Papers Of Abraham Lincoln

1
Resolved, That the State Treasurer be requested to make out and lay before this House, at as early a day as practicable, the following items of information:

1st. The number of offices, depots, and other buildings erected by the orders of the late Board of “Commissioners of Public Works,” and “Board of Public Works;” where situated, the cost of each building, and the condition the buildings are now in; whether rented, to whom rented, and the annual amount?

2d. The quantity of railroad iron, spikes and nails, which have been received and not laid down; where situated, and in what condition the same is now, and the probable cost thereof?

3d. The amount of money paid out by the State for the right of way, and damages for, and on account of, the system of internal improvements, setting forth the names and amount paid to each person.

4th. What evidences are now on file, of grants or donations of land for the right of way, and whether the same have been acknowledged and recorded in the proper counties, according to law?

5th. Whether any railroad contracts were let by the late Board of Public Works, to whom let and the amount agreed to be paid therefor?

6th. The amount of money expended by the late Board of Public Works at Alton and its vicinity, in making a wharf in front of that city.

1Alfred W. Cavarly introduced the resolution in the House of Representatives on December 24, 1840, and the House adopted it. On January 6, 1841 John D. Whiteside, treasurer of the State, responded to this resolution. The House tabled this communication.
Journal of the House of Representatives, of the Twelfth General Assembly of the State of Illinois, At Their Second Session (Springfield, IL: William Walters, 1840), 154, 192-93.