Papers Of Abraham Lincoln

In force Feb.[February] 25, 1841.

An ACT to authorize James P. Morris to remove obstructions in Cahokia creek.
1

Obstructions may be removed.

Sec.[Section] 1. Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly, That James P. Morris, of the county of St. Clair, is hereby authorized to remove any drift wood or trees in or lying across the Cahokia creek from said Morris’ mills to the mouth of said creek, when the same obviously obstructs the free passage of the water of said creek in its course to the Mississippi.2

Approved, February 25, 1841.

1On February 9, 1841, Adam W. Snyder in the Senate presented the petition of James P. Morris, requesting authorization to clear out obstructions in Cahokia Creek. The Senate referred the bill to the Committee on Internal Navigation. In response to this petition, George W. Harrison of the Committee on Internal Navigation introduced SB 180 in the Senate on February 11. The Senate passed the bill on February 18. The House of Representatives concurred on February 24. On February 25, the Council of Revision approved the bill and the act became law.
Illinois House Journal. 1840. 12th G. A., 442, 476, 488; Illinois Senate Journal. 1840. 12th G. A., 277, 289, 304, 337, 393, 399, 406.

2Morris petitioned the General Assembly for permission to remove the obstacles affecting his mill on the Cahokia Creek presumably because the obstructions were on the lands of neighbors, upon which he had no right to enter under common law, and because he had been unable to effect removal through court proceedings.
Survey of Local Finance in Illinois, Volume Seven: Drainage District Organization and Finance, 1879-1937 (Springfield: Illinois Tax Commission, 1941), 40.