Whereas a large portion of the prarie lands in the state of Illinois, lies so remote from Timber as to render them of little value to the Government, And Whereas, by granting preemtion rights for the space of twenty years to the Citizens of said state, to not less than three hundred and twenty ^one hundred and sixty^ Acres, of the unsold prarie lands, at a given distance from timber upon the following Conditions, vz[viz], that he or she will plant and properly cultivate not less than one fourth part so preempted in a good lasting timber suitable, or adapted to the groth of the soil, which would much improve the conditions of the Country and much enhance the value of the remaining unsold lands of the Government

Therefore Be it resolved by the General assembly of the state of Illinois, that our senators in Congress be instructed and our Representitives requested to use there united efforts to procure the passage of a law by the Congress of the United ^states^ to carry out the principles as set fourth in the above preamble under such rules and restriction as the wisdom of the Congress may think most proper to Carry out the views of this General assembly