Sec[Section]. 1. Be it enacted by the people of th[e] State of Illinois represented in the General Assembly That John H Gay, Adam L. Mills, Martin Thom[as?] and Nathan Farnsworth and their successors and assigns shall be and are hereby constituted a body corporate by the name and style of “The Belleville and Mississippi Rail Road Company,” and shall continue for the term of forty years from and after the passage of this act. Provided that the state of Illinois or the county of S^tClair shall have the privilege at the expiration of the period aforesaid of purchasing the Rail Way and other proper[ty?] authorized by this act to be held by the company, at the cost thereof, and . . . centum per annum interest thereon.

Sec 2. The corporation shall have the right and power to construct, and during its exista[nce?] to maintain, and continue a single or double rail road or way, or a single or double track way with such appendages, and appurtenances, as may be necessary for the convenient use of the same; from the ^east side of the public the public square in the^ Town of Belleville in S^tClair County to the bank of the Mississippi River, at or near the town of Illinois in the county of sa S^tClair; with the privilege of extending it along the foot of the hills, or bluffs on the eastern edge of the american Bottom, to the distance of te[n?] miles on each side of the point or places where the road from the River aforesaid shall reach the bluffs; to transport take and carry persons and property on the same, by the power and

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force of steam, of animals, or any mechanical or other power, or by a combination of them; as said company shall choose to employ, and by their name aforesaid, they are vested with the right and priv[ilege?] of erecting, building or making a single or double Rail road or single or double trackway, for the pu[rpose?] of using the same, in the manner herein after provid[ed.?]

Sec 3. If the said corporation hereby created shall not within two years from the passage of this act commence[;?] the construction of said road or way [and?] expend at least the sum of ten thousand dollars thereon and shall not within five years from . . . passage of this act, construct, finish, and . . . in operation the said single or double rail r[oad?] or way, or tracking, from the river aforesaid to Belleville, then the said corporation shall forever cease and this act shall be null [and?] . . .

Sec. 4. The capital stock of said compan[y?] shall be two hundred thousand dollars, with libe[rty?] to increase theth same to three hundred thou[sand?] dollars, to be held in the first instance as fo. . . John H Gay and Adam L Mills three twenti[eths?] Martin Thomas and Nathan Farnsworth twelve twentieths, and such bone fide citizens of S^tClair as shall, on or before the tenth day of February 1836 subscribe for the same, ^remaining^ five twentieths of the capital aforesaid. Provided that should the entire fourth part of the said stock remain unsubscribed for, it shall be allotted to th[e?] said Martin Thomas and Nathan Farnsworth

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. . .a copy of the same with the president of the Board of Directors or the secretary of the company, or in case of absence from the court of S^tClair, to leave a copy of the same . . . the office thereof.

Sec 10. The company aforesaid shall have power to make all the regulations and Byelaws requisite for the transaction of all business appertaining to their affairs. Provided such Bye laws and regulations are not in controvention of the provisions of this act nor of the laws or constitution of the United States, nor of the state of Illinois. The corporation aforesaid shall have power to negociate for a loan or loans in aid of the purposes provided for ^in^ this act; to pledge their capital stock, or other property, for the [security?] thereof: Provided that said loans do not exceed the amount of said Capital stock.

Sec 11. The Rail Road as aforesaid shall be commenced at the town of Belleville and may also be commenced at the mississippi River and made towards the centre of the route. A violation of any of the provisions of this Charter1 shall forfeit the same to be determined in due course of law. The Books provided to be opened by the fourth section of this act shall be under the charge of William Kinney Esq[Esquire]. James Mitchell Esq. Joseph Greene, Charles Sergeant, and Thomas Kimber of S^t Clair County, who shall receive all subscriptions offered by bonefide

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male citizens of the county St Clair of lawful age: Provided that should a greater number than five hundred shares be subscribed as aforesaid, the said commissioners shall reduce [the?] number, to be allotted to each subscriber so not less than one share shall be appointed [to?] each: Provided also, that if a greater number of shares is subscribed for or by a less number of persons than five hundred, then the said commissioners shall reduce the shares pro rata.