Vandalia Whig and Illinois intelligencer. [volume] (Vandalia, Ill.) 1832-183?, 1834-02-27


; days journey of navigable waters, All
the great highway to foreign marke,
Towards the head Of the navigable wa
tiers of the Illinois, and through ID
northern portion of the state, the prd
Ipective advantages Of the canal or rall
way, with the outlet to the eastern mar
ket by the northern lakes, attracts man,
Immigrants. Farther down the same rW
er, and through the central counties, the
more rapid rise of landed properte ,-.o,1
numerous steam mills and otbrr ad,,.h-
ltages, give that region preference in the
ewes of many. Our rdizens on the
Wabash would doubtless point out the
advantages TO be derived from the com
plet Oh of the canal already begun by
Indiana, and designed to open IA COM
munication from the Wabash to Lake
Erie, together with the value of the salt
manufactures on that side.
Others would direct the emigrant
through the inland counties along the
National road. The German cmigrants
from Europe, of whom we have cor,
tinual Influx and among whom are ma
ny persons of wealth, intelligence, and
enterprise, direct their course to this
county and those adjacent. Some per-
SOILS would choose a soil adapted to grail :,
and look out for site contiguous 10
some prospect i've manufacturing estab-
lishment, for domestic market. 9th
ers contemplating the raising Of stock,
would make their selection near the
freshest, and most extensive range. But
amidst this diversity cf opinions 1t is.
gratifying to observe. that so extensive
lis our state, and so numerous and various
are its resources Tor farming popula-
ton, that no one need hesitate for fear
he shall not be suited.
There is one circumstance to which
| would call your attention, and which
| do not recollect of having seen noticed
by any writer. Throughout the middle
and southern SECTIONS of the state there
is deficiency Of water power and good
mill sites, but here are inexhaustable
supplies OF fuel for steam power, and
our citizens are now availing themselves
largely ofthis advantage. In the north
ern section supplies of fuel are more
scarce, but there nature has provided
beautifully in water privileges. The
smallest streams are subject to less
change III their volume of water, their
banks are rocky and rapids are more
frequent. The rapids ofFox river, five
miles above its mouth, are probably un
equaled for extensive water power in all
the western sta Is.
You enquire, .What time the lands
will be In maaket." The greater por.
ton Of the public lands south of a line
drawn from Terree Haute on the Wabash
a cross the state to Quincy on the Missis
sippi, are now in market at $l,25 pei
acre.
A settler can purchase of government
one or two tracts of 40 acres EACH
.4ny person can purchase tracts Of &C
Iacres. North Of that line, there are tracts
in market including several counties and
probably larger portions will soon be
offered for sale by the General Govern
ment.
The Indian title, at the late treaty al
Chicago, being extinguished to all the
lands within this state, a valuable tract
of country towards the northern boun'
Diary ard west of Lake Michigan, viii
soon receive emigrants.
There are thousands of acres of the
finest timber, interspersed with small
|prairies, and well adapted both to grair
and stock in the southern counties Of this
State still to be had at government
price. Along the Kaskaskia river and
its branches, for the whole extent are 10
cations for thousands of agriculturists
where supplies Of both timber and prai
rie, in due proportion can be had.
The Counties of Green, Morgan, San
gamon, Fayette, Mclean and Macon
though many choice selections have
been made, and converted into valuable
farms, still have large quantities of pub
lie land. st. Clair, Madison and Macnu
pin, from their contiguity to St. Loui
land especially to Alton are regarded b.
many as desirable districts, and are re
ceiving constant accessions Of emigrants
Monroe, Randolph, Perry, Jackson
Washington, Clinton and other interio
counties can furnish much valuable land
both timber and prairie. The sam
!, may be said of the counties furthe
east and adjoining the Ohio and Wa
bash.
! By many, the Military Tract, lying be