TABULAR VIEW OF THE COUNTIES.
Counties.Date of Formation.Square Miles.Votes in 1834.Population 1835.Seats of Justice.Bearing and distance from Vandalia.Adams,18258207287042Quincy,175n. w.Alexander,18193752492050Unity,135s.Bond,18173605193580Greenville,19w. s. w.Calhoun,18252601511091Gilhead,134w. n. w.Champaign,18338641021045Urbanna,103n. n. e.Clark,18195004513413Darwin,[A] or Marshall,82e. n. e.Clay,18246201721648Maysville,50s. e.Clinton,18245004142648Carlyle,28s. s. w.Crawford,18163785193540Palestine,100e.Coles,183012486805125Charleston,75n. e.Cook,1830[B]5289826Chicago,268n. n. e.Edgar,18236487886668Paris,100n. e.Edwards,18142002392006Albion,96s. e.Effingham,18314861291055Ewington,29e. n. e.Fayette,18216846653638Vandalia,Franklin,18188507595551Frankfort,83s.Fulton,18255906075917Lewistown,135n. n. w.Gallatin,181282813128660Equality,100s. s. e.Greene,1821912136012274Carrollton,90w. n. w.Hamilton,18213784602877McLeansboro',76s. s. e.Hancock,18257753573249Carthage,180n. w.Henry (notorganized)1925800—118—210n. n. w.Iroquois,1833[B]671164(Not established)165n. n. e.Jackson,18165763542783Brownsville,96s. s. w.Jasper,1831288—415Newton,60e.Jefferson,18195764553350Mount Vernon,48s. s. e.Jo Daviess,1827[B]4924038Galena, (n.n.w.)300n. n. w.Johnson,18124863162166Vienna,120s.Knox,18257921801600Knoxville,182n. n. w.Lasalle,1831[B]2894754Ottawa,187n.Lawrence,18215606184450Lawrenceville,88e. s. e.Macon,18294042923022Decatur,75n.Madison,181275013079016Edwardsville,58w.Macoupen,18297206245554Carlinville,55w. n. w.Marion,18235763722844Salem,25s. s. e.McDonough18255763042883Macomb,155n. w.McLean,183019164965311Bloomington,120n.Mercer,1825558—497New Boston,209n. w.Monroe,18163604492660Waterloo,72s. w.Montgomery ,18219604753740Hillsboro',28n. w.Morgan,18231150271719214Jacksonville,91n. w.Peoria,18256482233220Peoria,141n. n. w.Perry,18274462732201Pinckneyville,71s. s. w.Pike,18218006576037Pittsfield,126w. n. w.Pope,18165764443756Golconda,130s. s. ePutnam,182513403834021Hennepin,80n.Randolph,17955408145695Kaskaskia,90s. s. w.Rock Island,183137783616Stephenson,20n. w.Sangamon,18211234221917573Springfield,79n. n. w.Schuyler,18258646806361Rushville,128n. w.Shelby,182710806364848Shelbyville,40n. n. e.St. Clair,1795103011839055Belleville,64w. s. w.Tazewell,182711304335850Tremont,131n.Union,18183965454156Jonesboro',120s.Vermillion,1826100010258103Danville,135n. e.Wabash,18241804413010Mount Carmel,95s. e.Warren,18259002662623Monmouth,184n. w.Washington,18186563333292Nashville,48s. s. w.Wayne,18195764712939Fairfield,76s. e.White,18155169776489Carmi,103s. e.[A] It is expected the seat of justice of Clark county will be removed toMarshall, 10 miles N. W. from Darwin, and on the National Road. The distance is computed to Marshall.[B] These counties have been recently subdivided, and their superficial area is not known.
TABULAR VIEW CONTINUED
New Counties formed, Jan. 1836.Date of Formation.Square Miles.Votes in 1834.Population in 1835.Seats of Justice.Will,1836Juliett.Whiteside,1836These counties were taken fromKane,1836Jo Daviess, Lasalle, Cook, andOgle,1836Iroquois. The seats of justice notMcHenry,1836established, and much of the landWinnebago,1836unsurveyed, though rapidly settling.Total,34,102272,427
SKETCHES OF EACH COUNTY.
