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JOSEPH DUNCAN. 
 
FERGUS' HISTORICAL SERIES, No. 29. 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH 
 
 JOSEPH DUNCAN, 
 
 Fifth Governor of Illinois. 
 
 Read before the Historical Society of Jacksonville, III,, 
 May 7, 1885. 
 
 JULIA DUNCAN KIRBY. 
 
 ILLUSTRATED. 
 
 CHICAGO: 
 
 FERGUS PRINTING COMPANY. 
 
 1888. '"',/() 
 

 
PREFACE. 
 
 TF the reader should find mentioned in the following 
 ^ sketch many trivial incidents and numerous items of 
 only local interest, and but slightly connected with the 
 subject, let him bear in mind the fact that this pa'^er 
 was prepared for, and read to, a small audience of friends, 
 most of whom were personally acquainted with Gov. 
 Duncan and his family, and had lived for years as their 
 neighbors, and by whom every local allusion was under- 
 stood. 
 
 Although the paper was not prepared for publication, 
 and has been committed to print only at the request of 
 relatives and too partial friends, yet it is thought that 
 the student of Illinois history may be pleased to learn 
 Gov. Duncan's views in regard to State Banks, Internal 
 Improvements, the Illinois-and-Michigan Canal, and other 
 questions of great importance in the early history of the 
 State; and that his opinions in regard to Slavery, the 
 suspension of the United- States Bank, Civil Service, and 
 Temperance will be found worthy of consideration by 
 those interested in the history of the Nation. 
 
 Jacksonville, III., Feb. lo, 1888. 
 
GOV. JOSEPH DUNCAN. 
 
 Biographical Sketch. 
 
 Ladies and Gentlemen of the Historical Society of 
 Jacksonville: 
 
 WHEN requested by you to prepare a sketch of the "Life 
 and Labors of Joseph Duncan," I felt that I could not 
 undertake it. 
 
 I{istory and all sketches, historical or biographical, should be 
 both accurate and impartial, and there are others in this Society 
 who have stood nearer the times in vv'hich he lived, and are free 
 from any bias or prejudice, besides possessing high literary taste 
 and a ready pen, to whom more appropriately might have been 
 committed the task. 
 
 It might be supposed that the daughter of the subject of 
 this sketch, would have peculiar facilities for obtaining the facts 
 necessary for such an article, but to a very limited extent only, 
 is this the case. Unfortunately, some years ago, all the political 
 papers, pamphlets, and most of the letters which were in the 
 possession of his family, and were supposed to contain valuable 
 information in regard to either his public or private life, were 
 sent to the Chicago Historical Society at the request of friends 
 and contemporaries of his, who proposed to prepare and publish 
 a sketch of his life for that Society. All these papers were des- 
 troyed before the work proposed had been accomplished, in the 
 great fire of Chicago, Oct. 8-9, 1871. 
 
 Notwithstanding a feeling of delicacy in the matter, I have 
 undertaken to comply with your request, and, though deeply 
 conscious of the imperfections and incompleteness of my sketch, 
 I yet hope I shall be able to present to you a few facts in the 
 
 S 
 
6 GOV. JOSEPH DUNCAN. 
 
 life of one who has not been an unimportant actor in the early 
 history of Illinois, the State of his adoption, the State that did so 
 much for him, and of which he was so justly proud. 
 
 Joseph Duncan's native State was Kentucky, and, as the char- 
 acter and tastes of man are largely moulded and directed by the 
 environments and influences surrounding his youth, the followmg 
 description of life in Kentucky at that day, from the pen of one 
 of our honored citizens, may not be inappropriate : 
 
 " For ages before the white man descended the western slope 
 of the Alleghanies, what is now known as the State of Kentucky 
 constituted the favorite hunting-ground of different Indian tribes. 
 Then, through forest and canebrake, over hills, mountains and 
 valleys, and across rapid rivers, they chased the elk and the 
 buffalo, and hunted the fierce bear and the stealthy, crouching 
 panther. There the war-dance was often celebrated, and the 
 deep forest reechoed the startling war-whoops, as infuriated tribes 
 met in the fierce conflict of savage warfare. 
 
 "These hills and mountains, the Indians felt they owned, and 
 when the paleface essayed to occupy them, the red man disputed 
 every inch of ground, and the adventurous prisoner met his death 
 by tomahawk or scalping-knife. The first settlers, as a matter of 
 self-preservation, lived in fortified stations, and relied for support 
 upon the chase and the stream and such patches of corn as they 
 could cultivate under the immediate protection of the forts. 
 Every adventurer to these wild and fascinating scenes was wel- 
 comed as a brother by those who had preceded him. His 
 presence added additional strength to the fort, and so he was 
 admitted to full and equal enjoyment of their scanty means of 
 subsistence. 
 
 " Subject at any time to savage incursions, the inhabitants of 
 the different stations held themselves always ready to fly to the 
 relief of any one upon whom the fury of the red man was about 
 to descend. As the immigrants multiplied, log-cabins were built 
 by the more daring near the fortified stations. The plowman 
 went to the field with his butcher-knife in his belt and his rifle 
 on his shoulder. If the approach of the foe was discovered in 
 
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GOV. JOSEPH DUNCAN. 7 
 
 time, the families fled to the fort for protection and common 
 defence; but too often the first notice that the stealthy enemy 
 was in the settlement was the light blazing up from the cabin of 
 some murdered family." 
 
 Distinguished among the early settlers of Kentucky for intelli- 
 gence and wisdom in counsel and for Jpravery in repelling the 
 incursions of the Indians was Maj. Joseph Duncan, of Scotch 
 ancestry; who, when at length the settlement enjoyed peace and 
 safety, returned to his native state, Virginia, and soon after mar- 
 ried a lady of culture and refinement from Pennsylvania. In 1790, 
 he removed with his family from Virginia to Kentucky, and on 
 Feb. 22, 1794, his son, Joseph Duncan, the subject of this sketch, 
 was born, in Paris, Bourbon County, Kentucky. The large, old- 
 fashioned stone-house, which was the family residence and place 
 of his birth, still stands in that city. 
 
 The thrilling narratives of Indian warfare to which, as a child, 
 he listened as they fell from the lips of his father and his father's 
 friends while gathered around the family fireside, and the warm 
 friendships and generous hospitality daily witnessed in his home, 
 doubtless contributed much to the formation of his chara.cter as 
 a man, which was distinguished for the courage, heartiness, and 
 generosity, characteristics of the better elements of pioneer life. 
 
 Maj. Duncan died in 1806, when Joseph was but twelve years 
 of age. There were six children in the family, Mathew and 
 James being older, Polly Ann, Thomas, and John being younger 
 than Joseph. 
 
 In 1809, three years after his father's death, his mother married 
 Capt. Benjamin Moore of the regular army, who died in 181 1. 
 One son, Benjamin Duncan Moore, was the fruit of their mar- 
 riage, who entered the navy, where he served four years, and in 
 1833, entered the army and was killed in the Mexican War, Dec. 
 6, 1846, at SanPascual, Cal., holding at the time thg rank of 
 captain of First Dragoons, U.S.A. He left one son, Mathew 
 Moore, now in the western army. 
 
 In September, 1815, shortly after attaining the age of twenty- 
 one, Joseph Duncan was appointed guardian of his sister and his 
 
a GOV. JOSEPH DUNCAN. 
 
 two younger brothers. Capt. Mathew Duncan, the eldest son, 
 was educated at Yale College, and after completing his education 
 and returning to his native State, he, for a time, edited a paper in 
 Russellville, Ky., called The Mirror. On removing to Illinois, 
 in 1 8 14, he edited and published at Kaskaskia The Illinois 
 Herald, the first newspaper published in Illinois. In December, 
 1814, he published the first book or pamphlet that was published 
 in the State. In June, 1815, he published the first volume of 
 what is known as " Pope's Digest." In 1817, Mathew Duncan, 
 sold his paper to Daniel P. Cook and Robert Blackwell. He 
 abandoned journalism and entered the army, was made captain 
 of Rangers, Oct. 4, 1832; in 1833, was made captain of the First 
 Dragoons. He resigned after four years' service and engaged in 
 business in Shelby ville. 111., where he died Jan. 16, 1844, only 
 a few hours after Gov. Duncan, neither knowing of the illness of 
 the other. His wife died Jan. 11. This double affliction proved 
 too great a shock to his aged mother, and in a few months she, 
 too, passed away. 
 
 Mathew Duncan left one son. Gen. Thomas Duncan of the 
 regular army, who died at Washington, D.C., Jan. 7, 1887. His 
 son, Wilson Duncan, represents the family in the army as a lieu- 
 tenant of infantry, married and stationed at Fort Sidney, Neb. 
 
 Gen. James M. Duncan, second brother of Joseph Duncanr 
 graduated at Transylvania College, in Lexington, now merged in 
 the State University. He was made captain of the Seventeenth 
 Infantry, March 12, 18 12. He returned home when the army 
 was disbanded. May, 1814: On moving to Illinois, he settled in 
 VandaHa, held the office of clerk of the supreme court while it 
 held its sessions there, and, when the capital was removed to 
 Springfield, Dec. 9, 1839, he removed with it. He afterward 
 removed to Jacksonville, and engaged in business as a merchant. 
 While residing there he was elected an elder in what was then 
 known as the Old-School Presbyterian Church of Jacksonville. 
 He died in Berlin, Sangamon County, in 1856. He had five 
 daughters, but only one, Mrs. Jane Snow, still survives. 
 
 Thomas Duncan, the third brother, was also a graduate of 
 
GOV. JOSEPH DUNCAN. 9 
 
 Transylvania University. He studied law, settled and practised 
 his profession at Nashville, Tenn., with success. He married 
 Miss Jane Stoddard, sister of Mrs. James Bell. He had two 
 children, a son and a daughter. He was accidentally killed at 
 Iberville, La., while still a young man — 1831. 
 
 John, the youngest brother, was a promising graduate of Rush 
 Medical College of Philadelphia, but lost his life during the first 
 year of his practice. A class-mate, writing of him, says : "John 
 always stood at the head of his class, and was the handsomest 
 man in the College." 
 
 Polly Ann, the only sister, was married when quite young to 
 William Linn, a lawyer by profession, who was afterward ap- 
 pointed Receiver of Public Moneys at Vandalia. Judge WiUiam 
 Thomas says : " He was a man of fine address, polished manners, 
 and much culture, but of little principle. He became intemper- 
 ate, neglected the duties of his office, and became a defaulter." 
 Mrs. Linn was a brilliant woman, whose poems and drawings are 
 family treasures. 
 
 In i8i2, when the tocsin of war again sounded, and the stir- 
 ring appeals of Henry Clay swept over the land and reverberated 
 through the mountains, hills, and valleys of Kentucky, and kin- 
 dled afresh the glowing patriotism of her young men, regiments 
 of volunteers sprang forth, ready for the battle. Among these 
 volunteers was Joseph Duncan, who, though only seventeen years 
 of age, enhsted as a private in the Seventeenth regiment of the 
 United -States Infantry, and, before he left Lexington, was pro- 
 moted to the rank of ensign. 
 
 That he did fiot enhst without a knowledge of the hardships 
 and privations which he would be called upon to endure is shown 
 by a letter from a friend and neighbor, then on duty near the 
 seat of war, received at his home in Paris, Ky. We quote the 
 most of the letter, as giving an excellent picture of what "soldier- 
 ing" was in those days: 
 
 "Camp Miami, Dec. 21, 18 12. 
 
 " Dear Duncan : We shall leave this place on Thursday for the 
 Rapids, notwithstanding our only means of transportation is cer- 
 
lO GOV. JOSEPH DUNCAN. 
 
 tainly bad. We shall be compelled to carry our baggage on sleds 
 drawn by ourselves, or wait until the river thaws out, and of that 
 there is small probability. We have been without flour for twelve 
 days and have subsisted on beef and pork. 
 
 "It has been a trying time for us. The Spartans never could 
 have undergone more Ijardships and apparently with as much 
 fortitude as the tender striplings from Kentucky, men that before 
 this have never been out of the precincts of a mother's care. 
 The Seventeenth is still without sufficient clothing to resist the 
 northern blasts of Canada, but in this condition they seem re- 
 joiced at the idea of going on to avenge our country's wrongs. 
 We expect to meet with clothing and flour at the Rapids, and 
 from there we shall march on to Detroit. In my opinion, I am 
 sorry to inform you, that we shall be compelled to leave about 
 two hundred sick at Fort Miami. I am aware of the impropriety 
 of writing such letters from the army, but I know that you feel 
 the same interest in the welfare of our country as myself I 
 therefore hope you will not divulge the contents of this letter 
 where it may do harm, for although our sufl"erings are great, they 
 are nothing in comparison to our forefathers'. Yet, should it be 
 known, it might be difficult to obtain the force that we may need 
 to accomplish our ends. Yours truly, 
 
 Philip Shrover." 
 
 Beibg a man of vigorous constitution, and stature above the 
 average, of great muscular power. Ensign Duncan performed 
 much hard service during the war, and was often in perils which 
 severely tested his energy, tact, and courage, as well as his bodily 
 powers. At one time he was the bearer of despatches from the 
 interior to the Army of the Northwest. His route lay either 
 through the pathless forests of the Black Swamp, or else along 
 the trail of the army, which was infested by marauding parties of 
 hostile savages, and in his way lay the river upon whose banks 
 Col. WiUiam Crawford was burned at the stake by the infamous 
 Simon Girty and his Indian associates in 1782. 
 
 Duncan, with an Indian guide, struck into the forest. Across 
 
GOV. JOSEPH DUNCAN. II 
 
 his course ran a small river, swollen by the freshets to a deep 
 and rapid stream. His guide refused to cross. Ensign Duncan 
 handed his papers to him and dashed into the flood and swam to 
 the opposite shore. He called to his guide to follow, who still 
 refused. Recrossing the stream, he again urged him to cross 
 with him. Though well mounted, the guide had not the courage 
 to enter the dangerous current. Taking his papers from him, 
 Duncan for the third time crossed the torrent in safety. Alone 
 and ignorant of the woods, he at once sought the trail of the 
 army. Reaching it before nightfall, he followed it until about 
 midnight, when, coming upon one of the block-houses buJtby 
 the army on its march out, and being much fatigued, he deter- 
 mined to rest till morning. 
 
 He dismounted, fastened his horse, and entered the house, 
 when he almost stumbled over the body of a man, stretched upon 
 the floor. At once a savage yell rose from the prostrate man, 
 which aroused a party of hostile Indians, who had taken posses- 
 sion of the block-house. Duncan, with ready presence of mind, 
 at once threw a handful of small coin upon the hearth, and in a 
 second the Indians had lighted with flint the dry grass which 
 filled the rough fire-place and were scrambling over the floor, 
 each striving to obtain the greatest share of the unexpected treas- 
 ure. He thus gained a few moments of time, withdrew from the 
 house, leaped into his saddle, and putting spurs to his horse, in 
 the darkness eluded pursuit. 
 
 Probably the most noted achievement during the war was the 
 part taken in the defence of Fort Stephenson. A detailed account 
 of this action, taken from ofiicial reports, may perhaps be per- 
 mitted here, not merely because of its influence upon the life and 
 military reputation <;f Duncan, but also because of its decisive 
 importance in the war. The course of the campaign on the 
 Northwest frontier up to August r, 1813, had thrown the main 
 body of the American army under the immediate command of 
 Gen. William Henry Harrison, in the rear of Fort Stephenson. 
 The commanding general, upon assuming his position at Seneca- 
 town, placed Fort Stephenson under the command of Col. George 
 
12 GOV. JOSEPH DUNCAN. 
 
 Croghan with orders that if the enemy approached with cannon, 
 he should abandon the fort and fall back upon the main army at 
 Senecatown. Fort Stephenson was at that time in an entirely 
 defenceless state. It was a light stockade, flanked with block- 
 houses, without a ditch or any other exterior defence, defended 
 by between one hundred and thirty and one hundred and forty 
 effective men, provided with one six -pounder, having seven 
 charges of powder and a keg of lead, and the ammunition amount- 
 ing to only forty rounds of musket-cartridges. 
 
 Upon receiving the command, Col. Croghan addressed himself 
 with great assiduitv to such preparations as would enable him to 
 withstand an attack. With an insufficient supply of tools and 
 implements, he surrounded the fort by a ditch, cut down and 
 removed trees to musket-shot distance from the fort, and made 
 such repairs as were absolutely necessary upon the stockade. 
 These improvements, pushed on with increasing diligence and 
 labor, were just completed, when intelligence was received at 
 headquarters that the seige of Fort Meigs had been raised, and 
 that Gen. Preston, at the head of five thousand British and Indian 
 troops, and provided with cannon and gunboats, was approaching 
 the American static'ns on the Sandusky. This state of things 
 seemed to make the contingency upon which Fort Stephenson 
 was to be abandoned. Accordingly, an order froni the com- 
 mander-in-chief was sent to Col. Croghan, directing him " to fall 
 back upon Senecatown." 
 
 Upon the receipt of this order. Col. Croghan called a council 
 of war and asked advice of his officers, whether he should aban- 
 don it or defend the fort. According to military usage. Ensign 
 Duncan, being the youngest officer, was first called upon to ex- 
 press his opinion. He was decidedly " in favor of defending the 
 fort, the order to the contrary notwithstanding," and of the same 
 mind were a majority of the officers. Col. Croghan expressed 
 great satisfaction at this result, as he said he had determined to 
 defend the fort at all hazards. 
 
 Thereupon, he was suspended and ordered to head-quarters, 
 and Fort Stephenson placed under the command of Col. Samuel 
 Wells. 
 
GOV. JOSEPH DUNCAN. I 3 
 
 While at headquarters, Col. Croghan so far satisfied the com- 
 manding general (Harrison) of the propriety of his course that he 
 was permitted to resume his command at the fort. Soon after 
 his return, the enemy, composed of five hundred BritisH regulars 
 and about as many Indians, under the command of Gen. Preston, 
 appeared before the fort and gave the usual formal summons to 
 surrender. The demand was met with the usual defiance, and 
 forthwith commenced a cannonade upon the fort from the gun- 
 boats and from a cannon stationed on the shore. The firing was 
 continued with but little cessation for nearly forty hours. The 
 smallness of the force in the fort rendered a sortie impracticable, 
 and the scarcity of ammunition prevented a return of the enemy's 
 fire during this period. At length, about six o'clock on the 
 morning of August 2, 1813, the welcome sound of a bugle gave 
 notice to the beseiged that the British were preparing for the 
 assault. They were seen advancing in several columns under 
 cover of a fire from their artillery. The first attempt was made 
 upon the northeast front of the fort, defended by Lieut. Benj. 
 Johnson, to whose assistance Ensign Duncan promptly hastened, 
 and by their united efforts the enemy's column, led by Lieut.- 
 Col. Street, was repulsed with loss. He, however, renewed the 
 assault, on the northwest angle, defended by Lieut. John Meek 
 and Ensign Edmund Shipp, Jr. 
 
 These oflScers, in obedience to the earnest injunction of Col. 
 Croghan, reserved their fire until the enemy approached within 
 thirty feet, and then poured it upon him with deadly aim. For a 
 moment he recoiled, but recovering himself with a gallant effort, 
 he threw himself into the ditch. The six-pounder had been 
 placed in position to rake the ditch, masked and heavily charged 
 with slugs beaten out of pig-lead. 
 
 At the instant that the ditch was filled with the enemy, this 
 piece was discharged upon them, and raking its whole extent 
 with leaden slugs, effected the most fatal slaughter. A second 
 discharge of this piece, accompanied with a fire of musketry, 
 crowded the ditch with killed and wounded, and rendered further 
 contest hopeless. 
 
14 GOV. JOSEPH DUNCAN. 
 
 In the meantime, Col. Warburton, at the head of a large party 
 of about two hundred, made an attack with great spirit at the 
 southeast face of the works, but it shared the fate of the other 
 columns.* Lieut. Cyrus A. Baylor, who had charge of that part 
 of the line, being aided by the reserve under Ensign Duncan who 
 had been previously ordered to aiford relief wherever it was 
 wanted, soon compelled it to retreat precipitately and in con- 
 fusion. The British general drew off his force, leaving behind 
 him one hundred white men killed and wounded, to say nothing 
 of Indians. 
 
 By the successful defence of Fort Stephenson, the plan and 
 purpose of the British campaign were wholly frustrated. His 
 main objects were the possession of the supplies at Cleveland, O., 
 and the destruction of the naval preparations at Erie. The 
 successful accomplishment of which would have given him the 
 command of the lakes, and lost to our country the glory and 
 advantage of Com. Perry's victory on Lake Erie. The posses- 
 sion, too, by the enemy of the southern shore of the lake would 
 have exposed our northwestern frontier to the usual calamities of 
 Indian incursions. 
 
 The following account, published in a paper of the time, illus- 
 trates the modesty with which Ensign Duncan bore the praises 
 which he, with his brave comrades, had so gallantly earned : 
 
 "The following incident was related by Capt. Wm. Garrard of 
 the Kentucky Volunteers, which occurred in his presence the 
 morning after Croghan's victory over the British and Indians at 
 Fort Stephenson or Lower Sandusky, on Aug. 2, 18 13. 
 
 " When Gen. Harrison, with his army, arrived at Fort Stephen- 
 son the morning after the battle, the dead bodies of the enemy 
 were still scattered around the place in every direction. On his 
 arrival, one of the officers in the fort gave the general a glowing 
 account of the battle, and particularly of the part he had himself 
 taken in it, after which the general turned to Ensign Duncan, 
 who had been selected by Maj. Croghan to command the reserve- 
 corps, which is always a post of honor and of great danger and 
 responsibility, and said to him: 'Well, my young friend, what did 
 
GOV. JOSEPH DUNCAN. 1 5 
 
 you do in this gallant defence ? ' ' Nothing more than my duty, 
 sir,' was the modest reply of the young soldier who, though he 
 had fought side by side with the gallant Croghan, meeting the 
 enemy with his command and assisting to repulse them at every 
 point of attack, appeared unconscious that he was entitled to any 
 credit, himself, for a victory for its brilliancy' never before sur- 
 passed, and which was at that very moment filUng the general 
 and his whole army with astonishment and the most profound 
 admiration for the gallantry of every officer and soldier engaged 
 in it." 
 
 Important in its results, the defence of Fort Stephenson was 
 one of the most brilliant achievements of the war, and won for 
 Col. Croghan, his officers, and men well -merited renown on 
 account of their distinguished services rendered on that occasion. 
 The Congress of the United States caused to be presented to 
 Col. Croghan a gold medal, and to each of the other officers a 
 gold-mounted sword. The resolution adopted by the senate, 
 and the official correspondence with Gov. Duncau are as follows : 
 
 " Twenty-third Congress, First Session, 
 
 In the Senate of the United States, 
 June 1 8, 1834. 
 
 Mr. Preston from the Committee on Military Affairs, reported 
 the following resolution, which was read and passed to a second 
 reading: 
 
 Resolution, Presenting a gold medal to George Croghan, and 
 a sword to each of the officers under his command, for their 
 gallantry and good conduct in the defence of Fort Stephenson in 
 eighteen hundred and thirteen. 
 
 Resolved, By the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
 United States of America, in Congress assembled, that the presi- 
 dent of the United States be requested to cause a gold medal to 
 be struck with suitable emblems and devices and presented to 
 Col. Croghan in testimony of the high sense entertained by 
 Congress of his gallantry and good conduct in the defence of 
 Fort Stephenson; and that he present a sword to each of the 
 
l6 GOV. JOSEPH DUNCAN. 
 
 following officers engaged in that affair, to Capt. Jas. Hunter, 
 Lieuts. Benj. Johnson, Cyrus A. Baylor, John Meeks, Ensigns 
 Edmund Shipp [Jr.] and Joseph Duncan. 
 
 "War Department, March ii, 1837. 
 
 "His Excellency Joseph Duncan, 
 
 Governor of Illinois, Vandalia, 111., 
 
 "Sir: By a joint resolution of Congress, approved on the 13th 
 of February, 1835, the President of the United States was re- 
 quested among other things to present you a sword in testimony 
 of the high sense entertained by Congress of the gallantry and 
 good conduct displayed by you in the capacity of ensign, as one 
 of the officers engaged in the brilliant and memorable defence of 
 Fort Stephenson, in the month of August, 1813. Pursuant to 
 this resolution, the President has caused a sword to be prepared 
 in a style of execution corresponding in some measure with the 
 distinguished character of the services it is intended to commem- 
 orate, and has directed me to place it in your possession. It 
 gives me great pleasure to perform this duty, for whilst I regard 
 the offering which I herewith deliver to you by the hands of Mr. 
 William Linn, as a just tribute from the representatives of a grate- 
 ful people, I feel persuaded you will be ready to employ it with 
 alacrity and vigor should it again be necessary to require you- to 
 lisk your life in the public cause. ■ 
 
 " Be pleased, at your earliest convenience, to acknowledge the 
 reception of this communication, and also the sword. 
 
 Very respectfully, your most obedient. 
 
 . B. F. Butler, 
 ■ Secretary oiW a.r, ad mUrim.'l 
 
 " Elm GroveJ Jacksonville, III., loth May, 1.837; - 1 
 ," Hon. B. F. Butler, Seqretairy of.War^ . , • , - , 
 
 , Sir: Your letter of ...the! 11; tlj- March last, together iwitii : th^ 
 sword which has beenrpresenled ime,i,by;the President :9f. the 
 •jfnited; States in iobedience Jo a. resolution of. Congress,, has just 
 been received, ajid, sir,7:ift anything Icpuld :add ,to the "pleasnr.e,'I 
 
GOV. JOSEPH DUNCAN. 1 7 
 
 feel at the receipt of this splendid present, it would be the very 
 handsome manner in which you have been pleased to deliver it. 
 
 "Every citizen of our beloved country should at all times feel 
 ■willing to 'risk his life' in defense of her rights or of -that liberty 
 which was secured for us by the patriotism, wisdom, and virtue 
 of our forefathers in that great and glorious struggle by which 
 they broke the shackles both of body and mind from their 
 ■countrymen and left them in the full enjoyment of equal rights 
 and rational liberty. We have an example of public virtue and 
 heroic fortitude that no son of theirs who loves the peace, honor, 
 and safety of his country can ever disregard. It was from their 
 hands, which appear to have been guided by wisdom from above, 
 we received a constitution and plan of government eminently 
 ■calculated not only to suit the present condition and wants of 
 society, but to give full scope and energy to all the noble facul- 
 ties of man which we are bound by every consideration, personal 
 and national, to preserve and transmit to posterity unimpaired, 
 or perish in the attempt. 
 
 " Having acted but a subordinate part in the affair at [Lower] 
 Sandusky [now Fremont], which has thus excited the Nation's 
 gratitude, I did not expect nor do I feel that I had any claim to 
 the distinguished honor that Congress has been pleased to confer 
 upon me. To have done my duty on such an occasion, and to 
 know that my conduct met the approbation of my companions 
 in arms and my countrymen was all the compensation I ever 
 expected and is the highest reward that could have been con- 
 ferred upon me. Regarding the sword as a substantial pledge of 
 approbation, I accept it with gratitude, and hope, with the favor 
 of divine Providence, if ever again called into the service of my 
 ■country to wear it with honor. 
 
 With great respect, your obedient servant, 
 
 Joseph Duncan, 
 Late Ensign in the 17th Regt. U.-S. Inf." 
 
 In the fall of 1 814, Lieut. Joseph Duncan was selected by the 
 commanding officer at Detroit to commEuid a company of one 
 2 
 
1 8 GOV. JOSEPH DUNCAN. 
 
 hundred and thirty infantry and rangers to watch the movements 
 of the British army. On November 5, he crossed the Detroit 
 River and marched one hundred and fifty miles north-east of 
 Maiden beyond the head of the Thames River, in Canada, and 
 pitched his camp within twenty miles of the British army, where 
 he remained exposed to the enemy's attacks throughout the most 
 inclement winter, during which time he captured several of their 
 scouting or foraging parties, and sent them prisoners to head- 
 quarters. Many instances occurred through the war to test his 
 fortitude and patience. 
 
