Papers Of Abraham Lincoln

In force, Feb.[February] 27, 1841.

An ACT to authorize Stanton Prentiss to establish a ferry across the Mississippi River.
1

Ferry for ten years.

Sec.[Section] 1. Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly, That Stanton Prentiss, of the county of Rock Island, is hereby authorized and licensed to keep a ferry for ten years across the Mississippi river, at township sixteen north, and in range six west, of the fourth principal meridian, in the county of Rock Island.2

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Boats, &c.[etc]

Sec. 2. Said Prentiss shall cause said ferry to be furnished with a tight, good boat for the speedy and safe transportation of all passengers, their teams, horses, cattle and other animals, as well as their goods and effects; said boat shall be furnished with men of suitable strength and skill to manage the same.

Rates of ferriage.

How governed.

Sec. 3. Said Prentiss shall receive such rates for crossing at said ferry as are now allowed ferries like situated, by the county commissioners’ court of Rock Island county, and in the management and regulation of said ferry, the said Prentiss shall be governed by the requisitions of the act entitled “An act to provide for the establishment of ferries, toll bridges and turnpike roads,” approved, February the twelfth, one thousand eight hundred and twenty-seven.3 This act to take effect from and after the date of its passage.

Approved, February 27, 1841.

1On January 20, 1841, Hiram W. Thornton in the House of Representatives presented the petition of citizens of Mercer and Rock Island counties, requesting a ferry across the Mississippi River. The House referred the petition to a select committee. In response to this petition, Thornton of the aforesaid select committee introduced HB 176 in the House on February 3. The House passed the bill on February 10. The Senate concurred on February 24. On February 27, the Council of Revision approved the bill and the act became law.
Illinois House Journal. 1840. 12th G. A., 249, 318, 348, 358, 503, 545, 547, 564; Illinois Senate Journal. 1840. 12th G. A., 291, 396.

2Located in the west corner of Rock Island County, west of Illinois City and south of Muscastine, Iowa.

3“An Act to Provide for the Establishment of Ferries, Toll Bridges And Turnpike Road,” 12 February 1827, The Revised Code of Laws, of Illinois (1827), 220-27.