Adams.—The streams are Bear creek and branches, Cedar, Tyrer, Mill, Fall, and Pigeon creeks, with the Mississippi river on its western border. Timber various, with equal portions of prairie. First rate county.
Alexander.—In the forks of the Ohio and Mississippi, with Cash river through it. All timbered,—half alluvion,—some inundated at high water,—lime and sandstone on the Ohio;—soil, generally rich.
Bond.—Shoal creek and its branches through it, with Hurricane creek on the east side;—proportioned into timber and prairie;—rather level,—second rate. Sandstone, coal, and salt springs.
Calhoun.—Long and narrow, in the forks of the Illinois and Mississippi;—alluvial and sometimes inundated along the rivers;—broken bluffs and interior table land;—good soil;—prairies at the foot of the bluffs. Coal, lime and sandstone.
Champaign.—The streams are the heads of the Kaskaskia, Sangamon, Vermillion of Illinois, Salt Fork of the Vermillion of the Wabash, and the Embarras, all running in opposite directions. Extensive prairies, a little undulating and rich;—timber in groves;—many granite bowlders.
Clark.—North Fork of Embarras, Mill and Big creeks. Timber and prairie,—second rate soil.
Clay.—Watered by Little Wabash and tributaries. Two thirds prairie,—of inferior quality,—rather level and wet.
Clinton.—Kaskaskia river, with its tributaries, Crooked, Shoal, Beaver and Sugar creeks, pass through it. Equally proportioned into timber and prairie. Soil, second rate; surface, a little undulating.
Coles.—The Kaskaskia, Embarras, and heads of the Little Wabash water it. Much excellent land,—much undulating, rich prairie;—some level and wet land in the southeastern part. Timber in sufficient quantities.
Cook.—Adjoins Lake Michigan, and has the branches of Chicago, Des Plaines, Du Page, Au Sable and Hickory creeks. Surface, tolerably level; rich soil,—extensive prairies,—timber in groves;—a few swamps. Plenty of limestone, and the streams run over rocky beds.
Crawford.—The Wabash river on its eastern side, with Lamotte, Hudson, Raccoon andSugar creeks. Some level prairies, rather sandy, with a full supply of timber.
Edgar.—Watered by Big, Clear, and Brulette's creeks on the eastern, and Little Embarras on its western side. Southern and eastern sides timbered; northern and western sides much prairie; some undulating,—some level and rather wet. Grand View is a delightful tract of country.
Edwards.—The Little Wabash on its western, and Bon Pas on its eastern border. Several prairies, high, undulating, and bounded by heavy timber. Soil, second quality.
Effingham.—Watered by the Little Wabash and its tributaries; due proportion of timber and prairie; tolerably level,—second rate.
Fayette.—Kaskaskia river, Hurricane, Higgens', Ramsey's and Beck's creeks. The bottom lands on the Kaskaskia low, and inundated at high water; considerable prairie; much heavy timber; soil, second rate.
Franklin.—Watered by the Big Muddy and its branches, and the South Fork of Saline creek. The prairies small, fertile and level,—timber plenty,—soil rather sandy.
Fulton.—The Illinois on the south-eastern side, with Spoon river and several small creeks through it. About half heavily timbered, with rich, undulating prairies; streams flow over a pebbly bed; soil, first rate.
Gallatin.—Joins the Wabash and Ohio rivers, and has the Saline and branches running through it. Soil, sandy, with sand rock,limestone, quartz crystals, excellent salines, &c. Timber of various kinds; no prairies.
Greene.—Has the Mississippi south, the Illinois west, with Otter, Macoupen and Apple creeks. Much excellent land, both timber and prairie, in due proportion, with abundance of lime and sandstone, and coal.
Hamilton.—Watered by branches of the Saline, and Little Wabash; a large proportion timbered land; soil, second and third rate, with some swamp in the northern part. Sandstone and some lime.
Hancock.—Besides the Mississippi, it has a part of Bear, Crooked, and Camp creeks; large prairies; timber along the streams; rich, first rate land.
Henry.—Has Rock river north, with Winnebago swamp, and its outlet on Green river, and one of the heads of Spoon river, and Edwards river interior. Some rich, undulating prairies and groves, with considerable wet, swampy land. Not much population.
