davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Illinois free trader. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1840-1841, 1840-09-11
From the Trenton Emporium.
The Golden Chain,

In minging with the busy multitude
that throngs the theatre of life, and cast
ing around lis an observing eye, we may
CLEAN many lessons of wisdom. Evil ex-
amples abound, and these are to be studi-
ed and apoided. Good ones are also to be
found, and these should command our ;mi-
tation, as well as admiration. We Jour
ney through country so full of devious
roads and winding paths, that sometimes
it is difficult to determine which is the
straight forward way, and we are IN dam
ger of turning to the right hand or to the
left very often-but the examples afford
ed by the history and condition of others,
properly studied, would generally prove
fingerposts, in doubtful cases. to point us
in the right course. have little doubt
that the exercise of moderate share of
wisdom and prudence, in at least nine
cases out of ten, will enable us to escape
most of the ills of life. Indeed so salts
fed am that men are generally the cause
of their own misiortunes, that whenever
! see a poor half starved looking soul,
wandering about with holes in his elbows,
and his toes peepng out of his shoes,
say to myself that man has been impru-
dent, and ] ask the reader when he be-
holds such a spectacle to apply the test
and SCI whether he differs much from me
in the conclusion. | sat down however
To tell story.
In a neat village, in that wild and ro-
mantle country to which the reader has
been led so often, the banks of the Sus-
quehanna, not far from Alcsbury, lived a
family by the name Of Merton, in middling
The Illinois free trader. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1840-1841, 1840-09-11

DAyIEL Boon, one Of the first, one OF
most fearless of the pioneers to what was
then wilderness, "a dark and bloody
ground" deserves a. volume and we
trust ere long he will have one all TO him
self. We wish the old man had lived to
see himself the hero, the sole hero of a
story. The idea tina, his name would be
in print was more fatal TO his philosophy
than the idea Of suffering and death and
had he dreamed Of being one day as noted
as man ever can hope to be, it would have
done more towards disturbing his saturn
inc gravity, than all the Indians that ever
The Illinois free trader. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1840-1841, 1840-09-11
The Decline Of Life.

There is an cventde in human life-a
season when the eye becomes dim, and
the strength decays, and when the winter
of age begins to shed upon the human
head lis prophetic SHOWS. |, is the season
of life to which the autumn is most anal
ogous, and which it becomes, and much
would it profit you, my elder readers, TO
mark the instruction which it brings.
The spring and summer days are gone,
and with them not only the joys they
knew, but many friends who gave them.
You have entered upon the autumn Of
your being, and whatever may have heen
the profasion Of your spring, or the warm
temperament Of your summer, there is
yet season of stiffness and solitude which
the beni6cence Of heaven affords you, in
which you may mediate upon the past
and prepare yourselfior the mighty change
which You may soon undergo.
1t is now you may understand the mag.
s6cen, language Of Heaven - il mingles
its voice with tina, of Revelation! it sum-
mons YOU in the hours when the leaves
Of the winter are gathering to the evening
study which the mercy Of Heaven has
provided in the hook Of salvation. And
while the shadowy valley opens, which
leads to the abode Of death, !. speaks Of
that love which conducts 70 those green
pastures, and those still waters where
there is an eternal Spring q the children,
The Illinois free trader. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1840-1841, 1840-09-11
J 0 B W 0 X K
LITERARY MISCELLANY.
From the Knichertocker Of Auggsi.
Lsfe's Lessons.


"And this our life, exempt from public haunt,
Finds tongues in trees books in the running brooks,
Sermons in stones, and good in every thing"
ShAHsPgAnE.
Let US go TO the hall. where the red wine flows,
And the roses and myrllcs are gaily wreathed
Where many cheek with its deep JOY glows,
And the sad, sweet music of lutte is breathed.
Ere morning comes the scene will be fled,
Faded will he the dreams of bliss;
The song will be hushed and the roses dead
Is there nought to be learned by thisl
let us go to the shore, where the sea-shells lie,
And the sand with weeds and wrecks is strown
Where DER the rocks the cold waves fly,
And makes their hollow sulien moan:
Those desolaie things were cast away
From The false breast of the raging seas;
And there they are sadly left to decay
Is there 10, a lesson in these
Let us go 10 the wood, where the hawthoru blows,
When its leaves in the soft spring-time are green
When its mantle around it the woodbine throws
. And the pearly fowrets peep between;
Oh, we shall find moral in them,
Thus with the leaves deccitfully twined;
Decking awhile the thcrny stem,
Yet dropping OF with the first rude wind
Let us go the fields when the storm is DER,
And the rain-drops sparkle like stars at eve;
When the Handicapped is heard 10 more,
And the oceans bosom hath ceased to heave;
Then shall We see the rainbow bright,
From the gloomy clouds and the sunshine
wrought,
Shedding on all things its colorcd light
Something, surely by this is taught!
Let us GO TO the graves, where our loved ones are
And let us choose the midnight time,
When the heavens are glorious with many a star,
And silence and grandeur raise thoughts sublime:
And Us VIC look from the Wondering dust
Up to the cope Of the beauteous sky
So shall our spirit ascend in their trust.
To the lIoLr SrInIr that dweleth on high.
L;repool e ,giand M.E.B.
The Illinois free trader. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1840-1841, 1840-09-11
From the Prairie Beacon.
The mississippi

