Papers Of Abraham Lincoln

In force, Mar.[March] 2, 1839.

AN ACT to authorize Joshua Vandruff to establish a ferry across Rock river, at Vandruff’s island.
1

Vandruff may maintain a ferry across Rock river.

Sec.[Section] 1. Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly, That Joshua Vandruff and his associates, and their heirs and assigns, be, and they are hereby, authorized to establish and maintain a ferry across Rock river, at such point as shall be most convenient at Vandruff’s island, on lands owned by the said Vandruff, his associates or assigns, on said island, and the opposite shores in the county of Rock Island for, and during the term of ten years from and after the passage of this act.

Sec. 2. The boat or boats necessary for the conducting of the said ferry may be so constructed as to be propelled by

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steam, horse, or such other power or means as the said proprietors may deem expedient.

When ferry is established.

Rates of toll.

Sec. 3. When the said ferry is established, it shall and may be lawful for the said Joshua Vandruff, his associates, their heirs and assigns, to demand and receive, from all persons crossing said ferry, for and during the time aforesaid, the following rates of ferriage, videlicet: For each loaded wagon, drawn by two horses or oxen, seventy-five cents, and for each additional animal by which the same is drawn, twelve and a half cents; for the same without a load, sixty-two and a half cents, and for each additional animal by which the same is drawn, twelve and a half cents; for each sulky, gig, or other vehicle, drawn by one horse, and driver, thirty-seven and a half cents; for each coach, barouche, or other pleasure carriage, drawn by two horses, and the driver, seventy-five cents, and twelve and a half cents for each additional horse; for each man and horse, twenty-five cents; for each head of neat cattle, six and one-fourth cents; for each head of sheep, hogs, or goats, four cents; for each footman, twelve and a half cents; and for crossing freight, six and one-fourth cents per hundred weight.

Ferry, how governed.

Sec. 4. The ferry hereby granted shall be in all respects governed by the laws regulating ferries, toll-bridges, and turnpike roads, except as is herein otherwise provided.2

Approved, March 2, 1839.

1On February 11, 1839, James Craig introduced HB 286 in the House of Representatives. On February 15, the House passed the bill. On February 25, the Senate referred the bill to a select committee comprised of senators George W. Harrison, Ebenezer Peck and Orville H. Browning. On February 26, the committee reported back the bill with an amendment to which the Senate concurred. On February 28, the Senate passed the bill. On March 2, the House concurred with the Senate amendment. On March 2, the Council of Revision approved the bill and the act became law.
Illinois House Journal. 1838. 11th G. A., 1st sess., 378, 395, 415, 568, 589-90, 606; Illinois Senate Journal. 1838. 11th G. A., 1st sess., 338-39, 413-14, 421, 459-60, 501.

2Vandruff did build the ferry and operated it for the rest of his life. The law generally regulating ferries was “An Act to Provide for the Establishment of Ferries, Toll Bridges and Turnpike Roads.”
The Past and Present of Rock Island County, Ill. (Chicago: H. F. Kett, 1877), 143; “An Act to Provide for the Establishment of Ferries, Toll Bridges and Turnpike Roads,” Revised Code of Laws (1827), 220-27.