 On one occasion, in company with Lieut. Philips, he crossed 
 Lake Erie from Maiden to Sandusky in an open yawl in the 
 month of April, when, in that climate, storms blow with frequent 
 and relentless fury. On nearing the shore, they found it impos- 
 sible to land for three days, the waves being so high as to break 
 over the boat every time they attempted it. 
 
 At the close of the war, Lieut. Duncan returned to Kentucky 
 and engaged in agricultural pursuits. But while in the army he 
 had seen the broad and fertile prairies of Illinois, and ever and 
 anon Fancy, as might be her mood by day or night, would spread 
 them out before him in all their magnificence, covered with their 
 rich wild -flowers. But not until 181 8 did the Illinois of his 
 dream become his home. 
 
 In 1 81 8, when Illinois was admitted to the Union as a state, 
 and Kaskaskia became her capital, Robert McLaughlin, an uncle 
 of Joseph Duncan, was appointed state treasurer. He induced 
 the family to move to that part of the State, to Fountain Bluff 
 upon the Mississippi, in Jackson County. 
 
 Preceded by the history of his gallant conduct in the war, 
 Duncan's sound judgment, strong common-sense, and honorable 
 bearing soon commanded the respect and esteem of his fellow- 
 citizens. He was rapidly promoted to the high rank of major- 
 general of the militia, and in 1823 was elected a member of the 
 State senate. While a member of the senate in 1824, he intro- 
 duced a bill for the establishment of common-schools in Illinois, 
 which became a law. It was a wise law, carefully framed, and 
 
GOV. JOSEPH DUNCAN. I9 
 
 substantially the same as that now in force in this State, but it 
 was in advance of the age and the circumstances of the 
 people, and was soon afterward repealed. An old citizen of 
 Jacksonville, speaking of this law, says; "I well remember the 
 opposition there was to this school-law on the part of the poor 
 people, who feared that their children would be educated and 
 wholly unfitted for work on the farm; the very class which the 
 law was intended to benefit opposed it most bitterly." 
 
 Joseph Duncan and Daniel Pope Cook became candidates in 
 the year 1826 for the Twentieth Congress, and Mr. Duncan was 
 elected. Mr. Cook was one of the most brilHant men of his 
 day — had been a member of Congress since the admission of the 
 State, which was constituted a congressional district, and ranked 
 among the leading men in that body, holding the position of 
 chairman of the Committee of Ways and Means; of unbounded 
 popularity in the State until somewhat affected by his vote in 
 Congress for Mr. Adams in 1824. It surely was a triumph of 
 which any man might be proud, to succeed over such an oppon- 
 ent. Mr. Duncan was successively elected to, and continued to 
 be a member of the Twentieth, Twenty-first, and Twenty-second 
 Congresses, and served from 1827 to 1833. 
 
 That a congressman's life was then as now too, much occupied 
 with the question of appointments is shown by numerous pas- 
 sages in a diary which he kept at the time, from which are tran- 
 scribed a few passages, omitting some names: 
 
 "1829, Feb. 19. Various applications forme to support Duff 
 Green for public printer; could not consent to do so; knew too 
 much of him ; believed and told his friends that they would soon 
 get tired of him, as he was arrogant, dictatorial, and possessed 
 no fixed principles;" * * 
 
 "Feb. 20th. Gen. Jackson arrived in Washington City; Maj. 
 [John H.] Eaton met him on the road and escorted him in. I 
 called to see him on the 17th and again today. I found him 
 engaged in another room with a corps of editors." * * 
 
 "Feb. 2ist. Called again on Gen. Jackson to introduce a 
 friend; saw Mr. Tazewell with the general the only suitable com- 
 
20 GOV. JOSEPH DUNCAN. 
 
 panion I had met. * ' * Saw Capt. [Zac] Taylor of the U.-S. 
 array; he says he heard that Gen. Jackson was going to call that 
 day upon President [J. Q.] Adams; that he met Duff Green and 
 told him that he understood that Gen. [Andrew] Jackson was to 
 call upon Mr. Adams that day. Gen. Duff Green said that he did 
 not believe the report, but that he would go and see, and if it was 
 so, he would very soon put a stop to it. Arrogance enough." * * 
 
 "Feb. 23d. From the persons who surround the general, I 
 fear he is to be improperly influenced in his first appointments. 
 The central committee appear to consider him as their own game. 
 Some of them are constantly with him, or about the door as I 
 am informed, for I do not know them all by sight. I called to 
 see Gen. Jackson at 7 o'clock in the evening with two friends, Mat- 
 thew St. Clair Clarke and Lieut. Johnson. The general expressed 
 much pleasure in seeing us; said he was more gratified to see us 
 ■at that hour, as ' Duff,' as he called him, had presumed to set his 
 hours for him to receive his visitors; but he said that would all 
 be right, as he had ordered Green to correct the statement regu- 
 lating his hours for receiving visitors, in his paper. 
 
 " What excessive presumption, was the first feeling I had, but 
 it is all right, as it must very soon place this character in his 
 proper hole. Various rumors are current about the appointment 
 of the cabinet, Tazewell to be secretary of state; Hayne, navy; 
 McLean, war; Baldwin, treasury; Ingham, P.-M. G. All agree 
 that the cabinet will be composed of five of the following per- 
 sons: Tazewell, VanBuren, McLean, Baldwin, Hamilton, Hayne, 
 Ingham, and Cheves. Gen. Ogle arrived in the city; came into 
 the House of Representatives; his red vest attracts great notice; 
 every one whispers to his neighbor to know who he is. Several 
 new senators have arrived. McLean of Illinois. Letters have 
 ■ been received that he obtained his election by union with the 
 E.-and-A. party; hope it isn't so; have a better opinion of the 
 man. Called to see the President; he says he will remove no 
 officer on account of political opinions unless he has used his 
 office for electioneering. He appears liberal, and I agree per- 
 fectly with his views." 
 
GOV. JOSEPH DUNCAN. 21 
 
 " March 4th. Attended the President's inauguration. He 
 walked from Gadsbies' hotel with his. hat off in a great crowd. 
 Having a fine view from the west room of the clerk's office in the 
 Capitol, I could see him and the vast crowd at every point until 
 they ascended the grfeat steps which enter the capitol. Saw 
 nothing that I disliked but the conspicuous station and part 
 acted by the central committee. Stood near the president when 
 he read his address; was struck by the profound attention of the 
 multitude while he read, especially as I am convinced that three- 
 fourths of all present could' not have heard the sound of his voice, 
 at least so as to distinguish one word. The expression of the 
 people on his first appearance was very fine, and showed that he 
 had a strong hold on their affection. The number present is 
 variously estimated, the opinions of intelligent persons vary from 
 fifteen to thirty thousand. No parade of the military present, 
 except one or two companies, and they were very far off I 
 think they were from Alexandria, as I saw one of them coming 
 from that direction. With this I was much pleased. I am op- 
 posed to great parades, and especially military parades, on such 
 an occasion; had rather see the honors done after the service is 
 performed; but in this District, where most of the people are 
 servants of or connected with the government, it is natural they 
 should worship the rising sun. I was forcibly struck with the 
 contrast between Mr. Adams entering on and closing his official 
 duties as president. I was present in 1825, when his inaugura- 
 tion took place. It was a fine day, and from the moment I first 
 looked into the street on the morning of the 4th of March until 
 dark I saw nothing but a bustle, people moving in all directions 
 and many of them by sunrise in full military dress, and by 10 
 o'clock the Avenue was crowded with armed soldiers, whom I 
 took to be a mixture of marines, infantry, and artillery of the 
 United States, and militia of the District. It was certainly the 
 finest display I ever witnessed. Was informed that many of the 
 fine coats had been bought in honor of Gen. La Fayette. I was 
 glad to hear it, for the idea of their having been bought for this 
 occasion was too ridiculous. In 1829, Mr. Adams was not seen 
 
22 GOV. JOSEPH DUNCAN. 
 
 on the 4th of March, and I suppose would not have been thought 
 of but for a coffin handbill that was circulated in the crowd in 
 the most disgusting manner, that produced general disgust. Did 
 not go to the White House to see the President receive his 
 friends after the inauguration. I understood that the crowd was 
 very great; all sorts of folks there, some with their feet on the 
 satin chairs and sofas and mahogany tables. A report was circu- 
 lated that the gold and silver spoons were stolen on this occa- 
 sion, but beheve that it was not true." 
 
 "March sth. The city is said to be filled with office-hunters. 
 There is general disappointment in the appointment of the cab- 
 inet. Clay says that they charged Mr. Adams with making a 
 bargain; that he thinks Gen. Jackson had better have made one." 
 
 "March 6th, 1829. Gov. Kinney and E. J. W. wish me to 
 request the removal of certain officers from office, which I de- 
 clined, as I am opposed to removing competent and worthy men 
 on account of a mere difference of opinion. They appeared to 
 be dissatisfied, but that will make no difference in my conduct, 
 as such a course would be adverse to all my notions of propriety. 
 Went with Gov. Kinney to see the President, recommended West 
 for secretary of legation to the minister to Columbia. Gen. 
 Jackson says he will try and provide for him. Went to see sec- 
 retary of the treasury in favor of G. T. Pell. The senators join 
 in the recommendation, and he is recommended by many of the 
 members of the legislature of Illinois." 
 
 "March 7th, 1829. Kane, McLean, and myself went in Mc- 
 Lean's room to consult about appointments in the event of any 
 removals or vacancies. McLean and myself opposed removal^ 
 except for some good cause other than political. Kane rather 
 differed in opinion about removals. We agreed to recommend 
 C. Slade for marshal in the event of Conner's removal, as charges 
 have been made against him. We did n't all agree upon any one 
 else, nor can I say that we disagreed very much, although several 
 were named." 
 
 "March loth, 1829. Still in Washington waiting on my wife's 
 health. Went to see the President and secretary of war about 
 
GOV. JOSEPH DUNCAN. 2$ 
 
 getting the lUinois-and-Lake-Michigan canal located and the 
 route from the Illinois River to Lake Erie examined. Saw Gen. 
 Gratiot; got him to go with me to the war department; found 
 him very friendly to my views and to the West. The secretary 
 thinks the law does not authorize him to send engineers to locate. 
 Referred him to the case in Indiana under the same law. He 
 appears disposed to do right, and says if the favor has been done 
 to Indiana it should also be extended to Illinois; promises it 
 shall be ordered." 
 
 "March nth, 1829. Met Maj. Campbell of Tennessee near 
 the treasury department; he told me that the president and sec- 
 retary of war had given him the appointment of superintendent 
 of the lead mines on the upper Mississippi River in Illinois and 
 Michigan. I resolved to remonstrate against the appointment 
 and told Mr. Campbell of my intention. I went immediately to 
 the president and told him that the appointment of a man from 
 Tennessee to hold an office in Illinois would be treating his 
 friends in that State very badly, and that it could not help excit- 
 ing much displeasure. He assured me that he would do nothing 
 that would displease his friends anywhere if he knew it; that Mr. 
 Campbell was the only applicant; that he was not acquainted 
 with the fact that so large a portion of these mines was in Illi- 
 nois. He wrote a note to the secretary of war upon the subject, 
 and assured me that it should be satisfactorily arranged. I called 
 the same day to see Mr. Eaton; he appeared anxious to appoint 
 Campbell. I assured him that it would be resented by every 
 citizen of Illinois if he was appointed. * * j urged 
 the necessity, if the change was made, of their compelling the 
 superintendent to give bond and security, as contemplated by 
 my bill upon the subject of governing the mines. Left the sec- 
 retary without much satisfaction, but convinced that he would 
 insist upon Campbell's appointment. * * J immediately wrote 
 a remonstrance to the president, as I was determined that I 
 would clear myself of the responsibility of transferring a man 
 from another State into Illinois to hold an office which placed in 
 his hands fifty thousand dollars per annum of public property, 
 
24 GOV. JOSEPH DUNCAN. 
 
 without check or security to protect the interests of the govern- 
 ment. Got a letter from James M. Duncan; he wants to be 
 appointed Indian agent in place of Graham or Hamtramck, who. 
 Gen. Smith of Missouri ijjforms me, are to be removed, and he 
 requests me to use my influence. This I can not do consistently^ 
 as I am unwilling to ask or receive a favor which would place 
 me under obligations to the executive power of the government 
 while I am the representative of the people, as the appointment 
 of my brother upon my request would have that tendency, and I 
 think every person applying for an office should have the recom- 
 mendation of the people with whom he resides or with whom he 
 is to serve. This, I do not doubt, my brother could obtain if 
 he pleases." * * 
 
 "March — , 1829. Dined at the president's; splendid enter- 
 tainment. All the secretaries, W. R. Davis, John Varnum, and 
 myself of Congress, Gen. Macomb, Jessup, Gibson, and Gratiot,. 
 Col. Towson, and all the foreign ministers in full dress were pres- 
 ent, with. several other senators. Maj. Eaton informed me that 
 he had concluded not to change the nature of the agency at the 
 mines, but he had or would detail another of the officers of the 
 United-States army to succeed Lieut. Thomas, and that he would 
 have several assistants to appoint and invited me to recommend 
 some persons to fill them. I agreed to see him tomorrow." 
 
 "March — , 1829. Went to war office; met Duff Green com- 
 ing out; wondered if he had any person for one of those places 
 and was told that he wanted Dr. Green of St. Louis appointed. 
 I recommended the retention of McKnight; also recommended 
 Col. Wight, R. W. C, Col. S. A., and R. B. T., but received no 
 answer. The secretary spoke of others out of the State for some 
 of the places, to which I objected." 
 
 "April — , 1829. E. J. W. returned to the city; left Kinney 
 in Baltimore. He has a strong recommendation from merchants 
 and other persons of distinction in the city of New York, recom- 
 mending him for chargl d' affaires to . I called with him 
 
 to see the president; he said he would appoint him, but the 
 appropriation for that purpose was exhausted. Gov. Kinney 
 
GOV. JOSEPH DUNCAN. 2^ 
 
 appears very anxious for West's appointment; delighted with his 
 trip to the North; says he left my brother James in Boston, get- 
 ting better, to come on with Capt. S. B. Richardson. Went with 
 Kinney to see the president; he told the president that his 
 appointments in Boston gave general satisfaction; said the peo- 
 ple expected the Adams men to be turned out. The president 
 expressed pleasure at hearing his appointments gave such satis- 
 faction. Kinney urges the necessity of removals; says the Re- 
 publicans had fought hard and had gained a great victory, but if 
 the old Federalists were left in office the battle would have to be 
 fought over again; says if it was left to him he would turn them 
 all out as he would a parcel of dogs from a meat-house. The 
 president laughed heartily at this remark, but made no reply. 
 Returning, we met Handy of Indiana, at Williamson's; Kinney 
 asked him if he had been here ever since he saw him. He re- 
 plied he had. Kinney advised him to go home, or some one 
 would administer on his estate. The little fellow bore the joke 
 very well and replied they would be poorly paid for their trouble 
 if they did. There are many others in the city who are running 
 the same risk." 
 
 "April, 1829. Kinney came to see me; said that Eaton would 
 appoint a citizen of Illinois to one of the offices of Galena if I 
 would recommend some one, which I rather declined, as I felt 
 indignant at the appointment of citizens in Tennessee and Vir- 
 ginia to hold offices in Illinois." 
 
 "April — , 1829. Went with Kinney to the war department 
 and recommended A. G. S. W. Never did anything with more re- 
 luctance, as I feared that it might be considered as a surrender 
 of the ground I had taken against the other appointments. Eaton 
 asked me if I had heard from my brother, who was sick in Bos- 
 ton, and expressed a wish to see him. Kinney Said something 
 about his appointment. Eaton said that he had come to no 
 conclusion, but thought that he would appoint him, and requested 
 me to recommend him, which I declined, saying that my brothers 
 must rely upon others to recommend them. Do n't hke the 
 proposition; believe it was intended to get me so committed that 
 
26 GOV. JOSEPH DUNCAN. 
 
 if I complained of the other appointments it might be attributed 
 to disappointment in this." 
 
 While still a member of Congre.ss, he was appointed, in 1831, 
 by Gov. Reynolds, brigadier -general of volunteers in the expedi- 
 tion against the Indians in what is known as the Black-Hawk 
 War. That expedition marched to Rock Island, and at its 
 approach the Indians crossed the Mississippi and concluded a 
 treaty of peace. Gen. Duncan had no opportunity to distinguish 
 himself in his military service otherwise than by his dignified and 
 soldierly conduct to acquire the respect and good-will of his 
 command, and add to his very great popularity. 
 
 He was elected governor of Illinois in 1834, over his competi- 
 tor, William Kinney, who had been lieutenant-governor of the 
 State and was a man of great popularity. Duncan's majority was 
 about seven thousand over Kinney. 
 
 It was during his time, though attaching more to Gov. Reyn- 
 olds' period, that some singular changes in official positions 
 occurred, which are thus stated: "Reynolds was elected governor 
 of Illinois in 1830. Zadoc Casey at the same time elected lieu- 
 tenant-governor. In 1832, when three congressmen were appor- 
 tioned to Illinois, Joseph Duncan, the previous sole member 
 from the State, was elected from the northern district, and Chas. 
 Slade and Zadoc Casey from the two southern districts. Casey 
 was lieutenant-governor and his election to congress made W. L. 
 D. Ewing, president of the senate, acting lieutenant-governor. 
 In 1834, Slade died and Gov. Reynolds was elected to fill this 
 vacancy, and also for the full term following. Hence Ewing, 
 who had become lieutenant-governor when Casey went to con- 
 gress, became governor when Reynolds went there also, and 
 occupied the executive chair for half a month. And another 
 queer transposition was that Duncan, sitting congressman for 
 seven years past while he was East, was elected governor to suc- 
 ceed Reynolds, and Reynolds, the State governor, was sent to 
 congress to succeed Duncan. Duncan, on his return home in 
 the fall, met Reynolds somewhere at a relay station on the Na- 
 tional road, and, after their cordial greeting, Duncan said: "Well, 
 
GOV. JOSEPH DUNCAN. 2/ 
 
 Governor, we are changing horses here, aint we ? You are going 
 from governor to congress, and I am going from congress to 
 governor." "Yes," said the old ranger, "and we are changing 
 horses politically, too. You are riding the Yankee mule and I 
 am going to keep astraddle of Old Hickory." 
 
 The pith of this story, which Gov. Reynolds related, was that 
 Duncan had been counted until the time of his election as gov- 
 ernor as a Jackson man, and now had become an Adams-and- 
 Clay Whig, while Reynolds was now a Jackson Democrat, when 
 he had previously been counted as a sort of out-rider by the 
 decided Jackson men. 
 
 In this political contest, parties first began to be formed on 
 national issues. Prior to 1832, elections were decided more 
 upon the popularity of the men who were the candidates and 
 upon local questions rather than national. 
 
 Joseph Duncan had been the ardent supporter of Gen. Jackson 
 in the contest for the presidency in 1824-1828, and, in 1832, 
 Jackson arbitrarily, as he thought, had suspended the functions 
 of the United-States Bank as the financial agent of the govern- 
 ment; he had vetoed bills appropriating money for improvement 
 of the great rivers, Mississippi, Illinois, and Wabash, and for the 
 harbor at Chicago. Duncan, having the interests of his constit- 
 uents at heart, felt obliged to break with the administration, and 
 in manly addresses sent through circulars to the people of Illi- 
 nois, advised them of the reasons why he could not support the 
 administration. He did not canvas the State in person, when a 
 candidate for governor. The public interest demanded that he 
 should remain at his post as member of Congress. The medium 
 he employed to reach the people was the press. 
 
 After the election of Gen. Jackson in 1832, Martin Van Buren 
 was presented, with the sanction of Gen. Jackson, as his suc- 
 cessor. From 1832 onward, until his election in 1836, members 
 of the Democratic party in Illinois began to take sides for or 
 against Mr. Van Buren, the larger portion in his favor. At that 
 time was first introduced into Illinois politics the convention 
 system, and which, by its opponents, was charged to be the 
 introduction of the machine politics of New York. 
 
28 GOV. JOSEPH DUNCAN. 
 
 Many prominent Democrats, while claiming to support the 
 administration of Gen. Jackson, refused to support Mr. VanBuren 
 as his successor. Their loss, however, was made up to the Dem- 
 ocratic party by the adhesion of many heretofore supporters of 
 Mr. Clay. The Democrats who refused to support Mr. VanBuren 
 and the large party of those who had been Adams-and-Clay men 
 united upon Judge White of Tennessee as the opponent of Mr. 
 VanBuren at the election of 1836. 
 
 Judge White had always been a warm supporter of Gen. Jack- 
 son. Since that time, parties in Illinois have been based on 
 national issues, and the convention system, when first introduced 
 by the friends of Mr. Van Buren, was bitterly attacked by his' 
 opponents, but has since become commonly used by all parties. 
 
 Joseph Duncan was one of those hostile to Mr. Van Buren, 
 and in his race for governor in 1 834, was supported by all the 
 opponents of Van Buren from the Democratic party, and by the 
 opponents of Gen. Jackson generally, and by a sufficiency of the 
 regular Jackson men to elect him governor of IlUnois over Mr. 
 Kinney, who was supported by the friends of Mr. VanBuren. It 
 was stated that Joseph Duncan's opposition to Gen. Jackson's 
 administration must have been caused by disappointment or 
 prejudice, or he would not have left his old friends. Replying to 
 this charge in a public address, he said such was not the fact; 
 that he never asked a favor of the administration of Gen. Jackson 
 or Mr. Van Buren ; that he had ever been on good terms with 
 Gen. Jackson, and he had no personal difference with Mr. Van 
 Buren; that Gen. Jackson had offered him, through a friend, any 
 office he would choose to accept; and that he had appointed 
 several of his relations to important offices without his solicita- 
 tion. So far, therefore, from his ever having any personal cause 
 of dissatisfaction, he had ever enjoyed the friendship and kept up 
 the most friendly intercourse with Gen. Jackson, and he would 
 now say what he had said a thousand times before, that he never 
 doubted Gen. Jackson's intentions to do right and to carry out 
 the pledges of himself and party. He believed a better patriot 
 or a man who more sincerely loved his country never lived; but. 
 
GOV. JOSEPH DUNCAN. 29 
 
 unfortunately for his fame and the welfare of his country, he came 
 into office at too advanced an age to give his personal attention 
 to those vast reforms he had pledged himself to carry out, and 
 from his advanced age there resulted a loss of intellect but too 
 perceptible to all who knew him. The glories of his military 
 ■character, the sauvity of his manners, his fame, and his power 
 brought around him, from curiosity to see the hero, from admir- 
 ation of his noble, frank, and chivalrous bearing, or from interest, 
 thousands and thousands of individuals from the old and new 
 world, and none were ever turned away, but all were admitted to 
 his presence, and went away delighted with his kind and hospit- 
 able treatment. Very soon after Gen. Jackson came into office, 
 from incidents and intrigue well known, Mr. Van Buren became a 
 favorite of the general, ana kindly relieved him from the burdens 
 of his official station, leaving the venerable old president to do 
 the more delightful offices of the parlor, for which no man living 
 was ever better qualified. 
 
 Mr. Van Buren, having thus obtained the general's confidence, 
 had no difficulty in introducing his own principles into the action 
 •of the administration, "and it was in this way," said he, "that all 
 Gen. Jackson's pledges to reduce the expenses and reform the 
 abuses of the government have been abandoned, and the extrav- 
 agant and ambitious policy of Mr. Van Buren had obtained 
 prestige." 
 
 Gov. Duncan said : " he had weighed well the course he had 
 pursued; he knew to oppose the administration would disappoint 
 and perhaps displease many of his oldest and best friends; he 
 anticipated the abuse of the pensioned press and the ambitious 
 office-seekers, but he considered his duty to a generous people 
 and to his country above every personal consideration, and, 
 therefore did not hesitate to oppose every measure which was 
 •calculated to increase improperly and unnecessarily the public 
 expenditure, or to clothe the government with improper power, 
 or to lead to prescription or threaten the safety of our free insti- 
 tutions." He asked: "Was it not a fact that he was the favorite 
 of the Jackson party at home, having been elected to Congress 
 
30 GOV. JOSEPH DUNCAN. 
 
 over a talented Adams man by a majority of one thousand votes? 
 And that he was the intimate personal friend of Gen. Jackson 
 and every member of his party at Washington at the time he 
 commenced opposing the administration. Where, then, was the 
 motive for him to abandon them, unless it was from a sense of 
 duty to a people who had often honored him with their confi- 
 dence and placed him as their sentinel on the watch-tower of 
 their liberties?" 
 
 Gov. Duncan quoted from Jackson's letter to the legislature of 
 Tennessee, Oct. 14, 1825, where he pledges himself " to serve but 
 one term." This, as well as his oft-repeated pledges of reform 
 and retrenchment had been wholly neglected, nay, had been 
 treated with contempt. Here it will be perceived that under the 
 administration of Mr. Van Buren the expenditures of the govern- 
 ment amounted to $26,664,745 annually, more than under the 
 administration of Mr. Adams, and yet Mr. Adams was turned out 
 for the extravagance of his administration. 
 
 In June, 1828, the retrenchment committee reported that at 
 least one-third of the clerks in the department in Washington 
 might be reduced with safety to the public interest, yet nothing 
 was done. Gen. Jackson had promised to hold public officers to 
 a strict accountability, yet it was notorious that millions had been 
 plundered from the treasury without an effort on the part of Mr. 
 Van Buren to prevent it. He had even appointed defaulters to 
 office, knowing the fact, concealing it from the public. The 
 Democrats need not count Van Buren as one ; he was no Demo- 
 crat. He voted, Nov. 9, 1812, in the city of Albany, N.Y., for 
 DeWitt Clinton as a candidate for the presidency. He was 
 found in opposition to his country at a moment when it was 
 bleeding at every pore. But the most serious thing in the con- 
 duct of Gen. Jackson was this: that in September, 1833, he 
 ordered the public deposits in the bank to be transferred to 
 selected local banks and entered upon the "experiment" whether 
 these could not act as fiscal agents for the government, and 
 whether the desire to get the deposits would not induce them to 
 adopt sound rules of currency. During the next session, the 
 
GOV. JOSEPH DUNCAN. 3 1 
 
 senate passed a resolution condemning his conduct. Jackson 
 protested, and, after a hard struggle, the resolution was ordered 
 expunged from the record, Jan. i6, 1837. To show how Joseph 
 Duncan regarded party, I quote again : 
 
 ■ " Many complain that I have not sufficiently supported the 
 party in my votes in Coijgress. To such I would say I have 
 investigated every subject upon which I have been called upon 
 to act, with a sincere desire of obtaining correct information. 
 My votes have been governed by my best judgment and an 
 ardent wish to promote the interest and honor of the country, 
 without regard to what either party supported or opposed. 
 
 " Having been led to observe early in life that a man who has 
 firmness and independence enough to do right in high party 
 times, though condemnedTsy the ambitious and selfish dema- 
 gogues, is certain to be sustained by the patriotic and honorable 
 men of all parties, I was at no loss what course to pursue when I 
 entered Congress. That man who is so weak or so wicked as to 
 vote under the influence of party feeling or party discipline will 
 be compelled, almost every day, to abandon his principles, if he 
 has ever advanced any, the interest of his constituents, his own 
 honor, and his independence, and I envy them not the praise 
 they receive from any party." 
 
 An old and tried friend said of Gov. Duncan : " Few men in 
 our country have evinced more independence. Party discipline 
 nor popular excitement ever shook the firmness of his purpose or 
 swerved him from the path of duty. 
 
 " When most of the legislatures and governors of the different 
 States raised the popular claim to the public lands within their 
 limits, although then their sole representative, he promptly pro- 
 nounced their claim illegal, and refused to give it his counten- 
 ance, for which he was opposed by many of the leading men of 
 the State, but he manfully breasted the opposition and main- 
 tained and defended his opinions before the people, who sus- 
 tained him by a large majority — which has ever put to rest a 
 subject that swept over the West and South like a tornado." 
 
 In one of his published letters Gov. Duncan says : " It is my 
 
32 GOV. JOSEPH DUNCAN. 
 
 deliberate opinion, formed by long observation of the spirit of 
 the Van Buren party, that if the Whigs shall now consent to or- 
 ganize and act upon the same principles, elections in this coun- 
 try will become as corrupt as they are in the rotten boroughs of 
 England, and then the government will soon end in angry contest, 
 civil war, and perhaps despotism. 
 
