Papers Of Abraham Lincoln

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Sect.[Section] 1^st Be it Enacted by the People of the state of Illinois represented in the general assembly, That the Board of commissioners of the Illinois and michigan canal are hereby authorised and required to settle with Zephaniah Holcomb and pay him such sum or sums of money as may be due him ^together with interest thereon^ upon a ^contract^ made and Entered into between him and W^m B. Archer former acting commissioner, for the construction of a Bridge and Road near ^ near ^ ^ on ^ the canal line, bearing date December the 3^d 1836

sect 2^d the Board of Commissioners of the Ill are hereby authorised and required to pay said Holcomb in such funds as constitute the canal fund2

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N^o 173 H R

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A. Bill for an act for the relief of Zephaniah Holcomb

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[02]/[19]/[1841]
Ord.Eng.[Ordered Engrossed]

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1On February 13, 1841, Ebenezer Peck in the House of Representatives presented the petition of citizens of Will County, requesting relief for Zephaniah Holcomb. The House referred the bill to the Committee on Canals and Canal Lands, of which Abraham Lincoln was a member. In response to this petition, Abram R. Dodge of the Committee on Canals and Canal Lands introduced HB 281 in the House on February 19. The House passed the bill on February 22. On February 25, the Senate referred the bill to the Committee on Canals and Canal Lands. The Committee on Canals and Canal Lands did not report back the bill.
Illinois House Journal. 1840. 12th G. A., 387, 439, 460, 465; Illinois Senate Journal. 1840. 12th G. A., 377, 406.

2Holcomb had earlier brought an action of covenant in the Will County Circuit Court against the Illinois and Michigan Canal. In 1838, that court issued a non-suit against Holcomb. Holcomb appealed to the Illinois Supreme Court, but there is no evidence that the Supreme Court heard the case. Holcomb v. Illinois and Michigan Canal 3 Ill. 228-30.