The British troops, after lowering a.
while on the gulf shore, finally debarked
at Bayou Bienvenu, fifteen miles south
east of New Orleans. Large reinforce
ments arrived at the American Camp on
the 2lst of December from Tennessee.
and Gen. JACKSON Immediately resolved
to give the enemy battle. On the even
ing Of the Odd, he made a sudden and
furious attack on the British camp, which
was then pitched near the main channel
Of the river, about eight miles below the
city. Commodore Patterson at the same
time opened destructive fire upon the
enemy, from the schooner Caroline
The British troops were thrown into
disorder, but soon rallied and fought with
great bravery. They gave way second
time, and Gen. Jackson withdrew his
forces, fortified position four miles be-
low New Orleans and prepared to receive
the enemy.
On the 2sth of December and the LIST
of January attacks were made upon this
position but without success. In the
meantime the British were reinforced,
and an additional force of 1880 men had
reached the American camp from Ken
lucky. General Packenham, the British
commander, now resolved to cxer, all his
strength in combined attack upon the
American position on both sides of the
river. With almost incredible industry,
he united Lake Borgne with the Missis-
sippi by canal, and conveyed part of
his boats and artillery to that river. All
things being prepared, the 9Th of January
was assigned for the assault. In the
night, the enemy transported a regiment
across the river, to storm the works on
the western bank and TO turn the guns
against thee Americans on the opposite
side.
The 9Th of January dawned. The
main body of the enemy. consisting of
seven or eight thousand men, marched
from their camp to the assault. While
The Illinois free trader. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1840-1841, 1840-09-11

compound born in the good old state Of
Virginia, he first tried North Carolina,
then Kentucky, and at last swept on to
Missouri, 10 his dying day, a pioneer.
Thirty years old, he crossed the noun.
tains, not 10 seek, as most at his age do,
a competence and comfort. but to 90
through perils, and dangers, and hard
ships, that would have tried the heart and
frame Of any youth in christendom. For
two months, without one ompanion-not
even a dog-withuot home or help, he
wandered among the wilds, his bed the
ground; his canopy the trees his lula
by the howl of the wo!fand the yell Of the
savage. Taken by the Indians, he so
won their regard and so tickled their va
nifty, by never quite ou,doing them with
The rifle, that money would not purchase
hin freedom. Escaping, for four days in
succession he went on foot forty miles,
and eat during the time but one meal.
Without fear and without ferceness; abo-
minating society, but kind husband, and
father, and fellow man: daring, when
daring was the wiser part; prudent, when
discretion was valor's better half; saga.
cious and clear-headed but ever averse to
civilization-he walked through life with
the hardwood of youth, the decision Of
manhood, and the cool reason Of age. He
h. L..
that in his place and with his education,
he was marvel Of virtue as well as of
fortitude. So calmly did he anticipate
death, that he prepared his own coffin be-
iorehand. One he made, but finding it
too small, he presented it to his son-in-
law. and having fitted himself with Sc
cond, and polished it by long rubbing, he
laid himself down and died, in life and
death a veri,able "Lcatherstocking.".-
Uestem Monthy Magazine.
The Illinois free trader. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1840-1841, 1840-09-11
Burr's Conspiracy.

