tically ceased with the opening of the public land-offices.(350)

Among the obstacles to settlement was the holding of land by
non-residents. Such lands were subject to a triple tax in case of
delinquency, and when sold for taxes and costs frequently did not bring
enough for that purpose, in which event they reverted to the state and the
state paid the costs. Redemption, although possible, was rare.(351) In
1823, about nine thousand quarter-sections of land in the Military Tract,
lying between the Illinois and the Mississippi, were advertised for sale,
because of the non-payment of taxes by non-resident landholders.(352) At
this time, two of the prominent men of the state who wished to dispose of
a large amount of state paper, advertised that they would pay such
delinquent taxes at twenty-five per cent discount.(353) In 1826,
thirty-eight pages of the _Illinois Intelligencer_ were filled with a
description, in double column, of lands owned by non-residents, the lands
being for sale for taxes. In 1829, a similar list filled thirty-two
pages.(354) Much discontent was manifested in the state on account of the
laws concerning the public lands, and Governor Edwards' message to the
legislature, in 1830, elaborated a theory that all public lands belonged
of right to the states in which they lay.(355)

Illinois early understood that an Illinois-Michigan canal would help to
people her northern lands. This led to many efforts to secure such a
waterway. In 1819 a favorable topographical report concerning the route
for the proposed canal was made,(356) and in 1822 the state was authorized
to construct the canal, but no tangible aid was given.(357) In 1825 the
legislature petitioned Congress for a grant of the townships through which
the canal would pass. A committee report of March, 1826, which was almost
identical with another presented in February, 1825, pointed out that the
cost of transporting a ton of merchandise from Philadelphia, New York, or
Baltimore was about ninety dollars, and required from twenty to twenty-two
days. The probable cost by the proposed canal, the Lakes, and the Erie
Canal, from St. Louis to New York was from sixty-three to sixty-five
dollars per ton, and the time from twelve to fifteen days. The canal would
bind Illinois and Missouri to the North.(358) Congress received a memorial
from the legislature on the same subject in January, 1827, requesting the
grant of "two entire townships, along the whole cours