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Document 31 –

Letter from Robert Stuart to David Leavitt Concerning
an Upcoming Land Sale
 

August 5, 1848
 

Document 31
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Transcription

                                     Chicago Augt 5~ 1848
David Leavitt Esqr.
          Dear Sir
                               I arrived here safe & sound,
last night – find all well – Mr. Loop has been
absent in New York for the last 3 weeks, which has
much deranged operations here; and there seems to
be some conflicting opinions as to the best mode of
offering the lands for sale, which may prevent final
action until your arrival, when all may have to be
changed – I therefore hope you will be here not
later than the 20~ inst~, you will find abundance
to do, and the system should be perfected before you
begin the sales, – It would be highly disreputable
not to have ^ matters in the best order – all eyes will
be upon you, &every effort made to find fault. –
             The tolls are handsome, say about $30,000,
but the repairs &c: are very heavy, &will continue
to be so until until next spring —
                    I have written Capt. Swift to hurry
on; &hope you will back me, for depend
upon its being needful –
                                      Truly yours
                                      Robert Stuart

Explanation

David Leavitt and William Swift were the two canal trustees elected by subscribers to the $1,600,000 loan floated to finance the canal’s completion. Charles Oakley in January of 1847 had been appointed by Governor Augustus French to represent the state’s interests as the third trustee. Robert Stuart was the trustee’s full-time secretary. He was backed by Leavitt and Swift and enjoyed their confidence.

At an October 1847 meeting of canal bondholders held in New York City, Oakley had charged Leavitt with incompetency and neglect of duty. He further accused William Gooding, the canal’s chief engineer, with mismanagement and favoritism. An investigation was held during which none of the charges were proven. Swift had defended Leavitt; and Swift and Leavitt had spoken up for Gooding. But as an upshot of the inquiry Governor French had fired Gooding in March of 1848 and replaced him with Edward Talcott, the former assistant chief engineer.

The trustees held a public sale of Chicago canal lots in the late summer of 1848 (see document 32). Over $400,000 in revenue was derived from this sale with most prices exceeding appraised valuations. With tensions among trustees high, Stuart was anxious for the pending sale to be conducted in such a flawless manner that trustees Leavitt and Swift would be beyond public reproach. Stuart died in October 1848 and Oakley fell dead New Year’s Day 1849.

Points To Consider

What did Robert Stuart want David Leavitt to do?

Where had the $30,000 come from? How was much of that revenue going to be offset?

Who were David Leavitt and Capt. Swift?

Why were all eyes going to be upon them?

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