Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1852-05-13
A BILL.

Granting The right of way and making a
graut Of Land to the States of Indiana
Illinois and Iowa, in aid of the con-
strnction of railroad from the Wa
bash to the Missouri river.
Be it enacfedJy the Senate and House Of
Representatives. Of the United STATES Of
.America in Congress .AssemJled, That
the right Of way through the public lands
be, and the same is hereby granted TO the
States Of Indiana, Illinois and Iowa, res
pectively, for the construction of rail-
road from the Wabash river, at a poin,
opposite the town Of Lafayette, in the
State of Indiana, TO the city of Peoria, in
the State of Illinois, on the most direct
and practicable route, and also from the
city of Burlington, in the State Of Iowa,
OH the most direct and practicable route
west from said city through said State,
to poin: on the Missouri river south OF
the mouth OF La Platte river, with the
right also to take necessary materials OF
earth, stone, timber, lumber, etc., for The
construction thereof: PRovIDEp, That the
right of way shall not exceed one hun
| dred feet on each side of the length there
OF; and copy of the survey Of said
road, made under the directions of the
Legislatures of the States of Indiana, IL
linois and Iowa, respectively, shall be for
warded to the proper local land Offices
respectively, and 10 The General Land Of
flee at Washington city, within ninety
days after the completion of the same.
SEC. 2. lind be II further enacted, That
there be, and is hereby granted TO the
States Of Indiana, Illinois and Iowa, res
pectively, for the purpose of aiding said
States in constructing the railroad aiore-
said, every alternate section Of land des-
ignaled by odd numbers for six sections
III width on each side Of the road but in
case ii shall appear that the United States
have, when the line or route of said road
is definitely fixed by the authorities aiore.
said, sold any part Of said section hereby
granted, or that the right of pre-emption
has attached TO the same, then it shall be
Lawful for any agent or agents, to be ap-
| pointed by the Governors Of said States,
respectively, to select, from the lands oi
the United States most contiguous 10 the
tier of sections above specified, SO much
land in alternate sections or parts Of sec
tions as shall be equal TO such lands as the
! United States have sold, or to which the
right of pre-emption has attached as a!ore-
said, which lands being equal in quantity
to one-half of six sections in width on
each side Of said road. the States of Indi.
ana, Illinois and Iowa, respectively, shall
have and hold TO and for the use and pur-
poses aforesaid PROVIDED, That the
lands TO be SO located shall in no case be
I further than fifteen miles from the line oil
the road: AND PROVIDED FURTHER, That
the construction of said road, shall be
commenced at its eastern terminus on the
Wabash river, and at the city of Burling-
ton, in the State Of Iowa, and continued
West from each Of said points, until COM
pleted according to the survey and location
thereof: AND PROVIDED FURTHER, That
the lands hereby granted shall be applied
in the construction of said road by the
States Of Indiana, Illinois and Iowa, res
pectively, inqnanlities corresponding with
the grant to each, and shall be disposed Of
only as the work progresses, and shall be
applied TO no other purpose whatsoever.
SEC. 3. find be afuriAer enacted, That
the sections and parts of sections Of land
which, by such grant, shall remain to the
United States within six miles on each
side of said road, shall not be sold for
less than double the minimum price OF
the public lands when sold.
SEC. 4. And be ii further enacied, Tha,
the said lands hereby granted to the States
of Indiana, Illinois and Iowa, respective
ly, shall be subject to the disposal of the
legislatures of said States, respectively
for the purposes aforesaid, and no other
and the said railroad shall be and remain
public highway, for the use Of the gov
ernment Of the United States, free from
toll or other charge upon the transporta-
ton Of any property or troops of the Uni
ted States. .a....
SEC. 8. find be IL further enacted,
That if the said railroad shall not be COM
| rlated ,..ithin ian .oarr liz an.l SI.I.. n