Wheras many of the officers and Old Soldiers who served in the late war of 1812 with great Brittain, are now in their Old age, labouring Under pecuniary embarressments, many of them without homes of their own; and whereas our government has an abundance of public land to dispose of:

Therefore your petitioners the Undersigned citizens of the State of Illinois, would most respectfully pray your Honorable body to make for those officers and soldiers who [served?] who served in the late war with great Brittain the same provisions or donations in the public domain, that are made to the officers and soldiers in the presant war with maxico for the like services

Your petitioners would most respectfully ask of your Honorable body this compensation to the aged Soldiers as a remuniration for their toils and labours in defence of their countries rights and to place them on an equal footing with those who serve in the presant war with the Republic of Maxico, as your petitioners will ever pray.