JOINT RESOLUTIONS.

INT RESOLUTIONS for the improvement of the Mississippi river at the Des Moines Rapids on said river.

Preamble.

Permission

to build dam;

of

hereas the navigation of the Mississippi river is greatly obstructed by the Des Moines Rapids, and it is proposed to improve such navigation by making a canal upon and around said rapids, on the Illinois side of said river, by the erection of certain walls, dams, locks and other works in said river, which shall not obstruct the free navigation of the present channel of the river, for which purpose the consent of congress is desired; thereforeBe it resolved by the people of the state of Illinois, represented in = General Assembly, That congress be and is hereby requested to congress asked s an act granting their consent that any dams, walls, locks or er works may be placed in the Mississippi river on or near the es Moines Rapids, on the Illinois side thereof, for the purpose of proving the navigation thereof or for hydraulic purposes; which all not obstruct the free navigation of the present channel of said er. Such improvement to be made by or under the direction of by the authority of the legislature of the state of Illinois. Resolved, That our senators and representatives in congress be quested to use all proper exertions to secure the passage of an structed. to promote the ends in the foregoing preamble and resolution templated.

Delegation

ing

to

Resolved, That the governor be respectfully requested to trans- Governor to our senators and representatives in congress, at as early a transmit to delas practicable, a copy of the foregoing preamble and resolu

egation.

Ds.

INT RESOLUTION asking a grant of lands to aid in the construction of

certain railroads.

Resolved by the Senate, the House concurring herein, That our sena- Congressional des in congress be instructed, and our representatives in congress legation to ask requested, at as early a day as possible, to use their best en

a grant of land.

deavors to secure a liberal donation to the state of Illinois, of t public lands lying contiguous to the routes of the Central, Norther Cross and the Galena and Chicago Union railroads, for the pu pose of aiding in their construction.

Resolved, That the governor be respectfully requested to forwar a copy of the foregoing resolution to each of our senators in con gress.

Congressional de

reduction

postage.

of

JOINT RESOLUTION on the subject of postage.

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Genera legation to urge Assembly of Illinois, That our senators be and are hereby instruct ed, and our representatives in the congress of the United States b requested, to use their exertions to procure such a revision of the post office laws as shall fix the postage on letters at the uniform rate of five cents; and abolish the requirement now existing that transient newspapers must be prepaid at the office in which they are deposited, in order to their being forwarded through the mails Resolved, That his excellency the governor be requested to forward to each of our senators and representatives in congress a copy of the foregoing resolutions.

Congressional de

ted.

JOINT RESOLUTION instructing our senators and representatives on the subject of slavery.

Resolved by the Senate of the state of Illinois, the House of Repre legation instruc-sentatives concurring, That our senators in congress be instructed and our representatives requested, to use all honorable means in their power to procure the enactment of such laws by congress for the government of the countries and territories of the United States acquired by the treaty of peace, friendship, limits and settlement with the republic of Mexico, concluded February 2d, A. D. 1848, as shall contain the express declaration "that there shall be neither slavery nor involuntary servitude in said territories, otherwise than in the punishment of crimes whereof the party shall have beer duly convicted."

Resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring herein, That the governor be respectfully requested to transmit t each of our senators and representatives in congress a copy of the joint resolution of the senate, concurred in by the house on the 9th instant, for the exclusion of slavery from the new territorie acquired by our late treaty with the republic of Mexico.

JOINT RESOLUTION of instructions to the senators and representatives in congress from the state of Illinois.

legation to urge

Resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring Congressional deherein. That our senators in congress be instructed, and our rep- a grant of lands resentatives be requested, at as early a day as possible, to use their for railroads. best endeavors to secure to the states of Illinois and Indiana a liberal donation of public lands contiguous to the routes of the Mt. Carmel and Alton, and Mt. Carmel and New Albany railroads, for the purpose of aiding in the construction of said roads as early as practicable; and also a similar donation to the state of Illinois for the Springfield and Alton branch, and the western portion of the Northern Cross railroad of the state of Illinois, terminating at Quincy.

Resolved, That the governor be respectfully requested to forward Governor to fora copy of the foregoing resolution to each of our senators and re- ward resolution. presentatives in congress.

JOINT RESOLUTION on pre-emption rights.

Resolved by the House of Representatives of the state of Illinois, the Senate concurring herein, That our senators in congress be instructed, and our representatives requested, to use their influence in favor of pre-emption rights being granted to persons now actual settlers on the public domain that may be granted to this state for building railroads or other internal improvements.

