GOV. JOSEPH DUNCAN. 423 thought, excellent judgment, and were in a style at once clear and forcible. Foreseeing the certain ruinous collapse of the internal-improvement system, he steadily argued against it, and refused to be drawn into its support. He had few enemies, and his death, which occurred at his home in Jacksonville, Jan. 15, 1844, was mourned as a personal bereavement by men of all parties. CHAPTER XXVIII. First Democratic State Convention - Administration of Gov. Thomas Carlin-Eleventh General AssemblyFirst Whig State Convention-Removal of the Capital -Special Session at Springfield-Repeal of InternalImprovement System-Presidential Campaign of 1840 -Twelfth General Assembly-Reorganization of the Judiciary-1838-1842. WHIL WHILE the excitement relating to internal improvements was at its height, the period recurred for the quadrennial election of governor and lieutenant-governor. The first regularly constituted democratic State convention for the nomination of these officers was held at Vandalia, Dec. 4, 1837, at which Col. James W. Stephenson was nominated for governor and John L. Hacker for lieutenant-governor. Serious charges being made against Col. Stephenson's administration of the receivership of the land-office, he was induced to withdraw from the contest; Mr. Hacker also declined his nomination. The convention was reconvened June 6, 1838, and was presided over by Wm. L. D. Ewing. The names presented for governor were Thomas Carlin and Sidney Breese; Carlin secured the nomination; while that for lieutenant-governor was given to Stinson H. Anderson of Jefferson County, who had served with distinction as a member of the eighth and ninth general assemblies. Thomas Carlin was born in Kentucky, of Irish parentage, July 18, 1789. He first came to Illinois in 1812, and served as a soldier throughout the war of that period. In 1818, he removed to Greene County and settled upon the future site of Carrollton, the county-seat. In the Black-Hawk War, he commanded a company and distinguished himself as a brave and efficient officer. He was the first sheriff of his county, had been twice elected to the State senate, and at the time of his nomination was register of the land-office at Quincy. He had been inured to the life of a backwoodsman, and never had an oppor |