Iroquois.—Kankakee, Iroquois and Sugar creek. Sand ridges and plains; much rich prairie; some timber, but deficient. It is found chiefly in groves and strips along the water courses.
Jackson.—Has the Mississippi on the southwest, and Muddy river running diagonally through it, with some of its tributaries. Some prairies in the north-eastern part,—much heavy timber,—some hilly and broken land,—with abundance of coal, saline springs, lime and sandstone.
Jasper.—The Embarras runs through it, and the Muddy Fork of the Little Wabash waters its western side. Much of both the prairie and timbered land is level and rather wet; some fertile tracts.
Jefferson.—Watered by several branches of the Big Muddy and Little Wabash. Soil, second rate; surface, a little undulating; one third prairie; several sulphur and other medicinal springs.
Jo Daviess.—Formerly embraced all the State north-west of Rock river, but recently divided into three or four counties. Besides the Mississippi, it has Fever river, Pekatonokee, Apple river, and Rush and Plum creeks. A rich county, both for agricultural and mining purposes. Timber scarce, and in groves; surface undulating,—in some places hilly; well watered by streams and springs, and has good mill sites. Copper and lead ore in abundance.
Johnson.—The Ohio on the south, Cash river and Big Bay creek, and a series of lakes or ponds interior. A timbered country, tolerably level; soil sandy, with considerable quantities of second rate land.
Knox.—Watered by Henderson and Spoon rivers, and their tributaries. The prairies large, moderately undulating, and first quality of soil, with excellent timber along the water courses.
Lasalle.—Besides the Illinois river, which passes through it, Fox river, Big and Little Vermillion, Crow, Au Sable, Indian, Mason, Tomahawk, and other creeks, water this county. They generally run on a bed of sand or lime rock, and have but little alluvial bottom lands. Deficient in timber, but has an abundance of rich, undulating prairie, beautiful groves, abundant water privileges, and extensive coal banks.
Lawrence.—The Wabash east, Fox river west, and Embarras and Raccoon through it. An equal proportion of timber and prairie, some excellent, other parts inferior,—and some bad, miry swamps, called "purgatories."
Macon.—South-east portion, watered by the Kaskaskia and tributaries; the middle and northern portions by the North Fork of Sangamon, and the north-western part by Salt creek. The prairies large, and in their interior, level and wet,—towards the timber, dry, undulating and rich.
Madison.—The Mississippi lies west; Cahokia and Silver creeks, and Wood river, run through it. A part of this county lies in the American bottom, and is a rich and level alluvion; but much of the county is high, undulating, and proportionably divided into timber and prairie. Well supplied with stone quarries and coal banks.
Macoupen.—The Macoupen creek and branches water its central and western parts,the Cahokia the south-eastern, and the heads of Wood river and Piasau, the south-western parts. A large proportion of the county is excellent soil, well proportioned into timber and prairie, and slightly undulating.
Marion.—Watered by the East Fork, and Crooked creek, tributaries of Kaskaskia river, on its western, and heads of Skillet Fork of Little Wabash on its eastern side. Much of the land of second quality, slightly undulating, about one third timbered,—some of the prairie land level, and inclined to be wet.
McDonough.—Crooked creek and its branches water most of the county. The eastern side, for 8 or 10 miles in width, is prairie,—the western and middle parts suitably divided between prairie and forest land; surface, moderately undulating; soil, very rich.
McLean.—One third of the eastern, and a portion of the northern side, is one vast prairie. The timber is beautifully arranged in groves; the surface moderately undulating, and the soil dry and rich. The head waters of the Sangamon, Mackinau, and the Vermillion of the Illinois, are in this county. Its minerals are quarries of lime and sandstone, and granite bowlders, scattered over the prairies.
Mercer.—Has the Mississippi on the west, and Pope and Edwards rivers interior, along which are fine tracts of timber; in its middle and eastern parts are extensive prairies; surface, generally undulating; soil, rich.
Monroe.—Watered by Horse, Prairie de Long, and Fountain creeks. The American bottom adjacent to the Mississippi is rich alluvion, and divided into timber and prairie. On the bluffs are ravines and sink-holes, with broken land. Further interior is a mixture of timber and prairie. Abundance of limestone, coal, and some copper.
