Papers Of Abraham Lincoln

1

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14 Sec[Section] 1^st Be it enacted by the people of the State
of Illinois Represented in the General Assembly:
That William Armstrong of the County of Bond
and State of Illinois is hereby authorized to vend
and sell at Public auction or private sale all
Kinds of Wares[,] goods[,] and merchandize in this
state, without procuring a License, any Law
to the contrary not withstanding.2 Provided
that this act shall not be construed to authorize
the said Armstrong to peddle in and sell
Clocks.3 Provided further that the said
Armstrong shall not under the provisions of this
act, sell or vend any wares[,] Goods[,] or Merchandize
upon commission for any person.4

<Page 2>

[ docketing ]
H. R.
A Bill Entitled [“]an act for the benefit of William Armstrong ^and others”^

[ docketing ]
[01]/[01]/[1836]
Engrossed

1On December 28, 1835, William Hunter in the House of Representatives introduced the petition of William Armstrong, requesting a law permitting him to sell merchandise without a license. The House referred the petition to a select committee. Hunter from the select committee introduced HB 95 in the House on December 31. On January 4, 1836, the House referred the bill to a select committee. The select committee reported back the bill on January 6 with amendments, in which the House concurred on January 7. The House further amended the bill by adding the words “William Henson,” and “Benjamin Chesney.” The House passed the bill as amended by a vote of 38 yeas to 4 nays, with Abraham Lincoln not voting. The House amended the title of the bill by adding after the words “William Armstrong,” the words “and others.” The Senate refused to read the bill a second time.
Illinois House Journal. 1835. 9th G. A., 2nd sess., 160, 186, 202, 221, 244, 248-49; Illinois Senate Journal. 1835. 9th G. A., 2nd sess., 186, 267.

2At this time, Illinois law required auctioneers, vendors, and merchants of all kind to procure one-year licenses, for fees ranging from $5 to $50, from the county commissioners’ court of each county in which they operated.
“An Act Requiring Merchants, Auctioneers, Pedlars, and Others Engaged in the Sale of Goods, Wares, and Merchandize in this State, to Procure a License for that Purpose, under the Penalties therein Prescribed,” 1 March 1831, Laws of Illinois (1831), 89-92.

3Licenses to sell clocks were regulated separately from other kinds of licenses: they cost $50 each and lasted for three months.
An Act Regulating the Mode of Granting License to Clock Peddlers.

4On January 7, 1836, the House of Representatives amended the bill by adding the words “William Henson,” and “Benjamin Chesney.” In March 1837, the General Assembly passed an act for relief of Armstrong, Henson, and Chesney that had provisions similar to HB 95.
Illinois House Journal. 1835. 9th G. A., 2nd sess., 248-49.