Birkbeck, Morris, (1764-1825) [Autograph Letter Signed, English Prairie, Aug. 25, 1818 to Robert Clark Paul, Tetbury, Gloucestershire] Quarto, 3 pp., written on a four page bi-folium, integral address leaf stamped with a red circular postmark (blurred) and straightline "Cowes Ship LRE" ink stamp. Formerly folded, now flattened, remains of sealing wax. In very good legible condition, with minor wear at folds. Birkbeck writes to a potential English emigrant about land purchase and settler experience in English Prairie, Illinois. "I think if you emigrate you will not find a district like the East of Illinois for an English emigrant." So ends this lengthy, superbly informative letter that conveys a vivid sense of the enthusiasm and dedication of one of the great pioneers of western settlement - "one of the ablest, most cultured and public spirited men on the frontier." -DAB. Birkbeck, an English Quaker unwilling to tolerate infringement of religious freedom, emigrated to the United States in 1817, and in partnership with George Flower soon entered 26,400 acres of public land in Edwards County, Illinois. He published two books, Notes on a Journey in America from the Coast of Virginia to the Territory of Illinois (1817) and Letters from Illinois (1818); both of which were circulated widely through numerous reprints and translations and exerted enormous influence on western settlement. Subsequently Birkbeck entered public life in Illinois; returning from a visit to Robert Owen at Harmony, Indiana, on June 4, 1825, he was drowned while swimming his horse across the Fox River. Among students of Illinois history, Birkbeck remains well known as an early colonizer and anti-slavery advocate. Notes on a Journey in America, and Letters from Illinois, have been praise for depicting Birkbeck's quest to establish a community where the ideals of liberty and equality could be realized and for portraying his transformation into an American. He is regarded as the earliest significant Illinois author. Birkbeck tells his correspondent: "In the little district extending a few miles around me, bounded to the north by unsurveyed lands & to the E. & W. by the Bon pas Creek & Little Wabash & to the S. by barren woodlands, there will not be room for you to make such a purchase as you mention. In fact, three thousand acres appropriated by one settler would greatly retard our improvements unless it were divided & subdivided among his own friends. I find that a great change takes place in the notions of our English friends, in regard to the convenient size of estates, soon after their arrival among us: They are generally disposed to circumscribe their own boundaries for the sake of the neighborhood. There is to the north of us a district of large extent which will probably be surveyed & offered to the public next summer; This contains, I hear, many most desireable situations. It will be offered by auction in separate Quarter sections of 160 acres, and what remains unsold at the public sale will be open to the public at two dollars per acre… I would however advise you strongly to delay yo Price: USD 3,750.00 other currencies   order no. 17    inquire

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