Papers Of Abraham Lincoln

In force march, 3, 1837.

AN ACT, to authorize William Drummond to build a mill Dam on Big Muddy River.
1

Authorized to build a mill dam.

Proviso.

Sec.[Section] Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly, That William Drummond, be and he is hereby authorized to build a mill dam across the Big Muddy River, at the Shallow Ford:2 Provided, said

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mill dam does not obstruct the navigation of said river,3 and provided also, The said William Drummond owns the land on both sides of said river, where said dam shall be erected.

Approved, March 3, 1837.

1On February 7, 1837, Braxton Parrish introduced SB 170, originally title “A Bill Regulating Justices of the Peace in Civil Cases,” in the Senate. On February 8, the Senate referred the bill to a select committee. The select committee reported back the bill on February 11 with an amendment, in which the Senate concurred. The Senate referred the bill to another select committee. The select committee reported back the bill on February 22 with an amendment, in which the Senate concurred. On February 23, the Senate passed the bill as amended, amending the title so as to read “A Bill to Authorize William D. Rummond to Build a Mill Dam on Big Muddy River.” On February 28, the House of Representatives passed the bill. On March 3,Council of Revision approved the bill, and the act became law.
Illinois House Journal. 1836. 10th G. A., 1st sess., 686, 761, 819; Illinois Senate Journal. 1836. 10th G. A., 1st sess., 361, 368, 393, 485, 494, 582, 608-609, 611-12.

2Located in Franklin County.

3The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 affirmed the principle of the free navigation of the Mississippi River and its tributaries, and river and steamboat interests frequently challenged the builders of bridges and mill-dams to maintain that right.
“An Ordinance for the Government of the Territory of the United States, North West of the River Ohio,” art. 4 (1787); Columbus Insurance Co. v. Peoria Bridge Co. (1854), Martha L. Benner and Cullom Davis et al., eds. The Law Practice of Abraham Lincoln, 2d ed. (Springfield: Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, 2009).