Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1837-04-14
RANDOLPH.
GREEN COUNTY. Illinois.

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HNtlE town of RANDOLPH is odvan
l. ,agcousy situated on Tho Mississippi
river, on fractional sections % and 90, IN
Township No. norlh and range No II,
west Of the third principal meridian, about
equidisian' between alton and Grafion in
Green County, Illinois, on beautiful bench
of land from ten TO twelve feet above the
! highest known floods OF the river, and
stre' ching back half mile in extent.
Nature has been abundon,y lavish in
bestowing 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 a black sandy loan, dry and
free from excessive mad in rainy weather,
an Inconvenience from which bu, few towns
in this section of the country are exempt.
Building stone, of a superior quality, is
found in abundance at the western extremi.
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 supc.
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. ling
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 at the western ex-
trcmty affords an excellent natuaral 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, 10 susceptible
Of such improvement, that it can readily be
made at small expense, both safe and eli
gble for the landing Of merchandise from
steamboats, of any size. The Piasa empties
into the Mississippi ct the southeastern
point Of Randolph, and is navigabIe for
small STEAMBOATS, portion Of the year, as
far as the cast end Of the town. This creek
is navigable several miles from its mouli
one half of the year for fat boats, and it at
fords a safe and convenient ha'bor for
freight boats, and will be admirably calcu,
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 no, be overlooked In the first pace
it is situated near the highest navigablc
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, 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 iii.
nois river; enjoying ferry privileges Al al
seasons OF the year, unless obs,ructcd by
the ice. II is directly opposite to That point,
where the two great rivers of The west ap.
: proach eac.I other within one and q hall
miles distance, and where it is had in con-
temptation to crt n steamboat canal, t.
unite the two streams, thus avoiding somc
part OF the most dangerous navigai ion o
, the Missouri river; an examination Of ihi>
route. having already been made by con-
petent Engineer, and an estimate had OF
the expense of constructing a canal with Il
, 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, a,
steamboats, navigating II at river will take
, this in preference 10 The natural and more
, dangerous channel. 1t is so situated in re
, ference TO the adjoining country, rs to ad
, nit of The easy construction of rail rond
without degree Of inclination that will
require a stationary power; m This respect
, it is The most eligible point above the a
!. merlcan bottom. There is another circr,n
stance which has more direct and import
ant bearing on the commercial prospects ot
Randolph, than the one to which we have
just alluded. The government surveyor
in locating the northern route Of the grca'
Cumberland or rational road through HI
noiS to jefferson city, in Missouri, run hl,
line to this point on The river, as being tn,
r 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 great measure. TO ipUnda'lon
and which could not be otherwise avoided
! should the crossing place be lower dow,
C the river. When the national road shat
c be graded and opened, as it necessarily vii
0 be in few years. il will enter from, street
on the cast, and continue through lis hoI,
length, to The western extremity on the
river landing, as indicated in our Lthog
!, raphc map, where it is intended to cs'ab
= ish ferry to Portage. This street has
. been so constructed IN the survey of The
town, as to embrace the line Of the govern
. mcnt survey for The national road, and il
marked by corresponding width, VIZ; sc
feet, reference being had to the plot OF sal,
i town referred to above.
The town of Randolph is situated in on,
of the richest counties in he state, aboun
ding in good timber, and prairie lands
B large portion of which is settled by in
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