 " Let all parties throw off the shackles which party machinery 
 has imposed upon them. Then they will, as before 1830 when 
 the republic was pure, march to the polls like freemen and 
 vole for men and measures on their own judgment. The three 
 issues of the party now are the bank, tariff, and distribution. We 
 are for a well-guarded bank, chartered by the United States to 
 act as a fiscal agent of the government, to regulate 'our currency 
 and assist commerce, to be owned aid directed chiefly by private 
 stockholders who shall be responsible to Congress or its special 
 agent for their strict observance of the law and their fidelity to 
 the government. We are in favor of a tariff or tax to support 
 the governmeTit being levied, first upon such articles of necessity 
 as are required by every family. We are opposed to proscription 
 and removals of competent public agents for their political opin- 
 ions by the executive government, because it degrades and en- 
 slaves the public officer and takes away his responsibility to the 
 law and the people and makes him the servile tool of men in 
 power." 
 
 Gov. Duncan, in his first message at the session of the legisla- 
 ture of 1834, forcibly called the attention of that body to the 
 subject of education and common -schools, by saying: "As every 
 country is prosperous and respected in proportion to the virtue 
 and intelligence of its inhabitants, the subject of education will 
 ; doubtless again form 'an important part of your deliberations. * 
 It becomes us to use every exertion in our power to instruct 
 those who are immediately dependent upon us, and leave to 
 those who come after us the rich revenues to be derived from 
 the land, canals, and other improvements; to form a permanent 
 fund to carry out any plan you may now adopt for the purposes 
 of education. * * A government like ours, controlled and 
 
GOV. JOSEPH. DUNCAN. 33 
 
 •carried on by the will of the people, should be careful to use all 
 the means in its power to enlighten the minds of those who are 
 ■destined to exercise so important a trust This and every con- 
 sideration connected with the virtue, eleyation, and happiness of 
 man, and the character and prosperity of our State, and of our 
 common country, calls upon you to establish some permanent 
 system of common-schools by which an education may be placed 
 within the power, nay, if possible, secured to every child in the 
 State. As the first establishment may, from want of experience, 
 be attended withdifRculty and loss, it may be found most exped- 
 ient to commence the system while the funds are small, so that 
 when they increase we may have acquired experience, by which 
 they may be employed more judiciously." 
 
 In the same message he urges with great force the necessity of 
 the completion of the canal from the Illinois River to Lake 
 Michigan, wide enough for steamboats to pass. What he said in 
 that message of the future of Illinois was then a prediction, but 
 is today more than realized. 
 
 " The slightest reflection upon the ease with which our prairies 
 may be brought under cultivation, compared with the labor, ex- 
 pense, and delay which attend the clearing and cultivating a 
 heavy-timbered forest, must convince the most skeptical of the 
 splendid results which will follow from the completion of a work 
 that will enable us to sell at an increased value our agricultural, 
 mineral, and other productions. 
 
 " It is not merely in the ease with which farms are opened that 
 the superiority of the agricultural prospects of this State consist. 
 The fertility of the soil yields a rich product, its lightness renders 
 it easy of cultivation, while its depth almost certainly secures the 
 prudent and industrious farmer against those vicissitudes of the 
 season which so frequently destroy the crops in other countries. 
 
 " Judging of the future by the past and present rapid improve- 
 ment, which is everywhere in progress in our State, and estimat- 
 ing its future population by the inexhaustible resources of the 
 country and by the flood of enterprising citizens pouring into it 
 from every quarter of the civilized world, the imagination is lost 
 3 
 
34 GOV. JOSEPH DUNCAN. 
 
 in contemplating the millions of happy and independent people 
 which it is destined to sustain, and whose surplus will scarcely- 
 find room to float upon the majestic rivers, the Mississippi and 
 St. Lawrence, flowing to the north and to the south, which Provi- 
 dence, in the fullness of its beneficence, has provided on a scale 
 equaled only by the vast country they are destined to accom- 
 modate." 
 
 The public mind was not then ready to adopt the views of 
 Gov. Duncan in relation to common-schools, but his views then 
 advanced had their influence on public opinion, and led, in 1854- 
 'SS, to the adoption into a law of a bill prepared by Ninan W. 
 Edwards for a system of common-schools, now in force, and the 
 provisions of which are very similar to those of the law adopted, 
 in 1824, of which Gov. Duncan was the author. 
 
 Gov. Duncan did not recommend the charter of the State Bank, 
 adopted at that session, but expressed an opinion against it, 
 saying : " Should it be considered expedient to establish a bank, 
 a measure I can not at present advise, I would suggest the pro- 
 priety of providing that, in no event, should more than six per 
 cent per annum be divided to the stockholders, and that the 
 stock be sold at public auction to the highest bidder and the 
 advance on it put into the State treasury. Banks may be made 
 exceedingly useful in society, not only affording an opportunity 
 to the widow, the orphan, and the aged who possess capital with- 
 out the capacity of employing it in ordinary business to invest it 
 in such stock, but by its use the young and enterprising me- 
 chanic, merchant, and tradesman may be enabled more success- 
 fully to carry on his business and improve the country. 
 
 " But, unfortunately, banks are too often established to benefit 
 the rich speculator, with no reference to the interest and conven- 
 ience of the industrious poor, which has justly excited a jealousy 
 among the people against all banks, and should admonish us to 
 be exceedingly careful in the first permanent introduction of them 
 into our State." 
 
 The message also recommended the subject of colleges in the 
 following terms : " The State has also at its disposal a consider- 
 
GOV. JOSEPH DUNCAN. 35 
 
 able fund for the establishment and support of colleges, institu- 
 tions of learning of a more liberal character, although of less vital 
 importance than a system of common -schools, and are second 
 only to them in importance. Nor can the inestimable value of 
 education be properly appreciated until provision is made for 
 instruction in the higher branches of literature. The subject is 
 one whose importance will doubtless recommend itself to your 
 serious consideration." 
 
 The legislature of 1834-35 adjourned without taking any effi- 
 cient action upon the recommendations of Gov. Duncan on the 
 subject of education and the canal. A call of the legislature was 
 made for a special session to assemble on the first Monday of 
 December, 1835, mainly for an apportionment of representation 
 under, the census of ihat year. Gov. Duncan addressed a written 
 message to this legislature, and, after advising them that all efforts 
 to obtain a loan to complete the canal under the act of the last 
 session had failed, he recommended them to authorize a loan on 
 a pledge of the faith of the State for such a sum as, in their dis- 
 cretion, they may consider necessary for a vigorous prosecution 
 of the work. 
 
 The loan had failed to be made under the law of the previous 
 session because the faith of the State was not pledged for its 
 repayment, therefore, the recommendation of the governor for a 
 pledge of the faith of the State, to prevent a failure of the prose- 
 cution of the work. That legislature did pass a law authorizing a 
 loan to be made and a pledge of the faith of the State given for 
 its repayment. Under this law a loan was made and was the 
 efficient means of completing the building of the Illinois-and- 
 Michigan Canal. 
 
 Gov. Duncan, in his message, urged the importance of other 
 works of internal improvement, but opposed the making of them 
 by the State, and recommended them to be built by private indi- 
 vidual enterprise. He said: "Several other important works of 
 internal improvement have been authorized by law, and many 
 others are spoken of, which the commerce and rapid growth of 
 the State must very soon require to be put into operation, and. 
 
36 GOV. JOSEPH DUNCAN. 
 
 while I would urge the most liberal support of all such measures, 
 as tending with perfect certainty to increase the wealth, resources, 
 and prosperity of the State, I would at the same time most res- 
 pectfully suggest the propriety of leaving the construction of all 
 such works, whenever it can be done consistently with the gen- 
 eral interest, chiefly to individual enterprise. Experience has 
 shown that capitalists, merchants, and the farmers of the country 
 soonest discern the necessity and importance of such improve- 
 ments; and while the State can, by a liberal subscription to the 
 stock, which I would advise in all cases, give impulse to work 
 undertaken by individuals, it may make a safe investment of its 
 funds such as will pay the interest upon any loan which may be 
 required and render as much, and often more, service to the 
 country than by undertaking the whole work. When we look 
 abroad and see the extensive lines of internal communication 
 penetrating almost every section of our sister states; when we 
 see the canalboat and the locomotive bearing, with seeming 
 triumph, the rich productions of the interior to the rivers, lakes, 
 and ocean, almost annihilating time, burden, and space, what 
 patriot bosom does not beat high with a laudable ambition to 
 give to Illinois her full share of these advantages which are 
 adorning and enriching her sister states, and which a munificent 
 Providence seems to invite by the wonderful adaptation of our 
 whole country to such improvements." 
 
 In the same message he recommended an increase of the 
 capital stock of the State Bank, which had been chartered at the 
 previous session of the legislature. 
 
 At the regular session of the legislature of 1836-37, Gov. 
 Duncan again addressed them in a written message, which, how- 
 ever, was nearly a reiteration of his views on state affairs ex- 
 pressed in his message at the previous called session. He again 
 pressed the establishment of common -schools and repeats what 
 he said in the preamble to his bill of 1824-25 as follows : "To 
 enjoy our rights and liberties we must understand them; their 
 security and protection ought to be the first object of a free 
 people; and it is a well-established fact that no nation has ever 
 
GOV. JOSEPH DUNCAN. 37 
 
 continued long in the enjoyment of civil and political freedom 
 which was not both virtuous and enlightened, and believing that 
 the advancement of literature always has been and ever will be 
 the means of developing more fully the rights of men; that the 
 mind of every citizen in a republic constitutes the basis of its 
 strength and happiness, it is, therefore considered the peculiar 
 duty of a free government like ours to encourage and extend the 
 improvement of the intellectual energies of the whole." 
 
 On the subject of internal improvements he says his mind had 
 undergone no change, but urged again the propriety of the State 
 taking stock to aid in constructing public works. This message 
 is mainly confined to views on national politics and arguing 
 against the danger of the great increase of the power and patron- 
 age of the executive of the United States. 
 
 The legislature at this session passed the famous bill " to 
 establish and maintain a general system of internal improve- 
 ments," which provided for the work being done by the State 
 and on its faith and credit. This bill, when passed, was laid 
 before the council of revision, then composed of the governor 
 and judges of the supreme court, for its approval. The bill was 
 not approved by the council, but was returned with the objection 
 " that such works can only be made safely and economically in a 
 free government by citizens or by independent corporations, 
 aided or authorized by government." 
 
 The bill, when returned with the objections of the council, was 
 again passed, the objections of the council notwithstanding, and 
 became a law. The objection of the council was in conformity 
 with the views- of Gov. Duncan, as expressed in his message at 
 the called session, and the objection had his concurrence. 
 
 In reviewing the recommendations of Gov. Duncan, it is mani- 
 fest they were wise and statesman-like, and their wisdom has been 
 manifested by the subsequent experience of the State. 
 
 The following message to the legislature of 1837 gives more 
 fully his views in relation to the banks of the State, the internal 
 improvement act, and the Illinois-and-Michigan Canal, the three 
 subjects which then engrossed the attention of the people and 
 
38 GOV. JOSEPH DUNCAN. 
 
 the politicians of the State. Had his counsels prevailed, Illinois 
 would have escaped the losses entailed by the failure of the 
 banking system and the system of internal improvements, and 
 the Illinois-and-Michigan Canal would have been constructed at 
 first as a ship-canal, and from the date of its opening been a 
 great national highway. 
 
 July' II, 1837, Vandalia. Gov. Duncan says: "In my message 
 at the opening of the last session it was my happiness to congrat- 
 ulate you on the prosperity then so eminently enjoyed by every 
 portion of our beloved country, and from my inmost heart did I 
 rejoice to see the industrious citizen everywhere reap the rich 
 rewards of his labor; and although even then I was not without 
 strong apprehensions of an early reverse, I am confident no 
 human forecast could have anticipated so sudden a calamity as 
 has been brought upon the country by the action of the Federal 
 government upon its currency. 
 
 "At the time the president of the United States assumed the 
 responsibility of ordering the public moneys to be removed from 
 their legal deposit in the Bank of the United States, for the pur- 
 pose, as he avowed, of preventing the recharter of the institution 
 by Congress, there never was a sounder currency or a more 
 healthy state of things in the world. To effect this great object, 
 namely, that of destroying the United-States Bank, rival institu- 
 tions were to be created ; and it will be remembered that im- 
 mediately after the removal of the deposits by the government, 
 parties commenced establishing state banks, whilst state legislat- 
 ures, deluded by the fallacious promises of advantages to be de- 
 rived from the deposits to be made in their institutions, which 
 were to be fiscal agents of the government, readily fell into the 
 measure. As might have been expected, hundreds of new banks 
 instantly sprang up. Their enormous issues of irredeemable paper 
 afforded the inducement of universal extravagant speculation, and 
 gave us what all must now regard as worthless and depraved 
 currency. 
 
 "Before the public were aware of the ruin which this wild 
 scheme portended, the executive and a portion of its party, see- 
 
GOV. JOSEPH DUNCAN. 39 
 
 ing their error, it would seem, endeavored to escape its conse- 
 quences by amusing the people with the absurd, impracticable 
 project of an exclusive hard-money currency. I say absurd, for 
 as well might the executive of the United States expect to compel 
 the citizens of the great valley to abandon the use of steamboats 
 and resume the flat-bottomed barge in the navigation of its thou- 
 sand streams and rivers, as to force them again to give up a 
 sound paper currency, at all times convertible into specie with all 
 its adaptedness to the purposes of the commerce and business of 
 the country. * * 
 
 " It was in view of the motives which dictated this measure 
 and in the anticipation of some of these results that I opposed at 
 first the establishment of the State Bank of Illinois, as I did also 
 last winter both the increase of its capital and that of the bank at 
 Shawneetown. But it is easier sometimes to trace the causes of 
 evil than to find out a remedy for them. 
 
 "The enquiry, however, is important and useful, as the dis- 
 covery of the cause not unfrequently suggests the remedy. * * 
 Probably as much as can at present be effected will be to place 
 our own State in such an attitude as to parry off" the blow and 
 stay as far as possible the effect of the crisis upon our interests, 
 until Congress, the only legitimate power under our constitution, 
 shall regulate the currency and restore it to its former sound con- 
 dition and beneficent action. * * , 
 
 "In the midst of the disasters which have already fallen on 
 the commercial world and which are threatening us on all sides, 
 a favorable opportunity occurs to escape from the perils of that 
 system of internal improvement adopted last winter, which to my 
 apprehension is fraught with evil; and for the reason assigned 
 when I refused my assent to the enactment passed in its favor, as 
 well as for existing pecuniary troubles and derangements, / now 
 recommend its repeal. 
 
 "Aware that it is always difficult and sometimes grevious at 
 least partially to abandon even a bad system after all the interests 
 of society have become identified with it, it is with reluctance, 
 much more in regard to this fact than hesitation as to the pro- 
 
40 GOV. JOSEPH DUNCAN. 
 
 priety of ihe step, that I urge the recommendation; especially, 
 too, as my conviction is deep and firm that such undertakings- 
 belong rather to arbitrary and despotic governments than to the 
 republican institution of a free people, as by the power of patron- 
 age and official influence they tend to corrupt the many and exalt 
 the few. In all the melancholy histories of departed liberty, the 
 process of decay commenced in the people's neglect or disuse of 
 their own rights and privileges, and progressed in the ignorant 
 and fatuous transfer of them to their rules. And of all the dark 
 symptoms which indicate the evil at work in our system, none 
 seems so fearful, so alarming as the steady, nay, rapid departure 
 of power from the hands of the people to the hands of the gov- 
 ernment, a fact sufficiently obvious to all who have observed the 
 political movements of the last eight days. 
 
 "If to the power and influence which necessarily belong to- 
 political station there be added the immense patronage no 
 less involved in extended public works, there may come a 
 struggle between the people and their rulers, but too late for the 
 former to regain what the latter have stolen. Let the present 
 pernicious system be rescinded, and in its stead adopt the safer, 
 the more generous, more economical, more expeditious, and in 
 every respect the preferable plan of encouraging private individ- 
 uals and corporations by suitable aid from the State, and thus 
 escape the intrigue, venality, waste, and corruption inherent in 
 that patronage which must grow out of such a system as the 
 present. * * 
 
 "A report and correspondence of the canal commissioners are 
 also transmitted. By the correspondence it will be seen that the 
 calling of the legislature together has been urged upon the execu- 
 tive by them as necessary for the carrying on of that favorite 
 work and because of the probable difiiculty of collecting the 
 second instalment on the lots sold in Chicago, which fell due on 
 the 2oth of June last. 
 
 " Having received a letter from the board informing me they 
 would make a full report to the legislature of all their operations, 
 present and plans for the future, I will leave this subject, with an 
 
GOV. JOSEPH DUNCAN. 4I 
 
 earnest recommendation of it to your fostering care, hoping this 
 great work will be carried forward with all expedition consistent 
 with a just economy. 
 
 "As I consider it a national work and ourselves as managers 
 of the fund appropriated by Congress for its accomplishment, it 
 would seem to be our duty faithfully to apply these means; and 
 upon its completion, after a suitable reservation for repairs and 
 improvements, and with due consideration for the rights of the 
 State, it will be equally our duty and interest to make this canal 
 free as the waters of the lakes. 
 
 "Unpleasant as the subject is to myself and maybe to others, 
 I feel bound again to call your attention, and, through you, that 
 of your constituents, to the affairs of our national government, 
 especially of its executive branch, to the action of which I confi- 
 dently believe many of the evils we are now suffering and with 
 which we are threatened are fairly to be attributed. There must 
 be a change; there must be reform. The public treasury must be 
 again firmly placed in the custody of law, and all power and 
 control over it by the executive of the United States must be 
 repudiated. 
 
 " The executive should be prohibited, under severe penalties, 
 from establishing a rule in violation of law to collect this revenue 
 in one quarter of the country in specie only, and in another to 
 collect in bank paper; or from using any other means for divert- 
 ing the specie, which is the only safe basis of exchange, from the 
 ordinary channels of business. Congress must regulate the cur- 
 rency by law and place it out of executive or official power, 
 either to try experiments or make speculations upon it. 
 
 "The patronage of the executive must be reduced and his 
 power to remove public officers so modified as to prevent his 
 displacing a faithful and competent man, either to gratify party 
 malice or to intimidate the exercise of the elective franchise; so, 
 also, as will secure him against executive tyranny and all control 
 over his official acts, except such as the law imposes; that his 
 qualifications, fidelity, and ability may be his only hope of retain- 
 ing office. This control over the public press and Congress, 
 
42 GOV. JOSEPH DUNCAN. 
 
 which has been so powerfully exercised by the appointment of 
 newspaper editors and members of the senate and house of rep- 
 resentatives to high and lucrative offices by the executive, should 
 as far as possible be obviated. 
 
 " The constitutional and legal right of each or both houses of 
 Congress to examine into the official conduct of every officer in 
 the government should be clearly established, as it is the only 
 efficient check the people have upon their public servants, whilst 
 public expenditures must be reduced and more economy and 
 simplicity in the administration of government be observed be- 
 fore we can ever be secure of those inestimable blessings hitherto 
 enjoyed under our constitution and excellent form of government. 
 I pray, gentlemen, that the State may experience the full measure 
 of your patriotism. 
 
 " Never was wisdom from above to direct your counsels more 
 to be implored than at this moment. Party spirit in its mildest 
 form has ever been found an enemy to liberty and sound legisla- 
 tion, but when it is the offspring of ambition and avarice directed 
 by designing bad men in high places, it begets a blind devotion 
 and infuriated zeal, which shuts the door against all reason, jus- 
 tice, and patriotism. 
 
 " May God, in his infinite wisdom and mercy, avert such an 
 evil from this country and grant that justice and the laws may 
 prevail, and every man in this broad land may sit down again 
 with confidence under the shadow of the constitution in the 
 peaceable and quiet enjoyment of his rights and privileges. No 
 power must be allowed to exist in this country superior to that 
 of the people, or that does not acknowledge the supreme and 
 inflexible authority of the law as the rule and action both for the 
 president and every other functionary of the government. 
 
 With great respect, your obedient servant, 
 
 Joseph Duncan." 
 
 Dec. 4, r838, Joseph Duncan, on retiring from office as gov- 
 ernor, sent a message to the senate and house of representatives, 
 a part of which I shall give, although it may seem a repetition of 
 what has already been said of his political views, etc., etc. 
 
GOV. JOSEPH DUNCAN. 43 
 
 He says: "In relation to the impolicy of our system of internal 
 improvements my mind has undergone no change as expressed 
 in my recommendation of its repeal at the called session in July, 
 1837. How to get rid of the evil with which we are threatened 
 by this improvident act without too great a sacrifice of public and 
 private interests is a subject which should occupy your serious 
 and patriotic deliberation. 
 
 " 1 again recommend that the works of improvement be left in 
 the hands of the citizens of the State or to corporations created 
 by law, and that the government have as little to do with them 
 as possible, except to encourage all such undertakings by an 
 equal and liberal subscription for their stock." * * 
 
 Speaking of men appointed to office by the executive of the 
 United States, he says: "They were formerly appointed for their 
 qualifications to serve the public. They are now appointed to 
 obey and serve their party-leaders. Formerly, the public officers 
 were not permitted to become active politicians for the purpose 
 of influencing elections in the State, and were left to vote and 
 speak like free men ; now, from the president down, they are all 
 active politicians, weilding the influence of office, the power of 
 money, and the press to sustain themselves. Under the pre- 
 scriptive and arbitrary policy of the executive, the public officer 
 loses his independence of action and speech, the most essential 
 attribute of liberty. It is a maxim that " he who enslaves a citi- 
 zen is a tyrant," and if so, those who permit it can not long 
 expect to retain the name of free men. 
 
 "How to remedy these evils should be a serious subject of 
 enquiry with you and every reflecting citizen in our country, 
 without distinction of party, for when the ocean heaves there is 
 no certainty whose bark will be able successfully to ride upon its 
 troubled waves. I caIn see no hope of reform but for the legis- 
 latures of the different states to instruct their senators, and the 
 people their representatives in Congress to vote for all measures 
 to reduce the executive patronage, the receipts and expenditures 
 of government, and to prohibit the removal of public officers on 
 party grounds or for any cause without assigning a reason to the 
 
44 GOV. JOSEPH DUNCAN. 
 
 senate for such removal; to prohibit members of Congress from 
 receiving appointments from the executive of the United States 
 for at least two years after the expiration of the time for which 
 they may have been elected, and to prohibit, under severe penal- 
 ties, any ofificers of the United-States government from persuad- 
 ing, bribing, or otherwise influencing votes or elections, from 
 conducting a newspaper press, from bribing or influencing any 
 editor of a paper to support any political party, or contributing 
 money for either of the before-named purposes. Those powers 
 form the great lever with which the executive is now controlling 
 the politics and election of the whole country. Correct them 
 and all other abuses, great as they are, will become comparatively 
 harmless, and the government, which now, like a mighty river, 
 has overflowed the whole land, will sink quietly within its limits, 
 and aspiring men will once more rely upon patriotism, virtue, and 
 talents to secure those places of honor which every citizen of our 
 country should, and under such circumstances would, become 
 ambitious to receive. 
 
 "The work on the Illinois-and-Michigan Canal has progressed 
 as rapidly as could be expected. $444,292 has been received 
 by the canal commissioners on account of lots and lands sold. 
 $500,000 of State bonds were sold in 1836 and 1837 in New 
 York at five per cent premium.* This and other sums [naming 
 them] have been paid to the canal commissioners. The balanre 
 remains on deposit in the State Bank of Illinois, subject to the 
 order of my successor. Considering the canal now, as I have 
 ever considered it, a national highway to be kept as free as the 
 waters of the Mississippi or the St. Lawrence and that the Nation 
 stands pledged to furnish the entire means for its completion, I 
 would further recommend that application be made for further 
 aid to enable the State of Illinois to construct a steamboat canal 
 
 * This Gov. Duncan did for the State. Going to New -York City at his 
 own expense, he made for the State $50,000. He did not receive one farth- 
 ing of the money into his own hands, but required that the whole sum, princi- 
 pal and premium, should be placed in the bank to the credit of the State. — 
 Alton [111.] Telegraph, May, 1842. 
 
GOV. JOSEPH DUNCAN. 45 
 
 from Lake Michigan to the Illinois River, and by the article of 
 cession and Ordinance of 1787, Congress and the Nation stand 
 committed to furnish the entire means of completing this canal. 
 That our public highway may be made permanent and straight is 
 greatly to be desired as a measure of general utility. 
 
 "A raineralogical and agricultural survey of the State could 
 not but be attended with the most favorable results. 
 
 "A well-arranged and properly -disciplined militia gives to a 
 free people the confidence of a strong man. 
 
 " Every possible encouragement should be given to institutions 
 of learning, whether the common-school or the college; they are 
 the corner-stones of our free government. Education is the 
 foundation of every enjoyment of map in this world and of bless- 
 ings in the world to come. * * 
 
 " In taking leave of you, gentlemen, allow me to offer the 
 assurance of my sincere good wishes and friendly feeling for every 
 one of you. The violence with which I have been assailed by 
 my political opponents during the whole time I have been in 
 office has caused no rankling in my bosom. The plain manner 
 in which I have felt it my duty to speak of what I sincerely be- 
 lieved to be errors and abuses of the party iiow in power I knew 
 well would bring their vengeance with all its force upon me, 
 and had I loved ease and office more than my duty, I should 
 have chosen a different course. But I owe too strong a debt of 
 gratitude to the people of Illinois and hold the constitution and 
 freedom of our country in too much esteem ever to shrink from 
 the discharge of my duty." 
 
 In the same message he thus discusses the subject of intem- 
 perance: "The dreadful ravages and baneful effects of intemper- 
 ance are felt and acknowledged in our whole country. Christian 
 philanthropists and statesmen, not only of this, but of every part 
 of the civilized world, are now engaged in exposing the extent 
 and evils of this degrading and most alarming vice, and some of 
 our sister states have undertaken, by legislative provision, to 
 eradicate the evil from among them, and I would most respect- 
 fully and earnestly commend the subject as one worthy of your 
 
46 GOV. JOSEPH DU.NXAN. 
 
 serious consideration. In conclusion, allow me, gentlemen, to 
 remind you of our obligations to divine Providence for the un- 
 usual share of health, and for the abundant crops and improve- 
 ments with which our State has been blessed during the last year. 
 To secure a continuance of these blessings and success to your 
 labors as legislators we must look to and invoke the blessings of 
 God, who holds the destiny of the world in His almighty hand, 
 and who has said that nothing shall prosper that does not ac- 
 knowledge Him as its author." 
 
 In 1842, Joseph Duncan was again nominated as a candidate 
 for the office of governor, at the ensuing election in August, this 
 time by the Whig party. The Democrats had already, in Decem- 
 ber, 1841, nominated Adam Wilson Snyder of St. Clair County as 
 their candidate for the same office. 
 
 In this contest, a ftew element appeared, which for several 
 years was a disturbing element of no small magnitude in the 
 politics of the State. In 1839 and 1840, the Latter- Day Saints 
 or Mormons, driven from the State of Missouri, had arrived in 
 Illinois and settled in Hancock County, and commenced build- 
 ing the City of Nauvoo, which they intended to make the spirit- 
 ual, if not the temporal capital of their religious sect. 
 
 In the spring of 1840, a bill for an act for the incorporation of 
 the City of Nauvoo was introduced. The Whig and Democratic 
 members of the legislature vied with one another in subscribing 
 to the new sect, each party hoping to gain their political support. 
 As a result of such a time-serving policy, the Mormons obtained 
 for their city a charter conferring the most extraordinary powers 
 upon the corporation, making the city a petty sovereignty above 
 and superior to the laws of the State. 
 
 In 1840, the Mormons had given their support to the Whigs, 
 having been expelled from Missouri by Gov. Luburn W. Boggs, 
 a Democrat. Adam W. Snyder had been State senator m 1840, 
 and with Stephen A. Douglas, then secretary of State, had been 
 active in procuring the passage of the act incorporating the City 
 of Nauvoo. Accordingly, Joseph Smith, issued his proclamation 
 directing his followers to support Snyder. The Mormon popula- 
 tion of Hancock County was estimated at 16,000. 
 