Montgomery.—Watered by Shoal creek and branches, and Hurricane Fork. Surface, high and undulating, and proportionably divided into timber and prairie. Soil, second rate.
Morgan.—A first rate county,—well proportioned into prairie and forest lands,—much of the surface undulating; watered by the Illinois river and Mauvaise-terre, Indian, Plum, Walnut, and Sandy creeks, and heads of Apple creek. Coal, lime and freestone.
Peoria.—Watered by the Illinois, Kickapoo, Copperas, Senatchwine, and heads of Spoon river. Surface, moderately rolling, rich soil, and proportionately divided into prairie and forest.
Perry.—Streams; Big Beaucoup, and Little Muddy; one third prairie, tolerably level, and second rate soil.
Pike.—Besides Mississippi and Illinois, which wash two sides, it has the Suycartee slough, running through its western border, and navigable for steamboats, and a number of smaller creeks. The land and surface various,—much of it excellent undulating soil,—some rich alluvion, inundated at high water,—large tracts of table land, high, rolling, and rich, with due proportion of timber and prairie. A large salt spring.
Pope.—With the Ohio river east and south, it has Big Bay, Lusk's, and Big creeks interior. A timbered region, tolerably level, except at the bluffs, with good sandy soil, and sand and limestone.
Putnam.—The Illinois runs through it,—Spoon river waters its north-western part, and Bureau, Crow, Sandy, and some other streams, water its middle portions. Here are beautiful groves of timber, and rich, undulating and dry prairies, fine springs, and good mill sites. Lime, sand and freestone, and bituminous coal. A few tracts of wet prairie, with some ponds and swamps, are in the north-western part.
Randolph.—Has the Mississippi along the western side; Kaskaskia river passes diagonally through it; soil, of every quality, from first rate to indifferent; surface, equally as various, with rocky precipices at the termination of the alluvial bottoms.
Rock Island.—Is at the mouth of Rock river, which, with the Mississippi, and some minor streams, drain the county. Rich alluvion along the Mississippi, with much excellent table land,—both timber and prairie interior. Some wet, level prairie, south of Rock river.
Sangamon.—Watered by Sangamon river and its numerous branches. Much of the soilis of the richest quality, with due proportions of timber and prairie, moderately undulating, and a first rate county.
Schuyler.—The south-eastern side has the Illinois, the interior has Crooked and Crane creeks, and the south-west has McKee's creek. Along the Illinois is much timber, with some inundated bottom lands. Interior, there is a due proportion of prairie and timber and rich soil, with an undulating surface.
Shelby.—Is watered by the Kaskaskia and tributaries; has a large amount of excellent land, both timber and prairie, with good soil, moderately undulating.
St. Clair.—The streams are Cahokia, Prairie du Pont, Ogle's, Silver, Richland, and Prairie de Long creeks, and Kaskaskia river. The land is various, much of which is good, first and second rate, and proportionably divided into timber, prairie, and barrens. The minerals are lime and sandstone, and extensive beds of coal, and shale.
Tazewell.—Watered by the Illinois, Mackinau, and their tributaries. Much of the surface is undulating, soil rich; prairie predominates, but considerable timber, with some broken land about the bluffs of Mackinau, and some sand ridges and swamps in the southern part of the county.
Union.—Watered by the Mississippi, Clear creek, the heads of Cash, and some of the small tributaries of the Big Muddy. Much of the surface is rolling and hilly,—all forestland. Soil, second and third rate. Some rich alluvial bottom.
Vermillion.—Is watered by Big and Little Vermillion of the Wabash, with large bodies of excellent timber along the streams, and rich prairies interior. Surface, undulating and dry; soil, deep, rich, and calcareous.
Wabash.—Has Wabash river on the east, Bon Pas on the west, and some small creeks central; surface rolling, and a mixture of timber and prairie; soil, generally second rate. Minerals; lime and sandstone.
Warren.—Besides the Mississippi, its principal stream is Henderson river, which passes through it, with Ellison, Honey, and Camp creeks. Much of the land on these streams is rich, undulating, deficient somewhat in timber, with excellent prairie. Along the Mississippi, and about the mouth of Henderson, the land is inundated in high water.
