that the Senate have concurred with them in the passage of a resolution, providing for the appointment of a joint committee on the subject of printing, &c, as amended by the Senate.

The Senate amend by striking out all before the word "the" in the sixth line, and "shall" in the ninth line, and inserting in lieu thereof, the following:

"The fuel and stationery furnished for the use of the state, the copying, printing, binding and distributing the laws and journals, and all other printing, ordered by the general assembly."

In which I am directed to ask the concurrence of the House of Rep. resentatives.

Messrs. McRoberts and Smith are the committee on the part of the Senate.

I am also directed to inform the House of Representatives, that the Senate have passed the following joint resolutions, viz:

Resolved by the Senate, the House concurring herein, That our senators in congress be instructed, and our representatives in congress be requested, at as early a day as possible, to use their best endeavors, to secure a liberal donation to the state of Illinois of the public lands, lying contiguous to the routes of the Central, Northern Cross, and Galena and Chicago Union Railroads, for the purpose of aiding in their construction.

Resolved, That the governor be respectfully requested to forward a copy of the foregoing resolutions to each of our senators and representatives in congress.

In the adoption of which, I am directed to ask the concurrence of the House.

The question pending, being on the adoption of the last resolution offered by Mr. Maxwell.

Mr. Harding moved to amend the resolution, by adding thereto, the following:

"To procure from congress an appropriation of money to remove the obstructions to the navigation of the Mississippi river, above the mouth of the Missouri."

On motion of Mr. Pickering,

The resolution and amendmeut were referred to the committee on Interal Improvements.

On motion of Mr. Gilson,

Resolved, That the committee on Internal Improvements, be instructed to enquire into the expediency of asking congress for an appropriation of land to aid in the completion of the Central Railroad upon its original

route.

On motion of Mr. Thomas,

Resolved, That the committee on the Judiciary be instructed to enquire into the expediency of digesting and embodying in one act al the sta tuary laws relating to the jurisdiction, powers and duties of justices of the peace and constables.

On motion of Mr. Sanger,

Resolved, That the committee on the Judiciary, be required to enquire into the expediency of providing by law, for the appointment of three commissioners, whose duty it shall be to revise, simplify and arrange the statute laws, and to revise, reform, simplify and abridge the rules of prac.

tice, pleading, forms and proceedings of the courts of record of this state, and to report to the legislature such amendments as they may deem proper; which amendments, the legislature may adopt, or modify and adopt and alter, from time to time, as in their judgment the public good may require, and that said committee report to this House by bill or otherwise.

Mr. Maxwell offered for adoption, the following resolution:

Resolved by the House of Representatives of the general assembly of the state of Illinois, the Senate concurring herein, That our senators be instructed, and our representatives in the congress of the United States, be requested to vote on all and every occasion, to prohibit by law of congress, the tolerance or extension of negro slavery, or chattel property in human beings, over or in any territory now free from such slavery, belonging to the United States, or hereafter acquired by them.

Mr. Maxwell moved that the further consideration of the resolution be postponed until Monday next, at three o'clock, P. M. The question was taken, by yeas and nays,

Yeas,

And decided in the negative, Nays,

Those voting in the affirmative, are,

:

24

44

So the House refused to postpone the consideration of the resolution to Monday next.

Mr. Olds moved that the further consideration of the resolution, be indefinitely postponed.

The question was taken, by yeas and nays,

(Yeas,

And decided in the negative,

So the House refused to postpone the resolution indefinitely. Mr. Hayes moved to substitute for said resolution, the following preamble and resolutions:

WHEREAS: By the laws of nations, the inhabitants of ceded territories, retain their original private rights and domestic institutions, and whereas, Mexico has ceded to the United States an extensive and valueable territory, in which the institution of slavery did not exist at the time of said cession; and whereas, that territory was acquired in a just war at the common expense and by the common efforts of the whole Union: Resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring herein, That under the constitution of the United States, congress have only such powers as are directly granted, or incidental and necessary to the exercise of those so granted.

Resolved, That congress have no right to interfere with the institution. of slavery where it exists bylaw, nor have they the right to impose that institution where it does not exist.

Resolved, That we are opposed to the extension of slavery, and wish it prevented by the use of all constitutional and just means.

Resolved, That our senators in congress be instructed, and our representatives requested to vote and act in accordance with these resolutions. A message from the Senate by Mr. Smith, their secretary:

Mr. Speaker: I am instructed to inform the House of Representatives, that the Senate have passed the following bill, viz:

"An act to authorise the sheriff elect, of Lake county, to take the oath of office."

In the passage of which, I am directed to ask the concurrence of the House of Representatives.