JOINT RESOLUTION in regard to the improvement of the Mississippi,
Ohio and Illinois rivers.

Resolved by the House of Representatives of the state of Illinois, the Senate concurring herein, That our senators in congress be instructed, and our representatives be requested, to use all proper and honorable means to obtain the passage of laws for the improvement of the navigation of the Mississippi, Ohio, and Illinois rivers, and for the improvement and protection of harbors upon the northern lakes.

JOINT RESOLUTION in relation to a marine hospital at Rock Island. Resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring Instructions herein, That our senators in congress be instructed, and our representatives requested, to use all honorable exertions to procure the passage of an act to direct the secretary of war to select a suitable

congressional delegation.

to

tract of land upon the island of Rock Island, in the state of Illinois, for the site of the necessary buildings for a marine hospital, with the necessary appurtenant grounds, and directing the sale of the remainder of the lands upon said island, in small quantities, at public sale. The proceeds of said sale to be appropriated to the establishment and support of said marine hospital; and that the governor be requested to forward a copy of this resolution to our senators and representatives in congress.

Preamble.

JOINT RESOLUTION relating to re-location of school lands.

Whereas the United States have donated to this state one section of land, for the use of the inhabitants of each township for the use of schools; and whereas the evident design of said donation was, that the inhabitants of each township might thereby have secured to them the means of raising a common school fund; and whereas in many townships the land thus donated is so utterly valueless that it cannot be sold at any price whatever, while in other townships an ample school fund has been realized from the land so donated; and whereas it is but sheer justice that the townships in which said lands are valueless should have lands from which they can realize a school fund; therefore,

Resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring Congressional de- herein, That our senators in congress be instructed, and our replegation instruc-resentatives requested, to use their best exertions to procure the sage of law. passage of a law by congress, authorizing the selection of other

ted to urge pas

Governor

to

lands in lieu of such of the lands donated as above stated as are valueless or unsaleable.

Resolved, That the governor forward to each of our members in transmit to dele-congress a copy of the foregoing preamble and resolution.

gation.

cure swords.

JOINT RESOLUTION for the presentation of swords.

Resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring Governor to pro- herein, That the governor of the state of Illinois be authorized and requested to procure suitable swords, with proper devices and inscriptions, to be presented in the name and behalf of the people of this state to Brevet Major General Shields, and to each of the colonels of the 2d, 3d and 4th Illinois regiments, and that like swords be presented to each of the field officers from this state engaged in the Mexican war, as a public testimonial of their admiration for the gallant conduct of these officers at the battles of Buena Vista, Cerro Gordo, and elsewhere.

Sword to eldest

Resolved, That cherishing with the profundest sentiments of son of Col. Har- veneration the memory of the lamented Col. John J. Hardin, and entertaining the liveliest sense of gratitude for his invaluable services as the commanding officer of the gallant first Illinois regiment

din.

and with a desire to testify our high admiration for the valor and chivalry displayed by him at the battle of Buena Vista, at which he fell, that the governor be authorized to procure a sword, similar to those designated by the first resolution, and that he present the same to the eldest son of the lamented Hardin, as a memorial of the respect and admiration entertained by the people of this state for the virtues, bravery and memory of the deceased.

JOINT RESOLUTION relating to the transportation of free persons of color. Whereas efforts have been made to create the impression that the citizens of the free states desire to interfere with the institution of slavery in the states where it exists by law; and whereas such efforts are likely to create discord and jealousy among the several states and weaken the bond of our glorious Union; and whereas we desire most earnestly to undeceive our brethren of the southern states on the subject, and manifest our fraternal regard for them, and to contribute all in our power to assist in relieving them of the burden of slavery, in the manner best suited to their feelings and interests; therefore

Preamble.

delegation.

Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring herein, That our senators in congress be instructed, and our Instruct ns representatives requested, to employ all constitutional means in congressional their power to procure ample resources by the general government to remove all such free persons of color as can be induced to emigrate to Liberia, or elsewhere in Africa, and to provide for their necessary wants.

Resolved, That the governor be requested to transmit a copy of the above preamble and resolution to each of our senators and representatives, with a request that the subject be brought before

congress.

to

JOINT RESOLUTION in relation to postage.

Resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring herein, That the governor be required to pay or cause to be paid, out of the contingent fund, the postage on papers, letters, and public documents, received by or sent out by the members of the legislature and officers thereof.

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