Papers Of Abraham Lincoln

In force, 16th Jan.[January] 1837

AN ACT for the relief of the purchasers of Saline lands.
1

Persons having paid for lands to T. D. Hewitt and the names entered on books, opposite the tract and certificate issued.

Commissioners to issue certificates

Sec.[Section] 1. Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly, That when any person or persons have paid for any lands in and of the Gallatin Saline reserve, and the same was received by Tyler D. Hewitt, the late commissioner of sales for and on account of any of said lands, and has entered the same upon the books of his said office, and opposite to the description of any such lands, and shall not have issued his certificate to the purchaser; the commissioner for the time being shall issue his certificate therefor, upon being satisfied that payment has been made therefor, as above described.

Commissioners power and duty to issue certificate or reject application.

Fees

Commissioners to make a special report

Sec. 2. That to enable the said commissioner more fully

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to carry out the objects of the preceding section, he shall have power, and it shall be his duty, to notify the administrator of said T. D. Hewitt, of any application for a certificate, and to cause to come before him any witness to swear, and examine the same, and decide upon the proof, and issue the certificate or reject the application, as to him shall seem to be right. And each applicant shall pay to the said commissioner fifty cents for each certificate so by him issued, and also to pay for any other service performed by him in any of said matters, at the same rate as are allowed to justices of the peace: And further, that said commissioner shall make a special report of his doings in the premises as to the amount of land and money and the number of certificates issued by him under this act.2

Approved 16th January, 1837.

1William J. Gatewood introduced SB 10 in the Senate on December 19, 1836 and the Senate passed the bill without amendment on December 20. On January 10, the House of Representatives passed the bill without amendment. On January 16, the Council of Revision approved the bill and the act became law.
Illinois House Journal. 1836. 10th G. A., 1st sess., 86, 135, 164, 221, 224, 252, 255; Illinois Senate Journal. 1836. 10th G. A., 1st sess., 80, 83, 189, 205, 211, 238.

2After the death of Tyler D. Hewitt in 1836, it appears that the General Assembly declined to elect or appoint another commissioner for the Gallatin saline reserve lands. By 1841, there still was no commissioner, and a large amount of rent was past due to the state.
“Report of the Committee on Salines and Saline Lands,” 12 January 1841, Reports Made to the Senate and House of Representatives, of the State of Illinois (1841), 219-20.