Papers Of Abraham Lincoln

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Whereas a large number of our citizens are now living on public lands, that were misurveyed at the date of their location: and whereas a still greater number are settlers on lands to which the surveys have not been extended: and whereas the existing preemption laws are bassed on legal subdivisions, and therefore do not extend the benefits contemplated by the existing laws to the settlers above enumerated.

Therefore resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives ^ general assembly of the State of Illinois^

That our senators in congress be instructed and our Representatives requested to use their exertions to secure the passage of a law extending to settlers on public lands that have been ^were^ surveyed subsequent to their settlement the privilege of enter-

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ing in 160 acres, in 40 or 80 acre tracts ^or either or both.^ where their possessions ^under the preemptive privilege^ so as to secure their improvements respectively where the same have been divided by the lines of the public surveys.2

Stephenson

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1James W. Stephenson introduced this resolution in the Senate, and the Senate adopted it, on December 19, 1834. The House of Representatives concurred on December 22. On January 7, 1835, the Senate delivered the resolution to Governor Joseph Duncan for his signature.
Illinois House Journal. 1835. 9th G. A., 1st sess., 140-41, 146; Illinois Senate Journal. 1835. 9th G. A., 1st sess., 115, 192, 196.

2In 1830, Congress passed a law granting settlers on public lands the opportunity to claim up to 160 acres of such land by paying the United States the minimum price within one year after the passage of the act. In 1838, Congress revived and extended the 1830 act for two years. Neither law addressed the status of lands settled before federal surveyors had completed their work.
Act of May 29, 1830, Statutes at Large of the United States, 4:420-21; Act of June 22, 1838, Statutes at Large of the United States, 5:251-52.