 diately at its base, commences a tract of the richest bottom 
 lands, through which a stream, called Chartier creek, mean¬ 
 ders, and passing round the western side of the mountain, falls 
 into Cedar creek, a few miles below. A seat for working the 
 ore, is situated about 7 miles to the northwest, on Cedar creek, 
 and another, sufficient to drive any number of forges, eight 
 miles distant, on Big river. Within two miles of this, on a 
 small creek, there is a sufficient fall, and plenty of water, for 
 establishing an extensive foundery.” 
 
 The other mineral productions of this county are zinc, red 
 chalk, ochre, sulphur, alum, salt, and salt-petre. But as it is 
 foreign to my present purpose to enter into the description of 
 
256 
 
 GAZETTEER OF MISSOURI. 
 
 these, I shall refer the reader to the valuable work above quo¬ 
 ted. Mining has hitherto been conducted on a very small scale, 
 and the mere surface of millions of lead ore, has as yet been 
 discovered. The want of capitalists has confined the operations 
 of the inhabitants. Within the last two years, however, more 
 attention has been paid to this interesting section of the country. 
 Numbers from all parts of the state have removed thither, and 
 the amount of lead procured, has been nearly doubled. “ New 
 discoveries,” as they are called, are continually making, and 
 every days’ experience only strengthens the opinion, that the 
 quantity of mineral is inexhaustible. Iron works have also, 
 within that period of time, been increased, and promise to be¬ 
 come vast sources of wealth. There are at this time in the 
 county of W ashington, upwards of 40 lead mines, 16 grist mills, 
 8 saw mills, 12 distilleries, one of whit h is worked by steam, 3 
 salt-petre caves, 1 pow der mill, besides a number of iron mines, 
 and forges, and bloomeries. 
 
 Washington county, previous to the erection of St. Francois* 
 contained 3741 inhabitants. It is attached to the third judicial 
 circuit ; sends three members to the house of representatives, 
 and w ith Jefferson, one to the senate. Its seat of justice is To- 
 tosi. 
 
 Wayne Coukty. 
 
 *' c * * * J 
 
 Wayne county w as erected from Cape Girardeau and Law T - 
 rence in 1818. After the boundaries of the state were settled, 
 only a small part of Law rence county was supposed to fall with¬ 
 in the limits of Missouri, and this was attached to Wayne. It 
 is bounded north by the counties of Gasconade, Washington 
 and Madison, east by Cape Girardeau and New-Madrid, south 
 by the territory of Arkansas, and west by the w estern boundary 
 of the state. It is watered by the St. Francois, Black river and 
 its branches, and by numerous tributaries of \\ bite river and 
 the Osage. 
 
 The eastern part of this county is level, and in some places 
 marshy, containing some fine districts of farming land. In the 
 interior, it is hilly and sterile. Large tracts consist of bald si- 
 
GENERAL VIEW OF MISSOURI. 
 
 257 
 
 iecious hills, which arc scarcely worth the expence of* survey¬ 
 ing. 
 
 The productions of this county are similar to those of New- 
 Mad rid and Cape Girardeau. The settlements are principally 
 confined to the banks of the St. Francis, upon which are some 
 fine tracts of land. 
 
 Wayne county contains 1614 inhabitants. It is attached to 
 the fourth judicial circuit; sends one member to the house of 
 representatives, and with Madison, one to the senate. Its coun¬ 
 ty seat is Greenville. 
 
TOPOGRAPHICAL VIEW, 
 
 OF THE 
 
 TOWNS, VILLAGES, RIVERS, CREEKS, &c. &c, 
 IN THE STATE OF MISSOURI. 
 
 AttBANGED ALPHABETICALLY. 
 
 Alexandria , the county seat of Lincoln, is situated in the north- 
 ern part of township 49 north, in range 1, west of the 5th prin¬ 
 cipal meridian, 12 miles west of the Mississippi, and one and a 
 half west of the Riviere au Cuivre. It was laid off in the au¬ 
 tumn of 1821, and little improvement has as yet been made on 
 the premises. It is in lat. 39° north. 
 
 Alexandria , a town in Callaway county, situated on the north 
 bank of the Missouri, a mile and a half above Cote sans Dessein, 
 opposite the mouth of the Osage river. 
 
 Apple creek, a small stream, forming a part of the southern 
 boundary of Perry county ; runs a devious course, and 
 empties into the Mississippi, nearly opposite the mouth of Big 
 Muddy river. The lands on this stream are very fertile. 
 
 Arrow creek, a small stream, rises in a prairie, and running 
 a southwest course, empties into the Missouri on the north 
 side, 200 miles above its mouth. Near the mouth of this creek 
 is Arrow Rock, and the Prairie of Arrows . 
 
 Buinbridgc , a town of Cape Girardeau county, situated on the 
 hank of the Mississippi, 12 miles above the town of Cape Girar¬ 
 deau, 14 miles east of Jackson, it contains as yet but few houses, 
 although its situation is somewhat favourable. The road from 
 Kentucky and Illinois to the White river and Arkansas passes 
 through it: which from the peculiar situation of the Mississippi 
 
260 
 
 GAZETTEER OF MISSOURI. 
 
 bottoms, is an advantage it possesses over the other towns be¬ 
 tween it, and the mouth of the Ohio. 
 
 Bates 9 creek or fork , a trifling stream of Washington county, 
 emptying into Mineral Fork of Big river. • 
 
 Bayou Pemisco , a small stream, runs an east course, and emp¬ 
 ties into the Mississippi near Ncw-Madrid. 
 
 Bear creek ,a small stream, runs a southeast course and falls 
 into the Mississippi, near Hannibal, opposite section 18 of town¬ 
 ship 4 south, in range 8, west of the 4th principal meridian. 
 
 Belle Fontaine , an American garrison in St. Iiouis county, on 
 the south side of the Missouri, four miles above its junction with 
 the Mississippi. 
 
 Bellevue , a rich and flourishing settlement in Washington 
 county, situated 10 miles southwest of Potosi. It contains a 
 large body of first rate farming land, and its population is rap¬ 
 idly increasing. Iron and lead ore is very abundant in the vi¬ 
 cinity. 
 
 Big Bone , a small stream, running a northerly course, and 
 emptying into the Osage river on the right side. On this 
 stream are found mammoth bones. See Gasconade river . 
 
 Big Bonne-Femme river, a considerable stream, rises in Cha¬ 
 riton county, and running through the interior of Howard, falls 
 into the Missouri about.six miles below Franklin. Boone’s salt 
 works are on the banks of this stream. 
 
 Big Muddy river , a considerable stream of Callaway county , 
 runs a southerly course, and empties into the Missouri, in town¬ 
 ship 45 north, in range 8 , west of the 5th principal meridian, 20 
 miles above the junction of the Gasconade river. It is about 50 
 yards wide at its mouth, in the vicinity of which, a fertile allu¬ 
 vion stretches itself along the banks of the Missouri. This 
 stream is well calculated for mills and other machinery. 
 
 Big north forth of White river , rises in the range of hills which 
 extends through the southwestern part of the state, and falls into 
 
TOPOGRAPHICAL VIEW OF TOWNS, &C. 261 
 
 0 
 
 * At 
 
 White river, below Little North Fork. Very little is as yet 
 known of this stream, or the lands bordering on it. 
 
 Big river, (sometimes called Grand river,') rises in the south¬ 
 ern part of the mine country, and running a devious northerly 
 course through the counties of Washington, St. Francois and 
 Jefferson, falls into the Merrimack, in township 43 north, in 
 range 4, east of the 5th principal meridian, 30 miles above its 
 junction with the Mississippi. A great portion of the lands on 
 its banks is very fertile, and presents the most beautiful situations 
 for farms. A short distance back from the river, the surface 
 becomes high and undulating, and the soil is in many places ste¬ 
 rile. To comp ensate for this, it abounds with iron and lead ore 
 of the best quality. In a grave which was opened on the banks 
 of this stream, about 30 miles from the Merrimack, there was a 
 skeleton eight feet in length. It was accompanied byfsome tri¬ 
 fling articles of pottery, pipes and glass beads. 
 
 Big Bock creek rises in Cooper; runs an easterly course 
 through the northern part of this and the adjoining county, and 
 falls into the Missouri on the right side, a short distance above 
 the mouth of Little Bonne-femme. 
 
 Blackbird creek , a small stream ; runs a southerly course into 
 the Missouri on the left side, 210 miles above its junction with 
 the Mississippi. Opposite to the mouth of this creek, is an isl¬ 
 and and a prairie, which encloses a small lake. 
 
 Black river, a large stream of the southern part of the state, 
 runs a southerly course through the county of Wayne, and af¬ 
 ter receiving the Currents, Eleven Point, Spring and Strawberry 
 rivers, and numerous other tributaries, falls into White river, 
 near lat. 35° 30 north. Only a small part of this river is within 
 the present boundary of this state, and we are as yet but par¬ 
 tially acquainted with its geography. 
 
 Blue Water river, a considerable stream of Lillard county, 
 runs a northerly course, and empties into the Missouri, above 
 Fort Osage, and within 10 mil s of the western boundary line 
 of the state. A few miles up this stream, gypsum is very 
 
26‘i GAZETTEER OF MISSOURI. 
 
 abundant. It is of a good quality, and large quantities are 
 said to be procured for exportation. This stream is about 30 
 yards wide at its mouth. At this place, the Missouri is confin¬ 
 ed within a narrow bed, and the current still more so by counter¬ 
 currents or eddies on one side, and a high bank on the other. 
 
 Blufftnii , the seat of justice of Ray county, situated about two 
 miles north of the Missouri river, in township 51 north, in range 
 28, west of the 5th principal meridian. As it has but recently 
 been laid out, few improvements have as yet been made. 
 
 Bois-brute bottom, (Burnt woods) a fertile alluvion, extending 
 along the Mississippi, in Perry county. It is about 15 miles in 
 length, and is one of the most noted bodies of farming land in 
 the state. It is covered with the heaviest growth of trees, 
 such as are peculiar to the richest bottoms. The settle¬ 
 ment on it is flourishing, and is daily increasing in population. 
 According to Mr. Schoolcraft, fuller’s earth forms one of the 
 lower strata of this bottom, but can only be seen at low water. 
 
 Bon-Homme creek , a small stream, runs a north course 
 through the county of St. Louis, and empties into the Missouri 
 about 40 miles above its junction with the Mississippi. It 
 waters a very fertile district of farming land, which is held 
 under confirmed Spanish grants. The bluffs of the creek 
 consist principally of limestone, which affords good lime. This 
 stream is well calculated for mills and other machinery, as it is 
 seldom destitute of water, even in the driest seasons. Chester¬ 
 field, a flourishing town, is situated one mile above its mouth. 
 The settlements on this creek were commenced at an early pe¬ 
 riod, and have been continually increasing. The richness of the 
 land, its vicinity to the Missouri, the abundance of fine springs 
 and streams, and the immense quantity of excellent timber, are 
 some of the advantages which have produced its present pros¬ 
 perity. On Bon-llomme creek the remains of several Indians 
 have been found. The bones were almost entirely decayed ; but 
 the implements which were buried with them, arc generally in 
 a state of preservation. The Rev. Mi*. Giddings, of St. Louis, 
 has in his possession a small clay vessel, found in one of these 
 graves: It is about four inches in diameter, and from its hard- ' 
 
TOPOGRAPHICAL VIEW OF TOWNS, &C. 268 
 
 ness, appears to have been well baked. A number of pipes, and 
 implements of various kinds, have also been found. 
 
 Boonville , a flourishing post town, and the seat of justice of 
 Cooper county, on the south bank of the Missouri, in township 49 
 north, in range 17, west of the 5th principal meridian, opposite 
 the town of Franklin. It is situated on an elevated rocky shore, 
 which commands a fine view of the river for several miles, and 
 affords a good harbour for boats. A fertile country lies south, 
 east, and west; it is handsomely interspersed with prairie and 
 timber, and intersected with fine str eams of water. 
 
 Boonville is in latitude 38° 55' north; about 150 miles west 
 of St. Charles. It contains upwards of 1000 inhabitants. 
 
 Bourbense river , (or Muddy y ) a small stream, running a north¬ 
 easterly course through Franklin county, and emptying into the 
 Merrimack on the right side. The lands on its banks are 
 elevated, broken, and sometimes hilly. 
 
 j Bryan’s creek , runs an easterly course through the northern 
 part of Lincoln county, and empties into the Mississippi. 
 
 Buck-eye river, a tributary of the Osage, emptying in from 
 the south. 
 
 Buffaloe creek , a small stream of Pike county, runs a north¬ 
 easterly course, and falls into the Mississippi two miles below 
 the mouth of Salt river. Extensive salt-works are in operation 
 on the banks of this stream, near Louisiana. There are also the 
 ruins of a number of ancient forts, similar to those on the Noyer 
 creek and Osage river. The timber on the banks of Buffaloe, 
 is hackberry, cotton wood, and ash ; the soil is generally fertile, 
 and the surface level. From this creek to Salt river, the eastern 
 shore of the Mississippi Abounded by high rocky cliffs, covered 
 with cedar. 
 
 Buffaloe river, (Riviere au Bceuf, Fr.) a considerable stream, 
 rises in the county of Gasconade, and running from thence 
 through the northwest part of Franklin, empties into the Mis¬ 
 souri in township 44 north, in range 2, west of the 5th principal 
 meridian, a few miles above Charctte river. It waters a district 
 
264 
 
 GAZETTEER OF MISSOURI. 
 
 of country in some places high, hilly, and sterile ; in others low, 
 level, and fertile. Newport, the seat of justice of Franklin, is 
 situated at its junction with the Missouri. Opposite this place 
 is Butfaloe island, which is very extensive, and contains several 
 fine plantations. 
 
 Byrd’s settlement , a flourishing settlement in Cape Girardeau 
 county, a few miles west of the Mississippi. The improvements 
 here arc very extensive. 
 
 Caledonia , a town recently laid off* in Bellevue township, 
 Washington county, 12 miles west of Potosi. It is in a flourish¬ 
 ing situation, and is surrounded by a body of the richest farming 
 land. 
 
 Calumet creek, a small stream of Pike county, runs a north¬ 
 easterly course, and falls into the Mississippi opposite the lower 
 junction of Chenail-ecarte. f 
 
 Cape Girardeau , a post town, and formerly the seat of justice 
 of the county, situated on the Mississippi, 45 miles above the 
 junction of the Ohio. It contains 50 or 60 houses, among which 
 are several stores, and a post-office. The site is elevated, and 
 commands a fine prospect of the river for several miles. It is 
 surrounded by a fertile country, which is under cultivation. 
 The inhabitants are principally French and Germans. Al¬ 
 though this place possesses many advantages, it appears at 
 present to be rather declining. Twelve miles west is Jackson, 
 the present seat of justice of the county. 
 
 Cape Cinq-hommes creek , a trifling stream, falls into the Mis¬ 
 sissippi a short distance below Bois-brule bottom. Near the 
 mouth of this creek the Mississippi makes a sudden turn to the 
 .east, and being a rocky shore, the water is thrown against it 
 with great violence, and forms what is called the Great eddy. 
 This place is called Cape Cinq-hommes , and is very dangerous, 
 unless avoided in time. Several boats have been foundered here, 
 but it has generally been owing to the negligence of their cap¬ 
 tains. 
 
 Cardinal river , a small tributary of the Osage, emptying iu 
 from the south. 
 
TOPOGRAPHICAL VIEW OF TOWNS, &C. 265 
 
 Carondelet, a small village, situated on the west bank of the 
 Mississippi, five miles south of the town of St. Louis. It is 
 regularly laid out in squares of 300 feet on each side, the houses 
 standing towards the streets, and the interior of the area com¬ 
 posed of gardens and orchards. “ To this, as well as the other 
 villages, was appropriated a large space of ground, and fenced 
 in the form of a parallelogram. In this space, allotments are 
 laid out, corresponding in number and relative magnitude with 
 the towu lots. These allotments extend the whole length of the 
 field ; but their magnitude is determined by their breadth, which 
 is marked on one of the fences ; being once, or once and a half, 
 or twice, &c. the length of a side of a square arpent of land. In 
 the common fields belonging to Carondelet, these narrow strips 
 are more than a mile and a half in length. Besides the appro¬ 
 priation for cultivation, an extensive tract was laid out as a fo¬ 
 rest or demesne, from which each individual cuts what wood he 
 thinks proper. All these appropriations have been ratified by 
 the commissioners appointed by the government since the ces¬ 
 sion of Louisiana, to examine into claims.”* 
 
 This village is principally inhabited by French and Spaniards, 
 who still preserve their own manners and customs. It possesses 
 few commercial advantages ; and in consequence of the vicinity 
 of St. Louis, few Americans have trespassed on their repose. 
 The inhabitants are in general indolent and inactive, but quiet 
 and peaceable. They live upon the produce of their gardens 
 and common fields, and sometimes by hunting and fishing. In 
 winter they supply St. Louis with wood, for which they charge 
 an exorbitant price, in which, on account of the vast increase of 
 inhabitants, they have been heretofore indulged. 
 
 Carondelet was first settled shortly after 1704. For a few 
 years it increased rapidly ; but it soon became stationary, and 
 has remained so ever since. In 1799, it contained about 200 
 inhabitants : since this time its increase has been very trifling. 
 
 Castor creek , a considerable stream, runs a southerly course 
 through the counties of Madison and Wayne, and empties into 
 the St. Francis river on the left side. It waters a district of 
 country which is in some places level and fertile, in others hillj 
 and barren. 
 
 * Bradbury’s Travels. 
 
 34 
 
266 
 
 GAZETTEER OF MISSOURI. 
 
 Cave creek, a small stream of Wayne county, falls into Cur¬ 
 rents river. Its name is derived from the number of caves found 
 on its banks. The largest and most interesting that have as 
 yet been discovered, are situated 80 or 90 miles southwest of 
 Totosi. Several of them abound with stalactites and stalagmites, 
 the former of which are “ found in concretions resembling icic¬ 
 les hanging from the roof, or in columns reaching to the floor : 
 some specimens are translucent, and the cause which has pro¬ 
 duced them is removed, the dropping has ceased, and the caves 
 are generally dry, affording now an earth richly impregnated 
 with salt-petre ; and this salt is found effloresced on the rocks, 
 very fine and white.” ( Schoolcraft.) 
 
 A stratum of blue and white striped jasper, occurs in the se¬ 
 condary limestone, which forms the bed of this stream. 
 
 Cedar creek, a small branch of Big river. 
 
 Cedar creek, a considerable stream, forms the boundary between 
 Callaway and Boone counties. It holds a devious southerly 
 course, and empties into the Missouri on the left side, in town¬ 
 ship 45 north, in range 11, west of the 5th principal meridian, 
 12 miles above the mouth of the Osage. 
 
 This stream has received its present name from the growth of 
 cedar near its mouth. At this place, also, the north bank of the 
 Missouri assumes a most interesting appearance : it consists of 
 a range of rocks, nearly perpendicular, from 150 to 300 feet 
 high. They are composed of very white limestone, and their 
 summits are covered to the edge with cedaw “ The length of 
 this range is about six miles, and at the upper end they assume 
 a semicircular form. They are called the Manitou rocks, a name 
 given to them by the Indians, who often apply this term, Mani¬ 
 tou, to uncommon or singular productions of nature, which they 
 highly venerate.* On or near these Manitous, they chiefly de¬ 
 posit their offerings to the Great Spirit , or Father of Life. This 
 lias caused some to believe that these Manitous are the objects 
 that they worship ; hut that opinion is erroneous. The Indians 
 believe that the Great Spirit either inhabits, or frequently visits 
 
 * Hence this stream was formerly, and is still by many called Manitou met; but Cedar is the 
 name adopted by the legislature in the boundaries of Callaway county, and ought to be preserved* 
 as there is a Manitov. emptying into the Missouri above. 
 
TOPOGRAPHICAL VIEW OF TOWNS, &C. 267 
 
 these manifestations of his power; and that offerings deposited 
 there, will sooner attract his notice, and gain his auspices, than 
 in any other place. These offerings are propitiatory, either for 
 success in war, or in hunting ; and consist of various articles, of 
 which the feathers of the, war eagle are in the greatest estima¬ 
 tion. On these rocks, several rude figures have been drawn by 
 the Indians, with red paint. They are chiefly in imitation of 
 buffaloe, deer, &c. One of these, according with their idea of 
 the Great Spirit, is not unlike our common representation of the 
 devil.’’ C Bradbury.) 
 
 Chariton , a post town, and the seat of justice of Chariton 
 county, on the north bank of the Missouri, at the junction of the 
 river of the same name, in township 53 north, and range 17, west 
 of the 5th principal meridian. It is situated on an alluvion, 
 based on a limestone rock, and is surrounded by a large district 
 of choice farming land. Here is an excellent harbour, and land¬ 
 ing for boats at all seasons of the year. In consequence of some 
 ponds in the vicinity of the town, it is subject to summer and 
 autumnal fevers ; but they arc, however, seldom fatal. 
 
 This place is so favourably situated at thejunction of the three 
 navigable streams, that it bids fair to become of considerable 
 importance as a commercial depot. It is also surrounded by a 
 fertile district of country, whose agricultural resources are be¬ 
 coming more and more important. After this town was laid out, 
 it increased with a rapidity almost unexampled, and in a short 
 time 50 or 60 houses were built. For the last two years, how¬ 
 ever, it has been less flourishing, and its increase has been very 
 trifling. This has rather been owing to the general stagnation 
 of business, than to any particular or local cause. 
 
 Chariton is in latitude 39° 10' north ; 24 miles northwest of 
 Franklin, and 150 nearly northwest of St. Charles. 
 
 Chariton rivers. These two streams empty into the Missouri 
 together, and are distinguished from each other by the names of 
 Grand and Little Chariton. 
 
 Charrette creek , a beautiful stream of Montgomery county, 
 runs a southerly course, and empties into the Missouri on the 
 left side, in township 45 north, in range U west of the 5th prin- 
 
268 
 
 GAZETTEER OF MISSOURI. 
 
 cipal meridian, two or three miles below the town of Newport. 
 The lands on this stream are generally fertile. At its junction 
 with the Missouri is Charrette village. 
 
 Charrette village, at the mouth of Charrette creek, contains 
 40 or 50 families, which are principally French. It lies in a 
 bend of the Missouri; and opposite to it is a large island, which 
 is very fertile. The distance from this place to St. Charles, is 
 about 40 miles. 
 
 Chartier creek , a small stream, meanders through Bellevue, 
 Washington county, and falls into Cedar creek, a few miles be¬ 
 low the Iron mountain. The lands on the banks of this stream 
 are noted for their fertilitv. 
 
 Chepousa river , a considerable stream, rises in a lake in the 
 western part of Ncw-Madrid county, and running an easterly 
 course, falls into the Mississippi, a short distance above the town 
 of the same name. The mouth of this stream affords a good 
 harbour for boats. 
 
 Chesterfield , a post town in St. Louis county, situated on Bon- 
 homme creek, a mile above its junction with the Missouri. It 
 was laid out in 1818, and is at present in a state of improvement. 
 Its situation is high, and tolerably healthy. There is a suffi¬ 
 ciency of timber in the immediate vicinity ; and the lands, par¬ 
 ticularly on the bottoms of the Missouri and Bon-homme, are 
 very fertile. The town is supplied by a number of fine springs, 
 and water can always be obtained by digging about 30 feet, 
 without meeting a stratum of rock, a circumstance so common 
 in this county. Limestone, however, is abundant on Bon-homme 
 creek, a short distance from the town, of which lime of a very 
 fine quality is burnt. Good brick clay is also abundant. 
 
 City of Jefferson, the present seat of government of the state, 
 situated at the mouth of Wier’s creek, in Cole county. The 
 following sections of land were selected by the commissioners 
 appointed for that purpose, viz : In the fractional township 44 
 north, (south of the Missouri,) in range 11, west of the 4th prin¬ 
 cipal meridian, the fractional sections 6, f and 8 ; the entire 
 
TOPOGRAPHICAL VIEW OF TOWNS, &C. 269 
 
 sections 17 and 18, and so much of the north part of sections 19 
 and 20, as will make four sections. 
 
 By an act of the legislature passed 11th of January, 1822, the 
 commissioners appointed to select a permanent seat of govern¬ 
 ment, were directed to meet on the first Monday of the ensuing 
 March, on the land selected as above, and proceed immediately 
 to lay out a town thereon, to contain at least one thousand lots, 
 and in blocks or squares of such size and dimensions as a ma¬ 
 jority of them shall agree ; and the principal street of said town 
 shall not be less than one hundred, nor more than one hundred 
 and twenty feet wide ; the other streets not less than eighty feet, 
 and the alleys twenty feet wide. The remaining part of the four 
 sections are to be laid into lots of five, ten, twenty, and forty 
 acres, and divided by alleys, so as to secure to each lot free and 
 open communication with the said town. 
 
 This act also provides, that the said commissioners shall re¬ 
 port to the next session of the general assembly, a plan of said 
 town, and of the other lots laid off as aforesaid ; and shall, on 
 the first Monday of May in the year 1823, proceed to sell all the 
 town lots and out lots on the premises, to the highest bidder, for 
 equal instalments, one third payable on the first day of May, 
 and the remaining two thirds in two equal annual instalments, 
 except such lots as are reserved for the public use. 
 
 Clarksville , a post town in Pike county, situated on the Missis¬ 
 sippi, near the mouth of Calumet creek, in township 53 north, in 
 range 1, east of the 5th principal meridian. It contains several 
 houses and stores, and is at present in a flourishing condition. 
 
 Columbia , a town in St. Louis county, situated near the junc¬ 
 tion of the Missouri and Mississippi. It need scarcely be obser¬ 
 ved, that little or no improvement has as yet been made here, 
 and the town exists only on paper, for the purposes of specula¬ 
 tion. The lands in the vicinity are low, and subject to inunda¬ 
 tion, and consequently this place can never become of much im¬ 
 portance. A ferry has been established across the Mississippi, 
 a short distance below the town. 
 
 Cohmbia , a post town, and the county scat of Boone. Its situ- 
 
270 
 
 GAZETTEER OF MISSOURI. 
 
 ation is low, although rarely subject to inundation. It is sur¬ 
 rounded on all sides by bodies of the most fertile land. 
 
 Cook's Settlement , in St. Francois county, extends along the 
 main road from St. Louis to Arkansas, and is one of the most 
 nourishing in the state. 
 
