oy the right
of an elector; but no person shall be entitled to vote except in the
county or district in which he shall actually reside at the time of the
election." Slaves could not hereafter be brought into the state, but
existing slavery was not abolished, and existing indentures--and some were
for ninety-nine years--should be carried out, although future indentures
should not run for a longer term than one year. Male children of slaves or
indentured servants should be free at the age of twenty-one, and females
at eighteen. Slaves from other states could be employed only at the Saline
Creek salt works, and there only until 1825.(277)

During the congressional debate on the acceptance of the Illinois
Constitution, objection to admitting the state was made on the ground that
the number of inhabitants was doubtful, and that slavery was not
distinctly prohibited, Tallmadge, of New York, who later wished to
restrict slavery in Missouri, being the chief objector. The state was
admitted, however, and on December 4, 1818, the representatives and
senators from Illinois took their seats in Congress.(278)

Between 1809 and 1818, Illinois passed from a non-representative
territorial government to a liberal state government. The energy of the
settlers had done much to hasten the change, and the change, in turn, did
much to hasten settlement.

IV. Transportation and Settlement, 1809 to 1818.

At the close of the War of 1812, an unparalleled emigration to the
frontiers of the United States began. Contemporary accounts speak of its
great volume. "Through New York and down the Alleghany River is now the
track of many emigrants from the east to the west. Two hundred and sixty
waggons have passed a certain house on this route in nine days, besides
many persons on horseback and on foot. The editor of the Gennessee Farmer
observes, that he himself met on the road to Hamilton a cavalcade of
upwards of twenty waggons, containing one company of one hundred and
sixteen persons, on their way to _Indiana_, and all from one town in the
district of Maine. So great is the emigration to _Illinois_ and _Missouri_
also, that it is apprehended that many must suffer for want of provisions
the ensuing winter."(279) "Nothing more strongly proves the superiority of
the western territory than the vast emigration to it from the eastern and
southern states; during the eighteen months previous to April, 1816,
fifteen thousand waggons passed over th