GOV. JOSEPH DUNCAN. 47 
 
 The support of the Mormons was, however, a two-edged sword, 
 and the anti-Mormon feeling, fostered by Duncan and his friends, 
 was rising rapidly and threatened to overwhelm Snyder at the 
 approaching election, when he suddenly died. The Democrats 
 then placed in nomination Judge Thomas Ford, who, though 
 well known, was not prominently connected with any recent po- 
 litical movement, and his views on the political issues of the day 
 were unknown. He thus received the support of the whole party. 
 Mormons and all, and was elected governor, receiving 46,901 
 votes, while Duncan received 38,584. 
 
 With this defeat of his candidacy for the office of governor 
 ended Joseph Duncan's political career and public life. One 
 writer speaking of his public life, says : " In these civic offices, 
 no less than those of war, Gov. Duncan built up a reputation of 
 which his family, his friends, the State, and the Nation may be 
 justly proud. As a statesman, he had a well-balanced mind, 
 strict integrity, large and liberal views, ardent love of country, 
 which knew no geographical lines, and great independence in the 
 formation and expression of his opinions, were his prominent 
 characteristics. Had he been ambitious of office rather than 
 true to his principles and his country, he could easily have sailed 
 upon the crest of the popular wave and enjoyed to the end of his 
 life, high political stations. But Joseph Duncan was no time- 
 serving demagogue, and when the Jackson party, with which he 
 was connected and which was then in triumphant majority, de- 
 parted as he believed, from the principles upon which the gallant 
 chief at its head and his friends had conducted the presidential 
 campaign, he did not hesitate to enter his solemn protest against 
 such departure, and to place himself in the ranks of the opposing 
 minority. This movement alone achieved for him more true 
 renown than any office in the gift of the president or the people 
 could have conferred." 
 
 It is for the hearer rather than the writer to say how just is the 
 foregoing panegyric. Here in Jacksonville, where he lived and 
 died, it is proper that I should also say something of his charac- 
 ter as a man, a citizen, and also detail some of the incidents of 
 his private life. 
 
48 GOV. JOSEPH DUNCAN. 
 
 During the four years in which Joseph Duncan was acting as 
 governor of Illinois, the principal questions relating to national 
 politics discussed and considered by the people of the State were 
 those growing out of the changes introduced by the Jackson- 
 Van Buren Democracy, and the principal questions in domestic 
 politics were those relating to the canal and other internal mi- 
 provements, the banks, and the remedy for the stringency of the 
 times following the crash of 1837. Yet in his own State and 
 during his adrninistration, in the year 1837, there occurred an 
 event of momentous importance in our national history. I refer 
 to what was called the Alton riots, and which resulted in the 
 death of Rev. Elijah Parish Lovejoy, Nov. 7. You are all, no 
 doubt, familiar with the general features of that affair, and I will 
 not attempt to portray them here.- 
 
 While it may be a question whether Mr. Lovejoy^s death was 
 not induced by his own recklessness, and while it may be doubted 
 whether Mr. Lovejoy's course was in all respects judicious or the 
 best calculated to accomplish the purpose he had in view, it can 
 not be doubted that the pro-slavery mob at whose hands he met 
 his death were assembled to destroy his (fourth) press, as more 
 than once had already been done, and if possible, to compel him 
 to suppress his anti-slavery views.* 
 
 There is no task more difficult than to attempt to set forth 
 accurately in the present the true character of those who have 
 influenced their generation in the past, or fully to understand the 
 influences shaping and controlling their conduct. 
 
 We must remember that in those days the daily newspaper did 
 not lay before the people the principal transactions of the whole 
 world, or even of the whole Nation. Local questions seemed of 
 more vital importance ; local contests were more heated and 
 enlisted more zeal anrl earnestness from the partisans on either 
 side. Society in Illinois was still in an unformed state. State 
 and national questions of high importance were still unsettled in 
 a period of turmoil and strife. As has been well said, " In all 
 
 * See "The Martyrdom of Lovejoy. By Henry Tanner, an eye-witness. 
 Chicago: Fergus Printing Co., 1881." 
 
GOV. JOSEPH DUNCAN. 49 
 
 periods of political and social excitement, human nature will 
 manifest itself in its brightest and darkest contrasts. The vices 
 and virtues of men will stand out in bold relief, their peculiarities 
 of character displaying themselves with remarkable distinctness." 
 Although the Alton riots called for no official action or expres- 
 sion of opinion on the part of Gov. Duncan, yet he felt deeply 
 the disgrace brought upon the State by the illegal and unlawful 
 conduct of the rioters, although at the same time deprecating, at 
 that time, as unwise the course pursued by Lovejoy and his 
 friends. Probably no clearer statement of his views in regard to 
 these matters can be found than those contained in a letter writ- 
 ten by him to Rev. Gideon Blackburn in reply to one from the 
 latter. This letter is as follows : 
 
 "Elm Grove, Jacksonville, III., Dec. 12, 1837. 
 
 "Dear Sir: Your favor of the nth inst. has just been received, 
 in which you say you consider it, in reference to the Alton mob 
 and the death of the Rev. E. P. Lovejoy, a duty to inquire of me, 
 'as executive organ of the State, whether the spirit of mobs must 
 triumph in the State? Shall the blood of martyred citizens 
 remain unexpiated ? Shall the property, liberty, and life of our 
 citizens be at the rnercy of a lawless and infuriated mob? Shall 
 they be permitted to tread down all law?' etc., etc., and, as an 
 individual, you invoke my influence as the head of the State as 
 far as my authority may go ' to save the State from lawless rebel- 
 lion, blood-guiltiness,' etc, etc. 
 
 " The outrage at Alton must be disapproved and regretted by 
 all good citizens, and nothing has happened within our peaceful 
 State that has filled me with so much regret as that event. The 
 restless spirit of the people of the United States, so frequently 
 developed of late in mobs, has made a deep impression on my 
 mind and is evidence that all is not right with us. 
 
 "I hold that no power in this country is superior to the law, 
 and that a violation of it with impunity is impossible without 
 giving a serious wound to the liberties of the people and impair- 
 ing the strength and value of our free institutions; but little, 
 4 
 
50 GOV. JOSEPH DUNCAN. 
 
 however, you must know, is left to the executive branch of this 
 State government in such cases, as all offenders are to be tried 
 by the courts and juries of the county, which is the only safe 
 tribunal to entrust with such power, and I doubt not they will do 
 their duty in the case alluded to. Should it so happen that the 
 executive authority shall be found necessary to carry into effect 
 a sentence of the court in this or any case, you may be assured it 
 shall be executed with all the energy of which I am capable. 
 
 "While thus condemning mobs and all sorts of lawless vio- 
 lence, which I do from the bottom of my soul, for I believe they 
 are never necessary and generally judge and execute their judg- 
 ments improperly, to say nothing of the violence done the law 
 and constitution, which is an attack on the rights and liberties of 
 every citizen, and especially the poor and weak part of them, yet 
 I must at the same time express ray decided disapprobation of 
 any attempt, while the public mind is in such a state of excite- 
 ment, to agitate the question of abolishing slavery in this country, 
 for it can never be broached without producing violence and 
 discord, whether it be in a free or slave State. Therefore, if I 
 have read my Bible right, which enjoins peace and good-will as 
 the first Christian duties, it must be wicked and- sinful to agitate 
 this subject in the manner it has been done By some Abolitionists, 
 especially after our Southern neighbors have repeatedly and ear- 
 nestly appealed to us not to meddle with it, and assured us their 
 having done so has not only jeopardised their own safety and 
 domestic peace, but in many cases has caused bloodshed and 
 rebellion, which has compelled them, as a measure of prudence 
 and protection, to use more rigidity and severity with their slaves. 
 Thus it would appear that the slaves and master suffer alike by 
 this interference, which all must regard as an infringement on 
 their political rights. 
 
 " In addition to these reasons why many of my countrymen, 
 and myself among the rist, think the discussion of the question 
 of abolition improper, is this : "because it is believed it can not be 
 effected, except by consent of slave-holders, without violating the 
 constitution of the United States and disregarding the sacred 
 
GOV. JOSEPH DUNCAN. SI 
 
 obligations of the compact or compromise on which the Union of 
 the States was formed. Many also there are, and I confess I am 
 one of them, who believe it will neither be consistent with sound 
 policy or humanity by a single effort to free all the slaves in the 
 Union, ignorant, vicious, and degraded as they are known to be, 
 and then turn them loose upon the world without their possessing 
 the least qualification for civil government, or knowledge of the 
 value of property, or the use of liberty. I say at a single blow 
 because I am confident that such an event can never take place 
 without violence, civil war, and disunion, so long as the Aboli- 
 tionists use the means they are using, and the Southern slave- 
 holders continue to regard all their efforts and arguments as in- 
 cendiary, unjust, illegal, and ofiicious. 
 
 "As to the precise character of this affair at Alton, I do not 
 profess to be informed. All agree, however, Mr. Lovejoy's death 
 was caused by a lawless mob, and whether he killed the first man 
 or not, they were aggressors and must stand condemned in the 
 eyes of every virtuous and peaceful citizen. Yet I am bound in 
 candor to say that I disapprove of Lovejoy's determination to 
 persist in the publication of sentiments that had driven him from 
 St. Louis and twice before caused the destruction of his own press 
 in Alton, and which had scarcely ever been broached anywhere 
 without producing the deepest feeling and often very great excite- 
 ment. I can not, however, /rom my knowledge of the man, 
 for a moment doubt the purity of his motives, but believe his 
 conduct was actuated by a perverted judgment, and was ncit 
 sanctioned by any precepts found in the Word of God, or the 
 practice of our Saviour, or any of .his disciples while on earth. 
 
 "Yet, sir, 1 beg you will not consider that I am one of those 
 you named, who believe ' he deserved his fate,' or that I hold 
 those that destroyed him guiltless — far otherwise I assure you. 
 Yet I do think his zeal and intrepidity were worthy of a better 
 cause. 
 
 " You call Mr. Lovejoy a martyr, and I perceive that he is so 
 called by many others, and the good city of-Alton and the State 
 of Illinois are anathematized and charged with blood-guiltiness, 
 
52 GOV. JOSEPH DUNCAN. 
 
 etc., etc., by several prints from abroad that have met my eye 
 since the fatal affair. Now, sir, I can not see the propriety of all 
 this. In the first place, I consider no man entitled to the dis- 
 tinction of martyrdom who is the first to shed blood and who 
 dies with arms in his hands, and whatever may be said or done 
 in "defence of the liberty of personal rights and the freedom of the 
 press, which should be held sacred in our country, the Bible tells 
 us that the seed of discord is an abomination to the Lord. I 
 was born and lived more than half my life in a slave State, long 
 enough to be convinced that the degraded condition of the slave 
 and slavery itself is a great moral and political evil, and we 
 should earnestly implore God to open up the way by which they 
 may be enlightened and improved in their condition, and, when 
 prepared to enjoy it, and it can be done without violating the 
 constitution, the peace and union of the States, we should pray 
 to see them all set at liberty. Why should Mr. Lovejoy be styled 
 a martyr? Was it for his zeal as a captain in the service of our 
 Saviour? If so, we should have seen his valor shown, not in the 
 exercise of any passion, but in the maintaining that humility, 
 meekness, and dove-like spirit always evinced and advised by 
 our Redeemer. 
 
 " It would be profitable, in my opinion, for those who approve 
 of building up God's kingdom in the world of violence to remem- 
 ber the rebuke Christ gave one of his disciples who made a for- 
 ward movement of boldness in his service by using his sword 
 upon one of his enemies and persecutors, and the love, forbear- 
 ance, charity, and meekness he' showed in healing the wound. 
 
 "I know it is the popular doctrine among some Christians that 
 their own conscience is to be the rule or guide of their actions, 
 and what they think to be God's service must be done, let what 
 may follow. Under such feelings we see men courting the dislike 
 of the world, and even provoking their vengeance. Before we 
 saint such as may fall victims to such madness it may be well to 
 
 look into the motives which probably influenced their course 
 
 whether it may not have sprung from spiritual pride, seeking 
 distinction, or to be more exalted with their party. There is 
 
GOV. JOSEPH DUNCAN. S3 
 
 something in true holiness which exalteth the meek and humble 
 Christian above him that taketh a city. Very truly yours, 
 
 Joseph Duncan." 
 
 Although Gov. Duncan, in leaving the state of his birth and 
 the home of his childhood, was very largely moved by a desire to 
 avoid what he considered the blighting influence of slavery, had 
 freed his own slaves and had joined heartily in opposing the 
 introduction of slavery into Illinois, yet the sentiments of the 
 Abolitionists were exceedingly distasteful to him. Under the 
 term Abolitionists were included, not those who thought slavery 
 a moral evil or an economical blunder, but those who insisted 
 upon the abolition of slavery throughout the Union by the gov- 
 ernment, and discussed the question with that end in view. As 
 may be gathered from the foregoing letter, he had a profound 
 respect for law and lawful methods. He reverenced the founders 
 of the Nation, and looked upon the constitution of the United 
 States as the highest manifestation of political wisdom known to 
 the world, and regarded its authors as almost inspired. Hence, 
 when he heard the ultra Anti-slavery men or Abolitionists de- 
 nounce the constitution and declare its restrictions were not 
 binding upon their c;onscience or conduct, he felt as the judge or 
 lawyer feels when he hears the law reviled for its delay, and the 
 more summary methods of Judge Lynch advocated as the remedy 
 for lawlessness. He sympathized with Henry Clay in his plans 
 for gradual emancipation and believed that some such plan should 
 be adopted with compensation to the owners. His views of 
 Abohtionists may be illustrated by the following letter, found 
 among his papers : 
 
 "Elm Grove, Oct. lo, 1838. 
 "To Hon. S. D. Lockwood, 
 
 -President of the Board of Trustees of lUinois College : 
 
 Dear Sir: You will please accept my resignation as one of the 
 trustees of IlHnois College, and to prevent all misunderstanding 
 about the cause of my resignation, I beg leave to say that it is 
 exclusively on account of a conviction on my mind that the pres- 
 
54 GOV. JOSEPH DUNCAN. 
 
 ident and most, if not all, the professors of this institution are 
 Abolitionists, and are engaged in disseminating those danger- 
 ous and exciting principles in the State, and from recent evi- 
 dences, I have reason to believe have infused them extensively in 
 the minds of the students. Believing that it is wrong, morally 
 and politically, for any citizen or public institution to teach or 
 advocate doctrines or principles in this country which can not be 
 carried into practice peaceably without violating the constitution 
 of the United States, or forcibly, without civil war, the risk of 
 disunion, and the destruction of our free and happy government, 
 I can not with my present convictions of the course pursued by 
 its faculty, consistently hold any connection with this institution. 
 With great respect, your obedient servant, 
 
 Joseph Duncan." 
 
 On the back of this letter he writes: "Did not deliver this 
 letter, as Judge Lockwood assures me that I was mistaken about 
 abolition principles having been taught in the college, and I 
 agreed not to resign for the present, but stated my determination 
 not to remain connected with the college one moment after the 
 president or any professor shall hereafter preach, teach, or lecture 
 on that subject. Joseph Duncan." 
 
 Education and temperance were two subjects in which Gov. 
 Duncan always felt a deep interest. Some of his public acts and 
 utterances relative to these questions I have already read to you. 
 During the whole term of his office as governor he annually gave 
 ($S°°) one-half of his salary for the establishment and support of 
 an Illinois temperance paper. I have recently seen the constitu- 
 tion, list of charter members, and subscriptipn list of an early, 
 perhaps the first, temperance society organized in Jacksonville, 
 July 24, 1837. The largest amount subscribed by any other 
 member was three dollars. The subscription of Mr. Duncan was 
 twenty dollars, to be deducted from eight hundred dollars already 
 subscribed. 
 
 In the report of Nathaniel Coffin as treasurer of Illinois Col- 
 lege, March 14, 1834, I find an acknowledgment of a donation of 
 
GOV. JOSEPH DUNCAN. 55 
 
 $500 from Joseph Duncan, and in his treasurer's report of 1836, 
 he says: "Gov. Duncan added to his subscription $10,000 in 
 land." He loved Illinois College and served many years as 
 trustee. * 
 
 He was also the first president of the board of trustees of the 
 Illinois Institution for the Education of Deaf Mutes, and held 
 that honorable position until the day of his death. When this 
 institution was chartered, one of the conditions of its location at 
 Jacksonville was that the citizens of Jacksonville should donate 
 the neccessary ground. Gov. Duncan prepared a paper and 
 headed it with a subscription of fifty dollars, and secured from 
 others enough to make the sum of one thousand dollars. With 
 six hundred and eighty -six dollars of the fund so subscribed, 
 about six acres, the present site of the institution, was purchased 
 from Judge S. D. Lockwood and David A. Smith, and the re- 
 mainder of the funds was expended in making improvements. 
 
 In 1828, while in Washington, D.C., serving as sole represent- 
 ative in Congress from the State of Illinois, he was invited by 
 ■ President Adams to an informal dinner with a few friends, among 
 them Mathew St. Clair Clarke, clerk of the house of representa- 
 tives, his wife, and her sister. Miss Elizabeth Caldwell Smith, 
 daughters of James R. Smith, a retired banker and shipping-mer- 
 chant of New- York City. Miss Smith, subsequently Mrs. Joseph 
 Duncan, kept a diary for many years and from them, prepared 
 for the perusal of her children, some reminiscences of her early 
 life, condensed from these, are quoted: 
 
 " Dined at President John Q. Adams'. Was introduced by 
 William T. Carroll of Carrollton, to Gen. Joseph Duncan, mem- 
 ber of Congress from Illinois. Henry Clay of Kentucky, who 
 sat next to me at dinner, whispered to me that ' Duncan was not 
 only a good-looking fellow, but what was better, he was a good 
 son, having taken care of his widowed mother and educated his 
 sister and two younger brothers.' " 
 
 To show the style of dress in that day, I will quote further. 
 She says : " I wore to the dinner a crimson-silk dress, thread-lace 
 ruffle at my throat, no ornaments, embroidered-silk stockings, and 
 
56 GOV. JOSEPH DUNCAN. 
 
 satin slippers the color of my dress. My hair I wore in three 
 puffs on the top of my head, three puffs on each side; a high 
 carved tortoise-shell comb." 
 
 The acquaintance thus formed proved mutually agreeable, and 
 after a short acquaintance and shorter engagement, Joseph Dun- 
 can and Ehzabeth C. Smith were married, May 13, 1828, by 
 Rev. Ruben Post. Condensed from Mrs. Duncan's reminiscence 
 is a brief account of their wedding journey and early-married life 
 in Jacksonville, illustrating the condition of society in the West 
 at that time: " My sister, Mrs. Clarke, gave us an elegant wedding. 
 She entertained with ease and grace, as few women could. Her 
 house was well arranged for such entertainments. 
 
 " It was an elegant but select wedding. Many army-and-navy 
 friends of Mr. Duncan were present. I had three bridesmaids; 
 they were Miss Mary B. Smith of New York, Cornelia Barber,, 
 whose father was secretary of war, Isabella Smith, granddaughter 
 of Mrs. Isabella Graham. The groomsmen were Wm. T. Carroll, 
 Lieut. Vinton, U.S.A., and William Blake from Indiana. 
 
 "We left for Illinois in two weeks. We crossed the mountains 
 in a stage to Wheeling, Va., there took a steamboat to Cairo, 
 another to St. Louis, in company with James K. Polk, a very 
 commonplace man. At St. Louis we spent a week, by previous 
 invitation, with Mrs. Gen. Ashley; met Mr. and Mrs. O'Fallon, 
 Mr. and Mrs. Allen, and Dr. Farrar, old friends of Mr. Duncan's. 
 There was not a Protestant church in the city. Rev. Salmon 
 Giddings, a graduate of Williams College, afterward Presbyterian 
 minister in Quincy, preached in a parlor. It went by that name, 
 although it had a bed in it. This seemed a strange fashion, but 
 they considered a bed a very ornamental as well as essential 
 piece of furniture, with its high posts, often of carved mahogany, 
 which supported the tester hung with curtains of lace or dimity 
 or chintz, according to the wealth of the family, while a valance 
 of the same material hid the three -step ladder which was regu- 
 larly drawn out at night to enable one to mount up into it. But 
 once you were in, you sank out of sight, and in the soft feather- 
 bed became oblivious to the sound of voices which could be 
 
GOV. JOSEPH DUNCAN. S7 
 
 heard through the slender partition between you and your neigh- 
 bor, and you considered yourself fortunate if you had more than 
 a curtain between you. 
 
 "St. Louis was settled by the French. The streets were nar- 
 row and dirty and the weather at that season so warm we were 
 glad to take the little steamboat for Kaskaskia, where Mr. Dun- 
 can's mother, Mrs. Capt. Benj. Moore, met us; also his sister, 
 Mrs. Wm. Linn, who lived at Fountain Bluff, and had come up 
 on horseback with a colored servant. As we were devoted to 
 horseback riding, we took the horses and let her return by boat. 
 When we arrived at the Bluffs at sunset, Mr. Duncan left me at 
 the door and hurried down to the river, a mile or more distant, 
 expecting to find his sister waiting, but the boat was detained tijl 
 ten o'clock. When it grew dark I called for a light. The old 
 negro who answered said : ' When missus comes she is to bring 
 some tallow, and then I will soon dip a candle.' I begged him 
 to do something. I could not stay alone in the dark, so he built 
 a big fire on the hearth. From that day, or night, I was never 
 caught without a candle and matches, and, although a trouble- 
 some thing to always think of, it once saved the lives of a whole 
 party. We were crossing the mountains (which, by the way, I 
 did eight times by stage or private carriage). The driver got off 
 the road, when he called out ' he wished that little nervous wo- 
 man who he had scolded for carrying a lighted candle would 
 hand it out that he might see where he was.' When I did so he 
 found the front wheel within an inch of a frightful precipice. 
 Another step of the horses would have plunged us hundreds of 
 feet below. 
 
 " Late in July, 1828, we turned our faces eastward. Col. Thos. 
 S. Mather and his wife took us in their carriage to Carlyle, where 
 they were going to visit. From Carlyle we took a stage to Van- 
 dalia, and from there we came to Jacksonville and spent a few 
 days. After I had rested and slipped into a white-mull dress, as 
 I was standing on the door-steps, an old man said to me: 'Sis, 
 what brought you to this rough country?' I replied: ' I followed 
 my husband.' ' Men change their place of abode from ambition 
 
5 8 GOV. JOSEPH DUNCAN. 
 
 and interest, women from affection.' They all seemed surprised, 
 for they had supposed the girlish figure before them was Mr. 
 Duncan's daughter. He was fourteen years older, though he 
 never looked old, for he had a fine complexion and a mouth full 
 of sound white teeth. He had brown eyes and hair which in- 
 clined to curl. He was tall, had broad shoulders, and a com- 
 manding person. As Hon. John Todd Stuart renjarked, 'A 
 man you would call handsome.' He had diniples in each cheek, 
 which, as he did not wear a beard, added much to the sweet ex- 
 pression of his mouth and made his smile a very winning one. 
 
 " From Jacksonville we took a stage through this State and 
 Indiana over a rough corduroy road, through Michigan and Ohio 
 to Cleveland. The lake was so rough and the boat so poor we 
 hired a wagon and coasted the lake to Buffalo; from there in a 
 stage to Albany, and from there to New York by boat, and from 
 New York to Washington, D.C., by stage. We were weeks in 
 reaching home. I was delighted to get back to civilization. We 
 met while in the West as refined, well-educated people as we 
 would meet in any society in the world, but the country was so 
 very rough and the uneducated people were so coarse and unre- 
 fined to one who judged people by their dress and their manner. 
 It took me years to learn to love and appreciate them as I did 
 afterward when living among them. Many of the people I met 
 on my journeys were very rude and ignorant, turning my trunks 
 inside out, trying on my clothes, and cutting patterns of them, 
 often injuring them past use." 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Duncan remained in Washington, D. C, until 
 Aug. I, 1830, when they returned to Jacksonville. Quoting again 
 from Mrs. Duncan's reminiscences : " We drove up to the house 
 of John Leeper, southeast of town. In two days we came into 
 town. Murray McConnel, Esq., had said we could sleep in his 
 office and take our meals at the inn. The next day, court being 
 in session, the oflSce was filled with men before I was up. That 
 day we moved to Mathew Stacy's attic, as there was no room in 
 the inn. The ceiling was so low I could not stand up in it to 
 dress. I am only four feet five inches in height, so one can im- 
 
GOV. JOSEPH DUNCAN. 59 
 
 agine what Mr. Duncan, who is six feet tall, could do in such a 
 room. After one day here, and thanking Mr. Stacy, whose kind- 
 ness we never forgot, we moved three miles east of town to Mr. 
 James Kerr's. Four weeks from the day we arrived here, Mr. 
 Duncan had our cottage ready for us. It stood at the edge of 
 the grove, just west of the present home, surrounded by elm 
 trees, from which we gave it the name of 'Elm Grove.' This 
 cottage was the first frame-house in the village. Though rude in 
 exterior, it often afforded shelter to the weary traveler. It was 
 in truth ' wedded love's first home.' 
 
 " The house had three rooms and a square entry witli a win- 
 dow in it. Each room had a large open fireplace, which added 
 much to the cheeriness of the house. Our table never lacked 
 for wild game. Mr. Duncan often went out before breakfast and 
 brought in enough to last for several days. Game was not only 
 plenty, but the wild-cats and the wolves prowled through the 
 woods. Cake, iced and set out back of the house, more than 
 once had the icing licked off by the wolves, though they did not 
 eat the cake. The cry of the wild-cat so resembles that of a 
 child that more than once my husband rose and listened in the 
 night, fearing some one was in distress. 
 
 " Indians were frequent visitors as they passed through the 
 country from one point to another. A few trinkets and some 
 food would generally satisfy them, though sometimes they were 
 troublesome, coming just as a meal was prepared, when they 
 would eat it all. 
 
 " The country was wild. We never rode out without seeing 
 snakes, most of them harmless. There was a great number of 
 nuts and wild fruit in the grove north of our cottage, among them 
 the wild crab-apple, black and red haws, wild cherry and mul- 
 berry, gooseberry, strawberry, pawpaw, and wild grape. There 
 were also hickory trees, walnut trees, and hazel-nuts. We had a 
 fine bed of strawberries which we transplanted from the woods 
 and which, by cultivation, grew very large. The woods in the 
 spring, with the red bud and apple-blossoms, were like fairyland, 
 and in the fall the trees hung with the bitter-sweet and wild-grape 
 vines loaded with fruit. 
 
6o GOV. JOSEPH DUNCAN. 
 
 "The wild flowers were abundant, from the blue-and-yellow 
 violet, spring beauty, and blue bells to the rich fall flowers which 
 waved in the winds across the praires like gay plumes of yellow, 
 crimson, and blue. The streams around here were muddy most 
 of the year, but Nature, as if ashamed of such dirty watei, bor- 
 dered them with flags and lillies of the richest tints, white, yellow, 
 purple, dark-blue, and crimson. The prairie-grass was so tall 
 that often in crossing a prairie you could not discover you were 
 going to meet any one until they were right upon you. In travel- 
 ing with Mr. Duncan in early times, more than once when he 
 discovered fire in the distance, he burned a large place around 
 the carriage, for fear the fire would sweep over us and we be 
 burned." 
 
 In Joseph Duncan's diary of August, 1830, he says: "In Jack- 
 sonville attended church ; gave a donation to a Presbyterian 
 church which was started March 15, 1830, by Rev. J. M. EUis." 
 I have here the original subscription list, and for members of that 
 church who are present it may not be without interest to them to 
 know that the building -committee were John P. Wilkinson, 
 W. C. Pc'sey, S. D. Lockwood, John Leeper, James Kerr, and 
 Bedford Brown. The ground was donated by Dennis Rockwell, 
 Esq. Some paid their subscriptions in material and labor, or 
 both. In that way John Leeper subscribed seventy-five dollars ; 
 Thomas Prentiss, twenty dollars; Bedford Brown, thirty dollars; 
 Edwin A. Hears, twenty dollars; James Kerr, forty dollars; Elliot 
 Stevenson, ten dollars; J. Clark, five dollars or labor; the othfers 
 paid cash. In all, three hundred dollars was raised, a good be- 
 ginning, as these people all had to build homes for their families. 
 