 Cole sans Bessein, (Hill without design,J : a post town in Calla¬ 
 way county, on the left bank of the Missouri, opposite the mouth 
 of the Osage. Its situation is very eligible, and it must in time 
 become a place of some importance. The fertility of the sur¬ 
 rounding country cannot be surpassed. “ It is here,” observes 
 Mr. Brackenridge, in his Journal of a Voyage up the Missouri, 
 “ that we met with the first appearance of prairie on the Mis¬ 
 souri, but it is handsomely mixed with woodland. The wooded 
 country on the northeast extends at least 30 miles, as far up as 
 this place, and not less than 15 on the other side. The name is 
 given to this place from the circumstance of a single detached 
 hill filled with limestone, standing on the bank of the river, 
 about 600 yards long, and very narrow. The village has been 
 established about three years ; there are thirteen French fami¬ 
 lies, and two or three of Indians. They have handsome fields 
 in the prairies, but the greater part of their time is spent in hun¬ 
 ting. From their eager enquiries after merchandize, I perceived 
 we were already remote from the settlements.” 
 
 Since the above was written, numerous and extensive settle¬ 
 ments have been formed west of this, and Cote sans Dessein is 
 comparatively in the interior. Its fine situation, and other nu¬ 
 merous advantages, have contributed much to its improvement. 
 From the Osage, it is supplied w ith lumber, and the several oth¬ 
 er productions of the country bordering on that stream. 
 
 Creve Coeur creek , a small stream of St. Louis county, rises in 
 a lake of the same name, and running a devious course, empties 
 into the Missouri, a short distance below Bon-homme. It cros¬ 
 ses the Bon-homme road, 18 miles west of St. Louis. The lands 
 on this stream are fertile, and generally well adapted for culti¬ 
 vation. In some places, however, the bottoms are low, and sub¬ 
 ject to inundation, which renders them very unhealthy. In oth¬ 
 ers, they are very heavily timbered. All the lands on this creek 
 
TOPOGRAPHICAL VIEW OF TOWNS, &C. 
 
 271 
 
 are held by Spanish grants, which have been confirmed. The 
 settlements on it are among the oldest in the country. 
 
 The general course of this creek is northwest. About two 
 miles above its junction with the Missouri, it forms Lake Creve 
 Cceur, which abounds with fish ; but in the summer season, in 
 consequence ofits stagnation, it is a fruitful source of disease. 
 
 Cuivre river , (Riviere au Cuivre, Fr.) a fine stream, rises 
 in Pike county, runs a southeasterly course through Lincoln, 
 and after receiving Eagle Fork, and several other tributa¬ 
 ries, empties into the Mississippi, near the northern part of town¬ 
 ship 48 north, in range 3, east of the 5th principal meridian—. 
 It is navigable for some distance, and affords several fine mill- 
 seats. Several towns and flourishing settlements have already 
 sprung up on its banks. The country which it waters, is cele¬ 
 brated for its fertility and salubrity, and on this account is rap¬ 
 idly increasing in population. 
 
 Cupboard creek , runs a southerly course, and empties into the 
 Missouri on the left side, 135 miles above its junction with the 
 Mississippi. Its takes its name from the singular appearance 
 of a rock at its mouth. 
 
 Currents river , a considerable stream, empties into Black riv¬ 
 er on the right side, above Fourche a Thomas, (Thomas’ fork.) 
 
 The water of this stream is very transparent; before it joins 
 Black River, it receives Little Black. 
 
 Dardenne river , a small stream of St. Charles county, runs a 
 northeast course, and empties into the Mississippi, six miles 
 above the mouth of the Illinois. The lands on its banks are ge¬ 
 nerally fertile, and sometimes heavily timbered. This stream 
 affords numerous fine mill-seats. 
 
 Dry creek , a small stream, fallsjnto Big river on the right 
 side, near its junction with the Merrimack. McKane’s lead 
 mine is situated on it. 
 
 Du-liois creek , (Wood creek,) a small stream of Franklin 
 county, runs a northwest course, and empties into the Missouri 
 
272 
 
 GAZETTEER OF MISSOURI* 
 
 on the right side, in township 44 north, in range 1, cast of the 
 5th principal meridian. 
 
 Eagle fork, a small stream, runs an easterly course, and emp¬ 
 ties into Cuivre river on the right side, in township 48 north, in 
 range 1, east of the 5th principal meridian. It forms a part of 
 the boundary between the counties of Lincoln and St. Charles. 
 The lands on this stream are generally fertile and thickly set¬ 
 tled. 
 
 East fork of the Osage, runs a southwest course, and empties 
 in on the l ight side. 
 
 Eleven Point river , a considerable branch of Black river. 
 
 Elizabeth, the scat of justice of Callaway county, laid out in 
 1821, in township’47 north, in range 9, west of the 5th principal 
 meridian, between Big and Little Muddy rivers. There is a 
 considerable settlement in the vicinity. It is in lat. 38° 45' N. 
 14 miles northeast of Cote sans Dessein, and 75 due west of 
 St. Charles. 
 
 Establishment creek , a small stream emptying into the Missis¬ 
 sippi, in St. Genevieve county. Chalcedony and onyx are found 
 in abundance on tiie west side of this creek. (Schoolcraft.) 
 
 P'abba creek, a small stream of Ralls county, runs a southeast 
 course, and after receiving Little Fabba, empties into the Mis¬ 
 sissippi, in township 59 north, in range 5, west of the 5th prin¬ 
 cipal meridian. 
 
 Femme Osage, a fine stream of St. Charles county, runs a 
 southeast course, and empties into the Missouri, forty miles 
 above its mouth, in township 45 north, in range 3, east of the 5th 
 principal meridian. Its banks are in general broken, and are 
 said to contain large quantities of gypsum. This stream i9 thir¬ 
 ty yards wide at its mouth, where there is a small settlement. 
 
 Fenton , a town laid out a few years since, on the west bank of 
 the Merrimack river, 15 miles southwest of the town of St. Lou¬ 
 is, and 11, west of the Mississippi river. Although it possesses 
 several advantages, it is doubtful whether it will become of much 
 
TOPOGRAPHICAL VIEW OF TOWNS, &C. 273 
 
 consequence. Indeed, this town is as yet but merely laid out on 
 paper, and but for the interesting antiquities in the vicinity, 
 would never have been noticed. 
 
 The plantation of Mr. Long, upon which Fenton is intended 
 to be built, contains several mounds, similar in appearance to 
 those found near St. Louis and elsewhere, in the valley of the 
 Mississippi. They are, however, generally of a smaller size ; 
 bur, like them, are covered with fragments of ancient potter’s 
 ware, spear and arrow heads. From the ruins, also, it appears 
 that there was once a fort built, probably garrisoned, and per¬ 
 haps defended arid lost, by that unknown race of beings, who 
 have left behind them so many proofs of their industry, their ci¬ 
 vilization, and their knowledge of the arts. On a side hill, about 
 lOOjards north, is a burying ground, which strengthens the 
 opinion that there was a permanent settlement in the vicinity— 
 A few years since a number of these graves were opened by tiic 
 present proprietor of the land. In each of them were found six 
 rude pieces of stone, which were arranged in the manner, ami 
 served the purpose of a coffin, in many instances, the head and 
 foot-stones projected above the surface of tin ground, but I be¬ 
 lieve in no case contained any inscription. The coffins were uni¬ 
 formly from 23 to 50 inches in length. A few of them contain¬ 
 ed imperfect skeletons, but the rest only exhibited the proof, that 
 u dust had returned to dust.” 
 
 The diminutive size of the graves excited the attention of all 
 
 \ 
 
 who visited this cemetery, and the probable cause became the 
 subject of much dispute. Some considered it as positive proof 
 of the existence of a race of pigmies, while others, with more 
 justice, attributed it to the peculiar manner of interment. As 
 this subject is so curious and interesting, l cannot refrain from 
 presenting the following communications which appeared in the 
 Missouri Gazette, shortly after these graves were first opened. 
 They not only contain the several theories which were advanc¬ 
 ed, but also many facts which are important to those who have 
 turned their attention to the antiquities of our country. The 
 first was probably written by a physician, but his name I have 
 not been able to learn—the second is from the pen of Judge Pet- 
 tibone, of St. Charles ? * and the last from that of the Rev. J. M. 
 
274 
 
 GAZETTEER OF MISSOURI. 
 
 Peck,* Baptist Missionary in Illinois. I cannot omit the pres¬ 
 ent opportunity of stating, that I am greatly indebted to these 
 two gentlemen for much valuable information concerning the 
 resources and geography of the states, which are the subjects of 
 the present work. 
 
 From the Missouri Gazette of November 6, 1818. 
 
 “ A short time since, Mr. Long, the proprietor of a farm on the 
 south side of the Merrimack river, about fifteen miles from this 
 place, (St. Louis) discovered on the site on which he had fixed 
 his dwelling, a number of graves, the size of which appeared un¬ 
 commonly small- This awakened his curiosity, and led him to 
 a minute examination, which convinced him they were the re¬ 
 mains of human beings much smaller than those of the present 
 day. He seemed warranted in this conclusion, as well from the 
 uniform appearance of the skeletons, (the length of which in no 
 case exceeded four feet) as from the teeth, which bore the evident 
 marks of those belonging to adult persons. He communicated 
 these facts to a gentleman of this place, who on Sunday last, to¬ 
 gether with two other gentlemen, accompanied by Doctors 
 Walker and Grayson, proceeded to the place of interment — 
 They 7 found, as had been stated, in a wood adjacent to the house, 
 a great number of graves, all situated on small tumuli or hillocks, 
 raised about three feet above the surface ; they examined sever¬ 
 al, the first of which, by actual measurement was discovered to 
 he only twenty-three inches in length. The grave was careful¬ 
 ly 7 cased up on both sides, as well at the head and foot with fiat 
 stone ; in the bottom also a stone was fixed, on which the body 
 was lying, placed on the right side with the head to the east.— 
 Time had completely destroyed all the soft parts of the body, as 
 well as decomposed the bones, which, however, still preserved 
 their relative situation. The teeth, which were expected to fur¬ 
 nish the best, and perhaps the only data to judge, were found in 
 a state almost perfect, being defended by the enamel, which 
 seems only to yield to chemical decomposition. To the aston¬ 
 ishment of all, they proved to be the teeth of a being, who, if it 
 had not attained the age of puberty, had unquestionably arrived 
 at that period of life when the milk teeth yield to the second or 
 permanent set. The molares and incisores were of the ordinary 
 
 * See Sctoolci aft’s View? section 3 . ‘ Dwarf Skeletons .’ 
 
TOPOGRAPHICAL VIEW OF TOWNS, &C. 
 
 275 
 
 size of second teeth. The jaw bone seemed to have its full com¬ 
 plement, unless it- were the dentes supientiae , or what is better 
 understood by the wisdom teeth, which make their appearance 
 from the age of eighteen to twenty-two or twenty three. The 
 next grave examined was on an adjacent mound, and measured 
 twenty-seven inches ; it resembled in every respect the first, ex¬ 
 cept that the top of it was covered with flat stones placed hori¬ 
 zontally. Several others were opened, all of which presented a 
 uniform appearance ; and none, although many were measured, 
 proved to be in length more than four feet two or three inches. 
 
 From these facts the mind is brought to the irresistible con¬ 
 clusion, that these are the remains of beings differing altogether 
 from, and inferior in general size to ourselves. 
 
 For if in the subject first mentioned, we suppose it to be a 
 being of the usual growth, the facts of its having attained the 
 age of seven or eight years, as seems proven from the teeth, is 
 directly opposite to, and at war with the circumstance of its 
 being only twenty-three inches long, the usual length of a child 
 eight or ten months old ; and justifies the conclusion, that by 
 nature it was destined to be of inferior size. As to the time 
 these bodies have been deposited, there is no clue by which to 
 form any certain opinion. The bones have been thoroughly 
 changed by time, nothing remaining but the lime or earthy par¬ 
 ticles of them, which can undergo no further change, and may 
 as well be supposed to have been in this state five centuries ago, 
 as one. It is certain they have been there an immense length of 
 time, from the large growth of timber on the mounds, and the 
 roots of trees which have made their way through the graves. 
 
 The subject certainly invites the attention of the learned and 
 curious, and opens an ample field for investigation, at least to 
 form some plausible conjecture of a race of beings who have in¬ 
 habited our country at a period far beyond that of which tra¬ 
 dition gives us any account.” 
 
 Judge Pettibone ? s remarks, which appeared in the same paper 
 a few months after the above, are as follows : 
 
 “ A publication in your paper of the sixth of November last, 
 concerning a discovery of some dwarf skeletons, made upon the 
 farm of a Mr. Long, on the north bank of the Merrimack river, 
 in this county, (St. Louis) together with several letters from 
 
276 
 
 GAZETTEER OF MISSOURI. 
 
 this place on the same subject, are now going the round of the 
 American papers. As yet I have seen no attempt to a; count for 
 the size and appearance of those skeletons, upon any other sup¬ 
 position than that they are the remains of a people far less in 
 size than any known at the present day. Unwilling to adopt a 
 belief so contrary to the general order of nature and to the his¬ 
 tory of the human species, so far as it ^bas been transmitted to 
 us, I shall hazard some conjectures upon the subject, vvhic h I 
 think will in some measure tend to dissolve the mystery that 
 hovers over these bones, and to reconcile their appearance with 
 the general history of our race. To be sure, nature, in her 
 sport, has now and then produced monsters. A taste for the 
 marvellous among travellers and historians, has occasionally 
 conjured up a race of giants, or a nation of pigmies ; but when 
 the light of truth has rea hed us from the distant corners of the 
 earth where they were said to dwell, we have found them to as¬ 
 sume the size, shape, and attitude of men, and nothing more. 
 So far as observation or history extends, we find the species 
 nearly the same in all ages and in all countries. Climate has 
 had some effect upon the size and upon the complexion. The 
 excessive cold of the north has shortened an inch or two the 
 necks of the Esquimaux, and the heat of the south has coloured 
 the African- But what in this genial climate should make 
 dwarfs? It is here, if any where, that we should naturally ex¬ 
 pect to line! giants ! All the other productions of nature are here 
 brought forth in the highest perfection. And shall man here 
 grow a pigmy ? Unless we are ready to adopt the opinion of 
 certain naturalists* that the human species are the legitimate 
 descendants of the apes, and that they once wore tails, and were 
 of their diminutive size ; unless we are ready to believe the his¬ 
 tory of the Lilliputians, ami of Tom Thumb, 1 think we shall 
 discard the idea of a nation of dwarfs, as wholly preposterous. 
 But how shall we account for the appearances upon the farm of 
 Mr. Long, upon any oiher supposition ? 
 
 “ None of the graves found there exceed four feet in length, 
 many of them fall short of three, and the teeth found in all of 
 them shew that they contain the remains of human beings who 
 had arrived at years of maturity. The manners and customs of 
 the Indians with respect to the treatment of their dead, will, I 
 
TOPOGRAPHICAL VIEW OF TOWNS, &C. 277 
 
 think, solve all difficulties, and satisfactorily account for these 
 appearances, without doing v iolence to nature. According to 
 the testimonies of travellers and historians, it has been the cus¬ 
 tom among many tribes of Indians, to hang their dead in baskets 
 upon trees and upon scaffolds, until their flesh was consumed, 
 and then to take them down and clean their hones, and bury 
 them. There existed an order of men among them called bone - 
 pickers, with long nails like claws, whose business and profession 
 it was to clean the uuconsumed flesh from the bones previous to 
 "burial. 'Phis custom still exists among the Indians on the waters 
 of the Missouri, and rationally accounts for the appearances upon 
 the farm of Mr. Long The hones of a skeleton of the ordinary 
 size when separated, would naturally occupy a grave of three or 
 four feet in length. It appears that in all the graves which were 
 opened, the bones, except the teeth, were reduced to a chalky 
 substance ; so that it would he impossible to know, with any 
 certainty, in what state, condition, or form they were deposited 
 there. These skeletons are said to rest on their sides. Taking 
 this fact- to he true, it goes to strengthen my ideas on this sub¬ 
 ject. In burying a corpse, it is natural, and so far as we are 
 acquainted, universally the custom, to bury them with the face 
 upwards. We can look upon our dead friends with a melancholy 
 complacency ; we cast a long and lingering look after them, 
 until they are completely shut from our view in the grave ; and 
 nothing is more hard and heart-rending than to tear our last 
 looks from them. It is natural then that the body should be 
 placed in such a position as most to favour this almost universal 
 desire of the human heart. But in burying a skeleton, it would 
 be as natural to avert the horrid grin of a death’s head from us. 
 To face the grinning skeleton of a friend, must fill us with horror 
 and disgust. ‘Turn away the horrid sight,’ would be the lan¬ 
 guage of nature. If we adopt my supposition as correct in this 
 case, all the facts correspond with nature. But if we adopt the 
 opinion of the writer in your paper, our opinions are at war with 
 nature, reason, and universal observation.” 
 
 The following are the observations of the Rev. Mr. Peck on 
 the same subject: 
 
 “ A communication in the Gazette of the 10th inst. by “Ilis- 
 toricus,” accounting in a rational manner for the graves on the 
 
278 
 
 GAZETTEER OF MISSOURI. 
 
 plantation of Mr. Long, lias given rise to the following remarks, 
 as tending to cast further light on the subject, and in part con¬ 
 firm the opinion of the writer : 
 
 Mr. M-informed me, that himself, his lady, and another, 
 
 were present at the opening of several graves, after the spot had 
 been visited, and the skeletons examined by several physicians 
 of St Louis. One grave w as opened which measured four feet 
 in length ; this was formed by laying a flat stone at the bottom, 
 placing one at each side, one at each end, and covering the mouth 
 with another. In the last circumstance, this grave differed from 
 the others that were opened, the contents were a full grown 
 skeleton , with the head and teeth, part of the spine, the thigh and 
 leg bones, in a tolerable state of preservation. The leg bones 
 were found parallel with the bones of the thighs , and every ap¬ 
 pearance indicated either that the corpse had been entombed? 
 with the legs and thighs placed so as to meet, or that a skeleton 
 had been deposited in this order. The first opinion seems the 
 most probable, from the fact that a large stone pipe was found in 
 the tomb, and which l understand is now in the possession of 
 Mr. Long. 
 
 It is a well known fact, that both implements of war, and of 
 domestic use-, are buried with the dead bodies of the Indians ; 
 but it admits of a question, if they are ever deposited with the 
 mere skeleton . 
 
 “ It is a well known fact,” says bishop Madison, while writing 
 on the supposed fortifications of the western country,* “ that 
 among many of the Indian tribes, the bones of the deceased are 
 annually collected and deposited in one place ; the funeral rites 
 are then solemnized with the warmest expressions of love and 
 friendship ; and that this untutored race, urged by the feelings 
 of nature, consign to the bosom of the earth, along with the re¬ 
 mains of their deceased relatives, food, weapons of war, and often 
 those articles they possessed and most highly valued when alive.” 
 This fact is substantiated from various respectable sources. The 
 pious custom of collecting the relics of the dead, which accident 
 or the events of a battle might have dispersed through the wil¬ 
 derness, easily accounts for the graves on the Merrimack, as 
 well as explains the origin of the artificial mounds in our vicin- 
 
 * See American Philosophical Transactions, Vol. vi. 
 
TOPOGRAPHICAL VIEW OF TOWNS, &C. 
 
 279 
 
 ity. If those were opened, there would be found promiscuously 
 deposited the hones of the aborigines, which pious veneration 
 from year to year, and from century to century, industriously 
 collected. The cemetery alluded to on the plantation of Mr. 
 Long, may be viewed^s the public burial place of some pow er¬ 
 ful nation, of the same size , and similar customs with other In¬ 
 dians. 
 
 No wish is entertained to object to the hypothesis of “ liisto- 
 ricus,” in regard to the customs to which he alludes. The 
 shortness of the graves may he attributed to different causes.” 
 
 Fire Prairie river , rains a northeast course through the north¬ 
 ern part of Lilian! county, and empties into the Missouri on the 
 right side, six miles below Fort Osage. Fire prairie extends 
 along the Missouri near the mouth of this stream. 
 
 Fishing river , a considerable stream of the western part of the 
 state, rises in Clay county, and after receiving a few tributa¬ 
 ries, falls into the Missouri, about 20 miles below Fort Osage. 
 The lands on this stream are celebrated for their fertility. 
 
 Fiat river , a branch of Eig river, meandering through St. 
 Francois county. 
 
 Fort Osage , (formerly Fort Clark, J situated on the south side 
 of the Missouri, near the western boundary of the state, on an 
 eminence about 100 feet above the level of the river, which, by 
 forming an elbow, affords a beautiful prospect. The fort is small, 
 not being calculated for more than one company of men. Few, 
 if any troops are at present stationed here, in consequence of 
 the large settlements by which it is surrounded. There are at 
 this place a factory, and a trading establishment. The bank of 
 the Missouri at the fort is high and rocky, below it is generally 
 well timbered. Several of the prairies in this vicinity are very 
 large, extending in a southwest direction, with little interruption, 
 to near Santa Fe. Persons who wish to visit the latter place, 
 often travel this route in preference to the southern. But such 
 is the scarcity of fuel, that they are obliged to burn withered 
 grass, and sometimes bison ordure. 
 
 Fort Osage is in latitude 38° 40' north. 
 
280 
 
 GAZETTEER OF MISSOURI. 
 
 Fourche a Courtois, a considerable stream, rises in the broken 
 lands in the southern part of Washington and St. Genevieve 
 counties, and running a northerly course, empties into the Mer¬ 
 rimack on the right side. Its banks abound with lead ore, which 
 is frequently accompanied with manganese. 
 
 Fourche a Thomas , f Thomas 9 fork,J rises in the hills which 
 extend through the southwestern part of the state, and running 
 a southeasterly course, falls into Big Black river between Spring 
 and Currents rivers. 
 
 Frankfort , a town of Pike county, situated in section 35 of 
 township 55 north, in range 4, west of the 5th principal meri¬ 
 dian, between Spencer and Peno creeks, 18 miles west of Louis¬ 
 iana. There is a flourishing settlement in the vicinity, although 
 the town is not yet of much consequence. 
 
 Franklin , a flourishing post town, and the seat of justice of 
 Howard county, situated on the north bank of the Missouri, in 
 township 49 north, in range 16, west of the 5th principal meri¬ 
 dian. This place has increased with a rapidity almost unexam¬ 
 pled, containing already upwards of 1500 inhabitants. The of¬ 
 fices of the register and receiver of the land district of Howard, 
 are kept here. An act has lately been passed by the legislature, 
 incorporating the Franklin academy under the direction of seven 
 trustees, it is at present in a flourishing situation, and pro¬ 
 mises the most beneficial results. 
 
 As a place of business, Franklin has always held a conspicu¬ 
 ous rank. His the depot of an extensive tract of country, which 
 lias been justly celebrated for its fertility. The annual exports 
 of bacon, corn and salt, are very considerable. The Missouri 
 at this place affords an excellent harbor for boats, and the town 
 possesses almost every natural advantage. 
 
 Franklin is in lat. 38° 52' north, 130 miles northwest of St. 
 Charles. 
 
 Fredericktown , the seat of justice of Madison county, situated 
 about half a mile south of St. Michaels, and near Mine La 
 Motte. It is surrounded on all sides by inexhaustible mines of 
 lead and iron. The lands, therefore, in this vicinity, are gene- 
 
TOPOGRAPHICAL VIEW OF TOWNS, &C. 
 
 28 i 
 
 rally broken, hilly, ami sterile, although there are several small 
 trai ts, which furnish excellent plantations. At this place, the 
 roads leading from Jackson to Potosi, and from the Arkansas 
 to St. Louis, cross each other. Frcdericktown is in latitude 37 c 
 30' north, 85 miles due south of St. Charles. 
 
 Gabouric creek , a small stream of St. Genevieve county, runs 
 a devious course, arid empties into the Mississippi, about ten 
 miles above the mouth of the Kaskaskia river. The lands on 
 
 , • . ,t 
 
 this stream are in general fertile, those immediately on its banks 
 being level, those farther west, undulating. Two miles above 
 the mouth, is the town of St. Genevieve. 
 
 Gasconade , the county seat of Gasconade, situated on the west 
 bank of the Gasconade river, at its junction with the Missouri, 
 in township 45 north, in range 6, west of the 5th principal me¬ 
 ridian. The country in the vicinity is elevated, undulating, 
 and sometimes even hilly, and generally sterile. The mouth of 
 the Gasconade affords a good harbor for boats. Very few build¬ 
 ings have as yet been erected in this place, and it is very doubt¬ 
 ful whether its increase w ill he as rapid as was anticipated. 
 
 Gasconade is in latitude 38° 40' north, 60 miles nearly west of 
 St. Charles. 
 
 Gasconade river, a large navigable stream, rises in the south¬ 
 ern part of the state, and running a northeasterly course through 
 the county of Gasconade, empties into the Missouri, in township 
 45 north, in range 6, w est of the 5th principal meridian, about 
 100 miles above its junction with the Mississippi. Its channel 
 is rough and rocky, and the lands on its borders are broken, 
 hilly, and badly wooded. Occasionally, however, a tract of 
 fertile alluvion intervenes. Iron and lead ore are abundant on 
 this stream, and also salt-petre. The latter is found in caves, 
 some of which are very large and splendid. In these have been 
 found axes, and implements of different kinds. Ancient works, 
 such as mounds, forts, &c. arc also found on this stream. (See 
 Gasconade county.) 
 
 On the Gasconade is a large quantity of pine timber, which 
 is very valuable on account of its scarcity in this state and Illi- 
 
 36 
 
282 
 
 GAZETTEER OF MISSOURI, 
 
 nois. Six or seven saw-mills are now in operation on this 
 stream, about 100 miles west of St. Louis, and it is probable that 
 the number will be much increased. Formerly, lumber was 
 brought at great expence from the Alleghany and Ohio rivers. 
 At present it can be sent down the Gasconade to St. Louis, and 
 the other towns along the river, for one-fourth the price. This 
 circumstance has of course stopped the importation, and keeps 
 so much money within the state. The width of the Gasconade 
 at its mouth, is one hundred and fifty-seven yards, and its depth 
 nineteen feet. 
 
 Geoffrioii river , (or Jaufflone) runs a southeast course, and 
 empties into the Mississippi, above Salt river. It is SO yards 
 wide at its mouth. I am led to believe the original French 
 name was Javelot. 
 
 } Good Man’s creek , see Bon-homme. 
 
 Good Womaiis river , see Big and Little Bon-femme. 
 
