The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1851-01-09


CHAP LNL--An Ac, granting the right Of way, and
making grant of land to the States OF Illinois, Missis-
sipp and Aabams in aid OF the construction "i rall-
road from Chicago TO Mobile
SEC l. Be II enacted 6y he SeYate and House
Of Representatives. oftic Unitad States Of .4meri-
ca in Congress assembled, That the right Of
yay through the public lands be aud the same Is
hereby, granted 10 the State Of Illinois for the
construction Of railroad from the southern termi-
nus Of the Illinois and Michigan canal to point
at or near the junction Of ths OHIO and Mlssls-
sipp rivers, with a branch of the same 10 Chicago
Lake Michigan, aud another VIA the town ot
Galena, in said State, to Dubuque, IN the State
Of Iowa, with the right also, 10 take necessary
materials Of earth, stones. timber, &c, for the
construction thereof Progided, That the right Of
WAY shall not exceed one hundred feet on each
side Of the lengih thereof, and copy of the sur
vey of said road and branches, made under the
direction of the Legislature, shall be forwarded to
the proper local land office, respectively, and to
the General Land Office al Washington city, with
in ninety days after the completion OF the same
SEC. .. Ind Be Il further enacted, That there
be, and is hereby, granted to tho State of Illinois
for the purpose If aiding and ahing the railroad
and branches aforesaid, every alternate section of
land designated by even numbers, fer SIX sections
in width on each side Of said road and branches;
bui IN case il shall appear that the United States
have, when tine line or route of said road and
branches is definitely fixed by the authority aiore
said, sold any parl Of amy section hereby granted,
or that the right Of pre-emptou has attached TO
The same, then it shall be lawful for any agent or
agents 10 be appointed by the Goveruor Of said
State, 10 select subject to the approval aforesaid
from the lands of the United States mos, coniiy-
uous 10 the ter Of sections above specified, so
, mnch land in alternate sections or parts of sec
iions, shall be equal 10 such lands the Unit
ed States have sold, 10 which the right Of pre-
emption has attached as aforesaid, which lands
being equal IN quantity TO one-hai OF SLY sections
IN width on each side Of said road and branches,
; the State Of Illinois shall have and hold TO and
for lthe use and purpose aforesaid: Prorided
That The lands TO b. so located shall in no case
be further than fifteen miles from the line of the
road: find further prortded, That the construc-
tion ei said road shaji be commenced al lis south
ern terminus, al Eear the junction of the Ohio
and Mississippi rivers, and It's northern terminus
upon The Illinois and Michigan canal simuita taneous-
ly, and continued iiom each Of said points until
completed, when said branch reads shall be con-
srucied, according 20 the survey and locator.
thereof; Proridei fprtiPr, That the lands hereby
gfastes yssqsl wsas censtraetton of said
road and branches respectively, in quantities cor
responding with The grant ior each, and shall be
disposed Of only the work progresses, and shall
be applied TO no other purpose whatsoever: find
prorided further, That any and all lands reserv-
ed to the United States by the act entitled San
act to grant quantity OF land 10 The State Of Hi
nos, for the purpose Of aiding IN opening u canal
to connect the Iwaters Of the Illinois river with
those of Lake Michigan" approved March Sc
cond, eighteen hundred and twenty seven, be and
the saiae are hereby. reserved TO the United
States from the operations Of this act.
SEC. ,. .4nd be 1t further enacted, That the
IL, l..
such grants, shall remain to the United States,
within six miles On each side of said road and
branches, shall not be sold for less than double
the minimum price of the public lands when sold.
SEC. 4. find be ii further enacted, That the
said l1nds hereby granted 10 the said State shall
be subject TO the disposal OF the Legislature there
Of, for the purposes aforesaid and no other; and
that the said railroad and branches shall be and
remain public highway, for tie use Of the Gov
eminent Of the United States, free from toll or
other charge, upon the transportation Of ANY pro-
perty or troops Of the United States
SEC. ). .4ad be 1t further oaacted, That il
the said railroad shall not be completed within ten
years, the said Stale Of Illinois shall be bound to
pay TO the United States the amount which may
be received upon the sale Of any part Of sand lands
by said State, the title to the purchasers under
said State remaining valid; and the title to the
residue of said lands shall re-invest in the United
States, to have and to hold the same in the same
manner as il this &c! had not been passed.
SEC. 6. ind be ii furfter enacted, That the
United States mail shall all times be transport
ed on the SAID railroad under the direction of the
Post Office Department, at such price as the Con-
gress may by law direct.
SEC. Z. .4nd be 1t further eRac;ei, That in
order TO aid in the continuation Of said central
railroad from the mouth Of the Ohio river 10 the
city Of Mobile, all the rights, privileges, and la
bites herenbefore conferred on the State of Hi
nois, snail be granted TO the States Of Alabama
and Mississippi respectively, for the purpose OF
aiding Ia The construction of railroad from said
city Of Mobile TO n point near the mouth of the
Ohio river, and that public lands Of the United
States to the same extent in proportion to the
length Of the road the same terms, limitations,
and restrictions in every respect shall be, and is
hereby granted to said States Of Alabama and
Mississippi respectively. ..f
Approved September 20, 1850. ...
CHAP l.Ali.-An Act giving the assent OF the United
states 70 act o the General! Assembly Of Marylan
passed at the december session, eighteen hundred
forty four chapter TWO hundred and eighty seven.