California, and to perpetuate its existence in the District of Columbia:

And whereas, in view of all these facts, we regard it as the duty of each state in the Union, to proclaim its opinions on the momentous subjects in question, in the most public and solemn manner, to the other members of the confederacy, and to the world. Now, therefore,

Resolved, That Congress has full constitutional power, to prohibit slavery in the territories of the United States, by legislative enactment, and that it is the duty of Congress to pass, without unnecessary delay, such strict and positive laws, as will effectually shut out slavery from every portion of the territories of New Mexico and California.

Resolved, That the existence of slavery and the slave trade, in the District of Columbia, is a national disgrace which Congress has full constitutional power to remove, and that Congress should use this power, without unnecessary delay.

Resolved, That this General Assembly, for and in behalf of the people of Connecticut, hereby publicly and solemnly avow their determination to adhere to, and abide by, the compromises contained in the Constitution of the United States, relating to slavery, to the letter, and in the spirit of the same; but that they will oppose, in all constitutional and proper ways, any and every measure of compromise, by which any portion of our free territory may be given up to the encroachments of slavery.

Resolved, That this General Assembly, for and in behalf of the people of Connecticut, while solemnly declaring their purpose to use every constitutional and proper effort to resist the extension of slavery into the territories, and the further extension of its influence into the councils of the Federal Government, do as solemnly avow their attachment to the Federal Union, and their determination to stand by its integrity, at all hazards, and to the last moment.

Resolved, (in the language of North Carolina,) That we believe the people of Connecticut, of all parties, are devotedly attached to the union of the United States; that they regard it as a main pillar in the edifice of real independence; the support of tranquillity at home, of peace abroad; of safety, of prosperity, and of that very liberty they so highly prize; that they cherish a cordial, habitual and immoveable attachment to it, and that they watch for its preservation with jealous anxiety; that they believe it is the duty of their public servants to discountenance whatever may suggest even a suspicion that it can, in any event, be abandoned, and to "repel indignantly every attempt to alienate any portion of our country from the rest, or to enfeeble the sacred ties which now link together the various parts."

Resolved, That, in resisting the extension of slavery, we do not make a sectional issue, or oppose the interests of the people of the South, inasınuch as a very large majority of the white inhabitants of the slave holding states, are nonslaveholders, who need and should enjoy the privilege of emigrating to the new territories, without being followed by an institution which is every way hostile to freedom, and which so effectually contributes to degrade the toil and debase the life of the free laborer.

Resolved, That our Senators in Congress are hereby strictly instructed, and that our Representatives in Congress are earnestly requested, to vote, in every stage of the question, in favor of the incorporation of the fundamental principles of the Jeffersonian ordinance of 1787, into any acts of Congress establishing territorial governments over New Mexico and California: to vote always, and in every stage of the question, for the abolition of slavery and the slave trade in the District of Columbia: and to vote always, and in

every stage of the question, against the admission of another slaveholding State into the Federal Union.

Resolved, That the Governor be requested to transmit a

copy of these resolutions to the Governor of each state in the Union, and also a copy to each of our Senators and

Representatives in Congress.

AUTHORIZING GEORGE A. DOUGLASS AND OTHERS, TO ERECT A PIER IN CONNECTICUT RIVER, FOR A FERRY AT WAREHOUSE POINT.

Upon the petition of George A. Douglass, Barton M. Douglass, Orvill S. Douglass, Lester Burbank, Alanson S. Burbank and Roland S. Burbank, owners of the ferry at Warehouse Point, in Hartford county, praying for liberty to erect a stone pier in Connecticut river, for the use of said ferry :

Resolved, That George A. Douglass, Barton M. Douglass, Orvill S. Douglass, Lester Burbank, Alanson S. Burbank and Roland S. Burbank, owners of the ferry across Connecticut river, at Warehouse Point, in Hartford county, have liberty to erect and maintain, for the use of said ferry, at such place in Connecticut river, on the west side of the channel, as the commissioners on said ferry shall direct, a stone pier with mast, and to convey their boat across said river by a wire suspended from said mast and connected with said boat.

AMENDING CHARTER OF THE MILFORD FIRE ENGINE COMPANY.

Resolved by this Assembly, That the resolution incorporating the "Milford Fire Engine Company," passed May Session, 1838, be amended by striking out the word "thirty," and inserting the word "fifty," in lieu thereof; and also, by striking out the words "twenty of whom may at any one time be taken from the militia and no more."

AUTHORIZING CITY OF BRIDGEPORT TO ENLIST FIREMEN.

Resolved by this Assembly, That the common council of the city of Bridgeport, may annually enlist firemen, not exceeding three hundred in number, from persons resident within the limits of said city and of East Bridgeport, of the age of eighteen years and upwards, who shall be entitled to the same privileges as are now allowed to firemen in said city, and who shall be subject to the regulations and by-laws thereof, any law to the contrary notwithstanding.

THE BRIDGEPORT GAS-LIGHT COMPANY INCORPORATED.

SEC. 1. Resolved by this Assembly, That R. B. Mason, W. P. Burrell, Philo Hurd, Hanford Lyon, Horace Nichols and Henry T. Huggins, with such other persons as shall associate with them for that purpose, are constituted a body politic and corporate, by the name of "The Bridgeport Gas-Light Company," and by that name are empowered to sue and be sued, plead and be impleaded, in any court in this state; to make and have a common seal, and the same to alter or renew at pleasure; and the said company is hereby vested with all the powers, privileges and immunities which may be necessary to carry into effect the purposes and objects of this act as hereinafter set forth; and said company is hereby authorized and empowered to manufacture, make and sell gas, and to use for that purpose rosin, coal, oil, and any other material or materials; and to furnish such quantities of gas as may be required in the city and town of Bridgeport, for lighting streets, stores, buildings, or other purposes; and to enter into and execute contracts, agreements or covenants, in relation to the objects of said company, and to en

force the same. And said company shall be capable of purchasing, taking and holding, and of granting, selling and conveying any estate, real or personal, necessary to give effect to the specified purposes of this company, and for the accommodation of their business and concerns.

SEC. 2. The said company shall be empowered to lay down their gas-pipes and to erect gas-posts, burners and reflectors, in the streets, alleys, lanes, avenues or public grounds of said city and town of Bridgeport, and to do all things necessary to light the said city and town of Bridgeport, and the dwellings, stores and other places situated therein; provided, that the streets, side and cross-walks, public grounds, lanes and avenues shall not be injured, but all be left in as good and perfect condition as before the laying of said pipes or the erection of said posts.

SEC. 3. The capital stock of said company shall be seventy-five thousand dollars, with the privilege of increasing the same to two hundred thousand dollars,—to be divided into shares of twenty-five dollars each, which shares shall be deemed personal property, and be transferred in such manner, and at such places, as the by-laws of said company shall direct.

SEC. 4. The persons named in the first section hereof, or a majority of them, shall open books to receive subscriptions for the capital stock of said company, at such times and places as they or a majority of them shall direct; and shall give notice of the times and places of opening said books such as they may deem reasonable, and shall receive such subscriptions under such regulations as they may adopt for the purpose; and in case the subscriptions shall exceed three thousand shares, the same shall be reduced and apportioned in such manner as may be deemed most beneficial to the corporation; and in case an amount not less than forty thousand dollars shall be subscribed to the capital stock of said company, they may, at their discretion, close the books of subscription and proceed to the organization of said company, as hereinafter provided.

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