Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1837-04-07

GREEN COUNTY. Illinois.
VUNtlE town Of RANDOLPH is advan

river, on fractional sections 25 and 90 in
Township No. north, and range No II,
west OF the third principal meridian, about
equidIstaD ~, between AHon and Grdfion, in
Green County, Illinois, on beautiful bencl,
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 abundanlly lavish, in
bestowing advantages on this spot, for
great commercial city, in many respects
superior to any other on he 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 mad in 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 ex,reml.
~ Of the town site. and can be readily quar-
RED. Rich limestone beds abound IN the
immediate neighborhood Timber suitable
for building and Of he 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 ncver.failing
springs OF pure water, are within its limits.
The shore Of the river that stretches across
the Southern boundary Of Randolph is for
the most part bold, and a, the western ex-
trsmty affords an excellent natuaral land
ing for steamboats, of the largest SIZE at any
stage Of water. and all the remaining pGr
ton Of the bank Of the river. is susceptible
of.such improvement, that it can readily be
made at a small expense, both safe and eli.
gIble for the landing Of merchandise from
steamboats, Of any size. The Piasa ,mpties
into the Mississippi at the southeastern
point Of Randolph, and is navgable for
small steamboats, portion Of the year, as
far as the east end of the town. This creek
is navigabe several miles from its mouth
one half Of the year for fiat boats, and it af
forhs 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 navigabc
point on the river, for steamboats, of the
largest class at the lowest stage Of water ;
and this circumstance alone, has a drec,
and important bearing on its commercial
Importance. 1t is nearly opposite, TO Por.
tage de Sioux, town on the NJ ssouri 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 Ill.,
nos river; enjoying ferry privileges a, all
seasons of the year, unless Obstructed bv
the ice. II is directly opposite to that point,
where the two great rivers OF the west ap
proacb each other within one and a half
miles distance, and where it is had IN con-
temptation TO cut a 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 CON-
petent Engineer, and an estimate had of
the expense of constructing q canal with a
guard LOCK-, on the Missouri river, which
will not exceed eighty thousand dollars
In the event Of this grand operation being
brought to a successful issue, Randolph
must at once fall an heir to a large share
of the trade of The upper Missouri, a.
steamboats, navigating Il at 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
mt of ;he easy construction of o rail road,
without n degree of inclination that will
require stationary power; in this res pect
it is the most eligible point above the A..
mercan bottom. There is another crcrm
stance which has more direct and import
ant bearing on the commercial prospects of
Randolph. than the one to which we have
ust alluded. The government surveyor,
IN locating the northern route Of the grca,
Cumberland or national road through Hi :
nois To Jefferson city, in Missouri, run his
line to this point on the river, rs being the
most eligible for crossing into Missouri. and
thus avoiding the extensive bottom land
which stretches from the mouth of the Mis-
souri, to Portage de Sioux, and which is
subject in a great measure, to inunda,ion,
aud which could not be otherwise nvo ded.
should the crossing place be lower down
the river. When the national road shall
be graded and opened, rs it necessarily W III
be in few years. it will enter front street,
on the east. and continue through its v hole
length, TO the western extremity on the
river landing, as indicated IN ou1 Lithor
raphic map, where it is intended TO csab-
lish ferry to Portage. This stree, has
been go constructed IN the survey of The
town, as to embrace the line Of the govern
men, survey for the national road, and is
marked BY corresponding width, VIZ: 80
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 ;
a large portion of which is settled by in.
telligent and industrious farmers, many OF
whom are decidedly in favor Of this loca
llon and 10 point of populaiion il 1anks