 Grand Chariton, a considerable stream of Chariton county, 
 runs a southerly course, and empties into the Missouri, at the 
 town of Chariton. Previous to its joining the Missouri, it unites 
 with the Little Chariton, on which account they are sometimes 
 called ‘ The Charitons.’ It is navigable nearly 100 miles. The 
 lands on its bor ders are rich, broken, and heavily timbered, and 
 contain several fine and flourishing settlements. This stream is 
 70 yards wide at its mouth, which is 220 above the junction of 
 the Missouri with the Mississippi. 
 
 Grande Glaive, a small stream of St. Louis county, runs a 
 southerly cour se, and empties into the Merrimack. 
 
 Grand Fork, one of the tributaries of the Osage, emptying in 
 from the south. 
 
 Grand river , a large stream, rises in the highlands, between 
 the Riviere des Moines and the Missouri, and running a south¬ 
 easterly course, empties into the Missouri, in township 53 north, 
 in range 20, west of the 5th principal meridian, about 250 miles 
 above its junction with the Mississippi. For some distance, it 
 
TOPOGRAPHICAL VIEW OF TOWNS, &C. 283 
 
 forms the boundary between Chariton and Ray counties, and 
 passes through the interior of the Missouri military tract. It 
 is navigable for several hundred miles. The lands on its bor¬ 
 ders are reputed to be very fertile. At the junction of this 
 stream with the Missouri, is a good town site, and the settlements 
 in the vicinity are already quite flourishing and populous. The 
 principal objection to the country watered by this stream is, that 
 it is deficient in timber. Grand river, where it enters the Mis¬ 
 souri, is between eighty and one hundr ed yards in width. 
 
 Grassij creek , a small stream, runs a northeast course, and 
 empties into Salt river on the right side, near its junction with 
 the Mississippi. 
 
 Gravois creek , a trifling stream of St. Louis county. The 
 lands on its borders are gently undulating, and very fertile.— 
 They contain some of the most productive plantations in the 
 state. 
 
 Great Gravel river , a considerable stream, interlocks with the 
 St. Francis, runs a northeast course, and empties into the Osage 
 river, 36 miles above Little Gravel, and according to Pike, 118 
 miles above the confluence of the Osage with the Missouri. 
 
 Greenville , a small town of Wayne county, situated on the 
 east bank of the St. Francis river, in township 28 north, in 
 range 5, east of the 5th principal meridian. It is situated on a 
 confirmed claim of J. E. Kelly. No improvements of any con¬ 
 sequence have been as yet made here. 
 
 Greenville is in latitude 37° 15'north, about 100 miles due 
 south of St. Charles. 
 
 Hannibal , a town of Ralls county on the Mississippi, near the 
 mouth of Bear creek, in township 57 north, in range 4, west of 
 the 5th principal meridian, 25 miles above the mouth of Salt riv¬ 
 er, and 15 below that of Two Rivers. The town is situated on a 
 high rocky bank of the river. 
 
 Hazel Run , a trifling stream of Washington county. 
 
 Herculaneum , a flourishing post town, and the seat of justice of 
 Jefferson county, situated at the mouth of Joachim creek, in 
 
284 
 
 GAZETTEER OY MISSOURI. 
 
 township 41 north, in range 6, cast of the 5th principal meridi¬ 
 an, on a high sandy bank of the Mississippi river. The flat on 
 which the town is laid out is narrow, and hounded on each end 
 by perpendicular precipices, 200 feet high, and rising almost di¬ 
 rectly from the water’s edge. It appears to be nothing more 
 than an opening for the admission of the Joachim to the Missis¬ 
 sippi, The town contains between SO and 40 houses, including 
 a log court house and jail, 4 or 5 stores, a post-office, &c. The 
 landing for boats is very good, and the Joachim affords an ex¬ 
 cellent harbor during the winter and spring. In the vicinity of 
 the town are three shot towers, which are built ori the precipices, 
 from which the shot is dropped to the riv er bank. There are 
 also several saw and grist mills and distilleries on the Joachim 
 and Plattin, which empties into the Mississippi, five miles be¬ 
 low. Within a few miles, lead and iron ore are found in abun¬ 
 dance, and this town is a considerable depot ofthe immense mine 
 country. (Schoolcraft.) A few miles north of Herculaneum 
 are the sulphur springs, sometimes resorted by invalids and con¬ 
 valescents. They issue from a stratum of limestone. They 
 are, however, not so strongly impregnated with sulphur as those 
 near St. Louis. Many persons resort here during the summer 
 and fall months. “ About 5 miles west of the town, there is a 
 limestone rock about a quarter of a mile in length, and in some 
 parts 40 or 50 feet high. This rock is so completely perforated 
 in almost every part, as to resemble a honey comb, and the per¬ 
 forations are from one-eighth to three quarters of an inch in dia¬ 
 meter. It has exactly the appearance of marine rocks, perfora¬ 
 ted by mytilus, lithophagus or rugosus 
 
 Herculaneum is in latitude 38° 15' north, 30 miles south of St 
 Louis, and 35 northeast of Potosi. 
 
 Howard's Bluff, the seat of justice of Cole county, situated on 
 a high bluff of the Missouri, 12 or 15 miles above the future 
 capital of the state. It is in township 45 north, in range 13. west 
 of the 5th principal meridian. As it has only been recently laid 
 out, it contains as yet but a small number of inhabitants. 
 
 Howard’s Bluffis in latitude 38° 35' north, 105 miles due west 
 of St. Charles. 
 
 Bradbury's Travels in tbc interior of the United States. 
 
TOPOGRAPHICAL VIEW OF TOWNS, &C. 
 
 285 
 
 Indian creek , a small stream, runs north through Washington 
 and Jefferson counties, and empties into the Merrimack. 
 
 Jackson , a post town, and the seat of justice of Cape Girar¬ 
 deau county, situated on a beautiful eminence between the east¬ 
 ern and western branches of Zenon creek, and about 10 miles 
 west of the Mississippi. It is laid out in a regular form, the 
 streets crossing each other at right angles. It contains between 
 60 and 100 houses, among which are a court house and jail, of 
 a very good construction, and also a printing-office, from which 
 a weekly paper is issued, entitled the “ Missouri Herald.”— 
 Eight lots of ground have been appropriated by the legislature 
 for the use of a seminary to be erected here, under the direction 
 of five trustees. There is a bank of Spanish brown and chalk 
 in the vicinity of this place, which promises to be a source of 
 profit to the inhabitants. 
 
 Jackson is situated in lat. 37° 20' N. 50 miles north of the 
 mouth of the Ohio, and 130 south of St, Charles, 
 
 James river , rises in the highlands south of the Gasconade, 
 runs a southwest course about 200 miles, and after receiving 
 Findley’s river and several other tributaries, falls into White 
 river nearly 1000 miles above its mouth. Its waters have the 
 purity of crystal. On its banks are situated a body of the most 
 fertile land which the whole valley of the Mississippi affords. 
 The climate is salubrious, and game of all kinds is very abun¬ 
 dant. 
 
 Jamestown , is situated in St. Louis county, on a bluff of the 
 Missouri, six miles above its confluence with the Mississippi. 
 In the rear of the town is the rich and flourishing settlement of 
 St. Ferdinand. There is a cave in the vicinity, through which 
 passes a fine stream of good water, and which can with very 
 little expense be conducted to every part of the tow n. The Mis¬ 
 souri affords here a tolerable landing for boats. 
 
 Jefferson , the seat of justice of Saline county, situated on the 
 Missouri, at the head of Big bottom, upon a rock-bound shore, 
 which is moderately ascending from the river. It forms one of 
 the handsomest sites on the Missouri, and the only objection to 
 it, is the want of timber in the immediate vicinity. The Big 
 
286 
 
 GAZETTEER OF MISSOURI. 
 
 bottom, and Edmonston’s bottom are situated directly above and 
 below. They are both well timbered and fertile, and calculated 
 to support a dense population. 
 
 Jefferson is in latitude 39° 10' north ; about 10 miles above 
 the town of Chariton. 
 
 Joachim creek , a small mill stream of Jefferson county, runs a 
 devious easterly course, and empties into the Mississippi at Her¬ 
 culaneum. The lands on its banks are in some places fertile, in 
 others high and undulating, and abounding with the ores. 
 
 La Beiiite creeks runs a northerly course through the county 
 of Lillard, and empties into the Missouri on the right side, a few 
 miles below Blue-water river. 
 
 La Charbonniere , the name given to a coal bank on the right 
 shore of the Missouri, near Florissant, and about 12 miles above 
 its confluence with the Mississippi. The river at this place runs 
 north of east, and the hill or bluff approaches it from the south. 
 It is about 4 or 500 yards in length, and from 150 to 200 feet in 
 height. The summit appears like a clay bank. The stratum 
 of coal is from 8 to 12 feet in thickness. It is overlaid by shale, 
 slate, and secondary limestone. The coal is directly at the edge 
 of the water, and can be thrown from its bed into the boats. It 
 is of a very good quality, but contains a considerable quantity of 
 bitumen. The blacksmiths in St. Charles and the vicinity, make 
 use of it; and as the quantity contained in the bank is immense, 
 it will probably become a valuable article of export. 
 
 La Mine river , runs a southeast course through the counties of 
 Saline and Cooper, and empties into the Missouri on the right 
 side, about 200 miles above its junction with the Mississippi. It 
 is 70 yards wide at its mouth, and is navigable for some distance. 
 Lead ore and salt springs are abundant on the banks of this 
 stream. 
 
 Les Mamelles , the termination of the bluffs of the Mississippi 
 and Missouri, three miles east of St. Charles. Their form re¬ 
 sembles that of human breasts, and hence their name. They are 
 about 100 feet above the surrounding plain, and command an 
 extensive view in different directions. 
 
TOPOGRArHICAL VIEW ©F TOWNS, &C. 
 
 287 
 
 Little Bonne-Femme, a creek of Boone countv* runs a devious 
 southerly course, and falls into the Missouri, in township 45 
 north, in range 12, west of the 5th principal meridian. It is 
 valuable for mill-seats. 
 
 Little Chariton river , a stream of Chariton county, runs a 
 southerly course, and empties into the Missouri on the left side 
 with Grand Chariton, in township 51 north, in range 17, west 
 of the 5th principal meridian, [t is about 30 yards wide at its 
 mouth, and is navigable 50 or 60 miles. 
 
 Little Chenel Ebert , a small stream of Lillard county, (com¬ 
 monly called Little Snybar ,) runs a north course, and empties 
 into the Missouri in township 51 north, in range 28, west of the 
 5th principal meridian, 12 miles above Talbot creek. This 
 stream, about live miles from the Missouri, is crossed by a chain 
 of rocks, forming a natural mill-dam. Above this is a pond of 
 four or live acres, and the water from it passes through an open¬ 
 ing in the rock, which might be closed with a small gate. 
 
 Little Fabba creek , a trifling stream of Ralls county, runs a 
 southeast course, and empties into Fabba creek, near its junction 
 with the Mississippi. 
 
 Little Gravel river , rises near the Missouri river, and running 
 a southeast course, falls into the left side of the Osage river, 
 about 100 miles above its confluence w ith the Missouri. 
 
 Litlle Manitou creek, a small stream of Cole county, runs a 
 northeast course, and empties into the Missouri on the right side, 
 two miles above the mouth of Little Bonne-femme. 
 
 Little Merrimack, a small tributary of the Merrimack. 
 
 Little Muddy river, a considerable stream of Callaway county, 
 runs a southerly course, and empties into the Missouri, about 
 120 miles above its mouth, in township 45 north, in range 8, 
 west of the 5th principal meridian. It affords a number of fine 
 mill-seats. The lands on its banks are undulating and uneven, 
 hut in many places fertile. 
 
 Little Pine fork , a branch of the Gasconade, emptying in on 
 the right side : course northwest. 
 
288 
 
 GAZETTEER OP MISSOURI. 
 
 Little Prairie , a settlement on the Mississippi river, about SO 
 miles below New-Madrid. It was commenced by a party of 
 traders in the year 1795, and was for some time in a flourishing 
 situation. In 1799 the population amounted to about 400, and a 
 considerable quantity of surplus produce was annually exported 
 to the south. Since this time, this settlement appears to have 
 been constantly declining. In 1803, the population did not ex¬ 
 ceed 150 souls. The following observations from an interesting 
 work* recently published, will illustrate its present situation :— 
 “ In the evening, we arrived at the remains of the settlement 
 called the Little Prairie, where there is now only a single house, 
 all the rest, together with their foundations, having been swept 
 away by the river soon after the convulsion of the earthquake, 
 in consequence (as the inhabitants say, and as they also affirm in 
 [New-Madrid,) of the land having sunk ten feet or more below 
 its former level.” 
 
 Lost creek , a small stream of Montgomery county, runs a south 
 course, and empties into the Missouri in township 45 north, in 
 range 3, west of the 5th principal meridian. Pinkney, the scat 
 of justice of Montgomery, is situated near the mouth of this 
 stream. 
 
 Louisiana , a post town, and the seat of justice of Pike county, 
 situated mi the south bank of Salt river, at its confluence with 
 the Mississippi, in township 54 north, in range 1, west of the 
 5th principal meridian. It is rapidly increasing in population, 
 and from the advantages which it possesses, promises to become 
 of considerable importance. By an act of the legislature passed 
 during the last session, an academy w as established at this place, 
 under the government of seven trustees. These trustees shall 
 be elected in the same manner, perform the same duties, and be 
 entitled to the same privileges, as provided for by the act esta¬ 
 blishing an academy in the towns of St. Charles and Franklin ; 
 Provided , that there shall be no compulsion to teach the French 
 language in the said Louisiana academy. 
 
 Louisiana is in latitude 39° 25' north ; 80 miles northwest of 
 St. Charles. 
 
 * Travels into the Arkansa territory during the year 1819, by Thomas Nuttal, F.L.S. 
 
TOPOGRAPHICAL VIEW OF TOWNS, &C. 
 
 289 
 
 Loutre river , a stream of Montgomery county, runs a southeast 
 course, and empties into the Missouri in township 46 north, in 
 range 5, west of the 5th principal meridian, ten miles below 
 the confluence of the Gasconade. It affords a number of excel¬ 
 lent mill-seats; and on its borders are some fine districts of 
 farming land. Loutre island is in the Missouri, opposite the 
 mouth of this stream, and is twelve miles in length. The soil is 
 very fertile, and it has a compact settlement. On the head wa¬ 
 ters of this stream are said to be ancient works, similar to those 
 on the Mississippi, for a description of which the reader is re¬ 
 ferred to JVoyer creek . 
 
 Madansburgh, a town in Perry county, 15 miles south of St. 
 Genevieve, near Saline creek. There are extensive salt-works 
 here, from whence a great proportion of the salt consumed in 
 the interior is procured. The springs are very strongly im¬ 
 pregnated, and are considered lasting. 
 
 Manitou creeks a small stream of Howard county, runs a south 
 course, and empties into the Missouri on the left side, a few 
 miles below the town of Franklin. It received its name from the 
 Indians, in consequence of some singular productions of nature 
 in the vicinity, which they suppose are frequently visited by the 
 Manitou , or Great Spirit. (See Cedar creek.) This stream is 
 sometimes called Grand or Big Manitou, by way of distinction 
 from Little Manitou below. 
 
 Marais Croche , a small French settlement near St. Charles. 
 
 Marais des Liards , see Village d Robert . 
 
 Marthasville , a small post town in Montgomery county, situa¬ 
 ted on a bluff, about a half mile from the Missouri river and Old 
 Charrette village, 40 miles from St. Charles, on the road lead¬ 
 ing from thence to Franklin. It lies on a beautiful ridge, com¬ 
 manding a fine view of the river, and containing several springs 
 of good water. There is also in the vicinity a large quantity of 
 good timber. Charrette creek, on which are several valuable 
 mill seats, empties into the Missouri, a short distance above the 
 town. 
 
290 
 
 GAZETTEER OF MISSOURI. 
 
 Mast creek, a small stream, empties into the Missouri on the 
 right side, a short distance above the mouth of Cedar creek. It 
 was so named by Capts. Lewis and Clarke. 
 
 Merrimack river, a large navigable stream, rises near the 
 head waters of the Gasconade, in the range of hills in 
 the interior of the state, and running a devious course, empties 
 into the Mississippi, 18 miles below St. Louis. It is swelled by 
 a number of tributaries, the largest of w hich are Little Merri¬ 
 mack, Bourheuse, Fourche a Courtois and Big river. The 
 lands on the borders of this stream are in many places fertile, 
 hut generally high, broken and sterile. Near its sources are ex¬ 
 tensive pine forests, in the vicinity of w hich, several saw mills 
 are about to be erected. 
 
 It is formerly supposed, that silver ore was abundant on the 
 hanks of the Merrimack, but this opinion has long since been 
 abandoned. They contain, however, lead, iron, gypsum, salt, 
 and according to Mr. Schoolcraft, manganese. 
 
 According to Mr. Bradbury, fossil bones have been found a 
 short distance from this stream. He observes— 44 A salt lick, 
 about three miles from the Merrimack river, and 12 from St. 
 Louis, several bones have been discovered, evidently belonging 
 to the same species of mammoth as those found on the Ohio, and 
 in Orange county, state of New-York.” 
 
 Ancient works of various kinds are found on the banks of the 
 Merrimack, such as mounds, ancient pottery, arrow heads, Ac- 
 The dwarf skeletons which excited so much attention, were 
 found on its banks, near the plantation of Mr. Long.^ It is 
 worthy of remark, that this stream has no considerable tributa¬ 
 ries from the north, owing probably to its proximity to the 
 Missouri. 
 
 About six years since, a town was laid olfon the banks of this 
 stream, 30 miles west of St. Louis, and about the same distance 
 southwest of St. Charles, called Merrimack. This river is 
 navigable to this place at all seasons, and the landing opposite 
 the town site is very good. The main road from St. Charles to 
 Potosi passes through this place, as also from the upper settle- 
 
 * For a description of these antiquities, see Fenton. 
 
TOPOGRAPHICAL VIEW OF TOWNS, &C. 291 
 
 merits on the Merrimack, Gasconade, Boeuf, &c. It is surroun¬ 
 ded by a fertile country, and will probably become a rich and 
 populous settlement; but it is doubtful whether much improve¬ 
 ment will for many years be made in the town. 
 
 Mexico , a town in Callaway county, situated on the north bank 
 of the Missouri, at the mouth of Muddy river. It is surroun¬ 
 ded by a fertile and thickly settled country. 
 
 Mineral Fork, a small branch of Big river, in Washington 
 county. 
 
 Mine River, see La Mine . 
 
 Military Bounty Tract . Five hundred thousand acres of land 
 have been selected in this state by the general government, for 
 the military bounties. These lands lie in townships 53, 54, 55, 
 and 56 north, in ranges 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, and 23, west 
 of the 5th principal meridian, and are at present included within 
 the boundaries of Ray and Chariton counties. The tract is ge¬ 
 nerally fertile, but is not so well watered as is usually the case 
 in a country so uneven. Near the rivers and water courses, it is 
 generally well timbered. Small prairies are occasionally found 
 near the rivers ; but receding from them they become more 
 frequent and larger, till, at the distance of 25 or 30 miles, and 
 sometimes in 10 miles or less, the timber becomes lost in general 
 prairie.* 
 
 In conformity with the plan adopted under the head of Illinois 
 Military Bounty Tract , 1 shall here present an abstract of the 
 laws of this state, in regard to the recording of deeds and pay¬ 
 ment of taxes. 
 
 LAWS CONCERNING DEEDS. 
 
 Two sections in the laws are precisely the same in hcec verba, 
 as the first and third sections in the laws of Illinois! ( Seepa¬ 
 ges 128, 129, 130.) 
 
 All deeds and conveyances which shall be made and executed 
 within this district [territory] of or concerning any lands or he¬ 
 reditaments therein, or whereby the same may be in any way 
 
 * V*d ZaDt’s description of the military land*. 
 
292 
 
 GAZETTEER OF MISSOURI. 
 
 effected in law or equity, shall he acknowledged by one of the 
 grantors or bargainers, or proved by one or more of the subscri¬ 
 bing witnesses to such deed before one of the judges of the gen¬ 
 eral [superior] court, or before one of the justices of the court of 
 common pleas* of the district [county] where the lands surveyed 
 lie. and shall be recorded in the recorder’s offic e of the district 
 [county] where such lands or hereditaments are lying and be¬ 
 ing, within twelve months f after the execution of such deed or 
 conveyance, and every such deed and conveyance, that shall at 
 any time after the publication hereof be made and executed, and 
 which shall not be proved and recorded as aforesaid, shall he 
 adjudged fraudulent and void against any subsequent purchaser, 
 or mortgagee for a valuable consideration, unless such deed or 
 conveyance be recorded as aforesaid, before the proving and re¬ 
 cording of the deed or convey ance under which such subsequent 
 purchaser or mortgagee shall claim. 
 
 It shall and may be lawful for any judge of the court of com. 
 nton pleas [circuit court] within this territory, or for any justice 
 of the peace of the district, [county] where the land lies, to take 
 the examination of witnesses to any deed or conveyance, or the 
 acknowledgment of grantors in any deed or conveyance for lands 
 in the manner and torm as is provided by an act, entitled “ An 
 act for establishing recorders’ offices ” 
 
 The clerks of the circuit courts in their respective counties, 
 shall have the same power of taking the acknowledgment and 
 proof of deeds and conveyances of lands and tenements, lying in 
 any part of this territory, as any judge of the superior or circuit 
 courts in this territory, or any justice of the peace of the county 
 where the lands lie, have now by law. Provided , such acknowl¬ 
 edgment or proof he attested by said clerk under his official 
 seal. 
 
 AH deeds and conveyances of any lands or tenements in this 
 territory, made and executed, hy any persons not residing with¬ 
 in this territory, which shall-be acknowledged or proved before 
 any court of record, and certified under the seal of such court 
 of record ; and all such deeds and conveyances made and exe¬ 
 cuted hy such persons not residing in this territory, as shall he 
 
 * See post ra. 
 
 f See post ea- 
 
TOPOGRAPHICAL VIEW OF TOWNS, &C. 
 
 293 
 
 acknowledged or proved before any mayor, chief magistrate, or 
 other officer of any city, town or place, where such deeds or 
 conveyances shall be made or executed, and certified under the 
 common or public seal of such city, town or place, where they 
 have a public seal, if not under the private seal of such mayor, 
 chief magistrate or other public officer, shall be as valid and ef¬ 
 fectual in law, as if the same had been acknowledged or proved 
 before any judge of the superior or circuit courts in this territo¬ 
 ry, or before any justice of the peace of the county where the 
 lands or tenements lie 
 
 From and after the taking effect of this act, [1st April, 1817] 
 in all cases where any person shall purchase any real estate with¬ 
 in this territory, from any person having the equitable, but not 
 the legal title thereof, and which purchase shall be attested by a 
 deed in the form of a deed and conveyance, or by a bond to make 
 a tide to the real estate so sold, or by any oilier instrument of 
 writing, signed by the party to be charged therewith, or by any 
 other person duly authorised to sign the same for him, it shall 
 and may be lawful for the person so purchasing, after* proving 
 the execution thereof, to exhibit the said deed, bond or instru¬ 
 ment in writing, to be recorded in the recorder’s office in the 
 same county, wherein the said real estate is situated, where it 
 shall be received and r ecor ded in the same manner and upon the 
 same conditions as are provided by law for mesne conveyances, 
 and any such deed, bond, or instrument in writing so recorded, 
 shall impart, from the day of recording the same, full and per ¬ 
 fect notice to all persons of the sale of the land therein mention¬ 
 ed, and all subsequent purchasers of the same land, shall be 
 deemed and held in law and equity to the purchasers, with no¬ 
 tice of the prior sale, and shall gain no right to the prejudice of 
 the first purchaser. 
 
 All deeds, conveyances, bonds and other obligations for lands, 
 tenements or hereditaments hereafter made and proven or ac¬ 
 knowledged before any competent authority, shall be recorded 
 in the county in which such lands, tenements or hereditaments 
 are situate, within three months from the date thereof, or the 
 same shad be void against subsequent purchasers, so recording 
 the said deeds, conveyances, bonds, or other obligations within 
 the time prescribed by this section. 
 
294 
 
 GAZETTEER OP MISSOURI. 
 
 All deeds, conveyances, bonds and obligations, for tbe con¬ 
 veyance of lands, tenements or hereditaments, lying and being 
 situated in this territory, and the right of dower thereto and 
 thereto and therein, may be acknowledged before any justice of 
 the peace in this territory in the manner and under the same re¬ 
 strictions as are now provided by law. 
 
 Extracts from the same. Title , “ Recorder.” 
 
 The same precisely as the fourth section in laws of Illinois. 
 (Sec page 130.J 
 
 From the same. Title , 66 Fees.” 
 
 Recorder’s (now clerk of circuit court’s) fees. 
 
 For recording any deed, mortgage, or other instru¬ 
 ment, per sheet of one hundred words, go 15 
 
 Certificate and seal, 0 20 
 
 From the same . Title , “ Revenue.” 
 
 There shall also be paid on each deed or mortgage recorded, a 
 tax of fifty cents, to be paid down. 
 
 LAWS CONCERNING TAXES. 
 
 From the Digest. Title Revenue 
 
 There shall be levied and collected as a territorial tax, on all 
 lands within this territory claimed as a complete title, and on 
 all lands confirmed or granted by the board of commissioners, 
 or the recorder of land titles of this territory, and on all lands 
 claimed or confirmed by any act of congress, a tax of sixty cents 
 for every hundred arpents, and so in proportion for a greater or 
 less quantity. 
 
 All lands hereby made taxable, and owned or claimed by non¬ 
 residents, shall be entered or listed by such non-resident, his, 
 her, or their agent, with the auditor of public accounts for this 
 territory, on or before the first day of July next. And the au¬ 
 ditor shall keep a book, in which he shall carefully enter each 
 and every tract or claim of land hereby made taxable, and own¬ 
 ed or claimed by non-residents, stating the nature of the claim, 
 the quantity of land, the county and water course where the same 
 
TOPOGRAPHICAL VIEW OF TOWNS, &C. 29£> 
 
 is situated. And it shall be the duty of the auditor, in all cases 
 where the lands are owned or claimed by non-residents hereby 
 made taxable, and not listed or entered with him for taxation as 
 aforesaid, to list and enter the same himself, from the best in¬ 
 formation he can procure, which it is hereby made his duty as 
 far as practicable to acquire. And the said auditor shall, on or 
 before the first da)' of August in every year, forward to the 
 sheriff or collector of each county in this territory, a list of lands 
 owned or claimed by non-residents, situated in his county, 
 whereupon the sheriff or collector shall be bound to receipt there¬ 
 for to the auditor, and proceed to the collection of the tax due on 
 all lands contained in said list, and pay the same over in the 
 same manner, and under the same regulations and penalties as 
 are provided by this act. Passed January 21, 1815. 
 
