INTRODUCTORY HIS book was originally written for the University of Chicago, as a portion of the work required for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. In preparing the volume for publication it was thought unwise to sacrifice too largely the historic value of the production for popularity of form. It has been written, as far as possible, from the original documents and sources, but the present scattered state of the material on Illinois history has rendered this task extremely difficult. It is hoped that the results of these investigations will not only be of interest to the general public, but also will serve as a basis for a great history of the Slavery Conflict, which some future historian of American History shall write. The author wishes to express his appreciation of the suggestions and criticisms made by Dr. Asa C. Tilton of the University of Wisconsin, who read the entire manuscript. He acknowledges his indebtedness, also, to Professor Frederic J. Turner of the University of Wisconsin, President Edmund J. James of Northwestern University, and Professors F. W. Shepardson and J. Franklin Jameson of the University of Chicago, for their kindly interest and encouragement.....