To the Congress of the United States of America: The Memorial of the Legislature of Illinois respectfully represents, That at a former session of this legislature, they adopted, by a large majority, a system of internal improvements throughout the state, embracing one grand central railroad, from Galena to the mouth of the Ohio river, together with various other railroads, traversing the state in several directions, communicating with the great rivers, and pointing to other projected improvements in other states; in all, constituting a line of railroad exceeding a thousand miles, the average cost of which is estimated at less than seven thousand dollars per mile.

Your memorialists would further represent, that, although there is nothing of novelty in the undertaking, and that no new argument can be urged in favor of this adoption, further than the peculiar adaptation of the country for the construction of such works, owing to its generally level surface, yet they feel dispassionately confident of success.

This state is yet in its infancy, but from the rapid increase of population and wealth, it promises soon to realize the anticipations of its citizens.

The system which it has adopted needs to some extent however, the sanction of the general government, and its aid; and from the attention which an application of a private company for “right of way” and grants of lands, has heretofore received, they feel confident that a similar application from the state would receive not less attention Your memorialists are confident that a true and correct representation of these matters, by our representatives in congress, cannot fail to have their due weight, and will doubtless influence the congress to adopt some plan by which the sale of the public lands will be ensured, and the people generally benefitted.

The General Government has heretofore viewed the construction of the Illinois and Michigan canal as a national work, and appropriated large amounts in lands to the construction thereof.2 The state entered with boldness into that grand design, and pledged itself to the prosecution of the work. Although the cost far exceeds all reasonable anticipation, they are determined to pursue it on the most practicable plan; and they have the confidence that the government of the United States3 will comply with its implied pledges, entered into to guarantee the work.4

But while the energies of the state are directed to this object, they are not to be confined in its enterprizes to the construction of one hundred miles of canal, benefiting but a small portion of the state: they have taken a more extended view, and adopted a more liberal system, that indicated by the internal improvement act of the last session, and although it is superficially extensive, it is confidently believed that it will not cost more to construct all the works indicated by the act, than it will to complete the canal. Yet no invidious comparisons are made. It is the ardent wish that the two works should harmonize together, and proceed with an equal pace, each equally receiving the fostering aid of the state and the general government. No true friend of the prosperity of Illinois, is in favor of overturning the one and promoting the other of these projects, because it would equally prostrate both. The canal and the internal improvement system being in the same state, affected by the same laws, and advancing the interests of the same people, are of a social disposition, and will flourish best by the mutual protection of each other.

Your memorialists, therefore, pray your honorable body to grant to the state the right of way over the public lands, for the several routes indicated by the internal improvement act; and also to grant to the state the right to purchase any quantity of lands along the routes of the several railroads, at a credit of ten years, without interest, not exceeding five hundred thousand acres, nr to grant to the state without sale or price, such quantity.

They also further pray that Congress, in order to carry out the design of the general government more fully, of completing the construction of the Illinois and Michigan canal, would grant such a quantity of land, bordering on said canal, or elsewhere, as will be sufficient to complete said work, upon condition that it may be needed, and upon the further condition that the state will guaranty the faithful application of the means hereby asked.

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives, That our senators and representatives in congress be requested

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to use all means in their power to procure the passage of a law of congress, to authorize the state of Illinois, by and through the commissioners of public works5, to enter lands along the several routes of railroads, and other improvements contemplated by the “act to establish and maintain a general system of internal improvements,” on a credit of ten years.

Resolved, That our senators and representatives be also requested to procure the passage of a further provision, granting to the state the right of way over the lands owned by the general government within this state, to construct the projected works of internal improvement.

Whereas, the Illinois and Michigan canal has been looked upon as a national work, and grants of land from the general government have been made to commence the same:

Resolved, That our senators and representatives be requested to procure the passage of a law by congress, granting to this state further means to complete said work, upon such conditions as the Congress of the United States shall order and direct.

Approved, July 21st, 1837.6