Papers Of Abraham Lincoln

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

An ACT authorizing the canal commissioners to sell land in certain cases.
1

Canal lands in or near Juliet may be sold.

Sec.[Section] 1. Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly, That the canal commissioners shall be authorized to locate2 and sell canal land in or near Juliet, on the west side of the river, and not exceeding two acres3 to Martin H. Drummond, Levi Jenks, and Thomas Allen, in trust for the sole purpose of a burying ground.

Burial ground shall be enclosed.

Proviso.

Sec. 2. The trustees aforesaid may, after the purchase, cause the said burying ground to be enclosed, to be and forever remain a place for burying the dead, and shall be open at all times for that purpose: Provided, The said trustees may stake off certain lots and pieces and sell the same to families as exclusive spots for the interment of their friends.

Monies expended to enclose grounds

Sec. 3. The money received for parts of the ground so laid off, shall be expended by the trustees in enclosing such burying ground, and for things connected therewith, or paying for the same to the canal commissioners.

Ground east side of river.

Sec. 4. Joel A. Mattison, A. W. Bowen and Uri Osgood, shall be authorized to buy in trust of the canal commissioners a piece of ground on the east side of the river in Juliet, not exceeding two acres, and have the same powers and for the same purpose, as a burying ground, as is mentioned in the preceding sections and no more.

Approved, February 27, 1841.

1On February 10, 1841, John Pearson introduced SB 173 in the Senate. On February 18, the Senate passed the bill without amendment. On February 23, the House of Representatives amended the bill by striking out the word “five” wherever it occurred, and inserting in lieu thereof the word “two,” making it read “two acres.” The House referred the bill as amended to the Committee on Canals and Canal Lands, of which Abraham Lincoln was a member. The Committee on Canals and Canal Lands reported back the bill on February 25 with amendments, in which the House concurred. The House passed the bill as amended. On February 27, the Senate agreed to the House amendments. That same day, the Council of Revision approved the bill, and the act became law.
Illinois House Journal. 1840. 12th G. A., 442, 476, 504-05, 560; Illinois Senate Journal. 1840. 12th G. A., 285, 295, 319, 337, 411, 442, 451, 454.

2On February 25, 1841, the House of Representatives amended the bill by adding the words “to locate.” This amendment came out of the Committee on Canals and Canal Lands, of which Lincoln was a member.
Illinois House Journal. 1840. 12th G. A., 504-505.

3On February 23, 1841, the House of Representatives amended the bill by striking out the word “five” wherever it occurred, and inserting in lieu thereof the word “two,” making it read “two acres.”
Illinois House Journal. 1840. 12th G. A., 476.