 Where any tract or parcel of land owned or claimed by any 
 non-resident, and listed with the auditor, shall he sold or trans¬ 
 ferred, it shall be the duty of the purchaser, if he be a non-re¬ 
 sident, to file with said auditor on or before the day that he 
 makes his annual list to forward to the different sheriffs as 
 aforesaid, a duly certified copy of his or her deed or transfer, 
 whereupon the auditor shall enter or list the same for taxation, 
 in the name of the purchaser. And no sale, change, or transfer 
 of any tract of land contained in the auditor’s list, shall in any 
 manner affect or prevent the collection of taxes due thereon at 
 the time of such sale, change or transfer. 
 
 And in all cases where the sheriff cannot find sufficient per¬ 
 sonal property whereon to levy and make distress for the pay¬ 
 ment of taxes according to the provisions of this act, it shall and 
 may be lawful for the sheriff to sell at the court-house door of 
 the county, by public sale, on the first Monday of November 
 annually, so much of each tract of land chargeable for taxes, 
 as will he sufficient to pay the amount of taxes due thereon. 
 And the said sheriff shall, previous to such sale, give notice 
 thereof, at least sixty days, by an advertisement in some news¬ 
 paper printed in this terr itory, or in case there he none printed 
 in this territory, then in some newspaper printed in the next ad¬ 
 joining territory or state, and by advertising at the court-house 
 door, the time and place of sale, particularly describing the land 
 and the different tracts to be sold. And the sheriff shall deliver 
 
296 
 
 GAZETTEER OP MISSOURI. 
 
 to the purchaser a certificate of the quantity of land sold, de¬ 
 scribing therein the tract which was chargeable with taxes. 
 And the part so sold shall he taken as near as may be in a square, 
 and it shall adjoin one or other of the outlines or corners of the 
 survey of such tract of land, so as not to include an improvement 
 if to be avoided. And a designation of the parts so sold, shall 
 he made by the sheriff at the time of such sale. And in case 
 where the claim, or part of a claim of land sold for taxes under 
 this act, shall not have been surveyed by the proper authority of 
 the United States, or shall be so uncertain as to locality or iden¬ 
 tity, that the county surveyor cannot ascertain the boundaries of 
 the claim, the purchaser shall be entitled as near as possible to 
 the part designated by the sheriff’s advertisement for the sale of 
 such land, ami the land itself to be laid off as soon as the claim 
 shall be identified. 
 
 The surveyor of the county, on the receipt of the sheriff’s cer¬ 
 tificate of land sold for taxes, shall, by himself or deputy, pro¬ 
 ceed to survey and lay off the quantity of land, agreeable to said 
 certificate, asui charge the expense of making a survey and plat 
 thereof to the purchaser, or his or her heirs or assigns ; and on 
 the plat and certificate of survey being presented to the sheriff or 
 his successors in office, it shall be his duty to convey the same to 
 such purchaser, or his heirs or* assigns, by deed in due form of 
 law executed, which survey and deed shall vest in the purchaser, 
 or his or her heirs or assigns, all the right, title, claim, and in¬ 
 terest to the said lands, (the right of the United States only ex¬ 
 cepted,) to the part so sold. But the said sheriff may neverthe¬ 
 less convey any lot or tract of land sold for taxes, without having 
 the same surveyed, when the whole tract or lot is sold : Pro¬ 
 vided, That if any person or persons, his, her, or their lawful 
 agent or attorney, shall, within twelve months from and after 
 the day of sale, pay or tender to the said purchaser, his, her, or 
 their legal heirs or representatives, or lawful agent or attorney, 
 the amount of such tax, together with the costs of sale and sur¬ 
 vey, and one hundred per cent interest per annum on the same, 
 and likewise to pay to the purchaser for all improvements that 
 are made by said purchaser on said land, at their just and real 
 value, his, her, or their lands shall therefrom be discharged and 
 redeemed from such sale: Provided however, That nothing 
 
TOPOGRAPHICAL VIEW OP TOWNS, &C. 297 
 
 herein contained shall be considered in law as a bar to the right 
 or equity of redemption, which any infant, person of unsound 
 mind, in captivity, or beyond the limits of the United Slates, or 
 in the military service of the United States, ma) have in the 
 land so sold : And prodded also , That the tax on said land, to¬ 
 gether with the interest thereon, and an equitable compensation 
 for improvements made on said land, be tendered to the pur¬ 
 chaser or his assigns, within one year after such disabilities be 
 removed. 
 
 The lien which the territory has on any tract or tracts of land, 
 or claims thereto, for the payment of taxes imposed ami due 
 thereon, shall not be affected by any transfer whatever; and all 
 sales of any tract or tracts of land, or claim thereto, by the she¬ 
 riff or other proper officer, according to the provisions of the act 
 to which this is a supplement, shall be deemed good and valid, 
 in whose name soever thesaid land or claim thereto shall be en¬ 
 tered or sold, unless he, she, or they contesting the validity 
 thereof, shall shew that the tax had actually been paid thereon, 
 which in all cases shall he the first thing required of any one 
 attempting to set aside a sale under this, or the act to winch this 
 is a supplement. 
 
 If any tract of land, or claim thereto of either residents or 
 non-residents, will not, when exposed to sale as aforesaid, sell 
 for the taxes and costs due thereon, it shall be struck off to the 
 territory, who shall be considered the purchaser thereof; and it 
 shall he the duty of the sheriff making such sale, to make a title 
 for the same to the governor of the territory, and his successors 
 in office for the time being, in trust to and for the use of the said 
 territory, in such manner as the other titles are by him made to 
 other purchasers; and the governor shall, on such titles being 
 made to him, draw on the territorial treasurer in favour of the 
 sheriff, for the amount of all costs due to him on such sales, who 
 shall pay the same accordingly. 
 
 From a law of congress, entitled “An act establishing a separate 
 territorial government in the southern pari of the territory of 
 Missouri * 9 passed March 2, 1819. 
 
 That the bounty lands granted, or hereafter to be granted for 
 
 military services during the late war, shall, while they continue 
 
 SB 
 
I 
 
 298 GAZETTEER OF MISSOURI. 
 
 to be held by the patentees or their heirs, remain exempt from 
 all taxes for the term of three year9 from and after the date of 
 the patents respectively. 
 
 Missouriton , a town in Ray county, laid off in 1819, on sec¬ 
 tion 14, township 51, in range 24, on the north side of the Mis¬ 
 souri river. It is surrounded by a line body of land, which is 
 rapidly increasing in population. On the opposite side, are 
 large quantities of stone coal, and limestone. The bank is ele¬ 
 vated, and protected by a large island immediately above, which 
 throws the current on the other side, and at the point of which is 
 a safe harbor for the anchorage of boats. A ferry has been es¬ 
 tablished from the town. 
 
 Monroe, a post town in Lincoln county, situated on the Riviere 
 au Cuivre, 18 miles from St. Charles, and 3 west of the Mississip¬ 
 pi river. The town site is fine, being a dry sandy soil. The Cui» 
 vre is nav igable to this place, and the town is surrounded by a 
 country of rich land, partly timbered and partly prairie. Above 
 are several mill seats. 
 
 Moreau creek , a small stream, 20 yards in width, empties into 
 the Missouri on the right side, 138 miles above its mouth. 
 
 Moscow , a town in Lincoln county, is handsomely situated on 
 the right bank of Riviere au Cuivre, 10 miles above Monroe, on 
 the road from St. Charles to Salt river. 
 
 Mount Vernon , the seat of justice of Lillard, situated on the 
 Missouri, half a mile below Talbot creek, about 12 miles below 
 Chenel Ebert, and about 30 miles below Fort Osage. It is on a 
 high bluff, commanding a fine view of the river and the adjacent 
 country for some distance. The surrounding country is gene¬ 
 rally fertile, but is rather deficient in timber. 
 
 Murphy’s Settlement , a flourishing settlement of St. Francois 
 county, extending along the main road from St. Louis to Arkan¬ 
 sas and Red river. There is a post-office here. 
 
 Negro fork, a considerable branch of the Merrimack river. 
 
TOPOGRAPHICAL VIEW OF TOWNS; &C. 
 
 299 
 
 New Bourbon , a small French village, situated on a bluff*, two 
 miles below St. Genevieve. It was settled about the same time 
 with St. Genevieve, and at present contains about 50 or 60 hou¬ 
 ses. The inhabitants are principally French. 
 
 New-London, the county seat of Ralls, situated on the range 
 line, between 4 and 5 west of the 5th principal meridian, and in 
 township 56 north, 1 mile south of Salt river. The site is high 
 and commanding, being on the borders of a prairie. The town 
 contains 30 and 40 houses and cabins, and is rapidly increasing. 
 It possesses some advantages ; among these, are good mill seats, 
 quarries of building stone, abundance of timber, and numerous 
 salt licks in the adjacent country. This town is laid off into 
 squares of 2 acres each, which are again subdiv ided into 4 lots 
 each. From the general character of the salt river country, it 
 appears probable that this will become a point of some conse¬ 
 quence. 
 
 New-London is in lat. 39° 30' north, 8 miles southvvest.of Sav- 
 erton, on the Mississippi, and 75 miles northwest of St. Charles. 
 
 New-Madrid, a post town of New-Madrid county, situated on 
 the Mississippi river, about 70 miles below the mouth of the 
 Ohio, and formerly called I’Jlnse a 9 la gresse. It was laid out in 
 the year 1787, by Col G. Morgan, of New-Jersey, upon a very 
 extensive scale. “ In consequence of some obstacles to his de¬ 
 signs, created by the Spanish government, he finally abandoned 
 his pursuits, and retired from the country. The town is bound¬ 
 ed on the north by the bayou St. John, which always affords 
 plenty of-water, and on the south by a creek, which heads in a 
 cypress swamp in the rear of the town, and is general)} destitute 
 of water in the dry seasons. The river never rises so high as to 
 inundate the town : But the banks of it are very unstable ; por¬ 
 tions of them annually cave in ; the houses were originally erec¬ 
 ted over the present channel, and the inhabitants are annually 
 obliged to remove some of them, otherwise they would be des¬ 
 troyed ; and the probability is, that the encroachments of the 
 l iver will eventually scatter the population of this place, 
 
 “ The town was originally so laid out as to extend, as the 
 French express it, forty acres in length along the river $ the back 
 
300 
 
 GAZETTEER OF MISSOURI. 
 
 part was contracted to twenty acres, on account of some swamps, 
 and the depth was sixteen acres. It contained ten streets, run¬ 
 ning parallel with the river, and eighteen others crossing at 
 right angles. The former were sixty feet, and the latter forty- 
 five feet in breadth. Six squares were also laid out, and reserv¬ 
 ed for the use of the town, each of which contained two acres.— 
 A street of one hundred and twenty feet in breadth was likewise 
 reserved on the bank of the river.”* * * § 
 
 In 1799, New-Madrid was in a flourishing situation, and con¬ 
 tained upwards of 800 inhabitants. Since thisjtime, owing to the 
 encroachments of the river, and the earthquakes in 1811 and 12, 
 it lias been constantly declining. T he public works and several 
 spacious streets, have been carried away by the former, and by 
 the latter, large ponds of water have formed in some places, and 
 huge heaps of earth thrown up in other's. In fine, the appear¬ 
 ance of the whole plain upon which the town was laid out, is 
 completely changed Houses, gardens and fields were swallow¬ 
 ed up by this subterraneous concussion. Many of the inhabit¬ 
 ants were exposed to the inclemency of the w 7 eather, without shel¬ 
 ter and w ithout protection. The horror of their situation cannot 
 easily be pourtrayed. The earth rolled under their feet like 
 the waves of the sea, and opened on every side, and each ex¬ 
 pected I he next moment to be received into its bosom. 
 
 The following account, of some of the effects produced by these 
 earthquakes, is extracted from a valuable article,! contained in 
 the American Journal of Science : 
 
 “ On rhe 6th day of January, 1812, during the earthquakes^ 
 which destroyed New-Madrid, and which were felt two hundred 
 
 * Stoddard’s Sketches of'Louisiana. 
 
 t Notices ofthe geology, mineralogy, topography, productions, and aboriginal inhabitants of the 
 regions around the Mississippi and its confluent waters $ in a letter addressed from L. Bringier, Esq. 
 of Louisiana,to the Rev. Elias Corne lius,. In Silliman’s Journal of Science and the Arts. Vo!. 3- 
 
 1821. 
 
 § Several authors have asserted, that earthquakes proceed from volcanic causes ; but although 
 this may be often true, the earthquake alluded to here, must have another cause. Time, perhaps, 
 will give us some better ideas as to the origin of these e traordinary phenomena. Tt is pro! aole that 
 they are produced in different instances and by different causes, and that electricity is one of them. 
 The shocks ofthe earthquake in Louisiana in 1812, produced emotions and sensations much resem¬ 
 bling >.h se of a strong galvanic battery. It will, perhaps, be pertinent to observe, that this earth¬ 
 quake took place after a long succession of very heavy rains, such as had never been seen before in 
 this country. Bringier. 
 
TOPOGRAPHICAL VIEW OF TOWNS, &C. 30i 
 
 miles around, I happened to be passing in its neighborhood, 
 where the principal shock took place. The violence of the earth¬ 
 quake having disturbed the earthy strata impending over the 
 subterranean cavities, existing probably in an extensive bed of 
 wood, highly carbonized, occ asioned the whole superior mass to 
 settle. This, pressing with all its weight upon the water that 
 had tilled the lower cav ities, occasioned a displacement of this 
 fluid, which forced its passage through, blowing up the earth 
 with loud explosions. It rushed out in all quarters, bringing 
 with it an enormous quantity of carbonized wood, reduced most¬ 
 ly into dust, which was ejected to the height of from ten to fifteen 
 feet, and fell in a black shower, mixed with the sand, which its 
 rapid motion had forced along ; at the same time (lie roaring 
 and whistling produced by the impetuosity of the air escaping 
 from its confinement, seemed to increase the horrible disorder 
 of the trees, which every where encountered eac h other, being 
 blown up, cracking, and splitting, and falling by thousands at a 
 time. In the mean time, the surface was sinking, and a black 
 liquid w as rising to the belly of my horse, who stood motionless, 
 struck with a panic of terror. 
 
 “ These occurrences occupied nearly two minutes ; the trees 
 shaken in their foundation, kept falling here and there, and the 
 w hole surface of the country remained covered with holes, which, 
 to compare small things with great, resembled so many craters 
 to volcanoes, surrounded with a ring of carbonized wood and 
 sand, which rose to the height of about seven feet. 
 
 “ I had occasion, a few months after, to sound the depths of 
 several of these holes, and found them not to exceed twenty feet; 
 but I must remark the quicksand had washed into them.' The 
 country here was formerly perfectly level, and covered with nu¬ 
 merous small prairies of various sizes, dispersed through the 
 woods. Now it is covered with slaches, (ponds) and sand-hills 
 or mounticules, which are found principally where the earth was 
 formerly the lowest; probably because in such places the water 
 broke through with more facility. 
 
 “ A circumstance worth noticing, was a tendency to carboni¬ 
 zation that 1 perceived in all vegetable productions soaking in 
 the ponds, produced by these eruptions. It was about seven 
 months after the event bad taken place, that I had occasion to 
 
802 
 
 GAZETTEER OF MISSOURI 
 
 make these remarks on the spot before mentioned. The same 
 earthquake produced a lake between St Francis and Little Prai¬ 
 rie, distant twenty-seven miles from the Mississippi river. This 
 lake resembles much the lake on Red river, inasmuch as the 
 trees are standing upright in all of them, and sunk about thirty 
 feet when the water is high. They are all evidently modern 
 lakes, whose beds were, not long since, part of the forest.”* 
 
 * In addition to the above, I here subjoin the following remarks on this subject, 
 made by Dr. Drake in his “Picture of Cincinnati and the Miami country.” The author 
 first proceeds to classify the shocks as follows': 
 
 “ The violence of the different earthquakes is best indicated by their efficiency in al¬ 
 tering the structure of the more superficial parts of'the earth, and in agitating, subvert¬ 
 ing or destroying the bodies which they support. On a r.ompaiative scale, formed from 
 such remarks, at this place, the first shock of the Kith December 1811, that of ‘23d Ja¬ 
 nuary 1812, and the first on the 7th of February, occupy above the rest a decided eleva¬ 
 tion, and constitute the first class. To the second class belong, the shock at 20 minutes 
 past 7 o’clock A. M December 16 ; that on the 27th of January ; and that at 40 minutes 
 past 10 o’clock P. M. on the 7th of February. Of the remainder, one half, by estima¬ 
 tion, may be referred to a fourth class, composed of those which were felt only by per¬ 
 sons not in action ; and the remainder will constitute a third class, of intermediate vio¬ 
 lence. The numerous tremors and ebullitions that were detected by pendulums, and 
 the delicate sensations of a few nice observers, when at perfect rest, may constitute the 
 fifth and lowest order of these multiplied agitations ” 
 
 The author then makes the following general remarks: 
 
 “1. The original focus of these concussions was the valley of the Mississippi, betw een 
 New-Madrid and the Little Prairie, in north latitude 36 degrees, and west longitude 
 from Washington 12 degrees 30 minutes; but after the second year of their duration, 
 it seems to have ascended the Mississippi to the Ohio, and then advanced up that river 
 about 100 miles, to the United States’ saline ; at which place shocks have been felt al¬ 
 most every day for nearly two years. 
 
 “2. They were vastly more numerous, during the same period, on the Mississippi 
 than the Ohio. Not a single day passed, from the 16th of December to the ensuing 
 summer, without several .shocks along the former of these rivers. Ever, at St. Genevieve, 
 200 miles above the principal scene, during a period of seventy days, D. Roe, Esq. count¬ 
 ed more than 100 shocks. 
 
 “3. The shock- at Cincinnati, which have been referred to the first and second 
 classes, were generally the most violent on the Mississippi. 
 
 “4. The kind of convulsion on the Mississippi, was different from that experienced 
 here. The latter, it lias already been stated, was generally an undulation : the former, 
 from the most authentic reports, appears to have been a vertical explosion. The cause 
 acted directly upwards, and elevated to the surtace of the earth, sand, and various ex¬ 
 traneous fossils, which had been buried in the alluvion of the river for unknown ages. 
 
 “ 5. The convulsion w'as greater along the Mississippi, as well as along the Ohio, than 
 in the uplands. The strata in both vallies are loose. The more tenacious layers of 
 clay and loam spread over the adjoining hills, many of which are composed of horizon¬ 
 tal limestone, suffered but little derangement. 
 
TOPOGRAPHICAL VIEW OF TOWNS, &C. 
 
 303 
 
 It may be observed, that congress, at a subsequent session, 
 granted to those who bad suffered by the earthquakes iri the 
 county of New-Madrid. an equivalent of land in other parts of 
 the s ate, the sale of which is authorised by law. 
 
 It has been previously stated that New-Madrid has been 
 declining for many years. The following description, given by 
 
 an eminent traveller,* will illustrate the truth of the remark. 
 
 \ 
 
 “ New-Madrid is an insignificant French hamlet, containing 
 little more than 20 log houses and stores, miserably supplied, 
 the goods of w hich are retailed at exorbitant prices : lor example, 
 18 cents per pound for lead, which costs seven cents at Hercu¬ 
 laneum ; salt, five dollars per bushel ; sugar, 31 1-4 cents per 
 pound ; whiskey, one dollar 25 cents per gallon ; apples, 25 
 cents per dozen ; corn, 50 cents per bushel ; fresh butter, 87 1-2 
 cents per pound ; eggs, the same per dozen ; pork, six dollars 
 per hundred ; beef, live dollars. Still the neighbouring land 
 appears to be of good quality ; but people have been discouraged 
 from settling in consequence of the earthquakes, which, besides 
 the memorable one of 1811, are very frequently experienced, 
 two or three oscillations being sometimes felt in a day.” 
 
 “6. All the principal shocks on the Mississippi, were attended or preceded by an 
 explosive sound; which the people of that region denominate subterranean thunder. 
 This noise was generally heard to the southwest—which my correspondent, the honour, 
 able Stanley Griswold, (who has made many observations on these phenomena,) as¬ 
 cribes to the ground in the valliesof our rivers being lower in that direction. 
 
 “7. The stronger shocks of this great series were felt in every part of the U. States; 
 and their violence was generally in the inverse ratio of their distance from the focus. 
 Earthquakes were experienced, also, during the same years, but not on the same days, 
 in Europe, the West Indies, and South America. 
 
 “8. As some time-pieces are set to solar, and others to mean time, and as most of 
 them are inaccurate, it is difficult to determine the precise date of any of the shocks; 
 but from the best information that can be collected, their absolute time, in different parts 
 of the United States, was the same, or nearly so. 
 
 41 9. The shocks at the United States’ saline, for a year past, have, as before stated, 
 been almost daily; and are frequently attended with a loud noise under ground. But 
 they are so circumscribed in their geographical extent, that hut few of them are felt even 
 at Shawneetowu, on the bank of the Ohio, only 12 miles distant. As late, however, as 
 the month of June of the present year, several of these concussions were so violent as to 
 be felt at the place just mentioned, at Kaskaskia, and on the Wabash river, 40 utiles 
 from its confluence with the Ohio. 
 
 * Mr. Thomas Nut tall. See hi* travels into the Arksuwa territory. Philad. 1821. 
 
304 
 
 GAZETTEER OF MISSOURI. 
 
 “ The site of the town, as we learn from La Vega, the histo¬ 
 rian of Soto, bears unequivocal marks of an aboriginal station ; 
 still presenting the remains of some low mounds, w hich as usual 
 abound with fragments of earthen ware.” 
 
 The country in the vicinity of New-Madrid is very fertile. 
 It consists of a vast plain, handsomely diversified with wood¬ 
 land and prairie. There are, however, several ponds, which 
 in dry seasons become stagnant, and give rise to bilious disor¬ 
 ders. But this place is perhaps less subject to these than would 
 naturally be supposed. Indeed, it is asserted by some that its 
 situation is healthy ; but I am inclined to believe that this opinion 
 is founded on a limited knowledge of facts. Mr. Brackenridge 
 observes, “New-Madrid is considered healthy, and from my 
 own experience, 1 am convinced of the justness of this character. 
 There is nothing more delightful than a promenade on a summer 
 evening, on the smooth green along the bank. The climate is 
 mild and agreeable : in the hottest days of summer, a cool and 
 refreshing breeze is felt from the river. The spring is compa¬ 
 ratively early. I gathered strawberries here on the 20th of 
 April, and at St. Louis in June.” 
 
 Near this place are a number of mounds, and among them is 
 one of the largest in the western country. It is about twelve 
 hundred feet in circumference, and forty in height: it is level on 
 the top, and is surrounded by a ditch several feet in width. It 
 is situated on the margin of a beautiful lake, four or five miles 
 below the town. 
 
 One of the authors before quoted,* observes, “ I saw, in New- 
 Madrid, a mammoth grinder, which had just been found by one 
 Frangais Lesieur. Along with it were several other teeth, be¬ 
 longing to the same jaw. It was found about three miles be¬ 
 low the village, on the banks of the Mississippi ; but it was very 
 damp and very soft. This kind of fossil is frequently met with 
 on the porphyry ridges, bordering in many places a portion of 
 the grand valley which is included in the state of Missouri.” 
 
 In fine, in regard to its antiquities, no part of Missouri is more 
 interesting than the vicinity of New-Madrid. 
 
 ' Bringicr, in Silliman’s Journal,as before mentioned. 
 
TOPOGRAPHICAL VIEW OF TOWNS, &C. 
 
 305 
 
 Newport , a small town, and the seat of justice of Franklin 
 county, situated at the junction of Buffaloe river with the Mis¬ 
 souri, in township 45 north, in range 2, west of the 5th princi¬ 
 pal meridian. It contains SO or 40 houses, and the number is 
 gradually increasing. The neighbouring lands are generally 
 rough, hilly, and unproductive. 
 
 Newport is in latitude 38° 35', about 50 miles southwest of St. 
 Charles. 
 
 Nightingale creek 9 empties into the Missouri on the leftside, 
 140 miles above its mouth. (Lewis and Clark. J 
 
 North river 9 a stream of Ralls county, runs in an easterly di¬ 
 rection, and falls into the Mississippi, in the southern part of 
 township 58 north, 5 west, near South river. The two streams 
 are generally called Two Rivers. The lands on this river are 
 generally very fertile. It is about 75 yards wide at its mouth. 
 
 Noyer creek 9 a trifling stream, runs an easterly course through 
 Pike county, and empties into the Mississippi, two miles be¬ 
 low the mouth of Salt river. I t is principally noted on account 
 of the singular ancient works found on its banks, about two miles 
 southwest of the town of Louisiana. They are built of stone, 
 with great regularity, and their site is high and commanding, 
 from which I am led to infer, that they were intended for places 
 of defence. Works of a similar kind arc found on the banks of 
 Buffaloe creek, and on the Osage river. They certainly form 
 a class of antiquities entirely distinct from the walled towns, 
 fortifications, barrows, or mounds. The regularity of their 
 form and structure favors the conclusion, that they were the 
 work of a more civilized race than those who erected the for¬ 
 mer—a race familiar with the rules of architecture, and perhaps 
 with a perfect system of warfare. The annexed engraving will 
 illustrate the form of these works. 
 
 Fig . 1, faces the southeast. 
 
 abcd Outer wall, 18 inches in thickness; length 56 feet; 
 breadth 22 feet. 
 
 (All the walls consist of rough unhewn stone, and appear 
 
 39 
 
306 
 
 GAZETTEER OF MISSOURI. 
 
 to have been constructed with remarkable regularity. Although 
 they are at present considerably decayed, their form is still dis¬ 
 tinct.) 
 
 E is a chamber, 3 feet in width, which was no doubt arch¬ 
 ed the whole way, as some part of the arch still remains. 
 It is made in the manner represented in Fig. 3, and is seldom 
 more than hve feet above the surface of the ground ; hut as it is 
 filled with rubbish, it is impossible to say what was its original 
 height. 
 
 % 
 
 r is a chamber, 4 feet wide, and in some places the remains of 
 a similar arch still remain. 
 
 g is a chamber, 12 feet in width, at the extremity of which are 
 the remains of a furnace. 
 
 h is a large room, walled with two entrances, i and k. It is 
 covered with a thick growth of trees. 
 
 The walls are at present from two to five feet in height. 
 
 One of the trees in the work is two feet in diameter. 
 