The late General John Adair, who died
recently in the West, was said to be the
last man living that possessed personal
knowledge Of Col. Burr's views, plans
and resources. The General being pres
sed in 1907 TO state what these were,
thus wrote:
$50 far as know or believe Of the
intentions Of Col. Burr, land my enemies
will agree that | am not ignorant on the
subject,) they were to prepare and head
an expedition into Mexico, predicatcd on
a war between the two governments ;
without war he could do nothing. On
this war taking place he calculated with
certainty, as well from the policy of the
measure at this time, as from the positive
assurance Of Wilkinson, who seemed 10
have the power to force it in his own
hands. This continued TO be the object
of Col. Burr, until he heard OF the novel
and strange bargain made by Wilkinson
on the Saline river: this information he
received soon after the attempt TO arrest
him at Frankfort. lie, then turned his
attention altogether toward strengthening
- u
The Illinois free trader. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1840-1841, 1840-09-11

more favorable crisis. thought The first
Of these objects honorable and worthy
the attention of any man; but I was not
engaged in it, my political as well as
private pursuits forbidding me to take a
part, until it was over; nor did ever
believe Notwithstanding Wilkinson's
staggering letter to me on the subject,
that war would take place"
The Illinois free trader. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1840-1841, 1840-09-11

approaching, fearless & undaunted, show
ers of grape-shot thinned their ranks
No sooner had they reached within mus
ket.shot than vivid stream of fire burs
from the American lines. Gen. Jackson
had SO arranged his troops that those in
the rear loaded for those in front, enabling
them to fire with scarcely moments
intermission. The militia of the West
trained from infancy to the use of the
rifle, seldom took unsteady or uncertain
aim. The plain was soon covered with
dead and wounded. Some British regi
ments fallered and fell back; Others
advanced and presented new victims
While bravely leading TO the breastwork
the regiment which bore the ladders, Gen
Packenham was slain. In attempting to
restore order and to rally the fugitives,
Gen. Gibbs, the second in command, was
wounded MORALLY, and Gen. Keene Sc.
verely. Withou. officers 10 direct them,
the troops first halted, then fell back, and
soon fled in disorder to their camp. In
little more than an hour, two thousand of
the enemy were laid PROSTATE upon the
field !; while of the Americans but seven
were killed and six wounded--a dispro-
portion Of loss without parallel in the
annals of warfare.
The events of the day, on the west side
of the river, present striking instance of
the uncertainty of warlike operations.
There the Americans under Gen. Nor
gan were thrice the number of the as
sailants, and were protected by intrench-
ments; still they ingloriously fed They
were closely pursued, until the British
party received intelligence of the defeat
of the main army, when they withdrew
from pursuit and recrossed the river
The British felt no disposition longer to
contest the possession of soil that had
been so fatal TO them and Gen. Lambert,
upon whom the command had devolved,
prepared to return to his shipping. In
his retreat he was not moested General
Jackson wisely resolving TO hazard moth
ing that he had gained, in attempting to
gain stlllmore.
1t may well be supposed, that scene
of rejoicing, past the power of words to
describe, ensued IN the American camp
and at New Orleans. The brave troops
of tie West returned TO their homes COW
cred with imperishable honors, to hand
down the story Of their achievements to
their children. On the morning of their
victory, it might have been said with
"He that outlives this day and comes safe home,
Will stand on iip-toe, when this day is naned."
At this time, however differently per-
sons may estimate the political character
OF Gen. Jackson, no one can fail to ac-
knowledge his wisdom, bravery and eff
iciency in the prosecution of this cam
paign. The emergencies of the case
called for such General.
On the 18th day of January peace was
officially announced in the camp. Pre-
vious to breaking up his camp, the Cen
eral issued an impressive and aiectionate
address to his brave companions in arms,
On his way home, grateful and affection
ate honors awaited him every where, and
most of all at home, where he was well
coined by his fellow citizens, with a
that must have been more
delightful, than all his previous triumphs.
The Illinois free trader. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1840-1841, 1840-09-11
PUBLISHED WEEKLY 1T
GEORGE +. WEAVER g. JOHN HlSE,
Canal Street, nearly opposite the Mansion House.

TERMS.
Two dollars and fifty cents per annum, if paid in
advance; Three dollars if not paid before the eXP-
ration of the first six months; And three dollars
and twenty five cents if delayed until the END Of
the year. g..
Advertisements inserted at 81 per square Tor
the FIRST insertion, AMI % cents Tor each sub
sequen, insertion. A liberal discount made to
those who advertise by the year.
All communications, to ensure attention, must
be post paid.
JOB WORK
OF every description, executed in the neatest nan
manner at the usual prices.
Ottawa is the seat of justice Of La Sale
county; is situated at the junction of the Fox river
with the Illinois, 300 miles, by water, from Saint
Louis, and midway between Chicago and Peoria.
The population of Ottawa is about one thousand.
Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1840-04-14

