uous for
their opposition to the Convention measure. Even the gentler sex
came within the vortex of this whirlwind of passion; and many
were the angry disputations of those whose cares and interests
were usually confined to their household duties.

It will doubtless be profitable, therefore, to study the following
letters showing Governor Coles' connection with the anti-slavery
movement during the early history of Illinois.

GOVERNOR COLES TO RICHARD FLOWERS

_Dear Sir_:--I would have made my acknowledgments to you long
since for your kind letter of 13th of February, but for my having
been prevented from writing by the bearer of it, from the haste
with which he took his departure hence, and for my being much
harassed by the business attendant on the approaching
adjournment of the Legislature; and for my having gone soon
after the adjournment to Edwardsville, where I was detained until
a few days since by torrents of rain which have deluged the
country and rendered the streams and roads impassable. The
perusal of your letter afforded me particular pleasure. It
breathes the genuine sentiments of a Republican and of a
philanthropist; and produced an emotion which was "pleasing
though mournful to the soul." Pleasing that an adopted citizen
should possess principles so entirely accordant with our free
institutions; and as it held out encouragement that the people
would not sanction the late conduct and measures of their
Representatives--mournful, that if the slave faction should
succeed, how unpleasant and truly unfortunate the situation of
many of us, who have removed from a great distance and invested
our all in property which we shall be compelled to abandon or to
sacrifice, to seek new homes we know not where; or remain in a
community whose principles and practice are not only entirely at
variance with our own, but of a character calculated daily to
harrow up our feelings in the most painful way. I was born in the
very bosom of negro slavery; have seen it in all its bearings;
reflected well upon the nature of it, and having found it
impossible to reconcile it either with my political or religious
creed, I abandoned my native State, my aged parents and
relations, to seek in this State a community whose principles and
practice I presum