ges and swamps in the southern part
of the county.

UNION.--Watered by the Mississippi, Clear creek, the heads of
Cash, and some of the small tributaries of the Big Muddy. Much of the
surface is rolling and hilly,--all forest land. Soil, second and third
rate. Some rich alluvial bottom.

VERMILLION.--Is watered by Big and Little Vermillion of the
Wabash, with large bodies of excellent timber along the streams, and
rich prairies interior. Surface, undulating and dry; soil, deep, rich,
and calcareous.

WABASH.--Has Wabash river on the east, Bon Pas on the west, and
some small creeks central; surface rolling, and a mixture of timber and
prairie; soil, generally second rate. Minerals; lime and sandstone.

WARREN.--Besides the Mississippi, its principal stream is
Henderson river, which passes through it, with Ellison, Honey, and Camp
creeks. Much of the land on these streams is rich, undulating, deficient
somewhat in timber, with excellent prairie. Along the Mississippi, and
about the mouth of Henderson, the land is inundated in high water.

WASHINGTON.--Has the Kaskaskia on its north-western side, with
Elkhorn, Little Muddy, Beaucoup, and Little Crooked creeks interior. The
prairies are rather level, and in places inclined to be wet; the timber,
especially along the Kaskaskia, heavy.

WAYNE.--The Little Wabash, with its tributaries, Elm river, and
Skillet Fork, are its streams. It is proportionably interspersed with
prairie and woodland, generally of second quality.

WHITE.--The eastern side washed by the Big Wabash, along which
is a low, inundated bottom; the interior is watered by the Little
Wabash and its tributaries. Some prairie, but mostly timber. Soil and
surface various. Some rich bottom prairies, with sandy soil.

TOWNS.

Vandalia is the seat of government till 1840, after which it is to be
removed to Alton, according to a vote of the people in 1834, unless they
should otherwise direct. It is situated on the right bank of the
Kaskaskia river, in N. lat. 39 deg. 0' 42", and 58 miles in a direct
line, a little north of east from Alton. The public buildings are
temporary. Population, about 750.

_Alton._ Two towns of this name are distinguished as Alton, and Upper
Alton. Alton is an incorporated town, situated on the bank of the
Mississippi, two and a half miles above the mouth of the Missouri, and
at the place where the curve of the Mississippi penetrates the furthest
into Illinois, 18 miles below the