 I quote again from Mrs. Duncan's reminiscences: "In 1833, 
 came back to Jacksonville again, with my little boy St. Clair and 
 his nurse, Maria; Mary with Milly, her nurse. This was the 
 summer of the cholera here. St. Clair had it. Dr. Reed car- 
 ried him through it, Mr. Duncan acting as nurse, administering 
 every dose of medicine with his own hands, and did not leave 
 him for a moment until he was better. Dr. Reed was a kind 
 physician and a good man. Mrs. Ellis, Mrs. Conn's half-sister. 
 
GOV. JOSEPH DUNCAN. 6 1 
 
 and her two children died of cholera in one week, while her 
 husband, Rev. J. M. Ellis was from home. Mr. Ellis was our 
 pastor. He lived in a log-cabin on West-State Street, west of his 
 church, which stood on the northwest corner of Church Street; 
 had been removed there from down town, and was a frame build- 
 ing, three windows on the east and west of it, two south doors 
 witi". three elevated seats between them for the choir, led by Mr. 
 Carlton Perry, and composed of Miss E. Wolcott, afterward Mrs. 
 Perry; her sister Hannah, afterward Rev. Mrs. Wm. Kirby; Mrs. 
 John P. Wilkinson ; Mrs. Judge S. D. Lockwood ; and Julia 
 Conn. 
 
 "In Ma)', 1833, we entertained T. M. Post, nephew of my 
 beloved pastor in Washington, Rev. Reuben Post, the same that 
 united us in marriage, the same that found me a girl very fond 
 of dancing and gay society, and that led me to give it all up and 
 be a Christian, it being one of the requirements of the Presby- 
 terian church, though I felt sure, in regard to simple dancing, my 
 father's views on that subject were correct, for in my childhood's 
 home after we had our dance, at ten o'clock the piano was closed, 
 the servants called in, the family Bible opened, and, although we 
 used Rouse's version of the Psalms, singing of the dolorous music 
 never affected unpleasantly our dreams, after kissing our parents 
 good-night we retired refreshed in body and mind. 
 
 " Mr. T. M. Post came to us the day Mr. Duncan had a barn- 
 raising. About twelve or fifteen men were to have their dinner. 
 Mr. Duncan constructed a table out of plank nailed to the trees 
 back in the grove and the men stood around it. I sat on a chair 
 placed on a store box, to bring me up on a level with the rest of 
 them. Maria was a good cook,' and gave them a good meal. 
 Mr. Post enjoyed our little home after the long journey from the 
 East. He spoke of waking in the night and passing his hands 
 over the linen pillow-cases and sheets and feeling as if he was in 
 heaven. 
 
 " 1830 was the winter of the deep snow. Mr. Duncan was in 
 Congress. His mother staid with me in my cottage. Eunice 
 Conn, then but a child, came home with me the night before. 
 
62 GOV. JOSEPH DUNCAN. 
 
 She cried in the morning when she found the snow up above the 
 window-sills, fearing she would be buried alive. There came a 
 heavy sleet-storm, forming a crust, so that for several days we 
 rode over the worm fences from one house to another. 
 
 " In the fall, we returned to Washington, Mr. Duncan in Con- 
 gress. In 1834, Mr. Duncan was elected governor of Illinois. 
 We came West to remain. He had a close -carriage fitted up 
 with a spring-bed, and I was brought out West on it. I was in 
 very delicate health. Another carriage followed with my three 
 children, St. Clair, Mary, and Nannie, Cousin Ann Caldwell — 
 daughter of Elias Boudinot Caldwell, clerk of the supremp court, 
 Washington, D.C. — an English nurse,- and John McClusky for 
 driver. * * 1835, moved into the house. It has been over 
 a year being built. The plan was drawn from Mrs. M. St. C. 
 Clarke's house, only made smaller. 
 
 "October, 1835, Joseph Duncan, Jr., was born; baptized Nov. 
 5, 1835; S3,ve him his father's name. His father imited with 
 the First Presbyterian church the same day. 
 
 "June, 1837, we entertained Daniel Webster, his wife, and 
 niece. Mr. Duncan gave him a barbecue down in the grove, 
 northwest of the house; roasted a steer whole. [The old tree 
 under which he stood still stands in the centre of Lafayette Ave- 
 nue and Croghan Street, and should be protected by our city 
 fathers by an iron railing]. Webster made a most eloquent 
 speech, as was his wont. He took the people by storm. Cheer 
 after cheer echoed and reechoed through the grove. Having a 
 little baby girl three weeks old, I did not venture on the ground. 
 We had a delightful evening. T. M. Post and wife, Judge and 
 Mrs. S. D. Lockwood, their lovely niece, Miss Mary Nash [now 
 wife of Hon. John Todd Stuart of Springfield], were present, and 
 many others. We entertained so much company that the colored 
 cook often said : ' Massa Joe, all this here house lacks of being a 
 hotel is the hanging out de sign.' " 
 
 Mr. Duncan, by his energy and thrift, had already, at the date 
 of his marriage, added largely to his moderate patrimony, but his 
 wife brought to him what was then considered a large fortune. 
 
GOV. JOSEPH DUNCAN. . 65 
 
 Mrs. Duncan's estate was valued at one hundred and fifty thou- 
 sand dollars. By the will of her father, one -third of her estate 
 only was to be paid to her on attaining her majority; the remain- 
 ing two-thirds was to be invested for her during her Ufe and paid 
 to her children when the youngest should become twenty-one. 
 The whole estate was placed by the executors in the hands of 
 Gov. Duncan, and invested by him with his own money in real 
 estate in Chicago, Sandusky, Michigan City, Jacksonville, and 
 lands throughout Central Illinois. 
 
 As he had received two-thirds of the estate to be invested in 
 accordance with the provisions of the will of her father, James 
 R. Smith, Mr. _Duncan conveyed to Rev. J. M. Sturtevant, as 
 trustee for his wife and children, property in and near Jackson- 
 ville, 111., which had cost about seventy thousand dollars, and 
 upon which he then expected to expend the remaining thirty 
 thousand dollars of the fund to be so invested. Mrs. Duncan, 
 an invalid, with a large family of small children, accustomed to 
 exercise a liberal hospitality, found her income after his death 
 too small for her support and the education of her children, and 
 much of the trust property had greatly depreciated in value and 
 was sold at a great sacrifice under decrees of court before the 
 period fixed for the distribution of the property had arrived. 
 Among the parcels sold was the Park House, then called the 
 Mansion House, the two stores west of it, and the property at 
 the northwest corner of the square, etc. 
 
 As has been already mentioned, Mr. Duncan's sister married 
 William Linn, who held the office of receiver of the land-office, 
 and who proved a defaulter. Mr. Duncan was one of his bonds- 
 men, and when suit was instituted by the United States, proved 
 to be the only solvent one. An investigation of the affairs of 
 his office showed that Mr. Linn was already largely in arrears to 
 the government at the date of his reappointment and the signing 
 of his second bond by Mr. Duncan. There were not wanting 
 those that said that his reappointment under such circumstances 
 was a scheme of the Jackson men to break down Duncan, who- 
 they knew would remain surety on the bond of his brother-in-law.. 
 
64 , GOV. JOSEPH DUNCAN. 
 
 That such was the hope and expectation of the Democratic 
 leaders in Washington was once admitted to the writer by the 
 Hon. Murray McConnel. 
 
 On June 8, 1841, three judgments were rendered in the district 
 court of the United States against Joseph Duncan and other 
 sureties on the bond of Linn, aggregating the sum of $76,714.53. 
 Under executions issued upon these judgments, all of Gov. 
 Duncan's fortune and that of his wife, except the property con- 
 veyed to Dr. Sturtevant as trustee, were swept away, and yet less 
 than thirty-five "thousand dollars was realized to the government 
 and credited on the judgment. Thousands of acres of the best 
 and most carefully -selected lands in Illinois were sold at ten 
 cents an acre : some of the handsomest residence property in 
 Jacksonville at three and four dollars a lot, and nearly forty acres 
 comprising Duncan's Addition to Chicago, now in the heart of 
 the city, were sold at from five to seven dollars a lot. Gov. 
 Duncan's death came so soon after the rendition of the judg- 
 ments, Jan. 15, 1844, that he was unable to do anything to avert 
 the severity of the blow. 
 
 Hon. William Thomas, who was appointed administrator of the 
 estate, did all in his power to effect a compromise with the ad- 
 ministration, and if his wise counsels had been followed every 
 dollar of the judgment would have been paid and a handsome 
 estate left untouched. The harsh severity with which the collec- 
 tion of these judgments was pushed brought inconvenience if not 
 suffering, upon many others. 
 
 Gov. Duncan, engaged in carrying on a large business, was 
 necessarily more or less in debt to others, and as the government 
 always takes precedence over other creditors, their claims were 
 left wholly unpaid, to the great grief and mortification of Mrs. 
 Duncan. 
 
 As has been already mentioned in Mrs. Duncan's reminiscences, 
 Mr. Duncan united with the Presbyterian church, Nov. 5, 1835. 
 The Rev. Mr. Dashell was then pastor of the church. In 1836, 
 a difficulty arose between Mr. Dashell and some of the members 
 of this church, which resulted in Mr. Dashell's resignation of the 
 
GOV. JOSEPH DUNCAN. 65 
 
 pastorate and removal from Jacksonville. Mr. Duncan had be- 
 come very warmly attached to his pastor, and was deeply grieved 
 at the quarrel which resulted in his removal, and an effort was 
 made by him, and others who sympathized with him, to organize 
 another Presbyterian church, but was unsuccessful. Mr. Duncan 
 then took his letter, March 21, 1837, and united with the Presby- 
 terian church in Pisgah, of which the Rev. Mr. James Gallagher 
 was pastor, and continued a member of it until his death. 
 
 Mr. Duncan's religious character was expressed rather by his 
 acts than his words. He was rather reticent in relation to his 
 religious experience. It seemed too deep and sacred to be talked 
 about. The following letter, however, written to his wife while 
 they were seeking to organize a new church, will give some idea 
 of his standard of Christianity: 
 
 "Vandalia, III., Jan. 22, 1837. 
 
 "Dear Elizabeth: I was truly disappointed that Judge Lock- 
 wood came in the stage last night without St. Clair. I received 
 your letter. I most sincerely regret that there exists so much 
 difficulty in organizing the new church, but it all weighs not a 
 feather with me. I believe it is right. It certainly agrees with 
 my feelings, and I feel determined to go forward. As to the age 
 of Mr. Ensley Goudy, it makes no difference. I can see no such 
 objections made in the Scriptures, and as to the numbers with 
 which we begin — it is less than no objection. God has promised 
 where two or three gather together in His name he will be in the 
 midst of them. I have always thought there were too many 
 Christians influenced by fashion, so if we have but few, and those 
 unpretending Christians, to begin our church we may feel our 
 weakness and thereby be taught humility. I assure you I would 
 prefer organizing our church with Mr. Goudy as the only elder 
 than with ten rich influential men to fill such offices. Mr. Bergen 
 has but one elder, I understand, and he is a young man — for my 
 part I like small beginnings. If our hearts are right, all will be 
 well with us. It is getting dark, so I must stop writing. We 
 had a delightful sermon today from a Methodist. It was a truly 
 S 
 
66 GOV. JOSEPH DUNCAN. 
 
 good sermon. Write me by every mail. I received a letter from 
 you last night, so I have nothing to complain of. 
 
 " May God bless and preserve you all is the prayer of your 
 affectionate husband. Love to all. Joseph Duncan." 
 
 Gov. Duncan died at his home in Jacksonville, Jan. 15, 1844, 
 after a short but painful sickness, leaving a vifidow, thirty-five years 
 of age, and seven children, but three of whom now survive, Mary 
 L., wife of Charles E. Putnam of Davenport, la., Joseph Duncan 
 of Chicago, and the writer. 
 
 To Hon. John T. Stuart of Springfield, 111., and other of father's 
 friends, I am much indebted for their kind response to letters 
 written them. 
 
 Rev. Dr. Edward Beecher of Brooklyn, N.Y., vnrites : "My 
 reminiscences of your father are all of the most pleasant kind. I 
 was associated with him as one of the trustees of Illinois College 
 for fourteen years, and for that I regarded with deep interest his 
 life and influence as a statesman, and in all the relations of social 
 life my feelings toward him were those of absolute confidence 
 in his integrity and in his wisdom as a counsellor in every good 
 work, as well as in his energy as a worker in the great cause of 
 education in all its departments. My intercourse with him and 
 with your mother in social life was always delightful. There was 
 the refinement and intelligence of sincere Christian fellowship that 
 at once inspired confidence and called out reciprocal affection." 
 
 I will close this rambling sketch with a letter from Dr. Truman 
 M. Post of St. Louis, Mo., written in reply to a request for some 
 reminiscences of my father. He says : 
 
 "Dear Friend: I first met your father in Washington, D.C., 
 in the winter of 1832-3. He was then a member of Congress 
 from the State of IlUnois, in about middle life, a fine specimen of 
 physical manhood, with frame massive, muscular, and finely pro- 
 portioned, with an eye dark and expressive, a mein, in general, 
 resolute, kindly, genial, brave, noble — withal quite a handsome 
 man. Illinois, though admitted into the Union some fourteen 
 years previously, was yet, with the comparatively slow progress 
 
GOV. JOSEPH DUNCAN. 67 
 
 of immigration and settlement in those times, still a new State. 
 Only the year before, it had been the seat of an Indian war. 
 
 " Coming thus from a new State of vast and magnificent possi- 
 bilities and aspirations, he moreover attracted marked attention 
 as a hero of the defence of Fort Stephenson in 18 13. for which 
 he had been publicly honored in a memorial of his gallantry with 
 the presentation of a sword by Congress. [Feb. 13, 1834]. 
 
 " I was introduced to him, and also to your mother, by my 
 uncle, the Rev. Reuben Post of Washington City, who, from his 
 residence as pastor of, I think, the First Presbyterian Church in 
 that city, and his position as chaplain in Congress, had extensive 
 opportunity for acquaintance with its members. Your mother, a 
 young married lady, recently from New-York City, from a family 
 of wealth, culture, and social position, herself cultivated, amiable, 
 devotedly pious, and of fine personal attractions, was, I think, 
 spending the winter with him in Washington, was a member of 
 my uncle's church, and much esteemed and admired by him. It 
 is my impression thaf it was through her primarily that he first 
 became especially acquainted with your father. 
 
 " I was then just ready to enter life with the profession of law, 
 but with ' the world all before me where to choose.' I was ex- 
 ceedingly perplexed in determining the selection of my future 
 home. The West attracted me by its newness, its young hfe, 
 and its magnificent promise. With the mode of travel and intel- 
 ligence then possesed, Illinois was farther off than India and 
 China are now, and almost as strange to us of the northeast At- 
 lantic border as the centre of the Dark Continent is at present. 
 In vague rumor and legend of its natural richness and beauty it 
 was a sort of wonderland, while its mystery of a future of vast 
 possibilities made it, to the imagination of a young man, a dream- 
 land of magnificent idealization and aspiration. 
 
 " The influence and persuasion of friends meantime, and the 
 attractions of a high type of social culture and advantageous in- 
 ducements offered me by Senator Rivers of Virginia, drew me 
 strongly toward Richmond, Va. But through the influence and 
 representations of your father, I was induced to determine I 
 
68 GOV. JOSEPH DUNCAN. 
 
 would visit him in Illinois before permanently settling elsewhere. 
 In view of this fact, I have ever regarded your father as one 
 through whose influence Providence has permanently touched the 
 history of my life, turning its course toward a new world and fix- 
 ing its field in the then far West. 
 
 "In pursuance of this plan, in May, 1833, I visited Jackson- 
 ville, 111., then an extreme out-settlement toward the Northwest. 
 In this region I found your father at his home, not far from where 
 the family residence now stands, about one mile from the town, 
 which was then a crowded village of log-cabins. His home, a 
 small initial pioneer structure, quite shanty-like compared with 
 those which afterward arose in its place. It was the only attempt 
 at a wooden frame-dwelling I can now recollect in that vicinity. 
 
 " I remember as I approached it I was much struck with the 
 contrast it presented to your mother's former luxurious surround- 
 ings and delicate culture, and to your father's reputation and 
 reality of proprietorship of large wealth; and I saw I was looking 
 upon the beginning of a new world. 
 
 " I found your father and mother under the shade of large 
 trees in front of their house, surrounded by a company, mainly of 
 crude, rough, stalwart men with manner, garb, and speech of 
 plain and quite primitive type, with bronzed, strongly- marked, 
 shrewd faces, the backwoodsmen, poHtical leaders of the newly- 
 emerging commonwealth. It was near the dinner hour, and 
 rough tables were set in the shadow of the lofty trees. Then, as 
 we gathered around them, I shall never forget how your mother, 
 a little, delicate, brave woman, solitary amid that company of 
 men, arose and, as your father was not at that time a communi- 
 cant in the church, offered thanks and asked the divine blessing 
 on our repast. The scene and the incident give us a glimpse 
 into a share of the life of those times, and also characteristic of 
 the Christian heroism of your gentle; sweet, true-hearted mother. 
 I never forgot it. It affected me permanently in various ways, 
 besides impressing me ever with a high admiration for her Chris- 
 tian principle and bravery. 
 
 " My residence for fourteen years after I became connected 
 
GOV. JOSEPH DUNCAN. 69 
 
 with the College was in the near vicinage of your father's house. 
 I saw him frequently, and was with him and his family in various 
 events and fortunes during these years, yeaj's of the birth of his 
 children and of the death of some of them, one of whom, sweet 
 little St. Clair, I remember watching by night, as his little life 
 'was wearing away to the land of the leal.' 
 
 " Years of cholera and fever, of private and public prosperities 
 and calamities, of gubernational honors and administration, of 
 political excitements, contests and policies, during years with 
 such contests my memory bears his impress, though not always 
 with distinct or minute tracing. But some scenes distinctly 
 marked of various interest, of the funeral or the festival, come up 
 from out those far-distant years. Amid them, one evening of 
 unique and memorable interest I distinctly recall spent by myself 
 and my wife with your father and mother and Mr. and Mrs. 
 Daniel Webster and their daughter, at your father's house. Mr. 
 Webster had changed somewhat since I had seen him in Wash- 
 ington, in the pride of his strength in. the great constitutional 
 battle of the Titans, wrestling with Calhoun and those of his 
 school. Time, with its work and wear and worriment, was telling 
 somewhat on him, yet still his stalwart strength was on him, and 
 perhaps his manhood, as well as his ambition, was never greater. 
 I shall never forget his conversation with me on the ' Book of 
 Job' that evening, by your father's fireside, and he will ever con- 
 tinue as one of the grand historic figures I met with in those 
 years in your father's home of princely hospitalities. 
 
 " During those years, your father made a pubhc profession of 
 religion and united with the church; of the genuiness of which 
 profession I had proof at the close of his life. I was with hirii 
 as he died and I received the confession of his dying moments. 
 ■ I shall never forget that night nor the figures and the grouping 
 around that bed of death. The night winds were out, and there 
 was a stir in the elements, as seemingly in sympathy with the 
 hour when a great and strong soul was departing. The blasts 
 came in gusts, fitfully, now sighing and sobbing, and now with 
 loud and mighty wail, sweeping through the forest and shaking 
 the window-casements. 
 
•JO GOV. JOSEPH DUNCAN. 
 
 " It was the last hour. The sword given him by an admiring 
 and grateful country hanging on the wainscoting over the bed of 
 death, and all the tokens and hopes of mortal fame, what were 
 they all at that hour to one from the heavens and the earth for- 
 ever passing away? One consciously in the outdrift of the etern- 
 ities? That form of grandest manhood, strongest and noblest of 
 all its physical types that were grouped around him in that cham- 
 ber and seemingly assuring its possessor of the longest life, was 
 in the wrestle with death, sinking lower and lower into the ever- 
 lasting silence. 
 
 "And now the last words have been spoken, the last look 
 given to his loved wife and the sad faces around him; the com- 
 munion with time and earth is over, all save one utterance. Just 
 as the pale, silent seal was set, I asked him : ' Governor Duncan, 
 is Christ precious to you at this hour? ' Brokenly, but to our 
 hearing distinctly, came the response, the last words spoken by 
 him till the earth and sea give up their dead : ' Ever precious, 
 ever precious.' And so the soul of our prince and brother passed 
 to his Father and God. 
 
 " Such are some of the reminiscences and grouping of scenes 
 that come up at times with the days, long ago, of my Illinois hfe. 
 I send them, as you request, as furnishing some glimpses into the 
 tenor and quality of that life to which 'your life-stream tracks its 
 parent lake.' A life which nearly half a century since passed 
 from this world awaj'; and yet not away, I trust; it will, I hope, 
 descend as a precious heirloom to his children, and to his chil- 
 dren's children, and to coming times, a memory which a grateful 
 country will not let die. 
 
 " I have thus, my dear friend, endeavored (would it had been 
 with abler faculty) to catch and photograph some glimpses into 
 those now far-gone, fast-fading years; glimpses such as at times 
 come to me in my solitary hours, and especially when I walk 
 your city cemetery that outskirts your beautiful town among the 
 graves of the loved friends of other days, now sleeping there so 
 still in the chambers of silence; and among them a family group 
 of well - remembered names, amidst whom repose, waiting the 
 
GOV. JOSEPH DUNCAN. 7 1 
 
 resurrection morning, the mortal form of one whose thoughts and 
 will and voice and act are forever incorporated with the early 
 story of Illinois, and whose record and stamp will be upon the 
 land through its coming centuries of history. 
 
 " With sincere respect and affection, yours truly, 
 
 "T. M. Post." 
 ■"St. Louis, Dec. 23, 1884. 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 Resolutions of a Town Meeting: 
 
 "Jacksonville, III., Jan. 15, 1844. 
 
 "Intelligence of the death of Gov. Duncan having been com- 
 municated to the citizens of Jacksonville on Tuesday morning, a 
 town-meeting was called at the Morgan House to offer a becom- 
 ing tribute of respect to the memory of the deceased. At three 
 o'clock p.m., the citizens assembled and a meeting was organized 
 by calling to the chair Dr. B. Gillett, and the appointment of 
 William Hodges, Secretary. 
 
 "Capt. John Henry then rose, and in a brief and appropriate 
 address explained the object of the meeting and adverted to 
 the moral worth and distinguished public services of the de- 
 ceased. When he had concluded his remarks, on motion of Dr. 
 A. Smith, a committee consisting of Col. Wm. B. Warren, Capt. 
 John Henry, and Murray McConnel, Esq., was appointed to em- 
 body in writing an expression of the sentiments of those assem- 
 bled. The committee retired and after a brief absence, returned 
 and through their chairman. Col. Warren, made the following 
 report : 
 
 " 'The death of the Hon. Joseph Duncan, which occurred at 
 his residence near this place on last evening, is an event sincerely 
 to be deplored by all who have known him, by all who enter- 
 tained a just sense of his merit and usefulness. The best, the 
 brightest ornament and most valued member of our society is 
 gone ! No more shall he mingle with those of his family, his 
 friends, or his acquaintances, who venerated and loved him! No 
 more shall modest worth be encouraged or the less worthy be 
 instructed or restrained by his living example. How incalculable 
 the loss ! How great the chasm in the circle of his former-day 
 walks! Now that he is no more, the sad event reflects more 
 
 72 
 
APPENDIX. 73 
 
 vividly and strong to our view. His many and amiable virtues, 
 we contemplate them, and our hearts glow and expand with feel- 
 ing of delight when we view him, either in relation of husband, 
 parent, or friend. They were all fondness. With his children, 
 we have seen him mingle in childish sociality and sportiveness, 
 returning their fond endearments with equal simplicity and inno- 
 cence. In the walks of both private and public life, a modest 
 and unassuming spirit was his peculiar characteristic. 
 
 " 'As a private citizen or a public officer, he was a man of un- 
 common decision of character. He had private interests as other 
 men, but if circumstances required, these were ever the victim of 
 principle. He indeed dared to be honest in the worst of times. 
 This is no flattering portrait; it is strictly true. Let his family^ 
 his friends, and acquaintances wipe away their tears, for the 
 memory of his virtues lives and abides in the hearts of all. Let 
 us endeavor to emulate his bright example and indulge the hope 
 that we, like him, when called upon in the providence of God to 
 give an account of our stewardship on earth, may merit and ob- 
 tain that reception awarded only to the virtuous, "Well done, 
 good and faithful servant." 
 
 " ^Resolved, That Cornelius Hook, A. Buckley, and J. O. King 
 be appointed a committee to request that the business houses of 
 the town be closed on tomorrow from ii until 4 o'clock p.m. 
 
 " ^Resolved, That W. B. Warren, James Dunlap, and Dr. A. 
 Smith be a committee to present to the bereaved family of the 
 deceased a copy of the foregoing, and to assure them of the deep 
 commiseration felt by this community. 
 
 " ^Resolved, That the papers of this place be requested to pub- 
 lish the proceedings of this meeting.' 
 
 "All of which was unanimously adopted. On motion, the 
 meeting adjourned. Bazil Gillett, Chairman. 
 
 Wm. Hodges, Secretary." 
 
 "Jacksonville, March 7, 1844. 
 " Madam : We herewith place at your disposal fifty copies of 
 
74 GOV. JOSEPH DUNCAN. 
 
 Prof. Sturtevant's discourse at the funeral of your lamented hus" 
 band, and beg to assure you of our sincere regard for the welfare 
 of yourself and family. 
 
 In behalf of the committee of citizens, your obedient servants, 
 
 David A. Smith, 
 
 " Mrs. E. C. Duncan. James Berdan." 
 
 At a meeting of the trustees of Illinois College, July ii, 18441 
 the following resolutions, prepared and offered by Prof. Sturtevant, 
 were read and unanimously passed: 
 
 " Whereas, it has pleased Almighty God to remove by death 
 Hon. Joseph Duncan, late a member of this board, we deem it 
 appropriate, as it certainly is accordant with our feelings, to 
 spread on our books a record of our deep sense of the loss sus- 
 tained by the college, by the cause of learning, and by society at 
 large in the sudden death, while yet in the very prime and vigor 
 of his years, of the pure and disinterested patriot, the active and 
 liberal patron of the cause of learning and general education, the 
 enterprising and public-spirited citizen, and the sincere Christian. 
 
 " While we would hear and heed this solemn admonition of 
 Providence to do with our might what our hands find to do, we 
 would also express our sincere and hearty sympathy for his af- 
 flicted widow and her fatherless children as well as his aged 
 mother and other near relatives in this mournful bereavement 
 which they have been called to experience. Attest, 
 
 "Nath. Coffin, Secretary." 
 
 "College Hill, July 2?, 1844.. 
 " To Mrs. E. C. Duncan, 
 
 " Bear Madam : By order of the trustees, I present you the 
 within testimonials of their sympathy with yourself and family in 
 your most afflictive bereavement. 
 
 "I am, very respectfully, your friend, Nath. Coffin, 
 
 " Secretary and Trustee." 
 
APPENDIX. 75 
 
 Thomas Duncan. 
 
