I acknowledge my indebtedness to the _Diary of Gideon Welles_, which I regard as the most important contribution to the history of the period of which it treats that has yet been given to the public. The history of Mr. James Ford Rhodes I have found to be an invaluable guide, as to both facts and judgments of men and things. I am indebted to Professor William A. Dunning, of Columbia University, for valuable suggestions, criticism, and encouragement, as well as for the assistance derived from his admired writings on Reconstruction. Miss Katherine Mayo has lightened my labors greatly by her intelligent and indefatigable search of old letters and newspaper files and by interviews with persons still living. My gratitude is due also to the late William H. Lambert, of Philadelphia, for giving me access to his collection of manuscript correspondence that passed between Lincoln and Trumbull prior to the inauguration of the former as President; also to Dr. William Jayne, of Springfield, Illinois, to Hon. J. H. Roberts, of Chicago, to the wife of Walter Trumbull (now Mrs. L. C. Pardee, of Chicago), and to Mrs. Mary Ingraham Trumbull, of Saybrook Point, Connecticut.
The Trumbulls from Newcastle-on-Tyne, England--Most illustrious family in Colony of Connecticut--Lyman Trumbull born and educated at Colchester--Begins his career as school-teacher in Georgia in 1833--Studies law there in office of Hiram Warner--In 1837 makes a journey on horseback to Shawneetown, Illinois--Begins practice of law in office of Governor Reynolds at Belleville--"Riding on the circuit" in the early days--In a letter to his father describes the killing of Rev. Elijah P. Lovejoy at Alton--Elected to the legislature from St. Clair County in 1840--Appointed secretary of state in 1841 by Governor Carlin--Removed from office in 1843 by Governor Ford--Political disturbance in consequence--Belleville in 1842--Marriage of Trumbull and Miss Julia Jayne--Their wedding journey--Political campaign of 1848--Trumbull fails of nomination for governor--Is elected judge of the supreme court in 1848--Removes his residence to Alton--Reëlected as judge in 1852, but resigns in the following year. 1
French adventurers from Canada the first whites in Illinois--Followed by colonists from Louisiana--Slaves sent from Santo Domingo by John Law's Company of the Indies--Thomas Jefferson takes steps to exclude slavery from the Northwest Territory--The Anti-Slavery Ordinance of 1787--The territorial legislature authorizes the holding of "indentured servants" for a limited time--Attempts to repeal the Ordinance defeated in Congress by John Randolph of Roanoke--State constitution in 1818 prohibits slavery--the pro-slavery men attempt to change the constitution--Bitter contest in 1824 results in their defeat--Slavery continues, nevertheless, under judicial decisions--Trumbull wages war against it in the courts--His final victory in the Jarrot case, in 1845 23