130 NOTES ON THE NORTHWEST. 



is the fourth county, in population, of Northern lUinois, or, 

 rather, it is one of the four highest ; for, without a late census, 

 the numbers are only matter of estimate, and there is not, pro- 

 bably, a great difference in amount between the four. 

 Adams, Cook, and Fulton, may be supposed to contain from 

 eighteen to twenty thousand each, and Pike sixteen or seven- 

 teen thousand. 



Cook, Adams, Fulton, Pike and La Salle, are among the 

 most populous and valuable counties in the State. Cook is 

 on the lake. By the census of 1840, there were 10,201 

 inhabitants. Since that time, about 4000 have been added 

 to the town of Chicago, and it is probable that the county 

 now contains 18 or 20 thousand. Chicago has now about 

 10,000. It is the foremost town in the State in popiilation 

 and business. It is the principal port on the lake for north- 

 em Illinois and Iowa. Here great quantities of wheat and 

 other produce are shipped, partly brought across the country 

 from Iowa, for the New York market ; and most of the pas- 

 sengers by way of the lakes, are landed at this place and at 

 Milwakie. The Land Office for the District is here. 



La Salle is an extensive county lying on both sides of 

 the Illinois River. It is above the navigable waters of the 

 river. The Illinois and Michigan canal passes through it, 

 and it is thereby rendered accessible both from the lake and 

 the Missisippi. It has probably exceeding 15,000 inhabit- 

 ants. 



Ottawa is the county seat, situated at the junction of Fox 

 River, on both sides of the river, a few miles above the 

 lower rapids. 



Bureau, Kendall, and Peoria, follow, in descending the 

 Illinois. Peoria is important for its population and ex- 

 tent ; its fertility, and resources, and business ; and in the 

 beauty of its situation is not exceeded by any portion of 