 Thomas Duncan, born in Kaskaskia, 111., April 14, 1819, was 
 appointed a first lieutenant in the Mounted Rifles (now Third 
 Cavalry) May 27, 1846; employed on recruiting service at Van- 
 dalia, 111., until November; landed with his regiment at Vera 
 Cruz, assigned a position in line of investment of that place 
 March 13, 1847; promoted captain, March 15, 1848, while serv- 
 ing with his company in the City of Mexico; on duty at Ft. Leav- 
 enworth, Kan., 1849; marched with his company to Fort Laramie, 
 Wyoming, same year, remaining there until Sept., 185 1; then sent 
 to Jefferson Barracks, Mo., to purchase horses for his regiment; 
 rejoined his company at Los Olmitas, Tex., in Dec. 1852; con- 
 tinued on duty in that State until latter part of 1856; with regi- 
 ment at Fort Union, N. M., and on duty in that territory until 
 1862, being actively employed in field and garrison duties; com- 
 manded Forts Burgwin and Massachusetts, and had charge of the 
 construction of and commanded Fort Garland, Col.; participated 
 in the Navajo expedition of 1858; commanded, in May, 1861, 
 the escort for the commissioners who were appointed to visit the 
 Comanches, and was engaged (commanding) in a combat with 
 Satanta's Comanches, about fifty miles south of Fort Union, on 
 May 29, defeating them with severe loss; promoted major of his 
 regiment, to date from June 10, 1861, and was employed on field- 
 service until July 30, 1861, when he was assigned to Fort Wise, 
 Col., where he had station until called to Fort Craig, N.M., to 
 command his regiment and the post during the winter 186 1-2; 
 commanded the cavalry forces at the battle of Val Verde, N. M., 
 Feb. 21, 1862, and rendered conspicuous service by supporting 
 Hall's Battery against the repeated charges of the enemy; was 
 severely wounded (a cannon-ball grazing his head and breaking 
 the skull) in an engagement with the enemy near Albuquerque, 
 N.M., April 8, 1862; unfit for duty until April 25, 1863, when he 
 was assigned to duty as assistant-provost-marshal general of the 
 State of Iowa, and later, chief mustering-and-disbursing officer in 
 that State; was thus employed until promoted lieut.-col. of Fifth 
 
■j6 GOV. JOSEPH DUNCAN. 
 
 Cavalry to date July 28, 1866, when he joined the regiment at 
 Nashville, Tenn., and commanded that station from October, 
 1866, to Sept., 1868; also commanded the District of Nashville 
 from Dec, 1867, to Sept., 1868, when he was relieved and or- 
 dered to field-service in the Department of the Platte; arrived at 
 Fort McPherson, Neb., in May, 1869, where he had station until 
 August, when he was assigned to the command of the Republi- 
 can-River expedition which was disbanded Oct. 3 1 ; he then con- 
 ducted a battaHon of the regiment to Fort D. A. Russell, Wyo- 
 ming, whe'e he arrived in Nov., and had station until May, 1871; 
 he was then placed in charge of the construction of Fort Sidney, 
 Neb., where he was in command and employed when the regi- 
 ment was ordered to Arizona Nov., 1871; his health would not 
 permit him to accompany the regiment, surgeons warning him 
 that with his broken skull he could not live in a hot climate. 
 
 On Jan. 15, 1873, h^ was retired from active service "for 
 wounds received in the line of duty"; he was made a brevet lieut.- 
 col. to date from April 8, 1862, for gallant and meritorious ser- 
 vices at the action near Albuquerque, N. M., and a brevet-col. 
 and a brevet brig. -gen. to date from March 13, 1865, for merito- 
 rious services during the War of the Rebellion. His home after 
 he retired was in Washington, D.C., where he died suddenly Jan. 
 7, 1887. 
 
 Joseph Duncan Putnam. 
 
 Mrs. Mary L. D. Putnam has been the mother of eleven chil- 
 dren, one daughter and ten sons, the eldest of whom bore the 
 name of his grandfather, Joseph Duncan. He was born Oct. 18, 
 1855, in the Duncan homestead in Jacksonville, 111., and died of 
 consumption at his home in Davenport, la., Dec. 10, 1881, at 
 the age of twenty-six, after a continuous struggle of eight years 
 with the insidious disease which finally overcame him. 
 
 His short but useful life was devoted to scientific research, 
 more especially in the department of entomology. When but a 
 boy of sixteen, he was elected a member of "The Davenport 
 
APPENDIX. yj 
 
 Academy of Natural Sciences," in Davenport, la., and was for 
 many years its corresponding secretary, and held the office of 
 president of the academy at the time of hisvdeath. The papers 
 read by him before that association, as well as those furnished by 
 him for publication in scientific journals, all indicated thorough 
 investigation, accuracy of expression, and devotion to scientific 
 truth. His most important investigations were never completed, 
 but his notes, memoranda, and unfinished manuscripts serve to 
 show how much the scientific world lost by his untimely death. 
 The following list, from "The Proceedings of the Davenport 
 Academy of Sciences," includes his principal publications : 
 
 1. 1875. "Report upon the Reconnoissance of Northwestern 
 Wyoming, * * made in the summer of 1873, by Wm. A Jones, 
 Capt. of Engineers." — "Entomological Report, by J. D. Putnam." 
 Pp. 315-8. This report includes a list of coleoptera, a catalogue 
 of Indian names for insects, and a catalogue of Indian names 
 for colors. The chapter on meteorology (pp. 58-81) is compiled 
 mainly from Mr. Putnam's observations. 
 
 2. 1876. "Proceedings of the Davenport Academy of Natural 
 Sciences." Vol. I. — "The Maple-Bark Louse {lecanium acervicold)." 
 Pp. 37-8. 
 
 3. 1876. Ibid. "Hieroglyphics observed in Summit Anon, 
 Utah, and on Little Popoagie River in Wyoming." Pp. 143-5. 
 PI. xxvii.-xxx. 
 
 4. 1876. Ibid. "Lists of Iowa Coleoptera and Lepidoptera." 
 Pp. ,169-77. 
 
 5. 1876. Ibid. " Lists of Colorado Coleoptera s.-a^ Lepidoptera." 
 Pp. 177-87. 
 
 6. 1876. Ibid. "Report on the Insects collected by Capt. Jones' 
 Expedition to Northwestern Wyoming in 1873." Pp. 187-91. 
 
 7. 1876. "Indian Names for Insects." P. 192. 
 
 8. 1876. Ibid. " Report on the Insects collected in the Vicin- 
 ity of Spring-Lake Villa, Utah, County, Utah, during the summer 
 of 1875." Pp. 193-205- 
 
 9. 1876. Ibid. "List ol Hymenoptera collected by J. Duncan 
 
78 GOV. JOSEPH DUNCAN. 
 
 Putnam, * * with descriptions of new species. By E. T. Cres- 
 son." Pp. 206-11. 
 
 10. 1876. Ibid. "List of Orthoptera collected by J. Duncan 
 Putnam * * during the summers of 1872-5, chiefly in Colo- 
 rado, Utah, and Wyoming Territories. By Cyrus Thomas." Pp. 
 249-64. 
 
 11. 1876. Ibid. "(Entomological) Notes." Pp. 265-7. PI. 
 XXXV., xxxvi. 
 
 The foregoing papers were separately issued under the title of 
 " Entomological Contributions, from the Proceedings of the Dav- 
 enport Academy of Natural Sciences, Vol. I." 
 
 12. 1877. "Popular Science Monthly," Vol. X., "Insects and 
 Flowers in Colorado." Pp. 612-14. 
 
 13. 1877. " Proceedings of the Davenport Academy of Natural 
 Sciences," Vol. IL, Part I., "Horned Toads in the Collection of 
 the Academy." P. 22. 
 
 14. 1877. Ibid. "On the young of a species of Lycosa." P. 23-4. 
 
 15. 1877. Ibid. "Remarks on Galeodes pallipes, Say." Pp. 35-6. 
 
 16. 1880. Ibid. Vol. II., Part II., "Biological and other notes 
 on Coccidce." Pp. 293-347. PI. xii., xiii. 
 
 The last-named paper was also issued separately. The species 
 treated are Pidvinaria intiutnerabilis and Aspidatus ancydus. 
 
 •LI. 1880. "Transactions of the Iowa Horticultural Society," 
 Vol. v., " Rust-producing Mites." P. 365. 
 
 18. 1880. "Proceedings of the American Association," Vol. 
 XXIX., Boston meeting, " Notes on North- American Galeodes." 
 Printed by title only. P. 671. 
 
 19. 1881. Proceedings of the Iowa Academy of Sciences, Vol. 
 I., Part II. (not yet printed), " Observations on Galeodes." 
 
 20. 1881. "Proceedings of the American Association, Vol. 
 XXX., Cincinnati meeting (not yet printed), " Notes on a Bibli- 
 ography of the Galeodidae." 
 
 21. 1881. " Proceedings of the Davenport Academy of Nat- 
 
APPENDIX. ' 79 
 
 ural Sciences," Vol. III., Part II. (in press), " Remarks on the 
 Habits of several Western Cicada." Pp. 67-8. 
 
 For one so young, he attained high distinction in the scientific 
 world. The following few, selected from many letters addressed 
 to his fellow-members of the Academy, tell somewhat of the high 
 estimation in which he was held by other scientists. From Prof. 
 Spencer F. Baird, secretary Smithsonian Institute, Washington,. 
 D.C.: 
 
 " Smithsonian Institute, 
 "Washington, U.C, Dec. 20, 1881. 
 
 "Sir: In acknowledging the receipt of your letter of the loth 
 inst., which conveys the painful intelligence that Prof Joseph 
 Duncan Putnam, president of Davenport Academy of Sciences,, 
 has been called from his earthly labors, I beg to state that while 
 through this dispensation of Providence the Academy sustains a 
 double loss, in that by the death of Prof Putnam it is deprived 
 of an honored presiding officer, and at the same time of an asso- 
 ciate who was ever zealous for the success of the establishment, 
 the cause of science is again called upon to mourn the departure 
 from earth of a devoted friend and conscientious collaborator. 
 
 " Begging that you will convey to the members of the Academy 
 and to the family and friends of Prof Putnam the assurance that 
 in their bereavement they have the profound sympathies of the 
 officers of this institution. I am, very truly yours, 
 
 "Spencer F. Baird, Secretary. 
 "W. H. Pratt, Davenport, la." 
 
 From Prof Asa Gray, Cambridge, Mass.: 
 
 "Cambridge, Mass., Jan. 4, 1882. 
 
 " My Dear Sirs : I learn that a meeting of the Davenport Ac- 
 ademy is convened to take notice of the death of its late corres- 
 ponding, secretary, Mr. Joseph Duncan Putnam. It is well that 
 you should put upon record for future times some memorial of 
 
8o GOV. JOSEPH DUNCAN. 
 
 the services and character of the associate who is now lost to 
 you. Young as he was, I suppose he is to be ranked among your 
 founders; at least, his place in your history is a very early one. 
 Of what he did for your society, of what he accomplished for 
 science, of the serious disadvantage under which he labored in 
 doing this from almost life-long ill-health, of the enthusiasm which 
 supplied the place of bodily strength, and of the fruits of his de- 
 votion which you are enjoying in the prosperity and good name 
 of the Academy, it is quite unnecessary that I should write a 
 word. His name and place in the science which he pursued 
 with such devotion are made sure by being incorporated into the 
 imperishable records which natural history builds into its very 
 fabric as its structure rises, through the combined labors of all its 
 gifted devotees. 
 
 " Let me only say that what struck me in my intercourse with 
 Putnam was his sobriety of judgment and simplicity of spirit. 
 Never have I seen a cooler and, we say, more level head borne 
 upon such young shoulders; nor is it often that such gifts and 
 acquisitions as his are borne with such genuine modesty by 
 one so young and so situated. Uttle as I have actually been 
 with him, I feel that I have lost a valued friend. Yet it was all 
 along evident that he could not remain long with us, and thank- 
 ful should we be that even that brief span was protracted quite 
 beyond all ordinary expectation. Very truly yours, 
 
 "Asa Gray. 
 " Messrs. Preston, Lynch, and Fulton, 
 
 "Committee of the Davenport Academy of Natural Sciences." 
 
 From George Engelman, M.D., St. Louis, Mo.: 
 
 "St. Louis, Mo., Jan. 6, 1882. 
 "Messrs. Preston, Lynch, and Fulton, Committee, 
 
 Gentlemen: Your letter of invitation was unfortunately mislaid, 
 and I am thus prevented from being present, even by this my 
 answer to your invitation, at the memorial meeting in honor of 
 
APPENDIX. 8 1 
 
 my late friend, the president of your Academy, Joseph Duncan 
 Putnam. 
 
 "I heartily sympathize with you and your institution in the 
 irreparable loss you have sustained in the demise of your gifted 
 young president, whose talents, zeal, and energy have already 
 made him conspicuous, and would have achieved great success 
 in science if a longer Hfe had been vouchsafed to him. 
 
 "Accept my sincere condolence for the great loss you, and 
 with you science, has sustained in the death of young Putnam. 
 " Yours respectfully, G. Engelmann." 
 
 From Prof Samuel H.,Scudder, Cambridge, Mass.: 
 
 "Cambridge, Mass., Jan. 7, 1882. 
 ■" Messrs. C. H. Preston and others, 
 
 Committee of the Davenport Academy, 
 
 Gentlemen : I regret it will not be in my power to attend the 
 meeting you propose to hold on the 12th inst. I should be glad 
 to testify by my presence the esteem in which I have ever held 
 Mr. Putnam, both as a personal friend and as a fellow-student of 
 nature. The persistent energy with which he not only undertook, 
 but carried to completion, investigations of a serious and difficult 
 nature, when his time was so largely occupied in the administra- 
 tion of a public trust of which he was, perhaps, the mainstay, 
 and all the while laboring under the heavy disadvantage of a seri- 
 ous and wearing malady, can only be fully appreciated by those 
 who understand the tax upon his strength which each of these 
 entailed. They bring out, too, into clearer relief and more vivid 
 light the purity of his purpose and, to those who knew him best, 
 the gentleness of his character, which made intercourse with him 
 a delight. Many a man of vigorous constitution would have 
 shrunk from the labors he gladly undertook ; few would have 
 accomplished them so well. To us at the East, who look upon 
 your affairs at a distance, and, as it were, by a bird's-eye view, it 
 seems as if without him the Davenport Academy would never 
 have had half so vigorous a growth, nor proved so timely and 
 6 
 
82 GOV. JOSEPH DUNCAN. 
 
 beneficent an example to the younger communities of our coun- 
 try. His efforts and example have surely given it an impulse 
 which will lorig enable it to sustain the character it enjoys; let us 
 even hope for something better. At the same time, his writings 
 are amongst the most scholarly achievements of the scientific 
 men of the Western States, and show him to the world a modest 
 and safe pioneer in paths of his own choosing. It is earnestly to 
 be hoped that he left his material for the long-looked-for mono- 
 graph of the Solpugidae in such shape that the Academy can give, 
 it to the world at an early day, and that the Academy will feel 
 this a trust which it can not rightly fail to assume. With thanks, 
 for your kind invitation, I remain, very respectfully yours, 
 
 "Samuel H. Scudder."' 
 
 From C. V. Riley. U.-S. Entomologist, Washington, D.C.: 
 
 "Washington, D.C, Dec. 31, 1881. 
 " Gentlemen : As I can not be present at the meeting of the 
 members of the Academy which is to be held in memory of its. 
 deceased president, Mr. J. Duncan Putnam, permit me in this- 
 way to express my deep-felt sorrow at the death of a friend whom 
 I esteemed, and one so untiringly and unselfishly devoted to the 
 interests of natural science, and so beloved by all with whom he 
 came in contact. Of late years he battled so bravely with suffer- 
 ing that each time I have met him since our first meeting in 1873, 
 he seemed improved in general health and strength, and when at 
 my house not many mouths since, 1 felt a strong hope and belief 
 that his persistent and unclouded mental activity, and his enthu- 
 siastic love of nature, by leading him into field and wood and 
 obliging that out-door activity so essential to the valetudinarian, 
 would ultimately conquer the disease he suffered, so that many 
 years of usefulness might yet be spared to hini. The news of his. 
 death came therefore as a shock. All who knew him will mourn 
 , his loss, and it can be said of few as it can of him that he never 
 made an enemy — never did a wrong! Pray tender my heartfelt 
 condolence to his bereaved parents and relatives, and believe me 
 "Yours respectfully, C. V. Riley." 
 
INDEX. 
 
 Abolitionists, Gov. Duncan's disap- 
 proval of, 50-52, et seq.; their aims 
 stated, 53. 
 
 Adams, John Quincy, D. P. Cook's 
 popularity affected by his vote for, 
 19; Duff Green opposes Gen. Jack- 
 son calling upon, 20; contrast be- 
 tween his entry into and retirement 
 from office, 2 1 ; did not appear on 
 March 4, 1829; contrasted with 
 Jackson by Clay ; circulation of 
 offensive handbills relating to, 21, 
 22; turned out for extravagance; 
 VanBuren more extravagant than, 
 30; Gov. Duncan dines with, 55. 
 
 Adams-and-Clay whigs. Gov. Duncan 
 one of, 27; fusion between demo- 
 crats and; their candidate for'presi- 
 dent, 28. 
 
 Albany, N.Y., VanBuren 's political 
 record at, 30; mention, 58. 
 
 Albuquerque, N.M., Maj. Thos. Dun- 
 can wounded in engagement near, 
 75; Lt.-Col. Thos. Duncan's gal- 
 lant services at, 76. 
 
 Alexandria, Va., mention, 21. 
 
 AUeghanies, mention, 6. 
 
 Allen, Mr. and Mrs. Beverly, Gov. 
 and Mrs. Duncan meet, 56. 
 
 Alton, 111., anathematized by public 
 prints, 51, 52; Lovejoy's presses 
 destroyed at, 51. 
 
 Alton riots, an event of mpmentous 
 importance, 48; Gov. Duncan's 
 views regarding, 49. 
 
 Alton [111.] Tdegrafh, cited, 44 n. 
 
 Arizona Territory, Lieut. -Col. Thos. 
 Duncan ordered to, 76- 
 
 Ashley, Mrs. Gen. John H., Gov. and 
 Mrs. Duncan visit, 56. 
 
 Baldwin, James, mentioned for secre- 
 tary of the treasury, 20. 
 
 Baird, Prof. Spencer F., secretary of 
 Smithsonian Institute; his tribute 
 to memory of Jos. D. Putnam, 79. 
 
 Bank, U.-S., public moneys with- 
 drawn from; the president wishes 
 to destroy, 38. 
 
 Banks, a party-issue, 32; Gov. Dun- 
 can's views regarding, 32, 34; the 
 defects of, 34; an engrossing sub- 
 ject of public attention, 37, 48; 
 multiplication of irresponsible, 38; 
 see also State Bank. 
 
 Barber, Cornelia, daughter of secre- 
 tary of war; bridesmaid to Mrs. 
 Gov. Duncan, 56. 
 
 Baylor, Lieut. Cyrus A., aids in the 
 defence of Ft. Stephenson; assisted 
 by Ensign Duncan, 14; presented 
 with sword by congress, 16. 
 
 Beecher, Rev. Edward, a trustee of 
 111. College; tribute to Gov. Dun- 
 can by, 66. 
 
 Bell, Mrs. James, a sister of Mrs. 
 Wm. Duncan, 9. 
 
 Berdan, James, sends Prof. Sturte- 
 vant's funeral sermon on Gov. Dun- 
 can to his widow, 74. 
 
 Bergen, Rev. John G., mention, 65. 
 
 Berlin, 111., Gen. James M. Duncaa 
 dies at, 8. 
 
 Black Hawk, treaty of peace con- 
 cluded by, 26. 
 
 Black -Hawk War, Gov. Duncan a 
 brigadier-general in, 26. 
 
 Black Swamp, Ensign Duncan's ad- 
 ventures in, 10, 11. 
 
 Blackburn, Rev. Gideon, Gov. Dun- 
 can's letter to, 49-53. 
 
 Blackwell, Robert, Daniel P. Cook 
 associated with; purchases Illinois 
 Hei-ald, 8. 
 
 Blake, William, groomsman to Gov. 
 Duncan, 56. 
 
 Boggs, Lilburn W. , governor of Mis- 
 souri; expels Mormons, 46. 
 
 Bourbon Co., Ky., Gov. Duncan a 
 native of, 7. 
 
84 
 
 GOV. JOSEPH DUNCAN. 
 
 Brown, Bedford, a member of Pres- 
 byterian ch'ch building-committee; 
 subscribes to building-fund, 60. 
 
 Buckley, A., member of com. to re- 
 quest closing of business houses, 73. 
 
 Buffalo, N.Y., Gov. and Mrs. Dun- 
 can journey to by wagon, 58. 
 
 Butler, Benj. Frajiklin, his correspon- 
 dence with Gov. Duncan,' 16, 17. 
 
 Cairo, 111., mention, 56. 
 
 Caldwell, Ann, cousin to Mrs. Dun- 
 can; comes West in carriage, 62. 
 
 Caldwell, Elias Boudinot, clerk of the 
 U.-S. supreme court at Washing- 
 ton; mentioned; uncle of Mrs. Gov. 
 Duncan, 62. 
 
 Calhoun, John Caldwell, mention, 69. 
 
 Cambridge, Mass., mention, 79, 81. 
 
 Campbell, Maj. Geo. W. , resident of 
 Tenn. ; holds interview with Dun- 
 can; promised appointment in 111.; 
 Duncan opposes appointment of, 23 
 
 Canada, U.-S. troops marching tow- 
 ard, lo; Duncan leads force into, 18 
 
 Carlyle, 111., mention, 56. 
 
 CairoU, Wm. T., dines with presi- 
 dent; introduced to Mrs. Duncan, 
 55; groomsman to Gov. Duncan, 56 
 
 Carrollton, Ky., mention, 55. 
 
 Casey, Zadoc, elected lieutenant-gov- 
 ernor of 111. ; succeeded by Wm. L. 
 D. Ewing; elected to congress, 26. 
 
 Centralization, Gov. Duncan depicts 
 evils of, 40. 
 
 Cheves, Landon, probably one of five 
 to be in Jackson's cabinet, 20. 
 
 Chicago, President Jackson vetoes 
 appropriation for improving harbor 
 at, 27; difficulty in collecting in- 
 stalments on sales of lots in, 40; 
 Gov. Duncan invests in real estate 
 in, 63; sacrifice of 1 jts in Duncan's 
 Addition to, 64. 
 
 Chicago fire. Gov. Duncan's papers 
 destroyed in, 5. 
 
 Chicago Historical Soc'y, Gov. Dun- 
 can's papers sent to, 5. 
 
 China, mention, 67. 
 
 Christianity, true and false, 52. 
 
 City of Mexico, Lieut. Thos. Duncan 
 serves in, 75. 
 
 Clark, J., subscribes to fund for erect- 
 ing church, 60. 
 
 Clarke, Matthew St. Clair, calls upon 
 President-elect Jackson with Dun- 
 can, 20; dines with Pres't Adams; 
 clerk of U.-S. house of represen- 
 tatives, 55. 
 
 Clarke, Mrs. Matthew St. Clair (Mary 
 Smith), a sister of Mrs. Gov. Dun- 
 can, 55; Gov. Duncan married at 
 her house, 56; Gov. Duncan draws 
 plan from her house, 62. 
 
 Clay, Henry, his stirring appeals for 
 volunteers, 9; his caustic compari- 
 son between Adams and Jackson, 
 22; defection among supporters ot^ 
 28; Gov. Duncan sympathizes with, 
 
 53- 
 
 Cleveland, O., an objective point of 
 the British in 1812, 14; mention, 58. 
 
 Clinton, DeWitt, supported for the 
 presidency by VanBuren, 30. 
 
 Coffin, Nathaniel, treasurer of Illinois 
 College, 54, 74; acknowledges sub- 
 scriptions from Gov. Duncan, 54, 
 55; secretary of trustees of Illinois 
 College; sends resolutions of sym- 
 pathy to Mrs. Duncan, 74. 
 
 College Hill, Jacksonville, Nathaniel 
 Coffin dates letter from, 74. 
 
 Colleges, Gov. Duncan's recommen- 
 dations concerning, 34, 35, 45. 
 
 Colombia, S. A. , Duncan recommends 
 E. J. West for diplomatic appoint- 
 ment in, 22. 
 
 Comanches, Capt. Thomas Duncan 
 commands escort of commissioners 
 to; led by Satanta; defeated by 
 U.-S. troops, 75. 
 
 Common schools, establishment of 
 pressed by Gov. Duncan, 32, 33, 
 .S6, 37, 45; how affected by Gov. 
 Duncan's views, 34. 
 
 Congress rewards defenders of Fort 
 Stephenson, 15, 16, 67; D. P. Cook 
 repeatedly elected to; Gov. Dun- 
 can three times elected to, 19; Gov. 
 Duiican remains at his post at, 27; 
 stockholders jn bank should be re- 
 sponsible to, 32 ; its power over 
 national currency, 38; Illinois trus- 
 tee of fund appropriated by, 41; its 
 right to investigate public officers, 
 42; members of should not be ap- 
 
INDEX. 
 
 85 
 
 pointed to office, 44; pledged to 
 complete lU.-and-Mich. Canal, 45; 
 Joseph Duncan a member of, 55, 
 66; Rev. Reuben Post chaplain in, 
 67. 
 
 Conn, Eunice, mention, 61, 62. 
 
 Conn, Julia, choir-singer at Jackson- 
 ville, 61. 
 
 Conner, , U. -S. marshal; C. 
 
 Slade wants to succeed, 22. 
 
 Convention system, introduced into 
 Illinois; opposition to, 27, 28; com- 
 monly used by all parties, 28. 
 
 Cook, Daniel Pope, associated with 
 Robert Blackwell; purchases Illi- 
 nois Herald, 8; his political career 
 sketched; defeated for congress by 
 Duncan, 19. 
 
 Coon, Mrs,, half-sister to Mrs. (Rev.) 
 ' J. M. Ellis, 60. 
 
 Croghan, Col. George, in command 
 at Fort Stephenson, ii; prepares 
 for defence; ordered to evacuate; 
 determines to defend; superseded, 
 12; resumes command; character of 
 defence made by, 13; his success, 
 13, 14, 15; selects Ensign Duncan 
 to command reserve, 14; his ser- 
 vices recognized and rewarded by 
 congress, 15. 
 
 Crawford, Col. William, burned at 
 the stake, 10. 
 
 Currency, the proper mode of regu- 
 lating, 32 ; power of congress to 
 regulate, 38, 41; Gov. Duncan de- 
 plores depreciation of, 38, 39. 
 
 D 
 
 Dark Continent, the, mention, 67. 
 
 Dashiell, Rev. Alfred H., pastor of 
 Presbyter'n church in Jacksonville; 
 has difficulty with congregation, 64; 
 resigns and removes, 64, 65 ; Gov. 
 Duncan's attachment to; the latter 
 seeks reinstatement of, without suc- 
 cess, 65. 
 
 Davenport, la., Joseph D. Putnam 
 dies at, 76; mention, 66, 79. 
 
 Davenport Academy of Natural Sci- 
 ences, Jos. D. Putnam a member 
 and secretary of, 76, 77; Jos. D. 
 Putnam reads papers before; its 
 proceedings cited, 77. 
 
 Davis, Warren R. , member of con- 
 gress; present with Gov. Duncan at 
 president's dinner-party, 24. 
 
 Detroit, Mich., Ky. troops marching 
 to, lO; mention, 17. 
 
 Detroit River, Gov. (then Lt.) Dun- 
 can crosses, 18. 
 
 Distribution, a party issue, 32. 
 
 District of Columbia, its inhabitants' 
 sycophancy, 21. 
 
 Douglas, Stephen Arnold, secretary 
 of state in 1840; influential in se- 
 curing charter of Nauvoo, 46. 
 
 Duncan, Gen. James M., mention, 7; 
 second brother of Gov. Joseph; 
 graduates at Transylvania; infantry 
 captain in War of 1812; settles at 
 Vandalia; clerk of supreme court; 
 removes to .Springfield; merchant 
 at Jacksonville; religious connec- 
 tions; domestic relations, 8; writes 
 to Joseph Duncan; wants appoint- 
 ment as Indian agent; his applica- 
 tion not favored by Joseph Duncan, 
 24. 
 
 Duncan, John, youngest brother of 
 Gov. Joseph Duncan; a physician; 
 his characteristics ; his death, 9 ; 
 mention, 7. 
 
 Duncan, Maj. Joseph, father of Gov. 
 Duncan; sketch of, 7. 
 
