Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1837-04-04
NJ A N ID d ZIP N,
GREEN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

! Alton and Grafton, IN Green County, Illinois,
on a beautiful bench Of land, from ten Ia
twelve ieet above the highest known floods OF
the river, and stretching back half mile in
extent
Nature has been abundantly lavish in be-
slowing advantages on this spot for a great
commercial city, in many respects superior TO
any other on the Illinois sdL of the MISSISSIPPI
pi, between the mouth Of the Ohio and the Ill
inois rivers. The soil Of Randolph is a black
sandy loan, dry, and free from excessive mud
in rainy weather, an Inconvenience from which
but few towns in this section Of the country
are exempt.
Building stone, of a superior quality, is
found in abundance al the western extremity
OF the town site, and can be readily quarricd
Rich limestone beds abound in the immediate
neishborhood. Timber suitable for building
and Of the largest growth, is within hall mile
Of the town. Two superior water-power
privileges, Superior for this section OF country
nre located within one and u half miles Of the
river, directly back Of the town, and several
never-iailing springs of pure water, are within
its limits. The shore Of the river that stretch
es across the Southern boundary of Randolph
is for the most part bold, and at the western
extremity affords an excellent natural landing
for steamboats, Of the largest size at any stage
of water, and all the remaining portion of the
bank Of the river is susceptible Of such i'm
provement that it can readily be made at a
small expense, both safe and eligible Tor the
landing Of merchandise from steamboats, of
any size. The Piasa empies into The Missis-
sppi at the southeastern point OF Randolph,
and is nayigabe for small steamboats, por-
ton Of The year, as far as the east end Of tie
town. This creek il nnvigable several miles
from its mouth one half OF the year for fiat
b,ot II I. n. l. 10. L..
Dor for freight boats, and will be admirably
calculated Tor boat building, as materials for
their construction may BY obtained in the i'm
mediate vicinity. Besides the above named
intrinsic advantages that Randolph enjoysior
a commercial town, there are others OF an ex-
tcrnal character which should not be over.
looked. In The first place, it is situated near
The highest nayigoble point on the river, for
steamboats, of the largest class at the lowest
stage of water and this circumstance alone,
has direct and important bearing on its com
mercial importance. II is nearly opposite TO
Portage dc Sioux, town on the Missouri side
of the river, u long established crossing place,
heretofore esteemed superior to any point on
the Mississippi, between the head Of the great
American bottom and the Illinois river; en-
joying ferry privileges at all seasons of the
year, nuess it INSTRUCTED by the ice. II is d.
great rivers of the west approach each other
within one and half miles distance, and
where it is had in contemplation TO cut n
steamboat canal, 10 unite the Two streams thus
avoiding some part of the most dangerous nav
igatlon OF the Missouri river; an examination
Of this route having already been made by
competent Engineer and an estimate had OF
the expense of constructing caaal with
guard lock- on the Missouri river. ahich will
not exceed eighty thousand dollars. In the
event ot this grand operation being brought 10
u successful issue, Randolph must at once fall
an heir 10 a 'arge share Of the trade Of the up.
per Missouri, as steamboats, navigating that
river will take this in preference 10 the naiii-
raj and more dangerous channel. II is SO sit
ua,ed in reference 10 the adjoining country, as
10 admit OF the easy construction of a rail
road, without degree of inclination that will
require stationary power; IN this respect 1t
Is the most eligible point above the American
bottom. There is another circumstance which
has more direct and important bearing on the
commercial prospects of Randolph, than the
one 10 which we have Just alluded The gov
ernmeht surveyor, in locating the northern
route OF the great Cumbe rland or national road
through Illinois 10 Jefferson city, in Missouri,
run his line 10 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 Mlssou-
ri 10 Portage de Sioux, and which is subject in
u great measure, 10 inundation, 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,
II will enter front street, on the east, and con-
time through its whole length, to the western
extremity on the river landing, as indicated in
our Lilhographic map, where II is intended to
establish ferry TO Portage. This street has
been SO constructed in the survey OF The town,
as to embrace the line Of the government sur
vey for the national road, and is marked by
corresponding width, viz; so feet, reference
being had to The plot of sad town referred 10
above.
The town of Randolph is situated in one Of
the richest counties in the state, Astounding IN
good timber, and prairie lands; large por-
ton of which is settled by intelligent apd In
dustrious farmers, many of whom are decided
ly in favor of this location; and in point Of
population it ranks the third largest in the
state, containing according to the last census
l2,274 inhabitants, and rapidly increasing
The question is plready loo trite, whether
town making in the west has not reached its
acme2 And whether those towns now being
ard hereafter 10 be located, will not prove alb.
orlive efforts altogether on the part OF the orr
gina pIopretorsl We answer in relation 10
those on the great western waters-NO. For
we have only TO cast our eye on the map OF the
United States along the course of the Hudson
or Chic rivers, and behold the enterprlsing bu- |
siness towns which skirt the margins OF the |
streams, and then trace The Mississippi aud
Missouri rivers from their source to their ter !
and observe their length when com
pared with the two above named and let The |
eye carry the mind over the vast tract OF coun-
Try these western waters arc destined 10 supply |
through the commercial cities, that now and |
shall line their shores, and compare |
the same with the extent OF county that de- |
l. L.. .lL.s |