Washington.—Has the Kaskaskia on its north-western side, with Elkhorn, Little Muddy, Beaucoup, and Little Crooked creeks interior. The prairies are rather level, and in places inclined to be wet; the timber, especially along the Kaskaskia, heavy.
Wayne.—The Little Wabash, with its tributaries, Elm river, and Skillet Fork, are its streams. It is proportionably interspersed with prairie and woodland, generally of second quality.
White.—The eastern side washed by the Big Wabash, along which is a low, inundated bottom; the interior is watered by the LittleWabash and its tributaries. Some prairie, but mostly timber. Soil and surface various. Some rich bottom prairies, with sandy soil.
TOWNS.
Vandalia is the seat of government till 1840, after which it is to be removed to Alton, according to a vote of the people in 1834, unless they should otherwise direct. It is situated on the right bank of the Kaskaskia river, in N. lat. 39° 0' 42", and 58 miles in a direct line, a little north of east from Alton. The public buildings are temporary. Population, about 750.
Alton.Two towns of this name are distinguished as Alton, and Upper Alton. Alton is an incorporated town, situated on the bank of the Mississippi, two and a half miles above the mouth of the Missouri, and at the place where the curve of the Mississippi penetrates the furthest into Illinois, 18 miles below the mouth of the Illinois river. For situation, commerce, business of all kinds, health, and rapidity of growth, it far exceeds any other town on the east bank of the Mississippi, above New Orleans. The population is about 2000. The commercial business done here is already immense, and extends through more than half of Illinois, besides a large trade on the western side of the Mississippi. Five large mercantile establishments do wholesale business only, four do wholesale and retail, besides four wholesale and retail groceries,and fifteen or twenty retail stores and groceries; and yet many more mercantile houses are necessary for the business of the country. Great facilities for business of almost every description, especially for every kind of mechanics, are to be had here. It offers one of the best situations on the western waters for building and repairing steamboats. Town lots and lands adjacent have risen in value from 500 to 1000 per cent. within the last twelve months.
Alton has respectable and well finished houses of worship for the Presbyterian, Methodist Protestant, and Baptist denominations; two good schools, a Lyceum, that holds weekly meetings, and two printing-offices. The population in general, is a moral, industrious, enterprising class. Few towns in the West have equalled this in contributions for public and benevolent objects, in proportion to age and population.
Arrangements have been made for doing an extensive business in the slaughtering and packing of pork and beef. Four houses are engaged in that line, and have slaughtered about 25,000 hogs the present season. Many buildings will be erected the approaching season, amongst which will be an extensive hotel, which is much needed. The town is situated at the base, side, and top, of the first bluffs that extend to the river, above the mouth of the Kaskaskia. Adjacent to it, and which will eventually become amalgamated, is Middletown, laid off directly in the rear.
Upper Altonis from two and a half to three miles back from the river, and in the rear of Lower Alton, on elevated ground, and in every respect a very healthy situation. It has exceeding 120 families, and is rapidly improving. Adjacent to it, and forming now a part of the town plat, is "Shurtleff College, of Alton, Illinois," which bids fair to become an important and flourishing institution. Also "Alton Theological Seminary," which has commenced operations. Both these institutions have been gotten up under the influence and patronage of the Baptist denomination. A female seminary of a high order, under the name of the "Alton Female Institute," has been chartered, and a building is about to be erected for the purpose. The Baptists, Methodists and Presbyterians have congregations here, and two houses of worship are to be built the present year.
Chicagois the largest commercial town in Illinois. It is situated at the junction of North and South branches, and along the main Chicago, near its entrance into lake Michigan, on a level prairie, but elevated above the highest floods. A recent communication from a respectable mercantile house, gives the following statistics: "Fifty-one stores, 30 groceries, 10 taverns, 12 physicians, 21 attorneys, and 4,000 inhabitants. We have four churches, and two more building, one bank, a Marine and Fire Insurance company about to go into operation, and a brick hotel, containing 90 apartments.
There were 9 arrivals and departures of steamboats in 1835, and 267 of brigs and schooners, containing 5,015 tons of merchandise and 9,400 barrels of salt, besides lumber, provisions, &c.
