Papers Of Abraham Lincoln

In force February 10, 1837.

An act to authorize Lyman Wooster and Asher Holmes, to build a mill Dam across the Kankakee River.
1

Wooster and Holmes authorized to build a mill dam, to be four feet high,

Section and township on which same to be erected

Sec.[Section] 1. Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly, That Lyman Wooster and Asher Holmes, their heirs and assigns, be and they are hereby authorized to build and continue a mill dam across the Kankakee river, four feet high, opposite the centre of section nineteen, in township thirty one north of range fourteen east, in Will county.2

Not to obstruct navigation.
Failure to comply, law to be void.

Sec. 2. The said dam shall be constructed in such a manner as will afford a free passage to all boats and crafts upon said river, and for a failure to comply with the provisions of this section, the privilege granted by this act is hereby repealed.3

Approved, February 10, 1837.

1On January 14, 1837, Peter Pruyne in the Senate presented the petition of Lyman Wooster and others, requesting passage of an act authorizing Wooster and Asher Holmes to build a dam across the Kankakee River. The Senate referred the petition to a select committee. In response to this petition, Pruyne of the select committee introduced SB 93 in the Senate on January 18. On January 19, the Senate amended the bill by adding a second section. The Senate passed the bill as amended on January 20. The House of Representatives concurred on February 6. On February 10, the Council of Revision approved the bill, and the act became law.
Illinois House Journal. 1836. 10th G. A., 1st sess., 309, 382, 403, 425-26, 487, 530, 544; Illinois Senate Journal. 1836. 10th G. A., 1st sess., 211, 246, 258, 260, 360, 373, 383-84, 389.

2Located near Momence in what was at the time the southeastern portion of Will County.
“Counties, Townships, and Ranges in Illinois,” Maps, Martha L. Benner and Cullom Davis et al., eds., The Law Practice of Abraham Lincoln: Complete Documentary Edition, 2d edition (Springfield: Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, 2009), http://www.lawpracticeofabrahamlincoln.org/Reference.aspx?ref=Reference html files/LandMeasurement.html.

3On January 19, 1837, the Senate added the second section.
Illinois Senate Journal. 1836. 10th G. A., 1st sess., 258.