Whereas, The General Government is now relieved from the burthen of a National debt, and consequently released from the necessity of raising a large revenue from the sale of Public lands; and whereas, a large amount of revenue has been contributed by the citizens of our State in payment of Public Lands, and the portion which remains unsold is little more than sufficient to defray the expense attending the sale of the same. Therefore,

Resolved, By the people of the State of Illinois, Represented in the General Assembly, that our Senators in Congress be instructed, and our Representatives requested to use their best exertions to procure the passage of a law, donating to the State for the use of public improvements, each alternate Section on the different Railroad routes in this State, or the whole of the lands yet unsold, on condition that the State pay over to the General Government one third of the amount that would arise from the sale of the same; That the Governor be respectfully requested to furnish a copy of the above Preamble and resolution to each of our members in Congress.