The harbor now constructing by the U. S. government, will be so far completed in 1836, as to admit vessels and steamboats navigating the lakes. A few miles back of Chicago are extensive tracts of wet prairie.
Galenais the seat of justice for Jo Daviess county, situated on Fever river, in the midst of the mining district. It has about 20 stores, a dozen groceries, and about 1,000 inhabitants.
Springfieldis near the geographical centre of the State, and in the midst of a most fertile region of country. It is a flourishing inland town, and contains about 2,000 inhabitants.Jacksonville, the county seat of Morgan county, has about the same population, and is equally delightful and flourishing.
One mile west, on a most beautiful eminence, stands "Illinois College," founded under the auspices of the Presbyterian denomination, and bids fair to become a flourishing seat of learning.
I have not room to name, much less describe, the many growing towns and villages in this State, that excite and deserve the attention of emigrants. On the Illinois river are Ottawa, and several eligible sites in its vicinity, where towns have commenced; Beardstown, a short distance below the mouth of Sangamonriver, Peoria, at the foot of Peoria lake, (a most beautiful site, and containing 1,000 inhabitants,) Meredosia, Naples, Pekin, Hennepin, &c. On the Mississippi, are Quincy, Warsaw, New Boston, and Stephenson, the seat of justice for Rock Island county. Interior, are Bloomington, Decatur, Tremont, Shelbyville, Hillsboro', Edwardsville, Carlyle, Belleville, Carrollton, and many others. Towards the Wabash, are Danville, Paris, Lawrenceville, Carmi, and Mount Carmel, the last of which has an importance from being connected with the grand rapids of the Wabash. Shawneetown is the commercial depot for the south-eastern part of the State. On the Military Tract are Rushville, Pittsfield, Griggsville, Carthage, Macomb, Monmouth, Knoxville, Lewistown, Canton, &c., all pleasant sites, and having a population from two or three hundred to one thousand inhabitants.
For a more particular description of each county, town, and settlement, with all other particulars of Illinois, the reader is referred to "A Gazetteer of Illinois," by the author of thisGuide.
Projected Improvements.—The project of uniting the waters of lake Michigan and the Illinois, by a canal, was conceived soon after the commencement of the Grand canal of New York, and a Board of commissioners, with engineers, explored the route and estimated the cost, in 1823. Provision, by a grant of each alternate section of land within five miles ofthe route, having been granted by Congress, another Board of commissioners was appointed in 1829, a new survey was made, and the towns of Chicago and Ottawa laid off, and some lots sold in 1830. Various movements have since been made, but nothing effectually done, until the recent special session of the legislature, when an act was passed to authorize the Governor to borrow funds upon the faith of the State; a new Board of commissioners has been organized, and this great work is about to be prosecuted with vigor to its completion.
Funds, in part, have been provided, from the sales of certain saline lands belonging to the State, to improve the navigation of the Great Wabash, at the Grand Rapids, near the mouth of White river, in conjunction with the State of Indiana. From the same source, funds are to be applied to the clearing out of several navigable water-courses, and repairing roads, within the State.
Charters have been granted to several rail-road companies, some of which have been surveyed and the stock taken. One from Alton to Springfield was surveyed last year, and the stock subscribed in December. Another from St. Louis, by the coal mines of St. Clair county, to Belleville, 13 miles, is expected to be made immediately. The project of a central railway from the termination of the Illinois and Michigan canal, at the foot of the rapids, a few miles below Ottawa,—through Bloomington, Decatur, Shelbyville, Vandalia,and on to the mouth of the Ohio river, has been entered upon with spirit. Another charter contemplates the continuance of a route, already provided for in Indiana, and noticed under Ohio, from La Fayette, Ia. by Danville, Shelbyville and Hillsboro,' to Alton, the nearest point from the east to the Mississippi. A rail-road charter was granted at a previous session of the legislature from Meredosia to Jacksonville, and another from Vincennes to Chicago.
We have only room to mention the following charters, which have been recently granted, in addition to those already specified:
One from Pekin to Tremont, in Tazewell county, 9 miles.
One from the Wabash, by Peoria to Warsaw, in Hancock county.
