Papers Of Abraham Lincoln

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[Resolved]2By the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring herein, That the Governor appoint three suitable persons who shall repair immediately to Lockport, and make a full and complete investigation into the conduct and proceedings of the Canal Commissioners, and report thereof to the

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present session of the General Assembly, and they are authorized to send for persons and papers.3

1William B. Archer introduced the original resolution in the House of Representatives on December 12, 1840. On December 14, the House refused to table the resolution by a vote of 43 yeas to 43 nays, with Abraham Lincoln voting nay. On December 15, the House tabled the resolution. The House later took up the resolution, Richard Bentley proposing an amendment striking out all after the word “Resolved,” and inserting in lieu thereof a substitute. The House adopted the substitute by a vote of 45 yeas to 42 nays, with Lincoln voting nay. The House adopted the resolution as amended by a vote of 44 yeas to 42 nays, with Lincoln voting nay. On December 17, the Senate tabled the resolution and several proposed amendments.
Illinois House Journal. 1840. 12th G. A., 112-13, 114-15, 117, 119-20; Illinois Senate Journal. 1840. 12th G. A., 62, 88.

2On December 15, 1840, the House of Representatives amended the resolution by striking out all after the word “Resolved” and inserting in lieu thereof a substitute.
Illinois House Journal. 1840. 12th G. A., 120.

3The canal commissioners referenced supervised the lllinois and Michigan Canal. William B. Archer’s original resolution called for a joint select committee to investigate the canal commissioners. This investigation was to take place in Springfield. On December 12 and 14, representatives in the House squabble over the cost of the proposed investigation and whether it should be conducted in Springfield or Lockport, the headquarters of the Canal. Other representatives argued that the investigation was unnecessary, as no charges had been filed against the commissioners, and the commissioners would be issuing a report of their conduct and proceedings in the near future. These concerns prompted the House to adopt Richard Bentley’s substitute. On December 17, senators in a debate on the resolution echoed the concerns voiced in the House. Adding to their discomfort was the provision to have the governor appoint members of the investigative body, which some senators viewed as a violation of the Illinois Constitution.
Illinois State Register (Springfield, IL), 18 December 1840, 2:6, 7; 25 December 1840, 2: 2-3.