JOINT RESOLUTIONS. JOINT RESOLUTIONS for the improvement of the Mississippi river at the Des Whereas, the navigation of the Mississippi river is greatly ob- Preamble. structed 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; therefore, Permission of congress asked Be it resolved by the people of the state of Illinois, represented in the general assembly, That congress be, and is hereby, requested to pass an act granting their consent that any dams, walls, locks or to build dam. other works may be placed in the Mississippi river on or near the Des Moines Rapids, on the Illinois side thereof, for the purpose of improving the navigation thereof, or for hydraulic purposes; which shall not obstruct the free navigation of the present channel of said river. Such improvement to be made by, or under the direction of, or by the authority of the legislature of the state of Illinois. structed. Resolved, That our senators and representatives in congress be Delegation inrequested to use all proper exertions to secure the passage of an act to promote the ends in the foregoing preamble and resolution contemplated. transmit to Resolved, That the governor be respectfully requested to trans- Governor to mit to our senators and representatives in congress, at as early a delegation. day as practicable, a copy of the foregoing preamble and resolu tions. JOINT RESOLUTION asking a grant of lands to aid in the construction of certain railroads. Resolved by the Senate, the House concurring herein, That our senators in congress be instructed, and our represen'atives in congress be requested, at as early a day as possible, to use their best endeav Congressional ask a grant of land. delegation to ors to secure a liberal donation to the state of Illinois, of the pub. lic lands lying contiguous to the routes of the Central, Northern Cross, and the Galena and Chicago Union railroads, for the purpose of aiding in their construction. Resolved, That the governor be respectfully requested to forward a copy of the foregoing resolution to each of our senators in congress. of postage. JOINT RESOLUTION on the subject of postage. Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the general Congressional assembly of Illinois, That our senators be, and are hereby, instrucdelegation to urge reduction ted, and our representatives in the congress of the United States be 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. JOINT RESOLUTION instructing our senators and representatives on the subject of slavery. Resolved by the senate of the state of Illinois, the House of RepreCongressional sentatives concurring, That our senators in congress be instructed, delegation in- and our representatives requested, to use all honorable means in structed. 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 been duly convicted.” Resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring Governor to herein, That the governor be respectfully requested to transmit to forward reso- each of our senators and representatives in congress a copy of the lutions. joint resolution of the senate, concurred in by the House on the 9th instant, for the exclusion of slavery from the new territories acquired by our late treaty with the republic of Mexico. JOINT RESOLUTIONS of instructions to the senators and representatives in congress from the state of Illinois. delegation to urge a grant of land for rail roads. Resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring herein, That our senators in congress be instructed, and our repre- Congressional sentatives be requested, at as early a day as possible, to use their 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 Quin cy Resolved, That the governor be respectfully requested to forward Governor to a copy of the foregoing resolution to each of our senators and representatives in congress. forward resolutions. JOINT RESOLUTIONS 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 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 herein, That our senators in congress be instructed, and our repre- Instructions to sentatives requested, to use all honorable exertions to procure the passage of an act to direct the secretary of war to select a suitable delegation. congressional 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. Congressional delegation in JOINT RESOLUTION relating to re-location of school land. 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 realised 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 realise a school fund; therefore, Resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring herein, That our senators in congress be instructed, and our represenstructed to tatives requested, to use their best exertions to procure the passage urge passage of a law by congress, authorising the selection of other lands in lieu of such of the lands donated as above stated as are valueless or unsaleable. of law. Governor to Resolved, That the governor forward to each of our members in transmit to Congress a copy of the foregoing preamble and resolution. delegation. Governor to procure swords Sword to eldest son of Col. Hardin. JOINT RESOLUTION for the presentation of swords. Resolved by the House of Representatives, the senate concurring h rein, That the governor of the state of Illinois be authorised 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. Resolved, That cherishing with the profoundest sentiments of 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 , |