The Wabash and Mississippi rail-road company.
The Mount Carmel and Alton rail-road company.
The Rushville rail-road company.
The Winchester, Lynville, and Jacksonville rail-road company.
The Shawneetown and Alton rail-road company.
The Pekin, Bloomington, and Wabash rail-road company.
The Waverly and Grand Prairie rail-road company.
The Galena and Chicago Union rail-road company.
The Wabash and Mississippi Union rail-road company.
The Mississippi, Carrollton and Springfield rail-road company.
TheNational Roadis in progress through this State, and considerable has been made on that portion which lies between Vandalia and the boundary of Indiana. This road enters Illinois at the north-east corner of Clark county, and passes diagonally through Coles and Effingham counties in a south-westerly course to Vandalia, a distance of 90 miles. The road is established 80 feet wide, the central part 30 feet wide, raised above standing water, and not to exceed three degrees from a level. The base of all the abutments of bridges must be equal in thickness to one third of the height of the abutment.
The road is not yet placed in a travelling condition. The line of the road is nearly direct, the loss in 90 miles being only the 88th part of one per cent. Between Vandalia and Ewington, for 23 miles, it does not deviate in the least from a direct line.
From Vandalia westward, the road is not yet located, but it will probably pass to Alton.
Education.—The same provision has been made for this as other Western States, in the disposal of the public lands. The section numbered sixteen in each township of land, is sold upon petition of the people within the township, and the avails constitute a permanent fund, the interest of which is annuallyapplied towards the expenses, in part, of the education of those who attend school, living within the township.
A school system, in part, has been arranged by the legislature. The peculiar and unequal division of the country into timber and prairie lands, and the inequality of settlements consequent thereupon, will prevent, for many years to come, the organization of school districts withdefined geographical boundaries. To meet this inconvenience, the legislature has provided that any number of persons can elect three trustees, employ a teacher in any mode they choose, and receive their proportion of the avails of the school funds.In all cases, however, the teacher must keep a daily account of each scholar who attends school, and make out a schedule of the aggregate that each scholar attends, every six months, and present it, certified by the trustees of the school, to the school commissioner of the county, who apportions the money accordingly.
This State receives three per cent. on all the net avails of public lands sold in this State, which, with the avails of two townships sold, makes a respectable and rapidly increasing fund, the interest only of which can be expended, and that only to the payment of instructers.
Good common school teachers, both male and female, are greatly needed, and will meet with ready employ, and liberal wages. Here is a most delightful and inviting field forChristian activity. Common school, with Sunday school instruction, calls for thousands of teachers in the West.
Several respectable academies, are in operation, and the wants and feelings of the community call for many more. Besides the colleges at Jacksonville and Alton already noticed, others are projected, and several have been chartered. The Methodist denomination have a building erected, and a preparatory school commenced, at Lebanon, St. Clair county. The Episcopalians are about establishing a college at Springfield. One or more will be demanded in the northern and eastern portions of the State; and it may be calculated that, in a very brief period, the State of Illinois will furnish facilities for a useful and general education, equal to those in any part of the country.
Government.—The Constitution of Illinois was formed by a convention held at Kaskaskia, in August, 1818. It provides for the distribution of the powers of government into three distinct departments,—the legislative, executive, and judiciary. The legislative authority is vested in a general assembly, consisting of a senate and house of representatives. Elections are held biennially, as are the ordinary sessions of the legislature. Senators are elected for four years.
The executive power is vested in the governor, who is chosen every fourth year, by the electors for representatives; but the same person is ineligible for the next succeeding fouryears. The lieutenant governor is also chosen every four years.
The judicial power is vested in a supreme court, and such inferior courts as the general assembly from time to time shall establish. The supreme court consists of a chief justice and three associate judges.
The governor and judges of the supreme court constitute a council of revision, to which all bills that have passed the assembly must be submitted. If objected to by the council of revision, the same may become a law by the vote of a majority of all the members elected to both houses.
The right of suffrage is universal. All white male inhabitants, citizens of the United States, twenty-one years of age, and who have resided within the State six months next preceding the elections, enjoy the right of voting. Votes are givenviva voce. The introduction of slavery is prohibited. The Constitution can only be altered by a convention.