 Duncan, Gov. Joseph, author's hesi- 
 tancy'in writing life of; difficulties 
 in way of obtaining data for history 
 of, 5; born in Kentucky; his par- 
 entage; his father's third child; his 
 brothers and sister; appointed the. 
 guardian to latter; his affection for 
 Illinois, 6, 7; his early enlistment 
 in U.-S. army; promoted to rank 
 of ensign ; letter from Philip Shro- 
 ver to, 9; review of his military 
 services in War of 1812, 10, et ser/.; 
 his thrilling adventure as bearer of 
 dispatches, 10, 11; his gallant con- 
 duct at Ft. Stephenson, 11-15, 67; 
 his modesty illustrated, 15 ; pre- 
 sented with sword by resolution of 
 congress, 15, 16, 67; his acknowl- 
 edgment of same; correspondence 
 between B. F. Butler and, 16, 17; 
 as lieutenant leads a force into 
 Canada, 17, 18; perilous crossing 
 of Lake Erie by; returns to Ken- 
 
86 
 
 GOV. JOSEPH DUNCAN. 
 
 tucky at the close of war; early 
 attracted to Illinois; his removal 
 thereto; his uncle state treasurer; 
 his rapid rise in popularity; major- 
 general of militia; a state senator, 
 l8; while state senator introduces 
 bill for school-law, i8, 19; defeats 
 D. P. Cook for conc;ress; character 
 of the triumph; a member of the 
 20th, 2 1 St, and 22d congresses; re- 
 fuses to support Duff Green, 19; his 
 criticisms on latter; calls on Jack- 
 son, 19, 20; extracts from his diary, 
 19-26; attends Jackson's inaugural 
 reception; his sentiments and acts 
 relative to removals and appoint- 
 ments; consults with McLean and 
 Kane as to appointments, 22; re- 
 monstrates with Jackson against 
 Maj. Campbell's appointment; his 
 interview with Jackson and Eaton 
 as to lUinois-and-Michigan Canal, 
 23; his opposition to nepotism, 24; 
 elected to congress from northern 
 district, 26; sole representative from 
 Illinois, 26, 55; a brigadier-general 
 in the Black-Hawk war, 26; elected 
 governor over Kinney, 26, 28; suc- 
 ceeds Gov. Reynolds; succeeded in 
 congress by latter; his conversation 
 with latter as to the exchange, 26; 
 no personal canvass made when 
 candidate for governor; a supporter 
 of Jackson; his reasons for break- 
 ing with the administration ; an 
 Adams-and-Clay whig, 27; charac- 
 ter of his support; his hostility to 
 VanBuren; cause of his opposition 
 to Jackson misstated, 28; his esti- 
 mate of Jackson's character, 28, 29; 
 contrasts Jackson with VanBuren, 
 29; justifies his opposition to Jack- 
 son's administration, 29, 30; his 
 intimacy with Jackson ; charges 
 neglect of latter's pledges, 30; not 
 a partisan; tribute to his independ- 
 ence; opposes state claims to pub- 
 lic offices, 31; his views on party 
 organization, 31, 32; his message of 
 1834 cited; calls attention to the 
 subject of education, 32, 33; pre- 
 dicts Illinois' future; his plea for 
 purity of elections; defines issues of 
 the day; his views on the latter, 32; 
 
 favors early completion of Ill.-and- 
 Mich. Canal, 33, 40, 41; his views 
 on common-schools in advance of 
 public sentiment; their influence on 
 public opinion; opposes charter of 
 state bank; his views regarding 
 banks generally, 34; his message of 
 Dec, 1835, cited; calls a special 
 session; recommends loan for com- 
 pletion of canal, 35; opposes public 
 maintenance of internal improve- 
 ment, 35, 36, 37, 39, 43; his mes- 
 sage to the legislature of 1836-7; 
 reiterates his views concerning com- 
 mon-schools, 36, 37; vetoes bill 
 establishing system of internal im- 
 provements, 37; his recommenda- 
 tions justified by experience, 37, 38; 
 synopsis of his message to the leg- 
 islature of 1837, 37; same cited in • 
 full, 38, et seq.; recommends repeal 
 of law establishing system of inter- 
 nal improvement, 39, 40; his ser- 
 vices in sale of state bonds, 44 n ; 
 his appreciation of his official obli- 
 gations; discusses intemperance, 45; 
 renominated for governor; opposed 
 by the Mormons, 46; rival candi- 
 dates, 46, 47; fosters anti-Mormon 
 feeling; defeated by Ford; his polit- 
 ical ends; tribute to his worth, 47; 
 prominent issues during his guber- 
 natorial term, 48; letter to Rev. 
 Gideon Blackmore; his views re- 
 garding the Alton riots; criticism 
 on Lovejoy, 49-53; his disapproba- 
 tion of abolitionists, 50-52, et seq.; 
 his disapproval of slavery, 52, 53; 
 his sympathy with Henry Clay; his 
 reverence for the Constitution; let- 
 ter to S. D. Lockwood from; his 
 motives for leaving Kentucky; op- 
 poses introduction of slavery into 
 Illinois; favors gradual emancipa- 
 tion, 53; withholds his resignation 
 as trustee of Illinois College; his 
 deep interest in education and tem- 
 perance; contributes half his salary 
 for support of temperance paper; 
 his liberal subscription to temper- 
 ance society, 54; his liberality tow- 
 ard Illinois College, 54, 55 ; his 
 service as trustee of 111. College, 
 55, 66; dines with Pres't Adams; 
 
INDEX. 
 
 87 
 
 ■complimented by Henry Clay; in- 
 troduced to his future wife; his in- 
 terest in the Institution for the 
 Education of Deaf Mutes; first 
 president of its board of trustees, 
 55; he marries Elizabeth Caldwell 
 Smith; date and place of wedding; 
 his groomsmen, 56; his wedding- 
 journey described by his wife, 56- 
 58 ; his personal appearance ; his 
 stay in Washington; his return to 
 Jacksonville, 58; description of his 
 first home in Jacksonville; his skill 
 as a hunter, 59, 60; his care of his 
 children in sickness; extract from 
 his diary; makes donation to Pres- 
 byterian church, 60; his barn-rais- 
 ing; in congress in 1830, 61 ; elected 
 governor in 1834; comes West to 
 • remain, 62; moves his family West 
 in carriages; has son born; unites 
 •with Presbyterian church, 62, 64; 
 gives barbecue to Daniel Webster; 
 his hospitality; adds to his patri- 
 mony; receives a fortune with his 
 wife, 62; a scheme of Jackson men 
 to break down; his wife's estate 
 placed in his hands; invests same 
 in real estate; executes deed of 
 ■trust to J. M. Sturtevant; depre- 
 ciation of investments; brother-in- 
 law to William Lynn; bondsman 
 for latter, 63; suffers financial loss 
 through defalcation of Lynn; judg- 
 ments entered against on Lynn's 
 bond; his property sacrificed to 
 meet same; his death untimely; his 
 personal creditors unpaid after his 
 •death, 64; his attachment for Mr. 
 Dashell; his efforts to organize an- 
 other church; unites with church in 
 Pisgah; his religious character; let- 
 ter to his wife, 65; Dr. Edward 
 Beecher's tribute to; his death, 66; 
 
 . trustees of 111. College adopt reso- 
 lutions on death of, 74; Dr. T. M. 
 Post describes home, 68, and de- 
 scribes death-bed of, 6g, 70; reso- 
 lutions eulogizing, adopted by pub- 
 lic meeting at Jacksonville, 72, 73. 
 
 Duncan, Mrs. Joseph (Elizabeth Cald- 
 well Smith), dines with President 
 Adams; introduced to Gov. Dun- 
 can, 55; extracts from her diary, 
 
 55-62; describes her wedding; her 
 bridesmaids, 56; her experience in 
 winter of "the deep snow," 61; 
 value of her inheritance; how same 
 was to be paid; how invested by 
 her husband; result of such invest- 
 ment, 62; an invalid; her property 
 sold at a sacrifice, 63, 64; her mor- 
 tification at non-payment of her 
 husband's debts, 64; receives copies 
 of funeral sermon on the governor, 
 73, 74; receives resolutions of sym- 
 pathy from trustees of Illinois Col- 
 lege, 74. 
 
 Duncan, Joseph, jr., his birth and 
 baptism, 62; mention, 66. 
 
 Duncan, Mary L., child of Gov. and 
 Mrs. Duncan, 60, 62, 66; escapes 
 cholera, 60; marries Chas. E. Put- 
 nam, 66, mention, 62. 
 
 Duncan, Matthew, brother of Gov. 
 Joseph, 7; educated at Yale Col- 
 lege; a journalist and publisher; 
 enters U.-S. army; engages in busi- 
 ness; his domestic ties; death, 8. 
 
 Duncan, Nannie, child of Gov. and 
 Mrs. Duncan; mention, 62. 
 
 Duncan, Polly Ann, daughter of Maj. 
 Joseph Duncan; Gov. Duncan her 
 guardian, 7 ; married to William 
 Linn; a brilliant woman, 9. 
 
 Duncan, St. Clair, child of Gov. and 
 Mrs. Duncan; his sickness and re- 
 covery; Gov. Duncan's care of him; 
 his medical attendance, 60; Dr. 
 Post watches death of, 69; mention, 
 62, 65. 
 
 Duncan, Thomas, son of Maj. Joseph 
 Duncan; third brother of Gov. Jos. 
 Duncan, 7, 8; a graduate of Tran- 
 sylvania; practises law at Nash- 
 ville, Tenn. ; domestic relations; 
 accidentally killed, 9. 
 
 Duncan, Gen. Thomas, son of Mat- 
 thew Duncan; attached to regular 
 army, 8; retired from active ser- 
 vice; promoted; his home at Wash- 
 ington, D. C. ; his sudden death, 8, 
 76; sketch of his life, 75, et seq.; 
 date and place of his birth, 75; his 
 military service, 75, 76- 
 
 Duncan, Wilson, son of Matthew 
 Duncan; an infantry captain; sta- 
 tioned at Fort Sidney, Neb,, 8. 
 
GOV. JOSEPH DUNCAN. 
 
 Dunlap, James, member of commit- 
 tee to present resolutions to Gov. 
 Duncan's family, 73. 
 
 E 
 
 Early settlers, life and perils of, 6. 
 
 Eaton, Maj. John H., escorts Jackson 
 to Washington, 19; secretary of war 
 under Jackson; is interviewed by 
 Duncan as to Illinois appointments, 
 23, 24; willing to appoint Illinoisan 
 to office at Galena; inclined to ap- 
 point Jas. M. Duncan to office, 25. 
 
 Education, Gov. Duncan calls legis- 
 lature's attention to subject of, 32, 
 33; legislature of 1834-5 adjourns 
 without acting upon Duncan's rec- 
 ommendation concerning, 35; Gov. 
 Duncan urges higher, 35, 45; his 
 deep interest in, 54. 
 
 Edwards, Ninian Wirt, prepares bill 
 for school-law, 34. 
 
 Edwards-and-Adams party, Duncan 
 believes McLean's election not due 
 
 t to, 20. 
 
 Elections, public officers should not 
 seek to influence, 44. 
 
 Ellis, Rev. J. M., pastor of Presby- 
 terian church in Jacksonville, 60; 
 his residence, 61. 
 
 Ellis, Mrs. Rev. J. M., a guest of 
 Mrs. Duncan, and why, 60, 6l ; 
 half-sister to Mrs. Conn, 60; dies 
 of cholera, 61, 
 
 Elm Grove, Jacksonville, Gov. Dun- 
 can dates letters from, 49, 53; the 
 name of Gov. Duncan's first home 
 in Jacksonville, 59. 
 
 Emancipation, gradual. Gov. Dun- 
 can favors, 53. 
 
 Engelman, George, M.D., a resident 
 of St. Louis, Mo. ; his tribute to 
 the memory of Jos. D. Putnam, 80. 
 
 Erie, Penn., British seek destruction 
 of naval preparations at, 14. 
 
 Ewing, Wm. Lee Donaldson, acting 
 lieutenant-governor; occupies exec- 
 utive chair, 26. 
 
 Farrar, Dr. Benjamin, Gov. and Mrs. 
 Duncan meet, 56. 
 
 Federal government, Gov. Duncan 
 deplores centralization of power 
 in, 40. 
 
 Federalists, Kinney thinks should be 
 put out of office, 25. 
 
 Fergus Printing Company, publishers 
 of "Martyrdom of Lovejoy," 48 n. 
 
 Fifth (U.-S.) Cavalry, Maj. Thomas 
 Duncan appointed lieut. - colonel 
 of, 75, 76. 
 
 First Dragoons, U.S.A., Benj. Dun- 
 can Moore captain of, 7; Matthew 
 Duncan captain of, 8. 
 
 Ford, Judge Thomas, elected gov. of 
 Illinois; his majority, 47. 
 
 Fort Burgin, N.M., commanded by 
 Capt. Thomas Duncan, 75. 
 
 Fort Craig, N. M., commanded by 
 Maj. Thomas Duncan, 75. 
 
 Fort D. A. Russell, Wyoming, Lieut. - 
 Col. Thos. Duncan stationed at, 76. 
 
 Fort Garland, Col., constructed and 
 commanded by Capt. Thosi Dun- 
 can, 75. 
 
 Fort Laramie, Wyoming, Capt. Thos. 
 Duncan takes company to, 75. 
 
 Fort Leavenworth, Kan. , Capt. Thos. 
 Duncan on duty at, 75. 
 
 Fort Meigs, siege of, raised, 12. 
 
 Fort McPherson, Neb., Lieut. -CoL 
 Thos. Duncan stationed at, 76. 
 
 Fort Massachusetts, N.M., com'ded 
 by Capt. Thos. Duncan, 75 
 
 Fort Sidney, Neb., Lieut. -Col. Thos. 
 Duncan in command of, 76. 
 
 Fort Stephenson, Ohio, description of 
 defence of, 11-15; American troops, 
 in rear of; Col. Croghan in com- 
 mand of, 11; its defenceless condi- 
 tion; orders for evacuation of; the 
 determination of officers to defend;. 
 Col. Wells relieves Col. Croghan in 
 command of, 12; important results 
 of defence of, 14, 15; known as 
 Lower Sandusky; newspaper report 
 of attack on ; congress rewards the 
 defenders of, 15, 16; Gov. Duncan's 
 gallant conduct at defence of, 15, 67. 
 
 Fort Union, N.M., Capt. Thos. Dun- 
 can with his regiment at; Coman- 
 ches defeated in vicinity of, 75. 
 
 Fort Wise, Col., Maj. Thos. Duncan 
 assigned to, 75. 
 
 Fountain Bluff, III., Duncan family 
 
INDEX. 
 
 89 
 
 remove to, 18; residence of Wm. 
 Linn; Mrs. Duncan's novel experi- 
 ence at, 55. 
 
 Fremont, O., formerly called Lower 
 Sandusky, 17. 
 
 Freedom of the press should be held 
 sacred, 52. 
 
 Fulton, , mention, 80. 
 
 Gadsbie's Hotel, Washington, men- 
 tion, 21. 
 
 Galena, Maj. Eaton vifilling to appoint 
 Illinoisan to office at, 25. 
 
 Garrard, Capt. William, attached to 
 Kentucky volunteers; relates inci- 
 dent showing Duncan's modesty, 14 
 
 Gallagher, Rev. James, pastor of the 
 Presbyterian church in Pisgah, 65. 
 
 Gibson, Geo., meets Duncan at presi- 
 dent's dinner-party, 24. 
 
 Giddings, Rev. Salmon, settles at 
 Quincy; preaches in St. Louis, 56. 
 
 Gillett, Dr. B., presides at public 
 meeting in Jacksonville, 72. 
 
 Girty, Simon, burns Col. Wm. Craw- 
 ford at the stake, 10. 
 
 Goudy, Ensley, mention, 65. 
 
 Graham [Richard ?], Duncan wants 
 to be Indian agent in place of, 24. 
 
 Graham, Mrs. Isabella, mention, 56. 
 
 Gratiot, Gen. Charles, accompanies 
 Duncan to war department; friend- 
 ly to his views, 23; meets Duncan 
 at president's dinner-party, 24. 
 
 Gray, Prof. Asa, his tribute to mem- 
 ory of Joseph D. Putnam, 79. 
 
 Green, Duff, Duncan refuses to sup- 
 port for public printer, 19; Dun- 
 can's criticisms on, 19, 20; his in- 
 fluence over Jackson; his arrogance; 
 directed by Jackson to correct his 
 statements, 20; requests appoint- 
 ment from secretary of war, 24. 
 
 Green, Dr. , a resident of St. 
 
 Louis ; urged by Duff Green for 
 appointment in Illinois, 24. 
 
 H 
 
 Hall's Battery, Maj. Thomas Duncan 
 renders conspicuous service in sup- 
 porting, 75. 
 
 Hamilton, James, probably to be in 
 Jackson's cabinet, 2o. 
 
 Hamtiamck, John Francis, jr., J. M. 
 Duncan wants to be appointed In- 
 dian agent in place of, 24. 
 
 Hancock County, 111. , Mormons settle 
 in; Mormon population of, 46. 
 
 Handy, , of Indiana; Kinney's 
 
 advice to, 25. 
 
 Harrison, Gen. Wm. Henry, com'ds 
 main body of American army, 1 1 ; 
 Croghan disobeys; removes Crogh- 
 an from command at Fort Stephen- 
 son, 12; reinstates same, 13; arrives 
 at Fort Stephenson with army, 14. 
 
 Hayne, Robert Y., to be in Jackson's 
 cabinet; probably to be secretary 
 of the navy, 20. 
 
 Henry, Capt. John, addresses public 
 meeting upon the services of Gov. 
 Duncan; member of committee to 
 draft resolutions eulogizing Gov. 
 Duncan, 72. 
 
 History, should be accurate and im- 
 partial, 5. 
 
 Hodges, William, secretary, of public 
 meeting at Jacksonville, 72. 
 
 Hook, Cornelius, member of commit- 
 tee to request closing of business 
 houses, 73. 
 
 Iberville, La. , Thomas Duncan killed 
 at, 9. 
 
 Illinois, Gov. Duncan's affection forj 
 same honored by, 6; Gov. Dun- 
 can's early attraction toward; his 
 removal to; admitted to the Union; 
 Robert K. McLaughlin, state treas- 
 urer, 18; John McLean, senator 
 from, 20; Duncan's views as to 
 the political appointments in; Maj. 
 Campbell to be appointed superin- 
 tendent of lead-mines in, 23; Dun- 
 can indignant at appointments in; 
 Eaton willing to appoint citizen of 
 to office at Galena, 25 ; three con- 
 gressmen apportioned to; Gov. 
 Duncan elected governor of; Reyn- 
 olds' election as governor of; Dun- 
 can succeeds latter, 26 ; political 
 sentiment toward VanBuren in ; the 
 convention system introduced into, 
 
90 
 
 GOV. JOSEPH DUNCAN. 
 
 27; Joseph Duncan defeats Wm. 
 Kinney for governor of, 28; fertility 
 of its soil; Gov. Duncan predicts 
 future of, 33; anathematized in the 
 public prints, 5 1 ; Gov. Duncan 
 opposes the introduction of slavery 
 into, 53; Gov. and Mrs. Duncan 
 cross by stage, 58; Gov. Duncan 
 invests in real estate in central, 63; 
 a new state, 66, 67; comparatively 
 distant from and unknown in the 
 East, 67; represented in congress 
 by Joseph Duncan, 55, 66; Dr. T. 
 M. Post visits Gov. Duncan in, 68; 
 Ciov. Duncan's life incorporated 
 with, 71; mention, 22. 
 
 Illinois College, S. D. Lockwood 
 president of trustees of; Gov. Dun- 
 can prepares resignation from the 
 board of trustees of, 53; Nathaniel 
 Coffin treasurer of, 54; Gov. Dun- 
 can's liberality toward, 54, 55; his 
 service as trustee of, 55, 66; Dr. 
 Edward Beecher a trustee of, 66; 
 Dr. T. M. Post connected with, 69; 
 the trustees of adopt resolutions on 
 Gov. Duncan's death, 74. 
 
 Illinois Herald, the first newspaper in 
 Illinois; published by Matthew 
 Duncan, 8; sold to D. P. Cook and 
 Robert Blackwell, 8. 
 
 Illinois Institution for the Education 
 of Deaf Mutes, condition of its loca- 
 tion at Jacksonville; Gov. Duncan 
 raises funds to purchase site for, 
 and is its first president of board 
 of trustees, 55. 
 
 Illinois Jliver, Duncan favors steam- 
 boat canal between Lake Michigan 
 and, 23, 45; Jackson vetoes appro- 
 priation for improving, 27; men- 
 tion, 23, 33. 
 
 lUinois-and-Michigan Canal, Duncan 
 urges location of, upon Jackson's 
 administration, 22, 23; and favors 
 making it a ship-canal, 33, 38; he 
 also favors completion of, 33, 40, 
 41 ; legislature authorizes loan to 
 complete, 35; legislature of 1834-5 
 adjourns without taking action con- 
 cerning, 35, 43; an engrossing sub- 
 ject of public attention, 37, 48; 
 should be a national highway, 38, 
 44; report of the commissioners 
 
 of, transmitted, 40; its navigation 
 should be free, 41, 44; progressing 
 satisfactorily; funds in hands of 
 commissioners of, 44. 
 
 Inaugurations of Adams and Jackson 
 contrasted; Duncan attends latter, 
 21. 
 
 India, mention, 67. 
 
 Indian war, Illinois the seat of an, 67. 
 
 Indiana, Gov. and Mrs. Duncan cross 
 by stage, 58; mention, 25. 
 
 Indians, early relations between the 
 whites and, 6; see also Comanches. 
 
 Ingham, Samuel B., mentioned in 
 connection with postmaster-gener- 
 alship, 20. 
 
 Intemperance, Duncan discusses, 45. 
 
 Internal improvements, a source of 
 patronage, 40; Gov. Duncan op- 
 poses public maintenance of, 35, 
 36, 37. 39. 43; leading issue in 
 state politics, 37, 48; passage of 
 act to establish system of; Gov. 
 Duncan vetoes same; same again 
 passed, 37; the governor recom- 
 mends repeal of same, 39, 40. 
 
 Iowa, Maj. Thomas Duncan's official 
 (military) command in, 75. 
 
 Jackson, President Andrew, his arri- 
 val in Washington, 19; Duncan 
 calls upon, 19, 20; Duff Green's 
 influence over; rumors as to his 
 cabinet; his professed policy as to 
 removals, 20; Duncan attends his 
 inauguration; the inauguration de- 
 scribed, 21; disgraceful scenes re- 
 ported at his inaugural reception; 
 contrasted with Adams by Clay, 22; 
 Duncan urges route for Illinoia-and- 
 Michigan Canal upon, 22, 23; his 
 attitude as to Illinois appointments, 
 23; Duncan dines with, 24; con- 
 gratulated by Kinney on appoint- 
 ments, 25; Reynolds' adherence to; 
 favors VanBuren as his successor; 
 Duncan a supporter of; the latter's 
 reasons for breaking with, 27; for- 
 merly supported by Judge White; 
 Gov. Duncan supported by oppo- 
 nents of; on good terms with Gov. 
 Duncan; offers him an office, and 
 
INDEX. 
 
 91 
 
 appoints his relatives to office; Gov. 
 Duncan denies asking favors from, 
 and declares his faith in sincerity 
 of, 28; Gov. Duncan contrasts Van 
 Buren with; too old for executive 
 office ; his noble qualities ; Van 
 Buren's intrigues against, 29; Gov. 
 Duncan's intimacy with ; pledges 
 neglected, 30; arraigned for his 
 policy toward U.-S. B'k, 30,31,38. 
 
 Jackson Co. , 111. , the Duncan family 
 settle in, i8'. 
 
 Jackson democrats, their suspicion of 
 Gov. Reynolds, 27 ; divide on a 
 question of VanBuren's support, 27, 
 28; gain adherence from Clay's sup- 
 porters; fusion between whigs and; 
 Gov. Duncan draws support from, 
 28; Joseph Duncan supported for 
 congress by, 29, 30. 
 
 Jacksonville, 111., Gen. Jas. M. Dun- 
 can a merchant at, 8; the residence 
 of Gov. Duncan, 47; Gov. Duncan 
 dates letter from, 49; citizens of 
 donate site for Illinois Institution 
 for Education of Deaf Mutes, 55; 
 Mrs. Duncan's reminiscences of her 
 early life in, 56; Mrs. Duncan's first 
 visit to, 57; Gov. and Mrs. Duncan 
 return to, 58; Mrs. Duncan returns 
 to; first Presbyterian church in; 
 building committee; subscribers to 
 fund for building; amount raised; 
 its first pastor, 60; described; com- 
 position of choir of, 61; Gov. Dun- 
 can unites with Presbyterian church 
 at, 62; invests in real estate in, and 
 conveys property near, in trust, 63; 
 Dr. T. M. Post visits Gov. Duncan 
 at, 68; resolutions adopted by citi- 
 zens of, upon Gov. Duncan's death, 
 72; Joseph Duncan Putnam born 
 at, 76; mention, 19, 54, 58. 
 
 Jefferson Barracks, Mo., Capt. Thos. 
 Duncan ordered to, 75' 
 
 Jessup, Thomas S., meets Duncan at 
 president's dinner-party, 24. 
 
 Johnson, Lieut. 8enj., aids in defence 
 of Fort Stephenson ; assisted by 
 Ensign Duncan, 13; presented with 
 sword by vote of Congress, 15, 16. 
 
 Johnson, Lieut. Richard M., calls 
 upon President-elect Jackson with 
 Duncan, 20. 
 
 Kane, Elias Kent, confers with Dun- 
 can and McLean as to 111. appoint- 
 ments; differs with the latter as to 
 removals, 22. 
 
 Kaskaskia, 111., Matthew Duncan 
 edits first 111. newspaper at, 8; the 
 capital of Illinois, 18; Gov. and 
 Mrs. Duncan meet friends at, 56; 
 Thomas Duncan born in, 75. 
 
 Kentucky, Gov. Duncan a native of; 
 description of life in, 6; Maj. Dun- 
 can an early settler of, 7 ; war spirit 
 in, in 1812, 9; Gov. (then Lieut.) 
 Duncan returns to at close of war, 
 18; State University, Transylvania 
 (College merged into, 8; troops 
 compared to Spartans, 10. 
 
 Kerr, James, Gov. and Mrs. Duncan 
 remain at house of, 59; a member 
 of Presbyterian church building- 
 committee; subscribes to fund for 
 erection of same, 60. 
 
 King, Jos. O., member of committee 
 to request the closing of business 
 houses, 73. 
 
 Kinney, Lieut.-Gov. Wm., his inter- 
 view with Gov. Duncan as to ap- 
 pointments, 22 ; calls with Gov. 
 Duncan to see Jackson, 22, 25 ; 
 anxious for West's appointment, 24, 
 25; suggests to Duncan to recom- 
 mend appointment of the latter's 
 brother; wants Duncan to recom- 
 mend Illinoisan for office at Galena; 
 congratulates the president on his 
 appointments; urges the removal of 
 Federalists, 25 ; a man of great 
 popularity; Duncan's majority for 
 governor over, 26; supported by 
 friends of VanBuren; defeated for 
 gov'r by Duncan, 28; mention, 24. 
 
 Kirby, Mrs. (Edward P.) Julia (Dun- 
 can), mention, 66. 
 
 Kirby, Mrs. (Rev.) Wm., see Wol- 
 cott, Hannah. 
 
 Lnfayette, Gen., mention, 21. 
 Lake Erie, Duncan's perilous cross- 
 ing of, 1 8; mention, 23. 
 Lake Michigan, Duncan favors steam- 
 
92 
 
 GOV. JOSEPH DUNCAN. 
 
 boat canal between Illinois River 
 and, 23, 45; mention, 33. 
 
 Latter-Day Saints, see Mormons. 
 
 Leeper, John, Gov. and Mrs. Duncan 
 stop at house of, 58. 
 
 Legislature, of 1834-5 adjourns with- 
 out acting upon the canal question; 
 reconvene; authorizes loan to com- 
 plete the building of canal, 35; of 
 1836-7, synopsis of Gov. Duncan's 
 message to, 36, 37; same cited in 
 full, 38, etseq.; should instruct sen- 
 ators to vote to curtail executive 
 patronage, 43. 
 
 Lexington, Ky. , Transylvania College 
 located at, 8; mention, 9, 
 
 Linn, Wm., Gov. Duncan's brother- 
 in-law, 9, 63; his character, 9; a 
 defaulter, 9, 63; commissioned to 
 present sword to Gov. Duncan, 16; 
 his defalcation causes loss to Gov. 
 Duncan, 63. 
 
