"An act to repeal an act to improve the breed of cattle;" And, "An act making partial appropriations," And he withdrew, On motion, The Senate adjourned until Tuesday morning 10 o'clock. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1836. Senate met pursuant to adjournment. Mr. Hackelton from the committee on Enrolled Bills reported as correctly enrolled, The memorial of the legislature of the State of Illinois, to Congress, on the subject of the National Road. Mr. Ross asked and obtained leave to introduce the petition of sundry citizens of Pike county, praying the incorporation of the Rock Port Canal Company; Which was read, and On his motion, Refered to a select committee. Ordered, That Messrs. Ross, Butler and Browning, be that committee. Mr. Owen asked and obtained leave to introduce the petition of sundry citizens of Hancock county, praying an alteration in a certain State road therein mentioned; Which was read, and On motion of Mr. Owen, Referred to the committee on State Roads. Mr. Owen asked and obtained leave to introduce the petition of sundry citizens of Hancock county, praying an alteration in the criminal code; Which was read, and On motion of Mr. Owen, Referred to the committee on the Judiciary. Mr. Owen asked and obtained leave to introduce the petition of sundry citizens of Hancock county, praying the incorporation of a company to build a bridge across the Mississippi river at the Des Moines Rapids; Which was read, and On motion of Mr. Owen, Referied to the committee on Petitions. Mr. Mills asked and obtained leave to introduce the petition of sundry citizens of Edwards county, in relation to a state road from Albion in said county to Maysville in Clay county; Which was read, and On motion of Mr. Mills, Referred to the committee on Petitions. Mr. Edwards from the committee on School Lands &c, made the following report, viz: The committee on Seminary, School Lands and Education, to whom was referred the petition of sundry citizens of township 14 north, range 5 West in Sangamon county, praying the grant to Eleanor Knotts of a pre-emption right, at the apprais ed value, to a lot of twenty acres, part of the 16th section in said township, have had the same under consideration, and REPORT: That the peculiar circumstances of the case before them would, perhaps, entitle it to more favor than almost any other that could be presented. The facts that Knotts settled and made improvements upon the land before it was surveyed,that he died and left his widow in possession, who has continued the occupancy under a lease of ten years, which has just expired, and that the widow is poor and has the charge of a numerous and helpless family, constitute a strong appeal to our sympathies. But your committee are of opinion that this legislature has no discretion on the subject, and that they would be assuming powers not conferred upon them in making such a disposal of the school lands as is here prayed for. It has been settled by former legislatures, that the sixteenth section, expressly granted to the inhabitants of each township for the use of Common Schools, cannot be devoted to any other purpose however charitable. That each citizen of the township, having an equal interest in the funds cannot be divested of his right without his consent; that any legislation variant from these principles would be unwise; and that no precedent ought to be established, giving the remotest countenance to future misapplicasions of the fund. In these views your committee fully concur, and therefore pray to be discharged from the further consideration of the petition. Which was read and concurred in. Mr. Murray moved the adoption of the following resolu tion, viz: Resolved, by the Senate (the House of Representatives, concurring herein,) That the two Houses will convene in the Hall of the House of Representatives, on Wednesday the 28th inst., for the purpose of electing an Auditor, Treasurer and Attorney General; Which was, On motion of Mr. Maxwell, On motion of Mr. Thomas, pay Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of Illinois, That the Auditor of Public Accounts, be required to obtain from the late Treasurer, a check upon the Branch of the State Bank of Illinois at Vandalia, for all the money which the said Treasurer states in his report to this General Assembly has been deposited in the said Branch Bank, the check to be made able to the State of Illinois. And the Auditor is further requi red, to present the said check to the said Branch Bank, and cause the money to be deposited to the credit of the State of Illinois. And when the deposite is so made, the Auditor shall deliver to the late Treasurer a receipt for the same, and the late Treasurer shall be entitled to a credit for the amount so deposited, and the Auditor is required to report to this General Assembly without delay, his proceedings under this resolu tion. Ordered, That the Secretary inform the House of Representives of the adoption of said resolution, and ask their concurrence therein. A message from the House of Representatives, by Mr. Prickett their Clerk. MR. SPEAKER-The House of Representatives have passed a bill of the following title, viz: "An act for the organization of the county of Van Buren;" In the passage of which, they ask the concurrence of the Senate. They have concurred with the Senate in the adoption of the resolution requesting the Governor to transmit to the Se cretary of the Treasury of the United States, a certified copy of the act passed at this session of the General Assembly, authorizing the Treasurer to receive from the United States a distributive share of the surplus revenue of the United States. And he withdrew. Whereupon, The aforesaid bill from the House of Representatives, for the organization of Van Buren county; Was read, and Ordered to a second reading. Mr. Wight asked and obtained leave to introduce a bill of the following title, viz: "A bill to incorporate the Jo Daviess Marine and Fire Insurance Company;" Which was read, and Ordered to a second reading. The engrossed bills of the following titles, viz: "An act declaring certain roads herein mentioned, state roads;" And, "An act to establish the county seat of Iroquois county;" Were severally read the third time and passed. Ordered, That the titles of said bills be respectively as aforesaid, and that the Secretary inform the House of Representatives thereof and ask their concurrence therein. The bill entitled, "An act to amend an act prescribing the mode of summoning Grand and Petit Jurors, and defining their qualifications and duties, approved Feb. 13, 1835;" Was read the second time, and On motion of Mr. Hacker, Referred to the committee on the Judiciary. On motion, The Senate adjourned. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 1836. Senate met pursuant to adjournment. A message from the House of Representatives, by Mr. Prickett their clerk. MR. SPEAKER,-I am directed to inform the Senate that the House of Representatives have adopted the following resolutions, viz: Resolved, That a committee be appointed to take order for the funeral of the Hon. Resolve Graham, late member of this House, and Representative from the county of Gallatin, who died last night. Resolved, That as a testimonial of respect to the memory of Major Graham the deceased, the members of this House will wear the usual badge of mourning for thirty days. Resolved, That the unanimous condolence of this House, upon the melancholy death of the Hon. Resolve Graham, be communicated to his bereaved family. Resolved, As a further testimonial of respect to the memory of the deceased, that the House adjourn until to-morrow. Resolved, That the Clerk inform the Senate thereof. And then he withdrew. On motion of Mr. Gatewood, Resolved, That as a testimony of respect we entertain for the private virtues and public worth of the Hon. Resolve Graham, a member of the House of Representatives, of whose death we have just been informed; that the members of the Senate wear the usual badge of mourning thirty days. Resolved, As a further testimony of their respect, that the Senace now adjourn. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1836. Senate met pursuant to adjournment. Mr. Mills asked and obtained leave to introduce the petition of sundry citizens of Edwards county, praying the alteration of the state road from Mount Carmel to Maysville; |