HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
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Kinney, Robert K. McLaughlin, James Evans and W. B. Archer. (See Duncan, Joseph.)
His administration was made memorable by the large number of distinguished men who either entered public life at this period or gained additional prominence by their connection with public affairs. Among these were Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas; Col. E, D. Baker, who afterward and at different times represented Illinois and Oregon in the councils of the Nation, and who fell at Ball's Bluff in 1862; Orville H. Browning, a prospective United States Senator and future cabinet officer; Lieut.-Gov. John Dougherty; Gen. James Shields, Col. John J. Hardin, Archibald Williams, Cyrus and Ninian W. Edwards; Dr. John Logan, father of Gen. John A. Logan; Stephen T. Logan, and many more.
During this administration was begun that gigantic scheme of "internal improvements," which proved so disastrous to the financial interests of the State. The estimated cost of the various works undertaken, was over $11,000,000, and though little of substantial value was realized, yet, Ill 1852, the debt (principal and interest) thereby incurred (including that of the canal), aggregated nearly $17,000,000. The collapse of the scheme was, no doubt, hastened by the unexpected suspension of specie payments by the banks all over the country, which followed soon after its adoption. (See Internal Improvement Policy; also State Debt.)
CAPITAL REMOVED TO SPRINGFIELD.-At the session of the General Assembly of 1836-37, an act was passed removing the State capital to Springfield, and an appropriation of $50,000 was made to erect a building; to this amount the city of Springfield added a like sum, besides donating a site. In securing the passage of these acts, the famous "Long Nine," consisting of A. G. Herndon and Job Fletcher, in the Senate; and Abraham Lincoln, Ninian W. Edwards, John Dawson, Andrew McCormick, Dan Stone, William F. Elkin and Robert L. Wilson, in the House-all Representatives from Sangamon County-played a leading part.
THE MURDER OF LOVEJOY.-An event occurred near the close of Governor Duncan's term, which left a stain upon the locality, but for which his administration had no direct responsibility; to-wit, the murder of Rev. Elijah P. Lovejoy, by a pro-slavery mob at Alton. Lovejoy was a native of Maine, who, coming to St. Louis in 1827, had been employed upon various papers, the last being "The St. Louis Observer." The outspoken
hostility of this paper to
