The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-09-24
BY AU TIL Y.
Public Acts
Passed during the first session Of the U"fyJra
Congress.

Passed during the first session Of the Ih"fyJT't
Congress.
[PUBLIc-No 81
AN ACT granting the right OF way ; ana irna sg
a Grant of land TO the States OF Illinois, blssis-
sioni and Alabama, in aid OF the construction OF
n railroad from Chicago 10 Mobile
re :, enacted bv The Senate and Houseof Represent
atipts Of the United States 81 -imetcd m Congress
.,nbj,d That the right Of way through the pub
liz lands be, and the same Is hereby. granted 10
lie state of Illinois for the construction of rail
oad from the southern terminus of the Illinois and
Michigan canal To point at near the junction
of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, with branch
of the same 10 Chicago on Lake Michigan, and
another via the town OF Gaena, in said State, to
Dubuque, in the State Of Iowa. with the right also,
10 take necessary materials OF earth, stones, Inn
Der, &C., for the constr ctIon thereof: PToridd,
Il bat the right of way shall not exceed one hun
dred feet on each side of the length thereof; and
coDy of the survey of said road and branches made
under The direction OF the Legislature, shall be for
warded 10 the proper local land Offices respectively,
and 10 the General Land Office at Washington city,
within ninety days after the completion Of the
same
SEC. .. Ind be IL further enacted That there be
and is hereby granted TO the State of Illinois for the
purpose OF aiding in making the railroad and
branches aioresald, every alternate section Of land
designated by even numbers, for six sections in
width each side OF said road and branches; but
in il shall appear that the United States have,
when the line route of said road and branches is
definitely fixed by the authority aforesaid, sold any
part OF any section hereby granted that the right
Of presumption has attached to the same then il
shall be lawful for any agent or agents TO be ap-
pointed by the Governor OF said State TO select sub
icct 10 the approval aforesaid, from the lands of
the United States most contiguous TO the tier Of
tlons above specified, much land in alternate
sections parts Of sections, as shall be equal such
lands as the United States have sold, or to which
the right of presumption has attached aforesaid,
whichands being equal in quantity TO one half OF
six sections IN width on each side of said road and
branches the State OF Illinois shall have and hold
N nd fprt he n nj Oreaa dad
That the lands 10 be 80 located shall in case be
further than fifteen miles from the line of the road;
Ind ttrt.r prorided, The construction of said road
shall be commenced AT Its southern terminus, a
the junction Of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers
and its northern terminus upon lie Illinois and
Michigan Canal simultaneously, and continued
from each Of said points until completed, when said
branch roads shall be constructed, according TO the
survey and location thereof: Proridtd further
That the lands hereby granted shall be applied in
the construction OF said road and branches respec
tivsly, in quantities corresponding with the grant
for each, and shall be disposed Of only the
progresses, and shall be applied TO other purpose
whatsoever. ind prorided further, That any and
all lands reserved to the United States by the act
entitled An act to grant quantity of land to the
State of Illinois, for the purpose of aiding in open
ing canal to connect the waters. of the Illinois
river with those of Lake Michigan, approved March
second, ghteen hundred and twenty SEVEN" be
and the same are hereby reserved 10 the United
States from the operations OF this act.
SEC. ,. And be II further enacted That the
sections and parts Of sections of land which, by such
grant shall remain TO the United States, within al,
miles each side of said road and branches, shall
not be sold for less than double the minimum pric,
of the public lands when cold.
SEE -dnd be II further enacted. That the sail
lsnds hereby granted 10 the said State shall b,
subject 10 the disposal Of the Legislature thereof
for the purposes aforesaid and other ; and the
said railroad and branches shall be and remain q
public highway, for the use of the Government OF
the United States, free from toll or other charge
upon the transportation OF any property or troops
OF the United States.
said railroad shall not be completed within ten
years, the said State of Illinois shall be bound TO paw
10 the United States the amount which may be re-
ceived upon the sale OF any part Of said lands by
said State, the title to the purchasers under said
State remaining valid and the title 10 the residue
OF said lands shall reinvest in the United States to
have and hold the same in the same manner as if
this act had not been passed
SEC. :. And be II further enacted, That the
nited States mail shall at all times be transp ported
on the said railroad under the direction of the Post
Ofhce Department, at such price as the Congress.
may by law direct.
SEC. I. Ind be a. further enacted, That in order tc
aid IN. the continuation Of said Central Railroad
from the mouth OF the Ohio river 10 the city OF Mo
bile, all the rights privileges, and liabilities here
inbeiore conferred the State Of Illinois shall be
granted TO the States of Alabama and Mississippi
respectively, for the purpose of aiding in the con
sruction OF railroad from said city Of Mobile TO a
point near the mouth Of the Ohio river and that
public lands of the United TO the same extent In
proportion 10 the length Of the road on the same
terms, limitations, and restrictions in every re-
spect shall be- and j. hereby, granted to said States
VI Alabama and Mississippi respectively
HOWELL COBB,
Speaker " The Houss Of ReJressnfatipes
WILLIAM X. KING,
Presidtnf " The Senate pro te1lport
g m