Papers Of Abraham Lincoln

In force, 11th Feb.[February] 1837.

AN ACT to authorize John W. Spencer and David B. Sears, to build a mill dam across Rock Island Slough.
1

J. W. Spencer D. B. Sears, authorized to build a mill dam across Rock Island Slough,

Sec.[Section] 1. Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly, That John W. Spencer, and David B. Sears, are hereby authorized to build a mill dam across the Rock-Island Slough, in Rock-Island county, on or opposite their own lands; and the said John W. Spencer and David B. Sears shall be entitled to all the advantages accruing or growing out of said mill dam and water privileges.

When to be commenced and completed.

Proviso,

Sec. 2. Said mill dam shall be commenced within one year and completed within three years, from and after the passage of this act: Provided, however, said mill dam shall be so constructed as not to interfere with private rights.2

Power reserved

Sec. 3. The Legislature reserves the right to alter amend or repeal this act, whenever in its opinion the public good requires the same.

This act to be in force from and after its passage.

Approved, 11th February 1837.

1On January 5, 1837, James Craig in the House of Representatives presented the petition of various citizens, requesting the privilege of building a dam across Rock Island Slough. The House referred the petition to the Committee on Petitions. In response to this petition, Stephen A. Douglas of the Committee on Petitions introduced HB 109 in the House on January 11, 1837. The House passed the bill on February 2. The Senate concurred on February 9. On February 11, the Council of Revision approved the bill, and the act became law.
Illinois House Journal. 1836. 10th G. A., 1st sess., 175, 233, 396, 455, 532, 544, 551, 572; Illinois Senate Journal. 1836. 10th G. A., 1st sess., 348, 370, 374, 389.

2In 1839, the General Assembly passed an act giving Spencer and Sears an additional three years to complete the dam. Sears built the dam authorized in 1841-42.
D. W. Flagler, History of the Rock Island Arsenal (Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, 1877), 44.