 Fig . 2, is a smaller work, about 80 rods due cast from the for¬ 
 mer. 
 
 a and c are two chambers, without any apparent communi¬ 
 cation with b. 
 
 b is a room nearly circular, with one gate or entrance. 
 
 The walls are similar to the former. 
 
 For the account of these interesting antiquities, I am chiefly 
 indebted to the Rev. S. Giddings, of St. Louis, who visited them 
 a few years since, and sketched a plan, of which this is a copy. 
 It should be remarked, that in the passage g, (Fig l) several 
 human bones have recently been found. 
 
 Osage , a town in Cole county, situated at the confluence of 
 Osage river with the Missouri. The site is fine, and the sur¬ 
 rounding country, in many places, fertile; in others, hilly 
 and barren. There is an abundance of good timber in the vici¬ 
 nity, among which is pine and cedar. This place is as yet 
 nearly in a stair of nature ; but it would appear probable from 
 its situation at the junction of two large streams, and its vicinity 
 
TOPOGRAPHICAL VIEW OF TOWNS, &C. 
 
 307 
 
 (o the permanent capital of the state, that it was destined to be¬ 
 come a town of some importance, 
 
 Osage fork of the Merrimack , heads near the Osage, and 
 empties into the Merrimack on the left side. It is a small 
 stream, and crosses the road leading from the settlements on 
 Fourche a Courtois to those on the Gasconade. 
 
 Osage river , rises in the range of hills, which separates the 
 waters of the Kansas from those of the Arkansas, near the junc¬ 
 tion of the Sinoakv Hill fork with the former. Its course, which 
 is, however, very devious, is generally a little north of east, and 
 it empties into the Missouri, about 130 miles above its mouth. 
 A considerable number of tributaries empty into it from the 
 north and south, the principal of which are Little Osage, Grand 
 River, Yungar or Meungar, Cooks, and Vermilion rivers. 
 
 “The Osage affords, in its whole length large bodies of the 
 choicest prairie land, interspersed with wood land, and occasion¬ 
 ally with hills, and is navigable for moderate sized boats for se¬ 
 veral hundred miles. Its banks afford immense beds of stone 
 coal, and some iron and lead is found, and its upper forks reach 
 into the country of the Pawnees—a country rich in salt, it is 
 a beautiful stream, and situated in a delightful climate ; and 
 when its borders are opened for emigration, and its resources 
 properly drawn forth, will support a vast population and a pro¬ 
 fitable trade. Of this stream, emigrants, and the people of 
 this territory generally, know less than their interests demand. 
 Its fertile soil, genial climate, and great length, entitle it to the 
 rank of one of the first tributaries of the Missouri.” (School¬ 
 craft. J 
 
 The Osage owes its name to a nation inhabiting its hanks at 
 a considerable distance from the Missouri. Their present name, 
 however, seems to have originated among the French traders ; 
 for among themselves and their neighbours they are called Wa- 
 bashes. They number between 12 and 1300 warriors, and con¬ 
 sist of three tribes: the Great Osages, of about 500 warriors, 
 living in a village on the south hank of the river; the Little 
 Osages, of nearly half that number, residing at the distance of 
 six miles from them ,* and the Arkansas band, a colony of Osages 
 of 600 warriors, who left them some years ago, under the com- 
 
GAZETTEER OF' MISSOURI. 
 
 308 
 
 mand of a chief called Big Foot, and settled on Vermilion river, 
 a branch of the Arkansas. In person, the Osages are among 
 the largest and best formed Indians, and are said to possess fine 
 military capacities; but residing as they do in villages, and 
 having made considerable advance in agriculture, they seem less 
 addicted to war than their northern neighbours, to whom the 
 use of rifles gives a great superiority. (Lewis and Ctark.J 
 
 Ancient works exist on this river, as elsewhere : the remains 
 of mounds and fortifications are almost every where to be seen. 
 One of the largest mounds in this country has been thrown up 
 on this stream, within the last 30 or 40 years, by the Osages, 
 near the Great Osage v illage, in honour of one of their deceased 
 chiefs. This fact proves conclusively the original object of these 
 mounds, and refutes the theory that they must necessarily have 
 been erected by a race of men more civilized than the present 
 tribes of Indians. \\ ere it necessary, numerous other facts 
 might be adduced to prove that the mounds are no other than 
 the tombs of their great men. 
 
 Mammoth bones are said to have been found on the banks of 
 the Osage, but their precise locality is not known. It is, how¬ 
 ever, certain that they have been found, both on the Merrimack, 
 and near the waters of the Osage. Mr. Bradbury observes, 
 66 Gen. Clark showed me a tooth brought from the interi r : it 
 \vas a grinder, and belonged to the animal mentioned by Cuvier, 
 and called by him mastodonte avec dents carves. 
 
 Osage Woman river , see Femme Osage. 
 
 Otter river , see Loutre river. 
 
 Owen’s station , a settlement in St. Louis county, west of St. 
 Ferdinand. Here was formerly a small fort and station, for the 
 defence of the inhabitants against the Indians. 
 
 Palmyra, a post town in Ralls county, laid out in 1820, on the 
 corners of sections 23, 24, 25 and 26, of township 58 north, in 
 range 6, west of the 5th principal meridian. It contains 10 or 
 12 houses, among which are a store and tavern. The surround¬ 
 ing country is fertile and well timbered. About a mile and a 
 half from the town are two good mill-seats, between North and 
 South rivers. 
 
TOPOGRAPHICAL VIEW OF TOWNS, &C. 309 
 
 Park river , a branch of the Osage, emptying in on the right 
 side. 
 
 Peno creek , a small stream of Pike county, runs a northerly 
 course, and empties into Salt river on the right side, about 25 
 miles above its junction with the Mississippi. 
 
 Perrique creek , a small mill stream of St. Charles county, run¬ 
 ning an easterly course, and emptying into the Mississippi about 
 15 miles above the mouth of the Illinois. There are several fine 
 mill-seats on this stream, and the country on its borders is ge- 
 %. nerally very fertile. Near the Mississippi it is heavily timber¬ 
 ed ; in other parts, prairie land is handsomely interspersed. 
 
 Perry sville, the seat of justice of Perry county, laid out in 
 1822. It is 10 miles west of the Barrens. No improvement has 
 as yet been made. 
 
 Petite Saline , (Salt fork of La Mine river,) runs through the 
 northern part of Saline county, and empties into La Mine river 
 about nine miles above its junction with the Missouri.’ There 
 are a number of large and valuable salines on this stream, and 
 much of the land on it is first rate. La Mine river is navigable 
 to the mouth of Salt fork, for boats of any size. The water is 
 said to be impregnated with salt as strongly as sea-water, from 
 the month of June to that of November. 
 
 Pine fork , (Big and Little) branches of the Gasconade, empty¬ 
 ing in on the right side. 
 
 Pine river , see Big North fork of White river, 
 
 Pinkney , a post town, and the seat of justice of Montgomery 
 county, on the north bank of the Missouri, about two and a half 
 miles above where the line dividing ranges 2 and 3, west of the 
 5th principal meridian, strikes said river. The site is low, and 
 in some seasons of the year it is difficult to reach it, on account 
 of the number of sloughs and ponds by which it is surrounded. 
 It contains eight or nine houses and cabins. The county seat 
 will probably be removed to a more central and eligible situation. 
 
 This town is in latitude 38° 35' north ; 8 miles above New- 
 
310 
 
 GAZETTEER OF MISSOURI. 
 
 port, and about 55 mile** southwest of St. Charles. It is sur¬ 
 rounded by a fertile district of country, watered by Lost and 
 Charrette creeks. 
 
 Flatten creek runs an easterly course through Jefferson coun¬ 
 ty. and empties into the Mississippi 7 or 8 miles below Hercu¬ 
 laneum. 
 
 Poke bayou , a branch of White river, a small part of which is 
 included within the boundaries of this state. 
 
 Portage des Sioux , a village of St. Charles county, inhabited 
 pri m ipally by the French. It is situated on the Mississippi, 
 about five miles below the mouth of the Illinois. At this place 
 the Mississippi and Missouri rivers are about half a mile apart, 
 and it is contemplated at some future time to unite them by means 
 of a canal, which would be of immense advantage, not only to 
 this village, but to the surrounding country. 
 
 Portage des Sioux derived its name from the following cir¬ 
 cumstance :—The Sioux and a tribe of the Missouris being at 
 war, a party of the former descended the Mississippi on a pil¬ 
 laging expedition. The Missouris wore apprised of their ap¬ 
 proach, and ambushed themselves at, the mouth of the Missouri 
 in considerable numbers, intending to take their enemies by sur¬ 
 prise. The Sioux being more cunning, instead of descending 
 to the mouth of the Missouri, landed at tne Portage, took their 
 canoes on their backs, and crossed over to the Missouri several 
 miles above. By this means they accomplished the object of 
 their expedition, and returned with their spoil undiscovered; 
 during all w hich time, the Missouris were anxiously waiting for 
 them at the mouth of the Missouri. 
 
 The situation of Portage des Sioux is favourable for a large 
 town. There area few ponds in the vicinity, which might with 
 little expense, be completely drained. The village contains 
 about 50 or 60 houses, which are principally inhabited by the 
 French, who are extremely jealous of the Americans, and are 
 unwilling to sell any of their houses or lots. This place, howev¬ 
 er is considered by many so important, that it cannot long re¬ 
 main in this situation. These prejudices will soon vanish before 
 the enterprise and industry of the American citizens. 
 
TOPOGRAPHICAL VIEW OF TOWNS, &C. 
 
 311 
 
 Potosu a post town, and the seat of justice of Washington 
 coutdv, is situated on a beautiful branch of Big river. With 
 Mine a Burton, which was an old settlement in the immediate 
 vicinity, it mav consist ofbO buildings, including a court house, 
 a jail, and an academy. When the county of Washington was 
 separated from St. Genevieve, a tract of land of 40 acres was 
 laid off for the county scat, to w hich the above name was given* 
 Thi s lies on a handsome eminence, a Sittie north of the principal 
 rivers. It is pleasantly situated in the centre of the mining dis¬ 
 tricts, and is surrounded by several fine bodies of good farming 
 land. It has a very handsome appearance, although not so thri¬ 
 ving as formerly. Here are several stores, distilleries and dour 
 mills, a saw mill, and several lead furnaces. The quantity of 
 lead made here from the year 1798 to 1816, was 9,360,000 lbs- 
 CSchoolcraft. J For 3 or 4 after 1816, the yearly amount of lead 
 made here was much diminished, in consequence ofthe decrease 
 of the demand. During the last year, however, a greater quan¬ 
 tity has been made than in any former year. The people of 
 Missouri have now began to learn, that much of their wealth lies 
 in the earth, and that it requires industry and enterprise to bring 
 it forth. 
 
 In 1817, an academy was incorporated in this place under the 
 direction of seven trustees, who are elected annually. Every 
 free white male inhabitant, of 21 years and upwards, and who 
 shall have subscribed and paid five dollars towards said acade¬ 
 my, and have resided in the county one year preceding such 
 election, is entitled to a vote. This place, and the surrounding 
 country, are remarkable for their healthiness. Few of the 
 fevers which prevail in many other parts of the state during the 
 summer and autumn, are observed here. A few cases of intermit¬ 
 tent-fever occur during the spring, but they are generally mild. 
 Among the cattle, however, a very alarming disease prevails, 
 called the mine sickness , and caused no doubt by their licking at 
 the lead furnaces, in some cases’they die instantly ; in others, 
 tliev are seized with convulsions, which continue for some time. 
 Considering the importance of this subject, the legislature at 
 their last session passed an act, the provisions of which are, that 
 the owner or occupier of every lead furnace shall keep the same 
 enclosed, with a good and lawful fence, for the distance of at least 
 
312 
 
 GAZETTEER OP MISSOURI. 
 
 ten yards from any part of the said furnace or works, and in 
 such a manner as to prevent horses, cattle or other stock from 
 having access to the said enclosure ; and also to keep the said 
 fences and enclosures in good order and repair during the term 
 of six months, after such furnaces or works have been last made 
 use of for the smelting of lead. A heavy penalty follows a non- 
 compliance with the provisions of this act. 
 
 Potosi is in latitude 37° 55' north, 65 miles southwest of St. 
 Louis, 45 west of St. Genevieve, and about 80, nearly south of 
 St. Charles. 
 
 Ramsay's creek , a small stream of Pike county, empties into 
 the Mississippi four or five miles below Calumet creek. 
 
 Richxvood settlement , contains a large tract of first rate farm¬ 
 ing land, and is situated in the northern part of Washington 
 county, near the line between it and Jefferson. 
 
 Riviere au Cuivre , see Cuivre river. 
 
 Riviere au Vase, see Big and Little Muddy rivers. 
 
 Riviere de la Pomme, see Apple creek. 
 
 Riviere des Peres, (River of the Fathers,) a small stream of 
 St. Louis county, runs a southeasterly course, and empties into 
 the Mississippi below the village of Carondelet. Its banks are 
 generally timbered and very fertile; in some places level, in 
 others gently undulating. The settlements on this stream w T ere 
 commenced at an early period by the Jesuits, from which cir¬ 
 cumstance it received its name. These have since entirely 
 abandoned it, and they have been succeeded by Frenchmen and 
 Americans. Six miles west of St Louis, a sulphur spring makes 
 its appearance in the bed of this stream, opposite to a high bank, 
 which probably contains iron ore. The water has the taste and 
 smell of sulphuretted hydrogen. It is slightly cathartic, and 
 powerfully sudorific. It frequently determines to the skin in 
 such a manner as to produce an eruption over the whole body. 
 To certain valetudinarians it may be serviceable, particularly 
 those affected with complaints of the liver- Many of the inha¬ 
 bitants of St. Louis, thus affected, visit the springs during the 
 
TOPOGRAPHICAL VIEW OF TOWNS; &C. 
 
 813 
 
 summer with signal advantage ; but I am inclined to believe 
 that more benefit is derived from the removal from the confined 
 and impure air of the town, than from the medicinal effect of the 
 water. It is worthy of remark, that cattle are so excessively 
 fond of this water, that they resort to it from ail parts of the 
 neighbouring country. 
 
 A year or two since, a Roman coin, of a very rare kind, was 
 found on the banks of the Riviere ties Peres by an Indian, and 
 presented to Gov. Clark. Whether this circumstance throws 
 any light upon the ancient history of this country, is extremely 
 doubtful. It is, however, in itself a curiosity worthy of a de¬ 
 tailed description. This shall be given at some future time. 
 
 This river affords several fine mill-seats : its banks are in 
 general thickly settled. In many places they are low, and sub¬ 
 ject to inundation. The alluvions, however, are very fertile, 
 and yield abundant crops of corn, wheat, &c. 
 
 Roche Percee creek, a considerable stream of Boone county, 
 runs a southerly course, and empties into the Missouri in town¬ 
 ship 47 north, in range 13, west of the 5th principal meridian, 
 a few miles above the mouth of Little Bonne-Femme. It re¬ 
 ceives its name from a high craggy cliff on the Missouri, near 
 its mouth, called by the French, Roche Percee ; perforated or 
 split rock. 
 
 Rock creek , a small stream, runs an easterly course through 
 the counties of Cooper and Cole, and empties into the Missouri 
 on the right side, in township 46 north, in range 13, west of 
 the 5th principal meridian, a short distance above Howard’s 
 bluff. 
 
 Rogerstown, an Indian settlement in Franklin county, lit 
 township 42 north, in range 1, east of the 5th principal meridi¬ 
 an, on one of the branches of the Merrimack. 
 
 Round Bend creeks. Two small streams, meandering through 
 the southwestern part of Chariton county, and emptying into 
 the Missouri on the left side, near each other, about five miles 
 below the mouth of Grand river. “ Between them is a prairie, 
 in which once stood the ancient village of the Missouri’s. Of 
 
 40 
 
314 
 
 GAZETTEER OF MISSOURI. 
 
 this village there remains no vestige, nor is there any thing to' 
 recal this great and numerous nation, except a feeble remnant 
 of about SO families. They were driven from their original 
 seats by the invasion of the Sauks and other Indians of the Mis¬ 
 sissippi, who destroyed at this village, 200 of them, and sought 
 refuge near the little Osage, on the other side of the river. The 
 encroachment of the same enemies forced, about SO years since, 
 both these nations from the banks of the Missouri. A few retir¬ 
 ed with the Osage, and the remainder found an asylum on the 
 the river Platte, among the Ottoes, who are themselves declin¬ 
 ing. Opposite the plain, there was an island and a French fort, 
 but there is now no appearance of either, the successive inunda¬ 
 tions having probably washed them away ; as the Willow Isl¬ 
 and, which is in the situation described by Du Pratz, is small, ~ 
 and of recent formation.” ( Lewis and Clark.) 
 
 Rush creek , a trifling stream, running through the southeast¬ 
 ern part of Callaway county, and emptying into the Missouri on 
 the left side. 
 
 Saline creek 9 a small stream of St. Genevieve and Perry 
 counties, runs a northeast course, and empties into the Missis¬ 
 sippi. about nine miles below the town of St. Genevieve. Salt 
 springs are very numerous on its banks, and extensive works 
 have already been established. They supply the surrounding 
 country with salt, and afford a considerable surplus for export. 
 The creek has one or two tributaries, which meander through 
 some fertile tracts of land. 
 
 Saline creek , a stream of Cooper county, runs a very devious 
 course, forming a semicircle, and empties into the Missouri riv¬ 
 er, near the southeast corner of township 48, in range 14, west 
 of the 5th principal meridian, about 20 miles below Boonville* 
 It receives its name from the number of salt springs and licks, 
 which render its water brackish. The current of this stream 
 is quite rapid, and its banks are continually falling in. 
 
 Salt fork of La Mine river , see Petite saline. 
 
 Salt river , (Riviere an Sel , Fr. Oahahah , Ind.) a large stream 
 rises in the highlands, dividing the waters of the Missouri from 
 
TOPOGRAPHICAL VIEW OF TOWNS; &C. 
 
 315 
 
 those of the Mississippi, and running a devious course through the 
 counties of Ralls and Pike, empties into the Mississippi in the 
 northern part of township 54 north, in range 2, west of the 5th 
 principal meridian. It receives several tributaries, among 
 which are Spencer’s, Pcno, Grassy, and Sugar creeks. The 
 lands on its borders are generally fertile ; occasionally, howev¬ 
 er, the prairies are very extensive, particularly near its head 
 waters. Salt springs are very abundant, and several salt works 
 are already erected. The settlements in this section of country 
 increased rapidly for several years, until about 1821, since which 
 time the emigration has not been so great. The hanks of Salt 
 river have always been considered unhealthy. 
 
 Sandy creek , a trifling stream of Jefferson county. 
 
 Saverton , a town of Ralls county, in sections 17 and 18, in 
 township 56 north, in range 3, west of the 5th principal meridi¬ 
 an, on the west bank of the Mississippi. The site is high and 
 healthy, but the surrounding country is not yet sufficiently set¬ 
 tled to support a large town. 
 
 Shawnee village , is situated on Apple creek, and is the sum¬ 
 mer residence of a considerable number of Shawnee Indians. 
 
 Shepherd's creek , a small stream of Franklin county, running 
 a northerly course, and emptyinginto the Missouri on the right 
 side, 83 miles above its junction with the Mississippi, and a short 
 distance above Buffaloe river. 
 
 Smithton , a small town, formerly the seat of justice of Boone 
 county, which, during the last session of the legislature, was re¬ 
 moved to Columbia. 
 
 Snake creek 9 a small stream, runs a southwest course, and 
 empties into the Missouri on the left side, 246 miles above its 
 mouth. Its name is derived from the snake bluffs, a short dis¬ 
 tance below. 
 
 Snybar creek 9 (Chenel Ebert) a small stream, runs a devious 
 northerly course, through Lilian! county, and empties into the 
 Missouri on the right side, in township 50 north, in range 28, 
 west of the 5th principal meridian, a short distance above Little 
 
GAZETTEER OF MISSOURI. 
 
 ai6 
 
 ChencI Ebert. These streams arc called by Lewis and Clark 
 Eau Beau , or clear water creeks. 
 
 South river , a small stream of Ralls county, runs a northeast¬ 
 erly course, and falls into the Mississippi, in the southern part 
 of township 58 north, in range 5, west of the 5th principal me¬ 
 ridian, near North river. From this circumstance, these two 
 streams are generally called “ Two Rivers . 1 ” South River is 
 called by Pike, Bar River.* It is about 20 yards wide at its 
 mouth, and has on its borders several districts of good farming 
 land. 
 
 Spencer's creek , a tributary of Salt river, empties on the right 
 side. 
 
 Split Rock creek , see Roche Percee. 
 
 Spring river , rises in the mountains which traverse the south¬ 
 western part of the state, runs an easterly course, and falls into 
 Big Black river. According to Schoolcraft, large quantities of 
 black oxyd of manganese, are found between this stream and 
 Eleven Point, another branch of Black river. 
 
 St. Andrew's creek , a small stream of St. Louis county, falls 
 into the Missouri, above Bon Homme creek. On this creek is 
 a very ancient settlement made by the French. In 1799, it con¬ 
 tained 392 inhabitants, since which time it has been greatly in¬ 
 creased by the Americans. 
 
 St. Charles , a flourishing post town, the seat of justice of St. 
 Charles county, and the temporary capital of the state, is situa¬ 
 ted on the north bank of the Missouri, about 20 miles above its 
 confluence with the Mississippi. It is built on a narrow space 
 between the river and a considerable bluff, which admits of but 
 one street. The site is elevated beyond the inundations of the 
 river, but the bank is continually wearing away. 
 
 The town of St. Charles was first founded by the French in 
 1780, by whom it was also called Pette Cote , and they contin- 
 
 * See an account of an expedition to the sources of the Mississippi, and through the western part 
 of Louisiana, by Major Z. M. Tike. Phi lad. 1310. 
 
TOPOGRAPHICAL VIEW OP TOWNS, kc. 
 
 317 
 
 wed in possession of it for a long time. Its advantageous and 
 healthy situation, however, soon attracted the attention of 
 the Americans ; and after the cession of Louisiana, it in¬ 
 creased rapidly. Within the last few years its increase has 
 been very considerable. The houses which have recently been 
 built, are of brick, and generally of a uniform style. At pres¬ 
 ent it contains about 1200 inhabitants ; and it may safely be af¬ 
 firmed, that they are not surpassed in industry and enterprise. 
 Being the present seat of government, it is the residence of the 
 state officers. 
 
 St. Charles, like the other French villages, had originally at¬ 
 tached to it extensive common fields. As this system of owning 
 property in common did not accord with the American no¬ 
 tions, they determined, at any early period, to endeavour its de¬ 
 struction. It is indeed a system beautiful in theory, and speaks 
 volumes in favor of the original settlers, inasmuch as it is at 
 once a proof that they were united to each other by a complete 
 community of interest: like a great family, in which there was 
 no necessity for that nice division and distribution of proper¬ 
 ty, and those rigid laws for its protection. But it is evident 
 that this system is a complete damper to industry, and renders 
 the situation of the inhabitants hut little preferable to that of the 
 savages. Each member of the community cultivates his allot¬ 
 ment, which affords him barely a sufficiency for his subsistence 
 —his neighbour docs the same ; and consequently that stimulus 
 to exertion, which continually exists in more civilized and difie- 
 rently constituted societies, is here completely lost. But when a 
 community thus constituted, contented, indolent, and happy, 
 with few wants, save those of food and clothing, is broken in 
 upon by industry and enterprise, and the desire of wealth and 
 power, the system of “ common fields,” common stock, and 
 equal distribution of property, must either be demolished, or 
 give place to dishonesty and fraud. 
 
 Such was the situation of St. Charles, In consequence of the 
 rapid increase of Americans, their number was soon double that 
 of the French, and all the affairs of the town were in a short time 
 regulated by the former. As they were not in the least benefited 
 by the common fields, which were rather an injury to the town, 
 the trustees determined to dispose of them, to the end that 
 
318 
 
 GAZETTEER OF MISSOURI. 
 
 they might become individual property, which would contribute 
 greatly to its prosperity and increase. But these lands were gran¬ 
 ted to the town or village for the use of the inhabitants for ever, 
 and therefore the trustees had no right to sell them. They accord¬ 
 ingly passed an ordinance in 1821, the provisions of which were, 
 that they should cause to be surveyed into streets, avenues, and 
 town lots, conforming as near as possible to the original plan of 
 the town, so much of the commons as they deemed necessary, 
 and that the balance be surveyed into townships and sections, 
 which shall he marked and numbered as the lands of the United 
 States, and conform as near as practicable to the United States’ 
 surveys. That the clerk of the board shall, from time to time, 
 lease for 10.000 years, so much of said commons at public ven¬ 
 due as the hoard may direct, public notice having been previous¬ 
 ly given : Provided , the town lots do not lease for less than fifty 
 dollars per lot, and the other lands for less than two dollars per 
 iicrc. That the lessees shall pay into the town treasury six per 
 cent per annum, on the amounts of their leases Provision is 
 also made for the disposal of lots at private sale, subject to the 
 above regulations. 
 
 Immense advantages must accrue to St. Charles by the pas¬ 
 sage of tiiis act. An additional number of lots is brought into 
 market at a cheap rate. The surrounding country, which was 
 formerly a waste, will soon be thickly settled and highly culti¬ 
 vated, and in addition to this, a very considerable revenue is se¬ 
 cured to the town. 
 
 By an act of congress, passed in 1812, it was made the duty of 
 the principal deputy surveyor to survey or cause to be survey¬ 
 ed and marked out, the boundary lines of this town, so as to in¬ 
 clude the out-lots, common field lots, and commons, thereto res¬ 
 pectively attached, and ail the town lots, out-lots, or common 
 field lots, included in such surveys, which are not rightfully 
 owned or claimed by any private individuals, or held as com¬ 
 mons belonging to the town, are reserved for the support of 
 schools in said town : Provided , that the whole quantity of land 
 contained in the lots reserved for the support of schools, shall 
 not exceed one-twentieth part of the whole lands included in the 
 general survey of the town. This act also applies to all the 
 towns and villages, the inhabitants of which inhabited, cultiva- 
 
TOPOGRAPHICAL VIEW OF TOWNS, &C. 319 
 
 ted, or possessed common fields, previous to the 20th of Decem¬ 
 ber, 1803. 
 
 The St. Charles’ academy was established and incorporated 
 by the legislature in 1820. under the direction of twelve trustees. 
 It was made the duty of the trustees to examine the state of the 
 grants and donations which had been made by the act of con¬ 
 gress above referred to, and to devise means for securing the 
 said town lots, out lots, and such other lots and lands as were by 
 that act granted to the inhabitants of St. Charles, for the use of 
 schools, and for putting them, with such other donations as 
 might thereafter be made for that purpose in a state of profit to 
 the institution. 
 
