NINIAN EDWARDS,

First Governor of Illinois Territory, Third, of the State,

As Taken from tee Edwards Papers, Edited foe, the Chicago Historical Society

By E. B, WASHB-URNE,

WITH LETTERS OF

ISAAC N. ARNOLD, (President Chicago Historical Society,)

MARSHALL FIELD AND E B, WASHBURNE.

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BIOGRAPHY

NINIAN EDWARDS,

First Governor of Illinois Territory, Third of the State,

As Taken from the Edwards Papers, Edited for the Chicago Historical Society

By E. B. WASHBURNE,

WITH LETTERS OF

ISAAC N. ARNOLD,

(President Chicago Historical Society,)

MARSHALL FIELD AND E. B. WASHBURNE.

Digitized by the Internet Archive

in 2012 with funding from

The Institute of Museum and Library Services through an Indiana State Library LSTA Grant

http://archive.org/details/biographyofniniaOOwash

PREFACE.

AT a meeting of the Chicago Historical Society, held on the evening of October 16, 1883, a pre- sentation was made to the Society, of the letters, papers, and manuscripts of Hon. Ninian Edwards, so long and honorably identified with the history of Illi- nois, both as a territory and as a State. This most valuable and interesting contribution was made by his son, Hon. Ninian Wirt Edwards, a distinguished citizen of the State of Illinois. These papers have an excep- tional historical interest, giving an inside view of our early times, and particularly of the politicians and the political methods of that day.

Ninian Edwards had a long and distinguished politi- cal career. Born in Maryland in 1775, he removed to Kentucky in 1795, where he at once entered upon the stage of politics. Before he was of age, he was elected a member of the legislature of Kentucky. Studying law, he soon became distinguished in his profession, and at the early age of thirty-two years, he attained the high position of chief-justice of the Court of Appeals of Kentucky.

In 1809, Judge Edwards was appointed by President Madison the first governor of Illinois Territory, which position he held until its admission into the Union as a State in 1818. The territory thus becoming a State, Gov. Edwards was elected one of the first two senators to the Congress of the United States; his colleague, elected at the same time, being Hon. Jesse B. Thomas. Drawing the short term, which expired on the third

4 PREFACE.

day of March. 1 S 1 «>, he was reelected for the full term of six years. In that high position he displayed great ability and exceptional qualities as an intelligent and practical legislator. He retired from t he senate in 1 824, on his appointment as minister to Mexico, a position, however, which he resigned before proceeding- to his post. In 1826 he became a candidate for governor of Illinois, and was elected after a remarkable canvass, in which he was pitted against immense odds, and which he con- ducted with unsurpassed ability. Able, independent, outspoken, he disdained all the acts of the ordinary politician; never descended to the low level of the dema- gogue, nor appealed to the passions or prejudices of the people. Entering on the duties of his office, he served the State with conspicuous ability and usefulness till the end of his term in December, 1830.

The correspondence published in this volume com- menced when Mr. Edwards was a young lawyer in Kentucky about the year 1800. He then held friendly relations with Henry Clay, John Pope, United States Senator for Kentucky, and many other prominent men of that period in the State. It was from the time when Judge Edwards was appointed governor of Illinois Territory in 1809, that the letters now published begin to have a real interest for the student of history. Here will be found letters from Albert Gallatin, Secretary of the Treasury, John J. Crittenden, Martin D. Hardin, U. S. Senator from Kentucky, Benjamin Howard, Gov- ernor of Missouri Territory, Joseph Charless, the founder of the Missouri Republican, Shadrach Bond, delegate in Congress from Illinois Territory, Daniel P. Cook, William H. Crawford, Thomas H. Benton, and Richard M. Johnson. After the territory became a State, we find letters of John Reynolds, Gov. Edwards, Jesse B. Thomas, the colleague of Governor Edwards in the United States Senate, Rufus King, U. S. Senator

PREFACE. 5

from New York, William Wirt, President Monroe, Samuel D. Southard, U. S. Senator from New Jersey, John Pope, of Kentucky, John C. Calhoun, John Quincy Adams, Gen. Jackson, Wm. Lee D. Ewing, Felix Grundy, Sam Houston, Duff Green, Daniel Webster, Geo. Forquer, Gen. Joseph M. Street, John McLean, Postmaster-General, John McLean of Illinois, Sidney Breese, Alfred Cowles, Hugh Nelson, Minister to Spain, Martin VanBuren, Elias Kent Kane, John M. Robin- son, David J. Baker, the three latter U. S. Senators from Illinois, A. P. Field, Hooper Warren, and many other gentlemen, all bearing on the events of the time.

In the publication of The Edwards Papers, here presented, the Chicago Historical Society and the public generally, are indebted to the characteristic liberality of Mr. Marshall Field, one of the best known and most highly esteemed citizens of Chicago, and one of the most distinguished merchants in the United States. After an examination of the letters, Mr. Field requested that the Historical Society should publish them at his individual expense. By this generous act, which is so gratefully appreciated, the Society is enabled to pub- lish this volume. It is illustrated by steel engravings of Governor Edwards and Daniel P. Cook, and by facsimiles of many letters written to Gov. E., by some of his most distinguished cotemporaries.

At the urgent request of the officers of the Chicago Historical Society, I somewhat reluctantly consented to undertake the task of editing this volume and over- seeing its publication. The interest it has awakened in my mind in our early history and the clearer view I have obtained of men and events of the epoch, have amply rewarded my labors, and the volume is now submitted to an indulgent public. E. Bf W.

365 Dearborn Avenue, Chicago, January, 188^.

Chicago, Oct. 8, 1883. Bear Mr. Field:

Since I had the pleasure of seeing you with Mr. Washburne, I have given to the Edwards manuscripts further exaviination, and I find them of greater in- terest and importance even than I had supposed. Gov. Edwards was, as you hnow, for several years the prom- inent man and leading figure in Illinois, and did much to shape its policy and early history. His cor- respondence not only throws much light on the history of our own State and the northwest, but also of the nation. His correspondence includes letters from most of the prominent statesmen of the day.

I understand from oar friend Mr. Washburne , that you had generously offered to pay for the publication of these papers. If so, he will begin immediately the work of editing and preparing notes , so that he may complete the work before he is driven away by the cold weather. We all appreciate the great liberality and interest in the history of our State which you have manifested in this matter.

Very truly yours , Marshall Field, Esq. Isaac JV\ Arnold.

Chicago, 17th Oct., 1883.

Hon. I. N. Arnold,

Prest. Chicago Historical Society:

My Dear Sir:

On my return to the city , I find yours of the 8th, and fully agree with you that the Edwards papers should be published , and, as Mr. Washburne has so kindly offered to give his valuable time to edit them, I shall cheerfully pay for same.

Very truly yours,

Marshall Field.

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