The Jefferson-Lemen Compact

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Jefferson-Lemen Compact, by Willard C. MacNaul

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Title: The Jefferson-Lemen Compact The Relations of Thomas Jefferson and James Lemen in the Exclusion of Slavery from Illinois and Northern Territory with Related Documents 1781-1818
Author: Willard C. MacNaul
Release Date: April 29, 2007 [EBook #21251]
Language: English
Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
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The Jefferson-Lemen Compact
The Relations of Thomas Jefferson and James Lemen in the Exclusion of Slavery from Illinois and the Northwest Territory with Related Documents 1781-1818
A Paper read before the Chicago Historical Society February 16, 1915
By Willard C. MacNaul
[Illustration: Arms]
The University of Chicago Press 1915
Copyright by CHICAGO HISTORICAL SOCIETY 1915

CONTENTS {p.03}
INTRODUCTION
1. Sketch of James Lemen.................................. 7
2. Lemen's Relations with Jefferson in Virginia........... 9
3. Lemen's Anti-Slavery Mission in Illinois-- Slavery in Illinois until 1787...................... 11 Prohibition of Slavery by Ordinance of 1787......... 11 The Slavery Conflict under Gov. St. Clair (1787-1800)....................................... 12 The Slavery Conflict under Gov. Harrison (1801-1809)....................................... 13 Slavery Question in the Movement for Division of Indiana Territory in 1808-9.................... 16 James Lemen's Anti-Slavery Influence in the Baptist Churches until 1809....................... 16 Slavery under Gov. Ninian Edwards (1809-1818)....... 19 Slavery in the Campaign for Statehood in 1818....... 19
4. Available Materials Relating to the Subject........... 23
5. Account of the "Lemen Family Notes"................... 24
DOCUMENTS
I. Diary of James Lemen, Sr.............................. 26
II. History of the Relations of James Lemen and Thos. Jefferson, by J. M. Peck.................. 32
III. How Illinois Got Chicago, by Jos. B. Lemen............ 37
IV. Address to the Friends of Freedom..................... 38
V. Recollections of a Centennarian, by Dr. W. F. Boyakin................................... 39
VI. In Memory of Rev. Jas. Lemen, Sr...................... 41
VII. Statement by Editor of Belleville Advocate.......... 41
VIII. Letter of Rev. J. M. Peck on the Old Lemen Family Notes........................................ 42
PIONEER LETTERS {p.04}
IX. Letter of Senator Douglas to Rev. Jas. Lemen, Sr...... 46
X. Announcement by J. B. Lemen........................... 48
XL. Letter of Gov. Ninian Edwards to Jas. Lemen, Jr....... 49
XII. Letter of A. W. Snyder to Jas. Lemen, Sr.............. 49
XIII. Letter of Abraham Lincoln to Jas. Lemen, Jr........... 50
XIV. The Lemen Monument--Lemen's War Record................ 51
XV. Sketch of Rev. James Lemen, Sr., by J. M. Peck........ 52
XVI. Old Lemen Family Notes, Statement by Jos. B. Lemen.... 56
References............................................ 59

NOTE {p.05}
The materials here presented were collected in connection with the preparation of a history of the first generation of Illinois Baptists. The narrative introduction is printed substantially as delivered at a special meeting of the Chicago Historical Society, and, with the collection of documents, is published in response to inquiries concerning the so-called "Lemen Family Notes," and in compliance with the request for a contribution to the publications of this Society. It is hoped that the publication may serve to elicit further information concerning the alleged "Notes," the existence of which has become a subject of more or less interest to historians. The compiler merely presents the materials at their face value, without assuming to pass critical judgment upon them.
W. C. M.

INTRODUCTION {p.07}
RELATIONS OF JAMES LEMEN AND THOMAS JEFFERSON IN THE EXCLUSION OF SLAVERY FROM ILLINOIS AND THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY
In view of the approaching centennary of statehood in Illinois, the name of James Lemen takes on a timely interest because of his services--social, religious, and political--in the making of the Commonwealth. He was a native of Virginia, born and reared in the vicinity of Harper's Ferry. He served a two-years' enlistment in the Revolutionary War under Washington, and afterwards returned to his regiment during the siege of Yorktown. His "Yorktown Notes" in his diary give some interesting glimpses of his participation in that campaign.[1] His Scotch ancestors had served in a similar cause under Cromwell, whose wedding gift to one of their number is still cherished as a family heirloom.
Upon leaving the army James Lemen married Catherine Ogle, daughter of Captain Joseph Ogle, whose name is perpetuated in that of Ogle county, Illinois. The Ogles were of old English stock, some of whom at least were found on the side of Cromwell and the Commonwealth. Catherine's family at one time lived on the South Branch of the Potomac, although at the time of her marriage her home was near Wheeling. Captain Ogle's commission, signed by Gov. Patrick Henry, is now a valued