1
Whereas, it appears that agents of the State have in some instances acted in the name of the State without authority, and have entered into contracts not warranted by the expressed
and special powers given to them by law; therefore, in order to protect the interest
of the State against great loss and manifest injustice,
Resolved, That the State of Illinois disavows all and every contract or transaction of any agent or agents made or entered
into in their name or names as agents of the State, not warranted by expressed authority given them by law.
But whilst repudiating all illegal and unauthorized contracts or transactions of their
agents they expressly declare they will pay all moneys received, and pay a just compensation
for any property accepted of by them, although such money or property may have been
acquired without legal authority by their agent or agents.
1Francis A. Olds introduced the resolution in the House of Representatives on December 22, 1840. The House tabled the resolution by a vote of 41 yeas to 37
nays, with Abraham Lincoln voting yea.
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), 146-47.
Printed Transcription, 1 page(s), 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), 147