The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-05-19
&c pioneer history of Illinois.'

in the wing party while IL ~ the marked ana poWeress
exception in the Desperate party"
Pioneer history of Illinois,
A book with the above title will shortly be issued
from the press in Illinois, from the pen OF the old pioneer
and ranger Reynolds, ex-governor, and late mem
Der OF Congress from lha, State personal knowledge
Of the stirring events during the early settlement OF the
West and the authors extensive acquaintance among
the descendants Of the earliest settlers in that vast region
of country now embracing the States of illinois, Mis-
souri,. Indiana, Michigan, Iowa, and Wisconsin, will en-
able him to present work which will be sought after
by all who desire TO obtain correct knowledge OF the
history of that portion of country We present
with pleasure the following extract relating 10 gene.
rous and good man, the father Of Gen. Charles Graot,
OF this city. 1t placed in our hands by member Of
Congress from the West, with the remark that the press
of the country should pass by opportunity 10
rescue from oblivion the names and characters OF those
good and generous who. in the early days OF our
public, freely offered up the acquisitions OF laborious
years to aid the establishment of our free institutions in
the western wds:
For his revolutionary services west OF the mountains
Gen Clark might with proprety be termed the Wash
ngton of the West Vgo and others acted well their part
In the conquest Of Illinois; and Charles Gratiot per-
formed such great important for his country
in the revolution that he is entitled TO the rank and stand
ing almost any the above named Illinois patriots. He
raised by his mertorous services to the dignicd and
elevated standing of revolutionary patriothe highest
elevation that sdorns the human character
He was born the celebrated city of Lausanne Swift
zerand in the year I7. His family and connexions
of the first responsibility and wealth of that city. They
strong Hueuenos and supposedt to be their duty
educate their son, Charles Gratot in that faith, In Lon
don.
cat the age OF years he placed in the care of
fre nd in the metropolis OF British empire receive his
education His talents soon developed, so that he
was discovered possess extraordinary strong mind
He was In the hands Of influential and wealthy merchants
who believed the bonun OF human happiness to
consist in things; neatly kept books and great ptd
Under these influences, Young Gratiot was mostly pre-
pared for commerce but his genius ddained the sodid
shackes OF traffic when the freedom of man came In con
tact
"Aer receiving his education, at the age OF eighteen
he sailed from London for Canada and joined, Montreal
n wealthy uncle He Immediately formed partnership
for the northwest Indian trade with Messrs. Kay and
McRae.
must be recollected that in early times, and psriicu
larry with the English in Canada the northwest trade with
the Indians the main channel TO wealth and fame
and In iact all the enerpfsing and active young
men day. whose energies and talents entitled them
to fame aud honor, turned their attention to the northwest
trade
"Chahes GTatiot, In the year 767, when he was only
twenty years age, embarked in this trade, and bade Cam
ada long farewell His partners were Stationed one at
Mackinaw, and the other in Montreal while he himself
the active, intelligent and business partner, that
tended the of the company from the lakes and
the waters Of the Maumee across the Wabash country to
the Mississippi and from the falls Of ST. Anthony to the
mouth of the Ohio. As his business increased, his mind
and energies in the same proportion improved and deve
oped themselves lie the in commerce
throughout this region Of country and the company of
which he partner employed seventy eighty thousand
dollars in their Indian trade Charles Grato had the
tire control OF this great sum OF money ard all the com
mercal transactions within this extended territory.
g Ho remained in the region of country Lake
Superior for years. trading with the Indians receiving
his supplies Of goods from Mackinaw, and returning the
proceeds OF sales also that place In the year 77i he
turned his attention the Illinois country, and established
both Cahokia and Kaska.kia He also extended
his Indan trade the Wabash valley the waters OF
the Maumee so that his vast operations embraSed four
five States of the present Union in the Northwest
81 His grand depot of the Indian trade Cahokia
for many years. and from this point he extended the ram
hcaons OF his in various quarters this
region.
81 have been favored with examination of his com.
mercial letters, dated at Cahoka, st. Louis and La
Rivare des Pees, in the year 1775 and down year
1885, which exhibit his commercial transactions throughout
great portion Of the Mississippi valley The old village Of
Cahokia he termed Cahos, that day, in his letters
While Mr. Graot was engaged in successful commerce In
Illinois, and having great influence with the white and In
dian population Of the country, in the year I778 General
Clark invaded the country with small army, bearing
It's banners liberty and Independence.
Although Gritiot had been educated in England, yet
the spirit OF the country Of William Tell burned strong in his
heart for liberty, and without hesitation his sound udg
ment and his impulses for freedom declared for
Clark and tue American revolution. This was not
empty declaration, but he embarked his whole energies
and fortune in the Of the revolution
"It Is known to all that Clark had received scarcely any
means from Virginia conquer and retain the Illinois
country The army commanded by Clark starving
destitute condition. except they supported by the
resources OF the country They remained In the Illinois
and Wabash countries for several years. and sustained
by tho inhabitants Of the country during that time. The
French inhabitants too poor to give away their sub
stance and the support Of the army fell Grstot Vigo.
and other such choice spirits for the most of the above
crises II those supplies not given by Gratiot and
others, the great and glorious campaign Of Clark must
have failed for the time being but the generous heart OF
Gratio hesnted moment and he to the
Gratio paid to the citizens, and became accountable to
them TO the full amount Of his estate for supplies for
the American army. His and soul enlisted In
the cause Of human freedom The blood of the country OF
Tell burned in his VEINS and all his exhausted