Ma, and there hath remained ever since
the year 1895, as set forth in his, Win.
ner's, (alias Iooseher's) petition 10 the lie.
gisIature Of this State for bona fde d.
vorce, the grounds of which are in sub.
stance as follow
The petitioner states that he was mar.
ried to his present wife in June, 1885.
from which time forward they have been.
and now are, inhabitants of the town OF
Collins. That previous to his marriage
he had known her family TO be respecta.
BILE, but had only been personally acquain-
ted with the said Polly about two weeks.
That in three days after said marriage he
carried his wife to her fathers in said
town, on a visit, and at the time appointed,
when he called 10 bring bis wife home,
she, to his great surprise, utterly refused
to return, or TO have anything whatsoever
to do with your petitioner. And since
that time she has kept herself concealed
so that he has been unable to obtain even
an interview with her. That before he
carried her to her fathers as aforesaid, he
had the most tender and affectionate re.
gard for her as his wife, and had every
reason to suppose that his love was re-
Quilted. His character has always been
above reproach or suspicion, he treated
his wife with the greatest tenderness, and
although nearly five years have elapsed
he has been unable to ascertain the mo.
tives by which she was actuated in leaving
him. Sometimes he has been informed
that she had before plighted her faith tc
another man; sometimes that her parents
have induced her to take this course.
Whatever may be her motives, you
petitioner has been deserted and left dis
consulate; with his domestic peace AM
happiness entirely destroyed, and having
no other remedy, your petitioner is unde
the necessity of applying, &c.-HavinI
done every thing in his power to effec
an amicabe adjustment, and failed in ev
Eery attempt, deeming it useless any long
er to "shake the yoke that gals the NOR
It's shook" your petitioner prays relic
which he can no where else obtain, fror
bondage which never can cause an
thing but unmitigated misery.
Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1840-04-14
WAR WITH ENGLAND.

Many of the administration papers
are discussing the probability of a war
with England. merely it is supposed 10
stiff1e dissatisfaction at home.
Ii this is the case, depend upon il
the thing will miss its aim. The peo-
pie will protect their country from for
eign invasion-but they will also pro-
tect it from internal calamity. And
even should war with England be the
consequence Van Buren, is not the
man TO be at the head of affairs. No!
give US the man who has triumphed in
many battle.
Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1840-04-14
HYMENEAI.

MARRIRD-At Oakley, on the 7th inst,
6y the Rev'd. Mr.. MURRAH, DR.. SAM.
DEL B. MALONE, ofthis place, to Miss
ELIZA !. G. eldest daughter of MAJ. Jos. /.
moore, ofthis county.
accompanying the above we received
some very excellent Cake, for which we
tender to the happy pair our Sincere
.nonKs' who will also permit us TO wish
mem every earthly prosperity, with health
and all its attendant blessings.
Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1840-04-14

in int. the e Senate Ter for the frs, ~
visit TO Virginia, comna s. 9ne sinc. !.
ln'mItabie pleasantly on i H. 70 rsau = !,
recantatlons which had ;, ,-e ,e1lraOrdai1. s
, Sena IeoI-a is the portrait of I IA
Of his country which li,d hp sdore. Of Tie
p really gentlemen se s'1 '1 e Chanl5ss
their personal identity VI, 70 have !.
S - fsSo. s on the Ad@inistrnaiiooel !,
sed TO banking institutionS y-nOt ogs.
o. San the e. credit a system! VIM u0' saeaa
nave we heard repeatedly f,n y, 5 81, W.
bers on that side but den1n noa The nsa
nunc'ations against banks. s~a On J.
against paper money, and eSp,as ecu
logy of specie currency ~ gytOae
Mr. Clay proceeded to erD,.,
that the recantation was P ns hsfsas
that the Senators from 0L not gensaS
Carolina, and the distiuon;a I, aHd I Not
from Missouri, did NOT SoSled SeeoaS
same way. He hoped that s out il D.
men had abandoned so msnv sl nc gsate
trines connected with the eu So q TIE Do.
they would 60 one stem ,,Ia0'tieasar,
up that scheme itself. He ver T,' and 60
attributed the recantations 70 4. 2l0rg
public sentiment, which h. ~. 'lie lone d
as the potent cause ofthat lon rV !. 9e'gnaisd
the Sub'treasury bill has bees ' .s 'hia
enjoy on the Speakers toble i 4, auosed b
of Representatives. a. 'us Hoa.
Mr. Calhoun was the oDlr
Sub-treasury ranks, who had S ian . ths
to ayOw his adherence to ~ Ss 0odnsa
which are identified with TIA, y D.. alsa'enes
unhesitatlngly declared tb,lP Ig. h
course others might purge -, 'n1eVaf
responsibility of repeat +. e lo'k ihs
ded the Banking System =. = 4. fegr.
Calamity TO the nation, and vs,., seatez
engrafting it, in any form wbs,.I.5s'sd
Constitution of the United State u oi Y.
he remarked a few days ago, von5 M sas
effect of Mr. Buchanan's car,ea ST E y
, ton. 'y sou
Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1840-04-14
-sa91e9ceesn


