Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1837-03-31
RANDOLPH.
GREEN COUNTY, Illinois.

river, on IrdCtlOnaI SECTIONS 20 nuu 70, III
Township No. north, and range No II,
west Of the third principal meridian, about
equidistont between Alton and Grahon, in
Green County, Illinois, on q beautiful bench
of land, from ten to twelve feet above the
highest known floods of the river, and
stretching back half mile in extent.
Nature has been abundantly lavish, in
bestowipg advantages on this spot, for a
great commercial city, in many respects
superior to any other on the Illinois side of
the Mississippi, between the mouth Of the
Ohio and the Illinois river. The soil of
Randolph is black sandy loan, dry and
free from excessive mud ia rainy weather,
an inconvenience from which but few towns
in this section Of the country are exempt.
Building stone, of superior quality, is
found in abundance at the western extrem.
ty of the town site, and can be readily quar-
ried. Rich limestone beds abound in the
immediate ncighborhood Timber suitable
for building and of the largest growth, is
within half mile Of the town. Two supe
rior water power privileges, superior for
this section Of country are located within
one and half miles of The river, directly
back Of the town, and several never.failing
springs OF pure water, are within It's limits.
The shore of the river that stretches across
the Southern boundary of Randolph is for
the most part bold, and at the western ex-
trsmity affords an excellent na,uaral land.
ING for steamboats, Of the largest size al any
stage of water. and all the remaining por
ton of the bank Of the river, is susceptible
Of such improvement, that it can readily be
made at small expense, both safe and ell
glbe for the landing of merchandise from
steamboats, Of any size. The Piasa empties
into the Mississippi al the southeastern
point OF Randolph, and is navigable for
small steamboats, portion Of the year, as
far as the east end of the town. This creek
is navigable several miles from its mouth
one half of the year for flat boats, and it at
fords safe and convenient harbor for
freight boats, and will be admirably cacu-
lated for boat building, as materials for
their construction may be obtained in the
i'm mediate vicinity. Besides the above
named intrinsic advantages that Randolph
enjoys for commercial town, there are
others Of an external character, which
should not be overlooked In the first place
it is situated near the highest navgablc
point on the river, for steamboats, Of the
largest class at the lowest stage Of water /;
and this circumstance alone, has a direct
and important bearing on its commercial
Importance. 1t is nearly opposite, to Por.
tage de Sioux, a town on The Missouri side
of the river, long established crossing
place, heretofore esteemed superior to any
point on the Mississippi, between the head
of the great American bottom and the Hi.
nois river; enjoying ferry privileges at all
seasons of the year, unless obsrncted by
the ice. 1t is directly opposite to tina, point,
where the two great rivers Of The west ap
proach each other within one and a half
miles distance. and where it is had in con-
temptation to cut steamboat canal, to
unite the two streams, thus avoiding some
part Of the most dangerous navigation Of
the Missouri river; an examination Of this
route. having already been made by com
petent Engineer, and an estimate had Of
the expense of constructing canal with a
guard lock, on the Missouri river. which
will not exceed eighty thousand dollars
In the event of this grand operation beng
brought to a successful issue, Randolph
must at once fall an heir to a large share
of the trade Of the upper Missouri, as
steamboa,s navigating that river will take
this in preference TO the natural and more
dangerous channel. 1t is SO situated in re,
ference TO the adjoining country, as to ad
nit of The easy construction of 0 rail road,
without degree Of inclination that will
require a stationary power; IN this respect
it is the most eligible point above the A,
mercan bottom. There is another circrm.
stance which has more direct and import
ant bearing on the commercial prospects of
Randolph, than the one to which we have
Just alluded. The government surveyor,
IN locating the northern route Of the great
Cumberland or no 'onal road through ILL.,
nois TO jefferson city. in Missouri, run his
line to this point on the river, as being the
most eligible for crossing into Missouri, and
thus avoiding the extensive bottom land
which stretches from the mouth of the Mis-
sour to Portage de Sioux, and which is
subject in a great measure, to inUHda.ion,
and which could not be otherwise avoided,
should the crossing place be lower down
the river. When the national road shall
be graded and opened, as it necessarily will
be in few years, it will enter front street,
on the east, and continue through ills whole
length, TO the western extremity on the
river landing, rs indicated in our Lilhog
raphic map, where it is intended to cslab-
lish ferry to Portage. This street has
been so constructed IN the survey Of the
town, as to embrace the line of the govern.
ment survey for the national road, and is
marked by corresponding width, VIZ: so
feet, reference being had to the plot Of said
town referred TO above.
The town of Randolph is situated in one
of the richest counties in the state, aboun
ding in good timber, and prairie lands
q large portion of which is settled by in
telligent and Industrious farmers, many OF