 It is also made the duty of the trustees to cause at all times 
 the English and French languages to be taught, and whenever 
 the funds of the institution w ill admit, they are to educate, with¬ 
 out compensation, orphans and children of such parents are un¬ 
 able to pay. 
 
 The appropriation made by congress, although very conside¬ 
 rable have been unproductive and almost valueless. But on ac¬ 
 count of the disposition of the common fields, the lands will soon 
 increase in value, and will ultimately support a seminary on the 
 most extensive scale. 
 
 St. Charles is a place of considerable business, which increas¬ 
 es in proportion to the increase of the surrounding country ; it 
 will probably become oae of the largest commercial towns north 
 of ihe Missouri. The bluff in the rear of the town affords fine 
 sites for dwelling houses. It runs in a northerly direction for 
 two or three miles, and then unites with the bluff of the Missis* 
 sippi, and forms at the junction the mameltcs , or breasts. (See 
 St. Charles county.) Below St. Charles is a bottom, which con¬ 
 tinues to the mouth of the Missouri. It is in many places heav¬ 
 ily timbered, and generally subject to overflow. As is common¬ 
 ly the case, the soil is very fertile. It contains several small 
 French settlements, such as the Marais Croche , Petite Sac , &c. 
 
 In the vicinity of St. Charles, there are said to exist isolated 
 sand stone rocks, remarkable for their purity, being so white as 
 to resemble the finest lump sugar. These would furnish an ex¬ 
 cellent material for the manufacture of glass. Lead has been 
 found in small quantities. Carbonized wood is also abundant 
 
320 
 
 GAZETTEER OF MISSOURI. 
 
 on the banks of the Missouri at this place, as also pebbles of 
 cornelian, agate, &c. Judge Pettibonehas also recently discov¬ 
 ered stone coal of a superior quality in the town, and judging 
 from the thickness of the stratum, the quantity is inexhaustible. 
 
 St. Charles is in latitude 38° 42', 18 miles northwest ot St. 
 Louis. It is the capital of the state until the 1st of Oct. 1826. 
 
 St. Ferdinand , (also called Florissante.J a French village in 
 St. Louis county, sixteen miles from the mouth of the Missouri, 
 and about the same distance nearly north of the town of St. 
 Louis. It is situated on a beautiful prairie, surrounded on all 
 sides by the finest timber. About 3000 arpents of land were 
 granted to it by the Spanish government, as a common field. 
 This'tract was confirmed to the inhabitants by the act of con¬ 
 gress passed in 1812, subject to the same regulations and provi¬ 
 sions as are noticed in the preceding article. (St. Charles.) The 
 prairies in the vicinity are large, but very fertile, and contain a 
 considerable population. The plantations, as is generally the 
 case, embrace a portion of prairie and wood land. 
 
 A species of grape (vitis aestivalis) grows in this vicinity, 
 from which the inhabitants make very good wine. In summer 
 it answers a valuable purpose, being a pleasant and wholesome 
 beverage, without the ill effects of spirituous liquors. The in¬ 
 habitants of this place are principally French, of the Catholic 
 religion. The Americans, however, are settling in the vicinity, 
 and many have extensive plantations under cultivation. 
 
 In 1799, the village of St. Ferdinand contained about 300 in¬ 
 habitants ; since which time its increase has been very incon¬ 
 siderable. 
 
 St. Ferdinand creek , a small stream of St. Louis county, runs 
 an easterly course through the settlement of St. Ferdinand, 
 and empties into the Missouri three miles above its confluence 
 with the Mississippi. 
 
 St. Francis river , rises with Big river and Fourclie a Cour- 
 tois, in the broken lands in the south part of Washington and 
 St. Francois counties, and joins the Mississippi 500 miles be¬ 
 low, about 75 miles above the mouth of White river. Its navi¬ 
 gation is much obstructed with rafts. The banks are in many 
 
TOPOGRAPHICAL VIEW OF TOWNS, &C. 
 
 321 
 
 places subject to inundation. At the head of this river is the 
 most extensive body of iron ore in the western country. The 
 La Motte lead mines are also on one of its tributaries. It af¬ 
 fords in its course a proportion of excellent land, mixed with 
 some that is rocky, and bordered near its mouth with some 
 swampy, low, and overflown ; which, however, produces an im¬ 
 mense quantity of cane. (Schoolcraft.) The general course of 
 the stream is south. It is swelled by Castor creek, and several 
 other tributaries. But little, however, is as yet known in re¬ 
 gard to the geography of this stream, or the country through 
 which it meanders. It forms a part of the southwestern bound¬ 
 ary of the state. 
 
 The following is added from Brackcnridge’s Views of Louis¬ 
 iana. 
 
 “ The St. Francis is a beautiful and limpid stream, passing 
 through a charming country ; but afterwards, though increased 
 in size by its junction with several other rivers, it flows with a 
 slow' and lazy current. It communicates with a number of lakes 
 which lie between it and the Mississippi, formed by the streams 
 which flow from the upland country, and lose themselves in the 
 low grounds commencing at Cape Girardeau. This river re¬ 
 ceives several considerable streams, which rise between it and 
 the Mississippi. The Pemisco has its source near the Big prairie, 
 eight or ten miles northwest of Ncw-Madrid. Generally, the 
 St. Francis, in high water, overflows its banks on that side to a 
 great distance. A person at such times may easily lose the 
 channel, unless well acquainted with its course. The western 
 bank is generally higher, and much less subject to inundation.” 
 
 On this stream is a very considerable settlement. 
 
 ++ 
 
 St . Genevieve , (called by the French of St. Louis, Misere,J a 
 post town, and the seat of justice of St, Genevieve county, is si¬ 
 tuated on Gabourie creek, about a mile and a half above its junc¬ 
 tion with the Mississippi, and is one of the principal deposits of 
 lead from the mine country. The town is handsomely elevated 
 above the surrounding bottom. Immediately below, commences 
 the great common field of St. Genevieve and New-Bourbon. It 
 lies on the bottom, and contains about 7000 acres of the most 
 fertile land in the state., The bottom is about three miles wide,, 
 
 41 
 
322 
 
 GAZETTEER OF MISSOURI. 
 
 and extends down about seven or eight miles on the margin of 
 the river. 
 
 The town was originally settled by the French of Kaskaskia, 
 about the year 1770. It was then built immediately on the bank 
 of the Mississippi; but the washing away of the bank, and the 
 great flood of 1780, (Panne de grands eaux,) caused the inhabit¬ 
 ants to choose a higher situation. The ruins of the old town 
 may yet be seen, and there are several orchards of fine fruit 
 still remaining. 
 
 Although this place was originally settled by the French, it 
 contains a number of American inhabitants, but the French 
 character and manners may be said to prevail. The emigration 
 has been rather slow, and the Americans have rather conformed 
 to the customs of the French, than established new ones. 
 
 The common fields attached to this town, are laid out in a 
 regular form, and are under cultivation. The arrangement and 
 the allotments are similar to those described under the ar¬ 
 ticle Carondelet . All these have also been confirmed to the in¬ 
 habitants by an act of congress, subject to the provisions before 
 mentioned. The same provision has also been made for the 
 support of schools. As early as 1808, an academy was esta¬ 
 blished in this place, and incorporated by the territorial legisla¬ 
 ture, under the government of 21 trustees. It was made their 
 duty to cause the English and French languages to be constant¬ 
 ly taught. A very handsome edifice was erected for this pur¬ 
 pose on the hill, commanding an elegant prospect of the river, 
 the American bottom, and of the hills on the other side of the 
 Kaskaskia. Unfortunately, the gentlemen who generously un¬ 
 dertook the work, were not sufficiently supported, and were 
 obliged to abandon it. 
 
 St. Genevieve is similar in its appearance to the other French 
 villages. The houses are generally one story high ; sometimes 
 frame, and sometimes log, but all white-washed, which gives the 
 town a very lively appearance. Many of the new houses, how¬ 
 ever, are built of brick, and are large and commodious. The 
 French inhabitants are principally Catholics, who have erected 
 a chapel, in which a priest regularly officiates. There is also 
 a court house and jail. 
 
TOPOGRAPHICAL VIEW OF TOWNS, &C. 323 
 
 In the vicinity of this place are a number of mounds, and other 
 ancient works. They arc situated on the bottom below the 
 town. 
 
 The mouth of the Gabourie, situated about a mile and a half 
 above the town, always affords an excellent harbour and landing. 
 In times of high water, boats of any size can ascend this creek 
 to the town. 
 
 The country in the vicinity is generally fertile. West and 
 north of the town, it is high and somewhat broken. The soil is 
 clayey, hut produces excellent crops of wheat. The timber has 
 been nearly all destroyed, for the use of the inhabitants. 
 
 St. Genevieve, in 1799, contained about 950 inhabitants. At 
 present it contains about 1400. It is in latitude 38° north ; 85 
 miles south-southeast of St. Charles. 
 
 St. John’s creek , a small stream of Franklin county, runs a 
 northeast course, and empties into the Missouri ten miles below 
 Newport, and nearly opposite Marthasville. 
 
 St. Lora river, a handsome stream of Perry county, falls into 
 the Mississippi nearly opposite the mouth of the Kaskaskia, at 
 the head of Bois-brule bottom. 
 
 St. Louis, a flourishing post town, the seat of justice of St. 
 Louis county, and formerly the capital of the territory and state, 
 is situated on the west bank of the Mississippi, 18 miles below 
 the mouth of the Missouri. It is by far the largest tow n in the 
 state, and is considered its commercial metropolis. The site is 
 elevated many feet above the inundations of the Mississippi, and 
 is protected from them by a limestone hank which extends near¬ 
 ly two miles. Such situations are extremely rare, as the Mis¬ 
 sissippi is almost universally bounded either by high perpendi¬ 
 cular rocks, or loose alluvial soil, the latter of which is in con¬ 
 tinual danger of being washed away by the annual floods. 
 
 This spot has an abrupt acclivity from the river to the first 
 bottom, and a gradual one from it to the second. The first 
 bank has a view of the river, being elevated about 20 feet above 
 the highest water; the second bank is 40 feet higher than the 
 first, and affords a fine view of the tow n, river, and surrounding 
 
824 
 
 GAZETTEER OP MISSOURI. 
 
 country. This town was originally laid out on the first bank* 
 and consisted of three narrow streets, running parallel with the 
 river. Fortifications were erected on the second bank, to de¬ 
 fend the inhabitants against the attacks of the savages. Soon 
 after the American emigration commenced, four additional 
 streets were laid out on the second bottom, which is a beautiful 
 plain, and on account of the width of the streets, the coolness 
 and airiness of the situation, is preferred for places of residence. 
 
 From the opposite side of the Mississippi, the appearance of 
 St. Louis is very imposing. It extends along the river for near¬ 
 ly two miles, and the shore is every where lined with steam¬ 
 boats, keel-boats, ferry boats, and other craft. The gradual 
 ascent of the first bank, and the elevation of the second, is such 
 that it affords a fine view of the whole town. 
 
 St. Louis was first settled in 1664, by a company of merchants, 
 to whom M. D’Abbadie, the director general of Louisiana, had 
 given an exclusive grant for the commerce with the Indian na¬ 
 tions on the Missouri; and for the security and encouragement 
 of this settlement, the staff of the French officers were ordered 
 to remove thither, upon rendering Fort Chartres to the English. 
 The company built a large house and four stores here ; and in 
 the year 1770, there were about 40 private houses, and as many 
 families. The French garrison then consisted of a captain com¬ 
 mandant, two lieutenants, a fort major, a sergeant, a corporal, 
 and 20 men.* St. Louis now flourished, and became the parent 
 of a number of little villages on the Missouri and Mississippi, 
 such as Carondelet, St. Charles, Portage des Sioux, Bon- 
 Homme, and St. Ferdinand. It carried on a lucrative trade 
 with the Indians, and remained in peace with them until the 
 year 1780, when the outrageous policy which is pursued even to 
 the present time, was the means of producing the most alarming 
 effects. An expedition was fitted out by the British at Michil- 
 limacinac, in order to conquer the towns on the right bank of 
 the Mississippi, then a part of the dominions of Spain, whose 
 king had taken a part in favour of the independence ofthe United 
 States The expedition was directed against St. Louis, then 
 the capital of Upper Louisiana ; after the fall of which, the con- 
 
 *■ fittman’s history of the British settlements on the Mississippi. Lond. 1770. 
 
TOPOGRAPHICAL VIEW OF TOWNS, &C. 
 
 325 
 
 quest of the remaining towns and villages would follow as a 
 matter of course. To accomplish this object, a body of 1500 
 Indians and 140 British proceeded, in a number of canoes and 
 light boats, through Lake Michigan and the Illinois river, to 
 St. Louis. “ On the approach of so formidable an enemy, the 
 inhabitants, despairing of successful resistance, deputed one of 
 their most respectable citizens, the late Charles Gratiot, father 
 of Col. Gratiot of the U. S. corps of engineers, to solicit the aid 
 of Gen. G. R. Clark, then encamped with his men on the Ame¬ 
 rican bottom. 
 
 “ Although the general was well acquainted with their superior 
 number, he having but 400 men—although he well knew the 
 hazard of attempting the passage of suclra river as the Missis¬ 
 sippi in the face of a superior force, and without having a re¬ 
 treat in case of a defeat ; and although St. Louis was without 
 the limits of the United States, and he had no authority to carry 
 his arms so far—besides many other serious objections, he wav¬ 
 ed them all. He saw in the inhabitants of St. Louis a people 
 devoted to destruction, because their sovereign was an ally of 
 his country, and he determined at once to carry his arms to their 
 relief. He had but 400 men, but they were the riflemen of the 
 west, the daring sons of the forest, to whom danger was sport* 
 hardship was pastime, death was nothing, and glory every 
 thing. He led 200 of his gallant band to the ferry opposite the 
 town, and made a demonstration of crossing, while 200 more 
 were sent down to cross under a bend of the l iver, about 3 miles 
 below. The Indians were disconcerted at the appearance of this 
 unexpected force, and retired, killing 60 of the inhabitants, and 
 carrying 30 into captivity. This terrible year, (1780) is well 
 remembered by the old inhabitants, who refer to it in their con¬ 
 versations as a date, by the description of Uanne dn coup ; the 
 year of the attack.”* 
 
 After this time, the inhabitants suffered but little from the in¬ 
 cursions of the Indians. During the same year, the town was 
 fortified by M. Dorn. Francois dc Crusat, lieutenant colonel 
 and lieutenant governor of the western section of the country of 
 
 * For the particulars of this uttack,Iam indebted to Col. Benton, U. States senator from the state 
 ^Missouri. See St. Louis Enquirer, Aug. 5,1820. Also hi* speech in the senate of the U. States, 
 on the bill to perfect French and Spanish laud titles in Missouri. 
 
326 
 
 GAZETTEER OR MISSOURI. 
 
 the Illinois. (See Flan of St. Louis.) It was entirely enclosed with 
 pickets. On the river, at each extremity of the town, were half 
 moons mounted with artillery. After the peace of 1783, these 
 works were suspended. Some years after, the garrison on the 
 hill was completed, and about 1797, when an invasion was again 
 expected from Canada, four stone towers were erected, and also 
 a block house at the lower part of the town. The spaces between 
 these were well picketted, and a ditch surrounded the whole.— 
 Fortunately, however, these works were never needed. Many 
 of them are still standing. 
 
 The population of St Louis increased but little until after the 
 cession of Louisiana to the United States, when its advanta¬ 
 geous situation, and the alluring prospects of gain which it pre¬ 
 sented, made it at once the centre of a vast emigration. The em¬ 
 igrants were principally men of business and adventurers, who 
 considered it only as a temporary residence. On this account, 
 very little improvement was made in the town until about 1812, 
 when several new houses were erected in the American style— 
 After this, the number of houses increased rapidly. Mechanics 
 of all descriptions received high wages—trade was brisk, and 
 money plenty, and St. Louis had all the appearance of a great 
 commercial tow n. But, as could have been easily foreseen, this 
 state of things did not continue long, for it was forced and unna¬ 
 tural. Speculators had purchased large quantities of land on a 
 credit at very high prices—merchants had purchased in the same 
 way immense stocks of goods in the eastern cities ; and almost the 
 whole business was transacted upon a fictitious capital, which was 
 frequently transferred from one to another. Consequently, when 
 the credits for lands and goods had expired, when it was neces¬ 
 sary for each man to depend upon his own capital, a sad reverse 
 was experienced. Not having any considerable articles of ex¬ 
 port, every dollar of specie was remitted to the east. In the 
 midst of this, the banks failed, creditors suffered, confidence 
 was destroyed, and for a time, business was almost completely 
 stopped. This state of things, however, was not peculiar to this 
 place, for at the same time a similar depression existed in every 
 part of the country. This, without any of the local causes above 
 mentioned, would have perhaps produced serious effects, for it 
 could not be supposed, that situated as Missouri was, the pres- 
 
y tt 
 
 KJEFFREXCES. 
 
 aaetetstaex FortiFra/njn. par .I /. Don, Francois 
 de rrosa/ /.lent. CoL X Lieut. Day. 
 e/e /a port is oexxdentct/e de.r //// 
 no is Do t78i' 
 
 h . . 'lour 
 
 errs . Dr/ni /.ontir 
 
 e/ Bastion 
 
 / TD . Fortes 
 
 C/D.'/'/ Donne/ Towers entire/ 
 
 b B leak ■ Arose 
 
 e Fex/Fio/ie Chapel 
 
 k . . . Baptist Churrb 
 
 /. Jail 
 
 rn . Fresbyteriem. rSTeBi ne/nniise. 
 
 n . .Market 
 
 o ... Missouri BanD 
 
 p . Hi;/pins Ferry 
 
 ,/ . Old Wind Mill 
 
 r Ox Mill 
 
 '//t v//'s////y /// / / 
 
 oSJDJfljrznj Oi ' °aT 
 
 (t Me// e//'Fe/ //>/ 
 
 BECK’S GAZ ETTE E II 1112 2 
 
 . \fouriels 
 
 Fa lling Darden 
 
 ® O £-j 
 
 Ancient ^\orks 
 
TOPOGRAPHICAL VIEW OF TOWNS, &C. 327 
 
 sure which commenced on the Atlantic, and which had spread 
 rapidly over the middle states, would bear lightly upon her. 
 
 Although the assertion may be considered paradoxical, the si¬ 
 tuation ot‘ St. Louis and of Missouri, is at present more prosper¬ 
 ous than ever. The citizens have, in a great measure, aban¬ 
 doned their wild and visionary schemes of money-making.— 
 They arc now directing their attention to the cultivation of the 
 soil, and their inexhaustible mines of lead and iron. Domestic 
 manufactures are substituted for foreign fineries, and industry 
 and frugality have taken the place of idleness and dissipation. 
 
 According to an enumeration taken by the editor of the 4 St. 
 Louis Directory,’ this town contained in May, 1821, 65 3 dwel¬ 
 ling houses, 232 of which are built of brick and stone, and 419 
 of wood. The majority of the dwellings erected by the French, 
 are one story high, and surrounded with a piazza. Those which 
 have recently been built by the Americans, are principally of 
 brick. There are frequently attached to these dwellings large 
 gardens, which arc under good cultivation. 
 
 By the same enumeration, it appears that the population of 
 this place is 5600. Its astonishing increase in tins respect, 
 within the last few years, is worthy of notice. In 1799, it con¬ 
 tained 925 inhabitants; in 1810, 1000 ; and in 1818, 3500.— 
 From which it appears, that from the year 1799 to 1810, this 
 place remained nearly stationary ; and that since the latter, its 
 population has increased in nearly a six-fold ratio. 
 
 St. Louis as yet contains few public buildings. Among these, 
 the Roman Catholic chapel, college, and Baptist church are the 
 most conspicuous. The Catholic chapel is a very spacious edi¬ 
 fice, and is handsomely furnished with paintings, vases, and 
 other ornaments. Among the former is a splendid one, present¬ 
 ed to Bishop Du Bourg by the present king of France. Other 
 distinguished Catholics ofEurope have been very liberal in their 
 donations to this church. In the academy or college which is 
 attached to this establishment, a complete and extensive system 
 of education is adopted. Among the other advantages is that of 
 a library, containing about 8000 volumes, the property of the 
 bishop, but which, through his generosity, is open to those who 
 wish to examine its valuable contents. 
 
328 
 
 GAZETTEER OP MISSOURI. 
 
 The Baptist church is situated on Third-street, and is a fine 
 spacious brick building. Arrangements are also making for 
 the erection of a Presbyterian church, on one of the lots facing 
 the public square.* 
 
 The Museum in St. Louis is well worthy the attention of the 
 curious and scientific. It is the private property of Gov. Clark, 
 through whose liberality it is continually open for the admission 
 of visiters. It is handsomely arranged, and consists of rich 
 Indian dresses, ornaments, instruments of war, skins of different 
 animals, minerals, fossils, and other interesting and curious ar¬ 
 ticles and specimens, collected by himself in his travels, and 
 presented to him at different times by Indian chiefs and traders. 
 It is probably the best collection of Indian curiosities in this 
 country, 
 
 In addition to the school above mentioned, there are several 
 others, in some of which the classics and higher branches of 
 English education are taught. By an act passed in 1817, these 
 were placed under the government of seven trustees. They in¬ 
 structed Mr. Benton to petition congress to permit them to sell 
 a portion of the school lands, for the purpose of raising funds for 
 their support. Whether this has been effected, I have not as 
 yet learnt. 
 
 * » 
 
 St. Louis was incorporated in 1809, and placed under the 
 
 government of live trustees, who are elected annually. The 
 limits of the incorporation are as follows : “ Beginning at Boy f s 
 mills, on the hank of the Mississippi river ; thence running sixty 
 arpentsf west; thence south on said line of sixty arpents in the 
 rear, until the same comes to the Barriere denoyer ; thence due 
 south, uutil it comes to the Sugar loaf; thence due east to the 
 Mississippi; from thence by the Mississippi, along low water 
 mark, to the place first mentioned.” 
 
 * It is honourable to the citizens of St. Louis, that during the years 1819 and 20, upwards of eigh¬ 
 teen thousand dollars were subscribed for the erection of places of public worship. Considering 
 that the whole number of inhabitants at that time did not much exceed 4000, and that of these 
 more than one third were unable to contribute, their liberality will not sutler in a comparison with 
 that of the eastern cities. 
 
 t Surveys were made, under the Frenchand Spanish governments, by the arpent, not the acre. 
 
 “The following formula contains the elements to reduce the one into the other, viz.605arpents 
 make 51 2acres, stated thus:—If 605ar. : 512ac. :: lOOar. : 
 
 “The arpent is used also as a measure of length, being 180 feet or SO toises French, equal to 392 
 feet English or American, nearly.” Darby's Emigrant's Guide, 
 
TOPOGRAPHICAL VIEW OF TOWNS, &C. 
 
 329 
 
 When this place was first laid out, lots were very cheap. 
 Owing to the desire of the French and Spaniards to encourage 
 emigration, large grants were made to different individuals, and 
 these were sold at a very low rate. But during and since the 
 late war, the value of the lots, particularly those on the principal 
 streets, has increased astonishingly. A circumstance which 
 operates against the improvement of the town, is, that many of 
 the old inhabitants own very large lots, which they are unwil¬ 
 ling to build on themselves, or dispose of to others. 
 
 in regard to building materials, St. Louis is very advantage¬ 
 ously situated. The whole bank of the river here consists of 
 limestone, which can be quarried with the greatest ease. This 
 also furnishes lime of a good quality. There are immense beds 
 of clay in the upper part of the town, from which large quan¬ 
 tities of brick are annually made. Lumber is brought down the 
 Gasconade and Missouri rivers, and sold here at a very cheap 
 rate. 
 
 There are numerous fine springs of water in the vicinity of 
 this place, but the digging of wells is attended with uncommon 
 difficulty. About 15 or 20 feet below the surface of the ground* 
 is a stratum of limestone of more than six feet in thickness* 
 through which it is often necessary to blast. The expense of 
 these wells frequently exceeds 1000 dollars. It is worthy of re¬ 
 mark, that on the “ Hill,” the water is much better, and more 
 easily obtained than in the lower parts of the town. In digging 
 these wells, it is necessary to use every precaution, as large 
 quantities of carbonic acid gas are frequently generated in the 
 course of a few hours. During the year 1820, lour persons pe¬ 
 rished from the effects of this substance, in this vicinity. The 
 existence of this deleterious gas can always be detected by let¬ 
 ting down a lighted candle ; and no person should descend, un¬ 
 less he has previously tried this experiment. 
 
 The commerce of this place is very considerable. This is car- 
 ried on by steam-boats, barges, and keel-boats. The annual im 
 ports of this town, are computed at upwards of §2,000,000—> 
 Furs, peltries, and lead ore, are as yet the principal articles of 
 export, but to these will soon be added many others no less valu¬ 
 able. In 1819, an association was formed here, called the * .Mis¬ 
 souri Fur Company for the purpose of trading on the Missouri 
 
 and its tributaries. Their capital amounts to upwards of 
 
 42 
 
330 
 
 GAZETTEER OF MISSOURI. 
 
 870.000, and they have already extended their establishments to 
 the Mandan villages. 
 
 Wood is at present the principal article of fuel used in St. 
 Louis, and with this, it is principally supplied from the Ameri¬ 
 can bottom, on the opposite side of the river. A large quantity> 
 however, is brought from the * fc commons,” seven or eight miles 
 below the town. Many of the inhabitants supply themselves 
 with the drift woody an immense quantity of whit li is annually 
 brought down the Missouri, and deposited on the sand bar in 
 front of the town. But as coal is veiy abundant within a short 
 distance of this place, it is probable that in a few years it will 
 completely supercede the use of wood. 
 