On motion of Mr. Bradley,

The House adjourned until ten o'clock to-morrow morning.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 6, 1819.

House met pursuant to adjournment.
Prayer by Rev. Mr. Hale.

The journal of yesterday was read.

Mr. Blakeman presented the petition of sundry voters of Collinsville, Madison county, praying for the incorporation of the Atlantic and Mississippi rail road; which was,

On his motion,

Referred to the committee on Banks and Corporations.

Mr. Starkweather presented the petition of Henry Shoel, and others, asking for an act authorising the sale of certain school lands; which was, On motion of Mr. Starkweather,

Referred to the committee on Education.

Mr. Henderson presented the petition of William Winter, and seventeen others, citizens of Henry county, praying that a part of said county may be attached to Stark; which was,

On motion of Mr Henderson,

Referred to the committee on Counties.

Mr. Walker presented the petition of W. Presley Murphy, and one hundred and four others, citizens of Pancock county, praying that a charter for a ferry may be granted Bryant Baittell and Ebenezer Carrier across the Mississippi river, &c.; which was,

On motion of Mr. Walker,

Referred to the committee on Banks and Corporations.

Mr. Brady presented the petition of A. Thornton, and seventy-one others, citizens of township thirty-eight north, range eight east, in Kane county, praying that lands belonging to nor residents may be taxed; which was,

On motion of Mr. Brady,

Referred to the committee on Education.

Mr. Lasher presented the petition of rundry citizens of the state of Illinois, praying for the creation of the office of superintendant of common schools, &c.; which was,

On his motion,

Referred to the committee on Education.

The resolution introduced on yesterday by Mr. Sherman, and which was laid over until to-day, was taken up for consideration.

The motion pending being on the motion of Mr. Hayes to postpone its further consideration until Monday next at two o'clock, P. M.

Mr. McDonald moved that its further consideration be postponed until Wednesday next.

The question was taken, and decided in the negative.

The question recurring on the question to postpone the consideration of said resolution until Monday next, at three o'clock, r. M., was taken up, and decided in the negative.

Mr. Brady proposed to amend the resolution by striking out all after the word "therein," and inserting, in lieu thereof, the following:

"That our senators be instructed, and our representatives in congress be

requested, to use their best efforts to procure the passage of laws for the territories of the United States.

Resolved, That said laws shall provide, that there shall be neither slavery nor involuntary servitude in said territories, otherwise than in the punishment of crimes, whereof the party shall have been duly convicted. Mr. Sherman accepted the amendment.

Mr. Hayes moved to substitute for the resolution, as modified, the following:

Whereas, By the laws of nations, the inhabitants of ceded territories retain their original private rights and domestic institutions; and whereas, Mexico has ceded to the United States an extensive and valuable territory in which the institution of slavery did not exist at the time of said cession; and whereas, that territory was acquired in a just war, at a com-' mon expense and by the common efforts of the whole nation.

Resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring herein, That under the constitution of the United States, congress have only such powers as are directly granted, or necessary and proper to the exercise of those so granted.

Resolved, That congress have no right to interfere with the institution of slavery, where it exists by law in any of the states or territories of the Union, and ought not to interfere with it in the District of Columbia, nor have they the right to impose that institution where it does not exist.

Resolved, That we are opposed to the extension of slavery, and wish it prevented by the use of all constitutional and just means.

Resolved, That our senators in congress are instructed, and our representatives requested, to vote and act in accordance with these resolutions. A message from the Senate, by Mr. Smith, their secretary:

Mr. Speaker: I am directed to inform the House of Representatives, that the Senate have concurred with them in the adoption of the resolu tion, providing for the improvement of the Des Moines rapids, in the Mississippi river;

And also in the resolution for the appointment of a joint committee to wait upon the governor and lieutenant governor elect, and inform them of their election, &c.; and have appointed Messrs. Witt and Morrison committee on their part;

And also in the resolution, appointing the sergeant-at arms of the Senate and the doorkeeper of the House to receive and distribute letters and papers, &c., to the members and officers of the general assembly.

I am also further instructed to inform the House of Representatives, that the Senate have concurred with them in the adoption of their resolution, fixing the time for the election of United States senator, with the following amendment:

Strike out the word "six," and insert "thirteen" in lieu thereof.

In which amendment I am instructed to ask the concurrence of the honorable the House of Representatives.

A message from the Senate, by Mr Smith, their secretary:

Mr. Speaker: I am instructed to inform the House of Representatives, that the Senate have concurred with them in the passage of a bill for “an act for the relief of the securities of Alonzo Pate," with the following amendment: