The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1833-07-17

of the land has been entered, and of The
remninng half, which remains vacvnt,
The greater proportion is of the best quail
luy.
II is no longer than fifteen years ngo,
that the first white inIahitant settled in
Morgan; the present population is vari-
ously estimated AT from twenty TO twen-
Ity-fye thousand. fact, SO constant and
so great is the accession To the popnln-
luon, that il is impossible TO form any ve-
lry correct conjecture as to its amount.
In this conutry, observe that there is
a great abundance of timber for building,
fencing, and fuel. Btum:nous coal, of
an excellent quality, is largely discover
ed in many places; from its great abun-
dance, and the low rate at which it can
be afforded, it will most probably be-
come the common fuel
In the county there are now in opera
ton, four extensive merchant grist mills
two of which are worked by steam, and
two by water power; five or six steam
saw-mills, and several others construct.
ing, besides "A considerable number, Of
horse and OK miles. 1t is calculated, l
am told. that about one hundred and
fity thousand barrels of -four, will he
manufactured in this county the ensuing
year.
/, Jacksonville, the seat Of justice Of
Morgan county, is neat and rapidly
growing town, charmingly situated in
the centre of small prairie, about one
mile southwest of The Mauvaiselerre.
The town contains about $4,000 inhabi-
tants, is in fourishing state, and is ra-
pidly increasing On the public-square
are upwards of twenty mercantile estab-
lishmenis, capable ofsuppIying the wants
Of the whole county, and most of which
conduct an extensive business. ArtiZans
aDd tradesmens of all kinds-Haiters,
Shomakers, Tailors, Carpenters Join
ers, Cabinet-makers, Chair makers,
Coopers, Blncksmiths, Tanners, Tin
ners, Coach and Wngon-makers, &c.
&c. all find abundant employment here.
ln fact it is a thriving business place, in
the midst Of a most delightful country,
inhabited by an intelligent aud refined
community, and rapidly advancing to
wealth and Importance.
! On an eminence which overiooks jack
sonvilIe from the west, is situated Illinois
College, a literary institution founded a
bout three years ago, and which bids
fair, under the management Of its pres
ent intelligent and worthy Faculty, to
become one Of the IN Dst useful and prom
inent institutions in our land. The new
College buildings, which are of conside-
rablc extent, will be completed in short
time, when large number of Students
can be accommodated. A large and
spacious edifice is intended to be erected
shortly in this town, to be occupied MS
Female seminary. hear Of many 9TH
eys improvements which arc /" take
Jacksonville lies about 22miles from
the Illinois river, which bounds Morgan
county on the west. Steam boats are
constanily running up the Illinois FLYER
dnrng the navigable season, landing
their freight and passengers for this
lplnce at Naples, Meredosia, or Boards
town-three points about the same dis
tance from Jacksonville. A good line
of stages also, runs twice week be-
tween Jacksonville and St. Louis there
are likewise regular conveyances for
passengers to almost every part OF the
State.
Winchester, the third town iu size, is
a neat little village, preiiily situated in
the interior, about IL miles w. 8. w. Of
jacksonville. Its growth within year
or two has been truly astonishing.
Besides these there are a number Of
other smaller towns in the county 20 wit
Exeter, LynnviIle, Meredosia, Naples,
&c. all Of which are more or less flour
ishing.
The length of this hasty and imper-
feet sketch. admonishes me to pause,
ere have said one half of what | have
to say. Your readers, l trust, will in
du'ge n stranger in expressing the de-
light and qualification which ho has re-
ceived from visit of few months in
this growing State, during which time
he has rambled through several coun-
ties.
On looking back upon what I have
written, I feel assured thas many, who
have not visited this country, will think
that have given an exaggerated view
of it's fertility and other advantages but
il is not So what is here said, is related
by one who has visited Illinois, and stud
led her resources, and under all the pre-
iudices Of education, and strong local at.
tachments; and who has been driven to
acknowledge that he has hore discovered
n land of snrnnssing o. beauty md fertility.