 It has been frequently observed throughout this work, that in 
 consequence of the large quantities of sand which are brought 
 down by the Missouri, whenever there is an accidental obstruc¬ 
 tion to the current, a portion of it is deposited, and this, adding 
 to the obstruction, increases every subsequent deposit. By 
 this means, a bar of two miles in length, and a quarter of a mile 
 in width, has been for med in front of the town of St. Louis. I 
 have been informed by old inhabitants, that many years ago, it 
 was much larger than it is at present, and that it w as under cul¬ 
 tivation. After this time, it was entirely carried away, and the 
 river continued in its natural course for a number of years.— 
 About 10 or 12 years ago, this bar again commented forming, 
 and has ever since continued to increase. The manner in w hich 
 it was formed, will be explained by a reference to the plan 
 which is annexed. Opposite to the upper part of the town, is a 
 small island. The greatest volume of water descends on the Il¬ 
 linois, or east side, and wears away the newly formed alluvion. 
 The current of the water which descends on the west, or Missou¬ 
 ri side, continues close to the island ; and when it reaches its 
 southern extremity, shoots across in a southwesterly direction, 
 and strikes the rocky shore at a. From this point, the current 
 is again turned in a southeasterly direction, and shoots across 
 to the east side of the river, where, uniting with the main cur- 
 current, it continues along the east shore for nearly three miles. 
 It then again crosses the river, and strikes the rm ky bluff at b . 
 From this sketch it appears, that the volume of water, t e t c, is, 
 as it were, pent up, and must necessarily deposit a considerable 
 portion of the sand which it contains. 
 
331 
 
 TOPOGRAPHICAL VIEW OF TOWNS, &C. 
 
 If this bar continues to increase as it has done for several 
 years past, it will he gr eatly injurious to the town. It will pro¬ 
 bably extend north, and unite with the island c, by which means 
 boats will be completely prevented from landing here.— 
 It therefore becomes an interesting question, whether this bar 
 can be removed by artificial means. The cause of its forma¬ 
 tion, will at once point out the most feasible plan for accomplish¬ 
 ing this object. If any obstruction could be created on the east 
 side of the river, by which means the current directly below the 
 island, could be thrown over to the bar, it is probable that in 
 a short time it would be swept away. A stone pier constructed 
 as dd, if it could be made sufficiently strong to resist the current 
 of the river, (which is indeed extremely doubtful) would have 
 this effect. The removal might be further assisted by digging 
 a small canal along the bank, at Jfj\ which could give the cur¬ 
 rent an opportunity to act upon both sides of the bar. 
 
 In suggesting this plan, i am well aw are of the difficulty and 
 expense which would attend its accomplishment. But when we 
 .. consider the importance of this emporium of two states, which 
 are destined to become populous and wealthy—when we look at 
 the vast works of ai t which have already been constructed in 
 other states ; and w hen we reflect that their inhabitants are 
 gradually emigrating to the west, and will soon crowd the banks 
 of the Missouri and Mississippi, we arc irresistibly led to the 
 conclusion, that all these difficulties will be surmounted by their 
 industry, ingenuity and enterprise. 
 
 In the vicinity of St Louis, are a number of mounds, the rel¬ 
 ative position of which are shown upon the map. They are sim¬ 
 ilar to those which are every where found in the valley of the 
 Mississippi. 
 
 St. Louis is in latitude 38° 35' north. 
 
 St. Michaels , a post village of Madison county, situated on a 
 plain on Village creek, which falls into the St. Francis river, 
 a mile below. It contains about 50 houses, including a few 
 stores, and lies in the centre of the richest farming district in 
 Madison county. Fredericktown, the seat of justice of the coun¬ 
 ty, is situated on a rising ground, a short distance from the vil¬ 
 lage. Mine la Mottc is two miles north. 
 
GAZETTEER OF MISSOURI# 
 
 Strawberry river, a branch of Black river, running through 
 Wayne county. As so little is as yet known concerning the 
 southwestern part of Missouri, I cannot omit the following ob¬ 
 servations of an author already referred to :# 
 
 “ Between White river and Strawberry river, are three par¬ 
 allel porphyry ranges, running circularly from the west to the 
 northeast; the three mountains are twenty-eight miles across, 
 and seem to have been above water, when the whole country 
 around was covered by the ocean. The southwest side presents 
 a large undulating valley of basalts, among which are some cal¬ 
 careous stones, that may be denominated marbles. 
 
 “ At the foot of the before mentioned mountain, was an ele¬ 
 phant or mammoth’s tooth, (or grinder) of an enormous size y 
 it was fully twice as large as the largest 1 had seen before at 
 Big-bonelick. A large quantity of these fossils are there gath¬ 
 ered in a small compass, and this collection was doubtless occa¬ 
 sioned by the appetite which these animals had for salt. Attrac¬ 
 ted by the water that oozes in these marshy places, they were 
 evidently mired when they ventured too far in, and of course the 
 struggles of the last one would sink the bones of his predecessor 
 still deeper. Thus these collections are easily accounted for, 
 although at first, it seems very strange to see these bones accu¬ 
 mulated, like those of some of the extinct Indian tribes in the 
 west. The grinder which I discovered, was perfectly preserv¬ 
 ed in its shape, and converted into a silecious petrifaction, rep¬ 
 resenting milk-white jasper, variegated with beautiful colours. 
 It was incrusted by a solid block of porphyry, which the des¬ 
 tructive hand of time had worn away to such a degree, that it 
 projected like a tooth in its own alveolage. By breaking a piece 
 from one corner, the enamel and the layers of the tooth soon be¬ 
 came visible, so that there could be no doubt as to what it was. 
 
 “ l examined the block of porphyry attentively, and think I 
 could discern some osseous forms ; the bones appeared to be in 
 their full size, and, like the grinder, converted into jasper ; hut 
 it was of a more dull colour and not so hard, and resembled in¬ 
 durated clay. The other component parts were clay, feld-spar, 
 and quartz, and some other things*not ascertained.” 
 
 Upon the marbles above mentioned, the author makes the fol¬ 
 lowing remarks : 
 
 " Bringier on the region of the Mississippi, in Silliman’s Journal, vol. 3. 
 
topographical view of towns, &c. 
 
 333 
 
 u The kind that is most abundant, is a brirk coloured marble, 
 With brown stripes, (resembling the Italian Roso di Monte Cati- 
 ni j The next is a plain flesh-coloured marble, (Rosso di Cul- 
 dona.J A white and black marble is the first that occurs at 
 the foot of the ridges ,• it is a most beautiful variety. (Nero, y 
 Bianco Jlntico ) I have found many other varieties in the branch¬ 
 es of the creeks, but have not discovered the quarries. The 
 kind first, mentioned, are found in great plenty. The first cov¬ 
 ers more than 40 miles of surface. The land is extremely fer¬ 
 tile in the places where the marble lies, buried in two or three 
 feet of loam. This is particularly true on the bottoms of a great 
 number of streams which abound in this country, and are pro¬ 
 duced by large springs flowing every where. The growth is 
 black walnut, hickory, cherry, &c. When the rocks are above 
 the vegetable earth, nothing is seen for miles, except now and 
 then a few wild gooseberry bushes. These quarries generally 
 exhibit level surfaces of a tolerable height.” 
 
 Talbot creek , a small stream of Lillard county, runs a north¬ 
 easterly course, and falls into the Missouri, half a mile above 
 Mount Vernon. It is fifteen or twenty yards wide at its mouth. 
 
 Tavern creek 9 a small stream of St. Charles county, falls into 
 the Missouri on the right side, three miles above the mouth of 
 Femme Osage. A mile below this is a large cave, on the south 
 side of the Missouri, at the foot of cliffs about three hundred feet 
 high, overhanging the water. The cave is one hundred and 
 twenty feet wide, forty deep, and twenty high. It received the 
 name of the Tavern 9 from the circumstance of its affording a con¬ 
 venient stopping place to the traders and voyageurs. Besides the 
 names of visitors with which the walls are every where covered, 
 there are several rude representations of birds and beasts, pro¬ 
 bably the work of Indian artists. The reverence which they 
 have for the Great Spirit, induces them, when visiting these 
 displays of his power, to leave some memorial of their homage. 
 
 Thomas fork of Black river , see Fourche a Thomas . 
 
 Tiger creek , a small stream of Ray county, runs a southwest 
 course, and empties into tiie Missouri 276 miles above its mouth. 
 
 Town of Missouri , an imaginary town plot on the north bank 
 
•334 
 
 GAZETTEER OF MISSOURI. 
 
 of the Missouri, 25 miles above St. Charles. It is in the centre 
 of the Femme Osage settlement, and is said to be a convenient 
 point on the river tor the inhabitants of St Charles county to 
 export their produce. 
 
 Troy , (formerly Wood's forty) a flourishing post town, situated 
 near the centre of Lincoln county, in the southeast corner of 
 township 49 north, in range 1, west of the 5th principal meri¬ 
 dian. It is aboil two miles north of Cuivre river, fourteen w r est 
 of the Mississippi, and ten northwest of Munroe. The lands in 
 the vicinity are fertile, and thickly settled. The Cuivre affords 
 several valuable mill-seats. Troy, although as yet small, is in 
 a state of improvement. 
 
 Two Rivers , two small streams of Ralls county, fall into the 
 M ississippi near each other, between Salt river and the Wa- 
 conda They are distinguished hy the names of North and 
 South rivers, which see. 
 
 Vermilion river , a considerable branch of the Osage, emptying 
 in on the left side, about seven miles south of St. Charles. 
 
 Videpoche, see Carondclct. 
 
 Village a Robert , or Village du Marais des Liards , is situated 
 three or four miles west of St. Ferdinand, and contains a few 
 French families. It was formerly the residence of a part of the 
 Delaware and Shawnee tribes of Indians. The name is due to 
 an old settler, Robert Owens. In 1799, it contained 379 inha¬ 
 bitants ; since which time the number has diminished. 
 
 Village creek, a small stream of Madison county. On its . 
 banks is a district of good farming land. 
 
 Waconda , a tow n recently laid out at the confluence of Wa- 
 conda creek w ith the Missouri. The site is a regular unbroken 
 eminence, with a substratum of limestone, forming, on the mar¬ 
 gin of the river, natural piers or wharves for the accommodation 
 of river craft. It possesses many local advantages, and is pro¬ 
 bably destined to become a considerable commercial town. The 
 Mississippi is navigable more than half the year to the Falls of 
 St. Anthony, 1000 miles above $ and the water communicatioB 
 
TOPOGRAPHICAL VIEW OF TOWNS, &C. 
 
 335 
 
 with the lakes is always open in the spring, through the Green 
 Bay, Fox and Ouisconsiu rivers. The surrounding country is 
 fertile, and is handsomely interspersed with prairie and wood¬ 
 land. A saw and grist-mill are already in operation here, and 
 other improvements are progressive. 
 
 Waconda is 120 miles in a right line north of St. Louis, and 
 190 by the meanders of the river; and about 100 from Franklin 
 on the Missouri. 
 
 Waconda creek, a considerable stream of Ralls county, runs a 
 southeast course, and fails into the Mississippi in the southern 
 part of township 61 north, in range 5, west of the 5th principal 
 meridian. It is about 100 yards wide at its mouth. According 
 to a tradition which exists among the Indians, two of the Sioux 
 died on the banks of this stream in the night. As they had no 
 marks of violence upon them, their death was at once ascribed 
 to a supernatural agency. It was hence t ailed by this tribe 
 Waconda, from their supposing it to be the residence of the 
 Master of Life, or Great Spirit. 
 
 A short distance below the mouth of this stream, arc the re¬ 
 mains of an ancient village. Several walls are still to be seen. 
 
 White river, a large navigable stream, rises in the Black 
 mountains, which separate the waters of the Arkansas from 
 those of the Missouri and Mississippi, and running a southeast 
 course, empties into the Mississippi eighty miles below the St. 
 Francis. Very little is as yet known of this stream, and it is 
 very doubtful whether any part of it is within the limits of this 
 state. But as the boundary line between Missouri and the ter¬ 
 ritory of Arkansas is still undefined, i have, upon the authority 
 of several authors, laid down White river on the map as run¬ 
 ning through the south-western part of this state. 
 
 White river. North fork of, a large stream, running through 
 the south-western part of the state. 
 
 White-water creek , runs through the counties of Cape Girar¬ 
 deau and Scott. 
 
 Wier’s creek , a small stream of Cole county, runs a devious 
 course, and empties into the Missouri on the right side, in town¬ 
 ship 44 north, in range 11, west of the 5th principal meridian. 
 
336 
 
 GAZETTEER OF MISSOURI. 
 
 The permanent capital of the state is situated at the mouth of 
 this creek. 
 
 Wild-Horse creek , a small stream of St. Louis county. 
 
 Winchester , the seat of justice for the county of New-Madrid, 
 22 miles north of the town of New-Madrid. 
 
 Wolf creek , a tributary of the St. Francis river, running 
 through the counties of St. Francois and Madison. 
 
 Yungar river, heads between White river of the Mississippi, 
 and the grand fork of the Osage, and pursuing a course north¬ 
 east, empties into the Osage, about 25 miles above Great Gravel 
 river. The Indians call it Ne-hun-gar; from the vast number 
 of springs at its source- It is supposed to be nearly as exten¬ 
 sive as the Osage ; navigable for 100 miles, and is celebrated 
 for the abundance of bear, found on its branches. On its 
 banks are the hunting grounds of the Chassieurs du Bois, of 
 Louisiana, the Usages and Greeks, (or Musk ogees) a wandering 
 party of which have established themselves here ; between 
 whom and the French traders, frequent skirmishes take place. 
 About 20 miles above the mouth of this stream, is said to be a 
 curious cascade, of more than a hundred feet fall in the distance 
 of four hundred yards ; the water issues from a large spring, 
 and is precipitated over three different ledges of rocks, and fall¬ 
 ing to the bottom, is collected into a beautiful basin, from whence 
 it flows into this river, a navigable stream*. This is perhaps a 
 situation for machinery, equal to any ever discovered, and is the 
 more desirable, as the neighbourhood has a considerable body of 
 good land. The hills are covered with timber, and are filled 
 with abundance of lead and iron ore. 
 
 Zenon creek , a small stream of Cape Girardeau county. The 
 town of Jackson is situated between two branches of it. 
 
 t Brackenridge. 
 
no. r. 
 
 In page 41, it is stated, that Col. J. Johnson , during the last 
 session of congress, obtained the exclusive right of working the 
 lead mines in the northwestern part of Illinois, for three jears. 
 This statement was made upon authority which I had no reason 
 to question. From the following documents, however, (which I 
 was unable to obtain until after the above was printed,) it ap¬ 
 pears, that on this subject I have been misinformed. These do¬ 
 cuments are here published, not only because they correct this 
 error, but because they contain much valuable information con¬ 
 cerning the lead mines. They were transmitted from the ord¬ 
 nance department, through the secretary of war and president 
 of the United States, to the senate, in May, 1822. 
 
 —o— 
 
 Ordnance Department, May 3d, 1822. 
 
 Sir: In obedience to your directions, I have the honour to 
 submit herewith copies of all the documents on record in this 
 office, which have relation to the lead mine lands of the United 
 States, and furnishing all the information called for by the se¬ 
 nate on the 25th of April, which this department is at this time 
 enabled to give upon the subject. 
 
 The papers referred to are as follows : 
 
 Those marked A, containing the letters addressed from this 
 office to the persons applying for leases of a portion of the above 
 lands ; with instructions to sundry officers, issued by the de¬ 
 partment of war and this office, for aiding in locating and sur¬ 
 veying the lands embraced in said leases. 
 
 That marked B, being a copy of the report made by this office 
 to the department of war, furnishing all the information received 
 respecting those mine lands ; with the proposal of a plan for 
 rendering them more productive to the public revenue. 
 
 The paper marked U, containing a copy of a conditional lease, 
 proposed by this department in the cases of Carneal and Johnson, 
 and others, to be linally acted upon hereafter. 
 
 I have the honour to be, sir, very repectfully, 
 
 Your most obedient servant. 
 
 G: BOMFORD, 
 
 Lieutenant Colonel on ordnance duty , 
 Hon. J. C. Calhoun, Department of War . 
 
 43 
 
338 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 A. 
 
 Copies of letters from the Ordnance Department , in relation to the 
 Lead Mine Lands of the United States . 
 
 Ordnance Department, January 4th, 1822. 
 
 Sir : I have it in direction from the honourable the secretary 
 of w ar, to state to you, that he has had under consideration the 
 proposition of Messrs, Carneal and Johnson, for leasing from 
 the United Slates such a quantity of land in the state of Illinois, 
 as the government may he disposed to grant, for the purpose, on 
 their part, of discovering and working therein the lead ore 
 which it may be supposed to contain, on such conditions a9 may 
 be mutually agreed upon. 
 
 That the secretary is disposed to encourage the proposal, so 
 far as to allow the sail) Uarneal and Johnson, and they are 
 hereby authorised, for that purpose, to proceed in the selection 
 of such a tract of land, to the amount of one hundred and sixty 
 acres, in the said state of Illinois, as they may judge will pro¬ 
 mote their views. 
 
 That upon such selection, they shall make a report ofrhe 
 same to the department of war, designatingthe precise situation, 
 boundaries, nature of the soil, and other particulars necessary 
 to an accurate knowledge thereof. 
 
 That upon receiv ing such report, and approval thereof, the 
 proposition will be taken into immediate consideration. 
 
 S am also directed to inform you, that in want of accurate in¬ 
 formation its regard to the present situation of the mine lands of 
 the United States generally ; and in order also, to take further 
 time to examine into that subject, and the laws and regulations 
 which have been passed in relation thereto, the government does 
 not deem it expedient to do any thing further in the premises, 
 than the permission now given to Messrs. Uarneal and Johnson. 
 
 lo order, however, to enable them to form a judgment of the 
 terms and conditions upon which leases will in future he grant¬ 
 ed, a form of one is herewith furnished, and according to which 
 a lease will be granted to Messrs. Uarneal and Johnson, in the 
 event of their proposal being finally accepted, of which there can 
 he little or no doubt, from the understanding which has already 
 taken place on the subject. 
 
 it may be proper to add, that the term of three years introdu¬ 
 ced into the form of a lease, now furnished, is grounded upon 
 the law of 3d March, 1807, which limits the duration of leases 
 to be granted by the president of the United States to that peri¬ 
 od ; hut in order to balance any disadr antage which'might he 
 expected t<> result therefrom to the lessees, the privilege and pre¬ 
 ference to be allowed them for a renewal of their grants, will be 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 339 
 
 so as an encouragement for the faithful performance of their en¬ 
 gagements. 
 
 Very respectfully, I am, sir, &c. 
 
 GEORGE BOMFORD, Lieut Cot 
 
 On ordnance duty . 
 
 The Hon. R M. Johnson, Senate United States . 
 
 JVote. A similar letter was addressed to Mr. Johnson on the 
 part of Messrs. Suggett and Payne. 
 
 Ordnance Department, February 1st . 1822, 
 
 Silt : In the letter which I addressed to you on the 4th of last 
 month, by order of the secretary of war, and which communica¬ 
 ted the outlines of a lease you might expect to be given to 
 Messrs. Caineal and Johnson, and to Messrs. Suggett and 
 Payne as soon as the ground was selected, I stated they would 
 be at liberty to locate any point within the state of Illinois. It 
 is since concluded not to limit the leases to that boundary, but 
 to extend their privilege of selection to any point between the 
 river Mississippi and Lake Michigan, according to the reserv a¬ 
 tions and treaties of the United States, whether the same be 
 w ithin the state of Illinois, or the territory of Michigan ; and 
 when the selection shall be made, the parties are authorized to 
 proceed to work the lead mines which may be discovered, in 
 conformity with the former stipulations. 
 
 Very respectfully, &e. 
 
 GEORGE BOMFORD, Lieut Col 
 
 On ordnance duty . 
 
 Hon. R, M. Johnson, Senate United States. 
 
 Ondnance Department, loth February , 1822. 
 
 Sir : I have it in direction from the honorable the secretary of 
 war, to state to you that measures are in contemplation requiring 
 the co-operation of this department, and that you have been ap¬ 
 pointed, in order to render such assistance as in the service (here¬ 
 in more fully detailed) shall be deemed expedient and necessary. 
 
 The government, through the department of war, in the be¬ 
 ginning of last month, gr anted conditional leases of lands in the 
 state of Illinois, (supposed to contain lead ore,) to Messrs. Car- 
 neal & Johnson, and Messrs. Suggett & Payne, amounting to 
 160 acres to each of the two parties. A copy of those condition¬ 
 al leases is herewith furnished to you, as explaining the views 
 of government in regard to such grants in general, it has since, 
 however, been determined not to confine the locations alluded to, 
 to the state of Illinois, hut to extend the privilege to the lands 
 ceded in 1816, bv the Chippewas, Oitawas, and Pottawatamies, 
 as is more fully described in the extracts from the treaty en¬ 
 closed to you herewith, and by which you will be governed on 
 
840 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 that head. You will, immediately upon the receipt of this order, 
 prepare yourself to meet the lessees already named, on or about 
 the 1st of March, at the “ Great Crossings” of Kentucky, and 
 proreed with them in exploring the country where the locations 
 are likely to be made ; and when the sites shall he determined 
 o»» by the lessees, and decisive measures taken to work the same, 
 that you make? or cause to be made, accurate surveys thereof, 
 designating not only the precise situation of the grounds, but of 
 so much of the lands and country immediately adjoining, and 
 more or less distant, as shall convey to government, accurate 
 knowledge of the whole ; furnishing likewise such plats or maps 
 as may serve for record in the department of war. 
 
 You will cause flue care to be taken, to avoid the interfering, 
 by the present parties, with any locations or works on lead mine 
 lands, which may appear already established, under proper au¬ 
 thority ; but as the old leases from the United States (within the 
 knowledge of the department of war,) have expired, few or none, 
 it is believed, can arise. A. report, however, must be rendered 
 of every discovery that shall be made by you, or the parties 
 with w hom you shall be acting, of all lead mines, and of leases, 
 if any thereof, in order t hat government may be enabled to grant 
 proper conveyances in future, and avoid interfering with old 
 rights or claims, which may have been sanctioned by the United 
 States. 
 
 You will also take every step which shall be in your power, to 
 satisfy any inquiries or remonstrances that may be made by any 
 of the India!) tribes, and regular settlers, as to the authority 
 under which the present lessees, and yourself, shall be acting, 
 and of the views of government generally, giving, jointly with 
 the Indian agent, every support to the lessees w hich shall enable 
 them to proceed w ithout interruption or injury in their contem¬ 
 plated locations and works. 
 
 In addition to this aid, it is contemplated to give the support 
 and countenance that may be derivable, from the appearance of 
 a small portion of the regular troops, whit h may be found con¬ 
 veniently stationed for that purpose ; in w hich case (their being 
 employed at all,) you will act according to the orders which 
 may have been given by the department of war, to the com¬ 
 manding officer, and to the nature of the service, in which you 
 will be thus mutually engaged ; carefully avoiding all hostile 
 aggression upon, or collision with the Indian tribes, or the re¬ 
 gular settlers and miners. 
 
 It will he expected and required, that you render to this office 
 a monthly report of your proceedings, and oftener, if circum¬ 
 stances should admit thereof. 
 
 An extensive field for observation will be presented to you in 
 the course of your intended operations, of which it will be ex¬ 
 pected that you will take every practicable opportunity for ob¬ 
 taining information upon all points relative to lead mine and 
 mineral lands of the United States, that may prove useful to the 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 341 
 
 government, in the prosec ution of 1 heir future views and mea¬ 
 sures, and which, if performed with judgment and accuracy on 
 your part, may tend to your own personal advantage, by thus 
 recommending yourself to the favourable notice of your govern¬ 
 ment. 
 
 Respectfully, &c. 
 
 GEORGE ROMFORD, 
 
 Lt. Col. on ordnance duty. 
 
 Lieut. Clark Rfrdtne, of the Artillery, 
 
 On ordnance duty at Washington. 
 
 Department of War, February 1 3//i* 1822. 
 
 Sir: Conditional leases were grantee on the 4th January ult. 
 to Messrs. Carriea! and Johnson and to Messrs. Suggett and 
 Payne, (all of Kentucky,) for 160 acres of land to each of the 
 two parties, to he located in the «nue of Illinois, (and to be more 
 precisely described hereafter,) for the purpose on their part of 
 working any lead mines winch may be discovered by them with¬ 
 in said tract. It lias since been agreed that the said location 
 shall not be confined to the state of Illinois, hut that the pri\ilege 
 shall be extended to anv part of the lands ceded by the Ottawa, 
 Chippewa, and Pottawatamie tribes or nations of Indians, to the 
 United States, at St. Louis, on the 24th August, 1816, conform¬ 
 able to ihe treaty herewith enclosed. Ami you are hereby re¬ 
 quired to hold yourself in readiness, and to proceed with the 
 before mentioned lessees, whenever they shall apply to you for 
 that purpose, to the lands where they shall expect to open and 
 work the lead mines contained therein, and within the bounds or 
 extent of their lease, in order that you may explain to the In¬ 
 dians the \iews of the government in granting the said leases ; 
 in order to secure to the persons holding the same, the uninter¬ 
 rupted prosecution of their location, and subsequent works and 
 operations therein. 
 
 You will use as much dispatch in the performance of this ser¬ 
 vice as its nature may admit, and transmit to this department an 
 early report of your proceedings, together with such other in¬ 
 formation iu regard to the particular object in view, and of the 
 situation of other lead mines discovered and worked in the coun¬ 
 tries named in the present grant or lease, as may prove useful to 
 the government in their future views and operations in that 
 quarter. 
 
 Respectfully, &c. 
 
 JUHN C. CALHOUN. 
 
 Thomas Forsyth, Esq. Indian Agent, St Louis, Missouri. 
 
 Note .—Similar letters were addressed to Alexander Woolcott, 
 jun. and Nicholas JBoilvin, Indian agents on the Mississippi. 
 
342 
 
 appendix:. 
 
 Ordnance Department. April 1 5th 9 1822. 
 
 Sir : The applications addressed to you hy Messrs. Duff, 
 Green and others of Missouri, for leases of lead mine lands 
 from the United States, and communicated by you to the Hon. 
 secretary of war, have been laid by him before this department* 
 in v\hose charge the issuing of such leases, under the sanction of 
 the department of war and the president of the United States, has 
 recently been placed. 
 
 J have therefore the honour to state to you, for your informa¬ 
 tion, that until the business of the lead mine lands can be revived 
 under new and better regulations, and more full and direct in¬ 
 formation attained in regard thereto, (and for which measures 
 are now taking.) the government has concluded to grant leases 
 of small extent, say 160 acres of land to each applicant or com¬ 
 pany, on certain privileges and conditions, the principal of which 
 are : To continue for three years, the two first to be free from 
 rent, and on the third a rent of one tenth of the mineral raised to 
 be paid to government; the lessees to have the privilege of wood 
 to erec t their works, use of water, &c, usual in such cases, to be 
 paid at a certain valuation for the improvements they shall have 
 made at the close of the lease, if not removed by them, on the 
 land located and worked ; the selection of the land and the com¬ 
 mencement of the works (of mining) to be within nine months 
 from the date of the lease, under penalty of forfeiture thereof, 
 and no sub-lease^ allowable. 
 