Valuable Literary Jour7lazs.-The at
tention ofthe reader is called to the peru
sal of the PrOspectus's of two highly in
teresting Literary Journals, to be found
in this Number ofthe Argus-The New
York Mirror, and the New Yorker boil
published in the City of New York. With
out intending any disparagement toward.
many other deservedly popular and excee
dinghy interesting Journals of Similar
character which we receive, there are
none, better calculated to please the public
generally than either of these. Specimen
Numbers of them may be seen, together
with several others, at any time, on appli.
cation at this office.
Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1840-04-14
TIPPECANOE GLIB.

Many Of our Citizens have followed the
example Set them all over the Country,
and formed Tippecanoe Club. The pro-
ceedings of the meeting at which it was
formed will be found in another column.
" Log Cabin, Hard Cider, and Old Tip
is their Motto.
Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1840-04-14


" We cannot for our LIE Sc
wherein Martin Van Buren, has ~
claim upon the suffrage Of the AnEt
can people. What has be ever da2
for the country? He hasneyer ioaEE
her battles. He has never sUgga
or been instrumental in enacdng, "
and judicious laws.-Which Va; Do
the case with Gen. jackson. 6a-
Jackson, had done all these; shaS
such had a strong claim on bis c0.arr
and that country nobly rewarded DID,
by electing him to the highest Ons'
the government. And if in SON; +
spects he differed with aportiOnd
fellow citizens, there were othek
which all were united /; and to saF@
least, at the close Of his term the COR
try was apparently in a Pro:PsgeSs
condition. When no sooner dld !. 7
under the administration OF MaFun "
Buren,, than almost Immediately =
reverse was apprehension:
thereby, his utter incomPetency lo% e..
minister its affairs as did Gen. Ja'As'.
and hence things have been growing
worse all the while.
Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1840-04-14

q A large meeting ofthe cit,.,
OF this county, opposed to the ji,,,.
trous measures of the present adm.
istration, was held at tbecourtbou,a !,
Saturday last, the proceedings ofwB3
will be found in another place. n.
greatest unanimiy peryaded thro5,5
out, and the nominations of the H.
risburg Convention we're responded b
with reclamation.
The resolutions adopted are tempe
rate but hrm-showing adetemiinalO-
on the part of the people to take ca,
oftheir own interests as they hayebesr
told TO do by Mr.. Van Buren,; thus n
tending to avail themselves Of bis ID
vice in that particular.
Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1840-04-14

% Our Macon subscribers N
informed that the Argus for that Paa
is regularly packed, directed andde
posted in the post Office here, dFhT
it does not reach them we are unsbs
to define. We receive many simiH
complaints from other quarters. The
fact is the post office department is get
ting TO be a mere nuisance at best Il
10 lih~ ovUry- piIfH5 vioU UUuuvOs7d With Il
the present administration. Was Cen
Jackson president, instead Of Van b.
rem, he'd kick AMOS headlong to The
d, but that he would have a BEL
Ter arrangement. "0ld Tip" WIlss
all things right once more hOEsVa,
when he gets in.
Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1840-04-14

Warning to Stage DriperS.-We learn
that Antony w. Watts, Stage driver on
the line between this place and Tuscaloo-
sa, was killed on Wednesday night last,
this side of Pickensville, by the upsettng
of the Stage. He is supposed TO have fall
en- asleep on the box, when the horses lea.
wing the road descending hill the wheel
ran over stump, which threw hin of
and under the body of the coach, breaking
his neck and MASKING the scult. Two
passengers were inside. The horses stop
ped Immediately.
Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1840-04-14

The mistake that Printers some times
make
A late Georgia paper in publishing the
proceedings of a meeting of the Bar in a
certain county, held on the occasion ofthe
death of one ofiheir members, contains the
following:
"ResolVed further, That his Honor,
Judge Hill, and the Clerk of this court
be requested to Sing and countersign these
proceedings &c.
Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1840-04-14

The Circuit court for this conD,, .
now in session, Judge Mounser ' ~
ding. We believe there or - .i p.'-l
criminal cases on the docket-. ss..;a
ly many civil ones. '''