I & M Canal Document Package-Document 10

Document 10 –

Letter from Governor Joseph Duncan to Commissioner
William Archer Concerning Canal Lands

August 15, 1836

Document 10
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Transcription

Elm Grove 15^th August 1836

      D^r Sir
                     I have this moment received
your letter recommending the purchase of
Several points on the canal route for the use
of the State It is certainly desirable to in
crease the canal fund as much as possible
and I can see no reason why the state should
not derive all the benefits arrising from the
construction or location of the Canal.
    You are therefore authorized, in conjunction
with the other Canal Commissioners to purchase
such points as you believe will become
valuable ~~and~~ take the conveyance in such
form as will vest the right in the State
                    Your friend
                               Joseph Duncan
Col W^m B Archer           Gov^r of Illinois
P S   I am pleased to hear that you
progress with the canal and hope for its
early completion
        Your letter previously to leaving Chicago
was received here during my absence and as I could
not comply with your request at the time and not
knowing where a letter would find you I did not
answer it                    Your friend
W^m B Archer                        Joseph Duncan

=

Explanation

Canal proponents eventually prevailed over those favoring a railroad. The General Assembly determined to revive the project when on February 9, 1835 it authorized a new board of canal commissioners to oversee construction. Further, it gave the governor authority to issue and sell stock in the canal in an amount up to $500,000 to finance the work. Unfortunately the new canal stock was backed only by the assets of the canal itself, unsold canal lands and projected tolls. American capitalists in the East and European investors found these terms unattractive and little stock was sold. Consequently a new act was passed on January 9, 1836 which placed the full faith of the State of Illinois behind canal stock certificates. This legislation further called for yet another canal commission to supervise construction. Governor Duncan chose William B. Archer of Clark County to be the acting canal commissioner. In that position he was employed full-time in the canal’s work and was paid an annual salary of $1,200. William F. Thornton of Shelby County was made president of the board and Gurdon S. Hubbard of Cook County was appointed treasurer. Thornton and Hubbard served part-time and were compensated three dollars for each day of canal related work they performed.

The future of the Illinois and Michigan Canal was bright in the summer of 1836. Canal stocks, backed by the state’s good faith, were being bought up along the U.S. east coast as well as in Great Britain and on the Continent. A sale of Chicago canal town lots held on June 20 had raised $1,355,755 although only a quarter of that amount immediately was collected in the form of down payments. At Bridgeport on July 4 at an elaborate celebration a ground breaking ceremony had taken place. Commissioner Archer had turned the first spade.

For a map of the completed canal route, see Exhibit A.

Points To Consider

What was Governor Duncan agreeing to do in this letter?

Describe in general terms the relationship between William Archer and Joseph Duncan.

How much work had been accomplished on the canal by August 15, 1836?

Which points along the canal route would have been the most valuable? Why?

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