 Should you think proper to desire leases for the applicants 
 now named, this office will be prepared, under the direction of 
 the secretary of war, to take such measures as may be deemed 
 requisite. 
 
 Very respectfully, &c. 
 
 GEOKGE BOMFOKD, 
 
 Lt. Col on ordnance duty. 
 
 Hon. N. Edwards, Senate United States. 
 
 Ordnance Department, April 20th, 1822. 
 
 Sir : Your letter to this department of the 18th inst request¬ 
 ing that leases of lead mine lands may be issued to Messrs. 
 Green and Estis, of Missouri, is received. 
 
 i have it in direction to state to you, that previous to making 
 an absolute lease of the lands, it will be expedient, in the present 
 want of accurate information as to the precise situation of the 
 mines, and adjacent country where they wish to make their lo¬ 
 cation, that they fix upon the sites, which shall not interfere 
 with any previous grants or leases legally given and establish¬ 
 ed ; that they cause a regular survey to be made of the quantity 
 of land, (160 acres each)and a plat or map of the same be trans¬ 
 mitted to this office, duly certified hy an United States’ survey¬ 
 or ; upon the receipt of which, they will be laid without delay 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 343 
 
 before the secretary of war for examination. The documents 
 received from the general land office leave this department in 
 doubt as to the topographical and geographical lines and limits 
 of the mine lands belonging to the United States ; and until an 
 agent or agents shall have been appointed to ascertain those 
 points* and others connected therewith, this department can do 
 no more than grant this general authority for location, to he 
 thereafter acted upon, when the same shall have been regularly 
 reported for confirmation. 
 
 Very respectfully. &c. 
 
 GEORGE ROMFORD, 
 
 Lt Col. on ordnance duty. 
 
 Hon. N. Edwards, Senate United States. 
 
 Ordnance Department. May 3d, 1822. 
 
 I certify the foregoing to be true copies from the original re¬ 
 
 cords of this ollice. 
 
 GEORGE BOMFORD, 
 Lt. Col. on ordnance duty . 
 
 B. 
 
 Reportfrom the Ordnance Department to the Honourable Secretary 
 of War , respecting the Lead Mines of the United Stutes. 
 
 Ordnance Department, 30 th March , 1822. 
 
 Sir : Conformably to your directions, I have bad under ex¬ 
 amination the papers received from the general land office, which 
 have a relation to lead mine lands of the United States, and re¬ 
 spectfully beg leave to offer the following report thereon. 
 
 Those papers or documents were found to consist of communi¬ 
 cations (letters and reports) of unconnected series, from the 
 public agents of the United States to the treasury department; 
 copies of petitions for grants, and of leases made thereon; and 
 decisions of the commissioners of the United States on old 
 claims ; together with other miscellaneous papers ; from which 
 a regular account cannot be given of those lands and mines, or 
 of afl the proceedings, public and private, which have formerly 
 taken place respecting them. 
 
 The latest dates of any of the papers are of the year 1817, hut 
 the greater part are of a much earlier period. No hooks of re¬ 
 cords of leases made, or proceedings of commissioners and 
 agents, or of moneys or mineral received or expended, have ac¬ 
 companied the papers received. 
 
 From those documents, however, it would appear, that lead 
 ore is computed to commence at Mine a la Motte, in the county 
 of St. Genevieve, Missouri, extending in a northern direction 
 as far as Mine a Dubuque, below Prairie du Cliien, on the west 
 side of the Mississippi, and probably across the river at that 
 
344 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 place, averaging in breadth about 25 miles from cast to west; 
 that most of the mines worked were in Washington county, St. 
 Louis district, about 35 miles south of the river Missouri, their 
 extent about 50 miles in circumference. Those particularly 
 noted arc : Mine a Burton, near the centre of them, (the whole 
 number is stated ai 33 to 45;) Mine a la Motte, the most ex¬ 
 tensive in the range, and in Madison county ; Shibboleth Mines, 
 discovered in 1811, and very productive. (A Mr. Smith was a 
 claimant for a part, and also a Mr. Lebeautne.) Mine Renault, 
 Bryan’s Mines, and Mine a Martin. 
 
 In addition : Mines a Dubuque, very extensive and rich, 
 within the territory attached to the state of Missouri, on the west 
 side of the Mississippi, below Prairie du Chien, the title to 
 which appears to have remained unsettled, being claimed by 
 heirs or assignees of Dubuque, and by A. Chouteau ; and great 
 injury is supposed to have resulted to the United States, from 
 those and other claims not having been satisfactorily adjusted 
 by the former commission©**^ 
 
 Mines of lesser magnitude were worked in various sections 
 of the late Missouri territory, and other districts on the Missis¬ 
 sippi, of the actual value or proceeds of which there appears no 
 precise or authentic accounts from the papers received. There 
 are also in the state of Illinois, numerous mine lands, and chiefly 
 in the district ceded by the Sac and Fox Indians, some of them 
 contiguous to the Rock river, and others nearly bordering upon 
 the Mississippi; others within the United States’ reservation in 
 the southeast part of that state. Recent verbal information, from 
 respectable authority, also states the existence of lead mines in 
 that part between the southern boundary of Lake Michigan and 
 the river Mississippi, ceded in 1816 by the Ottawa, Chippewa, 
 and Pottauatarnie nations or tribes of Indians, to the United 
 States. In addition, all the accounts agree in representing that 
 new discoveries of lead mines were continually making, and 
 many, it was supposed, were kept secret, until purchases of the 
 lands could he made of the United States. 
 
 The towns of Burton and Potosi were the principal settle¬ 
 ments in the Missouri mine tracts. Herculaneum, on the Mis¬ 
 sissippi, 35 miles from the Mine a Burton, and Genevieve, lower 
 dow n the river, were the principal places of depot of lead for 
 transportation. 
 
 The leases w hich appear to have been formerly granted, have 
 expired ; and it is stated by respectable persons, that there are 
 at present no mines know n to be worked in any of the mining 
 districts, under any regular leases or authority ; but that many 
 in the last year were worked in the state of Missouri, without 
 such authority, and chiefly by new settlers and emigrants. 
 
 Of the value of the mines, it may he noticed, that Mine a Bur¬ 
 ton was computed to yield about 500,000 pounds of mineral per 
 annum ; and that the Shibboleth mines might have been made 
 to produce to the United States about Si 0,000 per annum. Mr. 
 
appendix. 
 
 345 
 
 Schoolcraft, in more recent accounts, states the receipts of lead 
 from the mines as probably rising beyond three millions of 
 pounds per annum, (from the mines of Missouri,) and Iris verbal 
 information, given at this office since, rates the receipts of 1821 
 at a much greater amount. 
 
 The lessees of mining lands, it was stated by one of the in¬ 
 formants of the treasury department, had not been properly sup¬ 
 ported by government; having been constantly involved in law 
 suits and disputes with claimants under old Spanish grants, and 
 by intruders, which proved often ruinous to their undertakings. 
 
 From the various evidence adduced, there can be no doubt but 
 that all the mines might be made more and greatly productive 
 under new and better regulations. There does not appear, 
 among the papers now produced, any account of what has been 
 the actual receipt, by the United States, of the mineral raised 
 from the numerous discoveries of lands producing it; and in¬ 
 deed it would, on the contrary, appear that no rents have been 
 received from them. The value of those lands and mines cannot 
 therefore be estimated but from general information, as already 
 given in this report. Many of those which have been worked, 
 are supposed to be inexhaustible; and suitable encouragement 
 in future would, there can be no doubt, lead to additional and 
 equally valuable discoveries. Among other means which might 
 be devised for rendering the mine lands more productive to the 
 United States, I would respectfully suggest the following: 
 
 An agent or commissioner to be appointed and established in 
 a central position, for the principal mining districts ; empower¬ 
 ed to grant new leases, to hear all complaints, and fully author¬ 
 ised to give prompt redress, and to act as a general guardian of 
 the whole public domains; that he should be accompanied by a 
 competent commissioned officer, in order to make surveys of the 
 mining lands, which should be found to belong to the U. States, 
 and of new discoveries ; and to make frequent and regular re¬ 
 ports of such surveys, and every other information obtained, as 
 to the quantity of mineral produced. The agent to be charged 
 with keeping an office of record of all leases and surveys. 
 
 Large leases, or monopolies of large tracts of mining lands to 
 be prohibited, by granting them in small parcels of 160 to 200 
 acres : it having been discovered that they have formerly been 
 issued in tracts of several thousand acres, and that no beneficial 
 effects had resulted from such an extension. 
 
 The duration of the leases to be agreeably to the law of 1807, 
 lor three years ; the two first to be free from rent, and the lessee 
 to have the privilege and preference (on his having duly com¬ 
 plied with its stipulations,) of renewal at the expiration of bis 
 lease, which provision would serve as an encouragement to work 
 the mines without waste ; and leases should become void if not 
 worked within nine months from the date thereof. 
 
 The lessee to be debarred from underletting or transferring 
 
 44 
 
346 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 any part of the lands leased to him, under the penalty of forfeit¬ 
 ure of sueh lease. 
 
 The improvements made by the lessee (buildings, works, &c.) 
 to be repaid by government, or the succeeding lessee, at a fair 
 valuation ; but the United States not to pay, in any rase, more 
 than one half the produce of the rent which shall have been ac¬ 
 tually received. 
 
 The rate of annual rent to be one tenth of nett proceeds, to be 
 paid in mineral, clean and prepared for smelting, or an equiva¬ 
 lent, in lead, quarterly or semi-annually, at some convenient 
 place of depot, to the agent empowered by government. 
 
 The United States to have the privilege of inspecting, through 
 its agent, from time to time, the progress making by the lessees 
 in their works, receiving an account of their produce ; and to 
 enforce, if necessary, a compliance with their engagements. 
 
 That security be required for the faithful performance of all 
 leases. 
 
 That as soon as the loading or general information now col¬ 
 lecting and arranging by this office, shall bo consolidated, lessees 
 be invited by public advertisement throughout the United States, 
 upon the preceding conditions ; in order that full information 
 may be afforded, and a fair competition excited for rendering 
 the mine lands of the United States productive, in the highest 
 practicable degr ee, to the public revenue. 
 
 I beg leave to add, that this report would have been prepared 
 sooner, hut from the expectation of collecting, from other sources 
 than the documents alluded to, some additional information ; and 
 that the officer recently sent from this department with your 
 sanction to the mine land districts in Illinois, will probably fur¬ 
 nish, within a few months, such further intelligence as may serve 
 as a surer guide to future operations 
 
 Respectfully submitted, 
 
 GEORGE ROMFORD, 
 Lt. Colonel on ordnance duty . 
 
 To the Hon. J. C. Calhoun, Department of War. 
 
 Ordnance Department, 3d May, 1822. 
 
 I certify the foregoing to be a true copy from the original re¬ 
 port rendered to the department of war. 
 
 GEORGE ROMFORD, 
 Lt. Colonel on ordnance duty. 
 
 C. 
 
 Form of a Lease of Mine Lands, proposed by the Ordnance Depart¬ 
 ment, in the case of Car neat and Johnson. 
 
 This Indenture, made and entered into this-day of- 
 
 1822, between-, agent for the government of the United 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 347 
 
 States, of the one part, and Thomas D. Carneal and Benjamin 
 Johnson, of the state of Kentucky, of the other part, Witness- 
 cth, That the said agent, as aforesaid, for and in consideration 
 of the rents, covenants, and agreements hereinafter mentioned, 
 doth by these presents grant, demise, lease, and to farm let unto 
 the said Carneal and Johnson, their heirs and representatives, 
 one hundred and sixty acres of land, the property of the United 
 States, lying and being in the state of Illinois, and in the vicinity 
 of Rock river, to be more particularly located as hereinafter 
 mentioned. To have and to hold the said land and premises, 
 with its appurtenances, unto the said Carneal and Johnson, their 
 heirs and legal representatives, for the full term of three years 
 from and after the time the said land shall be designated, and 
 the mining arid manufacturing of the lead therein commenced 
 by said Carneal and Johnson, their heirs, &c. upon the consi¬ 
 derations following, to wit: That the said Carneal and Johnson 
 shall, during the continuance of the aforesaid term of three years, 
 be at liberty to dig for, and take from any part of the said land, 
 as much lead ore as they may think lit; also to erect thereon 
 such buildings and works for the manufacture of lead, and for 
 the accommodation of those who shall be engaged in the esta¬ 
 blishment, as in their opinion the success of the undertaking 
 may require. Said improvements to be valued at the termination 
 of this lease, and to be paid for by the United States, or by the 
 subsequent lessee, if rented to any other than the said Carneal 
 and Johnson : Provided, that the United States shall not pay r 
 more for said improvements than one half of the amount of lead 
 which shall have been previously received by government on 
 said lease. Secondly : 'Chat inasmuch as the precise ground 
 cannot he selected at this moment, it is hereby covenanted and 
 agreed between the parties aforesaid, that the said Carneal and 
 Johnson shall make a selection of the precise ground they mean 
 to occupy, and commence the working of the lead mines upon 
 said land within the period of nine months from this date ; and 
 upon failure to make such selection and to commence such work 
 within the time herein prescribed, this lease shall be null and 
 void. Third : That said Carneal and Johnson shall have the 
 benefit of said mines for the term of two years, free from the 
 payment of any rent whatever ; and said Carneal and Johnson 
 engage and bind themselves and heirs to pay to said agent afore¬ 
 said, or to his order, or to the order of the government, one 
 tenth part of all the mineral which shall be collected from said 
 mine or mines of lead during the third year of this lease, quar¬ 
 terly or otherwise, as said agent or t lie government may require, 
 the mineral to be clean and prepared for smelting, to be deliver¬ 
 ed at the works upon the land, to said agent, or any agent of the 
 government. Fourth: That the said Carneal and Johnson shall 
 lie at liberty to clear, enclose, and cultivate any part of said 
 land, from whence the wood shall have been taken lor said lead 
 
 works : but thev shall cut no limber but what shall be necessary 
 * * 
 
348 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 for buildings, fencing, and the operation of said manufactory ; 
 and generally shall commit no waste. Fifth : That the said 
 Carneal and Johnson engage to render to said agent, or the go¬ 
 vernment, a quarterly account of all the minerals raised ai the 
 digging or diggings in which they may engage. Sixth : The 
 United States shall at all times have the privilege of inspecting 
 the operations and books and papers relative to working said 
 mines, or any of them, by the said Carneal and Johnson, on the 
 lands aforesaid, to ascertain the quantity of lead manufactured 
 by them, or to demand a compliance with all the conditions sti¬ 
 pulated herein. 
 
 It is also hereby conditioned between the parties, that this 
 lease shall not in any manner interfere with any previous lease, 
 if such lease should be in operation, otherwise that said Carneal 
 and Johnson have the right to make the location of the said one 
 hundred and sixty acres of land, and when so located, the same 
 shall be meted and bounded by the agent of the government of 
 the United States, whenever lie shall be sent for that purpose, 
 and his report of the metes and bounds shall be the boundary of 
 said Carneal and Johnson. It is further expressly stipulated 
 ami agreed upon between the contracting parties hereto, that 
 the said Carneal and Johnson shall not in any manner make 
 sub leases of the premises, under the penalty of a forfeiture of 
 the lease ; and it is also expressly agreed and stipulated, that 
 the said Carneal and Johnson shall have the privilege or right 
 to renew the lease at the termination of the three years as afore¬ 
 said, and the said agent agrees to give the preference to said 
 Carneal and Johnson, for said renewal, over all other persons ; 
 proxided the stipulations and conditions of this lease be complied 
 with by said Carneal and Johnson. 
 
 Signed, sealed, &c, &c. 
 
i 
 
 NO. II. 
 
 LISTS OF HOADS AND DISTANCES FROM ST. LOUIS. 
 
 From St. Louis to Washington City. 
 
 Graham’s 16 
 
 Thompson’s, [Shoal creek] 25 
 Ka.-kaskia river 9 
 
 Young’s 20 
 
 Brinberry’s 20 
 
 Little Wabash 20 
 
 Fox river 10 
 
 Gatewood’s J 2 
 
 Higgins’s 10 
 
 Vincennes 15 
 
 Liverpool 22 
 
 Sholt’s on E.forkWhite riv. 18 
 French lick 12 
 
 Chambers’s 16 
 
 Davis’s 16 
 
 Louisville 19 
 
 Middletown 12 
 
 Caplinger’s 14 
 
 New-Castle 14 
 
 Simpson’s ferry [Ky. riv.] 12 
 Eagle creek, [Sanders’s] 11 
 Stewart’s 15 
 
 Big Bone 10 
 
 Covington,opposite Cincin. 20 
 Columbia 6 
 
 Newtown 4 
 
 Batavia 10 
 
 Williamsburg 6 
 
 Florence 12 
 
 New-Market 10 
 
 Willis’s 22 
 
 Bainbridge 6 
 
 Denny’s 8 
 
 Chillicothe 10 
 
 M’Coy’s 6 
 
 Craig’s 6 
 
 Pursley’s 11 
 
 New-Lancaster 11 
 
 Canaway’s 8 
 
 Beard’s 
 
 10 
 
 Zanesville 
 
 12 
 
 Brown’s 
 
 9 
 
 Morrison’s 
 
 5 
 
 Spear’s 
 
 4 
 
 Will’s creek 
 
 3 
 
 Henry Beamer’s 
 
 6 
 
 Smith’s 
 
 6 
 
 Wherry’s 
 
 5 
 
 Enlow’s 
 
 8 
 
 M’Donald’s 
 
 9 
 
 St. Clairsville 
 
 •v 
 
 4 
 
 Wheeling 
 
 10 
 
 Reefer’s 
 
 6 
 
 Alexandria 
 
 10 
 
 M’Cracken’s 
 
 7 
 
 Washington 
 
 10 
 
 Cannonsburg 
 
 7 
 
 Pittsburg (Total to P. 662) 18 
 
 Findley’s 
 
 9 
 
 Ginger Hill 
 
 11 
 
 Brownsville 
 
 13 
 
 Uniontown 
 
 12 
 
 Stark’s 
 
 6 
 
 Clemment’s 
 
 6 
 
 Clark’s [forks of roads] 
 
 4 
 
 Smith’s, at Bridge 
 
 7 
 
 Bough’s 
 
 1 
 
 Simpkins’s 
 
 7 
 
 Tomlinson’s 
 
 11 
 
 Musselman’s 
 
 10 
 
 Gwin’s [forks of the road] 
 
 5 
 
 Crissapstown 
 
 4 
 
 Franktbrd 
 
 9 
 
 Springfield 
 
 6 
 
 Coxe’s 
 
 9 
 
 Gale’s 
 
 6 
 
 Higgins’s, at Great creek 
 
 5 
 
 Rogers’s 
 
 6 
 
350 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 Ronomie’s 
 
 O 
 
 Pewton 
 
 6 
 
 'Winchester 
 
 9 
 
 Charlestown 
 
 22 
 
 Key’s ferry 
 
 5 
 
 Hillsborough 
 
 8 
 
 Lacey’s 
 
 8 
 
 Leesburgh 
 
 6 
 
 Hummer’s 
 
 12 
 
 From St. 
 
 Louis to F 
 
 St. Charles 
 
 20 
 
 Counts 
 
 9 
 
 Pond Fort 
 
 12 
 
 Journey’s 
 
 15 
 
 Camp Branch 
 
 12 
 
 Williamson’s 
 
 15 
 
 Loutre lick 
 
 7 
 
 Ward’s 
 
 14 
 
 Watson’s 
 
 6 
 
 Cedar creek 
 
 20 
 
 Willey’s 
 Fall's church 
 Potomac Bridge 
 Georgetown 
 W ashington City 
 Total from P. to W. C. 254 
 miles—from St. Louis to 
 W. C. 916 miles. 
 
 10 
 
 6 
 
 8 
 
 EstelPs 
 Gray urn’s 
 Thrall’s 
 Arnold’s 
 Franklin 
 Chariton 
 Ferril’s ferry 
 Fort Osage 
 
 Total 
 
 4 
 10 
 10 
 
 5 
 15 
 22 
 12 
 69 
 
 276 
 
 From St. Louis to the Falls of Missouri, and thence to the Pacific 
 
 Ocean. 
 
 St. Charles 
 
 20 
 
 Gasconade river 
 
 79 
 
 Osage river 
 
 33 
 
 Manitou river 
 
 51 
 
 Kansas river 
 
 158 
 
 River Platte 
 
 260 
 
 Bend of the river 
 
 209 
 
 Big Sioux river 
 
 44 
 
 White Stone river 
 
 65 
 
 Upper part of great bend 
 
 284 
 
 Fort Marnlan 
 
 398 
 
 ( 
 
 Little Missouri river 90 
 
 Yellow Stone river 190 
 
 Portage at great falls 695 
 
 Dividing ridge of the 
 Rocky mountains 68 
 
 Clark’s liver 104 
 
 Columbia river 168 
 
 Lewis’s river 73 
 
 Great falls of Columbia 306 
 
 Pacific ocean 261 
 
 Total 3556-. 
 
 From St. Louis to Shawneetown, 
 
 Mrs. Ford’s 
 
 20 
 
 Jordan’s 
 
 40 
 
 Prairie du Roc her 
 
 25 
 
 Saline 
 
 25 
 
 Kaskaskia 
 
 15 
 
 Shawneetown 
 
 25 
 
 Bower in au’s 
 
 16 
 
 d mm 
 
 , 
 
 Cox’s 
 
 20 j 
 
 Total 
 
 186 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 351 
 
 From St. Louis to New-Orleans, bij Nashville 9 Tenn . 
 
 Mrs. Ford’s 20 
 
 Prairie da Rocher 25 
 
 Kaskaskia 15 
 
 Bower man’s 16 
 
 Cox’s, at Beaucoup 20 
 
 Jackson’s, at Little Muddy 12 
 Big Muddy 12 
 
 Griffith’s 16 
 
 Simpson’s, on Big Bay 22 
 Ferguson’s old ferry 20 
 
 Salem in Ky. 15 
 
 Centreville 9 
 
 Mrs. Prince’s 16 
 
 Hopkinsville 2 7 
 
 Level’s 15 
 
 West’s 17 
 
 Nashville 32 
 
 Franklin 18 
 
 Bond’s 8 
 
 Elisha Rhodes’s 14 
 
 Dr. Gordon’s 10 
 
 Keg spring 8 
 
 Dobbins’s 9 
 
 Grinder’s [line] 6 
 
 M’Clish’s 3 
 
 Indian house 13 
 
 Factor’s son 5 
 
 Indian house 5 
 
 ditto 14 
 
 ditto 4 
 
 ditto 6 
 
 G. Colbert’s [T.] 10 
 
 Levi Colbert’s 7 
 
 Underwood’s, b. c. 5 
 
 Good spring 12 
 
 Tushcacuta 12 
 
 Brown’s 6 
 
 Ahbachatubbe 15 
 
 Factor’s 4 
 
 Indian house 3 
 
 Glover’s 2 
 
 Jefferson’s 11 
 
 Fulcher’s 
 
 1 
 
 Kenpe’s 
 
 3 
 
 Aih-n or Colbert’s 
 
 8 
 
 M’Gee’s 
 
 8 
 
 G. Petti grove’s 
 
 8 
 
 Perry’s son 
 
 T 
 
 4 
 
 Underwood’s 
 
 10 
 
 W all’s line 
 
 8 
 
 Folsom’s jr. 
 
 11 
 
 Bla< k’s 
 
 5 
 
 Mitchell’s 
 
 8 
 
 Nelson’s 
 
 o 
 
 M’Curdy’s 
 
 3 
 
 Leo. La Fleur’s 
 
 7 
 
 Harkin or Long’s 
 
 5 
 
 M’ Comen’s 
 
 6 
 
 Ruchannan’s 
 
 t 
 
 M. La Fleur’s 
 
 1 
 
 Shoat’s 
 
 12 
 
 Anderson’s 
 
 6 
 
 Cranden’s 
 
 12 
 
 N orton’s 
 
 14 
 
 Kenney’s 
 
 12 
 
 Ward’s 
 
 4 
 
 Brashier’s 
 
 14 
 
 Dinsmore’s 
 
 4 
 
 Osborne’s 
 
 8 
 
 Burrows’s 
 
 10 
 
 Hay’s 
 
 5 
 
 M’Raven’s [line] 
 
 26 
 
 Robinson’s 
 
 9 
 
 Grindstone Ford 
 
 9 
 
 Gibson Port 
 
 8 
 
 Trimble’s 
 
 9 
 
 Greenville 
 
 12 
 
 Union Town 
 
 6 
 
 Seltzer’s Town 
 
 6 
 
 Washington 
 
 6 
 
 Natchez 
 
 6 
 
 Total to Natchez 819 
 
 From St. Louis to 
 
 Marine settlement 
 Greenville 
 
 Vandalia, the capital of Illinois. 
 
 Van dal ia ig 
 
 Total 65- 
 
 25 
 
 22 
 
APPENDIX 
 
 / 
 
 I 
 
 From, St. Louis to the sources of the Mississippi by water. 
 
 Illinois river SO 
 
 Salt river 103 
 
 Hurricane settlement 36 
 
 Riviere ties Moines 64 
 
 U. S Agricultural estab. 16 
 
 Sa<’ village and prairie 40 
 
 Largest Sac village 100 
 
 Rock river 1 
 
 Lead mines 127 
 
 Turkey river 25 
 
 Ouisconsin river 68 
 
 Upper Iowa river 40 j 
 
 Lake Pepin 121 | 
 
 Falls of St. Anthony 102 
 
 Dickson’s wint. ground 122 
 
 Pike’s blockhouse 71 
 
 River de Corbeau 64 
 
 Pine river 72 
 
 1st settlemt. of N. W. Co. 20 
 2d do. do. 81 
 
 3d do. do. 40 
 
 Falls of Pakagama 15 
 
 Lake Winnipeck 45 
 
 U. Cedar lake and set¬ 
 tlement of N. VV. Co. 15 
 
 Total 1418- 
 
 From St. Louis to Fort Clark on the Illinois river , by water. 
 
 Mouth of the Missouri 20 
 
 Mouth of the Illinois 25 
 
 Evelin’s 25 
 
 Apple creek 24 
 
 Robison trading house 12 
 
 M’&ee’s creek 22 
 
 Hens’ trading house, near 
 mouth of Crooked creek 24 
 
 Moreau’s trading house 24 
 
 Otter creek 6 
 
 Constant trading house 18 
 
 Fort Clark 45 
 
 Total 245- 
 


 
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