 Linn, Mrs. (Wm. ) Polly Ann (Dun- 
 can), a sister of Gov. Duncan; re- 
 sides at Fountain Bluff; meets Gov. 
 Duncan and bride, 56. 
 
 Literature, Gov. Duncan urges in- 
 struction in higher branches of, 35. 
 
 Lockwood, Judge Sam. Drake, presi- 
 dent of trustees of Illinois College; 
 Gov. Duncan addresses letter to, 
 53; disclaims the teaching of Abo- 
 lition principles in 111. College, 54; 
 sells land for site of Institution for 
 the Education of Deaf Mutes, 55; 
 a member of church building-com- 
 mittee, 60; presented (with his wife) 
 to Daniel Webster, 62,; mention, 65. 
 
 Lockwood, Mrs. (Judge) S. D., choir 
 singer at Jacksonville, 61. 
 
 Lovejoy, Rev. Elijah Parish, mur- 
 dered in the Alton riots; his judg- 
 ment questioned, 48; driven from 
 St. Louis, his presses destroyed at 
 Alton, 51; Gov. Duncan's criticism 
 of, 49, 51; not a martyr, 51, 52. 
 
 LosOlmitas, Tex., Capt. Thos. Dun- 
 can rejoins his company at, 75. 
 
 Lynch, E. P., mention, 80, 81. 
 
 M 
 
 McClusky, John, driver for Gov. Dun- 
 can, 62. 
 
 McConnel, Murray, offers his office to 
 Gov. Duncan as a lodging -place; 
 Mrs. Duncan's experience therein, 
 58; admits existence of scheme to 
 break down Duncan, 64; member 
 of committee to draft resolutions 
 eulogizing Gov. Duncan, 72. 
 
 McKnight [Thomas ?], Duncan urges 
 retention of, 24. 
 
 McLaughin, Robert K., an uncle of 
 Gov. Duncan ; state treasurer of 
 Illinois, 18. 
 
 McLean, John, a senator from 111.; 
 mentioned in connection with sec- 
 retaryship of war; Duncan disbe- 
 lieves rumors as to methods of his 
 election, 20; confers with Duncan 
 and Kane as to Illinois appoint- 
 ments ; opposes removals except for 
 cause, 22. 
 
 Macomb, Gen. Alex., meets Duncan 
 at president's dinner-party, 24. 
 
 Maiden, Canada, Gov. (then Lieut.) 
 Duncan leads force northeast of; 
 and crosses to Sandusky from, 18. 
 
 Mansion House, Jacksonville, former- 
 ly owned by Mrs. Duncan, 63. 
 
 Martyrdom, Lovejoy not [?] entitled 
 to distinction of, 52. 
 
 " Martyrdom of Lovejoy, " cited, 48n. 
 
 Mather, Col. Thomas S., drives Gov. 
 and Mrs. Duncan to Carlyle, 56. 
 
 Meek, Lieut. John, aids in defence of 
 Ft. Stephenson, 13; presented with 
 sword by vote of congress, 16. 
 
 Mexican War, Benj. Duncan Moore 
 killed in, 7. 
 
 Miami, O., letter written from camp 
 at, 9. 
 
 Michigan, Maj. Campbell to be ap- 
 pointed sup't of lead-mines in, 23; 
 Gov. and Mrs. Duncan cross by 
 stage, 58. 
 
 Michigan City, Ind., Gov. Duncan 
 invests in real estate in, 63. 
 
 Militia, Gov. Duncan favors organi- 
 zation of, 45. 
 
 Mirror, the, edited by Matthew Dun- 
 can, 8. 
 
 Mississippi River, the Duncan family 
 settle upon, 18; Maj. Campbell to 
 be appointed sup't of lead-mines on 
 upper, 23; crossed by the Indians 
 under Black Hawk, 26; President 
 
INDEX. 
 
 93 
 
 Jackson vetoes appropriation for 
 improving, 27; mention, 44. 
 
 Missouri, Mormons expelled from, 46; 
 mention, 24. 
 
 Moore, Capt. Benjamin, marries Mrs. 
 Duncan, sr. ; his death, 7. 
 
 Moore, Mrs. Capt. Benj., Gov. Dun- 
 can's mother; meets Gov. Duncan 
 and bride, 56; remains with Mrs. 
 Duncan through the "deep snow," 
 
 Moore, Benj. Duncan, half-brother of 
 Gov. Duncan; brief sketch of, 7. 
 
 Moore, Matthew, only son of Benj. 
 Duncan Moore, 7. 
 
 Morgan House, Jacksonville, meeting 
 held at to eulogize Gov. Duncan's 
 memory, 72. 
 
 Mormons, are driven from Missouri; 
 found city of Nauvoo; time-serving 
 policy of politicians toward; obtain 
 valuable charter for Nauvoo; esti- 
 mated strength of, 46; the political 
 affiliations of, 46, 47; danger inci- 
 dent to their political support; anti- 
 Mormon feeling fostered by Dun- 
 can's friends; support Ford, 47. 
 
 Mounted Rifles, the, Thos. Duncan 
 lieutenant in; afterward known as 
 Third Cavalry, 75. 
 
 N 
 
 Nash, Mary, niece of Judge Lock- 
 wood; presented to Daniel Web- 
 ster; married to J. T. Stuart, 62. 
 
 Nashville, Tenn., Thomas Duncan 
 practises law at, 9; Lt. -Col. Thos. 
 Duncan assumes command at, 76. 
 
 National issues, first introduced into 
 state politics, 27; state elections 
 based on, 28. 
 
 Nauvoo, 111., founded by Mormons; 
 valuablecharter obtained for; Sny- 
 der and Douglas instrumental in 
 obtaining, 46. 
 
 Navajo expedition, Capt. Thos. Dun- 
 can participates in, 75. 
 
 Newspaper press, should not be con- 
 ducted by public officers, 44; con- 
 trast between past and present of, 
 48. 
 
 New York, Gov. Duncan sells bonds 
 at, 44; mention, 27, 55, 56, 58, 67. 
 
 O'Fallon, Mr. and Mrs. John, Gov. 
 and Mrs. Duncan meet, 56. 
 
 Office-hunters, Washington full of, 22. 
 
 Ogle, Gen. Alex., attracts attention 
 in Washington, 20. 
 
 ,Ohio, Gov. and Mrs. Duncan cross 
 by stage, 58. 
 
 Ordinance of 1787, Gov. Duncan re- 
 fers to, 45. 
 
 Park House, Jacksonville, formerly 
 owned by Mrs. Duncan, 63. 
 
 Paris, Ky., Gov. Duncan born at, 7; 
 his home at age of 17, 9. 
 
 Party feeling, should be subordinated 
 to patriotism, 31. 
 
 Patronage, state aid to internal im- 
 provements fosters; its employment 
 a menace to free government, 40; 
 restrictions should be placed on 
 executive, 41, 43. 
 
 Pell, Gilbert W., Duncan recom- 
 mends for appointment; his other 
 recommendations, 22. 
 
 Perry, Carlton, choir-leader in Jack- 
 sonville church, 61. 
 
 Perry, Mrs. (Carlton) E. (Wolcott), 
 .sings in Jacksonville choir, 61. 
 
 Perry's (Com. Oliver Hazard) victory 
 on Lake Erie, mentioned, 14. 
 
 Personal liberty, it should be held 
 sacred, 52. 
 
 Philips, Lieut. William, crosses Lake 
 Erie with Duncan in open boat, 18. 
 
 Pisgah, 111., Gov. Duncan unites with 
 church in, 65. 
 
 Platte, Department of the, Lt.-Col. 
 Thomas Duncan ordered to field- 
 service in the, 76. 
 
 Polk, James K., travels with Gov. 
 and Mrs. Duncan; the latter's esti- 
 mate of, 56. 
 
 " Pope's Digest, " Matthew Duncan 
 publishes first volume of, 8. 
 
 Posey, W. C, a member of Presby- 
 terian church b'ld'g-committee, 60. 
 
 Post, Rev. Reuben, marries Gov. 
 Duncan and Elizabeth C. Smith, 
 56; his nephew visits Duncan, 61; 
 pastor of First Presbyter'n Church 
 
94 
 
 GOV. JOSEPH DUNCAN. 
 
 at Washington; chaplain of con- 
 gress, 67. 
 
 Post, Rev. Truman M., nephew of 
 Rev. Reuben Post; a guest of Gov. 
 and Mrs. Duncan; his appreciation 
 of his entertainment, 61; presented 
 (with his wife) to Daniel Webster, 
 62; letter from, detailing reminis- 
 cences of Gov. Duncan, 66-71; his 
 impressions of Daniel Webster; 
 connected with Illinois College, 69; 
 describes Duncan's death, 69, 70. 
 
 Pratt, W. H., mention, 79. 
 
 President of United States, his pat- 
 ronage should be curtailed, 43; he 
 should not appoint members of con- 
 gress to office, 44. 
 
 Preston, Gen., should be Proctor. 
 
 Preston, C. H., member of commit- 
 tee of Davenport Academy of Sci- 
 ences, 80, 81. 
 
 Preston, Mr. Wm. C, of committee on 
 military affairs, reports resolution 
 relative to defence of Fort Stephen- 
 son, 15. 
 
 Proctor, Gen. Henry, approaching 
 American stations on the Sandusky, 
 12; demands the surrender of Fort 
 Stephenson, 13; see Gen. Preston. 
 
 Proscription, Duncan opposed to, 32. 
 
 Protestant churches, none in St. Louis; 
 service where held, 56. 
 
 Public lands, Joseph Duncan opposes 
 state claims to, 31. 
 
 Public officers, should be removed 
 only for caiise, 32, 41, 42, 43; nec- 
 essarily politicians, 43; should be 
 prohibited from seeking to influ- 
 ence votes, 44. 
 
 Putnam, Chas. E. , married to Mary 
 L. Duncan; a resident of Daven- 
 port, Iowa, 66. 
 
 Putnam, Joseph Duncan, a grandson 
 of Gov. Duncan, 69; sketch of his 
 life, 76, et.seq.; his birth and death, 
 76; a scientist, 76, 77; list of his 
 publications, 77, 78; tribute to from 
 Profs. S. F. Baird and Asa F. Gray, 
 79; from Dr. Geo. Engelman, 80; 
 from Prof. S. H. Scudder, 81; from 
 C. V. Riley, 82. 
 
 Putnam, Mrs. (George E. ) Mary L. 
 (Duncan), mention, 66; mother of 
 eleven children, 76. 
 
 Quincy, 111., Rev. S. Giddings settled 
 at, 56. 
 
 Reed, Dr. M. M. L., successfully at- 
 tends Gov. Duncan's children; Mrs. 
 Duncan's tribute to his skill, 60. 
 
 Reform, Gen. Jackson's pledges of, 
 neglected, 30. 
 
 Removal of public officers discussed, 
 
 41-43- 
 
 Republicans, Kinney thinks should 
 be appointed to office, 25. 
 
 Republican - River Expedition, com- 
 manded by Lieut. -Col. Thos. Dun- 
 can, 76. 
 
 Retrenchment, recommended by con- 
 gressional committee; Gen. Jack- 
 son's pledges of, neglected, 30. 
 
 Reynolds, Gov. John, succeeds Slade 
 and Duncan in congress; appoints 
 Joseph Duncan brigadier-general; 
 his election as governor; his con- 
 versation with Gov. Duncan as to 
 interchange of offices, 26; his ad- 
 herence to Jackson, 27. 
 
 Richmond, Va., mention, 67. 
 
 Riley, C. V., U.-S. entomologist; his 
 tribute to the memory of Joseph D. 
 Putnam, 82. 
 
 Rives, Senator Wm. C, mention, 67. 
 
 Rock Island, 111., expedition against 
 Black Hawk marches to, 26. 
 
 Rockwell, Dennis, donates land for 
 Presbyterian church in Jackson- 
 ville, 60. 
 
 Russellville, Ky., Matthew Duncan 
 edits paper at, 8. 
 
 St. Clair Co , III., mention, 46. 
 
 St. Lawrence River, mention, 44. 
 
 St. Louis, Mo., Lovejoy driven from, 
 5 1 ; Protestant services, where held 
 in, 56; visited by Gov. and Mrs. 
 Duncan, 56, 57; George Engelman 
 dates letter from, 80; mention, 24, 
 66, 80. 
 
 Sandusky [Lower], O. , subsequently 
 called Fremont, 17; Duncan and 
 
INDEX. 
 
 95 
 
 Phillips cross from Maiden to, i8; 
 
 Gov. Duncan invests in real estate 
 
 in, 63. 
 Sandusky River, Proctor approaching 
 
 American stations on, 12. 
 San Pascual, Cal., Benjamin Duncan 
 
 Moore killed at, 7. 
 Satanta, leader of the Comanches, 75. 
 School-law, Jos. Duncan introduces 
 
 in state senate bill for, 19; N. W. 
 
 Edwards prepares bill for, 34. 
 Scudder, Samuel H., of Cambridge, 
 
 Mass., his tribute to the memory of 
 
 Joseph D. Putnam, 81, 82. 
 Senecatown, Ohio, Croghan ordered 
 
 to fall back upon, 12. 
 Seventeenth Infantry, Gen. James M. 
 
 Duncan a captain in, 8; Gov. Jos. 
 
 Duncan an ensign in, 9; privations 
 
 of, 10. 
 Shawneetown, 111., Gov. Duncan op- 
 poses increase in capital of bank 
 
 at, 39- 
 
 Shelby ville, 111., Matthew Duncan in 
 business at, 8. 
 
 Shipp, ■Ensi'jn Edmund (jr. ), aids in 
 defence of Fort Stephenson, 13; 
 presented with sword by vote of 
 congress, 16. 
 
 Short, Lieut. -Col. , leads portion 
 
 of attack on Fort Stephenson, 13; 
 see Street. 
 
 Shrover, Philip, letter to Gov. Dun- 
 can from, 9, 10. 
 
 Slade, Charles, recommended by Illi- 
 nois congressmen for appointment 
 as marshal, 22; elected to congress; 
 dies; succeeded by Gov. Reynolds, 
 26. 
 
 Slavery, Ciov. Duncan opposes ("is- 
 cussion of, 50; a moral and politi- 
 cal evil, 52; Gov. Duncan's disap- 
 proval of, 52, 53 ; Gov. Duncan 
 opposes introduction of into 111., 53. 
 
 Slave-holders, their consent necessary 
 to constitutional Abolition, 50; 
 their opposition to Abolition, 51. 
 
 Smith, Dr. A., takes part in public 
 meeting at Jacksonville, 72; mem- 
 ber of committee to present resolu- 
 tions to Gov. Duncan's family, 73. 
 
 Smith, David A., sells land for site 
 for the Illinois Institution for the 
 Education of Deaf Mutes, 55; sends 
 
 funeral sermon on Gov. Duncan to 
 
 his widow, 74. 
 Smith, Elizabeth Caldwell, daughter 
 
 of James R. Smith; meets Gov. 
 
 Duncan, 55; marries same, 56. 
 Smith, Isabella, the granddaughter of 
 
 Mrs. Isabella Graham, bridesmaid 
 
 to Mrs. Gov. Duncan, 56. 
 Smith, James R., retired banker and 
 
 merchant, 55; father-in-law of M. 
 
 St. C. Clarke and Gov. Duncan, 
 
 55. 63. 
 
 Smith, Joseph, orders Mormons to 
 support Snyder, 46. 
 
 Smith, Mary B., bridesmaid to Mrs. 
 Gov. Duncan, 56. 
 
 Smith, Gen. Thos. A., mention, 24. 
 
 Snow, Mrs. (Daniel) Jane (Duncan), 
 a daughter of Gen. ,ames M. Dun- 
 can, 8. 
 
 Snyder, Adam Wilson, state senator 
 in 1840; aids in securing charter 
 of Nauvoo ; democratic candidate 
 for governor in 1842; Smith orders 
 Mormons to support, 46; Mormon 
 support dangerous to; dies, 47. 
 
 Society, in 111., unformed in 1837, 48. 
 
 Spartans, Kentucky troops compared 
 to, 10. 
 
 Springfield, 111., Gen. James M. Dun- 
 can removes to, 8; mention, 62, 66. 
 
 Stacy, Matthew, Gov. and Mrs. Dun- 
 can occupy room in house of, 58; 
 Mrs. Duncan's appreciation of his 
 kindness, 59. 
 
 State aid, should be extended to pri- 
 vate enterprise, how, 40, 43. 
 
 State Bank of Illinois, Gov. Duncan 
 opposed to charter of, 34, 39; the- 
 governor recommends increase in 
 capital stock of, 36; subsequently 
 opposes increase in capital of, 39; 
 i,anal-funds deposited in, 44. 
 
 State banks, multiplication of, 38. 
 
 Stevenson, Elliot, subscribes to fund 
 for erecting Presbyter'n church, 60. 
 
 Stoddard, Jane, a sister of Mrs. Bell; . 
 married to Wm. Duncan, 9. 
 
 Street, Lieut. -Col., should be Short. 
 
 Stuart, John Todd, of Springfield, 
 admires Gov. Duncan's appearance, 
 58; is married to Mary Nash, 62; 
 author acknowledges the kindness . 
 of, 66. 
 
96 
 
 GOV. JOSEPH DUNCAN. 
 
 Sturtevant, Rev. J. M., Gov. Duncan 
 
 conveys property to in trust, 63; 
 
 connected with Illinois College ; 
 
 preaches Duncan's funeral sermon; 
 
 prepares resolutions on death of 
 
 same, 74. 
 Surveys, Gov. Duncan favors minera- 
 
 logical and agricultural, 45. 
 
 Tanner, Henry, "Martyrdom of Love- 
 joy," by, cited, 48 n. 
 
 Tariff, the, a party issue; Gov. Dun- 
 can's views on, 32. 
 
 Taxation, Gov. Duncan's views on, 32. 
 
 Taylor, Capt. Zachary, Duncan has 
 interview with, 20. 
 
 Tazewell, Littleton W., Duncan finds 
 with Jackson, 19; latter's rumored 
 choice for secretary of state, 20. 
 
 7'emperance, Gov. Duncan's interest 
 and liberality in cause of, 54. 
 
 Tennessee, Maj. Campbell a resident 
 of; citizens of, should not be ap- 
 pointed to office in Illinois, 23, and 
 Duncan opposes their appointment, 
 25; Gen. Jackson's letter to legis- 
 lature of, 30; mention, 28. 
 
 Texas, Capt. Thos. Duncan on duty 
 in, 75. 
 
 Thames River (Canada), Gov. (then 
 Lieut.) Duncan leads troops be- 
 yond head of, 18. 
 
 Third Cavalry, formerly "Mounted 
 Rifles," Thos. Duncan lientenant 
 in, 75. 
 
 Thomas, Lieut. John H. , to be suc- 
 ceeded by army officer, 24. 
 
 Thomas, Judge Wm., his estimate of 
 Wm. Linn, g; appointed adminis- 
 trator of Gov. Duncan's estate; en- 
 deavors to effect compromise with 
 administration, 64. 
 
 Towson, Col. Nathan, meets Duncan 
 at president's dinner-party, 24. 
 
 Transylvania College, Gen. James M, 
 Duncan a graduate of, 8; Thomas 
 Duncan a graduate of, 8, 9; merged 
 in Kentucky State University, 8. 
 
 U 
 
 United States, the, should charter 
 
 bank to act as fiscal agent of the 
 government, 32. 
 U.-S. Bank, Jackson suspends, 27. 
 
 Val Verde, N.M., Maj. Thos. Dun- 
 can com'ds cavalry at battle of, 75. 
 
 VanBuren, Martin, probably to be in 
 Jackson's cabinet, 20; favored by 
 Jackson as latter's successor; politi- 
 cal sentiment in Illinois toward, 27; 
 prominent democrats opposed to 
 election of; Judge White favored as 
 opponent of; his friends introduce 
 convention system into 111. ; Gov. 
 Duncan's hostility to ; his oppo- 
 nents support Duncan; his friends 
 support Wm. Kinney; Gov. Dun- 
 can's personal sentiments toward; 
 latter denies asking favors from, 28; 
 his intrigues to secure Jackson's 
 confidence; moulds course of lat- 
 ter's administration ; his extrava- 
 gant and ambitious policy, 29; ex- 
 travagant expenditures under; per- 
 mits plunder of treasury; appoints 
 defaulters to office; not a demo- 
 crat, 30. 
 
 VanBuren party, Duncan criticises, 32 
 
 Vandalia, 111., Gen. J as. M. Duncan 
 settles at, 8; Wm. Linn, receiver 
 of public moneys at, 9; Gov. Dun- 
 can dates letter from, 65; Lieut. 
 Thos. Duncan employed on recruit- 
 ing service at, 75 ; mention, 38, 56. 
 
 Vera Cruz, Mex., Lieut. Thos. Dun- 
 can assigned a position in line of 
 investment of, 75. 
 
 Varnum, John, member of congress; 
 at president's dinner-party, 24. 
 
 Vinton, Lieut. [Francis ?, groomsman 
 to Gov. Duncan, 56. 
 
 Virginia, Maj. Duncan removes from, 
 7; Duncan opposes appointment of 
 citizens of to office in Illinois, 25; 
 mention, 67. 
 
 Votes, public officers should not seek 
 to influence, 44. 
 
 W 
 
 Wabash River, Pres't Jackson vetoes 
 apptopriation for improving, 27. 
 
INDEX. 
 
 97 
 
 Warburton, Col. , his attack on 
 
 Fort .Stephenson repulsed, 14. 
 
 Warren, Col. William B., member of 
 committee to draft resolutions eulo- 
 gizing Gov. Duncan, 72; member 
 of committee to present resolutions 
 to Gov. Duncan's family, 73. 
 
 Washington, D.C., Gen. Thos. Dun- 
 can dies at, 8; President-elect Jack- 
 son arrives at, 19; Gov. Duncan 
 anxious to leave, 22; Gov. Dun- 
 can's stay in, 58; Gov. and Mrs. 
 Duncan return to, 58, 62; Dr. Tru- 
 man Post meets Gov. and Mrs. 
 Duncan at, 66; Rev. Reuben Post 
 pastor of church in, 67; S. F. Baird 
 dates letter from, 79; C. V. Riley 
 dates letter from, 82; mention, 30, 
 55, 58, 62, 64. 
 
 Webster, Daniel, Gov. Duncan gives 
 barbecue in honor of; his eloquence; 
 holds reception at Gov. Duncan's 
 house, 62; Dr. T. M. Post's im- 
 pressions of, 69. 
 
 Wells, Col. Samuel, supersedes Cro- 
 ghan at Fort Stephenson, 12. 
 
 West, Emanuel J,, his interview with 
 Gov. Duncan as to appointments; 
 recommended by Gov. Duncan for 
 diplomatic appointment, 22 ; rec- 
 ommended for an appointment as 
 charge d' affaires; why Jackson de- 
 clines to appoint, 24. 
 
 Wheeling, Va. , mention, 56. 
 
 Whigs, the, Gov. Duncan's apprehen- 
 sions as to organization of, 32; see 
 also Adams-and-Clay. 
 
 White, Judge Hugh Lawson, a citizen 
 of Tennessee; favored as an oppo- 
 nent of VanBuren; formerly a sup- 
 porter of Jackson, 28. 
 
 Wight, Col. A. G. S., Duncan rec- 
 ommends appointment of, 24. 
 
 Wilkinson, Mrs. John P. , choir-singer 
 at Jacksonville, 61. 
 
 Williams College, mention, 56. 
 
 Wolcott, Miss E., choir -singer at 
 Jacksonville; afterward Mrs. Perry, 
 61. 
 
 Wolcott, Hannah, choir -singer at 
 Jacksonville; afterward Mrs. (Rev.) 
 Wm. Kirby, 61. 
 
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 ca," etc. Pp. 48; 8vo. 1876. Price, 25 cents. 
 XO. 
 Addresses Read before Chicago Histori- 
 cal Society, By ifon. J. W Scammon, Hon. I. N. 
 Arnold, Wm. Hickling, Esq., Cot G. S Hub- 
 bard, and Hiram W. Beckwith, Esq. ; Sketches of 
 
 Col. John H. Kinzie, by his wife, Juliette A. 
 Kinzie; Judge Geo. Manierre, Luther Haven, Esq., 
 and other Early Settlers; also, of Billy Caldwell and 
 Shabonee, and the "Winnebago Scare."of July, 1827; 
 and other important original matter connected with 
 "Early Chicago." Pp. 52; 8vo. 1877. Price, 25c. 
 XI- 
 Early Medical Chicago: An Historical 
 Sketch of the First Practitioners of Medicine; with 
 the Present Faculties, and Graduates since their Or- 
 
 fanization of the Medical Colleges of Chicago. By 
 AWES Nevins Hvde, A.M., M.D. Illustrated with 
 numerous Wood Engravings and Steel Engravings of 
 Professors J. Adams Allen, N. S. Davis, and the late' 
 Daniel Brainard. Pp. 84; 8vo. 1879. Price, 50 cts. 
 X3. 
 Illinois in the i8th Century. — Kaskaskia 
 and its Parish Records. A Paper read before 
 the Chicago Historical Society, Dec. 16, 1879. 
 Old Fort Chartres. A Paper read before the Chi-' 
 cago Historical Society, June 16, 1880. With Dia- 
 gram of Fort. 
 CoL John Todd's Record Book. A Paper read 
 before the Chicago Historical Society, Feb. 15, i88r. 
 By Edward G. Mason. Pp. 68; Svo. 1881. 50 cts. 
 13. 
 Recollections of Early Illinois and her 
 Noted Men. By Hon. Joseph Gillespie, Ed- 
 wardsville. Read before the Chicago Historical, 
 Society, March 16, 1880- With Portraits of Author/ 
 Govs. Reynolds and Bissell, and Henry GratioLl 
 Pp. 52; 8vo. 1880. Price, 50 centt' 
 
 14. 
 The Earliest Religious History of Chicago. 
 
 By Rev. Jeremiah Porter, its ist Resident Pastor., 
 An Address read before the Chicago Hist. Soc, 1859, 
 
 Early History of Illinois. By Hon. William H, 
 Brown. A Lecture read before the Chicag;o Ly-^ 
 ceum, Dec. 8, 1840. ; 
 
 Early Society in Southern Illinois. By Rev. 
 Robert W. Patterson. D.D. An Address read 
 before the Chicago Historical Society, Oct. 19, i88o.' 
 
 Reminiscences of the Illinois-Bar Forty Years 
 Ago : Lincoln and Douglas as Orators and Lawyers, 
 By Hon. Isaac N. Arnold. Read before the State 
 Bar Association, Springfield, Jan. 7, 1881, 
 
 First Murder-Trial in Iroquois Co. for First Mur- 
 der in Cook Co. Pp. 112; Svo. 188 1. Price, 50 CIS. 
 15. 
 
 Abraham Lincoln : A Paper reati before the 
 Royal Historical Society, London, June 16, rSSi, 
 By Hon. Isaac N. Arnold, of Chicago. 
 
 Stephen Arnold Douglas : An Eulogy. Delivered 
 
 before the Chicago University, Bryan Hall, July 3, 
 
 1861 By Hon J as. W. Sheahan, of TJie Chicago 
 
 Tribinie. 1881. Svo, 48 pp. ; paper. Price, 25 cts. 
 
 IG. 
 
 Early Chicago— Fort Dearborn: An Ad- 
 dress read at the unveiling ti a tablet on the Fort 
 site, under the auspices of the Chicago Historical 
 Society, Chicago, May 21, 1881. 3d Paper. By 
 Hon. John Wentworth, LL.D. With an Appen- 
 dix, etc. Portraits of Capt.Wm. Wells and Mrs. Capt 
 Heald. Also, Indexes to ist and 2d Lectures, and 
 "Calumet-Club Reception." Svo., 112 pp. 1881. 75c. 
 17. 
 
 Wm. B. Ogden (portrait); and Early Days 
 in Chicago. By Hon. Isaac N. Arnold (portrait). 
 Read before the Chic Hist. Soc ,Tues.,Dec.2o, 1881. 
 Also, Sketches of Wm. B. Ogden. By Hon. J. 
 NG Scammon (portrait). Pp. 72: Svo. 1882. 40c. 
 
 For later numbers, see inside of cover. 
 
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