Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1822-01-15

Heaf AlDlon, minors, Oct. @oul, 1911.
1fy Dear Sir--Ihave been silent corr
paratiyely this two years, because
would not induce persons TO come here
hastily and without due consideration,
which would end in chagrin and disap-
pointment 10 themselves and mortiGca-
ton and reproach, justifiable reproach
20 me; if had been actuated by mere
self interest, it would doubtless have
been otherwise.
Ii has also been a rule with me never
to invite persons here, but to give fair
and impartial statement ofthe advantages
and disadvantages oil our situation 10 all
iuquisers. 50 that there is not single
face in this numerous settlement, that can
give me the least look Of reproaoh.
When came here, all that could be
done by my son and lew gentlemen TO
effect a small log town, for the concern
rating the population ofthe place, had
| been done; also, market house, such
as was never seen in the Illinois, had
been begun; log tavern in which the
halt or third OF a bed was an acceptable
accommodation; and twenty log houses,
which included one store and one black
smiths shop, was the state oithe townoi
A !bion whea | arrived here. The roads,
or rather Indian traces, only known, ex-
cept one road 10 the Bonpas, on the Wa
bash, 10 miles distant; the navigation
and IFS d!lliealtics unknown; supplies Of
groceries and western prodnce, obslruot-
ed and exhausted; -four, bacon, and
other neccssarics imported from Har-
fmouy, then thought 5 miles distant,
either east, west, north, or south, from
cabin to cabin, travelled by the CEN pass.
Now how is the case altered; our town
contains stores, which are the medium
OF supply for Injuries; our farms sup
ply us with necessaries our increase Of
population has given US market for all
the produce we raise; one mill and good
brick tavern, with amended accommoda-
ton in two other log tayerns; our trade
increasing; our market day numerously
attended, are all circumstances which
have gwen a spur TO industry; our soil
and climate duly appreciated, and the
most important OF all considerations, the
health Of the situation may be spoken OF
with confidence, as this is the third au-
tunn, and we have had foWer deaths and
less sickness than in any region Of the
globe where registers Of those events
have been kept; while those WIG have
settled on the banks of the rivers and
near creeks, or who inmured themselves
in heavy timbered low lands have sutE.r-
ed much sickness. We have pow tanii-
lies coming in from various settlements,
as this fact is established by three gears
residence, three or four families have
come in from Carlisle, but not before
death had made sad havoc amongstthem.
Mind, my dear sir, we arc not utterly ex.
empt from cases Of sickness which caay
arise from climate, such as aguc and
fever, but the number SO afflicted, is
Incredibly small. Cur town now con-
tanning nearly 900 Inhabitants, may have
had not more than SIX cases, aud not one
loss, and do not know of more than five
or six cases, in the whole settlement,
from the Great to the Little Wabash that
has terminated in dissolution. Ii is,
therefore, as much my duty 10 make this
public, as it was to keep silence during
our state ofprobation and trial; and when
Iconsider the disadvantages of those who
attempt first settlement far from those
sources from whence they must draw
their supplies, the cabins Of green logs
they are obliged to enter, the privations
for want of easy access to wholesome
food, the frequent recurrence Of lodging
out, or camping out, when journcying 70
seek provision or other nccessaries OF
life, l am in utter advertisement at the
share of health weJhave sustained, aud al
the little loss we have suffered. Our
success may now be considered accom-
plished, and as certain as any thing in
this transitory world can be considered.
A recent occurrence has greatly con-
| tributed to our success. The sickly state
of the county seat, Palmyra, and its ST.
tuation being on the eastern side OF the
county, made change absolutely neces-
lsary. We were within five miles of the
centre of the county, and the commits
sioners appointed by the legislature to
remove the seat ofius,ice have removed
it to this place SO that we are proceed
ing rapidly, and promise TO be one of the
handsomest towns in the union, rs we
have excellent stone for building, and
good workmen. At present we have six
houses of stone and brick, and next
spring we build our courthouse. 1t is
also ascertained, that our county is the
richest and best populated in the state.
I think l may with safety now pass my
| opinion. and speak with aSsurarce. that