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Show 1836- 1837] Fbgg'* Far West 31 the author would not fail fully to acknowledge his own indebtedness to those distinguished writers upon the West who have preceded him. To Peck, Hall, Flint, Wetmore, and to others, his acknowledgments are due and are respectfully tendered. 9 In extenuation of the circumstance that some portions * John M. Peck, a Baptist minister, went as a missionary to St Louis in 1817. After nine years of preaching in Missouri and Illinois, he founded ( 1826) the Rocky Spring Seminary for training teachers and ministers. It is said that he travelled more than six thousand miles collecting money for endowing this school. In 1828 Peck began publishing the Western Pioneer, the first official organ of the Baptist church in the West, and served as the corresponding secretary and financial agent of the American Baptist. Publication Society from 1843 to 1845. He died at Rocky Springs, Illinois, in 1858. Peck made important contributions to the publications of the early historical societies in the Northwest. His chief independent works are: A Guide few Emigrants ( Boston, 1831), republished as A New Guide for Emigrants ( Boston, 1836); Gamtleer of Illinois ( Jacksonville, 1834 and 1837); Father Clark or v the Pioneer Preacher ( Hew York, 1855); and " Life of Daniel Boone," in Jared Sparks, American Biography. Judge James Hall was born in Philadelphia ( 1793)* and died near Cincinnati in 1868. He was a member of the Washington Guards during the War of 1813- 15, was promoted to the and United States artillery, and accompanied Decatur on his expedition to Algiers ( 18x5). Resigning in 1818, he practiced law at Shawneetown, Illinois ( 1820- 27), and filled the office of public prosecutor and judge of the circuit court He moved to VandaHa ( 1827) and began editing the Illinois Intelligencer and the Illinois Monthly Magamne. From 1836 to 1853 he was president of the commercial bank at Cinrinnatii and acted as state treasurer. He published: Letters from the West ( London, 1828); Legends of the West ( 1832); Memoirs of the Public Services of General William Henry Harrison ( Philadelphia, 1836); Sketches of History, Ufa and Manners of the West ( Philadelphia, 1835); Statistics of the West at the Close of 1836 ( Cincinnati, 1836); Notes on the Western States ( Philadelphia, X838); History and Biography of the Indians of North America ( 3 volumes, 1838- 44); The West, its SoU, Surface, etc. ( Cincinnati, 1848); The West, its Commerce and Navigation ( Cincinnati, 1848); besides a few historical novels. For a contemporary estimate of the value of Hall's writings see American Monthly Mag-amne ( New York, 1835), v, pp. 9- 15. For Timothy Flint, see Pattie's Narrative, in our volume zviii, p. 25, note x. Major Alphonso Wetmore ( 1793- 1849) was of much less importance as a writer on Western history than those above mentioned. He entered the 23rd infantry in 1812, and subsequently was transferred to the 6th. He served as paymaster for his regiment from 18x5 to 1821, and was promoted to a captaincy ( 18x9). In 18x6 he moved with his family to FrankHnton, Missouri, and later practiced law in St Louis. His chief contribution to Western travel is a Gamtteer of Missouri ( St Louis, X837).- ED. |